BOLLYWOOD (Hindi)

[kannan]

BOI site updated and revamped

[kannan]

Shilpa Shetty reveals her fitness secrets






Shilpa Shetty, the actress who has always been termed 'the best bod in Bollywood', has now released a special edition of a DVD called 'Shilpa's Yoga' targeted at the European market. Here, she reveals her fitness secrets to create a lean and toned body while retaining all the feminine curves.

"Shilpa is the sexiest yogi the world has ever seen," quips her publicist. "In 'Shilpa's Yoga' she demonstrates simple techniques against the stunning coastal backdrop of Kerala. She explains how to transform mind, body and soul, with unique ways to build stamina and get revitalized, while discovering inner peace," he adds.





With careful and precise instructions, the DVD demonstrates specific sequences that enhance concentration, agility and flexibility. The workout aims not only to strengthen and tone, but also to heal. 'Shilpa's Yoga' is designed to help improve posture through a series of calming poses which focus on slow movement and breathing control.

It outlines various benefits of yoga, including stress and tension release, increased energy and vitality, weight loss, improved circulation and digestion, and comes with a free audio-CD of chill out ambient music to help unwind and relax after practicing the yoga techniques.

"Go for it. It might even improve your sex life," says Bhagwagar.

The DVD is released at an exciting time for Shilpa. Her perfume S2 continues to top the sales charts in Britain, while the tour of her musical 'Miss Bollywood' has met with stupendous success in 16 cities across Europe.

[kannan]

Irrfan Khan outperforms his Hollywood co-stars





Two months after the release of Irrfan Khan's latest international film Darjeeling Limited which was shot in India, the verdict is out. In a brief role, the fast-rising Indian actor has beaten his well-known co-stars namely Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody who play brothers.

While the reviews have largely panned the film and performances, Irrfan has been singled out for praise. Says the London Times reviewer, "There's only one performance that rings true in this shambolic odyssey. It's incidental and it's played by...Irrfan Khan." But the downsized part could be a downer for the actor's fans. The international audience which warmed up to Irrfan's scintillating performance in Mira Nair's The Namesake and Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart, are disappointed by the length of Irrfan's role in his new international film, the British director Wes Anderson's just released comedy Darjeeling Limited on brotherly bonding.

Believe it or faint, but Irrfan who now wants to do only centralized characters, has a walk-on part .How come? Irrfan currently shooting dangerous stunts for Neeraj Pandey's Black Or White, is unfazed. "Yes, the role in Darjeeling Limited is small. But it's a very decisive moment in the script and the critics have loved my work." In fact, the British critic James Christopher from The Times has singled out only Irrfan for praise in what he calls a dissapopinting comedy. "Yes, that felt good," Irrfan grins about the critical approval. "Even an actor of Bill Murray's stature has a walk-on part in Darjeeling Limited. So I see no reason for audiences or me to feel let down. I did it with my eyes open. I wanted to work with director Wes Anderson ever since I saw his earlier comedy Rushmore. And do you know? He wrote the role especially for me."

Irrfan sure has come a long way. "I don't know about that," he shrugs. "For me international recognition isn't a be-all. I'm currently shooting with Sunny Deol and it's a dream-come-true for me to be working with him."

[NICEMAN]

In Hazi Ali, it was like an instant connection" - Vidya Balan
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Thursday, January 10, 2008]


Leading lady of Halla Bol, Vidya Balan visited shrine of Hazi Ali for the first time during the shooting of song 'Piya Hazi' by Pakistani singer Amzad Farid Sabri.

As Vidya says, "I have lived in Mumbai for such a long time but it was the first time that I physically visited the dargaah. I knew that it has lot of power but the minute I set my foot there, I felt so much at peace with myself. It was like an instant connection. My faith increased tenfold."

This scene is an integral part and turning point of the film. Visiting the shrine works as a shot of adrenal for Ajay's character Samir Khan.

Halla Bol is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd. and directed/scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi. Halla Bol is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. Star cast includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

[~YuvRaj~]

BOI site updated and revamped

[Krrish]

Jodhaa Akbar audio release: A Grand Spectacle

“Jodhaa Akbar is finally releasing on September 15,” said director Ashutosh Gowariker at an opulent music launch of the film at a plush Mumbai hotel yesterday. “No…actually the release date as of now is February 15 and this time I’m serious,” Ashutosh corrected himself (with a chuckle) to a collective sigh from the gathered media and other dignitaries. Present at the rich-n-ostentatious occasion was of course the lead pair of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, producer Ronnie Screwvala, Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Akhtar, A R Rahman, Sonu Sood, Sonu Nigam, Madhushree, Jaaved Ali, Shatrughan Sinha, Akbar Khan, Sanjay Khan, Ila Arun, Zayed Khan and a host of other celebrities. The event was anchored by ravishing Anjana Sukhani and the music was launched by Maharani of Jaipur Rani Padmini, a direct descendant of Jodhaa Bai.

Flowing red curtains curled as if in a bun of hair, brilliantly scarlet ‘Paalki’ with coquettish secrecy, shimmering inside, authoritarian throne of the King of Kings, swords hanging the fate of destiny in balance and pristine music gently soothing the senses. The ambience was perfect for promoting a hugely mounted film which seems to be a labour of painstaking research, minute detailing and incalculable hard work. Maybe, a fitting tribute to Akbar, who in poet-lyricist-scriptwriter Javed Akhtar’s words, “is a symbol of Indian synthesis who was working towards a Secular society in India around 500 years ago.”

Alright, let’s bring you some more highlights from the evening and also a brief curtain raiser of what the music is all about. Apart from the usual thank-you’s (Ashutosh had a list as long as the duration of his films) and detailed-hugging-sessions, there are a couple of information-nuggets that you shall find very interesting. Ashutosh Gowariker disclosed that Amitabh Bachchan is doing a voice over in the film (Remember Big B’s evocative baritone set the tone-n-tenor in the eponymous Lagaan). Also, Shotgun Sinha’s lovely wife Poonam Sinha is making a comeback to films as she plays Akbar’s mother Hameeda Bano (she has acted in films like Jigri Dost and Sabak three decades ago).


The Audio Visual on the two big screens showcased the five songs from Jodhaa Akbar. ‘Kahne ko Jashn-e-bahaara hai, ishq ye dekh ke hairaan hai, Phool se khushbu khafa khafa hai gulshan mein, Chupa hai koi ranj fiza ki chilman mein,. Rookie singer Jaaved Ali will be a big name after this scintillatingly restrained number that teases-n-sprinkles romance in a careful-n-collected manner. Love notes on Aishwarya’s lips perfectly compliments the sincerity-soaked eyes of Hrithik Roshan. Stunningly shot, this one’s a breathtakingly beautiful aural-n-visual experience.

‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’ is a traditional sufi song sung by AR Rahman reeking of profuse spiritual connotations of love that knows no boundaries. ‘Mann Mohana’ is a bhajan attempting to bridge the gap between Hindi and Urdu or in other words a cross cultural union. Singer Bela Shinde will be much-in-demand for she has a unique sonorous quality something similar to singer Chitra (Kahna Hi Kya from Bombay besides many more). As soon as ‘Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein’ starts flowing one realizes there are good singers and then there’s Sonu Nigam. He takes Rahman’s superb melody to an even greater height due to that deep-sense-of-emotion that is required to be expressed. It seems Hrithik-Ash are meant to be lovers. For the world stops when the warm waves travel through thin air, setting the hearts on fire! Let the moments flow eternally…

Finally, the moment ‘Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah’ ends, there are dual emotions of a whistle-n-a-long-spell-of-clapping. Mammoth drum beats, bugles, huge choruses, a spectacular visual experience (colourful-human-circles making amazingly symmetrical patterns shot from the top) and the sheer sense of wonder: How did they manage to pull off such an epic song like this? Phew! A R Rahman, Javed Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker take a bow…

The Audio Release of Jodhaa Akbar was a carefully crafted and well managed event. One error on the part of the organizers that needs to be pointed is that they should have utilized the two giant screens for displaying the images of what-was-going-on at the stage. For the distance for the naked eye to decipher the proceedings was quite a bit. The good news for you guys is that in the next few days we shall treat you with long-n-detailed video interviews with Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowariker, A R Rahman and Javed Akhtar. For the time being, can someone play the lovely songs once again…

[Krrish]

Jodhaa Akbar Wallpapers

http://indiafm.com/movies/wallpapers/12618/index.html

[KarthikeyaN]

Finally, the moment ‘Azeem-o-Shaan Shahenshah’ ends, there are dual emotions of a whistle-n-a-long-spell-of-clapping. Mammoth drum beats, bugles, huge choruses, a spectacular visual experience (colourful-human-circles making amazingly symmetrical patterns shot from the top) and the sheer sense of wonder: How did they manage to pull off such an epic song like this? Phew! A R Rahman, Javed Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker take a bow…

[munshi02]

[KarthikeyaN]