Monday, 24 November 2014

Emraan Hashmi’s dig at Aamir Khan’s cause DC | Lipika Varma | November 24, 2014, 22.11 pm IST

Emraan Hashmi’s dig at Aamir Khan’s cause

DC | Lipika Varma | November 24, 2014, 22.11 pm IST
Emraan Hashmi.
Emraan Hashmi.
Mumbai: Emraan Hashmi will be next seen in the film Ungli. Talking about the film, he says, “Renzil D’Souza told me the story of friends from different walks of life who become kind of vigilantes to fight injustice and corruption.”

Since Emraan’s film are often a bit risqué, replete with item numbers and kisses, we ask him about Aamir Khan dedicating an episode on Satyamev Jayate about women being objectified in films. He had also said that he would have sessions over these issues with the film fraternity. Emraan says tongue-in-cheek, “Maybe because he doesn’t have item numbers in his films he robs a bank on a bike. He’s glamourising bank robbery instead.

“You have to understand that films are for entertainment… unless it’s very demeaning for a woman, which I would stand against… but then we have the Censor Board for that. You can’t be cautious because you can end up making boring films… You have to take cinematic liberties.”

This is Emraan’s first project with Dharma Productions. Talking about the difference between working with the Bhatts and Dharma, he says, “Dharma’s working schedules are easier. The Bhatts are always in a rush to finish a film. They have more number of working hours in a day and tighter budgets.”

As we talk about awards, his “serial kisser” tag might make it difficult for him to get a National Award, something  he has always wanted, and Emraan says, “That’s the tragedy People don’t understand… kissing on screen is not easy.”

Emraan's dig at Amir's cause/dc/lipika varma/25.11.2014

Aamir’s films don’t have item numbers, so he robs banks on bikes: Emraan Hashmi DC | Lipika Varma | November 24, 2014, 16.11 pm IST

Aamir’s films don’t have item numbers, so he robs banks on bikes: Emraan Hashmi

DC | Lipika Varma | November 24, 2014, 16.11 pm IST
Emraan Hashmi (Photo: Facebook)
Emraan Hashmi (Photo: Facebook)
Mumbai: Emraan Hashmi will be next seen in the film Ungli with Shraddha Kapoor and the song Dance Basanti is already ruling the charts. About the film, he says, “Renzil D’Souza told me the story of friends from different walks of life who become kind of vigilantes who fight against injustice and corruption.”
Since Emraan’s film are often a bit risqué, replete with item numbers and kisses, we ask him about Aamir Khan dedicating an episode on Satyamev Jayate which was about women being objectified in films. He had also said that he would have sessions over these issues with the film fraternity. Emraan says, “Maybe because he doesn’t have item numbers in his films he robs a bank on a bike. He’s glamorizing bank robbery instead. How cautious can one be with a film? You have to understand that films are for entertainment…unless it’s very demeaning for a woman, which I would stand against…but then we have the Censor Board for that. You can’t be cautious because you can end up making boring films… You have to take cinematic liberties.”
This is the first time that Emraan has worked with Dharma Productions. Talking about the difference between working with the Bhatts and Dharma, he says, “There is a vast difference. Dharma’s working schedules are easier whereas the Bhatts are always in a little bit of a rush to finish a film. They have more number of working hours in a day. They also have tighter budgets.”
While talking about making more serious films and bagging awards, we remind Emraan that with his “serial kisser” tag, it might be a bit difficult for hi to get a national award, something which he has  wanted for long, and Emraan laughs, “That’s the tragedy. People do not understand…kissing in reel is not easy. It takes a lot of work.”
 

Raj Babbar's TV debut with Pukar November 24,2014, 02.34 PM IST | | THE HANS INDIA/lipika varma


Raj Babbar's TV debut with Pukar

 November 24,2014, 02.34 PM  IST | | THE HANS INDIA
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Actor turned politician Raj Babbar is all set to make his television debut with  Vipul Shah’s biweekly action drama series Pukar- Call Of The Hero. In a brief conversation with Lipika Varma, he reveals his plans

Raj Babbar plays a retired army officer in this mini series  

Producer Vipul Shah informs that the actor was reluctant to do the show earlier “I didn’t want to do Television. I was not sure that I would be able to dedicate so much time to television and I was wondering what kind of role I would get. I had done two films with Vipul Shah and he wanted me in the series because he knew I belonged to the Army background. Vipul is a renowned producer and has done a lot of work in the industry and given great films. There was a lot of confusion.  He explained to me. I was doing Tevar at the same time. I was wondering how I will do the role and make time for them. Eventually I heard the script and decided to do it.

While he is busy with his Television debut, the actor’s son Arya Babbar has made his entry in the Bigg Boss house.  However, Raj Babbar says that he has not watched too many episodes. When asked what advice he has given his son  Babbar says

He’s grown up boy what advice can I give him. I only told him to do his job sincerely. I didn’t get time to meet him as I was busy shooting for the series and he was shooting in Poland. He came two days before entering Bigg Boss House.

As a father Raj Babbar confesses that he has not seen too many episodes of Bigg Boss house. 

I don’t watch too much of Television. I have just started watching serials now. I used to watch only News Channels earlier. He is playing his role honestly and I am proud of him. My wife and daughter watch it regularly and update me on the entire episode.

I don’t know whether they will want to work with me. There are better actors than me in the industry. Everyone should see the serial as it is full of emotions and speaks about relationships.  Everyone will relate to it. In my house too I have two sons a daughter and wife. Somewhere I connect to it. I can’t comment on both as I will be selfish. If I speak about myself I will sound selfish and if I speak about my son also I will be selfish.

On working in films or television

I want to do good roles, I don’t mind whether it’s television or movies. The show is important for me. I loved my role in it.  My aim is that it should reach out to more and more people.  I liked the mini series.

On Prateik

Prateik is doing a Bengali film and he’s signed one more film. He is in Australia.

On Ranvijay

Ranvijay is very hard working and is a talented and spontaneous actor.  He’s intense and very well styled. He’s cool. The story is about a father and son who want to prove them and feel they are right in their own ways.  We don’t know who is right but only time will tell

Plans to work with Arya and Prateik Bbabar 

I  don’t know right know whether I will produce or not  but I belong to the industry and I have only known acting so I will invest right here.  I would love to work  with both my sons some day.

By Lipika Varma

Khatron Ke Khiladi - Anyone scared? Lipika Varma DC | November 23, 2014, 01.11 am IST

Khatron Ke Khiladi - Anyone scared?

DC | November 23, 2014, 01.11 am IST
Sana Khan - Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 contestant
Sana Khan - Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 contestant
It’s time to tune in again for the Rohit Shetty-hosted adventure reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 6. Some of the contestants this year are actors Sana Khan, Sagarika Ghatge, Iqbal Khan, Aashish Chaudhry, Rashmi Desai, Nathalia Kaur, Meiyang Chang, Hussain Kuwajerwala, Asha Negi and Riddhi Dogra.
In the past, contestants were expected to move worms using just their mouths, tame and ride an ostrich, free themselves from a box of cockroaches etc.
We ask some of this year’s contestants how have they mentally prepared themselves to take on these tasks.
Iqbal Khan
Mentally, I feel that we need not think too much about the ‘fear factor’ and everything will go well. I have never had any particular fears. As a child I was afraid of watching horror films but somehow, when I was just four or five years old, I watched Exorcist and since then I love watching horror films. I have also tried different underwater stunts. I like to keep myself fit and I work out in the gym for more than one-and-a-half hours on a daily basis. I also do various cardio exercises for stamina. We had to undergo various stamina tests, blood tests, stress tests etc. for the show.
I took up Fear Factor merely because I wanted to participate in it. My friends Rajneesh Duggal and Karanveer Vora also advised me to participate in FF. Rajneesh told me to remain calm and just do the stunts. I will definitely work hard to win this show. Also FF is much better than other reality shows as it does not have any drama (laughs).
Hussain Kuwajerwala
I am trying my best to be mentally fit for the show. There is no rulebook for this… All we need to do is keep ourselves physically as well as mentally fit to be able to do all the tasks given to us. I am determined on taking this opportunity to break through the fears that I have. I remember I was damn scared when my wife and I had decided do go bungee jumping while we were on our honeymoon in Cape Town. We were so afraid that we did not talk to each other about it for almost a day.
We had to undergo various medical tests. I was always afraid of water as I am not a good swimmer, but ever since I have taken up FF I regularly swim in my building pool.
Meiyang Chang
I chose to participate in the Fear Factor because I wanted to become more disciplined. I am very lazy when it comes to exercising, but it has been a month now since I was selected for FF and since then I have become a regular at the gym. Through this show I want to improve my fitness level and stamina. Also when I was in South Africa last I did indulge in sky-diving and went diving with sharks too. I am not worried about mental strength because I already have this in me. Besides this, I am also happy that my friend Hussain will be with me on the show. My goal now is to win this competition.
Sana Khan
I have faced so many problems in life that I have become stronger. I will go for Fear Factor with a positive frame of mind. Before entering the show it is essential for the contestants to be physically fit and I presume the producers have tapped those who are fit. I think all of us contestants take care of their physical fitness levels and regularly go to the gym.
This show is going to be a first of its kind for me and because it will take place in Cape Town, I was eager to take it up. I also had some free time. I chose to participate in Fear Factor because I want to be more disciplined. I am very lazy when it comes to exercising but since I was chosen to participate in FF a month back, I have been regularly going to the gym.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Pawan, Rajini at IFFI: A sneak peek in Goa November 20,2014, 09.01 PM IST | | THE HANS INDIA/lipika varma


 

Pawan, Rajini at IFFI: A sneak peek in Goa

 November 20,2014, 09.01 PM  IST | | THE HANS INDIA//Lipika Varma

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Pawan Kalyan, Rajini Kanth at IFFI: Goa 20th Nov, 2014. Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth landed on the soil of Goa [Panaji] for the inauguration ceremony-45th edition of IFFI -International Film Festival of India that was held at Dr Shama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium.


The lighting ceremony of the lamp was completed in the presence of C.M Goa – Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar Arun Jaitley is currently the Minister of Finance, Minister of Corporate Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India.  Shri Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, Pawan Kalyan and many other dignitaries’ from political arena were also present on the Dias.


A major announcement was made by Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar… refreshing the memories he said,  "IFFI took place in 2004, during the regime of BJP govt. And now again while the ruling party is BJP, IFFI is being organized here in Goa once again. I take the privilege of announcing the soil of Goa to be the permanent venue here after. IFFI will be permanently holding the IFFI ceremony year after year.”


Choreographer Shobana and her dancing troupe enthralled the audiences by giving a musical tribute to all great dancers..Actors from Bollywood and Tollywood industry. Dancing on the song numbers of actors/actress who have proved their mettle as a great dancer. Shobhana performed the opening number of yesteryear great actor dancer Vijyanthimala’s number “Honton Pe aisi baat mein daba ke chalee aayi” from the iconic film Jewel Thief. The dance troupe then performed a song from Tamil film…wherein, Kamal Haassan had performed for that number. A tribute to Waheeda Rahman, Nimmi on their songs from classic films was also duly given by the dancers’ troupe.


Delegates from 79 countries have come to attend the IIFI. This year the focus will be more on screening of all Chinese films. About 300 films will be screened here this year. The opening film will be from Chinese film titled president.


Present on the occasion megastar Shri Amitabh Bachchan had a well prepared speech for the occasion. praising the Indian Cinema and the soil of Goa he said, The Indian Cinema has a great connection all over the globe. Having garnered International space on the global map is a matter of pride for all of us.  He further explained the importance of Art and Cinema and how Indian Cinema had flourished over the years.  An integration of Indian films along with World Cinema is also an honor to all of us. I am proud about our film fraternity .Cinema never asks for the cast/ creed. Language of an individual.


Giving away a small story when he met a Russian he said, I remember while I spoke to Russian person who watched films with me …he said, I watch Indian films because they bring smile to my face and tears into my eyes.”


Adding the view of his father he said, My father always told me cinema is a poetic expression which we watch and enjoy for almost three hours sitting with all the people. Indeed it is an entertainment and pleasure which goes on for almost three hours.


Adding about the love for Goa Big B said, My first film “Saath Hindustani” was shot on the soil of Goa. I have a special bonding with Goa. Memories from Goa shall always remain a treasure with me.”


Rajnikanth was very happy as a documentary was shown before he could receive the “Century Award IIFI-2014…before going to receive the coveted award Rajnikanth touched the feet of Shri Amitabh Bachchan and took his blessings. “I have been invited many a times to Goa,owing to my busy schedule I have not been able to make it up. But this time I feel honored and have the pleasure of watching my own documentary meticulously shot….which shows me as the Quintessential  common man,” showcasing my forty long years of journey. I am thankful to my fans, producers /directors and one and all from both South as well as Hindi industry, because of them I am here.”

By Lipika Varma