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Others Asian Country ~ Entertainment News & Info HERE!
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Umrao Jaan hits New York
November 1, 2006
There is, for instance, an 11-minute film. Based on a short story by Chet Williamson that appeared in the New Yorker in 1983, it centers on an imaginary situation in which Mohandas K Gandhi pinch-hits for the New York Yankees baseball team.
Greg Cote, a self-taught filmmaker and a former police officer and private investigator is bringing a 25-minute long documentary Kabaddi Cops (above) about a group of Canadian police officers from the Toronto area who take up kabaddi in order to bond with the South Asian community.
Another proud acquisition is Sufi Soul: The Mystic Music of Islam, a 50-minute documentary featuring best-selling writer William Dalrymple. Directed by Simon Broughton, a former documentary and music director at the BBC, it explores the world of Islamic mysticism and its message of tolerance and peace. |
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Rediff News
'Munnabhai' floors UN with Gandhigiri
November 11, 2006 12:49 IST
Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai, which resurrected Mahatma Gandhi's ideals through 'Gandhigiri,' has become the first full length Indian movie to be shown in the United Nations auditorium and has won praise from diplomats, staff and journalists alike.
The Sanjay Dutt starrer, produced by Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, was shown on Friday evening as a part centennial observation of the first Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Besides providing fun, the 145-minute blockbuster has renewed interest in the philosophy of Gandhi at a time when it is needed most in the conflict ridden world. |
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Bollywood Press
November 13, 2006
20 Bollywood Actresses in one song
Actor turned director Sajid Khan will make his debut as a director with his first movie ?ey Baby? which is one of the biggest projects of year 2007. To make things bigger and better Sajid is toying with an interesting idea to attract audiences. Hey Baby will have a song where the lead actor of the film Akshay Kumar will be seen romancing with 20 Bollywood actresses.
He is presently working on the same song at Filmistan Studio in Goregaon. The song has been choreographed by Sajid Khan? sister Farah Khan. The list of 20 sizzling actresses reportedly includes Amisha Patel, Esha Deol, Lara Dutta, Sameera Reddy, Sushma Reddy, Juhi Chawla, Bipasha Basu, Malaika Arora and Amrita Arora. It is also believed that Preity Zinta and Mallika Sherawat might be seen in the song. |
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Bollywood Press
November 13, 2006
Salman Khan - Katrina Kaif for the First Time?
Salman Khan is becoming increasingly more open about his relationship with model-actress Katrina Kaif. Reason: Well, former flame Ash and her current beau Abhi have been making frequent appearances together and it seems Sallu bhai is out to show that even he has a trophy to flaunt.
After making an appearance together at an Aids awareness programme in Mumbai, the duo will perform for the first time on stage at the Global Indian Film Awards night at Kuala Lampur in Malaysia. Salman and Kat worked together in David Dhawan? ?aine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? but after that they haven? announced any films together even though the film did well commercially. But association with the well-connected Khan family has resulted in Katrina signing prestigious films like ?umko Deewana Kar Gaye? (Already released) and Vipul Shah? ?amaste London?.
Well, talking about GIFA, then this three day event is going to start from December 7th and will also have performances by big stars like Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra besides others. So, stay tuned for the fireworks! |
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Aishwarya to be called for questioning by customs
Nirmal Mishra
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 03:18 IST
MUMBAI: The customs department has called actor Aishwarya Rai for questioning in connection with the discovery of 24,000 euros (approximately Rs14 lakh) in a package addressed to her.
The money was found when the package, said to have been sent from the Netherlands (and not South Africa as customs officers had indicated earlier) was being subjected to a routine check in Mumbai? foreign post office.
According to the Customs Act and FEMA, receiving an amount in excess of Rs5,000 by post is an offence, and can attract a punishment of up to three years in jail.
Rai will be questioned by the customs? Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch (Import).
Sources said that one Avnishwar, an event organiser, had sent the package to the actor with the euros tucked between electronic equipment.
Sources said the SIIB would like to ascertain if Rai knew the sender and if she was aware about the despatch of the package.
Rai, who is shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker? Jodha-Akbar, is likely to return to Mumbai this weekend.
Cash for Ash
A sum of 24,000 euros was found by customs in a package addressed to Aishwarya Rai? home in Bandra
The money was sent by an event organiser from the Netherlands
Rai? secretary has denied any knowledge of the package |
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-----moneycontrol.com-----
Sandeep Chowta special on Radio City 91.1 FM, Hyderabad
2006-11-14 13:30 Source : Moneycontrol.com
Radio City 91.1 FM, India's Leading Radio Network, has undertken a unique initiative in Hyderabad to popularise quality International music by getting Sandeep Chowta to be its star guest and host.
Sandeep Chowta is a music icon with tremendous musical success in Bollywood films like Satya, Company, Bollywood Hollywood, Mast, Jungle, Ashoka and Vaastav. His songs include Khallas, Babuji, Kambakht Ishq and Laila Laila. Sandeep has a rich background in jazz, and has also won international recognition as the only Asian composer to feature in Tata Young's worldwide album with Sir Paul McCartney and musical luminaries.
Starting from November 12, 2006, Sandeep Chowta comes live on Radio City every Sunday for the next 4 weeks from 5 - 8 pm, with RJ Vamsee in his show called "Lights, Camera, Action". The show will also feature other star guests.
Starting 13th Nov, Sandeep Chowta will be commenting in his trademark style on several hit songs, on various shows on Radio City 91.1 FM like Kusalama Hyderabad, Chalo Chalte Raho, Life Ho Tho Aiseech, and Recharge for a week.
Radio City has joined hands with Sandeep Chowta to promote his upcoming jazz concert on December 12, titled 'Waiting for Tonight', where Grammy award master musicians like Bunny Brunel (Bass Guitar), Mitch Forman (Keyboards), Frank Gambale (Guitar), Virgil Donati (drums) will display to an awestruck Hyderabad audience their considerable musical talent.
From Dec 1st Radio City will run an on-air contest on Sandeep Chowta and Jazz Music, gratifying its listeners gifts and merchandise like guitars, t-shirts autographed by the star guests.
Sandeep Chowta will be the celeb rj in all shows for the day on December 10th talking about the jazz festival and his passion for music
The Jazz concert will also be conducted in Bangalore and Mumbai, and Radio City will be exclusively partnering the same
According to Mr. Rana Barua, Head Marketing, Radio City, "Radio City has always believed in bringing to our listeners the best, through the best. We constantly push the envelope by offering differentiated and innovative programming to our listeners.. With 'Sham-E-Ghazal With Roop Kumar Rathod', we pioneered the trend of celebrity RJs, which received tremendous listener feedback & advertiser response. We are proud to be hosting Sandeep Chowta and are certain that our endeavour to popularise quality international music will be well received by our listeners"
Sandeep will talk about the Jazz Festival exclusively only Radio City 91.1 FM.
So,.Catch Sandeep Chowta and get to know him up close and personal. only on Radio City 91.1 FM |
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Upen enjoying the warmth but Kangana wants more
Media Release
Nov. 14, 2006
The saga of Kangana and Upen has just started. People following them in South Africa in Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom has reported the two are in love! Upen does not deny the same.
? mean Kangana and I get along like a house on fire. She with her Himachal accent, me with my British-Gujju accent, we''re quite a pair? says Upen. But Kangana may not happy with Upen. She needs not only affection and love but some real macho action.
?''m shocked at reports back home that I''m ''impressed'' by Upen. Please! Is he Mr Dilip Kumar or Mr Amitabh Bachchan that I? be impressed? I''ve better things to do than to get impressed with someone who's just a co-star?, says the new sex icon of bollywood.
Te Internet rumor zone says forget Kangana? words. They are in love and the warmth between them is high. |
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-----dnaindia-----
Rani Mukherjee plays spoilsport at media interaction
PTI
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 16:34 IST
VARANASI: An interactive session with Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee and other cast of an untitled film by Pradeep Sarkar turned out to be dampener due to the hostile attitude of the Black star.
Mukherjee, who is in Varanasi with actress Konkana Sen-Sharma to shoot for the Yashraj Production project, threw tantrums with reporters at a press meet on Monday night, threatening to boycott the 20-minute session several times.
The leading Bollywood heroine, who has played several "chirpy" roles in her career, cold-shouldered questions about her films and personal life during the meet.
"I do not know the story of the film and the role played by me in the upcoming movie," she said answering a reporter who asked her about her latest project.
She scorned the assembled newspersons for probing into her personal life and marriage plans, saying it was for her and her parents to decide.
Rani, however, said she had three films -- Babul, Tara Rum Pum and Sanwaria -- in various stages of production.
Page 3 star Konkana, however, was relaxed and interacted with the mediapersons in a freewheeling manner and responded to their queries.
She expressed satisfaction with her progress in Bollywood and said quality films would always be her preference.
Unfazed by Rani's tantrums, Sarkar said his latest project, whose shooting will be completed by April-May next year, would be a women-oriented on the lines of the 2005 blockbuster Parineeta.
It will also star Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini and Anupam Kher, Sarkar said. |
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Bawadi to recreate the best of Hollywood and Bollywood
Dubai is to be home to a unique fusion of Hollywood and Bollywood red carpet glamour at the AED 1.3 billion Holly Bolly Hotel and Resort, to be built as part of the Bawadi hospitality and tourism boulevard.
United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, November 14 - 2006 at 16:25 PRESS RELEASE
From the left: Arthur Fitzwilliam, Managing Director of Plantation Holdings, Arif Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer of Bawadi and Russel Sharpe, the hospitality development director at Plantation Holdings.
The first of its kind project is the brainchild of Plantation Holdings that has signed a development agreement with Bawadi, a member of Tatweer, to create the themed tourist attraction.
Arif Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer of Bawadi and Arthur Fitzwilliam, Managing Director of Plantation Holdings signed the agreement in the presence of senior representatives from Bawadi and Russel Sharpe, the hospitality development director at Plantation Holdings.
Arif Mubarak said: 'Bawadi's association with Plantation Holdings is not new. It is already in partnership with Dubailand as developers of the Equestrian and Polo Club.
'All of Bawadi's projects are committed to reflecting creativity and quality. The Holly Bolly Hotel and Resort will be a testament to these standards. As a milestone project in the region, it will add another unique facet to Bawadi offerings.'
Plantation Holdings is a consortium of high net worth individuals who have come together to invest in prestigious projects, including the Holly Bolly Hotel and Resort.
Arthur Fitzwilliam, Managing Director of Plantation Holding said: 'We are extremely excited about creating this innovative hotel and resort. The Holly Bolly Hotel and Resort will bring the best from the two worlds of entertainment. A unique fusion of the East and the West, it will create a truly exquisite blend of the ultimate in showbiz.'
A 4 and 5 star property, the Holly Bolly Hotel and Resort will have 1,000 rooms and feature a calendar of world class activities including international film competitions. It will also house a large cinema complex, a celebrity museum that includes Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities as well as showbiz memorabilia retail outlets and a spa for visitors to experience its exclusive facilities.
Bawadi, a member of Tatweer, will represent a unique synthesis of culture, history and leisure. It will represent the largest concentration of leading hotels in the world on a 10 km boulevard that includes the largest hotel in the world, Asia Asia. |
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-----Times of India-----
Reel ticket to the 100 crore club
Iti Shree Misra
[ 13 Nov, 2006 2102hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
After magnificent technology and sets, Bollywood is ready for a magnificent budget and will settle for nothing less than Rs 100 crore.
With actor Hrithik Roshan signing a Rs 35 crore deal with a production house recently, Indian film trade pundits predict that the day is not far when Bollywood will be churning out masala at the rate of Rs 100 crores a film. With film budgets sky-rocketting, where is all the money going? After all, what can a Rs 100 crore film have in it to attract the audience, when we have BO successes like Lagaan, Krrish, Devdas and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna with a budget of Rs 50 crore or less.
It's the star power
Delhi-based distributor and exhibitor Aditya Khanna agrees that we will be seeing a Rs 100 crore film pretty soon. He considers hefty fees demanded by stars as the most expensive part of a film's budget. According to Rakesh Roshan also, "the maximum amount is spent on the stars." Agrees award-winning cinematographer Aseem Bajaj who's been behind the camera for films like Chameli, Shabd and Golmaal and adds that a film made on "a grand scale requires an equally impressive cast."
Of course, budgets are spiralling because of other reasons as well. "We must take into account the fact that inflation affects everything. Thus, the higher the inflation, the higher will be the films' budget," avers Khanna, adding, "Besides, now films are being made for expats, and Indian filmmakers have to use the best props, music, and publicity to meet international standards. It is also essential to consider that Rs 100 crore is equal to just about $20 million, which is the budget of a mediocre Hollywood film. All these minor things escalate the budget. It can also have more advanced technology, a big star cast, the works."
Epics are expensive
"A film's budget depends on its story and script. If it is a period film, like Mahabharat for instance, the canvas is bound to be huge and the budget will naturally escalate," reasons Aseem Bajaj. "You could shoot a scene in a hotel room for Rs 10,000, or in the dessert for Rs 20,000 or construct a set worth Rs 10 lakh for the same scene," he adds, while emphasising that art direction in any film costs mega bucks. As to what will be special in this kind of movie, Aseem assumes it to be a period film, perhaps based on an epic. "Such a film will also require a big star cast, extras and a lot of special effects," he explains.
Gotta be tech savvy
But producer Ravi Agarwal, hardly agrees: "A star just takes about 20-25 per cent of the budget of a film." Then where does all the money go? "Films now are technically quite advanced and special effects cost a lot of money. Technicians and the paraphernalia required for that also doesn't come cheap. At the same time, the cost of shooting in exotic locales, good costumes, etc also add to the escalating budgets," Agarwal shares.
And filmmaker Rakesh Roshan couldn't agree more. "Filmmakers are pumping in more and more money now, as they get most of it back. So it'll be no surprise to see a Rs 100 crore film. Apart from stars, the producers end up spending most on SFX. One can expect exotic locales, big stars and extraordinary effects in a film of that budget," he concludes.
So be prepared for the most extravagant movie experience. You don't know how long that will last before the Rs 150 crore film hits the screen! |
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-----www.iht.com-----
Indian movie star Dia Mirza says she has changed from hesitant child to confident actress
The Associated PressPublished: November 14, 2006
MUMBAI, India: Bollywood actress Dia Mirza says she was very unhappy as a child as she suffered from low self-esteem.
Her parents had to teach her self-respect, Mirza, a beauty queen and model turned actress, said in an interview with The Times of India newspaper published Tuesday.
"I hated everything about myself ? my looks, my hair, even my name," she said. "I always looked for approval from my peer group and, in return, was treated like a doormat."
Mirza said her parents instilled confidence in her own abilities and encouraged her to be independent and self-sufficient.
Saintly stars and a dose of spin control"It was only years later that I finally came into my own," said Mirza. "I would have never survived in the industry as a pushover."
The actress said she would like to help children like herself.
"I want to help kids realize the immense potential within, which in turn helps set us free, exorcizing our demons, giving us wings."
The country's prolific movie industry Bollywood is based in Mumbai, formerly called Bombay.
Mirza has acted in 16 movies since her 2001 debut. Her most recent movies include "Phir Hera Pheri" or ""Some More Hustling" and "Lage Raho Munnabhai" or "Keep At It, Munnabhai." |
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-----Google News-----
Indian actress and social activist Shabana Azmi to give talk on 'Bollywood and Beyond'
By Barbara Rea
Nov. 14, 2006 -- Major Indian film star and social activist Shabana Azmi, will give a talk at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 29, in Graham Chapel on the Washington University Danforth Campus. The lecture, "Bollywood and Beyond," will explore South Asia's socio-cultural climate. It is free and open to the public.
Azmi presents a unique perspective on South Asian social, political, human rights, and gender issues, filtered through a lens that fuses film and politics. A five-time recipient of the National Award for Best Actress, the Indian equivalent of Hollywood's Oscar, she was also a member of the Indian Parliament and served as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations in 1988. For her work helping slum dwellers in Mumbai, she received the 2006 Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award.
The lecture is sponsored by the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures in Arts & Sciences. Graham Chapel is located just north of Mallinckrodt Center (6445 Forsyth Blvd.) |
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-----IBN Live-----
Ayesha Takia to debut as TV anchor
Vrushali Haldipur
CNN-IBN
Posted Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 02:08
Updated Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 02:44 Email Print
VOTE FOR ME: Ayesha Takia will be anchoring a TV show on which viewers would poll for their favourite stars.
Mumbai: Ayesha Takia is all set to vote herself the best star. The actress has just been roped into a television show Sabsey Favourite Kaun as an anchor, where people would be able to vote for their best stars.
The show will be aired on Star Gold on weekends and Bollywood fans from across the world would be able to vote for their favourites via phone or internet. The grand finale will announce the winners. |
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-----Times of India-----
'My kids hated Bollywood'
Piyali Dasgupta
[ 14 Nov, 2006 2158hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
Shashi Kapoor is all praise for Aishwarya Rai. "Everyone says that Ash cribs, but I find her good," he says.
Shashi Kapoor is all praise for Aishwarya Rai. "Everyone says that Ash cribs, but I find her good," says Shashi Kapoor. He's all praise for today's Bollywood, which he feels is a world apart from his or his father's. "We have good actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman and Saif now."
But why are his children not among these names? "I think people forget that my kids are half-English. They are always treated as Kapoor khandaan, but that's not the complete story," he says.
"They didn't like the dishonesty in the industry," he says, adding, "Right now, they are all happy with their respective professions. Karan is a professional photographer and is based in London. He works all over the world, except India.
He totally refuses to work in India because he says that the people are dishonest here." But Kapoor today seems to have no problems with dishonesty or the film industry. Very much retired, he seems to be satisfied with his innings in tinsel town. "Frankly, I have no plans to act now. I think I can do much more besides acting," he says.
And what about the Prithvi theatre? "It was mainly my wife Jennifer who took interest in setting up the Prithvi theatre and I asked her to run it. She did all the administration work for the first five years and then she passed away. Yeh unki badaulat hai ki 28 saal ke baad bhi Prithvi theatre chal raha hai ."
And he's also proud of daughter Sanjana who runs the theatre. "But I worry because I feel that she is paying more attention to theatre than her family. But, I feel that I have no right to tell her, so I keep quiet." |
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-----ApunKaChoice.Com-----
'Aishwarya Rai has no knowledge of Euro-containing packet'
15th Nov 2006 09.01 IST
By Agencies
The lawyer of the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai says that his client has no knowledge of the packet that was addressed to her containing 23,000 euros and she has not been summoned by the Customs department for questioning in this regard.
"My client has no knowledge of the packet that was addressed to her and we are in no way a party to this. We have not yet been contacted by the Customs authorities nor has she been asked to appear for any kind of questioning," Ash's lawyer Girish Kulkarni said in Mumbai on Tuesday.
"However, Aishwarya will appear for any questioning if there is a need. There is nothing wrong in that," Kulkarni said.
"As of now, it is difficult for us to say why this packet was addressed to her and by whom. It is too early to say anything about a frame-up or attribute any motives to the incident. I believe the Customs authorities are themselves looking into the matter," he added.
Ash's manager Hari Singh said the actress is currently in Jaipur shooting for Ashutosh Gowarikar 's Jodha Akbar and that she herself heard of the news from the media. |
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-----zeenews.com-----
Rani apologises to media for scuffle
Varanasi, Nov 15: Indian film actors thrive in controversial situations and Bollywood actor Rani Mukherjee has courted one such hullabaloo during a film shoot here.
While Rani was shooting for her film "Chudiyan" under the banner of Yashraj productions, on Monday, her bodyguards got involved in a scuffle with mediapersons.
A day after, she apologised and sought a similar reaction from the media if it was at fault.
"On behalf of my production, I am apologizing to the media if some misbehaviour has happened with the press. And we will also want that the press should also apologize because if they have misbehaved then they should not be reluctant to apologize," Rani told newspersons here.
"The Film and Press have a close bond. The point is that we should be subtle and good to each other," she added.
The trouble started when some journalists tried to get close to the crewmembers, including Mukherjee and Konkana Sen Sharma, who were shooting on the banks of River Ganges.
Media persons allege that the security of the crewmembers roughed them up.
"The things should be like, we go out of here after our shoot and give you our interviews and photo shoots, and that's it. What is the point fighting and quarrelling over it? And the fact is that we both are not male actors, we are delicate females, so if you people will create havoc, we surely would not like it," Rani said.
Pradeep Sarkar directed "Chudiyan" also stars Abhishek Bachan and Jaya Bachan.
Bureau Report |
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Bollywood's top actor Amitabh Bachchan to sing again in Indian movie
The Associated Press
Published: November 14, 2006
NEW DELHI: Bollywood's top actor Amitabh Bachchan will sing again in the Hindi-language film "Nishabd," or "Wordless," in the role of an aging romantic who falls in love with a teenager, a news report said Wednesday.
Director Ram Gopal Varma plans to release Bachchan's soundtrack separately, creating a new trend in the Indian film industry, The Times of India daily said. The movie is expected to be released early next year.
"We don't really have a culture of film songs being released as singles in India," the newspaper quoted Varma as saying.
Bachchan, 63, stars with debutante 19-year-old Jiah Khan in "Nishabd," inspired by Vladimir Nabokov's famous novel "Lolita."
Bachchan was apparently encouraged by the success of the title song that he sang for Ravi Chopra's film "Baabul," or "Parents Home," which is scheduled to be released next month.
Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is home to Bollywood, India's prolific movie industry. |
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-----www.tonight.co.za-----
MOVIE REVIEWS
Umrao Jaan
Length detracts from courtesan's tragic tale
November 15, 2006
By Mehboob Bawa
Star rating: ***
Directed by JP Dutta, with Aishwarya Rai, Shabana Azmi, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Suneil Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan. At Nu Metro, Canal Walk.
Director JP Dutta, known for his war epics, turns his attention to a romantic tragedy, telling the life story of courtesan Umrao Jaan Ada in a sensitive and intimate way.
However, it all goes on for far too long and is unevenly edited to boot. While some scenes ramble on without end, others are cut far too quickly, which hampers the overall enjoyment of the film.
Thankfully, there is a lot to enjoy, including the stunning locations of Rajasthan in North India, Bijon Das Gupta's exquisite production design, excellent cinematography by Ayananka Bose, a mesmerising classical music score by Anu Malik, enthralling dance sequences choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, and wonderful performances by the lead actors.
Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai plays Umrao, who is kidnapped as a young girl, sold to a brothel and taught the fine art of being a courtesan by the Madam, Khanum Sahib (Shabana Azmi)
. Set in 19th century India, during the days of the Raj, the film accurately depicts the life of a courtesan, whose sole purpose is to provide love and company to wealthy men. Her problems start when she meets and falls in love with Nawab Sultan (Abhishek Bachchan).
Umrao Jaan was filmed previously in 1981, with Bollywood great Rekha in the title role. While she excelled as Umrao, Rai certainly makes the role her own, as well, in the latest version.
Her beauty is unsurpassed and she tackles the role with aplomb, giving one of her best screen performances yet.
She is matched by veteran Azmi, as her Madam, who also performs admirably.
Bachchan, as Umrao's lover, once again shows his depth as an actor and gives an inspired performance. Dutta regulars Kulbushan Kharbanda and Suneil Shetty as Umrao's teacher and unwanted suitor respectively, are merely okay.
Dutta hasn't made a classic film, but there is a lot to savour, if you can last the three-hours. |
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-----india glitz-----
?hahid a Superstar?.,? Claimed Kareena Kapoor
Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, November 15, 2006]
?hahid is going to be a superstar in the next two years,? claimed girlfriend Kareena Kapoor a good three years ago on a prominent news channel. Well, Shahid Kapoor made a hit start with his debut college flick ?shq Vishq?. This cool dude could dance like a dream, had acting talent inherited somewhat from dad Pankaj Kapoor and he had a mind of his own (A rarity in tinsel town).
Although he displayed superb histrionics in films like ?ida? and ?hikhar? the list of flops from Shahid kept on piling up. Multi starrers like ?36 China Town? and ?hup Chupke? did reasonably well but there were far too many other talented actors in these films as well. Then suddenly he stopped signing films and seemed determined to go the Aamir Khan way. ?cript is the backbone of a film,? he admitted to IndiaGlitz recently. And then a pending film released. Sooraj Barjatya? ?ivah? has come as a complete surprise. For it is not only a good film (Shahid? work is impressive), it is also doing well at the ticket window. And the reports are good.
Immediately after the release of ?ivah?, Rohit ?olmaal? Shetty announced his comedy film with Shahid and Nana Patekar for Ramesh Sippy? banner. There are also rumours that Shahid will also be a part of Sanjay ?hoom? Gadhvi? next along with Akshay Kumar. It seems Kareena? prophecy may after all come true. This 25 year old actor has all the trappings of ruling the Box Office and hearts of millions. Feroze Nadiadwala? ?ool and Final? is his next release. With Hit Times around the corner Shahid Kapoor may well emerge as the next big thing out of Bollywood stable. |
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Popular Indian actor Saif Ali Khan quits smoking
The Associated PressPublished: November 15, 2006
MUMBAI, India: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan too has joined an anti-tobacco campaign and started drinking a lot of water to give up cigarettes.
"I drink water every time I feel like having a cigarette and I kind of feel like I have achieved something really big," Khan told DNA newspaper in an interview published Wednesday.
He described smoking as disgusting and said it was "a killer," but said he was unsure how long he would be able to keep away from cigarettes.
"There is a high chance that I will go back to that deadly addiction, but I hope not," the daily quoted him as saying.
Bollywood's top actor Shah Rukh Khan also is trying to quit smoking.
Last year, India's Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss wrote to Shah Rukh Khan, asking him to join an anti-tobacco campaign.
Health experts say teenagers who watch films in which stars smoke are three times more likely to try smoking, and those whose favorite stars light up on screen are 16 times more likely to have positive attitudes toward smoking.
India has tried to ban smoking in films.
However, a World Health Organization survey of tobacco use in movies made by India's massive, prolific Hindi-language film industry ? dubbed "Bollywood" ? showed that more than 76 percent of its most popular films in 1991 to 2002 depicted some sort of tobacco use, mostly cigarettes.
The WHO says tobacco claims 5 million lives a year. According to government statistics, more than 800,000 Indians die each year from smoking-related illnesses. |
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Post time 12-11-2006 04:16 PM
