Culture cops out to stop Nishabd

Four days after the release of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Nishabd, the unconventional film has fallen afoul of the culture cops in different corners of the country.

The film has run into controversies in at least two big cities, including Bachchan's hometown Allahabad, where it has witnessed mass protest for, what they call, an attempt to propagate Western culture among the youth.

The movie focuses on the love of a 60-year-old man (Bachchan) and an 18-year-old girl ( Jiah Khan ).

"The release of Nishabdon the soil of Prayag can't be tolerated," the protesters in Allahabad, led by a local legislator, vowed. "Through this film, Bachchan is propagating Western culture in our youth, which is disgusting," they alleged.

"We will not let the movie hit the halls. Indeed, Bachchan should take a voluntarily retirement from film industry," said Mukund Tiwari, the local legislator.

In Hyderabad, the state unit of the BJP is up in arms against the film for "destroying Indian ethos and values."

The party’s official spokesperson, N Ramachader Rao, said the film was not only creating "cultural pollution", but was also showing an unacceptable ''love proposition and height of perversion.''

Appealing to the film producers, directors and actors to use their talent and expertise to save the Indian culture, he said it was imperative to every film personality to inculcate patriotism and nationalism in youth and students through their films.

Nishabd is directed and produced by Ram Gopal Varma and it exhibits a high-voltage sensual drama, much contrary to conventional Indian social norms. Both Varma and Bachchan have denied that the movie is a take off on Lolita.

Culture cops out to stop Nishabd

Four days after the release of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Nishabd, the unconventional film has fallen afoul of the culture cops in different corners of the country.

The film has run into controversies in at least two big cities, including Bachchan's hometown Allahabad, where it has witnessed mass protest for, what they call, an attempt to propagate Western culture among the youth.

The movie focuses on the love of a 60-year-old man (Bachchan) and an 18-year-old girl ( Jiah Khan ).

"The release of Nishabdon the soil of Prayag can't be tolerated," the protesters in Allahabad, led by a local legislator, vowed. "Through this film, Bachchan is propagating Western culture in our youth, which is disgusting," they alleged.

"We will not let the movie hit the halls. Indeed, Bachchan should take a voluntarily retirement from film industry," said Mukund Tiwari, the local legislator.

In Hyderabad, the state unit of the BJP is up in arms against the film for "destroying Indian ethos and values."

The party’s official spokesperson, N Ramachader Rao, said the film was not only creating "cultural pollution", but was also showing an unacceptable ''love proposition and height of perversion.''

Appealing to the film producers, directors and actors to use their talent and expertise to save the Indian culture, he said it was imperative to every film personality to inculcate patriotism and nationalism in youth and students through their films.

Nishabd is directed and produced by Ram Gopal Varma and it exhibits a high-voltage sensual drama, much contrary to conventional Indian social norms. Both Varma and Bachchan have denied that the movie is a take off on Lolita.

सांसद की हत्या के विरोध में झारखंड बंद

झारखंड मुक्ति मोर्चा (झामुमो) ने अपने सांसद सुनील महतो की नक्सलियों द्वारा हत्या के विरोध में सोमवार को झारखंड बंद का आह्वान किया है। इस बंद का व्यापक असर देखा जा रहा है। पटना-रांची मार्ग पर मीलों लम्बा जाम लग गया है।

झामुमो के अलावा राज्य के लगभग सभी राजनीतिक दलों ने बंद को अपना समर्थन दिया है। राजधानी रांची में बंद का काफी असर है और सड़कों पर वाहन नहीं चल रहे हैं। राज्य के अन्य हिस्सों में भी बंद का व्यापक असर है।

गौरतलब है कि नक्सलियों ने झामुमो सांसद की रविवार की शाम राज्य के सिंहभूमि क्षेत्र में गोली मार कर हत्या कर दी थी। इस हमले में महतो के तीन अंगरक्षक और एक स्थानीय झामुमो नेता प्रभाकर महतो मारे गए थे।

झामुमो सूत्रों ने आज यहाँ बताया कि बंद से आवश्यक सेवाओं को मुक्त रखा गया है। सूत्रों ने बताया कि राष्ट्रीय जनता दल, भारतीय जनता पार्टी, लोकजन शक्ति पार्टी और मार्क्सवादी कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी ने बंद का समर्थन किया है।

नई दिल्ली में प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह और लोकसभा अध्यक्ष सोमनाथ चटर्जी ने झारखंड मुक्ति मोर्चा (झामुमो) सांसद सुनील महतो की हत्या पर गहरा शोक व्यक्त किया है। इस बीच गृह मंत्रालय ने झारखंड सरकार से घटना पर पूरी रिपोर्ट माँगी है।

Aishwarya teams up with Bachchans for 'Sarkar' sequel

We saw them together in that sizzling item song in Shaad Ali's 'Bunty Aur Babli'. Now Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law-to-be Aishwarya Rai are teaming up for the first time for a whole film, Ram Gopal Varma's sequel to 'Sarkar'.

'News travels fast! Yes, it's true Aishwarya has agreed to be a part of 'Sarkar' 2. We only need to work out her dates. She'll of course play the lead opposite Abhishek,' Ramu confirmed to IANS.


Considering how much in the news the pair is, Ramu has got quite a winning combination on his hands.


Laughs the filmmaker: 'I don't think that's the primary motivation for my casting Aishwarya. You see, I've been meaning to work with her for some time. Who doesn't want to work with Aishwarya Rai? But the vehicle has to be worthy of her presence.


'I did approach her on a few occasions earlier. Things didn't work out. I'm glad she's on finally.'


'Sarkar 2' which will carry forward the story of the 'Godfather'-like political clan will now have Abhishek playing the messianic saviour of the downtrodden.


The Bachchan senior has confirmed that he would have comparatively less to do in the sequel to 'Sarkar'. But knowing Ramu's passionate proclivity for the Big B's histrionics there's bound to be more of Amitabh than it would outwardly appear possible.


'I can't say right now how much scope the three main stars will have in 'Sarkar 2'. But Amitji, Abhishek and Aishwarya are going to be seen in a light not cast before,' revealed Ramu.

Madhuri is back, come shake a leg

It’s being pegged as the comeback of the decade and is likely to send cash registers ringing at the box office.

Actress Madhuri Dixit returning to the silver screen with Yash Raj Films’ Aaja Nachle, directed by ace cinematographer Anil Mehta.

The film, the shooting for which is currently on in Mumbai's Film City, is slated for a November 30 release.

Yash Raj Films are pegging the film, also starring Akshaye Khanna, as the one that will change their fortunes and end the year with a “big bang”.

Madhuri has already been giving enthusiastic soundbytes to the media. “What I missed was being in front of the camera and assuming various characters,” Madhuri was quoted as saying.

“Yeah I missed that, I'm glad to have it back,” she added.

“I don't miss the adulation or the glamour, though it is good to know people still miss me,” says the actress who stopped working to raise her two children.

In October 1999, Madhuri married Los Angeles-based cardiac surgeon Dr Nene. Though she never officially quit Bollywood, her long stay in Los Angeles made it impossible for her to sign many film projects in India.

Her last hit movie, released in 2002, was Devdas, in which she played a courtesan in a saga of doomed love.

And as fans look forward to the movie, Yash Raj also have many reasons to look forward to the year 2007. Their first release this year is Ta Ra Rum Rum starring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherji and boasting of an unusual storyline of a race car driver. The movie will release on comes up on April 27.

Shaad Ali's third directorial venture Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' follows two months later and stars Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta and Amitabh Bachchan in a special appearance.

Tendulkar eyes special fifth World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar wants to make his fifth World Cup special in his new role as a middle-order batsman and with the ball.

The premier batsman was the player of the 2003 edition after scoring 673 runs to help India reach the final.

Tendulkar, who holds the records for most one-day runs (14,783), hundreds (41) and appearances (381) has also played some memorable knocks in the World Cup.

In 2003, he smashed Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar over point for six to score 98 and lead the team to an emotional victory. In 1999, he returned to England after his father's funeral to score 140 against Kenya.

"It is always special to be part of the World Cup," he told reporters at the weekend. "I've been part of that four times and all four times it has been great."

The 33-year-old also wants to make up for the disappointment of missing last year's rare test series triumph in West Indies due to injury.

Tendulkar recently gave up his one-day opener's slot to add depth to the batting in what could be his last World Cup.

"Batting at middle order is difficult," he said. "The last eight games played in India have just helped me figure out what I should do differently. I want to get rhythm and continue with that."

He also wants to contribute with his occasional bowling on Caribbean soil which many expect would play slow.

"I know it helps to be irregular," said Tendulkar, who has 147 one-day scalps. "I'd want to introduce an element of surprise."

INDIAN COMMANDOS

Skipper Rahul Dravid hoped his players would benefit with their quiet build-up in the Caribbean, away from the frenzy around the team in India. However, the team would get protection from elite Indian commandos during the event.

"When we play in India we are used to the security, the number of people around us all the time," he said. "Hopefully they will stay in the background and don't get too visible.

"In some ways, it is a relief for us the tournament has started," Dravid said. "It'll give us a chance to get closer.

"Not often does the Indian team get a chance to sit around the pool and have lunch without being disturbed."

The Indian team trained on Sunday at Jarrett Park stadium in Montego Bay with just a handful of journalists watching them work out in intense heat.

India are in group B with 1996 winners Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and debutants Bermuda.

They play two warm-up matches, against Netherlands on Tuesday and against West Indies on Friday.

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Television is my true calling, says Shilpa

After winning the British reality TV show 'Celebrity Big Brother', Shilpa Shetty feels the small screen is where she belongs.

'In a way I feel television is my true calling. Of course, I'm known as a film actress. And I'm proud of that label,' Shilpa told IANS in an interview.


A couple of Bollywood actresses came forward to claim they had been offered 'Big Brother'.


'It was their choice if they didn't do it. I took up 'Big Brother' because they paid me my money and stuck to the clauses in our contract.'


But Shilpa finds comparisons with item girl Rakhi Sawant, who appeared on the Indian version 'Bigg Boss', hurtful.


'Sorry, but with due respects, 'Big Brother' is a hundred notches higher than 'Bigg Boss'. Honestly, 'Big Brother' this time was one of the most decent seasons. I was very clear that I was going to do nothing indecent.


'It's the non-celebrity 'Big Brother' that's pretty obnoxious. There was no nudity or anything obnoxious in my show,' said Shilpa.


She made her maiden appearance on television for the first time as a judge for Sony TV's dance show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'.


One of Shilpa's happiest memories from 'Celebrity Big Brother' is her friendship with beleaguered pop singer Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine.


'And guess what?' she squealed in delight. 'Michael Jackson saw us on 'Big Brother'. I told Jermaine to go home and just let me hear his voice.'


Shilpa is overjoyed to meet sister Shamita.


'She was shooting in Hyderabad. I borrowed her from her co-star Madhavan. I hadn't spent any time with my sister in almost two months.'


Attempts to attack her family in Indian and British press mar Shilpa's happiness over winning the reality show.


'Please don't run down my family. They accused us of not paying workers at our factory. My father has worked so hard to keep that factory going. The workers love him. I don't care what they write about me. But why target my family? My father is 67. Spare him. My parents have gone through so much on my account. They were worried while I was doing 'Big Brother'.


'I had the choice of getting out. And I was tempted to do so for my family's sake but I didn't want to be a loser. Honestly, it wasn't easy in there. And when people out here see the full footage, it'll anger them. What kept me going was the belief that I'd be out of there in three weeks. But there were fun moments.'


About her sister Shamita's unbecoming picture appearing in a tabloid, Shilpa said: 'Everyone makes mistakes. Publishing her picture was a very mean thing to do.


'The difference between the West and us is that we've some ingrained values and we draw a line of decency in public. No point in aping the West. We should never lose our intrinsic values.'


Shilpa says she never thought it would become so big.


'They were writing all kinds of things about me. If I weren't Shilpa Shetty, I'd have actually believed what's written about me. They're now trying to dig up supposedly unsavoury details about me.


'Out there, they're so used to celebrities who are abnormal and dysfunctional. They're incredulous that I'm so normal. I'm very happy with the way things are going. The media there works very differently from the way it's over here.'


Shilpa has been getting feedback from places as far-flung as Barbados and Romania.


'Yes, it was the racism issue that has made it so big. People in India wouldn't understand the nerves that my situation at 'Big Brother' touched among Asians abroad who've been through discrimination.'


According to the Western press, not since Mahatma Gandhi has the Third World risen in one voice to protest against racial discrimination as they did for Shilpa.


'Asians from India and Pakistan and Bangladesh rose up to protest against my discrimination. That's been my biggest achievement. People at home have been very welcoming. All I'm requesting is please don't write irresponsibly about me. If I don't get respect at home, how can I get it abroad? Don't write well about me. But please don't run down my parents.'


Marital dreams?


'I want to settle down. But I need a man first. I'm sure god has great plans in that department too. Just look at what he has planned for me this year!'

Mr. Cricket

When someone starts their international cricket career at 30, it is normally thought that this is a stop-gap arrangement. But Michael Hussey ensured it wasn't that. Since his debut in 2004 against India, Hussey has gone on to be a regular member of the Australian team (Test and ODI) and is today considered among the best finishers in one-day cricket.

His call-up wasn't entirely by luck though. He has had a long time of playing cricket at First-class level including seasons in England. So when Michael Bevan was no more part of the team and a finisher was found missing, Hussey proved to be the natural choice. And he did fit into the role with consummate ease too. Throughout his international career, he has made a mark for himself as a steady left-hander who can accelerate towards the end to ensure a big score or pace an innings to perfection to ensure a win. Both crucial roles and Hussey's temperament seem to suit both requirements just fine.

His best innings to date has been a 109 not out in a losing cause against the West Indies. Ten scores of fifty-plus and being not out in half the innings he has played does help boost up the average to a surreal 71.77, though!


The main things Hussey brings to the Australian team are his outstanding fielding and also some bowling. A part-time swing bowler, he has not had too many chances or successes with the ball, but he can be called upon if needed. And perhaps, there is more to him than just a player.
Australia has had a long line of successful captains and Hussey may just be the next one. He has the experience at the first-class level and now, in Australia's three-match ODI tour of New Zealand, he will captain the team in the absence of Ponting and Gilchrist. Perhaps a sign of things to come?

Age will have no bearing on Hussey's career, for at 32, he is still as fit as any of the younger guys. He has the hunger to succeed and the skill and temperament to match. In his first World Cup (which he most definitely will play barring injury), he will be one of the mainstays of Australia's defence of the title. With Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting, he forms the crux of the Australian middle order. He will certainly be one of the main players the opposition has to watch out for.

I didn't like myself in 'Don' song: Sunidhi Chauhan

It was a big moment in Sunidhi Chauhan's life when she got to sing Asha Bhosle's boogie-classic 'Yeh mera dil' in 'Don' but, she is not too happy with the outcome.

'My version of 'Yeh mera dil' can't hold a candle to Ashaji's original... If you look at the original song, situation, dancing -- everything was fabulous. No one can replicate the original. We weren't even trying.


'We did the song in a completely different way and I failed. I sang the song according to the requirement of the scene. I wanted to infuse a certain brightness into this low-key number, but I couldn't,' Sunidhi told IANS.


The singer wanted to re-do the song.


'I didn't make that request though I wanted to. See, we never set out to be one up on 'Don'. In fact, the old version is to this day fresh and contemporary.


'I was so thrilled when I got to record a song that I had sung on stage since my childhood. To do one of Ashaji's best tracks was a great challenge. I decided I'd give my shot to 'Yeh mera dil'. But I was bound by the character and situation, which is fine because there's a special challenge in singing within character.'


Sunidhi says she failed to bring brightness in the number.


'When I sang 'Yeh mera dil', I found it lacking in brightness. That's okay. Eminent scientists make mistakes. Who am I? Frankly, I'm neither happy nor disappointed. But I'm all for Farhan Akhtar's vision. Let me add, I didn't sing 'Yeh mera dil' with Ashaji in mind.'


Sunidhi, who has sung one of her best songs, 'Bhaage re man', in 'Chameli' for Kareena Kapoor, is slightly disappointed by Kareena's costume in the song.


'I'm no one to comment on this. Kareena knows how to carry herself. She's exceptionally beautiful and expressive. She can play anything -- from a goddess to a vamp. I just wish she had worn a black or red gown instead of a golden one for the song.


'Helenji gobbled everyone up with her eyes. Kareena could've done the same... And I wish Shah Rukh had gelled his hair and made a ponytail. He'd have looked like a full-on don. I've been on world tours with Shah Rukh. Trust me, he'd have looked stunning.'


Why is Sunidhi singing fewer songs these days, and why not more love ballads?


'Not at all! I'm singing two-three songs every day. There was a trend of chartbusters from me. Then there was a lull in release, not in my singing. Now, let me tell you I've sung a love ballad for Ismail Durbar in an English-language film called 'Interminable'. It's a semi-classical song.


'I can't believe Ismailji has tapped that quality in my voice. Then I've sung for a non-film album with Ustad Sultan Khan called 'Ustad & The Divas' with songs composed by Sandesh Shandilya. I wish some of my ballads were as successful as the brisk numbers. They clicked in an earlier era. And singers then were fortunate to belong to that era. But I'm lucky to be getting and being accepted in both kinds of songs.'


Why is she so low-profile?


'You'll never catch me at parties and music launches. My presence makes no difference to these. I won't go where my presence isn't respected. I'd any time go to a Vishal-Shekhar music launch. But others treat me just like a vocal tool. Why should I be where I'm not so indispensable? As long as people are happy with my work, I don't need to be visible.'

Amrita denies romance rumours

Bollywood stars are being constantly linked with their colleagues. The latest casualty is Amrita Rao who is said to be dating 'My Name in Anthony Gonsalves' co-star Nikhil Dwivedi.

Denying the rumours, Amrita said: 'I wish to categorically deny that there is any truth in the media's speculation about my 'developing a relationship' or 'dating my co-star' Nikhil Dwivedi.


'I also wish to say that this year I have many projects on hand and am totally focused only on the quality of my performance and career.'

World Cup thrown suddenly open

Five weeks ago, in the considered judgment of Australia coach John Buchanan, England and New Zealand's batsmen were not good enough to give his team a game.

Buchanan being Buchanan, he did not say so in as many words.

"In essence, the batting efforts of our opposition are not assisting the development of our bowlers' one-day skills and the decision making that accompanies being placed under the microscope of competition," was the quote on the official Australian Web site (www.baggygreen.com.au).

Given that most of the cricketing world loves to kick Australians when they are down, Buchanan's words were condemned as examples of incorrigible antipodean arrogance when his team lost successive series to the teams whose batting was deemed inadequate.

A more accurate interpretation would acknowledge that Buchanan's remarks were an accurate reflection of an interminable tri-series which seemed to be limping to an inevitable conclusion. In three out of four years they would have been quickly forgotten as the southern hemisphere season drifted to a close.

This, though, is the fourth year when the world prepares for the one-day World Cup and any sign that Australia are not cruising serenely to a third consecutive title has been welcomed by the rest of the world.

Australia have lost their number one ranking to South Africa, who crushed India and Pakistan at home.

They have also lost their paciest bowler Brett Lee, whose replacement Stuart Clark was approved by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday. They will start the tournament without opener Matthew Hayden and all-rounder Andrew Symonds who are both injured.

WIDE OPEN

But Australia will still field two of the world's top three one-day batsmen in Michael Hussey and captain Ricky Ponting and any hint of complacency has been extinguished after a 2-0 loss in the tri-series finals to England followed by a 3-0 whitewash in New Zealand.

"I know we are going to be extremely hard to beat," Ponting told the Australian Associated Press in Sydney before his team left for the two-month tournament in the West Indies.

"We're drifting favourites but, once the cricket gets underway, hopefully you'll see some cricket that's going to mean that we are still the favourites going in."

Barring accidents each of the top eight countries will play each other once for the first time since 1992 in a tournament which has suddenly been thrown wide open.

The tournament begins with four groups of four with the two leading teams qualifying for the super eight stage. There they will meet each of the other qualifiers with the exception of the side they played in the first round.

Already the game of the first round looks to be the March 24 match between Australia and South Africa in St Kitts. The winners will take two points through to the second round plus a clear psychological boost.

At this point, though, any of one of West Indies, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, England and New Zealand are also plausible finalists.

West Indies have Brian Lara, a group of exciting young batsmen and a genuine fast bowler in Jerome Taylor. The Caribbean pitches are expected to be slow and low, which will suit the sub-continental teams. England and New Zealand are on a roll.

"Australia start as favourites but the competition is going to be tight among the eight teams," India captain Rahul Dravid told reporters on Tuesday. "Like Brian Lara said yesterday, you get to the semi-final and then it is a matter of playing two good games."

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