Veena Malik's Ramazan show dropped after public outrage

Veena Malik's new Ramazan show, in which she was supposed to repent for her sins, didn't seem to have settled well with the awaam.

 From internet petitions calling for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ban the show, the anger was hot and unrestricted. The furor and resentment around the show finally made the production team rethink their decision to air it.

“Hero TV is for the awaam. If the awaam does not want to see Veena Malik on this Ramazan show, then we will cancel it.”  The member also added that they respect the wishes of the populace.

A YouTube user by the name Hamza Imran uploaded a video of his reaction to Veena’s Ramazan promo. Cursing heavily, he appealed to viewers. “Can you imagine Veena Malik, who not so long ago stripped half naked with an ISI tattoo on her? She hasn’t got any right to be entering Pakistan, let alone being on a TV show that has such religion significance,” he said in the video.

He also added that he had uploaded his video to “spread the message” to the show’s producers for its cancellation. “I’m not just going to be Facebooking or liking things online because that’s not going to make a difference. I want people to email Hero TV and send them hate messages and ask them to stop this. She’s a disgrace of a person. How dare she?” he added.

EK THA TIGER music review: World music with a Bollywood tadka!

Music: Sohail Sen, Sajid-Wajid
Lyrics: Kausar Munir, Anvita Dutt, Neelesh Misra
Singers: Wajid, Sukhwinder Singh, Shreya Ghosal, Mohit Chauhan, KK, Palak Muchhal, Tarannum Malik
Rating: ***

Everything about Ek Tha Tiger is on a huge scale – produced by Yash Raj Films, starring two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead, and exotic locations, larger than life stunts and visuals that spark lively interest.

The music has to be on the same level too and Sohail Sen has been given the responsibility to do just that. He uses a variety of sounds and instruments, aptly so, since the film has been shot in various international locations including Istanbul, Dublin and Havana. Guest composers Sajid-Wajid have been roped in to compose the song Mashallah.

The album kicks off with Julius Packim’s Tiger’s Theme – a racy, suspense inducing track that’s typical of thrillers. Interspersed with East European sounds, it’s full of electronic grooves and digital beats. It will surely be an effective background score as action unfolds on screen. Yet, it leaves you with a ‘been there heard that’ kind of feeling.

Guitars, violins, bongos and drums lead you into Banjaara. The marching effect (due to the foot tapping) invokes great rhythm. But it has a very obvious Dil hara (from Tashan) hangover, especially since both the songs have been sung by Sukhwinder Singh. The orchestration and the chorus add loads of festivity to the number. The lyrics are average. Sohail Sen blends a mainstream Bollywood composition with Irish influences to come up with Banjaara – The High Kings meet Anu Malik kind of track! Looks like this one’s for the Dublin portion of the movie.

Lapata uses Latin rhythms and Spanish acoustic guitars for the authentic Cuban touch, since it has been set in Havana. The song was recorded locally in Cuba and the orchestration is of good quality. The chorus does well and newcomer Palak Muchhal matches up to KK’s vocals. Still, it comes over as a very average song, thanks to the ordinary core composition.

For Saiyaara, Sen keeps it simple and uses more traditional instruments like santoor and drums, keyboards and guitar. Mohit Chauhan brings loads of passion to the song. Tarannum Malik’s voice is refreshing and her low-key notes complement the high-pitched singing by Chauhan. It’s a song that you’ll start humming without even realising it, whether you like it or not. Lyricist Kausar Munir’s writing in this one is poetic. The use of the word Saiyaara – which means ‘lonely planet’ – has been done beautifully to portray the distance between the two lovers.

Mashallah is a straight lift from an Arabic wedding song. So no points to Sajid-Wajid for creating the best tune on this soundtrack! It’s a groovy and hummable number with Arabic lyrics by Kausar Munir. Wajid is decent, but Shreya Ghosal sings beautifully. She uses a husky tone and sounds completely in sync with the middle-eastern melody. Benny Dayal sings the Arabic portions with ease.

The zingy chorus intercepts the music. Use of Middle Eastern instruments like the hand-tapped tambourine, the djembe and the darbuka transports you to Arabic lands. The violin and finger cymbals add a new dimension. Mashallah is a winner!

The remixes of Lapata, Mashallah and Banjaara are nothing special and the song writing could have definitely been better. Don’t expect a Dabangg or a Bodyguard; the music of Ek Tha Tiger is meek in comparison. There is no item number and no playing to the gallery. Sen makes a good musical effort to create interesting sounds that set the backdrop for this thriller, and Salman Khan’s attitude can and will definitely make it work.

Salman Khan spotted on a dinner date with Bipasha Basu!

New Delhi: Some time ago, speculations were rife that Bong bombshell Bipasha Basu is keen to start her life anew post her break up with John Abraham. And for that matter, she has reportedly been sending feelers to Salman Khan showing her interest to work with him.

Now with the way things are happening in Bips’ favour, it seems that her dream is not far from being realised. On the evening of July 22, Bipasha and Salman were spotted dining at a restaurant in Bandra by three people who took to twitter (see pic) in excitement to tell the world about their celeb sighting.

Industry insiders have revealed that Bipasha might be signed by Salman’s brother Sohail Khan for a song in his next production, which has tentatively been titled ‘Sher Khan’. No wonder, all the big, small and amateur actresses these days are making a beeline before Sallu after realising his star power that had turned a struggler like Katrina Kaif into a bankable star.

But we really wonder whether this date was meant to serve just a single purpose or is there something else cooking up?

We are not real-life couple: Salman-Katrina Interview

The wait is over. Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif’s hit pairing is back with Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger. Sreya Basu catches up with the actors in Mumbai

The first song from Ek Tha Tiger - Mashallah – is just out and people are saying you gave a tough competition to Katrina with your moves…
Salman: What do you mean? That I gave a tough competition to Katrina in the song at this age! Well, almost. Katrina is damn good in the song. I am getting there. Just think what will happen the next time we come together, if it happens.

Katrina, what do you have to say?
Katrina: What takes us five days’ rehearsals to do, Salman does it in one minute. So I had to work extra, extra, extra hard.

Salman, do you agree?
Salman: That is a fact. Katrina is very hard-working. She rehearses for five-seven days for every song and also works hard on every scene. So that success rate and appreciation she enjoys today is actually due to her hard work. I have the talent side and hence don’t have to work very hard. That’s why at times I look so bad on screen.

Name a Bollywood actor whom you really find Mashallah (Wow!).
Salman: Katrina.

Katrina: Salman.

Salman, for the first time you are working with Yash Chopra camp (they being the producers). How was the experience?
Salman: It felt damn good working with them. I felt as if I was working with them for ages. My father (screenwriter Salim Khan) used to work with them and what has been his experience is mine too after working in this film, and that is, very good.

With Ek Tha Tiger trailer banned in Pakistan, are you planning to visit the country to try to set things right?
Salman: I read it in the newspapers that I am visiting Pakistan. If it is needed, then I will definitely go there.

The film is being promoted as a romantic action thriller. Can action and romance be put together?
Salman: See, the action does not work if the emotion does not work. If the emotion is there, you are doing something for somebody, for the country, your girlfriend or for something that is important to you, then only the action has a meaning. There is no point in just fighting with fighters.

Katrina, how was it to fall in love with a spy on screen?
Katrina: I had heard the script quite some time back. At the end of the film you would know nobody else could have done it like the way Salman has done it. It’s a character you have never seen before.

Salman: See, what you asked her and what she answered!

Katrina, after giving two hit item numbers (Sheila Ki Jawani and Chikni Chameli), is there a chance of being typecast as an item girl?
Katrina: I don’t feel that; don’t know if someone else feels like that.

Salman: She is not doing item songs. She is doing favours to her friends. Karan Johar (filmmaker) is her friend and he requested her to do the song (Chikni Chameli in Agneepath) and so she did the song.

Like we requested her that Katrinaji please do that small bit in the title song of Bodyguard. And she did us a great favour and did the song. So these are not item songs but songs that become hugely popular and it’s her large heartedness that she is obliging us. Else who helps friends in today’s date? All have become selfish.


Salman, do you consider yourself as the ‘tiger’ of Bollywood?
Salman: How does it matter what I feel. My name is Salman Khan and I like my name very much which has been given to me by my parents. What fans gave me, ‘Sallu’, I don’t know how it became accepted by all. I think Jackie (Shroff, actor) started it.

Fans name you going by the flow of the Friday-Saturday (when a film releases) and the feel the promos give them. So you have Radhe (from Wanted), Chulbul Pandey (from Dabangg), Lovely Singh (from Bodyguard) and now Tiger (from Ek Tha Tiger). So these names will keep changing till the films become superhits.

There is a dialogue in Ek Tha Tiger where Katrina says you now don’t have the age to have an affair and that you should get married. So will you get married in real life only when Katrina asks you to?
Salman: Ask Katrina about it.

Katrina: I think it’s nobody’s decision but Salman’s about when he should get married. He has to decide.

Aamir Khan has said Ek Tha Tiger will be a superhit. What do you have to say?
Salman: Ji, unke muh mein ghee-sakkar. I also spoke to him. He said he has liked the trailer very much and that the film, as per his opinion, will run successfully.

Katrina has a huge male fan-following. Do you think she is easy to fall in love with on screen?
Salman: Ya, definitely… on screen, off screen.

Katrina, you are considered as one of the most gorgeous actors in Bollywood. So what’s your beauty secret?
Katrina: I just follow a good diet. And also I work out when I can…yoga, meditation, even if it’s for a short time. And using good (beauty) products also necessary.

Do you believe in eating or dieting?
Katrina: I believe if you eat too much of anything, it will show on your skin. Like, if I eat too much fish, it will show on my face and hair. I keep it simple…fresh fruits, vegetables, protein. I don’t believe in a strict diet. You can have pasta but then, hit the gym after having it.

Do you think a clash between established actors and newcomers is unavoidable in Bollywood?
Katrina: I feel all newcomers should be given a fair chance…I was given a fair chance.

Who do you consider as your biggest competitor?
Katrina: I believe at the end of the day you have to compete with your self. Of course, you have to be aware of what people are doing around you. I mean, if someone has done four author-backed or female dominated roles, then I ask myself to keep a check on the kind of films I am doing.

Are you happy the way your career has shaped up or you expected more?
Katrina: I am happy with the direction I am going right now. I am just trying to better myself than my last…whether it’s dancing, performing or doing slightly more complex characters.

Salman, you once said in an interview that real-life couples can’t necessarily create on-screen magic...
Salman: (Interrupts) I still maintain that.

But you and Katrina look scorching whenever you come together in a film…
Salman: We are not real-life couple.

Who will play Mithun's sister: Ileana D'Cruz or Diana Penty

Buzz is that both actresses are vying for the role in Akshay Kumar's next, after Nargis failed to 'look' the part

Now that Nargis Fakhri is out of Akshay Kumar’s next action comedy, apparently Ileana D’Cruz, who was initially considered for the part, might return to the cast.

The Rockstar actress was reportedly dropped because she didn’t have the looks to be cast as Mithun Chakraborthy’s sister. However, word is that even model Diana Penty is in the race for the same role.

A reliable industry source tells us that self-proclaimed ‘well-wishers’ of Ileana have sent feelers to the production team. “Messages have been sent and calls have been made to the makers to sign Ileana. Moreover, they’re even saying that Nargis was never meant to be in the film. Besides, there’s also emphasis on how she’s the talent to watch out for,” explains our source.

If that’s not enough, there are also friends of Diana who are recommending her name as Akshay’s heroine in the film that is being produced by him and Himesh Reshammiya.

“Ever since the promos of her debut film have come out, Diana has been getting praise for her portions. On the basis of that, the makers are also being contacted to consider Diana for the part,” divulges our informer.

Now it remains to be seen who is eventually signed up to play Mithun’s sis. Especially, since the shooting is scheduled to start early next month. While neither of the actor-producers was available for comment, a well-placed source associated with the production maintained, “Yes, we have been getting feelers from Ileana’s and Diana’s end. We’ll finalise the heroine in a few days.”

Katrina Kaif in sequal of Yamla Pagla Deewana

The " Yamla Pagla Deewana" sequel will go on floors by August end and the hunt for the leading lady in the movie is still on. Sangeeth Sivan, who has replaced Samir Karnik, director of the first "YPD", is on the lookout for the same.

While there has been a lot of speculation surrouding this, we hear the Deols are keen on casting Katrina Kaif, who shared screen space with them in "Apne", back in 2007.

Says Bobby Deol, "All I can say right now is that we will be shooting extensively in Birmingham and other parts of England." About news of Preity Zinta having been dropped from the project due to the sum she demanded for the film, he says, "There's no truth in this. This has never been the case and PZ is a dear friend."

A source close to the unit said, "Negotiations are on. If Katrina doesn't agree, there are some other names under consideration." The sequel will see a change in the storyline. "Of course, there will be action since Sunny is there. We added more elements to the story," says Bobby, who is growing his hair for his role in the sequel. The movie is likely to be wrapped up by the end of this year; the Deols are not keen on delaying the project.

No Sunny, Bipasha in 'Jism 3'

While Jism 2 has already created a big buzz, more excitement is in store. Even before the film starring Sunny Leone, Arunodoy Singh and Randeep Hooda hits the theatres, Pooja Bhatt has already begun planning for another movie in the Jism franchise.

Ask her if Sunny Leone will be there in the movie and Pooja says, "Bipasha was not there in Jism 2. So why would Sunny be there in Jism 3? I have to move on... raise the bar and excitement levels. There will neither be Bipasha nor Sunny in Jism 3."

Mum who faked daughter's kidnap wants Kate Winslet to star as her in film

A SICK mum who faked her nine-year-old daughter’s kidnap wants Titanic star Kate Winslet to play her in a film about her life.

Scheming fantasist Karen Matthews, 36, has started writing a book about daughter Shannon.

The mum of seven came up with the idea to cash in on her ­daughter’s disappearance, which she staged in February 2008 in an attempt to claim a £50,000 reward.

The deluded fantasist hopes it will be turned into a blockbuster movie with the lead played by a £6million-a-film Oscar ­winner, or “her off Titanic”.

In the book, titled Karen Matthews: The Truth, she has vowed to name others she says were involved in the twisted plot “to get them banged up”.

One relation said: “She thinks it will be a best-seller.

“She’s crazy and reckons Kate Winslet should play her if it was made into a film.

“Except she didn’t know her name and just kept saying ‘her off Titanic’.”

A change in UK law means Matthews would face legal action to claw back any proceeds of crime.

Now living at a bail hostel, she was released from jail at Easter after serving half of an eight-year sentence.

Cops discovered the drugged schoolgirl a few miles from her Yorkshire home in the grotty flat of her uncle Michael Donovan, 43, also jailed.

Matthews had reported her missing 24 days earlier and cried crocodile tears in a TV appeal.

Imogen Thomas strips to bare essentials to support Ryan Giggs’ team

London: Imogen Thomas stripped down to her lingerie as she rallied behind the Team GB stars to support them at the Olympics, including the football aces led by her ex-lover Ryan Giggs.

The 29-year-old model has told her pals that she’s still a huge football fan and hopes captain Giggs’ ball skills will help bring home gold for Great Britain.


“She’s even going to watch the match in her tiny Team GB top to give them a boost,” the Daily Star quoted a pal as saying.

ANI

Kareena Kapoor’s ‘Halkat Jawaani’ to be hotter than ‘Chikni Chameli’

New Delhi: Kareena Kapoor, who has been making waves for her hot avatar even before the release of her film ‘Heroine’, has been trying hard to set a new benchmark in the realm of Bollywood item numbers.

However, it seems that Bebo’s prime agenda is to beat none other than rival Katrina Kaif. The latter had besotted the entire nation with her charming dance act in the song ‘Chikni Chameli’ in the Hrithik Roshan starrer ‘Agneepath’ that released worldwide in January this year.

A little birdie has dropped in to inform us that Kareena Kapoor and her ‘Heroine’ director Madhur Bhandharkar have especially hired pro choreographer Ganesh Acharya to choreograph ‘Halkat Jawani’, which they want to be way better than Kat’s item number.

Well, going by the efforts that team ‘Heroine’ is putting in their film, it seems that a real treat is in store for the movie buffs out there!

Every holiday is a Sunday: Prachi Desai

Quite contrary to her sweet girl-next-door image, actress Prachi Desai reveals that she has a super-fun side to her. And the Bol Bachchan actor says that this side of her is out on full show especially on Sundays. “Well, I don’t really have any one day where I go all out to have fun or show that lighter side of me, but yes I have always associated Sundays with having more fun than usual,” says Prachi.

“Even as a kid, Sundays would be the most important days of my life back then, as the day meant getting to play, watch TV and no studies. The simplicity of the holiday is probably what I miss the most today as an actor, as Sundays disappear from our schedules,” adds the actor, elaborating that as an actor there are no weekdays or weekends, only ‘working and non-working days’. “So, naturally any holiday that I get now is automatically a Sunday for me,” she adds.

As for her plans for the day, Prachi reveals that she likes to catch up with her friends and that’s priority for her on her holiday. “I don’t party too much, that’s really not my scene, especially when it comes to attending film bashes, but I do enjoy get-togethers with friends. That’s when I can really let my hair down. So, I enjoy long drives and catching up on a movie. I also don’t mind chilling all day at home, because sometimes after long days of shoots, all you want to do is catch up on your sleep,” adds Prachi.

The actor reveals that she also loves to indulge herself once in a while. “That could be shopping or visiting a spa,” says the actor. Prachi reveals that though she started off her career on TV, she hardly gets any time to watch it these days. “So, on my holiday, I try to watch TV though I tend to gravitate towards movies more than shows,” reveals Prachi.

“I also love listening to music, And since it’s rainy season, if time permits I would love to head out of town. I have grown up in Panchgani and it’s always been so beautiful there, so I often plan to drive down there on Sundays, but then it's always so much to do in that one holiday that travelling is out of the question. But yes, no matter what the day, I do try to make the most of it, and live it to the fullest,” smiles the actor.

First poster of Kareena Kapoor's Heroine out!

Madhur Bhandarkar today released the first poster of the much-awaited film Heroine on twitter showing actress Kareena Kapoor in a glam avatar.

The poster has Kareena dressed in a shimmery tank top and shorts lying down on a bed surrounded by magazines and photos of herself and an empty wine glass.

"Presenting the 1st poster of Heroine to all my well wishers. Hope you like it," Bhandarkar tweeted.

The film, charting the journey of a Bollywood actress, is set to hit theatres on September 14.

Kate Middleton's Midas Touch

Catherine Middleton has been effecting our wardrobes and beauty buys ever since she got engaged to Prince William.

Especially recently with a lot of focus on her eyebrows.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s effect on sales at Escentual.com have been phenomenal and sales of eye brow kits and accessories are six times higher from last month (June 2012) than the previous year.

The biggest sales spike came over the Diamond Jubilee celebration weekend. On the days Kate appeared a lot on TV, such as on the Thames river boat procession and the Jubilee pop concert, there were record sales of eye-brow products on Escentual.com

Escentual Marketing Director Louise Reed said: “Over the Jubilee celebrations we sold nearly five months worth of stock in three days – and it can only be down to Kate Middleton.”

She added: “Clearly this was a time when a lot of the country were watching Kate on TV and she looked absolutely amazing so many women went online to try and emulate her eyebrow look. From now on, whenever there is a major televised event that Kate is attending we make sure that we stock up on key products to try to keep up with demand.”

Their best-selling kit the Clarins Pro Palette and has sold out nationwide as well. The product sold out early, and Louise Reed believes they could have sold double the number if they had been available. They have been promised more stock of the top selling Clarins product next week. There has also been a run on other brow products as well like bareMinerals Brow Colour.

Narjis Music releases DAMAD CHAHI FOKAT MEIN music

Narjis music has recently released the music of upcoming movie DAMAD CHAHI FOKAT MEIN. Produced by Indus Cine Production Pvt. Ltd.

DAMAD CHAHI FOKAT MEIN will son be released at major centres of Bihar. The movie has been produced by Jai Vijai Singh, Arunesh Singh and Anil Kumar Dwivedi and has been directed by Balkrishna Singh.

The music has been composed by K. Ratnesh while the lyricist are Mahesh Kumar Jha and Satish Tiwari. The movie stars Vinay Anand, Rajesh Kumar, Naina Om, Shweta Mishra, Jyoti Jatav, Abhilasha and Manoj Tiger.