Informer

Finally, Anushka has changed!

Ever since her debut film released, Anushka Sharma stepped out only in her Taani gear from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi all wrapped up in churidar-kurtas. Now that she does not have to heed the diktats of Yash Raj Films, this ramp model from Bangalore has shot with Verve in some designer Western wear. She must be feeling at home finally. Good to see your true self, Taani-partner!

The Movies I Loved Growing Up

Mera Naam Joker: The first film I ever saw. It was in Amritsar, where my father was posted at the time. I was barely five, and I have memories of going together with many people: my mother and her friends packing sandwiches and parathas for us kids, as it was a five-hour long experience. It was like my first journey into cinema. It had a huge impact on me and I still keep watching it over and over, and keep finding things that move me.

To Sir With Love: I must've been in my pre-teens when I saw it. It seduced me into its realm and Sydney Poitier was a character who dominated my mind for a long time. The sensitivity with which the plot was handled, was rivetting.

China Town: Polanski's film shook me to my bones. I was really young when I saw it and its naked and raw emotions left me reeling for months. I couldn't believe life could be so disturbing. Till date, I want to shut the film out of my mind. Probably one of the greatest films made.

Sholay: I saw this movie more times than I can remember. We used to live behind a theatre in Jalandhar and Sholay ran in that theatre for all the time that my father was posted there. We were a bunch of friends who had befriended the manager and the ushers. They would let us in to see the film whenever we wanted. I would come home and cry every time I saw it because I would believe that one day the end will change and Amitabh Bachchan would not die in it. It never happened. My parents had to counsel me to get me over the film and to get me to stop seeing it.

Bridge Over the River Kwai:u00a0 War for me has never been more or less than the way it was portrayed in this film, wherever in the world it may take place. It was while I was watching this film, when I was about 10 years old that I decided I wanted to be a film maker. It was an emotional experience, which I am still living with till today.

And others... Besides the above five, films like Gone With The Wind, Out Of Africa, Dr Zhivago, Chhoti Si Baat, Fiddler On The Roof, A Patch Of Blue and each and every Bachchan film right till Agneepath have been my favourites.

On Aftab's plate

Though Aftab Shivdasani was keen that Indra Kumar's Daddy Cool be his first release of 2009, Robby Grewal's Aloo Chaat will hit the marquee before. The romantic comedy is slated for February 27 and has ladylove Aamna Shariff as his co-star. She is also his heroine in his home production Sabsa Peeche Hum Khade. Hope Affy does not live up to the title when his films release.

KJo connects

Karan Johar, who is presently shooting in LA, has found a new way to unwind after a long day of shooting. "I log on to Facebook and connect with all my friends. It's a new discovery for me. I am very technologically challenged, so I am still getting the hang of it. I have connected with so many of my school friends that I had lost touch with. The best part is when you look at them and they look like they are 80 years old. (Laughs) You end up feeling so good about yourself." Aah, that's the catty KJo we adore!

Nayi jodi alert

Balki, who gave a new twist to cross-generation love by casting Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu as a pair in Cheeni Kum, is all set to start his second feature film Pa. In Chennai to finalise Ilayaraja for the music and PC Sreeram for the cinematography, Balki explains why Tabu isn't a part of Pa. "I'd have loved to cast her again. But Mr Bachchan has no romantic lead opposite him and it'd have looked really odd to cast Tabu opposite Abhishek after she had played his father's co-star." So the role has gone to Vidya Balan. Maybe next time, Tabu?

YET ANOTHER PREMIERE: Akshay Kumar with biwi Twinkle, Deepika Padukone and director Nikhil Advani are globetrotting for the premieres of their film, Chandni Chowk To China. After Los Angeles and New York, it was Toronto's turn. Next stop is London. So how many more cities to go for this project produced by Rohan Sippy and Warner Brothers?

Big shoes

Decades ago, media baron Nari Hira had launched Aditya Panscholi in Shingora. Now Panscholi who is on a comeback trail, is all set to pay homage to his mentor. In his new ready-for-release film Raftaar 24/7, Pancholi stars as a media baron who believes sensational stories are the order of the day.

Says Aditya, "I wouldn't say the role is a homage to Nari Hira. It's modelled on him. The stress on news-worthiness is what I've borrowed from him. The rest of the character's hunger for sensational headline is entirely fictitious." About his role Aditya says, "I play a media tycoon who invents news to keep his paper on the top. Emraan Hashmi plays my protege." Aiming too high, maybe?

RAZA'S BOLLYWOOD

Q Why can Sanjay Dutt be called a MP even before he contests the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections?

Au00a0 Because he is 'M'aanayata 'P'ati!

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