Catch the first song of ‘Lootera’

Director Vikramaditya Motwane has re-created the magic of bygone era in the film Lootera, and has cast Sonakshi Sinha and Ranveer Singh together for the first time. It’s been quite a while since we saw the film’s trailer; of course, after watching it the first song was eagerly awaited.

So, here it is -- Sawar Loon -- the first song of Lootera in the saccharine sweet voice of the Indian Idol fame Monali Thakur, picturized on the beautiful Sonakshi Sinha and the debonair Ranveer Singh. Unlike the lingering somberness of the trailer, the video of Sawar Loon has a rapturous feel.

The song also gives you the little storyline of how the two lovers meet for the first time, because the video starts with a few dialogues between Ranveer and Sonakshi. Yes, it’s love at first sight for the two, and the song focuses on their growing fondness for each other.

Sawar Loon is composed by the talented Amit Trivedi, and the composition is a far cry from the contemporary Bollywood romantic songs as it takes heavily from the melodies of the 60s and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

The less said the better! Watch the sweet-silent love blossoming between Sonakshi Sinha and Ranveer Singh in the song Sawar Loon from Lootera:

IPLgate: Sreesanth mistakenly arrested? Shocked B-town reacts!

Indian pacer and Rajasthan Royals player S. Sreesanth has been 'falsely or mistakenly' arrested by the police, his lawyer said Friday.

Speaking to reporters, his lawyer, Deepak Prakash said: "Sreesanth has been falsely or mistakenly arrested. They (Delhi Police) have got some wrong information or mistakenly arrested him."

Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates - Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested late Wednesday and accused of spot-fixing in Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The cricketer-trio and 11 bookies have been charged with cheating and criminal conspiracy.

According to police, Chavan Friday broke down under interrogation and has accepted his role in the spot-fixing scandal. However, Prakash said the confession had "no value".

"They (players) have to confess before the court. Police can say anything, it has no value at all," said Prakash.

"Anyway, Sreesanth is not confessing. Though his name has been involved, there is no issue with Sreesanth. He will fight it out.

"He is completely cooperating and has explained his innocence," said the lawyer further.

The lawyer also rubbished accusations that Sreesanth used a towel to signal bookies, before the start of an over that he would be giving away runs, saying that a majority of players use towels due to hot weather.

"It's a very casual thing. Ninety percent of the players use towels. The match was played at 4 o'clock... the towel was needed," he said.

Celebs react to IPL spot-fixing

Following the arrest of Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandilia from Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premiere League on charges of spot-fixing, and Indian pacer Sreesanth's involvement yet to be confirmed, celebrities took to twitter and registered their reactions. Here's what they said...

Shilpa Shetty: We at Rajasthan Royals in shock with this news,coming to terms with it. Will react once we have more info and concrete evidence on the matter. RR is a team that fights with integrity, Rahul being a front runner. Sad this has happened so close to the Playoffs. This too shall pass.

Raj Kundra: When asked the repeated question, is IPL fixed, my answer is always IPL teams can't be fixed, but individual players who lack integrity can.

Shekhar Kapur: Shocked at spot fixing in IPL? Why? It's huge stakes, financial manipulation and pure entertainment."It's not cricket O'l Chap" Of course it's not.

Goldie Behl: Cricket is now entertainment, should be viewed like a well scripted movie and betting should be legalised. #spotfixing


Mandira Bedi: Nothing hurts a game and its fans more than match fixing. Most disturbed to hear about the recent fixing charges. #Sreesanth #shame And the worst of it is that they play for a team whose captain is one of the most honorable men in cricket. #spotfixing #shame

Siddharth: A friend of mine said this today. 'The long walk uphill to restore credibility to cricket starts again'. Well said. Sad sad day. #shame

Rohit Roy: After a hard fought game at Wankhede last evening, woke up to the shameful and disturbing news about Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila. Most frustrating for a cricket lover who lays out all his emotions while the game is on and quite a long time after... Sad.

Chetan Bhagat: IPL is private teams playing for money. If you think it's more than that, the joke is on you. It's entertainment for TRP. Anything goes.

Ken Ghosh: Shocking to hear about spot fixing in IPL. Punish those guilty.

Kunal Kohli: Match fixers should not just get life ban but should also be banned from commentating or anything to do with the game for life. Do not taint the entire game because of a few cheaters. Game is bigger than few cheats. Catch them, life ban them. Don't attack entire #IPL.

Manoj Bajpayee: How can a sports person go against his own team? Beyond any logic.

Other eminent sports personalities tweeted...

Harsha Bhogle: Money in sport not bad, like any other profession. It is what you do with it that's good or bad. Must educate, but that can only do that much. Maybe fear works better?

Ayaz Memon: Have to wait for evidence against players before passing judgment but what's startling is they belong to team which has won most admiration. Can't imagine what Dravid must be going through...

'Dhadkan 2' set to go on floors this year

Dharmesh Darshan's directorial venture 'Dhadkan' had hit the silver screen in 2000. Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Shilpa Shetty starrer film bagged rave reviews from audiences as well as critics. The charm of the romantic drama produced by Ratan Jain has still not faded in the hearts if the audiences. Taking a dig at the viewers' response, Jain has decided to create the sequel of the film which will go on floors this year.

The film was highly liked by the audiences as it was based on a love triangle between Akshay, Shilpa and Sunil.

"The people have been asking me about the plans of making 'Dhadkan 2'. And I am really happy to inform everyone that we have decided to create the sequel of the film which will go on floors this year," Jain revealed in a statement.

Discussing about the theme if the sequel, Jain added, "The feel of the film will be the same, but we know that the the age has changed a lot and we will keep that in mind."

Titled "Dhadkan 2 - The Heart Beats Once Again", the sequel is expected to release in 2014.

Darshan will wield the megaphone for the sequel and he feels it will be challenging to replicate the success of the first movie.

Darshan, who goes behind the camera after a gap, says he is "humbled and honoured" and promises to "give 'Dhadkan 2' as much or more than I gave to 'Dhadkan' itself..."

"Yes, to follow up what is considered a classic is challenging," he added.

Priyanka locked "Sexiest Back" tag in Bollywood

Priyanka Chopra is one of the most sought after actresses in Bollywood, but the actress is also popularly dominating the sex appeal charts ,the most recent being one conducted by a popular website where Priyanka Chopra topped the list of the "Sexiest Backs in B-Town".

Beating the likes of her contemporaries, Priyanka Chopra dominated the poll,winning 26.05 percent votes.

Flattered by the tag says Priyanka Chopra, "I am flattered to be conferred with the title of The Sexiest Back! The credit for this goes to my gene pool and my trainers".

As per the sources, "Priyanka Chopra is one of the fittest actresses in Bollywood and has remained consistent in that sense since her very first film……Apart from hitting the gym regularly despite her hectic schedule combined with yoga and a balanced diet…Priyanka has never slacked on the fitness front and has never been under the fashion critics radar courtesy her super toned body".

Sonam kapoor all for water conservation

Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor has called upon her friends, family and fans to conserve water. She has lent support to a campaign Pani Bachao Life Banao.

A three-month-long corporate social responsibility initiative by 92.7 BIG FM, the campaign aims to create awareness about saving water in the country.

`People should follow simple tips at home to save water, like using buckets for bath instead of showers, not keeping tap open with water running and many such small vigilant steps that contribute to creating larger difference in the society,` Sonam said in a statement.

"Water being the basic necessity of life we all should avoid wastage of water in any manner and conserve it in every possible way,` she added.

The fashion diva is currently at the ongoing 66th Cannes International Film Festival, where she has gone as an ambassador of a beauty product brand.

Movie Review: 'The Great Gatsby'

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Amitabh Bachchan

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann

Rating: * * * 1/2

Baz Luhrmann's lurid, 3-D take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" works despite itself. Jay Gatsby's doomed love for Daisy Buchanan is in danger of getting subsumed in the glitter of 1920s New York, which unravels in a montage of Charleston and chatter, but the film thankfully finds its soul just in time.

The director of "Moulin Rouge" - in familiar territory as he painstakingly recreates the Jazz Age when mammon ruled the New York of lofty mansions and giddy parties - rescues his film to leave behind an aching loss of a love that was never to be.

It's a much loved, much discussed book. The enigmatic fabulously rich Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio, quite wonderful) who hosts heady parties and the callow Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) with her wealthy, not quite genteel and definitely racist husband Tom (Joel Edgerton).

She lives in East Egg and he in West Egg across the bay hoping that she will one day waltz into one of his parties, fabled in all of New York. They were once in love but she gave up on him and got married instead. And he, now rich just for her, waits. And waits,

Watching from the sidelines is the silent Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), Daisy's cousin, through whose eyes the story unravels as he writes a book.

Till the interval, their story seems almost lost as the director, it seems, concentrates all his efforts in setting the backdrop.

The filming is loud, often over the top. Snowflakes coming at you through 3D, pearl necklaces flying in wild abandon, words from Nick's book floating in the air. In contrast is the dark, edgy world between the city and the affluent suburbs, the valley of ashes.

And then, just when I'd about given up finding the connect that I had been looking for, this gilded, conflicted world comes alive.

The scene at Nick's cottage when a nervous Gatsby waits to meet Daisy after five years is very effective. Thanks in great measure to DiCaprio, whose jumpiness well almost jumps out - and not because of the 3D.

The pivotal scene at the Plaza where the denouement of the troubled trio plays out is also well done.

Gatsby pleads with increasing urgency to Daisy that she declare her love for him and tell Tom so; Daisy goes from certainty to confusion and Tom from appealing to her to confident. The shift is subtle and absolute.

I watched Robert Redford's rendition of Gatsby many moons ago. And loved him. DiCaprio as Gatsby comes very close. He is in command as always and manages to breathe life into his role just when you were giving up on him.

DiCaprio said recently that he looked at the film not as a love story but as a man "obsessed with a version of the past". And he manages to convey some of that complexity.

Mulligan's portrayal of the shallow Daisy who goes for security without a second glance could have had more shades in it and Maguire is competent as Carraway.

But the best for the last. Amitabh Bachchan is good, very good as Meyer Wolfsheim, Gatsby's business partner. Fitgerald had envisaged him as a "small, flat-nosed Jew". Bachchan is neither small nor flat-nosed but leaves an impression.

Though Bachchan had said it's a blink and miss role, it is definitely more than that. He lives the role of rakish, wicked Wolfsheim. It's a commanding presence.

Anil Kapoor as the rich Indian businessman in "Mission Impossible 4" was frankly embarrassing but Bachchan's portrayal of a Jewish businessman does open up possibilities for Indian actors looking for non-stereotypical roles.

The film sometimes unfolds with the rapidity of comic book images - cars zipping, women dancing et all. And the 3D is an annoying distraction in what should be an intense retelling of age-old relationships.

But stay with the film. And you won't regret it. Do watch. 

Watch : Raanjhnaa's title track

The title track from the flick Raanjhnaa has been unveiled on YouTube. The film stars B-Town diva, Sonam Kapoor and the Kolaveri fame, Dhanush. Currently, the film is under post-production.

The video sees the onscreen couple celebrating love, where Kundan (Dhanush) is seen expressing his love publically for Zoya (Sonam Kapoor). He dances his heart out in the track.

Directed by Anand Rai and produced under Eros International, the film is slated to release on June 28.

The music of this title track has been composed by A R Rahman and is sung by Jaswinder Singh & Shiraz Uppal.

Movie Review : Aurangzeb

Cast: Jackie Shroff, Arjun Kapoor (Double Role), Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sasheh Agha, Swara Bhaskar, Amrita Singh, Rishi Kapoor

Directed by: Atul Sabharwal

Ratings: * * 1/2

Sometimes, The Poster of a film tells you the complete story of a film. The Tagline in Aurangzeb's poster says "Son", "Brother", "Successor", "Emperor". And the Tagline is given on Arjun Kapoor's body who also plays a Double Role in the film. So you get to know the suspense of the film automatically.

Aurangzeb also draws many inspirations from Indian films and Hollywood films as well. Don, Trishul, The Departed, The Devil's Double would be the right examples to name a few. The film's story is also not unheard. Way back in 80's and 90's, Film makers have attempted this story in various screenplays.

Yashvardhan (Jackie Shroff) is a real estate developer and his family in Gurgaon known for illegal works. Due to Yashvardhan's top crew member Ajay (Arjun Kapoor) who leaves no evidence after a job is done.

The head of Police Department Ravikant (Rishi Kapoor) discovers Vishal (Arjun Kapoor) who is a look alike of Ajay. The police department then captures Ajay and torture him and sends out Ajay's lookalike Vishal to Yashvardhan. Vishal joins the crew and becomes an informer, while Ajay is being tortured into snitching all of Yashvardhan's business secrets.

But the destiny has few dark secrets which are about to explode.

Jackie Shroff (After a long period of time) is a treat to watch on the big screen. He is very good as the Powerful and Scheming evil gangster. Rishi Kapoor is awesome as a no nonsense Police Officer for whom the "Duty" comes first. Arjun Kapoor rocks once again with his superb performance in both the roles. Prithviraj Sukumaran is very good as the cop who is quiet and calm and never loses his balance. Amrita Singh is amazing and powerful. Rest of the cast is equally good.

Atul Sabharwal who has directed and written the film as well shows his command and power over the film in the first half. The first half is full of twist and turns and surprises, But the second half goes totally wrong and haywire. It looks as the second half was made for the sake of just completing a film. As i pointed out in the beginning of the review, The film becomes very predictable in the second half where you start to feel you have seen this film before.

The camera work is very good and goes with the flow of the film. Production value is good as well being a film from Yash Raj Films banner, No compromise has been done here. The Editing required lots of cuttings. There are some unwanted scenes which doesn't have an explanation in the second hour.

Musically, The film is just okay and the songs will not appeal to the masses. The background score is good.

Aurangzeb is a film which gives you a feel of old wine in a new bottle, If you are still planning to see the film, Please don't keep any high expectations from the film. However, Aurangzeb stands out for actor's performances.

Ranbir Kapoor says not keen on reviving RK Films banner

Actor Ranbir Kapoor says he will charter his own course as far as producing a film is concerned and not under RK Films, established by his late grandfather and legendary actor Raj Kapoor.

"If I make a film then I would have my own production company", Ranbir told.

Amid buzz that he was keen on refurbishing the RK Films,Ranbir said he did not believe in revivals.

"I don't believe in revivals. The revival will happen when a film is made. My grandfather had made so many films, launched such a good established banner. But I am not of the view that I should make a film under that banner. If I have a point of view, if I have an idea to make a film then maybe I would like to do it", he said.

RK Films had churned out successful ventures like Awaara, Boot Polish, Jagte Raho, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby to name a few.

When Raj Kapoor died in 1988, his son Randhir Kapoor took over the studio. His younger brother Rajeev Kapoor directed Prem Granth in 1996. However, after the commercial failure of Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) the Kapoors have not made any new film under the production house.

Ranbir added that he could give a thought to making a film in future under the famed banner only if everything falls in place.

"I think if we get a chance, if there is a director and if we want to make a film, then we would definitely do it.But as of now I am busy with acting... When the time is right and if things fall in place then we will do it", the actor said.

Ranbir said he was proud that he comes from the illustrious family of actors.

Ranbir dismissed reports that he has roped in director Sriram Raghavan of 'Agent Vinod' fame for making a film under the RK Films banner. "Sriram Raghavan is not making a film for RK Banner", he said.

Gangster dramas lucky for me : Kangana Ranaut

Himachal girl Kangana Ranaut entered filmdom with hit crime-romance Gangster - A Love story and the actress, whose latest release Shootout At Wadala also did well, feels gangster thrillers are lucky for her.

"I think gangster-based films are very lucky for me. My debut film Gangster in 2006 was successful, then came Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and now Shootout At Wadala," the 26-year-old said here Tuesday at the success bash of Shootout At Wadala.

Directed by Sanjay Gupta, Shootout At Wadala is the story of Mumbai police's first official encounter in which they shot dead gangster Manya Surve. In the film, John Abraham plays Manya, while Kangana Ranaut is seen as his love interest Vidya Joshi.

In her seven-year-long career, Kangana tried her hands at romance and comedy as well with Woh Lamhe, Double Dhamaal and Tanu Weds Manu. If these films did well at the box office, Kangana too got accolades for her performances.


When asked about her reaction on being sidelined in favour of other actresses -Priyanka Chopra, Sunny Leone and Sophie Choudry during Shootout At Wadala pr-release promotions, Kangana said: "This is producers' decision how they want to promote their film. Actors should not interfere in such things and actors like me don't even do that."

"These are minor things, so there is no point feeling sad or ignored. Moreover, whatever is best for the film should be done," she added.

She concluded by saying: "I have been working since I was 17 and have completed seven years here. So when you have that much experience, you know that films come and go. They are not everything. We do also have our own life."