"Deepika has impressed me completely" - Imtiaz Ali

When it comes to defining an original voice in films today, director Imtiaz Ali leaves a unique stamp on conventional genres, from Socha Na Tha to Jab We Met and his soon to be released Love Aaj Kal, his ambitious take on the classic romantic era of the 1960's and today's 2009. With its old fashioned and grown up romance that is heart pounding, thrilling and cinematically exquisite, Love Aaj Kal seems like an unapologetic work of a visionary filmmaker with his own unique style, who is clearly happy that the journey has ended. So when asked by a journalist what his take on love is, at the recently held press meet to promote Love Aaj Kal, Imtiaz said, "Love is something that I don't understand. It's an inappropriate word." UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent met the 'Lost in Love' director to figure out what he thinks of the saying 'Love makes the world go round', the in-love Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, the lovely Deepika Padukone and his take on love yesterday and today.

Jab We Met was such a big success. As a filmmaker do you think you've graduated with Love Aaj Kal?
Honestly, it's difficult to say because you become very subjective towards the film you do and you can't really be a critic as well. When I was making Jab We Met, I was trying my best to make the best. In Love Aaj Kal, I've done the same thing.

I'd like Kareena to be in all my movies but the point is that I need to be fair to her and her talent

You obsessed with love?
Yes. Mere andar bahut pyaar hain. It gets reflected through my films, I guess.

Your films have got this earthy feel and innocence in them. Is it to do with your upbringing?
I have grown up in a middle class family in smaller cities of India. My father has been on a transferable job. When I finally reached Delhi and Mumbai, I saw the grandeur of big cities. So obviously, the movies that I make will be in some way a reflection of what I've seen in my life. The fiber that you're talking about comes from my upbringing.

Kareena has expressed a lot of sorrow as you didn't rope her in Love Aaj Kal in spite of her calling you her favourite director.
I'm very happy to hear that Kareena thinks so highly of me. I should also say that Kareena is my favourite actress. But just for the greed of working with your favourite actor, you cannot cast her wrong because you'll be doing injustice to everybody including the actor. My role as a director is to avoid such mistakes. I'd like Kareena to be in all my movies but the point is that I need to be fair to her and her talent.

Deepika has impressed me completely because of her synergy with the character she plays, just like how Kareena impressed me while she played Geet

So what was special in Deepika then?
When you see the film you'll know better. There is a sense of silence in Deepika and a sense of innocence. I cannot express that in words. There is a certain character or the nature of Meera, the role which Deepika plays in the film, which suited her. Deepika has impressed me completely because of her synergy with the character she plays, just like how Kareena impressed me while she played Geet.

Are you nervous of your film being pitted against Kambakkht Ishq?
You see, I don't get time to get nervous, luckily. As the release date is just around the corner, I feel happy that the film is finally going to be seen by the world. But I think that nervousness is a luxury that I don't think directors can really afford because we are always working.

Saif was never a producer for me. He was only the actor for me

In better words, what's going through your mind now?
I am not scared. The last thing I want to do is to make myself embarrassed in front of the audience. I like such films that don't embarrass me. That's going through my mind right now.

How about your new producer?
Saif was never a producer for me. He was only the actor for me. He was really happy only to be an actor too. He has come in with his intelligence, common sense and an extremely good creative idea for the publicity of the film. Only as an actor he could've done justice to Love Aaj Kal.

How was the title born?
Aaj Kal thoda boring ho raha tha. We wanted to go ahead with 'Aaj Kal' as the title of the film but because I'm such a lovely person making films that are based on love, the title changed to Love Aaj Kal.

Are you judgmental about love yesterday and love today?
Love is something that I don't understand. It means different things for different people. It's a very confusing term. I believe in words like affection, intimate, togetherness, but love for me is always an inappropriate word. I am not judgmental about it. There is really no message that I'm trying to convey through this film. I cannot comment conclusively. I can only tell you that if you think there is no innocence and love now, and you only consider that there was love back then, you're wrong. That's not true. If people get a bit more physical in love now, it doesn't mean that the intensity of pure feeling between two people is less in this generation.

Are you in search of love through the films you make?
May be yes. People who write books about Gods don't know Gods. They are trying to look for him. May be I'm too.

If people get a bit more physical in love now, it doesn't mean that the intensity of pure feeling between two people is less in this generation.

Did the yesteryear couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor give you any insights on love back in their era?
Both Neetuji and Rishiji didn't give me any inputs. They gave me this positive romantic energy.

Has success ever pressurized you?
When I will get success I will answer that question. I am not being modest here. This is the truth and I know it.

You think Love makes the world go round?
Yes I do. That's why I've made this film. The whole idea of the story came from us talking about love back then and love in today's time. People say that today love is only about having sex. All the fifty plus say that love has lost its essence. Whereas in the current world, we think that yesteryear lovers were fools. They took their entire lifetime to convey the message of love. But the elders think that the 2009 love is like an equation. How one can solve it is pretty strange. Love is surely making the world go round.

Another MTV Roadie turns dramebaaz

If Palak is busy flaunting her manly oomph in the Malaysian jungle, here in India other roadies are also striding on their way to showbiz. According to our sources, “Suzzana of Rodies 6.0 will soon enter the NDTV Imagine’s show ‘Janam Data’ as Akshay Anand’s daughter in the serial”. Just to remind you guys, she preferred to keep a low profile during roadies and seldom did the talking. But at times, she has really stunned the audience with her vigour while performing task. Her ouster from the show is a story of betrayal. Her hell mates who pretended to be her friends turned hostile to save themselves and she was out. She could not sustain the Reality drama for long; we wish her all the strength to carry the daily dose of it now.

B0X Office Collection

The new release, SHORT KUT, has done marginally well in U.K., but given the number of screens, it should've fared much, much better. However, the business is below the mark in U.S... KAMBAKKHT ISHQ is maintaining very well in the three major markets. The 10-day total from U.K., U.S. and Australia is approx. Rs. 11.65 crores.

Medical Glossary

Weekend: July 10 - 12, 2009.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE

Bollywood Mivire Review

• KAMBAKKHT ISHQ [last weekend: No. 8, this weekend: No. 10]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 97,388 on 52 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,873. Total: £ 5,43,833 [approx. Rs. 4.37 crores].




• SHORT KUT has debuted at No. 11 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 80,488 [approx. Rs. 64.64 lacs] on 34 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,367.



• NEW YORK [last weekend: No. 15, this weekend: No. 20]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 19,349 on 13 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,488. Total: £ 3,51,683 [approx. Rs. 2.82 crores].

Leading lady of Aladin, Jacqueline Fernandes, unveiled

It's time for the red carpet to be laid out. Aladin is aiming for a Diwali release and as the film hits the screens, Bollywood would also see the arrival of its 'most exotic' import ever - Jacqueline Fernandes.

All set to regale the audience with a lethal mix of cute persona and some sensuality, Jacqueline is finally being unveiled by the makers of Aladin. "Well, the journey has just begun. Last one year was quite happening but now it is going to be even more exciting times with Aladin being round the corner", she says.

Over the last few months, Jacqueline was closely guarded for all the right reasons. 2008 had seen quite some noise being made around the number of newcomer girls (Asin, Anushka) while Aladin was still quite some distance away.

Says Sujoy Ghosh, the film's director and co-producer, "There was no point for anyone associated with the film to gaga over Jacqueline because of two major reasons. First and foremost she had just stepped into the industry and she wanted to focus on doing a good job in her debut film. Secondly, it was felt that her being 'exposed' to millions out there so soon would have resulted in an over exposure."

The protective director goes on to add, "Since Jacqueline is one of the four major protagonists of the film, other than Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh, she has always been someone special. Now is the time for her to reach out to the world and I am sure Bollywood followers out there would be stunned with what they see of her."

Jacqueline gets nostalgic while remembering the times she spent on the film's sets, "Playing Jasmine was all fun and frolic with just the right ingredients of quintessential Bollywood 'naach gaana' routine and countless romantic and dramatic moments. It couldn't have been a better start."

Considering the fact that 2009 is perking up now after a dry beginning, it only makes Jacqueline's arrival in the industry even more precious.

An import from Sri Lanka who already has a beauty pageant crown in her kitty (she was Miss Sri Lanka 2006), Jacqueline has been academically inclined as well, as apparent from her degree in Media and Communications from Sydney, Australia. Ambitious to the core, she had once stated - "Being independent and accomplished was imperative to me and I always demanded the best of myself. Perfectionism is my strongest asset."

That's something which is pretty much on display, as clear from her choice for her debut film Aladin which is a co-production of Eros and Sujoy's 'Boundscript' and stars none other than Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt along with Riteish Deshmukh.

Says Jacqueline while spreading out that million dollar smile of hers, "The way Riteish's character is fleshed out in the movie, it was all rather cute. However, nothing can beat the excitement of working with Mr. Bachchan and Mr. Dutt. In a way, they were just the antithesis of Riteish. I couldn't have been luckier."

Akshay and Katrina have a blast on the sets of De Dana Dan

Akshay Kumar and Katina Kaif's jodi is among the most successful on-screen jodis in recent times. The duo has given super-duper hits like Namastey London, Welcome and Singh Is Kinng. Now ace director Priyadarshan who has given many a hit films with Akshay Kumar will be banking on this jodi for his forthcoming film De Dana Dan.

Bollywood-Celebrities-Wallpaper

Bollywood Hungama brings you some on-the-sets stills of Akshay and Katrina shooting for De Dana Dan. While Akki looks dapper wearing a white sweater over his black shirt, Katrina is at her sexiest best in this lemony yellow dress.

Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif's chemistry was there for all too see in Namastey London, Welcome and Singh Is Kinng. Now the duo would be hoping that audiences like their pairing this time too. The pair recently shot major portions of De Dana Dan in Singapore and from the looks of it, the camaraderie between the two stars is quite likeable.

De Dana Dan also brings back the Hera Pheri team of Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal back together on the big screen. However, this time they have three gorgeous ladies Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sameera Reddy for company.

Most of Akshay and Katrina's numbers have been super-hits. Hope this song for which the actors are shooting turns out to be a chartbuster too.

'Pole Ke Peeche Kya Hai?' Now don't get naughty...but we just couldn't help singing this song wondering what Akki and Kats are upto doing in this particular shot?

I am planning to kiss Shabana this year

By Subhash K Jha Shabana and Boman are buddies. In fact she sends him SMS messages in Parsi. "Yes, she sends me Parsi messages asking how I am, where I am. Just yesterday she messaged in Parsi asking where I was early in the morning. She's a very morning person. " After stealing kisses with Shabana Azmi in Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and Sorry Bhai, Boman Irani has stolen away her favourite director Shyam Benegal, and that too for a film which takes Benegal back to his roots in Hyderabad where he started his career with Shabana in Ankur. And Boman who has been waiting for years to work with the prolific director is above the moon. "I think it's a great moment. Shyam Babu is such an engaging intellectual. He can laugh at life and still be serious about it. When he summoned me and I walked into his office he said the sweetest thing. 'I wanted to work with you for a long time. ' We met again in Bangkok for the IIFA when he got the lifetime achievement award. I was hosting the show. After that he said, 'I finally have something that's right for you. ' It 's wonderful to walk into a film that's meant for me. " The film takes Benegal back to his home town Hyderabad. Says Boman, "I play a guy from the city who visits his village in Andhra Pradesh. I play the central character. Minissha Lamba plays my daughter. " Boman is sorry his second film with Shabana, Sorry Bhai, didn't work. "It was released the day after 26/11. There were five people in the theatre. Who goes to the movies on the morning after a terror attack? Who gets to kiss Shabana twice in two films? I am dying to make it happen again this year. " Shabana did her first kissing scene with Boman in Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. "It was just a coincidence there was another one in Sorry Bhai. I hope it has something to do with me. Of course both the kisses were decent and aesthetic. Everyone is tickled because it's a triumph for the 50-plus age-group. We decided to do another film together on the last day we shot for Sorry Bhai. We love each other's company. There's so much to laugh and talk about. She wants us to work together as much as I do. She's at her relaxed best with me. " Boman had a slew of releases in 2008. "What happened was they all tumbled out after a long lull. I was in New York for the first screening of Sooni Taraporewala's Little Zizou when my first release this year Dostana came. Then came Maharathi, Yuvraaj, etc one after another. And I've several films lined up in 2009. Ravi Chopra's My Cousin Vinny (Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai) where I play the judge. The trick is to stay within character and yet be funny and entertaining. Raj Kumar Hirani's 3 Idiots is being readied. I don't play one of the title roles. Do I look like an idiot?" he guffaws. "Initially I was hesitant about taking up this assignment. My role is similar to what I played in Raju Hirani's Munnabhai MBBS. They're both vice -chancellors. But Raju convinced me that the same profession doesn't make the two characters the same. "

Kambakkht Ishq Blog

This past Monday, the 6th of July, as I walked into the J.W Marriot to celebrate the great success of our film Kambakkht Ishq, after repeated congratulations, almost every journalist asked me the same two questions: 1. How does it feel now that the film has been declared a super hit ... did you expect it to be so successful? I feel euphoric. Nearly 150 films are released every year and yet only a handful can earn the tag of being a "super hit". So, yes, it makes me feel very special that I could do that, and that too with my first film.Also I am not going to be modest… YES I did expect this. I started with big dreams and expectations and believed fully in them. After months and months of sitting in isolated rooms writing, thinking about how to involve the audience, how to most impact them so that they laugh, they cry, they be entertained through the film, it is such a wonderful feeling to feel satisfied that we succeeded. 2. How do you feel about the critics not responding well to the film? To be completely honest again, the day we decided to make a film with a premise in which a watch, that would ring every hour, was accidentally left behind inside the hero's stomach, we knew we were not making a film for critical acclaim. We knew this film was, quite simply, a means to entertain the audience But I would like to respond to some of the critics who attacked this film in a very personal way, often with a strong hidden agenda. I feel I must comment, because like me, there will be more first-time filmmakers eagerly releasing their films and looking at the critics for a fair review. Critics who called the film illogical and sexist ... yet, rated a quite illogical and outrageously sexist Hollywood flick The Hangover, with four stars! The hypocrisy seems quite blatant. One is certainly allowed to his or her own personal taste, but when it is this inconsistent, one has to ask what is behind the opinions. Will due respect be given only if a film like this comes from the west or it garners $200 million before the critics in India review it. What I am trying to say is the millions of people that pack into audiences are no less intelligent or critically thinking than the few who publish their critiques in the newspapers. And, in turn, those viewers who typically show preference for "intelligent" films also seek out entertainment and emotional stimulation. So, why are both camps so disparaging of the other? I think the oppositional dichotomy established only serves to limit each one of us as a viewer. It is time critics acknowledge that this generation of filmmakers are far too cinema literate, informed and aware. I do not assume my audience any less intelligent, as the critics have implied, because they seek entertainment in a film. Trying to run down mainstream cinema feels so passe.I would like to sum up by saying we should not attempt to read more into a film than is there. There are many films that are purely intended to be an escape, but, why should an escape be any less valuable? In these times, when one cannot open a newspaper, turn on the news, or even look outside on the street without feeling the heavy weight of a tumultuous world filled with international crises, should I not be impressed if someone is able to carry me to a more up-beat emotional state with a film? We are so hesitant to deem acclaim to comedy or romantic films (which we typically reserve for "serious" dramas). Perhaps, instead, the respect awarded to any given film should be determined equally by the emotional and intellectual reactions provoked and pleasure it provides. How could we then say that the emotions of an audience of millions are any less or more relevant then the emotions of a small handful of people called "the critics"? The critics are allowed to their opinions. But, compared to the feelings and reactions of the millions of viewers, I know where my real judgment is coming from. The audience. The audience that has truly loved the film because it's not everyday (and the critics will agree too) that a film does Rs. 100 crores business worldwide in its very first week.

Movie Reviews New York

Myth: NEW YORK is about 9/11.
Fact: It's not. But it reflects the mood that's prevalent across the globe, post 9/11. The world is divided today. No two opinions on that!

Myth: NEW YORK bears a striking similarity to KHUDA KAY LIYE.
Fact: Nope. KHUDA KAY LIYE and NEW YORK may belong to the same family, of an innocent person being picked up for questioning after the WTC catastrophe, but the similarities end there. In fact, KHUDA KAY LIYE and NEW YORK are as diverse as chalk and cheese.

Write your own movie review of New York

NEW YORK, helmed by Kabir Khan, attempts to be as real as possible. A tale of friendship, with terrorism as the wallpaper, NEW YORK hits you like a ton of bricks at several points in the narrative. In fact, there was a possibility that NEW YORK may turn out to be a dry experience, a documentary perhaps, but the drama is so well structured and so gripping that you get sucked into the world of Sam, Omar and Maya from its inception.

NEW YORK is a triumph for Kabir Khan, who deserves distinction marks for handling the subject with remarkable maturity. Also, this film should be a turning point for John, Katrina and Neil. More on that later...

The verdict? NEW YORK is, without doubt, one of the finest films produced by this premier production house, Yash Raj. Grab a ticket today!

Omar [Neil Nitin Mukesh] has gone abroad for the first time in his life and soon enough, he begins to see and love America through the eyes of his American friends, Sam [John Abraham] and Maya [Katrina Kaif]. But an incident changes the world round them.

At this point enters Agent Roshan [Irrfan], an FBI agent, who sets the ball rolling for a series of tumultuous events that turn the lives of these friends upside down.

NEW YORK affects you like no other Hindi film has done so far [on 9/11]. In fact, there are portions that give you goose bumps, especially towards the second half of the film, when John recounts his past.

One of the reasons why NEW YORK works is because not once does Kabir Khan borrow from the past or tilt towards predictable stuff. You just can't guess what and where the story is headed and what the culmination would be. The director and his team of writers establish the plot and characters beautifully, but the real action is reserved for the second half. The nightmarish experience that John undergoes is disturbing, but lifts the film several notches up.

But NEW YORK has its share of loose ends. The film dips in the second hour. It tends to gets lengthy before it reaches a powerful, brilliantly executed climax. Also, a few sequences only add to the length of the film, which could've been curtailed in the writing stage itself.

Director Kabir Khan picks up a real incident -- innocent civilians being suspected as terrorists, soon after 9/11 -- and weaves a brilliant tale around it. The screenplay is its biggest star, without a doubt. Given the fact that NEW YORK isn't one of those routine masala fares, Kabir has injected songs only when required. Cinematography is striking.

Now here's another surprise. John, Katrina and Neil, all actors, deliver their career-best performance. If the first half belongs to Neil, John takes over the second hour completely. John is superb when he recalls the past. You can feel his pain, that effective is his performance. Also, note his expressions towards the end. This is a different John, for sure. Just one word for his performance -- fabulous!

Neil was remarkable in JOHNNY GADDAAR, but disappointed in AA DEKHEN ZARA. Fortunately, he's in top form this time around. Katrina gives you the biggest surprise. Known for her glamour roles, Katrina proves that she can deliver if the director and writer offer her a role of substance. She's outstanding. In fact, people will see a new, different Katrina this time. Irrfan is, as always, first-rate.

On the whole, NEW YORK is amongst the finest films produced by Yash Raj. At the box office, there's no stopping this one. Go for it now!

Raaz - The Mystery Continues

By Taran Adarsh

Rating: ***1/2

The team behind Raaz - The Mystery Continues have often clarified that it's not a sequel to RAAZ, one of the most interesting cinematic experiences, besides being the biggest Hit of that year. Yet, you cannot but draw parallels with the first film of the franchise.

Horror as a genre hasn't been tapped to the optimum in India. We've witnessed spooky fares in the past and some of them have succeeded in making you break into a cold sweat (BHOOT stands tall in this list). Last year's PHOONK and 1920 were scary movies as well.

There's tremendous curiosity to watch Raaz - The Mystery Continues, but does it scare the living daylights out of you? Fortunately, yes!

The story (Mohit Suri) is absorbing and Mohit treats the subject like a veteran, as if he knows the genre very well. There're moments that make your heart beat faster, you watch the events with eyes and jaws wide open.

Sure, there're blemishes as well, but they don't overpower the plusses or make you change your opinion about the film. While the beginning and the middle of the film is engrossing, it's the end that could've been better thought of.

Wanna get scared? Wanna get goose pimples? Buy the ticket for Raaz - The Mystery Continues pronto. It lives up to the hype and expectations completely.

A brooding artist Prithvi (Emraan Hashmi) experiences mysterious and distressing visions about Nandita (Kangna Ranaut), a woman he has never met, while he paints on canvas. Intrigued by these visions, Prithvi tracks her down and warns her that these are not merely paintings of her, but accidents that are waiting to happen.

At first, Nandita refuses to believe him and dismisses him as an eccentric stalker. However, the striking resemblance between Prithvi's paintings and the near-death incidents in her life is hard to ignore.

Now, one of Prithvi's paintings has revealed her as dead. The only way she can change her fate is to unravel this mystery with his help, at the risk of alienating herself from her boyfriend, Yash (Adhyayan Suman). But he refuses to believe in Prithvi's premonitions. Will Nandita risk her love and her life to unravel this mystery?

Most of us have heard, witnessed or perhaps had a first-hand experience of supernatural. The present-day generation may, perhaps, term it as wild imagination or hallucination, while the believers may have their point of view. Mohit and screenplay writer Shagufta Rafique's characters in Raaz - The Mystery Continues are believers and non-believers, both.

Mohit smartly builds up the atmosphere. Sample these: Emraan and Kangna's first encounter at a mall and minutes later, inside an elevator; the New Year bash when Kangna is 'attacked' by spirits; Kangna's experience in her bathtub and also when she looks at the mirror; Kangna almost jumping off a cliff; the highpoint sequence, when angry bulls attack Emraan and Kangna. Incredible sequences all! Mohit has handled the most difficult portions with panache.

However, the entire flashback part, towards the pre-climax, is not as convincing. The ending too could've been better in terms of writing, although Mohit has filmed it exceptionally well.

Mohit's choice of the subject as also the actors is right. This is, without doubt, his finest effort to date. Shagufta's screenplay is watertight at most times. Like always, the Bhatts come up with a lilting musical score and at least two songs -- 'Soniyo' (Raju Singh) and 'Maahi' (Sharib-Toshi) -- are first-rate compositions. Ravi Walia's cinematography is up to the mark. The effects are impressive.

On the acting front, both Emraan and Kangna vie for top honours. Emraan is excellent. He conveys a lot through facial expressions and that's the sign of a proficient actor. He's just getting better and better with every film. Kangna is top notch.

After FASHION, this one's another power-packed performance from the actress. Adhyayan Suman is super-confident and registers a strong impact, especially towards the climax. He shows promise. Jackie Shroff is quite okay in a brief role.

On the whole, Raaz - The Mystery Continues is rich in the horror quotient and that is one of its major USPs, besides the highly competent performances by its principal cast and a lilting musical score.

At the box-office, this one will continue the winning streak of Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films. The 4-day weekend (Monday, January 26 in a holiday) will only cement its status further. Go for it!

Kangana opens her mouth

The unconventional looking Kangana Ranaut has made it in Bollywood her own way, but she still remains controversy's favorite child. Be it for the acid attack on her sister Rangoli, her affair with the much older Aditya Pancholi, his outburst against her later and the her liason with Adhyayan Suman, she has always created news. Well, that has helped a lot too, but that's another story. There have been spats with her current man's parents too. Recently Shekhar Suman had reportedly yelled at Kangana during a debate on money-making films. He reportedly went on to make a grave remark and blatantly told her that he knew what her knowledge was and how she kept the fire burning in the kitchen. He then went on to give an interview hinting that he really doesn't approve of Kangana much. But Kangana has a totally different story to tell. The actress whose 'Raaz — The Mystery Continues', opens today says, "I had a hearty laugh over that bit of news. They seem to be very fond of me. If ever our parents object to our relationship, we will end it. It's family that matters the most." More over some people have been saying that the dame has had plastic surgery as many felt her looks changed dramatically ever since the publicity promos and release of 'Fashion'. She says, "I have not had plastic surgery. My face looks different as I have put on weight. I was sick of my thin body. The world is dying to get skinny, and I like to be different. In 'Kites', I will look still more different." She has learnt the diplomacy game well along with other tactics to survive in the industry. That very well explains her coping up well in the big bad world of Bollywood.

Big B does a volte face on Slumdog Millionaire

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who had stoked a controversy by slamming "Slumdog Millionaire", Friday said the movie was "wonderful" and expressed happiness that composer A.R. Rahman won three Oscar nominations for his score and songs in the movie.

"The sound engineer of this wonderful movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', Rasool, an Indian, has also won a nomination along with Rahman. I am so happy. Bhanu Athaiya was the last Indian to win an Oscar for the designing the costumes of Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' in 1982," Bachchan said at an overflowing venue at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Referring to his comment regarding "Slumdog Millionaire" that "the film projects India as Third World's dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots", he said: "I write a blog.

But the opinions expressed in my blog were not my own. So many people write on my blog site and I was just quoting one of them. I have spoken to Anil Kapoor and Danny Boyle and cleared the misgivings. But everyone must have freedom of expression."

The superstar was here for a day to release his biography, "Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan", spanning 40 years of his career in the Hindi film industry.

The book - co-authored by Mumbai-based author Bhawana Somaaya and the Mumbai-based auction house and archive OSIAN's Centre for Archiving, Research and Development (CARD) wing - is the maiden publication of Osian's publishing and design department.

Founder and chairman of OSIAN's Neville Tuli was in conversation with the superstar.

Bachchan, clad in a pink shirt and a black velvet blazer, cut an amenable figure as he fielded queries from his host and the audience alike.

"Indian cinema is gaining global acceptance. I was in Paris two weeks ago for Salon Du Cinema, a festival of world films, where India and my family were the focus this time.

"I realised that the Indian movie industry was being acknowledged and Hindi movies were being shown on television channels in countries like France, Germany and all over Europe - even in those European nations where there had been no awareness about Indian movies before.

"If you want a personal and an honest opinion, I think Indian movies are paramount. They don't fall short in any way globally - be it in terms of cinematography, content or the cast. I am very happy with the kind of movies we are making. The Oscar is in its place - the fact that they have decided to nominate one of our artistes is heartening," Bachchan said.

The superstar held forth on a variety of subjects - ranging from his relationship with his son, reading habits, concern for junior artistes in Mumbai, secular fabric of the country and his own life.

Striking a patriotic note, the Bollywood veteran said he was proud to be a movie star.

"I'm proud to be in the profession because once people walk into a movie theatre they forget the identity of those with whom they are sharing the hall. You do not ask if the person seated next to you is a Hindu, Sikh, Christian or a Muslim.

"We watch the same emotions, cry over the same grief and sing the same songs. I think the integrated India lies inside the movie halls of this country," Bachchan said.

The superstar was emphatic that his angry young man image, which had a created a new metaphor in Indian cinema after his hit action movie, "Zanjeer", was not setting a violent precedent among the youth.

"For every angry young man, I have played a benign Anthony bhai ("Amar Akbar Anthony"). The maximum violence as I read in the papers happens in Bihar," he said.

"The history of this country is more than 1,000 years old - I don't want to look down upon the younger generation. You have to give space to each generation to progress," he said.

As a model citizen of India, Bachchan said his dream was to ensure that every Indian should know, understand and follow the Constitution and work together for an integrated country - especially in these troubled times of terror.

Sambhavna shocks Harman, Kisses him

Now we all know how much Sambhavna Seth loves publicity. Her circus antics were on full display in the 'Bigg Boss' house. No matter how much she denies, this dame really is totally inspired by the queen of drama, Rakhi Sawant. To get her share of the limelight, she recently placed a long and intense kiss on Harman Baweja's cheek and took him by surprise. Harman was invited to grace the dance reality show 'Dancing Queen' and the attention hungry girl had a pre-planned program to kiss Harman when he comes up on stage. And thanks to her good planning, she got to fulfill her long desire( she calls it that). Sambhavana happily narrated the entire incident, "Well, you have got a really genuine piece of news. He's so sweet...full of positive vibes. Maine socha ek kiss le loon (I thought I would take a kiss). That's the best way to get my share of the positive vibes." She added, "When I called him onto the stage, he told me the very first time to not make me dance. I told him that I want to kiss him and that he can't stop me…and then I did." And when the world thinks that Harman is just a Hrithik clone, she has a total different viewpoint. "I'm a big fan of Harman and is longing to be his mate. I will run after him. I want Harman" Harman mightn't be some star and is still struggling to make it big in B-Town. But the chances of him choosing a dame who lacks class and shoots her mouth off for cheap publicity is very minimal. Especially after an A-lister girlfriend like Priyanka and mingling with the cherubic and refined Amrita Rao. Keep the stunts to yourself, girl! Taking a long walk somewhere will clear your head a bit.