Ghayal Once Again: A nostalgia trip gone awry

Saibal Chatterjee, February 5, 2016, PTI

Director: Sunny Deol
Cast: Sunny Deol, Soha Ali Khan, Om Puri, Aanchal Munjal, Narendra Jha, Tisca Chopra, Nadira Babbar, Ramesh Deo
The frenzied thrusts and parries of Sunny Deol's Ghayal Once Again, a vengeance drama constructed as a hackneyed tale of an anti-corruption crusader, reeks of the past. That isn't surprising. This film is after all a follow-up to a super hit of a quarter century ago.

It isn't just the lead actor's two-and-a-half kilogram fist that has long outlived its utility. The film's overly anachronistic feel is also accentuated by plot elements that simply do not belong in contemporary times.

While the corrupt politics-big industry nexus is still very much a live issue, it cannot be denied that large swathes of this youth-dominated nation has broken away from the moral shibboleths that 1980s Hindi cinema peddled.

A young female journalist in Ghayal Once Again kills herself after she is sexually assaulted by her boss. Didn’t anybody tell the girl that a rape victim has the right to live like anyone else and fight to bring the perpetrator to justice?

That necessary reality completely eludes Ghayal Once Again, produced, written and directed by Deol himself. He seems to be out of touch with the times.

The once-popular star, in the guise of a fearless editor battling crime and subterfuge, goes hammer and tongs at an evil business empire presided over by a man who will leave no stone unturned to shield his murderous son.

In Ghayal Once Again, taking off from where he left in Ghayal, boxer-turned-crusader Ajay Mehra comes to the aid of a quartet of youngsters who stumble upon a cold-blooded homicide committed by the industrialist's son.

The business tycoon, on his part, unleashes the might of the entire Mumbai law and order machinery in a bid to intimidate Ajay and his supporters into submission.

The male protagonist has his own neurological disorder to reckon with – he faces blackouts when assailed by memories of his dark and tragic past alluded to in the early portions of the film through the means of black and white flashes of scenes from 1990's Ghayal.

The hero's shrink (played by Soha Ali Khan) stands by him and gives him timely anti-depressants to ensure that he remains fighting fit.

The plot does not throw up any major surprises barring one relating to Ajay and the daughter that he has given up for dead.

As a result, Ghayal Once Again is a rather dreary film that despite some high-octane action scenes orchestrated by a Hollywood stunt coordinator does not deliver too many blows that could be regarded as effective.

With Sunny Deol given full play by the screenplay, the character actors in the film, Sachin Khedekar, Tisca Chopra, Nadira Babbar, Ramesh Deo and Om Puri among them, have little scope to make their presence felt.

As for the actors essaying the roles of the four youngsters on whose behalf the male protagonist takes up cudgels, they are no more than components of the backdrop and come to the fore all too rarely.

Ghayal Once Again, trapped in a time warp, is only for nostalgia freaks who are willing to risk having their brains addled by a cinematic concoction that has absolutely nothing new to offer.

Sanjay Dutt's son to appear in remix of Raj Kapoor's song

Mumbai, Feb 5, 2016, (PTI)

Actor Sanjay Dutt's son Shahraan will make his movie debut in his father's home production "Hasmukh Pighal Gaya", by featuring in the remix version of an old classic song from Raj Kapoor's film.

"He (Shahraan) is playing a cameo in the remix version of the song 'Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe...'. This is the first time he will be seen in the film. He was good in front of the camera," sources said.
"He was three years old when he shot the song. He is there in the opening," they said.

The song "Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe..." features in the beginning as well as at the end of the film.
"We have bought the rights of Raj Kapoor's popular song. The track is there in the beginning and in the end. The beginning is picturised on the leading hero Armaan and in the end Mr Amitabh Bachchan would make an appearance," sources said.

"Hasmukh Pighal Gaya" offers a quirky take on what happens on the day of extreme heat in the city of Mumbai.

The release date of the romantic-comedy film has not been decided yet.
"Post production work is left a bit. We have not fixed any release date yet. The producers will talk about the release date. Hopefully, when he (Dutt) comes out then things will get pushed," sources said.

Dutt is presently lodged at Pune's Yerawada jail while serving his sentence in the 1993 serial blasts case. He is likely to be released later this month

Directed by Sejal Shah, the film features Dutt's niece Nazia Hussain and legendary filmmaker O P Ralhan's grandson Armaan in the lead. 

Vin Diesel shares Deepika Padukone's first look from 'xXx3'

Los Angeles, Feb 5, 2016, (PTI)

Action star Vin Diesel shared the first picture of him and Deepika Padukone shooting for their much awaited film "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage".

Diesel, 48, took to Instagram to share Deepika's look in the movie.

"First day of filming... Xander and Serena... P.s. 17 million beautiful souls. Thanks for the love," he captioned the picture, in which he is seen wrapping his tattooed arms around the Bollywood actress.

Director of the film DJ Caruso also posted a picture of 30-year-old "Bajirao Mastani" actress, calling the shot "stunning".

"#academyaward winner #Russellcarpenter sets his 1st shot with @deepikapadukone. #xandercagereturns #xxx3  stunning ," he tweeted.

In the third installment of the film, Diesel is back as Cage who returns to the National Security Agency after an eight-year absence. The film also stars Nina Dobrev, Samuel L Jackson, Ruby Rose, Jet Li, and Tony Jaa. It will release in 2017.

'Raees' shooting not disrupted: Ritesh Sidhwani

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016, PTI:

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani today said the shooting of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Raees" is progressing smoothly in Bhuj even as Vishwa Hindu Parishad members threatened to disrupt it.

The VHP yesterday protested against the shooting of the movie in the district. Sidhwani took to Twitter to clarify that the film has received cooperation from government and police force.
"No disruption on Raees set in Bhuj shooting on schedule with full cooperation from government & police force...," he tweeted.

Around 20-30 VHP activists had handed over a memorandum to district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film.

They protested outside the district Collectors office pressing for the same demand. They shouted slogans against Shah Rukh and also burnt and tore his posters.

Wasn't happy initially with 'Aaj Phir Jeene Ki': Mangeshkar

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016, PTI:

It was not SD Burman's tune but Waheeda Rehman's performance which made Lata Mangeshkar like the song "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai" from romantic classic "Guide", the melody queen has revealed.

The song, featuring Rehman and Dev Anand, is counted as one of Mangeshkar and the actress' best songs. The singer made the confession while wishing Rehman a happy 78th birthday last evening.

"Greetings. It is Waheeda Rehman ji's birthday today. All my best wishes for her. Today, I want to tell you all something related to her.

"When Burman dada (SD Burman) made us listen to this popular song in 'Guide', 'Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai', Dev Aanand sahab did not like the tune at all and even I was not very happy with it, but director Vijay Anand ji's work and Waheeda ji's beautiful acting forced us to change our opinion," Mangeshkar tweeted.

When Irrfan rejected Steven Spielberg film

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016 (PTI)

Irrfan Khan, one of the most sought after Indian actors in the west, has revealed he turned down Oscar-winning Steven Spielberg's project with Scarlett Johansson as he did not feel the character offered him "much scope."

Irrfan's small but shining Hollywood filmography includes films like "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" and "Jurassic World" and the 49-year-old actor will be next seen with Tom Hanks in "Inferno".

"I didn't feel the character offered to me gave me much scope. So I said 'No'; though Scarlett Johansson is an actor I would have loved to share screen space with," Irrfan said in an interview to NDTV.

Director Ron Howard's "Inferno" is an adaptation of  2013 mystery thriller novel by American author Dan Brown.

The film is the sequel to "Angels & Demons", and stars Hanks, reprising his role as Robert Langdon, along with Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Foster. 

Mahesh Bhatt praises 'Aligarh', calls Hansal Mehta brave

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016, PTI:

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has praised Hansal's Mehta upcoming real-life inspired drama "Aligarh" and called it a brave film.

The film, starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao in the lead roles, is based on the life of Aligarh Muslim University professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended because of his sexual orientation. He was later found dead in his room.

"'Aligarh': A brave film by a brave filmmaker! An outstanding starcast," Bhatt, 67, wrote and retweeted Mehta's post which announced that film's trailer has crossed 1.75 million views on Youtube.

The "Saaransh" director earlier presented Mehta's film "CityLights".

"Aligarh" will hit theatres on February 26.

Want everything to go well for Katrina: Tabu

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016, (PTI)

Bollywood actress Tabu says she always wants everything to go well with Katrina Kaif as she is one of the most hardworking actors she has ever met.

Tabu, who will be seen working with Kaif in "Fitoor", feels the effort the "Phantom" star puts in her performance is endearing.

"I am very fond of her. She is one of the best that people I've worked with. Though we have worked only for three days with each other, we had very few scenes together, but I have fond memories of those days," Tabu told PTI.

"I always have this feeling of wanting everything to go well for her. I think she is one of the most hardworking actors I've known. The kind of involvement, attention, time and effort she puts into her work is really admirable and endearing. She's had a long journey in Bollywood," she added.

Tabu will be seen in director Abhishek Kapoor's romantic-drama "Fitoor" based on Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations".

The actress plays the role of Miss Havisham as Begum Hazrat in the film. Tabu says the character is still the same with an added emotional layer by Kapoor.

"She has a very heavy aura around her. She is living in her own world. She has no sense of time, stuck in a time warp, that's why you see her dressed her like that. Almost in a costume, in a house which exists somewhere in the no man's land, cut away from the world. She does not want to interact with anybody."

Tabu, however, never felt the role was demanding as she had a good equation with the director which helped her performance.

"The entire experience was so short. Because I wasn't there from the start, I came at the end. It didn't feel difficult or heavy. I've known Abhishek for a long time. I don't know how it would've turned out if we didn't know each other."

Tabu replaced veteran actress Rekha who was initially playing the role. The "Haider" actress said she did not have much time to prepare for the role.

"We didn't have time. There was a set standing, I knew the role, the character, Abhishek had spoken to me about it... He sent me the script. I had two days to do all the work...

"We were fighting, discussing, I was colouring my hair with the right shade of red, trying costume. We had to do everything in two days and be ready."
"Fitoor" is scheduled to release on February 12.

It is a possibility: SS Rajamouli on working with Karan Johar

Mumbai, Feb 4, 2016, (PTI)

South filmmaker SS Rajamouli says he is getting a lot of offers from Bollywood post his blockbuster "Baahubali: The Beginning" and feels there is a possibility he might team up with Karan Johar for a movie.
"Baahubali: The Beginning" starred Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah and Anushka Shetty in lead roles. The Hindi dubbed version of the Tamil-Telugu historical-fiction drama was presented by Johar.

Rajamouli, currently working on the second instalment of the film, says he cannot take any offer unless the project is complete.

"Yes I am getting a lot of film offers from Bollywood but all of them know I won't be available until Baahubali is complete. I cannot consider any offer as of now. But I would love to direct a Bollywood film someday," Rajamouli told PTI.

When asked if he will direct a film for Johar's Dharma Productions, he said, "It is a possibility, right. You never know."

There were reports that the second instalment, "Baahubali: The Conclusion", was getting delayed. The director, however, says the film is on track.

"It's not a 'sequel' sequel, its a continuation story. It's on track. We have already started shooting, and have finished two schedules. The last schedule we finished ahead of time, something which never happened before. We are very good with it."
Rajamouli plans to come up with a third part of the film and make "Baahubali" a franchise.

"Yes there will be a continuation in the third instalment... There is a big story of Baahubali so it will continue. It is a big franchise and will be there for a long time."
When asked if there are more films lined up in the franchise, why is the upcoming part titled "The Conclusion", the director said, "It is the conclusion of the story what we have started. Only that concludes. The world of Baahubali will continue."

"Baahubali: The Beginning" became one of the biggest blockbusters last year, sweeping not only the domestic box office but also overseas market. 

Rajamouli says he wanted the film to be huge but did not expect such an overwhelming response by the audience.

"Unless we hope that it becomes so big we won't be reaching anywhere. We wanted it to be big, imagined it to be huge. Only thing we didn't imagine is the kind of response that we received so fast. We thought it will slowly grow on people and other states, it will expand but it exploded like a bomb."

Though he is riding on huge expectations for the upcoming instalment, Rajamouli is unfazed by the pressure.

"No there is no pressure. I don't take the appreciation of my past work too much in my heart. The past work is done, all the good and bad is over. I never let it weigh on my next project.

"But I know there is a lot of expectation... I keep that in the back of my mind. I'll not let it affect my work."

Uncomfortable with cliche depiction of gay men in films: Rao

New Delhi, Feb 3 , 2016, PTI:

Actor Rajkummar Rao says he is proud to be a part of "Aligarh" as he feels the movie doesn't take the conventional route of depicting gay characters on screen.

"Aligarh", also starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, is based on the life of Aligarh Muslim University professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended because of his sexual orientation. He was later found dead in his room.

Rajkummar said it is high time the cliched representation of gay characters is done away with. "I am uncomfortable with how gay people are shown in comedies and films... I don't agree with it. I anyway have a problem with anything that is caricaturist or over-the-top in nature. 'Aligarh' is an important film because it shows these people like anyone else," Rajkummar told PTI in an interview.

The actor said there was not an iota of apprehension in him to come on board for the Hansal Mehta-directed drama as he fell in love with the script. "A good script is rare to come by. 80 per cent of what we get is plain boring or conventional. 'Aligarh' is one of the most beautifully written scripts ever. I can't say no to a story like this nor can I do anything (bad) to my craft.

"I knew we were making something very important. This would make people talk about the issue. As an artiste there was no hesitancy on my part. We wanted to tell this story with full conviction."

Rajkummar's character is inspired by journalist Deepu Sebastian, who covered stories related to Siras. The actor said though he could not meet Sebastian during the film's shooting, he got to speak to the journalist over phone which helped him pick little nuances of the South Indian man, from his accent to his commitment to work.

"My character is based on this guy called Deepu Sebastian. I spoke to him a number of times, tried to figure out his way of working. He was very open about everything, supportive and was all for the cause and the movie.

"He shared many recorded interviews with me which helped me pick his accent. I got a commitment and energy from him that I tried putting in my character. I could not meet him at that time though." 

The actor said they finally met after the film's screening and Rajkummar was glad that Sebastian loved the film and his performance, even though a lot in the movie was fictionalised.

"I met him after the first screening and the first thing he told me was 'I never kissed my editor!' I told him, 'It is okay no one will judge you on that'. "He is a very sweet boy, he was very happy seeing the film. He liked my performance too.

He was close to professor Siras, though he never met him personally. In the film, we have fictionalised this part."

Talking about sharing screen space with Manoj for the fist time, the young star said, "Working with him was wonderful. Acting is about reacting to the other person. Manoj sir creates such magical moments on screen that it feels amazing working alongside him."

This is Rajkummar's third collaboration with Hansal after "Shahid" and "CityLights" and the actor admits he takes it as a huge responsibility to deliver his best.

"We just connect. It has happened to a lot of director- actor pairs like Hrishikesh Mukherjee worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Amol Palekar a lot, Martin Scorsese worked with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio all his life... We also found our voice together. We understand each other really well and Hansal challenges me as an actor which is very good for me."

"Aligarh" is slated to hit theatres on February 26. 

Vin Diesel is a warm person: Deepika Padukone

New Delhi, Feb 3 , 2016, PTI:

Deepika Padukone is off to shoot her debut Hollywood outing "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage" and the actress says she is going to enjoy the experience of working with superstar Vin Diesel.
Deepika, 30, who recently met Diesel to discuss the film with him, said the "Fast & Furious" star is a generous person.

"I just happened to have four interactions with Vin Diesel. He is a warm person and very generous like the other co-stars I have worked with. I am hoping that it will be a fun experience. It's important to enjoy the experience and everything else will follow," she told reporters here on the sidelines of NDTV Indian of the Year award last evening.

Her "Bajirao Mastani" co-star Ranveer Singh and Irrfan Khan, who worked with Deepika in "Piku", wished the actress luck for her Hollywood film.

"We are really proud of you. Since you are leaving tonight to shoot your big Hollywood blockbuster, we wish you all the best. May you conquer the new venture and make us proud like the way you always have," Ranveer said.

Terming his experience of shooting with Deepika one of the best ones, Irrfan said, "You have every possible capability to conquer Hollywood with you looks and talent. I had one of the best experiences of shooting with you in 'Piku'. You just made the cranky role in Piku so endearing.."

Deepika, who is considered one of the highly paid actresses in the industry, said it's good that pay disparity in Bollywood is getting addressed now.

"Two years ago, pay disparity was something which needed to be addressed. Today, it has been addressed and we are definitely heading towards the right direction."

Asked whether she got the same pay as compared to Ranveer in their last outing "Bajirao Mastani", Deepika quipped, "May be not. I don't know."

Male stars should play second fiddle to actresses: Shabana

Mumbai, Feb 3, 2016, (PTI)

Known for her strong portrayal of women characters on screen, actress Shabana Azmi feels male stars in Bollywood should consider playing secondary character to actresses in movies.

Azmi said as many actresses are happy to be playing second fiddle to a hero, the same gesture should be reciprocated to make women-oriented cinema more viable.

"I think for women centred films to become even more viable, and be able to expand their budget, it's time the big male stars also once in a while work in a role that is secondary as compared to the girl. This is something we need to encourage," Azmi told PTI.

"Because so many girls, who are very important in their own right, are quite happy sometimes to also be playing second fiddle to the man, so why shouldn't that gesture be reciprocated. I think it'll lead to a healthy atmosphere."

The 65-year-old actress, who last year worked in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-starrer "Jazbaa" and will be next seen with Sonam Kapoor in "Neerja", believes actresses today are making brave choices in their roles.

"The girls are particularly making brave choices. It is absolutely wonderful. Look at what Vidya Balan, Deepika, Priyanka, Kangana, have done. Completely unconventional roles. They are willing to make the sacrifice that was required."

Azmi said women are "willing" to take a cut in their pay cheque too if required.
"Now what is happening is that when you work in a film which doesn't have a big mainstream hero then you have to have to take a cut in your pay cheque. And they're willing to do that. And that's very good," she said. 

On Bollywood's focus on box office numbers and constant buzz surrounding 'Rs 100 crore club', the "Masoom" actress says that chasing box-office figures can be pressurising for an actor but is something which can be controlled if the male star lowers his remuneration.

"Box office is definitely a pressure. But it is not artificial because it depends on the budget. Not all films need to make 100 crore for them to be successful. It really is in proportion to the budget of the film. If an actor is going to charge the moon then he better guarantee that he is going to return that money."

Citing an example of filmmaker actor Raj Kapoor, Azmi said an actor lowering his fees is in the best interest of the film.

"Look at directors like Raj Kapoor in the past. If they made a film which didn't meet the box office expectations then in the next film they took a huge cut from the distributor. Because you have to guard the health of your career, and industry," she said.

Commenting on the issue of pay inequality in the film industry, Azmi said it is the male star who brings in the money so they should also help actresses by working in women oriented cinema.

"Pay inequality is completely determined by the fact that it is the male actor who brings in the money. Plain and simple. And that's why I am saying once in a while they should give a lift to a woman centred film by agreeing to do it just the way the women do. That would be healthy."

Ranveer Singh makes Farooq Abdullah dance on stage

New Delhi, Feb 3, 2016,(PTI)

Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah broke into an impromptu gig with Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh on stage during an awards show.

As the song "Malhari" from the actor's latest film "Bajirao Mastani" was played, Ranveer, who was onstage to receive the Entertainer of the Year Award, started dancing, with Abdullah matching steps with the actor.

The 78-year-old politician said that he wanted to become an actor.
"If not a politician, I would have become an actor. And I love to do what they do and he (Ranveer) does. You were brilliant in 'Bajirao Mastani'. Congratulations and all the best," said Abdullah while presenting him the honour at the NDTV Indian of the Year award.

The "Ram Leela" star thanked the politician and jokingly added, "If you took to acting Mr Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan) would be in a problem."

To a question, Ranveer said he will never take part in a show like AIB Roast, which landed him in trouble last year.

"When you are so eager to entertain like I am, you get strange requests. So, I met a really wealthy man at a function recently. He said, 'beta, you are great. Next time in Dubai, you come to my house and I will call all my guests. I want you to do 'roast' over there.' I said you give me as many crores as you want, but I will not repeat the mistake," he said.

Asked if he regrets being a part of the infamous show, Ranveer said, "No. Our intentions were good. We did that for charity. We introduced a new form of comedy in the gambit of entertainment and some people didn't like it. So, it's alright."

First poster of 'Kapoor And Sons' out

Mumbai, Feb 3, 2016, (PTI)

Filmmaker Karan Johar has released the first poster of his upcoming production "Kapoor And Sons", which features Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan in a party mode.

"Here it is! #Kapoorandsonsfirstposter," Johar posted on Twitter alongside the poster.
Rishi Kapoor, who plays a 90-year-old grandfather in the film, is also part of the photo and the actor is unrecognisable in his old man avatar.

The lead stars of the romantic comedy are seen in a celebratory mood with Sidharth playing a bugle and Fawad holding a bunch of party balloons.

Alia looks cute in a black printed short dress in the poster and she also shared it online with her fans, writing, " Picture perfect Ahem!! #KapoorAndSonsFirstPoster."
Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah also feature in the poster.

"Kapoor And Sons" has been directed by Shakun Batra, who has earlier worked with Johar in "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu".

The trailer of "Kapoor And Sons" will be out on February 10 and the film will release on March 18.

Saina Nehwal wants Deepika for her biopic

New Delhi, Feb 3, 2016, (PTI)

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal wants actress Deepika Padukone to portray her in the upcoming biopic on herself.

Calling her a "good" badminton player, Saina said Deepika is apt and can do full justice to the character.

"Her father has been a badminton player and I have seen her playing badminton. She used to play really good. She can do justice to the role and I really wish she can do the role," Saina said during the NDTV Indian of the Year award.

Deepika, who was present at the ceremony, said she would love to play her onscreen.
"We have played together many a times and she was always way better than me. I think we had fun times together. Anything for the love of sport and especially for badminton," she said.

The actress, 30, who is all excited for her debut Hollywood project, left the country last night to shoot Vin Diesel-starrer "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage".

Filmmaker Amol Gupte is making the biopic on the celebrated Indian badminton player and the movie will trace the journey of the first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics. 

We should be free to express ourselves: Irrfan on intolerance

New Delhi, Feb 3, 2016, PTI:

Actor Irrfan Khan feels celebrities are also part of this country and they have every right to express their opinion on national issues.
Irrfan, the latest star to join the ongoing intolerance debate, said shutting up one's mouth is not a healthy sign for a growing society.

"I find it very strange when few people say that actors should act and they should not express their opinions on issues. Everybody has the right to speak their mind and concerns. If you are told to shut up then this is not a sign of a growing and healthy society," he said during the NDTV Indian of the Year Award here last night.

The 49-year-old "Life of Pi" star feels expressing opinion is an individual approach and it is fine if someone does not express his/her opinion. "That's an individual thing. Some people have an instinct of reacting on things while some people don't.

"When Ang Lee came here, he was asked about his country's politics. And he said we don't speak about politics. This issue (intolerance) has been in news. We should feel safe to say whatever we want to say. We should be free to express ourselves."

Irrfan, who has been a popular face outside Bolllywood thanks to his successful Hollywood outings including "Jurassic World", said Indian cinema should speak the language of global audience to reach the outer world.

"Indian films need to reach world audience. For that it needs to find a new language. It needs to find a new way of story telling. It is necessary to find the bigger audience. We cannot keep on making the similar kind of films every time. Audience's change in taste of cinema is bringing new actors at the forefront. And that's why we are here," he said.

The "Piku" star made a mark in the film industry with his unique roles - be it the rebel in "Paan Singh Tomar" or a middle class government employee in "The Lunchbox". Irrfan said he always opts for different role than his previous outing because he gets bored very quickly.

"Actually I get bored of things very easily. So, I can't repeat things. For me acting is a way of exploring things." 

Irrfan will be next seen in Hollywood film "Inferno" opposite Tom Hanks and Tigmanshu Dhuli's gangster drama "Yaara".

Mike Tyson wants to watch 'Saala Khadoos'

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2016, (PTI):

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has expressed his desire to watch R Madhavan's latest film "Saala Khadoos," co-produced by Rajkumar Hirani.
The professional boxer shared his desire to watch the film on his official Facebook page.
"I'd like to see this boxing film," Tyson, 49, wrote along with a news article on the film.
Lead actor Madhavan, who essays the role of a boxing coach in the film that released last week, thanked Tyson on Twitter.

"Mike Tyson thank you so very much sir. Arranging to send you the film," he tweeted.
"Saala Khadoos" has also been made in Tamil, titled "Irudhi Suttru". The movie revolves around a boxing coach, who finds a protege in girl and trains her.

The film directed by Sudha Kongara, also stars real life kick boxer Ritika Singh.

Will start working on my son's launch next: Sunny Deol

New Delhi, Feb 2, 2016 (PTI)

Sunny Deol, who is launching four new faces with his upcoming directorial venture "Ghayal Once Again", says he will launch his son Karan in his next movie.

The 58-year-old "Gadar" star will serve as the director for the project, which he will start working on after seeing the response on his current movie.

"After 'Ghayal Once Again' I will talk about my son's debut. That is the next thing I will be working on," Sunny said in a interview here.

The actor, whose film "Mohalla Assi" made headlines for the abuses in the trailer, said he does not understand why people go away from the very essence of the subject, just because it has cuss words in it.

"'Mohalla Assi' is a nice subject... One should try and understand deeper into it, which we never do. There are no abuses in the film which we have put forcefully. We lose the subject and go offtrack," he said.

Sunny has become very particular when it comes to choosing his films and the actor considers lack of exciting scripts responsible for his absence from the big screen.

"I am not getting any good scripts. I am eagerly waiting for something good to come my way. We are talking about 100 crores, 200 crores but nobody talks about people liked it or not. That is sad and I am not in favour of it," the "Yamla Pagla Deewana" actor said.

"I am keen to work with any director, who is not full of himself, but full of the subject," he added. After spending over three decades in Bollywood, Sunny has managed to keep a clean image and shares a good rapport with everyone. However, he says he does not share personal bond with any of the industry insiders.

"We are colleagues. We are not enemies. Enemies are those, who keep fighting till they kill each other. Friendship is always till school. That's the era of friendship, after that everything is professional."

Produced by Dharmendra, "Ghayal Once Again" also stars Om Puri, Soha Ali Khan an Tisca Chopra. The film will hit the screens this Friday. 

Censor board can be broad-minded: Shabana

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2016, (PTI);

National-award-winning actress Shabana Azmi says the censor board can work with a broader mindset provided the Cinematograph Act undergoes a revision.

Recently, trailer of filmmaker Hansal Mehta's upcoming drama "Aligarh" was given an 'A' certificate by the board as the movie dealt with homosexuality.

Azmi, who acted in Deepa Mehta's 1996 controversial film "Fire", about a lonely woman falling in love with her sister-in-law, feels the censor board should be called "modern film certification."

"They can be that (broad minded)... But the thing is they are bound by the Act, by whatever is the rule book. The rule book needs to be changed. And for that to happen, it needs an overhaul," Azmi told PTI.

"First you have to call it the modern film certification, you cannot call it the censor board. When you call it the censor board you feel inherently you have to censor. You are supposed to certify, classify. That is your business, not to censor," she added.

The 65-year-old "Arth" actress said as the censor board is chosen in affiliation to the current government, it cannot subject to the country's morality.

"We all know that the board is chosen because of its affiliation to the government in power. That means you are subjecting on country's morality... To the political dispensation of the day, which simply isn't acceptable. So this overhaul is necessary of the 1952 Cinematograph Act."

A new committee, headed by filmmaker Shyam Benegal, has been appointed by the government to look into the working of the board, which has been at he receiving end of criticism by filmmakers.

Azmi congratulated the government and said it is a "broad based" committee which is a "healthy" thing.

"I think it's a broad based committee. I would like to congratulate the government for not going with people in the committee who are only... You can't say that Shyam Benegal is a BJP supporter. So that's a good, healthy thing."

The veteran actress hopes the recommendations of the committee is taken up by the board to frame a relevant policy.

"I do hope they take into the consideration the recommendations (of new committee) and then come up with a policy which is more relevant in time."

Romantic films don't work for John Abraham

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2016, (PTI)

Actor John Abraham, known for his action-packed films like "Force", "Shootout At Wadala" and "Madras Cafe", feels romantic films are not his cup of tea.

"All my comedy and action films have been superhits. The only films that have not worked for me are romantic. Romance has to have edge like in "Jism", that kind of romance works," John told PTI in an interview here.

"But the conventional stuff is boring. The directors also know I don’t do conventional romantic films... It has to be different and edgy," he said.

There have been offers of romantic films but John doesn't see himself playing a romantic guy on screen. "If I was offered romantic film where the content was fantastic I would go for it. In that romantic space if I am asked to lose or gain weight I will do it. Because I am an actor first and I will mould myself and work accordingly,"  he added.

After "Rocky Handsome" releases in March, John has two other films - "Dishoom" and "Force 2" which are action-packed. "I think Action Abraham is switched on. I am in that zone. It is going to be hardcore. It is not the only zone that I will be doing. "Dishoom" has fair amount of comedy in it.. It has thriller element," the "Madras Cafe" actor said.
Also, he is doing "Hera Pheri 3".

"I love doing comedy films but my favourite genre…the space that I have to occupy is action-comedy. I love doing action-comedy films I am concentrating on that. They are lot of fun to do and watch," he said.

A lot of filmmakers would often come to him for action films but John makes sure one film is different from other.

"Fortunately for me all these three films – "Rocky Handsome", "Force 2" are very much different from each other," he adds.

The 43-year-old actor insists action will always been an essential part of most of his films.
"Action is always going to be part of my films as my physicality is such that. It is difficult to take action out of me or me out of the action," he said.

"If you ask me to do a dance number, I won't do it unless the film requires me to do. I will do it when there is a need to do it," he added. 

In India, idea of serial killers is misunderstood: Piyush Jha

New Delhi, Feb 2, 2016, (PTI)

Delving deep into the mind of a serial killer, writer and filmmaker Piyush Jha in his latest book has attempted to dispel the popular notion about serial killing prevalent in India.
His recently launched book titled, "Raakshas – India's Number 1 Serial Killer," (Westland) is a thrilling narrative of a serial killer's life and the challenging investigation to nab him."

Jha who believes that serial killers exist beyond the pages of fiction says, "I wanted to bring out the fact that in India the idea of serial killers is not understood properly. Not among the police, not among the people.

"Just yesterday I overheard a conversation where a policeman was dismissive about the existence of serial killers in India and suggested that such killers existed only in the western countries. I try to dispel the myth that serial killing does not happen here. It happens in India too," he says.

Jha who is best known for his critically acclaimed film, "Sikander" also has a handful of crime thrillers like "Mumbaistan," "Compass Box Killer" and "Anti-Social Network" to his credit.

According to the writer, people's idea of a serial killer here stems from the American films and television shows that they are exposed to, resulting in the genesis of absurd beliefs like killing could be 'cool.'

"In India, when people talk about serial killers they would think of American concepts like the Dexter or Charles Manson or Zodiac. As if there would be a moon pattern according to which someone would kill people! Through films and characters like Dexter, serial killers have been made into cult figures, they have been made 'cool.'

"But it India, it is altogether a different ball game. Serial killers are killing for money also. They are caused by deep psychological problems but financial reasons also play a part here or may be for survival," he says.

The author in his book does not idolise the killer but tries to find out the reasons that might have fostered the criminal streak in him, through the investigation carried out by his protagonist- a woman IPS officer.

"It is about a man who out of certain circumstances goes out killing people and after a point of time aspires to become India's number one serial killer. It's about the hunt to capture that man. How the police and especially a woman cop lay a trap to capture him and all the events that take place in due course," he says.

"The book is also about the psychological process and mental-health. In India, we don't really take mental health as an issue. If it happens with anyone here then it is seen as a stigma or a taboo that need not be talked about openly.

Jha, who has been a student of psychology says, "We do not talk about a mentally ill person; they are hidden in some back rooms of our homes. We do not like to tell people of them wondering they may think of it as our shortcoming just because we have a mentally ill person in our house."

When asked about the target readership, he says, "Besides the people who like this crime-thriller genre – I'm also looking to inform people who might not be reading crime fiction but might be informed about a phenomenon which exists in India. They will also be my readers. So it just broadens the base from crime-fiction lovers to people who want to be more informed about things that happen here."

The author-filmmaker says he has built upon reality. Although it's a fiction, but it is very close to reality, you can feel it happening because it is mired in reality.

Further, divulging about the book, Jha says "A young person has been affected in a particular way. He lives or pretends to live in a normal everyday world. But his mind is so deranged that he can pull that off. So my idea is to convey that it could be any normal guy like a delivery boy or anyone."

"It goes into the psyche. The story in itself gives you an idea that what could be done to prevent it. But it is not so explicit that I tell you that 'these are the solutions.' In the subtext you get the idea that why it happens," says Jha whose previous crime-fictions include "Mumbaistan," "Compass Box Killer" and "Anti-Social Network."

Regretting that most of the Indian writing in crime fiction is a rip-off of Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie, Jha also noted that the genre was misunderstood as only gang versus police fights.

"Crime fiction is being read more. But, what I see most of the writers do is ripping off say a Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie or similar stuff. The true Indian crime writing, in the Indian setting, home-grown is less, but I hope it will grow," he says.

"The whole idea of crime in India is the gangster(s) versus police or inter-gang rivalries. We don't have an understanding that it is not really about that. That is just a kind of crime. Crime fiction is what happens to real, honest, normal people in their daily life...people die. Like for example, the story on the Aarushi (Talwar) murder case - that is a true crime story. If I do a story similar to that it will be a crime fictional story," he adds.

Jha's new book is out in stores now while he has already started work on his next crime-fiction.  

Salman goes clean-shaven in new look of 'Sultan'

Mumbai, Feb 9, 2016 (PTI)

 Superstar Salman Khan has done away with the beard he was sporting for a while now for "Sultan" and the actor has shared an image of himself from the film's set, sporting a clean-shaven look.

With dust on his face and soil gripped in his fist, Salman looks raring to go in the new picture. The intensity and pain in his eyes are palpable.

The upcoming sports drama's official Twitter account yesterday posted another photo of Salman, dressed in white.

Looking fresh and chiselled, the 50-year-old star defies any possible sign of his age.
"Sultan's new look without the moustache will bring Valentine's Day early this year! #OnTheSets #SultanEid2016," the caption read.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film also stars Anushka Sharma and is produced by Yash Raj Films.

It is set to hit theatres this Eid, in a much-talked about box office clash with superstar Shah Rukh Khan-led "Raees".

Ranveer Singh makes Farooq Abdullah dance on stage

New Delhi, Feb 3, 2016,(PTI)

Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah broke into an impromptu gig with Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh on stage during an awards show.

As the song "Malhari" from the actor's latest film "Bajirao Mastani" was played, Ranveer, who was onstage to receive the Entertainer of the Year Award, started dancing, with Abdullah matching steps with the actor.

The 78-year-old politician said that he wanted to become an actor.
"If not a politician, I would have become an actor. And I love to do what they do and he (Ranveer) does. You were brilliant in 'Bajirao Mastani'. Congratulations and all the best," said Abdullah while presenting him the honour at the NDTV Indian of the Year award.

The "Ram Leela" star thanked the politician and jokingly added, "If you took to acting Mr Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan) would be in a problem."

To a question, Ranveer said he will never take part in a show like AIB Roast, which landed him in trouble last year.

"When you are so eager to entertain like I am, you get strange requests. So, I met a really wealthy man at a function recently. He said, 'beta, you are great. Next time in Dubai, you come to my house and I will call all my guests. I want you to do 'roast' over there.' I said you give me as many crores as you want, but I will not repeat the mistake," he said.

Asked if he regrets being a part of the infamous show, Ranveer said, "No. Our intentions were good. We did that for charity. We introduced a new form of comedy in the gambit of entertainment and some people didn't like it. So, it's alright."