Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Bollywood Film News : * hourly updation

Back to Bollywood Current News Section

Priyanka bowls over TV show contestants
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) It was a special episode and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" couldn't have chosen a better star-judge - Priyanka Chopra. 

"It was exhausting," conceded the stunning Priyanka, a singer in her own right, after joining the "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" team to record their Republic Day special.

"But it was worth my effort. I've been a 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' fan ever since I can remember. In fact my dad (who likes to sing) and I were on the Baap-Beti special of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. So when I was invited to be on the show, I couldn't say no. I rushed from Delhi and went straight from the airport to the recording."

Priyanka had as much fun listening to the contestants as they had having her around. 

While Hemachandra will be seen singing "Ae watan tere liye" from "Karma" and A.R. Rahman's "Vande mataram", Debojit will croon "Ae mere pyare watan" from "Upkar" and Shankar Mahadevan's "Suno gaur se duniya walo".

Vinit stunned Priyanka with his rendering of "Zindagi maut na ban jaye" from the film "Sarfarosh" and "Kar chalen hum phida" from "Haqeeqat".

Himani and Nihira, who were part of the special episode, sang "Ae mere watan ke logon".

Said Priyanka: "They were all s-o-o g-o-o-d! I was supposed to select my favourite from the contestants. But I just couldn't bring myself to do so. I quietly wrote down one name and gave it to Gajendra Singh for future reference. 

"I am surprised at the amount of singing talent in this country. Since I am fond of singing myself, I felt so happy being with these truly gifted boys and girls." 

Incidentally, Priyanka has taken singing lessons. 

"In fact," she confessed with a laugh. "I sang for 'Bluffmaster'. But I didn't like what I heard. So we finally dropped it. Maybe some day again."

As far as the boys and girls on "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" are concerned, they're willing to sing to Priyanka's tune any time.

The Republic Day special of "Sa Re Ga Ma" Thursday with Priyanka will be interspersed with footage of the contestants at the Republic Day parade.

                          Advertisement

Feroz, Dharmendra in Hindi 'My Big Fat...'?
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) One of the joys of watching Nia Vardalos' screen adaptation of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was to savour the cultural clash between the respective fathers of lovers. Sohail Khan hopes to do the same in the Hindi version "My Punjabi Nikka".

He brings Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor as the culturally opposed Muslim-Punjabi lovers. And for the roles of the fathers, producer-director Sohail has plans to sign Feroz Khan and Dharmendra, who were last seen together as Saira Banu's warring suitors in B.R. Chopra's "Aadmi Aur Insaan" more than three decades ago. 

"The roles of the two fathers have been written with Ferozji and Dharamji in mind. I can't imagine any other two actors playing the parts. I have sounded them out. And now I am waiting for their green signal. And then we are on," Sohail told IANS. 

He is currently doing frantic pre-production work for two large productions. 

"I have David Dhawan's film with Salman bhai and Govinda and 'My Punjabi Nikka'. That is why I had to back out of Harman Baweja's film to be directed by Vikram Bhatt. Believe me, I was really keen to do it. Harman is a really nice kid. And it killed me to finally back out. 

"But I had warned my good friend Zayed Khan (who's also in the cast) a week before that it would be really hard for me to accommodate Harman's film in my schedule. I had even made it clear that I'd be willing to stay on the project if they couldn't find a substitute. I was really amazed at the speed with which they found a replacement for me. It didn't even take a few hours, I believe!" 

Sohail is focusing entirely on his production plans. 

"I am not going to feature in the cast of my either production, with David Dhawan or the one that I'm directing ('My Punjabi Nikka"). I have burnt my hands in trying to act and produce at the same time."

However, Sohail is currently acting with big brother Salman in writer-turned-director Rumi Jaffrey's comedy "God Tussi Great Ho". 

"I love doing comedy. I enjoyed my cartoonish role in David Dhawan's "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya". Rumi is also writing 'My Punjabi Nikka'. My comfort level with him is great.
 
No film without Jaya aunty again, says Karan
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) Guess who is Karan Johar's favourite actor? The answer is not Shah Rukh Khan. It is Jaya Bachchan. 

Karan can't do without her, but says he just couldn't find a role for her in his latest "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna".

"She's a darling... almost a second mother. And I know how upset she is with me... For no other reason except the fact that she is not part of my film's cast when both Amit uncle (Amitabh Bachchan) and Abhishek are. I can't help it. There was no role she could fit into. 

"I know she had small roles in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' and 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. But they were roles and characters substantiated by Jaya aunty's presence. This time I just couldn't find a place for her."

When told about Karan's regret, the fabulous Mrs. Bachchan whose performances, from "Uphaar" and "Guddi" in 1971 to "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma" in present times, have defined the strong self contained middleclass heroine, laughs: "I know. I have been grumbling about not being part of 'Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna'. I feel left out. Karan is like Abhishek to my husband and me. I can't imagine not being part of anything he does."

"I am sorry," Karan responds. "It will never happen again. I don't think I will ever make a film without Jaya aunty."

Incidentally, when Karan's father Yash Johar died he had asked Bachchan to take his place.

"We are one family," Karan says about the Johars and Bachchans.
 
Ravi Walia and Sohail Khan team up again
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) After working with Sohail Khan Productions in "Fight Club", Ravi Walia is so impressed that he has announced another joint venture, a comedy called "Idhar Udhar". 

"We are considering teaming up for more projects in the future," says Walia. 

Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan have been confirmed to play the lead roles in the comic caper, while the rest of the cast is still being worked out, reports Bollywood Trade. 

The film is expected to go on floors in April.

Meanwhile, "Fight Club" has been rescheduled for a Feb 17 release to avoid the clash with one-day cricket matches between India and Pakistan being held in early February. 

"We wanted to release the film on a day when there was no major opposition, be it the one-day matches or another big film. Feb 17 seems to be ideal," says Walia. 
 
Mahadevan celebrates musical success of 'Aksar'
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) With the music of his film "Aksar" proving to be a chartbuster, particularly the "Jhalak dikhlaja" number, director Ananth Mahadevan is on cloud nine. 

"It is the hottest selling musical score in the market today. We knew from the outset that the music had a novel feel to it because we had worked on a new soundtrack but we never expected this kind of an unprecedented response," says Mahadevan.

He says both he and music director Himesh Reshammiya wanted to make the soundtrack of the film its high point, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"The film is a slick and glossy suspense thriller and we did not want the soundtrack to impede the storyline which is what happens with most suspense thrillers today. Moreover, we were looking at a pulsating new soundtrack for the film, one that would keep the suspense element alive and go with its racy story-line," he says. 

He is confident the musical success of the film will now translate into its box-office success. 
 

Celeb guest appearances galore in 'Corporate'
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) The rate at which Madhur Bhandarkar is adding celebrity names to play cameos in "Corporate", it may end up having a record number of celebrity guest appearances. 

First it was ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, who was signed to make a guest appearance in a soft drink ad campaign in the film. Javed Akhtar, whose presence was specially sought in the film to present a corporate excellence award, followed, reports Bollywood Trade. 

Now, Madhur says there are many more celebrities' in the ensemble cast, who will be seen playing realistic roles in the film. 

"The idea of signing celebrity names to play cameos was to give an authentic look to the film. Every person has a definite role in the film. 

"As for the cameos, there's also Shweta Menon, who is playing an executive, and Payal Rohatgi will be seen in an interesting role too," says Madhur. 

Besides celebrities, there is also the corporate world, which is endorsing the film in full strength. 

"It is true that the corporate sector has evinced a keen interest in the film. The in-film branding that has been done in the film as part of the story is a result of this interest," he adds. 

 
Touch-and-go for 'Rang De Basanti' in Delhi
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) Aamir Khan-starrer "Rang De Basanti" ran into a last-minute crisis with a Delhi distributor threatening to pull out just days before the film's release Thursday.

Trying hard to cope with all the final preparations for release, the tense director Rakeysh Mehra rushed to Delhi. 

"It was nothing but a distributor trying to twist our arms for a last-minute discount. This is being done quite often in quite a few territories these days," Mehra told IANS.

"Distributors agree to a price and then back out at the final hour hoping they can get the price reduced. I was adamant. I told the Delhi distributor to leave the film if he wanted. He finally came back to the price we had agreed on."

The box office prospects of "Rang De Basanti" are looking really bright. Mumbai distributor Anil Thadani who had earlier bought 90 prints of the film has asked for added prints at the last minute. 
 

Govinda and Aamir's foreign connection
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) Govinda's career as a politician might be under siege, but there's no denying that his career as an actor is getting back on an even keel. 

Besides bagging a plum role in Aparna Sen's Hindi film "The Jewellery Box", Govinda is also a part of two other important films. 

"People have been speculating about my friendship with David Dhawan. Our well-wishers would love to see us fall apart. But sorry, we never stopped being friends. He was doing his own thing and I mine. Now we will hopefully create the 'dhamaka' of our earlier films."

In Nikhil Advani's "Salaam-E-Ishq", Govinda is paired with South African actress Shanon Esra. 

"This is not the first time I am being paired opposite a foreigner. If you remember, I had made a guest appearance with Samantha Fox in 'Rock Dancer' for a song and dance number. But I guess everyone would rather forget about that." 

Govinda is very positive about his acting career. 

"I am very happy with the films that I have signed. I guess some people don't like the idea of seeing me back in films."

And then there's the super-meticulous co-star-conscious Aamir Khan. Contrary to belief, Aamir isn't paired with Soha Ali Khan in Rakeysh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti". His co-star is totally unexpected...or is she?

It is almost becoming a force of habit for Aamir Khan. He teamed up with British actress Rachel Shelley in "Lagaan". More recently there was a lilting hint of a liaison between Aamir 'Mangal Pandey' Khan and the British actress Carol Beed who played Emily in Ketan Mehta's bio-pic.

And now, Aamir will be seen with yet another British actress in the much-awaited "Rang De Basanti". This time it is a very well known British stage actress, Alice Patten, who teams up with Aamir.

"I don't think 'team up' is the right term to describe what Aamir and Alice share in 'Rang De Basanti'," says director Mehra.

Patten is a stage actress seen in well-received British plays like "Cigarettes & Chocolates" and "Vincent In Brixton" and also in TV serials like "Forsyte Saga". "Rang De Basanti" is her first feature film. 

Elaborates the "Aks" director, "It is very difficult to specify the relationships in 'Rang De Basanti'. All I can say is it is a very modern film depicting contemporary relationships." 

The film was originally meant to have a separate English version. "But we decided against it," says Mehra. 

"Even the film's title 'Rang De Basanti' wasn't sounding right in English - 'Paint It Yellow'. Every film has its own rhythm, cast and language." 
 
Gul Panag tries her hand at scripting
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) For everyone wondering where Gul Panag has disappeared, the former Miss India is very much on the scene and eagerly looking forward to her next release "Phir Zindagi". 

The film will hopefully release in the next two months. Gul has meantime turned scriptwriter and penned down a story for a known actor friend, whose identity she would not like to reveal at this moment, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"He asked me to specially write the film for him after I narrated the story informally to him. I agreed because writing has always been my first love. In fact, I would have been a scriptwriter if not an actor," she says. 

On the acting front, there are a few films in the offing. Gul says she is currently in the final stages of discussion for two very big films.

-*-

Multiplexes make hay with 'Rang De Basanti'

It looks like Aamir Khan's "Rang De Basanti" is the pick of the season for multiplexes, with the film's distributors and exhibitors unanimously deciding to hike admission rates at all multiplexes, reports Bollywood Trade. 

Says Cineline theatres' Sanjay Dalia: "We have hiked the admission rates at the entire Cineline chain by 10 percent for the regular shows and 15 percent for the weekend and prime time shows in the first week. 

"It is no doubt a bankable film considering it has Aamir Khan. Besides, a Republic Day release will give it an extended weekend. Moreover, there is no major opposition, which means it will get the undivided attention of the audiences." 

Arun Sharma, distributor in charge of INOX, completely endorses Dalia's point of view and says: "Let's not forget that the film is a premium product and a premium product always comes at a price." 

But the single screen exhibitors have chosen to play the film at the existing admission rates. "Times have changed and the business of films today does not go beyond one or two weeks. That is the reason multiplexes try to make the best out of the first week's run," says distributor and exhibitor Ramesh Sippy. 
 
Rambo is my mother's third child: Raveena
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) Raveena Tandon, currently busy arranging special shows of "Rang De Basanti" being distributed by husband Anil Thadani in Mumbai, is both amused and impressed by the brouhaha in the media over the lost and found story of her mother's dog.

"My mom's Pomeranian made front-page news. I am so shocked and yet so impressed. It just shows that the power of the press runs both ways. What appears like a trivial issue can bring immense relief and joy to someone. 

"I was so amazed when my photograph appeared with Rambo (the dog) in the front page. It was a morning-time snap, no makeup photograph. And Rambo definitely looked fresher than I did... 

"Jokes aside, I'd like to say we did nothing to get written about. In fact, when my mom's dog went missing, my dad approached the advertisement sections of the press to put in an ad for Rambo's retrieval. That's how the news leaked out."

The entire Tandon household heaved a sigh of relief at Rambo's return. 

"Those who are not animal lovers will never know what it means to lose a pet. With my brother being busy with his own thing and me being married and out of our house Rambo is my mother's third child. I can't imagine what she would have done without Rambo." 

Raveena can't stop raving about "Rang De Basanti". 

"It's definitely one of the best films I have seen after 'Black'. Aamir is of course terrific. But Atul Kulkarni and Sharman Joshi take you by surprise."
 
Manisha begins campaigning, but appears ill at ease
By Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, Jan 26 (IANS) This family saga is straight from a Bollywood potboiler. Actress Manisha Koirala has started campaigning for the civic polls in Nepal as she and her relatives find themselves on opposite sides of the political divide.

Manisha, a staunch supporter of King Gyanendra and the monarch's power seizure last year, flew down from the capital Wednesday to Biratnagar in southeastern Nepal to drum up public support for the local elections scheduled for Feb 8.

Though the state media highlighted the arrival of the actress to campaign for the controversial polls, the Bollywood star who spends most of her time in Mumbai seemed ill at ease in the role of the loyal daughter returning home to help during a crisis.

Dressed in trousers instead of the traditional salwar-kurta or sari, Manisha had difficulty speaking in Nepali, switching over frequently to English.

"I am following the principles of my grandparent," she told the state-run Nepal Television channel, referring to the late B.P. Koirala, one of the most charismatic leaders of Nepal and the country's first elected prime minister.

In the 1960s, B.P. Koirala, who headed the Nepali Congress party, had his government dismissed by the then king Mahendra and was sent to prison.

Now nearly five decades later, history has repeated itself in Nepal with Mahendra's son Gyanendra seizing power and sending opposition leaders to prison.

Currently led by B.P. Koirala's youngest brother and Manisha's granduncle Girija Prasad Koirala, the Nepali Congress is now leading a seven-party alliance that is opposing Gyanendra's direct rule as well as the Feb 8 elections.

The Koiralas, also called the Kennedys of South Asia, are a divided house today.

Two of B.P. Koirala's sons are in two camps.

While Shashank Koirala, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress, has chosen to follow his uncle G.P. Koirala and oppose the king, his elder brother Prakash has been expelled from the party for supporting the king.

Recently, Prakash Koirala formed a new party, the Nepali Congress (Nationalist), and is now a minister in the king's cabinet. His party is taking part in the elections.

G.P. Koirala's daughter Sujata supports her father and so does another scion of the family -- Shekhar Koirala, son of G.P. Koirala's elder brother Tarini Prasad Koirala.

While Prakash and Manisha Koirala are campaigning for the civic polls, G.P. Koirala and the other Koiralas are asking voters to boycott the exercise and the international community to de-recognise it.
 
I hope the world rocks with me: Indian Buddhist monk (SPECIAL)
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service

Bomdila (Arunachal Pradesh), Jan 27 (IANS) A tribal Buddhist monk from India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh could well rock the world if he walks away with a Grammy award next month.

Ngawang Tashi Bapu's album "Tibetan Master Chants" has been nominated in the Best Traditional World Music category for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards to be given away in Los Angeles Feb 8.

"I am very excited and also surprised at being nominated for a Grammy. I hope the world rocks with me while chanting the hymns," Bapu told IANS at Gaden Rabgyaling monastery in Bomdila, 200 km east of the Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar.

Popularly known as Lama Tashi, 38-year-old Bapu's "Tibetan Master Chants" is a unique collection of 12 Buddhist religious hymns rendered in a sonorous voice and using just the traditional gong and a cymbal.

"Vibrating my vocal chords and producing multiple overtones with deep sounds while chanting the mantras is my specialty on the album," said Bapu, who is now head of the Central Institute of Himalayan Cultural Studies at the monastery.

"We did some over-dubbing so as to give the feel that the mantras were being chanted by a huge group of people."

Unlike most monks, Bapu is computer-savvy and fluent in English. "I do not have much knowledge in western music though I love listening to Indian Hindi music and folk songs. The Grammy was never there in my wildest dreams," Bapu said.

The Monpa tribal monk, originally hailing from Thembang village that borders China, will leave for Los Angeles Feb 2 to attend the Grammy awards function.

"I have dedicated my life to Buddhism and the Grammy nomination is recognition for our beautiful religious hymns that symbolise peace and love," the tonsured monk said between his daily morning chanting.

A revered Buddhist scholar and officially recognised as a "chant master" by some of the best-known monasteries in India, Bapu had earlier performed on stage alongside singers in the US.

"My album that was released in the US in the middle of last year and has become a hit. It has topped sales in many retail stores with the American people buying my CD in large numbers," he said with a smile.

The album was produced and engineered by Healing Sounds pioneer Jonathan Goldman at Colorado in 2004, when Bapu was on a vacation to the US.

"I was just humming the hymns when a friend of mine said he wanted to record the mantras at a studio," the monk said.

And it so happened that Goldman, president of the Spirit Music company, heard him chanting the hymns and instantly decided to produce the album that was later named "Tibetan Master Chants".

"Some journalists and musicians in America had asked me if I was a rocker. I wish people listen to our hymns and get peace of mind," the usually shy monk said.

But, for the moment, this unassuming monk with a maroon robe could well be the cynosure of all eyes at the Grammy awards function where he will rub shoulders with other nominees like Mariah Carey, Green Day, U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
 
South Africans debate film on Mumbai rape
By Fakir Hassen, Indo-Asian News Service

Durban, Jan 27 (IANS) The news that Bollywood is planning a film on a South African who was allegedly drugged and raped while seeking fame in India's tinsel town has been received with some hope but also a little scepticism in her country.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt's plans to produce such a film have evoked reactions ranging from sordid excitement from watchers of sleazy movies to expectations that the movie will convey the message that abuse of women under any circumstances is unacceptable.

The newspaper Daily News here used as a lead story the report in the Indian media about Bhatt's plans: "India rape: Bolly film - SA women's ordeal set for big screen".

The 28-year-old model, who went to Mumbai from here last year determined to make it big in Bollywood, was allegedly raped repeatedly over two days by two Indian nationals, Sunil Morpani and Suresh Krishnani, who are now in custody as police continue their investigation into the matter.

The model, who has been given the alias Reshma Khan because her true identity cannot be revealed under Indian laws, has returned home but vowed to go back to Mumbai next month to exact justice.

Daily News confirmed with Bhatt's secretary that he planned to make the film, but he was not available to talk to the newspaper. 

Khan's father, however, said his family had no knowledge of the plans for the film.

Cinema owners and film critics here were somewhat sceptical about such a film.

"The film is likely to generate a bizarre interest among local cinema fans because of the novelty of a South African connection, but is unlikely to have the kind of interest that big movies generate," Bollywood film critic Fareed Dockrat of the Sunday Times Extra told IANS.

The plot is in any event likely to deviate from the truth, as Bollywood producers tend to take cinematic licence with themes based on real life incidents, some said.

"If a sympathetic line is taken for the victim in the matter, there may well be more interest here than there usually would be for a film with this kind of theme," Dockrat said.

Abie Moosa, managing director of Suncoast Cinecentre, the largest cinema complex showing Bollywood movies, said he would have to consider the message that the film sent out before screening it.

"If the end product sends out the message that rape is unacceptable under any circumstances, and conveys a strong message that engenders the empowerment of women in seeking justice if they are abused, we will definitely show it," Moosa said. 

"The fact that there is a connection to South Africa will certainly also be an additional factor in our usual criteria for selection of what we show from Bollywood."

But some reactions were downright sleazy.

At a local cinema here reputed for showing B-grade and soft-porn movies, a customer who refused to be identified told IANS: "It would be good to see an Indian actress in one of these movies for a change."
 
Abhishek opts out of 'Sholay' for Mani Ratnam
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) The real reason why Abhishek Bachchan has opted out of Ram Gopal Varma's "Sholay" is not moral but practical. The busy Bollywood star just couldn't give dates.

Those dates were committed to the inimitable Mani Ratnam. Yes, Abhishek Bachchan will be coming together with his "Yuva" director again for Ratnam's first film in the English language to be shot in London.

Both Abhishek and of course the ever-secretive Ratnam are tight-lipped about the project. Says Abhishek, "I can't say anything about this right now." 

But a source close to the actor confirms, "The Abhishek-Mani Ratnam project is definitely on. It's a film that requires Abhishek to age from 16 to 60. Since he truly enjoyed working with Mani in 'Yuva' he was very keen to do so again. 

"The only problem was the dates were clashing with Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sholay'. And since Abhishek is already doing two more films with Varma - 'Ek' and 'Sarkar 2' - both with his dad Amitabh Bachchan, he opted for Mani's film over Ramu's 'Sholay'."

Amitabh Bachchan is being cast as Gabbar Singh in the new-age 'gangsterised' version of Ramesh Sippy's classic "Sholay". Abhishek was to play Veeru - but now that is not happening.
 
Mithun in Aditya Datt's 'Dil Diya Hai'
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Aditya Datt, whose directorial debut "Aashiq Banaya Aapne" fared well at the box office last year, has roped in Mithun Chakraborty for his next film "Dil Diya Hai". 

"I have been a great fan of Mithun-da since my childhood and I am thrilled to get a chance to direct him. Mithun-da plays a key role in my film and the character is best suited for him," said the director.

Mithun was seen in "Lucky - No Time For Love" and "Elaan" in 2005 and this year he is going to appear in Kalpana Lajmi's film "Chingaari" with Sushmita Sen.

Datt also repeats his 'lucky' hero Emraan Hashmi along with Ashmit Patel in the film. 

"After the success of 'Murder' no one has signed them. Since both of them have done roles with grey shades, I thought they would be the right choice for my film," says Datt.

The film's first schedule is already being shot in Mumbai and the team is going to Scotland to shoot the second part.

Datt is introducing a new girl, Geeta, in the film. 
 
Delhi girl sings in 'Rang De Basanti'
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Delhi girl Harshdeep is trying to create a niche for herself in Bollywood, having sung "Ik Onkaar" in Rakyesh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti". 

"Actually it is not a song. It is an extract from Japji Sahib (Sikh morning prayer). I consider it an honour to sing 'Ik Onkaar'. We recorded it at 4 a.m. It was a very special moment for me. It is believed that early morning is the time of god and I actually felt god standing next to me and making me sing," says Harshdeep.

A trained classical singer, Harshdeep started her musical journey at the age of 14 by winning the MTV video GAGA contest 2001. In 2003, she released her first album "Romantica" - a compilation of old Pakistani songs. 

She bowed in Bollywood with Deepak Tijori's "Oops" and sang two songs - "Alag alag" and "Uljalu" for the film. But they did not get her much recognition and now she is pinning her hopes on "Rang De Basanti".

"Rang De Basanti", which was released Thursday, is a youthful film. A.R. Rahman has composed the music for this youthful drama. 

Asked about her experience of working with Rahman, she says: "I have always admired Rahman's music. He is a legend. Singing with him was like appearing for the board exams. I was excited as well as nervous. But the moment I entered into the recording studio and began to sing, everything went by as smooth as ice-cream."

She wants to compose music too.

"I don't want people to know me just as a singer. I want the world to know me as a complete musician. I love each and every aspect of music and don't want to stay untouched from any of it," she says.

She is currently busy composing songs for her forthcoming album, which will be released this year.
 
Anuj has no smooch with Sush in 'Chingari': Lajmi
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) Director Kalpana Lajmi is angry over false reports about Sushmita Sen's torrid smooching sequence with Anuj Sawhney in her forthcoming film "Chingari".

Apparently both Lajmi and Sush have put the blame for the wrong story on the film's producer, Vikas Sahni. Sushmita reportedly even phoned Sahni and threatened not to support the film's publicity.

Immeasurably agitated, Lajmi lashed out at the smooch theory. 

"This isn't the kind of publicity my cinema needs. 'Chingaari' is about the life of a prostitute. It is about the politics of sex. But there are no sexy scenes. I have not made a 'Julie' or a 'Murder'. And there is certainly no kissing sequence in 'Chingaari', let alone a torrid one. 

"If my film required that kind of intimacy it would have it and I would certainly not hide it. Why should I? I am sure of my convictions as a filmmaker. And I don't need to seal them with a kiss," said Lajmi.

The supposed smooch is actually a love-song sequence that Sushmita personally choreographed after the choreographer didn't turn up for the shooting, she said. 

"Do you think Sushmita or I would do anything vulgar or unaesthetic? Yes, Sush does have sensuous scenes but not with Anuj Sawhney. They are with Mithun. 

"How dare Anuj give quotes about how we had to do 36 re-takes for the love scenes between him and Sush? What is he implying? That I am an inept director and Sushmita is a clumsy actress! Please don't make me open my mouth about that Anuj. He's trouble, period," Lajmi stated.

This is not the first time that Sawhney finds himself facing the wrath of a celebrated co-star with whom he has insinuated more than a passing chumminess. Earlier, after the release of "Naina", Sawhney had upset co-star Urmila Matondkar by calling her 'voluptuous' in print. 

"I think he needs to watch himself," warned Lajmi. "And he should stop lying. Because there is no smooch with Sush, except maybe in his fantasy." 
 
Deepti Naval finds Goutam Ghosh film challenging
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) Avant-garde Bengali filmmakers seem to be lining up at Bollywood's doorstep with promises of tempting new cinema - and one such film has Deepti Naval pairing with Nana Patekar and Rekha. 

Even as Rituparno Ghosh released his Ajay Devgan-Aishwarya Rai romance "Raincoat", he quietly finished shooting "Antar Mahal", which is in Bengali but has Abhishek Bachchan and Soha Ali Khan to give it a Bollywood ambience. It released last year. 

Aparna Sen is doing her first Hindi film "Jewellery Box" with Govinda, Konkona Sen-Sharma, Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore.

But it's Goutam Ghosh who's shooting his third Hindi film and will beat Sen to the theatres. The much-acclaimed Ghosh made "Paar" and "Patanga" in Hindi in the past. "Yatra" brings together Nana Patekar and Rekha for the first time.

Rekha plays a dancer and the fulcrum of Patekar's extramarital affair. Deepti Naval also makes a comeback in the powerful role of Patekar's wife. 

Says Deepti: "I've worked with Nana on a number of occasions, including in Boney Kapoor's 'Shakti'. He's always a challenging co-star. But 'Yatra' is specially challenging. It's the story of three characters' strange journey. 

"I always admired Goutam Ghosh's work. And now I've the chance to work with him. We're shooting the film in Hyderabad. After a long time I'm enthused by a role." 

The actress has been keeping a low profile..."But not by choice. I can't accept mother roles until they're something with stature, like what Sharmila Tagore played in 'Viruddh' and Hema Malini in 'Baghban'. 

"In fact the women always have a sizeable place in Amitabh Bachchan's films. I'm looking forward to being offered something with him," says the actress who has done substantial roles in films ranging from "Ek Baar Phir" to "Freaky Chakra".

"No one else could've played the zany woman who has an affair with a young boy in 'Freaky Chakra'," Deepti laughs. "I've a great sense of fun. But I've always been typecast as a serious actress. I don't mind. But Hindi cinema has to take me seriously." 

Deepti was recently offered a role by Subhash Ghai. "But it had no substance to it. I had done a miniscule role for Subhash Ghai in 'Saudagar'. My one confrontation scene with Dilip Kumar had been chopped off. To his credit, Ghai gave me the option of opting entirely out of 'Saudagar'. 

"But I can't get into wispy roles any more. I need to be used properly. That's why I'm so happy about 'Yatra' that I've undertaken with Gautam Ghosh." 

Manisha heckled during Nepal poll campaign
Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, Jan 27 (IANS) While her screen performances may have won her bouquets, Bollywood star Manisha Koirala got a taste of brickbats while campaigning for the controversial local polls in Nepal.

The actress, who is the granddaughter of the late B.P. Koirala, Nepal's first elected prime minister and one of the kingdom's most charismatic leaders, ran into bad publicity after she went to Biratnagar in eastern Nepal to campaign for the Feb 8 municipal elections.

While her grandfather's party, the Nepali Congress, is boycotting the elections, Manisha has thrown her weight behind her father Prakash Koirala who is supporting the poll and was made a minister in return for supporting King Gyanendra's power grab last year.

On Thursday, when Nepal was paralysed by the nationwide shutdown called by the seven opposition parties to protest against the king's rule and the elections, Manisha went to Biratnagar to propose the name of a mayoral candidate.

She filed nominations on behalf of Binod Arryal, a former member of the Nepali Congress who is now fighting as an independent candidate.

While star-struck youngsters lined up the road to catch a glimpse of Manisha, political activists shouted slogans, denouncing her participation in the poll campaign, a local daily reported Friday.

The slogans, however, left the star unfazed.

"I am not scared just because a handful of people are raising slogans against me," she said. "I feel good when there is a challenge. I have come here all the way from Mumbai to get Arryal elected."

The poll drama has divided the Koirala family.

While Manisha and her father are supporting the exercise, it is being opposed by her granduncle Girija Prasad Koirala, B.P.'s younger brother and former three-time prime minister of Nepal.

Manisha's aunt Sujata and two uncles, Shashank and Shekhar, are also opposing the polls.

STAR dismisses controversy over discontinuing 'KBC2'
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) STAR Plus, which took off the air its popular quiz show "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2" (KBC2) after ailing show host Amitabh Bachchan expressed his inability to shoot for sometime, Friday denied any controversy with the superstar on the issue. 

Samir Nair, STAR India's chief operating officer, quashed rumours that Bachchan had refused to shoot for further episodes of "KBC 2" due to "irregularities" in the selection process, as certain sections of the media had reported.

"We have always maintained that Mr. Bachchan's health is of paramount importance. After Mr. Bachchan expressed his inability to shoot for the next couple of months on medical advice, we have taken the decision to end this season of 'KBC'," said Nair.

Nair said the popular show may come back as "KBC 3", a press release said.

"We are also contemplating the modalities of returning with the third season of 'KBC' after taking this break. Claiming that Mr. Bachchan is distancing himself from the show due to alleged irregularities in the selection process is trying to put weight into a story that is baseless," he added.

There were allegations that a few people had managed to get into the Fastest Finger First round (round 10) of the contest twice and that a few employees of national telephony service providers BSNL and MTNL had also managed to get into the round. 

He said the rules allow for contestants to come to the round more than once, and making it to the hot seat (the winner of the Fastest Finger First round) disqualifies a person from contesting again. BSNL and MTNL employees are not restricted from participating, he clarified.

He stated that the selection process is validated by one of the world's leading audit firms, KPMG. 

"Frivolous accusations of this nature have created an environment of malicious innuendo. We will be taking strong action, using whatever means available to us under the law of the land, against such deliberate defamation and slander against 'KBC 2' and Star Network. 

"It is a clear case of sensational journalism by trying to stir up public frenzy on hype rather than facts," said Nair.

Late last year, Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalised after he complained of acute stomachache and was operated upon in Mumbai's Lilavati hospital. He was advised rest for a month.
 
Akshay out of Darshan camp?
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 28 (IANS) It looks like both the Darshan brothers - Suneel and Dharmesh - have moved away from Akshay Kumar. While Dharmesh is going to direct Akshaye Khanna, Suneel, too, has decided to move on and is all set to launch son Shiv as leading man. 

Shiv, who has been undergoing rigorous acting-dancing-action training, would be the second scion of a filmmaking family -- after Harman Baweja, son of Harry Baweja -- to be launched in style within one year. 

While Harman's debut vehicle would be a swanky hi-tech adventure thriller, Suneel is plotting an out-and-out actioner to highlight his son's personality. 

"The boy is not just a fine lad but handsome and six ft one inch tall. If I may say so myself, he is star material in league with Dharmendra. Affable, warm and trustworthy... 

"Of course, I will produce his film. But he is free to be directed by anyone else if he likes... though we are great friends and Shiv should have no problem being directed by me," Suneel told IANS.

What is left unsaid is that Shiv steps in where Akshay Kumar has so far been the monarch of all he surveyed -- and not just in the Darshan camp but also in the larger picture as the new-age Dharmendra. 

Though the director who has worked with Akshay in his most important films, including "Jaanwar" which turned Akshay's career around, is tight-lipped, it seems unlikely that Suneel and Akshay will work together in the near future. 

According to close associates of the director, Akshay hasn't been in touch with Suneel for months. 

"There's no immediate project. For now 'Dosti', which releases in December, is our last film together. Before I launch my son in 2007, Manish Malhotra will finally launch his directorial venture under my banner. He has promised not to take up any assignments as a costume designer after Karan Johar's film so he can focus on direction," said Suneel. 

Will Manish's film star Akshay? 

"That is entirely Manish's call. I have nothing to do with it," is Suneel's terse reply. 

"I'd like to say one thing. The three turning points in Akshay Kumar's career have been 'Jaanwar', 'Ek Rishtaa' and 'Andaaz'. The first got him out of the potboiler mould. The second gave him respectability as an actor. And 'Andaaz' is Akshay's only solo hit to date. 

"I'll miss working with Akshay. But we'll only come together now when the comfort level returns to being the way it was when we made 'Jaanwar' and the other hits."
 
'Bunty Aur Babli' director to wed in Lucknow
Indo-Asian News Service

Lucknow, Jan 28 (IANS) Shaad Ali, the young director of Hindi blockbuster "Bunty Aur Babli", is getting married.

Shaad, around 28, is marrying Shazmeen Saturday night. The Pakistan high commissioner, Aziz Ahmad Khan, his wife and several Bollywood celebrities are expected to attend.

The guest list includes Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherji. 

Rekha, the Bollywood queen of the 1980s and leading lady of "Umrao Jaan" made by Shaad's father Muzaffar Ali, will be another guest. 

Shaad's mother is Subhashni Ali, a former Communist Party of India-Marxist MP and daughter of Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, an associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Shaad Ali, who shot to fame with "Sathiya", made it really big with "Bunty Aur Babli" and has a series of other films with top Bollywood names in the pipeline.
 
Karachiites' Sunday options: Bryan Adams or cricket
By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Indo-Asian News Service

Karachi, Jan 29 (IANS) Young Karachiites may face a difficult choice Sunday - to watch the first day of the third India-Pakistan cricket Test or travel 35 km to watch the Bryan Adams music show.

Those youngsters who do not want to miss out on either event will be racing against time, literally, because after the day's play at the National Stadium they will have to drive down to the Arabian Sea Country Club (ASCC) to watch the singer perform from 8 p.m.

The music show is being organised to raise money for victims of the October earthquake. About 73,000 people were killed and millions left homeless in the disaster that shook the northern areas of India and Pakistan. 

Organisers of the Bryan Adams show say the performance would be the first of its kind in Pakistan. Over 10,000 people are expected to throng the lush green lawns of ASCC, not far from the Arabian Sea.

"About 10,000 people are expected," ASCC chief executive Arif Ali Khan Abbasi told IANS. 

Abbasi, also a former CEO and treasurer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, agreed that those who would want to watch both cricket and the music show would have to rush. 

"Music fans are usually different from cricket fans. But yes, there will be some common fans and they will have to make a difficult choice," he said. 

India and Pakistan will be playing a five-day Test match at the National Stadium after 16 long years. 

With the series level at 0-0 after the first two Tests, interest in the third match has gone up. Both teams will try to win the match and with it the series.
 
Star to take legal action against India TV
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 28 (IANS) There's absolutely no sign of strain at Star after India TV alleged that its prized game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2" (KBC2) had underhand dealings. 

In fact Samir Nair, chief operating officer of Star, is amused. 

"What are these people talking about? Everything on KBC2 was done according to the rules. The funniest thing was - they (India TV) were offering a flat-screen TV to their viewers for sending SMS about the so-called scam on KBC2. So much so for their noble intentions! We're certainly looking at serious legal action," Nair said.

Deepak Segal, executive vice-president (content), is even more forthright. 

"Not one person from this channel tried to contact any of us at Star before going on air with the outrageous story. Isn't that suspicious? This is nothing but a fledgling channel's desperate efforts to get viewers," Segal said. 

"What do they mean by questioning a contestant's right to come twice on the show? Of course anyone can participate twice! It is part of our rules. We had released the pictures of the contestant who appeared twice that they're showing to prove their point. 

"If there was any jiggery-pokery going on, why would we allow those stills to be shot and circulated? It's all so stupid. Our whole selection process is audited by a reliable agency."

BSNL and MTNL employees were not restricted from participating, he said.

"It's like saying people from Indian Airlines cannot be contestants on the show because they transport the contestants. Similarly MTNL is just a conduit for us, because they have telephone exchanges all over the country," Segal said.

He pooh-poohed the argument that scam, and not host Amitabh Bachchan's illness, was the reason for the show's abrupt termination. 

"We all know Bachchan is unwell. I'd say the scam theory is a desperate move by a channel anxious to be watched. And if they are so sure of their facts why didn't they approach us? No India TV crew member has asked anyone from Star to speak on the matter."

Late last year Bachchan was hospitalised after he complained of acute stomachache and was operated upon in Mumbai's Lilavati hospital. He was advised rest for a month.
 
Sandesh Shandilya in Richard Clayderman's album
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 29 (IANS) It would've gone unnoticed were it not for the fact that world-renowned pianist and composer Richard Clayderman sent a copy of his latest album to Bollywood musician Sandesh Shandilya.


"That's how I came to know that my tune from 'Uff ...Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai' is in Clayderman's album! I'm stunned and honoured. Sunidhi Chauhan has rendered the song," Shandilya told IANS.

The song had sunk without a trace after the film introducing Sammir Dattani vanished. Why haven't the composer and the film's producers Barjatayas bothered to play up this achievement?

Shandilya shrugs, "I don't know. I came to know of this honour by accident. When I saw my name along with Richard Clayderman."

It's strange that no one involved with the film "Uuf...Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai" seemed to think Clayderman's honour important enough to play it up back home.

Shandilya refuses to blame the Rajshris. "They had brought Richard Clayderman over to play the piano in 'Uuf...Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai' for my title composition. Now when Clayderman has thought the title song to be good enough to go into his own album I feel I must be doing something right."

Shandilya is best known for his haunting melodies "Bhaage re man" in "Chameli" and "Suraj hua madhyam" in "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham".

He is also going to compose music for an international venture.

"It's a film based on the life of Mother Teresa directed by Gautam Ghose (not the Kolkata-based director). He's been in Los Angeles for the last 25 years. Now he's making another Hollywood film and he wants me to do the music for that film too."

In Bollywood, Shandilya says he needs to do more work.

"I was being too selective. I'd do four films out of which three wouldn't get released during a year. I'm now working on Jahnu Barua's second Hindi film, then I'm also doing Sriram Raghavan's 'Johnny Gaddar' and Guddu Dhanoa's next musical.

"I'm also doing a children's film produced by Jhamu Sugandh. It's an Indian Harry Potter...So by the grace of god, I'm doing well on home ground. I intend to build my career at home before looking Westwards."
 
Glitterati and mouth watering Awadhi cuisine at star wedding
By Sharat Pradhan, Indo-Asian News Service

Lucknow, Jan 29 (IANS) From celebrities to mouth-watering Awadhi cuisine, there was every thing grand about the wedding of Shaad Ali, the young director of Bollywood blockbuster "Bunty Aur Babli".

Other than Pakistan High Commissioner Aziz Ahmad Khan and his wife, who arrived two days earlier to participate in several pre-wedding rituals, there were three leading stars from Mumbai's tinsel world and also businessmen, including Tata Sons bigwig J.J. Irani in the wedding ceremony of Shaad and Shamzeen Saturday evening.

While Vivek Oberoi, who played the lead in Shaad's first hit "Saathiya", was among the early arrivals, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan with his mom Jaya joined in later. They not only mingled with the crowd, but also went around the exquisitely decorated and well-lit Taj Residency Hotel, which was virtually taken over by the wedding of the season. 

Ajay Devgan, Rani Mukerjee, who were expected to attend the function, did not turn up. 

The large and impressive gathering, which included the who's who of Uttar Pradesh, also missed Rekha, the leading lady of "Umrao Jaan" made by Shaad's father, Muzaffar Ali. Governor T.V. Rajeshwar, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, his man Friday Amar Singh and Sahara India chief Subrata Roy were part of the celebrations. 

Shaad's blue-blood lineage from the erstwhile princely state of Kotwara attracted many from what is known as the royal families of Awadh. His mother Subhashini Ali, a well-known woman activist, trade union leader and former MP of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, received all the guests along with her freedom-fighter mother, Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, a one-time associate of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Shamzeen's maternal uncle Wajahat Habibullah, a bureaucrat who is the country's Chief Information Commissioner and hails from Lucknow, played host for the bride's side together with his octogenarian mother Begum Hamida Habibullah, a former Congress minister.

Rizwan Ahmad a well known chef for authentic Awadhi cuisine was specially hired to provide the special flavour to the lavish spread - that included quite a few recipes from the kitchen of Lucknow's famous 19th century Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah.

The vast range of kebabs included Galawati, Pasanda, Kakori and Boti. Among the other dishes were Lagan Raan, Machli Mussallam and Murg Korma, to name a few. And the variety of breads included the rare Sheermal, Bakar-khani, Afghani roti, besides the usual roomali and nan.

For the thousands who attended the grand affair, it was a dream evening.
 
Bollywood stars' mantra: reinvent or perish
By Priyanka Khanna, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Aamir Khan does it with his every new release while Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Akshay Kumar too are reaping rich returns with their image makeovers.

Gone are the days when star-struck Indian audiences would never get tired of contrived mannerisms of a Shammi Kapoor, a Dev Anand or a Dharmendra.

To stay in the reckoning, Bollywood stars know they must re-invent themselves every now and then to retain their fan following. And going by the slew of makeovers witnessed last year, the trend is here to stay.

Aamir Khan has been re-packaging himself with every release over the last one decade. In "Rang De Basanti", the 40-year-old has managed to pass off as a 26-year-old carefree youth with flying colours.

The film by director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra of "Aks" fame has raked in rave reviews for being a complete entertainer and for its technical brilliance.

Till last year Shah Rukh Khan would come across pretty much the same in all his films. The King Khan experimented in his own production last year and adopted a non-metrosexual look in "Paheli". He donned traditional attire in this movie, which is India's entry for the Oscars.

Shah Rukh has gone in for a makeover in public life. In the absence of any immediate release he has decided to be more approachable and open about his life.

Over the last few weeks, Shah Rukh has been all over print and electronic media giving interviews and sharing tidbits from a docu-film based on him - "Inner World of Shah Rukh Khan". Incidentally, Salman Khan has also gone in for a makeover in his public image. He is projecting himself as a victim in a case of poaching of an endangered blackbuck filed against him.

Aishwarya Rai's image change was drastic for many. From the oh-so-proper ice maiden who has her eyes set on making it big in Hollywood, she metamorphosed into a raunchy nautch-girl in the hit-number "Kajrare" of "Bunty Aur Babli". 

Her attire, minus the traditional dupatta, went on to become the fashion statement of the year. Any doubts about her suitability for the role of "Umrao Jaan" were put to rest.

Indeed, almost all of Bollywood's saleable stars are either over 40 or nearing the mark. Among the new lot only Abhishek Bachchan has been able to find a foothold after a protracted struggle.

Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham have potential but need to be handled with care. Others like Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Vivek Oberoi or Shahid Kapur have failed to live up to expectations.

Says trade observer Taran Adarsh: "They have managed to stay ahead of the competition from the new crop of actors by reinventing themselves. Even if films don't give then the opportunity to do something drastic, they repackage themselves in advertisements."

-*-

In fact some young ones have taken the clue and undergone changes. Gone are the days of a flabby Esha Deol. She lost a few kilos for "Dhoom" which helped her gain a fan following.

Tanishaa Mukherji exercised vigorously for as many as three years for "Neal 'N' Nikki" to wriggle into those tight, short skirts and push-up tops.

Apart from his con act, which clicked, Abhishek's grunge look and suave mannerisms made him the idol of retrosexual males.

In the year ahead, Hrithik Roshan will sport nine different looks in his forthcoming release "Krissh". And given the fact that Hrithik and father Rakesh Roshan have been making magic at the box-office whenever they work together, it would sure be a film to watch out for.

-*-

On the heels of Aamir Khan, the week ahead is likely to witness release of another film by 40-something actor Akshay Kumar - "Meere Jeevan Sathi". The Suneel Darshan-directed film will bring Akshay, Karisma Kapoor and Amisha Patel together.

It remains to be seen if Akshay can retain his enviable title of one of the most bankable Bollywood stars even as "Rang De Basanti" is on the marquees.
 
Manisha woos voters for Nepal polls
By Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, Jan 29 (IANS) Bollywood star Manisha Koirala may have been cast in one of the most challenging roles of her career - playing ministering angel in Nepal to woo voters for next month's controversial local elections.

The actress, once the talk of Kathmandu for her reported romance with the then Australian ambassador to Nepal, has now hit headlines in the official media for a different reason.

She is campaigning for Binod Arryal, a small-time politician in Biratnagar in eastern Nepal who was expelled from his Nepali Congress party after he decided to contest for the mayor's post.

Manisha, the granddaughter of the late B.P. Koirala, the first elected prime minister of Nepal and former chief of the Nepali Congress, has flown in from Mumbai to campaign for Arryal for the Feb 8 elections.

Manisha's campaign began with a quick trip to the neighbouring district of Dharan, where she attended a programme at the B.P. Koirala Health Institute.

She said the Nepali Congress, now headed by B.P.'s younger brother and opposition leader Girija Prasad Koirala, had deviated from the principle of reconciliation advocated by her grandfather.

From Dharan, her next stop was Biratnagar, the Koirala family's ancestral residence, where she visited an orphanage. Manisha handed over little packages - that could be food or medicines - to some of the 64 children living there.

Watched curiously by about 10 children and an equal number of senior citizens, she gave a brief speech on the importance of polls in a democracy. The speech was short because she struggled to speak in Nepali, a language now alien to the actress who lives in India.

Manisha's support for King Gyanendra comes at a time when her aunt and two uncles have been sent to prison for three months for opposing the king's direct rule and the election called by him.

Besides Manisha, her father Prakash Koirala, a minister in the current cabinet, is also supporting the monarch.

Manisha's poll campaign has triggered sharp opposition with student organisations affiliated to the seven opposition parties warning they would not allow her films or posters in theatres.
 
No sound bytes from Sridevi at Boney's felicitation
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) A gorgeous looking Sridevi was a silent spouse at a function here that felicitated her husband Boney Kapoor on being elected as president of the Film Federation of India (FFI). 

Looking stunning in a cream and golden outfit, Sridevi did not speak at the function organised Saturday by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), disappointing fans and organisers.

When Sridevi, a permanent member of PHDCCI's entertainment committee, was asked to say a few words, Kapoor intervened and said: "She prefers doing this bit on screen. Only the arc lights can have her spouting dialogues." 

And when one of the members commented on her weight loss, he was quick to quip: "She has lost some for herself and some for me." 

Invitees at the function were current and former PHDCCI members, including entertainment committee co-chairman Jaspal Singh Sawhney, vice president Sanjay Bhatia and president Sushma Berlia. Media presence at the function was low.

Entertainment committee chairperson Sandeep Marwah, who is also Boney's brother-in-law, introduced the two as leading lights of the film world and briefed the members about their achievements. The couple was presented mementos.

Marwah said: "Boney Kapoor has plans for 10 films in the next three years and his latest film 'No Entry' has been declared the biggest comedy of the decade and one of the top grossers.

"There are few actresses who can compete with Sridevi. The silver screen idol who has acted in 350 films was popularly known as the 'Lady Amitabh Bachchan'," he said, paying glowing tributes to the actress. 

Kapoor hailed the PHDCCI's contribution to the entertainment industry and said: "Sandeep has pointed out that the entertainment industry is the ninth biggest in size. 

"Whether the number is eight, nine or 10, I know for sure that this is one industry that brings the maximum smiles to the faces of people. I want to ensure that the industry is free of problems like piracy and taxation."

When asked why Indian films had failed to bag an Oscar, he said: "We have reached the stage where films are reaching the nomination list and let me assure you that very soon we are going to win an Oscar."
 
I can't afford to falter: Raj Kumar Santoshi (INTERVIEW)
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 30 (IANS) Raj Kumar Santoshi, whose latest release "Family" has met with a lukewarm response at the box office, says he is planning a comedy as his next offering.

Santoshi, known for making hard-hitting films, has shelved "Saamna", a political film that he was working on, to concentrate on the comedy - "Ladies & Gentlemen".

"I am no longer doing 'Saamna' now. That was a very controversial subject on the marriage of religion and politics," Santoshi told IANS in an interview.

He also has plans to later make a musical set in London, called "London Dreams", with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan.

"Ladies & Gentlemen", says the director of the hit comedy "Andaz Apna Apna", will be "modern and glamorous and almost futuristic in terms of content and mood."

But he promises that "Saamna" will eventually be made. "It will be made at some point. But I'll first have to wait and watch the situation. I don't want it to become a victim of any controversy...I make expensive films. I can't afford to falter. I'd never do anything that would jeopardise a project." 

Santoshi is upset by the storm created by a scene in "Family" that shows superstar Amitabh Bachchan smoking a cigar. "I strongly feel such censorship is harmful to cinema and our right to expression," he says.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Your new film "Family" has opened to an unenthusiastic response.

A: Normally, once I finish post-production work I move on to my next. In fact, I have been out of the country hunting locations for my next film - a comedy.

Q: "Family" is very original on the idea level.

A: I don't see it as an action film. I see it as an emotional family film. When Shaktiman, who wrote "Gadar", came to me with the idea, I really liked it. My co-writer Sridhar Raghavan and I re-worked more than 80 percent of the original story. We didn't want it to be a normal vendetta film.

At the core the theme is almost mythological. Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan's downfall is like that of Karna in the Mahabharat who died of his own karma. That's what we tried to show in "Family". If you don't have a family to fall back on, you have nothing.

Q: How was it directing Amitabh Bachchan for the second time after "Khakee"?

A: I have been a big fan of Mr. Bachchan right from my college days. I wrote both "Khakee" and "Family" with Sridhar only to showcase his talents. After "Khakee" I wanted to bring out another dimension in Mr. Bachchan's acting. The first thing we did was to place him on the opposite side of the law.

When I arrived at the script of "Family" I knew this would give me a chance to present him in a totally different light. Mr. Bachchan plays a man that the audience simply hates. Look at how he gets Akshay Kumar's character killed with such arrogance, ruthlessness and indifference. But finally we cry for the gangster. That graph from loathsome to sympathetic could have only been carried off by Amitji.

Q: Do you think audiences want to see Bachchan in a negative role especially after his illness?

A: Why not? I never thought of this when casting him. He is an actor and an outstanding one at that. I don't think we filmmakers should mix up his personal life with what he does on screen. If we do we will end up like waiters at a hotel, taking orders from the box office on which section of the audience likes what. In any case, Mr. Bachchan isn't all black in "Family". We see his human side at the same time.

Q: How did his illness affect your film?

A: Only to the extent that we were supposed to release the film on Dec 23. We had to postpone it by a couple of weeks. That apart, "Family" showcases his calibre to the optimum. I mean, look at his range and energy. The plot rests completely on his shoulder right from the start to end.

Q: Do you think you have evolved as a director?

A: Nowadays I get very angry when I pick up the newspaper and see what is happening around us. I'd say my cinema has become more aware of our surroundings. The battles are more socio-politically widened now than in my earlier films.

Q: Your next is a politically charged parable "Saamna".

A: I am no longer doing "Saamna" now. That was a very controversial subject on the marriage of religion and politics. Now I am doing a comedy called "Ladies & Gentlemen". After that I am doing a musical set in London called "London Dreams" with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan. 

Q: Who will star in "Ladies & Gentleman"?

A: We haven't decided. The comedy is an intimate one, with not too many characters, and my first comedy after "Andaz Apna Apna". It was on the anvil for some time. I was wondering when would be the right time for it. The film is very modern, glamorous and almost futuristic in terms of content and mood. It is almost like a 2009 film.

Q: So why now?

A: When "Saamna" was put aside, I needed another project to replace it immediately.

Q: Will "Saamna" be made?

A: It will be made at some point. But I'll first have to wait and watch the situation. I don't want it to become a victim of any controversy. Look at what's happened to Rakeysh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti". And my own film "Family" was pulled up because Amitji smokes a cigar in the film. I strongly feel such censorship is harmful to cinema and our right to expression.

Q: Are you in favour of smoking?

A: Not at all! I don't smoke. I don't want my children or anyone's children to smoke. But the cigar gave a certain attitude of style and arrogance to Amitji's character. If cigarettes can be sold in the market with a statutory warning, then I don't mind putting a similar warning on my hoardings. Unfortunately, they put that photograph of Amitji with a cigar on the hoardings. I wasn't aware of the repercussions. The marketing people should have been more cautious.

Q: But people have objections to Bachchan smoking.

A: That is really disturbing. He is an actor! Should he only play characters like Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi? The moralists must change their attitude. Otherwise we'll take our cinema back by so many years. If he is playing a gangster he'll have to carry a pistol. That doesn't mean Amitabh Bachchan is carrying a weapon.

Q: Does this moral censorship daunt you?

A: Absolutely. Every filmmaker feels suffocated. We are heading towards a cinema of prudery. Let the audience decide what it wants to do. You can't do this. Don't underestimate the audience. I'll continue to make the films I believe in.

Q: But you did postpone "Saamna"?

A: Well, tomorrow anyone from any small town can get up and file a case stopping my film. I have gone through this during "Lajja". It is very dangerous. I make expensive films. I can't afford to falter. I'd never do anything that would jeopardise a project.

Q: Do you think the impact of your earlier films is missing in your recent works?

A: It is just the choice of subjects. I made "The Legend Of Bhagat Singh" and "Khakee", which were according to me very topical subjects. In "Khakee" I tried to show the isolation of the Muslim community and how the police have to be non-partisan. In every film I try to make a social comment.

Q: In "Family" I feel you were burdened by the task of projecting the producer's son.

A: Not to a large extent. But yes, the songs were forced in for Aryeman. But I gave him no romantic angle.
 
Mohanlal to play the Thakur in Varma's 'Sholay'
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News service

Mumbai, Jan 30 (IANS) Mohanlal, one of the finest actors of this country, is all set to return to Hindi cinema in Ram Gopal Varma's remake of the classic "Sholay".

"I am all set to play a cop," Mohanlal told IANS.

And how excited is the versatile actor about playing the seething Thakur with the amputated hands in "Sholay", originally played by Sanjeev Kumar in Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster?

"Ramu (the director) is a man of many ideas. When he called me up to offer the role of the Thakur in 'Sholay' I wasn't very sure of how to react. 'Sholay' is a film that I have seen more than once.

"Every character is so deeply embedded in the audience's mind. I wonder what Ramu will do!"

Mohanlal is also aware that Gabbar Singh, his antagonist in the film, will be played by Amitabh Bachchan.

"Bachchanji as Gabbar Singh is really a thought that charges all my batteries. I have worked with the four greatest southern stalwarts - Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kumar and Nageswara Rao. Bachchanji is like all four rolled into one, and more.

"It will be a truly exceptional experience to work with him in 'Sholay'."

Is he looking at bettering Sanjeev Kumar's performance in the original?

"Not really. I don't know what Ramu has in mind. I do know he is shifting the backdrop to the city. So there will be inbuilt changes. My interpretation of the cop's role will be my own."

Varma said: "After deciding on Mr. Bachchan for Gabbar Singh, I needed someone with a lot of understated self-confidence and a quality of the hero in his personality.

"In Mohanlal I saw the same qualities that made Sanjeev Kumar so memorable in 'Sholay'. Of course, he will play the role in his own way. This is Varma Ka Sholay, remember?"

Mohanlal's Hindi-film appearance as the cerebral and intriguing police commissioner in Varma's "Company" was widely appreciated. But it didn't really translate into a flood of opportunities in Hindi cinema for the self-effacing actor.

"I wasn't really offered anything exciting. And if I work in a language with which I am not fully at home, I need to work with directors like Priyadarshan with whom I did 'Kala Pani' in Hindi and Ramu whom I am comfortable with."

In his latest Malayalam film "Naren", the soft-spoken actor plays a 73-year-old man.

"Funnily enough my last film was 'Oyudon', which means God. And now 'Naren' means human. So that is quite a wide spectrum of characterisations. I am more than happy with the opportunities I get in the south."
 
Pooja Bhatt signs Meera for 'Akelapan'
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 30 (IANS) After dad Mahesh Bhatt's "Woh Lamhe" based on the life of Parveen Babi and her conflicting relationships, Pooja Bhatt is all set to make "Akelapan", another film that draws from the late actor's story.

Says Pooja: "The film is not based on Parveen Babi's life as is being perceived, but it does have shades of her character. In essence, it is the story of an actress who has passed her prime and is desperate to make it in the world of showbiz." 

Pooja has confirmed Pakistani actress Meera to play the central character in the film, reports Bollywood Trade. 

In "Woh Lamhe", to be directed by Mohit Suri, Kangna Raut will play the role. 

"Akelapan", scripted by Mahesh Bhatt, will have a young actor opposite Meera. "He is the best person to write the film considering the fact he has seen the industry from close quarters. In fact, the title, 'Akelapan', is also his brain wave," says Pooja. 

"I am certainly producing it but I am not sure whether I will direct it myself or sign someone else," she adds. 

-*-

Kunal Kohli impressed with 'Rang De Basanti' 

The audiences may not have reacted overwhelmingly to Aamir Khan's presence in "Rang De Basanti", but the directors of his forthcoming films are definitely exuberant about the film. 

Kunal Kohli, who is directing Aamir and Kajol in "Fanaah", has been raving about "Rang De Basanti" since he saw it, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"It is a brilliant film with one of Aamir's brilliant trademark performances. I enjoyed watching every frame of the film. The last time I had felt similarly about Aamir's performance was in 'Lagaan'," says Kohli. 

Ask him about the decision to shoot the remainder of "Fanaah" in Poland after Aamir's reported reluctance to shoot in Kashmir and Kohli withdraws into discreet silence. 

"I have decided not to say anything on the film till I complete it and it is there for everyone to see. But, of course, Aamir is a great person to work with," he says. 

"Fanaah" is currently 70 percent complete and the producers, Yash Raj, are targeting a grand Diwali release this year. 

The film is set against the backdrop of Kashmir and has Aamir playing the role of a terrorist who falls in love with an innocent girl, played by Kajol. Tabu and Rishi Kapoor also play important roles in the film.

-*-

Shiney-Vidya in Sudhir Mishra's next

After his thought-provoking "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi", filmmaker Sudhir Mishra is all set to work with his favourite actor Shiney Ahuja in "Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan". 

The film produced by Prakash Jha, is based on the life and struggle of an actress and a writer from the Hindi film industry. Vidya Balan will play the role of the actress opposite Ahuja in the film, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"It is my tribute to the cinema of the 50s, when legendary filmmakers like Guru Dutt came out with the most memorable classics. The era also saw the emergence of some great writers," says Mishra.

The film is not particularly inspired from the life story of any particular actor. 

"I do know a lot of writers and actors who have had to slog it out the hard way to make a mark in their careers," he adds.
 
Bollywood divas in de-glam mode
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) What is it about looking like a plain Jane, if not plain frumpy, that attracts our modern-day beauties of Bollywood? Every diva, from Urmila Matondkar to Bipasha Basu and from Aishwarya Rai to Kareena Kapoor, is going into the de-glam mode.

Urmila, known for her ultra-chic appearance and attitude in "Rangeela" and "Daud", has been doing a series of no-makeup roles. The process culminated for Urmila in Jahnu Barua's "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara" where she played a simple straightforward middleclass girl.

"According to me it is far easier to play deglamourised parts where you don't have to focus on your makeup and other paraphernalia. It is just you and the camera," Urmila told IANS.

A sentiment shared by Kareena who, during Govind Nihalani's "Dev", "did nothing to my face except splash it with water and that was it, I was ready for a shot".

"Dev" is Kareena's most acclaimed film and performance to date.

So, is there any connection between deglamourisation and recognition? 

"I wouldn't really know," said Bipasha. "But once I got into a simple salwar-kameez for Prakash Jha's 'Apaharan', I felt I had transformed into a simple working-class girl."

Rani Mukerji, who has played the scrubbed no-frills working girl so many times, agreed. "It is amazing how clothes can change the way you feel. De-glam isn't so much about getting the gait and the speech right as feeling comfy in the clothes and the look. I was completely without makeup in 'Saathiya' and 'Paheli'."

Aishwarya, considered by many to be the ultimate glam-goddess, will be seen in a totally deglamourised avatar in Jagmohan Mundhra's "Provoked" where she plays a battered wife. The role requires her to be totally removed from her glamorous persona. 

"But I have made no conscious effort to look battered and bruised. It is just the way one feels when one is put in a certain traumatic situation," said Aishwarya.

Hema Malini in Gulzar's "Khushboo", Rekha in Jabbar Patel's "Musafir", Madhuri Dixit in Nana Patekar's "Prahaar", Raveena Tandon in E. Niwas's "Shool" and Juhi Chawla in Nagesh Kukunoor's "3 Deewarein" are some other actresses who dared to remove all elements of vanity from their performances by appearing utterly makeup-less on camera.
 
Sriram Raghavan to launch Mukesh's grandson
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) Director Sriram Raghavan of "Ek Haseena Thi" fame is introducing Neil Mathur, grandson of the legendary singer Mukesh, in his next film "Johnny Gaddaar". 

Many decades ago, Neil's illustrious grandfather had started his career as an actor in films like "Nirdosh", "Dukh Sukh", "Adaab Arz", "Anurag" and a cameo in Raj Kapoor's "Aah".

Neil is aware of the Mukesh mantle that he must carry forward. 

"Acting has been a dream for me since I was four. In fact, I did two films as a child. It was acting and not singing that interested me. And my father (singer Nitin Mukesh) always encouraged me. I believe one can be successfully creative in any field of showbiz - acting, direction or singing. For me it is acting," Neil told IANS.

Neil claims he has been getting several offers. 

"I have been reading scripts. But I want to focus on 'Johnny Gaddaar'. I'll start something new after this film. We are shooting "Johnny Gaddaar" in a non-stop start-to-finish schedule. I can't start anything else until it is through."

Sriram's last film "Ek Haseena Thi" came two years ago. It took him that long to break free of Ram Gopal Varma's fold and discover another area of creative activity.

But now he is directing a film strangely entitled "Johnny Gaddaar". What on earth is that? "It is a caper thriller," explains Sriram. 

"If I had to pick a genre it would have to be in the same line of vision as Tony Scott's 'True Romance' or Joel Coen's 'Blood Simple'. Nearer home I'd say it is like Abbas-Mustan's 'Baazigar'." 

Happily, "Johnny Gaddaar", produced by Jhamu Sugandh, brings back Dharmendra in a pivotal role. Of late, this wonderfully natural actor has been struggling with non-happening projects, for example Govind Menon's "Bachke Rehna Re Baba" where the director, a self-confessed fan of the exiled actor, made the actor's fortunes plummet further.

Dharmendra has also been lending his name to c-grade actioners like "Sultan" and "Jallad No. 1" and "Bhai Thakur" to keep himself busy. Sriram hopes to bring the joy of dignity back to Dharmendra's career. 

Neil is a third-generation entrant into Bollywood, just like:

Hrithik Roshan - grandfather composer Roshan, father Rakesh Roshan; 
Karisma and Kareena Kapoor - grandfather Raj Kapoor, father Randhir Kapoor; and 
Kajol - grandmother actress Shobhana Samarth, mother Tanuja.
 
Bengali actor Satya Bandopadhyay is dead
Indo-Asian News Service

Kolkata, Jan 30 (IANS) Noted Bengali stage and screen actor Satya Bandopadhyay died here Monday. He was 73. 

Members of his family said the actor died of cardiac failure at his south Kolkata residence.

Bandopadhyay, who acted in the films of directors Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, began his career in the 1950s with Utpal Dutta's People's Little Theatre (PLT). He earned accolades for his performances in all of Dutta's plays, including the famous "Angar", "Barricade" and "Duswapner Nagari" (City of Nightmare).

Besides his stage performances, Bandopadhyay was a popular face in Bengali films and TV soaps. 

A bachelor, Bandopadhyay had dedicated his life to theatre and lived a spartan life.

The Bengali film and stage fraternity paid their last respects to the actor at the Nandan Film Complex where his body was laid for public to pay homage before the cremation. 
 
Bold, spontaneous Preity Zinta turns 32
By Arpana, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) As she sails into her 32nd birthday Tuesday, Preity Zinta is no longer just a cute, bubbly actress but has established herself as a mature performer on screen and a no-nonsense person behind the scenes.

She has lived up to the expectations of fans by delivering one hit each year and bagged many awards. Be it Nikhil Advani's "Kal Ho Naa Ho" or Yash Chopra's "Veer-Zaara" or Siddharth Anand's "Salaam Namaste", she has certainly evolved.

Preity has proved she is not only beautiful but bold too. 

She twice provided evidence of her guts - first when she appeared in court to testify against the Dubai-based mafia threatening stars to pay protection money for their safety. She was honoured with the Red And White Bravery award in 2003 for it.

And the second time she was up in arms over a story published in a Mumbai newspaper based on the text of a telephonic conversation - in which Salman Khan apparently referred to his relationship with Preity. The news infuriated her and she filed a defamation suit against the newspaper.

The actress has sometimes been accused of being rude and not fitting into Bollywood's conventional heroine image but that as never slowed her down.

Despite being an outsider she didn't have to struggle to reach the top - it looked as though success was waiting for her after she zoomed in with "Dil Se" in 1998 with Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala as co-stars. 

Critics found her natural and spontaneous and filmdom threw open its doors for her without delay. Within a very short span of time she charmed all and sundry. She climbed up the ladder of success with alacrity and right now is sitting at the top and enjoying her success. 

Movie moghuls like Yash Chopra and Karan Johar are proud to work with Preity.

In 2006, she will be seen in Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna", Shirish Kunder's "Janeman", and in a guest appearance in Rakesh Roshan's "Krrish", the sequel to "Koi Mil Gaya" in which she essayed the female lead opposite Hrithik Roshan.

Her personal life is also going in the right direction. Apparently she is dating industrialist Ness Wadia and the buzz is they will tie the knot soon.

Kudos to her for managing her career and her life so well. 
 
Amitabh Bahchan undergoes medical check-up
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, recuperating after a major abdominal surgery in November, has undergone a medical check-up at a suburban Mumbai hospital, sources said Tuesday. 

The 64-year-old megastar underwent a checkup at the Nanavati Hospital in the western suburb of Vile Parle late Monday evening. 

The actor visited the hospital at 11 p.m. Monday night, underwent an MRI scan and left at around 2 a.m. Tuesday, hospital officials said. 

"Mr. Bachchan visited hospital for a regular check-up. He has been cleared of any current health problems," an official said. 

Bachchan had undergone surgery in November at a city hospital for diverticulitis of the small intestine. 

The officials, however, refused to comment on rumours that Bachchan was likely to undergo another surgery soon for hernia, which doctors had noticed during the November operation.