Sex, drugs get Fashion an 'A' certificate

Saturday, September 20, 2008 · 0 comments












Award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar is upset that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given his next film Fashion an "adults-only" certificate.

"Given the movie's theme, I certainly never expected that the board would give it a 'U' certificate, but I was sure it would receive a U/A certificate," Bhandarkar said.

Bhandarkar, who has co-produced the film with UTV Motion Pictures, describes Fashion as his most glamorous film. He roped in Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, Arjan Bajwa and Mugdha Godse to do lead roles.

The board members, who saw the movie Monday in Mumbai, objected to six scenes including Priyanka and Arjan's lovemaking scenes and Priyanka and Kangana's dragging at drugs scenes. The members asked Bhandarkar and his co-producer, Ronnie Screwvala, to delete them from the movie.

As the director refused to delete the scenes, the board has given it an 'A' certificate.

The members refused to be convinced by Bhandarkar's argument that the scenes being objected to are an integral part of the movie and that yanking those off would mean compromising with the realistic depiction of the movie's subject.

"Although we had the option of appealing to the Revising Committee of the board against the Examining Committee's decision, we chose not to do so as that would have taken a lot of time. Besides, there was no knowing what would be the decision of the Board's higher committee," Bhandarkar said.

Fashion, which takes a close look at the other side of the fashion world, is due for release Oct 29.

Daniel Craig injured

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 · 0 comments











Bond star Daniel Craig has revealed his recent shoulder injury was caused while doing stunts for the new movie Quantum Of Solace.

According to reports, Craig, 40, tore tissue while shooting action scenes for the movie. He has had his arm in a sling since an operation on his shoulder.

Doctors have asked him to take rest and the actor says he is tired of doing nothing. He said: "I'm frustrated but I need to slow down for a couple of months."

Prince Charles refuses cameo

Friday, September 12, 2008 · 0 comments












Prince Charles has turned down an invitation to appear on British science fiction TV programme Doctor Who.

The show's writer and executive producer Russell T Davies wrote to Clarence House, the royal residence, asking if Prince Charles would like to make a cameo appearance in the hit BBC drama, according to reports.

Even though he is a self-confessed "big fan" of the show, the prince declined the invitation.

"He turned us down, the miserable swine," Davies said at the ongoing 10-day Cheltenham Literature Festival while talking about his new book Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale.

A Clarence House spokeswoman, however, dismissed reports that Prince Charles had turned down the request.

"A letter was sent into the Prince of Wales' office and was dealt with on his behalf. We receive many requests and it's impossible to accept all of them," she averred.

Previous guests on Doctor Who have included celebrities like singer Kylie Minogue, actress Felicity Kendall and comedian Catherine Tate.

Monday, September 8, 2008 · 0 comments











Actress Soha Ali Khan had a quiet birthday early this month, but she is ready to take off to exotic locales in South Africa with her mother Sharmila Tagore for a sabbatical this week. "I couldn't meet my parents for my birthday since they have been in England. But I am going for a holiday with my mother. We are going to South Africa - just my mom and me, which is a sort of present for me," said Soha.

Soha turned 30 on Oct 4 and spent the day with her elder sister Saba Ali Khan, who is a jewellery designer by profession. "I spent my birthday with my sister and she gifted me a wonderful sari. She has a great taste in clothes, colours and aesthetic," said Soha who earned rave reviews for her performance in recently released Mumbai Meri Jaan.

Soha says that her brother, actor Saif Ali, was not there on her birthday due to his tight work schedule. "I didn't get to meet my brother because he was busy shooting. He was up north and now he is somewhere in Rajasthan. He has asked me what I want and I am still thinking about it," she said. The actress, who was shooting last week for a comedy film 99, feels she is a pampered person and says it is justified since she is "youngest child in the family."

"I will always be the baby of the house, no matter how old I grow," said Soha who will also be seen in Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny.

SRK's Datuk title kicks up row in Malaysia

Thursday, September 4, 2008 · 0 comments











Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may be hugely popular in Malaysia but his being conferred the title of 'Datuk', akin to the British knighthood, has stirred up a controversy with many questioning whether he really deserves it. "Politicians, professionals and the man on the street are hotly questioning the wisdom of the move," The Star newspaper said.

Adverse comments include one that says "he hardly knows where Malacca is" and "what has he done to promote Malacca in his songs and movies?". "SMSs received by The Star also hit out at the move, demanding that such awards be given to local artistes," the paper said.

Shah Rukh did not attend the ceremony on Saturday at which the Sultan of Malacca, Yang di Pertua Negri Tun Mohammed Khalil Yakoub, conferred the title on a number of dignitaries on his 70th birthday. Former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who had suggested to Yakoub that Khan be given the title, said the move was a way to promote Malacca.

Defending his recommendation, Zainuddin pointed out that Shah Rukh had shot the movie One 2 Ka 4 at the Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001. "This resulted in many people visiting Malacca. The award was given in recognition of this," said Malacca Chief Minister Mohammed Ali Rustam.

Shah Rukh was given the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), which carries the title Datuk that can be used by the recipient as a prefix to the name. The recipient's wife can also call herself 'Datin'. Although a fan of the Indian actor, businesswoman Fatimah Tahir said she was "stunned" to hear that he was being conferred Datukship.

"I thought the award is given to those who have contributed to Malacca's development. I wonder whether Shah Rukh knows where Malacca is," Tahir, 40, was quoted as saying. "I am happy for him but does he even know he is getting the award?" asked lawyer Nizam Bashir.Lim Kit Siang, advisor of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP), also pitched for the local artistes, three of whom got a lower honour that does not carry any title.

Lim's take was that if Khan deserved to be a Datuk, so did Hollywood stars Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who shot the movie Entrapment in the country 1999.

Tisca wants to play a terrorist

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 · 0 comments











After playing a hassled mother in Taare Zameen Par, actress Tisca Chopra now wants to play a terrorist, an adventurous housewife and even former prime minister Indira Gandhi!

"I am getting excellent film offers. There is an absolute range of roles that are coming to me and people are waking up to the fact that actors have evolved.

"But I would like to play a terrorist, a person with a mental problem like an obsessive multiple disorder, a housewife who breaks all the shackles and goes on a wild and mad adventure and Indira Gandhi. I would also like to do a period film," said Tisca.

The actress, who played Darsheel Safary's harried mother in Taare Zameen Par, is more keen on working with known directors than actors.

"More than the actors, I want to work with different directors like Mani Ratnam, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Yash Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker and Rakesh Roshan," said the actress who who was in the capital to launch a bi-weekly show that she is going to anchor.

The actress forayed into Bollywood in 1993 with box office dud Platform. It was followed by other flops like 15th August, Baali Umar Ko Salaam and Taqdeerwala.

When she didn't get her due in Bollywood, Tisca took a sabbatical from the big screen during which she was involved with theatre and did plays like Mahatma v/s Gandhi, Salesman Ramlal and Inshah Allah before shifting to TV with Balaji Telefilms' Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii that gave her recognition.

Later she was then seen in TV soaps like Astitva- Ek Prem Kahani and Kahani Sarrkkar: Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani. She was also involved in a consumer grievances show on TV called Main Hoon Na.

Although she got her initial share of fame from her stint in daily soaps, Tisca now keeps away from serials and reality shows.

"TV is another mode of entertainment and a very strong medium with which people can relate to. But the time lines, set for a show on TV, are causing the quality to suffer. This compromise on quality bothers me," Tisca said.

"Acting in serials takes a lot of time. That is the reason why I am only hosting TV shows as of now. I will not do any reality shows either because I don't think I am that entertaining as a person. I am quite dull," she added.

Recently she came into limelight with Taare Zameen Par for which she also received a nomination in the best actor in a supporting role (female) category at the 53rd annual Filmfare Awards.

On being asked for her reaction when she first heard that the film had been selected as the official entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category, she said: "I was having a very bad day when I received the news on phone. I was earlier trying hard to be cheerful but after hearing the news I was elated."

Apart from her show, Tisca is doing a comedy with actor-director Rajat Kapoor and will be next seen in Nandita Das' directorial debut Firaaq releasing next year.

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