Janet Jackson has praised Alexander McQueen, the British designer of her infamous nipple-baring Super Bowl costume, insisting that she is still very fond of his work. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 18 May 2008 | 11:34 am
Matthew McConaughey and his nearly 7-months pregnant girlfriend Camila Alves are hoping to rake in big bucks by selling their baby`s first photos. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 18 May 2008 | 11:34 am
We have seen Hrithik flex his muscles in `Jodhaa Akbar` and now get ready to see more of his `wow` six pack abs. The latest buzz in the tinsel-town is that Hrithik Roshan is all set to come down to the bare minimum by posing for an undergarments` brand. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 18 May 2008 | 11:34 am
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie`s kids are so thrilled about their mum`s pregnancy that they believe - they`re also expecting. Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 18 May 2008 | 11:34 am
Imagine the petite actress Dia Mirza wielding a gun and terrorising everybody. She is doing exactly that in one of White Feather Films' under-production movies, menacingly titled 'Acid Factory'. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 18 May 2008 | 10:00 am
Environmental and wildlife filmmaker Mike Hari Pandey, who has won three Green Oscars for his documentaries, is more preoccupied with the state of the country's water resources and rural health now. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 18 May 2008 | 8:01 am
This could be the Hollywood comeback story of the year. 'Iron Man' is this summer's first blockbuster and critics agree that it largely has to do with its star Robert Downey Jr. Things weren't always this great for Downey Jr. For years he was Hollywood's tragic tale of drug addiction and immense talent going to waste. The acclaimed Woody Allen couldn't even afford to hire him for his movie because Downey's insurance would cost too much. Downey Jr. along with Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage is considered one of the best actors of his generation, and if he hadn't wasted away the past decade, he could have surpassed them to become the undisputed best actor of his generation. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 18 May 2008 | 3:31 am
Producer-director Sanjay Gupta, who turned 41 last month, says he is at his creative best now. While shooting for 'Alibaug' is complete and 'Woodstock Villa' is set for release, his 'Acid Factory' has also gone on floors. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 18 May 2008 | 3:31 am
The success of Kannada film 'Nanda Nanditha' has made the young Yogeesh an overnight star but in his next film 'Ambari' he stays away from guns and goons that has made him hugely popular. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 18 May 2008 | 3:30 am
First, it was information technology, then came biotechnology and now Pune's heavyweights want to make a mark in the animation sector. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 17 May 2008 | 4:31 pm
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When most of the world fears Mathematics like a dreadful disease, she is a proud owner of a graduation degree in the same. A super-active kid at studies, she has many awards and rewards galore to her credit. An ardent public speaker, she entered the Miss India, only to win it, which eventually paved her way to TV and Bollywood!
She did her TV serial 'Kashmir', which not just won the hearts of everyone alike, but also much critical acclaim. In Bollywood, she debuted with Dhoop, follwed by an array of films like the soul stirring Dor and Manorama Six Feet Under. She is back with Summer 2007, and on an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama pours her heart out.
So what does Summer 2007 talk about?
Summer 2007 is a story of what happened to a gang of five college going friends one summer in 2007. They passed out of medical college in the year 2007 hence the title. It's about what transpired in those few weeks when they were doing something (I cannot reveal that now).
What is your character in the film?
I play the character of a girl called Vishaka who is filthy rich, and comes from a very fabulously wealthy family. But unfortunately, she is embarrassed of her family's wealth and feels that we don't do enough for under privileged. In the group of five, she is the voice of reason, morality, and she is the voice of anything to do with right and wrong. She always stands up for the right. If there is ragging and bulling she'll tell her friends how wrong it is. And if someone is cheating during the exams she gets angry with them. Basically, she is against any form of unfair practice or malpractice anyone does, which is why all her friends nick name her as 'Mother T' in short for Mother Teresa.
Sikander as a co- star and a new comer was he a refreshing change from your previous co-stars.
It is the first time I am actually working with newcomers usually I have always done films with people who've been around for sometime. In the entire group of five, I was the only person who has done couple of films all the others were just starting out. But all 4 of them, have tremendous amount of dedication and immense seriousness when it comes to work. Now, I know Sikander from very long time. The entire film is about five friends and our director was extremely clear that you guys have to look like friends only then will you'll be able to pull it off. Hence, before the shoot actually began we spent a lot of time together and there was immense comfort level between us, which looked like we were really close to each other.
But all 4 of them, have tremendous amount of dedication and immense seriousness when it comes to work.
How was your chemistry with Sikander and as an actor?
Since I knew Sikander for seven years, it was easier jelling with him. You would always refer your friends as good actor because when you are friends with someone, you always say good things about then and not bad. But in Sikander's case, I have to say that I was taken aback, he was way beyond my expectations. I thought he is going to be good but he went much beyond. He is extremely competent and extremely hard working and he is going to go very very far.
Suhail Sutari is also a debutant how would you rate him as a director.
He is not a debutant for me. I made my acting debut in a mini- series, which Suhail directed called 'Kashmir'. Suhail and I go back a number of years. Infact, when I start out with him, I was completely a newcomer, I had never acted on screen before, with only a theatre experience I walked onto the sets of 'Kashmir'. And to adapt from theater to screen is not an easy task, because it is a completely different medium. But Suhail helped in each and every step and was a great guiding force. In fact, when I was cast for mini series, it was not as per what Suhail wanted; I was cast because the channel wanted me. And he was bit unhappy to trust a new comer to such extend. But then, but we developed a great rapport. And in my first acting debut project, he got me my first best actor nomination. So what I'm trying to say is that, whatever I know about acting I learnt from Suhail even though I have received great appreciation for Dor, Doop, Manorama Six Feet Under, I'd say I was applying what I have learnt from Suhail. He was making his debut film and he offered me a part, which is a huge honor in itself. This is the man, who taught me acting. I knew he would offer me only a role that I could carry off and I could do justice to. And he is simply superb, directing for screen and TV is ultimately the same, just a different medium. And Suhail has been in television all his life so he's quite at home in cinema. His technical expertise in the medium shows during direction. Everybody who knows him will know that he's one of the finest directors of the generation. And he's clearly one of the best directors we have clearly.
Everybody who knows him will know that he's one of the finest directors of the generation
How different was Suhail compared to other directors?
Ya, I worked with the celebrity directors like Nagesh Kukunoor, debutant Navdeep, and many more but I would have to say that Suhail ranks as one of the best people I have worked with... I'm also biased because I have known Suhail and for me this film story was very important and being a part of Summer 2007 as well since its his first film. Infact, to be very honest, until the day we started filming, I had no script but I had blind faith in what Suhail makes me do. And it was more important for me to be part of Suhail's film than being the main lead. He said there are two female parts. And I should go for Vishaka's role and I said ok. But Suhail is very demanding director as well, you couldn't escape that fact. It brought back good and bad memory. Good because I realize what a brilliant director he is and bad because the number of hours he would make us work for 'Kashmir' and he made us work for crazy hours in Summer 2007 as well. We had limited resources and a strict budget and sticking within that was very important. On an average, we have worked for 15 hours a day and sometimes 20. But Suhail did not compromise on quality even if time was less. That's the best thing about him. Suhail and producer Atul Pandey have done a marvelous job; being a producer of the film, he put his life into it. And I think he is one of the finest producers I have worked with.
What are your expectations with the film?
I'm somebody, who wont be expecting anything and I'm a kind of person who believes in doing things to the best of my abilities and believing in destiny. As a human being, there is less as to what we can control. So there is not point in expecting, planning, and so on. I don't want to go philosophical here but something which always keeps coming in my mind is what Lord Krishna said to Arjun, just do what you are doing and forget about the results. That is what I do in every film of mine. I put my life into it, beyond that I can't do anything. Even in Manorama Six Feet Under, I put it a lot of hardwork and I am glad it was appreciated well. It may have not done so well in the BO but its alright. Some people said that I have gone beyond Dor, so thats wonderful for me.
I put it a lot of hardwork and I am glad it was appreciated well. It may have not done so well in the BO but its alright. Some people said that I have gone beyond Dor, so thats wonderful for me.
Are you personally into racing and Xboxes since Summer 2007 highlights a bit on it.
Its just a backdrop, the film doesn't deal with anything. The film is about a cause much bigger than racing. It just deals with the generation that uses it that's all. But personally, last year I was in France and I was the only Indian who was invited to drive a Formula 1 car. And as far Boxes are concerned, I do not have a Xbox but given the opportunity I would like to play that as well.
Tell us something about the songs and the sequences in the film.
There is only one song which is a love track between Sikander and Yuvika in the film. Apart from that the rest are all background scores. Its like college rock kinda' music. Extremely new and innovative something that's never done in Hindi cinema before. It will be path breaking; normally this kind of music is seen in American colleges and high school, very modern rock. My favorite would be all expect for one song, I wouldn't tell which one that is though. My favorite is 'I Just Wanna Fly'. Its got my kind of music, bands like Gold flame and Maroon play this type of music. The best part is Gourov Dasgupta is a young debut music director, he's just 19. I wish I was part of a band however, I play the drums, and my friends often join me for a jam session.
My favorite is 'I Just Wanna Fly'. Its got my kind of music, bands like Gold flame and Maroon play this type of music.
What are your forthcoming films?
This year I have three or four films releasing. In terms of what I'm doing now, I'm looking at a lot of scripts and by the time I get back to Mumbai I will finalize which all I'll be doing. One film I am doing is a Mohan Mudra film, I have no idea when it going to go on floors but sometime mid 2008. Then I'm looking at two more films, one is with Rajat Kapoor, he's a very accomplished director, I'm looking forward to work with him. I hope things work out, I always wanted to work with him. And then a comedy film, which I'm still looking at Jag Mohan's film is a thriller and comedy.
Any memories to share from Summer 2007
We were, waiting for the shot and I was resting under a Peepal tree, I felt a hot breath on my neck, I felt that Sikander was up to his antics again but when I turned around and saw I was face to face with the nose of a cow. It was 'Boo -Booing' right on my face. I think, Sikander was almost chased by a bull, I haven't seen it happening myself, but I heard the gossip on the set. So not sure. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 May 2008 | 3:19 pm
In spite of initial discouraging reports, Mukesh Bhatt's film 'Jannat' recorded 85 percent collection in Mumbai on the first day of its release Friday. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 17 May 2008 | 3:02 pm
The Talent runs in Baweja household, literally. Not many know, Priyanka Chopra's new red-haired look in Harry Baweja's Love Story 2050 was inspired by the portrait of a woman painted by none other than Baweja daughter Rowena. Ironically, she did the sketch two years ago after sitting in on the numerous brainstorming sessions for the storyboards.
Says Rowena, "The film being my brother's debut, played on my mind and I sketched a portrait of a woman based on what I heard from the script. And after we shot Love Story 2050, the film's characterization turned out to be quite similar in terms of the woman of 2008 and tomorrow's woman."
The painting occupies a place in Harman's bedroom. Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 May 2008 | 2:53 pm
Amrita Arora, the sexy siren and the sister of the hottest mom in B-Town, Malaika. Imagine, if the mere name itself sets the pulse racing, then what will happen if one encounters the Diva in live and flesh! Cosmopolitan, the fashion magazine has just done that by putting Amrita Arora in their latest edition of Cosmopolitan Summer edition. Here's Bollywood Hungama's version on it.
Amrita has taken the concept of a bikini clad woman to a different altitude, and style altogether! She also gives an 'in'sight of her likes, like the fact that she loooooooves getting massages and that she pampers herself every time with a massage she is in a hotel! Now that summers have started, we suggest that all ya' wannabe masseurs, can apply for that post JUST NOW!
And for all ya who thought that Amrita has gone the Kareena way by getting a size zero figure, read this carefully that Amrita considers her sis Malaika, Kate Moss, DittaVon Teese etc. as her Style icons!
Lastly, she says that she buys sexy lingerie whenever she feels sexy! Now do we see an array of applications for the Retail Course? Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 May 2008 | 2:06 pm
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is enjoying his blogging experience and 'the ugly abuses, the healthy criticism' that come along with it. The Bollywood icon has clarified that his remarks about Shah Rukh Khan's quiz show on his blog were misinterpreted by the media and he has apologised to the actor since then. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 17 May 2008 | 2:01 pm
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The renowned international wrestler Dalip Singh Rana a.k.a Khali is all set to step into bollywood with a film titled Kushti is directed by Rajeev Kumar. The film made under Venus Films will also have Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Nargis and Manoj Joshi, sharing screen space with Khali. Bollywood Hungama got up-close with the cast and crew of Kushti to find out what was it all about.
Shedding some light on the storyline Rajpal informs, "The story set in a village revolves around a postman played by me who is trying to get his gal (Nargis). Unfortunately, for him, her father is a wrestler and wants his daughter to marry one too, which happens to be Khali. Now in order to marry Nargis I have to fight Khali and defeat him."
With all praises for the gigantic wrestler, the director Rajeev Kumar says, "Khali is an extremely down to earth and professional guy. He gave his 100% to the film. Initially, I was quite apprehensive as to how will things shape up considering his huge body and attitude but he got into the skin of the character very easily that things eventually started falling in place."
Indeed yesterday (May 16) was a big day for Khali, mainly for two reasons, one being the announcement of his film Kushti and secondly for receiving an IFDB (International Federation Diploma in Body Building) award. Khali, very excited about his career in Bollywood says, "I had been flooded by many offers before but due to constant warnings about the corruption in bollywood I withheld myself from signing films." He goes on to add, "However, after meeting Rajeev Kumar and Rajpal Yadav, all my fears vanished and I had a wonderful time working with them. Kushti is a musical film and I hope my Indian audiences watch and at the same time like it."
Kushti is in its post-production period and is expected to release this year. Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 17 May 2008 | 1:21 pm
If you think Sanjay Gupta is sulking over the recent happenings in his life, you better think again. The never-say-die Gupta has already acquired a new set of close friends.
And his wife Anu is one of them. On April 14, Gupta turned 41. "I spent the evening with my close friends, photographer Jeetu Savlani, Sameer Soni, Sanjay Suri, Sudhanshu Pandey, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Rohit Roy and of course my wife. And of course Manoj Bajpai and his wife Shabana who are the closest to me after my wife. Anu is my bestest friend. I'm waiting for her to come back. Right now to be around her is enough solace for me. And I'm completely faithful to her. Even if I bump into a girl at a party I run the other way."
Gupta says these are his friends for life. "Most of these people I befriended during the making of Alibaug. They've been on board during this bumpy ride of mine. And I know they aren't with me to get work. They aren't moving on like people generally do after a film. We're extremely close. They're home for any puja or dinner. But Manoj and his wife Shabana are my closest friends. Whenever I'm lonely and low I just ring Shabana up and ask her to cook a meal for me. And I go over."
Gupta's fundas in life are very simple, "I keep thinking positively. If people are upset with me I'm sorry about it." He has also become very close to his entire Alibaug team. "They're people whom I can depend on at any hour of the day. Today at 41 I feel more creative and liberated. On my birthday, my buddy Jeetu Savlani gifted me a bicycle. It took me back to my schooldays when I was a champion cyclist. Now I love the bicycle more than my mo'bike."
Bipasha Basu who opted out of Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory because she found the role insubstantial is likely to be back in the project. "We had finalized Bipasha. But then our dates were clashing with the Bachchans' world tour. But now that she isn't going on the tour we're trying to get her back. We've made the changes in the script she wanted. Ego never came in the way, not when she made constructive suggestions." Gupta's next release Woodstock Villa is around the corner. "The promos are on. And in spite of all the shit that was written about Sikandar Kher's launch film being jinxed you just see what the film does to the boy. The girl Neha is my sister's daughter. But in spite of the fact that I've fallen out with her father Dharam Oberoi she's being promoted just as strongly as Sikandar."
But Neha's voice has been dubbed! "Let me put it this way. When they started even Sridevi, Rani Mukherjee, Katrina Kaif, and Bipasha Basu were dubbed. I'd say it's good-luck charm. I dubbed her voice for good luck." Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 May 2008 | 1:02 pm
Movie Details
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Anurag Sinha, Shefali Chhaya, Aditi Sharma, Habib Tanvir
Director: Subhash Ghai
Producer: Subhash Ghai
Music: Sukhwinder Singh
Lyrics: Ibrahim Ashq
THE MOVIE
Black & White is a risky film to make due to it's sensitive theme. And in spite of such a risk, Subhash Ghai takes the plunge and to top it all, instead of roping in an established name, he chooses to take a newcomer Anurag Sinha under his wings. Not just a risk, in fact a double risk, considering the fact that one wrong move and the film could well have proved to be a big roadblock in the Showman's journey. But Subhash Ghai manages to succeed, even though not to the extent one would have desired.
There is a solid beginning to the film, which stays on from the very first minute to the entire first one hour. Anurag's introduction as a suicide bomber operating out of Afghanistan, the subsequent tension in the Indian intelligence, Anurag's mission plan for bombing Red Fort, his friends in Delhi helping him with his new identity, his confrontation with his own man regarding the meaning of being a true Muslim, the sequence of events which lead to him winning the trust of Anil Kapoor and Shefali Chhaya - everything makes Black & White a breezy entertainer for a good part in spite of the seriousness of affairs.
What also impresses most is the way Anurag conveys a lot just through his body language, eyes and mannerisms, with hardly a few dialogues to mouth. And the ones he mouths do have the intensity and passion in spite of him keeping the pitch of his voice down throughout his act. Now that's quite some good act which would make many film makers stand up and take notice of the young actor.
The area where acting fails is surprisingly from an actor of the caliber of Shefali Chhaya. She is fine in a scene or two, but the places where she tries to play the vivacious Bengali wife; she is a complete let down. Seriously speaking, she starts getting on your nerves. Anil Kapoor is good but that's about it; not excellent though. But then for an actor like him, it is only the written part that has to be blamed, rather than his conviction. Theater actor Habib Tanvir is given quite some footage, rather unnecessarily, so with hardly any significance to the film's plot except for giving that 'Hamara Hindustan' angle!
So what stops the film from being one of the most powerful/engaging dramas created by Ghai till date? Its penultimate reels where the film starts dragging and refuses to match the pace of the earlier portions. In fact, except for a sequence or two, especially the one where Anurag Sinha beats up Milind Gunaji (reminding of the Shah Rukh Khan-Amrish Puri climax sequence in Pardes, the ending turns out to be quite dull. Of course, the message of 'let a terrorist live if he has reformed so that he can tell the rest of the world about the goodness of life' is well conveyed, but the much expected dramatic punch is missing.
If at all this punch was present, Black & White could have been an ace up the sleeves of Subhash Ghai!
PACKAGING
The film comes in an ordinary paper case, though the design and the layout gives it an eye catchy look. The DVD comes sans any props or frills.
DURATION
The film comes in a single DVD pack with the film's duration being approx. 140 minutes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The DVD doesn't come with any special features.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo
PRICE
Rs. 299/=
CONCLUSION
You want Black & White to be good. In fact really good. After all, it comes from a man who is aware that he has to move on with times and leave the Yaadein and the Kisna of his script database behind. He knows that the audiences have to be told something interesting and engaging and for that he chooses an unconventional subject - Terrorism - that doesn't quite have a universal appeal! This is why one feels tad sad after watching Black & White. Reason being that the film is fine but it could just have been far-far better.
Rating: **1/2 Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 17 May 2008 | 1:01 pm
Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke, a short nine-minute duration film from India has been chosen for the 61st Cannes International Film Festival. The Festival is to be held from May 14 to 25, this year.
This silent film highlights the different lifestyles of children living on the streets of New Delhi. Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke has been directed by Manoj Srivastav a co-produced by him and Naresh Sain. Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 17 May 2008 | 12:44 pm
Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, actress Mumtaz and music maestro A.R. Rahman will be honoured by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) for their contribution to Indian cinema at a ceremony in Bangkok next month. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 17 May 2008 | 12:00 pm
Tamil superstar Rajnikant is to don a series of new looks for his forthcoming mega sci-fi thriller 'Robot'. He is going to Hollywood to try out novel prosthetic make-up styles, estimated to cost over Rs.30 million, for the Shankar-directed film. Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 17 May 2008 | 11:30 am
