Reviews for the tamil film VEPPAM

Veppam, directed by debutante director Anjana and produced by Gowtham Vasudev Menon, has finally hit the theaters this Friday (29-July-2011) after a long delay.

Rediff review

As expected from someone who worked first in ad films and later as associate director with Gautam Vasudev Menon in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu, Anjana's debut film Veppam (Heat) is certainly very chic. Together with cinematographer Om Prakash, she has crafted a film that is easy on the eye and possesses a style that reminds one of Gautam Menon himself. Photon Kathaa's Veppam (Heat), is a slickly made film.

Nani and Bindhu Madhavi, newcomers to Tamil films, do very well and manage to engage our interest. Nithya Menen has a very small role to play while Karthik plays to his strengths and doesn't really move out of his comfort zone. The rest of the cast is, truth be told, no great shakes.

Antony's editing is adequate though it could have been better in the second half. Mayan's art-work is realistic, bringing the scenes to life.

A tauter screenplay, more logic in the sequences and realistic dialogues would have made Veppam an eminently enjoyable film.

Super Good Movies review

A movie set in Chennai slum, directed by debutant Anjana, Veppam promises aplenty. With a strong technical team behind, Veppam is a movie different from the rest.

It is a movie set in the backdrop of Chennai slum. It reminds one of movies like Pattiyal and Drohi a lot. Anjana has given her hard wolrk and the result is there to be seen in parts. The script is racy and the first half with some breezy moments passes off quickly. The twists and surprising turns in the story are enjoyable.

It has a very sleek cinematography by Om Prakash. He has penned a poetry through his camera. The songs by Joshua Sridhar stands out. All the seven songs including Veppam, the theme song, is worth a listen.Anthony's crispy editing adds pace to the script.

Nani plays his part well while Karthi is breezy and entertaining. Bindhu Madhavai has a limited scope while Nithya Menon hogs limelight with her character.
.

Jordan Katie Price expects to have 12 husbands!

She's worked her way through two so far, but Katie Price reckons she'll reach a tally of 12 husbands -- Read further to know what more the mum-of-three has said recently.

Jordan Katie Price is best known as a businesswoman these days but she's still keen to return to her roots as a glamour model.

The 33-year-old started taking her clothes off for the camera and adopted the name Jordan when she was just 18, but has since developed a clothing line, written novels and is the star of her own TV show.

Katie, who first appeared in her birthday suit in Playboy magazine in 2002, is quoted to have said: "I've got another Playboy shoot in me. I still love getting my kit off because it's what I do best and it's got me where I am today. And I've also got plans for a film and a West End show."

She added: "I'll also have more kids, more horses and probably more husbands, about 12, I expect!"

Katie has been married twice - first to Peter Andre, with whom she has two children, Junior, six, and Princess Tiaamii, four, with and secondly to Alex Reid, who she divorced after a year of marriage in February 2011, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Amy Winehouse - Funeral Pictures

A private funeral for Amy Winehouse was held at Edgwarebury Cemetery in London on Tuesday (26-July-2011), with family and friends in attendance including Kelly Osbourne, "Back to Black" producer Mark Ronson and recent boyfriend, filmmaker Reg Traviss.

Wearing dark suits, black dresses and the occasional beehive hairdo, friends and family said goodbye to Amy Winehouse with prayers, tears, laughter and song at an emotional funeral ceremony.

Amy Winehouse lived her chaotic life through a lens. But her family made sure at least part of her funeral was a sedate and private affair.

According to Amy's wishes, she has been cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. Her ashes have been placed alongside her grandmother, Cynthia, who was a jazz singer and a great influence on Amy and her music.

The soul diva, who had battled alcohol and drug addiction, was found dead on Saturday (23-July-2011) at her London home. She was 27.

VEPPAM (Sega) to see its much-awaited release

Veppam (English: Heat) is an upcoming Indian Tamil action thriller written and directed by newcomer Anjana Ali Khan,[2] starring Nani, Karthik Kumar, Bindu Madhavi and Nithya Menen.

Director Anjana Ali Khan's debut venture 'Veppam', which will also be released simultaneously in Telugu as 'Sega', this Friday (29-July-2011), took nearly three years to shape up to what it is today.

Anjana says that people in the age-group of 18-29 years should be able to connect with her film.

The title of the movie is synonymous with the climate of Chennai. "One thing that we all keep complaining about is the heat and soaring temperatures in the city, also known as ‘Veppam’ in Tamil (‘Sega’ in Telugu)," the director explains.

Armed with a university gold medal, Anjana Ali Khan went into advertising as a copy writer, transitioned to making ad films, started her production house in 1997 and made lots of television commercials, music videos and corporate documentaries, some of which won awards.

When she felt that she wanted to tell a longer story, her struggle started. It took her seven years to make her first feature film, Veppam, in Tamil. During this period, she worked with Gautham Vasudev Menon on his film Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu, as an associate director.

When his associate Anjana was ready with a 'good script' and was looking for a producer, her mentor Gautham Vasudev Menon readily came forward to fund the project, and the end-product 'Veppam' is now all set to hit the screens.

There are five sound tracks in this movie, which has been set to tune by Joshua Sridhar. It may be recalled that the audio of Veppam was release way back in January.

Funeral of singer Amy Winehouse to be held today (26-July-2011)

The lifeless body of Amy Winehouse was discovered in her home at 3.54pm on Saturday. Within hours, rumours were circulating on Twitter, before finally being confirmed by police sources, and then backed up by someone claiming to know the officer who had been called to the scene.

Once upon a time, Amy Winehouse was a musician who earned a living by recording songs and offering them to the public.

Singer Amy Winehouse may have sensed her impending death - she had chosen to spent the last three weeks contacting her friends with whom she had not spoken for years.

Sources close to the 'Rehab' hitmaker, who was found dead in her North London home on Saturday, feel that probably Winehouse knew that 'her end was near', reported Sun online.

An autopsy on singer Amy Winehouse failed to determine what killed the 27-year-old star, leaving fans and family with a weeks-long wait for the results of toxicology tests. Her funeral will be held tonight (26-July-2011).

An intimate funeral for Amy Winehouse will take place Tuesday, the singer's spokesman said.

Sparse details are being released about the ceremony -- including exactly when and where it will occur -- though spokesman Chris Goodman said "it will be a small, private event for a few friends and family."

Amy, who struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, won five Grammy awards for her album "Back To Black" and was considered by many critics to be one of the most soulful and talented British female singers of her time.

Crowds have gathered outside her north London home since her death to light candles and leave flowers and other tributes.

Amy Winehouse - Death and mystery

Globally known British singer Amy Winehouse had a medical examination the night before her death and was given the all clear, it has been reported.

Sordid details surrounding Amy Winehouse's tragic death have emerged, with claims that she bought a cocktail of narcotics including cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine in her final hours.

Amy Winehouse gained a lot of accolades for bringing such genres of music like Soul and Jazz to the mainstream, paving way for other emerging musicians, not only from the UK but also from other parts of the world.

Celebrity friends and her fans have been paying tribute to the singer, Amy Winehouse

The police are to fix a date later for the post-mortem examination into the death of Amy Winehouse.

Amy reached far and wide with her music, popularising her genre, gaining recognition and respect for her talent and sharing the rare gift that she had.

Amy Winehouse's final night was spent watching videos with her bodyguard, her management said, contradicting reports that she bought drugs hours before her death.

AMY's unfinished third album could be released posthumously, The (London) Daily Telegraph reports.

While it is believed that the songs recorded by the 27-year-old British singer are still nothing more than demos, sources told the newspaper there was plenty of material available for another album.

Unfortunately, her life was peppered with a manic depressive disorder and encounters with drugs and alcohol. She'd shown the first signs of a self-destructive tendencies as a kid. Her father Mitch Winehouse was once quoted as saying, "She's always been a very self-willed kid."

Kanchana as reviewed by Rediff and The Hindu

Kanchana is a 2011 Tamil horror film directed and written by Raghava Lawrence as a sequel to his previous venture, Muni (2007). The film features himself in the lead role with Sarathkumar and Lakshmi Rai in other roles.

Rediff review

Choreographer Raghava Lawrencce's Kanchana is a continuation of his earlier film Muni as far as the characters are concerned, but is not technically a sequel.

It's supposed to be a horror film, but also has a 'cause' towards the climax which however gets drowned in the narrative.

The film may scare kids but no one else. The acting in many scenes is over the top and it's obvious that every effort is being made to appeal to the masses.

Lawrencce's acting is okay, but a bit overdramatic in most scenes and the dancing scenes are expressly for him. As a director he should have developed the theme better.

The Hindu review

Like the eerie tales telecast on Tamil satellite channels at nights for thrill-hungry viewers, Kanchana (U/A) is bound to find takers.

The latest from Raghava Lawrence's stable, is another foray into the occult and comes as a sequel to the 2007 film, Muni, also directed by him.

Lakshmi Rai returns after quite a while. Paired with Lawrence, it's a glam show all the way. And that's about it.

Thanks to effective CG, the supernatural sequences (there are several) in Kanchana impact.

As an actor Raghava Lawrence overdoes, as a dancer he is inimitable, as a director he impresses and as a storyteller he scores.

Bollywood film SINGHAM reviews

Bollywood action flick SINGHAM, released this Friday (22-July-2011), is one of the quickest remakes to have been made in recent times. While the Tamil version had released last year with Suriya and Anushka Shetty as the lead couple, within a year the Hindi version is also ready. Here this blog lets you know about reviews for the film.

Rediff Review

In Rohit Shetty's mass-masala movie Singham, Ajay Devgn plays an upright, honest and do-gooder cop who goes way beyond the training and duties of a regular Indian Police Service officer.

He will stop to push a cart if its wheel is stuck in the mud; play with little kids; become a part time no-interest loan financier to settle a dispute between two people in his village, especially if someone is about to get married and it is their 'izzat ka sawal'.

Singham is packed with a lot of bone crunching sounds, and loud action moments. Gone are the days when Bollywood films just featured dhishum-dhishum in the fight scenes.

The fights are long, painful and yet fun to watch.

NDTV Review

For one, Rohit Shetty’s nifty reworking of the 2010 Tamil hit of the same title nurses no pretences. It is an out-and-out potboiler.

Shetty plays up the epic quality of the good vs evil clash without letting go of the strong streak of humour that is the Golmaal director's obvious forte. Thoroughly entertaining and consistently watchable, Singham delivers more than your money’s worth. If a feral analogy could be applied to a film, Singham is like the roar of a lion, unsubtle, unambiguous and power-packed.

Singham is an old-fashioned but rousing Hindi commercial film that pretty much restores one’s faith in this often-maligned brand of cinema. It has super-duper hit written all over it.

Yahoo Review

The film is about a humble village cop, Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) who enforces law like a preschool moral science teacher. All accused and convicts are let off with a warning, as they're usually his friends and/or belong to the good ol' gaaon ki mitti, which is later distinguished from shehar ki dhul through a clichéd reference.

Singham also flexes his perfectly sculpted body to slap-whack-smash goons who try to get fresh with Kavya (Kajal Agarwal), a family friend, who plays quite 'easy to get' and swiftly falls in love and establishes herself as the female lead.

Devgn does a fair job and conveys sufficient conviction and humility through his character. Kajal Agarwal makes an unobjectionable debut and her eyes would surely inspire a few compliments.

IT dept raids premises of actors Mammootty and Mohanlal

Income tax sleuths have raided the houses, offices and hotels of Malayalam film stars Mammootty and Mohanlal. The searches started at 6.30am on Friday (22-July-2011) morning.

The operation followed allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to their income. More details about the nature of the raid have not been revealed.

The raids were conducted at premises in Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Mohanlal is currently shooting for a film in Rameshwaram and his statement is being recorded, while Mammootty is in Chennai.

On July 11, the Income Tax sleuths raided the houses of several Kannada film makers and distributors and seized many documents. Reports said that the I-T officials raided the houses of Kannada TV and film stars Ravikiran, Sihi Kahi Chandru and K Manju and others at Teachers Colony, J P Nagar, Vijayanagar, Sadashivanagar, Jayanagar etc.

Ajay-Kajal starrer Singham hits the screens on 22-July-2011

SINGHAM is one of the quickest remakes to have been made in recent times. While the Tamil version had released last year with Suriya and Anushka as the lead couple, within a year the Hindi version is also ready.

With SINGHAM, Ajay Devgn will make a comeback to hardcore action genre. The buzz that this film has generated has already put it in competition with Salman's DABANGG.

The film also marks the bollywood debut of Punjabi born Kajal Agarwal, after having made a name for herself down South through Tamil and Telugu films in recent few years. Kajal says she does not feel insecure over the fact that the male lead is hogging the limelight.

Salman Vs Ajay

It's rare to find actors appreciating other actors and supporting each other in B-town. But Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn's recent bonding is an answer to all the gossip mongers, who constantly tittle-tattle about rivalries between the actors.

Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan, who is known for his toned physique, is amazed to see Ajay Devgn's fit body in his upcoming flick Singham. "Oye teri !!! Baap re baap. Superb ajay's body is looking. Too good" Salman posted on Twitter.

On knowing about Salman's comments about him, Ajay immediately pointed out rivalries and animosity are created by people and with Salman's tweet it only goes on to prove that the 'so-called' rivalry thing doesn't exist.

The actor also shows his newfound six-pack abs in Singham. Did he work a lot on his body for the film?

“I didn't have to do a lot in terms of training. I trained a little more than usual and followed a more strict diet for two months,” Ajay revealed.

Different from the original

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who is returning to action with 'Singham' after making quirky comedies like 'Golmaal' and 'All The Best', says the Hindi version is completely different from the original film in Tamil.

"When I was shooting for 'Golmaal 3', I watched Tamil 'Singham' and was quite fascinated with the concept. I discussed it with Ajay and have made the film by changing the script 70 per cent of it," the director said.

The film, set to release this Friday (22-July-2011), was shot in 136 odd days and unlike the latest Bollywood fad, the film has got no item numbers.

SRK interrogated at Mumbai airport and fined Rs 1.5 lakh

Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan had to pay a hefty fine of Rs 1.5 lakhs by the airport customs when he came back from his London holiday.

Shah Rukh Khan, 44, was on his way back with his family from a vacation in Holland and London. He was stopped at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, for allegedly carrying over 20 bags, by customs officials.

A source informs, "SRK had gone on a family holiday to Holland and London. On his way back he was carrying with him about 20 bags. Thus, the custom officials at airport interrogated him, while his family was allowed to go."

The source adds, "The interrogation was conducted by a team of deputy collector, Customs, Sameer Wankhede. Shah Rukh had to pay a duty of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh."

Reportedly, SRK was not given any special treatment by the custom authorities and he was treated just like any other passenger.

Filmstars being detained at airport is becoming a regular feature these days, in India.

Deiva Thirumagal - Tamil film reviews

Directed by AL Vijay of 'Kireedam' and 'Madraspattinam' fame, 'Deiva Thirumagal' has Vikram, Anushka, Amala Paul and Santhanam essaying lead roles. Sarah plays Vikram's daughter in the movie.

Rediff review

Deiva Thirumagal has its plus points, chief among them the work of Dr Chiyaan Vikram (the film opens, in fact, with his name and face displayed prominently). And in many ways, this is completely his movie. As the mentally under-developed Krishna who works in a chocolate factory in Avalanchi, Ooty, he establishes right in the beginning the helplessness, goodness of heart and deficiencies of someone whose mental age is only five.

As for the actors, Vikram obviously scores. Yet, you feel that after Sean Penn, Vikram has been given an acting template of sorts. Yes, he has done very well – but it's not really original. Anushka delivers what her role requires her to do, but the screenplay lets her down. The same can be said of Amala Paul, Sachin Khedekar, M S Bhaskar et al.

If you're a fan of sentimental tear-jerkers, and have not seen I am Sam, Deiva Thirumagal might impress. For the rest, it might provide a sense of déjà vu, and towards the end, the meandering, weak screenplay is largely dissatisfying.

Indian Express review

Actor Vikram has this penchant for playing quirky characters. Whether it was the mentally impaired ‘Sethu’, the psychologically challenged ‘Pithamagan’, the multiple personality-driven ‘Anniyan’, or the visually impaired ‘Kasi’, he can play any role easily.

Now he takes on yet another character of a mentally-handicapped man in ‘Deiva Thirumagal’. Vikram, as Krishna, is a man with the IQ of a five-year old. The relationship between Krishna and his six year-old daughter Nila, whose custody he fights for, forms the crux of the film.

Despite its glitches, ‘Deiva Thirumagal’ is a warm tale that touches an emotional chord at places, and is a different take for the audience

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Bollywood film reviews

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Hindi: ज़िन्दगी ना मिलेगी दोबारा, English: You Won't Get Life Again) is a 2011 Hindi film, directed by Zoya Akhtar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment. The movie stars Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar.

Rediff review

Second-time director Zoya Akhtar puts together a familiar plot, with recurring themes of friendship, love, coming-of-age and travel as its mainstay, but her invigorating characters pump in fresh energy into a film that could have been strictly mediocre.

Zoya keeps it straight, as far as the dilemmas of her characters are concerned. But as I point out, the conversations come along easily; they act as fill-in-the-blanks, even as an instrument of smokescreens at junctures where the story appears weak.

The dialogue are gentle, they won't make you ROFL; they are more like tender dig in the ribs. The real triumph is that the characters are real and life-like.

If you shut your eyes for a moment, you might see your own self in Kabir, Imran or Laila.

TOI review

'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' remains true to its narrative and is as much unadulterated as the fun the three boys have, indulging in untried adventure sports.

The film has 3 stars in their own right yet it employs them as actors over heroes. There are no heroic entries, stylized background score or larger than life action. The entire film is shot in virgin locations of Spain, yet the beauty of the picturesque country is used only as a catalyst and not as a gimmick in this road flick.

And though the film has characters like a possessive girlfriend, a flirtatious friend, an illegitimate father and immense scope for melodrama, it remains subtle and lighthearted throughout.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara remains true to its narrative and is as much unadulterated as the fun the three boys have, indulging in untried adventure sports.

The Hindu review

Zoya Akhtar's second outing as a director is way more filmi than her first about the film industry. This one only pretends to be real. It's not.

You get Katrina Kaif drenched in tomato pulp at the La Tomatina festival when she's not holding you by the hand and teaching you scuba diving. If this is not fantasy, what is?

However, ZNMD works as a mood piece if you are in the mood to live vicariously through them. Hang out with the boys and Katrina, put up with bad jokes, surrender to the quiet of the ocean, the thrill of the free-fall and the atmospherics of bulls charging at you Spainstakingly captured by cinematographer Carlos Catalan.

Bottomline: A laidback trip with stock characters dealing with standard Hollywood hero issues that makes up for its predictability with its camaraderie and spontaneous banter.

India Today review

Jokes about teachers. Fights over girlfriends. Silly word games. Bare chests. Rippling muscles. Streaked hair. Sigh. Glossy looking and beautifully written.

The film is gentle, taking time out to look at horses running in the meadows, feel the wind the air, swim with the fish underwater. All that male beauty may be a little manipulative and the plot is a little contrived--three adventure sports to test your courage--but the story keeps you engaged.

Lovely. A bromance that has more style and heat than most rubish romcoms. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? It's a film you will want to watch dobara.

Deiva Thitumagal - Kollywood film reviews

Directed by AL Vijay of 'Kireedam' and 'Madraspattinam' fame, 'Deiva Thirumagal' has Vikram, Anushka, Amala Paul and Santhanam essaying lead roles. Sarah plays Vikram's daughter in the movie.

The Hindu review

From a director who prefers to steer clear of stereotypes and an actor who plumps for roles that keep winning brownie points for him at every turn comes a different attempt.

Director Vijay and hero Vikram join hands for the first time to present a drama replete with human emotions that stay with you for long. Vijay provides enough fodder for this veritable storehouse of talent, and the actor gobbles it up with glee! Deiva Thirumagal (U) showcases paternal instinct in all its poignancy.

‘Dr. Chiyaan Vikram' screams the title card! Good job, Vikram!

Baby Sara is a darling! Wonder how Vijay made her emote so naturally! Santhanam is lucky to get roles that transcend the level of sheer comedy — fun with the right mix of substance.

Bottomline: A sensitive poem on celluloid!

Behindwoods Review

“Simpler a thing is, nobler it is”, said the legendary Sathyajith Ray. He would have reiterated his stance now had he watched Krishna (Vikram) in Deiva Thirumagal.

Director Vijay’s caliber as an effective raconteur keeps escalating in every film of his and DT is the latest example. His matured handling of the script and his characters are just testimony to this. It is endearing to watch this tale unravel itself in a very charming and touching fashion.

After a long while, DT gives the satisfaction of watching a film without cringing in your seats or worrying how it would appeal to the young population. In short Deiva Thirumagal is a well nuanced film that will appeal to everyone who has their heart and feelings in the right place.

Verdict: An emotional tale between a father and a daughter well told

Superstar Rajini is back in Chennai

South Indian superstar Rajinikanth returned to a rapturous welcome from his fans in Chennai on Wednesday (13-July-2011) night. The actor was accompanied by his wife Latha Rajinikanth and two daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya.

It was a carnival of sorts at the Chennai Airport late Wednesday when the actor returned from Singapore after undergoing over a month-long treatment. Hundreds of fans waited eagerly in anticipation of his arrival. The excitement reached a crescendo when the superstar reached the city around 10:15 p.m. by a Singapore Airlines flight.

Sporting T-shirts bearing the actor's images, these fans from across the city, suburban areas and even from neighbouring districts, danced merrily with joy, as bands played various musical hit numbers of the actor.

Personnel from the Chennai Airport Police Station and neighbouring police stations were deployed in large numbers to regulate the traffic. But they were unable to keep things in control, as the number of fans kept swelling as the deadline neared.

The return of the Superstar from Singapore, after a month of treatment and rest, has triggered off a chain of mass hysteria among his fans. But sources say the superstar was missing his family and fans, just as much as they missed him.

This is what some excited fans told NDTV: "He is our God and we are so lucky to see him after two months. Our leader please come for a corruption free society."

"The last two months were so difficult for fans as Rajini was moved to a hospital..." "Next the superstar is going to rock in Rana."

"Rajinikanth should speak to the fans through television."

Chennai Police summons Kalanidhi Maran

Chennai Police have summoned Kalanidhi Maran, the elder brother of former Telecom and Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran. The police have summoned Kalanidhi who heads the SUN TV Network which is the Maran-family-run business.

Born in 1964 in a family deep-rooted in politics, Kalanidhi is the son of former Union Minister of commerce Murasoli Maran, brother of ex-textile minister Dayanidhi Maran and grandnephew of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

A business owner, a media baron and the Forbes billionaire- Kalanidhi Maran, 47, owns television channels, magazines, news papers, DTH Service and FM Radio stations in South India. Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Sun TV Networks, Kalanidhi is television king of Southern India where his Sun TV rules.

A film distributor in Tamil Nadu has accused Sun Pictures of cheating and criminal intimidation. The Chief Operating Officer of Sun Pictures, Hansraj Saxena, was arrested recently.

Mr. Selvaraj alleged that he was cheated and threatened by Sun Pictures in connection with the release and distribution of the Tamil movie, Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai, the sources added.

“We have summoned Mr. Kalanithi Maran in his capacity as head of Sun Pictures. Since there are complaints of cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation against the Sun Pictures, we need to make enquiries with him,” a senior police official said.

PTI adds:

The counsel for Mr Kalanidhi has sought time saying his client is out of station and would return only on July 26.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Kumar told reporters that the plea has been accepted.

The film and television industry are keenly watching the outcome of this interrogation, it may be mentioned here.

Kannada actress Maria Susairaj claims innocence (Neeraj murder case)

Maria Susairaj, an actress from Sandalwood (Kannada film industry), who walked out of jail today (02-July-2011) after serving more than three years behind bars in Neeraj Grover murder case, claimed she is innocent and the conviction is a 'stigma' on her life.

The starlet was found guilty under IPC Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and awarded the maximum punishment of three-year jail term along with boyfriend Emlie Jerome, a former navy officer.

While her lawyer defended her, Maria herself spoke just three words, "I am innocent," and said she will not talk more.

Maria's lawyer also made it clear that she is not going to join the film industry, even as film maker Ram Gopal Verma showed interest in casting her in his movie.

The 30-year-old Kannada actress, who has been under intense media glare ever since she was accused of being involved in the death of TV executive Neeraj Grover in 2008, chose a press conference to express her side of the story. This after she walked free today (02-July-2011) after spending three years in jail.

"I have left my past behind. I have not yet decided on (the) future. I will let my family decide," she said. Mariah said she painted and prayed in prison. "I have not yet digested the fact that I have been convicted, and I have not seen so many people in the past three years," she said.

However, both Maria and her lawyer Sherif Sheikh refused to comment on the case or the judgement or the victim Grover, saying the matter was still sub-judice.

Movie Reviews: Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap

Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap, earlier titled Buddah, is a Hindi film directed by popular Tollywood filmmaker Puri Jagannadh. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Prakash Raj, Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon, Charmy Kaur, Minissha Lamba, Sonal Chauhan and Subbaraju in the lead roles.

Rediff Review

Puri Jagannath's film is not a particularly well-crafted one. The story is threadbare, the scenes disjointed and abrupt, and poor Raveena Tandon [ Images ] is made to contort her face for almost a full minute. None of that matters.

This isn't a masala film, it's a full-blown exploitation flick, and all that makes it work is the man under the spotlight. The extras can't stop smiling, almost as if Bachchan told them a knock-knock joke before the cameras started rolling, and they're all just basking in the grand silliness of this film. As are we.

Aviator sunglasses aren't the wisest thing to wear when shooting with a sniper rifle in the glaring sun. But who cares when they're that damned cool?

Bollywood Hungama Review

BUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP is a Hindi film packaged like a well-made South Indian fare: the style of narrating the story, the slick edit, the fast pacing, the stylized action scenes, the larger-than-life characters…

The story actually takes off at the interval point, when an unexpected twist startles the viewer completely. From this point onwards, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP only scales higher and higher, reaching the peak towards the action-packed finale and the subsequent emotional reunion. I'd like to single out the confrontation between Bachchan and Prakash Raj in the final moments of the film and also the soaked-in-emotions sequence between Bachchan and Hema. It's the perfect icing on the cake!

Galatta Review

Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap has the 69-year-old Bachchan enacting the role of a defiant, flamboyant hitman in his inimitable style.

With Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap, the angry young man of the 1970s and 1980s re-surfaces to re-live various roles that he enacted in those memorable films. This one's a masala film all the way. Right from a medley of Bachchan hits to the expertly crafted action sequences to the by-now-famous Bachchan baritone, this one has it all.

Frankly, masala films and path-breaking story don't go hand in hand. It's the moments that make a film. And Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap is no different.

Final word? Bachchan fans -- especially those who have grown up on his movies -- are sure to relish it. Even if you're not a Bachchan fan, watch this one for one simple reason: They don't make them like Amitabh Bachchan anymore!

Delhi Belly - Bollywood film reviews

Delhi Belly (Hindi: दिल्ली बेली) is a Hindi film, directed by Abhinay Deo, starring Imran Khan, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Poorna Jagannathan, Vir Das and Shenaz Treasurywala. The film, written by Akshat Verma, is being produced by Aamir Khan Productions and UTV Motion Pictures. The theatrical trailer premiered with Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghat on January 21, 2011 and the film released on July 1, 2011.

Glamsham Review

DELHI BELLY has several such gross scenes, but they do manage to evoke laughter.

Director Abhinay Deo executes the script written by Akshat Verma (also the Associate Director) well. However, he does take some time to get along with the story. The interval-less film has just the right amount of twists, to hold your attention. But you do hope the narrative was a bit tauter as it seems a bit lacklustre in portions. Perhaps, some more humorous moments would have done the trick. Nevertheless, the gags that are there are uproarious. The constant bantering between the three friends is very palpable. The slow-motion climax scene is smartly done.

Rediff Review

Delhi Belly is a slick, madly crazy production that is mostly funny -- although the humour will more likely appeal to the 20-something and perhaps 30-something public school educated, English speaking, big city audience that the film targets through its previews, videos and playful songs (from a spoof on K L Saigal's voice, to one that may or may not allude to a curse word).

What the film fails to do is to capture the ethos and the spirit of Delhi. Delhi Belly could have been set just about anywhere in India. Despite many outdoor shots of India's crowded capital city, there is practically no Delhi in the film's characters.

DNA Review

Make way for over-the-top profanity and delightfully absurdist humour. Delhi Belly is a raunchy, witty and irreverent film that is bound to please all but the most straitlaced audiences.

Delhi Belly is lethally funny and cynical. It is so gaudy and profane that you can't say it isn't fun in its own exuberant way.Do watch.

Sonam Kapoor denies being offered films in Kollywood and Tollywood

Indian actress Sonam Kapoor has denied reports that she has been offered films down South with stars Kamal Haasan and Vijay.

Reacting to a report that said Sonam has been shortlisted by Kamal Haasan as one of the girls for his film "Viswaroopam", the actress says, "Dudes and duddettes... I have not been offered any film in Tollywood. I would love to work with the above mentioned..."

Just recently, it was reported that if Sonakshi Sinha's dates don't work out, Sonam may be approached for "Viswaroopam" and may also bag AR Murugadoss' film with south superstar Vijay.

However, she has expressed her desire to work with the popular duo.