Things not working well for Aaja Nachle
Madhuri Dixit-Nene's much touted come back film Aaja Nachle is in the news, no doubt, but not for the best reasons. Post release, while Madhuri's performance has been lauded everywhere, the film has not received a good response at the box office due to poor story-telling and an excessive focus on Madhuri. In fact, the film opened poorly and hasn't set the cash registers ringing yet. Moreover, the temporary ban imposed on the film by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana over the allegation that the title song made derogatory insinuations about the Dalit community had also made matters worse. Though the ban was revoked after producer Yash Chopra tendered an apology and removed the objectionable line from the title song, the film has continued to fare poorly, at least until this point.

Relief for the film industry - Sanjay Dutt comes back home
Hundreds of fans and onlook ers who waited for hours outside Sanjay Dutt's residence in Pali Hills in Bandra burst firecrackers and distributed sweets Thursday when the 48 year old actor returned home after 22 days in Pune's Yerawada Jail. Our very own Munna Bhai, who was sentenced to six years in jail for possessing illegal arms, flew to Mumbai from Pune in a chopper, after being granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday while his lawyers challenged the conviction. The temporary release has come as a great relief not only to the beleaguered Dutt and his family, but also to the film industry given that crores of rupees have been invested in Dutt by way of unfinished films in which he plays the main lead. Since it was expected that the hearing and subsequent ruling could take some time, maybe even years, Dutt now time to get back to what he does best - acting!

Rituparno Ghosh bags a prestigious Italian Government award 
In an interesting piece of news, noted filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh won the prestigious Premio Arca D'Oro awarded by the Italian government. There is one catch - the award will only be given to him at the end of 2008 in Turin. Rituparno is extremely amused and said that "They've even fixed a date, Friday, 5th December, 2008, for the award. While I'm very impressed by their meticulous planning, who knows where I'd be a year from now?" Seems that Ghosh too needs to plan a year in advance to be present in Turin to accept the award physically!

It's records galore for Om Shanti Om
Om Shanti Om, starring Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, continues to sizzle at the box office and is filling up cash registers everywhere. Om Shanti Om has set a new first week record in India, surpassing the 35 crores netted by the Hrithik, Aishwarya and Abhishek film, 2006 blockbuster Dhoom 2 (in its first week). Om Shanti Om was released across over 1,400 screens globally, and for the first time, the film saw screenings as early as 7:45 in the morning at certain multiplexes in India, making it one of the most anticipated films in recent times. The film is performing well in overseas market as well and has been impressive. After resetting the first weekend Bollywood record in the US, the film grossed an astonishing $2,892,773 in just ten days and is now certain to dethrone the top grosser Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna's (2006) at $3,275,444. Moving on to UK, Om Shanti Om is now the top grossing film of 2007 having earned $1,997,013. It surpassed the previous record holder, Namastey London's $1,730,000.

London Mayor salutes Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods 
Just as we mentioned Subhas Ghai, London Mayor Ken Livingstone applauded Ghai's Whistling Woods for maintaining international standards in the field of film and media. He was accompanied by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan who also congratulated Subhash Ghai for creating such a world class film and media institute in India with the best of facilities for students to excel in film making and animation. It was Mr. Bachchan's first visit to Whistling Woods International. Later, he also visited the animation department of the institute. The institute also hosted the Producer's Guild of India historic treaty signing with the Mayor of London for globalization in film production and as partners at all levels including co-productions

Now, Brett Lee to act in Hindi movie
Australian paceman Brett Lee is just not satisfied taking scalps of opponent batsmen. After having been featured in a music album You're the One for Me with none other than melody queen, Asha Bhonsle, Lee is planning to make a foray into the dream world of Bollywood. Interestingly, the tear away fast bowler will be joined by fellow cricketers Mike Hussey and Jason Gillespie as well as former Test Captain Allan Border, in the movie which, not surprisingly, is about cricket. The film, titled Victory, will begin production in Australia in January with shooting during the India-Australia Test series. The cricketers are heard to be playing themselves in the film. In other breaking news, the fearsome fast bowler of the touring Pakistan team, Shoaib Akhtar has also been offered a Hindi film. Akhtar will be discussing the script during the upcoming third test match at Bangalore. Indian actors beware - fast bowlers are trying to bowl you out!

Kajol, Tanishaa, and other celebrities celebrate World Disabled Day with kids
World Disability Day cel ebrations got a special touch when superstar Kajol and sister Tanishaa inaugurated and interacted in a special exhibition which included various hand-made products made by the children of Punarvas Schools for the Disabled at Goregaon Sports Complex. Kajol and sister Tanishaa inaugurated the special exhibition and spoke at length about the talent and bravery of the children. They also spread great cheer and warmth all around, applauding the efforts of the children and were also seen admiring the products on display. Also present at the exhibition were actress Raima Sen, cricketer Vinod Kambli, and Bhojpuri actress Sambhavana Seth. It was indeed a heartwarming gesture by the talented actresses to render their support for such a noble cause.

News from Big B’s camp

Amitabh Bachchan is eagerly awaiting the release of his first English film, The Last Lear directed by Rituparno Ghosh. The film will be released in January 2008.  Based on Utpal Dutt's play Aajker Shahjahan', The Last Lear also stars Arjun Rampal, with whom Bachcchan acted in Aankhein.  Preity Zinta is the leading lady of the film while Shefali Chhaya, who was seen with Big B in Waqt, has an important part as well. 

 The Big B will also be seen in the company of Arshad Warsi in the upcoming film, Teen Patti, to be directed by Leena Yadav.  Interestingly, this film will witness the debut of Shraddha Kapoor, the daughter of veteran villain and character artist Shakti Kapoor.

Abhishek and Aishwarya were seen doing rounds of Dwarkadheesh temple a few days ago in the company of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.  Father and son will soon embark on a world tour.  Titled One Amazing Night, the series of world concerts featuring Amitabh and Abhishek on stage, is expected to take show business by storm.  The shows, tentatively planned for the summer of 2008, will also include other leading entertainers from Hindi cinema.

Eros International becoming more involved with the Hindi Film industry

Eros International, the London AIM listed leading integrated company, has entered into a joint venture with Manish Goswami's Red Carpet Films, a Mukta Arts company, to co-produce three to four films a year under this banner.  At the same time, in a separate deal, Eros has also acquired global distribution rights to three forthcoming releases of Mukta Arts which include Bombay 2 Bangkok directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, Yuvraaj starring Salmaan Khan and Katrina Kaif, and Black & White directed by veteran showman Subhash Ghai.  The partnership between Eros and Mukta will mean presenting quality film content to discerning audiences while leveraging Eros' global distribution of prestigious releases by Mukta Arts.

In another development, Eros and Carving Dreams Motion Pictures, the country's leading talent agency, have signed Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan as the main lead for their debut co-production venture.

UTV's unprecedented release line-up this winter!

UTV Motion Pictures boasts the biggest release slate ever planned by an Indian studio, with five blockbuster films being released in a four month period, October 2007 to January 2008.   In October 2007, UTVMP released the Telegu blockbuster Atidhi, a film that is still going strong in theatres across Andhra Pradesh.  In late November, UTVMP released Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, starring John Abraham and Bipasha Basu.  December 2007 brought the release of  Taare Zameen Par produced, directed, and acted by Aamir Khan. UTVMP will market and distribute the film worldwide except for in India.   Also releasing in December is Welcome, directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala, featuring Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Mallika Sherawat, and Feroz Khan. This rip-roaring comedy will also be released worldwide by UTVMP.

As icing on the cake, January 2008 will see the release of one of the most anticipated films of the decade, Jodhaa Akbar, which is based on the untold love story of the greatest Mughal emperor who ruled India, Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, and a fiery young Rajput princess, Jodhaa.  Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film cast includes the reigning superstars of the Indian film industry, Hrithik Roshan and Asihwarya Rai. That indeed is a huge platter from UTVMP.