Gulzar to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran poet and film lyricist Gulzar has been chosen to receive the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2013. The multi-faceted Gulzar, whose real name is Sampooran Singh Kalra, is a lyricist, director, screenwriter, producer and poet. He is the 45th winner of the award that is conferred by the government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
The 79-year-old veteran was naturally thrilled with the felicitation saying, “I am happy to receive this award and I am thankful to everyone, people and the jury members. An award is a respect which says your work is loved and you are on the right path”.
Gulzar’s daughter Meghna took to Twitter immediately after the news was announced, to share her joy. “Dadasaheb Phalke award for my father. So proud,” she posted.
Born in 1934 in Punjab in pre-independence India, Gulzar started his career in 1956 as a lyricist with Bimal Roy’s Bandini. He has worked with leading composers throughout a long and accomplished career. As a script, story and dialogue writer, he has contributed to several films, he has directed ten films, and has created acclaimed series for television. And of course, he is a published poet and short story writer.
Awards are not a rarity for this talented man. Gulzar was conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. He has won a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards. At the 81st Oscars in 2009, he won the Academy Award for best original song for Jai ho with AR Rahman. Congratulations to Gulzar on this latest and well-deserved acknowledgment of his talent.
Punctual pair
We are all familiar with the concept of Indian Standard Time which generally means that we tend to turn up to an event whenever we feel like it. And Bollywood-wallahs are notorious for their extraordinary levels of unpunctuality. With a few exceptions like Sonakshi Sinha and Akshay Kapoor, who seem to be the industry’s most punctual on-screen couple. The due are working together in Holiday, their fourth jodi and its obvious that they share a good working rapport. But the fact that they are both punctual also keeps the producers happy, revealed Sonakshi. She claims that none of her co-stars, from Salman Khan to Shahid Kapoor, have any problems with her. “Luckily, I’ve had a very good working rapport will all of my co-stars. Nobody has complained about me and they never said they don’t want to work with me. So that comfort level is there even with Akshay sir, and I think we work very well together,” she stated.
And while Sonakshi is looking forward to Holiday, her other projects like Tevar and Prabhudheva’s Action Jackson are keeping her busy. “Right now I am juggling between two things at one time and I am loving it and enjoying the process altogether. It makes me happy and also I learn a lot,” she said. Well, as one of Bollywood’s most punctual stars, Sonakshi is certainly a rarity – in real and reel life!
Abhishek’s all for sports
He may be a well-established actor in Bollywood and the scion of an iconic family, but Abhishek Bachchan certainly knows where his loyalties lie. The sport of kabaddi may have had a diminishing fan following, but its now received a reviving shot in the arm as Abhishek recently announced his association with the Jaipur franchise of Pro-Kabaddi, a professional kabaddi league. “I am very happy and excited to be part of what I consider to be the kabaddi revolution in India. Having been a sportsman and being a sports enthusiast, it’s very exciting to be able to be part of this endeavour,” said Abhishek. “We are all cricket lovers… even I love cricket but it’s a British sport. This is an opportunity, a platform to promote our own sport, kabaddi,” he added.
So is he associated with the league simply to promote it through his star value? “It’s just a coincidence that celebrities are team holders as well, but I don’t think it adds any value to the sports. We are associated with it because we are passionate about that sport,” said Abhishek emphatically.
The actor and his megastar dad Amitabh admit to loving football and cricket. Abhishek has now expressed interest in producing a movie around sports. “It’s my dream to produce sports-based film. In India, we have not done justice to the sports genre (of films). The US is doing a great job by promoting sports through their films. I would love to produce a film based on sports,” said Abhishek. He doesn’t have a project in mind yet, but its something that the actor will work towards.
Abhishek also feels that Indian sportswomen are not given their due credit. “I personally feel that Indian women in sports are not given due credit. This is a small step and I am sure our agenda (via the league) is also to promote women players in India,” he stated.
Kudos to the actor for supporting the ancient sport of kabaddi.
A heroic start!
Recently released Main Tera Hero has made Rs 38.48 crore in its first week, much to the delight of the cast and crew. The film directed by David Dhawan, features actors Varun Dhawan, Ileana D’cruz, Anupam Kher and Nargis Fakhri.
The film’s story revolves around Sreenath Prasad (Varun), a notorious boy in Ooty. He drops out from college to pursue his education in Bangalore where he falls in love with Sunaina, played by Ileana. But Sunaina is forced to marry Angad, played by Arunoday Singh, a local police officer who is more of a terrorising gangster. The film and its songs were promoted heavily prior to release, and the results of marketing it successfully are now on for all to see! So will it hit the Rs100 crore mark? Let’s wait and see!
Deepika’s list of best dressed
Deepika Padukone is a style icon herself, but according to her, actor Akshay Kumar is the best dressed man in the Hindi film industry while veteran actress Rekha is her favourite from among the women.
“The best dressed man (in the industry) is Akshay Kumar. It’s purely his effortlessness that makes him look the way he does. I think the fact that he has always been so athletic that really adds to the way he carries off clothes,” the actress said recently of her co-star in Chandni Chowk To China, Housefull and Desi Boyz.
And veteran actress Rekha is her top choice among Bollywood’s many belles. “She is someone who has always dressed the way she wants to. Trends have come and gone, but she stands by something she believes in and she has stood by that and I appreciate that,” said Deepika.
So what about herself? Who influences Deepika’s style? The answer is somewhat surprising, as the actress responded, “In my growing up years, my mother was my style icon and she still is. She is someone who has influenced my style a lot”. Deepika claims that her style statement is ‘simple’ and ‘elegant’ like her mother Ujjala. “Today when I talk about my personal style being classic, simple, elegant… it all comes from the way she (Ujjala) used to dress. I have never been someone who has accessorised a lot, and that comes from her,” said Deepika. “She always wore just a simple watch or simple jewellery. She never accessorised too much. I think as a little girl when you are growing up, your mother’s style is what rubs off on you the most,” added the 28-year-old who will next be seen in Happy New Year.
Nice to know that Deepika’s still listening to mum and following in her fashion footsteps.
B-Town joins hands for rural empowerment
Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan have supported Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala’s Swades Foundation, which held a fundraising gala recently, for rural empowerment.
At the fundraiser, chief guest Amitabh recounted his visit to villages in Raigad, Maharashtra, to view the impact of the foundation’s interventions. “To say that it was a transformational journey would be an understatement. We met and interacted with so many people from the community, and heard so many wonderful stories of empowerment,” said the Big B. He even recited verses from his late father Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s works. Filmmaker Karan Johar hosted the fundraiser and promised to support the cause. “I feel great pride when I see Ronnie and Zarina, who through their Swades Foundation, have taken upon themselves the mammoth task of uplifting one million people out of poverty every five years. I have promised them my entire support and will help out in every way I can,” said Karan.
Vidya Balan joined founder and managing trustee Zarina, in making a pledge for 2,000 toilets for rural households. The Swades Foundation aims of bridging the gap between urban and rural India. The evening event also included a celebration of rural India on the ramp by designer Vikram Phadnis. In the spirit of true empowerment, Swades Heroes – villagers who lead by example in their rural communities – walked the ramp with film stars like Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu, Neha Dhupia, Malaika Arora and Dia Mirza.
Isn’t it great to see Bollywood coming together for a good cause? Keep up the good work!
Alia-Revathi’s real-life bonding
Alia Bhatt who has worked with actress-director Revathi in their forthcoming film 2 States, says they share a strong bond akin to that of a mother and daughter. “Towards the end of the film, I developed mother-daughter relationship with her (Revathi). The way she touched my face, I kind of felt that warmth with her. What also I realised is that while working with her I became a good actor,” explained Alia. “What she brings to the table is not just the dialogues. She would bring much more… I felt like she was my mother. I could bring the emotions only because of her. She is a fantastic actor,” she added.
Revathi plays Alia’s mother in 2 States, adapted from Chetan Bagat’s novel by the same name. The star who shot to fame with the acclaimed film Highway, is also fond of actress Kareena Kapoor and says that she feels great when she is compared to the Jab We Met star. “I can be flattered. I have done two films and people are comparing me with her. I don’t think I am like her. I feel like there is only one Kareena Kapoor and that’s her. I am her biggest fan. I am not trying to be like her, but she is my biggest inspiration,” said Alia.
Well young Alia, it’s great to see that you’ve found friends and mentors in the film industry. Good luck to you!
Non-narcissistic Nawazuddin
He’s shared screen space with Bollywood’s big guns like Aamir Khan and Irrfan Khan, but actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui isn’t fazed by fame. Although the actor believes he looks ‘dull’, he has still managed to carve a significant niche in the Hindi film industry. Nawazuddin says good looks may guarantee a hero’s spot, but not acting skills. “People say ‘Oh, he is so good looking, go to Mumbai and you will become a hero’. Of course, he can become a hero! But it is very tough to become an actor,” said the 39-year-old recently. Many may believe that good looks and an inborn talent to act make an impressive actor, but Nawazuddin, who has received critical acclaim for his work, says good training and practice can make actors out of the ordinary.
“Many people say that you are born an actor, but according to me, actors can be made. If a dull man like me can become an actor, then definitely the training and practice I underwent is responsible for it. Dancers and musicians need to practice, similarly actors also need to practice,” he added.
Nawazuddin also claims that he is not intimidated by star power, even when acting with big names. “If you feel the pressure of any star, that means you are not doing justice to your character, or you are not involved in your character. If you are getting conscious of the stardom of a star, then he is right in his place, but you are not,” he stated.
“If you are in your character, then you will see the other person also as a particular character. Like in Talaash, if I was in my role of Temur, then it was not Aamir Khan standing in front of me, but a police officer,” he further explained. After The Lunchbox and Miss Lovely, Nawazuddin will soon be seen in Mountain Man, Ghoomketu and Kick. We agree, the movie industry needs more actors than pretty faces!