THE BUZZ

Bachchan turns 71

India’s super-mega-star turned 71 on october 11, with the nicest gift being his toddler grand-daughter singing ‘Happy Birthday!’ Yes, Amitabh Bachchan, the undisputed legend of Bollywood is a super septuagenarian, but he’s still raring to go. He is looking forward to new challenges and wants to continue as long as possible.

“I only hope challenges keep coming and as far as possible, and as long as my health permits, I keep working,” Amitabh said to the media on his birthday.

Amitabh also posted on his blog. “A strange calmness descends on the eve of the clock that strikes 12 midnight... the family, the few that are in town, bring in the greetings, the ‘little one’ ably tutored sings a ‘happy birthday’ to herself first, and then, after suitable prompting, to me... it’s these little moments that make up a birthday”. Aaradhya will turn two on Nov 16.

So as we wish the Big B a happy birthday, let’s hope he continues to enjoy the contentment of his family and work and the adulation of his many, many fans!

Sonam for the small screen?

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor is trying to change the face of Indian television with his debut show 24, which has received wide appreciation. And if the buzz around Bollywood is to be believed, daughter Sonam is ready to follow in her successful father’s footsteps.

The charming actress has reportedly received offers to make appearances and to judge reality shows in the past.

FAR FROM besharam

So you’ve all seen Besharam by now, but did you know that its lead star Pallavi Sharda is a Melbourne girl?

Pallavi moved to Mumbai in 2008 but hit the big time after winning the Miss India Australia crown in 2010. Today she has to her credits films such as My Name is Khan, Dus Tola, Love Breakups Zindagi, Heroine, a New York based crossover film Walkaway, and an Australian movie Save Your Legs. She was the lead dancer in the musical Taj Express, staged in Mumbai and Singapore.

Pallavi, a Lowther Hall Grammar School student, did a double degree (Law and Media & Communications) at the University of Melbourne. But Bollywood was a childhood dream, and this gutsy girl has finally made it.

“I will always cherish that my family and friends in Australia allowed me to be besharam and break the mould!” Pallavi says.

And what was the best thing about Besharam? The “grace and humility of the Kapoor family” who she worked with on the film, and who “never made me feel new or junior”.

Along with Brett Lee, Pallavi was an Ambassador for ozfest, organised by the Australian government throughout India from oct 2012 to feb 2013. Apart from many other roles as the oz fest Ambassador, she wore and showcased pink diamonds from Rio Tinto at the Jaipur Palace.

“Sonam is very popular among kids, especially teenagers for her fashion sense. So much so that the actress keeps getting offers to make appearances on kids based reality shows,” said a source close to the actress.

However, for Sonam to consider such a project seriously, it has to be interesting enough.

“She is open to doing television shows when something which interests her comes along,” the source added.

Sonam has had a string of successes to her name, the most recent being Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

She is now gearing up for her upcoming movie Khubsoorat, a remake of the Hrishikesh Mukerjee-directed 1980 family drama which starred Rakesh Roshan, Rekha, Ashok Kumar and Dina Pathak. The remake is being produced by dad Anil Kapoor, and Shashanka Ghosh is directing it.

So if Sonam’s planning a stint on the small screen, its likely to be only with daddy’s blessings! Let’s hope that comes her way soon!

RGV on the sense behind Satya

filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is going to great lengths to explain to anyone who asks, that the word Satya in the title of his next film Satya 2 should only be interpreted as a pseudonym. Why would anyone care to know, you may ask. Well, he doesn’t want the audience to consider the forthcoming movie as a sequel to his 1998 crime thriller.

“Satya 2 is all about the ‘truth’ about two characters’ journey,” RGV explains. “Aman (a character) gets off a train in Satya and what happened to him, that was about truth. The name is almost a surreal application of what his life is about,” the 51-year-old said in an interview recently

“This (Satya 2) is in another time period, another man gets off a train in Mumbai. So the similarity is about the truth. The name is a pseudonym rather, not to be taken literally,” he added.

Varma has cast new actors in the film and says that since his characters are raw, only new actors could have pulled them off well. “As far as Satya 2 is concerned, I don’t think it is a risk (to have new faces). Specifically because Satya has raw, realistic characters which only new actors can deliver,” he added. Satya 2 stars Puneet Singh, Anaika Soti and Aradhna.

Debutant Puneet Singh says he plays a “corporate style gangster,” and he hopes that the audience appreciates his work. “His way of working is different, his thinking is different. He does not kill his adversaries himself. He plans and he is a corporate style gangster,” Puneet said, explaining the role. Like his mentor, Puneet too, insists that Satya 2 is not a sequel or a prequel. Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?

Urvashi aims at acting, not stardom

Model Urvashi Rautela, who is set for her acting debut with Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great, says she aims to be an actor, not a star. At 19, the attractive young lady has already got a lot to her credit. In 2009 at just 15, she clinched the Miss Teen India crown. Two years later, she won two titles, Miss Asian Supermodel and Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International. In 2012, she bagged the Miss Universe India title, but was later dethroned because she didn’t meet the age requirement. Nevertheless, she is raring to go.

The winner of several beauty pageants is also a popular name in the ad world. Now, she has a three-film contract with director Anil Sharma. Urvashi says she wants to be recognised for her acting skills rather than stardom.

“I don’t want people to treat me like a star or call me one. I want to be an artist... an actor who acts really well,” said

Urvashi recently.

True to being an actor, she doesn’t mind playing the love interest of actor Sunny Deol who is over 35 years older than her. In Singh Saab The Great, her character’s name is Mini. Sunny will be seen fighting for her in the action love story.

“I am being a professional. Age is just a number. When you’ll watch the movie you’ll see great chemistry. My character is lovable. I am playing a damsel in distress and he (Sunny) fights for me, so it’s special,” said Urvashi, who would like to work with the Khans (Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir) of Bollywood someday.

The model, is also excited about a song, which she says, “Is totally my song.

It’s Mehandi lagwaje. It’s very special because I’ve danced on it and is quite similar to what Sridevi did in Mere hathon main nau nau chudiya hai,” she said. Urvashi seems ready to conquer Bollywood after the catwalk. Let’s wish her all the best!

wHO wORE IT BETTER?

War is the best for Javed

Well, not literally! But actor Javed Jaffrey is terribly enthusiastic about his film War Chhod Na Yaar, claiming that it is one of the five best films in his career of 28 years. “I am happy and very excited. In my career of 28 years, this is one of my top 5 films ever. The way this film has been written and presented, it is a beautiful film and I am proud to be a part of it,” said the 52-yearold actor at the recent premiere of the country’s first war comedy.

“The audience has changed and now they are open to accepting a different film, if it is good,” Javed said. “Be it drama, suspense, thriller, and romance, if the entertainment quotient is right, the film will work. War Chhod Na Yaar a message to make you laugh but also leaves you thinking,” he added.

Directed by debutant faraz Haider, War Chhod Na Yaar also stars Sharman Joshi and Soha Ali Khan. Let’s hope the audience agrees with Javed and that War… breaks, not bombs the box office!

The kundras are back!

Businessman Raj Kundra and his actress wife Shilpa Shetty Saturday unveiled the teaser poster of their debut home production Dishkiyaaoon. It is as commercial as its title, says Kundra. Starring Harman Baweja and Sunny Deol, the action thriller will also introduce newcomer Ayesha Khanna. The project marks the directorial debut of Sanamjit Singh Talwar. “Dishkiyaaoon is as commercial as the title. I am very excited it’s our debut film project. especially for Harman who looks amazing and Sunny paaji in a different role never seen before,” Kundra said in a statement. Not to be outdone, Shilpa said, “We are very excited about our very first production. In keeping with our mission, this is a splendid script that will reach out to the large mainstream audience”. The poster shows one half of Harman, who seems to have built a perfect set of abs for the movie. Sneha Khanwalkar will create music for the movie, which aims to shed new light on the Mumbai underworld through the eyes of contemporary characters.

CApTION CONTEsT

What’s the chitchat here between SrK and Madhuri dixit?

Send in your responses to win@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

Diana Penty or Emma stone in Bottega Veneta?

The film went out earlier this year, and it is scheduled to release mid-January. So let’s see what the Kundra clan have up their sleeves.

LAsT IssUE

CApTION CONTEsT wINNINg ENTRy

What’s the chitchat between Amitabh and Mithun?

Amitabh: Mithun, I present to you the Senior Citizen Black Hair dye award.

Mithun: I follow in your footsteps, Amitji.

Mark D’Souza Armadale, Perth

Mark wins a CD of new Hindi film War Chhod Na Yaar

Dear Auntyji

I have been married for five years and I know that my husband is a good man. I love him very much and want nothing but his happiness. But I have noticed that over the past year, he gets very excited when my sister Ashleigh comes over. The two of them sit down and watch the latest Bollywood films together and discuss the merits of what’s going on in the film industry, and while laughing a lot. I have no interest whatsoever in Bollywood, and would not know any of the stars, let alone their latest films. What is beginning to bother me is how much fun Krish has whenever Ash is around, and how they laugh and banter with each other like old friends. I fear that I am losing the interest of my husband to my younger sister. Krish doesn’t really speak about Ash, but when he does, he says complimentary things about her. Is there something going on between the two of them? Do you think I should be worried Auntyji?

Auntyji says

What? Ye kaisa ghatya sawal hai? Just because Krish and Ash like Bollywood films and laugh and talk about it right in front of you, in your own house, does not mean anything other than you being deeply paranoid. If those two are doing anything untoward, it’s probably the fact that they are watching the latest Bollywood films, because everyone knows that no good films have come out of Bollywood since Mughal-e-azam and Pakeezah. And maybe Sholay. But that’s it! So I say instead of becoming suspicious over the innocent getting-together of the jeeja and saali, I suggest you either develop an interest in Bollywood, or train your mind not to harbour disgusting thoughts. You say you want your husband to be happy, well, watching a film with Ash makes him happy. So leave it at that. o f course, if the Bollywood sessions start extending late into the night and results in furtive phone calls and guilty looks on their faces when you walk into the room, that’s when you can put on your jasoosi hat to find out if there is kaala in the dhal Meanwhile, sit down and watch a show with them. You will learn a number of things, including mysteries such as why everyone speaks english in the films and why there is no longer any decorum or modesty left. Not like the olden days when there used to bashful glances by heroines whenever the hero turned their full gaze on them. oh, those were the days! Let me know if Krish and Ash decide to turn their anokha rishtaa into a dil ka rishtaa, then swiftly into a badaltey rishte. You don’t want Ash to become your saajan’s saheli, if you know what I mean!

Race row!

Auntyji says

Dear Auntyji

Last week, in the workplace, I used the term ‘Nigerian scam’ to talk about email scams of which we should be careful, but a colleague accused me of being racist. I was so stunned that I was left speechless for quite a few minutes, and then stumbled through the rest of the discussion. Auntyji, we all know what a Nigerian scam is. Is it racist to call it that? Why can’t I call it what it is? Please tell me because I am getting quite concerned about not being politically correct in the workplace.

Ah yes, the tricks and tribulations of navigating the social boundaries and rules in the workplace. Well, just because you called something by its commonly known name is not racist, it just makes you ignorant. While the original scams may have commenced in Nigeria, hence the tag ‘Nigerian scam,’ nowadays scams are not confined to this part of the world. You will have scammers and spammers everywhere. So in this instance, it’s better to just say online scam, and leave it at that. Likewise, other terms that can have a pejorative meaning should be considered carefully before use. I would not use for example ‘Chinese whispers,’ ‘Indian giver,’ ‘Mexican standoff’ for this very reason. Language is very powerful and while there are those who will say that those terms are a part of the language and should be used, I feel that any word that has the ability to cast aspersions on an entire group should be avoided. A Nigerian scam does not mean that everyone in Nigeria is guilty of this. online scam should suffice. Just the term ‘standoff’ conveys meaning without disparaging a group. Calling someone a bania or a ‘Jew’ puts a disparaging label on terms. So use your words carefully. Think about these things and put some thought into your choice of words. Incidentally, it is not lost on me that the term ‘racist’ itself is now misused. Because someone uses a term in ignorance does not make them racist. The term ‘racist’ is nebulous at worst and ill-defined at best, but the bottom line is that, at a most simplistic level, a racist is someone who has ideas and beliefs that their race is superior to others and that racial stereotypes can be used to categorise individuals. So when you say these ‘gore log just drink and have a good time and don’t work hard,’ you are being quite racist. Which gore log? All of them? So don’t make these types of comments and you won’t be considered a racist.