Mumbai: Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit celebrated her 41st birthday quietly at her Mumbai home Thursday.

There was no formal celebration to mark the day, said her secretary Rakesh Nath.

Madhuri, who now lives in Denver, came to India last week, accompanied by her husband, Sriram Nene, to receive the Padma Shri, an honour the government of India accords annually to distinguished personalities from different walks of life.

The actress, with more than a dozen hits in her kitty like "Tezaab", "Ram Lakhan", "Khalnayak", "Beta", "Dil", "Saajan", "Dil To Pagal Hai" and "Devdas", was given the honour for her contributions to Indian cinema during her two-decade-long career in movies.

Although her comeback film "Aaja Naachle" failed to become a commercial success, Madhuri was nominated in the best actress category for the Filmfare Awards this year for her performance in the movie.

Trained in the Indian classical dance form Kathak, Madhuri plays the role of a dance teacher in the movie.

The actress, who has two sons, Arin and Ryan, has not taken up any fresh Bollywood assignment at present because she wants to spend time with her family.

The buzz about the multi-crore deal that Hrithik had struck with Adlabs last year is that it’s off! Hrithik wants to return the full amount to Adlabs. But the company is not willing to take a no for an answer.

According to a source, "Hrithik has given the cheque back. But they aren’t accepting it. In fact they’ve asked him to keep the money and they’ll make just one film instead of three films for that whole amount with him at a date convenient to him." Hrithik won’t comment on the status of his deal with Adlabs.

All he says about star prices is, "The corporate companies are looking at the movie market expanding in the next 3-4 years. I agree many recent films haven’t done well. But Om Shanti Om and Jodhaa-Akbar reaffirmed the industry’s faith in big films. Jodhaa-Akbar was a period film and above three hours long with no commercial trappings. Theatres across India could’ve just four shows daily. And it’s done 150 crore-rupee business worldwide. For me that’s what matters, not the controversies that happened initially. It’s my biggest hit ever overseas."

The Baadshah of Bollywood has done it again. And if you are wondering what we are talking about, it’s SRK getting behind the mike once again to sing a song, this time for his Kolkata Knight Riders music album.

Shah Rukh first sang the popular number ‘Apun Bola’ in the film Josh in the year 2000. Thereafter, he has not really sung a full-fledged song but has done a few things which come close to singing like reciting a few lines of poetry in Shaurya, giving a motivational message in Chak De India, a few lines in ‘Khaike Paan Banaraswala’ in Don and even rapping a bit in his music video Kar Le Kar Le Tu Ek Sawaal.

So it is indeed a big bonus for die hard SRK fans to get to hear their favorite star sing a full song. The man who has got the superstar sing to his tunes is none other than Disco-King Bappi Lahiri. Bollywood Hungama got in touch with Bappi Da to get some more dope on the song and of course SRK’s crooning skills. “Yes, it was a great pleasure recording a number with Shah Rukh. He is truly the Baadshah of Bollywood. We recorded this song called Run Just Run which talks about running ahead in life and not just on the cricket field. Whatever has happened earlier is a thing of the past…so just keep moving ahead and do not look back is what the song is trying to convey. This is the first time Shah Rukh has sung a hip-hop number. He has not just hummed a few lines here and there but has sung the whole sung along with backing vocals”, says the excited composer.

So was King Khan nervous or did he sail through it smoothly? “He was very comfortable and has sung very well. In my 36 years, I have had the privilege of getting some big stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor etc. to sing for me and now getting Shah Rukh to sing is truly amazing. He gave the exact attitude and feel which was needed for this song and I am really very happy. I am sure when the song hits the market (very soon), it will create total hungama”, claims Bappi Da

Is it true that there are 2 versions of this song? “Yes, I have composed 3 songs for Shah Rukh’s album. The main song is ‘Run Just Run’- a solo version sung by Shah Rukh himself, there is another version of this hip-hop number sung by Kunal Ganjawala. The lyrics for these 2 songs have been written by Virag Mishra. There is also a third song which Usha Uthup has sung which has some Bengali words like ‘Anando Hi Anando’ meaning total happiness. It’s also an encouraging song with a winning attitude, written by Deepak Sneh. Usha has also sung it very well and we both always make a winning combination”, smiles Bappi Da.

So, when is the album likely to release? “Very soon…I believe within 3-4 days it should be out in the market”, says the veteran composer

And finally, would we also be seeing another music video for this SRK hip-hop number Run Just Run, “Yes of course… Ganesh Hegde is choreographing the video”, signs off Bappi Da

As one of Indian cinema’s most formidable actresses reaches a milestone in her life, there will be no celebrations on the occasion. How unlike her husband Amitabh Bachchan’s 60th birthday when there was a huge bash with the who’s who of Mumbai attending. Jaya, alas, believes in no celebration. Her 60th birthday on 9 April will be very quiet affair restricted to her immediate family.

Says a source close to the Bachchans, "Firstly, she wouldn’t have celebrated even if things were normal. But this time with the family mourning her mother-in-law’s death, there’s no question of any celebration. When you tell her turning 60 is an event she shrugs and says it’s just another day."

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai have in fact, left for Miami where Abhishek Bachchan is shooting for Karan Johar’s Dostana. It’s Abhishek-Aishwarya’s wedding anniversary on 20 April. While Aishwarya is expected to stay back until the anniversary, Big B and his wife will return after Jaya’s birthday.

Says the Big B, "We’re just going to be with Abhishek for a few days. It’s Jaya’s 60th birthday on the 9th. There will be no celebrations because of the death."

Post Celebrity Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty seems to be on a professional high. The tall and beautiful actress continues to make news, even though it’s been more than a year since she stormed U.K. winning the reality show.

Now Shilpa whose last release was Apne surely seems to have jumped to the big league. The actress would be seen doing a ’special song’ in Dharma Productions’ Dostana starring Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. This Karan Johar production, directed by Karan’s erstwhile assistant Tarun Mansukhani is currently being shot in Miami. Shilpa’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar gave some more details on the song. "Yes, Shilpa is currently shooting in Miami along with Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham for a really special song for the film Dostana. I wouldn’t really call it an item number. However, the song is indeed going to be one hell of a sensational chartbuster. Let me put it this way, if she won over the nation with her U.P- Bihar song you can expect her to win a reasonable part of the world with this song", says Dale

So what else is Shilpa upto these days? "Shilpa would be starting work on her film The Man opposite Sunny Deol. It’s a Vijeta films production and co-directed by Sunny Deol and Neeraj Pathak. Her role in the film is quite similar to what happened to her in real life (read the instant worldwide fame that she shot to). She also would be seen in the international flick Hanuman where she plays Sita and they are in talks with Keanu Reeves to play the role of Lord Ram"

What about her plans of getting into production? "Yes, Shilpa is starting her own production called S2 Global Production. The first thing which was made under S2 global Production was Shilpa’s Yoga DVD which mainly released in the U.K. & international market. The first film under her banner is an action comedy to be directed by Manish Jha (Matrubhoomi, Anwar). It’s a 2 heroine project with Shilpa playing one of the heroines. The second female lead would also be a very famous Bollywood actress. I can’t reveal much now. The subject is mind-blowing. Any guy would admire the characters which the two girls portray in the film. It’s an out and out fun film which will also have a lot of international technicians as a part of the crew", says Dale excitedly.

For all those who are eagerly waiting for Shilpa’s Yoga DVD in India, there is good news on that front. "Yes she is going to release her Yoga DVD in India. Shemaroo has bought the rights at an astronomical price. Shilpa will be dubbing for it in Hindi when she returns from Miami. The DVD got a fabulous response in U.K. It was a sell-out among the non-fiction DVD charts. So we are looking forward to its release in India", signs off Dale.

Well, after speaking to her publicist all we can say is that Shilpa surely has her plate full and the next few months are bonanza time for die-hard Shilpa Shetty fans.

According to the actor, he has requested his director Kunal Singh not to have any lip locks in his forthcoming release Jannat. The movie is about match fixing in which Emraan plays a bookie.
 
“But then my director Kunal Singh got greedy. He first persuaded me to do one kiss, then another,” said Emraan, whose kissing scenes in movies like Murder and Gangster - A Love Story made headlines.

The actor, who turned 29 years on March 24, said he’s got tired cutting cakes too.

“I had already cut four cakes post-midnight, the first one was, of course, with my wife,” he rattled off dutifully, adding, “Then my friends had dropped in and we had a private get-together. The next morning, I was on the sets and doing it all over again.”

“Though the film is inspired by real life incidents in the cricketing world, we’ve covered our bases well. We don’t want real life figures from cricket to identify themselves in the movie and create trouble for Jannat. So, ironically in a film based on true life incidents, we have consciously steered away from getting too close to reality for comfort,” the actor said.

Though real life cricketers play on the field in the movie, they do not represent any individual cricketer. Does Emraan get on the field at all?

“Actually, I don’t like cricket at all. I don’t play it and hardly ever watch it. Fortunately, I play a bookie,” he added. Emraan is all praise for his co-star Sonal Chauhan, “She is the 14th girl to be launched with me. I don’t know how many women Rishi Kapoor launched in his heydays, but I’m getting there.”

New Delhi: After a three-year struggle, things are finally looking up for Minissha Lamba who has finally bagged her first big banner with Yash Raj Films’ Bachna Ae Haseenon, where she stars with Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor, and also has a meaty role in Samar Khan’s Shaurya.

Minissha, who started off with Yahaan and went on to do cameos in films like Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. and Corporate, says she is now in a different phase of her life - and refuses to be threatened by new kids on the block Deepika and Ranbir. "I am not at all threatened by the newcomers. There are phases that one goes through - first you are a newcomer, then you struggle to find a foothold, then you struggle to sustain and so on and so forth. I am in a different phase," Minissha told reporters.

According to the actress, with directors becoming increasingly experimental it is the best time for actors with a non-filmy background to join the industry. "Directors are making various kinds of films and there is work for everyone." "In fact, I would say that star kids are here because they are talented and loved by audiences. But everything depends on the potential an individual has. Everyone has to work hard in the industry to achieve the desired."

The star is looking forward to Shaurya where she plays a Hindi newspaper journalist Kavya. "I always wanted to be a war journalist; news channel CNN’s correspondent Christiane Amanpour always fascinated me. I remember standing in front of the mirror and emulating her. So, when this role happened to me it was like revisiting my past."

The film also stars Deepak Dobriyal, Seema Biswas, Jaaved Jaafri, Kay Kay Menon and Rahul Bose. Set against the backdrop of the Army, the film revolves around the lives of two friends, both lawyers by profession, and how a court martial case changes their lives. Minissha, who will also star in Sanjay Gadhvi’s Kidnap opposite Sanjay Dutt, said she is opting for multistarrers as audiences "would get bored watching her alone on the silver screen".

TV’s favourite bahu fainted on the sets of Teen Bahuraniyan recently and was hospitalised for a few days

The gruelling shooting schedule of the small-screen industry continues to take its toll and the recent victim was none other than TV’s favourite bahu Smriti Iraani. The actress apparently fainted on the sets of Zee’s Teen Bahuraniyan last week.  She was ill and was hospitalised consequently.

Smriti plays Vrinda in Teen Bahuraniyan who  comes to protect the girls from the constant conspiracies in the family. “Smriti shoots half day for the show and then shoots for her home production Mere Apne through the rest of the day.

She is also quite busy with other shows. So, all this multitasking seems to have a taken a toll on her health. She was terribly unwell last week and was hospitalised for two days. After taking rest for a while, she resumed work on Monday,” said a source adding, “The best part is that whenever she is on the sets she gives her 100% being a thorough professional.”

Amrapali Gupta who plays Bindiya in the show says, “I was not shooting with Smriti then. But, I heard that she was unwell and was hospitalised. When she resumed work, she had lost a lot of weight and looked weak. Even her costumes were not fitting her well due to the weight loss. She is a darling to work with and we all want her to be hale and hearty.”

Film: Black & White
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Anuraag Sinha, Aditi Sharma, Habib Tanvir
Director: Subhash Ghai

A standing ovation for Subhash Ghai for venturing into a territory that would be considered uninviting for an escapist entertainer. But Black & White doesn’t impress you merely because it’s a daring deviation for the showman.

It’s a well crafted, finely written and packaged piece of cinema done with more heartfelt Gandhian articulations than most films in recent times that have merchandised Mahatma Gandhi in Munna Bhai tones of bubblegum philosophy.

You don’t often come away from a film disturbed yet hopeful about the distending dimensions of modern day violence and terrorism. We did it in Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se, Gulzar’s Maachis and Santosh Sivan’s Terrorist. Now we feel a genuine concern for the collapse of Gandhi’s secular dream in India as Chandni Chowk, rapidly becoming a favourite haunting-ground for Hindi moviemakers, turns into a bustling hotbed of terrorist activities.

Into this arena of imposed constitutional caprices comes Numer Qazi (Anurag Sinha), a victim of atrocities in Afghanistan posing as a casualty of the Gujarat riots. After a stage-managed gun battle in the toasted-brown hinterland of Delhi, the seething simmering silent Numer wins over the super-secular Professor Mathur (Anil Kapoor) and his feisty wife Roma (Shefali Shah) and gets himself a pass into the VIP enclave for the Republic Day parade.

In all honesty, much of Ghai’s newspaper-generated politics is amateurish and simplistic. The terrorists and the intelligence wing look as terrifying and intelligent as an episode of the long-running TV serial ‘CID’. And what was the need to make Anil-Shefali’s little daughter mute? Maybe Ghai wanted us to take the Black part of his film’s title seriously.

Everyone bustles around looking brilliantly self-absorbed while pretending to be wedded to a greater cause of which they seem to know as little as the director.

What makes Black & White special are the bonds, brittle or beefy, that form out of the sketchy political backdrop.

Ghai fills the centre of the plot with people who have the ability to reach out to each other within a social framework that is rapidly romancing dementia.

Most memorable of all is the old but fiery Muslim poet-professor, played with hungering humility by veteran actor Habib Tanvir. The film’s best and most moving lines are rightfully written for him.

In one sequence a young musician gifts the old man with a sherwani after having sold his poetry for a song. Habib recalls how in all his years no one, not even his own sons, had gifted him anything. In another sequence, a callow news anchor approaches Habib for a byte and he wonders, "Ab mujhe kisse bite karna hoga?" (Whom would I have to bite now?)

This interesting character’s sense of betrayal for having unknowingly harboured a hardcore terrorist in his house never comes through.

The screenplay is littered with limp and half-finished loops of storytelling where the director seems to have lost his way, only to quickly get his plot back on its foot through some sharp lines. Ghai’s dialogues are spicy and hard-hitting, and Somak Mukherjee’s cinematography captures the tragic decadence and teeming colours of Old Delhi to create both romance and intrigue.

The interplay of relationships is restrained most of the time. Anil and Shefali look more like a couple than she and Darshan Jariwala did in Gandhi My Father. Her excessively enthusiastic activism and his chronic embarrassment at his wife’s overzealous flag-waving provide the lighter moments in this distinctly dark drama of secular devaluation in a society with complexities due to differences between various religious groups.

Ghai doesn’t delve deeply into those complexities. Whether it is out of choice or because he cannot, we do not know. But the lightness of treatment and the overt filminess of certain interludes lends a tangy vigour to what would otherwise have been a drab prosaic and polemical tale of strife during times of mordant cynicism.

Among the performers, Habib with his emotional patriotic poetry and jovial optimism scores the highest marks, followed by Shefali who furnishes a feisty positivism to her role. Anil, last seen donning the buffoon’s mask in Welcome, does a complete somersault. His character of a supremely secular Hindu devoting himself to teaching Urdu is wildly idealistic. He plays the role of Mathur at a high pitch.

As for debutant Anurag, in the central role of the closet-terrorist, he wears the sullen scowl as a passionate statement from the first frame to last. To see what else he is capable of, we shall have to wait till another Friday.

NEW DELHI: The trend of stars from tinsel town of Mumbai making a beeline for Television continues!
  
The latest Bollywood heartthrobs to make a foray on the small screen are the "brooding" star Ajay Devgan and the bubbly Kajol. Ajay and Kajol, along with yesteryear’s actress Tanuja (Kajol’s mother), are being seen on television as judges of a unique reality show ‘Rock N Roll Family’, a family dance show which has three generations of a family displaying their dancing prowess in the programme, vying with 11 other families for the title of ‘Rock N Roll Family’.
  
To be aired on Fridays at 10 pm, ‘Rock N Roll Family’, which began airing on Zee TV from Friday, will have the 12 families performing on different themes before Ajay, Kajol and Tanuja.
  
The channel has roped in Sharad Kelkar (Nahar of ‘Saat Phere’ fame) as the anchor of the show.
  
Those associated with the programme say that Sharad seemed just the right choice for a show, himself being a staunch family man and essaying a similar character on screen as well.
  
"The show required someone who can empathize with the participants," they said.
  
Cohosting the show along with Sharad will be the charming Mauli Dave, the finalist of the recently-concluded ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge’ Mauli became the darling of the nation since her first performance on the show, when she sung the song "Mayya Mayya" from Guru and was christened the ‘Shakira of India’ by her mentor on the show Bappi Lahiri.
  
"Mauli might hail from the USA but is very Indian at heart and that is why she is here hosting the show," channel sources said.
  
Like all reality shows on the small screen in the past, ‘Rock N Roll Family’ too saw some moving and emotional scenes.
  
For example, the inaugural episode of the show on Friday saw Ajay Devgan, a habitual smoker, so moved by the performance of a family that he decided to quit smoking for one day.
  
The show saw Rohit and Tanvi Jain, who are from Ghaziabad, perform on an innovative theme -’Smoking is injurious to health’