Jan 4, 2010

Live Chat: Mudassar Aziz on January 4 at 1300 hrs IST


Mudassar AzizNot many directors get a chance to direct the 'Baadshah of Bollywood' - Shah Rukh Khan in their very first film. Mudassar Aziz is one such lucky guy. His maiden directorial venture Dulha Mil Gaya stars Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen and Fardeen Khan and is now ready for release. Bollywood Hungama gives you a chance to have an interesting chat with the man behind Dulha Mil Gaya - director Mudassar Aziz only on Celebrity Chat on Monday, January 4, at 1300 hrs IST.


Gulzar honours Ghalib again


GulzarRemember the television serial on Mirza Ghalib that Gulzar made in 1988? 20 years later Ghalib's memory remains as strongly imprinted on Gulzar's mind as ever. Proof of it lies in the fact that on Sunday, December 27, on the occasion of Ghalib's 200th birthday, Gulzar flew down to Delhi to participate in the annual candlelight march in honour of the peerless poet. Says Gulzar, "It's an annual ritual started by Pavan Kumar Varma who has researched intensely on Ghalib. Every year on Ghalib's birthday, we Ghalib followers march with candles from the Townhall in Delhi to Ghalib Miyan's home at the Galli Qasim Jaan in Chandni Chowk." Vishal Bhardwaj who was also in Delhi was expected to join the March. Says Gulzar emotionally, "Remembering Mirza Ghalib on his birth anniversary is the least we can do. Do you know his house had been converted into a coal depot until Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji stepped in to rescue the monument from doom? Now Ghalib's home is a museum and a shrine which we visit every day on his birth anniversary. If it wasn't for Ghalib, I wouldn't be a poet."


Amitabh Bachchan to read news on national television


Amitabh BachchanAfter playing Auro from Paa in a number of off-screen events and campaigns, the Big B will now assume the personality of Vijay Harshwardhan Mallik, the media commentator in Ram Gopal Varma's Rann, to appear on December 30 (today) on a news channel to do a year-end round-up of activities. "And we aren't just talking about entertainment-related activities," marvels Rann's co-producer Sheetal Talwar who was present when Mr Bachchan, in what would rank as the last in a chain of firsts, became the first actor from anywhere in the world to go on national television as a news anchor holding forth on events of the year from the world . "And it was events from the world of global politics. Mr. Bachchan just took over the television space as though he had done news analysis all his life. It was an amazing experience," says Talwar. On Thursday night, we'll hear Mr Bachchan talking on roughly 6 global issues of 2009: Indian national politics, terrorism, cricket, swine flu, recession and Obama on an hour-long segment. This would be the first of several media-related activities that the Big B is scheduled to participate in before Rann releases. Apparently, he intends to assume whatever character he plays in his forthcoming films and promote the film as the character rather than 'Amitabh Bachchan'.


Spanish La Liga Weekend Preview


Real Madrid missed the chance to overhaul Barcelona and climb to the top of the La Liga table by failing to beat Osasuna in a goalless draw.


Leeds hero may not stay at Elland Road


Leeds boss Simon Grayson wants to keep FA Cup hero Jermaine Beckford at Elland Road.


Zola does not expect fire sale


West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is not expecting to sell any key men - like England duo Robert Green and Matthew Upson - this month to help balance the books at Upton Park.


Wenger: I do not have the player


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels whatever Chelsea and Manchester City do will dictate how much serious business is conducted during the transfer window.


Phil Taylor nails 15th title


Phil Taylor won the PDC World Championship final on Sunday with a 7-3 victory over Simon Whitlock at Alexandra Palace.


Scottish Premier League Review


Rangers maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Celtic.


FA chief expects Capello stay


Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore expects Fabio Capello to remain as England boss until after Euro 2012.


Bolton set to move for Owen Coyle


Bolton are set to step up their bid for Owen Coyle by making an official approach to Burnley to speak to their former player on Monday.


Cardiff play down administration talk


Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has slammed a newspaper report claiming the Championship club are close to administration and insists the business will "continue to trade as normal".


Benitez plays down Van Nistelrooy link


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has played down suggestions that he is attempting a controversial move to sign former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.


McLeish reiterates Joe Hart stance


Alex McLeish hopes to sign "two or three" players this month - but the Birmingham boss revealed in-form goalkeeper Joe Hart will not be one of them.


Marouane Chamakh feels Arsenal pressure


Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh claims Arsenal are still attempting to convince him to move to Emirates Stadium.


Grant: Problems affecting players


Portsmouth boss Avram Grant admits it is becoming tough for his players to ignore the cash-strapped club's off-the-field issues.


Murray issues Grand Slam warning


Andy Murray believes he could still be considered a success at the end of his career even if he fails to win a grand slam.


Clijsters begins season with win


Kim Clijsters got her 2010 season underway with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Tathiana Garbin in the first round of the Brisbane International on Sunday.


India Science Award for eminent statistician C.R. Rao





PM leaves for Delhi after Thiruvanthapuram trip





PM announces compensation for Kerala tanker fire victims





Madhavan Nair conferred Panampally award





ISRO slow on internet?





PM salutes Nobel laureate 'Venki' Ramakrishnan for good science





Kerala police on extra alert for PM's visit





Basic science education should be promoted: Achuthanandan





Red tape, political interference regress Indian science: PM





A callous mix-up with unfortunate consequences





PM to inaugurate science congress amid tight security





Airport work to begin this year





Pinarayi Vijayan trying to divert people's attention: Hassan





Jai Hind Television to introduce many programmes





MG Varsity clinches Volleyball men's championship





Madhavan Nair, Krishanan Nair chosen for Malyali-2009 Award





PM arrives in Kerala on two-day visit





PM arrives in Thiruvananthapuram





Science congress to draw road map for technology challenges





Tipplers create record by consuming IMFL worth Rs 30 cr.





Religion based terrorism rising: HMS





Cochin Port creates record in cargo handling





Govt would assist families of accident victims: Kerala CM





Kerala to focus on revival of loss-making units: CM





ICS to see large participation; PM to honour Nair





All set for the 97th Indian Science Congress in Kerala





Achuthanandan under attack from aides for 'indiscipline'





Court posts hearing to Jan 14





Kappad to host internnational kite fete