Pitt, Jolie to film 'crazy sex scenes'

Hollywoods star couple stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are preparing to film some crazy sex scenes in their upcoming movie `By The Sea`.The couple, who got together after filming `Mr. and Mrs. Smith`, are currently preparing to start filming upcoming romantic drama in Malta, and an on-set source has revealed they are going to get very intimate in front of the cameras, reports usmagazine.com.

The new film, which is being written and directed by the 39-year-old bride-to-be, will see Pitt and Jolie act out some steamy scenes just a short walk from where their family is staying on the picturesque Mediterranean island.

The couple will be filming the scenes in Mgarr ix-Xini Bay in Gozo, which is around 50 miles south of the Italian island of Sicily, with the shoot set to last around 10 weeks.

It's thought that the secluded pebble beaches of the region and clear waters make it the ideal setting for underwater filming.

Movie Review: 'The November Man' an above average spy thriller

Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Mediha Musliovic, Olga Kurylenko;

Director: Roger Donaldson;

Rating: ***

Based on Bill Granger's novel, "There Are No Spies", director Roger Donaldson's "The November Man" is a well-made espionage thriller, which consists of every cliched tropes of the genre - The CIA Agents, Russian counterparts, assassins, victims, Russian roulette, car chases and shoot-outs.

In fact, it is a crime story sans any geopolitical threats, where the plot and premise are eerily similar to Rani Mukerji's last week released Hindi film "Mardaani".

The film opens in Montenegro in 2008, where an overzealous effort to thwart an assassination results in a child's death. The CIA agent, Peter Devereaux (Pierce Brosnan) reprimands his trainee, David Mason (Luke Bracey), for disobeying orders.

Five years later in Lassanne, Switzerland, Devereaux, who is now leading a quiet life, is lured out of his retirement for a mission of a personal nature. He is supposed to rescue Natalia (Mediha Musliovic), a woman he knows from a dangerous situation in Moscow.

During the rescue operation he ends up face to face with Mason after Natalia gets killed, only to realise that the plot is not as simple as it seems. It's more complicated and nefarious.

Taking the cue from Natalia's intelligence, he searches for a missing woman Mira Filipova, who is apparently aware of a secret that could spoil the chances of Arkady Federov (Lazar Ristovski), the high profile Russian presidential contender.

Soon Devereaux realises the base of the conspiracy involves war refugees sold into sex trafficking. His search leads him to social worker Alice Fournier (Olga Kurylenko) in Belgrade, Serbia who used to see the missing person.

Meanwhile, to prove a point to his superiors, Mason chases Devereaux. On the other hand, a Russian assassin Alexa (Amila Terzimehic) is trailing Alice.

While playing cat and mouse their paths cross at various junctions.

The salt-n-pepper Brosnan with his swagger and self-reliant demeanour is apt as Devereaux. He is fittingly described in the film as "male, old with the skills". He is competently supported by Bracey as Mason. Their mentor-protege bond lingers on the lines of a father-son connection.

Overall, the women are used as victims or scapegoats in the plot.

Kurylenko excels. She effectively portrays the pathos of her gruesome back-story where as Terzimehic as the flexible muscle-stretching assassin is intimidating, yet, comical in her demeanour.

The plot with a couple of loopholes is an entwined web that starts off on a complicated note. While jumping locations and with unclear motives of its characters, the story is confusing and difficult to follow initially. But by the second-half, the narration settles.

As the film nears end one wonders why the film is being called "The November Man" and then a hurriedly packed two-sentence explanation wraps that up too, ridiculously.

With high-octane action set pieces and fine production designs by Kevin Kavanaugh, cinematographer Romain Lacourbas' visuals are arresting.

In general, the film holds your attention to the last frame and is worth a watch this weekend.

Movie Review: 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' entertaining teen fare

Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Danny Woodburn, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek, Alan Ritchson;

Director: Jonathan Liebesman;

Rating: *** 1/2

Packed with roller-coaster action, set in New York City, this science-fiction-action-adventure film is a reboot of a Gen-Y franchise that began in 1984 as a comic series, which was later adapted into television shows, video games and films.

This is the fifth film in the series, which is a full recap of the turtles' original story and their epic conflict with the dastardly Foot Clan crime syndicate.

The narration begins with a prologue stating that darkness has settled over New York City as a criminal group called the Foot Clan headed by Shredder (Tohoru Masamune), a samurai, who dons a suit of armour, which basically turns him into Japanese Megatron, is terrorizing the city. And police can't do anything to prevent them.

The story follows April O'Neal, a budding journalist who wants to make a breakthrough with serious stories. Late one night, when she chances upon a group of mysterious vigilant crime fighters, who thrash the Foot Clan thugs, she thinks that this would be the story of her career.

Her colleagues think she is crazy, as she has no proof to substantiate her story.

When she further reveals to her boss Bernadette (Whoopi Goldberg) that the vigilantes have been leaving a mysterious Japanese symbol at the site of the purported crime, she is sacked from her job.

But April continues her investigation, which reveals that the vigilantes attacking the clan goons are a quartet of six-foot-tall, teenage mutated talking turtles with lethal ninja fighting skills. They are named after four Renaissance artists.

Leonardo (Pete Ploszek) in blue is the leader, Raphael (Alan Ritchson) in red is the beefy hothead, Michelangelo (Noel Fisher) in orange is the jovial, wisecracking flirt, and Donatello (Jeremy Howard) in purple is the tech geek.

Since nobody believes her, April turns to her father's ex-colleague and a wealthy industrialist Eric Sachs (William Fichtner) for help.

Meanwhile, the turtles living in the city's sewer system with the sagacious rat known as Splinter (Danny Woodburn), who has trained them in the skills of ninjutsu, making them martial arts experts, realise that it is April who is now in danger.

Soon they take April into confidence, but by then it is too late.

Massive noisy battles ensue. This followed by a chase that involves an 18-wheel trailer skidding over a snowy mountainous terrain.

The action is dramatic, complex and at the same time cartoonish. Humour comes in the form of heavily loaded pop-culture references. Kids would enjoy it.

The climax threat, which has been often seen on screen, lacks punch.

The performance of each actor is perfectly tuned to the character they portray. But unfortunately, the characters designed by scriptwriters Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Evan Daugherty are shallow and don't have any depth and dynamism.

Director Jonathan Liebesman is brilliant with the technical treatment. Though this is an original story, there are traces of producer Michael Bay's "Transformers" throughout the narrative.

The computer-generated images seamlessly merge with cinematographer Lula Carvalho's brilliantly shot visuals, which are competently put together by editors Glen Scantlebury and Joel Negron.

Overall, despite blatant product placements, the technically brilliant visuals and matching performances make the film worth a watch.

Damsel is Back: Aish all set to make a comeback?

We all know that Sanjay Gupta has castAishwaryaRaiBachchan in his action suspense thriller Jazbaa.

We have now exclusively learnt that the extremely talented Irrfan will be playing the lead with her in the film.

Also, we can tell you that Ashwarya will be playing a lawyer in the film and Irrfan, a suspended cop, who has problems with authority and in being disciplined, time that Aishwarya will be playing a lawyer and you would have to agree that it's Sanjay Gupta's Jazbaa that has brought these two great actors together in a film, reports Times of India.

Ranveer Singh to share profit in 'Bajirao Mastani,' no fees

Reliable sources say Eros Entertainment is keen to cut down production costs for big-budget projects by inviting the director and actors to share in the fees rather than take an upfront fee. However, this arrangement is not to the liking of all actors.

For Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani, Ranveer Singh has agreed to a price cut. But the two leading ladies Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone are getting their normal salaries.

Sanjay Leeela Bhanasali and his leading man Ranveer Singh have cut down their fees drastically for the director's ambitious historical Bajirao Mastani.

Confirming this, the spokesperson of Eros International says, `It's finally a 100-crore project because Sanjay Leela Bhansali has taken a complete pay cut and will participate in profit sharing. Eros followed a similar deal in Ram Leela too where the director didn't take a fee upfront and chose to take a share in the profits instead. Hence, Ram Leela's overall production-cost ended up being Rs 60 crores. And it grossed Rs. 200 crores and more worldwide.`

'Katiyabaaz' protagonist Loha Singh, feared landing in Jail

Loha Singh, whose life is the subject of a critically-acclaimed documentary on power-crisis in Kanpur, says he initially did not want to work in 'Katiyabaaz' as he thought he would end up in jail.

Recalling his first meeting with directors Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa, Singh said he thought they were media persons who had come to do a sting operation on him for his work as a 'Katiyabaaz' (electricity thief).

"When I saw them with cameras, I told myself that I will be jailed today because these people will film me and show the footage to the whole country. I was scared to meet them.

"Later they told me they wanted to make a movie with me and about my work so after some thought I came on board. My people too dissuaded me from doing the film as they thought it will bring nothing else but trouble," he told PTI.

Singh, however, is happy to have worked in the movie and has acquired the status of a celebrity among his friends, who were impressed to see his photographs on the posters.

"I went ahead with the film and did not listen to anyone and now after seeing my posters and hoardings everywhere they tell me 'please recommend us too for the next movie you sign' and I laugh. My family and friends are very happy and proud of me," Singh said.

The film came as the biggest surprise in Singh's life as he never thought he would become an actor, given the humble background he comes from.

"I could not believe that people wanted to work with me. I enjoy watching films but it is impossible to even imagine that a small man from Kanpur, who steals electricity will play the lead in a film but it happened.

"Initially, everything used to look alien to me. In fact, I used to finish my work and run back home but slowly we all became close and it started feeling nice," Singh said.

When asked how he prepared himself before facing the camera for the first time, Singh said he kept telling himself throughout the making of the film that he was handsome to avoid feeling nervous.

"I told myself that I looked handsome because otherwise I couldn't have concentrated on my performance. I just followed instructions of the directors and gave my best. I have never done anything like this before but I decided I will do it properly," said Singh, who is yet to watch

Abhishek Bachchan is butt of jokes on Twitter

On Friday when India was busy celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi with fervour, Twitteratis were having a field day by ridiculing actor Abhishek Bachchan on the social media platform. From criticising his acting skills to his flops, Abhishek Bachchan was slammed by Twitter users. And soon he started trending on Twitter. Let us have a look at some really funny jokes on the actor that became viral.

Disclaimer: These are meant for fun only and we request you not to be offended by them.

#Twitter CEO suicide after seeing Abhishek Bachchan trending.

Probably the first time that Abhishek Bachchan is trending without Aishwarya rai being the reason.

Some things never change in life...like Abhishek Bachchan is trending on Twitter, but he is last here also.

The actor, who is currently busy with Pro Kabaddi League matches as his team is participating in it, was slammed by Twitteratis for trending. Some jokes are:

If Abhishek Bachchan can trend anything can happen in this world.

Abhishek Bachchan is so out of work these days, Amazon could deliver their orders using Drona instead of drones.

Kidzania celebrates one year anniversary!

KidZania Mumbai an indoor edutainment theme park celebrated its first year anniversary with Chief Guest Dr. Jagdish Patil, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism and Guest of Honour, Shiamak Davar gracing the event.

The occasion, celebrating one year of fun, learning and freedom for all kids in Mumbai commenced with the winners of the KidZania Singing Stars captivating the audience with their singing followed by an enthralling LIVE performance by the troupe of Shiamak's Junior Dance Company!

Director and CEO, KidZania India, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar said; "We are delighted to have completed a year of this globally successful edutainment concept that empowers and inspires the future generations of India. In its first year of operations, KidZania Mumbai has had many milestones but most importantly brought a fresh outlook in the entertainment and experiential learning space.

The KidZania philosophy helps kids identify their true talents to create a better world for themselves as well as contribute to the broader community. We hope that the concept will definitely showcase a new way of education thereby motivating kids to be the global citizens they are capable of becoming. We thank all our collaborators and Industry Partners who believed in our vision and have supported us throughout."

Guru of Dance, Shiamak Davar said, " This is a great platform to educate children in a creative way. Coming from a family of educationists, I understand the importance of giving the right knowledge to your children. I have visited Kidzania in Dubai as well and I'm so glad that it is doing so well in India as well. Congratulations to the entire team on their one year anniversary."

'Mary Kom' is PC's guru dakshina on Teachers' Day

Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra hopes that her portrayal of M C Mary Kom in a biopic would prove to be a milestone in her film career.

Priyanka, 32, says the film, which is based on the life and struggles of the renowned boxer, is her token of love to Kom on Teacher's Day as the film is releasing on September 5.

"The portrayal of the character was very challenging and this film can prove to be the milestone in my career. Since the film is releasing on Teachers day and as Mary Kom has taught me the nuances of boxing, I am desiccating it to Mary Kom as my 'guru dakshina'," Priyanka said who was here to promote the film. The former Miss World however did not approve of the film being referred to as a women-centric movie.

"Instead of Mary Kom being treated as a gender centric film, it should be taken as a normal one", she said. On her preparations to play the Olympic bronze medal winner, Priyanka said that the training imparted to her to fit into the personality of a dedicated women like Kom was difficult.

"Mary Kom is a left hander but I use my right hand more... It was difficult to adopt her techniques in front of the camera", she said. Priyanka advocated making sports compulsory in schools, saying that it would help promote more players like Kom.

To a question on possibility of the film being made tax free, she said that she did not have information about it as of now but if such a thing happens it would be good.

Vishal Bhardwaj hopes to bring moving theatre to Kashmir of 'Haider'

Bollywood filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj hopes to bring a moving theatre to Kashmir for the screening of his upcoming release 'Haider'.

A request for special screenings of his adaptation of 'Hamlet' in the valley is now with the state's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the lead up to its global release on October 2. The film was shot in Kashmir. "We have sent a proposal to Mr Omar Abdullah because there are no working theatres in Kashmir and I really want Kashmiris to experience this film on a bigger screen," Bhardwaj told PTI during a visit to London this week.

"We are proposing a kind of moving theatre which can be set up in an outdoor location where Kashmiris can catch maybe one show a day once it's dark. I really hope the proposal gets accepted," added the writer-director-musician. 'Haider' was shot during 'chillai kalan' (40 coldest days in December and January in Kashmir) with many of the locals doubling up as part of the crew.

The film completes Bhardwaj's Shakespearean trilogy, following 'Maqbool' (2003), adapted from 'Macbeth', and 'Omkara' (2006) which was based on 'Othello'. "Hamlet is a very coveted part. It's a huge compliment just to be considered for it and very daunting to actually play it. You really do feel 'to be or not to be' as an actor towards the end of it," said Shahid Kapoor, who plays the lead role of 'Haider' based on Shakespeare's tragic Danish prince.

He had to undergo a major transformation for his part, including going bald and wearing lenses to have a lighter shade of eyes to fit into the milieu of Kashmir. "I am very comfortable in uncomfortable spaces as an actor.

My look is drastically different from anything I have done before but eventually it is the mental journey of the character that has to be interpreted besides the physical," he added. The actor has been reunited with Bhardwaj after their 2009 box-office hit 'Kaminey' and its sequel 'Maha Kaminey' is expected to follow 'Haider'.

RGV apologizes for his unwarranted tweet on Ganesh Chaturthi

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma on Friday apologized for his atheist tweet on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. "All tweets I put on Ganesha were in my usual manner but unintended by me to hurt anyone''s sentiments... but if they did I sincerely apologize," tweeted Verma.

The apology came after his earlier tweet on the microblogging site sparked a controversy and fueled criticism from across the nation demanding strict action against him.

Lawyer and political activist Shehzad Poonawalla even lodged a complaint against him to the Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The filmmaker had earlier tweeted, "The guy who couldn't save his own head from being cut, how he will save others heads is my question? But Happy Ganpathi day to morons!"

Lawyer and political activist Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday lodged a complaint against Ram Gopal Verma for his offensive tweet.

"It hurts everyone's sentiments, I have lodged a complaint against Ram Gopal Verma to the Delhi Police and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)," said Poonawalla. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rashid Alvi condemned the filmmaker's unwarranted tweet, and said that he has hurt the religious sentiments of many people with this statement. "Ram Gopal Verma's tweet is condemnable. This is a secular country and one should always respect others religious feelings.

He has hurt the religious sentiments of many people by giving this statement," Alvi said. Filmmaker Ashok Pandit also criticised Verma and said that the Maharashtra government should take strict action against him.

"An educated man, a great filmmaker like him is doing this, he is abusing and has chosen to write such statements on the day when everyone is celebrating the occasion. The entire nation knows about that he is an insensitive man. He went for a recee in Taj hotel for his film when the entire nation was mourning the death of people in 26/11 attacks," said Pandit in Mumbai.

The filmmaker has been highly criticised on the social media for his unwarranted tweet on the microblogging site on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Sushant Singh Rajput ready for 110-year leap in two films

For actor Sushant Singh Rajput, it is time for a leap of generations that could fracture any actor's performing abilities. But Sushant is all set to make a 110-year journey in the course of two films - "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy" and "Paani".

While in Dibakar Bannerjee's "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy", Sushant plays a detective in Kolkata in the 1940s, in Shekhar Kapur's "Paani", he is cast as a ghetto-boy from Mumbai in the year 2050.

The cultural and chronological leap is tremendous. And Sushant, who with just three films has prepared a roster of character-portraits rather than star-vehicles for his career, is revelling in every bit of the challenge.

"I'm ready to make a 110-year leap from my last film to the next. In '...Byomkesh...', though I had to go back in time to the 1940s, I had solid reference points. I watched a lot of films from that era. Then of course Dibakar was there to guide me.

"With 'Paani', there are no reference points. I've the freedom to interpret my character in any way I like. In the rehearsals and workshops, Shekhar Kapur has allowed me complete freedom to do what I like with the character. Such supreme freedom is also a kind of captivity, as you tend to go overboard. With Shekhar's help I am trying to make my character in 'Paani' believable," he said.

About his very unorthodox selection of roles - as an aspiring cricketer in his big screen debut in "Kai Po Che", a horny wastrel in "Shuddh Desi Romance", a 1940s' detective in "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy" and a ghetto-Romeo in futuristic Mumbai in "Paani", Sushant says the irregular is the regular for him.

"I don't think I'd be comfortable playing the typical loverboy romancing pretty girls in designer clothes. I'd die if I've to play stereotypical characters," he added.

Why Priyanka want to go bald?

Priyanka Chopra, who has managed to pull off different looks in her over decade-long movie career, has sported a bald look for her forthcoming film "Mary Kom". The actress, who didn't actually shave off her head, says she may considering going bald if an entire film requires her to do so.

For "Mary Kom", which releases Sep 5, the requirement was only for a scene.

"It was just about one scene in 'Mary Kom', so it was not required for me to go bald. Then who would have shot the rest of the film? But if a film requires for me to go bald entirely, maybe I will do it. But just for one or two scenes, I can't go bald," Priyanka said here.

"Mary Kom" is a biopic on boxing champion M.C. Mary Kom, who fought all odds to pursue her passion.

Talking about the film, which marks the directorial debut of Omung Kumar, Priyanka said: "When Omung came me to me with this film, I was quite sure I want to do it. I knew Omung for many years and besides this film was being made (co-produced) by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"There was a comfort zone and Omung and Sanjay gave me confidence. It's an incredible story," she said.

Sonali Cable launched its first song 'Ganu Rocks'

The makers of Sonali Cable launched their first song called 'Ganu Rocks' on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, to coincide it with the festival and welcome the Lord Ganesha, with their new foot-tapping number. The song is sung by Vishal Dadlani, featuring on Rhea Chakraborty, Ali Fazal and Raghav Juyal.

Sonali Cable, starring Rhea Chakraborty, Ali Fazal, Anupam Kher, Raghav Juyal, Swanand Kirkire and Smita Jaykar, written and directed by Charudutt Acharya, produced by Ramesh Sippy, Rohan Sippy, Roopa de Choudhury and Kamia Mulhotra under the banner of Ramesh Sippy Entertainment in association with BombayMania Production Pvt. Ltd. and is a PVR Pictures release.




The other credits on the film includes Cinematographer - Sudheer Palsane, Music - Mike Mcleary, Ankit Tiwari, Falak. Background score - Danny-John, Choreographer- Swarup and Himanshu, Editor - Arif Sheikh,Action Director - Amar Shetty, Production Designer - Saini Johray. The movie is slated to release on 10th October.

Mallika Sherawat discusses women's rights at UN

Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat highlighted the sufferings of women in India at the 65th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference, saying strong implementation of laws is required and men should be part of the solution to end discrimination against women.

"Every minute we do nothing, there is a woman suffering abuse in India. They do not have the luxury of time," Sherawat said here at a roundtable discussion on 'Fighting Inequalities Economic, Social, Political and Environmental' during the ongoing 65th UN DPI/NGO Conference.

The 39-year-old actress cited estimates by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that said a woman is raped somewhere in India every 20 minutes and that India has a very high incidence of child brides. She said "caste system, male-dominated patriarchal society and the insensitivity of the judicial system" contribute to a woman's plight in India and strong laws are required to deal with atrocities against women.

"Strong implementation of the legal framework, having a strong judicial system that deals with issues sensitive to women" is the need of the hour, she added. She said for India to realise its full potential, the women of the country have to be empowered and crucial problems of rape and child marriage have to be urgently addressed. "India cannot realise its full potential if women do not rise along.

Men have to part of the solution. We cannot leave men behind. Both men and women are in this together... This creates true empowerment when everyone gets an equal chance," she said.

The roundtable brought together civil society members from across the world who discussed how inequalities can be arrested and reversed through effective advocacy and just public policies.

In addition, the discussion examined the need for participatory and robust accountability frameworks, including disaggregated targets, in all global partnerships. The theme for this year's conference, a joint effort between the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Executive Committee of NGOs associated with DPI, is '2015 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda'.

Civil society talked about the future global development agenda that will point the way forward on a range of issues such as eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger and combating disease. The conference would focus on areas of poverty eradication, sustainability, climate justice, human rights and partnerships and accountability frameworks.

SLAM 2014: Get ready for the biggest Bollywood extravaganza

Indian cinema, popularly known around the world as Bollywood, has carved its niche because of its stories and music.

Bollywood, over the years, has not just entertained the Indian audiences but has also garnered a lot of love and support from the world audience.

Taking this thought forward, we bring to you the biggest Bollywood extravaganza of all times - SLAM THE TOUR (STT). SLAM, THE TOUR is coming to your city with the biggest Bollywood stars and a promise to entertain you like never before. So get ready to shake a leg with Farah Khan Kunder (Director/Actor), Deepika Padukone (Actor), Madhuri Dixit Nene (Actor), Malaika Arora Khan (Actor), Shah Rukh Khan (Actor/Producer), Abhishek Bachchan (Actor), Boman Irani (Actor), Sonu Sood (Actor), Vivaan Shah (Actor) and Kanika Kapoor (Singer).

"I am blessed to get a lot of love and support from people around the world. This is our way of giving this love back and thanking you all. I am super excited and looking forward to being in your city along with my colleagues Farah, Deepika, Madhuri, Malaika, Abhishek, Boman, Sonu, Vivaan and Kanika. We promise you an evening of love, laughter and entertainment.

So mark your calendar and be there at SLAM, THE TOUR," said SRK.

'Mary Kom' is tax free in Maharashtra

National Award winning actress Priyanka Chopra's much-awaited movie "Mary Kom", the story of a determined girl who makes it big in the world of boxing, has been declared tax free in Maharashtra a week before its scheduled release date.

"Yay! #MaryKom declared tax free in Maharashtra a week before release! Amazing!! #Sept5," Priyanka posted on Twitter.

The movie is a biopic on the five-time World Champion boxer M.C. Mary Kom. It is slated to release on Teacher's Day Sep 5.

Omung Kumar, who is making his directorial debut with the movie, confirmed the news to IANS via sms, while Ajit Andhare, chief operating officer of the film's co-producers Viacom18 Motion Pictures thanked the Maharashtra government for the support.



"'Mary Kom' celebrates a national hero, who as we speak is still competing to bring laurels to the country (she will be competing at the Asian Games). We are grateful to the government of Maharashtra for lending their support to the film," Andhare said.

"They also supported 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' and now this exemption right from release day will allow large segments of society to experience the spirit of magnificent Mary," he added.

No one else can play the role: Paresh Rawal on Modi biopic

Versatile actor Paresh Rawal, who will soon start shooting for a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says he is the right choice to play the role of the politician.

"I am confident about the film and no one else can play Narendra Modi other than me. He is in a different league altogether and I am more than excited to play the role. I am not allowed to talk much about the film but, yes, I will start shooting soon for this film," said Paresh.

Meanwhile, the actor was seen in "Raja Natwarlal". Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, the film, which also stars Emraan Hashmu and Humaima Mallick, among others, came out Friday.

Would like to do a show like Oprah Winfrey: Rani Mukerji

Actress Rani Mukerji says she would like to do a show like talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.

When asked if she would like to emulate her friend and co-star Aamir Khan and venture into TV, she said: "I hope that happens too. I am open to everything. I would like to do a show like Oprah Winfrey who tackles people from different walks of life. (When) different people will come and talk, that would make a good show."

The actress, who is flooded with compliments for her performance in "Mardaani", says the biggest compliment was for her action scenes, which looked real.

Directed by Pradeep Sarkar "Mardaani" features Rani as a police officer who is hell bent on eradicating child trafficking.

"The action part was challenging. People feel only actors can do action, but the compliments I have got for action from the youth has been the biggest compliment. It's coming from the boys, which is very heartening," she said.

Movie Review: 'Raja Natwarlal' is an engrossing con-saga

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Humaima Malick, Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon, Deepak Tijori

Direction: Kunal Deshmukh

Rating:**1/2 stars

After romancing cinematic sweethearts like crime-thrillers and romantic sagas this time Kunal Deshmukhs has returned to cine arena with a simple yet lovable con-saga thoroughly marinated in the zests of romance, sequential humor and mild thrill.

Certainly it's not for the first time that we have been exposed to jiggery pokery rhapsody by out Bollywooders. Even in the past, movies like "Ladies Vs RickyBahl", "Special Chabbis", "Oye Lucky Lucky Oye", "Bluffmaster", "Bunty Aur Babli" have made it to celluloid and have managed to secure a place for themselves in the good-books of the viewers. So keeping in view the success percentage of aforementioned movies up-till some extent one can conveniently say that if the man sitting behind the camera knows the art of churning various relevant condiments pertaining to this ilk of cine ballads, then there are enormous chances that one may end up getting a huge bunch of praises and accolades from the viewers and those scrutinizing the quality of the end product.

Anyhow as stated above that this is not for the first time that we are witnessing a cine yarn circumscribed around the core of skulduggery, but hitherto we have witnessed them in a different light where the main objective of the story teller had been to charm the viewers at the strength of induced humor. And in that matter "Raja Natwarlal" is thoroughly different from its predecessors.

As far as premise of "Raja Natwarlal" is concerned then it's the story of a flimflammer, Raja (Emraan Hashmi) who along with his swindler buddy Raghav (Deepak Tijori) con the people in order to survive in Mumbai. Despite being a crook Raja, who is in love with a bar dancer Zia (Humaima Malick), is no less than a Robinhood at heart who is always ready to help those in need at the drop of a hat. Everything remains fine for Raja and Raghav till the time Raja decides to go for a "Lamba Haath" after overhearing two men discussing a plan about making a big money. And in order to materialize his idea Raja teams up with Raghav and cons two men whose conversation Raja eavesdropped at a pub.

But alas! the duo end up being in trouble because the money which they looted belonged to a cricket obsessed, varlet mafioso Vardha Yadav (Kay Kay Menon) residing in Cape Town. Soon after getting the sniff of hoodlums who dared to rob his money, Vardha gets Raghav killed. After seeing his elder brother-like companion Raja decides to avenge Raghav's cold blooded murder and approaches Yogi (Paresh Rawal), a highly proficient swindler who has now relinquished the world of skulduggery and is now residing in Dharamshala. So does Raja succeeds in convincing Yogi to succor him in avenging his friends murder. To know watch this pleasing bilker cine saga "Raja Natwarlal".

Well be it Kunal's being in the robe of a writer or assistant director for his previous cine gems, whenever he has teamed up with Emraan most of the times he has succeeded in leaving a pleasing impact. And even in "Raja Natwarlala" camaraderie of Emraan and Kunal has once again thrived in appealing the masses.


If we talk about the story-line of "Raja Natwarlal" then there is no denying the fact that plot of the movie is pleasingly simple and intelligible. Sans any redundant embellishment or twist and turns Raja Natwarlal's plot remains engrossing especially in the first half. But just like any other cine cantata of Bollywood even story-line of "Raja Natwarlal" has it's own set of deficiencies. At times it looks a bit chunky due to high predictability coefficient and some of the missing links especially the ones which would have added more authenticity to the shift of the story from India to Cape Town and vice versa. But keeping in view the larger perspective one can't deny that it's the engrossing writing of Parveez Shaik because of which plot of "Raja Natwarlal" keeps viewers immersed in the onscreen proceedings. With just a few psyche-captivating rhetoric marbles, dialogues of Sanjay Masoom are strictly OK.

Screenplay of Raja Natwarlal is indubitably brilliant and gripping, particularly in the first half where you don't get even a single trice to take off your gaze from the celluloid. But after culminating the first half at a curiosity inducing juncture, flow of narration begins in dull mode in the second half with obtruded emotional melodrama poking in this otherwise smoothly proceeding cine narration. And the thing which further diminishes the over all brilliance of Raja Natwarlal's screenplay is that obtruded bunch of forgettable aural ditties, which come to the fore at regular intervals in order to inflate the run time of the movie. Editing of of Anand Subaya is brilliant in first half but losses it sharpness in the second. Cinematography is of Raaj Chakravarti is good and the man up-till great extent succeeds in performing what he is suppose to.


As far as music is concerned then unlike other Emraan Hashmi starrers this one thoroughly lacks those croon-worthy melodies. In-fact it won't be wrong to say that in music department "Raja Natwarlal" is thoroughly impoverished.

After "Ghanchakker" debacle this time Emraan has returned to the big screen with a heartening performance where he conveniently succeeds in making viewers go gaga over him. Newbie Humaima Malick doesn't have much screen presence and is only made to appear on the celluloid, whenever our male protagonists has a craving for romance or singing. If we talk about acting prowess of Humaima then she still needs to go a long way but in-spite of that she manages to convince the audience with her confidence. The two most versatile thespians accompanying Emraan i.e. Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon are in top form and as usual succeeds in delivering one of the finest performances of their lives.Especially if we talk about Paresh then the man looks simply brilliant and it's his onscreen camaraderie with Emraan which not only makes "Raja Natwarlal" a delightful watch but at the same time keeps some of the noticeable flaws overshadowed.Deepak Tijori in a cameo is just OK.


To sum up, probably "Raja Natwarlal" may not be one of the best jiggery pokery rhapsody of Indian cine history, but it certainly is an engrossing cine saga garnished with some brilliant performances of Emraan and Paresh and their radiant onscreen camaraderie. So in-spite of some flaws prevailing in it, I am going ahead with two and a half star out of five for this engrossing con-tale.