Rocket Singh' going great guns in US

Bollywood's latest offering "Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year" is going great guns in the US with its review currently the number one most read movie story on the New York Times site.

The Times review, beating stories on the Golden Globe nominations and reviews of all US films, calls "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year," with Ranbir Kapoor "a smart, focused Bollywood movie".

Shimit Amin, "who directed the delightful 'Chak De! India', about a girls' hockey team, dispenses with Bollywood's normal tangle of subplots and mashup of genres", it says. "There's music, but no big production numbers. Even romance is back-burnered. Instead, Mr. Amin sticks to the story at hand."

"Kapoor, a heartthrob who has quickly become a star playing cads, turns in a skilfully understated performance," says the review. "His Harpreet is an old-school hero: solid, righteous, compassionate. You can't help cheering for him."

In an equally flattering review, Film Journal International says: "David-and-Goliath workplace drama from India goes unexpected places, and hits satisfying chords."

The posters for the Bollywood import "promise a workplace satire or a light-hearted employee caper" it says. "Instead we get a sharply observed drama of an honest man trying to survive in the usual business world."

"In the exploding modern India, it's a very American story: How do you succeed in business without really trying to compromise your ethics?"

"Not all Bollywood movies are big, colourful musicals, of course, and this one offers only a couple of plot montages set against songs, it says, "But with uniformly excellent performances-particularly by (Naveen) Kaushik and (Shantanoo) Bhagyaraj as the conflicted and not-so-conflicted antagonists, respectively."

In addition, there is "a no-nonsense pace and storytelling sense by director Shimit Amin, and a truly universal and credible office mise-en-scene, 'Rocket Singh' is instantly accessible to any stateside audience," the Journal adds.

Harpreet Singh, the protagonist, "may be a prisoner of the system, but he can proudly say, 'I am not a number. I am a free market'." it says.

'Veer' songs reflect 18th century colonial culture: Sajid

Music director Sajid says he and his brother Wajid have tried to reflect 18th century colonial culture through their music in Salman Khan starrer period drama "Veer".

"The film focuses on British culture in India and how they used to mix with each other then. So while making the music, we combined the music of two cultures to give the actual feel of that time," Sajid told IANS at the music launch of "Veer" here Monday.

Before starting work, Sajid-Wajid did research on the instruments extensively used during that time.

Asked if they utilised original musical instruments used during that period, he said: "I made use of keyboards. When things are available, better make use of that because finally it's the sound that matters."

"Veer" is about bravery, treachery and love. The story revolves around Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought to their last breath to save their land. In the film, Salman plays a Pindari soldier.

The film has five songs and Gulzar has penned them.

'My Name Is Khan' to screen at Berlin film festival

The latest Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol film "My Name Is Khan" has been selected to screen at the 60th annual Berlin International Film Festival, next year, according to the festival organisers.

Directed by Karan Johar and set in the US, "My Name Is Khan" will screen at one of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the world and in a country that has a growing appetite for Indian cinema.

The Berlin International Film Festival runs from Feb 11 to 21, 2010 and will host premieres from top filmmakers from dozens of countries including the world premiere of Martin Scorsese's next film "Shutter Island" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Both Johar and Scorsese will be debuting their fourth feature films with actors Khan and DiCaprio, respectively.

"The Competition of the 60th anniversary Berlinale will be marked by a mix of styles and genres, by exciting newcomers and renowned directors," says festival director Dieter Kosslick.

"My Name Is Khan" is set to be released in theatres in India and over 40 countries including the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East on Feb 12 on Valentine's Day weekend.

In North America, it will be released by Fox Searchlight Pictures which previously released "The Namesake", "Bend It Like Beckham", "Water", and "Slumdog Millionaire".

An exclusive first-look trailer for "My Name Is Khan" will air on STAR TV Wednesday, at 10:00 p.m. IST and will then be beamed across 70 countries worldwide.

In the film, Shah Rukh stars as Rizvan Khan, an unconventional hero who embarks on an incredible journey across America in order to win back the love of his life. Along the way his unique brand of goodness and humanity touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

"My Name Is Khan" reunites Shah Rukh, named by Time magazine as "the world's biggest movie star", and Kajol for the first time in eight years. They were last seen together in "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (2001).

They have previously starred in five films together, including "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", all of which were blockbuster hits that established the pair as Bollywood's hottest on-screen couple.

The film also marks a re-teaming of Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, who most recently collaborated three years ago on "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006).

Over the years, Karan and Shah Rukh have enjoyed an unbelievable run at the box office, working together on such hit films as "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", some of the most successful Indian films at the international box office.

Celina Jaitley at Accident at Hill Road film event

Priyanka chopra unveiling the music of Pyaar Impossible

Climate change issue is about morals, ethics: Rahul Bose

Indian leaders at Copenhagen should remember that future generations were watching them closely, says Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, amongst the many well-known faces who have flown to Copenhagen to push for a fair deal on climate change.

"The essential issue on the climate change debate is one of morals, ethics and justice. If a group of people are responsible for 90 percent of the damage to a house, surely when it comes to the cost of repairs they should volunteer to pay 90 percent of the expenses," said Bose, also the brand ambassador for international NGO Oxfam India.

"Now is not the time for developing countries to budge from this stance - a stance well articulated in the Kyoto protocol. Indian leaders should remember that future generations are watching them closely," he said in a statement.

Besides Bose, celebrities like Danish model Helena Christensen and British actress Helen Baxendale are also here to take part in the protests.

Nothing impossible for uncle Dev Anand and me: Shekhar Kapur

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, who has made up with his uncle Dev Anand after eight years, describes the legendary actor as a "karmyogi, completely fearless" and says he is in many ways like the evergreen star.

"It was a time of great reflection for me. As I looked back, I suddenly realised I hadn't met this amazing man, Dev saab, for almost eight years. I told myself it's time to learn a little bit about life from Dev saab," Kapur told IANS.

"He's a karmyogi, completely fearless. I admire myself for being completely fearless. But I think he is even more fearless than I am," he said about his 86-year-old uncle.

Kapur regrets not having been in touch with Dev saab.

"I didn't even meet him after Goldie (Vijay Anand) saab's death. My fault. I was constantly travelling in recent years. I needed to re-connect with this amazing man who has gone through so many ups and downs in his life and yet continues to be tireless in his enthusiasm to make films.

"Wherever he goes, he's cheered and applauded. Maybe people don't like to see his films any more. But the love for the man simply grows wherever he goes," he said.

One of the greatest stars of the Hindi film industry, Dev Anand epitomised the suave, urban gentleman's image in Hindi films in movies like "Munimji", "CID", "Hum Dono", "Jewel Thief" and "Johny Mera Naam". He also directed hits like "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes".

Kapur says he loves challenges just like his uncle. "Tell me something can't be done and I'll do it. Ever since I was a kid, I'd swim into the deep ocean. I'd ride the motorcycle the wrong way to see if death can get me. Don't turn to me or Dev saab and say something is impossible. They told me it was impossible for an accountant to be a director. I proved them wrong."

Kapur made his mark as a director in Bollywood with "Masoom", "Mr. India" and "Bandit Queen". Later he moved to Hollywood and carved a niche for himself by making "Elizabeth" and "Four Feathers".

The talented filmmaker has come away from his meeting with his indefatigable uncle determined to correct the sparseness of his output.

"I know I haven't made that many movies. Look at Dev saab's output. But the the fact is after directing 'The Golden Age' (sequel to 'Elizabeth'), I became keenly interested in New Media.

"Two guys in a garage got together and conceived YouTube. That made the way we access the world completely different. I started learning and lecturing on New Media because I thought sharing information and not harping on copyrights was the new mantra," said Kapur.

Kapur will now concentrate on making more films.

"There's no point in doing something unless your heart is in it. Right now my heart is completely into making movies, and not the Hollywood comic book kind of spectacles, please. Such films merely use my skills.

"And I'm a very skilful visualist. I'll make the films that I'll come out of satisfied after two years. I made three short films that gave me immense satisfaction," said Kapur who recently made the short film "New York I Love You".

He says it taught him the value of experimentation.

"Why can't a film be like a symphony? Why are we stuck on telling stories. Nobody looks at a painting and asks what's the story. I want to make films that make suggestions and create an emotional connect with the audience."

He is also designing a whole array of art on the theme "Frozen In Time".

"They are all in celebration of how we use water. I had become a water activist, led greenpeace movements against global warning. I led a conference and designed a chandelier which will soon be in the market. Now it's time to make movies."

Kapur, who turned 64 on Dec 6, says he has also resolved to spend more time with his nine-year-old daughter Kaveri. The father and daughter have been travelling extensively together.

"It's fascinating to get into a mindscape so young. Kaveri is inquisitive, defiant and wise. I must say being with her is of prime importance at this stage of my life."