Film critic Nikhat Kazmi passes away

Noted film critic Nikhat Kazmi passed away this morning after losing her battle with cancer, sources said. She was 53. Kazmi had reviewed films for 'The Times of India' since 1987. She had also written a few books on cinema, the sources said.

Several Bollywood personalities expressed shock and grief over her death.

"Was truly shocked to hear about the untimely death of Nikhat Kazmi...the TOI critic of several years...prayers and thoughts with her family. Death is always a reminder of life that most of us do not lead," filmmaker Karan Johar wrote on

micro-blogging site twitter.

"The first ever review I read of 'Refugee', my first film, was by Nikhat Kazmi. She always pointed out the road to improvement to me. RIP ma'am," actor Abhishek Bachchan said.

"Tragic news. Extremely sad to know about the demise of Nikhat Kazmi, one of the most persistent film critics. Am sure wherever you are, it'll be a five star rating, RIP. May God give strength to your loved ones," tweeted actor Akshay Kumar.

"The country lost one of the finest film critics today. RIP Nikhat Kazmi, may god give strength to your loved ones," filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said.

Actress Bipasha Basu said, "Life is so unpredictable. RIP Nikhat Kazmi."

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt too paid tributes to Kazmi.

"Nikhat Kazmi ji the one person who has always encouraged me. Wrote so beautifully and one film critic I respected a lot! May her soul RIP," Neil tweeted.

"Nikhat Kazmi was generous! Having come to terms with mortality she made it a point to look for something good in every film she viewed," Bhatt said.

Actors Sonam Kapoor, Dino Morea, Arjan Bajwa, and director Ken Ghosh too expressed sorrow.

Bollywood actor Lara Dutta gives birth to a baby girl

 Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta has given birth to a baby girl today. Her husband and renowned tennis player Mahesh Bhupati tweeted the news,” "ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dutta Lara. I Love u...."

The 33 year old actress is expected to have given birth to a healthy child. Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupati had tied the knot on February 16, 2011.

Lara Dutta made her debut in Bollywood in the year 2003 with 'Andaaz'. She had won the Filmfare award for best newcomer for the same film.

Fashion of 1970s is back Amitabh Bachchan

At 69, megastar Amitabh Bachchan makes quite a style icon with his designer jackets, suits, sherwanis, kurtas and sometimes, also his casual look! But he senses that the fashion world of 1970s is making a big comeback nowadays.

"They say fashion repeats itself after some years, so if you have saved some of the clothes of the 1970s, it is very likely that in a couple of years, spending for new latest designs would not be necessary," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

A style icon of his times, the tall and handsome actor, who used to wear bell bottoms, says he let go of some of his belongings of the era, sometime back.

"I threw away an entire bunch of my old sunglasses and the kids could have killed me for it! They are all back in fashion again," he added.

One with a liking for sunglasses and spectacles, Big B says he misses the shades he wore in the 1978 movie 'Don'.

"I met some friends of this generation at a social evening and they asked me where I had got those tinted glares I wore in 'Don'. I told them they were my personal. They yippied and yupped about it, until I told them I had thrown them away," wrote the actor, who still has a penchant for eyewear.

Actress banned in Iran after posing nude

 Actress Golshifteh Farahani, who played Leonardo DiCaprio's love interest in 'Body of Lies', has been banned from her home country Iran after she posed nude for a French magazine.

Farahani, 28, says she has been contacted by the Iranian government, telling her that she is no longer welcome in the country and advising her not to return home, the Daily Mail reported.

The black-and-white photo features Farahani posing against a black backdrop with her hands strategically placed over her breasts. The photo was first published in Madame Le Figaro.

She later posted the photo on her Facebook page, drawing visitors from around the world. The actress has been vocal about her protest against the restrictive Islamic codes of her country. Farhani currently lives in France.

 

'Rockstar' leads nominations at the Apsara Awards

Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Rockstar' is leading the nominations pack at the upcoming Chevrolet Apsara Awards 2012 with 14 nods. The Imtiaz Ali directed film is closely followed by Vidya Balan starrer 'The Dirty Picture' and Zoya Akhtar's 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.

Movies that are in the running for the best film category are Rajkumar Gupta's 'No One Killed Jessica', Imtiaz Ali's 'Rockstar', Rohit Shetty's 'Singham', Milan Luthria's 'The Dirty Picture' and Zoya Akhtar's 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.

Priyanka Chopra (7 Khoon Maaf), Katrina Kaif (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan), Rani Mukerji (No One Killed Jessica), Mahie Gill (Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster), Kangna Ranaut (Tanu Weds Manu), Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture) are competing for best

actress in a leading role.

Nominated for best actor in a leading role are Salman Khan (Bodyguard), Shah Rukh Khan (Don 2), Emraan Hashmi (Murder 2), Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar), Ajay Devgn (Singham). Shreya Ghoshal has bagged two nominations for 'Teri Meri'

(Bodyguard) and Saibo (Shor in the City) while Sunidhi Chauhan has been nominated for her foot tapping hits Te Amo (Dum Maaro Dum) and Aa Zara (Murder 2) for best singer female.

In the best singer male category Mohit Chauhan is leading with his two tracks --Saada Haq and Naadaan Parindey (Rockstar), Akon for Chammak Challo (Ra. One), Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for Teri Meri (Bodyguard) and Mohammed Irfaan for Phir

Mohabbat (Murder 2).

Actors nominated in the supporting role category are Rana Daggubati, 'Dum Maaro Dum', Randeep Hooda 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster', Gulshan Deviah 'Shaitan', Naseeruddin Shah for 'The Dirty Picture', Emraan Hashmi 'The Dirty Picture' and Farhan Akhtar for 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.

 

Ranveer Singh to act in the Hindi remake of 'Magadheera'

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh will play the lead in the Hindi remake of 2009 Telugu blockbuster 'Magadheera'. 'Magadheera', a historical-drama-love story, will be remade in Hindi by Anurag Kashyap and Vikas Bahl's production company Phantom.

The film was dubbed and released in Malayalam as 'Dheera-The Warrior' and in Tamil as 'Maveeran'. For the Hindi version, rumour mills were abuzz that

Ranbir Kapoor would do the film. However, Ranveer, who was last seen in Adtiya Chopra's 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' has been roped in to play the central character.

"'Magadheera' is a passion project for us at Phantom and we are so excited to have the rights to recreate this magical piece of work. Ranveer is the best thing that could have happened to it. He has all the ingredients to be a passionate lover, a warrior and an entertainer all at the same time," Bahl said.

The lead actress and the director to helm the project are yet to be finalised. The Hindi version, is reportedly being made with a budget of Rs 50 crore and the film will go on floors later this year.

Rajnikanth website really runs without Internet

It may sound like another Rajinikanth joke, but a new website dedicated to the superstar runs 'without an Internet connection'! Visitors to www.allaboutrajni.com are greeted with a warning that "He is no ordinary man, this is no ordinary website. It runs on Rajini Power" and are advised to switch off their Internet connection to enter the website.

Only when the web is disconnected, one is allowed to explore the site.

Netizens can trace the story of the legend from the beginning, read inside scoops from his films and get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes action, while browsing through famous Rajini jokes about impossible feats only he can achieve.

"The unbelievable spectacle of running a website without the Internet is a tribute to Rajinikant's larger than life image," claimed Webchutney's creative director Gurbaksh Singh, who developed the site for Desimartini.com.

With a heady mix of foot-tapping music, vibrant splash of colours, quirky quotes and illustrations, and icons in true Rajni style and lingo, the unique website reflects Rajini's signature style.

Singh told PTI that the website is based on a complex algorithm running in the back-end that keeps an eye on the propagation of data packets between two terminals.

Magic kicks in soon as the Internet speed is down to zero, which is the basic premise on which the site and the concept have been constructed.

The humour element on the website is accentuated by the error message in typical Rajini style that appears if a visitor attempts to re-connect the Internet.

"Aiyyo! That was unexpected. To keep browsing, switch off your Internet," reads the message.

"The website has received a phenomenal response and has gone viral with several thousand hits and counting, along with innumerable shares and mentions across the web, especially on popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter," Singh said.

"After a few iterations and testing, we cracked the code required to build the world's first website that runs without the Internet - a website that runs offline - which is as awesome and unbelievable as miracles and stunts associated or performed by Rajni himself," he said.

Kodak bankruptcy dims once bright Hollywood star

Kodak's star may never shine again in Hollywood.

The bankruptcy of the American icon that invented the handheld camera is reverberating beyond Wall Street and around the world's entertainment capital. Insiders say Hollywood may be on the verge of scaling back a decades-old symbiotic relationship, and seeking business alternatives.

Kodak's star began to fade in the late 1990s as digital technology began chipping away at its century-long stronghold on film distribution. But the company still provides a significant amount of film to Hollywood and it remains a presence in the land of make-believe, where the Kodak Theater is home to the Oscars.

Sources say major studios - listed among Kodak's top unsecured creditors because they are owed millions of dollars in film rebates - fear they will not get repaid and have started to look elsewhere to buy film.

Major entertainment companies listed among Kodak's top 50 unsecured creditors include Sony (6758.T), owed $16.7 million; Time Warner's (TWX.N) Warner Brothers, due $14.2 million; Comcast (CMCSA.O) NBC Universal, short $9.3 million; Viacom's (VIAB.O) Paramount Studios, owed $6.8 million; and Walt Disney (DIS.N) Studios, $4.2 million.

Bankruptcy experts say Kodak's creditor arrangements are up for scrutiny. Two sources with knowledge of the contracts say most of these debts are related to film rebates owed to the studios who buy film from Kodak on a picture-by-picture basis. The price of film varies and often drops as a studio uses more, which is why they are often owed rebates.

"In bankruptcy, Kodak will have the option to continue with these arrangements," said Edward Neiger of Neiger LLP, a New York based bankruptcy law firm.

But he noted that if Kodak decides to continue with any contracts, it must demonstrate it can still make its payments under the contracts as they come due.

If it decides to reject contracts, "they will only have to pay what is owed in bankruptcy dollars," which is discounted from the original amount, and then the counterpart would be free to find other partners.

All the studios were either unavailable for comment, declined comment or had no immediate comment.

HEDGING BETS

One of the two sources, who works for a company that buys film from Kodak and spoke on condition of anonymity, said studios have been stockpiling Kodak film in anticipation of a bankruptcy filing. Now, they are also talking with other film suppliers, like Fuji (4901.T).

That executive said he received a letter from Kodak on Thursday stating it would continue to supply film but not addressing the matter of its debts - a potential sticking point in future relationships.

At its peak, Kodak probably generated about $500 million from film distribution for motion pictures annually, experts estimate.

In addition to setting the standard for 35mm film, Kodak also won numerous Oscars for technical achievement. Its founder, George Eastman, was named an honorary member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Chris McGurk, CEO of Cinedigm (CIDM.O) and former COO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc, said that in the late 1990s, studios, filmmakers and theater chains stepped up efforts to digitize movies, eventually rendering Kodak's staple 35 millimeter film a relic of the past.

"Kodak failed to recognize the game-changing impact the digital technology would have on the film-making business. Those who didn't see it have fallen by the wayside," McGurk said.

"It's easy to see how that could happen. Industry has been resistant to change and projection film on 35 mm had been happening for 75 years but the fact is that the world has changed and digital takes enormous costs out of the distribution system."

WIDENING RIPPLES

Beyond mere film supply, speculation persists that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hosts the Oscars, may exercise an option in its contract that allows it to find a new home for Hollywood's glitziest awards show.

The Academy said in a statement it has not begun venue negotiations for the Oscar telecast beyond 2013.

But many industry watchers feel the Oscars may want to disassociate itself from Kodak - or prepare for the company to become a punchline at the upcoming Academy Awards.

"I don't think it's good branding at all for the Oscars to be associated with a bankrupt company," branding expert Adam Hanft, CEO of Hanft Projects, said.

About 10 years ago, Kodak agreed to pay $75 million to Hollywood developer CIM Group LP, which owns the building, over some 20 years to see its name on the 3,400-plus-seat theater.

The film academy has a 20-year deal with CIM to host the Oscars there, with an option in the 10th year to explore other venues or renegotiate the rest of the lease term.

A third source who was familiar with the situation said the film academy is currently at the 10-year point of its lease, stoking speculation the Academy would at the very least use Kodak's precarious financial situation as leverage to negotiate a better deal.

"The fact that Kodak committed that much money to a deal, when they were desperate for cash and funds for R&D, shows how short-sighted they were," Hanft said.

The ripples of the bankruptcy extend even to the Magic Kingdom. In 2002, Kodak and Disney announced they had renewed a multiyear promotion accord first set in 1989, which marketing experts said could be valued at tens of millions of dollars.

Under the original deal, Kodak paid Disney for the rights to use Disney characters in promotions and advertisements worldwide, and to advertise its products on Disney's cable television channel and in Disney publications.

In 2002, the companies renewed their alliance and provided for sales and promotion at Disney properties of traditional film and one-time use cameras; on-site photo processing and services; provision of imaging kiosks; and other services.

Neiger said this deal could be revisited as well.

"One of the biggest assets that Kodak has going for it is its brand-name recognition and its goodwill. Very few companies have the name recognition that Kodak has. It's up there with Xerox and General Motors," he said.

"Some of this goodwill can be attributed to Kodak's high-profile placements, such as its sponsorship of Disney and the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are held."

"In its bankruptcy, Kodak will analyze whether they're getting the right bang for their buck with these arrangements, or whether the money could be better spent elsewhere, for example, on R&D."

Sundance opens with eye on broken American dreams

The Sundance Film Festival opened on Thursday night with four features, including a documentary highlighting America's housing crisis, the fractured American dream and values humbled by today's lackluster economy.

The documentary, 'The Queen of Versailles', follows self-made former billionaire and timeshare mogul David Siegel and his wife Jackie, who at first glance may not seem in touch with many Americans who have struggled in the current, downbeat economy.

The film, which debuted Thursday night to a packed house and solid applause, opens with the couple constructing their dream house: A sprawling 90,000 square foot mansion named 'Versailles' inspired by the French palace.

But the story eventually comes to resemble many of the lessons learned by those who have lost their homes, jobs and experienced the effects of the economic crisis.

"The American dream has always been this idea of home ownership," director Laura Greenfield told Reuters, but the film shows the Siegels dealing with the slumping economy, like many in the United States, and "how they downsize and cope with the situation," eventually rediscovering what is important to them.

"They do take on this everyman quality that ends up putting them nearer to us in terms of the overreaching of America and downsizing and getting back to core values," said Greenfield.

'Versailles' is one of several high-profile films here that show Americans tackling problems associated with the weak economy, greed and dreams reevaluated.

"It's no secret that times are dark and grim," Robert Redford, whose Sundance Institute for independent filmmaking backs the festival, the largest gathering for U.S. independent filmmakers, told reporters on Thursday.

Even though Americans were experiencing some hopelessness, including a Washington in "paralysis," Redford said Sundance audiences could be upbeat because while some films "might be reflective of these hard times...there is not paralysis here."

10 DAYS; 100+ FILMS

Overall, there are more than 100 fiction and documentary films showing at the festival that runs for the 10 days in the ski resort town of Park City, Utah, east of Salt Lake City.

Other opening night screenings include two fictional tales, 'Hello I Must Be Going' starring Melanie Lynskey as a demoralized, divorced 35-year-old who moves back in with her parents and "Wish You Were Here," an Australian film starring Joel Edgerton as a man clinging to a shattered family.

'Searching For Sugar Man', competing in the world documentary section, completes the opening night lineup. It is one of many films here centered on musicians and shows two fans looking into the mystery of how a would-be 1970s rock icon declined into obscurity.

Festival director John Cooper said the opening night films reflect the choice of more experienced storytelling at a festival that prides itself on being a launch pad for careers and for premiering low-budget hits like 'Little Miss Sunshine' and documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

"We like a filmmaker who knows the ropes -- something that will play well," he said.

Of all the opening films, Greenfield's 'Versailles' was the most hyped. Adding to the buzz, David Siegel sued the filmmakers and Sundance for defamation over promotional materials for the film, but Greenfield said she could not comment on the lawsuit.

Coming into the festival, other films on which audiences and buyers are focused include Spike Lee's 'Red Hook Summer', 'Red Lights' with Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver and Robert De Niro and Stephen Frears' 'Lay The Favorite' starring Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

'Bachelorette', with Kirsten Dunst and Isla Fisher tells of a group of young, single women casting aside bitterness at a hedonistic bachelorette party. Numerous other stars are expected to appear including Kate Bosworth, Chris Rock, Julie Delpy and Paul Simon as the tiny, snowy town transforms into promotional suites and film parties.

Redford talked of the "two sides" of Sundance with marketers having descended upon its success years ago and at times misplaced hype, but said it was still a place for indie filmmakers to find their feet.

Sundance is offering filmmakers a new service this year advising on the latest methods of Internet distribution and Redford heralded more freedom and control for filmmakers by releasing films and reaching audiences via the Web.

"It's pretty obvious we are in a period of tremendous change," he told the opening film audience. "We embrace it."

Films are like vacation for me: Ekta Kapoor

TV czarina Ekta Kapoor is in seventh heaven following the stupendous success of her production 'The Dirty Picture'. She says producing TV shows makes her feel at home, while making films is almost like a vacation.

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world...you might say, that you love Paris, but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial 'Kya Huaa Tera Vaada'.

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added.

Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra, has produced films like 'Love Sex aur Dhokha', 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai', 'Shor In The City' and 'Ragini MMS'. She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better.

"Whatever I am today, is because of television. So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better. Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing 'Shootout at Wadala' with Sanjay Gupta.

The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like 'Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum', 'Rock The Shaadi' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2' lined up for release

I was born to act, not sing or paint: Manoj Bajpai

Some actors weild the paintbrush, while others exercise their vocals chords. But actor Manoj Bajpayi doesn't see himself venture into either fields as he believes painters and singers are born talented -- and not created.

"I love paintings, but I believe painters are not created, they are born. The same applies to music. I tried my hand at singing, but failed everytime. I have realised that every person is born to do a special task, I am born to act while these painters are born to paint," the 42-year-old actor said here while inaugurating a painting exhibition.

Meanwhile, Manoj, who had two releases 'Aarakshan' and 'Lanka' in 2011, has a busy calendar this year.

"First is 'Chittagong Uprising', distributed by Anurag Kashyap and Sunil Bohra. Then there is 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. I still have to work out other projects but in all, there are expected to be at least four of my releases this year," said the National award-winning actor.

He first won the National award for best supporting actor for his performance in 'Satya', and his second award came as a special jury trophy for his work in 'Pinjar'.

Manoj started his career in 1997 with 'Tamanna' and went on to do films like 'Satya', 'Shool', 'Zubeidaa', 'Pinjar', 'Veer Zaara' and 'Raajneeti'.