What's your favorite movie to watch with Dad?

By Annie Barrett

Mine is Father of the Bride, which thankfully made our list of 24 Movies To See With Dad. Awwwwwww. It's not that I would particularly like to deal with anything remotely involving a wedding. Oh hell no. It's the uber-relatable scenes of Annie Banks and George (Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Steve Martin, pictured) playing basketball in the driveway that suck me in. That was soooo me and my dad, the only glaring difference being that Annie Barrett could actually shoot the frickin' ball one-handed and had pretty amazing form all-around, whereas Annie Banks is the sorriest excuse for a student-athlete to hit theaters in the early '90s. (I smell another photo gallery!)

My runner-up dad movie is 2001: A Space Odyssey -- I remember the first time we watched it together, the normally sedated Bill Barrett nearly leapt out of his big red chair to punctuate the final fetus-meets-home plant moment with a resounding "F---in A, Ann! Did you see that? ARE YOU WATCHING THIS?" I most certainly was. Hi, dad! Happy early Father's Day.

Source: Entertainment Weekly.

RGV vows to make movie of aspiring filmmaker who shocks him

By Agencies

In a bid to promote his yet-to-be-released thriller "Agyaat", filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has come up with a contest whose winner stands a chance to make a movie with him.

The maverick director has promised to produce a movie of an aspiring filmmaker "who can shock him."

Both he and producers, UTV, have invited entries for "Agyaat Short Film Contest."

Anyone who has a chilling and scary story to tell in visual can participate in the contest by sending an entry.

Participant can shoot a short film and upload the link on Agyaat's website. The winner will get a chance to direct a film that will be produced by UTV and Varma.

Varma, who is back with another chilling experience after "Phoonk", takes the audience into an unknown zone with "Agyaat".

He says that "Agyaat" is about the unknown or forces that cannot be defined. "Neither it is about supernatural powers or creatures or evil forces, it is about something beyond human understanding. And most of all it is very scary," he said.

"There are so many people who have potential to become a good director but they never get access to the industry. This is our endeavor to find potential filmmaker. It’s easy to shoot a film now with just a mobile phone, handy cam and a laptop so we are inviting people to showcase their talent," Varma said.

"The clip should shock, thrill or scare us. Once we are convinced with the capability of the person, we would give him or her a chance to direct the film and take their subject forward," Varma said.

Shikha Kapoor of UTV Marketing further adds, our film is meant for connoisseurs of horror genres who enjoy all kinds of horror and super natural films. This would be an additional bonus for them to be able to direct a film.

"Agyaat" has an ensemble cast of Priyanka Kothari, Nitin, Gautam Rode, Ravi Kale, Howard Rosemeyer, Kali Prasad, Rasika Duggal, and Joy Fernandis. The movie will be released on July 24.

Source: Screenindia.

Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in Online Poker Movie

By Dan Cypra

Move over, “Titanic,” there’s a new sheriff in town. Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio will star in an untitled film about internet gambling outfits in Costa Rica, according to the Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly.

The screenplay will be written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who both served in the same capacity in the 1998 film “Rounders,” which turned many of today’s poker prodigies onto the game. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), “Rounders” marked the first official writing credits for Koppelman and Levien. The duo has also teamed up with DiCaprio to bring “Beat the Reaper” to the big screen. The film, which will be released next year, has the following plot according to IMDB: “ER doctor Peter Brown’s life is turned upside down when he crosses paths with a mobster who appears to know him from his former life as a hitman.”

No release date has been given for DiCaprio’s online poker movie. An article on MTV.com noted that DiCaprio’s plate is quite full: “DiCaprio has an enormous list of films in pre-production. For the time being, at least, he’ll be working on Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception.’ Whenever he’s finished with that, he will probably have developed five more projects.” IMDB notes that DiCaprio has 21 films in development.

Whether the film will focus on online poker, casinos, or sports betting remains to be seen and various websites pitch the movie in several different ways. Tokwiro-owned online poker rooms Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker are both based in San Jose, the Central American country’s capital city. A report by CBS News program “60 Minutes” identified the offices of the sites as being located in a “strip mall.” Both Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker comprise the CEREUS Network, which was formed in November.

Action Poker, the flagship site of the network of the same name, has offices in Costa Rica. Joining the site in the tropical nation is Doyle’s Room, which opened the 2009 calendar year by jumping to the USA-friendly Cake Poker Network. Ten-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Doyle Brunson, whose “Texas Dolly” moniker has made him one of the industry’s foremost faces, is the site’s namesake. Also holding a presence in Costa Rica is PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site. According to PokerScout.com, which ranks online poker site traffic, PokerStars has a seven day running average of 22,000 cash game players. It happily accepts customers from the United States.

“Rounders” starred Edward Norton and Matt Damon. The movie was released five years before Chris Moneymaker became a household after the Tennessee accountant defeated Sammy Farha in the 2003 WSOP Main Event. Since then, Koppelman and Levien have kept their love for poker alive, teaming up for ESPN’s short-lived series “Tilt,” which starred Michael Madsen as Don “The Matador” Everest. “Tilt” premiered in 2005, ran for one season, and featured appearances by poker superstars including Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel, and T.J. Cloutier. Negreanu is fresh off a cameo in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

Finally, Koppelman and Levien wrote “Oceans Thirteen,” which came out in 2007. It was the third installment of the franchise, which stars Damon, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts. “Oceans Thirteen” returned to its roots in Las Vegas as the team sought revenge on casino owner Willy Blank (played by Al Pacino). The movie also stars Don Cheadle, who founded Ante Up for Africa along with Norman Epstein and “Celebrity Apprentice” runner-up Annie Duke.

Source: POKER NEWS DAILY.

Thrillers keep director Anjan Dutt busy

Agencies

Making a ghost story has kept him preoccupied for long. And, after three attempts, filmmaker Anjan Dutt has finally zeroed in on a story for his upcoming thriller.

Dutt, is adapting the short story "Loving Doll," from Ipsita Roy Chakraverti's book "Sacred Evil."

"I am currently in the post-production stage of a very very dark Byomkesh Bakshi 1960's period thriller based on incest and riots. After this I'll start work on Ipsita's film," Dutt said.

The Kolkata-based director also an actor and singer and whose repertory include films like "Bong Connection," and "Chalo Let's Go" says he is excited about the new film which will be set in Kolkata and Darjeeling.

"Ipsita saw my film 'Madly Bangalee' and approached me with the story and I said yes, of course after reading the book," says Dutt who had been looking for a ghost story script for long.

Dutt says he wanted to film an adapted Rabindranath Tagore work but was unsure about getting the literary genius' story right and also because he says making a good thriller is always a challenge.

The Bengal-based director says, "You cannot fool around with a Tagore story. He is a genius. I began writing scripts for three stories but gave up. When Ipsita started talking to me I found the story interesting and thought I could take up the challenge."

"Loving Doll," explores the life of a middle-aged couple where the wife is obsessed about losing her beauty and is attached to a doll who she thinks will help her remain beautiful forever.

Funding of the film, says Dutt, is currently under negotiations with "various interested parties keen to fund the film."

"The story has a personal relation. I want to show the evil in a consumeristic society, a false world of ad and glamour where the cosmetic look is in vogue," says Dutt.

Bollywood actress Sarika, who had essayed character of Ipsita in the 2006 flick Sacred Evil is expected to play the lead in the film whose casting is likely to be done soon.

Concerns over first flick on Mumbai attack suspect Kasab

By ANI

Bollywood is all set to release the first film based on the Mumbai terror attacks, but not everybody thinks it's just to showcase the horrific events while the lone suspect is still going under trial. 

Titled ''Total Ten'', the film tells the true story of Azam Amir Kasab, 21-the Pakistani national alleged to be the sole terrorist caught alive during the attacks in November. 

''Total Ten'' refers to the terrorists who attacked Mumbai. 

But many people have raised concerns that the low-budget film risks prejudicing Kasab's trial, as it ends with him being sentenced to death and hanged. 

Kasab is accused of 166 counts of murder and waging war against India. 

Abbas Kazmi, his lawyer and a terror case veteran, said that the film might shatter one of the highest-profile trials ever held in the country. 

"Any depiction of the attacks would jeopardise the proceedings," A news agency quoted him as saying. 

However, the filmmakers have shrugged off suggestions that they could prejudice the case, which is being heard before a judge without a jury. 

The film's producers want their film to be released as soon as possible, before it is beaten to the screen by one of at least 17 similar films that are in production. 

"We are only showing what was shown to the world by TV channels live. The best part is that we have a Kasab lookalike playing the role," said Sugath Kumar, one of the producers of ''Total Ten''. 

As the stakes in Kasab's trial are very high, legal experts have said that ''Total Ten'' is on very shaky ground. 

Majeed Memon, one of India's leading criminal lawyers, said: "A film likely to reflect on the character of an accused must be considered unjust." 

The police, on their part, seem unlikely to be swayed by the film's celebration of their heroics as the terror strike unfolded over 60 hours. 

Deven Bharti, a senior officer with the Mumbai Crime Branch, which assembled the case against Mr Kasab, said: "The film-makers have not contacted us to check any details. I doubt the portrayal of events is at all accurate. When the film comes before the censors we will look into the matter." 

However, it still remains to be seen whether the Indian public will flock to see recreations of scenes that were repeated endlessly on television and remain burnt into the minds of many.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted for 'Predators' sequel

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is being pursued by the producers of his super hit film 'Predators' as they want the former action star to reprise his role in a planned sequel to the 1987 hit. 

The 61-year-old actor has been contacted by Robert Rodriguez, who will be producing the film and is awaiting a nod from Schwarzenegger's camp,reported Ace Showbiz quoting the website Movie Hole. 

"Robert's camp has just reached out to Arnie's (camp)," the report quoted an insider as saying. 

The report also said that Schwarzenegger's representatives have yet to respond to the offer. 

The Terminator star's last on-screen outing was in the 2005 movie 'The Kid and I', where he played himself, 'Predators' a extraterrestrial thriller franchise saw the actor play Major Alan Dutch who finishes off the alien predator. 

The film was a super hit and inspired many spin offs including films like 'Alien vs Predator' and many comic books and video games.

Source: Agencies.

Jackman, Pattinson team up for new film

By Agencies

It will be a total delight for the ladies out there as Hollywood heartthrobs Hugh Jackman and Robert Pattinson are set to star in period drama "Unbound Captives." 

The movie, helmed by Madeleine Stowe is about a woman played by 'Mummy' star Rachel Weisz whose husband is killed and her two children kidnapped by a Comanche war party in 1859, ‘Ace Showbiz’ reported. 

She is later rescued by a frontiersman, to be played by Jackman while Pattinson will play her son. 

The film will go on floor this year end.

Source: ScreenIndia.

A Different Kind of Pirate Film

Compiled by STEVEN McELROY

The real life, adventure-on-the-high-seas tale of Richard Phillips, the American ship captain who was captured by Somali pirates, is likely to get the Hollywood treatment, Reuters reported. Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to the story of Mr. Phillips, 53, who as captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama surrendered to pirates to save his crew. He was held for five days until a dramatic rescue by the Navy, when snipers shot and killed three of the pirates.

Source: NewYorkTimes.

Revolutionary Road

CRITICAL CONSENSUS

Brilliantly acted and emotionally powerful, Revolutionary Road is a handsome adaptation of Richard Yates' celebrated novel.

SYNOPSIS

Based on the celebrated novel by Richard Yates, director Sam Mendes' "Revolutionary Road" is the story of a young couple (Oscar(r) nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) trying to find fulfillment in an age of conformity. Trapped in a world of encoded convention, they dream without faith, as lies and self-deceptions build to explosive consequences.

--© Paramount Vantage

Rated R (for language and some sexual content/nudity.)

Source: WoodTV.

SRK to play baddie in ‘Dhoom 3’

By Agencies

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan who redefined the Bollywood villain by playing the bad guy in films like 'Baazigar', 'Anjaam' and 'Darr' is set to do a negative role once again for 'Dhoom 3', reports said. 

Khan has been approached by Yashraj Films to play the villain in the third edition of Dhoom series and the star has reportedly accepted the offer, Femalefirst reported. 

"Shah Rukh had been approached by the banner to play the main villain in the most successful franchise of Bollywood - the Dhoom series and he has immediately given the nod," a source told the website. 

Last few days there has been a lot of buzz that Saif Ali Khan has signed the dotted line for the same role but it seems they were just plain rumours, the source added. 

'Dhoom 3' is slated to go on floor early next year, but the director is yet to be decided. Reports suggest that either Sanjay Gadhvi or Aditya Chopra might direct the the third edition of the franchise. 

"The shooting of Dhoom 3 may start early next year. However, it is not yet clear who is going to direct the film as the original director of the film, Sanjay Gadhvi, after the first two films hay moved out of the YRF camp," the source added. 

The superstar will follows in the footsteps of John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan who have both played villains in the Dhoom series opposite cop Abhishek Bachchan.

Source: Screen India.

Transformers 2: New Info & Pic For ‘The Fallen’

By Rob Keyes 

Of the many new Cybertronian characters we’ll finally see next month, making their big screen debuts in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the title character is the one we’ve seen the least of and know the least about. MTV sought to address this by speaking with Shia LaBeouf who revealed some new info on the character and an exclusive still from the movie featuring The Fallen.

Back in February, we got our first look at The Fallen character design but this new image is the first clear shot of him in action from an actual scene in the movie. LaBeouf had quite a lot to say about the character and revealed quite a bit about him that we’ve not heard others who are involved with the film talk about yet:

“He is the king bee… He’s the patriarchal figure, he’s the main dude. He’s what all of this came from.”

“Basically, the Fallen is to them what cavemen, Neanderthals were to us… He’s the ancestor, the first version of this exoskeleton. He’s the first version of this sentient being. That’s what he is. He’s the origins of what they came from.”

While fans of the Transformers universe know the general stuff about the character, Shia then went on to talk about the more organic and demonic alien-like live-action adaptation of The Fallen.

“It’s the design of the Transformer you see in the symbol, almost — at least, that’s where the jump-off point of the idea was spawned from… That was the initial spark of his look, the actual Decepticon logo — which is cool.”

As for what role The Fallen will play in the movie, especially knowing that Megatron will be back in the sequel, Shia had this to say about their relationship and the Decepticon leadership structure:

“It’s the Emperor and Darth Vader — it’s that kind of situation… [The Fallen] is the main villain, so two and two makes four. He’s a badass. He has to be.

“The Fallen, his transportation method is really unlike any other robot’s transportation method… The way he fights is also very different. It’s spectacular, visually stunning, really incredible.”

It all sounds intriguing to me and I’m excited for this movie to finally debut. With the crazy rushed schedule of the film’s post-production and most notably, the special effects work, I really hope the film looks finished (unlike X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and the robots don’t come off looking too fake.

He certainly does look very organic compared to the other characters we’ve seen so far. Since he is one of the original Transformers, does that make him primitive in terms of his power and abilities? Doubtful. I’m thinking he’ll be more god-like in power and I’m curious about what he’ll transform into to travel as Shia referenced.

The star of the films also says the film is definitely of a darker tone compared to the first and he has yet to see the finished version of the character as we all know director Michael Bay is working some very long hours to get the film done in time for its release a mere few weeks away. He’ll be seeing it for the first time at its official premiere.

What do you think of the image and of what Mr. LaBeouf had to say about the character?

Source: http://screenrant.com

Twilight lovers reunited for steamy kiss in New Moon sequel

By Daily Mail Reporter

Despite denying any off-screen romance, it appears Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are doing a good job of convincing the world they are in love.

The reunited Twilight stars shared a steamy kiss when filming scenes for film New Moon today - leaving onlookers wondering if the passionate display was genuine or just for cameras. The young cast have been living 'la dolce vita' in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano since they arrived this week to film for the upcoming sequel.

No doubt Kristen's boyfriend Michael Agnarano, who joined the co-stars at a local pizzeria for lunch yesterday, will find the fiery scenes painful to watch. Pictured leaving his hotel for lunch, English heart-throb Robert waved at the dozens of adoring female fans waiting outside for a glimpse of their idol.

While the crew have been setting the scene in the medieval town, Robert and Kristen have been enjoying the food and sights of Tuscany. With temperatures reaching a balmy 33 degrees yesterday, the cast were hopefully covering in suncream to make sure their skin stays ghostly white to play vampires.

Clearly feeling the heat of the midday sun, their 22-year-old co-star Ashley Greene, who plays vampire Alice Cullen, stripped off to a pink bikini to enjoy a dip in the hotel pool. New Moon reunites Robert, 23, and Kristen, 19, as vampire Edward Cullen and his human girlfriend Bella Swan in the latest saga in the Twilight series.

The town of Montepulciano is standing in for Volterra, the ancient Italian city where the Volturi vampire coven live. The young actors were catapulted to international fame last year when they were plucked from obscurity to star in the big screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's book.

Moving on from the Twilight movie, which saw newcomer Bella adjust to life in Forks, Washington and falling in love with vampire Edward, the couple find their relationship threatened by his vampirism in New Moon. The sequel sees the species-challenged couple taking a break and Bella gets an education in the world of wolves from her friend and Edward's love rival Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

In the film, Bella's life hangs in the balance when she is attacked by a vampire named Victoria, from the rival vampire coven and is seeking revenge for her partner James's death in the Twilight film. Fans of the book will already know if Edward comes back to save Bella and resumes their relationship, but film audiences will have to wait until November when New Moon hits cinemas.

While all the Twilight cast are back for New Moon, there are also some new co-stars, including Michael Sheen as Aro, leader of the ancient Italian vampire coven of Volturi , who employs Dakota Fanning as one of the guards. Meyer's Twilight books have sold over 25million copies worldwide and a further 20million copies in the U.S. and have been translated in 37 languages.

When the Twilight movie was released in the U.S. on November 21st, it took an amazing $69million on its opening weekend. New Moon is expected to be released in the UK on November 27.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

'Drag Me to Hell' will get your pulse racing

By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

The best horror movies, like the best amusement park rides, should elicit equal parts screams and laughter. Drag Me to Hell fits that squirmy bill and then some.

Sam Raimi (the Spider-Man movies) has fashioned a slick, old-school scarefest that combines the best of schlocky fright flicks with classic supernatural thrillers. Raimi returns triumphant to the genre where he cut his teeth, so to speak, with 1981's The Evil Dead. (Speaking of things dental, there are some outrageous moments involving a toothless old lady and her menacing dentures.)

The movie centers on a contest between this geriatric meanie (Lorna Raver) and Christine (Alison Lohman), a damsel in distress who fights back. A bank officer angling for a promotion, Christine rejects an extension on the old lady's defaulted home loan. How timely that the mayhem is kicked off by someone facing foreclosure.

The elderly woman, whose vaguely Slavic accent conjures up images of gypsies, does more than give Christine the evil eye, though eyeballs do figure prominently.

Evoking the black comedy of his early horror films, Raimi has fashioned a cathartic thrill ride that seems almost innocent by current horror standards. He relies on shadows and ominous sounds to make the audience jump and recoil, rather than grisly violence, blood splattering or bone-crunching special effects.

Drag Me to Hell is horror light. Jokey and playful, it's far from the torture porn of such fright flicks as the Saw and Hostel series. Instead of gruesome weaponry or mass slaughter, there are insects and a ghostly séance.

For witty one-liners, there's Justin Long as Clay, Christine's devoted boyfriend. Most of the roles are caricatures, but intentionally so.

Drag Me to Hell is unlike any scary thriller in a while: frightening, frenzied and fun.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com

Nothing left for me to do but...DANCE!

By Lindsay Soll

The Wayans Brothers and MTV Films' comedy Dance Flick opens tonight, and we've gotten all nostalgic just thinking about all the toe-tapper movies Flick could possibly parody. Know what might be just as good as the movie? Today's EW.com photo gallery of 30 Classic Dance Scenes! My personal favorite by far: Center Stage's Cooper's Dance. I know, I know, the film is kind of considered a guilty pleasure, but in all seriousness, I think it's a great movie. And by great, I mean that I can pretty much watch it over and over again and never get sick of it. (Admit it: every time you catch it on ABC Family and such, you get sucked in too!) I love getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of super-competitive dance, but the best part of Stage is the finale performance in which Jody (Amanda Schull...um, wonder where she is these days?) sheds her good-girl image -- literally -- and busts a move in a fiery red costume to Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat." 

What about you, PopWatchers? Which dance scene puts canned heat in your heels?

Source: http://popwatch.ew.com

SRK starrer Dulha Mil Gaya to release on 18 Sep

 By BollywoodHungamaNewsNetwork

It's confirmed. Dulha Mil Gaya would be releasing all over on 18th September. This would give the film a four day extended weekend since the festival of Eid falls on Monday, 21st September. Producer Viveck Vaswani is certainly heaving a sigh of relief as for the first time ever; he goes on record with the exact date of release. 

"I had always maintained that it is producer's prerogative to announce the date of his film's release. Over last so many months, there were so many out there announcing the film's arrival on my behalf. It was annoying initially but later it just started amusing me. There were so many different dates floating around even when I had never gone on record to talk about the exact date", says Viveck who is still not resting after the completion of a hectic final schedule of Dulha Mil Gaya. 

He goes on to add, "So now let me state on record that 18th September is the day when my film arrives. I can assure that it's going to be one BIG festival movie. Dulha Mil Gaya is about celebration and the release timelines for the movie should further aid that." 

Directed by first timer Muddassar Aziz, the film was 95% complete till a few months back and was held up for completion since Shah Rukh Khan couldn't shoot for a 'qawalli' sequence. Battling a shoulder injury, Shah Rukh finally managed to complete the film's shoot by working non-stop for three days earlier this week. 

"Correction – it wasn't three days but three days and three nights. Even though he was in acute pain throughout and I suggested that we reschedule the shoot, he said that 'let's finish the shoot; it's already too late'. What more can one say about the commitment of a man like this", says Viveck with admiration in his tone.  With the shooting of the 'qawalli' track, Dulha Mil Gaya is now 100% ready w.r.t principal shooting. 

Smiles Viveck, "In any case we had already begun work on post production in parallel so there hasn't been waste of time, resource or energy. The film's dubbing too is 50% complete. Sushmita should be having her dub soon though for Fardeen, I will hold on for a while till he starts feeling a little more composed after his father's demise. As for Shah Rukh, he is dubbing for the movie next week. So yes, I can claim that the team of Dulha Mil Gaya is up there with the progress of the film."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Rise of the Turbanator on the big screen

Priyanka Pereira - May 22, 2009

The turban is on a high these days. This unique piece of headgear has broken the mould of the typical heroes of Hindi cinema and, in turn, increased the number of turbanators on the silver screen. It was the commercial success of Singh is Kinng that brought the good old turban into the foray and, ever since, directors and producers have been following suit. “It is a case of following a trend that’s popular. When a movie or serial witnesses success, the others try to imitate the key elements,” says Anees Bazmee, the director of Singh is Kinng, who revolutionised Bollywood by portraying Akshay Kumar as a Sikh protagonist. 

Although Sunny Deol, sported the Sikh headgear in a couple of movies, it was Akshay Kumar’s colourful turbans that paved the way for more lookalikes. Bazmee, who is riding high on success, feels that an old Bollywood fear has finally been overcome — that of risking a Sikh as the protagonist of a film that is meant for mass audiences. “The entire crew thought it was a bad idea to have a Sikh hero, especially romancing a pretty girl like Katrina Kaif. But my script demanded that. And today, it seems like the turban has repositioned itself in the larger scheme of things. Jaspal Bhatti, the much-loved turbaned artiste, feels that it’s the maturity of both directors and audiences that has led to this revolution. “Earlier, when Sikhs wanted to work in Bollywood, they first got rid of their hair because turbaned actors weren’t deemed fit to play the lead. But now, with increasing Punjabi population across the world, the trend seems to have picked up. And with Manmohan Singh as our Prime Minister, Sikhs have gained visibility and achieved a distinct identity,” says Bhatti. 

For a long time, however, the turban was used for some slapstick comedy routine. And at other times, to portray the Good Samaritan. The turban may have stepped into the arclights now but a few popular stereotypes are yet to fade off completely. “The stereotypes can be blamed on the popular portrayal of Sikhs who were shown as innocent people with some amount of flashy loudness,” says Bazmee. “With Singh is Kinng,I portrayed Happy Singh as a loveable, helpful and sacrificing character, which hadn’t been shown on the big screen earlier.” Bhatti seconds his thoughts. “With Border and Gadar – Ek Prem Katha, the trend had slowly come in, but the clear portrayal of the Sardar in Singh is Kinng, brought about a revolution.” 

Such has been the impact that Saif Ali Khan has decided to play a Sikh in his first home production Love Aaj Kal and Sohail Khan will be seen sporting a turban in his own, Kissan. So isn’t there going to be some amount of overlapping? Dinesh 

Vijan, Khan’s partner and co-founder of Illuminati Films, responds, “Saif didn’t play a sardar in Love Aaj Kal, he became one, and that’s the difference. There’s no Saif in Veer Singh. He changed everything — his posture, mannerisms, language. Even the staunchest of Sardars in Patiala gave their approval when they saw him walking on the set.” 

The current fad seems to have impressed the newbies as well. With Ranbir Kapoor portraying the role of a Punjabi salesman in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, it seems like this trend is here to stay. “Creating a Sikh character is easy. To state the purpose of it will be the difficult part,” says Bazmee.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Will Smith to portray real-life Hurricane hero in new film

By ANI - May 21, 2009a

‘Hancock’ star Will Smith will portray a real-life Hurricane Katrina hero in a new film written. 

The film will be written and directed by The Rookie screenwriter John Lee Hancock, reports ‘Contactmusic’. 

It will be about ex-Marine John Keller, who helped rescue more than 200 of his neighbours in Louisiana, New Orleans, when they were left stranded by the devastation of Katrina in 2005. 
Meanwhile, Smith has joined the likes of stars vying to become the first black James Bond, and has claimed that he’s the best choice for the iconic spy-role. 

Rap mogul Diddy and Jamie Foxx have already forwarded their names as a possible replacement for the current 007, Daniel Craig. And recently, ‘Obsessed’ star Idris Elba had claimed that he would be a better choice because he was British. 

However, the ‘I am Legend’ star, considered to be the most bankable star in showbiz, has said that he can be the best choice for producers. 

He said: "Puff probably lives the most like James Bond and Jamie Foxx got the swagger for James Bond. He can sing too, so he can add a new element to Bond, wooing the ladies.” 

He added: "But I think I can guarantee the box office!"

Source: http://www.google.com

Liz Hurley ready for a comeback

ANI - May 20, 2009

After staying away from the cameras for five years, Elizabeth Hurley is once again planning to make a comeback to the film industry. 

Hurley rebuffed the suggestion that her decision to stay away from films came in the wake of the failure of her last film ‘Method’ to be granted a cinema release.  She said that it was instead her son Damian, born in 2002, because of whom she did not make movies. 

"I decided I couldn't do movies for a while, which was a huge decision for me because I actually love making movies more than anything," the Telegraph quoted her as saying. 

The 43-year-old star says that she is ready to do any film role, provided it could be organized around her son’s school holidays.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

'Road Movie', first Indian film picked up at Cannes market

Agencies - May 20, 2009

With Bollywood heavyweights like, 'Kites', 'My Name is Khan' and 'Kambakkht Ishq' vying for attention at the Cannes market this year, Dev Benegal's 'Road Movie' stole the thunder as the leading global sales agent Fortissimo Films has picked up its distribution rights. 

The film's leading lady Tannishtha Chatterjee, who was recently at the French Film Festival to promote the film, is elated to be a part of what she calls, "travelling cinema" and the first Indian movie to be picked up by the international sale giant at the Cannes. "The film is a kind of cinema which is bound to have a universal appeal. It is like a dream, a fantasy-like film whose content goes across the boundaries," Tannishtha said. 

Tannishtha, who has tasted success internationally with her BAFTA nominated film 'Brick Lanes', plays the love interest of the film's protagonist, actor Abhay Deol in the 'Road Movie'. Produced by 'Lost in Translation' fame Ross Katz and Susan Landau, the film revolves around Deol's character, a truck driver who undertakes a life changing journey.  Deol meets different people, including a young boy, a tribal woman, a silly and a wise man in the process of his journey. 

"This journey which Abhay's character goes through is life transforming and it can be felt by anybody and everybody. That is what makes it cross boundaries," Tannishtha said. 

The film was a part of the prestigious L'Atelier selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. It is slated to be released in India in October.  "There is a certain buzz about Indian films after Slumdog. Though it was directed by a British filmmaker, the talent was certainly Indian and that is what creating curiosity about our films," the actress said. 

Tannishtha was all praises for the new brigade of filmamkers like Raj Kumar Hirani, Shimit Ameen, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Basu who she believes are telling Indian stories in a renewed fashion.  "Content is what matters in global cinema. Bollywood has it is own distinct style which is being noticed. It is just a matter of time when our storytelling will enthrall audiences beyond Indian diaspora," she said. 

After making her mark in international circuit with 'Brick Lanes', the actress is looking forward to her innings in Bollywood.  Tannishtha, who was last seen in Naseeruddin starrer 'Barah Aana', has two back to back releases in 'Road Movie' and 'Bombay Summer' with New York-based Indian origin actor Samrat Chakrabarti. 

The actress is also shooting for British director Sarah Gavron next film called 'Pole Dancer' co-starring Kal Penn, Mischa Barton and Martin Sheen.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Chace Crawford to replace Zac Efron in ‘Footloose’

ANI - May 20, 2009

Gossip Girl hottie Chace Crawford would be replacing Zac Efron in the remake of ‘Footloose’. 

Crawford was roped in after the ‘High School Musical’ star stepped out of the movie. 

Paramount Pictures has announced that the 23-year-old actor will play Ren McCormack, the rebellious dancing high schooler who launched the career of a then 25-year-old Kevin Bacon. 

Efron had told ‘EW.com’ that he passed on the role because he didn't want to be typecast as the musical guy and was searching instead for "the unknown”, reports ‘People’ magazine. 

‘Footloose’, to be directed by High School Musical's Kenny Ortega, is set to go on floors in March next year.

Source: http://www.eonline.com