Rahul Bose-Arjun Mathur shot Bollywood’s first gay love scene

Arjun Mathur and Rahul Bose

Actor-director-social activist Rahul Bose and an upcoming actor Arjun Mathur (earlier seen in Farhan Akhtar’s short film on AIDS Positive and Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance) recently shot a gay love making scene for Onir’s I Am Omar. Moreover, the director is happy with his actors, as all of them are thorough professionals and he expects the censor board to act professionally too.

The film also stars Abhimanyu Singh of Gulal fame. He plays a homophobic cop in the film harassing the gay couple. Praising his actors, director Onir said, “Luckily none of my actors had any inhibitions. Rahul and Arjun did the scene, which goes much beyond anything seen in Indian cinema. They behaved like thorough professionals.”

However, about the scene, Arjun said, “For me as an actor it is always challenging to see what lies beneath the calm exteriors. I had absolutely no inhibitions playing the gay character and doing the kissing sequence with Rahul. I wondered what it would feel like. But it was done clinically and professionally.”

Meanwhile, the director adds, “We haven’t taken any still pictures of the kissing because we don’t want them to leak out on the net. The whole idea is to look at the question of homosexuality in a proper perspective and not to highlight any specific aspect of it.”

This will be the first gay love scene in Bollywood. Earlier for Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion, Samir Soni and his on-screen gay lover had shot a kissing scene in car. But, Madhur deleted it from the film before sending it to the censor board. However, with I Am Omar, Onir don’t want to delete it, as it is crucial for the film. “Arjun plays a sex worker. So we couldn’t do away with the physical aspect of the gay issue,” states Onir.

The film is supposed to be presented at Rotterdam Film Festival.

Shekhar Kapur talks about his ambitious project - Paani

Shekhar Kapur

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur talked about his ambitious project Paani on his birthday on December 6. By the way, he doesn’t like being wished ‘Happy Birthday’. He turned 64, but he says, “No, I’m 52.” He adds, “Okay, so I’m 64, but why do you have to bring that up? Birthdays are just another day in your life. I don’t believe in sun signs either. I don’t think people’s characteristics can be divided into 12 types.”

With the news of Boney Kapoor set to produce sequel to Mr. India, doesn’t he feel bad about not directing it? “It was my baby 19 years ago. I don’t own the copyright. So, I’m not possessive about it,” says Shekhar. What’s his take on Salman Khan roped in to play Mogambo, played by Amrish Puri in the original? “No one asked me about it, so I don’t have an opinion. It all depends on how interesting the new characters are,” added the director.

Meanwhile, he is focusing on his ambitious film Paani. The film will go on floors in April next year and supposed to released in September 2011. Revealing details of the film, he said, “Since it’s set in the future, the whole world is being built on the computer. It’s about a city that runs out of water. Individual rural farming communities have died down; people have migrated from the villages to the cities for water. However, the highly populated cities will also run out of water soon. Paani is about the future, in which water becomes a tool of political and social exploitation.”

Does the film have same intentions that of Al Gore’s? “Gore made a documentary; mine will be a commercial film. It’s to show the world what’s happening, in an emotional way,” he stated.

For the film, Shekhar has done research almost for a decade. “Now, I give lectures on water. I’ve become quite a water activist. I’ve spoken to scientists like R K Pachauri to learn about the issue,” he added.

The film will also include a love story and talking about the casting for the film, he said, “I have some people in mind, but will cast whoever is available at that point. There will also be six to seven kids inthe film.”

Along with direction, Shekhar will also produce the film. “It’ll be made on a budget of $ 25-30 million. I won’t accept funding from any studio to ensure independence of expression. I am, however, sure that Paani will do at least as much business as Slumdog Millionaire. It’ll rake in half a billion dollars,” added the filmmaker.

Buddha is also one of the ambitious projects of Shekhar Kapur, but the film didn’t start because of creative differences between him and the producer. However, seems like he has found solution to this, as he says, “I’m still fascinated by Buddha. But the producer and I had a difference of interpretation. So, I might produce it myself.”

Priyanka has beauty as well as brains

Priyanka Chopra at some event

Every time we see her, whether in films or events, she looks fabulous and the actress admits that it takes great pain to look that way. “I really work at the way I look,” says Priyanka Chopra.

Further, when you compliment her that even on an odd day, at a film screening or in a dubbing theatre, she looks hot. She cleverly remarks, “I work harder at looking casual. Thank God the effort doesn’t show.”

No doubt, Piggy Chops does have both- beauty and brain.

Nita-Mukesh Ambani celebrate Sachin’s 20 years in cricket

Sachin Tendulkar

It was a grand affair at Sea Wind, hosted by Nita and Mukesh Ambani to celebrate friend and admirer of every Indian, Sachin Tendulkar’s 20 years in cricket. It was double fun for the patriotic Sachin, as the same day Indian cricket team became the top test team beating Sri Lanka. It was a “One man’s triumph is everyone’s celebration.”

Biggies form cricket and Bollywood world were invited to attend the dinner. However, Ambanis also invited the Sri Lankan cricket team to join in the celebration of Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar.

Sachin no doubt was overwhelmed by his host’s gesture. The celebration also included a entertainment programme. According to sources, Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan both recited poems in praise of Sachin. It also included dance numbers by Shamita Reddy, Dia Mirza, Sameera and a song by Asha Bhosale, showing that cricket and Bollywood are the biggest things in India. However, the silent otherwise, Mukesh Ambani gave an emotional speech. He said in his line of business he never gave forward-looking predictions… but in this case, he was willing to predict a long and fruitful innings for Sachin.

After addressing Sachin, the Ambanis invited Team India on stage and popped champagne. It was starry night only for Sachin and the Indian cricket team. Sachin too shedding off his reticence comfortably mixed with the guests.

Dharmendra wishes to start new inning on his birthday

Dharmendra

It’s Dharmendra’s 75th birthday today. He is the real He-Man and the endearing actor of Bollywood and till date, he exercises regularly. Yoga, 30 minutes of cycling, and some free form exercises is how he starts his day.

When everyone, from his family members to his well-wishers are excited to wish him on his birthday, he indeed thinks that it’s just another “beautiful day”, which he might spend at his farmhouse in Lonavala.

He is a cheering persona, for whom life is a celebration. However, now he has stopped celebrating his birthday. “I stopped doing so after my mother passed away in 1985. She used to be very excited about my birthday… bahut chahel pahel machati thi,” he reminds. He is also an emotional person when it comes to family. “I am a very emotional person. I love people. I want to see genuine warmth in human beings where there is no artificiality, only true care and concern. There should be harmony all around,” is all that he wishes today.

Wishes from across the world are already started pouring in for the actor as a girl from New Zealand has gifted him a t-shirt. However, a group of 80 boys from Gwalior is going to donate blood in his name today.

Talking about the wishes he receive every year, he says, “It’s this love from my well-wishers that keeps me going. In fact, recently after I appeared on Dus Ka Dum, I received so many letters from people asking me to do more films and make more appearances on TV.”

With his 75th birthday, Dharmendra has also completed 50 years in Bollywood. He had many hit films. He has played almost every genre- romantic, action, comedy. Ask him about his favourite genre and he will say you - ‘I love every form of acting.’ Success, stardom, he has experienced all that earlier. However, he is thinking of starting a new inning in Bollywood with his fans’ demands. After receiving good response to his films - Apne, Johnny Gaddar and Life in a Metro - he is next set to do more films. “I want to do more films and do good films. I like to see myself on posters. Who doesn’t?” says Dharmendra.

Acting is his passion and he promises to continue it with the same enthusiasm that he had at the time of his first film. He still has the charm, excitement and his face radiates the same cheerfulness even today when he faces the camera.

Hrithik in Big B’s league

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan who had speech problems, recently uttered a five-and-a-half minute monologue in one take for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish and received a ‘You are in Bachchan’s league’ compliment from the director.

It’s not easy to please the demanding Sanjay Leela Bhansali. To make the scene easier for Hrithik, he had cut the dialogue in three parts. After two minutes when he was about to say cut, Hrithik continued to deliver his dialogue and finished the whole monologue in one shot, to the astonishment of everyone.

The monologue was Hrithik remembering his last love before being ill fated to be wheel chair bound. As the shot ended, Bhansali walked to Hrithik and said, ‘What can I say?’ making Hrithik think if he had messed up it. Then he received a great compliment that any actor hopes to get. Bhansali said to him, ‘you are in Bachchan’s league.’

Three theatre legends come together to make Broken Images

Shabana Azmi

For the first time, three theatre legends- Shabana Azmi, writer Girish Karnad and director Alyque Padamsee - will come together for a play Broken Images. The Most interesting part of the play is that talented actor Shabana Azmi will be playing a double role in it. What’s even more interesting is that she is not enacting two different characters, but two facets of the same character. And with the help of theatrical technology developments, two Shabanas will be seen onthe stage at the same time.

Talking about the technical facet of the play, director Alyque said, “There are two Shabanas in the play, it is Shabana speaking to Shabana. With the aid of technology, there are two Shabanas onthe stage at the same time!” He later added that is it is his most exciting play in the past few years.

Meanwhile, the equally excited Shabana said, “The minute I finished reading the script, I said I was on… the play is so dramatic and challenging. It is a technical nightmare; I have to react to my own televised image on the screen. The image is shot as a single one hour shot, so the timing is crucial, there is no room for mistake.”

Revealing more on the play, Alyque added, “The play reveals itself as it unwinds. In that sense, it’s a complete thriller because it takes the audience on a roller coaster ride and keeps them guessing who the villain is and who the victim is till the end.”

The director also had praises for writer Girish, who has successfully bring out ‘how a woman’s heart and mind works’, despite being a man.

Raell Padamsee produces the play. Broken Images is a psychological thriller, displays two facets of a celebrity. Earlier, Arundathi Nag enacted the same play for the Kannada and Hindi versions. However, this time Shabana will do it in the English version. It will premiere on December 17.

Freida superior than Sonam

Freida Pinto and Sonam Kapoor

Freida Pinto rose to international fame with her 15-minute role in Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire. Post the film, Freida won lots of modeling assignments and the latest for a huge cosmetic brand. Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor is also endorsing the brand, but her campaign is limited to the local market. However, Freida is the face of the brand for overseas market.

Those who have seen the commercial of Freida say that she looks stunning in it. Some of them are Bollywood filmmakers, who, after watching the ad, sent request to her business agents asking if she would be interested in doing Bollywood films. But bad luck for Bollywood, who lost her to Hollywood, her diary is filled with so many Hollywood projects and film festivals. Therefore, it’s hard for the actress to say yes to Mumbai.

Look who is Ash’s new admirer

Aishwarya Rai

Seems like even after marriage, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is here to stay in industry, as the list of her admirers is growing. She has been favourite of many filmmakers. As if Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mani Ratnam choose her over many otherBollywood actresses, one more filmmaker Vipul Shah has all the praises for her. Instantly, Aishwarya is working with Vipul for his film Action Replayy alongside Akshay Kumar.

Talking about Ash, Vipul said, “Akshay and I have worked together for sometime now and we share a comfort level. Working with Ash has been a revelation in this film. She has been very dedicated. A film that travels in time is not easy for actors. Also, both Akki and Ash are a very good-looking couple and make an attractive on-screen pair. She is certainly one of the best actresses that I have worked with.”

Kareena-Shahid love story to release on Feb 14

Milenge Milenge movie poster

Producer Boney Kapoor comes up with a plan to release his long time pending film Milenge Milenge starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor on Valentine’s Day next year.

According to a source, “Boney, his director Satish Kaushik and other top executives clearly feel that no date is more suited to this film than Valentine’s Day. Even some distributors are in agreement.”

The trade sources think that Valentine’s Day is the best time to release the film, as youngsters will look for a love story on the day. The traders also believe that Jab We Met was successful because Shahid and Kareena split before the actual release of the film. “There is more magic to a screen couple that is not romantically involved in real life,” adds the source. So they are expecting the same benefit for Milenge Milenge. “So Milenge Milenge stands a good chance.”

Boney confirmed the news of releasing it in February but said that it has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. “However, I’m not involved in all these release strategies that people are talking about. I have a team working on the release pattern. If it coincides with Valentine’s Day, then so be it,” said Boney.

He also hopes that Kareena and Shahid will act professionally and will do whatever is expected from them for the film.

Injured Pooja promises to stand tall at Miss World 2009 tonight

Pooja Chopra

The finale of Miss World 2009 is about to start in Johannesburg tonight, while Indian contestant Pooja Chopra is under a spell of misfortune with sprained ankle on the eve of final event. Now she has a cast up to her knee, which means when other 112 contestants will be walking smoothly and effortlessly on the stage, Pooja will be conscious with each step with the cast. However, except the physical difficulty nothing can hold her back, as she is high on spirits and excited to represent her nation.

“I wonder what destiny holds for me,” questions Pooja. Hopes of millions of Indians rest up on her and today she not only needs luck but people’s prayers too. “Is the crown going to be mine? I only thought of myself as a winner all the while. Now I need the people’s prayers to help me overcome this trauma,” she adds from Johannesburg.

After the accident, Pooja was wondering to know why God had brought her so far… to go through such a pain just before her final presentation. “But then, I feel I must stand tall,” she motivates herself.

Meanwhile, Julia Morley the organiser of the event, being kind to Pooja told her not to participate in dance round but walk few steps on stage. The girl is determined to do so says, “I know there’s tremendous compassion for me as the pageant itself stands for that value. But I am also aware that this is a beauty contest and my looks are going to be judged apart from my brains.”

Pooja’s mother Neera Chopra is accompanying her at the event and she prays, “I hope my daughter’s dream to win the crown is realised.”

Meanwhile, the high on spirit and determined Pooja says, “Today, I shall stand tall for my country and no one can hold me back.”

Watch the finale on Zee Cafe at 8 pm. Moreover, former Miss World and Indian beauty Priyanka Chopra will be there as one of the judges.