John Abraham & Genelia D’souza Almost Got Married

^John Abraham and Genelia D’souza was paired up for Vipul Shah’s Force. While shooting for a wedding scene, they almost even completed the auspicious saat pheras but, the shooting was stopped. As per sources, the arrangement made for the ceremony was so genuine that if by any chance they completed the pheras, they might [...]

Munni Badnaam Enters Guinness Book of worldwide Records

^Malaika Arora Khan’s hot number “Munni Badnaam” from Salman Khan’s box-office smash Dabangg has entered the Guinness Book of global Records! The sultry item number was successful with fans and helped create numerous buzz in regards to the flick. In Dabangg, Salman plays police officer Chulbul Pandey, who's described as “fearless, corrupt, lovable [...]

All my films are entertaining: Dibakar Banerjee

By Hindustan Times

Dibakar Banerjee may love to tackle social problems in his film however the director, who's gearing up for the discharge of his political thriller Shanghai, says he's going to never compromise with the entertainment quotient in his movies. Dibakar, 41, says he's happy that his films Khosla Ka Ghosla, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Love Sex aur Dhokha offered different stories without wavering from their socio-political themes.

He promises to bring another edge-of-the-seat thriller with Shanghai, starring Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Kalki Koechlin in key roles. The film will hit the theatres on June 8.

"I am an organization believer that anything that's boring cannot be good cinema. Anything serious that's seeking to be profound cannot be good cinema either. You'll be able to have good cinema but to make a movie that's profound is sacrilege.

"Cinema is ready entertainment and it has to hook up with the audience. I DO NOT BELIEVE any of the flicks that I'VE made to this point haven't been entertaining. A minimum of I CANNOT be accused of that and Shanghai could be another example of that," Dibakar told PTI.

Hashmi's character as Jogi Parmar has already become a favorite because the first trailer hit the internet and now the director desires to see how Abhay Deol is received by the audience.

The actor, who's teaming up with Dibakar after Oye Lucky Lucky Oye is playing a person much above his real age.

"As a member of the IAS, Abhay is playing this very highly positioned bureaucrat. He has his own predicaments to battle since he's being pushed and pulled by various forces, both from those people who are above or below to him in power."

No September wedding for Harbhajan-Geeta

By Hindustan Times

She was last seen at the big screen within the Train (2007). And although Geeta Basra continues to be looking forward to some “quality” offers to return her way, an alleged affair with cricketer Harbhajan Singh has constantly kept her within the limelight.

The latest rumour is that the 2 stars have decided to tie the knot in September this year. However the actor isn’t amused. “It’s ridiculous to need to clarify such reports endlessly. Simply because journalists have the facility of the pen doesn’t mean they may be able to write anything. Let me clarify again, IT'S NOT THAT I AM getting married in September,” says the actor, livid.

Recent reports also stated that the gala wedding would flag off in Yorkshire, England (Geeta’s hometown) and finally end up somewhere in Punjab (Bhajji’s hometown).

“People should realise that such reports may well be hurtful. Once such stories come out, I MUST answer and clarify things with my family and producers. It’s challenging to make your way into the industry, and ‘marriage talk’ can affect it,” she says, adding sarcastically, “Forget getting married, I apparently have already had a ‘roka’ and a break-up with him, consistent with the media.”

Ask her concerning the equation she shares with Bhajji (because the two have never acknowledged a relationship openly) and she or he says: “Harbhajan is an excessively special friend. Whenever my marriage is on cards —which I can’t put a deadline on — everyone will know. No point in speculating. First, I heard that it was happening in January, then February and so forth. Right now, I'M only targeting my work.”

On the pro front, Geeta will next be seen shaking a leg within the item number, Main Ghaziabad Ki Rani Hoon from Zilla Ghaziabad. She has also been signed on for 2 movies with filmmaker Nitin Manmohan. “The deal is on. I'M doing three films with him. Currently we're engaged on only two,” she says.

Though the actor only has two films — The Train and Dil Diya Hai (2006) — to her credit, she is in no hurry. “I have always had several offers, but nothing have been exciting. I'M able to look forward to quality projects,” says Geeta.

The rumours and the dates

July 2008: Harbhajan Singh spotted with Geeta Basra across the IPL season.
June 2010: Harbhajan and Geeta part ways after he introduces her to his parents.
December 2010: Bhajji back with Geeta.
March 2011: Will Bhajji and Basra have a beach wedding?
November 2011: Bhajji set to tie knot with Geeta Basra after months of speculation.
May 2012: Harbhajan and Geeta Basra to get married in September this year.

Mamata takes over show at KKR's victory party; fans lathicharged!

By Hindustan Times

Kolkata trooped out to honour Kolkata Knight Riders' victory in IPL5 however the show at Eden Gardens on Tuesday was taken over by chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee felicitated the team players, sang the team song, directed the crowd, gave a speech lamenting her state's financial condition and snapped at mediapersons for "not behaving".

She even volunteered to participate within the team's victory lap on the stadium. "I WILL start the run, I'm getting directly to the sphere now. No music please," she said holding a mike as hundreds of individuals on the stadium cheered on.

She ordered that only the team would run across the ground and everybody else should take a seat. She shouted at people to take a seat dow and snapped at camerapersons to not block KKR players.

KKR team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan requested Banerjee to bop however the CM politely refused. That was a relief, said people on Twitter where the manager minister was criticised and mocked for Eden Gardens "show".

"Mamata Di and Kolkata are doing the similar for get up comedians, what Laloo and Bihar did within the '90s," said @SnowLeopard.

"Has anyone noticed how the one Bengali at the KKR team is Mamata and she's forced herself into the image"? said @lindsaypereira.

"Mamata is dancing with SRK over IPL win. Doesn't she have anything better to do than make a large deal a few corporate venture?" said @amrankapdi

"Finally, the joke is over #Eden Gardens. Can every other city clown like this?" said @diptosh.

More than 50,000 people lined up on either side of the street from Hamza at South Kolkata to the Eden Gardens for the victory procession organised for KKR.

Frenzied scenes were seen all along the 5-km stretch because the KKR players celebrated the victory on an open bus top with the fans making desperate attempts to the touch them.

Thousands of fans gathered on the Jatin Das Park crossing at Hazra, from where the parade began, with people throwing bouquets on the players. But with the team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who landed on the city late last night, missing there has been some visible disappointment a number of the crowd.

Sanjay dons lean, mean avatar for brand new film!

By Hindustan Times

After playing a bulky looking villian Kancha Cheena in Agneepath, Sanjay Dutt gets a makeover for his Soham Shah's next directorial venture. Produced by Shree Ashtvinayak Cine Visions Ltd, Shah examines underworld within the Pink City and Sanjay will play a 1970s Gujarat-based don.

The yet-to-be-titled film is already being shot in Jaipur and a grand set was erected - it has a huge mine with tunnels, chimneys and trains to present it a glance of 1970s era and to verify it's in sync with Sanjay's role.

Director Soham Shah of Kaal and Luck fame said: "THE NATURE has numerous power, and that i want to portray Sanjay Dutt at the lines of his esteemed father Sunil Dutt saab."

"I do not need made this film if Sanjay would not have done it as only someone like him can carry this sort of character!" Shah said.

Its shooting is predicted to complete in 50 days, while its songs might be shot within the country's entertainment capital Mumbai.

Other actors within the movie, expected to release in December this year, include Vivek Oberoi, Paresh Rawal and actress Humaima Mallick, best remembered for Pakistani film Bol.

First look: Farah, Boman in Shirin Farhad...

By Hindustan Times

Can you picture Farah Khan in Madhuri Dixit's shoes? In case your answer is no, the seemingly impossible visual was made possible within the first poster of Shirin Farhan Ki Toh Nikal Padi. Wonder how?

The first poster of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production shows Farah Khan and Boman Irani reprising the famous Didi Tera Dewar Deewana act from the film Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. While Boman plays the naughty Salman, Farah Khan is seen as chirpy Madhuri Dixit.

Farah Khan who has reportedly lost about 10 kg for her role is calling like a younger version of herself.

The lady who wears many hats - she is a choreographer, director and now an actor, has installed numerous effort in getting the specified search for the movie. From attending dialogue workshops, acting lessons to dieting, 'actor' Farah is leaving no stone unturned.

Farah has also frolicked with quite a lot of Parsis, looking to imbibe their accent and observing the best way they dress, walk, talk and have interaction to play a Parsi woman opposite Boman Irani.

Farah to do dance sequence?
“Yes, Sanjay and Bela (Sanjay’s sister) are quite obsessive about the theory of me doing a dance sequence. But rest assured, will probably be done in line with the age and mindset of my character,” Farah had earlier confirmed.

“Shirin is a bit eccentric and somewhat firecracker. I WILL BE ABLE TO keep the nature in mind and do the song,” she said.

WATCH: Bol Bachchan's digital poster

By Hindustan Times

After hit Golmaal series, Rohit Shetty is directing Bol Bachchan, that is inspired by the 1979 comic flick, Gol Maal. The filmmaker is out with a digital poster of the film.

It features Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan in his two avatars. Abhishek Bachchan is anticipated to play the role of Ram Prasad, essayed by Amol Palekar within the original and Ajay Devgn could be seen as Bhawani Shankar (Utpal Dutt).

Its official trailer got released on May 24 and has got an even response.

Prachi Desai and Asin can even feature within the comedy film.

Amitabh Bachchan, at the side of son Abhishek and Ajay Devgn, has shot a song for Bol Bachchan, sparking off speculation that the track was a retake of 1 of his chartbusters from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). However, he refutes the rumour. "No, we almost certainly didn't shoot My Name is Anthony Gonsalves… We only shot the title track for Bol Bachchan which has an introduction shot of me emerging from an egg and blabbering English gibberish, much the Anthony song, before getting on with the remainder of the song," he clarifies.

The film will release on July 6.

Imtiaz Ali searching for new story post Rockstar

By Hindustan Times

Director Imtiaz Ali says he's yet to choose his next film post the success of Rockstar.

The Ranbir Kapoor starrer film released in November last year and the Jab We Met helmer continues to be looking for a brand new story for his next project.

"I am seeking to determine my next story and i'm travelling a lot, in order that is keeping me busy these days," Imtiaz told PTI.

Some reports said that his wife Preety Ali has roped in Shahid Kapoor and Katrina Kaif for her debut project as a producer, but Imtiaz said that neither star have been approached.

The film is alleged to be titled 2 2 Tango and can mark the directorial debut of choreographer Bosco of the Bosco-Caesar fame.

"Shahid and Katrina haven't been approached. I'M the creative director of the film and never a part of the production team in any respect. Preety is producing the film alongwith UTV which my friend Bosco goes to direct," said Imtiaz.

A choice of small budget films with an excellent script - like Kahaani and Vicky Donor - was successful this year and Imtiaz says it's an encouraging trend.

"It could be very encouraging that films with good content are doing well in this day and age in preference to those with stars. It creates an excellent opportunity for improving the type of films made in Bollywood," he said.

The director, who began his cinematic journey with Socha Na Tha (2005) starring Ayesha Takia and Abhay Deol, shot to fame with the superhit Jab We Met.

He later went directly to direct Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar. "I'VE worked with the so-called popular actors but what worked to my benefit was that they suited the part. Ranbir Kapoor suited his role in Rockstar. If it is a large star or a small one, it doesn't make much difference to me so long as the casting is correct. I DO KNOW that having a large star within the film isn't any guarantee," Imtiaz said.

Genelia’s back to work now!

By Hindustan Times

Post her marriage to Riteish Deshmukh and after her last Bollywood release, Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, Genelia Deshmukh is back to work. Making her second television stint, she's going to act as a mentor to contestants at the UTV Stars talent-hunt show, The selected One.

She will mentor 11 participants at the show, assigning them various tasks, offering style tips, or even taking them shopping. Genelia says, “Right now, I haven’t signed on a brand new film. And as my schedule isn’t packed, this was a fair option, because I WILL devote ample time to the show.”

The actor is not any stranger to TV, having hosted Big Turn on Bindass in 2008. She says, however, that TV still makes her feel like a newcomer. “As an actor, you wish to keep challenging yourself and learn each day by stepping from your comfort zone. I'VE BEEN a part of the south and Hindi film industries. In this show, I THINK I WILL use my varied experiences to assist the girls,” says Genelia.

Ask her what it takes to win a show of this kind, and he or she says, “Apart from being beautiful, an even personality and a mix of attitude and aptitude will result in success. All of the girls are confident, talented and feature a go-getter attitude, which should work for them. I AM GETTING fascinated seeing new talent and new faces. Being put to the test constantly before an audience isn’t easy.”

On a special note, ask Genelia what has changed post-marriage, and she or he says that it isn’t all that different. “People keep asking me what has changed after marriage? We forget to live within the present which I'D rather do. I THINK in living every day to its fullest. Marriage is a brand new beginning and about celebrating life.” And though she hasn’t signed on a brand new film, she has Rock The Shaadi with Abhay Deol bobbing up soon.

Shahid nervous about functioning on Kamal Haasan song!

By Hindustan Times

Shahid Kapoor is prepared to bounce to at least one of Kamal Haasan's songs on the upcoming IIFA awards and the Bollywood actor is nervous about performing in front of the thespian. Shahid might be performing to the song Annaaththe Aaduraar from the 1989 Tamil film Apoorva Sagodharargal, which was remade in Hindi as Appu Raja starring Haasan, 57.

The senior actor could be present on the IIFA awards in Singapore next month to showcase excerpts from his new spy thriller Vishwaroop.

Shahid, despite being a trained dancer, is rehearsing three to four times per week to perfect his steps before performing in front of the audience with a purpose to include Haasan, at the IIFA awards night, sources said. And with Prabhu Deva being the choreographer for all of the star performances at IIFA this year, Shahid is having to pay more attention to his rehearsals.

The 31-year-old actor, who's co-hosting the awards show with Farhan Akhtar, can also be performing to the hit Tamil track Appudi Podu from the film Gilli, besides his own
tracks like Dhan te nan (Kaminey), Pe Pe Pepein(Chance Pe Dance) and Humse Pyar Kar Le from his upcoming film Teri Meri Kahaani.

IT'S NOT THAT I AM doing Wanted sequel: Shahid Kapoor

By Hindustan Times

Actor Shahid Kapoor has denied reports that he's starring in Wanted sequel supposedly being planned by choreographer-director Prabhu Deva. "I DO NOT BELIEVE anyone can replace Salman Khan. I FEEL because me and Prabhu Sir was meeting as much as do a movie together and he's choreographing
IIFA ( International Indian Film Academy awards) ...INDIVIDUALS ARE jumping to conclusions," the 31-year-old said here Sunday at the Indian Premier League show Extra Innings.

"We haven't decided anything yet, what we can do or when. But yes, we're very keen to work with one another. But these are all rumours, I HAVEN'T said yes to anything," he added.

Directed by Prabhu Deva, Wanted was a remake of Puri Jagannadh's Telugu hit Pokiri, starring Mahesh Babu.

Shahid is currently busy promoting his forthcoming film Teri Meri Kahaani starring Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Kunal Kohli, the film hits theatres June 22.

I won’t restrict myself as an actor: Arjun Kapoor

By Hindustan Times

His recently-released debut film Ishaqzaade garnered numerous praise and now, actor Arjun Kapoor says he desires to live as much as everybody’s expectations by experimenting along with his roles. The 26-year-old son of producer Boney Kapoor says that though he has not decided what project to pick out up next, he doesn’t wish to keep on with one genre, and needs to explore himself as an actor.

“I am open to everything and need to be seen as an actor who can play all kinds of characters. IT'S NOT THAT I AM restricting myself to any characterisation and don’t want to get typecast. I MIGHT be at liberty to do a sweet romcom or a hardcore masala film,” says Arjun.

The actor also believes his big break in Bollywood has nothing to do together with his father’s name, and ability is of extreme importance to outlive within the industry.

“Just since you are a producer’s son doesn’t mean you could possibly have a very simple ride. These expectations come right down to nothing while you don’t deliver. Audience doesn’t think like that they're. very sensible and intelligent and it doesn’t matter to them whose son/daughter you are,” he says.

Top ten films from Cannes 2012

By Hindustan Times

From the winners of the much-coveted awards to the official Indian entries at Cannes, we present to you the most productive the celebrated film festival has to provide and why you should not miss them.

1. Amour or Love (Palme d' Or winner): Amour is a sweetly tragic tale of an elderly couple in France. A duo of octogenarian actors bowled Cannes over as a loyal husband and his dying wife in a wrenching cinematic study of affection on the bitter end by Palme d'Or winner Michael Haneke.

Love, incidentally, was also the favorite among Cannes critics, who had given the movie the top selection of stars, and it seemed in a very long time that the jury and journalists were at the same wave length. It also marks the primary time a filmmaker has won back to back Palms so quickly.

2. The Angel’s Share (Jury Prize winner): British master Ken Loach’s The Angel’s Share is a beautiful piece of cinema a couple of young father whose new-born son proves a turning point in his lifetime of petty crime.

This year, his The Angel’s Share was a part of the 22-film Competition lineup. This movie, popping out of a partnership between Loach and writer Paul Laverty, is likely one of the best from the director’s stable. It's warm, it's witty and, despite the ethical issues it throws up, The Angel’s Share ends on note of hope and happiness.

About Britain’s generation of young women and men struggling to seek out their bread and butter, Loach’s work often looks like a fairy tale that ends well. And it's peppered with delightful humour, sweet sentiment and fair play. As one critic said, “The Angels’ Share deftly balances heartbreak and hilarity to supply a cheering, feel good ray of hope from what often appear to be the bleakest of lives.”

The very talked-about British director, Ken Loach, has screened 11 of his movies on the Cannes Film Festival. No other helmer holds this record. What's more, all his 11 movies played within the coveted Competition, along with his 2006 The Wind that Shakes the Barley clinching the highest Palm d’Or.

3. Reality (Grand Prix winner): Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger who supplements his modest income by pulling off little scams along with his wife Maria. A likeable, entertaining guy, Luciano never misses a chance to accomplish for his customers and countless relatives. Sooner or later his family urge him to take a look at out for giant Brother. In chasing this dream his perception of reality begins to change.

Matteo Garrone won the celebrated Grand Prix award for this film.

4. Posterior Lucia (Un Certain Regard winner): Michel Franco's film is set a lady Alejandra and her dad Roberto, who've just moved to town. She is new in school and he has a brand new job. Starting over is typically complicated if in case you have left such a lot behind.

The film winning the Un Certain Regard award symbolises it having an original aim and aesthetic.

5. Rust and Bone: Marion Cotillard’s wonderfully arresting performance as a killer whale trainer in Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone is being tossed around because the clincher within the acting category.

One of the contest entries on the ongoing 65th Cannes Film Festival is Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone in French. That is probably the most nicest movies I'VE seen till now at this 12-day event at the French Riviera. Audiard has created a large canvas through the years: his A Self-Made Hero probed revisionist history, tackled love between a former convict and almost deaf woman in Read My Lips and walked into the murky corridors of a French prison in A Prophet, which clinched an Oscar nod for the most productive Foreign Language Picture. The true trophy didn't come its way.

In his latest, a Cannes Competition entry, Rust and Bone, Audiard gets the ravishing Marion Cotillard to play a girl who trains killer whales (the passions people have!). In love and living along with her boyfriend, she becomes the centre of a brawl in a club one night, and needs to be rescued by the financially- broke boxer doubling up as a bouncer there, Matthias Schoenaerts.

6. Beyond the Hills: Garnering more stars from critics than Rust and Bone was Christian Mungiu’s Beyond the Hills. It would not be more apt for it comes at a time when the rift between religious-superstition and secular pragmatism is deepening. That is glaring in India. Directed by the gifted Romania’s Cristian Mungiu (whose abortion drama, 4 months, 3 Weeks and a couple of Days won the Palm d’Or at Cannes many years ago), Beyond the Hills unfolds in a remote monastery, where there's no electricity, no running water and little trace of modernism. Headed by a neighborhood priest, the Orthodox monastery houses an order of young nuns, who call the person papa.

7. Moonrise Kingdom: Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, about two runaway kids who choose to get married, gave the impression to be within the ring – just like Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, also a Cannes opener, was last year.

Moonrise Kingdom was filmed on an island in New England, and narrates tormented days in the summertime of 1965. More specifically this is a story of 2 young lovers running clear of their town, with the local sheriff and the girl’s parents in hot pursuit. Looks as if it has all of the masala of Mumbai!

With its heavy-weight cast of Hollywood A-listers, the film also contributed to a blinding opening night red carpet. Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Ed Norton and Tilda Swinton posed amicably.

India Connect:

8. Miss Lovely (Un Certain Regard nominee): An Indian movie has made it to the 65th Cannes Film Festival. Ashim Ahluwalia’s Miss Lovely could be a part of the A UNDENIABLE Regard, with about 20 entries. Set within the Mumbai of the mid-1980s, Miss Lovely is a narrative of sleaze and suspicion. Two brothers, Vicky and Sonu, make C-grade movies, and fall in love with the similar woman. Miss Lovely stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika Singh and Anil George.

Ahluwalia distances himself from traditional Bollywood but has a fascination with elements of Indian cinema: his "very gritty and dark" film depicts the sleazy world of 1980s "C" grade Hindi movies. "I USED TO BE desirous about the lower depths of the industry, individuals who make cheap films at the margins -- sex horror films, bandit films," he told AFP.

9. Gangs of Wasseypur (Directors' Fortnight section): Anurag Kashyap directed the longest-running entry within the festival, Gangs of Wasseypur, a five hour and 20 minute film he describes as "a Bollywood-influenced gangster epic, part Western, part documentary. "With a folk-meets-dubstep soundtrack and a basis in true stories, the film follows three generations of coal and scrap-trade mafia gangs in a suburb in east India who're obsessive about traditional Hindi cinema.

“It’s an epic drama by which we've got fictionalised the facts. The universal appeal of the topic attracted me so much. It’s a global that India hasn't ever before seen at the big screen. On second thoughts, I ASSUME nobody has,” says Anurag Kashyap concerning the film.

10. Peddlers (Camera d'Or nominee): Vasan Bala's is ready a ghost town, Mumbai, that is inhabited by millions. A WOMAN on a mission, a person living a lie, an aimless drifter. They collide. Some collisions are of consequence, some not, either ways town moves at the. film have been produced by Anurag Kashyap.

Peddlers was showcased on the Cannes Critics' Week and compete for the distinguished Camera d'Or.

Prateik Babbar – Biography

^The son of yesteryears Bollywood super stars, late Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, Prateik Babbar has shown the potential for growing right into a big star. His versatile acting and pleasing looks have won him many hearts already and he looks to be not off course. Born on 28th November 1986, Prateik featured in [...]