starbytes


Wedding bells for Ash-Abhi?
 
The brouhaha is finally entering its final stages, or so it seems. The Abhishek-Aishwarya wedding has met its pinnacle of hype as it has been announced that they are set to wed on the 19th of February this year. Though the couple is being evasive in confirming these reports, reliable sources have told the press that astrologers have advised this date as the ideal time for the couple to wed as Aishwarya's celestial planetary position will become compatible. According to sources, the wedding will be held at Mumbai's Grand Hyatt hotel and designers Neeta Lulla and Anna Singh will design the wedding dress for Ash and Abhishek respectively. Now all that information cannot be
based on rumours alone, eh? Comparisons are being drawn with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri, who too married soon after the release of Amitabh's first hit Zanjeer, creating a whole new round of speculations. Will Ash give up her film career as Jaya did? Will the only thing on her mind be taking the Bachchan clan forward? Friends of the Bachchans have revealed that it has already been decided by the family that she will. Well, good luck to Gaurang Doshi's film Happy Birthday in which Ash stars opposite John Abraham and is supposed to go on floor this March. If wedding bells ring before that, it'll be Shaadi Mubarak or Good Night and Good Luck for the director and certainly not Happy Birthday!
 
Rang De Basanti goes to the BAFTAs!
 
After being India's official entry to the Oscars in the category of Best Foreign Film, Rang De Basanti has now been nominated for the BAFTAs – British Academy Film & Television Awards. Rang De Basanti will compete in the category of Best Foreign Film alongside Mel Gibson's Apocalypto, Black Book, Pan's Labyrinth and the Penelope Cruz starrer Volver. Whether the film wins or not is anybody's guess but just the fact that it got picked up shows how far Indian cinema has come. This year alone, Lage Raho Munnabhai was also sent to the Oscars as an independent entry. Taxi No 9211 has been made a part of the Oscar library. Rang De Basanti is up for some tough competition especially against Apocalypto which according to
critics is even better than The Passion of the Christ. The BAFTAs will take place on February 11 at the Royal Opera House in London. Watch this space for more on it. For now, let's keep our fingers crossed!
 
What... no Hrithik in papa's film?
 
It may come as a surprise but director Rakesh Roshan recently made announcement that his next flick will feature Arshad Warsi in the lead and not Hrithik. That's because beta Hrithik is busy shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's Akbar-Jodha and Krrish' sequel. Rakesh will be producing the film and it will be directed by his assistant Raja Sen. Interestingly, Arshad will also play the role of a mentally challenged man. Another Koi Mil Gaya? We hope not. Filmmaker claims that he will be a complete madman in the film. And as for Hrithik, one can see him flying in leather jackets once again in the Krrish
sequel. So far, Hrithik Roshan is having a great year. Both his films have been huge hits and he has shockingly picked up Best Actor trophy at this year's Screen Awards and Global Indian Film Awards. It should've gone to Aamir for Fanaa or Sanju for Munnabhai. But oh well, perhaps its India's superhero syndrome that has the jury starstruck. For us, however, the first superhero will always be Mr. India, hands down.  
 
Bond versus Queen
 

Where Rang De Basanti has been nominated for Best Foreign Film, other lead nominations at this year's BAFTAs include a stiff battle between Casino Royale and The Queen. The Queen picked up ten nominations this year and buzz has it that this film will probably pick up Best British Film of the Year. Unlike last year, which was dominated by political thrillers such as The Constant Gardener, Munich and Good Night and Good Luck, this year it's bond and biopics stealing the awards glory. Some of the top nominees include Daniel Craig for Best Actor, Leonardo Di Caprio for The Departed, and Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland. Dame Helen Mirren is being touted as Best Actress contender for the BAFTAs. The biggest battle

however will be between directors. Where Alejandro Gonzalez is up for his epic on human race, Babel, others think its Scorsese who will pick up the trophy. Our take is, Helen Mirren, Leo Di Caprio and Scorsese should win. And hey, Bond can have his trophy as Best British Actor. That's our take but surely the jury will have its own. Watch out for the BAFTAs. They will be shaken and not stirred this year…
 
Jack is back with 24
 
Since its inception in 2001, 24 remains one of the best television series to date, dealing with terrorists, Presidents and their aides, a mole, family drama and a lot of chasing. Every year the ratings have increased, characters have been made more complex. 24 is now back with its sixth season and a back to back episode that will begin right where the fifth season finished. Last time we checked, Jack was taken to China with no one to support him from the US. One interesting thing about the season is that this time they will introduce the father of Jack Bauer. And as for Jack, he's back baby and with a vengeance. The season is already getting rave reviews and
knowing our friendly pirates, it should be out in the local market by next weekend. So, gear up for another gripping, riveting and hard-hitting season of 24. The clock is ticking…