After Aamir Khan’s directorial debut ‘Taare Zameen Par‘ failed to get an Oscar nomination in the foreign film category, the superstar has said that he does not make films for ‘awards’ but for the ‘audience’.

According to Aamir he doesn’t make films for awards he makes them for the audience. He feels heartened when both audiences in India and abroad enjoy his movies he doesn’t need an award to prove how popular and well loved his movies are.

The actor who was recently in the news for his hit psychological thriller ‘Ghajini’ was also upbeat about the film’s effect on children.

On being asked about his decision to make a violent film with a U/A certificate after wielding the megaphone himself on an issue-based subject, he said: ‘I think the censor board gave it due thought before coming out with U/A certification, which means parental guidance.

‘I feel any film which is U/A certified, parents ought to check it out before or wait till they see the review. I myself have done that. Junaid (Aamir’s son) is 15 and he has seen ‘Ghajini’ and Aira (daughter) is 10 and she has not. As parents, Rina (first wife) and I have taken that call,’ he explained.

Aamir also negated the Western made Indian film controversy surrounding Danny Boyle’s Oscar-nominated underdog drama ‘Sllumdog Millionaire’.

‘I don’t see ‘Slumdog…’ as an Indian film. I think it is a film about India like ‘Gandhi’ (that) was made by Sir Richard Attenborough. Similarly, ‘Slumdog…’ is about India but it is not an Indian film.

‘I hope it does well in (the) Academy (awards). I don’t think it’s got to do anything with India or abroad. Filmmakers are creative people and they are storytellers. They are telling us a story. I don’t think ‘Slumdog…’ is making an attempt to show the underbelly of India or that may be its selling point,’ he explained.

Talking about Bollywood stars making an entry into politics, Aamir said: ‘I don’t want to. I’ll support a political partly only when I seriously believe that this is in fact a party in which I have real hope and full confidence. Otherwise, I would never endorse a political party,’ he said.

I hate female drivers. I absolutely hate them. The only thing worse is Indian female drivers. Being an Indian myself it has taken years of discipline to develop my decent driving and parking skills and you must give me props for keeping to lanes.

Today I helped this old Indian woman in a dirty beat up Camry back out of a tight parking spot and how does she repay me? By scratching my precious Carolina (that’s what I call my Mercedes.)

I didn’t even realise it at the time but the old bat’s gigantic side view mirror dug a deep gash into my Carolina on her way out. Despite my excellent directions she somehow managed to destroy my car. Did I mention it’s a black car? Every imperfection shows….I am feeling really Depressed…..!

It’s the weekend and I was hoping to go for a joy ride tonight that’s the only reason I brought Carolina out in this haze and now this. It really has put a dampener on my weekend plans. If anybody sees an old lady driving a dirty old car with black paint on the left side view mirror please notify me.

A Hindu group in Goa Thursday filed three complaints with the police alleging the globally acclaimed film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ ‘hurts religious sentiments’.

The complaints were lodged against the makers of the Golden Globe award winning film by Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) in three police stations in Margao, Panaji and Mapusa.

The group alleged the film depicts Lord Ram in particular and the Indian culture in general in a bad light.

Seeking a ban on the screening of the film, the complaint named the film’s producer Christian Colson, writers Simon Beaufoy and Vikas Swarup and director Danny Boyle and co-director Loveleen Tandon as the main accused.

The HJS carried out demonstrations in Panaji after ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was screened last week.

Zayed Khan has been part of Bollywood for five years now yet he has not yet played the hero but has mostly starred in ensemble cast films. He now wants to take up more ‘challenging’ roles and also rues that no good director has approached him with solo-hero movie scripts so far.

‘People expect a lot of things, they ask me why don’t you do single hero movies. Honestly, I don’t know what to say? No director of the caliber of making a good single hero is coming to me with that kind of offer,’ says Zayed.

He has mostly starred in ensemble cast films like ‘Main Hoon Na’, ‘Cash’, ‘Speed’, ‘Mission Istanbul’ and most recently ‘Yuvvraaj’. Zayed said he is yet to make an impression on filmmakers’ minds that he can carry a solo-hero film on his own.

‘I am going to have to make that sort of an impression in their (director’s) minds. I’ll have to give them a reason to come to me with solo-hero script. I have to inspire them by working with good directors, I’d rather do that. That’s my game plan,’ said Zayed.

The actor, who is currently working on two more multi-starrers - a comic caper ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge’ and action flick ‘Blue’, says he gained a lot by sharing screen space with Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and Shah Rukh Khan.

‘When you work with people who are bigger than you and have more understanding than you, you know that one day you are going to play in their playing field. My whole idea is to give my best and slowly and steadily find myself in the first five,’ he said confidently.

Currently, Zayed wishes to get ‘challenging’ roles.

‘I want to do roles that are challenging and want to work with people who can give me the challenge and present the film the way it should be presented. There is no point in doing a film that will never see the light of the day,’ Zayed said.

Though his much-hyped ‘Yuvvraaj’ failed to click with the audience and critics alike, the actor hopes to create some ripples with his daredevil underwater stunts in ‘Blue’, which also stars Akshay Kumar, Suneil, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta.

Bollywood actress Amrita Rao says she is jealous of her ‘Victory’ co-star Harman Baweja because he has several scenes with national and international cricketers while she didn’t have even one in the movie.

Releasing Firday, ‘Victory’ is directed by debutant Ajitpal Mangat and is the story of a father’s dream that his son, who is from a small village in Rajasthan, will become a national cricketer. How the young man becomes an acclaimed cricketer forms the remaining plot.

The film has cameos by cricketers including Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Allan Border, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, R.P. Singh, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Sanath Jayasurya and Dilhara Fernando.

About her role, Amrita said: ‘I play Nandini, a medical student from Jaisalmer. The character is very strong and inspiring. Nandini’s character is basically very vocal about her mind.’

The actress, last seen in Shyam Benegal’s ‘Welcome To Sajjanpur’, says she had ‘a nice time working with Harman’.

‘Not even once it come across that he was acting like a cricketer. He used to give such subtle expressions while shooting with the professional cricketers and facing bowls from legendary players,’ said Amrita.

Amrita is confident that the film will do well even though it is pitched against the much-hyped Farhan Akhtar-starrer ‘Luck By Chance’, releasing on the same day.

‘It wasn’t easy to convince so many legendary cricketers to star in a Bollywood film,’ she said.

After ‘Victory’, Amrita is looking forward to her next film ‘‘Shortcut - The Con Is On!’ that stars Akshay Khanna and Arshad Warsi. It is produced by Anil Kapoor.

Former beauty queen and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen will be enacting the role of Pakistan’s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a biopic to be made by Pakistani filmmakers. Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. “Yes, I am keen to play the role. The producers are waiting for a clearance from the Pakistan Peoples Party (Bhutto’s party). Once we get the go-ahead, we will start the movie,” Sushmita had earlier told reporters.

Sushmita is reportedly working hard to get into her character by reading extensively on the life of Bhutto and watching footages on her. She is simultaneously working on her Urdu diction as well. Co-produced by Pakistani producers Zaid Aziz and Henna Rai of Karachi production firm Vox Vision and Leicester-based Sum Films respectively, the film will be bilingual - made both in English and Urdu.

Tentatively titled “Benazir Bhutto: The Movie”, it will be shot at various locations in Pakistan, the US, Britain and Dubai, where Bhutto spent years as a student and later as a political leader in exile.Apparently, Mahesh Bhatt’s Vishesh Films is also battling out to make a biopic on the leader.

Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi6 is all set to release in February. Director Mehra released it’s music on the sets of Indian Idol.

But while everyone including Sonam to director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, lyricist Prasoon Joshi and others participated enthusiastically, lead actor Abhishek was nowhere in the promotion.

When asked about the Abhishek Bachchan, Rakeysh informed us that Abhi was busy shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Ravana somewhere far off, with wifey Aishwarya Rai.

Interestingly both Ash and Abhishek were very much in town to grace another event that happened in the same evening.

It is believed that and promotion that has given more importance to Sonam. It seems that Abhishek is not so pleased by the promos as Sonam is getting lot of attention from the promoters thus AB baby has taken the backseat. When we asked Sonam about Abhishek she said, “I liked working with Abhishek.

He is really a cool guy. He is fun to work with. We all had fun on the set. We both are foodie.”

Hope Abhi feels the same for his co-actress.

Some people call me shy…..and I am shy…
I interact with a lot of people at my restaurant…but it kinda gets monotonous after a while….So I went to this lounge the other day…..I was waiting for my good friend Rajat to arrive when I saw this extremely beautiful woman enter the lounge and was standing near the bar.

I was in total trance….I couldn’t take my eyes off her…she was just glowingly beautiful! Many thoughts crossed my mind…should I go and talk to her…may be not….may be….what if she slaps me thinking I’m a pervert….

I was wearing a black Armani……so yeah I was looking smart!

I held my ground….with a lot of courage…I went upto her….and….

She thought I was a waiter and ordered a drink….even before i could say something…

Embarrassing moment…
Sigh…..

I like to think that it didn’t happen to me, Pinu….it happened to…lets say Tinu…..
it sounds funny…and actually gives me the courage to laugh it off…and may be share it with u guys!

Cheers

Pinu

The 60th year of the Indian republic made Bollywood proud when two leading stars of Bollywood were awarded top civilian honours. Yesterday, the Government of India awarded Padma Shree to Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has popularized Indian cinema across the globe and has given much to Indian entertainment industry and though Akshay Kumar has done mainly commercial cinema yet his success and hits cannot be ignored. To be known that a few days ago, Akshay had been given the popular choice best actor award, which he refused.

The other Bollywood recipient of the prestigious Padma Shree is none other than the legendary Helen and Madhuri Dixit.

Farhan Akhtar the current host of chat show Oye! It’s Friday will soon be shown the door, as the show is not having a good run.

Apparently the NDTV Imagine bosses are keen to replace Farhan, their first choice was coffee man Karan Johar who turned down the offer because of his directorial commitments.

It’s a new format and it’s Farhan’s first time on TV, so it was expected it to pick up slowly but it doesn’t seem to be working.

The production house also blames Farhan’s non-availability of dates for shooting. The production people have to constantly keep running after him to secure dates. There’s an understanding that he won’t be able to shoot when he has to promote his films or work on new projects.

Do you want Farhan to be replaced by somebody else? Who do you think should be the new host?

Hi!
I am Pinu Patel. I’m based in London and run an Indian Restaurant by the name ‘Gaylord’. I have a very limited circle of friends who have often told me to hook on to social networking sites as it’s a good way to make friends and also catch up with old ones! Well… after so much persuasion, I heeded their advice and now I’m on Facebook!

I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming response!

Do visit my website http://www.pinupatel.com
Regards

Pinu Patel

The nude scene is real it maybe only for a split second but it’s real. Though it may be in a batrh tub and not really worth a mention or a censor ban Kangana does bare all (in a body suit.) But the biggest shocker of all in this movie is Emraan Hashmi. He does not have a single kissing scene in this movie yet he manages a spirited performance. Kangana Ranaut is fabulous both in the tender scenes and in those where she is possessed and going through the usual drone like levitating and screaming. She looks good in her new look with the soft perm and slightly over-done make-up.

Adhyayan Suman is far better in this film than his disastrous debut Haal-e-Dil. He does need a haircut and an overall makeover though. The actor playing the head priest’s wife gives you the chills.

The plot of the movie is highly complicated and not easily comprehendable basically Kangana plays a troubler ramp model in love with the Adhyayan Suman’s character. Emran Hashmi plays the saucer-eyed stalker. The movie contains all the ingredients of a horror film – the deserted car park, a bloody hand out of the ATM, creepy piano music.

Raaz –The Mystery Continues manages a pretty good rank on the scare-o-meter; there are some genuinely chilling scenes, but nothing that’ll give you recurring nightmares.

Director Mohit Suri’s storytelling is super-stylish, reminiscent of Ram Gopal Varma’s smart thrillers. Cinematography by Ravi Walia is outstanding, from shot composition to the moody lighting. Dialogue is functional, apart from some bloopers like using `son of a bitch’ as an expletive and Nandita explaining to Yash – `You know how much I love myself. Why would I try committing suicide?’ Songs, as in most Bhatt films, are quite good.

Critically acclaimed “Slumdog Millionaire” held its Indian premiere in the film’s native Mumbai on Thursday night, shortly after it won 10 Oscar nominations. And the female lead Frieda initially flashed us a quick glimpse of her white chaddis before changing into a more western accepted version of a saree.

The rags-to-riches story about a boy from one of the city’s teeming slums competing on a TV game show has been nominated for best director, best adapted screenplay and best picture at the Academy Awards, and seven other categories.

The who’s who of Bollywood including Aamir Khan, Sushmita Sen, Jiah Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Imraan Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Amrita Rao, Hrithik Roshan, Preeti Zinta, Genelia D’Souza and Vidya Balan walked on the red carpet amid the sound of traditional Indian drums.

The entire cast and crew danced down the red carpet.

“Slumdog Millionaire” has already won four awards at the Golden Globes this month including best drama, and been nominated for 11 BAFTA awards. Slumdog has also been nominated for Best picture, Best director, Best adapted screenplay, Best cinematography, Best sound mixing, Best sound editing, Best original score, Best original song (for Jai ho), O Saya and Best film editing.

After The curious case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog millionaire is the second most nominated movie at the Oscars. Here’s wishing them all the very best.

Click here for images from the red carpet.

Not many leading ladies of Madhur Bhandarkar films are lucky enough to be repeated by the filmmaker. Though Konkona Sen Sharma remains his personal favorite (she has starred in ‘Page 3’, ‘Traffic Signal’ and a one scene appearance in ‘Fashion’), others like Tabu (Chandni Bar), Bipasha Basu (Corporate) and Neetu Chandra (Traffic Signal) haven’t been as lucky. However, Mugdha Godse has made it to the elite list after being signed on to play the main female lead in ‘Jail’.

Mugdha is ecstatic too to be a part of ‘Jail’ and has started preparing for the role. “I am in an even better position now with ‘Jail’ since from ‘one of the leads’ in ‘Fashion’, I would now be playing a ’sole lead’. Everyone wants to see such progression and I am glad this is happening in quick time. Madhur sir has seldom repeated his heroines due to which I am even more excited that he has chosen to rope me in for the movie. It just shows that if you do hard work and demonstrate good enough potential, you would be noticed.”

Mugha has a 3 film deal with Percept Picture Company and ‘Jail’ would kick start her engagement with the production house. Incidentally, the film is a co-production of Percept Picture Company and Bhandarkar Entertainment.

Since Mugdha was noticed for her glamour quotient as well as acting potential in Fashion, how would she be presented in ‘Jail’? According to Madhur she would have a semi-glam look in the film. That’s all he can say for now because anything more would only end up revealing the plot. At the moment, it would just suffice to say that Mugdha is not there in the film just for glamour value but she is also critical to the film’s plot.

For Mugdha, it’s a great start for things to follow because she has been paired with one of the most promising newcomers around, Neil Nitin Mukesh. “I am looking forward to shooting with Neil. It’s nice to have upcoming youngsters around and both Neil and I are amongst the new breed. We should make for a good fresh pair”, smiles Mugdha.

No one in Bollywood can beat Salman Khan for his fashion and style. And those who are followers of his fashion, let them know that he is coming up with a new beach fashion style in his upcoming film Wanted Dead & Alive.

The fashion designer of the film Ashley Rebello, who has styled Salman’s for the film said, “Salman will be seen wearing neck-pieces made from beads, sea shells and everything that is hippie and Goan in the film. It has been mostly shot in Bangkok, and Salman will be seen wearing folded knee length pants and white shirts in the film. He will also wear a lot of checked shirts and leather jackets which give that hippie look.”

We have recently seen the beach style of John Abraham in Dostana. So whether Salman will sport the same kind of clothing for his film? For sure not because Salman is so disapproving to such exposure and to John too.