Ali Zafar to compose music for new film

July 22, 2010: Ali Zafar at a heated press conference in Karachi. File photo

Pop-singer-cum film star Ali Zafar has written lyrics and is also composing music for his upcoming film ‘London Paris New York. This will be the third film of Pakistani artist in India.
The London Paris New York will follow the commercially successful Mera Brother Ki Dulhan. Prior to this, Ali Zafar has provided his vocals for several Indian films but this will be his first venture into song writing and composition.

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Talking Mausam with father-son, Pankaj-Shahid

Waiting five hours to interview the father-son duo of Pankaj Kapur and Shahid Kapoor didn't seem so bad when they finally turned up, smiled and shared their lives.

"This is just our 25th interview of the day, so please be nice to us," Shahid said with a wink.

As they get ready for their first film together, Mausam -- directed by Pankaj and starring Shahid -- they look back on an eventful journey in filmdom. Sonil Dedhia takes notes.
Mausam shows the journey of two people over 10 years. Shahid has completed almost the same time in the film industry. How do you look back at his career?
Pankaj Kapur: For me, as a father, when I look back at Shahid's career, it's absolutely wonderful where he has reached today and I am very proud of that. The areas of concern have been diminishing in the last four or five years because I feel the choice of films he has made and the kind of filmmakers he has worked with will make him an intelligent actor. Also, the kind of performances he has given in these films makes me see him emerging as an actor-star who can handle himself well in the industry. I also expect him to reach greater heights in times to come.

Shahid Kapoor: I think dad is being very kind. Yes, I have discovered myself as an actor in the last four or five years. I am enjoying this phase and I love what I am doing. I am happy that people are appreciating my work and thus I am able to develop a relation with my audience. My fans have been kind to me as they have allowed me to make mistakes, which I think is inevitable. I am doing the work that I enjoy.

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Akshay donates 250,000 pounds for Ice Hockey in India

Ice hockey is the backdrop for Akshay Kumar's latest production 'Speedy Singhs', the cross-cultural Indo-Canadian film starring Rob Lowe, Russell Peters, Camilla Belle and Vinay Virmani, releasing in the UK on September 30. (TOI Photo)

LONDON: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has donated over 250,000 pounds to Ice Hockey Association in India to encourage greater participation and awareness in the sport.


Akshay Kumar is known for his association with an array of sports, from martial arts to ice hockey.


"After supporting the Annual Karate Tournament this year, Akshay Kumar has donated over 250,000 pounds to the Ice Hockey Association in India to encourage greater participation and awareness in the sport," his spokeswoman said on Tuesday.


Ice hockey is the backdrop for his latest production 'Speedy Singhs', the cross-cultural Indo-Canadian film starring Rob Lowe, Russell Peters, Camilla Belle and Vinay Virmani, releasing in the UK on September 30.


During the filming, Akshay became interested in the sport and realised that very few people knew or participated in ice hockey in India.


He then decided to make it his personal interest to motivate and promote the sport in India and he hopes that his small contribution will encourage people to participate in ice hockey, support the talents already in the field and further popularise it in India. 

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Angolan beauty wins Miss Universe crown

Released on - Tuesday,13 September , 2011 -05:52

Angola's Leila Lopes became the new Miss Universe, edging out beauties from Ukraine, Brazil, the Philippines and China in the final as the pageant marked its 60th anniversary.

Statuesque Lopes, 25, takes the on crown from last year's winner Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

Ninety-eight young women took part in the contest -- in South America's largest city, Brazil's industrial hub of Sao Paulo -- watched by an estimated one billion people around the world.

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Mausam gets the green signal

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Demanding changes in a fight sequence, the Indian Air Fore held back the no objection certificate for Pankaj Kapoor's September 16 release Mausam (Mumbai Mirror, September 9, 2011). However the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given a green signal to the film, bypassing the IAF's demands. On Tuesday, September 13, the film will be issued a censor certificate regardless of IAF's objections.

When contacted, the chief executive officer of the censor board, Ms Pankaj Thakur said, "The CBFC has nothing to do with the so-called NOC. We're given to understand that the Air Force wants certain cuts in the film as per an MOU signed between the producer and the Air Force. The CBFC was not a party to any such agreement."

Mausam, has thus been given an all-clear by the censor board. "We've certified Mausam as per the procedure laid down under the Cinematograph Act. However, the CBFC would like to clarify that the censor certificate has been issued without prejudice to the MOU if any signed between the Air Force and the producer," said Ms Thakur.

"Mausam was examined on Monday as per the guidelines prescribed .We considered involving some retired officer from the Air Force in the examining committee. But later we decided to depend upon the judgement of our own advisory panel. The censor certificate will be issued on Tuesday," confirmed the CEO of the censor board.

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MS Dhoni gets 'Spirit of Cricket' award

Mahendra Singh Dhoni winning the Spirit of Cricket trophy was the lone highlight for India at the ICC Annual Awards where English cricketers walked away with the top honours in a glittering ceremony in London.
Dhoni was chosen for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for his fine gesture of recalling Ian Bell after the England batsman was run out under controversial circumstances during the second Test at Trent Bridge in July.
Dhoni turned out to be the lone Indian to win an ICC award this year.
Despite being wrapped up in an intense and difficult Test series in England, Dhoni showed the right spirit in agreeing to allow Bell to continue batting when he was run out.

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Salman Booked for Two Years

ly enjoying the best time of his life now, although he might be suffering from various health problems but Salman is definitely on a dream run here as he is loaded with so many offers. At the moment, Salman is so busy with his work that he is actually booked for two years. This means that he virtually has no dates for any other director at least for next two years. Salman has also announced that he will not be signing any more films at the moment because he would prefer to complete all the pending shootings for the movies that he has already committed for in these two years. At the moment, there are some of his favorite moviemakers that are waiting for his approval but they will have to wait for long time before Salman can actually take some time out for their movies. Currently, David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee and Sooraj Barjatiya are in the line with their new scripts but Salman definitely does not have time for them because he will be doing shooting for Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg 2, Sher Khan and Kick for which he has already signed the agreement.
Salman said that there are many scripts coming up to him in quick succession but shooting for all of them at the same time is not possible. Big budget movies like Ek Tha Tiger requires Salman to travel extensively since the movie is shot at various locations internationally. This means that Salman will have to be at different places for shooting which might take a toll on his health. Ek Tha Tiger and Dabangg 2 are home productions and therefore Salman is paying more attention to these movies, while Kick is directed by Sajid Nadiadwala who is a very close friend of Salman from early days.

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Bollywood Lounge

Asin's New Admirer
So Asin has an admirer on the sets of Houseful 2 in London. We hear he wouldn't leave her side throughout the shoot. He's so much in love with the actress that he'd shower her with gifts, teddy bears, heart shaped chocolates and even chocolates with her name inscribed on them. And when it got too cold, he'd hold her hand and keep her warm. Okay, okay. No need to fret about the identity of the lover boy. It was none other than Sajid Nadiawala's nine-year-old son Subhaan. The kiddo absolutely dotes on the actress and the admiration is mutual. She was completely floored by the boy's adulation. And indulged him to the hit.

Mahima Separated
Speculation that her marriage was on the rocks has been going on for a while. Now we believe Mahima Chaudhry has apparently walked out on her husband Bobby Mukherjee. Sources say that severe differences cropped up between them and it became difficult for the couple to stay together and so they thought it best to separate. Mahima has taken her daughter Aryana with her. The actress however is concerned about her daughter's welfare. She doesn't want her to be dragged into the controversy. With the spotlight on her, Mahima is worried that her daughter may not take it well.

Bollywood Ban For Sanju's Girl
Just when a whole plethora of star kids are making a beeline for the B-wood spotlight, there emerges a lone famous dad who isn't quite ready to let his little girl enter the big, bad world of movies. But his decision to quash her acting dreams is proving to be ahuge task for veteran Sanjay Dutt, as his 22-year-old daughter Trishala, by his first wife Richa Shamra, is adamant that she'll follow in her daddy's footsteps. 
Overprotective Sanju, however, isn't willing to let her follow her dreams, insisting, "I am not encouraging my daughter to work in films. It never happens with the Dutts." Adding, "neither my sisters nor my niece worked in the movies, because that's the way my dad (veteran actor Sunil Dutt) Willed it. Althought Trishala is keen about Bollywood, she can choose a career in forensic science, which she has studied."
Trishala, however, is ignoring her dad's rules and plotting her way into the industry, saying, "Ultimately, it's my decision. I'll do what I think is best for me and what makes me happy."Imran Takes A Break
Talking about holidays, Imran Khan had taken one for over two years now. He didn't even go for his honeymoon. Since he was busy shooting at that time. Avantika understood his predicament and the couple decided to postpone the trip for a later day. Post the super success of Delhi Belly at the box office, the young Khan took his wife on a much deserved three week vacation. The two are now back from Venice, St. Tropez and other sunny climes of Europe. Avantika of course is in seventh heaven, considering she had her husband all to herself. No shooting distractions, no script reading sessions, only masti.

Curvy Can Also Be Beautiful: Sonakshi
A few days ago, Sonakshi Sinha made news for an unusual reason. A report claimed that director Shirish Kunder had asked the actor to lose weight for an item song in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Joker.
Clearly, Sonakshi isn't amused with the "ridiculous" news. "Such reports come out without checking with Shirish or me. It's in bad taste because you (media) are being personal and ridiculous. If it were true, I wouldn't have five films lined up," says the young actor, adding, "Yes, Shirish has asked me to do a song. And I think it istime to prove that curvy can also be beautiful as well." 

Vivek Applies For Pilot License
Vivek Oberoi is on a literal high. The actor recently learnt how to fly a plane for Krissh 2 and now he's hooked. He says, "I'm planning to enroll for a private pilot's license after I complete the mandatory hours of flying. I also plan to buy a small aircraft and park it at my home in Aamby Valley. They have an airstrip too. My enthusiasm seems to have rubbed off on Priyanka (wife) as well. She'll do the course with me."
For the sequel to the Hrithik Roshan film, the Kisna actor learnt to fly a Cessna aircraft — a tiny two-seater. "During training, you don't fly too high so you can feel the wind and see the city from a top shot-wide angle. We went up to 2,000 ft. The difference between flying and being flown is like the one between being driven by a chauffeur and driving a sports car."

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Hum daikhen gey: Poets and intellectuals of the sub-continent remember Faiz

September 7, 2011

Karachi University is hosting a three day international conference on Faiz Ahmed Faiz. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: A three-day international conference on Faiz Ahmed Faiz began on Tuesday at the Karachi University Arts Auditorium. It was titled, “Dil e Purkhoon Ka Hunar (The skill of a bleeding heart).”

“The need to look at Faiz as a figure beyond a great poet cannot be emphasised enough,” said the director of the Pakistan Study Centre. “Faiz’s ideology and struggle went beyond traditional romanticism associated with poetry and literature.”

Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed said that the title of the conference is a reflection of the struggles that Faiz undertook as a progressive poet and the beacon of the Taraqqi Pasand Tehreek (Progressive Movement).

Dr Anwar Ahmed of the Muqtadra Qaumi Zaban presented an analysis on the “Kalam-e-Faiz ki Maheboobiat” (The lovability of Faiz’s poetry). He said that Faiz’s thoughts and expressions struck the deepest chords of human imagination.

“There is a need to think over the reasons as to why he was popular with the people and unpopular with the establishment,” said Dr Ahmed. “These reasons have to be revisited as we need to reflect on our standing as a society today.”

Addressing the audience, IA Rehman, the general secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said that the love Faiz referred to in his work was the love that had the power to change the world and bring peace. He emphasised that while his writings about changing the world have inspired many, there is need to take his thoughts even more seriously.

“We risk ending up as mere spectators if we continue to take Faiz’s “Hum daikhen gey” (We will see) as a romantic expression rather than a call to do something to change our regressive system,” said Rehman.

Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqi, the vice chancellor of Karachi University (KU), said that universities have a role in stirring debates, raising questions and serving as intellectual platforms for serious dialogue on issues that matter to society. The international conference on Faiz is a similar initiative, aiming to raise debate on a few aspects of Faiz’s work and ideology. “It is rare that movements draw inspiration from personalities, but in the case of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he breathed as much life and soul into the Progressive Movement as the movement nurtured Faiz,” added Dr Siddiqi.

The Pakistan Study Centre launched four books on the poet’s life and work. The books are titled, “Faiz: A Poet of Peace from Pakistan” by Khalid Sohail and Ashfaq Hussain; “Faiz Key Aas Paas” (Near Faiz) by Professor Seher Ansari; “Faiz Shanasi” (Knowing Faiz) by Abdul Rauf Malik and “Umeed-e-Seher Ki Baat Suno” (Listen about the hope of dawn) by Zahida Hina.

The Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC) and the Arts Council will host the sessions for the next two days. Gauhar Raza, Sohail Hashmi, Mahmoodur Rehman Farooqi, Murtaza Danish Hussain, Dr Khalid Ashraf, and Professor Ali Ahmed Fatimi, are a part of the delegation of literary figures, poets and performers who have come from India to participate in the conference.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Study Centre of the University of Karachi in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, and the JMDC.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th,  2011.

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Atif’s music goes global

He is looking forward to the Indian release of his acting debut, ‘Bol’, but if all goes well, Pakistani singer Atif Aslam will be part of a much bigger partnership, reports the Times of India. He might just end up collaborating with big-ticket musicians like John Mayer, Coldplay and Jimmy Page (the founder of famous hard rockband Led Zeppelin). Aslam is a member of The Sonic Peacemakers’ ‘Pakistan America: Peace Through Music’ — a project aimed to bring Americans and Pakistanis closer, and support and develop the country’s artistic talent.

“Whenever I’m in the US, I keep aside a week to work only on my collaborations with artistes. Be it raising money or tying up with musicians, I’m doing everything on my own,” says Atif. “We are planning to collaborate with Mayer, Coldplay and Jimmy Page, but nothing is finalised yet.”

A hit Bollywood singer too, Atif says, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed because, after all, they are busy people.” But is it likely to happen? “We will keep everyone informed about it,” he says.

Atif has already recorded four songs with the ex-members of iconic American band Guns N’ Roses — Slash, Gliby Clarke and Chris Pitman for the album The Dreamer Awakes. “With the initiative, I plan to bring Pakistani singers — including our Sufi singers — and American artistes together for musical collaborations,” he says.

Regarding the upcoming release of Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol, Atif mentions, “It’s always exciting to work on new projects. ‘Bol’ is a very serious film and not just meant for pure entertainment.” Admitting that he was nervous about the film, he adds, “Although I have acted in my music videos and that helped, mouthing dialogues, that too intense ones, is a completely different ballgame. Shoaib Mansoor is a one-of-a-kind director. I loved his last film, ‘Khuda Ke Liye’.” daily times monitor

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Aamir Khan wants to be a real hero

 

MUMBAI: Superhero movies are becoming increasingly popular in Bollywood, with the new Shahrukh Khan movie Ra-one expected to be released soon.

But not all Bollywood actors are eager to don the superhero outfit. At least, Aamir Khan is not interested in that genre.

The Bollywood buzz has it that the actor has been flooded with offers to play a superhero but he has not warmed to any. Instead he wants to look at scripts that are real to his audience.

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Pakistan creates ‘national anthem’ world record

Pakistan has set a world record for the maximum number of people singing a national anthem simultaneously.

A gathering of 5,885 people from Karachi beat the previous record of 5,248 persons achieved by Philippines on September 1, 2009.

Boys, girls and children started gathering at a Defence Stadium in Karachi on August 13, Geo News reports.

The record breaking attempt was organised online using social networking website Facebook and micro-blogging site Twitter, and even included a last minute tweet frenzy as the record-attempt faced failure of falling short 147 people.

However, in the end, the required number of people gathered at the spot and as the clock struck 12, everyone started singing the national anthem ‘Pak sar zameen’ to mark Pakistan's 64th Independence Day and make a new world record.

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Evergreen beauty Sridevi turns 48

Updated at: 1311 PST,  Saturday, August 13, 2011  MUMBAI: The evergreen beauty queen of Indian Cinema Sridevi Boney Kapoor is celebrating her 48thbirthday today (August 13). Having made impression acting in several hundred films in various languages including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, Sridevi has managed to find a place in the history of Indian cinema with some of her soul-stirring performances. Sridevi started her career as a child artiste in the Tamil movie Kandhan Karunai in 1967. She had also been part of few Malayalam movies then. Winner of Filmfare Awards for Best Actress in Meendum Kokila and Kshana Kshanam, Sridevi ventured to Hindi successfully with Solva Saawan. She followed it up with hits like Himmatwala, Sadma, Tohfa, Nagina, Mr India, Chandni, and Chaalbaaz. Nagina is remembered for her iconic dance sequence in the film's climax. Shekhar Kapur's all-time hit Mr India won her rave reviews. She acted alongside Amitabh Bachachan in movies like Khuda Gawah and Gumrah and movies like Laadla won her acclaims. After the blockbuster hit in Judaai, the actress married prominent producer Boney Kapoor and bid bye to the industry. Sridevi returned to the small screen, briefly, in the popular serial Malini Iyer.

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‘American Idol’ producer says Jennifer Lopez coming back

LOS ANGELES: It is not quite official, but it is pretty close. Singing star Jennifer Lopez will return as a judge on top-rated TV singing contest "American Idol," the program's lead producer said on Wednesday. Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe, in an interview on "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's radio show, was asked whether Lopez would return for an 11th season, and he said yes. (Reuters)

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‘Beautiful Pakistan’ on display at RAC

islamabad:In connection with the Independence Day celebrations, Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Monday arranged an exhibition of oil paintings titled ‘Beautiful Pakistan’ by a renowned artist, Misbahuddin Qazi.

Member Punjab Assembly Raja Hanif was the chief guest. Talking on the occasion, Raja said Pakistan is the result of sacrifices of our ancestors and now it’s our duty to make it peaceful place as Quaid’s vision and as depicted by the artist through his work. Praising RAC’s role in promoting art and cultural, he said RAC had always played pivotal role arranging programs according to the situation and requirement providing healthy atmosphere to visitors. “Misbahuddin Qazi needs no recognition because his work speaks itself. He spent his life serving for the promotion of art through brush strokes and highlights Potohar’s life style on canvas,” Raja Hanif said adding the landscape of Qazi’s paintings reveal beauty of Pakistan.

The artist had displayed around 50 oil paintings depicting beautiful scenes and sceneries of various areas of Pakistan, including Gilgit, Skardu, Muzaffarabad and the twin cities.

This is the 29th solo show of the artist. Qazi had also participated in many international exhibitions. The exhibition will remain open till 11th August at RAC. staff report

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Shahrukh Khan (SRK) to perform in Dubai during Eid event

 DUBAI: Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan will perform in Dubai during the five day Eid event. The event will feature performers from all over the world.

Along with SRK, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal will be in the city for a special event, and they’ll be rocking with rapper 50 Cent, popular Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram as well as lots of other top performers from across the world.

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Former Miss Asia UK is new Asian Voice of the Airwaves

Arshia Riaz promises Masala Magic for BBC Radio WM show




FORMER Beauty Pageant winner Arshia Riaz has promised to bring Masala Magic to BBC Radio WM after she was announced  as the new presenter for the stations Midlands Masala programme.
Originally from Telford but now living in Birmingham, Arshia spent several years producing the hit show. But now she's going in front of the mic and she admits to looking forward to the challenge.
“It's a brilliant opportunity,” says Arshia.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges it brings and will do my very best to provide a platform for the British Asian community.
“Midlands Masala aims to showcase real stories about issues that really matter, and play the best in Asian music.
“We also have exclusive, live acoustic sessions in our BBC studios performed by both established and unsigned music artists.
“I love helping to nurture talent and every day I meet people who help me tap into that creativity and help it to flourish. All they need is a platform and I am in a position to offer that to them."
Arshia, named in the top 100 most influential Muslims in the UK , has been working at the BBC for over seven years for radio and online after freelancing for commercial stations across the Midlands.
She graduated from Birmingham City University with a Media and Communication degree before training with the BBC as a Broadcast Journalist.
Her love of journalism began after she took part in an internship working at CNN studios in London.
“It was a real eye opening experience,” she says.
“I remember booking in guests for the business international show and working with some real high profile names, the experience was fantastic."
Arshia also had the opportunity to experience life in the spotlight when she was crowned Miss Asia UK 2002.
"I remember being interviewed in the old Pebble Mill studios by BBC WM's Daz Hale about my win,” she says.
“Little did I know that a year later I would soon be part of the presenting line-up on the very station I had been interviewed on!”
Arshia will start her new role on Sunday 24 July 2011. Her first show will mark the one year anniversary of the Pakistan Floods, where she will speak to those that have been affected by the disaster.
Midlands Masala is broadcast from 7pm-10pm every Sunday evening on BBC WM

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Pakistan ‘super hit’ set for UK Eid release

Shoaib Mansoor’s hard-hitting ‘Bol’ to hit the big screen in August

A NEW film which explores the rights of women and treads no-go areas like homosexuality in Pakistan is set for an Eid release in the UK.

Shoaib Mansoor’s ‘Bol’ stormed the Pakistani box office when it was released last month beating opening day records set by high-profile Bollywood films ‘My Name is Khan’ and ‘Ready’.

The hard hitting social drama tells the story of a girl who stands up and challenges the age old societal norms of treating women as lesser beings.

The movie stars renowned Pakistani actress Humaima Malick in the lead and singing sensation Atif Aslam and Iman Ali along with many other renowned Pakistani actors.

The film has already received rave reviews across Pakistan, and director Shoaib Mansoor is passionate about the issues in the film.

“Having been so blessed in life, I often think of the things that I should be grateful for. The list always seems to be never ending, but invariably it ends at one thing…that I was born a man,” he says.

“Nothing in the world scares me more than the thought of being born a woman or a eunuch in a country like Pakistan, where obscurantism has deep roots. It is very unfortunate that we make tall claims, full of pride, about the rights of women granted by our religion and yet when I look around in underdeveloped Muslim countries in general and Pakistan in particular, I find things totally the opposite.

“Tragically, our interpretation and application of religion seem to begin and end with women. Leave the 5 per cent urban educated elite aside, women seem to be the playground where we practice a medieval form of religion,” he adds.

 

‘Bol’ is slated for an Eid release on 31st August 2011

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Ajay Devgn turns Joker on sets of new film

Bollywood star fools co-star Kajal Aggarwal on the sets of ‘Singham’

AJAY Devgn is famous in Bollywood for the innumerable pranks that he has played on his co-stars, directors and other crew members – and his antics on set for his latest film ‘Singham’ were no different!

This time around, his target was his pretty co-star Kajal Aggarwal from the forthcoming action blockbuster, ‘Singham’.

News is that during the film’s Goa schedule, the actor told the naive Kajal to thrash goons for a particular scene.

He made her believe that she was a modern day heroine and handed over a belt to lash out at the goons. Unaware of the actor’s antics, the southern beauty innocently went ahead and gave the shot, with Ajay quipping “Maro Maro” in the background to encourage her.

It was only later when the entire unit started laughing that the actress realized what she had fallen prey to Ajay’s prank and how the camera wasn’t actually rolling.

A source on set told us: “Thoroughly embarrassed, the actress then went around apologising to all the people she had beaten up. Despite all the pranks, Kajal swears that she couldn’t have had a better first co-star in Bollywood, and admired Ajay Devgn for his work and professionalism.”

Paying homage to the age-old tradition of the Indian action film, Singham is scheduled to hit our screens on 22 July 2011.  

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Pakistan beats Afghanistan in one-day cricket match

Pakistan-A players celebrate after the dismissal of Afghanistan's Noor Ali Zadran (unseen) during the first match in their one-day series in Islamabad May 25. Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by five wickets. [REUTERS/Faisal Mahmoo

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan-A defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in the teams’ first unofficial one-day international cricket match in Islamabad May 25.

With temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, but Pakistan didn't allow the Afghan openers to stick to their crease.

Afghan vice captain Muhammad Nabi played a terrific innings and made 72 off 75 balls with the help of seven 4s and three 6s. He helped Afghanistan reach 152 runs.

Pakistan's Muhammad Talha took three wickets, while Sohail Tanweer and Sadaf Hussain took two each.

Pakistan-A started well but in the middle they stumbled, going 99 for just 2. Experienced players finished the task with more than 10 overs to spare.

“The Pakistani team played well, and all credit goes to them,” Afghan team captain Nawroz Mangal said. “Our team is young, and it’s a good opportunity for them.”

Sohail Tanveer, Pakistan’s captain, said, “It was a good match. The Afghan team is young and still needs to improve in international cricket.”

Pakistan thanked the Afghan team for coming, Tanveer said. It was the first international match in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009 in Lahore.
The second match will be May 27 in Rawalpindi.

The match was heavily guarded by police and army personnel. “We are here to provide the best security,” said Inam Ullah Khan, deputy superintendent of Islamabad police.

Naghma Bibi, a Pashtu singer, was on hand to boost Afghan players’ morale. Afterward he assessed the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship.

“I have noticed that the people at the low level want peace between the two countries,” Naghma said.

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