Aarakshan cleared for screening in UP

Its time for team 'Aarakshan' to finally celebrate. The film, which released last week, faced rough weather initially after being banned in the states of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) and Punjab. While the ban on A.P. and Punjab got lifted last week, the Supreme Court has now ruled in favour of Aarakshan today and the ban on the film in U.P. has now been lifted.

An elated Prakash Jha said, "The Supreme Court decision should restore our faith in the system. I'm happy the hearing is in our favour. The people of U.P. will finally be able to watch Aarakshan. I'm glad I decided to challenge the U.P. government's decision to ban the film, rather than cow down to it. This has been an important battle in making right to the Freedom of Expression a real right for the common citizens of India."

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Mahie's 'Not A Love Story' filmed with a mobile phone

Ram Gopal Varma seems to have reinvented himself as a filmmaker in every aspect.

Apart from shooting Not A Love Story, inspired by the Neeraj Grover murder case, on a digital camera to cut down costs, the director has filmed the mall scenes with a high-end mobile phone.

A source associated with the film tells us they couldn't smuggle small digital cameras inside a Malad supermarket to shoot the scenes of Mahie Gill buying polythene bags and a big kitchen knife.

"The camera had to be deposited before entering the premises.

So Zaryan Patel, the cameraman, suggested shooting with an iPhone4, " reveals our source, adding that only two people went in to shoot the scene.

He adds, "Obviously, Ramuji couldn't go anywhere near the place as he'd be recognised. So, armed with the phone, the cameraman shot Mahie's scenes inside HyperCity. And in 15 minutes, they were out."

Later, when the filmmaker saw the footage, he was impressed.

"Ramuji felt that the footage looked like it had been shot on CCTV cameras, so he decided to treat the scenes accordingly in the movie, " explains our source, further informing that the footage from the high-end mobile phone was edited to make the 10-second scene in the movie.

Confirming the same Mahie said, "The whole film is shot in guerrilla style. However, for this particular scene, we were a bit scared of getting caught. Thankfully, it went smoothly and the result is looking, good too."

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Charmi in Love

Remember Charmi, who started her career in Kollywood opposite STR in 'Kadhal Azhivadhillai' and later went on to become a top actress in Tollywod. The latest buzz is that villain actor Soonu Sood is 'seeing' her.

It is said that both Sonu and Charmi developed a soft corner for each other while working together for the Hindi film 'Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap', and since then, the former has been recommending the latter to Bollywood producers.

However, the 'Rana' baddie has denied it. "I am happily living with my wife and children. I am not in love with Charmi. She is my good friend and ours is a very decent relationship. There is no place for anything else."

Clearing the air further, Sonu Sood says, "The fact is that we didn't even meet once on the sets of Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap. Because, we were shooting with different units and we only spoke over phone, that too not more than a couple of times."

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Shahrukh visits God's Own Country

Bollywood Badshah Shahrukh Khan had recently been in Kerala for an inaugural function.

The King Khan was invited to launch 'The Raviz', a five-star hotel property with seven star facilities standing on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake in suburban Kollam, yesterday. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the function while Malayalam superstars Mohanlal, Mammooty and filmmaker Priyadarshan were among the special invitees.

SRK who was excited with the beauty of Kerala also took time to have a chat with the press. "I am coming after a long time. It is fantastic to be here. I was here (in Kerala) for 'Dil Se'," he said.

Besides this event, Khan along with Mohanlal launched the logo for 'Kollam Feast', a tourism promotion campaign, at the Asramam Maidan at Kollam, about 70 km from Thiruvanathapuram.

When his opinion was asked about Hazare's campaign, Shahrukh maintained that the cause behind the agitation launched by Anna Hazare, that is to check corruption with Gandhian manners, is so fantastic that it is beyond his capacity to comment. "Corruption in the country has become so huge that we all support anti-corruption movements. Now that the movement is on the streets we should ensure that it does not die," added Khan.

Shahrukh was also of the view that the film industry of the country including Bollywood should give more emphasis to create entertainment than to engage in any sort of activism. "Ultimately entertainment should be looked upon as enrichment of the mind," he added.

Citing Kerala as the best film-making State in this country Shahrukh remembered the fine tips on good acting that Mollywood actors like Mammooty and Mohanlal had given him, from which he gained much.

After the ceremonies, the Badshah was warmly treated by Mohanlal who took SRK on a short pleasure trip around Kollam in a ferry. Quoted SRK in his micro-blogging site - "The great Mohanlalji...so much humility and grace. Showed me around Kollam like an excited child." Posting couple of pics, the star further added, "Visited Kollam Raviz resort in Kerala... was so touched by the love of all the ppl. Awesome resort. People waving to me from a picturesque bridge... truly God's own country...Kerala (sic)."

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Neetu Chandra voices out for Anna Hazare's fast

Bollywood has come out in supports of Anna Hazare. A number of Bollywood celebrities tweeted their support to Anna. The latest birdie to join the list of Anna Hazare supporters from the B-Town is Neetu Chandra.

The actress has expressed her views openly and she stated this on her blog, “It’s heartening to see the amount of public support for Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption. Though I can’t be there my thoughts and prayers are with him. Even after the outpouring of support I still can’t help but feel unrest at the ignorance of majority as to what the bill is all about. So I take this opportunity to do my little bit”.

The gorgeous lady has expressed her views explicitly and she has come out openly with them. Neetu further wrote on her blog that, “Corruption is an intractable problem. It is like diabetes, can only be controlled, but not totally eliminated. It may not be possible to root out corruption completely at all levels but it is possible to contain it within tolerable limits”.

Neetu has done some glamorous roles too and with Akshay Kumar she has played the role of air hostess in film Garam Masala.She has done some remarkable roles which can be mentioned as her contribution to the industry. Her role in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film Traffic Signal is a treat to watch.

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'Rajanna' getting ready for Dasara release

With most of the films that were slated for release during Dasara season were postponed by one or two months, there are no films in sight for Dasara release.

However, 'Rajanna' directed by Vijayendra Prasad and produced by Nagarjuna on the banner of Annapurna Studios with himself playing the lead and Sneha as heroine is getting ready for release as Dasara gift.

As per the latest buzz, the shooting and post-production formalities were almost complete and only works related to some graphics remained pending.

The film unit is planning to complete the balance job by the second week of September. Nagarjuna had agreed to produce the film following an assurance from Rajamouli that he would take care of action scenes, songs and climax.

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Gulshan Grover got nominated for National Awards

Gulshan Grover has been really lucky when it comes to the kind of roles that he portrays on the screen. He has been labeled as the Bad Man of Bollywood, but he is definitely impressing the audiences worldover with his stunning performances.

Recently, Gulshan Grover got nominated for National Awards for I Am Kalam and now he has bagged a role in a Hollywood movie called Desperate Endeavors.

Gulshan Grover, who mostly use to play negative characters in bollywood films, will appear in a new avatar as Dada Bhagwan in the Hollywood film ‘Desperate Endeavors’. The film is being directed by French-Algerian director Sanm Khassa.

‘Desperate Endeavors’ is based on a true story which revolves around the Indian immigrant, Ram Patel, who faces various obstacles in New York and finally finds a remedy from spiritual adviser ‘Dhada Bhagwan’.

Gulshan Grover plays the character of Dada Bhagwan, who went to America in the 1970’s and enlightened the lives of both Indians and Americans there.

The film is completely shot in New York and will be premiering at the New York Film International Film Festival on 19th August. It is learnt that Gulshan Grover has been nominated for best actor for this film at the festival and seems to be super thrilled after hearing the news. Recently, he has also been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the film ‘I am Kalam’ at the National Awards.

The film also features Ismail Bashey, Robert Clohessy, Michael Madsen and Samrat Chakrabarti.

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