Kaveri Jha signed for Priyadarshan's Bum Bum Bole

After Taare Zameen Par, child artiste Darsheel Safary will be next seen in Priyadarshan directed Bum Bum Bole, which is an adaptation of the hit Iranian film 'Children of Heaven'.

According to our sources, the latest addition to the starcast is Kaveri Jha, who was last seen inHijack opposite Shiney Ahuja. Besides Darsheel and Kaveri, the film also stars Atul Kulkarni and Rituparna Sengupta. While Atul plays Darsheel's father and Rituparna plays his mother; Kaveri has been signed to play the role of Atul's sister. News has it that the film runs on two parallels, one that deals with Darsheel and his faith in God, while the second is about the relationship between Kaveri and Atul

Priyadarshan's next is action flick starring Ajay, Akshaye and Bipasha

Now it can be told. Ajay has set up a makeshift gym in far-off Karaikudi for more than just recreation. For his role in Priyadarshan's hard-hitting tale of honour killing in Bihar, Ajay Devgan needs to have an especially toned-up physique. The film is yet untitled and stars Ajay Devgan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu and Paresh Rawal.

Talking about the film, Priyan says, "I've turned the horrific tale of an actual incident in Bihar of an inter-caste romance into a full-on actioner. See, I wanted to keep it real. At the same time I wanted to make it riveting for the audience. So while shooting on an authentic location (Karaikudi is like a small town in Bihar) I've made my two heroes Ajay and Akshaye Khanna into full-on action heroes. This film has the kind of real stunts never seen in Hindi cinema."

Priyan has roped in his old action director B. Thyagarajan and a stunt director from South Africa, Frances to devise action scenes which would take the director's Bihari drama into the region of riveting realism.

Says Priyan, "When I say real action, I mean fight scenes that are the opposite of cable-wired flips somersaults jumps and leaps. This time Ajay has gone as raw as it can get."

The action sequences have both Devgan and Khanna locked in hand-to-hand combats, and other very basic forms of physical aggression that went out of vogue with the old Kung Fu films.

For this, Devgan needed to get into a different shape, and so did Akshaye. In fact, Akshaye is a new convert to the gym. Till this schedule in Karaikudi started, Ajay persuaded Akshaye to head for the gym.

"Yes we've a set up a terrific gym in this wilderness. It's been set up in an under-construction building. It has all the equipment," says Bipasha. "We all work out in it. Ajay and I, of course. Paresh Rawal also works out. Akshaye Khanna only used to play squash for exercise. Now he's started going to the gym. They need to get into a specific shape for this film."

Before producer Arbaaz Khan can shift Bihar to Vai near Mumbai for the shooting of Abhinav Kashyap's Dabangg, Priyadrashan has relocated a village of Bihar in Karaikudi, a Tamilian small-town 80 kilometers away from Madurai to shoot for his very real headline-derived inter-caste love story that shook rural Bihar some time ago.

Akshaye Khanna signed for Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan

After No Problem, the suave Akshaye Khanna has been signed up for Farah Khan and hubby Shirish Kunder's next Tees Maar Khan. Buzz has it that the actor will play the parallel lead with Akshay Kumar.

Tees Maar Khan, which is scheduled to go on floors in March 2010, will be the first film featuring Akshay Kumar and Akshaye together. Akshaye Khanna has been reportedly signed up for his good comic timing.

Shirish Kunder and Farah Khan, who recently celebrated their 5th marriage anniversary, have so far announced 3 films under their production banner Three's Company Productions including Alien Sahib with John Abraham, action flick Joker and Tees Maar Khan.

Farah Khan to direct Katrina Kaif in commercial for Etihad Airways

Katrina Kaif seems to have really enjoyed the experience of working with Farah Khan in her directorial venture Tees Maar Khan, so much so that the actress wanted no one else but Farah to direct her in a forthcoming commercial.

Katrina was supposed to shoot a commercial for Etihad Airways (of which she has been appointed the brand ambassador recently) and when asked whom we she would want as the director, Katrina immediately suggested Farah's name.

Now Katrina (who is shooting in Spain for Zoya Akhtar's film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) and Farah (who is in Mumbai) will meet at Abu Dhabi to shoot the commercial. The ad will be shot at Etihad's airport lounge at Abu Dhabi.

Farah's triplets reluctantly shoot for Tees Maar Khan

Farah Khan's kids - Diva, Czar and Anya - have perhaps not been bitten by the glamour world yet. Even though they were enticed enough to face the camera by their mother Farah Khan (who is the one of the most unabashed 'masala' film lover that Bollywood boasts of today), the triplets weren't excited enough. This resulted in a funny shoot for Tees Maar Khan when the director (softly) called 'action'.

"Poocho mat. I guess the toughest part of my shoot was to capture my kids well on camera", Farah says in her inimitable manner, "Shirish and my production house is called 'Three's Company' because of these three kids. As is the tradition with my films, I wanted to feature them for the end credit title roll of Tees Maar Khan. However, they just didn't seem interested."

What followed was quite some 'improvisation' that the Diva, Czar and Anya indulged in.

"Here I was pampering them with all the nice dresses and goodies. There was a special tuxedo that I had got designed for Czar. On the other hand, my daughters Diva and Anya were made to wear these beautiful birthday party dresses", informs Farah, "While they were getting all dressed up, they were all fine and smiling. However, when I wanted them to put on their best show for camera, they just walked around at their own will."

"Guess my famed command didn't quite work with my own kids this time around", she jokes, "The kind of expression that the three of them had on their faces, they seemed to be wondering who these monkeys behind the camera were."

Eventually, Farah and Co. decided to retain the shots as is to lend a natural feel to the entire proceeding. "I was glad that the film's shooting had come to an end", she smiles.

Would she care to reveal these pictures for audience to know what to expect from the kids? "Well, watch the film for that", she responds.

Sanjay Dutt to play sutradhaar in Tees Maar Khan

Sanjay Dutt is one man most people look up to as a person who has lived through much and yet has a smile on his face. Well for Dutt fans, there is some good news. Farah Khan's filmTees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif which is scheduled to hit screens in December will feature Sanjay Dutt's voice. You read it right.

It is learnt that Sanjay Dutt will be the sutradhaar (narrator) of the film. His narrative has been penned by Shirish Kunder and his voice will also be featured in the trailers of Tees Maar Khan.

It was Shirish's idea to have Dutt introduce the various characters at the beginning of the film. However, the interesting part is that Dutt isn't charging a single penny for doing so.

Bhansali and Shabinaa Khan officially announce Akshay starrer Rowdy Rathore

Audiences are in for a treat as acclaimed director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Akshay Kumar come together for the first time for the film titled Rowdy Rathore.

The out -and-out action film will be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-produced by designer Shabinaa Khan.

Says Sanjay Bhansali, "To me an action film is totally an alien concept. At this juncture as a filmmaker, I want to move out of the comfort zone and do things that are new and untried."

Starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha, the film directed by Prabhu Deva will break the stereotypical boundaries of the action genre.

The film sees Bollywood star Akshay Kumar get back into a space in which he remains undefeated - hardcore action! The star will undergo rigorous physical training in preparation for the film that will have top notch action and choreography that will have audiences asking for more.

With Rowdy Rathore, Shabinaa Khan comes into her own as co-producer. Says Shabinaa, "I'm very excited about my first production film Rowdy Rathore which is a hardcore action masala flick and with such a talented team on board."

Now a sequel to Don � The Chase Begins Again?

Sequels are the order of the day. And now, there is a new buzz in the industry that Farhan Akhtar�s Don � The Chase Begins Again will be followed with a sequel. The film, which is scheduled to release in Diwali this year, has already generated lot of hype. The major attraction being Shah Rukh Khan playing the role of Don, which was earlier, portrayed by the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan in 1978.

When director Farhan Akhtar was contacted, he said �I can�t imagine a sequel to Don for reasons beyond just the story. The desire to make the film was to re create the excitement I felt watching the original as a child. That desire has been satisfied with this film and its time to move on to something new.

Amitabh Bachchan watches Shah Rukh Khan's Don?

According to sources, a quiet industry trial of 'Don' was held on Monday in Mumbai, attended by the Bachchan family, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and many other personalities. We are told that the initial reactions have been extremely heartening and that the twists will take the audience by storm. "Shah Rukh is looking sinfully good," remarked our source.

Meanwhile, the excitement around 'Don' in the UK is unimaginably enormous, with several channels and radio stations actually (and amusingly) receiving complaints from patrons on account of an overhype of the film by the UK distributor. Reactions to a recent trial in London have been positive. "It's a commercial entertaining thriller, which holds you till the end credits," said our source.

We are also informed that a leading multinational bank's high net-worth customers have actually flown in to London from various parts of Europe especially to watch 'Don' on Wednesday evening. 

Govinda to star in Vivek Sharma's next

To begin your career with someone like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan by your side is half the battle won. We are talking about Vivek Sharma who, on the success of his directorial debut Bhoothnath says, “It’s a great feeling to have tasted success in your very first attempt and in addition to that, to be associated with the two top notch superstars of the film fraternity, that itself gives you a high.”

“Bhoothnath will always remain very close to my heart and I will always remember what Amitabhji’s told me don’t go by the words of others instead introspect your work which will help you in the longer run,” says Vivek. So did you pay heed to Big B’s golden advice? “Of course, I feel visual narration and screen staging are some areas where I will have to work on.”

When asked about the response he got from the people in the industry, he says, “I was both surprised and honored, when veterans like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Jaya Bachchan and Aziz Mirza praised my work and efforts.”

Workaholic to the core, Vivek is already engrossed with Vashu Bhagnani’s Kal Kisne Dekhaa in South Africa. To which Vivek says, “Jacky Bhagnani (Vashu’s son) would be launched in Kal Kisne Dekha which is a romantic thriller. The film would also introduce Vaishali Desai in the lead role. In addition, there is a surprise element in the form of Rishi Kapoor who would play a role he has never done before.”

Shedding some light on his future projects Vivek informs, “I am turning producer with a film, which will be presented by Tips films. This film would be a comedy of error with romance in the background and the star cast is yet to be finalized. We will commence shooting within two months. Then for another movie of mine with Ashtavinayak’s, I have signed Govinda. It is a multi-starrer, romantic-comedy which will go on floors by October.”

"I'll be putting across a social message through the raunchy laughter" - Govinda

The comedy that Govinda is currently in shooting in London with Jagmohan Mundhra has got a title. The film is called Excuse Me, Please.

Remember the notorious song 'Sarakaiya Lo Khatiya Jada Lage' that Govinda 'performed' with Karisma Kapoor in Raja Babu 14 years ago. Govinda who's shooting a full-on desi bindaas<version of the 2005 comedy The 40 Year Old Virgin from June 1 in London, is pulling out all stops this time. "Yes, it is a sex comedy and I do play the title role. How will I play a 40 -year old Virgin? I'll just have to fake it, ha ha. I guess that's what acting is. I've never touched alcohol in my life. But I've played a drunkard. Till the age of 36 I had never eaten non-vegetarian food."

What interests Govinda in this project and would hopefully interest his hardcore fans is his return to a raunchy risqué realm which many thought he had left behind. "Why should I leave it behind? I am what I am today because of those films with David Dhawan like Hero No.1 and Raja Babu. I am not ashamed of 'Sarkaiyo Lo'. At the time when it was filmed, I said sorry because it offended some people. But going by what's permissible on screen today, I'd say me and Karisma did nothing harmful."

In Mundhra's film, Govinda plays a commitment-phobic nerd who wants sex but no marriage. "It has earlier been touched on in Akshaye Khanna's character in Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq. All of us want the perks of a relationship with the opposite sex including sex. But no youngster wants to be tied down with marriage."

Elaborates Govinda, "I sat down with my director Jagmohan Mundhra and discussed the script. I don't think the original material would've worked in our context. We've altered the subject to make it a comment on the young NRI generation in England which gets a liberal chance to mix with the fair sex of all nationalities. But when it comes to saying 'I Do' they all run the other way. In this way, I'll be putting across a social message through the raunchy laughter. I've always done that in my films."

The challenge for Govinda in Mundhra's project is to put across the message and comment on the atmosphere of sex-with-no-strings-attached without losing the balance. "Dekhiye sex is an integral part of the film. So it will be sexy. I feel nothing done in moderation is wrong. That's what we say in the film. Let's see how it goes. We hope to wrap up the principal shooting by June 19, and then I go straight to my new film for Vashu Bhagnani and David Dhawan. So I'm in London with my family for the next few months."

London is a city that relaxes Govinda. "And look at the irony. While a man like Jagmohan Mundhra whose last two films dealt with serious social issues, is taking me back to the 'Sarkayee Lo Khatiya' days, David's film will be a departure from what we've done so far." 

"Govinda was not supposed to look good in Naughty @ 40" - Jagmohan Mundhra

Govinda went through a severe weight loss regime during the making of Naughty @ 40. So much so that when he was signed for the film, he was a tad overweight and now that the film is releasing, he has lost oodles of it.

This pretty much reminds one of Adnan Sami's big screen debut that never happened when he reduced his weight to one third of his original self. Since this film supposed to be directed by Bela Sehgal was about an obese singer/performer, it didn't make sense for the makers to go ahead with Adnan. The makers of Naughty @ 40 couldn't afford to think of similar lines by either changing the hero or the script since a major schedule had already been shot over two years ago.

"Yes, we did our first schedule at London in December 2008. At that time Govinda pretty much looked the part of the character as he was a little over weight", says Jagmohan Mundhra, the film's director, "Though it was a total standstill in 2009, we restarted in 2010 where we did a long schedule in Manali. This was the time when Govinda started looking his best and very hero-like."

"It's a different matter though as per the script, he was not supposed to look that good. But now he does", he chuckles.

Mundhra is taking consolation from the belief that the film is not looking dated.

"It has a very beautiful look and fortunately for us, it is not looking dated at all", he cheers up here, "Even though the film's shooting was spread over two years, I am happy that it is releasing now. If you have been missing vintage Govinda, he would be ready to entertain you again with Naughty @ 40. I can promise you that."

Talking about the vintage factor, 90s was the playing ground for Govinda when he had one of the best success rates amongst his peers. Along with David Dhawan, Govinda went on to make countless comic blockbusters like Hero No. 1, Coolie No. 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Aankhen, Raja Babu and Shola Aur Shabnam to name a few. Even in the decade gone by, Govinda and David Dhawan had collaborated with Partner which was a huge hit. Now Jag promises that the magic would be revived all over again.

"He may have hit a bad patch for a while but he is someone who really knows the pulse of the audience", says Jag, "I have made most of my films abroad and hence quintessential Bollywood cinema is something different for me, especially comedy. They say that one should leave brains behind in watching most of the Bollywood comedies. Well, today I can say that for Naughty @ 40 as well."

Wish audience too bear similar sentiments once the film releases on 29th April. Starring Uvika Chaudhary, Sayali Bhagat and Edward Lucia along with Anupam Kher, Shakti Kapoor and Sanjay Mishra, Naughty @ 40 releases all over on 29th April.

Shah Rukh's Don 2 gets bill waiver from German government

After the immensely successful remake of the blockbuster Don, Shah Rukh's all set to star again in the sequel which is being shot in Berlin. The German government is to provide an astounding rebate of 3 million euros to the producers. Our sources reveal that this is the first time that such a heavy concession is being offered to any film shot in the country.

The action sequences and stunts are already being filmed in the commercial districts of the city. The production schedule is to last for over two months in and around various locations in Berlin. The source also reveals that the German government has announced on their website that they will co-operation and support to the filming of the movie. A local film promotion company named Medienboard has provided local support with 550,000 euros in the form of funds. This is the first time an India film has received such a big investment from a local media company.

Tourism in Berlin is expected to get a boost with Don 2; a source adds that after Shah Rukh attended the Berlinale Film Festival last year for his film My Name Is Khan, the decision was made to shoot Don 2 in the German Capital.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani said they had to finish filming first and depending on them getting through the minimum points required to meet the country's culture test, a certain portion of the budget spent in Germany will be given as subsidy. He however, refused to speculate on the rebate being offered.

"SRK gave me the canvas I wanted" - Roshan Abbas

Radio Jockey. Television host. Theatre person. Roshan Abbas is wearing a new hat these days, that of a director. For those unaware of what Roshan has been up to, well, he's giving finishing touches to his directorial debut - ALWAYS KABHI KABHI - which is produced by none other than the superstar himself, Shah Rukh Khan. Surprisingly, the project in question doesn't star SRK in the lead, but four new faces - Satyajeet Dubey, Aly Fazal, Giselli Monteiro and Zoa Morani.

It all began while a show in Dubai, featuring SRK and hosted by Roshan, got delayed. "We got talking. He asked me what I was doing and I replied that I was planning to start a film on teens, with freshers enacting pivotal parts. It didn't require the presence of big stars, but it did require a big production house to back it. We met again in India, had our round of discussions on the project and he stepped forward to produce it." Prior to that, Roshan was in preliminary talks with Ritesh Sidhwani and also with the people at Studio 18, but as luck would have it, Roshan's directorial debut was destined to be produced by SRK.

ALWAYS KABHI KABHI is based on Roshan's 1999 play 'Graffiti'. "But it took time to develop it into a full-fledged screenplay. Shah Rukh pointed out two things. One, cinema and play are two different mediums and the written material had to be more cinematic. Two, it had to be contemporary. Also, I'd like to clarify, though the film revolves around teens, it's not inspired by 'Archie'. It actually borrows from real life experiences," Roshan divulges.

Did SRK offer suggestions, give inputs, recommend actors? "But he never imposed his ideas/suggestions," he interrupts, "He'd say, this is what I feel about a particular thing/issue/person, it's up to you to accept it. He gave me the freedom to make the movie I had envisioned and visualized at the outset. He gave me the canvas I wanted," he adds. Was it tough giving shape to his dream? "Not really! Initially, I wondered, will I get the grammar right? Will the cinematographer translate my vision on celluloid? But it wasn't tough. All you need is the right atmosphere to translate your ideas on celluloid," Roshan reveals.

Roshan's dream will unfold on the big screen on 17 June this year. "I have truly enjoyed the experience of making ALWAYS KABHI KABHI. And I wish to continue chasing my dream," he smiles. We're equally sure Roshan, you will have many interesting stories to tell in times to come.

Shah Rukh is not front facing his film

Shocking as it may sound but despite Shah Rukh Khan being associated with a 76 minutes long film Men Will Be Men, he is not front facing it and has allowed it to see a silent release for itself this Friday without any promotion whatsoever.

"It is surprising that Shah Rukh hasn't spoken a single word about this film so far. It is arriving quietly and no one has any clue what the film is all about. After producing the film, Shah Rukh now wants it to speak for itself", says an industry source who woke up to the news of this film about youth arriving unannounced.

Directed by first timer Gorky, the film is about four young men (played by Gaurav Chopra, Rajesh Kumar, Rohit Khurana and Rahil Tandon) who bluff their boss (Rajesh Khattar) to take leave from office and make a quick pleasure trip to Pattaya, Bangkok. Title Men Will Be Men is derived from the tagline of Seagram's alcohol brand 'Imperial Blue' which was actually the brainchild behind the film and is presenting it as well.

"In fact the film isn't a quintessential Red Chillies production that has its eye on commercial cinema. Instead the banner on the forefront is 'Idiot Box Film' which is another arm of Red Chillies that produces software for TV", another trade source argues, "For all you know, this could just be a short film made for TV and the makers are experimenting to test waters with a big screen release."

Whatever be the reason, the fact remains that Men Will Be Men won't quite see a massive release for itself despite Shah Rukh's name being attached with the project. "Rest assured Shah Rukh is not front facing on this film by any means", quips the trade source, "In the credit rolls, it would be Samar Khan who has been mentioned as the film's Executive Producer/Co-Producer." 

Katrina Kaif signed up for Dhoom: 3; Aamir Khan to take profit share?

The news of Aamir Khan being roped in to play the villain in Dhoom 3 was a rage last week. However, the big question since then has been, who will be signed as the lead actress opposite him. Though a number of names were being tossed around by the media, Bollywood Hungama has learnt from its sources that Katrina Kaif will be playing the female lead inDhoom: 3.

Katrina, who is currently doing YRF's Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, has beaten the other contenders to clinch the role.

Though the rest of the cast, namely Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra remains unchanged, Aamir and Katrina's addition to the cast certainly heats things up. Considering the chemistry between Aamir and Katrina, the duo has put all questions to rest, with their photographic rendition of the classic film Pyaasa that garnered positive response from fans and industry folk alike.

Bollywood Hungama has also learnt from its sources that Aamir won't be charging his usual fee for D: 3. Instead, he will have a stake in the profits of the film. To be precise Aamir will have a total of 33% stake in the profits of the film. This will be the first time that YRF has permitted such sharing. However, though this may be a first for the production house, Aamir has cut down his share from the usual 40% that he had for the film 3 Idiots.

When we contacted, Rafiq Gangjee from YRF replied, "The casting for the girls of Dhoom: 3 has not started. Also, YRF does not discuss artist contracts and agreements."

While Aamir's publicist said, "The 33% profit sharing ratio is not true, besides we do not have any profit sharing ratio with YRF as such. While on the remuneration i will not comment."

While Yash Raj Films refrains to comment on this, we can safely bet that with Katrina being signed on for Dhoom: 3, and Aamir adding another shade to the film with his talent, the high octane torque film promises to be more than just fast bikes.

Aamir's boy loses it for Shah Rukh

He was the perfect fit for Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots. However, when it came to making a transition to Shah Rukh Khan's Always Kabhi Kabhi, Ali Fazal had to really struggle and in the process lose it all. For the uninitiated, Ali is the same boy who played the memorable part of Joy Lobo in Hirani's masterpiece.

"In Aamir's film, Ali had a minor though important role to play. It's his suicide that resulted in Aamir's first serious confrontation with Boman Irani. Post 3 Idiots, Ali was recognised but no one ever looked at him as a hero material. This is the same time when auditions were taking place for Always Kabhi Kabhi. Someone referred Ali to director Roshan Abbas who was hosting the auditions", says a unit member from Shah Rukh's production team.

What followed next was a complete disaster as Ali walked in while carrying the same persona as that of Joy Lobo. It was apparent that he was still not out of his earlier mould and was severely under-prepared for the role of a leading man that he had to play in Always Kabhi Kabhi.

"Naturally, Roshan rejected Ali in a single go", informs the source, "There was no way that he could have even continued with Ali. For his film Roshan wanted a boy who had to play the part of a school teenager. On the other hand, Joy was continuing with his rock star looks with flying locks, stubble and the works."

He was pronto sent back but Roshan's female assistants persisted with him to give Ali another chance. Resultantly, the first time director relented and summoned him again, only to brief him about the part and what he expected from him in their first formal audition.

"Though Ali did listen to him patiently, his body language didn't seem promising enough for Roshan to wait longer. He continued his auditions with other youngsters and forgot all about Ali", the source adds.

There was a miracle in store though with Ali going through a complete transformation two months down the line.

"The first thing that I noticed was that he had got rid of his stubble and locks. Thank goodness for that as we could at least talk now", laughs Roshan when asked about the incident, "He had also lost 10 kgs and now looked like a dream. Of course he cleared his auditions after giving a good account of himself in both the looks as well as acting department."

One wonders whether building muscles would be next in agenda for Ali after he moves from Aamir and Shah Rukh to Salman.

YRF to cast a fresh face as the female lead for Dhoom 3

Ever since it was announced Yash Raj Films' Dhoom 3 has been the talk of the town. The biggest news was when YRF announced the presence of Aamir Khan in the film along withDhoom regulars Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra. While the male cast has been locked, there has been a lot of speculation about who the female lead would be?

While many top names were being floated around, YRF has now decided to refute all rumours once and for all and has officially announced that for Dhoom 3 they are looking out for a fresh face for the female lead.

Apparently producer Aditya Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya are keen to cast a totally new face to play the female lead role in the movie and the hunt for a fresh face begins now. 

Shiney Ahuja granted bail by Bombay High Court

Shiney Ahuja, who was convicted of raping his maid two years ago, has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. However, Shiney has been granted bail on payment of surety of Rs. 50,000 and has also been asked not to leave the country without prior permission of the court.

It may be recalled that the actor was convicted by the sessions court on March 30, after which he had filed an appeal in the High Court. With this verdict Shiney can surely breathe a sigh of relief.

"Akshaye Khanna is amongst the finest we have"- Kareena Kapoor

Hazel eyes, pink cheek, blonde streaks, Kareena cuts a pretty picture. The actress who has had six releases so far in 2004 is bursting with energy as she starts two more films this December.

In an exclusive conversation with IndiaFM, the talented actress chats about Aitraaz, the sudden tide of mature roles and why she thinks Akshaye Khanna is the best actor around. Stick around as we give you Kareena, unrehearsed.

How was it working with Abbas-Mustan?
Not many know, but Ajnabee was amongst my first signups. I just happened to debut with Refugee. Abbasbhai-Mustanbhai & me get along fabulously well. We will start another film next March. We work well as a team.

Kareena, can you share with us your character in the movie
In Aitraaz, I play Sonia, a very positive character. Sonia's strength is her trump card. I am going to surprise quite a few people with this character.

How different is your look for the character?
Well, I have grown out my hair. So Sonia will be sporting long locks. Also, you'll see me in an Indian wear, especially saris. I particularly like them; I think they look very sweet.

How is it that you have suddenly jumped onto the mature role wagon?
[Snaps] Now this is double-talk. First people hound me that I am doing too many bubbly brat roles, and now when I sample mature roles, the talk still doesn't die down. Listen, I want to do all kinds of roles. I refuse to get typecast!

The music is touted to be huge. Pick a track that you like best.
[Excitedly] Oh yes! Himesh Reshammiya has scored the music. I think the music is very good. I specially like the track picturized on Akshay and me, Tassavur ka alam.

How was it to work with Akshay?
I have known Akshay since his debut days of Deedaar. Our relationship dates back since then. Working with Akki is always fun. We enjoy a great comfort-zone.

The Aitraaz byline says 'In a world of women, you either play by their rules or�' what do you think of it?
[Smiles] All the men should beware!

Diwali has four big releases. Where does Aitraaz stand?
I think every film has its audiences. Besides, Aitraaz is a mass film and has all the ingredients to be a success at the box office.

Can we find any streaks of nervousness in you, any pre release jitters?
Oh no! None of that. When you have 14-15 releases behind you, factors like pre-release jitters stop bothering you. I am pretty cool with it. Instead what excites me most is that my great-grandfather's film, Mughal-e-Azam and Aitraaz have a simultaneous release.

Does box-office success decide Kareena's fate as an actress?
Not in the least! You tell me� It's quite strange nah that every time I give a flop, my price goes up! Every actor on earth constantly strives to deliver hits, but with me it's a different story all together. I am thankful that filmmakers have immense faith in me as an actor. That is what eggs me on!

Hulchul is yet another release of yours this year�
Ah, Hulchul is a full-on time pass. It is Priyadarshan's film and I had a blast shooting.

What are you doing in the film?
I play a bubbly, vivacious girl in the film.

How did it feel to co-star with Akshaye Khanna?
[Smiles] Akshaye is amazing. He is simply mind-blowing. I think he is the finest actor we have!

Pipeline projects�
I am doing yet another film with Priyadarshan co-starring Salman Khan. Besides, I will work with Salman in his home production, My Punjabi Nikaah directed by Sohail Khan. So there, I will be starting two films this year. And I am really looking forward to working with Salman.

Any Diwali-Idd greetings for your fans on IndiaFM?
Sure. I wish all my fans a Very Happy Diwali & Idd Mubarak! Hope you have a blast!

Rani at the inauguration of ISCKON temple

Rani Mukherji was in Ujjain recently for the inauguration of another ISCKON (The International Society For Krishna Consciousness) temple. Other followers who were present included Alfred Ford of Ford Motors. The temple was constructed in Ujjain since it is said that Lord Krishna and Balaram studied there, in an ashram. Rani was grateful to the group for inviting her. She also spoke about how her entire family has been involved with ISCKON since years.

Saif and Rani to endorse Chevrolet Aveo

General Motors, India has signed Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherji to endorse its latest car model, Aveo. It is a mid sized sedan which promises a great performance with a mileage to match. The company wanted brand ambassadors who are synonymous with style and substance. Also, they believe that the target audience can connect with these two stars on an emotional level.

The Aveo is expected to pose some serious competition for the Ford Fiesta and the Honda City. Having endorsed a host of brands earlier, this is the first time that Saif and Rani will be associated with a car brand.

"Sarkar has made an outstanding film" - Rituparno

The one film that Rituparno Ghosh was looking forward to is Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. "I had told Pradeep Sarkar I want to see the first print the minute it was out. He invited me for a show in Mumbai when I was there. But I had no time. The minute I landed in Kolkata on Friday afternoon I went straight for the first show of the film at a suburban theatre straight from the airport…with my luggage!"

Trust Ritu to do something as loony as this. Wait, it gets loonier. Instead of asking someone to accompany him to the movie he went solo. "I had reserved two seats in the Kolkata theatre from Mumbai itself. And I hate to go in company. The companion constantly interrupts my movie- viewing. So I always prefer to go for all my movies alone. No one recognizes me anymore with my bald head. This time I'm even more relieved I went alone. I cried and cried throughout the first-half. The tears would just not stop. Pradeep Sarkar has made an outstanding film. Rani is incredibly restrained."

AB records two rap songs, a ballad for Vishal-Shekhar

At 65, Amitabh Bachchan remains indefatigable. Even as he continues to shoot for a number of films juggling dates among Mumbai, Goa and Delhi in the last one week, he also found the energy, breath and time to record three songs for Vishal-Shekhar for two different films.

"That's not all. One more song remains to be recorded for Sujoy Ghosh's Alladin as soon as I return to Mumbai," the Big B said from Goa where he’s shooting for debutant director Vivek Sharma's Bhootnath. Big B plays a ghost in Sharma's film. "I've sung a rap song for Vishal-Shekhar for my ghost's character in Bhootnath and another rap song for my djinn's character inAlladdin. Plus I recorded a soft lyrical number for Bhootnath. As soon as I return I'll record one more song for Alladin."

Vishal-Shekhar who've composed this carnival of crooning for the Big B, have been working on a non-film album of Abhishek Bachchan's hip-hop for producer Rohan Sippy for the last one year. That too will have singing inputs from the senior Bachchan.

"It looks like the music composers are thinking of an alternative career for me. They obviously don't think much of me as an actor," the Big B jokes before flying off to the London Film Festival for Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear, a film for which the actor's vocal prowess has come into much praise.

Vishal Shekhar make Big B, Sanju and Abhishek sing

The birthday gift

11th October was a day that composer duo Vishal-Shekhar would never forget. No, they were not busy celebrating Amitabh Bachchan's 65th birthday. Instead they were grinning from ear to ear as they got a return gift from Big B himself when he recorded a song for them on the same day for Sujoy Ghosh's fantasy flick Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp.

Unable to conceal his excitement, Vishal Dadlani reveals, "It was one of the highlights of our professional career. All these years we had been waiting for an opportunity like this when we would be able to compose a song with Mr. Bachchan. It was a nothing short of a dream coming true when he crooned the number 'O Re Saawariya'."

Shekhar Ravjiani adds, "Since Mr. Bachchan plays a genie in the film, 'O Re Saawariya' can be called as a 'genie-rap' song. It is a mad number and presence of Mr. Bachchan has taken it to a different level altogether. The song has turned out to be one wild affair and now we are excited to see how Sujoy gets it picturised on screen."

More to come

Apparently, this is not the only number which Big B has sung for Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp. "That's right", says Vishal, "There is one more number which he has consented to sing for the film. Even this number is quite whacky in appeal. It is cool and a mix of urban as well as Bhojpuri elements. Imagine all the fun we should be having once the songs are on!"

"In fact we wanted him even in the song 'Chod Naa Re' that we composed for Kaante years back", divulges Shekhar, "Since the song was picturised on Mr. Bachchan in a major way, we thought that he would be the right fit for the song. Unfortunately things didn’t work out at that time and Sudesh Bhonsle came in instead. Of course he did a very good job but then we always longed for the moment when we could get the original voice for a song of ours."

Big B and Burman connection

But why such a fascination with Bachchan's voice? "Arrey, what are you saying", Vishal interrupts with mock amazement, "I can safely say that he is one of the reason why I am a composer today. Sholay was the first film which I saw when I was a young kid. Later, the film had such a huge impact on me that I became a die hard Bachchan fan. Since R.D. Burman composed for number of his films, his music too made a strong influence on me and paved my way to become a composer."

Sanjay Dutt sings too

Well, this is not all what makes the soundtrack of Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp special. It may well create a record of sorts when it comes to actors singing the song since Sanjay Dutt too has recorded a song for the album.

Confirms Sujoy Ghosh, film's director, "I was lucky to have actors who are also singers. We have been witness to so many popular numbers by both Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. The situations in the film gave us a good platform to have the two sing a few sings. Vishal, Shekhar and me have been together since Jhankaar Beats and later Home Delivery. Together we are a bunch of people who love to freak out when it comes to creating music. The same seems to be happening in Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp as well."

"Sanjay Dutt's track is another delightful piece that we have been able to get in place. We recorded the song three weeks back with him", informs Vishal. "I can't reveal much about the situation for the song since the film's release is still some time away. What I can say though is that Sanjay Dutt has come up with yet another tremendous rendition."

In the future

It has been quite some time since news started making rounds about Vishal-Shekhar bringing a private album with Abhishek Bachchan. "It is definitely happening", confirms Shekhar, "It is just that none of us want to hurry up the project and compromise on even a single tune. We are looking at getting the album out soon. Meanwhile, we are also trying to rope in Mr. Bachchan as well for a song."

Concludes Vishal, "In any case, apart from Aladin and the Mystery of the Lamp, Mr. Bachchan would also be heard in Bhootnath which has music by us. We look forwarding to composing many more songs with him. The kind of energy he brings with himself is infectious and only aids in pushing yourself harder to get nothing but the perfect results."

Big B is not playing game show host in Doyle's film

The ratio of untruth regarding the Big B grows by the Friday. The latest whacked-out whisper doing the rounds is, he has agreed to play the host of a KBC-styled game show in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, the Mumbai-based adaptation of the Vikas Swarups novel QAabout a 18-year old boy who wins the top prize in Kaun Banega Crorepati.

A Mumbai tabloid quotes "a reliable source" as saying, "Amitabh Bachchan is in talks with Danny and his casting agents. If all goes well, Bachchan will start filming in January." But according to Mr Bachchan he hasn't even been offered any role in Danny Boyle's film.

"This is the first time I'm hearing about it. I've no knowledge of this. ..In January I start shooting for Mira Nair's film. I’d love to meet the reliable source behind this story." According to an Indian actor from the film, "It's impossible for Mr Bachchan to be cast in the role. It requires someone far younger."

The Big B Unleashed - For a lifetime

THE DVD

As a viewer, if you get an opportunity to watch as many as 51 Amitabh Bachchan scenes and 26 of his songs, would you have any reasons to complain? Especially so, when the collection promises to be a Collector's Edition? Definitely not! At the face level, an offer like this is irresistible. Especially, since this 3 DVD set takes you through a journey which traverses from lesser known films like Alaap, Raaste Ka Patthar and Ek Nazar to Bachchan's current lot of films like Baghban and Family. And when there are all time favorite scenes from Chupke Chupke, Amar Akbar Anthony, Satte Pe Satta, Anand, Mili and over a dozen more films; it is hard not to catch hold of the DVD box before it disappears from the stands.

Any shortcomings? A few minor ones. Though majority of scenes are electrifying and take you through the varied range that Big B has been demonstrating when it comes to action, comedy, romance, drama and emotions, a few of them (6-8) don't quite seem worthy enough to be a part of the deal.

PACKAGING

The Big B Unleashed comes with an attractive packaging, which resembles that of a personal diary. The package also includes a one-page write up on the country's living legend with flattering quotes by Ramesh Sippy, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma, Rituparno Ghosh and Tinnu Anand describing the iconic status that he has earned over the years. Gautam Rajadhyaksha's cover photograph of Bachchan in close-up, as has been the lens man’s USP, boasts of a classy look and feel.

DURATION

The Big B Unleashed comes in a 3 DVD pack. While DVD 1 and DVD 2 comprising of 26 scenes each last for 102 minutes each, the third DVD includes 26 songs featuring Bachchan and comes with 118 minutes duration. In total, a viewer gets to enjoy over 5 hours of non-stop Bachchan entertainment.

FEATURES - Electrifying Scenes and Superhit Songs

Amar Akbar Anthony, Satte Pe Satta, Chupke Chupke, Majoboor, Anand, Mili, Benaam, Family, Baghban, The Great Gambler, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Raaste Ka Pathar, Manzil, Bemisaal, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, Kyun Ho Gaya Naa, Jurmana, Ek Nazar, Alaap andZameer are the films from which scenes and songs have been hand picked to make for a collectors edition.

For a viewer, 51 scenes featuring Big B is good enough a reason to celebrate. Nevertheless, the clincher comes in the form of trivia which comes after every scene. This trivia, appearing as a slide, is either related to the scene/movie or may even be Bachchan's achievements/incidents in his real life.

Did you know that

- Manmohan Desai's source of inspiration for the character of Anthony Gonsalves was a violinist in Laxmikant-Pyarelal band and a Khetwadi localite
- RD Burman had contributed to Indianised version of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' - 'Satte Pe Satta'
- Hrishikesh Mukherjee had Raj Kapoor in mind for the title role of 'Anand'
- Inspiration for Sharman Joshi's character in 'Life In A..Metro' came from Big B's role in 'Raaste Ka Pathar'. Prem Chopra enacted the character played by Kay Kay Menon.
Many more trivia like this makes one look forward to what's in store once a scene ends!

Some of the best scenes in the film are from the film Chupke Chupke. A film that continues to entertain generations after generations even after dozen odd viewings, the scenes there are a delight to watch. You literally feel that you have watched an entire Amar Akbar Anthony due to number of major scenes from the film included as a part of the package. Baghbanscenes are still fresh in memory and they are good enough to give you moist eyes, especially the ones featuring Big B-Hema and the tremendous climax speech.

The DVD is not without it's share of ham scenes though. Big B himself is a party to one of them - Ganga Ki Saugandh. As a village bumpkin, it is hard to believe that it's the man himself in such a role and attire. But the cake is taken by the scene from the filmMajboor when a doctor breaks the news of a life threatening brain tumor. Even though Bachchan acts with full earnest, the character artist who plays the doctor breaks the news to him after going through close to dozen odd circles. The way the scene unfolds and the news is broken, a patient may die of heart attack instead of brain tumor! Though the scene is classified as drama, it could go down as an unintentional comedy sequence!

Sequences, which come as a welcome surprise, are the ones from Raj Kumar Santoshi's Family. An underrated film which lost out at the box office mainly due to pre-mature death of Akshay Kumar's character in the film, it has some power packed scenes featuring Big B as an international mafia Don. Watch out for the chill he creates in the meeting of Dons or the sheer shock he gets when he comes to know that his own son is after his life or the monologue that follows or the ego burst in the climax - Priceless! Inclusion of these few scenes themselves should result in a greater demand of Family at the DVD shelves! 

Amitabh Bachchan starrer needs a 50 plus heroine

After Cheeni Kum you would have expected another enterprising filmmaker to bring the glorious Bachchan-Tabu pair together. And so it was, when Shoojit Sircar of Yahaan fame decided to make a film about a 50-plus couple who discover togetherness and love. Interestingly the script written by Renzel D'Silva of Rang De Basanti fame is inspired by a concept from a Hollywood film.

"That Hollywood film is yet to be made. But my producers UTV decided to acquire proper copyrights anyway. When we told Mr. Bachchan about the subject, he too approved of getting the proper right from Bollywood. We don't believe in doing things underhand," informs Sircar as he prepares to start shooting his yet untitled film by the end of January. Only one hitch. Where is the leading lady? "We're looking at a few names. Apart from Mr. Bachchan, we have Diya Mirza in a key role. As for the leading lady we need to take a call right away," says Sircar.

Though he refuses to speak about it, the fact of the matter is that after Tabu exeunted from the script, several names were being considered. Apparently, UTV have zeroed in on Shefali Shah and Sarika as the two strongest contenders for the coveted part opposite Big B. Interestingly this isn't the only UTV film on the anvil about a 50-plus couple re-discovering love. Mithun Chakraborty and Dimple Kapadia play one more such couple in UTV's Phir Kabhi.

Firoz Nadiadwala to set-up state of the art film studio near Pune

Firoz Nadiadwala is certainly one of the most lavish producers in tinsel town. After producing several hit films, Firoz now plans to open a state of the art film studio on the outskirts of Pune.

To be called Nadiadwala Entertainment Technology (NET), the studio will be built on a 460 acre property and would also feature other amenities like a 3 star hotel, a 5 star hotel and a convention centre. This dream project of Firoz Nadiadwala is expected to cost over Rs.1000 crores.

Must say the film industry is surely going to get a boost if producer Firoz Nadiadwala's dream project materialises.

"Onir has raised finances for I AM over the internet" - Juhi Chawla

She's been in the "scene" for over two and a half decades and yet she outshines her ilk with here graceful benevolence, her powerful onscreen presence makes her a force to reckon with. Juhi Chawla's come a long way since her debut in Sultanat but apart from acting, she has dabbled in different streams of filmmaking such as production and even playback singing! With over a hundred films under her belt, she buckles up for the release of her latest film I AM. The film is directed by Onir of My Brother Nikhil fame, and is based on four stories put together that revolves around the pain and turmoil of four individuals who are faced with discrimination, abuse and prejudice in a liberal world of today. Based on true stories, the film has won accolades overseas with numerous awards. I AM has also been selected as the opening and closing film of several well known film festivals across the world.

Dressed in an oversized I AM T-shirt along with a blue pair of jeans, her feminine enigmatic persona along with her eternal radiant aura can charm the socks out of anyone in her presence including I. Bollywood Hungama gets the pretty and effervescent Juhi to pour her heart out on her character Megha, working again with Onir, being paired with her "rival" Manisha, the perils of shooting in Srinagar and the fragilities of I AM.

"My grandparents had to leave their home... they had large homes with a wonderful lifestyle but when they came here they had to start of from scratch" 
It's inspired from Sanjay Suri's own story, though what Sanjay went through was much graver, it's not just an issue with Kashmir pandits, Muslims and their fathers. So many times we've seen this happen in many parts of the world, where people due to terrorism, discrimination, political reasons, and wars are forced to give up their lives and flee their homes to find shelter in another country or in another state. Even for reason of employment at times, the means of livelihood is so poor that maybe out of choice they are compelled to do so, maybe because of partition as well. My grandparents had to leave their home, they had large homes with a wonderful lifestyle but when they came here they had to start of from scratch. Well, we've not seen such times where a lot of people are displaced in this world, today its happening in Japan, displacement happens everywhere for different reasons, so it's an issue which is pertinent to this world right now, that goes with all the stories in I AM. Each story talks about betrayal - one is betrayed by her husband or lover, the other is betrayed by the loss of their home, the third one is the betrayal of a loved one and the last one is the betrayal of freedom. You're a free person and yet you're not maybe because your sexuality is different or because of any other jibes of discrimination.

"I've not done something radical to get into the skin of my character in this film" 
It's not really hard to get into the skin of the character, you just have to imagine that this has been your home, that this has been most of your feelings. You go with the director's explanation at that point, you listen and it comes to you. In that surrounding you dress that way, finally its just about emotions. I've not done something radical to get into the skin of my character in this film but being in Srinagar itself was rousing. We were shooting on real locations the state in which it is in today. When you see around, at every corner there are barbwires, army posts with heavily armed men standing. It was the first time I went to Srinagar and just before we shot for Megha, I went for one day for a Punjabi film and I was shocked to hear about the atrocities that happen at Srinagar. On one end, you're used to being in Mumbai where you roam freely everywhere and then you land in Srinagar where every street is manned with army men posted with big guns and I thought to myself what a different way to live.

"The police don't want known artists like Manisha and me hanging around anywhere, because if something were to happen it might create problems for them" 
Once there was a terrorist scare where they had to shift location. During filming, you are told to just wait in a place until they call you on location, they don't make you wait on location because the crowd starts collecting and it's a protected city. The police don't want known artists like Manisha and me hanging around anywhere, because if something were to happen, it might create problems for them. The whole film was shot on real locations, like if we were to shoot in a store, it would be an actual store or on the side of the river that was going through Srinagar. We shot in actual Muslim homes, and a busy market location which again was a shocking site because, you haven't seen something like this. The infrastructure in Srinagar has gone down drastically as there is no tourism happening there for almost 18 yrs now.

"It was an entire colony of black burnt houses" 
It was great back then when Shalimar gardens was beautifully manicured and kept, but now since there's no money or business, slowly the infrastructure has deteriorated, Srinagar is in a state of disrepair today. Near the market area as you turn into a colony, you can only see houses wedged next to each other, which were totally broken and burnt because during the riots that place was attacked and people had to flee those homes, since then they've been protected by the police and the army from people taking it over. It was an entire colony of black burnt houses. Megha realizes that this home belongs to her uncle, and the rest is in sound visuals, when you see such things you feel you're in a different space suddenly, and you feel grateful that you're in a part of India that is liberal.

"Now that I've met Manisha, there was none of that rivalry that one-up-man-ship which was evident back then" 
How lovely it was at one time Manisha and I were rivals, contemporaries, she was on one set and I probably used to be in another, we hardly met I never knew her, I only heard and read about her and here after so many years, we're here together working. I was very happy that Manisha was a cast as my character's friend because she fit the look very well; it worked very well for her role as Rubina. Now that I've met her, there was none of that rivalry that one-up-man-ship was evident back then. Here we were so comfortable and came together to do this film, it was lovely.

Onir I've worked with before, he's very quiet, he explains the scene and doesn't let you go over the top. He's very unassuming yet he knows his subjects very well, he feels a lot for what he's doing. I'm sometimes used to acting loudly and there was this one particular scene between Rubina and Megha where they had an argument when she vented her angst regarding their lives. I wanted more fire in my dialogue and Onir emphasized on it being subtle as he didn't want it to be dramatized.

"It won't get out of your head quickly it has quite an impact" 
Megha's story was shot in about six days. I'd like to say please watch the film you will find it very engaging, it will hit you in certain ways, it will make you talk a lot. It won't get out of your head quickly, it has quite an impact. Onir has raised the finances for the film over the internet... he's raised more than a crore over the internet which is a lot of money. People have contributed so they believe in it, they wanted it to be a part of a film project, and he may have started a new trend. Many people have come together to make this film happen because they believed in him and the script. This film has gone to festivals and has won awards and now we're almost at its release in India. I was present at the Australian Indian film festival, it was a film festival for Asian films, so I'd say it was Bollywood and beyond as it had regional and offbeat films as well. I AM was chosen as the opening and the closing film for some of these festivals. In London, it was screened and it was even felicitated with an award. I think that this is a film that you won't really ignore, you will watch it at some point in time. It's a film which lends itself, it opens your eyes and makes you grow up.

Subhash K. Jha talks about I Am

How and where does one begin to describe the infinite satisfaction of watching a film that emerges from the closet with some arresting and disturbing home-truths on what goes on when the lights are off? Tiptoeing through the darkest corridors of the human heart director Onir in I Am comes up with four stories on the question of individual, sexual and geo-political identity.

There are no happy beginnings or endings for any of the four protagonists in I Am. Each one creates a universe of sublime sorrow spearheaded by an inability to ...well, fit in.

Squares among circles? So be it. Onir revels in creating damaged but empathetic worlds for his four heroes...No, these are super-heroes in their resilience and determination to tackle discrimination without succumbing to their internal injuries.

When Afia in the first story, played by the luscious Nandita Das asks her buddy Juhi Chawla if she'd lend her brother for some serious sperm banking, Juhi (who we get to know in the next story is Megha reclaiming her heritage in Kashmir) walks away in disgust. We can't. We don't want to. Artificial insemination gets a cinematic treatment in the story as Nandita meets her sperm donor (Purab Kohli in a timid mode).As they speak gently into the night, a warm fertile relationship grows between them in the fertility clinic. No they don't fall in love. Where is the space for that to creep in?

The punctuations in the first story are bolder more aggressive than the other three, as though Onir wanted to get all the 'cinema' in his film out of the way as early as possible.

For the second story I Am Megha, Onir takes his compelling drama of the damned to Kashmir. The location is treacherously pretty. The dreaded 'm' word stalks the streets with unrelenting impunity. Here under the shadow of militancy two dignified women, one a Kashmiri Pundit and the other a local Muslim, interact with restrained annoyance. They are upset and angry. But they won't colour the ambience with their prejudices.

Thanks to the two actresses Juhi Chawla and Manisha Koirala who play out the Ingmar Bermanesque drama in the deceptive tranquillity of the Valley I Am Megha comes to life as a chamber-piece set in the outdoors. And if that sounds like a contradiction in terms then stick around. Onir specializes in interpreting the beauty of the world outside as a counterpoint to the squalidity that is secreted in places not visible to the human eye.

The third story I Am Abhimanyu on child abuse is understandably a portrait of acute complexities brought to a virile fruition by the director's determined evasion of any self-pity in the abused child's character. Rather, Abhimanyu (Sanjay Suri) grows up as quite a manipulator, not sure of his sexual preferences but sure that he'd milk the ambivalence of his tortured past for all that its worth.

Amazingly, Onir goes through the three phases in Abhimanyu's life, as the abused child going on to a manipulative adolescent and thence to whining adulthood, in just about 15-20 minutes of playing-time. Portable epic, indeed! This story also has the most intriguing array of actors, from Suri as the grownup permanently-wounded Abhimanyu to Zain Salam as the adolescent Abhimanyu to Anurag Kashyap as the sexual molestor, to Shernaz Patel as the mother in denial and Radhika Apte as Suri's bohemian sounding-board who knows she may not be able to have sex with the man she so openly loves because of his tortured past. Whose locks is it anyway?

The sexual candour of this episode makes for remarkable viewing. Onir desists from making any judgement on those who scar the wounded. And really, who are we to wonder what lies beneath the surface of the simmering sexual politics of that overrated universe known as domesticity?

The rawest most guttural and devastating story is saved for the last. I Am Omar is a story straight out of every gay person's favourite nightmare. While making out in a car with his newly acquired toyboy Omar (Arjun Mathur) Jai (Rahul Bose) is accosted by a vulgar homophobic cop.

Here we must pause to note that Abhimanyu Singh as the cop on the bawdy beat comes up with the most bludgeoning performance in the film. His filthy language and his even filthier intentions towards the cowering gay man are brought out by the actor with a ferocity and clarity that provide an entirely new definition to credible characterization.

This story is shot with the quivering conviction of a crime reporter with a video camera who has suddenly chanced on a scene of atrocity that far exceeds his call of duty. The enormity of the crime is represented in the beads of sweat that appear on the victim of the police atrocity's brow. Rahul Bose is full of righteous damnation.

The stench of fear and discrimination is the strongest in the last story, almost as if Onir wants to leave us with a feeling of foreboding and guilty.

This, says I Am, can happen to anyone who doesn't conform. The isolation of the unorthodox is palpable in every precious breath that the four-storeyed tale takes. The quartet of stories are backed by the most wonderful team of actors and technicians all working towards building an enchanting edifice of power and sex, lust and longing, loss and strands of redemption. These are not "happy" stories. How can they be? When the people in them are so intrinsically unhappy? The challenge for Onir is to make his tortured characters acclimatized to their pain and suffering without making them look like resigned victims.

You can't really find a film that has more to say about sexual politics in the desolation of the suburbia. If you've ever lived in the metropolis you are sure to have run into one or the other of these characters.

I Am brims over with the indignation of discrimination. But there is no room for hysteria or melodrama in the storytelling. Though all four stories are shot by one cameraman Arvind Kannabiran, each one conveys its own mood texture and urgency. Though all are joined at the hip each story has its own unique rhythm There are no empty symbolic gestures of reconciliation and pacification in this world of disaffected derelicts. The emptied-out world of the four protagonists is filled with the noises of smothered pain. Each protagonist carries his burden of guilty and grief to the last.

There is no getting away from the despair. But there is no sense of pessimism in the telling of the stories. That's the beauty of this little gem of a film. You get affected. But you don't lose hope. At the end of the tunnel there is a beam of light. You can't miss it.

Abhishek's 'Thayn Thayn' to challenge Deepika's 'Dum Maaro Dum'

One has heard stories of one actor taking on his counterpart from some other film in cases of professional rivalry. However, seldom does one see something like this happening within the same film. What also makes it even more surprising and quite rare is when it's the case of the leading man taking on an actress who has been roped in for a special song and dance affair.

"However this is what has happened in case of Dum Maaro Dum", informs a source who has been closely following the chain of events related to the film, "It was a given that the film would have a top actress gyrating to an item number for the film. The chosen song was the re-arranged version of the classic 'Dum Maaro Dum' and Deepika Padukone managed to make the cut. The song was kept in news right through the making of the film and has now been released in the biggest way possible during the World Cup. It is all turning out to be a rage."

However, this is where the other angle comes into picture. If one would have thought that Bipasha Basu, the official leading lady of the film, would have raised a hue and cry around her missing out on all the action then that was not the case. Instead, the man who was actually considered by the makers to step up from the front and get his own jig going to give Deepika some competition was Abhishek Bachchan.

"Abhishek and Rohan Sippy, the film's director, are childhood buddies and he worked in his debut directorial venture Kuch Naa Kaho when both were just starting off. The film flopped but the relationship continued with Bluffmaster. This is where Abhishek crooned 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu Hai' which turned into a chartbuster", continues the source, "It was imperative that along with Deepika's 'Dum Maaro Dum', a special number by Abhishek too had to be incorporated into the film. There was no going back on that."

Pronto an SOS was sent to composer Pritam and a song was designed that suited AB Baby's personality as well as singing style. Lyricist Jaideep Sahni was entrusted with the responsibility of penning the lyrics of this rap song that makes a social statement while taking a dig upon Ministers, cops, goons as well as corruption.

When contacted, composer Pritam did confirm that there was a requirement for an Abhishek number. "Yes, it is a special song which is titled 'Thayn Thayn'", says Pritam, "It has a funky groove to it and Abhishek has cracked it. I was amazed that he could catch the nuances so well."

Now it has to be seen whether Abhishek's 'Thayn Thayn' turns the heat on Deepika's 'Dum Maaro Dum'.

Subhash K Jha speaks about Dum Maaro Dum

By the end of it all, only one love story comes to a happy ending in Dum Maaro Dum. Maybe one is not allowed to say which. What one can safely say without the risk of sounding like a spoilsport is that love is not a popular emotion in the world that Rohan Sippy's edgy thriller encompasses. If one loves in this hell-hole of pleasure then there's only a dead end to look forward to.

This film is certainly not a ride for the squeamish. Violence dominates the proceedings like a mistress who knows she can stop the sex and related pleasures any time.

Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the other Goa. The one that we don't see in Hindi cinema… unless we look really hard and come up with Pankaj Parasher's Jalwa 24 years ago. There too Goa became the scene of a watchable drug-busting drama.

In DMD, the characters in Goa are constantly up to something self-destructive. You really can't afford to take your eyes off the screen as the lives of three unlikely 'heroes'--one a redemptive cop, the other a student who sells his soul for a scholarship and the third a musician trapped in discordant notes-- converge in most unexpected ways. But then the 'unexpected' is only expected in a film that addresses the uneasy nexus between crime and conscience in hedonistic Goa, without taking sides.

A tall order, indeed. The temptation to just damn the drug abusers and traffickers and lump them together as the scums of the Goan underbelly must have been predominant when Sridhar Raghavan sat down to write the bustling screenplay.

DMD avoids getting judgemental. The writing doesn't assume a position of moral superiority over Goa's inglorious crime syndicate. Probing into the anatomy of the global drug racket in Goa, the film sweeps us with a violent jolt into a world of doom and damnation where the innocent must perish and the incorrupt must suffer.

The screenplay bulges with characters taken from the book of life who are turned with seamless skill into cinematic emblems empowered with the strength to represent that grey area between Good and Evil where all competitive societies are uneasily position in today's day and age.

Abhishek Bachchan's cop's role as ACP Kamath acquires an interesting moral ambivalence. Yup, the celluloid cop has evolved from the seething simmering Bachchan persona in Zanjeer to the laconic almost-cynical and acutely suffering law enforcer in DMD who must make hard decisions not in the last reel but Reel Now.

The vehement violence and illicit wealth of the crime syndicate and the immediacy of its annihilation are brought into one jagged but unified line of vision. Often Rohan Sippy's direction seems to favour the craggy uneven route. But hey, that could just be Amit Roy's moody cinematography capturing the crowd sweat and greed of the Goan drug cartel.

Sippy displays a tremendous partiality for restless visuals. The characters are always on the move though their destination is a mystery even to themselves. Maybe their aspirations are over-run by their greed. The narrative never stops long enough to let us come near to the characters to feel the heat of their hurt. A breathy wheezing anarchy rules over the universe that Rohan Sippy's arching cinema embraces.

While the script seems to loathe the idea of making breathing space for emotions, some of the characters sneak in a warm regard for their individual space in unguarded moments of vulnerability. Abhishek Bachchan's mourning for his lost family runs through the film like an aching limb that cannot be amputed from the proceedings no matter how hard it tries. To the cop Kamath's role Abhishek infuses a kind of supple laconism that makes this suffering cop remarkably free of self-guilty, not to mention the khaki uniform.

How one wishes Kamath's relationship with the troubled world around him was allowed to grow. The only time we see him in an interactive mood is with his subordinate Mercy who true to stereotype, gets bumped off.

Has the film been edited (by Aarif Shaikh) too tightly, sacrificing the need to let the characters space for emotional growth for the sake of getting on with the process of cracking the case?

Very often we want to enter the pain-lashed soul of the characters, the underage boy played by Prateik (vulnerable, again!) who gets caught on the airport while trying to smuggle out drugs. The musician Raba Daggubati (striking debut, this) who loses love to crime. The crime-lord's mistress, Bipasha Basu (fetching in her trauma),who in a haze of numbing alcohol and drugs, wonders when she lost her innocence. That is a question that runs through the plot. And runs too fast.

On some deeply ironic level Dum Maaro Dum celebrates that loss of innocence which haunts the beaches of touristic paradise. Good hearts are often sacrificed for the good times. And yet we see glimmers of stark humanity in Rohan Sippy's characters. It's not in the way the actors play these people. It's in the way fate plays with the characters' dreams.

Rohan Sippy's Goa is an irreversibly blemished paradise. Though visually plush the hard-hitting content is not overpowered by style. And yes, the only time the disappointing soundtrack comes alive is when strains of R D Burman's 'Dum Maaro Dum' play in replicated splendour, reminding us of the poor quality of the rest of the music.

"Josh Harnett loves India" - Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu has just returned from Orccha in Madhya Pradesh where she was shooting Roland Joffe's Singularity with Josh Harnett and Abhay Deol. She brightens up at their mention. "Rana Daggubatti, Josh, Abhay...at last I am shooting with tall co-stars. Josh is really tall...6 feet 3 ½ inches. I end up looking very small in front of him."

She's immensely impressed and influenced by Joffe's unit's affinity to India and Indian culture. "I feel I am less Indian than they are. I had never been to Orccha. If it wasn't for this film, I'd have missed one of the most beautiful spots in our country."

When she reached Orchha, Bipasha couldn't stop complaining about the mosquitoes and lack of amenities. "But the foreign unit just blended in. They loved the place, the food ...everything. I soon fell in line."

Bipasha Basu didn't know how to hold a sword, let alone wield one when she reached Orchha in Madhya Pradesh to shoot for Roland Joffe's Singularity.

"There was no time. I learnt to use the sword on the job. And now I feel I've been doing it for all my life."

Says Bipasha, "80 percent of Singularity will be shot in Orchha. And the remaining in London in current times. The film is located in two time zones - 18th century India and present day England. I don't figure in the contemporary portion."

So while Josh leaves for London after the Orccha schedule, Bipasha heads for Russia.

Bipasha was not in Mumbai for the release of her much talked-about Dum Maaro Dum (DMD).Talked about ...for all the wrong reasons. First there were the stories about her being miffed with Deepika Padukone. Then there was link-up with her DMD co-star Rana Daggubati.

Said Bipasha, "I've done whatever I could for Dum Maaro Dum. I'm here in Orchha. Then after returning to Mumbai, I immediately fly to Russia for Abbas-Mustan's Players."

Incidentally, the deep connection with Abhishek Bachchan is clearly a delight for Bipasha. He is one man she doesn't mind talking about. "Abhishek is in DMD and Players. And the last unit that shot in Orccha before us was Abhishek's Raavan. Do you know, Singularity is the first period film that I am shooting? But Abhishek and I were supposed to start our careers together with a period film (J.P Dutta's Aakhri Mughal)."

Bipasha Basu is still smarting under the blow that the disappearance of her phone delivered on her self-confidence.

Days after incident she tries hard to not to sound shaken about it. "I don't know who played a prank...or can it really be called a prank since twisted messages were sent from my missing phone to my friends and to the media. The instrument re-surfaced just as mysteriously as it had vanished. Though I am calling it a prank I am not amused."

Bipasha has decided to keep her phone in the safe-custody of her business manager. "I am not much of a phone person. And this incident has made me even less enamoured of my phone. I'd rather do without something that poses a potential threat to my peace of mind."

Arjun, Amisha to begin 2006 as well

Here�s another coincidence! The year 2005 commenced with the release of an Arjun Rampal-Amisha Patel starrer VAADA [also starred Zayed Khan]. And now, the year 2006 will begin with another Arjun-Amisha starrer HUMKO TUMSE PYAAR HAI.

Produced by Moranis and Soorma, HUMKO TUMSE PYAAR HAI was slated for release in December, but the producers decided to shift the release to January 6, 2006, making it the first release of the New Year.