Hari Puttar

Rating: *

Kiddie films, aimed at kids between 6 and 60, are slowly making inroads in Bollywood. Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors is the newest entrant in this family.

Now let's set the record straight. Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors is not remotely inspired by HARRY POTTER, but it actually borrows from HOME ALONE. Unfortunately, directors Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli make a complete mess of what could've been a great kiddie fare.

Seriously, what were the directors thinking when they okayed this apology of a script? The directors seem completely clueless about how smart today's kids are. And the kind of stuff they have an access to (television, cinema, games). They've witnessed far better stuff than what's dished out in this misadventure.

Hari Prasad (Zain Khan) or Hari Puttar, as he is fondly called, is a bright 10-year-old who has recently moved from India to U.K. with his parents.

His father, Prof. Dhoonda, is assigned to work on a secret project with the Defence Forces at a remote location in U.K. He has access to confidential information that is stored on a chip and safely kept at his house.

Within days of their arrival in London, Hari's aunt (Lilette Dubey) and uncle DK (Jackie Shroff) visit the Dhoonda residence with their own as well DK's boss' children. Suddenly, the house is filled with the effervescence of no less than ten kids.

At this point, everything goes for a spin for Hari Puttar. Not only is he thrown out of his room to accommodate the girls, he is also ragged and ridiculed by all the other kids for being too naïve. Hari Puttar suddenly feels unwanted, undermined and unappreciated.

The family takes off for a holiday, leaving Hari Puttar and Tuk Tuk (Swini Khara), his cousin, behind, who confront the two goons (Saurabh Shukla, Vijay Raaz) out to rob the chip.

Even if you're inspired by a hugely popular English film, the challenge lies in Indianising it well enough. But HARI PUTTAR - A COMEDY OF TERRORS is an amateurish attempt all the way.

Here, the goons exchange the choicest of expletives (beeped obviously). Here, the villain (Mr. Blue Contact Lenses with an Ajit hangover; zero expressions) and his cronies (Saurabh Shukla in a hideous wig and Vijay Raaz in outlandish outfits) are more of buffoons. Here, in a kiddie film, you get to watch a sexy Shamita Shetty gyrating to a promotional track.

The scripting is amateurish and hence, whatever unfolds on screen makes no impact whatsoever. Any redeeming aspect? The penultimate 15 odd minutes when the kids try their best to keep the villains at bay. Also, the animation is quite good.

Zain Khan does a decent job. Swini Khara, seen in CHEENI KUM, gets no scope. Sarika looks disinterested. Also, she looks ill at ease delivering Punjabi lines. Lilette Dubey is miscast. As for Jackie Shroff, the less said the better. It's also sad to see actors like Saurabh Shukla and Vijay Raaz being reduced to such roles. They ham!

On the whole, Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors is a poor show all the way

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I would love to be a ‘kept’ man: Abhay Deol

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood ParadizeQ. One quality your woman must possess?
A.A sense of adventure!

Q. Any particular reason?
A.Because I am adventurous myself.

Q. And the other must-haves include?
A.She has to be a career-oriented woman. She should be earnest, have a great sense of humour and, and, and — the list is indeed long!

Q. Internal or External Beauty?
A.A combination of both.

Q. From Bollywood or outside?
A.I would love to meet someone from outside. Lemme see!

Q. Would you cook for her?
A.Yes, sure. If she is willing to eat whatever I cook for her!

Q. What gifts would you expect from her?
A.The best of anything. But honestly, I don't care for gifts much. However, as I am an outdoors person, she can take me out for dinner.

Q. What would be your favourite romantic getaway with her?
A.I love the sea and the beaches. So it can be any beach destination.

Q. How important would calls and SMSs be in your relationship?
A.Since that’s a symbol of communication, I guess it would be important.

Q. What if she was earning more than you?
A.I would love it. I would love to be a ‘kept’ man, but she should make it a point to take care of my expenses!

Q. So you prefer a career woman to a housewife?
A.Yes, absolutely.

Q. How long would you wait to take your relationship to the next level?
A.If I think about it at the moment, it's going to take really long. At one point of time, when I was younger, I thought I wouldn't get married ever. At least, now I am open to the idea. Then, too, marriage is still not in my itinerary for at least 7-8 years.

Q. Do you remember your first crush?
A.Of course, I remember her. I was in school and was six years old then. I was punished by my teacher for kissing her

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If he likes me, he will have to accept me as I am: Deeepika Padukone

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood ParadizeQualities you look for in your man?
Honesty, good natured, helpfulness and a nice sense of humour are the ‘must haves’.

Do ‘good looks’ also find place in your list? And how high in the order?
‘Good looks’ is obviously there in my list, but it does not figure that high in the pecking order.

If you like a guy, would you make the first move?
No, I am too traditional in that the sense. If he likes me, he will have to make the first move.

Would you ‘dress to kill’ on the first date?
No, I would wear something I would be comfortable in rather than something which might attract him, but make me look like a complete fool.

Would you offer to foot half the bill on your first date?
Yes, I would definitely, but it would be up to him to accept.

What would be your reaction if girls made a pass at your guy?
I would not lose my cool for sure because if we are together, then the trust factor has to be there.

Would you like him dictating what you should wear and what not?
If he likes me, he will have to accept me as I am. So definitely, he would have no right to dictate to me.

If you and your guy had to go away from the busy life, where would you be heading out to?
We would go to Rishikesh for some serious mountaineering and river rafting. I love adventure sports.

One general trait of men you dislike?
That it’s not manly enough to cry.

Among the current Bollywood hunks, who comes nearest to your man?
That a tough question, I think I better give it a pass.

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Don't Believe Everything You Hear: Kareena

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Monday dismissed reports that she had turned a producer.

"I have no intentions to turn a producer. The rumours are baseless. There is no truth to it, " the actor said in a statement here.

A source close to Kareena echoed this, adding: "Kareena is committed to several projects and is going to be neck deep in work for another two years. So where is the time to launch her own production house?"

Rumours were rife that Kareena was to launch her own production banner with the first film to be a romantic comedy directed by her close friend and director Lovely Singh of “Kyaa Love Story Hai” fame. Kareena was to play the lead.

It also raised speculation that her real life beau Saif Ali Khan would star opposite her in the film.

However, the source maintained: "Kareena hails from the RK family and with the prestigious RK banner with her, why would Kareena launch an independent production house?"
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I can even look good in a bikini: Gul Panag

Former Miss India Gul Panag, mostly seen in de-glamorised acting roles, recently caught public attention by posing in a black lingerie for the cover page of Maxim, a magazine for men. Gul said she did it to show off the "glamorous and real side" of her personality.

"It was not for a change in my image. I am very happy to have the image that I have. I am associated with a certain type of work and I don't want to change that ever. But what is important is that people should understand that what they see on screen and what I am are two different persons, " Gul told.

Gul has received critical acclaim for playing offbeat roles in films like "Dor" and "Manorama Six Feet Under", in which she was seen mostly in Indian attire.

"In reality, I am not that kind of person as shown in most of my films. I am not a village girl clad in 'saris' and 'salwar-kameez' in real life. I am a regular modern girl who is glamorous in real life and that's what I wanted to show. In fact, nobody has ever seen me in 'saris' and 'salwar-kameez' in real life, " said Gul who debuted with Parth Arora's "Dhoop" in 2003.

"I can look good in a bikini or any other sexy outfit or equally convincing in a nightie. That's the job of an actor, " she added.

Commenting upon her roles, she said: "I believe that I'm extremely versatile as I can do power packed performances as well as look good as and when required. I don't want the people to be confused that the role that I have been playing in my films is what I am in real life. It's just the man who is playing the villain in films is not bad in real life."

What made you say yes to Maxim?

"Why not? It's the highest selling men's magazine in the world, " she said.

Asked about her future plans, she said: "It's not that I'll be doing more glamorous or power packed roles. It's about the offers. Glamour cannot be substance to a role. However, in most of my forthcoming films, I have glamorous roles.

"In 'Hello' I am glamorous. I have two more films - 'Straight' and 'Hello Darling' - in which too I have glamorous roles."

The actress said she is playing a modern, urban young woman in "Hello".

"My character is neither black nor white. It has a huge amount of grey in her. In the story, she is stuck in a conflict in choosing between love and practicality."

Based on novelist Chetan Bhagat's "One Night At The Call Centre" also stars Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar, Sharman Joshi, Amrita Arora and Arbaaz Khan.

Gul said she liked the story and her role in particular. "I never sign a film unless and until I am convinced with the story. In this case, I knew the story beforehand because I had read the book earlier. It is an extremely interesting story and I hope people will like me in the role."

Gul said she enjoyed most working for "Manorama Six Feet Under".

"It is closest to my heart and I enjoyed working in it the most."

Among the newcomers, Gul finds Imran Khan as most dynamic and wants to work with him.

"I think Imran is extremely talented and the most promising among the newcomers. I came to meet Imran for a short while during an audition where we interacted and I found him a highly sensible and dynamic actor. If given a choice among the newcomers, I would definitely choose him, " she said.
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Sophie has body that is absolutely sexy'

Ask prominent lensman which actress is a perfect combo of sex appeal and innocence and most opine that it's Sophie Chaudary.

An ace photographer said, "Sophie has body that's absolutely sexy and the way she carries herself makes it even more sexier. At the same time her expressions and eyes exude innocence.

This kind of combination is very rare. Only a few, in fact only Sophie has it."

Sophie has just an exclusive photoshoot with her favorite Photographer Ram Bherwani.

The photographer said, "Sophie is looking fittest and best ever. Filmmakers have yet to capture her the way I have, Sophie sets my camera on fire.

The same will happen to the cinema screens if filmmakers can catch her soul through their character and story. Sophie is one actress to watch out for."
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I cannot stand good-looking men: Neha Dhupia

Your man will be from?
Definitely not from the (film) industry.

Reason?
Very simple. I don’t have a liking for industry men much. Secondly, I would not like to discuss films after coming back home from work.

Would he be a metrosexual man?
No way! I detest metrosexual men right from my childhood.

Why so?
Because, I just cannot stand men who pedicure and manicure. I remember telling my father why do these men not leave pedicure and manicure to women.

Do you mean to say that men should leave their fingers and feet unclean?
No, not at all. I don’t mean them to remain dirty, but cleanliness not at the cost of being manly. They should not exhibit feminine qualities.

Would he be very good looking?
I cannot stand good-looking men.

Then?
He has to be someone who is robust and has a manly appearance.

A man with brain or brawn?
A man with brain would be my choice.

Would he need to be rich?
See, I prefer a man to excel in earning and leave the spending to me (laughs).
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I'm single, Riteish is just my friend: Genelia D'Souza

Imran Khan's petite and perky costar Genelia D'Souza in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na started her career with Mr Bachchan, no less.

"I did a Parker pen ad with him when I was still a kid. It seems I've been acting forever. Strangely acting was never an option. That ad was directed by Mansoor Khan. He kept me in mind for Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, and here I am."

She continues, "Actually this film was being produced by Jhamu Sugandh first. That's when I screen -tested for the role of Aditi. I met the director Abbas Tyrewalla and he almost finalized me.

But he needed bulk dates from me and I was busy down South. He wanted to shoot at stretch. I couldn't do. I got busy in the South. Then one day I got a call from Aamir Khan's office.

Abbas wanted a complete newcomer. But Aamir wanted a girl who suited the character. The next thing I knew, I was on board."

Genelia says she was never that keen on an acting career. "But when I saw how I was appreciated down South I fell in love with the industry.I've been lucky. I didn't plan anything. I've never contacted a single producer. So far it's been an awesome journey."

After Tamil and Telugu Genelia has just made her debut in Kannada film. "I'm sure I'll be able to dub in all the South Indian languages soon. I know I can do it. I just need to get the slangs and colloquialisms correct. Honestly I need to dub my own lines in the South to give complete performances."

In Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Genelia plays a girl quite like herself. "Except for one detail. Aditi picks fights with every damn person. I'm not like that.

I'd rather talk it out than fight. I had to really let go to be fighting on screen all the time.

The workhops really help. Both Imran and I are close to the characters. But we also discovered new facets of ourselves while playing the characters."

Like Asin, Genelia is now dividing her time between Bollywood and the South. "I'm getting a lot of calls in Mumbai. I want to balance it out. But the priority would be Hindi films right now because I've worked really long in the South.

But my South Indian films are also very important. I get very satisfying roles in Tamil and Telugu. And I can't let them go. Let's just say I'll do one film down South for every two films I do here.

In any case they wrap up their films super-fast down South."

The rumours about Genelia D'Souza and her first co-star Riteish Deshmukh have the child-woman flummoxed.

"I'm very much single. Riteish is a friend. But that's it. I've no idea where these rumours come from. We're both very busy. When we occasionally meet up we're normal with one another, not the least selfconscious about what's written about us.

I'm very new to all this. I've done the two films with Riteish Tujko Meri Kasam and Masti….I started young, yes. In 2003 I had three releases in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, " the Mumbai girl informs me.

"I got busy with the South that 's the only reason why it took me so long to get noticed in Bollywood.

There's a buzz about Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na because it is Imran's debut film. I'm definitely looking at it as a high-potential film.

I also had fun doing Priyadarshan's Mere Baap Pehle Aap. I enjoy doing films in all languages and genres."

She also has It's My Life with Harman Baweja coming up.

"I've done the original in Telugu down South. Then I also did the remake in Tamil. Now I'm doing it in Hindi. The Tamil and Telugu versions were similar. But the Hindi version is very different. Today both the South and Hindi are high-potential industries for me. I'm still a newcomer in Bollywood."
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