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Vikram Bhatt has three releases in next three months
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 2   Director Vikram Bhatt has three films lined up for release in the next three months but he is not very happy with the screening plans.

He has "Red" releasing in February, followed by "Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie" in March and then suspense thriller "Fear" in April.

"People will think I've gone back to making a large number of films together after swearing I won't do so. But what to do! I can't ask producers to hold on to their products just because I'm not comfortable with the idea of three releases in three months. Luckily for me, I'm happy with all the three films. Ironically, my film called 'Speed' is not yet complete," Bhatt told IANS.


   

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Bhatt celebrated his 38th birthday on Jan 27 in a unique way. He watched the final cut of "Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie".

"It was the best birthday gift I could've given myself. Though we had to cut the film by almost an hour, I'm really happy with this one. Every actor has given his best. But Sammir Dattani and Anjori Alagh are a revelation. No matter what the film's fate, they will be stars after 'Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie'."

Doesn't he want to settle down with his soul mate Ameesha Patel?

"We're as settled together as can be. We don't need to get married to prove our togetherness. Ameesha is currently doing some very interesting films. It'd be cruel of me to expect her to settle for marriage at a time when she has a career to think of."
 

Kangana and dancing? No thank you
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 2   She's the powerhouse actress from "Gangster - A Love Story" and "Woh Lamhe", but put her in dancing shoes and Kangana Ranaut freezes.

She kept stepping on her co-star Bobby Deol's toes while shooting for "Shakalaka Boom Boom".

"She's very good at the Indian steps. But she tends to get put off by Western dancing. So, while we were doing songs from 'Shakalaka Boom Boom', she was uncomfortable," Bobby told IANS.

"She even poked my eye during dancing," laughed Bobby. "She's so tall! And yes, she kept stepping on my toes. But thank god she's such a lightweight. Imagine what would happen to me if it was a heavyweight heroine."

"But seriously Kangana needs to get stronger. I kept telling her to have glucose between shots."

Though Bobby enjoys dancing, he is still not comfortable with pelvic gyrations.

"There're many movements that I still can't bring myself to do. For instance, the pelvic gyration - now it's become so routine that it doesn't even look vulgar. But I can't do it!

"Likewise, kissing scenes. I have said no to them but you never know about the future. My golden rule of living is, 'never say never'. That way you don't have to eat your words."

 

Creating 'Black Friday' sets was challenging for director
 
Mumbai, Feb 2   For director Anurag Kashyap, recreating Mumbai of the early 1990s in his controversial film "Black Friday", about the events leading up to the 1993 Mumbai bombings, was one of the most difficult things to do.

The film is releasing Feb 9.

Kashyap had to keep a lot of things in mind-like there should be no usage of mobile telephones or such phones visible in the film. Even the hoardings and cars used were restricted to the 1993 set up. One will only find Maruti 800 or vans in the film, reported Bollywood Trade.

"Since there were a lot of street shots in the film one had to be very careful, in particular of the hoardings and cars used in the sets," said Kashyap.

Based on S. Hussain Zaidi's book, the film is on the conspiracy behind the Mumbai blasts and give a detailed account of the planning, execution and back-end operations that went into it.

The blasts left 257 dead and 1,400 injured and also brought into the spotlight the mafia-terrorist nexus prevalent today.

Produced by Arindam Mitra, the film features Kay Kay Menon, Pavan Malhotra and Aditya Srivastava playing inspector Rakesh Maria, Tiger Memon and police spy Badshah Khan respectively.
 

People are welcome to be inquisitive about my life: Sushmita (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha,  

Mumbai, Feb 2   She has been quite open about her relationships in the past, but Sushmita Sen is, for the first time, tight-lipped about her latest boyfriend Manav.

"As you mature with time, you realise relationships aren't just about one person. The privacy of the other party in a relationship does matter. I may not be secretive about the relationship. The other person is. That's it.

"As long as I can answer without compromising the other person, I do it. I can't let other people suffer for the choices I make in life. People are most welcome to be inquisitive about my life. I do enjoy sharing it," Sushmita told IANS in an interview.

Career wise 2006 wasn't too encouraging for the actress. She had two releases, "Chingaari" and "Zindaggi Rocks" - both bombed at the box office but she is unfazed!

"By god's grace, every time a film of mine bombs, which is rather regularly, I've kept growing and diversifying into different areas of the entertainment business," she said.

She confesses that now she has actually started enjoying acting.

"Cinema allows me to exhale. It's no longer about impressing other people but expressing myself. That's what makes me feel so liberated."

Excerpts:

Q: How has life been treating you?

A: Fabulously! I'm 31 and rocking. And, though I do at times explore the possibility of other options, I wouldn't have my life any other way. 2006 has been personally tough. But I'm an eternal optimist. I say, 'All right god, you've chosen me for this tough test. But please don't make it into a habit.' I'm His favourite child. I wish the same for everyone.

Q: There's an insatiable appetite to know more about your current man Manav. Why are you, for once, so secretive about your relationship?

A: As you get acclimatised to the media, you adopt a less bindaas approach to the limelight. Right now I feel this is my life and I don't need to justify myself. As you mature with time, you realise relationships aren't just about one person. The privacy of the other party in a relationship does matter. I may not be secretive about the relationship. The other person is. That's it.

It isn't easy, specially, when pushed to a corner about being answerable about my relationship. As long as I can answer without compromising the other person, I do it. I can't let other people suffer for the choices I make in life. People are most welcome to be inquisitive about my life. I do enjoy sharing it.

Q: So, is this relationship more serious, therefore more private?

A: No the secrecy, as you call it, is purely because the person has asked me not to talk about it. I'd rather choose what my heart tells me to. I've a tremendously strong conscience. I'd never do something that makes me uncomfortable.

Q: Do you feel the need to find a man who loves you for what you are rather than for being 'The Sushmita Sen'?

A: God! You always did come up with wonderful questions. God knows the image is of no importance to me. And you can't go on looking for love. It would hardly depend on who I am. It'd greatly depend on who he is. I believe all these relationships that you go through in life are actually a part of that cosmic design where love and marriage finally finds you. I believe that will happen to me also.

Q: Madhuri Dixit finally settled down with a US-based doctor, who didn't watch her films.

A: That's tough to believe. But I'll take your word for it. God bless Madhuri's equation with her husband. I saw a picture of her and husband with their two sons. And my heart melted. Blissful relationships are still possible in today's world. As for me, I'd rather have a man see any and every thing I've ever done, and then be able to connect on a one-to-one level.

Q: Does your heart crave for marriage now?

A: It craved for marriage forever. I've always been a home-lover, in spite of living a very public life, which I enjoy in my own way. I'm a hundred-percent all there person. When I'm at a public event, I wouldn't want to be at home and vice versa.

Q: Your two bravura performances in 2006 in "Chingaari" and "Zindaggi Rocks" went unappreciated...

A: Sometimes I feel why do I put so much love, effort and passion in all my roles? Over the years I came in with no expectations from myself. It was more like... okay someone was offering me a chance to be in the movies with good money, so why not? I don't have that feeling of initial excitement any more.

Now, I've actually started enjoying acting. Cinema allows me to exhale. It's no longer about impressing other people but expressing myself. That's what makes me feel so liberated. That's why when I'm accused of living in an ivory tell, I've to say that whether it's life or cinema, one can't function in isolation. Having said that, I must say I love ivory (laughs).

Q: I feel Bollywood still has a problem finding the right place for you.

A: I've never looked at this from their perspective. Speaking from my own perspective, I do understand my audience. I know a "Main Hoon Na" thrills them. But they've to allow me to do the stuff I enjoy doing. Otherwise, I'll stagnate. By the way I love doing David Dhawan's films. And we'll be working together again.

Q: You can run around trees. But you've a problem running around the heroes, don't you?

A: Yeah, that's always been a problem. I'm accused of remaining in my shell. Salman Khan has always been a friend. But many other actors are disappointed because I don't socialise with them after-hours. I remember during "Main Hoon Na", I went around all over the place trying to help Shah Rukh Khan with his bad back. But when it came to chilling around with Farah Khan and company, I wasn't around.

Q: But you're yet to find a favourite hero to pair with.

A: What are you talking about? I've paired up with the greatest hero of them all... god!

Q: The image of the strong woman haunts you. Is it a curse?

A: Well, from the history of the heroine in Hindi films, I feel I've been a big sore-thumb. Having said that, I must tell you, I came here to make a place for myself, which no one else has. And that wasn't about a Friday-to-Friday equation.

By god's grace, every time a film of mine bombs, which is rather regularly, I've kept growing and diversifying into different areas of the entertainment business.

My last film has never determined my fate in the public eye. I got a "Main Hoon Na" after a line of duds. It's not as if I don't want my Fridays and big banners. It's just that a lot of people in the industry have very fixed ideas about how a working woman needs to conduct herself vis-à-vis the men. I can't stoop to that level to get work. I don't want to.
 

Ricky Martin goes sightseeing in Jaipur
By Anil Sharma,  

Jaipur, Feb 2   Latino pop sensation Ricky Martin, here to perform at a wedding, went on a sightseeing tour and reportedly enjoyed visiting the historic sites of Jaipur.

Martin is to sing at the wedding function of Mumbai-based industrialist Neeraj Raja Kocchar's son. The industrialist, who deals in metal, has booked a suite for Martin at the Le Meridien Hotel near Amber Fort.

"Ricky Martin and his 35-member troupe arrived Wednesday night by a chartered plane and drove straight to the hotel," sources close to the industrialists' family told IANS.

The pop star is expected to perform at the hotel premises Friday evening. His visit was kept under wraps and Le Meridien has been turned into a virtual fortress, with several security personnel deployed.

On Thursday, the star of "Livin' La Vida Loca" fame took time out to go on a sightseeing tour and visited Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jaigarh Fort. "He was quite fascinated to see these places," a source said.

But by evening, it was back to rehearsals with his troupe in a black-tented enclosure in the hotel compound.

"He did not participate and only watched his troupe rehearse", the source added.

Indian pop singer Sukhbir and Bollywood choreographer-director Farah Khan are also slated to be part of the three-day lavish wedding function that began Thursday.

Extravagant Jaipur weddings, held at heritage resorts, have become a lifestyle statement for the rich and famous and have been featured in international magazines and television channels.
 

Ralph Fiennes calls on Amitabh, raves about 'Eklavya'
By Subhash K. Jha, 

Mumbai, Feb 2   Two of the world's greatest actors met up last week and left a lasting impression on each other. "The English Patient" star Ralph Fiennes visited Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan at his residence Jalsa in Mumbai.

"I got a call from Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He said he was with Fiennes, who had just seen 'Eklavya' and wanted to drop by. I was about to fly off to Delhi. Fiennes came across and we spoke. Yes, he was appreciative of my performance," Amitabh told IANS.

"He's an astonishing actor. Ralph has a lot of admirers. Abhishek called from Bikaner to grumble why I hadn't told him about Fiennes. Jaya is also a big fan, but she was unwell and couldn't meet him. She sent him her regards. Ralph is bringing a play 'Oedipus' to India. We spoke about theatre in India."

Fiennes, who is a UNICEF ambassador, was on a five-day trip to rural Maharastra investigating the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Asked if he was tempted to do theatre, the Big B laughed and said: "I'm not qualified. Being an actor isn't enough. You have to be conversant with the language of theatre. It's a frightening thought to return to stage."

The function to receive the Legion d'Honneur last Saturday has left Amitabh with an afterglow.

"It was lovely to have my entire family there for this moment... Jaya, Abhishek, Shweta, her husband, my grandchildren, my samdhis Rajan and Ritu Nanda, Aishwarya and her parents. I feel privileged to be able to receive this kind of recognition in front of my entire family.

"More than for myself, I was filled with pride for our film industry. I feel it's more an honour for our cinema and country."

He described it as a truly humbling experience.

"First the film 'March Of The Penguins', in which I've done the voiceover, was shown in the outdoors. Then in another section of the embassy I was given the Legion award. French Ambassador Dominique Girard gave a very moving speech on me. Then the medal was brought and pinned to my coat."

It coincided with Amar Singh's birthday, and the entire family was in a temple in Uttar Pradesh's Vindyachal town in the morning.

"We've been there several times. Earlier, we had taken Amar Singhji's two daughters for their head shaving ceremony. This year he wanted to celebrate his birthday differently. Instead of a party, he wanted to marry off 51 economically challenged couples at the temple."

Amitabh said the idea to help the needy and underprivileged instead of splurging money on a party appealed to him.

"Why not use the money to help those who really need it? It was so heartening to see these couples being not only married off but also given the provisions to set up a home. These couples were short-listed from hundreds. Some of them were physically challenged. I felt truly happy for Amar Singhji."

He dismissed renewed speculation on Abhishek-Aishwarya's marriage at Vindaychal: "There were 51 marriage there but not this one. When a date is decided, we'll inform everyone.

Referring to the media, the star said the media has the right to information. "And they're free to speculate as much as they like. But the speculation needn't reflect the truth. As a public figure I'm prone to be scrutinised. If we go to a public place we've no right to stop the speculation."

Reminded that including Aishwarya and her parents in public functions would further fuel speculation, he said: "I don't look at it that way. They're part of my family now and I want them to be at events in my life."

The shooting for Ram Gopal Varma's much talked about film "Sholay" is almost over.

"We just have the 'Mehbooba' song to do, and we're done. It's been an exciting experience to see Varma's interpretation of Gabbar Singh. Obviously, it isn't the same film as the earlier 'Sholay'. We had decided not to worry about what has been made in the past, and just enjoy ourselves. We did just that. We've innovated and I had fun."

Amitabh was dismissive about Vidhu Vinod Chopra's observation that his performance in "Eklavya" was his career's best. "I think he's just being generous. I don't agree with him. I'm incapable of evaluating my performance. But it was heartening to see Fiennes speaking so highly about one of our films. What's really gratifying is that the West is waking up to our cinema."
 

PIL against Aishwarya's marriage with tree
 
Patna, Feb 2   A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Patna High Court against Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai for marrying trees to overcome astrological differences with her fiancé Abhishek Bachchan.

Lawyer Shruti Singh, who filed the PIL earlier this week, says the ritual promotes untouchability.

"I filed a PIL to stop such practices as reportedly conducted by actor Amitabh Bachchan for his future daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai. It is in violation of Article 17 of the Constitution, which prohibits untouchability. It also violates fundamental human rights," said Shruti.

Aishwarya is a Manglik (astrologically Mars-bearing), which is believed to have negative consequences for her impending marriage. The actress is said to have married a peepal tree at Benaras, a banana tree at a Bangalore temple and a god's idol in Ayodhya.

According to Shruti, the fact that Aishwarya had to marry the trees and the idol before marrying Abhishek, who is a non-Manglik, amounts to untouchability.

"The rituals performed by Aishwarya, Amitabh and Abhishek would only promote superstitions and blind faith among common people," Shruti, who is also a women's rights activist, told IANS.

Her PIL requests the court to issue a directive to the state government and the Bihar State Religious Trust Board (BSRTB) to stop the practice of marrying a Manglik-born bride first with a tree, god or animal prior to her marrying a non- Manglik man.

She has sought a ban on the performance of such marriages at temples in Bihar including Shitla temple in Patna, Baikatpur temple near Fatuha and the Shiva temple at Deoghar.

The activist has also demanded a public apology from the Bachchan family for asking Aishwarya to enter into such false marriages.

"An FIR should be filed against Bachchan, his wife Jaya and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh for encouraging such practices," Shruti said.
 

Actor Vijay Arora passes away
 
Mumbai, Feb 2   Bollywood actor and cinematographer Vijay Arora, who shot into fame for his performance in "Yaadon Ki Baraat", died here Friday, his family said.

The 60-year-old Arora had been suffering from a stomach ailment for the past few months.

Arora is survived by his wife and a son. He acted in over 50 films and was a cinematographer in as many as 20 films.

An acting graduate from the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India, Arora also acted in many popular television serials including Ramayana, produced by Ramanand Sagar.
 
IANS