Salman Khan's jail life on big screen

Films based on real life incidents is not new in Bollywood but a film on actor Salman Khan's jail life will be different all together. The latest news is that Ranjit Sharma is making a film titled Qaidi No 210, based on actor's stay in the jail in connection to the infamous chinkara case.

Mahesh Kumar Saini, who spent three days with Salman in Jodhpur Central Jail in 1996, has provided enough information to Ranjit about the actor. Ranjit said that he met Mahesh, a murder suspect, while researching on the subject and asked him to contact him once he is released from the jail. He added that Salman's cellmate has given details about the actor.

Mahesh is all praise for Salman, saying that he was the nicest man he has ever met and was sure that he was innocent as far as chinkara case is concerned. He is not willing to reveal whatever Salman said but he is sure that the actor did not fire that shot. He claimed that Salman was addicted to coffee and needed a cup of it every hour, and ate nothing in the cell but the chocolates his brother Sohail had given him.

Recounting the days he spent with Salman, he said that the actor ate soyabean he prepared on the second night. They managed to bring dumb bells into the cell for work out though it's not allowed. Mahesh revealed that he arranged a carrom board and a chess board for him, as he was bored. He added that the actor offered to give him Rs.20,000 as a token of his appreciation but he had asked him to find him a job instead once he is released.

Soundarya Rajinikanth in trouble again!

Anil Ambani's Reliance Media Works has filed a case against Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Ocher Studios (OS) to get back their of Rs 11.59 cr that invested for Rajini starrer animation film Sultan the Warrior.

According to the case, Reliance Media Works had signed a contract with OS, way back in January 2008 to jointly produce Sultan- The Warrior, an animated film featuring Superstar Rajinikanth, and was slated for release in April 2009. RMW after terminating its contract with Ocher in June 2009, failed to recover dues worth Rs 11.59 Crore and has now filed a suit against the company.

And when RMW came to know that OS is planning to release Sultan- The Warrior, in June 2010, they moved to Madras High Court on February 16 to restrain them from 'releasing, exhibiting, marketing or distributing' the film without settling their dues together with an interest of 12 percent per annum!

The case is now scheduled to come up for hearing on March 29. But Latha Rajinikanth, the Chairman of Ocher says that they are trying to settle the issue outside the court.

Love Sex Aur Dhokha gets adult certificate

Dibakar Banerjee’s much talked-about Love Sex Aur Dhokha went before the censor board recently. The controversial love scene showing a bare-backed girl on top of a man, making love, has been told to be blurred on screen.

In other words, Dibakar’s couple will be seen by the audience making love as two blurred figures.

The director, already miffed and mired in what he sees as unnecessary controversy, refuses to be enraged even if so many recent Hindi films have had graphic love-making scenes. As for the female bare back during a love-making scene, the censors liberally allowed that in Rensil D’Silva’s Kurbaan just recently!

Says Dibakar, “We had submitted a DVD of the film to the Censor Board so they’d recommend cuts in advance and avoid delays. The censor preview recommendation suggests that we blur the sex scene. We were told this scene was too graphic and needed tempering. There’s no way the censors could allow the love-making scene. We’ve clearly been told that even before the film is submitted for censoring.”

When asked how bare-backed love-making scenes have been allowed by the censors recently and how the one in Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD) has been asked to tone down even before the film is submitted to the censors, the director chooses to smile mysteriously.

“I’ve been, in principle, against the film being perceived as a voyeur’s delight. Love Sex Aur Dhokha is not about sex sex and sex. Those who expect that will turn away disappointed.”

However, in another more radical cut, all reference to caste in a love story between a low-caste boy and a high-caste girl has been removed by the Censor Board. This has infuriated Dibakar. Says the director, “This completely changes the perspective of my story since now the caste-challenged love story is turned into a poor-boy-rich-girl romance. This is not what I intended.”

Also, the song “Tu Nangi Acchhi Lagti Hai”, which was modified on the audio cd to “Tu Gandi Achchi Lagti Hai”, has now been similarly modified in the film also.

Says Dibakar, “But no complaints. Considering the controversial content, my film got away easily with little cuts and an ‘Adults’ certificate.”

Mandira Bedi ends her innings in IPL

Watching cricket on small screens will not be the same anymore. The girl, who transformed cricket commentary a few years ago, is going to make way for younger people. We are talking about the one and only Mandira Bedi.
Yes, Mandira will not be seen when the third edition of the Indian Premier League T-20 cricket tournament begins this Friday. Max has roped in Samir Kochar, Gaurav Kapur, Ayushman Khurana and Angad Bedi this time around.



Sneha Rajani, executive vice-president of SET Max, confirmed that she won't be there, as they are trying out something different. Sources said that people in Max think Mandira has lost her screen appeal. Mandira also confirmed that she wouldn't host the IPL for Max.

Mandira is known more for her television stint than her films. She created quite a stir a few years ago by hosting Extraa Innings programme with Charu Sharma at the Cricket World Cup. She also received lots of flak for wearing a sari with flags of all the nations that participated in the World Cup. However, she turned a sensation soon after. And now, it will be difficult to think of watching any major cricket match without her.

The fact is you can't beat Mandira in her own game, as she is a blend of beauty, glamour and charm. Of course she has fair knowledge of the cricket game. Mandira's fans will surely miss her!

Ileana Hot Pictures

Road Movie Online Review

Director: Dev Benegal

Music director: Michael Brook.

Cast: Abhay Deol, Satish Kaushik, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Mohammed Faizal, Virender Saxena and Yashpal Sharma.

The story of Road with that of the American Beat Generation of the 1950s who valued their freedom most. Who wanted go out and taste life. Road tells the story of one such man named Vishnu. He is a restless young man who want get away the daily hassles of life. His father has a hair oil business which is not doing well and he wants his son to take over his business but Vishnu has no interest. Then his ticket to freedom comes in the form of an old Chevy. He offers to drive the old Chevy across the desert to the sea. The Chevy has a collection of forty two movies and two projectors. On his way, Vishnu picks up a young runaway, a wandering old entertainer and a striking gypsy woman. The group then roams around the desert in search of water and a fair. They run into problems after being misled by a corrupt police and a waterlord. Stuck in the middle of desert they have only one choice, to show their movies. If the movies are good they would enjoy their freedom. In this unique journey Vishnu discovers love and joy of life.

Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? Movie Review Online

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Konkona Sen Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Satish Kaushik, Sanjay Mishra, Akhilendra Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari and Viju Khote

Director: Ashwni Dhir

Music Director: Pritam

First Bollywood venture of famous Hollywood Studio Warner Brothers, “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge” is releasing today, 5th March. Directed by Ashwni Dhir and produce by Amita Pathak, the movie is ready to recreate the magic of clean and simple comedy of 70s era.

The story of the movie revolves around a married couple Puneet (Ajay Devgn) and Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) who lives in Mumbai. There life changes when their distant relative, Chachaji (Paresh Rawal) steps into their house from village. The overstaying of guest frustrates the couple and situation becomes more comic when they make plans to throw Chachaji out of their house.

Performance wise Paresh Rawal outshines every actor. He portrays the real and raw character traits of an old villager and his habit of producing bad gas adds humor in every scene. Ajay and Konkona are impressive in their respective roles.

The story of the movie by Robin Bhatt and Tushar Hiranandani is well written, except some parts which look unnecessary. But the story does remind us of the classy movies of brilliant directors like Hrishikesh Mukerjee and Basu Bhattacharya.
Director Ashwni Dhir has done a good job. He has successfully depicted the plight of middle class family who lives in a metro and is unable to bear such a guest who is not willing to go anywhere and loves to enjoy his position.

Ashwni Dhir has written hilarious and rib tickling dialogues. The cinematography by Aseem Bajaj is very impressive.

Though the music of the movie by Pritam is not so catchy but it goes well with the situations of the movie especially the devotional song.

The other cast includes Satish Kaushik who is as usual unforgettable. Sanjay Mishra is quite impressive in his role. Akhilendra Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari and Viju Khote are also good.

Altogether “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge” is sensible, clean and lighthearted comedy that is a full family entertainer

. It is a worth watching film.

No Shahid-Kareena show for now

Boney Kapoor has apparently decided to postpone the release of his five-year-old Milenge Milenge (with Kareena Kapoor) because his hero Shahid Kapoor has requested it.

No blasts from past
It is learnt that Shahid is keen that his upcoming releases are not blasts from the past. He doesn't want to dilute the high Kaminey gave him, by following it up with a dabbe ka picture (as films long in the making are popularly called in B-Town).

Pehle yeh...
Shahid wants his buddy Ahmed Khan's Paathshaala and Yash Raj Films' Badmaash Company to release first. Shahid feels that Paathshaala has shaped out well and could be his Taare Zameen Par.
Milenge Milenge has been in the making for years and he is convinced that if it releases before the new films, it could mar his popularity. Boney has now postponed his film from April 2 this year to an indefinite date. He is expected to announce the release date in the coming week."

You decide...
Boney says, "Yes. I have postponed Milenge Milenge from April 2 and Shahid did tell me to postpone the film as he felt that for three films to release at the same time would make all suffer and also cut into the promotional events but he also said that the final decision is mine."

Music video
Boney adds that he also pushed the release ahead for other reasons, "We have recorded a new song, Sab Kuch Khatam Hokar Bhi by Himesh Reshammiya. It's probably Himesh's best song and Shahid was very excited when he heard it. He was very excited about the song and said this could be the surprise of the film. He's agreed to shoot the music video. Now I need to ask Kareena."

Sitting on a winner
Boney says that Bebo is willing to promote the film. "This could be something exciting if the two of them decide to promote MM together. In fact, after Bebo finished dubbing she asked the team why we were holding back the release, because she thought we are sitting on a winner."

According to Boney, another reason the film has been delayed is the music company T-Series. "When I played the new soundtrack to Bhushan Kumar, he said that the music is exceptional and would need a six-week window to promote and do justice to it. I have to respect the person who is investing so much into my film. I have been showing promos to different people and everyone is saying that they are looking fresh and fantastic."

Ranjitha in Nithyananda sex scandal?

A popular Tamil actress has been caught red-handed getting intimate with Swamiji Nithyananda, who is known as the guru of Tamil Nadu. The alleged sex video scam of the Swamiji, aired by Sun News, has created shock waves across the Tamil Nadu State and beyond. Following the reports that the girl in the video is Tamil actress Ranjitha

The Tamil news channel Sun TV broadcast the video but didn't reveal the location and the identity of the girl involved. The actress' face was blurred in the video. The news is doing the rounds that the girl, who was seen with Swami Nithyananda in the video, is Tamil actress Ranjitha.
Ranjitha was introduced to films by the famous Tamil director Bharathiraja in Nadodithentral with Karthik.

Karthik Calling Karthik Review

Karthik (Farhan) is timid fellow forever bullied by his boss Kamath (Ram Kapoor) and his workmates. Even his landlord spares no opportunity in pestering him. Karthik is silently in love with the hottest gal in his office architect Shonali Mukherjee (Deepika). But she doesn’t even know that he exists despite working together for years. Karthik keeps getting nightmares of one childhood incident wherein he feels he was responsible for his elder brother’s death. He consults a psychiatrist (Shefali Shah) for the same. One day as his sufferings from the hands of his boss and life in general become unbearable he decides to commit to suicide. Just when when he is about to pop sleeping pills to end his life his landline phone rings. A voice sounding similarly like him tells him its Karthik on the other end and it is no one else but himself. At first Karthik doesn’t believe it and tries to find from the phone company office if such a call actually came. But no such record is shown. Then again same time next day that’s 5 am in the morning he gets a call again with Karthik calling at the other end. Intrigued he gets talking to him. The caller sympathises with Karthik and guides him to become a better and successful person. As Karthik follows the instructions his life changes over night. Not only does he gets Shonali whom he had been dreaming about since many years but also gets a chance to get even with his bully boss and gets a hot shot job profile for himself in the same company where he was insulted. The calls keep coming daily at 5 am and Karthik is happy having found a guide. The caller however cautions Karthik that he should not talk about this secret to anyone. But in a weak moment, Karthik makes the mistake and reveals about the calls to Shonali. He not only stops at that but on Shonali’s insistence avoids picking up further calls. What hell is unleashed on Karthik by the mysterious caller and how Karthik faces his demons forms the rest of the film.

A very hatke concept, Karthik Calling Karthik (KCK) has been stylishly shot like a taut Hollywood thriller. Keeping you much intrigued with what will happen next, the film is a good exercise of the guessing game but up to the last twenty minutes. It derails big time in the closing reels. Since it’s a suspense thriller much can’t be revealed at this point. Certain cinematic liberties taken and a disappointingly predictable climax loosen the final impact. The much needed climax punch is sorely missing. The revelation though interesting doesn’t give you that, “Oh I didn’t know this was coming” feeling! But these things apart KCK is a good one time watch for many reasons. Debutante director Vijay Lalwani shows terrific spark and more can be expected from his future projects. The cinematography, background score by Medieval Punditz and Karsh Kale enhance the thrill. The art direction deserves special mention. The dialogues are very good, in fact the intelligent one-liners will have you in splits.

Farhan Akhtar is only improving as an actor with each passing film. Just when you saw him confidently portray a self assured character in his first two films, in here he oscillates well between playing a meek guy and a super confident person. Deepika fits the part perfectly. They both make an unusually cute pair. Vivan Bathena and Ram Kapoor are aptly cast. Shefali Shah is good in the three scenes that she gets.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music is already ruling the charts and is superbly incorporated in the film with the song numbers being well shot. Karthik Calling Karthik could have been better had there been a cracker of a climax but nonetheless, it’s a good film that deserves one viewing at least.