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First Look: Prakash Jha's power-packed Aarakshan

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

Director Prakash Jha unveiled the first look of his new film Aarakshan amidst much fanfare at Hotel Novotel in Juhu, a western Mumbai suburb. Amitabh Bachchan and Prateik Babbar, who play central characters in the film, were present at the event along with lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Jha, who is known for making films that underline socially-relevant issues, said about his new film, "With the movie I am not trying to target any one issue in our society. Reservation happens everywhere in our society and my attempt was to pick a story which is relevant enough to be told through a visual medium to a wider audience."

He added, "In real-life stories, there is such tremendous amount of drama and conflict. Also the way our society is moving ahead comes with its own important decisions."

"I'd wanted to work with Prakash Jha since quite some time but for certain reasons, it never happened," Amitabh Bachchan said. "I always watched his films and was impressed by his work. Jaya (Bachchan) would often mention that if it'd be exciting to work with him."

Amitabh also remarked that he was impressed with the discipline he saw on the film's sets.

However, the 68-year-old actor, who plays a college principal in the movie, was wary of voicing his opinion on the issue dealt with in the film. "I would like to keep my opinions (about reservation) to myself for the fear of it being misconstrued," he said.

The film also stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Manoj Bajpai.

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I have never left India: M F Husain

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

Maqbool Fida Hussain, who rose from a Bollywood billboard artist to India's most celebrated painter worldwide, died in London on Thursday, away from home on a self-imposed exile.

India's very own 'Picasso', who earned both fame and wrath for his paintings, died a Qatari citizen at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London where he was admitted after being in "indifferent health" for the last one-and-a-half month, family sources told PTI.

The legendary Husain, breathed his last at 2.30 am local time (0700 IST) at the age of 95. The cause of his death was not immediately known.

India's biggest grosser as a painter with his works fetching astronomical sums in auctions in London and New York, Hussain turned away from his homeland in 2006 following a series of legal cases and death threats over his depiction of Hindu goddesses in nude.

He accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010 after surrendering his Indian passport.

Hussain's death away from Mumbai, where he started as a painter of Bollywood posters in the 1920s and later went on to achieve iconic status, was symbolic of the controversy that forced him out of India and dogged him to the last.

Though in his last interviews he expressed his desire to return home to spend the last days of his life, the celebrated artist could never make it back.

Vidya's sexy curves in Dirty Picture!

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

It's been a while since news of Vidya Balan playing Silk Smita onscreen started doing the rounds. But now we have a preview of Vidya's look in Milan Luthria's Dirty Picture, a film based on the late Southern actress.

In a bid to break away from her demure persona and to emulate the sexy actress, Vidya is sure to don some seriously smouldering looks for the film and here, we see a glimpse.

Trailer: Ajay Devgan's Singham

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

After a long time, we will get to see Ajay Devgn in an out an out action film, the genre he started out his movie career in.

Singham is a copy of a Tamil film of the same name, directed by Hari and starring Suriya and Anushka Shetty.

The Hindi remake is directed by hit director of Golmaal series, Rohit Shetty. It co-stars south actress Kajal Aggarwal.

In the trailer, we see quite a bit of terrific action. Ajay's muscular body is also well displayed

Trailer: Sunny Deol's 'Ghayal Returns'

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

Sunny Deol is back!

The Last Action Hero returns to the marquee with the sequel to Ghayal, one of the biggest hits of his career.

The trailer of Ghayal Returns packs a louder punch than the original, and reminds us of 1990's Superstar Sunny.

The teaser starts with one of Sunny's famous dialogue from the original. As it continues, the actor -- playing a cop -- beats up a goon to marvelous effect.

Later, as we see the actor clinching his fist in the final scene of the teaser, it reminds us of Sunny's famous dhaai kilo ka haath.

Learn sexy moves from Farah Khan!

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

Choreographer-director Farah Khan is a dynamo. The mother of triplets juggles films, family, television shows with aplomb. She's redefined the female director. Farah Khan is Lady Bollywood, a fervent believer in all things big and bright and masala. Here she shows us some of her famous dance moves.

Sushma's dance at BJP protest

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

A controversy erupted when visuals showing Swaraj dancing at Rajghat while on a protest were aired on television channelsThe Congress demanded the resignation of Opposition Leader in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj after visuals showing the top BJP leader dancing at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi Rajghat sparked a controversy.

"By dancing at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj has not only insulted Gandhiji but all the freedom fighters and the entire countrymen. She should resign from the post of the Leader of the Opposition and apologise to the people," All India Congress Committee General Secretary B K Hariprasad said.

.However, Swaraj defended her act saying she was dancing to the tune of patriotic songs to boost the morale of the cadres which is in keeping with the traditions of the party

Politics of Love Trailer 2011

Last updated on: June 11, 2011 10:23 IST

Mallika Sherawat is all set to sizzle in Hollywood with her latest film Politics of Love. The actress shared the trailer of the film on Twitter.

The movie is set during the 2008 US Presidential elections and is about the romance between a black republican (played by Brian White) and Obama-worshiping democrat (played by Mallika).