Hollywood actress Claudia Ciesla awarded the prestigious Karmaveer Puraskaar award for Social Involvement

 

 

 

 

 

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

 

Hollywood actress  (and Bollywood too) Claudia Ciesla was awarded the prestigious Karmaveer Puraskaar Award by iCongo  - for her involvement in social work on 26th November. iCongo is the confederation of NGOs and the apex body representing major NGOs in India and the Khemka Foundation with partners like TISS, BCCI, NASSCOM, etc.

 

Last year Kajol was the recipient of the same award and Claudia Ciesla joins the elite group of Bollywood personalities including Rahul Bose, to be recognised for their contribution to society and their efforts to “make a change”. The award was accepted on her behalf by her spokesperson and manager in India, Flynn Remedios as Claudia Ciesla is locked up in the Bigg Boss house – a very popular reality show on the GEC Colours.

 

Speaking to media immediately after the award ceremony at Delhi on Thursday, Claudia Ciesla’s manager Flynn Remedios thanked iCongo representatives Meenu Chopra and Jeroninio Almedia and Rajeev Sharma of Khushii for ensuring that Claudia Ciesla’s humanitarian work in India didn’t go unnoticed. “As a Bollywood actress, Claudia Ciesla is often in the news for her alleged linkups and hot photos. While linkups, red hot photos and other gossip are all part and parcel of Bollywood, Claudia Ciesla is a woman with a golden heart. She has been ceaselessly working for the poor and downtrodden in India for the last six months and has involved herself in fund raising, charity shows, resource mobilisation spending hours interacting with the under privileged, street children, orphans and destitute women. While it would incorrect to even try to compare Claudia Ciesla to Mother Teresa, in all humility I will venture to say that Claudia Ciesla is probably another Mother Teresa in the making,” said Flynn Remedios.

 

The Karmaveer Puraskaar, is iCONGO’s  National People’s Award for Social Justice and Action that honours concerned citizens who have been and led the change they wanted.  In the past, Ad guru and social activist Alyque Padamsee , Dr Leo Rebello,  Rahul Bose, Remo Fernandes, M S Swaminathan (Father of the Green Revolution in India) have been recipients of the Karmaveer Puraskaar.

 

Speaking about the award, Rajeev Sharma – Director  Resource Mobilisation, Khushii said, “Claudia  Ciesla has willingly supported the cause served by Khushii, especially its remedial education programme for the underprivileged children called “Shikshaantra” in many complementing ways, be it participating in a recent fashion charity event (fundraiser) with a complete waiver of fees to meeting and interacting with the less privileged children that study in the Shikshaantra schools at Sangam Vihar, New Delhi. Her compassion and humanitarianism shone through especially when she met and talked with the beneficiaries, forging a bond of mutual respect and affection.

 

Claudia has also offered to serve as an ambassador of KHUSHII and Europe and beyond, advocating the cause to a wider audience. Her commitment and passion for education and cause of the underprivileged goes beyond the lines caste, country and creed. I hope that as she becomes more successful in life her contribution to the social cause will enhance in the same proportion. And hence I believe that her winning this award will encourage others as well to come forward and contribute towards the betterment of the society.”

 

[Via http://futuristicmedianetwork.wordpress.com]

Mumbai, anniversario tra commozione e polemiche

La commozione, le emozioni ancora vivide legate al ricordo delle vittime della strage di Mumbai che esattamente un anno fa provoco’ la morte di oltre 170 persone, hanno oggi presto lasciato il posto alle polemiche e alle proteste. L’emozione scaturita dalla parata della polizia che ha aperto la giornata di manifestazioni, seguita da incontri di preghiera interconfessionali e ricordo dei caduti, ha lasciato il posto a numerose polemiche e proteste che hanno riguardato la gente comune, scesa in piazza per partecipare a questo giorno di commemorazioni, ma anche la classe politica. Molte delle famiglie delle vittime degli attentati dello scorso 26 novembre lamentano di non aver ancora ricevuto le somme stanziate a titolo di risarcimento dal Ministero dell’Interno. Secondo fonti ufficiali, dei 107 aventi diritto solo 50 sarebbero stati esaminati e avrebbero ottenuto quanto loro spettante.

Il Ministero dell’Interno indiano ha stanziato 3 lakh (circa seimila euro) di risarcimento per ciascuna delle famiglie delle vittime e 50000 rupie (circa mille euro) per ciascuno dei feriti.

E le questioni relative al risarcimento hanno scatenato le discussioni anche all’interno del parlamento, soprattutto tra il leader dell’opposizione, L K Advani, e il Ministro delle Finanze, Pranab Mukherjee arrivando alla rissa fra i parlamentari.

Advani ha accusato il governo di compiere ”passi lenti” nel dare sollievo e il giusto risarcimento alle famiglie delle vittime, provocando l’ira del Ministro delle Finanze che ha vigorosamente affermato che il partito de BJP (che sta all’opposizione in India) in questo modo strumentalizza la tragedia del 26 novembre scorso per fini politici.

Le manifestazioni di oggi sono state anche segnate dalle proteste per la scarsa sicurezza che avvertono i cittadini, oggi come l’anno scorso. Un ex ufficiale di polizia di Mumbai, Hasan Gafoor, in una intervista ad un settimanale indiano, ha detto che una intera sezione di agenti di polizia si rifiuto’ di recarsi sul luogo degli attentati. Sono poi ancora veementi le polemiche sui ritardi sia dell’intervento della polizia, ma soprattutto di quello delle teste di cuoio, arrivati con oltre 10 ore di ritardo. Molti indiani sono spaventati che un simile attacco possa nuovamente ripetersi in futuro, timore avvalorato da dichiarazioni dei vertici militari e della polizia. Il popolo di Mumbai, insieme anche a tanta altra gente giunta da ogni parte del paese, si e’ riunito dinanzi al Gate of India, il monumento simbolo della citta’ che si trova a pochi passi dall’Hotel Taj )e nei pressi del quale approdo’ il barchino dei dieci assalitori), pregando, piangendo e rendendo omaggio ai caduti. Ma tra loro anche la rabbia e’ apparsa palpabile. ”Vogliamo che Kasab sia impiccato” hanno urlato in molti, invocando cosi’ una punizione esemplare per l’unico terrorista pachistano catturato vivo, al momento sotto processo. ”Proteggono i ministri, i politici, ma alla nostra sicurezza chi ci pensa?” ha detto un altro cittadino. E ci sono state polemiche anche contro la polizia, i cui membri, secondo la popolazione, sono scarsamente addestrati e inidonei a gestire le emergenze. Polemiche anche contro la marcia organizzata dalla polizia, accusata di strumentalizzare l’anniversario per fare bella mostra del suo moderno armamentario. Il tutto, ottenuto grazie ad un nuovo stanziamento per la sicurezza annunciato dal ministro degli interni dello stato del Maharashtra, R.R. Patil. Lo stesso che era in carica durante gli attentati e che si dimise subito dopo, per poi riprendere la sua carica con la nuova amministrazione.

[Via http://indonapoletano.wordpress.com]

Gorgeous Girlie in Pondicherry!

Been to Pondicherry? (Pawn – the – sherrreee! as the French say it!) Then you need no introduction to colonial architecture, quaint streets and beautiful people. The peace, the restful ambiance, the calm that prevails all across the town is enough to stop the traffic of thoughts in your head. But what’s quite interesting is the shopping experience here! Yes the shopaholic that Iam, I had to discover my own stores and buy things for myself and others and know what’s good where et al. So here is my list! Now on something called the Suffren street is Cre’art (I have blogged about this one before and it turned out to better than I expected. Awesome stuff!) Nirvana and Fab India. Cre’art has three separate rooms and you can walk from one to another as you browse through everything from bags to belts, dresses to diaries, kiddie clothes to kool stationery, stoles and silk outfits. There is a lot kitschy stuff, boho outfits, tie-up kurtas, puff sleeved tops, knee-length kurtas that can double up as dresses and all this comes at an awesome price! The place also has a cafe and wi-fi so you can sit there and sip coffee and watch the brightly light and beautifully designed store. Nirvana next door is like the king of kitsch – bollywood and tollywood is all you find on everything from cushion covers to pouches, beads, tops, tees. I wasn’t quite pleased with the things here – well nothing very unique but worth a look nevertheless. The two treasures of Pondi shopping after Cre’art are 1- Casabalanca and Kalki – lucky for you they are both opposite to each other on one of the main shopping streets of Pondi. The former is a Hidesign boutique and has clothes, jewelery, bags, accessories for men and women. Lots of choice for women – I did manage to pick up a skirt and some nice chic jewelery to go with my outfits and even a couple of hair accessories. Kalki is more exotic in-terms of the stuff available. Here you find accessories that you will perhaps team up with a flowy gown you wear on a beach or a resort vacation – lots of paper, thread and cloth accessories – beautiful silk jackets, some bright chappals and lovely handbags to go with your attire! I came back with my handful and pockets empty and I cant wait to back there again! (I think I may have discovered my new shopping paradise! Yay!

[Via http://notjustjeans.wordpress.com]

शिल्पा-राज का रिसेप्शन

रविवार को किरण बावा के खंडाला स्थित बंगले में शानदार सेरेमनी में बॉलीवुड अभिनेत्री शिल्पा शेट्टी ने लंदन के बिजनेसमैन राज कुंद्रा के साथ ब्याह रचाया। शिल्पा ने मंगलवार को मुंबई के फाइव स्टार होटल में रिसेप्शन का अरेंजमेंट किया हैं। इसमें बॉलीवुड और क्रिकेट जगत की बडी हस्तियों के शिरकत करने की संभावना हैं। दो साल पहले यूके के रियलिटी शो बिग ब्रदर से अचानक सुर्खियों में आई शिल्पा ने अपनी शादी में मीडिया से दूरिया बनाई रखी थीं। बॉलीवुड से भी गिने-चुने लोगों को ही बुलाया गया था, जिनमें सनी देओल, सुनील शेट्टी, जैकी भगनानी और वाशु भगनानी को इनवाइट किया था। शिल्पा ने डिजाइनर तरूण ताहिलयानी की डिजाइनर साडी पहनी थीं।

इस अवसर पर राज कुंद्रा ने भी सुर्ख लाल रंग की शेरवानी पहनीं थीं जिस पर सोने की नक्काशी की गई थीं। वह परंपरा के अनुसार अपने हाथ में तलवार लिए हुए थे। । शिल्पा की बहन और अभिनेत्री शमिता शेट्टी जो कि बिग बॉस के तीसरे संस्करण में हिस्सा ले रही थीं, इस शादी में शामिल होने के लिए स्वैच्छिक रूप से बाहर आ गई थीं। शादी से ठीक पहले आयोजित एक संगीत समारोह में कुंद्रा ने दिवंगत पॉप स्टार माइकल जैक्सन की नकल उतारकर सभी अतिथियों को चौका दिया। शिल्पा की नृत्य कला से दुनिया परिचित हैं लेकिन उनके भावी पति राज कुंद्रा भी किसी मायने में उनसे कम नहीं। किरण बावा ने कहा, कुंद्रा और शिल्पा ने शानदार नृत्य किया। शिल्पा ने जहां फिल्म “चांदनी” के गीत “मेरे हाथों में नौ-नौ चूडियां हैं..” पर नृत्य किया वहीं कुंद्रा ने जैक्सन के नृत्य की नकल उतारी। कुंद्रा का प्रदर्शन शानदार रहा।

शिल्पा के विवाह समारोह के दौरान आयोजित संगीत में कुंद्रा और शिल्पा के करीबी दोस्त और परिवार के लोग शामिल हुए। इस दौरान शिल्पा की बहन शमिता शेट्टी ने स्किट डांस के लिए उदीयमान फिल्म स्टार जैकी भगनानी को अपना जोडीदार बनाया। जैकी फिल्म निर्माता वासु भगनानी के पुत्र हैं। जैकी एक अच्छे नर्तक हैं। वह “कमीने” और “ओम शांति ओम” जैसी फिल्मों में नृत्य का प्रदर्शन कर चुके हैं। बॉलीवुड की अभिनेत्री होने के साथ-साथ शिल्पा इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग के दल राजस्थान रायल्स की सह मालकिन भी हैं और ब्रिटेन में एक फूड चेन की स्वामिनी हैं।

वर्ष 1993 में शिल्पा ने फिल्म बाजीगर से अपने फिल्मी करियर की शुरूआत की। शाहरूख इसमें अभिनेता थे। बाद में शिल्पा ने मैं खिलाडी तू अनाडी, धडकन और फिर मिलेंगे जैसी फिल्मों में काम किया। उनका बॉलीवुड फिल्मी कैरियर एक समय ढलान की ओर था तब रियलिटी शो बिग ब्रदर में उन्हें ऑफर मिला।

[Via http://khaskhabar.wordpress.com]

Strange Industry - Movies

Indian movies industry – “bollywood” is really one off/strange place with only/less then 5% success ratio. Out of roughly 200 movies release in a year, only 10 or even less earns good profit and still movie budget and star prices always go up..!!!  But even more movies are made and with bigger/better budget and stars..and recession had very little impact on it..market is bigger now compare to what is was 10 year back and has grown to US, UK and Australia but still its loss..hardly someone buys CD/DVD or Cassette nowadays…

When a movie makes loss of 10 Crore who pays for that? Producer or Distributor or Financier or Common people? And its every year phenomena from last at least 30 Yrs..Sometimes a producer goes into trouble but still makes movies and as time goes everything is back on track..!! Where is the loss? Who has lost and if no one has lost money then who has paid or it is just rumor or speculations that really there is some big loss every year..!!! or common people are indirectly paying for it without knowing it??? And if overall there is loss and no profit then why many Corporates have come into that? I do not think Ambani will jump in any loss making business..

Not sure about Hollywood or other places but it might be same..

may be common people are paying in some or the other way which is not visible or known clearly..!!!

[Via http://kunjanvaishnav.wordpress.com]

Great Gala Opening Of 2nd Global Festival Of Documentary Films

The Red Carpet became the centre of attraction on the opening of 2nd Global Festival of Documentary films at Film City Noida organized by International Film And Television Club under the president ship of Sandeep Marwah of Marwah Studios a renowned Media, Film and TV personality of this part of the World.

 “I have always believe in promoting young and talented film makers by creating an opportunity for them in this beautiful trade” said Sandeep Marwah to the international press gathered along with film makers, participants, who”s who of entertainment industry, film and TV students from all over the World.

A formal inauguration took place by lighting the lamp by the renowned, veteran writer, producer and Director Basu Chatterjee along with film director Pankaj Parashar, Manoj Pahwa the famous actor ,Tarry Parrish of Ice Academy, U.K, film maker Shekh Nasir with Suman Bajaj Kalra festival Director and President of the festival Sandeep Marwah.

 The festival started with the scheduled program of screening films in three theatres for the first hour followed by huge list of films to follow. “Not much festivals in India promoting documentaries, this festival is the real breathing to the documentary film makers and that too at this scale” said Basu Chatterjee. “I believe in the management of IFTC. This time Global has touched the documentaries, other wise there are no supporters other than government.” said Pankaj Parashar. “I have come all the way from UK to support Sandeep for his venture we need promoters and people with innovative ideas” said Terry Parrish.

 The festival is supported by Asian Academy of Film and TV, Asian School of Media Studies, Asian Business School, AAFT School of Graphics and Animation, International Film And Television Research Centre, Radio Noida 107.4FM.and others.

मेरी मां सही न्याय करती हैं: सैफ

बॉलीवुड अभिनेता सैफ अली खान का कहना है कि यह सोचना बहुत हास्यास्पद होगा कि उनकी मां एवं सेंसर बोर्ड की अध्यक्ष शर्मिला टैगोर ने “कमीने” फिल्म को वयस्क फिल्म की श्रेणी में इसलिए रखा था क्योंकि उसके अभिनेता शाहिद कपूर थे।
सैफ ने कहा कि यह कहना बहुत हास्यापद होगा कि “कमीने” के खिलाफ किसी का भी कोई निजी पूर्वाग्रह था। सैफ अली खान की शुक्रवार को प्रदर्शित होने जा रही फिल्म “कुर्बान” को भी “ए” श्रेणी का प्रमाणपत्र दिया गया हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि उनकी मां सेंसर बोर्ड का काम अच्छे से संभाल रही हैं और उन्होंने उनकी फिल्म “कुर्बान” को भी “ए” श्रेणी का प्रमाणपत्र दिया हैं। ऎसा माना जा रहा था कि विशाल भारद्वाज की फिल्म “कमीने” को “ए” श्रेणी में इसलिए रखा गया क्योंकि फिल्म के अभिनेता शाहिद थे और पूर्व में उनका सैफ की महिला मित्र और अभिनेत्री करीना कपूर से संबंध था।
सैफ कहते है कि निजी दुश्मनी की कोई भी बात पूरी तरह काल्पनिक हैं। मैं यह भी नहीं जानता कि वास्तव में कौन इस अफवाह को फैला रहा है और स्पष्ट रूप से कहूं तो मुझे इसकी कोई परवाह नहीं हैं। ऎसी बातें मुझे प्रभावित नहीं करती। सैफ कहते है कि उनकी मां सही न्याय करती हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि बहुत सी बातें ऎसी होती हैं जो हमें नजर नहीं आतीं लेकिन वह फिल्मों को सेंसर करते समय उन्हें देख लेती हैं।

Anuradha

Anuradha was a Block Buster movie in 1960. It has bagged National Award and Golden Bear in Berlin Film Festival. Hrishikesh Mukerjee has directed this film under his own banner. Leela Naidu and Balraj Sahnai were paired opposite each other in this movie.

Anuradha Roy (Leela Naidu) is a rich girl who is also a famous singer. She falls in love with Dr. Nirmal (Balraj Sahani) and marries him. Nirmal and Anuradha moves to city and starts their new life. After giving birth to a baby girl, Anuradha realises that, she is missing her city life.

Now she is in the critical situation. She has to decide either city or husband. Because of the pressure from her father, Nirmal agrees to send her to city but Anuradha realises her mistake doesn’t goes to  city.

Hrishikesh Mukherji has inspired by the short story of Sachin Bhowmick.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani-A Beautiful Love Story

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is a love story packed with lots of laughs.

Prem’s (Ranbir Kapoor) life philosophy is to spread joy and The Happy Club helps him in this mighty endeavour. However each time he tries to cast a spell of happiness, chaos reigns.

He accidentally kidnaps Jenny (Katrina Kaif). Jenny’s besotted with love. And Prem is besotted with Jenny. He gets set to do all that he can to make her feel the same way about him including helping her run away from her own wedding.

And then wacky gets wackier as her dad, her ditched-at-the altar-hubby and a devious politician come after them!

Will Prem and Jenny’s run help them reach a happy ending

Source:http://www.chakpak.com

This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let it Shine

Pakistan Hosts First Ever Fashion Week despite tumultuous circumstances

Uzma Bawany/Thaakat Foundation/Exec Director

I was getting ready to write my articles this morning when one of my buddies rushed into the room and said, “Yo, did you know Pakistan held it’s first ever fashion week?”

I wasn’t sure what my reaction should be. I have always known Pakistan to be a very fashion forward country. Yeah some people, when they think Pakistan, they think Taliban, threat, bombs, dangerous. What do I think of Pakistan?

Color, patterns, sugar cane juice, fancy shoes, grand shaadis, seaside..Fashion! I know many of you have heard of HSY and Mehmoona Manan- how about Nomi Ansari? I’m not going to lie, I personally can’t afford many of these decorums and neither can 98% of Pakistan’s public but then again isn’t that what grandiose fashion is about? The type of fashion that you can only touch on magazine paper and whose thrill you can only enjoy if you’re there at PAKISTAN’S FIRST EVER FASHION WEEK!

The majority of the Pakistan public enjoys the browsing of silk markets and clothing bazaars. The fun of taking your masterpiece cloth to your favorite “darzi” and getting it sewn in whatever crazy elegancy you wish upon it. Though we can’t afford the grandiose fashion, I’d say many of us clothing desperados are definitely influenced by the pictures they paint in our imagination.

Let’s face it guys, India borders Pakistan. Bollywood is Universal, Indian beauty became a phenom after watching Frieda Pinto in Slumdog Millionaire and dosas- Just wait till we start finding them ready made in grocery stores. So why is Pakistan lagging behind in recognition? It’s dying film industry has been done with for some time now and fashion shows were a no go until a few weeks ago.

Sometimes people need that little light to shine in order to exercise their talent and reach for the stars. Models graced the runway with the likes of the biggest fashion designers in the world. Surging violence in the country did indeed grab headlines and cause many security scares. The fashion show had to be rescheduled twice, but then enough was enough and Karachi decided that the show must go on.

The four day event helped boost an industry that Pakistan SHOULD indeed get recognition for. Unfortunately, it’s the tumultuous persona of the country that gets recognized. Don’t be afraid to embrace our country for all of the good people, colorful culture and talent that it holds!

Let us cheer for better times with some sugar cane juice J

thaakat@gmail.com

 

 

Zeher

Zeher is a movie directed by Mohit Suri starring Emraan Hashmi and Shamita Shetty in lead roles.Mohit Suri has copied this concept from the Hollywood movie from Out Of Time. Mahesh Bhatt has produced this movie.

Police officer Siddharth (Emraan Hashmi) loves his wife very much Sonia (Shamita Shetty). But she is supposed to give divorce to Siddharth. Siddharth meets a married woman called Anna (Udita Goswami). Both of them involves in romantic relation.

Siddharth comes to know about Anna, she is a cancer patient and her husband beats her daily. He gives the money which he recovered in drug raid. On that night Anna dies in bomb blast. All the proofs points towards Siddharth about the murder. He has to prove him self as an innocent and also has to win his wife love back. How he has achieved his targets is the remaining story.

Anu Malik has composed music to this movie.

The Game Of Film Reviews

Critics and their reviews pervade many industries and are supposed to be particularly important in the entertainment industry. However, are the critics really the know-all and be – all of cinema? Do these critics play favorites? Is there a lobby? Does money play a part? I may not be able to answer all the questions posed above here in my article, at least not today but want to share a few thoughts about the much valued film reviews and the critics who write them. Largely I abstain from writing on films and the film industry but today morning as I read the review of “JAIL” in the Mumbai mirror, I felt it to be biased against it, as my eyes scanned the page they rested on the picture of the critic who wrote the review. My mind started to sluggishly work and I remembered seeing him in Bhandarkar Entertainments office trying to meet up with Madhur Bhandarkar. . He was trying to pitch some script of his to the celebrated maker of reality based films. Yes, this critic is Minty Tejpal , the writer of “BLUE UMBRELLA” a film which except the censors nobody saw. Critic Minty Tejpal does rightly point out some drawbacks of the film but he is totally off the mark when he says that Madhur Bhandarkar take on reality has turned in to a formula. Madhur may have made a mistake in choosing not the best of scripts in his latest hard-hitting film “JAIL” but in spite of that, he has the viewers glued to their seats only on the basis of his own innovative style of direction. The real fact is that some critic’s style of writing reviews has become like the ‘hallmark greeting card’, which feigns superiority. Mel Brooks once likened film critics to ‘eunuchs at an orgy’ A critic can look as long as he likes, but cannot participate. A critic can deconstruct all the seventy odd scenes of a film but cannot create any thing worthwhile himself even if given a chance to. A not so recent journalist turned film director – turned editor … yet again trying to turn film director, is the best example of vaccum-filled brains trying to impose his flawed thoughts on to the gullible cinema loving Indians in the form of a film. I can only advise cinema lovers to avoid reading any professional film reviews; people could feel intimidated by critics, which may churn their minds in to a conflict situation. Some movie goers who read a four or five star rated review of a film may come away confused as to what the hype was all about. ‘KAMINEY’ had got four and five star ratings, all the critics were raving about it but the movie goers who saw the film could not even understand what the story was all about. Critics are not the end-all and be-all of cinematic opinion, they also may have an axe to grind, just like our corrupt politicians, police, babus etc. they are strange men in strange jobs. But just passing comments on others creativity is not a job, critics need to have work of their own to be judged before they can be allowed to start dissecting the work of others. If others start scrutinizing them, their own lives could turn in to a can of worms. Coming back to ‘JAIL’ and its director, let us not forget that Madhur Bhandarkar very first film had flopped miserably, nevertheless he rose from the ashes to be the only director in India to be awarded the most coveted National Award three times. I distinctly remember a few critics had given Bhandarkar’s films like Corporate, Page 3, Traffic Signal and Chandni Bar , one and one and a half stars, yet these films went on to become the biggest grosser at the box office. Talking about ‘Chandni Bar’ I don’t think any film could come near it in terms of content and execution in the last seven years since it was released. Today the name ‘Madhur Bhandarkar’ guarantees a decent initial to his film, which most so-called stars just dream of and not all other directors can even dream of it. It goes without asking that whenever Mr. Bhandarkar makes his next film the masses and the classes will be eagerly awaiting it, in this lies the curiosity, the charisma, the magic of Madhur Bhandarkar. A game, which the almighty God has set, and no critic can change. Varon B K Sharma Author of “Assassination of George Bush” http://www.varonbksharma.com

सेक्सी नहीं दिखना चाहती मल्लिका

इन दिनों बॉलीवुड की हॉट एंड सेक्सी अभिनेत्री मल्लिका शेरावत की मुंबई-बेस्ड फैशन डिजाइनर अनीता डोगरे के साथ खासी पट रही हैं। यह तब है जबकि अनीता सेक्सी लुक के बजाय ज्यादातर फेमिनिन लुक के कपडे डिजाइन करने के लिए जानी जाती हैं। गौरतलब है कि पिछले कुछ दिनों के दौरान मल्लिका ने कई अंतर्राष्ट्रीय समारोहों में शिरकत की हैं। उनके कुछ आगे के कार्यक्रम भी तय है और इसी वजह से उन्होंने अपने मेकओवर का इरादा किया हैं।
दरअसल अब वह नहीं चाहती कि उन्हें हर जगह सेक्सी लुक में ही देखा जाए। वह अब एक ग्लैमरस सौम्य महिला की तरह खुद को पेश करना चाहती है। इस बारे में अनीता का कहना है, जहां तक मल्लिका की ड्रेसिंग का सवाल है तो इस मामले में उनकी अपनी सोच है। हालांकि उन्होंने मुझे अपने आउटफिट्स के बारे में अलग से कोई राय नहीं दी हैं। मल्लिका ऎसी डिजाइंस अपनाना चाहती है, जिनमें वह फैशनेबल लगने के साथ çस्त्रयोचित ढंग से ज्यादा सुंदर नजर आएं।

लारा को सच्चे प्यार की तलाश

बॉलीवुड अभिनेत्री लारा दत्ता के अभिनय ने सबका ध्यान खींचा हैं। हाल ही में रिलीज हुई फिल्म “डू नॉट डिस्टर्ब” में उनकी रोमांटिक कॉमेडी की बात करें या फिर फिल्म “ब्लू” में सेक्सी बिकनी लूक की, लारा ने अपनी अदा से सबका दिल जीत लिया हैं। आज लारा के पास पैसा हैं, हिट मूवीज हैं, फैंस है और सेक्सी लुक्स भी हैं पर अगर कमी है तो सच्चे प्यार की। पूर्व प्रेमी केली दोरजी से अलग होने के बाद लारा को अच्छी फिल्म तो मिलीं पर सच्चा प्यार नहीं। देखते है लारा की तलाश कब खत्म होती हैं।

Nollywood

Hollywood markiert in unserer westlichen Wahrnehmung den Ort, an dem Träume produziert werden. Ein Ort, an dem Geschichten erzählt und Mythen gemacht werden. Mit einem geschätzten Output von 500 Filmen pro Jahr liegt das amerikanische Film-Mekka aber weit hinter dem indischen Bollywood. Aber das kennt ja jeder. Und nicht nur in USA oder Indien werden Träume gemacht. Es gibt weltweit eine klare Nummer Drei in der Rangliste der größten Filmproduktionsländer: Das so genannte afrikanische Pendant zu Bollywood. Es wird mit Bezug auf das Produktionsland Nigeria einfach “Nollywood” genannt und hat einen ähnlich hohen Output wie die indische Industrie (ca. 500 bis 1000 Filme pro Jahr) – jedoch mit dem Unterschied, dass dort noch in sieben Tagen gecastet, gedreht, postproduziert und verbreitet wird, war in der quasi professionalisierten indischen Filmindustrie nicht mehr der Fall ist. Die Filmbedingungen in Nigeria würden einen westlichen Filmemacher jedenfalls schaudern lassen.

Der südafrikanische Fotograf Pieter Hugo hat sich auf die Suche begeben und eine fantastische Fotoserie über die Darsteller geschossen. Die Fotos entwickeln eine zusätzliche Kraft, wenn man sich vergegenwärtigt, dass das Geschichtenerzählen in Afrika eine uralte Tradition ist und von einer ungeahnten Kreativität geprägt ist.

An Erzählstoff mangelt es den Filmemachern dementsprechend nicht. Es sind eher die finanziellen Mittel, die dem Dreh Grenzen setzen. Aber das ist auch ein Grund, warum diese Fotoserie so besonders geworden ist: sie zeigt den naiven schöpferischen Willen der Filmemacher kombiniert mit dem Druck, schnell  produzieren zu müssen, was der Umsetzung etwas in unseren Augen leicht Lächerliches verleiht.

Die Serie erinnert mich stark daran, wie meine Freunde und ich als 14-Jährige mit der Home-Videokamera meiner Eltern Filme gemacht haben. Alles war erlaubt und jede Verkleidung denkbar, solange die Geschichte spannend war. Schließlich wollten wir unterhalten.

Alle Fotos aus der Serie hier auf der Portfolio-Page von Pieter Hugo.