By Fuad Omar
It's the time of year for awards all across the world. The American Music
Awards have just finished, the Grammies are almost here, the Oscars are
being flooded with "For Your Consideration" posters and prints of films, and
even in Apna Bollywood the awards have begun.
The Zee awards came and went to much confusion. Confusion because it seemed
that the selection jury were spoilt for choice as to who to give the Best
actor and actress awards to. So what do you do? Make up a few more awards
and everyone's happy. As a result Kajol got the Outstanding Actress Award,
Tabu the Best Actress one and Kareena the Queen of Hearts (?) award.
Likewise Outstanding Actor was Sunny Deol, Best Actor Aamir Khan and I think that was
it for that one.
The rest of the main results were as follows: Asha Bhonsle (Best Female
Singer for Lagaan and Lifetime Achievement Award), Sonu Nigam (Best Male
singer for K3G), A R Rahman (Best Music: Lagaan), Manoj Bajpai (Best Villain
for Aks), Gracey Singh and Tusshar Kapoor (Best Debut Awards), Best Story
Lagaan, Best Film Lagaan, Best Director Ashutosh Gowarikar for Lagaan, Madhuri Dixit
(Best Supporting Actress for Lajja), Saif Ali Khan (Best Supporting Actor
for Dil Chahta Hai), Tabu (Best Actress: Chandni Bar), Sunny Deol
(Outstanding Actor: Gadar), Aamir Khan (Best Actor: Lagaan), Kajol
(Outstanding Actress) and Kareena Kapoor (Queen of Hearts).
The Screen Awards nominations are out and so are the Filmfares, so be ready
for awards galore in Bollywood. But diverting away from home, Aamir Khan is
doing his best to get Lagaan as much exposure in time for the Oscars. The
film is India's entry as Best Foreign Film and is up against high
international cinema such as the French wonder Amelie, but our Aamir's film
is no less a triumph. The brilliant epic is a Hindi film to the core that
has done everyone proud, so let's all keep our fingers crossed that it wins
the Oscar, but rest assured the nomination alone is something to be proud
of. Lagaan is rooted in Hindi cinema and is a brilliant example of an Indian
movie which has the elements that appeal to both the locals and those out of
reach, even touches on communalism and the caste system, while upholding
love and moral values without detracting from the story he wishes to tell.
Aamir's performance and debutante Gracey Singh have done superb jobs, it's
no wonder the film caught the eye of millions. Tony Blair has even said he'd
like to see it and so Aamir is arranging a special screening for the PM. On
a downside, some of the British press, historians and commentators have
attacked Lagaan for its anti-British feel and doubted its historical
accuracy. Rachel Shelley, the actress who played Elizabeth in the movie
spoke out saying: "The colonialists who were out there thought themselves
superior to the locals and were quite terrible," while Paul Blackthorne who
plays Captain Russell said: "The Brits at the time were not far short of the
Mafiosa and the film depicts them accurately."
The heartthrob who's first film in a year is set to release, Salman Khan,
has injured his hand and won't be working out with weights for six weeks,
which postpones the launch of his brother-in-law's film. Atul Agnihotri's
directorial debut Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha should've launched by now and is to
star Salman, Aishwarya and possibly another hero. Atul said: "Since Salman
has been advised against working out, we have had to postpone the launch by
a couple of weeks. His role in my film demands that he look fit and in
shape, so it couldn't have been avoided."
Speculation as to who the second hero in the film is rife, and although many
are dying to see Salman and Arjun Rampal together on screen, some corners
are suggesting younger brother Sohail (who's film is being readied for an
April release) will step in. Commenting about the rumours of Arjun's
involvement, Atul clarifies: "Things had never reached the stage where we
finalised Arjun. The options are still open."
So what's it all about? The film tells the story of two army officers who
fall for the same girl, namely Ash, and while some are saying it may be
similar to the 2000 supposed-to-be-a-hit film Pearl Harbour, Atul has had
the story in the can from before Hollywood's own release. The only
comparison the two have is that "they both have army officers," says Atul.
Meanwhile Salman Khan's much anticipated film with Sushmita Sen and Diya
Mirza, "Tumko Naa Bhool Paayenge" is almost set for release around February
time. The promos have been well received and the threesome are looking
stunning in the posters, let's hope this one lives up to expectations and
does great at the box office.
Speaking of heartthrobs, Arjun Rampal (whose exclusive interview you all
read on Asiangigs) has just became the father of a beautiful baby girl on
January 17. His daughter, Maahika is the proud parents' world right now and
they can't get enough of her. I spoke to him on the 19th and he was at the
hospital, cradling his baby and with his wife. Whispering away, the cool dude
was ecstatic and when I asked what it felt like to be a father he quietly
said after a pause "unbelievable". The parents had decided that if they had
a boy his name would begin with 'A' like Arjun, and if a girl, a name
beginning with 'M' like his wife Mehr, and the two right now are just
ecstatic at the happiness Maahika has brought into their lives. Before
hanging up, he revealed how life could not be any better right now and said
he had just bagged the Best male Newcomer Award the day before, so I
joked at how she's bringing him luck already. Arjun Rampal is on top of the
world right now, and with UK and European fans loving his Moksh making it a
hot DVD, seems 2002 could just be his year. Congrats Arjun, you really
deserve it!
While on the subject of DVDs, the highly anticipated release of what some
call the 'greatest film ever', Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has finally been
released for fans to own worldwide. It's available as a two disc set with
fun animated cartoons of Shah Rukh and Kajol and some great extras,
including some deleted scenes with commentary by the expert director Aditya
Chopra himself (including the original introduction scene of Simran). Also
included is the original theatrical trailer and some never-before-seen in
the UK TV spots. Bonuses include the brilliant Making of DDLJ (which is
directed by Karan Johar and Uday Chopra), a feature on the film's success as
the longest ever running film of Indian cinema and exclusive interviews with
Uday Chopra with Shah Rukh, Kajol and Yash Chopra, as well as more extras
and a free audio CD. Seeing the extras alone make you re-live the magic of
the film that stole hearts across the world, and it's clear to see why so
many see it as the ultimate love story. It comes with my recommendation so
pick it up now! Order it through Asiangigs.com too!
Speaking of DVDs, don't forget you can order your favourites like
Mohabbatein and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam right here on Asiangigs. Asoka's DVD
is out on 28 Jan and also boasts of
extras such as deleted scenes and a making of featurette, and Lagaan lands a
week before, so BollyFans are in for a real treat in home entertainment!
Keep checking this website for the best prices!
And finally.I want to say a BIG thank you to Asiangigs for hosting so many
of my articles and to all of YOU who I may bump into, meet online or email
me from time to time with your feedback on my work. If you like what you see
on this site, spread the word and tell a friend. Asiangigs has really
expanded since it started up and will soon be offering many more exclusives
which could even bring you even more closer to Bollywood.keep watching this
space and thanks for reading!
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