Deepika and Mallya are a couple?

BOLLYWOOD beauty Deepika Padukone and young liquor baron Sidhartha Mallya are now a couple. Well, it’s not official as yet. 

 But, constant appearances in public together mean what apart from being grist for the rumour mills? 

 It began in April, when Deepika was spotted in Sidhartha’s VIP box during the IPL matches when his team was playing. She was like an additional brand ambassador despite the presence of Katrina Kaif. But professional arrangements apart, there was a personal attraction brewing too. Only Deepika appeared to be taking her time to commit. The 24-year-old actress, still smarting from her break up with Ranbir Kapoor, wasn’t keen to jump into another relationship. 

 But despite efforts by common friends to patch them up, Deepika and Ranbir never got together again. And all through her month-long Break Ke Baad schedule in June, the actress is said to have done some serious thinking. An insider said, “Deepika flew to London after her Mauritius schedule for the F1 races and that is the time when Sidhartha joined her there. And after that, these two have been a couple.” 

 Back in Mumbai, Deepika has made a couple of appearances with him giving out clear signals that she’s now in a good place emotionally. Her close friends are happy for her. As one of them put in, “For the first time in a year, Deepika’s smile has reached her eyes.” 

 Incidentally, her new friendship has two other Bollywood beauties eating their hearts out. For Sidhartha is not only young and good-looking, but also the heir to an empire. And he is not averse to being seen openly with Deepika. Unlike their own relationships with their actor-dates that continue to be cloak and dagger affairs.

Honour killings in Bollywood

Priyadarshan couldn’t have timed it better. His hard-hitting action thriller about love across caste barriers and honour killings based on a Times of India report, releases worldwide on October 1. 

 A year ago, when Priyan joined hands with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak (Omkara), the makers hadn’t envisaged that parts of India would be under siege of the khap panchayats. Big Screen Entertainer’s Aakrosh has Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna playing CBI officers - one on special deputation to the village and the other, the local officer. The other cast members are Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal, Reema Sen and Amita Pathak in a stellar role. 

 Another USP of the film is the music by the current Bollywood craze Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Mangat is very confident the film will hammer the right message as far as honour killings go. “This is a topic that has taken India by storm. Ours is a hard-hitting commercial film that is likely to drive home the message to the masses and the gentry,’’ he says. “Omkara got me awards. Aakrosh should get me awards and rewards.’’ 

 Ajay, whose equity is bullish after three hits - All the Best, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, feels the film will work. Says the actor, “Bollywood is going through an interesting and important phase. Today a filmmaker has the liberty to address a topical issue within the mainstream format, combining entertainment and a social message. I revel in roles that have a very life-like quality. Here the cops are not cardboard cut-outs but people you can identify with. Aakrosh is a racy thriller that keeps you on the edge.’’ 

 For Akshaye, his relationship with Priyan has a deep-rooted understanding. Says he, “I’ve probably the most number of films with Priyan. I’m well-versed with his style and his narrative. Aakrosh was a great experience. Ajay and I are coming together after our last successful outing Deewangee, so that’s another added incentive.’’ Bipasha says her role has very interesting shades. “You’ll get me as Seeta and Geeta,” she smiles. 

 The National Award-winner Priyadarshan, who has handled comedies and social dramas with equal ease, says Aakrosh will get him the accolades he got for Viraasat, Kala Paani, and his recent Kanjeevaram. “I’m sure it should also bring in the required box office numbers because I have been getting incessant messages after the theatrical trailer that played before Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai,” said the director.

SRK and Gauri appear in TV commercial for furniture brand

HE is known as King Khan, she is known for being a successful film producer and together this real life couple is now ready to create magic on screen. We're talking about Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan. The couple is all set feature in a TV commercial. 

 But this isn't the first time that the couple is coming together on screen to do an ad. Back in 1994, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan did a series of commercials for the then popular soap brand Cinthol. And this time, they are all set to promote the high end home furnishing brand D décor. Gauri has donned the cover of Vogue, while SRK has featured in endless commercials but together they will be back in TV commercial after a long gap. 

 Gauri apparently, has always been shy of too much publicity and King Khan himself is a bit nervous of this sort of union as he tweets, "am shooting an advert with Gauri for a fantastic furnishing brand called D decor, very nervous, hope it turns out well". Well, what are the chances of it going wrong when two figures of their stature come together?

Kajol’s extra special birthday

KAJOL celebrated Birthday on 5^th August.  

 “I’ve never asked God for anything,’’ says the feisty actress who is one of Bollywood’s shining lights.

 “I truly believe that God gives what he knows is best for you. So I usually just say a thank-you to Him for everything that he has already given me.’’ 

 She adds, “This birthday is extra special for me, my husband (Ajay Devgn) my daughter (Nysa), my mother, my sister and my parents-in-law are happy because I’m carrying my second child. And everyone around me is especially excited about the addition to the family.’’ 

 This year, Kajol is receiving a custom-made gift from her best friend, filmmaker Karan Johar. Dharma Productions in association with Sony Pictures India and UTV Motion Pictures are releasing their We Are Family on September 3, barely a month away from Kajol’s birthday. 

 “Listen, I love everyone at Dharma,’’ she says. “Karan especially. I know all their names and over the years, I think they have all come to like me too. They are my extended family. Working with Karan has always been a joyous occasion. Besides, Karan always brings some of the best scripts to me.’’She adds that she is very partial to Karan and in the case of We Are Family — to the young director Siddharth P Malhotra: “But, I wouldn’t do their films if I felt that the script isn’t spectacular. WAF is the one of the most balanced scripts that I have read. And if I didn’t feel that I could shine through, then I wouldn’t have accepted it no matter who the maker is.’’ 

 Recommending WAF to her audience, Kajol says, “The film has a lot of dynamics. There is an interesting tension in the various relationships that this family has. And it shows everyone in very human light. There are no saints and there are no villains. So you can identify with each and every screen character. WAF shows you why each of us is blessed to have and be part of a family. And the film also shows you how families can rally around you through good times and a crisis.’’

Rahman breaking barriers

For those in doubt of Oscar winner A R Rahman’s knowledge of Telugu, here’s a resounding reply from the man himself! 

 The composer’s latest tweet reads, ‘‘Nenu A R Rahman Matladtunnanu’’, perhaps keeping in mind the target audience for his latest Telugu album Puli. Despite going global in every sense of the word, the humble man has managed to stick to his roots, which was clearly evident when he used the now-famous Ellapughazhum Iraivanukke ... line when he received the Oscar awards. The ace composer has sung a number Maaralante... in Puli. ‘‘It’s my favourite song in the album,’’ says the composer in an interview on the music company’s official web page, ‘‘It’s about Gandhiji’s philosophy that if you do good to one person, you’re doing good to the whole world. It has verses from various ancient texts too.” 

GOPIO Talent Showcase 2010

By Divya Nair

GOPIO Inter-University Cultural Event, held on the 17th of July 2010, was, exactly as the name suggests, a showcase of on-stage cultural talent from the different Universities of Brisbane. The main participants, putting forward their best performers and their best efforts, were Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Queensland (UQ) and Griffith University. All participating universities had endured weeks of rehearsals, arrangements, arguments, exhaustive practices and finally the stage was set for the final showdown.

 The audience began trickling in at the set time and backstage, the participants were all geared-up to put on, what they hoped would be, the best show of their lives. The expectancy of a fun-filled night filled the air and, from the time spectators heard the first strains of music, that expectancy was met and held. The spectators watched with enjoyment as, one by one, the performers brought their own brand of magic to the stage. Be it dancing, singing or acting, it was all done with style and most importantly everyone on-stage and off it enjoyed every minute of the performances.

 pushing the eventful evening off to a start were the group doing the bhangra. with their rhythmic beats and traditional dance form, they kept the crowd watching in fascination as North India came to life in front of their eyes. then came the vocal styling's of Lakshmi and the music styling's of Parth, who together truly made magic through their music on stage that night and showed that language has barriers and not music by singing in 4 different languages. Ashutosh from the Brisbane Babas band sang a few Bollywood numbers as well and kept the crowd interested. Other vocalists included the MCs of the evening, who also put on a spectacular show for all gathered there that evening.

 On a different note, a patriotic dance by a group of school children  truly touched the part in everyone's heart where we harbor the love for our country. Also among the performers were a group of Australians, who really got down with it, moving to some hit Bollywood numbers, involving the crowd as they went. Last of all, to end the spectacular show that the evening had turned out to be, the group from Griffith put on a musical with a Bollywood twist to it. With all the melodrama, item numbers, comedy element and twists in the story it was a great way to end the evening of spectacles. The success of a show can be judged by how much fun, not only the spectators, but also the performers have and if this event were to be judged in those terms it's success was obvious from the smiles to be found everywhere at the conclusion of the night, further testimony, that this was a night that would remain in memories for a long time to come.

Aamir Khan at the Melbourne Premier of Peepli Live

FRIDAY 6^th of August was a very special day for many in Melbourne, actor director and producer Aamir khan was in Melbourne for the premier of his new production Peepli Live. He held a press conference in the morning at Sofitel Hotel in Collins Street.

He arrived at the press conference spot on time, to the delight of all the media present. He was very calm and he handled all the questions with flair. Together with him on the panel was director of MIFF Richard Moore and Mrs Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Director of Mind Blowing Films.

Aamir Khan in person seemed to be a lot younger than on screen.  When asked what was his secret for looking so young he replied that he maintains a strict diet and drinks a lot of water. He was first approached to the movie during the shooting of Mangal Pandey, where the story was narrated to him. He knew that many producers would not touch the script, which he said made it right up his alley. When asked why he always chose movies with a social message, he said that he was not a social activist.  He wanted the audience to appreciate and enjoy the movie, that is what I would go for in a movie he said, if the movie has a message for the community, that was even better.

The Regents theatre in Collins Street had people queuing up for last minute tickets.  After the news got out that Aamir Khan was actually in Melbourne, the demand for the tickets doubled. A red carpet reception was held at 6 pm for invited guests and sponsors, Aamir Khan mingled with the patrons and guest. His charming nature complimented with the nice smile of his won everyone.  After the red carpet cocktail reception he requested everyone to make way into the theatre, for the viewing. The general audience was then let in.

The audience would not stop cheering as he was announced on the stage.  He welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for coming. He said he was very happy to be in Melbourne and complimented Melbourne International Film Festival and Mind Blowing Films for organising the event. He said he would stay around till the end for questions and answers, and with a huge round of applause he left the stage for the movie to begin.

Peepli is a metaphor, a fictional place with startling realities. Five years after the fictional village was first christened Peepli in the script, as one travelled to search for locations, the name Peepli began to crop up in virtually every state of North India.

For 50 years the Indian media and the political establishment paid lip service to Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum, ‘true India lies in its village’, then all of a sudden villages seemed passé, over, a dead basket. The villages are still where over 60 percent of India lives. And they are not dead, not predestined to turn into shabby or overcrowded cities. India is vast, of course, and many countries rolled into one. But all those countries have villages that share similarities with each other. Everywhere they stand for backwardness, for poverty, for deprivation. One essential village can thus represent all of India. The search for a perfect Peepli landed us in Bhadwai, a small multi-ethnic village, near Bhopal in Central India. Set near ancient Buddhist temples and old tribal settlements, it proved a perfect setting for the film. Mud-built structures, ancient and improvised methods of farming and drawing water, and a rich cultural mix provided the film with a backdrop of simplicity, calmness and relaxed air. Set against this is the frenzy that drives the leaders of a global India, the plutocracy, the politicians, the media and urban civil society.

Peepli Live is a story of these two Indias, juxtaposed against each other. The film opens with a serene, languid pace seeming to take us back to Premchand, a scion and writer of rural India who died 60 years ago. It is not an India that contemporary Indian films like to explore, except as a backdrop for their songs. It is meant to lull you with its remoteness before its immediacy hits home. Peepli Live is thousands of such Peeplis brought alive, as well as the only way the media and the cities will perhaps ever see it. Life, with all its jealousies, ambitions, pains and joys, continues to thrive in Indian villages. The search for employment and livelihood must not turn them into ghosts. For India, indeed for humanity to survive sustainably, Peeplis must live, and live on.

The movie left everyone spell bound.  It was very well made and casted. To the huge cheer of the audience Aamir khan came back on stage for the questions and answers from the audience. Everyone complimented him on his excellent job, someone asked him, “how is your strong message going to get across to politicians in India” he replied that as of late many politicians were being made aware of the situations in rural India. Many teaching projects by non-profit organisations have began as well. When asked about Australian politics he said he was not in a position to comment on that as he was not following Australian Politics.

The movie is set to be released on 13 August.  It is a must see for everyone. I would give it a five star rating personally.