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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 30th August 2014
Jon Hamm: ‘Opportunity knocks in unexpected places’
Charusmita
For someone who is unfamiliar with Bollywood cinema, a film like “Million Dollar Arm” was certainly an experience closest to it for Jon Hamm, who plays the role of J. B. Bernstein in the film. The movie, based on real events, is an inspirational and uplifting journey packed with funny moments that celebrates teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family. With businesses falling, struggling US sports agent, J.B. Bernstein (Hamm) travels to India in a last ditch effort to save his career by finding a young cricketer to turn into a major sports star. With the help of a bad-tempered retired talent scout (Alan Arkin), J.B. sets up a national contest called the Million Dollar Arm and discovers Rinku (played by Life of Pi’s Suraj Sharma) and Dinesh (Slumdog Millionaire’s Madhur Mittal), two 18 year old boys who have a knack for throwing a fast ball, hoping to make a quick buck, he brings them to LA to train. However the boys, who have never left their villages before, struggle as they try to adjust to their new life and cope with the pressures being heaped on them. His livelihood on the line and relationship with the boys at stake, with the help of his friend Brenda (Lake Bell) J.B. realises that family and friendships are more important than sealing the deal. “Bernstein in real life is particularly inspirational, not only did he pioneer this concept of baseball-in-India, he has gone back to it every single year, because he loved the place”, says Hamm who describes, in his interview for Asian Voice, his India experience in one word- ‘hot’. “Indian subcontinent has an amazingly rich tapestry, not only in religious, colourful and culinary aspects but also in terms of landscape. It would send me to Wikipedia everyday”, he quips. The film has noteworthy performances by the whole star cast and apart from Hamm, Sharma and Mittal, another performer to
Rahman’s musical score, one can only expect a mesmerising soundtrack with a few repeated ones like ‘Ringa Ringa’ from “Slumdog Millionnaire” and ‘Nimma Nimma’, which he had composed for London Olympics 2012. Writer Tom McCarthy and director Craig Gillespie’s powerful pairing gives the audience an apt dose of entertainment but the film does little to distinguish itself from other such sports based movies with manJon Hamm with Charusmita agers or sportspersons at watch out for is Pitobash their wits end to make their Tripathy, who essays the role of career a success and their life is Amit Rohan, the baseball turned 180 degrees by a chalenthusiast who accompanies lenging client or a mentor, Dinesh and Rinku to the States respectively. It seems that one’s and is integral to the film’s plot watching the same old sports in the second half. His acting formula film with a stronger prowess brings tears to one’s star cast, which, by the way, eyes with his warm and heart- does not disappoint. The cold felt portrayal of his character. hearted businessman discoverThe film has other memorable ing love and cultural collision characters but its most crucial and two Indian kids discovermessage is for the youth. As ing a grand dream that they Hamm rightly puts, “Mostly, never thought they had turned you don’t need the greatest out to be enough for the auditraining sets and equipment, ence to get their hearts you just need the talent and the warmed. Highly recommended work ethic. People in Brazil for viewers who are seeking a and India play soccer and crick- biopic movie or a cross-over et with rolled up socks, not cinematic experience. On an much of a bat and barely a encouraging note, as Jon wicket. Talent and work ethic is Hamm says, “Opportunity vital.” knocks in unexpected places”, ‘Million Dollar Arm’ at its we hope that the film inspires core, is an inspirational as well the youth and sends its mesas aspirational film. With A.R. sage across borders.
Jackie Shroff to star in ‘Warrior’
A
f t e r “Agneepath” director Karan Malhotra is gearing up for his next flick “Warrior,” an adaptation of 2011 Hollywood film, starring S i d h a r t h Malhotra, Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead roles. While the film is yet to hit the floors, it has been learnt that Jackie Shroff is all set to start the shoot for his part from September 10. Jackie will reprise the role of Nick Nolte from the original. Sources said that Jackie will play a retired fighter, who is very emotional person by nature. The film is jointly produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Endemol India.
Ranveer and Deepika get married!
R
anveer Singh and D e e p i k a Padukone are finally married although strictly on screen! The alleged real life couple is coming together in Homi Adajania's most talked about film 'Finding Fanny'. The two feature as a newly married Christian couple in the movie's new poster. Ranveer is seen throwing away a wine glass in celebration whereas Deepika looks beautiful in a white bridal gown. Ranveer Singh plays the role of Gabo whereas Deepika will be seen as Angie in the film. 'Finding Fanny' is about five peculiar people who go on a trip to find Fanny Fernandez with an excuse of breaking out from their mundane lives. However, Deepika loses her husband (Ranveer) soon after the wedding and is paired opposite Arjun Kapoor in the movie.
Anushka denies marrying Virat
B
ollywood actress Anushka Sharma's representative has rubbished reports that she is planning to tie the knot with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. There were reports that BCCI had allowed the 26-year-old actress to stay in the same hotel as Kohli during the tour of England as they were going to tie the knot soon. But, now the actress' representative has released a statement saying there is no truth to the story. "There are several stories online about Anushka Sharma's impending wedding. However, I would like to set the record straight that there is absolutely no truth to these rumours and I would like to request you to refrain from conjecturing about the same," her representative said. Kohli and Anushka have been grabbing headlines ever since they were first spotted together during the tour of New Zealand.
Katrina an old friend, says Ranbir Kapoor
B
ollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has said that his co-star Katrina Kaif is his "old friend" and also scotched reports of his marriage with her anytime soon. Reacting to reports that he and Katrina may tie a knot in 2015, Ranbir said, "I am not thinking of marriage...I am married to films. I am not getting married this year or next year." Ranbir also rubbished reports that he met Katrina's mother in London recently. "I have known Katrina for many years now. She is an old friend. It's wrong (rumour of him meeting Katrina's mother)," he told reporters at an event. Though Ranbir's cousin actress Kareena Kapoor Khan is quite open about her personal life, the actor prefers to love his personal space. "To each to his own. She (Kareena) is ok (talking about personal life) but that does not mean I would also share the same view. I would not like talking about my personal life," Ranbir said. It became apparent that Ranbir and Katrina are in a relationship after photographs showing them together holidaying at a beach in Ibzia, Spain, went viral last year. However, both of them never come on record saying they are in any relationship.
Sonakshi’s Ice Bucket Challenge with a twist
A
c t o r s Ashton Ku c t h e r, Abhishek Bachchan and media m o g h u l S i m o n Cowell have joined the increasing number of celebrities taking up the Ice Bucket Challenge. ‘Holiday’ actress Sonakshi Sinha shared a video of herself on Instagram participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge. However, instead of dumping icy cold water on her head, the actress overturns an empty bucket. “So I just saved a lot of water and now I’m going to go donate the money,” she says in the video.
Jacqueline gets cosy with a body builder?
F
ollowing her bitter break up with Sajid Khan, the very pretty Jacqueline Fernandes has moved on to a happier phase in her life. With the success of “Kick” (yes, she's in it too) paving the way for better things professionally, Jacqueline's personal life too seems to be looking up. Or so it seemed to one who frequent Mumbai’s various nightspots. The actress was spotted getting rather cozy with a young and good looking body builder who has a penchant for older actresses. Earlier the body builder has been linked to Sushmita Sen. Perhaps in all those rumours of Sallu gifting Jacqueline a house, we've been looking at the wrong gift horse.