Rakhi Sawant's S(ham)wayamwar: Fixed?

Well, well, well, Rakhi Sawant has surely put her small feet in her big mouth with her latest show Rakhi Ka Swayamvar which is more like a S(ham)wayamvar. The length people can go to to get TRPs is not funny. A leading news channel conducted a sting operation on one of the contestants of the show. The guy was married with 3 kids, can you imagine? to top it he claimed that everyone knew that. He was purposely asked to enter as a participant so that it can be 'revealed' later in the show and drama is created. Whew!
As it is the show is boring and whatever little pull Rakhi Sawant has over the audience was diminished further by these kind of 'revelations'. Although the show had great potential if done properly, but the producers had no idea of what to do with this kind of a format.
Rakhi Sawant should stick to her other kinds of publicity seeking stunts rather than waste so much time of the viewers. Moreover the tasks being performed by the participants are worthy in a 'Fear Factor' kind of show. walking on burning coals, trying to choke each other with a rod...eewwww! Who does that to get married? These things are automatically inculcated in your life after marriage anyway.
Who thinks of all these tasks in a marriage show?
eeeks! the shamwayamvar sucks! Big time!

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For The Final Time...Goodbye Michael Jackson!

THIS was the biggest moment ever on this planet...ever...
Move over Akshay Kumar, take a walk Shahrukh, because this man called Michael Jackson was, is and will always remain the biggest ever star of this planet. The tears refuse to dry and yet we can't help but smile, however much we try. Never, I repeat, never will there be another person on this earth who will ever reach such heights as those reached by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
The enigma called Michael Jackson has been finally put away to rest forever. The vocal chords, the moon-walking legs, the heart from where the music came from, everything has gone forever.
The biggest performers and legends paid tribute to the Legend of Pop, the biggest of them could not hide their emotional sense of loss, the greatest of them let go and cried in front of billions watching. This is the kind of frenzy that Michael's death has brought about across all borders of the earth and probably beyond, somewhere too.
Who cries for someone you don't even know? I don't. Yeah, I'm a big fan and I love his music and I AM emotional but I won't cry and all, come on!
But then one could not really control emotions during the live memorial event of MJ's when people shouted, 'come back Michael', when Brooke Shields could not hold back her tears even though she was trying to narrate some funny anecdotes from her childhood with Michael, when MJ's brother broke down as he was closing the ceremony. One could not control the tears from flowing when Janet Jackson brought MJ's 12 year old daughter and asked her to speak a few words. She couldn't say much.

"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine... I just wanted to say I love him so much."

She cried. So did all those billions watching her and...finally one HAD to break down when a million people went silent at the end of the memorial, when the frenetic crowd waiting outside to celebrate MJ's legacy, stood still... when the music stopped and only sniffles were heard, when time almost stood still as everyone tried to grasp the fact that the greatest musician would never sing or dance again.
No words can define the emotions that one feels at this time. Just...
...Goodbye Michael! 'til next time...

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The Great Hindi Movie Con Is On

"The Biggest Opening Ever in the History of Bollywood"
"Massive Super Hit"
"*****- Taran Adarsh Gives 5 Stars to Movie"
You must have seen some or probably all of the above headlines in various magazines and newspapers in recent times. This kind of marketing has been going on since a long time in Bollywood but earlier it was something which really helped the sales at the Box Office. But in today's times, the people have really seen the truth behind these "headlines".

Yet there is still not a sure fire proof that these figures are untrue. Well, let me put it straight to you. I was sitting in a Hindi film Producer's office recently when I saw a copy of a leading Trade Magazine for the Bollywood industry. Guess what, the covers said, "Kambakkht Ishq takes the biggest Opening in the History of Bollywood". You might think what is so shocking about it? The said headline does figure as the first line of this post. Agreed, only that the day I saw it was the day when Kambakkht Ishq had not even released. YES, it was a Wednesday and the film was supposed to release on Friday. Even the paid previews were scheduled for Thursday. Wait, it's not over yet. I called one of my friends who works for the said Trade Magazine and asked him how many days does it take them to print the magazine and his reply was that the copies were delivered to them 3 days ago and it takes a minimum of 7 days to print the magazine before it is delivered to the actual readers (mainly Hindi film Producers). There's more, the same friend had delivered this copy in advance to the producer whose office I saw it the first time. So there! The headline was printed a minimum 10 days before the release of the film. Talk about positive thinking, eh?

P.S. Last heard, there were 'Superhit Headline' posters printed for almost all big budget films but it does not always work as was seen with 'Tasveer 8X10'. My source in Percept Picture Company tells me that they incurred a loss of almost 25 lakhs only on these posters, other than the 40 crores that the film lost.
Ahem! The Con is on...
P.S. Just heard...They are even planning a party for the super success of Kambakkht Ishq. The Bollywood who's who will be attending. This reminded me of the Thursday when 'Phoonk' had a trial show for invitees. I was one of them. Guese what, We were invited for a party on Monday to celebrate the success of the film over the weekend. (These filmy Bollywood PR guys are real astrolgers, I tell you)

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Hindi Movies Latest Shooting Hotspot: Bandra-Worli Sea Link

The first time I laid my eyes on the structure was when it was only half complete, some two years ago. Like a true Bombayiite, I was sure this thing would never be ready before I turn 50 and no longer able to drive a car. But lo and behold! It is here, all done and standing, in all its splendor and glory. Yes, I'm talking about the Bandra-Worli Sea Link which was recently inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi. Although, some people did try to create a controversy with regards to the naming of the bridge, the Sea link has overwhelmed all controversies and Bombayiites.

The reason for writing this on a Bollywood blog is that this spot has now become the latest hot spot for shooting forthcoming Hindi films in Bollywood. Recently Quick Gun Murugan was refused permission to shoot a song on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link because of the heavy crowd and also because there are a lot of Hindi Film makers who are racing to be the first to expose the bridge on film. Let's see who wins the race finally.





View Larger Map

Driving directions to Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

12.8 km – about 14 mins

Suggested routes

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Kalina, Vidya Nagari, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

1.	Head north on Sahar Rd toward I A Project Rd	2.0 km
2.	Turn left toward Western Express Hwy	0.4 km
3.	Slight left at Western Express Hwy	8.7 km
4.	Turn right	21 m
5.	Turn left at Western Express Hwy	0.6 km
6.	Slight right at Bandra-Worli Sea Link	1.1 km

Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Bandra West Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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It's All Over for Shiney Ahuja

The DNA reports have spoken and spoken loud and clear. The maid was raped and raped by none other than Shiney Ahuja as the samples taken from his wounds and semen match those found on the girl's body. Moreover, the scratch marks and the wounds found on Shiney Ahuja have also been used as proof that there was force involved during the dastardly act.
Whew! Guess, it's all over for Shiney Ahuja now. Apparently, Shiney pleaded with the judge to give him bail because he is from a good family and that he has films that need to be shot. Who is this guy's lawyer, anyway? Who in the right mind, could ever think of trying to manipulate the judiciary in such a way? I mean, isn't this ridiculously callous and contempt for the intelligence of the judiciary and the people in general?
Good family, no less! Imagine this guy?
It is also heartening to see that the media is not giving this issue much mileage. For once, they have been responsible and not giving undue publicity to such cases where the wife and the whole family is out on the streets trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame.
Where is the wife now, one wonders, though! Sad for her but then it's better it happened now when she is still young. She must immediately leave him and start her life afresh rather than going around town trying to defend his monster of a husband.
RAPE is a heinous crime and the perpetrator of such a crime should be dealt with in the strictest manner.
Time to rot in Hell, Shiney!

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Michael Jackson: Controversy in Death

It was bound to happen, wasn't it? When someone like Michael Jackson dies, people assume that something must have gone wrong with his death. That's because most of the people are still grappling with the fact that a legend who they loved is no more. It happens with any family. We have seen so many instances in recent times where untimely death of people have caused a controversy like the death of Indian Idol singer Ishmeet in a swimming pool, the student from a top Delhi school who died of an asthma attack, the boy who was ragged to death in a college hostel and a host of other deaths which created a stir in the media for some days and then died down slowly and surely. No one knows, no one bothers about those news anymore and the family is left fending for themselves, trying to get a hold on their emotions.
This is Michael Jackson's death, no less! There had to be some mystery to be solved, some piece of a puzzle to be put in place, some answers to questions and to top it, if someone disappears after the incident, the mystery gets murkier. Like in Mike's death, the doctor went missing. They were searching for him. They want answers. But did anyone for a moment thought that he could have disappeared just to stay away from the limelight for a few days. Let's just imagine if he would have stayed on and tried to answer questions about the death of the greatest icon of the world, the king of pop, Michael Jackson. He would have probably died himself.
I'm not saying there is nothing to the questions. There could be something but there could be nothing too.
Michael Jackson dying like this has only ensured that he will remain a legend for many more eons to come just like Elvis or Marilyn Monroe before him or for that matter our own desi icons like Guru Dutt, Madhubala or Kishore Kumar. They are what they are because they went away early. For example look at our other desi legends like Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand who have almost faded from public memories and are hardly remembered even by our own fraternity members. In fact, someone like Manoj Kumar is even ridiculed in a film like Om Shanti Om, even though he is a legend in his own right.

Timing is everything, they say and going out when people ask 'why', rather than 'why not', makes more sense.
So, maybe there is a silver streak in this tragic moment. Michael Jackson passing over to the other side early might just have ensured his name is engraved into the annuls of historical legends.

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RIP Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was reported dead on Thursday, 25th June, 2009, apparently of a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles.
I still remember when 'Thriller' had first made news all over the world. I was a kid then and did not know much about western music. In fact, not many in India were interested in western music in those times. But then came Michael Jackson and his album 'Thriller' and the rest, as they say, is history.


There will never be an icon as big through out the world as Michael Jackson. Never.
This can be said with authority because of the number of people who know him by his name. You visit the interior small villages of India, where most people might not know the current lot of Bollywood star actors like Imran Khan or Ranbir Kapoor, you will be surprised to learn that they, too, are aware of some singer, dancer from Amrika, who 'breaks' his body when he dances and who has a name like any Indian name 'Jaikishen'.
Jackson will be remembered for many things, including the scandals but one had to just be on the Mumbai roads when MJ came here on a tour to see the kind of frenzy he creates all over the world. There was an almost curfew like situation in Mumbai. Everybody and his father was trying to arrange for tickets for the show. The minister connections were exploited, the policemen were being called by long lost friends for tickets and what the hell, even some of the workers who constructed the stage and lighting, hid inside for days so that they can catch a glimpse of the biggest pop icon of the century.


Bollywood stars were clamouring for is attention. They even stood in a line to shake hands with him at a party he attended for five minutes. Reportedly, many desi stars did not wash their hands for days.
The one thing that the Shiv Sena did right ever, was get Michael Jackson to India. I think Balasaheb will be remembered only for this one good thing that he gave to the nation.

This kind of fan adulation was never seen for anyone before MJ and it is unlikely that this kind of a phenomenon will occur ever again.
Michael Jackson was truly a phenomenon.

'We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter place, so let's start giving'
Heal the World!

May his soul pass over to the other side peacefully.
RIP Michael Jackson!

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