Bollywood Movie News

Vidya Balan as Draupadi!

Mahabharat, the first ever animated film made on the Holy Scripture will have voice overs done by big names from the film industry.

Interesting to note that the character of Draupadi will be seen getting the voice of the diva of B-town, Vidya Balan. The actress, who has been seen powerful roles and has made impact with her performance, seems to be the most appropriate choice to do the voice over for the iconic character, Draupadi. Once the actress agreed upon being associated with the character for the film, the animation of the character was enhanced and worked upon in order to make it look closest to Vidya Balan.

The actress' attributes were added to the animated character of Draupadi so there is coordination between what the audience hears and watches on screen.

Confirming the news producer Jayantilal Gada said, "We couldn't have asked for a better voice for the character of Draupadi."

The film will be the biggest animation film and it is for the first time that the sacred book's characters will be animated on the silver screen. The film is being made with the good intention of parents being able to show the film to their children and to acquaint them with the scripture.

Bigg Boss 7: Salman's favorite Rajat Rawail voted out

Filmmaker turned actor Rajat Rawail is the second celebrity contestant to get voted out from the reality show, ‘Bigg Boss 7’. His poor health is the primary reason for his eviction. He was not keeping well since he entered the Bigg Boss house and has been seen pleading Bigg Boss to let him go home.

“I had come to ‘Bigg Boss’ with lots of things in my mind. But unfortunately I couldn’t give my best shot due to poor health,” Rajat said in a statement

Rajat is the second contestant after Hazel Keech to eliminate from the show. His elimination came as a huge relief for the housemates as they were worried about his health. Since the last two weeks he has been struggling with his health. He broke down on the show last week. He went into depression and cried to get out of the house.

Rajat Rawail also stopped taking food and his condition deteriorated. Rajat who was not in good terms with Gauahar Khan, Kushal Tandon, Kamya Punjabi and Pratyusha Banerjee received lowest number of votes. Rajat has been Salman Khan's hot favorite. It is said that Salman recommended his name for the show. Rajat shared screen space with Salman Khan in 'Bodyguard'.

During his stay in the house, he actively took part in the household chores. He entertained all by his funny one-liners.

Two contestants were eliminated from the show and the remaining contestants include VJ Andy, Gauhar, Kushal, Apoorva Agnihotri and wife Shilpa Agnihotri, Tanisha, Anita Advani, Armaan Kohli, Asif Azim, Sangram Singh, Elli Avram, Ratan Rajput, Kamya and Pratyusha.

Bigg Boss 7 hosted by superstar Salman Khan airs on Colors.

SHUDDH DESI ROMANCE MOVIE REVIEW

Production: Aditya Chopra
Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Rishi Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor
Direction: Maneesh Sharma
Screenplay: Maneesh Sharma
Story: Jaideep Sahni
Background score: Sachin - Jigar
Singers: Benny Dayal, Divya Kumar, Jigar Saraiya, Mohit Chauhan, Priya Saraiya, Shalmali Kholgade, Sunidhi Chauhan

In the penultimate scene of Shuddh Desi Romance, in which Raghu and Gayatri ruminate about their inability to commit to get married, he asks her why she keeps fleeing the wedding. Gayatri’s response is a nonchalant ‘pata nahin’ – I don’t know. For all its bravado in portraying runaway grooms, cigarette smoking girls and live-in relationships, Shuddh Desi Romance cannot in essence provide a concrete answer as to why the younger generation is seemingly commitment phobic. But that is only if you are seeking any answers as such. If not, Shuddh is a rather delightful movie about unsure youngsters and their uncertain relationships.

This Maneesh Sharma directed film has small town charm written all over it and its actors are earnest performers, rendering a skilful disposition to the movie. Raghu, who sways between working as a tourist guide and part-timing with the wedding planners, meets Gayatri on the day before his wedding. Raghu’s insecurity about his wedding is amplified with Gayatri’s free-spiritedness and he decides to abandon his wedding. Subsequently, he meets Gayatri again and they start dating and living in. In a drunken stupor, they decide to get married but on the day of the wedding, Gayatri repeats the act and abandons the wedding.

Raghu’s life takes a new turn when Tara, the girl whom he abandons for the first time reenters his life. Without much hesitance, partly because he still carries some guilt for having deserted her on the wedding day, he pursues her and wins her love. However, when all seems just well, Gayatri quite literally bumps into Raghu’s life again. But this time, she is not that determined to leave him and he, on the other hand, is confused again.

Sushant as Raghu is the movie’s backbone and he is quite a natural with his effortless performance. His casual demeanor infuses the perfect kind of vibe for his role in the movie and Sushant nails it. He also passes the litmus test in his second movie – a task considered to be herculean to disprove the flash-in-the-pan notion what with his first movie being a super hit.

Parineeti’s Gayatri is as much a firebrand as she is an emotional puddle. Though her dialogues often edge on the sloppy side of things, she is in full control over the character and that enables not a single slip up – except, maybe in the awkward kissing scenes. Talking of which, new comer Vaani proves to be much better in that area. Her character is one of the beautifully fleshed out parts of the movie. With no ounce of jealousy or vile emotions, Vaani’s well written role complements her performance. Ever reliable Rishi Kapoor is another benefit the movie has.

Jaideep Sahni’s characters are well written. They are neither serious, nor overtly flippant and render themselves a perfect balance between both. As a result, you get a movie that doesn’t necessarily make you think, for its subject matter has plenty of food-for-thought to offer, but makes you feel light about a heavy subject.

Maneesh Sharma’s direction adapts a mockumentary style approach that works so well for the movie. He elbows out the ‘better left unsaid’ approach and makes his characters speak their mind out resulting in a clearer perspective. It works particularly well in the case of Gayatri and Tara’s character portrayals, rendering justification for their actions. Dialogues are the movie’s strength too.

Sachin – Jigar’s music brings the joie de vivre of Rajasthani music and the title song is a keeper too. On the whole, Shuddh Desi Romance works well as a light hearted romance, if you don’t read too much into it.

Verdict: A nimble tale about commitment phobia and relationships

( 3.0 / 5.0 )

VARUTHAPADATHA VALIBAR SANGAM MOVIE REVIEW

Production: P. Madhan
Cast: Sathyaraj, Sivakarthikeyan, Sri Divya
Direction: Ponram
Screenplay: Ponram
Story: Ponram
Background score: D Imman
Cinematography: Balasubramaniem

Dialogues: M. Rajesh
Editing: Vivek Harshan
Stunt choreography: Super Subbarayan
Dance choreography: Baba Bhaskar, Dinesh
Singers: A.V.Pooja, Anthonydaasan, Hariharasudhan, Jayamoorthy, Kovilpatti Amali, Shreya Ghoshal, Shweta Suresh, Sivakarthikeyan, Sooraj Santhosh, Tha Prophecy, VijayYesudas
Lyrics : Yugabharathi
PRO: Nikhil Murugan

Distribution: Escape Artists Motion Pictures

After impressing audiences as the simple and sweet guy next door, Siva Karthikeyan is back with yet another uncomplicated tale of comedy and rural romance in Ponram’s Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (VVS). The presence of Sathyaraj is a major push to the movie while Siva’s regular partner-in-crime Soori is present here too.

VVS talks about the love between 2 Pandis, Bose Pandi and Latha Pandi. While Bose is a carefree but spirited young man who doubles up as the leader of a local ‘Sangam’, Latha is the daughter of the village’s head honcho, Sivanandi. Sivanandi and Bose don’t exactly see eye to eye and added to this, Sivanandi is dead against his three daughters falling in love as he sees it as an insult to his status and standing in the village.

There isn’t much of a story here as the movie travels along without any spikes but the entertainment quotient doesn’t dip anywhere.

Siva and Soori share admirable vibes once again and their antics as the Sangam’s founders are hilarious.

A few such scenes which are really impressive are when Siva sports fancy costumes to impress Bindu Madhavi (looking really attractive in a little cameo as a school teacher) and when Siva comes across as a dramatic lawyer who stands up to the practice of ‘minors’ getting married in the village. Soori continues to ably fill the void left by Vadivelu and when he says English words in his own style such as ‘Domato’, ‘Deedikation’, ‘No Poisan’ etc., you can’t help but chuckle. Though you might be reminded of Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga, there isn’t anything to complain as these two actors seem to really enjoy each others’ presence.

Sathyaraj’s countenance is majestic thanks to his apt wig, the stylish facial hair, his gun, his costumes and of course his still-strong physique. The veteran takes it to a different level in the climax as we get to see all his histrionics. His scenes with Siva shine through in the climax particularly. The episodes surrounding his missing gun lift the initial stages of the second half considerably.

The heroine Sri Divya looks really young, pretty and emotes well too. A good find indeed! The other support actors such as Naan Kadavul Rajendran and all of Sathyaraj’s sidekicks play their parts convincingly.

Balasubramaniem’s camera work gives the movie a colorful and pleasing look and it gels with the happy mood prevailing throughout. Imman’s numbers are perfect crowd pleasers and Siva Karthikeyan’s considerably improved footwork is visible in the popular title track and the mighty enjoyable ‘Oodha Color Ribbon’ song. ‘Paarkathey’ is a lilting melody while ‘Indha Ponnungale’ robs the movie of some pace towards the climax.

On the downside, the second half isn’t able to match up to the first half’s verve as there is no change in gear or tempo. But, director Ponram makes up for it with a satisfying climax which will ensure that we go out with a hearty smile.

Rajesh’s hilarious dialogues and his narration in the start set the movie up nicely and he can be proud of his assistant Ponram’s debut venture as VVS is bound to be a hot-seller in the market, much like Rajesh’s comedy flicks.

There is no place for sentiments or melodrama here, as ‘take it easy’ entertainment seems to be the team’s only motto. Worth a watch.

Verdict: Charmingly mischievous Siva Karthikeyan, comical Soori and the majestic Sathyaraj make VVS a jolly good entertainer.

Independent Music Festival - Celebrating music beyond barriers

Independent Music Festival is a festival that aims at celebrating music beyond all barriers. It's the biggest talent hunt for the best bands, artists and composers from various places. It's an ideal platform dedicated to independent artists around the globe. The festival aims at encouraging passionate talents around the world who bring glory to the world of music.

Independent Music Festival is an initiative by Yelo Icy Concepts and Noise and Grains, which will be held on the 6th and 7th of November at the Chennai Trade Center. The award show will host the performance of the qualified winners from the various levels of competitions.

This is the beginning of a new era, which will continue to serve music and its glory, year after year ideally dedicated to all music lovers.

Behindwoods would be the online partner for this event and you may register for this festival by visiting www.imf2013.com

Esha Gupta drops Sir Elton John for 'Humshakal'

Esha Gupta, who is a big fan of Sir Elton John's music was very keen on attending the musician's concert in London. According to IndiaGlitz souces, the actress, had booked tickets and made all the required arrangements to be a part of the concert.

Unfortunately, the 'Jannat 2' beauty had to cancel her plan, due to last minute costume trials and preparation work on her next film, 'Hamshakal' opposite Saif Ali Khan.

So the actress, who was very excited for the concert, had to call off all her plans and give away her passes to her friends to attend and enjoy the concert. Apparently Esha had even planned to leave at an earlier date for London to be able to make it for the most awaited concert. However, work commitments and professionalism of the actress upset all her plans. She hopes to be able to attend the concert next time.

Stated a sad Esha, "I'm a big fan of Sir Elton John and it's disappointing that I couldn't attend the concert. Hopefully, I'll get to watch him perform another time."

Madhuri Dixit bereaved

Today, 13th September indeed turned unlucky for Madhuri Dixit-Nene.. For, this morning the actress's father, Shankar R Dixit, passed away in his sleep.

He was 91 and reported to have been keeping unwell for some time. His family was by his side.

Said the mourning daughter, Madhuri, "We'll miss him but we know he lived a full life. We thank all those who have offered their condolences and prayers."

IndiaGlitz extends deepest condolence to the actress and her family...

Akshay Kumar's craziest gift from fan!

Akshay Kumar is used to the fanaticism and craziness of his fans. But one of the craziest gifts that he received this time for his Birthday we hear is one of its kind Number plate of BOSS i.e 8055!

Yes, its true, the actor who's currently shooting in Bangkok was extremely surprised to receive this unusual gift and was left quite touched at the lengths his fan went to for the gesture!

"One of Akshay's craziest fans gifted him a BOSS number plate on his birthday. Akshay has been shooting in Bangkok, so the fan had to drop it at the gate of his residence. This number plate was later couriered to Akshay in Bangkok. He was pleasantly surprised and fondly accepted it. He later asked us to find out, who the fan was and wants to meet him personally," quipped a source close to the production team.

Well, BOSS ke liye normal gifts of course nahin chalega!!