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HOT Dia Mirza at the preview of "Acid Factory"

2009-07-22T21:36:00.005+05:30

Dia Mirza's forthcoming movie is "Acid Factory". The film was recently promoted at some award functions as well. Sexy Dia Mirza was present at the preview of Acid Factory. The hot bollywood babe was looking stunning in a short and tight black dress.

Kim Kardashian Hot Bikini Pics

2009-07-22T20:50:00.007+05:30

American hot super model and actress Kim Kardashian, looking pretty hot in bikini.

Megan Fox Sexiest Woman In World by FHM Magazine

2009-06-25T21:09:00.005+05:30

According to FHM magazine poll, "Transformers" actress Megan Fox is the sexiest woman in the world for the second year in a row, beating Jessica Alba who is in second place. Actress and singer Scarlett Johansson came in third, Jessica Biel into fourth place, Madeline Zima polled fifth. Model Adriana Lima jumped to number six position, Canada actress Elisha Cuthbert got seventh place and American singer and tv star Heidi Montag on eighth position, while actress Anne Hathaway jumped to ninth position. Singer Katy Perry is a new entry at number 10.

1. Megan Fox

2. Jessica Alba

3. Scarlett Johansson

4. Jessica Biel

5. Madeline Zima

6. Adriana Lima

7. Elisha Cuthbert

8. Heidi Montag

9. Anne Hathaway

10. Katy Perry

Bollywood Actor Shiney Ahuja Arrested for Rape Case With House Maid

2009-06-16T21:07:00.002+05:30

Bollywood's famous actor Shiney Ahuja was arrested on Monday morning by Mumbai police on the rape charge of his domestic help after medical test of the house maid confirmed of the sexual assault. He has been charged with sections of IPC for rape 376, criminal intimidation 506 and wrongful confinement 342 and is to be produced before magistrate's court as told by police officials.

Kelly Brook Cavorts with a Female Porn Star in Her New Film

2009-06-16T20:47:00.005+05:30

She was famously sacked from Britain's Got Talent and now it seems Kelly Brook's career has sunk to even lower depths.

The actress was cavorting with Riley Steele, a familiar name to fans of adult movies, in scenes for the new film Piranha 3-D, in which they both star.

Kelly Brook Posing for "Nuts" Magazine May 2009 Issue

2009-05-22T20:45:00.002+05:30

Kelly Brook is looking pretty hot and posing sexy for the "Nuts" magazine May 2009 issue.

Priyanka Chopra L'Officiel International Magazine Scans

2009-05-22T20:31:00.006+05:30

Priyanka Chopra scans from L'Officiel International Magazine.

Anushka Sharma Latest Pics

2009-05-22T20:16:00.005+05:30

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma judged the Radio City dance competition at their studio in Mumbai. Anushka showed off her dancing skills and talked about her passion for dance.

Neetu Chandra’s Hot photoshoot for "Man" Magazine

2009-05-22T19:55:00.004+05:30

Bollywood's new bindaas girl Neetu Chandra looking pretty hot during photoshoot in bikini with other model Krishikha Gupta for "Man" Magazine.

Hot Megan Fox Sizzles in "Elle" June 2009 Edition

2009-05-09T20:50:00.004+05:30

Pretty hot Megan Fox sizzling on the cover and pages of "Elle" Magazine June 2009 edition.

Zoe Salmon's Graces UK FHM May 2009 Issue

2009-05-09T20:35:00.006+05:30

Famous television presenter and actress Zoe Salmon is looking pretty hot and leggy in 'UK FHM' magazine May 2009 issue.

Jessica Alba Exposed Butterfly Tattoo on Her Back

2009-04-30T20:01:00.004+05:30

Beautiful American actress Jessica Alba was spotted out with her daughter, Honor Marie. During her visit she accidentally exposed tattoo on her Back.

Forthcoming Attraction "Kambakht Ishq"

2009-04-30T19:14:00.013+05:30

Bollywood's forthcoming most awaited attraction "Kambakht Ishq" is directed by Sabbir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor playing the lead role in this action packed comedy film which has a huge budget of $18m. Hollywood Star Slyvester Stallone, Denise Richards, and Brandon Routh also playing an important role in this movie. Kambakkht Ishq is scheduled to hit the theaters on May 29th 2009.

Bollywood Legend Feroz Khan (September 25, 1939 - April 27, 2009) Passed Away

2009-04-29T14:33:00.003+05:30

Bollywood's legendary actor, producer, and director Feroz Khan passed away at his farmhouse in Bangalore on April 27, 2009. He was fighting with cancer and was being treated at a Mumbai hospital for a long time. During his successful career he gave lots of hit movies to bollywood film industry like, Qurbani, Jaanbaz, Dharmatma, and many more. His also wants to make a remake of his Superhit movie "Qurbani". He was also well known for his love for style, fashion, and animals. The latest film in which he acts was the year 2007 blockbuster "Welcome".

Happy Birthday Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar

2009-04-25T20:41:00.003+05:30

Sachin Tendulkar, the worlds greatest batsman ever and the real hero of the world, celebrates his 36th birthday with his team mates in South Africa on 24th April 2009 during IPL Season 2.

Padma Lakshmi pose nude for Allure Magazine

2009-04-23T20:43:00.004+05:30

One of the popular American reality show "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi posed nude for Allure Magazine's May nude issue.

Bollywood's Top Hot Bikini Babes

2009-04-14T20:57:00.003+05:30

We all knows that not everyone can carry off a bikini well. But in Bollywood, there are some hot stars who do it with great attitude and confidence. Here are the pics of some sizzling bikini babes of bollywood.

Taylor Swift Cover Girl of "Seventeen" Magazine

2009-04-14T20:48:00.001+05:30

American pop singer Taylor Swift is on the cover of "Seventeen" magazine May 2009 issue.

Charlize Theron Sizzling on UK Marie Claire Magazine

2009-04-14T20:38:00.003+05:30

The sexiest actress and fashion model Charlize Theron graces the cover of "UK Marie Claire" magazine May 2009 issue.

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is Pregnant

2009-04-14T20:29:00.001+05:30

According to source the 31 years old actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are expecting their first child together. They have been married for six years and now ready for their first baby.

Kourtney Kardashian Posing for Maxim Magazine

2009-04-14T20:20:00.002+05:30

American model Kourtney Kardashian shows her body on the Maxim magazine photo shoot. She is looking very hot during the entire photo shoot.

Britney Spears Cutest Fashion Look in Candie’s Ad

2009-04-14T19:54:00.005+05:30

Leading brand Candie's girl Britney Spears looks very cute in her official Candie’s Ad. Candie's is a brand of shoes, girls clothing and apparel, jewelery, perfume, etc.

Kim Kardashian in Magazine Super Bowl Party

2009-04-10T20:07:00.002+05:30

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush spotted out together in Magazine Super Bowl Party at The Venue Club in Florida. Kim Kardashian looking pretty hot in a multicolored strapless dress while Reggie Bush sported a grey suit.

Astonishing Sonam Kapoor in Filmfare Magazine April 2009 Issue

2009-04-10T19:41:00.001+05:30

Stunning Sonam Kapoor graces the latest edition of Filmfare Magazine for the month of April 2009. Sonam Kapoor is well known for her homely desi girl image in her last two movies. She is now all set to go to image make over. Sonam looks astonishing while posing for Filmfare magazine.

Bipasha Basu Graces the Cover of Filmfare Magazine April 2009 Issue

2009-04-10T19:34:00.003+05:30

Bollywood’s undeniable bombshell Bipasha Basu is well known for her sexy image in bollywood. Bipasha Basu sizzles on the cover of Filmfare Magazine April 2009 issue. She wears bikini top and looks gorgeous in the filmfare magazine.

Britney Spears on the Cover of Germany Maxim April 2009 Issue

2009-04-09T14:23:00.001+05:30

Venomous Britney Spears sparkle on the cover and the pages of Germany Maxim magazine April 2009 issue. She is looking pretty hot and toxic.

Hot DeAnna Pappas Spotted in Bikini on Malibu Beach

2009-04-09T13:54:00.002+05:30

Hot star DeAnna Pappas was seen in biniki on Malibu Beach, showing off her fine body in a pink sexy two-piece bikini. The Bachelorette star enjoyed a trip to the beach alongwith her fiance Jesse Csinsak.

Sienna Miller Cover Girl of Spain DT April 2009 Issue

2009-04-09T13:49:00.001+05:30

Hot Sienna Miller sizzles on the cover and pages of "Spain DT magazine" April 2009 issue.

Shilpa Shetty on the Cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine April 2009 Issue

2009-04-07T21:09:00.001+05:30

The Sporty, Sexy and Stylish bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is the lucky girl featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine India April 2009 issue and looking pretty.

Megan Fox Shows Her Pretty Legs In Hollywood

2009-04-07T21:00:00.002+05:30

Hot actress Megan Fox shows her pretty legs in a short denim shorts in Hollywood.

Jessica Alba Spotted Out at 2009 American Museum Of Natural History’s Museum

2009-04-07T20:56:00.001+05:30

Hollywood actress Jessica Alba spotted out at 2009 American Museum of Natural History’s Museum Dance in New York.

Hollywood's Top Five Sexiest Women

2009-03-30T21:33:00.004+05:30

As per Men's popular magazine 'Details' servey Jennifer Aniston is on the Tops of Hollywood's Sexiest Women List. Sexy Megan Fox and supermodel Gisele Bundchen grab the second and third position. Eight oscar award winner movie "Slumdog Millionaire" beauty Freida Pinto and hot TV star Kim Kardashian is number four and fifth position.

Katrina Kaif Sizzles on Ramp at Lakme Fashion Week 2009 Event

2009-03-28T20:42:00.004+05:30

Bollywood's new barbie doll Katrina Kaif walks on the ramp at the first day of Lakme Fashion Week 2009, Mumbai, India’s prime fashion event.

Deepika Padukone's Sizzling Photo Shootout for Harper’s Bazaar

2009-03-28T20:12:00.005+05:30

Watch out Glamorous Deepika Padukone's sizzling photo shootout for Harper's Bazaar April 2009 Indian issue. The photoshoot is done by popular photographer Atul Kasbekar at Phuket location.

Christina Milian Spotted in Bikini with Boyfriend

2009-03-27T18:51:00.003+05:30

American singer, dancer, and actress Christina Milian was spotted in Hawaii with her boyfriend in a bikini.

Carmen Electra on the Cover of Mexico Maxim March 2009 Issue

2009-03-25T20:35:00.004+05:30

Hot actress Carmen Electra is the cover girl of "Mexico Maxim" magazine March 2009 issue.

Beyonce Sizzling on US Vogue April 2009 Issue

2009-03-25T20:25:00.004+05:30

Hot Beyonce Sizzling on the "US Vogue" magazine April 2009 issue.

Kim Kardashian and her Boyfriend's GQ Pictures for April 2009

2009-03-24T21:04:00.003+05:30

Sexy Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Reggie Bush posing together for the GQ magazine April 2009 issue.

Ashlee Simpson and Her Cute Baby Picture

2009-03-24T20:52:00.004+05:30

Here is the picture of Ashlee Simpson and her cute baby boy. She gave birth to her baby boy in November 2008. The name of baby is Bronx and he is very cute.

Kim Kardashian Russia Playboy Pictures

2009-03-20T20:36:00.003+05:30

Kim Kardashian is on the cover and the pages of Russia Playboy magazine.

Freida Pinto Sizzle on "Maxim" Cover

2009-03-19T20:26:00.005+05:30

Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto sizzle on the Indian edition of men's magazine "Maxim" cover page.

Paris Hilton in Bikini

2009-03-18T19:48:00.005+05:30

Paris Hilton photo shootout in bikini at Hawaii beach.

Britney Spears Spotted in Blue Bikini

2009-03-13T16:58:00.002+05:30

Super hot singer Britney Spears was seen in a blue bikini at Miami Hotel.

Upcoming Attractions of Bollywood

2009-03-12T14:59:00.006+05:30

Watch out the first look of some most awaited upcoming movies of March 2009.

Deepthi Varughese - Miss India Worldwide India 2009

2009-03-10T17:17:00.003+05:30

23 year old beautiful girl Deepthi Varughese from Kottayam in Kerala is the winner of Miss India Worldwide India 2009 title held at Delhi. She completed her college from St. Teresa’s Ernakulam and also won the Miss Fresher title at there in 2003.

Sizzling Beyonce Poses for "Los Angeles Confidential" March 2009 Cover Page

2009-03-09T13:20:00.004+05:30

American Singer and actress Beyonce Knowles sizzles in a white swimsuit for "Los Angeles Confidential" Magazine cover page for the month of March 2009.

Megan Fox Spotted out at Indigo Furniture Store Candids

2009-03-09T13:07:00.003+05:30

Here is some exclusive pics of Megan Fox. She was spotted out at Indigo Furniture Store Candids.

Chris and Rihanna are back together

2009-02-28T19:34:00.002+05:30

A source of People magazine told that Chris Brown and Rihanna are back together.

Nearly three weeks after the couple split over a fight that allegedly escalated to violence and a felony arrest for Brown, sources tell the mag they’ve patched things up.

"They're together again. They care for each other," says the source who added, "While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves."

The pair is reportedly spending time together at one of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ homes.

"Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" Premiere

2009-02-28T19:23:00.002+05:30

Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas appear at the premier Walt Disney Picture’s "Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience" at the 'El Capitan Theatre' on February 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

8 Oscar Award Winner 'Slumdog Millionaire' Child Stars Come Back Home to India

2009-02-28T18:46:00.005+05:30

Eight oscar winner movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' child actors come back home to India after attending the Academy Awards and a memorable trip to the U.S. They will remember for the rest of their lives are magical things that happened to the child stars of 'Slumdog Millionaire'. 'Slumdog Millionaire' won 8 Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture. Indian music sensation A. R. Rahman won 2 Oscar Award for best original score and best song for 'Jai Ho'.

Here are some exclusive arrival pics of Azharuddin Mohammed and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, who played young Salim and Jamal in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

'Dostana' Movie Review

2008-11-15T12:37:00.002+05:30

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham
Direction: Tarun Mansukhani
Music Director: Vishal Shekhar
Critics rating: ***1/2
Release Date: November 14, 2008

'Dostana' essentially employs the comedy of errors code, though not in terms of mistaken personalities but preferences. Karan Johar extends his legacy of kanta-ben humor as the crux of the story.

The setting is in Miami where Samir (Abhishek Bachchan) and Karan (John Abraham) almost turn homo in quest for a home. Together they pose as a gay couple to gain rental accommodation in a swanky apartment owned by Neha (Priyanka Chopra). Neha has no qualms about sharing her flat with the male duo thanks to their happy-and-gay ways. The trio team up to become the best of buddies.

Friendship expectedly ends up into love in Bollywood and, as anticipated, Samir and Karan are both besotted by their beautiful roommate. Since Saajan styled sacrifices are no more the order of the day, this love triangle evades the path followed by Amitabh and Shatrughan in Yash Johar’s 3-decade-old Dostana . Son Karan Johar prefers traversing the David Dhawan track of one-upmanship from films like Deewana Mastana and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi .

While each one attempts to outdo the other, their competition is only multiplied with Neha falling for her colleague Abhimanyu (Bobby Deol). As one thing leads to another the film reaches a wild climax.

Dostana would have ended up as a regular love-triangle if not for the intelligently-incorporated gay angle. Furthermore it survives significantly and skillfully throughout the film springing up smart surprises every now and then. Amongst the best of the gay gags is Kirron Kher’s scandalized outlook towards her son’s (Abhishek) gay relationship and subsequently coming to terms with his partner-preference. The cultural spoof that ensues is hilarious and the wacky conceptualization of the uproarious song ‘Maa-Da-Laadla’ deserves brownie points.

The actual story initiates in the second half and the screenplay adopts a multi-dimensional approach with sufficient twists and turns that steers away any monotony. It starts as a tug-of-war between Abhishek and John but soon the duo team up to outshine potential contender Bobby. This ensures cordial chemistry between the male leads. As the scene gets all emotional in the pre-climax, the film opts for a time-leap exactly like Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna . And while you foresee the end much before it actually arrives, the feral finish makes up for the predictability.

While Tarun Mansukhani proves his credentials as a competent writer and director, he also has a keen eye on exploiting the best from his cast. For all desi gals who have been drooling over Daniel’s derriere, John ‘flashes back’ with a hint of his butt cleavage. For a change a Hindi film heroine admits to her real age onscreen. That’s modesty! And Abhishek never ever gets off his shirt. That’s self-realization! However a Shilpa Shetty item number isn’t the best of ideas to kick-start a film, which you easily overlook as the story takes over.

High on technical proficiency, the cinematography by Ayananka Bose is menthol-cool and the casual clothing line by Aki Narula and Manish Malhotra complement the characters perfectly. Vishal Shekhar’s musical score is groovy though brutally techno at times. The background score comprising of ‘What the *uck’ sounds and also deriving from Jahan Teri Ye Nazar Hai (Kaalia) support the screen antics ably.

The screen chemistry between the Abhishek-Priyanka-John trio is palpably cozy. Priyanka Chopra looks gorgeous and is perfectly poised in her performance. She never under-acts or goes over-the-top. John has more to show-off than his chiseled physique. He is easygoing in his role of the dominant male. Abhishek Bachchan is splendid in his sissy act (in the initial reels) and even otherwise is impressive. Bobby Deol thankfully underplays his character. Boman Irani is accurate in his gay act though his petty portion was avoidable. Kirron Kher repeats the Om Shanti Om act with precision.

Dostana redefines the ‘ feel-gud’ genre and makes up for some ‘homo-genius’ entertainment.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Quantum of Solace' Movie Review

2008-11-15T12:18:00.002+05:30

Star Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric
Director: Marc Foster
Rating: ***
Release Date: November 7, 2008

"The name’s Bond... James Bond" which has been the ‘trademark’ introductory note of Ian Fleming’s sexy British secret agent 007 (that has had women across the globe go weak in the knees) has been surprisingly evaded in Quantum of Solace. Let alone the exclusion of this popular dialogue, Quantum of Solace doesn’t even begin with the "James Bond signature Theme" played in the background as the opening credits start rolling. Add to this Bond’s (Daniel Craig reprises his role of Bond) disinterest in seducing gorgeous women with his charm and then bedding them.

German-Swiss filmmaker Marc Foster makes it very clear right from the beginning of Quantum of Solace that this Bond flick will break away from all the Bond clichés, the very ones which have given Bond its unique identity.

The sexual tension that Bond so impressively manages to create with his women and the flirtatious banter he has with them takes a backseat and the film rides high on him seeking the revenge of the death of his beloved Vesper (Eva Green in Casino Royale) though he tries hard to show his mission as strictly ‘professional’ and not ‘personal’. His heartbreak and agony makes him ruthless thus forcing him to largely exercise his license to kill.

Foster plays a big gamble by taking humour and sex out of Bond’s life but fairly succeeds in keeping his character interesting and intriguing as ever.

Coming to the story of the film, Quantum of Solace picks up where Casino Royale left off. The film begins with a heart-thumping car chase where Bond in his Ashton Martin is being chased by a troop of gunned villains leaving you breathless. This is only one of the many dangerous chases Bond gets involved in. From one breathtaking stunt to another, Quantum manages to keep you on the edge of your seats, all thanks to its brilliant technical stunt team. The second chase shot in Sienna, Italy is the highlight of the film, where Bond jumps and runs across rooftops, race course, church tower and finally the church bell at a terrific speed to catch hold of a traitor who secretly works for an organization ‘Quantum’ involved in various devious activities. Quantum is headed by Dominic Green (Mathieu Amalric, effective) who in the pretext of being a philanthropist is actually conspiring to take total control of the world’s most important natural resources. He is also the man involved in Vesper’s death.

As he chases Green, he bumps into a feisty Camille (Olga Kurylenko) who has her own score to settle with Green’s partner in crime General Medrano. Together the two set on a mission to kill their culprits without sleeping with each other (very unlike Bond). Bond defies all orders given by M (Judy Dench, impressive) as he is hellbent on tracking down Green.

Quantum highly scores as far as the impeccably shot high octane stunt scenes and effective performances are concerned. However the villain Green comes across as terribly underpowered when compared to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) in Casino Royale and that’s where Bond’s character looks unreal as every time Bond is shown single handedly getting rid of his opponents, irrespective of their presence on land, water or air, that too with his sheer physical prowess minus much help from his hi-tech gadgets. His banter with M is also highly missed in the film. The Bond girls Olga and Gemma both somehow fail to match up to Eva’s screen presence and sex appeal.

Daniel Craig as Bond is simply impeccable. From being heartless, humourless, and ruthless to being sensitive, caring and vulnerable...he displays all facets of Bond’s personality with ease and we would want to see him playing James for many Bond installments to come. Daniel is in great shape and looks terrific too.

Quantum is definitely worth a watch, not only because it is a Bond film but because it has Daniel Craig playing the Bond.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Movie Review of Fashion (drama)

2008-11-10T15:31:00.002+05:30

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mughda Godse, Arjan Bajwa
Direction: Madhur Bhandarkar
Music Director: Salim-Suleiman
Critics rating: ***1/2
Release Date: October 31, 2008

WITH Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate and Traffic Signal behind him, director Madhur Bhandarkar has developed a trademark style of film making which has the word `realistic' incessantly tagged on to it, by both the viewers and the industrywallahs. Well, Bhandarkar's oeuvre may not exactly fall into the classic cinema verite cult, nevertheless, it does try to bridge the gap between art house cinema and mainstream masala with its declaration: Are you ready for the bitter truth? Yup.

Each time the filmmaker picks up a subject, he proposes to do an expose on a particular segment of society. And each time, there is a dogged attempt to reveal the underbelly: ugly, festering and foul. Fashion too falls prey to this inbuilt bias of the director's creative vision and introduces a degree of predictability in the plot. The first half of the film is a relentless replay of all the cliches one would associate with the world of glamour. Small town girls need to shed their middle class morality before they can scale the ladder of success.

Successful models are sad, lonely, broken people, addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes. Godfathers are cruel, manipulative, exploitative. And last but not least, Brokeback Mountain isn't just a film for male fashion designers; it's a lifestyle statement for most of them.

Mercifully, Fashion isn't about cliches alone and manages to transcend them with it's moving tale of three women who try to maintain their honour, dignity, identity in a cruel world that spills over with grime behind the glamour. The film not only takes you behind the psychedelic ramp, it travels through the dark inner recesses of the three lead characters, laying bare their strengths and weaknesses; their fears and hopes; their dreams and nightmares.

If Meghna Mathur's (Priyanka Chopra) journey from Chandigarh to Mumbai is a tortuous coming-of-age sojourn for a small town girl who dreams to become a super model, then reigning diva, Shonali Gujral (Kangana Ranaut) travels through her own personal inferno, ending up totally singed when the arc lights fade. Between them is Janet Sequeira (Mughda Godse), the high on EQ model who chose to make her own compromises by giving up her career and settling down in a faux marriage with her gay designer friend, Samir Soni. Three distinct women who make a choice between success and failure, sanity and insanity, life and loneliness...and create a sensitive parable on bonding and empowerment.

Dramatically, it's Priyanka's journey that is the most comprehensive as it tackles her growth from an ambitious, young girl to an arrogant model who fails to handle her success, crumbles and then rises again, like the proverbial Phoenix. The actress delivers a competent performance and yet, has tough competition from the other two girls.

Debutante Mughda pitches in a confident portrayal of the sweet and sensitive buddy. But the show stopper (read scene stealer) is crazy, kinky, Kangana who does an exquisite metamorphosis from a wispy, high-strung, nervous child-woman to a stunning ramp diva. Watch her handle her wardrobe malfunction, make faces at her nagging manager or exchange bitter workplace truths with rival Priyanka in the ladies' washroom and you'll realise she's perfected the Girl Interrupted act after similar roles in Woh Lamhe, Life in a Metro and Gangster . The men? No place for them, specially since the women completely overshadow them.

Of course, the film desperately needs some tight editing to cut out the flab. Nevertheless, go, witness woman power, in all its agony and ecstasy.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Movie Review of Golmaal Returns (comedy)

2008-11-10T15:00:00.003+05:30

Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade
Direction: Rohit Shetty
Critics rating: **
Release Date: October 31, 2008

DUMB seems to be getting dumber. Funny is beginning to feel unfunny. And Bollywood's current tryst with comedy isn't quite `Welcome' anymore.

Of course, the first Golmaal itself wasn't a high IQ exercise, with its tale of overgrown college students ending up in a blind couple's house. But there were some robust moments of sheer fun along with some crackling chemistry between the foursome: Ajay, Arshad, Sharman, Tusshar.

Here, talented Sharman Joshi has been replaced by also-talented Shreyas Talpade and Kareena Kapoor, basking in the success of Jab We Met , has been added to enhance the star value of the film. Ironically, the silicone shots don't seem work, as the film keeps sagging to unlimited depths, thanks to a no-brainer script and some really bad acting.

First the script. Ajay Devgan has an extended family which includes his couch potato wife, Kareena, his bimbette sister, Amrita Arora and his dumb brother-in-law, Tusshar Kapoor. Wife Kareena is an inveterate serial watcher and draws all her life's mantras from the Kyunki-Kahani soaps of Ekta Kapoor. Naturally, she suspects her husband when he spends a whole night on a yatch away from her. The husband, who had tried to save a desperate girl, ends up spinning an implausible yarn to save his skin.

The rest is one miserable rigmarole, where Tusshar and Shreyas try to infuse some madcap moments in the tedium, while the rest of the people just keep screaming and running.

It's quite sad to watch seasoned actors like Ajay Devgan and Arshad Warsi goof up in comic roles that they managed to carry off with elan in the earlier film. Shreyas, once again, displays his sense of comic timing, visible in Dor , while Tusshar proves that his dumb act in both the films might just end up as his career best.

The girlie brigade is completely unwatchable, especially Kareena who seems to be sleepwalking through the film. Again, sad, since she's such a fine actress and had managed to become the nation's fav girl after Jab We Met .

Ready for a third sequel? Not if it's as brain dead as the second.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion" gets 'A' Certificate

2008-10-23T10:13:00.002+05:30

Madhur Bhandarkar is very upset because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given his next film 'Fashion' an "A" certificate. Bhandarkar describes 'Fashion' as his most glamorous film. He roped in Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, Arjan Bajwa and Mugdha Godse to do lead roles.

'Fashion', which takes a close look at the other side of the fashion world, is due for release on October 29.

Ranbir & Deepika in Sarkar Raj-3

2008-10-21T13:20:00.003+05:30

If the rumors are to be believed, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone is going to play the lead role of Ramgopal Verma's next sequel of Sarkaar Raaj. Ranbir and Deepika were last seen together in 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' and the filmmakers love to cash in on the off-screen chemistry of the stars.

Ranbir Kapoor's Sister 'Ridhhima'

2008-10-21T13:03:00.003+05:30

"Karzzz" Movie Review

2008-10-21T12:51:00.003+05:30

Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Urmila Matondkar, Shweta Kumar, Dino Morea
Direction: Satish Kaushik
Music Director: Himesh Reshammiya
Critics rating: ***
Release Date: October 17, 2008

RULE number one: Don't compare chalk with cheese and you might just end up sitting through this new version of a vintage blockbuster without falling prey to all the extra ZZZZZZs (read yawns) in the title.

Rule number two: Don't dare mention the word `Rishi' when Reshammiya is on screen and you could end up seeing what the man-next-door sees in this singer-turned-wannabe actor who supposedly wowed the aam janta with his debut act in Aap Ka Suroor.

And most importantly, rule number three: go looking for pure masala, with no pretensions of brainy-brawny stuff and you could get your paisa vasool staple diet of unadulterated formula.

Satish Kaushik does try and follow Subhash Ghai's original musical, with a few twists and turns, here and there. Primarily, it is a tried and tested reincarnation story where murdered lover Ravi Verma (Dino Morea) returns to avenge his death as Monty (Himesh Reshammiya), the pop singer who befriends his former wife (Urmila Matondkar) in his new avtar.

While the first half is primarily an extended Reshammiya concert, peppered with song after song, it's the second half that provides some watchable moments of high tension and drama, as Reshammiya weaves his web around the luscious widow, Matondkar.

The music is meant specifically for Reshammiya fans and is actually quite peppy and zany, including the kitschy Tandoori Nights. As an actor, Himesh seems to have moved forward after his wooden act in his first film. He prefers to play it completely straight and goes over the top only in the climax. The high point of the film is Urmila Matondkar who tries to chart a different course as the mean, machiavellian gold digger. Again, do not look for Simi Grewal's super poise in this sultry seductive widow act of Ms Matondkar. New girl Shweta Kumar has miles to go before she can think of a career in Bollywood.

Kitsch kitsch hota hai? Go for Karzzz.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Glamourous Jennifer Ellison's Pictures for Sexy 2009 Calendar

2008-10-11T16:14:00.003+05:30

The glamourous sexy model, Jennifer Ellison shows off her body in lingeries for the official 2009 calendar photo shoot.

'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' Movie Review

2008-10-11T15:56:00.004+05:30

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Director: Eric Brevig
Rating: ***

The title pretty much gives an idea of the drive and the destination of this film. Journey to the Centre of the Earth is like those trademark expedition adventures where a group sets out to explore some forbidden territory. In this one the terrain is the centre of earth, a zone not explored before even in films.

The storyline is not out of the world. Prof. Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) teaches at the University and heads the Center of Volcanic Activity. His brother Max had worked on volcanic monitoring systems but never returned from his mission for reasons unknown. After some decoding in Max's copy of a book named ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ by Jules Verne, Trevor flies down to Iceland along with his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) to check the monitoring units placed by Max.

They hire a mountain guide, Hannah (Anita Briem), to take them up the dormant volcano. Up the mountain they get trapped in a cave due to lightening. In their quest to get out of the cavern, starts their accidental journey to the centre of the earth. The journey literally begins on a roller-coaster note as they pass through an abandoned mine track on speeding carts. They are trapped deeper in their expedition as the floor cracks and they fall miles down inside a volcano tube till they reach the centre of earth. Once there, they discover the secrets of Max and then set back on a mission to resurface on earth.

Despite the brittle narrative, it’s the execution of the scenes that keeps you hooked to the screen throughout. Eric Brevig has been nominated twice at the Oscars for Special Effects and the visual splendour in his directorial debut is simply stunning. More importantly this is a film where the 3D format is exploited to the maximum effect. Each geological frame of the film livens up as you feel yourself experiencing the escapades with the trio. The encounter with primitive glowing birds and carnivorous plants are imaginative but the 3D effects are best perceived when flying piranhas pop out of the screen, straight on your face. The mine cart ride in the start and magnetic rock path towards the end has its thrilling moments.

Of course some geological logistics do seem improbable like the core of earth having an ocean bed and meeting with thunderstorms and lightening which aren’t scientifically justified. Also there’s an encounter with a T-Rex in the climactic chase which seems too far-fetched. But then my quest for logic in a popcorn flick isn’t as severe as my desire for the best utilization of the 3D format for optimum cinematic experience, even if that needs the extinct dinosaur to be brought back to life.

Despite a one-dimensional plot, Journey to the Centre of the Earth is enjoyable for the three-dimensional effects. Do not opt for the 2D version which would be as average as watching the film on DVD. For once, put on those spectacles for that spectacular experience.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Babylon AD' Movie Review

2008-10-11T15:44:00.004+05:30

Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry
Rating: **

Babylon AD comes as a futuristic thriller about genetic manipulation that is marketed as an out-and-out action flick over a science-fiction drama and it ends up unimpressively in either genre.

Toorop (Vin Diesel) is a mercenary who takes up an assignment of illegally immigrating a girl named Aurora (Melanie Thierry) along with her guardian nun Rebecca (Michelle Yeoh) from a convent in Russia to New York. En route Toorop has to save the two from natural threats in the futuristic setting and an unknown group of mercenaries claiming to have been sent by Aurora's supposedly dead father.

Aurora has strange intuitions, operates an old submarine without knowledge and has been speaking 19 different languages since she was 2 years old. On reaching US, Toorop learns that it was not just an ordinary expedition but that virgin Aurora is pregnant with twins who have the potential to be the next Messiahs.

On sci-fi excuse, you are served with ridiculous explanations that a supercomputer was implanted in Aurora when she was a fetus and with genetic manipulation a Neolite group wanted to exploit her as a virgin birth for their religion. Toorop dies for two hours, is revived through cybernetics and continues to save Aurora.

The sci-fi element of the film lacks soul and the action is just too outdated. There are cage-fights and snowmobiles chases but with the wobbling and jerky camera movements, it’s practically difficult to follow the disturbing action. The exact time period is never specified and the futuristic element is extremely incoherent, unnecessary and unconvincing. All you get to see is a Neon-lit New York with electronic messages scrolling on cab doors and a paper-compatible Google Earth. Otherwise cola brands continue to be the same and chases happen in present-day Range Rovers.

The end is abrupt and unintelligent leaving behind a lot of loopholes and several questions unanswered. There’s no mention of the high-priestess of the Neolite group or her quest for virgin birth. What was the relevance of the racially different twins? Why was the Russian mercenary Toorop banned in the US with a terrorist tag? Perhaps that’s got to do with the sizeable amount of footage that has reportedly been edited from the final version by the producers following which director Mathieu Kassovitz disowned the film.

Clearly you don’t feel any sense of belonging with the film. Michelle Yeoh is miscast as a Chinese nun in Russia with martial arts skills. And this Vin Diesel film lacks fuel for decent entertainment.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Hello' Movie Review

2008-10-11T15:27:00.004+05:30

Cast: Sharman Joshi, Sohail Khan, Gul Panag, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora
Special Appearance: Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif
Direction: Atul Agnihotri
Music Director: Sajid-Wajid and Salim-Suleiman
Critics rating: *
Release Date: October 10, 2008

I always wondered when audiences complained how cinematic adaptations of international bestsellers never reached up to the preconceived expectations of the literary work. Back in India we never encountered a similar scenario since filmmakers barely attempted adapting contemporary literature. But with Hello director Atul Agnihotri reinstated the theory of prose over picture.

Not that Chetan Bhagat’s novel One Night at a Call Centre was an exceptional piece of literary brilliance. Anyone who has read the book will consent that the writing was filmi to the core and always had the trappings of a Bollywood drama. But while interpreting the manuscript to screenplay, Agnihotri fails to capture the finer nuances of the writing.

Agnihotri composes a cinematic preface in the form of a garish Salman Khan item number. Khan substitutes for Bhagat’s presence in the novel and his chance meeting with a mysterious girl (Katrina Kaif) is upgraded from a train compartment to a helipad terminal. The girl barges from nowhere and insists on narrating a story. Sadly she gives away the climax before starting her story enlightening it’s about God’s phone-call to six call-centre employees.

The potential team leader of the call-centre group Shyam (Sharman Joshi) has recently broken off with colleague Priyanka (Gul Panag) who is on the verge of marrying an NRI. Varun (Sohail Khan) has a crush on ambitious Esha (Isha Koppikar) who is willing to compromise to any extent to make it big in the fashion world. Radhika (Amrita Arora) is a battered housewife and Military Uncle (Sharat Saxena) is estranged from his US-settled son. Like all employees they hate their boss Bakshi (Dalip Tahil) who has got notice to sack a sizeable chunk of the staffers.

Then one night they meet with an accident and while dangling for life, they get a call from God. What follows is a divine discourse on ethics, morals, self-confidence, et al as the prolonged lecture by the Lord is backed with background score derived from Aastha channel and Miraclenet. With an edified outlook the team gets back to work and solves their personal and professional issues before the strike of dawn. This includes getting Bakshi fired in an unbelievably childish approach and saving their own jobs by increasing call volumes through the most ludicrous methods. They spread rumours of a dangerous virus attack to their US customer base (who are reduced to a bunch of incognizant buffoons seeking advice on starting computers or switching off vacuum cleaners) and they panic as if their country was threatened by some alien attack.

Three more writers (other than Bhagat) are employed to pen additional screenplay and dialogues but they only end up tampering the original essence of the book. A highpoint of the literature was how Shyam migrates from the present to his flashback romantic episodes with Priyanka through common connecting elements. The modified screenplay of the film clearly fails to tap that aspect of the novel. Rather what is added is a bald animated inner-soul of Shyam who provokes him into devilish ways. Not to forget the script is crammed with abstract club numbers having multi-coloured airborne models but the outcome is certainly not in flying colours.

The foreign fiancée struggles to fake an anglicized accent while the call centre operators bear none. Sohail Khan serves a sermonizing session on how celebrities are not the real youth icons while elder brother Salman Khan is used to same effect in his topless introductory item number. And what was Arbaaz Khan doing in the film? The characterizations are absolutely shallow and so are the performances.

One Night at a Call Centre was a passable fiction but Hello just made me dislike the novel. Certainly this ‘Hell’-o is not a ‘welcome’ sign.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Akshaya Kumar and Twinkle Khanna at 'CNBC Consumer Awards'

2008-09-30T10:59:00.003+05:30

Abhishek Bachchan in Big Boss House

2008-09-29T11:08:00.005+05:30

Abhishek Bachchan was seen on the set of TV reality show "Big Boss-2", with the actress and host of the show Shilpa Shetty. The Jr. Bachchan received a heartwarming welcome when he entered the Bigg Boss house as a surprise guest. It is scheduled that Abhishek Bachchan would temporarily intermingle with either Rahul Mahajan or Raja Chaudhary whoever may be evicted from the show for a shorter scale of time.

Stars Align at 6th Annual Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party

2008-09-29T10:49:00.002+05:30

They are the upcoming stars of Hollywood that everyone is talking about, and the last night Selena Gomez, Rumer Willis, Bar Refaeli, Aly and AJ Michalka were all chilling at the 6th Annual Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party.

"Taare Zameen Par" - India’s Entry for Oscar

2008-09-22T11:42:00.003+05:30

It took a little more than talent for actor Aamir Khan to back - produce, direct and act - a film like Taare Zameen Par, a movie with a unique concept, that of dyslexia!

The jury set up by Film Federation of India (FFI) has announced that Aamir Khan’s directorial debut movie ‘Taare Zameen Par’ will be India’s official entry for the Oscar award for the best foreign film, the jury announced here Saturday.

"Welcome to Sajjanpur" Movie Review

2008-09-22T11:12:00.002+05:30

Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Amrita Rao, Ravi Kishen
Direction: Shyam Benegal
Music Director: Shantanu Moitra
Critics rating: ***
Release Date: September 19, 2008

SHYAM Benegal's been to the Indian village, long years ago. Then, at the helm of the parallel film movement, he had given us films like Ankur , Nishant , showcasing the seamier side of rural India. The films still remain milestones in celluloid history. Benegal goes back to the village once again, this time with a breezy outlook and a buoyant tone. Of course, you do miss the stark realism and the social concerns of his earlier films. But hey, hasn't the national mood changed too? Isn't India several notches higher on the global happiness index. So smile. Sajjanpur's sweet, simple, sylvan bliss, where widows still aren't allowed to be remarried...but that's just a fleeting reference; where superstition, ritualism still rule...but that's funny, not sad; where politics and governance is a messy business...but that's comic business. So what if India's foremost filmmaker who pioneered hard-hitting realism in films is now somewhat soft and flossy; at least he's still around, unlike most of his contemporaries.

Hence, the importance of Welcome to Sajjanpur , a light-hearted sojourn into an archetypal gaon that's on the fringe of modernity. The leader of this pastoral pack is Shreyas Talpade, the educated postman who dreams of being a writer and writes letters instead. And as he pens postcards for the bunch of illiterate villagers, he gives us a peep into their lives. Like a master craftsmen, Benegal not only introduces you to the sundry characters -- the child widow, the abandoned wife, the harried mother, the corrupt neta, the romantic compounder -- he also helps you connect with them. You almost wish the postmaster's love story reaches a happy end, even as you hope the seductive widow finds her soulmate.

It's simple, uncomplicated storytelling that leaves a smile on your face.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'1920' Movie Review

2008-09-16T10:06:00.000+05:30

Cast: Adah Sharma, Rajneesh Duggal
Direction: Vikram Bhatt
Music Director: Adnan Sami
Critics rating: **1/2
Release Date: September 12, 2008

INDIAN filmmakers seem to have mastered almost all the genres by now, yet horror still remains the untamed giant. Rarely do we get to see a real goosebump affair in desi cinema.

After his successful supernatural thriller, Raaz, Vikram Bhatt returns to the darna-zaroori-hai kinda cinema in 1920. Sadly, the Boo! monster still remains untamed, since Bhatt scores, but only in bits and places.

He is primarily let down by the corny script which catapults the film to the British Raj and uses the nationalist movement to provide a twist in the tale.

The aura of pre-independence patriotism is completely faux and the sacrifices of a desh-bhakt virgin juxtaposed against the treachery of a long-haired baaghi (rebel) are awkward and almost comic.

The story of the young couple (Rajneesh Duggal and Adah Sharma) who move into the haunted mansion where the drama unfolded a few years ago also begins on a false note. Rajneesh rescues his fiancee from a burning jeep and a bunch of belligerent family-wallahs and horse-rides his way into the spooky house with his new bride.

The film picks up only when the bride begins to hear strange noises and see spectres which soon possess her and transform her into a desi Linda Blair (of Exorcist fame).

She rolls up her eyes, speaks like a man, flings people around, eats raw flesh, crawls up pillars and generally keeps you glued to your seats....until the ear-shattering climax. Again,a shoddy affair.

Watch the film for the chilling second half and for its aesthetics. Some of the frames are truly artistic. As for the debut pair, while Adah Sharma delivers a consummate performance, Rajneesh Duggal is uninspiring and one dimensional.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'The Last Lear' Movie Review

2008-09-16T09:55:00.000+05:30

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal
Direction: Rituparno Ghosh
Critics rating: **1/2
Release Date: September 12, 2008

BASED on Utpal Dutt's classic play, Aajker Shahenshah, The Last Lear is a sad example of how adaptation can sometimes scuttle a good script and transform a landmark theatrical experience into flawed cinema. The film only works for Amitabh Bachchan aficionados who can savour the desi bard bellowing out the best of Shakespeare in his characteristic baritone.

The actor still manages to create magic moments on the screen as he portrays the arrogance and the naked need of a has-been actor who believes he is always good, simply because he can never be bad. Yet, he clings desperately to his last chance to display histrionics and is even ready to grovel before the filmmaker for his famous last shot.

The film traces the resurrection of Harry (Amitabh), a retired actor who lives in a dimly-lit house with memories of a glorious past, until he is pulled out of anonymity by Sid (Arjun Rampal), the avant garde filmmaker who wants to make a realistic film.

After some drunken camaraderie, Harry consents to play the clown in the movie and forges a friendship with both the director and the lead actress, Preity Zinta. But, when the curtains go up, and the accolades begin to pour in after the premier, Harry is back behind the tightly shut blinds of his house and the show simply goes on: ruthlessly, selfishly, unkindly.

It's a poignant story that loses most of its bite because of the rambling screenplay and the unnecessary subplot about emotionally battered women and feminist wailing.

Preity Zinta, Shefali Shah and Divya Dutta form a chest-beating sisterhood that consumes most of the screen time with their pointless tales of emotional abuse.

Also, the story is told by a narrator who gives a whiny voice-over that rids the film of all its subtlety. Add to this, the unconvincing climax, and you have a film that becomes watchable, here and there: when Arjun Rampal and Amitabh Bachchan indulge in creative banter.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Upcoming Attraction - Amitabh Bachchan and Preity Zinta in 'The Last Lear'

2008-09-11T18:20:00.000+05:30

Hollywood's Most Overpaid Movie Stars

2008-09-10T10:51:00.001+05:30

One of the most anticipated movies of the upcoming fall season is Australia, Baz Luhrmann's epic mash note to his home country, which stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman as Outback lovers. Kidman, more than anyone, is likely hoping it's a hit. Despite winning an Oscar for her performance in 2002's The Hours, Kidman has become the most overpaid celebrity in Hollywood.

According to our second annual ranking of the most (and least) bankable actors in Hollywood, Kidman's films earn a mere $1 for every dollar Kidman was paid, compared with $8 in 2007. The Invasion, a second remake of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, actually lost $2.68 for every dollar Kidman earned.

To compile our list, we looked at each star's last three films that opened wide before Jan. 1 (in order to give each film time for a DVD release). We didn't count animated movies, supporting roles or anyone consistently earning under $5 million per movie.

To calculate our payback figures, we took half of each film's worldwide box office (to roughly approximate the studio's cut of each ticket). Then we added the first three months of DVD revenues and subtracted the budget to derive the film's gross income. After that, the actor's total compensation (upfront pay plus any money earned from sharing in the film's profits) was divided into the gross income to get the actor's payback figure for the film. The payback for the last three movies for each actor was averaged to calculate ultimate payback. We deliberately used gross income rather than net income in our analysis because the latter figure is so easily manipulated by studio accountants, with marketing expenses treated differently for almost every film.

Our list of the top 10 overpaid celebrities is rife with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Tom Cruise ranks third with a $4 return for every dollar he was paid mostly because of last year's stinker Lions for Lambs, which Cruise's studio, United Artists, produced. For every dollar the star earned the film returned only $1.88.

Cameron Diaz may be the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, with $50 million in income between June 2006 and June 2007, but studios might want to question whether she's worth the money. Her films returned a lowly $4 for every dollar Diaz earned.

In general, actors who earned under $10 million per picture did better on our list. The one exception was Jennifer Garner. Her recent big-budget films, like The Kingdom and Catch and Release, have underperformed at the box office so badly that even her low salary couldn't offer a good return on investment. For every dollar Garner was paid to star in the 2006 romantic comedy Catch and Release, the film earned 34 cents.

Aussie Russell Crowe wins this year's award for most improved. The actor was the most overpaid celebrity last year, earning movies like Cinderella Man $5 for every dollar he was paid. (Kidman came in second.) This year Crowe was the 18th best earner on our list with a return of $6.88 for every dollar he earned.

The bump can be attributed to last year's American Gangster, which grossed $265 million in worldwide box office. Crowe returned a healthy $10.80 for every dollar he was paid on the film, bringing his ultimate payback number up to $6.88. Countryman Kidman could use a little of that good mojo this fall.

Source: Forbes.com

Vanessa Hudgens on September 2008 'Teen Vogue's Cover'

2008-09-06T20:00:00.000+05:30

Anna Kournikova - September 2008 Maxim Hot

2008-09-05T19:19:00.000+05:30

Anna Kournikova - Sizzling Hot For Maxim Magazine

2008-09-03T11:12:00.000+05:30

Source: http://www.maxim.com

'Chamku' Movie Review

2008-09-03T10:33:00.000+05:30

Cast: Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra
Direction: Kabir Kaushik
Music Director: Monty Sharma
Critics rating: **1/2
Release Date: August 29, 2008

OKAY, so Hindi films find a new hero this time. He's the naxalite who first kills the corrupt state agents and then ends up killing for the state. Now that's quite a bold step for Bobby Deol who decides to don a different role as Chamku, the favourite lieutenant of a Pushkin-reading Danny Denzongpa who talks of class conflict and revolution from his secret adda in the dense jungles.

The film begins on a promising note with some imaginative frames capturing the action as Bobby goes about his business with deadpan glee. But midway, you realise the Naxalbari was just a convenient ploy to package the same old formula of an action hero who is out to avenge the death of his father. Chamku was actually a happy village boy who saw his father being shot by the local thakur and could never rest happy ever after. Not even when he finds the chiffon-clad school madam (Priyanka Chopra) who sings Yippie-Yippie, whenever she sees him. Strangely, she never knows what her brooding beau actually does, even though he keeps disappearing for covert missions for his new boss (Irrfan Khan).

The problem with Chamku is its disjointed script and its relentless flashbacks which mar a film that could have tread new ground. Although, we do laud the attempts of the Deol Inc to turn to serious cinema.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Mukhbir' Movie Review

2008-09-03T10:25:00.000+05:30

Cast: Sameer Dattani, Raima Sen, Om Puri
Direction: Mani Shankar
Critics rating: **1/2
Release Date: August 29, 2008

SHADES of The Departed , did we say? Well, Sameer Dattani does a Leonardo Di Caprio here as he infiltrates a terrorist gang to help the assiduous cop (Om Puri) nab them before their bombs go boom.

The film does have its moments, specially when the hapless young infiltrator is forced to prove his loyalty in some nerve-wracking sequences. Rahul Dev essays the role of the terrorist with credible menace, but it is Om Puri who walks away with the applause as the cop who tries to clean up the system, even though he knows it's a deadly game.

Eventually however, it is the multiplicity of plots and subplots that act as a dampener and transform the film into a somewhat rambling investigation into the state's counter-terrorism programmes.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'C Kkompany' Movie Review

2008-09-03T10:17:00.000+05:30

Cast: Tusshar Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Raima Sen
Direction: Sachin Yardi
Critics rating: *
Release Date: August 29, 2008

THREE losers -- Tusshar Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Rajpal Yadav -- form a fictitious underworld gang to solve their personal problems. But soon, the gang ends up as the popular trouble-shooter for the aam aadmi who tries to solve his paani, bijli , pension problems by appealing to the Counterfeit Kkompany.

Munnabhai, anyone? Only, this one is such a pale-pale attempt to create a desi Robin Hood, it almost makes you cry. Actually, this one's hardly a film. Instead, it's more like a promo for Balaji Inc, where all the big and small stars from Ekta Kapoor's factory keep parading up and down, for no reason at all. And if that's not enough, there's the czarina herself trying her hand at emoting. Bad job.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Rock On' Movie Review

2008-09-03T10:06:00.000+05:30

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Prachi Desai, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny
Direction: Abhishek Kapoor
Music Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Critics rating: ****
Release Date: August 29, 2008

IF you really want to see how Bollywood has matured and come of age, then here's the perfect litmus test. For Rock On is a film that not only breaks new ground in terms of its subject matter -- now when has desi movielore ever tackled something akin to Hollywood's That Thing You Do -- it creates a whole new EQ (emotional quotient) for mainstream cinema. Of course, there is the great passion reminiscent of Dil Chahta Hai , but here, there is a poise and a restraint that portrays the friendship between four rock musicians, with all its ups and downs. The bonds are strong, but there are the dark sides too, like rivalry, physical violence, the fear of failure....Yet, no one hollers, no one screams and ever so often, you feel a tug at your heart.

The film traces the relationship between the four buddies from college days until their stagnant thirties, when the band has been disbanded due to interpersonal rivalries and the foursome has drifted apart. The lead crooner, Farhan Akhtar is an investment banker who has stuffed away the memorabilia of the past in the attic of his well-ordered house. The lead guitarist, Arjun Rampal, is a miserable man, echoing the anguish of an artiste who cannot go commercial, even if his family struggles with bread and butter concerns. Purab Kohli, the kick-ass drummer, is now selling jewellery in his father's store, while Luke Kenny is literally dying of frustration, strumming tunes for Anu Malik. It's left to Prachi Desai, Akhtar's lonely young wife, to forge a reunion and bring the band together for a final concert that almost takes your breath away and has you cheering, as you did in Chak De and Lagaan .

Surprisingly, everything falls in place in this refreshing, new film. Farhan Akhtar's vocals are absolutely fundoo, even as the foursome pitch in perfectly orchestrated performances. If you actually had to choose, then the vote would go for Arjun Rampal who displays a newfound maturity and looks absolutely groovy with his windblown hair and his guitar-strumming stance. Farhan Akhtar too is a surprise package, delivering a well nuanced portrayal of a rock star-turned-boring-yuppie. The girls, Prachi, Koel and Shahana, are riveting too.

But finally, it's the message of the film that makes it a winner. Follow your dreams and life will literally be on song!

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam' Movie Review

2008-08-23T12:04:00.000+05:30

Cast: Paresh Rawal, Mallika Sherawat, Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon
Director: Sanjay Chhel
Music: Anu Malik
Rating: Rating *1/2
Release Date: August 22, 2008

Dialogue comedies could be effective entertains. But the setback with this one is that while writer-director Sanjay Chhel takes extra efforts in adding a punch to every single line in the film, he doesn’t show the same zeal in sketching stable scenes.

The movie starts with a preventable prologue about the 93 riots in India and pointlessly places the film’s story in the bygone era. Shabnam (Malllika Sherawat) is the lead actress of a drama company in Goa who plays Madhubala’s part in staged Mughal-e-Azam shows and aspires to fill the vacuum in Bollywood post the retirement of Jaya Bachchan??? Her husband Mazumdar (Paresh Rawal) is old enough to play her father-in-law Akbar in the drama. Arjun (Rahul Bose), a daily spectator of their show, is mesmerized by this Madhubala. The director wishes to waste no time in establishing their love story and what better way in Bollywood than opting for an incompatible item song.

Soon it turns out that Arjun is an undercover cop on a mission, though he seems to indulge in duty only by fluke. Enter Haldi Hassan (Kay Kay Menon) an ISI agent in the garb of a ghazal singer ala Naseeruddin Shah from Sarfarosh . Arjun seeks the drama company’s help to uncover the terrorist’s plans. Shabnam seduces the singer while Mazumdar poses as an underworld don. What follows is only confusion and chaos till the climax.

Additional efforts have been employed to match the rhymes in lines but comparatively such continuity is not reflected in the screenplay. At several instances the humour falls flat. Like Kay Kay’s introduction scene is supposedly a spoof on ghazal singer but he actually ends up singing an entire Pankaj Udhas soft number. One of the dialogues from the film very rightly says that the dialogue delivery of the dramatists is as loud as if they were delivering a child.

Throughout the film Paresh Rawal keeps claiming that he is a subtle stage actor but in contrast his performance is simply loud. Nevertheless he is the only saving grace of this film. Kay Kay Menon seems to be completely miscast. Mallika’s midriff and cleavage shows don’t amuse any more. The immensely talented Pavan Malhotra is wasted in a ham-personified act. Rahul Bose isn’t much impressive either. Tanaaz Currim can’t pull of a Punjabi accent and shouldn’t try too hard.

Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam could have been better if it had a more fine-tuned story, less muddled screenplay, fewer song distractions, restrained performances, crisper editing, competent direction... In other words they would need to rework the entire film to make it acceptable. Rather switch to the next screen.

On an ending note, the film shows how the drama company averts the 93 bomb blasts through their teamwork. But historic facts have a different story to tell. Unfortunately, Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam misfires in its attempt.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Mumbai Meri Jaan' Movie Review

2008-08-23T11:48:00.000+05:30

Cast: Paresh Rawal, Irrfan Khan, Kay Kay Menon, R Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Vijay Maurya
Director: Nishikant Kamat
Music: Sameer Phaterpekar
Rating: Rating ****
Release Date: August 22, 2008

“When you feel like crying, just urinate”, says a senior constable to his subordinate in the film adding, “That way you drain the excess water from your body”. This line acts as a metaphor to the pissed-off attitude of an average troubled citizen, about which he chooses to do nothing. That gives the gist of Mumbai Meri Jaan , a film that touches the lives of an assorted array of cosmopolitan citizens, in a way never witnessed before.

Amidst formula-driven films, only once in a while do you come across a movie which strikes chord with a social theme and is enormously entertaining at the same time. Only once in a while do you come across a movie that has an outstandingly original screenplay and more importantly it connects with the viewer convincingly. Only once in a while do you come across a movie that incites you emotionally and is technically flawless simultaneously. That’s Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

In terms of theme and format, the film is reminiscent of Naseeruddin Shah’s Yun Hota To Kya Hota where multiple stories ran in parallel episodes and converged at the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. This one, too, has several tracks but the individual stories ‘emerge’ from the 7/11 train bombings in Mumbai. Much against your predictable perception, the film moves away from any opinionated or political argument on terrorism and traverses a more atomic approach by representing the ordeal of the violence in five individual lives.

Suresh (Kay Kay Menon) is a Hindu extremist who has a cynical outlook towards the minority community. Nikhil (R Madhavan) is a contemporary corporate guy who opposes plastic bags, endorses public transport and is progressively patriotic. Rupali (Soha Ali Khan) is a popular television journalist who sensationalizes news to make it saleable and considers that as freedom of expression. Tukaram Patil (Paresh Rawal) is a senior constable at the verge of retirement and is paired with a patrolling partner Sunil Kadam (Vijay Maurya) whose young blood wants to rebel against social injustice and corruption. Thomas (Irrfan Khan) is a nomadic coffee vendor who doesn’t gain a sense of acceptance in the class-driven society and has his own uncanny ways of getting back to the aristocrats.

Each episode runs independent of the other until they are correlated by the train blasts. While Rupali faces a personal loss, others remain individually unaffected. But the blast influences every individual’s psyche implicitly. Nikhil develops a phobia for trains, Suresh’s pessimism towards Muslims intensifies and Thomas uses the terror threat to his advantage. The parallel tracks beautifully congregate to a common climax.

Mumbai Meri Jaan is sensitively scripted by Yogesh Vinayak Joshi and Upendra Sidhaye and sensibly directed by Nishikant Kamat. For critics complaining of incompetent scripts, here is a screenplay that is immaculate, intelligent and emotionally binding. In this character-driven plot, every protagonist is precisely defined and their conflicts are convincingly established. The writing doesn’t resort to any cliches or pre-defined formulae thereby opting for an innovative, unadulterated and gratifying treatment. No song numbers, comedy tracks or romance angles are enforced for commercial considerations.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Phoonk Movie Review

2008-08-23T11:38:00.000+05:30

Cast: Sudeep, Amruta Khanvilkar, Ahsaas Channa
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Music: Amar Mohile
Rating: Rating **
Release Date: August 22, 2008

Phoonk resorts to the standard horror film template that Ram Gopal Varma had adopted in his earlier films like Bhoot and Raat . A human is possessed by spirit. The lead protagonist doesn’t believe in supernatural. He checks up with a psychiatrist who follows a scientific approach and passes off the haunted hangovers as some dissociative personality disorder. But the elderly deem it as eerie. After much debate over science and superstition, an exorcist is summoned who liberates the possessed from the evil forces.

Phoonk follows an exactly identical outline and ends up being a regurgitated version of Bhoot (set in a Vaastu Shastra verandah) with minor modifications. Ram Gopal Varma perhaps attempts to give a new discourse to the narrative by having a child possessed here. Little does he realize that this juvenile dimension has already been exploited several times since The Omen (1976) to Aruna Raje’s Gehrayee (1980) where a teenaged Padmini Kolhapuri was possessed. The disbelieving protagonist is her father. Meanwhile a ‘black magic’ label is given to the story to renew the motivation of the horror. But the film, by no means, analyzes the intricacies or aftermath of the black magic practice in India. Rather the resolution of the sorcery is dramatically fabricated to formulate a filmi climax.

Phoonk routes for the conventional gimmicks to induce fear by opting for creepy background score, hovering camera movements and shocking sound effects. But these trifling technicalities do no account for an honorable horrifying feel, because the outcome of the sound effects is merely a natural reflex action to stimulus and not fervent fear. Beyond these technical mechanics, the legend in itself doesn’t have the potency to evoke much horror.

Another setback of the storytelling is that it’s absolutely predictable. Over that RGV employs his customary thrill tricks like horror in mirror, nightmares, hands from back, faces in front, et al. While retaining his regular erratic camera angles, this time Ramu shows an eccentric fascination of focusing on irrelevant props. Many scenes are tediously protracted and some trimming could help. And when you expect the least, a sad number pops up in the second half.

Ramu also can’t let go off his inclination to have characterizations derived from his past attempts. The domestic maid with a constant popping-eye b’owl’ed over look is reinterpretation of Seema Biswas in Bhoot and the exorcist is a version of Om Puri from Raat . The child actor’s (Ahsaas Channa) possessed act and voice variations is replica of what Urmila Matondkar did in Bhoot . The white-haired granny is a derivative of the Darna Zaroori Hai mascot but for hell’s sake what was that Ram-say like scene of the ghost’s hands stretching out of her body doing in a Ram Gopal Varma film? There are some redundant repetitive shots in the first half while some others have no relevance to the story but are added just to incite fear from anticipation.

Once again Ram Gopal Varma repeats a genre but shows no variation in its treatment. It’s his handling of the subject, more than the horror, which scares us. The audience is soon losing faith in his directorial prowess. Only if he would have kept his word of paying Rs 5 lakhs to a lone spectator in a cinema-hall, I would have gained some easy money and walked out of the hall happier.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Kareena Kapoor set to rock 'Hollywood' now

2008-08-23T10:38:00.000+05:30

During the shooting of Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambakht Ishq in LA, Kareena met top Hollywood executives and discussing offers with them.

Now it is confirm that the sexy actress has signed a movie opposite Phantom and Titanic actor 'Billy Zane' for an unrevealed amount.

The film is tentatively titled 'Chamera' and will be directed by Daniel Silverman of 'The Devil Wears Prada' and 'Perfect Strangers'.

'Sarkar Raj' enters in Oscar

2008-08-23T10:23:00.000+05:30

Indian cinema is really going global now. Ram Gopal Varma’s 'Sarkar Raj' has been selected for the prestigious Oscar Library!

Before this, you have the biggies like Devdas, Kal Ho Na Ho, and Lagaan from Indian Cinema industry to be part of such a prestigious library. The script of 'Sarkar Raj' will be there permanently for the reference of cinema students.

'Singh is King' Box Office King in Overseas

2008-08-22T17:00:00.000+05:30

'Singh Is Kinng' has fetched a splendid start in Overseas. The opening weekend has been historic everywhere, a close second to last year's blockbuster hit Om Shanti Om. In U.K., the film has emerged the biggest opener of 2008. It is also Akshay Kumar's biggest opener till date. In America, Singh Is Kinng has fetched an equally electrifying start. In fact, it's one of the biggest starts ever.

"Bachna Ae Haseeno" is below expectations overseas

2008-08-22T16:32:00.000+05:30

Ranbir Kapoor starer "Bachna Ae Haseeno" is below expectations in Overseas. Released extensively in the major cities, the film has not lived up to the high expectations in U.K. (surprisingly, below average), U.S.A. and Australia.

Sonam Kapoor sizzles on Elle

2008-08-20T15:49:00.000+05:30

The August edition of fashion magazine "Elle" has delicate beauty Sonam Kapoor gracing its cover. One look in those dreamy eyes and it will make even the toughest heart melt. The pictures inside the magazine just complement the cover.

The issue has Sonam revealing all about herself and opening up on matters like lack of confidence, backless ghagra, weight issues etc. She also speaks about her growing up days, her stint working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and also her "investments."

Not to mention, get going pals and grab your issue before every single one gets sold out.