Features

Be it the softly romantic "Pyar hua iqraar hua" from "Sri 420" or the frankly sensual "Aaj rapat jayen" from "Namak Halaal", rain songs have been a constant in Bollywood films down the ages. Here, stars and directors list their favourites: Saif Ali Khan: My favourite rain song will have to be "Tip tip barsa pani" from the film "Mohra". I like the lyrics and the ambience created by the tune.

Bollywood may not ever develop as broad a global market as Hollywood, but it seems set to become a financier and marketer of global products - created at home or abroad, says Newsweek magazine. The ticket sales for Indian productions are rising fastest outside India, even as its increasingly wealthy middle class heads to the box office at home for more unconventional fare, the magazine notes in its Sep 10 issue citing PricewaterhouseCoopers projections.

From indolent Nawabs chewing betel nuts to regular denizens going about their day-to-day life even as they surmount subtle signs of marginalisation and alienation, the caricature of Indian Muslims on Indian celluloid has undergone many changes. The just released "Dhokha", revolves around a Muslim police officer in Mumbai who finds nothing in common with suicide bombers from his own community but is faced by the same questions that bog many in the minority community in India.

It is the day when Bollywood brothers get misty eyed remembering their sisters and the special filial bonding that is strengthened with a silken thread on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Actor Tusshar Kapoor says: Getting the rakhi tied by my sister Ekta is something I look forward to every year. Of course, I'll gift her with something. But what does one give to a girl who has everything? Ekta is the coolest and smartest sister in the world and I want her to remain that way.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan's parents had to return disappointed from the city jail Monday after authorities refused to let them meet their imprisoned son as the visiting time had elapsed. Salman's father Salim Khan and his mother Salma arrived in the city in the afternoon and went straight to the Jodhpur Central Jail to meet Salman, who is serving a prison term for hunting an endangered deer in 1998.

The Hindi film industry has been remaking films for eons. But plundering its own back catalogue of classic films and unleashing two remakes - "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag" and "Victoria No. 203" - on the same day will be a first even for Bollywood. The much hyped "Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag" and "Victoria No. 203" are reportedly set to clash on the marquees on Friday. Varma's film has been much in news as the director has chosen to base his fable on Indian cinema's most widely appreciated film "Sholay".

Prisoner No.343 of Jodhpur central jail, Bollywood star Salman Khan, was afforded some cause to cheer Sunday when three of his near and dear ones were allowed to visit him and spend over 20 minutes with him. The celebrity prisoner, hero of countless films and a style icon who has been sentenced to five years in prison for hunting an endangered deer nine years ago in Rajasthan, surrendered himself to Rajasthan Police Saturday following an arrest warrant.

Salman Khan, one of Bollywood's top actors, Saturday became "prisoner no 343" at the Jodhpur Central Jail after he was arrested and jailed for five years for hunting an endangered chinkara deer in 1998. Salman, 41, looked subdued and was mostly quiet as policemen took him into custody on his arrival from Mumbai by a Jet Airways flight and rushed him in a police jeep to a courtroom before sending him to jail.

The Hindi film industry is relieved at the Supreme Court's decision to grant interim bail to star Sanjay Dutt. Here's what they said: Bipasha Basu: May god be kind to him. Hopefully, his turmoil now ends for good. I'm praying for him. I hope he remains strong through all this.

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, freed after 23 nights in Mumbai and Pune prisons, reaffirmed his faith in law and thanked all for support as he addressed fans and media from his Pali Hill home here. "I have full faith in people and the law of this country. I respect the law and will abide by the law and whatever is the court decision," Dutt said in a reference to his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court.

Bollywood writer-director Prawal Raman, who shot into fame with the horror flick "Darna Mana Hai" (Fear is prohibited), has himself now a good reason for apprehension. His interview in an Indian daily has landed him in trouble with Charles Sobhraj, the crime maestro of yesteryear whose daring exploits, mastery over disguises and jail escapes have reportedly inspired the maverick director to work on a new film.