RGV in soup again??

Another Ram Gopal Varma film and yet another controversy. This time it's the theme song of Rann, Jana Gana Rann, that has hogged the limelight. RGV has used the Indian National Anthem (with additional lyrics) to project the theme of his film which in a way also highlights the state of present-day India where corrupt politics, communal violence etc. have become the order of the day. Definitely not an India our forefathers had dreamt of.

Going by the discussion boards in various news websites, the reaction toJana Gana Rann has been strongly negative. From what I have read, many are accusing RGV of insulting the National Anthem and some have even called him a desh-drohi. Now aren't those reactions too far-fetched? I am convinced that the song does not disgrace our National Anthem in any way, instead it simply instills a thought for a change, a change for a better India, and it does so by exposing the bitter truths. How does it then insult the idea of patriotism? I would have been absolutely against RGV if he had misused his freedom of expression but fortunately he is mature enough to respect it. All I would like to say is that let us not make a mountain of a molehill of every single matter. It is perfectly fine to voice an opinion but before doing so it is also important to understand the true intent behind the matter concerned. We have had too many good films in the past which were banned or which sank without a trace due to irrelevant public and political pressure. This is sad and in one way or the other it puts a big question mark on the freedom of artistic expression.

What RGV said, "I have not tinkered with the National Anthem. Tinkering would be if I would have shown it in bad light. I haven't done anything of this sort. Through this song, we are talking about the disputes in the country but there were no intentions to ridicule anything."

The song is well sung but the lyrics could have been better poetically.

Saif Is Now Agent Vinod.

Director Sriram Raghavan is all set to turn Saif Ali Khan's childhood dream to play a secret agent into reality with his espionage thriller Agent Vinod, being produced by the actor himself.

Apparently, Agent Vinod would be a full take on the James Bond-Tom Cruise genre of sensuous spying with Saif dressed in the best, wooing and bedding some of the most glamorous women in the industry.
Sriram Rhaghavan who in the past has given us gems like Ek Hasina Thi and Jhonny Gaddaar, with Saif who has often experimented with movies like "Being Cyrus"(though he is doing less of those kind of movies), its left to be seen what magic can these two create together. Wishing Saif and Sriram on their new ventures.....

Quentin Tarantino Back With "Inglorious Bastards"

For all you Quentin Tarantino fans, the latest from the master is the Brad Pitt starer "Inglorious Bastards" which also stars Mike Myers, Eli Roth and Natassia Kinski. The movie promises be a great watch for action buffs and is being made in English,German and French. The movie is extensively being shot in Germany and is slated to release next year....

To talk about the plot, it is set in the Nazi occupied France during the Second World War.It is the story about group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" who are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers....

In the past Tarantino has set high standards with movies like "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs"...... It is left to be seen as to how the audience react to his war drama which he describes it as "Once Upon A Time In Nazi Occupied France".

Singh Is Really Kinng!

Singh is Kinng definitely proves to be a king of the box office not only in India but various other countries abroad. The biggest hit this year has also made it to the glittering Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF 2008). It will be one of the eleven coveted movies to be screened at The Roy Thomson Hall on Sunday, 7th September, 2008.

So we are about to see Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Vipul Shah share the red carpet with the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Colin Farrell, David Schwimmer and Kate Beckinsale.

Rajiv Ghanghi Awards For Darsheel, Saif And Lara

Guess the jury of the Rajiv Gandhi Awards have vowed to surprise people every year. This time they surprised us even more.

They awarded Saif Ali Khan the Best Actor trophy for excellence in acting. Child prodigy Darsheel Safary got a trophy too while the most surprising award was - Best Actress Trophy for Lara Dutta.

Wonder why? Havent seen Lara Dutta do any remarkable stuff last year.. whatever happened to the likes of Konkana Sen, Rani Mukherjee, Nandita Das etc.

SRK and Madhavan Brothers

Shah Rukh Khan has previously worked with Madhavan in Saathiya, but this time they are going to be onscreen brothers in Shahrukh-Karan Johar next flick ‘My Name Is Khan’.

Apparently, it was Karan who approached Madhavan to star in his movie, as he was impressed with Madhavan’s recent performance in Guru.Madhavan found the opportunity to work with K-Jo hot and immediately signed the dotted line for the same.

The movie also stars Kajol as SRK’s wife and is rumored to have a guest appearance by newbie Imran Khan.

But do they actually look like brothers???

Vidya Takes A Break.

After the release of her latest film,Ksmat Konnection, actress Vidya Balan is believed to be taking it easy. The actress is believed to be on a vacation for the next couple of months.The vacation isn't planned but it is a vacation which has been forced on the actress. The actress's next two films, Chenab Gandhi and Pa, do not begin their shooting schedules till another two months. She also has a Vishal Bharadwaj film, which too will begin shooting around September. Besides these few assignments, Vidya hasn't signed any other project. So, till the shoot begins, she has no other option but to sit at home and chill. But she is believed to be putting her vacation to good use. Besides making burkha clad trips to cinema theatres to watch her won film, she is also sitting at home and reading scripts. The actress who is now nine films old in the industry, admits that she was quite nervous before the release of Kismat Konnection. It is for the first time that she rung up people asking them about how they liked the film. Maybe this anxiety has something to do with a certain Shahid Kapur. Incidentally, the director of the film, Aziz Mirza is least bothered by reports on the film, good or bad. He is currently chilling at his farmhouse.

RGV's "Phoonk" movie stills

Neil Nitin Mukesh in "Tera Kya Hoga Jhonny"

After debuting in a super thriller like "Jhonny Gadaar", NNM is done with the shoot of his second movie, "Tera Kya Hoga Jhonny".The movie is being directed by Sudir Mishra, the maker of critically acclaimed "Hazaaron Kwahishein Aisi", apart from Neil, the movie also stars Kay Kay Menon, Soha Ali Khan, Karan Nath amongst the lead, the movie also has two filmakers displaying their acting skills, filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Aditya Bhattacharya are playing a cameo in the movie.

The movie is about the city of Mumbai and a kid who sells coffee on the streets, in the director's words "It's set at a time when Mumbai wants to be Shanghai".The movie is produced by Pixion Film Company and is entirely shot in Mumbai. After the success of "Jhonny Gadaar", its left to be seen "Tera Kya Hoga Jhonny".

Bollywood Animated

The Indian animation industry is sure growing big, with the biggies like Rajnikanth and Yashraj venturing into it. The Yashraj in alliance with Walt Disney is almost done with its first animation "Roadside Romeo",the movie is slated to release this october. In the past movies like "The Hanuman", Anurag Kashyap's "The Return Of Hanuman" have opened to good box office collection there by hinting that the indian audience are ready for it.

Down South Rajnikanth's daughter, Soundarya is all ready with with her mega animation venture "Sultan -The Warrior", the movie is made over a budget of over 70 crores and Rajnikanth is lending his voice for the lead character.Govind Nihlani, the maker of movies like "Dev", "Thakshak" has also lined up 4 animated movies. Singeetam Srineevasa Rao, the maker of "Pushpak", has 3 animation movies under-production after his not so successful "Gatothkach".Karan Johar with SRK's "Red Chilli Production", is all set to make his animated version of "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" Many other studios like UTV Toons,Prime Focus, 2nz Animation are working on many 2D and 3D animations.

Rituparno Ghosh With His "Sunglass"

Rituparno Ghosh, popular Bengali writer and film maker is all set to make his bilingual venture (Hindi and Bengali) , "Sunglass".The movie is being produced "Planman Motion Pictures" has Jaya Bachchan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Madhavan, Raima Sen and Sanjay Suri amongst the cast.

The maker has also managed to rope in Naseeruddin Shah for a cameo, Rituparno is also planing a movie with a full-fleged role for Naseer next year. It is also believed that Naseer was more than happy to accept the role from Mr. Ghosh whom he regards to be one of India's most talented young filmmakers.
Konkana Sen has sung for a song in the movie for both, Hindi and Bengali versions."Raincoat" Rituparno's last hindi venture being not so successfull, it is to be seen how the audience react for this venture of his.....

Bono To Be Godfather To Brangelina' Twins

Rocker Bono is set to become the godfather to the new Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie twins. The Sunday Mirror reports that the U2 frontman will be godfather to the two children, Knox Leon and daughter Vivienne Marcheline, who were born in France earlier this month.

A source told the newspaper: "Brad and Angie think the world of Bono. They have been friends for years. Brad is a massive U2 fan and told Bono how much he admired him when they were introduced at a party a few years back.

"Since then, they’ve become very close, which Brad is thrilled about.
Angelina is inspired by Bono’s humanitarian work and gets on with his wife Ali Hewson." The source added.