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By Subhash K Jha
“It’s no longer a film, it’s a movement!” says Amitabh Bachchan as his latest starrer Black acquires cult proportions across the country.
The latest in the film’s long line of quick impressive and utterly singular achievements is a large advertisement placed by an individual in Mumbai’s largely-circulated tabloid Mid-day.
The ad announces, “If you’ve watched and liked Munnabhai MBBS, Main Hoon Na, Murder, Ab Tak Chappan, Dhoom, Tere Naam, Kisna, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Hulchal, Julie and Rog, then please go and watch Black, you’ll get to know the difference between a mediocre and a brilliant film.”
The ad, issued by a company called Sunny Advertising, comes with a ‘warning’— ‘This is not a paid advertisement.’
Sanjay Leela Bhansali laughs with a mixture of joy and embarrassment. “It’s truly gratifying to have people rally around the film in such large numbers. Every section of the audience has become possessive of Black which is very reassuring for a filmmaker like me. I took a big risk and it has paid off. At the same time I don’t want my colleagues who are gifted in their own right and who are doing their own thing, to feel that my achievement undermines theirs. The ad in Mid-day is very touching."
"And I’m thankful to the people behind it who have gone to so much trouble and expense to let the world know how much they love my film. But the other films mentioned in the ad are by colleagues whom I respect. I don’t want fans of Black to create the impression that the achievements by others are in any way less valuable. Not at all! There‘s room in our cinema for every kind of film. I’m as happy doing my own thing as other filmmakers are doing theirs.”
Between films, Bhansali feels a sense of emptiness after the release of Black. “The film is out and everyone has embraced it. But now I’m restless. I feel like a mother who has delivered a baby. The world is fussing over it while the mother has nothing to do. I want to move on, make another film. There’re so many other ideas that I want to put on screen. Now that Black has worked so wonderfully I want to push even more in a direction that’s entirely my own.”
Pausing for breath, the master-creator adds, “What’s been specially wonderful is the support and love I’ve received from all my colleagues in the film industry. They’ve all come forward in one voice to show their appreciation for what I’ve done. My friend Karan Johar hasn’t seen Black. He’s been unwell. But I’m dying to show it to him.”
By Subhash K Jha
It looks like 2005 is after all, the year of the letter ‘B’. Bachchan and Black are creating the kind of impact that has never been experienced in the Indian film industry.
“I’ve no clue about anyone else. I haven’t experienced anything like this in my entire career. It’s almost as if I’m starting anew as an actor. The kind of words and praise I’m hearing for Black has rejuvenated me,” says Amitabh Bachchan.
Enthuses Tamil superstar R Madhavan. “He has made all of us actors in this country look so small! With this one performance in Black Bachchan sir has made all of us looks like `bachchas`. I’ve categorically stated on my website that Black and Mr Bachchan have proved what the rest of us are doing is nothing in comparison. I don’t want to go back to my usual shooting after Black! ”
Mr Bachchan smiles as I narrate Madhavan’s words to him. “The response has been so overwhelming, I can’t even begin to express my joy. When Shah Rukh wrote and told me he just wanted to hold me and cry I felt like weeping in joy. Or when Cathy Meades, the programmes director of the BBC wrote a long and utterly insightful critique on the film…. She says she’s determined to take the film to the Oscars. Though that wasn’t the goal I had set for Black— the film has surpassed all my expectations on every count—it seems the unanimous feeling is that Black should get an Oscar.”
Writes Meade, “Your performance can only be described as that of the magician, the alchemist that transforms everything he touches… What is most wonderful for me is that the role not only allows some truly magical expression of your artistry and creativity but also captures something onscreen that can only come from your own soul. Drawing on everything from your astonishing fire and passion to your wicked humour to your incomparable ability to inspire courage and love and devotion in others.”
Big B never seemed bigger. Or more grateful. “Such lavish and generous words of praise for Black, they humble me beyond words! I’ve no way to express what I feel right now about the reactions to my performance. I’ve to admit that I gave all of myself to playing Devraj. But it’s finally the magic of Sanjay Leela Bhansali that transforms the film and all the performances into something that has swayed audiences all over into a collective appreciation of cinema and life. I’m just one of the components in Sanjay’s astonishing vision. I’m finished as an actor unless Sanjay signs me again,” sighs Bachchan.
While reports of the film’s upswing at the boxoffice continue to pour in Amitabh Bachchan prepares to move to the next level. “I don’t know what that level is,” he sighs. “But after Black I’m hungering for the opportunity to go beyond.”
There are reports that Aishwarya Rai , the Bollywood stunner who is presently shooting in the UK, has been invited to present an award at the Oscars on February 27, Sunday.
A news agency quotes Gurinder Chadha – the director of Bride and Prejudice – as saying: “It's a unique honor for an Indian entertainer, and one that Ash shouldn't miss for the world.”
However, it is still not fully confirmed that Ash will be able to make it to the biggest awards ceremony in the world as she will continue shooting at the Isle of Man (in the Irish Sea) for Chadha’s husband’s movie ‘Mistress of Spices’ till Saturday night.
“We'll try to get her out into the US the same night,” said Chadha who will herself be attending the Oscars as the date for Sid Ganis, the deputy chairperson of the Academy awards.
Chadha added that Miramax, the US distributor of ‘Bride and Prejudice’, is very keen to get Ash to the Oscars.
(Agencies)
New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Be it the West or the East, "Indian cinema is the hottest selling ticket. Bollywood has become the flavour of the season from the US to the Middle East," said legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan Friday.
"We are getting to the world. Hindi films are being premiered simultaneously in Mumbai, Manhattan and Manchester," maintained the charismatic actor, who enthralled the audience at the India Today conclave with his masterly exposition of the myths and reality of Indian cinema.
"I am just an actor belonging to the Hindi film industry. I come here to neither praise nor bury cinema," he said in his trademark baritone.
In what was clearly a rhapsody on the power and magic of popular Hindi cinema, he spoke about the thrall of films from his childhood in Allahabad.
"Hindi cinema is an Eden-like paradise of stories, the wonderland painted in colours of everyday reality. This blend of beauty and sorcery is the secret of cinema. That magic is alive," he said.
Reeling off statistics, the actor expounded passionately on the burgeoning film industry in the "republic of entertainment."
"India makes over 1,000 films every year, with films in Tamil and Telugu outstripping the ones made in Hindi. By 2012, Indian cinema is going to be the third biggest player in Indian economy," the actor said, inviting investors to make money in Bollywood.
"Close to 90 percent of the films being made every year flop, but that doesn't stop people from dreaming of striking gold here," he added.
Bachchan, known as the "angry young man" for his early films like "Deewar" and "Zanjeer", also questioned popular myths and misconceptions about Bollywood as they lacking in substance.
"There is a misconception that popular cinema caters to the front benches and basic instincts. Some critics point out that Indian cinema instigates crime. If that were the case, Bihar, which has the least number of cinema halls, will have the lowest crime rate as well," he argued.
Speaking about the power of cinema, he said the word "filmy" and Bollywood have become a part of popular lexicon. Bachchan celebrates global dreams of Indian cinema
13 Hours,34 minutes Ago
[Bollywood News]: New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Be it the West or the East, "Indian cinema is the hottest selling ticket. Bollywood has become the flavour of the season from the US to the Middle East," said legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan Friday.
"We are getting to the world. Hindi films are being premiered simultaneously in Mumbai, Manhattan and Manchester," maintained the charismatic actor, who enthralled the audience at the India Today conclave with his masterly exposition of the myths and reality of Indian cinema.
"I am just an actor belonging to the Hindi film industry. I come here to neither praise nor bury cinema," he said in his trademark baritone.
In what was clearly a rhapsody on the power and magic of popular Hindi cinema, he spoke about the thrall of films from his childhood in Allahabad.
"Hindi cinema is an Eden-like paradise of stories, the wonderland painted in colours of everyday reality. This blend of beauty and sorcery is the secret of cinema. That magic is alive," he said.
Reeling off statistics, the actor expounded passionately on the burgeoning film industry in the "republic of entertainment."
"India makes over 1,000 films every year, with films in Tamil and Telugu outstripping the ones made in Hindi. By 2012, Indian cinema is going to be the third biggest player in Indian economy," the actor said, inviting investors to make money in Bollywood.
"Close to 90 percent of the films being made every year flop, but that doesn't stop people from dreaming of striking gold here," he added.
Bachchan, known as the "angry young man" for his early films like "Deewar" and "Zanjeer", also questioned popular myths and misconceptions about Bollywood as they lacking in substance.
"There is a misconception that popular cinema caters to the front benches and basic instincts. Some critics point out that Indian cinema instigates crime. If that were the case, Bihar, which has the least number of cinema halls, will have the lowest crime rate as well," he argued.
Speaking about the power of cinema, he said the word "filmy" and Bollywood have become a part of popular lexicon.
[Bollywood News]: So is it the year of the letter ‘B’ or not? We shall soon find out. After the glorious triumph of Black, Bollywood is all set for the release of the year’s first multi-starrer. Bewafaa is crucial for many careers, most of all director Dharmesh Darshan who after the initial spurt of successes like Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan has been lying low with two thundering flops Mela and Han Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya.
Darshan needs a hit badly. He has his favourite leading man Akshay Kumar (currently going through an extremely productive phase) plays the lead. But so does Anil Kapoor, the Bewafaa producer Boney Kapoor’s brother who hasn’t seen a hit in ages.
Can Akshay countermand the spell of ill luck in the director and producer’s life?
That’s not all. Bewafaa gives Manoj Bajpai and Shilpa Shetty’s sibling Shamita the chance to play villain and vamp. And Sushmita Sen gets to play Anil Kapoor’s dead wife, her first traditional wife’s role.
But the film is most critical to Kareena Kapoor. In the central role she stars as Sushmita’s sibling who must marry her widowed brother-inlaw.
Bewafaa is a remake of B.R. Chopra’s 1960s’ hit Gumrah, though this is a fact that the film’s makers are trying hard to suppress. Why? Could it be because they don’t want to pay up hefty adaptation rights?
Jokes a producer, “All his life Boney Kapoor has been paying up hefty sums for remake rights of South Indian films. For the first time he’s remaking a Hindi film, and that too unofficially. Maybe it will work for him this time.”
While the year has started with two unusual successes Page 3 and Black, thereby disproving the common belief that films released at year-beginning are losers, Bewafaa could prove to be the first conventional hit of the year.
Or so the industry would like to believe. Another newcomer, and this one well connected, is being launched this week. Manisha Koirala’s brother Siddharth makes his long-delayed debut in Fun Can Be Dangerous Sometimes. Seemingly specific to the sleaze market it seems an unworthy debut for a Koirala. Moreover after the failure of sister Manisha’s cheesy Chahat Ek Nasha last week can Siddharth get audiences interested in the sleaze thing this week?
Clearly the Big One on February 25th is Bewafaa. The rest of the releases are at best satellites hovering around to get in a murmur edgewise. Will Akshay Kumar’s ongoing luck and Kareena’s newly discovered success after Aitraaz and Hulchul rub off on this rehash of a popular evergreen?
Bewafaa does feature the rare and prestigious voice of Lata Mangeshkar. She has proved lucky for both the films Veer-Zaara and Page 3 where she sang last year. Will the Nightingale prove third-time lucky for Bewafaa and will 2005 actually be the year of the letter ‘B’? (Agencies)
[Bollywood News]: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is to take up the quiz master's seat once again with the hugely popular television game show - "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC) - slated to make a comeback some time around August this year.
The television show that re-launched Amitabh Bachchan's career will return on Star television in a new format and with a larger booty than before, said Deepak Segal, STAR India's executive vice-president, content and communications.
The show, an Indian version of the British game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", could begin some time in August-September, said Segal, but efforts are on to have telephone lines for participating in the show open by June.
Segal was quoted as saying in the local media that they were in talks with fixed line and mobile telephone companies to have the lines opened well before the scheduled re-launch of the show.
This time the maximum prize money has been doubled to Rs.20 million ($457,000) for correct answers to all 15 questions that a participant is asked.
In a change from the earlier format, the new version would enable one to claim a share of the bounty on telephone or mobile short messaging service without appearing on the show.
Amitabh Bachchan has given dates for the shooting of the show, that was the most-watched in Indian television history.
However, this time the show wouldn't be as long as it was in 2001 when it ran 305 episodes. Segal said the new KBC would have only 85 episodes that would be shot between May and September.
It couldn't be known how many times a week the show would be telecast.
Indo-Asian News Service
(Agencies)
Ayesha Kapur, the child actor in Black on Bhansali, Bachchan and Cruise
Who made a better Michelle McNally in Black, Rani or you?
I don’t know. Rani is really good. I can’t say anything about myself because I don’t have much experience. Rani is an actress, so maybe she was better.
What did Sanjay Bhansali tell you before he signed you up?
He spoke to my mom. But on the sets, he would instruct me all the time. He would say, ‘‘Ayesha, roll your head. Ayesha, use your eyes.’’ Before every shot, he’d sit down and tell me what Michelle must be feeling at that moment. He made me understand Michelle.
Did he ever get angry with you?
Never. At least not that I know of. He would always tell me, ‘‘Good show, Ayesha. Mind-blowing, Ayesha.’’
How did Amitabh Bachchan react when you slapped him?
He said, ‘‘Aah, Ayesha, you really hit me hard.’’ I had to slap him three times before the shot was okayed. He acted as though I had really hurt him.
What did you call him on the sets?
I started with Mister Bachchan, then went on to Amitji because everyone called him so. But then I started calling him Amitabh. Nowadays, I call him Amitabh.
Have your friends seen Black?
No, the film’s just out.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to be an actress, but I’d also like to pursue writing seriously. I write poems, stories and what-I-did-today kind of stuff.
What was the most difficult scene in Black?
There’s this scene where my dad slaps me because I turn the cradle over. The shot took a long time because he wasn’t really hitting me, and the slap didn’t look real enough. Finally, my mom had to say, ‘‘Just hit her and get on with it.’’ But when he slapped me, the impact was so hard that I fell on my knees and scraped them. That really hurt.
Who are your favourite actors?
I like Amitabh. He’s really good. I also like foreign actors. Tom Cruise is very cute.
Did your parents gift you anything special after the film?
No, because they don’t need to. Actually, my mom has given me the biggest gift by being present with me on every single day of shooting. She convinced my dad to let me do Black. She even fought with him on her birthday when he told her to come home for a day, because she wanted to be with me.
Do you want to act in more movies?
Yeah. I would like to do a film with horses. I am on a horse farm right now and enjoy riding a lot. (Agencies)
Ayesha Kapoor is the bright future artist of our film industry. This small girl played the role of Rani Mukherjee's childhood in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black'. Though Ayesha has worked for quite some time on the small screen, her acting as a blind child in 'Black' is so natural that the people are wondering if she is really blind. Even Amitabh expressed his desire to meet her after he watched the film.
Indore, Feb 21: Noted music composer A R Rahman would receive the prestigious 'Lata Mangeshkar Award' for year 2004.
Instituted by the Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh government, the award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation, and would be presented to the music composer at a function on April 24, official sources said here today.
The Lata Mangeshkar Award has been instituted in honour of the legendary singer, who was born in Indore.
Rehman will also perform live after the felicitation ceremony, the sources said, adding, besides Rehman, other noted singers too have been invited for giving live performance on the opening day of the function.
The function, from April 22-24 will be sponsored by the state government, State Bank of Indore and Indore Development Authority, the sources added. (Agencies)
ANI
Mumbai, Feb.23 : In spite of having undergone three major back surgeries, actor Sunny Deol continues to be distressed by back pain and has now learned to live with it.
The surgeries may have reduced the intensity of the pain, but Sunny still hasn't been able to free himself from it totally. In order to reduce it further, the actor has to exercise regularly. Yoga has been a great help when it comes to reducing the pain. Sunny has now realized that the pain will probably never cease to exist and has decided to accept it bravely and move on with his life.
By ANI
Bombay, Feb. 20 : After "Jhankaar Beats" released two years ago, director Sujoy Ghosh is now ready to announce his second project very soon.
To be produced by Percept-Sahara, "Home Delivery" will feature Vivek Oberoi, Mahima Chaudhry in a sexy 'avatar' and Bipasha Basu in an Indian 'avatar'. Vishal-Shekhar who worked for Sujoy in "Jhankar Beats", will score the music and Sudeep Chatterjee of "Kyun...Ho Gaya Na", "Mast" and "Lucky" will do the cinematography.
People In Defense For Animals (PIDA), an NGO working for the welfare of animals, has issued a legal notice to producer-director Karan Johar for the alleged use of wild animals in his next film, 'Kaal', being directed by his assistant Soham Shah.
The notice alleges that tigers, lions, pythons, owls and monkeys have been handled in a cruel manner, and without obtaining prior permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India.
Even before its release, Sins has stirred up a hornet's nest. Father Pravin Fernandes of Archdiocese of Bombay Catholic Communication Center has raised an objection and plans to stall the release of the film. The film shows a chaste Catholic priest giving in to lust and falling for a young girl half his age. Director Vinod Pande maintains that the film is based on a true story that had transpired in Kerala. Meanwhile television channels have refused to telecast the promos of the film s
How do you react to the exceptional praise?
Yaaaaay! I want to enjoy what I'm finally getting in Black . I can't right now think of the future. If I did then I should get married and retire. What makes me really happy is the messages of appreciation. People have suddenly become aware of the deaf and the blind. And physically challenged people are also responding to Black . I think all of us actors should do at least one socially relevant role every year. At the same time I love doing my song and dance routine.
Black defies all superlatives. Isn't it an honour to be part of something so pathbreaking?
From the time I heard the script I knew this would be a very special film. I've never been afraid of commercial failure. Any artiste who signs a film thinking it would be a hit is in for a disappointment. You just have to do what you believe in. And I really believed in Black . While it was being made I knew something extraordinary was happening.
As it was shot I knew it was going to be a landmark. There is no dispute about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's talents. After Devdas he could've done yet another song-and-dance extravaganza. But he chose an unusual story of a bonding between a physically challenged girl and her teacher. And he chose an unusual star cast like Mr Bachchan and me. Black wasn't just another film. It needed a lot of homework from the director and the actors. Sanjay could've made Black as a small dark art-house film. He turned the story into inspirational epic.
The vision that he has given to the subject calls for a standing ovation, and it's getting it. To work in a film by Bhansali is said to be an extraordinary experience. Sanjay doesn't carry around the baggage of self-importance. He's so much fun on the sets. With him great shots aren't a reason for self-congratulation. They're a matter of fact. Of course we were both serious about our work. But off-camera it was masti all the way. When we would watch our shots the cameraman Ravi Chandran, Sanjay and I would praise ourselves. That got us so charged for a 100 days. All artistes need that push to do better. Sanjay is brilliant at that. On his sets even the light-man does his job better. No one wants to let his vision down.
Did Sanjay help you with the deaf and blind girl's mannerisms?
When he'd enact the mannerisms he was terribly funny and cute. We'd die laughing. I was really fearful about the challenge. I didn't want my director to regret the decision of signing me. Initially, I just wanted Sanjay to be happy with my performance. I pushed myself into learning the sign language. My instructor Sangeeta Gala came home for 3-4 hours everyday. To learn to communicate with hands and fingers was physically tiring. And Sanjay is a tireless perfectionist.
He gave me six months to prepare. I think that's mind-blowing. For a director to put his vision on hold to let his actors prepare is a sign of perfection. If I didn't have the time to learn the sign language, I'd only be concentrating on getting that right.
How was it bonding in such an exceptional way with Amitabh Bachchan?
I've always been in awe of Amit uncle. He's always been incomparable. Everyone in my entire family is an AB fan. I admire him as an actor. After working with him I admire him even further. He is truly exemplary. He showed me how humble a person can remain after getting all the accolades of the world. Because of my immense love and respect for him I had no trouble expressing the same through my character in Black . On the sets he was constantly joking and behaving almost as though Black was his first film. At times I'd go up to him and tell him to go home and get some rest. I felt so protective of him. After watching him do the gruelling shots I wanted to press his feet and hands — just like Michelle in Black . I wonder at his age would I've even an iota of his energy! To have him on screen is to automatically enhance your own performance. Because acting is also about reacting.
As Abhishek's co-star, was it tough for you to do a kissing sequence with Amitabh?
We were all quite nervous. I call Amitji uncle. And for my character to ask to be kissed by him was quite something. But that is such cathartic moment for my character. I wasn't thinking of myself; I was thinking of Michelle.
What next?
Shaad Ali's Bunty Aur Babli which is completely antithetical to Black. Then there's Ketan Mehta's Mangal Pandey . I'm very confident about the work I'm doing but not complacent. In Shah Rukh Khan's production being directed by Amol Palekar I'm trying a new dialect. I have also got Karan Johar's next directorial venture.
Mumbai, Feb 23: Actor Vijay Raaz, who arrived here today on his release by Dubai police after being detained on drug charges, claimed that he was innocent and that a urine examination by police had tested negative for drugs.
Vijay, who was released last night by UAE police, told newsmen that "charges against me were withdrawn after the test".
Admitting that around six grams of ganja had been found in a bag in his possession, he said, "Yes, the police recovered the drugs from my bag. But honestly speaking, I have no clue as to how they landed in my bag".
To a query whether he suspected any foul play, he said, "I do not really know of any such enemy who would want to cause me such harm. I believe that I have a lot of friends and fans who genuinely love me and my work. In fact, a lot of people here in the industry prayed for my release".
"I do not immediately suspect anyone and I cannot point fingers until I have some conclusive proof", he said.
"I was asked to sign some papers which were in Arabic by the police there. I signed the papers without really understanding what was written. I think the papers contained some charges framed against me, but I am still not clear what was written in them. There appears to be some miscommunication and matters only seem to have got worse after signing those papers", he said.
However, the actor claimed that he continued to cooperate with the police there since he knew he was innocent. "A subsequent urine test proved that I am innocent", he said. (Agencies)
ESPN-Star follows Zee proposal on telecast
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New Delhi, Feb 23: A day after Zee Telefilms proposal, rival ESPN-Star Sports (ESS) today made a "counter offer" to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to produce and telecast the forthcoming India-Pakistan cricket series, agreeing to deposit all advertising revenues and share feed with public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.
In a letter addressed to BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra, ESS managing director Rik Dovey said the sports broadcaster was ready to produce the series "in accordance with international standards and at a minimum as required by the BCCI's invitation to tender dated August 7, 2004."
Dovey said ESS was also ready to share the telecast feed with Prasar Bharati.
"Either the BCCI or ESS will provide to Prasar Bharati the right to telecast the above matches on terms acceptable to the BCCI," he said, inviting BCCI to jointly approach the Madras High Court with the proposal. (Agencies)
Amitabh Bachchan feels absolutely overwhelmed by the response Black has fetched. "I haven't experienced anything like this in my entire career. It's almost as if I'm starting anew as an actor. The kind of words and praise I'm hearing for Black has rejuvenated me."
Enthused Tamil superstar R Madhavan says, "He has made all of us actors in this country look so small! With this one performance in Black, Bachchan has made all of us look like bachchas (kids).
"I've categorically stated on my website that Black and Mr Bachchan have proved that what the rest of us are doing is nothing in comparison. I don't want to go back to my usual shooting after Black ," said Madhavan.
"The response has been so overwhelming I can't even begin to express my joy. When Shah Rukh wrote and told me he just wanted to hold me and cry, I felt like weeping in joy."
"Or when Cathy Meade of BBC wrote a long and utterly insightful critique on the film.... She says she's determined to take the film to the Oscars. Though that wasn't the goal I had set for Black - the film has surpassed all my expectations on every count - it seems the unanimous feeling that Black should get an Oscar."
Meade has written, "Your performance can only be described as that of the magician, the alchemist that transforms everything he touches... What is most wonderful for me is that the role not only allows some truly magical expression of your artistry and creativity but also captures something onscreen that can only come from your own soul."
"Drawing on everything from your astonishing fire and passion to your wicked humour to your incomparable ability to inspire courage and love and devotion in others."
The Big B never seemed bigger - or more grateful.
"Such lavish and generous words of praise for Black ... they humble me beyond words! I've no way to express what I feel right now about the reactions to my performance. I've to admit that I gave all of myself to playing Devraj."
"But it's finally the magic of Sanjay Leela Bhansali that transforms the film and all the performances into something that has swayed audiences all over into a collective appreciation of cinema and life."
"I'm just one of the components in Sanjay's astonishing vision... I'm finished as an actor... unless Sanjay signs me again," sighs Amitabh.
While reports of the film's upswing at the box office continue to pour in, Amitabh Bachchan prepares to move to the next level.
"I don't know what that level is," he sighs. "But after Black I'm hungering for the opportunity to go beyond."
Neha Dhupia is getting bolder with each film. If she emerged in a bikini in her debut film Qayamat and gave the audience a shock with her bold sexual scenes in the film, she went backless in Julie and played a role very few debutantes would choose — a sex-worker.
And now her latest film Sheesha shows her in a bikini top, clad against a bare-chested Sonu Sood. The film promises more titillation.
This seems to be her route to success. "The promos of the film are decided by my director and not me," she plays safe and adds, "Since I wore a bikini at the Miss India pageant, I have no inhibitions wearing it on screen. What is the hue and cry about," she lashes out.
Just that she seems to be strengthening her 'bold' image, by being part of only skin flicks. Is that to substantiate her statement 'that only Shahrukh Khan and sex sell?'
"I have no issues doing films where sex is justified. In fact, our audiences need to get mature and accept such films because six months down the line, such scenes will be a part of every film. I am not exposing! The day I feel I am doing it, I will stop," comes the calculated reply.
What made her accept Sheesha that doesn't even fall in the bracket of an 'A' grade film? "The film's script," she replies simply. She insists that her films "have had social messages. Sheesha is a thriller. It was exciting to play my first double role in the film. I am happy and in love but certain events alter my life," says she of her role as Sia.
"I am always nervous before my releases, just that I don't show it," adds she. "I want to explore all genres. I would love to do a period film and work with Shyam Benegal," comes the unexpected rejoinder. But her image and serious cinema don't really go hand-inhand?
"Just wait and watch the next half of the year," she retorts. "I have Ekta Kapoor's comedy Kya Kool Hain Hum and Guddu Dhanoa's next film after Sheesha titled Siskiyaan coming up for release."
Hrithik Roshan on being nominated in the Best Actor category for the 50 th golden Filmfare Awards
How does it feel to be nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor award for ‘Lakshya’?
“It feels damn good! Personally, I was extremely happy with my work in ‘Lakshya’.”
Were you expecting the nomination after all the positive response to your role?
“Yes, I was expecting a nomination for the film, because I had worked pretty hard on the role. It would have been quite a let down if I had not been nominated for ‘Lakshya’.”
Who do you consider your closest competitor?
“I cannot even consider an answer to that, with Mr Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan being nominated in the same category. I’m glad I don’t have to choose, because they are both fantastic actors. Even complimenting them is embarrassing, because they are far beyond words! It’s just an honour to be nominated on the same platform as them.”
While shooting for the film, did it ever cross your mind that you had an award winning role?
“If I did have that thought in my mind, I would probably have not been nominated, because I wouldn’t have been able to do a great job. It doesn’t work that way, because if you’re faking it, it shows. I still think I am an aspiring actor and I don’t know much. All I’m certain about is that if it’s not from your heart, it definitely shows on-screen.”
What did your father Rakesh Roshan have to say about the nomination?
“Dad is very proud and he’s hoping I win the award. But, of course, that’s because he’s my father!”
BOMBAY (Reuters) - Christian groups in India on Monday demanded a ban on a Bollywood movie depicting a sexual relationship between a Catholic priest and a woman half his age, saying it hurt their sentiments.
The Hindi-language film, called Sins, is set for release on Friday.
"Religion needs to be a personal affair and should not be a subject for entertainment or for commercial use," Joseph Dias, general secretary of Catholic Secular Forum, said in a statement.
He said Christians would demonstrate in front of cinemas planning to screen the film and various Catholic groups had begun collecting signatures to support demands for the ban.
Director Vinod Pande said the film was not intended to hurt anybody's sentiments.
"It's about a forbidden love. There was no agenda whatsoever to hurt anyone," he said.
Christians make up just about 2 percent of India's more than 1 billion people. Hindus make up about 80 percent and Muslims 13 percent.
NEW DELHI: In a clear departure from the previous BJP-led NDA government's stand on blipping out adult content from television, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning a more pragmatic policy that will allow adult films to be shown late at night.
“Why not?'' asked Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy.
“There has to be an appropriate time-slotting for films that have been certified by the Censor Board.''
Reddy added that video music albums, which had adult content, could also be shown appropriately late in the night. "We are not for control but we do want the channels to self-regulate," the Minister said.
The proposal, which could form part of the broadcast Bill that is likely to be tabled in Parliament, comes with a rider. If broadcasters are caught showing adult content during prime time, they could face stiff penalties.
The mood for change got the nod after a workshop to debate content on television. One of the more radical proposals being discussed is a limit on the extent of advertising time. In the West, the norm is 20 per cent, but no limits have so far been specified in India.
There is also a proposal to set up a truly autonomous, quasi-judicial body as a regulating authority. The regulator will receive and dispose of grievances and complaints on content from viewers.
Another issue being looked at is whether channels should be asked to set aside resources for a fund that could be used to disseminate social messages. In the telecom sector, all service providers are required to set aside resources for a corpus to facilitate rural telephony.
Hariharan, the singer has always commanded a lot of respect and admiration from all those whom he has worked with. Those who have heard his deep resonant voice invariably fall in love with it. He is one of the singers of today who is trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music, and hence has a very deep understanding of the subject. And his repertoire of songs is wide-from Hindi playback. To Tamil playback to ghazals to zippy popular numbers like 'Kay Zala'. Hariharan is an educated individual, and has a degree in Science and Law. His family background also helped, as both his parents were deeply involved with Carnatic music. He is the winner of many an award, the latest being a nomination for the best singer by AV MAX, for the song 'Yuhi Chala Chal'. He has brought out plenty of albums, the most famous among them being 'Gulfam' and 'Colonial Cousins'. In the field of playback singing, one can never forget some of his most memorable numbers like 'Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai (Roja), and 'Yeh Duniya Ek Dulhan' from Pardes. In 2004, he made his mark with two lovely songs-'Piya Tora Kaisa Abhiman' from Raincoat and 'Yun Hi Chala Chal' from Swades. In a candid interview he talks about the current music situation.
What is your assessment of the music industry, as it stands today?
Music industry commercially is at its lowest ebb. Musically too, there is a dearth of creativity. I guess the two go hand in hand.
Why is the industry not doing well, in terms of album sales and turnover?
The main reasons, according to me would be the proliferation of FM Radio stations, MP3 music, downloading of music, music videos and above all mediocre music.
Are the singers of today lacking in talent, skills and hard work, as compared to those who were dominating the music scene 10-20 years ago?
Young singers are talented. They also do a lot of hard work. The kind of recording facilities that we have today, help you to work in a relaxed atmosphere. Very much like the yesteryears, we have both good and bad singers.
Has the availability of computers and software eased the job of singers and music composers?
Well, technology is supposed to give you more time to concentrate on creativity. Ultimately, as is true of all things in life, it depends on whether we land up using or misusing the facilities available to us.
Has television contributed to a decreased interest in music?
To a certain extent, yes.
Today, many of the television channels like Zee, Channel V and MTV have had some form of talent hunt. But no Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosale or Mohammed Rafi is being discovered. Can you speculate why?
We have to stop comparing the new singers with the legends. The music, the composition, the styles have all changed. Songs are more screen oriented, nowadays.
How has piracy hit the industry?
It has completely wiped out the industry.
And the current trend to re-mix everything?
In my opinion, it is the cheapest way of producing music.
How much, in your opinion, does a film's music contribute to the success of the film itself?
A good soundtrack still contributes about 60 percent to the success of the film.
After a few good songs as a playback singer, we don't hear much playback from you nowadays. Any particular reason?
Well, you'll have to ask the industry about it.
How open are music composers to giving a chance to an absolute newcomer and taking a calculated risk?
I think it is healthy to use newcomers. They will give a new vibe to the whole thing.
Are casting agencies for singers a good option? Do any exist?
Casting agencies are a good option, provided they have a musician on board. As far as I know, they do not exist.
What would be your advise to young unrecognised singers to make it big?
Learn your music. Practice. These two things will help you throughout your life.
Since classical singers are well trained, would they not automatically be good playback singers as well?
Not necessarily. For playback singing, you have to be a well-trained singer and also you should be able to sing various styles. The classical element should not be evident in the voice.
What are your future albums?
I'm working on a couple of albums right now. One called 'From Me to you' should be out in a couple of months.
And you assessment of the Indian listener?
Indian listeners are very good, though I would appreciate if they were a bit more aware, alert and discerning.
New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS): I am not a Bollywood star, never wanted to be, never worked towards it, says actress Nandita Das.
"There's no particular method to how I choose movies," Das told IANS in an interview. "I just choose the scripts that I like.
"In order to be successful in Bollywood, you must be available for a certain number of commercial films, which obviously I'm not looking at.
"I will not do a film unless I really like the story."
Which is why, said Das, she sees herself increasingly as a communicator rather than an actress. "Acting is just one of the methods in which I'm able to say the things that I want to say."
After soaring to fame with films like Deepa Mehta's "Earth" and "Fire", Das, daughter of famous painter Jatin Das, has done little work in the last couple of years.
That, she said, was because she was only willing to accept roles that made her think.
"I think the whole structure of my work is not geared towards attaining any degree of superstardom or commercial success. If one aspired for that, one would move to Mumbai, and so on and so forth," said Das.
She said she regularly rejects a lot of routine stuff that comes her way but is, at present, considering two scripts.
"But I have chosen to continue to live in Delhi and do just the sort of work that I want to do," said the woman who has a Master's in social work, did a lot of street theatre and once taught at the Rishi Valley School started by philosopher J. Krishnamurti.
"Sometimes the script just doesn't work with me. At times, the script seems nice but then you meet the director and you realise that they just won't be able to deliver a certain subject properly."
Then, because she has been so choosy, and stays largely away from tinsel town limelight, her star value diminishes as do chances of getting great work.
"Of course many directors would feel that if they are able to get an actor who is more commercially viable, then why take someone who isn't that commercially viable? I completely understand that feeling."
Das is now involved with a whole host of social work and communication organisations, including her husband's Leap Frog company. Together she and her husband have been in the forefront of promoting India-Pakistan peace through social and cultural interactions, popularly called 'people-to-people contact'.
As part of this process, the duo have started taking street children from India to Pakistan and vice-versa for friendly matches that they hope would build more bonhomie between the neighbours who have fought three wars.
"I try to work mostly with the smaller social work groups. They are the ones who need maximum support," said Das. "A lot of times great work by great people is completely ignored because they are not reported in the media. So people don't come to know about them.
"I am fortunate that I meet such people every day in the course of my work and that's what keeps me going. I am working on women's issues, children's issues, peace initiatives - there's so much to be done.
"I see myself just as a small part of a big picture where lots of people are working together to attain the same humane goals."
Mumbai, Feb 3 (IANS): After years of doing mainstream, escapist cinema, Amitabh Bachchan feels it is "Black" that has "unburdened him of mediocrity".
"There's nothing in "Black" that I've done before - not a single scene or shot...As an artiste I feel extremely satisfied," Bachchan told IANS in an interview.
He also praised director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's unconventional ways of filmmaking and his powerful co-actors in the movie. Excerpts:
"Black" goes into a very sensitive area of our society.
Yes, the physically challenged people...They never desire our sympathy. They need to be treated like normal human beings. That's the spirit "Black" captures. So what if you're handicapped? You work around it. That's what "Black" tells us. Life is a struggle for all of us.
The basic question the film addresses is: are we willing to make that effort to overcome the hardships? That's what Rani Mukherjee's character does, with some help from me. "Black" isn't the story of defeat and depression. It's the story of triumph over tribulations.
Your wife Jaya Bachchan thinks this is arguably your best performance to date?
There's nothing in "Black" that I've done before - not a single scene or shot...As an artiste I feel extremely satisfied. I've never felt this way before. It put me in touch with emotions within me that I had never touched before. The hard edges and hidden corners inside tend to remain unexplored. "Black" got me to explore those emotions.
Yes, I've been doing mainstream escapist cinema all along, some of it of a fairly high quality. But somewhere you feel there could've better aesthetics. "Black" is such a welcome relief. It has salvaged me as an actor. Everything, from its exceptional background score by Monty to the cinematography by Ravi Chandran, is beyond anything seen in our cinema.
You've been struggling with improbable roles for years...
Most certainly. But the wait has been worth it. "Black" has unburdened me of mediocrity. I feel "Black" will open a new chapter in Hindi cinema. And cinema should be prepared to acknowledge and honour it. "Black" will take us several notches higher.
And mind you, "Black" isn't meant for an elite 'art house' film. Most certainly "Black" isn't an art house film. And those who're calling it that are doing so without seeing the film. "Black" isn't one of those depressing films that doesn't take its responsibilities towards the box-office seriously. It's an uplifting, elevating triumphant drama. It's like being in one of those fast-paced action films where you couldn't move out of your seat because the action was so fast-paced. "Black" grips you from the start and it haunts you for days.
This is where the craft and genius of filmmakers come in. It isn't just the action, glamour and pace. There're several areas of the human mind that need to be explored without getting experimental. "Black" does just that.
How's Bhansali as a director?
It's difficult to fathom his mind and his brilliance. To have the capacity and depth to treat such a complex subject so lucidly is something inexplicable. It's very tough to find a sense of music, drama, script, emotions and costumes in one person. His power of observation is incredible.
During an unguarded moment when I'm all by myself and a shot is being lit up, Sanjay would observe me and incorporate that in the shot. That's a fantastic trait to have. Most of us are at our natural best when we're left alone. On camera we tend to get into convulsions and contortions. To incorporate mannerisms taken from real life is a very brave thing to do.
Have you been more actively involved with this project than any other?
The foundation for the project was so strong I saw no need to add anything. The moments are enhanced by the props, the lines, clothes and the environment provided. Without these props an actor is lost...and the co-stars! This is nine-year old Ayesha Kapoor's first attempt at film acting. That a girl that small can give such a huge performance is incredible.
And Rani Mukherjee?
I've worked with her before in "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham". And now I'm doing Shaad Ali's "Bunty Aur Babli" with her. Rani is a natural. I've always admired her acting. Very spontaneous and instinctive. No director needs to explain excessively to her. "Black" is Rani's best.
To have a co-star like her who gives the right cues and responses certainly enhances my performing ability. Most of my scenes in "Black" are with Rani. That gave us time to build up the moments. It all helped to give "Black" that cutting edge, which you've noticed.
Mumbai, Feb 7 (IANS): The good hero is becoming the bad, bad villain. And Hrithik Roshan is "instinctively excited" about playing the bad man in Yashraj Films "Dhoom 2", role he describes as a "great deal of fun".
"I like the challenge of being bad," Hrithik told IANS over the phone from Hong Kong where he is training for the sequel to his enormously successful "Koi... Mil Gaya".
A villain has so much more to do than the good hero, says Hrithik, who will appear in films after a long hiatus.
He is in Hong Kong right now learning the technique of flying in the air with invisible wires seen in martial arts films like "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". The technique, he says, is something being used in Hindi cinema, but not properly.
"These guys out here in Hong Kong have perfected the art. I plan to take it a step further in my dad's new film," says the actor who is being trained by Tony Ching of "Shaolin Soccer" fame.
Dwelling on his personal life, he says he is no more a child and has grown up, but is not yet ready for fatherhood.
There's a lot of 'action' in your life right now?
Yeah yeah, "Dhoom 2" is going to be a thriller. Though I'm training predominantly for my father's film, the new skill will definitely help me throughout my life and career. I'll continue to train even when I return to Mumbai.
But why a villain's role?
I like the challenge of being bad. Apart from Yashraj Films being such a reputed banner, I see a great deal of honesty and integrity in their work. My role in "Dhoom 2" sounds like a great deal of fun. It instinctively excited me. It's the kind of suave villain's role that I've been longing to do for quite a while. It sounds like just the excitement I need in my career. My character in "Dhoom 2" is going to be very, very entertaining. Playing a villain is very multidimensional. Comparatively, playing the good hero is quite boring. A villain has so much more to do.
Please don't make a career out of playing villains!
You never know, ha ha. If I get as excited about another villain's role I just might take it up again. I start my father's film first and then "Dhoom 2". There will be minimal overlapping. I'm very excited about getting back to the sleepless nights that come with working again.
Aren't you a little nervous about playing the bad guy?
When I did "Koi...Mil Gaya" everyone said we were going into territory that everyone had failed in. I was warned that a sci-fi flick about an alien was alien to Hindi moviegoers. But I did "Koi...Mil Gaya" and it worked. Now I'm being warned that sequels don't work in India. But I am doing two sequels even though I know sequels have always failed in India. I can't remember one sequel that has worked. But the challenge of doing something that hasn't succeeded so far attracts me. I want to walk on a road where no one has been before. I believe we should've sequels in Hindi. No one dares because they failed.
What exactly are you training for in Hong Kong?
This technique of flying in the air with invisible wires, seen in the Hong Kong martial arts movies or "The Matrix"/ "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", is something we've been using in Hindi cinema for a few years, but not properly. We tried it in our own home production "Koi...Mil Gaya". But I wasn't satisfied with it. These guys out here in Hong Kong have perfected the art. I plan to take it a step further in my dad's new film.
I'm being trained by Tony Ching who's done films like "House Of Flying Daggers" and "Shaolin Soccer". We actually wanted the Warchowsky Brothers who did "Charlie's Angels" and Matrix 2 & 3. They've hit big-time in Hollywood and were therefore beyond our budgets. Ching is still in the wings. He has had only one major hit, "The Hero with Jet Lee".
How much of Ching's expertise will go into your film?
It depends on what our budget allows us. The idea is to provide our audiences with the kind of action sequences never seen in Hindi cinema. Compared with what we plan to do in the sequel to "Koi...Mil Gaya", the earlier film, was just a teaser trailer. My dad and I plan to go somewhere the film industry has never gone before. Actually I needed 75 days. I can only give 20 days to the training. Ching is very happy with me. He thinks 20 days will suffice. He paid me quite a compliment. He says I'm 10 times faster than any actor he has trained.
So isn't the sequel a safer bet than "Koi...Mil Gaya"?
It's entirely up to the emotions that we project in the sequel. The action scenes can only be the appetiser, not the main course. Great action without a well-told story is meaningless. Even in an out and out action film, the stunts work only if the emotions do. My dad and I are very conscious of this pre-condition for our film. What I'm training for in Hong Kong is certainly not going to be the main event in our film. Our film is certainly not an action flick.
In "Dhoom 2" you pair with Aishwarya Rai for the first time?
Yes, from the feedback that I get people are looking forward to seeing us together. Of course, finally it's the characters that work. Let's hope our characters justify our presence.
You made a rare appearance with your wife Suzanne on "Koffee With Karan" recently.
Yes, and I was very nervous, and it showed. Though she was completely in control I was nervous for her sake. I suddenly felt protective towards her.
Are you frightened by the number of breaking marriages in Bollywood?
I'm very secure in my marriage. It's not for me to judge other people's marriages. But it's sad when things go wrong between two people. God bless those who are going through the trauma.
Are you still too much of a child to start your own family?
No, no. No more a child. I've grown up. But I'm yet not ready for fatherhood.
"Don't compare the earlier controversy over my alleged romantic linkup with Sourav Ganguly with the controversy I have been dragged into now," says an agitated Bollywood actress Nagma. Desperate as she is to clear her name from the latest controversy involving her alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's younger brother Anees, Nagma sees a carefully worked out plot to finish her film career as also to throw hurdles into her association with the Congress.
"It could either be a political frame-up or an effort by those who are out to finish my film career. But, I am not one to be deterred. I am confident that I will come clean at the end of it," Nagma said after she returned from Jharkhand where she campaigned for the Congress.
"My political association with the Congress has not been taken kindly in political circles. I have begun to suspect whether I am paying a price for my association with the Congress since the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. But, I have nothing to regret, since I identify myself with the Congress," Nagma said.
Nagma, it may be recalled, had moments of embarrassment when the media reported that she had a temple marriage with Indian Cricket captain Sourav Ganguly at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
Sourav was swift in denying the media report and distancing himself from the controversy. On her part, Nagma had taken the controversy in her stride and kept mum.
For an actress who has acted in more than 100 films in eight Indian languages, Nagma is a big name in southern India.
But, she was upset when this correspondent tried to ask her about her alleged romantic link up with Sourav.
Said an angry Nagma: "Stop bringing the controversy about with my link-up with Sourav, especially into the current situation. Yes, there had been many stories in the media about my alleged link-up with Sourav. I took the stories in those days in my stride."
"Because, that was expected in my celebrity status as an actress. But Sourav equally also underwent a great deal of embarrassment because of his celebrity status. All the same, people forgot everything. But now, the latest controversy is a very serious one," Nagma said.
Nagma, whose real name is Namrata Sadhana, has played the lead heroine in over two dozen movies like "Yalgaar", "King Uncle", 'Baagi', 'Lal Badsaah' and 'Police Aur Muzrim'.
When this correspondent broached the topic of "mistaken identity" to Nagma that is being sold to the media, she happily accepted the theory, as one of the means used by her rivals to "finish" her career.
But, she was aghast the moment this correspondent tried to draw her into a conversation about a statement purportedly made by an accused in the much-discussed Gutka baron-underworld nexus case.
The statement of Jamiruddin Ansari alias Jumbo, one of the two hard-core criminals arrested in the Gutka case, recorded by Deputy Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta stated that the latter had delivered Rs 10 lakh to Nagma at her flat in Bandra at the instructions of Anees Ibrahim.
The statement quoted Jumbo as having said that Nagma was a "rakhael" (mistress) of Anees and that what he did was a "hawala transaction" done at the behest of Dawood's younger brother.
"I think my identity is being mistaken by a television reporter, who has put out a story that has been planted by my rivals to tarnish my image. I know for sure that another Nagma stays at Andheri in Mumbai. She had done two to three "small roles" and people do not know much about her," she said.
Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz -- who has worked in films like Monsoon Wedding -- has been arrested in Dubai for possessing drugs (charas), reports said on Tuesday.
According to the reports, the actor was arrested two days ago.
Raaz is shooting in Dubai for Vikram Bhatt's film Deewane Hue Pagal.
When rediff.com contacted Bhatt in Dubai, he said, "I have heard about this incident but I cannot confirm it. I am not even sure whether he is arrested or not."
He added that Raaz was supposed to join the crew a couple of days back, but did not.
Cyber music store CrimsonBay.com Monday launched its first online download centre for Indian music aficionados, offering a large selection of Hindi tracks in various genres.
CrimsonBay.com, headquartered in Silicon Valley in the US, has tied up with premiere music labels like Saregama India Limited, Ishq Records and Yatra Communications to offer a catalogue that has over 40,000 songs.
The store is currently offering Hindi content including memorable hits from "Umrao Jaan", "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge" and "Aradhana" and artists like Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Bally Sagoo.
The site will soon offer new content in regional Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Punjabi.
The store's target customers are non-resident Indians (NRIs), who have access to broadband Internet and are willing to pay for downloading high quality music.
"We want CrimsonBay to become the premier online marketplace for Indian music similar to iTunes, and subsequently take the shape of a leading provider of digital downloads for all digital content from India -- music, music videos, ringtones and films," said Sunil K. Singh, a member of the board of directors.
The online store offers an user-friendly interface for browsing and searching content, with music categorised by styles, albums, songs, genre, language, singer, actor, lyricist, music and movie director.
"We foresee tremendous potential in this space, driven by the popularity of portable devices such as MP3 players and portable media centres," Singh said in a statement issued here.
[Indo-Asian News Service]
Jammu, Feb 14 : Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, his wife and troupe escaped a fire at a hotel here during a show, officials said.
Officials said the fire on Feb 12, caused by short circuit, engulfed a portion of luxury hotel Asia soon after Udhas' performance past midnight. The singer and his troupe were evacuated to another hotel.
Three people were injured in a stampede as fire officials fought the flames for half an hour.
Officials said Udhas had arrived Feb 11 to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine near here on his wedding anniversary. His concert the next day attracted a huge crowd.
--Indo-Asian News Service
The makers of the movie Sheesha couldn’t find a place in it for an item number shot on Neha Dhupia . So it was tucked right at the end of the film.
Movie’s producer Guddu Dhanoa describes the song as a bonus gift to the audience, but its actress Neha Dhupia believes the inclusion of the song is a mistake.
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“The item song was a mistake. When I dubbed for the film it wasn't part of the final cut. There was a dispute about where the item song should go. So we decided not to use it at all,” Dhupia told a news agency.
Neha said she had asked the makers of the film to remove the song, but she was shocked to see it in the film’s premiere.
The song has now been removed from some prints, but the wild-and-sweaty number is still available to audiences in non-multiplex theatres outside Mumbai and Delhi.
Expressing her disappointment, Neha shrugged: "What's done is done. I can't be fighting over a song. The film's producers are under so much pressure. I don't want to create a fuss. But it's weird because in the climax one of my two characters is dead. So who is dancing?"
Neha Dhupia set her own boundaries of skin show with Julie and has now stretched them further with her bolder act in Sheesha.
If one Neha doing a bold act was a treat, then two Neha’s doing the same is nothing short of a feast. Yes, Neha plays the double role of twin sisters obsessed with the same man in director Ashu Trikha’s movie Sheesha.
The film features a good number of intimate scenes between Neha and newcomer Sonu Sood .
What is definitely credible about Neha is the natural flair with which she carries her sex appeal. Exposure by her is in no way vulgar and it looks quite aesthetic and, needless to say, titillating too.
In fact, it was the hero Sonu Sood who was perspiring while shooting the intimate scenes with the Dhupia girl for Sheesha. One interview quotes him as saying: “Neha is very natural. It was she who made me very comfortable while shooting for these scenes.”
As for Neha, she is unmoved by the sex kitten tag she has been given by media.
“I treat acting like a job and nothing else. If I do a romantic song, it is seen as a steamy number but if another actress does it, it is a soft romantic song. The media has highlighted that aspect of my acting, not me,” Neha is quoted to have said.
By the way, Neha and Sonu will team up once again for a movie titled Siskiyaan .
Appearing on the Emmy winning prestigious “ Late Night with David Letterman” show on Tuesday night, Aishwarya said, “actors are like gypsies. They go where their work takes them. But at this point, I don’t see any reason to have a permanent shift of residence to Hollywood.” Attired in a brown leather jacket with a black skirt and boots, Aishwarya, who was seated next to Letterman on stage at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City, looked well rehearsed and confident. Letterman introduced her as “often called one of the most beautiful women in the world and most famous actress. She is known by billions of people but is still unknown in America.” Aishwarya chatted comfortably with Letterman about her first English-language movie, Bride and Prejudice which opens in theatres today.
She amazed Letterman when she told him she could speak four Indian languages, Hindi, Marathi, Tulu and broken Tamil. She was again asked the question, “Is it common in India to live with their parents?” which was asked in her recent appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes. However, this time she shot back with a witty answer, “we don’t have to take appointments to have dinner with our parents,” which got a lot of audience applause.
IANS
WASHINGTON: Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is among the most-searched people on MSN's search engine.
After starring in Gurindar Chaddha's Bride and Prejudice and appearing on The Late Night Show, a talk-show hosted by David Letterman, Aishwarya and the movie may have broken the glass ceiling that existed between Bollywood and Hollywood.
Rai is among the "top search movers" on MSN's Popular Searches. She ranks third in a list that includes Mars Rover 1, Super Bowl Commercials, Black History Month, and Ossie Davis, an African American actor who recently died.
"It is a big deal for a desi to become so hot on the Internet," said Vivek Wadhwa, an IT businessman from North Carolina currently involved in the production and release of the movie My Bollywood Bride starring Jason Lewis and Kashmira Shah.
" Bride and Prejudice may or may not be a great movie but it is opening up doors in a big way for Bollywood and Indians," said Wadhwa, a columnist in Business Week , recounting his experiences in the foray into Hollywood and Bollywood.
"All this publicity Aishwarya is getting is wonderful. I know that from our side, we started with a lot of interest and now with all this attention that Bollywood is getting, we have distributors breaking down our doors to deal with us," Wadhwa said.
Wadhwa and others believe the cultural pendulum in the film world is swinging from East to West and that includes financing of films.
"During our time, it was the reverse, we were influenced by Western culture. Now it's the West's turn to learn about us, watch our films and listen to our music," Wadhwa said.
Getting back to limelight is probably causing problems to Aamir Khan. The star is reported to have receiving threatening letters. The source of these letters are however unknown. The actor is also said to have lodged a complaint with the Khar Police station.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police confirmed the news, though he refused to detail any further on the case.
Mumbai: President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Thursday asked the IT industry to aim for 15 per cent of the global market by 2008. Addressing the IT bigwigs at the Nasscom India Leadership Forum through a live video conference from New Delhi the President said, "Nasscom estimates to capture about 3.5 per cent of the global market share. This is a small target. It is a crime to have a small aim. India's GDP is at eight per cent at present, it should grow to 10 per cent continuously for a decade, only then can India emerge as a global leader," said Dr Kalam.
According to him, the share of gross domestic product or GDP percentage had undergone a considerable change in the last few years. While the contribution of agriculture to India's GDP has reduced, the contribution of the manufacturing and services sector has increased. "There had been considerable changes in the employment pattern also," he added.
Dr Kalam has his own recipe for growth. He has asked the IT community to move up the value chain and develop innovative products to stay ahead in the international market. "Information and communication technology has been widely deployed in the country's transformation strategy along with newer technologies like biotechnology and nanotechnology," he said.
"I suggest that the governments, industry and the academia should work together to develop and market intellectual property products which alone can increase the per capita revenue non-linearly for the Indian software industry," he said. The President has complimented the industry for taking the software industry in India to nearly $28 billion, which includes $18 billion of exports accounting for nearly 24 per cent of the nation's exports and sales of $10 billion in the domestic market.
"The growth in the IT business is directly related to how much innovation and research results we continuously inject to invigorate the industry," said the President adding that the IT industry also contributes to national development through electronic connectivity such as telemedicine, tele-education and egovernance.
The President also said that India should invest to the tune of $300 million towards nanoscience and technology research in partnership with like-minded MNCs for research, development and volume production of nano electronic devices.
http://www.asianage.com/?INA=2:175:175:142262
© 2005 The Asian Age
Mumbai, Feb 2 (PTI) Zee Telefilms Ltd, whose writ petition against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was dismissed by the Supreme Court today, would move the High Court under article 226 of the Constitution.
"The writ petition has been dismissed under article 32 of the Constitution but is maintainable under article 226 before the High Court," a Zee spokesman said here.
He said the group was in the process of consulting their lawyers and would approach the High Court soon.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition filed by Zee Telefilms Ltd seeking relief against the Board for alleged arbitrary cancellation of its bid for telecast rights of all cricket matches played in India for a period of four years.
The five-judge constitution bench ruled that Cricket Board was not a 'State' within the meaning of Constitution and it could not be sued in a court for alleged violation of fundamental rights.
Zee had argued that the Baord of Control for Cricket in India was a 'State' as it was selecting the Indian team and was given de-facto recognition by the Union Government to carry out the functions and requested the Court to scrutinise its action of cancelling the bid for telecast under writ authority.
Meanwhile, the media group would launch its sports channel sometime in the second quarter of the next fiscal.
"We have acquired telecast rights and are in the process of acquiring some more rights for the channel," the spokesman added. PTI
Mumbai, Feb 1 : Preity Zinta's phone didn't stop ringing the whole day. The birthday girl took the day off to pamper herself and answer phone calls delighted at the attention and love showered on her.
"Birthdays come only once a year," said Preity basking in the attention she received Jan 31 - her birthday.
"I took the day off completely to attend calls, receive friends, get myself a whole treatment at the beauty salon..."
For Preity the past year has been a truly happy occasion. "It was the year I did 'Veer-Zaara'. I'll never forget that. Very special things happened in my life throughout. Very special things are happening in my life right now," she beams her 1,000-watt smile.
"I'll soon be starting Karan Johar's film with Shah Rukh Khan. It'll be so much fun to get together with the 'Kal Ho Na Ho' team. And Shah Rukh is one of the most generous and thoughtful co-stars I've ever worked with. He doesn't think only about his co-star but also the entire project."
Any birthday resolutions?
"Yes, the same as usual. No projects that I don't believe in. Even if that means losing out on plum roles and big projects. I've only one life and one chance to do the kind of work that I'd want my grandchildren to watch proudly."
Incidentally, Preity plans to pull out of the showbiz whirligig in some years.
"I certainly don't want to go on and on. The clock is ticking and I want to make good use of every moment that god has given me."
Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai. Jan 31 : The critics and audience alike have termed Mahesh Manjarekar's latest dud, 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav', as one of the worst movies made in recent times.
The performances by Suniel Shetty, Mahesh and Johnny Lever are the pits to say the least. One critic even went on to call it 'the worst of the millennium'. And to think the organisers actually had the guts to premier a film like this in Dubai on an international platform.
Manjarekar's list of flops seems to be quick growing. Barring one moderate hit 'Vaastav', he's given a series of turkeys. 'Hathyar', 'Pitaah', 'Tera Mera Saath Rahe', 'Rakht', 'Kurukshetra', 'Astitva' and now 'Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav', to name a few. He will have to bank heavily on his forthcoming Amitabh-John starrer, 'Viruddh'. (ANI)
If 2004 saw Bollywood's top heroes playing bad guys with style, 2005 will also see some big stars, for instance Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgan, taking on the villain's mantle.
Although this year many films will celebrate the spirit of righteousness and noble heroes, the urge to be bad is very much around.
Hrithik Roshan will emulate John Abraham's hugely successful diabolical role in "Dhoom", with a villainous turn in the sequel "Dhoom 2", which co-stars Aishwarya Rai.
After playing the baddie in 2004's "Khakee", Ajay has played another anti-hero in cousin Anil Devgan's "Blackmail", though with unrewarding results.
Every major leading performer in contemporary Bollywood - from Shah Rukh Khan ("Anjaam") and Aamir Khan("1947-Earth") to Priyanka Chopra ("Aitraaz") - has, at some point or other, played a villain.
Last year saw Sanjay Dutt ("Musafir") and Abhishek Bachchan ("Yuva") playing anti-heroes with great success.
But some leading heroes seem to have had their fill of evil. Akshay Kumar, for instance, who played mean men in "International Khiladi" and "Ajnabee", feels he has had enough of villainy.
"No more bad-guy roles for me, for a long time." Akshay has now vowed to perform roles "that bring a smile to audiences."
In fact this year most major heroes, except Hrithik Roshan, are shunning evil parts. So upcoming actors are willing to try on the villain's role in order to be noticed.
A strange case is that of debutant Aseem Merchant's forthcoming film "Bullet-Ek Dhamaka". The filmmakers must perforce publicise Aseem, who is the film's antagonist, because the model-turned-actor bailed out the troubled project when it was on the verge of shutting down.
Now the filmmakers must return the favour by projecting Aseem on all publicity hoardings. The film's leading man, Iqbal Khan, is in the unhappy position of being sidelined in a project on which he was banking.
Too scared to speak up lest his role gets chopped, Iqbal can only pray. His only other release, "Fun2shh", bit the dust faster than we could mumble bust.
It's a catch-22 situation for newcomers with no money or connections. They either have to sell out or put their careers in freeze-frame for a distant fling with the dame named Fame, who is just not in the mood.
With Aseem hogging the limelight at the cost of the film's official hero, a very important question comes up for consideration.
If the days of the anti-hero are over, will this villain's day turn out to be a case of mistimed meanness?
--Indo-Asian News Service
Oscar-winning US star Michael Douglas is hoping to sign Bollywood darling Aishwarya Rai for his next adventure flick, "Racing the Monsoon", to be shot in India.
Both of them met in Los Angeles last year - some months ago - where it was discussed they should work together. "Racing the Monsoon" will be the third part in an adventure trilogy, following the films "Romancing the Stone" and "Jewel of the Nile" which hit screens 20 years ago.
There was no immediate comment available about the movie from Rai who told US television audiences last month she had never had an on-screen Bollywood kiss but that did not mean she would not smooch in a Hollywood movie. (ANI)
Filmfare Awards celebrates its "Golden Jubilee". Fifty long years have gone by and the gracious lady in black over the last five decades has occupied pride of place for having given the film industry the best of talent.
The Filmfare Awards hold the unique distinction of being the first and the longest standing recognition for cinematic excellence in India. Filmfare unveiled its new statuette at INOX Theatre, Mumbai.
The function saw celebrities such as Dilip Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Yash Chopra, Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan. Lata Mangeshkar said that when this award has started they didn't have award for music category, but later on they started it. Amitabh Bachchan said that this 'lady in black' will remain mute next hundred years. (ANI)
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan said he wants to remember his 1970s co-star Parveen Babi, who died this month, as a loving and caring person who introduced a "new bohemianism" to the Indian screen.
Bachchan said after his wife Jaya, Parveen was the actress with whom he worked most number of times.
Bachchan and Parveen starred in "Majboor", "Deewaar", "Amar Akbar Anthony", "Shaan", "Kaalia", "Do Aur Do Paanch" and "Kala Patthar", among many other films, most of which were extremely successful.
Bachchan told IANS: "A lot of these films, I had forgotten until the press reminded me of them after her death. And then I thought, 'Gosh, so many films with Parveen Babi!'
"We'd work on all these films and go our own way. But because we belonged to the same social circle we'd visit each other, listen to music. She was a very fun-loving, light-hearted person, full of joie de vivre.
"She was great fun, but never interfered with anyone's work. On the sets you barely knew she was around. She completely minded her own business."
Bachchan believes that Parveen introduced the new bohemian kind of leading lady to the Indian screen. "Did she make a difference to Hindi cinema? Oh certainly! She was one of the first Indians to be featured on the cover of Time magazine," he said.
Bachchan feels that what happened to Parveen was "really sad". He said: "I feel very bad for her.
"We'd meet socially very often. We all belonged to one big group: Romesh Sharma, Danny Denzongpa, Reena Roy, Smita Patil, Javed Akhtar and Parveen. When I had my accident they would all come to see me every single day.
"One never forgets the people who stick to you during crises. I used to be very depressed at that point of time.
"In 1983 I took Parveen out for her first live shows. And then suddenly she just disappeared. I don't really know what happened."
Bachchan is unwilling to discuss Parveen's mental condition.
"It wouldn't be ethical to talk about her condition. The nature of her illness was such that she was terrified of people.
"She wanted to be left alone. She deliberately distanced herself from everyone. We felt by associating ourselves with her we were causing her more grief," said Bachchan.
But Parveen was meticulous about her career. Bachchan explained: "She had a very efficient management system. She lived all on her own and was very self-dependent."
"I sincerely feel she was a very genuine, very honest and down-to-earth person, very loving and caring. And that's how I'd like to remember her," Bachchan reminisced.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai, Jan 30 : In director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black" Amitabh Bachchan is a teacher who transforms the life of a blind, deaf and mute girl, played by Rani Mukherjee.
Living in a world of black, which is penetrated by neither sound nor colour, Michelle McNally finds redemption through Debraj Sahai, a battle weary teacher, who undertakes the challenge of teaching the defiant and headstrong girl.
The two stubborn individuals tread a path less taken, while battling frustration, ridicule and despair, says Bollywood portal Glamsham.
Bhansali had conceived "Black" long before he made the Salman Khan-Manisha Koirala starrer "Khamoshi", which also dealt with the congenitally deaf and mute.
The supporting cast consists of Ayesha Kapur, Shernaz Patel, Dhritiman Chaterji and Nandana Sen. Writer Bhavani Iyer, cinematographer Ravi Chandran, editor Bela Segal and art director Omung Kumar are also part of the team.
Monty provides the background score for "Black", which unusually for a Bollywood movie, has no songs. Bhansali believes there is music even in silence.
While Bhansali's "Devdas" saw two of Bollywood's greatest heroines - Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai - sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan, "Black" will showcase the strengths of Amitabh and Rani.
--Indo-Asian News Service
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