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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