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Big B's extended family expands to over 20 mn

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He's a multi-million fan man! Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who enjoys global popularity, has amassed a following of over 13 million on Facebook and around nine million on Twitter, and he's loving it.

"Reached 13 MILLION on FaceBook! And about to be 9 Million here of Twitter! Yaaaaahhahahahah," Big B posted on his Twitter page Wednesday

The 71-year-old veteran has been active on social networking platforms, via which he shares with his fans, his thoughts on everyday life, career and family. He also gets philosophical once in a while.

His tryst with the online medium began with a blog - and he later adapted himself to the evolving world of online networking to get closer to his fans.

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Juhi heads to Jagannath Temple after IPL win

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Actress Juhi Chawla, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) that won the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League, is off to visit the holy Jagannath Temple in Puri to pay obeisance.

"Once again on way to Jagannathpuri...to give thanks. The drive so lovely. Landscape lush green," Juhi tweeted Wednesday.

The actress co-owns KKR with Shah Rukh Khan, her co-star of films like "Darr", "Yes Boss", "Duplicate" and "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani".

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B-Town soaks in joy of rain in Mumbai

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Rain brought much-needed relief to celebrities from the sweltering heat and humidity in Mumbai Wednesday.

They took to Twitter to share their joy.

Sunidhi Chauhan: Back in my city! Pehli baarish ka pehla din (first day of the first rain) :) happy to have arrived at this hour of the day. Have a good one.

Purab Kohli: Finally, Mumbai gets it's wash down. Can u smell the earth? :) rain rain rain.

Shabir Ahluwalia: Good morning guys how you doing, #monsoon is here, enjoy the rains, and keep the love going.

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Esha Deol turns producer

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Esha Deol has joined the league of actresses who have turned producers after floating her own production banner - Esha Entertainment.

The "Yuva" fame actress has even got the name numerologically checked.

"My production name is Esha Entertainment. I have already checked with a numerologist... it's all proper. Everyone does that, so why shouldn't we," the 32-year-old said here Tuesday at a food show.

Other actresses, who have turned producer include Shilpa Shetty, Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza.

Juhi Chawla also became Shah Rukh Khan's partner in their production house Dreamz Unlimited.

Esha, who married businessman Bharat Takhtani in February 2012, is looking to co-produce films with other production houses.

"So it's Esha Entertainment and we are working on a co-production with a couple of production houses and looking at some nice, fun scripts," she said.

Esha plans to rope in new writers.

"Being from Bollywood, at the end of the day our audiences like hero, heroine and villain. I will put in my own creativity and also take the help of some new and budding writers," Esha said.

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'Miss Lovely' set for US release

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Ashim Ahluwalia's National Award winning film "Miss Lovely" will hit the screens in seven cities in the US Friday. The filmmaker is glad the American audience will be able to watch the movie that "challenges the definition of what an Indian film can be".

He has joined hands with FilmBuff and DADA Films "to find novel ways of getting new global cinema out there".

"It's great to have partners that understand the power of what cinema can do, and are ready to stick by that," he added.

The Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer, which was released in India earlier this year, will be released by DADA Films in Seattle (June 6), New York (June 20), San Jose, California (June 20), Los Angeles (June 20), Chicago (June 27) and Austin (June 27).

Written and directed by Ahluwalia, the hard-hitting drama explores the 1980s Mumbai with lurid detail and intoxicating style.

Ahluwalia, who will be in the US to promote the film, said: "'Miss Lovely' is quite a wild film. It challenges the definition of what an Indian film can be, so I'm really happy that the US audience will get a chance to watch it in cinemas."

The movie will also be released on digital platforms like iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Google Play in August.

FilmBuff will distribute the movie in the digital space.

"We really responded to Ashim's unique perspective and his ability to explore controversial themes and issues," said Steven Beckman, FilmBuff's head of content.

"Through its docu-narrative hybrid approach, 'Miss Lovely' delivers a gritty, powerful lens into a stranger than fiction world that will surely resonate with audiences here in the US," he added.

The film made its world premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2012.

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'Holiday' - Akshay more concerned about viewers' reaction

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Actor Akshay Kumar, who is gearing up for the release of his new film "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty", says he's more bothered about the people's reaction to the film than its box office performance.

On being asked about people's expectations from the film, the actor said: "Let's not talk about the expectations from the film. It is a very serious film and dedicated to the Indian Army.

"I'm not talking about the business, whether it ('Holiday...') will earn Rs.100 crore or Rs.50 crore...I'm more interested in how people take this film and how seriously they talk about the film."

The 46-year-old, who has worked in numerous Bollywood films, has given two Rs.100 crore blockbusters - "Housefull 2" and "Rowdy Rathore". But from "Holiday...", he expects that every person who watches it respects every person in uniform.

"It (the film) has lot of issues and causes for which every youngster, every Indian should watch it and understand," the actor, who plays a dedicated army officer, said.

"We should not take people who wear uniform for granted. Even a traffic police officer, who is standing outside and controlling the traffic...we should not take him for granted. I think it is very essential that we respect any form of uniform," he added.

"Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty", produced by Vipul Shah and directed by A.R. Murugadoss, features Sonakshi Sinha as the female lead.

Presented by Reliance Entertainment, it will hit the theatres Friday.

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Arunoday Singh - typecasting impinges on everyone

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Actor Arunoday Singh, who has been part of films like "Jism 2" and "Yeh Saali Zindagi" among others, feels that the image trap bothers everyone.

"Everybody gets typecast in the industry and it has been the same for me as well. I as an actor would like to do better films and if I get a good director and good set up, then I will do it," said Arunoday.

It seems that the actor is trying to avoid it with "Mr X", in which he plays a villain.

He said: "I can't tell you what the role is, but it's a thriller with a twist and I play the villain in it."

He further added, "We haven't finished shooting yet. We are still filming. The entire film is shot in 3D, but the experience is more different for the cameramen. For the actors, it's pretty much the same. We have to be concerned about the spacing and all."

Directed by Vikram Bhatt, "Mr X" also features Emraan Hashmi and Amyra Dustoor among others.

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'Holiday' - fast paced, exhilarating roller-coaster ride (IANS Rating: **** 1/2)

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Film: "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty"; Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Freddy Daruwala and Govinda; Director: A.R. Murugadoss; Rating: **** 1/2

Let me stick my neck out just this once to say "Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty" is going to be a huge success. It has all the trappings of a superlative masala entertainer, plus a thought provoking message on the uneasy relationship between the army and civilians.

Hence army man Virat Bakshi (Akshay Kumar, in top form) who is home for a vacation uses the time to fall in love with an arranged match and also save Mumbai from a sleeper cell terrorist attack, which threatens to plunder the city.

He is a busy man. So is director A.R. Murugadoss. They both are on the same mission. While Akshay saves the city, his director rescues the masala fare from the blemishes of blandness that it has acquired lately.

Just how Murugadoss manages to mix the dark theme of terrorism with a palatable mainstream cinematic platter served with dollops of pickles and 'papad' is a marvel.

The director's earlier film "Ghajini" was another landmark of mainstream filmmaking. It suffered from excessive violence and too many resemblances to a Hollywood film ("Memento") to be dismissed as coincidental.

In "Holiday", Murugadoss is more in charge of the proceedings. Having Akshay at the helm helps. He is a man of the streets and yet capable of looking completely convincing as a larger than life hero. This is Akshay's most chiselled and restrained yet boisterous and exuberant performance to date.

It's just as hard to imagine "Holiday" without Akshay as it is to imagine last week's elegiac and thoughtful "Citylights" without Rajkummar Rao.

They both breathe life into their characters from different respiratory systems.

We often tend to think the grammar and language of mainstream cinema to be far easier to convey than the language of the so-called serious cinema.

Wrong! A full-on massy product, which doesn't resort to outlandish inanities or outright vulgarity, is the most difficult form of filmmaking. In "Holiday", Murugadoss has some absolutely unflinching support from his writers and technicians, all out to create that increasingly elusive cinematic entity .

The perfect entertainer.

Not that "Holiday" is not without its flaws. What would life in the movies be without those?

Sonakshi Sinha's role and presence in the plot can at best be termed as comic relief. She is less diva, more Mehmood. It is interesting to see how the director weaves the romantic element into what is predominantly a rugged man-to-man confrontation between an armyman on leave and a super-intelligent terrorist, who is seen to work out not from a dingy warehouse, but a normal home teeming with the scents and images of domestic harmony.

Full marks to the film's art and costumes designer. Apart from Sonakshi everyone looks at home.

The irony of terror in the climate of normalcy is chilling. And it's a master stroke to cast the unknown Freddy Daruwala as the terrorist mastermind.

Freddy looks and behaves like a hi-tech executive in a multinational rather than a diabolic terrorist. It's in the flashes of arrogant megalomania or his chilling cold-blooded laughter that we see the devilish man behind the white collar mask.

Freddy is quite the discovery of the year. As is the tradition in Good Versus Evil sagas, Akshay and Freddy don't come face-to-face until the finale. When they do....boom! Boy oh boy, the climactic one-to-one fistfight between Akshay and Freddy is so heart-in-the-mouth that audiences will forget to breathe for a good 15 minutes.

This film rarely gives you time to come up for air. "Holiday" is that rare masala entertainer that leaves you breathless with excitement.

The writing is so skilled and the interweavement of the terrorist theme into the larger plot of an army man's vacation gone awry is so astute, that you end up excusing and overlooking the excesses. Govinda, for one, as Akshay's numb-skulled superior is completely out of place. You wish Govinda and Sonakshi's annoying characters would be expelled from the storytelling by some computer-generated magic.

The ever dependable Sumeet Raghavan as Akshay's pal and colleague in counter-terrorism is able to make a much better place for himself. But it's the Akshay-Freddy conflict that keeps you riveted for nearly three hours of this pitch-perfect film's playing time.

Some episodes such as the one where Akshay's character collects his army pals at a church wedding for a "game" across Mumbai that saves the city from a terror disaster are so ingeniously implanted into the kinetic plot that you wonder which came first - the scourge of terrorism or the cinema that takes terror to the level of high entertainment.

Yup. The potent Akshay-Vipul Shah team is back with its most lethal entertainter to date.

"Holiday" is a fast-paced, exhilarating rollercoaster ride filled with the most unexpected twists and turns.

The anxious narrative is nourished by some spot-on background music which punctuates and pins down the heart-stopping action.

A. Natarajan Subramaniam's cinematography takes the edgy proceedings to another level altogether. The fidgety images are framed traditionally in every shot, and yet they are able to furnish a renewed vigour to the goings-on.

This, then, is that entertainer which tells you that cinema about terrorism need not be dark and grim. Murugadoss keeps the going light-hearted and yet the undercurrents of tension jump out of the screen to relentlessly claim our attention.

Akshay's character's basic argument that terrorism can only be countered when the counter-terrorists are as fearless about losing their lives as the terrorists, is put forward with such gusto and conviction, we really can't argue with the plot premise.

So here's your chance to go with the ferocious flow and not regret it for even a minute. Yes, the songs are like sleeping dogs that come awake at inopportune times to yelp out their melody-less messages. But the last farewell song, an ode to the dedication and sacrifices of Indian soldiers, will leave you moist eyed.

This is Akshay's most engaging entertainer in recent times.

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Big B's encounter with reality on 'Shamitabh' sets

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has spent more than four decades in the movie business, had to face a “strange” moment when he had to shoot at the Seven Hills Hospital, the place where he underwent surgeries and saw the birth of Aaradhya.

“Shooting at the Seven Hills Hospital...venue of my surgery and the birth of Aaradhya... Odd acting out what I had been through real,” the 71-year-old tweeted.

Big B is currently shooting for R. Balakrishnan's, fondly called Balki, film “Shamitabh”. The movie, also starring Dhanush, marks the Bollywood debut of southern superstar actor Kamal Haasan's daughter Akshara.

“...it was strange to be enacting that which I had been through in reality! So the Ot (Operation theatre) and the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) centre as I was in for my surgery, now recreated for a scene and the difference being that this was make belief and that was not,” he posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com.

The megastar was admitted to the Seven Hills Hospital Feb 11 where he underwent two abdominal surgeries. His health condition stems from his near-fatal accident on the sets of "Coolie" in 1982.

Aaradhya, granddaughter of Amitabh, was born at the same hospital Nov 16, 2011.

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Great to have so many women MPs in Lok Sabha : Moon Moon Sen

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It is great to have so many women in the Lok Sabha this time, says the glamorous actor-turned-politician Moon Moon Sen, a first time parliamentarian from the Trinamool Congress.

Clad in an off-white sari with a golden border, the stylish actor who is the daughter of legendary Bengali film star Suchitra Sen, says she has already begun her work as a parliamentarian back in her constituency Bankura.

Sen pulled off a major upset in her poll debut this Lok Sabha election by defeating nine-time MP Basudeb Acharia of the CPI-M in West Bengal's Bankura Lok Sabha constituency. She triumphed by 97,511 votes over Acharia, who had been winning from the seat without a break since 1980.

"I have already started work with the goals which my party promised like roads, water and other amenities," the actress with her trademark red bindi, kohl-lined eyes and traditional jewellery, told IANS as she walked on the corridors of Parliament House, which she was very impressed to see and set foot upon for the first time in her life.

Wednesday was the first day of the 16th Lok Sabha, but it was adjourned in less than 15 minutes after condoling the death of union minister Gopinath Munde, who died in a road accident Tuesday.

Asked how she felt on so many women being elected to the parliament this time, she exclaimed: "Isn't it great".

The Lok Sabha this time has the highest tally of women MPs ever at 61.

Sen also mentioned that it was a point to be noted that so many chief ministers of states were also women at present, including her own West Bengal, referring to the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

Questioned as to whether the women's reservation bill could be passed now with so many women members, she said: "hopefully".

However, she was quick to qualify that it was also the men who were responsible.

"We can't run the men down," she added, rolling her expressive eyes. "It is their job too. Everybody should do it."

During a tour of Parliament House for the Trinamool Congress' new MPs, conducted by senior party leader Mukul Roy Tuesday, Sen had said: "My mother (who passed away early this year) would have really felt proud."

She was also very impressed to see the impressive domes and corridors of India's supreme legislative body.

Known for her work in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Kannada films, Sen has also starred in Bollywood films. She received Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for best supporting Actress in 1987, for her role in the film Sirivennela.

She has acted in 60 films and 40 Television series. Her two daughters - Riya and Raima - are also actresses.

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Get drenched in style this monsoon

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With the monsoon season going to knock at doors soon, it's time to give an innovative touch to your rainwear clothing with funky colours and trendy designs.

Designer Sonya Vajifdar has come up with high fashion rainwear to jazz up fashionistas' wardrobe.

The collection comprises a number of styles such as neon coloured raincoats, balloon style raincoats and even pop-coloured rain ponchos.

The collection is also jazzed up with sequins and beads wrapped in a net fabric to give the 3D effect.

“Given that Mumbai has such a prominent and beautiful monsoon there is ample scope for designer rain wear, which is functional as well as trendy,” Vajifdar, head of design, Sonya for VEMB, said in a statement.

“The first rainwear I designed was for me. It was when compliments started pouring in and queries were generated that I decided to create a full fledged line dedicated to rain wear,” she added.

So time to up the glam quotient this monsoon.

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Kareena-Akshay team up for 'Singh Is Bling'

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Kareena Kapoor has been offered the lead opposite Akshay Kumar in Prabhudheva's much talked-about project "Singh Is Bling".

The actress, who is also on the verge of signing films with Sujoy Ghosh (in the title role of Durga Rani Singh) and Bejoy Nambiar, says she is spoilt for choice.

When asked if Kareena would have much to do in a film where Akshay plays the title role, Prabhu said: "The heroines in my film always have their own space in the plot. Was Sonakshi Sinha in 'Rowdy Rathore' or 'R... Rajkumar' just a decorative doll? No way! My films may be titled after the hero, but the heroine has no reason to complain."

One hopes Kareena is sufficiently reassured.

Incidentally, Kareena and Akshay make a really hot pair in theory.

But strangely, excluding Abbas-Mustan's "Aetraaz", all their big-ticket films together like "Ajnabee", Suneel Darshan's "Talaash", Dharmesh Darshan's "Bewafaa", Sabbir Khan's "Kambakkht Ishq" have collapsed at the box office.

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Vishal Fashions teams up with 'Holiday'

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Vishal Fashions, manufacturer of saris, dress materials and readymade garments, has associated with “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty” as their fashion partner. The collection is available at all retail outlets across the country.

So go ahead and drape the piece of art to ape Bollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha's look.

Inspired by Sonakshi's character in the film, their 'Holiday Collection' is bold, unique and classy with elegant designs where vibrant patterns and bright colours come to life, said a statement.

Produced by Vipul Shah, presented by Reliance Entertainment and directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the film featuring Akshay Kumar in the lead role hits the theatres Friday.

This is not their fashion collaboration with a movie. From in-film branding to launching individual collections dedicated to the film, the brand has been associated with movies like “Dabangg 2”, “Raanjhanaa”, “R…Rajkumar” and “Jai Ho" to name a few.

Recently, they associated with the team of hit movie “2 States” as its fashion partner for the sari collection inspired by Alia Bhatt's character in the movie.

It has also been associated with leading designers like Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Vikram Phadnis, Masaba, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Rocky S, Archana Kochhar and Priyadarshini Rao to name a few.

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Renovation is going to take longer than we thought: Boney Kapoor

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Filmmaker Boney Kapoor and his wife and actress Sridevi's gutted home is gradually being restored. But the couple wouldn't be able to move back until next year.

"Though the renovation has started, it's going to take longer than we thought. The damage on the second floor that Sri, my two daughters and I occupy, is much more extensive than we thought," said Boney.

"It wasn't so much the fire that broke out, but the water that was used to extinguish the fire that completely destroyed all the furniture, property and material on our floor."

Apparently Sridevi has lost clothes and jewellery worth over Rs.25 crore in the fire-water devastation.

Renovation on the first floor is done.

"The first floor has been renovated. My mother has moved back into the floor. But the second floor will take time. We've shifted into our old home while the work is on in the bungalow."

Boney had two brushes with near-catastrophe during the last one year. First, the family bungalow was gutted. Last month, he was in a road accident, which could have proved fatal.

Said Boney: "Some power has protected me and my family. There is so much good that's happening. My wife's comeback film 'English Vinglish' continues to resonate across the world.

"My son Arjun's career is going great guns. I am lining up films to produce in the next two years. So it's good. I suppose the fire and the road accident were God's way of reminding me not to take my happiness for granted."

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Soha to learn Punjabi for film on 1984 anti-Sikh riots

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Actress Soha Ali Khan, who is in the Gungrana village in Ludhiana shooting for a film on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, says she's learning Punjabi for her role.

The film, directed by Shivaji Lotan Patil, is a realistic gritty look at a Sikh couple’s life and how it was ripped apart by the riots.

Soha has gone all-out to get a grip on the gritty character. She has even learnt Punjabi for her character.

“Yes, I am learning Punjabi for the part, and I’ve worked on my look. It’s a great author-backed role. It is an authentic film, and I look the part," said the actress.

"I like my new look. It’s very 1984. Vir Das plays my husband. He is an affable sardar. Then things turns intense. It’s actually a thriller, my favourite genre,” she added.

On May 16, Soha’s shooting at Gungrana was halted voluntarily.

Talking about the situation, she said: “We were all set to shoot. But the production team advised us it may not be safe considering the election results were coming in. And there was almost no security on location. So we decided not to shoot on that day. Otherwise the shooting is moving most smoothly.”

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R. Madhavan loses 15 kg for boxer's role

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Actor R. Madhavan, who turned 44 recently, is stationed in Los Angeles for the last six months preparing for a new film "Laal" in which he'll be seen as a boxer. He has lost 15 kg to look like a boxer.

“It’s been a time of a complete physical revamp for me. I’ve been in LA training and preparing for my part. My entire body structure and body language has changed. I now walk and think like a boxer," Madhavan said during a phone call from Los Angeles.

Madhavan brought in his birthday June 1 with his close friends.

“It was just small dinner here with close friends, that’s all. Unfortunately my wife Sarita and my son Vedant couldn’t be here for my birthday. They are joining me later this week. We’ll be spending a three-week holiday together."

"After the kind of training I’ve gone through during the past months, I think I’ve earned myself a break," he added.

About his longish break from the big screen, Madhavan said: “It is very important for every actor to take that time off to re-invent himself. Otherwise you end up being a parody of yourself."

"After 'Vettai' in Tamil and 'Jodi Breakers' in Hindi in 2012, I needed time to introspect. I think I am ready to start a new phase in my career.”

As for his new film "Laal", it's story is reportedly partially inspired by Muhammad Ali’s life.

A source close to the project said: “The director has taken the core of Muhammad Ali’s life in the ring and added fictional flourishes to it. Madhavan, who has known Sudha from the time he worked with Mani in 'Alai Payuthe', 'Kannathil Muttamital' and 'Guru' planned and plotted the film together with the director and then took nearly a year off to prepare for his part.”

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'Filmistaan'- heart warming hug across the border (IANS Movie Review - Rating: ****)

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Film: "Filmistaan"; Cast: Sharib Hashmi, Innamulhaq; Writer-Director: Nitin Kakkar; Rating: ****

Hold this film tight. There is an utterly moving sequence towards the end of this lovely parable on cross-border amity where Sunny(Sharib Hashmi), who has strayed into Pakistan, confesses to Aftaab(Innamulhaq) that he is obsessed with Bollywood and wants to be a hero, though he knows he doesn't have it in him.

"Mera asli hero toh tu hi hai," Aftaab tells Sunny sincerely.

For me, that moment sums up the mood of this big-little film. Made at a shoestring budget by fringe talent, the film shows us that true heroes can be found in most unexpected places.

Try this hamlet in the back of the beyond in Pakistan where our Bollywood struggler is locked up by militants who actually wanted to kidnap Americans for ...errrm...negotiations.

And look what they dragged in!

"Filmistaan" would have been an outrageously funny film were it not for the profoundly moving underbelly that it secretes with such fluency and spontaneity. The film could have become a gallery of cliches about Indo-Pak harmony. A sort of Veer-Zara turned into a Veru and Zara-uddin who become friends in Pakistani soil while guns boom all around them.

Sachindra Vats edits the scenes down to the minimum when required. But generally he lets the charactes develop naturally even if the process takes some time. The film is shot in authentic locations by cinematographer Subhransu Das who brings to the table an enticing aaura of believability.

The dialogues written by the film's lead Sharib Hashmi never become top-heavy with message-mongering, nor does the going get excessively verbose as it did in the recent cross-border film "Kya Dilli Kay Lahore".

It's astonishing how director Nitin Kakkar averts all the corny cliches of brotherhood across the barbed wire. By simply using Bollywood as the binding factor between the two countries, Kakkar emerges with a plot that is high on emotions and low on tripe and homilies.

The two actors who play the Indian and Pakistan do the rest. So effortlesstly do they express the oneness of a cultural kinship that we are left looking at two individuals who transcend borders to become two Every mans. Sharib Hashmi and Innamulhaq are striven by their sense of absolute abandon that comes only to artistes who have nothing to lose except their anonymity. They are phenomenally in character, not slipping up even once in their interactive zone.

Bollywood does the rest. There is a longish homage to Sooraj Barjatya's "Maine Pyar Kiya" where we see the whole Pakistani village glued to a community television set watching Salman Khan and Bhagyashree love story. Here, as in many similar scenes showing mutual Bollywood-inspired solidarity between the two warring nations, Kakkar constructs a case for cross-border friendship without tripping over in an emotional slush.

My favourite sequence shows the captured Indian protagonist sitting in solitude in a darkened room when the sound of Reshma's song "Ve main chori chori" wafts in. Sunny joins in with Lata Mangeshkar's "Yaara sili sili" which is the Indian avtar of the same tune.

An entire thesis can be written in the way the film utilizes Bollwood songs on the rich soundtrack brimming over with the sounds of two cultures peering anxiously but affectionately at one another.

The storytelling never pounds out a pro-Pakistani message merely to try to tilt the socio-political balance between the two countries.

"Filmistaan" is neither for or against either country. It's blissfully pro-Bollywood. So what happens when a struggling assistant director from India bonds with a CD pirate of Bollywood films in Pakistan? We find out with the same thrill of discovery that the director feels as he lets the two protagonists sort out their differences.

This quirky charmer from first-time director Kakkar is fresh in vision and enchanting in execution. The only happy outcome of the cross-border divide is a heartwarming film such as this. As we often say about the Wagah border, this you gotta see.

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Film remakes should not deviate from original: A.R. Murugadoss

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Filmmaker A.R. Murugadoss, who is awaiting the release of his latest Hindi directorial "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty", which is the remake of his own Tamil film "Thuppakki", says a remake should never deviate from the "proven and tested" path of the original.

Akshay Kumar-starrer "Holiday..." releases in cinemas Friday.

"A remake is made because it has already been proven and tested. So why would anybody want to make changes to it? If a film is remade by the same director, changes will be avoided because they've given their best to make the original successful and would only like to repeat the formula," Murugadoss told IANS.

In "Holiday...", he has not tried to change much.

"There are minor changes but there will also be a resemblance with the original and I don't mind it because it's my film at the end of the day, and I would always like to do justice to it," he added.

Akshay plays an army officer in the film, which revolves around a network of sleeper cells planning a terrorist attack.

Murugadoss chose Akshay because he couldn't picture any other actor more suitable for the lead role.

"I wanted to work with Akshay sir soon after 'Ghajini', but I wanted a different character for him. It then struck me that he would be more apt in the role of an army officer because he's extremely fit. I couldn't think of a better actor in that role," he said.

He says as a filmmaker, he is never bogged down by the pressure of making a blockbuster.

"I'm never asked to make a Rs.100 crore club film and neither do I feel its pressure while working. I always aim to make good films that entertain audiences. I never made 'Ghajini' and 'Thuppakki' as Rs.100 crore films. (But) I'm glad they turned out to be blockbusters," he added.

"Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty" is presented by Reliance Entertainment and produced by Vipul Shah.

Known for collaborating with superstars such as Vijay, Chiranjeevi, Aamir Khan and Ajith Kumar, Murugadoss plans to work with newcomers as well as upcoming stars.

"All my stories so far have been star hero-centric. I also made some films because a certain star wanted to work with me and I couldn't say no. But I plan to change as I'm always keen on working on stories that would not require star actors. I want to work with newcomers and relatively new stars," he said.

He, however, has produced successful Tamil films with newcomers as well as upcoming stars.

"I'm still learning the business to be a great producer. I have been producing low-budget films with newcomers because I didn't want to burn my fingers by straight away producing a star-studded film. I wanted to first learn what it takes to be a successful producer," he stated.

"Since I've been successful as a producer, I plan to make films with star actors as well. In fact, my next production venture is with a star in Tamil," he added.

Murugadoss is currently producing yet-untitled Tamil film with actor Vikram. Vijay Milton of "Goli Soda" fame is helming this project.

He also plans to return to Telugu industry to direct a film soon. His last Telugu directorial was the unsuccessful "Stalin", starring Chiranjeevi.

"I plan to return to the Telugu industry soon. If everything works out, it might even happen next year," he said

The filmmaker is also known for repeating actors in his films. He has worked with Suriya in two films, while his second film with Vijay titled "Kaththi" is on floors. Is this a sentiment he follows?

"It's not a sentiment. Sometimes the actors come back to me after a successful film and at times I go back to them if I have a suitable story. It has always been like that. I have also worked with Ajith in the past and I plan to collaborate again in future," he said.

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Waited very long to reach out to wider audience: Manav Kaul

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Actor Manav Kaul, who's ready to step into Naseeruddin Shah’s shoes, and that too in one of his most iconic roles of "Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai", is looking forward to full-fledgedly exploring the cinematic medium after bidding goodbye to theatre.

“I’ve been directing plays and acting in them for ten years. I am restless now. I want explore the cinematic medium. I want to act in films now,” said Manav.

Currently, his performance in Hansal Mehta's "Citylights" is wowing audiences. For the 37-year old theatre-film actor, the belated recognition in "Citylights" has come not a day too soon.

“It feels good. I’ve waited very long to reach out to a wider audience. My part in 'Citylights' has worked because I had a co-star like Rajkummar Rao to bolster my performance. No actor, no matter how talented, can hold up a performance on his own,” said Manav, who has been struggling to find a firm foothold for 14 years.

Recognition came to him all of a sudden in "Kai Po Che" where he played the Hindu fundamentalist in Gujarat.

“I got a lot of appreciation for my role in 'Kai Po Che'. But not too many people knew who I was at that time. That’s because I’m into acting and direction for the love of it. Also, I had put on some weight to play this character and I was looking different from how I usually do,” he said.

And now Manav plays Naseeruddin’s role in a remake of Saeed Mirza’s cult film "Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai".

Giving details of the project, Manav said: “It’s being directed by Soumitra Ranade. It’s a completely different take on the subject. My Albert Pinto is still very angry. But Soumitra and I have decided to make the character far edgier.”

Manav directed many distinguished plays in English, the latest being the controversial "Colour Blind" about the secret relationship between Rabindranath Tagore and Victoria Ocampo, the Argentinian writer with whom Tagore shared a special bonding.

Kalki Koechlin played Ocampo. Manav says he would love to make a film out of the play. For many years Manav who is trained theatre actor and director, did not relentlessly pursue a movie career.

“There was no burning ambition to become rich and famous. There still isn’t. I don’t wish to accrue wealth. I’ve no desire to own a house and car.I’m single.I’ve no major financial liabilities. I am happy just doing what I love to do....like I recently took off to the Himalayas to direct a small film 'Tathaghat' about the life of a Sadhu.”

"Tathaghat" has been shot. But Manav has no money to edit the film.

“I made the film with my own money and I wouldn’t want outside money to be used to complete the film. I believe in doing what comes naturally to me without any fear of the what the outcome would be. I directed another film 'Hansa' in the same spirit.

"It got some some recognition. But not the audience I would have liked.”

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Would love to work with Vijender again: Kabir Sadanand

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Boxing champion Vijender Singh turned out to be a "surprise package" for director Kabir Sadanand, who is launching him in the Bollywood ring with "Fugly". Impressed with the experience, Sadanand says he would love to collaborate with the sportsperson again.

"Vijender is a sportsman, people expected him to be stiff in front of the camera. But he tackled it very well. He was a complete natural. After being on the sets for a few days, he just got into the groove," Sadanand told IANS.

"He is a great learner, and gradually started understanding the shots and the technicality of the shooting. I was very happy. I would love to work with him again in future, and he's an old friend of mine," said the director, who is a sports enthusiast himself.

Sadanand, who has been an actor, writer and director, has also cast newcomers Mohit Marwah and Kiara Advani for "Fugly", which is releasing June 13.

But he says it was "effortless" to direct them.

"They are newcomers but they picked up the art of acting very well. They went through a month-long workshop with a diction instructor and a theatre expert. We didn't really want to teach them how to act so that they could be natural," said Sadanand, who has earlier directed "Popcorn Khao! Mast Ho Jao" (2004) and "Tum Milo Toh Sahi" (2010).

"Fugly", as he describes it, is a "pacy, grey-humoured" entertainer in which Delhi "inherently plays a strong character".

"There's Chandni Chowk, Parliament Street, farmhouses in Sainik Farms ... also Noida ... reached out to the streets in Delhi, but also delved into the mindsets, temperaments and influences of the capital to create a film for the youth," he said.

Sadanand, who many would remember as the face from popular TV shows like "Family No.1" and "Shagun", says his days in Delhi played a pivotal part in capturing the local flavour of the city, which he left in 1993.

"Fugly" is said to be a 'social thriller' with a message at heart. What is it that the makers want to preach?

"We're not preaching anything. We're only making statements like 'It's getting 'fugly' out for women'. We're asking questions to the society, not preaching," he added.

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