World's oldest human remains claimed in Israel

JERUSALEM: Israeli archaeologists have discovered human remains dating from 400,000 years ago, challenging conventional wisdom that Homo sapiens originated in Africa, the leader of excavations in Israel said.

Avi Gopher, of Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology, said testing of stalagmites, stalactites and other material found in a cave east of Tel Aviv indicates that eight teeth uncovered there could be the earliest traces so far of our species.

"Our cave was used for a period of about 250,000 years -- from about 400,000 years ago to about 200,000 years ago," he said.

"The teeth are scattered through the layers of the cave, some in the deeper part, that is to say from 400,000 years and through all kinds of other layers that can be up to 200,000 years. The oldest are 400,000 years old," he added."

That calls into question the widely held view that Africa was the birthplace of modern man, said Gopher, who headed the dig at Qesem Cave.

"It is accepted at the moment that the earliest Homo sapiens that we know is in east Africa and is 200,000 years old, or a little less. We don't know of anywhere else where anyone claims to have an earlier Homo sapiens," he said.

Gopher said the first teeth were discovered in 2006 but he and his team waited until they had several samples, then conducted years of testing, using a variety of dating methods, before publishing their findings.

Digging continues at the cave, the university said, with researchers hoping to "uncover additional finds that will enable them to confirm the findings published up to now and to enhance our understanding of the evolution of mankind, and especially the appearance of modern man."
source: geo.tv

Delayed Ariane rocket launches and deploys satellites

CAYENNE: A European Ariane rocket successfully launched on Wednesday from French Guiana after an earlier attempt to get into orbit was postponed for 24 hours because of strong winds at high altitudes.

Space officials said the Ariane-5 rocket blasted-off at 6.27 p.m. (2127 GMT) from the European Space Agency's launch site in Kourou, French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.

High altitude winds can cause debris from the rocket to fall on populated areas.

The Hispasat 1E satellite for Spanish telecoms operator Hispasat and Koresat 6 for South Korea's Korea Telecom were subsequently deployed by the rocket.

Hispasat will provide capacity for the Spanish operator's new initiatives which include direct-to-home television, digital terrestrial television and data services throughout Europe, North Africa and the Americas.

The satellite was built by U.S. manufacturer Space Systems/Loral.

"Hispasat 1E allows our company to expand its capacity and coverage over Europe, America and Africa," Petra Mateo, Hispasat chairman said after the launch.

Koreasat 6 will provide telecommunications services throughout Korea and neighboring Asian countries.

It was jointly built by Orbital Sciences Corp. and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture company owned by France's Thales, SA and Italy's Finmeccanica.

Wednesday's launch was the 41st consecutive successful launch of the Ariane rocket series.
source: geo.tv

Senate unanimously passes 19th Amendment Bill

 ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed19th amendment bill with 80 votes in favour and none in against, while the National Assembly passed the bill with majority of votes but not unanimously as an MNA cast vote against the bill.

Two amendments were proposed by Senators Hafiz Rashid, Muhammad Idress and Haroon Akhtar Khan in section 1 and clause 246 of the 19thamendment; however both the amendments were rejected by the House.

Hafiz Rashid and Muhammad Idrees proposed amendment in clause 246 and said that 25 villages of Charsadda and Peshawar districts should be included in tribal areas.

Chairman of Parliamentary Reforms Committee Raza Rabbani opposed the amendment and said that these villages are attached with settled districts and could not be included in tribal areas. He said the amendment was out of the scope of the bill and it also needs a separate procedure to include any area of settle district to tribal area.

Haroon Khan said that proposed of tax should be imposed on agricultural sector, however, Raza Rabbani said that since the concurrent list has been abolished under 18th amendment therefore it is a provincial subject.

Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek while giving the ruling on the two amendments said that both the amendments were beyond the scope and limit of 19th amendment bill.

The 19th amendment bill mainly deals with appointment of judges, addition of four-member senior judges in judicial commission and addition of Islamabad High Court in the list of higher judiciary.
source: geo.tv

I never told Shweta that my wife doubts her: Manoj Tiwari

Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tiwari, the latest to be evicted out of reality show "Bigg Boss 4", admits that his wife doubts his loyalty due to actress Shweta Tiwari, but clarifies that he knows her only professionally.

"I do have issues in my marriage. My wife has always doubted my relationship with Shweta, but I never told Shweta about it until we met in 'Bigg Boss'. I never felt the need to tell her because we hardly used to meet otherwise. I always knew her only professionally, " Manoj told over phone from Mumbai.

The actor, singer and director, who has been living separately from his wife and daughter for the past few months, says if he had any romantic involvement with Shweta, it couldn't have been hidden on a show like "Bigg Boss".

"In 'Bigg Boss', we were in a house where there are cameras 24X7. . . you cannot hide feelings and emotions all the time.

So if there was anything between us, it would have come through once or twice. But there was and there is nothing between Shweta and me, " said Manoj, who has featured in Bhojpuri films like "Sasura Bada Paise Wala" and "Daroga Babu I Love You".

Shweta, who became a household name after the success of "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" on the small-screen, is separated from Raja Chaudhary, and lives with her daughter Palak. When she came to know about the concern of Manoj's wife, she decided to clear matters after "Bigg Boss 4".

But Manoj says it is no longer required. "I told Shweta that I have been trying to convince my wife and I can handle this alone. I was never good friends with Shweta, I just shared a cordial relation with her.


We became friends in 'Bigg Boss' and I did not like the fact that she went against me towards the end of my stay. I don't think I can connect with her anymore, " the 45-year-old said.

"My issue is that when Shweta and Samir (Soni) came to know that Ashmit (Patel) was bitching about me, why didn't they tell me? As friends they should have been honest. I was extremely frustrated when I left the 'Bigg Boss 4' house because I felt cheated, not because I was evicted, " he said.

Though Manoj feels "relaxed" after being out of the show, he says it is hard to digest the fact that Ashmit received more votes from the public to stay on the show.

"I am amazed that Ashmit got more votes than me! I cannot believe it still! But I guess the fake Ashmit Patel-Veena Malik story is being liked by everyone and I am sure it is the channel's decision to keep them in, " he said.
source: santabanta.com

Why Kareena attends mid night mass every Christmas

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor is a great believer in attending the mid night mass every Christmas. Now the reason for Bebo going to the mid night mass to the church is because her mom Babita is a very religious lady and she never misses her mass service on Christmas.

Kareena's mom is a Christian and for all Christians attending this service is akin to being very devoted to God and ultimately becoming the human being with a good heart.

So Kareena has always made it a point to be at her mother's side at this time of the year, that is to say the 25th of December to attend the mid night mass and always makes it a point to keep herself free from any shooting schedule or any other commitment so that her commitment to her mom is always kept intact.

Thus this year too, Kareena is all set to attend the mid night mass with her mom and due to that she had asked Shahrukh Khan for this day to be kept off from all shooting schedulers for his home production RA.ONE. SRK, being the kind and considerate human being that he is had agreed and thus Bebo is free on that day to attend the mass.

Well, with such dedicated stars in tinsel town what can one say but –May God bless you Kareena!
source: www.santabanta.com

Why Priyanka trashed Akki and Bebo on national TV

Bitchy Actress has been rushed to the hospital. She had a rage attack after seeing Priyanka Chopra on Koffee With Karan on Sunday night.

The fake filmi sharmaana every time KJo mentioned Shah Rukh Khan was just too much for her to handle. She ringed us from the hospital bed to say, "PC is clearly stuck in the Meena Kumari era. Someone please teach her how to blush.

That coy act of hers -- covering her face and lowering her eyes -- was just so fake, it'll take me a month to recover."

We are as saddened by the news of our friend's hospitalisation as we are with the fact that we can't see Pranks' live act on the sets of Don 2. How does Farhan Akhtar get any work done when his leading lady swoons everytime someone asks her about SRK!?

Meanwhile...

On the show, Karan Johar had asked PC to name one actor whose laptop she would like to steal. Her answer was : Kareena Kapoor, but I wonder if she knows how to use one. Later, Pranks got cold feet and asked the host to delete it from the show.

Also...

PC's bias against Akshay Kumar showed clearly when she named him last on the Best Actor list, as well as the Sexiest Actor list. Itna gussa ab tak?!

And...

No one was surprised when she named Shahid Kapur as number one actor in the league of Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor -- that one we will give her. But she also named him the sexiest. Erm...
source: www.santabanta.com

Framing the perfect shot: Indian television steps outside Mumbai

With characters and storlylines not confined to metropolitan India anymore, television production houses are moving out of Mumbai to shoot in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to keep the shows' regional flavour alive.

The whole idea behind shooting at the places where the story is based is to add to the authencity to the story, says Zee TV's Sukesh Motwane.

"Its important for us that whatever we create it has to be believeable. So, if a story is set in Rajasthan or in UP, it is important that we make people aware of its customs, traditions so that they can relate to it and get its feel. Shooting in places where the story is based makes it more authentic and believable, " Motwane told.

Zee TV's "12/24 Karol Bagh" was the first television serial that was completely shot in Delhi. It narrated the story a of middle-class family residing in Karol Bagh.

Ninety-five percent of the manpower was from Delhi, reveals Sudhir Sharma of Sunshine Productions, the producer of the show.

"Our approach was just to expand the industry. People are bored seeing the same locations, so we thought why not go out of Mumbai, " he said.

"Initially, it was difficult as you don't find trained workers as in Mumbai but later everything fell into place. It felt good that we are generating a new breed of people here, " he added.

Many Zee TV shows follow this pattern.

Some portions of "Sanjog Se Bani Sangini", for example, have been shot in Haridwar and Pataudi. "Ram Milayi Jodi" has been shot in Delhi, "Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli" has been shot in Orcha in Madhya Pradesh, "Bhagowali" has been shot in Patna while "Mera Naam Karegi Roshan" has been filmed in Ayodhya.

SAB TV's executive vice president and business head Anooj Kapoor said shooting in places outside Mumbai has become easier and the equipment too is easily available now.

"People in films have been shooting all over India. Now, the television industry too has progressed. You can put a certain cost of production additionally, but that is easily borne by the channel. So that's not a problem, " he added.

It was an attempt to do justice to the concept of the show, he added.

Imagine TV's "Gunaaho Ka Devta" has been shot in Jodhpur and "Jamunia", which went off air in June, was shot in Chhattisgarh.

Star Plus' new show "Gulaal", which tells the story of a girl of the same name, is set against the backdrop of Kutch district in Gujarat and has been shot in Kutch, Jaipur and Mumbai.

"Chand Chupa Badal Mein", that revolves around a girl called Nivedita from Shimla, has been shot in Himachal Pradesh.

"It an interesting thing. The show we create is for the national audience and what better way to explore cultures by basing a story on a different culture, " said Danish Khan, vice president of Sony TV.

Sony TV's "Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Nata Koi" has been shot in Manali as well as in Mumbai.

"Most of people do a mix of outdoor and indoor shoots. They do a little bit of shooting in the particular place in which the story is based and lot of interiors get shot in Mumbai. So, from the technical point of view, its viable, " he added.
source: www.santabanta.com

The story of Mahie and Randeep's love bites

That's director Tigmanshu Dhulia's solution to the bee sting marks on actors Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda's necks from shooting in a bee-infested haveli

The team of Tigmanshu Dhulia's Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster is in a stinging position. The haveli in Baria, Gujarat, where the film is being shot, is infested with beehives.

Groans Dhulia, "We look like a mess. Some of the actors have swollen faces and lips. These will obviously show on camera, more so since we're using a very sophisticated camera, the Alexa, for the first time in Indian cinema."

Short of time, Dhulia hit upon a novel idea to camouflage the bee-utiful faces of his actors. He has turned those red swollen welters on Mahie Gill and Randeep Hooda into love bites in the script.

Laughs Dhulia, "Those swellings had to be justified. They play lovers on the run. Their passion borders on mutual destruction. I wanted the lovemaking to be extremely violent, almost like two people making war on society by making violent love on screen."

He adds, "I've shown Randeep and Mahie go further in their love-making than any Indian film so far. I'd have gone even further if I thought the censor board would allow it."

"The haveli that we are shooting in is colonised by bee-hives. They haven't taken kindly to the shooting in their territory, " he concludes.
source: www.santabanta.com

Oooh So Nasty Priyanka: Does Kareena have a computer in the first place

Bollywood ladies are known for their catfights. But so openly ahem!!

But then, K Jo can make that happen on his show ‘Koffee with Karan’. Kareena and Priyanka got engaged in this real nasty fight. Friendly during the making of Aitraaz but then later turned foes over the fact that Priyanka ‘Piggy Chopps’ was with her ex beau Shahid Kapur, the duo exchanged scathing remarks between each other.

Taking another potshot at the female scion of the Kapoor khandaan, Piggy Chopps said that though she is extremely flattered at being praised by the lady for her acting skills, she doesn’t know of anyone in the industry who takes her seriously. Work wise or personally? Well Saif has to answer that.

Kareena aka Bebo asked innocently as to where on earth did Piggy Chopps get that ‘accent’ of hers. And pat came the reply from our Desi Girl “from the same place where her boyfriend (Saif Ali Khan) got his." This was a smart reminder to Bebo and all those who were tuned in, that apart from chote nawab Saif, even she had the good fortune to study abroad.

And here is the one that stole the show. The question which Karan asked on the show was that what she would like to steal from the computers of Bollywood superstars like SRK, Shahid, Kareena and others. Miss World very promptly enquired giggling "Does Kareena have a computer in the first place?"

Naughty Piggy Chops; now that‘s underestimating Bebo a bit too much. Even if she doesn’t have one, I guess Saif must have gifted her one, by now. Or even better, the company for whom she models can surely gift their brand ambassador one single piece. Isn’t it?
source: www.santabanta.com

Rani is very comfortable with the 'F' word and 'G' word in real life

There's trouble ahead for the much talked-about real-life drama No One Killed Jessica. Rani's character of an intrepid investigative journalist chain smokes and mouths gaalis non-stop.

In the trailer Rani's shocking use of the term 'g..nd phat jaati' has been managed with a beep. But if the film's makers get down to deleting every expletive Rani's character utters there would be huge gaps in her dialogue.

According to sources Rani's character's flow of profanities is so non-stop that if the censorboard decided to beep her gaalis Rani's dialogue soundtrack would have more beeps than words.

Laughs and protests director Rajkumar Gupta, “It' not that bad,really. You are making it sound like a non-stop abuse binge. My film is not that. But yes Rani's character is very brutal and graphic in her speech.

I don't know if, as you say. Rani is the same way in real life. I didn't know her before I shot with her. But she was thoroughly professional in mouthing squirmy words.”

While in real life Rani Mukherjee is very comfortable using the 'F' word and 'G' word in English and Hindi her costar Vidya Balan in No One Killed Jessica is not quite the type who will mouth maa-bahen galis at the drop of an oath, no matter what the provocation. Not that Vidya is a prude. But she does mind her language. Rani is just the opposite and it shows on screen.

Now the question looming over No One Killed Jessica is, would the censorboard allow Rani's character to speak her mind so graphically? The censors are known to clamp down heavily on lurid language unless it is in a Vishal Bhardwaj film.

Pardoxically Vishal's rustic characters are allowed to mouth maa-bahen gaalis. Jessica producers UTV who co-produced Bharadwaj's Kaminey are hoping that the same language in an urban context is permissible.

Says Rajkumar Gupta, “We voluntarily beeped out Rani's expletive in the trailer because it was to be screened on the home-viewing medium. But now when we submit the film for censorship we will go with the entire language content intact hoping the censorboard would see the context and not just the hardhitting nature of the language.”


While Rani Mukherjee is said to be gung-ho about the language Vidya Balan is apparently dreading how the dialogues would sound in a pindrop-silent theatre with dolby sound.

Says the director, “Let's just say, both Rani and Vidya said what they had to.They were thorough professionals.”

Another area of discomfort for this controversial film would be the legal ramifications of showing real-life people,particularly the hostile witnesses in the real-life Jessica Lal murder case. Apparently some of the key witnesses are already inquiring about the content and getting ready for legal action.

Says Rajkumar Gupta, “We're ready for any eventuality.I made the film the way I wanted to as a mix of realism and cinematic entertainment. No One Killed Jessica is not a documentary on the Jessica Lal case. But it is about her sister's fight for justice. And if the real-life characters recognize themselves they are welcome to react how they want.”

Or else Rani will let loose a volley of the choicest.

Laughs Gupta, “We are hoping for a UA (parental guidance) certificate.But even if we get an Adults certificate we're okay with it.”

source: www.santabanta.com

Sonakshi Sinha, the next Sheila?

The actress has begun training to look fit for Shirish Kunder's Joker Farah Khan made Katrina Kaif hit the gym with a vengeance to look sizzling for the Sheila Ki Jawani track in Tees Maar Khan.

The actress worked out with trainer Yasmin Karachiwala who has her fitness centre in Bandra. Now it is Sonakshi Sinha's turn.

The Dabangg actress who features in Farah's hubby Shirish Kunder's Joker has also begun training with Yasmin. The movie has Akshay Kumar as her co-star and goes on the floors early 2011.

Says a source, "It was Farah who suggested that Kat start training with Yasmin as preparation for the Sheila Ki Jawani track months in advance to have a super bod for the shoot.

They are now doing likewise for Shatrughan Sinha's daughter."

Adds the source, "Sonakshi has to knock off inches for Joker. Her role demands a fit and toned body. She has begun her workouts with Yasmin as preparation for the movie."

Says Sonakshi, "I heard about Yasmin from a friend and was tired of doing the same old workout, so I made the switch!

She's very good and I'm enjoying my workout, feeling and looking better! It's good to be fit and Yasmin is helping me achieve exactly that!"

Salman's motivation

 Before the shoot of Dabangg began, Sonakshi lost oodles of weight thanks to the motivation provided by co-star Salman Khan. Shatrughan Sinha's daughter lost all her flab after an extensive diet and fitness schedule.

When Farah made SRK lose it

Kat lost weight for Sheila Ki Jawani, while Farah Khan had earlier made Shah Rukh Khan not only become lean for the Dard-e-Disco track of Om Shanti Om but also develop six pack abs!

Star trek

Yasmin's other starry B-Town clients include:
>> Kareena Kapoor
>>Imran Khan
>> Karisma Kapur
>> Kunal Kapoor
source: www.santabanta.com

Golmaal 3

Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Mithun Chakraborty, Kunal Khemu, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Johny Lever, Ratna Pathak-Shah

Director: Rohit Shetty

Rating: ***

It is touted as the first trilogy of Indian cinema. It's about time that the distant cousin of Hollywood had one. Yet, what's important is that Bollywood did not need to have trilogies as one hit film has the habit of spawning a whole generation of films that look and feel like the original. "Golmaal 3" also suffers from that syndrome. Thankfully, it only feels like its previous avatars.

Despite retaining most characters from its previous outings, "Golmaal 3" enters a hitherto uncharted territory. Madhav (Warsi), Laxman (Khemu) and Lucky (Kapoor) are the three scheming sons of Pritam (Mithun) who manage to lure Vasooli (Mukesh Tiwari) into one scheme after another.

However, as luck would have it, in everything they start, they find competition from three other down-on-their-luck kids Gopal (Ajay Devgn), Laxman (Shreyas Talapade) and Dabbu (Kareena Kapoor) with funding from Puppy bhai (Johnny Lever). Gopal and Laxman are the sons of Geeta (Ratna Pathak Shah).

 Inevitably, locking horns they end up destroying each others businesses. What the two groups don't know is that their parents are unrequited ex-lovers.

When Dabbu finds out she schemes and unites the two lovers in a marriage without letting their children know about their step-brothers.

All hell breaks loose when they finally find out and a hilarious war engulfs between the two groups right under their parents noses.

Like its predecessors "Golmaal 3" has enough laughs going through the film to keep the momentum.

Johnny Lever as the Ghajini-style forgetful don who adopts a new filmy avatar every few minutes has the audience in splits.

The few spoofs of old Hindi films, full of camera pans and quick zooms, will nostalgically tickle the funny bone. The twists of various popular phrases and known adages, raises more than a chuckle.

Mithun gets to do his "Disco Dancer" once again. Theatre veteran Ratna Pathak-Shah waltzes through the film with aplomb. Arshad Warsi is his usual tapori self while Shreyas Talapade and Kunal Khemu do a good job.

It is however the beefed up Tushar Kapoor who seems to be trying too hard, and despite raising giggles, fails to arouse laughter. In the first part he, looking the most vulnerable, was the funniest of the lot.

Director Rohit Shetty tries his best in merging comic vignettes into one comprehensible film. However, had it not been for the funny dialogues, his lack of directorial verve would have shone out.

He is spared the fate by some ingenious dialogue writing by Robin Bhatt ("Aashiqui", "Sadak", "Baazigar") and Yunus Sajawal.

Now that Bollywood finally has a trilogy, will it please also make one that also has some real standing in the world of cinema?
source: www.santabanta.com

Emraan Hashmi: I Will Not Stop Kissing!

Kissing is second nature to Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi considering that he has been doing it from the beginning of his career in Bollywood.

In an industry where actors still act coy when asked to do the lip locking act, Emraan Hashmi is proud to be known by the name of the serial kisser of Bollywood and he does not plan to stop anytime soon.

Well, we had once heard Emraan Hashmi saying that he would stop smooching his co-stars once he became a daddy, and there were also rumors that the actor would lock lips no more once he tied the knot with his long time girlfriend Parveen Shahani. But his wife does not seem to mind and there is definitely no stopping the kissing man of Bollywood!

Emraan Hashmi turned a father this year February, so will stop kissing as earlier promised? Not at all, shoots Emraan Hashmi.

The actor says that he may have made certain statements in the past, but such statements were made in different circumstances. As one progresses in life, the priorities also change, so now it looks like Emraan Hashmi's priority is to kiss his lead heroine!

Well, as they say promises are made to be broken and Emraan Hashmi has proved to be the first example of the saying!
source: www.santabanta.com

Shahid and Priyanka: What Ignited The Fire Again?

The on-off romantic alliance between Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra is reportedly gearing up once again! There was a buzz that Priyanka's family is looking for a Punjabi groom for her and probably this has made them think about the relationship once again.

Bollywood has two eligible bachelors for Priyanka Chopra, one is her Anjana Anjani co-star Ranbir Kapoor and her on-off beau Shahid Kapoor. Priyanka has recently confessed in an interview that her chemistry with Shahid is little more than that with Ranbir. Well, probably this was an indication to all that she has zeroed in on this Kapoor guy once again.

While shooting for Don 2, Priyanka and Shahid separated their ways but soon after the film was complete, the actress realized her love for Shahid when she was returning to Mumbai. Sources reveal that the spark started with an emotional phone call. However, we have no clue that who broke the jinx first and forwarded the olive leaf.

Well, it is right time for Priyanka to take a decision over her relationship because there have been enough rumors and gossips.

The couple is reportedly giving another chance to their relationship and this time they are quite serious about it. They want to keep it under wraps this time until they come up with a serious and vital decision. The couple is set to appear on Karan Johar's show 'Koffee with Karan' this Sunday.

Hope, we hear an official announcement from them soon!
source: www.santabanta.com

Guzaarish

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Monikangana Dutta, Suhel Seth

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Rating: ****

Breathe a sigh of relief. During a year when cacophonic crassness masquerading as comic entertainment has been sanctioned by critics and the masses, "Guzaarish" comes along to remind us that excellence is alive in our cinema.

Ironically this wonderful work of art, nuanced and magical in its portrayal of an unstoppable spirit's quest to juice life to its fullest, is about dying. If the journey towards death in art can be so mystically explored, then let's embrace mortality as a stepping stone to immortality and a film about dying as a sign of cinema not dying on us. Not yet.

Only those who suffer the numbing pain of isolation would know what it feels like. Dilip Kumar in "Devdas", Guru Dutt in "Pyasa", Meena Kumari in "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" and Nutan in "Bandini" communicated to the audience the indescribable pain of solitude.

Ethan, as played by Hrithik Roshan in "Guzaarish", is so bemused by adversity that he can actually look at his own suffering with dispassionate humour.

"Guzaarish" is a joyous, rapturous and ecstatic celebration of life. Those familiar with the art of Sanjay Leela Bhansali know how ably and ecstatically he transports his characters into a universe of seamless drama played at an octave where most cinematic symphonies crack up and topple over into high-pitched extravagance.

Not Bhansali's cinema. Played at the highest possible scale, his drama unfolds in wave after wave of rapturous splendour. His characters occupy a space that defies definition and seduces audiences into celebrating a state of sublimity and splendour.

Ethan's inert physicality is alchemized into an ambience of animated joy. His spirit dances and sings at the sheer pleasure of every moment that is given to him to live. He radiates joy. We feel his profound happiness at the gift of life.


 No film in living memory has brought out the sheer blessing of being alive with such spirit and glory. While Shah Rukh Khan's "Devdas" in Bhansali's opulent opera was a character broken in spirit, Hrithik's Ethan in "Guzaarish" is irreparably damaged in body. But his spirit soars, his eyes light up like thousands of stars every time Sophie walks in.

That Sophie is played by Aishwarya Rai is a stroke of genius that goes a long way in giving "Guzaarish" its flavour of exceptional elegance.

No other director brings out the quiet grace and the understated beauty of this screen diva's personality with as much intelligence and spontaneity as Bhansali. In "Guzaarish", Aishwarya is far more delicate and nuanced in conveying the unspoken pain of a love that has no tomorrow than she was in "Devdas".

Aishwarya imbues her role with a resplendent grace. Love in "Guzaarish" is expressed with subtle smirks, gentle smiles and hints of a smothered passion that could erupt any time, if only destiny didn't choose to be so mean to the spirited.

The scenes between Ethan and Sophie, the backbone of Ethan's spine-challenged life, radiate an inner beauty and wisdom and underline the director's enormous understanding of the self-negation that a love relationship requires.

"Guzaarish" is Bhansali's most tender and evocative film to date. It layers the pain of a dying body with the passion of an unstoppable spirit as manifested in Hrithik's skilled and effortless performance as a quadriplegic who pledges to make every moment of his limited "sau gram zindagi" pleasurable for himself an those around him.

Barring Amitabh Bachchan in "Black" there has never been a better performance in a Bhansali film than Hrithik's in "Guzaarish".

He grabs Ethan's role and makes the dying character come alive in delightful waves of provocative histrionics.

And if we're talking chemistry between Hrithik and Aishwarya, then let's get one thing clear - this ain't "Dhoom". It's something far deeper and satisfying.

The other performance that catches your attention is Aditya Roy Kapoor's. He is natural and vivacious and in-sync with the film's spirit of celebrating life. Monikangna Dutt is a looker. In her limited space, she lends some appeal to the proceedings.

Suhel Seth, Shernaaz Patel and Rajit Kapur also make a lingering impact in a film that you carry home with you in an inviolable place in your heart.

A word about Bhansali's music score. The songs communicate the rich tapestried emotions of lives that are determined to smile through an extraordinary tragedy. Every piece of music and song in "Guzaarish" echoes the film's incandescent soul.

The film's technical excellence, particularly Sudeep Chatterjee's cinematography, is not dazzling and flamboyant in the way it was in "Devdas".

In "Guzaarish", the appeal is far more delicate and subtle. The deep but sober colours on screen reach out to you to enrich your life in ways that cinema was always meant to, until it was waylaid by the hooligans and imposters posing as filmmakers.

"Guzaarish" is the real thing. A big, beautiful, dazzling emotional movie experience. You won't see a better film this year.
source: www.santabanta.com

Cast: Imran Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sharmila Tagore, Lillete Dubea, Shahana Goswami, Navin Nischol, Yudhistir Urs

Director: Danish Aslam

Rating: ** 1/2

Bollywood has a sub-genre of romantic-comedies meant for urban, chic teenagers, first pioneered with its full frontal glory by our very own coffee drinking Karan Johar.

These films, and the people that inhabit it, are nothing like you have ever known, or are ever likely to know. But the reality inside it is so glossy and Cinderellaesque that everyone aspires for this free floating, un-rooted, but super fun unreality.

"Break Ke Baad" is a fun example of that.

Aaliya (Deepika Padukone) and Abhay (Imran Khan) are childhood sweethearts whose sweet course of sugarcane love encounters the roadblock of youthful ambition. Aaliya, a fiercely independent, risk-taking person decides to go to Australia to pursue her acting ambition, thus breaking the relationship. Both make mistakes, but eventually discover themselves only to realize that it's not that easy to say 'talaq' to a love, that has now matured.

"Break Ke Baad" is the ultimate, teenage, escape, love fantasy of 2010, much like "Jaane Tu…" in 2008 and "Love Aaj Kal" in 2009, in whose magical world, almost everything happens coincidentally and all loose ends are tied up perfectly in the end and all that you see makes sense. But we know that such a mythical, unreality can exist only in Bollywood.

Yet, the film is good in its own sub-genre. The strongest part of the film is a well-baked script; tight, crisp and thankfully contemporary and often rooted dialogues of Renuka Kunzru, which are funny at times, and profound in a cliched way at others.

Yet the film will never make it to the annals of Bollywood greats. Neither does it have the cuteness of Aamir Khan's launch vehicle "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak", or the undertone of class struggle depicted with extreme melodrama in "Maine Pyaar Kiya", the overtone of struggle against tradition of "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" or the excessive sugar-pulp and totally nonexistent reality of "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (KKHH) - a film which this one pays hearty tributes to.

The conflict is mostly in the minds of the protagonist, and not real. Ironically its fault would perhaps be that it is not unreal enough like KKHH.

Though the characterizations, at least in the beginning and in a few side characters, has the smell (or stench if you consider the escapist drama) of reality, it flies off to KKHH land. At least the old films were caricatures, exaggerations of people you would have encountered somewhere. No such luck with "Break Ke Baad".

But it is fodder for teen fantasy, seeped in the dual confusion of maturing while finding true love. It's over two hour ride is fun, full time-pass and paisa vasool.
source: www.santabanta.com

Raima worried about mom watching her sex scenes

Actress Raima Sen comes from a family where acting in the genes. Her mother Moonmoon Sen and grandmother Suchitra Sen were renowned actresses in the Bengali film industry. So, it has been quite easy for the 31-year-old actress to convince her family while performing sizzling and intimate roles in the movies.

However, as per the reports, Raima Sen has become very conscious about her lovemaking scene in her latest film Mirch. In this Vinay Shukla directed film, Raima has an intimate lovemaking scene with her co-star Arunodoy Singh, who was last seen in the Sonam Kapoor starrer movie Aisha.

Mirch has four parallel stories, which deals with the female sexuality from the angle of women, who are quite candid about sex.

Raima shot a bedroom sequence with Arunodoy but the director Vinay Shukla found it not passionate enough and asked her re-shoot the scene. He also convinced her that the other actress Konkona Sen has also re-shoot her sex scenes. Raima agreed to do that and during the second time, the sequence was shot in more elaborate way.

However, when Raima watched the final graphic detailing, she was almost shocked to see that her seen was too much elaborate and Konkona's scene was same as it was earlier. The actress was almost in tears and requested her director to tone down the sequence. She was feeling embarrassed thinking that how her mother will react watching this too intimate sequence.

The director has got his work done by making his film more sizzling with the re-shot sequence and he does not seem to have any interest in toning it down. Well, Raima you must have thought about this before going so passionate with Arunodoy. Now, your mother must have heard about it at least through media so there is no use of feeling so shy about it!
source: www.santabanta.com

I don't like Ash, Katrina taking credit away from me

Alisha Chinai says she's fed up of actresses taking credit for chartbusting songs sung by her

Alisha Chinai whose chartbusters includes Kajraa Re (Bunty Aur Babli) and Tera Hone Laga Hoon (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani) has decided not to do playback singing anymore.

Says the obstinate singer, "Aishwarya and Katrina are beautiful women. But sorry, I didn't enjoy watching them pretending to sing my songs Kajraa Re and Tera Hone Laga Hoon.

It's so ridiculous! Would you ever see Julia Roberts singing in Madonna's voice? This practice of ghost voices just spooks me out. I can't do it anymore. Sorry."

Who knows Mamta?

Alisha's latest grievance is over the chartbuster Munni Badnaam Hui. She protests, "Who knows it is sung by Mamta Sharma? Everyone sees it as Malaika's song."

So what's the solution? "I've none. I can't fight the system. For years and years, the heroines have been walking away with the credit for songs sung by us playback singers.

Today things have come to such a pathetic and sorry state that no one knows the singers' identity any more.

Who knows I sang 'Tera Hone Laga' for Katrina and 'It's Rocking'' and 'Bebo Main Bebo' for Kareena? In fact, many people think they sang these numbers."

Alisha not only finds this continual de-recognition of playback singers degrading but also unacceptable. Says the livid singer, "I've told my manager to not entertain any offers for playback singing. I can't do it.

In the past, I saw Sridevi walk away with all the raves for my song Kate Nahin Katate in Mr India. It hurt even then. I'd rather sit at home jobless than allow my talent to be used to further any actress' popularity."

Alisha hopes to revive the era of non-film albums. "I know I'm being unrealistic. But I can't help it.

Either I'll sing in non-film albums or let the singer also do music videos of songs that heroines lip-synch to on screen. I know other singers just sing their songs, take the peanuts offered as remuneration and go home.

I can't do that. I won't be exploited in this way. Pay me and give me my due credit. Or I am out of here."
source:  www.santabanta.com

No Problem

Cast: Anil Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Kangna Ranaut, Paresh Rawal

Director: Anees Bazmi

Rating: * ½

The bad news is that good films are not doing well. But the better news is that bad films are also being rejected.

"No Problem", if we must talk about it, is no better or worse than all the other, comedies that have come and groaned. A series of wildly improbable characters and ideas strung together in sequences of flabbergasting haphazardness, this is the sort of comic romp where the laughter is lost in transit.

The credits boast of four writers. But there is no rhyme in the crime no logic in the laughter.

Just fasten your seat belts and let Anees Bazmi, a fine writer when given better circumstances, take you for a ride. The film opens with Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna playing two con men Yash and Raj (Yash-Raj, get it? ha ha) rescuing a baby gorilla from the dicky of Paresh Rawal's car.

The baby gorilla and its grateful parents show up in the climax where all the male characters (approximately 33 at last count) are dressed as Sardarjis to sing a song that goes "Kad lamba chaudi chest chest".

Ahem. Chest joking, I guess.


 Not too many sequences make much sense in this homage to hectic incoherence. The gags are as flat as Neetu Chandra's belly. She has some funny moments with Suniel Shetty (playing the assassin named, with excruciating unoriginality, Marcos). But the funniest character in the plot is Sushmita Sen. A schizophrenic wife to bumbling-cop Anil Kapoor, she does the split-personality act with lip-smacking relish.

You often wonder what a woman as gorgeous as Ms Sen is doing in a place as farcical as this where anarchy prevails. Nothing makes sense. Nothing is supposed to. The film is shot in South Africa. For what purpose, we will never know. The film's confounding idiocies could have easily been located in Matunga or Mangalore.

The most important component of a situational comedy is that the actors must LOOK like they're having fun. There is not much below-surface camaraderie among the actors. Anil Kapoor brings in a zany fun into his self-deprecating role. But really, just the ability to laugh at oneself is not enough.

You have to communicate that laughter to the world that's watching you. On that score "No Problem" simply parts ways with the audience.
 source: www.santabanta.com