Angelina Jolie, Beckham among 'World's Sexiest People'

Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston, Johnny Depp, David Beckham and Angelina Jolie are among the ''World''s Sexiest People'', according to WHO Magazine.

Australian models Megan Gale and Lara Bingle are also included in the list, reports News.com.au. The mag''s annual edition, this year expanded from 25 people to 100, also names Aussies Kristy Hinze, Melissa George and Tasma Walton in 2008''s sexiest people list.

Hinze, Bingle, George and Jodi Gordon posed in swimwear for the mag''s cover. The list also features Olympians like Matthew Mitcham; basketball beauty Penny Taylor; towering volleyballer Tamsin Barnett and aqua man Eamon Sullivan.

WHO''s Red-hot casts include Home and Away and the Perfect Partners include rock-star newlyweds Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz and super-toned Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. Source : Times of India.

HOME

Eesha Koppikha universal appeal !

It was an experience that Eesha Koppikhar is not going to forget for a long time.

After all, it’s not every day that one gets to judge the Miss Universe contest. Of course, it was a big high for her to be one among the esteemed panel of judges like fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, Donald Trump Jr, hair stylist Louis Licari and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins. Eesha says that she was very impressed with the girls in the contest.

“For me, all of them were winners because they were all so confident. When Miss USA tripped and fell on stage, I gave her more points because it’s not how you fall but how you get up and she did that gracefully,” she says. A lot of people thought Eesha was herself a contestant, Eesha adds with a laugh. Well, she might not have been a contestant here but she had been among the first five some years back at the Miss India contest. “I felt really bad when Miss India Simran Mundi didn’t win the crown. I met and told her that there’s lots more to life. I remember when I had not won, Manpreet Brar had come up to me and told me that I’m one of the prettiest girls in the contest and I would go a long way,” she adds. Some predictions do come true! Source : Times of India.

HOME

Bollywood biggies at Katrina's birth day bash

Bollywood turned up in full force to wish Katrina Kaif on her 24th birthday.

The birthday was celebrated at a Mumbai hotspot and Katrina was accompanied by her mother and sister, Isabelle. And by the entire Khan family, including mother Salma, Helen, brothers Sohail and Arbaaz along with wives and sisters Alvira and Arpita.

Saif and Kareena were there, Karisma came with Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep and Anu Dewan. Arjun Kapoor was present and so was Arpita, together at the same venue after their break-up some months back. They kept their distance. Amair Khan was the last one to arrive, after 1.30 am. After which the three Khans - Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh – were seen engrossed in conversation.

Shah Rukh came in with Gauri and helped a TV cameraman when he fell down. Khan picked him up and made sure he was fine. However the press was not as cooperative later. They thronged him, making it impossible for Gauri to get into the car. Gauri gave up trying after a while and began walking down the road with Alison Kanuga. Karan Johar joined her, and got her back. Gauri did manage to squeeze herself into the car, only to land on SRK’s lap.

Salman almost lost his temper at mediapersons who refused to let Helen and Salma alone, but managed to control himself. All the major filmmakers from the industry were present including Karan Johar, Rajkumar Santoshi, Kunal Kohli, Imtiaz Ali, David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee, Manmohan Shetty, Prakash Jha, Rohan and Ramesh Sippy, Nikhil Advani and others. More roles for Kat? Surprisingly no one from the Yash Chopra camp was present.

Finally at 3 am, the cops came in and stopped the party as it was way beyond the official 1 am. Sallu argued a bit, then gave up and called it a day. Source : Times of India.

Katrina Kaif birth day party picture !

HOME

Katrina Kaif birth day party picture !

HOME

Bollywood bowled over by Batman's charm

Thursday night at Fame Adlabs was as star studded as it could get. Celebrities flocked to the theater to watch their favorite super hero Batman in action. The new movie Chandni chowk to China was also unveiled.

Bollywood has its own fair share of fans of the Batman series. Prahlad Kakkar, the ad guru said, "I like batman because he is complex, and not a simple stupid idiot."

Actress Nauheed Cyrusi was also present. "I’m a huge batman fan, that's why I’m here" she said.

Warner Brothers made the most of the occasion by unveiling the photographs of their 1st Bollywood venture Chandni Chowk to China starring Deepika Padukone and Akshay Kumar.

An over enthusiastic media presence made things a little awry. But after a few tense moments the cast and crew of the film went ahead by telling us a little more about their film.

Model turned actress Deepika Padukone said, "There is a double role. There is a Chinese girl and an Indian girl. The Chinese girl does all the action and the Indian girl is more traditional. "The film is reportedly about a crook who lives in Chandni chowk. He desires to change his destiny and feels his destiny is in China, when people come to look for him".

Actors like Imran Khan and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy were also spotted at the event. Source : Ibnlive

HOME

Mallika gives sex tips to Ranvir !

Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey have been very discreet about their engagement. But just 15 days before the release of the Ranvir-starrer Ugly Aur Pagli, the news of their secret engagement is all over the town.

The more tight-lipped Konkona and Ranvir remain about their lovelife, the more interest it indirectly generates for the film. The clincher would be if days before the film’s release, either Ranvir or Konkona or both finally give an exclusive interview on their lovelife. Talk about stunts being pulled off to get initials for a film.

Of course, no publicist or producer is expected to go on record to confirm this as a publicity stunt. Says the film’s director Sachin Khot, expectedly, “This is my first film. My film promos have got great response and people are saying that the chemistry between Mallika and Ranvir is fresh. I can’t speculate on publicity strategies,” says Khot.

The film’s producer Pritish Nandy says that neither Ranvir nor his company likes to flaunt the personal life to promote films. “We stick to the movie, For us, that sells,” says Nandy.

However, Prabhat Chowdhury, head of the company promoting the film, says, “When Konkona and Ranvir fell in love on the sets of Mixed Doubles, we did report that. Just to let them get into the groove of their character, the director had left them alone for three days in an apartment.

The peg of the director’s interviews of how they fell in love on the sets went well with the film’s plot. If I really had to promote Ugly... using the love angle, I’d want Ranvir to talk about his relationships with alpha women. Both his ex — Pooja Bhatt — and Konkona have been dominating. Even Mallika plays a dominating character in the film. But, we never discussed with Ranvir the possibility of promoting the film on these lines.”

Yet adman Prahlad Kakar is sure that this engagement news is a stunt. “For God’s sake, this is a stunt. They’ve been engaged for so long. And the next stunt would be a story on how Mallika Sherawat offers sex tips to the slightly-jaded couple!” insists Kakar.

So much for Ugly... , but what about the reports of this mysterious trainer of Akshay Kumar? Isn’t that pretty well-timed too, considering that Singh is Kinng releases on August 8 and there is ample time for this mysterious trainer to finally come out in the open and declare that all is fine in the Kumar household?

“Such speculation regarding the women in Akshay’s life have been going on and off since the time of Namastey London. But, Akshay is very touchy and is planning to sue the channel that carried this story,” says Chowdhury, whose company is also promoting the Akshay-starrer (Many directors, however, are quite happy with such stunts as long as they kindle the audience’s interest. Director Apoorva Lakhia went on record recently to say that any publicity is good for his film, Mission Istaanbul, even if it’s about him and Vivek Oberoi being at loggerheads or Turkish belly dancer Tanyeli complaining that he is not an easy man to work with!

And that makes us wonder what could be the possible publicity stunts for some of this year’s biggest releases. A film publicist, on condition of anonymity, says, “Both God Tussi Great Ho and Bachna Ae Haseeno releases on August 15. For BAH, which is about relationships, stories could be planted on the growing friendship between Ranbir and Bipasha and how Deepika and John react to this intimacy. For GTGH, any number of speculative stories could be churned out on the equation between Salman and Amitabh Bachchan and whether the Bachchan bahurani would attend the premiere or exchange pleasantries with her ex.”

Even the music launch of Singh is Kinng got considerable hype with tabloids speculating over whether Big B had left the venue early just to avoid meeting Salman. But this publicist, who was present at the venue, says, “The event was held at a discotheque. It was stifling for Big B to stay there for long. Nevertheless, such stories only added to the reader/audience’s interest in the film,” he says.

Drona, which hits theatres on October 2, can also pull off stunts with stories on how Ash has taken to the chemistry between Abhishek and Priyanka during the pre-release hype. But the biggest stunts this year would be pulled off on the blogospheres. With the Aamir-starrer Ghajini releasing on November 28 and Shah Rukh-starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi hitting theatres on December 12, stars can use the Net to make both shocking and humourous comments that suitably generate controversy (remember Aamir’s blog entry where he had written about his dog Shah Rukh?) and interest.

But before we sign off, how can one forget that this year also has Himesh Reshammiya’s Karzzzz that releases sometime in October-November? Himesh’s burqa controversy before his debut film also helped the film get a good opening. And guess what? Kakar believes Himesh, with his wig, will be all over town giving tips on how to grow hair on a billiards table! Source : Times of India.

HOME

Sagarika Ghatge to chak de once again !

After a hectic media interest post her portrayal of Preeti Sabharwal in the hit film Chak De India, Sagarika Ghatge is on a self-imposed exile, atleast where the media is concerned.

Earlier, whenever she stepped out, she made the news. Now she has realised, less is more and has decided to keep her mouth shut. The girl has kept away from the media glare.

The girl made a splash last year, but Sagarika was slow off the block. The reason being she did not want to sign everything offered to her. And after lying low, she is now busy shooting for a film with Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol.

“Life’s been good and so have the offers been,” she says. Wonder what she has been trying to hide... Maybe the declining offers?

HOME

Kismat Konnection Movie Review

Kismat Konnection falls under the league of those feel-good NRI love stories having a customary Indian narration in some foreign location. The kinds where every person the hero even randomly stumbles upon speaks to him in Hindi.

The kinds where the hero is still named as Raj Malhotra. Where's the story you ask? Left to chance.. fate, destiny, luck or Kismat as you may call it.

Raj Malhotra (Shahid Kapoor) is the university topper but somehow luck isn't favouring him. Five years post graduation he is still jobless and waiting for his first assignment as an architect.

Kismet connects as he comes across Priya (Vidya Balan) who happens to be his lucky charm. In her presence even the impossible turns achievable for Raj. Raj desperately seeks her company in all his endeavours from employment to affection.

Just when you start liking the breezy premise, the director decides to add (rotten) meat to the story by adding a hackneyed love triangle to stretch the screenplay by a few more cliched scenes.

Priya is already engaged with another guy but we are familiar with the fact that the heroine will ultimately end up with the hero. And since the third angle just happens to be some side-hero, he's also given a bad conduct certificate of two-timing to make his exit easier.

On a parallel note Raj gets the contract to design a shopping mall which incidentally happens to be on the same land where Priya supports a community center.

Surprisingly the film derives the plot on the same grounds of the old age home premise in Lagey Raho Munnabhai and more shockingly Vidya Balan ends up playing the same character as in the earlier film.

Either director Aziz Mirza should have derived from some other source or if the inspiration was so compelling, he should have cast some other actress. This is deja vu on the face.

Finally Raj wins both, Priya and the project by delivering a sentimental speech in the climax where he talks about everything from global warming to US superpower but for the practicality of the project.

Was there a cross connection here? And the film opts for such a convenient conclusion that you wonder if there was any problem at the first place.

Kismat Konnection starts on a promising note but soon resorts to conventional formula. The second half drags with Raj's repeated attempts to win the construction contract.

The love triangle is clearly off-track and is simply enforced to manipulate that mandatory sangeet song sequence to appease the family and NRI audiences.

Thankfully the script steers away from sermonizing on bhartiya sanskriti et al, an avid tendency with such genres. On the upside Binod Pradhan's cinematography is eye-pleasing and Pritam's music is soothing to the ears.

This time around Shahid Kapoor displays a hangover of.. no not Shah Rukh but Amitabh Bachchan in the initial reels and also does a complete take on his extended Namak Halaal dialogue.

Nevertheless he soon comes to his usual self and gives a sincere performance. And those Ahmed Khan choreographed gyrations can never go wrong. As against the notion, Vidya Balan carries a graceful charm and is natural as ever.

Om Puri is effective in his imposing character with a Punjabi accent. Vishal Malhotra repeats his friendly act for the nth time. Age has caught up with Juhi Chawla and it shows onscreen.

Concisely the film only connects with the viewer intermittently and a lot has been left to Kismat.

HOME

Kunal Kapoor and Lara Dutta give in to temptation

While most celebs are harping about their fitness regime and size 0 look, arm candy Kunal Kapoor and the glamorous Lara Dutta were spotted binging on the enhanced dine-in concept of Pizza Hut.

"I have the fastest metabolism in the world. I can eat anything and get away with it. So cheese, butter, ghee, everything is allowed and there's no stopping. I'm just fortunate. There is no one binge day. Everyday is a binge day," says Kunal Kapoor.

Adds Lara Dutta, "Mein kabhi 0 size thi hi nahin, aur ho bhi nahin sakti. (I was never a size 0 and I never can be size 0) So I'm happy the way I am. I'm a size 2 and that's a lot better."

But Lara's new movie Blue is almost complete, and it was rumoured that she was on a special diet for the film. So what does her diet really consist of.

"My new film diet consists of pizza, pasta and garlic bread. No I'm kidding. I am training for my new film Blue, but it still allows me to eat once in a while," says she with a smile. Source : Ibnlive

HOME

Shamita Shetty dances for the puttars

While elder sis Shilpa Shetty is making waves in the UK, younger sis Shamita Shetty seems to be sitting pretty. Cash didn't do wonders for her, but the girl, who became known with the Sharara number from Meri Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai is hoping that she gets noticed in the desi version of Harry Potter called Hari Puttar. It's a kids' film and Shammy baby is doing a song in it.

"I took up the offer because it's a children's film, and that's why it's special!" she tells us. Well, let's hope the song works some Potter magic and brings this Shetty Siren some interesting film offers, just like luck brought Shilpa a Big Brother win and resurrected a not-so-happening career. Harsh, but true!

Curtainraiser to Miss Universe 2008

Miss Universe 2008 contestants are seen during a stage rehearsal in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Friday, July 11, 2008. The contestants will compete in the 57th annual Miss Universe competition which will take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam at the Crown Convention Center on July 14, 2008.

REALITY CZECH : Miss Czech Republic 2008, Eliska Buckova.

NEXT

Miss Universe 4

HEART STOPPER : Miss Slovenia 2008, Anamarija Avbelj.

SERB EXCEL : Miss Serbia 2008, Bojana Boric.

MISS HOSTESS : Miss Vietnam 2008, Lam Thuy Nguyen.

BACK / HOME

Miss Universe 3

WHITE MAGIC : Miss Paraguay 2008, Giannina Ruffinelli.

BLACK BEAUTY : Miss Turks & Caicos Angelica 2008, Lightbourne.

GOING DUTCH : Miss Netherlands 2008, Charlotte Labee.

BACK / NEXT

Miss Universe 2

FRILLS AND THRILLS : Miss Korea 2008, Sun Lee.

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL : Miss Albania 2008, Matilda Mcini.

ON TOPS FROM DOWN UNDER : Miss Australia 2008, Laura Dundovic.

BACK / NEXT

Miss Universe Results 2008

The 2008 Miss Universe results were coming in. Would there be a huge payout for gamblers worldwide? When the final 15 were announced, a few of the favorites were among those still in. Some of the big favorites were not, however. Miss Puerto Rico had the second shortest odds at SBG Global paying around 8 to 1 odds. Likewise, Miss Panama, Miss Belgium and Miss India were other big favorites who failed to make the initial cut.

And then there were some big underdogs who slipped in. Among them: Miss Italy at 33/1 odds; Miss Vietnam at 22/1 odds; Miss South Africa at 18/1 odds; Miss Australia at 22/1 odds; Miss Russia at 33/1 odds; Miss Spain at 33/1 odds; Miss Hungary at a huge 66/1 odds; Miss Italy at 33/1 odds and Miss Japan - a huge 80/1 long shot. Miss Japan won last year as a massive dog.

The 7/1 favorite, Miss Venezuela, was selected. That nation regularly has its representative among the top selections as does The USA (9 to 1 odds) and Mexico (8 to 1 odds, but opened at 12 to 1). Both Miss USA and Miss Mexico were selected among the 15 finalists.

Kosovo at 20/1 odds; Dominican Republic (selected by Gambling911.com's Jenny Woo) was at 18 to 1 odds. Both made it into the final 15. Other favorites: Miss Colombia (11 to 1 odds) and Czech Republic (11 to 1 odds) made it in.

Ultimately, the top 10 were announced including Kosovo; Australia; Spain; Mexico; Colombia; USA; Dominican Republic; Russia; Italy; Venezuela.

The top 5 were then announced in random order: Miss Colombia; Miss Venezuela; Miss Dominican Republic; Miss Mexico; and the big underdog Miss Russia.

Results were being updated at Gambling911.com throughout the rest of the evening.

HOME

Rahul Vaidya wins the first Singing Superstar

After months of hardwork, struggle and wonderful performances, Rahul Vaidya walked away with the title of Jo Jeeta wohi Superstar!!

Will Champions retain their title or will the challengers win over the champions? Who will become the first superstar of the nation? These were the question in the minds of all the viewers of Star Plus' Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar. Though 18 contestants participated in the contest along with two other wild card entrants, Abhijeet Sawant, Harshit Saxena and Rahul Vaidya made it to the finals of this musical reality show. And after that breathe taking moment, finally Rahul Vaidya walked away with the title of the Superstar. The audience chose Abhijeet Sawant to be the first runner up, while Harshit Saxena became the second runner up.

The finale was a grand affair with many stars gracing the occasion. From Sonu Nigam, Bipasha Basu to Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan all of them were present to encourage the finalists. If bollywood made their efforts, the tellywood actors were not far behind. The team of Baa Bahoo Baby, Bidaai and Kumkum was present on sets to support their own favorites and even the finalists made sure not to disappoint any of the celebrities as they gave one after another flawless performances. Along with the finalists, even the already eliminated contestants rocked the stage with their performances. Sonu Nigam and the finalists of Star voice of India, Chhote Ustaad gave their own share of entertainment on the final episode leaving the audience to glue to their TV sets.

Rahul Vaidya, the winner bagged 2, 16,693 votes, Abhijeet Sawant, already a champion and winner of Indian Idol, fell a little short of votes and got 2,02,321 votes, while Harshit Saxena, the second runners up managed to collect 1,56,291 votes.

The proud winner was presented with a rockstar jacket and a check for fifty lakh Rupees by Shahid Kapur. Shahid, Vidya and the judges of this show, Farah Khan, Vishal and Shekhar presented Rahul with the winner’s trophy while Abhijeet and Harshit received their runners up trophy. The Tellybuzz team congratulates the winner and the whole team of Jo Jeeta wohi superstar for putting up such a great show enjoyable by all the viewers.

Priyanka Chopra Photo Galery

HOME

Priyanka Chopra is keeping it simple

A far cry from her ultra glamorous role in Love Story 2050, Priyanka Chopra will now play an ordinary middle-class girl in Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film Kaminay.

No stylish outfits for Priyanka now... She will only dress in simple salwar kameezes. “My style in Kaminay will reflect the fashion of today’s city girls.

Dolly Ahluwalia, who dressed Kareena Kapoor in Omkara , will style my look in Kaminay . We have already gone through a dress trial with Dolly and believe me, I’m look totally different from how I look in Drona, Dostana and Love Story 2050 ,” says Priyanka. Source : Times of India.

Priyanka's Photo Gallery

HOME

Aishwarya Was Will Smith’s First Choice For Hancock

Will Smith said that Aishwarya Rai was his first choice for Hancock over Oscar winning Charlize Theron but it did not work out for various understandable reasons.

Smith is self admittedly a great fan of the Indian actress. He said that he was not disheartened and believed that they will share a good on screen chemistry.

“I would love to work with Aishwarya. She is gorgeous. I had even offered her roles with me. In fact for ‘Hancock’ also she was my first preference over Charlize,” he told PTI in an e-mail interview.

He is hopeful of working with Aishwarya in future.

“I received denials all the times, may be she had some justified problems. But of course, I will do anything to work with Aishwarya,” said Smith.

Smith, whom the People magazine named one of the 10 sexiest men on earth, said that he loves the dances and songs of Indian films, and he is astounded by the energy level of the actors here. He said that he loves Bollywood movies and plans to act in one someday. He has even spoken to Karan Johar in this regard.

The Independence Day actor has a huge fan following in Tamil Nadu. His Hancock released all over Tamil Nadu today with a very grand opening to packed houses. The eccentricity of Will Smith is a big hit with Tamil audiences. Source

HOME

Mallika Sherawat to play Naagin

For the first time in the history of Indian cinema a Hollywood director will soon embark on a Bollywood film. Jennifer Lynch, daughter of four time Oscar nominee and two times Cannes Film Festival winner, David Lynch, is all set to shoot Hindi language Bollywood film. Interestingly her debut venture is about a subject that has always intrigued the west. The film is called Naagin-The Snake Woman and brings back to life the ancient myth concerning the Nag-Naagin relationship.

Lynch's last film Surveillance starring Bill Pullman and Julia Ormand was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year. And it is none other than Bollywood siren Mallika Sherawat who has been zeroed in on the title role of a Naagin. Mallika will be the fifth actress to play the legendary character of a Naagin. Vyjayantimala, Reena Roy, Sridevi and Manisha Koirala are the famous Bollywood actresses who had enacted this legendary character previously.

The film also stars Irrfan Khan in a role of a cop who has been given the task to pin down the Naagin and destroy her legendary powers. Hollywood's special effects wizard Robert Kurtzman has been roped in to create some unbelievable graphics for the film. Produced by Ratan Jain's Venus Records and Tapes, Naagin-The Snake Woman has Vikram Singh and Govind Menon as its co-producers.

The shooting starts in various locations and sets, in the last week of July, in a start to finish schedule. Casting is currently on for the rest of the parts in the film. Producer Ratan Jain is very upbeat about the development. Says he, "Venus films is known for its commercial family entertainers. There is lot of work happening between Hollywood and Bollywood and the film with Jennifer lynch starring Mallika Sherawat is a step towards it.

It was a wonderful experience working with Mallika Sherawat in Maan Gaye Mughall-e-Azam. And hence it was natural that we take it further. She is a thorough professional. And I hope that with this film, Venus Films will be associated with more International films in the near future. Source : Oneindia.com

HOME

Rakhi Sawant gown of gold !

Synonymous with qualities like instinctive, sensual and bold to the point of coming across as outrageous, one would expect Rakhi Sawant to exhibit all this and more as she hosts her own celeb show. But if the facts are anything to go buy, looks like takes for it will have to wait some more. For as of now, the item diva wants to escalate herself image not just to the level of an Indian masala digger, but to that of a chic Western anchor.

Apparently, it is not just Rakhi’s Mumbaiyya lingo that is all set for a change. It is also her wardrobe and styling that will see a marked makeover. In what can be called be the first of its sorts for an Indian chat show hostess, Rakhi will be seen sporting sexy Western dresses and even gowns!

Revealing about her wardrobe, her show designer Ashley Rebello told Indiatimes Movies, “Rakhi is going to be looking absolutely stunning in her new outfits. In fact the inaugural episode will see her coming across as the ultimate enchantress in a dull gold evening gown! And the impact really has to be seen to be believed. Not just the first episode, but each episode holds something special for her fans who will get to see her in a complete different light.” Source : Times of India.

Soha Ali Khan salutes Mumbai's spirit in Mumbai Meri Jaan

Soha Ali Khan will soon be seen playing the role of a journalist in her forthcoming film Mumbai Meri Jaan, which is based on the series of blasts that rocked Mumbai's trains in July 2006.

And the actress is all set to fight terrorism in real life too as she flagged off a signature campaign with bureaucrats and socials workers in Mumbai.

“The film is essentially inspired by the train blast that happened in 2006. It’s Nishikant's (director) version. The story takes a close look at the aftermath of the train blast and how the five characters in the movie are affected by it,” Soha explained.

The film’s director Nishikant Kamat said that given their film’s theme, they had to be a part of the anti-terrorism campaign.

“This synergy is so evident. When we came to know about the campaign we said we have to be a part of it, since our film deals with all that and it’s so similar,” he said.

With actors like Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon and Irfan Khan, Mumbai Meri Jaan is an attempt to bridge alternative cinema with the popular.

“Mumbai Meri Jaan, I believe, is one of those films which tries to send across a message in an entertaining manner. It is not a preachy film,” Soha said. Source : IBNLive

HOME

Amrita Rao cover girl of Verve magazine

"Make way for the new Miss Sensuality!" Verve magazine announces in its most recent press release. Staring out of the cover of the latest issue is Amrita Rao. The demure bride-to-be from Vivah sheds her inhibitions (and some clothes too) and poses for Verve.

Amrita Rao recently came into the news after she sported a tiny blue number in her last film, My Name is Anthony Gonsalves.

In Verve's latest issue, Amrita Rao turns to red and sports a backless Ferragamo on the cover.

Picture Courtesy : Verve

HOME

Mallika gets directed as "Snake Woman"

Hollywood filmmaker Jennifer Lynch, daughter of Oscar nominee and Cannes Film Festival winner David Lynch, is in Mumbai to shoot a film with Mallika Sherawat and Irrfan Khan.

The film, Naagin – The Snake Woman, is a Bollywood project about the ancient legend of the snake woman. It will be shot in Chennai and the backwaters of Kerala with an Indian cast and American villain. Which makes Jennifer the first Hollywood director to actually shoot a Hindi language film. “Don’t perceive me as a Western director, but just another director who’s hoping to give a good film to the world,” she began by saying.

“Essentially, at the heart of every story, there is love. So when director Govind Menon and producer Vikram approached me with the subject, I was spellbound. We have fables of vampires and Cindrellas, and you guys have such interesting legends about snakes. It’s super cool to be a Nagin! I come from a country where snakes are looked down upon and associated with negative energy. Here, snakes are worshipped,” exclaimed Jennifer whose last film, Surveillance, starring Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond premiered at Cannes in June.

According to the filmmaker, the world believes India is a snake charmers’ country, but nobody knows the real story behind this misconception. Jennifer intends to dispel this myth with a classy, musical murder mystery made with special effects. “I will change the perspective in the West about snakes and they will be respected hereafter,” said the director who has been exposed to India through the Vedas since her father studied Ayurveda.

On why she chose Mallika for the role, Jennifer explained, “She has it in her. Her body is the hallmark of most of her films, but I am focusing on the sensuality of her face and her eyes.” But...
Mallika fans won’t be disappointed as well. “There are scenes where she will be the babe she is in real life, there are sensually done songs,” laughed Jennifer, “I feel Mallika has that crossover quality, I will help her achieve that, she’s definitely made for bigger things.” Source : Times of India.

HOME

Meet Bollywood's hottest bad Girls

If you are wondering where Bollywood's bad girls have disappeared, then gear up for a whole new lineup of heroines with negative shades.

For starters look out for director Ram Gopal Varma's new muse Sakshi Gulati, who is part of the underworld gang in Contract. But would a role in RGV's gritty look at the underworld terrorist nexus mean sacrificing her glam quotient?

“Not really because I have got a lot of scope to perform in the film and the oomph factor is still there even though I am playing a character which has got shades of grey. But I have my oomph factor, I am very stylishly dressed in the film. It’s not like I have a performance-based role so I have to be shabbily dressed or be covered or something,” says Sakshi.

Meanwhile, actress Isha Kopikkar will be introduced minus the pancake in Shabri, which is based on the life of a female criminal kingpin.

On the other hand, girl-next-door Dia Mirza glams up to play a negative role in Sanjay Gupta's Acid Factory. And Dia's image makeover has been carefully crafted by designers Shantanu and Nikhil.

"This time we are giving her a Lara Croft look. The movie is very cutting edge. It’s a dark thriller. She plays a very sensuous character who has a bit of a grey side. And when you think evil, there is no colour better than black and red,” says Shantanu.

Dia's makeover isn't limited to her look, the actress will also be flexing her muscles to match up to the big screen's bad boys.

"Ever since I started working in the Hindi film industry there has always been a prototype attached to me. Whoever thinks of casting me comes up with either the girl-next-door role or the sweet and simple Dia. I would like to thank Sanjay Gupta for entrusting me with this role,” says Dia. Now here's one lot, that we hope, will look good while playing bad. Source : Ibnlive.com

Love Story 2050 Review

Picture this. It’s 2050. The world’s transformed into a screensaver. There are airborne automobiles, robots have substituted companionship and are not just implanted with artificial intelligence but also embedded with fake feelings. Humankind emerge from holograms as customer care executives. Product brands of today manage to survive four decades down the line and perhaps so will the standard of scripts that refuse to show any signs of upgrading.

Picture this. It’s 2006. Filmmaker Harry Baweja considers making a science fiction but assumes that the audience is too inexperienced to accept the genre unconditionally. So he manipulates an obsolete love story believing that the viewer would now digest the assorted subject more willingly. And in his flawed hypothesis he ends up with a muddled mess which is something between a lackluster love story and a semi-science-fiction. Add to it, neither appeals!

Picture this. It’s 2008. Harman Baweja attempts to make a dashing debut (literally) as he bangs his father’s swanky car. Daddy dear is a business tycoon who has no time for his motherless son Karan (Harman). Now how many times have we seen such banal bonding before? Nevertheless, real-life father Harry Baweja has all the time to launch his son (again literally, through flying cars) in a futuristic film which unfortunately isn’t ahead of its time.

Karan meets Sana (Priyanka Chopra), chases, dates and sings with her, gets separated and reunites and attempts every possible act to stretch the screenplay till the interval. The director has dedicatedly devoted the first half merely for the love story. 2050 appears only in the second half where the techno-savvy world comprises of touch-screen gadgets and perhaps India is again ruled by foreigners as most inhabitants of Mumbai resemble firangs .

Sana dies in the first half and our hero is pretty sure that she will be reborn in 2050. His scientist uncle (Boman Irani) who is a confused combination of an astrologer-cum-astronomer reaffirms his faith. Uncle Frankenstein has designed a time machine which transports them into future. Sana is Zeisha now and suddenly the modern day sci-fi takes an ancient Bollywood turn with the reincarnation theme. This Karan has no Arjun but with just one song he rekindles memories of past life in his lifeless romance with Sana.

Meanwhile the director also inserts an archetypal villain though he chooses to keep his face covered for reasons unknown. This faceless bad man looks like the first cousin of Mogambo and suspiciously sounds like Gulshan Grover. Is Grover resorting to barely dubbing for films or did the director midways mistake his film to be an animation attempt? Expectedly, the villain is in search of the time machine which assures a climax combat with the hero.

The screenplay grilled by multiple writers is a clear case of too many cooks spoil the broth. The first half is long-drawn-out with a lousy love story while scenes are specially written in the second half only to accommodate brand endorsements. The special effects are a new high for hindi films. However that doesn’t affect much as the effects are almost relegated to the background while the romance takes preventable prominence. Moreover the visual graphics remind of several Hollywood films like The Fifth Element, Total Recall and The Star Wars series. Also the villain’s vicious intentions are clearly derived from Krrish .

Of the performances, Boman Irani hams hysterically. Priyanka Chopra overdoes the Pooh image to irksome effect. Archana Puran Singh repeats her Punjabi act for the zillionth time. Harman Baweja, intentionally or unintentionally, has a strong Hrithik Roshan hangover in his looks, performance, body-language, mannerisms, action, dancing and dialogue delivery but surprisingly it works to his advantage. In the pre-climax party scene he also derives a lot in his act from Shah Rukh Khan. But a confident charm works to his merit.

Through the film, Harman keeps repeating a line ‘I don’t need luck, I have love’. Perhaps an overdose of love will surely make him seek some luck, now. Source : Times of India.