It's been quite a while since I've seen a rugby match in person, but I've always admired the players. Because I thought they were nuts. Nuts can be characters. In my dodge, characters are coveted. Love rugby.
Think about something close to tackle football without pads and helmets – you know, like we used to play in parks as kids when we didn't know any better. That's rugby. But this great international sport, like most games outside of Monopoly and Scrabble, has changed.
There are great athletes – many of them making a lot of money – playing rugby. And dozens of them will be on display today and tomorrow at Petco Park when 16 international teams literally collide in the USA Sevens tournament.
JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune
The USA Sevens rugby tournament will be a Petco Park fixture for at least the next three years, well beyond that if the vision of tournament organizers is realized.
It's an event – here at least three more years – that has a great chance to become a San Diego staple and bring millions into the local economy. But, imagine my dismay. I'm hearing rugby players, really, no longer are nuts.
“Not now,” says Ray Peterson, the managing director of the event. “Back when I played, yeah, proportionately, we were a little bit nuts. But we have good coaches now, teaching respect. We are not soccer. There's a rugby explosion.”
Says J.D. Dahlen, famed local restaurateur and longtime rugby backer and player and one of OMBAC's founders: “It's changed. There's nothing but speed. These are well-conditioned athletes, some training twice a day on their own.”
Sigh. Another myth destroyed.
I'm talking to American Dan Lyle, tournament director (who lives and works here), and he's one of the legendary ruggers. He played in England, where he is beloved. But, while we're in conversation, I discover he isn't at all nuts. Unlike me, he still totes the majority of his faculties.
“That's our misconception about rugby in America – mud, blood and beers,” he says, “that it's less rivalry and more revelry. But, as a Division I athlete, I never had that bumper sticker on my car.
“There's a great respect level now. The game's gone pro and added some world-class athletes.”
Lyle once was offered a $78,000-a-year contract with the NFL's Vikings to play tight end. He decided on rugby in England, where he doubled that salary.
“Once you go abroad,” he says, “you see that rugby is the world's great contact sport. It unleashes all the athleticism. It's something Americans can pick up on very easily. Give rugby a try. Kids love it, because everybody who plays gets to touch it.”
Of course Americans can, and are, picking up on the game. We love our contact sports here. Football. Hollywood marriages. Rugby fits in nicely, and it's growing. All you need is one of those crazy balls and a pair of shoes, although I don't know if you'd want to play naked.
So, why rugby?
“Why not?” says Bob Watkins, local businessman and rugby freak, who is running for the soon-to-be-vacant seat in the 52nd Congressional District. “It's an obsession, a game I could play all my life. We started playing at San Diego State in the early 1960s, when there wasn't much competition. It's continued to grow.
“It's such a great sport. You can go smack somebody and you don't have to wear pads – except, because there is no blocking, there are far fewer injuries than football.”
Rugby rises. This Sevens thing is a bastardized form of the sport – using seven players instead of the usual 15 in two seven-minute halves – but, if you attend, you'll get the picture. This is fast, and those putting it on think it will remain a San Diego event.
“The IRB (International Rugby Board) gives this tournament out in five-year increments,” Peterson says. “I moved it here from Home Depot (Center, in Carson) and it's our intent to stay. We'd like to be in San Diego forever. It was a success last year, when we got it off the ground. Now it's a matter of growing it and getting sponsors.
“There's a significant economic impact here. We've got San Diego State's MBA people working with us, conducting surveys, getting responses from restaurants, hotels and car rental places. We'll eventually go back to the city and tell them this is a $50 million event.
“There will be close to a sold-out stadium by 2010, and 20,000 of those people will be from out of town. This is something San Diego will want to identify with.”
The thing about this event, with the United States (ranked 12th among the 16) not being among the favorites, is that there really will be a few choices in the crowd. The fans root for everyone. Because the games are so short, play just goes on. The matches start at 10 this morning and will continue until 7 p.m.
Says Peterson: “The uninitiated can sit up in the stands and, within two games, have a pretty good idea what's going on. You can watch baseball for a month and not have a clue. You can watch football forever and not have a clue.
“This is a game of incredible respect. When it's over, you walk off the field, shake hands, have a drink and move on.”
My kind of game. But some of these guys must be nuts, no?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Bob and Mike Bryan - American Tennis Players
Defending Champ US Advances at Davis Cup
ERIC WILLEMSEN
The Associated Press
VIENNA, Austria - The defending champion United States advanced to the Davis Cup quarterfinals behind a commanding doubles victory by twins Bob and Mike Bryan on Saturday over Austria's Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer.
The Bryans won 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to give the Americans an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five, first-round series. The U.S. became the first nation to reach the quarters and will next play Romania or France on April 11-13.
Andy Roddick and James Blake won opening singles matches Friday against Melzer and Stefan Koubek. The now meaningless reverse singles are Sunday.
The Bryans were never in trouble, winning 12 of the first 14 points for a 3-0 lead. Bob Bryan double-faulted at 3-1 but Knowle put a volley wide on the only break point the Austrians got in the match.
Melzer dropped serve again at 4-1 and Mike Bryan held to love to take the first set. An early break of Melzer's serve was enough for the Bryans to win the second set.
The Americans raced ahead 4-0 in the third set and wrapped up the victory on their first match point on Mike Bryan's serve.
In other first-round play in the World Group, three countries held 2-1 leads: Russia (over Serbia), Israel (over Sweden) and Germany (over South Korea). Leading 2-0 were: France (over Romania) Argentina (over Britain), Spain (over Peru) and the Czech Republic (over Belgium).
ERIC WILLEMSEN
The Associated Press
VIENNA, Austria - The defending champion United States advanced to the Davis Cup quarterfinals behind a commanding doubles victory by twins Bob and Mike Bryan on Saturday over Austria's Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer.
The Bryans won 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to give the Americans an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five, first-round series. The U.S. became the first nation to reach the quarters and will next play Romania or France on April 11-13.
Andy Roddick and James Blake won opening singles matches Friday against Melzer and Stefan Koubek. The now meaningless reverse singles are Sunday.
The Bryans were never in trouble, winning 12 of the first 14 points for a 3-0 lead. Bob Bryan double-faulted at 3-1 but Knowle put a volley wide on the only break point the Austrians got in the match.
Melzer dropped serve again at 4-1 and Mike Bryan held to love to take the first set. An early break of Melzer's serve was enough for the Bryans to win the second set.
The Americans raced ahead 4-0 in the third set and wrapped up the victory on their first match point on Mike Bryan's serve.
In other first-round play in the World Group, three countries held 2-1 leads: Russia (over Serbia), Israel (over Sweden) and Germany (over South Korea). Leading 2-0 were: France (over Romania) Argentina (over Britain), Spain (over Peru) and the Czech Republic (over Belgium).
Smooth Sailing-Djokovic returns to win with Zimonjic
The United States put itself in no danger of becoming the fourth Davis Cup winners to lose the in first round the next year, sweeping the Austrians 3-0 in Vienna. The Bryans won the deciding doubles in 99 minutes to clinch the tie. On Friday, Andy Roddick needed five sets to win on a patch clay court, and James Blake followed with rare clay victory in a live rubber.
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RACKET
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RACKET
New Delhi raises kidney doctor’s extradition issue with Kathmandu
Express News Service
Posted online: Saturday, February 09, 2008 at 0008 hrs Print Email
New Delhi/ Kathmandu, February 8: A day after Dr Amit Kumar, suspected kingpin in the kidney racket, was arrested in Nepal, New Delhi on Friday took up the issue of his deportation with Kathmandu.
Related Stories
My husband not a 'monster': Dr Kidney's wifeLet me go, I'll give Rs 20 lac: Dr Amit KumarSena dubs Raj party as ‘bird flu affected poultry’CBI starts process to extradite Dr AmitI am innocent, not a kidney dealer: Dr Kumar
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“The matter has been taken up by the CBI with Nepal’s government through our embassy in Kathmandu,” said MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna. “Given the nature of the case and the close cooperation that exists between legal and security authorities of India and Nepal, we expect that Dr Amit will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the earliest possible,” he added.
India doesn’t have a valid extradition with Nepal at present. According to sources, the old extradition agreement between the two countries has lapsed. While the negotiations on the new treaty have concluded, it hasn’t been signed yet.
But Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said getting Kumar's custody would not be a problem. “I hope he will be extradited soon. We have very cordial relations with Nepal and there will be no need of any extradition treaty,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kumar, who was presented before the media in Kathmandu today, claimed that he was innocent. “I have not committed any crime. The allegations against me have been cleared in court,” he said. “I am just a doctor, not a kidney dealer. I will reveal all the truth by organising a press conference after my release,” he added.
The Nepalese police said Kumar claimed that he came to Nepal from Canada on December 13 and the next day he left for India by road. He returned to Kathmandu on January 26 by road and stayed at Hotel Radisson in Lazimpat till January 29. He then stayed at hotels in Thamel till February 5, when he left for Chitwan by taxi.
CBI is expected to prepare a dossier on Kumar, in the form of a chargesheet, which will be produced before the court in Nepal on Sunday. Nepalese authorities are also expected to charge him with possessing foreign currency beyond legal limit.
When Kumar was nabbed from a jungle resort at Chitwan, near the Indo-Nepal border, on Saturday, he was found to be carrying bank drafts of more than nine lakh in Indian currency, over one lakh in Euros and US$ 18,900 in cash.
Sources said while efforts will be made to get Kumar at the earliest, the judicial procedure in Nepal may take more time than expected -- anything between a week to a month. Both the CBI and Haryana police teams are scheduled to leave for Nepal to bring him to India once the extradition process is completed.
Certain sections of the Nepalese media have been linking Kumar to a kidney racket in Kathmandu as well. However, the nephrology society of Nepal has denied Kumar's association with any of the private hospitals saying “Only Bir Hospital (government hospital) in Kathmandu is legally permitted to transplant kidney and no other hospitals have the equipment and right for that”.
New Delhi raises kidney doctor’s extradition issue with Kathmandu
Express News Service
Posted online: Saturday, February 09, 2008 at 0008 hrs Print Email
New Delhi/ Kathmandu, February 8: A day after Dr Amit Kumar, suspected kingpin in the kidney racket, was arrested in Nepal, New Delhi on Friday took up the issue of his deportation with Kathmandu.
Related Stories
My husband not a 'monster': Dr Kidney's wifeLet me go, I'll give Rs 20 lac: Dr Amit KumarSena dubs Raj party as ‘bird flu affected poultry’CBI starts process to extradite Dr AmitI am innocent, not a kidney dealer: Dr Kumar
Ad Links
“The matter has been taken up by the CBI with Nepal’s government through our embassy in Kathmandu,” said MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna. “Given the nature of the case and the close cooperation that exists between legal and security authorities of India and Nepal, we expect that Dr Amit will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the earliest possible,” he added.
India doesn’t have a valid extradition with Nepal at present. According to sources, the old extradition agreement between the two countries has lapsed. While the negotiations on the new treaty have concluded, it hasn’t been signed yet.
But Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said getting Kumar's custody would not be a problem. “I hope he will be extradited soon. We have very cordial relations with Nepal and there will be no need of any extradition treaty,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kumar, who was presented before the media in Kathmandu today, claimed that he was innocent. “I have not committed any crime. The allegations against me have been cleared in court,” he said. “I am just a doctor, not a kidney dealer. I will reveal all the truth by organising a press conference after my release,” he added.
The Nepalese police said Kumar claimed that he came to Nepal from Canada on December 13 and the next day he left for India by road. He returned to Kathmandu on January 26 by road and stayed at Hotel Radisson in Lazimpat till January 29. He then stayed at hotels in Thamel till February 5, when he left for Chitwan by taxi.
CBI is expected to prepare a dossier on Kumar, in the form of a chargesheet, which will be produced before the court in Nepal on Sunday. Nepalese authorities are also expected to charge him with possessing foreign currency beyond legal limit.
When Kumar was nabbed from a jungle resort at Chitwan, near the Indo-Nepal border, on Saturday, he was found to be carrying bank drafts of more than nine lakh in Indian currency, over one lakh in Euros and US$ 18,900 in cash.
Sources said while efforts will be made to get Kumar at the earliest, the judicial procedure in Nepal may take more time than expected -- anything between a week to a month. Both the CBI and Haryana police teams are scheduled to leave for Nepal to bring him to India once the extradition process is completed.
Certain sections of the Nepalese media have been linking Kumar to a kidney racket in Kathmandu as well. However, the nephrology society of Nepal has denied Kumar's association with any of the private hospitals saying “Only Bir Hospital (government hospital) in Kathmandu is legally permitted to transplant kidney and no other hospitals have the equipment and right for that”.
Ajith -The Ultimate Star
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The Ultimate star Ajith Kumar has once again proved himself with his new movie BILLA reaching 50 days in many theatres all over Tamil Nadu.A
Ajith -The Ultimate Star
BILLA (2007) casting Ajith Kumar, directed by Vishnuvardhan. Based on the 1980 Tamil film of the same name starring superstar, as well as the 2006-released Hindi film, Don starring SRK it was adapted by the director, who rewrote portions of the film from the original movie.
Ajith (Thala) the ultimate star has once again proved that he is the one and only kollywood king.
His latest film Billa has grossed more than 59 crores in 25 days.This is highest collection for any tamil movie at 25 days.It has become one of the biggest hits in the year 2007. It has gained 3rd PLACE IN THE BOX OFFICE TOP 10 MOVIES of 2007,and it's still doing well in the box office.I hope it will make in this years box office top 10 movies also..
Aish Signs Robot
| A couple of days back, we had mentioned that Shankar was in Mumbai to hold talks with Aishwarya Rai to cast her in his prestigious project Robot. Now it is confirmed that he has been successful with regard to roping in former Miss World in his mega budgeted film Robot. Ms Rai has signed on the dotted line for a jaw dropping sum of Rs 1.5 crore to play the lady lead for Super Star in the |  |
Jodha Akbar Music Review
This man works wonders, album after album, and never fails to disappoint listeners. Music maestro A R Rahman has done it again.
He returns after Guru to compose the soundtrack of Jodhaa Akbar that has already been showered with praises.
Packed with two instrumental numbers and five tracks, Jodhaa Akbar has the makings of a hit.
Elaborate arrangements include the trumpets and the drums in Azeem O Shaan Shehenshah.
It is a wonderful composition and Mohammad Aslam and Bonnie Chakraborty, who have sung it, have done justice to the song. Lyrics by Javed Akhtar are up to the mark.
Sonu Nigam and Madhushree render a romantic piece titled In lamhon ke daaman mein that initially seems like any other track until it picks up pace.
Javed Akhtar pens noteworthy lyrics while Rahman's music keeps the standard you expect from the maestro himself.
Jashn-e-bahaaran, sung by Javed Ali, comes next. The soft, serene and romantic piece displays an ideal fusion of Ali's vocals with string music.
There's also a Jashn-e–bahaaran (instrumental), which gives the flute a key position in the track. Rahman finally makes his presence felt in areas other than compositions by singing Khwaja mere Khwaja.
His rendition coupled with the harmonium, tabla (percussion) and claps make for marvellous music. One begins to wonder how a qawwali could impress to this extent that it ensures immediate gratification to everyone.
Khwaja mere Khwaja (instrumental) is as good as the previous instrumental number belted out.
Mann Mohana comes in the end as an average number.
This track, rendered by Bela Shende, is not too bad but after listening to the other numbers in the album, one would prefer placing it at the bottom of the six.
Rahman has once again proved that what he composes is of a completely different genre, standard and calibre. He stands in a place where there can be no competitors; his is a level that cannot be matched.
Rajni Kanth -The Box Office Baadshah
This is to let all know the living legend,here in tamilnadu,the famous man ever the world has seen,RAJINI the name itself creates jerk in us.wah! wat a man he is?
the only man in the kollywood tat everyone wants to be nd likes to be.
with his style he has made a remarkable change in the field of tamil cinema.
infact the field goes in a healthy manner in terms of boxoffice nd wat all
a field wants.
A person who rose from the simplicity to the heroical dignity.
He was initially playing villain roles,but because of his
hardwork and acting performance he became a hero.
even a child knows his name.
A man never goes down,as he said "i'm not a elephant, to befall
I'm horse I'll get up nd run again"
this is how far true when chandramukhi came, everyone realized.
the BOXOFFICE CROREPATI .
This is the title given to him when he earned more than 100
crore in his chandramukhi nd jus blasted all previous records.
can this record be broken in he future?i don think so.
A man of simplicity,in everything.even in his religious
thoughts we can learn manythings from him.
Being a unique actor, Rajinikanth's contribution in the field of Cinema, Politics and Spiritual world are numerous. As an actor, he is really "Maharaja of Collection" and he could return box-office revenues of more than 50 Crores. He has an army of 1.5 million fans. Of course, he is India's largest and most successfully one man industry. There is no denying Rajinikanth's status as Super Star. Ask anyone in Tamil Nadu (India), even a child knows him. He is the idol of Tamil Cinema Industry. He is at the pinnacle of tamil film industry for the last 30 years. He is the first actor to be promoted from Villain to Hero in South Indian Cinema. He is the real "Super Star" for the last 3 decades.
Perhaps he would be the only actor turned to spiritual world. He does have so many spiritual advisors like Shri Rahagavendra, Shri Ramanar, Swamiji Dhayanandha Saraswathi, Shri Satchidhananda & Mahaveer Babaji and he actively involves himself as a diviner of the eternal God. He is always a lover of peace. When he was cornered in the issue of Cauvery water issue, he won the hearts of number of true tamilians by sitting in fast.
As a messiah, he swung the course in 1996 Assembly Election of Tamil Nadu by making a televised appeal to voters to pick the D.M.K - T.M.C combine and they did well. As a citizen as well as crowd-puller, he did an inevitable role which made him to become helmsman of Tamil Nadu. Certainly he is an alternative to the Dravidian politics. He can turn a super-politician and on the face of it appear to be someone above castes and communities. He is straight-forward, great achiever and someone who is genuinely concerned about the goings-on around him. It is obvious that people find Rajnikanth as an alternative with high integrity. He has always been a political figure of sorts. One could find allusions to contemporary politics in his films post-1992, but Super Star now seems to say that he doesn't need a real context to do politics. But, in future God will propose; he will definitely dispose...
It's all about my beloved Super Star Rajinikanth!
Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly, Tendulkar are BCCI's players for Oct to Jan
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has named senior players Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar as its 'Players for the Period October'07 to January'08', for their exploits in the Test series against Pakistan at home and Australia Down Under respectively.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has named senior players Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar as its 'Players for the Period October'07 to January'08', for their exploits in the Test series against Pakistan at home and Australia Down Under respectively.
Ganguly was named as one of the BCCI's two best players, in its newly-launched quarterly newsletter, for being India's best batsman in the three-Test series against Pakistan, during which he scored 534 runs, including a century and a double, at an average of 89.
The stylish Bengal left-hander, who made his 100th Test appearance in the controversy-riddled January 2-6 Sydney Test, finished last year with an aggregate of 1,106 runs from ten Tests, the eight-page bulletin noted.
Tendulkar was picked for accumulating 493 runs in the four-Test rubber against Australia, the highest run-getter for both teams. The tally included his 38th and 39th Test hundreds.
The newsletter also has a message from BCCI president Sharad Pawar [Images] which says it is important to keep Indian cricket's constituents posted on the happenings in Indian cricket and the inaugural edition "is an attempt to do just that".
There is also a short interview with president-elect Shashank Manohar, in which he says 2007 was a year of extremes with the shock exit of the team from the World Cup in March followed by the triumph of Mahendra Dhoni [Images] and his team in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
The newsletter, which has BCCI's Chief Administrative Office Ratnakar Shetty as Editor-in-Chief, also has a brief mention on the umpiring controversies that marred the Sydney Test.
TATA Indian Car NANO
TATA's 1Lakh Car NANO Launched
Ratan Tata today delivered on the promise he made four years ago with the launch of the "people's car", even if buyers will have to fork out a little more than the much-talked about Rs 1 lakh price tag for the basic model.
They will have to pay an additional 12.5 per cent value added tax, transportation cost and an insurance charge. But that will still be about half the cheapest car in today's market, the 25-year old model from rival Maruti Suzuki.
Christened Tata Nano, the four-seater will be available in the market by the second half of this financial year in three variants, including one with an air-conditioner.
Tata Nano will have a 623 cc/33 bhp rear-mounted petrol engine and the "boot" (storage space) in the front. The car will be sold with a four-speed manual transmission, but work is on for an automatic transmission as also for a diesel engine.
Tata said, after he unveiled the car at the Auto Expo in New Delhi.
Tough price
Tata Motors has spent Rs 1,500-1,700 crore for this car project, including the proposed plant in Singur in West Bengal.
Tata pointed out that while the Rs 1 lakh price tag was given by the media, he decided to take on the challenge.
He hinted that inflation could make it difficult to maintain the price tag. "My greatest fear is inflation. With steel and tyre prices going up we can't hold the price which we have held emotionally," he explained.
350,000 cars per year
Tata said that the initial target production volume would be 250,000 cars per annum on two shifts, expandable to 350,000 per annum on three shifts.
In earlier media interviews, Ratan Tata talked about a one million production target by 2010. A similar indication has been given to component suppliers during price negotiations.
Over 500 engineers worked on the car for four years. The company has already applied for 34 patents so far.
'Beating Maruti 800'
Benchmarking the compact but curvy Nano against Maruti 800, Tata said his new car was 8 per cent smaller than the Maruti 800 on the outside, but 18 per cent more spacious inside.
The Nano is expected to give a fuel economy of 20 km per litre or 50 miles a gallon.
Allaying fears that the car would not meet emission and safety standards, Tata said the Nano met Bharat Stage III emission requirements and was set to pass the Euro IV norms as well.
He said the car had cleared the frontal crash test and would undergo the side and offset crash tests required by European standards.
Tata explained that construction of the production facility in Singur was delayed due to flooding in the area and that Tata Motors was trying to "crash the time" to the extent possible.
Ratan Tata today delivered on the promise he made four years ago with the launch of the "people's car", even if buyers will have to fork out a little more than the much-talked about Rs 1 lakh price tag for the basic model.
They will have to pay an additional 12.5 per cent value added tax, transportation cost and an insurance charge. But that will still be about half the cheapest car in today's market, the 25-year old model from rival Maruti Suzuki.
Christened Tata Nano, the four-seater will be available in the market by the second half of this financial year in three variants, including one with an air-conditioner.
Tata Nano will have a 623 cc/33 bhp rear-mounted petrol engine and the "boot" (storage space) in the front. The car will be sold with a four-speed manual transmission, but work is on for an automatic transmission as also for a diesel engine.
Tata said, after he unveiled the car at the Auto Expo in New Delhi.
Tough price
Tata Motors has spent Rs 1,500-1,700 crore for this car project, including the proposed plant in Singur in West Bengal.
Tata pointed out that while the Rs 1 lakh price tag was given by the media, he decided to take on the challenge.
He hinted that inflation could make it difficult to maintain the price tag. "My greatest fear is inflation. With steel and tyre prices going up we can't hold the price which we have held emotionally," he explained.
350,000 cars per year
Tata said that the initial target production volume would be 250,000 cars per annum on two shifts, expandable to 350,000 per annum on three shifts.
In earlier media interviews, Ratan Tata talked about a one million production target by 2010. A similar indication has been given to component suppliers during price negotiations.
Over 500 engineers worked on the car for four years. The company has already applied for 34 patents so far.
'Beating Maruti 800'
Benchmarking the compact but curvy Nano against Maruti 800, Tata said his new car was 8 per cent smaller than the Maruti 800 on the outside, but 18 per cent more spacious inside.
The Nano is expected to give a fuel economy of 20 km per litre or 50 miles a gallon.
Allaying fears that the car would not meet emission and safety standards, Tata said the Nano met Bharat Stage III emission requirements and was set to pass the Euro IV norms as well.
He said the car had cleared the frontal crash test and would undergo the side and offset crash tests required by European standards.
Tata explained that construction of the production facility in Singur was delayed due to flooding in the area and that Tata Motors was trying to "crash the time" to the extent possible.
Dasavatharam Music
Rahman back to Dasavatharam
It is raining Rahman all over with the audio of the much-awaited Jodha Akbar finally hitting the stalls today and rumors abuzz over his acceptance to work with director Shankar for the sci-fi thriller Robot as well as Kamal Haasan's Marmayogi. For all the Tamil fans of this composer this is pleasant surprise as they had been whining that he was into Hindi and not heard in Tamil films as often.
Amidst this buzz, insiders suggest that Oscar Ravichandran, producer of Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam, directed by K.S. Ravikumar, has approached A.R Rahman to compose the background score for this film. Earlier, Rahman was touted to compose the music for the film but owing to tight schedules he opted out and the chance went over to Himmesh Reshammiya, who composed the songs. However, the team was on the lookout for a composer to score the background music. With the film being delayed well beyond its intended release date, Oscar Films once again approached Rahman, and reports suggest that the maestro is also quite keen to take up the offer. He is said to be held with few other international and bollywood assignments at present and is contemplating on accepting the offer. An official announcement is expected shortly.
It is raining Rahman all over with the audio of the much-awaited Jodha Akbar finally hitting the stalls today and rumors abuzz over his acceptance to work with director Shankar for the sci-fi thriller Robot as well as Kamal Haasan's Marmayogi. For all the Tamil fans of this composer this is pleasant surprise as they had been whining that he was into Hindi and not heard in Tamil films as often.
Amidst this buzz, insiders suggest that Oscar Ravichandran, producer of Kamal Haasan-starrer Dasavatharam, directed by K.S. Ravikumar, has approached A.R Rahman to compose the background score for this film. Earlier, Rahman was touted to compose the music for the film but owing to tight schedules he opted out and the chance went over to Himmesh Reshammiya, who composed the songs. However, the team was on the lookout for a composer to score the background music. With the film being delayed well beyond its intended release date, Oscar Films once again approached Rahman, and reports suggest that the maestro is also quite keen to take up the offer. He is said to be held with few other international and bollywood assignments at present and is contemplating on accepting the offer. An official announcement is expected shortly.
Best Entertainer Award
Super Star bags the Best Entertainer Award
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| The Boss was given the award by none other than the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh who himself was honored with the Best Leader of 2007. The event had questions being shot at the winners from various sections of the audience along with NDTV crew. Rajinikanth was attired in a simple kurta and pyjama and when he went to collect the award he was shot a poser from the Badshah of Bollywood who wanted to know what should one do to become the Shahenshah. Super star smilingly said that Shah Rukh will certainly become the Shahenshah one day. To a question on whether he will take the plunge into politics, he said that he believes in God and destiny. Other South Indians who took away the awards were, Dr.A P J Abdul Kalam as the Inspirational Leader of the year and Vishwanathan Anand for Sports Leader of the year. The event was attended by the crème-de-la-crème of India like the Gandhi family, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, the Ambanis, Shah Rukh Khan and his buddy Karan Johar and a host of other luminaries |
Ganguly dropped
Suresh Raina makes a comeback after being out of the side for a year © Getty Images
Sourav Ganguly is the notable omission from India's 16-member squad for the tri-nation CB Series, which starts on February 3, and the solitary Twenty20 international at the MCG on February 1. There was no recall either for Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for the tournament, which also features Australia and Sri Lanka, with the selectors putting the emphasis on youth.
Suresh Raina, who last played an ODI in January 2007, and Praveen Kumar, the allrounder who played an ODI last season, benefited from good performances in Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy season, one they ended as runners-up.
A third UP player, Piyush Chawla, who was impressive on last year's tour of England, gets the nod for the second spinner's spot ahead of Murali Kartik. Chawla was preferred because the selectors were of the opinion that a wrist-spinner would be handy on Australian pitches.
The most contentious decision, though, involved Ganguly. It is believed that the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wanted to stick with a majority of the squad that won the World Twenty20 last September.
Explaining why Ganguly was overlooked, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, "The emphasis was on fielding abilities and they [the team management] wanted a young fielding side for the series. That's why you see a lot of youngsters in the side." After a run of three half-centuries in four matches against England last year, Ganguly has managed 231 runs at 25.66 in nine innings.
India's fast-bowling attack will be led by RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth, who missed the Test series against Australia with a shoulder injury. Joining them will be Praveen, who took eight Delhi wickets in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy final last week.
While Sreesanth was recalled after a brief stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, there was no place for Munaf Patel. Though both Munaf and Sreesanth were cleared by the NCA, it is learnt that the selectors wanted Munaf to get more match practice before considering him. India's attack will also miss their spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from his heel injury.
Gautam Gambhir, who has cracked three centuries in the Ranji Trophy [two of them match-winning efforts, in the semi-final and final], and Dinesh Karthik have been included.
Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf have been placed on standby and will join the squad in case of any injuries.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla
Sourav Ganguly is the notable omission from India's 16-member squad for the tri-nation CB Series, which starts on February 3, and the solitary Twenty20 international at the MCG on February 1. There was no recall either for Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for the tournament, which also features Australia and Sri Lanka, with the selectors putting the emphasis on youth.
Suresh Raina, who last played an ODI in January 2007, and Praveen Kumar, the allrounder who played an ODI last season, benefited from good performances in Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy season, one they ended as runners-up.
A third UP player, Piyush Chawla, who was impressive on last year's tour of England, gets the nod for the second spinner's spot ahead of Murali Kartik. Chawla was preferred because the selectors were of the opinion that a wrist-spinner would be handy on Australian pitches.
The most contentious decision, though, involved Ganguly. It is believed that the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wanted to stick with a majority of the squad that won the World Twenty20 last September.
Explaining why Ganguly was overlooked, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, "The emphasis was on fielding abilities and they [the team management] wanted a young fielding side for the series. That's why you see a lot of youngsters in the side." After a run of three half-centuries in four matches against England last year, Ganguly has managed 231 runs at 25.66 in nine innings.
India's fast-bowling attack will be led by RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth, who missed the Test series against Australia with a shoulder injury. Joining them will be Praveen, who took eight Delhi wickets in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy final last week.
While Sreesanth was recalled after a brief stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, there was no place for Munaf Patel. Though both Munaf and Sreesanth were cleared by the NCA, it is learnt that the selectors wanted Munaf to get more match practice before considering him. India's attack will also miss their spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from his heel injury.
Gautam Gambhir, who has cracked three centuries in the Ranji Trophy [two of them match-winning efforts, in the semi-final and final], and Dinesh Karthik have been included.
Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf have been placed on standby and will join the squad in case of any injuries.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla
Darsheel Safary
On being conferred the Best Child Actor award for his magical role in TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, in Star Awards 2007, the child actor Darsheel Safary in his innocence had quipped that he would like to get this award after getting pitted against the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and he would like to win the Best Actor Award there. His innocuous comment has taken the first step towards conversion into a reality. Darsheel Safary the child wonder has won for himself a nomination in the Best Actor category along with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan in the category Best Actor Award by the Filmfare for 2007. This is an event which has never happened in the history of Hindi films so far that a child actor has stood on his toes to gain height and be at par with his peers who he might have idolized and hero-worshipped till TAARE ZAMEEN PAR happened to him. Aamir Khan must be squealing in delight and so would Shiamak Davar be delirious with his joy that their protégée is going to write a new chapter in history of acting.
It has nowhere happened in the history of cinema that a child actor for his sheer acting prowess has found himself nominated and pitted against his seniors to fight for the coveted award for being the best actor for that year. Even Hollywood has not been that magnanimous enough. Darsheel has an interesting parallel in Justin Henry who was nominated at the age of eight years in the Oscars for his brilliant performance in KRAMER vs. KRAMER, but the difference lies in the fact that nomination of Henry was in Best Supporting Actor category while that of Darsheel has been in the Best Actor. Another parallel that can be traced from Hollywood is that of Judie Foster who playing the role of a prostitute in the film TAXI DRIVER at the age of 14 years was nominated in the Best Actor-Female category. However, the crunch lies in the fact that no male child artist has found a nomination for himself before he has attained age of 10 years to earn a nomination in the Best Actor category.
In the category of supporting actor there are examples of actors being nominated to vie with the seniors, but in the seniors category a child actor getting nominated is a refreshing approach on the part of the jury to set aside the artificial barriers of age being the criteria to be nominated in the category of Best Actor.
At least this year Hindi film industry is not imitating Hollywood but is challenging Hollywood to do the same next year. Star Cast of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR has shown that acting is natural expression of the emotions and this is what has been the catalytic factor in earning a nomination. Probably this would spur Aamir Khan to grace the occasion of awards ceremony, as once Filmfare has nominated Darsheel Safary in the Best Actor Category others would definitely do the same.
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