Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Asin’s secrecy to tick with the Khans

Actor Asin had a dream debut in Bollywood with AR Murugadoss's remake of a Tamil superhit film, Ghajini, where she was paired opposite Aamir Khan. It went on to become one of the highest grossing films of the year. Just when she had become hot property, Asin followed it up with another big banner film, London Dreams opposite Salman Khan. Her next release is also again with Salman.

The latest Khan, apparently, to co-star with her now is actor Shah Rukh Khan in a yet-to-be announced Chetan Bhagat's adaptation of his novel, Two States. While a lot of actresses spend years in this industry trying to get films opposite the three Khans, Asin seems to have done it within three years of her debut.

Though Asin is yet to make a mark for her acting abilities, she's still one of the names to reckon with today. Explaining why Asin is the preferred choice over other young actresses around today, Amod Mehra, trade analyst says, "Her biggest plus point is the fact that she looks Indian. The innocence clubbed with Indian looks is the perfect ingredient for a Hindi film actress. Besides, she's also one of the top names in the South which gives her a certain credibility. Katrina Kaif is a top heroine today, but she never looked Indian."

Harish Bijoor, brand specialist says Asin's bubbly image is what works best for her. "Most brand personifications of actors are not just about their roles. Asin has done young, bubbly, vivacious roles till date and so her ads too see her play similar characters. Her vibrant, irreverent image helps her. She is much more than just a beautiful face, and it also helps to be an established star in the South."

Friday, May 20, 2011

Dabangg bags best popular film at 58th National Film Awards

Chulbul Pandey and his belt grabbing moves that went on to become the most popular last year has now got an official recognition. Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg has got a National Film Award for being the year's most popular film. Vishal Bharadwaj's Ishqiya's music too were rated among the best for the 58th National Film Awards that were announced on Thursday.

Dabangg got the Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film was seen as answering the need of cinegoers for entertainment rooted in Indian soil. However, it was Malyalam film Adaminte Makan Abu (Abu, son of Adam) which bagged the Best Film Award for the year 2010 indicated the awards trend shifting back from the popular to art-house cinema.

Known for playing comical roles Adaminte Makan Abu's actor Salim was impressive with his stunning serious role which established him as the best actor this year. Salim had a deep, restrained performance of a simple man with an unshakable belief in his quest for salvation. He shared the Best Actor award with Dhanush (Aadukalam), son-in-law of Rajinikanth, for his raw, nuanced portrayal of a cocky young man who learns lessons about life the hard way.

The best actress award too had two winners – Tamil actress Saranya Ponvannan (Thenmerkku Paruvakkatru) and Marathi heroine Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar (Baboo Band Baaja). Both women portrayeddd picture of two mothers whose concern for bettering the lives of their children in the face of untold hardship – Mitalee for her role as a mother who strives to realise through her son her dreams of a better future, and Saranya for performing as a fiercely combative single mother who shields her son to the point of sacrifice.

Three Marathi films were selected for awards in different categories. Marathi film Baboo Band Baaja bagged the Indira Gandhi Award for the best debut film of a director. Among other Marathi films, Champions was the best film on social issues, while Mee Sindhutai Sapkal got a special jury award for a powerful cinematic presentation of an epic journey of an abandoned woman who refused to become a victim and in the process not only transformed her own life but also the lives of many others.

The best music direction awards was shared between Vishal Bharadwaj (Ishqiya) and Issak Thomas Kottakapally (Adaminte Makan Abu). Ishqiya also won awards for best female playback singer (Rekha Bhardwaj) and for best audiography. Rishi Kapoor's Do Dooni Char was the best film in the Hindi language category.

The Feature Films jury was headed by J.P. Dutta, Non-Feature Films jury was headed by A.K. Bir and Best Writing on Cinema jury was headed by Ashok Vajpeyi. According to J.P. Dutta, 161 eligible entries were received in the feature film category, which was the highest received so far.