Raghuism

Oscar 2011 Reality Bites

2011-02-27T15:29:00.003+05:30

The true story of how a king beat a speech impediment with therapy. The true story of a how one young man built a cyber empire worth billions. The true story of how a hiker survived being crushed under a rock for 5 days. The true story of how a small time boxer beat the odds to achieve sporting glory. Real life is intruding into the glamorous world of the Academy Awards...

Asin - Salman Khan Secret Wedding - Sneaks Christmas Kidding

2010-12-25T01:14:00.009+05:30

The end of the year is almost near, and the Malayalam industry still seeks attention with rumours, this time with an actress who has apparently been a lowlife seeking model, Asin Thottumkal. After Nayanthara's most sufficiently undesirable media beating, the former has become the talk of the Christmas in the film industry.

After Asin's entry in the bollywood, with just a single success film, she appeared to be the hot young new performer. Gradually, she created waves in the news by sharing good space with marginally senior artists in the industry. This time, after enough confirmations, she agreed that a secret marriage had taken place with Salman Khan, who has ever tried to be a part of the filmy flashes. It looks like Asin's parents were shocked to hear this and ran to the event place to stop the marriage....... Read More..

Guzarish Movie Preview - A Bhansali Garnish

2010-11-18T22:54:00.012+05:30

Euthanasia, UTV Banner Productions, Big People, Better Screen Designs, Novel Layouts & Nostalgic Pullouts......

Yet again, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali make.....
With Hrithik Roshan & Aishwarya Rai ....

Not this time

as Jodha Bhai or Akbar,
Nor the Dhoom style statements...

Catch the wholesome collection of all the premieres across the world ...... It's a Genail Guzarish .....

Guzaarish premiere: first of its kind

Endhiran Movie Review - An Endangering Dragon - Version 3.0

2010-10-04T22:23:00.007+05:30

The E-Review, Endhiran's Review has been made with a small attempt of configuring the contents, compatible with the System's Commands.

Scan Version 1.0

Scan Version 2.0

The Third Version of this review has been updated.....Version 3.0 - The Endangering Dragon !

Speed 1 Terra hertz

Memory 1 Zettabyte

Command Process Mode......

Not Straight Away, The Endangering Dragon ...

But Just To Ensure, There Is One... Made Of Tenth Of A Ton...

The Laughter Of A Mad Lover, The Clap-Sound Of The Seismic Flutter

The Fever In The Feeling Viewer, & The Texture In The Tented Theater,

All Set To Roar Along The Rajini Jitter,& All Automated To Meet The Maran Meter....

Venal Metal Mingled With The Penal Angel , Who's Puzzled With The Brutal Proposal, Pleads For A Critical Revival ...

The Monster-Attacked Mistress, Under The Chip-Fragmented Fortress, Fights For Her Platonic Love, Against The Robotic Love ...

Calling -

The Laughter Of A Mad Lover ....

Multiplicative Machines, To Make Multiplicative Love, Removes Recuperative Measures To Restore The Scientist's Treasures.

Incredible Formations, Extravagant Expositions, Poignant Presentations, To Show Manipulative Emotions.......

Just Losing The Hearty Gestation, Through The Red-Chip Rustication From A Few Scientific Corrections ......

Processed Possible Updates !

Endhiran Movie Review - An Enamored Automaton - Version 2.0

2010-10-02T20:44:00.012+05:30

The E-Review, Endhiran's Review has been made with a small attempt of configuring the contents, compatible with the System's Commands.

Scan Version 1.0

Scan Version 2.0

The Second Version of this review has been updated.....Version 2.0 - The Enamored Automaton !

Speed 1 Terra hertz

Memory 1 Zettabyte

Command Process Mode......

An Enamored Automaton, Charging From The Blue-Eyed Kitten

Operates In Binary Codes With Botanic Modes

Along The Romantic Roads.

The Gorgeous Glances, The Metallic Kisses, From The Priceless Princess,

Even Diffuses The Copper Masses Contained In The Neural Spaces.

Even A Computerized Chitti Becomes A

Casualty In The Painted Hands Of The World Beauty!!

Electrical Love, Esoteric Chastity, Explicable Purity, Despite Love From An Entity.......

Machinery Versus Poetry,

Electrons At The Pantry

With An Emotional Chemistry Revolving The Wired Mystery.

With No Blood Shedding,
With No Celebrated Wedding,

With No Bloody Bedding,

With No Breast-Feeding,

The Whole Dealing Was Just A Bit-Wise Reading Of A Dreamy Leading .....!

System Seeks Version Update!

Processing........

Endhiran Movie Review - An Engineered Patron - Version 1.0

2010-10-02T10:04:00.013+05:30

The E-Review, Endhiran's Review has been made with a small attempt of configuring the contents, compatible with the System's Commands.

Scan Version 1.0

Scan Version 2.0

Speed 1 Terra hertz

Memory 1 Zettabyte

Command Process Mode......

Chicken's Egg With Silicon & Titanium

Installing Screens With The Make Of The Millennium

Hard-Core Honing Of Hard Disk In The Cranium

With Variegated Wires Vesting On The Visceral Pandemonium

Official Black-Marketing Set-Up With Filmy Consortium

Scan these commands before the Battery Runs Out Of Lithium.

Feeding The Metals With No Favorite Chips

Fed By The Father, Who Delivered From His Hips

Executed & Evaluated, All By The Inventor's Tips

Whilst, Miscuing The Machine's Improbable Relationships.

With Binary Codes & Beautiful Modes Of Operation

& Booting Every-time With An Updated Avocation.

An Ageless Mineral Acquaints With An Angelic Occupation

To Assault The Ace Scientist With Exasperation.

Calling : Chicken' Egg.....

Be It Finer Parts Of Nickel Or Titanium

The Big Blend Of Make Begs For Bigger Encomium.

Be It The Immortalized Robotic Device Or The Mistress Of The Spice,

Endhiran - The Engineered Patron, Was On The Nose & Nice....!

System Seeks Version Update!
Processing........

Scan Version 2.0

Endhiran Movie Review : Part - I - A Pre-Endhiran Detail

2010-10-02T09:42:00.002+05:30

An abstract of the early life of Our Super Star Rajinikanth’s has been included in the syllabus of 6th standard school children….. Note that, it’s not in the state board syllabus, but CBSE Central board syllabus, under the heading ‘Dignity of Work’……………….

Please find the book cover, contents page and section contents in order!

Milenge Milenge Movie Review - Missing Fortune Jab They Met

2010-07-11T13:56:00.009+05:30

Capsizing Or Contaminating Thrill, as the viewer on the vibrating seat would relentlessly reckon, when he/she watches the Eternal Dateless Duo looking lost in the latest layers on the canvas called ' Milenge Milenge '.

The delayed release, that might have caused a bit of restrained enthusiasm and the yoked verve amidst the media and the moderate masses. The film features the fantastic bit of inwardness, that fills a lot of involvement in their feel, but gets filtered by a fair/unfair part of the fate that supposedly defines the affinity between them. The allegedly professional prime movers of the story, exhibit a mixture of great heartbreaking moments and a few obsolete plots. The utterly simple love-making path that clarifies a tete-a-tete type of a love, holds no emotional word exchange to demonstrate the written feel.

Shahid, doesn't stay entirely stoic as he tends to go when asked for an active role, but tries to play humorous and charming in ample proportions. While, the female protagonist, Kareena Kapoor looks pleasingly absorbing on screen. Though, the intended relation sits right in place, the marvel appears to be a little less, especially after the 'Jab We Met ' and after they sever the story after its "success".

In better words, Milenge Milenge , ' The Serendipity' subject seeks pity.. Big Time ...piques the lovers to meet each other, but Shhh......... Seldom reflects the Legitimacy in The Intimacy.... !!!

Ravan or Ravanan - The Movie Reviews Go Rave : Part III

2010-06-27T15:06:00.015+05:30

Peep into Other Parts:

Part I

Part II

Husband Handling the Hostage in a 'Haq-Se' Like Hold - Conscious doings of right and wrong - Subjective Interpretation of the Demon - Highly Rustic in His Own Attributes - Not The 'Batista' Like Animal we've seen of, Not the 'Vikram' like Vastness visible in his way of dealing - Quite the 'Yuva' kind of species, the tall typical tribal who simply fights for his fondness lost in an injustice - Confessions Of Shyness & Liking - Anti- Heroism To The Core.

The master of suspense cinemas, A.J. Hitchcock once said clearly - "The more successful the villain, The more successful the picture" . In his way of manipulating and interpreting the structure of the character, the smaller b, Abhishek Bachan has emoted well in a rugged fashion. The mental estimations and the talks in cadence , the essence expelled by the protagonist, and crystal-clear intentions that was intended to be present in the screenplay, played a wonderful role in making up of the 'Beera' character.

The healthy comparison made with Vikram was always there, but the ratiocination was laid only in the impact brought about by the two versions and not the individual behavior of the two that was arguably subjective in one's own manner. However, one would not deny that, Abhi, just like Kenny, had made an alarming effort to complement his co-stars in a knowingly/unknowingly demeanor.

This Class act exhibiting the most ruthless nature of the character, also brings in the subtle confession and the cute surrender to the hostage and this promising role of his lifetime, would beget him better understanding of behavioral aspects and finer shades of clarity in expressing or reacting. In fact, in terms of easy doing and breezy behaving, Abhi just does better than kenny, while the latter does more than 'better' in most areas for which he gets the accolades from both the national and the international stretch. However, by means of imparting the 'Devil's Feel', the two classy people of different industries, have done the best jobs of their lifetime, to keep the life of the Beeras', 'Beautifully Brutal'.

Ravan or Ravanan - The Movie Reviews Go Rave : Part II

2010-06-19T22:03:00.020+05:30

Peep Into Part I Here

Part III Here

The Goodness of the Bad & Implicitly, Perhaps The Bitterness of The Good - The Beast-like Presence On-Screen With A Beautiful Brunette By The Side - Sentimental Subtlety Stunning the Co-playing Characters unknowingly - Classy Confrontation With The Cop - Bloody Hell Of A Living Amidst The Lives Of The Beautiful - Rustic Rowdyism in the Roads of Yet To Be Made Roads - Struck by 'The Mistress Of Spice' In a Process - Surrender To The Self - Confessions Of Liking - Anti-Heroism To The Core.

The master of suspense cinemas, A.J. Hitchcock once said clearly - "The more successful the villain, The more successful the picture" . By all

possible means, 'Chiyaan' Vikram tried to cherish all the viewers by playing his life time best role that he considers, by bringing all his experience to team with better masters. He tried to nail every bit of that required trait and played a nice, all encompassing role that was required from a character playing the title role. He always wanted to add his interpretation to the character and perhaps, it looks like he has revisited the history on which the plot was supposed to be based. The movie that talks about the battle of emotions among the three, calls more efforts and performance on the title role - 'Ravanan'.

The 'wait for vengeance look' for the rape of his sister, hails throughout the film in his eyes , except for the last bit of the film, for which he expectantly falls for. The social sensibility he receives amongst his people relates to that bit of goodness found in every other unknown Don. The mental estimations that he makes to himself in his own tonalities and talks in cadence makes him apart too, from the rest of the roles within him. The essence that was bound to be expelled in terms of establishing what was meant to be communicated, was much convincing than, even the intended screenplay. There was just this one man who carried the crux on his shoulders, right from the first jump into the water to the last, but at the same time, paved sufficient way for his fellow performing artists to deliver the necessary emotions. What complimentary co-starring was that... ? Unknowingly unselfish Or Consciously Co-operating...? Class Act... One would undoubtedly call him!

A Fool-Of-An- Ass Of A Role that would have all wild characteristics within himself to finally discover the goodness he reveals to the hostage, also has a promising scope to scoop and exhibit every other detail of what he does and behaves. Perhaps, the very nature of a 'modern-day-psycho' that offers no prior definition of what a character should be, is being overtly misused here. The simple account of 'Anything you do is a psychotic expression since I define the role more than anyone else' was taken for granted. The case looks like any other "Mani Rathnam Film' that fails to clarify behavioral characteristics due to either unprofessional editing or professional censoring. But, the bargaining game looks nicely plaited and the title hero - 'Chiyan' Vikram' has handled the proceedings with utter ease and better breeze.

Ravan or Ravanan - The Movie Reviews Go Rave : Part I

2010-06-18T21:20:00.013+05:30

The Stardom of Rivalry - The Rivals in Stardom - The Real-life Marital Sync - The Lip-Locking Cinematic Blink - The Mrs. & Mr. Ambani Acts Again - The Stakeholder Settles with a 'Mani Gain' - The Southern Spices soak well in the Stellar Rain - & The Oscar Oil anointing without much drain ...............

Raavan (Hindi) or Raavanan (Tamil) , the twins of Mani Rathnam, do not look to piss on that posing canvas, but 'cuddles the eyes of the viewer' in a not-knowing nascent fashion. Perhaps, the coined-up phrase(possibly used here) - 'the state-of-the-art psychological exhilaration' appears to be effectively liberating in the caustic roles exhibited by the protagonists, in both the versions. Before getting to the brass-tacks of making a clear-cut autopsy of this birth, let's sincerely make an effort in analyzing ' One's Approach To Compare The Beera's....... (Perhaps the Indian Prejudice)' !

The American politician Gordon Liddy would rightfully say - " The Press is the peculiar uncle that you keep in the attic - just one of those unfortunate things" . Perhaps, he was very much cautious in criticizing the current-day Press, and was doubly confident in blaming only the existing system, and not the proposed one. Yet, if at all the avuncular press provides a methodical analyses with least intentions of competitive attitude and brighter versions of personal rectitude, in a constructive way, then ................................

Perhaps.... The Beeras' can take their places in the balance for assessment. ..... .......(Continues)

The ' Ravan ' Rahman Rakes ...

2010-05-05T09:04:00.006+05:30

While his global appeal grows by the day, Rahman continues to add to his Bollywood repertoire, the latest being Mani Ratnam’s Raavan. CT gets talking to the Mozart of Madras on the album...
ASHA BHONSLE’S SONG WASN’T USED...
While everyone gushed about Raavan’s music launch with Rahman and Gulzar, Sonu Niigaam tweeted about his song missing from the album. Rahman said, “Unfortunately, because of the narration, we couldn’t fit many songs. We have three more songs that we recorded, but couldn’t use. We had a song with Asha Bhonsle too that wasn’t used. The movie’s narration would’ve halted with so many songs. So, we took a creative decision.”
I WANT TO WORK WITH MANI RATNAM... ALWAYS
Since Roja, Rahman’s been associated with every Ratnam project. And, the camaraderie is “precious” to him. He says, “He doesn’t do three movies in two years, but one in two years. Which means, in about 20 years, he’s done about 10 movies. That translates into a great working opportunity with him. I want to do projects with him. The process excites us both; it’s engaging.”
MANI WANTS ME TO SING
Rahman also sang a number for the flick. But, doesn’t he usually sing a song in all the movies that he does? “Not necessarily. Sometimes, Mani wants me to sing. In fact, he was one of the first persons who asked me to sing.”
YOU LEARN TO COMPARTMENTALISE
Since he works with international artistes like Usher and then comes back to Bollywood, does he ever feel disconnected? “No. When I work there, I feel excited. When I work here, I feel excited. After a while, you learn to compartmentalise and use all the inputs to create a new kind of product. As long as I create music anywhere, I’m in great spirits.”
I TOOK A BREAK FOR A YEAR, WHILE BAGGING AWARDS FOR SLUMDOG...
What happens when you don’t feel like creating music? “I take a break,” he says. So, when did he last take a break? “I took a break for almost a year in 2009... when I was collecting awards for Slumdog Millionaire!”
SLUMDOG..., A TURNING POINT
As the movie got him international recognition, was Slumdog... the turning point of his life? He says that it was one of the turning points. So, which one was the most important? “The most important one was in the ’90s, when Roja released. My life took a 180-degree turn. My direction turned towards spirituality; it became more Sufi. Everything sort of aligned itself in the same direction.”
IF POSSIBLE, I’D VISIT A DARGAH EVERY DAY
Does Rahman always visit a dargah before embarking on a big project? Says he, “I try to. If possible, I would visit a dargah every day. There’s so much spiritual energy. It helps me.”
CHOOSE LOVE
Besides his spirituality, what else makes him tick? “Choosing love. It’s what I’d said in my Oscar speech. Choose love — all my life I had a choice between hate and love, and I chose love.”

Courtesy - Times Of India

Also Read:

Rahmania - More Than Methomania

Mani Mania

Hugh Hefner Hails Hollywood

2010-04-28T09:34:00.002+05:30

A daily from China read briefly:

Hugh Hefner has saved the iconic Hollywood sign.

The Playboy magazine founder donated $900,000 in a last minute bid to stop the famous landmark, which spells out the name of the moviemaking district in California, from being demolished.

Although the actual letters are owned by the city, the land where they stand, over 138 acres on Cahuenga Peak, was to be sold and developed.

However, local charity The Trust for Public Land spearheaded a campaign to raise $12.5 million in order to save it, with the media mogul donating the final amount they needed to reach their target sum.

Referring to the sign as "Hollywood's Eiffel Tower", he said: "My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies. The images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life."

He added: "Helping to save the Hollywood sign a second time made this a very special night. We celebrated at the `Iron Man 2' premiere."

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Hugh's donation provided "the Hollywood ending we hoped for" by enabling the charity to buy the sign from the property developers who had earmarked it as a place to build luxury flats.

Donations toward saving the sign came from all 50 US states, as well as 10 countries and celebrities, including actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg.

Despite the worldwide support, Hugh blasted Californian residents for not fully appreciating the landmark.

He said: "This town never had a good sense of its own history, never had good signs or markers for the sites and streets where so many internationally famous things have occurred."

The sign was initially built in 1923 as an advert for a real estate development called Hollywoodland.

This is not the first time Hugh has saved the sign.

In the late 1970s, he persuaded donors to help rebuild it after years of neglect had left it a mess of battered panels and skeletal metal.

Kate Winslet - Another Victim Of Press

2010-04-12T09:24:00.006+05:30

After years of approving and disapproving media authorization to access 'into' the lives of celebrities, the act only looks to replace stars in it. Academy award winning actress Kate Winslet recently faced severe criticism amidst the press, with regards to her personal releationship with her former husband and her children.

"I don't feel guilty about working now, earlier I did, but that was largely to do with the press. They said, 'She's off and the child gets left behind.' You just want to kill yourself when you read those things," femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying.

"I don't ever have them (the kids) hang out in the trailer, because I don't like the notion that they are sort of beholden to my schedule. I'd rather, you know, give them a big kiss in the morning before I go off to work," she said.

Time and again, the fourth estate has shown its finicky attribute towards excessively popular people and has tried to ridicule the irresolute minds of famous beings and yet again, the victim is again another star!

Kamalahassan Knocks Around Malaysian Mainlands

2010-04-08T13:52:00.011+05:30

After SRK , it's Kamal's turn, rather a responsibility to talk about promoting Indian films abroad. Padmashree Kamalahassn, who celebrated his golden jubilee in film industry last year, was in Malaysia to enhance collaboration of the two films. With ample hopes to explore avenues, Kamal eyed a healthy bond between the two forms of film fraternities. Considering the pleasing fact that Tamils of the Malay are already well-acquainted, the munificent master looked mysteriously satisfied with his speech at the event. He attended a discussion with the National Film Development Corp of Malaysia (Finas) on Monday.

Both parties are looking at jointly producing six to eight feature films as well as starting a visual effects hub in Malaysia for the South-East Asian market.

"Finas saw a glimpse of what I have in my dreamscape for this collaboration. We are talking about going international, " elucidated Kamal

"This sort of a combination would bring a strategic tie-up and the event is just a start of all those important initiatives from the Malaysian government", a source added.

May the tie-up threat the other films abroad...

& May the films make better artists accord!

Kerala State Film Awards 2009 Results

2010-04-07T09:22:00.006+05:30

The awards galloped with just one star making more than the most of the awards given by the Minister of Culture of the state of Kerala. The names were just limited to two - Pazhassi Raja and Paleri Manikam Oru.... Malayalam Super star Mammooty mastered the titles with most awards of the night.

Paranjape proclaimed that the technical masterpiece Pazhassi Raja evoked the bygone era in the best possible way. Considering Mammooty's absence at the event, Renjith reminded of those lovely moments and efforts taken for the film. Swetha won the best actress for her performance in Paleri Manikam ... . Ividae Swarghamanu, the Mohanlal starrer won the best popular film yesterday.

As a general statement, Paranjape, one of the active members of the jury that evaluated 36 films, alarmed that the quality of Malayalam films have come down remarkably.

Clash Of The Titans 2010 - Coolest Of The Revisions

2010-04-01T10:48:00.016+05:30

What's in What?

The remake of the 81 glory,

The rediscovery of the Greek mythological fury,

The renovation of the 3-D history,

& The result of the Medusa mystery ...

With probable places of shoot in wonderful places of London, Iceland, Wales and Ethiopia, the film Clash Of The Titans 2010, movie is all set to hit the global audience this April 2010. Having made sufficient bit of positive talk in the mouths of the critics, the film feels to clear all possible expectations amidst the fans of the original as well. With sources revealing that the chess game involved in the Clash Of The Titans 1981 has been left in the remake. Sam Worthington tries to bring the forever reminiscence of humankind bravery and heroism.

Produced by Warner Bros, along with the Legendary Pictures, director Louis Letterier promises to inspire fairly with his narration and creativity. Clash Of The Titans 2010, is all set to get ample accolades along with box office values...

The LA Times reads like this :

Reporting from London - As decisions go, it was the

same kind that faced the 1970s souls who had to pick just the right warlock-and-serpent mural for their customized van. Should the Pegasus be white or black? Maybe glowing red eyes too? And what if -- instead of noble feathers -- the mighty steed of myth came with a killer pair of bat wings?

That was one of the choices French filmmaker Louis Leterrier wrestled with last summer on the set of "Clash of the Titans," the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures adventure that just pulled in $105.6 million worldwide in its opening weekend.

On a crisp, blue-sky afternoon in a soundstage outside London, the tall, slender director watched with intense focus as his star, Sam Worthington, bulled his wall through the panicked streets of Argos on his way to meet destiny while carrying the head of Medusa in a bloodied sack. It was going to be another marathon day for the director; the Gorgon sister's head might have already been in the bag but there were hundreds of epic decisions ahead for a project that would finish with 1,400 visual-effects shots on the screen....

Read More..

Indian Film Prospects - Who can talk? Who can decide that?

2010-03-31T14:59:00.008+05:30

The Wharton India invited a few film associates to speak about the globalization of mainstream Indian cinema in its 14th Year Meet. Amidst them were a writer, a musician, a screenwriter a CEO and two actors. The list included: Aseem Chabbra, Shankar Mahadevan, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Namit Malhotra and Anil Kapoor-Vidya Balan.

The members spoke about the advantages of international production houses actively participating in India, consistent recognition across film-festivals, positive vibes, a welcome note and more......

The big question amongst the minds of the veteran artists of the film fraternity is - What made Vidya Balan so big after her 'presence' in a few off-beat concept-oriented films. Is it only her presence or has she added a worthy tint to it??

Russel Crowe Lands A Hollywood Star

2010-03-30T16:09:00.003+05:30

Sydney: Gladiator star Russell Crowe is set to be honoured with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April.
The 2404th Walk of Fame star will be given to the New Zealand-born, Australia-raised actor at a ceremony outside the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard on April 12, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
Crowe has been nominated for an Academy Award three times - for The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind - and won the gold statue for the Roman epic......
Read More (Courtesy : Brisbane Times)

Dennis Hopper Gets Hollywood Star

2010-03-29T14:14:00.003+05:30

A frail Dennis Hopper gets Hollywood star :

A bandaged and frail Dennis Hopper was surrounded by friends, family and colleagues on Friday as he was honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
The 73-year-old actor and filmmaker, who is battling prostate cancer, appeared gaunt and was helped to the stage by a friend. Hopper explained that bandages on his right arm and eye were the result of a fall on Thursday outside his home.
The two-time Oscar nominee, who has appeared in more than 100 films, said he came to Hollywood from his native Kansas at 18, "so that was my college."
"Everything I've learned, I've learned from Hollywood," he said. "This has been my home and my schooling."
As Hopper was speaking, a Hollywood tour bus passed slowly by the sidewalk ceremony and the tour guide said over the loudspeaker, "We love you Dennis."
Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch and Dwight Yoakam were among the luminaries on hand to honour their friend and colleague. Nicholson wore a shirt decorated with images from 'Easy Rider', the classic 1969 road film Hopper wrote, directed and starred in, alongside Peter Fonda.
Mortensen, who kissed Hopper on the cheek before approaching the microphone, called his friend of 20 years "a complete and fertile artist" who has been "a constant source of ideas, inspiration and humour for his friends and colleagues."
Another long-time friend, producer Mark Canton, said Hopper is "the coolest guy on the planet," which elicited a broad smile from the ailing star.
"He is a force of nature," Canton said. "He is a world-class original, a legend in his own right, whose impact on the arts and people that he loves so dearly is second to none."
As Hopper's star in front of the historic Egyptian Theatre was unveiled, the actor's 7-year-old daughter, Galen, threw her arms around her father's neck.
Hundreds of camera-toting spectators lined Hollywood Boulevard for the 30-minute ceremony.
Hopper and his wife, Victoria, have been locked in a contentious feud since he filed to end the couple's nearly 14-year marriage in January. Earlier this week, Hopper's attorney said the actor is terminally ill and too weak to be questioned by his wife's attorneys in a deposition.
Doctors approved his appearance at Friday's ceremony because the event was a positive experience.
Source: AP

Aamir Khan Bumps At 45

2010-03-15T11:29:00.004+05:30

Is a 45th birthday a life-altering one?
I don’t think age has had an impact on my way of thinking. It’s learning new things, realising certain things and going through some experiences that have changed the course of your life in the past.

When you see yourself when you look at your 16-year-old son, Junaid?
No, I don’t. Junaid is his own person. Reena and I are very happy with the way our son is conducting his life.

How about your daughter Ira?
(Smiles) She’s still in school and doing very well.

And your brother Faisal, the bonding between you seems to have strengthened over the last year.
Faisal is a strong person, and I’m proud of what he has achieved. He’s been working with me over the past year and I value our closeness.

So what are your plans for the coming months?
I want to learn cooking from my mother. She makes wonderful kebabs and biryani. Then, I want to learn Urdu, my mother tongue, and Marathi, my state language. I’m ashamed that I don’t know these languages well. I can read Marathi because I’ve studied it in school, but I’d like to speak it fluently. I can speak Urdu but I can’t read it.

After three blockbusters over the last three years, I’m told we will have no Aamir Khan starrer to look forward to in 2010 after 3 Idiots.
You’re right. I respect the audience’s emotions but hey, I may not be acting in it, but Peepli Live is still an Aamir Khan film, I’m creatively involved with all three films — Peepli Live, Delhi Belly and Dhobi Ghat — that I’m producing. I can’t neglect my responsibilities. I was busy with 3 Idiots earlier, so these productions were put on hold. The directors waited for me patiently. Now that I’ve fulfilled all my acting commitments, I want to give them all my time and attention.

Buzz is that you’re not happy with Delhi Belly and want to re-shoot it but director Abhinay Deo is busy with his next film featuring Farhan Akhtar.
Like I said, I was busy with 3 Idiots earlier and couldn’t devote time to any of my productions, including Delhi Belly. Abhinay and I spoke about it. I’m happy that he’s doing another film in the interim. I didn’t want his time to be wasted. By the time he finishes the film with Farhan, I’ll have finished with the other two films and we can get together for Delhi Belly. There are no issues between us.

Your nephew, Imran Khan, hasn’t had a good run commercially after Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, with both Kidnap andLuck failing at the box-office. Can Delhi Belly resurrect his career?
Imran is a talented young boy with a bright future. I don’t think one or two films will make any difference to him in the long term. All of us have had hits and flops. In the early stages of our careers, we all go through trying times. It’s part of the learning process. What I am today is largely because of my failures. Failure is a big learning experience.

Priyadarshan wants to do a film on AIDS with you. But though you’ve seemingly approved of the idea, you will decide only after listening to the final script.
At the moment, I can’t take up any film. I have to complete my three productions first. Priyan had spoken to me about the film a couple of years ago. But if he wants to start it right away, I’m not free. Once I okay a script, I give it all my time and attention. Presently, I’m completely focussed on Peepli Live.

Even before its release, My Name Is Khan released was hyped as the next big blockbuster. Apparently, Twentieth Century Fox first issued a release stating that the film grossed Rs 85 crore worldwide in the first three days...But later they sent another release claiming that MNIK grossed Rs 90.2 crore surpassing 3 Idiots’ Rs 90 crore. Subsequently, at Rs 175 crore it’s said to be fast catching up with 3 Idiots’ box-office record. Is this one more instance of one-upmanship between Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan?
(laughs). All this doesn’t matter to me. Whether a film succeeds or fails, it’s out there for everyone to see. Fudging trade figures doesn’t get you anywhere, I’m talking from 20 years of experience. I don’t want to comment on others but if my film works, it’s the audience who say that, not me. And whenever a film hasn’t worked, I’ve always accepted the fact. Period.

There was plenty of animosity between the two of you when you were promoting Ghajini and Shah Rukh was reportedly hyping Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi as a love story that would soothe people after the 26/11 terror attack. Is this proxy war for box-office supremacy an extension of that?
That’s not for me to say. As far as I’m concerned, my priority is my passion towards cinema. I don’t think success is in our hands. I believe that if the film is good and the audience likes it, it will work. Otherwise it won’t, no matter what you do. You can try and fool people for a day or two, but eventually the truth will come out.

Apparently, Avatar filmmaker James Cameron agreed to a panel discussion on cinema on the condition that you were a participant too. Comment.
I’m not aware of that but I’m looking forward to meeting him. I’ve seen his films, Terminator 2 and Titanic. He’s an extremely talented filmmaker, very passionate about his work. It will be a wonderful experience interacting with him.

What points will you raise?
I haven’t thought about it, it would depend on the course of the discussion. I’m keen to know what James thinks and what he has to say. Since he’s a very experienced filmmaker, there’s a lot one can learn from interacting with him.He gave 10 plus years of his life to Avatar because he believed in the subject strongly.

You’ve also stuck to your convictions and backed off-beat projects you believed in. There’s a lot in common between you two.
I don’t know about that but yes, the fact that James gave so many years to realise his dream, speaks a lot about his passion and dedication. I haven’t seen Avatar yet, but I’ll watch it this week.

Looking back, any film you regret doing? Or do you wish it had been made differently?
It’s so easy for me to say that about the films that didn’t do well. But I own up to my mistakes and I value them for all that they taught me.

‘All three films are extremely unusual’

On his next home productions

A lot of films do well at the box-office. What excites me is when a film comes along and changes the way you think. Films like Sarfarosh and Lagaan, more recently,Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots have made an impact socially and that results in a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
This year, I have three films and they are all extremely unusual in their own way. First is Peepli Live. Satires are not common in India and this one is set in a village. It is essentially a humorous film with a strain of sadness. I’m not acting in it but it’s still my film. Writer-director Anusha Rizvi and her team have done a fabulous job.
I don’t expect Peepli Live to compete on box-office collections with 3 Idiots. It’s a small film with some actors who are facing the camera for the first time. The ability of the team to connect is what will determine its success. Given its budget it, I think it will do well. For me though, “well” is defined by whether the audience is wowed by it.
Delhi Belly, directed by Abhinay Deo, is an English film. Even before its release, we are ruling out the non-English speaking audience. And Kiran’s (Wife Kiran Rao) film, Dhobhi Ghaat, is half in English. Another experimental film made because I liked the story. And before you ask, she’s the director in charge. I’m merely the producer and actor in it.
‘I’ve suddenly realised how fragile life is’
My father’s death was a personal loss that is hard to come to terms with. You have to give yourself time to grieve. In fact, one of the reasons why I don’t want to take on any acting assignments in the near future is because I want to spend time with my family.
In the last year, I’ve suddenly realised how fragile life is. I want to stop and spend time with my mom. I want to learn cooking from her. I want to be with my kids.
Kiran and I have accepted the loss of our baby. As human beings, life is not in our hands. We should be thankful to God for what we have and learn to cherish it.
‘This is my reward for the last 20 years’
I’ve always taken my work very seriously and with due responsibility. So I don’t think the award adds to that. But yes, I’m honoured and humbled by the Padma Bhushan. This is my reward for my contribution to art in the last 20 years.
The first thought that flashed into my mind when I heard about the Padma Bhushan was that my parents would be really happy. Unfortunately, my dad is not around to see me receive it. But at least he was there to hear about it.
I was in the US at that time and spoke to dad over the phone. He was thrilled. The national honour gives a lot of joy to people who love me. And I’m happy for my fans and family.
‘I can’t second guess the audience’
Yes, the audience has certain expectations from me. But still, I’ll only do a film if I like the script. When I took on Taare Zameen Par, it was a very small film.
That it went on to do a business of over Rs 100 crores is a separate story. We didn’t know that it would do this kind of business, I don’t think anyone expected it to.
My choice of films is not based on how much the previous one has earned at the box-office. I’m not interested in breaking records. I’m more interested in being a part of cinema that excites me. I can’t second-guess the audience. It’s a relief if I know my own mind.

(Courtesy - Hindustan Times)