Bollywood

Deepa Mehta’s next is ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’

Written by Aly Kassam on July 22nd, 2008

For those who have arrived late in the game, Deepa Mehta is considered one of the most brilliant and creative directors hailing from India. Though she resides in Toronto, her films are very India-centric and include masterpieces like her elements trilogy; Earth (Aamir Khan, Rahul Khanna, Nandita Das), Water (Lisa Ray, Sarala, Seema Biswas, John [...]

Rahul Bose steals Emraan’s ‘Kissing Crown’

Written by Aly Kassam on July 22nd, 2008

Ah, the Bollywood kiss. Unfortunately, it is still in premature stages and evokes pathetic states of outburst from many conservative viewers. However, films don’t quite give a damn, with leading actors locking lips in every other movie these days. While Emraan Hashmi has mastered the act, fellow actor Rahul Bose seems to be catching up! [...]

Madhuri to star in a new flick!

Written by Aly Kassam on July 22nd, 2008

Though her recent dancing act in Aaja Nachle may not have been the comeback it was touted to be, Madhuri Dixit was still praised for her grace, charm and of course, inimitable dancing style. For many, the film is considered to be very heart-warming. Lucky for fans, Madhuri is in talks to do another film [...]

The Final Analysis: The Unforgettable Tour

Written by Aly Kassam on July 19th, 2008

Note: If you do not wish to read spoilers regarding the ‘Unforgettable Tour’ do NOT read on! Also, this is an audience member’s account of the show and is largely opinionated. The Background For fans living abroad , Bollywood really is a big deal. For some, it is a chance to connect with something special [...]

“I have no intention of making socially relevant movies” – Shilpa Shetty

Written by Aly Kassam on July 19th, 2008

You have to hand it to the woman for being so brutally honest. In a day and age where Bollywood is experimenting far more than ever before, leading actress Shilpa Shetty who has launched her own production company (S2 Global Productions) says she will stick to making only commercial films. Backing up her stance, she [...]

Should we call it the ‘Unaffordable’ Tour?

Written by Aly Kassam on July 18th, 2008

Though thousands of Bollywood fans worldwide are scrambling to get tickets for the latest starry tour coming from India, some are saying that organizers have gone way overboard with the pricing this time around. The tour features the Bachchan clan along with Preity Zinta, Ritesh Deshmukh and features Shilpa Shetty, Madhuri Dixit and Akshay Kumar [...]

Extra track added to ‘Jaane Tu…’

Written by Aly Kassam on July 18th, 2008

For those who have seen Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, which by the way is storming the box office, you might have noticed that a few significant tracks were not included in the film despite being part of the soundtrack. Both versions (male and female) of ‘Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai’ were not included because [...]

Govinda with Abhishek and Ash in Ratnam’s next!

Written by Aly Kassam on July 14th, 2008

Is this a casting coup or what? Yeah, we’re used to the husband and wife duo of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan teaming up in various films, but comedy king Govinda in a Mani Ratnman flick? Now this should be interesting! Govinda was almost down and out and struggled for a few years to get [...]

Nandita Das talks about her directional debut, ‘Firaaq’

Written by Aly Kassam on July 10th, 2008

Note: Courtesy of quotes goes to Mumbai Mirror, who conducted the interview with Nandita Das.Though she is rarely seen in commercial Bollywood affairs, and scarcely indulges in regular filmy gossip, Nandita Das is still considered to be one of India’s finest actresses as she has constantly given brilliant performances (in virtually all languages!) in what [...]

Bachchans to produce films again, starting with ‘Pa’

Written by Aly Kassam on July 9th, 2008

Though Amitabh Bachchan established AB Corp. a while ago, he never quite got to producing the hits he hoped for as his finances started to run low and he decided to put his production company on the backburner for a while. Now that he is once again a saleable actor along with his son, he [...]

Vaibhavi and Sanjay Bhansali’s relationship goes kaput?

Written by Aly Kassam on July 9th, 2008

Yes, even Sanjay Leela Bhansali needs a woman in his life. Especially after that debacle Saawariya! Before I get more evil, let’s get to the point. Over the last few months, Bhansali had gotten close to popular choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant (Dhol Bhaje, Aaja Nachle, Dil Haara, Kajra Re, etc.) and the two decided they were [...]

Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na

Written by Aly Kassam on July 4th, 2008

They say that as you age, you tend to realize that it is not those monumental milestones that you remember vividly for years to come. Instead, it is those small, yet intimate and profoundly important moments that somehow stick with you. I’m not going to blabber on and on and give you a philosophy lesson, [...]

Kismat Konnection

Written by Aly Kassam on July 4th, 2008

Pritam is on an insanely abnormal hit streak, with practically each one of his albums hitting the mark in the last year or so. It doesn’t matter how much is copied, how much criticism they get, or how bad the lyrics are — his albums work with the masses, and at the end of the [...]

Abbas-Mustan set to remake yet another Hollywood flick…

Written by Aly Kassam on July 1st, 2008

During a period when most directors tend to scorn blatant copying from Hollywood, director duo Abbas-Mustan continue to create “inspired” works of cinema, their latest release being the hit Race. Perhaps the saddest part is, they have no qualms about admitting this, as they gear up for their next remake which is of the successful [...]

‘Love Story 2050′ goes global!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 24th, 2008

Producer Harry Baweja is going all out for his upcoming flick titled Love Story 2050, which marks the debut of his son Harman opposite Priyanka Chopra. In addition, the film is said to boast of the best special effects India has ever seen! Instead of opting for a Mumbai premiere like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane [...]

Ugly aur Pagli

Written by Aly Kassam on June 24th, 2008

Mallika Sherawat has a tendency to be part of some of the most bizarre couples on-screen, having been paired with Nana Patekar, Rahul Bose and Akshaye Khanna — none of which look particularly great with her. In her next, Ugly aur Pagli, she reprises the role of ‘Pagli’ while Ranvir Shorey does the honours as [...]

Hollywood meets Bollywood in ‘Kambakth Ishq’

Written by Aly Kassam on June 22nd, 2008

Sajid Nadiadwala is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to roping in Hollywood celebrities for roles in his next film titled Kambakth Ishq. The film will be directed by first-time director Sabir Khan and is reported to be the first ever to be filmed in Hollywood’s Universal Studios. The reason for this is that [...]

Aamir

Written by Aly Kassam on June 19th, 2008

This isn’t one of those movies you await with bated breath and line up for first-day-first-show tickets. No, this is a different kind of film. There is no Khan or Kumar, no leading lady in skimpy clothes, no foreign locales and no flashy promotion video to lure you into the theaters. There is a script [...]

Where’s Manisha been? Playing golf!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 19th, 2008

When you look back at films like Dil Se, Lajja, Khamoshi and 1942 – A Love Story, one tends to miss Manisha Koirala who was once one of the reigning actresses of Bollywood. In the past few years she’s been seen in a few roles here and there, but nothing that really does justice to [...]

Abhishek to dance with Vivek? Not true!

Written by Aly Kassam on June 17th, 2008

Sections of the media have been reporting that Vivek Oberoi and Abhishek Bachchan will feature in a promotional video for the upcoming film Mission Istanbul. Abhishek has a special appearance in the film which stars Vivek Oberoi and Zayed Khan in lead roles. The film is directed by Abhishek’s good friend, Apoorva Lakhia (Shootout at [...]

More about Preity’s ‘Heaven on Earth’…

Written by Aly Kassam on June 14th, 2008

She hasn’t had a release since Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, but she hasn’t stopped working. With a slew of films lined up for this year, with meaty roles, Preity Zinta looks forward to several kinds of films she’s never done. On the list is Deepa Mehta’s Heaven on Earth which wrapped up filming months ago in [...]