Day: December 19, 2012

PHOTOS: Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vishwaroop’ Kicks Off

[imagebrowser id=259] MUMBAI: Superstar Kamal Haasan’s ambitious pet project ‘Vishwaroop’ finally kicked off with a press conference in Mumbai’s posh suburban star hotel, JW Marriott. The bilingual film stars Kamal Haasan in a lead role, and Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah and Jaideep Ahlawat.

Most of the cast and crew of this magnum opus was present at the press con. We spotted multi-faceted writer-director-producer and lead actor Kamal Haasan, in a sunshine yellow tee and jeans. He was flanked by his heroines, Pooja Kumar and Andrea Jeremiah in short cocktail dresses. We also caught a glimpse of yesteryear superstar and father to TV czarina Ekta Kapoor, Jeetendra at this grand press con. Also present were music directors- Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.

Kamal Haasan’s ambitious ‘Vishwaroop’ has seen many a turmoil during its making. The bilingual Indian spy thriller film was shot with the same cast in both languages simultaneously, which is in itself an incredible feat. Further, several crew members were brought on board straight from Hollywood, and Haasan took over the reigns of direction from Selvaraghavan. Dealing with changes in casting was a nightmare for the film’s makers, with several original cast members dropping out of the project due to delays.

This list of drop-outs included Sonakshi Sinha, who was initially on board to play Haasan’s wife. The makers then had Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Vidya Balan in mind- but none of these names worked out after all.

However, the film overcame these and many other hurdles and the first look was released in May 2012. The first poster saw Kamal Haasan wearing a green khaki jacket, with a flying pigeon and the impressive skyline of a city as the backdrop. A teaser trailer which had snippets of the film was unveiled during the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend and awards in Singapore in June. Haasan also revealed the synopsis of the film, adding that a sequel was already planned and several sequences had already been shot featuring Andrea Jeremiah in a more prominent role.

‘Vishwaroop’ will release next year, with nearly 3000 prints.

2012/12/19
Fans In Morocco Gift ‘Barfis’ To Priyanka Chopra!

When Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra recently attended The 12th International Film Festival of Marrakech she was in for a surprise!

MARRAKECH: When Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra recently attended The 12th International Film Festival of Marrakech, for the special screening of her film award winning film ‘Barfi!’, she was in for a surprise!

As Priyanka arrived in Marrakech, she was flooded with home-made barfis (indian sweets) from her numerous fans there. Needless to say the actress was extremely moved to learn that many of them had gone through the trouble of making the Indian delicacy.

A source revealed, “It is not a local sweet, so Priyanka was overwhelmed to see the lengths that her fans had gone for her. A lot of them had actually got the recipe online and prepared it specially for her at home. Priyanka told them that the barfi has added more sweetness to her already sweet memories of the place.”

After being acclaimed world-wide for her role as an autistic girl in Anurag Basu’s ‘Barfi!’ opposite Ranbir Kapoor, apparently Priyanka’s fan following has increased three fold! “No matter where she goes, she is being treated to the sweet and she very sportingly puts aside her diet concerns and indulges in the treats,” adds the source.

Interestingly, the sweet boxes are addressed not to Priyanka’s own name but rather to Jhilmil Chopra!

For Priyanka 2012 has been a great year. After hits like ‘Agneepath’ and ‘Barfi!’, the actress has widened her portfolio with the tag of an ‘International singing sensation’. Now, with an equally busy 2013, with ‘Krissh 3’, remake of ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Gunday’ and ‘Mary Kom’ under production, we wish Priyanka Chopra, all the very best!

2012/12/19
Every Actor Wants A Black Lady, I Have Stiff Competition From My Brother: Kareena Kapoor

[imagebrowser id=258] NEW DELHI: Our shutterbugs spotted Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor lighting a lamp at The Metropolitan Hotel in the capital city to flag off the 58th Idea Filmfare Awards odyssey. Kareena Kapoor, recently turned Begum of Pataudi (post her big fat wedding to Nawab of Pataudi: Saif Ali Khan) is a woman in a hurry. The lady who has been right at the top of her game, as the numero uno actress in Bollywood, has no plans of slowing down post marriage.

The 58th Idea Filmfare Awards which is to be held at YRF Studios on January 20, 2013, will also celebrate the 100th year of Indian cinema. At the event, the actress joked, “Every man wants a lady. But every actor wants a Black Lady… Every actor wants to give an acceptance speech. The Black Lady does that to you. I want many, many more of them. But I am getting stiff competition from my brother (Ranbir Kapoor)

Looking resplendent in red (she chose to keep the Christmas spirit in mind, and dressed accordingly: in a bright red knee-length designer dress), Kareena wowed the media persons with her stunning looks. Rumour has it, that everyone was spellbound by the lovely lady, and was in awe of the beautiful actress. And rightly so: for Kareena Kapoor has the power to take anyone’s breath away!

Kareena has recently launched a book, ‘Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva’, where she talks about the size-zero phase of her life, controversies which hounded her and of course, the leading man in her life- Saif Ali Khan. Here’s a sneak peak:

An interesting anecdote about her size-zero phase, which had the whole country in a craze, is that beau Saif never really appreciated it much. “Saif, who has always been my voice of reason, was concerned that I had become too thin. His exact words ‘You’re looking like a 12-year old boy.’ He isn’t a subtle one!”

Kareena also speaks about why ‘Tashan’ is probably the most memorable film of her life. “Tashan bombed at the box office, but it gave me my two biggest hits: Size 0 and Saif. I’d always thought Saif was one of the best looking men ever but we weren’t friends till we started working on this movie. What instantly drew me to him was his sense of humour and his love for adventure. If you ask him, he’ll say I made the first move! Which is so not true because he was flirting with me quite shamelessly but in a unique way.”

2012/12/19
Dilip Kumar’s Autobiography Postponed

The Dilip Kumar autobiography which was meant to be released on the actor’s 90th birthday on 11 December, has now been pushed forward to May 2013 to coincide with a 100 years of cinema.

MUMBAI: The Dilip Kumar autobiography which the mighty actor is co-authoring with veteran journalist Udayatara Nayar was meant to be released on the actor’s 90th birthday on 11 December.

It has now been pushed forward to May 2013 to coincide with a 100 years of cinema. Also, the co-author who is penning the book with Dilip Saab, and the actor’s wife Saira Banu have decided to add an entirely new product to the book.

A DVD containing all the memorable speeches of Dilip Kumar over the years. Says Udaytara, “We all know Dilip Saab as a great actor. But we also know that he’s a great orator and rhetorician. Over the years his speeches in various parts of the world have mesmerized listeners. Simply put, when Dilip Saab talks the world listens. We’ve therefore created a DVD of his speeches to go with the book.”

Significantly, the book would be an autobiography and not a biography. Explains Udaytara, “It will be Dilip Saab in the first person. He has been talking to me for the past three years for the book. So it’s his voice as put on paper by me.”

Apparently, the actor will speak forthrightly but gracefully about his personal life including the the legendary link-ups.

Interestingly the Thespian’s wife Saira Banu would be publishing the comprehensive Dilip Kumar biography. Some years ago on the occasion of the Big B Amitabh Bachchan’s 60th birthday Jaya Bachchan too had published a book on her husband.

One hears that after the Dilip Kumar biography, wife Saira Banu would also tell her life-story in a biography. It would be interesting to compare the two biographical accounts of the husband and wife.

2012/12/19
Bollywood Expresses Shock and Outrage Over Delhi Gang-Rape Case

From Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan breaking down and sobbing at the session of parliament, to celebrities expressing their outrage on social networking sites, the ghastly and horrifying gang rape of a 23-year old student in Delhi has got all of Bollywood talking.

MUMBAI: Bollywood has expressed tumultuous emotions such as grief, anguish, shock and outrage post the Delhi gang rape case. The country awoke to the ghastly news of the horrifying gang rape of a 23-year old student in New Delhi, on Monday.

The girl was abducted in a bus and was brutally raped by a gang of men, including the driver of the bus. She was accompanied by a male friend, who tried to save her, but was beaten repeatedly by the criminals.

Actor-politician Jaya Bachchan broke down while the Rajya Sabha was in session and asked very pointed questions to the government. “First of all, whatever happened? Did the government send any condolence to the family? Did you publicly make any announcement saying we are so sorry something so shameful happened in our country?” She also said that she was very ashamed. “I personally feel very, very ashamed that I am sitting in this house and not being able to do anything. What is going to happen to her? Everybody will forget but she will remember for the rest of her life. It will be a scar. It’s a terrible mental torture. How are you going to repay for this?”

Kareena Kapoor spoke out at a press conference in the capital city, just yesterday, and called for a complete overhaul of existing laws and the guarantee of speedy justice to such victims of sexual crimes. “Whatever happened, it really should not have happened. In our country, we always take safety measures after any shocking incident happens. I definitely would like to say that getting justice in the country is really time taking. Our laws should be reassessed. Justice has to happen faster,” Kareena passionately appealed.

“I read today that there are 40 impending cases of rape, where victims are still awaiting justice. By saying that a woman should not go out at night should not be a solution to this problem. Being a modern woman, I don’t support such statements. And being a modern woman, I like to party late. This is really a matter of shame that such incidents are happening in metropolitan cities. There are many such cases in the interiors of our country which don’t come to our knowledge,” she added.

Farhan Akhtar hit the most sensitive, poignant note when he composed a moving poem about the horror he felt upon hearing this news. Farhan Akhtar took to poetry to express his angst and anguish in a moving poem, titled ‘What is this country that I live in?’

A host of other Bollywood stars took to twitter to express their grief and mounting sense of helplessness upon learning of such a heinous crime against women.

Amitabh Bachchan: “Durga, Kali, Lakshmi are goddesses .. we pay homage to them, respect them. Women need to be respected, and given pride of place !!

Anurag Kashyap: “We need to stop objectifying our women in what we call our second religion.. Our films. And our TV Shows.”

Farah Khan: “Smtimes I think the Shariat law would work well here! V r becoming a country of barbarians..Castration 4 rape wld send out the right message”

Pritish Nandy: “For once someone should have the self respect to step down for failing to stop such rapes in Delhi.”

Juhi Chawla: “Sometimes I wish our laws were as simple & strict as tooth for tooth & an eye for an eye. Crimes like this wouldn’t happen!”

Arjun Rampal: “New set of laws and more severe punishments are required for these kind of criminals. Rapist should be publicly flogged. No more tolerance.”

Resul Pookutty: “The shocking news of the rape in Delhi!.Can’t believe it’s the same Delhi I was roaming around last week, ugly face of a beautiful city.”

2012/12/19
‘Dabangg’ Salman Khan’s Double-Duty in Delhi

[imagebrowser id=257] NEW DELHI: Salman Khan, Bollywood’s ‘Dabangg’ superstar, whose next film ‘Dabangg 2’ is up for release, recently travelled to the Capital city. And while he was there, the man was on double-duty; so to speak…

Yes, folks your favorite superstar Salman Khan is also a hardworking man. Something we wouldn’t know, considering how easy and effortless the superstar makes it all look. But Salman Khan fulfilled both his professional obligations while in the Capital recently: he attended a press conference to speak about ‘Dabangg 2’, and also interacted with the families of martyrs, at the Delhi Police General Officers’ Mess.

At both events, Salman dressed appropriately and wowed us with his presence of mind. At the press con, he was his usual charming, witty self as he went about his task, spewing witty one-liners for the assembled press. He pretty much made their lives much easier, by giving them what they asked for, and wrote their headlines for them with his inimitable wit and charm. Salman wore a navy blue shirt and jeans, and was joined by his younger brother and debutant director Arbaaz Khan at the press meet.

Later in the evening, Salman rushed to the Delhi Police General Officers’ Mess and was his gracious self, as he honoured the brave families of the martyrs. Clad in a different shirt with a blazer on top, Salman looked effortlessly stylish.

Salman, as we are aware is quite a softie underneath that tough, macho exterior; and he was moved to tears by the tales of bravery put forth by the families. So much so, that he went out of his way to make the surviving members feel special, and honoured them with flowers and kind words. Surely, this was an evening they would not want to forget in a hurry.

2012/12/19
PHOTOS: Star Studded Launch ‘Nach Baliye’ Season 5

[imagebrowser id=256] MUMBAI: Yes, it’s finally time for yet another super entertaining, masti-filled dance reality show to hit the television screens. We caught up with the celebrity contestants, and judges of ‘Nach Baliye’ Season 5, in Mumbai on Monday.

First off: we can reveal that Bollywood’s dancing diva Shilpa Shetty will be the main celebrity judge of the show.

Joining her on the judges’ panel will be Bollywood director and funnyman Sajid Khan and ace choreographer Terence Lewis. ‘Nach Baliye’, as we are sure our readers are aware, is a dance reality show which has celebrity couples vying for the prize. The show will air on Star plus form 29th December onwards.

We spotted the gorgeous wife of businessman Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty having a ball on sets at the launch of ‘Nach Baliye’. Stylishly clad in a white blouse and black sequined pants, she looked effortlessly chic and uber fit as the Bollywood actress and yummy mummy.

Sajid Khan chose to wear a black leather jacket on top of a simple blue tee and jeans.

Terence took to the stage like a fish to water, and showed us some of his killer dance moves in a maroon velvet jacket and white shirt with jeans.

The contestants on this edition of ‘Nach Baliye’ are famous TV stars like: Suhasi Dhami and her husband Jaysheel Dhami, Smita Bansal along with her husband Ankush Mohla, Bollywood’s Deepshikha and her husband and model Kaishav Arora, and TV personality Rahul Mahajan along with his wife Dimpy Mahajan. We will also see TV actor Kushal Tandon and his wife Elena Tandon participate on the show.

With the previous seasons of the reality TV show being such a hit with the audiences worldwide, we are eager to have this season kick-started. And with such a star-studded judging panel, and contestants, we are positive that this will be total entertainment.

2012/12/19
My Father, Randhir Kapoor Is Out Of ICU: Karisma Kapoor

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2012/12/19
Nobody Awards Me ‘Best Actor’ Anymore: Akshay Kumar

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2012/12/19
I Love Dancing: Kareena Kapoor

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2012/12/19
2012 Was A Mixed Year: Priyanka Chopra

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2012/12/19