Bush shoe-thrower arrested at Baghdad

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi journalist who shot to fame for throwing a shoe at ex-US president trendpk.comrge W. Bush was detained on Thursday while attempting to hold a news conference in Baghdad.

Muntazer al-Zaidi had been due to hold a press conference in front of the Iraqi capital’s Abu Hanifa mosque in the mostly-Sunni district of Adhamiyah when an Iraqi army unit took him away.

“I have orders for you to come with me,” an army colonel told Zaidi, who initially refused, demanding to see a written arrest warrant.

He was eventually led into an army pick-up truck along with his brother Durgan.

Durgan al-Zaidi said before the news conference that his brother intended to add his voice to calls for a major protest in Baghdad for Friday.

The journalist shot to international notoriety for hurling both his shoes at Bush during a December 2008 press conference in Baghdad, and was eventually sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a head of state.

That was reduced to one year on appeal, and his sentence was cut further for good behaviour. Zaidi alleged he suffered electric shocks and simulated drowning while in custody.

Paresh Rawal does voiceover for Bhandarkar’s film, free of cost

The multi-talented Paresh Rawal has provided only his voice to Madhur Bhandarkar’s Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji.
Says Madhur, “I suddenly realized I needed someone to play the sutradhar, to bring the characters and story together. And I wanted a voiceover that is new to the audiences’ ears. I thought of Pareshji. Ironically, we have worked only once together as director and actor in Aan, a film that I am not too proud of.”
Paresh’s voice is a last-minute addition to Dil To Baccha Hai Ji. It was felt that the characters and their motivations needed some amount of explanation. Madhur rushed to Paresh who sportingly agreed.
Says the actor, “We all need to do these things once in a while. When Madhur asked me I readily agreed. He is not only a fine filmmaker but a good human being as well.”
Like his peer and illustrious senior Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal has seriously cut down on the quantity of his work, to concentrate on theatre in 2011.
Says Paresh, “I’m not very happy with the quality of roles being offered to me. So I am focusing on theatre. I am doing a satire on insurance companies called ‘Kishen Aur Kanhaiya’. As far as films are concerned I’ve only one release this year, Anees Bazmee’s Ready.”
Paresh is disillusioned by the way his more meritorious films are being marketed these days. “I did a really good film Road To Sangam last year. The producer was new and my efforts went to waste. I am now looking at good work in commercial films. I am on the verge of signing two films with one of my favourite directors Priyadarshan.”

Nana Patekar Turns 60

MUMBAI: He loses his temper at the drop of a hat, can flare up unexpectedly and teach the system a lesson. Yes that’s a reel life persona of Nana Patekar. But contrary to his reel life image, Nana is quite reluctant in his real life. He doesn’t believe in raising his voice till needed. The kind of caliber he has, is possessed by no one in the Bollywood industry. He has given Indian cinema some memorable and outstanding performances. Today on the occasion of his birthday, let us go through his career in Hindi film industry.

Born on January 1, 1951, Nana has completed his education from Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai. He made his debut with GAMAN in 1978. He then acted in movies like MOHRE, SALAAM BOMBAY, but it was his film PARINDA where he played the role of villain helped Nana get recognition in Bollywood. The same film got Nana his first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Post to which, Nana had to make space in his home for more trophies. He even won National Film Award for Best Actor for his ground breaking acting in KRANTIVEER.

Nana never stuck to similar kind of roles. Over a span of years, he experimented with every type of role. He mostly played hero in movies but Nana was equally appreciated in negative roles. He played roles like a gambler in KRANTIVEER, a wife beater in AGNI SAKSHI, deaf-mute father in KHAMOSHI and schizophrenic in WAJOOD. He even did a comic role in WELCOME along with Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor.

He ventured into different areas of filmmaking. He turned into a director for his movie PRAHAAR. Nana also sung for songs in films YESHWANT, WAJOOD and AANCH. His song from YESHWANT ‘Ek Macchar’ was a liked by the audience and was a big hit. He also acted in Marathi movies and plays.

In 2011, Nana will be seen in Anees Bazmee’s ITS MY LIFE starring Harman Baweja and Genelia D’souza. The movie is a remake of the superhit Telugu film BOMMARILLU. I am eager to see one more spectacular performance by this star.

Johnny Depp loved being ‘silly’ for new movie

LOS ANGELES: Johnny Depp enjoyed making his upcoming movie Rango as it gave him the chance to “be silly”.

The actor provides the voice for the film’s title character, with stars including Bill Nighy, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin also displaying their vocal talents.

The comedy is CGI-animated, with the actor’s own facial expressions providing a reference for their characters, and Johnny loved delivering his performances on a soundstage alongside his co-stars.

“I think it just gives a bunch of grownups an opportunity to be silly,” he laughed.

The movie is set for release next year, and tells the tale of a chameleon that aspires to be a swashbuckling hero before finding himself stuck in a Western town plagued by bandits. Johnny felt he had a great deal in common with his reptile character, as he too sometimes wonders who he really is.

“Rango is a lizard attempting to adapt to his surroundings,” the star told ET. “He”s trying to figure out what he”s supposed to be, like most of us in life. It”s certainly like nothing I”ve ever done before, or any of us have ever done before.”

Big B lends voice to Aamir Khan Productions’ Delhi Belly

Not too long ago, the media was rife with tussle between the ‘perfectionist’ Aamir Khan and the stalwart of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan, over the latter’s film Black. When everything seemed lost, there was an olive branch extended and Bachchan and Aamir once again became close friends. Now Bachchan Sr. will be lending his voice to Aamir Khan Productions’ forthcoming film Delhi Belly.

One may recall, Amitabh Bachchan, had lent the voice earlier too for Aamir Khan’s first home production Lagaan.

Couple of days ago, Aamir and Kiran were seen visiting Amitabh Bachchan on sets of a film where he was shooting. After a long closed door meeting and catching up, they left almost after two hours. And yesterday morning Amitabh Bachchan dubbed in a suburban studio for Delhi Belly.

Bachchan’s voice-over will also be heard in the first trailer of Delhi Belly that will be attached with Dhobi Ghat on Jan 21. The said piece will be an introductory piece and what’s interesting is that Aamir has written the piece.

Aamir has been concentrating and working diligently with Abhinav Deo the director on the final edit of Delhi Belly.

Delhi Belly stars Imran Khan, Kunal Roy Kapur and Vir Das in lead roles.

Sunny Deol to copyright his voice?

What makes a star a star? Is it his looks, his acting skills or his power at the Box Office? Well, for Sunny Deol, apart from all this, it’s his voice that stands out the most. Not too long, ago it was Amitabh Bachchan who was gung ho about copyrighting his voice, now we hear that Sunny is also following suit.

Bollywood Hungama has learnt that the actor whose film Yamla Pagla Deewana is all set for release is intent on getting his vocals copyrighted. Though the star is currently busy with the promotions of his film, it is said that he will be going ahead and acquiring the copyright once his film is released.

Deepika’s ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ song to be used in rave-party sequence

Deepika Padukone is getting into shape to shoot the sizzling ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ track for Rohan Sippy’s film of that title, at Yash Raj Studios on Tuesday. The Anand Bakshi-penned song re-written by Jaideep Sahni (who has scripted Yash Raj’s Chak De and Rocket Singh – Salesman Of The Year) and re-composed by Pritam Chakraborty will be choreographed by Bosco-Caesar. The song will be shot in utter secrecy.

And now in the film’s leading lady Bipasha Basu’s absence (she’s in Australia shooting for Roland Joffe’s Singularity) the song is all set to sizzle with Deepika dazzling on the dance floor, her second item song. The first was with Shah Rukh Khan in Billu. This time she go-goes it alone.

Says a source from the crew, “It’s a rave-party song. Deepika will be seen dancing to ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ at the party. At the end of the song, cop Abhishek Bachchan will raid the rave party. So even he can’t be part of the song.”

Adds the source, “‘Dum Maaro Dum’ could never have been filmed on Bipasha. Her character cannot be present during the time when the song happens.”

However, that’s not the impression Bipasha had been given.

The song is being shot in a great rush. Apparently, composer Pritam Chakraborty has not even decided on the voice to be used to sing ‘Dum Maaro Dum’.

“They’re going ahead to shoot the dance with a scratch recording,” whispers the source. Let’s hope Bipasha doesn’t raid Deepika’s rave party before Abhishek does.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Rejects RGST

Lahore, News Trends :- The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) will not support the federal government on the issue of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) and will not allow the government to increase the burden on the masses, party Chief Nawaz Sharif has said while
addressing a public gathering in Sheikhupura on 11th December. Nawaz Sharif took a right stand and suggested the Pakistan People’s Party-led government should focus on eliminating corruption instead of increasing taxes. He urged the need of a revolution needed to combat the troubles faced by the people, and to fight unemployment, poverty and injustice.

An IMF team is present in Islamabad to ensure implementation of tax reforms. The reforms in the general sales tax to be introduced through proposed General Sales Tax Act, 2010 would help achieve the desired target of documentation of economy and would remove exemptions available to various sectors. Some informal sectors are also to be brought under GST regime which is even more than formal sector. Documentation required through the proposed legislation would not only to document each and every transaction after import or local production at all levels but also to help document annual turn over of the businesses for determination of income tax liability of the registered entities.

There is no doubt the State is in dire need of increasing its tax revenues by broadening its tax base which has increasingly became distorted and narrow-based due to poor Government policies. But it is duty of the Government to keep the tax burden as low as possible and increasing the numbers of taxpayers simultaneously ensuring that taxes are applied equally and fairly to everyone. The government should rather reduce tax rates on income and business profits that help to sharpen incentives to work and create wealth in the economy as a strategy to enhance long-run growth. Tax base should be broadened by levying Direct taxes on “pay as you earn” basis instead of levying frequent indirect taxes like RGST which is highly inflationary and passed on by the suppliers to the final consumers, or highly taxing the people through escalation of prices of oil, electricity and gas etc. The overall taxes that a person pays can be reduced by proper planning and making appropriate adjustments; it should be governed by people’s ability to pay, that is, wealthier individuals or firms with greater incomes should pay more in tax while those with lower incomes should pay comparatively less and every sector of the economy should be taxed.

The current system of taxation is completely ineffective – which needs to be revolutionized by bringing more people in the tax-net. Corrupt, inept, dollar-hungers and downright cheesy characteristics sums up the personal attributes of the vast majority of Pakistani politicians and generally the closed club of Pakistan’s ruling elite, barring few gentle exceptions. They formulate the policies keeping in view their personal interests instead of that of the nation. Policies are modified even for one person or one class. Due to these reasons a good tax culture could not find roots in Pakistan. Only poor of the poorest and salaried class persons comes in the net of taxation and “elite club” is always exempted from all sorts of taxes. The MNAs, MPAs, Minister and other Government dignitaries who want taxes from the poor public, themselves do not pay taxes. Pakistan’s Taxation system is characterized by widespread tax evasion, and annual tax evasion by the “Elite Club” comprising politicians, military and civil bureaucracy, and some businessmen stands at around Rs.1000 billion. Just imagine many ministers – majority of whom are feudal lords with big land holdings – including Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, paid taxes based only from their salaries as lawmakers, not from their private fortunes. There are even ministers who have paid less than 10,000 rupees (US$117 ) as their annual income tax. Due to a non-transparent process and weak accountability system, public sector expenditures are officially misused by the ruling elite, thereby, kickbacks and pilferage of revenue is in connivance with the public officials.

The state is responsible to provide basic fundamental rights and facilities but has totally failed to fulfill expectations of the poor people. People are more frustrated when they see the ruling elite’s social life and their living standards. If you go down in the markets or any other public places and listen to people’s views, you would wonder whether our politicians are in touch with their people or doing something for them. This is in sharp contrast to the common people. We should admit that non state actors, militants and extremists have again consolidated their positions due to the government’s poor policies. This is perhaps the last chance for our ruling elite to mend their ways and restructure their policies and politics in line with the people’s expectations. To impose a Reformed General Sales Tax on an already highly impoverished society is not the answer, especially since this is more likely to worsen an already untenable situation as legions of micro-businesses react to the new tax by shifting to the informal sector. The correct response is to strengthen direct taxation, especially on the wealthy land-owning elites who dominate Pakistan’s quasi-feudal society. Introducing land value taxation and strengthening tax compliance among rich people and companies should be the medium term priorities. They should keep in mind; only a surfer knows the feeling.

In the end, I would humbly request my brothers and sisters countrymen for God sake; your vote is your voice and there is more power in it then in most things you do. It is a lost pleasure, the power of that voice. Use it. It should make no difference if that one comment does not carry the decisive power, but it will resound in Pakistan. Raise your voice for an independent judiciary; rule of law and social justice, rake over coals the renegades and traitors. Choose your brave and honest heroes out of your own rows, salute them, and help them help you! Due to our constant wrong use of vote or avoiding its use, corrupt politicians have created the issue of survival of Pakistan and Pakistani society. On the one hand people are committing suicides due to starvations and financial hardships and on the other hand assets of a few politicians, bureaucrats, and some businessmen are expanding with each past day. Stand for your rights and social justice from today. God will help us, Inshallah.

Angelina, Brad at Paris film premiere

PARIS: It”s one of the most romantic cities in the world. And judging by tonight, Paris has rubbed off on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

The couple appeared smitten with each other as they appeared at the premiere of Brad”s latest film Megamind in the French capital.

The couple arrived warmly dressed in black to keep out the Parisian cold, with Angelina sporting a velvet trouser suit and sparkling top.

Brad, who provides the voice of Metroman in the animated film, wore leather trousers and a dark grey suit jacket.

They appeared smitten on the blue carpet, with Brad at one point planting a kiss on a delighted Angelina”s cheek and holding hands.

Brad also wrapped his arm around his partner as they chatted to the film”s star Will Ferrell.

Angelina also spent time with the waiting fans, signing autographs before she went inside.

The couple had spent the previous day with four of their six children as they celebrated their son Pax”s seventh birthday by having a hot air balloon ride and riverboat cruise.

”They were like any other family,” the balloon”s operator told People.”There was nothing out of the ordinary to tell you about them which made them any different from any other family.”

He added that the ”charming” couple had a 20 minute ride with the children who were ”excited but well-behaved. What I think they wanted was a little moment of peace.”

Singer Toshi Sabri critically injured in road accident

Singer Toshi Sabri, who shot into fame with the reality show ‘Star Voice Of India’ has also done his set of playback singing in films like Jail, Jashn and Veer amongst others.

As fate would have it, as he was returning back to Mumbai from Shirdi, after a show, the singer met with a near fatal accident and is admitted in the Wockhardt Hospital in Nashik.

When the news last came in, he was undergoing a surgery. Toshi’s brother Sharib said that Abdul Atik, who played the dholak in the troupe, died on the spot, while Toshi and others have suffered major injuries.

Next Page »