Several Bollywood stars have chosen to take a break from the busy schedule of the tinsel town to usher in the New Year, with some headed for holidays abroad while others preferring to perform on the eve of 2012.
Shah Rukh Khan will be bringing in the new year with his family in Dubai. His actor friend Hrithik Roshan and wife Sussanne along with their kids Hridaan and Hrehaan, besides Arjun Rampal along with wife Mehr Jessia and two daughters Mahika and Myra, are also expected to join SRK for the festivities in Dubai.
Reportedly, Salman Khan and his family have also chosen Dubai as the holiday destination for the New Year revelry. His ex-flame Katrina Kaif is on a Christmas holiday with her family in London.
Ajay Devgn, with wife Kajol and their children - Nysa and Yug have also flown to Dubai. Even actor R Madhavan is in Dubai with his wife.
"What a lovely time of the year in Dubai. Weather is great and most of my friends and family are here -- Wish you all a fantastic last day in 2011," Madhavan had tweeted.
Actor Sanjay Dutt, wife Manyata and their twins Shahran and Iqra were in Bali. But Sanjay had to come to India to shoot for reality show Bigg Boss. He will fly back to Bali, just when the 2012 lights come on.
There is a buzz that real life couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor would celebrate the occasion in Switzerland.
Even Vidya Balan, who is riding high on the success of 'The Dirty Picture' is on a vacation with her family.
"It has become a routine for me to celebrate the New Year back home in India with those who made me who I am today. I am not performing for only money. I am humbled that my fans want to bring in the New Year with me. New Year is a time to spread happiness around and I like to party with my fans," Mallika had said.
Actress Neha Dhupia, Jacqueline Fernandez and music composer Vishal and Shekhar would also be performing on New Year's eve at another suburban hotel.
Actor Ranveer Singh will shake a leg to popular numbers from his films 'Band Baaja Baraat' and 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl', at Aamby Valley in Lonavala. Joining him at the venue will be actress Lisa Haydon, who was last seen in David Dhawan’s 'Rascals'.
Vivek Oberoi, will dance at the Country Club, in Mumbai, while actress Tanushree Dutta will perform at Country Club in Delhi.
Among those who are bringing in the New Year at home is Madhuri Dixit, "Back in Mumbai to see in the New Year! Had a great time in the Maldives. Always good to be home.Have a safe a prosperous New Year in advance," Madhuri had tweeted.
By the time seventeen-year-old Delaney Maxwell is pulled out of the icy waters of a frozen lake, her heart has stopped beating.She is officially dead.Then she starts breathing…The doctors are mystified.But Delaney knows something is very wrong, even though outwardly she has completely recovered.
Pulled by sensations she can’t control, Delaney now finds herself drawn to the dying.Is her brain predicting death or causing it?Then Delaney meets Troy Varga.Is Troy a kindred spirit who somehow understands her weird and frightening gift?Or are his motives chillingly more sinister…
A page-turning read that will send chills down your spine.
Review:
Delaney Maxwell was playing Manhunt with her friends, just having fun.She and her best friend Decker were crossing the lake, when snap.Just as she is declared dead, miraculously she starts breathing.Only, Delaney seems to be the only one who isn’t so sure her survival was a miracle.She has these… feelings.Ones she can’t explain.She knows something is very, very wrong with her. Delaney is now drawn to death.Without knowing why or how or by what.And then she meets Troy.He is the first and only one who knows what she’s going through.But, after all, he is just a stranger – and one who seems to be unable to stop lying.Does Troy really just want to help?Or does he just want to…
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up.I thought maybe there would be ghosts, spirits, something like that.But Fracture took me totally by surprise.It was emotional, powerful and it left me reeling.Everything I thought I felt about life and miracles and reviving someone blurred and changed.I was a whirlwind, a rollercoaster of emotions, from start to finish, and I still can’t get the characters out of my head.
Delaney was a girl I liked from the word go; she was clumsy, uncoordinated, snarky.Her voice was fresh, likable, relatable and funny.I just loved her!Plus: she loved books, the smell of them – something I could totally relate to! Delaney was rather awkward in social situations: she had this no-touch policy.Plus she was kind of obsessive: categorized everything (including snow and food).I just found her bonkers, brilliant and totally believable.In some ways she really reminded me of Temperance Brennan (AKA Bones), what with her love of logic and grammar and total social-awkwardness.Delaney was a good person with a good heart who only wanted to help.She had a terrible burden, but she was strong.I loved Delaney Maxwell!
Decker Phillips, Delaney’s best friend, was so sweet, too cute and really loved Delaney.(I loved him!I seriously want a Decker!)He was so caring and protective towards Delaney.And insanely funny.He would do anything for Delaney, even when they fought.He literally dropped everything for her.Again: love him!
Troy Varga was a character I just could not figure out.To begin with I decided he was a jerk.Then I found out he was studying to be a nurse, and I thought “Ok.Occasionally nice.”After that I changed my mind, settling on creepy…Then, sweet, then this, then that…All the way through the book, I just could not decide who he was.He’d been through one heck of a lot, and I really did feel sorry for him…But, in my mind, at no point did he come close to the wonderful Decker.
The relationships were just as amazing, Decker and Delaney’s being the most wonderful: they were just too cute together.Decker loved winding her up, but you could tell he loved her really.They were really close, and I could feel the connection when they were together: I just couldn’t help grinning!
The writing was also amazing.I could feel Delaney as I read, feel her like she was right there next to me, telling me the story herself.I felt everything she did: her confusion, her love, her pain, her fears.I just… felt.The writing was so simple, but it made me feel so much, which is one of my very favourite styles.There were no dull moments, no lengthy descriptions. Everything was perfect, and I loved every moment.When I read, I found that everything dropped away.All that mattered, all that existed was Fracture.Delaney, Decker, Troy, death, life.This plot, this world.I laughed, I cried (a lot), I smiled, I was terrified, I drowned.Everything possible, I felt.I was hooked from the word go, to the suspense, the characters, the writing: I couldn’t put Fracture down.It was just amazing.I have two pages worth of notes, and a third page full of quotes in my notebook right now.In my mind, that equals an amazing book.
This was a thriller that didn’t let me go from start to finish.It messed with my head, my emotions.It left me just sitting, staring at the cover.One part I didn’t see coming at all.Another, admittedly I could.But it didn’t change how I felt about it.I have a feeling I won’t stop thinking about Fracture for a while: it hasn’t gone out of my head since I finished it.I’m also certain that Megan Miranda’s next book will be equally amazing.Fracture was a stunning read, one I am over the moon to have read, and whatever comes next from her, I can’t wait!
In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a perfect way to see who's reading and review what. Awesome!
I've been terrible about blogging this month! I got a bug earlier on - an evil little bug that had me stuck in bed for two weeks and stopped me reading!!! Which is when you know something is seriously up with you. And then, of course, you get the Christmas season. It's loads of fun, being with family (though I could do without the extra temptation of all the chocolate!), but it meant I was away from my blog. I may have got withdrawal symptoms! ;) But overall I had a great Christmas, and I hope you all did too! I'd like to thank the publishers and relatives who gave me all these wonderful books! Thank you! And also to thank everyone who visits my blog (check out my Happy New Year Giveaway: it's how I can really thank everyone!)
Anyway, enough rambling. This is what I got in my run-up-to-Christmas-illness and various Christmas booky-gifts (which were most of them!). And they are...
For Review:
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, Book One) by Marissa Meyer (Goodreads | Amazon) This was the only thing I managed to read while I was ill - purely because I'd already started it and couldn't put it down! God, I loved this book! It was amazing, amazing, amazing! I need book two!
Fracture by Megan Miranda (Goodreads | Amazon) A Lot Can Happen In Eleven Minutes I love this one too! It was an amazing read: my review ought to be up soon. Plus, you guys have a chance to win this copy - check out my international Happy New Year Giveaway (ends 14th January)! :D
Shadow of the Hawk (Werelord, Book Three) by Curtis Jobling (Goodreads | Amazon) The Hawklords Have Landed I got this a few weeks ago, the day after I got sick. It was a real pick-me-up! I haven't read any of this series, but I'm loving what I've read of this one! Keep an eye out - I'm taking part in the blog tour in January! :D
Saving Daisy by Phil Earle (Goodreads | Amazon) Losing Love Fighting Guilt Seeking Hope I can't wait to read this! It really does sound just amazing, and I've heard so many good things about Being Billy. And just from the blurb: desperate to read it!! :D
Chocolate S.O.S. (Jess Jordan) by Sue Limb (Goodreads | Amazon) Laugh Yourself Silly With Sue Limb I've read one of the Jess Jordan books before, and loved it. I can't wait to read this one! I'm also taking part in the blog tour, which I'm even more exicted about! :D
Bought:
Seizure (Virals, Book Two) by Kathy Reichs (Goodreads | Amazon) Can The Virals Survive Their Toughest Challenge Yet? I loved Virals, so when I saw this I just had to buy it! I love Kathy Reichs! :D
Christmas Prezzies:
10-Book-Giftset by Kathy Reichs (Goodreads | Amazon) Yay, yay, yay, yay! The first ten books in the series that inspired Bones! I can't wait to read them all! *happy dance*
Shelter (Mickey Bolitar, Book One) by Harlan Coben (Goodreads | Amazon) There's Nothing You Can Do For Ashley She's Gone Just Like The Others... I've seen so, so many good things about this book, and from the little bit I've read it's living up to my expectations! I love books as presents! :D :D Department 19 (Department 19, Book One) by Will Hill (Goodreads | Amazon) They Don't Exist. But They Save Your Life Every Day. I'm ridiculously excited about this. Give me a government agency that fights crime, time or paranormal baddies and I'm happy as Larry! ;)
Dark Inside (Dark Inside, Book One) by Jeyn Roberts (Goodreads | Amazon) In A World Gone Mad 4 Will Fight To Survive Yay: apocolypse! It's probably worrying that I say that with so much happiness, but I think by now we all know I'm rather twisted! But anyways, this book does sound absolutely amazing and I can't wait to read it! :D Sektion 20 by Paul Dowswell (Goodreads | Amazon) They Will Watch. They Will Wait. They Will GetYou. I love history! I'm very excited about this! :D
Between by Jessica Warman (Goodreads | Amazon) All That Glitters Is Now Gold I saw this on Sammee (I Want To Read That)'s blog, and thought: OMG, I have to read this! So suffice to say, I was rather excited when I opened it! Thank you! :D
Lara Dutta is not planning to take a very long maternity leave. After her baby at the end of February, she plans to produce a film in May and says she may or may not feature in it.
"I am definitely producing another film in May 2012. Yes, it will have me in the lead. And again, like 'Challo Dilli' where my co-star was Vinay Pathak, the pairing would be very unconventional. In case I can't get before the camera I will produce another film without me in the cast in May and then do a film with me in the lead from August," she said.
Lara, who tied the knot with tennis player Mahesh Bhupati this year, says this is a crucial time for the couple. "Mahesh has the Olympics. I've motherhood to look forward to. So we've other important commitments. But I most certainly plan to remain an actress and a producer. It's something that I learnt from Shah Rukh Khan during 'Don 2'.
"He told me he was happy to see actresses turning producers and advised me to continue with my career," said the former beauty queen. For now, the 33-year-old is all charged up for motherhood.
"It's by far the most important role of my life. But there are other roles too. Those cannot be marginalized. I don't do anything half-heartedly. I never became an actress to enhance my bank balance. The zeroes in my cheques never mattered. All the work that I've done so far as an actress is what I really believed in."
After debuting with 'Andaaz' in 2003, she did films like 'No Entry', 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom', 'Partner' and 'Housefull'.
She also featured in 'Don 2' and said: "It's a small role. I did it because I wanted to work with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and with Shah Rukh Khan."
On a more serious note, Lara is set to produce a pre-natal yoga video.
"Pregnancy is treated almost like an illness in some sections of our society. I've been my normal self during pregnancy. I want other women, who get nervous and anxious, to experience the same comfort level and to not feel awkward about their weight or baby bump. Have I been conducting myself with dignity and grace? I don't claim any exclusivity on the condition that I am in. I just feel motherhood should be a happy stress-free period for all women," she said.
Asked whether she wants a boy or a girl, she said: "Mahesh and I have no preferences. We're just happy we'll be parents."
After the sizzling 'Sheila Ki Jawani' number, Katrina Kaif is back as 'Chikni Chameli' in Agneepath. The film will be released on January 26, 2012. The lately launched number has already become a rage. The unique blend of traditional Lavani steps and sexy Bollywood moves makes 'Chikni Chameli' impressive.
When people start copying you, it is an indication of your success. Same has happened in the case of 'Chikni Chameli' as well. Shweta Bhardwaj who made her Bollywood debut with Mission Istaanbul will also be seen grooving to a Lavani number in Chaalis Chaurasi. Actors like Kay Kay Menon and Naseeruddin Shah will be seen matching steps with Shweta in the film. Her red 'choli' and Maharshtrian saree looks highly inspired from Kat's outfit in 'Chikni Chameli'. Chaalis Chaurasi will hit screens on January 13, 2012.
Though Shweta looks stunning in the number, but beating Katrina Kaif is no easy task.
Lavani is a form of Maharashtra's folk dance. Bollywood has an old association with this particular dance form. Be it Helen in 'Mungda' song or Madhuri Dixit in 'Humko Ajkal Hai', both the numbers score high on the popularity meter. Madhuri tried to encash the popularity of Lavani again with 'Me Kolahpur Se Ayi Hoon' in Aanjaam.
Lavani is one of the most popular dance forms of Maharashtra. It is known for its powerful rhythm and erotic sentiments. Expressions play a key role in Lavani.
In an interview lately, Katrina Kaif said that 'Chinkni Chameli' wasn't a cakewalk for her as she is not used to the dance form. Many people feel that Katrina looked more sensuous as 'Sheila' in comparison to 'Chikni Chameli'. Whatever be the case, 'Chikni Chameli' is topping the charts at the moment and so is Katrina Kaif. More than Priyanka Chopra, who's the lead heroine of 'Agneepath', people are talking about Katrina's item number.
Ekta Kapoor’s biggest hit The Dirty Picture starring Vidya Balan has been banned in Qatar due to its explicit content. The film has been deemed unsuitable for theatrical exhibition in Qatar. The makers were sent a notice saying that the movie can’t be released in their country.
The Dirty Picture was earlier banned in Pakistan but it managed to release there after the makers appealed to their Censor Board.
The makers however, claim that the ban in Qatar won’t make a big difference to the film’s business.
Shanghai: Inspired by Greek writer Vassilis Vassilikos's acclaimed novel Z, Dibaker Bannerjee spins a tale on Maharashtra politicians' aspirations of turning Mumbai into Shanghai. Hence the name for this political thriller that features Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi and Kalki Koechlin.
Release: To be announced
Gali Gali Chor Hai: Undeterred by the debacle of his directorial debut, writer Rumi Jafri is sure of his next, Gali Gali Chor Hai. The slice of life film features Akshaye Khanna as the Common Man who becomes a victim of the corrupt system. How the cashier at a bank who plays Lord Hanuman in the local RamLeela overcomes his circumstances forms the crux of the movie.
Release: February 3
Ek Deewana Tha: A decade since Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, director Gautam Memon returns to Bollywood with his second movie. Like his first, Ek Deewana Tha too is a remake of his own Tamil hit, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. Prateik and Amy Jackson play the lead pair in this cross-cultural romance, the music of which has been composed by maestro A R Rahman.
Release: February 17
London, Paris, New York: Ali Zafar and Aditi Rao feature in this romcom spanning three countries. Ali is also composing the music and rending his own playback. First-timer Anu Menon directs the film produced by Goldie Behl and Srishti Arya.
Release: March
Kya Super Kool Hain Hum: Tusshar Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh return in this sequel of Kya Kool Hain Hum under the aegis of the writer-turned-director Sachin Yardi. Angela Jonnson and Neha Sharma replace Neha Dhupia and Eeshaa Koppikhar from the first movie and are supported by Bipasha Basu, Sarah Jane Dias and Chunky Panday.
Release: April 6
Jannat 2: Riding on the success of Jannat, producers Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt are back with yet another sequel. Under the direction of Kunal Deshmukh, Emraan Hashmi is joined in this film about match fixing by Randeep Hooda and Prachi Desai.
Release: April 27
Raaz 3: Nearly a decade since the first Raaz went on to become a runaway hit, director Vikram Bhatt rejoins producer uncles Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt for yet another scary thriller. Emraan Hashmi, who played an artist in Raaz 2 returns for a trilogy that also features Jacqueline Fernandez.
Release: August 31
Khiladi 786: More than 10 years since International Khiladi, Akshay Kumar returns in his most-famous avatar, this time in and as Khiladi 786. Helmed by Ashish R Mohan, the action comedy features Himesh Reshammiya too, who is also co-producing it with Akshay.
Release: November 14 (Diwali)
Yash Chopra's next: Seven years after Veer-Zaara, the master of romance returns with his favourite Shah Rukh Khan. Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma are said to join him in this love triangle, the shooting for which starts early January.
Release: November 14 (Diwali)
Race 2: Directed by Abbas-Mustan, John Abraham steps in to join Saif Ali Khan and Anil Kapoor in this suspense thriller that takes off after Akshaye Khanna and Katrina Kaif's characters end in the first movie. Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ameesha Patel to sizzle in place of Bipasha, Katrina and Sameera Reddy.
Release: November 30
Chashme Buddoor: Putting the debacle of Rascals behind him, David Dhawan embarks on the remake of Sai Paranjpe's acclaimed hit, Chashme Buddoor. Ali Zafar reprises Faroukh Shaikh's role, aided by Divyendhu Sharma and Siddharth. The comedy also features Tapasi, Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor and Raveena Tandon.
Release: To be announced
Student Of The Year: For the first time since his debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, director Karan Johar's film doesn't star Shah Rukh Khan. However, he's onboard as the co-producer as KJo directs star kids Varun Dhawan (son of David Dhawan) and Alia Bhatt (daughter of Mahesh Bhatt) in this campus romance.
Release: To be announced
Ghayal Returns: More than two decades since the Rajkumar Santoshi-helmed movie stormed the box-office, Sunny Deol is back to playing a mature Ajay Verma. Old friend Rahul Rawail, who directed his first hits like Betaab and Arjun is at the helm to also help boost the Vijeyta Films banner.
Release: November 14 (Diwali)
Thaanedaar Returns: Southern whiz K S Ravikumar makes his Hindi debut with the remake of Saamy. Sanjay Dutt reprises the protagonist cop essayed by Vikram in the Tamil hit. Asin plays his love interest while Prakash Raj is the bad man.
Release: November 14 (Diwali)
Cocktail: Being Cyrus might not have set the cash registers ringing, but it sure got Homi Adajania noticed as a director to reckon with. He returns with Cocktail, an unusual love story, written by Imtiaz Ali and featuring Saif Ali Khan (also producer) and Deepika Padukone.
Release: To be announced.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's ambitious biography on Milkha Singh. Farhan Akhtar has already started training to play the Flying Sikh, as the athlete was popularly known as. Sonam Kapoor plays his love before he got married to Nirmal Kaur.
Release: To be announced
Zilla Ghaziabad: Sanjay Dutt plays a cop yet again (besides Department and Thaanedaar Returns) in this movie based on gang wars in the mid 1990s in Ghaziabad. Arshad Warsi plays his first negative character as Prakash Fauji, while Vivek Oberoi plays his nemesis, a professor-turned-gangster in this Anand Kumar directed film.
Release: To be announced
Maatru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola: Thanks to open date diary, Imran Khan could sign up for this Vishal Bhardwaj rom-com, also featuring Anushka Sharma and set in rustic Rajasthan. The young actor is these days trying to get into Saif Ali Khan's Langda Tyagi mould at the behest of the filmmaker. Perhaps that is something that first choice Ajay Devgn didn't want to do. And the young Khan had no qualms about.
Release: To be announced
Rock The Shaadi: One of the most promising directors of 2008, Navdeep Singh returns with his second movie. Said to be a zombie-comedy, it features his favourite Abhay Deol, along with Genelia D'Souza.
Release: To be announced
Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli: Three years after the acclaimed surprise success of Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, director Sanjay Khanduri returns with what was touted to be as the sequel to the Abhay Deol movie. However, this one, starring Vivek Oberoi and Mallika Sherawat, has been renamed as Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli or KLPD as short, for a popular Hindi slang.
Release: To be announced
Shootout At Wadala: After their fallout, post Shootout At Lokhandwala, director Sanjay Gupta and producer Ekta Kapoor join hands for yet another film based on reality. However, this time they're tracing the first encounter of Mumbai, of Manya Surve by cop Isaque Bhagwan in 1981. Anil Kapoor plays the cop while John Abraham plays the gangster. Vidya Balan has been reportedly confirmed as the don's moll.
Release: To be announced
Lootera: Not one to rest on laurels post Udaan, director Vikramaditya Motwane revisits the 1960s with his second film. Interestingly, this is hero Ranveer Singh's first movie outside the YRF banner that pairs him with Sonakshi Sinha.
Release: To be announced
English Vinglish: Nearly a decade and a half since Judaai, Sridevi makes her comeback. Discounting her special appearance in Halla Bol (2008), English Vinglish sees her as a protagonist struggling against hardships after her husband dies in the movie, which set in the US. Balki, director of Cheeni Kum and Paa, takes a backseat as the producer overseeing the directorial debut of his wife Gauri Shinde.
I, Me Aur Main: Kapil Sharma, son of astronaut Rakesh Sharma, makes his directorial debut with this slice-of-life movie. Chitrangada Singh and Prachi Desai also feature with John Abraham, who's also producing the film with Goldie Behl-Srishti Arya and Reliance Entertainment.
Release: To be announced
Ishq In Paris: Preity Zinta makes her debut as a producer while also doubling up as the leading lady. Helmed by her good friend Prem Soni (Main Aur Mrs Khanna), this one also stars French actress Isabelle Adjani and as the title suggests, is a love story set in Paris.
Release: June 29
Vicky Donor: Director Shoojit Sircar has a tough task on hand with this one. More so because it's reported to launch Hema Malini's daughter Ahana as an actress, paired opposite Prateik. Besides, it's John Abraham's solo production.
Release: To be announced.
Shirin Farhad: Bela Sehgal, editor sister of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, finally makes her directorial debut. Interestingly, director Farah Khan makes her debut as an actress, paired with Boman Irani.
