Pics: What's been happening in tinseltown

All the pretty women around town and outdoors.

Hollywood Babe: Freida Pinto is going places. Here she is posing as a 50s Hollywood star for Vanity Fair. The red bikini and shoes and the yellow knickers are very cute. The globe probably represents the world at her feet. Way to go, girl!


Eternal Diva: We absolutely love Hema Malini's golden polka dots saree. It is so classy and rich. And she is as beautiful as ever.


Black Beauty: Jiah finally gets her LBD right at a part by Shane and Falguni Peacock. The red lipstick is perfect too.


Gorgeous Judge: Juhi is going to judge Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 3. The lady and her clothes get better with each passing day. The maroon, turquoise, gold and brocade combination is luxurious and beautiful, just like Juhi


Same-Same: Eesha Koppikhar has carried the same ugly bag to two events in two days. She first carried to a hair exhibition followed by a movie screening the next day. Could someone tell her to get rid of it ASAP?

Moral Police goes skirt-chasing with Mallika, Bollywood reacts

Shilpa Shetty: "I'm just happy that the obscenity case against my dress in Tamil Nadu is quashed. I won.”

Malaika Arora: "I think Mallika has become a favourite punching-bag in the press. Leave the girl alone. It's ridiculous. Maybe the moral police in the South should take a closer look at their own films for obscenity.”

Rahul Khanna: "I feel quite sad for the moral police. Perhaps they're jealous of Mallika's legs. They seem to have a lot of free time on hand? Why not use it for issues more important than length of skirts?”

Hema Malini: "I was there in Chennai. Mallika's dress was looking good. She too was looking very good. But perhaps the dress was a little too short for the occasion. Who knows!”

Sonu Sood : "Some people have all the time in the world to measure dress lengths. Good for them. At least moral policing keeps some people busy. At the same time, I feel some celebrities dress a certain way to attract attention and create controversies. Ignore them. It will avoid unnecessary publicity.

Rohit Roy: "What can one say…I'd love to know what the moral police was doing looking at Ms Sherawat's crossed legs? Maybe waiting for them to uncross???”

Amrita Arora: "It's ridiculous. What's wrong with wearing a short skirt? And why only target Mallika for it? Girls in colleges and work places across the country are wearing them. Go get all of them, you moral cops! By the way there're much more serious things to be done in our country than 'skirt-chasing'.”

Niharika Singh: "I think this is complete hypocrisy. Films down south have a lot more skin show. There's no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.”

Sophie Chodhry: "I think the reaction to Mallika's skirt is ridiculous. According to me the outfit is definitely not vulgar or offensive. Surely there're a hundred other issues in our country to get upset about. Leave Mallika and her clothes alone.”

Dia Mirza: "I think they've no right to comment on Mallika. I think they should instead give attention to the sleaze content in some of their films. Stop pointing fingers at someone just because you've nothing better to do.”

Lilette Dubey: "Who's this self-appointed brigade? And what are they afraid of? Influencing the youth of this country? A generation that's now exposed to cinema, fashion and images from around the world right there in their homes? It's up to the individual to decide what she wears and if she can handle the public gaze then it's her prerogative to dress the way she wants.”

Priyanka (Nisha) Kothari: "I think the moral police are more publicity crazy than any other section of our society.”

Samir Soni: "I believe what is moral or immoral is an extremely personal decision. No group of people has the right to force their value system on us unless an individual's action inconveniences others or obstructs someone's fundamental rights.”

Aryan Vaid: What can one say? This isn't really about protection of any morals but the narrow political interests of a group of people. The laws of the land seem to apply in different measures to different sections of people. There was nothing wrong with Mallika's outfit. But there's a long wrong with these moral terrorist outfits."

Gul Panag: "Why should it be anyone's business what someone wears or doesn't wear? The moral police should close down Khajuraho or dress up the sculpture in 'suitable' clothes before attacking anyone.”

Sandhya Mridul: "With due respect the actresses down South wear clothes that seem pretty suggestive and sexy. So what's their problem? The moral police all over the country should keep tabs on real moral issues rather than the clothes actress' wear. Incidentally, why are only actresses pulled up for extra-censoring? Why not the males who nowadays pose in less than women?"

Pooja Bedi: "I think the more importance the media gives such people the more such cases we'll see. The quickest route to fame is to sue celebrities. Morality is so subjective. Do these moralists want to take us back to the days of the purdah? And should their standards of morality be applicable to society? Was there a dress code at the music event? If not how could they expect a girl with a glamorous sexy image to land up in a salwar-kameez?

Nandana Sen: “It's absurd! Mallika is beautiful and has a style of her own .How can anyone have the right to say that style is wrong? Should we all start wearing uniforms now to make everyone happy? Clothes are one of the ways in which a person expresses her or his individuality. Dictating what another individual wears is as ridiculous as a third party forbidding you, a writer, from choosing certain topics. Or me, an actor, from taking on certain roles. And if I decide to do what I choose, should my nose and ear be cut as happened today? What's the issue with Mallika's clothes? If the concern is protecting women's dignity, why don't we create a safe and protective environment so that little girls aren't thrown into fires for stepping beyond boundaries that should never have been set up?

Music, mess and Jackie Chan

Pandemonium reigned at the audio launch of Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam in Chennai

The audio launch of the Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, yesterday, was an exercise in chaos and confusion.

The mega-budget flick that stars Mallika Sherawat and Asin, had Jackie Chan in attendance. The Hong Kong superstar was specially flown in for the launch. A huge media contingent of over 200 people had also arrived to cover it. But the media could not even enter the stadium. At the time of going to press, it was unclear if the event even took place.

Thousands of fans were expected to attend and yet, the organisers hadn’t bothered to make the necessary arrangements. Things got so bad that the police had to resort to lathi charge and tear-gas shells to disperse the milling crowds outside.

Fans had begun filling in the stadium hours in advance to get a glimpse of the stars. Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini were the special guests. Himesh Reshammiya, who has composed the film’s music was also present. The stadium was filled to capacity hours before the event could begin.

One of the bystanders at the venue said, “I came here with my entire family as we are big fans of Kamal Haasan. It was announced that several stars like Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan would be present.

But it was a big mess.”

Produced by Oscar Ravindran and directed by KS Ravikumar, the film (in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi) has Kamal Haasan essay 10 roles. The actor has also penned the film.

Tushar Joshi

Baabul - Music Review

Team of 'Baghban' is back with 'Baabul'. In continuation to the trend of family socials from B R Films, 'Baabul' too follows the same route as it deals with the subject of widow rehabilitation. Starring Big B in the title role with Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukheree and John Abraham, 'Baabul' had it's own share of issues throughout its shoot but credit to director Ravi Chopra that he kept a brave face and brought the film to finishing line. Aadesh Shrivastava, who gave some memorable songs for 'Baghban', is back with 'Baabul' along with lyricist Sameer.

From a movie like 'Baabul', one expects a musical score which is core Indian at heart. While it certainly holds true after one is through listening the album, the thought at the top of the mind is – Why is Aadesh Srivastava heard so rarely, especially with the most reputed banners? If given an opportunity, as in case of 'Baabul', he can come up with quite an impressive score.


Amitabh Bachchan had sung a number of songs for Aadesh in 'Baghban'. Same is not the case with 'Baabul' where he croons only one track 'Come On Come On'. A beautifully arranged and programmed number that has an amazing rhythm kick starting the proceedings, 'Come On' has Amitabh Bachchan and Sonu Nigam simply freaking out throughout the proceedings. This one is not your typical 'bhangra' track but instead is much more with an innovative fusion of pop, rap-n-reggae and background voice inputs (Vishal, Aadesh Shrivastva, Ranjit Barot) interspersed with the celebration mood of 'Come On Come On'.

Just like tracks by Pritam which have a lot of funk and English inclusions, 'Come On Come On' too relies a lot on rhythm and succeeds in a big way. Later in the song, it is sheer fun to see Big B and Sonu Nigam exchanging verbal volleys of one-upmanship that keeps the proceedings exciting. Towards the album's end comes the remix version which anyways seemed quite essential on hearing the original. High on pace with an added funk, this one would be soon heard on the dance floors. Aadesh Srivastava has a clear winner here in 'Come On Come On'

After a rocking beginning, album takes a melodious route with 'Keh Raha Hai', a love duet between Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. A sweet-n-simple song that goes quite easy on arrangements [in sheer contrast with 'Come On'], 'Keh Raha Hai' is a kind of melody that seldom fails and keeps a regular Bollywood buff entertained. A song which reminds one of the kinds of songs that Anand Milind used to compose around a decade and a half back, it guarantees eye candy visuals.

It's retro time with the arrival of 'Har Manzar' that has a sound of late 70s/early 80s. In spite of being a stage number, it doesn't go ballistic in its treatment and instead retains a softer touch. Kunal Ganjawala is at the helm of affairs here and he too is restrained in his rendition, hence making 'Har Manzar' a decent song to hum around. In fact when one hears the song closely, the musical instruments and light chorus in the background along with a continued rhythm make it a certified retro number.

Later in the album, DJ Suketu is called upon for the remix version of 'Har Manzar'. One dreaded a thought of the remix version going out of control since the soft music heard in the original would have been preferred any time but to one's pleasant surprise, this version too flows smoothly with only an instrument or two added to spice it up a little. Overall, the song is not the one which would be a single most reason to make 'Baabul' a chartbuster fare but it contributes decently.

Proceedings become suddenly very sober with 'Kehta Hai Baabul'. Well, that is quite expected with Jagjit Singh rendering the song. A number about a father's love for his daughter and his fear of living alone once she is married, this one is a beautiful hearing all the way. Expect moist eyes in the auditorium when the song is on since everyone from Jagjit Singh, Sameer to Aadesh Shrivastava give their all to make 'Kehta Hai Baabul' a memorable song which would make quite a good impact in the film.

With lyrics like 'Bebasi Dard Ka Aalam Hai', one is led to understand that it would continue the sober mode created with 'Kehta Hai Baabul'. A song about a man asking the woman close to him to lend him all her sufferings and pain, it seems to have been created for the situation between John Abraham and Rani Mukherjee. A soft track with a touching orchestra, it has been rendered very well by Kunal Ganjawala who conveys the point 'soft and clear' that he is much more than 'Bheege Hoth Tere'. One of the most balanced songs rendered by Kunal where he has kept the tone and pace consistent with hardly any variation, 'Bebasi' is a meaningful situational track for the film.

After a hiatus Sonu Nigam returns behind the mike with 'Baawri Piya Ki' which starts on an extremely subtle note. If you have been liking lounge music based on Indian classical music that has been quite popular off late, then you would lap up to 'Baawri Piya Ki' too. The song that comes to mind is 'Piya Baanwari' since both the numbers have their roots in Indian classical music with a subtle touch-up by Western instruments. Sonu Nigam excels in 'Baawri Piya' as he goes extremely soft in this love song that comes up for the situation of extreme intimacy between a man and a woman. Yet another track that adds on to the variety of 'Baabul'. Also watch out for the multiple piece orchestra that comes in the middle of the song. It gives a clear indication of Aadesh Srivastava's mastery over the craft!

It's time to return back to some 'masti' and 'mazaa' with 'Gaa Re Mann', a 'qawalli' featuring Amitabh Bachchan and sung by Sudesh Bhonsle. What is notable is that with Big B crossing 60 years of age, Sudesh too brings that 'old man' feel in his rendition and keeps the vocals subdued. The song switches mood 1 minute into the song with arrival of Alka Yagnik as she gets into a filmy romantic rendition. Soon her vocals too merge with the 'qawalli' mood of the track and both she and Sudesh Bhonsle get into a duet. Thereafter they are joined by Kavita Krishnamurthy who croons about the beauty of everyone loving together. A track seemingly picturised on Big B, Hema Malini and Rani Mukherjee, it has a potential to grow if picturised impressively.

Mood of the album changes again with a 'bidaai' situation as Richa Sharma sings 'Baabul-Bidaai' song. With zero instruments in the background, Richa keeps the song in check strictly through the prowess of her vocals as she creates a painful atmosphere as witnessed in every 'bidaai' ceremony after a marriage. Sonu Nigam closes the album with 'Vaada Raha', a short situational love song with a sad undertone. A promise about love staying on forever, this one may find a place in the narrative on multiple occasions.

In two words, soundtrack of 'Baabul' can be defined as HIGH QUALITY. There is not a single moment in the album when one feels cheated or thinks that high claims about the album being distinct are untrue. Instead one just feels the urge of appreciating Aadesh Srivastava for the sheer range he brings in the music of the album. Though 'Come On' is a chartbuster all the way, the songs which are most impressive in the album are those that are soft numbers/situational tracks. These may not turn out to be the tracks that would be played down the street but in a remote corner of your house, they are bound to bring in a tear/smile or two!

Accepting any challenge that comes my way in life, Hema

At 58, Hema Malini continues to experiment with life. She has been a successful actress, classical dancer, producer, director, editor of two women's magazine, chairperson of National Film Development Corporation and Member of Parliament. Now Hema Malini has joined the board of directors of Pritish Nandy Communications.

When contacted in Cape Town, where she was celebrating her daughter Esha's birthday, Hema Malini said, "Yes, I have joined the board of directors of PNC. I am looking forward to my new job. I have always believed in accepting any challenge that comes my way in life, because finally life is all about experimenting. I believe in keeping my mind open all the time and venturing into new mission. I never let myself get bored in life, I keep trying out new things. I have been the Chairperson of National Film Development Corporation and I tried to bring in changes. As a Member of Parliament also I am trying to do whatever I can with my limited resources."

Rongita Nandy said, "Yes, Hemaji has joined the PNC board of directors. She is a living legend and an industry leader in her own right. She's a huge inspiration to my generation and one of the tallest figures in the Indian entertainment industry. It's an honour to have Hemaji on our board."

Baabul - Movie Preview

Amitabh Bachchan as Balraj Kapoor
He towers over everybody – in his thoughts, in his wisdom, in his sheer presence! A loving husband, an adoring father and an extraordinary father-in-law, he always puts right before wrong, never mind if he has to stand tradition on its head.

Salman Khan as Avinash Kapoor
He may lie to win his love, but would die if so much as a tear escapes her eye. He’s charming, loving and good looking. No wonder, knowing him is to love him.

Rani Mukherjee as Malvika Talwar
She loves to paint. Loves to fight. Loves to love. Knows the difference between friendship and love and is convinced that love and marriage happen once in lifetime.

John Abraham as Rajat
His love is silent, he expresses all his pent up emotions through his songs. He loses the girl he loves, but is more concerned about her happiness than his own heartbreak.

Hema Malini as Shobhana Kapoor
She loves and is loved by both the men in her life – husband and son. She may laughingly admit that both of them are “a total loss”; but her world revolves around them.

Om Puri as Balwant Kapoor
He is the big brother, the head of the family. Tradition and convention are the pillars that support his family honour and reputation and he will go to any length to uphold that.

Storyline

Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is a rich businessman with progressive modern outlook towards life. For him, family, culture and values are of utmost importance. Shobhna (Hema Malini), his wife is more than just his better half. Together, they dote their only child Avinash (Salman Khan). For Balraj, Avinash is more of a friend than just his son. After spending many years abroad for studies, Avinash returns home to his parents. Their lives light up and there is happiness everywhere.

Avinash then meets the pretty Millie (Rani Mukherjee) who is a painter. They fall in love and get married. They are blessed with a lovely child named Ansh. Rajat (John Abraham) a young musician and the best friend of Millie, had his feelings for Millie but had never revealed it to her. He is now happy for Millie and Avi. He decides to settle in Europe, pursuing his musical career.

Fate plays a cruel game and one day Avinash meets with a fatal accident. Life without Avinash is unbearable for Millie. Meanwhile Balraj and Shobhna try to find the love of Avinash in Ansh.

Balraj cannot bear to see Millie’s colourless life. He decides to find Rajat and asks him to marry Millie and help him bring back the colours back into her life. But Balwant (Om Puri), Balraj’s elder brother settled in rural Punjab with his family and his widowed sister-in-law objects to Balraj’s plans. Even Shobhna may not be with him this time.

Will Balraj be able to fulfill his plan?
Will he be successful in this test of love?
Will he prove to be a father (Baabul) rather than being a father-in-law?
What questions will be raised by his actions and how the society will react to it forms the story that Baabul is all about.

The music launch of BAABUL

As a journalist, one has attended innumerable parties over the decades. You have sweet memories of some. Most of them are as forgettable as the potholes during monsoons.

The music launch of BAABUL on Thursday, 26th October, which coincided with the 50 years of B.R. Films, can easily rank amongst the Top 10 parties of all times. Surely, the event, chock-a-block with celebrities and the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry, was not one of those routine parties. In fact, it was the mother of all events! The music launch witnessed Dilip Kumar releasing the music, but before the honors, the principal cast of BAABUL [Big B, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherji and John Abraham] walked the ramp, displaying the BAABUL look by designers such as Akbar of Gabbana, Neeta Lulla, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Narendra Kumar.

That’s not all, the promos of the songs were screened to the elite gathering and must say, the music [Adesh Shrivastava] is indeed tuneful. The formal announcement of G.I.F.A. Awards, to be held in Malaysia in December [BAABUL will be premiered here], was also made on the occasion.

Amitabh & Hema walking the ramp

Departing from the customary music launch ceremonies, a filmy album being released on Thursday night has been cleverly transformed into a fashion show. Ravi Chopra’s latest socio-emotional thriller ‘Babul’ proposes to have its lead cast — Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherji and John Abraham — walking the ramp.

“The lead actors will be donning the same ‘Babul’ screen-look and will be wearing outfits designed by Neeta Lulla, Alvira Khan, Narendra Kumar Ahmed and Sabyasachi. Instead of the usual pre-recorded stock music, we shall be playing the music of ‘Babul’ scored by Aadesh Srivastava,” says Chopra.

The highlights will be two rocking fusion Bhangra hip-hop and rap songs sung by Big B himself and a classical number ‘Baawri Piya’ by Sonu Nigam.

“It’s a pleasure recording with Amitabh-ji because he has a terrific music sense and is well-versed with North Indian folk-tunes. With his instant grasping power he would even come up with creative vocal inputs. While shooting his ‘Come On Bhangra Paale’ number, he invited me to the sets to watch him swinging and would exclaim ‘faadi naaka’ — which means a ‘mind-blowing’ job,” says Aadesh.

Incidentally, Chopra’s last movie ‘Baghban’ with Amitabh, Hema and Salman was widely acclaimed for its hard-hitting social message.

"I can't believe I'm 58, Hema

It was meant to be a quiet 58th birthday for the ageless diva on Oct 16. "I can't believe I'm 58! There's so much more I want to do and time is running out. The people who are close to me weren't here. Esha is away in Cape Town shooting. My brother is in Chennai. And Dharamji is out of the country for important work. I couldn't expect everyone to put aside their commitments just to be near me on my birthday. But yes, my younger daughter Ahana was here and she had a small get-together for me in the evening. I'm not the kind to stay awake the night before to bring in my birthday."

But if she thought she'd just have a quiet birthday Hema had another thought coming. "The phone started ringing from early morning. And even before that one of my dear friends showed up at 4 am in the morning to wish me. That was so sweet."

The entire home was strewn with bouquets. "Flowers make me very happy. And on top of that I've just returned from a pilgrimage to the chaar-dham. So the atmosphere in my house was quite fragrant."

On the night before her birthday Hema was busy with a long photo-shoot. "A magazine is doing a special on legendary beauties. For some reason they think I'm one of those legendary beauties…I've never thought myself beautiful. Never stopped to think whether I'm beautiful or not. When people say so I still get embarrassed and don't know how to react."