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'Tees Maar Khan' to release Christmas Eve
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 8:15 am Jessica Simpson shocked at own fashion faux pas
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 7:58 am "The background score of Road Movie is non-Indian" - Michael Brooks
How many of us ever thought that a Bollywood film would have music by a complete foreigner? Well that's exactly the case with the film Road, Movie. Famous Canadian Guitarist, Michael Brook has given background score for Dev Benegal's Road, Movie.
Michael has contributed to U2's famous album The Joshua Tree in the form of his invention - the infinite guitar and was also nominated for Grammy Awards in 1996 for his production work and as co-artist on Pakistani singer Nusrat fateh Ali Khan's album, Night Song. Apart from these, he has also contributed for the album Rock Paper Scissors. While for Hollywood, Michael has done a number of film sound tracks including the music for Albino Alligator, Mission Impossible 2, Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and Sean Penn's critically acclaimed, Into The Wild. Bollywood Hungama spoke to Michael to find out more about his compositions and of course his experience of working in Bollywood.
The first question on everyone's mind is, how did Bollywood happen to you?
I had some connection with the producers from the past, and I believe that Dev Benegal, the director was aware of my music.
What made you sign Road, Movie?
A combination of the beauty and emotional resonance of the film and Dev's deep musical knowledge and creative ideas was enough cause and reason for me to say yes and sign the film.
What according to you is unique about its background music?
I'd say that the dominant aspect of the music is that it is quite distinctly non-Indian and strongly influenced by African music. This was Dev's concept to try and create an exotic but non-specific atmosphere. So in a way yes this is some unique kind of music.
The dominant aspect of the music is that it is quite distinctly non-Indian and strongly influenced by African music
From making music for popular bands, creating breakthroughs like inventing the Infinite Guitar, to making music for Hollywood big wigs to Bollywood now, how has the journey been?
Pretty good really. I'm extremely lucky to be able to do what I love to do and to earn a living. It's a very privileged position and I appreciate it. Also having a 2 1/2 year old son is an equally rewarding experience.
Tell us about your experience of Bollywood now that you have had a first hand taste of it?
I'm not sure that I really experienced Bollywood as all of the work was done in my studio at home and we didn't have the big dance and singing production numbers. Maybe my clichéd view of Bollywood is outdated. I have however played a concert in Chennai with Mandolin U. Srinivas and we did rehearse in some of the film studios, which was a very cool experience.
How different is Bollywood from its western counterpart?
My, again possibly not quite valid, impression is that Bollywood filmmaking is much more spontaneous and improvisatory than Hollywood. But I gather that Indian films are getting larger and more structured in their productions and that some film e.g. District 9, are being made more through an improvisatory process.
What was the biggest challenge while doing the music for an Indian film?
A big challenge was in trying to be other worldly without being unfocussed emotionally with the score.
Was the language a barrier?
The challenging part was that I don't have the same cultural history as Dev, or probably most Indians, and so some aspects of the film had a different resonance for him e.g. Scherazade.
You have also worked with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, how did that come about?
I was asked by Peter Gabriel to work with Nusrat, probably based on what Peter heard in my first solo record Hybrid.
When I was in Pakistan, about 12 years ago, I saw some really great singers at a concert, but I really don't have much awareness of what is going on there now.
So what are your future plans about Bollywood, does it look promising and would you like to do more work here?
I don't have plans, but certainly would love to do more projects with Bollywood.
Certainly would love to do more projects with Bollywood
Do you think there is now more interaction between the Asian and American / European markets than before or is it just the 'Slumdog effect"?
I think that there has been a gradual increase in awareness of the richness and depth of Indian culture over the last 40 years. Slumdog gave a kind of turbo boost to that process and I hope that it continues.
I think that there has been a gradual increase in awareness of the richness and depth of Indian culture over the last 40 years
You've composed scores for Mission Impossible 2 & Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth too. Can you share some special moments from these experiences?
These two films are probably at opposite ends of the spectrum of my experiences. Both were good. On MI2, I was part of a very large team assembled by Hans Zimmer. It was great to work with so many people and I really enjoyed the kind of community of musicians and composers that I was part of. AIT was a much more delicate and solitary process, a great deal of which was trying to figure out where music should go. It turned out that we couldn't really have music when AL Gore was lecturing as it made it seem propogandish. So there is only music when he is talking about his life or events outside the lecture.
Having invented something like the Infinite Guitar, you must have a thing for instruments. What's your favourite Indian instrument?
My two favourite Indian instruments are the Shenai, particularly when played by Bismallah Khan, and the Veena.
Which one (Indian instrument) have you used the most in Road, Movie?
We didn't use Indian instruments.
The background score is one of the most important character of any film. Which film's background score has impressed you the most till date?
Recently I've come to appreciate the work of David Newman in his many scores, Wall-E, American Beauty, Cliff Martinez, Solaris, and of course the early work of the great Ennio Morricone. More recently, I thought that the score to Sherlock Holmes was really good
You must have been one of the first people to see Road, Movie - what was your reaction?
My first impression was of stunningly beautiful imagery and rich, intriguing characters.
Did Abhay Deol impress you as much as Tom Cruise?
Undoubtedly
Which other Indian artist (Music or Films) have you been introduced to and like hearing or watching?
I have been enjoying The Bombay Connection Volumes 1 and 2, collections of music from Bollywood films of the 60s and 70sSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 Mar 2010 | 6:37 am Heidi Klum loves dressing up for husband
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 6:10 am Salman Khan and Prachi Desai endorse Active Wheel
This is one of the most unexpected pairing. But still, as they say 'Anything is possible in Bollywood'. We are talking about the never before pairing of the macho Salman Khan alongwith the still 'Rocking On' Prachi Desai, who have come together in a TV commercial for Active Wheel.
The TVC has Salman cornering Prachi Desai, while she ignores him since she has to wash clothes. Then, Salman, in his typical style, tells her to wave goodbye to the old washing powder and say Hello to 'Active Wheel'. The ad has a romantic theme to it, almost like a Bollywood romantic song. What's more interesting and intriguing is the fact that Salman has also given voiceover for the ad.
Salman and Prachi surely make a beautiful pair on screen.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 6 Mar 2010 | 6:09 am Jennifer Hudson planning a grand wedding
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 6:06 am Kajol favourite Bollywood daughter-in-law, says poll
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 5:55 am Kajol favourite Bollywood daughter-in-law, says pollAcclaimed Bollywood actress Kajol who is married to actor Ajay Devgn for 11 years now, was voted the favourite 'bahu' (daughter-in law) in a poll conducted by a matrimonial site .Source: Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 5:31 am Modernity a far cry for women on small screenIndependent and bold women characters are no more taboo in films, but one wonders why television serials have failed to come of age as far as realistic portrayals of Indian women are concerned.Source: Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 5:05 am Desperately wanted: Salman Khan for Slumkid saga
The National award-winning kid Shams Patel who plays a street orphan in Thanks Maa is not only a huge fan of Salman Khan but he likes to be known as 'Salman Khan' throughout the film.
Says the film's director Irfan Kamal, "In fact Salman plays a very important in the film. Shams' character is a big fan and we see posters of Salman's films like Tere Naam and Saawariya throughout the film. Considering how important Salman is to the theme I badly wanted to show my film to him. But he is too busy."
The film's director Irfan Kamal struggled for more than three years to put together his story of a street kid's search for an infant's mother.
Considering he's the son of the legendary choreographer Master Kamal (who made every glam-queen of the 1960s and 70s dance to his tunes) the least Irfan expected was the bigwigs of the industry to take note of the film.
Trying not to sound bitter, Irfan says, "I've knocked on every A-lister's door in our industry. Let alone help my small film in reaching out to the audience, no one has even agreed to see my film except Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar and David Dhawan. But it's ok. I'm not bitter. Of course my father was a very important part of this film industry. But why should I be granted any favours because of my father? I want my film to be judged on its own merits. But for that to happen people have to watch the film."
Irfan is keen that Salman watch the film. "Since Salman is a very important part of the script I want him to watch the film. In fact when I wrote Thanks Maa, the first person I narrated it to was Salman. He was very excited about the film then. I don't know what happened after that. Salman's father Salim Khan Saab has seen the film. But not Salman."
Irfan has been desperately trying to reach the actor. But he has been told Salman is busy shooting in Wahi and has no time to spare.
This of course is hard to believe, coming as it does from a star known to be all-heart and ready to drive down to the other end of the world to see a smile on a fan's face.
But all that has changed now, thanks to the female fan on a wheelchair whom last month Salman met, spoke kindly even gave money to. Now the lady has accused Salman of exploiting her handicap to promote his film and has demanded a huge sum of money from him. Says a source close to Salman, "He is very very hurt by this incident. Salmanbhai has always gone out of his way to be a people's person. But he has been in principle against ever using fans for publicity. The whole incident has made Salman cautious of the people who want to use his name."
But the question is, should Salman's large-heartedness be cramped by one incident?
Says the boy Shams Patel who plays Salman's fan. "I play Salman's fan in the film and I'm his biggest fan in real life. I really want him to watch the film."Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 Mar 2010 | 4:28 am 'No indication of foul play in Varadarajan's death': Police - The Hindu
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 3:09 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: UpUp is deeply moving, and begins with Carl Fredericksen's (superbly voiced by Edward Asner) boyhood. His admiration for explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer lends his voice) is shared by Ellie, a sassy lass who is as extroverted as he is introverted.Source: | 6 Mar 2010 | 3:05 am 'Nikunj won't marry Rahul Mahajan' - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:48 am “I'll always choose Rani over Vidya” - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:31 am Vivek to sizzle on the ramp - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:31 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: An EducationThe British movie, An Education underlines the post-war yearning, even desperation, of the English middleclass for a better social life and such upward mobility can happen through an Oxford education.Source: | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:24 am Subhash K. Jha speaks about Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?
Be Ajay Devgn and Konkona Sen Sharma's guest. Paresh Rawal makes the first bonafide guest appearance in our cinema.
And what pest this guest is! So many films about the guest as an intruder. But this one takes the creak. And yes we do mean creak. The plot sets out portray the bin bulaye mehmaan as a pest rather than a guest and finally spends agonizing playing time portraying him as a messiah in a dhoti.
Trust Paresh Rawal to get into the skin of his character. From first frame to the last, Paresh has a blast. He doesn't let go of a single moment of joy in embracing the role of the unwanted guest in Mumbai's very hectic self-absorbed nuclear family where, as Devgn says in his heated summing-up homily, even parents are not welcome after the first few days. What happened to good old-fashioned hospitality?
So how welcome is this film about an unwelcome guest? Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge has its entertaining moments. But it's essentially a one-episode sitcom. And you wonder how far the talented writer-director Ashwin Dheer will stretch this version of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bawarchi about the quirky and persistent stranger who changes a family's way of looking at life?
At mid-point director Dheer and his characters including the indefatigable Rawal run put of steam.
Post-interval the narration does a vivacious volte- face .Suddenly the boorish loudly burping belching and farting guest becomes a demi-god. A saviour spreading sunshine across the 4-walls of Devgns' well-appointed home. Rawal repairs all of Devgn and Konkona's domestic and work-related problems and leaves their home after having spread enough goodwill to do away with the other pollutant emissions in the first-half.
Dheer's writing is a skilled synthesis of satire and a strong message on the virtues of an extended family. Regrettably the passage from unwanted guest to atithi-almost-dev is achieved with not enough anand in the transition.
Many passages of the film are designed as very little more than diversion and deflections indicating the fracture in family values easily reparable with some persuasion from an old-fashioned rustic guest with values that suggest a deep connection between the religious scriptures and common sense.
Get Ganpati Bappa to visit your living room and it's all well for the world. Life in the cities is not that easy to fix. But no harm in creating interesting Mr Fix-It's on celluloid. The flawed but watch able film goes through a series of cleverly orchestrated fable-like chapters, none uninteresting, but most of them repetitive beyond a point. The whole track featuring Paresh with 'Kalia' (Viju Khote) on the sets of a film gets tedious after a point. Devgn and Konkona try to be funny. He is in -command of his comic world. She is above it. Konkona Sen needs to drastically expand her repertoire of expressions from grimace and grin to more far-reaching expressions of suburban serenity. There's an interesting cameo by Satish Kaushik (playing a harried film director) . And the funniest line comes from Kaushik when after repenting the way he allowed his wife to treat his mother Kaushik resolves to make a "Baghban type of film".
Atithi is just that. It starts off as a savage satire on the perils of hospitality but ends up as another Baghban.
Finally you aren't watching a film about family ties but a film that ties up the family in reams and reams of comic chaos. Vulgarity and double-meanings strictly not admissible.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:16 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: District 9District 9, shot in Blomkamp's native South Africa, is an account of a bitter conflict between men and aliens, called Prawns, huge four-legged insect-like beings which walk upright and talk in a garbled lingo.Source: | 6 Mar 2010 | 2:10 am 'The Hurt Locker' an uncomfortable reminder of how little humans have evolvedIf the largely fictional archetypal caveman can be dated back to the Neanderthal 30,000 years ago, then the movie "The Hurt Locker" is an embarrassing reminder about how little the human race has traveled since then.Source: Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 1:45 am 'Swami Nithyananda attending Kumbh Mela' - Express Buzz
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 1:41 am Star cameos will bring audiences: Debutant directorMilap Zaveri, writer of rib-tickling comedies "Masti" and "Heyy Babyy", is turning director with "Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai".Source: Entertainment News | 6 Mar 2010 | 1:40 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: A Serious ManJoel and Ethan Coen or the Coen Brothers, as they are popularly called, now present A Serious Man, a story about a Jewish professor who finds his life all convoluted and confusing.Source: | 6 Mar 2010 | 1:34 am What's your plan for this weekend, Athiti Tum Kab JaogeAjay Devgn, Paresh Rawal and Konkona Sen Sharma starrer film Athiti Tum Kab Jaoge released on this Friday, March 5. Athiti Tum Kab Jaoge is a light hearted comedy film all about the turned up of unannounced guest who is overstaying.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 6 Mar 2010 | 12:32 am Gautham Menon's success party! - Sify
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 6 Mar 2010 | 12:31 am Ranjitha gone hiding after Nithyananda sex scandal?Tamil actress Ranjitha seems to have gone hiding after the alleged sex video of Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda made its way to the television screens. People are pointing fingers at her, alleging that the girl in the video is her, but sheSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 6 Mar 2010 | 12:07 am Charlie Sheen refuse to go rehab despite public announcementMelbourne (ANI): Charlie Sheen refused to go to rehab even after it was publicly announced that he had checked in, it has emerged. The ‘Two and a Half Men’ star apparently resisted moving in, as he kicked and screamed, reports RadarOnline.com.TheSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:59 pm Meryl Streep wants to become a lawyerMelbourne (ANI): Hollywood legend Meryl Streep has revealed that sleeping through her law entrance landed her in showbiz. The acclaimed star, who has 16 Academy Award nods, winning two, and 25 Golden Globe nominations, winning seven, to her credit, revealed sheSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:58 pm Lara Dutta becomes TV reporterYou may recall that Bollywood Hungama was the first to report that Lara Dutta was roped in to endorse Colgate. Now, the much awaited ad is finally out. The commercial has the gorgeous Lara playing the role of a TV reporter.Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:53 pm Sheetal plays cameo role in Shree Adi ManavThe comedy of errors, Shree Adi Manav (SAB TV), has another hilarious episode up its sleeve. And to add to the fun and frolic, the rowdy trio of Shree (Vishal Kotian), Adi (Vrijesh Hirjee) and Manav (Kiku Sharda) will be joinedSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:45 pm Angadi Theru to hit the screens on Mar 26Director Vasantha Balan can breathe a long sigh of relief. The producers of his film, Angaadi Theru, have decided on a release date– March 26. This much-awaited announcement could not have come at a better time. The song ‘Aval Appadi OndrumSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:33 pm Nana Patekar to make his debut in TeluguIf all goes well, then Nana Patekar may just star in his first Telugu movie. Reliable sources from the industry say that talks are on between Nana and producer Allu Aravind, for the movie Badrinath. Touted to be a big-budget venture,Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:22 pm Katy Perry to lend voice to SmurfsLondon (ANI): Singer Katy Perry is set to lend her voice to the movie adaptation of classic kids'' show The Smurfs. The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker will feature as Smurfette, the only female among the group, in Smurfs: The Movie,Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:14 pm Shakira honoured by UN for humanitarian effortsLondon (ANI): Colombian singer Shakira has been honoured by the United Nations for her humanitarian efforts of helping underprivileged kids across the globe. Shakira, 33, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, accepted the medal in Geneva, Switzerland on March 3 as part ofSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:12 pm Salman becomes brand ambassador for WheelSalman Khan has become the brand ambassador of the detergent brand, Wheel. In fact, he holds great regard for the brand, and is not in any way deterred by the fact that the detergent should ideally have a female ambassador.“I amSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:05 pm Masand's Verdict: Road, Movie is a slow and rickety ride - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:39 pm Filmfare Awards: Winners Rule!Kalki Koechlin from Dev D won the Best Supporting Actress. R.Balki's experimental and first attempt of its kind story for Indian Popular Cinema-Amitabh Bachchan won the 'Best Actor Award, Vidya Balan won the 'Best Actress Award'.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:27 pm Masand's Verdict: Atithi... is an enjoyable watch - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:07 pm Big B to read Marathi poem at literary meet - Times of India
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 5 Mar 2010 | 7:03 pm Rahul Mahajan's big day is here
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 1:45 pm Big B, Guru Dutt among 25 Asian legends of silver screenBollywood legends Guru Dutt, Nargis, Meena Kumari, Amitabh Bachchan and Pran have been named in the list of CNN's top 25 Asian actors of all time released ahead of the Oscar night on Sunday.Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 1:39 pm Rahul Mahajan's big day is hereThe stage is set for Rahul Mahajan's wedding.Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:54 am For Vipul Shah snowfall played the villainVipul Shah, who was all set to shoot a romantic number with the lead pair Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai in Manali, is upset after cancelling the shoot due to sudden snowfall there.Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:13 am American Idol results: eliminations, predictions, videosThe latest 'American Idol' elimination news. On the men's side, John Park and Jermaine Sellers went home. For the ladies, it was Michelle Delamor and Haeley Vaughn. The poor guys who were sent home weren't necessarily the worst performers.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:11 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: Inglorious BasterdsInglorious Basterds may well disappoint the diehard fans of Tarantino. For, the film is far less violent that just about every other work he has made till now. The raw sadism of Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill is missing.Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 11:04 am R & B Star of yesteryear Ron Banks Passes AwayRon Banks, the R & B artist who formed the group Dramatics, has passed away in his home in Detroit. He was 58. Banks reportedly died of a massive heart attack.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:48 am Gautaman Bhaskaran's Review: The Hurt LockerThe Hurt Locker says in the boldest of letters that war is a drug, may well be seen as a balm to all those men and women tortured by the recklessness of some nations.Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:42 am Mayank Shekhar's Review: Road, MovieThe point of this road-less journey remains mysteriously unknown. You can’t quite place the leading man either, the wizard of pose: in Levi’s jeans, tightly trendy tee, cellphone in hand, iPod to the ears… Mayank Shekhar's Review: Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:30 am Razzies Awards 2010 watch live coverage, Worst of HollywoodGolden Raspberry, or Razzie Awards, salutes the worst that Hollywood has to offer. From Bad Movies to bad actors, voting members of The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation have gone through the worst junk of the Hollywood.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:17 am Oscar predictions 2010: Who will win, who should winThe Oscars are the most awaited events not just for the Hollywood but for film fanatics over the world. With just days to left for the final showdown, critics are busy predicting the top notchers in each category.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 10:07 am Mandira Bedi prepared for motherhoodActress-anchor Mandira Bedi's waist is shrinking by the day and she is looking her fittest ever, but she says she is now ready to "experience the joys of motherhood".Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:49 am Sandra Bullock: The compassion cardOscar bookies have been placing their bets on Sandra Bullock. She could win the Best Actress Award on March 7 beating one of the finest performers the world has ever known, Meryl Streep, in Julie and Julia.Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:36 am Wine is the colour of the season: Celina JaitleyModel-turned-actress Celina Jaitley announced wine as the colour of the season at the Lakme Fashion Week here today.Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:26 am Meryl Streep: Madam chefMeryl Streep has a love-hate relationship with the Oscars. Her 13 nominations for Best Actress - including this year's one for Julie and Julia - and three for supporting performances suggest...Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:22 am Rahul Mahajan moves court for release of passport for honeymoonRahul Mahajan is putting final touches to his plans to get married on a reality show.Source: Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:12 am George Clooney: Flying soloGeorge Clooney draws singular attention from women, and has often been described as a womanizer, even a drunk. But his fans tell me that these are misnomers. His frankness with women and his forthright attitude could have created the dark impression about him.Source: | 5 Mar 2010 | 9:09 am Ben Stiller, wife get animated
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 8:54 am Keira Knightley wants to do more theatre
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 8:29 am Ethan Hawke struggles to balance home and career
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 8:06 am Gifts, parties and celebs: L.A. readies for Oscars
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 5 Mar 2010 | 6:33 am Asians allege 'step-motherly' treatment at OscarsAsia made films have found no nominations in the 82nd Academy Awards to be held on March 7 2010. Though four films with Asia-focused topics have been nominated none is an Asian product. Rajan Zed has called this step-motherly treatment towards Asia.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 5:19 am Guru Dutt, Amitabh, Pran, Nargis, Meena among top Asian actorsGuru Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Pran, Nargis, and Meena Kumari are among 'Asia's 25 greatest actors of all time', according to CNNGo, a division of Cable News Network (CNN).Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 4:58 am Bollywood copying Hollywood and failing miserablyBollywood keeps copying Hollywood scripts and the audiences are saddled with disasters like 'Teen Patti' and 'Karthik calling Karthik'. We don't give script writers enough recognition and respect so this kind of poor copying is all we can expect.Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 4:16 am Lara Dutta turns news reporter
You may recall that Bollywood Hungama was the first to report that Lara Dutta was roped in to endorse Colgate. Now, the much awaited ad is finally out.
The commercial has the gorgeous Lara playing the role of a TV reporter. Insiders say that Lara was quite unwell on the day before the shoot with high fever and food poisoning. However, being the professional that she is, she stuck to her commitment for the shoot, despite the fact that it was a night shoot. The most challenging part of the shoot was to get the transformation sequence right, where Lara quickly takes out her spectacles, wig and jacket to transform into the reporter. So much for professionalism!
If you are still drooling over her clothes, let us tell you that it's designed by Akki Narula. Lara had once quoted that she would have been a journalist, had she not been a model. Well, with her donning the attire of a journalist (quite a sexy one at that!), life seems to have come a full circle for this beauty without a pause. Way to go, Lara!Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Mar 2010 | 3:13 am Subhash K. Jha speaks on Thanks Maa
He's 12, and homeless. And he refuses to adopt the swaggering amorality of his friends on the street. They call him Municipal Ghatkopar because that's the address where he was dumped as a child. But he prefers to be known as Salman Khan.
Salman, you fear may appear in this uplifting tale of street children with a mission. Happily, no Salman. Not in Thanks Maa.
Strongly reminiscent of Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay and far more resonantly representative of Mumbai's slum kids than Slumdog Millionaire, Thanks Maa is a journey into lives that were born into despair.
Without the crutches of self-pity debutant director Irfan Kamal enters the world of the orphaned protagonist Municipality who on of those routine days of scavenging stealing and hanging around with his friends waiting for the next meal, comes across an abandoned little infant,
Before we can say 'Hey Baby' the narrations quickly swerves away from the cute and schmaltzy aspect of find-baby-will-coochie-coo kind of feel-good cinema to show the gritty harsh reality of life on the relentless streets of Mumbai and how they toughens the tender ones. Real fast.
Director Irfan Kamal makes one helluva departure from convention. He cruises the crowded areas of Mumbai with an eye for stinging details. The festive population of Mohammed Ali Road on a Friday evening, the red-light areas with their sleazy bustle, the beach sides with gay and normal couples making out in the dark, the goons and
touts, cabbies and pimps, bereaved mother and unfaithful husband (Ranvir Shorey making the best of a ridiculous character), wanton women and kind men... the crowded canvas of Irfan Kamal's film hints hectically at the savagely insensitive quality of life lived on the streets.
Our young hero refuses to be like the routine scum. ''Main tere jaisa nahin hoon,'' he pleads and protests with his more street-wise pals, and sets off on a determined path to find the baby his lost mother.
It's a heartbreaking enlightening journey undertaken by the director in a spirit of adventure discovery and tranquillity. Teeming with characters Thanks Maa still preserves a core of stirring stillness at its centre.
Often you feel Thanks Maa is a romantic homage to the unbreakable spirit of Mumbai. But then you see the bitter and brutal truth about life on the fringes, as the young brave little hero is almost molested by the warden of the reformatory played by Alok Nath, moving so far away from his Sooraj Barjatya image of benign family values,
you salute the actor for his gumption.
Thanks Maa is a tender yet ruthless look-see at a city that claims to have a place for everyone but somehow neglects looking after children who are vulnerable to every form of attack on the streets. Quite frequently we look at Mumbai through the eyes of the little boy and his companions as they encounter a gallery of weirdos and wackos... an alcoholic hospital attendant (Raghuvir Yadav), a doped-out cabbie (Sanjay Mishra), a paedophilic reformatory warden (Alok Nath), a cheesy incestuous upper-class father (Yateen Karyekar, gives you the creeps), an imposing eunuch (Jalees Shrawani) who offers to take the baby out of Municipality's shoulder... an offer the boy firmly refuses.
The young hero, heroic in the truest most basic sense of the word, and his shock and dismay when he finally finds the baby's mother are so palpable they reverberate in our hearts long after the film is over.
The film has its flaws, the most glaring being the constant struggle to keep the homeless children's story credibly contoured on the bustling streets. In many sequences the young actor Master Shams can be seen carrying a doll instead of a baby. Also, because of the inherently dramatic nature of the theme some of the characters and
situations lose self-control. The kinky sado-masochistic customer in the brothel is clearly not in-sync with the rest of the characters.
The jagged edges do not undermine the film's unique and thoroughly unorthodox blend of realism and social message. While the veterans pitch in brave cameos that take the narrative forward to its heartbreaking conclusion, it's the child actors who proudly occupy centre-stage. All of them are so in-character you wonder which came first, the slums or the camera!
With its hard unsparing situations and expletive-carpeted dialogues you'd expect to be repulsed by the world that Irfan Kamal brings on screen. Far from revulsion you are completely sucked into the Mumbai belonging to these street children.
Some of the editing (Amit Saxena) is uneven. But the camerawork (Ajayan Vincent) and background score (Ranjit Barot) add an extra dimension to this heart warming tale of an orphan who won't let another newly-born suffer his fate.
Thanks, Irfan Kamal.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Mar 2010 | 3:04 am Katrina, Priyanka, Deepika, Vidya, Anushka to do cameos in JKSAH
After getting Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Sajid Khan, Amrita Rao and Boman Irani to make guest appearances in his film-about-films Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai writer-director Milap Zaveri feels the star line-up is just not strong enough.
With the help of producer Nikhil Advani, Milap has roped in some more A-listers at the last minute.
Glam queens Deeepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Vidya Balan will make cameo appearances in Milap's film and thereby add to the film's commercial value.
The cameos with these five ladies are expected to be shot next week, just 3 weeks ahead of the film's release creating a major last-minute pre-release situation.
Says Milap, "That's true. I'm roping in the names you've mentioned. Shooting at the last minute would be no problem because all of the star appearances are in the first reel, so I just have to re-edit the initial reel. Also, I've kept slates in the pre-final print announcing the various star cameos which I've filled up as and when they've been available."
Milap is candid enough to admit his film has no big star value. "The only star is Riteish Deshmukh. Jacqueline Fernandez and Ruslaan Mumtaz will become stars after the film is released. Until they do, I need to get audiences into theatres. That's why we need to rope in more stars in cameos."
Besides his own clout in the industry as a long-standing and very successful writer-director, Milap Zaveri's producer Nikhil Advani is also using his good wishes to rope in the glam-queens to add a dash of allure to Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai.
Nikhil has apparently sent out messages to Deepika, Priyanka, Anushka, Vidya and Katrina who have all agreed.
While Anushka will shoot her portion on the sets of Nikhil Advani's Patiala House, the other ladies will touch base next week and do the needful.
Says Milap, "Vidya would be slightly difficult since she's shooting in Delhi. But we'll manage." Milap is expected to fly down to Delhi to get Vidya's cameo in place.
Making a film about the film industry is not easy. The director is expected to rope in all the stars that can be crammed in the film. Luckily, for Milap Zaveri, he has a producer who can get his friends to do the needful.
Says Milap, "The stars making special appearances have been absolutely wonderful. Akshay Kumar insisted on seeing a part of the film before doing his cameo. Akshay speaks about Ruslaan Mumtaz's character in the camera. And do you know, Karan Johar actually agreed to be snubbed by Ruslaan Mumtaz! Ruslaan plays a superstar and in the film he refuses to take Karan's calls."
Farah Khan has a full-fledged role as a film director. But the biggest sport so far seems to be Boman Irani who shot for just the trailer of Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai.
Says Milap emotionally, "That's true. Boman is not in the film, only in the trailer. Everyone who has made an appearance in my film has been wonderful. I guess it comes from being around for so long."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 Mar 2010 | 2:55 am Subhash K. Jha speaks on Hello Zindagi
A rebellious teenage daughter Kavita of a traumatized couple doesn't know what to do with her life. So she takes off on a journey away from home with a lonely neglected but brave middle-aged woman to Goa where Kavita saves turtles...and herself.
Kavita goes home redeemed. We are not so sure about ourselves. We remain partly involved with largely distanced from this ambitious but flawed look at life through the eyes of teen rebellion.
Director Raja Unninathan has his heart at the right place. He creates a world of gossipy aimlessness sweaty parties' tacky repartees and, ahem, one-night stands for Kavita. But the words sound more like replications of the emotional outbursts associated with the generation gap rather than actual situations created in a specific crisis.
A more authentic parent-child crisis would be the one in Ayan Mukerjee's Wake Up Sid or better still the television soap Ladies Special where two very talented actors Shilpa Tulaskar and Sandeep Kulkarni played harassed parents grappling with a rebellious teenage daughter. We empathized with their helplessness.
In Hello Zindagi, Neena Gupta and Kanwaljeet Singh especially the latter are in fine form as Kavita's parents. The writing constantly lets all the actors down. The one performer who manages to hold her head above the material provided is Kitu Gidwani, Playing the dignified unloved but outwardly well-to-do wife Gidwani epitomizes grace
under pressure.
Her section of the film with her indifferent though not cruel husband (Amit Behl) have some interesting moments, like the one where Gidwani goes into the kitchen to get coffee made by her husband, and then pours it quietly down the sink.
Gidwani's journey to Goa with the rebellious Kavita is charted with affection. Very rarely do we get to see a movie so gentle and warm about female bonding over differing generations. What Kitu Gidwani shares with the debutante Mrunmayee Lagoo echoes Jessica Tandy's bonding with Brudget Fonda in Deepa Mehta's Camilla.
Except that Gidwani and the girl don't go skinny-dipping. The blackest spot in the film is its lack of sexual energy. The characters are almost invariably frigid in their thoughts and desires. A thwarted indecisiveness runs across the narrative-profile rendering the characters weak and unconvincing.
The save-the-turtles message at the end seems forced.
Nonetheless there's enough tenderness and warmth in the relationships shared by Mrunmayee with her screen-dad Kanwaljeet and with Kitu Gidwani to make the film worth a watch.
Hello Zindagi doesn't bowl you over. But it makes you smile even when the debutant director displays that trite and self-conscious social purpose that makes the film look like a documentary on how to save teenagers and turtles when they don't want to be saved without drowning in the attempt.Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 5 Mar 2010 | 2:44 am Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan set to release on December 24, 2010
This Christmas, audiences are in for a big treat with Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan which is set to release on the Christmas Eve, December 24.
Says Farah, "I'm really happy that we will be releasing Tees Maar Khan on the 24th December, 2010. TMK is a very kid friendly, holiday season kind of film, full of fun, big dance numbers and action comedy. It's just the kind of film you'd want to watch in the holidays."
Still in its filming stages, Tees Maar Khan is already in the news for its leading jodi Akshay Kumar & Katrina Kaif and director Farah Khan's track record for delivering two super-hit films.
Says Akshay Kumar, "Tees Maar Khan will be our gift to audiences this holiday season. It's a great film with a great script and with Farah you know you're in for a treat with larger than life scenes, great music and hilarious dialogues. The movie will have you laughing uncontrollably."
Tees Maar Khan is produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd. and Shirish & Farah's home production 'Three's Company Pvt Ltd.' and co-produced by Akshay Kumar's 'Hari Om Productions'.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 5 Mar 2010 | 2:32 am WHAT?! Akshay Kumar arrested - IBNLive.com
Source: Entertainment - Google News | 5 Mar 2010 | 2:19 am AR Rahman to have 16 'Jai Ho' concerts abroadOscar winner AR Rahman is taking his 'Jai Ho' concert world wide. Between June 11 and July 26 2010 he will hold concerts in the major cities of USA, Canada, Netherlands, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom. 'Jai Ho' Rahman!Source: merinews: Entertainment News Articles | 5 Mar 2010 | 1:45 am
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