Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam Movie Preview

Ratring: ** Sanjay Chhel has penned a number of comic fares. Obviously, when Chhel takes charge and decides to helm a project himself, you expect his film to be one wacky ride. Indeed, Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam is wild in parts, thoroughly enjoyable at times, but you don't exclaim 'maan gaye' in the end. Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam prompts you to break into guffaws. Even the one-liners -- Chhel's a pro at it -- are dipped in wit-n-humour. Plus, the camaraderie between Paresh Rawal, Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat is superb. Lekin kahani mein problem hain… Chhel tries to pack sooooo much in one film. Love triangle, patriotism, terrorism, songs, the theatre group's woes… the outcome is clearly erratic and inconsistent. The comedy works, not the terrorism angle. Chhel seems inspired by JAANE BHI DO YAARO, but this inspiration could've done with a gripping screenplay. Another sore point is the absence of good music. To sum up, Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam is, at best, an average fare. Watch it for the humour and also bravura performances by its lead actors. Circa 1993: St. Louise, near Goa, is on a high alert due to illegal activities like RDX and arms landing at the coastal area. Set up in the same town is Kalakar Theatre Company, a theatre group of self indulgent dreamy actors who are always left with no choice but to perform the same age-old period play 'Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam' every time. One fine day, they get to know that an underworld don is planning a bomb blast in the country. The drama company gets into the act to save the entire city from this blast. Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam takes time to come into form. But when it does, the humour is unstoppable. Sure, you may find the theatre group's drama (Akbar, Salim, Anarkali) amateurish, but it works big time. In fact, the audi will reverberate with wild laughter at several places. But the writing lacks meat and that takes away the sheen. The pace picks up, drops, picks up again, drops yet again unfailingly. Humour is the highpoint of Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam and Chhel hits a boundary there. Ditto for his dialogues. Anu Malik's music is lifeless. Barring the title track, the remaining numbers are simply add-ons. Madhu Ambat's cinematography is fair. Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam belongs to Paresh, Rahul and Mallika. Paresh has mastered the art of making people laugh, but when you watch him in this film, you realize the tremendous potential this terrific actor possesses. Watch his take on Akbar or step in as Kay Kay's double; he's in top form. Mallika stands on her feet despite a giant called Paresh Rawal. Scrutinize her as Anarkali at the outset and later, as an aspiring actress; she's fantastic. Rahul Bose is known for serious and intense roles, but he breaks the shackles with Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam. His timing is perfect. Surprisingly, Kay Kay isn't in form this time. Pawan Malhotra does very well. Zakir Hussain doesn't get scope. Ditto for Tanaaz. Manoj Joshi is wasted. On the whole, Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam is an ordinary fare, laced with great humour at places.

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Chamku Movie Preview

Where does one point a finger when one isn't quite enthralled to listen to the soundtrack of an album, let aside commenting later on whether it is good or bad? Is it due to 'thanda' vibes that the cast of the film gives (Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra)? Is it due to the title, which makes one wonder which genre does the film belong to? Is it the promotion, which gives a strong sense of 'deja vu' with routine mushy song and dance numbers? This is why even as Monty Sharma arrives with his second soundtrack after Saawariya and Sameer joins him as a lyricist, there aren't any expectations with Chamku when one plays on the music. However, there is a surprise at the very beginning of the album with 'Aaja Milke' indeed making you hear the number more closely. Starting with Shreya Ghosal, this song about togetherness of the two lovers is aided not just by some good singing but also Indian arrangements, which is the hallmark of Monty Sharma. Reminding of the kind of work that Sharma has done on the songs for Sanjay Leela Bhansali films; 'Aaja Milke' turns out to be a decent composition even though Shail's limited presence is on a duller side. Richa Sharma is heard next in a kind of number with which she is associated most - a sad painful number with a classic Indian touch to it. A situational track meant for the background score, it doesn't quite seem that 'Kithe Jawa' would be placed for it's entire 5.5 minutes duration in the film. Of course, Richa is good as she always is but the song by itself is hardly the kind, which would have listeners, excited enough to give it a hearing beyond the movie. Surprisingly the number is heard twice with 'Bin Daseyaa' being the title for the 'remix version'. Has Monty Sharma tried to create a 'Dola Dola' [Ismail Darbar] here with 'Gola Gola'? It seems to be the case as he gets a similar mood and style for 'Gola Gola' which is basically a 'Holi' number revolving around 'bhang' and the works! Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Vaishali Samant come together for this yet another 'desi' number in Chamku but here too, there isn't much that one ends up looking forward to. However, there are some hopes of the song getting a few eyeballs if supported by eye catchy choreography and picturisation. Longest track in the album comes next which lasts close to six and half minutes. Titled 'Trance', this one completely changes the mood and flavor of the album and takes the listener to hardcore Western arrangements. Saleem Shahzada, Soumya Raoh and Anaida come together for this fast paced number which is set truly as a 'trance' number and comes with a possibility of being played in nightclubs with the round of drinks and flashy lights in full force. A number which has lyrics in languages other than Hindi as well, 'Trance' again comes with a core situational appeal though one wonders where exactly could this be fitted in except for some dramatic action sequence! In the same slow mannered pace as 'Kithe Jawa' comes 'Dukh Ke Badri', which appears to be set in a village in the cow belt from where the film's lead protagonist comes. A number with a rustic feel to it, 'Dukh Ke Badri' is about looking positively in life and expecting better things to arrive. Sung by Kalpana, Parthiv Goel and Shail, it won't quite make a listener to put it on a repeat mode and in fact also forget 'Aaja Milke' which incidentally turns out to be the best of the lot. In nutshell, Chamku is a forgettable album which is clearly one of the weakest from the house of Vijayta Films. The songs by themselves may not to be a terrible hear but for a commercial film like Chamku, they just don't create any excitement. There is absolutely nothing that one takes back home after listening to Chamku and one wonders if it may just have been a better outing if only it was a song less affair.

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1920 Movie Preview

Albeit the film that Vikram Bhatt boasts about as one of his best creations ever is still has time to hit the theaters, the music is released for alluring the audience. 1920, a film by Vikram Bhatt, is about an idea he had a long time back. It was something he always wanted to make; a periodical and horrifying sense mingled together to give the audience an altogether different film experience. The story encircles a Hindu boy and an Angelo Indian girl. How they go against their families and get married. The hero is an architect and is given the biggest task of his life, to pull down a huge house and reconstruct it into a hotel. Unfortunately there is something in the house which will not allow things to happen the way he wants. A mysterious story unfolds and it is soon realized that the house is haunted. Unfortunately it is something to do with the heroine and then a series of mysteries unfold. The splendid music of the movie is floating enough to get the listeners to an immortal journey of timeless classic, right from the heart of 19th century. Music of 1920 is given by Adnan Sami and the lyrics by Sameer. Apart from the visual touch, the album 1920 as a stand alone music album, boasts of a series of great and renowned singers like Pandit Jasraj, Asha Bhonsle, Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal and Parveen Sultana. The great classical track of the song ‘Vaada tumse hain vaada…’ is sung by none other than the legendary Pandit Jasraj. The song dives into the classical time of the 19th Century. Pandit Jasraj is heard delivering one of his best music as a tribute to the classical era of that period. Kailash Kher makes another outstanding contribution with his voice in the song ‘Tujhe main pyaar karun…’ The song is intense and is based on the sequence when the heroine is in desperate need of the hero to save her life from hell. Very intensely sung, the song portrays the desire of being in the arms of one’s beloved. ‘Aise jalta hai jiya…’ is a song sung by the nightingale Asha Bhonsle. The song is very soothing to ears, depicting the time of love. A superb combination of love, passion and desire, it’s a song which will pop out emotions to the core. Item girl ‘Rakhi Sawant’ gave her audience another jaws dropping number in the song ‘Bichua’. The song is sung by Shubha Mudgal. The number is very grooving and the music in it is worth appreciating, as far as the combination of Shubha Mudgal and Rakhi Sawant is concerned. Finally, the 1920 Theme. An ageless and timeless combination of magical music recreated to create an unforgettable fusion. The theme is intense and has a grip of someone’s loneliness. It gives the feeling of mystery whispering into listener’s ears. All in all the variety and journey of the ageless music is all that come under the title ‘1920’. An album worth your experience. - Pratik Maheshwari

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Kidnap Movie Preview

From Sanjay Gadhvi, the master-director of mega blockbusters like Dhoom and Dhoom: 2, Kidnap is a high-octane edge-of-the-seat drama about a power tussle between a young boy and the father of the girl he kidnaps.

Sonia (Minissha Lamba – Bachna Ae Haseeno) lives with her mother, Mallika (Vidya Malvade – Chak Dey India) and grandmother because her parents divorced when she was ten. A week before her eighteenth birthday celebration, she gets kidnapped.

The abductor, Kabir (Imran Khan – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) is interested in speaking only to her father, Vikrant Raina (Sanjay Dutt), an affluent New York-based Indian businessman, with whom he has an old score to settle.

Vikrant returns to India to retrieve his daughter from Kabir’s clutches but has to carry out a series of daunting tasks set out by Kabir as a condition to rescue her. At the end of each task is a clue that helps Vikrant in coming closer to Sonia.

Is his mission as easy as it seems? How far will a father go to save his daughter? What redemption is there for Kabir at the end?

Sanjay Dutt’s first release of 2008, co-starring the latest teen sensation, Imran Khan, Kidnap makes for compelling viewing as the big festival release on Eid. It features music by Pritam.

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Get ready for Kareena in all new look

Kareena Kapoor is all set to fly to Paris to shoot an advertisement for an apparel chain and the Bollywood actress will don a new look, thanks to a French make-up artist.

Kareena is the brand ambassador of retail chain Globus and the firm has decided to make the ad on a grand scale in Paris, complete with a makeover by a French artist, a company official said.

"The French artist is going to create a new look for her. We are giving her a complete makeover and she will surely look different and as usual stunning, " the executive said.

Company authorities also believe that she is their lucky charm.

"Kareena is a style icon for today's youth. The decision to select Kareena as our brand ambassador has fetched the brand an international recognition, " the official added.

Kareena replaced Soha Ali Khan as the face of the Globus retail chain late last year.

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I never got a chance to understand Kareena

While her new found friendship with one time foe Kareena Kapoor remains a mystery for many, actress Bipasha Basu admits that she never got a chance to understand Kareena. "I never had a chance to understand her but now the awkwardness is gone, " the dusky actress said on the sidelines of an event. Both the actresses were said to have a good time at a recent party organised by Kareena for beau Saif Ali Khan. It is said that both could not see eye to eye during the shooting of 'Ajnabee', Bipasha's first Bollywood movie. The Bong actress is not new to controversies relating to her alleged rivalries with her female co-stars. While there were rumours of actress Deepika Padukone getting miffed up with Bipasha during the promotion events of 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', her rivalry with Katrina Kaif has been in limelight recently. But, Bipasha rubbished all rumours and insisted that she had made only friends during the shooting of 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'. However, unperturbed by the controversies, the actress believe in following an eye for an eye logic with her co-stars. "It all depends on the kind of behaviour that the person in front of you shows. If someone acts friendly then I will behave in the same manner, " Bipasha quipped.

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Revealed: Shilpa's emotional talk with Jade

When on Monday Shilpa Shetty was told that her former Big Brother colleague Jade Goody had been detected with cancer, Shilpa didn't know how to react. "I was shocked and confused. I was filled with so many emotions. No matter what happened at Big Brother I had spent considerable time with her in the House. I felt really bad for her. Now I know why I couldn't recognize her when I met her. Life has put her through so much, she had changed, " says a subdued Shilpa. Shilpa immediately wanted to meet Jade. "But she had to be whisked away immediately from Lonavla on Monday. Early Tuesday morning she had her flight from where she had to be taken for chemotherapy in London." Shilpa got Jade's phone number and spoke to her on the airport just before the stunned Big Boss candidate left for London. It was an incredibly emotional experience for Shilpa, free of rancour. "Speaking to her was not easy. It was very tough. There was never any rancour, " says Shilpa. "Yes, I was hurt when in the Big Brother House she made some comments about our country. But even in the House we had made peace after the initial rancour. Once I was out of the House, the media went to town and she got the brunt of it." Shilpa tried all the time to pacify the world press. "Believe me, it was really sad when Jade was slammed. I never wanted become a champion of the third- world at her cost." Interestingly the channel Colors had asked Shilpa before inviting Jade Goody to be a contestant on Big Boss. "Yeah when the channel decided on Jade they asked me if it was okay with me. If I had any ill feelings towards her I'd have said no to Jade. But the truth is, there was no ill feelings towards Jade. My only precondition was that Jade should be treated well at Big Boss. I knew how it felt when to go into a foreign country and be in a hostile situation (Big Brother). To my delight the Big Boss contestants were very nice to Jade.I felt so proud to see how she was treated. It just reiterated the fact we Indians are very forgiving and welcoming." Shilpa is shocked by the cynicism of those who think this to be a TRP gambit. "Jade's illness is not gimmick. She must've done pap-smear before coming to India. How would she know the tests would be so damning?" Now Shilpa plans to meet Jade. "I only had a chance to speak to her before she left.I will meet her when I go to London for the Unforgettables tour with the Bachchans next week."

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Kismat Konnection

Singers: Neeraj Sridhar, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Hard Kaur, Atif Aslam, Shreya Ghoshal, Suheil, Adeel, Akriti Kakkar, Alka Yagnik, Mohit Chauhan, Shaan
Lyricist: Shabbir Ahmed
Music Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
Rating: ***

Composer Pritam Chakraborty almost always ensures that his music hits the top 10 lists - if not the entire album then at least a few tracks. And he has succeeded in churning out some chartbusters for Aziz Mirza's 'Kismat Konnection' too.

'Aye Paapi (Tu Hai Meri Soniye)' will definitely click with audiences. Not just because of Neeraj Sridhar's vocals, but also due to the unconventional and sprightly music composed. There's rap, hip-hop, dance and Bollywood mix in this song, making it a perfect dance number.

Current flavour Atif Aslam renders 'Bakhuda tumhi ho' along with Alka Yagnik. This one is a romantic piece and Pritam has kept it sweet and subtle. It is a pleasure to listen to this romantic song and Shabbir Ahmed's lyrics are great.

The choice of good singers continues with Mohit Chauhan, who renders 'Is this love (Kahin na laage)'. Shreya Ghoshal joins him in the rendition of the song. It has been composed well, but might not last too long on the charts as it gets a bit too mushy at certain places.

Pritam tries to be different in 'Move your body now' by mixing western arrangements with Punjabi influences. Shaan, Akriti Kakkar and Suheil provide vocals for this number and are joined by Hard Kaur, who contributes with her rap.

But the song doesn't boast of great lyrics and Akriti's rendition doesn't really gel with the overall piece.

Sonu Nigam, who returns to the scene after a long time, sings 'Soniye ve' along with Sunidhi Chauhan. The song doesn't really impress. It has a Punjabi flavour and clearly belongs to the 'heard-it-before' genre.

The last track apart, the other songs of the album are good. And 'Aye paapi' and 'Bakhuda...' remain favourites

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Bachna Ae Haseeno

Why do girls always fall for the wrong guy? Their mothers warn them about him.

Their friends shake their heads disapprovingly. Their minds tell them to escape while the going is good. But no! Oh no! Their hearts are another story altogether.

You see, they are always sending all the wrong signals. His name alone is enough to scramble their brains and set their hearts racing.

Meet Raj (Ranbir Kapoor). He is the stuff of dreams, with the looks of a 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' good boy.

Who can blame him for falling in love as many times as love is fortunate enough to find him. It's not his fault that he's a heartbreaker, its in his DNA.

Come… discover his three love stories; Raj and Mahi (Minissha Lamba), Raj and Radhika (Bipasha Basu), Raj and Gayatri (Deepika Padukone).

Different ladyloves at different times in his life. And each one of them teach him a little bit about love and a little bit about life, in their own sweet, sexy or sassy way.

Come fall in love... three times over!

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Ugly Aur Pagli

Cast: Mallika Sherawat, Ranvir Shorey, Tinu Anand, Sushmita Mukherjee & Payal Rohatgi
Directed by: Sachin Khot

The film focuses on Kabir alias Ugly (Ranvir Shorey), a happy-go-lucky guy who has been study engineering for the last 10 years.

His mundane life is turned upside down when he meets the quirky and kinky Kuhu, alias Pagli (Mallika Sherawat).

Ugly always wanted a girlfriend but he never in his wildest dreams thought he would encounter a girl who could make him dance around in circles, run semi-naked, ride bicycles without seats, or wear high-heel shoes.

Pagli, an obnoxious, strong and witty character is totally out of control. She has a knack of disrupting your life in a way you never knew possible.

Recently, Pagli has been going through a personal crisis. She feels the only way she can overcome it is to put someone else through her experiences.

To achieve her aims, she targets a helpless nerd and makes him fall in love with her. Then the fun begins as his life is turned upside down!

Call her simply irresistible, or devil in disguise, Pagli sure has a way of getting around difficult situations.

So when the devil is after you, all you can do is run because if you are caught in her web then all hell will break loose! But as Ugly tries hard to escape Pagli's clutches, he falls more miserably in love with her.

Will Ugly survive Pagli's insane demands and tantrums, or will he run away screaming?

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Love Story 2050

Starring: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Dalip Tahil, Archana Puran Singh, Harsh Varisth, Mehzabin Sarela and others
Screenplay: Harry Baweja, Rowena Baweja
Music: Annu Malik
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Director: Harry Baweja
Ratings: **1/2

It’s a beautiful dream for those who love living in the dreamlands only; but what about the audience who are quite bored with repetitive Bollywoody love stories!

Karan Oberoi (Harman Baweja) is the only son of famed businessman Mr. Oberoi (Dalip Tahil). Karan is not happy with his father as because his father is more interested in cars, business and achievement than his only son.

Being very lonely and having the thought in mind that his unfortunate accidents would bring no loss to anyone, Karan always prefers to play with danger.

In the course of the mundane story, Karan meets Sana (Priyanka Chorpa) and for obvious reasons (love, I mean to say) they decide on getting married. And here comes the twist. Sana meets an accident and she dies leaving Karan all alone.

On the other hand the Love Story has Karan’s uncle, Dr. Yatinder Khanna (Boman Irani), who by profession is a scientist. Dr. Khanna has been working on a time machine for last fifteen years so that he can poke into the future to how the things will change (obviously).

Karan meets Dr. Khanna and recapping Sana’s dream about entering the year 2050, they go to the year 2050 with the time machine.

Entering the future Karan comes to know that Sana is now the best rock-star of the world living in Mumbai and is named as Zaisha. Ultimately Karan succeeds in getting his love, Sana alias Zaisha, back to the present with the help of QUTY and BOO, two robotic dolls taking care of Zaisha.

Harry Baweja has beautifully taken care of direction as well as the story but at some places the story becomes little slow.

Music and lyrics of the film looks nice but at the same time it appears little difficult to say that songs will look something like that with flying cars in the year 2050. Priyanka has worked well in accordance with her character.

Whether Harman’s resemblance with Hrithik is a bane or boon is a quiz immaterial but his impact on the screen is quite impressive. Boman Irani has depicted his character quite well. Archana Puran Singh looks good in her character of Priyanka’s mother.

The first part of the film is based on the love story between Priyanka and Harman and the funny thing is the second part of the film is also based on their love story. The only difference is the second part happens in the year 2050.

Coming to the much hyped special effects, Harry has proved it a mark in Indian film history but it’s quite difficult to say whether the world, especially Mumbai, will look somewhat like that in the year 2050.

This possibly is the first Indian film that marvels in special effects and people seem really amazed but at the same time few people are inclined to believe it a copy of some Hollywood flick.

Being neutral it’s better to buy both the opinions. One funny thing is, even in 2050, corruption remain our inseparable characteristic. On the other hand the robot snake shows the fatal future of today’s reptiles (?).

QUTY and BOO show the great creative status of the director but the size of BOO is little small than what people have expected it to be.

The film, flaunting a budget of fifty crore, must have earned a cool amount from Lux and Lawman. At the same time, the brand owners must be feeling good thinking about how their brands will be famous among stars even in 2050.

Well, it’s time to say adieu to you all but before signing off it’s better to say that you must watch the film once to witness Harman’s acting, special effects and not to forget, Mumbai in 2050.

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Mehbooba

By Subhash K Jha

Starring Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali….oops, Afzal Khan
Rating: * ½

Manisha Koirala is the one reason why one would want to brave this prolonged homage to the cinema of Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

This one is a 3-hour long rag-carpet welcome to Sanjay Leela Bhansali Hum…Dil De Chuke Sanam. The plot, ambience, characters, music and even the interactive interludes between the main protagonists are all derived with lipsmacking relish from Bhansali's film.

Why, Mehbooba (no relation to Shakti Samanta's Mehbooba in 1977) even goes to Budapest where Bhansali shot the second-half of Hum….

Except, that Mehbooba goes to Budapest in the first-half and to the bustling screechy noisy food-laden haveli from the first-half of Bhansali's Hum… in the second-half.

Ho hum…. The melodies (if one may call them that) flit in and out like unwanted guests after every ten minutes of dialogue.

If the songs were sacrificed on the editing table, maybe—just maybe—Mehbooba would be more bearable in its old-world love triangle ambience of two brothers (one idealistic and lovelorn, the other unscrupulous and ever-libidinous) who fall for the same girl.

The meat of the métier goes to the majestic Manisha…Still resplendent and lovely no matter where and in what they put her, Manisha never fails to infuse a poetic aura to her character.

Fetchingly photographed by that wunder-lensman Ashok Mehta at times Manisha looks as incandescent as she did in Bhansali's Khamoshi: The Musical.

Alas, like this long-delayed film, Manisha too has gone through innumerable ups and downs in her career.

The inconsistencies in the narration are covered up with a lot of exterior gloss. To the director Afzal Khan's credit the film's scattered pastiche is woven into what can pretty much be described as a seamless 'yawn' about two men and a woman who should know better.

The sets and locations are opulent flamboyant and eye-catching. No subtlety is applied in the visuals or emotions. The song-and-dance numbers that come along with alarming rapidity are shot with an eye for unhampered opulence.

So who gets the girl at the end? That's a question which must remain in the audiences' mind in any love triangle.

Beyond a point we stop caring completely about these three compulsively conflicted characters, even though one of them is played by a star who brings in an element of the tragic and classic grandeur from an era gone-by.

And one isn't referring to either of the two male leads. Devgan and Dutt behave like Devgan and Salman Khan from Bhansali's Hum Dil… discussing the same woman with each other ad nauseam as though she were two different entities.

A case of a split personality? By the time the triangle is resolved (with one of heroes coming to a suitably stickly nemesis) the only 'split' personality is the audience.

Most of them have fled the dread of watching a film that goes back the oldest traditions of Hindi cinema and emerges with a product that substitutes genuine emotions with elaborate props borrowed from a master storyteller's creative godown.

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Money Hai To Honey Hai

Cast: Govinda, Aftab Shivdasani, Upen Patel, Ravi Kishan, Celina Jaitley, Kim Sharma, Hansika Motwani, Isha Koppikar
Directed by: Ganesh Acharya

Money Hai To Honey Hai revolves around six characters. Happy-go- lucky guy, Bobby (Govinda) lives for today. He neither thinks nor bothers about tomorrow.

His father thinks he's good for nothing. So he challenges his dad to prove him wrong by leaving home.

Then there is Lala bhai (Manoj Bajpai), who suddenly becomes wealthy by winning million pounds on the lottery. Emotional and kind hearted, he loses all his winnings and is penniless within months.

Writer Gaurav (Aftab Shivdasani) works in an advertising agency. His honesty and sincerity shows in his advertising campaign. Always misunderstood by his colleagues, Gaurav eventually gets fired. Even his girlfriend dumps him and marries another guy.

Manik (Upen Patel) is a struggling model whose endorsement is limited to cheap under garments. He comes across Dolly Kumari, a successful and single middle aged fashion designer (Archana Puran Singh).

Hoping to make it big in the advertising world, he has a relationship with her against his wishes.

Successful television actress Ashima Kapoor is unhappy with her career and desperate to star in films. She finally gives up television and waits for that elusive break.

Shruti (Celina Jeitely) is a struggling dress designer, who sells her designs on the cheap to Dolly Kumari. Meanwhile Dolly adds her own tag and sells the same merchandise for double the price.

One day, they all receive a message on their mobiles from a Mr Jaiswal informing them they have become the owner of his group of companies worth 1,000 million rupees.

As instructed by Mr Jaiswal, they reluctantly arrive at a resort. With formalities of transferring the ownership complete, they celebrate their good fortune. But this does not last long.

A lawyer reveals there's a loan of 1,200 million rupees which is outstanding and must be repayed. Until then they will be put under house arrest.

A Korean company now proposes to buy the companies but these six characters choose to decline the offer. They put all their ideas together and come up with a clever plan to make garments on the cheap.

But will they be successful in their new business venture? Will they make enough money to pay up their debts?

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Akshay Kumar's 'Sardar' look in Singh Is Kinng

Akshay Kumar had a fantastic last year with some big hits like Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Welcome. While 2008 many not have begun on the right note for the 'Khiladi' Kumar, with Tashan failing at the B.O., Akki is not one to be worried. In fact, he is all set to prove that he is indeed the King of the B.O. with his next release Singh is Kinng. The film is produced by Vipul Shah and directed by Anees Bazmee.

The film is being eagerly anticipated because Akki would be seen as a Sardar (with Pagdi, beard et al) for the first time in his career. If that's not enough reason to watch the film, Akshay would be seen sizzling the screen with one of his favorite co-stars Katrina Kaif and if the promos of the film are anything to go by, this one promises to be a sure-shot winner.

While there was a lot of talk about some members of the Sikh community having an objection with the way Sikhs were portrayed in the film, all seems to have sorted out after Akshay along with his producer and director arranged a special screening of the film for the Sikh authorities so that they get a clear idea of what's there in the film. Akki is seen sporting a white pagdi, with a white shirt and a pink lungi. Quite an interesting combination must say! From the looks of it, the 'Punjab Da Puttar' seems to be having a ball of a time shooting in the green fields of his home town Punjab.

At the recently held IIFA Awards in Bangkok, Akshay Kumar did a special Singh is Kinng act in which he performed a deadly stunt and ended up spraining his leg .However, even after that, he continued with his act and was soon joined by a pack of dancers, dressed as sardars, roaring the name of his upcoming release. Among others, he danced to both the title tracks from Singh Is Kinng, leaving the Thai, Bollywood struck audiences, absolutely bedazzled. Well, he surely has increased his fan following even in Thailand.

Akki's character in the film is called Happy Singh. However, the Khiladi doesn't look happy in this picture as he tries to catch a Hen on top of a roof. Whether, he finally manages to do so is something you will have to wait and watch when Singh Is Kinng opens across cinema halls.

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All you wanted to know about Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na

Aamir Khan Productions' latest venture Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na marks the launch of Aamir's nephew Imran Khan as an actor. This sugar-sweet romantic comedy, which also stars Genelia D' Souza opposite Imran has been directed by Abbas Tyrewala. While the music of the film given by A.R Rahman is already a rage (especially the Kabhi Kabhi Aditi track) one is looking forward to seeing if Aamir Khan Productions delivers yet another quality product. We at bollywoodnewsonline bring you all that you wanted to know about Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na in this exclusive section which will leave you asking for more.

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Aamir does a mock rehearsal with Salman for '10 Ka Dum'

They say 'practice makes a man perfect'. And it's obviously understood that Aamir Khan hates flaws when it comes to work. His perfectionist nature is not unknown to anyone be it when he is acting, producing or directing films! Recently when he shot for game show '10 Ka Dum' with his bhanja Imran, he requested Salman Khan for a mock rehearsal before playing the final game.

Busy with the promotions of Imran's debut film Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, the duo (Aamir and Imran) turned up on the sets of '10 Ka Dum' and came in straight for a rehearsal. Like a true host, Salman explained the format of the game and how it is played! In the knock out round (2 contestants play against each other for 5 questions, the contestant that gives the maximum right answer plays the game for 10 crores) Aamir and Imran were pitted against each other, as expected, Aamir would think through his answer well before finally pulling the trigger (a knob next to their screens). However, the young lad Imran won against Mamu Aamir and excitedly played the game.

During the rehearsals, Salman asked Imran, "Aap Aamir ko kya bulate ho? " Imran said, "Aamir mamu" Salman asked, "Toh aap mujhe kya bulaoge? " Imran said, "Chachu" Salman immediately asked, "Toh aap shaadi ke maamlein mein apne mamujaan par jayenge ya phir aapke chacha pe" (pointing to himself) all of them broke into a laugh riot and the game continued!

Watching them interact, it was obvious that Aamir and Salman got along well and this will sure put to rest all rumors on the Khans being at loggerheads!

Witness the action of the Khans, Salman, Aamir, and Imran this Friday, July 4 on '10 Ka Dum' on Sony. Watch out for the real game between the men!

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Battlefield ready for Imran and Harman

Bollywood is a competitive world and to survive in it you need to be the fittest, the Best. Debuting this week is ‘Two Boys of One City’; Imran Khan and Harman Baweja. With their movies ready to hit the theatres in just two days, they both are ready for some serious action and thorough competition.

We all know Aamir Khan hardly socializes and likes maintaining a low profile all the while

. But this time around he, too, is leaving no stone untouched for his nephew Imran’s debut film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. He’s promoting this movie big time by at

tending parties, conferencing with press, participating in reality shows and even inaugurating shops. Aamir even agreed to become the first guest in item girl Rakhi Sawant’s show. Speaking about some serious rivalry, the actor even went ahead and out-threw Harman and instead, he and Imran became the guest for Salman’s Dus Ka Dum.

Harman, on the other hand, is not elbowing anyone but is concentrating on his movie’s promotion. His girlfriend (and also the leading lady in the film), Priyanka Chopra is with him to do the same for round the clock.

They have been promoting their movie in Pantaloons, Fame and even have launched an all new Aura diamond collection labeled with the name of Love Story 2050.

While the Harman starrer is expecting a dawn of a new sci-fi world with the robots and the best animation the country has seen till now, the Imran starrer is based on the same age old concept of young generation trying to understand love and its reality. But not to forget Priyanka’s words that despite being a sci-fi film, Love Story 2050 is basically a love story.

Having both the love stories on each of our hands, now we all have to wait till the Friday dawn hits the theaters to see who between Harman and Imran battles well on the field of love game. Not to forget the game of currency at the BO!

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Vidya may consider Shahid’s proposal

Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan fall in that league of Bollywood celebs who like to hide their romantic affair. But in reality the duo just doesn’t seem to get enough of each other. The two maybe trying their level best to hide their inner feelings but it’s not such an easy task to hide it from the eyes of the media personals.

Where few days ago, Vidya had uttered in a press conference that Shahid is just a very good friend to her but in another press conference, held few days later, the same actress took her relationship with Shahid a little further saying that she may consider Shahid’s proposal.

Vidya may have started expressing her true feelings but Shahid still seems to maintain a low profile.

Now this is not fare. We have been waiting and waiting and waiting and what the stars are doing for their die-hard fans? They are just hiding and hiding their connection. Well, after all it’s their personal matter.

We may have to wait a bit and see how soon the couple shares their true konnection with us. Meanwhile, we would just like to inform our hotties that “Pyaar aur Pimple kabhi chupaye nahi chupte”. True, isn’t it?

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I am not marrying Mr Aditya Chopra: Rani Mukherjee

Rani on her Rishta with Yashraj...

Rumours insist you're marrying Mr Aditya Chopra.
Rumours can insist what they want. To me they're baseless and stupid rumours. I'm waiting for them to die a natural death. These kinds of speculations come with the territory of my work.

They're nothing but efforts to pull me down. And I can see every effort is made to downsize me. But fortunately I know the difference between constructive and destructive criticism.

Have you become wiser now?
Of course. I joined this industry when I was 17. Naturally I've grown wiser. I can see through people's motives. I'd rather work quietly and wait for my movies to release. But I can't say such rumours don't harm me. What can I do?

There was a death in your family recently?
Yes my cousin Kajol's father. Shomu Kaka was very close to my family. He was very close to my parents.

I was one of his favourite nieces. Both families were very close until my dad stopped making films and I started working.

Then a little distance came between the two families because I got busy with my own career. But at a time like this that distance dissolved. I kept remembering my childhood days with Shomu Kaka.

You play an angel in only one costume throughout Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic?
Actually it was several dresses looking identical. I couldn't possibly wear the same dress throughout.

You love working with new directors.
Oh yes! Karan Johar, Shaad Ali and Kunal Kohli, they all did their first films with me.Now I'm doing a film with another new director Anurag Singh for Yashraj Films.

You've become a resident Yashraj heroine.
I resent that observation. I go only by the script.

If Yashraj are doing so many films that I enjoy why should I avoid them only because people might put two-and-two together and add up to five. It's wrong to say that I'm doing only Yashraj films.

Lately I did Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna, Babul and Saawariya which are not Yashraj films. And in fact my latest film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is entirely a Kunal Kohli Production.

They've just given him their banner's name. There was no one from the Yashraj team involved at all in either Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic or for that matter Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag.

What's your criteria for accepting films?
I've to be excited by what I'm offered. In Kunal's film I play an angel. I've never seen anyone play an angel before. There has to be something new for me to do.

How was it working with Saif?
We may not be close friends. I can't compare my relationship with him to Shah Rukh or Aamir. With them I share a deeper bond. Saif and I share a lovely working relationship. Over the three films that we've done we've both grown as actors. We both inspire one another to give our best.

How is life treating you?
If you mean my career then unfortunately last year Laga Chunri Mein Daag, Saawariya and Tara Rum Pum didn't do as well as expected. I'm very proud of Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic.

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"Fashion would be unveiled on 18th July" - Madhur Bhandarkar

In exactly 3 weeks from now, the world would know about how 3 National Award winning director Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion would look like. Come 18th July and the film's first look would be unveiled along with the screening of Kismat Konnection. Though it would only be a teaser, it would mark the launch of the film's first ever official peep in.

Says Bhandarkar whose Fashion yet again promises to be a film that would present realism in an entertaining manner, "The film is getting closer to the finishing line and over the next few months, we would see Fashion getting more and more visible. Along with Kismat Konnection, audience would now also get a chance to get a peek at Fashion."

Though the teaser would last for only one minute and would come sans any dialogues, it would introduce all the important characters of the film which includes Priyanka Chopra along with Kangna Ranaut, Mugdha Godse and Arjan Bajwa.

Says a source attached to the film, "The first look itself has turned out to be mind blowing. As has been the case with Bhandarkar sir's films from the past, Fashion too has a shock value attached to it and would catch the viewer unaware. The one minute teaser has been cut quite well and would act as a good enough kick start for the film to start creating a buzz from the word Go! The film is looking great and this is certainly going to be Bhandarkar sir's biggest project till date."

On questioned about the film being indeed so huge, Madhur only goes on to say, "I have always maintained that Fashion has gone deep into the underbelly of what happens in the word of glitz and glamour. My films have always showed a mirror to the society and Fashion is no different. Just wait and watch for the film's teaser on the big screen. This is just going to be the beginning of many more things to come."

Looking at a November release, Fashion would be one of the many releases of Priyanka Chopra this year which include Love Story 2050, Drona, God Tussi Great Ho, Dostana and Chamku. A co-production of UTV Motion Pictures and Bhandarkar Entertainment Fashion would be releasing more than one and a half years after Bhandarkar's last film Traffic Signal (which recently fetched the director a National Award for the Best Director). It is filmmaker's most expensive project till date and is being shot across different countries.

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Singh is Kinng Movie Preview

Music: Pritam
Guest Track: RDB (Rap by Snoop Dogg)
Producer: Vipul A. Shah
Director: Anees Bazmee

Singh Is Kinng, the most keenly awaited romantic comedy of 2008, revolves around a gang of crooks transformed by a good man and his selfless love for a pretty girl…

Lakhan Singh aka Lucky (Sonu Sood) is the ‘king’ of the Australian underworld accompanied by his associates (played by Javed Jaffrey, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, Yashpal Sharma, Kamal Chopra and Sudhanshu Pande.)

Far away, in a small village in Punjab, where Lucky was born, there exists someone more notorious than him – Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar).

The village is fed up of his magnanimity, which has resulted in a number of hilariously disastrous situations. Out of desperation, they decide to send him on a long trip (that will keep him out of the village for a while!) to bring Lucky back to Punjab, as his despicable deeds were maligning their image in Australia.

The happy-go-lucky bumpkin, taking his mission a bit too seriously, embarks on his journey accompanied by his friend, Tony Singh (Om Puri), who hates Happy for dragging him into it.

The high point of his journey is his chance meeting with Sonia (Katrina Kaif) with whom he falls in love, but upon reaching his destination, things take a precarious turn as he runs into a series of comic misadventures, leaving him penniless. He is fortunate to find warmth and affection in an elderly lady (Kirron Kher) who helps him meet Lucky.

In a strange turn of events, an attempt on Lucky’s life is foiled by a well-intentioned Happy who fights off the attackers by risking his own life.

Following the hilarious altercation, Lucky lands up in hospital paralyzed, and Happy, unexpectedly, finds the tables turned on him when he is expected to assume the role of the new ‘kinng’!

The series of chaos, shocks and comic misunderstandings that ensue eventually result in redemption and an accidental wedding!

Shot in Punjab, Australia and Egypt, Singh Is Kinng marks superstar Akshay Kumar’s re-entry into the action-comedy minefield. With plenty of romance, glamour, laugh-aloud moments and chartbusting music, it promises to be one of the most appealing and entertaining motion pictures of 2008.

It comes from Vipul Shah and Anees Bazmee, the master-makers of blockbusters like Aankhen, Waqt, Namastey London, No Entry and Welcome.

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Ranbir gets Rs 7 crores for a film

Raj Santoshi is a very happy man.

Belying all rumours of a fall-out with Ajay Devgan Raj Santoshi is all set to make another film with his favourite actor.

"We're just about to zero- in on the subject. It's a contemporary film, not the two period films on Emperor Ashok and the Ramayan that we were planning to do together. Those are on hold right now.

For now Ajay and I getting ready for another film, though I'll definitely make Ramayan and Ashok with him. But we haven't fallen out just because a couple of our films together haven't clicked. That's not how we work."

For now Raj is on another trip. "I'm finally starting Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani with Ranbir and Katrina from tomorrow (Wednesday).

It's my first love story, though people seem to think it's an intense love story. Which it is not. It has lots of very light very humorous moments. I haven't worked with Ranbir and Katrina before. So I'm really looking forward to that."

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is to be shot in Mumbai (from tom) then Goa and finally Italy.

"A lot of elements in Ranbir's character will remind people of his grandfather Raj Kapoor. I've worked with Ranbir's father in Damini.

When I saw the boy in Saawariya I wanted to work with him immediately. Katrina and I were supposed to do a film that had Shahid in it. That didn't work out. This is a totally different subject."

Ask the director about Ranbir's reported remuneration of Rs 7 crores, and Raj shrugs. "That's between Ranbir and the producers Tips."

Oh one more thing. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani also stars Upen Patel.

"It's a pivotal role. Upen expressed a desire to work with me. We met up. When I narrated the subject he fell in love with it. I'm working with an entirely new team including music composer Pritam."

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Lage Raho Munnabhai wins four National awards

Lage Raho Munnabhai wins four National Awards in categories which included Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Screenplay (Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijaat Joshi), Best Lyrics (Swanand Kirkire) and the Best Supporting Actor (Dileep Prabhawalkar)




An exhilarated Vidhu Vinod Chopra adds, "It is a wonderful surprise. What makes me happy is that it is a great inspiration for newcomers and fresh talented people who have a fire in their belly to make a mark in this industry. Abhijaat Joshi (screenplay) and Swanand Kirkire's (lyricist) work getting acknowledged makes Raju and me very proud." After four prestigious awards and world recognition, even Raj Kumar Hirani cannot stay shut. "I am happy that a film based on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi wins the award for wholesome entertainment. It is a big achievement for my team and me. My associates, Abhijaat Joshi, and Swanand Kirkire's awards make this moment even greater," expresses Hirani.

The music and lyrics have been a revelation in itself. "I might be the one who has won the award but this was a collaborative and collective piece of work. I am grateful to Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Shantanu Moitra for bringing out the best in me and and for creating the atmosphere where one can strive for excellence," says an exhilarated Swanand Kirkire.

Apart from Lage Raho Munnabhai, Vishal Bhardwaj won the Special Jury Award for Omkara, Madhur Bhandarkar won The Best Director Award for Traffic Signal, Kabir Khan won The Best Debutante Director for Kabul Express and Konkona Sen Sharma won The Best Supporting Actress award for Omkara.

So here's a round of applause for all the winners and their achievements.

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I love to hate Rakhi Sawant: Kashmera Shah

The war of words between two Bollywood item girls continues as actress Kashmera Shah says she is far better than Rakhi Sawant who, she asserts, gets into controversies just for publicity.

Said Kashmera: 'I have nine hits from 'Jungle', 'Yes Boss', 'Aankhen' and many other films. What does she have? She knows that if she can get into a controversy with me, she will gain popularity.'

Kashmera first got noticed with the song 'Jawani Se Ab Jung' in Mahesh Manjrekar's blockbuster hit 'Vastav'.

'I'd like to be known as an actor who can dance, unlike Rakhi who is a trying to be an actor from a dancer, ' she said.

'I love to hate her and I hate to love her, ' Kashmera told.

Rakhi and Kashmera's rivalry goes back to Sony TV's reality show 'Big Boss', where the two were participants. They started off as good pals but their relations soured during the show. The duo accused each other of maligning their image to gain sympathy votes.

Their relations only worsened during reality dance show 'Nach Baliye 3', in which they even took personal potshots at each other.

Incidentally, Kashmera is playing an item girl named 'Rakhi' who aspires to become an actress in a big budget musical called 'City of Dreams'.

The play, directed by Mohamed Morani, gives an insight into the Hindi film industry and depicts the struggle of an aspiring actress.

So, does she play the real Rakhi Sawant?

'I am not playing Rakhi Sawant? It's not difficult to play Rakhi because she is just one-dimensional. But I think it would be difficult to play me, ' Kashmera retorted.

The actress revealed that she has been offered many projects in various television reality shows. Kashmera is also playing an important role in Sunny Deol's directorial debut 'The Man'.

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Is Katrina Kaif trying an Akki fry?

It looks like hot babe Katrina Kaif has lost her cool on the unwanted rumours created by some part of the media and has decided to rebuff.

Recently it was reported that Akshay Kumar, while seated at the IIFA awards with his wife Twinkle, ignored Katrina’s calls. It was also said that Twinkle and Katrina share cold vibes and looked through each other at Vipul Shah's party thrown for his wife Shefali last month.

Katrina, listening to all, fumes, “People need to stop imagining so much. This is pure imagination on someone's part. Akshay Kumar came in for the show in the night and left right after as he had a flight to catch.

I had dinner with Twinkle and some of her friends after that and even my mom was with me. So what's with these stories?”

It’s thus proved that media was throwing imaginative bricks at the otherwise cool Kat. But it’s said that everything, said or drawn, has to have some base.

Even imagination must have some stage to stand on. What should we think then? And if, throwing an if, the whole picture is baselessly imaginative then what’s the need of becoming so hot?

Especially when people know Kat is really hot. Maybe the temperature is required to make some Akki dish! Who can say if something is cooking at the backdoor? Hun, you naughty hot Kat?

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