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I am happy being a gay icon: Abhishek
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 5:16 pm "We were shooting in Newcastle when we got the news about Mumbai" - Adah SharmaIt's been a week of terror, anger, protests, resignations, condolences, rallies and deep silence. Where shops, cafes and restaurants attracted very few customers, our very own Bollywood industry too suffered its worst week ever, with cinema halls running half empty. Every Mumbaikar and an Indian has gone through their toughest days, but far away in the west, there was one actress who was also affected by what she saw and heard, a true Mumbaikar, Adah Sharma. The actress has just returned from the U.K after a three week shoot of her next Vikram Bhatt production titled Phirr. Shocked after having landed in Mumbai just two days back, Adah unfolds to Bollywood Hungama how she passed her last seven days in Newcastle away from her dearest city Mumbai. "We were shooting in one of the penthouses in Newcastle. Rajneesh Duggal and I were filming the scene. Pravin Bhatt received an SMS from his son Vikram Bhatt who was in Mumbai. Vikram was only there with us for the first one week. Pravin uncle told us that there were bomb blasts in Mumbai. Within a few minutes, another SMS from Vikram said that there was a second blast somewhere from Nariman Point followed by a third SMS which told us something similar. Everyone on the set started talking about it but no one had a clue as to what was going on, how many were killed, etc. So we went ahead and completed the scene, wrapped the shoot and came back to the hotel", the actress revealed. But what Adah was about to hear and witness next left her in a state of utter shock. She continues from where she left, "My mother was in the hotel waiting for me and was busy surfing channels on the television. My eyes couldn't believe what I was seeing. The Taj, and the Oberoi taken over by terrorists. BBC, Channel Five, Sky News, all had the same story to tell, Mumbai under attack. I sat next to my mother and there was silence in the room with only reporters doing the talking. After a short while, I got a call from my friend in Mumbai who informed me that our common friend was trapped in the Taj with his parents who had gone there for a wedding reception. I spoke to him via a conference call made by my Mumbai friend who'd called me". She adds further, "I felt numb; I was still confused as to what was happening. Figures kept on changing. First it said that 900 were dead and then it came down to 500 to 250 and then 100 the next day morning. Before I could think of anything else, I wanted to know how everyone in Mumbai was". Like many, Adah Sharma woke up on a chilly Newcastle morning of the 27th November with just one thought on her mind that everything would've come to an end in Mumbai. But her thoughts couldn't change reality. Mumbai was still under attack, with the second day running, with hundreds of hostages in both the hotels, some killed by the brutal terrorists. Now with what had become a worldwide headline, was the hotel staff worried about the cast and the crew who had come down from Mumbai? "The next day when I came down for breakfast, the hotel staff came up to us and wanted to know whether our friends and family back home were safe. They were very supportive. Even while filming a scene in the middle of a road near a small coffee house, a very old couple came up to us and wanted to know what film we were shooting. They came to know it's a Bollywood film we were making and immediately showed their concern to what was happening in Mumbai. Every Britisher was talking about the Mumbai bombings and it was so nice to see that the whole world comes together to lend their support and help during a crisis like this. I was touched." All this and it was back to work for the actress. But did it affect her work was the question. Adah answered, "We all knew what was happening back home but it was our responsibility to finish the shoot. Yes, our mobiles kept ringing, messages kept buzzing, but work too kept going on. The last few days were like your worst nightmare coming true". One of the youngest actors around, Adah has got a long career ahead of her. So what does she think as one among the city's youth, what change is needed to safeguard our country? "It's no point cursing the politicians and the government. It will only change once new laws, new policies and new politicians take over. As far as the security is concerned, I think our police should be equipped with more arms and ammunitions. What happened at the CST station was unthinkable. All the police could do was run away from just two terrorists only because they were short of guns. The police could have saved more lives if they had enough arms and ammunitions", thinks Adah. And what does she think of the RGV incident? "I've been reading about it ever since I came to Mumbai. I think it's not nice to comment on something you don't know about. But I knew that the police had no weapons at the CST station and thus I can comment on that." If we flip the history pages, we have come to know that security has not been able to save anyone, be it JFK, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. The actress agrees, "You're right but it's stupid that if your intelligence warns you a good four months in advance about such terrorist attacks, the country's security is still not on high alert. You cannot cheat death but you can save more people from dying. It's not our security which has failed over the years but our system because we have only managed to cure the ill, not the illness. Once we understand that, our nation will be secured".Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 5:11 pm Subhash K. Jha speaks about Meerabai Not OutWhat do you say about a comedy that brings cricketer Anil Kumble on screen only to induce hiccups? Every time our cricketer-heroine Meera Achrekar remembers her favourite cricketer Kumble bursts into hefty hiccups. Just goes to show, you can take Guddi out of our films. But you can't take our films out of Guddi Each time Mandira Bedi whines about being in love with cricket and cricketer Anil Kumble to the tycoon who falls in love with her (Eijaz Khan), she reminds us of Jaya Bachchan in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi, so obsessed with movies and Dharmendra (in that order) she can't think straight. Meera can. If you want to play cricket, you have to think straight. To the writer Soumik Sen's credit, he gives Mandira Bedi a role to sink her teeth into. Experienced actor and cricket connoisseur that she is, Mandira gets into the groove with lip smacking relish, abandoning lip gloss for Lagaan lips and hip-gyrations for rollicking sprints down Mumbai's gullis with the mundas of the mohallah. Lamentably, she isn't required to play much cricket, just talk about it. This either means that the screenwriter finally doesn't endorse the zany image of Meerabai as a spunky iconoclast speeding around Mumbai's crowded highway on a two-wheeler without gender care. Or just that Mandira didn't get time to practice her cricket on the field. Be as it might, even the climactic cricket game in the chawl compound staged between Mandira's beau and her brother(Mahesh Manjrekar, supremely confident in his middleclass space) is perfunctory and more a snatch of a match to bring about the marital match than a breathless display of cricketing skills. The prevalent mood of Meerabai Not Out is one of a plot not fully developed, and yet ripe enough to give out the appetizing aroma of a fruit on the way to ripening. There is a lived-in flavour of a Marathi household with a harassed brother mumbling curses under his breath at the bus stop, a mother at home who worries constantly about the unmarried (and thoroughly cricket-smitten) daughter in the house, a Bhabhi who thinks stealing an evening of paani-puri at the pavement is equivalent to domestic liberation and a well-to-do heart specialist who is so besotted by his cricketer girlfriend that he's willing to forgive her for everything including stealing away from their engagement function for a cricket match, to making bad jokes("You don't have bandages because you're a heart specialist and the heart can't be bandaged"). It doesn't take too long for us to figure out there's more than a touch of Gurinder Chadha's Bend It Like Beckham in this instant sporty and sassy version of the inimitable Parminder Nagra's gender-defying love of football in Bend It Like Beckham. Parminder had Beckham, Mandira has Kumble. The cultural crossover is clever, though not fully realized. Often you feel the narration under-plays the conflict between what a girl does in life and what she should do. Just because it doesn't want to stretch out its limbs. Also, there's the disturbing premise that finally Meera (or any girl with extraordinary aspirations) needs a man and in this case the man's father (Anupam Kher, trying to add shades to a common clichéd father's role) to see her dreams past the goal post. As a desi version of Bend It Like Beckham, Meerabai Not Out is not bad at all. As a showcase for Mandira's cricketing ambitions, the narration brings her just about the best role she's likely to get on the side side of Chak De.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 3:44 pm Anil Kapoor starrer Slumdog Millionaire to release in India in Jan 2009Click above for more movie stills In today's world of films, few achieve the pinnacle of being touted as the Best Film of the year. However, for director Danny Boyle this isn't something new. Close on the heels of his film The Beach, comes yet another critically acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire. Well for starters, the film managed to garner rave reviews across the US in the opening week itself, while in Toronto it was awarded the People's Choice Award and in the UK it was the closing extravaganza for the London Film festival this year. The film has already been slated to be nominated for the Oscars. And now finally, the film will soon be releasing on this side of the Pacific, in India. Says Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, "In keeping with Fox STAR studio's commitment to produce and distribute world-class local-language films, we are proud to announce the release of Slumdog Millionaire in January. It's an extraordinary film which tells a classic Indian story in a refreshingly clever, stylish and engaging manner." However, though the long wait for the film has ended, it still entails a bit of an anticipation builder with it strategically being released in January 2009. Slumdog Millionaire starring Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan and Freida Pinto tells the story of an immensely resilient and loving boy from the slum of Mumbai whose adventures take him from the desolate poverty of begging on the streets to the wildly popular game show stage of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?', where he surprises everyone with his knowledge. The film will be releasing in Hindi with the title of Slumdog Millionaire- Kaun Banega Karorepati, after the highly popular show by the same name.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 Dec 2008 | 3:09 pm Sharmila Tagore and Anupam Kher to star in Morning WalkThe chairperson of the censor board- Sharmila Tagore, and the former holder of the position- Anupam Kher, who had been replaced under a wave of acrimony, are doing film together. Entitled Morning Walk, the film about an autumnal couple meeting up in life after years of separation, is directed by debutante Aroop Dutta who has earlier directed serials for Balaji telefilms. Says Anupam, "I reminded Sharmilaji that the last time we worked together was in 1984 when we played man and wife in Jawani (the film that introduced Neelam). It's wonderful to reunite with such an old co-star and that too in such an unusual film." Morning Walk is the story of an elderly couple who meet up after decades. The old man discovers that he has a daughter from the woman whom he had once courted and won. Several films on old people discovering love are now being made, among them being Shoojit Sircar's Amitabh Bachchan-Sarika starrer Johnny Mastana and Ashu Trikha's Mithun-Ranjeeta starrer Zindagi Tere Naam . Says Anupam, "It's a good healthy sign. Everyone deserves love at any age. It about time our movies got old people out of the rocking chair and made them rock." Was all the bitterness about the way Anupam was unceremoniously replaced by Sharmila wiped away? "Oh it was erased long ago. It's not healthy clinging to resentments in life. Sharmilaji and I are having a ball shooting together. She reminded me how I used to ask the director a hundred questions during Jawani. I told her the questions are still there but are more internalized now." Interestingly, little Avika Gore is now a household name thanks to the TV serial 'Ballika Vadhu', plays Anupam's grand-daughter in Morning Walk. "She's wonderfully self-confident. When I work with kids today like Purav Bhandare in Tahaan, Gargi in Hawaii Dada or Avi in Morning Walk, I feel inadequate." Anupam soon leaves to shoot for Gurinder Chadha's film which has been named It's A Wonderful Afterlife. Back home, work at his acting school 'An Actor Prepares' keeps him on his toes. This acting school is one of Anupam's proudest achievements, which has branches all over the world. The school has lately been in the news for one of his student Zaira Khan who's been selected by Salman Khan to co-star with him apparently because she resembles Katrina Kaif. "What rubbish! The girl looks nothing like Katrina. Except for the fact that they're both fair-skinned, there's no resemblance between the two at all," ends Anupam.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 Dec 2008 | 2:34 pm Book Review: Bollywood Posters'Bollywood Posters' is a boring book if one feels like reading the content that accompanies the posters. And that's a shame considering the fact that its publishers have spared no effort in making sure that the presentation and layout is truly international. Moreover, the book's title itself is misleading. Anyone who looks at the two words 'Bollywood' and 'Posters' would be led to believe that it would be entirely about posters that have depicted the 'First Look' of the film from the yesteryears as well as current times. So do we miss these posters as a reader? No, not at all! In fact the collection of posters (by Sheena Sippy) in this 200 odd page book is pretty impressive. What fails to keep your attention on is writer Jerry Pinto's write up which accompanies these posters chapter after chapter. So what is wrong here? Well, for those who wish to be educated on the literature behind posters and also get sheer 'gyaan' about how genres were made identifiable through film posters, his writing may still make sense. But for a layman who just wishes to flip through the pages and gaze through full page posters from the 30s till as recent as Chandni Chowk To China, the text only makes for sheer boredom. That's because this text is not just verbose and pretty voluminous; it also comes with a severe sense of self-indulgence. Moreover, the text just doesn't restrict itself to the design of a poster. In fact, it is only about 20% relevant to a poster and that's because most of the time, the writer is happy describing about the genres that Bollywood has explored over the decades and the kind of films that have been made. In fact at places, even the storyline of films is being put up, something which really turns out to be annoying because what one was interested in looking at, especially if one has bought the book due to it's title 'Bollywood Posters', is - Explore posters and a lot more of posters! However, what one gets to see are essays which would be loved by those who follow the 'literature' behind cinema while being flipped over rather arrogantly by someone who is just not interested in knowing these facts. Also, even for a student of Bollywood cinema, there is already very good literature available in the form of B D Garga's 'So Many Cinemas - The Motion Picture in India'. The book has traditionally worked as a text book comprising of everything that one wanted to know about emerging trends in cinema and if one has already gone through it, there are actually no surprises in store from 'Bollywood Posters'. This leads one to the 'real content' that one wanted to look for in this book i.e. Bollywood posters. And in this context, the book has plenty to offer. From the psychedelic look of Bobby to the new age design of Dil Chahta Hai, from the superhero world of Zorro [starring Navin Nischol as 'Zorro' - now how many would have really known this fact!] to today's superhero Drona, from the sheer delight that one gets on seeing Dev Anand's towering frame in Johny Mera Naam to the killer look of Johnny Gaddaar - there is quite some range in the offering once Sheena Sippy opens up her collections for all to see. In fact the effort that would have gone in order to make 'Bollywood Posters' a collector's delight just from the posters point of view is pretty much visible in the fact that some not so popular films from the past like Kaala Jadoo [featuring a King Kong kind of a character] and Rocket Tarzan [believe it or not, it indeed is the title of a film] also find an honorable mention in this book. However, what really shocks is to see the choice that authors of the book have made when it comes to the selection of poster that would grace the cover of the book. Bringing in something rare for the cover certainly makes sense but the ones on the front cover (Sharmila Tagore holding a pistol in Do Shatru) and back cover (tight close up of a screaming Mala Sinha with mouth wide open) is sheer repulsive. Why, just why? The book has been divided into genres and posters placed accordingly but as mentioned earlier; it hardly comes as a consolation mainly due to the intellectual talks that are forced on a reader at the beginning of every genre. Drama, Crime, History, Mythology, Romance and Fantasy are the genres explored but how one wishes that the writing was kept simple and to the point for a reader to just plain and simple enjoy flipping through the pages and relish the rarest of 200 odd posters that make an appearance in this paperback book. Ultimately the book boils down to finding an audience only amongst the hardcore Bollywood buffs who wish to boast of a collection that showed the emergence of Hindi cinema over last 80 odd years. Even for those, it would be quite some decision to make considering the heavy price tag 'Bollywood Posters' comes with. Go for it only if you have placed a bet with a friend that movies called Rocket Tarzan and Sindbad Alibaba Aladin actually existed! The book would act as quite an evidence to make you win the bet! Price: Rs. 1800/= Rating: **1/2Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 2:17 pm Dying to be swallowed by Mallika: Irrfan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 1:53 pm Paltrow has Broadway plans
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 1:25 pm Slumdog Millionaire honoured
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 1:23 pm Meerabai Not Out ReviewIt's often said that cricket and Bollywood are two major passions of Indians. Director Chandrakant Kulkarni's Meerabai Not Out narrates the story of a cricket enthusiast who goes to the extremes even on the day of her engagement to watch aSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:54 pm "If Kangna has a conscience, she will regret her disgusting behaviour" - Suneel Darshan'It is important to have a good director to enhance one's performance on screen. The worst thing to happen to me is a bad director' - states Kangna Ranaut in the latest issue of a popular Bollywood magazine as she talks about life post Fashion and how she had almost lost control of her life till some time back. That's not all. While she speaks fondly about her first ever director Anurag Basu [Gangster] and acknowledges that it was his faith in her that turned her into an actor that she is today, she reveals that she shares a love-hate relationship with Mohit Suri [Woh Lamhe, Raaz - The Mystery Continues] and how Madhur Bhandarkar [Fashion] would make her feel special during the filming and how he would get her chocolates. However, a shocker comes in the statement that she makes about Suneel Darshan, the man who paired her opposite Upen Patel in the musical Shakalaka Boom Boom. She says, "Suneel Darshan gave me the worst time of my life during Shakalaka Boom Boom. They didn't even pay me for it. I felt really bad but it's okay now." What does Suneel Darshan, the man who has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu and Bobby Deol, have to say about this accusation? Especially when the statement is being made more than one and a half years after the film has been released! "Frankly, I can't stoop to her level and she doesn't really deserve a reply", promptly states Suneel Darshan. Isn't he disappointed with such a remark? "See, any retaliation will open up too many controversies and there is no sense washing dirty linen in public. Let bygones be bygones. I too wish to move ahead with hope and a positive outlook towards life", sighs Darshan. He has a final word though. "Surely, if she has a conscience, she will regret her disgusting behavior. Else, forget it!"Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:52 pm Dil Kabbadi ReviewTill sometime back, the three-letter word, sex, was considered taboo on the Hindi screen. But it's out of the closet now. Dil Kabaddi goes a step further it takes you inside the bedroom of two couples and makes you listen toSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:48 pm Maharathi ReviewMost storytellers seek inspiration from Hollywood films. But very few film-makers look at what our auteur have to offer. Maharathi is the cinematic adaptation of Uttam Gada's Gujarati play, which was a huge success two decades ago. Another reason that enhancesSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:41 pm George Clooney eyeing another waitress
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:40 pm Bollywood suggests how Mumbai can get back on its feet!Ask questions, don`t compromise and vote for the right leader - the film fraternity feels all this will help in putting the derailed system back in place.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:33 pm I`ve bought my own place for naughty activities: Aditya Narayan!Aditya Narayan, the son of popular playback singer Udit Narayan, says he has bought a house in Lokhandwala for "naughty and creative activities".Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:33 pm Being gay icon is a matter of pride: Abhishek Bachchan!Director Tarun Mansukhani`s `Dostana` has hit the jackpot at the Box Office and Abhishek Bachchan is happy to be a gay icon.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:33 pm Farah determined to fight terrorThe Indian film fraternity is yet to come out of the shock created by the recent terror attacks in Mumbai. The feeling of insecurity must be even more amongst the people in the film industry, as the city is home toSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:32 pm Rab Ne will not release in PakistanShahrukh Khan and debutant Anushka Sharma starer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will not release in Pakistan.This after the Mumbai terror attacks which have made the relations between the two countries hit a rock bottom. Bollywood which has always advocated forSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:27 pm Jack Nicholson to enter Hall of Fame
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:27 pm Past haunts Dino MoreaDino Morea can't help but shrug away in sheer despair as he sees an age old film of his being promoted all over again on satellite channels en route to it's Friday's release. Worse, the film is being marketed as aSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:19 pm "My dad loved Dostana" - Abhishek BachchanFar away in the jungles of Cochin shooting for Mani Ratnam's next, Abhishek Bachchan has had no time to celebrate the success of Dostana. "Of course we'll have a party when we get back. But at the moment, I'm celebrating bySource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:07 pm Vilasrao's role in RGV's terror flickMaverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's visit to the Taj Mahal hotel along with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his actor son Ritesh last Sunday resulted in a mass public outcry. Citizens across the country could not fathom what RGV and RiteshSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:59 am Depp to play Dante in home production
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:57 am Katrina rides her luck on VogueShe is what one would call as the 'proverbial lucky Kat'. We are referring to none other than our very own Katrina Kaif, whose looks are enough to make a million dollars look worthless! All this and much more...only on theSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:53 am Meerabai Not Out entertains in parts - Rediff
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:46 am Pak comedians head home after threats
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:46 am Kim Sharma messes up with the tricolourBollywood is one place where anything and everything is possible and believable. Right from the medium built (but good looking) hero bashing up a thousand villains single handedly, cars fly with the speed of light, so on and so forth! AllSource: Oneindia - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:43 am Hilton to play fairy in Disney's Peter Pan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:43 am Raja Choudhary released on bail
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:31 am "Awaaz Uthao" - Anushka Manchanda on Mumbai terror attackIt has been quite unprecedented if one has to measure the scale at which Bollywood celebrities are coming out and raising their voices against the recent Mumbai terror attack. Singer and performer Anushka Manchanda has turned out to be a torchbearer as well and is looking at doing much more than 'burning candles, lending a cry of 'Jai Hind' or 'Vande Mataram' and going back to sleep at home'. She, along with her friends who were also the pioneers behind 'Batti Bandh' initiative, have come together to create a web based platform called http://www.awaazuthao.com. Purpose of putting together this platform is to support groups/organizations and citizens to raise their concerns in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. This would be done through an online petition formulated by people. The team is aiming at suggestions, questions and support from people further to which these voices will then be compiled and presented to relevant authorities. "I am 24 and haven't cast a vote in my life (and never ever intended to till this terrible incident happened). However, in the last one week, I have been left thinking, what have I done for my country? I guess people like me are the biggest defaulters and the last thing we should do is just forward messages and assume that our job is done. Someone like me, who is educated and has means to make a difference should be doing something substantial", says Anushka in a choked voice. This is what led to the creation of www.awaazuthao.com. "Along with my friends, we have pioneered this movement. In fact we don't even have our names put on the site because the intent here is to get one voice for one nation and its people. See, there are lots of petitions that have political agendas. However, in www.awaazuthao.com, we are looking at a neutral platform. Also, it is not just amongst celebrities that we are aiming at spreading this awareness. We are looking at college students and people from corporate houses to come forward and join us as well. In any case, we can't do anything individually", details Anushka. On a personal note, is there anything in particular that Anushka is targeting at through this initiative? "I want awareness to be spread around 'Civilian Disaster Management'. Have the threats stopped? No naa?! Can we always expect the authorities to come forward to our rescue? Shouldn't every citizen be trained enough to take his or her own care when a disaster like this strikes again? So let's bring people together, compartmentalize all the anger and the energy and do something amongst ourselves to safeguard us from any more mishaps." Getting emotional, Anushka appeals, "I suspect that two weeks from now, we all may go back to our normal routine. Let's not allow that to happen this time around at least. Let's keep the momentum on at least till the next elections, if not more!" Summarizing her thoughts, Anushka pens down: I have done something, but have I done enough? I have changed, but have I changed anything? I have asked my questions, but have I got any answers? I wondered if I could really do something more. Bring together One nation, One people, One voice! At www.awaazuthao.comSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:01 am Wrong timing for 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'?It is rather ironical that Yash Raj Films' much-talked about forthcoming release 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', which is expected to bring cheer to the production banner and wrap up the year on a happy note, is being released in a not very happy time.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 11:00 am Review: ‘Dil Kabaddi’ explores choices out of wedlock! - Zee News
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 10:13 am Review: ‘Oh My God’, an insufferably boring comedy! - Zee News
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 10:13 am "I'm dying to be swallowed by Mallika Sherawat" - Irrfan KhanRam Gopal Varma won't admit it. But Irrfan Khan lets it out that Ramu's recently-announced terror film Agyaat was inspired by the special effects Ramu saw on the sets of Jennifer Lynch Hissss. Irrfan Khan can't wait to be devoured by Mallika Sherawat. "She plays a man-eating creature. She swallows men in the film. And I'm just dying to be swallowed her. Watching her devour men is a very very sensuous process. Unfortunately, I don't get eaten by her. I'm the investigative officer trying to find out who's devouring all these human beings." Chuckles Irrfan, "I'm working in Hissss with two very different and interesting kind of women, Mallika Sherawat and Jennifer Lynch. Hissss would've been like any other snake woman story. But the way Jennifer has treated the story has taken the film to another level. The special effects will shock our audiences. I think Ramu is inspired to make his next film (Agyaat) by Jennifer's film. High-time we got special effects guys from abroad to do the needful." Irrfan was in Philadelphia shooting for New York and then in Cape Town for Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory. "I love the US. And I loved working with Kabir Khan. He's a very chilled out guy. Kabir's unit was as relaxed. I felt as relaxed as I do while working in a Mira Nair film abroad." Irrfan's next release Dil Kabaddi offers him a change of image. "I'm not going to pretend. Dil Kabaddi is a film strictly for adults. And we shouldn't shy away from saying this. It's about dishonesty in man-woman relationships. I call it dishonesty by the standards set by civil society. Sometimes you are not satisfied in one relationship and keep looking for sexual and emotional satisfaction elsewhere. I like playing this promiscuous character. "I play a man who's very transparent about his sexual desires. Good change of pace for me."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 10:12 am Mandira Bedi at her best in 'Meerabai Not Out'Film: 'Meerabai Not Out'; Cast: Mandira Bedi, Eijaz Khan, Anupam Kher, Mahesh Manjrekar and Anil Kumble; Director: Chandrakant Kulkarni; Rating: ***Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 10:02 am Priyanka stripping off for boyfriend - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 9:50 am Top film gong for Boyle's Slumdog - BBC News
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 9:43 am Theatre personality Jaidev Hattangadi deadNoted theatre personality Jaidev Hattangadi died here Friday morning. He was in his sixties, a family source said.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 8:02 am SRK to wear Malaysian samping at Datuk ceremony - Screen Weekly
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 7:53 am Rab Ne will not release in Pakistan - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 7:24 am Stage shows hit in a big way due to recessionStar-studded shows and events which are hugely popular in India and abroad, are also feeling the heat of the meltdown. Cineyug run by the Morani brothers who organise a series of star- studded shows and corporate events across India and the globe, are quick to say that at a time when they wanted to increase the rates of their events because of inflation, are being asked by clients to decrease the price, because of the global recession. "Award event organisers are asking us for a price cut to the tune of one crore! Since reducing production costs does not help much, the only way we can reduce our price is by asking the stars to cut down. At least by 20 percent! Our forthcoming events like the Star-Screen, Sony-Filmfare and Zee awards are being planned as scheduled, but if the scenario does not change by April we definitely have to plan new budgets," says Mohammad Morani of Cineyug. Bunty Walia of GS Entertainment, an event management company says that the demand for star shows has come down drastically. Firstly, because of recession and secondly because of the overdose of these shows. "Events like Mr India, Miss Teen and others which we manage, will continue, but it is the shows which are affected badly. The company's next show in February, which is planned in Dubai with Akshay Kumar as the main attraction, has not been finalised because of the meltdown. "We are hoping for a 25-30 per cent cut in star prices, or the show may have to be cancelled. Stars made their money when the going was good. I think they will understand the problems we are facing from our clients and will concede to a price cut," says Walia. Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Dec 2008 | 7:10 am Vilasrao's role in RGV's terror flick - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 7:00 am Films report losses as public in no mood for movies - Indian Express
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 6:15 am Bollywood suggests how Mumbai can get back on its feetAsk questions, don't compromise and vote for the right leader - the film fraternity, which is still in a state of shock and anger after the terror attacks here feels all this will help in putting the derailed system back in place.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 5:30 am UK-India co-production treaty can help good filmsIndian films being made to international standards could benefit from subsidies to the extent of at least Rs.16 million (nearly 220,000 pounds) and the profits can even go up to Rs.1 billion (near 14 million pounds) per film, thanks to opportunities provided by the UK-India co-production agreement.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 5:01 am Cast: Paresh Rawal, Neha Dhupia, Boman Irani, Naseeruddin Shah - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 5 Dec 2008 | 4:47 am I've bought my own place for naughty activities: Aditya NarayanHe is just 21 and ready to spread his wings. Aditya Narayan, the son of popular playback singer Udit Narayan, says he has bought a house in Lokhandwala for 'naughty and creative activities'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 3:31 am Being gay icon is a matter of pride: Abhishek BachchanDirector Tarun Mansukhani's 'Dostana' has hit the jackpot at the box office and Abhishek Bachchan, who pretends to be a homosexual in the fun flick, is happy to be a gay icon.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 3:30 am I was always a single parent: Shweta TiwariBringing up her eight-year-old daughter single-handedly hasn't been an uphill task for popular TV actress Shweta Tiwari after separating from her husband Raja Chaudhary.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 5 Dec 2008 | 3:30 am Another sultry lass has landed upThe way Bollywood has changed over the years, the greater acceptance of the Hindi movies in different parts of the world and now the increasing number of flicks being made in association with International production houses has in turn made the number of aspiring actors from different parts of the globe reaching Bollywood to try their luck and make it big to increase like never before.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:00 am Brimming with ConvictionWith the release of the highly anticipated thriller Maharathi featuring acting gurus like Naseerudin Shah, Om Puri, Paresh Rawal and the ever so engaging and versatile Boman Irani, life in the world of movies will come a full circle for the glamorous Neha Dhupia.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:00 am Akshaya Mohanty award for GulzarWhen most of his contemporaries are no longer working in Bollywood, the film maker/writer Gulzar is still going strong and the best evidence of his timeless shining mastery of words are the beautiful lyrics for the songs in the film Yuvraaj composed by A.R.Rahman.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:00 am Terror shock has changed the plansDanny Boyles lucky stars were shining on him as he was able to complete Slumdog Millionaire according to the shooting schedule without any kind of hurdles disrupting the production and forcing to extend the dates.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 5 Dec 2008 | 12:00 am Reality show finalist released on bail in Mumbai'Bigg Boss' finalist Raja Choudhury, who was arrested by Mumbai Police on charges of molestation, was released on bail Wednesday morning, the police said.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 4 Dec 2008 | 3:32 pm "I really have no say" - Dino MoreaClick above for more movie stills Dino Morea can't help but shrug away in sheer despair as he sees an age old film of his being promoted all over again on satellite channels en route to it's Friday's release. Worse, the film is being marketed as a sleaze flick when it is actually a mystery thriller. We are talking about Gumnaam - The Mystery which was incidentally known as Gumnaam - The Unknown when it's promos started coming on air first 4 years back. Quiz Dino on the delayed release of the film and all the young man has to say is, "I really have no say, it's a five year old film." When the film was launched, Gumnaam - The Mystery seemingly boasted of an interesting cast. Coming together of Dino Morea, Mahima Chaudhary and Suman Ranganathan sounded quite fresh and surprising due to it being unique and unpredictable. At that time, each of the three actors was coming from different stream of films altogether because Dino was juggling between playing a chocolate boy to even a baddy. On the other hand, Mahima had just seen the release of mature adult drama Dobara while Suman continued to play hide and seek with varied projects like Baghban, Market and Ishq Qayamat. However, when the film releases today, it is nothing but truly rotten, what with ultimate insult to the injury being the way it is being promoted. With 29 out of 30 seconds of the promo focusing on Mahima's cleavage and Suman mouthing lines that go as 'Oh, I am wet", it is left to anyone's imagination as to what sort of target audience the makers are aiming for. "They are crazy", says an exasperated Dino as he (rightly) distances himself from the project which is produced by Shubir S. Mukerji, is directed by Neeraj Pathak and has music and lyrics department handled by Nadeem Shravan and Sameer respectively.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Dec 2008 | 12:42 pm
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