IBLOG SPACE

Dabangg fever is almost like DDLJ phenomena. It isn't a fair comparison on a lot of levels but the hangover is similar. With Dabangg came back, the long forgotten sweet, innocent love story, the brave hero who beats up the bad guys, the unforgettable one liners, the impromptu song and dance phenomena and a story line that urges you to throw rational thinking out of the window. With a lot of hooting and cheering by the audiences, the abandoned single screen cinemas were the place to be. An Arbaaz Khan Production, starring Salman Khan with Malaika Arora Khan doing the perfect item number, Dabangg was also a Khan clan film, where the entire family participated to produce this box office phenomena. Guess who is irked by all of this? It's none other than the popular socialite, author, columnist and self appointed film critic, Shobha De. She speaks her mind, she has ruffled a few feathers on more than one occasion but she seems to revel in t

Seems it is an animated Ramayana season this Dussehra. Close to the heels of release announcement of Maya's 3D animated flick Ramayana, Hyderabad based RVML animation is all set to release 2D animated feature Lava Kusa: The Warrior Twins on October 8th across 200 screens pan India. The feature is presented by PEN, produced by RVML animation and released by Suniel Wadhwa from '52 weeks entertainment Inc' in India. Lava Kusa: The Warrior Twins , is the tale of two endearing twins Lava and Kusa (Sons of lord Rama and Sita), growing up in the forest with their mother and sage Valmiki. As young men they pit their strength against Rama, the absentee father who has aggrieved their mother. This story from the Ramayan depicts the determination of the twins and the adventures they have as they journey towards their aim, getting their father to redress the wrongs he's done to their mother. On being asked about choosing a generic topic (mythology) as the story

What happens to an on-screen couple in love after the film is over? It seems filmmaker Kunal Kohli won't make us wait for a sequel to get an answer. For Break Ke Baad , the film Kohli is producing with Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan in the lead, the team recently shot an additional epilogue, after the screenplay had its say. Explains Kunal Kohli, "When I made Hum Tum , everyone wanted to know what happens to Saif and Rani after THE END. Do they live happily ever after? I've lost track of how many people have suggested a sequel to Hum Tum . That's something I won't do. Why go back to a film when there're so many virgin stories waiting to be broken into?" What Kunal would henceforth do is add an "after-story". "In Break Ke Baad , we've shot a story beyond the screenplay narrating a small improvised screenplay about the life that Deepika and Imran lead after the film is over. I could be using the same device in my other

By the time 'God' Satish Shah shows up to distribute akal ke laddoo to the Gujarati malfuntional brain-dead family that we've known for years on television, they are all too far gone.By dint of dumbness the Parekh family earns exemption from redemption. Khichdi: The Movie is no different in spirit, cast, gags and skits from Khichdi: The Serial . The cast is the same. And that's a blessing. The enormously talented Gujarati actors are irreplaceable in their proclivity to convey irreverent brain dead humour as applied to the gloriously dumb Parekh family that seems like a parody of Sooraj Barjatya's joint-family system. The family system goes down the cistern with a loud splash as the gags swamp the big-screen with the same velocity of iconoclasm as the serial. And that's where the trouble lies. While it's delightful to watch Anang Desai (as the patriarch) and his brood, Supriya Pathak (goofily idiotic in her literal perception of life

If there is one word that describes versatility in Indian cinema, it has to be Ajay Devgn. Not blessed with matinee idol good looks, Devgn has had to work hard for what he's got. And what he's got is one of the most impressive CVs in Bollywood history. Even the most casual fan of cinema would recall his debut flick Phool Aur Kaante, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Golmaal and Omkara . It's the type of genres he taps into that has made him successful. Over the course of nearly two decades, Ajay Devgn has established himself as one of the most respected and iconic screen actors in history. This is a position he's achieved both through the relentless perfectionism of his approach to his work, and the ferocity with which he protects his private life. Apart from the very occasional tabloid snippet, we hear nothing about the man, only ever seeing him when he's playing someone else - which is, of course, exactly how he wants it to be. UK's Harrow Observer colu

Newbie Neha Sharma would be making her Bollywood debut opposite Emraan Hashmi in soon-to-be-released Crook . However, she isn't someone who is new to the arc lights though. She has been on the film circuit for a while after doing a couple of films in Telugu as the leading lady. However, now that she has worked in a Hindi film, she knows that it would take require something remarkable from down South to pull her back there. "Hindi is my forte and I had started making up my mind about the journey, I wanted to take once I was through with my Telugu films", says Neha who chose to wait for a while before signing her first Bollywood film, "I knew there and then that I didn't want to do more of Telugu films. Language was such a problem and it all turned out to be really challenging and tough. My first film by itself was very daunting and though I had offers, I didn't take them because I wasn't too sure." For the uninitiated, Neha had enjoyed

After a hat trick of successful films with Akshay Kumar in the form of Aankhen, Waqt and Namastey London , the law of averages caught up with director Vipul Shah as he hit a road block with London Dreams . Now that the film maker is back with his favourite star, close associate and friend in Action Replayy , does one sense an emotional reunion for Vipul here? "Well, you are forgetting Singh Is Kinng here", smiles Vipul who handed over the reins of directing the fun film to Anees Bazmee, another film maker who has been one of Akshay's favourites. "The relationship angle was different there. I was the producer there, but still, I was a part of all the fun that came with the shooting. I was not just a Mr. Money Bags producer there, but was also creatively involved in the entire process. This is the reason why I never felt any gap after Namastey London ." Getting into a nostalgic trip, Vipul adds, "Shooting with Akshay has always been a terrific

Sonam Kapoor is someone who can rightly be called as a 'Fashion Diva' of Bollywood. This PYT, who made her debut with Saawariya , went onto become the talk of the country with her remarkable performances in Delhi 6 , which was eventually followed up with I Hate LUV Storys and the recently released Aisha . Well, it is the same Sonam Kapoor who is now also the talk of the ad fraternity. Sources close to ApnaDesi inform that Sonam has now been signed up as the brand ambassador for the Electrolux, the house appliances major. Apparently, as a part of the endorsement, Sonam will be seen promoting the said brand's entire existing portfolio which includes refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves and air conditioners. The official confirmation of the same is awaited.

Anupam Kher is someone who is a not just a power house of talent but a living institution. After having made his mark in Bollywood with some of the most impeccable roles that he has embarked so far, this living legend has now been chosen to endorse the famous Red Label Tea, so inform Bollywood Hungama 's sources. The source also added that there has been a TVC that has been shot for the said brand by director Shoojit Sircar. Readers may recall that, prior to this; Anupam had been chosen to endorse many a leading brands like Proctor & Gamble (Project Shiksha), Bajaj Capital etc... Attempts to establish contacts with Anupam Kher proved futile.

The shocking shenanigans of conman Devender Singh, alias Bunty, on the new season of Bigg Boss, comes as no shock to director Dibakar Banerjee who has made a film based on Bunty's life. Dibakar feels something was not quite right with Bunty. "I met him in jail for the film very briefly. I couldn't make head or tail of his behaviour. Later, the jail authorities told me he had a problem with authority." Dibakar wonders if the whole thing with Bunty is a publicity stunt. However, a reliable source from the channel confirms that Bunty has been sent packing for good. "There's no question of his coming back. He has abused and violated the basic rules of the show. He abused the girls and broke the mike and camera. We had to persuade him out of the Bigg Boss house. We offered to send him back home to Delhi. But he refused to take our offer. As far as we are concerned, he's out of show for good." The other school of thought is th

Star kids are embraced warmly by the film industry. The new star kid on the block is Tanuj Virwani, son of actress Rati Agnihotri. Reportedly, the youngster assisted a number of directors in the past and is being groomed to be an actor. "That's true," Rati confirms, "Tanuj has assisted Ken Ghosh [CHANCE PE DANCE] and Glen Barretto [AAO WISH KAREIN]. He's even written, directed, scripted, edited and acted in three short films." Tanuj polished his acting skills from Kishore Namit Kapoor and he made three short films in case film-makers want to see how he looks on screen and also acts. "Each short film is of 15-20 minutes duration," Tanuj reveals. The youngster adds that he's not looking for a conventional launch. "There have been offers, but I don't want to take rash decisions. The script has to be good, that's more important," he states. Look forward to Tanuj take his first step as a lead man.

There's a strong possibility that JHOOTHA HI SAHI may be postponed by one week. Slated for release next week [15 October], the film may now arrive on 22 October because music composer A.R. Rahman is yet to complete recording the background score of the film. Producer Madhu Mantena doesn't rule out the possibility. "Yes, the film may get shifted to next week. It's true that Rahman hasn't completed recording the background score. Also, with two major films clashing on 15 October [ AAKROSH , KNOCK OUT ], there's no point releasing on that date. Besides, the music of JHOOTHA HI SAHI is picking up and if we shift the film ahead by one week, it will only help the music to grow further," Mantena states. If JHOOTHA HI SAHI is shifted to latter date, Madhu Mantena will hold the distinction of releasing four films on a single Friday - JHOOTHA HI SAHI and the three versions of RAKHT CHARITRA [Hindi, Tamil and Telugu].

At the cataclysmic climax point of this film hundreds of Rajnikanth clones (in custom-made wigs with scowls and grimaces to match) fill up the sumptuous screen space...one Rajni each for every member of the audience to take home? Bhai, hum aapke hain clone . No doubt about it. Does it make any sense to try to make sense of the Rajnikanth phenomenon? Break coconuts on your head in exasperation as his fans break them as auspicious omens. Rajnikanth isn't going away anywhere. After playing the super-hero all through his miraculous rein at the top in the Dravidian belt Rajni (is there anything he Kanth?) now does the Superman act cloaked quirkily in a robotic saga that salutes Frankeinstein's monster even as it creates an entirely new robotic prototype who can cook, look and even hook the resplendent Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. There is a delectable irony in the Robot and his Master (Rajnikanth, in a double role and we aren't counting the climactic clones) woo

After losing oodles of weight, learning belly dancing and letting her hair down, Katrina Kaif's performance in Tees Maar Khan would be something to look forward too for sure. Farah Khan has pushed the pretty woman to look, feel and perform like never before. While the clip of the film's title track is getting raving reviews, Kat's look is smouldering as well. After all, she is doing the 'jhatka and matka' in typical Farah style for the first time. On public demand, Farah put up this pic of Katrina's from the song 'Sheila Ki Jawani' on twitter. Tweeted Farah, "As promised sending u pic of Kat, maybe bit dark on phone toh comp pe dekhna .wow I'm advising technology." As soon as the picture went live, Farah was overwhelmed by the compliments she received. 

Madame Tussauds has been a name to reckon with when it comes to preserving life like structures of famous personalities immortalized in wax. The latest addition to the museum in London following Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan and SRK is none other than the Greek god of Bollywood Hrithik Roshan. Hrithik was recently measured up for his new wax figure by the sculpting team in Mumbai and London. They captured a catalogue of reference photographs and hundreds of precise measurements for the figure, which will be unveiled in London in January 2011. To ensure total authenticity, Hrithik will be closely involved in the creation process, collaborating with the team to agree the pose and even donating items of clothing for his figure to wear. Commenting on the creation of his figure, the star of hit films including Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Dhoom, Krrish and Jodhaa Akbar , said: "I don't really have the words to articulate what

I remember meeting Neetu ma'm (yes, that's the way I call her; she is way too senior after all) a year ago on the sets of Do Dooni Chaar . I was least expecting that though since I had actually gone there to meet Mr. (Rishi) Kapoor. Waiting in his vanity van, I was a little taken aback when a middle aged woman in a plain night gown stepped in. It took me about 10 seconds to actually realise that it was Mrs. Kapoor. She was into the character of a middle class woman that she plays in Do Dooni Chaar and it was only after about five minutes that I managed to ease up. She was at her natural best though it took me a while to adjust to the situation that I was sitting in front of one of the popular actresses of the 1970s and 1980s who had featured in a string of hits like Khel Khel Mein, Priyatama, Deewar, Kala Patthar, Doosra Aadmi and Kabhi Kabhie . Her last major film was Yaarana (1981) with Amitabh Bachchan and though she last made a blink-and-you-would-miss appear

When Dabangg released and took a monstrous opening, people all over the country credited it to the charm of Salman Khan. When it went on to break the opening weekend record of Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots , many took a breather and brought out that calculator. Once the entire first week record of 3 Idiots was further smashed, it gave birth to a debate - 'Is Shah Rukh feeling the heat?' After all 3 Idiots seemed pretty invincible but its record was taken to the cleaners within a year. Also, Shah Rukh's own My Name Is Khan had done one third of the business of 3 Idiots (at least in India, though in overseas it was monstrous) and despite the fact that its theme didn't quite carry a similar commercial appeal, the fact remained that Salman's immediate superstardom was threatening enough. Well, with all these debates around, I was tempted to join the fun as well. It would have been good to hear both sides of the stories and then add on my own bit. However,

Khichdi team's wait for SRK was finally answered on the day of its release. The entire team of Khichdi -The Movie met their inspiration SRK at Filmistan studio where the superstar was welcomed warmly with a bouquet and a big ticket for Khichdi -The Movie . SRK greeted the entire cast personally and everyone was extremely delighted to have him amongst them. The superstar firstly humbly apologized for not meeting the Khichdi parivaar earlier outside Mannat as he was busy shooting. He then addressed everyone and showered all his good wishes, great luck to them for their movie and wished that the movie is a big Hit just like the big ticket given to him. Interestingly, he also revealed that few of his friends saw the movie and told him how great it was, so he himself is going to try and catch the late night show after his pack up. SRK congratulated the entire Khichdi team, Fox Star, the technicians, everyone for a great concept of making a successful serial into a comedy

Dammit! It's that man-woman thing again. This time the rom-com goes in to so many directions, you wonder what happened to those good old films where Boy Met Girl...and they lived happily ever laughter. Laughter, there's plenty of in Anjaana Anjaani . Raucous laughter, bitter laughter, silly laughter, goofy laughter...The couple Akash and Kiara are portrayed more like two beer-swigging buddies on a road trip through the USA (shot with shimmering restlessness by Ravi Chandran) than lovers staring at the moon and dreaming of the ever-after. This is that 1940s' Bette Davis-Clark Gable county upgraded with plenty of pub-texts where love emerges from the verbal skirmish between two people thrown together by fate. There isn't much plot propensity on display here. Once we know that the two suicidal protagonists are together for the rest of the movie the only mystery that remains is why such vibrant lives would want out. The drama of death as defined by the ri

Bollywood celebrities express their views on the Ayodhya verdict given by the Allahabad High Court yesterday. Shabana Azmi: "It is time for reconciliation. We need to take a cue from people of India who have held their peace. We need to remind those disappointed with the verdict that they had promised to abide by the court's decision irrespective of whether it was favourable or not. I appeal to political parties not to vitiate the atmosphere in the coming days. Let's move on..." Preity Zinta: "I salute the decision. It shows the court's maturity. Our people too have shown great patience maturity and restraint. Everyone feared some kind of unrest in the country after the court's verdict. But from the time the verdict was announced it became clear that there was going to be no stress .Yaaaay! What I like best is how much India's image has gained in terms of respect in the international forum. After the drubbing our image took recentl

She has eclipsed many Bollywood actresses as the Indian Film Industry's most bankable face. But a good four years back in London, when I met her for the first time, she said, "Look up insecurity in the dictionary. You'll see my picture." She was raw, vulnerable, edgy, telling me that she was worried about the way she looked, not being a good enough actor, and all the 'not good' things. Admitting to all these things made her seem more real, less glossy have-it-all Bollywood actor. To understand Priyanka Chopra better, you need to meet her. More often, she's often hard on herself. I had tried to tell her how great she was in Kaminey and that she seemed to resonate the same skills as the young Meryl Streep did, bringing something new and fresh and unpredictable. All this and she just blinked away the compliment. And it's the very same reason that today; Priyanka Chopra is the best we have in the 'B' town brigade. She won't ela

Shankar the director of such Tamil mega-hits as Kadhalan, Indian, Jeans and Boys is rightfully considered one of the hottest filmmakers in Tamil cinema. He has seldom ventured into Hindi cinema. His first Hindi film Nayak was also his last in Hindi. Now the sci-fi flick Endhiran , said to be the costliest film ever, is being released in Hindi as Robot . Said to be the most expensive Indian film ever, Robot naturally has Shankar looking forward to another foray into Hindi cinema, albeit in a dubbed avatar. Says the soft spoken director, "All my earlier Tamil films were dubbed into Hindi without my consent, let alone supervision. Some of them were very badly dubbed. I used to get to know about the release of my dubbed films from other people. In Robot I've sat on the details of the Hindi dubbing myself." Shankar got writer-lyricist Swanand Kirkire to do the Hindi dialogues. Says the director, "He selected the voices in Hindi for every character. Th