Sunday, August 8, 2010

[ItzToday.com] Lamhaa's director to visit Kashmir

[ItzToday.com] Lamhaa's director to visit Kashmir

Lamhaa's director to visit Kashmir

Posted: 07 Aug 2010 11:12 PM PDT

lamhaa movieWhile Rahul Dholakia's "Lamhaa", a telescopic look at militancy and other problems plaguing the Kashmir Valley, didn't release there because of the current turmoil, pirated DVDs nevertheless made their way into markets. Some top Kashmiri leaders have apparently watched the film and invited Dholakia to visit the state.

"Though prominent politicians and ordinary Kashmiris have watched 'Lamhaa' on spurious DVDs, I'm grateful they saw the film. Front-page articles are being written in Kashmir's papers. And I've been invited to visit the Valley," Dholakia told IANS.

The filmmaker, however, doesn't want to reveal any names for fear that the politicians may be pulled up for viewing "Lamhaa" illegally, especially since there was much hue and cry when some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members watched a pirated copy of "Rajneeti" in Rajasthan.

But unfortunately Dholakia can't go to Kashmir immediately as his father is ailing.

"My parents, who are US-based, flew down to Mumbai for the release of 'Lamhaa'. My father, who is 82, is unwell. I am now torn between looking after him and visiting Kashmir. As soon as my father is well I am off to Kashmir."

Dholakia's "Lamhaa", which earned him good reviews, stars Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Anupam Kher and Kunal Kapoor.

After "Lamhaa", the director has almost completed a social satire called "Society" and is all set to direct a film for Ravi Chopra, again based on a "burning" issue.

But this time the issue is not political. It's about loopholes in the legal system.

Ironically, the Chopras got themselves into a legal tangle over copyright of their latest film "Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai", which was an adaptation of Hollywood film "My Cousin Vinny".

Apparently Dholakia's film is inspired by the Chopras' encounter with legal issues.

Said Dholakia: "Right now it's slightly early to talk about the project. But, yes, it tackles legal issues. I can't comment on whether Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan is in the film. It is every director's dream to direct him."

Sonakshi Sinha says no to item numbers

Posted: 07 Aug 2010 11:15 PM PDT

Sonakshi SinhaShatrughan Sinha's daughter Sonakshi's launchpad "Dabangg" has one of the raunchiest item numbers, but she isn't a part of it. Ask her if she ever wanted to be in Malaika Arora Khan's shoes for the song, the shy debutante says a clear no.

"No I never wanted to be in the song. It's because I am a shy person. I can't be so bold and daring and I think Malaika is fabulous in the song ('Munni badnaam') and at what she does. But that's not me...I didn't want to do it," Sonakshi, who is debuting opposite Salman Khan, told IANS.

Considering so many actresses are giving a nod to item numbers, will she think of doing one in future?

"No. I am not open to item numbers. I am happy with what I am doing," she said with a coy smile.

The 23-year-old studied fashion designing and was 30 kg more than what she is today. But a promise given to her by superstar Salman Khan changed her life.

"Salman had promised me that he will give me a break if I lose weight. So I started working hard...It took me two years to get into shape and he fulfilled his promise. Salman was very particular about my gym routine and pushed me into it as I was very lazy and lethargic," she said.

Now the actress looks fit and beautiful - all excited for her first film to hit the screens in September. In "Dabangg", her role is of a village belle, Rajo, who plays an important part in changing the life of Chulbul Pandey, the protagonist played by Salman.

Sonakshi is candid when she says she always wanted a more glamorous debut but has no complaints about her first film.

"I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn't want it? But then these days who knows what will work and what won't. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it's a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision," the youngster said.

But Sonakshi, who was in the capital for the music launch of "Dabangg", intends to be very selective about her future films.

"I don't have to struggle a lot and sign up films frivolously, I don't have to buy a house or car, I am well settled with my family. So I want to work at my own pace and so I will be and can be extremely choosy about my films," she said.

So is the luxury of being choosy thanks to being Shatrughan Sinha's daughter?

"There are both sides to being a star kid. For my brother (Luv Sinha), 'Sadiyaan' didn't prove to be a successful launch. So it's easy for some, and tough for some. It's easy for star kids in the sense that our parents have been in the industry for a long time and they have contacts; so filmmakers are that much more accessible.

"But it also has a downside - people have a lot more expectations from you. For me, it has been a beautiful journey so far, and I believe no journey is complete without both ups and downs equally. So I am very happy," Sonakshi said.

Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi Excites Priyanka Chopra

Posted: 07 Aug 2010 11:14 PM PDT

priyanka Chopra Khatron Ke KhiladiActress Priyanka Chopra says she is venturing into TV as a reality show host at the peak of her Bollywood career as she loves breaking rules. But she is quick to shrug off comparisons with Akshay Kumar saying he is the "original khiladi".



She will be host of "Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi" season three, which she says will be scarier than its previous editions that saw Akshay play host to 13 women celebrities.

"I want to thank Akshay. He was so wonderful in the last two seasons of 'Khatron Ka Khiladi' that he has already brought the show to one level, I only have to carry it forward. Comparisons would be unfair," Priyanka told IANS in an interview.

"Akshay is not only the industry's but also India's action hero. He is an original khiladi and I can't be like him; neither will I try following in his footsteps. I will try to make a mark of my own."

Breaking rules excites Priyanka and that's why she chose to venture into television now.

"Television is the biggest medium to reach your audience. There is a set rule that when actors are leaving films, they come to television. It's always exciting to break rules. I'm lucky that I'm in such a stage of my career where I'm doing good films with talented people. At this point, doing something different is quite exciting," said Priyanka.

Asked why she chose "Fear Factor..." as a television debut, she said: "Actually I'm doing so many films right now that there's no time for television. When 'Fear Factor' came to me, because it's my favourite show and I love spontaneous things...and the fact that I could grill the boys and be really mean to them, I guess being a part of a show like this was really exciting for me. What made it easier for me was they required only 20 days from me."

"Fear Factor" on the Colors channel will bring together 13 celebrities competing with one another by performing daring stunts and the one who survives through all the tasks is the winner.

"This time the stunts are bigger, a little more scary, a little more gross. Actually they play with your mind at lot...There can be trivial things that scare you. Some fear darkness, some may fear cockroaches, so it's basically playing with your fears," said Priyanka.

The show was earlier supposed to have cricketers as contestants this season but now they have male celebrities including model-actors Rahul Dev, Milind Soman and Dino Morea, actors Rahul Bose, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Karan Singh, funnyman Cyrus Broacha, filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor and squash champion Ritwik Bhattacharya.

"I think BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) had a commitment with the channel but later what happened I really don't know. But now I have contestants from various fields...so I feel it's much better because you have various people who will talk about many, many things. It's a different mix of people," said Priyanka.

Asked whom she would choose if she had to select participants among her co-stars, she said: "I would love to see Shah Rukh Khan in this show. If Ranbir (Kapoor) had been a participant it would have been great entertainment."

Priyanka reveals that her mother is scared about her being on the adventure show.

"My father and brother were very excited, but my mom got very scared and she said she would stay with me during the shoot and keep praying for me," the actress said.

So will we get to see her perform dangerous stunts as well?

"You will see me showing stunts. Quite a few actually...may be not in every episode. See the lucky thing is I'm the host and I can pick my stunts," she quipped.

"Fear Factor..."' is expected to go on air in September and will be shot in Brazil this month.


Posted by Suresh at 7:26 PM

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