First look: Kallara Santhe

Agni Sridhar who won the Best Dialogue Writer award for the much acclaimed Kannada film Aa Dinagalu is back with the story, screenplay and dialogues for Kallara Santhe.

The film is directed by Sumana Kiththur, a young woman director. Kiththur joined the select band of woman directors in Kannada with Slum Bala, a film revolving around the underworld.

Kallara Santhe (The thief's Market) is a political and social satire on the contemporary socio-political situation in the state. The film is being produced by Ravindra and Syed Aman.

Yesh who recently won a Filmfare Award (Best Supporting Actor) for his performance in his debut film Moggina Manasu is paired with Hari Priya in this satire. The film also stars Kishor, B Suresha, Jai Jagadish and Achyutha. V Manohar is the music director.

Agni Sridhar says he is happy with the script. "A writer always takes his cue from the contemporary happenings and if the film portrays some real life characters on screen, it should be seen as a justifiable act of a committed film writer," he says.

The film will see seven well known authors don the grease paint. "We were looking for some new faces who would resemble the well known personalities in political circles. Then we zeroed on authors Basavalingaiah, Chandrashekharaiah, Siddalingaiah, Hanumanthaiah, Gudibande Nagaraj, Chandrashekhara Mahamane and Prahlad Betageri for the roles," says Sumana Kiththoor.

'I don't need to revive my career'

She started her film career at the young age of 16. Ten years later, Aarti Chhabria has worked in almost 20 films, including Lajja, Awaara Pagal Deewana and Shootout At Lokhandwala.

This Friday, Aarti will have two releases -- Daddy Cool and Toss.

The actress talks to Patcy N about the way her career has progressed, and why her career isn't rocking yet.

You started your career with big films like Lajja and Awaara Pagal Deewana. But now, you are doing smaller films like Toss and Daddy Cool. What do you think went wrong with your career?

It is a must for an actor to do different kinds of films. See the kind of films that have released in the last few years -- A Wednesday, 13 B, Dev D, Life... In A Metro and Jab We Met have been small budget films and have worked at the box office. Big films like Kambakkth Ishq and Tashan have fallen flat on their noses. The amount spent on making these films will make the producers weep like a baby! So it does not matter how big or small a film is. The script matters. Casting big stars alone cannot make a film a hit.

Are the films that you're doing currently the kind of movies you wanted to do when you started out as an actress?

No, I wanted to do the films that Madhuri Dixit did like Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Dil, Tezaab, films that Juhi Chawla did like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak or films that Sridevi did like Chaalbaaz and Sadma.

I wanted to do films that were performance-oriented, heroine-oriented. But the roles that I got are very different. I don't feel bad because I have not come from a filmi background and I do not have any linkups in the industry -- no boyfriend has been pushing me. I do not have a single controversy. My reputation has been very clean. And I'm proud of that.

Whatever little I have done has been on my own terms and merit. I am happy with what I have done. I want to do more, of course, but desires never end. Even if I get to do a film like Rani Mukerji's Black, I would like to do it. It does not mean you have been unsuccessful. It just means you got to keep trying harder.

Bollywood's new seductresses

Hindi cinema doesn't like to blame its heroes. Even when they do what they aren't supposed to, its easier to point a finger on some sexy vampish creature wiggling around in front of them, forcing them into compulsion.

And while we've had truly memorable seductresses from Helen to Rekha, here's a look at ten of the recent bunch:

Rambha in Quickgun Murugun

In Shashank Ghosh's spoof featuring Channel [V] character Quick Gun Murugan, Rambha plays the wonderfully named Mango Dolly. The song introducing her is a killer one, and makes her instantly forgettable -- at least by name.

UK to get a taste of Shilpa Shetty curries

Shilpa Shetty "can cook a mean south Indian chicken curry", claims Andy Varma, one of the best-known Indian chefs in Britain.

Well, he sounds so confident as he has entered into a business deal with Shilpa, who along with her entrepreneur boyfriend Raj Kundra, recently announced a 33 percent "business stake" in a British food firm called V8 Gourmet.

Here's more on the deal.

Waking up to Ranbir, Konkona

Coming from a filmi family, movies were an eventuality for Ayan Mukerji. Cousin to Kajol and Rani Mukerji, Ayan's grandfather owns Filmalaya Studios in suburban Mumbai. His father Deb Mukerji was a well known actor in his times.

Ayan will, however, not make his debut as an actor. Instead, the 24-year-old has cast himself as a director in Karan Johar's latest production, Wake Up Sid, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma.

He chats with Nithya Ramani, revealing more about himself, his filmi family and Wake Up Sid.

Was movies always on the cards for you?

I am just another kid, who grew up in Mumbai watching films. Those movies made me decide on becoming a director.

I assisted Ashutosh Gowariker on Swades. He is my brother-in-law, as he is married to my sister, Sunita. It was a good experience.

Then I joined Karan Johar and assisted him on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. When I wrote my own script, I showed it to Karan. And now, here I am.

Is Michael Jackson really dead?

Conspiracy theorists have claimed that Michael Jackson [ Images ] is not dead after reportedly getting access to an alleged video of the King of Pop.

The video shows a man, allegedly MJ, jumping out of a coroner's van after his death.

News.com.au quotes the LiveLeak post as mentioning: 'I checked the license plate number and it looks like the King of Pop is jumping out of the same van, his dead body has been in.'

The poster claims the video has been received from a "trustworthy" source.

However, there's no timestamp on the video or even a clear shot of the man who's believed to be Jackson.

'Priyanka had the potential to do 12 roles'

After making a historical epic, Jodhaa Akbar, Ashutosh Gowariker has turned to a romantic comedy called What's Your Raashee? starring Priyanka Chopra and Hurman Baweja. Based on a Gujarati novel titled Kimball Ravenswood by Madhu Rye, this film revolves around the 12 raashees.

Patcy N talks to Gowariker about the film, and much more.

Was it difficult to come up with 12 looks for Priyanka?

I have always liked Priyanka's work, right from Hero: Love Story of a Spy [2003]. She's been fabulous in all her films. So when I thought of somebody doing 12 roles I thought about her, as I thought she had the potential. When I offered the role to her, she said yes instantly. Any other actress in her place would have been scared.

When my co-writer Naushil Mehta and I started writing the screenplay we decided to have one song for each raashee which should bring out the character of that raashee as well as the girl's. Every girl had to be different with different nuances.

We decided not use prosthetic on her, no long ears or short noses. We would only work on her hair and costumes. We would differentiate the 12 girls from their mannerisms and through characterisation too.

Hair stylist Asha Hariharan gave different hairstyles and textures to each look. Priyanka brought her talent and understanding to each character, and that helped a lot.

Meet tinsel town's super woman

Towards the end of our conversation, as she prepares to leave for another appointment to promote her films Kaminey and What's Your Raashee?, actor Priyanka Chopra says candidly: "I'll say one thing about the films that I prefer to be associated with; I don't negate the economics of films."

She adds, for good measure, that "I don't believe in films that audiences watch in film festivals or their drawing rooms. In that sense the economics of films is very important."

Though I'm not entirely in agreement with her views, it is fascinating to find that one of the most successful stars of Hindi commercial films is not shy about making such strong statements.

"I believe in the power of the box office," she emphasises, when I ask her what she would make of films like Parzania, Black Friday, or, for that matter, Firaaq, which tackled real issues faced by real people in real India? She pauses before she answers, but then says firmly, "It's my belief [that I should] be part of intelligent, unconventional cinema that is also commercially viable. Kaminey, I think, will prove to be an example of that."

Beware this South Indian gunslinger!

After 200 plus films down South, this modern day gunslinger is finally making an entry into Hindi films, so mind it all you Bollywood heroes, here comes Quick Gun Murugun aka Rajendra Prasad.

Rajendra's movie also titled Quick Gun Murugun, which releases on August 28, is already creating a buzz through its hilarious promos.

A relative of legendary Telugu actor, N T Rama Rao, Rajendra looks very young and energetic though he is 50 plus.

Ask him how he maintains his fit and fine physique, Rajendra says, "I always tell everyone not to think badly of anybody and automatically, your face will be fresh. I always say good things and do good deeds."

Kannada heroines get sexy!

Girls from Mumbai invading the South Indian film industry and dominating the glamour scene is nothing new.

While the Mumbai girls heat up the screen, the local girls whether they belong to Kerala or Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, weep and try to create a 'girl next door' image.

But now things are changing at least in the Kannada film industry. "Namma" girls are now ready to transform themselves as hot chicas.

Without further ado, let's take a look at them.

Aindrita Ray

She became the first Namma Hudugi who showed that local girls also can be extremely hot on screen.

Though she was a little subdued in her first film Meravanige, Aindrita who is still studying her dental course, had a glamorous makeover in Soori's Junglee.

The stills of her forthcoming roles in Manasaare, Nannavanu and Vaayuputhra clearly show where Aindrita is heading.