News Corner
Hrithik To Undergo Major On-Screen Transformation

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan is an artist who pays a lot of attention to his on-screen look for each film. This time around he’s going to have to undergo a major on-screen transformation. The actor will first sport the look of an overweight, paraplegic man in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish. Afterwards, he will need to get back to the lean and muscular look for his father-in-law Sanjay Khan’s production, Welcome to the Jungle.

4 Critically Aclaimed Films Screened in the Nation’s Capital

MIAAC, SAIFF…looks like it’s the season for Indian film festivals in the USA. The Indian Visions Film Festival of Washington, DC recently screened four critically acclaimed Indian films in the nation’s capital. Films from four languages were screened as a part of the mini-fest—Firaaq (Hindi), Janala (Bengali), Gabhricha Paus (The Damned Rain) and Mukhaputa (Kannada). Indian Visions will soon come out with a full-fledged festival, as well. Jai cinema!

Shiv Sena Assaults Creative Freedom
After causing much distress during the time of Wake Up Sid’s release merely because they did not like the use of the word “Bombay” as opposed to “Mumbai” the Shiv Sena party once again bestowed it’s wrath upon a film, this time Kurbaan, starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Apparently, Shiv Sena found posters of Kareena backless offensive. Recently, the Mahagujrat Janta Party also caused disturbance regarding the screening of Mahesh Bhatt’s Tum Mile—the MJP party is tried to ban the film in their entire state simply because Bhatt’s son Rahul’s name came up in connection with alleged LeT operative David Headley. Not so long ago, director Hansal Mehta also posted a heart-felt blog post on PassionForCinema.com about being harassed and abused by Shiv Sena activists. Here’s hoping Indian cinema doesn’t remain a target of the wrath of activist parties…

Madhuri Dixit To Play Indira Gandhi

The graceful and gorgeous Madhuri Dixit Nene, who was last seen in Aaja Nachle, will play the role of Indira Gandhi in a biopic being made by Krishna Shah. The two-part movie is titled Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story. There are rumors going about that Tom Hanks will be playing the role of Lyndon Baines Johnson and Tommy Lee Jones has been approached for the role of Richard Nixon in the film. Furthermore, it is said that Dharmendra, Abhay Deol and Nana Patekar have also been approached for the roles of Motilal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Jai Prakash Narayan. The film will be shot in India, the UK, USA and Russia. Most likely, the film will go on floors in 2010. This’ll be a film to keep an eye out for!

Katrina Kaif To Sing For Rahman

Bollywood Baribie, Katrina Kaif will soon be singing for India’s top music composer AR Rahman. Rahman decided to rope in the Kaif to feature in his album consisting of children’s nursery rhymes. And, now he has also decided to have Katrina sing in English and Hindi for the album’s compositions.

Katrina Kaif has also been selected by the Abbas-Mastan duo to star in their remake of Hollywood’s Italian Job. The film will also feature Abhishek Bachchan and Neil Nitin Mukesh. Thankfully, Abbas-Mastan have acquired rights from Paramount Pictures for the film.

Films Releasing In December'09

*Radio (Dec. 3)
*Chase (Dec. 4)
*Paa (Dec. 4)
*Dulha Mil Gaya (Dec. 11)
*Raat Gayi Baat Gayi (Dec. 11)
*Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year (Dec. 11)
*Ada…a way of life (Dec. 18)
*Hide N Seek (Dec. 18)
*3 Idiots (Dec. 25)
*Red Alert – The War *Within (Dec. 2009)
*Road to Sangam (Dec. 2009)

Top Songs (December)'09

*Tu Jaane Naa (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani)
*Zoobi Doobi (3 Idiots)
*Paisa (De Dana Dan)
*Kuch Aisa Ho Jaaye (Aao Wish Karein)
*Mudhi Mudhi (Paa)
*Tu Hi Haqeeqat (Tum Mile)
*Tapkey Masti (London Dreams)
*Ali Maula (Kurbaan)
*Iktara (Wake Up Sid!)
*Mann Ka Radio (Radio)
*Love Me Love Me (Wanted)
*Maahiya (Aagey Se Right)

Other Special Mentions:

*Couples Retreat (AR Rahman)
*Passage (AR Rahman)
*Yatra (Kailash Kher)