Bollywood News

New Zealand is always a favorite team in World Cup Cricket though they have not won any of the championship of world cup cricket. New Zealand is still a strong power in world cricket and will still be regarded as one of the probable champion of the upcoming world cup cricket which is going to be started from the 11^th of March in Caribbean region. However, New Zealand has gone through some bad situation in the recent series due to the injury problem of some of the key players like Shane Bond, one of the fastest bowlers of today’s cricket, Daniel Vettori, one of the best left arm spinners of present day’s cricket.

However, with the excellent captaincy of veteran captain Stephen Fleming, the side has the capability to destroy any cricket power in the world. It is also said that though the team has not so many stars, they play as a team rather than depending on individual performance.

It is true that they have reached at the semi-final stages of world cup for number of times but they have not reach to the final stage. Now it will also be a challenge for the balanced team to show their potential at the biggest stage of world cup. Perhaps, this would be the last world cup tournament for their captain Stephen Fleming who has recently been the longest serving captain in the history of world cricket. The side can be inspired to do something special at least to show their homage to their captain.

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Bollywood is considered to be the second largest film industry in the world and in terms of film released per year, Bollywood is far ahead than Bollywood. However, when it comes to doing business Hollywood is always far ahead of Bollywood. Product endorsement and movie merchandise is a big business in USA but not in India. The good thing is that the film producers are now understanding the potential of product merchandising. Cinematical reports:

Indian cinema isn’t like US cinema … at least not yet. In 2003, the cinematically prolific India had close to double the feature films of the US — 877 -vs- 473. Is it a big, sacred cash cow? It might not seem so with movie tickets costing less than half of one US dollar, but last year the industry raked in over a billion dollars — imagine the profits if they paid what we do! While the sheer size of the industry makes the North America’s look teeny, they can’t come close to the power of the movie merchandise business — at least not yet.

Derek Bose, the author of Brand Bollywood: A New Entertainment Order told Reuters that “Bollywood’s top producers and studios have woken up to the possibility of earning money other than from the box office which can not remain their only revenue source.” Yes, they’ve woken up and smelled the possibilities. The industry has embraced the idea of media convergence, and are delighting in multi-platform branding. Last year, Krrish, a huge Bollywood sci-fi hit, came out with everything from action dolls to costumes and stationary.

Hollywood is one of the oldest and most reputed film industries in the world. No wonder what Hollywood thinks today the rest of the world thinks tomorrow. However, Indian cinema industry is not negligible any more. Aside from India Hindi movies are very popular in Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and in many other countries in the world. Along with this there is the increasing number of audience in Europe and America. India movie industry is at its zenith. This is the best time to do business.

After winning the popular Star Screen Award award Kareena Kapur’s confidence has increased a lot. She says that now she would do only quality movies and good roles. Big projects and big movies do not hold any importance to her. Kareena with his performance in Omkara beat Kajol in this category. This was Kareena’s first people’s choice award and it inspired her to work harder. I am quoting from the report published in Bollywood.com

Kareena has set high standards for herself after winning the best actress STAR Screen award for “Omkara”, beating popular choice Kajol in “Fanaa”.

The award has inspired Kareena to work harder. “Getting my first popular best actress award at the beginning of the year just elates me. I’m now getting the right scripts like Mani Ratnam’s ‘Lajjo’. Now, I want to do only good films. It’s so easy just to be in big projects and get big money. I don’t believe in that. I’ve to have a central part now,” said Kareena.

What about the cameo in “Don”?

“That one song is running in all the night clubs. All the college kids are dancing to it. I’ve one big hit to dance to.”

Kareena says Kajol, who lost the popular award to her, was genuinely happy for her.

“By chance Kajol was sitting right next to me when my name was announced. She was so genuinely pleased for me. Kajol along with my sister Karisma have always been my idols. Both have had their share of awards. Now, it’s my turn.

“I’ve received critics’ awards. But this is my first taste of popular awards since ‘Refugee’. ‘Omkara’ has been a great experience for me. People still come to me on flights and the gym to tell me how much they liked me in ‘Omkara’.”

Everyone who counted were there at the awards to share her.

“Karisma was there and so was my mom and Shahid (Kapur). They were so happy for me. Shahid was nominated for ‘Vivah’. But he was so happy when I won. I had gone only to perform. But I came back with an award.”

She says she has tasted blood. “I want to win at every awards function this season.”

She got to perform with the legendary Helen.

“It was a great moment. Of course, I knew her from before. I’m a filmy kid, remember? Helen aunty has seen me from my childhood. The Moranis (film financiers and owners of event management company Cineyug) suggested I perform with Helen Aunty.

“They suggested I drive onto stage in a sports car with the ‘Don’ music playing. When the sports car came in I could hear everyone from my own fraternity cheering me.

“It felt good. Then I danced to my version of ‘Yeh mera dil’ in ‘Don’. After that Helen aunty came in to dance to her own version of ‘Yeh mera dil’ from the old ‘Don’.”

Kareena is now serious about her career. She said that she does not go anywhere now accept on her boyfriend’s (Shahid Kapoor) birthday.

Kareena started at the age of 19 with J.P Dutta’s Refugee. Now, she is one of the most demanding actresses in Bollywood. She has been very successful in commercial movies. At the same times she appeared in movies like Chameli. 2006 has been good to her. Let’s see how 2007 turns out for Kareena.

Amitabh Bachchan has been reportd to be the spokesman of Bollywood to UK. Recently, British Finance minister Gordon Brown visited India and that time both Amitabh and Brown meet at the Yash Raj Film. They have talked about the probable co-operation between the film industries of the two countries. Mr. Brown has offered Big B to work in UK and has assured him to give enough facility to the Bollywood movies to be filmed in UK. Indiafm reported:

“Laughs the Big B, “Yes, we did meet at Yashraj Studio. Though this isn’t the first time that Chancellor Brown and I met. He has on other occasions asked me to be part of charitable and social global endeavours, and I’ve gladly done whatever I could.”

“I don’t know about that. But yes, he did watch Kajra re. After that we had a fairly detailed discussion. Chancellor Brown wants to extend the parameters of our collaboration with Great Britain. He wants to provide further incentives and facilities to our film industry for shooting in England.”

What the Big B desists from stating is that Gordon Brown has zeroed in on the actor as Bollywood’s primary ambassador to the UK, and is in the process of formulating ambitious plans to further Indian cinema’s reach in Britain.

The Big B reiterates, “Yes, there was a closed-door meeting after the screening of Kajra re. I am certainly willing to represent our industry in every way that I can.” People at the Gordon Brown event commented on the glow on the Big B’s face. “The glow, as you call it, comes from the fact that my son has made such an impact in Guru and that he’s getting married.”

This will be a win-win situation for both the country as Bollwood will get technological help from Britain and Britain will be known to the huge population of India which will help Britain to generate a huge amount of money.

Actress Kangana Ranaut, actress of Gangstar, has been threatened to her life from her sister Rangoli’s lover Sharma. She has been threatening for the last month through phone call and SMS. Here it is noteworthy that her sister has already been a victim of acid throwing by Sharma and his friend Prem Singh. For the recent threat, Kangana has filed a case in the local police station and Sharma and Prem Singh have been arrested but Sharma has got bail. Zee News reported:

“Deputy Commisisoner of Police V K Choubey said, “a complaint was filed at Versova police station yesterday and we are investigating the matter.”

Police here have written a letter to their counterparts in Uttarakhand, informing the latter about the alleged threats to Kangana, who lives in the metropolis.

In Dehra Dun, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Gunjiyal said Avinash Sharma, on whose alleged instructions acid was thrown on Kangana`s sister Rangoli last year, has been “ringing up” the actress on her mobile phone and “threatening to throw acid on her face if he failed to marry Rangoli”.

Allegedly acting at the behest of Sharma, his friend Prem Singh posed as a courier boy and threw acid on Rangoli`s face in Dehradun on October 5 last year.

“He (Sharma) also tried to meet Kangana personally,” Gossain said. Kangana was not available for comment.

Rangoli is reportedly being treated in a hospital in Mumbai for burns sustained in last year`s attack.

Uttarakhand police had arrested Sharma and Singh and a court in Dehradun granted bail to Sharma on November 13. Gunjiyal said police would oppose Sharma`s bail in the district court.”

It seems very bad that a new but promising actress has been threatened and her sister has been a victim of acid throwing. This is the responsibility of the local government to investigate the incident and punish the accused persons. I hope such unfortunate incident will be taken seriously by the government.

It has been floating around Bollywood for some time. Aditya Chopra, one of the top ranking directors and son of famous director Yash Chopra, is going to direct Dhoom III. Aditya debuted as director with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, one of the most successful films ever made in Bollywood. Planet Bollywood reports:

Although this is just some healthy speculation, the rumor-mill has it that the man to director Dhoom III is none other than Aditya Chopra. Undoubtedly, one of the most imfluential men in Bollywood, if this hunch turns to reality, Aditya would be waving the director’s baton after seven long years! His last directorial venture was 2000’s Mohabbatein. Remember ladies and gentlement, this is the same man who debuted with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, to this day it remains an all-time classic in the hearts of millions of Bollywood lovers. So it’s safe to say that the expectations are multiplied in yet the third chapter of this high-flying action packed thriller.

Aditya is planning to cast Khan for the role of villain which was played by Hrithik in DhoomII. Aishwarya is also on his list.So far, Dhoom and DhoomII have been huge success. Aditya was the producer of these two movies. Now, he is going behind the camera. Once again he is going to shout LIGHTS CAMERA AAAND ACTION!!!

Shilpa Sheety is now one of the biggest stars in UK as she won the Celebrity Big Brother. It is not only fame but also money coming to her with a great extent. It has been reported that she may get about £ 10 million. Earlier she was racially abused by some of her fellow celebrities in the reality television show which has created much news in both Indian and England. On the other hand, Jade Goody, one of the racist bullies is not going to be ruined after being voted out of the show following the incident of racism. Hellomagazine reported:

The multilingual, 31-year-old from Tamil Nadu is already in talks to star in a BBC comedy by Sanjeev Bhaskar of The Kumars At No 42 fame. Her mum Sunanda reportedly has other plans for her attractive daughter, though, having apparently flown over from India to find Shilpa a suitable husband.

Life isn’t quite so peachy for Shilpa’s fellow contestant Jade Goody, who first found fame and fortune by appearing in the third Big Brother series. The former dental nurse has been admitted to The Priory clinic suffering from stress. It is understood that seeing boyfriend Jack Tweedy, 19, impersonate her as the housemates recreated the now infamous Oxo cube argument, was the final straw. “She saw a doctor and he advised she needed further treatment,” said her spokeswoman.

This is a good time for Shilpa Sheety but it does not mean that she is going to have a good husband following her financial fortune. However, it is yet to see what happen in her personal life as her mother is looking for her husband.

Kaun Banega Crorepati has started in full swing and Shah Rukh is becoming better day by day. Since KBC has been a very successful show, many big companies competed for the sponsorship. The total sponsor of the show is worth Rs 100-130 crore. Planet Bollywood reports:

Even before it goes on air ( later this month) , popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati , in its third season has raked in close to Rs 100-130 crore .The latest to join the sponsors’ bandwagon for Shah Rukh Khan’s KBC 3 are Pantaloon Retail (Big Bazaar) and Godrej Sara Lee, confirmed Paritosh Joshi, president– ad sales and distribution, Star India.

According to sources, Star has sold ad slots for the show which goes on air from January 22 at an estimated Rs 10-13 crore per sponsor, said sources.

As the show has no title or presenting sponsors, the ten main sponsors will share the same mileage, roughly each sponsor will have 1 to 1.5 minutes visibility for each episode.

Among earlier sponsors there are: Airtel, Hyundai, and Cadbury. The newly added are Nokia, UTI Mutual Fund, Videocon, Godrej Sara Lee, Jyothi Labs, Pantaloon Retail and the UB group. Recently, Lenovo has been added to the sponsorship. It looks like Kaun Banega Crorepati itself is a crorepati.

Grenada government has recently accepted legislation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007. This legislation will let visitors travel without facing much hassle for visa problem. This will ease the visa problem in the country. The Grenada parliament has taken the decision. CBC news reported:

Legislators approved of the Pre-clearance (ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007) Act which allows for regional states to pre-clear passengers and goods in Grenada for entry into states staging the cricket matches.
Legal Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod said the Act could be considered as giving permission for participating member states in the region to engage in a transit arrangement.
He said it allows one country to send ‘pre-clearance agents ‘ to another state to deal with passengers and baggage, destined for that state.
“So if a person comes from Venezuela, (and is) going to Jamaica but has to pass through Grenada, a Jamaica agent could clear them here so that when they get to Jamaica there’s no hassle, they just go through.”
The parliament also passed the Immigration Bill making it mandatory for the captain of a ship or aircraft to send advanced passenger information to the immigration authorities at the intended port of entry.
Under the law, any vessel, or aircraft failing to comply with the legislations could face a fine of up to US $100,000.
The other piece of legislation passed on Monday is the Customs Bill that also mandates advanced passenger information, as well as cargo.
Any violation of the legislation would result in a US$500,000 fine or the seizure of the vessel.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, did not indicate whether his administration would be seeking to continue using the legislation that forms part of the regional “Sunset Law” after the CWC.”

“If we have to continue it we have to seek the support…of the Opposition and the country as a whole. We can’t just do it arbitrarily like this.”
But Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas said he doesn’t see the need for such legislations going beyond June 30.
“I don’t think we’re faced with a threat of terrorism in Grenada. I believe that things are fairly safe for the time being in this part of the world; but if it becomes necessary in the future, we may have to look at it,” he said.
The Senate will debate the legislation on Tuesday.

This is a good initiative ahead of the world cup cricket tournament as this will help the tournament to attract more fans to the country and will make the tournament successful. I hope, their attempt will work well.

Bermuda is one of the contestants in the coming world cup cricket 2007. They have got the ticket of world cup cricket for the first time. So, this is very usual to have a huge interest among the Bermudians to watch the team at this biggest stage of cricket. Moreover, the cricket world cup 2007 is going to be held in the Caribbean region. So, it was expected that many Bermudians will come to the Caribbean country Trinidad to watch the performance of their team staying in the stadium. However, the reality is very different as Bermudians are not responding much to go to Trinidad on the occasion of the biggest festival of world cricket, ICC Cricket World Cup. The Royal Gazette reported:

I thought more people would have been behind the team because regardless of the outcome it is a privilege for Bermuda to be there (World Cup),” C Travel’s Pam Maybury told The Royal Gazette yesterday.
“I feel that any sporting team or anybody who is representing Bermuda as far as sports is concerned needs to have some sort of following which helps to make a big difference.”
In an effort to boost numbers, C Travel are offering chartered flights directly to Trinidad and a 14-night World Cup package that includes hotel accommodation – beginning at $210 per night – while game tickets can also be purchased.
Yet business remains slow with the number of people having arranged to travel to Trinidad through C Travel said to be “just over 100”.
Maybury now hopes to see an increase in ticket sales as the cricket spectacle draws nearer.
“Bermudians do tend to move at the last moment. And so we are still hoping things do pick up later,” she said. Bermuda are in a group with former World Cup champions Sri Lanka India as well as Bangladesh in Group B.”

Bermuda has been grouped in the Group B where they will meet with two former world cup cricket champions India and Sri Lanka and the other team is Bangladesh. This is true that Bermuda may not be able to make anything special as all the teams of theie group are very strong, but their participation will create a much hymn in their country which will definitely help to develop their cricket standard.