IBLOG SPACE

Tata Tea has unveiled a new campaign celebrating the completion of 25 years for the brand in Kerala. Created by Saatchi and Saatchi Bangalore, the television commercial went on-air on December 25 and will continue till the end of January 2011. The TVC begins with a young girl preparing for her violin performance while her parents look on. Her mother gives her Kanan Devan tea, and the scene shifts to curtains opening on the stage. While the music begins, viewers are shown a flashback of the girl’s childhood where she is rejected for sporting activities. Her dad presents her with a violin, which she learns and is performing in front of an audience. It is then revealed that the girl is disabled and is on a wheelchair, while the audience appreciates the performance. Voiceover comes in to announce that “when you’re not alone, no challenge is too difficult”. Elaborating on the thought process for the campaign, Vinod D’sa, creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi, said, “Talk

Facebook has received a $500m (£321m) investment from Goldman Sachs and Russian investor Digital Sky Technologies (DST) in a deal that values the social networking site at $50bn, according to reports.The US bank is believed to have invested $450m in Facebook, while DST has provided a further $50m. Facebook, which has more than 550 million users worldwide, refused to comment on the deal this morning. It was valued at $10bn in May 2009, after DST paid $200m for a 2% equity stake in the company. The valuation has triggered speculation that Facebook could be considering an initial public offering. Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, who co-founded the site in 2004, was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2010. He is estimated to have a fortune of $14bn. This article was first published on mediaweek.co.uk

NEW DELHI: Direct -to-home television service firms are in talks to share satellite transponder space with each other that will allow them to offer more channels without large investments while also ensuring glitches in their own transponder do not affect their services. Taking a cue from an arrangement between Sun Direct and Big TV struck last year, other DTH companies are looking to replicate the telecom tower sharing model used by communication firms. While Dish TV and Tata Sky are in talks for a potential arrangement, Videocon d2h is negotiating with Airtel digital television for a similar deal, two persons familiar with the developments said. This could be crucial for loss-making DTH firms to cut costs in the future. Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel said due diligence and technical deliberation are on for sharing infrastructure with rival firms but refused to share names of its potential partners. A Tata Sky spokesman declined comment. But a person privy to the negotiati

Direct-to-home service providers and TV manufacturers gear up for ICC Cricket World cup, set to launch special offers It’s barely a month before the ICC Cricket World Cup dominates our screens, but hold on to your enthusiasm. If you are inclined to believe cricket buff Amit Chorde, the time is not ripe to ramp up your TV screens or engage in finding the right direct-to-home operator. Chorde has made several rounds at electronics stores to conclude: “While prices of LED TVs have dropped a little from 2010 – about Rs 2,000-Rs 5,000 depending on the brands – there seems to be no free bundled add-ons like we see around Diwali.” Now, he has decided to wait for another two weeks anticipating sweeter deals from TV and DTH companies. Direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and TV manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic are expected to launch special offers soon to woo cricket fans. Videocon d2h will launch its high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) in the run up

The continuing consumer demand for direct to home (DTH) satellite TV has helped Zee Entertainment Enterprises maintain a strong presence in both India and abroad, despite greater broadcasting competition, according to the company. Stating India’s DTH subscriber base now stands at 30.6 million homes, Subhash Chandra, chairman of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said: “A rapid adoption of satellite based television services via DTH proves that consumers are opting for better digital technology. This augurs well for the television industry, both for content owners and the DTH industry.” Zee TV, the network’s flagship Hindi general entertainment channel, recorded an average channel share of 19% and average weekly gross rating points of 200, between October and December 2010, according to the network. Ten Sports meanwhile showcased the Asian Games, Ryder Cup, and NBA Basketball, while its sister channel Ten Cricket provided live coverage of three test series. Releasing its third quarter

He is the God of looks and talent! We are talking about the one and only Hrithik Roshan. After having made a splashing debut with Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai , Hrithik is one of those few actors who have managed to etch his name in gold on the silver screen. After having set the silver screens and the ad arenas afire in Guzaarish , Hrithik is back again and how! He has now been signed up as the brand ambassador of J. Hampstead Suitings, so informs ApnaDesi 's reliable sources. Readers may recollect that, it's the same brand that earlier had Priyanka Chopra as its ambassador. Now with Hrithik coming on board, the brand will definitely have whole new style statement. What say, Duggu! 

Yet another Bollywood filmmaker has left us for eternal abode which is indeed very sad news. The person in question is Shamin Desai, whose maiden directorial venture 24x7 Raftaar starring Emraan Hashmi and Neha Dhupia, is yet to see the light of the day. Shamin has also worked with Channel V in the past and directed singer K.K.'s popular music-video ' Pal '. B-town celebrities mourned the death of this talented filmmaker on Twitter. Neha Dhupia tweeted, "really sad to hear about the loss of a dear friend and truly one of the most talented directors i have worked with... Shamin Desai RIP." Rajat Kapoor also wrote, "Shamin Desai...Here is another young director who passed away! Please!" Apnadesi  expresses its heartfelt condolences to Shamin's family members.

Writer Tushar Hiranandani, who has written laugh-riots such as  Masti, Pyare Mohan, Daddy Cool  and the recently released  Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge , got married to his lady love Nidhi on the Jan 15. Nidhi heads Casting at Kwan Entertainment & Marketing Solutions. Tushar's forthcoming projects include  Double Dhamaal  and  Housefull 2 . We at  ApnaDesi  wish the couple a happily married life.

Soon the super real-reel jodi will grace the screens again! And the one who is gonna bring together Abhishek Bachchan and his beautiful wife Aishwarya again is the filmmaker Raj Kumar Santoshi! Titled ‘Ladies and Gentleman’, the film is said to be a romantic comedy and expected to go on the floors sometime in this year. This project however has come in the wake of Santoshi’s multi-starrer project ‘Power’. Since the film is put on hold due to some problems, the director decided to go ahead with Abhishek-Aishwarya’s film instead. While Abhishek said to have confirmed for the project, nothing is finalised from Aishwarya’s side. If this film happens, then one can see the hot pair for the first time in a rom-com – given the fact they have acted together in seven movies

And now the long-time relationship between Shahenshah Of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan and the prestigious award banner International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) has come to an amicable end. Bachchan is reportedly removed from the post of IIFA’s brand ambassador. Not only that, the organisation has announced that hereon it is completely doing away with the concept of brand ambassador. Said Sabbas Joseph (Director of Wizcraft and IIFA) in an official statement, “Due to unexplainable reasons, after announcing the event Brand Ambassador, Mr. Bachchan couldn’t participate in the IIFA Weekend Sri Lanka last year. Following this, IIFA aborted the concept of a Brand Ambassador. Keeping in mind the huge respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr. Bachchan and the deep relationship that we’ve always shared, we are not having anyone replace Mr. Bachchan. The Bachchan family has been an intrinsic part of IIFA every year, and in this regard we have already shared with them a propos

'Yamla Pagla Deewana' released last Friday and what transpired at the box office was truly a pleasant surprise with the film taking a very good start by collecting as much as 23 crores over just the weekend. The success of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' does lead to mixed sentiments though. On one side the terrific response to the film by means of one of the best weekends ever in the history of Hindi cinema has made everyone stand up and notice the (still existing) might of the Deol family. On the other hand one just wonders that how huge the film could eventually have been had it performed well across the length and the breadth of the country. Reason being that while in North of India, especially single screens, the film is phenomenal, in Mumbai (the biggest territory) and South, 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' is barely average. With no commercial 'masala' release till 'Patiala House' arrives in February, there is a huge space available for '

'No One Killed Jessica' has emerged as a clean hit. After taking a good opening at the box office over the weekend, the film stayed on to be stable during the weekdays as well, hence ensuring that the momentum continued right into the second weekend as well. The first week of this Rajkumar Gupta film boasts of 20 crores coming in which is fantastic considering the fact that the film had a docudrama feel to it. The second weekend has done well as well despite masses thronging on to 'Yamla Pagla Deewana'. While 30 crores mark would be crossed by the time the third weekend ends, it would be interesting to see how far does the film progress with another multiplex-friendly film, 'Dhobhi Ghat', arriving alongside. However, regardless of whether this Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherhee starrer manages to stay afloat post the release of this art-house cinema by Aamir Khan, the fact remains that 'No One Killed Jessica' is a good hit and all set to

‘Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji’ (DTBHJ) is not only the first romantic-comedy venture of Madhur Bhandarkar, but also a first-of-its-kind movie which is scheduled to release on a ‘Wednesday’ instead of Friday…! Yup, ‘DTBHJ’ which was initially meant to release on 28th Jan (Friday), will now hit the screens on 26th Jan (Wednesday). According to the buzz the makers of ‘DTBHJ’ felt that it will be best to release the film two days ahead of its original date, in order to give a holiday bonanza to the audience and also to cash on the weekend collection in advance. Confirming about the latest change, Madhur Bhandarkar stated to sources that ‘this is just a little token of love from my side to my fellow Indian on Republic Day’. He also said, "26 January is a holiday and releasing the film on this date makes wise business sense." On a lighter note the filmmaker remarked, “I hope everyone has a bone-tickling R-Day.” While producer Kumar Mangat Pathak felt that this would be a

Remember we had told you about this gupshup earlier? Well, let us remind you all about it, with latest updates as well…. The man behind lovey-dovey stories like ‘Hum Tum’, ‘Fanaa’ and ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge!’, Kunal Kohli had announced his next project with Shahid Kapoor in lead. While Shahid was said to play a romantic hero in this one, his leading lady was not finalized. Well, our birdies had informed earlier that Priyanka Chopra was the one who is being considered…. And now the filmmaker has confirmed it! Kunal quotes in his micro-blogging page: "Priyanka Chopra will star opposite Shahid Kapoor in my next film. Pritam is the music director. Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi." Hmmmmm, Sasha and Piggy Chops had reflected sizzling chemistry in ‘Kaminey’ which has a dark storyline. But with Kunal’s romantic venture, let’s see how the two lovebirds paint a picture on the screen this time…..

The Queen of television and producer of some big-time projects, Ekta Kapoor is on cloud nine… Her debut Marathi venture ‘Taaryanche Bait’ has bagged two top honours at the prestigious Pune International Film Festival (PIFF). Bannered under Ekta’s ALT Entertainment and Neeraj Pandey’s Friday Filmworks, ‘Taaryanche Bait’ was premiered at the fest on January 10th, 2011. Boasting of an illustrious cast comprising Sachin Khedekar, Ashwini Giri, Kishore Kadam and Vinay Apte, among others, the film’s screening was showered with accolades and applause. Shailesh Dupare, Sourabh Bhave and Kiran Yadnyopavit walked away with the award for the ‘Best Script’, while Sachin Khedekar’s portrayal of a father caught in a dilemma, won him the ‘Best Actor’ award. When two powerhouse content creators join forces, the explosion can only be a creative delight! ‘Taaryanche Bait’ is the directorial debut of the Maharashtra State award-winning writer, Kiran Yadynopavit. It is an extraordinary

Finally the deal has been signed… Earlier we had mentioned that the Dharmendra-Amitabh Bachchan’s classic comedy ‘Chupke Chupke’ will be remade. Now here’s the latest update about the project… According to sources, comedy king David Dhawan will be helming the new version. Sohail Maklai along with Vishvaas Paandya of White Stripes will be producing the movie. While Rumi Jaffrey has been signed on as the writer, the cast is yet to be finalized. Grapevines have it that Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol will be roped in for the lead roles which were played by their fathers - Big B and Dharmji – respectively in the original. It’s also heard that Big B might also join the cast list! Sources close to the project said that the wish list is to have these actors on board. Since it’s a classic film that most filmmakers would dare not go on that path, enough measures are being taken to make a unique film yet again. Stay tuned for more…..

When it comes to this ‘Queen of Television’, one can naturally expect some spirituality associated with her projects…. Latest heard from producer Ekta Kapoor is that she has changed the spelling of her upcoming release ‘Raginni MMS’. The sensuous paranormal offering will now be called ‘Ragini MMS’ (an extra 'n' gets dropped). It is believed that she asked for the name change because of the bizarre incidents that occurred during the film’s shoot. Ekta happened to discover that someone had died in the bungalow at Dahanu, where the film was shot. The film’s director Pawan Kirpalani says, “Filming Ragini MMS was an unsettling and surreal experience. I don’t know if the bungalow was haunted, but interestingly the caretaker had died in his room and his personal belongings were still lying there when we started shooting, eventually the crew had to shift his stuff out. The spooky experiences led us to believe that maybe it’s a bad move to mess with things that belong to de

What could have been just another shoot on the beach turned out to be overtly exciting for Shruti Hassan when she landed in Pattaya for a song filming of her upcoming release 'Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji'. Not just was her ride to the location adventure-filled, even her stint at the beach had it's own rough moments. Recollects Shruti, "Overall the shoot of the film was quite easy because we were shooting in Mumbai locations which is like home territory. Also, it is a controlled environment. However in Pattaya (Thailand), we had a very interesting boat ride on the way to our location. When we were going to the location, it was pouring and since we hadn't quite anticipated that, we tried to rush our way through. Unfortunately since this was a journey via sea, we couldn't help but get thoroughly drenched." While one can well understand that this journey came with it's own challenges, one would have thought that the actual shoot on location

Gul Panag is furious. She has been accused of breaking the marriage of Purab Kohli and Yamini Namjoshi. However she isn't willing to take it all lying down. Though she refuses to comment on the issue, Gul is making sure that within her own circle, her (as well as Purab's) friends and family are aware that she hasn't done anything wrong. "This is what frustrates Gul most about being in the entertainment industry", says a close friend of Gul who has seen the actress get visibly upset with all the recent development, "You work in a film and soon rumours start floating around an affair developing out there. No one is spared, whether the person is married or single." In case of Purab and Yamini (who had a rather long courtship period before getting married), trouble apparently began when Gul and Purab had to share a few intimate scenes together for their film 'Turning 30'. While Yamini did understand the demand of the situation, she was

He is someone whom the world knows as 'God'. We are sure that the very moment we mention 'God', the only name that pops up in your mind is that of Amitabh Bachchan, who today, is not just ruling the silver screen, but also the telly land, with 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC), the show that has rewritten history, despite of which channel it is being aired on! After the humongous response to KBC 4, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) has now signed on Big B for the next two seasons. Even Big B tweeted to his 'followers' saying "Sony and I have signed on for KBC for the next two seasons… your blessings and encouragement needed in abundance!" Readers may recall that the first season of KBC was launched in July 2000, on Star Plus channel, which was subsequently followed by the second season. It was only in the third season that SRK took over the reins from Big B. And with the fourth season, not only the host was changed

It was the talk of the town when Bipasha Basu clinched the role opposite Josh Hartnett in the Hollywood film Singularity . The film in question which is directed by Roland Joeff tells of an epic, sweeping and riveting tale of an impossible love story set across two time periods and continents. Obviously thrilled with the film, which is currently being shot, Bipasha posted an image of her look on a popular networking site, just for her fans. Judging from the image, Bips is certainly giving her western counterparts a marathon run for their money. If that wasn't enough she even posted the first look of the film. 

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is known to get into the skin of the character which he performs on-screen. In the forthcoming film Patiala House starring Akshay Kumar and Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor would be seen as the patriarch of a big Punjabi family settled in Southall, London. His character Bauji is someone who holds a lot of authority and respect amongst family members. Rishi wanted to make sure that he gets all the nuances in terms of authenticity of dialect, body language etc. absolutely right. He felt that the Punjabi he speaks in real life at home with his wife Neetu and son Ranbir is quite young and contemporary and wouldn't suit the character of a hardcore Punjabi man. Being the professional that he is, Rishi decided to go and take help of all his aunts and learn the authentic Punjabi dialect and accent. He wanted to learn the old style of Punjabi which older people speak. Only after he had done with his home work and was completely prepared, did he start sh

After her cosy holiday with beau Saif Ali Khan in Gstaad, Switzerland, Kareena Kapoor is back to the grind of Lights, Camera and Action. The actress was spotted shooting in Pune with Salman Khan for My Love Story produced by Atul Agnihotri and directed by Siddique. My Love Story is the remake of the Malayalam blockbuster Bodyguard which was also directed by Siddique. Salman and Kareena have been paired together earlier in Kyon Ki and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (both of which were B.O.duds). It will be interesting to see if this pairing gets the thumbs up from the audience third time round.

By now its common knowledge that the gorgeous beauty Chitrangda Singh would be seen after a hiatus in Sudhir Mishra's upcoming film Yeh Saali Zindagi . However, the dusky actress would not only be acting in the film but would also be making her debut as a playback singer with this film. Chitrangda has sung the title track of the film with composer-singer Abhishek Ray. After composing the song, Ray tried out various female voices for the song but couldn't find the right voice. It was then that director Sudhir Mishra suggested Chitrangda's name. The actress, with just one evening's rehearsal, surprisingly managed to bring about the right attitude which the song required. Both Ray and Chitrangda are scheduled to perform the title track at the film's promotional event very shortly.

So what if Abhishek Bachchan isn't a part of Madame Tussauds, he surely is a part of the illustrious and glamorous world of the 'Ferragamos'. Three days ago, Abhishek Bachchan visited Italy to be a part of the Florentine label as part of the 'Shoes for a Star' project, becoming the first Indian actor to receive the made-to-order Tramezza shoes from Ferragamo. Shoes for thought we must say! It was an exceptional initiative in which the much admired actor enjoyed Salvatore Ferragamo's warm hospitality at the grandest private medieval palace in the city. During his stay at the centrally-located Hotel Lungarno, which is owned by the Salvatore Ferragamo Group, Abhishek Bachchan was also invited to Palazzo Spini Feroni for a welcome lunch with the Ferragamo family, followed by a personalised tour of the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum. In the course of his visit, Abhishek Bachchan experienced the rich heritage of Ferragamo and its fine shoemaking as he int

Aamir Khan the actor acts in order to lose himself, I'm sure you'd agree with me on this. Over the past 20 years, Aamir, the most charismatic Indian star of his generation, has perfected the art of the vanishing act. He doesn't make too many public appearances and he comes out with one release every year. In person, he seems little, unmistakable: he takes your questions in and talks with utmost ease, gesticulating passionately; he walks with a laidback stride. Yet on screen so radically does this small man act with confidence so tall that it seems almost unreachable for many of his and today's generation of actors. When I meet Aamir Khan in his Bandra apartment, I am a witness to a wiry, 45-year-old Indian who transforms himself from one film to the next so fluently that it can be hard to identify him as the same man. All his parts in all his films, big or small, demand a titanic transformative performance, and boy he sinks deep in them. Kiran Rao's  Dhobi Ghat  is

In an industry known for its fickle relations, here's a bonding that warms the cackles of the heart. Vatsal Seth has been a part of every film that the director Samir Karnik has made…barring Karnik's new film Yamla Pagla Deewana . Says Karnik emotionally, "Vatsal is not a big star yet. But he's my lucky mascot. I've cast him in all my films so far. When I could find no role for him in Yamla Pagla Deewana , I was heartbroken. I felt something to be amiss. I thought I'd have to live with that regret. But something strange happened." Vatsal Seth's long delayed film Hostel which opens next Friday is now part of Yamla Pagla Deewana . Says Karnik happily, "When I heard the trailer of Vatsal's film was being attached to Yamla Pagla Deewana , I felt it was almost fate's intervention. Think about it. Hostel is a film that could've come any time. But it came around and was fixed for a time when its trailer could be attached t

Now if there is one producer who is flying high this 'makar sankranti' (kite festival), it has to be iRock producer Sid Jain. After his record wrap up shoot for Balaji Motion Pictures Ragini MMS which took a mere nineteen days, you'd think Sid needs to slow down, right? Oh no! Mr. Jain is one of the quickest we have seen. So quick that he is gearing up to produce a string of films with his director friends and colleagues from the B-town. The latest development comes as a quote from producer Sid Jain himself. He quotes, "iRock will soon be starting a series of films with a host of directors. The directors are Sanjay Khanduri ( Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local ), Sriram Raghavan ( Agent Vinod ), Navdeep Singh ( Manorma Six Feet Under ), Sanjay Routray (Producer), Pavan Kirpalani ( Ragini MMS ), Anthony D'Souza ( Blue ), Sidhartha Jain (Producer), Anish Patel (iRock Prod 2). So, here's wishing Sid Jain a rocking year ahead and hope to see lots of action, th

The real Sabrina Lal got goosebumps when she saw her screen-sister Jessica. The role, as it has been revealed, is played by a young actress named Myra Karn who has absolutely no experience in acting and is in fact a qualified engineer. Director Raj Kumar Gupta saw a likeness between the real Jessica and Myra. That's how the chase began. Says Myra with a laugh. "Raj Kumar Gupta is a friend. We met through common friends in a restaurant and stayed in touch. I've known him for some time. For a year now he kept persuading me to play Jessica. I've no experience in acting. Apart from family photos, I've never faced the camera. And honestly, I wasn't interested in acting." So what gives? "Nothing!" laughs the engineer-turned-actress. "Raj was persuasive. He said I just had to be myself. I think more than the way I look, it was my chirpy personality that made him decide I was his Jessica. I finally said yes. His instruction was

Best Actor Male Shah Rukh Khan - My Name Is Khan Best Actor Female Vidya Balan - Ishqiya Best Film Dabangg Best Director Karan Johar - My Name Is Khan Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male) Arjun Rampal - Raajneeti Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female) Prachi Desai - Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Best Actor In A Comic Role (Male/Female) Boman Irani - Well Done Abba Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male/Female) Ronit Roy - Udaan Most Promising Debut Director Abhinav Kashyap - Dabangg Most Promising Debut (Male) Ranvir Singh - Band Baaja Baaraat Most Promising Debut (Female) Sonakshi Sinha - Dabangg Best Playback Singer (Male) Mohit Chauhan - Pee Loon (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) Best Playback Singer (Female) Richa Sharma - Sajda (My Name Is Khan) Best Story Karan Johar - Shibani Bathija (My Name Is khan) Best Music Sajid-Wajid - Dabangg Best Lyrics Gulzar - Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji (Ishqiya) Best Dialogue Rajat Arora - Once Upon A Time In M

The very name of Vatsal Sheth brings to our memories the good ol' days where 'Just Mohabbat' was the only mint-fresh romance that one could think of. The good news is that, after having worked in films like Tarzan The Wonder Car, Heroes etc..., the dude is back with Hostel, in which he pairs opposite the sultry Tulip Joshi. The said film is already making news, even before its release, and for all the wanted reasons. There is also news that there is a hot bedroom scene in the film that has Vatsal and Tulip together. When ApnaDesi spoke to Vatsal, he was reluctant to speak anything. But after much cajoling, he said "It was definitely uncomfortable and awkward. But we were wearing clothes and there were people in the room. Let me also tell you that the way it was shot, it looked as though it was quite cozy. But, it was not! It was quite a short scene!" With all of this, one is, further more excited to watch out for Hostel !

Best Film Band Baaja Baaraat Dabangg My Name Is Khan Peepli Live Udaan Best Director Abhinav Kashyap (Dabangg) Karan Johar (My Name Is Khan) Manish Sharma (Band Baaja Baaraat ) Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Guzarish) Vikramaditya Motwane (Udaan) Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) Ajay Devgn (Once Upon A Time In Mumbai) Hrithik Roshan (Guzaarish) Salman Khan(Dabangg) Shah Rukh Khan (My Name Is Khan) Ranbir Kapoor (Raajneeti) Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) Aishwariya Rai Bachchan (Guzaarish) Anushka Sharma (Band Baaja Baaraat ) Kajol (My Name Is Khan) Kareena Kapoor (Golmaal 3) Vidya Balan (Ishqiya) Best Actor In Supporting Role - Male Arjun Rampal (Raajneeti) Arshad Warsi (Ishqiya) Emraan Hashmi (Once Upon A Time In Mumbai) Manoj Bajpai (Raajneeti) Nana Patekar (Raajneeti) Ronit Roy (Udaan) Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Female Amrita Puri (Aisha) Kareena Kapoor (We Are Family) Prachi Desai (Once Upon A Time In Mumbai) Ratna Patak Shah (Golmaa

Thanks to Naresh Goel's daughter Namrata, Ranbir Kapoor has discovered the philanthropic side to himself. Not only is he going to walk the ramp in Mumbai on January 23 for the girl children of Shabana Azmi's ancestral village Mijwan, Ranbir is also keen to participate in other activities and events connected with the girl child. Says a source close to Ranbir, "We're startled at the change in Ranbir. He is constantly discussing existence at the poverty line and how to make life better for those who live at that level." Apparently, Ranbir has also expressed a keen desire through Namrata Goel to visit Mijwan. Shabana Azmi's godchild Namrata Goel, who is Jet Airways' chairman Naresh Goel's daughter has orchestrated the entire fashion show being organized on January 23 in Mumbai for the education of girl children in her ancestral village Mijwan. Says Shabana excitedly, "Namrata is all of 21.My father (Kaifi Azmi) always sa

Characters: Priyanka Chopra : Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes, a beautiful lass who over the course of thirty-five odd years, gets married seven times due to the untimely and mysterious deaths of half a dozen of her hapless husbands. The strange circumstances of their deaths make Susanna a prime suspect. Enigmatic and irresistibly charming in equal measure - Susanna is the kind of woman any man would die for! Literally! Neil Nitin Mukesh : Edwin Rodriques A young and beautiful Susanna falls in love with The Major, who's oh-so-dashing in his uniform. Yes, he's a bit too old for her, and he likes giving orders. But love is blind. John Abraham : Jimmy Stetson Soon thereafter - very soon - Susanna decides to marry Jimmy, whose good looks and musical talent sweep her off her feet. She invests in him, but she has no idea what lies in store. Irrfan Khan : Wasiullah Khan As a romantic soul. Susanna is susceptible to beautiful poetry. H

Irrespective of its genre, an Aamir Khan production is looked forward to with super-enthusiasm. Films like LAGAAN, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, JAANE TU YA JAANE NA and PEEPLI [LIVE] have redefined cinema and in their own small way prompted film-makers to think beyond the stereotype. That automatically raises the bar for AKP's new endeavor DHOBI GHAT. Mumbai - this vivacious, lively and spirited city has inspired many a film-maker, novelist, writer, playwright, poet in the past. Kiran Rao's DHOBI GHAT takes a look at four different characters in this dynamic city. Interestingly, instead of opting for the usual candy floss entertainer in her directorial debut, Kiran chooses to make a film that's very real and also that comes across as personal memoirs that have found a place on celluloid. It's more of a video diary on the inhabitants of this bustling metropolis. More importantly, this is a story about four different people - all from diverse walks of life - and how their lives