Bollywood raves about Sachin's 100th ton

By Hindustan Times

Sachin Tendulkar has created history by becoming the first batsman to score 100 international centuries. B-Town celebs like Amitabh Bachchan, Sonakshi Sinha, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and many more have posted congratulatory messages on Twitter.

Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan): T 685 - India breathes normally ..!! Sachin completes an incredible feat !! A hundred 100's .. Never done before, perhaps never after !!!

Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata): Namaskar. Sachin ne aaj phir se itihaas racha hai. Sachin ko meri bahut shubhkamnayein aur badhaai.

Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan): CONGRATULARIONS SACHIN!!!! @sachin_rt WOW!!!! it's an honor to witness this master play. we're lucky. COME ON INDIA! how good is Sachin? he's the BEST. period! stop analyzing him. stop being cynical. just celebrate him! (sic)

Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar): Salute to the man who never gave up in spite of all the criticism. Finally he did it. #Sachin creates history in world cricket! Congrats to Sachin Hundredkar :D #Respect

Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha): Master blaster... Salute!

Madhur Bhandarkar (@mbhandarkar268): The god of cricket has proved again y he's called so. Congrats Sachin fr the century of tons. U make us proud always! (sic)

Ranveer Singh (@iRanveersingh): finally finally.thank u god. #sachin gets his #100th ton.congrats india.bahut intezar karwaya sachin ne. atlast thanx sachin. sau sau salam @sachin_rt tere naam..india party on...now my back pain has suddenly gone,feel like dancing. (sic)

Arjun Rampal (@rampalarjun): Phew!!! Love u Sachin, truly remarkable well deserved, thank you for making us enjoy every one of those Tons. Sooooo happppppyyyyyy. (sic)

Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher): Once again Sachin gives us reason to smile, to celebrate, to dance, to scream with joy and to feel Proud to be an INDIAN. Jai Ho.:)

Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd): Sachin TON TONNA TON - all those who thought sachin should retire- time for them to retire from making such statements. (sic)

Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@DuttaLara): Congratulations Sachin! Even for the humility and grace in acknowledging such an amazing feat!! We celebrate your accomplishment and you!

Dhanush (@dhanushkraja): Hey come-u mama SACHIN !! All hail the god of cricket !! Hail sachin !! (sic)

Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa): Chalo. 100th international cricket century in the bag.Congrats! Important milestone and all that. Ek announcement baki hai, bhai: Retirement.

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Bollywood gears up for 400 crore summer!

By Hindustan Times

Bollywood hopes to have a super summer ahead. Thirty big and small budget films with a total of Rs 400 crore riding on them are bracing for release between April and June, and analysts say the business looks good.

The lineup includes big banner babies such as Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2, Kunal Kohli’s Teri Meri Kahani, Priyadarshan’s Tezz, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrarri Ki Sawaari, Kunal Deshmukh’s Jannat 2, Vikram Bhatt’s Dangerous Ishq, Ram Gopal Varma’s Department, Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai and Prabhu Deva’s Rowdy Rathore.

“It’s a very promising lineup, with Rs 400 crore at stake. Bollywood is expected to do great business this quarter,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “This is a trend that’s come up recently — this quarter of the year is seeing a lot at stake as loads of good films release after the exams are over.” The first quarter (Jan-March) may have seen films such as Agneepath, Kahaani and Paan Singh Tomar faring well, but the overall business has been average.

The period will also see small budget films such as Vicky Donor, Zila Ghaziabad and Maximum take the big ticket ones head on. “It’s a good time as the exams are over and everyone wants to chill,” says Maximum actor-producer Sonu Sood.

He adds that IPL, scheduled around the same time, is also not on everyone’s mind. Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, “The competition is healthy as there are films of all kinds.” Critics say it’s a great time for viewers, too. “There is lot of variety, which makes the season ahead exciting,” says critic-writer Anupama Chopra.

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Bollywood starlet Nupur Mehta denies role in fixing scam

Bollywood graces March mag covers!

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Bollywood gets a new direction!

By Hindustan Times

Not long back, a bunch of established directors were ruling the Hindi film scene in India, and audience could count their names on fingers. Cut to present era, there's a long list of new directors who are making inroads into Bollywood, slowly but steadily.

While Aditya Chopra's SRK-Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge was a defining movie of 1990s, Band Baaja Baraat is the movie today's youth connects to. No wonder, Chopra camp is enamoured with new talent, launching directors like Maneesh Sharma (Band Baaja Baraat), Parmeet Sethi (Badmaash Company) and Ali Abbas Zafar (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan).

It's not only YRF that is riding the current wave, director of movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Karan Johar no longer wants to direct back-to-back tearjerkers. He would rather ask a Karan Malhotra to make Agneepath for him or a Tarun Mansukhani to spin a money-making project like Dostana. What's it that makes these established directors launch newcomers who have not even proved themselves before?

"I think it's an instinct that I have. I have got it right some times and I have gone wrong with it at times but mostly, I have gone right with the directors I have worked with because they are solid human beings and that is what I look for," Karan Johar told IANS in a recent interview.

Today if Karan Johar has hits like Wake Up Sid (Ayan Mukherjee), Dostana (Tarun Mansukhani) and I Hate Luv Storys (Punit Malhotra) to his credit, he's not only promoting the new talent, he's also strengthning the brand KJo.

Besides Karan Johar, Aamir Khan too has an eye for talent. He might have taken over Amol Gupte's Taare Zameen Par as director, but he's more comfortable in his producer's chair. That's why he gave Delhi Belly to Abhinay Deo, a director whose Game (Abhishek Bachchan starrer) failed to impress viewers. While Delhi Belly clicked commercially, his wife Kiran's debut directorial venture Dhobi Ghat tanked. He's trusting another flop director, Reema Kagti (Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd) this time for Talaash. If trade pundits are to be believed, Aamir Khan's upcoming venture looks commercially viable.

Interestingly, even Anurag Kashyap who's just a decade old in Bollywood has moved on to launching fresh directors. Films like Black Friday, No Smoking, Dev.D, have established a brand of his own, and he's smart enough to make good use of it. But if we trust Anurag, he's a sucker for new talent.

"When I see good filmmakers, I respect them. I have picked up Vikramaditya Motwane (Udaan), Rajkumar Gupta (Aamir) and Bejoy Nambiar (Shaitan). They are filmmakers who know their minds. I don't have to tell them what to do. I think, I'm the good judge of directors. I just pick up people. If I find any good talent, I just latch on to it," he told IANS in an interview.

"New talent is far more better than us (pointing to himself). And that's what I believe in. The new directors are better than us, the new actors and new talent exactly know what they want to do. They are not the confused lot like we used to be," Anurag added.

Anurag Kashyap seems to have a point here. Abhishek Chaubey whom Vishal Bhardwaj launched in Ishqiya was totally convinced about the story he wanted to say in the film and was confident enough to narrate it beautifully on screen. The result was for all to see. From assisting Bhardwaj to becoming a full-fledged filmmaker, Abhishek Chaubey's clarity of mind certainly helped him achieve what he wanted to.

Ragini MMS director Pavan Kriplani was launched by Ekta Kapoor. He was appreciated for his unique storytelling style and an out-of-the-box film making.

Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl did not plan to direct Chillar Party that has won three national awards, when they were penning the script. By their own admission, they decided to direct the film themselves, as they became "too possessive about the movie." In an industry where formula and masala is considered the safest bet, the first-time director Vikas Bahl picked up a piece of real life for his cinematic product.

"I was part of the anti-Mandal Commission forum when students brought the government down. We came up with the idea, lived with it and wrote it over two years. Also, I made the film for the love of my dog, Khan," he had shared with HT Cafe.

Mahesh Bhatt who's launching yet another new director Vishal Mahadkar in his upcoming film Blood Money, admits he has a penchant for launching new people. "I have loved launching new people all my life. I have an appetite for promoting young talent," he had shared in an interview with HindustanTimes.com.

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Match-fixing: Bookies using Bollywood honey traps to lure cricketers?

New Delhi: Illegal Indian bookmakers remain uncowed by successful prosecutions against professional cricketers involved in match-fixing judging by an undercover investigation by the Sunday Times. The UK newspaper has brought yet more claims that corruption opportunities remain rife and have again brought into question the ability of the ICC to police the game without concerted support from the authorities worldwide. (Also read: Home boards should do more to crack down on fixing: Ex-ICC Chief)

The ICC has routinely promised that it will investigate the claims uncovered by the newspaper's investigation. An Indian bookmaker boasted that he and his associates could fix games worldwide, but no specific players or matches were mentioned. (Also Read: ICC to probe county match-fixing charges)

The bookmaker repeated claims that a match in the later stages of the World Cup last year was fixed, but offered no evidence to substantiate rumours that first surfaced on internet websites even as the match was taking place. (Also Read: Was India vs Pakistan World Cup semi-final fixed?)

Among the most startling claims is that bookmakers have now resorted to honey traps by using Bollywood actresses to tempt cricketers into corruption. Players holding discussions with unidentified businessmen are now immediately under suspicion, but beautiful girls have tracked cricketers on tour since the game began and the tactic could prove harder for the ICC to monitor and control.

In the past six months, jail sentences have been meted out to three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, captain at the time, and two fast bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif; Meryvn Westfield has become the first player to receive a custodial sentence for fixing in English county cricket; and, in the High Court in London, Chris Cairns' libel action against the former IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, has brought allegations about corruption in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League into focus.

Add barely concealed concerns within the international players' association (FICA) about the potential for corruption in Bangladesh's new Twenty20 league and the ICC's anti-corruption unit will be keenly aware that it has reached a pivotal point in its worldwide attempts to clean up the game.

The Sunday Times investigation reported the bookmaker's claims that "tens of thousands of pounds are on offer to fix matches, typically £44,000 ($70,000) to batsmen for slow scoring; £50,000 ($80,000) for bowlers who concede runs; and as much as £750,000 ($1.2m) to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match."

The bookmaker, surreptitiously captured on low-quality video, boasted that he could fix big international events such as Test matches, Twenty20s, games in both the Indian Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, and county matches in England. The person reportedly told the paper that English county cricket was a growing market for fixing since the matches were low profile.

Suggestions that English county matches are particularly vulnerable "because nobody monitors them" accentuates the belief that county cricket faces one of the most crucial seasons in its history.

A Delhi bookmaker was reported as saying: "English county cricket is a good new market. They are low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made there without any hassle if we can get the players to play for us."

The ECB has already strengthened its anti-corruption education programme in the wake of the Westfield affair with all players instructed to complete an awareness course before the start of the 2012 season and the establishment of a hotline at Lord's to report suspicious activities.

Another bookmaker claimed that he had worked with players from most of the main cricketing nations to fix games, but that he had turned down the chance to work with New Zealand players because it was not worthwhile with more lucrative match-fixing opportunities on offer in the IPL. "I was invited to strike a deal with some New Zealanders but I didn't go," he said. "The IPL starts on April 4; then everyone will be doing it." (Also Read: New Zealand Cricket slams 'baseless' fixing claims)

The newspaper quoted an ICC spokesman as saying: "Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly and, with many, many millions of dollars being bet on every match, the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away."

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Bollywood is incredible: Ashley Judd

By Hindustan Times
Hollywood star Ashley Judd says she is fascinated with the big world of Bollywood and our desi stars. “Bollywood is the greatest entertainment industry in the world. Your movies and your stars deliver incredible stories fantasy and escape and emotional identification. Also, you
have some of the greatest stars. I am very proud to know Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Sushmita Sen,” says Judd.
So, would she be interested in working in an Indian film? “That would be fabulous, and I would love to have that adventure,” says Judd, who has been supported by many Bollywood stars in her social work. “I am blessed to know something of their kind hearts. They helped me with my work fighting sex slavery, uplifting the poor, protecting children, reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS,” she says.
Judd, 43, who was on a sabbatical from films since 2006, is now back in the limelight on the small screen as a CIA agent in her new TV show, Missing. Talking about the show, that goes on air tonite on Star World, Judd says, “I play a mother looking for her son. Every episode, though high on action and intrigue, is essentially about family and I think the Indian audience will love it.”
Judd also has directorial ambitions. “I probably will direct someday; it would be really fun to have that experience at least once. It will have to be a script I love, as I think the director is the most sleep-deprived person on set,” she says.
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Bollywood graces March mag covers!

Bollywood graces March mag covers!

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Bollywood celebs share their Holi plans!

By Hindustan Times

While Nargis Fakhri is all set to celebrate her first Holi in India, Veena Malik is in love with the concept of the festival. Here's what Bollywood celebs are planning to do on Holi.

Nargis Fakhri

I have never played Holi in my life, but now that I am here (in India), I think I’ll surely attend a Holi party. The enthusiasm around the festival is quite exciting. I have heard that people are bombarded with colours on this day and there are water balloon fights too. Sounds fun! But I need to protect myself and will apply lots of coconut oil in my hair and maybe, on my face too.

Veena Malik

I have always lived in Pakistan and had only heard about Holi. For the first time, I played Holi last year and really enjoyed it, so I’m going to celebrate it this year too. I really like the concept of the festival since I am a very colourful person. I’ll eat, play and have a good time with my friends here in Mumbai.

Anushka Sharma

I love Holi but this time, I’m going to be out of Mumbai to shoot for my upcoming film, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. My most memorable Holi is the one which was my brother’s first Holi. He was very scared and I was like a protective elder sister, who didn’t let him get hurt. In the subsequent years however, he became sabka baap in playing Holi tricks.

Kunal Kapoor

I really enjoy Holi and have some wonderful memories attached to it. It’s one of my favourite festivals. I love celebrating it with close friends and family. But this year, unfortunately, I am travelling, so I am going to miss out on celebrating it with my my loved ones. I would like to wish everyone a happy Holi.

Kajal Agarwal

As a kid, I always went to Maker Towers (Cuffe Parade, Mumbai) and played Holi with friends and cousins. We played with water balloons, eggs, water guns, and I remember swimming in a pool of colour. At times, we even used cement on each other. This year, I will celebrate Holi in Delhi with friends and family.

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Bollywood Poll: Which Movie are you looking forward to watching this year?

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'Bollywood today filled with jhingas, girgits'

By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, March. 6 -- Comic legend Mehmood's son Mansoor has just released an album titled Sabrina named after his daughter. The 44-year-old who now stays in Bangalore, ran an estate agency business in New York for 15 years and has taken to professional singing recently.

"I got into singing because some of my father's genes trickled down into me. I was always a bathroom singer. But I'm not trained at all and never want to be trained too." Mansoor's brother, Lucky Ali, is also a singer and is well-known in the music world. "The reason my brother Lucky and I are into singing is because my father was an amazing composer and singer. He wrote 99 per cent of the songs for the movies he made, but gave the credit to music directors he used, so that they could make a name for themselves and earn a living," claims Mansoor.

Does this mean Mansoor could also do playback singing in films? "I never considered playback singing. Except for two of my brothers, Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, there's no one in this Hindi film industry who matters. The rest of your socalled Bollywood today is just filled with a bunch of jhingas, girgits, broiler murgh pehlwaan and Sheikh Chilli Billis. And it would kill me to see any of them hopping around like jerks pretending to be my voice. I will never ever let that happen, even if I starve to death," he says proudly.

And what about acting? Mansoor says, "I have no acting aspirations whatsoever because I can never be fake and phony. My dad was never an actor. He was a naturalist, a cut above all these so-called actors. I've never been offered Bollywood roles and don't want anyone to either. They would just be wasting their time and mine," he adds.

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Bollywood spins never-before-seen pairing!

Actor Dia Mirza looks beautiful as ever at the Lakme Fashion Week

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Bollywood producer in trouble for faking police letterhead

Mumbai:  The Mumbai police has registered a case against producer Sanjay Gupta. As part of the promotions for his new film, Shootout at Wadala, Mr Gupta copied the letterhead of the Mumbai Police Commissioner; this was used to send out invites for the film's unveiling.

The police case against Mr Gupta accuses him of cheating and forgery.

He has been summoned by the police to record his statement.

The film is being produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Films and Gupta. It releases in December this year and stars Anil Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, John Abraham and Tusshar Kapoor.

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