Rakhi Sawant, others join Raj’s film workers’ sena

Mumbai, March 24 – Item girl Rakhi Sawant and top Marathi film stars have joined the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (MNCKS), an affiliate of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a top office-bearer said here Thursday.

 

Some of the biggest male and female actors of the Marathi film industry became members of MNCKS during its ongoing membership drive, said union general secretary Shalini Thackeray. She is the wife of Jeetendra Thackeray, a cousin of MNS founder Raj Thackeray, the estranged nephew of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

‘So far, we have notched over 25,000 members, both from the Marathi film industry as well as Hindi film industry. And the list is growing,’ Thackeray told IANS.

Through the MNCKS, the MNS will take up the issue of foreign artistes being hired in Bollywood which deprives local talent of many opportunities.

‘We shall also launch a struggle to elevate the status of Marathi film industry and bring it at par with Bollywood through different methods,’ Thackeray said.

These would include allotting prime time slots for screening Marathi movies in multiplexes to attract higher viewership.

She pointed out that most multiplexes in big cities like Mumbai and Pune exhibit Marathi movies as a token to stay within government regulations.

However, they are screened at odd hours like afternoons or late nights when there are no takers, and then abruptly yanked off on grounds of poor patronage, she said.

The film industry in the state comprises over 250,000 people working at different levels in various departments. However, Thackeray said that her union has all departments under a single roof with a centralised decision-making authority to resolve problems.

Recently, the MNCKS helped out aged and ailing Bollywood artistes like A.K. Hangal and ‘Sholay’ editor M.S. Shinde.

On an average, around 200 new Marathi films ranging from modest to big budget investments hit the screens every year.

Incidentally, Thackeray herself hit the headlines two years ago when she became the first Thackeray family daughter-in-law to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North-West constituency, but lost out to Gurudas Kamat, now a union minister.

IANS

Kardashian hates washing cars

London, March 25 – Actress Kim Kardashian prefers to wait for the rain to wash a car rather than doing it herself. 

The 30-year-old actress hates taking a sponge to her vehicle as she is too lazy to do that, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

‘I love when my car is dirty and it starts to rain! Makes me not feel so bad for my car being dirty! I love the free car wash,’ Kardashian posted on her Twitter account. 

IANS

Lohan rejects judge's offer

Los Angeles — Lindsay Lohan is rejecting a judge’s offer to end a felony grand theft case early in exchange for a return to jail.

The decision means Lohan’s case will have a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to stand trial. Today was the deadline for Lohan to plead no contest or guilty to taking a $2,500 necklace.

Lohan has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

Working with ammi was bit scary: Soha Ali Khan

New Delhi, March 25 – Facing the camera with her mom was not an easy task for Soha Ali Khan who was ‘nervous’ while shooting with Sharmila Tagore for the film ‘Life Goes On’. This is the first time the duo will be seen together on screen. 

‘I didn’t forget my lines or anything, but I was nervous because she has a very good aesthetic sense,’ Soha told IANS in an interview here.

‘When in a good mood, she is amazing. But when in a bad mood, it’s like the worst thing ever. But she was very good and restrained during shooting and also suggested to me to follow director Sangeeta Datta’s instruction carefully,’ added the 32-year-old actor who was here for an event.

‘Life Goes On’ opens Friday and it is an emotional drama about generational conflict set in contemporary London.

Asked about her expectations, she said: ‘I have no expectation and I have learnt not to expect anything from films. Yes, it was great working for the movie. I got a chance to work with ammi (Sharmila). It’s quite an emotional movie where the journey of the loss of a mother and family is portrayed in a sensitive way,’ she said.

Banker-turned-actress Soha made her debut with Anant Mahadevan’s 2004 film ‘Dil Maange More’ and featured next year in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ‘Rang De Basanti’.

For Soha, getting into showbiz was not an initial career choice, but thanks to her actor brother Saif and her mother, it soon became her profession too. Despite coming from an illustrious film family, she is still struggling for her share of limelight in tinseltown.

After the debacle of ‘Tum Mile’, Soha is hoping for a better future in Bollywood.

‘I was offered a variety of roles, which range from practical to interesting to downright outrageous, but things didn’t work out well. This year you will see me in a variety of roles,’ said Soha.

Her first release will be ‘Chemistry’ with Shreyas Talpade. Co-produced by Shreyas, the love story revolves around two people dumped by their respective partners and their lives afterwards.

‘It’s a mad role and you will see me in pink hair in it. My character is between Charlie Chaplin and Devanand Sagar. The character was a bit out of my normal acting range as I do more intense films. There is a lot of improvisation and laughs,’ she said.

‘I am also doing a film called ‘Sound track’ which is opposite Rajiv Khandelwal. It is an official remake of Hollywood comedy ‘It’s All Gone Pete Tong ‘. Rajiv plays DJ and I play a girl who is born deaf. I find the role very interesting. It was difficult to get into that mode because I can’t imagine life without sound and you can’t work it out either. So I kept on forgetting the fact that I am playing a deaf girl,’ said Soha.

Talking about her personal life, Soha, who is dating Kunal Khemu, said she is ready to settle down in a couple of years.

‘I am in comfortable space and we (Kunal and Soha) are happy with our career graphs; so whenever the right time comes, we will announce our marriage,’ she said.

What about Saif who said he’ll get married before her as he’s the elder brother?

‘That’s not necessary. I don’t have to wait for anyone because I don’t want to. If he takes 10 years then I will never wait. I don’t know how long he will take, he might tie the knot tomorrow!’ she said.

‘Monica’ has nothing to do with Niira Radia: Producer Kush Bhargava

New Delhi, March 24 – Politician-filmmaker Kush Bhargava says his film ‘Monica’, which is releasing Friday, has nothing to do with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and that it was completed much before she came into the public eye.

 

‘This movie was made more than a year ago when her (Niira Radia) name was known to very few people and she was not a public figure. So from my side it is a categorical denial that ‘Monica’ has anything to do with Niira Radia,’ Bhargava told IANS on the phone from Mumbai.

‘In fact, it is not the story of anyone dead or alive. It is inspired by many stories like Shivani (Shivani Bhatnagar was an Indian Express journalist killed in 1999) and Madhumita Shukla (Lucknow based poetess who was also killed).

‘I have been asked this question at press meets before the release of the film whether it has anything to do with 2G or 3G scam? And I have categorically denied this. Plus, the protagonist Monica dies in the film,’ said the Lucknow-based Congress leader adding: ‘Of course, the film is releasing on Friday.’

Inspired by ambitious women, the film has Divya Dutta in the main lead. Yashpal Sharma and Kittu Gidwani will also be seen in it.

Niira Radia, linked to the spectrum scam, Thursday urged the Delhi High Court to stay the release of ‘Monica’ that she said depicted her life in a scandalous manner.

Justice V.K. Jain issued notice to Bhargava asking him to file a copy of the film script or a CD by March 30, the next date of hearing.

Asked about the notice, Bhargava said: ‘I have no knowledge whatsoever of any petition of this sort. I have not received any notice from the honourable court.’

He also clarified that the title of the film is ‘Monica’ adding: ‘The words ‘The politics of murder’ are just being used for publicity on posters.’

This is Bhargava’s first feature film. Earlier he made a telefilm ‘Kasak’ with Deepti Naval.

Russell Brand wants to gatecrash royal wedding

London, March 25 – Comedian Russell Brand says he wants to gatecrash Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. 

Although the 35-year-old hasn’t been invited to their nuptials April 29, he plans to attend the wedding by dressing as Queen Elizabeth, the 84-year-old British monarch, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

‘I’m not invited. I’m going anyway though. I’m going to dress up as the queen. I’m going to say ‘Hallo, I’m the queen. Happy wedding day William and Kate. Do it baby, kiss, kiss,’ he said jokingly. 

IANS

Adapted flicks are a hit!

The King's Speech", "The Social Network", "Conviction", "127 Hours" all have something in common.

Not only were these the biggest hits in 2010, bagged the top honours at all the award shows, but they all were inspired from real people or real life events. This formula of adapting movies from the real have been very successful in cracking the box office jackpot. In the past too, it can be seen that the movies that had won the top awards in Hollywood, mainly the Oscars were generally based on real life people and actual events. Be it "The Aviator", "Erin Brockovich", "A Beautiful Mind", "The Hours", "Ray", "Capote", all have gone ahead and bagged the Academy Award for the Best Motion Picture. Actors in Hollywood too swear by these real life inspired roles as it always brings to their kitty an Oscar. While Reese Witherspoon made it big with "Walk The Line" for portraying singer June Carter Cash, Julia Roberts finally got her much deserved Oscar for portraying environmental activist Erin Brockovich. Then it was Nicole Kidman who won it for donning a false nose and playing writer Virgina Woolf. Actor Jamie Foxx won the award for essaying blues legend Ray Charles, and Philip Seymour Hoffman won his golden statuette for the portrayal of author Truman Capote. And recently, it was Colin Firth, who bagged the Academy Award for "The Kings Speech". So, we rest our case. If you want the Oscar or are in the mood for some critical acclaim, well, play a real guy!

Real flicks of 2010
Fair Game
Naomi Watts played former CIA agent Valerie Plame, who was ousted by members of the United States

The Social Network
Starred Jesse Eisenberg, it was based on how Facebook came into being, and the lawsuits that followed Mark Zuckerberg.

127 Hours
James Franco played American mountaineer Aron Ralston. During an expedition, Aron was trapped by a boulder for almost five days and had to amputate his own arm.

The Fighter
Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale portrayed the life of boxing legend Micky Ward and his half-brother Dicky Eklund.

Extraordinary Measures
True story of John and Aileen Crowley, who try to find a cure for their two kids who suffer from a rare disease called Pompe.

The Runaways
Based on the relationship between rockers Cherie Currie and Joan Jett from the '70s girl rock band The Runaways.

Secretariat
The movie starring Diane Lane and John Malkovich was based on a horse named Secretariat who had a unbeatable track record of 37 years along with three wins at the Belmont Stakes – the famous American thoroughbred horse race.

Conviction
Hilary Swank played Betty Anne Waters, a single mother who completes her Masters and goes on to study law, in order to save her brother who is wrongly convicted of murder.

The King's Speech
A historical drama on the stuttering problem suffered by King George VI, played by Colin Firth.

I Love You Philip Morris
True story of Steven Jay Russell who escaped from prison four times to be reunited with fellow convict Philip Morris.


Upcoming in 2011
government.

The Rite
This horror flick, based on true events, is a story about a seminary student who goes to Italy for a course in exorcism.

The Fields
Based on the life of screenwriter Harrison Smith and his family who were 'terrorised by unseen presence.'

Non-Disclosure: Haunted
The true story of divorced man who rents a haunted house.

The Way Back
Based on the book "The Long Walk", it is about seven men during World War II, trying to escape a Siberian Gulag camp.

Liz Taylor's final resting place revealed

Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor will be laid to rest at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, it has emerged.

The crypt is next to those of her parents, Francis and Sara and close to Marilyn Monroe's, reports TMZ .

The cemetery is also filled with stars, including Natalie Wood, Roy Orbison, Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin, Merv Griffin and Truman Capote. (ANI)

Shah Rukh Khan to do Dhoom 5?

If King Khan ever has to work in the Dhoom franchise, it has to be Dhoom 5. And there is reason behind it...

Apparently there is a joke that goes amongst Shah Rukh Khan's close friend circle that if Shah Rukh Khan is ever approached to do Dhoom he will be game for it. But not so soon! Yash Raj will have to make another two installments to be able to reach him for taking forward their Dhoom franchise. If it ever has to happen, Shah Rukh Khan will act in Dhoom 5 .

Does that sound weird? But SRK has logic behind it. With every part, the makers of Dhoom have raised the bar and introduced a new villain who was a bigger star that the earlier part. It started with John Abraham. Then they got Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2 and now they have Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3 . So by the time they reach the fifth part and employ all the so-called superstars in their franchise, they would need the biggest superstar of them all to play the negative lead in Dhoom 5 . And that's when Shah Rukh Khan comes into picture!

No prizes for guessing who could be the villain in Dhoom 4 then!

Sarah is Shahid's Heer?

If all goes well, Sarah Jane Diaz may star opposite Shahid Kapoor in Sajid Nadiadwala's Heer Ranjha.

First choice Nargis Fakri has a three film deal with the producers of Rockstar and they are in no mood to let her do a film with another banner.

Sajid is, apparently, looking for a fresh face like someone who has worked in one or two movies max and Sarah certainly fits the bill. Priyanka Chopra is out of the picture even though she was keen on playing Shaks eternal love on screen. The break-up has taken its toll on her professional life as well.

Now Veena Malik to do comedy!

After making us laugh with her antics (remember the preening in the mirror), the controversial Veena Malik will now use her comic talent on reality stage all over again.

The Pakistani girl has been roped in by Sony's Comedy Circus to be part of their upcoming season titled as Comedy Circus Key Tansen. As suggested by the title, the show will have singers as participants too. Every team will be a trio of a TV celebrity, singer and a comedian.

Some of the names confirmed on the show are Abhijeet Sawant, Hard Kaur, Raja Hassan and Abhaas Joshi. Shweta Tiwari has been retained in the upcoming season which will launch on the Fool's Day. Considering the two cats (Veena and Shweta) from Bigg Boss will come together again, we can look forward to some fireworks.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | Movie Preview

Banner: Excel Entertainment
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Story & Screenplay: Reema Kagti & Zoya Akhtar
Dialogues: Farhan Akhtar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music Director: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy
Cinematographer: Carlos Catalan
Editor: Chandan Arora
Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant
Production Designer: Suzanne Caplan Merwanji
Costume: Arjun Bhasin
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Farhan Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah
Genre: Drama
Release Date: May 2011

Synopsis 

It has an interesting ensemble cast and is made by a filmmaker who has shown depth and insight in her debut venture ( Luck By Chance ). In Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara she traverses through the landscapes of Spain. This is a Zoya Akhtar road movie that is sure to be peppered with quirks, slice of life nuggets and loads of drama

Ra.One | Movie Preview

Director: Anubhav Sinha

Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Shahana Goswami
Banner: Red Chillies Entertainment

Synopsis

Shah Rukh Khan's home production Ra.One has been making news for it's resemblance to Rajinikant's superhit Robot . The title Ra.One is an acronym for 'Random Access-Version One' and SRK is playing a superhero in the film called G.One.

Anubhav Sinha is directing this action adventure which promises loads of special effects. International singer Akon is expected to sing a song for the film.

Dum Maaro Dum | Movie Preview

Abhishek Bachchan in Dum Maaro Dum

Director: Rohan Sippy
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Rana Daggubatti, Prateik Babbar, Kangana Ranaut, Aditya Pancholi
Producer: Ramesh Sippy
Music: Pritam
Release Date: April 22, 2011

Synopsis

Dum Maro Dum marks the return of Rohan Sippy as a director after half a decade where he teams up with his favourite actor Abhishek Bachchan.

Said to be on the lines of the Hollywood Oscar winner Traffic , Dum Maaro Dum explores the drug mafia in Goa. Abhishek Bachchan plays a narcotics cop in this film. Dum Maro Dum is an edgy, coming of age, cop-caper with Goa playing a full-fledged character and has lot of thriller elements thrown in. The film also marks debut of Telugu superstar Rana Daggubatti in Bollywood.

The film recently made news for the revival of the cult song Dum Maaro Dum from Dev Anand's Hare Rama Hare Krishna , which the legendary actor has objected to. Deepika Padukone will be performing on the song as an item number in a rave party setting for which Goa is much famous.

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Sallu, Aamir not in Andaz Apna Apna sequel?

The cult comedy starring Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karishma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon will soon have a sequel.

However, the second instalment will not have any scope for the lead stars. Talking on the sidelines of FICCI FRAMES 2011 conclave, Sidhartha M Jain or iRock Productions revealed, "We have plans underway for Andaz Apna Apna sequel. Unlike the original that was live action, the sequel will be an animation film. This is the first time in India that such a thing is happening."

When asked about the involvement of Salman and Aamir in the sequel, Jain said, "We are still looking for a director for the second instalment and once that is finalised we'll talk to Salman and Aamir to voice the characters. If that doesn't materialise, we will go for other alternatives. But for now the idea is to have the Khans on board," he signed off.

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