Priyanka Chopra goes down memory lane

Priyanka Chopra went flash back to her early career as a model and drew from her experiences as a struggling model for her latest film, Fashion by Madhur Bhandarkar.

Priyanka had started her professional life as a model. And now while doing ‘Fashion’, she met up with friends from her modeling days… Noyonika Chatterjee, Jesse Randhawa and Aanchal Kumar.It seemed like an era between those days and her present career as an actor, she said.


“When I was modeling I was 17. So it’s like a whole era has passed between then and now”, says the actor. But her modeling spell was quite brief she reveals. She modeled only in the period between winning the Miss India pageant and the Miss World crown.


In Fashion, she plays a small town girl who struggles in the fashion world and undergoes a tremendous metamorphosis. “And I’ve gone through that metamorphosis myself. Like my character, I was a small-town girl finding my way through the modeling world when I came to Mumbai. A lot of it is derived from my own experiences”.


Priyanka is happy with her role and even happier working with Bhandarkar.

Mugdha Godse signs 3 film contract with Percept Pictures Company

Mugdha Godse is yet to make her big screen debut in Bollywood through Fashion but this popular ramp-walker and model already has quite a few biggies in hand. She has been signed by Percept Pictures Company under a three film contract and is now all set to be working with some of the bigwigs of the film industry. But Mugdha continues to maintain her poise even on the face of such a huge leap in her just-started Bollywood career.

"Don't be surprised because that's the way I function", replies Mugdha on being quizzed around how, unlike her contemporaries, she isn't quite heard or spoken about before her debut release Fashion, "That's not my style. For some it may be a way to keep making headlines but I would rather have everything firmly in place before I let people know about it."

The Percept offer appears to be quite an event in her professional career that is kicking off, isn't it? "True, I am happy that the buzz and hype about Fashion has been making quite a few people sit up and notice the project. PPC were aware about the progress that Fashion was making and were seemingly cued in about my performance too", reveals Mugdha who is said to be playing an integral part of Fashion even with Priyanka Chopra and Kangna Ranaut being relatively senior actors in the film.

Since she has been offered three films, would she be playing a lead role in each of these films? "Absolutely", Mugdha is quick to react, "The films that I am doing with PPC would have me in a lead-lead kind of a role. Also, since the production house has 10-15 films in the pipeline, the role that I would eventually end up doing would be by mutual consent between me and the director. I should like the film and the director should also find me suitable enough for the part."

How about working in films outside PPC? Informs Mugdha, "The good part is that this is a non-exclusive contract. In plain and simple terms, this means that I don't have to do their three films in a row and in the interim can work in a film outside PPC as well."

PPC has directors like Priyadarshan, David Dhawan, Shimit Amin, Nagesh Kukunoor and Madhur Bhandarkar amongst others on board.

Vikram Bhatt comes with 1920

Director Vikram Bhatt is all set to release his new project, 1920. It’s a horror movie set in that period.

With 1920, two newcomers are going to make their debut. Adah Sharmam and Rajneesh Duggal are set to star in a Hindi film for the first time. Set in the year 1920, the film traces the love story of an Indian boy and an English girl, set in locales from the vintage areas of Rajasthan of 1920 to Mussoorie and Bombay and a resort in the Himalayas. The two get married despite heavy opposition and the story unfolds on the premises of a supernatural thriller.

Speaking about filmmaking, Bhatt said story is like a tune that a director has in his mind. He likened it to the orchestra, which goes on in the director’s mind all playing in perfect harmony and unison.“1920 is that harmony and this coffee table book is an ode to that harmony. Our way of telling you how we played to one tune that we believed in, its faith in each other that makes an orchestra,” he said.

Bhatt has a unique marketing idea of promoting his film. Thanks to Aamir Khan he is showing the trailer of his forthcoming horror film with Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na. Jaane Tu has been a super success at the box office and is on its way to break all records of any film released this year. And Vikram Bhatt who did not have a great luck at the box office recently is sure to reach out to masses thanks to Aamir Khan’s generosity.

Osian Film Festival opens at Delhi

Delhi is enjoying to host Osian Film Festival. The 10th edition of the film festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit on Friday. This version of the Osian Film Festival is a ten day treat for the movie lovers.

The Osians-Cinefan bestowed the Osian’s lifetime achievement award on eminent director Mrinal Sen for his contributions to cinema and the Aruna Vasudev Lifetime Achievement Award for writing on cinema to Philippines versatile poet and writer Jose ‘Pete’ F. Lacaba.

“I wish I have to make many more movies. I think I should do something more. I do not know whether I deserve this award. I receive this award with all dignity. Once again I am reborn,” said Sen after receiving the coveted award.

NDTV Lumiere is taking part in Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival by showcasing 13 of its films from July 10 to 20. NDTV Lumiere is trying to bring contemporary cutting edge world cinema to India. These films will also be presented to the Indian audiences in the coming months across multiple platforms ranging from theatrical releases to home video and television.These critically acclaimed films include ‘The Chaos’, ‘Paloma Delight’, ‘Thousand Years of Good Prayers’, ‘Jellyfish’, ‘Ulzhan’, ‘Blind Mountain’, ‘Wonderful Town’, ‘Three Monkeys’, ‘Salt of The Sea’, ‘Breath’, ‘Under the Bombs’, ‘Secret of the Grain’ and ‘8½’.

Mahima Choudhary To Comeback

The Indian film industry aka Bollywood can be termed as a strange place in certain ways. There are certain unwritten norms and rules which invariably come into play. Like for instance, the viability of a heroine once she gets married, or becomes a mother.

In the past like Hema Malini or Sharmila Tagore , or Kajol in recent times, have managed the impossible and were able to straddle all three, motherhood, marriage and career very well. And most importantly, the audience accepted them wholeheartedly,married or not married. But not all actresses have been so lucky. But there is one who is brave enough to weather all these storms. And that is actress Mahima Chowdhary. She is not comfortable with the word comeback. She rightly believes that all she did was to take a maternity break. And now that the break is over, she would like nothing better than to get back into films. With her daughter now a year old, the actress feels she can now comfortably start working all over again. Certain directors have even shown a positive interest in her comeback. Of course, if she had a say in it, Mahima would like to do light and frothy roles at the moment. She is even looking at television as a viable option. Let's hope that she manages to break the norm of a married actress making a comeback.

This could be the time for Mallika Sherawat

Though Mallika Sherawat featured in three films, each of which went on to be money spinners at the box office, she didn't really have a pivotal part to the play in the plot. At the beginning of the year, she belly danced to 'Maiyya Maiyya' in Guru and disappeared after a 5 minutes appearance. Later she danced to 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' with Himesh Reshammiya, refused to kiss him on the lips, pocketed close to Rs. 1 crore for around 20 minutes screen time, and then pronto said a good bye. The year ended with a blockbuster Welcome and while this was the only film where she had something better to do both in terms of screen time and relevance to the film's plot, it again wasn't really The Mallika Sherawat movie. In a way, 2007 was a “guest appearance” outing for Mallika.

Now 2008 is certainly a happening year for Mallika Sherawat, especially the current season, which would see two of her films arriving in back to back months. While her Ugly Aur Pagli has been confirmed for a 25th July release, Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam would arrive on either 22nd or 29th August. Incidentally both the films are comedies and come with altogether unique storylines.

Ugly Aur Pagli is a breezy romantic comedy entertainer that explores the love hate relationship between an aggressive Mallika and a meek Ranvir Shorey who is greeted with 99 slaps, only to be presented with a solitary kiss. A PNC production, the film is being aggressively promoted and would be arriving on the same day as Mission Istanbul and Money Hai To Honey Hai.

On the other hand Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam seems to be a riotous outing waiting to happen with a mad bunch of actors like Rahul Bose, Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon pairing with Mallika to do something really unique on screen. Together, they form a part of a drama troupe called “Kalakar Natak Company” that produces socially relevant and thought-provoking plays, which no one understands and hardly anyone sees.

Mallika will be seen in a hot avtar in Ugly Aur Pagli and later as a fully dressed “Anarkali” in Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam. So, audience is certainly expected to arrive in hordes.

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Harman Baweja on cover of Andpersand

Meet this new cover boy. He is latest heart throb from bollywood. Tuxedo by Gucci, White Shirt by Gas, Tie by Dior, Shoes by Hugo Boss, jacket by Versace and belt is 'his' own.

The above mentioned names surely invoke and evoke an embellishing sense of Royalty. And that these will do justice only to the man who is fit to be the King. He is the name that Bollywood is eagerly watching out for in the days to come. He is Harman Baweja, the man who is all over the place, courtesy, his debut film Love Story 2050.

He is also on the cover of the fashion and lifestyle magazine 'Andpersand'. In this issue, Harman talks about practically everything under not just the sun, but also the moon and the stars. He speaks in length about his formative years, his Destiny, his journey into Bollywood, his directors, relationships, family, God and also about his 'good friend' Priyanka Chopra. Girls can really eat your hearts out as Harman has gone semi bare in this issue.

Neil Nitin Mukesh to compose the theme song of Freeze

It was earlier reported that Neil Nitin Mukesh would be making his singing debut in director Jehangir Surti’s Freeze. Now it seems that the actor will not just sing but also compose the song he’s set to croon.

The actor, who stole everyone’s heart with his performance in Johnny Gaddaar last year, would be reviving some old tunes that he has composed along with some help from music director Pritam.

The song is said to be the film’s theme song.

Shilpa Shetty raises 63,000 pounds for Silver Star Appeal

Shilpa Shetty who was awarded the Global Diversity Award managed to raise 63,000 pounds for charity on the gala night.

The star event of the night was when Shilpa auctioned her kisses for a cool 12,500 pounds to an admirer.

The actress won the prestigious “Global Diversity Award” along with British racing driver Lewis Hamilton for making significant contribution to the public appreciation and understanding of diversity.

She also helped the organizers to raise 63,000 pounds for a charity - Silver Star Appeal - that runs mobile diabetes assessment units.

Stepping in to enthuse the charity auction, the Bollywood actress climbed up to the stage, took the mike and told the audience that the winner would get a “kiss from me”.

But Shilpa was quick to add, “It will be on the cheek. I don’t want my effigies burnt again.”

She was obviously referring to the controversy over the Hollywood star Richard Gere kissing her on stage during an AIDS awareness event in New Delhi in April last year which resulted in some Hindu nationalists burning her effigies and slapping court cases against her and Gere in India.

Her admirer got three kisses.

Kat fever hits IIFA

Katrina Kaif was down with heavy viral fever during the IIFA awards held in Bangkok recently. The doctors had advised her complete bed rest. The organizers wondered whether Katrina would be able to live up to her commitment and perform live for the event. In fact taking doctor's advice into consideration the organizers too suggested that Kats should just take it easy and not perform at the show. But Kats just popped in some antibiotics! And was all ready to take on the stage. Retracting from a commitment was out of question. And the kind of performance Kats dished out, not once did the onlookers come to know that Kats was completely down with high fever. Kats looked as fresh as the morning dew.

After the show when people learnt that Kats had performed despite her illness, they praised her for her professionalism. Producers, who had worked with Kats earlier, also swore by her professionalism.

Sorry Bhai brings Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi together

The much-appreciated on screen pair Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi returns back together on screen with their forthcoming release SORRY BHAI. They were last seen in HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD

Shabana Azmi a well known figure in the Bollywood industry and popular amongst the younger and older crowd will be seen as Boman Irani's wife in Onir's next SORRY BHAI which has been shot in Mauritius.

After having a sensational kissing scene in their previous film, their chemistry was well favored and created a lot of buzz in the industry. Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi are paired once more opposite each other in Onir's Sorry Bhai to give their finest performance all over again.

Onir was looking for such a pair who would be the parents in his film SORRY BHAI. He needed someone who could project onscreen chemistry flawlessly. “Boman and Shabana make a very cute onscreen couple and I think this is the main essence for them to look excellent in a film”, says Onir.

In SORRY BHAI, Shabana and Boman once again play Husband and wife as in HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. Sorry Bhai is about a happy family, the parents and their two sons, each of them have their own values in the changing times but they all dote on each other. Boman and Shabana head for their elder son's (Sanjay) wedding along with their younger son (Sharman) who is a scientist. Soon after that Sharman and his elder brother's fiancee (Chitrangada) find themselves drawn towards each other that they try to hide but a series of events forces them to admit their feelings for each other.

Onir's SORRY BHAI has been shot at dazzling locations in Mauritius with Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Sanjay Suri, Chitrangdha and Sharman Joshi in the cast. With fresh music from Gaurav Dayal, Ashwini Malik beautifully scripts the film; Anita Dongre has done the styling. The Presenter for the film is Vashu Bhagnani of Puja Films and Produced and Directed by Onir of Anticlock Films.