Dil Bole Hadippa
Genre: Drama
Director: Anurag Singh
Cast: Rani Mukherji, Shahid Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Dalip Tahil
Storyline: A spirited girl dresses up as a boy to get entry into the
village cricket team
Bottomline: No runs scored. Maiden Over.
Is Dil Bole Hadiappa a silly romantic comedy involving a cross-dresser in a men’s cricket team or a serious film with ambitions of making a feminist statement? It fails on both counts.
The story in Anurag Singh’s film, written by Jaya and Aparajita, goes something like this: Indian Tigers lose to Pakistani Champions for nine years (the matches strangely are played in the fields in India and in posh stadiums when hosted in Pakistan).
Hence, the owner of the Indian team (Anupam Kher) decides dynasty politics and outsourcing is the solution and installs his own London-based cricketer son (Shahid Kapoor once again underplaying his SRK influence with restraint) as the captain who appoints himself as the one-man selection committee.
Obviously, the players are so bad that even the village belle (Rani Mukherji) can hit six sixes in an over off them. The girl goes home to write A for All-rounder, B for Batsman, C for Catch and D for Dreams (no, really!) on her slate-board.
Mistaking their lack of talent for her brilliance, the girl walks past a long queue of male players to ask the security guard to let her in and instead of gently reminding the lady to go stand in the queue, the chauvinist guard tells her that the day women play cricket, men will have to wear bangles. Conveniently, a procession passes by and the girl observes: You worship women as goddesses but when it comes to women in human form, you stamp them?
Cue in sad music (sometimes, I suspect Yash Raj Films uses background scores that work better with our tragic plight of having to suffer their films than the in-film situations) as the girl goes home to erase the slate-board.
She has almost rubbed D for Dreams when the father tells her she has to step in as a boy for an item (the nautanki set is better than Broadway) with Rakhi Sawant.
Soon, the girl gets a brainwave. She pads up, sticking a fake moustache, beard and turban, tells the dictator captain that there’s no man yet born who can get him (her) out. You are hoping the director soon shows us that this girl is really talented but no, the Hindi film formula dictates that the hero is greater. He gets her out in the first ball and she has to plead for a place in the team.
The girl leads a double life as Veera and Veer, and makes the hero fall in love with her. There’s sexy, svelte Sherlyn Chopra in hot-pants and double-bikinis who pines for the hero rubbing sun-tan over her legs. When Veer asks her captain if he’s interested in Miss Chandigarh, he dismisses the idea saying that the model wouldn’t cook him aloo parathas (talk about reinforcing old-fashioned gender types), and Rani is charmed.
Later during the climactic match, players jump over Veer after he/she takes a catch and it’s not the beard or the voice that lets Shahid know it’s a boy, it’s the contact lens that’s slipped out of Veer’s eyes. Wow!
The politics of love wrecks the performance and the match that was in their control slips away because the key players can no longer concentrate. So, the woman stripped off her mask, cries apologetically and needs the man to finally permit her to play and prove herself?
Then comes the cringe-inducing climax when she wonders why women cannot be allowed to play cricket with Sachin Tendulkar as opening partner. Whatever little good Chak D e did to make a case for the need for importance to women’s teams, Dil Bole Hadippa completely undoes by making a serious demand for a unisex cricket team as if the women’s cricket team is no good. So is there any reason Dil Bole Hadippa is worth watching?
Yes, because Rani is a fantastic performer and shows us that a woman can carry even the stupidest film made on her shoulders in a male-dominated industry that credits a much junior and obviously younger-looking Shahid ahead of her.
Rukhsana Kausar.
Jammu: Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday demanded the country’s highest gallantry award for their community girl who killed a top Lashkar-e-Taiba militant in Rajouri district recently.
“She has done our community proud. We urge President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to honour the brave girl with the highest gallantry award of the country,” Tribal Foundation Secretary Javaid Rahi told journalists here.
Rukhsana (22) killed the militant and injured another at Kalsian village, about 217 km from here on the night of September 27.
A letter signed by top Gujjar leaders was sent to Ms. Patil, Dr. Singh and Mr. Chidambaram, urging them to recognise this “rarest, unmatched and extraordinary act of courage of a fearless young Gujjar girl,” Dr. Rahi said. She deserved a national honour for this, he added.
Rukhsana, along with her sibling, overpowered a Lashkar terrorist, snatched his rifle and fired at him, killing him on the spot.
Governor N.N. Vohra said on Tuesday that he wanted to recommend the girl for the gallantry award.
The State government has provided police protection to the young girl and her family and has rewarded her with Rs. 5,000.
The Gujjars also demanded that an exclusive Gujjar regiment be raised in the Army. — PTI
After all, Mohanlal is Raghava Maraar, the uber cool, no-nonsense Inspector-General with the Tamil Nadu Police in Unnai Pol Oruvan (UPO — the Tamil remake of A Wednesday), which has the Malayalam superstar pitted against another titan of Indian cinema — Kamal Haasan — for the first time.
“Kamal Haasan has always been keen on casting me in one of his films,” says Mohanlal, during a break from shooting. In fact, Kamal had announced that when he came to Thiruvananthapuram to inaugurate the 12th International Film Festival of Kerala. “So, when he offered me the role of the police officer in UPO, I accepted it as I had seen A Wednesday, and liked the film and the role I was supposed to play,” says Mohanlal about his third Tamil film after Iruvar and Popcarn. “Iruvar is one of my best-ever films,” adds Mohanal, and continues: “UPO is a movie of our times, for it reflects the angst, frustration, helplessness and anger of the common man.” So, what was it like to act with Kamal? “I am a character in front of the camera. So, there is no time to be nervous or in awe of a senior actor. I have acted in several films with Nazir sir (Prem Nazir) and also with stalwarts such as Sivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan and Nageswara Rao,” explains the actor, who was recently felicitated for completing 30 years in the industry. Mohanal says that it is his “passion for cinema” that keeps him rejuvenated — “It is the same passion I had when I acted in my first film, Thiranottam, in 1978.” In the Eighties, Mohanlal demolished the image of the popular hero in Malayalam cinema. The brooding hero of the Seventies was replaced by a host of characters who celebrated life and brought Malayalam cinema closer to its viewers. His association with directors such as the late Padmarajan, Priyadarshan, Fazil, Sathyan Anthikkad and Sibi Malayil created movie magic. After proving his versatility on the big screen, the four-time National award winner took to the stage with playwright Kavalam Narayana Pannikar’s Sanskrit Karnabharam and then followed it with the Malayalam Chayamukhi. “Even now, I am amazed how I managed to learn the Sanskrit dialogues in eight days in the middle of shooting for Kaakakuyil,” he admits. Now, plans are afoot to stage Kalidasa’s Vikramorvasiyam in Sanskrit and poet ONV Kurup’s Ujjaini. Actor, theatreperson, magician, foodie, gourmet cook, restaurateur, entrepreneur, singer, art collector, and recently honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the Territorial Army…. will the real Mohanlal please stand up? “These things happen. I don’t believe in meticulous planning. I go with the flow. Even while cooking, I never use a recipe book. I add a dash of whatever I feel would taste good — the end product is usually good,” says the foodie. Similarly, collecting works of art and antiques is something he enjoys. Calling himself a “custodian of art”, Mohanlal says it is artists such as Namboodiri who inspire him to “guard and preserve their work for posterity”. As the cameras start rolling again, it is time for Mohanal to transform into advocate Sooryanarayan, his character in Janakan. Before he signs off, he says: “If I get interesting characters, I will act in Tamil films. As of now, I am busy with Angel John, and an untitled work with Roshan Andrews. Priyan (Priyadarshan) and I plan to do a film next year.”
RVing Lifestyle for adventurers
A recreational vehicle (RV) is generally a transportable, motorized or non-motorized vehicle that contains, at the very least, a bed for sleeping. Most RVs, however, also contain a kitchen area, bathroom, dinette and often an area with a couch or other lounge chairs. Recreational vehicles are highly mobile, unlike mobile homes, which are intended to be pulled once to a location where they will serve as a home. RVs are generally between 10 and 45 feet long, with most in the 15 to 35 foot length. A (RV) Recreational Vehicle such as a motorhome is like a home on wheels. One can travel, sleep, and cook, in the motorhome. It saves a whole lot of money. It's like owning a vehicle, restaurant and a hotel all in one package on wheels, your RV.
A Class A RV is constructed on a specially designed motor vehicle chassis. Class B motorhome is a compact unit that looks much like a regular van. These are popular because they can often be parked in the family garage or driven around town as a second vehicle. A Class C motorhome is built on an automotive-manufactured van frame with an attached cab. The motorhome manufacturer completes the living section and attaches it to the cab section. A Fifth wheels, are pulled behind a pickup truck with a special hitch. The travel trailer is pulled by a car or truck, comes in many lengths, weights and designs and is the biggest selling RV. Also called "pop up trailers," these are great for family summer vacations when the weather is mild. They can be pulled by smaller cars. As their name implies, folding camping trailers fold up for rolling down the highway. Once at the campsite, however, these compact units are easily expanded into remarkably spacious.
India is a huge country with varied topography, lifestyle and culture. RVing is a great way to travel around as a vacation or as a lifestyle. Travel in a recreation vehicle (RV) lets anyone feel at home. Even as most of the RVs are made on diesel vehicles and are fuel efficient, also one saves a lot of money that would have had other wise been spend on eating in restaurants or on hotel accommodation. There are no lines to wait in at airports or hotel lobbies, no luggage to pack and unpack, and you sleep in the same comfy bed night after night. At mealtime, stop by a cafe along the road, or just pull over and prepare your own meal.
It's great to travel around and to be on the road! India is a huge travel destination, it needs to be explored. The thrill and excitement of a RV camping trip is always full with excitement. You can look forward to relaxing and enjoying the beauty of natural surroundings, and can also eagerly anticipate the pleasure of leisurely breakfasts and dinners, because the quality of a trip is often greatly influenced by the quality of the food.
The secret to easy RV cooking is to be prepared. Planning ahead simplifies campground cooking. When deciding what to eat on your vacation, consider cooking some meals at home before your trip. Foods such as stews and soups can be prepared at home and frozen. The amount of food that you precook depends, of course, on the capacity of your freezer and refrigerator. Even if available space is limited, try to include at least one precooked meal. I've found that the first-night dinner practically ready to eat when you pull into camp is especially appreciated after a long day's drive
The importance of traveling has always been underestimated in our society, where every one is running in a rat race. Traveling is very important for self growth and realization. RVing is a way of life an attitude of a lifestyle. Only in a few other instances will the average person have the opportunity to choose a new direction for his or her life that will have the impact this one does. In short, it's a whole new ball game. True, anyone can do it, but not everyone can do it.
Not everyone has the attitudes necessary. Which takes us to the question: How do we know if we are suited for RVing? However, there are some characteristics of successful full-timers that are readily apparent to anyone who observes such people carefully. A review of some of them might help a person who wonders about his or her prospects for RVing lifestyle.
Anyone considering making the dramatic change in lifestyle should ask him/herself these basic questions. Am I dissatisfied with the way I am living? If you are completely happy with the life you are living, why make a big change in it? If you get up happy, spend the day happy, love the people around you, enjoy your home and where you live, why on earth would you want to change it? On the other hand, do you have the feeling that you would like to do more, do more, see more -- a feeling that you want something more in your life than what you have and that something has to do with seeing other places, other people and other things
If your answer is "yes" than you are beginning to fit in the RVing mode. Do I like adventure and excitement? Surprisingly, not all people do, but it is definitely a characteristic of most travellers.
They're the people who are always looking at maps and seeking new roads and places to visit. They're curious and have enough daring spirit to tackle the unknown. They listen to others tell of wonderful places they've been to, and it makes them want to go, too. Most have some of Indiana Jones genes.
In India an RV can be custom built according to your needs and requirement. Vehicles like Winger is ideal for a small motorhome or a Tempo traveler class vehicle can be converted into a bigger motor home with added facilities of a dry toile and a kitchen. For vehicles that cannot have a kitchen inside, an external separate kitchen can be installed.
RVing is a way of life and traveling from one part of the country to another might seem point less, but realize that travel will unravel yourself . Life is too beautiful and awesome to be wasted in a room. It takes 60000 bio chemical processes to sustain life for a day. Don't waste it go out with your loved ones and explore your world. There's nothing like it.
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There are many ways of removing facial hair. The method should be chosen according to quantity or thickness, its location and rate of growth. Information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods is essential. Since excessive growth of facial hair is usually a hormonal problem, it is also good idea to consult an endocrinologist about it. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. Temporary Methods
Plucking: This method involves the use of tweezers and removes hair from the follicles. Therefore, regrowth is not so fast. Plucking is suitable for stray hairs on the chin, between and under the brows. It should not be used for hair on the upper lip. The area should be first wiped with cotton wool, soaked in a mild antiseptic solution. One should also take care not to pluck out hair from a mole, before consulting a doctor.
Threading:
Threading is the most common method of removing facial hair. The disadvantage is that the effect is temporary and the procedure has to be repeated periodically. It is useful for areas like the upper lip and the eyebrows. In fact, threading is done to shape the eyebrows. Frequent threading can cause skin irritations. On sensitive skins, there can be redness or a rash. Avoid threading on areas with eruptions, like pimples or acne. Zinc ointment can be applied to soothe the skin. Ice can also be applied.
Waxing:
Waxing can be used for facial hair. Many beauty salons offer "katori" waxing for facial hair. Cold wax would be safer for the face. However, large areas of the face should not be waxed. It would be good for smaller areas like the chin, area above lips or sideburns. Sometimes, waxing the face can cause a rash or pimples. Soothing creams should be used after waxing the face.
For excessive facial hair, many women use a combination of methods, like threading chin and area above lips and bleaching the rest of the face. Or, threading chin and upper lip and waxing sideburns.
Permanent Methods
Electrolysis: Although this is a permanent method of hair removal, regrowth can occur. In electrolysis, the diathermy method is the most common. It involves the use of fine needles, through which an electric current is passed. When introduced into the hair follicle, it cauterizes the hair root and destroys the papilla. This checks regrowth. It is an expensive procedure and takes time, as an interval of two weeks should be allowed between sessions. It is extremely important to make enquiries about the electrolysist, as scarring can occur in the hands of an unskilled operator. One should also ensure that sterile disposable needles are used. Regrowth has been known to occur.
Laser: This is the latest method of permanent removal of facial hair. The world LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser produces an intense beam of light, which is absorbed by the hair follicles. The laser disables the hair follicle's ability to produce hair. Cooling devices are used to prevent damage to the rest of the skin. The advantage of laser over Electrolysis is that the laser light can scan broader areas. Therefore, fewer sessions are required. It is an expensive procedure. Regrowth occurs in some cases, but is slower and scantier. It is very important to find a good laser clinic. The temporary known side effects are redness, swelling and itching. The main risk in laser treatment is the possibility of skin burns. So, before choosing the clinic, it is essential to find out its reputation, by making enquiries and talking to people who have been through the treatment.
Home Remedies:
For very fine downy hair, scrubs and exfoliation can help. This would discourage hair growth over a period of time, if used regularly.
Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and water and apply it in the direction of hair growth. Wash off when it dries. Apply it once or twice a week.
Apply a paste of turmeric powder and milk and rub this on the skin with a circular motion. It is said to discourage facial hair, but it may leave a yellowish tinge on the skin.
Blend one egg white with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of corn flour until it becomes a sticky paste. Apply the mixture to your face. When it dries gently peel it off. Repeat this 3-4 times a week.
3 teaspoons powdered barley can be mixed with one teaspoon cold milk and 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice. Apply and leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with water. Do this two to three times a week. It is said to discourage hair growth over a period of time.
Babies and Infants:
Many infants have soft, downy hair on the face and body, which gradually disappears, as they grow older. The skin of babies and children is very delicate and tender. However, you can mix flour (aata) and milk into a stiff dough, like the dough for making "chapatis." Hold the dough itself in your hand and rub it gently on the skin daily, the way you would use a sponge or loofah. It should not be a paste and is not to be applied. Flour and milk make a soft dough, which can be used on the tender skin of children. Rubbing the dough daily on the skin is said to gradually lessen hair growth.
Keeping in view the perilous relation with atmospheric pollution the Govt of J&K has taken a very wise step to stop manufacturing degradable plastic bags in the State. So there was a pertinent need to develop its better alternative. The Govt has already undertaken a sound step in this direction in Kashmir by getting a plant there to manufacture bioplastic bags i.e biodegradable bags which are able to decay naturally in a way that is not harmful in any way.
Bioplastics (also called organic plastics) are a form of plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch or microbiota, rather than fossil fuel plastics which are derived from petroleum.
The terminology used in the bioplastics sector is sometimes misleading. Mostly the industry uses the term bioplastic to mean a plastic produced from a biological source. One of the oldest plastics, cellulose film, is made from wood cellulose. All (bio-and petroleum -based) plastics are technically biodegradable, meaning they can be degraded by microbes under suitable conditions. However many degrade at such slow rates as to be considered non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable bioplastics are referred to as durable. The degree of biodegradation varies with temperature, polymer stability, and available oxygen content. Consequently, most bioplastics will only degrade in the tightly controlled conditions of industrial composting units.
The term ‘‘biodegradable plastic’’ is often also used by producers of specially modified petrochemical-based plastics which appear to biodegrade. Traditional plastics such as polyethylene are degraded by ultra-violet (UV) light and oxygen. To prevent this process manufacturers add stabilising chemicals. However with the addition of a degradation initiator to the plastic, it is possible to achieve a controlled UV/oxidation disintegration process. This type of plastic may be referred to as degradable plastic or oxy-degradable plastic or photodegradable plastic because the process is not initiated by microbial action.
The production and use of bioplastics is generally regarded as a more sustainable activity when compared with plastic production from petroleum (petroplastic), because it relies less on fossil fuel as a carbon source and also introduces fewer, net-new greenhouse emissions if it biodegrades. They significantly reduce hazardous waste caused by oil-derived plastics, which remain solid for hundreds of years, and open a new era in packing technology and industry.
However, manufacturing of bioplastic materials is often still reliant upon petroleum as an energy and materials source. This comes in the form of energy required to power farm machinery and irrigate growing crops, to produce fertilisers and pesticides, to transport crops and crop products to processing plants, to process raw materials, and ultimately to produce the bioplastic, although renewable energy can be used to obtain petroleum independence.
Other studies showed that bioplastics represent a 42% reduction in carbon footprint.
On the other hand, bioplastic can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms.
Plastic types
Starch based plastics
Constituting about 50 percent of the bioplastics market, thermoplastic starch, such as plastarch material, currently represents the most important and widely used bioplastic.
Polylactic acid (PLA) plastics
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a transparent plastic produced from cane sugar or glucose. It not only resembles conventional petrochemical mass plastics (like PE or PP) in its characteristics, but it can also be processed easily on standard equipment that already exists for the production of conventional plastics. PLA and PLA-Blends generally come in the form of granulates with various properties and are used in the plastic processing industry for the production of foil, moulds, tins, cups, bottles and other packaging.
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
The biopolymer poly-3- hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a polyester produced by certain bacteria processing glucose or starch.
Polyamide 11 (PA 11)
PA 11 is a biopolymer derived from natural oil. It is also known under the tradename Rilsan B commercialized by Arkema. PA 11 belongs to the technical polymers family and is not biodegradable.
Bio- derived polyethylene
The basic building block (monomer) of polyethylene is ethylene. This is just one small chemical step from ethanol, which can be produced by fermentation of agricultural feedstocks such as sugar cane or corn. Bio-derived polyethylene is chemically and physically identical to traditional polyethylene- it does not biodegrade but can be recycled. It can also considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Genetically modified bioplastics
Genetic modification (GM) is also a challenge for the bioplastics industry. None of the currently available bioplastics-which can be considered first generation products-require the use of GM crops. However, it is not possible to ensure corn used to make bioplastic in North America is GM-free.
Applications
Because of their biological degradability, the use of bioplastics is especially popular for disposable items, such as packaging and catering items (crockery, cutlery, pots, bowls, straws). The use of bioplastics for shopping bags is already common. After their initial use they can be reused as bags for organic waste and then be composted. Trays and containers for fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat, bottles for soft drinks and dairy products and blister foils for fruit and vegetables are also already widely manufactured from bioplastics.
Non-disposable applications include mobile phone casings, carpet fibres, and car interiors, fuel line and plastic pipe applications, and new electroactive bioplastics are being developed that can be used to carry electrical current. In these areas, the goal is not biodegradability, but to create items from sustainable resources.
Performance and usage
Many bioplastics lack the performance and ease of processing of traditional materials. Polyactic acid plastic is being used by a handful of small companies for water bottles. But shelf life is limited because the plastic is permeable to water- the bottles lose their contents and slowly deform. However, bioplastics are seeing some use in Europe, where they account for 60 percent of the biodegradable materials market. The most common end use market is for packaging materials. Japan has also been a pioneer in bioplastic, incorporating them into electronics and automobiles.
The Iraqi reporter, Muntazer al-Zaidi, who chucked his shoes at the then USA President George Bush, has finally walked free. Little did he realize that the act would cost him nine complete months in prison. Far little did he realize that his act would be caught up in India and would have a bearing on the Indian election scene.
With the elections over both in USA and India, the shoe has taken the well deserved rest at least for some time. While the pen was believed to be mightier than the sword, the shoe proved itself to be mightier than even the proverbial pen.
Legend has it that centuries ago, the king of Gujarpur (now in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh), Raja Bhim Singh, was very fond of hunting. Though illiterate, he was very clever and could rule with authority. He used to boast of his hunting prowess among his courtiers rather too often. Being fed up with his repeated self-adulatory stories the courtiers would occasionally tender funny advice to the king.
It so happened once, while Raja Bhim Singh was on one of his favourite hunting missions, that a thorn pierced his foot rather cruelly. The foot bled profusely. The courtiers naturally felt sad at the sight.
They removed the thorn and dressed up the wound. Immediately thereafter, they suggested to the king that leather be spread over the roads and the streets through which the king would move so that there was no repeat of the sad episode.
The king readily agreed. He decreed that leather be spread across all the roads and streets he used to frequently use even for his hunting hobby.
The work of draping the roads and streets with leather began in full swing. All the leather stocks in the Kingdom got exhausted. When the news reached the king, he ordered that animal be slaughtered to get more leather.
Although the people felt outraged at this foolish dictat of the king, they felt helpless-there was no democracy then, unlike today. Soon the stock of the domestic animals of the kingdom was exhausted. This was followed by killing wild animals so much so that even the forests were depleted of animals.
As luck would have it, the king's spiritual guru happened to visit the city or may be his intervention was sought by the people. On seeing the roads having been draped with leather he enquired about the reason therefore. And he was informed about the thorn episode. Realising the king's folly, he at once set for the Raj Mahal, the kings abode.
Welcome formalities over, the rajguru initiated the discussion about the colossal loss of animal lives and the consequences that would follow.
The king boastfully told him that this had been done so that no thorn would ever harm his feet again. In the heart of his hearts, rajguru pitied the king. He thought for a while and then in a serious tone he told the king about the absurdity of the whole idea that was going to affect the very survival of the people. The rajguru came out with a suggestion and it was that the king would cover his feet with two small patches of leather, one each foot, to prevent them from any harm. This led to the birth of the shoe, which has come a long way. By now it has assumed so many forms and designs. And finally grown both in status and stature so as to rule over the mighty pen. It has, in fact, morphed into a handy and potent weapon.
Meek and mild mannered Leona Lewis has never been a diva in her attitude — until it comes to the bedroom! Leona admits she has taken over all the wardrobe space and left her devoted boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa with none. “Oh my god — he has got the tiniest little space,” she says. “It is like a drawer and I have a room full of stuff! I can’t help it though. I don’t think he really minds.”
Genre: Romance Director: G. Murali Abbas Cast: Navdeep, Abinai, Ashis Vidyarthi, Vijayakumar, Livingston, Sathyan, V.M.T. Charlie, Madhumita, Mallika Kapoor, Sara, Suja, Meerakrishnan, Sriranjani, Devadarshini. Storyline: The hero is repeatedly disappointed in love. Finally when he does find it (love), a misunderstanding makes her walk out on him. Bottomline: The story lacks focus and the director seems to be meandering in the dark. With a flimsy plot and no focus in the script, the director stretches the storyline with some unwanted scenes. And so the film sags, as does viewers’ interest. Young actor Navdeep’s potential has not been realised in the roles he has done. Though he seems to be working hard on his dance and fight sequences, and emotes well, it has gone unnoticed. The heroines do not have much to do. Mallika Kapoor actually acts in a few scenes. The director has a good team of technicians, such as Arthur A. Wilson (camera), V.T. Vijayan (editing) and Bharadwaj (music). Although the songs are good, they come in the wrong places. Only in the first half does Sathyan’s comedy evoke some laughter. The screenplay has loose ends that rob the dialogue of pep. The director, who is also in charge of story, screenplay and dialogue, seems to have lost his grip right from the first reel.
nothing sweet Solla Solla Inikkum
Finally, you have been initiated into Yash Raj Films with Dil Bole Hadippa. How did it happen? I got a call from Yash Raj one day. They wanted me to play a role in a film opposite Rani Mukherjee. I was introduced to the director and the writer. I love playing cricket and they offered me the role of a cricketer. I thought it would be a good film in my career. Also, I had not worked with Rani earlier. How would you define the film? It is a commercial film. Jab We Met became commercial after it was released. Before it released, Imtiaz, Kareena and I had a very theek-thak record. Hadippa is a different role; not as different as Kaminey but different from Jab We Met. How well do you play cricket in real life? I’m a big cricket buff. I have been playing cricket ever since I was three. I played for my school; I would open the innings for them sometimes. I played cricket in college too. How would you describe your character Rohan? He has two parts — for most of the film he is this normal 28-year-old guy, but he becomes very serious when he is on the field to play cricket. He has to coach his dad’s team. Rani has worked out a lot to get into shape. What was your first reaction when you saw her? She has worked really hard on her figure. But the first time I saw her, she was in her Sardar avtaar, and I was like ‘Lag gayee. Dadhiwali heroine ke saath kam karva rahe hai’. After seeing the promo of Dil Bole Hadippa, I wrote that Shahid and Rani have come together 10 years after their Pepsi ad. (Laughs out loud) Yaar tu mujhe bada boodha feel karva raha hai, aise mat kar (You make me feel like an old man, don’t do that). I would tease Rani that I was her fan; I did an ad with her. It was also one of her earliest ads. She tells me, ‘Ab tu mera hero ban gaya hai, ab hero ke tarah baat kar’ (Now, you have become my hero. So talk like one). How is it working with actors whom you once idolised? I was a fan of Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani. And for the ad, I was standing with the three stars. It was a very surreal experience. How was it playing cricket with Rani? Before shooting began for the film, I was busy with an assignment, while Rani had been practising cricket for five-six months. She was very nervous about the fact that I may not know how to play cricket though I had claimed otherwise. She called me one day and insisted I leave everything I was doing and come to Juhu, immediately. I reached Juhu, and saw Rani in cricket gear. She smiled and showed me her cricketing prowess. She was playing really well. She asked me also to play. I did, and she was convinced I knew the game. She told me, ‘Ab tu jaa’ (Now you can go). We shot at Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Rajasthan for 8 days and 16 nights. So, who scored more? Can I ever score more than Rani? A hero always loses to the heroine, yeh rule number one hai (This is rule No. 1). Which games do you play with your siblings? These days, kids are into video games more than anything else. At the age of 16, I was a video game junkie. One day I just outgrew it. I would rather do something more constructive. I enjoy cricket, carrom, badminton and table tennis occasionally.
Priyanka Chopra has proved herself as an actor with films such as Aitraaz and Fashion, but she has another talent that has hitherto been latent. The actor reveals she has a fine singing voice and has inherited a passion for singing from her dad. Priyanka says, “I want to sing at some point. But I get so tempted by the films I am doing. It always happens that something fabulous comes along and my singing plans get postponed.” But don’t be surprised if you hear Priyanka sing in the movies soon. PC informs, “Quite a few of my directors have asked me to do the playback in my films but the right song hasn’t come my way. Maybe I will do an album. It has to be a really nice song that I want to debut with. It will be like starting from scratch. I want to sing but only after proper training. I have learnt western classical but I want to train in Hindustani too.” Ayesha Takia, who plays Salman’s romantic lead in Wanted, has become quite choosy about the films she does after marriage. But the bubbly actor has no regrets about doing Wanted. Says she: “I have done films which I now wonder why I did. I don’t want to do that any more. When I saw the southern version of Wanted, I was happy. Not only because an actor needs at least one masala film a year, but also because the role offered me scope for some challenging scenes. I don’t just have to be pretty and stand in the background without anything to say. Wanted offers me a blend of both.” Of late, Aftab Shivdasani is mostly seen in multistarrers (Acid Factory, Daddy Cool, Kambakht Ishq) barring the occasional Aaloo Chaat. When asked whether the chocolate boy feels insecure about his role standing out in an ensemble cast, he said, “Before I agree to do a film, I fully understand what I am getting into. It’s all about convincing yourself. If an actor believes in himself, he doesn’t have to feel insecure. He should be honest to his role.” Aftab adds, “If you are part of an ensemble cast, then you will want to have a good role. Fortunately, I was made to choose the character I would like to play in Acid Factory. Though the role I’m playing was written with someone else in mind, the makers have loved my performance.” Nandita Das may be best-known for being an actor but she says, “People consider me an actor because that is in the public domain. Every time I have to fill up a form, it sets me thinking when I reach the occupation column. There is very little of me that is an actor, to be very honest.” Dil Bole Hadippa has Rani, dressed as a man, dancing with Rakhi Sawant. Wonder how the queen got along with the outspoken item girl-turned-TV superstar? Here’s what Rani has to say: “Dancing with her was fun, and I was doing an item number with her. Rakhi is a sweet girl and a fine actor. She has done a very good job in the film.”
Not for the first time, a panda is making news in China. Except this time, it isn’t a giant panda that’s fallen sick in a zoo — an old favourite story of Chinese news media and a panda-obsessed society — and it isn’t even a debate on ‘panda diplomacy’, raging over whether a particular country is worthy enough to receive a giant panda as a gift from the Chinese government (a diplomatic practice made famous by Chairman Mao’s gift of Ling-ling and Hsing-hsing to the United States in the 1970s). The latest panda to capture hearts, minds and conversations across China isn’t even a real panda — he’s a clumsy, fat, Kung Fu-fighting lovable cartoon character named Po, the star of Dreamworks’ latest animated venture “Kung Fu Panda”, the most successful animated foreign film ever at the Chinese box office. The film released in China three weeks ago, but amid great controversy that made its success seem improbable. Steven Spielberg, who owns Dreamworks, had announced before the film’s release that he would boycott the Olympics to protest China’s relationship with the Sudanese government. By doing so, he became the latest Western celebrity to incur the wrath of the increasingly nationalist sentiment pervading the country in the run-up to the Olympics. The weeks leading up to the film’s June 20 release saw the appearance of a number of petitions lambasting the film and calling for a nationwide boycott. Much of the criticism emanated from China’s ‘netizens’ — the country’s hugely active online community, often considered the most accurate barometer of public opinion in China given the State’s continuing control over print media and television. For many, “Kung Fu Panda”, which enjoyed moderate success in the United States before arriving on China’s shores to this storm of controversy, was surely dead-on-arrival in the face of this strong criticism. But in less than three weeks, against most expectations, “Kung Fu Panda” had become the most successful foreign animated film ever released in China, with millions flocking to watch dubbed versions of the movie. The film crossed the 10 million Yuan mark — usually a barometer for a box office hit — in just 10 days, and had grossed more than 110 million Yuan (US$ 16 million) in three weeks. Almost every conversation in Shanghai in the past three weeks — and that too, across age-groups — is now prefixed by an obligatory ‘Have you watched Kung Fu Xiongmao (panda)?’ question, followed by a pitiful, sad shake of the head if you dared reply in the negative. The publicity generated by the controversy surrounding the film’s release certainly played its part in its early success. In the week leading up to the release, thousands of comments about the film appeared on BBS — one of China’s most popular discussion forums on sina.com.cn, a Chinese news engine website. “We should boycott anything related to Spielberg, we should show our nation’s self-esteem,” wrote one blogger. There were, also, voices of opposition from China’s own film industry and resentment at the idea that American filmmakers had the gumption to so liberally and irreverently play around with a Chinese national symbol. The panda occupies a unique space in the imagination of the Chinese: the panda is a hugely popular national symbol (and perhaps the only animal in China spared from finding itself on a dinner table) and its image also carries tremendous cultural importance, a symbol of uniqueness, love and positivity. A glimpse of the importance of this symbol was recently evident in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake. The Wolong Reserve, the country’s largest breeding centre for pandas, is in Sichuan and dozens of news reports after the earthquake carefully monitored the safety of the pandas, their transportation to zoos around the country, the status of their health and even details on their diet — including rather bizarre articles trying to explain why the weight of the faeces of some pandas had decreased by a few kilograms after the quake. “Kung Fu Panda” hit Chinese screens on June 20, just as the criticism was reaching a crescendo. It was almost impossible to buy a ticket in the opening weekend — shows for much of the first week in Shanghai’s cinema halls were all sold-out. It soon became obvious that it wasn’t just the publicity machine that drew Chinese movie-goers in their millions to watch the panda Po in action. When I watched the film during its opening week in Shanghai — at a late night screening in a cinema hall that seated at least 200, and needless to say, was sold out — the reactions of the audience were overwhelmingly positive. Into the second week, and shows continued to draw full-houses. Within 20 days, “Kung Fu Panda” had broken all records of foreign animated films in China. As more and more Chinese flocked to the theatres, more aggrieved netizens on BBS continued posting comments calling for a boycott of the film. But gradually, on the Internet chat-rooms, an increasing number of voices came out in support of the film, and against the nationalist rhetoric. And soon, these voices drowned out the calls for boycott — there was no doubt, the fat panda warrior had conquered China. Why, and how, did this rapid u-turn take place in a matter of seven days? A film, still routinely criticised in newspaper columns and online forums for Hollywood’s bastardisation of Chinese culture and a national symbol, has become the hit of the year. I turned to Chinese sociologist Gu Xiaoming to make sense of this strange dichotomy between what on the surface appeared to be an offence to national sentiment and the film’s unexpected success. “What was strange about this film was it brought out the contrast between the funny portrayal of the panda in the movie and the serious image of the panda in the Chinese mind, and this contrast is very curious for the Chinese audience,” Gu explains. “No Chinese filmmaker has looked at depicting a national symbol this way, as a comic character. The panda is unique for Chinese people. It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s a national treasure, even a holy animal, and a cultural symbol. I think audiences have been fascinated by how an American filmmaker used Chinese symbols, cultural items and ideas on philosophy so well.” What is remarkable about the “Kung Fu Panda”-mania is behind all the headlines is, on the surface, a rather unremarkable film — a typical Disney zero-to-hero, feel-good, family entertainer. The film tells the story of a Kung Fu-obsessed, fat and clumsy but lovable panda, Po (superbly voiced by Jack Black), who works in his father’s noodle shop in a sleepy little Chinese town called ‘Peace Valley’. Against the odds, Po is selected by a Kung Fu master to be trained as a warrior, allowing him to fulfil his life-long ambition of fighting evil and saving his community. But scratch below the surface, and you will also find a surprisingly sensitive portrayal of Chinese culture. Far removed from many netizens’ accusations of belittling Chinese culture, the film ultimately salutes it. The dialogues are littered with oblique references — from the uniquely Chinese gambling game mahjong and tofu recipes to word-plays on the Chinese names of some of the characters — that were lapped up by the Chinese audience (and, interestingly, will be lost on most Western viewers). “What many of us didn’t expect was that many things in the movie about China, like the town where Po lives, and the way of life, were remarkably well portrayed,” says Emma Luo, 26, a school teacher in Shanghai. “I could relate to it, and I found it surprising that an American filmmaker succeeded in bringing this out in a way many Chinese filmmakers do not.” Part of the plot was the generation gap between Po and his father (who, strangely, is a duck) — a gap many of China’s urban youth will relate to. Po’s father wants him to carry on the family tradition and run a noodle shop, and cannot understand his son’s burning desire to make a name for himself in his own right. “It isn’t just the younger audience that finds this film appealing,” says Jasmine Peng, a 34-year old businesswoman in Shanghai. “It’s the message that I find so appealing. On the outside, he’s like any one of us, lazy, ordinary. But inside he has the spirit of a Kung Fu warrior. It’s the positive image and the impossibility. And, of course, let’s not forget he’s simply an adorable panda. And the Chinese definitely can’t resist that.”
national and cultural symbol: The film (left) rode to success on the strength of the Chinese obsession with the panda (right).
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