Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Bollywood Film News : * hourly updation

Back to Bollywood Current News Section

Abu Salem admits giving arms to Sanjay Dutt
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 1 (IANS) Extradited don Abu Salem has confessed that he delivered arms and ammunition to Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt at the latter's residence before the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed nearly 300 people.

  

                          Advertisement

Abu Salem's confession to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was made public Wednesday after the designated TADA court here opened a sealed envelope containing his statements.

Abu Salem, accused of masterminding the Mumbai blasts that until then was the worst urban terror attack, told the investigative agency that he had delivered three AK-56 rifles and some cartages to Dutt.
Dutt who was present in the TADA - Terrorist And Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act - court is one of 123 people accused in the blasts case that shook the country's financial capital. 

According to the confessional document, Abu Salem carried the weapons in a white car, provided by his accomplice Riyaz Siddiqui, to Dutt's residence. 

Salem's lawyer Ashok Sarogi, however, said that his client had no idea that he was transporting weapons to Dutt. Salem was apparently told that he was carrying a consignment of silver. 

"All the confessional statements from Abu Salem has been taken by force," Sarogi told mediapersons outside the TADA court. The copies of the confession will be furnished to defence counsel.

Abu Salem, a former aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who allegedly now lives in Pakistan, was extradited to India Nov 11 from Portugal along with his companion and former Bollywood actress Monica Bedi.
 
Awards bring good feelings: Jahnu Barua
By Sachin Gogoi, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Awards bring good feelings, says director Jahnu Barua, whose "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara" bagged three awards at the Riverside International Film Festival in California.

Barua's critically acclaimed film, starring Anupam Kher and Urmila Matondkar, won the awards for best film, best actor and audience choice at the festival on Feb 27. 

"I don't believe in making films for getting awards. But they are definitely important. Awards give good feelings," Barua told IANS in an interview.

While Barua's film won three awards in California, it perhaps missed a few more because the film could not be screened at several prominent international film festivals, including those in Berlin and Rotterdam.

"Most festivals accept only unreleased films. So we could not entertain invites for the competition category in several international film festivals, as 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara' was released ahead of the festivals," Barua said on telephone from Guwahati.

"I did not expect any award when producer Anupam Kher sent the film to the Riverside Festival. In fact, I forgot about it. It came as a great pleasure when Anupam called me up from London to inform me about the success of our film," said the 10-time National Award-winner. 

While Kher is busy shooting Dharmesh Darshan's "Aap Ki Khatir" near London, Barua is currently in Guwahati working on a documentary on eminent Assamese writer Indira Goswami.

"The documentary will highlight the works of Indira Goswami, ranging from her literary works to her efforts to bring peace to Assam," said Baruah.

Goswami, an expert on the Ramayana and winner of the Jnanpith award, has been playing a key role in the government's parleys with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

Barua said he had begun post-production on the documentary after having completed its shooting. "It will be ready hopefully by April," he said.

The director's second Hindi venture "Butterfly Chase", starring Yashpal Sharma and Gauri Karnik, too is nearing completion. The drama, set in strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir, is expected to be complete in March. 
 
'Teesri Aankh' - all about technology and its misuse
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Filmmaker Harry Baweja goes newsy with his latest "Teesri Aankh" that focuses on sting operations, their fallout and the misuse of technology.

The Sunny Deol, Amisha Patel, Neha Dhupia, Ashish Chaudhary starrer, releasing Friday, shows how bad elements in society use latest technologies like hidden cameras to exploit and make money.

The film revolves around a London-based criminal Sudama Pandey (Mukesh Rishi), who runs a global operation capturing women through hidden cameras placed in hotels, shops' trial rooms and girls' hostels. After capturing them, he abuses the victims mentally and physically with the help of his partners Mukesh Tiwari and Murli Sharma.

Sapna (Neha Dhupia), a young and ambitious girl, falls prey to Sudama who eventually kills her. Unfortunately, Ammu (Amisha Patel) witnesses the entire incident. Before she can tell anybody, the murderers start chasing her and she suddenly disappears from the scene. Her sister Aarti (Aarti Chabaria) and her boyfriend Ashish (Ashish Chaudhary) get worried and start looking out for her.

Sunny Deol plays Arjun Singh the cop, Sapna fiancé, who has been working on Sudama's case for a long time. He tries to track down the gangster and his investigation takes him to London. But his only hope Ammu is missing and he finds himself groping in the dark. 

Director Mohit Suri has already made the critically acclaimed "Kalyug" on the same subject. Kunal Khemu's performance came in for a lot of appreciation. It is to be seen whether Sunny Deol, who hasn't had a hit in a long time, gets the same response in Baweja's film.
 
Despite loss in 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa', Vinit sure of future 
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) Vinit Singh, considered as the favourite to be crowned as the voice of India in the musical talent show "Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005", is shocked by his defeat but is putting it behind him and looking ahead to a successful singing career.

The Lucknow boy, who lost to Assam's Debojit in a photo-finish grand finale of the show here Feb 24, is still coming to terms with his defeat.

"I am very happy for Debu bhaiyya. He has worked hard to get where he has. But I don't understand what happened. Of course I wanted to win. And I was pretty sure I would," said Vinit.

In the viewer votes Debojit got around 30 million votes from the east zone, as compared only to 15 million votes from Vinit's north zone. Eventually Debojit emerged victorious by a margin of 0.2 percent votes.

In fact, Debojit's victory came as a surprise to the entire Sa Re Ga Ma Pa team. 

Vinit's friend and another contestant Himani Kapoor, who was voted out from the show earlier, was also baffled. "I always felt Vinit would win. He had the confidence and he seemed to have an edge. Everyone liked Vinit. So what went wrong?" she queried.

That's a question Vinit's family and friends are also asking. 

But Vinit is confident about the future.

He said: "There are so many contestants from 'Indian Idol' and 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' who didn't quite make it to the top. But today they are on their way up. By god's grace I am already recording songs with my mentor Himeshji (music director Himesh Reshammiya).

"'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' gave me a head start. Now let's see where I go."
 
Harrry Baweja blasts Deol
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) Director Harry Baweja is upset with Sunny Deol for refusing to acknowledge that he is playing a full-fledged role in his upcoming film "Teesri Aankh". 

Says Baweja: "He issued a statement in the media that I was misleading the audience. In essence, he is the one who is trying to mislead the audience. He is the hero of my film. 

"Though the agreement mentions that he is playing a guest appearance but I worked with him for 19 days during which I managed to get 30 days' work from him. It took six and a half years and a lot of mental torture before I got those 19 days from him." 

In the film, Sunny plays the role of a crusader who busts a mobile camera scandal, reports Bollywood Trade. 

According to Baweja, he signed Sunny almost seven years ago for a film he was planning to make and even paid him a huge signing amount, after which the actor promised him immediate dates. 

However, the dates never seemed to materialise. 

"He kept dodging the dates. He would promise me dates after six months and then back out. Finally good sense prevailed and he decided to give me dates. 

"Now that he has finished work on the film, I am free to voice my grievances. In fact he is the sole reason why I have directed only two films in these seven years," says an angry Baweja. 

-*-

Sharman Joshi in Indra Kumar's next film?

Actor Sharman Joshi is all set to work with Indra Kumar in his next film, which co-stars Sanjay Dutt and two other actors. 

The film is expected to take off later this year but Joshi is keeping a low profile on the development, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"It is currently in the negotiation stages and it is definitely a prized project if it works out. Indra Kumar is a director of great repute and I am looking forward to working with him," says Joshi. 

Post-"Rang De Basanti", in which Joshi played the role of Sukhi, filmmakers have approached him for interesting projects but he is in no hurry to sign them. 

He says: "I am going through a few scripts and I would not like to take a decision on any film unless I am convinced about the role." 

Currently he has Rohit Shetty's "Golmaal", which is also a multiple hero project. However, Joshi maintains that he has no problems doing such projects as long as his role is well defined. 
 

Sanjay Dutt facing another low in life
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt faces another low patch in his life after mobster Abu Salem said he had delivered arms and ammunition to the actor before the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed nearly 300 people.

Ever since Abu Salem, a key conspirator in the serial blasts, was extradited by Portugal last year and brought to India for questioning, Sanjay had been on tenterhooks.

Abu Salem's confession in the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court in Mumbai Wednesday that he had delivered the arms to Sanjay has come as a major blow for the actor who has vehemently denied his involvement with the blasts. 

According to the confession made to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and made public in the court, Abu Salem said he had delivered three AK-56 rifles and some cartridges to Sanjay. 

Sanjay, an important part of the Hindi film industry for more than two decades, has had his share of ups and downs. 

When he was arrested under the TADA after the Mumbai blasts, Sanjay was at the peak of his career. Known as a spoilt kid of star parents Nargis and Sunil Dutt, who was also a former central minister, Sanjay is known for his temper. 

After his mother's death, Sanjay took to drugs. Nargis died before the release of Sanjay's first film "Rocky" in 1981, which did reasonably well at the box office. 

Then followed "Vidhata", a big hit. But he couldn't sustain his success story and delivered a string of flops like "Mera Faisla", "Bekaraar", "Inaam Dus Hazaar". The scribes wrote him off. 

Sanjay's career took a nosedive when he was sent to a rehabilitation centre to help him kick off his drug addiction. 

He bounced back with Mahesh Bhatt's "Naam" in 1987, in which he played a young middle class guy who goes to Dubai in search of good money and ends up being a criminal. He consolidated his position with "Sadak" and "Kabzaa".

"Thanedar" (1991) marked a turning point in Sanjay's career. The song "Tamma tamma" where he shook legs with dancing queen Madhuri Dixit became a rage. He scored another hit with "Khalnayak", once again with Madhuri, in 1993. 

But his luck ran out thereafter and he was arrested for involvement in the Mumbai blasts, shocking everyone. But he eventually won bail.

When he came out everybody was asking - will Sanjay strike back?

The actor put all speculation at rest with Mahesh Manjrekar's "Vaastav", which struck gold at the box office. After his imprisonment days, Sanjay has mostly played negative characters. 

Recently he delivered quite a few hits - the slapstick "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", "Parineeta", and "Zinda".

Unlike his contemporaries Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff, Sanjay is still managing hits on his own. But as they say, success never comes without its ups and down. It is quite true in Sanjay's case! 
 

Hollywood 'invades' Nepal
Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, March 2 (IANS) Though "Bashain", Nepal's entry at the Oscars in the best foreign film category, did not make the nominations, Hollywood has awarded the tiny kingdom a consolation prize - a bonanza of all-time American classics.

In the run up to the 2006 US Academy Awards to be held in Los Angeles Sunday, the American Library here has dedicated March as the "American Movie Month".

From March 6, the library will show 19 smash hits, selected from the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American movies. The selection includes all-time favourites such as "The Grapes of Wrath", "Casablanca", "To Kill a Mocking Bird" and "A Streetcar Named Desire".

The Hollywood extravaganza threatens to outshine Bollywood's modest efforts in the capital.

The Indian Embassy and an NGO, the B.P. Koirala India Nepal Foundation, are hosting an Indian Film Festival here from Friday and will screen six Hindi classics - "Mughal-e-Azam", "Chaudhvin Ka Chand", "Pyasa", "Bobby", "Hip Hip Hurray" and "Garam Hawa".

The American cultural initiative comes at a time when US ambassador to Nepal James Francis Moriarty has been in the limelight, trying to persuade the opposition parties to forego their alliance with the Maoist guerrillas and begin reconciliation with King Gyanendra.

The Maoists, who have been branded terrorists by the US government, say they are opposed to American NGOs and joint ventures in Nepal as well as Hollywood films with their depiction of "decadent western culture".
 
Kaamwali Bai on 'Deal Ya No Deal'
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) She toils hard, she often gets a raw deal, but now the ubiquitous woman domestic help in India known as 'kaamwali bai' is about to get a place in the sun thanks to a special episode of "Deal Ya No Deal" on Sony TV.

Soni Arvi from Mumbai who works as a maid at a teacher's house will be seen in the Kaamwali Bai Special of the game show with Mandira Bedi at 9 p.m. Friday. 

Soni has been working as a maid since childhood. Now a mother of two, she is burdened with responsibilities, as her husband is an alcoholic and sitting at home for the last 12 years. 

It is difficult, especially for Indian women to lecture their husbands in front of others. But Mandira will help Soni do just that in front of the camera.

Mandira made Soni request her husband to share her burden by working so they can together bring up their children with dignity. 

This comes after a Mumbai Dabbawala episode. 

Also, watch out for Mandira dressed in a nine-yard sari, dancing to the tune of "Aika dajiba" with the other maids invited to play the game.
  
Jharkhand cinema halls face closure
Indo-Asian News Service

Ranchi, March 3 (IANS) Movie halls in Jharkhand are slowly closing down as more and more people opt to watch movies on CDs or on cable television.

Faced with a financial crunch, the well-known Upahar cinema hall is about to down its shutters this month. The three-decade-old theatre was once a favourite destination of movie buffs.

"The number of movie watchers (in theatres) has declined drastically. Many times we have only 20 to 25 people watching a show," said Prem Lal Sahdeo, Upahar's owner. The hall can hold 1,032 people. 

"We have to pay taxes to the government whether we earn or not," complained Sahdeo. 

Said another cinema house owner: "The government has fixed Rs.12,304 a day as tax from each hall. But hardly a few films have succeeded in drawing the crowds in recent times."

What are the reasons?

"Nowadays pirated CDs are available of the latest films. Television channels also show films. The increasing vulgarity in films has also hit the popularity of films," said Avinash, an employee of Sujata hall. 

Of the 165 cinema halls in Jharkhand, only 120 are functional now. Some other halls are planning to shut down.

The owners said the government was doing nothing to help them. They said the government had announced it would come out with a tax holiday but nothing had been done. 

Some of them admit they have no money to renovate the existing halls - and that only pushes more and more movie viewers away from the theatres. 

Rakeysh Mehra to relive childhood through 'Delhi 6'
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) Post-"Rang De Basanti", director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra plans to go back to his childhood in the Chandni Chowk area of old Delhi with his next film.

"It's a script called 'Delhi 6' - that's the postal pin-code for (the place) where I spent my childhood. I have all my relatives, friends and memories in Chandni Chowk. This is a film that I have to make," says Mehra.

Delving into one's past isn't uncommon to Bollywood filmmakers. 

Farhan Akhtar borrowed heavy chunks of his camaraderie with college friends to make "Dil Chahta Hai". Many of Shah Rukh Khan's scenes with his screen father in "Devdas" were taken from director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's own childhood. 

And in "My Brother Nikhil" debutant director Onirban dug deep into his subconscious for inspiration. 

Even in an out-and-out fantasy fare like "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", the character of the overweight brat Laddoo was modelled on Karan Johar's own battle with lard.

"It's not uncommon for filmmakers to return to their roots through their work. I won't say 'Delhi 6' will be autobiographical. It will give me a chance to relive my childhood," says Mehra.

Mehra intends to shoot on location in Delhi. The cast is yet to be finalised. "But I won't be casting myself, that's for sure," says the "Rang De Basanti" director.

About his plans of re-releasing his first film "Aks", Mehra says: "I am not re-shooting 'Aks' at all. What I intend to do right after 'Rang De Basanti' is to do a 'director's cut' version of 'Aks' on DVD. It is the done thing in Hollywood for directors to re-edit the film after release in a more luxuriant and spacious footage. 

"I'm not re-shooting the film, only using the existent footage that I couldn't in the large-screen version." 
 
Music composer Ravi in tune with the times
By Harish C. Menon, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) Music composer Ravi, whose vintage hit "Chaudhvin Ka Chand" continues to haunt listeners, can still carry a tune - the tune of success - even as he turns 80 on Friday.

"No north Indian marriage is complete without my songs 'Babul ki duayen' and 'Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai'. This is a matter of great satisfaction to me," said Ravi Shankar Sharma, popularly called Ravi.

"I first realised my musical potential when I started singing 'bhajans' (devotional songs) in temples at the age of 11," Ravi told IANS.

A young Ravi's melodic journey gained momentum under the guidance of legendary singer and music director Hemant Kumar who also had him joining the "Vande Mataram" song's chorus in "Anandmath" (1952). 

This association with Hemant Kumar lasted many years with films like "Shart" (1954) and "Nagin" (1954). Few know that the "been" (a flute variant) in the evergreen song "Man dolay" in the Pradeep Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer "Nagin" was played by Ravi.

His most famous and popular association was with filmmaker B.R. Chopra and singer Mahendra Kapoor beginning with songs like "Chalo ek baar phir se" and "Aap Aaye to khayal-e-dil-e-nashaad" in "Gumraah" (1963).

"Ravi's tunes were the most melodious of the times. They were easily picked up by the masses, who usually don't care much for music beyond their understanding," said Chopra, a Dadasaheb Phalke awardee.

However, Ravi's first independent venture was with Devendra Goel's "Vachan" (1955) with its songs like "Ek paisa dede babu" - written by Ravi himself - and "Chanda mama door ke" becoming instant hits.

In a career spanning 55 years and 200 films in Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, his lilting melodies got him the Padmashri award in 1971.

His trademark tuneful quality was epitomised in Guru Dutt's film "Chaudhvin Ka Chand" (1960) with the title song described as the most beautiful description of a woman, thanks to Shakeel Badayuni's glowing lyrics.

Ravi was also a big hit with South Indian moviemakers and earned the sobriquet 'King of Madras' with "Gharana" (1961), which won him his first Filmfare award, "Bharosa" and "Khandaan". 

However, his most winning note in the south sounded after national award winning Malayalam director Hariharan introduced him as 'Bombay Ravi' to Kerala's music lovers with "Nakhakshathangal" (1986). 

"Ravi is my favourite as his music is rooted deep in Indian culture and is as rustic as a Malayali can hope it to be," Hariharan said.

"Even for 'Nakhakshathangal', we wanted to create the musical atmosphere of temple town Guruvayoor in Kerala. So we recorded the sounds of the area and sent them to him." 

"Manjal prasadavum" from the movie, sung by K.S. Chitra, brought him overnight fame in 'God's Own Country' apart from earning him a national award. Ravi's songs of Hariharan's "Mayookham" (2005), too, are all chartbusters. 

That Kerala has a special place in Ravi's heart was evident much earlier in "Humraaz" (1967) where he used the southern percussion 'tayambaka' as a prelude in the song "Na munh chhupa ke jiyo".

"Because of his simple orchestration, Ravi was underrated by purists, especially in comparison with composers like Shankar-Jaikishen and S.D. Burman," said Manohar Iyyer of 'Keep Alive', a vintage music organisation.

"Though his tunes went down well with the family-social theme movies of the 1960s, critics felt his music was not rich enough," Iyyer said.
 
Madhuri planning comeback in Bollywood
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) Madhuri Dixit, who took a break from Bollywood after marrying an NRI, is set to mesmerise her fans again but says she will sign only those films that can be shot in the US where she is now based. 

According to media reports, she has made it crystal clear that in her second innings she is not going to be working full time because her children are very small and need her. 

There are many filmmakers who still want to cast the actress, including veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra. He has offered her a role in his upcoming movie. Way back in 1997 they had teamed up for the super hit film "Dil To Paagal Hai". 

The actress didn't deny that Chopra had offered her a role but said it was too early to talk about it because everything was at the discussion level only. 

Madhuri, who captivated the hearts of millions with performances in "Tezaab" (1988), "Beta" and "Saajan", moved to the US after marrying Sriram Nene, a doctor by profession.

Last month, after a long gap, she made an appearance at the 51st Fair One Filmfare awards function and gave a superb dance performance, choreographed by Saroj Khan. 

She is holidaying in Mumbai these days with her two sons - three-year-old Arin and one-year-old Ryan - and is also reading scripts and meeting directors.
 
Debojit's hometown goes berserk
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) It must be one of the most triumphant homecomings ever witnessed by a son of Assam.

When "Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" winner Debojit Saha returned to Silchar Feb 26, little did he know what was in store. "I have never seen anything like this," says Debojit. 

"Kya nahin hua hai! I haven't slept for three days. It is all happening because of my guru and guide Ismail Durbar-ji who's with me." 

He admits he has never seen anything like this. "In Kolkata itself there were huge crowds waiting for me. But nothing had prepared me for what waited for me in my hometown Silchar. 

"There were over one million people waiting since early morning - from the airport to my home 25 km away. We landed late. They remained waiting, hungry and anxious. I have never dreamt of seeing so many people waiting to see me! 

"My own town has a population of just 800,000 to one million people. But people from other areas like Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur had converged at the airport. 

"They walked and followed my car all the way. I could see as many people behind my car as in front. It took me more than seven hours to reach my home. Everywhere I could see only cheering people. I got scared. Anything could have happened," says Debojit.

He is in a trance. "Am I a star? I don't know. But I got a lot of love. I don't know about the rest of the world. But I am told such a thing has never happened in India before."

Assam is known for musician Bhupen Hazarika. 

But Debojit says: "People say even he has never been given such adulation. When I said I couldn't go to some of the nearby towns, people came to my home in Silchar and threatened to immolate themselves. I chose not to sleep in the night to visit them. 

"I visited three nearby towns, spent half an hour singing, talking. People smothered me with their love. I can't tell you how ecstatic I feel. Ismail-ji says this is simply madness. It's like going mad in love. Never in the wildest dreams had I imagined such adulation."

Debojit will perform at the Zee Film Awards in Mauritius. 

"Next I'll perform at the Zee awards in Mauritius. My cup of joy is filled. Ismail Durbar-ji has made it possible for me. Today I feel so happy. I can give my wife the comforts that I always dreamt of." 
 
Mallika is a naughty girl
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) Mallika Sherawat may seem starry to some people, bold and controversial to others, but there is a fun-filled side to her personality that not many know about. 

During the shooting of a film, she surprised everybody by demonstrating the naughty side of her personality. 

A Holi scene required her to throw water from a 'pichkari' at the camera, and she deliberately gave more than 20 retakes to enjoy splashing coloured water all over others. 

Much later, crewmembers realised that the actress was having fun doing target practice! 

-*-

Shiney makes his parents proud

Newcomer Shiney Ahuja has made his parents proud by winning the Filmfare Award for best male debutant. 

Shiney's parents came from Delhi to attend the awards ceremony and were overwhelmed when he received the coveted trophy for his debut film, Sudhir Mishra's gritty political drama "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi", Saturday evening.

They say it is the best gift he could've given them. He also won the STAR Screen best male debut award this year.

-*-

John compliments Sameera

John Abraham, who has worked with Sameera Reddy in Milan Luthria's "Taxi No. 9211", is quite impressed with the actress' dancing skills and complimented her for it. 

"Sameera is such a good dancer that I had two left feet when I danced with her," he said. 

"And doing the role she did in 'Taxi No. 9211' was commendable because it was not a conventional role. Shows her strength of conviction for the project and as an actor." 
 
Hollywood trains its cameras on India
By Arpana, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Cameron Diaz, Peter Weir...believe it or not, the who's who of Hollywood are making a beeline for India to shoot or research film projects. 

It has mostly been made possible by the power of Bollywood, one of the largest film industries in the world based in Mumbai, that is slowly but surely popularising India in the West.

Why, Will Smith was in the country only last week and expressed a desire to work with stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai and also ace director Karan Johar. Bollywood was equally eager to welcome him. 

While Indian dream merchants have long scouted for picturesque foreign locales, several Hollywood entities now seem determined to explore the country as a backdrop for their movies. 

According to reports, celebrated actor Morgan Freeman is coming to shoot the "Moses Tate's War", which revolves around the cow saving campaign, in Rishikesh and Haridwar in the middle of 2006. 

Steven Carr's "Racing The Monsoon" starring Michael Douglas and tentatively Aishwarya will be shot entirely in India in Sahara's Amby valley township nestled in south Mumbai and in Rajashtan, the land of sand dunes.

Douglas, who plays the double role in the film, is trying to get the support of Indian Railways because a major part of the film revolves around a diamond robbery in a train. Douglas, Sahara One Motion Pictures and Percept Picture Company have come together to produce the film. 

Another Hollywood star who is fascinated by the country is action hero Stallone. He will be filming some parts of "Rambo IV" in Jammu and Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. 

With the film, Stallone will return as a no-nonsense Green Beret, a part Navajo Indian character who takes on white supremacists in America after his family comes under attack.

Hollywood beauties Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet are also planning to visit Goa in April to research their new movie titled "Holiday". 

Diaz plays a neurotic American whose life changes when she meets an English traveller played by Winslet. After signing the film, the actresses felt that a backpacking trip would be the best way to prepare for their roles. 

Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Weir will begin shooting the best-selling novel "Shantaram" in November 2006 in the Andamans. Starring Johnny Depp, the film will be shot in several places in India, including Havelock Island in the Andamans. 

With Hollywood being one of the most prestigious film industries in the world, its stars are bound to raise the profile of India in world filmdom. 
  
Cricketer couples to kick off TV game show
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) TV channel STAR Plus will kick-start its celebrity game show - "Idea Presents Jodee Kamaal Ki" - with a cricket special Saturday.

Players K. Srikkanth with wife Vindya, Syed Kirmani with wife Habiba and Mohinder Amarnath with wife Bickoo are expected to throw their share of googlies and bouncers on the show hosted by TV actress Rakshanda Khan.

The show, to be aired at 9 p.m., will replace popular game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati-2", which was hosted by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan who had to discontinue shooting due to an illness.

"The game show is based on the universal theme of love, companionship and understanding. It will provide a platform to celebrity pairs to relive their moments of truth, joy, despair, agreement or even disagreement," said a statement from STAR Plus.

Designed and produced by Dheeraj Kumar's Creative Eye, "the show aims to test and inspire the strength of relationships, which are mostly taken for granted, as it will probe into the compatibility levels of couples". 
 
Priya Dutt releases music of 'Unns'
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt applauded as sister and MP Priya Dutt released the music of Hindi film "Unns" at a gala function near here.

The MP was chief guest at the function held at JAM Cinemas, Shipra Mall, in Ghaziabaad.

Also present on the occasion Wednesday evening were the star cast of "Unns" - Sanjay Kapoor, Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta, Sudhanshu Pandey and Sujeet Shetty and Dhyanu Dass of Das Music. For Rituparna, the reigning queen of Bengali films, "Unns" is her second film after "Mein, Meri Patni Aur Woh".

"Unns", which in Arabic means love, affection and passion, is a romantic musical drama with a social message about the significance of marriage. It is produced by Buneesha Films.

Congratulating the unit of "Unns", Priya said since the movie deals with relevant issues of today it would make a mark and the audience would surely like the music.

To discourage piracy, the filmmakers have made the music available on the Internet, which can be downloaded free from its website www.unns.in. This is the first time that a film's music has been uploaded on the Internet. 

The muhurat shot of the film was given by former central minister Sunil Dutt, who passed away last year. 

Bhupender Gupta, producer and director of the film, said: "The movie 'Unns' is dedicated to late Sunil Dutt Ji." 

Among other politicians present on the occasions were MP Pawan Kumar Bansal and Baba Siddiqui, a Maharashtra minister.

Sanjay Kapoor said that the film's music had been composed keeping in mind the public's tastes. 

The album has six songs sung by versatile singers like Sonu Nigam, Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan. The music company Das Music released the music.
 
Mallika and Karan to host Zee Cine Awards
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) Mallika Sherawat and Karan Johar! That's right, Bollywood's oomph girl and the suave director team up to host the LIC-Zee Cine Awards to be held Saturday in sunny Mauritius.

While Mallika is a first, Karan is hosting the awards ceremony, being held at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, for the third time. 

Those who have seen Karan's hit TV talk show "Koffee with Karan" know that Mallika was the hot topic of discussion in more than one episode. 

Karan, who anchored a major segment of the Filmfare awards last week and was a judge on Sony's "Indian Idol" where he shared 'scream' space with Hollywood actor Will Smith, is unfortunately having a voice problem.

"The doctors have diagnosed it to be laryngitis. I am getting over it. But I sound like someone completely different. What am I supposed to do? Now I am supposed to host the Zee awards at Mauritius on Saturday. I don't know how I'll do it!" Karan told IANS.

Arjun Rampal, Konkona SenSharma and Gulshan Grover are the other celebrity hosts for the show that promises to be a starry affair with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji and Priyanka Chopra performing.

According to media reports, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has welcomed the event, offering every facility to the star personalities.

Co-presented by Pepsi and Motorola, the event can be seen live on Zee TV from 7 p.m. onwards. 

The nominations in the main categories are:

Best Film
1. "Apaharan" 
2. "Black "
3. "Bunty Aur Babli" 
4. "No Entry" 
5. "Parineeta" 
6. "Sarkar" 
7. "Salaam Namaste" 

Best Director
1. Pradeep Sarkar for "Parineeta" 
2. Prakash Jha for "Apaharan" 
3. Ram Gopal Varma for "Sarkar" 
4. Sanjay Leela Bhansali for "Black" 
5. Shaad Ali for "Bunty Aur Babli" 
6. Siddharth Anand for "Salaam Namaste" 

Best Actor - Male
1. Abhishek Bachchan for "Bunty Aur Babli"
2. Ajay Devgan for "Apaharan" 
3. Akshay Kumar for "Waqt" 
4. Amitabh Bachchan for "Black" 
5. Saif Ali Khan for "Parineeta" 
6. Shah Rukh Khan for "Paheli" 

Best Actor - Female
1. Konkona Sen Sharma for "Page 3" 
2. Preity Zinta for "Salaam Namaste" 
3. Rani Mukerji for "Black" 
4. Rani Mukerji for "Bunty Aur Babli" 
5. Urmila Matondkar for "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara" 
6. Vidya Balan for "Parineeta"

Best Popular Track Of The Year
1. "Aashiq banaya aapne" ("Aashiq Banaya Aapne") 
2. "Dus bahane" ("Dus")
3. "Just chill" ("Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya")
4. "Kaal kaal" ("Kaal") 
5. "Kajra re" ("Bunty Aur Babli") 
6. "Woh lamhe" ("Zeher")
 

Bachchan ready to get back to shooting
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 4 (IANS) After three months of being out of action, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is now fit to resume work and is planning to return to the arc lights later this month.

Bachchan says he will probably get back to work after March 20 with the shooting for his makeup man Deepak Sawant's Bhojpuri film. "Then I'll shoot for Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alavidaa Na Kehna'. Then a couple of days will be set aside to shoot for ads. And then I go into Ravi Chopra's 'Babul'."

Bachchan had undergone an abdominal surgery late last year.

The songs in "Babul" are still being polished. "I want to sing them as well as I can. But the basics are in place. The fine-tuning needs to be done," said Bachchan.

A proposed trip to Mauritius for the Zee Cine Awards has been cancelled. 

"Abhishek was supposed to perform. And I'd have loved to watch him. My grandchildren, my daughter and Jaya were also supposed to join us in Mauritius. But Abhishek is down with a viral flu. And the doctors have forbidden me from travelling. So we aren't going. Sanjay Bhansali or Rani can collect my award," Bachchan told IANS. 

Bachchan has given the green signal to Deepa Mehta's "Komagata Maru", too, and is in discussion with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for his next project.

"I am going to start meeting producers... I have said yes to Deepa Mehta's 'Komagata Maru' in principle. I have had several meetings with Rakeysh Mehra. From the time we did 'Aks' together we have been discussing lots of ideas including 'Rang De Basanti'... projects involving both Abhishek and me. 

"Pretty soon we'll be able to zero in on a project. We might be doing 'Bhairavi', which is an extremely unique subject with unique possibilities. The more we talk about it the bigger it seems." 

Talking about his appearance at the Filmfare awards, he said: "I was very happy to receive the critics' awards at Filmfare from Rakeysh and Vinod Chopra."

Pausing to reflect on his return to normal health, Bachchan continues: "I'm truly touched by the love and support of my colleagues. Everyone has been so kind and warm. I was so moved when people whom I have worked with came forward to greet me with so much affection at the Filmfare awards. I hope I never do anything to lose that affection".

Pakistani actress open to acting Bhojpuri films
By Imran Khan, Indo-Asian News Service

Patna, March 4 (IANS) Pakistani actress Meera says she is open to acting in Bhojpuri films, which are watched not just by Indians but by people in her country as well.

"I have no problems about working in a Bhojpuri film," Meera, who was on a private visit to Bihar, told IANS. 

"If I am working for Hindi films, there is no reason why I would not work in Bhojpuri or any other regional film in India. But it all depends on a good offer," said the actress who was clad in a colourful salwar-kameez. 

Meera, who starred in the Bollywood film "Nazar", said some friends had told her about the flourishing Bhojpuri film industry and its popularity. Bhojpuri is a dialect of Hindi spoken mostly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

"I was also told that even in Pakistan some people love to watch Bhojpuri films as their root lies in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where Bhojpuri is a dominant language."

Meera, however, said she had not yet watched a Bhojpuri film. "During my visit here I met some people speaking Bhojpuri. It sounds sweet but I cannot speak it. I have to take lessons if I want to speak it," she said.

She was a little disappointed at not being able to meet Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who speaks Bhojpuri. 

"I was hopeful of meeting Lalu Prasad here but he was not present. I would love to meet him, he is a great man. I have heard a lot about him in Pakistan, Mumbai, New Delhi and Dubai," she said.

The four-decade-old Bhojpuri film industry has been attracting foreign talent since last year. 

Tanya, a 27-year-old model from Ukraine, played the title role in the Bhojpuri film "Firangi Dulhaniya". She has become the first foreign actress in the industry. The film was inspired by the real life story of a Patna man who went to in Russia and fell in love with a Russian girl and married her and brought her home.

Another foreign actress, 24-year-old Cambridge-educated British actress Jessica Bath, has signed two Bhojpuri films. 

These films are popular with millions of people who speak Bhojpuri and belong to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh or have migrated to New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Bhojpuri-speaking people can also be found in Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname and the West Indies. 

The popularity of Bhojpuri films has resulted in Bollywood actors and actresses - Amitabh Bachhan, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Nagma, Juhi Chawla to name a few - being attracted to it like never before.
 
Kid brother Zayed gets bullied by sisters on TV
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 4 (IANS) Want to watch Zayed Khan's discomfiture as he is ribbed by all his three sisters? Just watch the latest episode of Simi Garewal's syrupy but watchable "Rendezvous with Simi Garewal" this Sunday on STAR World.

The "Main Hoon Na" star is seen in quite a different light in the episode with three older sisters pulling his leg mercilessly and forcing him to reveal which of them is his favourite.

The buzz is that the sisters, who are said to be very possessive about him, actually get him to give an answer. How on earth did he manage to do that without hurting the others! Let's wait and watch.

-*-

Riya takes advice from astrologer 

Don't be surprised if you see Riya Sen wearing a black thread around her wrist these days. Tired of forever being linked to her co-stars, the "Jhankaar Beats" actor looked to an astrologer for help.

The astrologer has asked her to wear the black thread to ward off the supposed bad omens.

She said: "Why does it only happen to me all the time and that too for no fault of my mine. Why can't people accept that I am single and enjoying the space."

-*-

Hrishita on eating spree

While everyone is trying to lose weight in Bollywood, actress Hrishita Bhatt is gorging on sweets and chocolates. She has gained a few pounds and is receiving compliments from her producers, who feel she is glowing and looking more beautiful.

Hrishita says even if she eats a lot, an overactive metabolism prevents her from putting on too much weight. 

So when everyone's watching their calories, Hrishita's one of the few who can count her calories and eat them too!
 
It's all 'Black' at Zee Cine Awards
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 5 (IANS) Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black" bagged the top honours at the star-studded Zee film awards that saw some power-packed performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta even as Abhishek Bachchan had to miss the show due to viral fever.

The LIC Zee Cine Awards, held at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Mauritius Saturday night, was no different from the earlier Filmfare, Star Screen or Apsara Awards - in all of which "Black" swept the awards.

In the Zee awards, "Black" won in the best director, best actor and best actress award categories. 

Bhansali, after receiving the best director award from Neetu Singh, said: "As I'm going to make a film with your son Ranbir - I hope next year I am here on stage with your son, madam."

He also received the award for the best film from Rekha and Akshay kumar.

It came as no surprise when Amitabh Bachchan's name was announced as the best actor award for his powerhouse performance in "Black". Saif Ali Khan, who was also nominated in the best actor (male) category, said before the show that Amitabh was the obvious choice.

Amitabh, who is still recovering from an operation, could not make it to the show and his co-star in "Black", Rani Mukerji, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali received the award on his behalf from father-son duo Feroze and Fardeen Khan. 

Rani received the best female actor award from the well known couple Sridevi and Boney Kapoor for "Black". 

Once again, child artist Ayesha Kapoor, who played the young Rani in "Black", won the award for best actor in a supporting role (female) while Abhishek Bachchan won the best actor in a supporting role (male) for "Sarkar".

Riteish Deshmukh won the best actor in a comic role for his fabulous performance in "Bluffmaster" and Nana Patekar bagged the best actor in a villainous role for "Apaharan".

Screen diva Rekha and Indian celluloid's lover boy Rishi Kapoor were honoured with the lifetime achievement awards for their contribution to Indian cinema by Shah Rukh Khan and Rani respectively. 

On receiving his award, Rishi Kapoor thanked the entire film fraternity, remembered his grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor and also took the opportunity to ask everyone to bless and support his son who is going to be launched by Bhansali.

The most promising debut (female) saw a tie between Vidya Balan and Konkona Sen Sharma for "Parineeta" and "Page 3", respectively. Undoubtedly both of them were splendid in their roles. 

Shiney Ahuja once again bagged the best promising debut (male) for "Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi" and 51-year-old director Pradeep Sarkar won the most promising director award for re-creating the magic of Sarat Chandra's classic novel "Parineeta" on screen.

There was a special award called Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa most popular track of the year award that went to the hit qawwali number "Kajra re" written by Gulzar and sung by pop singer Alisha Chinai in one of the biggest hits of 2005 "Bunty Aur Babli". The song was picturised on Amitbah, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. 

Upcoming singer Shreya Ghoshal won the best playback singer (female award) for the song "Piyu bole" from "Parineeta" and music director-cum-singer Himesh Reshammiya won the best playback singer (male) for crooning the title song of "Aashiq Banaya Aapne".

The best music director award went to Shankar-Ehsan-Loy for "Bunty Aur Babli" and Swanand Kirkire won the best lyricist award for penning the poetic "Piyu bole" for "Parineeta".

The show was kick started by a superbly-choreographed, well-performed musical act that recapped the 50-years of Indian cinema. 

Some of the highlights of the evening were - ace director Karan Johar, the host for the evening, made Sridevi, who keeps mum in public place, talk. She not only chatted with Karan but also told him that according to her, Amitabh was the best actor in Hindi film industry. 

Ganesh Hegde pitched in for Abhishek, who was to perform but had to cancel the trip due to viral fever. Also, Mallika Sherawat, who was supposedly going to co-host the show with Karan, was conspicuous by her absence. 

Unlike other award functions, which end after the award for best film of the year, Zee cine awards had saved the best for the last.

After the awards were presented, Shah Rukh Khan took centre stage and put up a much-appreciated performance that paid tribute to veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra for his contribution to Hindi cinema. 

Shah Rukh along with Akshay Kumar, Saif, Rani, Preity Zinta, Esha Deol and Pakistani actress Meera enacted some of the hit numbers from Chopra's films including "Waqt", "Silsila", "Darr", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Hum Tum" and "Bunty Aur Babli". 

The act ended with Chopra receiving a special award for his contribution to Indian cinema from Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

In the technical awards section the winners were - Best visual effects - V.G. Sarmant for "Dus"; Best song recording - Empire Studio for "Bunty Aur Babli"; Best re-recording - Anup Dev for "Paheli"; Best art direction - Muneesh Sappal for "Paheli"; Best cinematography - Ravi Chandran for "Black"; Renu Saluja award for best editing - Bela Sehgal for "Black"; Best dialogue - Rekha Nigam and Vidhu Vinod Chopra for "Parineeta"; Bhaskar screenplay award - Nagesh Kukunoor for "Iqbal"; Best story - Ruchi Narain, Sudhir Mishra and Shivkumar Subramaniam for "Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi"; Best background music - Monty Sharma for "Black"; Best action - Allan Amin and Gary Bexly for "Dus"; Best film processing - Manmohan Shetty for "Black"; Best publicity design - H.R. Enterprise for "Black"; Best costume - Subarna Rai Chaudhary for "Parineeta"; Best sound - Rahul Pookutty for "Black"; Best choreography - Vaibhavi Merchant for "Kajra re" ("Bunty Aur Babli").
 
'Teesri Aaankh', a mere potboiler
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Film: "Teesri Aaankh: The Hidden Camera"; Cast: Sunny Deol, Amisha Patel, Ashish Chowdhary, Aarti Chabria, Mukesh Rishi, Mukesh Tiwari, Murli Sharma and Neha Dhupia; Director: Harry Baweja; Rating: * 1/2 

The one redeeming factor in this mixture of Hollywood-like thrills and desi kitsch is the effort at projecting a social conscience... Never mind if this conscience is extended into a film that never goes beyond the portals of a potboiler. 

Harry Baweja tries. He takes a major part of the narrative to London where a mute girl Amisha Patel tries to run away from three murderous porn racketeers.

Mukesh Rishi, Mukesh Tiwari and Murli Sharma are truly repugnant in their sleazy avatars. They uphold the film's theme of voyeuristic viciousness with ghoulish delight, stabbing poor Neha Dhupia in her abdomen repeatedly until the mute Amisha threatens to scream for mercy.

The bits where the speechless Amisha has to run for her life with the goons in hot pursuit are nicely done. 

Trouble is, Harry Baweja's new film lives in a house divided. It wants to emulate the slick Hollywood thrillers. But it also wants to incorporate potboiler elements from Hindi cinema. 

While parts of the narration are done with slick candour, many bits are predominantly patchy and overdone. 

The narrative veers from slickness to sickness with scarcely room for breath. Baweja wants his film about the porn racket to be cool. But his earthy cinematic sensibilities shine through in the way the songs (albeit done in the chic bhangra-pop style) serve as speed-breakers in this blend of Terence Young's "Wait Until Dark" and Partho Ghosh's "Dalaal".

Indeed there is a frail and vulnerable quality to Amisha's performance as the mute girl on the run, reminiscent of Audrey Heburn's blind act in "Wait Until Dark". She plays the central character with quite a lot of spunk. Sunny Deol as the super-hero, lifting two motorbikes together and thrashing a multitude of villains to a pulp, is slightly out of rhythm but nonetheless effective. But he needs to stop trying to dance. Among the rest of the cast, Ashish Chowdhary as a spaced-out self-absorbed filmmaker is mildly entertaining.

The film qualifies neither as entertainment nor a social statement on hapless girls being sucked into porn activities. Not after you watch Harry Baweja take those surreptitious shots of semi-nude white-skinned girls doing the pole dance.
 
French applause at Ritu Beri's fashion show
By Sachin Gogoi, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) A day after US President George W. Bush showered praises on India, the French ambassador here followed suit, saluting the Indian spirit at a fashion show by noted designer Ritu Beri.

Ambassador Dominique Girard was addressing the audience Saturday night at a show held at the French embassy where Beri's Rs.100,000 book "Fire Fly" was formally released.

"The world is rushing to India. Everybody is coming because India is attracting with its works at home and also because so many Indians are working well outside," said Girard.

"We are very happy with the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal," Girard later told IANS.

"Fire Fly", with only 100 copies in print, was released by Commerce Minister Kamal Nath.

The first copy of the book was auctioned at the event for a whopping Rs.140,000. Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, currently on a brief visit to India, made the successful bid. 

The proceeds from the auction would go to the Kalakar Trust, an NGO working for underprivileged artists living in slums here. 

The event brought another delight for the celebrated designer as she was presented with the annual Les Trois Fileuses Dor award from the Paris-based International Association for Young Creators (IAYC). Former international supermodel Anne De Champigneul presented the award to Beri for her contribution to Indian fashion in the international fashion arena. 

The fashion show, earlier in the evening, presented a limited range of designs that depicted the concept of Beri's book "Fire Fly". Six exclusive outfits, with elaborate works, were presented at the show that drew generous rounds of applause from the audience. 

The collection draws inspiration from Indian concepts, Spanish drama and Western silhouette to make any woman look and feel sensational, says the designer.

"The book is a result of my 15 years in the fashion industry. This fashion show depicts the concept and theme of the book," said Beri.

Hailing Beri and her works, the French ambassador said the event was a wonderful way to celebrate the relationship between France and India.

"Ritu is a very important member of the fashion community in the world fashion capital Paris. She is contributing a lot to Indian and international fashion," said Girard.
 
Mrs India World hunt kicks off in City of Joy
Indo-Asian News Service

Kolkata, March 5 (IANS) Here's another chance for all those women who have a dynamic personality coupled with beauty and brains and have always dreamt of being in the limelight. But there's a little caveat - you have to be married.

The hunt for India's representative at the Mrs World 2006 pageant will get underway here March 9 with beauties vying to impress a panel of high profile judges including model Aditi Govitrikar, the brand ambassador for Mrs India World, singer Usha Uthup and model Nayanika Chatterjee among others. 

Participation is also open to contestants from Assam at the Kolkata auditions. 

"The Big Chance" for the true-blue married Indian woman would be all about a dynamic personality coupled with beauty, grace, strength and family values, said organisers, SaharaOne Television. 

Mrs India World 2006 will represent the country at the Mrs World 2006 contest to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in April where women from more than 50 countries will vie for the crown.

Besides Kolkata, auditions will also be held in Bangalore (March 11), Chandigarh (March 13), and Mumbai and New Delhi (both on March 12). The grand finale is to be held March 25 in Mumbai.

Govitrikar, who is a doctor by profession and has a six-year-old daughter, was the first Indian to win the Mrs World crown in 2001. 
 
Reshammiya threw a fit before 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' finale
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 5 (IANS) Hours before the popular "Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" grand finale, music composer Himesh Reshammiya had threatened to boycott the music contest.

The behind the scenes bickering for the Feb 24 keenly-contested show, hosted by Zee TV, had been kept under wraps. 

The bone of contention was the song that the two mentors - Reshammiya and Ismail Durbar - had composed for their respective protégés. 

While Durbar thought it wise for Debojit Saha to record his composition in a studio and lip-sync it on stage, Reshammiya had other plans. He wanted Vinit Singh to sing his composition live on stage for the finale.

When the show director Gajendra Singh supported Durbar, Reshammiya threatened to stay away from the finale, thereby throwing the entire event into jeopardy.

The grand finale was on a Friday, and Singh had to spend the entire Thursday evening and night persuading Reshammiya to change his mind before the composer agreed to be on stage.

Would it be possible for the bickering judges to co-exist on the same platform? 

"Why not?" reasons Ashish Kaul, senior vice-president of Zee Telefilms. 

"Differences are an integral part of any competitive event. We never intended to model 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' on 'Indian Idol'. 

"In fact, when two of our judges staged a walkout we thought of keeping it off camera. But then we thought why not let viewers know the truth? 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' has thrown forward the most amazing talent. And the mentors are as important as the contestants. We certainly want the same judges gain." 

After months of stiff competition, the two finalists Debojit and Vinit finally faced the roaring crowds at the Andheri Sports Complex. 

The audiences' votes poured in by the thousands. Both the finalists danced and sang nervously but were unmindful of the fate that awaited both at the end of the evening. And the title went to Debojit.

When the results were announced, Debojit was relieved, joyous and grateful. 

He said: "I have been through the worst ordeal possible to get here. I have slogged to reach here. Now suddenly all the trouble and toil seems worth the while. I really needed this victory to boost my confidence. Do you know what I like best about winning? 

"The fact that my wife can stop working. She is a patient of arthritis and it used to kill me every day to watch her leave home for her job. She can now take it easy. 

"Perhaps now I can afford to give her those comforts of life that I have so far not been able to give her. There's a hunger within me to sing and build on the platform that 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' has given me. Let's see what destiny has in store." 
 
Bollywood producers make their mark
By Priyanka Khanna, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) As the world gears up to celebrate International Women's Day March 8, there are reasons for women in Bollywood to cheer.

A handful of ladies-turned-producers and female filmmakers have contributed considerably to changing the silver screen portrayal of women from the all-sacrificing mothers and wives to the exceptionally well-crafted characters.

This has been made possible because of female filmmakers bringing in their distinctive style to an industry dominated by male directors and leading ladies plunging into direction, production and heading industry associations.

Actresses who have reached the stage where they are fed up of playing bimbettes or have been displaced by anorexic young beings are playing a key role in the transformation of the screen image of women in India.

Ten of the beautiful women who have ruled Bollywood over the last 50 years will be recognised by a popular music channel in a programme hosted by ace director Karan Johar to be aired March 8. 

For the most part of the last three years, Bollywood has been churning out films that were virtual skin shows - just a few films had strong women characters and a relatively better understanding of female sexuality.

While the spurt in small-budget films helped strong and articulate women come alive onscreen in movies like "Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon", "Samay", "Pinjar", "Tehzeeb", "Anaahat" and "Chokher Bali" in 2004, last year witnessed release of films like "Black", "Paheli", "Page 3" and "Water". Women directors were seen and heard more often.

After a long gap, viewers are feasting on films that have handled women characters sensitively and boldly.

It is about time that Bollywood pays due respect to its leading ladies, else a beauty drain after brain drain is next on the cards. A slew of female actors are featuring on international projects.

Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Sonali Kulkarni lead the list of actors with international projects under their belt. Shilpa Shetty and Mahima Chaudhury are hot contenders for "Babel" starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

According to reports, Sameera Reddy has been offered a role in Sarah Gavron's adaptation of Monica Ali's best selling novel, "Brick Lane". 

Bengali actor Nandana Sen is in Willard Carrol's musical romance "Marigold", which stars Salman Khan, as well as in Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad's crossover film "It's A Mismatch".

"It used to be an industry where actresses were considered props - maybe a vase on the sideboard. Now at last, the vase has reached the centre table," Sushmita Sen says.

The films have, however, not been too successful in transforming the original screen-image of the perfect woman - of being the ever-sacrificing, helpless female who has no aspirations and finds fulfilment only in serving her husband and children.

The Indian marquees are flush with girls with small roles and equally small clothes. Girls, who in real life are career-minded, are seen in bimbette parts in Priyadarshan's "Garam Masala" and David Dhawan's "Shaadi No.1".

In fact, some of the commercial hits in the last few years show a decided nostalgia for a traditional way of life where women are the homemakers, says writer S. Raza.

In "Main Hoon Na", the woman must don traditional clothes to get her man and a teenybopper in "Ishq Vishk" fasts on 'karva chauth' (a fast observed by married women for their husband's longevity) to entice her boyfriend from the career-oriented independent 'other woman'. The "masala" films ignore the reality that 26 percent women in urban and rural India work (2001 census).

Films today are increasingly depicting heroines as homemakers, albeit educated ones, according to Raza. Clearly, Bollywood film writers need to work harder at catching up with the Indian woman who has progressed much.

Although box-office failures of films where the leading protagonist is a woman are cited as excuses to declare that women-oriented films always turn out to be duds, the same talk is unlikely to be heard if an "A"-list actor's film flops.

Clearly, Bollywood only talks about women-oriented films that flop and conveniently glosses over the huge number of hero-centric ones that fail.

-*-

There are lots of women making a name for themselves in the world of documentaries where budgets are bottom-of-the-barrel low. 

Deepa Mehta's critically acclaimed Indo-Canadian period drama "Water" has defied many odds on the way to winning the coveted Golden Kinnaree awards for best picture at the 4th Bangkok International Film Festival.

Reports say that "Water", starring Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Seema Biswas, faced competition from local favourite, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's "Invisible Waves", besides the Oscar-nominated Duncan Tucker film "Transamerica", Stephen Frears' "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and cult South Korean director Chan-Wook Park's "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance".

The film captures the plight of widows in India in the 1930s who were compelled by outmoded social traditions to lead a life of privation, servility and exploitation.

Farah Khan is perhaps the most commercially successful and she did it by churning out an out-and-out masala flick, "Main Hoon Na".

Others like Aparna Sen, Reema Rakeshnath, Shrabani Deodhar, Tanuja Chandra, Pooja Bhatt, Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Suma Josson have stuck to telling stories of contemporary India and sexual liberation.

Women directors like Sai Paranjpye, Aruna Raje and Kalpana Lajmi and new entrants Meghna Gulzar and Revathy have not been able to make audience-pleasing films.

The good thing though is that with the exponential increase in the demand for more films due to the multiplex phenomenon, more and more women directors are finding funding for making movies close to their hearts.

With more and more clean money and corporate finances flowing in, there is hope for women to say: "Bollywood is no more a man's world!"

-*-

Leading actors like Aishwarya Rai, Urmila Matondkar and Sushmita Sen seem keen on winning the national award rather than simply raking in the moolah. 

This means that directors are taking up women-oriented films as they get star power without considerably boosting their budgets since popular female actors are willing to cut fees for good roles, says trade observer Deepa Gehlot.

And well, they are getting them on a platter.

Rekha, who got a lifetime achievement award last week, and Juhi Chawla are still around even as the trade is craving for Kajol to make a comeback. Konkana Sen Sharma and Tabu are regular faces seen at the marquees in spite of their giving thumbs down to the routine stuff.
 
Bollywood crazy Poles head to India
Indo-Asian News Service

Warsaw, March 6 (IANS) Bollywood crazy Poles are heading to India increasingly in large numbers.
And Indian spirituality is also attracting Poles, who until a few years ago were looking only towards Western Europe and the US.

"In the last few months, the Indian embassy has been issuing close to 1,150 visas a month, which is an increase of over 50 percent over the corresponding months last year," Anil Wadhwa, India's ambassador to Poland, told IANS.

That citizens of India and Poland are not charged visa fees under a 1973 agreement makes the trip even more convenient.

At the same time, Bollywood is also coming to Poland - to shoot. Snow-capped Zakopane, Poland's premier mountain resort, was one of the locations of the upcoming Aamir Khan-Kajol starrer "Fanaah".

Several Bollywood films, particularly Shah Rukh Khan's movies "Main Hoon Na", "Kal Ho Na Ho" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", have also proved to be great hits in this country.

There is an increasing craze among Polish youngsters for Indian films and songs, which can be seen and heard on television and radio.

A growing number of Indian companies too are investing in the Polish economy or scouting for opportunities.

"As the Indian economic boom continues and Poland attains an important place in the European Union, a tourism boom riding on the back of a massive increase in bilateral trade of 43 percent in 2005 is on the anvil," said Wadhwa.

This surge in trade and tourism has revived keenness of authorities here to commence direct flights between the two countries, which were discontinued in 1992 as Poland started looking more towards Europe and the US.

"The fact that Indian tourists are the largest spenders in countries like Malayasia, Singapore, the UAE, Switzerland and Britain has revived the interest of Polish authorities to look more closely at India," said Subhash Goyal, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators and head of Stic Travels.

On March 1, a large number of tour operators and travel and tourism representatives from India attended a reception hosted by the Polish ministry of economy, Polish tourism organisation and the Polish chamber of tourism.

Poland is keen to have more Indian tourists in order to boost not only its conventional but also health tourism. Possibilities of starting chartered flights in addition to direct flights between the two countries are being explored.

Many Poles are also turning to India in their quest for spirituality. A large number of them had gone to Bangalore to attend the 25th anniversary celebrations of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living foundation last month.
  
Adnan's female fans don't want him slim
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) We all know Adnan Sami is no lightweight. But his female fans apparently like the rotund singer the way he is. Any suggestion that he should lose some weight generates protests from his fans, especially females.

Maybe that's the reason he has not really bothered to hit the gym with gusto... Though he may need to lose the excess weight for health reasons.

It's natural for Sami to have a huge female following - many find him loveable and like his mellifluous voice. It is not for nothing that he is called 'teddy bear'.

-*-

Raima Sen - the true heiress

To carry forward a great legacy has never been easy. But the strong always rise up to a challenge and that's exactly what Raima Sen, granddaughter of veteran Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, is doing.

The intelligent and beautiful Raima, who worked in films like "Godmother", "Chokher Bali" and "Parineeta", is fast making a name for herself as a talented actor. She is doing some great work not just in Bengali cinema but also Hindi films.

It can't just be a coincidence that director Rituparno Ghosh preferred to repeat her in his films.

-*-

Emraan avoids Nisha in 'Darna Zaroori Hai'?

Ram Gopal Varma discovery Nisha Kothari is setting the screen on fire in the promos of his "Darna Zaroori Hai" - a sequel to "Darna Mana Hai". But Emraan Hashmi, known more for his on-screen kissing scenes, has no sizzling shots with her in the thriller. And no lip-locks too.

So, if Emraan is seen sporting a long face - no prizes for guessing the reason!

Nisha was first seen in a cameo in Varma's "Sarkar" and later as heroine in his "James" with Mohit Ahlawat.

-*-

Preity plays Hrithik's mother in 'Krrish'?

Can you imagine Preity Zinta playing Hrithik Roshan's mother? That is exactly what the bubbly actress is doing in Rakesh Roshan's "Krrish" - complete with the sari, vermilion and mangalsutra.

Preity's fans are definitely going to be surprised to see her in this new avatar, because so far they have only seen her sporting the modern woman look in films like "Soldier" and "Kal Ho Na Ho".

But they needn't worry. She will be back to her original looks in Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehnaa".
 

Aishwarya is India's face: Priyanka
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) Glamorous actress Priyanka Chopra, who appeared on the cover of the first issue of international men's magazine Maxim, votes in Aishwarya Rai as the "face of India".

When asked if she was the new face of India, Priyanka said: "Nah, I am not! Aishwarya Rai is."

"Aishwarya's beauty and popularity crosses geo-political boundaries. I have a long way to go before I can be considered the face of India.

"I am just a hard-working 23-year-old. When Maxim asked me to be on their cover, I was quite surprised. Of course, I was happy about it," Priyanka told IANS.

Aishwarya is not the only star she admires. Her co-star Akshaye Khanna in Dharmesh Darshan's film "Aap Ki Khatir" also inspires high praise from her.

"He (Akshaye) is so spontaneous on camera and so much fun as a person! I think I'm going to have a ball shooting for this film," she said.
 
'Keral' is my first period film, says Rahul Bose
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) After a peripheral but poignant role in Aparna Sen's "15 Park Avenue", Rahul Bose is playing a well-educated village guy who wants to bring changes into his birthplace in Santosh Sivan's period film "Keral".

"It is a very interesting take on cross-culturalism. My character joins hands with a British planter. He believes this collaboration can bring changes in his village. At the same time the freedom movement has started. So he is torn between patriotism and progress." 

"It is produced by a very respectable Hollywood company called Echolake who have produced Deepa Mehta's 'Water'. It is written by an American called Cathy Rabin. It is set in pre-Independence day, though the period isn't the plot's point. 

"But yes, it's my first period film. So far I have been offered urbane characters only," says Rahul.

Though Rahul refuses to reveal more, the film has four key British characters. Well-known actors from England are playing these roles.

"I can't reveal their names. But Nandita Das, who plays a girl from my village, is my co-star."

"'Keral' gives me one of the most sensitive roles I have been offered. They auditioned several actors across the world. For some reason they thought I had the best understanding of the character." 

Santosh Sivan, whose last directorial project "Navrasa" was in Tamil, is shooting this intriguing film in his home state Kerala. 
 
Ramesh Sippy planning comeback with romantic film
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) After a long hiatus, well-known filmmaker Ramesh Sippy is planning to wield the megaphone again and it could be a romantic film starring his favourite star Amitabh Bachchan.

He told the media he may be growing old, but his mind was still young and he could make fresh romantic films. He is planning to make a comeback with his old team, including Bachchan and lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar. 

His last directorial venture was "Zamaana Deewana", which was released in 1995.

Sippy was the man behind the all-time hit "Sholay" starring Sanjeev Kumar, Bachchan and Dharmendra. In the 1970s, he made successful action thrillers "Shaan" and "Shakti". 

Sippy's son Rohan is also into filmmaking and last year he produced the box office blockbuster "Bluffmaster". Abhishek Bachchan played the title role and Priyanka Chopra, Nana Patekar and Riteish Deshmukh were seen in important roles. 
 
'Page 3' ignored once again in Mauritius
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) In its effort to deviate from the expected, and to avoid the inevitable "Black" sweep, the LIC Zee Cine Awards at Mauritius gave away all the three critics' awards to Nagesh Kukunoor's "Iqbal". 

Once again Madhur Bhandarkar's original and striking "Page 3" was completely ignored. After its near-obliteration in the Filmfare awards nominations, Bhandarkar didn't even bother to attend the Zee awards Saturday.

Not that he was missed. The star attendance in Mauritius, in spite of a flash hurricane, was impressive. The organisers got dazzling live performances out of Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, who descended on stage from above the audience, and Rani Mukerji, who had to make do with Arjun Rampal instead of Abhishek Bachchan in the "Chup chup ke" song from "Bunty Aur Babli".

Choreographer Ganesh Hegde sportingly served as a last-minute proxy for Abhishek in the "Bluffmaster" and "Bunty Aur Babli" performances.

But the Bachchans' absence was palpable on that hot sultry afternoon in Mauritius as "Black" once again proved itself the most beautiful.

Best film and best director winner Sanjay Leela Bhansali joined hands with Rani to collect the best actor award on behalf of Amitabh Bachchan.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Rekha turned her honour into a laugh-time achievement when she performed a jig with Shah Rukh on stage to the sound of "Salaam-e-ishq" from "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar". The other lifetime-achievement award winner Rishi Kapoor was more dignified in accepting his award.

But the highlight of the afternoon, a richly deserved tribute to the cinema of Yash Chopra by Shah Rukh, came much too late in the show, after all the awards were over. By then the audience was hot and hungry and in no mood to remain attentive.

There were no real surprises among the winners unless we count Himesh Reshammiya's second award for playback singing in a week as a surprise. Unlike the Filmfare awards, he not only attended the Zee jamboree but also gave a defiant speech.

Shweta Prasad, who received the critics' award for "Iqbal", and Ayesha Kapoor, who won the best supporting actress award for "Black", were the youngest winners of the evening. Pradeep Sarkar who won the award for best debutant director for "Parineeta" was self-mocking about his over-the-hill position for a first-timer's award.

Shiney Ahuja ("Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi") and Vidya Balan ("Parineeta") surprised no one by winning the best debutant's awards, though the inclusion of Konkona SenSharma in the newcomers' package was strange considering she had done three films prior to "Page 3".

Maybe they just wanted to be kind to the tragically neglected Bhandarkar film.
 
Bachchan to make Bhojpuri film debut
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is all set to make his debut in Bhojpuri films with his makeup man Deepak Sawant's movie titled "Ganga". 

"Seventy percent of the film is complete. Only those parts are left which had to be shot with Amitji. It got delayed due to his illness. We will probably start the shooting from March 20 or 21," Sawant told IANS.

"First Amitji refused to work in the film. Then I gave him the script and after a few days when I asked him, 'Will you work in my film?' he said, 'Yes'. Amitji is a man of his word. Once he gives the commitment, he will fulfil it, come what may," said Sawant. 

In this triangular love story, Bachchan plays the role of a Thakur and Hema Malini plays his wife. 

Asked why he chose Hema to play Bachchan's wife, Sawant said: "In my first film, 'Akka', Amitji and (his wife) Jayaji played the main lead. I wanted to repeat them in this film too. 

"But somebody suggested that the 'Baghbaan' pair is very famous, so why not Hemaji and I liked the idea. I asked Hemaji on the sets of 'Babul' and she agreed to do the film."

Sawant and Bachchan's association is more than three decades old. 

"I have been with Amitji for the last 34 years. We have been working together since 'Zanjeer' days, and I haven't seen a man like him," said Sawant.

"Amitji and Hemaji haven't asked for any remuneration. It's their greatness. They don't talk about money but it is my duty to share the profit, if I earn any from this film, with them. If they will not take the money, I will buy some gift for them."

Directed by Abhishek Chhadha, the film has Nagma in the title role and Ravi Kishen and Ajay Sharma will also be seen in important roles.

Bachchan is a trendsetter. After adding glamour and glitz to television by endorsing various products and hosting STAR Plus' popular game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati", he is expected to give a new lease of life to the Bhojpuri film industry as well.

The film is expected to hit the screens in April or May. 
 
I want to be more successful: John Abraham
(INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 8 (IANS) Bollywood's rising star John Abraham, whose recent films "Zinda" and "Taxi No. 9211" have done well at the box office, says he would like to reach the global audience with an Indian theme like in Deepa Mehta's film "Water".

"In Canada 'Water' has catered to an all-white audience. And they were completely taken aback. If I have to reach to a global audience I'd rather do it through a film on an Indian theme like 'Water'," said John.

"Water" depicts the plight of widows in the 1930s' India. John plays an idealistic young man who falls in love with a widow played by Lisa Ray.

The film won the Best Film award in at the Bangkok International Film Festival last month. It has also proved a smash hit in Canada, having opened five film festivals and grossed almost two million dollars at the Canadian box office since November. 

John is a big fan of Amitabh Bachchan and feels indebted to him because when most of the established actresses refused to work with him, Big B came to his rescue.

"At a time when big heroines refused to work with me Mr. Amitabh Bachchan worked with me in 'Aetbaar'. Mr. Bachchan and Bipasha (Basu) have been very supportive. I am very close to Abhishek and the entire Bachchan family. I wouldn't want anyone to say anything negative about them," John told IANS.

Excerpts:

Q: Your performance in Deepa Mehta's "Water" has been widely appreciated?

A: Not too many people in India have seen it. And I didn't tom-tom it. It's such beautiful film. In Canada "Water" has catered to an all-white audience. And they were completely taken aback. We have never had reactions like that before. For them the whole concept of the film was alien. It's one thing for audiences here to call out 'John Abraham'. It was quite another when they did it there. If I have to reach to a global audience I'd rather do it through a film on an Indian theme like "Water".

Q: Has it opened doors for you abroad?

A: I have had offers. But I don't want to proclaim like other actors out here that I am doing a Hollywood project. Here they don't seem to know the difference between Hollywood and any other international project. I wouldn't like to make a fool of myself by making such proclamations. There's no offer that I'd like to talk about. I am considering some. But I am doing none till next year. 

Q: But you're doing Deepa Mehta's "Komagata Maru"?

A: Yeah... but we still need to finalise dates. Honestly, for the other role she needs Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. Only he can do justice to it. He's a rock star. Mine is more a Bhagat Singh kind of a role.

Q: What new films have you signed?

A: I am doing Nikhil Advani's "Salaam-E-Ishq" with Vidya Balan. She's damn sweet. It would be a nice different pairing. I have signed Sriram Raghavan's sweet romantic comedy "Happy Birthday". We start this in July-August. Sriram is super-talented. And his concept is so interesting. I am also doing a film with a new director, "Babar", to be shot in Baghdad, Iraq. 

I am choosing very, very carefully. I need to work with filmmakers who'd get the best out of me. I still need that one huge film in my career. I am doing a Yash Raj film in 2006. My new film "Taxi No. 9211" is out. I recently saw an uncut version without background music. The movie took me completely by surprise. It is really entertaining. It's a fun movie and I have a light role.

Q: How's life been lately?

A: 2005 was good but hectic. I feel I got far more appreciation from the audience than the success of my films would suggest. I am relatively successful. I am not being humble. I am just being honest. I want to be more successful. 

It's been a gruelling time for me. I shot in Afghanistan. Then I came back and was in hospital for a really long time. I've been asked to be very careful for the next three to four months. A relapse of typhoid is like... deadly! The docs (doctors) told me it's my call now. I am not supposed to overwork. 

Q: What happened?

A: I was shooting in Afghanistan. It's a country in transition. Twenty-six years of war has ruined it. But within their means they were outstandingly hospitable.

Q: So hospitable they put you in hospital? 

A: I feel so good being back to work. I have heard mixed reports about "Zinda". We knew this film would have a limited audience. But that audience loves "Zinda". The messages I am getting about my performance are very encouraging. It makes me feel I've improved since my last film.

Q: But "Zinda" was Sanjay Dutt's film through and through!

A: It was. But I feel my role was very powerful. It required very little of my time. But I am omnipresent. I remember Sanjay Gupta had come to me with his next film. But he wanted me to hear "Zinda". It was obvious that Sanjay Dutt was doing the older man. I was immediately interested in the other role. Sanjay Gupta wanted someone who could match the other actor's physicality... I am happy with the footage I have in "Zinda". 

Q: So footage isn't an issue?

A: Not at all! What Sanjay Gupta narrated to me, he delivered. Even in "Dhoom" I came into the narration after 40 minutes. I had no songs, no leading lady. The important thing is how honestly you deliver within the space given. 

Q: Was there a security threat in Afghanistan? 

A: If I needed publicity I could put out my 'Diaries From Kabul' and it'd become a bestseller. Or maybe we could make a film on what happened there. But everything was well taken care of by the Afghan government and Yash Raj Films. It was my choice to shoot a film that had to be shot in Afghanistan.

Q: How has your career been so far?

A: The industry has been very patient with me. At a time when big heroines refused to work with me Mr. Amitabh Bachchan worked with me in "Aetbaar". Mr. Bachchan and Bipasha (Basu) have been very supportive. I am very close to Abhishek and the entire Bachchan family. I wouldn't want anyone to say anything negative about them. In their unspoken way they have been very supportive... Abhishek is the co-star I am most comfortable with. You can't take away from that boy's success. He has worked hard for it. 

Q: Any new endorsements?

A: Yes, I have signed on as UN ambassador for drugs and crime. And I am the sole ambassador for diet Pepsi in India... Good fun. I'll endorse only a product that matches my image, physically and psychologically. I won't do alcohol. In real life I don't even touch wine. It's not a morality issue. I just don't like the smell of alcohol.
 

Indian TV heroines on Women's Day
(WITH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY SERIES)
By Arpana, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) On the small screen they may voice traditional values, but off screen the reigning ladies of Indian TV soaps are urban women with a mind of their own. 

Here's what they told IANS on what they think about Women's Day - a day that marks the achievements of women in every walk of life:

Smriti Malhotra Irani (Tulsi in "Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi"): I believe we should celebrate every woman who is educated and financially liberated. Be it a working woman or a housewife, every day is a challenge for them and they are so busy looking after their kids, husbands and in-laws that they rarely take time off for themselves. 

It would be nice if they celebrated this day that is meant exclusively for women. On this day I am be delivering a lecture on Women's Empowerment in Delhi. I get inspiration from my mother and books like "Little Women".

Shilpa Saklani (Ganga of "Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi"): I believe that women could and should celebrate Women's Day everyday. 

I would like to spend this day with someone who recognises and honours me as a woman and it has to be my husband because he aaccepts me just the way I am. My idol woman would be my mother and my mother-in-law. 

Mona Wasu (Miilee in "Miilee"): I don't believe in such days. I think the whole concept of liberation of women is misinterpreted. There is no such day as Men's Day, is there? 

I think that we should all celebrate Human's Day first. I guess that there are many issues that we as human beings face that need to be tackled.

Mrinal Kulkarni (Sonpari of "Sonpari"): One does not need a day like this to celebrate womanhood, but I feel that womanhood should be marked everyday by letting men know our worth. A woman is worth her capabilities and can do everything and anything under the sun. 

Men are aware of what woman power is. My advice to women is that they should be more focused when making personal choices. There is a lot more to do apart from marriage. Also, try not to be a super woman. Just be and act the way you are. 

I have no ideal woman because each person is unique and there is always something new to learn from different people.

Juhi Parmar (Kumkum from "Kumkum"): I feel women are no longer backward like before. I am proud of the fact that women are progressing in different walks of life. Be it the entertainment world or the corporate world, women are dominating every area, sometimes even holding higher posts than men. 

I don't want to sound clichéd but the woman that I admire and draw inspiration from is Mother Teresa. She worked selflessly for the poor and downtrodden in spite of being an outsider. 

Rucha Gujarati (Suhana from "Bhabhi"): Women's day is something very special and makes me want to work even harder. It gives me the energy and zest to keep going and be a mentor for many aspiring women in India. 

I am celebrating this day by making a promise to myself that each time I stand in front of the mirror I will see a person I can look up to. I will pamper myself with some chocolates and a good dinner with my loved ones. 

I don't think that any single woman could be an idol to me because it limits my thought process. I wish I had the wisdom of Mother Teresa, the power of Indira Gandhi, the strength of Jhansi Ki Rani and the beauty of my mother.

My songs target 23-year-old dudes: Reshammiya
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) For a man who virtually came in from the cold, music director-cum-singer Himesh Reshammiya's career in 2005-06 is a rocking roster of chartbusters.

"I don't know how it happened," he says modestly. "But the journey has been quite exciting, especially in the last one year when the big banners suddenly woke up to me."

Himesh used to be one of the also-rans, waiting at the fringes of the charts where Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit and later Shankar-Ehsan-Loy ruled the roost. "Tere Naam" in 2004 was a turning point in his career. 

"I owe that score and a lot of the other things that I compose to Laxmikant-Pyarelal. They are my idols and role models. Unfortunately that's not the sound that today's average listener wants to hear. I realised that when 'Just chill' and 'Aashiq banaya aapne' hit the charts," says Himesh.

"Aashiq banaya", with Himesh handling the nasal sufi vocals himself, is the biggest single of 2005. And now he has won two popular awards for playback singing. 

"It really became big... yes, bigger than I had ever thought. It is being played in every pub and party. I'm flattered and pleased. The good innings that started with 'Aitraaz' last year really grew this year. 

"But I realise the profile of music listeners has changed considerably. Today the average listener is aged 23, and he downloads music from his computer. My songs have to be targeted at that 23-year-old dude. That's the only way a film score can work." 

Hence the Sufi rock sounds of "Aashiq banaya aapne"... One hears the same sound from Himesh at year-end in Ananth Mahadevan's "Aksar". 

"Yes, I realise that. But that's it. I'm not going to pursue that sound beyond this year. I like to create a sound, and then leave it behind. This year you'll hear a totally different sound from me in Abbas-Mustan's 'China Town', Satish Kaushik's 'Shaadi Se Pehle', Priyadarshan's 'Phir Hera Pheri', Anil Sharma'a 'Apne' and Dharmesh Darshan's 'Aap Ki Khatir'."

Dharmesh is a significant Himesh convert. So far the Darshan brothers Suneel and Dharmesh have sworn by the sounds of Nadeem-Shravam. Nadeem had done such chartbusters as "Raja Hindustani" and "Dhadkan" for them. Several filmmakers like David Dhawan, who swore by Anu Malik's sounds, have also made a sly switch to Himesh. 

Himesh shrugs off the melodist's mantle. "I'm not here to displace anyone. I'd be happy just doing my work...My time has been divided between composing for around six or seven assignments and serving as a judge on the music contest 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'."

He is extremely pleased with the quality of singing he has heard on the "Hero Hondo Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005". 

"One of the contestants, Vinit Singh, has already sung for me in 'Rocky'. I definitely plan to use other voices, like Himani Kapoor who's outstanding. We're a nation of singers. All Indians don't watch films. But do you know anyone who doesn't listen to Lata-ji, Asha-ji, Mohammed Rafi saab and Kishore Kumar?"

The top five songs of Himesh Reshammiya are:

1. Aashiq banaya apne (Title song)

2. Just chill ("Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya")

3. Aadat ho chuki ("Koi Aap Sa")

4. Aapka suroor (Title song) 

5. Tera jism odh loon ("Kyon Ki...") 
 

'Malamaal Weekly' is a realistic comedy
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) After several star-packed comedies like "Hungama", "Hulchul" and "Garam Masala", director Priyadarshan is ready with another one this Friday titled "Malamaal Weekly".

So far he has been remaking his Malayalam hits in Hindi. But this one boasts of an original script and realistic situations. 

Shot in a real village, "Malamaal Weekly" tries to examine social problems with humour. The film is set in a small town plagued by poverty, bad harvests and a moneylender. The people in this village are barely able to make both ends meet. 

In this village lives Lilaram (Paresh Rawal), the only educated man who earns his livelihood by selling Malamaal Weekly Lottery tickets. One day he learns from a TV report that one of the tickets he had sold has won the Rs.10-million bumper prize. 

As most other villagers are illiterate and don't have access to TV Lilaram decides to track down the winner and his mind starts working overtime. 

He throws a party for the 105 customers on the condition that they will bring their tickets as an invitation to the celebrations. As luck would have it, all of them turn up except Anthony, the winner. 

Disappointed, Lilaram decides to pay him a visit. On reaching Anthony's house, he finds him lying dead in front of the TV set. What follows from thereon is a roller coaster ride of unusual events with surprising twists and turns. 

Om Puri's antics in the role of a milkman called Balwant, who tries to keep his servant Kanhaiya (Riteish Deshmukh) away from his daughter Sukhmani (Reema Sen), adds more humour to this laugh-riot. 

The film also stars Shakti Kapoor, Rakhi Sawant, Rajpal Yadav, Sudha Chandran and Asrani.

Priaydarshan has shot the film in a village and most of the characters are real too. 

'Apne' brings the three Deols together
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) The last time more than one generation of a film family came together was for Randhir Kapoor's "Kal Aaj Aur Kal", which starred grandfather Prithviraj, father Raj and son Randhir Kapoor himself.

Now it's time for the three Deols - Dharmendra and his two sons - Sunny and Bobby Deol - to be cast together.

Says Bobby: "We were very sure that we'd come together with dad only in a project worthy of such casting. Anil Sharma, who's a family friend, is someone we are all comfortable with." 

The long-in-the-anvil project has been titled "Apne". It stars Katrina Kaif along with the three Deols.

Though Sunny and Bobby came together as brothers in "Dillagi", which Sunny directed, they avoided the temptation of casting their dad and let Dara Singh do the needful.

Earlier, Guddu Dhanoa, who is the Deol brothers' cousin, was also given the task of devising a project for the three Deols. Finally, it is Sharma who is the chosen one. 

He directed Sunny in the all-time hit "Gadar - Ek Prem Katha" five years ago and the box office fiasco "The Hero" three years ago. Sharma also directed younger brother Bobby in the super-disastrous "Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo". 

Sharma's track record with dad Dharmendra has been far more favourable. They worked together in several successful actioners in the 1980s, including "Hukumat" and "Tehalka" until luck ran out with "Farishtay". 
 
Aamir doesn't talk to me, says Deepa Mehta
(INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) Deepa Mehta, whose latest film "Water" has become a top grosser in Canada, says Aamir Khan who played a character with negative shades in her film "Earth 1947" doesn't talk to her any more.

"How is he? He doesn't talk to me," Mehta told IANS in an interview in which she also expressed disappointment at "Water" not being screened in India.

"It's a disappointment. But it is out of my control. Perhaps the baggage of the past controversies surrounding the film is taking their toll. What else could it be?" 

"Water" won the best film award at the Bangkok International Film Festival last month. Starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, it shows the trials and tribulations of widows in the 1930s. 

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: To what do you attribute the astonishing success of "Water" in Canada?

A: It has grossed $2.2 million in six weeks. I wish I could whistle. I really don't know why...it has touched a chord. Like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black", my "Water" portrays a very culture-specific world. And yet the emotions go way beyond the immediate. 

The emotions have to be culture-specific for them to become universal. That's the only explanation. I don't think it is because it's cool and hip for Westerners to take in Indian culture... or because "Water" is a 'crossover' film - whatever that means.

Q: What do you think the Canadians like so much in the film?

A: From the reviews I gather they are moved by the whole experience. It is a very minimal and delicate film. They respond to the story and performances. Seema Biswas is a total winner. She's mind-blowing. I have never seen such a performance in my life. In my opinion anyone who eats up the screen is a star. The other amazing performance is by the little girl Sarla.

Q: Where does "Water" go from Canada?

A: Our international distributors Fox-Searchlight have had innumerable shows. Lisa Ray is being featured on all the international magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper's, Vanity Fair. The Westerners love her. She is going to go places. John too will go very far.

Q: And you?

A: I can't rate myself. I know the Canadians love "Water". Let's see what happens in the rest of the world. I just want the freedom to continue doing what I want to.

Q: Are you saddened it didn't get released in India?

A: It's a disappointment. But it is out of my control. The Indian rights are with the Canadian NRI Ajay Virmani. Perhaps the baggage of the past controversies surrounding the film is taking their toll. What else could it be? 

Fox-Serachlight's first Indian film, phenomenal box office success in Canada... then why not in India? I am baffled. No one here has seen it. Even private screenings are not in my hands. I don't have the right to make any decisions. I can't make my next film until "Water" is released everywhere. I have to be travelling in the US for four weeks to promote it. John, Lisa and I will go to the US, Spain and Australia. But emotionally I have moved on. 

Q: And your next?

A: "Komagata Maru" must have (Amitabh) Bachchan. It already has John and Seema. And I want Jagjit Singh to do the gurbani. 

Q: You are really enamoured of Seema's histrionics?

A: On the contrary it's her lack of histrionics. She just makes me so quiet. Seema's performance as Shakuntala will take her beyond "Bandit Queen".

Q: How has last year been?

A: Very satisfying. Thank god I was able to close "Water".

Q: Any favourite films that you saw in 2005?

A: A Belgian film called "The Child". Such a moving film... from India, I saw "Black". I liked it very much.

Q: And "Mangal Pandey"?

A: I didn't see it.

Q: It featured your "Earth" hero Aamir Khan?

A: How is he? He doesn't talk to me.

Q: Your daughter Devyani Saltzman has penned a book on you?

A: Yes "Shooting Water"... it's been released in Canada. It will be released in India in March 2006 by Penguin. The book is a catharsis in many ways. It marked a closure of a lot of pain. It's been a cathartic experience for both of us. 

It's a revealing of my past life. But not out there! It's more a mother-daughter book. And Bapsi Sidhwa has novelised the script. It'll come out with the film's release in the US.

Q: Would you like to make a film based on your relationship with Devyani?

A: Not right now. But yes, later! 

'Mahatma Versus Gandhi' was life-changing: Shefali
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) The talented but underused actor Shefali Shah has been swimming against the tide, preferring marriage and motherhood to the solid career that awaited her after pounding performances in "Satya" and "Monsoon Wedding".

"I never thought of a career as a burning desire at that time. Marriage and babies are what I wanted at that time. Now I am just getting back to work. And don't you think 'Waqt' and '15 Park Avenue' are an incredible way to re-start?" Shefali told IANS. 

"Now I'm awaiting my third film 'Mahatma Versus Gandhi' where I have a role that any actor would die for. I am lucky to be offered such roles after my comeback. The industry is showing me respect as an actor. 

"After 'Waqt', I was terrified I'd be offered all the mummy roles. But I didn't. It made me feel very special. It was Amitji (Bachchan) who suggested I do his wife's role in 'Waqt'. There were others who thought I would look too young. We did a lot of deliberation before I was in," says Shefali.

Recently she appeared on screen as Rahul Bose's wife in Aparna Sen's "15 Park Avenue". 

"It isn't much of a role space-wise. But to me, every role is special. Sometimes it hurts when I see my role being edited. But that wasn't the case with '15 Park Avenue'... or 'Monsoon Wedding'. That was magical! The ensemble cast looked like one family at a wedding. No one tried to upstage anyone else. 

"Now in '15 Park Avenue', I was asked if I felt insecure about Shabana (Azmi) and Konkona (Sensharma). But it was a film, not a wrestling contest. I am at battle only with myself to get the character right."

Shefali smiles at the mention of director Aparna Sen. "She can actually put on screen the emotions within her characters. Konkona is incredible in this film. She's done it just right. Many of us tend to show all our abilities in every scene. Not Konkona in this film...You know, my endeavour is to blend into the larger picture. That was one of the strengths of my acting in 'Monsoon Wedding'. As an actor my struggle is to not allow myself to show off my talent." 

Now she is excited about playing Kasturba Gandhi in Feroz Khan's "Mahatma versus Gandhi". 

"Though the film belongs to Gandhi and his son Harilal Gandhi, my role is pivotal. I age from 30, my own age, to the time Ba (Kastuba) dies," she says.

"I have always laughed at actors pretending to be old. I remember the agony I went through when I played an oldie in a TV serial, 'Salaakhen'. Kasturba couldn't have been faked at any level. People say I look like Kasturba. I lost a lot of weight for that role. That made my husband happy."

Look at what happened to Rohini Hattangadi after she played Kasturba in Richard Attenborough's film "Gandhi"! But Shefali is sure the same wouldn't happen to her. 

"'Mahatma Versus Gandhi' (or Gandhi, My Father) isn't a historical representation of Gandhiji's life. It's the story of the father of the nation who couldn't be a father to his own son. Kasturba is the most humane woman I have played... timeless and universal. 

"So many women are caught between the husband and son and suffer for their dilemma. When I read the script, I felt Ba represented the emotions that the audience would feel. I really felt lucky to be doing it. Darshan Zariwala, Akshaye Khanna and I worked so hard during rehearsals. 'Mahatma Versus Gandhi' is a life-changing experience," she adds. 

Shefali has two sons, aged three and four, and she is married to filmmaker Vipul Shah. 

"When I'm not in such a good mood I call them terrorists. Our home is a battleground. Vipul says to leave everything as it is. But I am an incorrigible cleaner... I miss my boys when I am working. When I am at work, my mother looks after the boys. Thank god for mothers." 

Shefali describes herself as an extremist. "Either I am very happy or very sad...very displeased with my performance...or very pleased. Luckily, I don't have much occasion to be displeased." 

Is she going to be in Vipul's next film? 

"I don't think so. I'd love to. But there's no part for me... I have no other films on hand... But I'll be doing a talk show on the lines of Oprah (Winfrey) for producer Anurradha Prasad. It would deal with issues that make a difference to the lives of common people, not necessarily topics that make headlines." 

She ponders for a while. 

"I don't think the film industry knows where to place me. Even the parallel cinema has its own star system. I don't buy the difference. I mean, are 'Monsoon Wedding' and 'Satya' parallel films? If not, then what am I, mainstream or parallel actress? I'm doing work that I want to."

'Malamaal Weekly' is absolutely original: Priyadarshan
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) He has put the failure of "Kyon Ki" and the success of "Garam Masala" behind him. Now prolific filmmaker Priyadarshan is determined not to do any more remakes. 

"I have had my fill of remakes. Both 'Kyon Ki' and 'Garam Masala' were remakes of my own Malayalam films. My next release, 'Malamaal Weekly', is totally and absolutely original. I am willing to offer a prize money to anyone who catches me out remaking anything this time," says Priyadarshan. 

"Malamaal Weekly" features Om Puri and Paresh Rawal in the main roles. 

"They are indeed the heroes of my film who chance upon winning a huge lottery. Riteish Deshmukh follows behind with a slightly less important role. And one of my favourite actors, Rajpal Yadav, plays the villain. It is a crazy comedy. But not the least inspired by any source," says Priyan.

The film's producers, Sahara One Motion Pictures, have instituted a lottery for a select elite circle of stars and celebrities to coincide with the release of "Malamaal Weekly".

"Good!" chuckles Priyan. "Any kind of publicity is good. After a long time I think there is a film about winning a lottery."

Priyan hasn't heard of Devendra Goel's "Dus Lakh", a 1960s comedy about winning a lottery. But he ends with a masterstroke. 

"I am in a totally original frame of mind this time. In fact, 'Malamaal Weekly' is already being remade into Malayalam by my assistant Murli." 

This has to be the quickest remake ever!

Film will show Ahom princess Joymati in new light
By Sachin Gogoi, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) An Assamese film will throw new light on legendary 17th century princess Joymati, portraying her as a politically conscious and farsighted woman and not just as a symbol of love and sacrifice.

"Joymati is always portrayed as a sati, who sacrificed her life for her husband. But her political consciousness and farsightedness have always gone unrecognised. My film, 'Joymati - the Saviour', will concentrate more on that aspect," director Manju Bora told IANS here.

The Ahom princess was also the theme of the first Assamese movie by the same name, made way back in 1935 by pioneering filmmaker Jyotiprasad Agarwala.

Joymati was the wife of prince Godapani of the glorious Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for about 600 years from 1228 AD to 1826 AD. During a black phase of the period from 1662 to 1677, king Chulikfa started killing or crippling the princes of the dynasty to prevent them from removing him from power. 

Failing to trace prince Godapani, Chulikfa's army picked up his wife Joymati. But despite brutal and inhuman torture, the princess did not reveal the whereabouts of her husband. She finally died after continuous torture for several days.

"Love for husband was definitely a reason for Joymati's refusal to reveal the whereabouts of her husband. But she also knew that her husband was the only person who could end Chulikfa's terror rule. I am making this film to highlight the socially and politically conscious Joymati," said Bora.

"Joymati's self-sacrifice bore fruit later, as Godapani gathered strength in his exile and came back to oust Chulikfa from power," she said.

While it is always difficult to make a period movie, there is a need to look at them from a broader perspective, said the director.

Her earlier films, "Baibhab", "Aakashitoraar Kathare" and "Laaz", have won several prizes in different film festivals.

The shooting of "Joymati - the Saviour" has been completed and it is expected to be ready for release in May. The film will have an oriental look and feel, as the Ahoms descended from southern China, said the director. 

She has roped in Keralite Isaac Thomas as the music director.

"There is a great similarity in some folk music in Assam and those in some parts of China. We have roped in Isaac, as he has good knowledge on oriental music," said Bora.

While veteran Assamese actors including Bishnu Khargharia, Pranjal Saikia and Purnima Saikia will feature in the film, Bora has introduced a new face, Neeta Basumatary, in the lead role.


Celebrity couples in 'Jodee...' Holi special
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Three small screen celebrity couples will be seen adding a dash of colour to the Holi special episode Saturday of the "Idea Presents Jodee Kamaal Ki" contest on STAR Plus.

Sai-Shakti Anand of 'Sara Akash', Gurdeep-Arjun Punj of "Sanjivani" and actor-cum-anchor Hussain with wife Tina will have a splash, as they try hard to win the Jodee Kamaal Ki title. 

"The concept is very new and Indianised. They took us down the memory lane - they discussed our love life - like how we met and all. The game is pretty interesting and it was fun being on the show," says Hussian.

But in real life he doesn't like playing Holi. "I don't play Holi and I have no such plans this year. May be I will go to a friend's place and have fun."

The Indian festival of colours falls on March 15 this year.

Sai is all for it and says: "I am very Holi person. Thankfully, Shakti also likes playing Holi. Last year we played Holi both in Delhi and Mumbai. I am looking forward to it this year too."

She says she had a blast shooting for the show.

"I didn't feel I was going for a shoot because Gurdeep, Arjun and Hussain, we all are very good friends. And I didn't feel that some competition is happening either. We had a blast and good fun." 

The episode will give away interesting secrets about the couples, who will share some cherished moments with viewers. 


Rajasthan court stays Salman's jail sentence
Indo-Asian News Service

Jaipur, March 10 (IANS) In a reprieve to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a Rajasthan court has stayed the one-year imprisonment awarded to him by a lower court in a 1998 chinkara poaching case.

"The Jodhpur sessions court has suspended the sentence awarded by the lower court on Friday till the filing of the appeal," Salman's counsel Hastimal Saraswat told IANS on telephone.

Salman had appealed to the sessions court after the Feb 17 hearing and the next hearing is scheduled for April 12, he said.

The court had found him, along with seven others, guilty of killing two chinkaras (Indian gazelles) at Bhavad village in Rajasthan district on Sep 26, 1998.

The court of chief judicial magistrate, Jodhpur, had sentenced Salman to a year's imprisonment and a fine of Rs.5,000.

However, the others accused in the case, including comedian Satish Shah, were acquitted by the court.

Chinkara is an endangered species protected by law.

First Indian talkie 'Alam Ara' turns 75
By Harish C. Menon, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 11 (IANS) Seventy-five years after "Alam Ara", the first Indian talkie, ushered in an entertainment revolution in the country, the Indian film industry has grown in volume and is riding on a technology wave. 

The introduction of sound into cinema came on March 14, 1931 - 18 long years after the first feature film "Raja Harishchandra" was made by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke or the legendary Dadasaheb Phalke.

"I must have been around 18-20 when I watched 'Alam Ara'. I was already into acting by the time," said veteran theatre and cine actor A.K. Hangal, most memorable for his role as the blind muezzin in "Sholay" (1976).

"Though, to think about it now, the quality of the sound and editing was pathetic and jarring, we were all nevertheless stunned," Hangal who watched the movie at Peshawar, now in Pakistan, told IANS. 

Prior to that, Hangal reminisced, there was only music and that too played by musicians sitting right next to the cinema screen and playing according to the images. 

"Alam Ara", which literally means Light of The World, was produced by Ardeshir Irani under the banner of Imperial Film Company of Mumbai, then Bombay. A single sound system was used in making the film.

Ever since, it has been nothing less than an explosion, with the Indian film industry growing to be the biggest in the world. It produces around 1,000 movies a year on an average - more than double the number of those produced in the US. 

According to unofficial estimates, the Indian film industry has an annual turnover of over Rs.60 billion ($1.33 billion) and employs more than six million people. Around 14 million Indians visit cinema halls on a daily basis.

Although by 1920 there was a regular industry bringing out films - starting with 27 films a year - by the time "Alam Ara" was released in 1931 there were more than 200 films being released every year.

Popular yesteryear Bollywood star and scion of virtually the industry's first family, Shamsher Raj - better known as Shammi Kapoor - is exactly the same age as "Alam Ara" - which also starred his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor. 

"I do not remember my father speaking much about 'Alam Ara', but I can guess the kind of impact it created," Kapoor said. 

"Indian cinema has since come a long way and has constantly evolved. It has been getting fine-tuned all through, especially with the infusion of technology," said the star of such blockbusters like "Junglee" (1961), "Kashmir Ki Kali" (1964) and "An Evening in Paris" (1967). 

Caste and class based black and white "socials" of the 1930s, 40s and 50s gave way to glamour, colour and generous doses of romance by the 1960s and then to a period of tumult and anger in the 1970s. 

According to officials of the National Film Archives of India, Pune, there have been anywhere between 33,000-35,000 talkies released in the country since "Alam Ara". 

"That was a time when cinema had not developed a language of its own. It was mere theatre captured on camera. Yet there was a lot of novelty and aura just like how people felt with the advent of television," said ace film and theatre director M.S. Sathyu of "Garam Hawa" (1973) fame.

"And now technology has taken over. There is less of content and more of confusion. Very few movies show what the true India looks like or feels," Sathyu said. 

Criticising the current crop of Bollywood directors, Sathyu said their reach was much higher despite being thematically barren. 

"One of the latest flicks that I saw amateurishly equated violence with revolution and invoked people like Bhagat Singh for it. Isn't it the most bookish interpretation of history by uneducated people?" Sathyu asked. 

"Indian Cinema is surging ahead without a head on the wings of technological prowess and nothing else," he concluded. 

'Malamaal...' is Priyadarshan's tribute to Hrishikesh Mukherjee
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, March 11 (IANS) Director Priyadarshan says he is paying a tribute to well-known filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee in his new film.

"'Malamaal Weekly' is my tribute to one of my favourite directors, Hrishikesh Mukherjee. I have always been a great fan of Hrishida," Priyadarshan told IANS.

"'Hungama' was a comedy of errors. 'Hera Pheri' was a comedy of poverty. 'Hulchal' was a family comedy. 'Garam Masala' was a comedy targeted at youngsters. Now 'Malamaal Weekly' is my first real Indian comedy. 

"This is the first time I'm not doing a remake. There isn't a bit of artificiality this time."

In his new film, the prolific Priyadarshan pays homage to not only Hrishikesh Mukherjee but also novelist R.K. Narayan. 

"While making the film I had one clear visual picture of novelist R.K. Narayan's fictional south Indian town Malgudi from 'Malgudi Days'," says Priyadarshan. 

Luckily, art director Sabu Cyril constructed a whole set that lived up to this vision. 

"He had earlier erected a village set for my 'Virasat'. This time he has done an equally good job on the outskirts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala."

Speaking about the two enormously talented leading men of the film, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri, he laughs, "They are like Pran and Ashok Kumar in Brij Sadanah's 'Victoria No. 203'. 

"Like Navin Nischol and Saira Banu in 'Victoria No. 203', there's a romantic sub-plot with Riteish Deshmukh and Reema Sen. But I admit Paresh and Om are the heroes of 'Malamaal Weekly'. And also full credit to Rajpal Yadav who's playing the villain."

After Akshay Kumar and John Abraham in "Garam Masala", it's Om and Paresh doing the Tom & Jerry act for Priyadarshan. "My job is made half-difficult when working with actors like Om and Paresh. I don't have to guide them."

The director admits there was a healthy rivalry between the two talented actors. 

"The rivalry was certainly there, and quite understandable. And we all laughed over it. There was a definite edge of competitiveness between Om and Paresh. It was very healthy but it was very, very fierce. 

"One could see Om and Paresh's determination to outdo each other. But you know what? The maturity with which they handled their rivalry makes their togetherness on screen look very positive." 

He stops to look at the film's prospects. "I'm not bothered about the success or failure of 'Malamaal Weekly'. I am very sure I have made a very cute film. 

"I have rarely felt so proud after completing a film. My earlier films took away my sense of achievement because I had made them before. This time I am not remaking my own film. It makes me feel very good."

Priyadarshan thinks people are in for a good time. "I'm hoping they'll laugh fully. 'Malamaal Weekly' isn't a slapstick or a thriller. The comedy is treated in a realistic way. 

"Yet it has all the ingredients of a commercial film. It all depends on how many people will come on the first day," Priyadarshan crosses his fingers about the lack of conventional stars at the helm of the film.

"Only word of mouth can help 'Malamaal Weekly'. There's no Salman (Khan) or Shah Rukh (Khan). And I hope my reputation helps," says he.

Nana gains popularity among children
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 11 (IANS) So entertaining and appealing is Nana Patekar's character in "Bluffmaster" and "Taxi No. 9211" that he says even children have started liking him. 

The credit surely goes to Rohan Sippy for presenting him in this new avatar because before "Bluffmaster" he was just known as the angry man of the film industry. 

The buzz is that Nana and Milan Lutharia, director of "Taxi No. 9211", are planning to visit theatres across the country from next week onwards to see the reaction of the audience thronging the theatres. 

-*- 

Rohan's marketing strategy

After the success of his second directorial venture "Bluffmaster" Rohan Sippy has built quite a reputation for himself not just as a director who makes an unconventional film but also as a producer who has mastered the art of packaging and marketing the film.

Insiders reveal his marketing gimmicks start even before the film is complete. 

For instance, the video rights of the hit track "Right here right now" were unleashed long before the film hit the screen. It worked its magic and lured youth, who came in hordes to the theatres. 

Not only that, the music of "Bluffmaster", which was the film's USP, was Rohan's personal choice and he stood by it till the end notwithstanding the criticism from those who were convinced that the music wouldn't work. 

No wonder Rohan is looking as pleased as punch and says: "If our films have got great feedback from the audience then it's only because the film has spoken the contemporary idiom." 

The young director is enjoying the well-deserved long holiday.

-*-

Priya Dutt's confession

Recently Priya and Sanjay Dutt were invited at a Simi Garewal show and an insider tells us Priya, the Congress MP, confessed that as a schoolgirl she used to be very scared of exams. The show will be aired this Sunday.

Priya said she always used to have high temperature before the exams. The news of her illness was sufficient to tell her father Sunil Dutt that her exams are nearing. 


I am with 'Miilee' till the end, says Mona Wasu
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) TV artist Mona Wasu, who plays the title role in "Miilee" of STAR Plus, is deeply perturbed by false rumours about her walking out of the series. 

"Let me make it clear that I love 'Miilee' a hundred times more than my fans do. Neither am I bored of acting in it, nor am I walking out of it," says Mona. 

"The series has made me whatever I am today, and I wouldn't be so ungrateful as to leave it midway," she adds. 

The story focuses on the life of orphaned girl Miilee who takes up a job in a rich household after completing her school. 

Mona feels such damaging rumours are not only sending out the wrong signals and projecting her as unprofessional to other makers but also portraying her as an opportunist. 

"I want to request all the trouble-making elements and rumour-mongers not to spread such bad things about me. I am with 'Miilee' till the end," she says. 

Dev Anand sends warning to Pritish Nandy
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, March 11 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Dev Anand has sent a letter to filmmaker Pritish Nandy threatening him with legal consequences if he goes ahead with a reported proposal to remake "Guide".

Dev Anand, who produced the film and holds the copyrights of the novel by R.K. Narayan on which it is based, sent the letter after reports said Nandy intended to join hands with Rituparno Ghosh to remake Vijay Anand's 1964 classic on dance, drama and adultery.

But Nandy, who's currently engrossed in the process of releasing his production "Ankahee", dismisses the senior actor's legal threat as "impolite".

Says Nandy: "As I have explained to Dev, we are not remaking 'Guide'. Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC), our director Rituparno Ghosh and I have consistently denied that 'Rahgir' is a remake of 'Guide'. 

"We are remaking only one classic: Bimal Mitra's 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' and we've obtained the author's family's permission for the same. If we were remaking 'Guide' we'd have got the rights to do so," Nandy told IANS.

Explaining that the screenplay of "Rahgir" is still being written, Nandy corrects the misapprehensions regarding the proposed film. 

"The protagonists of 'Guide' were named Raju and Rosie. Our protagonists are different. He was a travel guide and she was a dancer. Our film has neither a guide nor a dancer. 

"What is common between 'Guide' and 'Rahgir' is an illicit relationship which the hero has with the married heroine. In our day and age no one can have a copyright over illicit love," says Nandy.

Interestingly, there's a spate of remakes - from "Sholay" and "Don" to "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" coming up.

Only time will tell whether "Rahgir" is going to be a reworked version of "Guide". 

A few years ago Sooraj Barjatya came up with "Hum Aapke Hain Koun" and "Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon", which updated and modified Barjatya's original films "Nadiya Ke Paar" and "Chitchor" respectively. 

Film on Assam's 'jobless' jumbos gets US call
By Zafri Mudasser Nofil, Indo-Asian News Service

Guwahati, March 11 (IANS) A documentary on Assam's "unemployed" elephants will be screened at the sixth Silver Lake Film Festival in Los Angeles later this month. 

The 14-minute English documentary - "In Search Of A Job" - by Guwahati-based journalist Mrinal Talukdar focuses on some 1,200 elephants that used to shift logs before a Supreme Court order banned the felling of trees.

"In Assam, over 1,000 elephants and their mahouts are struggling for survival. A majority of the elephants have turned to begging in urban areas," Talukdar said.

"The documentary has been entirely shot in various urban areas of Assam as well as the Orang National Park," Talukdar told IANS.

The documentary has been selected as a "special invitation film" under the Fusion Asian Cinema category and would be screened March 26.

"In Search Of A Job" was earlier selected for the South Asia Livelihood Film Festival held in New Delhi in January.

Kamal Mahaldar has edited the film, music for which is composed by Mrinmoy Bora.

Silver Lake Festival, Los Angeles' leading independent film and video gala event, will present over the course of nine days more than 70 narrative and documentary features and 135 shorts films, including 85 world premieres.