Best New Year Wishes

India defeated South Africa by 87 runs

India end the year 2010 with the good note by defeating South Africa in the second test match in an on going three-match Test series. The Test was marked with two stellar performances, one by Zaheer Khan and the other, by VVS Laxman 96 in the second innings. Zaheer took a total of six wickets in the match and was supported by Harbhajan (6 wkts) and Sreesanth (4wkts) in the two innings that changed the scenario of the series going into the decider at Cape Town.

Man of the match : VVS Laxman

Salman Celebrating his 45th Birthday in Dubai

The year has been quiet a roller-coaster ride for the star celebrity. Salman is the top actor on the basis of his BO performance this year 2010. Salman khan at 45 is the only single megastar in the industry.

The actor tied up with the hottest ladies of Bollywood to endorse his philanthropic brand, ‘Being Human’. He brought together fashion through the ages in Indian cinema, courtesy Manish Malhotra’s designs and Mona Mehta’s jewelry. Now, let’s get a start on Salman’s fashion time machine!

 The Being Human Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization, started by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The Foundation works towards helping people in need.

Manmadhan Ambu - A funfilled Romantic Comedy

Kamal Hassan fans wait is finally over The much awaited flick released with more than 700 screens around the world today. If sources are to be believed, film was already a hit even before its release as according to the buzz tickets till January first week are already sold out and theater owners are expecting a house-full in every show.

Manmadhan Ambu has the starcast of Kamal Hassan, Trisha Krishnan, Madhavan, Sangeetha, Ramesh Aravind who are directed by KS Ravikumar. The first shot of the movie was framed on the introduction of the pettie beauty 'Trisha' who looks hot in her mini skirt. Trisha plays the role of the Nisha a big actress in Telugu industry. Nisha enters Paris Airport and Sangeetha in the role of Deepa receives her at the Airport and as they start talking the flashback continues.

Flashback starts with the introduction of the pettie beauty again as an actress and the introduction of Madhavan as a producer and K.S.Ravikumar as a director joins it. Madhavan falls in love with Trisha and seems to be too possessive about her which makes the actress uneasy and the flashback ends with that.

Kamal`s introduction happens with 'Who`s the Hero?' song as Major R.Munnar, a detective appointed by Madhavan to know Trisha`s activities.

Kamal in turn has an eye on Trisha`s activities and updates Madhavan about Trisha. Sangeetha, Trisha, Madhavan and Kamal boards the passenger ship and Madhavan happens to realize his mistake but Kamal plays double game for money.

Trisha comes to know that Kamal is following her and she also realizes later that he is good by nature and comes to know that his wife died in a car accident.

The story moves steadily and then unexpected twists, turns, flashbacks and confusions takes place, leading to climax with a happy note.

The excellent performance of Kamal and Trisha is worth watching on the Big screen.

'Manmadhan Ambu' is a fun filled romantic journey to spend your long holiday.

Ragada to entertain this Christmas and New Year

Starring : Nagarjuna Akkineni, Anushka Shetty, Priyamani, Dev Gill, Bramanandam

Due to the strike in Tollywood, Nagarjuna's much-awaited Ragada suffered its post-production work. So producer D Shiva Prasad Reddy is releasing the movie on December 24th, instead of December 23 as announced earlier.

"We worked day and night to stick to the release date and finally we are able to make it but a day late. Ragada is sure to entertain the audiences this Christmas and New Year," Shiva Prasad Reddy said. The movie has received 'A' certificate from the Board without any cuts. Meanwhile, the makers of the film have decided to celebrate triple platinum disc function of the film on December 23rd.

Nagarjuna says the dialogues written by director Veeru Potla will be talked about for a long time after the release. "I loved his dialogues when he narrated the story for the first time. And when I saw it on screen, they are even more effective," Nagarjuna said.

The movie is directed by Veeru Potla and produced by D.Sivaprasad Reddy on the banner Kamakshi Kala Movies. The movie also features Brahmanandam, Dev Gill, Pradeep Rawat, Raghu Babu, Kota Srinivasa Rao and others.

"Sachin is the greatest of all time " Wasim Akram

Records have become synonymous with India's greatest sporting icon Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster accomplished another rare feat at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday when he brought up his his 50th Test ton and became the only man in world to do so.

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram  going to memory lane to re-live some of the early recollections of a young Tendulkar making his debut against Pakistan way back in 1989.

"I remember Tendulkar making his debut against us. Waqar was around 20 years and I was about 21-22 years in the Karachi Test. We had heard that India have selected a player who is just about 16 years of age. We had also heard about his record-feat in school cricket with Vinod Kambli," recalled Akram.

Sachin has a bag overflowing with records under his belt in his 21-year- glittering career. The veteran batsman made a fighting 111 not out to help India put up some resistance in the first Test against South Africa. India lost the match by an innings and 25 runs but Sachin's knock salvaged some pride for the No.1 Test team.

Akram, though, reveals that he had never thought that Sachin would one day become such a great batsman.

"I was just about hitting peak as a bowler back then, and Waqar and I had discussed that he might be very talented but will have a tough time against Pakistan pace battery. We thought it would be too much for him to handle Imran Khan, Waqar, Aaqib Javed and me. I vividly recall dropping Sachin's edge at second slip. Then came the 4th Test, where he did not do much with the bat again. At that time we never thought he would be what he is today,” Akram reminisces.

Tendulkar stitched a 172-run 7th-wicket partnership with skipper MS Dhoni (90) to help India push the match on to Day 5. The 37-year-old batsman was dogged in his defenses as he handled the pace and guile of the South African pace battery. Akram still remembers his never-say-die attitude in Pakistan.

"In Sialkot, he was struck on the helmet but despite that he scored a half-century. The pitch was lush green, it was difficult to differentiate its colour from the outfield. He was struck on his face; there were no grills on the helmets during those days. But he faced us bravely for a valiant fifty. Then in an exhibition match in Peshawar, he hit Abdul Qadir for 5 sixes in an over. It was then that I realized that this guy was special and was going to be the greatest batsman of all time," said the Sultan of Swing.

"I don't think anyone would even come close to Sachin's 50-ton record. When Don Bradman made 29 centuries, Sunny broke that record and we used to wonder that who would be the next to break it? Now see, Tendulkar has done it. Credit goes to him, his dedication, his hard work, his consistency and that's why, to me, he is the greatest of all time," said Akram.

Tendulkar's 50 hundreds in Test cricket

Tendulkar's 50 hundreds in Test cricket


At Home: 22 in 79 Tests


Abroad: 28 in 96 Tests


Cricket history was created at SuperSport Park on Sunday when Sachin Tendulkar posted a century against South Africa his 50th in Test Cricket. Tendulkar, playing in his 175th Test, reached the milestone off 197 deliveries.


Congratulate 'the maestro' for his stupendous achievement.


Sachin Tendulkar was left stranded on 111 not out as India were bowled out for 459, losing their last two wickets for five runs in 26 minutes and 35 balls. 


South Africa beat India by an innings and 25 runs. 




Congratulate Tendulkar on his 50th Test ton

Peepli Live - will it make it to Oscars?

Will “Peepli Live” make it to the final Oscar nomination list? It’s a bit early to start the debate, but the dark comedy about corruption and famers’ suicides stands a chance. Aamir Khan’s production venture is India’s official entry for the Academy awards in the foreign film category for which the nomination list will be announced Jan 25 next year

Peepli Live Review  It is a political satire with some dark humour in it. In a nation where food stock rot on platforms in sacks, farmers are committing suicide as a way to redeem their family’s future.

Natha (Omkar) is one such farmer who is about to lose his land due to government debt. He has some options but all of them direct to the agonising death in a way or other. He can take money from some money-lender but why would one give him money. He doesn’t have any asset to back. Finally he gives a thought to suicide –a recourse that would entitle his family to claim benefits from government’s suicide aid scheme.

The wheel of time moves, election time arrives. Media, political bigwigs, bureaucrats, local king makers… all flock together to be a part of a live action. Will Natha commit suicide or won’t he? Question rages and story unfolds.

Music of the cinema is just awesome with some rustic, satirical and deep hitting words. Desh Mera, Zindagi se Dartey ho are two tracks by Indian Ocean which complement the story and carry the story forward. The songs show the futility of life and the courage to stand against all odds, being human. Nageen Tanvir has sung Chola mati ke ram which is again a commentary on the futility of life that no one has come to live forever. Raghubir Yadav has sung the Mahangai Dayan which is so contemporary and so hard hitting that Opposition wanted to use it against the ruling UPA government (though the story would have been the same even if they ruled!!!)

Cinematography is again brilliant which takes us around the villages and shows the plight of farmers about whom we have only read and scarcely debated. The rural landscape and the farmers’ plight and agony that drive them to choose death has been caught great on the camera.

Direction and performances are better than lot of movies which come and go unnoticed. Veteran actors Raghubir Yadav, Naseerudin Shah have left some great and long lasting performances. Omkar Das Manikpuri, from Habib Tanvir’s Naya Theatre, is a veteran in his own right.  A great theatre artiste who is a treat to watch on celluloid as on the stage.

Overall it’s a must watch and films like this which have contemporary relevance should be able to generate some debate and boil down some blood inside us. A must watch.

Katrina kaif is World's sexiest woman again

Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif has been named the Sexiest Woman in the World for the third year in a row, beating off competition from her contemporaries like Freida Pinto and Priyanka Chopra. The actress whose moves in the hit dance number from Tees maar khan set for Christmas release on 24th earned her plenty of fans, topped London based newspaper Eastern Eye's list of the hottest women in the world.

Katrina went on to scorch screens with her latest song “Sheila Ki Jawani” from her forthcoming release Tees Maar Khan, one of the year's highly anticipated movies.

Rajinikanth turns 61, fans celebrate

December 12 every year is the date on which millions of fans of Superstar Rajinikant from around the world celebrate with great pomp and unbounded joy his birthday. It is a gala occasion for them. The media too is fully immersed in this. Rajini’s fans come up with novel and innovative ways of celebrating their idol’s birthday.

Born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, Rajinikanth's climb to stardom is no different than a movie screenplay.
Rajinikanth, who has acted in over 150 films in a three decade long career, gives credit to his mentor and ace director K Balachander, who first featured him in his critically-acclaimed Apoorva Ragangal, co-starring another Tamil icon, Kamal Haasan, for his superstardom.

From a bus conductor in Bangalore to being one of the biggest names in Indian cinema, Rajini, as his fans call him, has come a long way in his career spanning more than 30 years. After proving his mettle with negative characters, Rajinikanth later went on to play characters with superhero attributes.

Some of his unique mannerisms, like tossing up the cigarette to his mouth, endeared him to the masses, especially the youth.

Rajanikant's Enthiran the latest version, directed by Shankar, is the most expensive Indian film ever made. And for the first time Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined our Superstar in this real visual extravaganza. Shankar technical brilliance, style and beauty of the superstar Aishwarya Rai Kollywood fan What more could you want? Enthiran (Robot in Telugu and Hindi) literally broke all box office records in India.

Wish this excellent actor a wonderful happy Birthday...!

India clean sweep ODI series against New Zealand

India Cricket Team Beat Newzeland cricket team  in 5th ODI with 8 wickets and 173 balls to spare. This lead to first ever clean sweep by Newzeland cricket team by India.

New Zealand were at the receiving end of another humiliation as a hapless batting performance sealed and their lowest score against India sealed a 0-5 whitewash, their first in a five-match series since 1984-85. On a dry pitch susceptible to the influence of the overcast weather, New Zealand were keen to make the most of initially favourable batting conditions, but their edginess against pace at the start of the innings, and capitulation to spin later on, ensured their misery in ODIs continued.

India won by 8-wickets (with 28.5 overs remaining) New Zealand innings 103 all out (27.0) Runs Balls 4s 6s SR » MJ Guptill c P Patel b Kumar 0 4 0 0 0.00  » BB McCullum lbw b Nehra 14 10 3 0 140.00  » JM How b Yuvraj Singh 23 42 4 0 54.76  » LRPL Taylor c P Patel b Nehra 9 9 2 0 100.00  » SB Styris lbw b Ashwin 24 45 2 0 53.33  » JEC Franklin Not Out 17 24 0 1 70.83  » GD Elliott lbw b Yuvraj Singh 0 5 0 0 0.00  » DL Vettori c Yuvraj Singh b YK Pathan 9 11 0 0 81.82  » NL McCullum c Yuvraj Singh b YK Pathan 1 3 0 0 33.33  » KD Mills c Tiwary b Ashwin 4 7 1 0 57.14  » TG Southee c RG Sharma b Ashwin 0 2 0 0 0.00  Extras b:0, lb:0, wd:2, nb:0 2 Total : 103 all out (27.0), RR : 3.81 Bowling Over M Runs Wkt NB Wd RPO » P Kumar 6 1 20 1 0 1 3.33 » A Nehra 5 0 34 2 0 1 6.80 » MM Patel 3 0 9 0 0 0 3.00 » R Ashwin 8 1 24 3 0 0 3.00 » Yuvraj Singh 2 0 5 2 0 0 2.50 » YK Pathan 3 0 11 2 0 0 3.67 India innings 107 for 2 (21.1) Runs Balls 4s 6s SR » G Gambhir c BB McCullum b NL McCullum 0 3 0 0 0.00  » PA Patel Not Out 56 70 6 1 80.00  » V Kohli c Taylor b Vettori 2 8 0 0 25.00  » Yuvraj Singh Not Out 42 46 6 2 91.30  Extras b:0, lb:2, wd:5, nb:0 7 Total : 107 for 2 (21.1), RR : 5.06 Fall of wickets : 1-0 (Gambhir, 0.3 ov), 2-10 (Kohli, 3.2 ov) Bowling Over M Runs Wkt NB Wd RPO » NL McCullum 6 1 26 1 0 0 4.33 » DL Vettori 6 0 29 1 0 1 4.83 » SB Styris 4 0 7 0 0 0 1.75 » KD Mills 1 0 15 0 0 0 15.00 » GD Elliott 4.1 0 27 0 0 0 6.48

Man of the Match : Yuvraj Singh (India)

Man of the Series : G Gambhir (India)

Umpires : RA Kettleborough (England) and AM Saheba (India)

Third Umpire: S Asnani (India)

Referee : RS Mahanama (Sri Lanka)

Reserve Umpire: UV Gandhe (India)

Upendra excels as actor and director 'Super'

Upendra-Nayantara starrer Kannada movie Super has got rave reviews from almost all the critics. Most of the time, the results will be vice versa. If critics express good opinion about a movie, audience reject it. When reviewers critises a movie, it will be received warmly by the film-goers. But in the case of Super, it is totally different. Both critics and viewers are happy with the movie.


This film certainly calls for a serious debate on the responsibilities of citizens and how greedy politicians have plundered the wealth and resources of the country.

The film will make you sit and take notice of some of the aberrations that are seen in the country.It is Upendra, the director, who overshadows Upendra, the actor, in the film in every aspect. The director keeps the audience fully engaged through the film.

The movie has enough of the entertainment quotient too. Upendra has kept in mind the mannerisms and the distinct dialogue delivery that made him the big star he is. All these elements have been included in 'Super' but at the same time, the director has shown a lot of maturity in his narration.

Rakta Charitra 2 - Review

In this sequel to Ram Gopal Varma’s month-old film about gangwars during the time of politics and elections we get to see for the first time in a Hindi film Suriya, an actor of searing intensity and devastating emotional velocity. Suriya takes the frontseat in the sequel to create an ambience of implosive violence. Yes, we’ve never seen an actor so controlled in his intensity for a long time. Suriya’s vendetta spree certainly lends an added sheen to the proceedings.

Whether expressing his love for his wife (Priya Mani, over-madeup) and baby or hatred for his opponent Paritala Ravi (Vivek Oberoi, not able to add to his performance from the first part), Suriya’s eyes convey a smouldering universe of indignation injustice grief and anger.

Cleverly Varma has given Suriya long stretches of silence in which the star-actor negotiates his angst-filled journey from betrayal to redemption. Suriya’s lengthy introduction sequence, the even lengthier attempt to kill him in the court house and the long fight sequence in jail are all ‘items’ constructed to spotlight the star’s agile histrionics.

“Rakhta Charitra2″ goes a little slower on the body count than the first part. It is still one of the bloodiest, most violent films in living memory.

This must be the quickest sequel ever. “Rakht Charitra2″ is better, more engaging and riveting in terms of content and drama. Full credit to Ram Gopal Varma for re-creating the savage world of politics and bloodshed in the Andhra hinterland. With skilled hands, Varma weaves the theme of an internecine war between two Men Who Would Be King In The Concrete Jungle.

The background score and editing highlight the ruthless profile of the hinterland. “Rakht Charitra 2″ goes beyond the first part in pursuit of the savage impulses that accentuate the hunger for power. Suriya has the most pained eyes since Om Puri in “Aakrosh”. Between the pleading and the bleeding that are projected into his character, Suriya proves himself the discovery of the year.

Watch “Rakht Charitra2″ for Suriya. And then watch it for the parable of violence that Ram Gopal Varma continues to construct in search of a meaning for the cinema beyond surface beauty.

Varanasi blast: 2 detained for terror mail

A father-son duo were picked up for questioning here in connection with the e-mail sent by banned terror group Indian Mujahideen (IM) to several media houses claiming responsibility for the Varanasi blast. The terror mail traced to a residential complex in Navi Mumabi had claimed responsibility for yesterday's blast at a crowded bathing ghat in Varanasi that left a child dead and 37 others injured. The five-page email sent by Indian Mujahideen has been sent using an unsecured WiFi of Airtel broadband of the two, official sources said. The two were questioned and later released, they said. Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said that the email has been traced to Navi Mumbai and the police of that area and Mumbai Police were coordinating to trace the culprits. Terrorists of Indian Mujahideen have been using unsecured WiFi connections for sending mails to media houses within minutes of blasts taking place. The e-mail ID used were from gmail. The mail was written on December six and the account has been accessed rarely, the sources said.

Terror attack in Varanasi: In pictures

This could be a turning point: Yusuf Pathan

After almost single-handedly engineering India's five-wicket win in the fourth ODI against New Zealand, Yusuf Pathan said that the blitzkrieg innings he played could be the turning point in his career. Along with hitting a 79-ball century on the way to eventually remaining unbeaten on 123 off 96 balls, Yusuf also grabbed three curical wickets to give India a 4-0 lead while helping chase down a stiff 315/7 from the New Zealanders.

"This is very special for me. Whenever I have played any good innings, they have been something special. This innings could be the turning point for my life and my career," Pathan said after the match.

"We (Pathan and Saurabh Tiwary) were talking we need to take the game till the end. We needed some runs because we were behind on Duck-worth-Lewis, but the ball came on well.


"When me and Rohit were playing, we were saying one of us has to stay till the end of the 50th over," Pathan added.


His skipper Gautam Gambhir also admitted that he had never seen such a whirlwind innings before.

"I have never seen something like this," he said.

"I have always said Yusuf can finish games on his own, and that's what he did today. I always felt till the time Yusuf was there we would win the game," he said.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori felt James Franklin had set the game for them with a blazing 98 but it was Pathan who stole the show with his brilliant innings.

"It's a great game of cricket. We were in the game, but Yusuf Pathan was pretty amazing. James played exceptionally well too to give us a formidable, but like I said Yusuf took the game away.

"That break should have favoured us actually, but it didn't work out that way. The outfield wasn't that bad after that rain. We just didn't get it right," he said.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand

M Guptill c Singh b Nehra 30

B McCullum c Sharma b Ashwin 42

J How c Pathan b Nehra 4

R Taylor lbw b Ashwin 44

S Styris c Tiwary b Pathan 46

J Franklin not out 98

D Vettori b Pathan 17

K Mills b Pathan 1

N McCullum not out 13

Extras (8lb, 12w) 20

Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 315

Fall: 62 (Guptill), 70 (How), 91 (McCullum), 170 (Styris), 210 (Taylor), 249 (Vettori), 251 (Mills).

Bowling: Z Khan 8-0-40-0 (3w), P Kumar 7-0-42-0 (1w), R Ashwin 10-0-66-2 (1w), A Nehra 9-1-70-2 2w), Y Singh 3-0-21-0, Y Pathan 9-0-49-3, R Sharma 4-0-19-0.

India

G Gambhir c Guptill b McKay 27

P Patel c sub (Williamson) b McCullum 53

V Kohli c Mills b McKay 0

Y Singh c How b McCullum 20

R Sharma c Vettori b Southee 44

Y Pathan not out 123

S Tiwary not out 37

Extras (4b, 3lb, 8w, 2nb) 17

Total (for 5 wkts, 48.5 overs) 321

Fall: 67 (Gambhir), 68 (Kohli), 103 (Singh), 108 (Patel), 188 (Sharma).

Bowling: K Mills 10-1-65-0 (2w), T Southee 10-0-64-1 (1w), A McKay 7-0-63-2 (3w), N McCullum 7.5-0-38-2, S Styris 4-1-27-0 (1w), D Vettori 10-0-57-0.