Grandson releases book on Raj Kapoor
It was an emotional moment for the First Family of Bollywood. Raj Kapoor’s young grandson Ranbir Kapoor, whose debut film “Saawariya” hits the theatres next month, released a book on the legendary filmmaker here on Tuesday.
The book in Hindi has been penned by the gifted filmmaker’s daughter Ritu Nanda.
Speaking on the occasion, Ranbir said it was an honour and a humbling experience for him to release the book titled “Raj Kapoor”: “On many occasions I have been asked how it feels to be born into the Kapoor family. Well, I don’t have readymade answers but The Showman continues to be omnipresent. The book written by Ritu Bua will give me an insight into his life and the magic of cinema he left behind for posterity.”
Ranbir said the Kapoor “khandaan” was the only family in the world of cinema where four successive generations have been associated with the film industry and who have dedicated their lives successfully to entertaining people.
Stating that everyone in his family was inspired by his father, Rishi Kapoor said Raj Kapoor’s contribution towards the film industry was immense. “Ritu has done all of us proud by putting together his life as seen from close quarters. There are a lot of unknown facets about him which this book will bring into light. All of us have gathered today to show solidarity for her efforts.”
Earlier in the day, Rishi accompanied by his son Ranbir and sister Ritu went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to present a commemorative copy of the book to President Pratibha Patil. “The President showered her blessings on Ranbir and it was a proud moment for all of us. I am sure that the film-loving public will continue to love and bless Ranbir just as they did my grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, father Raj Kapoor, and other members of our family,” said Rishi.
The book gives a comprehensive account of Raj Kapoor’s life as a person and as a filmmaker, his relationship with his children, his passion for movie-making and his much talked about films.
Courtesy :www.hindu.com
Jab they split: Shahid-Kareena
People are now curious to figure out what happened while the relationship was going all kaput
With news of Saif-Kareena being ‘together’ and Shahid annoucing his single status barely days before the release of Jab We Met, it seems that the film could well do with some efforts of retitling. Following news of the break-up, Shahid-Kareena onscreen pair which had never been a favourite with the big screen, now seems to be all poised to ride on the sympathy and curiosity wave. People are now curious to figure out what happened while the relationship was going all kaput and whether it has had any impact on the couple’s onscreen chemistry.
Vikas Syal, regional general manager of a city multiplex, anticipates that this controversy is surely going to boost the film’s opening. The controversy regarding the relationship has made the film a talking point. It will surely generate an initial hype. I can’t say for sure whether we are going to increase the number of shows now since such decisions depend on how the past movies have been faring at the box office. With Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag doing very well at the box office, I can’t commit on increasing the number of shows of Jab We Met. But yes, the timing of the announcement of the spilt will work to the advantage of the film, Syal said.
Does this then give reasons to the person in charge of handling JWM’s publicity to not slog hard to push the film forward? When CT asked JWM publicist Parag Desai whether the split news has rendered redundant all the other publicity attempts of Shahid boarding a local train at midnight to prompte the film, he said, We are going ahead with what we had planned. We don’t need to do any extra stuff now. Earlier the idea was to connect Shahid-Kareena’s real life relationship with the reel life chemistry. But now, we’ve done away with promotional events that were to have the two of them together.
What about the timing of Saif admitting to his relationship? Desai, expectedly, doesn’t admit to this being part of any strategy. We never planned this. Initially, we were worried that this news would harm the film. It was a shock for us. Then we thought, side mein chal raha hai to thik hai. But now, I can say that all this has only helped in generating a buzz.
When CT asked director Imtiaz Ali whether the timing of the announcement has helped him, he said, I don’t think one ought to write an article on the timing of the announcement and its impact on the film. It’s the actors’ personal decision and I have no authority to make inroads into that territory. The agreement that we have with actors doesn’t imply anything about them talking or not talking about their personal lives. There is absoultely no animosity between us. Personally, I wouldn’t know about the scientific planning that goes into whether such announcements can have an impact on the film’s box office prospects.
Statistics will finally have the last word but wonder whether the Shahid-Kareena film should now be called Jab They Split!
Courtesy :www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Salman Khan to play Tarzan
We'll soon be seeing Salman Khan - in a children's film. Called Tarzan , and Sallu will of course essay the title role.
"It's going to be directed by Anees Bazmi," he tells us. "It'll be fun. I've grow up on Tarzan films, and it's always lovely to make something the kids will enjoy." So will it have an authentic jungle feel to it? "Yes, it'll be shot in the jungle," confirms Salman.
Well, let's hope that there is no wild life around, lest Salman finds himself on the 'wild side' of the law once again. He simply laughs and lets that one pass.
About his look in the movie, the actor tells us, "We are working on the look, nothing has been decided so far. Let's see what Anees is going to make me do. I'm expecting him to ask me to grow my hair and all that."
So when does this one go on floors. "Only next year, I suspect," says the actor, who is currently having a great time shooting for Subhash Ghai's Yuvraj .
Courtesy : http://www.movies.indiatimes.com/
Shriya goes to Hollywood!
Shriya Saran never ceases to surprise you at regular intervals. The pretty actress who has become a rage and queen of Kollywood after the stupendous success of Rajnikanth's Sivaji , is now all set to do a Hollywood film! Last week the leading Hollywood studio MGM and Ashok Amritraj's Hyde Park Film, have signed Shriya to be the heroine of their new film The other End of the Line for which shooting would start in the first week of November.
The other End of the Line is a romantic movie about an employee at an Indian call centre in Mumbai, who travels to San Francisco to be with the guy whom she falls in love over the phone, during her working hours.
Jesse Metcalfe, the handsome hunk of the television serial Desperate Housewives is playing the lead in the film. Jesse may become a major star in Hollywood, as his new action film Loaded releasing on November 1, worldwide carries good reports.
Our own Shriya is going to play heroine to Jesse, a tremendous boost for her, on par with Aishwarya Rai doing Provoked. Shriya who was last week shooting a special song with Vadivel for Indiralokathil Na Azhagappan, in Courtallam area, confirmed to Sify.com that she is going to do the Hollywood project.
It is a major break for Shriya, whose Azhagiya Tamil Magan, with Vijay releases this Diwali, and has also signed Kanthasamy with Vikram.
Courtesy : sify.com
Bhumika Chawla weds yoga guru Bharat Thakur
Bollywood actress Bhumika Chawla on Sunday tied the nuptial knot with yoga guru Bharat Thakur in Guru Nanak Dev Gurudwara at Devlali camp.
The marriage was performed in a simple ceremony attended by close relatives and friends of Chawla and Thakur.
The Thakur family is a native of Devlali camp while the actress, who shot into fame with musical blockbuster "Tere Naam" a few years ago, is daughter of Col (retd) Ajit Singh Chawla.
Army officers and people from the Punjabi community were also present at the ceremony.
Courtesy : www.zeenews.com
The marriage was performed in a simple ceremony attended by close relatives and friends of Chawla and Thakur.
The Thakur family is a native of Devlali camp while the actress, who shot into fame with musical blockbuster "Tere Naam" a few years ago, is daughter of Col (retd) Ajit Singh Chawla.
Army officers and people from the Punjabi community were also present at the ceremony.
Courtesy : www.zeenews.com
Mumbai blasts: Dutt gets a breather
Sanjay Dutt's bail will continue, as he will not get the copy of the judgement sentencing him in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case on Saturday from the TADA court.
He is likely to get the copy of the judgement on October 22, following which he will have to surrender before the special TADA court.
The actor was convicted under the Arms Act in November last year and sentenced to six years in jail in July this year. He was later released on interim bail by the Supreme Court.
Courtesy : http://www.ndtv.com/
Hrithik takes one more step towards Hollywood
‘Brillstein-Grey’, Brad Pitt's management of over 20 years, has now signed Hrithik Roshan. In the past, there have been major Motion Picture Studios in Hollywood that have set their eyes on Hrithik. In addition, numerous A-list filmmakers too have offered him roles in their high profile Hollywood films. Now ‘Brillstein-Grey Entertainment’, Management Firm in World, has managed to gain Hrithik's attention.
Moreover, Hrithik has finally said yes to Hollywood and is taking serious steps in the direction, which leads him to being the first mainstream Hindi cinema actor to be aiming at a higher platform.
Hrithik's new International manager, Jai Khanna from Brillstein-Grey confirms, "We are thrilled to be working with such an international star. Hrithik has a strong, authentic, and cool personality. As an icon of masculinity and powerful character, he truly embodies the star quality of cinema's great leading men."
Jai further comments on Hrithik's star power, "Audiences have repeatedly flocked to his films throughout India, Asia and a number of other countries. We are excited to now introduce Hrithik to the US, thus giving his unique talents a much larger platform."
Closer home, Hrithik is looking forward to Jodhaa Akbar, which is all set to release on January 25. The film's promo has created quite a buzz amongst the audiences ever since it was screened across theatres, last Friday. Mounted on a huge canvas, this Ashutosh Gowarikar epic has music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar. A UTV production, Jodhaa Akbar is now all set to be the first big release of 2008.
The film is also special for Hrithik since it would be his first release after more than a year after the release of Krrish (June 2006) and Dhoom 2 (November 2006).
Courtesy : http://www.sify.com/
Saif admits affair with Kareena
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan on Wednesday night admitted to having an affair with actress Kareena Kapoor, setting to rest much speculation on the subject.
"We are very much happy together," the Omkara actor told reporters on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week attended by the stars and which concluded on Wednesday.
Saif's admission came in the presence of Kareena who accompanied him to the show by fashion designer Manish Malhotra - a favourite with the industry.
Ironically, it was at the same designer's show during the Wills India Life Style Fashion Week held in New Delhi last year that Kareena walked the ramp with Shahid Kapur to reaffirm their affection.
Courtesy : http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Bipasha Basu catwalks at LIFW
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu walked the ramp for designer Narendra Kumar at the Lakme India Fashion Week here today, Sahara Samay sources said.
"Bollywood and fashion have always been together and they are not two different things and the front space is always booked for Bollywood stars," says Bipasha.
Narendra Kumar's collection reflected a social theme – freedom from illiteracy. His collections had an interesting mix of alphabetic prints on muted colours.
On the third day of the week-long Lakme Fashion Week attendance was poor but the presence of Bipasha and John Abraham saved it from being a complete disaster.
Courtesy : http://www.saharasamay.com/
Broadway style musical nautanki for Aaja Nachle
Chak De has become an anthem. It’s a great feeling to be a part of a film that has become so big,” says Sulaiman Merchant of music composer duo Salim-Sulaiman who has composed music of films like >Chak De India, Iqbal, Dor and Kaal. They also happen to be the first choice for designing the background score of some of the biggest films in tinsel town. Obviously they are excited about making Madhuri Dixit dance to their tunes in Yash Raj’s next Aaja Nachle. But there’s something unique they’ve attempted in Aaja Nachle that has never been done in Bollywood before. Best of the Week on Sify movies
“In Aaja Nachle, we have composed a 25 minute play written in nautanki style, something that small town people can associate with. It has been produced in a new world, western theatrical style, the kind of stuff you get to see in Broadway or theatres in West. The sadness, the pain, the fights, everything has been told in a musical format. There were 9-10 singers and 7-8 actors who’ve dubbed their own voices,” Sulaiman said excitedly. This 25 minute play has been written by veteran theatre personality and actor Piyush Mishra.
Elaborating on the music score of Aaja Nachle , Sulaiman says that it’s not the typical Madhuri numbers."It is one step beyond what Madhuri has done. It has a classical base with contemporary style. There are a variety of songs. There’s an English song, a slow song. There are a wide array of singers like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sunidhi. The music releases on 18th October.”
Salim-Sulaiman have also been associated with Merchants of Bollywood, a musical choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant that is all set to start its third season in various European countries. Incidentally, Vaibhavi has accused Morani Brothers of ‘stealing’ their idea for the much hyped Miss Bollywood starring Shilpa Shetty. “It’s a massive production. If we would have tried to play the music live then we would have required a 100 piece orchestra,” Sulaiman says.
The talented duo feels strongly about the penchant for plagiarism that is common in the music industry in India. “Our population is one billion, can’t we come up with something original. That’s so sad.” Sulaiman feels the duo would like to do quality films rather than taking up too many projects. Their next few films include Roadside Romeo (Jugal Hansraj’s film, a joint production with Disney) and Cootchie Coothcie Hota Hai (Karan Johar’s animation film).
Courtesy : Sify
Ricky Martin unveils star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Puerto Rico's "Livin'La Vida Loca" singer Ricky Martin unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday to a chorus of cheering, adoring fans.
"I have talked to Congress and the United Nations, but have never been as nervous as I am today," Martin, 35, told reporters.
"With this star my work has been recognized and this star is here forever," added the singer and former Mexican TV soap opera star who shot to world fame during soccer's 1998 World Cup with his fast-paced tune "Livin'La Vida Loca."
Ricky Martin's star is number 2,351 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame near the fabled Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, where the Oscar ceremonies are held each year.
Courtesy : LOS ANGELES (AFP)
Mel Gibson tops 'Hollywood's Most Powerful Christians' list
Actor/Director Mel Gibson has topped a list of the Most Powerful Christians in Hollywood.
The devout Catholic topped the poll in a list compiled by website BeliefNet.com,
Coming in at second place was actor Denzel Washington, reports Contactmusic.
Third place on the list went to 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton.
American playwright and actor Tyler Perry and Hollywood film producer Ralph Winter rounded off the top five coming in at fourth and fifth place respectively.
The list for the top ten Hollywood's Most Powerful Christians as per BeliefNet.com is:
1. Mel Gibson
2. Denzel Washington
3. Patricia Heaton
4. Tyler Perry
5. Ralph Winter
6. Angela Bassett
7. Martin Sheen
8. Martha Williamson
9. Kristen Chenoweth
10. Philip Anschutz
Courtesy : China Daily
Bollywood stars Rani Mukherjee at Lakme Fashion Week
The biggest names of Bollywood walked the ramp at the Lakme India Fashion Week. The celebs who didn't sashay down the ramp, were seen cheering from the aisles for their favourite designer.
Rani Mukherji took a walk down the ramp for her favourite designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who designed her clothes in Baabul and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
Courtesy : Sify.com
Rani Mukherji took a walk down the ramp for her favourite designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who designed her clothes in Baabul and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.
Courtesy : Sify.com
Hot & Sexy Deepika Padukone Photos, Deepika Padukone Wallpapers, Pics & Images
Deepika Padukone is a super model turned actress. She made her acting debut in a Kannada film titled ‘Aishwarya’ directed by Indrajit Lankesh co-starring Upendra. The was a success at the box-office and Deepika has received rave reviews for her screen presence. She makes her bollywood debut in Farah Khan’s Shah Rukh Khan starrer ' Shanti Om'. She is daughter of former World badminton Champion Prakash Padukone and mother Ujjala Padukone. Check out Deepika Padukone’s latest pictures, Deepika Padukone Hot & Bollywood Wallpapers, download deepika padukone hot wallpapers. Deepika Padukone sexy pictures, deepika padukone images and deepika padukone pics.
Bollywood witnessess increased lawyer representation
Two years ago, when Ashni Parekh left Nishith Desai and Associates, its entertainment law practice wasn’t exactly flourishing. A newly corporatised Bollywood wanted legal advice but was still not used to paying high legal fees, so the firm had accumulated bad debts disproportionate to the size of its film industry portfolio. “It was obvious that charging Indian film-makers $200 an hour was not going to work,” says Parekh, who has since launched out on her own. “You have to adapt your practice to suit this industry, which is extremely personality driven.” Parekh now operates from home and business is booming. Among her clients are Saif Ali Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Sushmita Sen and she says, “I get a new client ever day, including people who are new to the industry and signing a contract for the first time.” There was a time when a legal contract in Bollywood was a simple affair. The producer signed a standard one-page deal with the record company for the music rights and another deal with the distributor for distribution to the cinema screens. More important than the paper was the handshake, for nobody was really interested in taking anyone to court. The cosy arrangement collapsed with the coming of home viewing technology, when there was flurry of litigation to determine whether the rights to video were vested with the producer or the distributor. The courts said it depended on the contracts, and for the most part, the contracts loosely gave away “all rights” to distributors and record companies, with no provision for new technologies. Today, things are getting more complicated with revenues from ring-tones outstripping the revenue from music sales, foreign distribution — including screenings on aeroplanes and cruise liners — becoming more lucrative than domestic distribution and actors earning as much from product endorsements as films. “Bollywood is definitely signing more contracts than before, though we are still a long way from the Hollywood model, where everyone is represented by a lawyer,” says Anand Desai of DSK Legal. Desai’s star client is Aamir Khan, for whom he’s recently structured a complicated financing-cum-distribution deal with PVR. He is also the one who structured the co-production between Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sony Pictures for Saawariya and says, “This is the first time a major foreign company is co-producing a movie in India. Sony has a lot of experience in exploiting the rights to a film and that’s reflected in the contract.”Exploiting the rights to a successful film, includes turning it into a video game, merchandising clothes and accessories connected to film, remix rights. For the party selling the rights, it’s all about keeping the scope of the contract as narrow as possible, while for those buying the rights, it is about negotiating terms that are as broad-based as possible. Needless to say, nobody hands over “all rights” to a film in perpetuity, as was often the case in Bollywood contracts before. “The idea is to break down the rights into details, keeping room for technologies that may develop in the future,” says Desai. As a full-service firm, DSK is also advising its film industry clients on tax. For example, with Indian films gaining increasing revenues from abroad, some producers are looking at the option of vesting the rights to their films in Mauritius, thereby putting their films on par with Hollywood films for tax purposes. Says Desai, “At the upper end, Bollywood clients are no different from coporate clients. At the lower end, it gets difficult. They just don’t want to pay up. Still, some lawyers don't mind, because they get a kick out of representing stars.”
Courtesy : The Economic Time
Courtesy : The Economic Time
Anupam’s surprise Hollywood guest!
These were some of the questions that were fielded to the acclaimed director Danny Boyle, who has won 24 international awards at last count.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/Anupams_surprise_Hollywood_guest_/articleshow/2457737.cms
Courtesy : The Times of India
Courtesy : The Times of India
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