when she was 90 kg! these pictures will be in prevention magazine october issue

TORONTO, AUGUST 25th, 2009
On October 6th, 2009, Toronto emcee Famous is set to release Goddess Girl - the follow-up project to his critically acclaimed debut The I RAP NOW EP. Goddess Girl is a short film written and directed by new filmmakers A&R (Ashton “Famous” Bishop and Reza “rez DigitaL” Dahya) as well as a soundtrack produced by Toronto beat-makers Burd & Keyz which features 8 new Famous songs.

Goddess Girl: The Movie is split up into 8 short scenes. Scenes will be released weekly over an 8-week period - each featuring a snippet of a different song from the soundtrack. The scenes are imagery only but compliment the tone of the accompanying song. When all linked together they tell the intriguing story of the “Goddess Girl”. The main focus of each scene is to visually compliment the featured song and to drive the viewer to download the full song via the new Goddessgirlmovie.com website which launches on September 1st, 2009.

“We wanted a creative way to release music online”, says Famous, a 2009 Juno, MMVA and Stylus award nominee. “Realistically, I’ve only released 5 songs and a couple of remixes and we’ve already accomplished so much. We wanted a project that stood apart from what we’ve already done but still stands up to the level of creativity and quality expected from a Famous project. I think we’ve accomplished that with Goddess Girl, if not exceeded it.” “This is an unprecedented viral marketing campaign that is sure to have the net buzzing”, adds rez.

As one half of the new directorial team A&R, Goddess Girl also marks a new creative beginning for Famous who is anticipating his entry into the world of TV and film. “I’ve always been an entertainer so film and television is just a natural growth for me. Goddess Girl is a great start for A&R behind the scenes and for me as an actor. I’m definitely looking forward to whatever our next project will be and am excited to continue to get my feet wet in the acting world”, he says.

ABOUT FAMOUS
Launching his music career in January of 2008, Famous has quickly become one of the most exciting new artists in music. His debut Juno-nominated 5-track project The I RAP NOW EP featured 5 official music videos, one of which (“Ain’t No Use”) was nominated for a MuchMusic Video Award in 2009. Since the launch of the project Famous has been featured in Hip Hop Weekly Magazine, Allhiphop.com, Mediatakeout.com, MuchMusic, RaptorsTV, CityNews, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Creamworld Magazine and more. Famous has opened for Nas and Bow Wow live in concert and is one of the most high-in-demand club MCs in Toronto. For more information visit http://www.thekidfamous.com and www.irapnow.com.

In the past, many Bollywood producers have brushed it aside as "inspiration". That shooting style they just happened to borrow, or a Hollywood film poster artwork that they referenced. Then, some production houses went on to copy a scene or two, and few, took pretty much the entire plot, giving no credit to the original. The Indian media was all over it, fans felt betrayed, and PR executives taught film writers and directors how to diplomatically skirt plagiarism questions, if they ever did come up in an interview.

Now, things are different. Markets have opened up, Bollywood has caught the attention of the world, Hollywood studios are investing in Indian movies, and more and more Indian film junkies are hooked on to not just Hollywood flicks, but world cinema too. The media does not look the other way when phrases like "loosely based", "inspired" and "heavily borrowed" are thrown casually in interviews. If anything, these types of responses instigate further grilling. So a number of factors are making it increasingly difficult for the Indian film industry to copy indiscriminately from the West.

It wasn't too long ago for example, when the makers of Will Smith-starrer Hitch threatened to sue one of Bollywood's biggest producers for making an Indian version (Partner) without acquiring the rights. In order to avoid situations like these, Bollywood has decided that "inspiration" must come at a price. So while some continue to look West, they're doing it the legit way.

The latest Hollywood flick to catch Bollywood's attention is Hangover, the comedy directed by Todd Phillips and produced by Dan Goldberg. According to recent reports, Bollywood producer Firoz Nadiadwala has purchased the rights for an Indian version, and it's expected to feature some of Bollywood's biggest stars, who showed an eager interest to star in the remake. The director revealed in an interview that they plan to start filming it early next year. Meanwhile, another big banner production house has decided to pay for its inspiration. Producer-director Ravi Chopra has not only purchased the rights to Hollywood film My Cousin Vinny, but has also advised his colleagues in the film industry to pay for borrowing creatively. "The film ('Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai) hardly looks like My Cousin Vinny. And still, we went out of our way to acquire the original's rights. I'd advise other Bollywood directors to do the same before remaking a film.

All it cost us is one percent of the total budget of the original film. And then no one points a finger at you," Chopra told the Indo-Asian News Service. Even Bollywood's leading lady Katrina Kaif, is hoping to acquire the rights to a French film that she can produce and star in.

This, however, is not to say that all of Bollywood indulges in plagiarism. The Indian film industry churns out a ton of original scripts, scores and sequences every day. Recognising this, big Hollywood studios like Fox and Sony Pictures are inking contracts and collaborations with film production houses in Mumbai. According to newspaper reports, Indian tycoon Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment will provide $825 million in funding for Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Studios. Also, Fox has tied up with two production houses for the film My Name is Khan, which starts actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was recently detained at Newark airport in the US.

This time, Bollywood is paying for its previous sins. Quite literally. Or maybe, they just want to turn over a new leaf. Karma or reform, Bollywood it seems, has developed a conscience.

In the past, many Bollywood producers have brushed it aside as "inspiration". That shooting style they just happened to borrow, or a Hollywood film poster artwork that they referenced. Then, some production houses went on to copy a scene or two, and few, took pretty much the entire plot, giving no credit to the original. The Indian media was all over it, fans felt betrayed, and PR executives taught film writers and directors how to diplomatically skirt plagiarism questions, if they ever did come up in an interview.

Now, things are different. Markets have opened up, Bollywood has caught the attention of the world, Hollywood studios are investing in Indian movies, and more and more Indian film junkies are hooked on to not just Hollywood flicks, but world cinema too. The media does not look the other way when phrases like "loosely based", "inspired" and "heavily borrowed" are thrown casually in interviews. If anything, these types of responses instigate further grilling. So a number of factors are making it increasingly difficult for the Indian film industry to copy indiscriminately from the West.

It wasn't too long ago for example, when the makers of Will Smith-starrer Hitch threatened to sue one of Bollywood's biggest producers for making an Indian version (Partner) without acquiring the rights. In order to avoid situations like these, Bollywood has decided that "inspiration" must come at a price. So while some continue to look West, they're doing it the legit way.

The latest Hollywood flick to catch Bollywood's attention is Hangover, the comedy directed by Todd Phillips and produced by Dan Goldberg. According to recent reports, Bollywood producer Firoz Nadiadwala has purchased the rights for an Indian version, and it's expected to feature some of Bollywood's biggest stars, who showed an eager interest to star in the remake. The director revealed in an interview that they plan to start filming it early next year. Meanwhile, another big banner production house has decided to pay for its inspiration. Producer-director Ravi Chopra has not only purchased the rights to Hollywood film My Cousin Vinny, but has also advised his colleagues in the film industry to pay for borrowing creatively. "The film ('Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai) hardly looks like My Cousin Vinny. And still, we went out of our way to acquire the original's rights. I'd advise other Bollywood directors to do the same before remaking a film.

All it cost us is one percent of the total budget of the original film. And then no one points a finger at you," Chopra told the Indo-Asian News Service. Even Bollywood's leading lady Katrina Kaif, is hoping to acquire the rights to a French film that she can produce and star in.

This, however, is not to say that all of Bollywood indulges in plagiarism. The Indian film industry churns out a ton of original scripts, scores and sequences every day. Recognising this, big Hollywood studios like Fox and Sony Pictures are inking contracts and collaborations with film production houses in Mumbai. According to newspaper reports, Indian tycoon Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment will provide $825 million in funding for Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Studios. Also, Fox has tied up with two production houses for the film My Name is Khan, which starts actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was recently detained at Newark airport in the US.

This time, Bollywood is paying for its previous sins. Quite literally. Or maybe, they just want to turn over a new leaf. Karma or reform, Bollywood it seems, has developed a conscience.

Not to mention that Yogeeta’s ex-husband Kishore Kumar’s sister was Kajol’s grandmother! Connect the dots!

The Kapoors, of course, are related to directors Manmohan Desai and Ramesh Sippy. And, while Hrithik is related to his wife’s brother Zayed Khan and first cousin Fardeen Khan, the links stretch to sweep Tabu into the family too.

While Sanjay Dutt’s sister Namrata is married to Kumar Gaurav, Rajendra Kumar’s son, he also shares a rumoured ‘illegitimate’ connection with the first family of India, the Gandhis!

Kajol, besides being Nutan’s niece, also has 1950s actress Nalini Jaywant as an aunt, shares film historian Dinesh Raheja. He adds, “As for Kareena Kapoor, her mother Babita’s cousin was Sadhana — the heartthrob of the 60s. It was Babita’s father who introduced Sadhana to Bollywood.”

Raheja reveals that director Kalpana Lajmi’s mother was Guru Dutt’s sister. Lajmi isn’t sure of a family connection with Deepika Padukone, but suggests it’s possible, as Guru Dutt’s original surname was Padukone. “The Padukones belong to a small community of Saraswat Brahmins forced to migrate from Kashmir,” she says.

Welcome to Bollywood, where everyone’s related! Author and critic Anupama Chopra says, “Yes, it’s not even six degrees of separation. Did you know that Mahesh Bhatt is related to Dharmesh Darshan?” Bhatt confirms, “Dharmesh is my sister’s son. Emraan (Hashmi) and Mohit Suri are also my nephews.”

Author Madhu Jain says, “Tinnu Anand is also distantly related to Raj Kapoor, while Ramanand Sagar is related to Vidhu Vinod Chopra.” Anupama Chopra, married to Vidhu Vinod affirms, “Yes, they are half-brothers. Their father married Vinod’s mother after Ramanand’s mother expired.”

Here are some more filmi connections!

Hrithik, Fardeen... and Tabu too!

Hrithik is related to Fardeen and Zayed. But, did you know there is... rather, was... a family link to Tab u , whose sister Farah mar ried and later divorced D a ra Singh’s son. The strongman’s brother Randhawa is married to Mallika, sister of yesteryear actress Mumtaz, Fardeen’s m o t h e r- i n - l aw. Mallika’s son Shaad made his debut in Woh Lamhe. Tabu is also famously Shabana Azmi’s niece. Azmi is married to Javed Akhtar, whose ex-wife is Honey Irani, choreographer Farah Khan’s aunt. Javed and Honey’s children are directors Farhan and Zoya Akhtar.

Amrita, Saif, Kareena... AND Dilip Kumar!    

The legendary Begum Para was married to Dilip Kumar’s brother Nasir Khan. Their son Ayub Khan is an actor. Her niece Rukhsana Sultana was Amrita Singh’s mother. Amrita’s also writer and columnist Khushwant Singh’s niece.

Amrita Singh’s exhusband Saif is actress Sharmila Tagore’s son. Incidentally, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s families were as close as brothers, according to Madhu Jain’s current reprint of The Kapoors, and came from the same side of town in Peshawar. In switching from Amrita to Kareena Kapoor, Saif has just gone from one side of the fence to the other!

Saira Bano, meanwhile, is the daughter of Naseem Banu and aunt to actress Shaheen, married to actor Sumeet Saigal.

Mithun, Yogeeta, the Kapoors, Manmohan Desai, the Bachchans & Ramesh Sippy!
Mithun Chakraborty’s wife Yogeeta Bali’s aunt was Geeta Bali, actor Shammi Kapoor’s first wife. This means Gen Now’s Mimoh (Mithun’s son), Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor are family! Shammi Kapoor’s daughter is wedded to filmmaker Manmohan Desai’s son Ketan Desai. Shashi Kapoor’s son Kunal Kapoor married Ramesh Sippy’s daughter. His brother Raj Kapoor’s daughter Ritu Nanda’s son Nikhil Nanda is married to Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s daughter Shweta. Ramesh Sippy, incidentally, is also director Rohan Sippy’s father and the son of producer GP Sippy. Raj Kapoor’s wife Krishna’s brothers were actors Premnath and Rajendranth. Manmohan Desai, when he passed away, was said to be engaged to yesteryear actress Nanda, the great-niece of filmmaker V Shantaram and daughter of actors Master Vinayak and Meenaxi. As for the other Kapoors... while Anil Kapoor’s father Surinder Kapoor was Geeta Bali’s secretary, the Kapoor families aren’t related. “We’re country cousins,” says Aditya Raj Kapoor, Geeta Bali and Shammi Kapoor’s son.

Sunil Dutt, Nargis and Nehru?

Motilal Nehru is rumoured to have been enamoured by Daleepabai, Allahabad’s famous courtesan. The outcome of their relationship was allegedly illegitimate daughter Jaddanbai, who gave birth to actress Nargis. Meghnad Desai, who researched for the star’s biography with wife Kishwar, has been quoted as saying that Jaddanbai even tied a rakhi to Nehru. If this is true, then cut to this generation... and Sanjay Dutt could be Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s uncle!

Naseeruddin, Ratna, Pankaj Kapoor... & Shahid!

Actor Naseeruddin Shah is married to actor Ratna Pathak. Her sister Supriya Pathak is married to fellow actor Pankaj Kapoor. Kapoor’s son from his first marriage to Neelima Azeem is actor Shahid Kapoor. Shah’s son Imaad has also made his Bollywood debut.

Kishore Kumar, Kajol, Rani: Chalti Ka Naam... Family!

The youngest of the Ganguly brothers, Kishore Kumar was married thrice — to Madhubala, Yogeeta Bali and Leena Chandavarkar. His son is singer Amit Kumar.
His elder brother Ashok’s daughter is actress Preeti Ganguly, comedian Deven Verma’s wife. Ashok’s grand-daughter is actress Anuradha Patel.
His sister Sati married Sashadhar Mukherjee, and their son Shomu married Tanuja, actress Shobhna Samarth’s daughter and Nutan’s sister. While Kajol is Tanuja’s daughter, Nutan’s son is Mohnish Behl. Sati was also aunt-by-marriage to Ram Mukherjee, actress Rani Mukherjee’s father.

As my 17 month kid Om cries, I switch-on the TV set. Goes to a music channel 9Xm. Here’s ’singh is king’ akshay kumar singing the title track. Om now start dancing hands through the air, forgets his crying…

THIS IS THE POWER OF BOLLYWOOD!!!

Now as I sit trough this blog I recall how the films have helped shaped my personality. How they have helped me in overcoming bouts of depression…like exams, result time, love crisis (many!), professional logjams (again many…still continuing) Films were and still are my best friend. I now want my son to love films. He is yet to see his first film in the Cinama Hall. in fact Om’s name was motivated from ‘om shanti om’ which was released during the time he was born Nov’2007. Pray God that ‘Sanwaria’ bombed(it was released with OSO) otherwise what would have happened to a poor boy named Sawaria!) Earlier we (yes, my wife) wanted Akshays’ Singh is King to be his first film. When the movie was released I think he was 7-8 months. The plan breakdown when I could not get  my wife to agree on the condition that she will take the kid out of theatre when he  starts crying and I would continue watching movie ( So I watched Singh is King alone…) So we decided that we will wait for some more time before to start Om’s Bollywood innings. Then came Jumbo. Since it was animated movie it was not fit for kids(!) as I thought (actually it was hard for me to sit thru’ an elephant before me and my wife beside me). So i gave excuse that we will together see CC2C(Chandni Chowk to China).  Looked promising film in trailers. With funny stunts and an adorable AKi Om was set to open. But the opening reviews of the film were bad.very bad. So we again postponed the idea. Get that the debut has to be good. Now Om will open his innings when some good movie, with comic action, funny animals (of-course with permission from Meneka Gandhi), funky music. It may take long time seeing the current crop of movies. Till then my son will laugh with the ‘Gangu Bai’ of Chote Miyaan on colors.

So what was my first movieeee…!!!**#*!!! let me ask my parents…!!!

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So…my first movie was , you see…..ummmh….its VEER GHATOKCH. Can you believe it. Neither can I ! anyway I am told that the film was great hit at that time. I am trying to google-out some clips but not finding them. It was that we resided in an University which had auditorium for screening movies. Most of the residents were regular to the audi.

So to avoid shocks to me would go to the maxi length I remember.

Oki…it was Pyasa Sawan, movie that i remember. You remember? Released in 1981. I was 5 yr old then…and I remember the movie! I remember that the song ‘o’meri chammak challo, o mere sawan bhado…‘ http://www.dhingana.com/pyaasa-saawan/movie/songs/hindi/oldies/227 view video here. Jitendra (Jitender!), Mausmi Chaterjeee…goood crying social movie. Infact my parents would leave my elder sister and younger bro home and would take me for the outing. Thank U parents. They knew that movies have a thrareupatic effect on me. Once they took me to child specialist in Karnal (Haryana). Dr Shyamal Sen. I suffer from Asthama since very young. I insisted to my parents that take me to the movie BAAZI(1984). Its posters were all around the place. And way to doctor had about 2 cinema halls in between. My request was turned down and laughed down. Ok…it toook my parents 600/-Rs medicine and 30/- Rs doctor fee to give me relief from my condition.  What a f*#* i could not get photographs of Baazi tooo. Teri Kasam (1982) was another movie at that time I remember. Kumar Gaurav was my favourite at that time. Again can u believe it?  Love Story was huge hit. I dint’ remember now as to how i came to know Kumar Gaurav as it is now few years back that I catched upto Love Story. Anyway i love the movie. I loved the songs - ‘Yeh zameen gaa rahi hai, aasma gaa raha hai, saath mere yeh saara jahaan gaa raha hai’. And ‘geet woh hai, haan ji haan geet woh hai’, ‘mere geeton mein meri kahaniyaan hai’. My mother told me that I used to remember lyrics of these  songs. I loved them, they are itched in my sub-conscious. I remember the shot that after a song villain shoots Kumr Gaurav with a gun hidden in the book he was carrying!  http://bollywood-songs.org/hit-songs-of-teri-kasam/. Perhaps RD Burmans’ jewels these songs are !…  so when we came back to home after the evening show we realised that thieves have a search of our house. Thank Prabhu Deva, everything was safe. In night I heard some noises in the back verandah. Thieves?  Was promptly made to sleep….

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By 1986 ‘Ramayan’ phenomenon has started. It took us all by storm. Much to these TV serials later. …

My parents continue to feast me on  my film apetite. They make it point that I get to see family dramas. So ‘Ghar Sansaar’ (1986) was a good one. It was one among many-many-mnay Jeetender (yes.not Jitendra!) - Sridevi- Jaya Prada starrers.  Although many of their films like Himmatwala, mawali, akalmand, maqsad, justice choudhary, etc.etc.etc. were relesed I was shown Ghar Sansaar. Family values u c. During this time Jaanbaaz (1986) was also released. I with my ‘filmy’ friends made a program to have a peeko of the movie in a cinema hall. And it was vetoed by my parents. Family values u c. My neighbourhood aunty told my mother that the film is dirty. not fit for children. Dimple Kapadia hot scenees.

Bikini scenes. OMG. The film bombed (every vote count u c). And now you see the movie was a bacchaa compared to what khwahish and Murder and Imraan Hashmi and Dostana do to our family values. But those were the times u c. Ramayan had just started.

So after cmmon man Jitender! I remember LOHA(1987) Multi starrer extravanza -  Dharmender, Shatrughan Sinha, Karan Kapoor, Mandakini or Kimi Katkar (i dont’ remember these heroines uc). Action packed, emotional drama. Dharmender dead in the end, me in shock. Other 2 gets the heroine, Amrish Puri as dirty as it can get. Beautiful songs. Chandi jaisa rang hai tera sone jaise baal. ek tu hi dhanwaan hai gori baaki sab kangal OR eesa peer na moosa peer sbase bada hai paisa peer. Strangely could not get these tracks on the web. although the insignificant numbers of this movie are available.

One more strange observation. I remember watching Begana(1986). It featured Dharmendra and Kumar Gaurav. Powerful drama (as I still remember it). Beautiful song - ajnabee hain log yahaan par, ajnabee hai zamaana. socha saaya saath dega, nikla wo bega.begana.apno mein main Begana….. Let alone this song could not find even http://download-songs.in/post/150-Hindi-Hits-Free-mp3-songs-download-from-Hindi-movies.aspx the movie in the filmpgraphy of its leading actors. 

Mr India(1987) was a riot. At this period we have seen VCR’s being launched. One of our campus neighbourhood ‘imported’ one from the Gulf. Muscat may be. The children managed to see Mr India on the VCR and showed it off to me. It was an insult to me. They used to tell me the scenes and I get frustrated. And it took some strong tantrums that I got to see the movie that Sunday evening. Watching thi movie was a mela like affair. Anil Kapoor was fascinating. Calender Satish Kaushik hilarious and very funny. Sridevi loved her,was my first crush I think.

TV was catching up. Doordarshan days shall be remembered later. Quality of films were getting down. Terrorism was picking up in Punjab and Haryana. VCR came into common being. Piracy has started. 

 But do remember Sanam Bewafa (1991). Beautiful Salman. Beautiful Story. Beautiful songs: Beirada nazar mil gayi to, mujhse dil wo mera maang baithe…kaise sambhlega unse mera dil, hai naa jaane kya maang baithe…. see link http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/movie-Sanam-Bewafa-(1991).html

I saw movie with my close school friend Akant on the last day of our Class IX Final exams. We friends are still in touch with each other. Incidentally we also watched Khuda Gawah (1992) together after our Class X Board exams were over. These 2 movies were my first 2 movies in Hall without my parents accompaning me.

to be contd…..

Who's going to be invited and, actually, who's NOT going to be invited to it.

Star Box Office reported that Shah Rukh and Gauri are hosting a party this week for hunky Gerard Butler. Butler is the star of 300, the phenomenal action film on the Peloponnesian war whom the Khans have invited to Mumbai.

SRK is rushing back from South Africa to vote on Thursday. And invites have been going out rather slowly from wife Gauri. But people want to meet Gerard!! And it's for two reasons.

The first clearly is his appeal. 300 is filled by his muscular presence and character. Women loooove him and the men don't mind shaking his hand either.

The second reason is dhanda. People want to get close to someone powerful in Bollywood who can give them a leg up. India is the right flavour after Slumdog but nobody in Hollywood knows any stars. Or directors. So it's important to be on first name basis with people who can promote you.

But naturally the Khans know this and don't want all the junta landing up at home. So they're being very choosy about whom to call. And so Bollywood's sitting next to their phone and waiting for it to ring. And of course talking about the party and asking each other if they've been invited yet!