Bollywood News

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.

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.

Another celebrity accused of racism row seen in the reality television show Celebrity Big Brother, Danielle Lloyd is now going through a hard time as her popularity has drastically been reduced and her relationship with her boyfriend has been cut up after she had been voted out of the show. Danielle’s mother Jackie is now feared of the future of her daughter. Her mother rejected the accusation of being racist against her daughter. Entertainmentwise reported:

She tells the News Of The World, “Danielle is at the start of her career and facing ruin because of a TV show that she thought was going to be entertaining and fun.

“Everything’s been taken away from her as well. It has destroyed the family. I’m regretting she went in.”

However, whilst Jackie says Danielle “has got a lot of questions to answer when she gets out” she has denied her daughter is a racist.

She claims, “She will be distraught but she’s got to take responsibility. She’s been stupid and naive and she’s guilty of that (but) I know she didn’t mean any racial connotations when she told Shilpa to go home.

“Danielle’s been brought up amongst family friends of all different races. I swear she isn’t racist.”

Shilpa agrees, saying on the show, “I let Danielle off because she is so young. They (Jade and Jo) made her look bad. You know what really balances it out for Danielle? Her stupidity. She’s so innocent.”

This is a bad news for a young star to have been lessened her popularity which will definitely be a negative for Danielle’s career. However, I do not know whether she was racist or not but if she is, then she deserves such treatment from the people.

Shilap Sheety is now most favorite to win the Celebrity Big Brother show as two of the contestants involved in the racism row have been voted out of the show. It has been a great opportunity to win the race as she is now the most talked celebrity in both India and England. ITN News reported:

Even India was drawn into the controversy after Shilpa was subjected to alleged racist bullying by fellow contestants including Jade Goody.

Jade sparked allegations of racism by calling her Shilpa Poppadom while her mother Jackiey claimed she could not pronounce the star’s name and instead referred to her as “the Indian”.

The row prompted a record number of complaints – more than 40,000 – to media watchdog Ofcom.

I think, it is a big chance for this Bollywood star to make a boom in her acting career. This can be a turning point in her career. Let’s see to what extent she can use the chance.

Bollywood star Shilpa Sheety now becomes more favorite to win the Celebrity Big Brother as one of the contestants, Jo O’Meara, accused of being racist to the Bollywood actress Shilpa Sheety, has recently been evicted from the competition. ITN News reported:

Former S Club 7 singer Jo, who was involved in the race row which saw Jade Goody and her mother bullying Bollywood star Shilpa, had been the favourite to be evicted.

In a twist unknown to the housemates, actress and writer Cleo was also booted out.

In a post-eviction interview with presenter Davina McCall, Jo denied she was racist.

She said: “I didn’t never mean it in that way. I’m not a racist. I know that I’m not. I’m not going to deny that Shilpa did aggravate me a lot – you can’t click with everybody, you meet. It’s not because I’m racist.”

It seems that Shilpa is going to be the probable winner of the show. However, it does not mean that jade Goody and Jo O’Meara have lost everything. Both of them are now most talked topic in both India and England. People become more interested to know about them. So, it seems a win-win situation!

Priyanka Chopra is going to continue her success in Bollywood this year as well. Last year, she was appeared in two blockbuster movies of Bollywood, Krrish and Don. In both the two movies, she was critically acclaimed for her outstanding performance. Now this year one of her first attempts to climb on the mountain, Salaam E Ishq, has already been screened in the cinemas. Priyanka is now shooting for her another interesting movie Love Story 2050 where she will be seen in double role. Indiafm published her recent interview in an article. The article says:

How long will you be in Bikaner and are you wearing the colorful Rajasthani costumes during the shoot?
Abhishek Bachchan and I are here for a month-long schedule of Goldie Behl Drona. It is a fantasy film… like a comic book coming alive. And I am not sporting Rajasthani gear in Drona. The only Rajasthani thing I have done since coming here is visiting Ajmer Sharief.

Last year you were seen in some biggies – Krrish and Don, but it is only this year that your career is getting into a gallop with Salaam-e-Ishq in which you essay the part of an item girl. Have you played the part by instinct or through observation?
I play a girl from a small town with big aspirations but then she ends up getting stuck as an item girl. Director Nikhil Advani had scripted the part very well so it was really easy for me. I have derived lot of portions from several actresses and people I have met. I hope it comes across in the film.

You seem to have hit it off pretty well with Salman Khan, what appeals to you about him as a co-star?
Salman is a fantastic co-star and the hugest star of India. I love the way he lives his life – on his own terms. As a co-star, he takes completely different turns and routes to every scene, he keeps springing surprises at you. You have to be on your toes to keep apace with him. He keeps you creatively challenged and I just love that!

Coming to Rumi Jaffery’s God Tussi Great Ho in which you are paired opposite your challenging hero Salman. You are also sharing the credits with Amitabh Bachchan again after Waqt. What kind of film is that?
It is a funny film and I play a journalist in it. But I don’t have much to do with Mr. Bachchan in the film this time. But Waqt was indeed a big high for me, a huge honour!

Lot is being said about your double role in Harry Baweja’s Love Story 2050, please elaborate.
Presently I am not at liberty to divulge much about the film except that it is a futuristic sci-fi set in 2050. From the rushes I have seen so far, all I can say it is really exciting looking. It will be the first of it’s kind.

Priyanka showed her maturity answering the next question.

Going by your career-graph, soothsayers of the industry have already tipped you as the next numero uno – a position you always aspired for?
Hey, not so soon! Not so fast, please! I Joined films in 2003, I am barely four years old in the industry. I am not a trained actor, I have learnt and acquired acting skills by trial and errors. All I aspire for is that filmmakers will give me good opportunities to showcase my craft.

It seems that Priyanka is in the right track at the moment in order to be a top actress in Bollywood. She wants to learn first then will go for fame. It is nice and smart thinking. Good luck Priyanka!

The much waited marriage ceremony is now, for sure, of Abhishek and Aishwarya’s marriage which has created the attention of international level beyond the Bollywood. Now the million dollar question is that when the couple will get married. Though there is no specific answer but there is a rumor that the occasion will be held by March. Recently the couple has been engaged and became the topic of hot news in this year. Channulal Mishra, a classical singer from Varansi, said that he has been invited in the ceremony on the occasion of their marriage to perform. A Santabanta reported:

Amithabh Bachchan said that he wanted to organise a programme on the occasion of the wedding of Abhishek and Aishwarya. He said the date for the wedding was not fixed, but I have come to know that it will be sometime in March,” Mishra said.

Families of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai on Monday said that both had got engaged at a private ceremony. Abhishek reportedly placed a diamond ring on Aishwarya’s finger.

Speculation of a formal link gained ground after both families visited several temples to pray for them, as their stars were reportedly not in harmony.

Reports of an impending marriage were earlier fuelled after Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of Amitabh, who met a Bangalore based astrologer Chandrashekhar Swami, to see if the couple’s horoscopes matched.

The planets also seem to be blessing the couple. They were declared to be perfect by matched by the astrologer.

It is really the most talked issue in Bollywood at the moment. People are eagerly waiting for the date of their marriage. Who knows, when the two super stars will be got married. Only time can answer it.

Shilpa Shetty is still getting supports from people of different class and occupassion. Recently, threepopular directors of Bollywood have recently joined in the list expressing their views over the racism issue in the popular television show Celebrity Big Brother in UK. A Glamsham report quoted the speech of these three directors.

I don’t think Shilpa Shetty is passé any more. Her participation and presence on the international show has been very effective in bringing out an issue that has been so often placed under the cover. My respect for her as a woman of caliber and substance has definitely increased, so has my entire perception of her as a person. I have now begun to see her as a great combination of beauty and brains. Besides she’s been looking fabulous on the show,” says filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who had worked with the actress in JAANWAR. Suneel feels that her popularity on the show will definitely translate into endorsements and films that are likely to come her way. “It has given a big boost to her image, no doubt,” he says.

Director Madhur Bhandarkar echoes Suneel’s point of view. “The kind of opposition and problem that Shilpa encountered does happen on reality shows because there’s pent up anger and a sense of one-upmanship. Moreover, it has become a fashion to use abusive language against Indians but the way she tackled the situation speaks a lot of her intelligence. Her image as an actress and the way she is perceived has definitely changed. I am definitely impressed with her,” he says

Director Tanuja Chandra on the other hand is amused by the kind of attention and noise that has been made over the whole issue but she too agrees that Shilpa stands to benefit immensely from the show. “I don’t think the issue demanded so much attention as to necessitate the intervention of big political personalities like Tony Blair but the attention that Shilpa has got out of the show has certainly served the purpose of her participating in it. She should now aim to win the game as far as possible. One thing is for sure, it will certainly not take away from her popularity, on the contrary it has only added to her career prospects. This was the right step at the right time in her career,” she says.

Shilpa Sheety seems reaching at the peak of the mountain with her talent and beauty seen the Celebrity Big Brother show. She tackled the situation of being racially abused by some of the other celebrities in the show. Now, Shilpa is the hot topic in both India and England. What More She could wish!

America’s Local fanzine Filmfare have recently published a list of ten powerful names where Yash Chopra is regarded as the most powerful and influential person in Bollywood in the last year. It is undoubtedly true that most of the super hit movies of 2006 was either produced or distributed or both by the most popular production house, Yash Raj Films, owned by famous personality Yash Chopra. The list also involves the Kins Khan named Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, legend Amitabh Bachchan. Among the directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar have been placed at the list. Rani Mukherjee is the only actress who is included in the list. Money Control reported:

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, stays at the No 3 spot, while in the women department, only Rani Mukherji manages to get some female power into the top ten on the list.

When Bollywood’s bigwigs were asked who they felt deserved to be at the top spot this year, their replies almost sounded like a chorus.

“Brand Yashraj – what they have done to Indian cinema is fantastic. They have contributed to the exhibition, distribution, music, production: on every level this year, they have gone out there and proven themselves,” said filmmaker Karan Johar.

“Yash Chopra,” chirped Rani Mukherji.

“Yashraj – They are in every field of filmmaking. They have covered every aspect of it: production, direction, financing and all,” said filmmaker Kunal Kohli.”

Yash Chopra was, for sure, the most powerful figure in Bollywood last year. Dhoom 2 and Faana, the two super hit movies of 2006 was produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films. Besides, Krrish, one of the most successful movies of Bollywood, was distributed by Yash Raj Films. So, it is very clear that Yash Raj was the super star in Bollywood last year.

Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, four short movies on HIV/AIDS are going to be made in India and set to be released with the blockbuster movies. Each of the movies will be of 15 minutes and will be shown just before a blockbuster movie to be released. Four famous directors of India have been assigned in this regard. Mira Nair, Santosh Sivan, Farhan Akthar and Vishal Bhardwaj are the four directors who are going to make movies on HIV/AIDS. The objective of this movie project is to increase awareness regarding the disease among the general people. I am quoting Mira Nair from a Reuters report:

“The idea is to piggyback on blockbusters to spread AIDS awareness,” Nair said at a news conference in a country that has the world’s largest population living with the deadly virus.

“We want to use cinema (against AIDS) so that it holds a mirror to the world and gets under your skin.”

However, getting A class actors or actress for these movies has been a great difficulty as many actors and actresses are not interested to be involved in such movies being feared of loosing their image. The report stated:

Nair, who is making one of the 12-minute films which will be titled “Migration”, said she had been unable to get A-list Bollywood actors to feature in the films on AIDS.

“Lots of stars don’t want to be associated with the virus,” the feisty director said, adding: “Some live and don’t learn.”

“We do not want to preach but entertain. Once you start preaching and teaching, people get bored,” Bhardwaj said.

The directors are hoping the movies will be released in cinemas within a few months, and Nair said the initial response from distributors had been positive.

Two of the short movies would be in Hindi while the other two would be in south Indian languages like Tamil, a press statement about the AIDS Jaggo (Wake up to AIDS) initiative said.

According to UNAIDS, India has 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS and stigma and prejudice is widespread.

Many people, including some federal lawmakers, believe that a person can get HIV by shaking hands with an infected person, surveys have shown.

Though there were some movies in Bollywood made on HIV/AIDS, none of them was box office hit. It is a good initiative for protecting this vital disease from the second most populated country. As India has a huge population, it will be very difficult to control the number of HIV/AIDS patients if once the number goes out of control. So, this is the best time to think about it and take such initiatives to keep the control over the number of HIV/AIDS patients and it is the earnest responsibility of each Indian people to help government in preventing such disease. Here, celebrities should come forward as people can be easily influenced by his or her dream personality. So, from this point of view, each actor and actress should come forward with their generous mentality. If Bill and Melinda Gates, two Americans, can come forward in order to help India, then it is shameful to see that an India are scared of talking part in this great initiative.