National award winning actress Rakhee Mazumdar Gulzar, who was born in 1947 in West Bengal, turned 65 years

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IBNS): National award winning actress Rakhee Mazumdar Gulzar, who was born in 1947 in West Bengal, turned 65 years.

She made her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Jeevan Mrityu’ in 1970, under the banner of Rajshri Production, where she was cast opposite Dharmendra.

The actresss, who was featured in several hit films like ‘Heera Panna’, ‘Daag’, ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’, ‘Kasme Vaade’, ‘Kaala Patthar’, was shot to fame with the movie ‘Sharmilee’.

Best known for setting up romantic pair with the Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, she did eight hit films with the superstar including ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’, ‘Kasme Vaade’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Kaala Patthar’, ‘Jurmana’, ‘Barsaat Ki Ek Raat’, and ‘Bemisal’.

The powerhouse actress was well praised for her role in ‘Shakti’, where she portrayed the role of Bachchan’s mother. She received critical acclaim for her role in the award winning Bengali film ‘Paroma’, which dealt with a serious and controversial issue.

In 2003, the actress added another feather to her crown as she was conferred Padma Shri Award, by the Government of India.

The actress holds the record of being most-nominated female performer in the Filmfare awards.

The actress’s first marriage with Bengali director Ajay Biswas was short lived. The actress later married lyricist turned director Gulzar, with whom she has a daughter named Meghna Gulzar, who is also a director.

Happy to be cleared of Bofors taint: Amitabh Bachchan

Mumbai: Expressing happiness over his name being cleared in the Bofors payoff scam, mega-star Amitabh Bachchan, however, said Wednesday that he is 'pained' that it came after 25 years. 

Speaking to reporters here, Bachchan welcomed the revelations made by the Swedish investigators in the Bofors case. He said he had "lived with humiliation and loss of reputation" all these years.

"I am happy that the truth has emerged after 25 years," he said. 

However, he wished that his father, the late Harivanshrai Bachchan, had lived to see this development. "My family knew the truth on Bofors all along, from day one," Bachchan said. 

"My father once asked if I was really involved in the scandal. I wish this disclosure would have happened when he was alive," he added. 

Bachchan's reactions came in response to fresh revelations in the Bofors case in which Swedish investigator Sten Lindstrom said that the case against actor and then Congress MP and his family was planted in Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter by Indian investigators. 

"From the very day we have maintained that we were innocent, for 25 years my as well as my family's name bore the brunt of the scandal of which I was never a part of," he said. 

He, however, wondered as to why Lindstorm cleared his name only now. He said he quit politics only because he could not get used to it. "I left before the Bofors scandal broke, but some people tried to link my exit from politics to the scandal," he said. 

Earlier, Bachchan had said on his blog that 25 years after the incident, "I read today from one that pioneered accusation and investigation, of innocence". 

"No one shall be able to understand or even remotely fathom, the hours and days and months and years of the anguish of petulant blame that I had to go through. But will it really interest another? No it shall not," he wrote. 

The Bofors case dates back to 1986, when Swiss arms manufacturer Bofors landed a Rs 1,500 crore contract to supply 155 mm howitzers to India. A year later, Swiss media began reporting that the company had paid massive kickbacks to Indian politicians, including then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and defence officials. 

Lindstrom now says there is no evidence to show Rajiv Gandhi was bribed.

By : IBNLive

Big B to be honoured at Pune film fest

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured at the 10th Pune International Film Festival to be held here Jan 12-19.

'The Pune Film Festival wishes to honour me for my contribution to cinema and I find that most embarrassing, for the truth is that I really have not contributed at all,' Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

The list of those being honoured includes legendary singer Asha Bhosle and actor Sachin Pilgaonkar. While Asha will be awarded for her invaluable contribution to the Indian cinema, Sachin will receive the honour for completing 50 years in the Indian film industry.

As many as 250 films will be screened on 10 screens across the city during the festival.

IANS

Download the Latest Full songs of Chargesheet (2011) Movie

Latest Bollywood Songs From Chargesheet (2011) Movie

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02 Mera Ishq Bhi Tu (1.8 MB) 

 

04 Bollywood Bollywood (1.9 MB) 

 

06 Har Dil Akela (1.5 MB) 

 

01 Chargesheet (1.3 MB) 

 

03 Sapnon Ki Rani (1.5 MB) 

 

05 Chargesheet (1.3 MB)

Screening of ''Havai Dada'' cheers up disabled kids

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) A special screening of 'Havai Dada', a film starring Anupam Kher and Tanuja, here Saturday cheered up disabled children from non-profit organisation ADAPT, formerly called the Spastic Society of India. 

The film that has been produced by Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and directed by Ajay Karthik, will witness its world premiere on UTV Movies Sep 25. 

'It was a wonderful experience to watch the film with the kids of ADAPT. Their reactions to the film were overwhelming and we had a truly enjoyable time together,' Anupam told reporters here. 

Set in a small village of India, 'Havai Dada' revolves around the loving relationship between a man and his granddaughter. He has never travelled in an aeroplane and it's his granddaughter who tries to fulfil his childhood dream. 

''Havai Dada' is a movie that revolves around a little girl and her struggles to fulfil a dream and we wanted to share this experience with the kids of ADAPT. It's a story that encourages the kids to emerge stronger from their struggles and is sure to motivate them,' said Sameer Ganapathy, business head, UTV Movies.

If Amitabh Bachchan can smoke, why can’t I: Riya Sen

Riya Sen is excited about her upcoming movie with Vinay Pathak and claims that smoking and drinking on-screen is not wrong if the script demands it.

Riya asserts that she will never endorse cigarettes and alcohol. However, she won’t mind doing it in films, if the script demands it and talking about the same, she said, “Yes, I will never endorse such brands, but I have no issues doing it in movies if the script demands it. If Amitabh Bachchan can do it, why can’t I?”

Riya also confessed that she doesn’t follow a strict diet plan and cannot keep herself away from food.

Bollywood bids final goodbye to Shammi Kapoor

With moist eyes and prayers, Shammi Kapoor's family members and friends bid goodbye to the veteran actor at his funeral at the Ban Ganga cremation ground here Monday morning.

The 79-year-old actor, who was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital, Aug 7, breathed his last Sunday morning after suffering kidney failure.

Shammi's body was brought to the cremation ground around 10.30 in the morning and the last rites were performed by his son, Aditya Raj Kapoor, who was wearing his father’s beads around his neck. The late actor’s brother, Shashi Kapoor, who is himself unwell, attended the cremation on a wheelchair.

His nephews Randhir and Rishi Kapoor and his grandnephew Ranbir were also present for the last rites.

Apart from the family, many Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Prakash Jha, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ketan Desai, Satish Kaushik, Subhash Ghai, Jug Mundhra, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Yash Chopra, Nikhil Advani and Sudhir Mishra also came to the cremation ground.

Danny Denzongpa, Ranjeet, Fardeen Khan, Vinod Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Tom Alter, Shatrughan Sinha, Tinu Anand and Kabir Bedi were also there.

Among the actress who came for the funeral were Priyanka Chopra and Madhuri Dixit.

Stringent security measures were taken and the entire area was full of police personnel.

There can never be a singer like Rafi: Lata Mangeshkar

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar remembers late singer Mohammed Rafi on his 31st death anniversary and says there can never be a singer like him again. Both of them sang 414 duets together.

'Today's the 31st death anniversary of Rafi sahab. He was an honest and a lovely human being. My family and Rafi sahab shared a great relationship together. It's my honour that I got an opportunity to sing maximum number of songs with him,' Lata posted on her Twitter page.

'We have worked in almost 315 films and have sung 414 duets together. We can never have such a great singer again,' she added.

They have given evergreen hit songs like 'Bekhudi mein sanam', 'Haye re haye', 'Chhup gaye saare nazare' among others.

Rafi lent his voice for almost all the leading actors such as Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna. 

The singer died of a heart attack in Mumbai July 31, 1981, at the age of 56.

Star ethics: No actor ever returns any money

Approaches CINTAA as he has no intention of returning the signing amount to 'Gandhi To Hitler' producers, thus starting a debate on 'star ethics'

The dispute between Anupam Kher and the makers of Gandhi To Hitler has now gotten murkier.

To counter the legal course taken by the film's producers to recover the signing amount paid to him after he backed out of the project, the actor has approached the CINTAA (Cinema & Television Artistes' Association) for a resolution, apparently claiming the makers (Anil Kumar Sharma and Anil Singh) are using him for publicity.

Raza Murad, chairperson of the joint dispute settlement committee, CINTAA, comes out openly in favour of Anupam: "In my 25 years with CINTAA, we've never received any complaint against Anupam Kher.

He is one of our most professional actors. Why didn't the makers of this film (Gandhi To Hitler) approach us earlier? Why didn't they complain when Anupam backed out?"

With regard to the issue of the signing amount, Murad says, "There's generally a mutual understanding between the actor and producer on this matter.

In this case, too, maybe there was an understanding that the signing amount would be adjusted for whatever preparation Anupam had undertaken for the role.

How else can you explain why the producers didn't ask him to return the money when he backed out?"

He makes it clear that using artistes' names negatively to promote a film would not be tolerated. "It's a small industry; there are no permanent friends or enemies here.

We don't approve of this kind of character assassination of an artiste just for publicity. We're here to protect our artistes, but if they are in the wrong we won't hesitate pulling them up, " he says.

Question of ethics

Should actors return or keep the signing amount given to them in good faith by filmmakers once they opt of their movies for whatever reason? The industry seems divided on the issue.

Unlike Murad, who seems to be backing Kher's decision not to return the signing amount, some in the industry think such acts by stars is unfair.

Maybe it's time for some strict guidelines on this issue given that it has been coming up time and again, creating rifts within the industry.

'No actor ever returns any money'

Should actors return the signing amount if they walk out of a project? Film makers react

Rakesh Roshan: Yes. But if the actor has blocked dates and the project is dropped a month before schedule as a result of which the actor's dates go to waste, then the producer and actor would have to settle the matter according to the terms of the agreement.

Subhash Ghai: Ethically, yes. If he/she has not spent a reasonable amount of time on the project development, he should not swallow up the money that rightfully belongs to the producer.

Vikram Bhatt: Most definitely. The entertainment industry has followed a simple rule: If an actor or a technician has been hired by a producer for a project which for some reason is called off, then the actor or technician has the excuse of being morally within his right not to return the signing amount.

But if an actor or technician walks out of a project, then he/she must return the money immediately.

Sanjay Gupta: Most certainly! A signing amount is a token payment made in good faith where both parties agree to work together. If it doesn't materialise, then the artiste is liable to return the advance money.

Sheetal Talwar: Yes. The monies are legally under a work-for-pay contract. If the workdays are not utilised, the payment should be returned. And I think most responsible actors do so.

Pritish Nandy: If a project doesn't happen, the actor must most definitely return the signing amount. No question about it.

Madhu Mantena: It's basically a questions of ethics involving two people, the producer and the actor. I wouldn't want to spoil my relations with any actor by asking back for a token amount of money.

But yes, technically if a project doesn't take off the signing amount should be returned.

Vipul Shah: No actor ever returns any money.

Bollywood's First Families

Bollywood is a place where, on a daily basis, thousands of aspiring actors strive to become actors but only few of them make it to the top. 

In an industry where most stars belong to families with a 'filmy' background some of them are lucky to be on top without any filmy background or a godfather.

However, the legacy of filmy families is still followed and it is not a hard task to land a film which is why, belonging to such a family really counts in Bollywood.

In this respect, we bring forth a list of some powerful families that seem to rule Bollywood.

The Kapoors

When it comes to famous Bollywood families, the first one to strike your mind would probably be the Kapoor family. The legacy was started by Prithviraj Kapoor who came to Mumbai to fulfill his dream of being a part of Hindi movies. After a successful run in Bollywood, his sons, the legendary, Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor came forth and leterally ruled over it for almost three decades. Then came the turn of Raj Kapoor's sons Randhir, Rajiv and Rishi Kapoor of whom, Rishi was the most successful in the the industry.

Taking up the Bollywood reins after them was Karisma Kapoor who went on to become one of the top actresses of her time. After Karisma, its younger siblings, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor who are currently the hottest properties of the Hindi film industry.

The Roshans

The man who gave birth to the Roshan family tree in Bollywood was erstwhile music composer Roshan Lal Nagrath, father of Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan. Better known as Roshan, he composed music for quite a number of films like 'Barsaat Ki Raat' and 'Taj Mahal', and was a successful music director of his time. His two sons carried forward his name with Rakesh Roshan taking up acting and Rajesh Roshan, stepping into his father's shoes as a music director.

After Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan, the responsibility of keeping the Roshan flag flying in Bollywood lies solely on the shoulders of Rakesh Roshan's son, Hrithik Roshan. Hrithik is not only a successful actor but one of the most sought after superstar in the industry.

The Bachchans

The Bachchan family is considered to be the first family of Bollywood despite not having a huge line-up of Bollywood stars like the Kapoors. The Bachchan family, initially, comprised of actors Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and their son, Abhishek Bachchan. However, this family got a huge boost after Aishwarya Rai became a part of this clan after her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan.

Now, with the announcement of her pregnancy, we're guessing that another generation of the Bachchan family is on its way to take Bollywood by storm.

The Deols

Dharmendra started his very own family tree in Bollywood with his children following in his footsteps very easily. His sons, from his first marriage, took up acting and tasted success. 

However Sunny Deol was much more successful than younger brother Bobby Deol. Esha Deol, his daughter from his second marriage to Hema Malini, is also an actress but not a successful one. In fact, Esha is making her comeback in her mother's directorial, 'Tell Me O Khuda'.

Also a part of the Deol family is Abhay Deol, who is the nephew of Dharmendra. Despite being a part of the family, Abhay is totally different from the rest of his cousins. Instead of action oriented roles and commercial films, Abhay opts for unconventionality in his roles and films. We can easily say, that Abhay Deol is the best actor that the Deol family has produced.

The Mukherjees

When we talk about the Mukherjee family, we instantly think of Kajol, her sister Tanisha and Rani Mukherjee. However, the Mukherjee family goes a long way down in Bollywood history. The family's tryst with Bollywood began with Sha Mukherjee, the founder of the famed Filmistan studios.

His five sons followed him into the industry, one of whom was 60's actor Joy Mukherjee. Shomu Mukherjee, who was a writer/producer/director, married Tanuja who, on the other hand, belonged to the Samarth family and was the younger sister of one of the most celebrated actress of Bollywood, Nutan.

Tanuja's daughters, Kajol and Tanisha also went on to act in movies with Kajol achieving superstardom. Her cousin, Rani Mukherjee is also a sought after actress in Bollywood and like Kajol, she too has created a niche for herself.

The Khans

No, we're not talking about the 'Khans' of the industry but only one family that has contributed to and gained from Bollywood to a great extent. The Khan family being mentioned here is the one started by noted script-writer Salim Khan, more famous as Salman Khan's father today. In collaboration with Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan churned out massive hits like 'Sholay', 'Zanjeer', 'Seeta Aur Geeta' and 'Mr. India'. His second marriage was with yesteryear dancer/actress Helen.

All sons, Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail took to acting but only Salman Khan made it big in the industry. Presently, he holds the record of churning out some of the biggest hits in the past few years and is also the highest paid actor in Bollywood reportedly. After an unsuccessful run in the industry, Arbaaz Khan struck gold with his first production 'Dabangg'.

Another member of the Khan clan who is quite a hot property in the industry is Arbaaz Khan's wife, Malaika Arora-Khan. Her item numbers are always a rage and she is a leading fashionista in the film industry. Apart from being a fully filmy clan, this family is a tight-knit one. (MensXP.com)

Train citizens in anti-terror acts: Amitabh Bachchan

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has urged people to act as policemen and suggested initiating an anti-terror training programme that would help them to fight terrorism and protect themselves.

The actor said he would be the first one to join the anti-terror training programme. His comments come in the wake of the three serial blasts that killed 17 people and injured 131 in Mumbai Wednesday.

"Each one of us will have to become a 'policeman' .. look, notice, observe, feel, sense the danger in every step and report," the 68-year-old posted on microblogging site Twitter.

"Yes the security forces will always be needed, but when vulnerable, let each one of us know that we are being watched and monitored. There are many vulnerable nations in the world ... knowing this they have made each citizen of theirs a watch dog, a fighting force!"

"Let there be private or state professional units that take up the job of training citizens in anti-terror acts... make it compulsory. Make that training programme mandatory for every citizen, every national of the country ... I shall be the first to join," he posted.

I don't expect any gratitude: Mahesh Bhatt

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt gave actresses like Sushmita Sen, Kangana Ranawat and Mallika Sherawat their first big break in the Hindi film industry, but they never worked with him after their first films. The filmmaker is not complaining because he doesn't expect them to continue to work with him out of gratitude. 

If Sushmtia got her first break with Bhatt's 1996 directorial venture Dastak after winning the Miss Universe crown, Mallika and Kangana made their Bollywood debuts with his production ventures Murder (2004) and Gangster - A Love Story (2006) respectively. 

"They were never mine who left me. They came to make their career and went ahead through me. I was never their destiny. It's a planet Bollywood. I don't expect any gratitude," Bhatt, who doesn't direct movies anymore but just produces them, said.

"I don't let anyone stand in front of me if he or she doesn't have the potential. So I don't expect them to be grateful and come and work with me," he added. 

Known for directing critically acclaimed films like Arth (1982), Saaransh (1984) Naam (1986), Daddy (1989), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Naajayaz (1995) and Zakhm (1998), the 62-year-old will continue making films with fresh talent. 

"I have not retired but have said no to direction. Direction is part of life not the entire life. I have sung my song. I have done more than 50 films. How many more? You know every hero becomes a bore, every filmmaker has time, frame when he sings the song then he becomes repetitive. Before people say get out, you should yourself stand up and leave the auditorium 

"I have the desire to make feature films and I am enjoying what I am doing now. I like creating people, pushing them, find the potential. If they excel, the film will excel," said Bhatt.

'Mani Kaul was, by far, our most original filmmaker'

NEW DELHI: His entire vocabulary of cinema was astonishingly unique; his concept of the narrative both radical and original. Director Mani Kaul, whose films such as Uski Roti, Ashad Ka Ek Din and Duvidha are signposts in off-beat Indian cinema, succumbed to cancer at his Gurgaon residence on Wednesday. He was 68.

"For me, Uski Roti (1969) is as much a landmark as Pather Panchali. Mani Kaul was, by far, our most original filmmaker," says film director Shyam Benegal. Film critic Aruna Vasudev maintains that the moviemaker "forged a totally new path." And actor Mita Vashisht says, "He was a master of the frame, of his craft."

Kaul's substantial ouvre spanning four decades also includes some of the most intense docu-features in Indian cinema, works that blur the invisible lines separating the two genres. Satah Se Uthata Admi (1980) was based on the writings of Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, a pioneer of modern poetry in Hindi. Mati Manas (1984) mapped out the life and art of terracotta artisans. "I wanted to know the anguish of the potter through my own anguish as a filmmaker," Kaul once said. And Siddheshwari (1989) recast the life of the thumri singer from Benaras. All three are powerful and moving works - shot through the mind's eye with honesty and passion. Also a Dhrupad aficionado, music rippled through his later movies. Not in songs but in the way the camera moved, the lights changed.

A master film theoretician, Kaul's movies weren't easy to log on to. Critics as well as filmmakers were often furiously divided on their artistic merit. The popular press lambasted Uski Roti, based on Hindi litterateur Mohan Rakesh's short story. Many viewers found it sluggish. But the movie's narrative style and the camerawork were merely devices in director's overall cinematic vision. As Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen point out in Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema¸ "The film integrates the characters into the landscape, evoking an internalised yet distanced kind of realism reminiscent of Robert Bresson."

Similarly, after watching Kaul's Duvidha, distinguished moviemaker Satyajit Ray wrote, "Kaul has wilfully adopted a very special and very private mode of expression, and his impatience with conventional narrative methods leads him to a visual style, replete with cliches of another sort." But the movie was widely appreciated in Europe.

Born in Jodhpur, Kaul was taught and hugely influenced by the famous director Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik, Meghe Dhaka Tara) at the FTII, Pune. One of his classmates was Kumar Shahani (Maya Darpan, Kasbah), who ploughed a similar school of filmmaking. Later Kaul also taught at the same institute; quite a few students later became key members of his film unit. During Emergency, the master director also showed political spine. "He refused to sign the documentary Historical Sketch of Indian Women doing the Emergency when its producers, Film Division, wanted him to change the last shot and the commentary," write Rajadhyaksha and Willemen.

Vashisht, who worked with Kaul in Siddheshwari recalls how Kaul would constantly challenge her during the shooting. "As a director, he challenged every faculty in your body, your imagination. But when you were in his frame, you felt beautiful. Siddheshwari was one of the most powerful and moving experiences of my life," says Vashisht. The film earned the best documentary prize in the 1989 national film awards.

Renowned film critic Derek Malcolm once called Kaul, "the stern poet of the Indian cinema, who goes his own way regardless." To the end, the director remained true to that abstract.

Mani's memorable movies:

1. Uski Roti (1969): Kaul's debut feature.

2. Ashad Ka Ek Din (1971): Film adapted from Hindi litterateur Mhan Rakesh's play of the same name

3. Duvidha (1973): Adaptation of a Rajasthani folk tale. Won a silver medal at Milan (1970)

4. Satah Se Uthata Aadmi: The docu-feature interprested Hindi poet Muktibodh's writing

5. Idiot: Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, the film also starred a young Shah Rukh Khan.

Amitabh on a 1600 cc motorbike

Amitabh Bachchan created a major commotion on the sets of Bbuddah when he arrived on his 1600 cc stylish motorbike.

In this slick adventure, director Puri Jagannath has shown Amitabh as an angry old man. Mouthing popular dialogues from Deewar, Agneepath, Shahenshah. Bachchan is expected to bring the house down with this film. We are eagerly waiting this one.

Dev Anand looking for new girl

Bollywood veteran Dev Anand is looking for a new face, who could match the talent of actress Zeenat Aman for the modern age adaptation of his 1971 cult hit "Hare Rama Hare Krishna". 

Zeenat played a hippie in the movie, and became an overnight success. Dev Anand is open to cast a girl from any part of India for the new film, which will be titled " Hare Rama Hare Krishna - Aaj". But his condition is that the girl should not look more than 18-19 years of age and should be able to essay the character close to what Zeenat played in the original movie. "My story will not be a remake but an adaptation of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'. 

Since it is set in 2011, I am looking for a girl who can look very modern and become a cult figure like Zeenat," Dev Anand said in a press statement. The original "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" took a bold look at the prevalent hippie culture and growing westernisation in those times, and also carried a subtle anti-drugs message. Dev Anand has changed the storyline to fit in today's world, and the project is currently in its scripting stage. The 87-year-old evergreen star is also gearing up for the release of his next directorial film "Chargesheet".

Dilip Kumar and Aamir Khan at CINTAA celebrations at Andheri

Dilip Kumar and Aamir Khan at CINTAA celebrations at Andheri

Amitabh's superhero film shelved

Vinod Chopra's ambitious project Taalismaan, based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's Chandrakanta has been shelved.

The film, which was to be directed by Ram Madhvani, was announced with much fanfare and was to go on floors this year. In fact, a trailer of the film featuring Amitabh Bachchan in a battle-field, ready for war, was cut a year ago.

The director claims that the film is a no-go because of the weak script. However, the industry is abuzz with speculation that Chopra's vision of an epic adventure fantasy was not financially feasible.

Our source told us, "Taalismaan was planned as the ultimate experience. But many things happened in the interim. It started with James Cameron's Avatar and then Shah Rukh Khan's RA.One, which has taken over the super-hero action-adventure fantasy space.

And now Salman Khan too is dabbling with this genre in Sher Khan. All in all it just seemed impractical to go ahead with Taalismaan."

When contacted, director Madhvani said, "We worked on the project for two years. But the script just didn't gel. It was not as dynamic as we'd have liked.

Rather than go ahead with a flawed script, I decided to tell Vinod that the project should be shelved. To his credit he took it well and agreed that we abort the project, while there was time."

Exclusive: Pics of Abhishek Bachchan's 'mundan' | Video News

Indian film fest in New York kicks off with 'Do Dooni Char'

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Kapoor

The 11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival kicked off in spectacular fashion with the US premiere of the Delhi-set comedy " Do Dooni Chaar," Disney's first live-action Hindi film.

The star-studded red carpet premiere Wednesday night at Manhattan's prestigious Paris Theatre, was attended by special guests Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Kapoor along with writer/director Habib Faisal.

Also attending the premiere were Pulitzer Prize winner author Siddhartha Mukherjee, Aparna Sen, Madhur Jaffrey, Aditya Bhattacharya, Ajay Naidu, Samrat Chakrabarti, Meetu Chilana, Rehana Mirza, Sarita Choudhury, Ami Sheth, Poorna Jagannathan, and many other actors and filmmakers whose films will play festival through closing night May 15.

Following the screening of "Do Dooni Chaar" was a discussion with Faisal and the Kapoors moderated by festival director Aseem Chhabra. A gala benefit dinner followed at the opulent Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South.

I'm open to being called directly: Bina Kak

Salman Khan at Bina Kak’s daughter’s pre-wedding ceremony

Jaipur is catching the fancy of filmmakers from across the globe for shooting. Picturesque forts and palaces, lakes, and havelis never fail to enchant with its amazing scenic beauty and attractions.

No wonder the shooting scenario in the Pink City, as it is popularly known as, has given a new dimension to the state economy, especially in the last three years. We spoke to Bina Kak, minister for tourism, art and culture on how the city, with its rich culture, architecture and picturesque locations, has always attracted filmmakers from all over the world. And how the trend, in the last three years, especially, has ensured revenue benefits. Not only that, for many stars and filmmakers, it's the bond that they share with this affable lady that brings them back.

"Shooting is not a new thing for Jaipur, but the growing trend in last couple of years has definitely provided a boost to Jaipur's tourism, has made it a must visit destination not only for the filmmakers, Bollywood as well as Hollywood, but also visitors," says Kak, who herself is an actor who has displayed her acting skills in a number of Bollywood films.

"The culturally rich backdrop of Jaipur has always fascinated national and international filmmakers. That apart, the state exudes hospitality and warmth for film crews. And we are proud to say that our Pink City is gearing up to handle further growth in this phenomenon. Even Hollywood has not missed the exotic locations of the city," says Kak. "We are ready to provide every possible facility to the cast and crew so that they can expand their base in the state," assures Kak, while appreciating the role played by Hindi films in making Jaipur a major tourist spot. She is also working at providing a one-window system for getting various department clearances related to film-shooting permissions at the state-owned monuments. "We have appointed an official who takes care of all their needs, including seeking administrative sanctions for using their cameras in any part of the state. If they want to shoot in traffic, or in a monument, we are ready to help them."

The new move will make it a smooth affair for the filmmakers to come and shoot their films in the city. The tourism department is willing to serve as a nodal agency to serve the purpose. Adds Kak, "Filmmakers who know me personally, thanks to my association with the industry, have also been approaching me for shoots. I am also open to calls directly."
Boost to ancillary industries...

Be it the IPL or Hollywood or Bollywood movies being shot here, it will help promote the city. "We want more and more such activities as there are lot of opportunities in this sector. And realising this, special efforts are being made to make it a regular feature of the city with the help of Film City project. Shooting scenario in the city has tremendously promoted ancillary industries like costume, jewellery, set making and many others in the city. Be it a carpenter, or a spot boy or artistes from the state, everybody gets a bigger platform in terms of monetary gains as well as to use it as a launchpad. It is not only to show off their creative skills but also to help generate additional revenue and provide employment," says Kak.