Not Shy to be Called Old: Akshay Kumar

After a gap of seven years, Akshay Kumar will return to action in the sequel to 2010 hit Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. The actor, who was last seen doing stunts in Khakhee (2004), says that at the age of 44, he doesn’t care if people call him old. In fact, he claims that that he feels much fitter in
his forties.

“I don’t feel shy to be called old,” says Akshay adding, “In fact, I feel much younger. Also, the speed at which I run, jump and do all kinds of action has become faster than what I used to do 20 years back.”

The actor, who made his mark in the industry as an action hero in movies such as Sangharsh (1999) and Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), also established himself as a performer with a knack for comedy in Hera Pheri (2000), Garam Masala (2005), Singh is Kinng (2008) and Housefull (2010).

But Akshay confesses that inspite of doing comedy for several years, his love for action never faded. “Even though I was not doing any stunts or action in films, I was not at all away from it. Whenever I return home after shooting, I spend a huge amount of time in the gym, practicing all my stunts,” says Akshay.

The actor reveals that his focus next year will be on bringing back the action.

“I am doing all heavy-duty action film. Now, I have even doubled my practice,” says Akshay, showing his bruised palm. The actor will playing the role of underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim in the sequel of Once Upon…. , directed by Milan Luthria. In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Rowdy Rathod, he will play a rustic character.

“I am also doing another action film Na Mein Boss,” reveals the actor, adding, “But it’s too early to speak about it yet.”

Recently, Akshay also shot around 30 action commercials for a Viacom 18’s soon-to-be launched action-adventure channel Sonic. “When I heard that it’s about action, I immediately agreed to get associated with it,” says Akshay, who is also the brand ambassador of the channel which will go on air from December 26.

Movie Promotions Like Election Yatras : SRK

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is city hopping to promote 'Don 2: The King Is Back', and says the visits make him feel as if he is on an election campaign.

"Off to Ahmedabad, kem cho?? And then Jaipur, Ghani khamma!! Our promotions feel a little like yatras during election times...ha ha," Shah Rukh posted on his Twitter page.

The actor and the movie's team planned to begin their multi-city promotion tour from Patna. However, they had to fly straight to Nagpur, and skip Patna due to security issues.

'Don 2: The King Is Back' features Boman Irani, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta in key roles. The film releases Dec 23.

Lara Fed Up of Fake Twitter IDs

Pregnant actress Lara Dutta is bugged with two fake Twitter impersonators, who have been "misleading" her fans.

"Listen @_DuttaLara and @Duttalara, I'm sure imitation is the best form of flattery, but get a life and get off my page! Nobody likes a fake!" Lara posted on the micro-blogging site through her original Twitter handle -- @DuttaLara.

"And for the rest who've been here for a LONG time, my apologies you'll have to deal with fakes who mislead you," she added.

The actress, married to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, is looking forward to the release of her film 'Don 2: The King Is Back'.

She also recently had her baby shower and was glowing like any other mom-to-be.

Ritesh wants to Keep His Wedding Private Affair

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh, who will tie the knot with actress Genelia D'Souza early next year, wants to keep the wedding away from media glare.

However, being an actor and a politician's son, he knows it's not possible. "I would like to keep my entire wedding plan under personal space but it will not be that way eventually, but it's something that will happen when it has to happen," said the 32-year-old actor, here at a garment store launch in Mumbai. Son of Maharashtra's former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ritesh has been in the industry for eight years now and is happy the way his career has shaped up.

"I am very happy the way I have spent the past eight-nine years. I have worked with so many actors, directors and producers. It's more than what I had expected," said Ritesh, who made his Bollywood debut opposite his fiancé Genelia in 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' in 2003. It was Genelia's first film as well.

Ritesh has done some brilliant comedies such as 'Masti', 'Apna Sapna Money Money', 'Malamaal Weekly', 'Heyy Babyy', 'Housefull' and 'Double Dhamaal'. He is currently working on 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya', 'Housefull 2' and 'Kya Super Kool Hain Hum'.

Minissha Lamba fined Rs 4L for Duty Evasion

The customs department has imposed a penalty on actor Minissha Lamba for evasion of duty on the jewelry and dutiable goods she carried on her return from Cannes in May.

In an order dated December 8, customs joint commissioner R P Khandelwal has asked Lamba to pay Rs 3 lakh fine, Rs 95,000 as penalty and applicable duty to claim the jewellery worth Rs 31.32 lakh. Lamba has been asked to pay an additional penalty of Rs 10,000 on other goods like branded bags and shoes.

Her lawyer Sujay Kantawala said he would appeal before the commissioner.

On May 18, customs department stopped the actor at the airport. The department in its order said that there were "factual inaccuracies" in her claim.

Lamba said the display of the jewellery at the film festival would be an advertisement for the jewellers.

'We don't Need No Limitation'

The suggestion put forward by minister Kapil Sibal to introduce screening of social networking sites has been mostly met with opposition by users.

The new villain in the social networking circuit seems to be none other than Telecommunications Minister Kapila Sibal who, on Monday put forward a suggestion that the government would be forced to take necessary steps if internet giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Google failed to screen derogatory material from their sites.

The virtual world has come up with protests against the move, mostly accusing the government of questioning their freedom of expression, with some going to the extent of starting anti-Sibal pages on networking sites.

Zac Thomas, who describes himself as a ''puzzled Congress supporter'', says he was more surprised than anything else by the report which he found on New York Times on Monday.

"It must be some sort of a stunt to publicise its India centric blog. Kapil Sibal is not a humongous idiot and nor is the government that dimwitted to suggest such an attack on freedom of expression. Surely some mistake."

Noted film director Ashiq Abu seconds this view, "I think the minister's move has been misinterpreted. While it is true that certain posts have incited religious sentiments, it's also true that r evolutions have happened through such sites. It's virtually impossible to introduce such a screening in a country like ours. What they should do instead is make cyberlaws more stringent; most social networking sites have options for reporting spam and offensive material.Make better use of it.""

Many others are of the opinion that such a move questions the very concept of social networking sites. "Such networking sites have definitely given "freedom of expression" a whole new take! For a government which has practically remained deaf to many public pleads, they have been constructive platforms for the public to discuss issues that matter to them and reach out to the concerned. If that has started bothering one of the largest democracies in the world, I fear it will be not far when we will be like one of those nations where such sites are totally banned! Only the Government knows what is "objectionable" and so on the lighter side, I feel that would definitely give more job opportunities!" says Devika Menon, a content writer.

"Every post is going to be moderated? What's the fun of social networking sites if there is no real time interaction and commenting? That will be like taking away the freedom of the common people, equal to talibanising," says Prashant Chandran, a freelance photographer.

However, actor and model Archana Kavi asks everyone to pause and think a bit before jumping into conclusions.

"We should appreciate the kind of freedom that we've been given, and make good use of it. It is very easy to just sit at home and malign someone's image through these sites, create jokes, morph pictures, but what do you do constructively? I say we should help the government and be more responsible about what we do online.""

Meanwhile, Sibal has said that the government was not trying to censor the freedom of speech and expression or the press; it merely wants to stop offensive material from being uploaded on social networking sites. The Minister had met executives from Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft on Monday, but the meeting was not fruitful, he said.

Mayakkam Enna (2011) - Tamil Movie Review

Cast :

• Dhanush as Karthik Swaminathan
• Richa Gangopadhyay as Yamini
• Sunder Ramu as Sunder Ramesh
• Mathivanan Rajendran as Shankar
• Pooja Balu as Padmini
• Soni Barring as Ramya
• Shilpi Kiran as Vindhya
• Rajiv Choudhry as Ramesh
• Raviprakash as Madhesh Krishnasamy

Directed by : Selvaraghavan
Story by : Selvaraghavan
Singers : Selvaraghavan, Dhanush, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Harish Raghavendra, Naresh Iyer, Saindhavi
Lyricist : Selvaraghavan, Dhanush
Music by : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematography : Ramji
Editing by : Kola Bhaskar
Studio : Aum Productions
Distributed by : Gemini Film Circuit

"Mayakkam Enna", one of the most awaited films of the year, brings together the celebrity brothers - Selvaraghavan and Dhanush - after a long time. The duo brings a touching story of a young man's dream on screen.

The movie has all ingredients to attract youngsters - friendship, romance, betrayal, heartbreaks and passion to achieve. Selvah has stepped out of his comfort zone to touch upon new elements in life. With an astute performer like Dhanush by his side, Selva has hit the bull's eye.

Karthik (Dhanush) is a freelance photographer who lives life on his own terms and conditions. He is called genius among his group. He works hard and wants to leave a mark as a photographer. He has a special eye for capturing the elements of life and in its best possible moments. Though he does portfolio and weddings assignments, his passion is wildlife photography.

Karthik spends his time with his close friend Sundar (Sundar) and their gang and they have a typical lifestyle that today's youngsters enjoy. One fine day, Sundar comes with Yamini (Richa), his girlfriend.

Unfortuantely, in their first meeting Karthik and Yamini have a bitter experience but they slowly develop some special bond. Though Karthik tries to stay away from the girl since he doesn't want to break his friend's heart, but sequence of events brings them closer.

After some drama Karthik and Yamini get married but their married life starts on a disastrous note as Karthik is insulted and cheated by a renowned photographer.

The man is shattered. The young couple is in turmoil. Yamini tries her best to bring back Karthik's charm and enthusiasm, but he has gone to a stage which is termed as madness by others.

The rest of the movie deals with what happens to the couple's life and Karthik's dream.

Selvaraghavan has presented the story in a sensitive manner and has avoided cliches. The story develops at a natural pace without compromising much on the entertaining aspect.

Selva has the guts to show a girl falling in love with her boyfriend's friend. The romance between the lead pair comes as a surprise. but the developments after that are predictable though executed well.

The way Richa's character shapes up in the second half is appreciable.

Though the movie tends to become slower in the second half, emotion packed climax compensates it. Though the climax is predictable, the way it has been executed could bring tears in eyes of the viewers.

It's Dhanush special. The actor, who surprised one and all winning national award for his performance as a rustic youth in "Aadukalam", plays a contrasting role. As a freelance photographer, who is city-bred, he gives his best. His expressions and body language are the hallmark of the movie.

Newcomer Richa fits the role well. She brings out right emotions. She has proved her worth as a powerful performer.

Cinematographer Ramji and music composer G.V.Prakash should be complimented - they have done what they did in "Ayirathil Oruvan" - complimenting the theme with their work. GVP's back ground score is marvellous.

Selvaraghavan has succeeded in presenting a sensitive and engaging movie. Though the developments towards the climax look dramatic the impact of the climax compensates for it.