Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane and Kevin McNally

Director: Rob Marshall

Rating: *** 1/2

The secret of a franchise, besides the usual elements that makes the original click, is to have enough elements that can be improvised, improved and recreated to ensure that the same audience isn't bored by it despite having seen it all. "Pirates of the Caribbean", with its fantasy, quirky characters and explosive action, is a perfect example of the same.

In the fourth outing of the franchise, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) gets the undivided attention in a full film dedicated to him. With its love angles, brawny pirates, the kings' armies, guns and magical lands, the film becomes the perfect adrenalin rush thanks to coordinated work by the film's team.

Pyaar Ka Punchnama

Cast: Raayo Bakhirta, Nushrat Bharucha, Sonalli Sehgal, Divyendu Sharma, Ishitta Sharma and Kartikeya Tiwari

Writer-Director: Luv Ranjan

Rating: ***

"Pyaar Ka Punchnama" packs in a precocious punch. In telling the story of three friends-cum-flatmates who get into 'serious' relationships with three self-serving working-class female monsters of the concrete jungle, debutant director Luv Ranjan gives us a film that's fresh, flavourful and finally hugely rewarding.

Not that the film attempts to say anything we've not seen before. That's the beauty of this sometimes-embarrassing sometimes- disturbing, often-funny and never-dull peek-a-boo at youthful life in the metropolis where human values are frequently sacrificed for the sake of a trendy lifestyle or maybe just to get even with a fast-moving materialistic city that doesn't care how much you carry in your heart as long as the credit-cards keep working their mall magic.

I don't want to date anyone from Bollywood: Udita

Model-turned-actress is penning a script for veteran actor Naseerudin Shah

Udita Goswani has just completed a film script. The model-turned-actress steps into her new role as writer with a romantic yet mature love story.

And the only actor, she had on her mind while writing her project is Naseeruddin Shah.

"I have written my scenes keeping him in mind and no one else. He's perfect! I just hope he says yes when I'm done with the script, " said Udita. "I will approach him with the final draft. Then I can narrate each and every scene to him."

Udita had been toying with the idea of writing for a long time. "I started writing, then got confused and stopped.

But I am finally completing the script now. Although the story is ready, I am working on the screenplay. I have realised that every scene in the film can't be from a woman's point of view."

Speak in Hindi, Saif and Prateik

Unhappy with their dialogue delivery during shooting, Prakash Jha has asked the two actors to take voice-rehearsals before dubbing begins

While you can understand why John Abraham would require 'dialogue-orientation classes' (he took the classes with Anurag Kashyap for his role in Deepa Mehta's Water) and agree with Katrina Kaif taking 'voice lessons' (for her public speech scene in Raajneeti), do you think Saif Ali Khan and Prateik Babbar would require a similar session?

Surely, Khan would have convinced anyone of his dialogue-delivery with his performance as a thug in Omkara and Babbar is after all the son of legendary actress Smita Patil. However, all this doesn't pass muster with Prakash Jha.

With the shooting of Aarakshan complete, director Jha has asked both Khan and Babbar to take some time off for 'voice rehearsals' before dubbing begins. After hearing them deliver their lines during the shoot, Jha felt both actors needed to work on their diction and accent.

No Dabangg 2 but search on for an item as hot as Munni

Arbaaz Khan concedes that he may produce another film before he takes up the Dabangg sequel

Arbaaz Khan does not want to take any chances when it comes to giving the best for his superhit film Dabangg's sequel. His brother Salmaan Khan is busy with other commitments and he does not want to rush things.

"Salman Khan is a big star. He has several films lined up before he gets ready for Dabangg 2. He has to finish Atul (Agnihotri)'s Bodyguard.

Then he has to start two films later this year, one for Yashraj and the other for brother Sohail. This is the first time Salman is working with Yashraj.

And we're all very excited about it."

Arbaaz reluctantly admitted that he might produce another film in the meantime. "If I come across something exciting, or a script that feels right, I'll

Neither Ashmit nor I believe in marriage: Veena Malik

Contrary to the reports from Pakistan, Veena Malik has not been injured in a road accident

In an accident involving the Pakistani actress Veena Malik while she was travelling from Islamabad to Lahore, the actress has declared herself to be unhurt, opposing the claims of the Pakistani media.

According to Pakistani media reports, Veena was recovering in a hospital.

"Not true, " said Malik, "Miraculously, I didn't get a single scratch. Although the vehicle is completely mangled we managed to escape unhurt. I think there is a guardian-angel watching over me."

The incident, however, has resulted in one good aftermath.

Her boyfriend, Bollywood actor Ashmit Patel and she are together again. Ashmit has been on the phone constantly inquiring about Veena's well being, specially since the reports in the Pakistan press were fairly alarming.

No wedding bells

Prodded about marriage, Veena chuckled, "Neither Ashmit nor I believe in the institution of marriage. The day marriage makes sense to us, we will take the plunge."

Veena returns to Mumbai in two weeks. "I've accepted three movie projects and will talk about them when I return to India."

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Salman comes to foe Subhash Ghai's rescue

After Yuvraaj's failure, Ghai and Salman Khan's relationship went for a nose dive, but recently Khan agreed to do Ghai's next film

While everyone knows that the once sought after director Subhash Ghai has fallen on bad times (his last hit was Taal, way back in 1999), look who's coming to his rescue?

Salman Khan who had once infamously, got into fisticuffs with the director in a toilet, and whom one would assume would stay away after the colossal flop that Yuvraaj turned out to be, is going to do a film with Ghai in the coming months. The film will reportedly be a lavish musical set in contemporary times, and work will commence by the year end.

The director had forgiven Khan for their loo spat before taking him on for Yuvraaj. But the film bombed, and the relationship between the two nose dived. However, last Monday, Ghai dropped in at Khan's makeshift pad in Film City.

According to an eyewitness, "Salman met Ghai with a lot of warmth. Neither of them brought up Yuvraaj. What was meant to be a brief hello, turned into a lengthy discussion about Ghai's next project. Salman loved the idea and immediately agreed to do the film."

According to the source, Khan even told the grateful director, "Anytime for you." When contacted, Ghai did not deny meeting Khan for a new film. "We may be doing a project together, " he said, adding, "To this date Salman and I are very close." Can Khan, who is riding on his Dabangg success, pull Ghai out from misfortune?

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Ranbir's ex Angela would love to do an item number

Born in Chennai to an Icelandic father and Mangalorean mother, 21-year-old model Angela Jonsson maintains that being half-Indian is no disadvantage in making it big in the Bollywood film industry any more.

"I don't think being a half-Indian impedes entry into Bollywood any more. In fact, I would like to believe that I have been blessed with the best of both worlds, " Angela told over phone from Mumbai.

There was a time when half-Indians and foreigners were offered only typical roles, but the scenario has changed ever since experimental scripts have come into play, said the model, more in the news for her link-up with actor Ranbir Kapoor.

"Also, the industry has become open and encouraging to newcomers. Films with newcomers seem to be getting a good response at the box office. So I am hoping for the best for myself too, " she added.

'I got clicked more than Mallika Sherawat at Cannes'

Fagun Thakrar claims that she managed to grab more eyeballs than Mallika Sherawat in her maiden trip to Cannes.

The UK- based actress danced her way at the opening ceremony of the screening of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Shekhar Kapoor's Bollywood documentary, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

Fagun features with Kal Penn and Martin Sheen in Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain. She claims, "I got clicked more than Mallika Sherawat!" Over to Madam M.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Will Karan Johar take RGV's punch lying down?

Varma has slyly got his friend to name Amitabh Bachchan's character in a new film, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. This at a time, when Johar is remaking Agneepath

AND the Karan Johar-Ram Gopal Varma saga continues. After a bit of a lull, Varma has thrown in a big right hook.

As Johar readies to remake Agneepath with Hrithik Roshan, Varma has not only got his dear friend Puri Jagannath to cast Amitabh Bachchan in Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap, he has also gotten his friend to name Bachchan's character in the film, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan.

As one might remember Bachchan played Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in the original Agneepath. This is Telugu director Jagannath's first film in Hindi and Varma introduced him to Bachchan.

According to a source, when it came to giving a name to Bachchan's character in Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap, Varma suggested Vijay Dinanath Chauhan.

"His name in the film is no coincidence. Everyone knows Ramu loves to provoke Karan. Karan is remaking Agneepath with Hrithik, and by naming Amitabh Chauhan, Ramu wants to draw attention to the real Vijay Dinanath Chauhan."

Varma and Johar have had many showdowns in the past. Varma once claimed Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna was the scariest film he had ever seen.

Johar, later, took a potshot at Varma, after Phoonk 2 bombed, tweeting, "I have not seen Phoonk or Phoonk 2. I am sure Phoonk 3 will not be made." Varma then retorted on Twitter, "I've completed scripting Phoonk 3 and I'm planning to approach Johar to act opposite the crow."
However, when asked about his role in naming Bachchan's character, Varma feigned ignorance. "I am not guilty of this, " was his reply. Now we are waiting for Johar's retaliation.

Ramu can fight, sala

Varma once claimed Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna was the scariest film he had ever seen. Johar took a potshot at Varma, after Phoonk 2 bombed, tweeting, "I have not seen Phoonk or Phoonk 2. I am sure Phoonk 3 will not be made." Varma then retorted on Twitter, "I've completed scripting Phoonk 3 and I'm planning to approach Johar to act opposite the crow."

Later, Johar tweeted, "Early morning dreams come true? I dreamt I was watching Phoonk 2 and holding RGV's hand in fear. Is this possible?" Varma, however, was quick with his reply. "Well, I don't know about Phoonk 2, but I'm scared of the Karan Johar hand-holding part."