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Rahul Bose to run for cancer research in IndiaActor and social activist Rahul Bose will run in a marathon in the capital on Sunday to raise funds for cancer research in India.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 9:00 am Sangeet Natak Akademi had best tableau at R-Day paradeWith its elaborate exhibition of Indian classical music instruments, the Sangeet Natak Akademi tableau didn't just win the applause of all present at the Republic Day parade this year but has now also won the best tableau prize.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:57 am Shah Rukh inaugurates his home theatre with 'Rann'The growing proximity between Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan just got thicker.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:50 am I don't deserve Padma Shri: Saif
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:50 am Swift does not mind link-up with Mayer
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:32 am Actor Jayasurya to don 'double' role
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:25 am Rihanna says she's still single
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:13 am 'Road To Sangam' a rare passionate paean to patriotismThis is a small, tender idea, carried out with a certain amount of elan and loads and loads of heart.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 8:10 am I hope media does not bash me: Big B
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 7:21 am Shah Rukh asks for Big B starrer to inaugurate his home theatre
The growing proximity between the Bachchans and Shah Rukh Khan just got thicker. On Thursday, Shah Rukh called up the Bachchans and requested for a print of Rann to kick-start his newly-constructed home theatre at his residence.
Says a source, "Shah Rukh specifically wanted to inaugurate his home theatre with a Bachchan starrer. Luckily, Rann was on release this week. So he asked Karan Johar to quickly dial Mr. Bachchan who put him through the producers of Rann. The producers gladly arranged for a print of Rann to be delivered to SRK's place on Thursday evening."
After watching the film till very late on Thursday night, Shah Rukh Khan sent an appreciative sms to the film's producer which read, "Very kind of you to send the film across. Very intense very topical...good performances all round. The viewpoint is very current."
Apparently, Shah Rukh wanted to invite Mr Bachchan to view Rann in his home theatre. Alas! Mr Bachchan was in Delhi on Thursday night attending the premiere of Rann.
You would think with his sworn lack of empathy with politics, Big B would run as far away from politicians as possible. Surprisingly, politicians rather than stars dominated the Delhi premiere of Rann on Thursday night.
Those VIPs (very important politicians) who attended the premiere on Thursday night included Yashwant Sinha, L. K. Advani, Sheila Dixit, Sachin Pilot and the current Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi - Tajendra Khanna. Plus, of course, Amar Singh. This was Mr. Bachchan's first politician-dominated premiere in years.
The entire Bachchan parivar was in full attendance, though Jaya arrived separately from the rest of the family. An ever-enthusiastic Vivek Oberoi also saw the film though in a different screening from the Bachchans.
A perception that Rann indulges in serious bashing of the electronic media had the film's leading man Amitabh Bachchan stationed in the Capital for most of Thursday inviting the city's most influential journalists for the premiere.
Most of the who's who of Delhi's press corps melted under the great Bachchan charm. The man himself was baffled by the widespread belief that the film was against the electronic media.
Said Mr. Bachchan on Thursday afternoon, "I'm in Delhi meeting various members of the press trying to understand why Rann is being perceived as being against them. Or why I'm being seen to have issues with the press. Not at all! I've always respected the press."
Tell him the perception of Mr. Bachchan being anti-press goes back to those years in the 1980s when he had banned the press.
Says Mr. Bachchan, "I banned them because they had banned me. But now that's in the past. Writing my blog has made me understand the duties and exigencies of the media much better than before."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 29 Jan 2010 | 6:47 am Genelia to endorse fairness cream
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 6:08 am We don't deserve a talent like BigB: Abhishek
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 5:57 am Genelia to endorse fairness creamBollywood actress Genelia D'Souza, who shot to fame with "Jaane Tu.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 5:32 am Subhash K Jha speaks on Road To Sangam
This is a small tender idea, executed with a certain amount of elan and loads and loads of heart. Writer-director Amit Rai's debut film is a Gandhian parable done up in shades that are at once, pristine pastel noble gentle warm tender and funny.
The imaginative plot about the Mahatma's ashes belatedly being taken out of Allahabad to be scattered in the Ganga, gets its strength from the moral frailty of the times that we live in. Miraculously while constructing a heart-warming morality tale the debutant writer-director manages to keep the tone purely and strictly non-judgemental.
Among the many virtues in this frail but strong tale of two communities that need hard and immediate lessons in co-existence, is the detailed eye for locations. The streets and roof-tops of humble middleclass homes in Allahabad are shot by cinematographer Dharam Gulati with a keen eye for the teeming crowds peeping out of ramshackle windows which have seen better days .
The eye used to create the authentic ambience is forever lucid and non-judgemental. Sandesh Shandilya's re-worked interpretation of Gandhian Bhajans, add considerably to a sense of serene sincerity in a work that gently but firmly prods awake our conscience.
The process of spiritual awakening that the sleepy communally-divided town undergoes when a humble honest motor mechanic Hashmatullah decides to repair the car that would take Gandhiji's ashes to the sea is shown to be gradual and persuasive. Amit Rai derives more humour out of the plot than the tense situation would normally warrant.
In its effort to project a world beyond strife that is obtainable to a more reasonable humankind than visible in today's divided times, the narrative at times slips into the realm of naïve idealism.
No harm in that. Road To Sangam shows us that the road to salvation for a wounded and dying civilization is to cut through the tangled web of politics and religion to try to a find a common ground between the Hindu and Muslim viewpoint without compromising or hurting either. Paresh Rawal as the noble simple and obstinate motor mechanic finds that dithering but comforting ground in his performance.
Paresh's Hashmatullah is a gentle soul driven by clarity of purpose that brooks no interference from religious bigots. His cluster of Muslim compatriots opposing his idealistic efforts to do justice to Mahatma Gandhi's memories, often come across as benign caricatures.
Director Amir Rai portrays the world of religious bigotry as eminently reform able. In this sense the film's core could be considered impractical. But the film's quest to convert the currency of communalism into a molten gold of harmony and peace is never questionable.
There are lingering moments of dialectic on the communal divide. These remain beyond the sphere of the sermonistic, thanks to Paresh's portrayal of the motor mechanic whose repair and restoration work symbolizes a far deeper search to heal a wounded warring civilization. Pavan Malhotra as a Muslim hardliner and Om Puri as a Muslim leader forced to mouth communal jargon because they are expected from him, lend a strong backbone to Paresh's outstanding author-backed turn.
The Road To Sangam is a gentle trip into the heart of a society that has resorted to a collective suspicion and hostility as a form of protestation and self-protection. Without really saying so aloud, this film suggests Gandhism still has the solution and medicine to the spirit of ceaseless strife that grips our society.
The dusty half-formed modern integrally-traditional ambience of Allahabad and Paresh Rawal's deceptively smooth portrayal of the man who must do his duty even if it endangers his life, carry Road To Sangam to the region of an important statement on the relevance of Gandhi in today's age of rage.
Lay down the guns and swords of the unnecessarily Veer generation. Look at the wounded world through the eyes of a man who feels Mahatma Gandhi's last remains in a urn are more crucial than being rigidly loyal to your own cause and religion.
There's a lesson to be learnt from this film. Luckily we aren't required to dig too deep into the narrative to procure the message.
Gentle and heart-warming Road To Sangam is that rare passionate paean to patriotism that doesn't resort to flag-waving even once.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 29 Jan 2010 | 5:18 am Exclusive: SRK's wax statue unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood
Baadshah of Bollywood- Shah Rukh Khan may by busy touring the country promoting his upcoming film My Name Is Khan but many miles away, yet another honour is being bestowed upon him. The newly opened Madame Tussauds wax museum in Hollywood, Los Angeles, unveiled SRK's wax statue at a grand event yesterday (Jan 28, 2010).
While King Khan already has his wax statue at the Madame Tussauds in London along with other Bollywood stars, he is the first and only Bollywood actor whose statue is present at the Madame Tussauds in Los Angeles. However, his wax statuette here would be kept for a limited engagement only till the 30th of April. The buzz is that the statue cost a whopping $ 3,00,000 to make.
While King Khan himself couldn't be present during the unveiling, the function was a grand event with an appearance by America's premier Indian dance company and recent America's Got Talent contender, ISHAARA.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 29 Jan 2010 | 4:52 am Lily Allen speaks out against attacks on Indians
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 4:47 am We don't deserve a talent like Amitabh Bachchan: AbhishekAbhishek Bachchan was left in awe of his father, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan's performance as a media baron in Ram Gopal Varma's "Rann", so much so that he says India doesn't deserve a talent like him.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 4:46 am Ford has no memory of stint behind the camera
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 4:40 am "We'll have a party for Priyanka in Las Vegas next month" - Sajid Nadiadwala
Ranbir Kapoor who's shooting with Priyanka Chopra in New York, just can't stop teasing his co-star good naturedly about her National Award.
According to members of the unit, since the announcement reached the US last week Ranbir keeps mock-complaining, "Damn! Now you're the second National Award winning actress I'm working with (after Kokona Sen Sharma in Wake Up, Sid). I better buck up."
Thanks to the National Award for Fashion there's hyper-activity in Priyanka Chopra's life. Madhur Bhandarkar is flying to the US to meet her on location for Sajid Nadiadwala's Anjaana Anjaani.
Nadiadwala himself is planning a big celebration bash for Priyanka in Las Vegas.
Says the jubilant producer, "I spoke to her and didn't get a chance to plan anything with her. But we'll have a party for Priyanka in Las Vegas early next month when I join our unit there."
Suddenly there is much pressure on Priyanka Chopra to deliver. The National Award for Best Actress has put the makers of Anjaana Anjaani, her only film on the floors, into a frenzy of activity.
Apparently, the film a light-hearted rom-com on the confrontational relationship between two travelers, is getting an overhaul treatment. According to sources, drama is now being added to the romance so that Ms Chopra can show her true mettle.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala is cautious in his admission of Priyanka's added dramatic value after the National Award. "Priyanka's role in Anjaana Anjaani was never fluff stuff, to begin with. There were lots of dramatic moments for her to sink into. That hasn't changed."
But wasn't the stress earlier on getting the chemistry between the good-looking couple Ranbir and Priyanka right rather than generating drama?
Says Nadiadwala, "There's no doubt we're looking at a very good looking pair in Anjaana Anjaani with a crackling chemistry between them. But you're also right when you say the National Award puts an added pressure on us to deliver. Anjaana Anjaani is going to be Priyanka's only release this year. Expectations about her have multiplied. We've to make sure she comes across as another woman of substance after Fashion."Priyanka, it is felt, is the only actress who can bring in the audience. Madhur Bhandarkar is flying to the US to meet her next week. After the Jail fiasco, he needs to return to the passion generated in Fashion. Madhur admits he's meeting the actress in the US, though he's reluctant to discuss the reason for the meeting.
"I'll also be attending the Republic Day rally in Washington organized by Indians in the US. But I'm definitely meeting Priyanka in New York before that," said Madhur before flying off on Tuesday night.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 29 Jan 2010 | 4:10 am Two Harry Potter films set to go 3DIn a move underscoring the post - Avatar rush for extra-dimensional box office, Warner Brothers have decided to release the next two Harry Potter films in 3D. Here're the details.Source: | 29 Jan 2010 | 3:51 am Osbourne wants Depp to play him
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 3:44 am "No One Killed Jessica is a thriller, not a documentary" - Vidya Balan
With Paa, 2009 ended on a beautiful note for Vidya who is today being singled out for projects where top actresses are either pitching for or are in strong contention. While one such project is a reel life portrayal of the infamous Jessica Lal murder, another is touted to be a film that would mark the return of Gulzar to direction. Naturally, Vidya has all the reasons to be elated with 2010 seemingly super packed for her. Ishqiya releases today while Chenab Gandhi, next production of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is all set to get on floors in quick time. In a conversation with Joginder Tuteja, Vidya Balan reveals how No One Killed Jessica is an important film and she doesn't have any apprehensions enacting the role of Sabrina Lal in spite of anticipated pressures from the world of politics and crime.
No One Killed Jessica has been in news for last six months ever since director Raj Kumar Gupta (Aamir) expressed his desire to film it. You must indeed be ecstatic to play the role of Sabrina Lal, Jessica's sister who fought for justice and ran from pillar to post in order to put the culprits behind the bars.
Yes, Jessica Lal film is happening in the month of February. I am all excited about it and have already started preparing for the role. After Aamir, one can pretty much imagine the kind of sensibility that Raj Kumar Gupta would bring in the film. The entire Jessica Lal case really reflects the kind of change in our times and how people are now forced to take things in their own hands and fight for themselves legally. It was thanks to mobilisation of people power that justice was finally meted out. Its things like these that prompted Raj Kumar Gupta to make an entire film around this theme and I pretty much understand and respect his vision.
After Aamir, one can pretty much imagine the kind of sensibility that Raj Kumar Gupta would bring in the film
Not many actors would dare to step into a project like this which deals with a real life tale and that too which is centred on crime. Since No One Killed Jessica is a film which is based on a topical issue, don't you ever feel that it would be a risky preposition to be a part of something like this?
No, I didn't feel so and that's mainly because even though the film is based on a real life incident, it is reflective of a very important change in the society while staying on to be a testimony of one of the most infamous court case that we have witnessed. It is clear now that people are looking at being torch bearers and trail blazers instead of waiting for justice to be meted out to them. The single point agenda is - 'Let's be THE change that we want rather than waiting for change to happen around us.
NOKJ is reflective of a very important change in the society while staying on to be a testimony of one of the most infamous court case
In the past there have been films attempted around real life scenarios. However majority of them have been guilty of turning out to be docudramas and in the process catering only to niche audiencesâ¦
(Interrupts gently) This is certainly not going to be the case with No One Killed Jessica. Our film is a thriller based on a social incident that rocked the nation. Yes, if we had just ended up stating one fact after another in a monotonous manner, it may have indeed turned out to be a documentary. However, that's not something that Raj Kumar Gupta or anyone amongst us aspires for. We have to seek audiences for a film like this and it is imperative that there is fair bit of dramatisation and fictional elements that come in.
NOKJ is a thriller based on a social incident that rocked the nation and not a documentary.
Being a part of a sensitive affair like this always comes with its own challenges. More so when an issue is topical and has been discussed and debated at length in urban India at the least. With no scope of any flaw whatsoever or anything over dramatic that may take away from the seriousness of the subject, don't you ever feel that No One Killed Jessica is akin to walking a thin rope?
That's true, I understand that and as you rightly state, one has to be really sensitive about a subject like this. Thankfully this case has been pretty well documented and people involved in it also exist so we have the right sources to refer. However, the film is not trying to make a social statement. Eventually, it is going to tell an emotional journey of a family which seeks justice. For an actor, the most important factor about picking a real life story like this is to have a strong conviction in the subject as well. This is why I pick up fewer projects but these are the ones about which I am most convinced.
Isn't Balki making Paa the biggest example of someone's risk really paying off?
With the kind of professional route that you are taking by working in films as diverse as Paa, Ishqiya and now No One Killed Jessica, there are always higher chances of something backfiring though, isn't it?
See if you are convinced about a story and the people who are going to make it, you obviously end up getting good vibes. Of course, success and failure is not in your hands and all you can do as an actor is be a part of the film in a most convincing manner. When you are honest, your work shows. When you are passionate, your excitement is palpable. This is when you are talking to me about the film, I am responding at length and you can do so only if you feel strongly about your film and come with that conviction about being a part of something extraordinary. Rahi baat risk ki toh just let it be. Isn't Balki making Paa the biggest example of someone's risk really paying off?Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 29 Jan 2010 | 3:30 am Goa Movie Review - A must watchGoa is a mutli-starrer movie with Subramaniapuram (Jai), Sneha, Vaibhav Reddy, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash in the lead roles. It is also said that Soundarya will also be seen in the movie Goa with the crew in the last part.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 29 Jan 2010 | 3:19 am Watch Rann, Amitabh urges mediaWhile his latest outing Rann has been touted as an anti-media film, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan maintains otherwise. He has urged the fourth estate to watch the film and decide for themselves.Source: | 29 Jan 2010 | 3:10 am Vidya singing praises of Striker co-starChak De! India girl Vidya is playing a significant role in Chandan Arora’s upcoming film Striker, where she plays Siddharth’s sister. The film Striker boasts of three beautiful heroines- Nicolette, Vidya Malvade and Padmapriya Janakiraman gracing the screen along with actorSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:59 am Bob Dylan to perform at the White HouseWashington, (ANI): Bob Dylan is set to perform at the White House next month as part of a civil rights celebration.The “Hurricane” hitmaker will join John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson, at the ‘In Performance At The White House: ASource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:58 am Rann, a razor-sharp look at the real worldRam Gopal Varma situates his morality tale in the world of the electronic media where the TRP is god and deadlines the devil and may the voice of the conscience rest in peace. Read the full review...Source: | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:57 am Slim Posh, curvy JLo have same dress sizeNew York (ANI): Singing stars Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez might have dramatically different figures - but they’re same size in clothing. Lopez is famously known for her curves, and Beckham is known for her stick-thin figure. However, according to ‘TheSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:56 am Shahrukh Khan honoured in HollywoodNevada (US) (ANI): Bollywood’s megastar Shahrukh Khan’s lifelike wax figure was reportedly unveiled at renowned Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Hollywood (USA) today. Filmfare winner Shahrukh (Chak De India!), 44, is the first Bollywood star to be inducted into this Museum,Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:53 am Warner bros hits back at Murphy's husbandWashington, (ANI): Warner Brothers has hit back at late actress Brittany Murphy’s husband Simon Monjack for alleging that the production house was responsible for the actress’ death. Monjack claimed earlier that the ‘8 Mile’ actress was so grieved when her roleSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:50 am We don't deserve a talent like Amitabh Bachchan: Abhishek - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:49 am Bachchans wish Vidya all the best for 'Ishqiya'Actress Vidya Balan couldn't have asked for more.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:47 am 'I have no problems with Vivek' - Hindustan Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:42 am US company launches online talent hunt in IndiaUS based media and entertainment player TalentTrove has launched an online singing talent hunt contest for the budding singers in India.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:42 am I feel undeserving on being awarded Padma Shri: Saif Ali Khan - Economic Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:42 am Porki – ReviewDirector MD Shridhar has finally come out with his movie Porki after delaying it for Late Dr. Vishnuvardhan's movie. It is a remake of Mahesh Babu-Ileana starrer Telugu movie Pokiri. Although the director has been very honest to the original TeluguSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:41 am Rahul Mahajan getting ready for marriageSwayamvar season two is ready to surface on television sets soon. Looks like after the tremendous response for Rakhi Sawant’s groom-hunt; its now the turn of Rahul Mahajan to bask in the limelight and rake in some TRPs for NDTV Imagine.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:37 am Results of Bollywood Hungama Surfers Choice Movie Awards 2009After the stupendous response which we received last year for the Bollywood Hungama Surfers Choice Movie Awards, this year we once again gave you- the janta janardhan- the power to vote for your favorite film/ director / actors with the Bollywood Hungama Surfers Choice Movie Awards 2009. After a 3-way 'filtration' process (Email Validation, Cookie Check, and the IP Check) the results are finally out and indeed there are quite a few surprises in store. So, get ready, hold your breath, fasten your seat-belts and read on to find out if your favorite nominee made the final cut. Best Movie Winner: 3 Idiots (68%) Runner-up: Wanted (11%) Best Director Winner: Rajkumar Hirani (3 Idiots) (63%) Runner-up: Vishal Bhardwaj (Kaminey) (12%) Best Actor Winner: Aamir Khan (3 Idiots) - (36%) Runner-up: Amitabh Bachchan (Paa) (21%) Best Actress Winner: Priyanka Chopra (Kaminey) (23%) Runner-up: Vidya Balan (Paa) (21%) Best Actor in a Supporting Role Winner: Sharman Joshi (3 Idiots) (24%) Runner-up: Boman Irani (3 Idiots) (23%) Best Actress in a Supporting Role Winner: Arundhati Naag (Paa) (25%) Runner-up: Giselle Monteiro (Love Aaj Kal) (24%) Best Actor in a Comic Role Winner: Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots) (67%) Runner-up: Johnny Lever (All The Best) (9%) Best Actor in a Negative Role Winner: Amole Gupte (Kaminey) (42%) Runner-up: Prakash Raj (Wanted) (22%) Best Debutant (Male) Winner: Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots) (72%) Runner-up: Chandan Roy Sanyal (Kaminey) (16%) Best Debutant (Female) Winner: Mahie Gill (Dev D) and Shruti Haasan (Luck) (24%) Best Marketed Movie Winner: 3 Idiots (65%) Runner-up: Wanted (12%) Worst Film of the Year Winner: Chandni Chowk To China (23%) Runner-up: Blue (15%)Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:33 am I don't want to be remembered just as a beauty queen: Gul PanagIt's substance over numbers for Gul Panag.Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:23 am Dharmendra and Sunny Deol on MahayatraVeteran actor Dharmendra and his son Sunny Deol will grace the small screen with their rare appearance on the Star Plus reality show Mahayatra. Contestants will be seen sharing their wonderful stories with this father-son duo about their wish to fulfillSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:20 am Drona 2012- ReviewAfter Paleri Maanickyam Mammootty is again seen in a double role in the movie Drona 2012. The movie was released in 80 centres throughout. There was a talk about the title earlier which made the crew to change the title toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:19 am Road To Sangam - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:17 am Malebille – ReviewEarlier, Mahesh Sukhadhare has done successful movies like Sambhrama and Sainika. After a long gap of five years, he has now made his comeback to Sandalwood through the movie Malebille. Although he has claimed that he has updated himself with theSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:13 am Siddharth's Striker to premiere on You Tube - Galatta.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 2:07 am Working with Darsheel was an amazing experience: 'Zokkomon' directorHe had to make faces and do somersaults to entertain Darsheel Safary on the sets of "Zokkomon".Source: Entertainment News | 29 Jan 2010 | 1:45 am 'Pro-Pak' Shahrukh Khan comes under Sena fire - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 1:30 am Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 1:30 am NTR Jr. to marry Narne Lakshmi Pranathi - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 12:56 am Gul Panag tweets on Army chief, calls him spinelessBollywood actor Gul Panag has become the latest celebrity to speak her mind on the hugely popular social networking site Twitter. She lashed out at Army Chief Deepak Kapoor, who had a wrangle with her father Lt Gen (retd) H S Panag, accusing the Army chief of being "spineless".Source: | 29 Jan 2010 | 12:56 am Why Kapoors are anti-Deepika - Hindustan Times
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 29 Jan 2010 | 12:12 am Asal gets a clean U/A - Oneindia
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 28 Jan 2010 | 11:23 pm Sex and the City 3 is in the pipeline!There's good news for SATC fans. The 2009 release is not going to be the last. Shooting for the third 'Sex and the City' is already scheduled. The four actresses want to finish shooting soon since they don't want age to show on their characters.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 11:12 pm Beyonce and Megan are ready to set the house on fire!Beyonce and Megan are ready to set the house on fire on the new show 'X-Factor'. They will share the judges' podium with ex 'American Idol' judge, Simon Cowell. The trio is sure to create quite a stir together.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:54 pm In Times of Conflict, Guitarists Promote HarmonyDespair over rising international tension is not in the vocabulary of concert guitarists Emre Sabuncuoglu and Thomas Foster. This month, they have revamped their website to foster hope through music's power to change tension into harmony.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:33 pm 'Avatar is real,' say tribal peopleFollowing the film 'Avatar''s win at the Golden Globes, tribal people have claimed that the film tells the real story of their lives today.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:14 pm Seoul to host IIFA Awards 2010IIFA Awards 2010 will be hosted by Seoul, South Korea. Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed said that it was time now for American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognise India's contribution to world cinema.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 6:33 pm Nick Jonas denies rumor, Jonas Brothers not breaking upNick Jonas put many rumours to rest when he confirmed that the pop rock band Jonas Brothers was not breaking up. Such rumours had risen recently, when the three brothers - Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas were involved in separate engagements.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 4:05 pm The Bachelor Spoiler: Jake all set to pick Vienna?Reports have it that Jake is all set to pick the 'least popular' girl on the show, Vienna. The move might give serious heartache to Ella who was one of four women Jake Pavelka dumped on Monday's show.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 4:04 pm David Beckham embarrassed with half-naked photo shootDavid Beckham, who recently posed for Emporio Armani underwear ad says he is too shy to look at his own posters on the billboards. 'I still feel quite shy when I see a poster or campaign like that,' he told media agencies.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 3:37 pm Grammy Awards: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Jackson kids to performMichael Jackson's kids are most likely to perform at the Grammies. It's been reported that Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, seven, may sing one of his hits at the Los Angeles' Staples Centre.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 28 Jan 2010 | 2:34 pm 'Italian Job was never offered to Priyanka'Filmmakers Abbas-Mustan have cleared the air about rumours that actor Abhishek Bachchan urged them to remove Priyanka Chopra from the cast of the Hindi remake of The Italian Job. Here's what they revealed.Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:58 am Siddharth makes a comeback in BollywoodHis disappearance from Hindi cinema after the success of Rang De Basanti had surprised many but actor Siddharth, who was busy building a career down south, says he is back in Bollywood and for good.Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:53 am Abhi-Ash back in Filmistan after 11 yearsBollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan got nostalgic while filming an ad with wife Aishwarya Rai at Filmistan Studios, the same location where they gave their first shot together 11 years ago...Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:48 am Six brand new songs of Rafi releasedAfter 30 years, six romantic songs crooned by legendary singer Mohammed Rafi have been released for the first time. The numbers have been compiled in a new album called The Last Songs.Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:43 am Anne Hathaway to announce Oscar nominationsAnne Hathaway, who was nominated last year for her role in Rachel Getting Married, has been roped in to announce this year's Academy Awards nominees in Los Angeles on 2 February, 2010.Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:18 am Priyanka Chopra to return in Don sequelIt is confirmed. Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra is all set to reprise her role of femme fatale Roma in the sequel to Farhan Akhtar's 2006 Don-The Chase Begins Again.Source: | 28 Jan 2010 | 10:09 am Vivek Agnihotri signs Madhavan for his next film titled Freedom
Director Vivek Agnihotri, who is best known for his 'mysterious-than- thou' kind of suspense film Chocolate, and also India's first ever football-centric film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (which was also his last release), has been 'out of the picture' for quite sometime now. Well, the good news is that the man is back with his next film, a biopic titled Freedom. And the news is that he has signed R. Madhavan as the main lead for the film.
While Maddy, who is on a roll after the immense success of 3 Idiots, remained unavailable for comment, Vivek Agnihotri told Bollywood Hungama, "Yes, I have signed Madhavan for my next film titled Freedom. And I am planning to approach yet another southern superstar Mohanlal."
Meanwhile, Vivek is also planning a film titled 12. Says Vivek, "12 is a film that will be based on the famous Hollywood classic '12 Angry Men'. And I am scouting for 12 talented actors from all across the country. I am planning to announce the film officially in the month of March."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 28 Jan 2010 | 8:50 am Subhash K. Jha speaks about Rann
Think. Really hard. What are we all doing with the opportunities that life so generously provides us? In the mad mindless rush towards self-gratification, are we somewhere sacrificing those values that brought us, kicking dragging and sacrificing from a hard-earned freedom from colonialism to the new millennium where we, the collective civilization, are now poised at the brink of a moral disintegration?
Rann is that rare cinema about the collective conscience which we often like to think has gone out of style. Like Mehboob Khan's Mother India and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Satyakam, Rann shows how tough it is to hold your head high up in dignified righteousness in a world where ethics crumble faster than cookies in wide-open jar left out too long in the sun. Ironically there isn't much sunshine in Rann. The film has been shot in an anaemic light, symbolizing a world that's largely losing light.
Cleverly, Ram Gopal Varma situates his morality tale in the cut-throat world of the electronic media where the TRP is God, and deadlines the devil. And may the voice of the conscience rest in peace.
Without fuss or wastage of time Varma introduces us to the plethora of characters who colonize the bowel of a declining channel run by the idealistic Vijay Harshvardhan Malik (Amitabh Bachchan) who believes there's room still for the straight and narrow path in a business where grabbing attention is the murder of all invention.
Varma plunges us into the world of the characters that he knows only too well. The glistening sweat on ratings-challenged eyebrows are captured through tight close-ups of worried faces that the camera (Amit Roy's sharply cruising lenses moving from face to face with obstinate restlessness) that give nothing and yet everything away.
The swirling swarm of characters reading, reporting creating and even manufacturing news, are so normal in their workaday concerns we almost miss the underbelly of moral anomaly that has become a way of life in present times.
As in Varma's Sarkar the moral battle lines in the media-run tale of Rann are drawn between the idealistic patriarch and his US-returned hyper-ventilating son Jai (Kannada star Sudeep) who is so nervous anxious and ambitious, you know he will eventually cause trouble for his ideologue dad's news-worthiness.
Trouble arrives in the flabby form of a seedy politician Pandey (Paresh Rawal, re-embracing villainy with lip-smacking relish) who plunges into the TRP war on television with no sense of propriety, legalese or the law.
"The law is made by people like us to protect people like us from being convicted," Pandey pompously tells Jai before they both conspire with the help of a rival television tycoon (Mohnish Behl) to trash the idealistic Harshvardhan's reputation.
The plot accommodates more characters that a miniature touristic island in the holiday season (sans the sun). Not one of the characters need any explanation or occupies a superfluous place in the plot.
The narrative is taut restless and biting in its depiction of corruption in supposedly responsible places. The artful opposition of real and doctored news is planted into the storytelling with no triumphant flourish. Varma's concern for the characters he puts on screen is genuine but non-judgemental. Each characters even the relatively-shadowy women, emerges as casualty of an over-competitive society where morality goes out of the nearest window.
While much of film's inner fire burns outwards from the pithy and peppery writing (Rohit Banawlikar) the essential core of idealism is preserved in the understated relationship between the idealistic young rookie Purab Shastri (Ritesh Deshmukh, eschewing comedy to come up with restrained and pacifying performance) and his mentor Harshvardhan. Wish this bonding was built on.
As restless as his camera, Ram Gopal Varma gives no space to the complicated labyrinth of relationships to grow. We are left to gauge the depths and dimensions that underline the furious flow of empathy and antipathy between various characters by reading between the lines.
The first two-thirds of the narrative creates a gripping patchwork of television, drama and politics and how the three worlds often come together to destroy the basic fibre of human morality.
It's the last quarter of the narrative where Harshvardhan, after realizing he has been taken for a ride by his own son's over-ambitiousness, that packs in the maximum punch.
Here Varma and his scriptwriter effortlessly shift the focus from one specific area of troubled activity (the television) to comment on the compromised quality of contemporary life.
Cleverly borrowing the premise for its climax from Mehboob Khan's Mother India, Rann moves aggressively but confidently into its passionate finale where the patriarchal television tycoon must expose some harsh home- truths to cleanse his own conscience. Love for the country can never get dated when Mr Bachchan is around. Even in a world as devoid of human values as shown in this film.
Rann takes us into a world where right and wrong are more financial than moral issues, where the people who make news conveniently forget that the source is often the nadir of the conscience.
Rann is a razor-sharp bitter and biting look at the real world of rapidly-moving moral issues. Varma extracts superlative performances from the entire cast. From Ritesh Deshmukh's heartbreaking idealism to Neetu Chandra's part as Jai Malik's secret Muslim love interest (the way Jai conceals her Muslim identity from family and friends is disturbing and amusing); they all know what the director and his writer have set out to do.
As expected Amitabh Bachchan as the conscience of the plot, presides over the speeedened proceedings with a thoughtful and gentle performance. His climactic speech makes all of us sit up and think about the quality of work we do in order to keep up with the competition.
Luckily Mr Bachchan's consistently excellent output is never dependant on the 'competition' around him. Ironically his character is forced to stoop in order to conquer the TRPs. Ram Gopal Varma who has been lately guilty of making fairly compromised films, rises above the morass of mediocrity with a meteoric force, letting other filmmakers know what he is capable of achieving if he sets his heart to it.
Rann defines the role of the electronic media in today's context with remarkable virility and dramatic force. This is Ram Gopal Varma's best work since Company.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 28 Jan 2010 | 7:11 am Carving Dreams to manage Saif Ali Khan's business interests
After being awarded the Padma Shree honour by the Government of India, Saif Ali Khan is on cloud nine. The suave actor now wants to strengthen his presence and foothold in the industry and has appointed leading talent management firm, 'Carving Dreams' to manage his brand and all his other business interests
Commenting on this move, Saif Ali Khan says, "Carving Dreams has earned a tremendous reputation in the industry and given their expertise & strong credentials, I am confident that the association will prove to be a fruitful one. I look forward to working with them."
Meanwhile Afsar Zaidi (CEO of Carving Dreams) also seemed delighted with this association and said, "We are fully geared to manage this responsibility and as a group, we are committed to extend the scope of celebrity management in this country. We look forward to this partnership with Saif Ali Khan."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 28 Jan 2010 | 7:08 am Cameron`s `Avatar` is the top grossing film ever !`Avatar` has sunk the global Box Office record set in 1997 by Titanic, and has now become the top grossing movie of all time.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 28 Jan 2010 | 5:24 am "Makers of Ishqiya have shown great faith in us" - Boney Kapoor
Boney Kapoor's 'BSK Network and Entertainment' have been entrusted with the responsibility of all India theatrical distribution of Ishqiya and the man at the hot seat understands that this is yet another instance of great faith shown in him and his company. Buoyed by the huge profits that distributors made with his last release Wanted, Boney Kapoor is sure that the story would be repeated for Ishqiya as well which is carrying wonderful reports and looks positive to be a winner at the box office.
"Makers of Ishqiya (Raman Maroo of Shemaroo Entertainment & Vishal Bhardwaj) have shown great faith in my company by asking us to exploit the all India distribution of the film. It's a prestigious film and given the wide network that I enjoy across the country, Ishqiya is in safe hands", says Boney Kapoor whose Wanted was the biggest single screen success of the year 2009. Given the fact that Ishqiya too is aiming for a huge market, especially in the interiors of the country, the distribution responsibility going to BSK does make sense.
Unwilling to divulge the exact figures involved in the deal around Ishqiya, Boney Kapoor does promise though that it should be a winning preposition for all. In addition, he also dispells the theory that BSK has 'acquired' Ishqiya.
"No, we haven't taken over Ishqiya per se", says Kapoor, "We have mainly appointed sub-distributors across the country who would be further exploiting the film at the remotest corners. Everyone is pretty kicked about the film and given the positive vibes that it is carrying along with some fantastic music, we are sure about Ishqiya being a winner in the making."
Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan in the principal roles, Ishqiya is the debut directorial effort of Abhishek Chaubey, an erstwhile assistant to Vishal Bhardwaj. The film releases this Friday along with Rann, a Ram Gopal Varma film.
Meanwhile, Boney Kapoor also has two of his own productions lined up. While first to come would be Milenge Milenge (Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor) which is directed by Satish Kaushik, soon to follow would be Anees Bazmee's It's My Life (Nana Patekar, Hurman Baweja, Genelia D'Souza). Exact release dates of both the films would be announced soon.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 28 Jan 2010 | 3:17 am
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