Rape-tainted Shiney Ahuja to stay in jail

In what comes as a huge setback for rape accused Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, a sessions court in Mumbai on Wednesday (July 8) rejected his bail application, after arguments posed by the prosecution and defence counsel concluded yesterday. The actor will now continue to remain in judicial custody till July 16.

This order from the court comes after repeated demands were made by the prosecution for some more time to investigate the case and gather evidence. The prosecution also said that the accused is capable of influencing the case and the witnesses, hence bail should not be granted to him.

However, soon after the order, the defence counsel remained mum. But sources have said that the defence is likely to appeal in the high court.

Terming the rape charge against him by his maid servant as "concocted", incarcerated actor Shiney Ahuja pleaded for bail yesterday but the police opposed it saying the accused might intimidate her if he is released.

Ahuja was arrested on June 15 after his 20-year-old maid accused him of raping her in his Oshiwara home. The actor is currently lodged at the Central Prison on Arthur Road and his judicial custody has been extended till July 16.

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Army honours Mohanlal with Lieutenant Colonel post

Malayam film star Mohanlal is the Indian Army's latest brand ambassador. He will be given the rank of Lt Col in the Territorial Army in New Delhi on Thursday. He exclusively spoke to CNN-IBN about turning Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlal.

CNN-IBN: You always wanted to be a part of the Army since your childhood?

Mohanlal: Not exactly. Surprisingly in my neighbourhood, my friend Veenu used to sketch lot of pictures inspired from the Army, Air Force and Navy. When I was a child, I used to go, sit and look at those.

CNN-IBN: What do you think a Mohanlal, a celebrity can bring into the Indian Army?

Mohanlal: The thing is that they asked me to be the brand ambassador of the Army. It in itself is a great honour. Being an actor I have visited Delhi many a times, I had been in the Capital for my Padmashree, receiving my Best Actor, Best Producer awards. But this is a very rare thing, or rare an occasion.

CNN-IBN: At 17 when you started off with films, did you ever expect that it's going to come this far?

Mohanlal: I never plan or expect things. This is definitely a gift from the almighty and this is a great honour. Indian Army is honouring me with the Lieutenant Colonel Post.

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When My Name Is Khan left Karan Johar stressed out

After making candy floss romances, Karan Johar is dealing with serious issues in his My Name Is Khan, which brings Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol together on screen after a long time. Though he is excited about presenting a different side of Shah Rukh Khan, making the film did turn unpleasant when actor Aamir Bashir was denied a visa to the US.

Ques: You could make a film on the things that happened during your Los Angeles schedule of My Name Is Khan.

Karan Johar: Besides normal problems, there were unforeseen problems. Thank god for my fabulous technical team. Without them I could never make my film the way I want to. Yes, there was stress.

Ques: There were visa problems for some Muslim members of your cast?

Karan Johar: Yes, there were problems. We had certain legal issues. We had to make some changes to accommodate the developments. They were sorted out. I believe in completely going by the law of every land. That's what we did in LA when troubles arose.

Ques: Was Aamir replaced by Jimmy Sheirgil after a great deal of deliberation?

Karan Johar: Yes, we did have to do some serious re-thinking. I spoke to my casting director Shanu Sharma for immediate release. I was very happy to have Jimmy Sheirgil on board. I had done his clothes for Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein. So I know him from his debut. It was unfortunate that things didn't work out with Aamir Bashir. Like Jimmy, he was terrific in A Wednesday. I look forward to working with him some other time.

Ques: Were you upset with Aamir Bashir for going to the press about the visa problem?

Karan Johar: I don't blame anyone for the situation. I don't see why the issue had to be reported so prominently in the Indian media. It complicated things for me. If creating hurdles for a filmmaker on a difficult foreign location makes news, so be it. It constantly kept creating stress for me.

Ques: Was it a painful experience to shoot in LA?

Karan Johar: In all my 11 years as a filmmaker, I've never felt the experience to be so different. Content-wise My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I've done in the past. You know, on the very first day of shooting my cameraman Ravi Chandran looked at me and said, 'I don't think you've ever shot something like this.'

It is for the first time I'm directing a screenplay I haven't written myself. This gives me a level of detachment from the proceedings and yet a lot of attachment. It has released a plethora of unexplored emotions in my head.

This time I'm being creative in a different ways. And Shah Rukh plays a completely different human being ... I've never directed that person before. It took a few days for all of us to get into the groove. How this exploration of a new territory will turn out, no one knows.

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Bollywood Actress Mallika Sherawat Wallpapers and Pictures Gallery

Bollywood Actress Mallika Sherawat Wallpapers and Pictures Gallery

MALLIKA SHERAWAT PROFILE

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Celina Jaitley for Gay rights

Celina Jaitley for Gay rights - straight to the point

Celina Jaitley in this interview called upon the government to de-criminalize homosexuality in India

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Bollywood Movie ' Runway' Review

Runway (June 26, 2009)Review

Been there, seen that, moved on. RUNWAY doesn't have anything new to offer, it's a run of the mill action love story recited in the

The problem is, RUNWAY is handicapped by poor direction [Suniel - Praful]. Besides, the screenplay is too weak since the story wastes valuable time in ineffective emotions and scenes, whereas the encashable portions have been cut short. Especially the climax, which has been altered so severely that it gives an incomplete feeling. The beautiful locales of Mauritius too haven’t been explored completely.

Music by Shamir Tandon is dull, except the hit track 'Khuda Kay Liye', which is consistently repeated in the film.

Amarjeet is okay as an actor, but does well in action scenes. Tulip Joshi under-performs. Deepal Shaw is below average. Sharat Saxena has a minimal role. Shawar Ali puts on an act. Lucky Ali is adequate.

On the whole, RUNWAY is saddled with a weak script and therefore, has limited chances.

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On the sets of Kambakkht Ishq

MOVIE NAME: KAMBAKKHT ISHQ

Actors
Akshay Kumar ....
Kareena Kapoor ....
Amrita Arora ....
Aftab Shivdasani ....

Director
Sabbir Khan

Producer
Sajid Nadiadwala

we take you into one of the most crowded sets ever! Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakkht Ishqstars Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Sylvester Stallone, DeniseRichards, Amrita Arora, Brandon Routh, Aftab Shivdasani and many more.

The movie set was a spectacle in itself with hundreds of pieces o f equipment being brought in for shoots across locales in the West.Akshay is doing what he's best at. With plenty of stunts thrown in and Sylvester Stallone bringing in the iron fist, what's not to like?

Akki and Sly got along incredibly well. Both the action stars shared inputs on fitness, techniques and more even as gorgeous Denise Richards strutted around in simple nothings.

As for the plot, Akki plays a successful Hollywood stuntman in search of true love and Kareena plays a surgeon who moonlights as a super model to make enough money to fund her studies.

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I regret making my relation with Ranbir Kapoor public: Deepika

Deepika Padukone has everything going for her in Bollywood. She has worked with top stars and big banners. But she does have one regret - making her relationship with Ranbir Kapoor public.

"When we got into a relationship, we decided to be open about it. Otherwise there would be reports about us being spotted holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc. Since we were so clear about our relationship, we had nothing to hide. I thought people would respect that. But it didn't work out that way," Deepika told IANS.

Deepika was specially upset about the paparazzi pictures of her and Ranbir.

"We both have families and very respectable families. People who take pictures of us secretly must have families and boyfriends and girlfriends. We've now decided not to talk about our friendship. At the end of the day no one is going to see our films because we're a couple," said the actress who teamed up with Ranbir in Bachna Ae Haseeno.

Any other film with Ranbir after Bachna Ae Haseeno?

"We get offers every day to act together, but we're waiting for the right opportunity. The script has to be special. But we're very clear about not mixing business with our relationship," she said.

Tell her there was no upward movement in Ranbir's graph as an actor from Saawariya to Bachna Ae Haseeno and she protests: "His graph was already so high in Saawariya, where could he go? Bachna Ae Haseeno gave him a chance to do something totally different. I too want to get away from the glam sham.

"Of course, I want to wear good clothes and sing good songs. But I'd be uncomfortable doing just songs and dances. Beyond Sajid Khan's film I haven't signed any movie. Imtiaz Ali's films are very real relevant to today," she said.

Deepika has mainly worked with older actors - Shah Rukh, Akshay Kumar. In her next, Love Aaj Kal, she teams up with another senior actor Saif Ali Khan. But she is not complaining.

"Ranbir and I work like pals. But I wouldn't say I had more fun working with him. You are not on the sets to have fun. But yes, definitely the comfort level with him was much higher even when we weren't seeing each other. My other co-stars were a lot more mature and I was a lot more reserved with them. But I've to tell you, Shah Rukh completely pampered me," she said.

Talking about her Love Aaj Kal co-star Saif, she said: "Saif is reserved. I've heard he wasn't like this earlier. I believe he has calmed down a lot because of Kareena or whatever. Saif and I just did our work on Imtiaz Ali's sets and went our separate ways. That's the way I like it. I'm a very reserved person. I'm not here to make friends. But yes, Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba are now friends."

Deepika has signed Sajid Khan's full-fledged comedy Houseful.

"It's not just a few comic scenes here and there. It's a hardcore comic role. And I wonder how I'll manage it. I'll try. Sajid has a great sense of humour and I'd go by his vision. Sajid just told me to follow him. If my director has so much confidence in me, I can't let him down," said the actress.

"But that doesn't mean I don't have a sense of fun. I plan to have a ball doing Houseful. I'm a reserved person in real life, but that doesn't mean I can't be funny for the camera," she added.

So after working with sister Farah it's brother Sajid.

"I'm very fond of both of them. At a time when the entertainment industry wasn't too confident about me, Farah trusted me completely. She didn't even audition me. Farah was the one who spotted talent in me and cast me opposite Shah Rukh," she said.

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Shiney’s DNA report confirms rape

The DNA reports confirming rape by Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja spell doom and an end to his film carrier. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Kalina on Monday has revealed that the actor had raped his maid-servant.

The DNA report supported the FIR filed by the maid, said police sources. The report confirmed that the semen sample found in the vaginal swab of the maid matched with Ahuja’s DNA.

According to a senior FSL officer, there is no doubt that the actor has raped his maid. Adding further he said, “Any other analyses can have little space for doubt but there is no space for even a minute doubt in DNA test. This is because two people can never have the same DNA or fingerprints.”

On the other hand, medical reports of the maid also confirms physical violation and injury marks found on the private parts of the victim which clearly indicates about the forceful intercourse by the accused.

The police arrested Ahuja a day after his maid filed the complaint and the preliminary medical tests confirmed that the victim was sexually assaulted. Subsequently, as per the procedure, the experts from the FSL visited actors flat and collected all the relevant materials on which they could conduct the tests. The collected materials were cloths, undergarments, bed sheets and curtains.

However, when Ahuja was arrested he claimed that he had consensual sex with the maid. A day later after the arrest of the actor his wife Anupama Ahuja had told the media persons that her husband was being framed.

Now that everything has become apparent after the DNA test of actor by FSL that the maid was raped and sexually assaulted the actor may have to face approximately seven years of incarceration.

Meanwhile, Ahuja who is currently in Arthur Road jail is remanded in police custody till July 2.

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Naomi Campbell REMEMBERING Michael Jackson

‘I grew up with MJ’

I grew up with Michael Jackson; he was a good friend and the most exciting and innovative entertainer to have lived. No artiste has connected to their audience like Michael and no one will ever be able to match what he has achieved. He gave back to people through his charity work and was an amazing father and human being. Michael touched people of every race, nationality, age and was the first truly global superstar. He is one of the all-time greats and his role in popular culture will never be surpassed and never ever be forgotten.

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Bollywood Movie 'NEW YORK' Review

Bollywood Movie 'NEW YORK' Review

Rating: ****

Myth: New York is about 9/11.
Fact: It's not. But it reflects the mood that's prevalent across the globe, post 9/11. The world is divided today. No two opinions on that!

Myth: New York bears a striking similarity to KHUDA KAY LIYE.
Fact: Nope. KHUDA KAY LIYE and New York may belong to the same family, of an innocent person being picked up for questioning after the WTC catastrophe, but the similarities end there. In fact, KHUDA KAY LIYE and New York are as diverse as chalk and cheese.


New York, helmed by Kabir Khan, attempts to be as real as possible. A tale of friendship, with terrorism as the wallpaper, New York hits you like a ton of bricks at several points in the narrative. In fact, there was a possibility that New York may turn out to be a dry experience, a documentary perhaps, but the drama is so well structured and so gripping that you get sucked into the world of Sam, Omar and Maya from its inception.

New York is a triumph for Kabir Khan, who deserves distinction marks for handling the subject with remarkable maturity. Also, this film should be a turning point for John, Katrina and Neil. More on that later...


The verdict? New York is, without doubt, one of the finest films produced by this premier production house, Yash Raj. Grab a ticket today!

Omar (Neil Nitin Mukesh) has gone abroad for the first time in his life and soon enough, he begins to see and love America through the eyes of his American friends, Sam (John Abraham) and Maya (Katrina Kaif). But an incident changes the world round them.

At this point enters Agent Roshan (Irrfan), an FBI agent, who sets the ball rolling for a series of tumultuous events that turn the lives of these friends upside down.

New York affects you like no other Hindi film has done so far (on 9/11). In fact, there are portions that give you goose bumps, especially towards the second half of the film, when John recounts his past.

One of the reasons why New York works is because not once does Kabir Khan borrow from the past or tilt towards predictable stuff. You just can't guess what and where the story is headed and what the culmination would be.

The director and his team of writers establish the plot and characters beautifully, but the real action is reserved for the second half. The nightmarish experience that John undergoes is disturbing, but lifts the film several notches up.

But New York has its share of loose ends. The film dips in the second hour. It tends to gets lengthy before it reaches a powerful, brilliantly executed climax. Also, a few sequences only add to the length of the film, which could've been curtailed in the writing stage itself.

Director Kabir Khan picks up a real incident -- innocent civilians being suspected as terrorists, soon after 9/11 -- and weaves a brilliant tale around it. The screenplay is its biggest star, without a doubt. Given the fact that New York isn't one of those routine masala fares, Kabir has injected songs only when required. Cinematography is striking.

Now here's another surprise. John, Katrina and Neil, all actors, deliver their career-best performance. If the first half belongs to Neil, John takes over the second hour completely. John is superb when he recalls the past.

You can feel his pain, that effective is his performance. Also, note his expressions towards the end. This is a different John, for sure. Just one word for his performance -- fabulous!

Neil was remarkable in JOHNNY GADDAAR, but disappointed in AA DEKHEN ZARA. Fortunately, he's in top form this time around. Katrina gives you the biggest surprise.

Known for her glamour roles, Katrina proves that she can deliver if the director and writer offer her a role of substance. She's outstanding. In fact, people will see a new, different Katrina this time. Irrfan is, as always, first-rate.

On the whole, New York is amongst the finest films produced by Yash Raj. At the box office, there's no stopping this one. Go for it now!

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Katrina's intimate scenes with John

No one messes with Salman Khan's girl - and even John Abraham would rather keep the peace.
After Sallubhai's reported displeasure at Katrina's intimate scenes with John, not to mention reports of them sharing a close friendship, the two actors are watching their step.

At a press meet called to cheer the encouraging opening of their film New York, John, Katrina, Neil Nitin and director Kabir Khan addressed the media at PVR, Phoenix Mills on Friday -- but it was sub-script that was more intriguing.

The distance maintained by John and Katrina was so deliberate, it was almost painful. While Katrina and Neil chose to travel in the same elevator, John took a separate one, though they'd all arrived together at the multiplex. There was a brief 'you go first' as they sat on twin-seater sofas --John took the one with Kabir while Katrina parked herself with Neil.

Even for the photo ops, both look uncomfortable when too near to each other. But still, Katrina certainly isn't a shrinking violet.Asked whether she'd like to, given a choice, do a film with either Neil or John, Katrina firmly countered, "Actually both John and Neil. I loved working on this film with them. By the end of the shoot, we were in fact looking to come up something that would inspire a sequel. It would be great if that happens."

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John, Katrina defend intimate scenes

As the entire country waits to see what the fuss is about the John-Katrina chemistry in New York is all about, reports have it that their intimate scenes in the film have given rise to some gossip.

The video of the song Mere sang was launched a few days ago, revealing that the song has a kiss and some intimate bedroom shots. Since this is Bollywood, as always, the kissing and the physicality has become an issue, forcing both John and Katrina to come to its defence.

Both Kat and John were quick to justify the relevance of the song in the film. Katrina said that the song is a part of the script and it's done in very beautiful manner. She said, "Only when you will see the film, will you realize the need for the song. The film has a space for this song. It comes in a very beautiful place. I think there is nothing offensive in it. It has been done in a very aesthetic way."


John too had a similar argument. He said, "One can't understand the sensitivity of the issue unless one watches the film. Once you see the film, you will be convinced of how beautifully the song relates to the script. It's very easy for us to look at it in isolation and say that the song is totally different from what New York is all about. But that's not the case."

The other accusation towards the song and towards the cast of the film is of course the rumour of John and Katrina's affair. Some allege that the song serves to further such false rumours, trying to create curiosity that will draw audiences to the film.

John added that he is not ready to buy the argument that the song is part of easy and sensational publicity for the film. He said, "Kabir Khan is not the kind director who needs to garner publicity for a film by such songs. There are certain directors and actors in the film industry who probably can do so. But New York in itself is so strong and credible film that it doesn't need such publicity."

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Shahrukh and Kajol at the sets of My Name Is Khan's Gallery

Bollywood Movie 'MY NAME IS KHAN' Cast & Crew

Banner
Dharma Productions

Status
Under Production

Color
C

Release Date
December 2009

Language
Hindi

Genre
Social

Shooting Studios
Filmistan

Director
Karan Johar

Star Cast
Shahrukh Khan...... Rizvan Khan
Kajol
Soniya Jehan
Jimmy Shergill
Zarina Wahab
Parvin Dabbas
Arif Zakaria

Cinematography
Ravi K. Chandran

Art
Sharmishta Roy

Screenplay
Shibani Bathija

Costume
Shiraz Siddiqui
Manish Malhotra

Story / Writer
Karan Johar
Shibani Bathija

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KATRINA KAIF never been to college in my life

If one looks at the extended promos of Yash Raj banner’s Kabir Khan directed next, New York, one can make out Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham play college mates. At the press meet of New York at Yash Raj Studios recently, we asked Katrina about her New York experience and her playing a college girl.

Here is what Katrina told us, “When I landed on the sets of the film on the first day I felt that I was a misfit here. The success of Singh Is King was still hovering over my head. I had done hardcore commercial ventures and here I was on a film that was entirely different from what I had done before. Gradually working with Kabir, John, Neil and Irrfan became so comfortable that I did not want to leave the sets and go back home.

“I have never been to college in my life since I started working at the age of 17 I had to pay my rent and take my financial responsibilities. Here I had all the fun that University kids have while studying. I was there on the sets with not much make up and simple clothes. The film really took me by surprise.”

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