Heroine First Look Promo To Be Launched On May 25

The first look promo of Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine will be launched at an event on May 25 at a Bombay multiplex.

We shall be presenting Mr Bachchan's interview in a four part special feature on May 18, 19, 21 and 22

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Aishwarya At Cannes On May 24, 25

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, will represent L'Oréal Paris at Cannes on the 24^th & 25^th of May at the 65^th Annual Cannes Film Festival. On the 24^th of May she will attend the L'Oréal Paris - amfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) dinner and after-party. L'Oréal Paris is a presenting sponsor of this traditional dinner held to raise funds in the fight against AIDS, thereby supporting an international event that is a key part of the festival.

To keep the red carpet tradition alive, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a regular at the Cannes Film Festival will also light up the red carpet on 25^th May, making it her 11^th appearance at Cannes. Aishwarya says, "11 glorious years....the journey so far has been remarkable and truly memorable. This year, I am especially privileged as I also get to lend my support to a very important cause at the amfAR dinner, by helping raise funds for the fight against AIDS, at the AMFAR auction. It makes me proud that L'Oréal Paris sponsors and supports our fight against AIDS through this special amfAR event at Cannes."

"An Original Will Always Be An Original": Amitabh Bachchan

Zubaani daave to bahut log karte rahte hain
Junoon ke kaam ko karke dikhaana hota hai

One of the perks of being a Journalist is the opportunity to meet and interview stalwarts like Mr Bachchan. Each time I sit next to him, I feel like pinching myself. He has been recuperating after the recent bout of illness. Is he going to Los Angeles for treatment? "No that is a rumour," he said. Department is his next release and he is amused by the usage of 5D cameras by Ram Gopal Varma. Mr Bachchan recounted the era of 70s with big cameras and an anecdote about the great actor Raj Kumar Sahab was specially interesting.

Who, in your opinion is the greatest actor ever in the Hindi film industry? "It has to be Dilip Kumar. There will always be two eras in our industry...before and after Dilip Kumar." Giving example of the superlative performance by Yusuf Sahab in Ganga Jamuna, Mr Bachchan said that Dilip Sahab didn't get an award for his performance and hence awards are not always the yardsticks of a timeless performance. He also remembered the experience of shooting Shakti with Dilip Sahab and how he was generous enough to help him with his scenes.

Agneepath was remade recently. There are films like Satte Pe Satta, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Zanjeer, Lawaaris, Sharaabi etc that are either being remade or there are talks for there remakes. "An original will always be an original," Mr Bachchan said. I spoke to him on many topics including Ekla Chalo Re from Kahaani making waves, the new season of KBC, shooting for Bol Bachchan song (A tribute to My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves from Amar Akbar Anthony), the recent disclosure on Bofors etc. Mr Bachchan revealed that he is in talks with Balki for a film (apart from the cameo in Sridevi's English Vinglish) and Amit Sharma will be making a film with him and Abhishek. Mr Bachhan, the one on one interactions with your fans in KBC must be a unique experience? "I experienced this one on one interaction with the common man briefly during my stint in politics," he said wistfully. I decided not to probe him on this matter.

Mr Bachchan's interview is a long one. I hope all you guys will try to unravel this treasure house on your own!!

Mother's Day In Auspicious Ajmer Shareef

It is Mother's Day today. Ammi wanted to do ziyarat at Ajmer Shareef Dargah since a long time. Aarefa, me, Insha along with Ammi mesmerised ourselves with the magnificence of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz at Ajmer today morning. I guess it was a nice gift from us to her. The last few months have been tough for Ammi and all of us, as we are gradually trying to recover from the sad demise of Abba in February this year. Ammi is one of the finest Urdu writers (Both prose as well as poetry). I have been coaxing her to concentrate on her literary works. I genuinely hope she gets her due soon. She deserves it.

Why Was Salman Khan Left Out Of 'Bollywood's Top 20'?

The statement from Bhaichand Patel in the introduction of the book Bollywood's Top Twenty that Salman had to be axed out of top 20 actors as none of his films will stand the test of time, is worth a heated debate. Comparing Salman with Rajendra Kumar and saying that none of his films will be remembered by posterity is a misjudgement. Salman's films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Andaz Apna Apna and Dabanng will always be part of bollywood folk lore.

Bollywood's Top Twenty is a compilation of some wonderfuly analysed, insightful essays by prominent writers like Jerry Pinto, Nasreen Munni Kabir, Rauf Ahmed, Bhawna Somaya etc on the great actors of Indian cinema since the beginning of Hindi cinema. Devika Rani's liplock way back in 1933, Suraiya-Dev Anand's unrequited love affair, Meena Kumari's tragic decadence wrapped in a poetic allure, the myth-n-reality of Raj Kapoor Nargis real life romance, K L Saigal's dream like rise to stardom, quick rise-n-rapid fall of Rajesh Khanna from super stardom, the tenacious success of Amitabh Bachchan, quest for Aamir's perfection, understanding the evolution of Shahrukh and why he needs to reinvent himself are some of the key facets of this must read book.

The essay on Kajol is sugar coated and it is obvious that it has been written by an industry insider in Niranjan Iyengar and not an objective writer like Jerry Pinto or Deepa Gahlot. Udita Jhunjhunwala's confusing english stands out as a sore thumb.

Final Analysis

Bollywood's Top Twenty is a good buy if you wish to educate yourself about the eminent work of some of Hindi cinema's greats and details about their muchitalked-about personal lives. But yes, the debate will rage on as to who else deserved a mention in the coveted list. Apart from Salman, Guru Dutt, Dharmendra, Ajay Devgn, Jaya Bahaduri, Naseeruddin Shah are a few of the names that readily come to mind.

Star Rating *** 1/2






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SRK's Tag Heur Boutique, Music Launch Of Teri Meri Kahaani

Shahrukh Khan will unveil the Tag Heuer Boutique at a Mall in Bombay today May 10, 2012. SRK is the brand ambassador of Tag Heuer.

Salman Khan launched a gym in Bombay yesterday May 9, 2012.

According to a reliable source, the music launch of Shahid-Priyanka starrer Teri Meri Kahaani is scheduled for May 25, 2012. It is not going to be an event. The music will be unveiled at a reality show with performances by Shahid and Priyanka.

Sonakshi Sinha will pay tribute to her mom this mother's day on May 11, 2012 with a Thank You Mom campaign.
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Simla Vignettes; Cherished Memories

In The Lap of Nature

Aarefa and Me at the Mall.

Tattapani: After River rafting at Satluj

Me And Insha Enjoying The Sulphur Poolem

Aarefa, Me, Tabbi and Insha At Green Valley

Aarefa And Insha In Traditional Himalyan Attire