Sajid Khan is a self-made comedian

Sajid Khan gets nostalgic recalling his first brush with showbiz. It was New Years' eve 1986, and he got his first ‘salary' for his first job - Rs 100 for hosting a show. Not knowing what to do with the princely amount, the struggling comedian promptly put it in the bank. Today, Sajid has Rs 40 crore riding on his directorial debut, Heyy Babyy, which opened this week. And he is confident enough to tell you that he plans an even bigger summer blockbuster next. Sajid strikes a contrasting persona on and off the screen. In public life and on screen, he wears the weirdest of wigs and spoofs everyone from Amitabh Bachchan to Mallika Sherawat. In his personal space, he comes across as a very serious man. "I am a recluse. I fail to understand why anybody would want to know about my life," he says. "I came in this business to entertain people and make money, not to hog publicity." Indeed, it was the need to earn a living that made him turn his hobby into his profession. "I would joke and mimic, and friends would applaud. By the time I was 15, I needed to earn a living. So I made a career out of it," says Sajid.
‘Career', of course, started about 12 years ago on the tube. Satellite television was just making its way into India, and, armed with an abrasive sense of humour, Sajid would go on to make hay by destroying reputations with a wry smile, tongue firmly in cheek. His first show, Main Bhi Detective, however, was a flop. "Disaster would be an understatement," he recalls. "Critics said that I should be banned," he grins. His luck would change with Ikke Pe Ikka, the music countdown show that first aired on Zee Cinema in 1995, and has made it to the Guinness Book Of Records as the longest running countdown show ever. Inspired by Eddie Murphy Sajid , defines his style of humour as "sharp tongue and below the belt, at times". He also draws from Murphy's manner of interaction and spontaneity .
Produced by his namesake, Sajid Nadiadwala, Sajid has followed his passion for ‘firsts' with his directorial debut."It's the first ‘baby comedy' of India. My entire cast comprises people who have never worked with each other. Even Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have never composed music for any of these actors," he says, of the Akshay Kumar-Fardeen Khan-Riteish Deshmukh-Vidya Balan starrer. Sajid calls Heyy Babyy a "dream debut". It's his homage to his lifelong passion - movies. "I broke off with many girlfriends because of disagreements over films." And he shares this passion with elder sister Farah Khan, the successful choreographer-turned- filmmaker. "We have the same DNA after all," he says, adding that Farah is the reason behind the man he is today .
Ask him about marriage, and he is intricate in his reply: "I am 36 and single. I've lacked a lot as a boyfriend. I am a self-indulgent human being. I wish to settle down, but if I only get someone who understands me, or else I won't."
Courtesy:HT

Pink Panther was offered to Aishwarya Rai only!

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in Pink Panther 2, its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.
"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told IANS from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.
Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.
"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."
Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.
However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.
Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.
"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.
"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."
Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film The Last Legion.
"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention. For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.
"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.
"As for the promotions for The Last Legion, it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."
courtesy:HT

Vijaya Raghavendra to marry Spandana

The wedding date of actor Vijaya Raghavendra and Spandana is fixed for 26th of August in Bangalore at Gayathri Vihar, Palace Grounds.
Actor Vijaya Raghavendra the national award winning child actor turned hero from 'Ninagaagi' has got a moderate success rate in his career. He is very closely related to Dr.Rajkumar family. Spandana is the daughter of B.K.Shivaram, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Karnataka.
Dr.Kadri Gopalnath saxophone and Pundit Narasimha Vadavati clarionet Jugalbandi musical program is arranged for the wedding reception.
Courtesy:Sify.com

Warner brothers to make Bollywood movie

Hollywood-based studio Warner Brothers is making its first foray into Bollywood with a movie called Made In China. Starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, it is the first Hindi film to be shot in China. Akshay plays a Mumbai cook who is mistaken for a kung-fu hero and the shooting will start in January, Warner Bros said in a press statement on August 21.
According to trade magazine Variety, the film marks the start of a concerted effort by Hollywood studios to break into the Indian film market, where their films account for only eight percent of the total market.
While Nikhil Advani, of Kal Ho Naa Ho fame, will wield the megaphone, Warner Bros will distribute it worldwide. Ramesh Sippy Productions and Advani's Orion Pictures are the co-producers.Ramesh Sippy told Variety that the venture had brought the "globalisation of Indian cinema closer to reality".

Blaise Fernandes, manager of Warner Brothers Entertainment India, said they are "excited and proud" about the project. "We will do everything in our power to make a well-crafted, popular and successful Indian film," added Fernandes.
Courtesy:Sify.com

Deepa Mehta's new film

Deepa Mehta will be making a film on domestic violence titled Heaven on Earth. The film will be based on the true story of a Toronto residing Punjabi woman, Amardeep, who is a victim of domestic violence. Deepa had filmed a documentary on Amardeep’s life last year and now she is planning to make a feature film on the same.
If things go as planned, Deepa would also shoot the film in Ludhiana, Punjab. The last time when Deepa was shooting in India for Water, some fundamentalist groups disrupted the shoot due to which she had to re-shoot the film in Sri Lanka.
Talking about the starcast of Heaven On Earth, Deepa says that she has finalized an NRI theatre actor Vrajendar to play the husband’s role. As for the role of Amardeep, Deepa will be signing a Punjabi actress.
The film will go on the floors on October 20 in Toronto.
Courtesy:Sify.com

Amitabh does dare devil stunts at 65!

In Ravi Chopra’s Bhootnath, Big B defied his age (65 years) and performed a ‘heart-in-the-mouth’ stunt that would have scared the hell out of actors half his age. When reminded of it, he brushes off the derring-do as part of a day's work.
"I think far too much is being made out of the stunt. Yes, every action- stunt has its potential dangers and the action directors take adequate precautions and follow safety routines. You could slip and fall while walking ordinarily and break a bone and conversely, not get a scratch by jumping off a building for a film’s action sequence. The stunt I did for Bhootnath was relatively safe. But because of my recent surgery and my several other complicated medical conditions, there was an obvious anxiety. However things went off without any incident. Thank God!"
While performing a stunt in 1983 Big B had suffered a near-fatal injury. "I still remember all the prayers and good wishes of the people. I wouldn't have survived without them." He adds.
Having done this stunt at 65, Big B admits that he wouldn't allow his son to do the same. "I would not permit Abhishek to do his own stunts. I always ask him to use discretion and take immense precaution."
Courtesy:Sify

Akshay Kumar cooks!

Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal as a chef has actors scurrying into the kitchen. And the next actor scurrying into the kitchen is Akshay Kumar. In Nikhil Advani's new film Made in China he plays a chef.
But most people don't know Akshay used to work in a restaurant in Bangkok. Only he was not Akshay Kumar then he was Rajeev Bhatia. Guess the wheel has turned a full circle for Akshay Kumar.
courtesy:buzz18.com

Suniel Shetty says Shah Rukh Khan is the better hockey ambassador

Suniel Shetty is confused about being appointed the brand ambassador for hockey, particularly after watching Chak De! India where Shah Rukh Khan plays the coach of a women's hockey team to great effect.
"I seriously want them to reconsider my appointment. I mean, there I was being appointed brand ambassador for the game while Shah Rukh Khan is bringing hockey back into favour like nobody's business," Suniel told IANS.
"It was an awesome experience to be given the responsibility to revive the game. I may be a right choice. But after seeing Chak De!, I think Shah Rukh is a much better choice for representing hockey for the country," he added.
Suniel is truly impressed by Shah Rukh's performance.
"I saw the film twice and I'm completely bowled over by Shah Rukh's performance. He could play anything. But he chooses to play this serious troubled hockey coach. I think Shah Rukh has his stardom for a good 50 years more. Chak De! proves it."
Meanwhile, Suniel is happy for Sanjay Dutt, who has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the Mumbai blasts case.
"It's really heartening to hear Sanju is being released on interim bail. What do I say? It's an answer to all the prayers that people have sent for him. It's the janta's goodwill that has kept him going.
"It's Sanju who has brought the concept of Gandhigiri to people. And I believe he truly believes in peace. Sanju is totally converted."
Courtesy:HT

Deol family wants to produce on their own

After delivering a hit with Apne, the Deols have decided to become a self-contained film producing concern with elder son Sunny getting again into direction years after Dillagi.
"We'll be consolidating our company. I'll be directing a film shortly," Sunny told IANS in an interview.
Eventually, the actor wants his father Dharmendra and brother Bobby to be part of one production house.
"The world is going global, and for us to do so we need to work as one family. So, yes, we Deols want to get together."
The big brother is quite protective about Bobby. He wants Bobby, who has lately become enormously prolific as an actor, to have the comfort of a home production at his disposal.
"These so-called friends and well-wishers of his who make films with him take him for a ride. But I've understood how these games work. And I don't want him to go through all this.
"Why even in Anil Sharma's Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Bobby didn't get his dues. I was too busy at that time to look into it. By the time I became aware of Bobby's role, it was too late."
Sunny has realised family comes first... and last.
"Anil Sharma is planning another film for us. We'll get directors. But we'll produce the films. So we aren't taken for a ride."
He says his period of tumult and transition is over.
"I'm much calmer now. I realise doing films isn't enough. Both critics and the masses have to love your work. With our family film Apne I think we've got the formula right. It was the kind of film I wanted to see. So that's the kind of films I'd like to make."
Throwing light on his next family film, Sunny said: " Apne was an emotional film. Now we'd like to a comedy together. Meanwhile, I'm ready to co-direct a film called Man with Neeraj Pathak."
Promoting new talent has always been a passion for Sunny.
"I like to work with new talent. While Bobby is only interested in being an actor, I've been involved with everything from editing to screenwriting right from the time of my debut film Betaab.
"But once they become established these people who start off with me move away to what they consider better prospects. But we Deols will continue to nurture new talent. I've many ideas. And I need talent to implement those ideas."
Sunny wants to make realistic films.

"But still larger-than-life, to go with my image... I see my career as having many curves. Yes, I've made many mistakes, though neglecting my career to look after my brother Bobby isn't one of them. I've been too trusting and emotional. Even now I trust people around me. But I don't have blind faith. I won't spend money on films with my eyes closed."
Post-Gadar - Ek Prem Katha (2001), the actor didn't enjoy much success at the box office. Most of his recent releases like Kaafila, Naksha and Jo Bole So Nihaal, turned turtle at the box office.
Sunny, who also produced Dillagi(1999), says the mistakes as a producer and as an actor have been a learning experience.
"Life is the biggest teacher. Today I'm very clear about what I want. All people creating cinema around me have to be as disciplined as me. Except Bobby, all of us wake up early and get to work."
"So far we've all been just doing our work and letting it speak for us. But when we did Apne we Deols decided that it's time we also spoke for our work."
Courtesy:HT

Big B hates B word, Bollywood!

Amitabh Bachchan was at his patriotic best at a press conference in New York ahead of 'Bachchan Sandhya' - an event which pays tribute to his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. And the Big B took the opportunity to wax eloquent about Indian culture and traditions.
"I think that what is missing in Western culture is traditions. In our culture it dictates almost every younger generation to look after the older generation. These are some of the values and many, many more values that I learned from my father, it would take a very long time to describe them," said Bachchan.
Well, lots to be learnt from the Bachchan Parivar. And if you really wish to emulate Mr Bachchan you dare not use the word Bollywood.
"I don't like the word Bollywood. I think it is very demeaning to our Hindi film industry. I've always strongly opposed it because I think that it almost sounds like an abuse every time it is used," he said.
That’s not all, the erstwhile ‘angry young man’ had more to say. “I think that the Indian cinema and India itself has a lot of qualities which are conquerable to the very best in the world, I would rather want to find out today when does Hollywood wanting to come to India, rather than the other way round."
That’s a good question? Meanwhile, New York is already taking notice as the Big B read his father's poems to a sold-out crowd at the famed Lincoln Center on Saturday evening.
Courtesy:buzz18.com

Himesh Reshammiya demands 5crore!

It seems success has really gone into Himesh Reshammiya's head. And post the success of Aap Ka Suroor Himeshbhai seems to be suffering from delusions. Following in Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's footsteps he first hiked his price. But now, he doesn't stick to a rate. He just quotes an exorbitant amount as per his moods. Last we heard he quoted Rs five crore for acting, composing and playback in a new film. According to the buzz, the other actors who have been approached for the film are Arshad Warsi and Urmila Matondkar.
courtesy:Buzz18

Shah Rukh Khan to play hockey in real

With Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De India fanning resurgence of interest in hockey, two exhibition matches have been planned next month in Chandigarh — one between India and Pakistan and the other featuring film and TV stars and former hockey players.
The match between India and Pakistan, who once were at the top of international hockey, for the AHA Glorious Hockey Cup will see international hockey stars from current teams of both countries sweat it out in the 70-minute encounter. The matches on September 11 are being organised by Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) at the hockey stadium in Sector 42 in Chandigarh.
And to add glamour to the entire event, the IHF has roped in Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, a known sports enthusiast, as its brand ambassador for the game. The game between film stars and hockey veterans will also feature members of the women's team in Chak De India.
IHF president K.P.S. Gill, who is normally in the firing line for the whimsical handling of the national team, is upbeat about the event and the revival of the game through Chak De India.
"This film has come on an historical occasion. It coincides with 60 years of our independence. We started the PHL (Premier Hockey League) tournament that has been a success. Now we want to do new things to help hockey get its rightful place in the country," Gill said.
Shetty, who will be leading the film stars side in its 30-minute match against hockey veterans, says all that the sport needs a star player who can be idolised by the youth.
"I am obsessed by sports, especially cricket and hockey. This game (hockey) has lacked infrastructure and sponsorship. These things are gradually coming now and the game can be revived," Shetty said.
The event is being sponsored by the Air Hostess Academy (AHA) and promoted by Shetty's Popcorn Entertainment.
Courtesy:Buzz18

Kamal Hassan's daughter makes her debut

Shruthi Hassan, daughter of Kamal Hassan has sung a peppy number for this film. She is doing the playback for Mallika Sherawat in the soon to be released Dashaavtaram. The music for Dashaavtaram is by Himesh Reshammiya.
Kamal's daughter is said to be passionate about music. She hopes to pursue a career in music. Dashaavtaram, is a long-awaited film where Kamal Hassan plays ten different roles.

Ram Gopal Verma says Nisha Kothari is not his darling

Ram Gopal Varma is livid with reports linking him with Nisha Kothari who is playing Basanti in his much talked about movie "Aag", a remake of "Sholay", and also featuring in his forthcoming "Darling". He insists he hasn't seen her in the last two months.
Some reports say that Varma is so possessive about Nisha that he insists on picking her up from her home and dropping her back
Varma says "What can I say or do about these write-ups? Maybe they should place these stories in the comic book section of the paper. The fact is I finished shooting with Nisha for 'Aag' five months ago. For the last two months I've been in Hyderabad shooting for 'Sarkar 2'.
"Only god and the creators of these fictional tales know when and where I'm picking up Nisha and where I am taking her. Honestly, when I get into the car I've no clue about my whereabouts. How will I escort anyone else when I don't know my way around Mumbai?"
On her part, Nisha said: "I really don't know how to react to such stupid and baseless stories. I respect Ram Gopal Varma as a director and I am grateful for his belief in me. Beyond that there is nothing between us.
Courtesy:Sify.com

Rani Mukherjee praises Shefali's Kasturba role

Though colleagues in the industry are known to praise one another's work it's still very rare for one actress to openly praise another. But after seeing Gandhi My Father Rani Mukherjee sought out Shefali Shah's number to congratulate her for her performance as Kasturba. Says Shefali, "It's not as though Rani and I are friends or anything. She called me out of the blue and said, 'You're the first person I'm calling after seeing the film.' I felt so happy. Not because she is Rani Mukherjee. But because here was an actress reaching to another."
Says Rani, "I just had to do it! When I saw the film I realized Shefali was overwhelming. Even though Gandhi My Father is a father-son story Shefali is exquisite. I just had to tell her that." And to think we always thought actresses found it hard to appreciate one another!
"Not at all”, says Shefali. “In fact during the shooting of Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear my co-stars Prity Zinta, Divya Dutta and I got along like a house on fire. On the last night in Kolkata we partied and giggled ourselves silly. Preity is so hassle-free. No hidden agendas behind her niceness. Divya was also a joy. It's very difficult working with people who are full of themselves."
Courtesy: Sify.com

CHAK De in a copy of Miracle!

In what is probably the highpoint of Chak De India, Shah Rukh Khan delivers an inspirational speech to his team. Telling them that this is their time, he concludes with the now-famous dialogue, "Yeh sarttar minute, tumse Khuda bhi nahin cheen sakta (Even God will not be able to take these 70 minutes from you)."
The film, which after a slow start is doing great business at the box office, however eerily reminds one of the 2004 release Miracle, starring Kurt Russell. "You were meant to be here tonight... This is your time," Russell, who plays the coach of the US hockey team, tells his players at a similar moment just before a crucial match.
Miracle is based on a true-life story of US hockey coach Herb Brooks. It is the tale of a ragtag college hockey team taking on the mighty USSR in the 1980 Olympic games. Strangely enough, Chak De India is also based on the life of Mir Ranjan Negi, a hockey coach who led the Indian women's team to victory in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Despite drawing upon two different incidents, Miracle and Chak De India do have quite a few things in common. For instance, both the actors coach an underdog team and have to overcome their respective politicking federations. The similarities do not end there. At one point Khan insists on having the players say that they play for the country and not individual states. Russell's first aim is to get his players rise above their college team identities. Like Kabir Khan, who reprimands his team for not identifying with the country, Russell punishes his team till one of them, on the verge of collapse, yellsback, "I play for the United States of America."

Chak De India review in Indian media

Hello hockey, hello hope
Khalid Mohamed in Hindustan Times
Rating:***1/2

Milk shake, rattle and roll. Sporty girls are bashing up a bunch of eve-teasers in a fast-food restaurant. The hockey coach doesn’t intervene, whips on his dark glasses and smiles lightly. His girls have scored a hit.
Cheers for Chak De! India, which may be predictable but compels you to root for a team of losers whom only an earth-angel can save from disastrous defeat. Written by Jaideep Saini and directed by Shimit Amin, this inspirational effort echoes Hollywood’s Hardball, The Replacements, and Escape to Victory whose influence has already been evidenced in Lagaan.
But what the hell? If a story is retold with varying riffs, a sliver of imagination and sufficient skill, just chill.
Over to Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), the disgraced captain of the Indian hockey team, who’s out to redeem himself after seven years of vanvas. He lands the assignment, just by a whisker, of coaching the raggedy Indian women’s hockey team. So far, so hopeful.
The 16 girls from various states are a mess – either too raw or too cocksure. Begins the training which does get far too protracted, what with the girls snarling, whining and ready to tear one’s eyes out. Slowly but surely, Khan makes them understand their strengths and above all, their Indianness which alone can get them to the winning goal.
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Shah Rukh leads hockeybabes to glory
Raja Sen in Rediff.com
Rating:***1/2

The prodigal Khan returns.
Chak De! India is the basic, every-single-sports-movie story of a disgraced player, here called Kabir Khan, pulling together a team of misfits to do the impossible -- here winning the World Championship.
This is also a return to glory for Shah Rukh Khan, the superstar doing excellently as he tackles a cast with (almost) entirely deplorable acting chops and makes you believe. Director Shimit Amin shoves a hockey stick into the actor's hand, and -- fitter than he's looked in years -- Khan flies across cinematic AstroTurf, and shines.
Stop looking up Miracle, A League Of Their Own or The Mighty Ducks DVDs -- it's a straight sports film, and you walk into the theatre knowing how it's going to turn out.
We start, of course, with the fall. Kabir, India's most successful Centre Forward of all time, flubs a crucial penalty and is castigated by his nation -- an Islamic last name and a meteoric temper make for a media-unfriendly mix -- as Pakistan win the cup.
Thus surrounded by awful actors, Khan bids farewell to his beloved sport, even as insufferable little kids clamber onto shoulders to get a better look at the traitor. Insert typically strained background music here, and you're wincing for both Khan and the film.
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It's all about loving hockey
Sarita Tanwar in Mid-Day
Rating:***

What’s it about: Feel-good, emotion-stirring tales of victory — it’s almost a genre in Hollywood. Back home, you seldom find films based on sports.Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal flirted with a new trend and Shimit Amin takes the effort on a much lavish platform. But while Iqbal was about personal triumph, Chak De! India highlights the significance of team spirit. Kabeer Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) misses a penalty shot and loses the hockey World Cup final to Pakistan.Angry spectators and the media label him a traitor and accuse him of match-fixing. Unable to bear the humiliation, Kabeer returns to his ancestral home to restore his sanity. Seven years later, he returns to his favourite sport, this time with the dream of getting the neglected Indian women’s hockey team to win the World Cup. He manages to become the coach against all odds. He fights for his team; his team fights with him and battling all adversities, together they embark upon a mission almost-impossible.
What’s hot: The film begins well and establishes its intentions in the first reel itself. It’s clearly all about loving the game. Although one would’ve liked to see a little more of Kabeer and the team’s background, the director makes up for it with his inspiring narrative. No loud melodrama, no unnecessary romantic angle for the protagonist and no excess baggage in terms of futile characters, Shimit stays true to his subject and that’s commendable. The second half of the film is exceptional; it has all the edge-of-the-seat moments you’ve been craving. Besides the final tense moments, the scene where the girls beat up guys at a restaurant is super. All the new girls deliver what’s expected, but Komal Chautala and the angry girl from Punjab stand out.But, of course, the star of the film is Shah Rukh Khan, who rocks it right from the first frame. This is yet another addition to his illustrious line-up of work after Swades and KANK. The actor breathes fire into his character; it’s Kabeer that stays with you long after the film is over. It’s Rock De! SRK all the way.
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Shah rukh hits a goal!
Mayank Shekhar in Mumbai Mirror
Rating:***1/2

This film is almost entirely in its exquisitely mainstream yet intelligent piece of screenwriting (Jaideep Sahni). It's then about inspired pieces of casting (and acting thereby). Sixteen carefully selected but relatively raw players from different parts of the nation make up the Indian women's hockey team. They're the sorts, the administrators munching biscuits in their boardroom believe, should rather play the 'belan' in the kitchen. As region-specific selections go with Indian sports, members of the team come from everywhere: the tribal belt of Jharkhand, to the untouched hills of the North-East, to the richly chic environs of small and big cities. Nothing unites them but the colour of their sports jerseys. Put together on paper, they are unlikely to match skill and speed with a European school squad. On the practice field, they appear a bunch of uncontrollably nutter hooligans. The team also shares a coach that pretty much no one can stand (Khan). The coach has an immediate task at hand, the World Championship. He also has a wider point to prove.
This is perhaps the first film since Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades where Khan truly portrays a character (even if largely undefined beyond his given profession). He is Kabir Khan, a former India captain, fallen from grace. He desperately needs to settle the public humiliation of a lost penalty shot against Pakistan at a World Championship final. The central plot, it is said, is loosely based on one, Mir Ranjan Negi, the disgraced Indian goalkeeper, who conceded 7 goals against Pakistan at the '82 Asian games. This had led to speculations over his intent then. He had trained the national women's team to a Commonweath gold later. The premise is roughly retained. Talking of the protagonist again, or actually his name, this is also the first Yash Raj product since Kabir Khan's Kabul Express (last year) that truly sticks to sense and sensibilities of a story-line. A loser-coach with a losing team that teaches us the finer art of winning is an established Hollywood genre. You could think up a laundry list of films that make up the variety: Wildcats, Young Blood, Hoosiers … (Prakash Jha's Hip Hip Hurray is the best Bombay effort that comes to mind).
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Anubhav Sinha to make animation film, SHLOK

Seems like Director Anubhav Sinha has made enough cash with his latest film Cash as there are rumours that he is now set to make an animation film Shlok, featuring a teenage superhero. Sinha who was introduced to animation during his last film, decided to give this film as a gift to his five and a half year-old son Shlok.According to sources, the dearth of Indian comic book superheroes has prompted the filmmaker to create one. Shlok is based on a setting that dates back 3000 BC, and will therefore be far removed from modern fighting techniques.
Courtesy:NDTV

Kamal Hassan is in the courts

Kamal Hassan's Dasavatharam has created a buzz in the world of Tamil cinema. But the star is battling in court to prove that the story is actually his own. Kamal appeared in the Madras High Court on Thursday for an in-camera hearing on the issue. The actor plays ten different roles in this movie. Although the Madras High Court had earlier upheld his claim, Kamal had to come to the court as part of an appeal by the petitioner.After collecting scripts from both parties the judges wanted to speak to them privately for further clarifications. "It is the defendant's claim that Dasavatharam under production has nothing to do with the story of the plaintiff. The court wanted to make a comparison whether there is any truth in the contention," said B S Raman, Counsel for Kamal Hassan.A young assistant director is the man in focus now. He claims Dasavatharam is an adaptation of his story that was originally narrated to Kamal Hassan's personal assistant."The ten role concept is the essence of my script. There is a similarity. My idea has been cheated," said the petitioner, Senthil Kumar.Call it publicity or otherwise. This issue has certainly made people talk about the movie even before its production was over.Now the court will have its final hearing on August 13.
Courtesy:NDTV

Partner sued for plagiarism

It's been around for years but perhaps you knew it as inspiration rather than plagiarism, but now in a first of its kind there's a price to pay.Sony pictures is taking action against companies K Sera Sera & Eros, co-producers for David Dhawan's Partner, claiming that the film is a direct lift of the Hollywood film Hitch.Producer Sohail Khan can hardly be blamed for thinking he was on safe ground in admitting that Partner was inspired by Hitch.After all Bollywood has a long history of lifting liberally from Hollywood films not just the plot but in many cases even the frames.However, now comes the hammer blow. A leading newspaper says the producers of Hitch, Will Smith's production house Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment are contemplating a $30-million suit against the producers."I pay close attention to Sony projects, they're like family. If they follow through, this could strike a deep blow at the heart of Bollywood filmmaking," said Will Smith, actor.Legal routesNot just that, it could set a precedent for other international producers and even music companies who could find several songs, boasting the same beats as their international counterparts.Barring Kal Ho Na Ho's ode to Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman rarely have these lifts happened through legal routes.Ironically, Bappi Lahiri had filed a lawsuit in a federal court claiming the hit single 'Addictive' by Truth Hurts borrowed heavily and without permission from a 20-year-old Hindi song.The lawsuit also charged American producers including hip hop impresario Dr Dre with practising a form of "cultural imperialism" by not crediting Third World artists.Now that Indian filmmakers are on the receiving end for the first time the question is: Will Sony go through with the suit?Neither Sony nor the producers of Partner were available for comment. But if the lawsuit is filed, it won't be just the Partner team which will have to worry.
Courtesy:NDTV.com

Himesh's Karz will happen in OOTY

It's not very clearly known at what point Satish Kaushik decided to pay a homage to one of his favourite colleagues and associates Subhash Ghai. But when Himesh invited Satish to hear his tunes for the neo-Karz, Satish was won over.
But homage it was, when Satish decided to remake Ghai's Karz. "But in a totally modern idiom. The story will be transposed from Ooty to a foreign location. We're looking at various possibilities in Europe," says Satish excitedly. "Karz is a dream come true. Himesh Reshammiya is like the Michael Jackson of India. So we've four brand equities coming together for the Karz remake – Subhash Ghai, Himesh, Bhushan Kumar's T Series, and me and Anupam Kher's Karol Bagh Films who will be the online producers on behalf of T Series."
What changes will Satish bring into the new Karz? "The locations, of course. This will be a 25-30 crore budgeted film. And Himesh's tracks have to be heard to be believed! When I heard them I was stunned. Himesh and I go back a long way. He has done the music for four of my films including Tere Naam which was a turning point in Himesh's career."
Speaking about Himesh the actor, Satish says, "I'm capable of extracting performances from my actors. Tusshar Kapoor is yet to equal his success in my Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai. Himesh has already proved himself a success as an actor. Now we've to build on that."
The crucial question on the Karz casting. Who will play the other key role played by Simi Garewal in the original? "It has to be lady with a great grace, poise, mystique and seductive quality living alone in this secluded mansion. I've to find someone who fits the bill fast."
Satish discounts the rumour that the roles of the two protagonists before and after the reincarnation will be turned into a double role for Reshammiya. "No. We'll have another actor for the first role, while Himesh will play the character reborn as a rock star. I'll try to stick to the spirit of Subhash Ghai's film as much as possible. What a film that was! Will I be able to do justice to it?"
What qualified him for the job? "I think it was the way I filmed those lavish songs and dances in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ki Raja. Karz requires a lot of on-stage direction."
Courtesy:Sify.com

Kannada hero Ganesh is ever grateful to Mungaru Male

Comedy time Ganesh is going great guns. The actor spoke to Sify.com on the sets of 'Gaalipata', a film he is playing the lead with Rajesh Krishna Diganth, Daisy Boppanna, Neethu and newcomer Bhavana Rao for Yogaraj Bhat direction.
“This drastic development and change in my life is all because of 'Mungaru Male'” admits Ganesh. I have finished 'Krishna' for producer Ramesh Yadav. Now I am working for 'Gaalipata'. After this I will move on to producer K.Manju film. Then I have a film for S.V.Babu, Rockline Venkatesh and a friend of mine Naga is producing a film. “ A sequel to 'Mungaru Male' is also planned sometime next year end”: says Ganesh.
“I am busy for coming two years and I would like to settle down by then” adds Ganesh. On the reported rumor that he is playing a lead opposite actress Radhika for her home production, he completely denies it.

Courtesy:sify.com

No Onam release for Mammootty?

Mammootty is in a fix. If Nasarani does not make it for Onam, it will be first time in 11 years that Mammooka will not have an Onam release!
Mammootty and his legion of fans want Nasarani as an Onam release, so that he can give Mohanlal and his Ali Bhai a run for their money. So the shoot of the film is going round the clock in Kochi, director Joshy is using two units for the shoot.
Nasarani is a big- budget multi starrer with Mammootty, Vimala, Mukta and Kalabhavan Mani. Mammootty has postponed the shoot of his Tamil film with Sneha, so that he will have an Onam release.
Now the latest we hear is that the distributors of Nasarani, Marikkar films are not too keen to release it for Onam! Marikkar is also the distributor of Mohanlal's Hello which is a super hit.
So main stations in Kerala like Ernakulam Kavitha and Thiruvananthapuram Sreekumar are refusing to stop screening Hello, which will continue even after Onam for the sake of Nasarani.
Marikkar films also feel that Nasarani, will do better if it releases for Ramzan (October 13). Added to that they are saying that the earliest that it can release is August 27 (Thiru Onam day), and can run only for a few days, as Noyambu period starts in mid September!
So the big question is will Nasarani make it for Onam?
Courtesy:sify.com

How Tamil heroine Karthika begged on the streets!

Bala is an off-beat director who believes in realistic films. He expects his lead actors to go the whole hog and make it convincing on the big screen.
When he started his magnum opus Njaan Kadavul, it was made clear to its hero Arya, that he should grow his hair long and keep it totally un kept like a swamy. Arya plays a Swami in the film who goes from the temple town of Palani to Varnasi where he gets enlightened.
Similarly the heroine too has a very important role in the film. His first choice was Bhavana, who had to leave the film due to call sheet problem. Then it was Parvathy, who after a days shoot was sent packing because she lacked the look of the character.
Finally he zeroed in on Karthika, a Tamil girl who did a Tamil film Thoothukudi, and was very impressive in the hit song in the film Karuvapaiyya…….Bala liked her looks, and was convinced that she could play the heroines role of the blind beggar woman.
But the director who believes in realism had to be convinced, that Karthika could pull it off. Most of the directors would have gone for a screen test, but the fussy director wanted real life practicals to be conducted! Bala called his make-up man, who transformed Karthika into a dark famished looking beggar woman!
Later Bala called the shabbily dressed still photographer of the film and asked him to accompany Karthika, through the streets of Periyakulam, where the shoot of Njaan Kadavul has started. Karthika and the still photographer wandered along the streets dressed as beggars, and started begging.
After three hours of walking around Periyakulam town, they came back to the hotel looking visibly tired. Nobody recognized them, and people treated them like beggars as they were able to collect Rs 47.50 in small coins, two sambar sadam packets, three bananas in their begging bowl!!
Bala congratulated Karthika, and told her that she has the making of a great actress and will go places. Hats off to Bala and Karthika, it is people like them who makes Tamil films the most happening industry in India.
Courtesy:sify.com

Ravi Chopra to do pocketmaar with Amitabh

After Baabul and Baghban, it's time for the prolific Ravi Chopra to conceive yet another project with Mr Bachchan in mind.
Says Ravi Chopra, "We've so far done Baghban and Baabul. And decades ago I directed him in Zameer. I couldn't plunge into another film with him just because of the rapport we share. The project has to be worthy of his presence. I'm now planning Pocket Maar with Mr Bachchan for early next year."
Does the Big B play the title role again as he did in Baghban and Baabul? "No, this time he plays the victim of a pickpocket's designs. For the man who commits the crime it's just another job done, and finished with. But what about the man who loses, say 10,000 rupees? What repercussions does this loss have on his life? Mr Bachchan will play that man."
Playing the victim isn't new to the Big B. He did it recently in Viruddh and Baghban. But Ravi Chopra has an entirely new character and look planned for the Big B.
courtesy:sify.com

Govinda is yet to finalise film with Ganesh Acharya

While Ravi Chopra's next and David Dhawan's forthcoming films are most certainly on the anvil for the suddenly-revived career of Govinda, choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya's next which is being counted among the back-on-the-track star's forthcoming projects, is still not a certainty.
When the news of Govinda doing Ganesh Acharya's film broke Govinda said, "Ganesh has approached me. And I'd certainly like to do his film. But I haven't heard his script. And from now on, I won't say yes to any film without a narration. Bahut baar aisa kiya, pachtaya. Jaley ko phook-phook kar aage badhna hota hai (I did this many times. When you're burnt you sip very carefully). I said yes to Ravi Chopraji after the narration."
Gone are the days when Govinda would simply say yes to anyone who came to him with a project.
"I realise the script is of utmost importance. Ganesh is a dear friend. But before I say yes to him, I need to hear his script."
Courtesy:indiafm.com

Himesh Reshammiya to make Karz remake!

The suspense is over! Himesh Reshammiya's second release as an actor, after AAP KAA SURROOR, will be produced by T-Series' head honcho Bhushan Kumar. Now here's something vital on the project: It'll be a remake of Subhash Ghai's smash hit KARZ. Incidentally, Himesh had crooned a number from the film, 'Dar-e-dil dard-e-jigar', in AAP KA SURROOR.
Himesh will be playing the part that Rishi Kapoor had enacted in the original. The other characters like Tina Munim, Simi Garewal, Raj Kiran, Durga Khote and Pran are in the process of finalisation. To be made on an extravagant scale, the remake of KARZ will have fresh tunes composed by Himesh. In fact, Himesh has decided on a makeover for this film.
Meanwhile, Ghai has decided against remaking films produced by Mukta Arts himself. “How can I remake my own scripts, when I am looking ahead at newer ideas? But, I am sure, the remake of KARZ will be welcomed by the present day generation and I wish luck to Bhushan and Himesh.”
Courtesy:indiafm.com

John and Bipasha to do an item song

Are they together or are they split?
The much-discussed question should die a natutal death after this news is published.They seem to be back(but were they split?) and together in an item song, atleast.Bipasha Basu confirmed they have come together for a sizzling item song in Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking.
"I don't think I want to talk about my personal life any more. What's happening there is for me to know. But, yes, John and I have come together professionally again after Goal, this time with an item song in Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking. I didn't do this song for John.It was Vishal Bharadwaj, the man who gave me two of my best item numbers - Beedi and Namak in Omkara. He told me about the item song in No Smoking at the IIFA in Yorkshire. After what the Omkara numbers did to my stage presence, I promptly said yes to Vishal."
Bipasha is now looking forward to shaking a leg with John for No Smoking. Bipasha is sure the number will be a rage.
"John and I will have fun dancing to it. I love the tune. Hopefully, it'll be another number to bring the house down at my stage concerts."

Sangeet Sivan wants to make horror movie

As Sangeeth Sivan immerses himself in the post production of his Nana Patekar-Bobby Deol starrer Ek - The Power Of One, he also gets ready to bring his next film on floors.Titled Click, the film is close to Sangeeth since it allows him to explore a genre which he has always wanted - Horror! Also, this is going to be the first film that Sangeeth is making for his own production house. "After Sandhya [starring Jackie Shroff, Ashutosh Rana], my first horror flick, didn't see the light of the day, I went on to make comedies like Kya Kool Hain Hum and Apna Sapna Money Money These films helped me establish myself firmly in Bollywood. I went a step ahead and roped in Bobby and Nana for an action thriller Ek - The Power Of One Now that I have finished working on the shoot, I thought of shifting to a different genre. The horror subject fascinated me and I pronto decided to get the film on floors", explains Sangeeth. What kind of horror film is he making? "This is an urban horror flick featuring a young starcast. I have signed Shreyas Talpade and Rehan Khan for the film", says Sangeeth whose KLSH and ASMM were also youth oriented. "Let me be honest here", gets Sangeeth into a candid mood, "I am trying to make a bank of actors for me with whom I can build a certain comfort level over the period of time. No 'nakhrebaazi' from stars-vaars for me. I can't take all those airs when some big star out there tries to act smart. Instead I am happy if I get to make two small films a year with youngsters who are as enthusiastic about working as you and also should share the same vision. They should show fire in them to succeed, to excel." Was that the kind of fire he saw in Shreyas and Rehan? "I was looking at youngsters who were not too exposed. With Shreyas I had worked earlier in ASMM. It was his first commercial movie and everyone acknowledges this fact. As an actor he is fantastic and we all have seen that in his other films as well. Once you build a rapport with an actor, it is imperative that you work with them again", reveals young-at-heart film maker.
Courtesy:indiafm

Shefali 'Kasturba' Shah!

Shefali Shah, who plays Kasturba in "Gandhi My Father", is not at all worried about being typecast as an old woman after the film's release.
"No way, because I play young Kasturba in most of the film. And the cinematographer has made me look better than ever before. I don't think after this role the industry will typecast me," Shefali told IANS.
"And even if they do, it's up to me to take or leave their offers. I've always been choosy anyway. Even if I do one film every two years it has to be something special," she added.
Rohini Hattangadi got typecast after playing Kasturba in Sir Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi".
But Shefali considers her role in director Feroz Abbas Khan's "Gandhi My Father" her most important so far.
"Though I feel I could still have done better. I've never been more focused. Obviously I want to be appreciated. And I want the appreciation to be translated into a lot more.
"I'm at a stage where I think good things will happen to me. People are now willing to cast me in main leads. Somewhere I think I lacked the focus earlier."
Her role as Kasturba is already garnering rave reviews. In fact, Akshaye Khanna, who plays her son in the film, has gone on record to say it's the best performance in India by a female actor.
"I know Akshaye said that. And I'm deeply grateful. We've just returned from the film's world premiere and the response was overwhelming. Unfortunately, Nelson Mandela couldn't come due to ill health. That was really sad, though he did send a message. But the South African president and the whole cabinet were there."
Produced by Anil Kapoor, the film had its world premiere in Johannesburg last weekend and Shefali said that after the screening of the film there was stunned silence in the hall.
"They all told me they couldn't believe I look so different in person. A local lady who could barely speak English told me I made her cry. I feel this film goes beyond boundaries. It's really moving. The premiere was unbelievable.
"The film is about selfless creation. Every actor and technician believed in what they were doing. They thought of the film, not of their own interests. All of us got an insight into lives that went way beyond art and acting."
After "Gandhi My Father", Shefali will be seen as Anil Kapoor's wife in the Subhash Ghai production "Black & White".
Is she worried about the leap?
"Not really," said Shefali. "'Black & White' is not a running-around-trees film. It's again a socially relevant film. Anilji is the hero and I'm the conventional leading lady. But I don't wear makeup, good clothes and sing songs."
She says that it was Anil who recommended her name for the role.
"Had it not been a good role I wouldn't have done 'Black & White'. But it's not 'Gandhi My Father'. Nor is it 'The Last Lear', the English-language film that I've completed with Rituparno Ghosh."
The talented but grossly under-used Shefali, who started her career on television, is on the threshold of a new beginning.
"The Last Lear" is also very special for the actress, who is married to filmmaker Vipul Shah.
"I'm one of the central characters in both 'Gandhi My Father' and 'The Last Lear'. In Ritu's film I play my age and someone who looks after Amitji's character. I must tell you, after Vipul's unit, Ritu's was the most warm and organised unit I've worked with. He is very caring.
"I've worked with productions where scenes are written on the sets. Sometimes I've played a character who has nothing to do with the scene given to me."
And yet she did a bit role in Yash Raj Films' "Mohabbatein".
"I don't regret doing that. It was a small role but there was one good scene. After 'Gandhi' and 'The Last Lear' I may not do it. I took a break from acting to look after my babies, got back into shape. And now this is like my comeback. I've never felt better."
Also, not too many people know that Amitabh Bachchan addresses Shefali as 'maalkin'. The actress says she is clueless why he calls her that.
"I know!" she laughed. "It's very embarrassing when he called me that all through my husband's film 'Waqt - Race Against Time' and now during 'The Last Lear'. Maybe because I was the producer's wife!
"On the first day of the shoot he warned everybody, 'Don't go by her face, be cause by and by she'll start changing everything on the sets.' Hey, I don't do that! Of course, I was critical on Vipul's set. That was my home production. But on another set I wouldn't cross the line."
Recently, Shefali has been losing weight. "And so has my husband Vipul. I finally look the way I want to."
Courtesy:sify.com

Prabhu Deva to shake legs with Salman Khan

South India's Prabhu Deva will shake legs with Bollywood's muscle man Salman Khan in the movie, Wanted Dead And Alive.
"Though Prabhu's brother Raju Sundaram will be the official choreographer, I'm sure Prabhu will make a token appearance as a good-luck charm," says Boney Kapoor , the producer.
"We started shooting from July 21 with two songs in Bangkok. The rest of the film will be shot in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai," he said.
Wanted Dead And Alive is a remake of the Telugu hit Pokhiri, which revolves around an undercover cop who works for a mafia don. Prabhu Deva, who directed the original, is wielding the megaphone for the Hindi remake too. Ayesha Takia is playing the female lead in the film.
"But we're completely taking out the Telugu aspect of the theme. In spirit Pokhiri and its remake will remain the same. But in treatment the two films will be as different as Salman and Mahesh Babu, who played the main lead in the original," Boney explained.
This is Prabhu Deva's first Hindi directorial venture.
"Not really. I've known Prabhu from the time he choreographed and danced with Madhuri in the number Que sera sera in Pukar. I know what he's capable of," Boney said
Courtesy:HT

Chak De can bring back India's hockey glory

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak de India is ready for release, and a top official of the Australian hockey board feels that the movie can instil the lost interest in hockey in India.
"The film will give a much needed boost to Indian hockey, given the fact that it is going through one of its darkest phases," says Adam Wallish, a board member of Hockey Australia.The Indian government has demoted hockey from the "priority" to the "general" category of sports because of the continuous poor showing of the national team in all major tournaments in recent years.
However, recent successes at the 16th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Malaysia and at the Champions Challenge Cup in the Netherlands, where India won the bronze medals, have given hockey lovers a new ray of hope.
In the movie, which will be released on August 10, Shah Rukh plays the role of hockey coach Kabir Khan, who turns a rag tag bunch of hapless girls into a unit that goes on to win the World Cup on the silver screen.
The story is based on the real life story of former Indian goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi, who fell from grace after conceding seven goals against Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games final, after which he was dropped from the side.
Negi, however, managed to extricate himself from disgrace by guiding the women team to Commonwealth Games glory in 2002.
"Indian hockey has lots of icons and inspiring tales to encourage a whole generation to pick up the stick and dribble ahead. If these stories are captured on the celluloid and presented in a captivating tale, nothing would be better than that," said Wallish.
He felt that in the past films on sports had been successful and were able to pull crowds to the theatres.
"We can't forget that films ... have been really very successful and they have immortalised some of the legends of the game," Wallish pointed out. It is good to see that superstars are coming forward to play such roles that capture the struggle of the sports personalities. I am sure that Chak de India will create the same magic these movies have done so far," Wallish said.
Courtesy:HT

Rakhi Sawant says she's true Gandhian

What is the similarity between Rakhi Sawant and Mahatma Gandhi? If the item girl is to be believed, her entire life revolves around Gandhian principles. And if you find it difficult to digest, then you better have a close look at what Rakhi Sawant has to say about her fascination for Gandhi.

The item girl, who would next be seen in a comedy flick Buddha Mar Gaya, believes that she belongs to a rare breed that has the 'qualities' of Mahatma Gandhi.

Says she, "I am a true Gandhian. Gandhiji once said: 'Bura mat suno, bura mat kaho aur bura mat dekho'. I am born with these qualities. I don’t bitch about anyone, I never have any interest in other’s dirty linen and I can’t see people doing wrong and be quiet."
"I speak the truth. That’s why people don’t like me. They think I am arrogant. But one quality that brings me closer to Gandhiji is the ability to fight against injustice. You remember how I grounded Mika when he kissed me. It was a true example of Gandhigiri."

"I don’t let people take me for granted."

Mahatma Gandhi's influence on this item girl's life can be traced from her childhood. Rakhi maintains that when she got to read about Gandhi during her school time, she vowed never to fall for bad habits like smoking and drinking.

Says she, "I have never ever tasted wine. I don’t smoke also. I think I followed Gandhiji’s principle all through my life. I must say that my interest in Gandhiji has made me what I am today. I have learnt to be vegetarian from him. I believe in the principles of non-violence."

Rakhi says that she has a mission to fulfill in this country like Gandhiji. "Just as he fought to free this country from British, I want to free this country from corruption. This is my ultimate aim," says Rakhi.

On being asked how her item dance is on the line of Gandhian principles, she says, "Item dance is not a crime. It’s an art and I pursue it with a vanity. it’s takes a lot of hard work to perform. Gandhiji also believed in working hard."
Courtesy:HT

CASH review

Such trash!
By Tushar Joshi in Mid-day

What’s it about: Remember the 4 Non Blondes song, “What’s going on?” That’s what comes to mind as I try to decipher what Cash is all about. Name-dropping comes easy to Anubhav Sinha as he puts together an ensemble cast of some of the most thankless characters ever created. Lucky (Riteish), Danny (Zayed) and Puja (Esha) play the cool trio, wearing hip clothes and showing off their camera-enhanced skills of being the smoothest thugs in the world. They work for Karan (Ajay) who looks like a cross between a failed hitman and a carnival dancer lost in Rio, traced back to Cape Town. Baddie Angad (Sunil Shetty, who I think has worn one single suit throughout the film) and his decked-up accomplice Aditi (Dia Mirza) have their eyes on three expensive diamonds. But hold on, that’s what Karan and his gang want too. Before you think this is the plot, hang on: there’s Shania (Shamita) who’s a cop (don’t let her hair extensions, lip gloss and kilos of make-up fool you). For over two hours, all these guys chase diamonds, blow up cars, dance, fall in and out of love to keep themselves occupied.What’s hot: Inspired by Michael Bay, Sinha goes for the kill with car chases, daredevil stunts, scenic locati- ons and even manages to get some foot-tapping music from Vishal and Shekhar. All this is of no avail thanks to the mindless plot.
Rating:*1/2
Read complete review

Such a rash bash
By Khalid Mohamed in Hindustan Times

All right, get this straight – unless you want to waste two hours and more trying to decipher which diamond has been split into three. Why Devgan is looking stern? Why Riteish Deshmukh has regressed into childhood by going all over the place on a skateboard? Why Shamita Shetty and Esha Deol are in itsy-bitsy costumes?
Why Suneil Shetty wears itsier-bitsier expressions? Why there’s talk about Chinese mafia? Why there are Oceans 12 rip-off scenes? Why someone wants to steal the worst painting in the world? Why bombs are being planted around bridges? Why everyone’s having an intensely bad-air day? Why the action keeps switching to cartoon footage? And why..oh forget it.
Tip top tip: Don’t be RASH, don’t waste your CASH. Even an old CASHmera Shah movie would be better.
Rating:**

Indecipherable trash!
By Mayank Shekhar in Mumbai Mirror

Since this film's songs began to appear on television a few weeks ago, I meant to check for my personal knowledge the lyricist's name. The hit-track reads, "Crazy with desire, You're my mind-blowing Mahia." There's another (the better one) that goes, "Cash meri aankhon mein, Cash meri baahon mein…" The credited writer is Vishal of Vishal-Shekhar fame, evidently much better with his music than with the pen. But as you enter the theatre, you realize that piece of writing is infinitely superior still for a film that is entirely unwritten. It's merely been shot. It's set in nowhere, and is truly about nothing. At an early scene, the heroine (Shamita Shetty), an Indian High Commission cop in Capetown (or whatever it is that she plays), solemnly looks at her hero (Devgan, a top crook), and suggests her admission of love, "I love you more than possible." "Any less would not do," the hero shoots back. The leading lady thinks of an adequately poetic retort for a second, a confounded expression on her face, and timidly whispers, "Mind-blowing." She rushes away. You know from here on, the cushion on your multiplex seat will remain your only friend through the show.
Rating:*
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Cash can't do the Tango
By Raja Sen in Rediff.com

They say money talks.
Cash evidently believes in brevity. A Little Less Conversation, as the King sang. Except in this film, the next line is cruelly paraphrased to: A Little Bore Action.
We're perfectly fine with senseless action movies. I put my feet up and completely grooved to Anubhav Sinha's last effort, Dus. Sure, it's a loopy ride, but we aren't looking for logic if the rollercoaster's fast enough. It's a genre Bollywood largely overlooks, and if it doesn't make sense, who cares? Neither does Die Hard.
So this review isn't a tirade against plot holes or item numbers -- we're more than used to overlooking both. We're not even going to assess the bloopers. It's just that this time the action -- which frequently flipflops into amateurish animation -- leaves you distinctively sleepy. The stunts are strictly okay, at best. And that just isn't done.
In essence, there are three diamonds, and six people -- capering around fancy sounding international airports -- out to get them. Fair enough. So let's have a fun and fast little heist shooter, shall we? Um, not quite.
Rating:*1/2
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Gandhi, my father review

Importance of being earnest
Review by Khalid Mohamed in Hindustan Times

A train’s about to leave. Rushing to a compartment, a desperate man hands a shrivelled orange to his mother. She asks lovingly, “Where..where did you get it?” as if she had been handed manna from heaven. And then the man tells his saintly father, “You are what you are because of her..and her alone.”
That’s one of the searing moments of Gandhi My Father, which marks the debuts of actor Anil Kapoor as producer and theatre wunderkind Feroz Abbas Khan as writer-director. The painstakingly-mounted duel between the Mahatma (Darshan Jariwala) and his prodigal son Harilal (Akshaye Khanna) has its heart in the right place.
It tells us that blood isn’t thicker than water – not when the struggle is to guide a nation towards its independence. If one’s own son is left by the wayside, so be it. That the nation’s father lacerated his son emotionally – with tragic results – was scooped by the stage play Mahatma versus Gandhi directed by Khan himself about a decade ago.
Now Khan goes at the story, ascribed to various authors, with an approach that’s overwhelmingly elegiac, stating that a man must sacrifice his own family at the altar of the greater good. The screenplay, at times tends to be patchy, jumping cursorily between South Africa and India. Despite that, the vignettes add up to a work which reminds you of one of the nearly extinct principles of filmmaking – and that is the importance of being earnest.
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Gandhi My Father: Brave attempt
By Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Rediff.com

With Gandhi My Father Anil Kapoor, has touched a subject that no Bollywood producer would have dared to.
The film is a brave attempt and director Feroz Abbas Khan has tried to bring out the complicated relationship between the Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his eldest son, Harilal.
The film works because of the wonderful performances from the four lead actors: Darshan Jhaveri as Mahatma Gandhi [Images], Akshaye Khanna as Harilal, Shefali Shah as Kasturba Gandhi [Images] and Bhoomika Chawla as Harilal's wife Gulab.
Unfortunately, the script has many loopholes. A little more research on what the real problem between Mahatma and his son was would have made this film a classic. It is here that Feroz Abbas Khan disappoints.
To begin with, there was no justification for Gandhi opposing Harilal's decision to get married. Again, a little research on the reason behind Harilal's rebellion against his father could have taken the film to another level.
Another inconsistency is the part where the Mahatma advocates Indian students to go to London [Images] for a scholarship but when it comes to his own son, he sticks to Satyagraha and Indian values.
More questions come to the fore as the film progresses and no reason is given for the growing distance between father and son, though there are enough about the Mahatma being more concerned about the nation's interest than his family.
Rating:***
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Slice of history
By Sarita Tanwar in Mid-day

What’s it about: It’s not every week that you encounter a film like Gandhi My Father. Which is precisely why, when you do, you expect a lot from it. When a filmmaker undertakes a subject of such magnitude, you want him to focus as much on the film’s intricacies. But Feroz Khan’s debut venture leaves you somewhat cold despite its lavish mounting, authentic look and classic presentation. The film delves into Mahatma Gandhi’s (Darrshan Jariwala) complex relationship with his oldest son, Harilal (Akshaye Khanna). History remembers Harilal as a drunkard and a slur on the celebrated family. Khan offers to reveal his other side — as a loving son to Kasturba (Shefali Shah), a devoted husband to Gulab (Bhumika Chawla) and a doting father to his four children. For most of the film, Harilal struggles to understand his father and eventually ends up blaming him for his unfortunate life. What’s Hot: It’s heartening to see a mainstream actor like Anil Kapoor pick up a non-commercial subject like this for his banner. The film boasts of high production values. Everyone, from the director of photography, David Macdonald, to production designer Nitin Desai, deserve special mention for their contribution. Penny Smith does an amazing job with the hair and make-up, and costume designer Sujata Sharma is impeccable in her styling.
Rating:**1/2
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Loose experiment with truth
By Mayank Shekhar in Mumbai Mirror

A tiny, unformed shrub stunted under the spread of an over-awed larger tree is a known phenomenon of public life. An offspring at logger-heads with a grand patriarch who he perceives as either negligent towards his own, or virtuously objective to a fault, is the stuff of mythology (Ramayana), and several contemporary Hindi films (Shakti, Sarkar, Apaharan…). Mahatma Gandhi's similarly turbulent relationship with his eldest son Harilal, though specific, is then universal at the same time. Harilal (Khanna) was, according to the film's account, an initial experiment for the elder Gandhi (Jariwal). He remained pretty much unschooled, which, to most extent, appear as his own academic weakness. The Mahatma wasn't disappointed. In his later years, Gandhiji saw western educationEducationTimes.com: Gateway to Successhttp://www.educationtimes.com as being capable of colonizing minds; hardly a weapon to fight discrimination and injustice in his adopted home South Africa, or thereafter in India. The latter were his all-consuming concerns by then. Just as the 'Bapu' to this nation, the Mahatma had wished a minor course for his own son.
Rating:**
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Sanjay will cook at Yerwada jail

Sanjay Dutt, who has hardly had the appetite to eat anything at Arthur Road jail, will now have to cook for his 3,000-odd fellow prisoners at Yerawada jail in Pune. The actor, who was transferred there with his friend Yusuf Nullwala last night, will assist a team of cooks from today morning, when his prison term will officially start, revealed senior officials at the jail.Dutt, who has been sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) by the TADA court for possession of arms has been deputed to the kitchen — a fairly easy job by jail standards, despite the smoke and slippery floors. RI means doing labour like cooking, carpentry, farming, working on handlooms, etc. A jail official said Dutt may be shifted to carpentry or pottery only after officials are sure he will be detained there for a longer period.Dutt has been kept in the Anda Barrack, which has three cells. He has been kept in a cell with his friend Yusuf Nullwalla, who has been convicted for helping to destroy Dutt’s weapons.The other two cells lodge stamp scam kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi and the ’93 blasts convicts on death row. Police and jail authorities are manning this barrack.
Courtesy:Midday

Crazy Bollywood!

Juggling schedules in Bollywood has become a way of life, and how! We realised the full extent of it when Ram Gopal Varma shared his crazy schedules with us yesterday. Ramu has actually been commuting between Mumbai and Hyderabad every day. The filmmaker shoots for Sarkar Raaj at Ramojirao studios in Hyderabad every day, then after winding up the shoot for the day, catches a flight back to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he spends much of the night winding up the pending post-production and publicity work for Ram Gopal Varma Ke Aag. "I come to Mumbai every evening to work on the post-production of my film Aag, and return to Hyderabad in the morning for shooting Sarkar Raaj," Ramu says. Meanwhile there's another filmmaker who's working overtime to complete his film too. Ashutosh Gowariker is struggling to complete the post- production of Jodha Akbar. And he too is scuttling between Mumbai and Hyderabad. This is because although Ash's dates are with Ramu for Sarkar Raaj, she is simultaneously dubbing for Ashutosh's Jodha Akbar, at Ramojirao studio.So how did Ashutosh manage that? He packed off his team of assistant directors and asked them to follow the actress to wherever she was shooting. And, thus began Bollywood's famous 'adjustment' act. Happily, both Ashutosh and Ramu have worked out a way to work with Ash without really disturbing each other's film. Now, Ashutosh too has packed his bags and left for Ramojirao studios where Aishwarya is shooting for Ramu's Sarkar Raaj. The industry is certainly getting very accommodating! Although Ash's dates are with Ramu, he apparently does not mind that at all. "Aishwarya is dubbing for Ashutosh when she is not shooting for me," he says matter-of-factly.

Courtesy:MumbaiMirror

Esha Deol slaps again!

When, just when will Esha Deol stop slapping her co-stars? A few years ago, there were rumours of her slapping Amrita Rao while they were shooting some film. Now someone tells me, she's done it again. Thankfully Amrita wasn't on the receiving end this time. It was Zakir Hussain, who's known for his role in Sarkar.
As it seems, they were shooting for Darling. The sequence was apparently intense and Esha was supposed to slap Zakir. Now Esha is a fitness freak. So when she hit him, poor Zakir saw stars in the day. But the actor continued giving the shot. It was much later that Esha realised what had happened and was all apologies. Of course, Zakir couldn't say or do much, lest he'd have to do a retake and be slapped again.

Courtesy:buzz18

Mohanlal injured while shooting

Superstar Mohanlal was injured during the climax action scenes of his Onam film Ali Bhai in Red Hills location near Chennai.
What happened was that a dummy gun held by the "villain"( a Mumbai actor) accidentally went off during the shoot, hitting Mohanlal in the lower eyelid. Immediately director Shaji Kailas and other unit members rushed him to a nearby hospital, and first aid was provided.
After an hour, Lal was back to the sets, and completed the shot. The complete professional that he is, he went for the dubbing of the film in the evening.
Later speaking to sify.com, Mohanlal said: "Nothing to worry about, I fealt a minor irritation on my face. All these are occupational haphazards, when you do action scenes."

Mohanlal starrer 'Ali Bhai' is ready

The climax of Mohanlal's Shaji Kailas directed action thriller Ali Bhai was over on Friday (July 27) in Chennai. Mohanlal who had recovered from his injury during the climax, is now dubbing for the film.
Ali Bhai will be a great Ona Sadya for Mohanlal fans. Lal ettan is said to have done a great job in this mass masala, with terrific punchlines, a fantastic market song, and spellbinding action scenes.
The post production work of the film has commenced in Chennai. Ali Bhai will release worldwide on August 15 with simultaneous opening in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore, along with 60 screens in Kerala.
courtesy:Sify

Meera Madhava Raghava is family entertainer

Meera Madhava Raghava is yet another clean family entertainer. T.N.Seetharam the popular mega television serial director who knows the pulse of middle-class audiences has entered the big screen with this film.
Meera (Ramya) a singer and Madhava (Digant) a lecturer gets married. Meera sacrifices her dream of becoming a big singer to support her husband whose dream is to become an IAS officer.
For this, she is forced to borrow money from a rowdy Raghava (Tilak) who had an aye on her before marriage. Meera forges her husband’s signature to get money from Raghava. Time flies by and Madhava an IAS now is a sincere officer whom is against corrupt politicians and criminals.
He crosses swords with Raghava, who now wants to contest elections. It is also payback time for Meera and the consequences are too harsh for her to handle. How she faces everything and becomes winner forms the rest of the story.
This is much matured role for Ramya. She has not been shown in such a role so far, sans any glamour. Thilak as Raghava a rowdy shines in his performance. Diganth looks cool but could have done the role better. Hamsalekha’s melodious songs are just ok. H.M.Ramachandra has done a fine job. The light and shadow he uses to show the situation faced by Meera is very meaningful.
Sify rating: This is good for the family viewing.

Rajnikant's next film!

Everybody knows that the Rajnikanth is chilling out in Europe getting the feel of animation movies, as he is helping his daughter Soundarya on her pet project Sultan. After a brief holiday in US, the Superstar returns to Chennai by middle of August.
Back home in Chennai, he has to take a call on who will produce his next film. He has more or less made up his mind, that he will have a release in the summer of 2008, much before the release of Sultan.
At the national level Rajnikant is a rage, following the stupendous success of Sivaji. Now is the time to cash on it, as Mumbai based corporates are falling over each other to get the rights of the film. At the moment whatever Rajni does will sell, irrespective of who directs it.
The buzz in Kollywood is that Rajnikant will be doing a film for his mentor K.Balachandar’s production house Kavithalaya. He is also toying with the idea to rope in Panju Arunachalam as co-producer for the project. Remember Panju is the producer for whom Rajni has done the maximum number of films during 70’s and 80’s. The nitty gritty of how to go about it is being worked out.
However one thing is almost certain that the film will be directed by K.S Ravi Kumar. Rajni has a soft corner for Ravi Kumar, who directed his blockbuster Padayappa, which still remains the superstar’s favourite film. Added to that Rajni feels that Ravi Kumar got a raw deal in the whole Jaggu Bhai imbroglio. And Rajni knows that Ravi has already worked on the one-line of a family entertainer, keeping the superstar’s image in mind.
Meanwhile Ravi Kumar has almost completed 95 percent of the shoot of Dasavatharam, with only a song remaining to be canned Though he has a commitment with London Karuna of Ayangaran International, to start an Ajit film, it can wait if the Superstar gives the green signal.
The biggest factor working in favour of Ravi is that, he can wrap up a superstar film really fast, and within the budget. Remember that Ravi completed the entire shoot, post production work and released Padayappa in 117 days, from the day of it’s pooja !

Courtesy:Sify

Rats attach Vikram's home!

The other day there was panic at Chiyaan Vikram's Besant Nagar house. A horde of rats invaded his posh drawing room, with leather upholstery!
On Monday evening Kenny who was relaxing in his bedroom, heard loud shrieks of his wife Shylaja and immediately he dashed down and found his wife running out of the drawing room. Soon the staff in his house found rats having a merry time in the drawing room. Shyla has a rat phobia, and she ran out and took shelter in the garden!
Meanwhile Vikram, kids and his personal staff were on a mission to exterminate the rats, which had bored a deep hole under his leather sofa and had set up a comfortable home there! Our 'Bheema' and his men took all the sofas out into the road and dusted the rats out!

Govinda is almost out of his debts!

"Partner" has changed the course of actor Govinda's life. He is getting good offers from big filmmakers, among them Ravi Chopra's next movie that goes on the floors Aug 15.
Govinda said: "I heard the script and I was bowled over. Three hours passed like 30 minutes. It was like I saw the film before my eyes. Like other films by the Chopras, it's a socially relevant subject on the dreams and aspirations of youth.The film gives the message that determination can move mountains. It is an inspiring story with lots of comedy and drama. Just my scene."
He is paired with Lara Dutta in the film, which will have one more leading lady.
"It will be either Sushmita or Bipasha. I'm paired with Lara for the first time. She's a very good actress."
He says his life has started looking up after the success of "Partner".
"Life is finally on an even level. 'Partner' is such a hit. It crossed Rs.500-550 million in the first week. David Dhawan has changed himself through the decades. He did a very wise thing by changing his cinema with the times."
The film's success has not only put the actor back on the threshold but will help him get rid of debts.
"This month I will be out of my debts. I'll finally pay off all the debts I owed after the failure of my home production 'Sukh'. 'Partner' proved to be lucky for me personally and professionally. Not only did I get a big hit I also found a friend in Salman and his family."
Govinda didn't charge any money for the movie, which also stars Salman Khan, Lara and Katrina Kaif.
"But I gained so much more from this film and my association with the Khans! And now that 'Partner' is a hit I'm getting better and better films, so the money is coming. I've signed films with David and Ravi Chopra. There's a queue of producers again. But now I'm going to be very careful."
Courtesy:Sify

Controversies make Riya change her mobile number!

What's with Riya Sen these days? Someone tells me, the pretty actress has changed her mobile number, again. Well, you see Riya has a strange habit of changing her number each time she gets into a controversy. A few years ago, when Ashmit Patel allegedly circulated an MMS, she realised what being in controversy means. She changed her number then and more recently after a tabloid carried a story of her getting a silicon job. But the latest came in when her name was allegedly dragged into the Akshay Kumar-Twinkle Khanna story. So when phone calls started pouring in, she did what she does best – disconnected her old SIM card and bought a new one.
It’s a nice way to stay away from unwanted attention, Riya. But then again, knowing your ability to get embroiled in controversies just buy yourself a dozen cards right away! Courtesy:Buzz18

Sanjay Dutt's film producer goes bankrupt!

At a time when there's possibly no hotter star than Sanjay Dutt, this may seem ironical. Veteran producer Satish Khanna's film Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse starring Sanjay Dutt has no buyers. Khanna, who is now bankrupt, has sold his house and office and gone back to Kanpur, his native place.A source informs us, "The film got stuck for a lot of reasons. First there were Sanju's dates. Then there were serious money issues too. When he tried to sell the film, distributors found it too old. Satish had borrowed about Rs 5 crore from film financers. Interest was piling up and there was no way he could repay them. Finally he sold everything he had and went away."
Besides Dutt, the film also stars Chandrachur Singh and Shamita Shetty. It is directed by one Rishi Talwar, who is apparently related to Rajesh Khanna.It has been about two months since the man packed his bags and baggage. But rumour has it that given the turn of events over the last few days, Khanna is planning to return and try his luck again.
Courtesy:Buzz18

Shilpa Shetty says she won't marry anyone from Bollywood

Ever since Shilpa Shetty entered Celebrity Big Brother house the controversies have been haunting her, apart from all the success and attention. The latest controversy comes from Kavita Kundra, wife of businessman Raj Kundra, who holds Shilpa responsible for breaking her marriage. Shilpa says Raj is only a friend

"It seems that she is frustrated due to her break-up with Raj Kundra. Or may be she is trying to get some publicity by levelling all these baseless charges at me. She has some problem and that’s why she is doing it. have warned her that if she continues to besmirch me like this, I will take legal action against her. She is not supposed to vent her ire in this manner. Even if she is under deep stress because of her break up, her act is highly immoral, illegal and unjustified. She will have to pay a heavy price if she doesn’t stop and control herself."

On her friendship with Raj

"It’s just three months old and it’s only a professional relation. He has organised my perfume launch. I had signed a deal with him only because of my perfume S2. I have no hesitation to say that he is a good human being and a great friend. The trouble in their marriage started long before I met him. So Kavita Kundra’s allegations have not even a bit of truth.

On marriage

I am not looking for a partner in the film industry because I know if I marry someone from the industry, it would be difficult to take out time for each other. I want someone who's well-settled and has a comfortable time schedule unlike film industry people. In another five year’s time, I see myself settled down with a life partner and two kids.

Courtesy:HT

I'm not yet ready for marriage and kids:Rani Mukherjee

Media has been reporting that Rani Mukherjee has married Aditya Chopra and moved into her home and all. But Rani insists to differ with all the news reports. She says marriage is far off her radar.
Recently Rani's sister gave birth to a baby. Says she, "Giving birth to a baby is really a painful and difficult task. I saw my sister screaming in pain while delivering the baby. It’s the most difficult task for any woman. But the feeling of motherhood is so beautiful that even after that unbearable pain, every woman loves to give birth to a child.As far as I am concerned, when I saw all this, I thought that I should take a couple of years to prepare myself physically and mentally to bear all this."
Rani feels that carrying a baby for the whole nine month in the womb and then delivering it needs a mature mind and mature body.
She says, "I am yet to reach that level of maturity of body and mind. It’s not that I won’t get married. Neither is the case that after seeing a delivery I am very much scared of being a woman. I have full faith in the institution of marriage and I equally respect the idea of having a family but I am yet to reach that stage to take that responsibility."
About her relationship with Aditya Chopra, she refuses to give any clarification. She says, "Marriage would not be a clandestine affair. But yes, I would marry someone for whom my heart beats. There is no compromise in love at all."
Courtesy:HT

Bollywood producers are mostly illiterate, so bad films:Sudhir Mishra

Bollywood writer-director Sudhir Mishra says the Indian film industry is failing to produce good films as most producers are not literate enough to understand scripts that have elevated content and are putting in money for time tested subjects.
"To produce good films, it requires original work which is sometimes risky to put in money for. Our producers mostly give money for subjects which ensure them good returns and are sceptical to fund a script which is different from the rest that are churned out," Mishra told IANS in an interview.
"In an industry where mediocre scripts rule, producers have got into the habit of compromising with content. I also feel that most of them are illiterate to understand good subjects," he said.
"The basic problem is that audiences also see bad films and hence producers prefer to give money for rip offs or stories that have been used before and can land hits. It is such a farce that we shout against piracy when we are operating on rip offs. In recent years, everyone has seen that we can produce commercially successful films which need not follow the time-tested formulas. More and more producers should support such ventures for the good of the industry."
Courtesy:HT