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Assamese singer Zubeen captivates with 'Ya Ali'
 
New Delhi, March 19   Top Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, better known for his hit Bollywood number "Ya Ali" from the Hindi film "Gangster", enthralled northeast students with popular Assamese and Hindi film songs here.

The 30-plus singer-composer had the audience of more than 1,000 swaying, clapping and whistling Sunday evening as he sang Hindi numbers including "Subah Subah" ("I See You"), "Jane Kya Jane Man" ("Pyar Ke Side Effects") as well as "Ya Ali", plus some Assamese hits from his albums "Maya", "Anamika" and "Pakhi".

Zubeen, a household name in Assam, also sang some Bihu numbers and had the youngsters dancing to its beats. The event, held at the Polo Grounds here, was organised by Shrishti, a group of Assamese youth in New Delhi.

"Zubeen's popularity in the mainstream music scene has proved that there are potential singers in the northeast who can make it big in Bollywood," Ratul Sarmah, an Assamese journalist, told IANS.

Himanshu Sharma, a member of Shrishti, said: "In a bid to feel at home, away from home, some northeast students like I got together and formed Shristi. We organise cultural programmes as well as talks and seminars so as to give the youth from the region a platform to voice their thoughts."

With Bihu just over two weeks away, Zubeen's cultural show couldn't have been timed better.


   

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"I really miss being at home on Bihu. But hearing the familiar tunes, watching the colourful Bihu dance and having a rollicking time with so many Assamese here has made me feel at home," said a first year graduation student Rashmi Sharma.

The "Ya Ali" number was one of the instant hits of Bollywood and earned Zubeen the best playback singer (male) award at the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) last year and the new Max Stardust Musical Sensation (Male) Award (2007).

Zubeen has so far sung for Hindi films like "Fizaa", "Strings", "Bas Ek Pal", "Zindagi Rocks", "I See You" and "Life Me Kabhie Kabhie". He gave the music for Sanjay Jha's "Strings".

He has sung more than 7,000 songs including in other regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Oriya, Marathi and Nepali.

He is also adept at playing the mandolin, keyboard and various percussion instruments like the dhol.
 

I want to make a movie, says Samir Nair (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 19   Samir Nair, the former CEO of STAR Entertainment India who took the channel to new heights in a decade and is joining NDTV's soon-to-be-launched entertainment wing, wants to direct films.

"I came to STAR when I was 29 years old. I'm 42 now. So it's been more than a decade. It's time to carry my vision forward. It's time for an unfettered creative expression with a sense of ownership and purpose," Nair told IANS in an interview.

"I want to do other things in life... I want to make a movie. In fact, that's been a dream since 1999. I used to make ad films. But my experience at STAR has been great fun. It has taught me everything I know. And I'd think I've given a lot back to the channel. Yup, I've had a good time," he added.

Of the many things that Nair did at STAR, the quiz show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC) was one of his best ventures.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Why the change of heart?

A: I had been thinking about it for a long time. Finally, I decided I needed to do something new, and in an independent manner. I was getting restless. I need to have a sense of equity in the company that I proceed to next.

Q: Both you and Peter Mukherjee seem to be moving out simultaneously?

A: No, his departure was on the anvil for quite a while, though obviously I didn't ask him the details. As for me, I came to STAR when I was 29 years old. Now I'm 42. I feel it's time to carry my vision forward. It's time for an unfettered creative expression with a sense of ownership and purpose.

Q: Would you say you've peaked at STAR?

A: No, I wouldn't say that.

Q: I believe there's a lot of bad blood against you at STAR?

A: (Evasively) My father always taught me one thing: "Turn the page. Never dwell in the past." Yes, there were differences about the management style until it came to a point where I said, "Just forget it." In life you can't choose parents and bosses.

I want to do other things in life... I want to make a movie. In fact, that's been a dream since 1999. I used to make ad films. But my experience at STAR has been great fun. It has taught me everything I know. And I'd think I've given a lot back to the channel. Yup, I've had a good time.

Q: If you had a choice to do things your way would you stay on at STAR?

A: Let's not ponder on the imponderable.

Q: The buzz is that a lot of STAR's staff is leaving with you?

A: I've had a meeting with them and told them that the channel needs them, work needs to be done and serials need to be made. I'm sure we'll work together again. This isn't a ride off into the sunset for me. But I need to start afresh. I needed this change. I don't feel rudderless. I've met the heads of all the departments at STAR and advised them to let the show go on.

Q: Your highlights at STAR?

A: Well, in 1994 one of the first interviews I did for STAR Movies was with Naseeruddin Shah. I asked him what he thought of Shah Rukh. Naseer said Shah Rukh reminded him of the early Rajesh Khanna. The next big thing for me was when I got to handle Amitabh's comeback movie "Mrityudaata". That was a big event for me because I was such a big Amitabh fan.

Then came the great movie acquisition when I managed to change the five-year embargo on new films shown on TV. I reduced the time between theatres to satellite to five months. Then I became programming head and along came KBC with Amitabh Bachchan and all the Balaji soaps. It was followed by the launch of channels like STAR One.

In 2006 I got promoted and I got married and I got Shah Rukh on KBC. Now in 2007 I've quit my job at STAR. Now it's the future - here I come.

Q: Balaji might decide to leave STAR with you.

A: I hope to work with everyone I've worked with.

 

'I'm pleased with Hirani's Gandhigiri,' says Gandhi's great grandson (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 19   If Gandhigiri in Rajkumar Hirani's "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" was profusely applauded by both audiences and critics, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi is equally proud of the film, which he says has introduced the new generation to Bapu and his ideology.

"For today's generation Bapu would've been a forgotten factor if he didn't have his photographs on currency notes. More than Bapu, this film shows the power of satyagraha. Many people thought it was possible only during British rule," Tushar told IANS in an interview.

This Gandhi scion also feels that Ashutosh Gowariker's "Swades" epitomizes Gandhi's values. "Unfortunately, it didn't get the box office success it deserved. It should've been less sermonising and more humorous. I told Gowariker that "Swades" should be shown in every educational institution."

Commenting upon Anil Kapoor's "Mahatma Versus Gandhi", about the tensed relationship between Bapu and his son Harilal, Tushar said: "It's a very tragic episode in the life of Bapu and the family. But nevertheless authentic. Such humanisation is important."

Excerpts:

Q: What do you feel about the revival of Gandhism through a film like "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"?

A: These are very timely and appropriate works. I'd also like to include Ashutosh Gowariker's "Swades". The film epitomises Gandhi's values. Unfortunately, it was like a documentary. It didn't get the box office success it deserved. It should've been less sermonising, more humorous. I told Gowariker that "Swades" should be shown in every educational institution.

Q: What did you think of the way Mahatma Gandhi has been portrayed in "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"?

A: It's almost as if a new generation has discovered Bapu. For today's generation Bapu would've been a forgotten factor if he didn't have his photographs on currency notes. More than Bapu, this film shows the power of satyagraha. Many people thought it was possible only during British rule.

Q: Do you think turning the other cheek is a good option in these times?

A: Not when you're dealing with global terrorism. But in normal day-to-day living I think satyagraha still works. See how much violence has grown in our lives. For society dealing internally with strife, non-violence is a viable option. Let me point out here that even Bapu knew the limits of satyagraha.

When aggression happened in Kashmir Bapu didn't go on his fast-unto-death. Instead, he endorsed the military attack as the dharma of army. Satyagraha wasn't a dogma for him. Otherwise Bapu wouldn't have condoned socialist violence during the Quit India movement. He agreed violence and counter-violence were equally relevant.

But does violence today yield any positive results? Finally United States President George W. Bush's war on terrorism is getting us nowhere. Even the annihilation of Lebanon hasn't made Israel any safer.

Q: What do you think of Raj Kumar Hirani's "Gandhigiri"?

A: It's a welcome coinage. People today can identify with it more than other terms like Gandhism and Gandhi-vaad. These were too elitist and only the senior generation could relate to them. Gandhigiri is identifiable by the common man. And that's the language Bapu always spoke. I think Bapu would've spoken the language of Gandhigiri if he were alive today. I really feel this film says something that needs to be told.

Anything that promotes Bapu is very dear to me. My entire existence is dependent on Bapu's ideas. In a very selfish way I'm very pleased with Raju Hirani's Gandhigiri. And I was zapped by Sanjay Dutt's performance. What a long way he has come as an actor.

Q: Are you a movie buff?

A: I love movies but not the elitist kind. I love films like "The Terminator" (laughs). I like films showing Rajnikanth beating up a dozen goons. I keep telling my wife that all my pent-up violence is vented while watching action movies. Once in a while I like movies that make me think.

I was laughing throughout "Lage Raho Munna Bhai". But because of the theme, I was continuously scanning the audience for their reaction. I think Sanjay and Arshad Warsi were even better in this than in "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.".

Q: What do you think of the next Gandhi film "Mahatma Versus Gandhi" (produced by Anil Kapoor) which will go into the troubled relationship between Gandhiji and his son?

A: Yes, Bapu and Harilal Kaka. It's a very tragic episode in the life of Bapu and the family. But nevertheless authentic. Such humanisation is important. Bapu's personality is like an onion. You go into layers and layers and you discover more about him. I, for one, am not comfortable with the deification of Bapu. I want him to be more human, so he can be more inspirational. Let people see him in all his facets, as a man who overcame all his failings.

In 'Lage Raho...' there's a poignant dialogue where Bapu wants people to enshrine him in their hearts. In the past 60 years Bapu has been reduced to a subject for an elitist club. It's a crime to imprison Bapu as being elitist. Don't abuse him, but please criticise Bapu constructively.

Q: What did you think of Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi"?

A: It did justice to the personality. Raju Hirani has done justice to his philosophy. Attenborough's film proved inspirational all over the world. This 7/11 there will be many screenings of Attenborough's film in American universities. Ben Kingsley did a good job of playing Bapu. However, I thought Bapu had been portrayed as fickle in Raj Kumar Santoshi's "The Legend Of Bhagat Singh". But my favourite Gandhi was Atul Kulkarni in the stage play "Gandhi Virudh Gandhi". He caught on to the essence of Bapu.

Q: What did you think of "Rang De Basanti"?

A: Though I liked the film the conclusion was inapplicable and problematic. It just offered an emotional eruption. The parallels between the freedom fighters and today's youth were interesting but inaccurate. I appreciated the parallels between history and contemporary times. I thought it was a technically brilliant film.

Q: So, are you saying it trivialised history?

A: I'd say so.

 
Randeep Hooda 'disgusted' by publicity over kiss
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 19   The publicity pictures of him kissing Sushmita Sen in the film "Karma, Confessions And Holi" smack of the producer's desperation, says upcoming actor Randeep Hooda.

"I'm disgusted by the producers. Surely they've got more to attract the public to the theatres than a kiss between two actors? By flashing one scene, they're just being cheap and undignified in their promotion. May be they need a less cheesy publicity machinery," Randeep told IANS.

The last time a smooch scene featuring Sushmita was splashed about, she had blown her top. "And she should protest against this tacky publicity again. It's not right," said her ex-beau.

Randeep isn't aware of the film's release plans. "No one has informed me. The kissing scenes are part of the film. And I'm not in the least embarrassed about kissing such a gorgeous woman on screen."

But considering the past relationship between the two was there any awkwardness about doing such scenes?

"We're both professionals. And we were just doing our job. I'm looking forward to the film and to seeing how we look together on screen. It was a great experience working with her because of our association off-screen. It was very funny maintaining a balance between the rapport on and off screen."

However, Randeep said real-life rapport made no difference to what happened on screen.

"Once the camera rolls, the relationship in the script takes over. Of course, there are bits of the actor floating on screen. But I go by the guidelines provided by the script and director."

The actor recalled the weeks spent shooting the film in New York with great affection.

"It was a great experience. I had never been to America before and I was really looking forward to it. I wanted to see the American style of working first-hand. I've always been very inspired by American cinema. The experience boosted my confidence.

"I definitely felt that the way we work here in India is just fine. I've had congratulatory calls from Americans who have seen the film. They liked my performance."

Randeep said boundaries in cinema have disappeared. "But let me point out, 'Karma, Confessions And Holi' isn't a Hollywood film. It's an independent film made by Rapture Films. According to me, Hollywood films are those made by the studios in Los Angeles.

"This independent film gave me a chance to feel very independent. It took very little time to be shot. Having a slice of the Big Apple was a great experience. In essence, Mumbai and New York are very similar. I hired a limousine and travelled all over. I visited every possible watering hole. I loved the freedom and passion in New York."

Randeep's sister was also in New York at the time. "She's a doctor, like my father, and she's got her residency in New York. My sister is my inspiration for becoming an actor."

The actor continues to be extra picky about his roles.

"My first film 'Monsoon Wedding' came out in 2000. Now I'm doing my fifth film 'Risk'. I couldn't bear myself on screen in 'Monsoon Wedding'. So I took a long sabbatical to improve myself as an actor. I got involved with theatre.

"I got a strange compliment about my performance that at the time I thought to be an insult. A distributor in Venice told me, 'In the entire film, you were the only one who didn't seem to be acting.' I took it as criticism and decided to improve myself, though in hindsight it seems a compliment."

Is Randeep a sucker for worldly perks? "I go through these phases where I think all success is so transitory. But the next day I'm fighting for material things. I need money to encourage and empower those around me. It's not about owning two cars. I can only sit in one, but I do drive around in many cars these days. It's very therapeutic."

The young actor is on the verge of signing a bunch of new films.

"I just want to make sure which one to go by. Signing is easy. But would I be able to live with it until its completion? I don't take up a challenge until I'm up to it. Am I a good decision-maker? Sometimes it's better to let the decisions be made for you.

"I guess I'm childlike and I want the child within me to remain alive. I'm awed by life. I'm excited and challenged by life. I've got a certain innocence that I value. I watch my two-year-old nephew and learn how to live," he said.

"When I was helping Naseeruddin Shah with the staging of Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet', I read a line that stayed with me. 'If you're looking for god, look at the children playing around you.' I love children and they love me too," added Randeep.
 

'The Namesake' makes US top 20 with $1.1 mn
By Arun Kumar, 

Washington, March 19   With gross earnings of $1.1 million at the box office, Indian American director Mira Nair's latest venture "The Namesake" has made it to the North American Top 20 in only its second weekend of limited release.

The film about an Indian immigrant family torn between tradition and modernity also broke the 10-year opening week box office record at the Paris Theatre in New York City with a sensational $101,929 in its first seven days.

"Monsoon Wedding" did not reach the Top 20 until its fourth weekend in 98 theatres and "Bend It Like Beckham" reached the Top 20 in its third weekend in 46 theatres, boxofficeguru.com noted.

Expanding from six to 41 theatres, "The Namesake" debuted March 16 in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Denver, Philadelphia, San Jose, Seattle and Vancouver and added more theatres in the existing markets of New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto.

The film will now open in an additional 69 theatres March 23 in Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Montreal, New Jersey, Oakland, Phoenix, San Diego and St. Louis.

Earlier earning over a quarter million at the box office in its opening weekend, "The Namesake" returned a record per-theatre average of $41,794 from six theatres in comparison with other Indian-themed films that debuted in limited release.

"Monsoon Wedding" made $68,546 from two theatres in New York for a $34,273 average, "Bend it Like Beckham" made $161,528 from six theatres for a $26,921 average and "Water" made $56,280 from five theatres for a $11,256 average.
 

Entertainment convention to focus on piracy, law, tax
 
New Delhi, March 19   The 2007 edition of FICCI-FRAMES, a global convention on the entertainment industry to be held in Mumbai this month, will focus on legal status of the business and ways to deal with the menace of piracy.

The three-day meet beginning March 26 will see the release of FICCI-Amarchand Mangaldas Entertainment Law Book, proposing a legal framework for the industry. A draft framework of Optical Disk Law, essentially to counter piracy, will also be released.

"We are focusing completely and thoroughly on piracy. We have found that there are specific companies that specialise in piracy. We have identified 15 such companies," Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) secretary general Amit Mitra told a press conference here Monday.

"We have a brand protection committee of FICCI, which does raids. In one particular raid we found a Chinese machine, which reproduces holograms of every kind, and that machine was worth a crore-and-a-half (Rs.15 million). So, it is not the industry, which is involved in piracy but there is piracy industry," he added.

"We are presenting Optical Disk Law at the FRAMES event which is an indication of the anti-piracy movement. There is a separate session in FRAMES called 'Defending Your Intellectual Property'."

The need for uniformity of entertainment tax will also come up for discussion at the meet.

"We will talk about rationalisation of entertainment tax. In some states the entertainment tax is zero which puts pressure on other states. We are putting pressures on all the states through our own networks to rationalise entertainment tax," said Mitra.

Italy is the partner country for FICCI-FRAMES 2007 and Paolo Gentiloni Silveri, minister of communications, Italy, will attend it along with an 80-member delegation. Italian actors Giancarlo Giannini and Anna Galiena will also grace the event.

A special feature of the convention this year is the X Media Lab, which will bring leading digital media practitioners and innovators from around the world in a unique creative environment that mentors companies to improve their own creative digital media ideas, get their products to market and achieve commercial success.

Also, Kamal Hassan and Rekha will be honoured with FICCI's Living Legend in Entertainment Awards for excellence in cinema.

Sony Entertainment Television will be the convention partner, while other sponsors of the event include IBM, STAR, ZEE, Moserbaer, Yahoo, Adlabs, INOX and Radio Mirchi.
 

Abhishek-Aishwarya to wed in April?
 
Mumbai, March 19   Will they or won't they marry next month? Rumours are rife that Bollywood's hottest couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai will tie the knot on April 19 at the Bachchan residence Prateeksha here.

However, a source close to the family denied an imminent wedding. "It is just a rumour, nothing else. People are saying that the cards are ready and that the date and venue are already decided, but there is no truth in these claims," he said.

Since the two stars got engaged in January, wedding-date rumours have persistently dogged the pair. The Bollywood grapevine had it that they are tying the knot on Feb 19 and when it didn't happen on that day, they put forth March 19.

Abhishek's superstar dad Amitabh Bachchan has said the family is as impatient as others, but haven't been able to finalise a day due to paucity of time.

"We still haven't got a date. The two of them are so busy, we haven't been able to sit down and work it out," Amitabh had said, while denying reports that the wedding was supposed to take place on Feb 19 or March 19.

Abhishek and Aishwarya are busy shooting for "Drona" and "Jodha Akbar", respectively.
 

Shweta's intelligence comes through on her show: Amitabh
Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 18   Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is proud of the way his soft-spoken daughter Shweta Nanda conducts her new talk show "Next Gen" on NDTV Profit and says that "her intelligence comes through on her show".

Says Amitabh: "I think she's finally found her vocation. She is presenting herself well on the show."

He also reveals that whenever a family discussion reaches a dead end, they all turn to Shweta for her viewpoint.

"We call up Shweta and put her on the conference line. We always keep going back to her for her wise opinion," Amitabh told IANS in an interview.

The actor adds that Shweta had always been shy of films and wasn't even interested in accompanying him to movie shoots and events.

Excerpts of an interview:

Q. Shweta's foray into television is so unexpected.

A. Well, you know NDTV Profit called her and offered her the chance to host this show. So it wasn't something she planned or even initiated. Now that she's taken it on we gave her all our blessings and little suggestions. We even did a dummy show in my office. I watched her first episode and she was very good.

Q. I think Shweta is the most photogenic Bachchan.

A. You're right. And she's also the most intelligent and balanced Bachchan. She's very objective in assessment of situations. Whenever we reach a dead end during a family discussion, we call up Shweta and put her on the conference line. We always keep going back to her for her wise opinion.

Her intelligence comes through on her show. Shweta is a voracious reader.
All that she speaks on the show has been written by her.

Q. Why did Shweta never come into movies?

A. The choice was entirely hers. In fact she was never interested in even accompanying me to shootings and film events. On the other hand, Abhishek would always accompany me wherever I went. I think Shweta was a little shy and scared of events. Some of that shyness comes through on her show. But she's also very perceptive.

I loved the way she questioned Aman and Ayaan (Ali) Khan in the first episode. I think she's finally found her vocation. She is presenting herself well on the show. She's able to speak her mind brilliantly. And that too on a show which isn't frivolous in nature.

Q. I am amazed that she writes the script herself for the show.

A. Well, she does. Anchoring is generally divided into mind and face. Someone writes and another person comes on camera. It's rare to have someone bring both the qualities in her personality.

Q. Did you have a script when you did Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)?

A. Yes. But a lot of improvisation came into the interactions with the participants and in the construction of several portions of the game show that wasn't there in the original. KBC was a game show and one had to follow the format. However all the interjections and homilies were mine.
 

Sammir Dattani risks life for a role
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 18   Actor Sammir Dattani, who plays a government agent in his upcoming film "Mukhbiir", says he almost risked his life while shooting at a religious congregation for the movie.

The actor underwent rigorous physical and diction training for the role as well.

"A mullah was called for me to pronounce the religious terms in an alien language perfectly ... Not an easy task for someone who thinks in English. But I was determined to get it right."

Sammir not only learnt the language properly, he also got the culture, clothing and body language of a Hyderabadi youth so right that by the time the unit was ready to shoot in a volatile crowded religious congregation, he looked an absolute natural.

Recalls Sammir: "It was the ultimate test. If I got it wrong my life would have been in danger. They don't allow people from outside to enter their festivities. If you're caught your life is in danger because they have knives, swords, even guns, which they don't hesitate to use. I was left alone in a crowd of thousands while my director Mani Shankar shot with a secret camera from far away."

The entire unit was so distant there was nothing they could do if anything went wrong. "I had never been more scared in my life," Sammir exclaims.

His worst fears came true when a section of the congregation couldn't recognise him as one of their own. "They asked me my name. I told them my name in the film. They asked me to show them my ID card. Obviously I didn't have it. I fumbled in my pocket pretending to look for it. And then...I just ran for my life without looking back!"
 

Shilpa and sis Shamita to grace 'Koffee with Karan'
By Subhash K. Jha,  `

Mumbai, March 18   Filmmaker Karan Johar's talk show "Koffee with Karan" is becoming more intriguing. Each episode and guest list gets hotter by the week. He has now roped in Shilpa Shetty and her sister Shamita to appear on the show.

"How can I refuse Karan? No one says no to him. I'll be coming back from London in April to record my 'Koffee' with Karan. Shamita will be on the show with me," Shilpa told IANS.

Karan also wanted her mother Sunanda to join them on the show. "But you know how my mom is? She has declined."

Shilpa will be discussing her entire "Celebrity" Big Brother" experience for the first time on Indian television, and also the impact the British reality TV show and the racism row it triggered off had on her family.

Definitely a coup for Karan! But hold on! He plans to bring on an even bigger blend of celebrities in a future episode.

Karan actually intends to bring together Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan with to-be daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, plus maybe Jaya too.

Ambitious?

"Well the guest list has to get bigger and more ambitious, don't you think? Otherwise, what's the point of having the show," reasoned Karan.
 

Pawan Shankar is Ekta Kapoor's new favourite
By Subhash K. Jha,  ervice

Mumbai, March 18   Pawan Shankar, who wowed with his performance in Smriti Irani's serial "Thodisi Zameen Thodasa Zameen", is Ekta Kapoor's new blue-eyed boy.

Pawan came in just six episodes of the STAR Plus serial, but his portrayal of rebellious, angry young man Sanjay Apte made a tremendous impact.

Though his character has now been bumped off as per the plot, the shy Pawan has caught Ekta's attention. She has cast him as the new man in Bani's life in Zee's "Kkasam Se".

"I play this suave US returned NRI called Tarun Sablok in 'Kkasam Se'. Ekta's brief about the character was that he's someone who makes all his moves after giving it a proper thought. She says my character is akin to Mr. Bajaj in 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay'.

"Ekta has been constantly offering me roles in her serials. She also offered me Sujal, the role that made Rajiv Khandelwal an overnight star. Unfortunately, at that time I was busy with my serial 'Siddhanth' on STAR One and I didn't want to divide my attention by doing another show," Pawan told IANS.

"Siddhanth", in which Pawan played a conscience-stricken lawyer, immediately brought Pawan into prime-time focus.

"'Siddhanth' is the only Indian TV show to be nominated for the prestigious Emmy awards. Though it didn't do well, I'm very proud of it," said the actor who hails from Allahabad.

His small role of an angry young Sanjay in "Thodisi Zameen..." has got Pawan optimum notice.

"I'm amazed by the impact the role has made. I can't pretend I wasn't aware of the character's importance to the plot. I was fully aware that I'd be there only for six episodes. But my role will resonate for a long time."

Sadly, some of Pawan's best lines were edited out of his farewell episode.

"It was the director, who suggested I add those lines. So I've no idea why they were edited out. But, I've no complaints. I'm in search of roles on both the small and big screens, which would challenge the actor within me. I had a small but satisfying role in 'Thodisi Zameen...' I knew the character had depth and that's what I was looking for after 'Siddhanth'."
 

Up next: Shades of diaspora on Indian marquees
By Priyanka Khanna,  

New Delhi, March 18   Even as films based on trials and tribulations of the Indian immigrant have morphed into an entire genre better known as "desi" flicks, the depiction of the diaspora has remained largely stereotypical in the Hindi filmdom.

The difference seems blaring with "The Namesake", an American immigrant saga by Indian-born director Mira Nair, going on the marquees in India at the same time as Bollywood production "Namastey London".

While Mira Nair's cinematic adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's much-praised 2003 bestseller is a thoughtfully enacted tale of culture clash that asks questions about assimilation, identity, and what we choose to call ourselves without much melodrama, the Vipul Shah film reportedly pitches western and Indian cultures against each other yet again.

"The Namesake" is among the many better "desi" flicks and unlike the dozen others it has charmed critics in the US. Indian American Kal Penn has put in a commendable performance as Gogol alias Nikhil, the protagonist.

Kal has effectively essayed the transition from uneasiness of not belonging to the comfort in just being as his character grows into "The Overcoat". Irfan Khan and Tabu essay the role of first generation immigrants to perfection. Tabu excels as Ashima, who is transported into a different world immediately after marriage, goes through the identity arc and tries to fit in with American society.

Mira is superlative after she had a botched attempt at adapting literature. The expatriate filmmaker had burnt her fingers with William Makepeace Thackeray's 'Vanity Fair'. She has made a handsome comeback and fruits of her labour will be there for all to savour as the film releases in India Friday.

"Namastey London" is also slated for release Friday. The preview of the film starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif says the film will determine whether love is more about giving or taking? Whether Indian values must surrender to Western culture?

Katrina plays the role of confused London-born Jazz who loves everything Western. Her father forces her to marry Akshay. The rest of the story is dedicated in getting Jazz to see the bright side of Indian culture. If you already know the answer, then watch the film for its good-old song and dance routines.

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The bourgeoning Indian diaspora around the world rarely gets a glowing representation in a Hindi film.

Starting from "Pardes" to "Mujhse Dosti Karoge", to "Ramji Londonwaley" and even so-called art house films, dream merchants of Mumbai studios have depicted most NRIs as not so good compared to Indians. Invariably, they are shown as people who get cleansed when they return to their roots and once in India they never leave.

Additionally, more often than not, it takes a hardcore character from India to teach 'these Americans' what the true values of life are and how only Indians understand them. In "Pardes", the goody two-shoes character of Arjun, played by Shah Rukh Khan, is characterised as the 'pure desi' at heart who is so moral he does not smoke or drink like the other, immoral Indian-Americans around him.

In "Kal Ho Naa Ho", we witness Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh again) coming from India and teaching Naina Kapur how to 'have fun' in her life, which consists of drinking shot after shot of hard liquor, stripping her clothes off and dancing provocatively with several men at once. When Karan Johar made "Kabhhi Alvida Naa Kehna, his first film on adultery, he had to set it in New York.

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"Namastey London" comes close on the heels of a series of movies dealing with life after marriage. Even this week's releases - "Just Married" and "Hattrick" - start off where most Hindi films end. Earlier release, "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", was on the same lines. Hopefully, the similarities will end there.
 

Shilpa ecstatic about her Commonwealth Day speech
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, March 17   The common cold that Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is suffering from in London doesn't jell well with her uncommon performance on Commonwealth Day. Shilpa, who delivered a speech on racism and AIDS March 12, is ecstatic about it.

"Only four other participants were given a chance to give individual speeches. There was a woman Anne from Ireland whose brother and sister had been shot... people whose trauma made a difference to global politics.

"Since I am associated with the Commonwealth, issues that concern me - AIDS and racism - got a platform on Commonwealth Day. These are issues that I've become synonymous with," Shilpa told IANS.

The actress, who recently won Britain's reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother", says delivering the speech was a tough job.

"I come from a place where AIDS and discrimination often go hand in hand. So I was able to couple the two topics in two paragraphs. It was tough. But what was tougher was to give that speech in front of the Queen. I had to give the speech exactly the way it was written. But I added a line. And it was well accepted. So, I am pretty proud of myself."

Shilpa confesses she's basically shy.

"I completely clam up in front of outsiders. But, now I can't afford the luxury of introversion. To stand on a global platform like the Commonwealth is not an easy task. There we were, dealing with serious issues like peace, democracy and equality. And I've to conduct myself in a very responsible manner. But to see the pride on faces of the Indian community, took the nervousness out of me."
 

Indian post-production, visual effects major expands in Britain
By Prasun Sonwalkar, 

London, March 17   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.

Keen to leverage the India-Britain engagement in films, television, broadcasting and advertisements, major Indian companies are catering to Western clients in London and exploiting the cost advantages of having large facilities and operations in India.

One such Indian post-production and visual effects major is Prime Focus, an award winning company that has enhanced the viewing experience of blockbusters such as 'Dhoom' and 'Guru'. It acquired controlling stakes in two British post-production companies, VTR and Clear Productions, in 2006.

Amit Gupta, director (Corporate Development) of Prime Focus, told IANS: "Technology in India is far better than in most countries. We are already working with several Indian filmmakers such as Yash Raj Films and Mukta Arts and are now better placed to cater to their needs in Britain."

After acquiring VTR and Clear Productions, Gupta said Prime Focus had emerged as a major player in the 500 million pound post-production and visual effects market in Britain. The company was handling the requirements of two major Western films scheduled for release shortly.

After acquiring the two companies, Gupta said their managements were merged and key positions were held mainly by Indian professionals. The companies are on course to return profits due to a leaner management structure and exploiting the benefits of transferring clients' work to facilities in India.

The company employs over 500 'techno-creative artistes' in Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad and 230 more in London. Its clients include major television broadcasters in Britain as well as major advertising companies and filmmakers, including British Asian professionals such as Gurinder Chaddha, Gupta said.

With state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, Gupta added, Prime Focus offered a comprehensive spectrum of services ranging from visual effects, digital film lab (digital intermediate, high-resolution film scanning and film recording), telecine, editing, motion control and high definition production.

Its full service capabilities empower filmmakers, ad filmmakers and television producers with the latest tools and techniques to refine their work in the post-production and production environment.
 

Twinkling 'lil' stars corner the limelight
By Arpana, 

New Delhi, March 17   "Twinkle twinkle little star..." the popular children's ditty aptly describes the new child actors who are shining on filmdom's firmament. The recent one to join the list is Sri Lankan actor Sarala.

In Deepa Mehta's Oscar-nominated "Water" she is simply sensational. As eight-year-old child widow Chuhiya, Sarala outshines all the other actors by infusing her role with a gritty reality. It's almost impossible to think of "Water" without her.

"She's an amazingly natural talent and has truly become the heroine of 'Water'," Mehta was quoted as saying about Sarala who is pitted against veterans like Manorama, Seema Biswas and Rahguveer Yadav.

In the film about the plight of widows in pre-independent India, Chuhiya's husband dies when she is just a child. According to tradition-bound Hindu social norms, she has to spend the rest of her life in a widow's ashram to atone for the sins that caused her husband's untimely death. When she is dumped to cope up with the dark and depressing surroundings of the ashram, your heart goes out to the little girl.

For a nine-year-old with no acting experience, it certainly seems a mammoth task to do the complex role. But for this little prima donna from Sri Lanka, it was a cakewalk.

According to Mehta, the girl had never acted before and doesn't understand Hindi or English. But in the film not even once does she give the impression that she is talking in an alien language - she gives the right expressions and emotions while mouthing all her dialogues.

The amazing part is that Sarala learnt each line of her dialogue in a word-by-word phonetic process and communicated with Mehta through hand gestures with the help of an interpreter.

Mehta had auditioned more than 50 girls for the role, but when she met the young Sri Lankan she said, "Sarala seemed to have exactly the right combination of youthful innocence and unflagging independence."

Sarala has left the same kind of lasting impact on audiences as Ayesha Kapur did in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's critically acclaimed "Black", released in 2005.

Once again it is difficult to imagine a 10-year-old having to portray the anger, frustration and helplessness of a deaf, mute and blind girl on screen.

But Ayesha, who was pitted against the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and talented Rani Mukerji in the film, carried the role so effortlessly that many felt she was better than Rani. She overshadowed her co-stars with her natural performances.

Commenting upon this little bundle of talent, Bhansali had said: "She is a star, she is a monster, she is a genius, she is a chatterbox, she is spontaneous, she is effortless, she's got the aura of a rock star... she even bullied Amitabh Bachchan."

Bollywood acknowledged this young genius by giving her the Filmfare and STAR Screen awards for her performance in the film.

Then there is Visahl Bhardwaj's protégé Shweta Prasad, who wowed the audiences in the fantasy drama "Makadee" (2002).

Shweta shared screen space with stalwarts like Shabana Azmi and Makarand Deshpande. In spite of such seasoned performers, Shweta carved a niche for herself and sparkled in the double role.

For her outstanding performance in "Makadee" she too was honoured with the STAR Screen Award.

And she continued her good work in Nagesh Kukunoor's 2005 release "Iqbal", a simple tale about the triumph of the human spirit.

In the role of a deaf-and-mute protagonist's younger sister, Shweta turned out to be a scene-stealer. Her best scenes are where she interacts with seasoned actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Apart from the talented trio, Ali Haji, as Aamir Khan's and Kajol's son in last year's hit film "Fanaa", really stole the heart of audiences. Then again, in Karan Johar's family drama "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", Jibraan Khan, who played Kajol's and Shah Rukh Khan's son, managed to impress audiences.

Now all eyes are set on Bhardwaj's "Blue Umbrella" where he introduces another child artiste named Shreya who will be acting with veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor.

With big production houses like UTV and Adlabs venturing into children's films, these kids will get more and more opportunities to showcase their talents.
 

South Africa's 'Mr Bones' heads for Bollywood

By Fakir Hassen, 

Johannesburg, March 17   Ace South African comedian Leon Schuster is heading to Bollywood country for the sequel to his hit film "Mr Bones".

Film producer Anant Singh said here that the sequel to "Mr Bones" would be partly shot on location in the Indian subcontinent as a co-production with an Indian production company.

The announcement followed a 10-day location scouting exercise in India by Schuster and director Gray Hofmeyr. And sure enough, Schuster is heading for Mumbai.

"'Mr Bones' was very popular with Indian audiences, both in theatres and on TV, and it was dubbed into Hindi and other local languages," Singh said.

"We are thrilled to be doing a film in India which has the largest film industry in the world, making more movies than Hollywood, and which is supported by a vast audience from a population of more than a billion people."

"Mr Bones" became an international hit after Schuster played a white African sangoma (traditional healer) who gets involved in a range of comic capers combining slapstick and cross-cultural idiosyncrasies. Schuster has had numerous hits in the past decade using this unique brand of comedy.

Singh said the Bones character was thus ideally set to end up in India to continue his journey in an exotic location and to continue creating his brand of chaos.

Singh said his company VideoVision has been in discussion with leading Indian filmmakers Mohan Shetty of AdLabs, Bobby Bedi of Kaleidoskope Entertainment and Ronnie Screwvala of UTV.

Schuster, who was present during the announcement, said: "The Indian audiences enjoy visual humour and I am thrilled that they embraced 'Mr Bones.'

"Just looking around the country, the people and all the goings-on, Gray and I already have some really great ideas for a really hilarious and amusing script. I am truly looking forward to my Indian adventure."

The sequel to "Mr Bones" is to be shot in India later this year and marks the first time that a South Africa-India co-production would be shot in both the countries.


IANS