Prakash Jha gets past the Censor Board

Beleaguered by constant censorial trouble over the songs of his new film Chakravyuha, Prakash Jha, earlier this week approached the honorable Tribunal in New Delhi requesting them to overturn the decision taken by the Censor Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) to ban the remix version of the controversial 'Mehngaai' song. In a historic judgement, the Tribunal on Tuesday, overturned the CBFC's decision to ban the remix version of the 'Mehngaai' song which apparently takes snide digs at the 'raider cop' Vasant Dhoble by showing a group of youngsters in the fun mode being interrupted by lawmakers.

The CBFC, in all its wisdom, decided to ban the music video apparently arguing that it was casting aspersions on individuals. 

Jha fought back by taking the ban to the Tribunal and getting it revoked. Significantly, the song had been banned by both the bodies of the CBFC, the Examining Committee (EC) and the Revising Committee (RC).

By moving to an arbitrating agency outside the Censor Board, Jha has effectually thumbed his nose at the Censor Board, not just questioning its authority over the content of a film, but also sending a clear signal in the Mumbai film industry that a film's fate needn't always be clinched at the CBFC. 

Jubilantly Jha said, "I approached the Tribunal after the remix of my song was rejected first by the EC and then the RC at the CBFC. I couldn't see the logic of it, since earlier the same song had been passed by the Censor Board. How can the remix version of an approved song be banned? I approached the Tribunal which heard my case on Tuesday and they kindly revoked the ban." 

Prakash says he isn't feeling vindicated by the triumph. 

"I am exhausted by the constant tug of war with the Censor Board. Almost every film of mine from the time I made Damul in 1985 has faced censor trouble. We need clearer policies. At the moment, there are way too many contradictions," says Jha. 

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Bollywood News SRK's make-up man passes away

Ravi Indulkar (popularly known Ravi Dada) who worked as the make-up man of Shah Rukh Khan for more than a decade, passed away yesterday afternoon at Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai. The reason is being cited as lung failure.

Shah Rukh Khan, who paid his condolences to late Ravi's family, attended the funeral which took place at the Amboli Crematorium. 

While Ravi's last film with SRK was Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his son did SRK's make up make-up for a special episode of KBC on Tuesday.

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Alia, Sidharth, Varun have their next films lined up

Even before their film releases, the Student Of The Year trio has moved on to their next projects. It is reliably learnt that producer Karan Johar has offered all three of his protegees further Dharma films regardless of the outcome of their debut film.

However, Varun Dhawan would have to take a rain-check on that second film for Dharma. He is now committed to do a film with his father David Dhawan next. It is reliably learnt that David would now whisk away his younger-born for a home-production that his elder son Rohit (of Desi Boyz) would direct.

Says David, "I've a director and a leading man at home now. So I am very keen to start my own home banner. But I had to wait. Neither of my sons wanted to make his debut in a home production. They wanted to prove themselves outside the comfort zone and my wife and I totally endorsed their plans."

Now that both his sons are out with their first efforts, David is keen to start a home banner. Says the indefatigable entertainer, "All three of us are definitely doing something together."

A source informs, "Karan has launched newcomers for the first time. And he's very keen to see their careers through to success. Unlike Ram Gopal Varma who says he uses new talent for as long as it suits him, Karan Johar sees all three debutants as his responsibility."

On Thursday evening, all the three debut-making leads actors from Student Of The Year had their own individual screenings for their family and friends. While Varun and Alia had their screenings in Mumbai, Sidharth who is a Delhi boy flew to his home town to show his film to his near and dear ones.

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Talent agency KWAN is now CAA KWAN

KWAN Entertainment & Marketing Solutions, the agency that represents celebs like Ranbir Kapoor, Genelia D'souza and many other talents, has now got into a joint venture with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world's leading entertainment and sports agency. 

This joint venture is aimed at representing local talent in India and the SAARC nations and create global opportunities in the areas of motion pictures and TV (including packaging and sales), music, commercial endorsements, sports consulting, licensing and merchandising, live events, and business development, among others. This venture will see CAA's David Taghioff and Caleb Franklin, along with Anirban Das Blah (CEO and MD- KWAN) and COO Indranil 'Niel' Blah, combining their expertise to jointly lead CAA KWAN. 

Speaking about this, Richard Lovett (President- CAA) said, "India's robust entertainment industry offers CAA KWAN tremendous opportunities for talent across multiple platforms. In a very short period of time, KWAN has intelligently scaled and diversified their business to maximize this thriving marketplace for their clients. KWAN's deep network of relationships, local-market knowledge, and collaborative business philosophy make them a powerful partner in furthering CAA's existing business in India and providing our clients with more opportunities." 

Echoing his statements, Anirban Das Blah said "We believe that the combination of CAA's experience, influence, and expertise, with KWAN's extensive knowledge of the Indian entertainment industry, will enable us to provide an unmatched spectrum of services for our clients." 

The new company (CAA KWAN) will be based in Mumbai, with offices in Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

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Bollywood News Trisha's father passes away

Actress Trisha's (who made her debut in Bollywood with Khatta Meetha) father Krishnan (66) passed away in Hyderabad yesterday evening due to a cardiac arrest. He was working as the General Manager of a five star hotel. After he complained of chest pain, he was immediately rushed to Yashoda Hospital.

Both Trisha and her mother Uma flew to Hyderabad after hearing the news. It's still unclear if the last rites will be performed in Chennai or Hyderabad.

Bollywood Hungama wholeheartedly prays for the departed soul to rest in peace.

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