The 55th Filmfare Awards 2009 to be held in Mumbai on February 27

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A total of 111 films are competing in 37 categories at the 55th Filmfare Awards 2009 to be held in Mumbai on February 27, an organiser said on Wednesday.

"It’s been a fantastic journey for the past 55 years. So much has changed in the film industry and so much has changed with the awards function too. Fifty-five years ago, we started with three categories and a handful of films and today we have got 37 categories and 111 films participating," Tarun Rai, CEO of Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd, said.

"So it’s a completely different scale and it’s also fascinating in terms of kind of movies that are actually there for nomination this time," he said.

The nomination for each category is absolutely based on reader’s poll.

"It wasn’t difficult to nominate films or film personalities in any category because it was done through reader’s poll. A huge number of people read our magazines around the country and we also have filmfare.com and it’s been visited by millions of people not just in India but also across the world. For us it was easy. It will be difficult for the jury to choose one among the five in each category," Rai said.

Packed with entertainment, the award night would be attended by almost 500 people from the industry, including all the leading stars, he said.

"There are almost 500 people from the industry who would be present that night including the leading stars and the evening would be packed with glamour, great performances, suspense and excitement...it’s going to be a riot," said Rai.

Top stars are also going to perform this year on stage, he added.

Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd continues its association this year with the mobile operator Idea Cellular.

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Reshammiya constantly interacted with the crowd, calling on them to sing the refrains of his songs. The delighted crowd obliged

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Poor sound quality and constant screaming into a mike that distorted his voice marred the Himesh Reshammiya show at the Emperors Place here, but his young South African fans lapped it up, dancing in the aisles and on their seats at his repeated request.Reshammiya was visibly irritated that microphones had to be changed three times at the start of Saturday’s show and again later during the event as a constant hum kept recurring. His sound technician said that it was due to the fans trampling on the cables, but local sound experts scoffed at this.
Belting out his hits of the past two three years or so, Reshammiya also did something he rarely allows fellow playback singers to do in India - to sing songs that he composes music for in their own voices.

He let Vineet Singh of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” TV show fame sing a number of songs, all of course original Reshammiya compositions, and the confident youngster performed quite well. Reshammiya even joined him on stage at one stage.

When he called on children and later women to join him on stage, there was a stampede that forced Reshammiya to security backup to move them back and implore the women to not let the stage collapse.

Reshammiya constantly interacted with the crowd, calling on them to sing the refrains of his songs. The delighted crowd obliged.

When eager fans rushed near the stage to dance and take pictures with their cellphones, one or two heavy-handed guests in the most expensive seats in the front also shove them away till security restored order.

In a surprise, a young singer introduced only as “Nikki of Johannesburg” sang a song and unfortunately left a rather poor example of the talent that does exist in South Africa. One of the promoters shrugged his shoulders when asked who she was and how she had been chosen to represent local talent.

Overall, Reshammiya delivered on his promise to fans to rock the “stadium”, as he repeatedly called the well-enclosed indoor venue. But he did not do justice to one well-advertised fact - that he would perform a number from his next film “Karz”.

Performing first with his trademark cap on, he then progressed to wearing a beanie and then eventually took it off to show his new longhaired image for the role in “Karz”, partly shot earlier this year at Emperors Palace. He then sang just the first verse of the title song and promptly put his beanie back on again for the rest of the show.

Significantly, unlike many other Indian shows here where fans keep clamouring for more at the end, it was Reshammiya who kept seeking just a few more minutes to continue from the promoter, Rani Jamal of Kenya, who eventually thanked the audience herself and announced the end of the show.

The fans did not call for more - they started leaving, even causing Reshammiya to implore them to hang on for the last few minutes. Perhaps they had just had enough of the repetitive songs and the bad sound.

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IIFA awards, 2008, was completed yesterday on June 9

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IIFA awards, 2008, was completed yesterday on June 9, amidst much glamour and glitz. June 7, Saturday night in Bangkok, saw leading cine stars Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ayesha Takia, Zayed Khan and the likes walk the ramp for a charitable event to raise funds for families of workers adversely affected during production of films.

While Kareena did it for Manish Malhotra’s designs, ‘De Taali’ stars, Aftab Shivdasani, Ritesh Deshmukh and Ayesha Takia walked the ramp in the works of designer Vikram Phadnis. The lead pair of the much awaited ‘Love Story 2050’, Priyanka and Harman Baweja flared Rohit Bal’s designs and the cast of the forthcoming ‘Mission Istanbul’ including Zayed Khan and Vivek Oberoi , showcased the look of their soon-to-be-released film on ramp. Ms Thailand Universe Khun Farung Yuthithum was another attraction at the event.

The IIFA fashion extravaganza hosted by director Karan Johar and choreographed by Lubna Adams, also showcased designs by Alta Moda, Mufti and Sabyasachi among others.

Check out the pics of this glittering event…

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It was his first live performance and choreographer Shiamak Davar

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It was his first live performance and choreographer Shiamak Davar who’s IIFA’s resident dance aficionado didn’t matters make matters easy for Harman Baweja. According to a source, practicing his steps with Shiamak has been a lesson in “unlearning the learned”, as someone close to the actor put it.

Elaborating on the nimble-footed Baweja’s traumatic experience the source says, “Harman and Shiamak chose the slow and rhythmic ‘Milo Na Milo’ for IIFA. Harman of course had mastered Remo’s original steps and he suggested to Shiamak that they retain the original steps since audiences hadn’t seen much of Harman’s dancing skills anyway. To Harman’s surprise delight and relief Shiamak agreed to retain Remo’s rhythms. The young actor couldn’t have hoped for better.”

For almost two weeks, Harman practiced the original steps in front of Shiamak. Then the super-choreographer had a change of ‘mime’. Shiamak decided that the number must be done entirely his way.

Says the source, “Suddenly, Harman was told that the steps were being changed. After practicing for weeks, he was thrown completely off-course. Harman had no choice but to comply. But it was quite a harrowing experience to first do the original steps from the film for stage under Shiamak’s guidance and then at the eleventh hour have them changed completely.”

Harman laughed off the ordeal nervously on the eve of his departure for Bangkok. “All this is part and parcel of showbiz. I’ve to get used to slogging and I’m not scared of hard work. So far the only live audience I’ve danced for is me.”

Interestingly, Priyanka joined Harman at the end of his act. “But that’s only for a bit. I was solo most of the way,’ Harman asserts.

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Parvathy Omanakuttan is New Miss India of Bollywood

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New Delhi, (IANS) Kerala beauty Parvathy Omanakuttan, who won the Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2008, says she wouldn’t mind trying her luck in Bollywood provided the offers are good.
Why not? I have grown up in Mumbai and am a movie buff. If I get a good chance, good money, good co-stars, I would go for it,” the 20-year-old winner told IANS on phone from Mumbai. She won the Femina contest Saturday in Mumbai.

An arts graduate from the Mithibai College, Mumbai, Parvathy said that winning the pageant was her childhood dream.

“I was just seven when I saw Sushmita (Sen) and Aishwarya (Rai) winning the pageant. I decided then that one day I would also be like them,” said the dusky long-legged beauty.

“I always wanted to be Miss India. I am on cloud nine after winning the contest. However, I must confess when I saw my parents and friends crying after I was announced the winner that it is not just my dream that has come true. Everyone’s dream related to me has been fulfilled. What could be more satisfying than this?”

Parvathy is keen to do a master of business administration (MBA) as a career option.

“I want to pursue MBA because it is very important to have a backup. Films or modelling would not last for long.”

She had won the Pantaloon’s Femina Miss India South held in Hyderabad in December last year.

Asked how life has changed after winning the coveted title, Parvathy said: “It has changed overnight! Before winning the competition I could pull out any T-shirt from my wardrobe and go out with my friends anywhere. But it is not so any more, as all eyes are on me.”

Commenting on her preparations for the Oct 4 Miss World pageant, she said: “This is not a crown of joy. With the crown, the responsibility of upholding the name of the country has also fallen on my shoulders.”

“The preparations started ever since I won the contest. Apart from just concentrating on my appearance, I am also trying to be a stronger person to face the contest.”

Asked about her views on women, she said: “I am a student of English literature and I think feminism has enlightened me. There have been certain cases when women have been refused their rights. The security of women is another very important issue in our country. I want to voice my opinion against female foeticide and crime against women.

“Women can’t run the world alone. You need both - men and women - but I strongly feel for women and am a liberal feminist,” Parvathy said.

“I am sure if the government doesn’t do something it is not far when women would come out and work for their community.”

“Education not only makes one knowledgeable but also makes one think, act and feel independently. It is imperative for everyone, especially for girls, to be educated,” said Parvathy. She worked with Akbar Travels Online.com after completing graduation.

“Everyone wants to earn quick fame and money today. But one must always remember that there is only one Sachin (Tendulkar) and Dhirubhai (Ambani) who worked wonders despite less educational qualifications,” said Parvathy, soaking in her new found success.

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53rd Annual Fair One Filmfare Awards

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The 53rd Annual Fair One Filmfare Awards was completed amidst much glamour and glitter. Aamir Khan’s ‘Taare Zameen Par’ won the Best Film Award and the debutante director was also honored the Best Director. While ‘Chak De! India ‘ took home 5 awards including the Best Actor (Shah Rukh Khan) and Best Film Awards in the Critics Category. Mani Ratnam’s ‘Guru’ also picked up 5 awards with Best Music and Best Background Music going to A. R. Rahman for his melodious compositions. Saroj Khan picked up the Best Choreographer Award, Shreya Ghosal for Best Female Singer and Samir Chanda for Best Art Directions.

Kareena Kapoor was no surprise when she walked away with the Best Actress Award for her outstanding performance in ‘Jab We Met’. Irrfan Khan won the Best Supporting Actor and Konkona Sen Sharma for Best Supporting Actress for their performances in ‘Life in A Metro’. Imtiaz Ali was awarded with the Best Dialogue Award for his film ‘Jab We Met’ while Anurag Basu for the Best Screenplay Award for his film ‘Life In A Metro’.

As expected, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone walked away with the Debutant Award for the Best Actor and Actresses. Tabu was honoured with the Critics Award for the Best Actress for her performance in ‘Cheeni Kum’ opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

Here is a gist of the list of the winners at the award function:-

Best Actor
Shahrukh Khan - Chak De India

Best Actress
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met

Best Film
Taare Zameen Par

Best Director
Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par

Critics’ Award For Best Actor
Darsheel Safary - Taare Zameen Par

Critics’ Award For Best Actress
Tabu - Cheeni Kum

Critics’ Award For Best Film
Shimit Amin - Chak De India

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male)
Irrfan Khan - Life in a… Metro

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female)
Konkana Sen Sharma - Life in a… Metro

Best Lyrics
Prasoon Joshi - (Maa - Taare Zameen Par)

Best Playback Singer (Male)
Shaan - (Jab Se Tere Naina - Saawariya)

Best Playback Singer (Female)
Shreya Ghosal - (Barso Re - Guru)

Best Music
A. R. Rahman - Guru

Best Story
Amol Gupte - Taare Zameen Par

Best Screenplay
Anurag Basu - Life in a… Metro

Best Dialogue
Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met

R. D. Burman Award
Monty Sharma (Saawariya)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Rishi Kapoor

Power Awards
Yash Chopra & Aditya Chopra

Best Debut (Male)
Ranbir Kapoor - Saawariya

Best Debut (Female)
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om

Best Special Effects
Red Chillies Entertainment - Om Shanti Om

Sony Head N Shoulders Fresh Face of the Year Award
Deepika Padukone

Best Background Score
A. R. Rahman - Guru

Best Editing
Amitabh Shukla - Chak De India

Best Choreography
Saroj Khan (Barso Re Megha Re - Guru)

Best Action
Rob Miller - Chak De India

Best Art Direction
Samir Chanda - Guru

Best Sound
Leslie Fernandes - Johnny Gaddaar

Best Cinematography
Sudhip Chatterjee

Best Costumes
Sujata Sharma - Gandhi My Father

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