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IFFI: To B or not B
By Saibal Chatterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Panaji, Nov 25 (IANS) The Big B controversy refuses to go away. A day after the 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off here, the lurking spectre of megastar Amitabh Bachchan continued to haunt officials Friday.

Sources close to the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) admitted that Bachchan was in Goa but not at the venue of the IFFI inauguration on Thursday - evergreen hero Dev Anand opened the festival - something that has left organisers a little red in the face. 

However, they are adamant in their contention that Bollywood's biggest star was never formally invited to inaugurate the 36th IFFI, contrary to reports.

"The invitation that was extended to Bachchan by the Goa government of Pratapsingh Rane was certainly not for the official inaugural function to the best of our knowledge," says a senior official of the directorate. 

"It was meant for the public parade of floats that had been planned by the local administration. 

"In any case, the prerogative of deciding the name of the IFFI inauguration chief guest rests entirely with the information and broadcasting ministry," the DFF official asserts.

The decision is indeed usually taken by the ministry on the basis of recommendations made by the Film Federation of India, the industry's apex body headquartered in Mumbai. 

"The name of Dev Anand was forwarded by the FFI," says the official.

Incidentally, this is the second time in less than a decade that Dev Anand has been accorded the singular honour of formally declaring IFFI open. He had earlier done so at the 30th IFFI in Hyderabad in 1999.

Bachchan's close links with the Samajwadi Party are being seen as the primary reason why the DFF is wary of giving him a platform here. 

The superstar will, however, be in Goa later during the festival to promote "Ek Ajnabee", directed by Apoorva Lakhia, but it is not certain whether that exercise will be appended to the official activities of IFFI.

That apart, he has two major films in the 36th IFFI line-up: the opening film of the Mainstream section, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black", and Amol Palekar's "Paheli", which is in the Indian Panorama. Given the discordant note struck on the opening day itself, it is rather unlikely that Bachchan will be personally present during the presentation of these films.

Last year, when Goa hosted IFFI for the first time, Bachchan was among the most prominent invitees to the 10-day show. He even addressed an overcrowded press conference halfway through the festival, and shutterbugs and fans had a field day.

This time around, the Big B seems destined to register his presence only in the columns of controversy seekers. 
 

Clash of the Shah Rukh show and chess championships
By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Bollywood idol Shah Rukh Khan's long awaited show in front of a home crowd - his first since moving to Mumbai in the 1990s - could have taken place next month, but for the Asian Chess Championships being held at the same time.

Sources in the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said the organisers had approached them for holding the show at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Dec 11. Unfortunately for Shah Rukh fans, the stadium had already been booked for the chess championships.

For a moment, organisers of the chess meet went into a tizzy fearing that the championship, in which up to 500 players from 23 countries are expected to compete, would be disrupted despite the rent having been deposited. 

But SAI Director-General Ratan Prakash Watel assured them that no such thing would happen.

"Why should the championship be disrupted? Sports is our priority and we have given our commitment to the chess organisers and the championship will go ahead - unless they take a unilateral decision to move it elsewhere," Watel told IANS. 

"They (organisers of the Shah Rukh show) had asked for half the stadium for the show, but it will not be held during the championship," he said. 

The SAI decision not to allow the Shah Rukh Khan show during the championship has forced Javed Abidi, executive director of organisers National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), to wait for new dates from the star - and a new venue.

The original Temptation 2005 show was scheduled to be held in September, but was disallowed by Delhi Police at the last moment on grounds of potential law and order problems.

"After the show was disallowed in September, we got another date from Shah Rukh. But there was no venue available in Delhi on those dates," Abidi told IANS. 

"Now, we have again written to him to give fresh dates next month. Shah Rukh is in the US, that's why it's taking time to decide the date," he said.

The star had given Dec 8-14 as the dates, but there are simply no indoor avenues available at the time.

"After the police told us that the show could not be held outdoors, we have to stage it at a covered venue and there are not many in Delhi," Abidi said. 

Modern School, in central Delhi's Barakhamba Road was discussed as an alternate option, but the idea was dropped due to lack of parking space and insufficient entry and exit points.

Now, Abidi - and Delhi too - awaits the day when Shah Rukh's dates and a suitable venue can finally come together.
 

Foreign filmmakers at IFFI wary about piracy
Indo-Asian News Service

Panaji, Nov 25 (IANS) India's huge movie piracy business, estimated to cost the legitimate film industry heavily, has cast its shadow on the 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.

"Foreign movie makers are very sensitive (to) piracy and are therefore extremely reluctant to send prints of their films to India for the festival," a senior official of the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) told IANS.

Entries from Africa and Latin America have given the 36th edition of IFFI, which kicked off Thursday, a wider international canvas in the competitive section, considered the popularity barometer of film festivals. Even so, this section has just 14 films, including two from India.

The competition at the festival, for the past few years, had been confined to Asian films only.

A majority of the dozen odd foreign filmmakers whose films have been entered have managed to extract safekeeping guarantees from Goa's security agencies.

"We have assured them (foreign directors) that we will provide watch-and-guard security for their original movie prints," Goa's Deputy Inspector General of Police Ujwal Mishra told IANS. 

"The foreign directors aren't entirely unjustified," Mishra said, admitting that the police and other law-enforcing agencies in India were indeed lax on tackling piracy.

Apparently, foreign filmmakers have also got IFFI organisers to guarantee that cameras and other gadgets that could record screenings of their films are banned at theatres during the festival.

"It is a commitment we have made to them and I can't go back on it," festival director Afzal Amanullah told journalists, particularly those from the visual media who vociferously protested the rule disallowing them from taking their cameras to the theatres.

Amanullah, a joint secretary in the ministry of information and broadcasting, however, made a minor allowance and agreed to allow television camera crews to record clips of the opening for two minutes of all screenings at the festival.
 

British band gets rocking in 'Bluff Master'
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) British band Trickbaby is in the news because four of its compositions feature on the soundtrack of "Bluff Master". The music of UTV's Abhishek Bachchan-Priyanka Chopra starrer has been released in the market to a thunderous response. 

Abhishek Bachchan pays a tribute to the legendary Mehmood in the hit song, "Sabse bada rupaiya" (remixed by Trickbaby), already playing on television and on the music charts, reports Bollywood Trade.

The band has even shot a special video with Abhishek for the film! Based around the song writing partnership of Saira Hussain and Steve Ager as well as Jeevan Rihal (harmonium/keyboards and additional vocals), Vikaash Sankadecha (percussion) and Emre Ramazanoglu (drums), Trickbaby has evolved into a genuinely unique and celebrated band.

Aneela Mirza, Sameerudin, Araash, Trickbaby and Vishal-Shekhar have composed the tracks on the ensemble album of "Bluff Master", which releases Dec 16. 

Excerpts from an interview with the pop group Trickbaby:

Q: How did director Rohan Sippy touch base with you?

A: I think he saw us open the show at the MTV Style Awards last year in Mumbai - we busted a 10-minute mega mix in front of Rekha, Hrithik Roshan, all the Khans were out, Bipasha Basu and John Abraham were swanning around. It was a big night for us, rubbing shoulders with legends of the Indian cine world and some of India's finest biggest music makers.

Q: What was the initial feeling when he approached you to score the music of "Bluff Master"?

A: We were chomping at the bit to do it - especially when Rohan sent us the first track to remix - Mehmood's "Sabse bada rupaiya", it's such a cheeky song and by the time Trickbaby deconstructed it and put it back together again, it turned out real nice and funky. 

Our music is a bit 'soundscapey' anyway - we're big mood mongers - so it's a marriage made in heaven. It's also an honour to work with the Sippys. And Rohan is such a maverick with his edgy fresh approach to movie making - I think we have a lot in common! 

Q: How many Trickbaby songs are original compositions for "Bluff Master" and how many are modified existing tracks of Trickbaby?

A: We did the remix of "Sabse bada rupaiya", re-versioned a track called "Nine parts of desire" in Hindi especially for the movie. "Indi yarn" and "Neela" are also in the film in their original form. Apart from "Sabse..." the rest are on our first album "Hanging Around".

Q: What was the brief that Rohan gave you?

A: Largely it was a 'Just do what you do and have fun with it' brief - he threw in a few reference points like James Brown, The Whispers, Parliament, Earth Wind and Fire that gave us a good indication - we knew he wanted big drama, horns, strings, fat bass so that's exactly what we gave him.

Q: Comment on the large involvement of British-Asian composers in Bollywood - Bally Sagoo, Rishie Rich, Juggy D and others.

A: While we are not in favour of the Indian film industry constantly reinventing the old classic numbers in a remix style for their soundtracks (at the risk of losing our ability to write great new songs and nurture new writing and singing talent), we think it's great that British-Asians and Asians the world over for that matter are getting a look in and an opportunity to contribute to what is a significant part of our culture and heritage - we grew up on films like "Mother India", "Sholay", "Silsila", "Pakeezah".

Q: Can you recall any memorable experience in Mumbai while shooting for the video?

A: Our last visit to Mumbai was more than memorable - it was life changing - we got stuck in the floods on the infamous torrential Tuesday - weaving down Marine Drive that was a parade of bobbing umbrellas as far as the eye could see. We hung out with Jackie Shroff dreaming up TV formats, listening to Jethro Tull and Abida Parveen till 4 a.m., we danced with Abhishek and we even hooked up with the Big B (Amitabh Bachchan).

Q: Are you hoping to score more tracks for Bollywood titles?

A: Certainly! It's a pleasure! Bring it on!

Q: Any anxieties about "Bluff Master"?

A: Absolutely not - the movie rocks, the music rocks - what's to fear - I think it's a mould breaker and "Sabse bada rupaiya" in particular is gonna be big - I can feel it. During the shooting for the video sequences everyone from the make-up team to the tech hands - I mean 'everyone' couldn't help but sing it, dance to it and smile to it - now for me that suggests a winning formula!

Q. Tell us about your equation with Abhishek and Priyanka?

A. Abhishek and his wiggly hips and his intense gazes, is hot. Priyanka in all her perfection is hot. Trickbaby's beats are smokin'! So all in all it's going to be a roller-coaster ride - hold on tight!
 

'Iqbal' star looking for a glamorous swing
(INTERVIEW)
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) After winning hearts with his sensitive portrayal of a deaf and mute cricketer, "Iqbal" star Shreyas Talpade is now looking to don more glamorous roles.

Riding the crest of his maiden success, the actor, who portrayed the title role in the Nagesh Kukunoor movie and earned the sobriquet "The Rampur Express", wants to continue the good work but is keeping his fingers crossed.

"I am open to doing an out and out glamour role. As an actor it is my job to do well in any role," the true-blooded Mumbaikar told IANS in an interview. 

"I am in the entertainment industry and I think it is the right time for me to experiment," said Talpade, politely declining to disclose his age.

He is not overtly bothered whether the small town or village simpleton image he carries would adversely affect his chances of bagging the so-called mainstream Bollywood roles.

Talking about the "Iqbal" image, the Marathi theatre and television serial actor said it was given to him by a director and can be overshadowed and overwritten by another.

"I am already into discussions over a role that may not be very, very glamorous but is what we call the typical mainstream Bollywood role," he said.

Talpade, a one-time backbench mimicry artiste, thanks his friends for pushing him into acting, both as a collegian and as an amateur dramatist.

A commerce student of Mumbai's Mithibhai College, Talpade went on to complete a post-graduate diploma in marketing management before taking to full time acting.

"There are only two reasons why I took up acting. To begin with, it was because we used to get full attendance in college if we joined dramatics.

"But once I attended acting workshops and got more and more involved in the field, I realised this is where I wanted to be," said the son of a businessman.

Talking about the experience of sharing the screen with Girish Karnad and Naseeruddin Shah, two of the most talented actors in the country, Talpade said those two were acclaimed because of their personalities, not just acting.

"I was a bit intimidated initially about acting with the two legends. But I realised they are such humble people."

Talpade spoke about instances when both Kukunoor and Shah would take him away separately and make him feel comfortable with words like: "Don't worry about anyone. If you have problems, you can speak to me." 

He had only words of admiration for his co-star Shweta Prasad, who portrayed the role of Iqbal's sister Khadeeja in the movie.

"She's absolutely brilliant. It's mind blowing for someone of her age to be so spontaneous, understand the director and add value to the role," the screen brother said.

Without sticking on to past glory, Talpade is now looking forward to more such challenging roles.

He has already been signed up to play the role of a young M.F. Hussain, in an autobiographical film. 

The venerable painter has completed the audio recording of his autobiography, which will be directed by his son Owaiz Hussain.
 

Bollywood rejoices at Priya Dutt's victory
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) The Bollywood fraternity is lauding Priya Dutt's election to parliament from North-West Mumbai, saying she will carry on her late father Sunil Dutt's legacy of honesty and hard work. 

Actress-activist Shabana Azmi told IANS: "I campaigned for Priya, interrupting the shooting of my English film 'The Contest'. I flew down from my native village Azamgarh especially to vote. Just like me, Priya is a daughter who has inherited the legacy of her father. I've faith in her and offer her my services, for whatever they're worth. Yes, I'm quite thrilled by Priya's victory."

Rahul Bose echoed her views: "I feel elated, both for Priya and her late father. Sunil Dutt was a kind, hard-working, secular and courageous man. Priya seems to have inherited these qualities. She has my full support. 

"I was one of the first people to reach the polling booths at 7 a.m. I didn't know they were supposed to open at 8 a.m. this time. I'm extremely happy she has won. As a common citizen I'd love to actively help her in every way possible."

Many appreciated her as a quiet worker who did not try to get into the limelight.

"I'm happy for Priya. I'm sure she'll try to fulfil her father's unfinished work and ambitions. And she'll work truthfully. I see her as someone who supported and accompanied her father in his work without trying to get into the limelight or making her presence felt. She has worked quietly and that to me, is the mark of a true leader," said filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. 

Said actress-TV anchor Simi Garewal: "Dutt saab was a very close friend. I'm bursting with pride at Priya's victory. She truly deserves it. She has worked hard for many years with her father and people know that. This victory is as much for Priya as her father."

Many in the film fraternity have extended their full support to her. 

Singer Sonu Nigam said, "She seems to be a kind woman. I was supposed to campaign for her, but couldn't because of my schedules. I've high hopes from her."

TV actress Smriti Irani-Malhotra praised Priya even though the former is a Bharatiya Janata Party member. "Priya's victory is a tribute to Sunil Dutt saab's remarkable legacy and a chance for a young working-mother to prove her worth," Smriti said. 

"It's a rare chance, and I know Priya will make the best of it. I hope she continues to work in the same indefatigable spirit as her father. My congratulations to her." 

Producer-media commentator Pritish Nandy said: "It's a joyous moment for all those of us who loved Sunil Dutt and treasure his memories. He wasn't just a friend of mine but also a parliamentary colleague. I kept our friendship intact through his worst years when I was in politics and parliament under a different banner and when his party colleagues shunned him. To see his daughter victorious today swells my heart with pride...party politics be damned." 

Actress Urmila Matondkar said: "I'm happy, though not the least surprised. Priya's family commands such goodwill. I'm absolutely sure she'll keep up her father's good work and won't betray the trust people have placed in her."

Producer-director Subhash Ghai said: "I feel as though my own daughter has won. Priya will surely fulfil her father's dreams by walking on his path and following his principles."

Producer-director Ramesh Sippy: "I feel great joy at Priya's victory. She's as much a daughter of the soil as her father was a son of the nation. And now that people have elected her she carries a great burden of fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of people not only in her constituency but also the people of the country at large. I know she will be equal to the task. My best wishes are with her and her family who have stood by her."

Film, TV and stage actor Farooque Sheikh: "I'm surprised and even disappointed that (Shiv Sena leader Madhukar) Sarpotdar got even some of those votes. People loved and admired Dutt saab so much! This was a vote for him, not Priya. Priya's turn will come in the next elections. Anyway, I'm very happy for her and wish her all the best." 

Theatre-film actor-director Anupam Kher: "Dutt saab's legacy of honesty, warmth and goodness continues. I'm sure Priya will do her father proud." 

Actor Vivek Oberoi: "In my opinion Sunil Dutt saab was a messiah, an angel who helped thousands of people beyond borders of religion, caste and creed. I'm sure Priya is a true chip of the old block. She'll carry on Dutt saab's legacy." 

Actress-producer Raveena Tandon: "I'm extremely happy. I'm looking forward to more honest and incorruptible people like her in politics." 
 

It's Bollywood call for Zeenat Aman again!
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) The glamour girl of yesteryears Zeenat Aman, who stars opposite Rajesh Khanna in "Jaana", says that acting at this stage of life is not that easy.

"The film is about young people and I'd really like to do some good work. But at this stage I think it isn't that easy," Aman said.

The sultry actress, who celebrated her 54th birthday last week with her family and close friends, looks young as ever. 

Aman shot into fame with daring roles in films like "Hare Rama Hare Krishna", "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" and "Qurbani". She talks about values of life, friends and, of course, films in an interview with IANS.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: How did you celebrate your birthday?

A: It's always with my family and a very, very close group of friends who are my after-dinner circle. They've been with me for long.

Q: What are your birthday thoughts?

A: I can't help thinking about how fortunate I am to be alive and healthy. So many people I've known closely like Mazhar Khan, Smita Patil and Parveen Babi are no longer with us. One is just so happy and grateful for the gift of life, reasonable health, and family and friends to love. 

Q: Did Parveen Babi's death shock you?

A: (I was) very shocked and saddened that she was all alone. I think by virtue of her illness she shut people out. 

Q: Considering how private you are, why has your life always been under media glare?

A: When you're actively working you have to accept media attention as part of your life. It's an entire package. One can't have success without an invasion of privacy. You resign yourself to that. Now when I'm no longer that active in films, I treasure my privacy.

Q: Do you miss the constant attention?

A: No. I only miss the constant pay cheques (laughs heartily)! Compared with what today's girls are earning, our figures weren't all that rewarding.

Q: Maybe your generation wasn't that money driven?

A: I can't speak for my colleagues. But my intention was always to give my best. I worked with some of the best directors. The intention was always to do the best work possible within the commercial framework. 

Q: How do you feel about Priyanka Chopra playing your role in the new "Don"?

A: She's a lovely looking girl. I haven't interacted much with her. Whenever we've met she's been very warm... I'm delighted she's doing it. It all depends on the director how much vivacity she brings to the part. 

Q: You were the original bold-and-beautiful glamour girl. What do you think about your successors? 

A: The truth is that I haven't watched too many of them. But if a film is made with integrity and sincerity, I feel the bold-and-beautiful concept can be used lavishly and productively. If not, the effect can be jarring.

Q: In your time a lot of films like "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" and "Abdullah" overdid your sensual act. Any regrets? 

A: You know at that time one didn't look at what was done as exploitative. In hindsight it may seem like a commercial gambit. But when I did it, I didn't think I was doing anything bold. I did it all with such confidence. 

Q: When you were under a waterfall it looked like a shower. 

A: Thank you so much! But now that I'm a mom I look back at certain scenes and feel they were a little too sensuous. Fortunately my sons are so much into their own lives, they aren't interested in my films, though the elder one has seen some of my films. Today my sons have their own life. But they've given my life a whole dimension. 

Q: Are your boys interested in cinema?

A: They are teenagers. The elder one is studying at the University Of Arts in London. He's doing a course in filmmaking. The younger is here in junior college. 

Q: You're doing a film now?

A: "Jaana". It's a commercial story with an interesting role. It's appropriate to my age. It's a fun film. And my sequences are funny. It's fun shooting with my old co-star Rajesh Khanna. We did a stint in Nainital recently. I haven't really been in touch with him over the years. But at this stage it isn't that easy.

Q: What do you think of the current craving to go to Hollywood?

A: I worked in "Shalimar", the first Indo-American co-production with Rex Harrison, John Saxon and Gina Lollobrigida. Not too many people know that at the beginning of my career I did an international project, a mish-mash with a Vietnamese leading lady. 

Dev saab was also in the project. It was never really released. The world has become such a small place. Cinema is one medium that crosses all boundaries. But I don't think there is a huge market for Indian actors. We fall into the ethnic minority. But why not aspire to go beyond home ground? 

Q: You've been through a whole lot in life.

A: Life's so unpredictable. You never know when the next high or low will strike you. The trick is just to flow with the tides. I think a person's true worth is measured during times of failure. It's up to the individual to make the best that life has dealt. 

Has life been unfair to me? No! I believe if life hands you lemons you make lemonade. I'm an eternal optimist. I've no regrets. I've people who love me. I've a wonderful life. I'm grateful for what I have.

Q: Have you been unlucky in love?

A: Probably.

Q: Have you misjudged those you loved?

A: Definitely.

Q: Is there someone in your life now?

A: I'm happy. 
 

'Deewane Huey Paagal' no sequel to Bhatt film
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) Vikram Bhatt's new comedy "Deewane Huey Paagal" is modelled on the Farrelly brothers' 1998 comedy "There's Something About Mary". But it is not a sequel to Vikram's 2002 comedy "Awara Pagal Deewana".

Says the director: "We do have the same team, plus Shahid Kapoor with whom I have worked for the first time. Even Aftab, who was one of the protagonists the last time, isn't part of the main cast. But he makes a surprise appearance in 'Deewane Huey Pagal'." 

Vikram's tone softens when he speaks about Aftab. 

"He's my pal. Aftab has done the maximum films with me. In fact we've finished shooting 'Ankahee' where he plays a doctor. We have just started shooting Harry Baweja's next movie where I am also working with Urmila Matondkar for the first time." 

Right now Vikram is looking forward to "Deewane Huey Paagal". He admits it derives inspiration from the Hollywood film, just like "Awara Paagal Deewana" was modelled on "The Whole Nine Yards". 

"But only the basic plot is the same. The characters are very different from the original. 

"See, a comedy can only go a certain way. There will be either a group of men chasing a girl or infidelity or a heist or some other crime. I have chosen the first option." 

Vikram admits there's a glut of comedies in Bollywood. "I guess our film industry tends to over-do every genre until it's exhausted. 

"I cannot claim 'Deewane Huey Paagal' makes a significant departure from the comic formula. I won't call it a path-breaking film. I will call it a safe film."

Does he feel the comic genre has reached a saturation point? 

"Not really. True, 'Shaadi No.1' didn't do well. But 'No Entry' and 'Garam Masala' are hits. And although 'Deewane Huey Paagal' comes close on the heels of 'Garam Masala', I don't think audiences will find my film repetitive. 

"What Akshay Kumar did in 'Garam Masala' is quite different from what he'll be seen doing in my film." 

Though producer Feroz Nadiadwala and his favourite actor Akshay Kumar are known to make their presence felt on the sets, Vikram has no complaints. 

"All the four heroes Akshay, Suneil Shetty, Shahid Kapoor and Paresh have clearly defined roles. 

"And, yes, two of them, Suniel and Paresh, play physically challenged characters. But we don't ridicule their handicap. Nor do we use the handicap as a formula." 

Having worked with Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawail before, the director has established a certain comfort level with the two actors. "But Shahid was a new experience for me. I must say he underestimates himself as an actor. 

"He works really hard on every sequence. And though he's fine in a take, he still wants another."
 

John Abraham makes guest appearance in 'Shikhar'
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) Bollywood hunk John Abraham will make a five-minute guest appearance in his close friend John Mathew Matthan's upcoming venture "Shikhar". 

The actor will play himself in the film, reports Bollywood Trade.

Says Matthan of "Sarfarosh" fame: "It is true that I have signed John for a special guest appearance in my film. John plays himself in the film and will be seen in the film for a few minutes."

Matthan is looking forward to working with John in more projects in the future. "I'd love to work with him whenever the opportunity arises," he says. 

He is also quite enthused with the response to the film's music, despite the low-key music release. 

"The response has been extraordinary so far. I am told that the music cassettes were sold out from the music shops even before we got to know of it. It is incredible considering that we did not even announce the music release of the film. We quietly released it in the market and the cassettes are selling like hot cakes. It indicates the pre-release curiosity and the success of the film's promos," he reveals, adding that the film has an unusual musical score. 

Incidentally, the music of "Shikhar" has been composed by a first-time director P. Sameer and Mani Shankar, with Viju Shah treating the music of the film. "It is a new concept in music composition and the musical score itself is a totally novel one," he adds. 

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Aishwarya's business manager signs Sushmita 

Aishwarya Rai's business manager, Hari Singh, has approached Sushmita Sen for his production debut. 

The film titled "Nakshatra" will also mark Singh's debut as a scriptwriter. It is based on the life of a bar dancer and will be directed by Los Angeles-based Indian filmmaker Saajid Warrier. 

According to Singh, it was director Saajid who took the initiative to cast Sushmita in the film, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"I haven't met Sushmita so far but Saajid did have a meeting with her. I have been told that Sushmita has a busy date schedule but Saajid is determined to cast her in the film. He is convinced that only she can essay the role with the kind of talent and glamour that the role demands," he reveals. 

So how has Aishwarya reacted to the decision? "She's a thorough professional and is more like family to me. She is perfectly aware about the film and its script, like all the other scripts that I have been working on. However, we will have to wait and watch whether Sush can accommodate dates for the film. She's an extremely talented actress and there's no doubt that she will do a great justice to the role," he reveals. 

As for Aishwarya, Singh confesses that he has already narrated another subject to her. "She quite liked the subject when I discussed it with her," he says. 

"Nakshatra" is expected to go on the floors in early 2006 subject to Sushmita's availability of dates.

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Nana Patekar praises Murli

Nana Patekar, who is known for criticising his fellow actors, has surprised his co-star Murli Sharma by appreciating the latter's work. Murli is playing an important role in Prakash Jha's new film "Apaharan". 

Murli's only regret is that he didn't get a chance to share the screen with Nana in the film, reports Bollywood Trade. 

"I don't have any scene with Nana bhai in the film. All my major scenes are with Ajay (Devgan). Though I will never forget my first interaction with Nana bhai. I was sitting in a corner, reading after giving a shot...and he came up to me and said 'Bahut achcha kar rahe ho tum, Prakash bhi bahut taarif kar rahe the'. And I didn't know how to react. But that was very sweet of him," smiles Murli.

He has put up some brilliant performances in the recent past in films like "Maqbool", "Main Hoon Na", "Karam" and is very excited about Jha's "Apaharan", which is up for release Dec 2. 

Incidentally, in "Apaharan", the character is also called Murli who is a middleman who barters kidnapping deals. 

"It's a very colourful character and the way Prakash Jha deals with his characters and actors is amazing. All I did was simply followed his script and his instructions," says Murli.

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Big B redefines action hero in 'Ek Ajnabee'

In his next film "Ek Ajnabee", which is an action-based stylised film, Amitabh Bachchan brings gravity to the action hero. 

Bunty and Jaspreet Singh Walia, producers of "Ek Ajnabee", have started the publicity of their film aggressively with a lot of zeal, reports Bollywood Trade. 

This film has a gamut of stars, including Bachchan, Arjun Rampal and Perizaad Zorabian. Debuting for the first time in a Hindi film is the debonair Vikram Chatwal.

Apoorva Lakhia directs the film.

Amar Mohile composes the music of the film. The movie also has guest composers Vishal-Shekhar with their foot-tapping number "Mama told me".

Women MPs walk tightrope on Khushboo - say nothing
By Liz Mathew, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) South Indian actress Khushboo's remarks on premarital sex seem to have become the proverbial hot potato for women MPs with most too scared to comment, some criticising her outright and only very few defending her.

Khushboo has been under virulent attack in Tamil Nadu, where she is accused of hurting Tamil sentiment by her statement that premarital sex was okay if it was protected. Several defamation cases have been filed against her and prominent actress Suhasini Maniratnam who came out in her defence.

While the treatment meted out to the beleaguered actress, who was reduced to tears and made to apologise for her statement, provoked outrage amongst liberal circles, most women MPs IANS spoke to were scared of joining Suhasini's ranks by supporting her outright.

They belonged to all parties and all levels of seniority in parliament.

So, senior Bharatiya Janata Party's Sushma Swaraj said she could not comment until she studied the issue. Her party colleague and vocal environmental activist Maneka Gandhi joined her as did women MPs from Tamil Nadu and newly elected Mumbai North-West MP Priya Dutt.

Some admitted frankly that they did not want to appear controversial and ruffle too many feathers.

"Sometimes you have to be hypocritical. I do not want to support Khushboo's views publicly as it will send a bad message," said one MP.

"I know that in this age of IT and communication revolution, sensitivities and sensibilities have undergone a major change. You have to accept certain bitter facts. What Khushboo said is right in that sense," the MP said on condition of anonymity.

Congress' Prema Cariappa and Krishna Tirath said they felt Khushboo's views were against Indian culture, but also expressed the view that the actress should not have been hounded.

"Our culture is different. There are some things we cannot copy from the west. As our society does not approve of premarital sex, it has to be done under cover. Khushboo should not have said it," Tirath said.

She, however, added: "It's her freedom to express her opinion. Why do you want to haunt her?" 

Cariappa said: "Khushboo later explained that she was talking about safe sex, which is also very important."

BJP's Sumitra Mahajan was vociferously critical about the actress' remarks.

"An actress who is being worshipped by many teenagers should not have said what she did. She should have remembered that youngsters look up to her as a model and her comments would mislead them." 

But there were also those who came out vociferously in Khushboo's defence.

The developments in Tamil Nadu have left prominent Congress leader Margarat Alva, for instance, fuming.

"The reaction to Khushboo's remarks was unbelievable. I cannot believe that women even now are being deprived of their rights to express their views. How long do these men think that they can suppress women? I'm appalled," Alva said, adding that she would have come out publicly in support of Khushboo had she not been hospitalised for a wrist surgery.

Renowned Gandhian and Rajya Sabha member Nirmala Deshpande agreed: "Why is society so biased against women? They always hunt those women who express their independent views."

Women's activist and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP Brinda Karat expressed her ire over judicial interference and the politicisation of the issue. 

"I am surprised that the court has accepted the defamation case. There is no defamation case involved in this. It's absolutely wrong. It's her right to express her ideas," Karat said.

"It's outrageous. When women are raped in the daylight, where are these political parties?" she asked.

Where indeed!
 

'Strings' a short, cross-cultural love story
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service 

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) Get ready to watch Kabir Bedi's gora son Adam Bedi wooing the svelte Tanistha Chatterjee in Sanjay Jha's cross-cultural love story "Strings". 

Shot entirely on location at the Kumbh Mela, Jha's second film is a 94-minute English language romantic overture. 

"It's a short film, I know," admits Jha. "And I don't know how audiences will react to it. I've made it straight from my heart. I'm just as proud of 'Strings' as I was of my first film 'Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye'."

"Pran Jaye..." with a record number of expletives on the soundtrack got into serious censor trouble. When shown on satellite television recently the soundtrack was a series of beeps more than dialogues. 

Laughs Jha, "I know. What's the point of showing a film about chawlwallahs when they're gagged? Let's stop making films about people whom we can't stand by."

Jha foresees some trouble for "Strings", including sharp reactions to a British tourist courting an Indian girl. The moralists of this land do not take kindly to their bahu-beti being swept away by the 'corrupt' outsiders.

"I'd rather focus on the bright side. 'Strings' is the first Indian film to be shot completely on location at the Kumbh Mela in the midst of a crowd of 200,000 people. 

"It wasn't easy. But I am happy I did it. No point in making a routine love story with two newcomers prancing in New Zealand, which disappears faster from the theatres than the hoardings in Mumbai. Might as well do something different," Jha avers.

With a playing-time of 94 minutes, where does "Strings" hope to position itself in the film market?

"I'm not worried. The multiplexes have thrown forward a multitude of options for independent filmmakers like me. I'm sure 'Strings' will find its audience." 

Sanjay Jha has his fingers crossed.
 

IFFI has many riches on offer from overseas
By Saibal Chatterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Panaji, Nov 26 (IANS) The 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has a fair sprinkling of high quality international cinematic works on offer for those looking for more than just an outing on the Mandovi riverfront in Goa. 

Most of these entries are films by directors who are barely known in this part of the world, weaned as moviegoers here are many run-of-the-mill entertainers from either Bollywood or Hollywood.

Prominent among the films to watch in the Cinema of the World section of the ongoing festival is Chilean director Miguel Littin's "La Ultima Luna" ("The Last Moon"), set on the West Bank in the early years of the last century. 

Littin, who also happens to be the five-member IFFI competition jury chairman this year, is widely regarded as one of the finest filmmakers ever to come out of Latin America.

Littin's grandparents belonged to Palestine and much of the celebrated filmmaker's recent work has been dominated by an attempt to understand his roots and articulate the Palestinian predicament in the West Asia conflict. 

"La Ultima Luna" tells the story of two young men living in Palestine in the 1910s before World War II. It is a worthy follow-up to Littin's critically acclaimed documentary, "The Palestine Chronicle", which he shot in the very region from where his forefathers migrated to Chile nearly 100 years ago. 

Despite being a period film set in a specific milieu, "La Ultima Luna" is informed with a universal feel and a sense of humanism that helps it transcend the limitations of political cinema.

Also high up on the list of popularity is Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's "L'enfant" ("The Child"), a French-language film from Belgium. The film, which won the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival earlier this year, is a quiet little story that stands out for its warm humanism.

"L'enfant" revolves around a young couple - 20-year-old Bruno and 18-year-old Sonia - who survive on the streets of the city off the latter's benefit and the spoils from the former's petty crimes. Sonia gives birth to a child and Bruno is faced with an existential question -can he rid himself of his carefree ways and shoulder the responsibility of fatherhood? 

The Dardenne brothers squeeze an emotionally affecting and intellectually convincing drama out of this simple vignette of life on the fringes of urban existence. "L'enfant" screens at the 36th IFFI as part of the focus on contemporary French-language cinema. 

Yet another Cannes winner, Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke's politically loaded thriller, "Cache" ("Hidden"), pushes the theme of racism in contemporary French society further than any other mainstream film has done in recent years. But it does so with a remarkable degree of subtlety. 

Bolstered by first-rate performances by lead actors Juliette Binoche and Daniel Autieul, "Cache" is about a media executive who is pushed to the edge by the realisation that somebody out there is keeping a watch on every movement of his, a fact proven repeatedly by the arrival of clandestinely shot tapes of his house and its environs. 

Haneke's French production captures the post-9/11 urban fear psychosis with eerie precision. The filmmaker won the best director prize in Cannes.

Also in the IFFI line-up this year is "Manderlay", the second instalment of Danish director Lars von Trier's intended anti-US trilogy that began in 2003 with the outstanding "Dogville". 

Employing the minimalist style that marked "Dogville", Manderlay enters the heart of a remote plantation where slavery is alive and kicking many decades after its declared abolition. Von Trier peels off a layer of the "American truth" to reveal an ugly picture of human decadence. 


Manmohan Singh liked 'Taj Mahal', says Akbar Khan
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took some time off from his schedule to watch writer-director Akbar Khan's latest release "Taj Mahal", which he termed as "educative and entertaining".

Singh watched the Rs.750-million historical opus at his official residence in New Delhi with his entire family. He called the film "a brilliant effort to convey one of the salient periods of history through the medium of cinema...", according to director Khan.

After the film drew criticism from a section, including film critics, the words of appreciation from the prime minister came as music to the ears for Khan.

"I presented him a print of the film. He called back to say he wanted to meet the entire team. The lead pair Zulfiker Syed and Sonia Jehan, along with Arbaaz Khan, Pooja Batra, co-producer Irshad Alam and my wife, daughter and sister and I met the prime minister Thursday," Khan told IANS. 

"I was thrilled by his comments and also when he told me that he had met the visiting president of Indonesia and told him to see my 'Taj Mahal' to see what Bollywood was all about."

The prime minister also assured Khan that the possibility of "Taj Mahal" being granted tax exemption would be examined. 

"We are also meeting Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit to discuss this," said Khan.

Commenting on the controversies about the film's mammoth budget, he remarked: "People who have not seen the film doubt my budget. Those who have seen it know exactly where the Rs.750 million have gone. 

"I have spent that much. That makes it the most expensive Indian film. My financiers, partners and distributors have full faith in me. They have told me they are just happy to be associated with 'Taj Mahal'." 

Khan admits the promotion of "Taj Mahal" was premature and the lack of star-value hampered the film's prospects. 

"But even 'Titanic' had no stars. But it spread like wildfire. I am proud of my cast. People have liked them. Even if I had the choice of Shah Rukh, Salman or Aamir for Shehzada Khurram's role, I wouldn't have taken them. 

"They are great actors and I would love to work with them. But stars don't work as historical characters. They wouldn't have suited the role."
 

Plagiarism slur on film fest documentary 'Jaws of Death'
Indo-Asian News Service

Guwahati, Nov 26 (IANS) The maker of a wildlife documentary film titled "Jaws of Death", screened at the Indian panorama section of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Panaji, has been charged by an Assamese cinematographer with visual plagiarism.

Produced and directed by Gautam Saikia from Assam, "Jaws of Death" depicts the plight of animals at the Kaziranga National Park during high floods.

Jyoti Prasad Das, a veteran cinematographer from the state, alleged that Saikia used a number of his "exclusive footage" in the film without his permission. 

"Some of the main visuals in the film were shot by me and no one else has the right to use them without my consent. This is absolutely unethical and is nothing but visual plagiarism," Das told IANS. 

"My visuals were stolen without my knowledge and he did not even bother to take my verbal consent to use some of my exclusive shots in his film. Let him prove the shots were taken him."

He challenged Saikia to prove his innocence. 

"The shots of a dead deer on the highway, an elephant crossing the highway with vehicles stranded on both side and a deer crossing the highway were some of my shots that figured prominently in the film," Das said. 

"I had used Saikia's studio facility to preview my tapes and in the process had to download all the visuals in his computer. Probably in my absence he copied some of my visuals and later used in the film as his subject and mine were similar," Das said. 

A number of wildlife get knocked down by speeding vehicles on the national highway that adjoins the park, as the animals flee to higher grounds to escape the annual deluge.

The documentary had already bagged two awards - Assam state awards for documentary films and the best film award in Northeast Documentary Film Festival in Shillong earlier this year.

The documentary was screened Friday at Panaji.

Lucky Ali concert postponed in Delhi
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) The much-awaited Lucky Ali concert, slated for Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, was postponed due to security reasons, organisers said.

The concert, organised by NGO Seher and OXFAM International to create awareness among the youth about the plight of ordinary farmers in India, was cancelled Saturday morning.

"The concert was postponed by the Delhi administration citing some security reasons. We are not sure but it may happen in December," said Sanjeev Bhargava of Seher.

"We regret the inconvenience but there is nothing we can do about it now. However he said that since it was a free for all concert, it wasn't much of a loss for the organisers," Bhargava added. He said he received the information at 10.30 this morning. 

However, police denied that the event was cancelled due to security reasons.

"It was not cancelled due to security reasons. The organisers were earlier planning for a different venue but later decided to hold it at the stadium. 

"But two other events going on in the same venue led to the decision," said Anil Shukla, additional deputy commissioner of police, south Delhi. 

In September, Shah Rukh Khan's 'Temptation 2005' at the same venue was cancelled as Delhi Police denied permission to stage it.