Bollywood Actress Madhuri Is Back

All the Madhuri Dixit fans its time to rejoice because Madhuri is back. Well, if you are wondering what I'm talking about, it's the new movie starring Madhuri Dixit. The movie is a Yash Raj Productions and it is named "Aaja Nachle" it will be great to see Madhuri back in action. The movie is set to be released on 30th November. The first look of the film was revealed first during the screening of CHAK DE INDIA, the promotion is now seeing a satellite kick start on a rocking note with the teasers dominating all the music channels. For all those who have not seen the teasers must keep looking forward in all the music channels to catch a glimpse of Madhuri.

This movie will surely rock, Not because its a Yash Raj Production But because it's Madhuri's comeback movie. I seriously cann't wait to see the Movie. So let us all wait for the magic of Madhuri to begin.

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Actress Namitha being victimized in Kollywood flim Billa

Popular Kollywood actress Namitha never misses hitting the headlines.But this time she has denied either of the news headlines.

she has worn a 2 piece swimsuit in her forthcomming movie Billa. Rumors linking her with fraudster Liakath Ali. Liakath Ali was arrested recently for having committed several crimes against women such as polygamy and sexual exploitation

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Universal Hero Kamalhassan said that his Dasavatharam film should be ready for Pongal 2008 release

On Monday evening at a function by the Kerala Government to honour renowned cameraman Mankada Ravi Varma, Kamalhassan said that his Dasavatharam will make it for Pongal 2008.

Kerala Governments highest honour JC Daniel Award for lifetime contribution and growth of Malayalam Cinema was given to 81-year old legendary cameraman (of all Adoor Gopalakrishnan films) Mankada Ravi Varma now confined to his Kodambakkam residence, by Kerala’s Culture Minister M.A Baby in the presence of Kamal Hassan, one of the biggest supporters and well wisher of Malayalam cinema.

Speaking to the Kerala media on the sidelines Kamal said: “ The shoot of Dasavatharam is almost over except for some patchwork. The post production work is going on in full swing, and I’m sure the film should be ready for Pongal 2008 release.”

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Venkatesh speaks about the film Thulasi(Tollywood), and comments about opposite actor Nayanthara

Thulasi is all is set for release on October 12. After Lakshmi and Aadavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule, Venkatesh is back, to woo the family audiences of Andhra. Facing a pleasant portrait of Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi in his private room at Ramanaidu Studios, Venkatesh speaks about the film, his career and spiritualism. Excerpts from the chat.

Tell us about Thulasi?
Thulasi is yet another emotional family drama. It has all the ingredients to satisfy my fans. (Smiles) Unlike Lakshmi, Thulasi, will have an extra dose of action and sentiment. The entire movie is shot in an interesting manner with specially conceived sequences. It has high-voltage of action, romance and sentiments. The major highlight of the movie is the music by Devi Sri Prasad, which has already become a chartbuster. All the numbers are situational and will give a pleasant experience to the audience. Choreography and the locations are also special in Thulasi.The editing is very slick.

Why do you prefer titles like Lakshmi and now Thulasi?
Not intentional at all. The title of the film has relevance to the story. I play the role of Tulasi Ram. Moreover, it has sentimental value attached to the sacred Thulasi plant. I think there is nothing wrong or abnormal in this title.

What about the characterization of Tulasi Ram?
Tulasi Ram is a blend of violence and silence. He hails from Palnadu and hence holds a lineage of his own. He falls in love with a girl – call her a mix of modernity and tradition. She is both glamorous and homely. Tulasi is an architect. But the story is about love and other family drama elements. There is also the angle of factionist cult attached to Tulasi.

What kind of sentiments is there in the film?
There is a father-son sentiment and the boy – Athulith has done a wonderful performance. I can repeatedly say that he is cute, wonderful and great. I felt at home working with him. The audience will cry during a few scenes. The relationship will sound realistic and not at all dramatic. This child sentiment can be called the lifeline of the film.

Action, sentiment or romance. Which one you felt more difficult to enact?
I did all the departments with passion. But, it was with the child sentiment that I worked hard and felt the weight on my nerves. Anyways, I liked it most.

Tell us about Nayantara
Going by the story, the heroine should look both glamorous and traditional. I already said that. Nayantara was the right choice. And she has done a great job.

How you felt working with Boyapati?
It was team work. Boyapati worked for my films Pavitra Bandham and Pelli Chesukundam as an assistant director. When he narrated the story, I instantly liked it. He is one technician who could mix commercial element with realism with perfect ease. You will see that in Thulasi.

Why don't you prefer acting in big budget mass films?
I don't really mean it. For me, there is nothing like a budget movie or small budget movie. After all, everybody works for money. I should know what my audiences prefer. If not, it will become a risky proposition. Producers should get back their money (smiles).

They say that you are turning spiritual. Please comment
Yes. I have completely surrendered to God. He will take care of me. I have experienced that God is within us. Most of us are not inviting him into our heart. Once you invite him wholeheartedly, you will experience bliss.

One more hero is coming from your family. How do you feel?
Yes. Rana (son of Suresh Babu) wants to be an actor. He will come at the right time.

Your future projects?
At present I want to take a break.

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Sada doing opposite role with Jayaram in Malayalam Film

Sada, of Anniyan fame is doing her first Malayalam film titled Novel for producer and debutant director Vijayan East Coast.

The hero is Jayaram, and the shoot of the film is progressing in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sada has a significant role in Novel, as Priya Nandini an introvert who gets into the life of a famous novelist Sethumadhavan played by Jayaram. The others in the cast are Sari, Nedumudi Venu Baiju Kurup, Ganesh. It has music by M.Jayachandran and camera by Azhagappan.

Vijayan East Coast a writer and an NRI has paid Sada, a bomb to act in Malayalam films(earlier she had done an item song in a Joshi film).

Says Sada: " I decided to do Novel only after I read the script, which I think is very good."

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Hot and Sexy Actress Namitha opens her heart out to Moviebuzz - About Kollywood Actor

“One thing I’ll say about all my heroes is that- I love and respect them unconditionally”. The hot and happening actress Namitha opens her heart out to Moviebuzz in a garrulous mood sitting at her favourite corner table in Match Point at Taj Coromandel, Chennai.

Vijay - Very quiet, silent observer and patient. But when the camera starts rolling, he is a dynamo. I’ve heard from others earlier that he is an introvert but I differ to agree with that. In Azhagiya Tamizh Magan, we shot a song together at Phukhet Islands and it is for the first time that he takes off his shirt in a film in his career so far. He can be stylish without taking any effort and there is a scene in which he wears a white jacket and hat. He looks HOT! He has no airs of a superstar and is so down-to-earth and humble with everyone.

Ajit- He is sweetheart. On the sets, he gets along well with everybody, cracks jokes and makes you comfortable. Is a perfect gentleman, classy, suave and is kind and generous. We realized that both of us are Taurians and Ajit has the best attitude and dress sense in Kollywood. In Billa he looks dashing and you will see a new Ajit in the film. He doesn’t need any occasion to celebrate and everyday is a fun day for him. He spreads happiness around and is good friend and co-artiste.

Sarathkumar- An actor from whom I’ve learnt the most. The role model for many, including me. There are plenty of things that one can learn from him. First and foremost, I have not seen an actor who is so disciplined, passionate about his work and amazingly professional. He looks after himself, his diet, work-outs and is a solid thinker and his talents are unquestionable.

Vikram- He is the Kohinoor diamond of Kollywood. I have not worked with him so far but is a great fan of his. I have seen him in Sethu, Pitamagan and Anniyan and thought that he is intelligent and an actor par excellence. I am looking forward to doing a film with him in near future.

Surya- He is so cute, handsome and has an outstanding personality. I wish someone comes up with a script that will have us working together!

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Rajnikanth has denied the Mani Ratnam offer with Kamal Hassan

Rajnikanth has denied that he is doing a film with Kamal Hassan, directed by Mani Ratnam, as made out by the Tamil print media. Rajni told a selected few journalists after watching a special show of Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Tej's launch Telugu film Chiruta at Four Frames preview theatre in Chennai.

Rajnikanth said: "No such film has come to me or was discussed. All the news of Kamal producing my next movie in the direction of Mani is false. I haven't yet decided on future projects," Rajni says he is just taking it easy and it will take some time for him to even start looking for a script for his next film.

For the last few weeks the local media has been full of colourful stories on Rajni-Kamal-Mani coming together with even the national English news channels playing it up. When the rumour started in the Tamil press, Moviebuzz had stated that it is an "imagination running wild, and the project would never become a reality."

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Shah Rukh Khan - the King of Bollywood watched the cricket

Shah Rukh Khan may be the King of Bollywood, but on Monday, he was just another crazy cricket fan when he took his son to the finale of the Twenty20 World Championship at the Wanderers. SRK was seen screaming and cheering the Indian cricket team as they beat Pakistan to become the Twenty20 World Champions.

Sporting a velvet shirt to promote his forthcoming movie Om Shanti Om, Shah Rukh occasionally lifted his 10-year-old son Aryan and was clearly enjoying the game thoroughly. After the prize distribution ceremony, Indian players shared their ‘Chak De’ moment with Shah Rukh Khan, who had flown in just to watch the match.

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Bollywood film - Om Shanti Om (Music Review)

Movie : Om Shanti Om
Director : Farah Khan
Producer : Shah Rukh Khan
Music : Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani
Cast :Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade, Kirron Kher, Bindu

Expectations. Expectations. And some more expectations. This is how one looks forward to the music of Om Shanti Om from which one expects nothing but the best. And why not? After all:
a) This is the biggest ever film starring Shah Rukh Khan.
b) This is the second directorial venture for Farah Khan who made a smashing debut with Main Hoon Naa.
c) The film has created huge buzz accompanied by immense hype ever since it was launched.
d) Vishal-Shekhar and Javed Akhtar saab are expected to bring on table a massy popular score.
e) Last but not the least, the film travels decades which makes one look forward to variety in the soundtrack.

Are these expectations met? Well, very much as each of the seven unique tracks bring on a variety that makes Om Shanti Om a winner all the way.

It is a truly unconventional beginning to Om Shanti Om as instead of an expected 'Beat-one-Beat-two' beginning from Vishal-Shekhar, one gets to hear a rather serene 'Aankhon Mein Teri' which turns out to be an extremely soulful hear. On hearing it initially, it is the sheer 'different' factor due to which it takes some time to follow the composition. But once you have heard it closely with lights switched off and no interference around you, 'Aankhon Mein Teri' turns out to be an irresistible piece of melody that lingers on for hours.

There are number of factors which go in making 'Aankhon Mein' a song that would be remembered for time to come. First and foremost it is the re-discovery of Vishal-Shekhar who create an unconventional tune that breaks the norms which they had themselves set for them. Furthermore, Vishal himself writes lyrics for this track which turns out to be a unique experience since it shows the sensitive romantic side of him. But the biggest of all is K.K. who showcases once again that he is THE most versatile singer who we have in the Bollywood musical scene today!

Well, those who love the dance numbers coming from Vishal-Shekhar don't have to wait for long with the arrival of 'Dard-E-Disco'. This is the very track which is much talked about for Shah Rukh Khan Khan's 'perfect-six-abs' and unlike 'Aankhon Mein' which grows immensely only after a few hearings, it is an instant hit from the word go. Reminding of the style, rhythm and the funk of 'Kaal Dhamaal' [Kaal], 'Dard E Disco' is a 'jump-on-the-dance-floor' number which has a Persian touch to it even as overall feel of the song stays on to be Western.

From the title of the song, one would have expected 'Dard-E-Disco' to belong to the 80s era with a Mithun hangover it but that's not the case as the song turns out to be pretty contemporary. Sukhwinder Singh is in his element for this track that has some spicy writing by Javed Akhtar. Marianne, Nisha and Caralisa come together for backup vocals who give the song a perfect disco feel. Later in the album arrives the 'remix version' which makes for a justified presence due to the song's theme and keeps the entertainment alive.

One would have expected the graph of the album to at maximum stay steady after 'Aankhon Mein' and 'Dard-E-Disco' but it shoots up amazingly with 'Deewangi Deewangi' which hooks you within first one minute itself. A sure shot chartbuster which could well have been the opening number for the film's promotion, 'Deewangi Deewangi' is what qualifies as a trademark number which could have been lapped up by Yash Raj Films or Dharma Productions.

The coming together of Shaan, Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan and Rahul Saxena (heard in Indian Idol) ensures that there is not a single dull moment in this instant-attention-grabbing track. Boasting of the innocence in melody that was witnessed in the 70s and now presented in the 21st century 'avtar' with a fusion of 'qawalli', 'bhangra' and western arrangements, 'Deewangi Deewangi' that also incorporates the sound of Om Shanti Om will definitely light up the screen when it is played. It's 'Rainbow Mix' only confirms the thought as it helps in consolidating the sound of the song.

If you have ever been in love, you wouldn't have missed out the dancing-couple-on-a-glass-floor gift item that has a sweet sounding tinkling sound which compliments their moves! This is the sound that marks the beginning of 'Main Agar Kahoon' which reminds one of the 60s era when songs like these were in vogue. Picturised on the likes of Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor, they were mostly sung by Late Mohd. Rafi.

This is the very reason why Sonu Nigam has been roped in to croon 'Main Agar Kahoon' which required the kind of rendition which would succeed in getting you nostalgic about the music of the era gone by. With Shreya Ghoshal in tow who is just the right fit for a song belonging to this genre, 'Main Agar Kahoon' gives a completely different flavor to the album by bringing some 'thehrav' to it after a rocking outing experienced in the last few songs.

Names like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Richa Sharma are good enough reasons to expect a quality offering from Vishal-Shekhar in the song 'Jag Soona Soona Lage'. Written by guest lyricist Kumaar, this painful yet mellow track about separation has it's beginning borrowed from the opening sound of 'Main Agar Kahoon'. Both the singers are highly competent in this beautifully written number that shows an altogether different facet of the composer-duo. A track which has a thorough Indian base to it and makes for a passionate outing, expect it to make multiple appearances during the film's narrative.

It's time for the world of 'Tohfa Tohfa Tohfa' [Tohfa] as 'dhols' and 'ghunghroos' come together in unison to create the sound of late 70s and early 80s. With a Lakshmikant-Pyayelal patent all over 'Dhoom Taana', it is only consolidated further as Shreya Ghoshal sings the song in a style that was made famous by yesteryear singer S. Janaki in Jeetendra-Sridevi-Jaya Pradha films. Roping in of Abhijeet too seems to be done with a purpose since it only brings the nostalgia of Kishore Kumar in spite of no conscious effort by the singer to do so.

All through this vintage song, the 'dhol' beats accompanied by the chorus of 'Dhoom Taana' is hard to be missed though there is a shift in mood mid-way with rock-n-roll. Just recently there was news around Deepika Padukone shaking a leg with Sunil Dutt, Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna, courtesy SFX. Well, 'Dhoom Taana' seems to be just the candidate for that setting! A winner which should definitely have the house on fire as it unfolds on the big screen. Especially watch out for the crescendo towards the song's end.

Finally comes a track which seems to be set in accordance to the reincarnation theme of the film. Set as a tribute to 'Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha' [Karz] with even the lyrics taking a cue from the classic track by Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, 'Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om' is set in exactly the same story telling mode. The styling of this Shaan rendered track follows the same mode as one expects a high voltage dramatic narration when the song is on.

High on orchestra, 'Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om' is an elaborate number which has a lot to convey through it's lyrics by Javed Akhtar. With its 'mukhda' based on the film's theme music, the song makes an appearance again towards the end of the album. In it's 'remix version' as 'Dastaan - The Dark Side Mix', it is pepped up further with additional arrangements.

Another remix track which takes the album towards its completion is 'Om Shanti Om - Medley Mix' which basically is an amalgamation of all the tracks from the film presented in a 'club-mix' avtar. A good way to wind up the album. Finally comes a minute long theme piece which is titled 'Om Shanti Om - Themes'. Played on a piano, it leaves a lasting impact even as one can revisit the sound in at least half the tracks in the album.

Credit must go to Farah Khan who mixes the commercial elements of the movie with an inherent class which she wanted to lay out in the soundtrack for Om Shanti Om. This is why a fine balancing act is done in the album with hardcore massy tracks like 'Deewangi Deewangi' [best of the lot], 'Dhoom Taana' and 'Dard-E-Disco' presented along with touching tracks like 'Aankhon Mein Teri', 'Main Agar Kahoon' and 'Jag Soona Soona Lage'. And then there is always a 'Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om' to bring the nostalgia of 'Ek Haseena Thi' [Karz'].

Om Shanti Om is easily one of the most complete scores by Vishal-Shekhar and Javed Akhtar.

Source : IndiaFM

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Hot and sexy Actress Ileana becomes the first heroine to take a 8-figure remuneration as 1 crore

Ileana has signed a film opposite Tarun. The buzz is that Bellamkonda Suresh, who was the presenter of Rajni's `Sivaji` in Telugu, paid a whopping remuneration of Rs. 1 crore to the actress!

With this Ileana becomes the first heroine to take a 8-figure remuneration. In the past, Katrina Kaif (for `Malliswari`) and Amisha Patel (for NTR's `Narasimhudu`), were said to have taken Rs. 75-80 lakh each.

Vijaya Bhaskar, who earlier did Tarun's debut film `Nuvve Kavali`, is doing this second film with the hero. Sakamuri Pandurangarao is the producer. The film will roll to regular shoot schedule from October 18 th.

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Bollywood Film - Breaking News Review

Movie : Breaking News
Director : Vishal Inamdar
Producer : Shreyas Mhaskar
Music : Kaushal Inamdar
Cast : Koel Puri, Nandita Puri, Harsh Chhaya, Vinay Apte

It's all about TRPs. To hell with ethics, principles, morals and scruples. The competition amongst TV channels is so fierce across the globe that what eventually matters is laying your hands on any story that attracts eyeballs and which, in turn, translates into ratings.

In an effort to outdo each other, TV channels have started resorting to gimmicks and sensationalism. Scandals, gossip, controversies, brawls, kickbacks… get priority over noble issues. It's Breaking News bares all that goes behind sting operations and the ways and means some channel heads stoop to, to attract eyeballs.

It's Breaking News says it all in the most simplistic fashion, without using the technical jargon, and coupled with an engrossing story, catches the attention of the viewer. But there's a flip side as well. Frankly, a subject like this isn't everyone's cup of tea. It caters to a small segment of moviegoers who savour realistic cinema.

Also -- this is strictly from the business point of view -- there's not much awareness about the film and the fact that it's pitted against multiple releases and timed during the holy month of Ramzan, the effort might go unnoticed.

Vidya [Koel Purie] is a dynamic news correspondent who is forced to quit entertainment and cover crime. Gradually, she gets a knack of it and starts getting addicted to the thrill and ecstasy of the job. One fine day, she receives a call from a girl called Sangeeta, from Pune, who is a victim of repeated sexual abuses by a top cop [Harsh Chhaya].

Vidya, with her team, chalks out a plan for a sting operation and is all ready to cover the event, but, unfortunately, it is the DIG [Vinay Apte], who falls prey to their sting operation. The entire episode of 'live rape' trouble Vidya and her cameraman Rafiq [Atul Parchure].

Vidya had committed to Sangeeta that this footage would not be telecast, but she is traumatised to see the telecast of the whole footage 'as it is' in her news channel. Bugged with the whole system, she leaves for her uncle's place [Virendra Saxena], who had been insisting that she visit his press.

There, she apprehends the genuine power and nuance of journalism and gets the spur to fight back the system. With close friend Bala [Abhimanyu Singh], a crime correspondent in a rival channel, and Rafiq, she decides to get the victim justice.

It's Breaking News mirrors the behind-the-scenes tamasha that takes place before a scandal is unleashed to the viewers. The first sting operation [a minister's daughter is kept under house arrest] looks amateurish, but the second sting operation -- of a helpless girl being used by cops -- is brilliantly executed.

While the first hour is involving and rarely loses the grip, the second hour is problematic. The story takes a long time to reach the conclusion, although the helpless girl's 'settlement' is an interesting development. But the story doesn't end there; there's one more sting operation, which, though well executed, adds to the length of the film.


Director Vishal Inamdar has the potential to grow as a storyteller, but he should keep the length of his story in check. There's just one song in the narrative [Kaushal Inamdar], which is okay. The background score is appropriate. Cinematography is of standard.

Koel Purie is efficient yet again. Abhimanyu Singh is decent. Vinay Apte looks convincing. Atul Parchure is in form. Harsh Chhaya shows his evil side with flourish. Virendra Saxena is alright. The actress enacting the role of the victim is effective.

On the whole, It's Breaking News has noble intentions, but the release period isn't right. Multiple releases in the week, lack of pre-release buzz and the Ramzan period will curtail its prospects at the box office.

News By :IndiaFM

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Tollywood trade union leader Tammareddy Bharadwaja released the music of Missing

Prominent Tollywood trade union leader Tammareddy Bharadwaja released the music of Missing, a new movie starring all debutantes, at Film Chamber. The first Audio CD was given to AP Directors' Association president Sagar. The film is made under the banner of `Sri Sravya Movies` with music by Saketh Sairam. Sunilkumar Reddy is both producer and director. Y. Ravindra Babu is the executive producer.

Tammareddy criticized the current trend of filmmaking among the upcoming producers and directors. "They are coming to the film industry out of craze, but not with passion. This has led to a flop show all the way. Not even 20% of the films are registering success. Only movies with good subject have clicked. `Happy Days` is the best example. He fielded all the new comers. This is certainly a bold step. Likewise, Sunilkumar Reddy, despite facing odds with his previous, chose to make films with different themes. I wish him all the best."

Sagar said: "In the yesteryears I did the movie `Needa Leni Aadadhi` with all new comers. That time, it was considered a big risk. However, due to the powerful subject, the movie became a blockbuster. I wish that our modern day producers and directors will take care of the subject matter in their ventures."

Sunilkumar Reddy said: "`Missing` is the story of three junior doctors. Set in the backdrop of a hospital, one of the girls spots some supernatural things after the failure of a surgery leading to a fatal consequence. Thereafter, one after the other, all the three girls goes missing. What happened later would form the rest of the story. Music director Saketh Sriram has given superb music.”

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Bollywood probes sex trade yet again

Lives of the women of the street have been recounted in myriad Hindi films but it is a subject that the dream merchants never seem to get weary of. Joining the long list of films based on sex-workers will be Laaga Chunari Mein Daag that is slated for Friday release.

The film, being produced by Bollywood's biggest dream merchants Yash Raj Films, hopes to push the envelope further by portraying the life of a small town girl who willingly chooses sex trade as a career.

Images: Models who made it in movies

Hindi cinema's interpretation of the so-called oldest profession in the world has been ever evolving. While earliest films like Pyaasa painted a picture of abject tragedy, films like Umrao Jaan, Pakeezah and Devdas depicted courtesans as women with refined sense of music and poetry. Their exploitation was often glossed over and they came across as tragic, gorgeous women of taste who sacrificed their lives for the men they loved.

Shoma A. Chatterji, author of Woman: A Study of the Portrayal of Women in Indian Cinema, explains that the virtual domination of male filmmakers in Bollywood then had meant that patriarchy and markets dictated how sex-workers and the politics of prostitution are projected in the Hindi film industry.

Images: Song & dance in Bhansali’s movies

More recently, Madhur Bhandarkar's Chandni Bar, Sudhir Mishra's Chameli, Manisha Koirala's Market, Deepak Shivdasani's Julie and Kalpana Lazmi's Chingaari have tried to demystify and deglamourise the lives of sex workers.

In Chandini Bar, Tabu performed the sexy dance sequences inside the club much like any mechanical, routine job and worked hard to educate her child. Kareena Kapoor in Chameli was a foul-mouthed young woman, who is cynical about relationships but knows how to invest her hard-earned money for a secure future. For all her curtness she still has a soft side to her as she tries to educate a young boy and prevents him from taking to vices like smoking.

In fact, with the exception of Rehana Sultan in B.R. Ishara's Chetna and Shabana Azmi in Shyam Benegal's Mandi, nearly all celluloid versions of sex-workers have been self-sacrificing and victims of circumstances, and in spite of claims to the otherwise Laga Chunari Mein Daag may end up being no different.

Special: Best of the week

In the film, Rani Mukerji is a middle-class, fun-loving and happy-go-lucky girl in Banaras who takes to prostitution. Director Pradeep Sarkar of Parineeta fame cites financial crisis in the family as the reason for her to "make the sacrifice". Clearly, the filmmaker wants to add a touch of nobility to defuse the stigmatised profession.

There are two million women sex workers in India with most coerced into the trade by abduction or deception. An estimated two in five sex workers are below 18 years of age. Those involved in the sex trade are demanding the legalisation of the profession. They claim that a legal status will bring the multi-million dollar industry out of the dark, improve the living conditions of the women and their children, fight HIV/AIDS and prevent induction of children into the trade.

But such serious issues hardly ever find mention in our Hindi films. Here is hoping that come Friday and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag will up the level of discourse and not remain merely a reminder of the pathos of Waheeda Rahman in Pyaasa. Actress-turned-filmmaker Revathi says: "I met many commercial sex workers. Spoke at length with them. I realise now that there is no point in telling them to not get involved in it. Instead, you should ensure they are not exploited by middle men and their basic rights of health care and education for their children are met with."

For Rani Mukerji, who missed bagging the coveted National Award for her performance in Black by a whisker, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag offers a second chance.


Images: Catch SRK's new look in Om Shanti Om

The act of a sex-worker has fetched the coveted award for many leading ladies in the past. Yesteryears star Sharmila Tagore was bestowed the National Award for walking the street in Mausam, Rekha had got it for her courtesan role in Umrao Jaan and recently Tabu had bagged the prize for Chandni Bar.

Vyjantimala's role of a golden-hearted courtesan in Bimal Roy's "Devdas" and Shabana Azmi's no-holds-bar act as a woman who wants sex trade to flourish in Shyam Benegal's "Mandi" have been other memorable performances. Rani would no doubt be hoping that her act is similarly recognised.

The film also stars critically acclaimed female actor Konkana Sen and veteran Jaya Bachchan in a pivotal role. The men in the film include Abhishek Bachchan, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher.

Abhishek and Rani, who had emerged as a hit pair after Bunty Aur Babli, will be seen together on-screen after a long gap. Though both have not had much commercial success lately, the film is more crucial for Rani. It remains to be seen whether she can deliver once again both commercially and critically.

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