Tag-of-war

Mallika Sherawat can't bear to share the 'sexy' tag with her co-star

Mallika Sherawat resents her Dhamaal 2 co-star Kangna Ranaut and she isn't hiding it. And it's because Kangs is being tagged as having a 'sexy' role in the comic flick. Mallika feels the term belongs exclusively to her.

Says a source from the unit, "Mallika conveyed her displeasure to the producer and director. She plays Sanju's hot businesswoman wife while Kangna plays his sexy secretary. Ms Sherawat doesn't want to share the attention the guys on the sets shower on her. So right from day one, she went out of her way to be coquettish to the actors in the film - Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Ashish Choudhry and Javed Jaaffery."

Adds the source, "Though this is just the first schedule, the two lead actresses are already not on talking terms." While Mallika would chat nineteen to the dozen with the rest of the cast during breaks, she gave Kangna the cold shoulder. Soon enough, Kangs got the drift and kept away.

The source further feels that Sherawat might not be deliberately ignoring her co-star, "She behaves like a diva. Especially now that she's been staying in Los Angeles for a year and has done a Hollywood film. But Kangna has made her peace and ignores Malli as well. She feels the 'diva' and she are from two different places -- and if Mallika doesn't want to talk to her, she won't make that extra effort."

Sanjay Dutt's iftaar party

After his return from South Africa, Sanjay Dutt hosted an iftaar party and launched the promo of his next release, Sohail Maklai's Knock Out.

Dutt's wife Maanayata, who is due to deliver in November, made a brief appearance.

But the surprise of the evening was Kangna Ranaut (her eye-popping outfit was definitely a knockout)! Dutt and she also wore colour coordinated outfits in sea green.

Kangna in the Khan clan?

B-Town is abuzz about the growing dosti between Salman and the Ranaut girl. Is she simply yet another actress Sallu has taken under his wing?

Salman Khan and Kangna Ranaut are slowly but surely becoming close. Everyone is talking about these new

B-Town dosts. This bonding is being discussed at dinner parties in star homes. There are various versions about where this unlikely pair met and became friends. It is a mystery because they haven't worked together.

Even Sallu's closest friends and family members aren't sure about exactly what is going on. Everyone is playing the wait and watch game because in the past too, Khan has adopted many actresses (Sneha Ullal, Zarine Khan, Sonakshi Sinha), supported them emotionally, guided them and even promoted them. Will this be any different or progress further? Read on to decide.

1.The actress has been signed for the next untitled Being Human production opposite the Dabangg actor. The film is a Hindi remake of Manjrekar's Marathi film Mee Shivajiraje Bhosle Boltoy. Everyone thought he might cast his all-time favourite Katrina Kaif, or recent favourite Sonakshi Sinha, but he wanted his current favourite Kangna Ranaut, to work with him in his home production.

2. It was her big night -- the success party of Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai on August 4 but Kangna left the party early and was later seen at Galaxy Apartments where the Super-Brat lives. She was seen leaving his apartment building in the wee hours of the morning.

3 Khan doesn't make new friends. When it comes to partying, he sticks to a small group of friends. He doesn't allow for new members, yet at his younger sister Arpita Khan's birthday party on August 5, Kangna Ranaut mingled with his family. Although Kangs and Salman kept a safe distance from each other, by the end of the evening, quite a few people were talking about this new entrant in the Khan clan.

4 On Sunday (August 15) Kangna was one of the few actresses who was seen at a Blood Donation Drive organised by the actor. She turned up looking pale perhaps because she has been under the weather. But she made the trip to show support for Khan.

Kangna remained unavailable for comment. However an industry insider clarifies:

"Kangna was approached for the Being Human production a few days ago and asked to allot her dates in August. Salman has known her for the last two years. They first met on the sets of Dus Ka Dum, where he promised to do a film with her. Ever since, they kept in touch. He often gives her advice on career and life. After the success party of OUATIM, she went to Salman's house to discuss the film. She thinks he is a nice guy and enjoys his company. Sallu's younger sister is friends with the actress and it was Arpita who invited Kangs to her birthday party at a Juhu nightclub. As for the blood donation camp, she got a call from Salman's people asking her to come and donate blood. So, she went."

MOVIE REVIEW: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

The fascination with gangster movies has been immense worldwide. On this side of the Atlantic, several gangster films have left giant footprints on the sands of time. Films like DEEWAAR [Yash Chopra], DHARMATMA [Feroz Khan], NAYAKAN [Mani Ratnam], ANGAAR [Shashilal Nair], PARINDA [Vidhu Vinod Chopra], AGNEEPATH [Mukul Anand], SATYA and COMPANY [Ramgopal Varma], VAASTAV [Mahesh Manjrekar], GANGSTER [Anurag Basu], D [Vishram Sawant] and SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA [Apoorva Lakhia] have tremendous recall value to this day.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI recreates an era that so many of us have left behind and for those who arrived on this planet post 80s, I am sure, they must have visited the era through some medium or the other, mainly movies and internet or during their academic careers.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not part of history, but it attempts to portray on celluloid tales that are now considered legendary, that continue to make news to this date. Of course, the disclaimer claims that it bears no resemblance to a particular person, but you can't help but draw parallels with real-life characters. It could be a coincidence, though!

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a fascinating story that talks of how the mafia came into force for the first time in Mumbai. A thriller that depicts the crime scenario in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s. The rise to power of two young boys, in different age-groups, who grew up to 'rule' the streets of Mumbai.

Since there's tremendous speculation in the media that ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI chronicles the lives of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, the curiosity to watch the film increases manifold. Of course, I am no one to comment if it's actually based on their lives or merely borrows a few incidents from their lives or is pure fiction, but as a cinematic experience, I couldn't help getting transported to the bygone era, getting sucked into a world I had no clue of.

Besides the gangster chapter, one enjoys this film also because of its riveting drama and the power play. It could've been set anywhere, in the corporate world, in politics, in the film industry. Anywhere. The rise and subsequent fall of the King and the emergence of the Prince as the super power is what makes this film a compelling watch. The icing on the cake is the magical and lilting song compositions that are juxtaposed so beautifully in the goings-on. On the sidelines of the power play, a game of hearts is being played and that's what makes ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI a wholesome movie experience.

Final word? ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not to be missed. Set everything aside this coming weekend and watch this one. Strongly recommended!

The film, set primarily in 1970s Mumbai, follows the rise of Sultan Mirza [Ajay Devgn] and the conflict that ensues, when his protégé Shoaib Khan [Emraan Hashmi] challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a power-packed drama that makes you thirst for more. You rewind to an era of romance, smuggling, cabaret and mafia, but director Milan Luthria and writer Rajat Aroraa ensure that there's no sleaze or bloodshed-n-gore. In fact, there's hardly any violent sequence in the movie, except for one when Ajay hammers a cop during a naaka-bandi.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not a biopic, but narrates the story through the eyes of a police officer [Randeep Hooda], who traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld. The screenplay encompasses several moments that may compel you to draw parallels with real life, but talking strictly from the movie-going point of view, it satiates you completely. In fact, the writing is cohesive, smart and watertight and there's never a dull moment. Besides, there's no time to think whether it's factual or loosely based on someone's life or a work of fiction.

As I look back and recall the movie, a number of sequences flash across my mind. Note the sequence when Ajay divides the city amongst gangsters... The train sequence at the very start... The introduction of Emraan Hashmi's character... Randeep Hooda's landing on a film set and confiscating the equipment... The subsequent sequence, when Randeep is framed for accepting bribe... The romantic moments between Emraan and Prachi in the jewellery shop... Emraan starting his business and the confrontation that ensues between Ajay and Randeep... The showdown between Ajay and Emraan, with Ajay slapping Emraan in full public view... The conclusion to the story is equally novel. It stays in your memory and sets you thinking.

On the flipside, the story begins with Randeep attempting suicide, but the writer should've cited the reason that prompted him to take that drastic step. Sure, there's a mention at the start, but it doesn't register well. Also, you are keen to know the chain of events that drove Randeep to suicide. Also, the pace slackens in the middle of the second hour, but picks up dramatically when Ajay returns from Delhi and confronts Emraan. Besides, how I wish the film had a shorter, mass appealing Hindi title to attract more eyeballs and a big jump in footfalls [at single screens and smaller centres mainly] for a mass appealing subject like this.

This is director Milan Luthria's best work to date, no two opinions on that. Recreating the bygone era is tough and the director, the writer and the art director [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] deserve brownie points for giving the film that authentic feel. In fact, the film wears a chic retro look throughout. Even otherwise, Milan's handling of the subject material is exemplary. This film is sure to catapult him to the top league. Rajat Aroraa's screenplay is powerful and engaging. The writer marries heavy-duty drama and subtle and delicate emotions beautifully. I would like to make a special note of the dialogue, also penned by Rajat Aroraa, which are simply fantastic. In fact, the dialogue writing is such it elevates even an ordinary sequence to great levels. One rarely comes across such potent dialogue in today's times.

Pritam's music is another ace. Injecting songs and that too a terrific soundtrack in a gangster film is tough. He did it in GANGSTER. He does it again in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. 'Pee Loon', 'Tum Jo Aaye' and the remix of APNA DESH track are super compositions, which are also placed appropriately in the plotline. Cinematography [Aseem Mishra] captures the look to perfection. Akiv Ali's editing is sharp.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is embellished with fantastic performances. Ajay Devgn is splendid as Sultan. The actor had enacted a similar role in COMPANY, but it must be said that his interpretation is so different in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. He adds so much depth to the character, which only goes to prove his range and versatility. This is, without a trace of doubt, Ajay's finest work so far. Emraan Hashmi is brilliant as the power greedy, wildly ambitious rebel. He plays the dark character to perfection. He's incredible in the penultimate moments of the film in particular. Besides carrying the look to perfection, Emraan is sure to break-free from the lover boy, serial kisser image with this film.

Kangna Ranaut is extremely natural and performs very well. Also, she brings so much of sensuality and glamour to her character [an actress of the 70s]. In fact, Ajay and Kangna make a wonderful on-screen pair. Prachi Desai is a bundle of talent who proves her mettle yet again. She's proficient in emotional scenes and sizzles in the BOBBY song-sequence. Besides, the chemistry between Emraan and Prachi is exciting. Randeep Hooda is top notch. Even though the film belongs to Ajay and Emraan, Randeep makes his presence felt with a powerful performance. This film should prove to be the turning point in his career.

Avtar Gill [as Home Minister] is good. Naved Aslam [as Patrick, Ajay's trusted lieutenant] is perfect. Mehul Bhojak [as Emraan's friend Javed] is competent. Ravi Khanwilkar [as Vardhan] is satisfactory. Gauhar Khan sizzles in the remix track.

On the whole, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is an extremely well-made film that lingers in your memory. The realism coupled with stellar direction, power-packed writing, exceptional performances and ear-pleasing tunes are its trump cards. An outstanding cinematic experience!

RATING: 4/5

Kangna Ranaut on the Harper’s Bazaar Magazine - Photo

Kangna Ranaut was spotted with a bandaged foot on Lamhaa premiere - Photos

Kangna Ranaut was spotted with a bandaged foot earlier last week but on Thursday, she came to the Lamhaa premiere without it. This girl keeps hurting herself a lot, no?

Kangna’s flying high!

Kangna Ranaut’s career is on the upswing. And the actress is definitely flying high. However, she recently got a pair of additional angel wings put on to her.

It is said that Kangna’s new tattoo on the nape of her neck has a pair of wings, a crown and a cross. And the actress is truly delighted with her newest acquisition. That is what the photographers are going to snap when she flies to nine cities with co-star Ajay Devgn for the promotion of her Once Upon A Time in Mumbai.

IIFA 2010 Green Carpet - Photos