Toe Knee
One would think organisers would have learnt from past mistakes. After all, this was the ninth edition of the Osian's-Cinefan film festival in New Delhi and its biggest yet.
Nah!
The opening ceremony was as tedious as ever. This time around, Neville Tuli had roped in Roysten Abel and his troupe of street magicians to enthral viewers at Siri Fort.
Abel's 'The Magic of Freedom' even had a blues band playing in the background. But barring the female vocalist, the show had little to offer by way of entertainment. Even the magic tricks were old hat. And a tad too long.
Just when half the audience had been lulled into a sleep-induced torpor, emcee Rajit Kapoor stepped in to announce that the opening film would be screened shortly.
Yippee!
After a round of lengthy speeches, during which several jury members were paraded on stage, the lights dimmed and the global premiere of the Iran-Azerbaijan feature Raami got underway.
Unfortunately, Babak Shirinsefat's film failed to live up to expectations. This esoteric work based on the Qarahbagh conflict and lovers of an ancient era didn't find favour with several in the audience.
Ten...
Five...
One...
The number of people seated in my row disappeared faster than you could say "Roysten Abel's magic". What Abel could not achieve, Raami did - people fled the auditorium at regular intervals. Raami's director and leading actors, who had specially flown in for the premiere, would surely have been disappointed.
Day One had proved to be a damp squib. Will the next nine days at Osian's-Cinefan 2007 be better?
Do check out Jabberwock's must-see list of films at this year's fest.
P.S.
Spotted Manisha Koirala on the run, trying to avoid the paparazzi.
Spotted Gul Panag baring her back, flaunting a tiny tattoo.
Spotted Divya Dutta in a pensive mood, wishing she was in Koirala's shoes
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Osian's-Cinefan 2007: Boring start
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Delhi - easily starstruck?
Prithwish
It has been long alleged that Delhi, deprived of seeing Bollywood celebs, gets easily starstruck. I didn't believe it at all when I came to the city as I thought it must be a rumour! How can people living in the Indian capital be unruly but sadly my impression about Delhi has changed recently. I was a witness to a few things which I think I should have never seen.
It makes sense that photographers and cameraperson shout their lungs out to get the best pic of a top notch celeb, whose photos are of great sales value! But leave aside such these celebs, Delhi simply cannot handle the ecstacy of seeing personalities who don't even feature in the industry's A list.
I was at Ministry of Sound some days back, happily sipping away "juice" (he he) and listening to the not so common voice of Simon Webbe, the British pop star and the former member of all boys band Blue when suddenly people went berserk!
It got so unruly that I could hardly hear him sing. All that I could hear was absurd requests flying in from all quarters and people yelling at the top of their voice. It got so bad that Simon had to himself first beg with his hands folded to people to stop behaving like hooligans and then threatened that he would not perform if the crowd did not control themselves.
What a shame!
Next came Neha Dhupia - the "Sheesha", "Julie" fame girl -- known for her steamy dances and bold roles! An eye-candy for sure! ;) but photographers were crazy as soon as she stepped inside the venue (not to forget she was almost 3 hours late) and then the television cameramen lost it as they tried getting an exclusive footage of the svelte heroine! It looked like she has won an Academy Award! Gosh!
First there was pushing and pulling, then came abuses and to top it all people started threatening each other. Neha must have also wondered why she's getting so much of media attention? So did we!
Delhi is a little strange place to be in! I still don't know why people go ga-ga over celebs! It's their job to come for promotions and it's our job to report about them and try and get exclusives! (It's bread and butter you know!) But why behave like lunatics! It's a shame! What would the entire Bollywood fraternity think about Delhi - a place which boasts of it's culture? And then we should think what impression would the audience have about us looking at these alarming footages beamed through the national television channels!
Time to think Delhi ...
Photo Courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/City_Supplements/Delhi_Times/Neha_got_mobbed_/rssarticleshow/2183081.cms
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Opinion: Who is an entertainment journalist?
entertainment/lifestyle reporting. Are we doing what we want to or are we just filling up pages of newspapers and doing tv stories just to see our names on them! If that's the case -- can't we work a bit more. Entertainment reporting is one of the oldest professions and it started with the success of newspapers in India. We can do a little more to dish out good in-depth stories can't we? We must remember that a country so engaged in entertainment would lap up anything that we give them but that should not make us relax. We can only be respected as an entertainment journalist when we do good stories and that involves us becoming well read and we should probe and analyse stories rather than just pushing them out.Photo courtesies:
Friday, June 1, 2007
Chasing Bollywood stars in Amsterdam
Toe Knee
Gauri Khan looks askance at me. She is dressed in white and clutches a shopping bag in either hand. As I move towards her on a busy street in Amsterdam, she takes a step back and frowns. I don't take the hint. As I start to mumble something, the wife of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan hurries past me and disappears into an alley.
No, I wasn't trying to assault her. 
The IIFA Awards were being held in Amsterdam in 2005 and I was a cub reporter let loose in the city of canals. Celebrities from the Indian film industry had been spotted in The Netherlands and I had been pacing the sunny sidewalks hoping to catch a glimpse.
I had better luck a few minutes later. Chunky Pandey was rummaging through a stack of colourful T-shirts at a shop around the corner. We exchanged pleasantries but I didn't harass him further, sensing that he wanted to be left alone.
Bollywood stars - hounded by fans at home and abroad. I could understand their predicament. Their need to feel free. The need to walk unmolested through crowds who didn't care who they were. And why stars viewed reporters with suspicion.
I walk past alfresco cafes and Gothic churches, stopping only for a glass of hot chocolate (they call it Chocomel here). As I pause to admire miniature windmills for sale at a roadside stall, cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin walks past with wife Sangeeta Bijlani. I leave them at peace and walk back to the hotel where the stars are cloistered.
There I find Boman Irani at his entertaining best, waving to a clutch of NRI girls waiting outside. Aftab Shivdasani is in the lobby too, looking dapper in a black suit. Ayesha Takia is wearing a brown ensemble, which seems to add inches to her waist. Bad designer or Amsterdam chocolates?
In contrast, Amitabh Bachchan is looking haggard and unshaven. The Big B has received news that his mother is unwell back home. He assures us things will be better on the morrow.
Actors - legends and one-film wonders - troop in for dozens of press conferences held over three days. Salman Khan is late (as usual?) and keeps co-stars and reporters waiting at the No Entry presser. The stars reel off their lines with practised ease, flash their botoxed smiles and leave as swiftly as they came.
At the Marigold presser (the film is yet to be released), starlet Ali Larter lingers a tad longer for one-on-one interviews. She drapes an arm over my shoulder and giggles when she's flummoxed by a question. Good strategy.
The IIFA schedule is chock-a-block. Aishwarya Rai waltzes in to have a tulip named after her. Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan brighten up the centuries-old Pathe Tuschinski theatre at the premiere of Pradeep Sarkar's Parineeta. Hrithik's team beats Shahrukh's bunch hollow when it comes to celebrity cricket. 
And at the grand finale, Papa Bachchan, Abhishek and now Bachchan bahu Aishwarya enthral the crowds with 'Kajra Re' redux.
[Why am I being nostalgic about the 2005 awards now? Well, IIFA goes to Yorkshire in a few days and unfortunately, I am not going. A friend is covering the event and I can't help going green with envy. Grrrr!]
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tracking Down: Miss Universe 2007
Prithwish
India's dream of winning another Miss Universe crown was dashed when the sassy Miss India Puja Gupta's name was not called out from the list of the final five gorgeous women.
Though Puja looked ravishing than ever on the ramp (seemed like the training and make-up men had toiled very hard!!) and eased through the final fifteen and final ten stages, she failed to make the cut for the top 5 which saw Japan, Brazil, Korea, Venezuela and USA battle it out for the 2007 Miss Universe crown!
Though it was great to see a contestant from Asia win but I'm sure that had Miss USA (she's got a fantastic smile, body and charisma) not slipped during the evening gown round, she could have been the next Miss Universe.
But tonight is 20-year-old Miss Japan Riyo Mori's (she loves to dance and has been dancing since she was 4!!) night. She was buoyant and confident and was personality personified throughout the contest!
Congrats Riyo! You deserved to win!
Check out the links below to know more about the finalists:
Top 15 contestents were : http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/top15.html
Top 10 contestents were: http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/top10.html
Top 5 contestants were: http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/top5.html
Miss Photogenic : http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/photogenic.html
Miss Congeniality: http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/congeniality.html
Riyo Mori's Photo Courtesy: http://www.missuniverse.com/missuniverse/index.html
Konkona getting a raw deal, eh?
Toe Knee
Poor Konkona Sen Sharma. Why are directors hell-bent on making her fall in love with a gay colleague? As if Page 3 wasn't enough, Metro sees Konkona walking in on a none-too-brotherly encounter.
But she still gets off lightly. In a city where extra-marital affairs are passe and cool dude Sharman Joshi makes money by renting out his apartment for scheduled sexcapades. Which reminds me, is the similarity with The Apartment (1960) purely coincidental?
Shilpa Shetty, in her first film since winning British hearts in 'Celebrity Big Brother', plays the wronged wife to perfection. Hubby Kay Kay Menon is spending too much time in office meetings, or rather massaging Kangana Ranaut. And leaves a lonely Shilpa to find solace in the arms of theatre artist Shiney Ahuja.
As if that wasn't enough, director Anurag Basu brings in an ageing Dharmendra and Nafisa Ali to spice things up for older viewers. Despite this odd couple, Basu still manages to hold the film together with some tight editing and some spectacular scenes - go watch the movie, you will know which ones I'm talking about.
And I haven't even talked about the surprise package yet - Irrfan Khan is the soul of the film. He mouths the funniest and the most philosophical lines. Leaving those of the hamming variety in Shiney's kitty. By the way, I hated Shiney's theatre scene.
Nevertheless, Life in a ...Metro is eminently watchable. Be it for Irrfan Khan. Or Pritam's soul-stirring music. Or Kay Kay Menon's ogre husband bit. Or even Shilpa Shetty's return to stardom. Take your pick.
Rating: ****
Sunday, May 27, 2007
NEWS: Mallika charges 15 million rupees from Himesh for a song appearance
Prithwish
Bollywood's maverick music director and singer Himesh Reshamiiya has roped in the sultry Mallika Sherawat to shoot a song titled 'Mehbooba' for his movie "Aap Kaa Surroor".
The song is set to be shot from May 29 and grapevine says that Mallika has charged 15 million rupees for the 10-minute sequence!
Good luck Himesh, hope the returns from the box-office are good!
Photo courtesy: http://im.rediff.com/movies/2005/sep/22poster.jpg
Saturday, May 26, 2007
LOOKOUT: Miss Universe Contest
Prithwish
Come May 28 and India may win another Miss Universe title.
Meet Puja Gupta, 23, born and brought up in Delhi and currently toiling it out in Mexico City to achieve success at the biggest stage!
Though history says winning a Miss Universe/Miss World title is only a step closer to fulfilling one's Bollywood dream. We have to wait and watch if Puja takes the same course!
Though rumours have it that offers are already pouring in, Puja hasn't revealed anything about her Bollywood plans and in fact this gorgeous gal has been sizzling in Mexico. (Check out the link below!!!) But we'll keep our eyes and ears open for Puja's entry to the world of latkas and jhatkas!
All the best Puja.. Win the Universe!
Catch Puja at Miss Universe 2007's official website:
http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/IN.html
Photo Courtesy: http://www.daijiworld.com/images1/miss_040907-4.jpg
Thursday, May 24, 2007
NEWS: Miss Britain to act in Bollywood movie
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
NEWS: Gere-Shetty kiss case suspended
Prithwish
India's apex court -- the Supreme Court -- has suspended all legal proceedings against Big Brother famed svelte Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who was facing charges for not resisting repeated kisses by Hollywood actor Richard Gere on her cheek during an anti-AIDS promotion event held in New Delhi aimed at raising awareness of the truckdrivers about the virus.
Monday, May 14, 2007
HUMOUR: Spider-Man 3 Bhojpuri Dialogues
Prithwish
'' Hum Makar Manaw Hain, Ud kar aayab aur tohar tetua daba deb". -- Spidey's dialogue.
"Humka Tohar Phikar Ba" -- Mary Jane to Spidey.
"Hum Tohar Baap Ko Nahin Mare Hain". -- Spidey to Harry.
If you know of any more dialogues from Spider-Man 3's Bhojpuri version. Please post it at our comments section.
Cheers and Enjoy!!
NEWS: Shilpa Shetty moves Supreme Court
Prithwish
Shilpa Shetty on Monday urged the Supreme Court to stay the criminal proceedings against her in connection with her kissing incident involving Richard Gere during an AIDS awareness programme held last month for truck drivers in New Delhi, an Indian news agency ANI reported.
Three criminal cases were registered against Shilpa after the event were publicised widely by the Indian media specially the television channels, which for the entire day, ran pictures of Gere wooing Shetty and then grabbing her by his arms and repeatedly kissing her on one cheek much to the delight of thousands of truckers who cheered for Gere during the incident.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Gere.
Friday, May 11, 2007
NEWS: Bollywood's Golden Age Is Now - Paresh Rawal
Prithwish
He're a comment that can start a fresh new debate about Bollywood. Fifty-six-year-old Paresh Rawal, best known for his comic antics, feels that Bollywood is in it's golden age now.
'The newcomers are really good and they have such wonderful new ideas. I think Hindi cinema is in its golden period. The work culture is changing, it is becoming more corporate and the mindset of the audience is also changing," he was quoted as saying in an interview.
It is interesting to read his comment cos as far the newcomers are concerned -- be it be directors or actors -- they are either producing mediocre scripts or are second-rate actors who are failing to even create a ripple. Young director Siddharth Anand or the svelte actress Kangana Ranaut and actor Shiney Ahuja are some of the colts who are doing well to stay in the competetion but the others haven't scripted any big success stories recently.
We can justify this by tracing box-office earnings this year. Only films like "Guru" -- starring Abhiash and to some extent "Ta Ra Rum Pum" -- starring Saif and Rani have been able to make a mark and earn some money not only at home but also abroad.
2007 seems to be a weak year ahead as far as making money is concerned with very few scripts in line which can create magic. Let's see if "Metro" can make the box-office sing!
Moreover, the films made in 1970-80's were much better than the ones made today.
Paresh has many movies set for release this year which includes "Cheeni Kum" -- starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu and John Abraham starrer "No Smoking". He'll also amuse the audience through his ribtickling acts in "Good Boy, Bad Boy", "Fauj Mein Mauj", "Fool and Final" and "Bhool Bhulaiya".
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
REVIEW: Spider-Man 3 - Second half sucks
Toe Knee
"Spidey kisses classmate, MJ upset
MJ kisses Harry, Spidey upset"
Reminds you of millions of Bollywood films, doesn't it? If only director Sam Raimi had sought the services of Karan Johar, Spider-Man 3 would have been an emotional rollercoaster.
Alas! Spider-Man 3 suffers from surfeit. Love triangle apart, two new villains, their sob stories and a mysterious symbiote that flies in from outer space (how or why is never explained).
All Raimi can do is desperately try to salvage the different threads. The Spidey-Mary Jane love track stumbles (over MJ's botched debut on Broadway and an upside-down kiss), foe-turned-friend-turned-foe-turns-friend (Goblin junior Harry has selective amnesia), photographer Eddie wants revenge on Spidey for humiliating him and 'stealing' his girlfriend Gwen.
As for the villains (that would be too harsh a word coz all Spider-Man villains are nice at heart and victims of circumstance), the real killer of Ben Parker falls into a radioactive sandpit and turns into a Ruthless Sandman who robs banks to save his daughter's life.
Meanwhile, oozy symbiote turns Spidey into bad guy for a while. His slimy suit falls on Eddie transforming the latter into Venom. No more spoilers. Go watch the movie.
The big winner (and of course the reason why the third instalment in the series is breaking box-office records) are the special effects. They are good. Seriously. The chase sequences, how Franco turns Sandman, Harry vs Spidey are all top-notch edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The problem is the second half. The emotions are there but the emote-ing ones are not. Some bad acting by Tobey (can't really cry), Kirsten does her falling-from-skyscraper bit (again!), the symbiote can't really stand the sound of bells (blasted ear-drums I presume) and some bad attempts at Travoltaesque dancing (Tobey again)
You desperately wait for the film to end and on at least two occasions, I guarantee you will make the mistake of thinking it's over.
If not for the special effects and a certain scene in a French restaurant, the movie would have been a dud. I hear they will be making Spider-Man 4. Mr Raimi, please hire Karan Johar for that one. He'll teach you a thing or two about emotions.
Rating: ***
P.S. If you haven't watched Spider-Man or Spider-Man 2 before reading this review, am sorry you won't understand a thing
Friday, May 4, 2007
LOOKOUT: Clooney comes calling
Prithwish
Bollywood's foot-tapping songs have now caught the ear of none other than the veteran Hollywood A-list actor George Clooney. Clooney is not only all praise for Hindi music but also says he will not back away from acting in a Bollywood movie -- in which song and dance routines are an integral part -- if he gets a chance.
"I'd love to. There are some filmmakers whose films when you see (them) you say, 'That could be an interesting story to tell.' I was watching a film the other day and the music was just amazing. It's become such a huge industry," the 45-year-old actor was quoted as saying.
Clooney won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for his brilliant performance in Syriana (2005) and has not only been a huge commercial success but is also a critics delight. His inspiring performances include Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), The Good German (2006), The Perfect Storm (2002), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), etc.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
DID YOU KNOW: They worked together as kids
Toe Knee
Recognise this cherubic pair from the timeless Complan ad?
'I am a Complan boy'
'I am a Complan girl'
Years after they first worked together as kids, Shahid Kapoor and Ayesha Takia made it big in Bollywood. The two were paired in the forgettable flick Dil Maange More some time ago but will be seen in action once again in Fool N Final.
FACTOID: Taxing Brand Bachchan
Prithwish
Amitabh Bachchan - 155.9 million rupees ($3.78 million) - more than the tax paid by actors Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan
Abhishek Bachchan - 47.5 million rupees ($1.15 million)
Aishwarya Bachchan - 50 million rupees ($1.2 million)
Total Tax for Brand Bachchan - 253 million rupees ($6.15 million)
Monday, April 30, 2007
NEWS: Ash to shed surname, embrace Bachchan brand
Prithwish
Aishwarya Rai will no longer use her surname but is happily willing to be known as Aishwarya Bachchan, media reports say.
Her transition from Rai to Bachchan started when she signed an autograph after her marriage as Aishwarya Bachchan. We have seen many Bollywood stars taking up the surname of their husband but some have chosen to retain their surname too.
The question of Aishwarya Rai (already an established brand) choosing to use the Bachchan surname might come as a surprise and apprehension to many.
Firstly, all the fame and popularity that surrounds her today came when she wasn't a Bachchan. It took time for her to establish herself as a brand and a change might seem like starting to build a brand from scratch.
Secondly, when the media has been buzzing how Aishwarya's marriage was a bad career move for her, her changing of surname would certainly lead to a lot of debate -- will the people accept Aishwarya (now AB's daughter-in-law) romancing other men on screen being a Bachchan bride?
But Aishwarya must have thought about all this for sure and in hindsight it seems like a planned move. The Bachchan brandname has an aura of its own which is much bigger than Rai for sure. But the question remains whether Aishwarya will fit into the Bachchan brand. We will have to wait and see.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
GRAPEVINE: Tracking Abhi-Ash's Honeymoon
Prithwish
The grapevine is buzzing again and this time media reports say that the rumours about newlyweds Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai going to Europe for their honeymoon may be just a red herring to keep media off the couple's plans.
Sources have again revealed that Abhi-Ash are applying for visas for Tahiti Polynesia. Now we don't remember many Bollywood celebrities going to Tahiti for their honeymoon. But we'll certainly keep you posted on any updates.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
COMMENT: AbhiAsh give Hurley the blues
Toe Knee
Poor Liz Hurley. Surely it was stupid to get married the same year as Bollywood's hottest couple. Miffed pop-in-law notwithstanding, Hurley and hubby Arun didn't quite stand a chance against the AbhiAsh juggernaut. Coz the wedding of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai generated enough buzz to keep the paparazzi busy and relegate Hurley's Jodhpur nuptials to the archives.
There is no dearth of drama when someone from Bollywood ties the knot and the AbhiAsh marriage was no exception. A woman by the name of Jahnvi Kapoor staged a suicide drama in front of the Bachchan residence, claiming that the Junior B had ditched her after having what she termed "physical relation". God alone knows what the truth is but it certainly appears as if Jahnvi is suffering from delusions.
That's not all, an Abhishek lookalike fooled star-struck security guards and walked right up to Aishwarya's eight-floor flat to convey his good wishes. He was caught else who knows - Aishwarya might just have married the wrong guy.
The media lapped up the controversy, even enjoying their share of the limelight when a couple of snap-happy photographers were thrashed by securitymen for coming in the way of a car ferrying the Bachchans. Senior Bachchan apologised the next day, giving the media another opportunity to play up the incident.
I bet Hurley's wishing she had harnessed media attention better. All you need is a divorce, Liz and another stint at Jodhpur so that you can learn from your mistakes.
(This article first posted here)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
PAGE 3: Amrita, Ishaa make a style statement
Prithwish
If you thought that the sexy Amrita Arora was enough to set the pulse of a party racing, then imagine what a hell of a party it was when Delhi was treated to the sights of another sultry svelte heroine Ishaa Kopikar.
Amrita wore a gorgeous short dress while Ishaa's evening gown made the shutterbugs flutter during a fashion show by designer Arjun Khanna.
Amrita revealed her style funda to the reporters saying -- "I just throw stuff together and it becomes my style. I prefer wearing things which are more casual and fun".
Ishaa was much more reserved and disgusted with people swarming around her. People pushed and pulled each other to catch a glimpse of this screen scorcher.
The Don girl said she liked the colour black cos it was bold and was all about the darker side of life.
Now who wouldn't like to know more about her dark side.
FLASHBACK: K A Abbas
Prithwish
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas is best known for being an adventurist. He not only worked with diverse topics and themes but also delved deep into India's socio-political and the economic sturucture. He was a man who boldly and sometimes subtly portrayed the issues pertaining to the society.
His first film Dharti Ke Lal (about the deadly famine) -- a critics delight -- was a breakthrough film which narrated the insensitivity as well as greed of the British as well as the hoarder who created a man-made famine which wiped out 3 and a half million lives.
He never backtracked from showing the greed and malice which existed in the society and his films reverberated the underlying discontent of the masses against opportunism.
Some of his brilliant works are:
Rahi -- a film about the lives of Indian tea pickers who are lured to malaria-infected tea estates of Assam
Munna -- a film about a child's search for mother where he highlights the adult world as seen through the eyes of the child
Shehar Aur Sapna -- a film which shows how a rural rustic man, dazzled with the glitter of the Mumbai metropolis comes to the city in search of fortune and his disillusionment thereafter
Do Boond -- a film in which he takes us to the drought-striken Rajasthan and narrates the beautiful dream of a man who wanted to construct a canal to bring water to the barren lands
We salute this master filmmaker of a bygone era through our blog.
COMMENT: Kiss and Tell
Toe Knee
The mere mention of Richard Gere makes most women go weak in the knees. Some would give an arm and a leg to touch the Pretty Woman star and many, I am sure, would have stooped at nothing to be in Shilpa Shetty's shoes at that magical moment on Sunday evening when Gere gathered the Celebrity Big Brother winner in his arms and smothered her with kisses.
Shilpa didn't look too upset either - grinning from ear to ear when Gere finally released her from his embrace. The storm in a teacup became a whirlpool a few hours later when Gere was accused of hurting Indian sensibilities and protesters (many of them probably upset they can never dream of getting a chance to lay lips on Shilpa) busy burning effigies as self-appointed custodians of Indian culture.
But as everybody knows, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Here's a tongue-in-cheek look at what may happen in the near future -
Gere lawyer: Your honour, my client Richard Gere claims monetary damages from accused Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa lawyer: And may I ask why?
Gere lawyer: Well, while Gere's career has gone down the drain, the kiss controversy has given Shilpa's waning Big Brother fame a new lease of life
Shilpa lawyer: I object, Your Honour. Gere's recent films were duds in any case - Shilpa or no Shilpa.
Gere lawyer: Ok, I grant you that but didn't the episode bring Shilpa suddenly into the public eye and get her ads, films and charity show invites
Shilpa lawyer: And wasn't Shilpa's modesty - unruffled when Jade Goody called her a lot of @$#*%! names - outraged when Gere shifted gears a bit too fast
Gere lawyer: Many woman would pay to have Gere do stuff to them
Shilpa lawyer: Shilpa already had Dirk (Benedict). She doesn't need Gere to spice things up
Judge: Stop it, I pronounce both Gere and Shilpa guilty of making fools of themselves in public. Gere sentenced to three years of doing inane Bollywood films and an additional year for each kiss he steals from his leading ladies. Shilpa hereby banished to Hollywood for special classes in wardrobe malfunction (the Janet Jackson academy), being rich and crazy (the Paris Hilton school) and bald and beautiful (the Britney Spears institution)
Protester: But what of the truck drivers who witnessed the kisses? What of the mental trauma they had to undergo?
Judge: In addition, both Gere and Shilpa have to personally adopt each potential AIDS victim left unnoticed in the kissing brouhaha
Protester: Who cares about getting adopted? Each person present at the Sunday gathering (including me) should get a chance to kiss Shilpa, only then can justice be served
Spectators: Hear! Hear!
(This article originally posted here)
FASHION: Bollywood Calling
Prithwish
The prominence of fashion designers can be traced from the days when Bollywood film and its stars became much more particular about clothes.
From an era when any hair-do or wearing any kind of clothes would get a pass mark, now Bollywood is eyeing big business not only in India but globally, employ designers who invest time and energy designing clothes which are not only according to the roles but also according to the time in which the script is set or which kind of socio-economic structure the film's aiming to highlight.
In this I guess we owe it to the west for refining our sensibilities about fashion.
Moreover for a designer, designing for a high-budget Bollywood film not only gives the designers the right kind of publicity but associations with filmstars and production companies also give designers constant media attention.
But such associations have also created a parallel rat-race -- of wooing celebrities -- among the small breed of people who are already engaged in a fight for survival.
Most fashion designers (except for the big names like Manish Arora, Rohit Bal, J.J. Valaya, Ritu Kumar, etc) now want a Bollywood celebrity to feature in their shows -- God knows why. Cos most of the media attention is taken by these celebrities and it is fashion which takes a beating in the end as news stories splash pictures of the celebrity and the designers' clothing line gets a two-line mention.
High time the designers take note of this and be proud of the fame they receive for their clothes and not the Bollywood stars they can rope in. What say?
