'Men In Black 3' - funny with right emotional tinge

Film: 'Men In Black 3'; Director: Barry Sonnenfeld; Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement; Rating:***1/2

Science fiction and humour can be a potent mix. Imagine having almost an endless array of things to play gags with. In such a scenario, one is limited only by one's imagination.

While the last outing of 'Men in Black' wasn't a patch on the original, this part manages to get the fun and humour of the series right back and tops it up with the right dosage of sentiment, sprinkled just at the right time.

Though it does not trek unchartered territories, choosing to stay in its now familiar universe, it works up a fun film.

Agent J (Will Smith) is always busy either trying to make his partner Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) smile or wondering the reason for his seriousness.

After Boris The Animal (Jemaine Clement) escapes from a prison, goes back in time, kills agent K and unleashes destruction that will end the world, J too has to travel back in time, team up with the young K (Josh Brolin) and try to save the world.

What he does not know is how this is as much about saving the world and K, as it is about him.

The strength of film, despite the obvious and a very linear plot, is that it manages to include the idea of a popular science fiction film and mesh it up into a convincing film.

Thus, it has a tug-of-war between our heroes, shows the earth at great risk, throws in some cool gadgets, a dangerous extra-terrestrial villain while managing to add an extra spice: a good dose of emotional engagement right at the climax of the film.

The characters are also memorable. Josh Brolin as a fun, younger version of Tommy Lee Jones does well. The villain is ugly and deadly and inspires fear in the viewers.

Yet, what takes the cake is the ending.

You have the actual climax of cool and intelligent action demonstrated by our man in black. But beyond this, the film relies on another climax, an emotional one that rounds up the story and missing explanations (for example, how did he remember the time before time was changed) and sets you off smiling from the theatre.

Will Smith does well to keep the humour going. He is as at ease with Tommy Lee Jones as he is with Josh Brolin. Together, the trio make it a worthwhile watch for lovers of both comedy and science fiction films making this outing a film not to be missed by fans of either.

Kamal Hassan, Barrie M Osborne in talks for collaboration

After winning hearts and minds in Bollywood and South Indian films, thespian Kamal Hassan is now looking forward to take a plunge in Hollywood. The 57-year-old actor screened his new film 'Vishwaroop' to Hollywood producer Barrie M Osborne, of the 'Lord of the Rings' fame, and the two are now planning to collaborate on a project. 'My friend Barrie Osborne is coming down and we areplanning, so hopefully I'll be doing something in Hollywood,' said Hassan.

Meanwhile the actor-director is gearing up to release his new film 'Vishwaroop', a spy thriller made simultaneously in
Tamil and Hindi. The first look of The content of the film is such that it demanded a larger audience, so we made the film in both languages. The basic premise of the film is to get the audience to theatres, so that the people who have invested in the film, including me, can rake in the moolah,' he said. The film has an unusual star cast comprising Indian-American actress Pooja Kumar, Tamil actress Andrea Jeremiah and actors Rahul Bose and Sandeep Jamwal. Hassan himself stars in the lead role.

'I was not looking for stars in the film, I wanted talent. Also a person starring in a role should suit it, that goes for me as well. We chose Pooja after a looking through a number of other actresses. Rahul prepared for one and a half months for his role, working on his look and Tamil accent, I am very pleased with him,' said Hassan.

Kamal Hassan to unveil 'Vishwaroopam' first look at IIFA

Southern superstar Kamal Hassan will showcase the first look of his much-awaited film 'Vishwaroopam' at the 13th edition of International Indian Film Academy to be held in Singapore. He hopes that the audiences like it.

Though the film has been made in Tamil and Hindi, the excerpts from the Hindi version of 'Vishwaroopam' will be shown at the three-day event starting June 7.

'It is a great opportunity to present my film on such a large and international scale. I look forward to unveiling the first look of 'Vishwaroopam' and I am hopeful that it will be well received,' Kamal said in a statement.

It features Kamal in the lead role along with Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Samrat Chakrabarti and Zarina Wahab. The film also has a special appearance by Shekhar Kapur.

Shilpa names son Viaan

Actress Shilpa Shetty has named her son Viann Raj Kundra.

'Hey tweetos, Yes, its official, Did the naming ceremony today, our son is christened VIAAN RAJ KUNDRA. It means Full of life and energy,' the 36-year-old tweeted Wednesday night.

Shilpa, who is married London-based Raj Kundra in 2009, gave birth to her son May 21. This is Kundra's second child - he has a daughter, Deleena, from ex-wife Kavita.

Kundra also introduced the son on micro-blogging site Twitter.

'Please welcome twitter's youngest user my son Viaan Raj Kundra. Be nice to him and he may reply,' he tweeted.

Karan signs Emraan for next, says there's always a right time

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is teaming up with Emraan Hashmi for two of his films, seems to be taken by the actor's talent and his steady success graph in Bollywood. The serial kisser would be seen in Johar's next home production film to be directed by Rensil D'Silva. 'Emraan is doing a film for us, Rensil is directing it. And we are also talking to Emraan for another project. I have great amount of respect and regard for him and his talent and the way he strategies his career. He is very talented actor. It is never late, there is always a right time,' Karan Johar told PTI in an exclusive interview. 'I think when Emraan and I come together it should be for the right film. I am glad we have found the right script,' he said.

With the recent string of hits including 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai', 'Murder 2' 'The Dirty Picture' and 'Jannat 2' Emraan is being considered as a bankable star. 'I always liked him from before. I liked him in 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai', 'The Dirty Picture', I think he really suited the role so well. For this film (untitled) the script suited him... it is different for him and yet it suited him tremendously. I am really very excited about it,' he said. When Emraan is there in a film, it is bound to have some
intimate scenes. Ask Johar about this and he says, 'I don't think that the script allows. Like in 'Shanghai' he has broken the mould and it is lovely to have an actor who de-constructs his image. It is wonderful he is doing well.' Gossip mills were abuzz with rumors that Kareena Kapoor might be starring opposite Emraan but Johar preferred to be tight lipped about it.

'The film has a strong ensemble cast, like Emraan, lots of people are there in it.. like Kangana, Randeep Hooda and host of young brilliant actors. We will announce the film with title and cast very soon. It is about individual paths, there is no predominant love story. It is too early to talk about it (story line),' Johar said.

About another project with Emraan, Johar said, 'We are talking to him on another project. We don't have any contract with him. We never sign multiple contracts with anyone. It is all about suiting the role.' The filmmaker is all looking forward to his upcoming directorial venture 'Student of the Year' which is all set to release on October 19 this year. It stars newcomers Varun
Dhawan, son of filmmaker David Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra in lead roles. 'We should be hitting the cinema houses on October 19 and we are very excited about it. There are new comers in the film, so there is vast excitement as this is first for us. We are hoping to pass this exam. It is new for me.. it was new for them as well. It was my first time with new comers so I also felt like a newcomer. We all were nervous -- the three
actors and me.. but it worked really well,' he said.

Meanwhile, Karan would be seen judging the fifth season of dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa', alongside Madhuri
Dixit and Remo D'Souza. 'I have been offered loads of shows. I feel it is allabout being in right place and time and have faith about it. I would be looking at their concept, presentation, performance, energy and passion they would be bringing in a performance. I have seen the previous seasons. It is a very successful format,' he said. When asked to pick a favorite contestant, he says, 'I am not going to choose my favorites, and it is not fair to do so at this juncture. Each one of them brings something new, some of them are prolific dancers and some may be not. But the history of 'Jhalak…' shows that a non-dancer lands up winning. The dancers are the one who actually have to pull up their dancing shoes.' As far as performing is concerned, Johar feels shy dancing on the show.

'I won't be performing at all…I am here in the capacity of a judge. I won't be dancing at all. It is not in my place to dance on this platform such as this. I would shy away (to dance in front of Remo and Madhuri), I would rather make them direct something,' Johar said. 'Who would be silly enough to dance in front Madhuri. Remo is a trained dancer and Madhuri is an exceptional dancer. I am a judge here as a filmmaker and I will use that skill to judge contestants,' he said.

Diamond Necklace on May 4

Under the banner of LJ Film Pvt Ltd and Anita Productions, directed by Lal Jose, Diamond Necklace will hit the floors on May 4. With Fahad Fayas in the primary role, the cast includes Samvrata Sunil, Gowtami Nair and Anusree. Sreenivasan, Maniyanpilla Raju, Mithun Raj, Ramesh, Moideen Koya, Rohini, etc. Screenplay is by Dr Iqbal Kuttipuram.

The film was shot at Thrissur, Pollachi, Palakkad and also in Dubai. Dubbing is being done at Vismaya studio owned by Mohanlal. The story revolves around three levels of life situations that connect protagonist Arun Kumar with three women.

Abhishek to star in Bhojpuri film

Mumbai: After his father Amitabh Bachchan acted in three Bhojpuri films, son Abhishek is set to follow suit.

The junior Bachchan is most likely to appear in the upcoming film of the megastar's make-up man Deepak Sawant.

'One fine day, Abhishek had asked me as to why I am not casting him in my film. The offer to work in Bhojpuri cinema
came from Abhishek himself. All I can say is Abhishek will be part of our upcoming Bhojpuri film,' Deepak Sawant, the film
producer told PTI, last evening.

'We have a film in place titled, 'Ganga Ramji'...it is a political movie. It is about how a third person, say politician gets benefit from the fight between two politicians. All I can say is that he (Abhishek) would be there in the film,' he said without elaborating further.

Amitabh has already worked with Sawant in three Bhojpuri films -- 'Ganga', Gangotri' and 'Ganga Devi'.

'Ganga Devi' a political thriller about women reservation, stars Amitabh Bachchan, wife Jaya, Bhojpuri actors Dinesh Lal
Yadav and Pakhee Hegde besides Gulshan Grover in lead roles.
The film is set to release post IPL.

'We intend to release the film after IPL. We do not want to incur any losses with this film. Also, fans are crazy about
IPL,' Sawant said

Aishwarya Rai's shape, a subject of intense debate

The shape which Aishwarya Rai is in five months after her pregnancy has generated unusual public interest with the Bachchan bahu coming in for some criticism for the 'oodles of weight' gained by the actress. But some celebrites who have been associated with the 38-year-old Bollywood star including Designer Sabyasachi defended her, saying that like any other woman the new mother would definitely take some time to shed pregnancy weight. The trigger for the reactions came following the
publication of some pictures of the former Miss World while emerging out of a party hosted by eminent industrialist Mukesh
Ambani in Mumbai last week. Married to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya gave birth to her first baby, a daughter, on
November 16, 2011. The pictures set off a buzz on the internet and in the social media with articles, videos, blogs and tweets
highlighting her 'oodles of weight', 'double chin' and calling the photos of the beauty queen 'shocking'.

Some social media writeups sought to suggest that the star is not taking her weight gain seriously. However, some blogs and tweets too have come out in Aishwarya's defence with comments that the focus on her post-pregnancy weight gain was pathetic.A video compilation of her recent photos attracted comments like: 'She is a Bollywood actress and being a part of
showbiz it is her duty to look good and fit. Till now she has been praised for her beauty, so it is only fair that she should also be criticized if she is not able to live up to it.

She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery! She needs to lose that weight... its been close to 5 months already!' On the other hand, there are many who believe that five months is not enough time to shed weight and that the comments on her figure are 'harsh'. Designer Sabyasachi, who made Aishwarya's costumes for 'Raavan', said, 'Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has just delivered a baby and like any other woman she would definitely take time to put off that weight.'

'She's a super celebrity and I think she is doing a commendable job by showing her real side to the media. Earlier, she was criticised for being unreal and plastic,' Sabyasachi told PTI. Aishwarya looked a lot slimmer at the press conference
conducted by the Bachchans at their residence, Jalsa, immediately after the baby's arrival. But in recent photographs, Bollywood watchers say it seems as if she is heavier by five to six kilos. Designer Rina Dhaka says that a new mother gains weight especially when she is taking care of her baby. 'It is very difficult for a woman to shed that weight. I think the media is being very harsh on her. They are deliberately printing those photos which are taken at an angle which makes her look fat or highlights her double chin,' Rina said.

Designer Rocky S lashed out at the critics. 'Why people are obsessed with Aishwarya's weight. This maternity weight takes time to lose. Being an internatianol celebrity she is not hiding her face, rather she is enjoying her motherhood. She should not be pressurised and she doesn't have to look perfect at this moment.' Even blogs and tweets have come out in Aishwarya's
defence. 'Focus on Aishwarya's post preg weight gain pathetic. Glad she's not a celeb bimbo who's wheeled in2 plastic surgery straight frm labour room,' said one Twitter user, while another wrote, 'Reports in some parts of the media about
Aishwarya's weight gain are vile and irresponsible. Let the woman be.' 'Utterly gross & sexist commentary in sections of the
media on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Makes me sick with anger at how we deconstruct women,' said another tweet.