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Ram Gopal Varma tells court his Sholay is different

New Delhi, Feb 14,  Noted film director Ram Gopal Varma Wednesday asserted before the Delhi High Court that his film 'Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay' is quite different from the 1970s blockbuster original `Sholay' directed by Ramesh Sippy.

Appearing for Varma in his personal capacity before Justice Geeta Mittal, Maharashtra Advocate General Ravi Kadam asserted that his client's film has both its script and location different from the original film and does not violate any provision of the Copy Rights Act.

Pleading to the court to lift the embargo on yet to be completed film, Kadam said not only the script of his client's film is set in urban location but even the dialogue of the characters in the film are different.

Unless his client's film matches the original Sholay scene-to-scene and dialogue-to-dialogue and in every other respect, it cannot be accused of violating sections 14 and 51 of the Copyright Act of 1957, he said.


   

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Kadam also contended that the Delhi High Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the petition as both the petitioner and respondents are Mumbai-based.

Advocate Parveen Anand appearing for petitioner Sascha Sippy, son of original Sholay's producer Vijay Sippy, however submitted that Varma had copied the script and characters of the original film.

After hearing petitioner's arguments briefly, Justice Mittal adjourned the matter for further hearing on March 2, directing him to file his written arguments.

Sascha Sippy, the director of Sippy Films, had moved court on Oct 19, 2006 for restraining Varma from using the words 'Sholay', 'Gabbar' and 'Gabbar Singh' in the new film.

The court had issued notices to Varma, his production House K. Sera Sera's managing director P.M. Sanghvi and original Sholay's producer's son Ajit Sippy, who sold the production rights for the remake of Sholay to Varma, to file their replies to the allegations in the petition.

The petitioner had contended that the script and screenplay of Sholay are the original literary work, protected under the sections 14 and 51 of the Copyright Act of 1957.

The three catchy and popular words had been registered under the statutory provisions of both the Copyright Act and the Trademark Act, said the petition.

Varma is currently engaged in shooting the film with superstar Amitabh Bachchan in the role of Gabbar Singh.

 

'Eklavaya' puts spotlight on princely state
 
New Delhi, Feb 14  Vidhu Vinod Chopra's much-publicised multi-starrer "Eklavya - The Royal Guard", releasing Friday, marks his return as a director after seven long years.

Starring the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in the title role, "Eklavya" is set in historically rich Rajasthan and was extensively shot in Devigarh and Jaipur.

It seems Bollywood is drawn towards the land of sand dunes in a big way. J.P. Dutta's "Umrao Jaan" was also shot in the same state, which provided a perfect ambience with its architectural splendour and cultural heritage.

Currently Ashutosh Gowariker and Goldie Behl are stationed there with the cast and crew of their films - "Jodha-Akbar" and "Drona", respectively.

The story goes like this:

Eklavya (Amitabh) is a royal guard and his ultimate aim is to protect the Devigarh dynasty and family secrets because for nine generations his family has been doing so.

Eklavya too carries forward the family tradition and spends his entire life serving the erstwhile royals and closely guarding their secrets. But slowly he begins to worry because of his age and weakening eyesight.

Prince Harshwardhan (Saif Ali Khan), who is the heir to the throne, stays in London because he can't cope up with the rigid customs of his land. But the sudden demise of queen Suhasinidevi (Sharmila Tagore) forces him to return.

Harshwardhan brings life and joy into the moribund fort. His mentally challenged twin sister, princess Nandini (Raima Sen) and childhood friend Rajjo (Vidya Balan) are more than happy to have him in the fort.

But the joy is short-lived as there is unrest due to the atrocities carried out on peasants in the name of king Rana Jaywardhan (Boman Irani). The king, however, is just a titular head and it his scheming brother Rana Jyotiwardhan (Jackie Shroff), who is calling the shots.

Amidst all this turbulence, the king receives a death threat and he immediately informs police. Pannalal Chohar (Sanjay Dutt), who doesn't have a good reputation, is asked to investigate the matter.

Then a rebellion breaks out, destroying the peaceful atmosphere and unveiling the safely guarded secrets of the fort. What follows is an edge-of-the-seat action thriller.

While Chopra produced super-hit movies like "Parineeta", "Munnabhai M.B.B.S." and "Lage Raho Munnabhai", he has gone behind the camera for the first time after "Mission Kashmir" in 2000.

All eyes are now set on "Eklavya" and Chopra is leaving no stones unturned to hit the bull's eye.
 

Dwivedi to shoot historical 'Patliputra'

Patna, Feb 14  Filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi is planning a historical extravaganza, "Patliputra", which will revolve around the glorious capital of the ancient Magadh empire.

"After years of research, I have decided to make a film on Patliputra," said Dwivedi, who made the film "Pinjar" and the popular tele-serial "Chanakya".

Patliputra is the old name of modern-day Patna, the capital of Bihar.

"I have almost completed the script and am selecting a cast," said Dwivedi, who was in Patna to attend a film festival here.

He said: "Patliputra" would be a big-budget film to be made at a cost of Rs.400 million. "I will shoot the film in Bihar, which is the most suitable place for shooting such historical films.

"Only films portraying culture, past struggles and glory with roots in history stand a good chance of getting international acclaim," he said.

Indians love to watch historical films as they provide emotional and cultural satisfaction, he added.

To recreate a Patliputra of the time of emperor Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya will be a challenge, he said.
 

How dare Farrukh Dhondy say I'm a fake: Shilpa Shetty (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 14  Shilpa Shetty has forgiven Jade Goody, her housemate in the British TV reality show "Celebrity Big Brother", for her offensive behaviour but hasn't yet gotten over author and scriptwriter Farrukh Dhondy's stinging criticism.

The London-based Dhondy termed the remarks against Shetty, which triggered a debate on racism in Britain, as unreal and untrue. He labelled the whole episode as a "drama and gimmick" to boost the show's ratings.

"I've forgiven Jade. Anyone who knows me knows I forgive and forget easily. Farrukh Dhondy has made a statement that I'm a fake. How dare he? How dare he take away from the fact that I'm representing my country in Britain? A lot of Indians in Britain are very irked by his criticism of me," Shilpa told IANS in an interview.

The actress, who went on to win the show, accepts that she changed her stance on her housemates' racist behaviour because she didn't want to hurt the sentiments of the viewers.

"You know, if you saw the footage I clearly said, 'It was racist'. But then Big Brother asked me if Jade Goody's attitude towards me was racist. That's when I realised the gravity of the situation.

"I realised the entire Asian community would be hurt if I used that word. And I had no idea my words were creating a furore across the world. So, I revised my earlier opinion."

Shilpa says her entire experience has made her more socially and politically conscious.

Excerpts:

Q: How are you holding up as India's new representative abroad?

A: I'm doing okay. I met Prime Minister Tony Blair. I went there to thank him on my country's behalf. It was an embarrassing situation for him. He had to answer questions on racism.

Q: Was chicken curry served?

A: Oh yeah! 'Chicken Curry Rules' has become a slogan in Britain... I got to know that old people from the British Asian community, who never watched "Big Brother", started watching the show to see me.... Would you believe, I haven't seen the entire series of "Big Brother".

Q: Do you really believe you were a victim of racism in there?

A: Initially, it was hard for me to tell. In India none of us goes through racist behaviour. All of us are Indian. Once I was in the house lots of things were happening. People who followed the whole series were irked by what they saw. These are British Asians who have been subjected to this kind of discrimination for years and this was the first time they saw someone they knew and liked standing up against the bullying and racial discrimination they experienced in everyday life. For me, to be treated like that, was very painful to see.

When I made a statement from in there saying, 'Is this the new Britain' the Brits didn't want Britain to be epitomised by those three girls in there (who bullied me).

Q: Do you feel you were racially discriminated against?

A: You know, if you saw the footage I clearly said, "It was racist". I never did anything in the house to hurt them, or to make them feel I was unfriendly. They had this attitude towards me, and I didn't know where it was coming from. This kind of attitude happens among women who are insecure or jealous. But I was never subjected to this kind of a thing.

Q: Was it a girlie thing carried too far?

A: There was groupism and a divide. So coming back to your question about whether the situation in there was racist, I said it was. I don't like to hold grudges. When I went to the dining room, 'Big Brother' asked me if Jade Goody's attitude towards me was racist. That's when I realised the gravity of the situation.

I realised the entire Asian community would be hurt if I used that word. And I had no idea my words were creating a furore across the world. So, I revised my earlier opinion, and told all the Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who were listening, that yes it was mean, rude, obnoxious and arrogant behaviour. But it wasn't racist behaviour.

Q: Have you forgiven Jade?

A: Jade did apologise. And I've forgiven her. Anyone, who knows me, knows I forgive and forget easily. Farrukh Dhondy has made a statement that I'm a fake. How dare he? How dare he take away from the fact that I'm representing my country in Britain. A lot of Indians in Britain are very irked by his criticism of me.

Q: So, would you invite Jade for your wedding whenever it happens?

A:(Laughs) Jade is just an acquaintance, someone I met as part of my experience at "Big Brother". She's neither a friend nor an enemy. We were forced to know one another, and I've moved on.

I believe her house has been stoned. She has received death threats. During a police investigation, I was told Jade and the others who behaved badly with me have been treated like criminal offenders. Do I feel sorry for Jade? Of course! I wouldn't wish this on anyone. She's a mother of two. I don't wish bad for anyone. And at the end of the day this was just a game show.

Q: Have you become more socially and politically conscious?

A: Definitely. When I went to Leicester, I couldn't get out of the car. It wasn't mock-hysteria. There was a feeling of pride in every Indian there. It made me cry.

But, believe me I wanted to speak to the Indian press at the first given opportunity. At the House of Commons I walked across to the Indian press corps, though the British press resented it. But they had me for a week-and-half. My own country and cinema will always mean more to me. Yes, I feel I haven't really got my due as an actress in Hindi cinema.

Q: So, why don't you stand for the elections as an Indian MP in Britain?

A: No way! You know I'm totally apolitical.
 

Maoists ready to capture Nepal's cinemas

By Sudeshna Sarkar, 

Kathmandu, Feb 14  They re-entered parliament after 14 years and are now poised to join the government. And, as Nepal's Maoists celebrate the 11th anniversary of their People's War, they are also gearing up to capture the kingdom's cinemas.

With the rebels signing a peace pact with the government and beginning to lock up their arms, there is a rush to make films on the underground movement and the consequences for Nepal's society.

At least six films have been shot, taking different views on the insurgency, which started 11 years ago on Feb 13.

Not surprisingly, one of the directors is a Maoist himself.

Bimal Poudel, a 36-year-old member of the guerrilla's cultural wing, is shooting "People's War" to give the audience the Maoists' perspective of the uprising that killed over 13,000 and displaced tens of thousands.

"The film explains Nepal's class struggle, the party's policies and the nature of the upcoming elections so that people vote for a republic," Poudel says.

The feature film promises lots of action as Maoists take on the armed police and the army. Poudel also wants to portray his party chief Prachanda and other leaders and is awaiting the green light from the headquarters.

Narayan Puri, the first director in Nepal to make a movie on the communist revolt, has already re-shot a film, directed a second one and is planning a third.

Puri's "Aago", made when the insurgency was at its height, tried to trace the causes that triggered it, like exploitation. However, though he did not mention the then banned Maoists by name, the film was ruthlessly chopped by the censors and kept in the can for nearly a year.

After the fall of King Gyanendra's government last year and the signing of a peace pact between the Maoists and the new government, Puri made a film on the movement, "Alpo-Biram", that looks at the temporary truces called by both sides and urges for lasting peace.

Now he has also re-shot "Aago", restoring the deleted scenes and is completing the script for a sequel to "Alpo-Biram", that will take a look at the responsibilities the Maoists have to shoulder now to justify their revolt.

Scheduled for release by April is "Naya Nepal", another feature film made by director Kishore Dhakal.

"We are looking at the issue not from the perspective of any part," says Sanjay Babu Dhakal, the producer of the film. "Our subject is the people who for 10 years suffered between the guns of the Maoists and the army."

The plot revolves round the fates of two brothers, one of whom joins the army and the other the Maoists.

In a twist, the story is narrated by a European woman, who comes to Nepal before the insurgency and then gets caught up in the turmoil.

The end is tragic, with all three dying, the woman while giving birth to a child fathered by the Maoist brother.

Also in the pipeline are two more films, "Aawaz" directed by Badri Adhikari, that is said to be sympathetic to the movement and "Lal Salaam" by Shivaji Lamichhane.
 

Ravi Shankar's daughter Norah doesn't consider herself Indian
By Arun Kumar, 

Washington, Feb 14  Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar's American daughter Norah Jones says she and her father are close today after years of estrangement, but she does not consider herself part Indian.

"I knew who my dad was," she told Katie Couric in a 12-minute piece on CBS News "60 Minutes" Sunday. "I saw him sporadically until I was nine and then I didn't see him again or talk to him until I was 18."

Shankar never married her mother - their relationship, Norah said, was complicated and it ended when she was young. Her mother, she said, didn't want her talking about him.

Jones, 27, acknowledged it was kind of a secret. "You know, when you have a father who's pretty well known but you don't see him, the last thing you want to do is start talking about him all the time to people," she said.

When Norah turned 18, she sought out her father, who was living in California with his daughter and second wife.

Asked if she was angry or sought an apology from her father when they reconnected, Jones said, "Yeah. I might have. I might have wanted that." Today, she said they are close.

"Do you consider yourself part Indian?" Couric asked. "I grew up in Texas with a white mother," Jones said. "I feel very Texan, actually a New Yorker."

Norah Jones, who has sold over 30 million albums, more than any other female artist this decade, told Couric that success makes her uncomfortable as they talked about the 2003 Grammy Awards.

That evening Norah Jones, then 23, won a total of eight Grammys with her first album of romantic, dreamy ballads named "Best New Artist," "Record of the Year," and "Album of the Year."

But Jones said she felt really bad about her sweep. "I felt like I went to somebody else's birthday party and I ate all their cake. Without anybody else getting a piece. That's how I felt."

A year later, her second album went on to sell 10 million copies, proving her success was no fluke. Unlike her earlier albums, Norah Jones' just released third album, "Not Too Late" has all the songs written by her and as such "they're more honest, more personal and edgier."

"There's a little playfulness but there's also a lot of darker material on this album," Jones said. "And that comes less from me being a dark person than me sort of observing things going on around me and sort of turning them into songs."

"My Dear Country," which she wrote the day before the 2004 presidential election, is a political protest song that takes a jab at President George Bush.

Asked if she was nervous she'd face a fallout similar to what the Dixie Chicks experienced, Jones said, "No. It's more of a personal song for me. It's more of, it's just a song about questioning what's going on and frustration. And I think that a lot of people will, would be able to relate to that feeling, especially from the past few years."

Norah said her musical roots are country and jazz, tastes acquired growing up in Grapevine, Texas, listening to her mother's eclectic record collection. An only child, she was raised by a single mom, who sacrificed to give her daughter every opportunity.

Norah Jones moved to Greenwich Village when she was 20 years old. "It's a cool neighbourhood to live in. When I first moved here, I actually moved to a little street called Jones Street," she remembered. She waited tables and got gigs singing and playing Jazz standards in small clubs.

In less than a year, her musical career took off when an accountant for Blue Note Records came to hear her perform. She was signed and put out her first album, which she hoped would ultimately sell 10,000 copies. It sold over 20 million.

In 2005, she took herself out of the spotlight and began performing in disguise. In one performance, she donned a blonde wig, singing with the all-girl band, "El Madmo."

"We wear wigs 'cause it's just fun. And we didn't want anybody to judge us, you know. So we wanted to be more anonymous," Jones said. "We wanted to be able to just try something out for fun, for the fun of music, you know. We ended up just enjoying the dressing up part, as much as the band part."

Norah Jones said she doesn't know where her career will go from here and she doesn't really care.

"I don't expect to sell millions of records every time. I just don't think that's gonna be possible. I think that's a lucky thing that happens every once in a while," she said. "I feel like I've had my cake and I've eaten it and it tasted great. And I don't need another piece."
 

'DDLJ' is Bollywood's favourite mushy movie

By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 14  While actors Priyanka Chopra, Urmila Matondkar, Amrita Rao and Arshad Warsi list "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge" (DDLJ) as their favourite romantic flick, Dino Morea chooses the Hollywood classic "Casablanca".

"DDLJ tops the list of my favourite romantic films, followed closely by 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Casablanca' and 'Love Story' (the Ryan O' Neal-Ali MacGraw starrer)," Priyanka told IANS.

Dino lists "Casablanca" and "Gone With The Wind". "I like both equally. Not much of a choice between the two. They both exude an old-world romance superbly. The acting is uniformly charming.

About "Notting Hill", he said: "Love the idea of a fan falling in love with a star. Wish it happened with me." Dino also lists "Anari", "Chandni", "Sangam". He added: "Love the first for the Raj Kapoor-Nutan chemisty and 'Chandni' for Yash Chopra's intense romanticism. 'Sangam' was so passionate. No one understood love and passion better than Raj Kapoor. Among recent romantic films, DDLJ tops the list."

Irffan Khan listed "Satyajit Ray's 'Apur Sansar' for its supreme storytelling, the Russian film 'Cranes Are Flying' for its treatment, 'Kadal' in Tamil for its songs, casting and direction, 'Autograph' in Tamil for its narrative simplicity".

He added: "In Hindi, my favourite romantic films are 'Amar Prem' and 'Kati Patang' for the oh-so-charming Rajesh Khanna, 'Pakeezah' for its songs and Meena Kumari, 'Devdas' for Dilip Kumar, 'Guide' for its excellent song picturisations and performances and 'Maqbool' for subjective reasons."

Urmila likes "Gone With The Wind" for its passion, drama, pain and triumph, DDLJ for its innocence and the sheer magic of falling in love.

Amrita Rao, too, puts DDLJ on top "for that whole concept of destined soul mates". She said: "Shah Rukh Khan coming over to India to win over Kajol when she was getting married was so cute and their onscreen chemistry rocked!"

Amrita also liked "Rangeela" because she found roadside romeo Munna's love for the wannabe star Mili enchanting. "Also 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' because it said sometimes we fall in love but the screenplay of destiny has some other plans. Finally, 'Ishq Vishq...' for personal reasons."

She added: "The film 'Maine Pyar Kiya' is one of the most romantic films I've ever seen. The whole idea of Suman (Bhagyashree) coming to live in Prem (Salman)'s house was so touching, innocent and pure."

Sammir Dattani lists "Titanic". "I sang the theme song 'My heart will go on' to my first girlfriend over and over again, also 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' as Sanjay Bhansali is my most favourite director and this films tells you love isn't about self-fulfilment but sacrifice; and DDLJ because I can watch Shah Rukh-Kajol's chemistry forever."

However, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta said: "Girl meets boy and overcomes hurdles never appealed to me. I think the true test of love begins post-marriage or post your 30s. My choice of romantic films isn't your typical love stories. But to me they're all about love...'Pyaasa', 'Guide', 'Tere Mere Sapne', 'Abhimaan', 'Arth' and, of course, my all-time favourite 'Aandhi'."

Amrita Arora said her favourite mush movies was " 'Maine Pyar Kiya' and only 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. Saw it 18-20 times. Still cry whenever I watch it".

Arshad said: "My favourite romantic film is 'DDLJ'. It was fun but not frivolous. I loved the relationship between Shah Rukh and Kajol. I felt their emotions touch me and I wanted them to be together."
 

Bhansali, Mallika come together in 'Koffee with Karan'
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 14  Unusual pair Mallika Sherawat and Sanjay Leela Bhansali sparkled on the sets of Karan Johar's chat show "Koffee With Karan".

During the last season, Bhansali had appeared with Aishwarya Rai. This time he will be seen with the hot and happening Mallika. According to sources, the two were initially wary of each other.

"And rightly so. What could there be in common between them? Luckily, Karan's characteristic affability soon put them at ease. Mallika was obviously awestruck and nervous. Sanjay put her at ease by telling her he was a far cry from his sober serious image and that he loved having fun," a source told IANS.

Once the camera was switched on, the threesome had a ball. Repartees flew fast and furious.

"Bhansali surprised Mallika by telling her he had always found her to be one of the most promising new discoveries, though she needed to work on her voice modulation. He also gently reminded her to get back to earth when she spoke about her superiority complex," added the source.

Apparently, the vibes on the sets were rib tickling with the two filmmakers often laughing uproariously at Mallika's self-declarations.

"At one point Mallika high-handedly declares that she would like the three Khans -- Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman -- to serve her meals. And when Karan cockily asks her which hero's butt she likes best, Mallika changes the topic to female butts and declares she likes Bipasha Basu's butt best."

When asked about this extremely unorthodox tête-à-tête featuring the genius filmmaker and the femme fatale, Karan said: "I don't know who gives you all this information. But yes, we did shoot with my favourite filmmaker and one of the sexiest actresses. It was great fun.

"As I said earlier I don't only want to bring on unusual and exciting guests, I want to bring them on in unexpected combinations. I believe opposites make sparks fly. Watch out for the fireworks this season on 'Koffee With Karan'."
 

Gurinder may direct Paramount comedy

New York, Feb 14  Britain-based Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is in talks with Paramount Pictures International to direct their comedy "Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging".

The film will follow a 16-year-old teenager who keeps a diary about her ups and downs and experience in kissing, according to www.hollywood.tv.

Chadha is also directing "Dallas", a film version of the popular 80s soap.

Chadha's hit film "Bend it Like Beckham" revolved around a teenage girl torn between her parents' Indian values and her passion for football.
 

'Videogame' bags award at Rotterdam film fest
 

New Delhi, Feb 14  Director Vipin Vijay's "Videogame" jointly produced by Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) and state-owned Prasar Bharati, has won the Tiger Award at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Lauding the film, the jury said: " 'Videogame' is yet another illustration that there's more to the cinema of India than can be contained with the received wisdom, which seeks to encompass it by reference to a dualism opposing Satyajit Ray to Bollywood.

"The film shows a relentless, complex post modern intelligence as it processes everything within its view, within its memory, within its wide range of cultural references."

The jury also said that the title of the film is an index to this complexity.

"It evokes not only digital game space as an aspect of real but, the pursuit of video within the understanding of a game, replete with strategies, movements, and counter-movements. A new kind of road movie indeed."

Shah Rukh has brought wit and informality to KBC
By Arpana,  

New Delhi, Feb 13  Shah Rukh Khan has brought to "Kaun Banega Crorepati" warmth, wit and informality and cannot be blamed for dipping TRPs of a show that may have lost some of its novelty, say the film star's many votaries, some of whom are not even his fans.

Defending the game show that is now in its third season - the first two were with Amitabh Bachchan - viewers say comparisons are inevitable, and sometimes unfair.

"I think Shah Rukh makes an excellent host for KBC. I'm not saying that he's better than Amitabh, because both are very different. But Shah Rukh, I feel, connects more with the participants and the audience... he makes the show very informal," says Kalpana, a young marketing professional who confesses to not being a Shah Rukh fan.

"You take an instant liking to him though you may not be a diehard Shah Rukh fan. I just love the way he hugs people - almost like the 'jadoo ki jhappi in Munnabhai'," Kalpana told IANS.

According to an audience study by Optimum Media Solutions, the media specialist arm of Mudra Communications, only 44 percent of respondents watched all the first three episodes of KBC3, 25 percent watched only the first episode and 30 percent watched two episodes.

What the study doesn't say is that when KBC was launched in 2000 it was the first programme of its kind. The sheer novelty of a quiz show and the enormous prize money gripped viewers who catapulted Amitabh, then a fading superstar, to a super host.

However, when the same Amitabh returned with the second innings of KBC, TRPs were half that of the first season.

The TRP study did not however take into account the fact that news channels had begun packaging their best programmes during prime time - when KBC was on - and included hefty doses of entertainment as well, providing stiff competition to the quiz show.

In fact, TAM (television audience measurement) ratings reports have been under a lot of scrutiny for their authenticity.

The figures are conflicting.

Despite the confusion over the Conditional Access System (CAS) in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, during which many households went without satellite TV, the show has done an impressive 15+ Television Rating (TVR) in Delhi and around 9 TVR in Mumbai and Kolkata.

Said Kamini Jain, a homemaker: "Shah Rukh is not responsible for the low viewership. He is a great host and engages with the audiences. He is charming and witty, but the problem is that the sheen has worn off. In the first season there was great anticipation because nobody had seen a programme like it."

Added student Nimisha Dean: "Each brought his particular screen strength - of informality (Shah Rukh) and formality (Amitabh) - to the KBC counter."

"Audiences don't want an Amitabh clone. Any KBC host has to have his or her own style. If Amitabh did a good job so can anybody else. He can't be bigger than the show and if the show's TRPs are falling then the show needs to pull up its socks, and not keep replacing the host."

It's an oft-repeated story on television. Sony TV's "Indian Idol" had audiences going hysterical in the first season, closely following each contestant. The second innings saw TRPs dip substantially.

"The format of the 'KBC 2' wasn't interesting; hence the TRPs fell. The same has happened with 'KBC 3'. People come to see Shah Rukh, but they don't enjoy the format. So Shah Rukh can't be pulled up for a drop in TRPs," said a Mumbai-based media analyst.

The programme is drawing the young too, and mostly because of the superstar's drawing power.

"My nine-year-old daughter Rajeshwari enjoys KBC because of the way Shah Rukh presents it. She finds it more interesting compared to Amitabh's. Earlier, she disliked KBC but she now eagerly looks forward to the show," said Namrata Dutta, Rajeshwari's mother, from Kolkata.

"You can't have an apple-to-apple comparison. It's like comparing India's GDP with other countries'" said Ajay Vidyasagar, executive vice president of STAR India.

(Arpana can be contacted at arpana.s@ians.in)
 

 
Bhatt fills colours in a widow's life in 'Red'

By Swati R. Chaudhary, 

Mumbai, Feb 13  Vikram Bhatt has cast Celina Jaitley as an atypical widow in "Red - The Dark Side" and says the "widow and the white sari cliché" is beyond his understanding.

"Today, in metros, the scenario has changed. Don't young divorced women and widows have a zest for life? Just like any of us, even they have a right to life, even they have desires and even they want to fall in love!"

Bhatt's name is synonymous with relationships and thrillers and "Red" follows the same line. It is a dark romantic thriller showcasing complex, mysterious relationships and besides Celina stars Aftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora and Sushant Singh.

"Raaz", "Kasoor and "Ankahee" bear testimony to the fact that the director harbours a certain predilection for the genre, reports Bollywood Trade.

"Vikram is a versatile director. Most of his thrillers have worked. Moreover, he has a deep insight into human relationships. He is extremely good with 'relationships'," said Aftab.

He plays Neel Oberoi who's diagnosed with a fatal heart ailment in the film.

"The film deals with intensity, passion, love, lust, fear, mystery and deception. The colour red signifies all of this and hence the title," said Bhatt.

"I always feel that there are things which we prefer to keep to ourselves. In our life, there are many unspoken moments, there are many things that we want to tell our loved ones but we hold back. It's always been my sincere attempt to explore all of this through all my films including 'Red'."

Amrita, who plays Celina's best friend in the film, will be seen in her first negative role. She will also be seen sporting a new stylised gothic look in the movie.

"Amrita has always been typecast as a bubbly girl. She has grey shades in 'Red'. I strongly feel that there's always another side to an actor and this is exactly what I wanted to project," said Bhatt.

Horseshoe Pictures' "Red" is set to hit the screens March 2. Songs "Aafreen" and "Aameen" are already a rage and topping music charts.
 

Court summons filmmaker Mehul Kumar over bounced cheques
 
Mumbai, Feb 13  Mehul Kumar, the producer-director of films like "Krantiveer", "Mrityudaata" and "Tiranga", was summoned by a Mumbai court to personally appear on Feb 17 after his cheques to a film producer bounced.

The metropolitan magistrate issued summons to Kumar, proprietor of M.K. Pictures, after his cheque worth Rs.14 million (Rs. 1.4 crores) bounced.

Kumar had borrowed Rs.60 million from Jayantilal Gada, the director of Popular Entertainment Network Ltd (PEN), in April 2000 for producing films. But he invested the money in building a property Mehul Multiplex in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

When asked to return the money, Kumar first refused having borrowed the money, but later the matter was settled in the form of an MoU signed on Oct 20, 2005, between the two.

According to the MOU, Kumar would give possession of Mehul Multiplex to Gada or raise loans to pay him 90 percent of the total loan amount before Feb 28, 2006.

Kumar had issued post-dated cheques worth Rs.160 million inclusive of interest and instalments up to the period of March 2010 of but none has been honoured.

The summons were sent after Gada filed 12 criminal complaints against Kumar. The case is in Bandra Metropolitian court no. 21 and the hearing will be on Feb 17.
 

Congress to screen 'Parzania' in Gujarat
 
New Delhi, Feb 13  "Parzania", a film depicting horrors of Gujarat's communal violence of 2002, could not be shown in the state following alleged threats, but the state's opposition Congress has now come forward to screen it and "expose" Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"We plan to screen 'Parzania' at public places across the state. Let the people watch the film without fear," Gujarat Congress spokesman Himaunshu Vyas told reporters here Tuesday.

Vyas along with other state leaders including Congress legislative party leader Arjun Modhwadia were in the national capital to meet Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi to discuss the controversy over the film.

The film, based on a real-life incident and directed by US-based Rahul Dholakia, narrates the travails of a Parsi family whose son went missing in the communal clash in Ahmedabad on March 1, 2002.

The violence in the state left at least 1,000 people dead. Rights organisations and several political parties had blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for not bringing the situation under control early on.

While the film had an all-India release Jan 26, theatre owners in the state refused to screen it following alleged threat from organisations close to the BJP.

"It is an unfortunate scenario in Gujarat. The movies that are cleared by censor board, the so-called cultural police in the state decides not to allow it to be played," Modhwadia said.

According to the Congress leader, the theatre owners were "scared" to play the movie in the halls.

"Modi's rule is a reign of terror," he alleged.

Last year, multiplexes and theatre owners in the state had decided not to release Aamir Khan-starrer "Fanaa" following protests from both the Congress and the BJP over the actor's stand on the Narmada dam - seen as the state's lifeline.
  
IANS