Bollywood VIEWS!!!

It’s the return of small films yet again. While biggies like Kites and Raavan bombed at the box office, small outings like Tere Bin Laden and Ishqiya did well.

Goes to show that today quality scores over big budgets, hype and false hysteria.

If 3 IDIOTS was a bad film, all the money on its nationwide publicity would have gone down the cinematic drain.

And what a film that was. Seen it thrice already. And it still evokes laughter and respect. For its craft, writing, message and effort. Take a bow Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani . You guys rocked!

Posted by Wordmobi

The famously estranged couple, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor, who split in October last year, have been seen canoodling on a film date to see a showing of Deepika’s latest release Housefull at a Juhu theatre.

The two stars, who have stayed in contact on and off in the past few months and have bumped into each other at various celeb parties, were said to seem very comfortable and happy in one another’s company. “The audience was quite distracted on seeing them together, but it was fun,” says a source who had gone along to see the film. “The two have never made a public appearance together after their break up. So, this one came as a shocker,” adds the source.

Ranbir is said to have commented that he hoped that reconciliation between the pair might be possible, and this is obviously a move in the right direction for him if that is his goal. However, some believe that for Deepika, this may all be just a publicity stunt to promote her recent film and future work. Perhaps the Bollywood beauty has found that her place amongst the glitterati has plummeted somewhat since the split, and is therefore hoping that a reunion with Ranbir might boost her back up the society ladder?

Or perhaps she just doesn’t want to have that “RK” tattoo erased from the nape of her neck? Who knows?

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

Why is it that so many children of famous people, purely because they have grown up in the shadow of their parent’s fame…either living their childhood surrounded by the media or hidden away from the prying camera lens…have an obsession with achieving fame themselves, regardless of whether they have an ounce of talent or not?

Soniya Mehra, actor Vinod Mehra’s daughter, is now desperately trying to establish herself as a fashion icon. Having made a rather flat and unsuccessful attempt at being the next big thing in Bollywood, Soniya went off on a shopping trip to London, no doubt to do some ‘comfort buying’ as a consolation for not reaching the starry heights of fame she had hoped for and been promised by Daddy when she ventured into Bollywood. On the trip, she was stopped in the street and asked for a photograph - the photograph happened to turn up in a magazine several weeks later, stating that Soniya was ‘super fashionable’.

All very nice, and yes she does have good style, we agree. But when you have money thrown at you left, right and centre, it is easy to look good all the time. Also, I happen to know a lot of people who have great style. I see people who look fantastic walking down the street every single day.

This does not mean they should be ‘fashion icons’.

My advice to Soniya Mehra. Stop being a spoilt brat, get your head out of the clouds and why don’t you try getting a real job instead?

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

Ranbir Kapoor, known to most for his performances in Wake up Sid and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani has took on a different guise to the one he is most known for. Rather than playing the actor, he took to teaching cricket instead, and much to the delight of female on-lookers, he conveniently forgot to wear a shirt.

While Katrina Kaif was shooting for Rajneeti in Bhopal, she declared her desire to learn how to play cricket. Who should be on hand to act as guide and tutor to the beautiful actress but ‘good friend’ Ranbir.

When the heat got too much for most of the crew who were playing along, the attractive twosome remained on the field, roping in more players to play as the evening cooled and even staying out so late that the floodlights had to be switched on to accommodate them.

What was obvious by all accounts was the chemistry and subtle flirting between the two stars. But aside from the potential for a budding romance, I’m not sure what I love more. The sporty enthusiasm and spirit of Katrina, or the obvious talent for the game and beautiful athleticism of Ranbir as he made run after run in the scorching heat.

At least he knows that if his career in acting falls flat, he has a back up in cricket.

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

It’s not all that often that you hear of a mega star of Bollywood, Hollywood or anywhere for that matter, who makes a point of following their fans on Twitter and Facebook.

Step forward Celina Jaitley; most famed for winning Femina Miss India Universe 2001, starring in several Bollywood movies and for her social activism on the issue of gay rights in India, the long legged beauty understandably has a wide following of fans from all over the world.

And what is more, Jaitley makes a point of ensuring that interaction between her and her fans goes both ways. An accomplished linguist, she makes a point of responding to messages from her admirers and supporters in their native language and actively follows them on social networking sites.

Overwhelmed by the encouragement and praise she receives, she makes a real effort to say how grateful she is.

Isn’t it wonderful,  that someone who lives and breathes in the media spotlight, remains humble and grateful enough to make an effort to say hello  and thank you to all the ‘little people’!

Celina Jaitley is a rare breed of celebrity indeed. If only there were more like her.

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

Amid the talks of controversial casting and late-minute call ups, Freida Pinto has confirmed she will not be attending the Cannes Film Festival this year. The star who shot into the global spotlight with her role as Latika in Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has confirmed that she will in fact be jetting off to Canada to start filming for upcoming mythological themed ‘Immortals’, to be directed by Tarsem Singh and tipped to be an epic blockbuster which will take Hollywood by storm.

Pinto was expected to attend the world renowned festival to promote her film ‘You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger’ directed by Woody Allen. However, she received a call from Tarsem Singh asking her to take on the part of Phaedra, a Greek oracle in his new movie. The call came after Priyanka Chopra rejected his offer to take on the lead female role because she had already agreed to film ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’.

Undoubtedly, this is great news for Pinto herself and, perhaps so for India as a whole. Her presence in the world media has made a massively positive impact on the world’s perception of what India and the stars it produces is actually all about.

But does India really want to lose all its best models, actors and actresses to Hollywood? Is it a sacrifice we should be willing to make when we have invested so much?

Surely we don’t nurture their talent and put them on the ladder to fame just so they can jump ship as soon as America makes a call.

Would a little loyalty to the industry that helped you become a star really hurt?

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

An effort to cinematographically bridge Indo-Pak political divides through the popular topic of sport has been made by Sanjay Chauhan in his directorial debut with the film Lahore.

The film plot centers on building bridges between Indian and Pakistani partitions through competitive kickboxing; a meeting of minds and a building of bonds in a two man battlefield. Amidst this plot is a complex narrative of a man’s revenge for his brother’s death, a complicated development of a web of human relationships and a lot of blood, sweat and tears in the boxing ring.

The combination of sport and politics although not typically known for harmonious bridge building are a familiar part of day-to-day life on the Indian sub-continent, they are inextricably linked in modern life through the various restrictions imposed on sportsmen from countries across the world.

However, despite already winning various international awards like Best Film at the prestigious 42nd Worldfest, the director’s vision of creating a cross cultural assimilation through the production of the film seems to have been knocked out after the first blow. Following the movie’s release in India on March 19th 2010, the film has already been banned from screening in Pakistan due to the censor board objecting to some scenes and the dialogue of the movie.

Chauhan responded to this rebuff from the Pakistani screening body, emphasising his disappointment that Lahore will not be released there and defending his film as an impartial, with no prejudices of any sort.

Talk of peace being given a chance!

Contributed by Jenny Wren-Charlton

Bollywood’s new releases, though not mediocre haven’t excited the masses.

Which means, only My Name Is Khan is the biggest hit of 2010 so far. Followed distantly by Ishqiya, Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Veer.

All other films, though appreciated by critics, haven’t set the cash registers jingling.

And they include Vikram Bhat’s horror thriller Shaapit, Khosla Ka Ghosla director’s Love Sex Aur Dhoka, international award winning film Lahore and Road, Movie.

Sad, but true. Goes to show that a big star cast, entertaining script and a comical fantasy is the need of the times.

Posted by Wordmobi

Karan Johar has done it again. He has created a grand movie with a grand script and forced us to have grand expectations. However, time and time again, I am left grossly under-whelmed and slightly cringe each time I watch his movies. Let’s take MNIK for example.

Surely, this is a movie about racism against Muslims and the stereotypes they face in America post 9/11. So why is it that Johar has put in very stereotypical remarks against White and African Americans in the movie? The value systems preached in this movie are not given the same importance when coming from our side. 

Also, surely Johar and the SRK-Kajol team have gone to New York tons and tons of times. How then can they come up with illogical scenes such as how one steps out of their home in Queens, New York (40 minutes away from Manhattan) crosses the street and ends up in Grand Central Station (in Manhattan).

When movies such as Wake up Sid and Dev D are directed with all questions answered and perfectly logical in every sense, I refuse to give accolades to directors that compromise details for the sake of large scale productions.

Solution: Watch Khuda Kay Liye for a good description on post 9/11 life for Muslims and Forrest Gump for a man with a disability who travels the country and touches the hearts of people he meets.

Contributed by Prachi Jain

Aussie Beauty and Bollywood starlet Tania Zaetta has appealed for calm, patience, and cultural understanding, following the recent attacks on Indians in Melbourne.

Zaetta, left her career as a TV presenter in Australia to pursue her dreams into Bollyowood, and has starred in the films Bunty Aur Bubli and Salaam Namaste, and most recently in Mr White & Mr Black.

Zaetta told an Australian newspaper that it would be “both embarrassing and disappointing if these horrible attacks in Melbourne are purely racially motivated against Indian students”.

Having spent much of the last 3 years living in Mumbai, Zaetta has obviously found a soft spot for all things Indian, and has also done a lot to promote the Bollywood phenomenon in Australia. Now, she wants to use her influence to promote peace between the two nations.

Zaetta is of Italian descent, and a proud Australian. “This country was built on multi-culturalism” she says. “We should all be working together, and certainly tolerant of different lifestyles, ideas and beliefs.

Thanks Tanya, we’re with you!

Contributed by Jeremy Veitch