As Indian cinema celebrates completion of 100 glorious years, South Africa has drawn up plans to attract Bollywood by offering its scenic landscapes to shoot films and extending special facilities.



"We are already in the process of identifying their (Indian filmmakers`) requirements to be able to enhance our offerings and facilitate greater support and value addition when they come to our country for film shootings," Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Mathume Joseph Phaanla told reporters in an interview here.

"Going forward, we would definitely like to attract more and more Bollywood producers to our country. We hope that locals are also taken into consideration when Bollywood films are made," he added.

The South African Minister`s assurance assumes significance as Bollywood is going global and becoming bigger.

The Hindi film industry, which churns out the largest number of movies per year, has now also set a new trend christened as `100 Crore Club` with some of the blockbusters netting Rs 100 crore or more in box office collection.

The Indian film Industry is considered as a complete package of entertainment, drama, emotion, love, action, thrill and adventure.

"We understand the importance of Bollywood and the vital role it plays in influencing travel decisions. We, therefore, will be investing more and more to tap the entertainment industry," said the visiting Minister.

Filmmakers are increasingly recognising South Africa`s value as a high-quality production site for their movies, Phaanla said, adding, "We are extending support and assistance to an increasing number of Bollywood producers."

To further leverage on this advantage, South Africa and Mumbai-based production house Illuminati Films have launched an exclusive television commercial campaign which showed how Bollywood movie `Cocktail` captured its picturesque locales and various fun experiences.

The film, starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty, has been extensively shot in Cape Town and hence presents a huge opportunity for South African Tourism authorities to promote their country among Indian travellers.

"After the release of `Cocktail` in India, we received a lot of queries from travel enthusiasts on visiting South Africa, which was shot beautifully in the movie. We hope to leverage such associations with Indian cinema in the future as well," Consulate General of South Africa Pule Malefane said.

A number of Hindi films like `Race`, `Gandhi My Father`, `Heyy Babyy`, `No Entry`, `Aankhen`, `Break Ke Baad`, `Dhoom 2`, `Ek Tha Tiger`, `Ghajini`, `Murder 3`, `Chasme Badoor`, `No Problem` and `Ashiqui 2` have been shot in the recent past in South Africa.

‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’, an upcoming romantic comedy film starring Shahid Kapoor and Ileana D`Cruz, was recently shot in that country.

"From a location perspective, South Africa promises the best of everything: beaches, beautiful mountains, scenic landscape, wildlife and adventure, luxury experiences combined with cities and their vibrant night life," the Minister said.

Phaanla said the filmmakers are primarily looking at Cape Town and also exploring hitherto unknown yet fascinating locations in his country.

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), which promotes Indian cinema globally, had organised its second award ceremony in Sun City, Africa in 2001.

The IIFA award ceremony, a prestigious event in annual Bollywood calender, returned to that country two years later (in 2003), where it was held in the sun-kissed shores of Johannesburg.

PTI

"Dance India Dance - Super Moms", " Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" and "India's Dancing Superstar" - the Indian small screen seems to be bracing for a lot of dancing in the coming months.



To some, it may appear to be an "overdose" of glitzy dance reality shows, but many hail the trend, saying such dance shows not only encourage talent but enhance the entertainment quotient on the small screen.



Celebrity couple dance show "Nach Baliye" and the subsequent " Nach Baliye Shriman v/s Shrimati" wrapped up just recently on Star Plus, and the channel's new show - "India's Dancing Superstar" (IDS) is already on air.

Dance overdose?

"Audiences are liking it and that's why there is one more dance show (every now and then)," reasons choreographer Geeta Kapur, who is a judge on IDS along with Ashley Lobo and actor Riteish Deshmukh. She has earlier judged shows like " Dance India Dance", "DID L'il Masters", "DID Doubles" and "Dance Ke Superkids".

In the recent past, shows like "Dance India Dance", " Just Dance", "India's Got Talent", "Dancing Queen", "Dance Premier League", "Chak Dhoom Dhoom" and "Nachle Ve", have come, gone, shut and even returned. Many have even seen the association of Bollywood celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan, Farah Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar and Malaika Arora Khan.

But the pioneering dance reality show in India was "Boogie Woogie", which went on air in 1995 and continued for 15 years.

Naved Jafri, who, along with his brother Javed and Ravi Behl, formed the team for the trendsetting show, rues how dance reality shows are now the "same thing over and over again", with focus on "business".

"People are now concentrating on big sets. We rarely see innovation. In 'Boogie Woogie', we used to keep family values intact and we treated our contestants as our guests. Now, it's all a big business," Jafri told IANS.

He said the popularity of such dance shows is inevitable, but it's important to make them with a "heart".

"In our country, every house has a singer, a dancer and an artist. It's just that they didn't have adequate platforms earlier. Now they are getting that through not just TV, but also the internet," said Naved, who revealed that plans to get "Boogie Woogie" back are underway.

"Boogie Woogie", throughout its record run, had it all - an edition for kids, moms, fathers, groups and couples," Naved said, adding that a real show is one that "gives a chance to people who don't get a chance".

Reality shows at large, have turned out to be fruitful platforms for talent across the nation's length and breadth, making stars out of common men, women and children. Singing shows and talent shows have given the entertainment industry a lot of talented performers in the recent past.

Even as dance shows continue to blaze a trail season after season, choreographer Ashley Lobo, who is making his debut as a judge on TV with IDS, pointed out the brighter aspect.

"One can see it as an overdose or one can see it as what you're getting out of it. On the face of it, it could look like an overdose, but if one looks closely, each one is different and highlights different aspects," Lobo told IANS.

In a way, he is right - if IDS gives a chance to aspirants of all age groups and those specialising in any style of dance, "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" brings a range of celebrities on the dance floor for a neck-to-neck competition, while "Dance India Dance - Super Moms" is a unique platform for mothers who are aspiring dancers.

Sunny Leone has been paid Rs 5 crore by a producer. She isn't doing any new films post her upcoming film Ragini MMS 2 and item number in Shootout at Wadala.


Sunny Leone has signed a three-film deal with producer Parag Sanghvi (last film 24/7) for a whopping amount of Rs 5 crore. It is learnt that the adult movie star’s contract with the filmmaker has a clause stating she cannot do any other film till she finishes her three-film deal with Alumbra Entertainment (the production house).

That probably also explains why the actress is not taking on any new films post her upcoming Ragini MMS 2 and an item song in Shootout At Wadala. It is being said that the clause has put her in a fix as she is getting several offers but is not being able to consider because of the restriction.

However, Sanghvi denies that he is standing in her way of signing new films, “We share a very cordial relationship and there’s nothing that can’t be sorted out over talks. There’s no clause banning her from shooting for any other film till she doesn’t complete her films with us. She knows that if there are any such hurdles, we can mutually work around them. She is a professional and I am sure that she will not let the commitment to one film affect another one. It’s her call completely. We plan to finish off three films in two years.”

As for the remuneration of Rs 5 crore, he shakes his head, “Sorry but I can’t talk about that.” The filmmaker is reluctant to reveal anything about his upcoming projects with her as well, “It’s too early to reveal any details. We start shooting after three months and we are still in finalising stages. The first film will be on the lines of a thriller, is all I can say at this point,” he adds.

Vinayak Joshi and Chandrika are in the danger zone as they got majority of votes for elimination. Who will be thrown out of the house? Watch the show on ETV today evening.

Rajesh, The Special Guest of Bigg Boss house Kannada, The patients in the house were asked to make funny stage appearance under the leadership of Vijay Raghavendra and his medical team. Narendra Babu Sharma started the proceedings by singing a devotional song.



The overnight mental drama continued on the day 31 at Bigg Boss house. The boss made the show more entertaining by organising a special program and by asking inmates to do hilarious acts.

For performing with full energy, the boss decided to compliment them by asking the housemates to celebrate the first anniversary of the mental asylum, Surgery Burgery Hospital.

The boss gave specific guidelines to doctors as well as patients. 

Before starting the function, Bigg Boss surprised by bringing in a special guest. Well, it was none other than Jungle Jackie Rajesh of Halli Haida Pyatege Bandha fame. It has to be noted that the show organisers had earlier approached him to be one of the contestants in the house. But due to some reasons it did not materialise then. The inmates grandly welcomed him but some of the housemates acts and dress code created confusion in his mind as he returned from a short treatment for being mentally ill recently.

Dr Vishnuvardhan's famous song 'Adavi deviya, kadujangala...' perfectly suited for his welcome track. Rajesh managed to recognise some of the personalities in the house.

Season 6 has come to an end and all of us Bigg Boss fans will feel sad after a week. Don't you think they should have two seasons per year of Bigg Boss? I just can't get enough of this show! This year we had so many wild cards but only one was able to stand out and entertain, that is Imam. Other than Imam, most of the other housemates have been boring. I hope next season (Season 7) will be bigger and better. I want the following personalities to be included in Season 7:

1. Rakshanda Khan
2. Sanjay Jumani
3. Poonam Pandey
4. Ekta Kapoor
5. Sanjeeda Sheikh
6. Kritika Kamra
7. Navin Bajaj
8. Pooja Gor
9. Manish Paul
10.Puja Gupta
11.Shirish Kunder
12.Chunky Pandey
13.Gaurav Gera
14.Kratika Sengar

And here is my alternate list after taking all the suggestions of IF members so far

Yana Gupta
Johnny Lever
Poonam Pandey
Shekhar Suman
Atif Aslam
Mika Singh
Navin Bajaj
Rakshanda Khan
Kritika Kamra
Arvind Kejriwal
Kritika Sengar
Puja Gupta
Hansika Motwani
Mukti Mohan
Pooja Bhatt