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My character is a male chauvinist: Akshay
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 6:14 pm Kailash Kher to record Bengali songs
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 4:42 pm Catholics call Angels and Demon harmless
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 3:43 pm Onir extends a unique offer, makes audiences shareholders in his next
In one of the most unique offers laid out by a filmmaker, Onir has extended a chance for audiences to be shareholders for his short story Abhimanyu which would form a part of the 'five-short-stories-in-one-movie' that he is beginning to shoot soon. Though there have been a few promotional offers in the past ('Sit through the film alone and you could get five lakhs', 'Get your money back if you don't like the film' etc. etc.), the concept of audiences being shareholders is something new in Bollywood parlance. Though in West, some independent filmmakers have laid out such plans while accumulating funds for their films, it is the first ever by a known filmmaker in Bollywood.
"Yes, this is a new concept in India but I think it will catch up soon considering the advent of independent filmmakers. I look forward to individuals, corporate houses and NGOs who believe in the importance of Abhimanyu and have trust in our intentions to come out and support our endeavour by contributing to it in terms of monetary help. Abhimanyu is the story of a child abuse survivor and I am aiming at collecting Rs. 30 lakhs to make this film happen", says Onir who has taken a step forward in bringing forth important issues that have not been addressed in Indian mainstream cinema.
This is how the contribution will pay dividends for those who invest in the film/contribute to it:
Rs 5000 to Rs 25, 000 will be regarded with contributor's name in the end credit roll.
Rs 25000 to Rs 100,000 will be returned at the time of the release of the film and with acknowledgement in the end credits.
Rs 100,000 to Rs 15, 00,000 will get credits in the beginning titles of the film and proportionate share in the profits
Onir is mighty excited about beginning to shoot for the film ASAP and is already targeting June for the first schedule to begin.
"My research tells me that in India, every one out of five girl child and every one out of ten boys faces some form of abuse. But the society and law at large is not still vocal enough and addressing the issue. Most incidents of the crime do not get reported, hence leaving behind a traumatized and mute innocence to suffer. The heinous crime not only jeopardizes the present of a child but also disturbs the entire growth process of an individual", says Onir in a hurt tone.
"My idea is to make available each film for educational / awareness purposes and at the same time be put together and released as a single film. At the end of the day, it is important for the normal cinema going audience to see this film. You never know, tomorrow Abhimanyu could be your own child", concludes Onir.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 7 May 2009 | 3:06 pm Danny came to rescue when Om Puri & Naseeruddin Shah refused Frozen
Click above for more stills
Frozen, a Black & White film shot in Ladakh, is finally seeing a release in India this May. Though Danny Denzongpa towers the cast of this experimental film, not many are aware that Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah had also been approached for the same role. Though they rejected this film due to various reasons, Frozen still got made with Danny agreeing to play the part of lead protagonist Karma.
Says producer and director Shivajee Chandrabhushan, "Initially, my production house had approached both Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah for the role of Karma, a frail old man in the mountains of Ladakh. However, none of the two could do the film. While Om Puri had problems with the climate, which was that of extreme cold, Naseeruddin Shah was busy with his directorial debut Yun Hota To Kya Hota."
Apparently, Om Puri had just returned from the shoot of Lakshya where he had to bear the brunt of extreme climatic conditions and hence was wary of shooting in mountains again. "It was his graciousness that rather than coming up with a blunt 'No' for an answer, he attempted to state his reason behind his refusal to be a part of Frozen" says Shivajee. "He had an issue with the month in which the film was supposed to be shot but I couldn't adjust my schedule since I wanted a particular weather condition as per the demand of the script."
To Shivajee's good fortune, there was no stopping the film as Danny came to rescue. "Danny saab had the script of my film and he was happy with what he read. I had also sent him a book with some Black & White photographs that I had clicked during my Ladakh recce. That further helped him realise my vision for the film. He was on board in quick time and we embarked on a 28 days start to finish schedule of the film", divulges Shivajee.
After a few forgettable outings in films like Karzzzz, Chamku and Big Brother, one hopes that Danny has sunk his teeth into something really worthwhile in Frozen. Some of the other films in which Danny would be seen in months to come are Acid Factory, Teen Patti and Luck.
Shivajee is ecstatic though about his choice of actor, "Danny saab has turned out to be the best fit for the character. Forget about the looks factor that so much suited the film; even other than that, he is the most fabulous actor from his generation. In those 28 days of shooting schedule, I saw so much of him and ended up learning a lot about him."
Frozen depicts the life of a family whose dream like existence is interrupted by inevitable odds, one after the other. Made in Hindi and Ladakhi, the film was shot at an average height of 12000 feet above sea level in Ladakh. The film has received 18 highly acclaimed awards and has toured 30 international film festivals.
The film also stars Shilpa Shukla of Chak De India fame along with Yashpal Sharma, Raj Zutshi, Aamir Bashir, Shakeel Khan and Denzil Smith.
Ready for last two years, Frozen will finally release in theatres on 8th May in spite of stand off between producers and multiplexes. Interestingly, the film would be seeing a staggered release. While in Mumbai the film will be screened beginning 8th May, in other cities it would arrive on later dates.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 7 May 2009 | 3:00 pm Eight days, 50 rallies for Ravi Kishan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 2:20 pm Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt deny meeting
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 2:10 pm Irrfan Khan poses for GQ
Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan is the name of this month's cover-boy of the latest edition of GQ. Surprised? Well, that's what the full name of the 'Meteoric Superstar' Irrfan Khan is, who looks minty cool as cucumber on the GQ cover.
In this issue, Irrfan speaks about his smoking and drinking habits and also about his hurt ankle. Not just that, he also shares with the readers all about his dreams (which includes sex). There's a little secret also that he shares with the readers about him asking a sex-related question to someone special in his life. We will not like to spill the beans by naming that person, as its there in the magazine. He also speaks about his life after Slumdog Millionaire, his future projects, his take on big mainstream Bollywood stars, his 'dream character' etc...
All in all, this issue surely guarantees a magnetic read. Go for it!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 7 May 2009 | 2:03 pm Winners of technical awards of IIFA Awards 2009
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) today announced the winners of the technical awards categories for the 'IIFA Awards 2009'. Jodhaa Akbar walked away with 5 awards followed by Ghajini which won 3 out of a total of 14 awards announced today. The winners will be presented their trophies on the night of the 'IIFA Awards' that will be held on June 13, 2009 at the Cotai Arena, The Venetian- Macau.
List of Winners in the technical awards category of IIFA Awards 2009
Best Background Score
A. R. Rahman (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Costume Design
Neeta Lulla (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Editing
Ballu Saluja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Action
Peter Heins and Stun Siva (Ghajini)
Best Sound Recording
Resul Pookutty and Amrit (Ghajini)
Best Visual / Special Effects
Prime Focus (Ghajini)
Best Art Direction
Nitin Chandrakant Desai (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Make-up
Madhav Kadam (Jodhaa Akbar)
Best Cinematography
Jason West (Rock On)
Best Song Recording
Purple Haze (Rock On)
Best Choreography
Farah Khan - 'Desi Girl'- (Dostana)
Best Sound Re-recording
Leslie Fernandes (Race)
Best Dialogue
Manu Rishi (Oye Lucky Lucky Oye)
Best Screenplay
Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday)
The winners for the 'IIFA Awards 2009' were chosen based on an industry voting in March. Results of the industry voting were audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), the auditing firm for the IIFAs and the Oscars.
The nominations for the popular categories of 'IIFA Awards 2009' have gone online on www.iifabuzz.com and will be open till the end of May 2009. Indian Cinema fans worldwide are expected to vote for who they deem to be the best of 2008. The votes from the online voting will be tallied by PWC and will only be announced on the night of the 'IIFA Awards 2009' at the CotaiArena, The Venetian Macau-Resort-Hotel.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 7 May 2009 | 2:01 pm Akshay turns down lucrative TV offer - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 1:04 pm I would like to be a journalist: Amitabh
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 12:58 pm Indian singer Kailash Kher to record Bengali songsIndian singer Kailash Kher is moved by Baul and other Sufi music of Bangladesh and says his next album will be of songs in Bengali.Source: Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 12:56 pm Prachi is ready to kiss Ranbir Kapoor - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:39 pm When Winfrey lost article on Michelle ObamaNew York, (ANI): Oprah Winfrey has lost the piece she wrote about Michelle Obama for Time magazine. The talk show queen wrote an article about the First Lady for the mag's annual '100 Most Influential People' issue on her Blackberry but
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:07 pm Sreesanth denies Daisy's claims - Galatta.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:06 pm 100 styles for Rajini in an Endhiran songSuperstar Rajinikanth breaks another record and will feature in nothing less than 100 styles for a single song. The actor known for his idiosyncratic style will be seen dancing to a song for the mega budget movie Endhiran by director
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:05 pm Kiefer Sutherland to surrender to NYPD to avoid jail timeNew York, May 07 (ANI): Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland is expected to surrender to New York Police to answer the complaint involving fashion designer Jack McCollough and actor Brooke Shields.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:04 pm Kate Moss furious at Jamie Hince's 'Waynetta Slob' jibeLondon, May 7 (ANI): Supermodel Kate Moss reportedly got angry with her beau Jamie Hince when he nicknamed her 'Waynetta Slob'.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:04 pm When Winfrey's Blackberry 'betrayed' her by blanking out Michelle Obama articleNew York, May 7 (ANI): Oprah Winfrey has lost the piece she wrote about Michelle Obama for Time magazine.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:04 pm Katie Holmes to star in Miramax Films' 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark'Washington, May 7 (ANI): American actress Katie Holmes is all set to star in Miramax Films' "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark", whose script has been written by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins.
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:04 pm Dwayne Johnson in talks to star in action drama 'Faster'Washington, May 7 (ANI): American actor Dwayne Johnson a.k.a. The Rock is in talks with CBS Films for final negotiations regarding him starring in their action drama "Faster".
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:04 pm Marriage not on the cards for Sneha?"There are no thoughts about marriage now on my mind. Sometimes I even think whether I have to get married at all. Many young heroes have proposed to me, but I do not have any feelings for anyone." These words are
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 11:55 am Yogi to bring the slums back to lightWith the stupendous success of the Slumdog Millionaire, slums are the most sought after subject these days. Ameer's upcoming Tamil movie Yogi talks about a slum-dweller and brings back the life in the slums, but from a different angle. Yogi features
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 11:51 am Kiefer Sutherland expected to surrender to NY PoliceNew York, (ANI): Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland is expected to surrender to New York Police to answer the complaint involving fashion designer Jack McCollough and actor Brooke Shields.Sutherland landed in legal trouble after he allegedly assaulted McCollough at an early morning
Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 11:49 am 'Rann' offers peek into India's media industryNEW DELHI (Reuters) - "Rann", a new Bollywood film, delves into the highly competitive world of television news reporting in India, putting the spotlight on the media industry's insatiable appetite for advertisers and viewers.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 7 May 2009 | 11:40 am Deepika hurt with Saif's glue with Bebo ? - IndiaGlitz
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 11:29 am Cannes' magic to shine despite recession
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 11:26 am Big B's Rann twists the national anthem
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 11:20 am Rahman to be Oprah Winfrey's tour guide
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 10:19 am Portions of Kareena, Shahid's film re-shot
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 10:15 am "Saif's first love these days is Love Aaj Kal" - Kareena Kapoor
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When Kareena Kapoor saw Saif dressed up as a Sardarji at a trial show of Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal, she couldn't recognize him!
So complete was Saif's transformation that Kareena failed to recognize Saif in the sequences featuring him as a Sardarji!
"This has got to be the most convincing disguise ever on screen. Even I got taken in," says Kareena appreciatively. "People will forget Saif is a Khan. They'll think he's a Sardarji."
Tell her Kareena's cousin Ranbir is also playing a Sardar in Shimit Amin's film and she quips, "Ranbir has a tough act to follow up."
And now Kareena has made a decision on Saif's behalf. She won't let anyone take Saif's talent for granted, not even Saif himself.
When Aamir Khan decided to get some of his A-Lister colleagues together for a meeting about the deadlock between film producers and multiplex owners, he also called up Saif Ali Khan whose instant reaction was, "Why me?"
Explains Kareena, "Saif just doesn't take himself seriously enough. When Aamir invited him for a very exclusive meeting about the crisis regarding the release of films, Saif 's reaction was to wonder why he's being invited for such an important meeting."
Kareena feels Saif needs to take himself more seriously now. "After his performance in Love Aaj Kal and Rensil d'Silva's film, I'm convinced Saif's best time begins now. But he doesn't know how to market himself."
Sadly, Saif has no time to imbibe Kareena's strategies on career management. No time for love! That could be the theme song for the Saif-Kareena relationship at the moment. Because Saif has absolutely no time for loveâ¦or Kareena.
"His first love these days is Love Aaj Kal, his first production. Saif lives, eats, breathes and sleeps with the film these days. He has no time for anything else," grumbles Kareena good-naturedly, and adds she has seen Love Aaj Kal twice.
"This is Saif's best performance after Omkara. I'm so proud of him. Love Aaj Kal is as much my baby as Saif's. I'm going to be completely involved in the publicity, marketing, everything. This is our first production and we're going to make it rock."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 7 May 2009 | 9:47 am Vivek Oberoi gives Kareena-Saif an impromptu holiday in New York
Vivek Oberoi is suddenly back in business, and how! Whether it's for a film that he is doing with Ram Gopal Varma or for a film that he isn't doing with Satish Kaushik (featuring Abhishek Bachchan), Oberoi seems to be in the news constantly.
Currently, in New York shooting for Rensil D'Silva's untitled film (not called Jihaad), Vivek has endeared himself to the film's other principal leads Saif and Kareena, and not just because they share camera space so comfortably, but because he was indirectly instrumental in getting them an impromptu holiday in New York, ahead of the holiday that they have planned after the schedule in New York.
It so happened that Vivek had plenty of solo scenes which apparently Oberoi suggested to the director be shot all in a bunch so that Saif and Kareena could take time off.
Resultantly, Saif and Kareena ended up with two full empty days in New York.
Laughs Kareena from New York, "Yeah, Saif and I got a two-day break in the middle of our hectic schedule because Vivek's scenes are being shot. Saif and I just chilled out, saw some films, and ate at our favourite restaurant. It was an unexpected treat thanks to Vivek."
Kareena seems to be renewing her friendship with Vivek. "If you remember we did one of my best films Yuva together. He was very sweet and considerate then. I find no change in him, yes, Vivek and I friends."
It looks like Vivek's fence-mending tactics are paying dividends.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 7 May 2009 | 9:39 am Anil Ambani firm enters media outsourcing businessAdlabs Films, a cinema and entertainment services company in the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Thursday announced its entry into the outsourcing industry for the media space with plans to employ 1,200 people within a year.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 7 May 2009 | 8:31 am I'll marry older man only if there's good reason: 'Bandini' actressAt 17, marriage is the last thing on her mind.Source: Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 8:02 am Big B honours Resul Pookutty - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 7:57 am We have re-shot portions of 'Milenge Milenge': Satish KaushikThe producer of "Milenge Milenge" is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his film, which features Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur and has been long in the making, appeals to movie buffs.Source: Entertainment News | 7 May 2009 | 7:56 am 'Yes' to single screens, 'No' to plexesThe decision by film producers and distributors -- to release films in single screens and independent multiplexes -- has come as a big surprise. Everyone was hoping that the final discussions with multiplexes on Tuesday would end on a positive note, with the stalemate coming to an end. But... Okay, now let's look forward. The producers and distributors are going to announce the release schedule of forthcoming films in the next 10 days and hopefully, by May last week or June first week, the flow of releases should begin again, at single screens and independent multiplexes only. Most of us have cultivated a habit of visiting the nearest multiplex to catch a movie, over the years. In metros especially, a lot of us have actually lost the habit of visiting a single screen. The question is, will we rush to catch the film at a single screen with equal fervour? I feel, most of us will visit only those single screens where the A.C. is functioning well, the sound system is perfect, the projection quality is impeccable, the overall environment is hygienic and yes, the crowd that visits the theatre is classy. For the producers -- those involved in 30, 40, 50 and 60 + crore mega-ventures -- the decision to release the film at single screens is going to be tough. You can't shut your eyes to the fact that multiplexes contribute enormously to the booty and given the current stalemate, these makers would've to rely on single screens to recoup their investment. But the worst hit would be multiplexes. The fixed expenditure -- monthly rents, monthly wages, electricity bills, maintenance costs -- will have to be paid, whether or not films play at their property. How will they manage the show if they are boycotted? Here's a humble request. Let's set our elephantine egos aside and come to a consensus asap.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 7 May 2009 | 6:46 am Just vote, Bollywood stars ask fans in pollMUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - Just like in Hollywood, its hard to keep the politics out of Bollywood, but at this year's Indian election, the stars are just appealing to voters to go to the polls, spurred, in part, by the militant attacks on Mumbai.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 7 May 2009 | 6:21 am When Mammootty became a suspect in New York - Rediff
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 6:03 am Big B is not playing Pranoy Roy in 'Rann': RGV - Screen Weekly
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 5:44 am We have re-shot portions of 'Milenge Milenge': Satish KaushikThe producer of 'Milenge Milenge' is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his film, which features Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur and has been long in the making, appeals to movie buffs. Director Satish Kaushik admits that portions of the film that might have got dated have been even re-shot.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 7 May 2009 | 2:00 am I'll marry older man only if there's good reason: 'Bandini' actressAt 17, marriage is the last thing on her mind. But television actress Aasiya Kazi, who is married to a man almost thrice her age in the serial 'Bandini', says she would agree to marry an older man in real life but only if there is a good reason to do so.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 7 May 2009 | 2:00 am Rahman on a roll with Mick Jagger - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 1:36 am Shahid Kapur rages over Kareena`s `move-on` comments! !After getting dumped by Kareena, Shahid`s love life has been on the rocks!Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am Russell Brand tops `Worst Celeb Hairdos` poll!Russell Brand has topped a new poll of celebrities with worst hairdos.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am I wanted to be a journalist once, says Amitabh Bachchan!Big B had once dreamt of becoming a journalist himself!Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am Manoj Bajpai wants to share Bhandarkar`s success with `Jail`!Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpai says he gave the nod to filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for "Jail" because he wanted to share the director`s success.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am Oprah Winfrey cancels trip to India, courtesy swine flu!!Oprah Winfrey recently cancelled her clandestine trip to India, all thanks to swine flu!Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am Saif comes out with his first home production sans Kareena!Saif Ali Khan is all set for the release of his first home production `Love Aaj Kal.`Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am I would like to be a journalist, says Amitabh Bachchan!Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, whose antipathy towards the media is well known, on Wednesday said he "would like to be a journalist".Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 7 May 2009 | 12:59 am Gauri debuts as Ice Maiden?Gauri who makes her debut with FROZEN, a black & white film by Shivajee Chandrabhushan, sure seems to have developed cold feet! We mean quite literally!!!Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 7 May 2009 | 12:00 am Deepika hurt with Saif’s glue with Bebo ?Genuinely, there’s a limit out there for everything you utter and looks like Saif has exceeded those limitations. Set on with his first production venture with ‘Love Aaj Kal’, the actor has paired up with Deepika Padukone, the sensuous bombshell of B-Town.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 7 May 2009 | 12:00 am Sallu Bhai Ka Aur Ek Dus Ka DumFor those who had yearned missing Sallu Bhai’s Dus Ka Dum, he’s back ‘Show Tho Baaki Hai Mere Dost’. Aye! His ardent buffs needn’t worry anymore as Salman Khan is set to kick-start with Season 2 of Dus Ka Dum. Perhaps, there happens to be certain itsy-bitsy tiffs between Sallu and show’s programme producers.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 7 May 2009 | 12:00 am After Darsheel, it’s Parul for AamirJaise Darsheel Taare Zameen Par Ke Saath Superstar Ban Gaye, Yahaa Hai Priya Ki Baari. Perhaps, it’s a perfect ticket for this little missy to gateway of Bollywood issued by Aamir Khan. The nine-year old girl has been roped in his for his upcoming production The Falling that depicts the pathetic scenario of farmers committing suicide. Mr. Perfectionist was more fascinated watching her fantastiSource: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 7 May 2009 | 12:00 am Mani Rathinam is fit for actionThe shooting of Ravanan directed by Manirathinam was progressing at a rapid pace for two months in the dense forests of Kerala and adjoining places of Kolkata. Then after a small gap they planned to shoot again in Kerala. But unfortunately Manirathinam had a heart stroke and he was admitted at a private nursing home. Since this was his third attack, the doctors took severe precautions and treatedSource: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 7 May 2009 | 12:00 am Shah Rukh, Dhoni top brand pushes on TV - Business Standard
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 6:40 pm Jeffrey Archer comes director hunting to IndiaJeffrey Archer, king of racy fiction, is coming to India to hunt for a director who could adapt one of his bestsellers into a movie.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 5:34 pm First short film from Jaipur goes to US, Thailand film festsA short film titled "Picnic" from Jaipur is traversing boundaries for screenings in Los Angeles and Phuket and director Gajendra S.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 4:24 pm Congress drops 'Jai Ho' song from campaignThe Congress party Wednesday said that it has dropped the 'Jai Ho' song of the Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire' from its election campaign.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 6 May 2009 | 3:02 pm Radio Mirchi celebrates its anniversary - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 6 May 2009 | 2:48 pm Motion gaming: Why games are no longer about punching keys
Gaming brings users close to real life situations, be it your favorite sport, a war zone or the racing arena. Now, with the latest technology, we have a new trend of motion gaming that goes beyond high-end visuals and makes the game play real through physical involvement in the game.
Think tennis, baseball or bowling-games that were fun playing on one's PC and consoles, but never felt real enough sans the tactile stimulus. With motion gaming, this is now possible; you can swing, swish, bat, even run and jump while the motion controller transmits all this into the game on your screen.
The trend caught up in 2007 with the launch of gaming console Nintendo Wii, which released an array of sports: tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing. From then on, motion sensing technologies have been incorporated in other consoles, mobiles and even PCs. Gamers can even use a simple webcam to play PC games using their hands! Let's see what this trend has in store for Indian gamers and gaming industry.
Consoles:
Sony Playstation very soon caught up with the Wii revolution and introduced EyeToy for PS2 and Playstation Eye for its next generation console, the PS3. The Eye is a digital camera device for the console, and is the successor to the EyeToy. It allows gamers to play a variety of interactive games including the famous card-strategy game, The Eye of Judgment.
Microsoft Xbox has a similar device in the Xbox Vision Camera which you can use to play You're in the Movie, where you are put in a 3D cinematic environment. The company, however, is as of now holding on to its core competency with its Xbox 360 controller and doesn't reveal any plans for motion controller at this moment. "We'll have some exciting announcement in E3 in Los Angeles in June so please watch out," a spokesperson for Xbox informed.
As far as consoles are concerned, Wii still leads the pack with its wireless controller which acts as a pointing device that can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. So even if you are speeding your favorite Mario Karton the Wii, you just have to simply turn the wireless control left or right instead of pressing left or right. Wii has also launched Motion Plus, a peripheral that increases the controller's precision multiple times.
To find out the penetration of this technology in India, Bollywood Hungama spoke to Atindriya Bose, Country Manager, Sony Playstation India. "We are focusing on EyeToy which is doing extremely well globally and reasonably well in India. As the product is experiential, it requires a push in terms of setting up separate dedicated retail sections. That is a bigger challenge than the question if the concept will work well or not. Plus you really cannot advertise EyeToy on television as people won't understand anything and I might end up selling the competition."
Then there is the recently launched poor man's console, Mitashi Game-in which has motion sensing controllers but falls way short on game play and graphics. For now, it's Wii all the way.
Phones:
Just like the console market there is a clear winner in this category- the iPhone. The Apple device has an integrated motion sensor which you can use to run third party applications, games and even motion sensing ads. Sega's Super Monkey Ball has been one of the most successful iPhone games in this category.
The Sony Ericsson F305, which looks like the Wii controller and comes equipped with an accelerometer however fails miserably because it's almost impossible to follow what you're doing. If you swing the phone to bowl, you can't see where the ball is going.
LG Cookie, besides being the cheapest touchscreen phone around, also offers a decently good motion gaming experience. Moreover, mobile handset biggie Nokia is gearing up to enter the competition with an announcement that "most devices" coming later this year will include an accelerometer. Currently, the Nokia N79, N82, N85, N95, N95, N96 and the Nokia 6210 Navigator are equipped with the technology.
Even as motion gaming catches the Indian consumer's fancy, Indian gaming developers are yet to take a leaf out of their Western counterparts' book and have no plans of entering the mobile motion gaming space.
And then, the novelties:
Motion gaming is finding many takers, with innovating companies introducing various motion control products for the good old personal computer. One the one hand you have technology major Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 that features a motion controller and an air mouse that controls on-screen objects, and on the other the free-to-use software Camspace. Camspace allows gamers to use any ordinary PC webcam to track up to four objects-even as small as 5mm-in real-time and with very high accuracy and reliability, thus enabling one to play practically any game with a web cam and the software.
With the global marketplace abound with motion controlling devices of all sizes, shapes and forms; this trend is set to define the future of gaming. So, grab your nearest golf stick and putt your way into the virtual world.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 May 2009 | 1:42 pm Sneak Peek: Katrina Kaif on the sets of De Dhana Dhan
The general saying goes 'He came, he saw and he conquered'. Well, when it comes to the pairing of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, a mere 'he' stands incomplete. That's' why it has to be rephrased as 'They came, they saw and they conquered', for this is one couple in Bollywood which has been rubbed by the magical 'Hit' formula. Examples of which are in the form of hits, superhits and smash hits like Namastey London, Welcome & Singh Is Kinng etc...
Well, the good news is that this red-hot pair is back to the front in yet another breezy flick titled De Dhana Dhan that's being directed by the man with the 'Madrasi' touch ...we mean...Midas touch... Priyadarshan. As per the reports, De Dhana Dhan is being extensively shot all over Singapore and Mumbai. We found these pictures on the internet which show the 'Barbie-dolled' Katrina ravishing as ever in a red saree as well as summarizing her lines. Her pairing with Akki yet again has brought down the rumor to zero about Sallu showing discomfort in them being paired together.
For the uninitiated, De Dhana Dhan brings back the superhit team of Hera Pheri viz., Akshay, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, and director Priyadarshan together once again. And the addition of Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sameera Reddy is only going to make DDD, one of the most anticipated films of the year.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 May 2009 | 1:24 pm Actress-politician Shruthi files for divorceSouth Indian film actress and politician Shruthi has filed for divorce from S.Source: Entertainment News | 6 May 2009 | 1:15 pm
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