New book chronicles the making of Guru Dutt's Pyaasa

She chronicled the lives of Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in her documentaries and Nasreen Munni Kabir's latest offering is a book which narrates the making of Guru Dutt's evergreen masterpiece Pyaasa.

The actor-director's 1957 film is considered a cult classic and the book titled The Dialogue of Pyaasa takes a detailed look at both the man and his work.

Kabir had earlier helmed In Search of Guru Dutt, a three-part documentary on the legendary Indian actor, writer, director and producer to mark his 25th death Anniversary.

The Dialogue of Pyaasa presents a detailed look at the film's making with it's famous dialogues and evergreen songs.

Pyaasa is widely regarded as Dutt's best work and the film was a masterpiece thanks to Abrar Alvi's flawless script and Dutt's deft direction and performance as Vijay, the struggling poet with Waheeda Rehman playing his love interest, Gulabo, the prostitute.

Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics were brought to life in songs like 'Jaane kya tune kahi', 'Hum aap ki ankhon mein', 'Jaane woh kaise log the jinke', 'Jinhe naaz hai Hind' and 'Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye', composed by SD Burman.

The book, which will be luanched on Wednesday, includes extensive commentary by Kabir and is is available in Hindi, Urdu and English.

PTI

56th Filmfare Awards – a night of glitz and glamour

The stars came down in all their glory. It was a night to be remembered as everyone looked on with pride and admiration at the coveted Black Lady was presented to the deserving winners. A true celebration of excellence in Indian Cinema, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2010 held at the YRF studios in Mumbai on the 29th of January, 2011 was a larger than life spectacle, a glorious representation of its legacy of over five decades.

Through the years, Filmfare has become the most awaited event in the industry as everyone looks forward to this night of nights. With a slew of performances by the biggest names in filmdom, the annual Idea Filmfare Awards is now an extravagant gala of glitz, glamour, excitement and entertainment.

This year, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards was hosted by the new kings of cool – the very suave Imran Khan and charming Ranbir Kapoor who bought the house down with their wit and humour. The performances were power packed with the beautiful Madhuri Dixit unleashing her magic and spellbinding the audience as she danced with Shahrukh Khan to hits from their movies like Devdas and Dil To Pagal Hain. Kareena Kapoor had everyone dancing to her tunes with a medley of songs from 3 Idiots, Golmaal 3, and Jab We Met. Priyanka Chopra set pulses racing and raised the temperature a good few notches with her tribute to Madhuri Dixit. she danced to hits like Ek Do Teen, Choli Ke Peeche and Dola Re.

Amongst the other performers were the melodious Sonu Nigam, Bollywood’s new blue eyed girl, Sonakshi Sinha, Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh who performed on a medley of songs from last year’s box office hit Band Bajaa Baraat.

Celebrating 25 years in the film industry, Madhuri Dixit was presented a special honour by the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; whilst Yash Chopra and Shahrukh Khan honoured Bollywood icon, Mr Amitabh Bachchan commemorating his 40 years of absolute dedication to the Indian film industry.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to legendary singer Manna De who received the honor amidst accolades and praise for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema. The 56th Idea Filmfare Awards would be telecast on the 6th of February 2011 exclusively on Sony Entertainment Television.

Latest Pictures of Jennifer Lawrence in Barbie Pink at the SAG Awards

Rising starlet Jennifer Lawrence brightened up the red carpet at the SAG Awards this evening in this shocking pink number. She totally pulled it off -- but it definitely stood out!

Actually, she and Hailee Steinfeld were both dressed in neon pink for the occasion. The True Grit star rocked a mermaid style gown with orange, pink, and black stripes. It was quite the statement dress and we're guessing the critics will be split on yays and nays.

Other standouts on the red carpet included Julie Bowen in a pantsuit, and Sofia Vergara in a beautiful cobalt blue gown with a plunging neckline. Ooh la la!

Latest Pictures of Kim Kardashian on the Red Carpet at the SAG Awards

Kim Kardashian dressed to impress at the SAG Awards this evening in a gorgeous plum Marchesa gown. The dress was beautifully embellished with silver sparkles, which matched her blinging Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Kim apparently spent most of the day getting ready, and tweeted to her fans during the whole ordeal -- especially when it came to choosing a hairstyle.

She wrote at first that she didn't want to go with fake hair or lashes, then she questioned her decision. She tweeted: "Or what do u think? Should I do a retro look, but I'd have to clip in fake bangs, which are always fun!"

Arjun Rampal to be brand ambassador of Gillette

Arjun Rampal is one cool dude who also happens to be the all-time sexiest hunk of Bollywood. He is also someone who is, by and large, enjoying a dream run in Bollywood with all his films shining at the BO.

And for those who live breathe and smell Arjun Rampal, here is some news for you. This man has now been chosen to be the brand ambassador of Gillette.

Arjun also tweeted about the same saying "Yes guys I am the new brand ambassador (of Gillette). Wonderful to make this association. So all of you get ready for a shave."

That's surely the way to go, Arjun boy!

Preity Zinta celebrates her 36th birthday

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta celebrates her 36th birthday today. She is not from film background but forayed into Bollywood through Dil Se in 1998 after graduating in Criminal Psychology. There was no stopping for this bubbly actress after tasting the Bollywood waters.

Preity has acted in over 30 films till date. Some of her hit films include Soldier, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Mission Kashmir, Dil Chahta Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Heroes and others. And she gone beyond films to entertain the public. Yes, being the owner of IPL team Kings XI Punjab, she is entertaining the masses in the form cricket, which is like religion in India.

Shilpa ‘at peace’ after Shirdi visit (Movie Snippets)

New Delhi, Jan 31 – Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is happy after getting a chance to visit the holy town of Shirdi in Maharashtra.

‘Visited Shirdi aftr tryin hard a few times this year, and then it just happnd! Jus goes to show, there has to b a ‘calling’ frm God. At Peace (sic),’ Shilpa posted on her Twitter page after a visit to the Sai Baba shrine in Shirdi .

The 35-year-old, who is married to businessman Raj Kundra, has been missing from action for sometime – both on the big as well as small screen. 

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Shirish wants to make dance film

Film editor-turned-director Shirish Kunder, who is currently working on casting for his next project ‘Joker’, says he wants to make a film which will be high on dance.

‘Wanna make a full on dance film next,’ Kunder posted on his Twitter page Monday.

A dance film perhaps won’t be a tough nut for him, given that his wife Farah Khan is among the most successful Bollywood choreographers. His dance film apart, Kunder is currently focusing on ‘Joker’, which has Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha and Shreyas Talpade in key roles.

‘The heroine opposite Shreyas Talpade in ‘Joker’ has been finalised. I should be able to reveal it tomorrow. ‘Joker’ has a very unusual premise. Nervous and excited about it,’ he added.

Kunder also promises to make innovative films in future.

‘There is no way I can know the box office fate of the films I direct. All I can assure is that I will always try something innovative,’ he added. 

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Vikas Bhalla set for TV comeback

Actor-singer Vikas Bhalla, who has taken a break from the small screen, is to be back with Zee TV’s ‘Sanjog Se Bani Sangini’.

The actor, who failed to create waves in Bollywood, will enter the show as the manager of a bank where the show’s protagonist Gauri works. Vikas is quite happy.

‘There usually is always the ‘other’ woman who becomes the third wheel in the relationship, but here I will be playing the part of the ‘other’ man in Gauri’s life. It should make for an interesting role, especially when I get to be the troublemaker,’ said Vikas, who was earlier seen in shows like ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’ and ‘Karishma: A Miracle of Destiny’. 

IANS

Julie Bowen Prefers Plunging Pants For SAG Awards

January 31, 2011: American actress Julie Bowen surprised everyone when she appeared in plunging pants Catherine Malandrino get-up at the recently held SAG Awards on January 30.

Other gorgeous ladies preferred to stick to glamorous gowns but 40-year old American actress switched her look. The actress, who is mom of three kids, attracted the eyeballs of everyone with her different look. However, she managed to carry it nicely on the red carpet. She looked quite sexy and chic in this unusual look.

Speaking about her attire on the red carpet, the ‘Boston Legal’ actress said that she was planning to put on this get-up at the Emmys. She wanted to come out of her usual look. A pair of Brian Atwood pumps accompanied the new attire giving her a complete look. 

However, we think her fans would have preferred to see in those usual gorgeous gowns at this prestigious event.

More women opt for boob jobs ‘to look like Christina Hendricks’

London, Jan 31 – It seems that more and more Brit women are opting to under the knife to get Mad Men star Christina Hendricks’ ‘hourglass figure’.

Last year there was a 10 per cent surge in the number of women having breast enhancements in the UK to 9,418.

Plastic surgeons say it is because women want to look like Mad Men star Christina Hendricks, reports the Daily Mail.

“The Christina Hendricks effect is significant. She looks stunning and lots of women a figure like hers. No one believes any more you have to be stick thin to be beautiful,” a surgeon said.

Even Liberal Democrats Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said the 35-year-old’s size 14 figure is one all women should look to – rather than thin models with “unattainable bodies.”

“Christina Hendricks is absolutely fabulous. We need more of these role models,” she said.

Figures to be released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reveals that on an overall, the number of people undergoing plastic surgery rose five per cent to 38,274.

Of all the cosmetic procedures carried out last year, 90 per cent of them were performed on women. (ANI)

Lady Gaga slammed for use of certain words in “Born This Way”

Lady Gaga has apparently offended some people with the use of a few certain words in her latest song “Born This Way.”

Some Arizona Latino groups like Chicanos Unidos Arizona and MEChA are reportedly upset with her use of the words ‘Chola’ and ‘Orient’ in her lyrics, states Hispanically Speaking News.

The groups reportedly find this to be racist and derogatory as the words have negative connotations. Lady Gaga has yet to respond to these claims.

Do you think there is anything wrong with her lyrics?

I-T officials to audit Priyanka, Katrina's bank accounts

According to the latest reports, the Income Tax Department is soon going to audit the bank lockers of the two B-town hotties, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that that the Income Tax officials will continue their investigation on the tax records of Priyanka and Katrina, while both maintained that they possessed no unaccounted income.

On Jan. 24, the I-T Department officials conducted raids at the Mumbai residences of the two actresses and uncovered unaccounted income of over 12 crore from Katrina and Piggy Chops.

Priyanka’s spokesperson said, "We deny the many malicious rumors being spread in the media on the basis of some unidentified sources. We are extending all cooperation to the Income Tax authorities in their ongoing investigations.”

Reacting on the same, Katrina’s Chartered Accountant said, “A search was conducted by the Income Tax Dept at the residence of my client Ms Katrina Kaif.”

The two Bollywood stars have been accused of hiding their actual income to escape from paying tax.

Priyanka, Katrina resume social life
Putting the incidence behind them, both the actresses made their first public appearance post the raids, on Thursday.

While Kaif attended a Pritish Nandy and Kamala Das book launch at a Bandra bookstore, Priyanka was seen at an award show at the MMRDA grounds at Bandra Kurla Complex.

”Both actresses seemed to have found their stride and their voice, hitting out against the several unconfirmed reports doing the rounds about claims of spectacular seizures made by the I-T department,” informed a source.

Booming time for tax lawyers
The recent raids at Katrina and Priyanka’s residence has ringed in good times for the tax lawyers as they answered phone calls from other anxious B-Town stars.

“We have got calls from at least three actors asking to immediately take charge of their finances. We have asked for seven days to sort the matters out,” said a leading income tax lawyer.

Even the tinsel town producers got calls from the actors to clear their dues.

“We are getting calls to help out with lawyers and people like chartered accountants,who handle the finances of Bollywood movies, and are thus in demand. Some of the actors want to clear up the cash that they had kept in the house,” said a producer.

Source: Total Filmy

Secrets about Rihanna’s ‘lesbian love affair’ revealed

London, Jan 31 – Pop star Rihanna was involved in a lesbian relationship rumours, according to a Hollywood socialite, who made the sensational claims in a book.

Model Tajah Burton in her book ‘Low Down Dirty Shame’ has said she had an affair with a female singer from Barbados.

The yet-to-be-published book’s extracts were leaked on the Internet sparking the speculation.

Burton, from San Diego, California, said that she did not want to name the star without her consent.

“We had an amazing connection. We would order food in together, we watched TV together, we did all kinds of stuff. I listened to her music with her. Music is her life,” the Sun quoted her as saying.

“It became a sexual thing. It only lasted a couple of weeks because she was very busy and had a lot going on in her life and we had to be secretive,” she said.

“I would say she’s bisexual. It was really exciting. It was unexpected and it was very fun. The sex was really good but there was more to it – we really had a connection. She inspired me and we helped uplift each other,” she added.

Previously, the ‘Umbrella’ singer has admitted she is attracted to women. (ANI)

Yeh Saali Zindagi Preview

New Delhi, Jan 31 – Known for making realistic and thrilling cinema with romance as an integral part, director Sudhir Mishra returns with ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’, about the unpredictability of life and complexity in relationships.

What happens when you are screwed in love? Irrfan Khan, Arunoday Singh, Chitrangada Singh and Aditi Rao Hydari will show you the quirky, romantic coincidences and commotions through their characters Arun, Kuldeep, Priti and Shanti respectively in ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’, which is releasing Friday.

In the film, Arun (Irrfan) has to save Priti (Chitrangada) the woman he loves, but before that he has to save the man Priti loves – Shyam who is the future son-in-law of a powerful minister.

On the other hand, time is running out for Kuldeep (Arunoday), a gangster, who is on his last job as his wife threatens to walk out on him. But he believes that she is cheating on him and wants to leave him for another man.

Kuldeep can handle dreaded gangsters, but when it comes to his wife, he is weak and soft. He is screwed when the minister’s daughter calls off her engagement with Shyam whom Kuldeep has held captive. She doesn’t care about Shyam any more; neither does the minister who Kuldeep hoped would pay the ransom.

The film shows how far these two men would go to get the women they love and how sometimes what they believe to be a goof-up can also help put things on the right track.

While Irrfan and Arunoday are working for the first time with Mishra, this is Chitrangada’s second film with the filmmaker after ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’ in 2005.

‘She gives lots of grace to rather complicated stories. There is a lot of depth in her performance. Whenever I would have a part like that, I would go for her,’ the filmmaker said.

Made at a budget of about Rs.10 crore, the film is produced by Prakash Jha and was shot in Delhi. The director canned the scenes in areas like Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh and even in a village on the outskirts of the capital.

Sitarist Nishat Khan has composed the music, while Swanand Kirkire penned lyrics.

As a director Mishra has made his mark with ‘Dharavi ‘ and ‘Chameli’, but his last outing ‘Raat Gayi Baat Gayi’ was not so successful and another directorial ventureof his, ‘Tere Kya Hoga Johnny’, has yet to see the light of the day. Hence ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ is an important film for him and he is leaving no stones unturned to promote it.

The critically acclaimed director even launched online game – Love Rescue Mission – on the official Facebook fan page of the movie and got overwhelming response. Hopefully, the movie gets same kind of response at the box office when it opens.

‘It’s a relief that the film is releasing. It’s releasing well, Prakash Jha is behind the film, actors are good, people are liking the film, the promos are creating a good buzz, music is very good…finally it seems things are on track,’ Mishra told IANS.

So far movies released this year enjoyed a good run at the box office. ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ is the first release of the second month of the year and hopefully it continues the success story.

IANS

Secret to Kylie’s sexy looks – great underwear!

London, Jan 31 – Pop diva Kylie Minogue has credited the secret of her sexiness to good underwear and an all-over body make up.

“I know a lot of tricks to make everything look good, basically very good underwear and all-over body make-up. That’s my secret”, she told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.

The 42-year-old also complained that her bottom often gets more attention than she does, but said she has no plans to stop wearing hot pants.

“My face has been outshone by my bottom. After the ‘Spinning Around’ video, people became a lot more interested in my behind than they were in me. It makes me laugh, and every time I pull on a pair of hot pants I think to myself, ‘This is the last time’, but it never is. I haven’t quite put an end date on hot pants yet,” said Minogue.

She said being thought of as sexy made her happy.

“I’ve never had a problem with being a sex symbol. I’m a woman and it’s a lovely compliment. It’s a nice feeling that people like how you look. I’ve always been very comfortable with it,” she said.

Minogue said she still couldn’t believe she is 42 now.

“Part of me feels like I’m still 21 and I always will be. A lot of people thought I would have a problem when it came to turning 40, but I didn’t – I totally embraced my forties,” she said.

“When I’m in the retirement home, I’ll still be getting out my old costumes and feathers and putting on a show. It’s what I’ve been doing my entire life and it’s a total blast,” she added.

And there is another side to Minogue that most people have not seen.

“I can be a total nerd. I love to pull on casual clothes and play golf, and when I’m with my nephews I turn into this woman who rolls around on the floor, changing nappies and getting covered in poop,” she said. (ANI)

Shweta Tiwari married to Abhinav Kolhi

Television star and Bigg Boss winner Shweta Tiwari married to beau Abhinav Kolhi in a private ceremony just before entering the Bigg Boss house. After separating from ex-husband Raja Chaudhary, Abhinav lands support to Shweta and her family. When Shweta was in the Bigg Boss house, Raja barged into her house and tried to snatch away their daughter Palak but Abhinav rescued her. 

Raja Chaudhary wanted back his daughter Palak. He has assaulted Shweta physically and mentally several times and various cases of torture against his ex-wife are booked under his name in police station. 

The couple has not yet official declared their marriage.