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'Loins of Punjab...' eyeing non-Indians in AmericaThe makers of Loins of Punjab Presents, the highest-rated Bollywood comedy, are hoping to make it as "roaring" a success in the US as it was in India by reaching out beyond Indian Americans.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 3:21 pm Charlie Chaplin was a 'child pauper'
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 2:39 pm Cynthia Nixon bags 2nd Emmy
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 1:07 pm Slimmed Divya Dutta gets glam roles
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 12:50 pm Drona has the most expensive villain of BollywoodThe much awaited film "Drona" will possibly give Bollywood its most expensive villain ever in the form of actor Kay Kay Menon.Source: Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 12:02 pm Relive the magic of MGR, NTR classics
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 11:19 am Theatre acting superior to film: Big B
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 14 Sep 2008 | 10:31 am "Welcome to Sajjanpur" goes global - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Sep 2008 | 9:24 am 'Golmaal Returns' First Look party: Photos - South Asian Women's Forum
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Sep 2008 | 7:51 am Imtiaz’s shooting in Delhi - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Sep 2008 | 6:02 am Theatre acting superior to film: Big B - NDTV.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 14 Sep 2008 | 5:28 am Divya Dutta's slim look gets her 'glamorous' rolesActress Divya Dutta, known for playing the chubby and bubbly Punjabi girl in films, has gone in for an image makeover. Having lost oodles of weight, she says that she is now being offered 'glamorous' roles.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Sep 2008 | 4:01 am Being a lesbian star in Hollywood - still a balancing actCould Hollywood indeed know the underlying magnitude of lesbian affairs? Throughout the American film industry's history, homosexuals, especially gay actresses, have lived just below the radar of mainstream public consciousness.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Sep 2008 | 4:00 am Craft of stage actor superior to film actor: Amitabh BachchanBollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a whimsical Shakespearean theatre artiste in 'The Last Lear', says that it is psychologically very difficult for a film actor to play a stage actor.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Sep 2008 | 4:00 am 'Drona' music is unconventional and innovativeFilm: 'Drona'; Music Director: Dhruv Ghanekar; Lyrics: Vaibhav Modi; Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Dhruv Ghanekar, Roop Kumar Rathod, Sadhna Sargam, Shaan; Rating: **1/2Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Sep 2008 | 4:00 am Get set to relive the magic of MGR, NTR classicsSouth Indian cinema buffs are in for a treat - classic films of yesteryears superstars N.T. Ramarao (NTR) and M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) are all set to be re-released with better colour and additional visuals.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 14 Sep 2008 | 4:00 am Golmaal Returns First Look Launch [Gallery]Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 14 Sep 2008 | 12:00 am Bollywood bachao! - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 13 Sep 2008 | 7:13 pm Karunanidhi gifts Rs.1.8 mn to tinsel town colleaguesTamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Saturday gifted Rs.1.8 million from his personal wealth to 90 movie technicians who had been his colleagues during his time in tinsel town.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 2:31 pm My career is top priority: Kareena Kapoor
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 13 Sep 2008 | 1:51 pm Ameesha on the cover of MWThis surely seems to be some sort of a lesson (or better still 'inspiration') to all those who believe in Numerology! She started her romance with the silver screen as Amisha Patel. After which, due to reasons well known, she dropped her surname and went onto become only Amisha. And then came a time (which has retained itself till now), whereby she calls herself as 'Ameesha'. We wonder if this has anything to do with numerology, but one thing is for sure that this 'Ameesha' chic has become quite a looker and more stunning than ever before! If you do not believe us, then, go grab a copy of the latest issue of 'MW', of which she is the cover girl. Man! We wonder how the fotog must have resisted his temptations while shooting this glacier beauty! Life is looking up for Ameesha for more reasons than one. She has found her 'true love' at last (as she claims), she looks more than 'just a mere' million bucks, has an array of class-apart films coming her way, namely Chatur Singh Two Star, Run Bhola Run, to name a few! In this issue, Ameesha has mouthed some of the most memorable quotes of her career like "My versatility is my USP. I can play a school girl, a mother, and a seductress with equal ease, I hate any man who tries too hard to impress or whose swagger says, 'Look At Me'''. Overall, its Ameeshaâs snaps and her quotable quotes that makes this issue of MW simply a Collectorâs Issue!Source: Indiafm.com Features | 13 Sep 2008 | 1:29 pm Wishing Mahima Choudhary a Happy BirthdayToday is the birthday of a girl who is not just 'Hot' but also 'Haute' with a capital 'H'! She can be rightly termed as the Pioneer of VJing. She is none other than Ritu Choudhary, who is better known as Mahima Choudhary, courtesy the Showman himself, Subhash Ghai. Having made her debut with the super smashing Pardes opposite Shah Rukh Khan nonetheless! What followed after that was her roller coaster ride in Bollywood with films like Dhadkan, Dil Kya Kare, Daag- The Fire, Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin, Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Om Jai Jagadish to name a few. Inspite of not having streak of successful films to her name, Mahima still sizzled her way into the hearts of millions worldwide! Literally, such is the 'Mahima' of Mahima! Join us as we put our hands together in wishing this birthday girlâ¦A very Happy and a Prosperous Happy Birthday by simply posting your wishes below.Source: Indiafm.com News | 13 Sep 2008 | 1:12 pm Om Puri and Vidya Balan to be felicitated with the Giants AwardHis work has always been phenomenal and his contribution to the field of cinema exceeds to infinity. News is that Om Puri, the noted National Film Development Corporation Chairman, will be felicitated with the Giants Award for his achievements in cinema. Besides Om Puri, the beautiful and surreal actress, Vidya Balan would also be honored with the Giants Award. The award would also be presented to other noted socialists, journalists, and businessmen for their contribution in the respective fields. The function would be held on September 17.Source: Indiafm.com News | 13 Sep 2008 | 1:04 pm Stars are magnets to attract audiences: Shyam BenegalVeteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal is known for making arthouse cinema with non-commercial actors, but he says that he believes in stardom and admits that he would like to work with big names if the budget permits and the script demands it.Source: Entertainment News | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:20 pm Live Chat: Shahana Goswami on September 15 at 1500 hrs IST'Born in Delhi and ruling India' are the words just apt to describe Shahana Goswami, who seems to be all over Bollywood, the Mecca of dreams and dreamers! This petite damsel made her debut in Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota, a film that marked the directorial debut of the legendary Naseeruddin Shah. This was followed by the hit film Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, the superhit film Rock On and the recently released Ru Ba Ru, - films that paved her route to the top! If her forthcoming films like Tera Kya Hoga Johnny and Firaaq are any indication, then, we are sure that she is just the person that Bollywood has been waiting eagerly for, in order to carry forward the legacy of actresses like Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi. Bollywood Hungama just managed to get this svelte actress spare a few moments from her precious timetable to chat with all of you. So simply log on Bollywood Hungama Celebrity Chat on September 15 at 1500 hrs IST and chatter away.Source: Indiafm.com News | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:11 pm "Shreyas is innately funny" - Amrita RaoDownload Welcome to Sajjanpur wallpapers Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of them all? In an industry filled with pretty faces, actress Amrita Rao surely stands out as the prettiest actress in tinsel town. Her sweet girl-next-door act in Ishq Vishk won her a million fans and her funky avatar in Main Hoon Naa pleasantly surprised many. Yet it was Sooraj Barjatya's Vivah after which no one doubted her acting prowess. Last seen in a cameo in Shaurya, Amrita is now all excited about her next release- Welcome to Sajjanpur. In an exclusive chat (interspersed with a lot of her trademark cute giggles) with Bollywood Hungama., the extremely pretty Amrita talks about her experiences working on this film, her equation with her co-stars and also reveals her future course of action. After a sensitive cameo act in Shaurya, you are back doing a lighthearted film like Welcome to Sajjanpur⦠How does it feel? I am super duper excited (laughs). Being a part of a Shyam Benegal movie was actually a high point for me when I first read the script. He is somebody who is liked and revered by everyone in my community. In fact, not many people know that we belong to same community and we speak the same language (Konkani). So, people like Girsh Karnad, Ananth Nag, and Shyam Benegal have always been looked upon by our community. Then of course I happened to see Zubeidaa when I was studying and that is one film that I still count as one of my favorite films. So when Shyamji called me for this role, I didn't ask him any questions and I just said yes to the film. Because, I so wanted to be on board under his direction. Shyam Bengal is somebody who is liked and revered by everyone in my community. In fact, not many people know that we belong to same community and we speak the same language (Konkani). Did you ever ask him why did he think of you for this role? I did ask him and he said that he had seen me in Vivah and felt that I most appropriately suited the role in terms of look and age and all that he was looking for. So yesâ¦I got lucky (laughs). First things first, where is Sajjanpur? Does it exist or is it a fictitious place? Whatever we have shown about Sajjanpur does exist but at the end of the day a name really doesn't matter because there is a place called Sujjanpur in India and there is another place called Sarhanpur in India. Like wise there is Sajjanpur; the film set in Sajjanpur, is thoroughly entertaining and you will just laugh out loud and leave the cinema hall feeling good. Not just that, in fact when you come out of the theatres, you will realize that in retrospect, some of the things which you laughed about during the film are some of the grave issues that our country is facing. Even today in the so-called modern India there are villages like Sajjanpur which face the issues that the film portrays. When you come out of the theatres, you will realize that in retrospect, some of the things, which you laughed about during the film, are some of the grave issues that our country is facing. What is the film all about? The film is a fascinating story of the people living in this village called Sajjanpur. Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) is the protagonist of the film and he's the common factor amongst all the characters in the film. He is the only literate guy in the village and everybody comes to him to write their letters. Apart from being a light hearted comedy, the film is a satire to some extent. We are supposed to play ourselves. Nobody is trying too hard to be funny or resorting to slapstick comedy. The village Sajjanpur is full of mad-hatters and we want people to come and forget their own world come into this small village and have fun with us (laughs). The village Sajjanpur is full of mad-hatters and we want people to come and forget their own world, come into this small village, and have fun with us The film was earlier called Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur. Why did the title change to Welcome to Sajjanpur? Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur is a title you might like after you have seen the film and you've fallen in love with the characters. Only then you would connect with the title Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur. But Welcome to Sajjanpur for the lay person is more inviting and welcoming. You are playing a village belle for the first time. Tell us something more about your character? I play Kamla in the film. Like I said, Kamla is illiterate and cannot read or write. She plays a potter and it's a very rustic, earthy, rural Indian character. Sajjanpur is her world, she cannot see beyond Sajjanpur because she has never ventured out. She comes to Mahadev to write her letters and of course hilarious situation revolve around it. How easy or difficult was it getting into the skin of the character? There were aspects to my character that were not that difficult while some aspects were indeed challenging. For e.g. the costumes worn by my character Kamla in the film are extremely earthy and authentic. Pia Benegal has worked on the costumes and she worked very meticulously. I had to work on getting the dialect right. We speak Bagelkhandi in the film which is a dialect from North India. It's a different dialect of Hindi just like Bihari or Bhojpuri or Haryani. We had Ashok Mishra, who has written the dialogues and screenplay of the film, and is actually from that district, assisting us in getting the dialect right. It was an amazing experience speaking the language and very different from the usual, routine stuff. We speak Bagelkhandi in the film, which is a dialect from North India. It's a different dialect of Hindi just like Bihari or Bhojpuri or Haryani. You are paired with Shreyas Talpade for the first time? How was the experience working with him? Shreyas and I bonded well throughout the making of the film. In fact, I remember, the first time I saw Shreyas was on the sets of Om Shanti Om. Farah knew that I was supposed to work with him and she called him into the van and he came in his old man get up. That was my first glimpse of Shreyas Talpade (laughs). After that we had a couple of workshops with Mr. Shyam Benegal, which is when I started to get to know Shreyas better. Post that, on the sets, when I saw Shreyas working, he was completely into his character Mahadev. He was not only effortless with his dialogue delivery but was also improvising on the dialect. I got very impressed and I felt that I should work very hard on my lines too (laughs). Did he play any pranks on you as he is known to be a prankster? There were no pranks as such but he is innately funny. He has this subtle sense of humor and because of that the scenes in the film are so funny. We were constantly improvising and he used to always come up with such funny additions that we couldn't stop laughing. It was indeed a really nice experience. Shreyas is innately funny. He has this subtle sense of humor and because of that; the scenes in the film are so funny. So where all have you shot this film? We've shot almost the whole film at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. We had recreated the whole village in a set. The art director has done a fabulous job. Welcome to Sajjanpur is directed by one of the finest directors of our country, Shyam Benegal. In fact not many actresses get a chance to work with a legend like him, so how has it been working with him? Mr. Benegal is someone whom I have always looked up to and admired. In fact the very name Mr. Shyam Benegal comes with certain pre-conceived notions such as an art-filmmaker or a filmmaker who only makes serious films. But I don't think that is true. I have always perceived Shyam Benegal as somebody who was ahead of his time, somebody who made wholesome cinema, which had profound actors with great scope for performances. Each of his films touched upon a new topic. In fact, I think 20 years ago, during his time everybody was adopting a safe & commercial formula. He swam against the tide, and made films, which 20 years later, today the young filmmakers are trying to achieve. Today when I work with a Shyam Benegal, I don't see it any different from working with a contemporary young director. He may be vastly experienced, but is still young and contemporary in his outlook. He doesn't believe in wasting time on the sets and is thorough with his homework. He also gives his actors the scope to improvise which makes the whole experience all the more enjoyable. I have always perceived Shyam Benegal as somebody who was ahead of his time, somebody who made whole some cinema, which had profound actors with great scope for performances. Each of his films touched upon a new topic. Have you been a fan of his films? Which is your favorite? Of courseâ¦Like I saidâ¦I loved Zubeidaa. I loved Mandi; Junoon was a nice film, Kalyug was good too and Ankur his debut film as a director too is one of my favorites. Do you think a film like Welcome to Sajjanpur would appeal mainly to the people in smaller towns and interiors or will it find an audience even amongst the urban multiplex going public? I think it's a film that will be liked by everybody. The multiplex audiences are going to love the film and at the same time even the masses in the smaller towns are also going to adore the film. At least that's what we are hoping. It's a very normal, relatable, attractive, fun film presented in a contemporary fashion. Talking about your career, your first film Ab Ke Baras sank at the B.O., you were noticed in The Legend of Bhagat Singh, got your first big hit with Ishq Vishk, had some really big hits like Masti & Main Hoon Naa and then after a gap of few years you probably had your biggest hit with Vivah. Post Vivah, a lot of people feel your career hasn't gone the way it should have. Do you feel the same too? Wellâ¦to be frankâ¦sometimes I do because post Vivah I immediately did a South film and that took away my focus and also took away a lot of my time. I wanted to do it as an experiment and to discover a different experience of acting, mouthing lines and reacting to lines you don't understand. I also got a chance to work with the biggest superstar of Telugu film industry Mahesh Babu so it was a good experience for me. The South Indian sensibilities are different from people in the Hindi film industry. But still, Vivah is a film and a role that's given me so much of positive equity among the masses and ultimately nobody can take that away from you. Even today when the film is aired on TV the TRP is soaring high. In fact, recently, when I was shooting in Jodhpur, I came out of my van and what I see is this the whole group of people waiting for me and calling me 'Poonam Poonam' I think for them I will always be their Poonam. In fact, recently, when I was shooting in Jodhpur, I came out of my van and what I see is this the whole group of people waiting for me and calling me 'Poonam Poonam' I think for them I will always be their Poonam. But don't you think you could have cashed in on the success of Vivah and signed some big films? I don't think that way but yes the people who wanted to approach me for a role did do so. I was offered Anil Kapoor's Shortcut even before Vivah released. There was another film too, which was planned but fizzled out because the maker made some other movie. So I have always had producers and directors approaching me but its just that they looked at me differently after Vivah. After all, Vivah is one of the rare few heroine oriented films in the country which worked. What are the other film that's on your plate? Are you also doing any more South films? No I am not doing any South films because like I said it takes away a lot of your time and your focus as well. You are completely disconnected from Bollywood. Doing a Telugu film is as good as doing a Thai film. I am doing quite a few interesting roles this year. There is Anil Kapoor Productions' Shortcut which has me playing a very glamorous role. It's a thriller with a right mix of comedy, romance and some twists. Then I have Victory with Harman Baweja. I play a girl from Jaisalmer. She is a medical student from a small town in India, which is very highly influenced by tourism; there is this trace of modern yet ethnic element to her character. 2 of your biggest hits have been with Shahid Kapoor. Any plans to do more films with him since people feel you make a super pair? Well, that's the best part about it because Shahid and myself also enjoy working with each other. To top it all, its very complimenting when people walk up and say 'Shahid- Amrita Super Hit jodi' because in this generation perhaps we are the only pair who have this 'Super Hit jodi' tag line. We have grown up watching SRK- Kajol, Aamir- Juhi , Anil- Maduri and Govinda- Karisma. It is very encouraging for both of us because when your audience actually wants to see you on-screen together then I think half of your battle is won, and its definitely an advantage. Its very complimenting when people walk up and say 'Shahid- Amrita Super Hit jodi' because in this generation perhaps we are the only pair who have this 'Super Hit jodi' tag line The industry has seen a lot of new talent like Ranbir, Harman, Imran, Sikander make their presence felt. What do you think of the new, emerging talent? Any of them that you would like to work with? I am working with Harman in Victory. I would certainly like to work with Ranbir, Imran. I think the Generation Next of Bollywood is stepping in and the young batch is just filling up. When Shahid and I had stepped in, the Gen-next had just about shown its presence, there were not enough actors of our age to work opposite and we both faced that situation initially. Now fortunately things are changing. The more the merrier. (Laughs) Lastly give us three good reasons to watch Welcome to Sajjanpur One because I am there in it, two because it's a Shyam Benegal film and finally because it's great film (laughs)Source: Indiafm.com Features | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:07 pm Kareena Kapoor excited to be shooting with Aamir Khan on birthdayBollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has many reasons to look forward to her birthday Sep 21 - one of them being shooting with Aamir Khan, her favourite actor.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:02 pm Congress leader Unnithan dons grease paint againCongress leader Raj Mohan Unnithan, who is much in demand for his rhetorical skills, has donned the grease paint again for his eighth film and says it will get him noticed as an actor as well as a politician.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:02 pm 'Drona' makers spend a fortune on villainThe much awaited film 'Drona' will possibly give Bollywood its most expensive villain ever in the form of actor Kay Kay Menon. Nearly Rs.220 million has been spent on his character, Ritz!Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 12:00 pm Lukewarm opening in Mumbai for 'The Last Lear'An Amitabh Bachchan film usually draws audiences and gets a good opening at the box-office irrespective of its quality.Source: Entertainment News | 13 Sep 2008 | 11:22 am Subhash K. Jha speaks about 1920Look at what the 'cracked' dragged in. After Phoonk you'd think the woman-possessed was thing of the past. RIP! But wait wait waitâ¦it's time for another lady to elevate far beyond her bed in a horizontal high that boggles the head. 1920 is Phoonk in Scotland (or wherever the scenic spot where the devil catches hold of our nubile nymphet as she rests her head ion the rattling bed ) moved back by almost a century. Screenwriter Vikram Bhatt attempts to thrust a wazan (weight) over the theme of exorcism by taking the supernatural theme into British India. So we have âsipahisâ, mutineers, rebels and renegades popping into the Scottish scenario like random guests at a outdoor masquerade party. And then we have a doctor mentioning a certain "Dr. Zigmund Fried (sic)" who is doing research somewhere far away from this film's horrific domestic tussles, researching on the human psychology. By the time we get to the grisly climax with flying chairs and human limbs vying for the leading lady's goggle-eyed antics in the name of the shudder and the unholy ghost, writer-director Vikram Bhatt, trying to do a razz-matazz to his supernatural hit Raaz five years ago, is on to a bigger formula. The holy chants of Christian priest (Raj Zutsi, trying hard to pronounce Latin correctly and translating it promptly into English and Hindi) merge into the chants of the Hanuman Chalisa. Boss, yeh to supernatural secularism ho gaya! There's something terribly artificial about implanting a historicity into a tale that essentially wants to tap the most primitive and primeval fears of the audience. Rather than going into a gaatha (tale) of gaddari (betrayal) during times of cruel colonialism Bhatt's narrative should have just stuck to its gory guns. Then maybe, just maybe, the B and C centre audiences who got the jitters watching Phoonk would've trembled at the diabolic toss and turn that the love birds experience in a verdant castle that is supposed to be situated somewhere in India in the year 1920. So panoramic and "National Geographic" is the view that we often want the lead pair (both wooden and uninspired even when the ghouls provoke them into animated retaliation) to just move out of camera range. Alas, 1920 has a scary story to tell. We are scared all right. Though for reasons other than the ones Vikram Bhatt would want us to be.Source: Indiafm.com Features | 13 Sep 2008 | 10:40 am Lord Ram gets voice of Bollywood baddie in animated epic movieWhen Mumbai-based Maya Entertainment Limited (MEL) contacted Manoj Bajpai to play the role of Ram in its forthcoming movie 'Ramayana- The Epic' three months ago, the actor said he reacted with disbelief.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 10:30 am SRK-Salman spat on 10 Ka Dum finale? - GlamSham
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 13 Sep 2008 | 10:25 am Bollywood's 'Last Lear' a treat for Shakespeare loversMUMBAI (Reuters) - It's not about Shakespeare and not based on "King Lear," but fans of the Bard may find traces of both in a new Bollywood film set in modern-day India.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 13 Sep 2008 | 9:31 am
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