They say, “Movies are the mirrors of society” and with Indian society so torn with the issue of terrorism, it is but natural that the subject of terrorism find its’ way into the themes and plots of Bollywood movies. Terrorism emerged as a subject with prominence in the Hindi films with Subhash Ghai’s ‘Karma’ which [...]

“I love Beyonce and the way she is. I have tried a different hairstyle and make-up, too. It’s a funky track and the video looks very glamourous,” said Kareena.

Even choreographer Bosco cant stop praising Kareena and feels that she has done it even better than Beyonce. “Bebo looks hotter than Beyonce,” said Bosco.

Not to mention, boyfriend Saif Ali Khan went gaga over the song. The Chhote Nawab landed on the sets unannounced to see Kareena perform the song. “He liked it so much that he wished he was part of the number too,” said a friend of the actress.

We are waiting with baited breath to see Kareena in her catty avatar!!

It was a call for party for the stars of Hello with the movie’s successful one week. Hello was released on October 10th. But Salman Khan did not join the bash; keeping to his words to not to put any extra efforts for the film’s promotion.

Hello, starring Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan Amrita Arora, Eesha Koppikar,
Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, is based on life in call centers in India. Sohail attended the party in spite of his injury.

Karisma’s presence on screen is always admired and applauded; be it Big Bollywood hits or small screen commercials. In the coming month eagerly waiting fans of Karisma Kapoor have lot in store for them for this sexy siren is flooded with scripts and we wish her all the luck!

Bollywood and cricket have always been an attraction for each other. Where our Bolly beauties can’t resist the Cricket superstars, the cricketers cannot resist the temptation of the silver screen. So, after Sandeep Patil, Ajay Jadeja and others, the next in tow is Indian Test captain Anil Kumble, who will star in the Pritish Nandy Communication’s forthcoming comedy film ‘Meerabai Not Out’.

The movie which will hit the screens this summer has Mandira Bedi in the main lead playing a maths teacher obsessed with cricket. Also starring in the film are actors like Eijaz Khan, Anupam Kher and Mahesh Manjrekar.

Directed by Marathi Director Chandrakant Kulkarni, the film will be produced by Pritish Nandy Communications in partnership with Sony Pictures and DQ Entertainment.

So, it will be a double treat for cricket loving movie goers to get the combination of ultra-sexy Mandira Bedi with talented Anil Kumble.

Firoz Nadiawala and Information and Broadcasting Ministry are set to co-produce a film on Tantya Tope. The film will be directed by Vinay Shukla (of ‘Godmother’ fame).

The story is based on 1857 revolt. Besides Tatya Tope, other prominent figures like Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and Nanasaheb Peshwa (Tope’s good friend) will be part of the film’s story. The tale will be told from the point of view of Tatya Tope and his alliance with Rani Laxmibai and Nanasaheb.

Producer Firoz Nadiadwala has approached Akshay Kumar for the lead role. Akshay has shown keen interest in the role but is yet to sign on the dotted line. The word doing rounds is that Deepika Padukone has been approached for the role of Laxmibai. If all is set, then this will be Deepika’s second flick with Akshay Kumar, the first being ‘Chandni Chowk To China’.

This is what happened on the scenic beaches of Maurituis when the units of ‘Kidnap’ starring Minissha Lamba and Imran Khan, ‘Click’ starring Shreya Talpade, Rehan Khan and Senha Ulal and ‘Money Hai To Honey Hai’ starring Govinda and Hansikaa Motwani went to shoot on one location.The beach was divided into three halves where each of the unit was shooting a dance sequence. Choreographer Bosco had quite a parade choreographing ‘Kidnap’ and ‘Money Hai To Honey Hai’ at the same time. To add to the chaos, the spot boys got jumbled up. Even the actors of the three films were put up in the same hotel.

Looking at it, the incident feels like some sequence from a comedy flick!

The leading pair of Rumi Jaffrey’s ‘God Tussi Great Ho’ do not hit off too well off-screen, the grievances rooting back to the time when Priyana Chopra refused to work opposite Salman Khan in ‘London Dreams’ last year. The film which is to be directed by Rajkumar Santoshi is currently on hold.Now, when Priyanka took a long time with her make up on the set of ‘God Tussi Great Ho’, Salman Khan did not grin and lump it, as human male species has learnt to do since recorded history. Instead, he chose to show his displeasure to Priyanka. His hostility went on a rise and ultimately Priyanka put her foot down accusing Salman of being rude. Aggravated, Salman Khan asked director Rumi Jaffrey to announce a pack up, which the hapless Jaffery did.

This is Bollywood! Here the grievances are kept nursed for a long long time..

Produce Vipul Shah has come up with a novel idea to keep the cast of his film ‘Singh is Kinng’ happy. All his cast members have taken their families along for the two-month-long schedule at Goa Coast in Australia.Katrina Kaif is staying along with her family, her mom and sisters, in the apartments at Q1, world’s tallest residential tower. Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar are also there with their families, following which there is a considerable kids group on the sets. The ‘bachcha party’ includes Akshay’s six-year-old son Aarav, Vipul’s sons six-year-old Aryaman and five-year-old Maurya and kids of the line producers.

Talking about it Vipul says, “It becomes extremely difficult to stay away from your family for over two months. We have a start-to-finish schedule at Gold Coast, and that’s when I asked everyone to bring their families along.”

The premier of Bollywood movie ‘Om Shanti Om’ at Leisceter Square London on the night of 15th November 2007 is an event of its kind in the history of Bollywood as the event is marked by the auspicious presence of celebrities like steel Magnate Laxmi Mittal and Hollywood actress Emma Thompson.  According to SRK there other celebrities including the cast of the movie would be presented at the occasion of the premiere of the movie.Om Shanti Om is not SRK’s first home production movie to be premiered in London; earlier Ashoka was also premiered at Leicester in 2002.  Shahrukh favored the premier of movie in London, not only because of Indian diaspora but also for the presence of global audience there.

London has special place in Shahrukh’s kitty and hopefully would play a nice omen in the success of ‘Om Shanti Om’

It so happened that Dia Mirza and Manoj Bajpai were shooting for their short film ‘Zaheer’, which is part of Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Dus Kahaniyan’.In a scene Dia was supposed to slap Manoj. As pre-decided, Dia was to wave her hand close to Manoj’s cheek giving an impression of a slap, but while shooting Dia got so carried away that she placed a real tight slap on Bajpai’s cheek shocking him to the core. Manoj was stunned for a moment but he continued with the scene because director Sanjay Gupta did not call ‘cut’. Gupta has decided to keep the shot in the film because of its real look.

After this incident Manoj has been calling Dia by a new name – Deepak, because of her manly strength.

The lead actors of the film ‘Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama’ are angry with the makers of the films as they had not been informed of the fact that some newcomers would be the part of the film too. The actors announced that they would boycott the music release because of which the event had to be called off by the producers. They have also decided not to promote the film at all.An irate Aashish Choudhary said,” I spotted a few new faces in the promos. Chandrakant Singh has shot sequences with them behind our back. How can I promote a film if I’m not aware of the final product?”

On the other hand, Director Singh is surprised that the lead actors should be insecure of some newcomers. He says, “I have shot with some newcomers but they are just supporting characters in the film. The plot of my film still revolves around the lead pairs- Amrita Arora and Ashish Choudhary, Neha Dhupia and Rajpal Yadav and Rati Agnihotri and Anupam Kher.”

Image Source: IndiaFM

This is what Nisha Kothari is crooning these days. After a disastrous ‘RGV Ki Aag’ and a row of flops, the actor is trying to charm her good luck by reverting back to her original name, Priyanka Kothari.Explains Nisha aka Priyanka, “Its my original name and my real identity.” She further says that she had changed her name because there was already a Priyanka in the industry. “I changed my name just like that. For my family and friends, even in my film contracts, I am Priyanka Kothari. So, when somebody calls me Nisha, I am not at all comfortable. In this whole scenario I have been wondering, ‘Who is Nisha?’ This realization made me take this decision.”

A wise decision indeed!

With ‘Saawariya’ stars appearing in ‘Jhalak Dikhlaja’, how could SRK stay behind? So, ‘Om Shanti Om’ star Shah Rukh Khan made an appearance on the reality dance show ‘Nach Baliye’ as a judge to promote his latest film.

Dancing to the hit track Dard-e-disco from Om Shanti Om, the actor bonded well with item girl Rakhi Sawant and even did an impromptu jig with her.

“I never tell anyone to go watch my film but this time I will say so. That is because if you do so, it will be fun. It’s an entertaining film with lots of drama and good acting,” says Shah Rukh in praise of his ambitious project.

This Friday will decide who wins at last after all the promotion and marketing fundas.

November 9 is a big day in Bollywood for three reasons: Om Shanti Om, Saawariya and Jodhaa Akbar. If the festive day marks the release of the first two mega films, it will also witness the unveiling of the third- a four minute long theatrical trailer of Ashutosh Gowarikar’s much awaited ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ on the official website, ‘www.jodhaaakbar.com’.The trailer goes:

After the Ashutosh Gowarliker Productions logo shines on-screen for over half a minute, the trailer starts off. The first few frames show Akbar( Hrithik Roshan) and Jodhaa( Aishwarya Rai) preparing for their Nikaah. And just when you expect Akbar to whisper ‘Nikaah Manjoor Hai’, he roars, ‘Hamle Ke Liye Tayyar….’

The screen goes black and Rahman’s high on-dholak background score goes wild. What follows is a montage of experior and interior shots from the film.

In her ambitious international project ‘The Quest of Sheherzade’, sexy Celina Jaitley will play the role of a mythological beauty Sheherzade. The role requires a lot of stunt and action and the gal is all set and prepared for the role.“It’s a role that requires extensive stunts. Fortunately my father is an army officer. I learnt horse riding in school. But doing so without a saddle requires plenty of training. And I’m off to the US in February 2008. Shooting starts probably in Turkey next Summer,” says Celina.

From a long time Bollywood film makers have been copying Hollywood films under the tag of ‘inspiration’. The latest in the bandwagon is Aditya Datt whose next venture ‘Good Luck’ is ‘inspired’ by Hollywood comedy ‘Just My Luck’ starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine. The movie has Sayali Bhagat and Aryeman in the lead roles. Other stars include Ranvir Shorey and Lucky Ali.The original Hollywood flick had Lindsay playing the luckiest girl in New York City while Chris playing the unluckiest guy. Their lucks swapped when Lindsay kissed Chris at a masquerade resulting in bad luck for Lindsay and golden fortune for Chris. To regain her lost luck back, Lindsey goes about kissing every guy she meets.

Image source: Indiafm

After a brief hiatus and a short trip to the jail, Salman Khan is back in action. This time he is once again baring his chest for a movie titled “Tarzan” where he gets to play the title role! In fact he might even be seen sans his trousers if his role so demands.With his well crafted muscles, toned body and a shaven chest, it seems that Salman won’t have much problems getting into the skin of the character of “Tarzan”. In fact this handsome dude considers himself lucky to get such a role. “”I was always fascinated by Tarzan stories and I am glad that I have got a chance to do the film,” Salman told mediapersons in Mumbai.

Salman has decided to go in for a different kind of hairstyle for the film which will be shot in the jungles. In fact he seemed quite excited about shooting with animals amidst huge mushrooming trees.

“Tarzan” which will be directed by well known director Aneez Bazmee, will hit the theatres next year. Seeing this Khan bare his chest again, will be a delight especially for all his female fans!!

After Saif Ali Khan’s public announcement about his affair with Kareena, his Italian ex girlfriend Rozza Catalano has been trying to concentrate on her career into Hindi films.This beautiful belle has signed her first film which is titled “Shaurya”. It will be produced by Moserbaer and directed by Samar Khan. About signing this Italian damsel, Khan speaks, “I had been looking for a girl with an international face and Rozza was the first choice for the role.”

Apart from Rozza, this film stars Rahul Bose, Minisha Lamba and Kay Kay Menon. The music is composed by the very famous Adnan Sami.

Films are not the only thing that’s keeping Miss Catalano busy these days. She has also been roped in for a fashion based show on TV which will soon hit the small screen. Says the optimistic woman, “I am happy with the kind of offers I am getting. I am sure the future is bright.”

After having learnt six different languages, Hindi will be the 7th for Rozza but she is positive about mastering the lingo. For now we can just wait for this stunning actress to woo us on screen.

Karan Razadan’s next project is titled ‘Mittal vs Mittal’ which will be based on the subject of domestic violence. Rituparna Sen Gupta will portray the role of the victim and Rohit Roy has been roped in for male lead who will play Ritu’s husband’s role. Suchitra Krishnamurthy will play Ritu’s lawyer’s role. The film also stars Gulshan Grover and Reema Raghav. Shamir Tandon has composed the music for the film.Mittal V/s Mittal is a story of a woman whose life turns into a nightmare after marrying her love interest. Feeling proud to have got an opportunity to play such a sensitive character Rituparna says, “My character is of a simple woman who ends up getting married to a man who is both mentally and physically sick who sexually exploits her.” She also adds, “Her miserable life compels her to file a case against her in-laws and finally emerges as the winner.”

Bollywood’s promising actor, Kunal Kapoor, is happy with his first on-screen lip-lock which he shared with Konkona Sen Sharma in ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’. The movie was also Kunal’s first family drama and he shares screen space with Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in the film.“My first on-screen kiss, Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with 50 people gawking,” Kunal told IANS.

Next from Kunal Kapoor is much talked about ‘Aaja Nachle’ with Madhuri Dixit..

The success of ‘Apne’ has set the spirits high for the Deols and they now seem in a mood to revive their home production, Vijeta films. Their first film will be rolling soon in October with Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra and Arshad Warsi in lead roles.Director Kabeer Kaushik says, “The film is called Chamku and we will commence it’s shooting in a month’s time. However, I can’t reveal much about the story.”

’Chamku’ will be the third film of Priyanka Chopra and Bobby Deol together after ‘Kismat’ and ‘Barsat’. After considering the fate of the earlier ones, we do hope and wish, this film clicks the ‘Kismat’ of Vijeta films.

Rakesh Sarang is making his directorial movie debut with ‘Horn Ok Please’. The movie will have Muzamil Ibrahim and Rimi Sen who will play double roles.  The film has Nana Patekar in the lead role playing a truck driver. Lalit Pandit will give the musical notes for the film which is set to go on floors on October 15 and is expected to release by January.Sarang, who is not new in the field of direction with a lot of TV serials to his credit is quite excited about this venture and says, “Horn Ok Please is neither slapstick nor dialogue but a situational comedy with lot of twist and turns.” He adds, “Rimi Sen will be seen opposite both Nana and Muzamil, as she plays a double role.”

Excited about exploring into new genre Muzamil says, “The script of the film is amazing and I am looking forward to work with Nana Patekar who I believe is one of the honest actors in the film fraternity”.

Director Pardeep Sarkar who is renowned for his critically appraised movie Parineeta (2005), this time have picked up the issue of prostitution as profession owned by a woman to mean of sustenance and survival of her family. Sarkar’s movie ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ which is to be released on October 12, 2007 is his first movie with Yash Raj Films banner.
Movie starring Rani Mukherji and Konkona Sen Sharma have depicted the trauma of town girls who get trapped into prostitution when they moves to big cities in search of job and career. According to Sarkar, “The film presents a strong woman from a middle class background that chooses to be in the (sex) profession and remain what she was to support her family,”
The other stars of the film are Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kunal Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Kirron Kher, Farida Jalal and Hema Malini in special appearance.

Image Source: Yash Raj Films

Now this is news guys. A very unlikely filmi pair has been spotted together. Abhay Deol and Neetu Chandra have not yet worked together in any film. Yet, they were spotted together catching up a movie recently.

Media and gossip columns, which leave no stones unturned, are linking the two together. The basic matter is that Abhay and Neetu went together to watch ‘Resident Evil: Extinction’ together.

Neetu was reportedly spotted walking in with Abhay at a theatre in Mumbai. But after entering the theatre, they separated and maintained some distance so as not to be seen together. Neetu bought the tickets while Abhay waited for her and later followed her as she entered the auditorium.

Neetu, however, refuses that anything is brewing between her and Abhay. She says she had gone to see the movie with a couple of friends when she coincidentally bumped into Abhay at the theatre.

This is Bollywood Neetu. Here it takes no time to add up two and two to make it four!!

After Aishwarya Rai being finalized for the role of Mumtaz Mahal in Sir Ben Kingsley next ambitious project, it is Bipasha Basu who seems to have been decided for the role of Jahan Ara Begum ( Shah Jahan’s daughter who looked after her ailing father after he was imprisoned in his old age by son Aurangzeb in a citadel from where he continuously gazed at Taj Mahal, the monument of love he had got built for his love Mumtaz).Sources say that Kingsley talked about this project with Bipasha when they came together to host the new Seven Wonders event in Lisbon in July this year. Though Bips has nodded her yes for the dates, her dates are yet to be sorted out.

Two big ambitious projects are ready to hit box-office this festive season- Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’ and SRK and Farah Khan’s ‘Om Shanti Om’. Taking a close look at them, one realizes that both are following the same marketing target via different routes.For ‘Saawariya’, there is a rumour going round that RK Banner’s next big hope, Ranbir Kapoor, will be seen prancing around in a see-through white towel (how RK-ish, remember all those RK heroines wet and white?). As for ‘Om Shanti Om’, everyone is quite aware of SRK’s shirtless ‘Dard-e-disco’ and flaunting six-pack abs.

Both the movies have a new female face and where Sonam Kapoor was forbidden to show her face before SLB gave the green signal, Shah Rukh’s co-star Deepika Padukone’s celebrity face was too well-known to be kept in ‘Purdah’.

Also both the directors have kept mum about their basic storyline. Only producer SRK and director Farah Khan are so friendly and fun-loving and Bhansali is so brusque and bristly that one tends to put them both in different categories.

Well, whatever the marketing approach may be, with Ranbir Kapoor’s butt versus SRK’s shirless abs, the box-office this festive season will have fireworks for sure.

Bengali ace director Aparna Sen plans to cast Abhishek Bachchan for her first Hindi movie ‘Gulel’. To be known that Abhishek had already given his dates for the film when late Ismail’s Merchant’ nephew Naeem was to produce it. However, the project was shelved due to the death of Ismail. Now, Sen is ready to start again as soon as Abhi gives his dates.“For ‘Gulel’, I really want Abhishek and I know Abhishek wants to do the role. He has said yes,” said Sen.

Abhishek, too, is keen on working with Aparna, “I’ve worked in two Bengali films with Rituda in ‘Antarmahal’ and in a film called ‘Desh’, directed by Raja Sen in which I played my own mom’s son. It would be delightful to work with Aparna Sen.”

Meanwhile, Aparna Sen is in the process of completing her latest Bengali film “The Japanese Wife”, which is based on Kunal Basu’s short story and stars Rahul Bose and Raima Sen. The film is about a man involved in a relationship with two women simultaneously.

The SFX technology does it all. Shirish Kunder (Farah Khan’s husband) did it in ‘Jaaneman’ to transpose Salman Khan with the stars of 60s and 70s. Now, Farah Khan does in ‘Om Shanti Om’ to show gorgeous Deepika Padukone dance with the movie stars of the 70s- Rajesh Khanna, Jitandra and late Sunil Dutt, and that too in a young avatar of these stars. We know by now that Shah Rukh Khan’s production company Red Chillies Entertainment has topnotch technology and equipment available for SFX.The film,

an unusual love story, spans over thirty years. The film has Shah Rukh Khan playing a junior artist and Deepika Padukone playing a big filmstar in 1970s.

Tanushree Dutta, after sizzling Bollywood screen with her glamour, will now be seen in an action film for children to be directed by a new director, Hadi Abrar. It will have a lot of special effects and fantasies.

Earlier, it was reported that the film is based on the ‘Tomb Raider Series’. However, Tanushree denies the report saying, “No, its not based on the Tomb Raider series and the character has nothing to do with Lara Croft played by Angelina Jolie. It has a different story line and concept altogether, but the look is somewhat inspired from it.”

Tanushree is very excited about the role and has already started working out for it. “I would be required to do some action sequences, although they won’t be very complicated. However, I need to train myself for that because I have never done an action sequence before that’s why I am learning martial arts,” the gal says.

Another version of ‘Devdas’ is on the way. To be directed by Sudhir Mishra and belonging to the ever-rising production house Pritish Nandy Communications, this ‘Devdas’ will have Shiney Ahuja as the lead hero and Lara Dutta as ‘Paro’.However, the story doing rounds of Esha Deol playing ‘Chandramukhi’ is baseless as told by Pritish himself. “It’s true that Shiney Ahuja and Lara Dutta have been confirmed for the roles of Devdas and Paro. But we’re yet to cast Chandramukhi. The reports of Esha Deol being signed for the part are completely untrue.”

For the immortal role of courtesan ‘Chnadramukhi’ director Sudhir Mishra says, “I’m very keen on Soha Ali Khan. My Chandramukhi isn’t a dancer at all. She plays an investment banker. Having said that, let me tell you Soha is good dancer. Watch her in my Khoya Khoya Chand and you’ll know.”

Image Source: SantaBanta

We had informed you that Bollywood sex bomb Mallika Sherwat will pair up again with Rahul Bose for ‘Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam’. But the things seem too much tilted towards this lady these days.Now sexy Sherawat will reportedly play the female lead in Pritish Nandy Communications’ next romantic comedy titled ‘Ugly And Pagli’, to be directed by Sachin Khot. Mallika will play the character of ‘Pagli’ and the search is on for the male co-star to play ‘Ugly’. This time Ranvir Shorey and not Rahul Bose seems to a strong contender for the role.

Akshay Kumar who carved his first niche in Bollywood as an action hero slowly got into comedy films. Now, with a long stretch of seven years, Akshay is going to enact in a complete action packed film which will also be Warner Brothers’ first Bollywood film. The film titled ‘Made in China’ will have Deepika Padukone opposite Akshay Kumar. The producers will be Ramesh and Rohan Sippy.Akshay Kumar is undergoing training in the martial art form called Wushu which has been the style largely used by Jackie Chan and Jet Lee. It is well-known that Akshay admires and adores Jackie Chan.

’Akshay has been a martial arts student for years,’ director Nikhil Advani told. ‘The Wushu style is very big in China. Jet Li and Jackie Chan constantly practice it,’ he added.

Advani said, ‘My writer Sridhar Raghavan and my Indian producer Rohan Sippy designed the film with Akshay in mind. It was either Akshay or no one else for the role. We needed a lead pair who could do the action scenes with the grace of dancers. Both Deepika and Akshay are phenomenal dancers and athletes.’

Being India’s first film to be shot in China, the shooting will start in locations like Shanghai, Beijing and a village near the Chinese capital from Jan 2008.

The much talked about Sarkar 2 will not have Abhishek and Aishwarya as husband and wife in the movie, as in ‘Sarkar’. Ramgopal Verma reveals that Sarkar 2 hasn’t been written to play up the Abhishek-Aishwarya relationship.Sarkar ended showing the senior Bachchan in retirement. But in Sarkar 2, Abhishek isn’t willing to take over the mantle. The sotry is picked up from there. Abhishek’s character will be substantially more in the forefront. But like every son in a business empire, he’ll continue to look up to his father for guidance and support.

Amrita Arora had created stirs by appearing in a hot video with her boyfriend and supermodel Upen Patel. Now, ‘Meri Beri Ke Ber’ fame Sanobar Kabir follows the same path. She is appearing with a newcomer Kunal in a music video ‘Sanobar and Masti Express’ by T-series. Kunal is Sanobar’s boyfriend and the duo has given body to body hot scenes in the video. Kunal says that the scenes are according to the demand of the situation.

Rumours have it that Chandraprakash Dwiwedi’s ‘Prithviraj Chauhan’ may have Celina Jaitley in place of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Earlier Aishwarya had given her consent to play Sanyogita for the film but owing to her marriage with Junior Bachchan, Dwivedi is now considering Celina for the stellar role. Here Celina is also keen on doing a period film, but all the talks are still in the intial stage, so it is too early to be certain. Also, a film like Prithviraj Chauhan requires massive funds and Dwivedi is looking out for a business house to finance the film.

Kareena Kapoor is a determined girl. She gave a glimpse of it when she was shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s forthcoming film which has not been named yet. Kareena had to jump into a moving train in a scene. Since Kareena had never traveled in a train before and also the speed of the train was not under the unit’s control, Bebo was quite nervous and faltered quite a few times. At this juncture Imtiaz Ali suggested the scene be scrapped since he didn’t want any mishaps on the set , but Kareena refused to give up and after e few unsuccessful attempts, she finally managed to do the scene perfectly.

The Indian film industry has always produced male-oriented films barring a few exceptions. However, there were some female leads that always took the industry by storm by their great performance and stood high despite all odds. They had their own identity and never were a shadow of their male counterparts. We have listed the top 10 bollywood beauties that have left a great impression on the Indian audience.1. Nutan Behl

Born on 4 June, 1936, Nutan is one of the brightest gems of Indian Film Industry. The eldest daughter of Shobhana Samarth, Nutan Behl, is said to be by far the most attractive and sensitive actresses of Bollywood. She is one of the very few divas who have served the industry for almost five decades playing a variety of roles, starting as a child artist, to leading roles then character roles with great élan.

When Nutan was only 14, she starred in a film directed by her mother Shobhana appropriately titled “Hamari Beti”. That film marked her debut. 1951 set Nutan’s career on a roll with her being crowned the first Miss India and the release of “Hum Log” and “Nagina”. These films announced the arrival of Nutan on the stage of Bollywood.

Her first big break was “Seema” released in 1955, for which she won a Filmfare Award. She followed her success with a romantic comedy, “Paying Guest”, in which she co-starred with Dev Anand. In 1959 she starred in two hit films, “Anari” (with Raj Kapoor) and Bimal Roy’s Sujata (with Sunil Dutt). These movies showed that Nutan’s unique quality, which set her apart from her contemporaries, was that she was a thinking actress who tried to perceive the undeveloped motivations of her characters. Her expressions spoke more than her words.

Nutan’s pairing with Lata Mangeshkar worked wonders and the duo together gave a number of hits. The voice of Lata combined with the expressive emotions of Nutan proved to be a success story. Nutan was also quite daring for her times and she was one of the first actresses daring enough to wear a bikini, which she did in “Dilli Ka Thug”.

Nutan’s personal life had not been as bright as her career. She had an arranged marriage on October 11, 1959 with Lt. Commander Rajish Behl, a boy her mother had chosen for her. A son, Mohnish, was born to them in 1963. When Nutan found out that her mom had been misappropriating her earnings, she filed a Civil suit and broke off all relationship with her. The relationship with her mom remained strained until Nutan was diagnosed with cancer.

Nutan once again came to the limelight with the release of “Bandini” in 1963. Bandini is still remembered as one of the finest performances by an Indian actress. Throughout the 60’s Nutan gave great performances in films like Chhaila, Manzil, Surat aur Seerat, Dil Hi Toh Hai, Chaandi Ki Deewar, Khandaan, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Milan, Bhai Behan etc. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for the fourth time for her performance in Milan.

She again gave award winning performances in “Saudagar” (1973) and “Mein Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1978). She maintained her gracious and sensitive style when she started playing maternal roles in the 80’s. She starred next to Dilip Kumar in the box office hit “Karma” in 1986.

Nutan passed away on February 21, 1991 at the age of 54, but this star of Indian Film Industry will keep shining forever and showing the way for all talented newcomers in Bollywood.

2. Nargis

Nargis was a major Indian star during the ’40s and ’50s recognized for her charisma, tremendous dignity, great intelligence, and ability to play a variety of roles ranging from shy coquettes to westernized women. Nargis was born on June 1, 1929 as Fatima Rashid, the daughter of the Allahabad-based singer, Jaddanbai and Uttamchand Mohanchand. Nargis, her stage name, means “Narcissus”, the flower. She was always credited as Nargis in all of her films.

Nargis started her career as a child artist in “Talashe Haq”, she quickly progressed to playing lead roles and became the top actresses of her era. She made her debut as an actress in “Tamanna” released in 1942. She appeared in a number of movies after that the most popular being Humayun (1945), Nargis (1946), Mela (1948), Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Jogan (1950).

Nargis paired well with Raj Kapoor and together they developed both a personal and professional partnership and gave Hindi cinema some of its best classics. Their first was Aag release in 1948. Their first blockbuster an onscreen couple was the unforgettable “Barsaat” released in 1949. The famous hit song Pyaar Hua Iqrar Hua is still considered as one of the finest romantic songs ever. Barsaat was followed by another hit “Aawara” in 1951 and “Shree 420” in 1955. Both films still maintain top positions amongst Bollywood’s finest classics. A portion of their success could be attributed to their fame as real life couple. Their romantic entanglement provided fans with hours of gossipy entertainment as Kapoor was a married man.

Nargis’s best performance came with perhaps Indian cinema’s greatest work Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India”. The film was critically acclaimed and a box office wonder and it topped all charts. The film grossed over Rs. 40 million the highest for any Indian film at that time. The film is still respected by the audience and critics of all ages and generations. It was the first Indian film to be nominated for Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Nargis played the role of a mother who killed her rebellious son for the goodwill of the whole village thus becoming the ‘mother’ of the entire village. She also won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for that role.

One year later Nargis married her co-star of Mother India Sunil Dutt. The marriage seemed scandalous to many at the time, because Sunil had played her son in the movie.

After the marriage, Nargis retired from films to raise her children and to volunteer for charitable work, but she still remained active in the film industry using her friendship with Indira Gandhi to help lobby for better conditions for filmmakers. In 1980 she became a member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).

Pancreatic cancer claimed Nargis on May 3, 1981, ironically the same year her son Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood debut with Rocky. Nargis and her movies, (approximately 50) which spanned from 1935 through on to 1967, continue to be popular even now.

3. Madhubala

Who can forget the dove-eyed Madhubala who is the epitome of on-screen beauty and still the most beautiful actress Bollywood ever had. She had name and fame but not enough life. The actress died at a young age of 36!! She was born on 14/02/1933 and died on 23/02/1969 and in that period that she acted she did 70 films.

Her early life was full of struggles. Born to Atauallah Khan and Mumtaz Jehan Begum in a conservative family of Pathan Muslims, she started in a cow shed in Jogeshwari courtesy of a Bhaiya from UP. For her first role as a child star, she was paid 50 rupees and then 50 rupees more because the father said he has to accompany her and hence can not do a job.
After about five years of playing child roles, Devika Rani called for her to come for her film Jwar Bhata. She was rechristened to Madhubala. Madhubala got her first break in a lead role in Neel Kamal (1947). Her true success came with the movie Mahal (1949), which literally made her a superstar overnight. The list of movies to her credit is long, some of them being Sharabi (1964) Half Ticket (1962), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Jaali Note (1960), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), Phagun (1958), Mr. & Mrs. ‘55 (1955), Badal (1951), Neki Aur Badi (1949), Amar Prem (1948), Lal Dupatta (1948), Pujari (1946). Not many would know Madhubala had charged twice that was paid to Dilip Kumar for Mughal e Azam when the movie had gone on the floor.

She was romantically involved with a number of men. She worked with most of them and some of them were very respectable film personalities. Be it Latif, Mohan Sinha, Kamal Amrohi, Premnath, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Dilip Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Bhart Bhushan and finally Kishore Kumar. Men just fell for her beauty and charms. The list can go on and on.

To get Dilip interested in her she sent a red rose with a message. Dilip was impressed but got furious when he later came to know that she had done the same with Premnath not long ago and was going strong with him. He never forgave her for that. Never ever, not even when she was on her death bed. Kishore Kumar who was her last love and eventually her husband – married her despite her illness.

Her ailing heart was kept hidden from the industry. Often she would cough blood on the sets. Ultimately she died of her heart problem and Kishore Kumar took no time in forgetting her and remarrying.

4. Hema Malini

Hema Malini was born in the Tamil-speaking Chakravarthy household on October 16, 1948 in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu. Her dad’s name is V.S.R. Chakravarthy and her mom, Jaya, was a film producer. She was enrolled in the Chennai-based Andhra Mahila Sabha. She was the second South Indian actress after Vyjayantimala to be a successful Bollywood star.

She performed as a dancer in the regional film “Pandava Vanavasam” in 1961. She wanted to start her acting career in 1964, but she was rejected by the Tamil director Shridhar on the grounds that she had no star appeal, but Hema did not give up and made her debut with a bang starring opposite to the legendary Raj Kapoor in “Sapnon ka Saudagar” in 1968. The film’s posters splashed her pictures with the catch phrase Dreamgirl. Though the film flopped, Hema the dream girl had arrived.

Her next films were “Waris” and “Jahan Pyar Mile”. The films failed but Hema survived with “Johnny Mera Naam” in 1970. Her next major success came with her famous double role in “Seeta aur Geeta” in 1972 where she starred next to Sanjeev Kumar and Dharmendra. It was her first successful project with Dharmendra, the couple went on to be one of the hottest on screen couple before they became real life partners when they tied the knot, but it was not an easy marriage. Dharmendra, who was already married to Prakash Kaur, and had two sons, Sunny and Bobby, could not marry Hema as Prakash refused to divorce him. According to the Hindu Marriage Act, a Hindu cannot marry a second time while the first wife is still alive. Dharmendra belongs to a Arya Samaj Hindu Punjabi Jatt family. On August 21, 1979, both Hema and Dharmendra converted to Islam, changed their names to Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty and Dilawar Khan Kewal Krishn respectively, and got married in accordance with Islamic rites.

Hema kept on starring in one hit after the other like Tere Mere Sapney, Gora aur Kaala, Garam Masala, Baabul ki Galiyan etc. “Sholay” released in 1975 gave her career a huge boost. Basanti became an icon in Indian Film Industry and her dance number Jab Tak Hai Jaan Mein Naachungi became one of the most loved dance numbers ever. The movie went on to become the single greatest hit of Bollywood completing its Golden Jubilee.

After Sholay, Hema gave other hits like Charas (1976), Chacha Bhatija (1977), The Burning Train (1980), Satte Pe Satta (1982) etc. With increasing age Hema shifted to playing character roles, but with same grace and style. She appeared in Jamai raja (1991), Hey Ram (2000), Baghban (2003), Veer-Zaara (2004), and Baabul (2006) in character roles, playing each one of the with immense élan.

Hema’s priorities have now shifted to politics. She is a member of the right-winged Bharatiya Janata Party, and a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

5. Rekha

Born in 1954 at Chennai, Rekha is considered to be the “Eternal Diva of Bollywood”. Being the daughter of the well known film superstar Gemini Ganeshan and actress Pushpavalli studio became her playground and she started nurturing her acting skills from a very young age. She started acting from as early as 1966 when she appeared as a child actor in the Telegu film “Rangula Ratnam”. Rekha made her debut as heroine in the successful Kannada film “Goadalli CID 999” with Dr. Rajkumar in 1969.

Her first Hindi release was “Sawan Bhado” in 1970 which was a major hit and made her a star overnight. During the period 1970-1973 she starred in movies like Ammakosam, Barkha Bahar, Rampur ka Lakshman. Gora aur Kala, Dharma etc. Dharma was a major hit and put Rekha in the limelight but the real big hit came with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Namak Haram” in 1973 in which Rekha starred next to the Bollywood kings Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna.

Her pairing with Amitabh Bachchan has been most successful of all and together they gave great hits like Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Mr. Natwarlal, Silsila etc. Silsila with its controversial subject again made Rekha the center of attention. She was rumored to be Amitabh’s real life flame and the film gossip column may have contributed to her success.

She bagged the Nation Film Award for Best Actress in 1981 for her outstanding performance in the bollywood blockbuster “Umrao Jaan”. The movie was commercially successful and was critically acclaimed as well.

Rekha is known to have played a variety of roles from police officer in ‘Insaaf ka Taraazu’, a perfect housewife in ‘Biwi ho toh Aisi’ to sensuous Mansi in ‘Aastha’. Rekha can claim to have one of the widest varieties of roles under her belt and she played each and every one of them with natural perfection.

Recently Rekha’s Bollywood career has taken a backseat with her appearing in very few movies with short roles of a widowed mother (Krrish) or a glamorous stage singer (Parineeta). Rekha’s forthcoming films include Yaatra, Bajirao Mastani and the much awaited Krrish 2.

6. Madhuri Dixit (Nene)

Born on 15th May 1967, Madhuri Dixit is the Marlyn Monroe of Bollywood. This beauty of Bollywood is full of talent with great acting skills, charms and dancing abilities. She is considered to be one of the best Bollywood has ever seen. She has stolen the hearts of everyone of all ages Be it young college students or famous painters like M.F. Hussain her charm has enticed all.

She made her acting debut in “Abodh” in 1986. The film was a box-office disaster and failed miserably. The future looked dim for this diva when this was followed by other flops like Aawara Baap, Swati, Hifazat etc. The year 1988 was the turning point in her career when she was re-launched by Subhash Ghai in the legendary hit. This was followed by Dayavaan and Tezaab. She starred next to Vinod Khanna in the former and the dashing Anil Kapoor in the latter. Tezaab made her a dancing sensation in India and the Ek-Do-Teen girl with her sensational dance and sensuous facial expressions started a new cult in Bollywood.

“Dil” added another accomplishment to her list when her performance in the blockbuster movie won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Again the movie was appreciated both by the fans and the critics for years to come and the film completed its Golden Jubilee.

Dil was followed by “100 Days” and “Saajan” in 1991 which were huge success at the box office and established Madhuri Dixit as the crown princess of Bollywood. Then came Indra Kumar’s “Beta” in 1992 which again was one of the biggest box office hits. The film won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Her sensuous dance number in Dhak Dhak karne laga established her as the ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl who stole the hearts of millions.

Her famous item number ‘Choli ke Peeche’ in Khalnayak in 1993 placed her in the centre of a huge controversy and again brought her in the spotlight. She was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award for the same movie. 1994 was perhaps the best year in the career of Madhuri with two of her biggest hits “Anjaam” and “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun” releasing that year. While her role in Anjaam, where she played a vengeful damsel, was greatly applauded by the critics, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun recorded the single greatest hit ever breaking the record of Sholay. The film won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award for the 3rd time.

Indra Kumar’s “Raja” (1995) was another one of her hits. Though the film had many flaws her role won the critics recognition. Unfortunately after that had been downhill for Madhuri with a series of flops like Prem Granth, Koyla, Mrityudand etc. Critics commented that it was time for Madhuri to pack her bags and leave the industry but then came her performances in Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) which once again who her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. She once again starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Devdas” in 2002. The film was commercially successful and she proved once again that she has neither lost her acting talents nor her dancing skills.

After her marriage in 1999 films have moved down the priority list for Madhuri and she is devoting more time to her personal life taking care of her two sons Arin and Ryan. She is though starring in a few films the most recent in line being ‘Aaja Nach Le’. Let us hope that we get to see more of this dashing diva of Bollywood.

7. Juhi Chawla

Innocent, sweet and bubbly Juhi Chawla was the first child born to Punjabi father Dr. S. Chawla and Gujarati mother, Mona. She has one brother named Sanjeev. She graduated from Sydenham College, Mumbai, Maharastra. She was crowned Miss India in 1984 and she won the best costume award in the Miss Universe contest that year.

From beauty contests, she moved into film – with her movie debut being “Sultanat” in 1986. The film was not a huge success at the box office. Her next project was the Kannada film “Permaloka” which was a superhit. Her next Bollywood appearance was the superhit film “Quayamat Se Quayamat Tak” where she starred next to Aamir Khan. The pair went on to be one of the most successful on screen couples industry has ever seen.

The next few films were not very successful for Juhi. Love Love Love, Goonj, Kaafila, Swarg all bombed at the box office, but Juhi Chawla hit the hotspot with Dharmesh Darshan’s “Lootere”. A song on the beach in just a plain white shirt was enough for her to be labeled hot.

Her second innings in Bollywood started with a series of hits starting with “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman” in 1992 followed by “Bol Radha Bol” (1992) and “Lootere” in 1993. Next came Yash Raj’s “Darr” which was a blockbuster hit and one of the greatest hits of the 90’s. With this performance she was suddenly placed right at the top and became one of the toughest contenders for the no. 1 title. Darr was followed by another hit “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke” for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress award.

Her pairing with Shahrukh has also been successful. Together they gave Bollywood hits like Ram Jaane, Yes Boss, Duplicate etc. Together they also started a film production firm Dreamz Unlimited. The first movie by the production house was “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” released in 2000. Her best performances between the period 1997 and 2002 included “Ishq” and “Arjun Pandit”.

Recent years have not been that successful for Juhi and her career seems to be on a low. Lately she starred in “My Brother Nikhil” in 2005 which was not commercially successful but critically acclaimed, “Bas Ek Pal” (2006), Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) etc. Her forthcoming releases include “Swami” and “Bhoothnath” both of which are set to be released in 2007.

Juhi is married to the famous industrialist Jai Mehta. She gave birth to her first child, a girl, on February 21, 2001. Her daughter’s name is Jhanvi. Chawla later gave birth to a son called Arjun.

8. Kajol Mukherjee (Devgan)

Acting runs in her blood and her natural bent for acting is well reflected in the ease with which she plays variety of roles. Yes, we are talking about Kajol, daughter of Tanuja and Shomu Mukherjee. Be it her maternal aunt Nutan Behl or her maternal grandmother Shobhna Samarth and maternal great grandmother Rattan Bai, they wee all yesteryears movie stars. Kajol’s younger sister Tanisha has also joined the industry and has films like ‘Niel and Nikki’, ‘Sarkar’, etc to her credit.

Kajol was born on 5th August 1974 in Mumbai and has a happy and comfortable childhood. She debuted with the film ‘Bekhudi’ in 1992 which was a box office disaster. The came her film ‘Baazigar’ with Shahrukh Khan and the industry started talking about this not-so-glamorous girl who seemed to have acting potentials. Her next flick ‘Udhar Ki Zindagi’ truly brought out her flair for acting. In 1998 she again had a hit with Shahrukh Khan in ‘Kara Arjun’.

Kajol was best paired on-screen with actor Shah Rukh Khan and both make a magical romantic pair. In fact, each of her five movies with him (Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushie Kabhi Gham) have all gone on to become super-hits and blockbusters. She has appeared with her husband Ajay Devgan in movies like ‘Hulchul’, ‘Gundaraj’, ‘Raju Chacha’,,, ‘Ishq’ and ‘Pyar to Hona Hi Tha’ among which the last two were commercially successful.

In her short filmi career, Kajol has got rave reviews along with a lot of awards. The latter includes Filmfare Best Actress Award for ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995), Filmfare Best Villain Award and Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Negative Role for ‘Gupt‘ (1997), Filmfare Best Actress Award and Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female for ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ‘ (1998), Star Screen Award Best Actress for Dushman (1998), Filmfare Best Actress Award and Star Screen Award Best Actress for ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001), Zee Cine Special Award for Outstanding Performance- Female for ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001).

Her marriage to Ajay Devgan in February 24, 1999 was a quiet affair where only a few close friends and relatives were invited. The newly wed couple went on a two month honeymoon traveling the world visiting such places as Sydney & Cairo. The couple has carried off their marriage well and compliment each other perfectly as Kajol is known for a bubbly, cheerful and extrovert nature and Ajay is shy, serious and introvert. Post marriage Kajol has cut down the number of movies to spend more time with her family. She had a miscarriage but was blessed with a baby girl in 2003 whom she named Nyasa.

The films which were released after the marriage include ‘Raju Chacha’ (2000), ‘Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi’ (2001), Karan Johar’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ (2001) and ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ (2003). She gave a brilliant performance in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’. After this movie, she stayed away from the film industry for a while. In 2006, she came back enacting the role of a blind Kashmiri girl with Aamir Khan in Kunal Kohli’s ‘Fanaa‘ which again showed that the journey is not over for this talented gem of Bollywood.

9. Rani Mukherjee

The Bong beauty Rani Mukherjee was born on 21st March 1978. Being the daughter of the famous director Ram Mukherjee and the cousin of one of the greatest actresses Kajol, the road ahead for Rani Mukherjee has been clear. She did a small cameo role in her father’s Bengali film “Biyer Phool” in 1992 at a very young age of 14.

She made her Bollywood debut when Salim Akthar came up with “Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat” in 1996. The film bombed at the box office and Rani’s career took a back seat with her devoting her attention back to completing her studies. She was back with a bang with “Ghulam” in 1998 where she starred opposite to Aamir Khan. Thought the film was very successful at the box office a few critics raised some questions on her acting skills and commented on her hoarse voice. Rani’s response was her brilliant performance in Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” where she played the hot and sexy Tina and won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Again in 1998 she gave another brilliant performance in “Mehndi”. After a few flops like Hello Brother, Baadal, Bichhoo she once again came into the limelight with her controversial performance in “Hey Ram” (2000). The film itself was a centre of discussion with its controversial subject matter and her steamy kiss scene with Kamal Hasan just added spice to the discussion. The film though was India’s official entry for the Oscars.

Between 2000 and 2002 she did quite a few films like Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Nayak, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Mujhse Dosti Karoge etc. Some of them were commercially successful but none were huge box office hits. Her next big hit was “Saathiya” in 2002. She won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance and was nominated for Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role in that film. The film was also screened at the Casablanca Film Festival.

Again her career went through a quiet phase before the release of Yuva in 2004. The film was a huge box office hit and her role also won critically acclaimed. This was just the beginning, Rani’s career has been on a rise ever since. Yuva was followed by “Hum Tum” for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress Award and “Veer Zaara” which was another box office hit.

But the world had yet to see the best Rani had to offer which came with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” where her role as Michelle won her appreciation, fame and recognition all round. She won both the Filmfare Best Actress Award and the Critics Award that year for this role. The film was screened at the Casablanca Film Festival and The International Film Festival of India.

Black was followed by other hits like Bunty Aur Babli, Paheli and Mangal Panday The Rising in 2005. In 2006 Rani once again topped the charts with “Kabhi Alvida Na kehna” and Baabul. The most recent of Rani’s releases has been “Ta ra Rum Pum” where she stars next to Saif Ali Khan.

With Rani’s career at its peak Rani has a long list of movies queued up for release next in line being “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” followed by “Saawariya”. With Rani giving one hit performance after the other one gets a feeling that this Bong beauty is just getting started and has a great career ahead of her!

10. Aishwarya Rai (Bachchan)

Born into a traditional South Indian family Aishwarya Rai popularly called as ‘Ash’ is one of Bollywood’s pre-eminent leading ladies. She started modeling at a very young age and appeared in a number of commercials but it was the Pepsi ad with Mahima Choudhary that really brought her into the limelight. In 1994 she was the runner-up to the Miss India contest and became a strong contender for the Miss World crown which she won.

Ash stormed into the Indian movie industry, where she has proven herself a brilliant & genuine actress. Her performance in “Iruvar” (1997) was critically acclaimed. She made her Bollywood debut with Rahul Rawail’s “Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya” (1997). Though the film was not commercially successful it won her the “Screen best female debutant award”. The South Indian movie “Jeans” was her first commercially successful film.

The year 1999 saw a steep rise in the career graph of Ash with her blockbuster hits “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” and “Taal”. Her performances in both the films were highly applauded and she won the “Filmfare Best Actress Award” for the former. These films answered the questions raised by critics on her acting talents and proved that she was not just looks and charms but a rare talent that could deliver emotions, dialogues and dance with great élan.

Between 2000 and 2001 she starred in a number of films like Josh, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Albela, Mohabbatein etc. and starred next to major actors like Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Govinda etc. In 2002 she landed a role in the lavishly produced “Devdas” next to Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. The film was a major box-office hit. It won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award and also received international acclaim. The film was screened at the Cannes film festival. It was during that time that Ash signed a few Hollywood projects as well.

After that Rai stormed the international stage and claimed world wide recognition by being a regular at the Cannes film festival. She was a member of the jury in 2003. She was chosen as one of the World’s “100 Most Influential People” by the Time magazine in 2004. She was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on January 2. A month later she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. She was also featured on Oprah’s “Women Across the Globe” segment.

Ash’s first foreign film was “Pride and Prejudice” which was followed by the “Mistress of Spices” which though was not commercially successful earned the critics respects.

At the end of 2006 she starred in “Dhoom 2” which again brought her back to attention. She starred next to Hritik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan. Her marriage to the latter was a grand affair in April 2007. With much media attention and hype, Aishwarya joined the famous Bachchan family post a traditional marriage.

Aishwarya Bachchan’s forthcoming releases include Jodha-Akbar, Sarkar 2 (in which she would be starring next to her husband), Raaste and Happy Birthday. She also has a long lineup of her Hollywood releases including movies like The Rebel, Chaos and Singularity in which she is starring with “The Mummy” fame Brandon Fraiser. Looks like the future is bright for the “Queen of Bollywood”.

Kunal Kapoor has signed Amisha Patel for his forthcoming flick which also includes Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Rishi Kapoor. The film will be shot mainly in Delhi and also in some foreign land, the location of which has not been decided yet. Kunal has given superhits with Saif-Rani in ‘Hum Tum’ and Kajol-Aamir in ‘Fanaa’.Amisha Patel is very happy with her entry in the Yash Raj camp. However, Kunal does not divulge much about the film except the confirmation that Amisha has been signed.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Some rules you need to follow before you embark on a journey called FOOL & FINAL? One, don’t wear your thinking caps. Here’s why: The film defies logic. Two, don’t ask questions. Here’s why: It’s all about entertainment, not enlightenment. Three, don’t look for answers. Here’s why: The motive is to keep you in splits.

FOOL & FINAL is all about transporting you to a world of make- believe. The sole intention is to offer you loads of entertainment in those 17 reels / 2.20 hours.

But, wait, there’s a hitch!

The execution of the material is done most stylishly, it’s akin to watching a comic book on screen. But the effort falls flat since there’s no script in the first place. The film packs in too many characters and too many incidents in those 17 reels. No issues with that, but director Ahmed Khan and his team of writers [Umesh Shukla, Abbas Hierapurwala] should’ve mixed, merged and unified the assorted characters and incidents skillfully so that the entire experience would be worth cherishing. Unfortunately, what happens here is that you root for a few individualistic sequences only, not the film in entirety.

What redeems FOOL & FINAL are the portions between Johny Lever and Paresh Rawal and a few splendid stunts in the narrative — Shahid’s bike chase at the start or Sunny’s fight to finish combat in the finale. But as you walk out of the auditorium, you strongly feel that Ahmed hasn’t utilized the golden opportunity of creating a paisa vasool entertainer.

To sum up, FOOL & FINAL disappoints!

FOOL & FINAL is all about a diamond that’s robbed by Chunkey Pandey in Mumbai and smuggled to Dubai. Chunkey’s uncle [Gulshan Grover], a don based in London, asks Chunkey to sell the diamond to his accomplice in Dubai, Asrani.

Arbaaz Khan, a don based in Dubai, gets to know of the diamond and also of Chunkey’s weaknesses — guns and gambling. Arbaaz asks Paresh Rawal to get on to the job. Paresh plans to carry out the robbery with his niece [Ayesha Takia], her boyfriend [Shahid Kapoor] and a cabbie [Johny Lever].

Viek Oberoi owes money to a don [Zakir Hussain], who conducts illegal boxing matches in Dubai. Meanwhile, Chunkey cannot resist the urge for guns and calls Arbaaz, who in turn asks Chunkey for a favor: Chunkey should bet on his behalf at Zakir’s illegal den. On Arbaaz’s instructions, Paresh, Shahid, Ayesha and Johny decide to kidnap Chunkey.

Sunny Deol has an altercation with Vivek’s fighter. Zakir asks Vivek to bring Sunny for the big fight. Sunny knocks down Zakir’s fighter. Zakir is seething with anger. In the meanwhile, Arbaaz walks away with the diamond. Subsequently, Zakir walks in and demands the diamond from Paresh and gang. Gulshan and Asrani also land up at Paresh’s place with Jackie Shroff and ask for the diamond.

FOOL & FINAL is meant to be a laughathon, but it excites in bits and spurts. The first half offers rich visuals and a few interesting gags, but the entertainment quotient isn’t high enough. It’s only when Johny Lever enters the frame that things intensify. The sequence in the car, with Ayesha’s dog swallowing the mobile, is hilarious and every time Paresh and Johny interact with one another, the smile on your face only widens.

But too many cooks spoil the broth. In this case, with so many characters around and so many stories running concurrently, the writer duo hasn’t been able to do justice to each of them. As a result, the viewer feels dejected because every sub-plot isn’t as interesting as the Paresh – Johny track.

Director Ahmed Khan tries to pack just about everything in those 2.20 hours. His fundas may be, let’s give the viewer a dash of everything that they expect from a masala movie. It’s like offering twenty well-garnished dishes to a foodie, but [a] most of the dishes [read, sub-plots] aren’t delicious and [b] the appetite doesn’t permit you to relish each and every dish in your plate.

Himesh Reshammiya’s music is in sync with the mood of the film. ‘Yeh Dooriyaan’ and ‘Tere Layee’ are visually enticing as well as superb in terms of choreography. Cinematography [Johny Lal] is excellent. The D.O.P. does complete justice to the eye-filling, glamorous locales of Dubai. Dialogues are witty at places.

FOOL & FINAL has a host of actors, but the ones who stand out are Johny Lever and Paresh Rawal. No two opinions on that! Johny is in form after a long, long time and the funster is the soul of the enterprise. The masses will simply love him. Paresh is excellent yet again and together with Johny, elevates the film to a major extent.

Shahid Kapoor is noticeable because he’s with Johny and Paresh all through. Even otherwise, he leaves a strong mark in dances. Ayesha Takia pairs off well with Shahid, but doesn’t have much to do really. Sunny Deol is okay, although his mukka will be liked by the hoi polloi. Vivek Oberoi hams in the little role that he has.

Sameera Reddy has no role either. Sharmila Tagore is wasted. Om Puri deserved a better deal. Jackie Shroff is hardly there. Chunky Pandey is passable. Ditto for Arbaaz Khan. Zakir Hussain does well. Gulshan Grover, Asrani, Vijay Raaz, Razzak Khan and Suresh Menon are mere gap fillers.

On the whole, FOOL & FINAL is all gloss, no substance. At the box -office, given the hype for the film as also the fantabulous promotion embarked by the magnanimous producer [Firoz A. Nadiadwala], the film will attract footfalls in the initial days, but the weak content will tell on the business in the initial weekend itself. Its sustaining power at the ticket window, therefore, is doubtful.

BollywoodEntertainment.com.au Rating: 2

Write your own review on this movie! Comment Below!

Director Jahnu Baruah (of Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara fame) is launching his next project ‘Har Pal’ which will bring together the pair of Shiney Ahuja and Preity Zinta for the first time. The film will be shot in the homeground of the director – Shillong.Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja will be part of the 20 day Shillong shoot. Apart from the North Eastern hill station, the film will also be shot in Mumbai and Kolkata. Actress Dipannita Sharma and Big B will also make an appearance in the film.

Both these new comers made their debut recently with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saanwariya’ (Ranbir Kapoor) and SRK’s ‘Om Shanti Om’ (Deepika Padukone) and both of them were under contracts until the release of their debut films. But their mentors are far too generous as they don’t want to bind their talents.So, both of them will be seen romancing in Siddharth Anand’s next film under the banner of Yash Raj Films, which will also have Bipasha Basu opposite Ranbir Kapoor.

Geeta Basra’s forthcoming flick, ‘The Train’ is complete and ready for release but the lady is upset that the producer and director are not showing her the film. Inside sources say that Miss Basra has quite a few hot scenes in the film and the producer is worried that she may create objections and problems if she sees them on screen. However they deny this and explain that there are some post-production jobs to be done and the film will be shown to her as soon as the jobs are finished.

Aparna Sen’s forthcoming flick ‘The Japanese Wife’ is being made in three Languages – Bengali, English and Japanese. The film stars a Japanese actress Chigas Takaku along with Rahul Bose and Raima Sen. The film is based on the love story of a school teacher in Sundarbans and a Japanese girl. Raima plays the role of a maid-servant in the movie who is a widow and also has an eight-year old son. However, Raima says that this will be her last movie as a character artist. She will not accept any more side roles.

The cold war between the reigning Khans of Bollywood is more than obvious. This was again noted when Deepika Padukone, the model-turned-actress who is pairing opposite Shahrukh Khan in his home production ‘Om Shanti Om’ was approached by Boney Kapoor for his new venture. Apparently, the gal’s manager called up Boney to inform him that Deepika was not interested in his project. Inside sources say that the reason behind Deepika refusing the project was the presence of Salman Khan in the project. Now, Boney has signed two new faces for his movie. However, Deepika denies this and says that she refused the movie because of date problems.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMTill the ‘multiplex culture’ came to India, a majority of Hindi movies packed multiple stories in those three hours. The stories were connected to one another and would culminate into one climax. But, of late, diverse stories are packed in those two hours. These stories run parallel, but have one common end.

In 2007 itself, SALAAM-E-ISHQ and HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. tackled six stories at one go. Director Milan Luthria treads a similar path as he handles three parallel stories in HATTRICK, using cricket as the setting.

HATTRICK is pretty much like the sensex. The graph of the film is erratic. It goes up and down at regular intervals. There are interesting moments in the film, especially in the first hour, but the film stagnates just when you think everything is going fine.

The dilemma of the characters is well depicted. Nana’s khadus nature [no smile, no emotion, he’s completely detached from the simple pleasures of life], Danny’s cricket addiction [it’s cricket and only cricket for him], Kunal and Rimi’s rocky relationship [since the wife is attracted to cricketer Dhoni] and Paresh Rawal’s stubborn attitude [dreams of acquiring the British citizenship] seems straight out of life. All this is fine till the intermission card flashes on screen.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMSummer has set in, but it’s frosty at the Indian box-office. The ratio of flops continues to escalate. Last week, NISHABD and NEHLLE PE DEHLLA and this week, RED – THE DARK SIDE, 1971, WATER and SARHAD PAAR have only made the industry poorer by a few crores.

Let’s get to the root cause right away. Why has business touched rock-bottom? Is cricket [World Cup] responsible for the chaotic scenario? Or has the examination period made a dent in film business? Are multiple releases week after week stepping onto each other’s toes?

Exactly one month ago, I had raised a pertinent issue vis-à-vis the spate of releases in the coming weeks. Over a period of time, I dissuaded some producers, in a subtle way, against clashing with one another. No one stands to benefit with clashes, but will we ever learn from our mistakes?

Most producers feel that their film is SHOLAY, while the rest are chhole. It’s the other producer who needs to fear. But I have hardcore numbers to prove that most clashes have only resulted in crashes.

By Prasun Sonwalkar, Indo-Asian News ServiceLondon, March 17 (IANS) After steel and IT, Indian companies are also emerging as major players in the field of post-production and visual effects in Britain, catering to Indian filmmakers shooting in Britain and to Western movie firms.

Britain’s engagement with the Indian film industry is on several fronts: regional authorities offering tax incentives and local facilities, sylvan locations for shooting, and providing a developed pool of local manpower.

Indian films too have woven diaspora themes in storylines, which enhance their marketability among the large Indian population outside the country.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What do you think of this movie trailer? Comment below …

Priyanka Chopra is proving to be quite a replacement specialist. After taking over from Aishwarya Rai in ‘Bluff Master’, Kareena Kapoor in ‘Love Story 2050’ and Urmila Matondkar in ‘Chamki Chameli’, we now hear that Chopra has usurped Sushmita Sen’s position as international brand ambassador of luxury watch giant Tag Heuer to join the league of stars like Uma Thurman, Brad Pitt and Shah Rukh Khan. We guess Sen’s rocky turn in ‘Zindaggi Rocks’ sank her boat, while Chopra’s sexy ‘Don’ stint sealed the deal. Here’s something to watch out for.

Bachchans, Bachchans and Bachchans in news…… Now it is that Ram Gopal Verma has finally succeeded in roping in Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek And Amitabh Bachchan for his sequel to “Sarkar”.

By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceMumbai, March 14 (IANS) The Shilpa Shetty factor seems to be spreading itself far and wide and the actress’ two ready-for-release films, “Apne” and “Metro”, are getting extra attention because of her new found fame.

Shilpa, who gained popularity after winning British reality show “Celebrity Big Brother,” recalls with a pleasurable laugh: “Anil Sharma (director) was in a Canadian airport when he saw me on BBC. Somebody asked him if he knew Shilpa Shetty. He proudly said I was his heroine in ‘Apne’.”

“I’m so glad my two ready-for-release films are getting extra attention because of me. I’m very happy my next release ‘Metro’ projects contemporary Indian relationships. Out West they’re so used to seeing an oddity from the back of the beyond. It’s a welcome change,” Shilpa told IANS.

When asked to recall her single-most memorable experience, she said: “There have been so many memorable experiences. But the most emotional experience was when I came out of the ‘Big Brother’ house. They wouldn’t let me meet my family until I did my first live interview. That’s when I saw my mother for the first time in 25 days. It was a truly overpowering moment. God has been very kind.”

By Arun Kumar, Indo-Asian News ServiceWashington, March 12 (IANS) With Bollywood slowly but surely crossing the ethnic borders in North America, Hollywood is looking eastward to make Indian language films, according to a man scripting this success story.

“We believe major studios here are looking at tie-ups with Bollywood for co-producing Indian language films,” said Ronnie Screwvala, executive producer of Mira Nair’s “The Namesake”, which opened in the US with a string of positive reviews in the mainline media.

Released worldwide Friday with 1,150 prints and a budget of $8 million jointly invested by Screwvala’s production house UTV and America’s Fox Searchlight, it’s “India’s first truly crossover movie”, Screwvala told IANS in a telephonic interview from Los Angeles. The prints and marketing would cost another $10 million.

“We have been exchanging scripts and ideas ever since the tie-up for mainline releases,” said the UTV CEO.

UTV and Fox Searchlight will have another mainline global release on March 16 of a co-production, “I Think I Love My Wife” (ITILMW), with a budget of $14 million.

Directed and enacted by America’s number one comedy icon, Chris Rock, it will be released in the US with over 1,800 prints and then worldwide between April and June with another 1,200 prints. The marketing and prints budget in this case is $20 million.

In a little less than a year, UTV has forged alliances with three of the top five media majors in the world – Fox, Sony and Disney – as part of a strategy to achieve mainline participation in global cinema.

Over the next 12 months, two of its co-productions with Sony will roll out worldwide. Both films star Will Smith, whose last film “The Pursuit of Happyness” has grossed a strong $280 million worldwide and is still counting. With Disney, UTV is equity partner in movies, animation and broadcasting.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMNever judge a book by its cover. That holds true for films as well. A stylish promo or a fascinating billboard could raise your expectations and compel you to rush to a nearby movieplex to watch the film. But, alas! All that glitters is not gold.

RED – THE DARK SIDE has generated tremendous hype over the weeks due to its eye-catching promotional teasers. Unfortunately, watching the film is akin to flying in an aircraft that’s run out of fuel midway. It starts off well, you are hooked to the goings-on, the game begins… But the fizz settles down sooner than expected.

What’s wrong with RED – THE DARK SIDE? Plenty of things! Most importantly, the writing [story-screenplay: Manoj Tyagi] is outright tacky. It vacillates between komsi-komsa to amateurish to confused.

But the reason why RED – THE DARK SIDE falls like a pack of cards is because you know that the lady is playing games. You know that she has a hidden agenda. You know that she’s out to use Mr. Millionaire. You realize all this because you’ve witnessed similar themes in the past.

So when the cat is out of the bag, you aren’t shocked. On the contrary, you break into a big yawn. Also, the way the writer rushes up things — demystifying the shadyantra — you wonder if he knows the basics of screenplay writing. The climax is the lifeline of any thriller, but in RED – THE DARK SIDE, the culmination to the story acts as a spoilsport.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMTake a bow, Deepa Mehta.

Deepa Mehta’s body of work includes several noteworthy films, notable among them being EARTH and FIRE. But she reaches the pinnacle with WATER, her most accomplished work so far. Okay, WATER didn’t really win the coveted Academy Award, but film aficionados have given their mandate, showering it with accolades. That, to put it bluntly, is a far bigger achievement than winning the coveted statuette.

In the past, reputed names such as Shakti Samanta [KATI PATANG, ARADHANA], Yash Chopra [DAAG], Ramesh Sippy [SHOLAY], Raj Kapoor [PREM ROG], Rituparno Ghosh [CHOKHER BALI] and Ravi Chopra [BAABUL] depicted the plight of widows. Sometime back, SHWET – WHITE RAINBOW [Sonali Kulkarni] also revolved around widows and their journey to overcome the societal stigma.

WATER is an exquisite drama that works because it encompasses so much in those 2 hours — life, laughter, tenderness and tragedy. Despite its simplistic plotline, it manages to stir your soul, grip your heart and transport you to an era which many of us haven’t experienced. Also, not once does the film meander into sub-plots or take you away from the core issue. At the same time, it’s not preachy, nor does it get melodramatic.

To sum up, WATER is a remarkable piece of cinema. It’s a must-see for all those who appreciate qualitative and refined cinema. Without doubt, the final chapter in Deepa Mehta’s trilogy [FIRE, EARTH] is her best!

By IndiaFM News BureauAKSHAY KUMAR as ARJUN

Akshay Kumar is Arjun, whose joy knows no bounds when he marries the beautiful and sophisticated Jazz. But the joy soon turns to despair when he realizes this marriage means nothing to her and she is determined to marry her British boyfriend. As a man who is forced to watch his wife romancing another, as the determined lover who will go to any lengths to make his beloved happy, Akshay’s sensitive but strong; helpless but determined Arjun will win everybody’s hearts. Will stubborn Jazz be the exception?

By IndiaFM News BureauThe subject of ‘Apne’ is born out of the most important aspect of Indian life – Family. Indian men have time and again sacrificed their dreams of winning the world over to keep their families intact.

An ex-boxer Baldev Choudhary (Dharmendra) has had a stain in his boxing career. He wanted to wash it with his son Angad’s (Sunny Deol) success, but times were hard and a financial crunch kept him from achieving this dream. Though Angad pulled through fine, Baldev never forgot who ruined his chance to wash the stain.

An opportunity strikes Baldev in the form of a T.V. Show. He trains a local boy to get into this media hyped boxing show, but is ditched for a better coach at the last minute. Baldev’s younger son Karan (Bobby Deol) has just launched his first music album. Realizing his father is in crises of his life, he gives up his dream of a musical career to get into the game of boxing.

Karan works hard and wins all through thinking that his victory will bring the two pillars of his family together. After winning within the nation, he wins all over the world. The final match is with the current world heavy champion. The match goes fine, but Karan is tricked and he ends up paralyzed in a hospital bed.

Baldev, who wanted to wash a stigma is now about to loose his son. He feels like killing himself. Angad steps in to turn the game upside down and bring his father the happiness of a lifetime.

By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceFilm: “Eklavya: The Royal Guard”; Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Sharmila Tagore, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Jimmy Shergil; Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra; Rating: ** 1/2

Can form, no matter how glorious, be a substitute for content? In “Eklavya”, lack of content isn’t a problem. It’s the tense and dark nature of the content that proves to be a dismaying impediment to enjoying the virility of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s storytelling.

How do we define the plot of “Eklavya”? It partly borrows the dark, indefinable pathos of Shakespeare’s tragedy and partly reverts to the palatial pathos of the Mughal Empire where patricide frequently collided with complex Oedipal equations. “Eklavya” takes us into a territory totally unexplored and designed to create an ethos of infinite resonances.

The much awaited and controversial ‘Nishabd’ portraying the love of a 60 year old man (Amitabh Bachchan) and an 18-year-old girl (Jiah Khan) was released last week. The box office collections are not soaring, but the fire of protest claiming the movie to be a charge on Indian culture, seems to be engulfing the nation.

Hema Malini is angry with Rituparno Ghosh because the director offered a miniscule role to Esha Deol in his film ‘The last Lear’.

Mallika Sherawat had to shoot a song at different locations in US for Kamal Hassan’s film ‘Dasavatharam’. The entire crew reached there but Mallika could not make it because her Visa had expired. So, Kamal finally had to shoot the song in Malaysia. The cost of shifting the entire crew and location to Malaysia added approx. Rs.2 crore to the budget of the already expensive film.

‘Dasavatharam’ stars Kamal Hassan and Mallika Sherwat in lead roles. Mallika plays a CIA agent in the film. Kamal has roped in Himesh Reshammiya for the musical scores of the film.

Neelam, Upen Patel, Geeta Basra, Katrina Kaif, Jiah Khan…….the list goes on for the number of actors born and brought up abroad, but trying their hand at Bollywood. What attracts them to Bollywood? Everyone has a different answer.

Celina Jaitley, the sensuous actress, after some great ribtickling comedies is opting for more mature and serious performances. Yes this damsel, who will next be seen in Red, plays a widow in the film. Celina tell us, “I really wanted to do such roles where I can showcase my calibre. I play this sensuous widow who is a loner.”

Recently Celina Jaitley enjoyed playing holi at Juhu Hotel, Mumbai.

Ashmit Patel is busy shooting these days for a period film titled ‘The Flag’. The movie is being directed by Sajiv Balath, who has made several documentaries in the past.

To go topless or not is the dilemma model Mugdha Godse is facing.

When this little girl from Galle, Sri Lanka, landed a leading role in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water’, little did she know that she’d soon be headed for Oscars. Jayanti Sarala, who plays the role of child widow Chuiya, was hand picked by filmmaker Mehta, who calls her find ‘a natural actor’. Surprisingly, the student of Galle Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya dosen’t speak either Hindi or English and worked diligently with a translator on the sets. She has created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to make it to Hollywood.

The Bachchan family (sans Aishwarya) is to sizzle on screen together in Shoojit Sircar’s upcoming film ‘Johnny Walker’. The film will be a joint venture between Amitabh’s AB Corps and Percept Picture Company. The movie has been written by Renzil D Silva who wrote ‘Rang De Basanti’. The director is Shoojit Sircar who has ‘Yahaan’ (with Jimmy Shergill and Minnisha Lamba) to his credit.

Bollywood’s Bong beauty Raima Sen says she that her much speculated relationship with actor Kunal Kapoor was over almost a year back. Now she is very much single, and though her work keeps her busy, there are some days when she feels lonely and she wishes for someone who could be in a close relationship.

Presently, Raima is busy with Mira Nair’s short film on AIDS called ‘Migration’. The film has Raima playing a village girl. Shiney Ahuja has been cast opposite Raima. The film is written by Farhan Akhtar’s sister Zoya Akhtar and other stars include Irrfan Khan, Sameera Reddy and Vijay Raaz.

Rakesh Mehra’s ’Delhi-6’ is witnessing stars parading in and out of the film. First, Mehra signed Abhishek Bachchan for the lead role. Then, Hrithik Roshan replaced him. Now, Hrithik has left the film and Akshay Kumar has taken his place.

John Abraham is all set to fly to London to on February 13 to shoot for the UTV movie ‘Goal’. The film is based on the game of football and is to be directed by Vivek Agnihotri . John Abraham, Bipasha Basu and Arshad Warsi play main roles in the movie, which is to be shot entirely in England. The stars have received their football training from the former English premier league striker Andy Ansah.

Priyanka Chopra plays a double role for the first time in producer-director Harry Baweja’s ‘Love Story 2050’. The actress was offered the role when Kareena Kapoor walked out of the film and she was quick in grabbing the offer.

He’s literally playing his real self in this one. Saif Ali Khan, son of the Nawab of Pataudi, is playing a prince in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya. But what Saif is excited about is that he’s working with none other than Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in his career. Apparently, Saif and Bachchan were offered roles together earlier, but things didn’t work out. Says Saif,”Most people have the hoghest regard for Mr Bachchan and would love to work with him. I think it’s because of him that a lot of us in this generation were inspired to join films. It was a magical moment when we did our scenes together and he gave very valuable suggestions which enhanced my performance.” Now we’re sure Saif will turn out a princely performance indeed!

She’s has already signed on the dotted line for a number of films, but Tulip Joshi is making sure that she doesn’t talk about them right now. After she received good reviews for her performance in Matrabhumim the actress has signed a multiple film deal with Sanjay Gupta, then Mera Bharat Mahan which is to be directed by Sameer Karnik, and a film with Ramgopal Verma’s bleu-eyed boy Mohit Ahlawat, but all she will say is, “I’m very superstitious when it comes to films. I will speak when the time is ripe.” Maybe the girl needs to learn a thing or two when it comes to publicity…Now where have all those ’smart’ linkup people disappeared to?

Ajay Devgan will appear with his lovely wife Kajol in ‘Main Tum Aur Hum’. The movie will be produced by Ajay’s home Production. Not only this, Ajay will also don the director’s cap for the movie.

Yes, it is the same Emraan who vowed to stay away from kissing and steamy scenes post marriage. Emraan was seen giving hot-hot scenes with Geeta Basra on the sets of ‘The Train’. Apparantly. Geeta was also heard complaining of things getting unnecessarily too hot on the sets. Well, Geeta you should have thought this before signing a film with Imraan.

As for our serial kisser, his fan following remains the same even after his marriage. We got the proof from the huge crowd of fans who gathered in Jodhpur to see Emraan shoot for his film ‘Awaarapan’.

Much stir was created on the Hrithik-Aishwarya lip-lock in Dhoom 2. Now get a load of this. Aftab Shivdasani has a red hot lip-lock with Celina Jaitley in Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Red’. Apparently, Aftab even stopped Yana Gupta, whom he has been dating lately, from visiting the sets the day the scene was shot.

Priyanka Chopra is presently in Bikaner on a one month schedule for the shooting of her film ‘Drona’. It is a fantasy film just like some comic book. Priyanka has taken Special training of Sikh Marshal art ‘Gataka’ for this film.

Priyanka says, “I am in a beautiful place now, near a desert and far away from the world……”. And what does Priyanka do after her shooting is over? “I eat lots of ‘Gazaks’. I love them”.

Our iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan is all thanks to his turban for saving his life after he was kicked on the head by a camel while shooting for the film, ‘Eklavya’.

Remember the sensuous lady who stole away every male’s heart with her Baby Doll music video! Yes, it is the same Deepal Shaw who is now going to be seen in a triple role in director Navneet Baj Saini’s film. Her co-stars in the movie are Irrfan Khan, Lucky Ali, Ranvir Shorey and Nausheen Ali Sardar. The movie is a modern, practical love story, shot in Bangkok.

This is Deepal’s second project in Bollywood, the first being ‘Kalyug’. With this, Deepal Shaw will be the first Bollywood actress to perform a triple-role in a film. So, her fans will get enough of Deepal in the film!

Kamal Sadanah was in dilemma when Amrita Arora opted out of the film after the shooting had already begun. Then, Anupam Kher recommended a new face for the character of Saira Banu and it was none other than Sonia Mehra, daughter of Late Vinod Mehra and Kiran Mehra. Brought up in Kenya, Sonia started her acting training around the age of nine in London Academy of Music and Arts and started learning dance since the age of four. She has also done Anupam Kher’s acting classes.

Watch any shooting in progress and you will see how an actor rushes to the television monitor immediately after a shot to check how the last scene has gone. But Koena Mitra never ever does that. The lady just chills out or prepares for her next scene after a take. And this is not because of over-confidence. Apparently, Koena mitra admits that the moment she sees herself on screen she gets critical and begins to create ‘problems’ for herself. She says that she prefers to go by whatever the director feels about a scene and waits for his opinion, after all who better to judge than the man in command himself. Now that’s logic that can’t be beaten.

It’s intesting how Vidya Balan finds herself on the opposite side many times – being the reporter (as in Salaam-e-ishq) or the radio jockey like in Lage Raho Munnabhai. But the lady seems to be enjoying her stint neverthless. “The journey has been exciting. The character is so much more than the job it performs. So even though I have been a journalist in two of the three films that have released, the character is far more complex than that. But yes, I have enjoyed each of my roles. They have given me tremendous job satisfaction at the end of the day.” So, what next – a print journalist, perhaps?

21 yrs old, beautiful Katrina Kaif started her career with ‘Boom’ which bombed on the box office. She then did movies like ‘Sarkar’, ‘Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya’ and ‘Humko Deewana Kar Gaye’ which got her some recognition.

]]>

When being short-listed for the nominations of the Best Foreign Film India’s official entry Rang De Basanti lost out in the Oscar Race. Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra has directed the film and the movie gained great critical acclamation and commercial success both within and out of India. Rang de Basanti has been stared by Aamir Khan, Atul Kulkarni and Soha Ali Khan. However there’s some good news too for the Indian’s to cheer since Canada’s official entry Water directed by Deepa Mehta of Indian origin has been selected among the shortlist of nine films.

Indo-Asian News ServiceMumbai, (IANS) Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan was adjudged best actor for his superhero act in “Krrish” while Kareena Kapoor bagged the best actress for her role in “Omkara” at the Hero Honda Star Screen Awards here.

Raj Kumar Hirani’s “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” won the best film trophy Saturday night at the 13th annual Star Screen Awards nite while Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra walked away with the best director award for “Rang De Basanti”.

Funny man Arshad Warsi won the best supporting actor award for playing Circuit in “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” and Kirron Kher received best supporting actress female trophy for her powerful performance in “Rang De Basanti”.

Arshad later told a TV channel that he had been pretty unlucky with awards so far but is extremely happy about getting the trophy. He thanked Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan and their company ABCL for giving him his first break as an actor in “Tere Mere Sapne”.

Saif Ali Khan bagged the best actor in negative role award for playing Langda Tyagi in “Omkara” and Shreyas Talpade the best comic actor award for “Dor”.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMSometimes, interesting concepts evaporate into thin air thanks to inept writing. That’s one of the prime reasons why KUDIYON KA HAI ZAMAANA suffers!

The premise — borrowed from the popular TV series SEX AND THE CITY — can easily be redesigned into an interesting cinematic experience, but the writing is so excruciatingly weak that you want to ask debutante writer-director Amar Butala, Yeh kya ho raha hain?

Sure, KUDIYON KA HAI ZAMAANA boasts of some entertaining moments, but the lows outnumber the highs in those 16 reels. The writing lacks the power to keep your attention arrested, to put it bluntly.

Director Amar Butala could’ve explored newer horizons with a chick flick. Unfortunately, what comes across is neither inventive nor engaging. A terrible waste of a terrific opportunity!

KUDIYON KA HAI ZAMAANA revolves around four friends — Mayuri [Rekha], Natasha [Vasundhara Das], Kanika [Kim Sharma] and Anjali [Mahima Chaudhary]. Even though they aren’t of the same age, they have grown to be the best of friends. They keep meeting at a beauty salon where they go to pamper themselves. In between the facials, manicures and pedicures, they have become the best of friends.

Anjali is the cause of much envy for the remaining three. Carefree and fancy-free, Anjali dates men all the time and has a lot of fun. Another habit of Anjali that really annoys her friends is that she always bets with them, on almost anything and everything under the sun. And she always wins! The three want to beat her just once.

Anjali had once bet that she would never marry till she’s 25 and so Mayuri, Natasha and Kanika decide to find a man for her and win this one bet. But things go topsy-turvy when each of them decide to outdo the other and find a man for Anjali. Meanwhile, Anjali meets Amar [Ashmit Patel] and falls in love with him.

Anjali now has not one, two but four men wooing her. A dramatic confrontation tears the friends apart when Anjali realizes the game plan.

With an innovative concept on hand, debutante director Amar Butala could’ve worked wonders by balancing the hilarious and emotional moments beautifully. Sadly, barring a handful of scenes, neither do the light moments evoke mirth nor do the emotional moments make you moist eyed or tug at your heart strings.

The light moments are far from funny. Right from the start — the three ladies [Rekha, Kim, Vasundhara] zeroing on guys of their choice [Sanjit Bedi, Nikhil Chinappa and Ashwin Mushran, respectively] and the method adopted by the three bachelors to woo Mahima — looks completely farcical. If the intention was to make you laugh, sorry, it doesn’t!

The second hour goes on an altogether different track. Ideally, the film should’ve ended when Rekha realizes her folly and sorts out the problems. Instead, the narrative starts focusing on Rekha’s failed relationship with her fourth husband [Sachin Khedekar] and what follows is one lengthy scene and an unwanted ‘Din Dhal Jaye’ song [rendered by Rekha herself], which adds to the boredom.

Even the surrogate advertising [Lays Wafers] is crudely handled. Whether Vasundhara is having her pedicure done in a beauty parlour or having dinner with Mahima in a restaurant or being rushed to a maternity home [she's pregnant], she seems to be clutching on to the wafer packet all the while, holding the wafer packet right into the camera. Irritates big time!

Climax too is weak. In fact, Ashmit’s idea of bringing in the baraat at the dot of 12 so that Mahima wins the bet is very filmy.

Amar Butala’s direction is passable, but it’s the writing that spoils the show. Iqbal Darbar and Yasin Darbar’s music is truly melodious. Besides the catchy title track, the two romantic songs [Ashmit-Mahima] are easy on your ears. A.K.N. Sebastian’s cinematography is inconsistent. Dialogues are witty and at times, saucy and spicy. But why this generous dose of English at several places?

Rekha does an okay job, but goes over the top in the second hour. Mahima Chaudhary’s outfits are only getting skimpier and outrageous with each passing year. Dressed in skimpy outfits and indulging in a passionate lip-to-lip kiss with Ashmit is what you remember most of Mahima in this flick. Kim Sharma needs to take lessons in acting. Vasundhara Das is equally wooden.

Ashmit Patel is strictly functional. Sachin Khedekar is natural. Nikhil Chinappa, Gaurav Kapoor, Sanjit Bedi, Kabir Sadanand and Ashwin Mushran are mere gap fillers. Upasana Singh screams her lungs out in the lone hospital scene.

On the whole, KUDIYON KA HAI ZAMAANA is a poor show with a lame script as its main handicap. At the box-office, this one’s a non-starter!

BollywoodEntertainment.com.au Rating: 1

Source:

Subhash K Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceMumbai, (IANS) Those who have seen her playing a smouldering diva in “Aitraaz” and “Don” would be pretty surprised by Priyanka Chopra’s funny act as a wannabe desperately chasing success in “Salaam-e-Ishq”.

“I play this wannabe, an item girl, who just wants to become successful so desperately. My character is a funny, sassy, saucy screwball. And yes, I had loads of fun doing the role. It’s an ensemble cast. But I’d like to believe my track with Salman Khan is special,” Priyanka told IANS.

Ohter than Priyanka-Salman, five more couples — John Abraham-Vidya Balan, Anil Kapoor-Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna-Ayesha Takia, Sohail Khan-Esha Deol and Govinda-Shannon Esrechowitz — feature in Nikhil Advani’s second film.

Priyanka teams up with Salman once again in her other early 2007 release “God, Tussi Great Ho”.

“It is another comedy. And yes, Amitabh Bachchan plays god! I guess it’s time for me to let my hair down and enjoy myself. It’s writer Rumi Jaffrey’s debut film as a director.”

Indo-Asian News ServiceNew Delhi, (IANS) Actor Abhishek Bachchan hopes his upcoming film “Guru” will be his best ever and says ace director Mani Ratnam is truly inspiring.

“Mani Ratnam always inspires you not only by his work but also the kind of work he takes out of you. I was not confident when he offered me Lallan Singh’s role in ‘Yuva’ but I will always respect Mani for having confidence in me – which I didn’t have in myself at that time,” Abhishek said at a press conference here Sunday.

Asked which film he rated as his best, Abhishek said none of them could fit the bill.

“I hope Guru does that. It was challenging to play the journey of a man which starts at age 15 and goes on till 70,” he remarked.

Ratnam, who was also present at the conference, said essaying the role of ‘Guru’ was a big responsibility.

Quizzed about Abhishek’s growth as an actor, Ratnam replied: “You don’t make an actor. An actor is there … you just have to give him the opportunity and chance to show his skill. He always has the capability. ‘Guru’ is a huge role and it is a huge responsibility as well and Abhishek is okay in the film.”

Po

By Subhash K Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, (IANS) Laying to rest rumours of Ranvir Shorey’s rift with Konkona Sen Sharma, the two will be seen together in cinematographer Anil Mehta’s directorial debut, designed as the former Bollywood queen Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film.

Ranvir and Konkona, who were in Rajat Kapoor’s “Mixed Doubles”, will be seen as a part of Madhuri’s theatre group while Anupam Kher has been penciled in to play Madhuri’s mentor. Apparently, Kunal Kapoor has also been approached to play a role.

“Madhuri has a dream role,” a member of the film’s crew told IANS. “It’s her story all the way. All the other actors are important but supportive. Madhuri plays a theatre actress. It’s her character’s 10-year-old journey that forms the film’s crux.”

Although Madhuri had played a member of a dance troupe in Yash Raj Films’ super hit “Dil To Paagal Hai”, she has never played a role of a theatre actress before. In fact, Anil Mehta’s film would be the first since Gulzar’s unreleased “Libaas” to be set in the theatre world.

By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceMumbai, (IANS) Top directors and actors choose their five favourite films of 2006.

1. Kalpana Lajmi: Lajmi, who directed Sushmita Sen starrer “Chingaari”, picks up “Dor”, “Rang De Basanti”, “Being Cyrus”, “Omkara” and “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” as her favourite five films.

2.Sanjay Gupta: Gupta’s list include “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”, “Omkara”, “Rang De Basanti”, “Dor” and “Khosla Ka Ghosla”.

3. Rakeysh Mehra: The filmmaker liked “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”, “Volver”, “Krrish” and “The Departed”. “And if I’m allowed my own movie, then ‘Krrish’ would be replaced by ‘Rang De Basanti’”, said Mehra.

4. Shabana Azmi: The veteran actress’ five favourites are – “Rang De Basanti”, “Omkara”, “Dor”, “Krissh” and “Don” (not necessarily in that order).

5. Saajid Khan: TV host-turned director Khan’s choicest films of the year are – “Casino Royale”, “Rang De Basanti”, “Jaan-e-Mann”, “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” and “World Trade Centre”.

At the hush-hish screening of Maniratnam’s Guru, only the cooing lead couple, Abhishek-Aishwarya and a few chosen ones like Vidya Balan ( solo, she was told, not even parents allowed) were invited. Mithun Chakraborty, who has a significant role in the movie, was not invited to see the film.

They say two actresses can not be friends, but we often come across pleasant contradictions. At a special screening of a film recently, we were delighted to see Aishwarya Rai and Vidya balan, hitting off like a house on fire. When the film came to an end, everyone at t he screening slowly drifted off, but these two were so engrossed talking to each other that they just couldn’t stop talking nineteen-to-the-dozen and eating chocolates. And they seemed to be enjoying each other’s company so much that they almost lost track of time. Seems like giving acting tips to each other. Must say, this looks like the begining of a memorable firendhip alright!

Ayesha Takia is going to play her first double role in the movie ‘No Smoking’. In one role, she plays John Abraham’s wife and in the other one, she plays the role of a secretary. Before Ayesha, the role had been offered to Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan. Ayesha is very excited about the role and feels that this role will prove her acting skills. About the director Anurag Kashyap, she says, ‘He is a very talented director. I am lucky that I have got a chance to work with him’.

Bipasha Basu will perform a number with sex workers for an event organized by Family Health International (FHI). The event is called ‘Atmavishwas’ which has been organized to bring awareness against HIV and AIDS. This event will be supported by the Heroes project Avahan and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Bips was seen rehearsalling with the sex workers on January 10.

Urmila Matondkar, Mandira Bedi, Shaan, Shveta Salve and Indian Idols Abhijeet Sawant, Rahul Vaidya, Aditi Paul and Amit Sana will also present for the event.

Mohit Alawat has been replaced from Ramu’s Sholay and Nisha Kothari will definitely miss playing Mohit’s Bhabhi. Mohit was earlier finalized for Jay’s role. Nisha says, “I had started my career with Mohit in ‘James’. We have done two films together- James and Shiva. And most importantly I had done my first film with Mohit. So it is but natural I will miss him in the movie. But this is life. You cannot have something permanently”.

Mohit is not the first star to be replaced. Ramu’s Sholay has been constantly shuffling stars. However, one star is permanent and fixed in the movie and it is Nisha Kothari, who is playing Hema Malini’s role. Nisha plays ‘Ghunghroo’ in the movie, who she drives an auto rickshaw instead of Hema’s tonga.

People hardly know that Shiney Ahuza had started his career with a small role in the film ‘Sins’. Shiney is known better for his fabulous performances in ‘Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi’, ‘Gangster’ and ‘Woh Lamhe’. However Shiny says that this is just his beginning. He is planning to rock Bollywood with his forthcoming films. Shiney is doing a movie with Priyadarshan co-starring Vidya Balan. He is also doing Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan’ and director Anurag Basu’s ‘Metro’. He has signed for three more films.

Besides acting, Shiney is interested in sports and participates actively in cricket, football and volley ball. So, that is Shiny’s health tip for a fit and sexy body.

Like so many of our stars, Arjun Rampal too couldn’t resist the temptation of becoming a film producer. Unfortunately, Arjun;s maiden venture ‘I See You’ couldn’t taste success. Arjun did the smartest thing by keeping his budget in control. As a result, even though the distributors shed tears, Rampal himself hasn’t lost money in the enterprise.

Let it be known that almost all the stars who have tried their hand at producing have burnt their fingers. Be it Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’ or Ajay Devgan’s ‘Raju Chacha’, Suniel Shetty’s “Rakth’ and ‘Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav’ or Anil Kapoor’s “Badhai Ho Badhai. And last, but not the least in the list is Jackie Shroff’s ‘Grahan’ and ‘Boom’. So Bollywood, its all about Hit Actors ‘n’ Flop Producers!!

Gossip columns repeatedly talk about Ayesha and Farhan Azmi’s romance, but Ayesha considers Farhan just a friend, of course, the closest of all her friends. She says, ‘Farhan is just 23 years old and I am 20. So, we are too young to talk of marriage. I have a lot of work at present. So, marriage is far down the list”.

At present Ayesha is doing Balaji’s ‘Soch Na Tha’ directed by Satish Kaushik. She has ‘Geet’ with Bobby Deol which is being directed by Imtiaz Ali. She is doing Feroz Nadiawala’s ‘Full and Final’ with Shahid Kapoor. Also coming is her ‘Salaam-e-ishq’ directed by Nikhil Advani. She has at least half a dozen films on the floor.

Hailing from Bengal, Konkona started her career with ‘Mr. and Mrs. Iyer’. Then she did not look back and her films, ‘Page 3’, ‘ Chai Pani ETC’, ’15 Park Avenue’, ‘Mixed Doubles’, ‘Yun Hota To Kya Hota’, ‘Omkara’ and ‘Deadline’ established her in Bollywood as an actress with the genre of Smita Patil and likes.

However, Konkona says that she had not thought about acting seriously as she always wanted to be a playback singer and loved singing Late Sachin Dev Burman’s songs. Now, Konkona gets to display her singing talents. She has sung a song written by Prasun Joshi in her forthcoming film ‘Sunglass’. She hopes the audiences accept her in this role too.

After playing villain for a decade, Bollywood’s favourite veteran actor Gulshan Grover is gearing up to play of bollywood’s most beautiful actresses, Aishwarya Rai in Provoked. But not physically – only through his voice. “It all started when i saw the film in London. I was highly moved by Aishwarya’s powerhosue in the film. After the movie I told my friend Jag Mundra that I should have played the Punjabi husband, who loves his wife but illtreates her because of jealousy,” says grover. And now when the movie is being Readied for release, Ash and Jag has found a novel way to accomodate GG. THey have asked him to lend his voice for the husband’s character. GG, who has never dubbed for any actor but himself, is dubbing for the husband’s character which was played by Naveen Andrews. “This is my way of saluting the fantastic performance by Ash. While i am dubbing and watching each scene many times I can not help but notice the detailed work done by Ash and my friend Jag Mundra,” he says!

Fardeen Khan and Esha deol are known to be best friends, but their friendship goes beyond the sets and they are known to be very comfortable with each other. And so when Meghna Gulzar approached them for Just Married they both jumped at a chance to work together. Fardeen khan says, “When Meghna approached us both we said yes instantly. This is our third film together wherein we have been paired opposite each other. I have always enjoyed working with Esha deol. She is extremely talented and a very spontaneous person. We are also good friends, which really helps, so it is fun working with someone whom you know and with whom you are comfortable,” says Fardeen.

Katrina Kaif went back to her roots. Only for a short span of time, while shooting for Namaste London, in the city of london, of course. For the rest of the unit members this was just another foreign location, but for the londoner, Katrina kaif, it felt like going back home. She was elated about taking Akshay Kumar and her director Vipul Shah all around town, to the best shopping places, restaurants and other hot-spots. Well, Akshay returned the sweet gesture too. When the unit moved back to punjab, it was his turn to play host on his home ground. So from the fields to dhabas…. he took them for a joyride in a total punju style of hospitality. Now that’s what we call mixing a bit of work and play. Works well, right vipul?

We are not talking here about some rating chart or acting skills. The talk is about flying kites. In a scene of ‘Eklavya’, both Vidya Balan and Raima sen were supposed to fly kites. With some practice, Vidya did it well but Raima, unfortunately, could not master the art and the director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, had to shoot the scene without Raima….. So what if the gal could not fly the kite? With out best wishes, 2007 will definitely see her career soaring high.

By Priyanka Khanna, Indo-Asian News ServiceNew Delhi, (IANS) It rained hits like “Rang De Basanti”, “Krrish” and “Vivah” in 2006, and the coming year holds as much promise, if not more, with a slew of interesting movies lined up for release.

2006 has been the best year that Bollywood has had in a long time. With more than 20 hits and even non-performers breaking even financially, the Hindi film trade boomed.

But will it be able to meet heightened audience expectations in the year ahead? Will it be able to keep the momentum going?

On the face of it, 2007 has an interesting and varied menu on offer.

Kickstarting the year is celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s “Guru”. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, who have been the media darlings ever since rumours of their impending marriage surfaced.

The film is also in news because it is apparently based on the life of an Indian tycoon, who is worshiped as well as loathed by many. “Guru” portrays the protagonist as a person who amasses wealth through dubious means.

The media attention surrounding “Guru” is clearly tremendous and the film is likely to set the cash registers ringing from the first month of 2007 itself.

By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News ServiceMumbai, (IANS) This year I felt I was a child in a toy store. The goodies from filmdom rolled out in heartening splendour. To pick out my favourites during a year dotted with dynamic delights is not an easy task.

But here goes the list that starts with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s “Rang De Basanti” (RDB). It is also India’s official entry to the Oscars this year.

1. “Rang De Basanti” – From “Sholay”‘s Basanti to “Rang De Basanti” — mainstream Hindi cinema took a U-turn this year. In the tradition of ‘Guru Dutt’s “Pyaasa” and Mahesh Bhatt’s “Saraansh”, RDB went way beyond a movie experience. It questioned the quality of contemporary life. Corruption ceased to be cool. What qualified as full-on cool was editing, music and performing profile. Every actor seemed to forget the camera. Almost a year after its release, the colours of RDB refuse to grown dim.

2. “Water” – Deepa Mehta’s elegiac look at a widow’s ashram on the banks of a quietly non-judgemental river, just swept me away in its bridled wave of emotions. Here is a filmmaker that feels deeply and expresses tightly. And to make John Abraham and Lisa Ray look convincing in white muslin was no joke. Wonder how Mehta managed what Ravi Chopra couldn’t in “Baabul”… make widow rehabilitation look like a matter of the conscience. (Yet to be screened in India)

By Arun Kumar, Indo-Asian News ServiceWashington, Dec 24 (IANS) Bollywood films may not be exactly doing booming business in North America for now, but the team behind “Rang De Basanti” (RDB), India’s official entry for 2007 Academy Awards, is ready to go beyond ethnic audiences.

Ronnie Screwvala and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, producer and director of RDB, conveyed this impression after a recent visit to the United States.

Screwvala, who is also the president of the Film Guild of India, and Mehra came to screen RDB, dealing with the new generation’s discovery of patriotism, for as many people as may want to see it and to talk about the film and its impact on the Indian youth.

“The visit has been very encouraging and we look forward to raising the awareness of the ‘RDB effect’ in the US,” said Dolly Kapoor, COO of Altior, a niche public relations and entertainment marketing firm which is helping RDB producer United Television (UTV) in its lobbying efforts in the US for Academy awards.

“This is work in progress. They believe they are well positioned to take the next step beyond ethnic audiences,” she told IANS in response to a question about how far Screwvala’s team has succeeded in creating a viable American market for Indian cinema.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMThe much-awaited BHAGAM BHAG hasn’t opened to the desired response. The industry was expecting a 90% + start for this comic caper, but the film started on a 50% note and by evening, the average occupancy was 60%-65% at several screens.

Ashtavinayak, who have produced and distributed the film in Mumbai territory, have released 152 prints [287 screens, includes Digital prints], while UTV, who have acquired the film for an exorbitant price [4 +] for Delhi-U.P., have released 92 prints [118 screens].

The opening in both Mumbai and Delhi was around 65%, while certain stations of Uttar Pradesh behaved much better. Have a look at the Friday collections:

* Lucknow: Sahu 1,14,394 [full], Novelty 68,386;

* Agra 1.5 lacs;

* Aligarh 1.4 lacs;

* Meerut [full];

* Dehradun 77,000 [approx.].

In Delhi, the film got a boost since biggies like DHOOM 2 and KABUL EXPRESS hadn’t been released at multiplexes and the ones that had released weren’t doing brisk business. BHAGAM BHAG is the first masala film to hit the multiplexes in Delhi and surrounding belt after a gap and the evening shows were slightly better.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMPriyadarshan has attempted varied genres over the years. His body of work includes some thought-provoking films as well as films that defy logic but nonetheless cater to the hoi polloi. Of late, the supremely talented storyteller has trained his sights on one particular genre — comedy.

BHAGAM BHAG, his new outing, charters a similar path. At least that’s the impression you get when you look at its qualitative promos. After a breezy first half, you realize that there’s more to BHAGAM BHAG. It’s not just a comic fare. It transforms into a murder mystery.

Nothing wrong if Priyan packs two diverse genres in one film, but the problem is that the comedy works and the whodunit doesn’t!

Let’s examine the two halves of BHAGAM BHAG minutely. Analysis of Part 1 first:

* Lock your brains and throw the key in the sea as the curtains go up and BHAGAM BHAG unfolds. Remember, don’t look for logic, don’t ask questions.

* The escapades of Akshay-Govinda-Paresh are truly entertaining. In fact, howlarious at times. A number of comic scenes are the mainstay of the enterprise. The first half, to put it rightly, is paisa vasool entertainment!

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMMore than a decade ago, Sohail Khan was planning to turn director with a script that would star Jeetendra’s nephew Abhishek Kapoor in the lead. The project didn’t materialize; Sohail made his directorial debut with AUZAAR [Salman Khan, Sanjay Kapoor], Abhishek too got launched as an actor by someone else. Now, Sohail and Abhishek team up in different roles: Sohail is the actor, Abhishek the director.

Let’s face it! On face value, ARYAN doesn’t generate curiosity, like one of those biggies around the corner. But the film, starring Sohail Khan in the lead and directed by actor turned director Abhishek Kapoor, takes you by complete surprise as the reels unfold.

If the promos of ARYAN give an impression that the film is all about boxing, you’re partly right. Boxing is an integral part of the storyline, but the film has much more to offer. It’s also about the relationship between a husband-wife and the ups and downs in their relationship.

In most cases, you do notice some raw edges when you watch a film directed by a first-timer. But Abhishek Kapoor seems to have done his homework pretty well and the deft handling of the subject matter deserves highest praise. In fact, his handling of the emotional, tense and thrilling moments in the film will leave you spellbound.

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFMLet’s clear the myth pertaining to KABUL EXPRESS within the film industry!

Nasty naysayers have been text-messaging that KABUL EXPRESS is a documentary, a dry film that talks of post-Taliban days in the battered Afghanistan. Also, those looking for some cheap naach-gaana kind of entertainment in this Yashraj enterprise are bound to be disappointed since KABUL EXPRESS may star known names in its cast, but debutante director Kabir Khan, a known documentary maker, believes in enlightenment, not entertainment!

After having watched KABUL EXPRESS, all you want to do is hit the blokes hard for spreading malicious stories about the film. Agreed, KABUL EXPRESS traverses a different path and Kabir Khan is a documentary maker, but KABUL EXPRESS is not a documentary at all. It’s a ‘proper’ Hindi film — a thriller to be precise — that dares to tackle a difficult and different theme.

Besides the subject matter that’s its USP, the film takes you to Afghanistan — a country most of us haven’t visited, as tourists or as moviegoers. Yes, DHARMATMA and KHUDA GAWAH did visit Afghanistan, but the post-Taliban Afghanistan hasn’t been witnessed on the Hindi screen. That makes KABUL EXPRESS a novel experience indeed!

Films depicting social themes were extremely popular in the 1960s and later, in the 1980s. But, of late, paarivarik themes are relegated to the small screen and even if a film-maker dares to tackle such a theme for the big screen in this era of urbane themes and multiplex films, a section of moviegoers [read critics] are quick to label the efforts as ‘outdated’ and ‘regressive’.But VIVAH, four weeks ago, and BAABUL, this week, prove the detractors wrong!

BAABUL tackles the issue of widow re-marriage, an issue the late Raj Kapoor successfully raised in PREM ROG [Rishi Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure]. But comparisons between PREM ROG and BAABUL wouldn’t be right, except that both talk about the rehabilitation of a young widow.

In terms of genre, BAABUL tackles a purely Hindustani issue, like the recent VIVAH. But let’s quickly add that Sooraj R. Barjatya and Ravi Chopra’s storytelling techniques are as diverse as chalk and cheese. While Barjatya adopts a desi approach for just about everything, Chopra takes a desi theme and gives the film an urbane feel. But the commonality is that both Barjatya and Chopra cater to the same set of viewers: Families.

Vidya Balan has left Rituparna Ghosh’s ‘Rahgeer’ and Aishwarya Raihas taken her place. Why Vidya left the film, for this she says, “Aishwarya is better suited for this role”. Rituparna is very annoyed with Balan for her last moment withdrawl. UTV’s Pritish Nandy says that he does not have much information regarding Vidya leaving the film”. In the movie, Akshay Kumar is in the lead role. The movie is said to be based on the yesteryear movie Guide starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have given music for Rahgeer.

While Amisha patel is vacationing with boyfriend, Vikram Bhatt, there is a lot happening back here on her professional front. It’s heard that the gal will soon be seen romancing pwoerhouse performer Ajay Devgan Onscreen. Given her petite self, and Ajay’s fiery presence, this is going to be quite a combo. The last time we spoke to her she said, “I am bing very choosy about my scripts. I would rather wait for the right offer than settle for less.” Well, we think it’s been worth the wait, What say, girl?

It’s good to see how independent women can their own decisions. Take Raima Sen for instance. The girl is busy with her films, but ask her if there is any pressure from her family to tie the knot, and she agrees but there was a lot of pressure earlier, but now that she and sister Riya Sen are independent, all pressures have ceased now that’s a leasson for her fans too, what say?

Gautam Mennon has signed Saif Ali Khan for this next film. Saif had agreed to do a small role in Menon’s film ‘Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein’ with Diya Mirza and Madhavan. But this time, Menon is casting Madhavan in a smaller role and is getting Saif to do the meatier action role. After Omkara, Saif is in the mood to take challenges and Menon has just presented him with one. The shooting for the film will start in August 2007.

Karan Johar is struck by wanderlust again. Come January and the lad plans to pack his bags and go globe-trotting. Of course, he will be shoving in work, shoots and other things in between. He will obviously be romping in and around london and New York – his hot-favourite destinations, but he plans to do some more exciting travel too. Well, that’s good news for us, because usually when KJ travels, his creative cells tick overtime. You know what that means – a movie idea, a movie script, and another KJ creation.

Gul Panag is one beautiful actress who has kept herself away from commercial movies. Recently released ‘Dor’ gave her much recognition and praises. When Gul was asked why she does not do commercial movies, she was quick to say, “I don’t find any reason for doing movies where the role portrays you in full makeup even when you get up from the bed”.

Besides her professional life, Gul’s relationship with Sikander Kher has always stayed in news, but Gul refuses to talk on this topic. She says, “I am here to work and would appreciate if people ask me questions about my work. If they are more interested in my personal life, I am sorry that I will not be able to entertain their queries”.

These days Amrita Rao is very excited. Reason? She has a powerful role in ‘My name is Anthony Gonsalwis’. In this movie, Amrita plays a lively and confident Christian girl. Now, this is quite different from her role in ‘Vivah’ where she played a naïve Indian girl.

The gal is all full of praises for the director E.Niwas. She says, “I have seen his ‘Luv Ke Liye Kuchch Bhi Karega’. He is very clear about what he wants from his actors. He has all the qualities of a good director. He had told me very clearly what he wants in the role even before the shooting started”. All the best Amrita!!

We all know that a certain khan can go without long hours of sleep during shooting schedules. His co-stars even swear that he just doesn’t go to sleep – yes we are talking about SRK. And now we hear Aishwarya rai is following his ‘insomniac’ footsteps. The actress was recently so engrossed in shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Guru that she shot non-stop for 12 hours at a stretch for six days in a row – even with location changes every alternate day. Is SRK looking over his shoulder for some competition already?

Bollywood’s baby doll, Diya Mirza is playing judge in Disney’s Little Princess Hunt. Diya says, “I have always had an attachment with children. My shooting schedule is not so hectic at present, so I thought I could well do this.”

2006 has not been a very good year for Diya. Her movies, ‘Parineeta’ and ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ tasted success, but Dia hardly got recognition from them. But Diya holds a positive attitude. She says, “I feel every passing year is a setting stone for the next year. Whatever I did in 2006 adds value to 2007”.

Rajpal Yadav can be tagged as one of the best comedy actors of Bollywood, but Rajpal has incredible talents up his sleeves. Soon coming is his movie ‘Under Trial’ where he is in a negative role. Rajpal is very excited about the role. He says, “A change is desired by everyone and I have always tried to do something different, be it ‘Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chhahti Hoon’ or ‘Main Meri Patni Aur Woh’. This is also a very different movie. The entire movie starts in the jail and ends in the jail”.

The movie is a portrayal of the life of Sagar Hussain (Rajpal Yadav), who is a under-trial prisoner at the central jail. He is ‘accused’ of raping his daughters continuously for eight years, and also, for conspiring to murder them.