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Riddhima wants hit films from Ranbir
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 9:40 am The Beckhams have got a family advisor
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 8:31 am Michael Douglas' son arrested
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:36 am This is a good period for Bollywood: Boman IraniBollywood actor Boman Irani, remembered for his roles in films like "Munnabhai M.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:27 am Fur comes in between Moss and her beau
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:27 am Shilpa Shetty touched by Sushmita Sen's gestureBollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who recently launched her spa in Mumbai, was really touched when Sushmita Sen attended the event to pass on her best wishes.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:23 am Ghai denies making Kishore Kumar biopicSubhash Ghai denies reports that he is making a biopic on legendary singer Kishore Kumar with director Nagesh Kukunoor.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:20 am "I keep remaking my own films" - Ram Gopal Varma
Bhoot had it's germ in Raat. Sarkar got inspired from Godfather. Aag tried to tell a modern day Sholay tale. And now after Jungle, he returns to the 'jungle' with Agyaat. Even before his detractors could utter 'P', Ram Gopal Varma chose to go offensive and announced loud and clear that not just did Agyaat have it's roots in Predator, it has also seen 'liberal inspiration' from half a dozen odd other Bollywood, Hollywood and TV sources.
Is he serious?
"Absolutely", says Ramu with a straight face, "There have been so many films like Friday - The 13th, Anaconda or for that matter Predator that have excelled when it comes to thrill and chill elements. At the end of the day, fear is a universal phenomenon."
As he has been maintaining over the years, Ramu states once again that he doesn't shy away from inspirations or copying his own when a subject interests him.
"I have always paid homage, whatever be the source, when there is something that interests me", he says, "At the end of the day, I have always maintained that I have picked up from films. Whether it was my first film as a director or the Friday release Agyaat, I continue to pick things available around me. Raat became Bhoot, Godfather made me do Sarkar. Black magic gave birth to Phoonk - I keep remaking my own films. The point is to get hold of an idea and see how differently you can narrate it."
Going back the memory lane, he states that when he saw Godfather, it made him question whether a plot and a man like that could exist in Mumbai. Once the answer was yes, he went on to make Sarkar and its sequel. Similarly when it came to Predator and number of others films belonging to the same genre and plotline, he thought of a basic idea to get a bunch of people together and lock them up in a 'jungle' to fight the unknown and unseen.
"If you look at the basic plotline, there would have been 1000 different versions of it already being made in Korea, Japan or other countries", he elaborates, "In case of Agyaat, I have brought together a film unit which gets into a forest to shoot a film. There is this inter-relationship between all of them with their own desires and beliefs. In my own way, I have created a new experience, though it won't have any semblance or similarity to what you may have seen in a movie belonging to the same genre."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 4 Aug 2009 | 7:18 am 'Love Aaj Kal' rock box officeLove is immortal.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 6:42 am I can't support Rakhi financially: Elesh
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:37 am A tribute to Kishore Kumar
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:34 am I'll never forgive my mother: Rakhi Sawant
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:15 am No nude scenes in 'Twilight' sequel
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:13 am Shia'ntology religion named after LaBeouf
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:10 am Dev and Freida made romance public
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 5:05 am Sonakshi Sinha on the cover of Avant Garde Life
"Mark my words, you will never see me in a Bikini" is what Sonakshi Sinha confesses in the latest issue of Avant Garde Life. She has studied fashion designing, walked the ramp and is now making a dynamic leap into the world of Bollywood with a dynamic superstar by her side in her debut film, Salman Khan. Sonakshi has studied fashion for three years and during her college days in SNDT she came out as a 'Student of the Year'. By the end of it, she must've got her hands into the garment industry. But look where this chic is heading now. Bollywood Hungama found out by calling the beautiful actress that it was Salman Khan who encouraged Sinha to shed the kilos. "Look at your face. Shed some weight and we'll do a film together. Lose ten kilo's and we do it", said Salman Khan. Guess what the chubby Sonakshi did back then? She didn't lose ten. She lost thirty and put all her weight into her debut film which goes on floor later this year. Dabang meaning fearless is the name of Sonakshi's first film. Here she adores the front cover of the Avant Garde Life. There is lots more inside. Her favourite actor - Hrithik, her favourite film - DDLJ and Dev D, Primal Fear and Fight Club, her favourite comedian - Russel Peters, her hottest man - Hugh Grant, her favourite actress - Rani Mukherjee, etc. As she quotes, "I was confident all the while, because I just had one thing in mind. This is what I always wanted to do." Way to go sweety!
Introducing Sonakshi Sinha, a Bollywood Hungama special. Coming soon.....Watch this space!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 4 Aug 2009 | 4:55 am Riddhima's best rakhi gift—hit films from Ranbir - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 4 Aug 2009 | 4:11 am Akshay Kumar fulfills 20 year old dream, launches Karate Championship
When he entered the industry, he knew two things - Punches and Kicking! Acting followed and though it took a few films for the industry (as well as himself) to realize his acting potential, it was Akshay's expertise in martial arts that kept the show running for him. The young man who flew from Chandni Chowk to Bangkok and landed in Mumbai, his initial films like Mr. Bond, Ashaant, Paandav, Kaayda Kanoon and many more ran in theaters solely on his action power!
Now close to 20 years after establishing himself in the industry, Akshay Kumar is all set to be living his dream. He is now sponsoring a Karate Championship for the youngsters so that they can enhance their talent, represent the country and then move on to showcase their skills and abilities at an International level.
The championship has rightly been termed as 'Akshay Kumar 1st Invitational Open National Karate Championship'. The event is expected to see participation from as many as 2000 athletes who would be traveling to Mumbai from across the country. The Championships would be held from 22nd-25th October 2009 at Andheri Sports Complex Mumbai.
Says an official connected to the championship, "Akshay has always been passionate about Karate and is especially considerate about the fact that there is so much talent in the country that needs to be nurtured. He was particularly moved by the plight of some really talented athletes who could reach the highest level if given an opportunity but haven't been able to do so because of lack of funds. With this championship, he wishes to create a platform where young and budding talent from all over India would get together and get into a world class fighting event. This event will also promote Karate and Martial Arts to the remotest corners of the country."
The entire championship is a brain child of Shihan Mehul Vora, a martial arts practitioner for over 27 years and International teacher for 15 years. Incidentally, Akshay's son Aarav gets trained on martial arts at Vora's class.
"I still remember Akshay coming to my Karate Class to watch Aarav train. Whenever he would see a child in need. he would ask me if he/she child would need a sponsorship", says Vora, "When I would tell him that there were so many out there who couldn't afford going to a Karate tournament due to lack of funds, he would always encourage me to think around how this situation could be bettered and he would extend any help that I would ask."
This is when Vora decided to bring up the topic of the championship. "I shared the idea of championship with him and he was immediately on board", Vora gets nostalgic here, "The idea of Akshay Kumar Invitational Open National Karate Championship was born there and then. The students who would be coming for this championship won't have to worry about the cost implications since Akshay would be bearing it all."
While bouts would be held from age groups as young as 6 years in all weight categories for men as well as women, it is also expected that some of the biggest names in Indian Karate would be taking part in this championship. Also, there would be a team of world class referees, judges and coaches along with international grandmasters and observers from Japan, Holland and Italy joining in.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Aug 2009 | 4:09 am Rakhi Sawant says she won't invite mother to weddingSounding excited after her engagement to NRI businessman Elesh Parunjwala, item girl Rakhi Sawant says she wants all her friends, including ex-boyfriend Abhishek Awasthi, to attend her wedding but will not invite her mother.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 4:06 am Ramu scares Mumbai city with dummy corpses
Hours after all hell broke lose Ram Gopal Varma is unapologetic about the 'corpses' appended to hoardings of his on-release film Agyaat. "It was meant to create curiosity and it succeeded to that extent," says Ram Gopal Varma. "Agyaat is a horror film and the entire concept of an invisible force killing people hinges on brutal and gruesome deaths. We thought the idea of putting a dummy -corpse on the hoardings would attract eyeballs. And we succeeded."
Now Ramu doesn't mind getting those supposedly offensive dummy-corpses off the hoardings. "But I can't understand why a hard-hitting poster designed specifically for a horror film should be offensive when there are so many other issues that openly mock at our sense of aesthetics."
Interestingly, Ramu's films known to portray women super-sensuously never depict the fair sex in a crude and vulgar light. "You won't even come across the word 'prostitute' in my films. I've an inbuilt censorship and I go by it. Why don't people concentrate on larger issues that plague cinema, like the way women are often shown in our films? I don't think dummy-corpses on hoardings indicate any sense of social irresponsibility on my part. It's not as if I've actually killed anyone."
About the hoardings being a traffic hazard, Ramu scoffs, "We made sure the hoardings were in secluded spots, so no one gets alarmed and distracted. Whether it's the National Anthem or a civic sense, I think I'm a responsible citizen, even if some people accuse me of being an irresponsible filmmaker."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Aug 2009 | 4:02 am Darshan starrer Abhay completes shootingChallenging star Darshan Tugudeep starrer movie Abhay has completed the shooting. The movie has been shot in Mysore, Bangalore, Bangkok and Switzerland. Aarti Thakur, who was Mrs. India World in 2006, is acting alongside Darshan in the movie.The movie Abhay hasSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:59 am Mika reveals the truth behind Rakhi kissMika Singh, the popular singer, is one of the three new entrants on Sony Entertainment Television’s Iss jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. While Rakhi is trying to find herself a suitor in Mumbai, Mika, after spending only one day in the jungleSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:54 am Nikil Murugan: The man behind the superstars !Nikil Murugan, the leading PRO in the Tamil film Industry has been adjudged as the best communication man by the popular media house, India Today. Nikil, as he is called by his close circles, is the Public Relations man for RajinikanthSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:51 am "I don't know how much Raavan will benefit me" - Nikhil DwivediI can't take my eyes off Audrey Hepburn as I flip through the pages of a big fat book titled 'The Star Makers' kept in front of me on his coffee table. Then I get my hands on The Beatles. ForSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:51 am "I am not running a race" - Akshay KumarDespite negative reviews and some malicious campaign against the film, Kambakkht Ishq has turned out to be a box office success. It may not have gone ahead and re-written records as was the case with Singh Is Kinng or Welcome butSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:47 am Snehituda: Old wine in new bottle?Presented by Gemini Film Circuits and produced under the banner of Satya Entertainments, under the direction of Satyam Bellamkonda, Snehituda with Nani and Madhavi Lata in the lead is getting final touches before release. Director Satyam says, “We have completed shootingSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:43 am Ashton Kutcher makes fun of Demi Moore on TwitterIs Ashton Kutcher can't have enough of his wife Demi Moore or is he fooling her around? Well, just on the heels of posting a picture of his wife with white underwear, Ashton has posted one more picture on his TwitterSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:43 am Rakhi Sawant makes heads turn in Pakistan too - Economic Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:41 am Ganesh to rock with 26 childrenUpcoming hero Ram is playing the lead in Ganesh (Just Ganesh), directed by Saravanan and produced by Sravanti Ravikishore under the banner of Sri Sravanti Movies, with Kajal Agarwal playing the female lead. Shooting of climax and canning of two songsSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:41 am Aamir calls Sanjay Dutt for LuckLuck may have not exactly worked out on the box office as well as it was expected to be, considering the big names and huge budget the film was associated with; but well there has finally been one silver lining. TheSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:38 am Shahrukh finally makes peace with AishwaryaAnything can happen in Bollywood. Friends become foes and foes turn friends. Now, two of the most popular Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Bachchan, who until recently were not seeing eye to eye, have made peace.The news is doing theSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:36 am 'Chaloo Movie' not inspired by 'Munnabhai' series: DirectorDirector Vinod Pande, known for making films with sensual overtones like "Sins" and "Red Swastik", is now trying his hand at comedy for the first time with "Chaloo Movie".Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 3:07 am Beware gossip-mongers, celebrities will sue youThere are stories and rumours galore about film stars, but celebrities are no longer willing to tolerate gossip that will affect their relationships.Source: Entertainment News | 4 Aug 2009 | 2:55 am RGV's original idea: Copying is a tougher task - Express Buzz
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 4 Aug 2009 | 2:24 am Ghai denies making Kishore Kumar biopicSubhash Ghai denies reports that he is making a biopic on legendary singer Kishore Kumar with director Nagesh Kukunoor.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 4 Aug 2009 | 2:02 am Riddhima's best Rakhi gift - hit films from RanbirRiddhima Kapoor wants actor brother Ranbir to deliver as many hits as he can as her Rakhi gift.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 4 Aug 2009 | 2:01 am No nude scenes in 'Twilight' sequelHollywood heartthrob Robert Pattinson's much hyped sequel to vampire drama Twilight will not have any nude scenes, director Chris Weitz has clarified. The movie was rumoured to feature adult content after Campbell-Bower gave an interview suggesting several characters get fully naked in the film.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 4 Aug 2009 | 1:40 am Big's strategy of plugging 'DKD' promos during swayamvar works wonders
While on promos, the first promo of David Dhawan's DO KNOT DISTURB, produced by Vashu Bhagnani, was launched last Friday, when LOVE AAJ KAL hit the screens. While the response in theatres was incredible, the promo received an unimaginable response when it was beamed while Rakhi Sawant's swayamwar was in progress on Sunday night.
Rakhi's swayamwar was sure to attract millions of eyeballs that night and Big Pictures decided to run the promos of DO KNOT DISTURB during the break to reach out to a wider audience at one go. And the strategy worked wonders, for David Dhawan was flooded with calls and his Inbox was crammed with sms-es from across the country that night.
"The response was overwhelming. It's a known fact that television has a huge reach, but what I realized on Sunday night was that if you plug your promo in a widely-watched show, it can work wonders for your film. Believe me, I was inundated with calls every time the promo came on air. I got calls from even those whom I hadn't spoken to since the last few years... I am very thankful to Big Pictures for giving the film that exposure," David tells me.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Aug 2009 | 1:28 am Saif, Kareena spend quality time with Pataudi, Sharmila - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 4 Aug 2009 | 1:28 am The first promo of 'Blue' will be unveiled with 'Kaminey' next week
The coming weeks will witness the release of some hugely-anticipated films. The first promo of WANTED has met with tremendous response, with the aam junta greeting the promo with rare enthusiasm. This writer is confident that the first promo of Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision's BLUE, directed by Anthony D'Souza, will also be welcomed with whistles and claps. In fact, the first promo will be unveiled on 14th August with KAMINEY.
While on BLUE, a section of the industry feels that the film won't make it in Diwali since the actors have yet to dub for the film and also A.R. Rahman has not recorded the background score yet. It's far from true, since Akshay Kumar has already completed his dubbing, while Sanju and Katrina are expected to dub in the forthcoming week.
Also, the maestro, Rahman, has started recording the background score in Chennai. Sure, the CG work will take time, but the makers are 100% sure that BLUE will hit the screens on the scheduled date, on 16th October. That should put an end to all speculation vis-à-vis the release date of this biggie.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Aug 2009 | 1:21 am Satish Kaushik denies 'Teree Sang' is inspired by a Hollywood film
Get ready for a 'Kidult Love Story' this Friday. Satish Kaushik, who has helmed many a biggie with some of the best-known stars, is ready to unleash his new outing this Friday - TEREE SANG. This time, of course, it stars two newcomers: Ruslaan Mumtaz and Sheena Shahabadi.
What's a 'Kidult Love Story'? "Writer Jainendra Jain had enlightened me of this term. It's a commonly used term for kids who act as adults. Since TEREE SANG also throws light on the adult decisions taken by two kids, hence 'Kidult'," Satish Kaushik enlightens me.
After having worked with some of the biggest names in the business, how was it working with two rank newcomers? "Wonderful. Both Ruslaan and Sheena
were raring to go, the energy levels are infectious. Most importantly, the roles demanded actors to look like 15-year and 17-year olds. I couldn't have cast any of the top ranking actors for it, but newcomers," the talented director justifies his decision.
He admits that he read about various problems the youth faces on a website and got hooked by it. But there's talk that he's inspired by a Hollywood film. "There's no similarity whatsoever. The sole similarity is that both spoke of an adolescent getting pregnant. That's it. Like I said, I picked up stories from various true-life incidents that were reported on the website and made a completely different story keeping the Indian audiences in mind," Satish Kaushik clarifies.
What next? "Oh, I wish to go on a holiday, take a break from work, watch a lot of cinema and think what to make next. That's my only plan right now," he smiles.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 4 Aug 2009 | 1:04 am Housing Society hits back at Emraan Hashmi - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 4 Aug 2009 | 12:03 am Mona Vasu's hair trouble in the jungle! - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:32 pm Rakhi Sawant says she won't invite mother to weddingSounding excited after her engagement to NRI businessman Elesh Parunjwala, item girl Rakhi Sawant says she wants all her friends, including ex-boyfriend Abhishek Awasthi, to attend her wedding but will not invite her mother.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 10:30 pm Jackson's mother granted custody of kids - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 3 Aug 2009 | 10:19 pm Mallika Sherawat wants to be part of an Indian Charlie's Angels - Mid-Day
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 3 Aug 2009 | 9:43 pm 'Chaloo Movie' not inspired by 'Munnabhai' series: DirectorDirector Vinod Pande, known for making films with sensual overtones like 'Sins' and 'Red Swastik', is now trying his hand at comedy for the first time with 'Chaloo Movie'. And he dismisses rumours that his film has been inspired by the hit 'Munnabhai' series.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 8:00 pm Beware gossip-mongers, celebrities will take you to courtThere are stories and rumours galore about film stars, but celebrities are no longer willing to tolerate gossip that will affect their relationships. Many like Aishwarya Rai, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar have threatened legal action to stop gossip-mongers from spreading false news about their personal lives.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 7:30 pm Saif, Kareena spend quality time with Pataudi, SharmilaWith the stress of his first production "Love Aaj Kal" finally over and elated with the positive audience response, Saif Ali Khan decided to unwind by spending time with his parents.Source: Entertainment News | 3 Aug 2009 | 3:48 pm I am not a fool: Shilpa - Daily News & Analysis
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 3 Aug 2009 | 12:32 pm Vishal changes climax - Daily News & Analysis
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 3 Aug 2009 | 12:32 pm 'Sing revolutionary songs, Madonna'A communist group in St Petersburg has published an open letter to Madonna, asking her to "act modestly and sing revolutionary songs" during her concert at St Petersburg.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 12:18 pm Rakhi's fiance busy arranging Canadian visa for herInstead of hosting a grand party following his win on "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar", 30-year-old Elesh Parujanwala is busy arranging a Canadian visa for his fiancee Rakhi Sawant, so that they can attend his sister's wedding together in Toronto.Source: Entertainment News | 3 Aug 2009 | 12:00 pm 75,000 fans at heavy metal fest!Deafened ears, littered fields and a newly-wed couple: this was the upshot Sunday of the world's largest heavy metal festival in the northern German town of Wacken...Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:41 am Remembering Kishoreda, the geniusKishore Kumar, the multi-faceted legend, along with Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi dominated the Indian film scene for almost three decades.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:40 am Happy 27th birthday, Big B!Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 27th ‘birthday’ on August 2 by recounting the life-threatening incident that took place on the sets of Coolie.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:13 am Sushant Singh and Nakul Vaid's title war!Sushant Singh and Nakul Vaid nearly got into each other’s hair over the title role in Mohandas. Hiren Kotwani tells moreSource: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:11 am ‘I don’t think I will return to TV’Prachi Desai, who was among the most popular TV biwis and bahus, doesn’t intend to come back to the tube. She speaks to Rachana Dubey about her upcoming film Life Partner and much more.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:06 am Bollywood's facebook flingBollywood is waking up to Facebook’s potential as a useful marketing tool for films. Neha Sharma tells more.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:05 am Arjun in the hot seatModel-turned-actor Arjun Rampal reveals little-known facts about his life in an interview to GQ’s August issue. An excerpt:Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:03 am Jude Law to make another Sherlock Holmes movie?The actor who plays Holmes' faithful sidekick Dr. Watson in Guy Ritchie's new adaptation of the classic detective tale - is hoping for a sequel because there are so many more stories to tell.Source: Hindustan Times News Feeds 'Cinema' | 3 Aug 2009 | 11:01 am 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar' finale breaks record for NDTV ImagineThe much-hyped finale of Rakhi Sawant's 'swayamvar' on NDTV Imagine gave the channel its highest Television Rating Points (TRPs) ever since its launch in January 2008.Source: Entertainment News | 3 Aug 2009 | 10:49 am Saif, Kareena spend quality time with Pataudi, SharmilaWith the stress of his first production 'Love Aaj Kal' finally over and elated with the positive audience response, Saif Ali Khan decided to unwind by spending time with his parents. And girlfriend Kareena Kapoor joined in, making it a real cosy affair.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 9:01 am Celina Jaitly pledges her eyes
We all know that Celina Jaitly is one girl who always believes in calling a spade a spade and will go to any extent for the cause that she has got her heart on. Well, one such cause happens to be 'Eye Donation', for which Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, one of the leading eye care hospitals in Mumbai, on the eve of its 19th anniversary, had recently organized a program called 'Care for the eye' supporting the cause of eye donation. The event was inaugurated by D. Sivanandhan, Police Commissioner of Mumbai.
As part of this program, Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital has initiated a special campaign for police personnel. Under this campaign, police personnel across all ranks and grades in Mumbai will be given free eye check up by the hospital alongwith with their spouse. It was on this occasion, that the pretty Celina Jaitly pledged her beautiful eyes. Speaking on the occasion, Celina said, "It is indeed a great honour for me to be part of this fantastic initiative by Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital. I would like to thank Dr. Natarajan and his team for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this social initiative towards helping and supporting the blind."
All that we can say is that Celina, not just Bollywood Hungama, but the whole of Bollywood is indeed proud of you!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 3 Aug 2009 | 8:48 am Ravi Kishan talks about the elephant romp on Raavan sets
The much talked-about elephant romp on Wednesday in the Athirapilly jungles of Kerala during the shooting of Mani Ratnam's Raavan which left one mauled and dead, was far more gruesome and perilous than has been made out to be.
Ravi Kissan who plays Abhishek Bachchan's elder brother recounts the horrific sequence of events. "Aishwarya, Abhishek and I were shooting when the elephant got annoyed. It attacked the mahout and killed him in the most gruesome manner. The elephant pierced the mahout's lungs with its tusks. The tusks went through the lungs and came out from the back of the mahout. Then the elephant ran around with the mahout's inert body stuck in its tusks in a frightening display of animal power. It was the most horrifying thing I've ever seen in my life."
But there was a rather sobering side to this naked display of Nature's fury. "Minutes after this brutal killing the elephant realized what it had done and was crying profusely."
All the while Ravi had climbed on top of the unit bus which had brought him and the unit to the spot. "If I didn't have the presence of mind to scamper quickly to the top of the bus I'd have definitely been trampled to death."
The unit has now scampered quickly to Ooty , terminating abruptly the shooting in the Athirapilly jungles. On Friday morning members of the unit seemed unsure of the next move.
One member of the Raavan unit on condition of anonymity said that the film's future is getting rapidly challenged. "The budget has shot up to Rs 120 crores. The entire ambience and language for the Hindi and South Indian versions is different. To further recover investments the producers have decided to dub the film in Telugu besides having a proper Hindi-Tamil bi-lingual 2-language release. The catastrophes, illnesses and tensions are multiplying. And Mani Ratnam is getting progressively stressed out. So we're all worried about his health."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 3 Aug 2009 | 8:24 am Live Chat: Ram Gopal Varma on August 5 at 1500 hrs IST
He is someone who can be rightly called as controversy's favourite child. For many scientists all over, solving the
world's toughest crossword seems easier than solving this enigma called 'RGV' with the question in question being 'Is it true that whatever he does become a controversy or
he simply does controversial things!'
Ramu (as he is affectionately called) started off his romance with the silver screen with the path-breaking
revolutionary film called Shiva. Besides that, he has to his credit of having made films which have re-defined
Bollywood such as Rangeela, Jungle, to name a few. If that wasn't enough, he has the rare distinction
of being one of the few filmmakers who have presented underworld in the most ever realistic manner. Proof of which
lies is in the form of Sarkar,Sarkar Raj,Company,D,Satya etc...
The good news is that the man is back with his next venture Agyaat, a film that claims 'Sometimes Fear has no form.' And guess what! Bollywood Hungama
has got this man on a mission to chat with you. Do remember your date with RGV stands confirmed on Wednesday, August
5, at 1500 hrs IST.
BTW, please do not say that we just did not warn you!Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 3 Aug 2009 | 8:08 am "Himesh's new voice is a sensational experience" - Isshaan Trivedi
Click above
for more movie stills
The day it was announced that Himesh Reshammiya had gone through a surgery and added one more voice, not many were willing to believe it as truth. Quite a
few scorned at the entire theory and went to the extent of calling it as a publicity stunt for his upcoming film Radio.
However, quashing all rumours, Himesh went ahead and shot for a music video titled 'Mann Ka Radio' in (yes, you guessed it right) his new voice. While
at Bollywood Hungama we did bring to you an exclusive dekko of the music video on Friday, during the weekend we also caught up with Isshaan Trivedi,
film's director, who revealed more about the song and Himesh's new voice.
When asked if the filmmaker was thoroughly on board once it was decided that Himesh would go for a vocal surgery and develop a new voice, Isshaan replied,
"No. It was before I started film with him. That's why in our initial music sittings, I was pleasantly shocked when I heard him for the first time in his new
avtar."
Did Himesh's new voice drive the song or was the song such that it mandated Himesh to sing it in a different style? "I think it's both ways", he says after a
pause, "When I heard Himesh's new voice, believe me it was a sensational experience. I think new voice of Himesh represents a very different spectrum of
sensibilities. These are the sensibilities of our times and I believe it would be great to hear more of him when the full album releases. At the same time,
Himesh has his evergreen magical voice too."
The song has been titled 'Mann Ka Radio' and a glimpse of the song and its music video has been made available too. So what really prompted the team of Radio to have a song
like this being devised? "It philosophically and yet simply states the state of mind of Vivan Shah, RJ of a Radio FM channel at that particular point of
story", he reveals, "In a way, Radio becomes the metaphor for his life."
Well, we look forward to what else does the team of Radio and especially Himesh have in store for the audiences. Touted to be yet another musical, the
film has songs by Himesh in his new voice. If 'Mann Ka Radio' is any indication, listeners can really be expected to get further surprises as he makes
a complete departure from his 'Aap Kaa Surroor' and 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' days.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 3 Aug 2009 | 7:39 am The power of romance makes 'Love Aaj Kal' rock box officeLove is immortal. Ask Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone whose recently released 'Love Aaj Kal' has sent the cash registers ringing, raking in Rs.8 crore (Rs.80 million) on its opening day. And experts say the movie has tremendous box office potenial.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 7:30 am "I don't know how much Raavan will benefit me" - Nikhil Dwivedi
I can't take my eyes off Audrey Hepburn as I flip through the pages of a big fat book titled 'The Star Makers' kept in front of me on his coffee table. Then I get my hands on The Beatles. For a second, I didn't care if Nikhil Dwivedi took another one hour in his shower. But that didn't happen. Anyway, it was Friday afternoon, 3:30pm to be precise. To do or not to do the interview was going to be my call. There is something about these 'one film old' actors that attract my attention towards them. For a moment, you wish to be Nikhil Dwivedi. Wheatish complexion, skin fit jeans, red shoes, a chequered half sleeve shirt with a glass of green tea, a richly decorated black and white house shimmering from floor to the ceiling and of course, a Mani Ratnam film. Isn't that enough? "Please have something. Orange Juice will do you good", he said while offering me a drink. Ideally, I wouldn't mind sitting in his cosy cornered bar he has designed especially for his friends and guests. Nothing smoother than a nice single malt on the rocks. Back to reality. Nikhil likes mixing the rough with the smooth, which is why I presume he landed up a role in Mani Ratnam's Raavan. Is he bankable enough? We'll soon find out. Sometimes he comes across with a chameleon-like quality, making it hard to link the man behind the mask. Sometimes he comes across as Bollywood's favourite archetype, the hard man with the soft centre. Dwivedi is part chest-beater, part soul-searcher. He's tough and crazy but he also has this boy-man quality. "I live alone and can take care of myself", he says with positivity flowing from his eyes. Have the Gods really smiled on him this time around? Will Raavan bring the success he is so looking forward to? Is he a God send to Bollywood? Answers to questions like these are still a year away. What he does realise is that his ticking career clock has started long time back. We for a change want to hear the alarm. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent met the ever so awake aristocrat Nikhil Dwivedi and discussed the actors he grew up on, the relationship of cinema and the common man, Raavan, Mani Ratnam, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and his two idols - Big B and SRK. As he says, "No other world should exist between 'action' and 'cut'. Before and after that, you should just be yourself."
Actors I looked up toâ¦
"When I was a four year old, I decided that I'll grow up to be an actor. The passion that has been evoked in me at an early age comes into you because you grow up on a certain kind of cinema. I've grown up on single screen theatres and wasn't a part of the multiplex audience back then. We are now catering to the latter and I am part of that catering business. I come from a very strict family and films for me were once in a blue moon, except when it was an Amitabh Bachchan film. That's the actor I grew up on. My other favourite came years later. He was Shah Rukh Khan. I know SRK as a person and my liking for him is more than the actor or the star that defines him."
When I was a four year old, I decided that I'll grow up to be an actor
Amitabh Bachchan
"I am an actor today because of Amitabh Bachchan. I've grown up watching his films. My favourite Amitabh Bachchan film cannot be short listed as there are dozens of them. I personally like Satte Pe Satta because he looked the most handsome in it. Then there is always an Agneepath, Deewar and Kaala Patthar. Mili is one of the most under rated performances he has and will ever give to Hindi films. That was when he played the angry young man for the first time in his life. Whenever he has played the angry young man, he had a lot of vendetta and angst against a particular person in the film. There have been only three films that come to my mind where he had this bitterness against the whole wide world. It's a very difficult emotion to play but only he can pull it off. He did it in Mili, followed it in Deewar and then finally he did it in Agneepath."
Shah Rukh Khan
"I will never forget what SRK once told me before I entered films. He said, "Films is not about bungalows, about cars, about fans chasing you for autographs. When you make a film, you should get the aroma from the negative print." Not many actors can have a five hour long conversation with you without making you feel bored. SRK is extremely intelligent, extremely articulate, very well read and highly successful. What's more, he isn't ashamed of his success, neither is he too pompous or flamboyant about it as many people perceive him to be. He likes the way it is. And despite all the above, there is a very middle class Delhi boy in him and that is something very endearing. You just want to sit with him and learn from him. He could be talking to you about micro-biology and he is an expert in it or he could talk to you about aeroplanes and submarines or world cinema. You come back and google what you've heard from him and learn that all that is true."
Cinema and the common man
"Today, the tickets range from hundred rupees to two hundred and fifty rupees. So the person who is buying those tickets is actually a person who is doing well in life. He is educated and urban. When he is that, he is a certain kind of a person expecting a certain kind of cinema. The kind of mass base cinema is on a decline. They want a fresher subject. Two years down the line, you will not find Bollywood's famous song and dance routine in our films, and I completely believe in it."
Two years down the line, you will not find Bollywood's famous song and dance routine in our films
How Raavan happenedâ¦
"The working title of the film is still Raavan. The part I'm playing in Raavan is that of a police officer who is a subordinate to his senior police officer played by South Indian National Award winning actor Vikram. Mr. Mani Ratnam wants each and every actor of his to come and do a look test for him. One has to read for his part. I had to do the same. I read for my part and I am just very fortunate that he liked me in my part."
Mani Ratnam - A star maker?
"Mani Ratnam isn't a star maker. He is a director who makes a better actor. He isn't making a star. He is simply telling a story and making a film. 70% of the film is complete now and what I've noticed is that he doesn't try to make his film a star. I mean, his film into a super hit. His personality is over the top but his cinema is not. Mani Ratnam knows what he wants and his ambience is usually a league above what the others would envision. I don't know how much will Raavan benefit me, but I can tell you one thing for sure, I am going to carry a lot of this film to my future projects."
Abhishek Bachchan
"This is the first time I had any sort of interaction with Abhishek. I had heard about this when I used to read interviews about his colleagues and friends talking about Abhishek that he is a very well brought up boy and he is very cultured, mannered, etc. I thought that a guy who is all this should be so perfect. Now I know why they say this about him. One of the finest qualities about Abhishek is that he makes the attempt to make you feel comfortable. That is a very rare quality that he possesses. He will not bother if that person has walked up to him or not. He will walk up to them and talk. He wins over people and he has won over me."
One of the finest qualities about Abhishek is that he makes the attempt to make you feel comfortable
Disciplined shoot
"Raavan isn't sync sound. I don't hear a sound on the sets of this Mani Ratnam film. That is almost impossible to achieve when you're shooting for a Hindi film. What you gather is that filming with Mani Ratnam isn't picnic. It is serious business. You are there for something big and everyone who works for a Mani Ratnam film, works with that kind of sincerity and discipline."
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
"She is right on time, I should say. A true professional. She is also there in the Tamil version of Raavan and is shooting simultaneously for both the parts. That is physically taxing. But these are just not actors; they are much more than just a celebrity."
Govinda
"You might wonder what Govinda is doing in a Mani Ratnam film. Believe me, he is a true definition of versatility. He is mesmerising when he is acting. I've been in a couple of scenes with him and he is an actor who can make you forget your lines. He flows and that's beautiful. There are some actors who are just blessed and he is one of them."
Recalling the first day of Raavan
"It was 7th of January 2009 in Madhya Pradesh. The set was a little intimidating, for the simple fact that when you arrive on a Mani Ratnam set, there is a lot of preconceived baggage you bring along. But you are immediately proved wrong. When you step for your first shot, the mechanism is completely different. He will brief you in depth and then take it from there."
Favourite films
"My favourite Mani Ratnam film has to be Rojaand Bombay for the simple reason that the subject matter was very real. It had a lot of heart and soul to it. For once Mani Ratnam didn't dwell away from the emotional quotient in the film. He stuck to it and made films that are still remembered by all.
My favourite Abhishek Bachchan film is Bunty aur Babli and his first film Refugee. I hope I don't annoy Abhishek here but I saw a lot of Amitabh Bachchan in him in Refugee. I think if I don't see a lot of father in his own son, where else shall I see it?"Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 3 Aug 2009 | 7:03 am Rakhi Sawant's fiance busy arranging Canadian visa for herInstead of hosting a grand party following his win on 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar', 30-year-old Elesh Parujanwala is busy arranging a Canadian visa for his fiancee Rakhi Sawant, so that they can attend his sister's wedding together in Toronto.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 6:31 am 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar' finale breaks record for NDTV ImagineThe much-hyped finale of Rakhi Sawant's 'swayamvar' on NDTV Imagine gave the channel its highest Television Rating Points (TRPs) ever since its launch in January 2008.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 3 Aug 2009 | 5:01 am "I am number one for my family and fans and that's enough" - Akshay Kumar
Despite negative reviews and some malicious campaign against the film, Kambakkht Ishq has turned out to be a box office success. It may not have gone ahead and re-written records as was the case with Singh Is Kinng or Welcome but the fact remains that Akshay Kumar has managed to get his audiences back. While he is already looking forward to the release of De Dana Dhan, Blue and Action Replay, he is currently busy with a non-stop two month shooting schedule for Sajid Khan's Housefull.
Talking to Joginder Tuteja from London, where he is currently stationed, Akshay Kumar talks about how he is comfortable working in multiple films and why, in spite of bringing in huge moolah into the industry during last five years, he still finds the entire Number 1 game quite amusing.
Your strength seems to be the fact that you complete your films in quick time, hence doing 3-4 films a year. That in some very good ways is a very good preposition for your producers as well, right? This way they can release their film in quick time, isn't it?
Yes! I am quite fine working on multiple films a year since most of them are shot in a start to finish schedule. We all work very fast on my films. And that way, I get to take a holiday every six months with my family as well! So, it all works out quite well in the end.
For how long do you wish to continue operating in the same mode? Don't you feel like taking a breather somewhere?
I can run faster than anyone else on the treadmill. Where is the time for a breather?
One look at your filmography over last five years and it is crystal clear that you have brought in maximum money inflow. Isn't that a testimony to the fact that a couple of flops here and there haven't quite impacted your box office stand?
The collections are out there for all to see. I have always believed in letting box-office to speak .When figures talk, what's the point of anyone else talking? Rest is just noise.
From Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to Bhagam Bhag to Welcome to Singh Is Kinng to your recent release Kambakkht Ishq, your films have netted as astonishing sum close to Rs. 600 crores just from India. Were you aware about such huge numbers? Now that's HUGE by any standards.
Thanks for the compliment. My producers are aware of all these numbers and that's why they repeat me film after film. That's hope for me!
In the same period, Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman and Hrithik have brought in far lesser money. Any comments?
Please don't create a controversy here .We are all here to work, I am not running a race.
Akshay, you have been shying away from the battle for top position. However, isn't #1 actor, the one who delivers consistently, brings in maximum moolah at the box office, is termed reliable and has a following in India as well as overseas? In that sense, don't you actually fit in the bill?
That's for you guys to decide. I am just doing my work. I shy away from the number game. Numbers are for calendar not for superstars. When I read about, who is Number One and Number Two, it amuses me. I feel like, we are still in school and anxiously waiting for our report cards. Haven't we grown up since then?
I am number one for my family and fans and that's enough
But industry is all about the Numbers game, isn't it?
Come on guys; don't make it sound like we are in a class room. If some want to fall prey to it, it's their problem. I firmly believe that I still have a long way to go. It's very lovely at the top and honestly I don't want to be lonely, I am happy the way I am. I am number one for my family and fans and that's enough.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 3 Aug 2009 | 4:59 am
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