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Posts tagged visa
Fashion industry has made Ujjwala a monster, says hubby
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Model Ujjwala Raut’s English husband claims government is harassing him on her insistence
Mumbai Mirror Bureau (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2011)
Supermodel Ujjwala Raut, one of the country’s best-known exports to the international fashion frat, was the target of a scathing verbal assault by her estranged husband Maxwell Sterry with whom she has been locked in a public and bitter divorce.
In an explosive interview to the UK’s Daily Mail, Sterry, who is 16 years older than the 28-year-old Dahisar girl, has described his wife as someone who was “sweet and demure” and said the fashion industry turned her into a “monster.” He has also accused her of pulling powerful strings to have him stay away from his daughter.
Mumbai Mirror had revealed the inside story of how one of fashion industry’s most followed and envied love stories had turned sour (Supermodel’s husband faces bitter Raut, August 19, 2009).
The leggy and dusky Raut who has worked for international brands such as Cavalli, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurant, and has been a cover girl for Vogue, Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar, met and fell in love with model-entrepreneur Sterry in Paris in 2001.
In his interview to Daily Mail, Sterry has made not-so-subtle digs at Raut’s “delight” with his knowledge of French and “excellent contacts,” and claims he helped her find her niche in the fiercely competitive fashion world.
The couple moved to New York in 2002, where they had a fairytale wedding hosted by More >
Mahesh Bhatt heads for Iraq in spite of warning
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Subhash K. Jha, March 16, 2011 – 12:34 IST
Besides Japan, the last place that any person would want to be seen at the moment is war-torn Iraq. But Mahesh Bhatt who’s producing a play on the Iraqi journalist Muntazer-al-Zayedi’s shoe-throwing incident, is heading to Iraq with his director Arvind Gaur and actor Imran Zahid at the earliest, this week if possible.
Bhatt and his associates’ mission? To meet Muntazer, get a feel of the blood-soaked land and make a documentary on the civil war in Iraq before, the play goes on stage next month.
On being informed of Bhatt and Imran’s plans for an early Iraqi visit, Muntazer hurriedly emailed, “Hello my dear friend (sic.) Imran! I hope you are doing good! First of all I like (sic.) to thank you about your feeling. It is very difficult situation in Iraq now! It will be big problem to you if you are coming to Iraq. We can meet each other when I will be in India.”
Unheedful of Muntazer’s warning, Mahesh and Imran are currently persuading the Minister Of External Affairs to issue visas, since there is no Indian ambassador in Iraq at the moment. The trio leaves for Iraq the minute the visas are granted. Not the easiest of things to acquire at the moment. But Mahesh Bhatt has put in a request at the highest level in the concerned Ministry.
Says Bhatt, “Imran Zahid is working out the formalities of our visit with the Ministry Of External Affairs. We don’t have an embassy in Iraq at the moment. But we’ll get to Iraq, More >
Mira, Deepa fail to get Pak visa for film shoot
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta will both shoot their upcoming films in India, using it as a substitute for Pakistan, which refused them visas
Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 04, 2011)
When Deepa Mehta garnered a whirlwind of attention with her tale of abandoned widows, Mira Nair made her stance with The Namesake, which is a story of a Bengali NRI (Irrfan Khan) and his wife’s (Tabu) cross-cultural journey from India to the US and back.
This year appears to be increasing the tensions between the two ladies.
While Nair will shoot a movie adaptation of Moshin Hamid’s novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mehta is all set to shoot an ambitious epic version of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children.
Interestingly, both the projects require a substantial amount of shooting, in Pakistan. However, both the ladies can now feel a sense of solidarity in the thought that their films have been denied permission to shoot across the border.
Now it turns out that Nair’s Reluctant Fundamentalist and Mehta’s Midnight’s Children will secretly recreate a part of Pakistan in Indian shores.
While a source close to Mehta confirms that Midnight’s Children will be shot in India, Nair boldly goes on-record to admit that her film will indeed replicate Lahore in Delhi.
She says, “The two cities Lahore and Delhi are quite similar in topography. So yes, I’m shooting my film in Delhi instead of Lahore.”
Both films dealing with the issue of the identity of the modern Asian Muslim More >
Some of Pakistan is unhappy with me here-Ali Zafar
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Ali Zafar, who has bagged a nomination for best debut, tells us why a section of Pakistan is averse to his Indian ambitions
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2011)
How has life changed post Tere Bin Laden?
I wrote an email to my director Abhishek Sharma stating that he has completely changed my life and for the better.
Was Bollywood always on your mind?
Like everyone else I also grew up watching Dilip saab and Mr. Bachchan’s films and later on Aamir and Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. I started as a model and also did TV shows but didn’t enjoy acting then. After that I got busy with my music albums. Then I wanted to do something bigger and better so I came to Bollywood.
We keep hearing about the rift between Imran and you?
Whenever I read such stories I call up Imran and ask him what’s happening. He says, ‘don’t worry people try and create rift between actors, don’t take it seriously.’ We have a very good relationship. We went out partying recently.
You didn’t come for his wedding?
My brother-in-law was getting married the same day. In fact, I just got a text from Kiran (Rao). She is hosting a party for Imran and Avantika’s wedding.
You were experiencing a lot of visa issues.
Not at all. I have a multiple entry visa. Normally it takes 40 days to renew it. I am thankful that the officers grant me the visa pretty quickly.
Do you see yourself shifting base to India?
Ali: I don’t know. The decision depends on policies.
Ayesha: I don’t think a More >
Monikangana wants to fly
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
…but the Indian ‘angel’ of a popular international lingerie brand is without a visa
Nimisha Tiwari | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; January 23, 2011)
Supermodel Monikangana Dutta, who by joining the league of international supermodels like Heidi Klum, Giselle Bundchen, Jessica Stam and Alessandra Ambrosio as brand ambassadress for a coveted lingerie brand, is mighty upset. This Indian “angel” — that’s what these lingerie models are known as — who was to take off for the US and be a part of the brand’s 2011 campaign this month, has been stranded for an O-1 visa. The delay may keep her back till April.
Monikangana, who played Hrithik Roshan’s love interest in Guzaarish, is unhappy but hopeful that things will work out.
A trained Kathak dancer, the supermodel also has her eyes on Bollywood as she received appreciation for her acting skills in her debut role, but says, “While films is where I would like to head, my passion remains modelling.” Having walked for many celebrated designers in Mumbai and Delhi including Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodricks and Neeta Lulla, Monikangana has the entire fashion fraternity in India rooting for her to make it big abroad. If the visa works out, she will be the first Asian angel of the brand.
A K Hangal: Sunset boulevard
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
A K Hangal, iconic character artiste who has appeared in nearly 200 films, is ill and impecunious
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 20, 2011)
For decades he made cinephiles weep with him, at him as he battled bereavement, exploitation and misery on screen. At 95, Avtar Kishan Hangal, aka A K Hangal, remembered for some of the most heart-rending roles in Hindi cinema, battles a fading memory, illness and acute penury.
Saraswati Mansion in Santacruz (East), where the veteran actor lives with his 74-year-old son, Vijay, looks run down, and in crying need for repairs. But neither Hangal, who is confined to the bed, or his son, who suffers from a debilitating back problem, are in any position to bring about cosmetic changes to their modest dwelling, struggling as they are to pay for medication.
A friend of the Hangal family told Mumbai Mirror, “Hangal saab was an active participant in the Indian freedom struggle and he acted in nearly 200 films. It is sad to see him reduced to such a state where he has to depend on benefactors for survival.”
A K Hangal with his son Vijay (Rana Chakraborty)Hangal and his son have depleted their savings. Vijay was a Bollywood photographer. “But I am 74 years old now and can’t be running around clicking pictures on the field. Besides, there is the back problem,” he tells us.
Despite his contribution to the film industry, the city has not been kind to the actor. In 1993 Hangal had applied for a More >
Koffee With Karan in trouble?
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, November 22, 2010 – 16:58 IST
Karan Johar’s show ‘Koffee with Karan’ is one show that has always maintained a status of being an “it” celebrity talk show. So much so that in the film Salaam-E-Ishq, Priyanka’s character feels that she would be considered a star the day Karan invites her on ‘Koffee with Karan’.
Well, rumour has it, that stars are no more keen on being on the show unless they have a film to be promoted. So much so that Karan is having trouble scheduling stars according to what he finds fit, as they wouldn’t face the camera unless they are looking for extra publicity. With Karan’s health on the decline, sources say, this is adding to the concern.
To add on to KJo’s troubles, for his upcoming production starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, Karan was trying to organise the US visas but the Mumbai consulate, reportedly, has declined saying that they have too many requests already. This has apparently forced the production to take the entire unit to Chennai to get visas. With so many issues in KJo’s life, we wish him best of luck.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Is Bruce Willis coming to India?
02 years ago
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 15, 2010)
The Indian market is opening up and attracting a lot of Hollywood stars.
Shortly after the news of Pamela Anderson’s entry in Bigg Boss buzz is that Pulp Fiction star Bruce Willis is coming to India to promote his next film, Red, which is releasing on November 26. A source informs, “The Sin City star is coming to Bombay on November 24 and will attend Red’s premiere on November 25 which is most likely to happen at PVR Juhu.
Bruce WillisBruce will be accompanied by his co-star and the Academy award winner actor Morgan Freeman of Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby fame. The film also stars Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren. Red is one of the biggest film of Willis so far and he realises the importance of promoting it in the Indian market.”
Deepak Sharma, the CEO of PVR distribution, says, “Yes, we are trying to bring Bruce Willis to India for the premiere of Red in Bombay. He is quite kicked about coming to India but there are some visa hassles.
If they get sorted he will definitely be here for the première. If he is able to make it the première will be a grand affair and the who’s who from Bollywood will be invited.”
P.S. our source close to the project confirmed that the visa problems have already been sorted out and that the actor will definitely fly to India soon but shhhh…
Harishchandrachi Factory director denied US Visa
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Director Paresh Mokashi, whose film Harishchandrachi Factory is India’s official entry to the Oscars, was denied a visa to the US yesterday
By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2009)Paresh Mokashi
Director Paresh Mokashi’s Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory may have been nominated as India’s entry to the Oscars, but that doesn’t make it easy for him to get a US visa. He was denied a visa yesterday as the US consulate in Mumbai was not aware of his credentials.
Mokashi needs to be in LA from November 2 for the promotion of his film, but he is still stuck without a visa. He says, “I don’t really blame them. I didn’t have a face that was instantly recognisable. They didn’t know who I was and I had no papers to prove I had made a film that had been sent to the Oscars.”
Mokashi had no documents to prove his credentials. “Whatever intimation I received about the Oscar entry from the US, I have handed it to UTV. This was my first application for an American visa, and naturally my first trip to the US. The only time I’ve been abroad is to London to shoot a portion of Harishchandrachi Factory. So I was completely unaware of how things work. I don’t know how to handle it,” added the unassuming director, who had to mortgage his property to make the film.
As a result, UTV has to step in to rescue the director by submitting all the relevant documents. Mokashi said, “The US consulate has promised to give me a visa after taking my passport. They have yet to More >