Wednesday, September 29, 2010

'I still feel sick about it': Sarah Murdoch reveals what went wrong

Sarah Murdoch has appeared on television tonight, giving the inside story on just what went wrong when she incorrectly named Kelsey Martinovich the winner of Australia's Next Top Model during the show's live finale.

The host of the Fox 8 reality program said she wasn't told ahead of time who the winner was, instead she was waiting for it to be communicated via her earpiece.

Murdoch said the last information she had received before announcing the winner was "Kelsey one, Amanda two" but when it came time to announce the winner, the host was left hanging.

"I had nothing. It didn't come at that moment through my [earpiece] so I went with what I was last told.

"As far as I knew it was the right call, it was what I had been told."

Martinovich gave a brief thank you speech and Murdoch said she then heard the name 'Amanda' in her ear, so she threw the spotlight over to Amanda Ware, the supposed runner-up.

It was as Ware was giving her concession speech that Murdoch realised what had gone wrong.

"I started to hear a name in my ear, Amanda, Amanda ... and then it was communicated on a card in front of me."

The former model turned TV host said in that moment her only thoughts were of making it right.

Looking back on that moment now, Murdoch said she still feels sick about it and confessed that she hadn't been able to bring herself to watch a playback of the bungle.

Asked to comment on whether the mishap was actually a publicity stunt, Murdoch appeared visibly flustered.

"I don't even know how to answer this question. You can see how close we are with the girls.

"You wouldn't put your worst enemy through the siutation let alone these girls."

Murdoch said she had long been a fan of live television, but joked that perhaps she will stick with pre-records for now.

Source http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/i-still-feel-sick-about-it-sarah-murdoch-reveals-what-went-wrong-20100929-15x97.html

Friday, September 24, 2010

Kerry O'Brien steps away from ABC TV's 7.30 Report

After 15 years of presenting current affairs television, including helping to establish the Lateline program, Kerry O'Brien is resigning from his role as 7.30 Report presenter.

"The main thing I want to do over the next six months or so is find the most time I can to clear my head and contemplate new things," he reveals.

"I've been promising myself this for decades, that I would take time out, look at the rest of my life and maybe think of new things.

"If new things don't come, that's great, but if new things do come, that's great too.

"I'm hoping that a lot of things occur to me as possibilities," O'Brien adds.

One possibility that occurs to him is his replacement being English actress Miriam Margolyes, despite there being a host of suggestions ranging from the serious, such as Steve Cannane, to the absurd, such as Barry Humphries.

As soon as we know who it will be, we'll let you know...

Source http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/24/3021531.htm?site=sydney


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Chhedi’s twin in Dabangg 2

He lost the leading role to Salman Khan and ended up playing the villain in Dabangg. But Sonu Sood is not complaining. In fact, the actor who modelled his character on Pappu Yadav, a politico in Bihar, says that he’s looking forward to the sequel, Robinhood Pandey, that will reportedly be set in Mumbai.

Talking about Chhedi Singh and his muse, the actor says that he found Yadav to be a humble guy.

Politically correct
“He took me around Purnia, his constituency, and watching him walk around with his bodyguards and interact with the locals, I was able to conceptualise Chhedi Singh,” says Sood.

He admits that Yadav, who is currently in prison, is yet to see the film. “His family saw Dabangg and enjoyed it, I’ve been informed. They liked my performance particularly the way I’ve incorporated some of Pappuji’s mannerisms,” beams Sood, adding that he’s been told that Yadav’s family is trying to arrange for him to see the film soon.

Remind him about the line, ‘Hum tum mein itne chhed karenge ki confuse ho jaaoge ki saans kahaan se le aur paadein kahan se’ that raises a guffaw everytime and Sood says, “The dialogue came from both Salman and me, along with director Abhinav Kashyap. I felt that we should allude to the word ‘chhed’ (hole) since my name is Chhedi Singh in the film. Salman added the rest in jest and Abhinav polished up the line by adding ‘confuse ho jaaoge’ to complete it.”

Hitting the right note
He says that the instant connection to the word ‘chhed’ has helped him. “When an actor is known by his character’s name, it means that the audience has connected with him,” Sood reasons.

Buzz is that the chartbusting Munni badnaam hui... was to be picturised on Malaika Arora Khan and him but Salman walked into it.

“Untrue. Chhedi is enjoying the song, and Chulbul who’s after him lands up there and joins in the reverlry. That’s how the screenplay went,” the actor explains.

Sood asserts that the Dabangg team is upbeat about the sequel and at his Eid party, Khan even asked him to suggest a name for Chhedi’s twin.

“Since we are moving to Mumbai, I suggested Ganpat Singh,” he beams. The sequel should release by the end of 2011.

Source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chhedi-s-twin-in-Dabangg-2/Article1-600846.aspx

Friday, September 10, 2010

Prolific producer Ramanaidu gets Phalke award

Pushing 74, Daggubati Ramanaidu was shooting a film in Araku off Visakhapatnam on Thursday when the veteran producer learned about his being conferred with the country’s biggest honour in the field of cinema: the Dadasaheb Phalke award.

A joyous Ramanaidu termed it an honour for Andhra Pradesh.“This is the most satisfying moment of my life,” gushed Naidu, the country’s most prolific film producer, who has entered the Guinness Book of World records for producing not only the maximum number of films (130), but also for doing it in the maximum number of languages. “I’m thankful to the people of my state and my film-industry colleagues,” he said.

The 2009 award, to be presented next month during the International Film Festival of India at Goa, comprises a ‘Swarn Kamal’, a purse of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl.

Ramanaidu was born into an agriculture family in Prakasam district’s Karamchedu, where he did his schooling before graduating from Presidency College in Chennai — a city to which he moved to in 1962 on the advice of actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. There, his visits to the Andhra Club in Chennai helped him strike a rapport with celebrities like Ramana Reddy and Relangi. Soon he attempted film production.

The debut was a success. Ramudu Bheemulu, with legendary NTR in the lead, was a blockbuster.

But it was Nageswara Rao-starrer 'Premnagar' (1971) that established Ramanaidu in the industry. “If 'Ramudu Bheemudu' was the seed (for my success), 'Premnagar' was the tree,” he famously said. In 1986, he migrated to Hyderabad, where he built the eight-acre Rama Naidu Studio. An ex-MP from Bapatala, Ramanaidu has won numerous awards, including the AP state award committee’s special award, Indian Panorama and LV Prasad Gold Medal. His 'Asukh' (Bengali) won the National Award for the Best Film in 1999.But he is not one who rests on his laurels. “I have produced films in almost all major Indian languages, except Punjabi. I plan to do that soon,” he said.

Source http://expressbuzz.com/entertainment/news/prolific-producer-ramanaidu-gets-phalke-award/205596.html

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Murali’s death a big loss to Southern film industry

Murali hailing from Karnataka was a darling of Tamil films for nearly 26 years. He acted in films of Shivaji Ganesan, Mammootty, Sarathkumar, Vijayakanth and others. He took to Tamil films when there was tough competition and when there were so many stars in the industry. With top stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijaykanth, Sathayaraj, Karthik and scores of others in Tamil industry during the 80s, Murali’s selection of subjects and choosing roles of one among the masses earned him laurels even in remote villages of Tamil Nadu.

Murali’s first film in Kannada was Prema Parva directed by his father Siddalingaiah. After completing Prema Parva, he boarded a train to Chennai to act as hero in Poovilangu, his first Tamil film. But it was Porkalam that gave him recognition as an actor. Murali was in Bangalore last month to introduce his son to Kannada film media. Sitting with his father and son, he spoke on various topics, recollecting his younger days. He also shared memories about being teased for his dark complexion. He planned to return in October this year to introduce his son in Kannada films.

Murali’s well known Kannada films are Ajeya, Prema Gange, Thayikotta Thali, Sambavami Yuge Yuge and Ajay-Vijay. But his Tamil film Idayam with Heera lingers in the minds of many. His role in Idayam touches all with a subtle romantic touch.

Murali was popular for his simple and beautiful manners. He was all set to come back in En Raasi Nalla Raasi (My star is a good star). But death intervened in the plans of this great actor who was born on 19th May 1964. Murali’s death at age 46 is really shocking. This dark charmer was a romantic hero with no action image, a simple person with millions of fans. His death is a great loss for Southern film industry.

The last function Murali attended was the wedding of Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya.

Source http://tamil.galatta.com/entertainment/livewire/id/_Murali_death_a_big_loss_to_Kannada_film_industry__41904.html

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

My tears are for real, says Priyanka Chopra

Fear Factor 3 host Priyanka Chopra says she actually felt sorry for participants who had to go.

For the past few weeks, Priyanka Chopra has been shooting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Fear Factor 3 - Khatron Ke Khiladi. The actress's first tryst with the small screen is proving to be both fun and exhausting. With two stunts to be shot daily, the star has had no time to indulge in sightseeing and retail therapy. She has to be present on the Colors show sets every moment - even as the contestants do their stunts. There is no break as she goads them to perform better.

One of the stunts was shot in a chocolate factory in Rio (where parts of The Incredible Hunk was filmed). PC wears a colourful short dress and is full of life as she jokes with the crew members and participants when the camera is not whirring.

But she can't talk. It's only when she is zooming to another location in Rio for another shoot that she can. In the car while opening a mineral water bottle, the actress spills water on her dress. "Oh I always do this," she coos as we ask her...

Question: Suddenly there are too many B-Town stars at the same time on the small screen.
Priyanka: Yes, but I'm currently the first to say yes to a reality show and also the first as to go on air. So I stand at number 1!

Question: How afraid are you of the much-dreaded TRPs that make or mar a show?
Priyanka: All this while, I used to dread Fridays, that is the time when we would know our movie's opening collections. Now it is going to dreadful Wednesdays for me - that is when I will know the television rating points.

Question: Tears (faked or otherwise) are an integral part of a reality show. Do you see yourself sobbing for participants who have to go?
Priyanka: Like most others, I used to think that the tears aren't for real. But now after having gone through it, I can say that they are. I have shed tears when one of the participants had to go. I was sorry for him and suddenly my eyes welled up while the camera was on.

Question: Were you disappointed when the original choice (cricketers) on the show fizzled out?
Priyanka: Not exactly. If there had been only cricketers on the show, then they would be all be talking about the same stuff, now as the participants belong to different fields there is more variety.

Question: Have you overcome any of your fears during the shoot?
Priyanka: From childhood, I used to suffer from arachnophobia - a fear of spiders. I dreaded them. But now after having held them in my hand for Fear Factor, I've overcome that fear.

Question: What was the main reason you agreed to host Fear Factor?
Priyanka: My family - my parents and my brother were kicked about it. They are regular viewers. There was no way I could have said no to it.

Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100152377&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood&nid=50165&pfrom=Movies

Thursday, September 2, 2010

We are Family review: Kajol & Kareena make it worth the tears

It's all about loving your family: A famous quote by Karan Johar that gave enough fodder for teasing and spoofing his emotional stance!

Quite natural, then, for Johar to adapt Hollywood's Stepmom into a Hindi multi-starrer and naming it We are Family.

The characters live in Australia, yet constantly speak impeccable Hindi. It's a spooky world where little girls are gifted tiaras and wands, and the boys (wearing glasses, naturally) are presented books and telescopes. The demarcation is clear; and the story cements itself as an old-fashioned, sexist one.

We see divorced couple Aman (Arjun Rampal, half-awake) and Maya (Kajol) at their child's school annual day. Their little girl Anjali (cute as a biutton, Diya Sonecha), in the middle of the act on stage, spots her mom in the audience and says 'Mama, hiii!'. It’s a touching moment, and the film has a few more.

Aman's character is a mixed one: He's clearly not a hands-on dad, preferring to meet his three children over the weekends. He also insensitively chooses little Anjali's birthday to introduce his new girlfriend Shreya (Kareena Kapoor) to the family.

So while you dislike him for a display of insensitivity to everyone in his life, you admire his faithful friendship towards his ex-wife, even as he drops everything to be with her when she's diagnosed with a terminal illness. Maya then hits upon the idea of warming up her kids to Shreya whom they hate, so she can take over as their replacement mom.

But the dialogue is a let-down. Each character keeps saying, "Tum aisa nahin kar sakti, you can't die," to Maya, as if it were a choice.

And then, when Maya is convincing Shreya to give taking care of the kids a shot, Shreya shoots back, "Main ek career-woman hoon, mom-type nahin." It’s a ridiculous bit of dialogue; outdated and one that an entire span of working mothers will wonder over.

Again, the whole trip about the urgency of finding a substitute mother is strange when they have their father hale- and-hearty. It again reinforces the cliche that you need another woman to pack the kids' lunch and pick them up from school, and the father, however he may love the kids, just can't manage.

The reason why Karan Johar choose an average film made 12 years ago, among several path-breaking Hollywood films, is clear. It has amble potential to bring out the tears.

And this film is an unabashed attempt at extracting your sniffs and sobs, and sometimes the effort at doing so is too apparent.

The manipulation shows in scenes like the one where the kids are ushered in to see their mother, all tubes and pipes, on a hospital bed. The strategy works; you do cry but not whole-heartedly, more as a reflex response to the sobbing faces onscreen. In fact, you might let out a tired laugh when the effort goes overboard.

The drone about the teen child who everyone keeps saying will be the "most beautiful bride in the world" is bizarre. Their obsession with this 13-year-old's marriage takes a new height when the film chooses to fold with it, where we see an aged Rampal, and an exactly-the-same Kareena (in this biased Bollywood trend where women simply don't age; another example: 3 Idiots) at the wedding of this girl.

The Kareena-Kajol combo is explosive, and the high-point of the film. Their altercations are delicious; one wishes there were more such complexities instead of the syrupy gloop. You care about Maya's character in the first place (the only character that really makes an impact) because no one can exude a warmth, and smile as expressively, emotionally, widely, and honestly as Kajol. Kareena’s character is a bit wobbly with inconsistencies. But the actress is in full form, brimming with fire. Arjun Rampal gives a damp performance.

Debut director Siddharth Malhotra serves us old wine in a new, expensive bottle. It's evident in the characterisation, the dated dialogue, and the choice of the heavy-duty background score where you hear a woman's alaap for the most part; a mainstay in our saas-bahu soaps. If you’ve been pining for an old-fashioned tear-jerker, this one's for you.

Source http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/review.php?id=14955447&ctid=5&cid=2425