Dubai, Jun 12 (PTI) Bollywood’s biggest entertainment house, Yash Raj Films, will in the near future launch a multi-billion-dollar theme park in the United Arab Emirates in association with a leading investment company over here.
The theme park, Yash Raj Films Entertainment District, would contain a movie palace, unique hotel and a number of Indian genre entertainment concepts. Yash Chopra has hailed the partnership with Dubai Infinity Holdings, saying it will make their foothold stronger in the Gulf region with Dubai aiming to be the most visited destination in the world by year 2015. “All the components of the Yash Raj District will be themed around the Yash Raj banner,” the ‘Khaleej Times’ quoted Yash Chopra as saying. The YRF brand is behind the success of South Asian blockbusters such as Veer Zara, Hum Tum, Bunty Aur Babli, Chak De India, in addition to the timeless classics, Kabhie Kabhie and Silsila. Commenting on the partnership, DIH Chief Executive Officer Samira Abdulrazza said, “This is both an encouraging and exciting step for us. Bringing such an honoured name into the UAE has been a strategic move as it attracts the core demographic of the country. “Furthermore, Indian cinema has an increased general following within the region, as cinema statistics highlight that Bollywood films gross higher than Western films. This will be a one-of-a-kind partnership here in the UAE, which we are very proud to be associated with.” The first phase of the Yash Raj Entertainment District is scheduled to be completed by 2012. PTI
’KYA AAP Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain’ is building up the impetus, with Shahrukh Khan as the anchor, this show has become a ought to watch for people of all type of age groups. The fifth standard questions have by now made all the doctors and professional contestants sweat till date. Adding to their discomfiture, they have to look in front of the camera and say that they, even after being so educated, are not ’tez’ than a ’panchvi pass’.
The hottest couple to attend the classes would be Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. The couple would answer the questions by means of their brainpower, humor and knowledge. It would be attention-grabbing to see how far the couple would go in answering the questions.
The shoot of the special episode is over but it has not yet been finalized when the show would be telecast. Previously Bebo and Saif had appeared in Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by SRK, individually. But this time, they would appear jointly to face the headmaster’s questions. As customary, the amount the couple would win will be donated for charitable trust of their choice.
The Bollywood Star Shilpa Shetty shares the secret of her fitness, by way of an instructional video founded on the ancient Indian tradition of yoga titled ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ released on DVDs and VCDs by Shemaroo Entertainment.
The yoga video is shot at the radiant backwaters of Gods own kingdom ‘Kerala’. Directed by Manisha Jha, under the direction of Yoga instructor Shiv Kumar Mishra and produced by Shilpa Shetty, Shilpa’s Yoga is very well enacted, picturised on the scenic beach with ceremonial elephants and Kalaripayattu fighters in the background and the demonstration of Asanas in a simplified manner .
Shilpa Shetty says ‘It’s a command system for life and it is the most holistic approach to life that I have ever come across. It reinforces tones and cures. It works on body, mind and soul. Yoga has had a spectacular impact on my life’. Atul Maroo, Joint MD, Shemaroo Entertainment states, ‘A title like yoga sounds ancient; yet the way ‘Shilpa’s Yoga’ is filmed is mind blowing moreover Shilpa has added an aesthetic touch to it with her genuine belief in yoga. We at Shemaroo are really proud to be associated with this lifestyle product’. This DVD is an introduction to ‘dynamic free-flow’ yoga practice by Shilpa Shetty. The VCD’s are launched in Hindi & English priced at Rs 99/- & Rs 149/- respectively. The DVD is priced at Rs. 299/- and it also has a bonus Audio CD of Shilpa’s Lounge Music along with bonus features that includes ‘Music Video’ ‘behind the scenes’ , ’stills’, ‘bloopers’, ‘15 minutes quick fix’ and but off course a tete-a-tete with Shilpa Shetty.
Belgaum beauty Lakshmi Rai is opposing articles on her association with cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Rumors round in media that Lakshmi Rai has an ‘affectionate’ association with Dhoni and two were worn out some time at a beach side star hotel a week ago. Later, Dhoni joined the birthday party of Lakshmi Rai and spent the whole nightfall with her.
In turn, Rai was habitually seeing all the matches played by Chennai Super Kings at the MAC Stadium in addition to was seen anchoring cheerfully for her ‘favourite” cricketer. After seen all these advancements, media came to a deduction and advertised accounts on their own.
Rai said the way the media had been targeting her is quite unfair. “First, they published ‘exclusives’ on me and linked with a co-star and now with famous cricketer Dhoni. I don’t know from where they manage to get such kind of gossips. Maintaining a good friendship with cricket stars like Dhoni is not a sin. It is a pride to a fan like me.”
Sobhraj, 63, is currently serving a life term in a jail in Nepal for the murder of an American backpacker. He was arrested in 2003 at a casino in Kathmandu. Sobhraj is accused of killing more than 20 young western backpackers across Asia, usually by drugging them, in the 1970s and 1980s. His actions gave rise to two books, a movie.
Dutt, convicted last year in connection with India’s worst bombing, will try to enact Sobhraj’s character.
The new film, “Charles and I”, will spotlight on the years of cat and mouse that Sobhraj played with the law. The film will be shot in Turkey, France, India and Australia. Incidentally, Sobhraj was born to an Indian father and Vietnamese mother. He is a French citizen.
While serving a 20-year sentence in India, he was a fugitive from prison in the mid 1980s, but was caught and returned to jail until 1997 when he was released. In 1975, Thailand issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of drugging and killing six women, all wearing bikinis, on a beach at Pattaya. In the new movie, a police officer narrates the saga of Sobhraj, and discusses his modus operandi.
Rajiv Khandelwal, who became a craze among the Indian television audience for his portrayal of Sujal in Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kahiin To Hoga’, said he would never like to be a part of Balaji’s project again in its present form.
Staring: Mashhoor Amrohi, Vishakha Singh, Jackie Shroff, Shahjad Khan, Kiran Kumar, A K Hangal, Mack Mohan, Prem Chopra and Mukesh Rishi
Mashhoor Amrohi has attempted real task acting under his own direction in his debut film as a director. Trying to prove his mettle in winning the world, Mashhoor, in his debut film Humse Hai Jahan, has set an example to follow for the youngsters who want to act in their self-directed films. Don Gary Rosaria (Jackie Shroff) gets emotionaly hurt by Sameer (Mashhoor Amrohi) as he makes a mess at Gary’s hotel during an action and in order to reimburse his mental gash the don forces Sameer to work for his illegal operations. During this span Sameer needs fifty lacs rupees but he doesn’t have guts to ask Gary for that amount. Sameer plots to kidnap Esha (Vishakha Singh), the daughter of flop superstar Gyaneshwar Singh i.e. G S (Shahjad Khan), to bag the amount. But he fails all the time he goes to kidnap Esha with his friends. Then he traps Esha in his love and eventually succeeds in kidnapping her. But that success makes him confident enough to attempt more such things to earn more money. In that way he gets strangled among Dabar (Mukesh Rishi), Samba (Mack Mohan) and Pran Panwara i.e. P P (Kiran Kumar). Having no other option, Sameer decides to get helped out by his uncle Prithwiraj Khanna (Prem Chopra), who is a retired Indian ambassador. To avoid the long questionnaire of his uncle Sameer presents Esha as his wife. On the other hand G S, being very morose with the kidnapping of his daughter, contacts his long time friend Gary for help. Gary comes to think of Esha as his god daughter. Without having any hint about Sameer having his hand behind everything, Gary appoints him in search of Esha. Unfortunately Dabar and Pran inform Gary about how Sameer, acting as Esha’s boyfriend, has kidnapped and killed her. At last the story reaches its endpoint and like many other Bollywood films this film also ends on a happy note. As a writer Mashhoor never left a chance to make the audience bored. Acting and direction of the film was also up to the mark. Considering Humsey Hai Jahan as Mashhoor’s first film, he can be allowed a little freedom. Vishakha has acted well in accordance with her character. A K Hangal looks well in his new look of Mr. Wild West. On the other hand Kiran Kumar and Prem Chopra are such actors who these days are seen less on screen. Mashhoor has used them very well in this film. It won’t be wrong to call Prem Chopra the rising item boy because of his tapping toes in a song. But the sad note of the film is that Mashhoor, in keeping his eyes on portraying various characters, failed in creating perfect choreography. The story is well built but having it missed the comic touch it would have been very tough to sit and watch the film. If you are a fan of Kamal Amrohi films then you would really love to watch his grandson’s film, only if it’s not otherwise. The rest is obviously upon the audience and their way of accepting the masala from the grandson of a classic maker. Ratings: ** Rajnee Gupta
Harman Baweja, who is debuting with the much talked about Love Story 2050, has been taking the comparisons with Hrithik Roshan on his chin.
At his music launch last week when someone shouted ‘Hey Hrithik’ at him from the crowds, Harman smiled and said, ‘Can’t help the way I look. It’s what my parents gave me.’
But Harman and his father Harry Baweja have decided to avert any more comparisons with the Krrish star and also curb the unnecessary digs about Harman’s glamorous girlfriend Priyanka Chopra.
Since it was felt that Harman even sounded like Hrithik, Harman’s dubbing for Love Story 2050 is being done under strict supervision by a female voice expert who sits with Harman. The film is releasing in July.
‘She listens to every word that Harman dubs. And if anywhere he sounds like anyone else, she immediately corrects him and makes him redo the dialogues. For this reason, Harman’s dubbing in Love Story 2050 has taken a painfully long time. No actor has taken so long to complete his dubbing. A month away from release and Harman is still dubbing!’
Says a source close to the Bawejas, ‘Harman is not the least conscious or worried about all the comparisons with Hrithik. They started when Harry Baweja decided to launch his son in a futuristic film.
‘Everyone jumped to the conclusion that it was another Krrish. Then to make the comparisons even stronger there was the Kareena Kapoor factor. She had opted out of Hrithik Roshan’s Kaho Na…Pyar Hai after a few days of shooting. The same happened with Harman’s Love Story 2050.’
More worrisome to Harman is the way Priyanka Chopra’s presence in his life is being seen as a calculated move to gain mileage for the film.
Says the source, ‘Harman has a great deal of self-respect. He’d never want to be known by being associated with anyone else more famous and recognisable than him. In fact Kajol and Ajay Devgan were supposed to launch the music of Love Story 2050. Harman’s father decided against it at the last minute.
‘Harry Baweja in fact rang up his colleague Kumar Mangat and advised him not to allow Kajol and Ajay’s presence to overshadow his daughter at the music launch of Haal-e-Dil. That’s how self-respecting the Bawejas are.’
It hurts Harman to have his name being constantly mentioned with Priyanka.
Says a source, ‘He has now decided to seriously cut down, if not entirely do away with, public appearances with Priyanka. Of course, she will be part of all the Love Story 2050 promotion. But Harman is refusing offers for magazine covers and guest appearances on reality shows with Priyanka.’
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor poses with her award for best female performance in a leading role, for the film “Jab We Met”, during the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)
(L-R) Bollywood veteran Sanjay Khan, his wife Zarine Khan and actor son Zayed Khan arrive at the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)
Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa arrives at the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)
Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal arrives at the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (THAILAND)
Bollywood actress Shriya Saran arrives at the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)
Indian musician A.R. Rahman poses with his awards for outstanding achievement by an Indian in International Cinema and for best music direction for the song Barso Re, from the film “Guru”, during the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)
Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan arrive on green carpet during International India Film Academy in Bangkok on Sunday, June 8, 2008.
