Catfights no laughing matter: Priyanka Chopra

Thursday, October 24, 2013 11:00 IST

For many, talk about catfights on film sets makes great fodder for gossip, but for actress Priyanka Chopra, who has been facing a volley of questions about her camaraderie with her "Krrish 3" co-star Kangana Ranaut, it's no laughing matter.

"It really upsets me how people reduce women's stature in a movie that the focus only remains on how she fought with her female co-star, " Priyanka said here Wednesday in response to a question about a catfight.

"Nobody asks the men that. Nobody says how Hrithik (Roshan) or Vivek (Oberoi) would have fought. A lot of people find it funny and laugh about it, but I take it very seriously, " added the actress, who is working with Kangana for the second time after "Fashion".

She claims they gel well.


 

"Kangana and I have worked in the past on a film ('Fashion'), which I believe has been a turning point in our respective careers. We get along very well."

Kangana, who was present at the press conference for the promotion of "Krrish 3" here, said: "I agree with Priyanka. We are here, promoting the film together and there is no problem between us. We are not kids that we will fight on sets."

The press conference was also addressed by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi. Their superhero movie releases Nov 1.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

I am a very shy person: Shah Rukh Khan

With his latest film Chennai Express crossing the Rs. 200-crore mark, Shah Rukh Khan is the hottest marketing guru in Bollywood. Sreya Basu chats up with the superstar in Mumbai on marketing of films and why he doesn't expose much on screen

Why is that your movies have too many brandings 
There are two reasons for this. One, I have been working for the last 22 years and somewhere there is a deep bonding and friendship between me and the brands I endorse.

For example, I am with Hyundai Motors for the last 15 years, I am endorsing Lux for the past 5-6 years... there are other brands also with whom I am associated with for the past 10, 12, 14 and even 20 years. So there is friendship and when working together, we want that we benefit each other some way or the other, advertisement wise, publicity wise.

So this is why my films have too many brandings. Second, my office makes sure that we give maximum value for money if someone gets attached to us. But we don't put brands in our films just so that we can earn some money.

Most of the time we don't even take money. It's actually advertising together. Also, it is the demand of today's time.


Is it said that you are the marketing guru of all your films. 
Well, though I take all the credit, it's my office that works on it. I have no understanding of marketing strategies. I just try to make good films and share it happily with everyone.

What is your opinion on the kind of business our films are doing today? 
There are so many platforms for releasing a film these days. Even if we don't want, information about a film reaches everybody in minutes.

So it is only a natural scheme of things that there won't be 100 days, silver jubilees or golden jubilees and business will shrink in lesser period of time.

Also number of theatres has increased 10-15 times since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). I think the business remains same, only the results are out faster. Also the enjoyment while watching a hit film remains same.


What is your take on the Rs. 100-crore clubs? 
I am a little in disagreement to the numbers thrown. There are too many analysis and too many information about a particular film available online. The idea is to choose the right one so that the right film gets the credit it deserves.

For me, I can feel a hit film in the air. I don't need analysis or numbers to know if my film is a hit. You can feel it in the roaring of people inside a theatre, they keep calling you by the name of your character ... there are vibes that I can feel and have been feeling for the last 22 years in business.


Why is that we don't see you taking off your shirt and flaunting your muscles that often? 
I am personally a very shy person. I feel a little shy if I am asked to take off my shirt and give a shot. I do it for the sake of my profession like in Dard-e-Disco (song from 2007 film Om Shanti Om) and in a few others. But I feel uncomfortable taking my shirt off, especially in front of women.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Celebs who messed up with religious authorities

Thursday, October 24, 2013 13:26 IST

Bollywood is replete with the stories of celebrities rubbing the authorities or the establishment on the wrong side. Very recently singer Rihana was shown the door by a mosque in Abu Dhabi on the charge of unbecoming behavior which rebelled against the moral code of conduct. There are other celebrities who got into trouble at the religious places.

For instance Katrina Kaif, during the shooting of Namaste London in 2007, wore a frock at Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti's dargah in Ajmer. Her creme colour dress that ended well above her knees brought her an instant backlash, and saw her beating a hasty retreat out of the dargah premises.


When Himesh Reshammiya visited the Ajmer Sharif dargah it was as uncommon as it gets. In June 2008, Reshammiya visited the dargah in a burqa. While he had done it to avoid attention, once people got wind of him in a burqa, he attracted all the attention, and obviously for all the wrong reasons.by santa banta news network..

Bollywood mourns the death of Manna Dey

Thursday, October 24, 2013 13:43 IST

As the legendary singer Manna Dey passes away, Bollywood celebrities pay their condolences on Twitter. Here's what they say...

Amitabh Bachchan: Manna Dey, stalwart of the music world, passes away. Flooded with memories and his songs. In particular his rendition of Madhushala. RIP... Prayers and condolences to loved ones and family! Strange how we connect events of our life with his songs! At work but shall keep a minutes silence, in Manna Dey's memory on set before we start...

Mahesh Bhatt: Manna Dey passes away. His voice shall linger forever.R.I.P.

Manoj Bajpayee: Manna Dey is no more! A great singer! Lets pray for him! My condolences to his family! His music will live for 1000 yrs. RIP.

Kailash Kher: Manna Dey, the legend is no more, and his contribution to music and films is unmatchable, RIP. Transformed from physical to divine, prayers.

Sunidhi Chauhan: Heartbroken at Manna Da's shocking demise.

Vishal Dadlani: The world is a darker place, as one of the greatest musical lights to ever shine, has left us. May the immortal Manna De-saab rest in peace.


Shekhar Ravjiani: The legend is no more... But he'll forever live in our hearts through his songs and his voice. RIP Sir Manna Dey

Madhur Bhandarkar: Manna da, a legendary singer with a golden voice, that ruled our hearts for decades, will be missed by all. Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haye.

Shabana Azmi: Manna Dey had a unique voice. He will live on through his songs Ai Meri Zohra Jabeen/ dil ka haal suney dilwala/ poocho na kaise maine RIP.


Kunal Kohli: Manna Dey, last of the greats, along with Kishore, Rafi and Mukesh, passes away.RIP.'ek chattur naar' to 'ae mere pyaare watan' what a range.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

We may make 'Krrish 4'

'Krrish' fans are waiting eagerly for 'Krrish 3' and they just might be in for a surprise

Veteran actor-turned-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan says if 'Krrish 3' does well he will be game for a fourth instalment of the movie.

'If this does well, we may make 'Krrish 4'. We have left a hook for it (in 'Krrish 3'),' Roshan said at a press conference organised here Wednesday. A sequel to 'Koi...Mil Gaya' and 'Krrish', 'Krrish 3' stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Vivek Oberoi. The film will hit screens Nov 1.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Sanjay Dutt likely to release from jail soon

Home Minister has asked the Maharashtra Govt to provide an opinion in case of reduction of span of sentence of Sanjay Duttand two other convicts associated with 1993 serial bomb blasts case. The reduction of sentence is asked on the basis of humanitarian grounds which in turn are based on the good conduct of the convicts. One of the three convicts is a 70 years old woman.

The plea application was petitioned by Press Council of India chief Justice (retd) Markandey Katju. The petition was forwarded to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. It pleased for the relief of the three convicts including actor Sanjay Dutt.

After this the President forwarded the application to the Home Minister who sought opinion of Maharashtra Government for reduction of sentence of the three convicts.

We have asked the state government to provide its opinion, the jailor's comment on the actor's conduct and a few others issues.” sources said.

Sanjay Dutt is currently at his home on a furlough. He is otherwise serving his punishment term at Yerwada jail in Pune in connection with 1993 serial Mumbai blasts case.

Furlough is granted to prisoners on the basis of a number of factors. Good conduct is one of the crucial factors for granting furlough. Furlough is sanctioned to a prisoner from the accumulated leaves of the prisoner.

Sanjay Dutt was granted with a punishment term of 60 months of imprisonment. He had already served 18 months earlier. So this time, he is serving remaining 42 months of his imprisonment. Dutt was guilty of possessing arms at his residence like AF 56, part of which weapons consignment were used in the bombings of 1993 Mumbai blasts.

First Sanjay was sent to Mumbai’s Arthur jail but later on May 22nd, he was shifted to Yerwada jail in Pune. In March 21st verdict, Sanjay Dutt’s jail term was reduced to five years from six years.

On May 10th Sanjay Dutt has filed a petition for review of his punishment and judgment. His application plea was rejected.

After the opinion of the state Govt, the matter will be again put to the President. “After we get the response from the State government, it would be put before the President. Mr. Dutt, who was sent to Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail and later shifted to Pune’s Yerawada Central Jail, is out on parole for his good conduct.” an official from The Union Ministry of Home Affairs said.by bollywood mantra..

OMG! Women not safe in Bigg Boss house

There seems to be no change in Armaan's violent behaviour and today in 'Bigg Boss Saath 7', his temper goes up a notch higher as he injures Elli Avaram

There have been a lot of instances in the 'Bigg Boss' house that have made Armaan lash out on other housemates. After he picked a fight with Kushal and Andy, housemates had started hating him and have been giving him advice on anger management.


During the weekly luxury budget task, select housemates including Armaan were asked to sit in a box and survive till the end of the task. The ones who are outside were asked to distract and instigate them to give up on the task. When the housemates were trying to distract Armaan by banging his box with their hands, Armaan lost his temper and accidently punched Elli on her forehead.


Everybody got hassled by this and started blaming Armaan for it. Armaan couldn't take this allegation and emerged out of the box breaking it. He started abusing everybody around him and told them that he did not do it deliberately.

When Kamya barged in, he didn't even spare her and was seen hurling abuses at her.


Further, he started fighting with Kushal and Asif while Apoorva tried to calm him down but all in vain. Looking at Armaan's violent attitude, everybody decided to boycott him.
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com