Sun rises for Suraj

His debut film was hitting theatres across the country, but nineteenyear-old actor Suraj Sharma was busy writing his exam at delhi’s St. Stephen’s College on Nov 23.

No doubt everyone heaved a sigh a relief upon reading this news. The story that the Philosophy student might not be allowed to sit his exams was reported the world over. (“Life of Pi star is a complete flunker,” said the headlines here in oz). apparently Suraj lacked the requisite minimum attendance and had also not submitted assignments as asked by the college authorities.

But in the end it all worked out well, with the sun refusing to set on his academic career!

Suraj’s film, based on yann Martel’s novel of the same name, is directed by hongkong-based director ang Lee and also stars actors Irrfan and Tabu besides Sharma.

Before Sharma, the captain of India’s under-19 world Cup winning team and a fellow Stephanian, unmukt Chand, wasn’t allowed to sit for his first year exams because he was short of attendance. Later, delhi university permitted him to move to second year with the proviso that he would have to clear his first year exams along with the third and fourth semesters of second year.

Meanwhile, Life of Pi has been quite impressive in India, collecting Rs 19.5 crores in the first week. It was released in English, hindi, Tamil and Telugu, and in both 2d and 3d formats.

“Life Of Pi a must watch!! Its message will have multiple interpretations and will be open to post viewing analysis. That’s the fun of it,” filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.

“ watching Life Of Pi second time in two days. Brought my daughter and her friends. Nice to see a full house and lots of kids. Fantastic movie,” Kapur tweeted.

Life Of Pi narrates the tale of a boy who is adrift at sea in a lifeboat with a Royal Bengal tiger after his family is drowned in a shipwreck.

Nair’s debut film Salaam Bombay was nominated at the uS academy awards for best foreign language film in 1988. her other acclaimed films are Mississipi Masala, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, New York, I Love You, among others.

Nair is the founder of Maisha, a centre in Kampala, uganda, that provides film labs and workshops for aspiring screen-

gUESS WHO ?

writers, directors, actors, technicians, and documentary makers from africa. and like most of her other offerings, let’s hope this one’s fascinating too!

Vidya Balan, Yash Chopra tribute at melb Indian Film Fest 2013

Vidya Balan will return to Melbourne as the ambassador for the 2013 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise asher announced in Mumbai recently.

Vidya is one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors and a genuine box-office drawcard.

“Securing such a high profile actor as our brand ambassador adds to the prestige of the festival and Vidya’s attendance at next year’s festival will be sure to delight our local Indian film fans,” Ms asher said.

To be held in april 2013, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne showcases the diversity and breadth of Indian film culture to Victorian audiences and will once again be delivered by Mind Blowing Films.

The Minister also announced that the Festival will pay a rich tribute to legendary film maker yuash Chopra next year.

“Mr Chopra had a deep relationship with Victoria given he was a Patron of the Festival and that he shot two major blockbusters in Victoria, Salaam Namaste and Chak De India,” Ms asher said.

Speaking at the event, Vidya Balan said she was delighted to be the ambassador for such a vibrant and exciting festival showcasing the best of Indian cinema. “Melbourne is like a second home to me and I look forward to being back,” she said.

Minister asher was in Mumbai as part eek, a program of activities to showcase Victoria’s cultural, creative er government is delivering on an election pledge to develop an Indian film festival and bring the best of Indian cinema to

Kareena Kapoor is over the moon, and it’s not just because critics have been giving her rave reviews for her performance in . It’s also because li Khan seems equally thrilled at her role and plans to throw a small party to celebrate the actress’

She’s been in the news this month, along with other family members (Find

“Saif is still in Lucknow, but he’s been very excited as he has been receiving messages from our family and friends ,” said an e was happy about the fact that this is my first big film after our wedding and we have broken the norm to prove that even married women can get the box office going,” she added. a decade after again plays the role of a prostitute in Talaash, and is delighted that the audience has accepted her in this role. as the happy couple are thrilled, Saif plans to make the occasion special with a small party for friends and family. Not a bad start for a month-old marriage and wonderful to see that supportive filmi husbands still exist.

“It’s quite ironic that I did I was 22 and I did Kareena said. “It is easy to do song and dance, as though it is a part of me and my uSP, but I feel really blessed to play something like this on screen”.

Inspiring Akshay

his is a strong presence in Bollywood’s teeming industry, and he’s also one of its most bankable actors. after the success of akshay Kumar’s films Housefull 2 and Rowdy Rathore, the actor has catapulted into the Rs. 100 crore club. But despite all the hype, the actor remains disarmingly modest about his success and performance. and although akshay feels the pressure of success, he says once a film releases, he doesn’t dwell too much upon its box-office performance.

“I feel pressure when the film nears its release, but after that if it doesn’t work, I am on to the next film. I also don’t take a big hit too seriously, because the next Friday you have to go into the same circle... you never know what will happen. I just take it as it comes. I just work and entertain,” said akshay.

The actor made his Bollywood debut with 1991 film Saugandh and went on to acquire the tag of ‘Khiladi Kumar’ for his inclination towards action. But since then, akshay has veered his focus to comedies.

“after Khiladi 420, I stopped doing action movies because I got married. I just wanted to work on comedy, romance and everything. Being a father and a husband, a man has to settle down a little bit. Now my son has grown up, I want to go back to action,” said the actor, who is married to actress Twinkle Khanna and has two kids - aarav, 10 and daughter Nitara, who was born in September.

Rowdy Rathore signified akshay’s return to action, his first love, and his new film Khiladi 786 will see him in a similar avatar. “It is a great thing to return to action. It is my love. I have been in this industry because of action. I have tournaments of action.

I have my own personal gyms. action is what I am. It’s because of action that I am here,” said the 45-year-old martial arts expert.

over the years, the genre of action has been mixed with comedy and successfully presented to the audience through hit films like Dabangg, Ready and Rowdy Rathore and there’s a good reason for this, reveals the talented actor. “The audience wants this from me. They want overthe-top action (movies). These are their demands and we have to try and give it to them. The films are made for everybody. Not only masses, but classes also love this,” said akshay. he added that now the overseas audience wants to see one actor as a master of all - whether it is action or comedy. The past formula of having a separate comedian alongside an actor in a film is long gone. well, looks like the perfect description of what does best. So will the action hero-cum-comedian lives up to his reputation in Khiladi 786? Let’s wait and see…..

“People want their actors to do comedy too. They want one solo hero and want to see everything in him,” he said.

Talaash is a true thriller e’ve come to expect nothing less aamir Khan, and once again, we are not disappointed. Taalash released recently and has been lauded not just by critics and the industry, but also by the aam junta The thriller is expected to have raked in Rs 15 crore on its opening night. aamir’s wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao is very happy with the movie, as she says it offers something for everyone. “It is my kind of film and I really liked it,” the 39-year-old said.

“we just hope that people also like it. The story is such that everyone will get something in it. It is emotional also, so it should touch the audience and will lead them to think as well,” she irected by Reema Kagti, is a thriller and also stars Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Nawazuddin