Stars spotted in Toronto

Some of Bollywood film industry’s biggest stars reached Toronto on Tuesday to attend this week's International Indian Film Academy Awards and festival. Crowd of fans studded themselves at Pearson airport's international approaching area to welcome bigwigs like Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Sonu Sood and many others.One of the fan present at the airport said that she always followed the IIFA shows. Coming to the IIFA was a huge thing because it happens once in a lifetime. Similar feedback is expected later this week when baadshah Shahrukh Khan will come in town.

Bubbly actress Dia Mirza arrived the town on Tuesday and asserted that she's excited to be a part of this mega event. Actor Zayed Khan said Toronto is the perfect place to organize the event.Mob of crazy fans, cameras set to hit the click button, to catch a gaze of arriving Bollywood celebrities. Having IIFA in Toronto this year helps to feel a special connection to the stars homeland. Banners and billboards promoting the IIFA Awards and festival are pasted around Toronto, with events also taking place in the nearby cities like Mississauga, Brampton and Markham respectively.

The yearly celebration of Indian's gigantic film fraternity is projected to attract almost 40 thousand audiences to the Greater Toronto Area, with more than six hundred million TV viewers globally expected to take in Saturday's awards broadcast single-handedly.So guys, don’t give IIFA a miss this time. It’s gonna rock!!
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Indian Awards

The Indian film fraternity is the much aged and the biggest in the world with over 12 hundred films released every year. The preponderance of these flicks were made in the South Indian languages chiefly Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam, but Hindi movies take the huge box office share. The chief film production centres were Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore. With more than twelve thousand theaters, the Bollywood industry turns out more than thousand movies a year to hugely eager audiences around the world.

The history of Indian Cinema can be searched back to 1896 when the most popular of all Lumiere Brothers' of France presented 6 soundless brief flicks in Bombay. By the year 1899 as the time passed, Harishchandra Bhatvadekar made India's first short movie. Dhundiraj Govind Phalke who was basically acknowledged as “Dada Saheb Phalke” produced India's first full length silent movie, 'Raja Harishchandra', in the year 1913.

From the 1940's to the late 1950's, the movies with their awareness on pulsating song and dance, were for many, the most unforgettable in Indian film history. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Muhammed Rafi to name a few are the playbacksingers who ruled the Hindi film industry since ages. Another aspect that buoyant good Indian cinema was the founding of National Film Awards, the Film Finance Corporations, the National Film Archives of India and the Film And Television Institute of India. The first International Film Festival back in the year 1952 was organized at Bombay, Chennai, Delhi and Calcutta had great crash on Indian Cinema.

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World Fest Houston International Film Festival

This year 43rd World Fest Houston International Film Festival will see three Indian films, competing for Remi Award in the Feature Film Category. The names of the three films that are nominated for receiving the coveted Remi award in are, ‘Bodhisattva’ directed by San Banarje, Nikhil Bhat’s ‘Saluun’ and ‘Ek Tho Chance’ directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza.


This film feat was started in 1961, and dedicated to independent features and the short films which is open to all fans, students or industry experts.

Celebration for FTII

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, student are having a celebration time, their students have 11 national awards, including the gold medal for the the best direction. The 56th National Film Awards 2008 were announced on Saturday.

Documentary 'Trip' directed by Emmanuel Palo, won the best scientific film award, it has won silver medal and cash prize of worth Rs. 50,000 to producer and director of the documentary.

The movie is basically directed on Indian railways, the most extensive railway system in the world, which takes millions of passengers every day, tonnes of aluminium, other metal, plastic and other non- biodegradable waste.

Station also directed by Palo, won the best short fiction film comprising a silver medal and cash prize of Rs. 50,000 both to the producer and director. And it was the best editing done by Manoj Kanjoth won silver medal and Rs.50,000.

Like this there are other film who has won awards like three of Us, When This Man Dies, both the producers and directors won medal cash prize of worth Rs. 50,000.

National Film Awards for 2007

55th National Film Awards for 2007 were held on October 21, 2009 and the awards were presented by President Pratibha Patil. Biggest names from the Indian cinema presented the trophies for their renowned works.




This year Dada Saheb Phalke Award was conferred upon eminent play back singer Manna Dey. Also veteran director Adoor Gopalakrishnan and actress Uma Shree collected their trophies as National Award winners for 2007.

According to an official release Best Feature Film award was presented to Tamil film 'Kanchivaram' and 'Chak De India' received the award in Wholesome Entertainment Category.

These awards aimed to appreciate excellence and promote unity of the nation. The awards were given in feature film as well as non feature film section. In the feature film section, the awards were given in 31 categories, which included Award for Best Feature Film, Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a director, Award For Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Award For Best Direction, Actor, Actress, Editing, Lyrics and Choreography. In the non-feature film section, awards were given in 22 categories like Best Non-Feature Film, Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film, Special Jury Award and Best Audiography.

International Film Festival of India 2009

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2009 will take off from 23 November and will screen around 200 films from India and abroad.

The IFFI will have a best director and best film award this year, as announced by the Festival director S.M.Khan. The director and the producer of the film both will share the best film award. The winner gets the Golden Peacock award and Rs.40 lakh cash prize. And the best director and winner of the Special Jury Award gets silver peacock and cash prizes of Rs.15 lakh each. So as to promote short films IFFI has initiated awards 'Vasundhara' which is the award for best green documentary and the documentary competition.




It is the most sponsored film festival in the country and it is expected that its 40th edition will bring participation of around 50 countries. Academy award winner Ben Kingsley will be the guest of honour this year.

11th Osian Cinefan Film Fest

Indian movie 'Khargosh' won three awards at the grande finale of 11th Osian Cinefan Film Fest held in the capital of New Delhi. The movie directed by Paresh Kamdar won awards in category of Special Mention, Audience Award and for combining the real and the imaginary world and its lyrical beauty of images.




The Best Film Award was won by Syrian movie 'The Long Night', which also won the award for combining the real and the imaginary world and its lyrical beauty of images. In the short film category, the Iranian movie, 'The First Film', directed by Panah Panahi, won the best award. Indian movie, 'Vitthal', directed by Vinoo Choliparambil also won the Special Mention award in the short film category.

Behnam Behzadi's 'Before the Burial' won the best actor and actress awards for Alireza Aqakhani and Negar Javaherian respectively.

This year the festival screened about 100 feature-length and short from Asian and Arab countries.

Best Filmfare Films

Here is the unique list of Best Films at Filmfare Awards actor wise. I thought it would be interesting to take a glance at these top slot movies and to whom they belong. Apparently, they belong to respective stars of last decade or two.This list concludes nothing, just serves
as a reference to stir some thoughts.




1. Aamir Khan ( 7 Movies)

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1989)
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1993)
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1994)
Raja Hindustani (1997)
Lagaan (2002)
Rang De Basanti (2007)
Taare Zameen Par (2008)

2. Shah Rukh Khan (5 movies)

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1996)
Dil To Pagal Hai (1998)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999)
Devdas (2003)
Veer-Zaara (2005)

3. Salman Khan (3 Movies)
Maine Pyar Kiya (1990)
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1995)
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000)

4. Hrithik Roshan (3 Movies)
Kaho Naa Pyar Hai (2001)
Koi Mil Gaya (2004)
Jodha Akbar (2009)

The four stars gallop a total of 18 of last 20 Filmfare best film awards, with only Ghayal and Black being the exception. Isn't it a revelation!!!

Madhur Bhandarkar wins International Award

Madhur Bhandarkar, National Award winning Indian filmmaker and script writer is anticipating another International Award. His films Chandni Bar, Page 3 and Traffic Signal made good impact in Russia and for his contribution to the Indian Cinema, he will be honored by SOVEX PORT FILM, Ministry of Culture of Russia, in Moscow.




Madhur revealed, both the countries also have quite a lot of similarities when it comes to cultural background.

Meanwhile, his Mugdha and Neil Nitin Mukesh-starrer, Jail, is set for release on November 6.

Madhur Bhandarkar's most recent film, 'Fashion' starring Mugdha Godse, Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, Arbaaz Khan, Manish Malhotra and Arjan also won many awards this year in many categories like his earlier films.

Many more to come ...Madhur!

Priyanka Chopra's in Guinness Book

Priyanka Chopra has just made it to the Guinness book of world records for playing tremendous multi roles in the upcoming Ashutosh Gowarikar's film what's your rashee... Priyanka is touching the heights of the film industry and is the most famous actress of the bollywood today. She feels so proud and honoured while talking about her fantabulous and unbeatable multi roles in the film what's your rashee. The film is full of romance and comedy.




Priyanka is very excited about getting herself to the Guinness book of world records. Thousands of films have been made but no actor or actress has played 12 characters in any film in any language. Priyanka has just not played the roles instead she has given a meaning to each character in the film. An actor is a person who gives life to the character as Priyanka has done in her upcoming film what's your rashee.

Now Let's see will Priyanka really enthrall viewers by her adorable and goegeous looks. Just wait and watch!

11th Mumbai Festival Fest

Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, who enthralled cinegoers with his performances in blockbusters like “Deewar” and “Namak Halal”, will be honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the 11th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival (MFF) to be held between Oct 29-Nov 5 along with Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos.




Shashi Kapoor, who started his career as a child artist with his brother’s film “Awara”, went on to feature in movies like “Kala Patthar”, “Kabhi Kabhie”, “Shaan” and “Trishul”. He also produced
critically acclaimed movies like “Junoon”, “Kalyug”, “36 Chowringhee Lane”, “Vijeta”, and “Utsav”.

The film festival is an initiative by Reliance Big Entertainment and is being organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI).Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal is the chairperson of MAMI and he made these announcements.

This year the MFF will also organise an exhibition to commemorate and celebrate 60 years of evergreen actor Dev Anand’s production house Navketan Films. A retrospective from Navketan will be screened to mark the occasion.

Divided into five sections — International Competition for the First Feature Films of Directors, World Cinema, Indian Showcase, Dimensions Mumbai and Retrospectives, the festival offers something to every film buff.

The festival will have a five member international jury including the likes of celebrated Hollywood scriptwriter-director Paul Schrader, who penned “Taxi Driver” and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

MFF carries some of the biggest cash awards.

The movies will be screened at Fun Republic 4 screens multiplex in
Andheri, Mumbai.

Dev Saab felicitated

Legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand’s production banner Navketan Films completes 60 years in 2009 and on this occasion the Indian government will be felicitating the evergreen actor. Dev Anand will be felicitated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni at a function on the 3rd of September in Delhi called ‘Navketan at 60’.




Five of his films from the Navketan banner will be screened over three days which include Guide, Baazi, Taxi Driver, Hum Dono and Jewel Thief. Navketan has been making progressive films since 1949 and next in the offing is a film called Chargesheet . Each of the films whether Guide or Hare Rama Hare Krishna or Jewel Thief have had a cult fan-following and have been legendary. We have made films which look modern even today.

The Navketan Films banner was launched in 1949 by Dev Anand and elder brother Chetan Anand with the film Afsar starring Dev Anand and Suraiya. Legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand’s production banner Navketan Films completes 60 years in 2009 and on this occasion the Indian government
will be felicitating the evergreen actor. Dev Anand will be felicitated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni at a function on the 3rd of September in Delhi called ‘Navketan at 60’.

Five of his films from the Navketan banner will be screened over three days which include Guide, Baazi, Taxi Driver, Hum Dono and Jewel Thief. Navketan has been making progressive films since 1949 and next in the offing is a film called Chargesheet . Each of the films whether Guide or Hare Rama Hare Krishna or Jewel Thief have had a cult fan-following and have been legendary. We have made films which look modern even today.

The Navketan Films banner was launched in 1949 by Dev Anand and elder brother Chetan Anand with the film Afsar starring Dev Anand and Suraiya.One of the highlights of ‘Navketan at 60’ will be the premiere of the re-worked, coloured version of Dev Anand’s war-drama Hum Dono .

From Best Actor, Best Producer to Lifetime Achievement Awards and even the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Dev Anand has won it all but is still full of energy when it comes to films and filmmaking.He is still making films and his latest attempt is a film called Chargesheet.

One of the highlights of ‘Navketan at 60’ will be the premiere of the re-worked, coloured version of Dev Anand’s war-drama Hum Dono .From Best Actor, Best Producer to Lifetime Achievement Awards and even the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Dev Anand has won it all but is still full of energy when it comes to films and filmmaking.

He is still making films and his latest attempt is a film called Chargesheet.

Farhan wanted an IIFA after Rock On after Filmfare

Rock On! grabbed seven trophies at the recently held Filmfare Awards, director-actor Farhan Akhtar wants to walk away with more awards at the forthcoming International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards.




Arjun Rampal, who played an important role in in the film, feels it is a very credible way of involving members of the film industry to nominate the deserving candidates for the awards.

Manmohan Shetty, producer and IIFA advisory board member told that IIFA has grown into an event over the last nine years. Now as it's the 10th year of IIFA, the celebration will be surely bigger.

IIFA Awards 2009

Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Jodhaa Akbar' won as many as 10 awards including the best movie at the 10th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) award ceremony held at Macau.





Hrithik Roshan took away with himself the best actor award while Ashutosh Gowariker won the best director award for the film 'Jodhaa Akbar'.

Bollywood's sizzling actress Priyanka Chopra won the best actress award for her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion' . Kangna Ranaut was honoured with the best supporting actress award at IIFA.

The IIFA actor of the decade went to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan while Aishwarya Rai grabbed the actress of the decade award. Singer Javed Ali walked away with the best male playback singer award for the song Jashn-e-bahaara' in 'Jodhaa Akbar' while Shreya Ghoshal was named the best female playback singer for 'Teri ore' in 'Singh is Kinng.

IIFA Best Lyricist Awards

The IIFA Best Lyricist Award was chosen by the viewers and Javed Akhtar got the IIFA Best Lyricist Award in the year 2008 for Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer Om Shanti Om. In 2009 Javed was bestowed with the same award for the song Jashn-E-Bahara for the film Jodha Akbar.




Than late in the year 2005 Javed Akhtar and Saaed Qadri got the award for Swades and Murder. In 2004 it was again Javed who was honoured with the same award for the song Kal Ho Naa Ho for the film Kal Ho Naa Ho Prasoon Joshi in the year 2007 was awarded the best lyricist award for the film Rang De Basanti.

Going back to the year 2003 Nusrat Badr got the award for the song Dola Re for the film Devdas. Two more awards were won by Javed Akhtar in the year 2001 and 2002 for the film Refugee and lastly in the year 2000 Anand Bakshi got it for the movie Taal for the song Ishq Bina.

Best Directors at IIFA Awards

The IIFA Best Director Award stands as a prestigious one in the popular category and is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony. The nominations for the category are given by the film fraternity.

So here we enlist the best of the lot in the last ten years.


2009 Ashutosh Gowarikar Jodhaa Akbar
2000 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2001 Rakesh Roshan Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai 2002 Ashutosh Gowarikar Lagaan 2003 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Devdas 2004 Rakesh Roshan Koi Mil Gaya 2005 Yash Chopra Veer-Zaara 2006 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Black 2007 Rajkumar Hirani Lage Raho Munna Bhai 2008 Shimit Amin Chak De India
The directors mentioned above are so talented that they have carved a niche in the field of film-making as they are mentioned here above as IIFA Awards winners.

Best Movies at IIFA Awards

The IIFA Best Movie Award is chosen through a worldwide poll and the
winner is announced at the ceremony.

The winners over the last ten years at IIFA Awards.

2000 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Sanjay Leela Bhansali 2001 Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai Rakesh Roshan 2002 Lagaan Aamir Khan 2003 Devdas Bharat Shah 2004 Kal Ho Naa Ho Yash Johar 2005 Veer-Zaara Yash Chopra 2006 Black Sanjay Leela Bhansali 2007 Rang De Basanti Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra 2008 Chak De India Yash Chopra 2009 Jodha Akbar Ashutosh Gowariker

Every movie mentioned above is a classic in itself and will remain
etched very dearly in audiences hearts.

Filmfare Awards Best Film Ever - Black

An Indian English directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali titled "Black" revolves around a blind, deaf and mute girl, and her relationship with her teacher who himself later suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The first half of the film is an adaptation of Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life.

The film was screened at the Casablanca Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and eleven Filmfare Awards. Times Magazine (Europe) selected the film as one of the 10 Best Movies of the Year 2005 from across the globe. The movie was positioned at number five. Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.


Filmfare Awards that went to Black in the year 2005-

* Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Best Actor - Amitabh Bachchan * Best Actress - Rani Mukerji * Critics Award Best Movie - Sanjay Leela Bhansali * Critics Award Best Performance - Amitabh Bachchan & Rani Mukerji (each) * Best Supporting Actress - Ayesha Kapur * Best Editing - Bela Sehgal * Best Cinematography - Ravi K. Chandran * Best Background Score - Monty Sharma

Delhi 6 may be Oscar Entry this year

Delhi-6 might be the only film in the race for the Best Foreign Language Film Award category of the Academy Awards.

Apparently as Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is so far the only film-maker who has recommended his film to Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association to be sent to the Film Federation of India for sending it as India's entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category.




The scarcity in the entries is largely being credited to the strike because of which very few movies saw a theatrical release. While the last date of submission is September 15, so far only Delhi-6 is the only film in the race so far.

Mandatory conditions for Oscar Entry in this category-
For a recommendation for the Oscars this year, a film should have been released or should be releasing between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009 and should have run for seven consecutive days at least.

Further no type of television or internet transmission of the film should have occurred at any time prior to the theatrical release. And the recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English.

Jodha Akbar Sweeps all 2009 Film Awards

Jodha Akbar, a love story between one of the greatest Mughal Emperors that ruled Hindustan (India), Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, and the fiery young Rajput Princess, Jodhaa Bai,is an epic drama that weaves together romance and communal harmony.




Set in the sixteenth century, the movie starts off with a narration by the legendary Indian film actor Amitabh Bachchan, telling the story of the young prince.

Director Ashutosh Gowariker has presented this historical love epic with all the grandeur of the Mughal era. There are majestic palaces, and imposing battle scenes, colorful costumes and imposing jewelry. The film gives audiences three and a half hours of regal extravaganza complete with romance and action, suspense and drama, music and dance.

Hence, Jodha Akbar stole all the awards in the year 2009.

Hrithik Roshan, star of Indian superhero movie Krishh and Dhoom, shows the strong character of Akbar with ease. His tone and commanding presence make him a natural, and the scenes where he fights topless really show his raw strength. He won the IIFA Best Actor Award for his performance.

As Jodhaa, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan clearly shows us why she was once chosen as the most beautiful woman in the world.

The most touching scenes of the movie are the developing relationship between Jodhaa and Akbar. Many a time, these scenes don't have much dialogue, but the eyes do so much of the talking. The on-screen chemistry between Aishwarya and Hrithik is very strong, and they seem like the perfect couple.

The music and songs are a very critical element of any Indian movie, and this is no exception. Double Oscar winner A. R. Rahman won IIFA for Best Background Score, while Javed Akhtar got Best Lyricist and Javed Ali received Best Male Playback Singer award for the song 'Jashn-e-Bahaara'.

The movie swept 10 awards at the recent 10th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Macau, taking home trophies for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

Jodha Akbar also won awards for Best Costume Design (Neeta Lulla), Best Editing (Ballu Saluja), Best Art Direction (Nitin Chandrakant Desai) and Best Make Up (Madhav Kadam).