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Aamir Khan seeks disabled-friendly infrastructureBollywood star Aamir Khan, whose recent release "3 Idiots" takes a critical look at India's education system, feels that the infrastructure in the country should be remodelled so that physically challenged people can move around without hindrance.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 8:17 am Jessica Simpson breaks up with Billy Corgan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 6:50 am Shah Rukh copies Salman Khan
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 6:38 am Nobody knows Katrina better than me: Salman
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 6:26 am Mel Gibson wont marry Oksana Grigorieva
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 6:19 am Nobody knows Katrina better than me: SalmanSalman Khan is fed up of being repeatedly asked about his "Veer" co-star Zarine Khan's resemblance to his lady love Katrina Kaif.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 5:56 am Madhur, Vipul, Anupam tie up with Miss India contest
For those who feel that the Miss India pageant has become a platform (read 'stepping stone') to Bollywood, then, be ready to get a whiff of whirlwind as we have some news for you that will definitely be music to your ears.
The much coveted Pantaloon's Femina Miss India, yesterday, announced a strategic collaboration with two of Bollywood's ace directors Madhur Bhandarkar and Vipul Shah. Their 'roles' in this collaboration will be to identify, mentor and launch two Miss India finale contestants in their respective upcoming film projects. If that wasn't filmy enough, then, here's more! The said contestants will also be getting groomed under the likes of the stalwarts like Anupam Kher and Shiamak Davar, who will also be supporting the association by way of training and mentoring the contestants in acting and dance respectively. The 'modus operandi' has been designed in such a way that Madhur Bhandarkar and Vipul Shah will interact with the contestants of Femina Miss India during the training period (mid March 2010 - end April 2010). From amongst these, they would audition and select one contestant each and launch the selected talent in one of their upcoming projects. As far as Anupam Kher is concerned, his talent company 'Actor Prepares' shall be designing a specialized training module for contestants in nuances of acting. Not just that, his institute shall also award a 3 month scholarship for their full time diploma course in acting to anyone of the deserving contestants. Lastly, Shiamak Davar, India's guru of modern contemporary dance, along with his team at SDIPA will be conducting exclusive workshops where he will train the contestants in Bollywood dancing.
Talking about the association, Vipul Shah said, "Today, Indian cinema is becoming the dream that millions want to achieve. Young individuals from across the country come to Mumbai to achieve this dream but they don't know how! Without proper preparation many talented candidates lose out on possible glory. Femina Miss India is a great platform for talented individuals to get noticed. By providing specialized and focused guidance to the potential Miss Indias, they will become a complete package not just for Indian cinema but also to represent the country more confidently on the global platform at a later stage."
Seconding his opinion, Madhur Bhandarkar opined, "This association will bring about a novel, focused yet entertaining element to the Miss India training process. We will ensure we create superb actresses in tandem with the Femina Miss India team. It is known fact that I love working with newcomers, new subjects for my films and I think that this innovative tie-up will give the film industry talented actresses to reckon with. I am looking for the right mix of talent and individuality and Femina Miss India is the perfect place to find such a person. "
Anupam Kher, on his part, stated, "I am very happy that my school 'Actor Prepares' will be a part of this initiative. Femina Miss India is a great platform for scouting talent especially since we have had great actresses from that background. 'Actor Prepares' and I look forward to training the contestants in nuances of acting. Bollywood is an aspiration for many and it is fulfilling to be a part of making someone's dream come true."
All in all, with the combined efforts of these talented experts, the success graph is sure to scale newer heights for this year's Miss India. As they say, Miss India is the way to go!Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:57 am SRK apes Salman Khan on 'Music Ka Mahamuqabla'The audiences were left asking for more when Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan took off his shirt a la Salman Khan while shooting for a special episode of a TV channel' music reality show "Music Ka Mahamuqabla".Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:48 am Tera Kya Hoga Johnny leaked on webSudhir Mishra' long-delayed film Tera Kya Hoga Johnny has been leaked on the Internet. Starring Neil Nitin Mukesh, the slum movie has been uploaded on video sharing website YouTube by unknown sources.Source: | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:34 am Amrita Rao and Purab Kohli feature on Salon International covers
For a magazine that's dedicated to the business of beauty, 'Salon International' had to come out with a cover that defines beauty in its wholeness. The first issue of this New Year is indeed very heart warming. With the chill in the air and the gloom that winter sets in, one look at this magazine cover page and you're hope for an uplifting beautiful winter is restored. The magazine has been split into two issues, one for women and the other for men.
Amrita Rao smiles shyly on the cover of Salon International's women's issue. The hairstyle and the makeup give her that international look, which is the benchmark of the magazine. The inside pages reveal the magic that was created for this photo shoot as Amrita poses for one picture after another, each with a distinct personality and character. This one is worth every penny!
The men's issue has the actor and model Purab Kohli on the cover, looking like never before. The inside pages reveal the expertise that went behind creating this shockingly good look. It's a treat for all the men who wish to get that dream makeover. A change in hairstyle can get you looking from frumpy to funky, you don't believe it? Well, neither did Purab. "Honestly, I did not know I was shooting for the cover. Only after the pictures were shot Mayuri (the editor) said they turned out so good that she wanted to put it on the cover. Hats off to Diya, the photographer." A big shout also needs to go to the stylist who gave Purab two of the most ravishing looks.
Go ahead; grab a copy as soon as possible!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:24 am Avatar to be made into a porn parodyJames Cameron's sci-fi epic Avatar will be made into a porn parody by Hustler, a leader in exclusive porn content.Source: | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:16 am China bans Avatar from cinemasChinese authorities have ordered cinemas to stop showing box-office smash Avatar, reports said.Source: | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:11 am Rage in China after Avatar showings cutChina's Internet users were up in arms on Wednesday over news that authorities planned to limit showings of Avatar, the US blockbuster that has seen millions flock to cinemas across the nation.Source: | 20 Jan 2010 | 4:06 am Salman and I had differences over Veer: Director
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 3:41 am I don't compete with my father: Abhishek BachchanFor Abhishek Bachchan, constant comparisons with dad Amitabh are an "honour" and not a problem.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 3:05 am Beyonce likes firm curvesWashington, (ANI): Beyonce Knowles says she doesn’t want to lose her curves. "I always say, ''I don''t want to lose my curves.'' I like firm curves," the singer, 28, tells the February issue of Allure. She adds: "You can never doSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:56 am Katrina- Zarine: Separated at birth? - Hindustan Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:56 am Neil's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny leaks onlineWhat could be the worst that could happen to a film up for release? Horror of horrors, it finds itself on the Internet. Following an unfortunate trend where films find their way into the cyberspace before the release, Sudhir Mishra's TeraSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:55 am Garden to be named in Ashwath's memoryGirish Mattannavar, the Chairman of Kanteerava Studios, has come to a conclusion after consulting his colleagues; to name the Rs.55 lakhs garden in Kanteerava Studios after Dr. KS Aswath. It will be called Dr. KS Ashwath Udyanavana.The garden is being madeSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:53 am Brit Awards 2010 nominations announcedThe big night out in the British music calendar, Brit Awards 2010 with MasterCard hosted by Peter Kay takes place on 16 February at London's Earls Court Arena and will be televised live on ITV1Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:47 am Katrina to romance two gay menBollywood actress Katrina Kaif is all set to romance two gay men. Well, Katrina is not going wild in her life but she will be doing this in her upcoming movie. Katrina will be starring opposite two gay men Abhishek BachchanSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:40 am Emraan won't kiss Neha SharmaNot Kiss the Indian beauty. Emraan Hashmi won't kiss his co-star Neha Sharma in his next film. The 'privilege' will go to an Australian chick. Mohit Suri's film Crook: It's Good To Be Bad on racial attacks on Indian students inSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:40 am Neha Sharma to debut in Emraan Hashmi starrer Crook: It's Good To Be Bad
Emraan Hashmi won't kiss his co-star Neha Sharma in his next film. The 'privilege' will go to an Australian chick.
Mohit Suri's film Crook: It's Good To Be Bad on racial attacks on Indian students in Australia will star four Australian actors, one of them would be a girl that the Indian hero (Emraan Hashmi) will fall in love with in Australia.
There would be an Indian leading lady, Telugu cinema's Neha Sharma. But she wouldn't get to kiss the serial kisser hero Emraan Hashmi. The smooching scenes in the script have been saved for the Aussie girl. Says Suri, "There will be some kissing in the film. And yes there will be an Australian girl. I can't say any more right now."
The director has auditioned a number of Australian actors and will zero in on the final actors shortly. "We start shooting in February. When I started researching on the problem of racial attacks in Australia I never thought it went so deep and far. My film won't be only about attacks on Indians or Asians. It will look at segregation discrimination and racism among all kinds of people."
The spoken language in the film would be a hybrid. Says Suri, "The characters will speak Hindi, English and other languages; Indian and foreign, spoken by students in Australia."
Neha Sharma is the latest entrant into Bollywood from the South Indian film industry. The girl made her debut in Telugu films with Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Teja in Chirutha.
For her Hindi debut in Mohit Suri's film, Neha will be seen speaking in a smattering of Hindi and English. "And it's not even proper English. It's Australian -English. Neha plays a girl born and brought up in Australia. She plays a student who tries to mend the cultural gap between Indians and Australians."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:39 am Gaga comes up with multimedia fable for kidsNew York (ANI): Popstar Lady Gaga has joined hands with old-school Grandmaster Melle Mel for a multimedia fable for kids, aged 6 and above. The Portal in the Park is about a boy of 11 who confronts good and evil inSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:33 am Salman and I had differences over 'Veer': DirectorDirector Anil Sharma admits he had creative differences with Salman Khan over the making of "Veer", penned by the actor himself, but everything was finally sorted out.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:25 am Anushka didn't want to smooch ShahidRecently, Anushka Sharma showed her disapproval over kissing Shahid Kapoor. Yes, it is a wonder because any girl would leap at the opportunity to kiss Shahid but Anushka made her discomfort very apparent. This is because she had to smooch himSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:07 am Zee Entertainment to hike stake in Ten Sports - Reuters India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:06 am Bradley Cooper denies moving in with ZellwegerLondon (ANI): Bradley Cooper has denied reports suggesting he is moving in with girlfriend Renee Zellweger. The Hangover actor sparked the rumours after shelling out 5 million dollars on a posh three-bedroom house in Pacific Palisades, California. But a spokesperson forSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:06 am Emmanuelle Chriqui the most desirable woman of 2010Washington (ANI): Actress Emmanuelle Chriqui has been named the Most Desirable Woman of 2010 in a new poll. Popular men's site AskMen.com put together the top 99 most desirable women of the New Year, asking men to rate women on theirSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 2:02 am For 'Karthik...', Farhan learnt to cycleDirector-actor Farhan Akhtar learnt how to ride a bike for his upcoming film "Karthik Calling Karthik" and says it was actually "uncool" to do that at 30 plus.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Jan 2010 | 1:59 am Akshay Kumar does the unthinkableAkshay Kumar is a thorough professional and hates to be inconvenient for people at any cost. The star is known to always being punctual and never cancels shoots under any condition. However recently the actor cancelled a day of shooting onlySource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Jan 2010 | 1:46 am 12 Angry Men-Can there ever be perfect justice?12 Angry Men exemplifies the nature of 'truth', and it shows how the media today is only about reportage of selective truth. It also brings to debate the nature of justice and its essentially flawed character.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 20 Jan 2010 | 1:31 am Avatar director James Cameron on Golden Globe win - BBC News
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 20 Jan 2010 | 12:13 am Dada Saheb Phalke Award to VK Murthy - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 11:47 pm Aamir is new Munnabhai?
Piping hot news and its clarification is EXCLUSIVELY on Bollywood Hungama.
Trustworthy sources inform us that Rajkumar Hirani has decided to embrace the biggest challenge of his career. Reportedly, the director of MUNNABHAI MBBS, LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI and 3 IDIOTS has decided to cast Aamir Khan as Munna and Sharman Joshi as Circuit, in place of Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, respectively, for his new film MUNNABHAI CHALE AMREEKA.
The news was received with shock and astonishment by the loyal fans of the Munnabhai franchise.
Aamir Khan, who never reacts to gossip, did clarify on this issue to this writer, before leaving for the U.S. "I am shocked. I wish to clarify that there's not an iota of truth to it. Yes, I would love to work with Rajkumar Hirani again and again, since I enjoyed working with him in 3 IDIOTS, but the truth is we haven't discussed any new project yet," Aamir tells me.
But didn't he express his willingness to portray Munnabhai when he heard the one-line story of MUNNABHAI CHALE AMREEKA? "That's completely untrue! I have no clue what it's all about, nor has Raju [Hirani] narrated me its one-liner. I distinctly recall, I hugged Sanju after I watched MUNNABHAI MBBS. He was incredible in that film. When I think of Munna, I can't think of anyone except Sanju. For me, Sanju is Munna," Aamir states.
Meanwhile, Aamir has clarified that he hasn't signed any new film yet. What about Anurag Kashyap's next film? "I haven't signed any film. Not Anurag's film either. Right now, I would like to focus on my three home-productions before I start shooting any film. PEEPLI LIVE will arrive first, followed by DELHI BELLY and then Kiran's DHOBI GHAAT, which stars Prateek Babbar and me. This film would release towards the end of the year. But I plan to listen to new scripts after three months," Aamir sets the record straight.
Will DHOBI GHAAT have a Christmas release like TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, GHAJINI and 3 IDIOTS? Aamir smiles, "I haven't decided on that yet. But DHOBI GHAAT wouldn't have a wide release like GHAJINI or 3 IDIOTS, that's for sure."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 19 Jan 2010 | 11:43 pm Anushka's liplock with Shahid! - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 11:21 pm Amitabh gives tips to Abhishek for Bingo - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 11:01 pm Ramu & Big B: 'Rann' not a media basher - Times Now.tv
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 9:48 pm Saif wants Kareena to loose weight - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 9:26 pm A new Hindi movie available on net before release - Economic Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 8:44 pm I don't break commitments: Salman
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 7:18 pm Rahman back on Oscar trail with `Na Na`!AR Rahman has emerged a top contender to bag yet another Oscar this year.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 19 Jan 2010 | 4:26 pm Gul Panag calls for more youth in parliamentFormer beauty queen Gul Panag, who is often called a thinking actress, says she is concerned about India unlike her character in forthcoming movie "Rann" and feels the youth should have a fair representation in the Indian parliament.Source: Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 4:16 pm Rapper Wacka Flocka allegedly shot in armed robberyAccording to sources, Wacka was at a gas station when he was hit by a group of unidentified men.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 19 Jan 2010 | 3:46 pm Macgruber trailor hits web, 30-seconds tickling affairMacgruber, starring Will Forte is all set to hit the theatres in April. But what's hogging more limelight is the 30-second trailer of the film, which has just hit the web.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 19 Jan 2010 | 2:27 pm YouTube beats theatres in screening movieDirector Sudhir Mishra’s latest flick, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, may have been screened at film festivals, but it has not yet been released. At least officially. But a rough cut of the movie has been leaked online, on video sharing website YouTube, reports Hiren Kotwani. Source: | 19 Jan 2010 | 1:43 pm Heidi Montag says, I'm not addicted to plastic surgeryHeidi Montag, who had 10 cosmetic procedures in 10 hours, rubbishes off reports that the surgeries have gifted her impossibly perfect Barbie-like looks.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 19 Jan 2010 | 12:30 pm Sudhir Mishra's 'Tera Kya Hoga Johnny' leaked on webSudhir Mishra' long-delayed film "Tera Kya Hoga Johnny" has been leaked on the Internet.Source: Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 12:02 pm IT searches at Tamil films stars, directors' housesOfficials of the Income Tax (IT) Department today searched the houses of Tamil film actors and directors, officials said.Source: Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 11:23 am Katrina- Zarine: Separated at birth?Hot debate around the striking resemblance between Salman’s on-screen and off-screen girl.Source: | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:56 am Avatar to be made into a porn parody
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:54 am China bans Avatar from cinemas
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:44 am Anti-Terrorist Front honours Salman with bravery awardBollywood star Salman Khan has joined the brigade of do-gooders to rehabilitate and educate children orphaned in terrorist attacks across the country.Source: Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:42 am Avatar, a porn parodyJames Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar will be made into a porn parody by Hustler, which deals in exclusive porn content.Source: | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:36 am Irrfan moves from Mira Nair to Deepa MehtaIrrfan Khan has been offered a major role in Deepa Mehta's film adaptation of Midnight's Children. But this means the actor won't be seen playing the lead in the next film by Mira Nair, with whom he did The Namesake, as the two would be shot at the same time.Source: | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:28 am Kashmir is not just about guns: BhandarkarDirector Madhur Bhandarkar always dreamt of visiting Jammu and Kashmir and, when he finally did, he was inspired to "bring laughter" to the Valley and shoot a comedy in its picturesque localesSource: | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:13 am I learnt bartending for film : Mimoh ChakrabortyMimoh Chakraborty, son of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, believes in getting into the skin of his characters - so much so that he went visiting various pubs and bars to learn how to be a good bartender for his role in his next project.Source: | 19 Jan 2010 | 10:08 am Shahid Kapoor on award winning spree
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 9:33 am RGV to show reality of electronic media in Rann
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Jan 2010 | 9:28 am Unreleased Bollywood film leaked on YouTubeMUMBAI (Reuters) - A rough cut of Sudhir Mishra's new film "Tera Kya Hoga Johnny" has surfaced on the internet, putting the spotlight on a thriving bootleg industry that sees Bollywood lose up to $400 million in revenue annually.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 19 Jan 2010 | 8:59 am Neil Nitin Mukesh's unreleased Tera Kya Hoga Johnny leaked on internet
What could be the worst that could happen to a film up for release? Horror of horrors, it finds itself on the Internet. Following an unfortunate trend where films find their way into the cyberspace before the release, Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny has been uploaded on the video sharing site YouTube by unknown miscreants. And all this when the film - which was in the cans for almost 2 years - was slated for an early 2010 release.
The film stars Neil Nitin Mukesh, Soha Ali Khan, Kay Kay Menon and Shahana Goswami and street child Sikandar playing himself. The filmmakers had also recently announced plans of dubbing the film in English for the international audience.
When contacted Sudhir Mishra, who's directed iconic films like Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi and Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi, was unavailable for comment.
It is a malaise that indeed needs pondering... who puts these films out? The industry needs to watch out or indeed, Tera Kya Hoga?Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 19 Jan 2010 | 8:21 am Shahid loses his chance, hopes veer towards Salman - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 19 Jan 2010 | 5:40 am Sun Behind the Clouds is audience favorite at film festivalThe Sun Behind The Clouds: Tibet's Struggle for Freedom was declared as 'audience documentary favorite' at the prestigious 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival which concluded in California on Monday.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 19 Jan 2010 | 3:52 am "Come, spend time with your family & play Bingo" - Abhishek Bachchan
What happens when you suddenly decide to meet Abhishek Bachchan in three hours? Firstly, it's almost impossible. Then, after some thought, you try and make it possible. I did the latter. Well, for starters, you need to be prepared to be the last one to interview him. That's exactly what happened. I was greeted by his P.R manager into the room where the actor was giving interviews to a few television channels on his launch as a host on the game show, 'National Bingo Night' on Colors channel which starts in India from January 23 at 9 pm. I was meeting him after a year but his stature, his command, his attitude, his confidence, his generosity, and his wholesomeness all looked taller than him. Abhishek Bachchan looked like one towering monarchy on an evening where coffee, tea and some complimentary pillows were offered to make our wait more comfortable. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent met Mr. Phenomenon - Mr. Abhishek Bachchan at Taj Lands End, Bandra, and played the good old game of question and answers. Bingo! here it is.
Both, you and your father are influential when it comes to films. How influential will your game show 'National Bingo Night' be?
I think, we shouldn't take this influential thing too seriously. Colors is a wonderful channel. But apart from having successful shows and being the number one channel on television right now, what I really appreciate about them is that they are very socially aware. Prime time soap such as 'Balikavadhu' put out some important social messages about our Indian society.
And that Colors is going to launch itself in the UK is going to be an added benefit too. Plus, your father, Mr Amitabh Bachchan is a brand ambassador for the channel in the UK and the US.
Well, a channel is a channel. It's good to know that Colors is going to launch in the UK. But the show is going to be based here in India. So the overseas viewers can watch it but can't play it. That's about it. But they will have as much fun as we do out here through the game show. It's nice to reach out to the people from your country who are based off shores. Through the channel and the show, we give them the feeling that they are still connected to their homeland and if they feel that their connect through Bingo is more, I'll be more than happy to bring the show out there.
How de-stressful do you think any game shows are?
For the audience, I think it's very de-stressing. But for me, it's insane. It's very tough and a lot of hard work. We promoted the entire game show on the lines of just chilling out and having a nap. It was called 'Aaram classes'. It was all about having fun, nothing else.
But it was a bit misleading because many of them thought that you're starting your own tuition classes?
(laughs) Maybe I should. I should enroll myself in such tuition classes.
Any bit of expert comments you received from your father on the dinner table as you are making your debut on the television?
Nothing really. He just said, ''Have fun.'' He told me to be genuine and enjoy myself. I had to be warm. What is important is the fact that if all this comes across, the viewers are going to like the show more. I am not playing a character here. I am playing myself. I am being myself and am hoping that people like me (laughs).
Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 19 Jan 2010 | 3:47 am Rahman's song 'Na Na' tunes up for Oscar'Na Na', Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman's (Slumdog Millionaire) song from 'Couples Retreat', his first venture into mainstream Hollywood, has been shortlisted for nomination in Original Song category for the 82nd Academy Awards.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 19 Jan 2010 | 3:14 am Ishqiya gets 'A' with no cuts
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Ishqiya with all its colourful expletives and sexually charged visuals was passed on Wednesday without any cuts with an 'A' certificate. A huge step forward for Hindi cinema which contains graphic language.
Says the film's director Abhishek Chaubhey, ''Frankly, I expected I'd be asked for some kind of an explanation for the language and content and why they were necessary. I had gone prepared with dossiers on every graphic word and shot. To my surprise, I wasn't asked for any explanation. I was given an 'Adults' certificate with no cuts at all. I guess it's a sign of how far censorship has come in our country.''
The censor board apparently baulked at some of the gaalis. But finally saw reason. Says the film's director, ''I never claimed the film was for children. The content is adult. So I've no problem with the 'A' certificate. I feel the profile of the audience is changing swiftly.''
Abhishek also hastens to add that the language is not as strong as people seem to think. ''It's not about creating shock value. It's the way these people in the small North Indian towns live their life.''Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 19 Jan 2010 | 3:08 am Anil Sharma admits to creative differences with Salman during Veer
Salman Khan has first gone to his friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali to direct Taras Bulba. When Sanjay declined, Salman bitterly vowed to make the same story with another director, and make it as an epic comparable with Sanjay's vision.
Anil Sharma was chosen because of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. "But please don't expect Gadar in Veer. Gadar was far more dramatic and emotional. Veer is targeted more at today's younger audiences," warns the director.
Stories about differences between Salman Khan and his director Anil Sharma during the making of Veer abound.
Speaking on the issue for the first time Anil Sharma admits there were differences. "Salman was not just the main actor in Veer, he was also the writer. We had a lot of differences of opinion. The way he narrated the story and the way I perceived it as a director were different. Moreover, I brought in other writers Shailesh Verma, Shaktimaan (who wrote my Gadar) and Krishna Raghav. Raghav did all the research. So Salman's story has been interpreted in the way I thought right."
Salman insisted that Anil Sharma watch his source of inspiration the Yul-Brynner-Tony Curtis 1962 film Taras Bulba. "But we couldn't get a single print of the film. So I had to make do with the images that I had in my mind from childhood. They made the film in Russia last year. I saw that version. Taras Bulba was the story of the father Yul Brynner, played by Mithun Chakraborty in my film. Veer is not the father's story. It's the son Salman's story. And we had to relocate the entire story from 16th century Russia to Colonial India."
While Salman Khan has become the face of Veer, the film's director Anil Sharma has taken a backseat so far.
Speaking up finally he says, "For three years now, all kinds of things have been said and written about Veer and my relationship with the project and actors. The truth is, we were making a very difficult film. And there were bound to be creative differences. But we sorted it out."
Anil admits he never wanted Salman's favourite composers Sajid -Wajid to do the music of Veer. "I had heard their tunes in his earlier films and I was sure Sajid -Wajid weren't the right people for a period drama like Veer. I met them reluctantly and was surprised by their understanding of Hindustani music. We worked really well together. They were delighted to be told to compose a thumri or a bandish for the first time. And the fact that I could convince Gulzar Saab to work with Sajid-Wajid was a stroke of luck."
Says Anil Sharma, "We've reduced the length to approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. Only one 15-second action scene was removed by the censors. We had actually retained longer versions of the action sequences than we needed because the censors always shorten action scenes. To our surprise they didn't touch anything!"Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 19 Jan 2010 | 2:53 am Just A Minute With: Ram Gopal VarmaMUMBAI (Reuters) - Ram Gopal Varma hasn't had it easy in the last few years. A string of unsuccessful films, coupled with the controversy over the director's visit to the Taj Mahal hotel just after the Mumbai attacks, ensured him a place in the limelight.Source: Reuters: Bollywood News | 19 Jan 2010 | 2:36 am
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