..

The team has been struggling with their association and handlers for their pay to be settled," Amitabh posted on his blog on Sunday (Jan 31). The concert is being organised by Pakistani singer Salma Agha.

Rumours are rife that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan also may join the event. "They say I spearhead a concert to be held in Chandigarh to collect funds for them and their welfare.

I have asked for details and shall see what can be done for a cause as noble as this," said Bachchan. The Indian hockey team members went on strike in Pune early this month, protesting non-payment of sponsorship money and match fees.

Indo-Asian News Service Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that the Indian hockey team has urged him to "spearhead" its fundraiser concert in Chandigarh."The Hockey National Team is on its way back from training camp at Pune, and has a desire to meet me.

..

The team has been struggling with their association and handlers for their pay to be settled," Amitabh posted on his blog on Sunday (Jan 31). The concert is being organised by Pakistani singer Salma Agha.

Rumours are rife that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan also may join the event. "They say I spearhead a concert to be held in Chandigarh to collect funds for them and their welfare.

I have asked for details and shall see what can be done for a cause as noble as this," said Bachchan. The Indian hockey team members went on strike in Pune early this month, protesting non-payment of sponsorship money and match fees.

Indo-Asian News Service Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that the Indian hockey team has urged him to "spearhead" its fundraiser concert in Chandigarh."The Hockey National Team is on its way back from training camp at Pune, and has a desire to meet me.

..

The team has been struggling with their association and handlers for their pay to be settled," Amitabh posted on his blog on Sunday (Jan 31). The concert is being organised by Pakistani singer Salma Agha.

Rumours are rife that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan also may join the event. "They say I spearhead a concert to be held in Chandigarh to collect funds for them and their welfare.

I have asked for details and shall see what can be done for a cause as noble as this," said Bachchan. The Indian hockey team members went on strike in Pune early this month, protesting non-payment of sponsorship money and match fees.

Indo-Asian News Service Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that the Indian hockey team has urged him to "spearhead" its fundraiser concert in Chandigarh."The Hockey National Team is on its way back from training camp at Pune, and has a desire to meet me.

..

The team has been struggling with their association and handlers for their pay to be settled," Amitabh posted on his blog on Sunday (Jan 31). The concert is being organised by Pakistani singer Salma Agha.

Rumours are rife that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan also may join the event. "They say I spearhead a concert to be held in Chandigarh to collect funds for them and their welfare.

I have asked for details and shall see what can be done for a cause as noble as this," said Bachchan. The Indian hockey team members went on strike in Pune early this month, protesting non-payment of sponsorship money and match fees.

Indo-Asian News Service (less)

When kids in primary school aggressively draw lines on the bench, warning the other not to interfere in their territory, the phraseology used by the elders around is – ‘Yeh kya Hindustan-Pakistan bana diya hai? Chalo, ladai khatam karo.’ Personality clashes at office, college or even school are generally settled with ‘Yaar, itni ladai toh India-Pakistan ki bhi nahin hoti, so chill, na.

’ Often the easiest way to convince two confrontational colleagues is – “There is no end to Indo-Pak war as well, but efforts are on, and none of the countries have stopped functioning. So why can’t we overlook our differences and focus on work?” Movies depicting cross-border love usually have an edge over other love stories.

The reviews read like – “This melts the heart of all Indians” and “Never before was such a touching story made with real life incidents. We should have more of these movies.

” And the real life cross-border saga – Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik marriage – was the staple diet of college canteen, office lunchroom, living room banter, for a month and a half, what with the headlines screaming, ‘First Indo-Pak sports couple’ ‘Sania-Shoaib wedding good for Indo-Pak ties.’ Didn’t that give enough fodder to SMS jokes and comedy serials alike? Love on the borderline, eh? When Pakistani actress Meera was criticized for kissing an Indian Bollywood actor in Mahesh Bhatt’s “Nazar”, she was showered with empathy.

How could they do it to her just because she is a Pakistani, right? And when Pakistani actress Salma Agha decided to support the Indian hockey players (through a series of concerts to raise funds for them), within minutes – besides winning an applause – she was compared to B-town actors, stating how she (read a Pakistani) is more concerned about our players. The buzz has an altogether new meaning when the P word comes in.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, some time back, was bombarded with questions wheth-er he has signed a Pakistani actor (Imran Abbas) for one of his movies. Actors come from here, there and everywhere, but when they hail from that side of the world, they give way to new discussions – ‘A ticket to Bollywood for Pakistani actors? Is this crossover possible?’ And then when Pak theatre artistes come to the city, they get double the appreciation – half for the performance, other half for being courageous enough to land in the dreaded territory.

Guess the word itself is magnetic enough to catch our attention. With this sustained and perpetual Pak-sentiment, we hope aal goes well in the future (less)

The story was hilarious and consolidated. It was a new form of filmmaking and a story that needed to be told.

When Osama bin Laden’s name is mentioned, it creates darkness. For the first time, its antithesis, humour, was used.

You can say serious things humourously. Acting and singing apart, did you contribute inputs? I helped with the look and language of the film as it's set in Pakistan.

I helped with sets and dialects. Noora, for example, speaks not only in Punjabi but a particular kind of rural Punjabi.

I recorded conversations in Pakistan on my phone and played them to Pradyuman to convey that twang. Was there anything you advised the team not to show? I was concerned they don’t show Pakistanis with long beards, wearing scarves.

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stereotyped images. I wanted Pakistanis shown as similar to Indians.

Were there difficulties? None. The film was kept under wraps during shooting which happened before 26/11, when the situation was fine.

What was the best part about making TBL? Learning that culture is independent of borders. An idea cannot be restrained.

I appreciate how the director and producers took on a risk signing a Pakistani actor. It’s good to be brave.

How has TBL done in Pakistan? TBL is not releasing commercially in Pakistan. The State feels there are extremist elements here with no sense of humour.

They may use the film as an excuse for violence. Of course, people are watching it on pirated DVDs.

Ordinary Pakistanis love TBL. My parents are very proud.

Pakistanis stars don’t get big roles in Bollywood. What about Salma Agha? (Laughs).

Okay, the men don’t get big roles! This is the first time a Pakistani male actor starred in a hit Bollywood film. This shows growth in creative and mass consciousness.

Do Indians and Pakistanis view terror the same way? No, they don’t. There is, obviously, a distance of opinion.

Let me explain. 26/11 was an incredibly disturbing event.

But it is Pakistanis who suffer the most from terror globally. When Pakistanis are blamed for terror, they don’t feel good.

The Pakistani youth is liberal and progressive. They don’t like being stereotyped.

Life is difficult for Pakistanis internationally. India should understand the calamity facing Pakistan, how grave and complex our situation is.

Terror, in turn, is linked to equally complicated issues. For peace, complex issues must be analysed.

It will happen. India and Pakistan are destined to be friends (less)

But for Aamir, it's another genre and stereotype-defying feat. This is the fourth time that an Aamir film has made it to the nominations, after "Lagaan", "Rang De Basanti" and "Taare Zameen Par".

Twice previously, he's gone there as both producer and actor – for "Lagaan" and "TZP" – and once as director and actor, for "TZP". With "Peepli Live", he notches up his score, and for a movie that he hasn't acted in, but only produced – another first.

It's hip, hip, hip and another hip hurray for Anusha and Aamir, say the film's cast and crew! We worked with sincerity Our entry to the Oscars is great; I can only say that we should bring the honour home now. While shooting for the film, we didn't think, let's work hard so that we win the Oscars; we were just doing our work with sincerity.

After watching Dhaniya, it's hard even for me to believe that I'm an educated woman! I think it's an honest film and that is why it has been picked. All credit to Anusha Rizvi and Mahmood Farooqui and the entire team for doing such credible work.

I'm grateful I got to be a part of it Shalini Vatsa/Dhaniya It didn't surprise me Slumdog Millionaire" wasn't 'our' movie. I got the news about "Peepli" from a friend in Mumbai.

It didn't surprise me. The picture of India shown in our movie has always appealed to the masses, whether in "Mother India", "Lagaan" or "Peepli Live".

I just pray that we win Vishal O Sharma/Deepak I'd love to go to the oscars I'm glad to have been a part of the film. I hope it wins the award too.

And if that happens, I'd love to go and attend the function – provided I'm invited for it! Farrukh Jaffer/Ammaji I got a call from Aamir I found out when I was watching the news on a TV channel. My excitement and happiness at that moment was indescribable.

After a few hours, I even got a congratulatory call from Aamir Khan, who's in London . I am certain that Bharatwasiyon ki shubhkamnao ke saath "Peepli Live" Oscar award zaroor jeetegi Omkar Das Manikpuri/ Natha I'm sure we'll win the oscar Abhi toh sirf pehli seedhi chadhi hai.

There is a long way to go. Many movies from across the world get nominated to the Oscars, and finally, it's the best work that wins.

I was very happy when I got a call from one of my best friends in Mumbai about the movie's entry to the Oscars, and I'm sure "Peepli Live" will win the Oscar for India this time Raghuvir Yadav/Budhiya Aamir's Oscar outings 'Lagaan' – actor, producer 'Rang De Basanti' – actor 'TZP' – actor, producer, director 'Peepli Live' – producer (With inputs from Renu Singh, Iti Shree Misra, Akash Wadhwa and Eram Agha) (less)

There was only one comedian who knew the kind of success that Mehmood tasted. And that was Johnny Walker.

Ironically, Mehmood started as Johnny Walker's student in the field of the funnies. Some months before his death, the affable comedian admitted that Johnny Lever was almost like a heir-apparent.

Mehmood emerged at a time when comedy in Hindi cinema was in its infancy. Slapstick banana-peel humour generally about a couple of laughs and the comedian's disciplinarian father constituted the staple diet of the comedy in the Hindi films of the 1950s.

Then Mehmood happened to the hemisphere of hilarity. Starting with bit roles in films like Guru Dutt's "Pyaasa", where he played the star's wicked brother, Mehmood quickly emerged as a comic talent of substance.

Pairing himself first with Shubha Khote and later with Aruna Irani, Mehmoood virtually swamped the screen with his antics. Most of his comic virtuosity depended on split-second timing and an ability to react a tad late to a situation.

Amalgamating the styles of earlier comedians like Agha and Johnny Walker, Mehmood invented a completely original lexicon of laughter. A time came during the 1960s when Mehmood's place in the Hindi cinema became more important than that of the leading man.

In Films like "Gumnam", "Pyar Kiye Jaa", "Dil Tera Diwana", "Sasural" and "Humjoli", Mehmood's role and rabble-rousing abilities far exceeded that of leading men like Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor Rajendra Kumar and Jeetendra respectively. In "Humjoli", Mehmood played a triple role imitating three generations of the Kapoors -Prithiviraj, Raj and Randhir.

Mehmood had hit danger zone. With his inimitable scene-stealing antics, he gradually became an anathema to mainstream cinema.

No hero was willing to share screen space with Mehmood! Many years later, Shatrughan Sinha faced a similar screen crisis. But Mehmood remained the ultimate scene-stealer.

With the rapid decline in his status as the comic USP, he began to play the lead in films either directed by him "Bhoot Bungla", "Kunwara Baap", "Ginny Aur Johnny" - or by friends from the south like Krishnan Panju ("Main Sundar Hoon"), Subbarao ("Mastana") and S. Ramnathan("Do Phool").

Most of these films were successes. But Mehmood's inability to adjust to changing fashions and also the insecurity he engendered in leading men with his loud scene-screaming tactics finished off his career by the middle of the 1980s.

One of his last appearances was in Raj Kumar Santoshi's "Andaz Apna Apna", where he played a fleeting role. Apart from revolutionising the concept of comedy in Hindi cinema, Mehmood also introduced some extraordinary talent to Hindi cinema.

Mehmood gave music composer Rahul Dev Burman his first break in "Chote Nawab". Later, Burman composed some of his best scores in Mehmood's films like "Bhoot Bungla" (where Mehmood also coaxed Burman to play one of the leads), and "Padosan".

Later, after a misunderstanding with Burman, Mehmood introduced another composing virtuoso, Rajesh Roshan, in "Kunwara Baap". Mehmood's son Lucky Ali inherited his father's music sense.

Mehmood also gave major breaks to Amitabh Bachchan, who actually stayed with Mehmood and his brother Mansoor Ali in his early days in Mumbai, and Aruna Irani in "Bombay To Goa" (less)

The movement will be promoted by John Abraham where he will urge the youth to come together and pledge their votes. The campaign will be unveiled today.

Director David Dhawan and producer Boney Kapoor have fond memories of Dilip Dhawan, best remembered as Guru of the DD soap Nukkad. The actor died nine years ago on February 15.

Says David, "Dilip and I were batchmates at the?? Pune institute. He studied acting while I did editing.

Satish Shah, Suresh Oberoi and Rakesh Bedi were?? his classmates. I edited his film Saath Saath while he acted in my film Swarg.

I have fond memories of him. Dilip and I were ragged together by Jalal Agha and Mithun Chakraborty.

He was a great guy!" Boney adds that Dilip and he were childhood buddies, what with Dilip's father being an actor and Boney's being a producer.??"Dilip's pet name was Buntu," says Boney, who still misses Dilip.

Here's to a fine man and an amazing actor. Kareena Kapoor always complains to her beau Saif Ali Khan that they don't get to do stuff regular couples do like go out for a cozy brunch or coffee in the middle of the day.

So a few days ago the B-Town couple visited a coffee house in Bandra. However after they settled down with their cups, they found every pair of eyes in the caf'? on them.

Laughs Bebo, "Saif was really uncomfortable with all those people staring and he asked me if we could leave. So, we got our coffees to go, and returned home.

So much for trying to do something different!" Notice how the bags large enough to carry monthly groceries in under Chunky Pandey's eyes have vanished? He insists he hasn't gone under the knife and has simply given up drinking. On director Prityadarshan's orders.

Says Chunky, "A couple of weeks ago, I reached the shoot of Priyan's De Dhana Dhan with a big hangover. He pulled me up and said I was ruining my looks with my drinking and I should stop.

In De Dhana Dhan, I am getting married to both the girls, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy, so Priyan wanted me to look my best." Now at parties, Chunky sips only soda, which he passes off as Bacardi.

Shahid Kapoor plays a double role in Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminey. One of his characters stammers like Shah Rukh Khan did in Darr.

The promos have Shahid?? stammering just like SRK did going KKKKiran. When Shahid arrived in B-Town he was considered the next best thing after SRK, now there is one more similarity between the two actors.

Wonder what King Khan has to say? Ranbir Kapoor arrived with producer Ramesh Taurani at the annual Mahashivratri Hum Log Awards in Colaba where he bagged an appreciation award. Striking a rapport with his female fans, Kapoor invited some of them to boogie with him on stage to the beats of Bachna Ae Haseenon.

While leaving the venue he was mobbed by hordes of female fans appealing him to stay back. The RK Gen-Next dude has just returned from a shoot in Turkey for Taurani's movie Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani.

"Being a staunch believer in Lord Shivji , I hope to get divine blessings for my upcoming movie and my career," said the actor who made his chauffeur sit behind, as he took to the steering wheel. Sorry, Deepika Padukone you missed this long drive from Colaba to Bandra with Ranbir.

Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Atul Kulkarni at a Delhi-6 event at a Juhu multiplex. The actors have been on a whirlwind tour to promote Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's film.

Just in case if you're wondering why Sonam is carrying such a big bag at the event, you don't have to guess, the self-confessed shopaholic in all probability hit the stores in the mall on the premises to fill in her designer bags.?? Manisha Kelkar, who makes her Bollywood debut with Lottery opposite Abhijeet Sawant, feels Bollywood has been extremely warm and kind to her.

Daughter of the late writer Ram Kelkar (Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak), she states that her dad's associates and friends have been encouraging her a lot. "I am really happy to be part of Bollywood too, " she says.

Picture abhi baaki hai, Manisha! ?? A 'OUR' Rehman. Director David Dhawan and producer Boney Kapoor have fond memories of Dilip Dhawan, best remembered as Guru of the DD soap Nukkad.

The actor died nine years ago on February 15. Says David, "Dilip and I were batchmates at the?? Pune institute.

He studied acting while I did editing. Disappearing Act ?? "Dilip's pet name was Buntu," says Boney, who still misses Dilip.

Here's to a fine man and an amazing actor. Mumbai: ?? A youth TV channel is launching a movement called Ungli Uthao reaching out to young Indians who want to make a change.

Through this initiative, it aims to target critical issues like global warming, corruption and a host of other problems by urging the youth of the country to be the drivers of the change they want to see in the world. The movement will be promoted by John Abraham where he will urge the youth to come together and pledge their votes.

The campaign will be unveiled today. Director David Dhawan and producer Boney Kapoor have fond memories of Dilip Dhawan, best remembered as Guru of the DD soap Nukkad.

The actor died nine years ago on February 15. Says David, "Dilip and I were batchmates at the?? Pune institute.

He studied acting while I did editing. Satish Shah, Suresh Oberoi and Rakesh Bedi were?? his classmates.

I edited his film Saath Saath while he acted in my film Swarg. I have fond memories of him.

Dilip and I were ragged together by Jalal Agha and Mithun Chakraborty. He was a great guy!" Boney adds that Dilip and he were childhood buddies, what with Dilip's father being an actor and Boney's being a producer.

??"Dilip's pet name was Buntu," says Boney, who still misses Dilip. Here's to a fine man and an amazing actor.

Kareena Kapoor always complains to her beau Saif Ali Khan that they don't get to do stuff regular couples do like go out for a cozy brunch or coffee in the middle of the day. So a few days ago the B-Town couple visited a coffee house in Bandra.

However after they settled down with their cups, they found every pair of eyes in the caf'? on them. Laughs Bebo, "Saif was really uncomfortable with all those people staring and he asked me if we could leave.

So, we got our coffees to go, and returned home. So much for trying to do something different!" Notice how the bags large enough to carry monthly groceries in under Chunky Pandey's eyes have vanished? He insists he hasn't gone under the knife and has simply given up drinking.

On director Prityadarshan's orders. Says Chunky, "A couple of weeks ago, I reached the shoot of Priyan's De Dhana Dhan with a big hangover.

He pulled me up and said I was ruining my looks with my drinking and I should stop. In De Dhana Dhan, I am getting married to both the girls, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy, so Priyan wanted me to look my best.

" Now at parties, Chunky sips only soda, which he passes off as Bacardi. Shahid Kapoor plays a double role in Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminey.

One of his characters stammers like Shah Rukh Khan did in Darr. The promos have Shahid?? stammering just like SRK did going KKKKiran.

When Shahid arrived in B-Town he was considered the next best thing after SRK, now there is one more similarity between the two actors. Wonder what King Khan has to say? Ranbir Kapoor arrived with producer Ramesh Taurani at the annual Mahashivratri Hum Log Awards in Colaba where he bagged an appreciation award.

Striking a rapport with his female fans, Kapoor invited some of them to boogie with him on stage to the beats of Bachna Ae Haseenon. While leaving the venue he was mobbed by hordes of female fans appealing him to stay back.

The RK Gen-Next dude has just returned from a shoot in Turkey for Taurani's movie Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. "Being a staunch believer in Lord Shivji , I hope to get divine blessings for my upcoming movie and my career," said the actor who made his chauffeur sit behind, as he took to the steering wheel.

Sorry, Deepika Padukone you missed this long drive from Colaba to Bandra with Ranbir. Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Atul Kulkarni at a Delhi-6 event at a Juhu multiplex.

The actors have been on a whirlwind tour to promote Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's film. Just in case if you're wondering why Sonam is carrying such a big bag at the event, you don't have to guess, the self-confessed shopaholic in all probability hit the stores in the mall on the premises to fill in her designer bags.

?? Manisha Kelkar, who makes her Bollywood debut with Lottery opposite Abhijeet Sawant, feels Bollywood has been extremely warm and kind to her. Daughter of the late writer Ram Kelkar (Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak), she states that her dad's associates and friends have been encouraging her a lot.

"I am really happy to be part of Bollywood too, " she says. Picture abhi baaki hai, Manisha! ?? A 'OUR' Rehman (less)