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For one man, Amitabh Bachchan's name spells good business
By Sanjay Nirala, Indo-Asian News Service 

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's name is what 50-year-old Tinku has been using for more than 20 years to sell lollypops, toffees, biscuits and cigarettes to students in Delhi University's North Campus.

Tinku's name being linked with Amitabh's, which fetched him instant fame and many curious customers, was the result of a witty idea of Bollywood's bad boy Gulshan Grover in the 1980s. 

Gulshan was enrolled in the Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) but used to spend time with friends at Kirori Mal College (KMC) where the superstar was a student, Tinku said. 

As a joke Gulshan told friends that Tinku was a batchmate of Amitabh, and the students came flocking to meet the four-foot-three-inch tall Tinku who can always be seen at Kirori Mal College wandering about selling his ware.

Tinku, who dresses up in white kurta and pyjama with a cap, is at the college from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He carries his merchandise in a cloth bag that is almost half his size.

Tinku says now he doesn't need to say any longer that he was a batchmate of Amitabh as most juniors are told so by their seniors as a prank when they join the college. And if the juniors still ask that question he simply nods his head. But he says they soon come to know that the story is cooked up. 

Recalling the days when the rumour first made the rounds in the campus, Tinku said: "Those were the days. In the beginning people were more interested in knowing about Amitabh. How he was then, his academic record and how I ended up selling these things.

"But slowly they came to know the truth - that I had studied only till Class 8. But by then they are impressed by my style of selling things. I admit, though, that it's only after my link-up with the superstar that my small business started looking up. At that time I used to sell products of Rs.500 of which Rs. 100 used to be my profit."

Asked about the memories that he has of Gulshan Grover, Tinku said: "Apart from the joke that he cracked in the canteen about my relations with Amitabh, the other thing that I remember about him is that he used to buy cigarettes worth Rs.50. I never used to worry about the payment."

In his 33 years of business, Tinku has met innumerable customers but there are a few whom he remembers vividly, including actors Shah Rukh Khan and Sushant Singh and members of the rock band, Parikrama.

Tinku recalled how Shah Rukh Khan helped him in getting a role in the TV serial "Doosra Kewal".

"Can you imagine I have acted along with Shah Rukh in 'Doosra Kewal'?" said Tinku and then added with a laugh, "I got a small role of a don who was required to bash up Shah Rukh."

Explaining the mechanism of his small business he said: "Those days profit margins were less and today when margins are higher then you have so many kiosks in and around every college. This has affected my business adversely but still I manage to earn Rs.100 daily."

According to Ram Prakash, the college gatekeeper, the first thing students do is ask whether Tinku has turned up or not?

"I have been here for the past four years and there was not a single day without someone asking about him. The moment these students enter the gate they ask, where is Tinku or have you seen him?" said Prakash.

A student said: "The repertoire he has of jokes and one-liners will just blow your mind away. He is such a funny man that he lights up everyone's face with his sense of humour."

Kumud, a third year student of the college, said: "I had read about him as a batch mate of Amitabh and that's how I first came in touch with him. But he told me that was a rumour. I feel Tinku's popularity in the campus is because of his own charisma."

Asked how he started his business, Tinku said: "I began with selling pens, pencils, nibs and other stationery in 1972 but soon I realised that I won't survive with what I was earning. So, I started keeping toffees, snacks and cigarettes, which were in huge demand then. Gradually all those pens, pencils were replaced by toffees, gutkas and other eatables." 

Asha bowls over Polish music lovers 
By Surender Bhutani, Indo-Asian News Service

Warsaw, Sep 19 (IANS) After Shah Rukh Khan and bhangra winning over Polish music and film lovers, it is now the turn of Asha Bhosle's latest album "Chura Liya Dil Tumne (You Have Stolen My Heart)" to make waves.

The album is a jazzed up version of Asha's songs of yesteryears composed by her muse and husband, the late R.D. Burman. Not surprisingly, the album is doing well after its recent release here. 

Robert Sankowski, the music critic for the largest circulated newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, paid rich tributes to Burman's musical genius.

"While Western composers sought inspiration from Indian classical music, RD got his inspiration from the Western tradition - be it rock, jazz or gypsy. He comes out as a thrilling musician," he wrote.

"Asha charms us with her sweet and somewhat melancholic melodies. The quality of her high voice is remarkable. In her 70s, she is as devastatingly charming as he might have been in her 20s and 30s," Sankowski told IANS.

In recent years, Bollywood music and films have been helping develop awareness in Poland about India. 

"Bollywood has become a household name now," said Indian Ambassador to Poland Anil Wadhwa.

"The last two years have created much more awareness about India than the earlier 50 years," said Anna Bem, an Indophile who spent a few years in India in the 1980s. 

"Part of the credit must be given to Bollywood films and music. My 23-year-old son and his young friends enjoy Bollywood music," she added.

Filmdom beckons former Lalu Prasad acolyte
By Imran Khan, Indo-Asian News Service

Patna, Sep 19 (IANS) A disillusioned Bihar politician, once a close associate of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, is treading on new turf by playing the lead role in a Bhojpuri film slated to be released Friday.

Arvind Chowdhary, in his mid-30s, plays a Maoist rebel in "Ganga Tohar Paani Amrit" that depicts how youths become victims of feudal oppression in rural Bihar and take up arms.

The film will release Sep 23, the day the Election Commission notifies the first phase of assembly polls in the state.

The deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar influenced Chowdhary, who opted for Arvind Kumar as his screen name, to take to acting.

"Yes it was my dream to act. I jumped at the proposal to act in a film which portrays the real picture of Bihar and its people," said Arvind.

"I tried my best to depict the angry and oppressed people of Bihar," he told IANS. 

K.K. Singh, who has penned several Bollywood hits like "Prem Rog", "Ram Teri Ganga Maili" and "Tiranga", directs the film. Aspiring actress Mansi Shah is the leading lady.

Arvind is optimistic about his maiden venture. 

"The film has social elements and stresses on family bonding, both of which are very prominent in rural Bihar," he said.

It was shot in rural locations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, besides in Delhi, Kolkata, Hardwar, Dehradun and Mumbai.

Arvind developed differences with his mentor and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad after a seven-year-long association.

He then formed his own party, the Rashtriya Lok Seva Morcha.

Arvind is not the first Bihar politician to be bitten by the film bug.

Lalu Prasad made a guest appearance in Mahesh Manjrekar's "Padamshree Lalu Prasad Yadav" last year. Prior to that, he had acted in the Bhojpuri film "Mahua".

Satish Prasad Singh was another politician who had visions of screen fame but his Bhojpuri films "Jogi" and "Jawani" never saw the light of the day.

Then, of course, there is Shatrughan Sinha - but the jury is out on whether he was a better actor or a better politician.

No stunt doubles for Mohit Ahlawat
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Every stunt that you see Ram Gopal Varma's blue-eyed boy Mohit Ahlawat perform in his debut film "James" has been done by the Rohtak-born wannabe.

"It's all live action. We've used no duplicates, not even wires to show me jumping in mid-air," Mohit admits quietly to IANS.

"In one sequence I had to hold on to the side of a speeding bus with my heroine Nisha Kothari. That was a bit scary. But when you're in the middle of a shot there's no time for second thoughts."

And what about Nisha? "She's a nice girl. But we had no time to become friends. Both of us were too much into our work."

Mohit admits the nervousness is catching up with him now. "Earlier I was confident about what I had done. I still am. But now I'm getting very nervous. The amount of faith Ramuji has placed in me is a bit scary.

"I'm told more prints of 'James' are being put out than even 'Sarkar'. That's awesome," whispers Mohit, who weighed 130 kg nine years ago. 

"Then I came to Mumbai to become a star and lost 77 kg. I was heavily into pumping iron."

Mohit says he was shy of undressing before the camera. "But then I realized it was something I had to do. So I got used to it. I don't think I'll be shy about taking my shirt off in the future.

"If you're an actor you've to be prepared to do whatever is required."

The actor, who recently got married, says his wife loves him in "James".

"She is my biggest critic. And my biggest support. Marriage is wonderful. I feel more responsible as a person. I already had a house. We did it up together. My wife keeps herself busy with our three dogs and looking after our home. I feel very secure and happy after marriage."

Mohit says he has learnt a lot from being part of Ram Gopal Varma's Factory.

"Everyone is so focused on work it didn't matter if I was shy. No one expected me to make small talk between shots. It has been a learning experience. Yes, I'm shy and it could be mistaken for arrogance. I guess it's time for me to open up. I'm changing."

The buzz surrounding "James" is tremendous.

"You know I've waited three years for this. For three years I brooded. Now I've decided not to think so much, just focus on my work. And now when I see myself on screen I feel I could do every sequence a thousand times better.

"I guess that's the normal insecurity of an actor. I'm scared about how audiences will react. I guess that's normal. The more scared you get the harder you'll work. Now I've Ramu's 'King' and 'Sholay' to look forward to. In 'King', I play a double role."

Speaking on playing Amitabh Bachchan's role in "Sholay", Mohit says: "It's a dream role. And to play a role done by Mr Bachchan is a big challenge. I'd have chosen to pay Jai even if I was given a choice.

"I've always looked up to Mr Bachchan. And now to be doing his role! I've watched 'Sholay' repeatedly. I'll watch it again to get the crux of my character."

"Doing 'Sholay' is the best news I got in the last four years. I'm doing a dream role and working with a dream director...But 'James' will always be special. Ramu has packaged me like a true star. I don't want to let him down."

I enjoyed doing the Lux ad thoroughly: Shah Rukh Khan
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is in an exceptionally blithe mood. The Lux advertisement, which has him in a rose petal strewn bath surrounded by four heroines who have modelled for the soap, is something he enjoyed doing thoroughly. 

"Some people think it's a girlie ad, that it questions my sexuality. But I love the idea of getting into the tub, just as I had seen all my lovely leading ladies do," he says.

Shah Rukh Khan's self confidence remains untouched. The Lux ad has created waves - just like everything he does. 

"I can't help it. It's not me creating the news," Shah Rukh told IANS in an interview.

Shah Rukh says his Lux ad is not the first for a male celebrity. 

"Before me Paul Newman has done the Lux ad. I wanted to get into the tub and not just stand outside watching a lady get in the tub or something. I guess that would've been a more predictable male perception of how the ad should've been done. But I wanted to do it the proper way. I don't know why it should be such a big deal."

He pauses for just a few seconds and then says: "Actually all my favourite heroines I've worked with have done the ad. Lux has traditionally been considered a woman's soap. But I can't remember a time when it hasn't been a part of Indian households, for the male or female. 

"I grew up watching all those lovely ladies modelling for the soap. Now I'm part of it. Lux is now 75 years old or something, therefore the need to do something different with the product. I quite enjoyed the feeling of doing the ad, specially since at the end of the ad all my leading ladies come on."

"I just do my job. In fact I've just done a Santro ad with Preity Zinta in Spain. That's why I couldn't be there for Karan Johar's mahurat in Mumbai. But I visited his set at Film City earlier this week. Being on Karan's set seems like being at home."

Explaining why he had to be away from his friend's big day Shah Rukh explains. "Preity needed to get to New York to shoot for Sajid Nadiadwala's film. So I had to re-shuffle my dates and miss Karan's big day. A pity."

In a week's time Shah Rukh leaves for New York to shoot for Karan's "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna". "I enjoyed this break from work, reading and playing with my children, being a house-bound dad for a change. Now it's back to work."

What happens to Farah Khan's "Happy New Year"? "I really don't know where that fits in. After Karan's film I go to Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' in February." 

Karan Razdan's next film on marital rape
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Filmmaker Karan Razdan plans to take his next venture "Vivah" that focuses on marital rape to the international festival circuit before its release.

Razdan is also planning to solicit the support of women's organisations the world over for the film, shooting for which begins in November, and two organisations have reportedly evinced interest in it, reports Bollywood Trade.

Razdan stumbled upon the subject while browsing the Internet. He came across shocking stories of women who were victims of post-marital rape and had no recourse to law.

"Vivah", starring Celina Jaitley, dwells on problems that crop up due to the absence of a proper legal framework on marital rape.

According to Razdan, the law has no consideration for victims of marital rape.

Razdan said that Celina was his first and last choice for the role.

"The roles that Celina has done so far have hardly portrayed her intellectual side. Few people are aware that she has done some laudable work with social organisations on behalf of the Miss India forum.

"It won't be surprising if she makes a prominent mark on the international scene with this film," Razdan said. Razdan is, meanwhile, readying for the release of his next film, "Eight". 

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After "Matrubhoomi", Tulip Joshi signs a global project

It takes a lot of grit and determination to take up a role in an offbeat film like "Matrubhoomi", when your career has just begun.

When Tulip Joshi signed the film, friends and well-wishers in the trade were sceptical whether she was making the right move in her career. She, however, went ahead with the project. 

She claims the decision has paid off, reports Bollywood Trade. Moreover, she has been confirmed for a major international project to be directed by a reckoned Indian filmmaker.

"You rarely get a second chance to play a role like the one that I played in 'Matrubhoomi'. It gave me an opportunity to showcase my acting skills in the very beginning of my career.

"In fact it was the exposure that the film got the world over that got me international offers. This is the first film (the international offer) that I was approached for and I have already confirmed it," she says.

She is cautious about divulging details of the project. "I have been asked strictly not to reveal anything yet, since the banner plans to make an official announcement in the next two months," she says. 

There are two more films in the offing, one of them a crossover film and the other, a mainstream, commercial film. 

"I do have a face to carry off a commercial role, as was evident in my first release, 'Dil Mange More'. I would have probably done more commercial films but I didn't want to rush into anything," she smiles

'Chocolate' director says no bitterness with Tanushree
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) Denying reports of differences with Tanushree Dutta, the leading lady in his directorial debut "Chocolate", Vivek Agnihotri says they are "absolutely ridiculous". 

"It's absolutely ridiculous. Tanushree is like a young member of my family. I have given her the first break. My wife Pallavi has groomed her. I feel very protective towards Tanushree," Agnihotri told IANS. 

Tanushree, a former Miss India, took up "Aashiq Banaya Aapne" despite Agnihotri suggesting her not to sign any film before the release of his film. Significantly, "Aasiq Banaya Aapne" was completed and released even before "Chocolate".

"She has a mind-blowing role in 'Chocolate'. Any newcomer would kill for it. Arshad Warsi kept saying throughout the shooting that he would undergo a sex-change operation if he could have Tanushree's role," he said.

However, Agnihotri said "Aashiq Banaya Aapne" might cause harm to Tanushree. "By doing 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne', she has spoilt things a bit - not for me but for herself. Both Sushma Reddy and Tanushree had been constantly seeking my advice. Then suddenly Tanushree has done this."

"I come from the ad world. I understand imaging. I think 'Aashiq Banaya...' has given her the kind of image that she would find hard to erase. I suggested her to wait until the release of 'Chocolate' before signing other films. I wanted to position her as a top-league heroine."

As "Ashiq Banaya Aapne" hit the theatres even before "Chocolate", does Agnihotri think the film was rush-released to beat his film? 

"My conscience doesn't allow me to say anything about this. But yes, I would never ever do anything like this. That's my value system speaking. What I will say is, my film's executive producer Asif was the co-producer of that film. That can't be a co-incidence," he said. 

Agnihotri seems pretty kicked by "Chocolate". "Nothing like this has been seen before. It defines a genre. Someone had to bring this genre to India. I am glad I have done it. Believe me, it will skyrocket after the second week. There is an inherent brilliance to 'Chocolate'. That can't go unnoticed."

Agnihotri took years to do his first feature film. "I was quite happy doing my ads and television serials. My background in advertising helped me get into television where I devised, designed and did 'Saturday Suspense' on Zee. I guess that's where I got my training in doing suspense thrillers."

Agnihotri, who made a telefilm called "Chocolate" some years ago with Kumar Gaurav, Nikki Aneja in the lead, says his new film is different from that. 

"Yes, the seeds for my film were in that telefilm. But it has been completely turned around. 'Chocolate' is a hundred percent pure thriller. Basically I have always been heavily influenced by Kurosawa's 'Roshomon'. Mine is a multi-layered thriller with a multiplicity of perceptions."

"Chocolate" has a strange ensemble cast. "It was a challenging task to work with such a range of actors. I mean two actors can't get any more different than Irfaan Khan and Emraan Hashmi. All my actors from Anil Kapoor to Arshad Warsi come from very different schools."

He went on to add, "The whole film's concept, format and cinematography allowed me to be totally liberated from the requirements of mainstream cinema. If I had been 24, I might have played it safe. But at my age, I feel the need to be creatively free. I am no longer hungry for bread and butter and fame."

"I picked the most difficult genre - suspense - for my first feature film and also selected a theme that is inspired by the most complex thrillers like 'The Usual Suspects'. The audience can get confused by the plot. But the whole idea is to take them away from the comfort of the familiar. There is one kind of cinema like 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', which evokes basic emotions. My film challenges the audiences' intellect."

Dismissing competition with "James", Agnihotri claimed, his film is not like any other thriller. "No no no...Our quality is on a par with any international film. 2005 is the year of Good Cinema. Everyone knew Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black' was going to be appreciated. But to this extent! After 'Chocolate', making thrillers would become easier in Bollywood."

So, is the thriller Agnihotri stick to thrill for his next ventures? "Not necessarily. My next film is going to en emotional biopic about five characters and their journey through the Indian socio-economic scenario during the last 30 years. I have already finalised Vivek Oberoi and Anil Kapoor for my second film. 

"I don't want to do thrillers all my life. My first film was a thriller because being from advertising, it was what was expected from me. Now I am doing what comes completely naturally to me."

Salman's plea for in-camera trial rejected
From Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS) The Bombay High Court Monday rejected Bollywood star Salman Khan's plea for an in-camera trial in a September 2002 hit-and-run case. 

The court, however, stayed its order rejecting Salman's plea for five weeks' time to enable him to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. 

Salman is accused of ramming his car into a bakery in the central Mumbai suburb of Bandra Sep 28, 2002, in the process killing a man and injuring four others who were sleeping on the pavement outside the bakery.

The star had initially pleaded that the entire trial be held in-camera, but later changed his plea to ask for in-camera deposition of only the main witness, Constable Ravindra Patil - the then bodyguard of Salman who was with him in the car when the incident occurred. 

Patil had earlier told police that he had warned Salman not to drive rashly lest he met with an accident, but the actor did not pay him any heed. 

The trial in the case was slated to begin Sep 22 in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate J.B. Pankhe. 

Police had Sep 7 returned Salman's passport, which they had seized earlier, to enable him to go abroad for a film shoot. 

The high court, which had framed 10 charges against Salman Oct 6, 2003, has granted him permanent exemption from appearing in the trial. 

Another pulsating 'Indian Idol' series is here
From Indo-Asian News Service

Chandigarh, Sep 19 (IANS) Reality singing show "Indian Idol" that had set off a musical frenzy among television viewers will be back on the small screen soon with auditions for this year's series beginning in October.

The first Indian Idol, Abhijeet Sawant, announced the comeback of the show here Monday. Two other finalists of the earlier show - Rahul Vaidya and Aditi Paul, flanked him.

Sawant announced that registration of candidates would be done till September end on phone as well as by a team of the organisers that would tour 13 cities across India.

Auditions for the selected candidates would be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Lucknow.

After screening, 150 contestants would be short-listed by "Indian Idol" judges - music director Anu Malik, director-choreographer Farah Khan and singer 
Sonu Nigam.

They will choose 28 singers for the national level show on TV. That list would be brought down to just 12 finalists who would then compete for the coveted title of "Indian Idol" in November.

Sawant had won Rs.10 million besides a luxury car and other prizes when he was voted the best singer earlier this year. Based on "American Idol" and telecast by Sony TV channel, the first series of "Indian Idol" saw over 55 million viewers hooked to the show.

Sawant, who hailed from a middle class household, said his life had completely changed after the show, bringing him fame and success in singing. He said all the finalists of the previous show were also doing well in Bollywood's music industry now.