the Buzz

Satyamev ends with aplomb

From garnering overwhelming TrPs to getting prominence on social networking websites, the impact of Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate has been colossal. The talk show, which started with the issue of female foeticide, traversed over various burning social issues informing, educating, sensitising and touching audiences’ hearts. The last episode highlighted the right to equality, ending the show’s incredibly successful

So much has been said about Satyamev , but the fact remains that it could only take the power of Aamir Khan to bring forth unknown facts related to child sex abuse, medical malpractice, manual scavenging and dowry – hitherto issues that have always seemed safe swept

But what’s amazing about Aamir’s journey is that he followed up off-screen by meeting concerned leaders to ensure the problems are resolved.

The actor-filmmaker met rajasthan hief Minister Ashok Gehlot to request the creation of a fast track court to decide the cases of the doctors, none of who have been penalised in the female oincidently, the Protection of children ffences Bill 2011, that was earlier cleared by rajya Sabha, got the nod from the lower house after the second episode of Satyamev Jayate

The grand finale highlighted the basic tenets of the constitution that promises equality for all; however, ironically the people in the country are still subjected to discriminations on the basis of caste and

“When India’s leaders envisaged building a new nation after independence, the constitution was the foundation stone of this endeavour. We had resolved to establish a sovereign, secular, democratic republic with justice,

SS WHo ?

liberty, equality and fraternity for all. After 65 years of Independence, are we actually living up to those principles,” Aamir asked. The episode saluted the courage of the Sarvodaya Trust, which sheltered both hindu and Muslim children after the 2001 devastating earthquake in Gujarat, as well as Sunitha Krishnan, a social worker who looks to rehabilitate prostitutes and rape victims through her anti-trafficking organisation Prajwala.

Sunitha, one of the rape victims, said that the irony is that “people want to make documentaries and movies on these girls, but no one wants to own them.” despite the controversy that the show has raked up, Satyamev Jayate has been a winner across India and the diaspora, with its well-researched topics, sensitive case studies, pithy interviews and often heartwrenchingly poignant stories. Prior to the series, the actor had said that he wanted to replicate the phenomena created by epic teleseries of yore Mahabharata and Ramayana, and there’s no doubt that he has done so. Big brands have also supported the series, a first for a reality show that puts the spotlight on the invisible people in the country.

The episode also appreciated the work of Naseema hurzuk, a wheelchair bound lady who runs helpers of The handicapped, an organisation that helps the disabled.

Kudos Aamir, for a sensational and sensitive series, and let’s hope there will be a second season.

oMg! Sonakshi and Prabhu an item!

or to be accurate, Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu deva will be dancing together to Go Go Govinda for Akshay Kumar’s home production, Oh My God directed by Umesh Shukla. The pair are not a part of the film, but will only make a special appearance for the song, clarified Akshay.

“Sonakshi and Prabhu sir are not in Oh My God. They are doing a short cameo role in the film,” he said at the dVd launch of his previous film Rowdy Rathore recently.

There was also speculation about Sonakshi hurting herself during the shoot, but Sonakshi clarified that it was just a minor ‘neck sprain’ and she is fine now.

culture scene, apna Sallu will join the industry’s best in the section that is designed to create the experience of being on a Bollywood film. Salman’s waxwork will certainly feel at home in there, although the experience of having SrK for company may dampen his enthusiasm! Salman personally chose and donated the black top and denim jeans for his wax figure. You can bet Facebook will explode with photographs of star-struck fans posing with Salman. The unreal one.

She’s got an MBA, has acted in offbeat Hindi films, even a Chinese film, is married to a construction baron in Mumbai, and owns one of the city’s leading restaurants

Rowdy Rathore smashed the box office by crossing the rs.100 crore, and Akshay attributes its success to director Prabhu deva for whom he has great regard. of working with Prabhu he said, “he gets angry if someone does not give a good shot or doesn’t do his work properly. he is very shy otherwise and does not talk too much,” he said.

Looks like Akshay wants to keep a firm hold on jodis that work for him and the box office. And what could be more exciting that sensational Sonakshi and pirouetting Prabhu? Bet it’s a must-see!

Farah’s fandangoes

Moving on to another Khan, a female this time, Bollywood is buzzing at the seemingly bizzare behaviour of choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan, who recently made her acting debut with Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi But she agreed to star in the movie only if its makers agreed to remove a kissing scene from the script.

The movie, directed by Bela Sehgal, narrates the story of two 40-plus lovers. The kissing scene would have involved the 47-year old Farah and actor Boman Irani. But neither was Farah comfortable, nor did she think it was important. And I suppose, she didn’t want any controversy from her seeking-thespotlight hubby Shirish Kunder, already famous for his bust-up with Shah rukh Khan. The movie will release in late August.

But that’s not all – Farah is now going out of her way, literally, to promote her home production Joker, by trying to get Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams to watch the movie which is based on aliens, while in space. According to Farah, whose husband Shirish Kunder has directed the Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha-starrer, the team is in talks with officials of NASA to see if it can be made possible for Williams to watch the film. Although whether she would want to watch it is anyone’s guess!

And finally, actress chitrangada Singh, who has grooved to an item song in Joker reveals the filmmakers changed the lyrics of the song “I want fakht you” to “I want just you” to avoid any unwanted reactions. She says “Fakht” is actually a Marathi word, meaning “only” you.

“Everyone doesn’t understand it. They can interpret it in some other way also. So, to save that situation, they (filmmakers) decided to go with ‘Just you’ and it is just as much fun,” said the 36-year-old. Thank goodness, it’s difficult to imagine the extent of controversy that ‘F’ word would have created. or perhaps that was the intention of the original version?

After all, anything associated with Shirish has the potential for high drama and controversy.

So let’s look forward to watching chitrangana flaunt her stuff, and let’s hope the film won’t be a bad joke!

Pooja on the prowl

Mahesh Bhatt couldn’t be happier with the success of his daughter Pooja’s career, specially since the one-time and not-so-successful actress turned her talent to directing.

And now Pooja Bhatt says she is keen to revisit her father’s 1974 ‘radical’ and ‘shocking’ film, Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain

Needless to say, Mahesh Bhatt has welcomed his daughter’s decision.

“I would love to look at my father’s Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain. It was banned by the censor board at that time and he broke a table in frustration. I was very young and we didn’t have money. he walked back home from there (censor board office) to Shivaji Park. It was the dead end in his life,” Pooja said.

Forty years ago, a 20-something Mahesh Bhatt made Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain, starring Kabir Bedi, Gulshan Arora and Prema Narayan. After several censorship hiccups the film finally hit the screens, but neither the critics nor the public appreciated it. But Indian cinema has now been revolutionised by movies like The Dirty Picture and Delhi Belly. Bhatt’s film was ahead of its time, but the concept could be revived by Bhatt junior.

Pooja is perked about the release of her adult film Jism 2, which she says, will be a game changer for her, just as the 1982 Arth was for her father Mahesh Bhatt. She has directed four films - Paap, Holiday, Dhokha and Kajraare, but none made any impact at the fickle box office. But with the erotic thriller Jism 2, Pooja is hoping for success, fame and acclaim.

“It’s a coincidence that even I am at the same stage (as my father). Even he had made around four movies (before Arth) and none of them did well. he was at a point in his career where nothing was

Pooja also finds a common thread Jism 2

“The specialty of Arth is that a lady makes a choice not to be with her husband and neither with her , Isna, who is a porn star, makes a conscious choice for her life too. The choices they make are the similarity, and in is contemporary with a world view,” explained anadian porn star Sunny Leone plays the lead in the film, which has, ironically, received an ‘A’ rating from entral Board of Film ertification (cBFc).

Pooja admits that her film has an adult theme, and doesn’t mind it being aired on the post 11pm slot.

“I have made an adult film; you can’t really sell alcohol on a children’s channel! So if one is making a film with the adult title, how can I water down and release it in prime time in the afternoon?” she asked.

“I am very clear I want the 11 pm slot or I am open with the home video market. I have to look at new ways to look at the market for my product,” added the director, who was smart enough to release promotional videos of only those songs on TV that had no sexual content.

The rest were marketed online, “a more than worthy competitor of TV”, according also features randeep hooda and Arunoday Singh alongside Sunny. Let’s see if Pooja makes the grade, and firmly steps into her father’s shoes.

International Awards

While we wrap ourselves in the glitz, glamour and bling of Bollywood, some lesser-known Indian productions have been winning on the international film circuit. Like the documentary Big in made by Indian-American actor mi Vaidya, which was declared the best foreign film at the recently concluded Las Vegas Film Festival. The documentary mi’s struggling days as an actor in Los Angeles and how he lands a dream role in blockbuster 3 Idiots

And now filmmakers Prashant Nair ahake have won the irectors Vision Award at the 9th edition of Indian Film festival of Stuttgart, Germany for their films

What’s Salman saying that’s making Katrina laugh here?

Salman: i’m reconnecting with all my ex-girlfriends: Katrina, Sangeeta…. You listening, aishwarya?

Katrina: Yeah right, dream on, boofhead!

Gurnam Singh

Altona North, VIC

Delhi In A Day and Shala respectively.

The director’s Vision Award is given to a film that looks at life with an incisive perspective.

While Shala is a story of school children coming of age in a repressive small-town society, Delhi In A Day is about capital’s urban rich and their servants seen through the eyes of an NrI.

“The entire team is delighted to have received this award as an endorsement of the message and theme of the movie. It was really wonderful to see the film resonate with German audiences in such a positive way. The Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart had a wonderful selection of films, watched by extremely enthusiastic audiences and we’re proud to have been a part of it,” said Nair in a statement.

Let’s hope Bollywood wakes up and takes notice of the wealth of untapped talent out there on its doorstep. Literally!

Perizaad Zorabian