They’ve got the blues

Blue was definitely a favourite colour in 2011. Here's a look at the various hues of the shade that celebs sported with aplomb, at different events this year.

It's raining remakes in Bollywood in 2012

From 'Players', 'Agneepath', 'Rowdy Rathore', 'Son of Sardar' to 'Chashme Buddoor', 2012 will see a string of remakes in 2012.

Bollywood has been remaking films since times immemorial but off-late filmmakers are opting for official remakes over blatant plagiarism. Ghajini, Wanted, Ready, Bodyguard just ascertain the fact. The year 2012 kick-starts with an official remake - Players and there are many more of them in store. We list down the most prominent remakes in 2012 analyzing 'what's new', 'what's retained' and the 'remake history' or each.

Why is Katrina 'Chikni Chameli'?

After Sheila, Munni, Shalu and Jalebi Bai, 'Chikni Chameli' is the latest item bomb in Bollywood. Katrina Kaif has outdone her 'Sheila ki jawani' act in the song, and "Agneepath" director Karan Malhotra believes she has done full justice to it.

Shah Rukh Khan charms Lucknow

AA GAYA DEKHO DON: People in Lucknow waited in anticipation of Shah Rukh Khan's visit days before the star actually came on Wednesday on his first ever trip to Lucknow.

No patch up bewtween Priyanka, Salman

There were reports swirling around that Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra had recently patched up at Riteish Deshmukh's birthday party.

Sonam shows off plunging neckline in a jacket

Sonam Kapoor was in New Delhi recently for a fashion house event. Despite the chill, the actress arrived at the venue in a jacket with a plunging neckline.

No Taj for AR Rahman!

The music maestro has been denied permission to perform at a venue with the majestic Taj Mahal as the backdrop

Agneepath sets Hrithik’s stock soaring

Hrithik Roshan's movie graph is definitely going upwards; judging especially with the amounts being paid for the satellite rights of his movies.

A few months ago the satellite rights of Krrish-3 were lapped up for an astounding amount; with RA.One closely trailing.

Ranbir Kapoor vs Shahid Kapoor

Ranbir and Shahid said to be competing with each other to play the lead in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's next

Veena Malik safe and sound in Mumbai hotel

Veena Malik, who had been reported missing since Friday, has been found to be safe and staying in a hotel in Mumbai.

The most controversial song of the year 2011

Perhaps the most controversial song of the year, Bhaag DK Bose emerges as the top Bollywood song of 2011

It was difficult to change my sexy image: Neha Dhupia

Former Miss India Neha Dhupia started her Bollywood career with bold films like "Julie" and "Sheesha", but later she moved to performance-based roles with "Mithya". But the transition was not easy, she says.

The game-changers of 2011!

Most people tread the beaten path but some rare ones lead the way. A salute to some people who in 2011 attempted to go where no one else has dared

Rewind 2011
As much as I am tempted to say that 2011 has been a phenomenal year, it is kind of given considering that the entertainment industry is growing at a breathtaking pace.

However, 2011 does have its fair share of moments which made us proud, moments that made us cringe, moments that made us teary-eyed and moments that made us want to hide under a rock.

Starting from today, till the end of the year, Hitlist will stitch together those moments and talk about the personalities who were instrumental in making them possible. Happy reading.
-- Ed

They say rules are meant to be broken. But not everyone who talks of breaking the norm manages to carve a path of his or her own.

2011, fortunately has seen a powerful set of 'game changers', who have proven to be visionaries in their own might.

From a mainstream actress who proudly showed off her three 'tyre'-tummy, to a superstar who announced the news of becoming a father in a way as ingenuous as most of his movies, here are 2011's rebellious bests...

Bombaat Balan
There's little that hasn't already been said about this woman who changed the face (and body) of a leading lady in Bollywood. Post The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan came to be known as the 'ballsiest' actor in the industry.

In the past five years, revealing extra ounces of flesh has become as sacrilegious as a lip-lock or a sex-scene back in the 70's. But when Vidya strutted around in micro-minis showing of a jelly-belly, it was more about shedding inhibitions, than clothes.

More so, it was a wake-up call for actresses who belong to a space where success rates are measured by the number of item numbers they bag. "In this film I have celebrated my body and I think we all should," says Vidya.

Daddy cool
Trust Aamir Khan's son to come into the world, making a statement. Azad Rao Khan is a probably the quietest Bollywood baby to be delivered, but still he managed to create all the right noises. When proud papa announced his arrival through IVF surrogacy, it was a lesson for many popular couples that still treat the method as a taboo. "This baby is especially dear to us because he was born to us after a long wait and some difficulty," said Aamir.

The Kolaveri chant
A romantic moonlit night, a heartbreak that follows, a glass of scotch and a few tears ingredients that describe the love life of every youngster. Add them in a song, and you've got a number that becomes the anthem of the youth. Some called Kolaveri racist, some others tagged it sexist, some called the language derogatory, and the rest called it a 'passing' craze. But surprising its critics, this Tanglish number (created in a little Chennai studio) left behind the most popular Bollywood hits to emerge as the most downloaded Indian song ever. Says Dhanush, "We created a song to show that angst. We're glad it's become so relatable."

Fire in the belly
Every year there's that one film which both curses and celebrates the unpredictability of life. For 2011, Delly Belly was that film and much more. The dark humour in the film (predominantly in English) resonated not just with the youth but with anyone who understands what it feels like when s*** hits the roof. With no item number, no romantic plot, no real hero or villan, the film defied most Bollywood conventions. It was the first and probably the only time a desi gaali became a chartbuster. "With DK Bose, we mock our flawed selves. None of us are perfect and the song signifies that," said Ram Sampat, the composer of the song. The film gave adult humour a new dimension hinting that our cinema is finally coming of age.

Queen Kapoor
From being the queen of soaps to ruling the big screen, Ekta Kapoor's dramatic transition is as surprising as laudable. Her films are everything her TV soaps are not, and 2011 stands testimony to that. From reviving the dead genre of Bollywood horror with Ragini MMS to providing a fresh perspective on Mumbai's crime scene in Shor in the City to giving us a flavour of the much-mocked upon 80's in The Dirty Picture, she is the one woman producer who has the brains and the b**** to give most others a run for their money.

The 'one' and only
Love it, hate it, but you couldn't ignore it. Shah Rukh Khan's RA.One changed the rules of the marketing game in more ways than one. We saw Mr Khan endorsing everything from bathing soaps to baniyaans, but that does not take away from the fact that this carpet-bombing marketing method ensured the footfalls SRK badly needed. RA.One also became the film with the most advanced visual effects, opening doors for many such ambitious ventures.

Also...

The Indian television media spoke out loud when they collectively took a stand to not cover the much-hyped arrival of the Bachchan baby. Though, it was looked upon as unfair regulation of the media, it eventually stood out as an example.

A rather provocative and bold Bengali film called Gandu made all attempts for public screenings at film festivals, despite oppositions from political parties. The film, has now been released online successfully reaching a large chunk of its target audience.

Stephen Speilberg's Tin tin for becoming the highest Hollywood animation grosser in India.

Actresses like Purna Jagannathan and Nargis Fakhri who made their Bollywood debuts post their 30s.



Courtesy : Mid day

Birthday Special: Rajnikanth

Phenomenally popular, Rajnikanth is known among his fans as 'The Superstar'. For thousands of his admirers, Rajni is the last word in stardom. He has enchanted film viewers with his magical performances, thrilling on-screen presence and unique dialogue delivery.

Amy Jackson is all set to make her Bollywood debut!

She was spotted on the Miss England website by director AL Vijay, and a month later, she was shooting in Hyderabad and Chennai for her first Tamil film, "Madrasapattinam"! In an interview at that time, Amy Jackson had said, "I couldn't believe it. I'd never acted in my life, I didn't even know I could act."

Kat's item song is a rip-off

Katrina Kaif's next item song is taken from a 2006 Marathi film; music composers who made the original song, promise that the new one will be scorch the dance floors

Aamir is a wonderful actor: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan is very excited to be working with Aamir Khan too for the first time in Dhoom3.

Dev saab's discoveries

Here are some of the Bollywood stars whom Dev Anand gave their dream debut.

Zeenat Aman

Dev Anand's biggest discovery, Zeenie baby took the nation by storm with her debut in 1971's Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Dev was looking for a peppy girl for six months when he met Zeenat, then Miss Asia, at a party.

Tina Munim

She met Dev as a starstruck teen on a film set, where she sought his autograph. When Dev asked if she was interested in films, Tina, who had won the Miss Photogenic title at a contest, said yes. Dev launched her in Des Pardes in 1978.

Tabu

Dev was looking for a teen to play his daughter in 1985's gritty drama Hum Naujawan, when he met eighties star Farah Naaz's sister Tabassum. He rechristened her as Tabu for the screen, and Bollywood got its most talented actor.

Jackie Shroff

Dev Anand saw the ability in this erstwhile slum dweller and gave him a small negative part in the 1973 hit Heera Panna. His work was noticed inanother Dev Anand starer, Swami Dada.

Richa Sharma

Hum Naujawan was the debut film of American NRI Richa Sharma too. Richa had a brief stint in Bollywood before marriage to Sanjay Dutt in 1987. She passed away in 1996 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Natasha Sinha

When Dev decided to launch his son Suniel in 1984, the country waited with curiosity to find out who the lucky girl opposite him would be. The film was Anand Aur Anand, and Natasha was unveiled with much hoopla. But it bombed, ending Suniel and Natasha's career, although she did find a good stint on TV after that.

Ekta

She was launched opposite Aamir Khan in Dev's 1990 film Awwal Number, a thriller set in the backdrop of cricket. Ekta did not have a great career in Bollywood and tied the knot with actor Mohnish Behl.

Shatrughan Sinha

Shot gun made his debut as a Pakistani military officer in Dev Anand's Prem Pujari. But this film got delayed and he was first seen on-screen in Sajan in 1969.



Courtesy : MSN

Mallika excited at playing Haryanvi in film

Bollywood's export to Hollywood, Mallika Sherawat, is excited about starting work on her next Hindi film "Kismat Love Paisa Dilli", which has her playing a Haryanvi girl for the first time.

Indian cinema completes 100 years

Bollywood filmmakers came together at an event held at a Juhu hotel to deliberate upon a plan for the celebration of Indian cinema which completes 100 years


Courtesy : Mid day