‘Heroine’ starts moving

Here’s piping hot news! Madhur Bhandarkar and UTV’s joint production HEROINE is all set to roll. Finally. Madhur had approached Kareena Kapoor to enact the title role, soon after completing the script. After several meetings and discussions on the script, the actress politely turned down the offer for reasons best known to her. Later, Madhur decided to put the project on hold and start something fresh. But the script of HEROINE countinued to remain close to Madhur’s heart.

Well, the latest on the project is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has stepped into this prestigious project. Though she’s yet to sign on the dotted line, the actress has agreed in principle to enact the title role in this hard-hitting, realistic film. HEROINE will be shot non-stop for two months, starting June first week.

Watch this space for more news-break!

Indian Lt Gen PK Rath Punished

Breaking News NEW DELHI: Lieutenant General P.K. Rath, who was found guilty in the Sukhna land scam by an Army Court in New Delhi, was on Saturday handed down a sentence including a two-year seniority loss and forfeiture of 15 years of service for pension purposes.

Lieutenant General Rath was found guilty on three counts — firstly for providing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of the building next to the Army headquarters in Sukna, secondly for signing a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with the private builder and thirdly for not informing the Eastern Command headquarters while the process was being carried on by him.

“To take rank and precedence as if appointment as substantiating the Lieutenant General bore dated May 24, 2010, forfeiture of 15 years service for pensionary benefits and severely reprimand,” General Court Martial (GCM) Presiding Officer Lieutenant General I.J. Singh said in his verdict.

This verdict will now have to be confirmed by the Army Chief and the Defence Ministry.

The land scam came into the open in mid-2008 and the names of Lieutenant General Rath and Lieutenant General Avadhesh Prakash figured among the senior army officers who influenced the decision to issue the NOC to a Siliguri-based private builder to construct an educational institution on a 70-acre land adjacent to the Sukna military station in Darjeeling.

The private builder had floated a trust – Agarwal Geetanjali Education Trust – to set up an affiliate school of the prestigious Mayo College in the area.

Federer eyes return to top in 2011 after ATP win

LONDON: Roger Federer believes his ATP World Tour Finals triumph against Rafael Nadal will provide him with the perfect springboard to return to the top in 2011.

Although Federer is publicly adamant he has nothing to be disappointed about over the last 12 months, privately he will feel a nagging sense of regret at the loss of the world number one ranking to Nadal, who also took the French Open and Wimbledon titles from the Swiss star.

That was what made the 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Nadal in the final at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday so significant for the world number two.

In Federer’s mind, his record-equalling fifth title in the prestigious end-of-year event was secondary to the message the win sent to Nadal and his other rivals at the top of the rankings.

“I’m happy I made my ninth final this season. I’ve won five titles, won a slam. That obviously

Madhur Bhandarkar to receive Zenith Asia Award

He is a filmmaker par excellence for whom winning awards is second nature. After all, he has even won the prestigious National Award on more than one occasion. He is none other than Madhur Bhandarkar, director of hard-hitting films such as Chandni Bar, Page 3, Traffic Signal and Fashion.

Madhur is now being honoured with yet another award which is the Zenith Asia Award. The filmmaker is surely elated at being chosen for the Zenith Asia Award, which is also popularly known as the PL Deshpande Award.

PL Deshpande was a renowned writer, stage and film actor and his literary works are still revered in Maharashtra and others parts of the world. The award will be presented to Madhur at a function in Pune on November 16.

Ghulam Ishaque Khan’s 4th death anniversary today

Staff Report

KARACHI: Today marks the 4th death anniversary of Ghulam Ishaque Khan. He was the seventh President of Pakistan (from August 17, 1988 until July 18, 1993). As the president of the country, he dismissed the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif over charges of corruptions. He died on October 27, 2006.

Khan was born on January 20, 1915 in a small village in the suburbs of Bannu District located in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa . He attended Peshawar University where he received his double B.S. in chemistry and Botany, followed by his M.S. in nuclear chemistry.

Despite of his educational field, Khan joined the civil service and became a career bureaucrat. He was appointed to the prestigious Civil Service of Pakistan after independence in 1947.

His son-in-law is senior politician Anwar Saifullah Khan. A grand-daughter of his is married to

Naseem Begum’s 39th death anniversary today

Staff Report

KARACHI: Today marks the 39th death anniversary of Naseem Begum. She was a popular, well known Pakistani playback singer. She rose to prominence towards the end of the fifties and by 1964, had managed to win the prestigious Nigar Award on five separate occasions. She died on September 19, 1971.

Naseem Begum was born in Amritsar, British India in 1936. She acquired her musical training from classical singer Mukhtar Begum, the elder sister of the renowned ghazal vocalist, Farida Khanum.

Composer Shehryar was incredibly impressed by her vocal range and gave her the opportunity to perform in his film, Begunah.

Naseem’s song ‘Nainon Mein Jal Bhar Aayey’ was an instant success and became one of the film’s most popular tracks.

She rose to prominence towards the end of the fifties and by 1964 had managed to win the prestigious Nigar

Peepli Live to be India’s official entry at Oscars

Aamir Khan has done it again. His latest release Peepli Live has been selected as 2010′s India’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category. After Lagaan, this is the second time that an Aamir Khan Production’s film has been selected to compete at the prestigious Academy Awards. However, now it remains to be seen whether Peepli Live will get short listed by the Academy to compete at the Oscars.

Peepli Live is the story of Natha, a poor farmer from Peepli village who is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the very same government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival, Natha can choose to die. However, Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim of this situation.

Peepli Live is written and directed by Anusha Rizvi.

Live Chat: Vikramaditya Motwane on July 22 at 1430 hrs IST

Each year there is a new breed of filmmakers who impress us with their sheer ability to narrate a story convincingly. Vikramaditya Motwane, director of this week’s critically acclaimed film Udaan, is yet another addition to the list of young and talented filmmakers.

Vikramaditya’s very first film Udaan managed to make it to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival which is indeed a commendable and rare feat. As Udaan continues to garner appreciation from one and all, we give you a chance to have a live video chat with the man behind this magical film- Vikramaditya Motwane. All you need to do is log on to Bollywood Hungama on Wednesday, July 22, at 1430 hrs IST and keep your questions for Vikramaditya ready. Enjoy!

Wishing Katrina Kaif a very happy Birthday

They say that there is no question in this world that is without an answer. But, we tell you that there indeed is a certain question that even Gods fail to answer! And the question is that ‘Where on Earth did the Lord Almighty get the patience and the right amount of perfection when He made Katrina Kaif, the phenomenon who celebrates her birthday today!’

For starters, Katrina is the very same lady, who was born to a Kashmiri Muslim father and a British Christian mother. Katrina, before her graduation from the prestigious Harvard University, got a life changing opportunity to say Cheese to the glam world. Lucky we! And the rest they say is history. The year gone by has seen Katrina rising high and higher. Right from the films that she does till her brand endorsements, she is superhit by all means.

You too can be a superhit fan, by simply posting your wishes for Katrina below:

Yash Raj Films to launch youth films division

After venturing into the TV space last year, Yash Raj Films, one of the country’s top production houses is all set to launch a new films division that would specifically target the youth. The division which is apparently called Yash Raj Youth will work towards promoting new, young and fresh talent.

Most of the actors, directors, script-writers who will be working for this division will be youngsters. Commenting on this, Rafiq Gangjee, VP- Marketing and Communications YRF said, “Yes…we are launching a new youth films division. However, we will sign new talent on the basis of the requirement of the script and characters, not necessarily limited to the 16-22 age groups.”

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