Mallika’s most erotic film ever gets shelved

Mallika Sherawat, one of the most daring actresses in Bollywood (if not daring then at least unconventional we give her that) has had a bit of sad news recently. The actress who is known for her bold portrayals in her movies had signed on for her most erotic film till date, titled ‘Forbidden’.

The script had her seducing her 20 something step-son, however Mallika had some qualms about who would play the role of her stepson and she didn’t want any big names playing that role.

At one point of time the producers considered Tusshar Kapoor for the role, but Mallika was reluctant. So Ratan Jain and director Manish Gupta signed on Aditya Seal for the role.

Now everything was going on all right, except that director Manish Gupta had another project Stoneman Murders which he was entangled in at the same time, this bothered the producer Ratan Jain and he confronted Manish Jain saying either concentrate on ‘Forbidden’ or opt out. Manish chose to direct Stoneman Murders instead of Jain’s film so the movie got shelved.

Ratan Jain said, “Is it necessary for me to tell all this to a newspaper? I don’t want to talk about it.”.

Is Slumdog Millionaire worth the praise?

Sitting inside a crowded movie theatre in Nariman Point, South Mumbai [Images], surrounded by other pasty-skinned foreigners and a few overtly wealthy Indians, I was forced to stifle an audible groan.

"What will we survive on, Jamal?" Freida Pinto [Images] had asked.

"Love," Dev Patel [Images] had replied.

Enough was enough. For an hour and a half (and for Rs 250), I had watched a right proper Brit and a middle-class Mumbaikar stumble through cheesy dialogue, all the while pretending to represent the Mumbai slums.

'It's official,' I thought. 'Slumdog Millionaire is massively disappointing. It's inauthentic and vain. And it's making a mockery of Hollywood's annual awards season.'

The realisation saddened me because I tried hard to like the film. Desperately, in fact. From the moment I had first heard of acclaimed director Danny Boyle's [Images] plan to shoot a movie in India, I positively swooned.

'My India, my Mumbai, no longer a crude caricature!' I had gushed. 'The world will finally see her as she is!'

I told all within earshot how badly I wanted to see Boyle's masterpiece. I made a Slumdog Millionaire [Images] poster my desktop computer's wallpaper and compulsively watched and re-watched the film's two minute trailer.

Emraan Hashmi in Raaz 3

Its true after the success of a movie the director is so pumped up that he just jumps to the decision of making a sequel. That happened in so many previous cases, Dostana, Munnabhai, Golmaal and even Chandni Chowk to Africa for that matter. Now with the unusually good start at the box office, Raaz – The Mystery Continues will continue even further.

Now after lying low during all the promotions of the film, Emraan Hashmi is come out of the dark "My wife kept telling me I should try the genre. I had never done horror before. It's believed in the trade that horror films open well and then soon fizzle out. But then it was also believed that a film looking at the seamier side of cricket (Jannat) would never do well. I like to walk the lonely path. That's why you don't see me at parties and functions. Maybe that's why I play the part of the loner and watch another guy take away the girl I love,"

And now he has revealed the secret of the sequel to Raaz – TMC - "The third part will be directed by Mohit. And I'll play the lead. The rest of the details are yet to be decided. The cast of the second Raaz film was totally new. And I think I'm going to be the only actor common to Raaz 2 and 3."

More happy news for Emraan is that after the success found in Jannat and Raaz – TMC, he’s all secure to extend his family, "We're trying for a baby and we should be parents by next year. One is never prepared for fatherhood. And if I wait to be fully prepared it will never happen. But I'm getting into the mindset now."

Saif-Kareena film in payments controversy

Karan Johar's latest production seems to have come into some trouble.
Some crew members in Philadelphia, USA, where the film was shot last winter, have complained that they have not received payment even after the shoot ended.

Directed by first-timer Rensil D'Silva (who wrote Aks [Images] and Rang De Basanti [Images]), the yet-untitled film stars Saif Ali Khan [Images] and Kareena Kapoor [Images]. It was shot in Philadelphia in November and December, and 1,000 crew members and extras were hired. Johar's Dharma Productions enlisted an Australian company called Swish Group Limited to help with the shoot.

The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reported that according to the workers, the payment of $100,000 had bounced and that Swish was not responding to their inquiries.

Apoorva Mehta, CEO, Dharma Productions, told rediff.com, "They (Swish ) have an accounting problem at the moment. They have confirmed receiving the money from our side. They said they will settle the due in two or three weeks. They have given us a confirmation letter also."

Cary P Stynes, Managing Director, Swish Group Limited, forwarded his reply to Dharma Productions to this reporter via e-mail, where he admitted to the delay in payments.

'We are in the process of resolving all matters in relation to the payment to crew members and vendors appointed by us for services in relation to your film, currently under production,' the e-mail stated. 'We have not been able to do so, as the accounts for the film are yet to be finalised. We have given this matter priority over all other accounting issues and our accounts team are working around the clock to sort out the issues that we have had. We are still reconciling the exact amounts of what is owed to various people who worked on the film.'

Styles further stated that payments will be made within the next 10 to 15 days.

'We once again confirm that we have received full and complete payment from you of all amounts requested by us to date. We thank you for your patience and we have no objection if you share this letter with the crew members, vendors and other stakeholders. Apologies again for any inconvenience or embarrassment caused,' Stynes concluded.

Vidhu Vinodh Chopra jumps on to the Hollywood express.

The latest Indian director to make news in the Hollywood front is Vidhu Vinod Chopra. After his successful Munnabhai series Chopra is all set to make waves there as he has signed on Gloden Globe winning Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke for his next Hollywood film titled ‘Broken Horses’.

This will be Chopra’s first venture into Hollywood, and with original screenplay by Chopra himself and Abhijat Joshi of the Lage Raho Munnabhai and Eklavya fame this one is going to be Indian all the way. Although Chopra has taken a little bit of help from international script consultants of Jason Richman ,the film will be screened across New Mexico, New York and Albuquerque. There is no word whether the film will hit the Indian front and when, but it will be highly awaited.

Apparently Chopra had seen Rourke’s performance in his Gloden Globe winning role ‘The Wrestler’ and was completely bowled over. They later met up in LA and Rourke became the final choice of his movie instantly.

The film will be produced by Reliance’s BIG Pictures and executively produced by Mark Johnson (Chronicles of Narnia and The Notebook and Rainman.)

Broken Horses will belong to the gangster genre and will hit the floors soon.

Adnan Sami warned against abusing wife

A non-cognisable offence has been registered against Pakistani singer Adnan Sami [Images] for allegedly harassing and abusing his wife Sabah Galadari at their residence in Lokhandwala, Mumbai [Images], police said on Friday.

"Sami's wife approached the police last night and complained that her husband had harassed and abused her. A non-cognisable offence was registered against him and she was advised to approach the court," senior police inspector Kiran Sonone said.

Also, the singer has been warned not to engage in such kind of activities, he said. The offence has been registered at Oshiwara police station in suburban Andheri.

Luck By Chance > Reviews >

As luck would have it, Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut LUCK BY CHANCE, is an offshoot of Sudhir Mishra's KHOYA KHOYA CHAND, which released on December 7, 2007. Mishra explored the underbelly of Bollywood through the journey of his central character, Soha Ali Khan. Here, Zoya, uses her brother, the now established actor Farhan Akhtar, and Konkona Sen Sharma to take us through the machinations of the film industry. In a subtle way, Zoya explores the dark side of film-making; of aspiring starlets, wannabe actors, struggling script-writers, star tantrums, harried producers, failed actors turned directors [all because they have a family business in Bollywood], scheming mothers, and the ever so omnipresent directors and producers waiting to exploit that girl who is desperate for a break in films. In a nutshell, this film is a docu-drama on the film industry and though the attempt is sincere, it falls flat in places. In the beginning, in trying to establish her plot, Zoya uses too much time to explain her moves. There's the Nand Kishore Acting School [read Namit Kishore] she focuses on. The bond between Farhan and his two friends, justifying Hrithik's presence in the film in a 'guest appearance', an unnecessary scene between Manish Malhotra and Rishi Kapoor. I mean, getting all the personalities is fine, but does the script really justify it, especially when you don't want to go overboard where time is concerned. In that respect, the film is a good 20-25 minutes long. The beginning just rambles on until the time a friendship is struck between Konkona and Farhan. That's the time the film really moves forward. Sona (Konkona) is hooked on by a false promise by a producer in the hope of that elusive break. She does bit roles at his insistence hoping that when his film goes on the floor, she will play the lead. Vikram Jaisingh (Farhan), a theatre actor, has moved from Delhi to Mumbai in search of his big break. Sona soon learns that she has been taken for a ride. By chance, she drops the envelopes containing Vikram's photographs with her 'producer friend'. As luck would have it, the photographs reach the right hands. The rest as they say is history. Vikram gets his break, not for a side role, but for the lead. He makes his move with the heroine, Nikki Walia (Isha Sharvani). The press gets a whiff of the story and before his release; the 'dirt' has been splashed. Sona gracefully moves away, rejected a second time. Vikram shifts gears into his newfound stardom. Somewhere he realizes that he misses Sona. But she has made up her mind. It's touching at times and at times, a spoof. It drags, as well as amuses. For an audience fed with a daily diet on the working of the film industry through articles and interviews and 'scoops' from 'sources' not only in film glossies but in dailies as well, this is nothing new. Farhan is maturing into a fine performer. Konkona, somewhere I get the feeling, is repeating her PAGE 3 act too often. She is too talented an actress not to break the shackles of playing a woman wronged much too often. She needs a refreshing new role. Dimple Kapadia as the scheming star mother is wonderful. She brings across her pain of her years as an actress, making sure her daughter, (Nikki) does not make the same mistakes. Rishi Kapoor as Rolly the producer is impressive. Aly Khan as Sona's producer friend is impressive as well. So also Vikram's two friends (one an assistant director and another a struggling actor). But for me, the surprise has been Sanjay Kapoor as the failed actor turned director. He puts zest into the role to make it absolutely real. Somewhere, his own pain as not being able to make it comes across and your heart goes out to him. Commercially, this film will find it tough to break the box office shackles. If you view it as an Art film, you won't be disappointed.

Jaya Bachchan becomes an adopted mother!

Bollywood fans who are glum about not seeing Madhavan and the first lady of Bollywood Jaya Bachchan on screen of late, have much to rejoice. Both the power houses of performance will soon be seen on screen in Hari Om Sai's production PHIR TUM MIL GAYE, to be directed by Revathy S Verma.
The film is a remake of a South film JUNE R and also marks Raveena Tandon's comeback and stars Ayesha Takia too. The story is about adoption, just that in this one a 20-year girl adopts a mother from an old age home. Director Revathy points out, "We always hear of couples adopting babies from orphanages, here it is the reverse process of a young girl wanting a mom. The mother's character is extremely optimistic." Jaya Bachchan will play the role she plays best, that of a soft and loving 'adopted' mother.

Preya Arora of Hari Om Sai Production says, "Jayaji's confirmation to this role is a great achievement to us. We were looking forward to her playing the mother's role because she has that motherly charm and softness." Revathy also seconds the opinion and says, "When we were in talks for the Hindi version, one thing was sure that she would be in the cast."


The surprise package of the film is Maddy, who has a main role and will be quite the star. Both the actors have kept their appearances rare, so it will be great to see them together. Though this is the first project of Hari Om Sai Production, the house has two major projects lined up after this, with big star cast. But everything is under wraps as of now

Robby Grewal: As a Punjabi, it was easier to do ALOO CHAAT

After making a thriller (SAMAY) and a teenage romantic comedy (MP3 - MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR), filmmaker Robby Grewal returns with ALOO CHAAT, a youth romantic entertainer. Set in Delhi, this Aftab Shivdasani-Aamna Shariff film promises to bring with it ton loads of entertainment. Since the film is based in Delhi, one wonders if the city first came or the script?
"It wasn't a conscious decision to make something in Delhi; may be subconsciously yes", says Robby Grewal who is himself Delhi based, "You do tend to get comfortable with a milieu of something that you are familiar with. It becomes so much more comprehensive if you are centering a film in a setting that you are familiar with."

He agrees that from research standpoint, making ALOO CHAAT was much easier affair. "It's like if I had to base my film in a Muslim or a Kashmir setting, I would have had to do quite some research to understand the language, mannerism, cultural aspect etc. Being a Punjabi, it wasn't much of a pain to base my characters too as Punjabis."

Revealing that he has been brought up in a hardcore Punjabi household, Robby adds, "You do get an exposure to the culture the moment you get up in the morning. The dialect and the thinking - everything comes to you naturally; something that you realize once you start filming your movie. For example, the grand mother shown in ALOO CHAAT is just the same as my own. Even lots of other characters have been pretty much picked up from real life people around me. All of it is something real; something that I have seen over the years."

Also starring Linda Arsenio, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sanjay Mishra and Manoj Pahwa in pivotal roles, ALOO CHAAT is all set to release on 13th March.

What's common to SRK, Aamir and Danny Boyle?

Our headlines may mislead our patrons into thinking that two of Bollywood's biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, are coming together for a film to be directed by the SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE director, Danny Boyle. But sadly, that is just wishful thinking. However, there is one very important factor that binds the three and that is none other than the famous stunt coordinator and action director, Sham Kaushal.
For those who are unaware, Sham Kaushal has been in the news for composing the stunts and action sequences of last week's release, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Moreover, he is also the action/stunt coordinator of Karan Johar's Shah Rukh Khan starrer, MY NAME IS KHAN and Rajkumar Hirani's Aamir Khan starrer, 3 IDIOTS. He has an impressive list of releases coming up this year in the form of Vishal Bhardwaj's KAMINAY, Nagesh Kukunoor's TASVEER and Prakash Jha's RAJNEETI, apart from the three prestigious films mentioned above.

Well, Bollywood may have woken up late to the talent of Sham Kaushal, but King Khan spotted it very early on and gave Sham a break in his home productions, ASOKA (2001). Later he stunned the film industry by composing some amazing stunts and action sequences for Hrithik Roshan's KRISSH. Sham then went on to do OM SHANTI OM for SRK's home banner, Red Chillies and he is now coordinating the action sequences of two of the most anticipated releases of 2009, MY NAME IS KHAN and 3 IDIOTS.

Way to go, Sham and here's looking forward to all your stunts (literally!) in your forthcoming films...

Raima and Randeep: Opposites attract, and how!

All you wicked minds out there please do not let your imaginations run wild and put two and two together. Our headlines just relate to the superb chemistry shared on-screen by the lead pair, the dusky, ethnic Bengali beauty, Raima Sen and the macho Randep Hooda, in PVR Pictures Presentations' February 6 release, MERE KHWABON MEIN JO AAYE.
As we know by now, Raima Sen is unhappy in marriage and she fantasizes about her perfect dream guy, who happens to be our very own hunk, Randeep Hooda. And what attracts Raima to Randeep? Yes, just the fact they are so different. She, the perfect Indian ethnic beauty, frail and innocent and he, the very handsome, tough and macho guy. And she is so taken in by her dream man that she imagines him in as many as eighteen different avatars. Yes, Randeep plays eighteen different characters in the film.


As per Randeep, "It was very challenging and in the beginning quite unnerving to play so many different characters in one movie but I really enjoyed it. From Zorro to James Bond, I loved all the roles that I essayed. They all represent the perfect macho men who girls dream of and I was helped in my endeavour by my director, Madhureeta, who I share a special bond with and it was she who made this daunting task easy for me."

We have seen legends like Sanjeev Kumar (9 roles in NAYA DIN NAYI RAAT) and Kamal Hassan (10 roles in DASHAVATAR) taking up the daunting task and now we have ex-Miss World, Priyanka Chopra essaying 12 different characters in WHAT'S YOUR RASHI. But Randeep surpasses them all with as many as eighteen different roles, but the bottom line is that all these roles (unlike the previous ones essayed by the legends) are a figment of imagination of the lead female protagonist, played by Raima Sen, and that's what makes it so special. In fact, all the young girls, married or single, can relate to Raima's character!

Well, fantasies are definitely more real than reality here in this make belief dream world of Raima Sen in MERE KHWABON MEIN JO AAYE.

Preity Zinta: The most influential business woman

Preity Zinta along with her entire Mohali team is headed to Bangkok to address a media conference. "I am looking forward to the conference. I want to be the driving force behind my team," she says.
Recently a foreign publication named Preity as the most influential business woman who owned an entire IPL team. But Preity says that things aren't easy just because she is a boss of a team.
"In fact it is the other way round," she says. "As a boss I have to not only to remain in constant touch with my team but also pep them up time and again so that they do their best on the field."
"Besides that," Priety says, "I am the one who looks into all the details about meetings, conferences, chalking out agendas and also making it a point to be on the field. I take care of all the minute details. In that sense it is hard workand#150;and#150;sheer hard work!"
Interestingly, Preity, the boss, prefers the no makeup look when on the field. "I don't want to come across like a heroine in the cricket ground, "she says laughing.
Obviously Preity Zinta the brand is stronger than Preity the heroine!

Hrithik injured on the sets of ‘Kites’.

Just when you thought the movie has already had its fair share of controversy and bad luck, comes along this event shattering everything. On Tuesday afternoon while performing a stunt sequence for the film, Hrithik had to break some glass while enacting a scene and a piece of glass pierced his hand.
There was a huge panic on the sets as his hand was bleeding immensely and he was rushed to the hospital. All this occurred on the sets erected at Filmistan Studios so he was rushed to the Lokhandwala hospital.
Sunaina Roshan, Hrithik’s sister and co-producer of Kites, said, “Yes it was very scary, this is the first time such an accident happened on my sets and that too to my brother.
“For a moment, I thought that it was a wrong take but then I saw him bleeding, I was very scared. But when I saw him smiling in the hospital, I was fine. Thank God, he is not seriously injured but he has a couple of stitches.”

John Abraham in Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bombay Velvet’

Well even after the no-show of ‘No Smoking’ at the BO, Anurag Kashyap has yet again roped in John Abraham for his next film titled Bombay Velvet. His current movie Dev D is just a forthnight away from its release and Kashyap has already started working on his next film.
Kashyap said, “John’s character is based on a real life hero of the masses from the 1960s. It’s a thriller based on real incidents. The idea was developed over the last four years with inputs from several renowned individuals including history professor Gyan Prakash.”

Kashyap said, “I haven’t worked with this kind of a budget before. I want to be sure of the script. After No Smoking, John and I want to make sure our film is accessible to the audience. I analysed myself and now I know where I had gone wrong with my earlier films. I am working on my weak points. I tend to get repetitive. So I have two writers who criticized me the most for No Smoking scripting Bombay Velvet.”

This film will also see Naseeruddin Shah and Kay Kay Menon in lead roles and will be produced by TV 18.

As of now the director is busy with the release of his next film Dev D and is also occupied with his new found girlfriend Kalki. “I’m very happy with Kalki. She has brought great stability to my life. Our relationship started with Dev D. I want her in my life but not necessarily in all my films.”

I won't copy Haji Mastan: Ajay Devgan

But the problem is who will play Sona, the starlet who formed an Abu Salem-Monica Bedi kind of alliance in the 1970s?

Amitabh Bachchan played a character inspired by the 1970s' smuggler Haji Mastan in Yash Chopra's 'Deewaar'.

Now it's Ajay Devgan's turn. For his role as Haji Mastan in Milan Luthria's 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbai', Ajay will be consulting all the material on the notorious Haji Mastan and also meeting up with the Big B to figure out how the senior actor approached the complex part.

The film will also focus on an aspect of Mastan's life that 'Deewaar' didn't touch on namely his liaison with starlet Sona who bore a close resemblance to the mythic Madhubala.

In fact, Sona was given a pivotal role in Raj Khosla's 'Kachche Dhaage' apparently on Haji Mastan's say-so. Milan Luthria, who bears an uncanny facial resemblance to Raj Khosla and who started his directorial career with a film entitled 'Kachche Dhaage', is all set to recreate the Haji Mastan-Sona affair.

Whoever the actress to play Sona, Ajay Devgan is equally nonchalant. "I've never bothered with whom I'm paired with. I only focus on my character."

From Bhagat Singh to Haji Mastan is a long journey for Ajay. "The character will be inspired by Haji Mastan. But I won't be copying him. When I played Mahesh Bhatt Saab in 'Zakhm', I wasn't trying to walk and talk, like him. We'll take many cinematic liberties. Playing Haji Mastan is very different from playing Bhagat Singh."

Cinema in 2009 went through many changes. And Ajay Devgan feels it's time for some rectification. "Not just star prices. There has to be correction in the economy and not entertainment. Everyone got carried away in all spheres of life… real-estate business, even banking and loans."

Personally Ajay is very happy with 2008. "I directed a film I'm proud of. People keep asking me when I'll direct another film. In 2008, I also had 'Golmaal Returns' which was among the biggest hits of the year. I want to do sensible cinema in 2009. But I also want my Golmaal. Sensible cinema is limited in its appeal. The world over the biggest hits are entertaining escapist films and comedies. It could be in a super-hero film or just a no-brainer."

Not that Ajay watches too many films. "I haven't even watched 'Taare Zameen Par' as yet," he ends sheepishly.

Ajay has very busy year ahead. "I've lots to do. I'm producing a couple of films, directing one. Then I'm starring in Prakash Jha's 'Rajniti' and of course 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbai'."

Siren of the Week: Anushka Shetty

The Mangalorean beauty is at her peak in Tollywood, as her latest film, 'Arundhati', has become a rage in Andhra Pradesh. Anushka has had a dream debut in 'Super' (2005) as the leading lady of Akkineni Nagarjuna. Though she did not have a great 2008, her hands are full with big projects, including Vijay's 'Vettaikkaran'.

The leggy siren is fast racing to the top in both Tollywood and Kollywood. Bollywood is not a faraway castle!

Hrithik Roshan injured shooting for 'Kites'

Shooting for home production 'Kites' has been jinxed for Hrithik Roshan. After hurting his knees while doing a dangerous car stunt in Las Vegas in October last year, the actor hurt his arm at the Filmistan Studio in Mumbai on Tuesday.

"Hrithik hurt his arm while doing a stunt shot for 'Kites' at the Filmistan studio. He was breaking a glass with a rod and one piece of glass flew and hurt him. It's a minor injury - there's nothing major," a source close to Hrithik told us.

Hrithik suffered many injuries after he performed some daring stunts in 'Krrish' and 'Dhoom 2'.

He had torn the ligament in his right knee and continued working despite the pain. Towards the latter half of 2008, Hrithik underwent surgery in the US and spent nearly two months recovering but his tryst with injuries continues.

'Kites', directed by Anurag Basu, is being touted as featuring Hrithik's most sensuous role till date. He stars opposite US-based Spanish model Barbara Mori.

The film is about an Indian boy's romantic affair with a Latina girl and their predicament as they do not understand each other's language. It also stars actress Kangana Ranaut.

Sex-Bomb's Affair With Chief Minister

The nexus between the politicians and film stars has been an age old story and usually it is the heroines who tend to have the best of the relationship since they enjoy the power and the presence of their glamour in both the political and film circuits. Now, a new buzz is making rounds in the northern tip of India.
It is heard that the newly appointed chief minister Omar Abdullah is said to be a keen admirer of the bollywood sex doll Mallika Sherawat and true to his liking, this babe was seen gracing the occasion while his swearing ceremony was on. Omar Sex-Bomb's Affair With Chief Minister

Akshay’s ‘Action Replay’ with Vipul Shah

Akshay Kumar will once again join Vipul Shah in his next venture Action Replay.Also apparently Arjun Rampal and Aishwarya Rai could be part of this movie. There are also speculations that the film may be titled Fast Forward, but this could all be false too. Apparently the auditions for the film have begun and the makers are looking out for someone to play Akki’s son.
Buzz is that there are several child actors auditioning for the role and they have all been clearly briefed about it being a Vipul Shah comedy titled Action Replay.Now the film is also reportedly co-produced by Akshay’s Hari Om Productions and shooting will begin in Karjat in mid ’09.
Vipul however maintains, "This is the 100th time I am saying it. I'm not making any project like this." But there are sources confirming this happening and Vipul is also hell bent on making Akshay rock again.

Aditya Pancholi is now his own mentor in Raftaar 24/7

Aditya Pancholi is all set to pay tribute to his mentor Nari Hira by portraying him in his next film. Aditya will play the media baron who decades ago launched him into films. In his ready-for-release film “Raftaar 24/7?, Aditya will play the media baron who believes sensational stories would do great as films.Aditya only reveals that the film is modeled on the baron, and not completely based on him. The only fact that they have borrowed from the baron was the newsworthiness. The stress on the characters hunger for sensationalism is just fictional says the actor.
“But yes we’re living in an era of sensationalism. People are willing to do anything to be noticed,” says the actor. Aditya teams up with Emraan Hashmi for Raftaar 24/7 which is produced by Percept Picture Company. Aditya will also star in David Dhavan’s ‘Hook Ya Crook’ which will release sometime later.

‘Aloo Chat’ trailer will release with ‘Raaz – The Mystery Continues’

There are negotiations on the release of the trailer of Aloo Chat releasing along with Raaz – The Mystery Continues. If not with Raaz, then perhaps some other film, but 23rd is locked for the release of our trailer," says the director of the film, Robby Grewal.
Starring Aftab Shivdasani and Aamna Sharif, this film is a realistic comedy which has bought the two lead actors into a more intimate relationship whilst shooting.
Some of the Chaat on ‘Aloo Chaat’ - The film will be shot in Mumbai & Delhi and will be directed by Robby Grewal of ‘Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar’ and Samay fame.
Mirchi Movies Limited and Actor Anuj Saxena's production house Maverick Productions Pvt. Ltd. are co-producing the flick in association with Berlian films.
The film stars debonair Aftab Shivdasani and beautiful Aamna Shariff, a television star who will make her debut with this movie.
The title song of ALOO CHAAT is composed by Vipin Mishra who had composed title track of MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAR.
Aftab & Aamna look perfect as co–stars and their on–screen expressions have added the right flavour to the song.

Juhi Chawla has coloured her hair blonde for ‘Luck By Chance’

This is an interesting progression, Juhi Chawla who has steered clear of films for so long will be acting in Luck By Chance …with blonde hair. She has coloured her hair for the movie and will play Rishi Kapoor’s wife in the film.
The veteran actress was last seen in Bhootnath and from then on only appeared in a couple of tv ads. But now she plays an important part in Zoya Akthar’s ‘Luck By Chance’. “Playing Minty was so much fun! And moreover I got to colour my hair blonde, which was something I had never done before,” said Juhi.
“When Zoya offered me the role I was extremely thrilled. Even though I was told it was not a big role, I didn’t mind as it was different from all the other characters I have played before, and that was the most exciting part,” she added.
Luck By Chance will release on the 30th of Jan and stars a huge array of superstars making cameos and a half hour much hyped appearance by Hrithik Roshan.

Ritiesh is very much part of Raan : Ram Gopal Varma

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has clarified that actor Riteish Deshmukh is very much a part of his media-based film “Rann” despite the recent controversy following their visit to the Taj after the attacks.
He stated that the relationship between them remains untarnished and “Why should it change? Riteish and I knew exactly what happened. When we visited the Taj we had no intention of exploiting the visit by making a film. What happened was not in our control”
In case you missed out, the duo had gone to the Taj few days after the attacks with Vilasrao Deshmukh to inspect the hotel. All this sparked a huge controversy about the director and the actor wanting to capitalize on the horrific incident by turning it into a movie.
Ironically, Riteish who plays a TV journalist in “Rann”, has been quoted as saying of Varma: “Hang him if he ever does a film on 26/11.”
Varma’s retort to this was: “Please praise me if I ever do.”
However now Varma has cleared things out stating that after the duo said sorry to each other they have cleared things out and have no harsh feelings anymore.

Lara Dutta gets roped in for Sajid Khan’s ‘Houseful’

Sajid Khan made waves at the box office with his hit film Heyy Babyy after which he promised to return with his next film Houseful. Houseful stars Akshay Kumar, Ritiesh Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone in the lead. Then the newcomer Jiah Khan was roped in for a role and now its time for someone else. Lara Dutta is the latest addition to the star cast of this Sajid Khan film in which she will play the third heroine.

After much speculation and controversies, Lara Dutta was finalized for the role. The movie is currently in the making and will release sometime later this year.

'Ghajini' star Asin Thottumkal

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) 'Ghajini' star Asin Thottumkal, who got the Screen award for the most promising female debut in a Hindi film, says the matters most to her and she signs a film only if she likes the narrative.

'I have no particular choice of role in a film, but in the order of preference, I first see the script, followed by the role, director, banner and then the co-star,' Asin told IANS.


The south Indian actress, who will next be seen in Vipul Shah's 'London Dreams' along with Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan, said that since language has never been a criterion for her, she is 'open to do a variety of films'.

‘Raaz – The Mystery Continues’ is certified ‘adults.

The censor board has certified the Bhatt’s sequel to Raaz an A film. However the producers are not cribbing in any way, because they got exactly what they wanted.
So forget about the idea of going to the movies with your family on a weekend because Raaz –The Mystery Continues is totally an Adult Only (A) movie. The Bhatt’s had received a ‘A’ certificate a few days back and in spite of this they were asked to cut a bathroom scene involving Kangana. This caused the Bhatt’s to get into a complete uproar leading to their public expressions of rage.
Mukesh Bhatt says, "If the Censor Board decided to give the film an A certificate, then why should we delete even a single scene?"
Later, the revising committee of the Censor Board viewed the film again and passed it with an A certificate without any cuts. Censor Board regional officer Vinayak Azad said, "When we saw the film again we realized that Kangana's shot is behind a glass door and nothing could be seen. It is just a two second shot, so we gave it an A certificate without any cuts."
Later we reported that the Bhatt’s didn’t mind the A certificate provided they let them keep all the scenes in the movie.
‘Raaz – The Mystery Continues’ will star Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut in lead roles, also starring Adhyayan Suman and directed by Mohit Suri

Kiran Rao is taking her time with ‘Dobhi Ghat’

Kiran Rao who is working on her first film ever is thoroughly enjoying it and looks like she never wants it to end. The debutant director is having so much fun on the sets that she is taking her own sweet time making her film.
Says Kiran, “It is like my baby. I want to take my own sweet time to make it. I am still shooting for the film. After that, there will be at least a few months for post production. So you will have to wait for my film”.
She was a former assistant of Ashutosh Gowariker, Rao started her film independent of Aamir’s production house. She has based her film on the narrow lanes of south Mumbai and will have Prateik Babbar in the lead. Also Aamir has done a special appearance in the film. Says Rao, "I am still a long way away from the release of my film. I think it will take at least a year."

Amitabh and Shahrukh were never approached for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

Now contradictory to all the reports stating that Amitabh and Shahrukh were approached for the role in Slumdog Millionaire which they turned down, we hear that the two were never approached at all.
Speaking to Loveleen Tandon, casting director of the movie, she confirms that the mega stars were never approached at all. So far we had heard that the Big B and Shah Rukh Khan who have hosted the globally successful game show, were approached for the host's part.
Says Tandon, "In fact the game show host is far more negative in the original novel (by Vikas Swarup). But we changed that. Still, audiences the world over would have been put off if they saw Mr. Bachchan playing this game -show host who wants the young hero Jamal to lose at any cost." adding "We changed all of that and still found the role unsuitable for Mr. Bachchan. For God's sake, he plays the national icon in the film. We couldn't show him as cunning game-show host. We even thought of changing the identity of the slum-boy's icon from Mr Bachchan so he could play the game-show host."
"We changed all of that and still found the role unsuitable for Mr. Bachchan. For God's sake, he plays the national icon in the film. We couldn't show him as cunning game-show host. We even thought of changing the identity of the slum-boy's icon from Mr. Bachchan so he could play the game-show host."
That’s when they thought of roping in Anil Kapoor. But Amitabh was still required to make an appearance. It was for a scene where a mass of slum dwellers spot "Amitabh Bachchan ka helicopter" hovering in the air. The icon had to descend and sign the young hero's autograph.

Geeta Basra to woo her fans in a music video

Geeta Basra has given just two films to Bollywood, (‘Dil Diya Hai’ and ‘The Train), yet she has managed to get hold of a considerable fan following and now she has something new for her admirers. This time Geeta will be shaking her stuff not for some flick but for a music video.
Here is what Geeta had to say about it. “I may have been termed choosy all this while but I don’t have any regrets about it. That’s the way I want to shape my career. I am young with age on my side and any wrong step would have been disastrous. I would rather wait and watch than burn my fingers.”
Geeta explains why she decided to do the video saying, “The sheer vision of the director and an emotional story that runs with it. Apart from lead roles, there were offers for item songs and music videos but I didn’t want to do anything where my heart was not set in. This one does sound exciting though. The setup is quite big, the scale is large and the grandeur amazing. This is not going to be one of those regular music video that you get to see all the time.”
It took a lot of persuasion and clearing of doubts before the producers could get a nod from Geeta. Directed by Colossus, the outfit run by video directors Ajay and Lovel Arora, the video is pasteurized on Geeta and a new male model named Rahul. “Lovel is a good friend of mine and I am happy to be finally working with him. When he came to meet me, he knew and hence further convinced me that I was perfect for it”, says Geeta.
The song in the music video is from Sukhshinder Shinda, who is a well-known UK based Bhangra producer and artist. He has worked on over 200 albums while producing numerous hit songs in last couple of decades.

Sanjay Dutt’s new hairstyle for ‘Luck’

Hair, no doubt is very important aspect of a stars’ personality, but there a very strange phenomenon of trimming hair is catching up in Bollywood as it did happen never before. After long stylish hair of Salman Khan in Veer, Amir Khan’s shaved head in ‘Ghajini’ now it is turn of Sanjay Dutt, who has improvised with hair style with for his 2009 movie ‘Luck’. After some creative discussion with Director Soham Shah, Aalim the hairstylist changed Sanjay Dutt into a man with one of the most daring hairstyle of Bollywood. Alim told, “This is one of Sanjay’s most daring and dashing looks! It’s a very different side lock with three triangles opposite each other. Sanjay can carry off anything larger than life…his aura is really huge!” Just have a glimpse of the latest hairstyle of Sanjay Dutt.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ nominated in ten Oscar Categories!

The good news for Slumdog Millionaire have kept on arriving as the movie after winning Golden Globe is nominated in Ten Categories for the Oscar awards including nomination for the best picture and best director for Danny Boyle. The movie is also nominated in best adapted screen play, cinematography, editing, original score, sound editing and sound mixing. Amazingly the movie scored two out of three nominations for best song “Jai ho” (A.R Rahman) and “O Saya” (A.R Rahman and M.I.A).
The other big movie with a good number of nominations is the “”The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which bagged whopping 13 nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor for Brad Pitt. Rahman, the film’s composer, also expressed his joy for the nomination in the words. “Slumdog Millionaire has paid magical dividends for so many people around the globe. I am deeply honoured to be a part of a film that has inspired so many,” Other than Danny Boyle who are nominated for best director are Stephen Daldry for “The Reader,” David Fincher for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Ron Howard for “Frost/Nixon” and Gus Van Sant for “Milk.

Jiah and Zaheer Khan spotted at the Launch of ‘The Speed Challenge’

It was very exciting environment at High Street Phoenix mall in Lower Parel in Mumbai at the launch of India’s first Formula 1 Team online game. At the launch of “The Speed Challenge” the game prepared by the combined efforts of India’s first Formula One Team and Reliance Entertainment’s online gaming company was attended by Ghajini Fame Jiah Khan and cricket star Zaheer Khan. Both Jiah and Zaheer Khan is Formula one fan and hence it was not unnatural for them to present at the launch.
For the presentation ceremony of the program a podium as resembling to car award giving stage and Jia and Zaheer stood on the podium thus giving their snaps. Later on both posed on model racing cars for photographs. The online racers locking the highest scores in “The Speed Challenge” would have an opportunity to win F1 race in Malaysia and meet the Force India Formula 1 race drivers. Best of the luck guys for the game and watch the pictures of Jiah and Zaheer on the dais.

Big 92.7 going big on Republic Day

On this Republic Day, Mumbai’s Big 92.7 has something special to offer its listeners on the program ‘Musical Parade’. Big 92.7 is presenting Amrita Rao singing patriotic songs with the children of same school where she was educated in her childhood. This program is part of the fun concept of Radio station on republic as it planned to call in listeners from different part of the country and express their love for the country while singing patriotic songs. The station is also allowing listeners to sing their self composed songs too. The station is inviting schools, singer groups, colleges and various other organizations to give vent to their patriotic feelings on Big92.7 on republic day.

After Deepika & Kareena, now Priyanka does it for SRK

Recently it has become a routine with SRK to have a song with all the leading Bollywood celebs in the guest appearance. It started with the superhit song of ‘Om Shanti Om’ and continued in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. Now, SRK does it again in his much awaited ‘Billoo Barber’. After Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor, it is Priyanka Chopra who gets to shake a leg with King Khan. Priyanka was last seen with Shahrukh in ‘Don’ and the duo set the screen afire with their song ‘Khaike Pan Banaras Wala’.
Billu Barber stars SRK, Lara Dutta and Irrfan Khan where Irrfan plays a barber, Shahrukh a superstar and Lara Dutta gets the role of Irrfan’s wife. The movie is slated for a February release.

Mugdha Godse in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Jail’

It is an honour for an actress to be repeated by Madhur Bhandarkar in his films and after Konkona Sen Sharma, Mugdha Godse has made it to the elite list after being signed on to play the main female lead in ‘Jail’. Again, it could be mentioned here that Mugdha has a three-film deal with Percept Picture Company and since this is a co-production of Percept Picture Company and Bhandarkar Entertainment, this would start her deal with the production house. The film’s shoot will start in February.
Madhur Bhandarkar confirmed the news saying, “Yes, Mugdha Godse has been signed for Jail. She really impressed me in Fashion and it was only right that I bring her in as a female lead in my next film. She is paired opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh.”
Mugdha is just too happy to be a part of the project and says, “I am in an even better position now with Jail since from ‘one of the leads’ in Fashion, I would now be playing a ’sole lead’. Everyone wants to see such progression and I am glad this is happening in quick time. Madhur sir has seldom repeated his heroines due to which I am even more excited that he has chosen to rope me in for the movie. It just shows that if you do hard work and demonstrate good enough potential, you would be noticed.”
Talking about Mugdha’s role in the film, Madhur says, “She would be having a semi-glam look in the film. That’s all I can say for now because anything more would only end up revealing the plot. At the moment, it would just suffice to say that Mugdha is not there in the film just for glamour value but she is also critical to the film’s plot.”

SRK commits to bear the treatment expenses of Kashmiri orphans

Charity and Bollywood stars always go hand in hand. Filmstars have always associated themselves with social causes, be it for child education, be it donations to hospitals and charitable organizations or bringing smiles to children suffering from incurable diseases. This time, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has committed to bear all the expenses for the treatment of two Kashmiri orphan children who suffered severe burns during a terrorist grenade attack in Srinagar.
These two children named Mudassar and Amina received burn injuries when two months ago their hoem at J & K was attacked by terrorists and their parents were killed by the grenade attack. The children suffered some grenade shrapnel injuries and severe - more than 30 percent - burn injuries and they were shifted to a local hospital in Srinagar.
When Ali Irani, the head of department, physiotheraphy & sports medicine at Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, visited the hospital under the auspices of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists, he suggested that they could be shifted to Mumbai for getting the best treatment, at the Nanavati Hospital. Irnai also requested SRK for help.
Not only did Shah Rukh readily agree to the suggestion but he also visited the two orphans at the hospital and has promised to take them to his home in Bandra to play with his children, Aryan and Suhana.
“He has made it clear - ‘no limits’ - to the expenses for treating Mudassar and Amina,” Irani said adding, “He has requested that this must be kept completely confidential, but the information somehow leaked out. There is no count of the number of children that he has helped so far.”
A few years ago, Shah Rukh had donated Rs.5 million (Rs.50 lakhs) to the children’s ward of the hospital in memory of his mother, Lateef Fatima Khan, who died 18 years ago.

Vidya Balan under the influence of Naseeruddin Shah

Vidya Balan was overawed and intimidated when she found herself paired next to the well known actor Naseeruddin Shah Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘Ishqiya’.
Though Vidya herself is a very fine actress, she could not find herself sitting around normally and sharing a normal conversation with him when the shot was not on. Then Naseer finally took an initiative and deliberately struck up a casual conversation with her, which broke the ice. In fact, she was so influenced by Naseer that she has worked very hard for her role and says that she has not worked so hard on a role in the longest time.
Ishqiya is being produced by Bharadwaj. The film also stars Arshad Warsi besides Balan and Naseer. Her other films include like R Balki’s ‘Pa’ and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Chenab Gandhi’.

Bipasha’s Hollywood connect

Bipasha Basu has been chosen to star opposite Hollywood actor Billy Zane, in music-director-turned-producer Tabun’s next project.Sources also tell us that Kareena Kapoor was the initial choice for the role, but Bips was chosen instead.

Bollywood exults as smoking ban in movies lifted

New Delhi, With the Delhi High Court removing the ban on smoking in films, you can now again catch your favourite actors puffing away without landing in trouble. Filmmakers just can't stop rejoicing over the ruling.

The high court Friday quashed the central government's order banning smoking in films on the grounds that it violated the fundamental rights of filmmakers: the freedom of expression and speech.

Proposed by the health ministry in May 2005, the ban came in effect Oct 2 of that year but had been challenged by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt a month before that. The court, however, had declined to stay the ban, even as it heard the plea against the ministry's order.

Quite naturally, Bhatt was pleased as punch.

“I am very happy. The high court has reposed its faith in people like us. They have made us believe that they won't let anybody rob our freedom of self-expression,” Bhatt told IANS.

“I would like to assure the ministry of health that with the new ruling coming into action, we filmmakers are not just going to show unnecessary puffing and tobacco consumption on screen but only when and where it is required,” he added.

Bhatt also suggested that the on-screen smoking issues could be handled by the censor board by certifying movies appropriately to avoid people, especially children getting influenced by movies.

Supporting Bhatt was an array of directors like Deepak Tijori, Kunal Kohli and Rohan Sippy, who back the decision.

“It is absolutely fantastic and we are celebrating because everyone has got freedom of expression. They were curbing our freedom with the ban,” said Tijori.

“Let the censor board look into the matter. They could grant a certificate accordingly if it shows excessive smoking," he maintained.

Added Tijori: “People are intelligent enough to know what is right and wrong for them. We are responsible enough to portray smoking scenes in an appropriate manner.”

Kohli, who has given hits like “Hum Tum” and “Fanaa”, also welcomed the lifting of the ban.

“It was an unnecessary ban because, in my opinion, the public is way too educated and know what they have to imbibe from cinema. They know their minds.

“Basically, smoking in films has negative connotations as it is always associated with a villain. We, as filmmakers, have to change that perception,” Kohli explained.

Rohan Sippy of “Kuch Naa Kaho” and “Bluffmaster” fame, however, sounded a note of caution.

“It is a good thing to allow freedom of expression but it should be used responsibly because cinema is a mass medium and people look up to their favourite stars and imitate them.

"Hence, it is up to us to portray smoking in such a way that it gives a message that smoking is injurious to health,” Sippy contended.

Why Abhishek was missing during the promotions of Delhi 6?

Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi6 is all set to release in February. Director Mehra released it’s music on the sets of a reality show. But while everyone including Sonam to director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, lyricist Prasoon Joshi and others participated enthusiastically, lead actor Abhishek was nowhere in the promotion.

When asked about the Abhishek Bachchan, Rakeysh informed us that Abhi was busy shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Ravana somewhere far off, with wifey Aishwarya Rai. Interestingly both Ash and Abhishek were very much in town to grace another event that happened in the same evening.

It is believed that and promotion that has given more importance to Sonam. , It seems that Abhishek is not so pleased by the promos as Sonam is getting lot of attention from the promoters thus AB baby has taken the backseat. When we asked Sonam about Abhishek she said, “I liked working with Abhishek. He is really a kool guy. He is fun to work with. We all had fun on the set. We both are foodie.”

Hope Abhi feels the same for his co-actress.

Vaishali Made wins Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge

Mumbai: Vaishali Bhaisane-Made won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009, a reality singing contest, at an event held at Mumbai on January 24.


This was the first public event that took place at Gateway of India after the Mumbai terror attacks.


The winners were selected through viewers' poll. Actor Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone gave away the trophy to the winner, first and second runner ups.


The second and third place went to Yashita Yashpal Sharma and Somen Nandi respectively.


Vaishali, who hails from Amravati in Vidarbha, Mahrashtra, has won a Rs 50-lakh music contract with Zee TV, a Hyundai i10 car and LCD TV.


She was a winner of the last season of Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma Pa also

Aamir Khan recommends Rani Mukherji

Who can just drop away the transfixing looks of Aamir's 'Ghajini'? Satyajit Chaurasia, the person who made him look so has turned the spotlights of Bollywood on him. Now, every celebrity of B‑town seeks his help for a stunning physique and actresses aren't elision. Satyajit, body fitness trainer, will soon be training Rani Mukherji and for this she has set a gym at her bungalow in Juhu.

The trainer says, 'I had already set her a gym at the Yari Road flat, but Juhu is better. Earlier, we had just the treadmill but now there are more instruments.' Satya had also set-up a gym for Aamir Khan at his Bandra House and it was there for everyone to see in Aamir's 'Ghajini'.

At the moment, Satya is all focused on Rani Mukherji advising her for the best diets and good work-outs to tone her body. Reports indicate that next on the fitness list is Saif who would be sporting his macho-looks for one of his forthcoming projects.

Saif and Deepika in 'Love Aaj Kal'

Like most of the heroes in Bollywood, Saif too has kick started his production house. The film is being directed by Imtiaz Ali. The film sees Saif and Deepika in the lead role and is nearing completion.

The film was not christened so far and was called by different names. Some technicians called it 'Production No.1', because this is the first film to be produced by the 'chote nawab'.

Insiders say that after a lot of thought the director, Imtiaz Ali and the producer, Saif Ali Khan sat together and decided the name as 'Love Aaj Kal'.

Sure, sounds apt for a Saif Ali Khan film. But there are rumors doing the rounds that the director is still not very happy with the name.

The film has been shot at various locales of London, California and Kolkata. Sources suggest that Saif wanted a mix of English and Hindi names for the film.

Since the director's previous flick 'Jab We Met' starring Shahid and Kareena did well at the box office we hope 'Love Aaj Kal' too would have the same effect on the film buffs. The name 'Love Aaj Kal' sounds very contemporary and seems to win the approval of the audience.

'Item songs are necessary for all films these days'

'Item songs are necessary for all films these days'


In memory of her famous husband -- cinematographer Jeeva -- his wife Anees Tanveer started a production house -- Vision Jeeva Studios.
Now the company is ready with its first production Muthirai, a Tamil film, which is being made in association with ASA Productions and Enterprises Pvt Ltd.

Presented by Vikram Bhatt, the drama stars Nithin Sathya, Daniel Balaji, Lakshmi Rai and Manjari Phadnis (of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na fame) in the lead roles. Kishore of Polladhavan fame plays an important role while Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant makes a special appearance.

The film is directed by Srinath while Jeeva's assistant Salim is the cinematographer.

Anees, who wrote screenplay of the film, tells Shobha Warrier what to expect from the film.

Was it Jeeva?s dream to start a production house, or was it in his memory that you decided to launch Vision Jeeva Studios?

Jeeva and I had talked about starting a production house so that we could make films that we believed in. We also wanted to give a chance to young people. It took me some time to get over (the death of Jeeva). I decided to start a production house as it is the only way to keep myself going would be to remain connected to films.

Due to the grace of God, I met up with a few people and everything clicked fast. I tied with ASA Productions. Vikram Bhatt is the creative director of the company.

What exactly will his role be as a creative director?

He is the person who approves the projects to be done by the ASA. I think at present he decides only Hindi films. Slowly, they will branch out to Tamil also. They have tied up with me for the South. Vikram and I will decide which would be the right projects to back and go ahead with.

Think Pink & Red this spring

A pink feathered ramp, bathed in pink light created a perfect ambience for fashion designer Rohit Bal's spring collection.
Christened 'Gulal', the collection lived up to its name, as outfits in pink and red ruled the ramp at the Gitanjali Luxury Style Fest.

Drawing inspiration from spring, the season, which heralds the blossoming of flowers, the outfits carried nuances of the theme, as flowers and floral motifs adorned the outfits.

Asymmetric gowns and dresses structured like petals, brought out the feel of a flower filled garden.

Applauding Bal for his creative genius, actress Neha Dhupia said, "This is the first time I'm walking for Rohit Bal. I have to admit the man is a genius. His clothes are absolutely stunning and there is a reason why he is the best."

movie review Raaz - The Mystery Continues...

The Bhatts live up to their promise and deliver an interesting film in 'Raaz-The Mystery Continues.' Director Mohit Suri, who is credited with the story of the film, along with Shagufta Rafique, comes up with a film that works. Hindi films have never really scored high on the horror quotient, but this film, without really breaking any new ground, has its moments which have been well crafted. The premise is supported by some very credible acting by the film's protagonists, Kangana Ranaut, Emraan Hashmi and Adhyayan Suman. Another plus for the film is its music, which is lilting and has some very good numbers, which have been picturised quite effectively.


Just like human beings love to cry and laugh in the theatres, they also love being spooked. Ram Gopal Verma knows this well and he made a killing with films like Bhoot and Phoonk. Taking a leaf out of that same book, Vishesh Films have come up with a film which has many such uncanny moments. The best thing about the movie is that it has an interesting story and it has been played out well in the screenplay. However, where Suri stumbles is really towards the end. He is unable to wrap the film up satisfactorily. But where he has excelled in, is the manner in which he has laid out premise of the film. He builds the atmosphere very skillfully as the protagonist encounters the unnatural in incident after incident. The film engages you from the beginning itself and draws you into the plausibility of there being 'something out there', which is not all benign.


The film's story is about an artist Prithvi (Emraan Hashmi), who is plagued by some very disturbing visions. He sees a woman, who we later know as Nandita (Kangana), a woman he has never met before, and sees her in all kinds of disturbing situations. He does not stop at just painting these visions on his canvas but goes ahead and tracks her down, propelled by a feeling that the visions are nothing but signs of what lies in store for her. He feels impelled to warn her about these accidents, which are going to happen to her. Nandita does not believe him in the beginning, but gradually the truth of what he was saying starts dawning on her. Strange, scary things happen to her, which are uncannily, exactly like what Prithvi has already painted on his canvas. To top it, his latest painting shows her as dead.

Nandita's boyfriend, Yash, does not believe in the supernatural and dismisses Prithvi's visions. Nandita is faced with a dilemma as she has the option of allowing the uncanny and scary incidents to continue or fight for her life, with Prithvi's help.


The director has done a good job with the movie and it will probably rank as one of Mohit Suri 's better films. Except for the end, one would say that he has directed the movie with a lot of confidence. The camerawork of the film by Ravi Walia is good and so is the editing. The film moves at a very good pace and the scary quotient has been well done, with going over the top.


Where the actors are concerned, Kanagana Ranaut scores yet again. Her fragile beauty works very well for the character as does her histrionic ability. She is quite the scene stealer here, as she was in her last film, Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion. She is well supported by Emraan Hashmi, who shows that he is quite adept in the art of acting as well. The film actually belongs to the two of them and they both play true to their roles. As for Adhyayan Suman, he makes his presence felt as Nandita's boyfriend, Yash. These are early days, but the actor shows promise. Jackie Shroff makes one of his rare appearances in a bit role, which is a letdown.

Darkness scares me: Emraan Hashmi

The ‘Serial Kisser’, on an exclusive chat with Paarul Vats of India Syndicate, speaks about ‘Raaz 2’ and his fear of darkness.
Q) Your upcoming movie, ‘Raaz –The Mystery Continues’ is a horror movie. What scares you most?

A) It’s the questions from the media that scare me now: do I have kissing scenes in the movie or how many kisses I have in it! Seriously speaking, lots of things scare me. Darkness is one of them. I saw the movie, ‘Shining’, as a kid. There is the shot of a wooden corridor which haunts me till date.

Q) About the character you are playing in ‘Raaz- The Mystery continues’

A) Well, I am playing the character of a painter, an artist. He lives in the loneliness of his studio and he has got different shades. There is a gradual growth in his character as the story proceeds. He gets interesting visions and he draws them on the canvas. We got this idea when we were searching for a lot of such stories about individuals who had a communication with the spiritual world all over India.

Q) What is your personal belief on ‘auto writing’?

A) I have a lot of friends who have done it and they have contacted other friends and people in their family. If you get to think of it, it is quite spooky but they had very emotional experiences to tell. They actually got answers back which make you feel that sometimes one should believe in such supernatural phenomena.

Q) Your look in the film?

A) We have given a very gothic look to this character in the film. First of all, the genre of this film is to be kept in mind…it is horror and one should look wild so I have spiked up hair and a beard. There is a slight tinge of evil in my eyes.

Q) How is Mohit Suri as a director?

A) I think the first thing is not to get carried away while making a good horror movie. I’ve seen lots of horror movies, Japanese, Korean and the like. These guys have somehow mastered the art of making horror movies .What Mohit has done is, he tried to scare the audience psychologically. The way you actually get scared with the visuals in your face without the blood or gore. The movie will change the format of how horror movies are made in Bollywood. Mohit has done a great job in switching from dramatic films to horror films.

Q) You have always been lucky with music and this time too the songs of ‘Raaz- The Mystery Continues’ have topped the charts. What is your belief about the same?

A) The music of ‘Raaz’ was entrusted to Nadeem Shravan and we waited for like seven, eight months, got a lot of tracks from various artists and finally got this amazing album. ‘Maahi’ is the top song in the charts today. So we are very satisfied with the music of this film.

Q) On a parting note, comment something on the t-shirt you are wearing.

A) Glad you noticed! I bought it specially to promote this movie. It seems appropriate for promoting a horror movie as scary as ‘Raaz- The Mystery Continues’. Isn’t it?

Victory Movie Preview

VICTORY directed by theatre and TV personality Ajit Pal, under the banner Victory Films International and Walkwater Media is produced by Manmohan Shetty and all set to hit the screens worldwide on 30th January 2009. Starring Harman Baweja, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover, Dalip Tahil, the movie has guest appearances by over 30 international cricketers and some Indian cricketers also. Music of the film has been scored by Annu Mallik. In India, cricket is much more than just a game; it is a passion, an obsession, a religion! Millions of youngsters, in all the corners of the country, dream of playing for India! A dream which incredibly only ONE in every 100 MILLION realizes. VICTORY is the story of a father, Ram Shekhawat, who saw such an impossible dream for his son! This is also the HEROIC story of his son Vijay Shekhawat. Hailing from the small town of Jaisalmer, Vijay Shekhawat becomes India's latest world-class batting sensation and is catapulted to superstardom! But it is the glamour and the glitter of this very demi-god status that makes the young, vulnerable small-town boy Vijay stray from his true vocation of cricket. Unfortunately this leads to a loss of focus and to a miserable drop in his performance. But by the time Vijay realizes the error of his ways, it is too late and he finds himself thrown out of the Indian cricket team because of disciplinary reasons. Suddenly the hero of the cricket crazy India becomes a villain in everyone's eyes. His father Ram Shekhawat's dreams are shattered and suffer a paralytic stroke. This tragedy awakens Vijay's conscience and sense of honor. He wants to redeem himself in the eyes of his father and every Indian. Against great odds, he once again makes it back to the Indian team and gets to play in the finals of the Champion's trophy against Australia where he plays a stellar role in enabling India to win the Trophy. Where in the emotionally moving final, in spite of being hospitalized mid-innings because of an injury, Vijay returns to bat, risking permanent injury, when India are nine down, to pull off an impossible victory against the world champion, Ricky Ponting's Australia. In this match Vijay Shekhawat fulfils his father's dreams and enters the pantheon of Indian cricket. The list of cricketers who would be seen in the movie is as follows Australia: Brett Lee, Mike Hussey, Simon Katich, Stuart Clarke, Brad Hogg, Brad Haddin, Allan Border (ex), Michael Slater (ex), Dean Jones (ex). India: Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik, R. P. Singh, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Ramesh Powar, Navjot Sidhu (ex), Maninder Singh (ex), Atul Wassan (ex). Pakistan: Shoaib Mallik, Suhail Tanvir, Rao Iftekhar, Kamran Akmal, Waquar Yunus (ex). South Africa: Graeme Smith, Andre Nel, A. Morkel, M. Morkel, Pat Symcox (ex). Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasurya, Chaminda Vaas, Kumara Sangakkara, Muthalah Murlitharan, Mahroof, Fernando, Ajantha Mendes. New Zealand: Martin Crowe.