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Bollywood stars under house arrest during rains
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, July 3 Incessant rains disrupted normal life in Mumbai yet again last week and film stars weren't spared either. Many were forced to cancel their programmes and sit at home and they feel it's high time the authorities took measures to end the chaos in the city.

 
  

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Shabana Azmi: I had to go for a wedding to Delhi but I couldn't reach the airport. But that was not a major concern for me. I was far more anxious about the plight of slum dwellers. Mumbai's first priority should be to put in place a storm water drainage system in a planned manner for the next 100 years.

Ekta Kapoor: It was a terrible time for me as my basement got flooded. I had to send my cars to the neighbours' building. I couldn't bunk office. So I braved the torrential rains. But several of my colleagues couldn't make it as our office cars got stuck in the middle of the road. This shouldn't happen in Mumbai.

Kangana Ranaut: I was stuck at home. I had to go for a narration and a photo shoot. Both got cancelled. Everyone was scared to step out. Could this really happen in Mumbai? Back home in my little town in Himachal, heavy rains mean a holiday. But nobody can afford to take a day off in Mumbai. It's such a shame. The civic authorities should immediately take steps to avoid this situation during monsoons.

Upen Patel: I chilled out at home. I sat by my window with a view outside and just stared at the rain ... this always calms me. But I had the choice of staying at home and enjoying the rains indoors. What about the thousands of people who had to step out? Women and children were stranded. And what about health emergencies for elderly people?
 

 
'Bombay to Goa' promises a hilarious bus ride

New Delhi, July 3 Debutant director Raj Pendurkar has roped in a host of comedians from television and films for his "Bombay to Goa" that promises to be a laugh riot.

The film, releasing Friday, is about a bus journey and stars stand-up comedians Raju Shrivastav, Sunil Pal, Ehsaan Qureshi, Naveen Prabhakar along with the seasoned comic stars from Bollywood - Asrani, Jagdeep, Paintal and Jr. Mehmood. It also has Vijay Raaz.

The story revolves around Lal (Sunil Pal) and Das (Vijay Raaz). Lal is a very ambitious guy who wants to be successful and start his own business. He is basically a dreamer and thinks about doing something big in life.

Das, an ex-bus driver, is a loudmouth and arrogant. He used to work in a state transport company but couldn't get along with his seniors and eventually left the job.

Then lady luck smiles on Lal and he wins Rs.200,000 in a contest and both friends decide to go into business. Das suggests that they can start a travel agency but for that they need more money because they can't even afford a Maruti car in that amount.

So they go to Chor Bazaar and buy spare parts of old and imported cars and make a bus. Lal has no idea about what the bus is going to look like. He just gives the money to Das and says, "I trust you, go ahead with it". Das asks Lal to get the passengers for the bus on a particular day.

Lal lures people by saying that they have this palace-on-wheels coming up and manages to book 15-16 passengers. He gives them a discount claiming that you'll get the best bus service in the world.

But when the bus comes in, it is a madhouse, and people demand their money back. So Das comes up with an idea, saying that this is a pick-up bus and we can get passengers on the highway. Finally, they try to persuade passengers on the way and carry on with their journey.

The Amitabh Bachchan-Aruna Irani starrer "Bombay to Goa" (1972) was a huge flop.

With expected biggies like "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" flopping and small fries like "Bheja Fry" scoring hits, one can hope that this performance-oriented film clicks with the audience.
 

 
Kareena and Shahid mobbed in Shimla

Mumbai, July 3 Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur were mobbed by fans while shooting for Imtiaz Ali's yet untitled love story at a railway station in Shimla.

"The incident happened at the Shimla railway station which was initially secluded and quiet but in an hour's time word spread that a film was being shot there and people started pouring in," said Parag Desai, spokesperson for Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd., which is producing the film.

The crowd became so uncontrollable that the director had to call off the shooting. The actors were bundled away from the spot and the police were called.

"Suddenly, there was a sea of people. They would just not let the actors do their work. We had to quickly get Kareena and Shahid away as things were getting out of hand. The shoot had to be stopped for that day.

"The cops arrived and dispersed the crowd and shooting resumed only to be stopped again. Some portions of the film were then shot in the nearby mountains to avoid the milling crowd," added Desai.

The film is mainly shot in Punjab and the unit had to face this problem there as well.

"It happened wherever they went. It could also be that such areas don't chance upon big stars so they go berserk. In Patiala too there was an exterior shot which had to be cancelled due to crowds," said Desai.

Ali's film is slated to release by the end of this year. He has earlier directed the Ayesha Takia and Abhay Deol starrer "Socha Na Tha".
 

 
Amitabh to recite father's poetry in New York
By Parveen Chopra

New York, July 3 Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is set to recite his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poems at a literary and cultural festival here next month.

The event called "Bachchan Sandhya" will be held Aug 18 at the Lincoln Center - a premier venue for the performing arts. The cultural do has been organised by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, US, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of India's independence and the centenary of late Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a celebrated Hindi poet and litterateur.

On the occasion, Amitabh's wife and actress Jaya Bachchan will offer her own reminiscences about the life and achievements of her father-in-law.

A dance-drama entitled "Jeevan", based on Bachchan's poems, will be presented by renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer Vaswati Mishra and her troupe.

Bachchan's best-known work is "Madhushala", a series of quatrains or rubai. On the surface, the book seems like an ode to alcohol, but is actually an allegory about the complexity of life. "Madhushala" has been recited by Amitabh and sung by Manna De on tape.

 

Lal Masjid demands ban on Naseeruddin Shah starrer

Islamabad, July 3 "Khuda Kay Liye", a film that depicts the struggle between fundamentalist and liberal Muslims and stars India's Naseeruddin Shah and Pakistani actor Shan, has attracted the ire of the radical Lal Masjid here.

Demanding a ban on the film, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, deputy chief cleric of the mosque that has been at loggerheads with the government on several issues, has warned of serious consequences if a private TV channel is allowed to telecast the film.

He would not object, however, if a board that would include ulema - the Muslim priests - cleared the film, the cleric was quoted as saying in the Daily Times Tuesday.

Ghazi declared the film "blasphemous", meaning that it was derogatory to Islam and a punishable offence under Pakistani law.

"The film is against Islamic norms and traditions and is being released on a private TV channel without prior approval from a censor board. We won't allow this," said Ghazi.

"The government will be held responsible if the film is released without being censored," he said. The film - produced by Shoaib Mansoor - is scheduled to be released here on July 7.

Ghazi and his brother, Maulana Abdul Aziz, have been daring authorities for the last six months after capturing a part of a girl's seminary. The government says the students - both boys and girls - are trained and armed.

President Pervez Musharraf last week said the militants ensconced inside have connections with the Al Qaida and belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), engaged in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1990s.

Lal Masjid was in the news for abducting Chinese workers, including women, at a massage parlour that it said was doubling up as a brothel.

Earlier, its fatwa forced out the country's Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar who was supposed to have hugged her coach, a Frenchman, after completing a para-jump in France to gather funds for charity.
 

 
Doing 'Goal' is like catching up with my past: John
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, July 3 Under normal circumstances real-life couples tend to stay away on screen from each other. But going against the norm John Abraham decided to work with girlfriend Bipasha Basu in "Goal".

Vivek Agnihotri is directing the film.

Explaining his decision to act with Bipasha again, John told IANS: "Bipasha and I just didn't have the opportunity to come together. What was being offered wasn't tempting. Both Bipasha and I feel 'Goal' works as a whole.

"Besides I've played A-division soccer, I captained my football team in school and college. Soccer is in my blood, just like bikes."

So which sport does John prefer now?

"Soccer was a favourite in school. Bikes now. I never rode bikes in school, so football was my passion then. Doing 'Goal' is like catching up with my past. Bipasha and I are shooting it in a three-month schedule in London."

After finishing Anurag Kashyap's "No Smoking" in mid-January John took a small break.

"I took a small break and then went into 'Goal'. I didn't need to practice too hard on my soccer. So I was chilled in London, in more ways than one."

As for the resurgence of sports films, John is all for it.

"It feels great to have sports films. If after watching Shah Rukh Khan in Shimit Amin's 'Chak De India' girls start playing hockey and if after watching me in 'Goal' kids take up football, then great! Cricket brings out the passionate patriot in all Indians, why not soccer?"

As a youth icon John takes his responsibilities very seriously.

"As an actor it's important for me to be a very good role model. Whenever I consider an offer this responsibility is always in the back of my mind."

But what about the villain in "Dhoom" and the chain-smoker in "No Smoking"?

"My role in 'No Smoking' won't send out the wrong signal. When people will see the larger picture, they won't imitate my smoking. My character goes through so many upheavals in the film.

"And Anurag is so confident about every shot. 'No Smoking' is different from every film I've done. I didn't mind working for 18-20 hours at a stretch because it feels like family."

Interestingly, John used to be a smoker.

"I quit. Then I took up smoking for 'No Smoking'. But I'm strong enough to not become a smoker. Everyone on the sets smoked quietly. Since it's banned on the sets, we used to sneak into a corner collectively for a smoke."

The actor, who is multitasking, is happy with his roles in life.

"I'm happy with my clothes brand, calendar and my movies. I want the brand John Abraham to outlive the man. It's important for me to build a brand name for myself."

Meanwhile, another star couple, Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, haven't signed any more films together after the failure of "Fida" and "Chup Chup Ke". They just have "Milenge Milenge", which they signed long back.
 

 
Mrinalini Sharma signs two more films with Bhatts

New Delhi, July 3 Bollywood's new find, Mrinalini Sharma, has bagged two more films with Vishesh Films, a film production company of the celebrated Bhatt camp.

Mrinalini, who has been launched by the Bhatts in their biggest budget movie "Awarapan", in which she plays the role of a tortured Pakistani girl trapped in a flesh trade network and is trafficked to Hong Kong, has displayed her intense acting skills.

"I have signed up for two more films with the Bhatts," the svelte actress told IANS. "My next film is 'Showbiz' which will show the dark side of media and fame. The film narrates the story of a young singer, whose rise to fame is meteoric.

"The film is about this journey and how media sometimes abuses its power in the fight to increase viewership."

The model-turned-actress loves music, enjoys reading and is a movie buff.

The Bhatts, over the years, are known to dig out fresh faces. Some of their recent finds like Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut have been hugely successful in Bollywood.

 
I'm happy not acting in 'Gandhi My Father': Anil Kapoor (Interview)
By Prithwish Ganguly

New Delhi, July 3 It comes as a surprise to many that veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who has enthralled audiences for decades with his versatile acting, does not feature in the cast of the movie that he is producing.

"Gandhi My Father", which explores the troubled relationship of Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal, is the first film produced by Anil.

However, he did not want to act in the film as he felt that he would have compromised his roles as a producer and as an actor if he had tried to do both.

"As actors we are all narcissists, self-indulgent but I felt true to the script," Anil told IANS. "I'm happy being the producer of the film because I feel if I would have done both I could have compromised my job both as a producer as well as an actor."

The 57-year-old actor is relishing the fact that people are disappointed that they will not get to savour his intense acting in the sensitive film.

"I'm really feeling good that people are coming and asking me why is Anil Kapoor not in the film," he said. "It's a great feeling. I don't want to reach a stage when people start saying why are you in the film."

Anil, whose acting in films like "Mr. India", "1942: A Love Story" and "Pukar" earned him critical acclaim, says the Indian and Asian film industry is developing its technology and content very fast and will give Hollywood a run for its money in the near future.

"The Indian film industry has changed a lot and is continuing to change for the better very fast," he said. "The films made today are technically very polished, the scripts are becoming better and I think very soon Indian as well as Asian films will give stiff competition to Hollywood."

Anil will soon be displaying his acting prowess in three films "Welcome", "Race" and Subhash Ghai's "Black N White", in which he plays the role of a professor.

 
Bollywood roots for the Taj
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, July 3 From Shabana Azmi to Priyanka Chopra and Anupam Kher to Hema Malini - most members of the Bollywood film fraternity feel the Taj Mahal, a symbol of true love, definitely deserves a place among the new seven wonders of the world.

Stars apart, people from all sections of society are also campaigning for the Taj Mahal, which is facing tough competition to find a place in the new list of wonders. The grand monument in Agra was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Shabana Azmi: Of course, the Taj Mahal has to be one of the seven wonders! It's the only one out of the seven that is a tribute to love. In today's strife-ridden world we need to remind ourselves that there's always room for sublime feelings.

Hema Malini: It's our most precious heritage. If the same Taj Mahal were to be constructed now it won't be half the wonder that it is, in spite of all the technical expertise at our disposal. The Taj Mahal is a labour of love. Even today we marvel at how such a flawless architecture could have been created in those days. How can it not be a wonder of the world?

Anupam Kher: It is the greatest and only symbol of true love in the world today. The rest of the so-called wonders of the world are merely historical monuments. And in the chaos of today's existence, a monument of love is as precious as any near-extinct emotion or entity.

Priyanka Chopra: Should the Taj Mahal be one of the Seven Wonders of the World? It's like asking should birds fly. The Taj Mahal is a symbol of many things - it's the essence of creativity, talent and emotion of mankind. The sheer magnificence and beauty of Taj Mahal puts it ahead of all the contenders. It's an architectural marvel created with thousands of bare hands. It stands tall, proud and above all competition. A testimony to true love!

John Abraham: I think the Taj Mahal definitely deserves to be designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Kangana Ranaut: The Taj Mahal is simply the most stunning visual in the world. No doubt about it. Someday I'd like to find my own Shah Jahan who would at least marry me in front of the Taj Mahal and just buy me my own five-bedroom Taj Mahal in Pali Hill.

Lara Dutta: The Taj Mahal has never been just a monument. It's always been the ultimate symbol of eternal love. In these times of increasing stress and violence it is a living reminder of what love can manifest.

Randeep Hooda: It is a wonder because it was built for love. Nowadays no one does anything for love.

Dino Morea: First and foremost, it's one of the most magnificent structures ever built on this earth. The Taj Mahal reminds us of the most beautiful emotion in the world - love. And secondly, who would want to try to build another monument to love that salutes the moon and kisses the stars?

Bipasha Basu: In these times of turmoil, terror and tumult, the Taj Mahal stands as a testimony to love. It reminds us of a time when romance was an integral part of life and a pointer to history. On a more surface level, it is breathtakingly beautiful. As a true Indian and a global person I think the Taj Mahal deserves a place among the seven wonders.

Ram Gopal Varma: I've no idea about this, and no interest.

UNESCO is expected to announce the list July 7 in Portugal's Benfica Stadium. And actress Bipasha Basu is slated to be one of the celebrities announcing the names of the new seven wonders.
 

 
Singer Shibani to play Osama's friend
By Arpana

Mumbai, July 3 After singing and composing, Shibani Kashyap is now moving on to acting. She makes her debut with director Faisal Saif's controversial film "Osama" - a love story that starts from Kashmir, travels to Afghanistan and ends at the World Trade Center.

"I am playing a cameo in the film. I play Osama's friend," Shibani told IANS.

But the singer doesn't want to make acting her fulltime profession.

"As of now, I don't have any full-fledged acting ambitions because I am too busy with my music. I am doing film music and I have to complete my new album. So there isn't time for acting. I can take it as a hobby, not as a profession," said Shibani, who has to her credit hit tracks like "Zinda" and "Sajna aa bhi jaa".

While the singer has been a guest composer in all her previous works, she will compose the entire music score for "Osama", which stars Jackie Shroff, Gauri Karnik and Kader Khan and is being produced by Das Music. There are five songs in the film.

"Its true that this is my first film as a composer. Most of the songs are situational and I have already finished one song," she said.

Apart from this, her long collaboration with filmmaker Sanjay Gupta continues as she is singing for his upcoming ventures - "Woodstock Villa" that will introduce Anupam Kher's son Sikander Kher and his English art cinema "The Great Indian Butterfly", which stars Sandhya Mridul and Koel Purie.

In the two movies Shibani has composed and sung the songs titled "Dhokha dega dhokha khayega" and "Thodi thodi saanch" respectively.

The music of "Woodstock Villa", according to her, "sounds like something straight out of a James Bond track. It has an international feel to it".

And about the song she is singing, Shibani said: "Though it cannot be slated as an item song, it is very groovy and catchy with a medium tempo. It is a deep, substantial and meaningful song. As far as my appearance in the video is concerned, it is not yet decided."

She added: "I am also doing Sanjay Gupta's 'Alibaug'."

Shibani is slowly but steadily creating a niche for himself in filmdom. She has also recently completed a song for Rohit Shetty's "Sunday" picturised on Esha Deol.
 

 
Manish Malhotra to style new 'Kyunkii...' hero
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, July 2 After his wife Gautami, it's "Kkassam Se" star Ram Kapoor's turn to get into the long-running series "Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" from July 4. Bollywood's ace designer Manish Malhotra has been roped in to design his new look.

"We're getting my dear friend Manish Malhotra to design Ram's look," Ekta told IANS.

This is not the first time Manish is helping out Ekta in giving a hip look to a character of her series. Earlier, he gave Sakshi Tanwar, the main protagonist of "Khaani Ghar Ghar Kii" series, a new makeover.

"As one of my brother Tusshar's friends in the US said, from a yawn Sakshi has become a jaw-dropper. After Sakshi, I felt no one could transform Ram like Manish.

"He plays a cross between Jack Nicholson in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and Al Pacino in 'The Devil's Advocate'. Ram plays an eccentric recluse who lives all alone with his cats," she added.

Ram will dress up very differently from how he does in Zee TV's "Kkassam Se".

"The character will wear only green. He's quite a weird character... wacky and flamboyant like Glenn Close in '100 Dalmatians'. He is also very satirical and over-the-top. I'd like to see him as a modern-day Kishore Kumar."

Now, apparently, other actors at Balaji are very keen to get a Manish Malhotra makeover.

"He's too big and busy to take on too much television. He's too busy doing the clothes for biggest of stars in the biggest of movies. He's also starting his own film. But he can never say no to me. I can't ask him more than once or twice a year to dress up someone in my serial."

Ram will be related to Tulsi's character in the serial in a big way. "But how, we can't reveal that now, can we?" chuckled Ekta.
 

 
Hema upbeat about first international retrospective
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, July 2 The Bangkok International Film Festival starting July 19 is set to showcase some of the best works of Bollywood star Hema Malini.

As expected, Hema is upbeat.

"They want to screen some of my best works. I'd like them to screen 'Sholay', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Lal Patthar', 'Khushboo', 'Prem Nagar', 'Ek Chadar Maili Si', 'Meera', 'Dulhan'... The problem is, they don't want DVD copies for the screening. They require prints, and that too with subtitles," Hema told IANS.

Last year it was impossible for Amitabh Bachchan to obtain a print of "Sholay" and some of his other films for a retrospective in the US. Keeping that in mind, the actress has decided to take personal interest in getting the prints organised for the Bangkok festival.

"It isn't everyday that one gets a chance like this. Since this is my first time at any festival I'd like it to be a comprehensive retrospective of my films.

"Although my hands are full with political and cultural activities, and I've two daughters to look after, I want to give myself the luxury of enjoying this recognition."

Laughing, she brushes off the scarcity of recognition and honours in her unprecedented decade-long reign as the box office queen.

"I guess when I was busy working I was just busy. I never thought of the awards and rewards. Now when I look back, I do feel there weren't too many occasions for my work to be reviewed."
 
Bobby goes straight in 'Ek'

New Delhi, July 2 Bored with his curly locks, Bobby Deol has been trying different hairdos in his films. After the braided look in "Shakalaka Boom Boom", blonde locks in "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom", the actor is trying out a new hair do in upcoming release, "Ek - The Power of One".

Celebrity stylist Aalim Hakim, who has styled Bobby's hair in "Ek" after "Shakalaka...", says he has straightened the locks for the new film.

For "Ek", an action movie, the director initially wanted Bobby to sport stubble. "But then everybody with a dark character has one. So we decided on a thin beard for Bobby," said Aalim.

Well, now that's what we call versatility!

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Aashish Chowdhury in DJ Aqeel's music video

Aashish Chowdhury, who featured in the box office dud "Fight Club", will be seen in DJ Aqeel's new music album in a totally different avatar.

After having done music videos for greats like Asha Bhosle, Hema Sardesai and Hans Raj Hans, Aashish, who failed to find a foothold on the big screen, is grooving to Aqeel's tunes. He will dance to the remixed tunes of the song "Vaada Karo" in the album.

This is DJ Aqeel's new one after a gap of two years. He made his last with brother-in-law Zayed Khan.

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'Heyy Babyy' creates record on cyberspace

The much-awaited Sajid Nadiadwala film "Heyy Babyy" has been a blockbuster hit on youtube.com, getting 10,000 hits on the first day.

The film with a heavy-duty star cast of Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Vidya Balan has made a huge impact in the digital space. No sooner was the film's promo uploaded on youtube.com, surfers started flocking the site.

Said Nadiadwala: "Yes, I did get a call from my overseas distributor who informed me about the excellent buzz on youtube.com and overseas that the promos have generated. It's just overwhelming."

And if this is an early indicator, then "Heyy Babyy" could end up a sure fire blockbuster at the box office too.

"I have made the film putting myself in the audiences' shoes. I have tried to slip into the skin of the audience. I want to entertain them. In fact, the characters of Akshay, Fardeen and Riteish reflect different aspects of my personality," said director Sajid Khan.

Looks like the buzz on "Heyy Babyy" will spread like wildfire.

 
PVR Cinemas on expansion spree

New Delhi, July 2 Multiplex chain PVR cinemas will add over 200 screens across India, staggered over a period of three years from 2008-2010, a company official said.

"We will add 200 more screens to our present strength across India over a period of three years starting 2008," Ashish Shukla, Chief Executive Officer of PVR Ltd., told IANS.

With major players like Adlabs, Cinemax, Inox and Fame also on an expansion spree across the country, Shukla says PVR only intends to expand in select cities.

"Position wise, PVR is the biggest in India and we are certainly not into the screen game," he said.

Last year, PVR cinemas bagged the 'Retailer of the Year' award in entertainment category at the Images Retail Award-2006, a distinction it has won for three consecutive years.

 
Spotlight on Japanese films at Osian film fest

New Delhi, July 2 This year's edition of the prestigious Osian's-Cinefan Film Festival, one of Asia's leading film fests, will focus on Japanese films with a tribute to director Kenji Mizoguchi.

With the tagline 'Recreating Cinematic Culture', the ninth Osian's-Cinefan Festival, beginning here July 20, will screen a number of Samurai films. It will be accompanied by an exhibition of Samurai armour and helmets, and on Japanese dolls, all from the Osian's archives.

There will also be a Silhouettes section. It will consist of films with women as central characters, in an oblique reference to Mizoguchi's predilection for highlighting the situation of women in Japanese society in his time.

The festival will also commemorate the 150th anniversary of India's First War of Independence in 1857 by showing films that describe the struggle for freedom in Asia and the Arab world.

The contribution of the choreographers, the unsung heroes, will also be highlighted in the Film Craft section. A special tribute will be paid to the technique of cinema.

The festival, which offers a platform to first time directors by premiering their films, will showcase Mumbai-based Rajashree Ojha's directorial debut "Chaurahen".

Apart from the usual panel discussions, seminars and auctions of popular culture and film memorabilia along with a number of exhibitions, it will have a 'talent campus' for budding young filmmakers from South Asia.

The lifetime achievement award for distinguished contribution to writing on cinema will be given away in recognition of the role of the scriptwriter and the critic in the creation and promotion of films.

There will be three competition sections - Asian & Arab Cinema, First Films from Asia and Indian Cinema. The regular sections are Cross-Cultural Encounters, Frescoes of Asian and Arab films and Indian Mosaic for the best of the previous year's productions.

Organised by Osian's Connoisseurs of Art, India's pioneering arts institution and auction house, the festivals aims to create a merit-oriented and financially independent cultural infrastructure.

This year the screening will take place in seven theatres, including PVR halls.
 
Singer Arpita Mukherjee questions reality shows
By Shweta Thakur

New Delhi, July 2 Voted out of the music talent hunt show "Fame Gurukul" by the audience in the last round, singer Arpita Mukherjee said the audience vote is an ambiguous system and its authenticity is doubtful.

"Audience vote is an ambiguous system as most of the competitors who are not talented win music talent hunt reality shows," Arpita told IANS.

"Are viewers, who are voting, fools that they cannot differentiate between the talented and untalented singers?

"Channels claim that they receive a huge number of votes but nobody knows whether they really pour in or they quote the figures according to their convenience as it is not a transparent procedure," she added.

The budding talent, who was among the four finalists of the musical talent hunt show, said that reality shows are fabricated and "by means of clever editing they portray a false image" of the person on screen.

"Reality shows create unnecessary hype. They project a completely wrong image of a person. He and she may be completely opposite of what is shown on screen."

Arpita, who had also participated in the music talent hunt show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Golden Voice", agreed that personal biases amongst the teachers and judges of talent hunt shows couldn't be ruled out.

"A person in an extremely prestigious position of a judge must be impartial and adjudicate only on musical ability of the participant. If the (current) trend continues, then these reality shows have a dim future," said Arpita, who has already anchored shows like "Fun Antakshari" on ETV Urdu and "Meri Baat" on Doordarshan.

Arpita had sung the title track of Samar Khan's film "Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye" and now she is ready to wow audiences with her debut album "Yeh Hai Chand". She has also lent her voice for two songs in Ashok Nanda's upcoming movie "Riwaaz".

 
I was sick of kissing on screen: Emraan Hashmi

New Delhi, July 2 Emraan Hashmi, who has been tagged as a 'serial kisser' by the media, says he is sick of kissing people on screen and is happy that his latest flick "Awarapan" does not have any such scenes.

"I was sick of kissing on screen," the 28-year-old actor said during a news conference in New Delhi to promote "Awarapan". "I was being typecast as a kisser. Thankfully, I'm not kissing anyone in this film.

"When I used to see myself kissing on screen, I did not feel good myself and I can understand what the audience must have felt. There was a time when people came up to me and said that our kids love you but they cannot go to see your films."

He added: "I wanted to break this stereotyping of myself and I took a risk in 'Awarapan' by not doing all that I was previously related to. This film marks the second phase of Emraan Hashmi."

"Awarapan", which deals with the serious issue of flesh trade in Southeast Asia, portrays a Pakistani woman, played by newcomer Mrinalini Sharma, trafficked to Hong Kong.

Emraan Hashmi plays the role of a small time crook from Jodhpur who lands up in Hong Kong and saves the girl from the traffickers. The film, which released June 29, opened to a lukewarm response at the box-office but its business has been picking up since Sunday.

"Awarapan" marks the first major overseas release for Emraan Hashmi.

"The film has been released in over six countries and is doing good business in the US, UK and Dubai. I'm very excited at this response since it's my big overseas release," said the actor, who is sporting long hair and stubble.

The actor, who has acted in around 16 films, has his platter full with two more movies, one with the Bhatt camp titled "Jannat" and the other is touted to be a sequel to "Raaz", a 2002 horror film staring Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu.

Emraan wants to land the role of the ghost in the sequel to "Raaz" and in "Jannat" he plays a bookie. "Jannat" deals with the shady world of betting in cricket and is said to focus on Bob Woolmer's mysterious death during the World Cup.
 

Film on Mahatma opposed by Gandhians in Bihar

Patna, July 2 A new film on Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on his strained relationship with his eldest son, has drawn protests from Gandhians in Bihar.

Gandhians have urged President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi to stop the release of "Gandhi My Father" as it is based on the controversial aspects of the life of the father of the nation.

The film, directed by veteran theatre personality Feroz Abbas Khan and scheduled for release on Aug 3, explores the Mahatma's strained relationship with his eldest son, Harilal, who embraced Islam.

Razi Ahmad, 70, a Gandhian, has written to the president, PM and the information and broadcasting minister, seeking their intervention to stop the film's release. "We strongly feel that the film should not be released," Ahmad said on behalf of Gandhians.

He said the Gandhians are against the release of the film as it portrays Mahatma Gandhi in bad light.

"The name of Mahatma Gandhi or that of any other national leader should not be used for commercial purposes. It is against the law of the land," Ahmad, who is also the secretary of Patna's Gandhi Sangrahalay, said here Monday.

"We are of the view that any attempt to tarnish the image of national heroes should not be permitted," he said.

Ahmad said the film exploits the controversial aspects of his life, particularly his "troubled" relationship with his eldest son.

The film narrates incidents from Gandhiji's life between 1906 and 1948 and uses the then socio-political structure as its backdrop.

The film, the first independent production of Bollywood star Anil Kapoor, has been shot in Hindi and English over a period of 100 days.

 

UTV Motion Pictures lists on LSE market

Mumbai, July 2 UTV Motion Pictures, a subsidiary of UTV Software Communications Ltd that churned out Bollywood hits like "Rang De Basanti", Monday listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), part of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The company has raised $70 million gross after placement of new ordinary shares with investors in Britain, Europe and Asia, valuing UTV Motion Pictures at a staggering $309.3 million at the IPO price.

"We are delighted with the response from investors who recognise that UTV's early adoption of the Hollywood studio model will enable the company to establish a leading position in the Indian movie industry. We now have the funds to implement our strategy for rapid, profitable growth," said UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala.

The money will be used to fund future national and international projects of the company, including Hollywood based Indian filmmaker Night Shyamlan's next project, mega epic "Jodha-Abkar" and two films with Hollywood actor Will Smith.
 

 
British singer Simon Webbe keen to work in Bollywood

New Delhi, July 1 Popular British pop singer Simon Webbe likes listening to Punjabi bhangra music and now wants to act in a Bollywood movie.

"I really want to act in a Bollywood movie," Simon said during a news conference here late Saturday. "I'm open to offers because I love India.

"Acting in an Indian film will enable me to understand Indian culture better and know more about the music. I have listened to bhangra and I love it. It's very catchy," he added.

The former member of the all boy band 'Blue', who has two solo albums - "Sanctuary" and "Grace" - to his credit, is busy with his next album.

"I have composed this song 'Run' which most probably will be the first single of my next album," said the 28-year-old singer.

 
Indian beauty queen helps build homes for poor in US

New Delhi, July 1 Indian beauty queen and former Miss World Diana Hayden has joined hands with some of Hollywood's most influential women to build homes for the needy and poor in Los Angeles.

Last week, Diana teamed up with more than 100 of Hollywood's leading women such as actresses Jeanne Tripplehorn of "Big Love" fame, Julie Bowen ("Ed" and "Boston Legal"), Diane Farr ("Numbers") and author of "The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement" for an event designed to empower and celebrate women while raising awareness about the need for affordable housing in the US.

"Diana helped put up framing for the homes and worked on other aspects including the fittings," said her spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar. "Apart from being delighted to support a charitable project like this, the most touching part was when Diana met the families who will one day live in these homes," he added.

The families will be able to move into their new homes later this year.

The celebrities partnered with the Habitat for Humanity charitable organisation in Los Angeles for the one-day annual invitation-only event termed 'Power Women, Power Tools', to build homes in south Los Angeles at one of the build-sites for this year's Jimmy Carter Work Project.

"After the day's work was completed, a special ceremony took place to surprise 20 Los Angeles families with the news that they have qualified to become 'Habitat for Humanity' partner families. Their reactions were a mix of shock and joy," Bhagwagar said.

Recollects Diana: "The joy and euphoria was stunning! Some were clapping, some laughing and crying. When you see the expression on their faces you feel so special to be part of something so beautiful. And when you work alongside them, the love and magic you experience is priceless."

The event was sponsored by Home Interiors Charitable Foundation, part of Home Interiors and Gifts, a direct seller of home decor accessories.

The partner families were chosen from more than 500 applications. They were selected on the basis of need, willingness to invest at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" building their home and an ability to repay a zero-interest loan.

 
Can shaken Bollywood still stir a triumph this year?
By Priyanka Khanna

New Delhi, July 1 Extending numerological superstitions to taglines of film titles may well be the newest trend in the tinsel town, given the superb box office opening garnered by latest Hindi film - "Aap Kaa Surroor: The Moviee".

The film introducing irrepressible singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya as lead actor released Friday to an opening that was at par with the biggest openers of 2006 like "Krrish" and "Dhoom 2".

For the Hindi film trade that has been facing a crisis with big budget, mega hyped and heavily promoted films sinking at the box-office with unnerving regularity, the stupendous and unexpected opening has sent hopes soaring.

The composer of super hit numbers like "Aaashiq banaya...", "Jhalak dikhlaja" and many others that chiefly fuse pop and techno, Reshammiya's acting debut has clearly taken Bollywood by surprise.

Characterised and often mocked and criticised for his vocals that have a distinctively nasal twang that he defends by terming them as high pitch and his forever capped and unshaven look, Reshammiya seems to have got himself a strong following of urban and suburban youth a la Salman Khan.

Marketing himself as an outsider who made it big, he has been taking all ridicule in his stride and even has an animated version of himself coming up. If "Aap Kaa Surroor: The Moviee" continues its great start at the box office, it will surely rock the star system of Bollywood.

The film starring Mallika Sherawat and newcomer Hansika Motwani has the singer-composer playing himself mostly. It has all the masala elements thrown in to make it appealing to masses.

It is not the best on story, technical or musical fronts but rests squarely on packaging of Reshammiya as a hero.

The triumph of a new banner in the wake of box-office drubbing of two high-profile Yash Raj Films (YRF) "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" and "Ta Ra Rum Pum" would reaffirm that no one knows what will work or which trend to follow.

Critics moan that YRF, Bollywood's biggest banner, has long stopped making quality films. It has been taking the audience for granted, promoting camps in the industry, packaging egos as entertainment.

But this year audiences have given them a good fright. The biggest hit of the year so far is "Bheja Fry", a film costing Rs.6 million going on to make about Rs.120 million. "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd" collected about Rs.80 million and "The Namesake" also raked in approximately Rs.50 million.

Among the big-budget films, Mani Ratnam reaffirmed faith in his genius with the seemingly commercially non-viable "Guru" garnering Rs.300 million.

Other decent performers were "Shootout At Lokhandwala", still running in theatres, and "Namastey London" that fared decently by earning more than Rs.150 million.

The duds of the year include "Salaam-e-Ishq", "Eklavya: The Royal Guard", "Big Brother", "Provoked", "Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi", "Shakalaka Boom Boom", "Just Married", "Water" and "Yatra".

"Tara Rum Pum" raked in more than Rs.150 million in two weeks, but has been unable to rake in the moolah from the single screens. At best it can be described as an average hit. But nothing could prepare for what was in store for "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom".

The movie pitted as YRF's super hit of the year had no substance. It is struggling to find its feet after its June 15 release. The film is no match to the Rajnikant-starrer Tamil film, "Sivaji: The Boss", which is racing towards Rs.1 billion mark in the first two weeks and is expected to pocket another Rs.500 million.

The other big money-churner on the Indian marquees was "Spider-Man-3" smashing all previous records for Hollywood films in the country. Grossing Rs.640 million in India, it was released in four Indian languages that gave it unprecedented reach.

But after the dry spell in the first half, the monsoon for Bollywood is expected to arrive now with upcoming movies.

Says director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: "After 2006 viewers were expecting more from 2007. Maybe predictable cinema has not cut ice with the audience but it's not as if we haven't had hits. The creative seed sowed last year will bear fruit soon."

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Optimism in Bollywood has not died down.

"Even though many films have not done well during the first half, the rest of the year has tremendous potential as there is a good line-up of films," says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

"Financially, Bollywood will be in a good position as there are many promising films yet to come, which will make profits," he added.

YRF will return to try their luck once again with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Chak De India", Madhuri Dixit's comeback film "Aaja Nachle" and Pradeep Sarkar's "Laga Chunari Mein Daag". Expect more of allegations of the big banner twisting multiplex arms to extract higher ticket revenues.

Then there is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya", the most awaited Indian film made by a Hollywood studio. The film marking the debut of Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam and Rishi Kapoor's son Ranbir will be released across the world simultaneously.

The other long-delayed Hollywood-Bollywood collaboration, "Marigold" will also finally release this year. The film stars Salman Khan opposite international star Ali Larter. Willard Carroll directs it.

Other films to watch out for include Anil Kapoor's "Gandhi My Father", Abbas-Mastan's "Naqaab", David Dhawan's comeback with Salman and Govinda in "Partner" and Sajid Khan's directorial debut "Heyy Babyy" with Akshay Kumar in lead.

Among the most anticipated are Ashutosh Gowarikar's period drama "Jodha Akbar" with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai and Farah Khan's "Om Shanti Om" with Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone.

Though there is much in store, "Sivaji" success is unlikely to be surpassed. At most, Bollywood could attempt to overshadow the wall-crawler from New York.

  

The father in me is more predominant now: Rahul Bose
Fusion takes classical music to world stage: Shivkumar Sharma
Small films win big at the box office
Creating unique identity through animated reality
Jitendra buys farmland in Rajasthan
Lady luck smiles on 'Sivaji', shuns 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom'
Bipasha to join John in Pondicherry to scotch rumours
Abhishek stands by Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Anara Gupta's movie screening halted in Jammu
Himesh asks the Deols to back off

Television anchor Sajid Khan turns film director

Bangladeshi film goes to Munich Film Festival

NYK Bollywood Awards one of the worst organised: Kangana

Come to Yorkshire, Indian film producers urged

'Sexy' is not suggestive, says 'Cheeni Kum' director

Israeli film industry trying bolder themes: filmmaker

Saif, Siddharth miss working with each other

Shilpa centre of attraction as IIFA event rolls out today

DJ Aqeel tests negative, let off

IANS