IPL clash gets bigger as Bollywood enters the picture

Finally, the big Bollywood is ready to face off with the IPL. A slew of exciting movies by prominent production houses, with an estimated Rs 175-200 crore riding on them, will be released between April 4 and May 27 when the IPL's fifth edition takes place.

The big and medium budget movies slated for release during this period include Sajid Nadiadwala's " Housefull 2", Priyadarshan's " Tezz" starring Ajay Devgan, Mukesh Bhatt's "Jannat 2", Vikram Bhatt's 3D film "Dangerous Ishhq", Yash Raj Films's "Ishaqzaade" and Viacom 18 Motion Picture's action-thriller "Department". Besides, some small-budget films will also hit theaters the same time.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta says that while the IPL was a novel concept in the first few years, now the feeling is that the real excitement is only during the last few days of the finals. "Hence, filmmakers are confident of releasing their films during this period," says Nahta.

Moreover, the film industry has grown confident in the last two years with quite a few movies crossing the Rs 100 crore mark, says Rakesh Jariwala of Ernst & Young's entertainment division. In fact, Bollywood now believes it can even use the IPL as a platform to market its films, he adds.

During the first three IPL seasons, multiplex capacity utilization dipped. The event was dubbed as "a black window" where few big distributors dared release their films. Some exhibitors, in fact, preferred to project the IPL games rather than show a movie. The tide turned with IPL 4 when the T20 league's TAM ratings showed a dip. Last year, over 20 films were released during the period, including low-budget hits like "Stanley Ka Dabba".

Producer-director Mahesh Bhatt says, "We locked horns with IPL 1 with the release of Jannat in 2008. There's no change now as Jannat 2 releases as per schedule. Let's see who entertains better."

Censor Board hates Paoli Dam’s sex talk in "Hate Story"

Director Vivek Agnihotri is miffed. Thanks to the censor board, Paoli's explicit sex talk in the controversial promo of " Hate Story" will now have to be beeped changing the thrust of the film from being an erotic thriller to a mushy, romantic movie.

Says Vivek, "The censor board has old-fashioned people and we have no choice but to live with the norms. The soap operas show so much of vulgar stuff and yet, no one has any problem with that. Lovemaking scenes are being shown on television. There is so much of vulgarity in the minds of characters from popular serials. But no one is bothered.

When it comes to the promos, we are told that we have to mute certain words. We have to cut a few things here and there. The scene where Paoli says: 'Main iss shehar ki sabse badi r**di banna chahti hoon (I want to be the biggest whore in the city)' and 'I f**k those who f**k with me' will be there though the words will be beeped. The result is that the promo is not representing the boldness of the movie. It's like buying a Merc but still having to negotiate bad traffic. However, when it comes to my film, I will not cut anything and will fight till the end. Mine is an adult film. It is not for kids and not meant for adults who think like kids."

However, the promos on YouTube will remain uncensored. "YouTube has very international laws of censorship. We are also finding out ways of using the digital media to screen these promos. We have a confused government and don't know what to do with life," he says.

Talking about performances, Vivek says he is lucky to have got someone like Paoli Dam who is "hungry to make a mark in Hindi cinema" and her ease to shed her voluptuous look. "Voluptuousness doesn't work in Bollywood. It might work in South Indian and Bengali cinema. But in Bollywood, the rules are different. Kareena too changed herself when she went for size zero.

What about rumours that her character is to some extent modelled on that of Sharon Stone in " Basic Instinct"? "This is the most original script by Vikram Bhatt. It has an Indianized commercial setting," the director says,

Mallika Sherawat's the most wanted item girl

The actor does not have a fixed rate while charging for item songs

Mallika Sherawat has found an alternate career as an item girl. While she has sizzled in films like Welcome (2007) where she also had a running role as the common love interest of Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor; post 2009 when Mallika relocated to Los Angeles; the Haryanavi sizzler has been most in demand as an item girl in Bollywood cinema.

"She is the first choice for doing an item song because she is very good," admits producer Ratan Jain, who recently got her to shoot for an item song in Tezz.

Mallika became the most obvious choice for an item song when she did Razia Gundon Mein Phas Gayi (Thank You). The film and the song didn't take off at the lightening speed it should ideally have done; however post this, Mallika's people admitted that they have been inundated with item song offers.

In 2011 alone Mallika was chosen for Shalu Ke Thumkey (Bin Bulaye Baraati); Jalebi Bai (Double Dhamaal); Kalasala (Oshti-Tamil).

In 2012, besides the number in Tezz; Sonu Sood requested Mallika to shake a leg with him in Maximum. Rumours say that ultimately the producers couldn't afford her remuneration.

That brings us to the question; how much money does Mallika charge for an item song? A leading Bollywood producer says, "She quotes ` 1.25 cr but will settle for ` 1 cr." One hears though that last year Mallika was reportedly paid ` 60 lakh by one producer; ` 80 lakh by two others. In other words her remuneration for a song is negotiable depending on factors like how good the song is; and how lavish is the scale of production.

Bollywood actress linked to new fixing allegations

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is to investigate allegations that Indian bookmakers, with the help of a Bollywood actress, have been fixing the results of English County Championship matches and international games, the Sunday Times reported.

The London newspaper, in a front-page article headed: "English cricket in bung scandal" said it had evidence that tens of thousands of pounds was being offered to players to throw part or all of international matches, including last year`s World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.


It said batsmen were being offered "typically 44,000 pounds for slow scoring, 50,000 pounds for bowlers who concede runs and as much as 750,000 pounds to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match".

The paper said bookies had used an unidentified Bollywood actress to help with the fixing and stated: "So rife is match-fixing in parts of India that cricket may be in danger of losing its reputation as a civilised sport played by gentlemanly rules."

"Instead it is in danger of becoming a byword for racketeering."

The paper quoted one Delhi bookmaker boasting that English county cricket was a "good new market" as it involved "low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That`s why good money can be made there without any hassle".

An ICC spokesman told, "We are grateful for the information you have provided and will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations."

"Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly and, with many, many millions of dollars being bet on every match, the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away."

The allegations come after former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield became the first English cricketer to be jailed for corruption after admitting that he took money to fix a match against Durham in September 2009.

Last year, Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were also jailed in Britain for their role in a spot-fixing scandal concerning a Test match against England at Lord`s in August 2010.

Fardeen Khan's kin sister killed in accident

Two people, including the half-sister of Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan, were killed in a collision of two cars in south Delhi early Monday, police said.

Khan's half sister, Sonia Sethia, wife of businessman Rajendra Sethia, was returning home in New Friends Colony from dinner at a friend's home in Gulmohar Park, when a Swift Dzire coming at very high speed, rammed into their Honda City car on August Kranti Marg.

The Dzire's driver, Mohan Kumar, a technical officer at All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), and was going back to his home at Ayurvigyan Nagar from a relative's wedding with his son Anjay. He was 50.

"The accident was reported at 1:30 a.m.," said a police official.

All the victims were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre where Sethia, 48, and Kumar, 50, were pronounced dead. The rest were discharged later after treatment.

According to the Sethia's landlady, Rajender Sethia was out of the city. She said they learnt of the accident at 5 a.m.

Fardeen Khan attended Sethia's funeral rites.

Bollywood star pays tribute to Whitney Houston

Singer Whitney Houston died at the age of 48! This news has rocked and shocked the world, as celebrities from across the globe pay tributes and extend their condolence to the voice that moved many-a-heart.

Many Indian film personalities were mesmerized by Whitney Houston's voice. The news of her death left many feeling shallow, and they expressed their thoughts and emotions through their social micro-blogging site. From Shah Rukh Khan to Akshay Kumar and from Bipasha Basu to Priyanka Chopra, all seemed to feel a melancholic void as another world-renowned music legend left us too soon!

This is what they have to say about Whitney Houston and her work...

Shah Rukh Khan
"and v waste so much time on inconsequential aspects of life. criticism..cynicism...voyeuristic.live ur life so u don't miss it.whitney r.i.p" (sic)

Akshay Kumar
"The loss of one of the greatest voices of all time!! R.I.P. Whitney Houston. I will always love you. Another sad news this morning. Such things sometimes make you think how much for granted we take our lives... " (sic)

Priyanka Chopra
"LA bound..the Grammys will be sad.. Such a tremendous loss to the world .."there can be miracles..when u believe.. somehow u will"thank u. "Bitter sweet..memories..that is all..I'm taking..with me..so goodbye..pls don't cry"RIP Whitney..u made me believe in magic and dreams.. " (sic)

Bipasha Basu
"I will always love you'! Whitney Houston's powerful voice will stay with us forever!RIP Whitney Houston! " (sic)

Sonam Kapoor
"#Whitneyh songs #Iwillalwaysloveyou & #Iwannadancewithsomebody r 2 of my alltimefavsongs Only arethafranklin & U sang w/such emotional depth... "God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you have that, what other gimmick is there." #ripwhitneyhouston. " (sic)

Farhan Akhtar
"RIP Whitney Houston. " (sic)

Emraan Hashmi
"RIP Whitney Houston. We will always love you. " (sic)

Vivek Oberoi
"The world has just lost one of the most talented vocalists it has and will ever see. RIP Whitney Houston" (sic)

Siddharth
"and I ....will always love you..." good night and good luck Whitney Houston...what a terrible tragedy. Gone too soon:( RIP " (sic)

Dia Mirza
"RIP Whitney... Your legend will live on... " (sic)

Celina Jaitly
"Just heard the unbelievable news of whitney H's death,how very tragic.. She gave us beautiful music & left with so much music still within" (sic)

Neha Dhupia
"Shocked and saddened to hear about Whitney Houston .... So , So tragic! RIP" (sic)

Neelam Kothari
"She had a great sense of humour and was full of life.. A great loss! RIP whitney hasten. We will always love you!! She was one of my favourites.. Had the privilege of meeting her. " (sic)

Ken Ghosh
"The voice which was part of every college romance of the '80's is silent....R.I.P. Whitney" (sic)

Bollywood mourns death of filmmaker Raj Kanwar

Eminent filmmaker Raj Kanwar (53) passed away on Friday morning in Singapore. Kanwar who has been suffering from kidney ailment since the past year had gone there for a kidney transplant but breathed his last even before the operation happened. The film industry was in a state of shock over the untimely demise of this prolific filmmaker.

Incidentally Kanwar's elder brother K Pappu also died of the same ailment five years ago and at the age of 53. Kanwar's body will be flown to India today. Kanwar is survived by his wife Anita and two sons Karan (20) and Abhay Kanwar (16). The cremation will be held at Oshiwara on Sunday afternoon at 12.

Raj Kanwar (earlier assistant to Rajkumar Santoshi) arrived in Bollywood with a big bang with his directorial debut Deewana which launched one of the country's biggest superstars in the form of Shah Rukh Khan.

The film went on to smash all box-office records and then Kanwar went on to create some of the biggest hits in the form of Laadla, Jeet, Daag-The Fire, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and Andaaz. He successfully launched the career of several Bollywood stars - Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Arya Babbar, Amrita Rao, apart from SRK. Known for his shy nature and extremely low-profile life style, Kanwar was a man of few words whose only passion was cinema. In the last couple of years Kanwar launched Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv in Saadiyaan, which was a flop and was planning his next film.

Filmmaker Pooja Bhatt: Sunny's persona matches her 'Jism 2' role

Bollywood producer Pooja Bhatt believes that casting plays an important role in moviemaking, and an actor's personality must match with the character one plays.

That is precisely the reason why she chose Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone for the lead part in " Jism 2".

"We have done authentic casting in 'Jism 2'. We have taken Sunny Leone because we want a girl who plays that kind of part and persona," said Pooja on the sidelines of an event.

"It is very important that you cast authentically. Everyone talks about out-of-the-box casting but no one does it," added the the 39-year-old.

Pooja, who has made films like "Zakhm", "Jism" and "Paap", asserts that she likes to associate with people who are genuine.

"People talk about 'Zakhm' and then go and watch 'Jism'. The point is that we have decided to attach ourselves with only those who are audacious, be it Sunny Leone or anyone else; people who walk their talk and dare to stick their necks out," she said.

The actress-turned-filmmaker, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt, is currently busy with pre-production work of "Jism 2", which will go on floors soon.

Two male actors are yet to be finalised for the film.

Bollywood scripts huge success at Pak box office

The three Khans of Bollywood not only rule the Indian box-office, they are also the kings of Pakistan. Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots collected Rs 5 crore across the border and the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan raked in Rs 5.25 crore. The Salman Khan-starrer Bodyguard outdid them both by earning Rs 6 crore. Another Shah Rukh-starrer, Don 2, meanwhile, is expected to pull in Rs 7.25 crore. In fact, some experts say Pakistan is now one of Bollywood's top five overseas markets and could soon rival the business done in Australia.

The ban on Indian films was lifted across the border in 2006, but things began really hotting up a year later. Riffat Siddiqi, a well-known distributor in Pakistan, said, "From the time the market opened up in 2007, Indian films became the source for rebuilding cinema in the country. Within just four years, the entertainment business grew by 300% at the box office."

Bollywood can't ignore Pakistan now as an overseas market. Trade pundits said the business pattern in Pakistan is similar to that of the Punjab territory in India.

About 50 Hindi films release in Pakistan now every year and the big ones have the ability to do business of US $1 million (Rs 4 crore to 5 crore) or more, said Pakistani sources. All the top Khan films are sold for $200,000 to $300,000 (Rs 1 crore to 1.5 crore). Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar films go for $75,000 to $150,000 (Rs 37.5 lakh to 75 lakh), said experts.

India-based Amrita Pandey, of UTV Motion Pictures, said, "I think the growth has been significant -- from no release before 2007 to now, where the box office gross for an average film is $400,000 (Rs 2 crore). With 50 Hindi films releasing there every year, Pakistan figures in the top five of the international markets."

Pakistan's film industry was able to release only 10 films last year, but there is a chance these numbers will go up. Pakistani film producer Sevy Ali said, "The government has made it mandatory for every mall that is being built to have a multiplex, which will help the business of cinema grow. We only released 10 films last year, but this year there will be 20." Incidentally, late last year there were calls from within the Pakistani film industry and media to ban Indian films so that local efforts would get a boost.

Indian film producers have to look for partners outside the country to get their films into Pakistan. India-based Vikas Mohan, vice president of the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers, said, "Production house are releasing their films through partners in Dubai or London. Pakistan is capable of being a territory that can generate a revenue of up to Rs 15 crore for any big film. Unfortunately, there are still unresolved issues which deprive both sides from benefitting from the business of cinema."

In the past year, the increase in multiplexes and introduction of digital cinema has boosted the business. Nadeem Mandviwalla, of Mandviwalla Entertainment in Pakistan, said, "Digital cinema boosted the film exhibition business in Pakistan with the release of 'Ra-One' and 'Don 2'. 'Don 2's' opening week was better than other films with a business of nearly Rs 4 crore."

Earlier, Indian films were sold in Pakistan for only a few lakhs, but now the price of big films has jumped by more than 40%. Pakistani film distributor Amjad Rashid, currently in India to buy films, said, "Today, the price for Salman Khan films is the highest in Pakistan. Shah Rukh Khan's latest release, 'Don 2', has done record business at the box office. The buying of their films is likely to double this year."

Bollywood's official foray into Pakistan may have been a recent occurrence, but despite the over 40-year ban, Bollywood, its icons, its music and its dancing have always remained an integral part of life in Pakistan. Yusra Askari, a mediaperson in Lahore, said, "Bollywood's impact appears everywhere, from the mainstay of a Pakistani wedding to street lingo." She added. "In the past decade, Bollywood-based artistic exchanges between India and Pakistan have initiated increased cultural interaction between the two countries. Bollywood has not only gained a huge fan following in Pakistan, it has often attracted aspirants and sometimes even Pakistani cricketing icons try their luck at filmdom."

Despite an increased cultural dialogue between Islamabad and Delhi, visas to travel to India may be still hard to come by for the average Pakistani, Askari added. "Nevertheless, Pakistanis can always rely on Bollywood cinema to bring home a slice of Mumbai magic," she said. Currently about half-a-dozen actors and singers work in Bollywood films.

Rashid said, "We have only been importing films. It is high time we started exporting Pakistani television serials, which are very popular, and also the music, a high point of Pakistani culture. I feel there is a need for India to do business with Pakistan and there should be relaxations in granting visas to artistes."

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, considered a cultural ambassador, added, "There is abundant talent in Pakistan crying to be discovered. Indian cinema is moving from strength to strength. We can add new colour to our products by taking fresh talent from Pakistan. We both stand to benefit if we partner one another and make a co-production."

But there is also an opinion that the presence of Pakistani artistes won't really help a film. Producer Ali said, "Pakistanis want to see the Khans or maybe an Akshay Kumar or Hrithik Roshan. A Pakistani actor is a novelty in India, not in Pakistan."

Ending the year 2011 with a smile!

From India lifting the World Cup to Vidya Balan making women feel comfortable in their own skin, 2011 gave us much to smile about. reports

As 2011, four days shy of lapsing into the past, makes way for 2012, we recall the people and events that had us breaking into a smile. A smile, like the Mona Lisa painting has famously taught us, spreads forth from the wellspring of happiness as it does from the depths of despair. Smiles that emanate from the cockles of our heart were aplenty this year, and smiles that say 'serves him well' abounded too. And, best of all, smiles that assured us that all's truly well with the world. Here's our pick...

Anna Hazare: His war cry against corruption and the corrupt galvanised a countrywide movement and mobilised the young and old like never before in post-Independent India. That he refused to be cowed by powerful politicians or critics, who identified with his cause but questioned his means, made him the unyielding crusader whom neither prison nor Parliament could tame.

Virender Sehwag: He gave us a two-ton reason to smile. Kolaveri became Kola-Viru as he, in 219 masterful strokes, erased the ignominy of our England tour. With the World Cup win and Viru's veer double knock against the West Indies, we pretty much owned the game .

Vidya Balan: The actor taught us how to embrace sexuality without being apologetic. With her role in Dirty Picture, she conveyed a message to women that fat and flab were no reasons to feel insecure about or ashamed of their bodies.

Veena Malik: It takes guts to pose the way Veena did on the cover of a magazine. And if you're from the other side of the border, it takes much more than that. Heck, we even sniggered at the ISI stamp inked on her arm.

Kapil Sibal: No one quite knows how and when this once enlightened and suave political figure went senile in his 60s, but advocating for Internet censorship in today's age and time was evidence enough that Sibal is a man far removed from ground realities. He had the country's Netizens laughing away at the absurdity of the state playing net nanny.

Dhanush: The actor gave Tamil and Kollywood a leg-up in a country where Bollywood and item songs rule the entertainment roost. His Kolaveri-di video became such a 'murderous rage' online that many think this could well be the beginning of the end of the north-south divide. Despite some venerable critics slamming the song, its popularity continues unabated. The rip-offs too!

Beti B: Hers was easily the most anticipated delivery of the year. While bookies placed huge bets on Aishwarya and Abhishek's baby, its sex, the due date, and whether it would be a normal or Caesarean birth, Beti B slid forth into this world on a sweet 16 November morning, proving most speculations just that, and also proving that from day one she's very much her own person. She's also become the nation's new blue-eyed (or is it green?) girl.

Sunny Leone: When she made the transition from Karen Malhotra to Sunny Leone, little did we know that one day she'd have us furiously scouring the net to get to know her better. She added luscious variety to a reality show that was becoming jaded and boringly scripted. She raised the show's TRPs and enlarged many an err.. eyeball! The men made sure they had an academic reason to justify their playful pursuits by insisting they were simply 'checking out' the Bigg Boss inmate!

Harvinder Singh: Though some questioned his literally strong-arm tactic, for young India, disillusioned and let down by the political class, the fact that he'd taken on the high, mighty and heavyweight politico Sharad Pawar was reason enough to smile and feel empowered.

Siddhartha Mukherjee: This biographer of cancer put the dreaded C-word centrestage and brought it to the realm of everyday conversation. The Emperor of All Maladies, which won him the Pulitzer Prize, is neither ominous nor reverential or steeped in sentimentality peculiar to diseases that, generally, have a terminal consequence. It is anchored in reality, and narrated in tellingly impactful prose.

William and Kate Middleton: They made us believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-after endings. If Diana had become the people's princess, Kate Middleton arrived as one.

Pippa Middleton: Boy, did she lead from behind! Her pert, firm butt became this year's most photographed and Facebooked posterior. A bottom(less) reservoir of happy smiles!

The World Cup victory: After 28 years, we were holding aloft the Worl Cup. It was full-on celebration unleashed in the entire country. And when teammates lifted Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders and did the victory lap around the stadium, the smile on our lips had the tear in our eye for company.

Formula One: With the fiasco of the Commonwealth Games behind us, we'd lost belief in our ability to pull off an event of this magnitude and sophistication. But we raced to victory with this one!

The world's not coming to an end next year, or indeed in a zillion years, so have yourselves a Happy New Year, and spread the cheer!

Celebrate New Year's Eve with Salman-Priyanka-Jacqueline

Sunday night will see the entire entertainment industry making a beeline to Bhavan's College grounds, to usher the first award for the season with the BIG STAR ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS. A presentation from the Reliance Broadcast Network stable in association with Star India, the awards are back with its 2nd leg, after its first super-success last year and this year only promises to be grander, with high octane performances by the biggies from the industry!

The show, scheduled to air on Star Plus on New Year's Eve will recognize India's best talent from the entertainment industry across Bollywood, Television, Sports, Music and Dance. The evening will see Shreyas Talpade let loose his charm and sense of humor and rock the evening with his super comic sense, and keeping him company, debuting as a show host - will be none other than Irrfaan Khan with his trade-mark straight faced comedy.

The performances lined up for the show will ensure that the celebration this year is an absolute entertainment package. Audiences can expect to see some super hip hop performances from the Fictious Group who created a stir with their electrifying performances on several reality shows. Television's most loved stars ranging Sanjeeda Sheikh, Shweta Tiwari, Ragini Khanna and Manish Paul amongst others will also be seen shaking their booty.

The 'Dabangg Bodyguard' - Salman Khan will groove to the tunes of some of his hits in his impeccable style, ensuring audiences are left wide mouthed! Another sizzling act will be by sex siren and diva Priyanka Chopra who will most certainly mesmerize audiences with an engaging performance. Adding to the glamour quotient will be Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez with a scintillating performance.

The award this year also sees the introduction of a new social category - male, female and film - which will honor entertainers, who have ensured entertainment, is served with a message. Contending for this slot will be none other than Amitabh Bachchan for AARAKSHAN, Rani Mukherjee for NO ONE KILLED JESSICA, Nandita Das for I AM.

The evening promises to be full of glitz and glamour as the entertainers entertain and get entertained, ensuring India brings in the New Year with panache!