Latest Features from BollywoodHungama.com http://www.bollywoodhungama.com Hungama Feed Creator http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/templates/default/images/bollywoodhungamalogo.gif http://www.bollywoodhungama.com http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/07/5753/index.html From the Ramayan to Rahman, that's the journey that according to Gulzar saab, the phrase 'Jai Ho' has made. "It's not as if I coined it on the spot for Slumdog Millionaire," says Gulzar saab after hearing that 'Jai Ho' has been nominated on Thursday in prestigious category of 'Best Song Written For A Motion Picture' at the Grammys. "'Jai Ho' is a term that is as ancient as it is sacrosanct. I would sound extremely foolish if I took any credit for that phrase or for the success of that song. The entire credit must go to Rahman and Rahman alone. He has taken our popular sounds to an international level." On hearing of his song 'Jai Ho' being nominated for the coveted Grammy, the song's writer Gulzar saab makes a startling observation and suggestion. "Both me and Rahman have done work that has been like before. What makes 'Jai Ho' special was that it was part of a non-Indian film. Slumdog Millionaire is not an Indian film. Just like Gandhi was not. We need to understand that international recognition comes to us when India is packaged into a non-Indian vehicle. Slumdog Millionaire could vie for mainstream American and European awards because it was an international film. Otherwise our films like Neecha Nagar, Mother India, Do Beegha Zameen and the films of Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray have been nominated in the 'foreign' categories." Gulzar saab has a suggestion. "Let's have a category for best foreign cinema in our National awards so that we too have a chance to recognize films made outside India." As for 'Jai Ho' acquiring a life much longer than the film, Gulzar saab says, "When I wrote 'Jai Ho' I was looking for a phrase that would best represent Indian sentiments. That it's now gone from the Oscars where movies are honoured, to the Grammys where music gets recognized, is an amazing journey for 'Jai Ho'. Like I said it's from the Ramayan to Rahman. I will take no credit for it."]]> Subhash K. Jha Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:36:28 EDT http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/07/5752/index.html It's the Ranbir Kapoor wave. Saawariya is a thing of the past and suddenly the nation has woken up to the emerging superstar who has not just delivered two back to back successes (Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani) but also found a certain respectability coming his way as an actor. Belonging to those rare breed of newer generation actors who have also found being hailed as stars in their initial efforts itself (Hrithik Roshan is the last big name that comes to the mind), Ranbir Kapoor today finds himself in a comfortable position in the industry. With Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year coming up next and all set to be a success, courtesy names like Shimit Amin (Chak De India, Ab Tak Chappan) and Yash Raj involved, he must be a little relieved, right? "Yes, I am and mainly due to the fact that Rocket Singh.... experience has taught me something which is that one can never be over and above a film. In totality, one has to look at the kind of respect that the film gets. I am sure Rocket Singh... will get all the respect that it deserves", he says in a confident tone. Given the fact that the director at the helm of affairs is none other than Shimit Amin who gave Shah Rukh one of his most respected characterisation ever in Chak De India, what is Ranbir's view about Rocket Singh...? "I can proudly say that Rocket Singh... is not just my greatest film till date but also one of the greatest films made in the recent times. Believe me, it belongs to a different world altogether", he states positively. Coming up next is Rajneeti which seems like an altogether different outing for Ranbir when compared to the three releases he has enjoyed in 2009. Happy to have found himself in this glorious period where different films are being made? "Of course and the best part is that all these films are like chalk and cheese and have shaped up quite well", says Ranbir. Meanwhile these are hectic times for Ranbir. He has been virtually promoting Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Rocket Singh... back to back. He was also busy wrapping up the shoot of Ranjeeti while also participating in the overseas schedule of Siddharth Anand's Anjaana Anjaani with Priyanka Chopra in the middle of it all. Given the fact that recently even Amitabh Bachchan commented that promoting a movie is tougher than shooting, does he too believe in the saying? "Ask me", he smiles, "No really, it is no fun. Thankfully both Wake Up Sid and Ajab Prem... succeeded, so it means that I continued to talk about them even after their release. Now there is Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year arriving in a few days so I guess there is still no time for rest. Thankfully, shooting for Anjaana Anjaani acted as a breather of sorts."]]> Joginder Tuteja Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:53:18 EDT http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/07/5751/index.html Like every week, this Monday too we have for all you Bollywood buffs our incredibly popular feature -Guess Who? Today we have for you an actress who is often considered a lucky mascot by many filmmakers. Her debut film may have bombed badly at the B.O. but since then there has simply been no looking back for this gorgeous babe who has been part of many blockbuster films. No wonder then that she is the reigning Queen of the Box Office. 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 you answers like always in the comments section below: To find out last week's answer click here ]]> Bollywood Hungama News Network Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:56:31 EDT http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/05/5750/index.html Vidya Balan is extremely happy with an all around positive response that she has got for her role of an unwed mother in Paa. While keeping her emotions in check and not allowing all the appreciation to make her go overtly gaga, Vidya does admit though that such huge response has come to her four long years after her debut effort Parineeta. "I guess the wait has been worth it", says Vidya who plays the mother of a 12 year old kid (played by Amitabh Bachchan) suffering from Progeria in Paa, "I was doing films and by God's grace most of them were successful as well. However, the kind of respect that is coming the way of everyone associated with Paa is overwhelming, heart warming and above all humbling." It is this respect factor that has been the biggest moment for Vidya. When the film's trial was held a few days back, she was convinced that the film would certainly be remembered for its sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. Though box office factor wasn't to be ignored, she along with director Balki knew that at the least film would see good respectability coming its way. "One can't say much about box office in any case because sometimes even the most quintessential commercial flicks don't really click with the audiences. However, you instinctively know whether your film has turned out to be a quality outing or not. I remember the days of Lage Raho Munnabhai when we came out of the first screening. Along with Raj Kumar Hirani, I knew that we had made a good film. Same was the case with Paa", details Vidya. Now she is eagerly awaiting the box office response for Paa. Given the fact that it is coming a week after De Dana Dan and a week before Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year, Paa has to score and do that really fast. "I have been told though that the film has been accepted well by the audience and along with critical appreciation, it is also showing good word of mouth from those who have seen it", she says with that characteristic smile of hers. What she says does hold good ground. Though the opening wasn't exceptional (as expected due to its theme), the film has shown a constant increase in crowd inflow with every passing show. Says a trade insider, "The occupancy for Paa on Saturday is almost double than that of Friday. Everyone thought that the film was mainly targeting the class audiences in big cities but it is doing well even in interiors like Nagpur and other cities and towns." Meanwhile, Vidya's phone hasn't stopped ringing. "Such appreciation is always welcome. Ever since the film's premiere, there have been congratulatory calls, which is heart warming. I have been literally glued to my cell-phone for last 3 days at stretch and I am certainly not complaining." Given the fact that her last film Kismat Konnection (2008) was a success and so was Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), she would be used to such adulation, isn't it? "Honestly speaking, there have been good words but such volume of calls is a first", she confesses, "I remember getting quite a few messages during Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Kismat Konnection. However, so many people actually making an effort and giving me a call reminds me of Parineeta days. Paa has fetched me the best response since my debut film." With her much in news Ishqiya round the corner that has an author backed role reserved for her, one waits to see if Vidya gets a further one up over Paa and Parineeta in weeks to come. Starring Naseruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi as the male protagonists, Abhishek Chaubey directed Ishqiya is produced by Vishal Bhardwaj & Raman Maroo and sees a 15th January release.]]> Joginder Tuteja Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:56:02 EDT http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/05/5749/index.html Celina Jaitly was in for a shock when her name was announced as a Best Female Actor for her English film Love Has No Language in the recently held Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). While she was busy clapping for other actors and film makers who were being called on stage to be conferred awards, she was clueless that she had been nominated as a Best Actor as well. "I was invited for the event as a guest of honour. Since I am also an Egyptian tourism ambassador, it was double the reason for me to be present in the event. I knew that my film Love Has No Language had been a New Zealand entry for the film festival which saw entries from across the globe. However, I was in for a shock when I was called to come on stage. I was frozen on my seat for a while and didn't know how to react", says Celina who has since returned to India over the weekend. Some of the other prominent Bollywood personalities who came back home with awards were Madhur Bhandarkar, Irrfan Khan and Boney Kapoor. On the D-day, Celina did make quite a few heads turn though. She got an outfit exclusively created for the event and wore a Neeta Lulla creation - a multi-hued Indo-Egyptian gown. Meanwhile this is not the last that Celina has seen of Cairo International Film Festival. From next year on, she would also be a member of honorary jury. "This is definitely thrilling and a great honour", comments Celina. Talking about Love Has No Language, the film is directed by Kahn Khan and stars New Zealand actor Ben Mitchell along with Rati Agnihotri and Kiran Kumar. The film has already been released in New Zealand. However, it won't arrive in India. "No, it won't see a theatrical release here," sighs Celina, "However, it would be available on DVD soon." Nonetheless, Celina is happy with one of the first major awards coming her way. What has also been the icing on the cake is the fact that the journey for her has begun on an international platform. "I am glad to be a part of films like Love Has No Language. It means a lot to me and appreciation like this is just timely because it further instills confidence in you as an actor", says Celina who would soon be seen in an author backed role of a central protagonist in Accident on Hill Road which releases on 18th December.]]> Joginder Tuteja Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:04:31 EDT http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/12/05/5746/index.html Bollywood Hungama News Network Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:58:42 EDT