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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Kyon, Ray?

Remakes seem to be the flavour of the season, but shouldn't there be some classics that should be sacrosanct? They remade Don, Sholay, Karz… So far, so good. But who would have thought about recreating Satyajit Ray's 1964 Bengali classic Charulata? Apparently London-based filmmaker Amitabh Neil Ray has bravely decided to film his own version of the classic. He is making the film in Hindi and English. Does the fact that he shares his last name with the legendary filmmaker (no, he isn't a relative) have anything to do with it?

Anyway, make it, he will. In Charulata we had the beautiful and talented Madhabi Mukherjee doing full justice to the title role. In the remake, Rituparna Sengupta is slated to do the honours. There's more. Charulata's famous lover Amal, originally played by Soumitra Chatterjee will be played by Keshu Ramsay's son, Aryeman. (For those who are in the dark, Aryeman had made his Bollywood debut in a film called Family.)

Charulata is based on Rabindranath Tagore's story Nasta Nirh (the broken nest). If sources are to be believed, Irrfan Khan will play Charulata's husband Bhupati, who was portrayed by Sailen Mukherjee in the original.

A source close to Amitabh, says, “Let's not say that Charulata per se is being made. But yes, Amitabh has definitely been hugely inspired by Satyajit Ray's film. There will be a few modifications to suit the present times.”

When contacted, Amitabh says, “I wouldn't term my film as a remake of Satyajit's Charulata. Like Satyajit's story was an adaptation of Tagore's Nasta Nirh, mine is also an adaptation of Tagore's story. The story remains almost the same. However, I have changed the names of Bhupati and Amal. They will now be called Anupam and Aakash respectively. All the characters in my film are modern and educated, unlike the ones in Satyajit's film.”

Aryeman chips in, “I have not seen the original. I am going to see it in the next few days. Thereafter, I'll start working on Aakash's character.”

Amitabh will shoot his version of Charulata in New York, Canada and some portions in India.


About Charulata
Satyajit's Charulata was set in the nineteenth century Kolkata. The film story revolved around Charulata (Madhabi Mukherjee), the childless, intelligent and beautiful wife of Bhupati (Sailen Mukherjee). Bhupati is an upper class Bengali intellectual with a keen interest in politics and the freedom movement. He edits and publishes a political newspaper.

Charu is interested in the arts, literature and poetry. Though Bhupati loves his wife, he has no time for her. She has little to do in the house run by a fleet of servants. Amal (Soumitra Chatterjee), Bhupati's younger cousin comes on a visit. Bhupati asks him to encourage Charu's cultural interests. Amal is young, handsome and is of the same age group as Charu. He has literary ambitions and shares her interests in poetry. He provides her with much needed intellectual companionship and attention. An intimate relationship develops between Charulata and Amal.

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Chan-nai calling

Himesh Reshammiya's first Tamil film, Dashaavtaram's, music will be released by Jackie Chan. The action superstar is expected to fly down to Chennai in February 2008 for the music launch of this film starring Kamal Hassan in 10 different roles.

Apparently, the producer of the film, Oscar Films' Ravichandran, managed to persuade Chan to do the honours since he holds the rights to release Jackie Chan's movies in India. According to our sources, Ravichandran showed the Rush Hour series of the southern superstar's films which got him impressed. He was amazed at Kamal's range and the 10 different roles he plays in the same movie, especially the part where he plays a 92-year-old woman. He couldn't believe that Kamal is 54 years old and has been acting since the age of 5.

When we broke the news to him, Himesh said, “I am really delighted to hear this. I am looking forward to the launch.”

A grand function is being planned for the launch of the music where top Bollywood stars will be invited. The invite list includes Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, stars from the south like Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Nagarjuna and Vishnu Vardhan will also be invited.

Asin, who is playing the lead opposite Aamir Khan in his Ghajini remake, is the heroine of Dashaavtaram. It also has Mallika Sherawat playing a negative character. The film is touted to do bigger business than Rajnikanth starrer Sivaji. Presently 300 technicians at two different places are working round the clock on its post production. The film is also being dubbed in Hindi and is going to be released together in the both its versions during the Tamil New Year in mid-April 2008.

Hill Road Media

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Attention tension?

Recently, Amitabh Bachchan stayed away from an AIDS awareness function. Did it have to do with Shah Rukh Khan being the chief guest at the occasion?

Amitabh Bachchan said that he was unable to attend a function organised by Smita Thakeray' Mukti Foundation because of the shooting schedule of Aladdin. Later, we found out, that the shooting actually got over by 5 pm. The event was supposed to begin only after 8 pm. What reached in place of Big B was a recorded message that flashed on the screens explaining his absence from the venue. Says Allwyn Roderick from Mukti Foundation, “Mr. Bachchan could not attend the function as he was busy shooting for his film. In fact, through an audio-visual he conveyed that he wouldn't be able to make it to the event as he was busy shooting for Aladdin and also conveyed his best wishes to the foundation for working for this noble cause.”

Our ever-alert sources report, “Bachchan wound up his shooting much before the event started. A source from the production unit of Aladdin, says, “Mr. Bachchan left the sets by 5 pm.”

The fact that SRK was chief guest at the venue may have had something to do with it. “Maybe Bachchan felt that SRK would get all the attention at the event. Given that, it would be somewhat demeaning for an actor of Big B's stature to play second fiddle.”

Smita Thackeray started the ‘Mukti’ Foundation in 1997, which works towards the welfare of HIV-AIDS affected patients, organized a star-studded evening last Saturday in Mumbai to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her organisation.

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Skin deep love

Victoria Beckham shuns nightwear so she can feel the soccer star’s athletic physique next to her body. The Spice Girl, who has three sons, eight-year-old Brooklyn, five-year-old Romeo and two-year-old Cruz, with David, said, “I sleep naked. I’m going to be naked if I’m getting in bed with him every night!”
Victoria — who has her own clothing line, DVB, and a his and hers fragrance line with David— also slammed her celebrity rivals, including Paris Hilton, who she claims have no input into their respective empires. She added, “There are so many, and I hate the word celebrities, clothing lines and fragrances, and most of them have nothing to do with it.”

The 33-year-old style icon, who is currently on the Spice Girls reunion world tour, joked her love of fashion comes from her inner “gayness”.

She joked to America’s Elle magazine, “I’m so camp! I’m such a gay man trying to get out. I don’t give a f**k what anybody thinks!”

Victoria graces the cover of the January 2008 edition of the publication, and also appears in a shoot inside the magazine, which was shot in Paris in October.

The Spice Girl is pictured in several high-couture outfits, including a sci-fi inspired silver mini-dress with platform silver shoes and a red-ruffled gown with towering black heels.

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Jessica, Eva design boots for charity

Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria have both designed a pair of UGG Boots for a charity auction.


The actresses are among a host of celebrities who have come up with their own unique hand painted creations for the popular sheepskin boots which will go under the hammer for UGG Australia’s Art and Sole sale.

The stars were asked to use the word ‘hope’ as the inspiration behind their designs.

Dukes of Hazzard actress Jessica decorated her boots with butterflies and flowers while Desperate Housewives star Eva opted for hearts and her own signature.

Penelope Cruz, John Travolta, Cindy Crawford, Minnie Driver, Miley Cyrus, Matthew McConaughey, Liv Tyler, Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Ashlee Simpson, Kelly Ripa and Kelly Preston have also designed a pair of boots for the auction.

The unique footwear will be available to buy until December 14. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tennessee to help terminally ill children.

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Heidi Klum keeps goldfish in nappy bag

Heidi Klum keeps goldfish in her diaper bag to entertain her children. The stunning Victoria’s Secret model — who has two children, two-year-old Henry and one-year-old Johan with husband Seal, as well as a three-year-old daughter, Leni, from a previous relationship — admits she is amazed by how many things she needs to keep in the diaper bag.

Heidi said, “I need loads of diapers all different sizes. Then there’s always wet wipes, milk, water, goldfish — there’s tons of things you have to bring to keep them entertained, like bananas. Henry eats three bananas a day!”

The 34-year-old Project Runway host also revealed her secrets for getting back her fabulous figure after having children. She told OK, “I’m very active. I eat really healthy. I like healthy food, I enjoy it. I like things that are good for me. I splurge on bad food sometimes, but not a lot.”

Klum showed she has a sense of humour with a comic sketch that poked fun at being a busy supermodel and a mum. Klum filmed the skit for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that aired on US TV on Tuesday evening.

The German star is shown waking up early to get into shape for the catwalk show, while looking after a child. Klum can be seen doing press-ups with the child on her back, and running with a pram to help her get fit for the catwalk. As she is performing the strenuous tasks, Klum gives a running commentary on how she manages to combine her hectic working lifestyle with being a mum.

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show took place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood last month. The showed was recorded for the CBS television network and was noted for the Spice Girls first performance together.

Source: mumbaimirror.com

Craig vows to bare all in next Bond movie

Daniel Craig has vowed to ‘go totally nude’ for the next Bond film. The hunky 39-year-old actor, who made his debut as suave spy James Bond in last year’s Casino Royale, insists it’s only fair he appears naked when he reprises his role, because Bond girls are always expected to strip off.

He said, “I’d go totally nude. I’ve got nothing to hide, and after all, we ask the girls to reveal almost all, so why not the men?”

Daniel also revealed he felt ‘nervous’ at the stir he caused in the now infamous Casino Royale scene where he emerges from the sea in tight blue swimming trunks.

He added to New!, “Did I know the trunk thing would be such a big deal? Yeah. I saw it on a huge billboard in Hollywood and people were screaming. It did make me feel rather nervous.”

The star also branded his Bond co-star Dame Judi Dench, who plays spy boss M, “sexy as hell and a total tease”.

Meanwhile, the Bond star has revealed the best perk that comes with playing the nation’s favourite spy. It’s not the girls, gadgets or exotic locations that get him going but the chance to test-drive shiny new cars, reports the Express.

“I’m thrilled that I got to drive the new Aston Martin even before Jeremy Clarkson,” said the smouldering actor, who will be behind the wheel of the new Aston in the next 007 adventure.

“It was a relief that he liked it but I already knew how good it was.”

The versatile actor, who will next be seen in The Golden Compass, said he was glad to be at the forefront of British cinema after being handed a gong at The British Independent Film Awards at Camden’s Roundhouse theatre in North London.

“The awards are a good reason to celebrate the British film industry but we don’t need to highlight it – it’s not a charity case, it is breathing and alive,” insisted Craig, who accompanied girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, to the event.

“The freedom of British film-makers means we can discuss, criticise and make proper comment about the world.”

He’s happy to advocate UK movies but too busy to watch many of them. “I’ve only seen a few of the films nominated for awards,” he said.

“I have a huge stack of DVDs waiting to be watched at home.”

Source: mumbaimirror.com

 
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