Bollywood Buzz

Monday, January 18, 2010

Monday, January 11, 2010

Vivek keeps Amitabh and Jaya busy

Bored Abhi and Ash run far away

At the Apsara Awards on Friday (Jan 8), the entire Bachchan family came together and were seated in a group. They were seen enjoying themselves till none other than Vivek Oberoi came into the picture.

He got a seat right behind the Bachchans (pictured above). From the time he entered, he just did not stop talking to Amitabh. It started with “How are you Sir, It’s been a long time sir. Aap to baat hi nahin karte [you just don’t talk]”, and so on. He continued talking, so much so that Abhishek and Aishwarya got tired of his non-stop chatter.

Vivek, however, did not bother to talk to the junior Bachchans and kept Big B and Jaya Bachchan busy.

Finally, Abhi and Ash finally decided to change their seats and went and sat at a far distance from Vivek. But Big B did not want to come across as impolite and hence patiently kept hearing Vivek out, and even laughed along with him.

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Shahid’s cross-connection with Vidya

They accidentally got talking again

Shahid Kapur and Vidya Balan surely connected well during the making of “Kismet Connection”. But their relationship did not last long and subsequently the two stopped speaking to each other.

More recently, in a candid interview with a Mumbai daily, without really naming him, Vidya even blasted Shahid for dumping her and the identity crisis her confused personal life put her through.

But filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj unknowingly got the two to speak with each other a few days back.

Vishal saw the promos of “Chance Pe Dance” and messaged Shahid appreciating him in the film. At the end of the message he put his initials as ‘VB’.

Vishal sent the message from his new number which Shahid did not have. Shahid thought VB was none other than Vidya Balan.

He immediately called Vidya and told her that rather than messaging she could have called to congratulate him. Vidya on the other hand was surprised and shocked and finally managed to tell Shahid that she never messaged him.

The good thing, however, was that this cross connection apparently got the two talking again.

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Another publicity stunt from Rakhi Sawant?

Fiery starlet fights with musician ishQ Bector on stage

True to the title of their new music album ‘Jhagde’, the catty Rakhi Sawant and the wacky singer-composer-lyricist ishQ Bector got embroiled in a strange spat on stage recently.

During the launch of their second video titled ‘Bhoot”, Rakhi and ishQ began an impromptu conversation to entertain the cheering crowd at a shopping mall in Mumbai (pictured).

All was well till Rakhi urged the public “to buy original CDs,” while ishQ, popularly known as India’s mad-max music import from Canada, retorted, “love is free – music should be free too. Even if you have to resort to piracy on the Internet, make sure you listen to, and share the songs.”

This began an argument between them. Initially, people thought the dramatic tiff was being staged to create hype for the album. But when it started going out of hand, it dawned upon everyone that the spat was happening for real.

Soon, the unintentional tiff got out of hand, while the audiences enjoyed every bit of the public display of emotions and ethics. It is only when Rakhi and ishQ got off the stage, is when they realised the absurdity and futility of their public ‘jhagde’.

Luckily, without creating more fuss, they whispered some sweet-nothings, hugged and made-up, as the officials from Pen Music, who released the album, heaved a sigh of relief.

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Watch: Paa and 3 Idiots a hit at Star Screen Awards

Star Screen Awards was not only about 3 Idiots, which mostly grabbed all the awards but also about Paa for which BigB received the best actor award.

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Watch: Hrithik Roshan turns 36

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan turned 36 today and the hunk hosted a lavish party. Here's the update.

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Stars at Apsara Awards 2010 - HQ Pics

Stars arrive for the 5th Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards on 8 January 2010.
Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, Deepika padukone, Saif ali khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek oberoi, Reteish deshmukh, Preity Zinta, Kajol, Mughdha Godse, Diya mirza, Tina Dutta, Celina Jaitley

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Shruti Haasan sizzles on Elle cover

Shruti Hassan is 24 and one film old. Judge her by this and you'd be mistaken. The brown-eyed beauty lets her hair down for this month's issue of Elle and gives us a peek into her world: her career in music, star parents and her insecurities about not fitting into Bollywood.

The daughter of legendary Tamil actor-director Kamal Hassan and actress Sarika, Shruti has a keen ear for music. Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Tamil music and RD Burman find place on her CD rack. On doing the music for her father's remake of A Wednesday, the singer-songwriter-composer tells the mag, "After doing the music for a film, it kind of changes your perspective on your own music... I've found a new phase in my life, I've found a new sound, and now I'm setting up a new band."

The gorgeous starlet is looking forward to B-town, going through film scripts in Mumbai. "It's really about doing something that makes sense to me and focusing on that. I'm exited to see what Bollywood comes up with for me." And does she feel that she might not fit in? "I have always felt in general that I might not fit in, in life", she states.

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Winners of 5th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Shahrukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Priyanka Chopra - Kaminey

Best Movie
Ghajini - Madhu Mantena

Best Director
A.R. Murugadoss - Ghajini

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Rishi Kapoor - Love Aaj Kal

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Kirron Kher - Kurbaan

Best Actor in a Comic Role
Ajay Devgan - All The Best

Best Actor in a Negative Role
Amol Gupte - Kaminey

Best Debut Director
Ayan Mukerji - Wake Up Sid

Lifetime Achievement Award (Male)
Amitabh Bachchan

Entertainer of the year
Ranbir Kapoor

Best Debut (Male)
Jackky Bhagnani - Kal Kissne Dekha

Best Debut (Female)
Anushka Sharma - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Chevrolet Heartbeat of the Nation (Male)
Shahid Kapoor (Kaminey)

Chevrolet Heartbeat of the Nation (Female)
Deepika Padukone (Love Aaj Kal)

Best Choreography
Shiamak Davar - Dance Pe Chance - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Lyrics
Jaideep Sahni - Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Female Playback Singer
Shreya Ghosal - Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Male Playback Singer
Mohit Chauhan - Ye Dooriyan - Love Aaj Kal

Best Music
Pritam Chakraborty - Love Aaj Kal

Best Screenplay
A.R. Murugadoss - Ghajini

Best Dialogue
Anurag Kashyap - Dev D

Best Story
Imtiaz Ali - Love Aaj Kal

Most public appearances
Abhishek Bachchan

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Dulha Mil Gaya - Movie Review

The recipe is simple and uncomplicated...
Take MY FAIR LADY.
Add DULHAN WAHI JO PIYA MAN BHAAYE.
Spray NASEEB APNA APNA.
Sprinkle DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE and RAB NE BANA DI JODI.
Hey presto, DULHA MIL GAYA is ready to serve.

In fact, MY FAIR LADY has been a hot favourite of Bollywood. Recall MAN PASAND [Dev Anand, Tina Munim] or HUM TERE AASHIQ HAIN [Jeetendra, Hema Malini]. Similarly, a number of storytellers have rehashed Rajshri's all-time hit DULHAN WAHI JO PIYA MAN BHAAYE [Prem Krishen, Rameshwari] in various avtaars, over the years.

DULHA MIL GAYA is a mix of the above-named films. Like they say in filmi lingo, it's old wine in new bottle. So what? How different can a love story be, since this genre has been done to death in Bollywood? Point noted, but the narrative ought to be engaging if it has to strike a chord and that's where DULHA MIL GAYA falters.

Merely assembling A-listers and filming the movie at panoramic locations isn't enough. The film ought to have meat and that's missing here.

Let me elaborate. Debutante director Mudassar Aziz, who has also penned the script, borrows from the past, going for the tried-and-tested stuff, but the narrative, already low on fuel, comes to a grinding halt by the time it reaches its finale.

Donsai [Fardeen Khan], a young commitment-phobic debonair, is petrified with terms like marriage and long-term relationships. Samarpreet [Ishita Sharma] is a quintessential Punjabi girl, for whom relationships are to be cherished.

Shimmer [Sushmita Sen] is a diva from the world of glamour for whom love and relationships aren't important in life as independence and success are. Pawan Raj Gandhi/PRG [Shah Rukh Khan] is a suave multi-millionaire whose heart still remains larger than his bank balance and for whom winning love is the only victory there is.

When paths cross for these four characters, they not only land up influencing each other with their outlook on relationships, but also get influenced themselves and learn a whole new meaning of the term.

Something that got ignited with D.D.L.J. continues to shimmer to this date. Our stories continue to travel from firangi land to the fields of Punjab. DULHA MIL GAYA too does that [initially], before MY FAIR LADY and RAB NE BANA DI JODI take over.

To give the credit where it's due, DULHA MIL GAYA has some interesting moments, but the problem is they are few and far between. One expects things to perk up when SRK's character is introduced [in the post-interval portions], but your hopes go crashing as nothing worthy of note occurs.

The writing has gaping flaws, which are difficult to absorb after a point. The girl travels all the way from Punjab to Trinidad and Tobago, but not once do her concerned parents call to enquire how she is. Strangely, even the girl doesn't feel the need to inform them. If that's not enough, Sushmita takes upon herself to tame Fardeen, giving you the impression that she thinks from her heart. But when it comes to her relationship with Shah Rukh, she behaves in a rather odd manner. SRK, on the other hand, seems completely besotted by her, even though she never reciprocates his feelings. Hence, her somersault in the end - just because Ishita has given her some bhashan - doesn't look convincing.

Mudassar Aziz's direction is a shade better than his writing. And that's not saying much. Given the fact that newer stories are being attempted in these fast-changing times and in view of the fact that he had some of the best talents on board, Mudassar should've seized the opportunity and told a refreshingly different and absorbing tale. But he doesn't. Sure, a few sequences are clever and smart, but that's not enough.

The music is of a mixed variety. 'Akela Dil' is groovy, while the title track is strictly okay. Cinematography is appealing.

Sushmita excels in a role that demands her to be hoity-toity. She enacts her part effortlessly. One wishes to see her more often on the big screen! Fardeen does a good job, especially towards the end when he's about to confess something vital to Ishita. Ishita delivers a sincere performance. It's a pity that a superstar like Shah Rukh is terribly wasted in an inconsequential role. It may not go down well with his fans.

Mohit Chadha has screen presence, but gets no scope. Johny Lever is wasted. Ditto for Tara Sharma. Suchitra Pillai and Howard Rosemeyer are passable. Parikshit Sahni, Bina Kak and Viveck Vaswani are as usual.

On the whole, DULHA MIL GAYA doesn't work!

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Pyaar Impossible - Movie Review

SHREK [and its instalments] has been one of the most loved movies of our times. An ogre falls in love with a princess and after overcoming their share of obstacles, the couple live happily ever after. Most Hindi movies take a similar route, don't they? We love happy endings. We want the underdog to accomplish his dreams. We feel euphoric if he walks into the sunset, holding the hand of his beloved.

A love story works if you fall in love with the on-screen characters and also if it knocks on the doors of your heart. PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE does that. PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE may not be the ultimate romantic film, but you can't deny the fact that there's something about this film that stays with you, that you carry home... sorry, carry in your heart.

PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE also works because its protagonists, Uday and Priyanka, deliver sparkling performances. No wonder, you get drawn in their world in a jiffy.

Final word? Watch PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE if you are or even if you're not a romantic. It has its heart in the right place!

In a university in California, Alisha [Priyanka Chopra] is the name of that dream everyone wished came true. The most beautiful girl on campus, she makes hearts flutter like leaves in the wind. Everybody loves Alisha.

It is no surprise then that Abhay [Uday Chopra] loves her too. Abhay is a nerdy, awkward, bespectacled geek of the college who is so far removed from her world. She doesn't even know that people like him actually exist.

One day Abhay musters up enough courage to go and express his true feelings to her and realizes that it is never gonna happen. He comes to terms with the fact that Alisha is a Princess and he is just a Geek. That is when their ways eventually part. Later, their paths cross again, as Abhay is busy trying to launch his career. Fate again brings him face to face with the woman of his dreams, Alisha.

Will Abhay have the strength to believe in himself and attempt to achieve what he never thought possible?

You may draw parallels with Chris Columbus' I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER [2009], but the fact is that Uday Chopra's story in PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE [yes, he has penned the story, screenplay and dialogue] could be anybody's story. This is not about a nerd who wants his program back from a suave hacker. It's about a simpleton, his feelings, the complications in his life and the final triumph. Haven't we seen so many jodis in real life, who may not pair off well, but look compatible? Let's not forget, opposites attract!

You may also draw parallels with Aditya Chopra's RAB NE BANA DI JODI, but writer Uday Chopra and director Jugal Hansraj steer clear of anything that could be similar to Adi's film. The [sole] similarity starts and ends with a simpleton falling in love with an attractive girl.

Uday's screenplay remains faithful to the main plot, not deviating one bit. At the same time, it could've been tighter in the post-interval portions. There were ample occasions when Uday could've opened his heart, his motive of arriving in Singapore, that he's not a nanny, that he had been cheated by Dino. But he doesn't!

Thankfully, the writing is back on track towards its climax. Right from the kiddie song, to Priyanka realising that she loves Uday, to the press conference when Uday stands vindicated and Dino exposed, the penultimate moments are the mainstay of the enterprise.

Jugal Hansraj has the trappings of a competent director. He has handled several sensitive moments with dexterity. Salim-Sulaiman's musical score is pleasant, but it can do with that extra push [promotion] from the music division. Santosh Thundiyil's cinematography is top notch. Dialogue [also penned by Uday] are straight out of life.

PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE works largely due to the efficient performances by its principal actors - Uday Chopra and Priyanka Chopra. Both deliver sparkling performances. Priyanka has evolved into a fantastic actor and this film proves it yet again. Five minutes into the film and you realise that you are not watching Priyanka, but Alisha Merchant. That's what this fine actor does to you.

Uday gets it right as Abhay. Sure, the actor has been a part of several films in the past, but this one awakens you to this sincere performer, who, unfortunately, has never got his due. He plays the role of a Geek with astute understanding and it's thanks to his super portrayal that you feel for this character. This should be the turning point in his career.

Dino Morea springs a surprise and carries off his part very well. Anupam Kher is perfect in a brief role. Advika Yadav, the kid playing Priyanka's daughter, is adorable. And a terrific actor too!

On the whole, PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE is a feel-good film. If you are a romantic, this one's for you. Even if you're not, still watch it. Its one of those films that will bring a smile on your face - something that most Hindi films don't do these days!

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'Simply sultry' Amrita Rao sizzles on FHM cover

She is someone whom everyone thought was 'Miss India' personified! Sweet and gentle in her ways, seeing her glowing face is always a delight. Until…one day, the unimaginable happened! Despite the fact that she has worked hard to reach where she is now, the irony of the fact remains that she took a Shortkut to do so! Well, we are indeed referring about the one and only Amrita Rao, the sweet chic, who till yesterday, was considered as someone who could only do simple roles, till she proved to the world that she is as comfy in the glam roles as she is in the simple ones.

Amrita is all sizzles on the cover of the latest edition of FHM magazine. This is one issue, which as they say, is 'for the keeps'. The 'history' of her story is totally inspiring. Looking back, this cool as cucumber says, "Once, I was passing by R. K. Studios as a kid. We were just crossing the gate of the studios and I thought to myself, one day, I am going to pass through that gate, and no one is going to stop me." She also adds "Whichever audition I walked in; I came out getting the assignment. I am sure that there were other models prettier than me, sexier and more attractive than me... but I got the assignments." Last, but not the least, this PYT turns the heat on the Indian men by saying, "When an Indian man is fond of a girl, the first thing that he wants to do is to cover her up (with clothes)."

All in all, Amrita Rao is surely the best way to bring in the New Year 2010. 'A must-mast buy' is how one would describe the latest edition of FHM. Go for it...

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Monday, January 04, 2010

Shahrukh Khan joins Twitter, receives great welcome

MORE SRK NEWS AT SRKTHEDON.BLOGSPOT.COM

It seems Twitter is too much a temptation to resist and that too for the celebrities across the world who are joining this social networking fraternity. Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan is the recent inclusion in the Twitter family as the superstar made his tweeting debut on Saturday from his Twitter id @iamsrk.

It was a real surprise for the King Khan fans as he tweeted for the first time. His first tweet reads, "hi everyone. being extremely shy i never thought i would be here. but my friend @kjohar25 insisted that i should learn to share my life." Karan Johar, one of the most popular directors in Bollywood and a close friend of SRK is an ardent twitterer and a much experienced one than the debutant. It was Karan Johar who for the first time notified the tweeple about Shah Rukh Khan joining Twitter. SRK's admirer and the ruling Bollywood actress Priyanaka Chopra was soon to respond as she tweets, "Pls welcome my most favorite actor ever..SRK @iamsrk !! So glad ure here!! Show some love twitterverse!!".

She was followed by actress Genelia D'Souza who gave a warm welcome to SRK as she says, "..wat a lovely mrng to wake up n c shahrukh on twitter.. Welcome shahrukh @iamsrk : )" The King Khan, with his usual modesty conveyed his wishes to the tweeple and added that he didn't expect such a warm welcome from all. In less than 12 hours the master actor has got close to 7000 followers under his belt and his follower count is growing evidently fast. His presence on twitter seems to be a motivation for the tweeple as one of them admits, "yipeeeeee finally some motivation to be regular on Twitter". While some of the Shah Rukh fans gave "king size welcome" to twitterverse, some of them went on to approach the actor with their promotional plans. One of the twitterers have rightly kept his fingers crossed as he contemplated "how fast the followers of @iamsrk climb up ... will it break ur record @priyankachopra @ShashiTharooor".

Apart from showering love on SRK, his demanding fans have already started asking him for a nice profile pic and replying to their tweets. The actor must be having some engaging sessions interacting with his followers and meeting their demands.

MORE SRK NEWS AT SRKTHEDON.BLOGSPOT.COM