Check out this Forbes list....More

Midhun Lal on winning the second season of the dance reality show....More

Kannada singer Shashidhar Kote on his musical career....More

Reader Rohit Dundigalla has sent us a photographer of the star....More

Check out the weekend box office....More

If only the director had kept to his original premise, this Tamil movie would have been something else....More

This Kannada movie has nothing going for it. Stay away!...More

The film industry is facing many diktats from political parties. Is this right? Tell us!...More

Even after two decades of unprecedented gain for the Indian Americans in terms of public visibility, old 1980's cliches continue to define their space on television....More

Green Zone was a distant second to Alice in Wonderland at the US box office....More

Priyanka Chopra was in Delhi to cheer for the Indian Hockey team, all energy and enthusiasm. ...More

Salman goes out of the way to let brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri produce the Hindi version of Bodyguard, to be earlier produced by Boney Kapoor ...More

Fatrina..er..Katrina lookalike - the plump and the short version of Katz and the Veer girl, Zarine Khan, is having a tough time shedding those extra kilos. ...More

The right wing is at it again, targeting the Hindi film industry, but this filmmaker’s fighting back....More

Rakhi Sawant may have gone for a swayamwar herself, but she isn’t okay with Rahul Mahajan’s marriage on reality TV ...More

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor praised superstar Shah Rukh Khan for standing up against Shiv Sena during the controversy surrounding the release of 'My Name Is Khan', saying that the bullying of artistes by political groups needs to stop. ...More

Abhishek Bachchan is a happy man after having won at least one award for his work in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi 6, even if it was for the worst accent. ...More

Actor Vivek Oberoi says he lost his childhood sweetheart to cancer when he was 18. ...More

After a forced sabbatical and the success of My Name Is Khan, Shah Rukh Khan is back, having discovered new frontiers as an actor, he tells Subhash K Jha....More

Bollywood’s hot and successful icon Aamir Khan makes a birthday confession...More

That’s because the B-town star is her sister-in-law first, and she won’t use Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s name to further her career, says Shrima Rai in an exclusive with TOI......More

Bollywood actor Harman Baweja was named worst actor for his performance in the dud What’s Your Raashee? and Kareena Kapoor got the worst actress title for her role in Kambakkht Ishq at the second annual Golden Kela awards....More

His film might have a bold theme but director Dibakar Banerjee says everyone should watch it...More

International singer Akon shook a leg with the Bollywood Baadshah at SRK’s IPL bash........More

Sushmita Sen is now bonding with her former boyfriend Manav Menon, insists they were always good friends - and that she’s still single...More

Fatrina..er..Katrina lookalike - the plump and the short version of Katz and the Veer girl, Zarine Khan, is having a tough time shedding those extra kilos. ...More

It’s been two decades since her very first hit, but Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue is still raking in records amount of cash. ...More

Rachna Banerjee is all for King Khan’s team, but she prefers to watch Dada scoring big on the field, while sitting at home...More

Renee Zellweger wants to become VP of her company. But before she can do that, she must move from Miami to Minnesota and supervise the downsizing of a manufacturing plant. Turns out, it isn't as easy as she thought it would be, specially when the uptown city girl begins to fall in love with the trade union guy, Harry Connick Jr.......More

While the cricket fever has gripped the nation again, TV actor Rahul Raj Singh is ready with his own team comprising quite a few celebs. ...More

On a trip to Kolkata, Motherjane vocalist Suraj Mani unmasks the Kochi-based five-piece progressive rock band’s philosophy.........More

It was an unannounced party. Till the end, there was no news of a celebration scheduled for the cricketers, after the first IPL match got over in Chandigarh on Saturday....More

Lahore is being looked as the most authentic sports film ever made in India and has some of the best technicians from Bollywood and Hollywood. ...More

While Ms India, Delhi girl, Puja Gupta made it to the top 10, jury showed her the door in the top 5 round....More

Fifteen finalists from a field of 77 contestants were announced in Monday night's show. They were picked last week during preliminary judging....More

Shilpa was in the Capital again, minus Richard Gere, but endorsing a brand some might consider interesting – a diet vodka! ...More

Over 210,000 people gathered on Mexico City's central Zocalo square for a free concert by Colombian star Shakira....More

After playing the role of a super chef in Cheeni Kum, Big B says he never gets into the kitchen....More

Japanese beauty Riyo Mori was crowned Ms Universe 2007 in a glittering ceremony at the National Stadium in Mexico City....More

As RGV readies with his take on Sholay, we give you an exclusive look at the new Jai played by newcomer Prashant Raj....More

After critically acclaimed films like Mr & Mrs Iyer, Aparna Sen is now working on a story on love across countries....More

Spider-Man 3 has managed to displace Titanic from the top of the Indian box office to become the biggest H'wood hit in India. ...More

The producers of Rajnikanth starrer Sivaji have chosen Kalaignar TV over the Maran family-owned Sun network. ...More

The broadcast rights of the latest Rajnikanth starrer, Sivaji have been sold to the DMK-run Kalaignar TV....More

Last weekend Bollywood dished out Shootout... and Cheeni Kum. So, let’s check the facts and figures on who fared better....More

Surf's Up is an animation film based on a premise that surfing was actually invented by the penguins. ...More

The 12-day long 60th Cannes Film Festival came to a close with a glittering red carpet and awards ceremony on Sunday....More

In Ram Gopal Verma's Sholay, while Amitabh Bachchan plays Gabar, there's Ajay Devgan as Veeru....More

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Cannes Film Festival's top prize Palme d'Or on Sunday with 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days....More

By now its common knowledge that the Riteish Deshmukh- Jacqueline Fernandez starrer Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai (JKSAH) helmed by debutant director Milap Zaveri features some of the top names of the industry in interesting cameos. However, the one person who has probably the most interesting cameo in the film is none other than director Farah Khan. Farah plays herself (director Farah Khan) in the film and her scenes with Riteish are sure to bring the house down. Says Milap, "Farah Khan plays herself in the film. She is this top director who is directing a film with one of the biggest superstars 'Desh' played by Ruslaan Mumtaz. She is shown to be quite forgetful, short-tempered and keeps losing her cool on poor Riteish who plays her Assistant Director in the film. There is a scene in which Riteish gives her a cup of coffee and when she doesn't like it, she spits it all on his face. Basically she treats him like dirt and hardly ever bothers to acknowledge his presence. It's quite a funny scene and both Farah and Riteish have done a fabulous job." Milap also has another interesting anecdote to share about Farah's character in JKSAH. "We shot the portions involving Farah almost a year ago and during that time we decided to incorporate a gag in which Farah's character says, 'In my next film I am not working with Shah Rukh Khan but am working with the new superstar Desh', played by Ruslaan Mumtaz. Call it coincidence or what, the same happened in real life too when Farah signed Akshay and not SRK for her directorial venture Tees Maar Khan. It was weirdly funny", signs off Milap with a smile....More

It seems like ages since one saw Minissha Lamba on the silver screen. It was way back in October'09 when she was seen in a sizzling new avtar in Kidnap. The film didn't do much at the box office and though Minissha had seen critical and commercial success coming her way through Shaurya and Bachna Ae Haseeno respectively, she chose to lie low. Now that she is back in Well Done Abba, wheels seem to be moving yet again for the petite Minissha. From Yahaan to now Well Done Abba, she has been choosing a variety of films. Is she feeling lucky? Smiles Minissha, ''I think all the films that I have done are the ones that have truly excited me. Otherwise I wouldn't sign a project which fails to arouse curiosity in me. I love to do the kind of movies that I would want to see in theatres myself. Also, what I like to do is get involved in the process of filmmaking rather than just reporting on sets when my shot is ready. That's not my style of working.'' So is she consciously balancing it all by working in offbeat and hardcore commercial cinema (read Bachna Ae Haseeno, Kidnap)? She comments honestly, ''I don't think I am at a position where I can make a choice between conventional and other films. I am yet to have a repertoire of work behind me that would enable me to do that. Right now, I am picking the best that is offered to me and I am happy with my decisions.'' Earlier titled Abba Ka Kuan, this Shyam Benegal directed film is now titled Well Done Abba. At one point of time, it wasn't quite clear that which time period was the film set in. However, in the contemporary times, the revised title has only aided the film in gaining much more recognition and hence becoming far more accessible to the multiplex junta. Says Minissha Lamba, ''Let me put this on record that that Well Done Abba is extremely current and is set in today's time. It is extremely relevant to what's happening in the country today. So let's not mistake it with something old." This Shyam Benegal directed film has been narrated in a comic and ironic vein. It is an engaging story of Armaan Ali (Boman Irani), a driver working in Mumbai. He takes leave for a month to find a husband for his teenage daughter (Minissha Lamba), who lives in a small locality close to Hyderabad. Armaan Ali returns to work only after 3 months. His young employer wants to sack him but is persuaded to listen to the reason why Armaan got so delayed. Fascinated by the experience of working with Shyam Benegal, she gushes, ''Well Done Abba is told in a very simple fun light hearted way. In any case, cinema is the reflection of society and in the same mould, this film too is quite tongue in cheek.'' The film also stars Sameer Dattani (as Minissha's love interest), Ravi Kishan, Ila Arun, Salim Ghouse, Sonali Kulkarni, Rajit Kapoor, Yashpal Sharma and Ravi Jhankal. A BIG Pictures production, the film has lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, Ila Arun and Ashok Mishra with music by Shantanu Moitra. Well Done Abba releases all over on 26th March....More

Don't breathe. Don't dare even blink. And please forget that visit to the loo. Damn, even the bag of popcorn will be forgotten on your clenched lap. Right Yaaa Wrong is the surprise shocker of the year. If you've forgotten that jump-out-of-the-seat feeling then it's time to nudge it awake again. Debutant director Neerraj Pathak deserves a welcoming salute. He puts together a thriller that's as much homage to Alfred Hitchcock and Brian da Palma as our own Abbas-Mustan and Right Yaaa Wrong still emerges original and strong. An intricate jigsaw that always stays a step ahead of the audience, Right Yaaa Wrong makes a penetrating comment on how the country's legal system can be subverted in a clever hand. More importantly the taut and briskly-paced script suggests that the yin and yang concepts of right and wrong are not only ambivalent but also interchangeable when the context is right. Sunny Deol, back in shape in every which way, plays a cop who in the first two reels loses the power to walk. But the narration simply sprints along through a series of unpredictable twists and turns that take the striking characters across a maze of intrigue and conspiracy. Truly, the screenplay is far superior to its execution. And that's entirely a comment on the above-average caliber of the writing. Writers Girish Dhamija, Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and Neerraj Pathak pack in a walloping punch in both pre- and post-interval hours. The characters and their motivations address themselves to adventure-thriller-suspense would of James Hadley Chase and Sidney Sheldon. The men are brave and heroic, clever and fearless. Even when cuckolded Deol is dignified in the embrace of betrayal. Editor Ashfaq Makrani juxtaposes moments of tense suspense with glimpses of heightened poignancy. This is murder in mellow shades. The cop's wife played by Esha Koppikhar is unabashedly wanton. Outwardly she's the duty-bound cop's home-bound wife with a perfect home and cute son (Ali Haji). Scratch the surface and there emerges a woman who's sleeping with the cop's kid-brother. Ouch. Where's the couch??? Shades of Bipasha from Abbas-Mustan's Race? Yes? But don't let this hectic whodunit's antecedents bother you. The storytelling takes wings from the word go. And we are swept ahead. As the characters go from 'bed' to worse. However the people in Pathak's pacy plot are so hurriedly propelled to their nemesis that we never get close enough to any of them to understand their inner world. The depths are discarded for the dips and curves. The performances are even and well-informed. Sunny Deol in a role that requires him to sublimate his pain in a status of stoicism gets it just right. Irrfan creates ample space for himself in a role that's sketchy for starters but gathers substance as the yarn progresses. Konkona Sen Sharma as the stereotypical Sympathetic Shoulder gets rid of her set-expressions and comes up with a performance of restrained bravura in the courtroom. And Esha Koppikhar plays the thankless role of the unfaithful wife and a disgraceful mother with much relish. Here's a film that extends the borders of morality. It does so in the commercial language without resorting to crass situations and dialogues. For fans of Sunny Deol's fist-friendly image here's the actor telling us that strength is sometimes a matter of holding back rather than letting it all hang out....More

In this week's edition of Guess Who, we have for you an actress who started out as a ramp model and then featured in several music videos. She later became the face of many top brands and before you knew it, she had already signed a big film opposite one of the biggest stars in Bollywood. Her first film was a blockbuster and since then there has been no looking back for this gorgeous babe. Revealing anything more would spoil all the fun, hence we leave it to you to put on your thinking caps and Guess Who the celebrity is. You may post your answers in the comments section below. To find out last week's answer click here...More

First theatrical promo of Housefull is out and undoubtedly, it has got to an all around positive response. While the makers have done well by amalgamating class with mass in the First Look, they have also smartly integrated a shot from the film which features the three leading ladies - Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan - in a two piece bikini. While the film does appear to be a good family entertainer in the offering, director Sajid and Co. have also proudly declared that Housefull will be Akshay Kumar's biggest opening film ever. Still, one can't help but pop a question - Was the bikini scene really crucial to the film? Also, was that integrated in the film so that recovering money becomes faster for its makers?' "Housefull is certainly not dependant on the bikini factor to help it recover money", comes an outright denial from Sajid, "Yes, all my leading ladies are seen in bikinis as part of the song, but on a beach resort you don't expect them to come out of the ocean wearing salwaar-kameez. Also the way it has been shot is aesthetic and not vulgar by any means. Moreover, it has been choreographed by Farah who is known for her class treatment." But still, there is a definite sex element that comes in! One wonders what made Sajid opt for it when during Heyy Babyy, he had clearly stated that he would never resort to any gimmicks or sex angle? "You have to differentiate between something looking sexy v/s some one used as a sex object from the selling perspective", Sajid explains his point of view here, "In fact throughout it's narrative, Housefull doesn't have a single second of vulgarity in it." Going back in the past, Sajid adds, "Same was the case with Heyy Babyy even though the film did have its share of hotness. It was required because the plot was set in Sydney and revolved around three bachelor friends for whom the only time pass was sleeping around. Still, family audiences went to watch the film and so would be the case with Housefull as well." Well, one looks forward to that happening, with or without the bikini scene. With Housefull being the biggest entertainer in the offering soon after the conclusion of IPL, one can well expect Bollywood starved audience to hop into theaters and watch this Sajid Nadiadwala production that stars Akshay Kumar in lead along with Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Boman Irani, Chunky Pandey and Randhir Kapoor. With music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Housefull releases all over on 30th April....More

So whodunit? Put a bunch of assorted dysfunctional men and women into a shopping mall, not to shop, but to get bumped off. And voila, the whodunit takes the characters to shop until they drop, one by one. There's a Santa Claus with a hatchet in hand running around the deathly-still, sparkling -clean, spotless and eerily blood-thirsty mall. By jove! The polished surfaces of the mall glisten with a glorious promise of gore. This, we've got to see. Luckily the unravelling of the mystery of the murderous mall is not a disappointment Hide & Seek packs in a punch. Srikant Saroj's camera stalks the corridors with a restless energy. The whole project seems to have been conceived and designed so that an emptied-out shopping mall could be used as a venue for some hardcore scares. Hide & Seek offers a terrain of mild terror, more in the thought (dark empty mall, no exit) than execution. Once the sextet of helter-skelter friends-turned-enemies is clamped shut in the lap of shivery luxury the plot thickens in rapid fire motions. The characters include a North-Indian- hating Marathi politician (ahem) played rather loudly by Arjan Bajwa and a nerd turned beefy film star played by Ayaz Khan, who create a stifling circle of tension, some of it palpable, others, pale. On the whole, the mayhem-in-the-mall holds together, generating a mix of the hazy crazy and sometimes just the lazy. On occasions the characters are driven into postures of terror more by exterior forces (scared people running in an empty mall is a great turn-on) rather than by a genuine sense of plotting urgency. The most heart-in-the-mouth moments feature debutante Amruta Patki caught alone in a movie theatre and later cowering in a ladies toilet as Santa With The Axe('axe' no questions he tells no lies) stalks her down the squeaky-cleanwashroom. So what's Hide & Seek really about? Is it about 6 'high' school friends (everyone is high on some unnamed drug or the other) who once got caught in a party plastered with jealousy intrigue rape and murder? Or is it just mayhem in a mall caught on camera that knows how to zig-zag through the serpentine corridors without knocking into hard surfaces? Either way the film offers interesting possibilities of high anxiety. Debutant director Shawn Arranha displays skill and control in a way the individually aggravated characters are kept in check when they come into contact with one another. The performances are enthusiastic, Purab Kohli being particularly interesting to watch as a mentally disturbed young man who thinks love is just a wish away. Some of the acting does get over-the-top although the director seems to avoid excess as much as he can in a film belonging to genre where gore is glory. Grant the film a few extra points for inventiveness. Also for a slasher movie the slash-and-maim quotient is minimal. And the end-game where we the audience are played with as much wicked relish as the characters, is the kind of twist amateur whodunits revel in. For an evening of chills this one is sufficiently equipped. But don't look for much more in the haunted shopping mall than meets the eye....More

It isn't often that we see two entertainers stand up for one another in public. At DJ Aqeel's club Hype on Wednesday night, Akon attended to wave to the crowds. A rather ugly situation was averted when the personnel at the Club tried to stop composer Aadesh Shrivastav from accompanying Akon to the podium. Akon had to intervene and remind the Club's staff that Aadesh was like his brother. Says Aadesh, "Yes that was a rather embarrassing situation, I'd have lost my temper if it wasn't for Akon. Akon did persuade me to come on stage with him. He has treated me like a brother from the time I got to know him five years ago. When the idea of a Punjabi track came to me, I was hesitant to put it forward to Akon, considering his packed schedule in Mumbai. But he immediately agreed." The Punjabi recording with Akon on Thursday was a riot with the singer savouring the words to the fullest. Says Aadesh, "I wrote the lyrics myself. Akon sang the track about the kudi who took away his kaleja like true Punjabi munda. I have given him a rhythm section consisting of violins, the daff, a matka, dholak and table. Akon freaked out." The singer left Mumbai on Thursday night. Aadesh Shrivastav said, "The craze for Akon singing in any language is phenomenal. You've to judge how popular Akon is among youngsters in Mumbai by the crowds that gathered for him."...More

Shah Rukh Khan won over our hearts and minds with the Good Samaritan Rizwan Khan in MNIK by helping poor American villagers in their time of need. But who would have guessed that Karan Johar shot the whole flood sequence in Mumbai and made it seem like a quaint, rural village in Georgia? A far cry from yesteryear's films that used cardboard cut-outs for the sun and the moon, the art and carft of visual effects (vfx) has progressed by leaps and bounds enabling filmmakers to use computer technology to save on crucial time and money. Directed by Karan Johar, the Shah Rukh - Kajol starrer My Name is Khan had some path breaking vfx executed by redchillies.vfx. The Mumbai based vfx house had a team of 100 artists working rigorously for three months to make the 380 vfx shots, and thus the film, a creative success. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Haresh Hingorani (Harry), Production Director at redchillies.vfx shared, "For us, creating the flood sequence was the biggest challenge. Since we had to play with computer generated (CG) water and simulations, the sequence became even more complicated. Apart from flood sequence, there were several other chroma background shots, CG elements and background creation, which took time to complete." In this exclusive case study, we bring you some of the exciting shots executed by redchillies.vfx, courtesy Fox Searchlight, Dharma Productions. Special thanks to the redchillies.vfx team - Haresh Hingorani, Arjun Mitra and Keitan Yadav. Click on the thumbnails below to check out the shot breakdown:...More

Shilpa Shetty and hubby Raj Kundra may be busy touring with their IPL team- Rajasthan Royals but that hasn't stopped them from expanding their other business interests. Shilpa and Raj recently announced the opening of their new nightclub called 'Royalty' in Mumbai. The high end club is located at the same place where popular hotspot 'Poison' was earlier situated. After their closely fought match against the Mumbai Indians on Saturday, Shilpa and Raj threw a lavish bash at their new club Royalty. The bash saw some bigwigs in attendance including Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Harman Baweja, Ameesha, Kabir Bedi, Shamita Shetty and Jackie Shroff. One will have to wait and watch if this nightclub turns out to be a hotspot for Bollywood's party animals in the days to come....More

Ever wondered why Vidya Balan looks as fresh like a Lilly. It's probably because of good sleeping habits. Therefore, naturally, Indian Sleep Disorders Association (ISDA) has appointed her as the brand ambassador of sleep awareness month that runs through all of March. The drive is to sensitise people about sleep disorders, the symptoms of which are often ignored but can cause serious health issues. It's Miss Balan's belief which is validated by doctors as well that getting a good night's sleep is as important as having daily vitamins and in case you're facing irregular sleeping patterns, it's important to see a doctor. According to experts one in every three Indian suffers from insomnia or some other form of sleep disorder but having Vidya working on creating awareness, there is bound to be a lot of people having sweet dreams....More

He is among the most versatile actors we have in Bollywood today. Having started out as an action hero with films like Phool Aur Kaante, Jigar, Vijaypath etc., this talented actor slowly moved on to display his serious and sensitive side in films like Zakhm, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Company. Just as one thought he is getting typecast, he made a dramatic turnaround by starring in some laugh riots like Golmaal, Golmaal Returns and All The Best. In case you are still wondering whom we are talking about, it is none other than the super talented Ajay Devgn Ajay's latest release Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge opened recently to some amazing reviews and the film has been growing from strength to strength with each passing day with both the masses and the classes lapping up this laugh-riot. Hence it's rather apt that we have Ajay as our 'Atithi' on Bollywood Hungama's Live Video Chat. Ajay would be there to chat with all of you on Wednesday, March 17, at 1430 hrs IST. This is one rendezvous you surely don't want to miss....More

Plans for bringing Kareena and Shahid Kapoor together to promote their pending project Milenge Milenge have been called off. It has now been decided by producer Boney Kapoor that the pair will promote the film individually. This, to avoid Kareena who's in a committed relationship, any embarrassment and awkwardness, although Shahid who had no objections to collaborating with Kareena on the promotion seems unaware of these developments. When asked if he'd be willing to promote the film jointly with Kareena, Shahid says enthusiastically, "Yes, I'll do everything I can to promote it. Of course I'll do everything in my power to see the film gets properly released. It's my film." Shahid says he has no problems whatsoever promoting the film with Kareena. However, producer Boney Kapoor feels it's wiser and more discreet to let Shahid and Kareena do separate promotional work. Says Boney, "We're getting Shahid and Kareena to do separate promotional activities. That way we give them space to be comfortable with the situation and also we get twice the amount of publicity for Milenge Milenge that we would if the pair promoted the film jointly." Shahid has not only decided to go all-out for Milenge Milenge, he has also been taking interest in the release date to ensure that it releases at a time when it is likely to get the best audience. He recently had a meeting with producer Boney Kapoor and they mutually agreed to postpone the release from April to later during the year. Says Shahid, "We met and took a joint decision. Boneyji was co-operative. Otherwise I'd have had three releases-Milenge Milenge, Paathshala and Badmaash Company-in one month." Boney says he's getting Milenge Milenge ready for release in the last week of June or the first week of July. "Milenge Milenge would be Shahid's last release until his father's film Mausam. Kareena and he look gorgeous together." In fact Shahid is enormously enthusiastic about Milene Milenge. Last week he met the film's director Satish Kaushik. Says Satish emotionally, "Though we live in the same building Shahid and I never meet! I know him from the time he was a child. On Saturday night, we bumped into each other in our high-rise compound after a party. We spoke for nearly an hour about Milenge Milenge. Shahid told me the project is very dear to him and that he would go all out to promote the film however my producer Boney Kapoor and I wanted. Shahid is at our disposal. He also asked me to update him on music video shoot."...More

He's the Deol who has managed to break away from the norms and made a niche for himself. Like they say maturity and age are far from synonymous, Abhay Deol has done what most people would steer clear from, and that is to be unconventional in every possible way. Thanks to that, he managed to find respect and appreciation among the film fraternity and his fans. And we are sure this Young Deol, will keep surprising us with each passing Year. Here's wishing Abhay one the most unconventional and happy birthday from Bollywood Hungama....More

Bryan Adams' most popular song went '18 till I die'. A statement that serves true for our very own Bollywood's talent house Aamir Khan, who till date can carry of the role of a college student with just as much ease as he did in his teen years in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. It's as if age surpasses him with each passing year. He has not only grown in years, the man has grown in talent too. There is none like any him in our industry yet he humbly refuses any flattering title one might wish to give him. He is popularly known to do only one film a year and the kind that every fan of his waits with bated breath. His work is nothing short of a masterpiece but this perfectionist self is never satisfied. His zest to do better has made him a benchmark for quality in our industry, and Bollywood Hungama would take this opportunity to wish this phenomenon called Aamir Khan a very happy birthday. You too can post your birthday wishes for Aamir in the comments section below:...More

Talented director Tanuja Chandra, who has made some hard-hitting films like Dushman, Sangharsh and Sur, is all set to start her next directorial venture. The film is apparently a romantic comedy and stars Rajeev Khandelwal and Vir Das in lead roles. The hunt for the female lead is still on. The as-yet-untitled film will be produced by Anuj Saxena's Maverick Productions. The film is likely to go on floors in the middle of this year....More

Aamir Khan's intellect is not a facade he puts on for his films but he is truly a man who knows exactly what he's talking about in all seriousness. To validate that is the fact that he has been invited to a highly prestigious summit in New Delhi today- the 13th March with none other than the esteemed Oscar Winning director James Cameron. The Summit is being held on the subject of Reality v/s Idealism and will also see young Bollywood actors Asin and Ranbir Kapoor who would be the voice of the Youth of Bollywood. Asin would be speaking on how the youth can break free and think out of the box to bring change in a country that is much in need of it. The two young stars will also be attending the exclusive gala dinner which will be addressed by James Cameron and Aamir and what makes all of this extremely special is the fact that only a select few personalities have been invited to this summit and dinner. Aamir in fact would also have the opportunity of bringing in his 45th birthday in the presence of stalwarts like James Cameron. Must say this is one occasion the actor isn't likely to forget in a long, long time....More

Be forewarned... LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is not the archetypal/mundane/formulaic stuff that one has grown watching. LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is not for the faint-hearted. LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is not for the orthodox/conformists/moral watchdogs of society. First things first! It's not another version of Steven Soderbergh's SEX, LIES, & VIDEOTAPE [1989], as widely rumoured. Now let me hit the nail on the head. Don't expect the expected from Dibakar Banerjee. LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA, helmed by the director of KHOSLA KA GHOSLA and OYE LUCKY! LUCKY OYE!, is a complete departure from what we have witnessed so far. It talks of voyeurism [it has been divided into three stories, each focussing on different plots pertaining to voyeurism]. It is brave. It is scandalous. Most importantly, it is path-breaking. You will either love it or loathe it. LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is not an easy film to comprehend either. The constant shaking of camera [it's a digital film with a hidden camera playing a character by itself] may bother you initially, since this is the first time that a storyteller has used this technique in Bollywood to narrate three different stories in one film. But the material is so compelling [screenplay: Dibakar Banerjee and Kanu Behl] and the stories so captivating that you absorb this storytelling technique within a few minutes of its commencement. Dibakar makes an attempt to tell you that there's no privacy in today's age, courtesy cell phones, spy cams, sting operations and MMS. Technology is not just a boon, but also a bane and the film reiterates this fact. Final word? LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA signifies the changing face of Hindi cinema. Ekta Kapoor's first foray into experimental cinema has all it takes to be a cult film that might just trigger off a new trend in Bollywood. It's courageous, disturbing and yet entertaining! Story I: In a film institute in North India, a student gears up for his diploma film. With an amateur small-town cast, Rahul starts filming a love story and eventually falls in love with his heroine Shruti. They elope, get married and dream of a blissful future. Story II: Adarsh installs security cameras in a small, upcoming 24-hour department store. In desperate need of cash to clear off his debts, Adarsh hits upon the idea of making a porn clip through the security cameras in the shop. The victim? Rashmi, who works in the store. Story III: Prabhat - a sting journalist - attempts a series of failed suicides. He meets Naina, who is also trying to commit suicide. She had been promised a music video by Loki Local, a Hip Hop pop star. She slept with him for the same, but the video finally went to a Russian blonde. Prabhat and Naina decide to do a sting operation. The first story starts off as a spoof on Bollywood, but you gradually realize that it bears an uncanny resemblance to at least two real-life love stories, which have had a heart-rending ending and which continue to remain in news to this date. The second story - the MMS scandal - is scary. Just Google on MMS scandals and you will realize that so many girls have been victims of this technology. Unfortunately, in several reported cases, the MMS clips were distributed by the boyfriends themselves. I'd like to add something more about this story... The sequence, however, is not meant to be seen as individual scene because it's an integral part of the story. The nudity is not aimed to titillate, but repel you. The scene is so stark and shot so pragmatically that at the end of the story, you start feeling distressed. The third story - a sting operation - mirrors an actuality, yet again. You can't deny that the casting couch exists and people do resort to shortcuts to attain name, fame and money overnight. The sequence involving the Hip Hop pop star and the wannabe actress seems straight out of life. Also, we get a glimpse of how we consume news these days and journalists are forced to cover entertainment, instead of facts. Director Dibakar Banerjee has a unique sensibility and a keen eye for the unconventional. His choice of subject and decision to shoot the film on a digital format needs to be lauded and also the intertwining of the three stories. LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is sure to shake you. It's provocative and steamy, but it's scandalous and startling as well. There's just one song in the narrative - the title track - which is already popular thanks to its catchy tune and filming. The DoP [Nikos Andritsakis] does a splendid job. Seems like the film has been shot on a handycam, security cameras placed in shops, underwater cameras and spy cameras, which is, again, very innovative. Editing [Namrata Rao] is perfect. There was a need for fresh faces in order to portray the realism and the performances of each and every member of the cast are superb. Anshuman Jha [as Rahul], Shruti [as Shruti], Raj Kumar Yadav [as Adarsh], Neha Chauhan [as Rashmi], Amit Sial [as Prabhat], Arya Devdutta [as Naina] and Herry Tangri [as Loki Local] are amazing actors all. On the whole, LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA is original, innovative and ground-breaking cinema, which will shock and provoke you. The film is definitely not for the faint-hearted or those who swear by stereotypical fares, but for those who yearn for a change. The youth, especially in metros, should fall hook, line and sinker for this one. The volatile title as also the explosive content should make this low-cost film [budgeted at approx. Rs. 1.5 cr.] a commercial accomplishment!...More

A wide majority of Hindi movies look at urban issues. Right from the outfits to the lingo, there's no denying that Hindi movies also look at West for inspiration. In real life too, burgers, pizzas, sizzlers and colas have replaced sarson ka saag, dal-roti and sherbat-n-gola. But you do crave for desi food when you keep munching non-desi stuff all the while, don't you? The fact is, desi stories, with real characters, can never go out of fashion. In fact, a number of present-day film-makers often tell me that they look upon, besides other reputed names, Hrishikesh Mukherjee as an inspiration. On one hand you had Amitabh Bachchan, the reigning superstar of 1970s and 1980s, doing a SHOLAY and an AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY and on the other hand, doing a BEMISAAL and a CHUPKE CHUPKE for Hrishi-da. Debutante director Rahul Aggarwal also, very respectfully, credits his inspiration to Hrishi-da and his first outing NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE mirrors the fact at several points of the narrative. The protagonist in the film is like any other non-descript person you set your eyes on the street, who is as helpless as you and me in a life-changing situation. A film like NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE ought to have a simple, uncomplicated plotline and actors who can pull off these roles without 'acting' those parts. While the writing is interesting at times and wobbly at places [the climax is weak], the set of actors are more or less believable. Final word? NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE may not be that small little gem that sparkles brightly even in the dark, but it's an earnest effort from a first-time storyteller [Rahul Aggarwal] nonetheless. Devki Nandan Tripathi [Rahul Aggarwal] is a simple, rustic man who decides to try his luck in the city of dreams, Mumbai. He gets a job at the Mausam Vibhaag. In the city, he comes across an array of people who often find his innocence amusing and comical, but Devki realises that they stick with him even in the thickest of bogs that his life hauls him in. The very first sequence of NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE sets the mood of the film and you instantly get drawn into the world of Devki Nandan Tripathi. While major portions of the first hour are plain ordinary, it's the second half that catches your eye. The sequences between Paresh and Rahul are the mainstay of the film and the subsequent arrival of the villagers to prove that Rahul and Narayani are indeed married brings a big smile on your face. But the smile transforms into a frown as the film nears its climax. The chase and the subsequent marriage in the police station premises appears filmi and a complete compromise from the writing point of view. A better culmination to the story would've only enhanced the impact. Debutante director Rahul Aggarwal knows the grammar of film-making right, but a little more emphasis on the screenplay would've helped enormously. Lalit Pandit's music is strictly okay. K. Rajkumar's cinematography is alright. Rahul Aggarwal enacts the pivotal part with conviction. Narayani Shastri does a decent job. Both Paresh Rawal and Om Puri are first-rate. Neena Gupta is wasted. Ravi Kishan carries off the loud character very well. Ananth Mahadevan is alright. On the whole, NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE is a simple film told in the most simplistic manner. Should appeal mainly to those who cherish the Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies of yore....More

Generally speaking, a film starring relative newcomers and helmed by a first-time director comes with zilch expectations. And if the film in question happens to be a suspense-thriller, the debutante director has to walk a tight rope. One false step and chances are he'd fall on his face. Debutante director Shawn Arranha surprises you in his very first outing. It may not be the most captivating thriller you've watched, but there are moments that keep you hooked to the proceedings. Also, a suspense saga works if you continue to play the guessing game till the end and in this case, you can't tell who the culprit is. That is nothing short of a victory for this film! On the flip side, the making could've been better in terms of production values and at times, it does give an impression of being a rushed job as far as the writing is concerned. Love slasher movies? Watch HIDE & SEEK. It has ample adrenaline pumping moments! They were kids - Om, Abhi, Jaideep, Imran, Gunita and Jyotika. And it all started as a game on a chilly Christmas night. But little did they expect that night that the game would change their lives forever. Twelve years later, while some still wrestled with memories of that fateful night and others left it buried deep within them, it was a past that came back to haunt them again. Twelve years later, someone was bringing them all together. To play that game all over again. Six best friends turn into worst enemies when trapped in a shopping mall. If you let logic take a backseat, chances are you'd enjoy this ride more. Just don't question how one person, single-handedly, kidnaps his friends the same night and assembles them at one location, without any help whatsoever. If you skip this gaffe, the journey ahead would be riveting in most parts. It takes time to get used to the plot. It does get confusing when the film goes back and forth with regularity and you wonder, what is the director trying to say? But the jigsaw puzzle slowly gets solved in the post-interval portions, although the end sends out confusing signals. In view of the fact that it is his first film, Shawn does a commendable job. Only thing, he should've simplified a few things, especially the end. The songs are okay, while the camerawork lacks finesse. The performances by the lead actors are neat, with every member putting his/her best foot forward. Purab Kohli is super-efficient, as always. Arjan Bajwa gets the look and feel of the character right. Samir Kochhar leaves a strong impact. Ayaz Khan is decent. Mrinalini Sharma springs a pleasant surprise with a 'spirited' performance. Amruta Patki impresses as well. On the whole, HIDE & SEEK is a gripping suspense drama that keeps you guessing till its end. Go for it, if a good suspense thriller is what you're looking at! ...More