VERY FILMY

Twinkle toes
After wooing one and all with her spot on performance as an earthy and passionate Punjabi girl in Dev D,Mahie Gill is showing the industry that she is a determined and dedicated actor. She has a guest appearance in Anurag Kashyap’s Gulaal and has performed two mujra numbers in the film. Mahie shot both these songs in two nights after being severely injured while filming a shot with Kay Kay Menon. It was her sheer talent in dance that carried her through to the extent that even after having a neck injury she performed on the songs in one single take. She impressed everyone on the sets with her determination and sincerity. We’re sure she’ll go a long way,if she keeps it up.

Macho man
Shahid Kapoor has quite surprised everyone with his new rough and tough look in Vishal Bhardwaj’s forthcoming film Kaminay. The movie’s promos have hit the theatres and sources claim that the audience has fallen in love with Shahid all over again. Says an insider,“All those who have got the glimpse of the promo are going gaga over Shahid’s look and his new hot body . The promo is enough to pull the audience to theatres when the movie releases. Shahid’s character in the movie is to watch out for as he will be seen in a double role. People in the trade are betting that the audience’s curiosity to see Shahid in a new avatar will be the factor that’ll help the movie break records at the box-office.” A trade analyst says,“The reports of Kaminay are going to be positive definitely. Also people are quite curious about Shahid’s chemistry with Priyanka Chopra on screen. It’s one of the most anticipated films of 2009.”

Homecoming
Deepa Mehta is back with another hard hitting social drama. The acclaimed director’s latest venture which was titled Heaven on Earth internationally,is now going to be called Videsh for the Indian territory and will hit the big screens in March. The movie stars Preity Zinta along with newcomer Vansh Bhardwaj and is produced by the renowned banner BR Films. The film has already released in Canada to an overwhelming response; with Zinta winning an award at the Chicago Film Festival for her role as a battered Punjabi bride. It was also nominated at the 29th

Genie Awards which is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars. Says Sanjay Bhutian,CEO of BR Films,“We did not want our Indian audiences to misinterpret the title Heaven on Earth to be that of an English film. Hence we changed the film’s name to Videsh as this would connect well with the Indian audiences.” And Punjabi film enthusiasts will be doubly excited to know that the movie is going to be released in Hindi as well as Punjabi.