Age no hurdle, job must be done: Amitabh Bachchan

JAIPUR: After a hectic trip to the Ajmer dargah, Amitabh Bachchan came to the city where he met scribes at a press conference. The Big Man of the film industry spoke to TOI. Excerpts:

Many critics believe that the film Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap has a slow first half and a well-edited second half? Do you think some more sequences and scenes could have been incorporated to make it an wholesome and interesting film?

I don’t think so. People have their own opinions and suggestions. I had seen the film not as the actor, but as a cinegoer at a theatre after a long time in Hyderabad. Let me tell you, I liked the film in totality and I was actually entertained by the talented director Puri Jagannadh’s project.
Did you experience any pain, lethargy while shooting for the film especially in the fight sequences, since you are almost 70?

When I have been assigned a job, I can’t shy away from it because of my age. I gave my best to ensure that all scenes especially the fight ones looked real. I did not experience any pain and let me tell you that I accomplished the job well within the stipulated deadline.

Given a choice, will you act with your grandchildren?

It depends on whether they would want to act. It also depends on the script and the role I am offered. I would be thrilled to share the screen space with them.

You have been a successful blogger. People have liked your writing style. Since there’s a dearth of good scriptwriters, would you like to try in this domain?

I personally believe that writing in Hindi cinema needs improvement. I don’t think scriptwriting is my cup of tea. Mujhey Kahan likhna aata hai bhai saab.

Filmmakers are coming up with projects which have a social message. What is your take on corruption and the quota issue?

I think corruption and reservation are becoming major problems. I am doing a Prakash Jha film Aarakshan. I think filmmakers should definitely come up with more films and ideas depicting social messages.

Sun Pictures CEO held

CHENNAI: Chennai police on Sunday arrested W Hansraj Saxena, chief executive officer of Sun Pictures, for allegedly cheating a film distributor to the tune of Rs 82.53 lakh. He was held as he came out of the city airport around 7.05 pm after a visit to Hyderabad.

Based on a complaint by the Kanda Films distribution head TS Selvaraj, K K Nagar police swung into action. Saxena has been charged under sections 406 (punishment for cheating), 420 (cheating), 385 (putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code.

Saxena was taken to the concerned police station from the airport and later produced before a magistrate who remanded him to police custody.

According to police, RK Reddy films produced the Tamil film ‘Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai’ starring Vishal. The movie was taken over by Sun Pictures.

Selvaraj who has been in the film distribution business submitted before the city police commissioner JK Tripathy, that Sun Pictures failed to give him Rs 82,53,374 lakh for the distribution rights he is owning. When Selvaraj tried to contact Saxena, he allegedly threatened him with dire consequences.

Saxena was named in the FIR registered by police here in 2010 for ransacking the checkers hotel in Saidapet area. However, police didn’t take any further action. While addressing the mediapersons at the his office, city police commissioner Tripathy said the checkers hotel attack case was pending before the court. There had been a buzz across the city for the past few days about Saxena’s imminent arrest.

“As Selvaraj has lodged the complaint against Sun Pictures, after detailed interrogation of Saxena, the other key personnel of the company will also be roped in the FIR,” a senior police officer said.

Bond of life: 007 ties knot

LONDON: British actors Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz have married, a US representative for Craig said on Sunday.

“They are married,” said an LA spokesman for the 43-year-old actor, best known for playing superspy James Bond in the film franchise. He provided no more details.

People magazine said the couple, who were first cited as a couple last autumn, married in a quiet ceremony in New York on Wednesday.

Weisz, 41, won an Oscar for her role in ” The Constant Gardener” and starred in ” The Mummy.” The newlyweds play husband and wife in the upcoming “Dream House” , due out in the US in September. The British actors had been quietly dating. The wedding previously was reported by the British newspaper News of the World.

Craig is the latest James Bond and will star in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” He entered the international spotlight when he starred in “Casino Royale” and ” Quantum of Solace” as James Bond.

The James Bond star, who was married to actress Fiona Loudon for two years (from 1992-94 ), has a 19-year-old daughter, Ella. Craig was also involved with Satsuki Mitchell, before calling it quits in early 2010. Weisz, 41, who split from ‘Black Swan’ director Darren Aronofsky last November, has a five-year-old son Henry

Coming soon: a horror story on American Fritzl’s victim?

London, Sept 20 (ANI): Publishers and Hollywood studios have begun a multi-million dollar bidding war for the rights to sex slave Jaycee Dugard’s horrifying life story.

Fresh details of the American Fritzl’s victim have emerged, including that in the early days of her captivity, the terrified schoolgirl was so hungry she ate bugs and worms in the rambling back garden where she was held in tents and lock-up sheds, reports The Daily Express.

She had to use a garden hose to shower outside, even in winters, say detectives guarding her and her two daughters, fathered by kidnapper Phillip Garrido.

However, the public apparently is desperate for the full story of how Jaycee, now 29, survived after being snatched on her way to a school bus stop when she was only 11.

A New York literary agent, who estimates the book and film rights to be worth up to 12million dollars, said: “You couldn’t dream up a script like this. Americans can’t wait to hear the story from the girl who lived it.”

A Hollywood studio producer said: “Everyone is in the market for this story. Poor Jaycee’s life may have been hell for 18 years but she’ll never want for anything for the rest of it.”

Garrido, a registered sex offender, has been linked to six child abductions and murders stretching back years within a 400-mile radius of the ramshackle home in Antioch, California, where Jaycee was held. (ANI)

Jennifer Aniston keeps fit by running around horse track

Washington, September 20 (ANI): Jennifer Aniston has been running hard to maintain her fitness while shooting new film ‘The Bounty.’

The actress reportedly woke up at 5a.m in the morning and ran laps around New Jersey’s Monmouth Park racecourse to the surprise of the crewmembers.

“She showed up every morning at 5am to run laps on the giant oval for a solid hour before cameras rolled,” Contactmusic quoted a source as saying.

“She’s really disciplined about keeping fit. She’d get there before everyone else and zip around that huge track like a winner!” the source added.

The ‘Break-Up’ star apparently prefers running to other fitness regimes as it keeps her thighs and calves toned.

Even earlier this year, it was reported that she woke up at 3am to work out so that she could stick to her busy shooting schedule.

A source said at the time: “Jennifer has had a totally overhaul for this film. She wants to be seriously fit, yet remain curvy.

“There are a lot of early starts on set, so she has had to get up at 3am to get two hours in the gym before getting ready for filming.” (ANI)

Suzanne Somers says chemotherapy killed Patrick Swayze

New York, Sep 19 (ANI): Actress Suzanne Somers, who is herself a cancer survivor, thinks that chemotherapy has killed Patrick Swayze.

The ‘Three’s Company’ star gave her opinion on the ‘Ghost’ star’s death while speaking to Shinan Govani at the party for Tom Ford’s movie, ‘A Single Man’, at the Toronto Film Festival.

“They took a beautiful man” and “put poison in his body,” the New York Post quoted her as saying.

Somers, who has a book about cancer coming out next month, said: “Why couldn’t they have built him up nutritionally and gotten rid of the toxins? . . . I hate to be this controversial . . . but I have to speak out.”

Other stars present at the party included Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, and Colin Firth. (ANI)

‘Dirty Dancing’ town planning memorial for Patrick Swayze

London, Sep 19 (ANI): Locals of a North Carolina community, where Patrick Swayze’s film ‘Dirty Dancing’ was shot, are planning a memorial service for the late star.

The ‘Ghost’ star died on Monday evening after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

The town of Lake Lure will pay homage to the 57-year-old during a memorial service on Saturday evening at Firefly Cove, a housing development that was Camp Chimney Rock when ‘Dirty Dancing’ was filmed.

Many outdoor scenes in the film were filmed there, as was the cabin of Johnny Castle, Swayze’s character.

While the memorial service is free, visitors will be asked to donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Rev Everette Chapman, who will be speaking at the memorial service, said that the town’s residents remember Swayze as a kind family man.

Chapman, who lived at Lake Lure when the movie was filmed but did not meet the actors, said he would talk about Swayze’s determination to live each day to the fullest.

“I’ll ask people their memory of him and just talk about him as every woman’s heart-throb and every man’s envy,” said Chapman.

Although organisers have no idea how many people to expect, they have still arranged for police officers to help with parking. (ANI)

Hundreds take part in ‘Ram Baraat’ in Agra

Agra, Sept 17 (ANI): Hundreds of people here took part in ‘Ram Baraat’, which is a part of the Ramlila celebrations.

Jeetander Chauhan, a worker, who erected the decorations for the celebrations, said that people were happy that god was among them.

“We are feeling that Lord Ram has appeared among us. Hundreds of people have come to witness this famous god’s marriage,” said Chauhan.

Maya Sharma, a devotee, said that women were also excited about this deity marriage.

“I’m really feeling good that ‘Baraat’ procession of Lord Rama and Sita is taking place. We are feeling good that god himself is present here,” said Sharma.

Every year, a new locality is chosen in Agra and festivities last for three days and the area is elaborately decorated with lights and flowers. The area is given a major face-lift befitting the venue for the divine marriage.

The marriage procession sees marriage between saint Shaligram who represents Lord Ram and holy Basil plant, which represents Sita, his wife.

The place is lit up with thousands of lights and non-stop music. The cinema theatres run film shows throughout the night to accommodate the migratory crowd.

These three days are like a carnival when people from all walks of life come together to have a great time.

The history of Ram Baraat is said to be around 125 years old, when Lala Kokamal, a cloth merchant, started the tradition of three-day festivities, revolving around the royal wedding. (ANI)

Megan Fox tired of fame, sexiness

Washington, Sep 17 (ANI): It seem that Megan Fox is tired of her fame and sexiness, for she doesn’t want to let people know more about herself.

The 23-year-old actress is currently promoting new film ‘Jennifer’s Body’ at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Although the ‘Transformers’ star never complains about being the hottest female star in Hollywood, she does seem a little tired of all the attention she is getting.

Asked whether playing a high-schooler made her nostalgic for her own high school days, Fox dodged the question saying that she’d instead like to “go back to a time where I didn’t have any responsibility.”

In fact, she seemed wary of the exposure she has had recently.

“I feel like I cling to my privacy and I don’t need to expose myself further to people,” Fox News quoted her as saying. (ANI)

Theron will not play Kidman’s wife in sex-change drama

Washington, Sep 16 (ANI): South African actress Charlize Theron has turned down a role in a new movie about the first person to undergo a sex-change operation.

Theron, 34, was to play as Gerda Wegener, the wife of artist Einar Wegener opposite Nicole Kidman, 42, in ‘The Danish Girl’, but she recently turned down the role.

Kidman will star and co-produce the project, which is adapted from David Ebershoff’s novel about Wegener, who underwent a procedure to become a woman in the early 1930s.

Tomas Alfredson, who will direct the film, is refusing to let the casting hiccup upset his filming schedule.

“We have been in talks for close to a year, and we are soon going into production,” Contactmusic quoted him as having told Daily Variety. (ANI)

Clooney not a Facebook, MySpace fan

Melbourne, Sep 16 (ANI): American actor George Clooney has revealed that he would rather have a rectal examination on live TV than join Facebook or MySpace.

Clooney, 48, who is not a fan of the social networking sites, says that he prefers the medical intrusion to creating his own page.

“I’d rather have a rectal examination on live TV by a fellow with cold hands than have a Facebook page!” the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Clooney apparently treated his new girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis, “like a princess” while they were in Italy for the Venice Film Festival. (ANI)

Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford to go head to head with Lincoln biopics

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Steven Spielberg will continue work on his new movie based on the life of Abraham Lincoln, even as Robert Redford is making another biopic on the former American President.

Spielberg insists his film will be quite different from Redford’s version.

It is reported that Spielberg’s film tilled Lincoln will have the American Civil War as its plot, while Redford’s The Conspirator will deal with the events leading up to the former President’s assassination in 1865.

Contactmusic quoted Spielberg as telling Daily Variety: “We are very happy that Redford will be doing this Lincoln movie.

“It is completely different from what our DreamWorks Lincoln movie will be, and we believe that it will add to the commercial potential of our film. Lincoln as a subject is inexhaustible.”

The Jaw’s director had announced Lincoln earlier this year but the project has been delayed due to funding problems and changes in script. (ANI)

Ambika Soni reaffirms commitment to Public Service Broadcasting Trust

New Delhi, Sept 15 (ANI): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has renewed its commitment of financial support to the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT), a Delhi-based NGO.

Under the plan scheme component for production of documentaries through NGOs, the Films Division would grant funds to the PSBT, which has been short-listed for production of documentaries for the current financial year.

In the past also, the Doordarshan and the PSBT have had a successful public-private partnership.

Over the past nine years, a large number of documentary films have been funded by the Doordarshan.

Among the National Non-Feature Film Awards-2007, at least four of such joint productions of the Prasar Bharati and the PSBT have won accolades.

Speaking on the occasion of ‘Commemorating 50 years of Public Television In India’, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni invited suggestions from the luminaries of PSBT Trustees for making the Public Service Broadcaster-Doordarshan more vibrant and interesting while retaining its commitment for healthy entertainment suitable for family viewing.

Soni also reiterated that her Ministry would continue to strive to encourage creative skills so long as they honour the sensibilities of all single television viewing families.

The Minister exhorted the young filmmakers – particularly those who are the beneficiaries of the PSBT-Ministry fellowships, to take up the challenge of making relevant programmes for particularly the marginalized strata of society.

“The Doordarshan is the only channel with the widest terrestrial reach which caters to the remotest and border areas often neglected by the commercial interests of other channels,” she added.

She also invited stalwarts like Shyam Benegal (a PSBT Trustee), who had made the memorable ‘Bharat ek khoj’ serial for Doordarshan in the past, to contribute meaningfully to Doordarshan again.

Adoor Gopalkrishnan (Chairman PSBT)’s new film “Oru Pennum Randaanum”, funded by Doordarshan was screened on the occasion. (ANI)

Presley’s ex-bodyguard co-producing tell-all biopic

Washington, September 15 (ANI): Rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley’s former bodyguard is all set to reveal how his life used to be during his time with the tragic entertainer in a new biopic.

Sonny West will talk about Presley’s sensational rise to fame, his tragic demise, and struggle with drug addiction in feature-length film ‘Fame and Fortune’.

He will be a co-writer and co-producer of the film, reports Contactmusic.

According to Daily Variety, he has signed a deal with Toronto-based film company RLF Victor Productions in this regard.

West was employed by Presley from 1960 until 1976, one year prior to the star’s tragic death after suffering a heart attack. (ANI)

Antarctica’s secret water network far more dynamic than believed

London, September 15 (ANI): The first complete map of the lakes beneath Antarctica’s ice sheets reveals the continent’s secret water network is far more dynamic than we thought, and could be acting as a powerful lubricant beneath glaciers, contributing to sea level rise.

According to a report in New Scientist, Ian Joughin at the University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues developed the map.

Unlike previous lake maps, which are confined to small regions, Joughin and colleagues mapped 124 subglacial lakes across Antarctica using lasers on NASA’s ICESat satellite.

The team also observed the lakes draining and filling.

While interior lakes tended to be static, many coastal lakes changed significantly. Some even appear to be connected by channels under the ice hundreds of kilometres long.

For instance, when upstream lakes under the Recovery glacier drained 3 cubic kilometres of water, lakes downstream gained a similar amount.

Water flowing under glaciers can act as a lubricant, causing land ice to accelerate into the sea and add to rising sea levels.

“The implications for the flow of ice are potentially quite significant,” said Andy Smith of the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, UK.

“Those lakes with no clear drainage channels are of particular interest because they could be spreading a thin film of lubricating water under glaciers,” he added. (ANI)

Colin Farrell to become dad again

London, Sept 14 (ANI): Actor Colin Farrell has finally confirmed that his girlfriend Alicja Bachleda is pregnant.

Rumours started off after Bachleda was spotted sporting a suspicious bump at the Los Angeles LAX airport.

The Irish star confirmed the news at Toronto Film Festival in Canada without divulging any more details.

According to the Daily Express, on being asked about the baby news, the ‘In Bruges’ star said, “Yes”.

The 33-year-old Irish actor and Bachleda began dating earlier this year (09).

He already has a five-year-old son, James, with his ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave. (ANI)

Colin Farrell’s bust-up with photog over sis

London, Sep 14 (ANI): Irish actor Colin Farrell reportedly became very furious with a photographer at the premiere of his new movie ‘Triage’ after the latter shooed his sister off the red carpet.

Farrell, 33, was at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on September 12 with his sister and personal assistant Claudine when the incident took place.

The snapper had asked Farrell’s sister to step away from his side so that he can get a clear shot, but the actor became infuriated with the suggestion and confronted the photographer.

“I was just saying, ‘Please can everyone clear the carpet, move on’. He took it personal. He said, ‘Do not shout at my sister like that, do not ever speak to my sister like that ever’,” the Daily Express quoted Joe Alvarez as saying. (ANI)

Ship used in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ stolen

London, September 14 (ANI): The ship used in the film Pirates of the Caribbean has been stolen.

The vessel was legged from Customhouse Quay in Greenock Renfrewshire.

The raiders also took some cash, an 8x12ft American flag, a survival suit and a life ring.

But the US flag, an immersion suit and a life belt were all later recovered.

The ship, which was built for Marlon Brando’s 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty, has apparently sailed the world as a major tourist attraction.

“It is unbelievable. This ship has sailed all around the world and has never been robbed. But as soon as it gets into Greenock it gets turned over,” the Sun quoted a source as saying.

The theft took place on Saturday morning, only few hours after arriving to give Scottish fans a rare glimpse on board.

Captain Robin Walbridge – who has skippered it since 1995 – said: “We don’t hold this against the people of Greenock.”

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: “Inquiries are on-going.”

The replica vessel had featured in Pirates of the Caribbean- Dead Man’s Chest. (ANI)

‘Scared’ Kristen Stewart ‘stocks garlic to keep away vampires’!

Washington, September 14 (ANI): Actress Kristen Stewart is reportedly so scared of vampires that she keeps a huge stock of garlic at home to keep them at bay.

The ‘Twilight’ star, who plays Bella Swan in the hit vampire series, was said to be so terrified of the mythological blood-sucking creatures that she hangs pouches of the foodstuff on her bedroom door.

The 19-year-old even keeps an emergency stash in her car, according to sources.

The ‘Twilight’ actress, who plays Bella in the vampire film franchise, is so terrified of the mythical blood-sucking creatures she festoons her home with cloves of garlic in an attempt to deter them.

“People are always remarking how smelly it is, but Kristen doesn’t care,” Contactmusic quoted a source as telling National Enquirer magazine.

“She’s been afraid of vampires for years, even before she signed up to do the movies, and read somewhere that garlic is supposed to repel them,” the source added. (ANI)

No more romantic leads for Michael Douglas

London, September 13 (ANI): Actor Michael Douglas has said that he no longer gets offers to play romantic-lead in movies.

“No love-interest stuff for me now,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

The ‘Basic Instinct’ star spoke about his character in new courtroom drama ‘Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.’

He said: “I play the bad guy, the rough old villain. My character is that duplicitous meanie I somehow specialise in.”

Douglas and wife/actress Catherine Zeta Jones recently moved from Bermuda to an apartment in New York, to make it easier to pursue his film career. (ANI)