Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play with just over 4,000 lines and tells the tale of tragic prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge for his father’s murder. It has been adapted in over fifty television and film productions – in fact, Disney’s popular Lion King is based on this Shakespearian play. The character of melancholic prince Hamlet has been played by actors such as Kenneth Branagh and Mel Gibson. This was not the first time plans were made to cast Hrithik as Hamlet. Tarsem Singh had planned a production where Hrithik was to be Hamlet back in 2001. However, the project did not happen. It seems that Hrithik and Hamlet are just not meant to be.

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Paan Singh Tomar’s

Shakespeare’s dramatic stories have been portrayed in Bollywood before. Omkara was based on ‘Othello’ and explored jealousy and betrayal. Maqbool was based on ‘Macbeth’ and explored the combination of power and evil. Hamlet tells the tale of tragic prince Hamlet who seeks revenge for his father’s murder.

Hrithik’s charm and good looks fit the part of a prince. In fact, he had been called the ‘Indian Hamlet’ by Hollywood producer James Killough back in the 90’s according to Bollywood Mantra. Hrithik was characterised as Hamlet for Tarsem Singh’s film that he had planned as an international venture in 2001. The film was titled ‘Aditya’ but did not take off.

To be or not to be? More than ten years later, Hrithik is indeed being cast as Hamlet. Shooting is set to start in 2014.

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Vanraj can sense that his wife’s heart is elsewhere and when he asks her for the truth on their wedding night, she gives him the bitter truth. Vanraj decides to reunite the lovers and heads off to Italy with Nandini on a search for Sameer. Once in Italy, the search is not so easy. Nandini and Vanraj hitchhike with a couple who rob them and shoot Nandini. This incident is a turning point in the film, as Nandini begins to realize Vanraj’s love for her through his devoted care. At last, the searching pays off when Vanraj has a coincidental encounter with Sameer. Although he doesn’t recognize Sameer, this brings him a step closer to his search. Eventually Sameer’s whereabouts are traced and Vanraj arranges for Nandini and Sameer to meet. When Nandini meets Sameer, she realizes that Vanraj is the man she is truly in love with and wants to be with. Nandini lets Sameer go and embraces her life with Vanraj.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was revered in particular for its cinematography and soundtrack. It became the 3rd highest grossing Bollywood film of 1999 in India, with a staggering Rs 35.5 crores. The film had won the ‘Best Film’ award at the Zee Cine Awards, 2000 IIFA Awards and 2000 Filmfare Awards. The soundtrack also won numerous awards. It won ‘Best Playback Singer (Male)’ Udit Narayan and ‘Best Playback Singer (Female)’ Kavita Krishnamurthy at the Zee Cine Awards. At the Zee Gold Awards it won ‘Best Male Singer’ Kumar Sanu. At the 2000 National Awards the ‘Best Music Direction’ went to Ismail Darbar. At the 2000 Filmfare Awards it acclaimed ‘Best Male Playback’ for “Chand Chupa Badal Mein” (Udit Narayan) as well as the ‘Best Background Score’ going to Anjan Biswas. The icing on the cake I feel, has to be the RD Burman Award that went to Ismail Darbar.

The soundtrack had taken two years to produce and consists of eleven songs: ‘Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan’, ‘Albela Sajan’, ‘Chand Chupa Badal Mein’, ‘Dholi Taaron Dhol Baaje’, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Jhonka Hawa Ka’, ‘Kaipoche’, ‘Love Theme’, ‘Man Mohini’, ‘Nimbooda’, ‘Tadap Tadap’. Planet Bollywood’s music review had given the album 10 stars out of 10 as so it rightly deserves. Each individual song has a certain emotion and signifies a key moment in the film. Listening to the soundtrack alone has you mesmerised and tells the story of falling in love, being separated and celebrating love.’ Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan’ symbolises Sameer and Nandini falling in love and becoming closer. ‘Tadap Tadap’ is an unforgettable song that haunts you and carries the pain of heart break. ‘Kaipoche’ is the kite flying song and ‘Dholi Taaron Dhol Baaje’ is based on the Gujurati garba style. As mentioned before, the soundtrack had taken the award ceremonies by storm. In the words of Planet Bollywood’s Vikas Bhatnagar, the soundtrack of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam ‘has already cemented its place in the history books of greatest ever Hindi soundtracks…’

Interestingly, Italy had been replaced with Budapest for the shoot, as Sanjay Leela Bhansali felt that Italy would resonate more with the masses. All the scenes represented as Italy are actually Budapest, Hungary. According to IMDB, this was the film that had started the most publicized real life romance in the history of Indian cinema, between Salman Khan and Aishwariya Rai. Also, Sameer pointing to the sky and talking to his deceased father was influenced by Bhansali’s childhood, where he used to do the same. Aishwariya’s electrifying performance wouldn’t have you believe this, but she had to dance to Nimbooda with swollen feet after she had an accident involving a chandelier on set.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a film that can be deemed as a classic. The exhilarating performances of Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan and Aishwariya Rai bring out the emotion that envelopes the film. It is impossible for the audience no to feel a rapport with the characters. It is difficult to choose or side with a certain character in this film and that’s what makes it special. The human experience Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam offers makes one connect with each character. There are no favourite characters in my opinion, but an overriding anticipation that drives the narrative forward with the speed of a heart beat. What is important about Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is the different shades of love it represents and the option it gives for love to flourish and to change. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam breaks the cliché of falling in love just once. Nandini’s final decision to spend her life with Vanraj and not Sameer indicates that love is not simple nor is it predictable. The film represents following your heart and allowing yourself to make choices – even if they surprise you. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is iconic in the history of Indian cinema not only for its soundtrack, the story, cinematography, performances, but the reality of love it portrays.

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According to Hindustan Times, a source revealed that the film actually has Vidya Balan’s own personal belongings decorating the sets: “She has given some of her paintings, artefacts, decorative items and even her own bed sheets — all of which have been used in the movie. It’s amazing how nice everything looks.”

A source close to the film also revealed to HT, “Vidya, along with director Rajkumar Gupta, had a long discussion. They eventually agreed upon the fact that her part would look more authentic if she uses some of her personal belongings to decorate her home in the film.”

Vidya Balan plays the role of a house wife and Emraan Hashmi as her conman husband. We hear Ghanchakkar is a crazy, quirky rollercoaster suspense ride that will surprise, shock and entertain you at every turn.

Having started her film career in the Malayalam film industry, Vidya Balan made her debut in Bollywood with Parineeta in 2005. Her performance in Parineeta was critically acclaimed and she was awarded the Best Female Debut at the Filmfare Awards. Rajkumar Gupta, the director of ‘No one killed Jessica’, has teamed up with Amit Trivedi for the musical score of Ghanchakkar. With Gupta’s direction, Trivedi’s music and Vidya Balan’s performance, Ghanchakkar is indeed a film to put into your diary.

Check out the trailer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClncY3AQxeg

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Balan told The Hindustan Times that she cannot disclose further information, “I can’t reveal much as I’m bound by contract. All I can say is that I’m doing a biopic. When the time is right, the makers will make the necessary announcement.” However, The Hindustan Times claim that Balan might be playing MS Subbulaxmi.

MS, as she was popularly known, was born into a musical family. Her grandmother was a violinist and her mother was from the Devdasi community. According to The Hindu, ‘her voice held the world in a spell’. Such was the power of MS’s vocal skills, that the highly renowned Madras Music Academy defied tradition by placing a young person as the key performer – the 13 year old MS Subbulaxmi.

The first musician in history to be awarded the ‘Ramon Magsaysay award’- Asia’s Noble Prize, MS Subbulaxmi was described as ‘a queen, a queen of music’, by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Hindustan Times state that Balan is ‘apparently, a huge fan of the legendary singer’. We can only wait until time will tell who this mystery character Balan set to play is.

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He recently told the Times of India, “…Today, there is so much use of English language in films… (it seems) the writer doesn’t know how to write, also emotion does not come out in English dialogues,”

Dhulia is leading by example. His film Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster is critically acclaimed with immaculate dialogue and narration. He is still setting the scene by giving importance to dialogues with his next film, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns which is due for release on March the 8th. According to TOI, not only will we see Jimmy Shergill and Mahie Gill from Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, but Irrfan Khan and Soha Ali Khan too.

What’s interesting is that Urdu has historically been a major part of Hindi films. Think of Mughal-e-Azam for example. Jyotika Virdi, an Associate Professor at the University of Windsor, Canada, talks about the use of Urdu in her book ‘The Cinematic ImagiNation: Social history through Indian popular films’. She comments: “Urdu is often used in film titles, screenplay, lyrics, the language of love, war, and martyrdom.’ However, Urdu is beginning to disappear from films as she adds, “…the decline of Urdu is mirrored in Hindi films… It is true that many Urdu words have survived and have become part of Hindi cinema’s popular vocabulary. But that is as far as it goes.”

Dhulia’s comment to TOI, “It’s better to make the entire film in English or in our language where Urdu should be used,” is not only encouraging emotion but a return to the good old days: “Isn’t it good if it (the time of good dialogues) comes back?…” asks Dhulia.

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Not only Saif but Randeep Hooda has quit smoking too. A source on the set of Randeep’s upcoming film Shooter and Ungli told TOI that the withdrawal symptoms are getting to him- “It’s been more than a month since Randeep has quit smoking, but he has become very irritable with everyone present.” However, quitting smoking is tough and also admirable. Randeep’s mood swings are being taken on the chin whilst he adjusts to the changes- “But everyone knows why, and are therefore giving him another month to get over his withdrawal symptoms and get back to being his goofy self.”

In the words of Suman (Maine Pyar Kiya), ‘smoking is injurious to health’. It causes lung cancer, heart disease, and also stinks- in every way. There has always been a smoking related incident for us all- whether it was through peer pressure when growing up or later in life; a habit picked up and difficult to let go of; or watching and worrying about loved ones smoking. According to ash.org.uk ‘smoking causes around 86% of deaths from lung cancer.’ Not only that, but smokers under the age of 40 are ‘five times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers.’

The good news is that it is never too late. A year after quitting, the risk of heart attack falls to half of that a smoker; no smoking for 15 years means that your risk is similar to someone who has never smoked. With the Bollywood boys Saif and Randeep quitting, hopefully others, both smokers and non- smokers will follow their lead and aspire to a healthy life style. In Saif’s words to TOI, “If you don’t smoke or drink and respect your body, you can look great at 42.”

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Furthermore, Arbaaz Khan makes clear to TOI that the film is not just comedy and action but there is also a lot of emotion- “There is a story running behind all the action. You just can’t have action and more of action. None of it would hold if there is no emotion behind it; for that you need to have a story in a scene or a sequence”.

Dabangg 2 will be bringing ‘Chulbul Pandey’ (Salman Khan) and ‘Rajjo’ (Sonakshi Sinha) back to the big screen. The main antagonist of the story is ‘Prakash Raj’- the National Award winning Indian actor, Producer and Director.

Dabangg’s musical score had caused a sensation. As of 10th September 2010- the release date of Dabanng, ‘Munni Badnaam’ was ranked number one and ‘Tere Mast Do Nain’ ranked number two in top10bollywood.com’s chart. Dabanng 2 is definitely living up to its counterpart’s musical reputation. As of 19th December 2012, a day away from its release, ‘Fevicol Se’ has already hit number one in top10bollywood.com’s chart. Not only ‘Fevicol Se’ but ‘Dagabaaz Re’ and ‘Pandeyjee Seeti’ are in the top 10 too. ‘Fevicol Se’ is an item number featuring Kareena Kapoor.

Arbaaz Khan is optimistic about the sequel’s musical charm and told TOI: “There are five songs in the movie and while the music of ’Dabangg’ was outstanding, Sajid-Wajid have gone ahead and churned out something even better; I genuinely believe that. The composers have done a fabulous job.”

Action, comedy and emotion… Dabanng 2 promises to live up to the expectation of ‘Chulbul Pandey’ fans as Arbaaz Khan claims to TOI: “You would see a lot of style coming along with the action and it would be in the kind of space that Chulbul Pandey as a character and ’Dabangg’ as a brand stand for.”

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Born and raised in Manipur, Kom had initially tried to keep her love for boxing a secret as it was not considered the most appropriate of sports for women to be involved in. However, the secret was let out when her talent was discovered by her father through a newspaper photograph of her victory in 2000.

Kom is the only woman to have won a medal for each of the six world championships. Chopra is getting into the skin of her character by spending time with Kom. Chopra tweeted: “Now off to my first meeting with the one and only Kom! Will make her teach me how to wear boxing gloves.” According to Hindustan Times, Kom is also giving Chopra an insight into her home town and her world- “We are going to sit for a day or two and discuss it. I am happy that she will come (to Manipur) and see how I live.”

The film is directed by Omung Kumar and according to IANS, ‘will be going on the floors early next year’. Don’t forget to cheer Chopra on as she gets ready to rumble!

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When the Times of India asked Kashyap what brought him out of this phase he replied that it was meeting Kalki, who “helped me out of the darkness.” It was because of Kalki, now Mrs Kashyap, and his love for travelling- “…because of that phase I ran away to travel and looked hungrily for an audience.”

Despite his immense fame and success Kashyap has his feet planted firmly on the ground. His philosophy on money is, “money brings lethargy, and that kills the hunger. I don’t take a penny home from AKPL. Having a lot of money makes me feel lazy and insecure.” Mr and Mrs Kashyap continue to live in a 2BHK flat which he describes as ‘at the mouth of the slum’. There are no plans of leaving either as he states “buying a house has never been my ambition. I only ran after freedom, freedom to do what I want.”

Anurag Kashyap continues growing from strength to strength. His recently produced film Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana raked in 3.3 crore Rupees in India in its first two days and $225,000 overseas just over the first weekend. His upcoming drama film Bombay Velvet will star Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. Watch this space!

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