[ItzToday.com] 'Paan Singh Tomar' - a masterpiece by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan Khan

---

• 'Paan Singh Tomar' - a masterpiece by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan Khan
• Shilpa Shetty wants fair hearing on IPL issue
• Hrithik Roshan not to celebrate this Diwali in Mumbai
• Victoria Beckham get urged by PETA to shun reptile skins
• Singer Cheryl Cole gets her wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum
• Singer Beyonce Knowles is expecting her first child
• Kangana Ranaut claims to be more disciplined
• Aishwarya Rai feels herself more comfortable in Tamil
• Singer-Actress Hilary Duff to write second novel
• Singer Katy Perry wants privacy ahead of wedding

'Paan Singh Tomar' - a masterpiece by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan Khan Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:37 AM PDT When he ran on the tracks, he won medals; when he ran in the ravines of Chambal as a rebel, he created havoc -- director Tigmanshu Dhulia's "Paan Singh Tomar" brilliantly captures the life of the former national steeplechase champion. The film is Dhulia's tribute to the unsung sports heroes of the nation and is certainly a masterpiece. Add to that Irrfan Khan's brilliant performance and it makes it a treat to watch. "While I was assisting Shekhar Kapur on 'Bandit Queen', I read an article on Paan Singh Tomar. I decided that whenever I will become a director, I will make a film on him," Dhulia, who started his career with films like "Haasil" and "Charas", told IANS. Paan Singh was forced to leave the army due to personal problems and when he went back home in Madhya Pradesh, the circumstances forced him to become a rebel and pick up the guns, says the film. "When we started the research work, we realised there was no record available on Paan Singh who was once the pride of the nation. We contacted his wife, his son and also spoke to his coach who was still alive. Then we spoke to some of the dacoits who were active at that time to know about his life," said the director, who collected bits and pieces from here and there to weave this engrossing and entertaining film. If the script is the hero of the film, Irrfan's powerful performance is the soul of the biopic that was shot in actual locations in Roorkee cantonment and Chambal valley at a budget of about Rs.8 crore (almost $2 million). "From day one, I knew that I wanted Irrfan to play this role," said the director, who chose the rest of the cast with utmost care and they too have given brilliant performances without going overboard. Mahie Gill is impressive as Paan Singh's wife. But without Irrfan's brilliant performance, perhaps the film would have not been as impactful as it is -- he is one actor who always improvises the role he essays. In this film too, he succeeds in bringing the earnestness, the determination and later pain and anger that Paan Singh goes through in his life. Irrfan says he "enjoyed the discomfort" he had to go through while shooting in Chambal valley. "I'm not that kind of an actor who is always looking for comfort. There are certain films where you look for comfort and there are certain films where you enjoy discomfort. You can't be always in a comfortable situation and this role demanded that kind of discomfort and we enjoyed it. It was an experience," Irrfan said. The film, which may hit screens in India next year, got an overwhelming response from the audiences when it had its world premiere Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Both, the director and actors, got a huge round of applause after the screening. There are many unsung sports heroes who are languishing and by watching "Paan Singh Tomar", the audiences can pay a tribute to them in their own way.

Shilpa Shetty wants fair hearing on IPL issue Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:29 AM PDT Actress-turned-businesswoman Shilpa Shetty, who's distressed after the termination of her IPL team Rajasthan Royals (RR), says she wants a fair and balanced hearing over the matter. "It's been a very distressing time for us all at RR after all we've put in (passion n time)," Shilpa wrote on microblogging site Twitter Thursday. "All we ask is for a fair and balanced hearing on issues raised, given the adverse national and international impact on 'Brand IPL' in the interests of fans and teams." "Most importantly a transparent process and enquiry..allegation is that our ownership has changed since 2008. Thats Untrue," she said. "The only change to ownership was the introduction of my husband Raj Kundra, for which we had full BCCI permission and support at the time," she added. The IPL governing council (GC) terminated the contracts of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab for violating the franchise pact. While Shilpa and her London-based husband Raj Kundra own Rajasthan Royals, actress Preity Zinta has a stake in Kings XI Punjab. Shilpa had said at the time that she was "too shocked to react" to the termination. "This is for all those who want my reaction 'Honestly too shocked to react, just disheartened... cause it's more than just a team for us! Still haven't received the termination, will react after. Need to know the basis of this decision.' In London now (sic)," Shilpa tweeted at the time.

Hrithik Roshan not to celebrate this Diwali in Mumbai Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:19 AM PDT Actor Hrithik Roshan has decided to celebrate this Diwali with family out of Mumbai to avoid cracker pollution, fretting bronchial problem of his son. "Diwali I am celebrating hopefully not in Bombay because I have problem with the pollution and my son has a bronchial problem," Hrithik told IANS in an interview. The actor who played a paraplegic patient in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's forthcoming film "Guzaarish" has off late realised that cracker fumes are unhealthy and wishes Diwali was celebrated without polluting the atmosphere. "I hope there was a better way to celebrate Diwali, without polluting the atmosphere. I used to rejoice and buy crackers of Rs.10,000, but now I realise that this is not the best thing to do. It's dangerous and bad for health," said Hrithik. Asked if he has planned to flee abroad, he said: "No, no, to places close by. Maybe to places like Panvel or Lonavala."

Victoria Beckham get urged by PETA to shun reptile skins Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:15 AM PDT Singer-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham has been approached by the animal rights organisation PETA to reconsider using reptile skin in her new handbag collection. Victoria has created several different pieces from crocodile and lizard skins for her latest range but has been asked by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to contemplate using other materials. "We appreciate Ms. Beckham's rejection of fur and have approached her - 100 percent respectfully - over the suffering of lizards and other reptiles who are often skinned alive for fashion," femalefirst.co.uk quoted spokesperson of PETA David W. Perle as saying. The organisation has also asked Victoria to watch a video on PETATV.com which shows how reptiles are killed and skinned.

Singer Cheryl Cole gets her wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:07 AM PDT Singer Cheryl Cole is the latest star to be honoured with her own wax replica figure by famous museum Madame Tussauds. The singer unveiled her wax statue worth $237,660 Wednesday here. "I can't explain how strange it is! It will take a little while to take in," femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying. The waxwork reflects Cheryl's glamourous look and is styled in a specially-created scarlet floor-length Jean-Paul Gaultier dress with heels. The model also has the 27-year-old pop star's trademark flowing locks and can be seen posing with hands on hips. The wax figure has been placed in the A-list party area which includes doubles of Dame Helen Mirren, Robert Pattinson and Russell Brand. "As the reaction of the public here today confirms, Cheryl is one of Britain's hottest celebrities and we're delighted to welcome her to Madame Tussauds London," said Liz Edwards, public relations manager at Madame Tussauds. "We've been inundated with requests to feature her figure in the attraction and we expect it to quickly become one of the most popular here. Like the real Ms Cole, the figure is a knock out and will fit in perfectly with the glamorous line-up of stars in our A-List party area," she said.

Singer Beyonce Knowles is expecting her first child Posted: 21 Oct 2010 02:54 AM PDT Singer Beyonce Knowles is reportedly pregnant with her first child with husband rapper Jay Z. "B (Beyonce) was shocked. She loves kids, but she wasn't ready to be a mother just yet," usmagazine.com quoted a source as saying. "She really wanted to get her album done and tour the world again," the source added. Another insider said the singer, who is in her first trimester, feels that "this is a gift from God and she's so happy". Friends of the couple are already expressing their wishes for the parents-to-be. "Jay has been all about family since I met him, and he's always going to be. I wish them the best," said record executive Kevin Liles, who has known Jay Z for years.

Kangana Ranaut claims to be more disciplined Posted: 21 Oct 2010 02:47 AM PDT She started her Bollywood career at the age of 17, and over the period of four years, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut says, the industry has helped her realise the importance of being disciplined. "I have definitely changed a lot. I mean from a reckless teenager, I have become a very very well organised and disciplined person," Kangana told IANS in an interview. "Moreover, when you are working, and for the fact that young people like me who have started at 17, they cannot afford to be themselves. You have to really change with the time," she added. The actress made her Bollywood debut with Mahesh Bhatt's "Gangster - A Love Story" in 2006, which won her critical acclaim. She was later seen playing a mentally unstable girl in Mahesh Bhatt's another movie "Woh Lamhe". Her stupendous performance as a drug addict model in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion" won her a national award. The actress was last seen in Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer "Kites". Although Kangana admits that her journey has so far been good, she says as an outsider she had to work really hard to make a place for herself in the industry. "It is very difficult as an outsider as people don't support you, media also accepts those who come from a film background, it takes time, eventually you have to work very hard to sustain and if you are good at your work, you will succeed," said Kangana, who was present at Kingdom of Dreams to promote her new film "Knock Out", which also stars Sanjay Dutt and Irrfan Khan. Asked if in any way the industry has changed her outlook towards things, she said: "I am nobody to be judgemental, what matters more to me is what is the industry's perception about me, what do they think of me." In most of the films, Kangana was seen doing tragic and serious roles, but with a slew of light-hearted films like "No Problem", "Rascals", "Double Dhamaal" and "Tanu Weds Manu", the actress is set to change her so-called serious image. "It was great working in a different genre. Although it is said that it is difficult to make people laugh, everything is tough. You have to really develop your skills, you are not born with dancing skills, comedy or serious acting, you have to make an effort to learn it," she said. Kangana aspires to do characters that are completely different as well as challenging. "I want to do a lot of different characters. They are not in my mind. I wish people come over to me with something challenging, something that is out of the box and not run-of-the-mill characters. I like this place (Bollywood). I want to be here," she said. She might have played matured characters in her films but in real life, she is like any other normal girl, although she doesn't like to mingle a lot. "In real life I am like any other girl, very, very chirpy, talkative for my family and friends but I don't mingle a lot," she said.

Aishwarya Rai feels herself more comfortable in Tamil Posted: 21 Oct 2010 12:56 AM PDT After doing her fourth Tamil film, "Endhiran", Aishwarya Rai claims to be far more comfortable working in the southern language. She also feels it is the kind of entertainer most leading actresses do though she hasn't done too many of them. "I am definitely far more comfortable and more confident working in the language. I won't risk breaking into a conversation because I don't do that on a daily basis," Aishwarya told IANS in an interview. "Probably because I have travelled so much, I am familiar with the language. It falls easy on the ear. I understand it, but I respect the language; so I don't want to break into a conversation in it, unless it's a group which is very forgiving on grammatical errors!" "You learn dialogues, they are constructed sentences already, but I am far more confident today than I was during 'Iruvar' or 'Jeans'. Today I am far more at ease working in Tamil," said Aishwarya. She has also done the bilingual "Raavan". Filmmaker S. Shankar made his latest, a sci-fi flick, in two languages - "Endhiran" in Tamil and "Robot" in Hindi - and released them simultaneously Oct 1. Made at a whopping budget of Rs.175 crore ($38 million), it's the costliest Indian film ever. Aishwarya maintains that her character was easy to essay and she has rarely done films in the typical entertainment genre, unlike many leading heroines. "The character was not difficult to get into the skin of. It's a kind of role that any leading heroine would do. Probably the kind of roles that a lot of leading heroines do in their career, in my case it has been rare. "I have not done this kind of character very often in a typical entertaining genre, the kind of character a leading heroine would get. "He (Shankar) has a made an entertaining film. He has taken entertainment to the next level and has introduced something technically much ahead of what we have seen in recent times. So for me to go on set, it was more exciting to see the film come together. In terms of my contribution, I was just happy to work in this film," said Aishwarya. This was her second film with Shankar after "Jeans" in 1998. Asked what changes she noticed in Shankar as a director, she said: "I think now I know him better. 'Jeans' so early in my career, unlike any newcomers, I was associated with multiple projects at the very first year of my career. "I was constantly experiencing a different set ambience and a different film I was working in. So, that time we were discovering each other. For me films were new, the technical aspect of films was new and I was working in Tamil. From then till today, we know each other much better."

Singer-Actress Hilary Duff to write second novel Posted: 21 Oct 2010 12:37 AM PDT Singer Hilary Duff, who recently released her first book as a writer, has already started planning second novel. The singer/actress signed a deal to release her teen mystery tome "Elixir" earlier this year and is currently on tour, promoting her first literary work. "Elixir" tells the tale of a photographer who uncovers the mystery of her father's disappearance. And after receiving great feedback from fans, Duff will sit down and begin writing her second title in a matter of weeks, reports contactmusic.com. In a post on her Twitter.com page, she writes: "Can't believe so many people have read the book already! Yipeeee! Starting the next one in two weeks."

Singer Katy Perry wants privacy ahead of wedding Posted: 21 Oct 2010 12:25 AM PDT Singer Katy Perry has begged for privacy ahead of her wedding to Russell Brand in India, and dispelled rumours that they have already tied the knot secretly. "I have something to say. Twit break: Greatest gift u can give us is respect and love during this private time. No use wasting your time with stolen or false information. Thank you for this," Perry posted on Twitter, reports Contactmusic.com. The couple, who is currently at a resort near Ranthambore in Rajasthan, was rumoured to have been already married as the British funnyman sparked speculation about it. He was spotted in London Tuesday wearing a gold band on his ring finger. But Brand's friends insist it is just one of his favourite piece of jewellery that he wears often on the third finger of his left hand. The couple's planned ceremony in Jaipur's Rambagh Palace Saturday is still scheduled to go ahead, according to reports.

You are subscribed to email updates from Hindi Movies To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610