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Win a fully furnished home on new reality showPlay some innovative games and win a fully furnished house is the promise of STAR's new reality show "Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo".Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 5:41 pm Hurman Baweja's 'Echo Of Eco' screened at CannesBollywood actor Hurman S.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 5:14 pm Kangana left out of Kites glory at Cannes
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 4:53 pm Barbara Mori snubs Aishwarya Rai at Cannes
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 4:52 pm Fox STAR Studios signs up an exclusive deal with AR Murugadoss
Fox STAR Studios (a pan-Asian joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and STAR), announced its expansion plans into the Tamil film industry by creating
an exclusive association with AR Murugadoss, director of one of the biggest blockbusters in recent times - Ghajini.
The deal with Fox STAR Studios India is exclusive and includes the development and production of Tamil films. AR Murugadoss in his new avatar will play the
role of a creative producer and due to his long standing successful association with the Tamil Film Industry will be able to access the finest talent and
content to recreate the magic with Fox STAR Studios
Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India said, "Tamil films constitute India's most popular genre after Bollywood films, and we are delighted to be
accessing this growing segment by associating with one of the most successful writer-directors in Tamil and Hindi cinema. Murugadoss has an impeccable track
record, and has demonstrated great understanding of the Tamil and Hindi audiences. We are committed to building relationships with the best in Indian cinema
and are delighted to have Murugadoss as part of the Fox Star family." He also added, "The Tamil Film Industry is growing at a compounded annual growth rate
of 15% and we would like to be a part of that growth wave"
Commenting on this association, AR Murugadoss said, "I am extremely excited to work with Fox STAR Studios India. It gives me a chance to use my deep
association with the Tamil film industry to tell exciting new stories with our established stars and also to promote new talent. This partnership will also
bring to Tamil cinema, learnings from the best technical and creative people, from around the world."
Sanford Panitch, President of Fox International Productions, said: "We've been looking at the Tamil market for quite some time and from the moment we met
Murugadoss, we knew we have found a like-minded partner to lead us there."
Uday Shankar, CEO of STAR India also seemed extremely happy with this association "I am delighted that Fox STAR India has extended its reach into Tamil
cinema as this will help build further synergies across STAR's southern broadcasting footprint . I have no doubt that working with a successful filmmaker
like Murugadoss will allow us to connect deeply with the rapidly growing South Indian audience by providing compelling content that truly resonates with
viewers."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 May 2009 | 4:05 pm Toonz, Argentine firm to co-produce animated filmAnimation content provider Toonz Animation and Argentina's Illusion Studios have inked a co-production deal to produce a 90-minute 3D animated feature film based on the famous Argentine comic strip Gaturro.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 4:04 pm Hurman Baweja starrer featured at Cannes Film Festival
Hurman Baweja's Victory may not have been victorious at the B.O. but it did help the newcomer in more ways than one. Apparently, critically acclaimed director Pan Nalin was impressed with Hurman's performance in the film and signed him on for a documentary that he was directing titled Echo of Eco. Now this very documentary was screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival and Hurman couldn't have been happier.
The documentary Echo of Eco is a part of United Nations Patronage Project, where 30 filmmakers from different parts of the world are invited to volunteer for making 'Save Our Environment' films. Each short film will be showing in an artistic way their concerns and their message to Save the Planet. From India, Pan Nalin has been invited to join the league of international filmmakers and celebrities.
Echo of Eco stars Hurman Baweja along with Ferena Wazier and Ilya Pandya. Speaking about choosing Hurman for the lead role, Pan Nalin says, "Echo of Eco's lead role is that of a young Indian software millionaire, who loses everything in the current Economic Meltdown -like many others in recent times, he too decides to kill himself. Hurman has right look, besides when producer Deepika Gandhi and Mihir Upadhyaya contacted Hurman, he read the script and instantly volunteered to participate. He even found dates from his busy back- to-back schedule from Ashutosh Gowarikar's new film."
Even producer Mihir Upadhyaya was all praise for Hurman. "Hurman was quick to understand the message of the film and promptly agreed to join us. I found this gesture of Hurman filled with humility and responsibility."
Well, let's hope this short film does for Hurman what Victory and Love Story 2050 couldn't.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 May 2009 | 4:01 pm Love, not votes matter to Manoj Tiwari
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 3:12 pm Hrithik, Suzanne spread AIDS awareness
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 3:07 pm RGV hasn't committed a crime: Lawyers
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 3:03 pm First Indian film picked up at Cannes
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:47 pm Eva Longoria eyes Felix bio-pic
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:27 pm Brad Pitt treats sons with Star Trek
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:22 pm Patrick Swayze still alive: Spokeswoman
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:20 pm Kangana left out of 'Kites' moment at CannesHrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori hogged the limelight at the Cannes red carpet for upcoming film "Kites" but Kangana Ranaut, who plays a pivotal role in the film, was not invited for the event.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:16 pm Indian films' sales pitch peaks at CannesWith "Slumdog Millionaire" having made waves on the global scene, Indian movie themes and filmmakers are beginning to reap the benefits in the international sales and co-productions arena at the ongoing Cannes Film Market.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 2:02 pm Prabhu Deva is a fan of Bhaichung's dance
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 1:53 pm Kangana left out of Kites glory at Cannes - NDTV.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 12:32 pm Prabhu Deva bowled over by Bhaichung's danceDancing sensation Prabhu Deva went ga-ga over football star Bhaichung Bhutia's performance when he appeared as a guest judge on Sony TV's reality TV show "Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa".Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 12:26 pm Shibani Kashyap now sings a Bengali numberSinger-composer Shibani Kashyap has gone multi-lingual by crooning a number for the Bengali musical "Pa Ma Ga Re Sa".Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 12:23 pm Shahid Kapur Yash Raj Films' favourite hero?Bollywood actor Shahid Kapur seems to have become Yash Raj Films' (YRF) favourite.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 12:20 pm Orissa scuba diver to appear in Egyptian TV seriesSabir Bux, an internationally acclaimed scuba diver, is now all set to feature in an Egyptian television serial "Tasmatas", expected to go live in the Middle East this August.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 12:03 pm Win a fully furnished home on new reality showPlay some innovative games and win a fully furnished house is the promise of STAR's new reality show 'Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 12:02 pm Rod Stewart desperate to have one more childLondon, (ANI): British musician Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster are desperate to have a second child, but fear they have very less time left to conceive, as their biological clock is ticking.Rod and Lancaster, who have three-year-old son AlastairSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:52 am All is well between Hrithik and SusanneMuch juicy gossip was spread around in the print and electronic media about Hrithik Roshan’s so called proximity to his Kites co-star Barbara Mori at the Cannes film festival which they both attended for promoting their film. Repeated video clippings ofSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:34 am Resul Pookutty turns light over Slumdog Kids - IndiaGlitz
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:20 am Pasanga - ReviewIt's really good to see a film like Pasanga, that too in the commercialized Tamil tinsel town.It’s Tamil cinema’s finest hour. After some real good films like Veyyil, Paruthiveeran and Subramaniapuram, now debutant filmmaker Pandiraj comes out with this fantastic oneSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:15 am What tourist cliche are you: Boozer, linguist, snapper or whinger?Sydney, May 20 (ANI): Boozer, linguist, snapper, guidebook-these are just some types of tourist cliches that are found roaming around the world looking for some specific things on their voyages.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:13 am Anya teaches Farah Khan a lesson - GlamSham
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:09 am Myleene to star in US version of I’m a CelebrityLondon (ANI): Media personality Myleene Klass is all set to star in the American version of I’m a Celebrity, as the NBC network has hired her for the show after being impressed by her CNN film show. Myleene will head toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 11:05 am Mary Parker upset about nude scene in WeedsNew York (ANI): Hollywood actress Mary Louise Parker is upset about her nude bathtub scene in the sitcom ‘Weeds’, as she thinks that it was not required. Mary, who plays Nancy Botwin, a marijuana-selling mom in the sitcom 'Weeds', thinks thatSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:52 am Mary Parker thinks her nude scene in 'Weeds' wasn't requiredNew York, May 20 (ANI): Hollywood actress Mary Louise Parker is upset about her nude bathtub scene in the sitcom 'Weeds', as she thinks that it was not required.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:46 am Estelle escaped the shootout that left Dolla deadLondon, May 20 (ANI): Rapper Estelle revealed that she escaped the terrifying shootout in a L.A. mall that left pop star Dolla dead.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:46 am Myleene Klass to star in American version of I'm a CelebrityLondon, May 20 (ANI): Media personality Myleene Klass is all set to star in the American version of I'm a Celebrity, as the NBC network has hired her for the show after being impressed by her CNN film show.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:46 am Estelle escaped shootout that left Dolla deadLondon (ANI): Rapper Estelle revealed that she escaped the terrifying shootout in a L.A. mall that left pop star Dolla dead. Esteele, who was at the mall, left the mall just minutes before Dolla, 20, was shot dead.Dolla was shot inSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:42 am Indian films' sales pitch peaks at Cannes - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:15 am Bollywood stars, business honchos, politicians expected at IPL final - Hindu
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:15 am Aamir's 'Raakh' rises from the ashes! - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 10:02 am Varma hasn't done anything punishableDirector Ram Gopal Varma has irked the censor board by tampering with the national anthem for the song "Jana gana mana rann hai" in his upcoming film "Rann" which stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan.Source: Entertainment News | 20 May 2009 | 9:46 am Has Bollywood really lost anything with passing away of Prakash Mehra?
Ok, so veteran filmmaker Prakash Mehra is no more and the round of obituaries has begun.
'Oh, he was a great filmmaker!', 'He was the one who made Amitabh Bachchan', 'His presence would be sorely missed', 'Industry has lost a major asset' etc. etc. Quite a lot of these being canned quotes, considering the fact that Prakash Mehra was ill for quite a while and most news channels and other media forums had already done their 'homework' on writing obituaries. Makes sense - after all in the cut throat competition where 'Breaking News' ceases to be 'breaking' in two minutes flat, it all boils down to 'being their first'.
Which brings me back to all the kind of things being said on the lines of 'Industry has lost a major asset'.
So let's dissect this statement - There is a truth and a lie here. 'Major asset' - Yes, 'Loss' - No! Reason? If Prakash Mehra was such an asset, where was the same industry which refused to give him a second chance when he tried to rebuild his production house with four odd announcements that he made around 15 years back? I still remember how excited Prakash Mehra was when he decided to get back into the industry with a big-bang and made four announcements in one go with newcomers leading the cast of his films. Sadly, none of the films went beyond the announcement stage and were subsequently shelved/ignored. Again, around a decade back, Prakash Mehra had talked about reviving his production house by beginning work on a film with Satish Kaushik. No, this one too didn't materialise.
Now if Prakash Mehra was an asset, where was the same industry? Why didn't it give the man another chance?
Let's talk about the Amitabh Bachchan factor in his life. The fact is that once he made Zanjeer with Amitabh Bachchan, he could seldom see similar success with any other actor. The man made innumerous attempts at re-launching himself but that was futile. Even when he made Zindagi Ek Juaa which was an ambitious project starring the likes of Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and Amrish Puri and was a genuinely well made film and as contemporary as it gets (the film was made in 1992, close to 25 years after he first made a movie), it couldn't do well at the box office.
Now if Prakash Mehra was an asset, where was the same industry and the audience? Why didn't it give the man another chance?
Analysts say that with Zanjeer, Prakash Mehra kick started a new beginning for Bollywood with his unique style of story telling. I agree. After all the lethal combination of story telling, technique and style was pretty much first of it's kinds when seen close to four decades back. What he brought to the screen never went out of fashion. He gave a magic formula to the industry that has worked decade after decade. Whether it was Amitabh Bachchan or Sunny Deol or Ajay Devgan or Akshay Kumar - each of these stars have at some stage or another benefited immensely from the 'angry young man' image.
Now if Prakash Mehra was an asset, where was the same industry? Why didn't these actors give the man another chance?
Today I, along with dozens of others Bollywood followers are talking about the man. We are building stories about him, doing our Google search, browsing through Wikipedia, unearthing our Prakash Mehra DVD collections, finding whatever material we can to bring his memories back to the world. It won't be surprising if a book about him comes on the stands in next three months as well.
Now if Prakash Mehra was an asset, where were we? Why didn't writers give the man another chance and keep him alive and kicking for the current generation?
In an interview with a prominent news channel, I was asked a question whether Prakash Mehra was really upset with Amitabh Bachchan for not having worked with him again after Jaadugar. I am amazed that we love to talk about such 'issues' because at the end of the day, whatever transpired between two individuals would be known only by those who were in the confines of the four walls. Any outsider can only speculate or assume but never claim to know about 'what really happened'. And here comes the million dollar adage about an individual's professional life being different from personal life. An Amitabh Bachchan may choose not to work with Prakash Mehra but how could it have any bearing on his personal relationship with the filmmaker? Why is his 'visit to hospital' being spoken around in the same vein as 'him refusing to work with him for more two decades'?
So next time when someone says or write that Bollywood has witnessed a great loss with the passing away of Prakash Mehra, let's really mean what we say. That's because till the time he was actively making films, he was 'the' asset for the industry.
Let's not state what Bollywood has lost 'today'. Let's rather reflect on what Bollywood earned from him 'yesterday'.
That's because if he wasn't there, we don't know how much longer it would have taken for some other filmmaker to invent the concept of an 'angry young man'!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 May 2009 | 9:37 am Why was Kangna not invited to Cannes for Kites promotion?
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Director Anurag Basu, producer Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan have returned to Mumbai from Cannes while Barbara Mori, happy with her moment of red-carpeted fame has gone back to Mexico; all happy at the way the 9-minute trailer of Kites has been received at the international jamboree.
But the one voice of dissent in the glamorous event that we cannot hear, thanks to the din of clinking champagne glasses, is Kangna Ranaut's.
After the recent Adhyayan-Shahana Goswami episode where Kangna was linked to Kites' other leading lady Barbara Mori's brother (who apparently has no interest in women), Kangna has voluntarily gone into a shell, from which she was more than willing to emerge long enough to attend the Cannes event for Kites.
But no one invited Kangna! Strange, considering she's the leading lady of the film. Says a source close to the actress, "Kangna was not told to accompany Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik and Anurag Basu, although the director Anurag is very close to her and in fact was instrumental in recommending her for the role in Kites. We believe the team wanted to focus on the Hrithik-Barbara pair to give Kites a more international crossover appeal at Cannes."
But doesn't it appear exceedingly strange that the film's leading lady was left out at such an important event, just to spotlight the leading man with another pair?
When questioned, Rakesh Roshan washes his hands off the matter. "We ourselves were not sure till the last minute of what has happening, and who was going or not. Even my brother Rajesh Roshan who was done the Kites music was left out because of the last-minute flurry. I think our co-producers Big Pictures would be the best people to comment on why Kangna couldn't go."
A representative of Big Pictures laughs off the matter saying, "I think Mr. Rakesh Roshan would be able to comment on why Kangna wasn't at Cannes."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 May 2009 | 9:00 am Kangana left out of 'Kites' moment at CannesHrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori hogged the limelight at the Cannes red carpet for upcoming film 'Kites' but Kangana Ranaut, who plays a pivotal role in the film, was not invited for the event. Producer Rakesh Roshan has cited a last minute plan as the reason for the miss.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 9:00 am Soha Ali Khan to host reality show on TV?
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It's nothing short of irony that the so called 'idiot box' has become such a strong medium today. No wonder then practically the whole of Bollywood (with just a handful of exceptions) have jumped onto the television bandwagon.
After having the likes of none other than Big B, SRK, Salman, Govinda, Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar, it seems that its time for the petite Soha Ali Khan to jump to the small screen. According to some of the most reliable and dependable sources, Bollywood Hungama found out that Soha Ali Khan will be hosting a reality show that's soon to be aired on Star Plus. This show is touted to be centering around a very unique concept of lifestyle and promises to be one-of-its-kind.
Our repeated attempts to contact Soha and the Star officials yielded no results. But, if the sources are to be believed, we are sure that Soha's fans all over will be more than overwhelmed to see their 'Khoya Khoya Chand' bloom on the TV screen.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 May 2009 | 7:50 am Shahid Kapur Yash Raj Films' favourite hero?Bollywood actor Shahid Kapur seems to have become Yash Raj Films' (YRF) favourite. His first venture with the production giant is yet to hit the screens, but the actor has already signed another film with the banner.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 7:31 am Prabhu Deva bowled over by Bhaichung's dancing skillsDancing sensation Prabhu Deva went ga-ga over football star Bhaichung Bhutia's performance when he appeared as a guest judge on Sony TV's reality TV show 'Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 7:31 am Shibani Kashyap now sings a Bengali numberSinger-composer Shibani Kashyap has gone multi-lingual by crooning a number for the Bengali musical 'Pa Ma Ga Re Sa'. It is set to the beat of a Salsa dance.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 7:31 am Amitabh Bachchan lambasts electronic media again - Siasat Daily
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 6:05 am Finally, happy hours for midnight's children - Express Buzz
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 4:47 am No Jehaad, it's Qurbaan! - Hindustan Times
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 May 2009 | 3:33 am Ram Gopal Varma hasn't done anything punishable, say lawyersDirector Ram Gopal Varma has irked the censor board by tampering with the national anthem for the song 'Jana gana mana rann hai' in his upcoming film 'Rann' which stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Lawyers say there is no specific law to prevent people from doing so.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 3:30 am 'Paying Guest' lacks freshness, has boring lyricsFilm: 'Paying Guest'; Music Director: Sajid-Wajid; Lyricist: Jalees Sherwani, Wajid Ali and A.K. Upadhyay; Singers: Shaan, Earl D'Souza, Wajid Ali, Sonu Nigam, Amrita Kak and Sunidhi Chauhan; Rating: **Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 3:00 am Are you a mood dresser? Choose your colourDoes your mood dictate the colour of your clothes? If yes, then you are one of those who wear emotions on their sleeves and are better known as 'Mood Dressers'.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 May 2009 | 3:00 am Rajinikanth's daughter to dub for Ash - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 19 May 2009 | 6:37 pm "I want to do an Indian South Park" - Cell 18 CEO
Cell 18, the creative production house of the Network 18 conglomerate, was carved out in 2008 to do business outside the network. One year later, the post house has a dream clientele ranging from JWT, Nokia, Airtel. Godrej, Lowe, Catwheel, Reliance Mobile, Zee Cinema and more. Also on the cards is a possible foray into short and long form animation content. Chief Executive Officer, Zubin Driver tells Bollywood Hungama about his ideas of the animation space and more.
What is Cell 18's pedigree?
Cell18 is basically a creative production house. We are into post-production and production of ad films and production of long content. In fact, we've just bagged a Marathi comedy serial with ETV and are in the process of pitching for multiple serials, reality, fiction and non-fiction shows. That's going to be very big (thing) for us in 2009. Besides, we continue to grow in advertising and are also doing well in post-production.
Any plans of a foray into long content animation?
Not this year. But 2010 onwards we might start getting interested. We already have some work in the short form animation content. We are doing animation films, promos and virals which have come to us on a turn-key basis. We have plans to look into IPR animation another two years down the line.
How did you associate with the Golden Cursor Animation Awards?
We always wanted to associate ourselves with a creative award. Plus I am personally interested in animation. It is one of the most fluid forms in which you can work your imagination to the hilt. Besides it's the only medium that gives you complete freedom.
The way I see animation, and we've been observing the animation industry very closely because of Golden Cursor Awards, I really believe the value lies in unlocking popular culture. Finally animation is about storytelling. Right now we are at a very nascent stage in animation, so most people do mythological serials and more of the same old stuff.
We are a country of one billion people who are the greatest storytellers. What we need to do now is to create work based on who we are, what we feel and how we live. That's when you'll start getting a real audience.
Are you also looking at post production of movies?
We are. And hopefully we will work with Studio 18 and Indian Films at some point.
You have plans of expanding operations?
Animation, next year. But we have already started thinking about the whole space. We have concluded that we need to tell our own stories that are uniquely Indian and not worry too much about what is happening globally. We are interested in telling our own stories in a true way and fining a unique form to work with.
But you don't see any Indian content going global, as of now.
That is because we don't concentrate on telling our own stories truly. See, we always work within formulas. For instance, for years Bollywood talked to itself because the formula worked and there was too much money riding on it. Everyone was trying to play out different versions of the formula. The moment you start evolving, you will start telling your own stories and a new formula will emerge. The new stories become a real response to life around you. This is exactly what happened in Hollywood.
Indian animation needs to find its own voice. The big thing is not the money, the machines, or the people but the ideas.
But animation is not attracting enough eyeballs.
If Cell 18 does something, we will get high TRPs because we are not chasing many things. If I get into animation IPR, I will go with one thing that is a winner. I am not interested in getting outsourced jobs, hiring people and becoming a BPO outfit.
I am getting into animation because it excites me. And I want to do an Indian South Park, if I go down that way. I will first analyze the market, will figure a mass connect. South Park is not a mass thing, so if I go in I will find something with a mass connect. When we launch something, it's going to be up there. This is how the Network 18 group works.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 19 May 2009 | 2:32 pm
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