The shooting of UTV Spotboy Pictures and Sohail Khan Productions first co- production Main Aur Mrs. Khanna is currently on in full swing in Mumbai since the last few weeks. The film which stars Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sohail Khan in lead roles is being directed by debutant director Prem Soni.
The film is a romantic comedy and will be extensively shot in Australia with short schedules in Mumbai and Dalhousie. Sajid Wajid have composed music for this film which should be completed by October this year.
It has indeed been a mutually rewarding association for both the co-producers. Commenting on the association, Vikas Bahl - COO of UTV Spotboy Motion Pictures said, "It's a delight to work with veterans and new comers at the same time as they all bring new skills. Needless to say anything about the stars who are a delight, but debutant Prem Soni is here to make a mark in the industry. The movie is a perfect mix of all the emotions and fun that we experience in our lives."
Sohail Khan had a few words of praise for UTV Spotboy as well. "Within a short time, UTV SpotBoy has earned quite a name for themselves in the industry, by adopting a very creative approach towards movie production. The interactions so far have been extremely productive, and we are impressed with what UTV SpotBoy has been able to bring to the table. It just makes us more positive about the film, and we want to leave no stone unturned to make our first association Main Aur Mrs Khanna, a success."
We too hope this film indeed takes the box-office by fire when it hits theatres. Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 2:59 pm
There's a definite design to demolish Upen Patel's reputation. And Upen knows who's behind the smearing schemes. "I'm being made out to be this publicity hungry woman-eating Casanova with nothing better to do than chase skirts. I know exactly who's behind these."
Apparently, a certain section of the industry is determined to hold Upen up for ridicule. Off the record, he names some people who have in some way or other felt slighted threatened or rejected by the actor. "But the truth is I'm not here to take up a panga with anyone. I'm accused of having a temper problem. Fine. But do I display my temper unnecessarily? I got into a situation with the One Two Three director Ashwani Dheer. But did you see how silly I looked in One Two Three, especially when I take my shirt off in the middle of a song, everyone laughed when it wasn't meant to be funny."
Upen takes a deep breath. âI'm accused of being the kiss-and-tell type. Will anyone, even my closest friends, be able to claim I've shared my girlfriend secrets with anyone? I'm not that kind of a guy."
What about the stories of Upen whizzing past Mumbai's fast lanes with Tabu? "Did I call up journalists and say I'm seeing the lady? Did I plant stories of our friendship? No! The next thing I hear Tabu is upset with me, for what? What have I done? Or Tanissha for that matter. I've been shouting from rooftops that I'm single. Will someone please listen to me?"
When other actor's past rares its head it's often an ugly occurrence, But Upen Patel feels he's being hounded for a perfectly normal pastâ¦.sans hanky panky. "The latest attempt to force me unnecessarily into a corner is a group of pictures featuring me and Deepika Padukone released on the net by someone who has nothing better to do. Now, I'm being accused of leaking out those pictures! What would I gain by doing something so silly? It's not as if they're sleazy pictures. They're part of mine and Deepika's modeling days. We shot the photo-spread for a men's magazine. What's wrong with that? I've shot similar pics with other model-friends like Yana Gupta. What is the point of bringing them out? If they're meant to embarrass the lady, then they don't work. I'm very proud of my modeling days and all that I did back then."
Upen insists he knows who his enemies are. "But I won't give them the pleasure of publicity by naming them. Neither will I let them demoralize me. I came to Mumbai from London with a dream. Today, I've made a place for myself and for my sister whose modeling agency is doing very well. I will make it big without being a star-son or having godfathers and sugar daddys in the industry." Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 2:51 pm
Best Picture
Guru
Chak De India
Jab We Met
Om Shanti Om
Life In A Metro
Partner
Best Direction
Anurag Basu - Life In A⦠Metro
Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met
Mani Ratnam - Guru
Priyadarshan - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Shimit Amin - Chak De India
David Dhawan - Partner
Performance in a Leading Role (Male)
Abhishek Bachchan - Guru
Akshay Kumar - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Salman Khan - Partner
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De India
Shahid Kapoor - Jab We Met
Performance in a Leading Role (Female)
Aishwarya Rai - Guru
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met
Tabu - Cheeni Kum
Vidya Balan - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Performance in a Supporting Role (Male)
Anil Kapoor - Welcome
Govinda - Partner
Irrfan Khan - Life In A... Metro
Mithun Chakraborty - Guru
Rajat Kapoor - Bheja Fry
Performance in a Supporting Role (Female)
Chitrashi Rawat - Chak De India
Konkona Sen Sharma - Life In A... Metro
Rani Mukerji - Saawariya
Vidya Balan - Guru
Zohra Sehgal - Cheeni Kum
Performance in a Comic Role
Govinda - Partner
Irrfan Khan - Life In A... Metro
Paresh Rawal - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Rajpal Yadav - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Vinay Pathak - Bheja Fry
Performance in a Negative Role
Arjun Rampal - Om Shanti Om
Kay Kay Menon - Life In A ... Metro
Shilpa Shukla - Chak De India
Vidya Balan - Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Viveik Oberoi - Shootout At Lokhandwala
Music Direction
A.R. Rahman - Barso Re Barso Re (Guru)
Mika Ganpat - Ganpat (Shootout At Lokhandwala)
Monty Sharma - Saawariya (Saawariya)
Pritam - Hare Ram Hare Ram (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
Sajid - Wajid - Do U Wanna Partner (Partner)
Salim - Sulaiman - Chak De India (Chak De India)
Best Story
Anurag Basu - Life In A⦠Metro
Feroz Abbas Khan - Gandhi My Father
Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met
Jaideep Sahni - Chak De India
Mani Ratnam - Guru
R. Balki - Cheeni Kum
Lyrics
Gulzar - Tere Bina (Guru)
Jaideep Sahni - Chak De India (Chak De India)
Javed Akhtar - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)
Sameer - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya)
Sayeed Quadri - In Dino Life In A⦠Metro In Dino
Playback Singer (Male)
KK - Aankhon Mein Teri Om (Shanti Om)
Neeraj Shridhar - Hare Ram Hare Ram (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
Shaan - Jabse Tere Naina (Saawariya)
Sukhvinder Singh - Chak De India (Chak De India)
Wajid, Laabh Janjuwa - Soni De Nakhre (Partner)
Playback Singer (Female)
Shreya Ghoshal - Barso Re (Guru)
Shreya Ghoshal - Dholna (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
Shreya Ghoshal - Thode Badmash (Saawariya)
Shreya Ghoshal - Ye Ishq Hai (Jab We Met)
Sunidhi Chauhan - Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachle) Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 16 Apr 2008 | 1:02 pm
Amitabh Bachchan: "For the first time in my career I had to learn a skill for Sanjay Bhansali's Black. I learnt the sign language. I think this silent but utterly eloquent way of communicating helped me become a better human being and actor."
Bipasha Basu: "For Dhoom 2, I finally learnt to swim. Earlier, I couldn't even get into the water. Swimming was required for a surfing shot. Finally, though I didn't have to apply my new skill because the sea was too rough. But at least I learnt how to swim."
Victor Banerjee: "The one skill that I had the hardest time learning for a role was a bit of a joke. You see, I had to learn to speak Urdu for my first film ever in Hindi Shatranj Ke Khiladi, and that too for the mighty Satyajit Ray. I had three Urdu teachers, Shama Zaidi, Javed Siddiqui and Saeed Jaffrey, all spewing venom and tearing me apart because Urdu with a Bengali accent is certainly peculiar. And another unique skill was for a Bengali film Pratidaan where I had to learn wild the lathi to play the baddie while Naseer and Sharmila played the romantic lead.
Urmila Matondkar: "For Naina, I had to learn and understand the complete body language of the blind. I also got to understand the psychological changes and physical disturbances in a person after she gains her vision. It was then that I realized how much we take our senses for granted."
Shabana Azmi: "For Morning Raga, I had to master the Carnatic Swara. It was a terrifying and frustrating learning process. But it felt very very exhilarating when I got it right. Thank God for my guru Ranjini and her patience and dedication.
Shilpa Shetty: "For Indra Kumar's Rishtey, I had to learn to speak Hindi with a Marathi accent. That was more difficult than anything I had to face in Big Brother.
Lara Dutta: "I had to learn to speak French for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. I absolutely loved it!! I got to learn the cheesiest pick-up lines."
Aftab Shivdasani: "For Vikram Bhatt's Red, I had to work on my body. I went through rigorous training and had to be on a strict diet for several months. Though it required immense discipline I enjoyed it tremendously.
Rajit Kapur: "To play the character of Sadanand Borde in my only Marathi film, Limited Manuski, I had to ride a scooter. I didn't know how to. I reached Pune a day earlier to start practicing. I didn't know on the first day of shooting that I had to drive through the crowded streets of old Pune. I was very nervous at the outset. I thought I'd knock someone down. But eventually I had a ball.
Madhavan: "I have had to learn just one skill as an actor. And that was for the Tamil version of Mani Ratnam's Yuva. For the role of the street lout, I had to walk, talk and abuse like a goonda. I spent days with guys in the chawls, told them to brief me on the art of appearing uncouth on screen without overdoing it. My entire body language changed.
Vidya Balan: "The toughest thing that I had to learn for a role would have to be plying the wheelchair effortlessly for Guru, and that too with one foot twisted. That's when I realized how many of our physical abilities we take for granted.
Riteish Deshmukh: "For Anubhav Sinha's Cash, I had to learn street luge. It's actually sleeping on a skateboard and chasing cars. Risky but exciting."
Hema Malini: For Kamal Amrohi's Razia Sultan, I had to learn to speak Urdu, and I really enjoyed myself. Ironically I hardy spoke in the film, ha ha.
Raima Sen: "For Aparna Sen's The Japanese Wife, I had to learn how to do domestic chores. It wasn't enough to just fake it. My character actually had to LOOK like she does house work. My director needed that to show in my body language. So I did the actual cleaning, sweeping etc every day till these chores were ingrained in me. And I had to look graceful while doing it. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:41 pm
After staying away from the arclights for a couple of years, Nepali beauty Manisha Koirala returns with `Sirf - Life Looks Greener On The Other Side`. The actress also plans to take up direction in a year or two. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
Aamir Khan`s feted directorial debut `Taare Zameen Par` was absent from the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards nomination list announced here Tuesday as the actor didn`t forward his film for the awards shortlist. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
Alicia Keys says she`s not a conspiracy theorist. In a statement issued Tuesday, Keys said she was clarifying "comments that were made during my recent Blender magazine interview since they have been misrepresented." Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
Actor Wesley Snipes should serve a maximum three-year prison term and pay a $5 mn fine for failing to file his income taxes, US prosecutors recommended in a tax-season court filing. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
The last of Walt Disney`s original team of animators, known as the Nine Old Men, has died at the age of 95, a Walt Disney Co spokesman said on Tuesday. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
The author of a Harry Potter encyclopedia cried on Tuesday as he told a New York court about his devotion to the series of books about the boy wizard and denied accusations by J.K. Rowling that he plagiarized her work. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
one of three former employees being sued by Rob Lowe says the actor sexually abused her for years but she continued to work for him and his wife because she loved their two boys and needed the job. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 11:13 am
New York (ANI): Sex And The City star Cynthia Nixon secretly battled breast cancer two years ago. Nixon, who is 42-years-old and who is best known for her role as neurotic Manhattan attorney Miranda Hobbes in the TV series, spoke about her ordeal with ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday Apr ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:46 am
With just one day to go for the Olympic torch relay in the capital, actress Soha Ali Khan seems to have got the heebie-jeebies. The bubbly actress has backed out from carrying the Olympic torch in the relay and has even informed the Indian Olympic Association of her decision.
What is quite strange is that Soha has cited purely personal reasons as the cause for her backing out at the last minute. For those who came in late, the Olympic torch relay event scheduled to take place in Delhi tomorrow has been affected by one controversy after the other. First actor Aamir Khan was asked by some members of the Tibetan community to not participate in the event, then star football player, Baichung Bhutia, opted out of the event and finally Aamir decided that he would be carrying the Olympic torch.
With so many ups and downs, the Indian Olympic Association surely would heave a sigh of relief if and when the event goes on smoothly tomorrow. Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:44 am
London (ANI): 'Girls Aloud' band member Cheryl Cole seems to be the latest from the group getting ready to go solo. Cole has been secretly plotting her solo pop assault with top producer T2, who recently hit No2 with single Heartbroken. According to reports, the two have synchronised their diaries ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:37 am
Washington (ANI): Brit supermodel Naomi Campbell wanted to do her bit when she offered her blood at the HemoRio medical centre in Brazil only to have officials turn her away. Campbell, who had flown Apr 14 night to Brazil, had turned up at the centre to participate in a blood drive ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:31 am
London (ANI): It is supposed to be one of the highest security prisons in the UK, but it reportedly hasn't stopped English musician Pete Doherty from finding a way to get high on drugs. The 29-year-old singer, who had been jailed for missing out on drug tests, has been found ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:27 am
Download Lara Dutta wallpaper
"Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong."
The aforementioned words very plain-fully and aptly describe 'her', who is also Bollywood's very original and eternally brightest shining star. She is also been described as the 'reason' for one common disease: 'Insomnia' (lack of sleep), as most of her fans just can't stop thinking about her and hence can't sleep.
She is none other than Lara Dutta, who celebrates her very delightful Birthday today. Having started her career with modeling and with the prestigious 'Miss Universe' crown resting on her head, Bollywood was the obvious next step for her. The wagging tongues that once said 'Models cannot act', are now sheepishly hiding their faces, since Lara has not just proved them wrong, but also has proved to the world that its not just her, but any girl, who wants to conquer the World can do so with just one quality: CONFIDENCE!
So, what are you waiting for? Please give your B-Day wishes to this Birthday Girl who gave you many reasons to smile, by simply posting your wishes below. Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:23 am
Washington (ANI): Daniel Craig copes with the boredom of dieting by going on food and drink binges every once in a while. The actor admits that he has to maintain his tones physique while filming for a movie, especially the Bond franchise. That however, is the hard part as he hates ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:23 am
The sexy, svelte model cum actress Anupama Verma makes an entry in Star One's Show Pari Hoon Main where she plays the role of Jhanvi Oberoi, an influential financier if the film in which the protagonists, Raj and Pari star. Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:19 am
London (ANI): Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue plans to pacify herself over her failed bid to crack the US music market again by buying a 3million pounds country retreat in the UK. Minogue has expressed interest in a riverside Tudor home in Sussex, which she viewed last week after returning ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:18 am
A brutal hard-hitting no-nonsense film on child abuse shot on the 16 mm format. That's what the U Me Aur Hum cinematographer Aseem Bajaj is off to shoot in London since 24 March.
"It's an 18-minute film on child abuse as seen through the eyes of a 21-year old man, who has grown up with memories of murdering his mother and crucifying his abusive father . He kills both the parents because while the father abused him, the mother would watch and even encourage the abuse," says Bajaj.
The film entitled Dissociation is directed by a young filmmaker Ish Thapar who is the son of the famed documentary maker Navin Thapar. Says Aseem, âThe film is obviously based on a real life incident. When I asked the director, he said it was his friend's story. I'm just happy doing something that talks about a very real incident and how it scars the individual." Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:18 am
Washington (ANI): Mega-star Al Pacino was fired from his first job as a cinema user – for staring at himself in a mirror. The 'Godfather' star landed a job at the Rivoli Theatre in New York, and one thing that had him mesmerised was the three-way mirror at the candy counter ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:14 am
London (ANI): Despite being booed while judging the Miss USA beauty pageant, Heather Mills is refusing to abandon hopes of making a fresh start in Los Angeles. The 40-year-old former model, speaking after appearing as a judge at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, said that the reason for ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:11 am
Popularity surrounds the best, and why not, as Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh are blissfully crowned the most enduring couple of telly land today!! Their stupendous success in Nach Baliye brought the shy and ever-smiling Aamir Ali and the no-nonsense girl Sanjeeda Sheikh to the limelight, and today the duo ... Source: Oneindia - Entertainment | 16 Apr 2008 | 10:10 am
May is a crucial month for several entrants [actors, directors, writers, singers]. And at least three actors will be hoping for the best and keeping their fingers crossed - Mimoh Chakraborty [JIMMY], Sikandar [WOODSTOCK VILLA, SUMMER 2007] and Rajeev Khandelwal [AAMIR]. Ironically, all three newcomers are expected to face each other on the same date or a week later - May 16/23.
The question is, what if the movies release on the same date? In an industry that's governed by the box-office [talent follows later], the newcomers would be hoping that they hit the jackpot in their very first release. Let's hope that the makers sort out the issue [averting the clash]. If not, let the best film [and newcomer] win! Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 7:21 am
If you've watched KRAZZY 4, you must've noticed that the makers left a scope for a sequel towards the end. Instead of the customary 'The End' that's flashed after the end credits, the makers of this ha-ha-thon have highlighted 'To be continued' in the end. However, Rakesh Roshan isn't ready to start a sequel yet, even though the film has fetched favorable collections in its opening 4-day weekend.
âI am still undecided. Frankly, I would take a call only after two weeks. A clearer picture would emerge by then. Also, I would know if the sequel is feasible or not,â Roshan Sr. tells me, âSure, the business is good, with the business holding well on Tuesday as well. But right now I am too occupied with KITES [directed by Anurag Basu]. In fact, I am recording a song today.â Source: Indiafm.com News | 16 Apr 2008 | 6:56 am
Darshan starrer 'Gaja' holds the top position among Kannada films and is expected to complete 100 days at many centres. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Apr 2008 | 3:00 am
After staying away from the arclights for a couple of years, Nepali beauty Manisha Koirala returns with 'Sirf - Life Looks Greener On The Other Side'. The actress also plans to take up direction in a year or two. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Apr 2008 | 3:00 am
Nothing you say or do can exonerate you from the sin of missing 'Khuda Kay Liye', written and directed by Pakistan's Shoaib Mansoor. No review on either side of the border, or the ones by our learned critics elsewhere have done justice to the film's thematic power and enrapturing, almost mesmeric, execution of a plot that takes the director through three geopolitical zones without stumbling during the historic journey. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Apr 2008 | 1:31 am
Music lovers have lapped up Hari Krishna's compositions in 'Gaja' and it tops the Kannada audio charts. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 16 Apr 2008 | 1:30 am
After being one of Bollywoods youngest actresses to achieve a hit at the tender age of 16, Aap Ka Suroor actress Hansika we hear has signed four big banner films in a row recently! Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Debutant actor Sikander Kher son of Anupam Kher and Kiron Kher is all set with his first movie Woodstock Villa. The audio rights of this movie are with T-Series. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
The news has upset the Chopras no end. A source from from the Yashraj banner clarified, Shahid has been paired with Rani Mukherjee. Sherlyn is just making a brief appearance in the film. The report of Shahid acting opposite Sherlyn is false. Sherlyn is doing it just to gain mileage for her and some cheap publicity. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Sajid Nadiadwala has widened his horizons. His next venture Kambakth Ishq that stars Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead, now also boasts of an international star cast. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Besides learning the dance art form Salsa, Sophie is being particular about the films that she agrees to do. Amongst the hundred offers that keep pouring in every day, Sophie has just said Yes to Bobby Bedis new film. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Whats more young guys are demanding the Shahid look from Dilshad. Says Dilshad, Earlier people wanted a hair cut like Shah Rukhs. Today they are demanding for a hairstyle like Shahids. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Amy Thanawala, erstwhile assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansali (“Khamoshi”) and John Mathew Mathan (“Sarfarosh”) makes her directorial debut with “Suno Na”, being made under the banner of Cinema-Kollage. The film is now complete and being readied for early release. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Post their victory on Nach Baliye 3, the endearing couple Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh seems to be the most sought after couple on telly tube.While recently they were seen performing in Delhi with Tanushree Dutta, just lately the two of them also performed at a function of the King Khan to be hosted, Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Ho. Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Ajay Devgan is known in the industry for being truthful and absolutely honest when standing by his beliefs and opinion and he is also humble enough to give credit when due we hear!! Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 16 Apr 2008 | 12:00 am
Aamir Khan's feted directorial debut 'Taare Zameen Par' was absent from the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards nomination list announced here Tuesday as the actor didn't forward his film for the awards shortlist. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 6:30 pm
Movie buffs can now wear outfits similar to those worn by their favourite stars on screen through a new clothesline unveiled by the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in association with fashion retail brand BIBA here Tuesday. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 6:30 pm
The renowned Choreographer cum Director Ahmed Khan, has now turned Producer with his film Paathshala. The film will be co-produced by his wife Shaira Khan and will be directed by Milind Uke.
"Paathshala revolves around kids and is set in the school campus. It has actors like Shahid Kapur, Nana Patekar, Ayesha Takia in essential characters. The film has child artists like Swini Khare (Cheeni Kum), Ali Haji (Partner) and Dwij Yadav (Nanhe Jaisalmer) in pivotal roles." informs Ahmed Khan.
There was a buzz that Shahid Kapoor is only doing a cameo in the film, however, Ahmed clears the rumor. "Shahid is not doing a cameo, it is a character role. He plays a teacher who teaches English and Music. Nana Patekar is playing the role of the Principal, and Ayesha Takia is a teacher who looks into the extra curricular activities. Besides them, there is Sushant Singh and Saurabh Shukla in the film as well," says Ahmed Khan.
One of the interesting facts about the film is that it will mark the come back of well-known child artist, Sunny Singh, who was seen in the famous tv serial, Dekh Bhai Dekh, as Shekhar Suman's son. "Yes, amongst all the kids, Sunny Singh (who had earlier played the child artist in English Babu Desi Mem) who would be doing one of the prominent roles in the film, along with Shraddha. The story also has the plot of a school kid played by Mehnaaz, who falls in love with her teacher (Shahid)", adds Ahmed.
The shooting of the film is wrapped up. "We are now in the post production stages and the dubbing is to be done." Talking about the music, Ahmed says, "Hanif, who had earlier composed the music for the song 'Shakirave Shakira' in my directorial film, Fool N Final, has composed the music for Paathshala. Since all the songs are very script-driven, there is no special choreography done for it, I have done that only partially. The four songs in the film only help to take the story further."
"Paathshala is an entertaining film with a big social message," signs off Ahmed. Source: Indiafm.com News | 15 Apr 2008 | 4:57 pm
Nothing you say or do can absolve you from the sin of missing this film. No review on either side of the border or the ones by our learned critics abroad, have done justice to the film's thematic power and enrapturing almost mesmeric execution of a plot that takes the director through three geo-political zones without stumbling during the historic journey.
Khuda Kay Liye is that rare historical testament to our troubled times that not only puts forward the groundbreaking rousing and disturbing ideas on religious and cultural identity as defined by the western imperialism, it also manages to be an acutely gripping take on the wages of 'sing' subsuming suspense and drama in quantities that are eminently digestible, disturbing and nagging in their reverberations.
The brilliantly- structured plot takes the Pakistani characters through three continents. In Lahore, the Writer-Director Shoaib Mansoor introduces us to a liberal Pakistani family where the two sons (both musicians) follow separate paths.
While the younger son (played by Fawad Khan), is brainwashed by a charismatic mullah (Rasheed Naz) into embracing fundamentalism, the elder son (played by the Pakistani superstar Shan) sets off for Chicago to study music.
In the US, another kind of music awaits Shan. As he gets falsely implicated into charges of terrorism, and is tortured in the jail, the director cuts back into the younger brother's life and his Pakistani-British wife (model Iman Alu) who's tricked by her father into abandoning her British boyfriend to marry Fawad Khan who first tries to be a gentle and patient husband (a la Manoj Bajpai in Chandraprakash Diwedi's Pinjar) and then gets harsh with his woman, like all 'strong' men are 'expected' to.
The narrative builds so many layers and levels of socio-political relevance that you wonder how the pyramid of the pronounced significations underlining the emotionally and physically tortured characters doesn't collapse under the weight of the messages and the meanings.
If the plot in Khuda Kay Liye doesn't do a 9/11 in the narrative, it's because the director yokes his thought-processes into a vision that goes beyond the aggressive propaganda. We get swept into the culturally and religiously challenged world of these derelict misbegotten characters, not because they have political statements to make but because their politics and religion's identity emerges from their individual conflicts and conscientiousness rather than their ability to assume emblematic shapes.
First and foremost, Khuda Kay Liye is a human-interest story. We watch the distant yet unified destinies of the two brothers acquire colour and motivation through a skilled and seamless weaving of three cultures and myriad strands of impulses emerging from the dichotomies that manoeuvre the characters from their roots to their ricocheting destinies in worlds that are torn apart by emotional and political strife.
Do not make the mistake of presuming this to be message-mongering piece of propagandist cinema. What director Shoaib Mansoor has to say about the Islamic radicalism and western liberalism has a direct bearing on how we Indians live our lives.
The film is surprisingly skilled in technique. The camera stalks the three continents with the reverence of a pilgrimage but without the accompanying subservience. Some portions of the narrative involving Shan's interrogation in prison get too explicit for comfort.
But then this film hasn't been made to lull you into a false all-is-well-in-the-world sense of bonhomie. There's an irrevocable sickness at the heart of humanity and this film has no qualms in admitting it with a stunning simplicity of movement that leaves the narrative completely liberated of gimmicks and affectations.
The performances are all first-rate and I'm happy to see such talented actors in Pakistan (the ones who have come here so far are laughably meager in their abilities).Yes, Iman Ali as the British girl, who goes through the gruelling process of being conned into visiting and marrying at home (remember Vipul Shah's Namaste London?) does seem somewhat affected at times.
The affectations, if and when they occur, are far too rare in this film to affect its innate power and energy to alter, if not, transform the way we look at life in a closed society. When Naseeruddin Shah in an all-pervasive cameo opens the windows of the mind and tells us that music can never be haraam, we actually hear the sound of music wafting out of a hidden corner of our wounded hearts.
Khuda Kay Liye isn't just music to our ears. It's an eminently welcome departure from the namby-pamby depiction of religious and cultural fundamentalism we've seen so far.
This one tells it like it is. No punches pulled, no paunches sucked in. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Apr 2008 | 2:56 pm
After having everyone wet their tissues with their tears with his ultra sensitive film Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan now plans to dub the same film in sign language for the advantage of the children who are hearing and speech impaired. The âbrainsâ behind this initiative is âAnand Mook Badhir Kendraâ, an Indore-based NGO, whose director Gyanendra Purohit said that all of the filmâs dialogues and songs would be screened in sign language so that the children could also enjoy the movie along with others.
Not just that, he also added that plans are afloat of including the film in the education syllabus. The state police did their bit by providing its cameras and other equipments, due to which the film had been dubbed in sign language within a fortnight. Source: Indiafm.com News | 15 Apr 2008 | 2:56 pm
It's neither a remake of the popular 'Chak De India' nor does it give any sermons to a women's hockey team on winning ways. And it is sans Shah Rukh Khan too. But that will not stop the makers of a Punjabi film - 'Chak De Phatte' - to work out serious comedy. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 2:30 pm
Well groomed confident adults with good educational qualifications and lots of experience were no match to the intelligence of fifth graders during a mock examination for STAR Plus' upcoming reality game show 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain'. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 2:01 pm
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Nikhil Advani has been shooting with hectic celerity in China for his new comedy actioner Chandni Chowk To China Town. He now moves to Bangkok.
Quiz him about the music of the film and he says, "While the rest of the score by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with a little help from Kailash Kher is completely original, we've used Bappi Lahiri's 'Bombay Se Aaya Mera Dost' from the film Aap Ki Khatir. Bappi has reworked and re-sung the song."
The subject shifts to Deepika Padukone. The rumour is that Deepika ia doing a double role in Chandni Chowk To China. "That's right," confirms Nikhil. "Deepika is doing a double role in my film." This would be Deepika's third realease and her second double role after Om Shanti Om. Source: Indiafm.com News | 15 Apr 2008 | 1:54 pm
A city court Tuesday summoned Bollywood actor and producer Aamir Khan to depose as witness in a seven-year-old case of violation of copyright in connection with his blockbuster movie 'Lagaan'. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 1:01 pm
Talking anything about the spiritual Guru Pt. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 'Art of Living' course will be like holding torchlight before the blazing sun. For starters, it's a course that's meant for physical and mental development of an individual. And vouching for this course are not one, but millions worldwide, including many from our very own celebs like Rhea Pillai, and now none other than 'Live And Real Aphrodisiac' Dutta, we mean⦠Lara Dutta!
With her career going full-swing, Lara, the 'confidence personified' chic, had recently paid a visit to the Fiji Islands, in order to create awareness amongst the youth about the 'Art of Living'. Insiders close to her know her as someone who does not believe in wasting even a split second of her life. True to this, Lara immediately took to skywalking in her spare time (with her choc-a-bloc schedules, does she have any spare time?).
She must have come and gone, but the ones who have been touched upon by the 'Lara Effect' include the 'Sky', the Ropes, 'Air', Wind' and needless to sayâ¦us ( anytime!). And also, not to mention, the makers of her forthcoming film Blue, for which she got trained in swimming for her underwater scenes, despite the fact that she is hydrophobic (fear of water). Atta' girl, Lara!
We are very sure of the fact that with Lara at the helm of things, it would have merely been a cakewalk (or is it catwalk?) for her to redefine the 'Art of Living' into the 'Heart of Living'! Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 15 Apr 2008 | 11:58 am
Director Nikhil Advani, who has been shooting with hectic celerity in China for his new action-comedy 'Chandni Chowk To China', confirms that Deepika Padukone is playing double role in the movie. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 15 Apr 2008 | 11:15 am
