The sun will come out tomorrow (hopefully)

Just when I thought I was on the right track for my individual documentary, I realized that some elements had to be swapped around. I don't think 6mins is enough to get my story across, but that is where the challenge lies - I need to pick out the important facts about my subject...and I have to keep the viwer hooked in as best I can.

For those of you who don't know, my 6min doccie is about Lesley Ann Foster, the founder of Masimanyane Women's Support Centre in East London. As a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, Lesley Ann has done a tremendous amount of work for gender-based violence. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and earlier this year she was awarded an honourary doctorate from Fort Hare University.

It seems easy enough trying to thread this story together, but I am just feeling so zoned out right now. I still need to find appropriate bedding music to go with my story. At least my script and voice over is done. Yet, there's just soooo much tweaking that I still have to do.

*sigh*

Shaking booty in Bollywood

Dancing is one of the major components in Bollywood films. Whether it is the awkward movements of Sunny Deol or the fluidity of Hritik Roshan, dance continues to play an important part of the Bollywood culture. No doubt a brilliantly choreographed song can make all the difference between the success and failure of the film.

Back in the day of black and white cinema, dancing around trees playing peek-a-boo was inevitable. Not forgetting heroes and heroines being drenched in the rain as they sang and danced sensuously to each other in secluded streets. But times have changed and today good dancing means being able to gyrate your hips and yet be graceful at the same time.

Here, I present the best, worst and most improved dancers in Tinsel Town.

When we think of dreadful Bollywood dancers, a classic example is easily the Deol family! Although Dharmendra was popular in the 70s, he was also known for his clumsy dance sequences. However he still remained one of the most respected actors in the industry. His older son, Sunny Deol continued his father’s legacy of bad dancing in the 80s, but still managed to remain one of the best action heroes. Probably one of his most embarrassing dances were in Jeet (1996) alongside Karisma Kapoor. Luckily, his younger brother, Bobby Deol proved that he doesn’t have two left feet! Sure, he may not be a Hrithik Roshan, but at least he doesn’t carry the reputation of his father and big brother!

During the 90s, actors like Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty were in the limelight. Although Shetty got a lot of criticism for his dancing, he managed to hold his fort throughout the decade. Today his career is soaring and he is even running his own production house.

The 90s also saw the rise of stars like Hrithik Roshan (Kaho Na…Pyar Hai) and Abishek Bachan (Refugee) – who both debuted in the same year. Roshan received immediate recognition after his solo performance in Ek Pal Ka Jeena, while Bachan’s dancing was described as ‘awkward’ and ‘gawky’. But he has definitely proven that a little practice makes perfect, having some of the biggest hits being picturized on him (Dus bahane, Kajra re and Nach Baliye).

Other stars of this generation include sisters, Karisma and Kareena Kapoor who have both been commended for their dance moves. Karisma gave some of her best performances in Dil To Pagal Hai, opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. One of Kareena’s famous dances are with Hrithik Roshan – especially You are my Sonia in Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham. Shilpa Shetty has also been noted for setting the screen ablaze with her fiery dance sequences, which can be seen in Jung opposite Sanjay Dutt.

Madhuri Dixit and Aishwariya Rai, both equally talented actresses, are also well-accomplished dancers. Dixit has made numerous hits with outstanding dance performances, including the awesome Kay Sera Sera in Pukar with elastic-man, Prabhudeva while Rai has definitely made her mark in the industry over the past few years. Her snaky movements in Bunty aur Babli’s Kajra Re is one of the factors of the film becoming a hit. The two Bollywood queens shared the screen in Devdas, with their mind-blowing movements in Dola Re Dol.

King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan almost needs no mention. He never fails to impress. He can be sexy and seductive or simply cute and charming. Some of his memorable dances are in Dil To Pagal Hai, Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham and more recently in Kaal.

Although they have the entire female population going ga-ga over them, Arjun Rampal and John Abraham are yet to prove their dancing talents to us. Despite the fact t

hat he is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood, Salman Khan’s dancing does not impress. If you look carefully, dancing looks like an effort for him and even resembles aerobics!

Bollywood stars also get to prove whether their on-screen performances are as energetic off-screen with stage performances. Many stars are known for their unforgettable stage shows. Some stars that blew my mind away with their performances on stage are the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Lara Dutta.

In memory of a family friend and mentor

A long time family friend, Matthew Moonieya, passed away on Friday, August 25 2006.

Not only was he one of my father's closest friends, but he also provided me with advice and academic assistance. His death comes as a great loss to the city of East London, especially the Buffalo City Municipality.
(Photo taken from Daily Dispatch)

My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Aunty Sue, Selwyn, Colette, Lucinda, Aunty Gaye and Robin

Taken from today's Daily Dispatch:

Moonieya suffers heart attack after official meeting in Gävle

By MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA
and DEON VAN DER MERWE

THE death of Buffalo City director in the mayor’s office, Matthew Moonieya, has cut short the municipality’s trip to its Swedish twin city, Gävle.

Moonieya, 60, died after suffering a heart attack at a Swedish hospital on Friday afternoon.

Moonieya is the second Buffalo City official to die of a heart attack. Former deputy mayor Des Halley died of a heart attack in 2004.

Acting city manager Brian Shepherd, who was part of the delegation to Sweden, said Moonieya suffered a heart attack while getting a ticket at a (railway) station. “An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital where attempts were made to revive him. After 45 minutes he was declared dead.”

The Buffalo City delegation of municipal officials and councillors, led by Mayor Zintle Peter, was attending a bi-annual meeting in the country.

Continue reading the article here.
Also see this article in todays Daily Dispatch.

I want to fly away from this nothingness that is G'town

I am feeling down. Mostly because I don't want to be in Grahamstown this week-end. I honestly think that this town (village, rather) is closing in on me.

I don't mean to whine like a little kid, because I know that hundreds (thousands?) of people before me have lived here...and survived.

But right now, I'm just going through one of those patches where I feel like I need to get out of here for a while...even a day.

I've never been a small town kinda girl. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I come from a big city, but still - I need to see concrete buildings. I don't want to turn to my right and see an open veld with mountain goats grazing in the distance. Enough with the mountain goats, already! (that's them on the rigt, by the way)

....and of course, the donkeys

Today I vowed that I will never stay in a town that doesn't have an airport. Reason for this being that today, I had the opportunity of going to Durban (6pm flight), but how to get from G'town to EL...?

There were no buses, and no one I knew that was going through at that time. So - I'm stuck here. I should have taken a donkey!

I have work to do this week-end, but I felt like being spontaneous today.

What a damn pity that I couldn't be spontaneous when there isn't an airport around :(

Hmmmm...imagine if I had my own helicopter?!

Imagine if I could fly my very own aircraft....?

Crunch time

As the third term slowly draws to an end, stress levels are at its peak. There's just so much to do and time is running out! By the end of the term, I would have completed the following:

• 24 min group documentary for TV class
  - Academic essay for group doccie
  - Self-reflective essay for group doccie
  
  
• 6 min individual documentary for TV class
  - Academic essay for indiv.doccie
  -Self-reflective essay for indiv.doccie
  
  
• History essay on a book I've read (How to watch TV News)
  
  
• TV class to plan end of term studio show, showcasing our work.
  

If you're thinking..."It doesn't seem all that bad...", think again! I am counting down the days till I get to go home and do whatever I want for two weeks straight.

Long and late hours editing in the TV studio can be tedious. So when the clock strikes 12, or just a few minutes before, it's understandable that some people begin acting a bit...strange. Either running or jumping around or finding the most random thing hilarious and bursting into giggles about it (that would be me).

Here is a glimpse of one of my crew members on the "verge" of losing it. This is him looking for a piece of his watch that snapped when he fell of a chair, while the rest of us were killing ourselves with laughter in our edit suite.... If only I had my camera out sooner!

HSS Cultural Show

Last night (Saturday, August 19), the Hindu Students Society held their annual Cultural Show. This year, I went with three friends - Bronwyn, Colleta and Tiwonge... We had a great time and enjoyed the fantastic music and dance items.

It was awesome seeing familiar faces from East London & King Williams Town!

Michelle & Carryn came over around 3 'o clock to do my hair. Carryn - thanks to you, I had a fantastic GHD (Good Hair Day!) :)

Here are a few photo's that we took last night...

Michelle & Me

Carryn & Me


Harshal, Me & Niks

Bollywood's not butting out

Most of them do it – from the Big B to the King Khan. Even leading ladies like Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta do it. But what’s the attraction? Is it really a stress reliever? Or is it just cool to be seen with one? Our favourite stars can’t seem to butt out, but what’s the big deal with the death sticks?

May (even though a few months ago) was declared “Anti-Tobacco Month”, and I decided to take a look at your favourite smoking stars and why anti-smokers are blaming Bollywood for the increase in youth smokers.

Before, films depicted mainly villains with a cigarette casually hanging from their lips. Nowadays, hero’s like Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham are also shown with the death stick dangling from their mouths. Even beauty queens like Kareena Kapoor and Tanushree Datta aren’t afraid to be seen lighting up on screen.

Manisha Koirala, known to be an avid smoker, has appeared in numerous scenes where she was seen puffing away. She smoked in films like Company and Market – where she was kept company by her co-star Suman Ranganathan. In Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Preity Zinta played a bubbly character, which soon went downhill when she was seen taking to the cigarette. Even sweet girl Katrina Kaif in her debut film Boom wasn’t seen without a cigar in her hand, as did her co-star in the film, Madhu Sapre. In Main Aisa Hi Hoon, Esha Deol didn’t seem to have any qualms with taking a few puffs in front of her on-screen husband, Ajay Devgan. Kareena Kapoor, clad in her famous red and blue sari was also seen with smoke emerging from her lips in Chameli.

It’s interesting to note that the films where heroines are seen smoking are when they are playing prostitutes!

For years, Bollywood films have proved to be clean, wholesome entertainment for audiences all over the world. But some people are questioning whether the glitz and glamour of Bollywood is detrimental to our health.

The World Health Organization has estimated that smoking is linked to more than 800,000 deaths in India per year. Victims are apparently men aged between 25 and 69. It is said that the portrayal of attractive people smoking has definitely influenced young people. Attractive people? I’m thinking Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta….the list simply goes on!

A study has indicated that Bollywood is responsible for glamourizing smoking. Since Indian film stars are role models to thousands of people, it is understandable that they have a lasting impact on children and young adults, but can our Bollywood stars really be held responsible for promoting smoking?

The relationship between Bollywood and smoking goes back since early days, but these days people are questioning the recent ban on smoking scenes in Indian films. A few years ago, the Indian government outlawed all images of smoking in Bollywood films and television shows. Surprisingly, this law was attacked by film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt who said that it was the tobacco companies, and not the movie stars who were to be blamed for the youth wanting to follow the trend of their on-screen idols.

However, Bollywood icons are so popular that their off-screen lives influence their masses as well. One such star is none other than Shah Rukh Khan whose lifestyle has impacted millions of fans around the world. Khan declared that he would try to quit smoking on the eve of his 40^th birthday, and he appears to be keeping to his goal. From a whopping 70 to 80 cigarettes a day, he apparently only smokes three to four now.

Another teen heart-throb smoker, Vivek Oberoi has been noted for saying that, “Smoking a cigarette does not make anyone cool…it only makes you ill.”

An advertisement in India carries a warning from Urmila Matdonkar who says, “Every cigarette reduces life by three minutes. Isn’t that scary? If you’re not scared, then you are not brave, you are foolish.”

Earlier this year, an anti-smoking activist group in India threatened legal action against film giant, Amitabh Bachan for smoking in a movie poster of Family – Ties of Blood.

But it still baffles our minds. If the stars are so against smoking, why are so many of them still puffing away?

National Women's Day

Every year on August 9, South Africa celebrates Women's Day.
To read more about this public holiday, click here.

In celebration of Women's Day, I'm sharing something that was sent to me by my friend Chantal. I think it sums it up quite nicely about what a woman is.

RESPECT A WOMAN BECAUSE....
You can feel her INNOCENCE in the form of a daughter
You can feel her CARE in the form of a sister
You can feel her WARMTH in the form of a friend
You can feel her PASSION in the form of a beloved
You can feel her DEDICATION in the form of a wife
You can feel her DIVINITY in the form of a mother
You can feel her BLESSING in the form of a grandmother
Yet she is so TOUGH too...
Her heart is so TENDER...
So NAUGHTY...
So CHARMING...
So SHARING...
So MELODIUS...

She is a WOMAN

-Author Unknown

--------------------------------------------------------

So which women do you regard as true hero(ine)s? It can be anyone... I'll have to say my mother...along with every single mother in the world.

Women24 pays tribute to women all over the world who "do good".

Leave a comment about the women you love :)
To South Africa - have a fantastic day!

Police, arrest this boy!

I probably wouldn’t have been able to type this a few hours ago, but luckily I am able to share my days events with you. Hell, I even managed to take a few pics!

So around 12-ish this afternoon, I met Sean and Maire and the three of us made our way to town. We were first going to Checkers, and then we were going to have lunch somewhere. It was Dulces vs Juice Bar.

After spending about 15 minutes in Checkers, the three of us walked out of the centre as we tried to make up our mind where to go for lunch. Juice Bar (which is only ten feet away) or Dulces (across the road).

So, Juice Bar it was. But Maire decided to go home, so it was just Sean and I. As I was looking for a place to sit, I noticed a young man trying to get my attention. I thought he was telling me that I need to order the food at the counter before sitting down!

Well, I soon realized that wasn’t the case.

He came to tell me that someone had taken my purse out of my bag and had run away. For a few seconds, I didn’t take him seriously. But when I checked my bag and noticed that my purse was gone, I became frantic. I yelled at the guy to run after the little sh*t who got away. The guy came back to me saying that my money was already being distributed amongst a group of guys.

I ran down to where these guys were and yelled at a few guards who were lingering about to catch the guys who were just a few meters away from me. Meanwhile, the guy who had come to tell me about this, ran after the group, but someone had kicked him and ran away – with my purse.

However, the guard caught a 15-year-old boy, and I was told that he was the one who had actually taken my purse. As the guard held him, I could see money in his hands.

I could not believe how frantic I became. I was shaking….this had never happened to me before. As the guard held him by his arm, I yelled at him demanding my purse and money back. He swore he didn’t have it. Obviously he was lying and I grabbed the money from him. (I had over R300 in my purse, but got back about R180)

The guard took him into the store and said I should call the police. Meanwhile, I wanted the little sh*t to be kept under a watchful eye – I was so convinced he was going to run away. After much yelling and strange stares from shoppers in the store - who had no idea what was going on, believe it or not – the guard actually locked the boy away somewhere in the stock room until the police came.

While waiting for the police, I was in contact with my mum. At times I was just so angry that I couldn’t speak. Thank God that Sean was with me and he was updating my mum on what was going on.

I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I called the police and said that my purse had been stolen out of my wallet!

So the police finally came and they locked the little sh*t up in a police van. Before they put him in I yelled at him again and warned him to go with the police to where ever his friends were to get my damn purse back. As the little pocket picker sat in the back of the police van, he asked to speak to me. He said he'd promise to get my purse back.

How do I believe him? Oh...and while he was speaking to me from the back of the police van, I made sure not to get too close to him - just in case he spat in my face or something (You never know...I've seen these things happen in the movies!)

Anyway, the police opened a case and I gave a statement. I don't have much confidence that anything drastic will be done, but I still went through the necessary procedures.

Meanwhile, the honest and helpful person who came to tell me about this all was a 19-year old Grahamstown resident, Craig. I was so appreciative...not only for him coming to tell me about this, but for actually running after the guys. Many people would be too scared to get involved in a 'crime scene' as they're putting their own lives at risk.

I feel like I’ve been made a fool out of.

My heart always aches as I walk down High Street and see these street children begging for money or food. Often, while walking by I’ll give them a fruit or a yoghurt that I was keeping as a snack.

And I also feel like I’ve been made a fool out of because I try to be so positive about this country.

I know that we live in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. A country where our newspapers bleed with headlines of rape, murder, hijacks and robbery. It’s never-ending.

But still…when I hear people complain about South Africa, it grates my nerves. I always think – "if you hate the place so much, get out of here!" I’m always defending this country, despite all the nastiness that surrounds me everyday.

Another incident that happened last week which dampened my spirit beyond words is something that happened to relatives of someone very close to me. His uncle and aunt were attacked in their home at 19:30 by several men. They were robbed, beaten and told in no uncertain way that they would be back.

This angers me. It angers me to the point where I want to just scream.

Isn’t it enough that we have natural disasters killing us already? Tsunamis…..forest fires…..floods…..dammit, even the cold weather is killing people. Do we really have to fear another human being?

I know we don’t live in a perfect world. Trust me, I’m in the Journalism field - I know this fact already.

But holy crap - today blew my mind away. I still can't believe something like this happened to me, but as my friend, Himesh said - I'm lucky...it could have been a lot worse!

Sean - thanks...you really have got my back :)

The hottest on-screen couples

One of the main ingredients for a Bollywood blockbuster film is a good cast. If it’s a love story, it helps when the hero and heroine share some kind of rapport on screen. Bollywood stars are treated like quazi-Gods in India – which is no surprise. They are role models and entertainers for millions of people around the world. Some stars share an on-screen chemistry with their co-stars, making them unique and popular. The question is – does onscreen chemistry mean that the same rings true off screen…or is it the other way around?


AMITABH BACHAN - REKHA

The silent affair between the superstar and the sultry sex goddess still remains a hot topic among gossip mongers today. Earlier films of the duo include Mr Natwarlal (1979) and Suhaag (1979). The chemistry between Big B & Rekha was very evident on screen, with their real life love story beginning on the sets of Do Anjaane (1976) – their second film together. The real life love triangle of Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha was a regular occurrence in tabloids. The three even appeared in Silsila (1981) together. However, Bachan being a doting husband and father as well as being under severe media and family pressure, ended his torrid love affair with sex siren, Rekha. This famous love-triangle is still rife today and can be seen when any of the trio are in one place at the same time. Camera crews almost never fail to capture their reactions towards one another.

AMITABH BACHAN - HEMA MALINI

Audiences fell in love with this duo again after Baghban (2003). They set the trend with elderly couples in love getting as much footage as the new generation of stars, and continued their on-screen magic in Veer-Zaara (2004). Also good friends off screen, the two have been paired in a number of films in the past, including Kasauti (1974), Sholay (1975) and Desh Premi (1982). Bachan and Malini are also appearing in Ravi Chopra’s forthcoming film, Babul (2006). Rumour has it that they have also been signed for another film that will reportedly be the Hindi version of Clint Eastwood’s film, The Bridges of Madison County (1995).

AAMIR KHAN – JUHI CHAWLA

Since their roles as Raj and Rushmi in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), these two talented stars can be guaranteed a hit if either was in the film. Daulat ki Jung (1992) and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) are some of their earlier films. The two were paired again in Ishq (1997), also starring Ajay Devgan and Kajol – another famous off screen couple.


SHAH RUKH KHAN – KAJOL

It’s no surprise that the movies these two have appeared in have all been box office hits. Their exuberance and vigor match amazingly with each other and seem to be the perfect on-screen couple in the industry. They became the most sought-after pair in Bollywood after the record breaking success of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995). Who can ever forget the song, “Tujhe dekha to ye jana sanam” with the two being reunited in the fields of India? Their earlier films include Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) – a love triangle between Khan, Kajol and her newcomer cousin at the time, Rani Mukherjee. The last film that this dynamic duo appeared in was Karan Johar’s Khabi Khushi Khabhi Gham (2001).

SHAH RUKH KHAN – JUHI CHAWLA

Being good friends probably helps when you produce box office hits as these two have. But let’s not forget the chemistry between them. This is evident in Darr (1993), Duplicate (1998), Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000) and Yes Boss (1997) to name but a few and are just some of the hits between the two. What more can you expect when you combine cute and bubbly with charming and suave? One of the recent films the two have appeared in, as in-laws, was Paheli (2005), also featuring Rani Mukherjee. The onscreen pairing continued off screen as well. The duo, along with Aziz Mirza, formed a production company – Dreamz Unlimited to produce their own films.

SALMAN KHAN – MADHURI DIXIT

Salman and Madhuri began their on-screen magic in the early 90s, with films like Saajan (1991), and Dil Tera Aashiq (1993). But it was Hum Aapke Hai Kaun? (1994) that became one of the biggest hits in the history of Bollywood. Khan and Dixit soon became one of the favourite couples at the time. The two were paired on-screen as friends years later in Hum Tumhare Hai Sanam (2002) which also starred Shah Rukh Khan.

ANIL KAPOOR – MADHURI DIXIT

One of the most classic and famous couples in Bollywood is undoubtedly Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. Their on-screen history dates back to the late 80s, with films like Tezaab (1988) and Ram Lakhan (1989). The 90s saw only two major hits in the 90s, Beta (1992) and Rajkumar (1996). The duo’s dance sequences have been noted to be some of the best songs in Bollywood to date. Their latest film together was Pukar (2000), also starring Namrata Shirdokar.

GOVINDA – KARISMA KAPOOR

If you add Govinda and Karisma Kapoor, you’re going to end up with some kind of David Dhawan comedy. Whether it’s Coolie No. 1 (1995) Saajan Chale Sasural (1996) or Hero No.1 (1997), you’re bound to find these two dancing on the streets of Europe, or singing to each other, “What is mobile number?” as they did in Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999) – also starring Sanajy Datt and Pooja Batra. The two were paired again in Shikari (2000), an action film also featuring Gulshan Grover.

AKSHAY KUMAR – RAVEENA TANDON

Perhaps it was their off-screen romance that exuberated on screen, but after “Tu cheez badi hai mast mast” in Mohra (1994), fans all over the world watched their off screen romance develop. Even after “Dil mein hain tu” from Davaa (1997) with sexy song sequences in water, it’s a pity that their fiery on-screen presence didn’t last too long in the real world. Their last appearances on screen together was in Keemat and Barood (1998).

HRITHIK ROSHAN – KAREENA KAPOOR

They’re every teen’s heart throb. Hrithik’s biceps are enough to send girls into a frenzy, and Kareena’s sultry looks are bound to make any guy drool. Is it because of their great physique? Or perhaps the fact that they are both amazing dancers? With Hrithik in his black leather ensemble and Kareena’s sexy red number, the two danced to “You are my sonia” in Khabi Khushi Khabhi Gham (2001) and were paired as a romantic item in the film as well. They also appeared in two love triangles - Mein Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003), (Hrithik-Kareena-Abishek) and Mujhse Dosti Karogi (2002) (Hrithik-Kareena-Rani). The two look sensational together on screen. They have good looks, good bodies and let’s face it - their songs can have anyone jumping out of their seats! Their earlier film where they were paired on screen was in Subash Ghai’s Yaadein (2001).

JOHN ABRAHAM – BIPASHA BASU

These two set screens on fire with their performances in Jism (2003), Aetbaar (2004) and Madhoshi (2005). Maybe it was the fact that they were off screen lovers as well, but their chemistry on screen was absolutely sizzling. The two are definitely one of the hottest couples in Bollywood today.

Bollywood's own superhero

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No! It's....

When a masked superhero jumps from one skyscraper to the next, saves lives and suddenly breaks into song and dance, you know that you have arrived in Bollywood!

Released in June 2006, Krrish is Rakesh Roshan's sequel to Koi Mil Gaya - Bollywood's first sci-fi movie. Koi Mil Gaya was the story of Rohit - a special boy with special needs, who after making contact with a UFO (Jadoo, meaning Magic) suddenly gains the power to be a 'normal' child like everyone else. Naturally, there was a love interest, Nisha played by Preity Zinta.

In the sequel to Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish is the story of Krishna - the child of Rohit and Nisha. After his parents die, Krishna grows up taking care of his grandmother (Rekha). Growing up, he soon realizes that he has inherited the superpowers that were transferred to his father by Jadoo. The film shows how Krishna deals with his powers and saves the world from a mad scientist, Dr Arya (Naseeruddin Shah)

...and of course, since this is Bollywood, there is a romantic plot where Krishna falls in love with Priya (Priyanka Chopra) who plays a tourist visiting Singapore - where the film is set.

Last week I watched Superman Returns. It was fantastic - I thoroughly enjoyed it, considering the fact that I don't usually enjoy action flicks like that.

I think it's awesome that Bollywood has its own superhero. And who better to play it than my #1 hunk, Hrithik Roshan!

I can't wait to get my hands on the DVD when it releases.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna - Never say Good Bye

It's 01:30 and I'm listening to the soundtrack of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK). This is probably one of the most awaited films of the year. Karan Johar has once again managed to rope in a golden cast for his film and boasts names like Amitabh Bachan, Abishek Bachan, Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. It's interesting to note that all these actors have starred in Johar's earlier films, like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho.

Bollywood films can usually be rated according to the success and ratings of the soundtrack. By the sounds of things, KANK is going to be a smashing hit with avid Bollywood fans around the world.

My favourite songs on the album are the first three songs - the title track, Mitwa and Where's the party tonight? Music is composed by the brilliant trio, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar.

The third song, Where's the party tonight? is sung by Shaan and Vasundhara Das. It sounds remarkably like It's the time to disco from Kal Ho Naa Ho. In my opinion, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have created magic with this song. I'm absolutely loving it, and if my brother were here, he'd be saying "you're killing the song" because I am playing it over and over again. I don't know who the song is picturised on, but I'm sure it's going to be fantastic!

The story of KANK revolves around the bonds of marriage and all the emotions that go with it. Just listening to the title track; sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik, I can almost see Shah Rukh Khan with tears streaming down his face. Now he is one of the very few people who can actually make me cry just by watching him cry! No wonder the man is known as Bollywood's King!

Judging by the film stills, the leading ladies - Rani and Preity look ravishing, while Shah Rukh Khan and Abishek Bachan look like my prince charmings!

The cast and crew of KANK spent about 90 days shooting in New York - where the film is set. My friend, Amar who lives in NY was lucky enough to play one of the extras in the film.

Here are a few photo's Amar sent me which he took while he was on the sets.

Shah Rukh Khan

One of the sets

Not sure if that's Rani or Preity and Amitabh


Karan Johar (left) and Amitabh (right)

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna will be released in August 2006