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7:43 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 5 -- Katrina Kaif might be away in Spain, bonding with Hrithik Roshan during the shoot of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara..., but Manoj Bajpai continues to be all praise for her after their Raajneeti experience.
Now, Bajpai is hoping that Prakash Jha casts Katrina in his next film, Aarakshan too, says Rajni.
So far, Bajpai has been finalised for the movie on reservation, along with Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.
7:43 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 5 -- After Madhuri Dixit, Tabu and Amrita Rao, painter MF Husain has found a new muse. The 94-year-old has reportedly watched the film Ishqiya 12 times already and is "fida" over Vidya Balan, the film's leading actress. Husain, also a filmmaker, now wants to paint her and also wants her to act in his next directorial venture.
"A painting by Husain saab would immortalise me, though I don't know how to react to him calling me 'gorgeous'," Balan laughs.
She admits that though she has seen his art, she hasn't watched his films - Gaja Gamini and Meenaxi - A Tale of Three Cities. "I will definitely watch both the films before we meet," she says. "I'd love to work with him and I'm hoping we can get started on the movie by next year."
Meanwhile, Balan has almost wrapped up No One Killed Jessica in which she is playing a character reportedly inspired by the late model Jessica Lall's sister Sabrina, who, for 11 years, crusaded for justice for her sister's murder.
Balan says she hasn't met Sabrina yet. "She's never visited the sets, I'd have known if she had, but she's definitely the face of the Jessica Lall case," Balan says. "Her fight has proved that you have to be the change you want to see in the world." Balan points out that she, too, has fought to live and work on her own terms. It wasn't easy to choose non-conventional films such as Paa and Ishqiya
7:41 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 6 -- She has been hailed as the most fashionable celebrity in Bollywood by glossies and designers alike. But actress Sonam Kapoor's style sense may be no more than a mere inspiration.
On more occasions than one, the actress has been spotted sporting the exact same look as Hollywood stylistas such as Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker and the Olsen twins. Last month, Kapoor attended a promotional event for I Hate Luv Storys in Dubai, where she wore a black Chloe dress. Her dress, as well as the hairdo, were exactly the same as Diaz's at a dinner in Paris two weeks prior.
Earlier, in March, she repeated Parker's look. While the Sex And The City star wore a Stella McCartney lace dress, teamed with a jacket and necklaces for a red carpet event, Kapoor wore a strikingly similar design by Ayesha Depala and teamed it with necklaces and a Helmut Lang jacket (with sleeves rolled up exactly like Parker's). On another occasion, Kapoor's look, right from the red rimmed shades to the printed stole, was an exact replica of what Mary Kate Olsen wore at an event a few months before.
With these pictures having found their way to fashion blogs, users are pretty amused. "She copies Hollywood celebs' look without putting her own twist to it," says a user on celeb blog Pinkvilla.com. "So much for being a fashionista," wrote Fm, while Fashup said, "She's not as original as she'd like us to believe." However, blogger Prem Rogue says, "Yeah that's some pretty direct inspiration! But, she carries it off splendidly."
"Hollywood is considered ultimate in style, but some actresses ape them blindly," says designer Anjalee Kapoor.
While Sonam refused to comment on the matter, her spokesperson said the actress does not have a stylist and decides her own look.
7:41 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 6 -- Madhu my Mottu Maid has sauntered in, without my mochaccino yet again. She wants me to hear about Kunal Kapoor's dukh-bhari story. Nah, it has nothing to do with his dard-e-dil, but I'm told that the dude is telling whoever stops to listen that he is bored of practicing parkour all alone.
The actor who loves to learn new stuff was excited about parkour. Now he's finding it "rather boring to jump around" all by himself. So much so that he's tweeting to the whole world, asking if "any soul knows of anyone or any group that practices parkour in Mumbai?" informs Mottu.
The Kapoor dude is even promising to reward anyone one who helps him with a backflip or two. Maybe he should try asking Akshay Kumar. Even his puttar Aarav can give him company, remarks Mots. I'm not amused!
7:40 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 6 -- Imran Khan will be Coca Cola's representative from India at the FIFA World Cup final. Fiancee Avantika Malik will not be with him since she is currently in Europe, but Khan will be taking along a couple of his friends because "it's no fun watching football alone".
He admits that he is not a football fanatic and has no favourites. But he did catch two of the quarter final match. "Spain was expected to go through but I was shocked by Germany's 4-0 demolition of Argentina. Their teamwork is phenomenal and Germany has a good chance of making it to Sunday's final," says Khan, who is packing for his first trip to Johannesburg this Thursday. He will stay back a few days and may check out the octopus that has been bang-on in its predictions.
The actor is going to miss coach Diego Maradona, "but with all due respect to him, I wasn't looking forward to seeing him dance naked if Argentina lifted the Cup". There are many though, and that includes some from the LGBT community, who are drooling over Khan's "shirtless" look in I Hate Luv Storys. "Dharma Productions is organising a special screening for my Gay Fan Club. I will be going for it," says Khan.
Big opening
Not just the homosexuals and the straight teenyboppers, even the aunties and mummies love his new 'luv' story. "Older women have always had a soft spot for me," he blushes. The film has taken a bigger opening than some of the recent releases, including Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) and even his own Jaane Tu... Yaa Jaane Naa (2008), and is reported to have grossed Rs 22 crore in the first three days alone. This, after the not-so-happening Kidnap (2008) and Luck (2009), is reassuring. "I wasn't sure if I belonged here after the last two films, but now I know that I have been accepted," says Khan, who's doing another film with Dharma Productions.
What is more heartening are the figures coming in from overseas. So far, only a few actors, mostly Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman and Saif Ali Khan have been big draws. "It's nice that a younger actor who is also a Khan is working there too," smiles the actor, whose "Idhar udhar ki baatein, vagairah vagairah" is a hit today.
He's excited for 'mamu' Aamir Khan's Peepli Live too, whose trailers opened along with his film: "This is the first time I've seen people clapping for a trailer."
7:39 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 6 -- Mottu is insisting on serving me a tiddy-bitty on Salman Khan. Seems the actor's 'Being Human Foundation' is inspiring his Udaan producer, Sanjay Singh.
Mots tells me that Singh is planning to start his own NGO, like Sallu. Until then, he has pledged his support to the actor's foundation to use his contacts - coming from a policical background being son of netaji Kripashankar Singh - to do some noble deeds. Chalo, badhiya hai.
7:37 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 6 -- 24 hours after MS Dhoni's hush-hush wedding with girlfriend Sakshi Rawat in Dehradun on Sunday night, several rumours - right from the wedding guests to post-wedding bashes - are now doing the rounds. The couple made a stop in Delhi yesterday, en route to Ranchi, leaving a trail of further speculation.
For starters, while it has been claimed that the two studied in the same class in school, sources close to Dhoni say, "There's a substantial age gap between the two... how could they possibly be in the same class?" HT City debunks other rumours around what is being called the wedding of the decade. -Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Theory # 1 Bipasha Basu and John Abraham are throwing a grand bash on July 7 at their place for the newlyweds. Also that Bips played Cupid and was the one to introduce Sakshi to Mahi in a party post her film, Race. TRUTH This so called match making and party is all media's imaginative streak. I have kept no reception for Dhoni on the 7th. People are hounding me for this. It's semi finals on that day and am just watching football and there is no Mahi coming please! -Bipasha Basu
Theory # 2 The bride wore a bespoke wedding churidaar-kurta, custom made by designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. TRUTH Sakshi came in as just another random customer to my Kolkata store and purchased a simple traditional lehenga off the shelf. The salesgirl later told me about it. I didn't even meet her."
Theory # 3 Farah Khan was one of the guests at the wedding and was right beside the bride, wherever she went. TRUTH God, some idiot has put out this news. I never attended Dhoni's wedding. Not true! -Farah Khan
7:34 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has denied reports that she along with boyfriend John Abraham will throw a party for their friend, cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Rawat.
"Ok for everyone who thinks me and John are hosting a party for Mahi, just want to say it is a rumour. Not true!" Bipasha clarified through micro-blogging site Twitter.
John and Bipasha are close friends of Dhoni, who tied the knot with Sakshi Sunday evening at a very private affair on the outskirts of Dehradun Sunday evening, a day after the couple's hush-hush engagement.
While John made it to the wedding, Bipasha couldn't attend the event as she was busy shooting in Diu for Priyadarshan's "Aakrosh".
"I'll celebrate with Dhoni and his wife when they return to Mumbai," she had earlier posted on Twitter.
7:25 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 6 -- It may be 'Waka waka' in South Africa, but in South India, it is 'Lakka lakka...' Popstar Shakira's official FIFA song has found its desi version in Kerala. Sung by Malayalam singer Liji Francis, the video is almost the exact replica of Shakira's - same music, same imagery, same choreography and almost the same excitement. Within three days of being on YouTube, the video has attracted more than 70,000 views.
"Cooooolll! A gud attempt," posted Lini, a viewer. "Haha... it's hilarious. Nice mixing for a non-pro work," wrote bitsgoa. 'Lakka lakka...' begins with visuals of the cheering soccer fans in South Africa. Then come glimpses of soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Just when you are expecting Shakira to pop up on the screen, there comes Liji, swinging her hips in a shiny single-piece cola-brown dress. The lyrics are by Shaji Kochukadavu. Widzworld, a viewer, posted, "I love this! Way to go Liji! you rock!"
Although India is not playing in the World Cup, it hasn't stopped the director Abdul Khader Kakkanad from showing the tri-coloured flag in the video. There are even clips from AR Rahman's Vande Matram video appearing behind the swinging Liji.
"This is to mark the fact that soon the Indian football team will make it to the World cup," wrote the user who posted the video.
Not all are taking pride in Lakka lakka, though. "Y cant u guys make somethin of your own," posted rtkin. Raviod6 commented, "And now you expect foreigners to not laugh at us?"
7:24 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
Mumbai, July 4 (IANS) Legendary screenplay writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who has penned the lyrics of actress Sonam Kapoor's next film "Aisha", says he tries to remain contemporary by listening and understanding the language of the young talent he works with.
"You need not to show when you have to bring change in your language, it automatically becomes apparent," Akhtar said.
"I work with very young talent, some are even younger than my children. I listen to them very carefully, what they are saying, why they are saying so, keeping aside the jokes. If we listen to them and try understanding them then we will also remain contemporary," Akhtar told IANS at the music launch of "Aisha" at Mahalaxmi Race course here Sunday.
Akhtar was all praise for Amit Trivedi, the music director of "Aisha" and says film industry has got such a talent after a long time.
"The music is very youthful and energetic, you can say a very smart music. This boy, Amit Trivedi, would be a very big music director, I am saying it, keep it in record. He is very talented and after a long time anyone with so much of talent has come in Bombay film industry," said Akhtar.
"Aisha", also starring Abhay Deol, is an adaptation of the British novel, Emma by Jane Austen. Sonam plays the main protagonist. The movie has been directed by Rajshree Ojha and has been shot in Delhi, Rishikesh and Mumbai.
"Aisha" is set to hit the screens Aug 6.
7:24 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
Mumbai, June 30 (IANS) India is finally getting its very own music awards. The Indian Music Academy (IMA) has joined hands with Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd to create awards that will be a celebration of all music genres.
At an event that had panelists like Shivkumar Sharma, Jagjit Singh and Salim and Sulaiman Merchant among others, the creation of Big IMA Awards 2010 was announced.
"We have many awards in our country but no exclusive music awards that will honour musicians from all over the country. With this award, we aim to encourage our music industry," Shivkumar Sharma told IANS.
"Musicians never get their due, honour and dignity in our country, but now they will. We should have had something like this long ago, but better late than never," added Salim Merchant.
The nominees for these awards will be selected by a jury comprising stalwarts and respected musicians from the Indian music fraternity.
"The carefully selected representative jury will ensure that BIG Indian music academy awards will emerge as the singular and most rigorous recognition of world class quality of Indian music," said IMA co-founder Durga Jasraj.
The awards, which will be presented in January 2011, are aimed at recognizing music talent from across all genres of Indian music ranging from Hindustani, Carnatic, Bollywood, pop, jazz, folk, ghazal, sufi, et al.
7:23 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Ruchika Kher
Film: "Tere Bin Laden"; Music Directors: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; Lyricists: Jaideep Sahni, Dhruv Dhalla, Jaspreet Singh and Ali Zafar; Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Ali Zafar, Jaspreet Singh, Suraj Jagan, Akruti Kakkar, Master Saleem and Anousha Mani; Rating:**1/2
It is touted as a different kind of film and it seems that the music has been composed to suit the mood of the movie as the majority of the songs in "Tere Bin Laden" are not hummable, making the soundtrack average.
The album boasts of seven originals and one remix.
It kickstarts with a very quirky song titled "Ullu da pattha", crooned by Shankar Mahadevan and Ali Zafar, who is also acting in the film. It sounds like a situational track with Punjabi influences. The lyrics will not appeal to many. Not a music lover's delight.
The song also has a remixed version.
Next is "Shor sharaba" that has Suraj Jagan and Jaspreet Singh behind the mike. The song meant for the dance floor has touches of rap as well but becomes monotonous after a while because composers have retained the same tone throughout the song. In short, it lacks the potential to be a hit.
"I love amreeka" is foot-tapping and interesting. The song has many variations that add an edge to it. Sung by Shankar, Akriti Kakkar and Anusha Mani, it is a fun song that one would like to listen to.
There is also a reprised version of the song which features Ali instead of Shankar. Not very different from the original. Later in the album, a shorter version of the song appears as "Welcome to amreeka" sung by Ali.
Then there is "Kukduk" that brings alive Punjabi folk music. Sung by Master Saleem, the song has rustic flavours. It can be termed an average number.
Finally, there is "bus ek soch" sung by Ali again. It has a very young, campus feel. Guitaring is prominent and the song has a potential to become a hit with the youngsters. It is light, simple and easy going. A nice track.
On the whole, the album is not like the conventional works of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, but it seems the songs are composed keeping the theme of the movie in mind.
7:22 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, June 30 -- Music director Shamir Tandon can't stop raving about Sonu Niigaam who hit the highest note ever for a patriotic track in the film Kandahar. Directed by retired army officer, Major Ravi, the trilingual project in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, toplines Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal.
"The song in question is 'Naman hai..' and Sonu has hit the highest note in human vocal registry with an open-throat effort without singing falsetto," explains Tandon.
Technically, the last octave is the highest possible note that can be humanly hit. And it's usually achieved while singing falsetto when the voice begins to vibrate and turns shrill.
"Sonu was unaware of what he had done. Very few people in the world can go this far. The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an exception but even he sounded shrill. Sonu sustained the pitch admirably and the heaviness in his voice added a melancholic touch to the song," exults Tandon.
'Naman hai...' has been penned by lyricist Sandeep Nath who also wrote verses for Tandon's earlier soundtracks for movies like Page 3 and Corporate. "Ravi wanted lines that weren't overdramatic and he wanted a Hindi synonym of 'salaam' that could be used across the three languages. 'Naman' is another word for salute in Hindi," says Tandon.
This soft rock number, complete with electric violin, guitar distortion and live drums, though in Hindi, will be used in all three versions of the film. The other songs will be dubbed in the respective languages.
7:21 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
By Dibyojyoti Baksi
Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) Boman Irani, who started life as a photographer, just loves exploring different avenues. After some crackling performances, including in comic roles, the hugely talented actor is trying his voice as a singer.
He is touring five Indian cities with music director Shankar Mahadevan but says he does not want to make a career out of it.
"I never look at it as a career. First enjoy it yourself and make sure that others also enjoy it. And you are not sickening them with your work. But I don't say that I want to be a singer because I got to make a career out of it. I don't plan that too much," Boman told IANS in an exclusive interview.
Wizcraft roped him with music director Shankar Mahadevan for Teachers' Origin Highnights, for which they are travelling to Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.
Asked if he has any plans to perform on stage beyond the present tour, he said: "Of course we are planning something outside India. Let's see how it goes.
"This opportunity (to sing) came in IIFA (International Indian Film Academy awards), picking up the guitar and singing with 50 little kids. But what I have to say is I just love to explore other things," said Boman.
The actor confessed that it was not an impromptu effort and he had taken lessons for the show.
"I have been practising singing. There is a wonderful lady called Marion D'Cruz with whom I sat for five sessions to perform at IIFA. That was required to open up my voice because you know sometimes we don't use all the registers of our voice.
"Music director Raju Singh made the track for 'Give me some sunshine...' He is the guy who used to play guitar for R.D. Burman. I went to him, became friends and asked him to help me out to gain confidence on just strumming the guitar. I can't call them classes though; I went to him seven-eight days," the actor said.
"See, eventually, any form of art, be it music, cinema or acting or painting, it's a release. When you can sing, when music is involved.... and we love music so much, it is very, very important to release it. Don't keep it bottled in. When you get that opportunity, don't let that opportunity go. It doesn't come a second time around."
Boman says that "Munna Bhai..." was one such opportunity that he is glad he didn't let it go.
"When "Munna Bhai..." came I was lucky to have taken it, though I had said no initially. When opportunity comes, never let it go."
7:19 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
7:03 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 6 -- Hi da hi my dimsums! How's the tadakti Tuesday morning treating you? I'm still feeling a little under the weather, thanks to the kabhi baarish, kabhi dhoop days lately. Now, before you think I'm digressing, lets me get straight to your dose of daily goss, and fill you up with what everyone in movie town is gupshupping about. Read on dahlings...
So listen. For starters, a jasoos from Juhu has just dropped in, claiming to have a scooplet on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Seems she was banking on Mani Ratnam's Raavan a lot... And is very disappointed that it tanked with such a tepid response at the box-office. So?
So khabru states that Ashji has all her hopes pinned on Guzaarish now and is keeping her fingers crossed for it to undo all the damage that Raavan has done. Apparently, she's maha pleased with her role and feels it will work the wonders just the way Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas did.
Suna hai, Ashji is keen to see Guzaarish with her director-buddy Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be rest assured that the year 2010 ends on a high note. Hmm, wonder what she thinks of her Diwali release, Vipul Shah's Action Replayy with Akshay Kumar, which reportedly opens two weeks prior to her Guzaarish with Hrithik Roshan? Or shouldn't I ask?
7:02 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
Mumbai, July 6 -- The Bharat Bandh yesterday that brought the city to a standstill was a reaction to the escalating petrol and diesel prices that have hit the consumer hard with household budgets going haywire. Interestingly, that's one of the issues that a song - 'Mehangaai daayan...' - in Aamir Khan's forthcoming production, Peepli Live, raises.
Anusha Rizvi's directorial debut takes off with a farmer, Natha's (Raghuvir Yadav) announcement that he will commit suicide to save his land. But Khan says that his film also touches on the subject of migration with villagers coming to the cities in search of better paying jobs and then getting pulled down by expenses.
"From the smallest village to the biggest metro, people all over the country are facing the same problem -the cost of living going up everyday," the actor-producer observes. "The song is significant to everyone who is trying to make ends meet."
He points out that the 'Mehangaai daayan...' track is actually sung by the women in the village of Bhadwai, where Rizvi shot the film. Increasing costs is referred to as the second wife who eats away all the money. The credits for the song read: Composed and written by Bhadwai Village Mandali. Yadav, the only known face in the film, is the lead singer.
7:01 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 6 -- The unit of Mohit Suri's Crook - It's Good To Be Bad, starring Emraan hashmi, is wrapping up the last couple of days of work, in Mumbai and not Australia. The Melbourne City Council inexplicably withdrew permission to shoot in public places forcing the team to return to India.
"I could understand their diktat of a seven-day turnaround at the beginning of the schedule that resulted in a five-day delay, I fail to understand why they would suddenly bring up the same clause towards the end," Suri says. "I won't mind shooting in Australia in the future if I get a valid reason for this roadblock."
7:00 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) As cynical as it may sound, Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor starrer romantic comedy "I Hate Luv Storys" (IHLS) might be about a guy's hatred for mushy movies, but it has managed to bag just the opposite from audiences. The film has done a net business of approximately Rs.21.5 crore (Rs.215 million) in the domestic circuit in the first three days of its release.
Co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Dharma Productions, the movie opened with net collections of Rs.6.5 crore (Rs.65 million) Friday with soaring business over the weekend.
"We have got a good amount with almost 85 percent occupancy during the weekend. People are liking the movie especially the younger generation. It has good cinematography and a contemporary story. We hope it does well during weekdays and has a second weekend run," Jayendra Banerji, vice president (Operations) of Satyam Cineplexes, told IANS.
Said Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) of Spice Cinemas: "The weekend for IHLS was very good with close to 85 percent occupancy and gross collection of Rs.2.3 million over the weekend with 26 shows per day. Imran and Sonam's chemistry is being appreciated and proves that Imran is a complete chocolate boy while Sonam is Bollywood's bubbly asset."
A source from PVR cinemas said: "The weekend was good and we had over 70 percent occupancy. We are running on an average 10 shows per property per day and hoping this one to get a second weekend run too. It has been enormously liked by college going audiences and the youth for its contemporary appeal."
"People are also liking the new pairing of Imran and Sonam. Their on screen chemistry is like a knife through butter," the source added.
Directed by debutant Punit Malhotra, IHLS revolves around Jay (Imran) and Simran (Sonam), who are complete opposites of each other in terms of romance. While Jay doesn't believe in love and condemns it as a cynic, Simran swears by it and has a very Bollywood idea of the emotion.
The movie is Imran's first hit after "Kidnap" and "Luck" and Sonam's first ever hit after big-budget duds "Saawariya" and "Delhi-6".
"The IHLS weekend went fairly well. Occupancy was a decent one with 45-50 percent. Youngsters are liking the movie. Even on Monday people are inquiring about weekday shows," said Deepak Taluja, senior vice president (Business and Operations) of Fun Cinemas.
"We are running around eight to 10 shows for three screen properties and around 12-14 shows for four screen properties. We are hoping for a decent show for IHLS in the next weekend as well," he added.
Amit Shah, chief manager (Programming) of DLF DT cinemas said: "Despite not so great reviews by critics, IHLS has done an exceptionally good business with an initial weekend of over 75 percent occupancy. In fact, our Chandigarh property had a 100 percent occupancy for all the three days.
"It is a completely youth centric film and hopefully it will sustain in the second week too," he added.
Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas says the box office performance of the film met their expectations.
"The business for IHLS went as per expectations and has been above average. The movie has got youth appeal and since it had no competition at the box office in terms of Hindi films last Friday, it has done a satisfactory business with family support. We are running on an average 16 shows per day per property."
6:59 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Ruchika Kher
Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Bollywood and the TV industry cancelled their shooting shedules Monday due to the nationwide strike called by the opposition parties against the hike in fuel prices.
"Today, shootings at various places have been cancelled because of the bandh (strike). It will resume after seven in the evening. Till then, its very unlikely that something will take place," Dharmesh Tiwari, President of Federation of Western India Cine Employees, told IANS.
There are six main studios in the city - Filmistan, Kamal Amrohi, Mehboob, Natraj, R.K. and Filmcity. And most of them either had no bookings or cancelled their shoots.
"Two-three shootings have been cancelled today because of the bandh, some might resume after seven and others have been rescheduled for some other day," said a source from Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Filmcity).
R.K. and Filmistan studios had no bookings for the day.
"There are no bookings for shooting today. I think it is because of the bandh," a staff member from the Filmistan Studios told IANS.
Similarly shooting schedules of various TV serials have been altered while few carried on as usual. But the sources refused to reveal the names of the films or serials which shoot has been cancelled.
Though Sony TV spokespersons said they are carrying on with the shooting as per schedule, others like Colors and Star TV have put a halt.
Actors seem to be enjoying the forced break.
"Whatever the reason guys!! It's awesome to just be chilling at home. Aaaah!! Been too long since I did this. Months in fact," actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted.
Director Tarun Mansukhani tweeted, "Not a car on the road.. Absolute silence... Birds chirpping.. Ok! Ok! Crows crowing! Hmmm.. Bandh not a bad idea actually!!!,"
Senior actor Anupam Kher, however, feels strike affects common man's life, but they don't have an option.
"Bandh affects the common working people the most and yet this is only noise they can make that reaches the deaf ears. Prices MUST come down," Anupam wrote on his Twitter page.
6:59 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Actress Bipasha Basu has featured in sizzling dance numbers like "Beedi" and "Billo Rani", but now she wants to learn Shakira's moves in "Waka Waka", FIFA World Cup 2010 official song.
"Monday music...'Waka Waka' all the way...takes away the Monday blues. Want to learn Shakira's 'Waka Waka' moves!" Bipasha posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The actress joined the Bollywood bandwagon on Twitter Sunday.
-*-
Imtiaz Ali hogs on 'aloo kachori' in capital
Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali, who made hits like "Jab We Met" and "Love Aaj Kal", was spotted relishing 'aloo kachori' at a popular joint in Bengali Market Sunday evening.
"Imtiaz was having aloo kachori at Bengali Sweets (in Bengali Market). He was sitting next to the counter. Nobody recognised him and he was enjoying his food. Then came a bunch of college boys and recognised him," Priyanka Bedi, an onlooker, told IANS.
"They surrounded Imtiaz. He was looking a little embarrassed but let the boys click pictures with him," she said.
An alumni of Hindu college, Ali spent quite a few years in the capital. He looked cool and handsome in a blue shirt and a casual pair of jeans. He is apparently scouting for locations and a new face for his next project "Rockstar" that will have Ranbir Kapoor in the male lead.
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Ronit Roy indecisive on next Bollywood project
Popular actor Ronit Roy, who is eagerly awaiting the release of his internationally acclaimed film "Udaan", says he is yet to give a nod to another Bollywood project.
"I have a Bollywood offer. I am fighting on the script because there are a few things that I strongly believe in," said Ronit, while refusing to do divulge the name of the director.
"It is a very beautiful script. It is in fact one of the most beautiful written scripts I have read but there are bits and pieces that I feel are not the correct. Those need to be corrected or tweaked. My audience consists of women, children and people across all ages. I don't want them to have any misconception about life," he added.
According to Ronit, the director is a female and she has also written the script.
"She is feeling strongly about those points. She is looking at them from a woman’s point of view. And I am looking at it from a man’s point of view," he said.
Asked about the buzz that he has signed an international project, Ronit said: "I have not signed a film. I have been asked to do it. I have given my consent. The first draft is ready …I have heard the concept and found it very interesting. It’s a Hollywood film."
These days he is seen on Colors' cookery game show "Kitchen Champion".
6:58 PM
Your All Kinds Of Need At One Place
By Madhusree Chatterjee
New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Bollywood and Bangalore have changed the image of India in a globalised world, says noted French economist Guy Sorman.
"In the era of globalisation, countries are competing for software and trademark. The image of India has been positively impacted by the competitive computer software and the Bollywood trademark. Before Bollywood and the IT revolution, the Western media mentioned India only when the nation was rocked by a train accident or a similar catastrophe," Sorman told IANS in an interview here.
The economist was in the capital for the launch of his book, "Economics Does Not Lie", a study of the market economics of developing nations of the post-meltdown scenario. In his book, Sorman describes India as a "market revolution" in the decades following 1991.
Sorman has authored 20 books on "creativity and modern capitalism," including "The Genius of India (2000)".
Why Bollywood and Bangalore? "Non-Indians are very creative and they identify easily with the hi-tech fields of Bollywood and software though the two are smaller in size than textiles that is a more important export item," Sorman said.
"One rarely talks about textiles," he analysed.
The mere economic size of these sections does not matter. "Bangalore and Bollywood are the cultural brands of India globally - the drivers of the modern economy," he said.
Other than economics, "Indian classical music and Bollywood" keep Sorman bound to India, when he is not discharging his duties as deputy mayor in charge of culture at Boulogne near Paris.
"The decisive moment in my love affair with India was my discovery of Indian classical music. I heard flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia play in 1985 during one of my visits to New Delhi. Subsequently, I was acquainted with Indian percussion at a tabla concert by maestro Zakir Hussain followed by sitar from Ravi Shankar ...and was captivated by the magic of Dhrupad music," the economist said.
Dhrupad was "not just a musical experience" for Sorman, "but a gateway to the Indian civilisation and culture," he said.
"I am still faithful to Indian classical music."
Last year, Sorman met Ravi Shankar in New York and "he told me that he was playing at his last concert", the economist recalled.
"I told him that I hoped he played his last concert every year," the economist said. For Sorman, "Dhrupad music is a great interpretation of Indian classical tradition."
The economist is fond of popular Bollywood cinema music.
"It is a good synthesis of the modern and traditional genres. Classical music is boring for the younger generation. They refuse to sit through recitals, some of which last as long as four hours. Bollywood is a great way to teach them traditional music. The infrastructure of Bollywood music and dance is classical," he said.
Sorman says "he was the first Indophile to organise a festival Bollywood cinema in France in 1995 when it was a completely unknown genre in the country."
People in the West look at India differently, Sorman said.
"This is a country where things happen without being planned. But the changes in the last 20 years since 1991 - when Manmohan Singh opened the economy as finance minister - have been for the better. The number of engines driving growth has risen, bringing new opportunities. The fear that if you are born poor, your children would also remain poor has diminished.
"India is no longer doomed to remain poor," the economist said.
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