Superstars of Indian cinema have arrived in Australia for a film festival, declaring they don't believe racist violence is a major problem in Oz
At the launch of the 2010 Indian Film Festival ‘Bollywood and Beyond’ organisers, film directors and one of Bollywood's most glamorous stars said they're here to promote positive relations between Australia and India.
Multi award-winning actress, Rani Mukerji, was the star attraction of the launch joining some heavy-hitters of Bollywood, for the festival of Indian film.
Ms Mukherjee and director Anurag Singh introduced their new film, comedy musical Dil Bole Hadippa, which will open the festival on March 10 in Melbourne.
The festival, running from March 10 to 17, will feature a number of special free screenings on the big screen at Federation Square inviting Australians and Indians alike to get into the Bollywood mood.
Screening over 30 films across five categories including: The Best of Bollywood, a selective Rani Mukherjee retrospective, Indian Regional Cinema, award winning Documentaries and Shorts and finalists of the inaugural Indian Film Festival Short Film Competition.
Three Idiots, the highest grossing Bollywood film of all time will also feature and be introduced by director Rajkumar Hirani at Federation Square on March 11.
Highlights include, the screening of Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, filmed on location in Melbourne, is presented at Federation Square by actor/producer Sohail Khan
The Indian Film Festival will feature eight premiere screenings and an array of ‘Meet the Maker’ events where Hindi filmmakers including Three Idiots director Rajkumar Hirani will discuss their careers within the world’s biggest film industry.
I think it's a great idea to help bring about a deeper respect and build new friendships.
Pepsi has dropped master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, whose long-standing contract with the company expired in May.
The dropping of Tendulkar comes on the backdrop of Pepsi axing the other two members of the Indian batting trioka -- Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly -- earlier this week. Pepsi did not renew the contract with Tendulkar, who has been their brand ambassador since the 90s, following its decision to focus on younger cricketers.
"The decision was also influenced in a big way by a premium demanded by the batting maestro," the sources added.
But can we blame him! I don't think so!
Tendulkar's manager, the World Sport Group, was not available for comments today.
Pepsi had made it clear its intention to go with youngsters as part of a new campaign for 2008, 'Yeh hai Youngistaan Meri Jaan' and roped in Ishant Sharma and Rohit Sharma while dropping Dravid and Ganguly. But I guess as the Little Master has such a great influence with younger people, Pepsi would be sad they could not afford him anymore.
So will the big boycott be on?? What's your Favourite soft drink?
The Hurt Locker staring Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro about the ongoing conflict in Iraq has taken out the Oscar for the Best Picture.... beating Avatar.
The Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker also received a prestigious double at the Academy Awards, winning both Best Picture and Best Director for Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow is the first woman to win the award.
The Hurt Locker director beat competition from her ex-husband James Cameron, with 3D epic Avatar missing out in the major categories.
Veteran actor Jeff Bridges has won the Best Actor award for his role in Crazy Heart, beating heart-throbs George Clooney and Colin Firth.
Sandra Bullock has become the first actress to win both a Razzie and an Oscar Award, winning Best Actress for her role in the Blind Side.
James Cameron's epic 3D film Avatar has won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, while animated film Up has picked up its first statue for Best Original Score.
Have you seen this film at all? What are your thoughts? Does is get your top choice?
Let me know! Meanwhile here's the full list of winners...
BEST PICTURE
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight)
BEST ACTRESS
Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side" (Warner Bros.)
DIRECTOR
Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"The Secret in Their Eyes" (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) -- Argentina (Sony Pictures Classics)
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mo'Nique for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Mark Boal for "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Geoffrey Fletcher for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)
ANIMATED FEATURE
"Up" by Pete Docter (Disney/Pixar)
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"Logorama" by Nicolas Schmerkin (Autour de Minuit)
ART DIRECTION
Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg for art direction and Kim Sinclair for set decoration on "Avatar" (20th Century Fox)
COSTUME DESIGN
Sandy Powell for "The Young Victoria" (Apparition)
MAKEUP
Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow for "Star Trek" (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment)
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Mauro Fiore for "Avatar" (20th Century Fox)
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"The New Tenants" by Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson (A Park Pictures and M & M Production)
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"The Cove" by Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens for (Roadside Attractions)
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
"Music by Prudence" by Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett (iThemba Production)
VISUAL EFFECTS
Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones for "Avatar" (20th Century Fox)
SOUND EDITING
Paul N.J. Ottosson for "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
SOUND MIXING
Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett for "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
FILM EDITING
Bob Murawski and Chris Innis for "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
ORIGINAL SCORE
Michael Giacchino for "Up" (Disney/Pixar)
ORIGINAL SONG
"The Weary Kind" from "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight), music and lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Thinking on how you were taught growing up, in particular in science classroom, do you think the curriculum was balanced? Were your thoughts and contributions in class discussions accepted or rejected?
I spoke with Don Batten of Creation Ministries International, about the reasons why that many student's ideas are rejected by their teacher, and by the wider scientific community simply because it don't line up with the popular opinion of the school body.
Click on the audio podcast, and learn how to approach science in a new way.
If you ever felt like an outcast in science education, this is a must listen!
Let me know.
< If you don't see the audio podcast option, just click on the Main Title on this story >
Sadly, India's semifinal hopes virtually went up in smoke after Spain spanked them 5-2 in a crucial Pool B match of the hockey World Cup.
The comprehensive defeat leaves India with no other option but to win both their remaining matches against England and South Africa and then pray that outcome of other matches also go in their favour.
The match started on a fast note with the ball travelling from one end to the other right from the first minute. Spain, however was the more dominant force as they earned 4 scoring chances in the first 20 minutes.
The Spaniards got their first scoring chance in the second minute but skipper Pol Amat's reverse stick shot from inside the circle went wide.
Did you watch the match? If so where did you see the team must improve to lift it's hopes going forward?
Just click on this story to add your comments now.
Not long now to wait for the first IPL clash on March 12th. It will be all eyes on the D.Y. Patil Stadium of Mumbai as they're all set to host IPL's 2nd seasons defending champions, the Deccan Chargers playing against 2nd seasons worst performing team Kolkata Knight Riders. Which I must say is my team... because I used to like the show as a kid called Knight rider, staring David Hasselhoff :-)
IPL 2010 season has been in limelight since it opened its bidding window – as none of the IPL teams opted for available Pakistani players. Anyway, let's just hope cricket will help build friendships over the months so next years IPL is bigger again!
Something I'm sure we can all be thankful for is the news that Yuvraj Singh, one of Kings XI Punjab's most important players, is one step closer to getting fit. Yuvraj got back into training this week and said on his Twitter page today, after batting "around 70 to 80 balls", that he felt good about his progress towards a return to action in the IPL.
So, with the action not too far away, let me know the team you will be backing!
Click on this story and tell me :-)
With so much that All of Africa has to offer the world, I am excited as we have reached this important mile stone until the round ball will no doubt dominate our television sets!
What will mean for South Africa in proving to the world the way in which it can stage such an amazing event? How much football will you be able to handle?
FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Tuesday insisted the nation was ready, and said he was bothered by naysayers who worry South Africa won't pull off the June 11 to July 11 tournament.
"It's not so much that there's pessimism, but that it's always being thrown into doubt. It's bad, because when there's doubt, there's no confidence. For me and FIFA, that bothers us sometimes,"
South Africa has poured 33 billion rand ($A4.33 billion) into preparations for the tournament. In addition to the stadiums, major upgrades to airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein are complete, while Durban's new airport is set to open on May 1.
FIFA says that 2.2 of the 2.9 million tickets have already been sold, even though fewer foreign fans are expected to attend.
These two boys look like they already in the right spirit! ;-)
Below is the brand new Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. Notice the large structure that towers over the roof...A special lift takes people to the very top from where the view is simply outstanding, not to mention a great place to bungee jump from!
So will you looking forward to being able to watch endless Football in 100 Days from now?
Let me know all your thoughts leading up to the World Cup & Which Nation you will be backing!?
Have a good look-see at the amazing stadium as the Google earth man went for a ride around inside!
Enjoy :-) Lee.
It's the one we've been waiting for!!
India Vs Australia
Paper never won a match, sticks did ;-) But it is worth a look at the resent history between these two great nations on the hockey field... Let's have a look! Head-to-Head
> India have won 1 of 6 World Cup encounters with Australia, drawing 1 and losing 4.
> Their sole WC win against the Kookaburras came 32 years ago, in 1978 (2-0).
> Since then India have suffered 4 straight defeats against Australia in World Cup competition.
> Their last World Cup encounter in 2002 resulted in a 4-3
> India’s last victory over Australia in a major competition came at the 2002 Champions Trophy (3-2).
> Australia lost their opening match at the 2010 World Cup to England 3-2.
Either way, a great match to enjoy!
Let me know what you think of the match... Click on this story to share your thoughts now.
India's Karun Chandhok is set to make his Formula 1 debut with the new Campos team this year!!
The 26-year-old is understood to have secured his drive, and the deal will be announced imminently.
Chandhok, who raced in the GP2 feeder category last year, is expected to be partnered by Brazilian racer Bruno Senna.
The nephew of the late great F1 legend Ayrton Senna, signed for Campos last year and his manager has dismissed speculation that he could lose his seat.
But Senna's manager Chris Goodwin has said, "There's no reason to think Bruno won't be part of it. It's clear as far as we're concerned. He signed a contract in October and he'll be in the car this season."
This Sounds great for India! Will you be one to enjoy his first race in F1?
Chandhok, who has won two GP2 races in three years in the category, will be the second Indian driver to compete in F1 after Narain Karthikeyan took part in 19 races for Jordan in 2005.
Kolles has insisted that Campos will be in Bahrain for the first race of the season on 14 March after a winter of uncertainty over their funding. Here is a picture of the F1 Track in Bahrain...
Of course we will all be supporting Schumacher... I'm looking forward to seeing him race again! But,
will you also keep a keen eye on India's own, Karun Chandhok & watch some races ??
Despite the great win in round 1, The news is in-form Shivendra Singh has been slapped a three-match suspension for deliberately hitting a Pakistani player last night and the Indian team management on Monday appealed to the World Cup tournament director against the suspension. Wait and see I guess !
"Shivendra was found deliberately hitting a Pakistani player in the eye in last night's match which earned him a three-match suspension," The International Hockey Federation stated.
Let me know if you're keeping an Eye on the Hockey World Cup! ;) Pun intended!
Also, Have you ever received a penalty in sport? Tell me ...What happened ?
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