Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Bollywood Film News : *

Back to Hindi movies section

  
Shahid, Kareena to act in Imtiaz Ali's love story
 
Mumbai, Feb 24   Director Imtiaz Ali is set to direct Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor, one of the most talked about Bollywood duos, in his next romantic flick.

Ali had earlier directed the critically acclaimed "Socha Na Tha", which was Abhay Deol's launch vehicle.

To be produced by Shree Ashtavinayak, the film's shooting is set to begin from March 20 in places like Mumbai, Chandigarh, Shimla and Kullu Manali.

Manish Malhotra, one of the most sought after designers in the Hindi film industry, will team up with Sabina Khan to design costumes for the duo.


The rest of the cast will be announced shortly.

   

                             Advertisement

Jiah celebrates 19th birthday

She doesn't have a single release to her credit yet but Jiah Khan is scorching the headlines since she had decided to work opposite Amitabh Bachchan in "Nishabd", loosely based on "Lolita".

The latest on Jiah is that she celebrated her 19th birthday on Feb 20 at a very hip and happening place at Juhu beach in Mumbai. And Jiah's mum surprised her with a fireworks display that spelt 'happy birthday Jiah' in true New York style.

Everyone close to her came to wish her. The entire "Nishbad" team, including Adlabs CEO Praveen Nishchal, as well as Pankaj Kharbanda and Prashant Raj were there to wish her.

Jiah was simply ecstatic and said: "It's just wonderful but my birthday gift is yet to come in the first week of March when 'Nishabd' releases, that's all I want."

-*-

Boom boom Patel!

Filmmaker Suneel Darshan can't stop raving about his new protégé Upen Patel, who is currently burning up the screen with the title track of "Shakalaka Boom Boom".

"Upen is the superstar of tomorrow, he brings style and energy to the screen which a lot of our big stars don't do today. It is time for the next generation of stars to take over. We need more youths in our cinema and he will lead the pack," said Darshan.

Well, the song and the young actor might be a hit but going by Darshan's last two films let's hope "Shakalaka Boom Boom" booms! And does not bomb!

-*-

Usha Bachani in Vikram Bhatt's movie

Television actress Usha Bachani will soon be seen in Vikram Bhatt's forthcoming episodic film "Life Main Kabhi Kabhie". Though it is a cameo, she seems quite excited about it because it's a fun movie with a strong concept.

"I had a great time shooting for this movie. I know Vikram from before so it was very comfortable shooting with him. Most of my scenes are with Aftab (Shivdasani) and he is an absolute sweetheart.

"The first day he came and introduced himself. We gradually built a good rapport. And Vikram is one amazing director. He knows what he is doing," said Usha.

The movie also has Dino Morea, Sammir Dattani, Nauheed Cyrusi, Anuj Sawhney and Anjori Alagh.

Usha is currently coming in Sony TV's "Ek Ladki Anjani Si".
 

Rajasthan readies for Hurley, Nayar wedding bashes
By Anil Sharma, 

Jodhpur, Feb 24   Preparations are reportedly in full swing for the much talked about post-wedding parties of Hollywood actress Liz Hurley and India-born businessmen Arun Nayar in Rajasthan.

Hurley and Nayar are slated to marry in Britain March 3 after which they are to fly to India and host celebrations in Mumbai and Rajasthan.

Close friends of Nayar are said to have already flown to Jodhpur to take stock of the arrangements.

According to informed sources, a lavish wedding party will be held at the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace here. The couple has already booked the hotel from March 8 to 10, hotel sources told IANS.

The Umaid Bhawan Palace, completed in the early 1940's, has 98 rooms and is considered one of the most beautiful hotels in Rajasthan. The opulent palace, part of which is still the home of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family, is set in 26 acres.

Hollywood star couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had also stayed here during their recent India visit.

Apart from Umaid Bhavan, around 10 rooms in Hotel Balsamand Palace, five km from here, have been booked for the guests. A second wedding bash is likely to be organised here as well.

The Balsamand Palace is a fine specimen of Rajput architecture in red sandstone, surrounded by lush green gardens. It is built on the banks of the 13th Century artificially created Balsamand Lake and has 35 rooms.

A third grand marriage do might be held in the 4th century Nagaur Fort, 137 km north of here. The fort comprises three palaces - Hadi Rani Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Badal Mahal - that are noted for their beautiful frescoes.

"The party will be held in one of the palaces within the fort," a well- informed source said.
 

After Saif, Hrithik falls ill
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 24   After shooting round-the-clock for Ashutosh Gowariker's "Jodha-Akbar", flying back each evening to rehearse for the Filmfare awards event and shooting for an ad in Singapore, superhero Hrithik Roshan is down with a severe attack of viral fever.

"I'm totally bedridden," he said from his home. "I've been working round-the-clock, flying in from Karjat to rehearse. Then I also took off for Singpaore.

"All the time I had high fever and was keeping it down with paracetamol tablets. Today is the first time when I'm resting. Post Saif, all of us really need to take care of ourselves," Hrithik told IANS.

Lately Hrithik has allowed himself to be self-indulgent with his food habits.

"I was so much into being well-toned for 'Dhoom 2' I decided to give my body a holiday! I splurged for a while. But, then, I needed to get back into shape. Therefore, after shooting, rehearsing for my Filmfare performance, I was also going to the gym daily.

"On top of all this, Gowariker hadn't warned me that we'd be doing sword-fighting sequences during the last 20 days when I was in and out of Mumbai and Karjat. All this has taken its toll. I'm completely exhausted and burning with a fever."

He brightens up while speaking about his role as Akbar.

"I've enjoyed playing everyone from Rohit in 'Koi... Mil Gaya' to Aryan in 'Dhoom 2'. But playing Akbar is a different challenge requiring a lot of researched attention."

The Urdu professor who called on location to check the accent is happy.

"He hasn't been complaining. So, I guess I'm doing it right," said Hrithik who is in no mood to sign another film yet.

"At the moment, I think a break is seriously needed after 'Jodha-Akbar'. We must learn to listen to warning signals from the body."
 

I find my 'Eklavya' role very complicated: Boman (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 24   Those who are tired of watching Boman Irani do the funny act might like his dead serious looks in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Eklavya".

"I did serious stuff in 'My Wife's Murder' and 'Don'. And now in 'Eklavya' I play a man whose history defines his present. I play a pitch-black character. Someone who's feared but who fears himself the most. It's the most complicated role I've ever done," Boman told IANS.

Chopra was someone Boman had worked with on the "Munnabhai" films.

"Being directed by Chopra in 'Eklavya' was something else. I had heard stories about him losing his temper and throwing tantrums on the sets. But he's like a child in a candy store. So passionate about his work that he forgets everything.

"Our discussions on the sets often went far beyond movies. We'd discuss scenes and then move on to discussing life. I had never imagined this side to Chopra."

Boman, who was seen with Amitabh Bachchan in "Waqt - A Race Against Time", shares different screen chemistry with the Big B in "Eklavya".

"We had lots to laugh about in Vipul Shah's 'Waqt'. In 'Eklavya', we're thrown into an utterly grim situation. And bonding on an actual location (Rajasthan) makes things very different from saying bye bye on sets."

Then there's the third film in the "Munnabhai" series happening very shortly. It's located in the US.

"I'd better be in it. Or I won't give them the visa to go there," Boman laughed.

" 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' was a personal triumph. I was playing a different character from the first 'Munnabhai' film. I quite liked my character in 'Lage Raho...' He thinks he can get away with anything.

"People were initially taken aback because I was playing a character totally different from the first film. They soon got a hang of it. Or else they'd have hung me by the nearest tree."

Boman, who plays Shabana's loud gregarious husband in Reema Kagti's directorial debut "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd", wears a wig in the film. He is all praise for the hair stylist Avan Contractor.

"She was all there. She read the script, saw my character inside out and decided he needed a wigged look. She showed me about 10 photographs and finally said, 'Your character is stuck in time.' That's exactly how I saw my character.

"Our costume designer worked out a bell-bottomed dude's look. I'm very happy to get roles like 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd'."
 

Ganguly to have 'Koffee with Karan'
By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, 

New Delhi, Feb 24   Star cricketer Sourav Ganguly could soon become the first non-film personality to be having "Koffee with Karan", a popular chat show hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar.

The episode featuring former India captain Ganguly, who is on a much talked about comeback trail, could be recorded before he leaves with the team to the West Indies for the World Cup March 1, said reliable sources.

Johar has already announced that he would be inviting non-film personalities in the second season of the chat show but has not disclosed any names.

The sources told IANS that Johar and Ganguly met not long ago and the filmmaker told him that he would be inviting him to feature in his programme.

"When the two met, possibly for the first time, they exchanged mobile numbers and Johar told him that he would be inviting non-film personalities to his show," said a close aide.

"Ganguly agreed to Johar's idea, and he could be seen talking to him over a cup of coffee on the sets."

Ganguly made a comeback to the national team after 10 months when he joined the squad in South Africa late last year, and has been performing consistently since. His success has again raised his profile, with sponsors who had deserted him reportedly seeking to sign him again.

Ganguly, now 34, has amassed 10,470 runs in 286 one-day internationals at an average of 41.22 and 5,435 in 91 Tests at 40.86. He has also hit 22 centuries in one-dayers and 12 in Test matches.
 

Bollywood finally embraces reality cinema
By Arpana, 

New Delhi, Feb 24   After playing it safe for years, Bollywood is finally opening up and promoting sensitive films on communal violence and social or political issues. One can say that it is finally coming of age and embracing reality cinema in a big way!

Deepa Mehta's "Water", which has been nominated for the Oscars, and Anurag Kashyap's "Black Friday" are important cases in point.

While Indo-Canadian filmmaker Mehta came all the way to Delhi and Mumbai last week to promote her film, based on the plight of widows in pre-independence India, Kashyap's film is being promoted by Adlabs, one of the leading Indian production and distribution houses.

Filmmaker Ravi Chopra has decided to release "Water" across India and said he believes in only "promoting good films". Chopra stressed that one shouldn't undermine the intelligence of the audience.

"We are releasing it because of the audience, who like reality based films. Ultimately, a production company makes a film which the audiences would like," Chopra told IANS.

He is unfazed by threats of right wing Hindu groups. Though the film will kindle the controversy again, Chopra feels it will eventually subside after people see the film and are taken in by its beauty.

Mehta was forced to shelve shooting of the film in Varanasi in 1999 after Hindu groups objected to the film's subject, torched the sets and burnt her effigies. She later shot the film in Sri Lanka.

"It's a beautiful romantic film and we always want to back good films... we try to make good films ourselves. Having said that, I add that one can't control anything. But I have a lot of faith in the people and I am sure they will understand," Chopra said.

Adlabs recently presented Anurag Kashyap's critically acclaimed film "Black Friday" that analyses the events leading up to 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the investigation thereafter.

The movie, which was to be released in 2004, was given a red signal by the Mumbai High Court. The court's decision came after a petition was filed saying that "Black Friday" might make the public biased against the accused and hence the outcome of the verdict, which was pending at the time.

With the final verdict on the Mumbai blasts out in late 2006, the film saw the light of day Feb 9.

"'Black Friday' is a bold and brave story that is waiting to be told to the Indian public and we are very happy to have facilitated its release on the scale and the platform that it truly deserves," said Sunir Kheterpal, COO of Film Distribution Adlabs Films Ltd.

This turn-about by the distributors is bound to bring a radical change - it will articulate the release-related problems faced by filmmakers and make it easier for them to fearlessly tell their stories.

Director Rahul Dholakia is the toughest of the lot. He is not the one to shy away from what he sees as a just fight. He went ahead and made "Parzania" on the Gujarat communal riots of 2002 despite knowing very well the problems he was likely to run into.

Based on a true story, the film couldn't find any distributor so the director launched his own company and released the film himself. Starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika, the film is based on Dholakia's friend Dara Modi who lost his son during the riots.

When released, it was received well all over India except Gujarat - the rightwing activists had their way in the state and didn't allow multiplex owners to screen it. Modi was crestfallen because the film was his last hope to find his lost son.

Undaunted by the threats, Dholakia is still fighting for its release in Gujarat.

"Films should expand their boundaries by becoming more responsible towards the society rather than being a mere source of entertainment. They should bring forth the reality through their craftsmanship," said a critic.

Creative filmmakers like Kashyap and Dholakia are showing courage by venturing into so-far un-treaded areas. They are striving to be different from their predecessors in terms of creative thinking.

"The filmmakers are doing their job and now it's the moviegoers turn to fulfil their responsibility by buying tickets and watching their films because it will encourage these filmmakers to make more such films," the critic added.
 

John will miss Bipasha at the Oscars
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 24   Actor John Abraham, who joins "Water" director Deepa Mehta at the Oscars night in Los Angeles Sunday, will surely miss girlfriend Bipasha Basu while walking down the Hollywood red carpet.

"Bipasha won't walk the red carpet with me on Oscar night," rues John.

Much as John would like Bipasha by his side, she won't be able to accompany him for the grand Oscar moment due to hectic shooting schedules.

"Bipasha is shooting in South Africa for Abbas-Mustan with Akshaye Khanna. I think the producer, director and cast of 'Water' are required to be there for the Oscar night. So here I am with Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray and the rest of the crew. Lucky Deepa. Her soul mate is also the film's producer."

John in fact won't be meeting up with Bipasha until after the Oscars.

"That's when we meet up in London to shoot together for Vivek Agnihotri's 'Goal'. I plan to bring my parents to London in summer. I love to have them over for long outdoors. Though I didn't have them over in my favourite place - Afghanistan - when I was shooting for 'Kabul Express'. Honestly, I love travelling. I'd rather shoot in Afghanistan than Filmistan!"

John will be out of the country non-stop until May. "After the Oscars, I go straight to London to shoot for 'Goal'. After I return to Mumbai in May, I again leave for Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Ashaayein'. I'm already missing Mumbai," adds John.

Though John is all excited to be at the Oscars, his wardrobe remains somewhat undecided.

"I had no idea what happens and what's required of me at the Oscars. Deepa explained the whole procedure to me. There're parties, get-togethers and screenings arranged by our international producers Fox-Searchlight. I'm so worried because now I'll have to organise a lot of clothes. I'll wear clothes for sure. I won't go bare-bodied, though the dhoti look might be liked after 'Water'," John remarked mischievously.

The good-looking actor will be dressed up by Narendra Kumar and Rocky S for mega event.

"These are the two designers closest to me. You know, dressing up isn't as important. The event itself is important. Thank god dressing up for the Oscars is more of a media event for women than men.

"There are two main functions - the Oscar ceremony and the governor's ball, which will be hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently the attire is as important as these two events. For one I'll wear Narendra's outfit and for the other I'll wear Rocky S. I'll take a call on which outfit for which of the two occasions once I get to LA."

John further revealed: "One outfit will be Indian - a black achkan and the other will be Western - a white slick, lean, slim-fitting suit. Both will be very contemporary in look."

And what if "Water" gets the Oscar? "I'm not even thinking about it."

John has struck a deep bond with his director. "When Deepa was in Delhi to meet her parents I accompanied her. Her parents are really sweet. Deepa has finally realised her dream. I remember when we started shooting 'Water', we never knew it would go so far. It has gone from strength to strength. It's getting a limited release in India. It must be seen by all of us. Deepa has done the country proud."

John is over the moon that superstar Amitabh Bachchan has agreed to do Deepa's next project "Exclusion" with him.

"I've done three other films with him. Aren't I lucky? Deepa has written a beautiful script. 'Exclusion' will require a lot of preparation before it is actually shot ... just like 'Water'. I'll have to go through a lot of workshops."
 

I didn't mean to offend Aamir, Salman: Hrithik
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 24   An off the cuff, humorous remark by actor Hrithik Roshan about his colleagues Aamir Khan and Salman Khan has raised some eyebrows. But the star maintains that he said it for "fun" and didn't mean to offend anyone.

On director Karan Johar's talk show "Koffee With Karan", Hrithik was asked whom among the two Khans - Aamir and Salman - he would like to work with. To this, Hrithik, tongue-firmly-in-cheek, observed there wasn't much of a choice since they were both of the same height.

The remark ruffled a few feathers in the more conservative sections of Bollywood who felt Hrithik was taking a pot shot at the two Khans' height.

"Come on!" laughed Hrithik. "If people really took offence to my off-the-cuff remark then I must say we lack a sense of humour. Karan's show is meant to be light-hearted and fun and I had a ball with Priyanka (Chopra).

"I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to Salman or Aamir. In fact after the comment on their height, my next statement was - 'That's the only department where I can score over them.' Aamir and Salman are such awesome talents. They're legends. It'll take me years to get anywhere near them."

Karan, who's currently in the US, too had a good laugh.

"Surely even a perfectionist like Hrithik is allowed to have fun on my show. And the remark on Aamir and Salman was certainly not meant to offend. I'm amazed at how seriously we take ourselves in the industry."

He added: "I'm also amazed that 'Koffee With Karan' has become my main claim to fame right now. At airports, restaurants and on the streets in any of the US cities, I'm asked only about 'Koffee...'. I better direct another film quickly!"
 

An open letter to Saif Ali Khan
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 23   Following is a letter to the much loved Saif Ali Khan who was hospitalised this week for chest pain:

Dear Saif,

My favourite and most emblematic question defining your personality is, 'Are you indecisive?'

I can never forget your answer. "No! Well... maybe yes..."

Get the picture, Saif? I've never come across anyone who's as muddled and yet uniquely clear-headed as you. Not too long ago you poured your heart out about your break up with Amrita (Singh).

I cleaned out as much of your outpourings as I could, making sure no one gets hurt. But it didn't look too nice.

Later you told a mutual friend you shouldn't have spoken out.

It isn't as if you don't stand by your convictions. It's just that your convictions are multi-dimensional and prone to several interpretations at the same time. This is what makes you so endearing and exasperating.

A day before you went into the hospital, you sent me an SMS from South Africa saying, 'Adaab, returning home today. We must speak soon.'

And then you signed off with those three trademark Xs, which I've asked you about. But you've never given me a satisfactory explanation.

You never do. If there's a punctuation mark to define every life, yours will have to be a question mark.

Indecisiveness isn't just an option for you. It's a way of life. Ask all those directors who've bitten their nails while you've gone through your inevitable thought process of yes-no-maybe and finally... no!

I remember Aparna Sen even brought your mom into the picture to make you say yes to her first Hindi film. Poor Aparna hasn't been able to make a Hindi film yet.

Revathy wanted to sign you for an elder woman-young man love story. When I asked you to speak to her, you readily agreed. Revathy hasn't been able to get through to you.

Like it or not, today you're in an irreplaceable position in the industry. Roles are being written specially for you. And if not written for you, then tailored to suit your personality. This is something we've laughed together about on several occasions.

Just three years ago, 'Dil Chahta Hai' had happened and 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' had also come along. You were determined to fight out the 'Best Supporting Actor' tag. I remember how apprehensive you were when you did your first major solo act in 'Ek Hasina Thi'. But it was an antagonist's role and you wondered if that would take you where you really wanted to go.

"What's wrong with being Shashi Kapoor and not Amitabh Bachchan? Wasn't Shashi your mom's favourite co-star?" I had rationalised your fringe prominence.

I've to somehow bring your mom into all our conversations. Once when we were talking about you settling down, you even joked that I sound like your amma.

That's fine by me because it's time to give you some paternal advice. You really need to bring down your stress level. Stop pushing down on the pedal. It sounds strange saying this because I've always found you enormously laidback, to the point of seeming indifferent to social niceties.

If you didn't call back Revathy or Aparna, it doesn't mean you've an aversion to female directors. It's just one of those many things that you never got down to doing... like our most recent interview, postponed over and over again. I'd have taken grave offence if it were someone else.

Not you. Saif, you can never be offensive, even when you go into a deep sulk for weeks for the strangest of reasons.

I am not even perturbed by your now-legendary indecisiveness. What really bothers me is how frantic you've become about filling up your bank account for your children's sake. Everything that you do now is for Sarah and Ebrahim. You've a number of times told me you'd like to make loads of money; hence the profusion of ads and live performances.

Evidently, you're overdoing it. For a guy whose Nawabi antecedents sit naturally on his aristocratic shoulders, the working-class anxiety is a bit too much to bear.

You need to stop and look closely at your work pace. As far as your children are concerned, I think a career is already cut out for your daughter.

A year ago she came up to Sanjay Bhansali and me at an awards function and did a graceful adaab. Then and there I knew Sarah is going to be a major screen attraction. There's nothing you can do to stop it. Why fight the inevitable? Just take a deep breath and stop stressing about your responsibilities as a householder.

You broke away from all the sniggering comments that you looked like your mom. Today a lot of people in the industry secretly and openly feel you're the best Khan.

Go, sock it to them, Saif.

Get well soon.

Subhash K. Jha.

Like Guru, Mani knew 'Guru' would be a hit
By Arpana,  

New Delhi, Feb 23   "Guru" continues to rake in the moolah even after five weeks and veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam says that he had always been positive about the outcome of the film - just like his protagonist who dreamt big and went on to become a mega industrialist.

"Of course, I knew it would be a hit. Because when you make a film like 'Guru' you start thinking like Guru," Ratnam told IANS in an email interview.

According to the ibosnetwork.com, the Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai starrer, released Jan 12, has grossed approximately Rs.800 million across the country.

Loosely based on the life of industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, the late founder of the Reliance group of industries, the film even managed a tax exemption in Uttar Pradesh.

When asked how much importance he gives to box office collections, Ratnam said: "I make a film with two objectives -- I should be happy with the film and the man who pays for the ticket should be happy with the film as well.

"The first one I know because I am making the film and more clearly after I complete it. The second one I know only when it reaches a lot of people. Box office collections are equal to your film reaching a lot of people."

The film was dubbed in Tamil and Telugu and released the same day as the Hindi version.

Ratnam's next film is "Lajjo" in which Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor will be seen together for the first time. He hasn't yet started work on it, but says: "I'd better get to it."
 

'Honeymoon Travels...' is not 'Just Married': Reema Kagti
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 23   Debutante director Reema Kagti, whose "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd" looks like the wackiest comedy of the season, doesn't deny the much talked about similarities with Meghna Gulzar's "Just Married" but says her execution and treatment are different.

The film about six couples on a pleasure trip in Goa is releasing Friday.

"Her film does have six couples on a honeymoon, so does mine. But I don't know her script beyond that. But, then, there're couples and couples. And there're directors and directors.

"Even 'Salaam-e-Ishq'... I went and watched it. There's an ensemble cast and there're six couples in both and we both are dealing with love and marriage. I get asked about these films all the time. But my story treatment and presentation will be very different from 'Just Married' and 'Salaam-e-Ishq'. My sensibilities are very different," Kagti told IANS.

Episodic films like Naseeruddin Shah's "Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota" and Nikhil Advani's "Salaam-e-Ishq" are not seen to work.

"I don't think the audience had a format issue with these films. It was a screenplay issue. People found the film too long and didn't find anything new happening in the second half of 'Salaam-e-Ishq'. Likewise, 'Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota'."

She admits she was initially petrified of the cast, which has talented actors like Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Karan Khanna, Amisha Patel and Ranvir Shorey.

"My first day's shoot was with Boman and Shabana.... they were very experienced. I was a bit nervous. But that was okay. There were so many actors, and each one took me a while to get used to. I needed 12 people in the same range of vision.

"Fortunately, I did all my casting with Zoya Akhtar, who's the executive producer. I wanted to cast actors who represent real people. I even got Shabana to do a bit of wild dancing. At the end of it, this has been the most fulfilling experience of my life."

Kagti is an Assamese, who moved to Mumbai to study with the express purpose of being a filmmaker. She has assisted Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar, Rajat Kapoor and Ashutosh Gowariker.

"I also did a stint with Mira Nair when she came to India for 'Vanity Fair'. After writing my script for 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', I went to another producer. That fell through. Actually, I went to a lot of producers before Farhan liked the script. Farhan never advised me beyond a point and let me do what I liked."

Speaking of being a woman director, Kagti said: "Well... yes it's a problem the world over. Before Farah Khan, women directors in this country were considered jinxed. Farah changed all that. But, if you ask me my favourites, they're all male directors.

"Mine is a funny film about a four-day honeymoon package. But it's not just humorous. I'd call it a quirky comedy. But, to tell you the truth, I can't draw parallels between my film and any other film."

Kagti has a special word for Shabana.

"We had a difficult schedule in Goa. And she was so cooperative. For her to play someone who's so simple in dress and attitude isn't easy. We've given her a middleclass salwar-kameez-socks-sandals look. Each character is dressed according to the place they originate from."

Her next will be a thriller co-scripted with Zoya.

"I think I'll do that next. It's a kind of thriller. But my kind of thriller. I'm pretty much ready to move on."
 

I don't like contestants crying: Kavita Krishnamurthy (INTERVIEW)
By Shweta Thakur,  

New Delhi, Feb 23   Playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy is critical of judgments made on the basis of looks in music talent shows and also believes that losers should not break down publicly.

"As far as music talent hunt shows are concerned, they are 'good work' because they give kids a chance to interact with music directors," said Kavita, who was here for a performance.

"But what I don't like about these shows is the influence of the looks of participants on judgments. That should be based purely on the musical talent of a contestant," Kavita told IANS in an interview.

"Secondly, when competitors lose, they cry, which I dislike. I had also participated in various competitions and I couldn't even be a runner-up but I never cried publicly. Crying is a very personal emotion, which should not be displayed publicly. It is said that TRPs go very high when contenders cry but for me their TRPs go down."

Kavita, who has crooned several hit songs in films like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Devdas", "Koi Mil Gaya" and "The Rising", admits that many of the upcoming singers are extremely talented.

"Youngsters these days have marvellous voices and they pick up very fast. As they grow up listening to various singers from their very childhood, they are able to sing varied styles beautifully."

The singer also believes the young brigade shouldn't shy away from learning classical music.

"However, much one sings Western music, it will all be in vain unless one has a classical base. Without that, one cannot sing a spectrum of songs. It's important that singers should have knowledge about their own music."

Kavita likes fusion and says: "I am very fond of fusion because through fusion, music very smoothly passes on to the next generation."

She has been a part of the film industry for more than 25 years and is proud of her accomplishments.

"It's god's grace that I could survive in the industry for 25 years. I never thought I would come this far. But now when I look back I feel very happy as I got a chance to sing a range of songs with some of the most well-known music directors of the industry.

"I have also witnessed the change in techniques. I feel you have to change with time; hence I have also adapted the emerging trends."

Kavita is working on a ghazal album, which is yet to be named. Apart from that, she has teamed up with her violinist-husband L. Subramaniam for his fusion album, which is nearing completion.

Deepa busy hunting accessories for Oscar red carpet
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 23   Deepa Mehta is as wound up as a Japanese doll. The Oscar countdown has begun and the Canada based Indian filmmaker is running the best she could do to find the right accessories to match with the sari she is going to wear for the Oscar night.

"Just two more days to go! John (Abraham) is on the way although his mother had pneumonia. Right now I'm only concentrating on the accessories for my sari for the Oscars night," Mehta told IANS.

Mehta's internationally lauded film "Water" is in the running to bag the best foreign film Academy award.

She and her daughter Devyani are donning saris at the Oscars event.

"I'll be wearing my mother's pure-gold tissue-silk sari woven in Varanasi around 70 years ago. My mom has a gorgeous collection of saris, which my dad's mother gave her. Who wants to wear a designer sari when I've my mother's treasured clothes at my disposal?

"I'm trying to convince Lisa Ray to wear a sari too. I hope she does. But my daughter Devyani will also be wearing a sari. Why shouldn't we proudly wear our own clothes? Why should we get into dresses and compete with the Nicole Kidmans of Hollywood? It's very important for us to be proud of our Indian heritage."

About her whirlwind visit to Delhi and Mumbai promoting "Water" before its Indian release, Mehta says: "I wanted to let my people know that I'm not scared of a fundamentalist backlash any longer and that I'm very proud of the film."

Starring Seema Biswas, John and Lisa, "Water" portrays the tragic lives of widows in the early 1930s.

After the Oscars, Mehta will take time to complete the script of "Exclusion" which will star Amitabh Bachchan and John in pivotal roles.

"I'll be going to my farm near Toronto to write the script. The images are already in place. I want to take the whole of March off to write."

As for the Oscar, "We've done all we could for 'Water'. Now let's see what happens. This year the competition in the foreign film category is really very tough. I agree our product is damn good. And, even if we don't win the Oscar, it's been a long long time since somebody walked the red carpet at the Oscars night in a sari."
 

Verdict reserved on allegations of plagiarism in `Nishabd'
 
New Delhi, Feb 23   The Delhi High Court Friday reserved its verdict on a petition accusing ace Bollywood director Ram Gopal Varma of plagiarism in making his latest film Nishabd, starring megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Justice A.K. Sikri reserved the judgement on petition by Kanungo Media Pvt Ltd after hearing the arguments on the allegations of plagiarism from both sides. The bench said it would pronounce the verdict on March 2 when Nishabd is to be released.

Justice Sikri, while reserving the verdict dismissed Kanungo's counsel Kartik Jai Shankar's plea for a ban on the release of the film.

Counsel Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Varma, argued that the petition of Jahar Kanungo should be dismissed as there was no violation of the Copyright Act or Trademark Act as both the films are different and having different storylines.

The "Nisshabda" produced by Kanungo was in Bengali and it was an art film in documentary form, submitted Nayar.

Moreover, Kanungo despite knowing about the title of Varma's film approached the court just before the scheduled release of the film, he pointed out.

Citing evidence, he said on May 8, 2006 Kanungo had written an e-mail to Western Indian Film Producers Association about the title of the film. Accordingly, he should have earlier approached Varma or the court on the matter, said Nayar.

Kanoungo's counsel, Shankar, however, contended that Varma had knowingly infringed on the intellectual property rights over the name and title of Kanungo's film 'Nisshabda' which had won many international awards.

Kanungo said that his "Nisshabda" was produced with the financial aid, released under the French government's "Fonds Sud Cinema" scheme in Nov 2002.

The Central Board of Film Certification too subsequently had cleared the name for the film in June 2005, said the petition.

Incidentally, the same court earlier had stayed the release of Varma's "Ram Gopal Varma Kay Sholay" on a petition filed by Sascha Sippy, the director of the original Sholay producer Sippy Films, for using the names "Sholay" and "Gabbar Singh" in his film.
 

Sanjay Dutt set to rock in music video
By Arpana, 

New Delhi, Feb 22   Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, currently in the news for his trial in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, will soon wow his fans by starring in a rocking music video.

Sanjay is set to feature in composer Anand Raj Anand's song "Sheeshe mein main", which will be directed by Sanjay Gupta of "Kaante" fame.

"We met at a dinner in Lonavala and I sang 'Sheeshe mein main'. Gupta was there and he liked the song instantly and said it belongs to White Feathers (Gupta's banner)," Anand told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The rock music video has a lavish budget estimated at a whopping Rs.5 million.

"The song is written by me and I am going to sing it too. This is not my first song for Sanjay. I have sung several tracks for him earlier, including 'Ishq samundar' in 'Kaante'," said Anand.

Rock music is the latest craze among music lovers and the new video has kept this trend in mind. The video is expected to go on floors after a special court in Mumbai takes a final decision Feb 23 on Sanjay's application seeking probation for good conduct.

"I've got a green signal to record the song. Once I am through with recording I will give it to Gupta who is working out the other details of the video."

Anand is quite impressed with Sanjay and says the "Lage Raho Munnabhai" star understands the nuances and intricacies of music.

"Sanjay has a great sense of music. The way he reacts to a song shows how much he understands the minuteness of instrumentation. It makes the music director very happy. One can discuss music with Sanjay for hours. He is very fond of music and listens to international bands."

"In fact I told him that people should start calling you Music bhai," joked Anand.

Apart from composing music, Anand gives equal importance to his singing career.

"I have sung songs in 'Shootout at Lokhandwala' and 'Das Kahaniyan'. In fact directors of films where I'm providing music are insisting that I sing at least one song. My songs are designed to suit my voice. Usually my songs are high-pitched Sufi romantic numbers."

But Anand gives credit to Gupta for his success.

"Sanjay Gupta is my real discoverer. He gave me a big chance in his film 'Kaante'. The movie didn't have any leading lady but its music was a huge hit and after that there was no looking back for me."

My respect for the audience has shot up, says Kay Kay Menon
By Swati R. Chaudhary, 

Mumbai, Feb 22   Life couldn't get any rosier for Kay Kay Menon. His "Black Friday" finally saw the light of the day and he has since been showered with praise from all quarters for his outstanding performance.

"Hats off to the audience. I am extremely proud of our audience and my respect for them has shot up post-'Black Friday'. A film like this being approved by people is a healthy sign for Indian cinema. It only goes to prove that all kinds of cinema can coexist," said Kay Kay.

And if that was not enough, he has everyone swooning over his dancing skills in the song "Sajnaji vari vari" from his upcoming movie "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd", reports Bollywood Trade.

Talking about the song, he said: "The script essentially required this dance sequence. When Farah (Khan) was choreographing the song she just let me be. I just freaked out."

Kay Kay says his decision to act in Reema Kagti's film was influenced by the script.

"The narrative had me in splits. When the director narrated the script of 'Honeymoon...' to me, I knew that the film had a certain standard that was far superior to the rest. I knew I had to do this film."

There are six couples on a package honeymoon tour to Goa in the film, which deals with marriage and relationships in a unique way.

"The sense of humour is also weird but it's not slapstick comedy. I guess that's the USP of the film. The manner in which the director has dealt with relationships is unusual. It says one has to look at life in a positive way and keep smiling."

Kay Kay is paired with Raima Sen and says his kissing scene with her is blown out of proportion.

"Raima and I play a Bengali couple. My character Partho is a nerdy, uptight husband who likes to dominate. But he changes due to certain circumstances.

"It's not a porn film. Raima and I have a kissing scene in the film. There's a lot of hype regarding that particular scene. If people are going to see the film for a steamy sizzling kiss, then they are in for a disappointment."

Kay is not at all averse to working with female directors.

"I don't see directors as 'male' or 'female'. For me, a director's gender is not the criterion. It's immaterial because it's talent that matters. Even a male director could be dumb so it really doesn't matter.

"This is the second time I've worked with a female director (after 'Dansh') and Reema was just brilliant."

Talk veered to his "Metro" co-star Shilpa Shetty: "I am happy for Shilpa. She has done us proud. We shot for Anurag Basu's 'Metro' before she left for Britain.

"Anurag has his own audience but Shilpa's 'Big Brother' victory will definitely draw the overseas audience. 'Metro' is about the trials and tribulations in relationships. It focuses on the fast paced city life and its consequent repercussions on people."

He is also working in "Shunya", based on a sportsman's life.

"It is not based on a 'particular' sportsman (referring to cricketer Azharuddin). It could be anyone. If not an actor, I would've been a sportsman. I enjoy playing all sports."

"It's about a sportsman's life, who reaches the pinnacle of success and how he deals with the challenges he faces, how he gets tempted with ad offers etc."

Another film he is doing is Goldie Behl's "Drona", in which Abhishek Bachchan is in the title role.

"It belongs to the 'action fantasy comic book genre'. As for my character - in mainstream commercial cinema, we are always seen as villains."
 

"The Namesake": a flag of desi creative power
By Arun Kumar, 

Washington, Feb 22   Indian American director Mira Nair chose Nitin Sawhney, another person of Indian origin, to compose the music for her new film "The Namesake" to make it "a flag of desi creative power."

"If I am blessed, a melody will capture me in the early days of the film's conception, and stay with me throughout the growth of the film," said Academy Award-nominated director on how she chose Sawhney, considered one of Britain's most original and gifted music creators.

"In the case of 'The Namesake', it was Nitin Sawhney's and Jayanta Bose's 'Boatman's Song'.The lyrics and the rhythm captured the elegant soulfulness of traditional Bhatiali songs, and Nitin's elegant scoring made it modern.

"I had loved Nitin's concert music, and it was to him I turned for the score, keen to make 'The Namesake' a flag of desi creative power." she said as Rounder Records announced that its soundtrack would be released Mar 6. The film itself will hit select US theatres Mar 9.

"Once we identified the theme of the film during one of his casual strummings - the haunting melody of 'First Day in New York' - the rest of the score tumbled out of him, forging an ancient-modern tapestry that beautifully cradled the span of thirty years in the Ganguli family."

"Since the film moved fluidly between New York City and Calcutta, so could the music: It moved in a freewheeling way between Geeta Dutt's 'Bengali Gaan ' from the '60s to Susheela Raman's contemporary take on Mukesh's popular ' 70s love song, 'Ye Mera Diwanapan Hai' to today's rap of 'The Chosen One' to the heat and sway of 'Postales'."

"This is the privilege of cinema: to bring together the sounds, voices, instruments of that which you love and make it one with image" Nair said.

"The Namesake, as a screenplay adaptation, was all about mood, emotion and spirit, providing ample sustenance for any composer," said Sawhney of his work on "The Namesake" soundtrack.

"Mira's tight and sensitive direction allowed me to find a voice in the music that spanned time, generations and countries through the epic journey of a struggling Bengali family."

"The score is subsequently both intimate and haunting, reflecting the sense of empathy, inner beauty and nostalgia evoked by the story. The whole experience was an inspiration on so many levels, " he said.

Over the last decade Sawhney has carved out a singular niche in British culture melding the musical barriers between East and West, between classical and popular, juxtaposing music from around the world with club-land-culture.

Several other Desis also have a role to play in the film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri. Its screen adaptation was penned by Sooni Taraporevala. Nair has previously collaborated with her on "Mississippi Masala" and the Oscar-nominated "Salaam Bombay!"

Stars include Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson, Brooke Smith, Sahira Nair And Glenne Headley.

The Namesake, a Fox Searchlight Pictures film, is the story of the Ganguli family whose move from Calcutta to New York evokes a lifelong balancing act to meld to a new world without forgetting the old. Though parents Ashoke and Ashima (Irrfan Khan, Tabu) long for the family and culture that enveloped them in India, they take great pride in the opportunities their sacrifices have afforded their children.

Paradoxically, their son Gogol (Kal Penn) is torn between finding his own unique identity without losing his heritage. Even Gogol's name represents the family's journey into the unknown.

Assam campaigns for Filmfare nominee Zubeen
 By Syed Zarir Hussain,  

Guwahati, Feb 22   Cities and villages in Assam are painted red with posters and billboards seeking votes for singing sensation Zubeen Garg of "Ya Ali" ("Gangster") fame who has been nominated for the prestigious Filmfare Awards in the best playback singer category.

Across the length and breadth of Assam, hoardings and posters with Zubeen's photograph have sprung up with his fan club going all out to seek votes through e-mail to help the local singing icon win the best Filmfare playback singer award to be announced Sunday in Mumbai.

"We have been mobilising support for Zubeen through various means like street corner meetings, poster campaigns, besides playing his songs in crowded areas with an appeal asking people to vote him through e-mail," said Arnab Sharma, a young Zubeen fan in Guwahati.

The classically trained singer shot into the limelight with the song of the year "Ya Ali" that catapulted him to the big league of Bollywood playback singing. Last week, Zubeen won the Kenstar Setmax Stardust film awards as the best playback singer outshining other stars like Himesh Reshammiya.

Voting through internet for the 52nd Fair One Filmfare Awards 2006 for the best playback singer (male) is open till midnight Saturday with the other nominees being Himesh, Sonu Nigam, Shaan and Kailesh Khar, and Atif Aslam.

"I am hoping for the best," Zubeen said over the phone from Mumbai.

People in Assam are a little peeved with the awards being decided through internet voting and not SMS. "It would have been easier for us to SMS our vote instead of internet as not too many people have access to computers in villages. Zubeen for us is a craze, a phenomenon here," said Anushmita Bora, a college student.
 

Audrey Hepburn's dress to fund Sundarbans schools
By Sujoy Dhar, 

Kolkata, Feb 22   Remember Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 Academy Award winning film "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? The famous black dress worn by the Hollywood diva in her legendry role as Holly Golightly, a slightly eccentric naïve socialite, will now fund a school for underprivileged children in Bengal.

Come Feb 28, celebrated French novelist and Indophile Dominique Lapierre and his wife will inaugurate a new education centre on a Sundarbans island in the Bay of Bengal with the money from the auction proceeds of the now iconic dress.

About 15,000 children, people from nearby villages and the local authorities are expected to receive the Lapierre couple and their supporters from the West for what will be a grand homage to Hepburn, who had been Unicef's goodwill ambassador until her death in 1993.

"The facade of the new school will be decorated with a huge banner of Audrey Hepburn in her famous dress," Priyanka Malhotra, publisher, Full Circle, told IANS from New Delhi. Full Circle are the Indian publishers of Lapierre's book "City of Joy".

The Lapierres are financing a programme of 15 schools from the proceeds of the auction. "The new education centre will benefit underprivileged children," added Malhotra.

The dress was given to Dominique Lapierre last spring by French fashion guru Hubert de Givenchy when he discovered that some of Dominique's schools had been devastated by floods.

Last December, Lapierre sold the dress at the Christies' auction house in London for an unbelievable sum of $825,000. Enough to repair the devastated schools and build several more.

There cannot be a more befitting tribute to Hepburn who dedicated the latter part of her life to helping destitute children in Africa, South America and Bangladesh.

Since 1982, Lapierre has shared his royalties with the non-profit City of Joy Foundation, which provides aid to slum children in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.

The royalties from his book "Five Past Midnight in Bhopal" (also published by Full Circle) went to the Sambhavna clinic in Bhopal, which provides free medical treatment to the victims of the 1984 Union Carbide Bhopal disaster.

The Lapierres have been working in rural West Bengal for 25 years, funding treatment for leprosy, cholera and tuberculosis. They have set up four hospital boats to provide medical care to 54 remote islands in the Sundarbans

Penelope Cruz wants to work with Shah Rukh
By Sheeraz Hasan, 

Los Angeles, Feb 22   Oscar nominated Spanish actress Penelope Cruz is very keen on Indian movies and says she would love to work opposite Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Cruz, who has been nominated for an Oscar in the best actress category for her role in the Spanish movie "Volver", expressed her respect for the Indian megastar's great body of work.

"I am a great fan of Indian cinema and I would love to work with Shah Rukh Khan," she told www.hollywood.tv at the 3rd Annual Global Green pre-Oscar party held at the Avalon in Hollywood, California.

Cruz hosted the party with other Hollywood A-list stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Salma Hayek and Edward Norton.

"I love India. I have the rights to a book and we are going to shoot the movie in India," she added.

Cruz will play the lead in the English-language film, which is a screen adaptation of Javier Moro's original novel "Pasion India".

Moro's book was inspired by the true story of 17-year-old Spanish flamenco dancer Anita Delgado who scandalised people in the early 1900s when she agreed to marry an Indian king, Maharaja Jagatjit Singh Bahadur, and settle in his native land.

Cruz has teamed up with some of Hollywood's leading men, including Tom Cruise in "Vanilla Sky" and Nicholas Cage in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin". She was recently seen with Academy Award winning actor Adrien Brody in "Manolete", a film that revolves around the famous bullfighter.

  
IANS