Homosexuality in Bollywood Industry

Homosexuality is everywhere in the world these days since it has set its feet in every society around the globe. In west, it got stronger when years back the marriage between the gays was given the legal status. Following it, many gays tied the knot.. Joining this bandwagon, the coveted singer Elton John (who is a gay as well) got married to his gay buddy too. This marriage was given huge coverage in the media.

I got much dumbfounded when I heard from some friends in Bollywood industry that there existed the homosexuality in this swanky world of Hindi filmdom. Following to this bitter truth, I read a few articles on this subject published in the popular Indian newspapers, which clearly depicted the whole picture of this nail-bitingly sour fact in front of my eyes.

Some famous faces of the biggies of this trade of movies, who are involved in this evil practice, hit my mind when a very good friend of mine, who is a coveted model turned actress, revealed this fact to me. This is what happened that she was seeking a lead role in a film under a big banner project because her debut Bollywood flick had been shelved due to some unknown reasons (I too asked many a times to the director of this venture as to why this film was not being released despite the fact that it was complete and passed by the censor board. But he did not mention the reasons). This she expressed to me and I gave her the contacts of those filmmakers who were looking for the talented actresses. Among those names, there was one name of a director who I praised hugely since he had churned out the blockbusters and carved his place amongst the big wheels of the Bollywood filmmakers in a short span of time. The moment she heard the name, started to rebuke him by exposing him from tip to toe as to how this popular director’s actual face was! The minute I learnt about that filmmaker that he had been involved in homosexuality, I got simply shocked at the bitter fact, which was very difficult to swallow. He himself told to her his involvement in the practice of homosexuality when she approached to him to have a chance to do the role of a leading gal in his movie. But he asked her to come for a drink at night at some private place. And when she turned down his offer, he told her … “in order to enter into the ritzy world of Bollywood, one has to sleep with someone so you have to bed with me. Even I had to sleep with someone to direct a film”. She refused him and as a result he gave the central character to the big actress.

The person, with whom he shared the bed to do the homosexual activities to have a chance to direct a movie, is running a well renowned production house in Bollywood. His production abode has chewed up a very long list of flicks since his film company has been in filmmaking for last many decades. His father, a popular producer-director, had started the business of making films decades ago. And since then they have been conferring the moviegoers with mega hits. Theirs is the production house amongst a few banners, which have long list of blockbusters to their credit.

Gossips have also been chomped in film circles and in the media about the involvement of a super star with his filmmaker friend (who has hosted a TV show) in gay activities. This saga does not end here rather it unzips more facts about homosexuality in Bollywood. Some months back, there were stories about a famous homosexual Indian showbiz journalist about his sexual harassment to Bollywood stars in all the leading Indian newspapers and on popular Bollywood websites across the world.

The days when Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’ had hit the theaters, I got e-mail from some unknown person (who did not disclose his identity) laced with a picture showing that journalist getting close to a famous male model at the premiere of ‘Saawariya’. The person also mentioned in the e-mail that Bhansali gave him the J-Class ticket to attend the premiere. What attracted to me to that e-mail was the first line, which said, “he came…he saw…he touched”. And this narration very aptly fits to the picture, he sent along.

Sonu Nigam, the celebrated Bollywood singer, has also been the victim of this journalist. This fact oozed out before the world when Sonu Nigam himself wrote a letter to the media and sent it across to all the Bollywood journalists around the globe through his PR Manager. One copy was sent to me as well. The letter described that the journalist had interest in Sonu Nigam and when Sonu did not respond to his sexual advancements, he began to throw mud on him by writing negatively on the songster. Sonu Nigam also presented the text of the sms’s sent by the journalist to him, which said, “I miss you and love you Sonu” and “I am sorry”. Nigam even revealed the names of the big wigs of Bollywood who were on his hate list. They included the King Khan (Shahrukh Khan), Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shiney Ahuja, Anu Malik, Adnan Sami, Ismail Darbar, Shilpa Shetty, Asha Bhonsle, Alka Yagnik and many more because they never allowed him to come to them.

Where there is homosexuality in Bollywood fraternity, there is another evil emerging rapidly in the industry called ‘casting couch’.

Despite being swathed with all of these evils, Bollywood is on high heels of success not only in India but also in each and every corner of the world because the people, associated with it, work really hard and their uphill struggle pays them in return.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly send us your valued thoughts on this story on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The Happily Married Intellectual Couple – Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi

Like all lovebirds, this decent-intellectual couple too underwent love affair and was spotted dating each other on various private places.. Both were seeking a strong bond of love, a real partner who could understand the nature, respect the feelings and above all shower the romance, which the two were looking desperately since they both were heart-broken – Javed Akhtar from his Ex-wife Honey Irani (a renowned script writer and film director) and Shabana from Shekhar Kapoor (a well famed filmmaker of international repute). Soon the two realized that they were made for each other. Prior to their love affair, Javed Akhtar used to come to Shabana’s house to meet her father Kaifi Azmi, a well-known Urdu poet and a film lyricist. Since both (Javed and Kaifi) were from the same field of Urdu literature (writing), they shared a good friendship with each other.

Stories of the Javed-Shabana’s romance had been in the air for quite some time. And even they both neither confirmed their romance nor denied it. This attitude of their gave confirmation that they were in love. When Honey Irani got to know about Javed’s affair with Shabana Azmi, she sent her spies to investigate the whole situation. She was told that Javed left the house freshly showered with the beautiful fragrance of aftershave and cologne and went straight to meet his love lady Shabana. Akhtar’s neighbors at Sea Spring, Bandstand in Bombay whispered to Honey about his late and early mornings arrivals. And then came the magical day, which put the full stop to all rumours. 10^th December 1984 , Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi tied the nuptial knot. It was a spellbinding afternoon swathed with their guests who came to congratulate and wish the couple good luck. Both had innumerable appointments, but neither was willing to budge. Javed Akhtar had an appointment with a producer whereas Shabana had a recoding with the music director Khayyam for a movie, ‘Anjuman’. Only a few very close guests were invited since the decision of marriage was taken in haste, on the day they got married. All happened in a jiffy. Shabana, Javed, Shabana’s friends and her mother’s friends all were sitting in the garden. Neither Kaifi Azmi nor Shoukat Azmi (Shabana’s mother) was present at the occasion. As dusk fell, some more close friends dropped by. Shabana’s cousin Rajjo came with her daughter Farha. Anu Kapoor (the coveted Bollywood actor and the famous host of Zee TV’s show Antakshri) and Farha went to hunt for a maoulvi for the Nikah. Shabana Azmi as usual was unable to locate her cupboard keys and sat motionless in her room. Soon she thought of something and then grabbed the saree lying outside, tied a rubber band around her hair and the bride was ready for the most happiest day of life. Much later after the wedding, Shabana regretted not wearing a gharara and not having a photographer on her very important day. “How sad that I have absolutely no memory of the precious moment. It was over before I knew it”, she told to the press.

For a long time after, everytime Shabana Azmi attended a wedding ceremony she missed the celebration she could never have. “We had no lights, no shehnai. It didn’t even feel like a wedding…!”, she further expressed to the media. The room for their suhaag raat was decorated with the traditional mograas and agarbatties.

The press condemned their marriage. They termed Javed Akhtar a cad and Shabana a hypocrite. From someone championing women’s issues, they expected something better. The media persons arrived at the sets of Shoukat Azmi’s Umraao Jaan at Mehboob Studios to have her statement on her daughter’s marriage where she and her husband were not present. The press did not stop here instead they went to Shabana’s father Kaifi Azmi with a newspaper cutting (carrying the story on Shabana-Javed’s marriage) in Mijwan, UP. MTNL was on strike those days, which is why the news of the wedding could not reach to him there. Shoukat Azmi broke down because her daughter had taken a major decision in her husband’s absence. Kaifi Azmi, on the other hand, was not much surprised at his daughter’s sudden marriage and felt relieved that the problem had now found a solution. He got happy that now there would be one more writer in his daughter’s life.

The whole media in the country was not going to let Shabana get away so easily. But she defended herself with dignity. Shabana and Javed maintained silence. They owed no one any explanations

In a poem written on his love Shabana, Javed Akhtar dashed off, ‘Woh Us Duniya Ki Aurat Hai Jis Duniya Mein Main Rehta Hoon’. Absolutely true, because she is intellectual like Javed. And they both respect each other’s intellects. Finding a partner up to your mind is difficult and very rarely, it happens. And he finds himself lucky that he has got the one, who is like him.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly let us have your thoughts on this story on the space provided below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

When a speeding car threw out Rekha onto the road…

This actress is a real dusky beauty swathed with the gifted talents, which made her presence felt in the toughest Hindi film industry and helped her stand amongst the biggies of this swanky trade. She has her own class and strapping standing in Bollywood that cannot be demolished. Which is why, she is still seen in the movies in this old age in power packed roles. Today, she looks as young as she was in her heydays though she has crossed 50.

Till date, Rekha has delivered award-winning performances in her long career. Even many flicks are still remembered with her name, as she appeared as the pivotal performer in them. The notables amongst them are: ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Utsav’, ‘Ijaazat’, ‘Khoon Bhari Mang’, ‘Phool Bane Angaray’ and to name a few.

Starting her film profession at very young age in 1966, Rekha has worked with all the leading actors of the industry from Amitabh Bachchan, Jateendra, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Rakesh Roshan, Vinod Mehra, Sashi Kapoor, Farooq Sheikh, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and many others.

The sizzling actress has undergone many love affairs, but the one, which she could not erase from her mind, is her affair with Lambo Ji (Amitabh Bachchan). She is deeply in love with the man with baritone voice.

Today when the hot actresses like Bipasha Basu, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are there to be in the news all the time, Rekha’s popularity graph is not behind rather it is so high that the world-renowned news channel ‘CNN’ interviewed her in its New York studio.

The incident, which I am going to describe you, took place during the 80s decade when Rekha and Raj Babbar were shooting on a long outdoor for T. Rama Rao’s ‘Sansar’ in Chennai. When they returned to the tinsel town, the stories about their romance were in the air. What actually spilled the beans was the midnight drama that unfolded on the streets of Juhu in Bombay. The newspapers’ phones began to ring with bizarre stories which seemed stranger than fiction. It all began when a speeding car threw out a woman onto the road in the very late hours of the night in Juhu. The woman clad with white sari collected herself, stood from the ground and started walking. Spotting a passing taxi on the road, she called it. The voice of the woman seemed familiar to the few sex workers who were out there and strolling by lazily. They recognized the actress. Even without the trace of the make-up, Rekha was too dazzling to go unnoticed. ‘It’s her. Rekha, the film actress’, they shouted. Within moments, she was surrounded by all of them – someone pulling her hair, someone her hand. It was her good fortune that a film unit member returning home stopped by. To his disbelief, he found Rekha sobbing, begging them to let her go. He hurriedly pushed his car right into the crowd, pulled Rekha from the mad crowd and then dropped her to her home in his car. To this day, nobody knows about that man, who saved the steamy damsel in distress.

The next morning, the whole of the Bombay city was buzzing with the news. The journalists phoned Rekha to find out if the story was true. She was not available for comments. It’s an utter fact in the industry that whenever a serious controversy crops up, the star is never available for clarifications.

Whether she clarifies this controversy or not, but one thing is certain that she is still there on the celluloid in the autumn of her life with her usual heart-hitting charms and mesmerizing beauty with much oomph. She has not lost her worth yet. She still looks young and fresh as she was decades back.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly let us hear your views on this story on the space provided below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The much-talked about marriage of Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy

Theirs was without any doubt the much-talked about marriage (taken place in early eighties) since the guy was a very famous super cricketer of Pakistani cricket team and the gal a coveted mega actress of Hindi film industry. When their love affair oozed out and they started dating, the gossip mill had begun to buzz in the Bollywood fraternity, in the media around the globe, amongst the Pakistani cricket team and the masses. Whenever the Pakistani team went to India to play matches, the gorgeous dusky actress would go to stadium to see her dashing hero playing the shots. Even Reena did not miss any chance to see the live matches of Mohsin Khan in other corners of the world. The same happened with the Oval hero, as he was also found on the sets and on the roads of Bombay to meet his girlfriend. This was a mad love between the two, which took both to tie the knot finally without caring about the boundaries of the two countries (as they rightly say, ‘Love sees no boundaries’).

Nobody in the industry believed that Reena would eventually settle down. Prior to meeting Mohsin, she was madly in love with the Banarsi Babo Shatrughan Sinha. Besides, Roy was also on a constant see-saw, now-on and now-off relationships with other men. Reena wanted marriage but Shatru was unable to make up his mind since he was already married to his childhood sweetheart Poonam. He was dilly-dallying between the two ladies whom he met daily – one on the sets and the other at home. Sinha’s shaky mind dragged Reena to another man, Rajnesh from whom she did also not find any happiness, utter love and piece of mind. She was deeply in a low phase, when the charming Khan came into her life. The chocolate looking macho Bollywood hero Vinod Khanna helped her get out of this low phase and Jaya Bachchan encouraged Reena to say ‘yes’ to Mohsin Khan’s marriage proposal. The moment Reena decided to become Mohsin’s bride, she did not leave any stone unturned to play the perfect bahu begum of Pakistan. She started to support the Pakistani team. Every time there was an India-Pakistan match where Indian team did better, the whole film industry would tease Reena saying, ‘Jal Gayi Reena Roy’.

In May, 1980, in an interview to the media, Reena Roy expressed her desire to get married and leave the film fraternity (as her lover boy had stepped into her life by now, but it was too early to make up her mind for him). She said, “I don’t know why, but I am suddenly beginning to resent work these days. I think I’m tired. Half of my time goes in traveling to the studios and the other half in waiting endlessly for my shot. I am fed up with costumes, wigs, make up and all that. I think I need to settle down. I wish some Prince Charming would come galloping my way. The day he does, I will get married and go away like Mumtaz. Never to return to the archlights again.”

Three years later, when she was in London to attend the Amitabh Bachchan show, their love boomed and soared sky high. Mohsin Khan took the flight to London to spend the leisure time with his princess. Every evening, Mohsin Khan called her up at her hotel, where she was staying, and asked her to be ready. He picked her up in his car and took her for long drives. They talked for long hours. Mohsin told her about his game, his ambitions and his future. Reena listened him and enjoyed his talking thoroughly. She, on the other hand, expressed about her flagging interest in her profession, her dilemma and her growing insecurities. Both also discussed their parents, their families and friends. Slowly but surely, the strong love relationship was cemented between the two.

Back home, in India, Reena began to think often of Mohsin, started missing him a lot. She confessed to herself and then to her close friend Jaya Bachchan that she was deeply in love with the super Pakistani cricketing hero. But the problem was that she was unable to decide what to do..! Jaya, being a good friend, made Reena conscious of her own identity and the need to find real happiness for herself. She asked Reena to put aside her doubts about her family, her career, about Shatrughan Sinha and helped her make a decision for her prosperous future and happiness in life. Therefore Jaya gave the positive signal to wed to Mohsin Khan, as Reena was unable to live without the guy and her world was lying with the charming Moshin Hassan Khan. Reena knew Moshin for more than six years. Besides, he was talented, successful, much famous across the globe and very rich. Hence there appeared no problem at all for the beautiful renowned actress of Bollywood to spend the rest of her life with the popular dashing Khan. On the other hand, she too had played long innings in the film industry and earned pretty good fame and money, as she was there for the last ten years. But now she was tired of acting and the futile relationships, she had gone through earlier. There was a vacuum in her life and above all, the age for marriage was growing also. So, she decided to be the life partner of her dream man, Moshin Khan. Finally, the wedding took place on 1^st April, 1983 and Reena left for her new home in Karachi, Pakistan.

Years later, when Moshin Khan said good bye to the national cricket team due to his clashes with the cricket board, he settled with his wife Reena Roy in Bombay and tried his luck in Hindi cinema. But as the fact is crystal clear that the cricketers can hit sixes only in playgrounds not on celluloid, he too flopped at Bollywood front doing few films in a few years like his counterpart Sandeep Patel (the debonair batsman of Indian cricket team), who made his debut in films opposite with Poonam Dhillon in ‘Kabhi Ajnabi Thay’ and did some films after that and went back to home. Reena did not return to filmdom, though her hubby was doing movies, instead she preferred to be a housewife looking after her baby girl, Jannat.

All Reena and Mohsin want is a happy married life being lovers always. But destiny had something else in store for them. The clashes started to emerge between the lovers and some years later, they parted their ways. Mohsin gave divorce to Reena and returned to his home, Pakistan. Khan joined Lollywood (Pakistani film industry) and did many films but again he had to face bad luck on movies front.

Today he is a successful commentator of cricket and coaches the young aspiring cricketers. Reena Roy, after being divorced, returned to archlights but failed in both the entertaining worlds – films and television being the leading actress of the past. When they divorced, Mohsin Khan got the custody of the daughter but when he re-married, Reena Roy got her back with the help of the law. Today, Jannat lives with Reena Roy.

Once the mad lovers, today they both hesitate and do not like to talk about each other.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly send us your valued thoughts on this story on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The Broken Marriages of Vinod Mehra

Vinod Mehra, the sober looking fine actor of the 70s and 80s, who maintained his career steadily and made his place in the Hindi cinema with the dexterous skills he was swathed with. Not a super star, Mehra did not touch the heights of success in his entire phase of films, but always gave his best shot and kept a good status in the industry. Which was why, he was never out of the film abode. An average hero with marvelous dexterity of acting draped with the soft style of dialogue delivery, Vinod made his presence felt with his acting prowess amongst the mega stars of his time from Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, Jateendra and others.

The polite actor did not find himself happy in his married life. He went through broken marriages till death. Mehra got married four times. And out of them, three marriages broke and only the last could survive.

The first woman to enter his life was none other than the epitome of beauty-the dusky Rekha, who became his life partner. It was a love marriage. Both had worked together in many films prior to their wedding. The marriage could not survive since Rekha gave her heart to Lambo Jee (the dashing man with rocket solid voice, the super star Amitabh Bachchan). But they both remained good friends till Mehra’s death.

The next lady to hit his home as his bride was Meena Broca, the girl his mother had chosen for him. Since it was an arrange marriage, Vinod was not happy at all. Thus the relationship could not develop between the two. After some days of his marriage, a journalist went to interview the newly-wed couple and found that the certain natural fragrance (which is normally attached to a happy occasion) was missing in the ambiance of his residence. Vinod was awkward and Meena nervous. Their answers to the questions of journalist were appearing rehearsed. And it was obvious that they were not comfortable in each other’s presence. Mehra suffered his first heart attack soon after his wedding to Meena. He could not take much time to compromise with the gal, his mother had selected for him. And three months later, one fine afternoon, he eloped with the co-star Bindya Goswami (the ravishing actress with innocent looks) while still being married to Meena Broca. It was Mehra’s third marriage and appeared in the media as a major scandal, which took an ugly turn when Meena’s brothers threatened him with dire consequences. Torn between his love for Goswami and his mother, Mehra was overridden with guilt. On the other hand, Bindya’s parents were pretty much upset with her for spoiling a promising career to settle down with an already married man. For a while, the two stayed in hotel rooms.

About his marriage with Meena, Vinod Mehra said to the media, “I don’t want to explain, but my marriage with her is not a marriage”. Certainly, it was a very sad break-up. The blushing bride, who had come to his home with abundant of dreams, had to pack her baggage a few weeks later.

The Goswami family was much sure that the marriage between Vinod and Bindya wouldn’t last since they knew that their daughter was irresponsible. Mrs. Mehra, Vinod’s mother was also not happy with his son’s marriage with the actress. She said to the journalists, “Ek bar jis larki ko madam bulvane ki aadat par jayee vo bahu ya bhabhi nahin ban sakti. Vo madam hi rahte hai”.

Call it destiny, but a few years later history repeated itself when Bindya left Vinod’s home to tie the knot with the noted filmmaker J.P Dutta, whilst still being married to Mehra. The lover (Vinod) went to plead to bring Bindya back, but she had made up her mind. A few years later, Mehra made up his mind too when he got married to Kiran. Again it was a love marriage. Vinod tied the nuptial knot for the fourth time and she (Kiran) for the second. The excited Mehra told to the reporters at the wedding ceremony, “This is the right one. You wait and watch, this will last forever”. And surely it did, only Vinod Mehra died too young due to the severe heart attack he suffered.

His death was as dramatic as his marriage. Covered in mystery till the very end, nobody was able to resolve why his body turned black during the last hours. He felt severe pain in his chest and asked his wife Kiran who rubbled balm. “Call the doctor. I think I am dying”, he said to better half. The frightened wife rushed to summon the doctor. He’d begun to turn pale by then. “I don’t want to die. I want to see our baby”. These were the last words he uttered to his wife again and again. The death did not let him see his baby and took him along. He died on 30^th October 1990.

The numerous marriages the actor (who acted in a long list of films) turned filmmaker went through his life, Rekha was his regular confidante. They continued to remain friends till the end day of Vinod’s life. Rekha was the first person to meet Meena to give her the customary saree and jewellery. And many years later, she did the same with Kiran. Today, Kiran wears the same locket Rekha had gifted her at the wedding.

Kiran gave birth to two kids – Soniya Mehra and Rohan Mehra. Soniya was two years old when Vinod died. Rohan took birth after his father’s death (whom he wanted to see). Soniya Mehra has recently made her debut in Bollywood with the flick, ‘Victora No. 203’, which is a remake of the 1972 classic of the same name. Such a fine-polite actor, Vinod Mehra will always be remembered in good words by his fans and the movie buffs of Hindi cinema.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly send us your valued thoughts on this story on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

A journey of Pakistani artists to Bollywood

Mumbai, a city of dreams where the world’s mammoth entertainment industry is situated, welcomes every enthusiast who is laced with a talent to make a mark in the world of showbiz. A land of opportunities, the city sees people coming from every part of the country and the world to try their luck every day. Who get a chance to display their histrionics stay there and the rest whose luck does not support them pull the socks up to go back to their homes. The city certainly has power to help you become a star if you are passionate and determined enough to see the heights of success in life.

It’s not a new wave that Pakistani artists are making their presence felt in Indian entertainment industry rather they have been endowing them with their dexterity since quite long. In 80s, Reshma crooned the track, ‘Lambi Judaai’ in the legendary filmmaker Shubash Ghai’s blockbuster, ‘Hero’ and looted the music aficionados’ hearts not only in India and Pakistan but also across the world. The song proved to be the mega hit of that time. In that era, the ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali warbled the ghazal, ‘Chupke Chupke Raat Din’ for the film, ‘Nikah’ and pocketed huge popularity in Hindi filmdom. After that, he released many albums there. And till date, the music lovers have been soothing their ears with his mellifluous voice. The gorgeous actress Salma Agha, who gained film education in an institution in Mumbai where bad man Gulshan Grover and angry man Anil Kapoor were her classmates, too made her Bollywood debut in the movie, ‘Nikah’ opposite Deepak. Ghulam Ali’s ghazal, ‘Chupke Chupke’ had been picturized on both of them (Salma and Deepak) so artistically and creatively that even today’s moviegoer loves to watch and extols the cinematography of the track. One cannot forget the luminous works of the brother-sister duo, Nazia and Zohaib Hassan in the field of singing, which they contributed to Hindi film industry in 80s. Just unlock the box of your memories, the golden epoch begins to boogie in front of your eyes where you see Nazia and Zohaib Hassan trilling the foot-tapping numbers like ‘Disco Deewane’, ‘Dil Bole Boom Boom’, ‘Aap Jaisa Koi Mere Zindagi Mein Aaye’ and many others in various Hindi flicks.

After some space of time, the dashing cricketer Mohsin Hassan Khan who married to Reena Roy (the big actress of Bollywood of that time) made his journey to the glittering world of Hindi films. He appeared in many movies with the coveted stars. The notable films in which he showcased his deftness are: ‘Batwara’ and ‘Saathi’. But unfortunately he had to return to Pakistan after his divorce with Reena Roy. The showman, Raj Kapoor introduced the heart-hitting beauty Zeeba Bukhtiyar in his film, ‘Heena’. Post Heena, she stayed there in Mumbai and enacted in many films but returned back to the country eventually to pursue her showbiz career in Pakistan. Dev Anand’s discovery Anita Ayub too gave her manifestation in his flick but could not survive in Bollywood.

The legendary qawwal late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan got popular with the Indian film industry when he was invited by Raj Kapoor to sing in a specially arranged mehfil at the marriage ceremony of his son Rishi Kapoor. After some hiatus in 90s, Ustad Nusrat made his way to Bollywood to show his talents and released albums there. The soundtrack, which touched to heights, was ‘Awargi’ that he did with the famous lyricist Javed Akhtar. Nusrat’s compositions for the films were hugely admired. Many other coveted vocalists of Pakistan turned the face to India to prove their mettle as well such as Ali Haider, Sajjad Ali, Komal Rizvi, Junoon band and others. And their works were appreciated.

Adnan Sami, the world’s fastest pianist who has the record of playing the Indian classical music on piano, too packed the baggage and took the flight to Mumbai to show his talents of music and singing. When his album titled ‘Kabhi To Nazar Milao’ was released (which he did with Asha Bhonsle) in year 2000, his popularity graph soared sky-high in a jiffy. After that, there has been no looking back for the songster cum musician. And now he is today’s hot singer-musician of Bollywood amongst the biggies of the trade.

In recent past, we have witnessed horde of Pakistani artists going to Mumbai to make their career. The question arises in mind as to why they prefer making their career in India to Pakistan? The answer is very simple. Since the entertainment industry of Pakistan is too small to venture into and besides there are no resources available to churn out projects of international standards and above all the cinema industry has collapsed, the stars’ preference turns to Bollywood because it has a wide international market and the people, associated with it, get international fame and they are paid handsome amount as well. Over the past few years, the large number of Pakistani artists who went to India are: Muamar Rana (Who Sashi Ranjan gave a small role in his film, ‘Dobara’), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (who had sung in many film functions in India but it was Pooja Bhatt who introduced him in her movie, ‘Paap’ to croon the very humable track, ‘Laagi Tumse Man Ki Lagan’), Amjad Islam Amjad (who has been reciting his poetry at adbi mushairas in India since long but Pooja Bhat helped him write the song, ‘Laagi Tumse Man Ki Lagan’ for the film, ‘Paap’. Earlier the late poet Qateel Shafai had also been penning lyrics for the Indian movies), Atif Aslam (who was launched by none other than Mahesh Bhatt to warble the energetic spongy number, ‘Woh Lamhey’ in the movie, ‘Zeher’), Meera (she was also introduced by Mahesh Bhatt in his film, ‘Nazar’), Javed Shiekh (whose launch pad was the film titled ‘Shikar’), Strings (they had released their albums in India earlier but their entry to Bollywood was with the flick, ‘Zinda’ made by Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt. Since the legendary litterateur-humorist Anwar Maqsood is the lyricist behind String’s songs, his contribution is also counted to Hindi film industry), Ali Zafar (Frankflin music company launched him in India), Jal band (Home Records released their first album in India), Jawad Ahmad (who trilled ‘Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena’ in the film, ‘Woh Lamhey’), Zulfikar and Ainee (who sang the tracks ‘Tu Phir Aao’ and ‘Mahiya’ in Bhatt’s ‘Awarapan’), Sana (who was seen in ‘Kaafila’ opposite Sunny Deol) and many others made their appearance in Indian entertainment market. And also many are being seen currently venturing into the entertainment industry of India.

Did Pakistani artists succeed in Bollywood industry? Without any doubt, they have done brilliantly well over there. But of all the artists, it was the singers whom the people of Bollywood acknowledge and would like to continue work with. You have witnessed that Meera did only two movies there, Maumar Rana was offered nothing more after ‘Dobara’, Sana too has not been seen in any other film after ‘Kaafila’. It is only Javed Shiekh, who is still there in Hindi movies? But do you think, he is getting the kinds of roles, he deserves? No…absolutely not…! The superstar of Lollywood, who has rich experience to his credit and who is regarded colossally in the country, is not being given the status, he deserves. Although the Indian media name him ‘Pakistani Dilip Kumar’ but when it comes to cast him, they offer him small roles in the films. Look at the movies, he has done there such as ‘Shikar’, ‘Jaan-e-Man’, ‘Apne’, ‘Namaste London’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’ among others. His roles are of small importance. But the man is still standing there…don’t know what is in his mind?

Only the vocalists are gaining huge popularity, fan following, handsome amount and bright future in Bollywood. Atif Aslam has been signed exclusively by the music giant, ‘Tips Industries’. Tips Industries are also in talks with Ahmad Jahanzeb to sign a contract with him. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is singing in every second film. And the same is happening with all the singers of Pakistan. Music companies and the film production houses are after the Pakistani vocalists and they are ready to put the mammoth amount at stake for them since they have rock-hard confidence in their skills.

Now the question is…should all the Pakistani artists try their luck in Bollywood? The answer is… ‘Yes’ because if they succeed, the sky is the limit for the opportunities.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly send us your valued thoughts on this story on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The Importance of the Photo sessions of Stars

No star is complete without the photo sessions. From high profile stars to celebrated models to low profile artists, all prefer to shoot a special photo session with the dexterous famous photographers. The importance of photo sessions is undoubtedly very high because when the viewers see them, their popularity graph soars to heights. Every movie buff likes to see and have the pictures of his/her favourite star in collection. The power of the photo session is very strapping because when one’s acting or work does not play good, they ooze out to provide the benefit to star’s worth amongst the people. Sensing its mammoth value, the whopping amount is consumed on them. Finally it is the media, which is used to showcase the special photos of the stars for the viewing and the pleasures of the masses.

The trend of ‘special photo sessions’, where stars munch through exclusive time for a magazine or a private shoot and go through five to six costume changes (or as many they want or the photographer likes to), was first started by the widely circulated Indian magazine, ‘Super’ decades back probably in late the 70s and the beginning of the 80s. In those days, the sessions lasted for hours – sometimes an entire day (the same is happening on today’s scenario rather it takes more than one day sometimes when the shoots are so special).

Earlier, the photo shoots of the celebrities were done only for the films’ promotion or for themselves so that they could promote them amongst the people using their own ways like PR managers or promotional companies. Now this trend has taken a step ahead, the business tycoons are using the stars and models to promote their products and make special calendars with them. Every year, the biggies like King Fisher (A wine company run by Vijay Malliya – a very coveted liquor magnate of India), Bombay Dying (A Nes Wadia venture) and many others shoot the special photo sessions with the famous stars and the models on the eye-pleasing beaches and locales of the world to make the calendars for their organizations. A huge amount is spent on this since the charges of the popular stars/models are so high and besides they rope in the noted photographers to click the shoots who also sell their services on handsome amount. Above all, to do the shoots for days on different locations of the world costs too higher as well.

Today to do a photo shoot, every star wants a photographer who has a healthy profile to his credit. Even the newcomer or the budding artists, who like to enter the stardom or make it big in the ritzy world of entertainment, too make rounds to the offices of the high profile photographers in order to have a photo shoot with them. This has added values to the photographers’ worth and this has happened due to the dexterity in their works, their easy approach to the film production houses and their ability to convince the filmmakers through the portfolio (pictures) of the star. There is no doubt at all in this fact that a classy and attractive portfolio plays a major role to snatch a work in the industry. And a good portfolio is ofcourse made by some intelligent photographer. And if a portfolio has been done by some renowned photographer, the chances become so bright to have a good work instantly, which is why a colossal amount is offered to the coveted photographers. The high profile celebrities do the photo sessions with the photographers, they are comfortable with. And with whom, they think that their photo sessions can bring lucrative results. Above all, they do it not occasionally rather very often because they know to be every time with their fans can play big for them. The big brigade from Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) to King Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) to Salman Khan and the bandwagon of the popular actresses from Madhuri Dixit to Aishwariya Rai to Amisha Patel to Bipasha Basu to Preity Zinta, all are found in front of the clicks of the camera.

Since obscenity is very common in films and everywhere in the entertainment abode, it has entered in the photo shoots too. Many newcomers/low profile actresses-models and even the coveted models and actresses have been witnessed to do the topless and semi naked photo shoots to gain the rapid popularity. Without any doubt, the nudity gets one popular because it attracts the people instantly. Often I receive such pictures by the PR managers/companies to get them published but I do not go ahead with publishing them in any publication, I work with because I do not like this cheap way and shortcut to fame. I believe in abilities and I really appreciate those who get success with their skills and talents. On the other side of the coin, even there are some photographers as well who get the stars ready to practice this peccadillo getting them convinced that this way your popularity graph will shove to heights. This kind of incident had happened last year with a popular Bollywood actress who simply denied going topless before the photographer (who is a very well-known in his field). This incident got the main leads in all leading newspapers, tabloids and online publications across the globe. But getting semi-naked and showing the deep cleavage for the photo shoots before the photographers are very common with the famous actresses of the Hindi cinema and eminent models.

The photographers shoot the photo sessions and the stars then send the pictures to the media people by themselves or through their PRs so that they can upload them in the galleries or publish them in the newspapers. I am also sent the pictures of the stars by stars themselves and through their PRs. The ones I think need to be published, I send to the publications.

Photo sessions appear to be compulsory because they no doubt add values to your worth and star power. But the point is that they should not be obscene.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly let us hear your thoughts on this story on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

Bollywood Babes’ Inclination to Dance in Marriage Ceremonies and Private Parties

In the swanky world of Bollywood, many things happen and anything can happen. Earlier we used to hear about stars performing live in concerts but now they have taken a step ahead and entertain their audiences live in marriages and private parties. In Pakistan, this trend is not new rather it has been going on for long as you have been witnessing it in almost every marriage ceremony and private party where the coveted babes of the film world and the other stars render their performances to entertain the guests. Across the border, this thing was not much active years back, they just used to hire the services of the popular vocalists to provide entertainment to their guests. But in today’s modern world, everything is changed and so is the Bollywood industry. Now the stars particularly the famous stunning babes of the filmdom and the entertainment world are roped in to perform live at the wedding ceremonies and the parties. And they love to show their dexterity at the occasions. From low profile gals of the ritzy world of showbiz to the high profile actresses and models, all seem to be fully geared up to shake the legs on the tunes of popular Hindi numbers at the events.

To perform live before the audiences at the private functions was not considered good for the famous and high status actresses till some years back. And they strictly refused these types of offers, if proffered. But now they are more than happy to dance at the parties of any type. And to accomplish this task, they have their business managers who settle the deals with the clients on behalf of the actresses. Besides, the Bollywood babes and the curvaceous lasses of the modeling and entertainment abode, the male stars of film, television and modeling world also do not leave any stone unturned to display their histrionics at the happenings. Except the big lot of the male Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and the likes (who give their live performances in concerts or film functions only), rest of the brigade like to deliver the goods in private gatherings.

Recently I was provided the details of a marriage ceremony of an Indian business tycoon Sachiin Joshi by a renowned film-celeb’s PR Company (which also deals with the PR activities of the famous Bollywood and TV celebrities) to give coverage to the giant dazzling wedding of the town where the big wheel actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Sameera Reddy. Yana Gupta, Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora and popular TV actresses Shama Skiandar and Sangeeta Ghosh shook the legs on popular Hindi tracks. In addition to the actresses, the male artists have also been witnessed giving performances there like singer-musician Shankar Mahadevan, Himesh Reshammiya, coveted drum maestro Sivamani with Rahul Sharma who set the event afire with their power packed acts. Javed Jaffery (the Boggie Woogie fame star) hosted the show. The marriage ceremony held in Udaipur.

Since Pakistan seems to be the biggest market for the Hindi movies to the Bollywood filmmakers (as they are so much determined to screen their flicks in Pakistan and are showing them also), a very well known music company cum production house approached me to have work for their clients (if anyone/any organization shows interest to showcase the stars’ performances in the concerts or private gatherings in Pakistan). The picture got clear more to me when I got to know the names of their clients that the biggies like them can perform in the private parties..? Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Malaika Arora Khan, Urvahsi Sharma (the movie Naqab fame) Alisha Chinoy and to name a few are on their clients’ list.

Last year, the ravishing women of the glittering world of Bollywood – Katrina Kaif, Malaika Arora Khan, Yana Gupta and Juhi Pramar (Star Plus’s show Kum Kum fame) were invited to deliver the dance performances in a marriage ceremony and birthday party by a business magnate in Lahore. They had been given the stay at a five star hotel in the city. Although the babes of the Hindi film industry and television fraternity have been bopping in concerts in Pakistan, but they are also being invited secretly in private functions in the country. The top Bollywood women like Shilpa Shetty, Sushmita Sen and many others have come to show their talents of dance in Pakistan.

It has emerged as a trend now to invite the gorgeous actresses of Bollywood to dance in the private parties and marriages. Whether it is good or bad, it is okay as long as they do not mind it.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Kindly send us your valued thoughts on this story on the space provided below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The Stars Who Have Vanished from the Scene…

In and out of stars from the industry are the parts of Bollywood fraternity. Every day, many people come to the city of dreams to make their mark in this gigantic entertainment abode. Amongst them a few get a chance to enter the glam world, the rest of the lot has to return back disappointedly. Talent is what the industry always needs, which is why it welcomes anybody who is swathed with the ocean of talents no matter the artist is from the other part of the world. We have been observing from the outset that the stars often disappear from the scene…some of them vanish for forever and some make their comeback after some hiatus. It has been happening in the Hindi filmdom since the day the film industry has taken birth.

In recent past, a horde of coveted stars has evaporated from the big screen. This normally happens when the worth of the star falls flat. But the question is that when does the worth of an artist collapse? The answer is that when the sparks of acting and the talent appear zero on the judgment meter of a filmmaker. And how does the filmmaker judge it? It is simply through the audiences’ reaction and the box office value of the star. But wait…before you make it a point, there is another side of a coin as well and that is sometimes the stars themselves shrivel from the view for some lull in order to make the audiences feel their absence so that they can yearn to see their favourite stars on screen. And when they make their comeback, their arrival is highly acknowledged and adored as happened with Amitabh Bachchan. Amidst all of these facts, there is also another fact that it has also been witnessed that sometimes the comeback of stars harm their star power in the minds of the viewers since they have forgotten them and do not want to see them on screen. Anyway, in the midst of all, luck has its role too to play.

Lately, we saw the queen of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit (who had left the Bollywood after getting married to an NRI doctor many years back) making her comeback in the industry (which was hugely awaited) with the big banner film, ‘Aaja Nach Lay’ churned out by Yash Raj Films; with them she has delivered many hits earlier. The whole Bollywood fraternity was looking forward to her comeback very anxiously and every filmmaker wanted to rope in her in his movie. In short, the whole industry welcomed her colossally with big heart. But when the people do not approve of any star and do not like to see any star (who they have forgotten), how can a filmmaker then move forward to chew a film with that star (whether or not he/she is his/her favourite) because ultimately everyone wants to see his business boosting. The same case happened with the gorgeous yesteryears’ top actress, the dancing queen Madhuri Dixit. People did not come out to see her movie in theaters and eventually the turn out of the flick was average. The obvious reasons of people’s not coming to theaters might be so many but the main ones are:

· She took a very long period to return to movies.

· She is old now and has crossed the age of a heroine (since she is above forty years of age).

· No one would like to see an old woman dancing and acting like young heroines.

· The wrinkles on her face are apparent.

· The sparks, which she had in plenty in her time, look stumpy.

· She is married with two kids.

Another ravishing actress of the past, Sri Devi has hid herself from the movies since quite long. The actress left the film industry when she was on the peak of her career. Married to Bonny Kapoor (the famous filmmaker and the elder brother of Anil Kapoor), Devi has a baby girl and still has no plans to return to Bollywood. Although she has made many appearances on TV soaps but the actress likes to pursue her career in production side not on acting front. It is no doubt a very intelligent decision, the actress has made, as she knows that she has become older now and the people will not like to see her in a heroine’s get-up.

Bhagiya Shree, the very cute gal of ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ fame, has not been seen in films for last many years. Shree ruined her career by herself as she had laid the restriction that she would be working only in those movies in which the hero opposite her would be her husband. Soon after her decision, the filmmakers left working with her and later on she was seen on TV soaps only. But later she stopped appearing on the television as well. Recently we saw her dancing on the show, ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’.

Mamta Kulkarni, the sex symbol actress, is no more on Bollywood scene today. She got instant fame in the industry due to her bold attitude and beauty. But she could not survive due to her lack of acting.

Pooja Bhatt, the daughter of the popular filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has switched over to filmmaking and left the acting. She is also married and is doing well with her own production house, ‘Fish Eye Network’.

Manisha Koirala, the very stunningly gorgeous actress, who has marvelous dexterity of acting and was amongst the biggies of trade till some years back, has suddenly disappeared from the celluloid. Lastly she was seen in Akbar Khan’s magnum opus ‘Taj Mahal’ and in another low budget film, ‘Chahat Ek Nasha’. Probably, she knows the fact that she has grown older now and gained much weight.

Sonali Bandre, the dusky gal of the tinsel town, left the movies’ foxhole when she had married to the film director, Goldie Behl. She has no intention to join the actresses’ bandwagon again though she is still young to carry on the acting job. Lately she was seen judging a music show, ‘Indian Idol’. But for films, an utter ‘No’ from her side.

Karishma Kapoor, the blue-eyed curvaceously sexy lass of the Kapoor family, absconded from the films when she had tied the knot with a Delhi based industrialist some years ago. But she returned to the cinema with the movie, ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’ opposite Akshay Kumar in 2005. The film flopped and so did the actress. Once the hot favourite of all the moviegoers, she could not carve a space in her fans’ hearts again.

Twinkle Khanna, the gorgeous elder daughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapdia, left Bollywood after getting married to super star Akshay Kumar some years ago. Today she is a housewife and has a baby boy.

Rinkie Khanna, the younger sister of Twinkle Khanna, disappeared as well from the movies’ scene after she had married to an NRI. She is currently in USA with her hubby.

Ravina Tandon too said good-bye to the filmdom after getting married. Today she is a mother of kids. Recently it has been learnt that she will make her comeback soon.

Mahima Choudhary, the gal with sparkling smile, got married a few years back with her boyfriend (a famous architect of Mumbai) and is currently enacting as a housewife with her baby girl.

Perizaad Zorabian, the ‘Joggers Park’ fame gal, tied the nuptial knot with her longtime boyfriend Boman Irani (no…no…he is not the famous actor rather he is a leading constructor of Mumbai) and is maintaining silence on film front.

In addition to the above noted actresses, there are many other low-profile actresses who have vanished from the movies’ canvas like Pooja Batra, Ashwini Bawane, Reema Lago, Reema Sen and Deepa Sahi.

Not only are the actresses who have evaporated from the film abode but also there are many actors who have not been seen on the celluloid.

Jackie Shroff, the legendry star of Bollywood, is vanished altogether these days and is being seen in the bashes only. What happened to the maestro of acting is a riddle to solve!

Jugal Hansraj, the Masoom movie fame child star, was seen in only a few films. The actor could not carve a niche in filmmakers and viewers’ hearts. And this is because he still has to learn the acting.

Sharad Kapoor (who made his debut with Sushmita Sen in ‘Dastak’), the actor with impeccable skills of acting, could not float on the movies’ waves. With him, it is his bad luck that he is not being offered roles these days otherwise the actor is of class.

Chandar Choor Singh, who was introduced by Gulzar in ‘Maachis’, is far away from the films though he is potentially a good actor.

In the vast sparklingly mesmerizing world of Bollywood, the in – out of the stars is the part of this game and this practice will continue forever and cannot pop off.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

We surely like you to place your thoughts on this story.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

Indian Beauty Queens’ Fascination for the Film Industry

The relation between the beauty queens and the Hindi film industry is indissoluble and has been strolling from the outset. Since the glamour is the key element in both the fields, the lasses of the beauty pageants get instantly attracted to the silver screen. And once they are geared up to enter the filmdom, all the big banners appear fervent in casting them in the leading roles. Not only do they get the mammoth projects to work in but also are paid huge amount to act in a film because of the significance of their winning crown. With no background of acting at all in their kitty, these beauty queens nonetheless make their mark in the movie trade and create ripples in the business. Which is why they are successful actresses and stay on the top position. Some, after winning the circlet, turn to the other genres of glamour world like modeling, television, fashion designing, fashion journalism and emerge as the triumphant in the fields. Very few become the housewives and spend the low profile life. Since the taste of popularity does not spare them to sit idle, most of them get themselves associated with some glamorous projects to shove their fame graph to the heights.

Meher Mistry, the first to get the crown of Femina Miss India in the year 1964, did not go to join the Hindi film industry instead she opted fashion writing and modeling to make her career. Although the crowned queens had been proving their mettles in the fields of television, modeling, journalism and so on. But as far as joining the film industry was concerned, there were the three stunning gals, who followed their pageant careers with acting in Bollywood – innocent beauty Poonam Dhillon (who won the title of Miss Young India in the seventies at the age of 16 and then joined the Bollywood bandwagon. She gave numerous hits in her career), sex symbol Zeenat Aman (who first started her career as a journalist at Femina magazine in Mumbai after completing her studies from Los Angles then moved on to modeling and later on was crowned the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970. She stepped in Bollywood with the flick, ‘Roti Kapra Aur Makaan’ opposite Manoj Kumar but it was Dev Anand who gave her the taste of success with his critically acclaimed film, ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ in 1972) and the ravishing Tina Munim who got the tiara of the ‘International Teen Princess’ way back in the seventies. The evergreen legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand launched her in his blockbuster, ‘Des Pardes’. The trio really did big in the films.

After Poonam, Zeenat and Tina, the gorgeous lasses of the beauty pageants started to flow into the Hindi film industry. Sangeeta Bijlani (wife of the famous cricketer Mohammad Azhar ud Din), a name to reckon with on the ramp, won the title of Miss India in 1980. Soon after, she was seen on the silver screen enacting with the giant male costars like Vinod Khanna, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah and many others. ‘Tridev’ is the enterprise, which still reminds of her good acting prowess. The finest model turned actress Juhi Chawla got her crown of Miss India in 1984 and after a few years’ hiatus, she made her Bollywood debut with Aamir Khan in ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’. Today she leads a happy married life with the millionaire Jay Mehta and runs a film production company ‘Dreams Unlimited’ with Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Aziz Mirza. Sonu Walia, a psychology graduate and a student of journalism, was conferred with the title of Miss India in 1985. After winning the crown, she embarked on a career in film acting and won accolades for her performance in her very first film. Miss India 1992, the leggy gal Madu Sapre’s entry into Bollywood was with the film, ‘Boom’ with Amitabh Bachchan and Jackie Shroff. She still is the hot favorite ramp model.

Namarta Shirodker, Miss India 1993 was launched in Bollywood opposite with the macho man Salman Khan in ‘Jab Pyar Kissi Se Hota Hai’. Today she is married but still has sparks for the movies. The long-legged Pooja Batra, Miss India Second Runner-Up 1993 was introduced in a film, ‘Virasat’ opposite Anil Kapoor.

The very gorgeous Sushmita Sen (nicknamed Sush in the industry) won the title of Miss India in 1994 and the same year she got the Miss Universe crown in Manila. The coveted filmmaker Vikram Bhatt gave her the launching pad with his venture, ‘Dastak’ opposite Mukel Dev. During the shooting, both Vikram and Sushmita fell in love with each other but finally after some years they broke-up the relationship. The same year (1994), Aishwariya Rai (nicknamed Ash) Miss India First Runner-Up was crowned Miss World in South Africa. Soon after winning the title, the offers started to pour on to her. And she made her debut in movies with the film, ‘Aur Pyar Hogaya’ opposite Bobby Deol. Today she is married to Abhishek Bachchan and called the world’s most beautiful woman.

Diana Hayden, Miss India First Runner-Up 1997 (who won the Miss World title in Seychelles) and Miss India First Runner-Up 1999 Yukta Mookhey (The 5’11” tall brunette who became Miss World in 1999 at London’s Olympia Theater) too joined Bollywood but unfortunately could not make better in films. Gul Pang, Miss India 1999 did handsome jobs on the celluloid in the movies such as ‘Jurm’ and ‘Dor’. She is still in good demands by the filmmakers.

The year 2000 proved to be magically precious for India when the three beautiful ladies – the stunning Lara Dutta (Miss India 2000 who wore the crown of Miss Universe in Cyprus), the dusky beauty Priyanka Chopra (Miss India First Runner-Up 2000 who won the Miss World crown in London) and the elegant Diya Mirza (who got the title of Miss Asia Pacific in Manila) brought all the three titles of beauty pageant in the country. Lara and Priyanka both were launched together opposite Akshay Kumar in ‘Andaaz’ and Diya was introduced in ‘Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein’. Today all the three gorgeous women are doing pretty well in the films and rated the big actresses of Bollywood. Celina Jaitley (Miss India 2001), a real crowd puller gal due to her curvaceous body is doing great in movies. Neha Dhupia, the dark brown-eyed girl (Miss India 2002) and Tanushree Dutta (Miss India 2004) are proving their skills of acting impeccably in Bollywood.

Without any doubt, the contribution of beauty queens to the silver screen is remarkable and this trend must go on.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Please pen down your thoughts on this story on the space provided below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

A new wave of different versions of songs in Hindi Film albums

Where Hindi movie is changing and improving every coming day, the music of the film soundtracks is not behind as well. It very aptly follows and hoofs it with the international pattern of the ongoing music scene. There is absolutely no doubt in saying that the actual life of a Bollywood flick is its music. And Bollywood industry is also widely known around the globe due to its mellifluous songs swathed with the astounding ear pleasing-catchy tunes, silken voices of the vocalists, eye candy picturization and breathtaking choreography. The music is what helps the Hindi film industry stands tall amongst the other film industries of the world. Even every Bollywood star from Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) to King Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) to all are found chipping in that our industry is known in the world because of our music (songs in films). Since the popularity of the tracks is very high, the whopping amount is consumed on the making of the songs. The filmmakers specially go to different countries to select the breath-arrestingly gorgeous locales for their films’ songs. And most of the time, one song is picturized on various locations of the world. Since the whole unit is there with the leading stars in outdoor locations, one can imagine the big amount, which is consumed on the making of a number. The big banners’ movies are always laced with the tracks, which are churned out with the huge money ranging from one crore to two crores rupees like Dharma Productions’ films and Yash Raj Films, etc. Lately a song in the film, ‘Bhaagam Bhaag’ (A Shree Astavnaik Films) had been made with the colossal amount of rupees one crore. Thus this does not mean that only the big banners chew up the tracks with big budget, there are other film companies as well that also go to gobble up mammoth money to make a song for their movie. The filmmakers put the massive amount at stake on the songs’ making without any hesitation because they know if the tracks get popular with the listeners, the movie will be a hit automatically. And it’s a fact that the blockbusters are always boot-laced with the hit numbers.

Till some years back, a film album used to carry only five to six songs and sometimes a song used to be repeated on the play list with a different voice (like if a songster sang the original number, the repeat version had been sung by some other singer). This was enough to give the album a distinctive impact on the listener and he was more than happy to buy and listen it with much oomph and pleasure. The rapid progress of the society has an effect on the entertainment world. So has on the Bollywood music. For last few years, Hindi music has changed a lot. Now a film album seems to be incomplete if it does not carry ten or above ten songs. Very rarely, it is seen that a film soundtrack is draped with less than ten tracks. A new wave of carrying different versions of songs has been introduced on Bollywood scene some years back probably after year 2000. But it actually got introduced after the “Remix” was launched in Hindi music. The credit of launching remix in Bollywood goes to the Remix King, Bally Sagoo who brought the remix in Hindi music by the end of last decade (1998/1999). His remixes of old popular numbers got much popular amongst the listeners of all age groups particularly the youth loved to stay with the maestro’s works. Sagoo became more famous when he did albums with the legendary world-renowned Pakistani qawwal late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His popularity graph soared sky high when he remixed the very hummable number, ‘Noorie’. The video really caught the viewers’ attention in which the girl (the coveted super model turned actress Maushmi Udeshi who was shown as a ghost) fully clad with white sari walked on the roads holding a candle in hands. After that the music companies reached at the listeners’ pulse as to where their likings exist. The innovations in music were liked by the Hindi music lovers and this helped the music companies and filmmakers to start launching further new items in music. And finally they began to feature the different versions of an original number in a film soundtrack. Today, you may find many versions of an original track such as ‘Remix Version’, ‘Lounge Version’, Repeat Version’, ‘Club Version’, ‘Sad Version of a Romantic Track’ and the likes. As the youth is the big target to sell the album, they simply adore and like to stay with these kinds of versions. So the music and film companies have absolutely no hesitation at all to masticate these kinds of mixes in the soundtracks. Even the mixes are being produced in private albums as well. These mixes (except sad versions) have blood-boiling effect and appear as foot-tapping, fast and peppy, so today’s listener finds them mesmerizing while playing them in the parties to shake the bodies on and while driving to have a joyous journey along. Since the ‘Rap’ portion is added to the mixes mostly, it sends chill through the listener’s body. This all helps the music aficionados become passionate about going for buying these albums. And as a result, a massive sale is witnessed at the music stands.

Although today’s soundtrack is laced with abundant of songs, it does not matter at all whether or not all the tracks on the play list are featured in the movie. You must have observed it that the soundtrack you buy of a Bollywood film carries a long list of songs whereas when you watch the same movie, you do not find all the songs on the movie’s runtime. It is not because of the censor’s scissor rather it is only due to the songs’ different versions churned out to make a full-length album to sell to the listener, which he/she likes a lot.

Does this new trend in today’s music scene fill the bill utterly? Yes, it does! Because eventually the customer is the king and here the customer is a music listener. And he likes this new wave on Hindi music industry, which is not spoiling the music at all rather giving it innovations and innovations are always welcomed.

Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Please share your thoughts on this story on the space below. How did you find this piece of writing?

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

The dazzling beauty, Parizad Kolah

She is the beauty, the poets always think of while knitting the ideas in mind…she is the vivacious gal of the tele world, everybody loves to be with…she has got the sexy figure that makes her more attractive…she has the cute dimples on cheeks that add more spices to her exquisiteness…she is laced with the talents, which give her boost in the entertainment industry…she is swathed with the whopping amount of knowledge about films, which lets her sailing smoothly on the waves of movie based shows…she is the center of attraction of every show, she is associated with….she is the ravishing lass of showbiz world, who has stupendous class…once she arrives on the show, the viewers’ eyes gets fixed on the screen…she is the life of any program, where her presence is there…yes, she is Parizad Kolah, the model turned TV anchor turned Bollywood actress. Last she was seen anchoring the much-loved and watched comedy television show, ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Season 4’. She has been hosting this program since the outset. But she could not anchor the season 4 initially as she was busy with her newly born baby girl. The gorgeous sizzling model turned actress Shehnaz did hosting but later Kolah, on heavy public demand, returned to the show and took her seat back. 

The quintessential Bombay girl, Parizad has all the verve of the city that she was born and grew up in. Hailing from the Parsi locality of Cursow Baug, Kolah is easily one of the most recognized faces on television. The milky beauty kick started her showbiz career while she was in college doing a number of ad campaigns. Till date, she has dolled up a long list of ad campaigns endorsing almost every renowned brand in the country and across the globe. She has even done many ads for famed Pakistani brands as well. She smartened up the smooth transition from modeling to the music videos, as she adds many popular songs to her repertoire. Amongst them, the coveted remix king DJ Aqeel’s ‘Kehdo Tumhein’ (the remix of Kishore Kumar’s very hummable mellifluous number). Once she stepped into the world of anchoring, her heart-hitting beauty, care-free style of hosting, her breath-arresting smile and talents started to be acknowledged and talked about in the entertainment circles. This helped Sooraj Bharjatya (the ace Bollywood director having many hits to his credit like ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kon’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ and many others) sign her in his film, ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’ in which she enacted the role of Kareena Kapoor’s friend. Her character was adored since she was not interested in continuing with films, she preferred television and modeling to Bollywood. Thus she did not do any film later.

Apart from Star One’s show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’, Zoom TV’s program, ‘Filmi Fever’ was another feather to her popularity amongst the viewers. The show was aimed at those who needed the extra doze of film tittle-tattles. ‘Filmi Fever’ gave the viewer all the highs, lows and behind the scenes action of every Bollywood release. This Bollywood-centric show simply had to be helmed by someone who thoroughly knew the intricacies of Bollywood and those of the city that cradled it. Parizad fitted the role perfectly.

My first brush with this gorgeous lass happened in year 2005 when I was covering the shows of Zoom TV. Although I knew her already and have seen her anchoring the shows on TV, but what impressed me most was her skills of handling the film based show ‘Filmi Fever’ with so much dexterity and aplomb. This took me to contact her as the desire of penning down on her talents arouse in me. I sent her sms describing my purpose and the next morning, she replied back in positive. After some days, I got a call from her but unfortunately we both could not hear each other due to mobile network problems. The following day, I called her and then the things managed. And then, I succeeded to get details from her and finally I was on way to dash off stuff on her works. A very soft human being, the tender natured lass told me that she was never interested in doing Bollywood films (when I asked her that why don’t you join Bollywood properly as you are gorgeous and have all an actress needs to step into filmdom). “Goher, I’m not really interested in Bollywood rather I am interested in anchoring TV shows and live shows. And I am doing pretty good on modeling front in India and abroad”, Parizad told me.

She has also hosted many sports shows also like on Ten Sports channel. Besides, a well-known television figure, Kolah is also a computer whiz. Her fans are dying to see her acting in films, as I often get responses from them. Lets wish that one day she will change her mind and enter Bollywood.

- Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

We like you to share your thoughts on this story on the space provided below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

When they all say this, in their hearts they also wish and hope that their team does not get hit; it doesn’t have to learn to win that way. A father feels, let my son win without ever getting hit; but you still say this to them because you know this world is a hard place. Games are a hard battlefield…your opponent wants to win as much as you do…so there is always going to be a chance that you will get hit. The best of us get hit…Mohammad Ali got hit…Carl Lewis got hit…John Buchanan must have been hit…Sourav Ganguly here has been hit several times.

So let’s start from the fact that yes we have been hit already. So this is a good thing. A very good thing! We have been hit and hit hard, so the difficult part is over now. We all should accept that, we do lie at this point very nearly on the floor. So now comes the part, which is more important. The part that we need to show everyone around us, that we can take a hit; we can fall down; but we also know how to scrape ourselves from the floor and continue to fight. We still can take a few hits more and still fight back. Lots of people are saying lots of things about us, but none of them are right. The only right thing is that the owners have faith in this team, the coach has faith in this team; as a matter of fact the team has faith in this team. So there is no problem here at all. Just go out and play to have a great time…enjoy yourselves because pressure only builds more pressure. There is no need to prove anything amongst us. We all trust we are a great bunch of people and cricketers.

One lakh people out there have only one prayer in their hearts, god give our kids strength and a bit of luck to beat the shit out of their opponents. God will listen and deliver today, but just to make sure run faster, hit harder and go out destroy the opponent.

Lets play this like our first game ever as if we have to prove it to the world that we are good and can hit, then lets play this game like the last game of our lives, because we need to prove it to ourselves…that we can take being hit and get up from the floor.

I say a prayer my father taught me; whatever your faith, lets get together and say it… "Nasrun minal lahe wah fatahun kareeb …"

Shah Rukh Khan

Rakta Charitra

This is the name of the film I am intending to make as my next after India 24/7. It’s inspired by the story of Paritala Ravi from Andhra Pradesh who got assassinated in January 2005. Even though the actual incidents of the story happened and the related characters existed in south India, I decided to make it in Hindi because I strongly felt that the sheer uniqueness of the story deserves to be told to a much wider audience.

Paritala Ravi was arguably the most feared individual ever in the history of the blood-ridden faction politics of South India. He was a prime accused in innumerable murder cases and also survived numerous assassination attempts, the most brutal of which happened on a quiet Friday afternoon in November 1997 when a road near Rama Naidu Studio in Hyderabad was turned into a death field by a bomb which killed 26 people but failed to get its intended target Ravi.

I, in the course of my life have read biographies of various people and have also come to know through various sources the life stories of many highly dangerous men including that of Velupalli Prabhakaran the LTTE Chief to Pablo Escobar the Columbian drug lord to our very own Dawood Ibrahim but all those stories pale in comparison to Ravi’s life story.

How Ravi, a soft-spoken shy guy under a force of certain circumstances retreated into the jungles, became a rebel and how he mounted a volcano of violence to avenge his father’s and brother’s deaths and how in time he became a folklore legend and eventually a minister in N.T.Ramarao’s Cabinet reads more grippingly than any fiction writer anywhere in the world can ever imagine.

Ravi’s name sent shivers up the spines of not only his rivals but even the law enforcement agencies. He was a rebel, a feudal lord, a robin hood, a killer of hundreds and saviour of thousands till the day he was gunned down by a death squad allegedly put together by his arch rival Suri who wanted to avenge his father’s and brother’s deaths, in a bizarre déjà vu.

I have been following Ravi’s rise to power since long, but I first heard of Suri only after the bomb explosion at Rama Naidu Studios. I was both amazed and chilled to see that even after being confined to a prison cell, how the fire of Suri’s vengeance continued to burn unabated for 7 long years till he finally succeeded, armed with nothing but a severe desire to kill Ravi as his one and only weapon.

In my research for the film I have met various associates of Paritala Ravi and Suri and also their family members. I have also met Suri who is presently lodged in Anantpur jail on trial for the killing of Ravi and what I finally managed to piece together from all the various police records and eye witness accounts is the most fascinating story I have ever heard or could hope to hear in my life. This is the story of a man’s phenomenal rise to power and a story of the most intense blood curdling conflict ever heard of between 2 individuals and it is also the ultimate statement on the oft heard disastrous consequences of a fatal mixture of caste, crime, family feuds and politics.

I decided to film this story at one stretch and release it in 2 parts about 3 months from each other, a first of its kind ever attempted in the history of Indian cinema. I want to call the films Rakta Charitra- I and Rakta Charitra-II. Why I want to make it in 2 parts is because, the sheer drama and content the story possesses is so incredibly rich and of such high magnitude that it is not possible to do justice to do it in a film which is lesser than 5 hours. Also Ravi’s life can be broadly divided into 2 parts from the time how circumstances created his rise to how he created circumstances that felled him.

I believe that Rakta Charitra is going to be the most defining film of my career not because of how well I will make it but sheerly because of the material I have at my hand. To put it simply I don’t have to work hard to make it well but I have to work hard to spoil it.

After thinking hard on every actor both known and unknown I have finally zeroed in on Vivek Oberoi as the most ideal choice to play Paritala Ravi. He has remarkable intensity in his eyes which I noticed in the making of Company, a voice which commands attention, an arrogance in his demeanour, an enormous power in his stance, and also a certain vulnerability which makes one instantly warm up to him, which is what is needed to fit in a role of Paritala Ravi’s profile.

After a rough look-test done and when I saw the approximation of how Vivek could look like in different phases of Ravi’s life, from being a rebel in the jungles to a political strong-arm man, I was absolutely convinced that my search ended.

Ramgopal Varma

The beginning of a new day!

When the season started, I thought I would write every couple of days to all our fans that visit our site.
Firstly, thanks for doing so and a special thanks to all who believe in the Knight Riders and support us as a team. Apologies for not being a regular at my blog or actually not even writing the first entry with the start of the season. So here is the first one.
I thought I would start the first write up by detailing the threshold and culture of this franchise. That would have been apt if we hadn’t started playing. Right now, as I write at 5 a.m. in Cape Town, having lost yet another game, which we could have won, the heart is heavy and the mind is numb. Full marks to Rajasthan Royals for proving that a true champion team does not choke at the finish line. Congratulations guys.
Since the commencement of this season, we have a trail of one win out of three, which is not a good position to be in. So at this time I will not get into why the franchise was started and what dreams we all have as far as our ambitions are concerned. All ambitions finally will get fulfilled only when the team wins and keeps true to the faith that all our fans have invested in us. Till such time, I am going to talk a bit about the game as I understand, which needless to say is quite limited. I will also talk about the role that I choose to play as part of the Knight Riders.
I treat this team as I treat my own children. I am quite a doting father and perhaps a bit too emotionally involved with all the things my team goes through. I feel like crying when they lose and go wild with happiness when they win. Throughout the tournament last year, my only concern was that the team members should not in any way feel sad or bad after the losses we suffered. If I could, I would want to take all the disappointments they face with every loss or a bad performance onto myself. As much as I try, I now realise that it is not possible.
This is a set of professional players and they seem to understand one rule that most of us cannot understand. And the rule is that this is a game, and one team will lose while the other will win.
If either the success or the defeat of the last match lingers beyond a day, it would be impossible for them to face a new match and a new challenge the next time round, with full steam and gusto. They gather the broken pieces, try and understand what could be done better and start afresh. Like a father learns from his children, I am beginning to understand this lesson too. Earlier I used to pep talk our team before and after every match, so that their morale would remain positive. As the year has passed into another, I now realise that these boys actually walk the talk; and I need to do the same. I am learning from this whole experience that the more I practice, the easier things seem.
The harder I run, the farther I can go. The more I pray, the less I feel the burden of performance. Also I am learning that after doing all this, there is no guarantee of winning everyday. So all one can do is to give it your best shot and leave the rest.
In attempting to give it our best, our team has taken lots of unpopular decisions. Starting with, the multiple captains to choices of whom we play in which match. A truckload of criticism from all quarters has been dumped at our doorsteps. Every time I go and sit in the stadium, I feel the weight of all the choices made. If we come out winners through this tournament, will I feel vindicated? The answer is no. If we don’t perform as well as we should, would I feel we did the wrong thing? Again the answer is no.
The decisions we take in life, need not always lead to a black and white solution as in mathematics. The decisions are guidelines and beliefs we chalk down our path towards a goal. Sometimes we get to the goal inspite of the decisions and sometimes because of them. And there are times when all goes wrong. The strength lies in sticking to a path that you chose to begin with. As the journey progresses, whether that path turns out to be tough or easy, you have to follow it because therein lies your principles and beliefs.
Assessing how a ball should be played after seeing it at 1500 frames per second on your television sets is one thing…but to take that split millisecond decision, when the ball tears down at you, at 150 kilometers per hour, is another ballgame altogether. In retrospect things can be explained and faults and genius can be torn apart or praised, but in the moment that you have to live and deliver, a path has to be chosen and walked on, with complete belief that it will work out fine.
I don’t know if the path we have chosen is correct or not…and that’s why we won’t feel vindicated in victory and neither will we feel ashamed in defeat. It’s just a path we the Knight Riders have chosen to walk on and will stick to it, till the very end. I hope all those who believe in this team will walk along with us.
This is getting as long as a Test Match, and I need to end it. I can feel the first rays of the Sun beginning to break through. A new day is about to begin. The defeat still lingers thick in my mind…so I will try and sleep it off and start afresh again. I know my boys will do the same. We will face our disappointments head on with a smile and a prayer. I close my eyes with these thoughts from Theodore Roosevelt:
It is not the critic who counts;
Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
Or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
Who strives valiantly;
Who errs, who comes short again and again,
Because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
But who does actually strive to do deeds;
Who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;
Who spends himself in a worthy cause;
Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
And who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who
neither know
Victory nor Defeat.

When Jade Goody abruptly opted out of ‘Bigg Boss’ (the Indian version of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’), I initially thought it was a game… a PR game… a publicity stunt. I soon realised, it wasn’t. She indeed had cancer. Later, when pictures of her tonsured head were released, and widely ‘sold’ in the British media, I again felt that stories of her ‘impending death’ could be a fabrication of her new PR-machinery. Today, once more, I have been proved wrong.

Having handled the PR for Shilpa Shetty throughout the volatile twists and turns of the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ hype, I closely followed Jade’s short, but news-making career.

From emerging a winner in the regular ‘Big Brother’ in UK, to being ‘the most hated person in Britain’, when she participated in its higher version ‘Celebrity Big Brother’; Jade saw it all in a matter of months.

I also feel, Jade became a target for many, because of a lot of factors, most of which were the unintentional creation of the people around her. Though Jade did ‘bully’ Shilpa on the show and termed her “phoney”, not many remember that it was actually her mom Jackiey Budden (entering the show as part of Jade’s family), who called Shilpa names like “Shallup” (claiming that she couldn’t pronounce her name properly), tauntingly referred to her as “the princess” and termed her a “nightmare”.

It was Jackiey, who continuously termed Shilpa as “that Indian” in a derogatory manner on the show. Later, Jade’s boyfriend Jack Tweed, a co-participant on the show, was reported to have termed Shilpa a “Paki”. Coincidently, Jade who ‘appeared’ more vocal and had a more aggressive body language, bore the brunt of the happenings. She became the ‘scapegoat’ for being a loudmouth. Viewers blamed her for traumatising Shilpa, and being ‘racist’.

Following a worldwide controversy about ‘racist bullying’ within the House, Shilpa emerged a winner on the show, gaining a huge margin of the public vote. Luckily, she didn’t hold any grudges or animosity for Jade, and preferred to move on in life.

And now, Jade Goody is gone forever. The cancer has gulped her. It’s very sad. I would have been sadder, if Jade had died being ‘the most hated person’ that she had come to be known as. But she didn’t. In fact, she saw a complete turnaround in her life, just a few days before death snatched her away.

Thanks to British publicist Max Clifford and the typical tabloid culture of her country, Jade’s ailment caught a lot of national and international media attention. This was followed by a huge sympathy wave across Britain, spreading over many other parts of the world, including India.

Within just a few days, in a path breaking turn of events, most of Britain gave up its hate for Jade, forgave her for the past, and came to sympathise with the 27-year-old (of course, that was no age to die).

Yes, there were questions raised on the credibility of the entire media hype and hoopla she received before her demise; the speculative hourly television reports, and the British tabloids ‘expecting’ her death, almost every second day she suffered.

Everything from pictures of her tonsured head, to the footage of her recent wedding with her long-time boyfriend Jack Tweed, was on sale to the media. And the fourth estate hungrily lapped it up, while Jade faced death like a warrior on a mission. Much in the same way, Shilpa had faced her in ‘Celebrity Big Brother’.

But Jade’s mission was different. Her aim was to earn as much of monies she could in the short span that she was going to live, even if it meant selling her interviews and pictures to the media. This she did, to ensure that her children (her two sons, from an earlier relationship) lived a comfortable life. Even Britain’s prime minister, James Gordon Brown, praised her for battling the cancer and caring for her children, even while she was in such a bad state.

At the same time, Jade received flack from critics, who found the idea of publicising and selling her sorrowful stories for monies, quite outrageous.

Jade lived like a ‘Controversy Queen’, and died like one. I salute her spirit.

Dale Bhagwagar

Ex-publicist to Shilpa Shetty

The general feeling is that star kids have it easy.

Amitabh Bachchan was the biggest star in India. So was Jaya Bachchan even before him.

Abhishek Bachchan was made for a good debut like ‘Refugee‘ but then there were dozen flops until some respite with ‘Yuva‘ and ‘Sarkar’ happened.

Amitabh‘s super stardom wasn’t of much use. But he somehow managed to hang on, thanks to the fact that he is the son of the biggest superstar from India.

Vinod Khanna was a super star too, and he managed to launch his son Akshaye albeit in a flop film ‘Himalayputra’. Akshaye went on to make many movies but never enjoyed the star status of his dad. This despite him being a good actor!

After a good debut with ‘Company‘, it seemed Vivek Oberoi would be a star unlike his dad Suresh Oberoi who was not a very big star of his times.

In spite of that, he couldn‘t survive in the long run. Angering many industry wallahs cost him his career.

Right attitude and professionalism is very important in any film.

Father Raj Babbar’s name and fame could do nothing for Arya Babbar. Same goes for Udya Chopra as the Yah Raj clout couldn’t help him in any way.

Some guys just don’t have in them at all!

Tusshar Kapoor has fared better but considering the fact that his father was a super star and he has a very powerful sister, it should have been much, much better.

He has managed to get either second leads, or has acted in films produced by Balaji. He lacks star power. The great benefit is that these people can manage to hang around, even when they are out of work, and not completely disappear from the scene.

Actors like the talented Manoj Bajpai perhaps would have had bigger budget films in his kitty, had he been a star kid.

Yesteryear’s superstar Mithun Chakraborty was a huge star and even a rival of Amitabh Bachchan.

His son, Momoh‘s film ‘Jimmy‘ finally launched after years of publicity, but it failed miserable thanks to the fact that the guy neither has the looks, nor the personality to sustain in B-Town.

Adhyan Suman seemed to be going the same way.

His link up with Kangana and the fluke hit ‘Raaz- TMC’ has helped him in a way though.

It’s important to be a good package with talent, personality and aura.

Rakesh Roshan was never a star. Hrithik on the contrary turned out to be a super star. Apart from talent, and dashing looks, he is professional and that has worked very well for him.

Saif Ali Khan is a good example of a star kid, who has gone on to prove, that shaping one‘s career professionally is very important, apart from other things. He almost disappeared, despite being Sharmila Tagore‘s son, till films like ‘Dil Chahta Hai‘, and ‘Hum Tum‘ helped him to remerge.

Fardeen Khan had Feroze Khan helping him, just like how like Rakesh Roshan devoted his time and energy on Hrithik. Still he’s struggling to find his feet. Zayed Khan too hasn’t clicked in spite of the family connections.

So basically after the first break, in which, they are judged by their talent and personality, it’s an actor’s professionalism, and career management that matters.

The sooner these spoilt kids understand this simple fact, the better it is.

–
Sneha Hazarika

Shahid Kapoor is a committed to his work actor. He is known for being particular when it comes to endorsing the products. Since he is considered to be a true fit for the products’ endorsements and every company wants to hire his services due to his popularity graph and dashing looks, he is very choosy on his side and decides to go for those, he strongly believes in! His recent ad is of Pioneer where he displays his dancing histrionics very aptly.

A close source reveals about this advertisement, “Shahid was busy mastering his dance steps for the ad. But he just could not get it right. He felt that there was something amiss in the background score of the ad. To get things right, Shahid asked the director to create a hook in the background score impromptu. Hook is a kind of snappy jingle or music that makes a person instantly associate himself to the song. It’s a melody through which the song is remembered. Kiran Deohans, the ad filmmaker, was mighty impressed with Shahid’s instant creation.”

Kiran Deohans, the director of the ad, chips in, “Shahid has an eye for detail just like his father. Shahid took an active part in everything and that was quite impressive. The music was ready and when Shahid was listening to it he felt something was missing in the music, as there was no hook at the start. He wanted it to be added soon as then he could practice the steps accordingly and go ahead and finish the shoot comfortably. Besides being a great actor and a superb dancer, he is a very friendly person too.”

Kiran Deohans is the one artist who has worked as a cinematographer for many hit films like ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Love Story 2050’, ‘Aks’ and to name a few.

Since he is a creative person like his father, Shahid took part in the other departments of the advertisement as well by giving inputs.

Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Please send us your valued comments on the space below.

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both of these fraternities and the people associated with these entertainment worlds. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these swanky industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

Kunal Khemu might have had big hits like ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’, ‘Raja Hindustani’ and wide scale critical acclaim for ‘Zakhm’ as a child.

But things have been a lot different for him as an adult star.

Even after a promising debut with ‘Kalyug’, stardom continues to elude him with duds films like ‘Dhol’ and ‘Superstar’.

This in spite of him, taking great care during the time he was re-launched as a hero!

He didn’t quite want to talk about these very movies because the good old belief remains deep rooted-in Bollywood that good child actors seldom make successful stars!

Before going back to his mentor Mahesh Bhatt he made it a point to keep mum and not talk to the press till the film actually ‘happened’.

The track records of child stars in the past had scared him but he too seems to be a victim of a similar predicament.

Hansika Motwani is another big example. This one was a very successful child star till as late as early 2004. Then all of a sudden she became a full grown woman and got a role opposite Himesh Reshammiya in 2007.

In fact, by then she had already done a South film and had signed a film with Mithun Chakraborty’s son Mimoh which was launched in late 2005 but never happened.

The inside story is that a few hormone shots and rounds to the cosmetic surgeon’s place made her what she’s today. But her ‘Money hai to honey hai’ opposite Govinda who’s old enough to be her father sank without a trace and now she’s no notable films to talk about.

Jugal Hansraj’s career fell fully flat as an adult. Not even a film with child so-star Urmila and a Yah Raj biggie like ‘Mohabbatien’ helped. Now he’s happy directing animated films like ‘Roadside Romeo’.

Aftab Shivdasani acted in ‘Mr. India’ which also starred choreographer-director Ahmed Khan as a child artist and many others like ‘Shahenshah’, ‘ChaalBaaz’, ‘Awwal Number’ etc. But he’s is still looking for that solo hit as a leading hero after almost a decade in the industry. But as of now, only multi-starrers and unsubstantial films like ‘Aloo Chat’ are only in his kitty.

Urmila Matondkar however can be called a success. She was successful with ‘Masoom’ and Shashi Kapoor’s ‘Kalyug’and later after much struggle could package herself in a new hot avatar. Age is not on her side (her growing years reflect on her face) and the story is different now. Sridevi who acted in mythologicals as a child was another success.

In the past Ranbir Kapoor’s mom Neetu Singh was successful as Baby Sonia in the super hit ‘Do Kalian’, followed by roles in ‘Pavitra Paapi’ and ‘Waaris.’ Sarika grew into the pretty hazel eyed actress after often playing child roles in movies like ‘Manjhali Didi’, ‘Hamraaz’ etc.

Padmini Kolhapure was great as a child actress and amazing as the young Zeenat Aman in ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ and another amazing act in ‘Insaaf Ka Taraazu’ and later proved her mettle as a heroine with ‘Prem Rog.’

Years before that Nargis was Baby Nargis and perhaps the first great star to perform as a child star when she appeared in ‘Talashe Haq’ in 1935. Meena Kumari was Baby Meena, a child star, directors in the 40s banked on. And the eternally beautiful Madhubala was Baby Mumtaz, the cherubic young child in ‘Basant’ before turning stunning leading lady with ‘Mahal.’

This one which went into oblivion soon were Ratan Kumar who did very well in ‘Boot Polish’ before migrating to Pakistan, Master Romi with hits like ‘Footpath’, ‘Do Phool’ and ‘Ab Dilli Dur Nahin’, Mehmood Jr who shone more than his senior rendering ‘Kaale hain to kya hua dil wale hain’ and Master Raju, who was first cast as a three year old in ‘Parichay’ by Gulzar. He was a big time scene stealer and ‘must have’ in Hindi films in the 70s but as an adult he never clicked.

The Irani sisters, Daisy and Honey Irani had become household names and their films fetched the biggest openings. Daisy couldn’t measure up to that success as an adult star while Honey Irani (Farhan Akhtar’s mum) made a mark as story and screenplay writer years later. Baby Tabassum became more comfy turning National TV host! And Baby Naaz made a comeback only in her old days.

The general feeling was that after having been around for so long as a child artiste, it became difficult for audiences to accept them suddenly as romantic heroines.

Interestingly childhood acting became a perfect practice ground for some who turned super stars later! This applies for most star children.

Shashi Kapoor who had made his acting debut at age six continued working as a child artist in many mythological films and also played Raj Kapoor’s younger counterpart. Rishi Kapoor played young Raj Kapoor in ‘Mera Naam Joker.’

Sanjay Dutt faced the camera when he was 12 in his father Sunil Dutt’s ‘Reshma Aur Shera.’ Aamir Khan appeared as a child artist in his dad’s ‘Yaadon Ki Baarat. Bobby Deol had a 10-second appearance in Manmohan Desai’s ‘Dharam Veer’ where he played a young Dharmendra. And hearthrob Hrithik Roshan acted like a pro at age six in ‘Aap Ke Deewane’ and ‘Aasha’. This was followed by a big chunk of role in ‘Bhagwan Dada’ sharing screen space with the heroes and also dancing with Sridevi in a song!

However the proverbial child star has always been accused of over acting.

‘Makdi’ and ‘Iqbal’s Shweta Prasad is a fairly good actor but has been found to be irritating. So is ‘Ek Ajnabee’ and ‘Main Aisa hi hoon’s Rucha Vaidya who models herself after Hollywood star Dakota Fanning but is a complete ‘unnatural’ unlike her!

The promising ones are Ayesha Kapoor from ‘Black’with her foreign accent, ‘Taare Zameen Par’s Darsheel Safary and ‘Sexy’ Swini Khara from ‘Cheeni Kum’.

So except for the lucky few, not every little star shines bright in tinsel town.

–
Sneha Hazarika

Does age matter? Yeah, as far as Bollywood goes, it does!

Well in Hollywood actors can continues to work till his dying day and can also get paired with much younger women.

And actresses can sizzle till their forties much like Salma Hayek, Demi Moore etc.

Well, in B- Town Amitabh Bachchan is the only example. For women, it’s worse. A heroine’s career fizzles out once she hits her 30s.

Well, there are some who continue to sizzle till very late.

Waheeda Rehman and Hema Malini are still gorgeous. Dimple Kapadia has great taste and charm and looks lovely in Indian and western outfits. Rekha is stunning in her kanjeevaramans.

But they are getting to play only mother and aunt roles. A heroine’s shelf life is usually very short.

Of the current lot Rani Mukerji is an interesting example.

Not very long ago, Rani was the queen of many hearts with movies like ‘Black’, ‘Veer Zaara’ and ‘Bunty aur Babli’ to her credit. But she’s nowhere now, thanks to her wrinkles, old and jaded look and bad fashion sense.

Confining herself to the Yash Raj banner was another huge mistake.

Even her favorite banner is opting for youngsters like Ranbir, Anushka, Deepika, Minissha, etc instead of Rani and their other regulars like Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh, Kajol etc.

Well, Urmila’s age is showing and her dressing sense doesn’t interest anyone anymore. No wonder her career’s gotten over too. The rest like Sonali, Raveena etc are happily married.

The same is likely to happen to Vidya Balan after a while. She can’t control her weight and knows nothing about style. Bipasha is sexier but looks matured and wise beyond her years. And she doesn’t really get the whole dressing thing right every time. Konkona is a fine actress but is unstylish and can easily look older. That puts these dames in danger.

Shilpa Shetty has an amazing body and a good dressing sense, great PR machinery working for her, but the lack of good acting skills always came in the way.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is the only actress whose career is going great in her 30s and after marriage. She’s in her mid 30s now and still has big movies with the Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and hubby Abhishek with the best of directors to be proud about.

Well, her world-class beauty actually helps, so also the Bachchan name

Actually after a certain age, not many good roles are written for women in Bollywood. The audience also rejects old and married women.

For the likes of Salman and Shahrukh it’s easier but they too have to take care of the competition from the likes of Ranbir, Imran etc.

Our industry and our audiences have no respect for the old and those who look old.

It’s important for actors to understand this simple fact and act accordingly.

–
Sneha Hazarika

Bollywood has been bitten by the remake bug for a while now.

It could be so because of the dearth of good ideas which make producers and directors bank on tried and tested stories.

Maybe that’s the reason why people end up touching classics (which should ideally be left untouched) and spoiling them too. Well, it happens in Hollywood too.

But good old Bollywood hasn’t been left behind in any way.

Well, remaking Hollywood hits is far easier actually. But the ramifications of fiddling with what Indian audiences consider classics are totally different.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali started the remake trend in the 21^st century with ‘Devdas’ in 2002.

The book had been adapted on screen earlier by P.C.Baruah with K.L Saigal in 1936 and by Bimal Roy in 1955.

The first movie was acclaimed and the Bimal Roy version with Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen and Vyjayantimala did very well too.

Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya and Madhuri starred as Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi respectively in Bhansali’s version.

Shah Rukh looked more like himself than Devdas (like he did in the historical ‘Asoka’ which was a major failure too) but Madhuri and Aishwarya shone. The costume, styling, grand sets and the extravagance also worked in the film’s favour. But many critics didn’t find the depth that was in the original.

There were plans to remake another classic ‘Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam’ with Priyanka Chopra recreating Meena Kumari’s immortal role of Chhoti Bahu. There were also talks about signing Salman Khan to play Rahman’s role, John Abraham for Guru Dutt’s role as well as Vidya Balan in Waheeda Rahman’s role.

Well, the film got shelved and it seems it wasn’t too much of a bad development as the new cast didn’t seem appropriate enough.

Another period film which was remade and proved to be a huge disaster was ‘Umrao-Jaan’ with Aishwarya Rai.

J.P Dutta just couldn’t recreate the passion and sensitivity with which Muzaffar Ali made the film in the early 80s.. Rekha was at her graceful best and Khayyam’s haunting music was the icing on the cake.

The director could make the ethereally beautiful Ash look very pretty in beautiful costume but the Abhi-Ash chemistry just didn’t work. This in spite of the fact that the two had started dating during the making of the film!

The music of the movie mattered and Anu Malek’s music proved to be a dud. The expectations were sky high and the film fell flat on its face.

The worst remake till date can easily be ‘RGV ki Aag’

We wonder what on earth made a filmmaker who had some decent movies with original ideas like ‘Rangoli’ and ‘Satya’ to his credit to do such a thing!

Or was it a case of acute creative diarrhea? The classic was almost distorted beyond recognition.

Amitabh Bachchan as Gabbar, Prashant Raj as Jai, Ajay Devgan as Veeru or Nisha Kothari as Basanti – all looked out of place.

The recent ‘Karzzzz’ was another bad remake. Putting Himesh Reshammiya in the handsome Rishi Kapoor’s agile shoes wasn’t a great idea. Himesh just doesn’t have it in him to carry off a role like that of Monty, made so famous by Rishi Kapoor.

Newcomer Shweta Kumar didn’t have the charisma to play the bubbly Tina Munim’s character. Urmila did try to be good enough as the new age vamp played by Simi Garewal in the original but the implementation of the subject didn’t help her in any way. Satish Kaushik is best suited for melodramas like ‘Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte hai’ and ‘Humaara Dil Aaapke Paas Hai’.

Farhan Akhat’s ‘Don’ remake with Shah Rukh Khan fared much better though.

The modern and stylized touch to the story and some deft new twists helped. Farhan definitely is one the most intelligent film personalities in B-Town.

There was huge speculation as to whether SRK will be able to step into the shoes of Big B or not. And with Farhan’s help much of it became quite possible.

Well, this can be a one-off case. But all in all, handling classics are a huge challenge and the fainthearted shouldn’t ever take a risk like that!

–
Sneha Hazarika

Indian actresses are stuck on long hair. All actresses from Kareena to Deepika to Mallika to Preity flaunt similar hairdos.

At least for the heroes it’s better. Aamir, Salman , Saif etc can experiment a little but not the actresses!

They all have curls, golden streaks and mid length hair which gets boring and usual after a while. They are all fascinated with blonde, golden or maybe reddish brown hair and never with unusual colours like green or blue!

Well, one reason could be because many men think that long hair is far sexier than short hair.

But it’s not the same in Hollywood. People there are open to experimentation.

Katie Holmes, Uma Thurman, Victoria Beckham and Naomi Campbell etc are considered some of the most chic and sexy women in the world and they all have sported short hair for a long time.

Meg Ryan has looked far cuter with short than with the long hair she sported during the 80s. And at 40 something today she’s still very much a cutie pie.

Natalie Portman went bald for the movie ‘V for Vendetta’ and loved the look so much that she even happily flaunted it at the Cannes film festival in 2005.

Well, Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das dared to go bald for ‘Water’ but unfortunately the film could never be made with them. Looks like they must have greatly regretted their decision thereafter!

Now Shilpa Shetty is using a special wig to flaunt the bald look in one of her new films.

Well, the reality is Bollywood heroines have to flaunt long hair and most roles demand that.

So no one dares to ever experiment with short hair.

Even the movies that require heroines to flaunt short hair don’t really do it the right way

Preity Zinta’s short hair in ‘Lakshya’ didn’t get much praise. There was nothing so great about Kajol’s short wig in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’.

In the past, the likes of Persis Khambatta and Mallika Sarabhai experimented quite a bit. But then they were never mainstream Bollywood heroines.

Currently Bipasha dares to experiment a bit and had developed the courage to try out new hairdos which includes short hair. It’s a matter of attitude and most don’t have it.

Well, till they decide to do something drastic about it, looks like we have to bear with them!

–
Sneha Hazarika

But the same can’t be said about our good old Bollywood heroines. They don’t dare to get married when they are at the top and even if they do, they keep it a secret. Well, the audiences here do have a mental block when it comes to married heroines. Maybe they think wedded women aren’t hot enough.

The producers have thought that an actress’s career ends after 30 which definitely is a ridiculous viewpoint. Sharmila Tagore and Dimple Kapadia are the few actresses who did well post marriage. The best films of Sharmila like ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Mausam’ and ‘Aradhana’ came after marriage and her son Saif Ali Khan’s birth. After ‘Bobby’, Dimple sizzled and looked sexy in ‘Sagar’ in spite of being the mom of two daughters. She kept doing well, many years after that too. But the likes of Madhuri and Juhi haven’t been so lucky.

Juhi has only been doing off beat films like ‘Jhankaar Beats’ and ‘My brother Nikhil etc’ and has not cared to be the archetypal B-Town heroine in any film post marriage and motherhood.Madhuri’s comeback vehicle ‘Aaja Nachle’ was quite a highly anticipated film but the meaningless movie could do nothing for her. As of now, Madhuri doesn’t seem to be interested in trying out another comeback. She seems more happy being with her hubby and sons.

The big rumour is that Rani Mukerji has gotten married to Aditya Chopra and hence her career has slowed down. Well, by limiting herself to her boyfriend’s camp she made a major mistake. The once upon a time Rani of Bollywood has no big films to talk about today. In spite of her continuous weighty issues, Kajol made a decent comeback. Her comeback film ‘Fanaa’ even got her a Filmfare Best Actress Award and ‘U, Me aur Hum’ has done well too. But then she can’t really suddenly glam up and be paired opposite each and every hero.

The buzz is that her contemporaries Raveena, Karisma, Sonali Bendre and even their senior Sridevi are trying for a Bollywood re-entry ticket. Karisma of course is in great shape and can look glamorous. If she pursues her career well again, she can sure do better than the rest. Much like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who has the biggest B-Town films after marriage and that too despite being in her mid 30s! The buzz is that she got 6 crores for ‘Endhiran’ opposite Rajinikanth. She has big films with husband Abhishek, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar. She’s doing much better than her unmarried contemporaries like Sushmita, Shilpa Shetty and Urmila. The Bachchan name helped her but her stunning beauty and youthful looks have also come handy in a big way.

Even once upon a time arch rival Kareena (well, that’s what Bebo thought though Ash was quite neutral about the whole rivalry thing) also wants to follow her footsteps. We also think all post marriage aspirants should take a leaf out of Ash’s book. Hers sure is a contemporary success story.

Sneha Hazarika

Kumar Gaurav: He was good looking and seemed to have it all when his first film ‘Love Story’ released in the early 80s. But unfortunately that was not to be. His famous father Rajendra Kumar, also known as Jubilee Kumar held the unique track record of most of his movies celebrating jubilees. But the same can’t be said about sonny dearest who proved to be a one hit wonder. And that too probably because some of his father’s good luck spilled over and made the movie a hit.His chocolate boy looks just created an illusion as it was all downhill for him from there. ‘Naam’ was another good movie in his career but it was his brother-in-law Sanjay Dutt who walked away with all the accolades. Even today his debut movie is credited as the sole hit in his short lived career. But his father kept trying and the guy kept on acting in one horrendous movie after the other. His last attempt to save his career was ‘Phool’ in 1993 which had Madhuri Dixit acting opposite him. After that movie flopped too, the actor had no choice but to forget all about acting. But almost ten years later he made another attempt and acted in ‘Kaante’ alongside brother –in-law Sanjay Dutt and gave a pretty okay performance. But acting was just not his cup of tea. It’s also being said now that he’s currently on medicines, taking injections and going for skin treatments too as he wishes to act again. We wonder how some huge miracle is going to happen all of a sudden now! Some people never learn!

Rajeev and Kunal Goswami: Manoj Kumar was a superstar but his sons Rajeev Goswami and Kunal Goswami could come nowhere near him. This in spite of Mr. Bharat trying so very hard or so he thought! Rajiv made his debut opposite Meenakshi Sheshadri in ‘Painter Babu’ produced by his dad. But the story line was redundant and had nothing new to offer. The appalling story of a painter who’s unable to marry his ladylove after he gets framed in a murder case, later finding out that she’s married someone else and becoming a drunkard to finally commit suicide was naturally rejected by all and sundry. We just wish Manoj Kumar had been a bit more creative for his sonny dearest’s sake. But sadly he goofed up yet again while launching his second son Kunal Goswami. Kunal’s first movie ‘Kalakaar’ and especially the hit 80s number ‘Neele neele ambar par’ is his only claim to fame. Worse still, heroine Sridevi stole the show and the new hero was hardly noticed. His father tried to re-launch him with another pathetic movie years later but that too ended up as a failed attempt. After that, both the brothers had no choice but to forget all about acting!

Rajeev Kapoor: Rajeev Kapoor couldn’t emulate the success of his father Raj Kapoor or his brothers Randhir and Rishi Kapoor in any way. In spite of a grand launch by his showman father, nothing worked in his favor. A series of abysmal films followed, leaving him neither here nor there. The inside info is that now he’s known more for his drinking than anything else.

Suniel Anand: The son of ever green super star Dev Anand mad his debut with a film weirdly titled ‘Anand hi Anand’. Showing bizarre scenes like in the climax of the film where the hero is being chased by drunken elephants obviously didn’t work in their favor. After ending up as the laughing stock, Suneil tried to help himself. He also probably realized that his father was more interested hanging on as a hero. He wrote, directed, produced and acted in a film based on martial arts called ‘Master’. But it was revealed that only 43 people dared to watch that pathetic movie. After that Suneil had to give up all his unrealistic dreams and had to stop trying altogether. On the other hand, Dev sahab refuses to retire and still keeps doing things to hang around somehow.

Sanjana Kapoor: Sanjana Kapoor was pretty, firang looking and seemed to have inherited the right genes from her good looking dad Shashi Kapoor and Brit mom Jennifer Kendall. But she was just not made for Bollywood. She made her debut with Ketan Mehta’s ‘Hero Hiralal’ which made her the first girl from the Kapoor khandaan to break their age old tradition of ‘no acting for the ladies’ and turn heroine. But the role of a film star in love with a Hyderabadi auto-driver played by Naseeruddin Shah was an absolutely wrong choice. The fact that she and Nasser looked odd together made things all the more bad. She realized that Bollywood’s not her calling and chose to quit. Currently she is helping her father to run Prithivi Theatres and is doing a good job of it.

Karan Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor: Sanjana’s brothers Kunal and Karan also ended up with a similar fate. Karan got some stardom as the male face of Bombay Dyeing and his blonde good looks gave him a lot of ads. But his choice of debut movie was wrong. In the different period film ‘Sultanant’, he had a supporting role but got completely overshadowed, by Dharmendra and his son Sunny. Same goes for his next film ‘Loha’ which had Dharmendra with him again! Speaking Hindi with a foreign accent and his wooden acting made things worse. He realized that and soon gave up on his dreams and decided to settle down to a peaceful family life. Shashi Kapoor might be a huge star and a heart throb in his own right but the career of his other son was as bad. Kunal started out with an English-language film called ‘Siddhartha’ where he played the son of the title character played by his father. He then appeared in Shyam Benegal’s critically acclaimed film ‘Junoon’ which featured his father, mother and siblings. He got his first leading hero role with ‘Ahista Ahista’ opposite Padmini Kolhapure which turned out to be a damp squib at the box office. The much acclaimed ‘Vijeta’, followed by ‘Utsav’, ‘Trikaal’ and ‘Maashuka’ didn’t allow him to match up to the stardom of his dad in any way. He finally did what was best for him- quitting Bollywood for good.

Puru Rajkumar: Raj Kumar’s son Puru made his debut with ‘Bal Brahmachari’ in 1996 but in spite of successful Karisma Kapoor’s presence as the heroine, the movie turned out to be a huge flop. The fact that his father passed away the very same year (1996) also ensured that things were not in his favor. Not just Puru, the same can be said about his siblings as well. His brother Panini’s film never took off and his sister Vastavikta’s plain looks came in the way of her B-Town dreams. She just appeared in one B-grade movie before disappearing forever.

Pratibha Sinha: Mala Sinha was a great classic actress with tremendous sex appeal. But the same can’t be said about her daughter Pratibha who tried hard (even did her share of skin show) but fell flat on her face with real bad choice of movies in the 90s.

Shadab Khan: Amjad Khan’s son Shadab Khan made his debut opposite Rani Mukerji. While Rani went places from there, Shadab got to nowhere from there. This guy neither had the looks nor the appeal to be a hero. He tried directing a movie with Kay Kay Menon and Perizaad Zorabian but the movie is yet to see the light of the day. So basically as of now, this one is a flop director cum actor.

Feature Written By Sneha Hazarika

The first Indian to win a Golden Globe was the Producer/Director Mr. V. Shantaram, for "Do Ankhen Barah Haath" which won the Golden Globe, for the special Samuel Goldwyn Award in the year 1959. V. Shantaram is one of the most highly regarded directors in the history of Indian cinema. He was not only a master craftsman and technological innovator, but also an artist of conscience who dedicated himself to using the film arts as a means to further social causes. is one of the most highly regarded directors in the history of Indian cinema. Yes, we have made films of that caliber way back in 1959 – something that Aamir Khan has been trying very hard to achieve.

So please lets stop the nonsense of "first Indian to win a Golden Globe", and just appreciate Mr. Rahman for bringing such honor to the film industry.

Links to  misinformed idiots (to name a few):

Indiafm

Times of India

Hindustan Times

It was difficult enough to decide the top 20 films for the last year merely on the basis of their box office success. Therefore, taking into account critical reviews and the popularity quotient as well, we have a compilation of the best earners of the last year. The films which could not make it to the list but deserve a mention include: A Wednesday and Aamir. Apart from a few, it was impossible to differentiate between good cinema and brain-dead narration. And yes, the list does include some of the duds of the last year. No surprises, right? Read on…

# 20 – U, Me Aur Hum

Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Karan Khanna, Isha Sharwani, Sumeet Raghavan, Divya Dutta, Milind Pathak, Sachin Khedekar

Director: Ajay Devgan

Producers: Ajay Devgan

Music: Vishal Bharadwaj

Background Music: Monty Sharma

Cinematography: Aseem Bajaj

Editor: Dharmendra Sharma

Story: Ajay Devgan, Akash Khurana, Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta

This Devgan home production promised and delivered less. The directorial debut of Ajay Devgan got a poor opening despite the pairing of the real-life married couple, Ajay and Kajol. The film ran into poor weather soon and earned a mere below average rating at the box office. The film opened at just 470 screens earned a net gross of Rs. 22.69 Cr at the box office in its 6+ weeks show.

Synopsis:

Ajay is on a cruise with his friends and is having a whale of a time, when he finds Pia, a crew member, and time stands still. It is love at first sight for him, but Pia is not too impressed with his very obvious ways of trying to woo her. However, Ajay doesn’t give up and Pia has no choice but to finally give in. The two soon get married. Their marriage flourishes until one day their world comes crashing down when Pia is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Ajay’s senior psychiatrist friend convinces him to admit her to his care centre as there is no point of return for her. Unwilling at first, Ajay relents, although half-heartedly, and puts his wife in the facility despite her pleas to take her back home.

Here was a film which despite good performances and a grasping storyline lost at the box office. From Ajay Devgan’s impressive directorial debut to the film’s ode to the sensitivity of relationships, the film had it all to leave a mark. But, the film bombed miserably leaving me wondering whether we have stopped appreciating quality cinema. Next…

Click on the following links to keep reading the countdown to Tanu’s Top 20 Bollywood Movies of 2008.

The year got of to a blooming sexy start with TV hottie Karishma Tanna showing us her assets spread all over the cover (and the insides) of Maxim magazine. The former Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi actress aroused every muscle of a hung-over New Year male and indeed set in place, for what was to become, the sexiest year in Bollywood history.

Following Karishma, the ever so beautiful Kim Sharma let us ogle over her sensual upper body, as she too went bare-all for Maxim.

Kim Sharma for Maxim

A year to date after winning Celebrity Big Brother, babe Shilpa Shetty continued to milk her new found fame by launching a Yoga DVD. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan agreed to work with top south star Rajnikant for a movie, initially titled, Robot. The Bachchan bahu also laid the foundation stones to a college for girls, aptly named “Aishwarya Bachchan Kanya Mahavidyalaya”.

Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta both picked up teams for the newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL). Aamir Khan impressed everyone with his debut directorial Taare Zameen Par. However, the much hyped Ajay Devgan starrer Halla Bol flopped! Towards the end of the month, superstar Saif Ali Khan was seen rocking on stage with Strings and Parikrama.

In other news, singer Madonna spent time holidaying in India with her husband and kids. Little did she know, that come year-end, her blissfully happy married life will no longer be. And our very own Sania Mirza did very well at the Australian Tennis Open.

Follow the links below to read more on the big stories of 2008.

Aamir was heard giving an in-depth interview, where he talked about the recent Mumbai attacks, to an anchor that seemed to be unsympathetic to the horrid attacks in India last month. Apart from talking about who was to blame and what could now be done, Aamir also took the opportunity to promote his big release flick Ghajini.

We here at RadioSargam.Com managed to obtain a recording of the full interview. You can listen to by clicking here. Alternatively you can right click with the mouse and download the file to your computer to listen later.

The incident happened on Christmas Day (25th December 2008) at 17:30 hours GMT. The live telephone interview was aired on station Vibe FM, which is broadcasting neither with a licence from the Radio Authority nor permission from the relevant authorities. What makes this incident even more bewildering is the fact that the station is being funded by members of Afghanistan’s former regime, the Taleban. Many Indians blame them to be behind the Mumbai hotel attacks.

Vibe FM has been broadcasting in the Yorkshire area of the UK from underground premises. Radio stations in the UK can only go on air once a licence has been obtained from the government run Radio Authority. A limited number of licences are sold each year for duration of 28 days maximum. A list of all authorised radio broadcasts is published on the Radio Authority website each month; currently Vibe FM is not listed.

Channels such as Vibe FM tend to come on air every now and then but once the Radio Authority is informed, the studios are raided and with the help of the Police, the culprits arrested and charged. Stations can not be run without licences as their broadcasting equipment can interfere with close-by aeroplanes and hospital equipment.

According to RadioSargam.com sources, Vibe FM is being run from a number of different residential premises in Yorkshire. The same sources claim that the people behind this illegal broadcast are members of the Taleban government now taking up asylum in the UK.

According to another source, the interview was arranged by well known Mumbai based journalist. We have tried getting comments on this from both him and Aamir, but without any luck.

What do you think about this… do you think Aamir has been duped into giving an interview to an illegal radio station or has he done it on purpose… and if so what purpose has it achieved… we would love to read your thoughts on this… please use the comments section below to respond.

Producer: Allu Arvind, Madhu Varma
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Cast: Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan, Pradeep Rawat, Khalid Siddiqui

The man of blockbusters Aamir Khan has come out to deliver another blockbuster. Last year, it was �Taare Zameen Par�, which scored very high at the box office. And now, it will be �Ghajini� for sure to hit the viewers� hearts. The movie is certainly a gift for Christmas and it will undoubtedly inject sugary pleasures in the audience�s hearts. The flick would without any doubt be the best performance of Aamir Khan. The Tamil version of this enterprise was a massive hit but if you look at the Hindi remake, it is also laced with the sparks to be a blockbuster. And the box office results will surely be displaying the same. Ghajini, a revenge saga, has a riveting storyline but adding to the plot is powerful treatment, mind-blowing performances and superb music.

While you stay with the movie, you come to know that it is Asin (the leading gal) who talks more than Aamir (he speaks very less in the film) but what impresses you the most is his body language that does all to attract the movie buffs. This outing is very impressive and swathed with an attention-grabbing storyline. Every department of this venture looks flawless. Admit, the length of the film is long and that you might point out as a flaw. But the gripping story erases this flaw. Agreed that the film is full of violence but the violence is justified and one feels elated when Aamir�s character is avenged. Director AR Murugadoss, surpasses his earlier work – the Tamil version of the film. He is superb in his work, as he moulds the movie sequences with a class and finesse that the audience cannot help holding their breaths.

The film talks about Sanjay Singhania (Aamir Khan) who has a sad past and a violent present. In the past, he was a rich, famous and successful man, who loved Kalpana (Asin). But an incident occurred in his life that ruined all, as he lost her girlfriend and underwent a break-down. He forgets everything but the violent incident, he cannot�! Here begins his journey of brutal vendetta against the killers. Sanjay seeks revenge through pictures and memos and tattoos on his chiseled body. Amidst all, he bumps into Sunita (Jiah Khan), who gets afraid of initially but when she learns the truth, wants to help him out.

The director AR Murugadoss impress with his work. He shows it all on the screen, as he succeeds to build the suspense throughout the film. Cinematography is mind-blowing. The camera treatment is very stylish. The music by A R Rahman is spongy and hummable.

Aamir Khan rules once again. Whenever he appears, he loots the hearts with his performance. Asin, the new discovery, attracts with her acting and looks gorgeous. The actress has the potential to stand amongst the biggies of the trade. Jiah Khan is great to watch. The rest of the cast impresses as well.

On the whole, �Ghajini� is magnum opus in every sense of the word. A precious gift for Christmas.

RS Rating: 4/5

- The reviewer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst and laced with a good rapport with both the fraternities and the people associated with these swanky trades. He also shares a good rapport with the celebs of these industries. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk and goher.punn@yahoo.com

Reel Life – There is this really simple guy who, who does a simple 9 – 5 job and one fine day he ends up marrying a girl in rather bizarre circumstances (Wake up Aditya – we are a country have moved way ahead in time). Then comes the real bits – i.e. making the marriage work. The girl tells her husband that she will be a great wife to him but can never love him. Interesting. He accepts, because our man truly loves her. Aaaawww. So the film is about he wins her over, so that she will love him. They do live happily ever after. Simple? That’s it – you ask me? Well, yeah, that is it!!!

Real Life – I really am not into this whole stuff about being able to see God in the one you love. Sorry, I know the meaning of God far to much to let it be abused on screen, or anywhere else for that matter. Knowing God and more importantly the love of God is a far more superior and beautiful feeling that trying to find God in any one. That’s my take. What is beautiful in the film is that the simple husband gives his wife the space and the pace to get comfortable in the marriage. He never once demands anything of her and that to me was a very beautiful thing. I wish upon you, if you are in demanding relationships to let go of expectations and control, and thus letting the other person grow into your love, rather than imposing your love on them. Secondly the lesson to take out is – never look for God in someone else. Find God within your own heart and that beauty, that devotion is on a different level.

Cinematically – ShahRukh Khan!!! Salutes to the man. There are those who say that he did nothing new, he is the same of SRK in this too. Yeah I agree to a point BUT – yeap a huge BUT. What SRK bring to RNBDJ is the magic called ShahRukh Khan!! There he is on screen, doing what he does best – being SRK and entertaining you with all his passion and all that he has done over the decades that has made him what he is today – the king khan. This now brings me to those who criticize ShahRukh. I have two questions for you lot – ‘Name me any other actor/star of our current lot that can act as a simple man in that role and make women fall in love with him. Who could do that role of a boring man and still get away as being a hero of a film?’. The answer my friends is – ShahRukh Khan!! Like it or not, it is SRK.

If Shahrukh Khan was not a part of this film, it would be a complete right-off. The story is weak and out-dated. The screenplay pathetic and the direction is ancient. The music is ok. The climax is just stupid. Sorry, though SRK did a good job dancing in that character, there was no way that dance would account for them winning the first prize. Wake up Aditya!!!!!

Finally – A one time watch for everyone, and a few times watch for all SRK fans. I really am astonished to see Aditya come up with this. What was he thinking? The Yash Raj Chopra films needs to look within themselves. For God’s sake I saw the trailer of their next film called ‘New York’. Opening scene John Abraham pointing to an American flag in adulation. Dear members of Yash Raj Films, we as Indians have moved away from the American dream a while ago and are more deeply in love with the colours of our own flag – now more than ever. Wake up.

Coming soon – Gajni. Oh yeah, and that will be it.