Vidya Balan

By Jilawatan

Bollywood’s A-list actresses, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Vidya Balan will be handing out backstage passes into the glitzy and glamourous world of the showbiz industry with their next releases titled; Heroine and The Dirty Picture.
However, Aish and director Madhur Bhandarkar are one step ahead with their film Heroine, which has already been launched at the Cannes Film Festival, and what better place to create awareness than at an international event? The film is said to be an entertaining, daring, emotional, shocking, glamorous, scandalous behind-the-scenes look at the reality of the showbiz world. The buzz is that the movie is based on the real life story of America’s pop and cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe, however the Heroine team begs to differ and says it’s a story of a Bollywood star.
Film marker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known for his female orientated movies having previously worked with some of Bollywood’s top actresses, Tabu, Konkana Sen Sharama, Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra, was asked why has he opted out for Aishwarya this time to be his lucky mascot? At the Cannes film festival he told the press, “Rai is a much-talked about actress internationally and I think she truly is a global star in every sense.”
On the other hand, director Milan Luthna has decided to cast the recent award winning actress, Vidya Balan in the movie, The Dirty Picture. Rumour has it that the movie will have elements of soft porn incorporated, however the director has reassured Vidya she will not be presented in a cheap manner, but shown in an aesthetically artistic and sensual manner with a touch of class.
In the meantime, Vidya has been asked to study the English films, Burlesque and Chicago – even the big stars in Bollywood have homework to do!
So which movie are you looking forward to watching?

By Jilawatan

Actor Vidya Balan’s thumb-sucking act in Abhishek Chaubey’s Ishqiya may have elevated the sex quotient of Hindi cinema, but her desperate attempts at recreating that scene by sucking Rani Mukherjee’s thumb in season 3 of Koffee with Karan, looked outrageous and as some said, not very dignified. Nor was Saif Ali Khan’s response “Reliable, Strong and Long”, when KJo asked him what would be his tagline if he ever endorsed a product. Kareena Kapoor looked away innocently but few missed the thrill that coursed through her eyes. Koffee With Karan, as critics have noted, is the new confessional chamber of Bollywood, showing B-town celebrities for what they really are. A bunch of ambitious, brash and cheeky people, as prone to self praise as to the criticism of their colleagues. It is the new rogue’s gallery, where the one who speaks most unguardedly notches maximum points. Dry humour, instant wit, self-praise and a bit of sexy banter — they allow it all to hang out. “People in the entertainment business appear on chat shows like these only to reaffirm their existence in the industry. It is all about image creation,” says director Mahesh Bhatt. “Slander is now legitimate,” believes Bhatt. Ad-man Alyque Padamsee says, “The film industry is now more competitive than it was and bitching is a part of it. It’s bound to happen,” he says. With dirty linen laundered openly, KJo’s dhobi ghat is the hotbed of a public display of lack of affection. Remember the shocking suds, don’t you? Deepika Padukone suggested that former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor should endorse condoms and the three-flops down Sonam Kapoor, dissed Bollywood’s fashion sense. Kareena Kapoor snarled at Priyanka Chopra’s accent, Suzanne Roshan hinted at bedroom secrets and almost all guests on the gossip couch made fun of Ram Gopal Verma. Padamsee is right when he says, “I have also realised that this season, the women are more outspoken than men.”

By Jilawatan

,438 participants, 26 lakh votes… Erica Fernandes of St Andrews and Shane Luke of Wilson College are Clean & Clear Bombay Times Fresh Face 2010 winners.
It was hard to pick a winner, because all 16 finalists of the Clean & Clear Bombay Times Fresh Face 2010 were, well, fresh and charged with pulsating energy.

The venue for the finale, on Thursday evening, was the historic Bandra Fort. And the judges for this premier, contest were Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi, who had a blast of the past themselves, for the thrilling finale with its teenage tempo took the Bollywood actors back to their own student days. Friends and family of the finalists sat and lustily cheered the eight boys and eight girls who competed fiercely for the titles.

And the finalists pulled out all stops to get there, from Sheila ki Jawani, Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, Desi Girl jhatkas and contemporary ballet, showing no stage fright while delivering some high-octane performances. The boys looked dashing in clothes designed by Troy Costa while Nishka Lulla had the girls dressed in short flattering ensembles. The show itself was slickly choreographed by Marc Robinson who was also one of the judges with the actors.

DJ Akhtar played hip hop music and Emcee Sachin kept the evening flowing as the Performance Round was followed by the Clean & Clear Confidence Round. Erica Fernandes of St Andrews College stole everyone’s hearts by crooning When You Say Nothing At All to be declared the girl winner of Fresh Face 2010. And Shane Luke, Wilson College’s football champ who wore his hair long, slipped off his tee on the ramp and dribbled a football before getting down to do push-ups, was declared the boy winner of the title.
Ashrita Shetty of Patkar College, slim and tall and a belly dancer like Shakira, was the first girl runner-up. And Behram Toddywalla of PGIM College, who sang for those who have loved and lost and gained brownie points for how he would arrange an impromptu candle light-dinner with Vidya Balan, took away the first boy runner-up title.

Saurabh Pandey, a budding photographer and also a ramp enthusiast from KC College, walked with a killer attitude and got Emraan Hashmi cheering for him. “I like your attitude, dude,” said Emraan to Saurabh and announced him as the second boy runner-up. Naina Bhandary of Mithibai College, a Priyanka Chopra fan who grooved to Desi Girl in a sheer white saree, was awarded the second girl runner-up title. Another highlight of this event was the concert by Indian Ocean who rocked the evening with their huge hit Arrey Ruk Jaa Re Bandey that had the crowd go wild.

By Jilawatan

Vidya Balan may co-star with Saif Ali Khan in Vishal Bhradwaj’s jinxed film Dream Sequences, which is still live and kicking contrary to earlier reports that it has been shelved.

Balan co-starred with Saif in her 2005 debut film Parineeta, which was well received by both audiences and critics.

Dream Sequences was initially conceived with Saif and Deepika Padukone as lead pair, the duo having earlier co-starred in the box office success Love Aaj Kal.

However, around September the project appeared to have been shelved because Bhardwaj denied that he was working on it, following reports that Saif had walked out of the film over differences with him.

Earlier this month it was reported that Abhay Deol would play the male lead in the project, filming for which will start in January 2011. Priyanka Chopra was reportedly considered for the female lead.

Mid Day now reports that Saif has decided to stay with the project after a long discussion with the Omkara director.

Balan and Bhardwaj, who earlier worked together on Ishqiya, are reportedly keen to work together in Dream Sequences and are trying to work out dates.

The film is being produced by Balaji and Balan is already doing A Dirty Picture with the production house.

By Jilawatan

She turned scriptwriter with Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra starrer Anjaana-Anjaani and now Almost Single author Advaita Kala is looking forward to her next film Kahaani which will see Vidya Balan playing the central protagonist.

Kala promises that Kahaani, being directed by Sujoy Ghosh of Aladin fame, will see a completely new avatar of Vidya, who is known for her performance oriented roles in films like Pareenita, Paa and Ishqiya.

The writer says she developed the character keeping Vidya in mind and always knew that the actress will do the role. The film is currently being shot in Kolkata and will release sometime next year.

“It is a very different film. I would say Vidya is the hero of the movie. It is a very difficult role and from the very beginning Sujoy and I knew that Vidya will do it even before approaching her. And true to our belief once we told her the story she agreed immediately,” Kala told PTI.

Though Kala is reluctant to talk about the movie, reports suggest that Vidya plays a pregnant woman who has to fight her way to survive in an alien environment.

Sidharth Anand, the director of Anjaana-Anjaani read Kala’s debut novel and approached her to write the script. “It sort of happened for me. He told me the idea and we developed it into a story about these two young people,” she says.

And before she finished, Jhankar Beats director Sujoy wanted her to write the script of Kahaani.

“We were talking about doing something together and he told me this idea and before I knew the story had gripped me. Somehow this woman’s story became very important to tell,” says Kala.

Aks her about converting her novel Almost Single about a singleton fighting her way to life and persistent questions about marriage, Kala says she was approached for rights but she declined.

“When I started writing it, I did not even know that it will be a novel. I wrote almost single when I had taken a break in my career and was really annoyed with the ways single women are treated. I was approached for a movie adaptation but I think somethings are better left as a novel,” says Kala.

“A lot needs to change in Hindi movie scenario. Female oriented subjects are not given the kind of platform they deserve and I want to stay true to the spirit of the book,” she says.

Even though, Kala is enjoying her stint in scriptwriting, she is not making plans for future. “I am enjoying my time in Bollywood but who knows what life has in offer. It keeps changing. I will continue writing but I don’t want to lock myself in one form of expression,” she adds.

By Jilawatan

Shooting all day in sweaty crowded outdoor location for one film and dubbing for another film has taken its toll on Vidya Balan’s health.

After Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif, Vidya Balan has suffered a health setback caused by acute overwork. The actress suffered from nervous exhaustion in Kolkata, where she is working on Sujoy Ghosh’s film.

The incident happened earlier this week when the actress was burning the midnight oil for over a month shooting during day-time for one film and dubbing another. Suddenly in the middle of shooting, Vidya burst into tears and loud wracking sobs. A stunned silence followed. The unit was naturally shocked since there was outwardly no provocation.

Says Vidya, “Yes, it happened a few days ago and it scared the hell out of me and everyone in the unit. I am not prone to tantrums or outbursts.

I don’t know what happened to me. I just broke down. It was work pressure. In the past three months I didn’t have a day’s respite. It was crazy. I was shooting all day for Sujoy’s film in Kolkata.

Then director Rajkumar Gupta’s people had flown to Kolkata for my dubbing of No One Killed Jessica because that is releasing on January 7. So I was dubbing in the night. It was tough schedule. I guess I overdid it.

My breakdown was as much a shock to me as it was for them. I don’t know what happened. I’ve been shooting in Kolkata for a month and I’ve to shoot for another month.

Kolkata is my favourite city. I am seeing it like never before. This is my third full-fledged film in Kolkata. Much as I love the city I do miss my home and family in Mumbai.” Take it easy, gal.

By Jilawatan

After finishing the research work, now US-based Indian filmmaker Krishna Shah is looking for the right face to play main lead in his biopic on late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Titled Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story, it will be a big-budget two-part movie on the life of the Indian leader who was known as Iron Lady. Shah earlier wanted Vidya Balan to play Indira, but changed his mind after consulting Hollywood make-up artist Greg Cannom, Shah’s publicist said in a press statement here.

The filmmaker is again hunting for the right face.

“Casting is very critical for the role of India Gandhi. As it stands today, only two actresses in Bollywood are on the scanner. One is Kareena Kapoor and the other is Priyanka Chopra. Both are equally suited to play Indira Gandhi,” Shah said.

“I haven’t yet met with either of the stars. I hope to meet with them soon. Now everything depends on their response, their dates and the deal. I know whoever plays the role will be an Oscar contender. She will be remembered through posterity as Indira Gandhi,” he added.

The first preference for the role, however, was Madhuri Dixit, who could not accept the project due to personal grounds.

Part one will focus on Indira Gandhi’s political career till the 1971 war, and the other will show her personal life as a mother to her sons — Rajiv, who succeeded her as the prime minister after her assassination in 1984, and Sanjay Gandhi.

By Jilawatan

Filmmaker Krishna Shah seems to be going around Bollywood offering the Indira Gandhi role to all and sundry.

After approaching the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor, we hear he even asked Vidya Balan to reportedly essay the role of India’s most dynamic political leader. Of course, Vidya refused.

Her current venture is keeping her well occupied. Vidya has started work on Sujoy (Alladin) Ghosh’s new film where she plays a pregnant widow seeking vendetta. Sounds like some Kill Bill idea?

By Jilawatan

After the mega success of Race, filmmakers Abbas-Mastan have confirmed that they have retained Saif Ali Khan and Anil Kapoor for the sequel Race 2. However, the new additions to the cast will now include John Abrahams and Priyanka Chopra.

Vidya Balan is quickly becoming one of the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema. After winning loads of acclaim for Paa and Ishqiya, the talented actress has now been signed for a woman-centric project to be directed by Sujoy Ghosh of Aladdin fame. The movie has been titled as Kahani.
In a shocking twist to the rape drama surrounding Shiney Ahuja, his domestic worker, who claimed to have been raped by the actor in June last year, now says the alleged incident never took place. It is believed that the 20-year-old was coerced to make the statements at the insistence of the person who secured her the job at Ahuja’s house. The sudden turn of events has raised much suspicion as police officers once claimed that medical evidence proved the rape had occurred and now, suddenly, the maid has gone missing.

AAMIR Khan says his next movie, Dhobi Ghaat, will not arrive in December, breaking the tradition set with previous blockbusters Taare Zameen Par (2007), Ghajini (2008) and 3 Idiots (2009). Dhobi Ghaat, which marks the directorial debut of Khan’s wife, Kiran Rao, features the perfectionist actor together with Pratiek Babbar and has been scheduled to release in February next year.
There’s a new addition to Kajol’s family as the powerhouse actress and her husband, Ajay Devgan, became proud parents to a baby boy on Monday. The couple also have a seven-year-old daughter named Nysa. Perhaps they can now say We Are Family!

The sudden death of actor Muralli, 46, came as a shock to all who knew this humble, unassuming but talented actor. He succumbed to a heart attack in the early hours of September 8. Muralli made his film debut in 1984 in the Kannada film Prema Parva, which was directed by his father, Sidhalingaiyah. He shot to prominence through his second film, Poovilangu, and cemented his place in the industry with his third film, Pagal Nilavu, the film which introduced director Manirathinam to the Tamil film world. This was followed by a series of box-office failures, broken by the release of Pudhu Vasantham. The film was a huge hit and a trendsetter, firmly re-establishing Muralli as an actor of note in Kodambakkam. Others major hits to his name include Idhayam, Poomani, Pohrkalam, Vetri Kodu Kattu, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Anandham and Sundhara Travels. His last film was Baana Kaathaadi (still to release in South Africa) which launched his son, Adharva, as a lead actor. Muralli is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Less than a week after Muralli’s death, Kodambakkam lost yet another talented artist with the demise of playback singer Swarnalatha last Sunday. Swarnalatha, 37, had been suffering from diminishing breathing ability for the last year and did not record during that period. Her singing debut was in 1987 under the music of MS Visvanathan when she sang the duet Chinnanjiru Killiye Kannamma from Needhikku Thandanai with KJ Yesudas. Swarnalatha enjoyed the most success with composers Illaiyaraja and AR Rahman. Her first hit song was the immortal Aaatamaa Therottamma for Illaiyaraja in Captain Prabhagaran. Other notable hits she enjoyed with Illaiyaraja were Pohvoma Oorkolam (Chinna Thambi), Maasi Maasam (Dharma Dhurai) Adi Raakamma Kaiyai Thatttu (Thallabadhi), Yen Ulle Yen Ulle (Valli) and Malai Kohyil Vaasalil (Veera).

With AR Rahman, she enjoyed hits such as Mukaala Mukaabala (Kaadhalan), Uyire (Bombay), Maya Machindhra and Akadaannu (Indian) and the song that won her the national award for best playback singer, Poraale Ponnuthaayi (Karuthamma). She was a spinster and lived alone.

Rajinikanth’s Endhiran continues to record more firsts for Tamil and Indian cinema. Last Saturday the film’s trailers were released at a function that brought together a host of actors, producers and directors. What stood out about Rajnikanth was the simplicity with which he arrived and his constant modesty about the extent of his role in the film. The trailer has been received with great excitement and enthusiasm as cinema halls begin to announce their showtimes for what is easily the biggest Indian film ever. At the Mayajaal complex in Chennai’s East Coast Road, Endhiran will have 60 shows a day, with the first fortnight expected to be booked out when the first day of bookings open. Endhiran is the first Indian film to cross the 1.3-billion rupee budget and is also the first Tamil film to be released internationally by HBO. It is also the first Indian film to have a day-and-date release in China. Endhiran is also the first Indian movie to have two Oscar winners in its team – music composer AR Rahman and sound engineer Ressul Pookutty.
Kamalhassan and Bollywood’s Anil Kapoor are to come together on screen in a dual-language production that will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi. Kapoor has been very vocal in his admiration for Kamalhassan and approached him to do a joint venture. He was delighted when Kamalhassan agreed. Further details about this joint venture will be made later this week.

By Jilawatan

Bollywood’s bombshell and one of the sexiest actresses alive Priyanka Chopra can invite a whole herd of male with just a wink of her twinkling eye. From Harman to a possible Shahid, Priyanka has cast her spell on one and all.

But, an old man is giving the younger brigade a run for their money. The veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah will rouse jealousy in our burning hearts as, pretty soon, we shall sulkily watch him enjoying the bed with the sexy Priyanka on her side.
In ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’, he plays her eldest husband and despite a 3 decade gap, Priyanka has, effortlessly, got steamy with him. Sultry, suave Priyanka, herself, whispers, “Naseer sir and I had worked together many years ago in an espionage film called Asambhav. I remember I would look at his feet while talking to him; I was in awe. This recent experience was a completely different one. If it weren’t for his acting skills, I would have been petrified even now.”
Recently, ‘Ishqiya’ saw Vidya Balan lock lips with the legendary Naseeruddin. And now, Priyanka shall sizzle along with him, though, reports of a lip-kiss haven’t yet surfaced. All in all, Naseeruddin Sir’s stars are burning bright and beautiful at the moment……..