Ekta Vs The Airport Customs

Ekta Kapoor was detained last night at Mumbai airport for alleged duty violation, joining the list of recent Bollywood figures to have been intercepted by customs officials.



The producer was stopped by officials when she tried to pass the green channel — meant for those who have no goods on which duties can be levied — soon after her arrival from Bangkok.



According to officials, Ekta’s personal baggage had items worth Rs 1 lakh above the free limit allowed to those returning from abroad.



Officials ran a one-and-a-half hour check of her baggage, following which she was asked to pay the tax and a penalty. “Duty was charged on the goods she was carrying apart from a fine and penalty below Rs 1 lakh for non-declaration,” said customs commissioner.

Ekta left around midnight after paying Rs 53,000, including the fine. Other customs officials called the incident “routine” saying Ekta was merely made to pay a penalty. They said she wasn’t questioned or made to record statements, unlike actresses Minissha Lamba and Anushka Sharma.



Anushka had to go through a three-hour verification of documents for jewellery and watches worth Rs 30 lakh she was carrying while returning from the IIFA awards in Toronto in June.



In May, Minissha was stopped and had to record her statement after she failed to produce papers for the jewellery of a brand she endorsed on returning from Cannes.

The Dirty Picture on the sex icon's b'day

'The Dirty Picture' directed by Milan Luthria is a music-packed, humorous and unabashed biopic on Southern siren Silk Smitha that traces her life including the controversial romances.

Born Vijayalakshimi in to a poor family in Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, she left school early, driven to become a movie star. Going in with her aunt in Chennai, she soon found a sponsor who re-named her Smitha.

After garnering much notice and acclaim with her first major role in the Tamil movie, 'Vandi Chakkaram' in 1979, Smitha assumed the name Silk, after the name of her character.

Silk Smitha was a big South Indian sensation, known for her bold and daring erotica on celluloid. Film makers could not imagine releasing a film without a titillating song or cameo by Smitha as She was every film maker's lucky charm.

Her most popular role is 'Layanam' (Malayalam, 1989) directed by Thulasidas. In fact 'Layanam' became so famous that it was remade in Hindi as the controversial 'Reshma Ki Jawani.'

The tragic life and death of Silk Smitha, the sex siren who became an inseparable part of South Indian cinema will decidedly make for an interesting view.

Producer Ekta Kapoor's biopic on Silk Smitha is titled 'The Dirty Picture' and being inspired by the actress, Ekta roped in Vidya Balan for the main role.

'The Dirty Picture' directed by Milan Luthria, believes the choice of Vidya Balan to portray Silk Smitha is a casting coup of sorts.

Vidya who has stood on her own in heroine oriented films like 'Parineeta' and 'Ishqiya' now has the tough task of breathing life into Silk Smitha's complex and tragic journey from poor village girl to popular soft porn actress.

'The Dirty Picture' starring Vidya Balan in the lead role with Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor, will be released on December 2 on the birth anniversary of the sex icon Silk Smitha.

"Dirty Picture" on Silk Smith's birthday

When Ragini MMS was up for release, Ekta Kapoor said that she wanted to release it on Friday, the 13th, for the date is synonymous with scary spirits.

And when it comes to the release of her next film Dirty Picture, there is another significant date under consideration. We've learnt that the movie, which stars Vidya Balan as the south siren Silk Smitha, will release on December 2, which happens to be Silk Smitha's birthday.

A source says, "Silk Smitha was the biggest sensation down south and was known for her bold and daring erotica on celluloid. At a point, filmmakers could not imagine releasing a film without a titillating song or cameo by Silk. She was every filmmaker's lucky charm. So, the film is being released on her birthday only to pay tribute to her."

Kareena to do a Mandakini

Look at the irony of things. Mandakini's famous wet white saree scene - you know, the one where her assets are on display under a waterfall from Raj Kapoor's Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) -has travelled a full circle.

About 28 years after the scene captured the imagination of India and the mafia, it is all set to be enacted by Kareena Kapoor, Raj Kapoor's grand-daughter, say sources.

So how did this happen? Well, Kareena has given her nod to Ekta Kapoor's Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai sequel where Akshay Kumar plays a role inspired by Dawood Ibrahim. Kareena plays his love interest. Yes, the actress' role is inspired by Mandakini.

Mafia folklore has it that the gangster was infatuated with the light-eyed Ram Teri... lead actress after he watched the famous waterfall scene repeatedly. Naturally, Milan Luthria cannot make his OUATIM sequel without touching on the scene in some way.

Insiders say that when Kareena was informed that this scene was a part of the film, she was pretty okay with it. The actress and her director will not comment on it at this juncture because it makes more sense to keep the 'will-she won't-she do a Mandakini' speculation alive. But a source says, "Bebo is not averse to the idea of doing the water scene, so long as it is aesthetically shot. She knows Milan's sensibilities are very good." Back to the million-dollar question: Will Bebo do a waterfall scene, though it may be a watered down version of the original done in her grandfather's film? "Yes, she will," says our source.

Vidya Balan - Smoking Hot..!!!

Vidya Balan redefines 'smoking hot' in her own special way. The 33-year-old actor had to smoke up to ten cigarettes for a scene in her upcoming film Dirty Picture. In the film, Vidya plays a popular actress who lives a tragic life and dies a lonely death. "While shooting in Hyderabad, Vidya had to actually smoke for a scene. By the fourth cigarette, Vidya, a non-smoker, began to feel uneasy and was overcome with a coughing fit," reports Mumbai Mirror.

The shooting had to be stopped for Vidya to regain her composure.

After Vidya was back on set, director Milan Luthria gave the go-ahead to resume shooting.

As luck would have it, and after multiple re-takes, Vidya was ten cigarettes down.

Dirty Picture is based on the life of South sex-icon, Silk Smitha. Smitha was a popular item girl and sex symbol, who enthralled millions. The actor was found dead in her Chennai apartment in 1996.

Vidya is clearly a dedicated actor. She is reportedly experimenting with her look in the film. She is also making some changes on the personal front to convincingly pull off this character.

Milan insisted on non-smoker Vidya actually smoking for the film to keep things real. And professional Vidya stepped up without complaints.

Prachi signs three films outside Balaji

Prachi Desai finally seems to have moved on. The actor, who got her big break in Ekta Kapoor’s TV show Kasamh Se in 2006, had apparently fallen out with the TV producer a few years ago. But when they worked together on Ekta’s 2010 production Once Upon A Time... In Mumbaai, most thought the hatchet had been buried. Unfortunately when Prachi, who was once Ekta’s favourite, did not feature in any of Balaji Film’s future projects, the impression changed.

Taking that as a hint, the actor has now gone ahead and signed three films outside the banner. She has been cast alongside John Abraham in Shristi Arya’s next, opposite Emraan Hashmi in Mahesh Bhatt’s Informer and has also bagged a role in Ghayal’s sequel alongside Sunny Deol.

Choosing to remain silent about the changing equation with her mentor-friend Ekta, Prachi says, “I don’t want to add fuel to fire. We both know the truth. Ekta was family and without her support, I wouldn't have achieved what I have.” But the actor is far from being disheartened.

She has also not taken being part of the sequel to Once Upon A Time... In Mumbaai well. “It doesn't have any characters from part one. It’s a different story,” says Prachi, calling this phase of her career a satisfying one. “I’m getting to work with a diverse set of actors, directors and banners. Though I’m only two films old, people appreciate my work. So my life isn’t as boring as it seems.”

For now, she's excited about her forthcoming projects. “I was itching to do a film under Mahesh Bhatt’s banner,” says Prachi, who will be directed by Kunal Deshmukh in Informer. Though she remains tight-lipped about her pairing with Sunny in Ghayal 2, she does say, “Punjabi families can’t do without dhol and deol. They are a legendary family. I am a huge fan of Sunny's.”

Vidya Balan - the sexy siren

Vidya Balan has never been a sexy siren. Despite locking lips with her male co-stars and even mouthing dialogues seasoned with choicest of expletives, Vidya has remained the typical demure, sari-clad lady one would take home to meet their mom. Not for her the trappings of a sex bomb.

But Vidya has defied the stereotypes and shocked her fans by taking up the role of Silk Smitha in director Milan Luthria’s film Dirty Picture.

For the uninitiated, Silk Smitha was the undisputed siren of the south film industry in the 80s and 90s, popular for her dare-to-bare acts in a number of films. Her plump, curvy body which she revealed without inhibitions was her drawcard.

Now, Dirty Picture, based on the tragic life of Silk Smitha, pitches Vidya Balan as the seductress, dressed in skimpy blouses and thigh-baring ghagras. The first glimpse of Vidya’s makeover as Silk Smitha came out recently, and has been met with mixed reactions from film buffs.

Some feel Vidya isn’t plump and curvy enough to play Silk Smitha, while the others have wholeheartedly approved of Vidya as the siren.

Let us know your opinion. Who according to you looks hotter -- Vidya Balan or Silk Smitha?

Swayamwar 3 fails to make an impression

Imagine TV's Swayamvar seems to be losing its charm. Ratan Ka Rishta - the third season recorded the lowest ever ratings for the debut episode of the show, while Sony TV's romantic drama Bade Achche Lagte Hain emerged a winner when both shows hit the small screen the same day.

Both shows went on air Monday, but at different time slots.

Bade Achche Lagte Hain, which has brought back two of Indian television's best known faces - Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor, back to the tube, garnered a television rating point (TRP) of 1.5. While the third season of Swayamvar on Imagine TV lagged behind with a 1.2 rating, according to data provided by audience measurement agency aMap.

This is the worst ever rating for the Swayamvar, where a celebrity gets to choose his or her life partner.

The first episode of the first season of Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, featuring controversy queen Rakhi Sawant as the prospective bride, mamaged a record-breaking TRP of 3.5 for Imagine TV. And the debut episode of the second season Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jaayega with Rahul Mahajan got a 2.4 rating.

It is possible that the non-controversial nature of Ratan, popular for her show Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, has led to this drastic dip in the TRPs. The first episode of the show, which aired 8 p.m., saw the introduction of the 16 prospective grooms.

Ragini MMS - Review

Ok so here’s the deal – if you’re looking for the classic 'spook+sleaze’ combo, this film might leave you cold. The promos lead you on to believe you’ll see something of a paranormal threesome—the promotional line in fact says - `They don’t know it yet. It’s a threesome.’ Sorry, the film is hardly that audacious. It’s a just a case of leading the viewer in with the bait of misplaced promotions.

A couple – Ragini and Uday – is spending their weekend at a deserted bungalow. Young and in lust, they get horizontal right away. The boyfriend is using a camcorder to record the girl from top to toe. There are other hidden cameras that the girl isn’t aware of – the idea is to make a sex tape. You abhor Uday immediately.

Amid the smooching and cuddling, there’s a doorbell. It’s just the couple of friends. You’re relieved but they beat a hasty retreat because one of the friends gets locked up and senses foulplay not realising that it is the ghost.

With them gone, our twosome is alone again in the bungalow. The third mysterious entity is shown in glimpses. This Marathi-speaking ghost (an interesting departure from the clichéd ghost representation) has a tragic backstory that is not delved into enough. This backstory needed to be told; it would make the film’s premise stronger. So we’re given no background of this ghost. Is the entity a witch as was suspected by her family or was she a victim of false belief?

The first half has scares because you have two people trapped in the bungalow, and one of them handcuffed to the bed! The handheld camera makes the viewer a voyeur much like in Paranormal Activity.

The second half gets gruesome with mysterious murders and bloodshed. Ragini’s journey as she tries escaping the bungalow is shot stylistically, and clearly influenced by films like "The Blair Witch Project".

The cast does well. Raj Kumar Yadav reprises his role (like in Love Sex Aur Dhoka) as the sleazy boyfriend looking to make a sex tape with his unsuspecting girlfriend. He’s excellent throughout and adds a comical dimension to his character when scared out of his wits. Kainaz Motivala (Wake up Sid, Paathshaala) does fairly well.

Debut director Pawan Kripalani whips up an assortment of LSD, Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project. It’s a supernatural 'flick’ that hopes to be yet another money-spinner banking on the usual thrills and chills.

However, with too many loose ends and an abrupt ending, this one neither scares you completely nor does it get you involved. Meant for the horror film junkie who can ignore these flaws and the repetitive pattern of the film for a few moments of scares.

Ragini's stickers on Ekta's Jaguar

Ekta Kapoor is making sure no stones are left unturned in ensuring that 'Ragini MMS' gets the success it deserves. So kicked is the Television Czarina with the film that she’s taken to promoting it at a personal level.

Just recently Ekta’s Jaguar was spotted with a 'Ragini Yaha Baithi Thi' sticker and her Beemer with a sticker that read 'Ragini Ka MMS dekha kya'.

Reveals a source “Ekta Kapoor is very kicked about the movie and apart from working with her marketing and publicity team for the film she is also doing it at a personal level by proudly displaying the stickers on her own vehicles.”

'Ragini MMS' is a sensuous paranormal film, shot as if in real time, where a couple’s dirty weekend soon turns into something that is beyond the realm of human understanding...something metaphysical....something paranormal.

Promising to spook viewers out of their socks Balaji’s 'Ragini MMS' comes to a theatre near you on 13th May, 2011.

Ragini MMS being promoted in a big way..

Despite all the controversy surrounding the upcoming film Ragini MMS, the two young actors in the film - Kainaz Motivala and Raj Kumar Yadav are glad they found a producer in Ekta Kapoor.

Kainaz, a South Mumbai resident, who admits she aspired to be a journalist before a film actor, says, "Ekta is the queen of marketing. We are so glad the way everything has shaped up. There has been extensive and very intelligent promotions and marketing around the film. So it should be good." Ragini MMS, a film based on paranormal activities is all set to release on Friday, the 13th, and has been advertised on the backs of autorickshaws as well as in multiplex washrooms.

Raj Kumar Yadav who plays Uday in the film is also glad that he and Kainaz were asked to attend workshops in order to hone their acting skills. He explains "The workshops really helped us project the right reactions on our faces during the actual filming. We were locked in dark rooms and were subjected to a lot of strange sounds. We could feel the real emotion of fear." Kainaz adds, "When you are scared, you crave for some sort of company. You become alert. Attending the workshops was a good learning process and helped us during the actual shoot."

Ragini MMS has not only raised eyebrows due to the reported extreme intimate scenes in the film but now, the 'real Ragini' on whom the film is based, a Delhi-based girl called Deepika, is all set to sue the filmmakers. However, Raj Kumar and Kainaz seem unfazed by all the controversy. Kainaz chooses to clarify, "All this is only unnecessary blowing up of things. We are not such actors who want to thrive on all this publicity."

Shweta Tiwari to take a dig at Ekta

Kausati girl Shweta Tiwari will do a take-off on mentor Ekta Kapoor in the upcoming episode of Comedy Circus.

While Tusshar Kapoor was judging Comedy Circus till some time back, sister Ekta Kapoor will come as the celebrity judge on this week's episode. Ekta, who will join regular judges Archana Puran Singh and Daler Mehendi, has obviously come to promote her film Ragini MMS . But however much she might try to break clichés and try something different on the big screen with films like Love Sex aur Dhoka, Shor in the City and Ragini MMS , her preset image of the one who initiated television tearjerkers continues to haunt her.

So in the upcoming episode of Comedy Circus Ke Tansen , the theme for the week is 'Television and its ongoing trend'. Revealing the highlight of this week's episode, a source from the show says, "This week Raja Hassan, Raja Sagu and Preeti will be seen leaving no stone unturned in order to amaze Ekta to bag a role in her next film. The next act by Krushna Abhishek, Hard Kaur and Sudesh is about a struggling singer trying her luck for a break in the industry. Sudesh's act dressed like Krushna's mobile phone following him wherever he goes is hilarious".

However the best part of the show will be when Ekta Kapoor's Kausati girl Shweta Tiwari would come face to face with her mentor. "Shweta Tiwari will set pulses rolling when she will do a standup comedy take-off on Ekta itself", says the source. Also another actor from Ekta camp, Ali Asgar will be performing on the show. Now this is something worth looking forward to.

"Ragini MMS": Too hot to handle

Ekta Kapoor's much talked about scary date flick, 'Ragini MMS', has not gone down too well with the Censor Board. They have asked for three scenes from the film to be cut and have given it an 'A' certificate.

Despite the 'A' certificate, the Censor found the scenes too explicit. These included one where the male lead Rajkumar talks to his girlfriend Kainaz about the after-effects of aphrodisiac tablets. Another showed Rajkumar's character asking his girlfriend to indulge in oral sex, while the third and final scene was in contention over the language used when the couple were intimate.

Meanwhile even as the makers of 'Ragini MMS' come to terms with the verdict of the Censor board, there has been a new controversy. Apparently, the real Ragini- (Deepika, a 22 year old girl from Delhi- on whose real-life story the film is based) called for a press conference as she is upset with producer Ekta Kapoor for not showing her the film in advance as was stipulated in the contract.

Deepika states that Ekta has been avoiding her calls and hence smells something fishy. The girl from Delhi also said that if she found that her character was degraded in the film she would object to the release of the film.

"Raat Akeli Hai" turns spine chilling

The scariest date movie Ragini MMS gets a theme song. One of the most romantic songs of Hindi cinema, Raat Akeli Hai, gets a chiller version for the film, featuring Kainaz Motivala and Raj Kumar Yadav.

Thus the ultimate seducing tune of all times has a new meaning in Ekta Kapoor's film Ragini MMS. The romantic hit, originally picturised on Dev Anand and Tanuja, is from the blockbuster Jewel Thief and is rendered passionately by Asha Bhosle. Ekta, in awe of the song, decided to keep the original in the film instead of remixing it.

Ekta explains why she selected the song, and is quoted as saying, “Some classic tunes should just not be touched. They should be enjoyed in their purest authentic form. 'Raat Akeli Hai' is sexy enough in its original form and goes very well with the mood of Ragini MMS.”

Since the movie is a paranormal sensuous film and is about a couple who are on a romantic getaway to an unknown place, the song fits the theme. But from now on Raat Akeli Hai will haunt you, thanks to Ragini MMS.

"Steamy scenes cut" says Ekta

Ekta Kapoor may have decided to release Ragini MMS at the midnight of Friday, May 13th. But Ekta sure has decided that the promos of the movie should be on TV at prime time. Ragini MMS has a liberal dose of erotic scenes, and its trailers were filled with spook and sexuality. Initially, the trailers received an 'A' certificate, which would mean the promos could only be broadcast after 11 p.m. Ekta, doubting the impact of a promo away from prime time, has cut down steamy scenes in the trailer to get a 'U/A' certificate.

Ragini MMS, directed by Pawan Kripalani and released by Balaji Telefilms, is a thriller which takes place at a remote farmhouse in the outskirts of Mumbai. The movie follows a young couple who camp for a night at a private farmhouse, only to be haunted by paranormal activity and hidden cameras recording their every move.

"Ragini MMS" lead Kainaz Motivala..!

Kainaz Motivala had never dreamed of becoming an actress. She was content working as a journalist for a Mumbai tabloid until an assistant director spotted her and egged her on to audition for a role in Paathshaala, yes the film starring Shahid Kapoor as a dance teacher. That marked the start of the acting career of this Mumbai girl.

With her foot already in the door to Bollywood, Kainaz got her second role in Ranbir Kapoor’s Wake Up Sid. Remember the girl Tanya from the film? That’s Kainaz. But now, Kainaz won’t need such tips for pointing out for she’s playing the female lead in producer Ekta Kapoor’s film Ragini MMS.

The film is being described as a sensuous paranormal thriller. Kainaz plays a 20-something from south Mumbai. She goes on a weekend trip with her boyfriend to a farmhouse. The lovey-dovey couple, however, doesn’t know that the farmhouse is rigged with secret cameras and there is another invisible presence in the house.

Kainaz reportedly has shot a lot of intimate scenes with co star Raj Kumar. She admits it wasn’t easy filming those scenes.

"Ragini MMS" is set to hit screens on May 13.

Lets wait and watch !!

"Ragini MMS" to hit screens on May 13

Ekta Kapoor forays into the Telugu film industry with Ragini MMS, a spy-cam thriller.

Shot in Hindi and Telugu, the movie is about MMS scandals. Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor are producing the movie under the banner of iRock productions in association with Alt Entertainment. It stars newcomers and is directed by Pavan Kirbalani.

Both versions of Ragini MMS will be released on May 13.

"Raat Akeli Hai" golden superhit in Ragini MMS

The new age filmmakers' love for retro songs seems to be getting stronger as the popular song " Raat akeli hai" from 1971 hit " Jewel Thief" will feature in Ekta Kapoor's latest film " Ragini MMS".

The track composed by late music composer S.D. Burman was picturised on yesteryears' stars Dev Anand and Tanuja and was sung by Asha Bhosle.

However, unlike other filmmakers, Ekta has decided to feature the original track rather than a remixed version.

"Some classic tunes should just not be touched. They should be enjoyed in their purest authentic form. 'Raat akeli hai' is sexy enough in its original form and goes very well with the mood of 'Ragini MMS'," Ekta said in a statement.

"Ragini MMS high on s*x" says Ekta

Ragini MMS, a horror flick produced by Balaji Telefilms, will hit the theatres May 13.

The movie has been made in two languages including Hindi and Telugu.

Ragini MMS revolves around a young couple, who spends a weekend at a house, and has some horrifying twists and turns.

The first look of the movie was revealed on Wednesday.

The producer Ekta Kapoor said that the technique used for shooting Ragini MMS is similar to the technique used in Hollywood movie Paranamol Activity.

Ekta admitted that movie is high on sex but refuted it to be a porn film.

The movie stars s Raj Kumar Yadav and Kainaz Motivala in lead roles.

Ragini MMS inspired by Paranormal Activity

Producer Ekta Kapoor says the resemblance between her forthcoming horror flick Ragini MMS and Hollywood film Paranormal Activity is obvious because the technique of shooting both films is same. "We are inspired by the medium of Paranormal Activity. The technique, the way the film was done. They were the grab footage (shot by multiple cameras from various angles), the real grab-footage. Paranormal Activity 1 apparently had all grab footage. Paranormal Activity 2 has no real footage," Ekta told reporters after the first look of Ragini MMS here at Cinemax, Versova.

Ekta disclosed that the feel of the haunted house has been brought by the grab-shots of 24 cameras.

This is the second film after Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex Aur Dhoka to be shot in real time in an unconventional way.

Asked what inspired her to make two films of almost same genre successively, Ekta said: "I started my career with a paranormal show Mano ya Na Mano. I have immense passion for paranormal activities. I always feel there is a bigger story behind every paranormal incident."