I wear bikinis everyday: Shenaz Treasurywala

VJ-turned-actress Shenaz Treasurywala, who plays a simple, sweet girl in forthcoming flick "Radio", says she has rejected quite a few roles requiring her to wear bikinis and do item numbers... not that she doesn't wear swimsuits in real life.

"I did reject quite a few offers that required me to wear a bikini and do item numbers. That is not where I want to go with my career. Also, there are lots of bikini and item girls out there. They are fabulous at what they do; I don't judge them at all. But then I don't want to join them or compete with them, " Shenaz told.

"I'll do what the role requires me to do. I am professional. As long as it's required and the film really needs it. It should not be there just to sell tickets but to tell a story. I am talented, I have a personality and this is my strength," the actress said, while maintaining that she isn't saying an outright no to donning a particular costume.

Even though she has acted only in a handful of films like "Ishq Vishk", "Hum Tum" and "Aagey Se Right", she feels that being an item girl is not really her goal.

"You get into exposing if all you have is a sexy body ; or may be if you are a magnificent dancer and being an item girl is your career goal. It's just not my thing or my talent, " she said.

"I am a good actor and I am a brilliant host. I write well too. I want to concentrate on these three interests and talents, " she added.

While Shenaz isn't keen on wearing skimpy clothes on screen, she isn't someone who shies away from wearing a bikini in real life. In fact, Shenaz prides herself in being the proud owner of a closet full of bikinis.

"I swim every day and swimming is my salvation. Nothing in the world makes me feel more relaxed. I am a complete water baby and wear a bikini in the pool every day. In fact I have a whole collection of bikinis. So, I'm not prudish or anything, " the actress said.

This is the reason why she believes in the saying 'never say never'.

"If the film takes place on a beach or a boat, if it makes sense story-wise and it's just not to entice the opposite sex or show off my body, then I'm cool. But it's not my focus or choice to market myself like that, " she reasoned.

Releasing next month, "Radio" also stars Himesh Reshammiya and Sonal Sehgal.

Terrorism has no religion: Shah Rukh

"There is no religion of terrorism," said Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan here Sunday evening at a public event a year after the Mumbai terror attacks.

"Indian civilisation does not distinguish in terms of religion. We are an impossible achievement in the world and I'm very proud to be an Indian," he added, speaking at public event held at the sprawling lawns of the India Gate to show the nation's solidarity against terrorism.

"No one can have two viewpoints about terrorism. There is no religion of terrorism. I am often asked my viewpoint on this, maybe because I am a Muslim and I am very proud to be a Muslim," said Shah Rukh.

"But I have read the Quran, listened to the Gita, acted in Ram Leela... and learnt Christianity besides being a Muslim... My friends and I have worked on a film on Buddha ('Asoka') and my wife is a Punjabi," the super star stressed.

Shah Rukh joined a number of celebrities, eminent personalities from the worlds of arts and literature, and political leaders and school children to mark "A Nation In Solidarity Against Terror" event organised under the aegis of the ministry of home affairs (MHA).

Also present at the event were Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, lyricist Javed Akhtar, journalist Shekhar Gupta, shooter Abhinav Bindra and tennis player Sania Mirza to name a few.

Singers Shreya Ghosal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan and violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam also performed at the event.

With a message "Terror has no religion. Our solidarity, courage and resoluteness are the answer to the threat of terror", it was hosted by actress-activist Nandita Das and directed by one-film old Feroz Abbas Khan.

Produced and managed by Wizcraft International Entertainment, the event was held a year after the final day when the siege in Mumbai last year ended (Nov 29, 2008).

It was supported by organisations including ONGC, Airtel, SAIL, State Bank of India, Apollo Tyres, Mahindra, Amity University, Reliance Industries, Reliance ADAG, GAIL, Aircel and Jet Airways.

Kareena is wrong, I'm a joker and an idiot: Aamir

At a recent press conference in Delhi, when a journo told Aamir that his 3 Idiots co-star Bebo called him the emperor of Bollywood he replied, “When did she say that? Waah yaar, bahut khushi hui sun kar. But, I’ll say I am not an emperor, in fact I am a joker and an idiot.”

Aamir Khan came along with R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi to promote their upcoming film ‘Three Idiots’ which is based on Chetan Bhagat’s ‘Five Point Someone.’

The actor is also back on his strict diet consisting of salads and fruits. He confessed that since shooting wrapped up a month ago, he has piled up eight kilos.

“So now I’m back on a strict diet and exercise regime,” says the actor.

Of course, Aamir’s diet, like everything else that he does, is truly interesting. He eats every hour religiously because it keeps his metabolic rate high. He also plays badminton at a local gymkhana, say sources.

I won't recommend 6-packs to anyone: Shahid

Finally someone has confessed it. Shahid Kapoor who acquired his six-pack for his Kaminey says that he won’t recommend other guys to try and maintain a six-pack or a eight-pack all through the year... because it is tough.

"However, building the eight-pack was a challenge he loved. I’m inherently drawn to fitness. For me working out is a lifestyle. When Vishal Bharadwaj suggested that I get a tough look for Kaminey and Ken Ghosh said I should try and get eight-pack abs for a song in Chance Pe Dance, I had a goal to work towards. Of course, Kaminey is different from Chance Pe Dance so I have a different body-type is both films,’’ he tells.

Shasha who is a pure veggie, took a low sugar diet with brown rice and oats and had six meals at the interval of two-and-a-half hours on a regular basis. The actor further said, “I also worked out extensively, despite gruelling shooting schedules, even it meant hitting the gym at 2 am, ”

“Maintaining a six-pack is tough. Instead, follow a regular fitness regime and make sure you stay in shape, rather than aim for a six-pack. The sacrifices required to make a body like the one I have in ‘Chance Pe Dance’ are immense. I would rather eat healthy and stay fit than try to flaunt a dream body all the time, ” added Shahid.

Kareena offered 10 crore to be part of Golmaal 3

Move over Ash, Bebo is on her way to become the highest paid actress in the bollywood. We hear that the actress has been offered a staggering Rs 10 crore to star in the third installment of the ‘Golmaal’ series.

Director Rohit Shetty, who isplanning to launch Golmaal-3 on April 1, 2010, says, "I will release the film by Diwali. As for the leading lady, I want to sign Kareena Kapoor. When she returns from Sydney I’ll meet her.”

Though Kareena and Rohit remained unavailable for comment, a source said, "Post Jab We Met, Kareena's success graph has risen even more. She was apparently paid Rs2.5 crore for Kambakkht Ishq and little more for Golmaal 2. Rohit's film went on to become a hit and the director wants to repeat the cast for his next that will take the story forward. Till now, Kareena has never been a part of any sequel. So to make her sign this film Rohit has offered Rs10 crore."

He continues, ‘Even as far as endorsements are concerned, Kareena rules. She is probably the only actress who has refused a certain brand as she thought she was too young to endorse it. Moreover, she was paid 7 crore for a snack brand. She connects with the masses and they love her. Young girls aspire to be like her. She also propagates Yoga and eating right.’

According to sources, both Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif charge between 3 and 5 crore for their films. Aishwarya charges 5 crore.

Music Reviews: 3 Idiots

EXPECTATIONS

The moment name Aamir Khan is seen in the credits, the word 'quality' comes naturally. Such has been the brand value Aamir has made around him that everything else, whether it is the director, composer or the co-star, comes secondary. Of course with names like Rajkumar Hirani, Kareena Kapoor and Vidhu Vinod Chopra involved, one can't discount the overall package affair that 3 Idiots turns out to be. Still, when it comes to the music of the film, one can't really claim to have huge expectations. Reason being that the composer at the helm of affairs is Shantanu Moitra who hasn't had a single commercially successful album other than Parineeta. Yes, he has been critically acclaimed but due to the kind of music he has created and the genre he has explored, mass acceptance has still eluded him. Even a Lage Raho Munnabhai showed some good sales once the movie turned out to be hugely successful at the box office. This is the reason why one plays 3 Idiots (that has lyrics by Swanand Kirkire) with reasonable, rather than extraordinary, expectations in place - Aamir Khan notwithstanding.

MUSIC

It's a gradual beginning to 'Aal Izz Well' that gives a clear indication of what the film is all about. Arriving with the theme of 'care-a-damn' attitude, 'Aal Izz Well' is completely different from dozens of campus tracks that have been heard over the years. Swanand Kirkire's lyrics make an instant impression while Shantanu's rhythmic treatment ensures that the song would be played in many a campus festivals and student get togethers from here on. Catching the pulse of youth, whether from today, yesterday or tomorrow, this Sonu Nigam and Shaan sung track, which also appears in a deserving 'remix version', belongs to chartbuster variety. One wonders though that why did Shanatanu have to croon like Anu Malik for an interspersing piece?

Only song in the album featuring a female voice comes in the form of 'Zoobi Doobi'. The chosen one here is the obvious name without whom not a single A-list album gets completed today - Shreya Ghoshal. A song-n-dance affair that almost spoofs the conventional rain tracks that have been heard and seen in Bollywood over the decades, 'Zoobi Doobi' combines melody with rhythm with Sonu Nigam joining the show. Belonging to the 50s and 60s variety in the way it has been composed, 'Zoobi Doobi' (which too has a 'remix version' for itself) is good though its longevity would depend upon the way it has been choreographed and the extent to which the film succeeds.

From this point on, the album takes a situational turn, as visible in 'Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh' which comes next. Starting on a pensive note, the number is about a couple of friends (Madhavan and Sharman Joshi) who are searching for their lost partner (Aamir Khan). The number has a distinct Bengali music touch to it, whether in terms of the way it has been orchestrated, arranged and even sung. With minimal instruments in the background, this number sung by Shaan and Shantanu Moitra describes the character played by Aamir and how he carried a carefree and lively persona. With a hint of sadness to it, 'Behti Hawa' is primarily for the screen.

Just like it's predecessor, 'Give Me Some Sunshine' too has a slow beginning with Sharman Joshi narrating a line about youth being allowed to live life the way they want. Soon after Suraj Jagan starts singing this track about how kids are deprived of their innocence in the world of education that dictates what they should be doing rather than them making a choice. Meanwhile, Sharman keeps interspersing the song with anecdotes from the childhood (experimenting with chemistry, forced to get 99% marks etc...). Yet another campus track, though softer in mode and tone this time around, the song has its high point every time the line 'Give Me Some Sunshine' comes on the forefront.

The finale is interesting with Sonu Nigam coming up with one of his best renditions in recent times. He changes the pitch of his voice extraordinarily well in 'Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe' which again appears to be the set in a mood where the friends are rooting for each other and making sure that they don't fail in their pursuit for a better life ahead. After singing two popular tracks 'Shukran Allah' [Kurbaan] and 'Don't Say Alvida' [Main Aurr Mrs Khanna], this is yet another quality outing for Sonu Nigam who hits just the right notes. Special mention to Swanand for his words that should make a definite impact in the film's narrative.

OVERALL

3 Idiots is a good quality album that has two super strong tracks - 'Aal Izz Well' and 'Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe'. Both are poles apart though because while former is for mass audiences, latter should find a perfect placement in the film's narrative. 'Zoobi Doobi' is nice while 'Behti Hawa' and 'Give Me Some Sunshine' would be known more after the film's release. Immense curiosity value around '3 Idiots' would ensure that in the initial days, the album disappears quite quickly from the music stands. After that, it would be the strength of the film and its run at the box office that would do the talking for the album as well.

• 3 Idiots Trailer, Movie songs, Promo Video (panasianbiz.com)
• 3 Idiots, Mp3 Songs Download, Review, Movie Trailer Video (panasianbiz.com)
  

I do not know if I am still going strong, but yes I am alive: Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan speaks to Subhash K Jha

You recorded with the legendary Ilaiyaaraja recently?
Yes I was in his divine presence for just a few moments.

Another birthday recently went by….
Yes it was just another day another year. I am grateful and feel blessed that it means something special for those around me. The Almighty and the prayers of my loved ones and those of the millions that have supported me are to be thanked. It is because of them that I breathe and exist.

67 and still going super-strong... Would you say that's a good signature tune for you?
I do not know if I am still going strong, but yes I am alive and I exist. I have never wished for any signature or tune or any fancy recognition or accolade.

I am grateful for the jobs that I get and am thankful that I am given opportunity for work.

How do you assess the year that has zipped by? To me looking at it from the outside it seems as power-packed and activity-ridden as all your other years.
I really have no recollection of what went by. I know what I am doing now. Age does have this adverse effect on one and I am no different from any other. It may seem power packed for you but for me it is just another day, another job. I endeavour to do what is assigned to me to the best of my ability.

What according to you, were the most significant occurences in your life this year?
That I am still alive !

Significantly you took two months off to be with your friend Amar Singhji in Singapore. How rejuvenating and introspective did that time-off prove to be?
Yes I was with Amar Singh ji during the time he was in Singapore under treatment. I was aware that he would be going for treatment and I was aware about the amount of time he would require to recover, so I had planned all my work in a manner where I could be free to be by his side.

I finished all my pending work by June and did not take up any assignments after. When his condition had improved I accepted the COLORS offer for BB3. I was in Singapore not to rejuvenate or to introspect, I was there for a friend, a member of my family while he recouped.

My time there was spent being with him and monitoring his progress.

You seem to be taking time off from your movie assignments at the moment. What are your plans regarding more offers? Is it true you've decided to do only one film a year?
Because I was uncertain of how long Amar Singh ji would take to recover I did not accept any offers for film. I did not want to commit on a project the timings of which I may not have been able to adhere to. Yes, I do wish to do films and yes there are interesting offers, which I shall consider. And no it shall not be one film a year. I am not that big or important to make such decisions. It is a wonder that I am getting any offers at all.

You are back on television after creating history in KBC. How does the home medium and this new experience with Bigg Boss feel?
The experience of Bigg Boss 3 has just begun. I have been with it for too short a time to be able to completely describe its experience. But yes it is different from KBC and it gets more intricate as we move along.

All I can say for the moment is that it has been a hugely exciting revelation for me. The medium and those that are attached to it, work diligently round the clock and it is a marvel to see the amount of thinking and labour that goes on behind the scenes to create something like Bigg Boss.

I am most impressed with that. The co ordination and the management need all the praise there is for their unfailing effort and commitment. I am merely a tool that follows instructions, but what goes on beyond me is what needs to be recognised and appreciated.

How comfortable are you interacting with the Bigg Boss housemates?
It is good. You would need to ask the channel or the house mates what they felt. I just feel very saddened when I have to announce the person who has been voted out by public and in house processes and then later to spend time with them after their eviction. Its much like what I used to feel when on KBC I had to inform the participant that his answer was wrong.

You've another release Pa lined up. Would you say Paa and the earlier Aladin are challenging roles?
Yes both have been very challenging. Both have been very demanding physically. At my age it gets tough.

Paa offered you a unique chance to play a child. Did you relive your childhood through this part?
Not so much my childhood, but the childhood of my children and my grandchildren. A lot of my interpretation has been picked up from what I remember of Abhishek when he was that age and from my grandchildren now as I see them grow.

Your thoughts on self and the world around?
I wish, much like all else for there to be peace and harmony. For humans to understand that we are all one and that we all have common characteristics. To understand that all faiths need to be respected, for none of them are different in their beliefs.

That we are one nation, united by our independence and our sovereignty. That this world we live in belongs to all of us and we need to protect it for its survival. That a kind word and a smile never did harm anyone. That a fragrant flower decorates our lives more than the vicious odour of hate.

I was very embarrassed about my abusive language: Vidya Balan

Mouthing expletives for her role in "Ishqiya" embarrassed Vidya Balan as she says she never uses foul language in real life.

"Oh! I was very apprehensive while using those slangs. I have never used them in my real life but I had to because the script demanded. When you will see this movie, you will understand that it is justified. The movie belongs to a certain terrain where slangs are part of their lingo," Vidya told in an interview.

The actress also revealed that she never rehearsed on the sets because of the heavy dose of slangs in the dialogue.

"I never rehearsed on the sets as I used to feel awkward. So I used to come prepared on the sets and once the director used to say action, I used to forget everything and everyone.

"All my inhibitions used to go away and I used to deliver my dialogues perfectly. This is what happens to me when the camera starts rolling," said Vidya, who was in the capital for the launch of designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's first store here.

Set in eastern Uttar Pradesh, "Ishqiya" is a tale of romance between individuals caught in a web of crime, suspense, passion and deceit. Directed by first time director Abhishek Chaubhey and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj, the film also stars Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah.

In "Ishqiya", Vidya is paired with Arshad and plays a village woman.

"As I am playing a rural girl, my look is very much deglamourised so that I look like my character Krishna. It is an interesting role with many shades," said Vidya.

Dismissing rumours that some parts of "Ishqiya" are being re-shot, she said: "I don't understand where people get these baseless news. It is complete nonsense."

The actress, who has featured in movies like "Parineeta", "Heyy Babyy" and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa", will soon be seen in "Paa" in which she plays superstar Amitabh Bachchan's mother and Abhishek's wife.

Talking about the movie, Vidya said that she thanks director R. Balakrishnan for convincing her to do this role.

"It was Balki's (Balakrishnan) conviction to convince me to do this role. When I read the script, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to do this. But all thanks to Balki, I am proud that I am a part of this project," she said.

Releasing Dec 4, "Paa" is an emotional story of a father-son relationship and Amitabh will be seen as Abhishek's 13-year-old son Auro who is suffering from a rare disease, progeria, which accelerates ageing.

Movie Preview: Avatar

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver

Producers: James Cameron, Jon Landau

Written & Dircted by: James Cameron

AVATAR takes us to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.

James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of “Titanic,” first conceived the film years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not yet exist.

Now, after four years of actual production work, AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.

The story’s hero is Jake Sully, an ex-Marine confined to a wheelchair. Bitter and disillusioned, he’s still a warrior at heart. All Jake ever wanted was something worth fighting for- and he ultimately finds it in the place he least expected: on a distant world.

Jake has been recruited to join an expedition to the moon Pandora, which corporate interests are strip-mining for a mineral worth USD 20 million per kilogram on Earth. To facilitate their work, the humans use a link system that projects a person’s consciousness into a hybrid of humans and Pandora’s indigenous humanoid race, the Na’vi.

This human-Na’vi hybrid -a fully living, breathing body that resembles the Na’vi but possesses the individual human’s thoughts, feelings and personality –is known as an “avatar.”

In his new avatar form, Jake can once again walk. His mission is to interact with and infiltrate the Na’vi with the hope of enlisting their help –or at least their acquiescence in mining the ore.

A beautiful Na’vi female, Neytiri, saves Jake’s life –reluctantly -because even in his avatar body, Jake represents to her the human encroachment on the Na’vi’s unspoiled world.

As Jake’s relationship with Neytiri deepens, along with his respect for the Na’vi, he faces the ultimate test as he leads an epic conflict that will decide nothing less than the fate of an entire world.

Movie Review: Kurbaan

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, Kirron Kher, Om Puri

Background Score & Music: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant

Director: Rensil D'Silva

Rating: ***1/2

Wake up Yash Raj & Co. and smell the coffee. Your very own blue-eyed boy Karan Johar and his men are now beating you at your own game. Film after film, K Jo is churning out hits while YRF’s list of flops is piling up.

Why?

Because, unlike YRF’s new breed of directors, people at Dharma productions are not paying obsequious homage to their patron with their films. They are all making most of the creative freedom, ushered upon them by Johar and in turn set the cash registers ringing for their boss on Friday.

Just like Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid, Rensil D'silva's directorial debut Kurbaan lies far way from the typical Johar territory- often marked by hotties prancing around in chiffon saris with SRK, surrounded by countless junior artists. It is a dark love story of a New York based Delhi girl Avantika (Kareena Kapoor), who becomes a victim of professor Ehsaan Khan’s (Saif Ali Khan) 'love jihad'.

After a whirlwind romance, the two tie the knot and move into innocuous Indian neighbourhood in the Big Apple. But everything is not as hunky dory as it seems, Avantika finds it out the hard way from her neighbour in distress, Salma (Nauheed Cysrusi).

What follows next, is a series of incidents that sucks Avantika into a vortex of danger and intrigue. As her life spirals out of control, Avantika realizes that she is just a pawn in Bhai Jaan’s (Om Puri) huge game and no one is to be trusted. Not even Ehsaan. Like a true fanatic he does what he thinks the Lord would do if He knew the facts of the case.

Now her only hope is Riyaz Masood (Vivek Oberoi) and together they strive to save land of the free from another terror catastrophe.

In his 2 hour 40 minutes long thriller, Rensil clearly demonstrates how wisdom becomes nonsense in the mouth of a fanatic. The antagonists here are not rabid mullahs but the suave intellectuals who are blinded by their hate for the infidels. But one should never judge a religion by its nutcases. So, the 35-minute long chilling climax justifiably puts an end to their nefarious designs and upholds the truth that all extremism in the name of religion is bad, no matter what the provocation is.

Kurbaan is not only high on content but a well-packaged product too. Salim-Suleiman’s music and background score adds to the intensity of the film. Anurag Kashyap and Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are scathing.

The film also sees some of the best performances of the year as well. While Saif as Ehsaan evokes both contempt and empathy, Kareena’s Avantika looks clearly torn between her love and hate for him. Vivek Oberoi also makes a grand comeback as an actor in the film.

It goes without saying that Om Puri clearly excels in his part as a mastermind but it is Kirron Kher who takes the cake away from the quinquagenarian actor. It’s a big, big relief not to see her playing the loud Punjabi mother for once and that too in a Karan Johar flick. Nauheed Cyrusi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and especially Dia Mirza excel in the cameos.

All in all, Kurbaan is must watch for all those yearning for a sensible cinema. It shows the futility of a fanatic’s version of jihad and reaffirms that the most excellent jihad (struggle) is that for the conquest of self.

Movie Review: 2012

Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chewetel Eijofor

Directed by Roland Emmerich
Rating: *** ½

Would the world will really end on December 21, 2012? Nobody has a clue. But thank God the Mayan prophecy gave the makers of this solar-plexus-aimed colossal spectacle a chance to pull out all stops and design the greatest grand-mother of all disaster epics.

Everything that we’ve seen in the genre including Roland Emmerich’s own hefty contribution to invoking large-screen disaster in Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, pales into insignificance, as the doomsday prophecy becomes a takeoff point (quite literally) for a huddle of characters trying to escape to safety in a world that had decided to end.

The plot is frequently trite and predictable. The characters are uni-dimensional. The broad heroics are so outlandish and over-the-top we are often looking at the spectacle not as a facsimile of life but a comic-book world come to panoramic life.

For sure, the uncertainties about the plot gradually wane and recede, as the world as we know it and as Emmerich’s cinema defines begins to peel crack up and fall apart at the seams, right before our bewildered eyes.

Would it be right to say the stunning cinematography and special effects preside over this passionately -constructed pyramid of disaster escape and redemption.

The suspense element is as steep as some of the vertical heights that the narrative climbs and slips away from, as layer after layer of lavish longtitude lumbers before our eyes.

Awesome is the word for what Roland Emmerich has achieved in the film. The core group of characters naturally (?) escape unscathed even when the world collapses inches away from them. But that’s okay. The film never lets us forget the cinematic splendour of the director’s vision.

Emmerich designs the canvas as a big and bewildering ode to biblical grandeur of the motion picture.Mountains explode, seas collapse and skyscrapers crumble like a house of cards. There is never a dull second in the scintillating synthesis of stunning stunts and heartwarming moments among characters who are THIS close to death.

There are two heroes in the plot. John Cusack as the estranged husband and father who gets a chance to rescue his family, and Chewteel Ijofor (a prized sparkling find of subtle charms) hold the vast cast’s anxious motivations in place. The supporting actors are all experts at making the devastation hold together.

2012 is a riveting rollicking rollercoaster ride into a modernday Noah’s Ark where space shuttles take handpicked humanity to safety away from the destruction of civilization as we know.

But before apocalypse, there is this film.

Sushmita Sen ready to be a mother again

Ex-Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen who just turned 34 is planning to adopt another baby most likely a girl. According to sources, the hot actress had been visiting an adoption centre recently to look for a baby girl and was also seen shopping for cute baby clothes on Linking Road.

The source adds, "Sush wants to complete her family with another child, preferably female. She has already made inquiries and begun visiting such centres. The actress is keen that she adopts another baby soon."

Sushmita adopted a girl child in 2000 who was not in the best of her health. She named her Renee and thus became Bollywood’s first single mom!

The unconventional actress has a few key projects lined up; Dulha Mil Gaya starring Shahrukh Khan and Gulel with Ajay Devgn. It remains to be seen if these big banners will help Sush regain her lost glory!

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Vidya Balan's Ishqiya is too abusive to be shown

Debutant director Abhishek Chaubey’s film, Ishqiya, has to be re-shot as the language of the film is too abusive. This is after a focus group told the team to re-edit the film. The producers, Shemaroo, have even asked Vishal Bhardwaj (who is Abhishek’s mentor) to be present when the film is being edited.

Starring Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah, the film made some of the women in the audience uncomfortable.

It is about two bandits who fall in love with a widow while on the run and the consequences that arise out of the situation. The film’s theatrical trailer is out but other trailers will be out later. The film’s release date has apparently been shifted to mid-2010 but the film’s publicist assures it is still January 22nd, 2010.

Focus groups are a certain audience group that watches the film and gives their opinion on it. If they feel that there are some things that could be changed about the film, the changes are made. This is a common phenomenon in Hollywood but has only just entered Bollywood.

Movie Review: Tum Mile

Cast: Soha Ali Khan, Emraan Haashmi, Mantra

Music Directors: Pritam Chakraborty

Director: Kunal Deshmukh

Rating: **

Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy. But alas, the tragedy in Tum Mile is not about horrendous Mumbai floods that lashed the city on 26th July, 2005 but the film itself.

It has everything; a quirky artist as protagonist, a control freak but adorable leading lady, their unlikely love story and their sad separation. But in case you are expecting heroics of Jack and Rose ala Titanic in Mumbai floods, you are in for a big disappointment.

The two ex-lovers Akshay (Emraan Hashmi) and Sanjana (Soha Ali Khan) bump into each other aboard a Mumbai-bound flight on 26/7. Apparently, Akki is uncomfortable in her presence and their aircraft’s turbulence pushes him into the flashbacks of his own stormy relationship with Sanjana in Cape Town.

Those were the days! She was a budding professional but with an ‘environment friendly’ green heart. He was a people’s artist doubling up as a delivery boy whose beard defied every logic. Once on their 40 Km journey back home, it changed styles thrice in her plush car itself.

Sanjana recognised his talent and charm and the two moved in together. They had their good times but things went downhill when his lack of financial wisdom started affecting the artist in him.

The duo bade good bye to each other to pursue their own careers and after six long years the destiny has brought them together again to face another storm.

Gusty winds, high tides are ripping Mumbai, at last you expect to see the much publicised 26/7 floods on screen but unlike in real life the action lasts only 10 minutes, though enough time for the couple to cast away their grudges.

Still, you don’t lose hope. Like all Bhatt films you eagerly look forward to the regular shock element and the director Kunal Deshmukh gives us one. Given a lack of shocker in the scipt, he electrocutes Emraan's poor friend Vick (Mantra) to complete the ritual. How about that for a shock?

There is a clear disconnect between the lives of leading characters and unfortunate disaster that took place in Mumbai. The colossal mishap should have been given much more prominence, instead of using it as an instrument to take the narrative forward.

Soha Ali Khan clearly takes the cake away from Emraan as a restrained girl. Hashmi on the other hand is very predictable and takes home nothing more than two kisses from Soha. Songs are okay but too many.

Unprecedented rains and floods claimed over a thousand lives when Mumbai experienced 944 mm of rainfall on that ominous day. The financial loss is pegged at Rs 450 crore, just add Tum Mile to it as well.

Music Review: De Dana Dan

Singers: Mika Singh, Dominique Cerejo, Style Bhai, Javed Ali, Banjyotsana, Ad Boys, Sunidhi Chauhan, RDB, Manak-E, Selina, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Suzzane Demello

Lyricist: Sayeed Qadri

Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty

Rating: **

There's been an overdose of Pritam's works this year with "De Dana Dan" being the 11th film he has composed music for. While most of the scores he's given in 2009 have been appreciated, the music of "De Dana Dan" is not one of his best works.

Another comedy from Priyadarshan, "De Dana Dan" stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia.

The album has a heard-before feel and doesn't create too much interest. It contains six originals and an equal number of remixes.

The opening track "Rishte naate" is a melodious romantic track crooned by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Suzzane Demello. The breezy, soft-paced song is nice but not brilliant.

It also has a remix version that offers more beats.

Next in line is "Paisa", which is already being heard on music channels. The song with a Punjabi touch has RDB - The Punjabi pop band -, Manak-E and Selina behind the mike. The song is catchy but in terms of composition and singing, the track has a definite heard-before feeling. But it could be a hit at the DJ consoles.

This one too has a remix version that is faster in pace.

"Gale lag ja" is another soft, mushy number that generates interest. And it has been sung really well by Javed Ali and Banjyotsana.

Then we have "Baamulaiza" sung by Mika Singh, Dominique Cerejo and Style Bhai. The song gives a complete feel of a carnival and has mostly English lyrics. The track is lively and catchy but offers nothing fresh.

It has two remixed versions, one a reggae mix and the other a normal remix - efforts to make it popular on the dance floor.

Up next is Sunidhi Chauhan singing "Hotty naughty" that has traces of hip hop. The fast-paced song has poor lyrics and composition - a complete disappointment.

This song too has a remix version.

Finally there is the title track "De Dana Dan", which is energetic and pacy and crooned by Ad Boys. The track is dominated by percussion and is an average number.

On the whole, the album offers nothing extraordinary. For once, Pritam hasn't really cast a spell on listeners.

• De Dana Dan, Mp3 Songs Download, Trialer Video, Katrina Kaif (panasianbiz.com)
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Movie Preview: Paa

Auro (Amitabh Bachchan) is an intelligent, witty 13 yr old boy with an extremely rare genetic defect that causes accelerated ageing.

He suffers from a progeria like syndrome. Mentally he is 13, very normal, but physically he looks 5 times older. In spite of his condition, Auro is a very happy boy. He lives with his mother Vidya (Vidya Balan), who is a gynaecologist.

Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan), is young, progressive and a full of ideals, politician. He is out to prove to the world that 'politics' is not a bad word. He is a man with a mission. Auro is Amol's son.

Paa is a 'rare' story about a father-son, son-father relationship.

He is in demand because he is Amitabh Bachchan

A ghost, an eccentric theatre actor or a flamboyant genie, Amitabh Bachchan has done quite a few over-the-top roles and not delivered big hits in four years. But for filmmakers, the megastar is still a phenomenon they can't wait to sign on.

"I would love to cast him for all my films. I just hope that I keep getting ideas where I can fit him, " said R. Balakrishnan, director of his forthcoming film "Paa".

Relasing Dec 4, "Paa" features Amitabh as a progeria patient.

"Amitabh Bachchan has crossed that mark of a hit or a flop affecting him. He is a phenomenon. He is the first veteran where stories are written keeping him in mind. Whether or not a film works is besides the point. He is not competing with anyone here, " trade analyst Taran Adarsh told over phone from Mumbai.

"Every director wants to work with him at least once in his career. They've grown up watching him on the big screen. He is an encyclopaedia on acting. He has a different range altogether. He is a superb actor...and we can't deny that fact, no matter what the fate of a film, " he said.

Some of the 67-year-old thespian's films have turned out to be over-hyped in terms of both content and characters, with the recent one being "Aladin" that was declared a dud on the first day itself. Amitabh plays a flamboyant genie in the movie.

Even his special appearance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Delhi-6" early this year, as Abhishek Bachchan's grandfather, could not save the film from sinking. But he still rules the desire list of filmmakers.

"He is in demand because he is Amitabh Bachchan. He is a cult (figure). He has worked very hard and given success after success earlier. After his comeback from a break a few years ago, he is now having fun with cinema, " said film critic Omar Qureshi.

"And he can afford to do that even if it means doing a crazy character in 'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'. He is doing roles that he finds interesting. If the film doesn't work, that is not his fault."

And cinema too has undergone a sea change with time.

"Take his characters in 'Nishabd' and 'Aladin'. No one could dare do that earlier. He is just going with the flow. His performance cannot be doubted. He is too good as an actor, " explained Qureshi.

While Amitabh featured in duds like "Family", "Darna Zaroori Hai", "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" and "Baabul" in 2006, a string of flops followed in 2007 too with "Eklavya: The Royal Guard", "Nishabd", "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" and "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag". Two of his outings the same year - "Cheeni Kum" and "Shootout at Lokhandwala" - were critically acclaimed but were not money grossers.

Last year was again disappointing with commercial failures like "Bhoothnath", "Sarkar Raj", "God Tussi Great Ho" and "The Last Lear".

But writer-turned-director Rumy Jafry has no regrets for the failure of his film "God Tussi Great Ho" because it starred the Big B.

"It's a dream for every director to work with him. Despite his age, he still works as a student and is completely a director's actor. Neither does he interfere in anything. Look at 'Paa' for instance. He sat for close to five hours just for the make up and that shows his patience, " said Jafry, who cast the Big B as God Almighty in the movie.

Jafry can't stop praising the veteran's professionalism.

"The whole world knows that there is no bigger actor and star than Amitabh Bachchan. There is no star in the industry more disciplined than him. Even if he was 10 minutes late, he would make sure to inform, while there are actors who are over two hours late without any notice, " Jafry told.

But Bachchan prefers to be modest and says he is just a character artist nowadays.

"May be in the early years, they (audiences) came to watch my films because I was in it. But now I am just one of the credit titles. I am not that important, " Amitabh had told in a recent interview.

"I am a part of the crew and the cast. Even in my early years, I used to think that. I think the product itself is more important. It's the film that is going to make you or your name or give you visibility. If that goes wrong then everything goes wrong. So one must work as a team so that the product works, " he added.

The star is still on a signing spree and has four projects lined up - "Paa", "Teen Patti", "Rann" and "Johnny Mastana".

I Have Never Been Married- Katrina Kaif

Now here is a shocker for all Katrina Kaif fans and for the pretty lady herself. A marriage certificate approved by Indore Municipal Corporation claims that the 24-year-old actress married the local MLA on December 2, 2008 and got the same registered with the civic body on December 11 the same year.

While the Indore Municipal Corporation has already issued a statement that the marriage certificate is totally fake and has not been issued by them, the actress is irritated with the news of her 'marriage'.

According to IMC marriage registrar Dr Natwar Sarda, "The marriage certificate is totally fake and was not issued by the municipal body. It must be an act of some mischievous persons. It appears that somebody first scanned the IMC marriage certificate and then with the help of some software showed the bollywood actress and MLA as husband and wife. "

But Kaif is in no mood to litsen the clarifications and fumes,"Obviously, it's a fake certificate! I have never been married in my life and neither do I know this guy at all. It's stupid and illegal what he has done and the police have already filed a case against him.

The cops called me to say that this man had issued a fake marriage and they are taking action against him. I guess the more famous you get, the more people do such silly things. I was in New York on December 2 shooting for New York - the day this man claims to have married me."

"We have all kind of crazy fans and people out there. Juhi Chawla's staff who now work with me tell me that even she used to face the same thing. And after a point, she stopped clicking pictures with fans because she had no control over where they would pop up or how they would be misused. I guess we all have to learn to handle such weird people sometimes. It's part of the life of a celebrity," adds Kat.

The IMC has taken the issue seriously and will soon lodge a complaint with the police so that the persons who have done it can be booked for the crime.

Download Wallpapers of Katrina Kaif

Shakira vows never to marry, but wants babies

Colombian pop star Shakira has vowed never to marry because she doesn't want the press to make a mockery of her divorce if she ever split from her partner, investment banker Antonio de la Rua.

"It is funny how the papers want to see you married and then they want to see you divorced. Well, I won't do any of it," contactmusic.com quoted Shakira as saying.

At the same time, Shakira is also keen to start a family with de la Rua, insisting they don't need to be married to have children.

"My body feels like it is asking to reproduce, to have a huge belly and carry babies. But for that I necessary don't have to marry him," she said.