Former Congress legislator turns producer-actor

Former Congress legislator Sobhana George has turned producer and her first movie Prethiksheyodae, about child labour, is slated for release next month.


Child labour was one of her pet topics as a legislator.

"Today we have the Child Labour Prohibition Act, but through the film I establish my case for a Child Labour Protection Act. There are times when a child needs to work," said George.

The 52-year-old represented the Chengannur assembly constituency for three successive terms from 1991 till 2005 when she resigned. A year later, she tasted defeat in the assembly election and since then she has been involved in things other than politics.

In 2011, she threatened to contest as a rebel candidate from her Chengannur seat, but withdrew at the last minute.

Besides turning a producer, she has written the story, screenplay and also acted in it. "I act as a legislator. New face Maanasi is the heroine. The director is Noba and it's her debut film," said George.

The other cast includes thespian actor Madhu, Mukesh, Lekshmi Sharma, Master Dhanajayan and comedian Swaraj Venjaramoodu.

When asked if she is ending her political career, she said: "I am a politician first and I am not going off the political spectrum. This (movie production) is just my interest. The same question was asked last Onam when I released a music album."

Now, a film about boxing braveheart Mary Kom

Boxer Mary Kom captured the nation's imagination after she returned from the Olympics in a blaze of glory, armed with a bronze medal and the goodwill of everyone back home. In the natural progression of things, Bollywood has a film planned about her.


But the man behind it isn't quite the person you'd expect to make a movie about a sporting hero or, in this case, a heroine.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali may be known for his weeping sagas of unrequited love but that hasn't stopped the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam director from jumping in the ring to produce the film about Mary Kom's life.

The cast for the yet untitled venture hasn't been finalised but the film will be directed by Omung Kumar who worked with Mr Bhansali in Black and Saawariya as Art Director.

"Omung brought the script to me a month before the Olympics. Mary Kom has made India proud. I was moved by her story. She has what it takes to make a great champion. She is a mother of two, has been through so much struggle, has tremendous spirit and a sense of living and dignity and is now a World Champion. An Indian woman boxer is rare. It will be an exciting film to produce and I am very happy to do it," Mr Bhansali was quoted by Times of India.

Mr Bhansali will reportedly meet Mary Kom herself on August 23 to discuss the project with her. Will she give him her blessing or knock him out with a right hook?

Aamir Khan, Imran Khan to work together in Peekay?

There was almost an Aamir -Imran moment in Delhi Belly - but not quite. Aamir Khan's sole appearance in his nephew's movies was in an item number of which Imran was not a part. In fact, we've never seen Aamir and Imran together on screen - an oversight that could soon be rectified.

If all goes well, director Rajkumar Hirani of 3 Idiots fame may just manage to pull off the casting coup of casting coups.

It seems Imran's name came up after both Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh reportedly refused to play second fiddle to Aamir Khan in political satire Peekay. Rumour has it that Aamir himself suggested Imran should be cast and, of course, the dutiful nephew was not one to say no.

Mr Hirani's spokesperson has denied any such development but if there is a grain of truth to these rumours Peekay promises to be a double treat for fans of the Khan-daan.

Aamir Khan has guided Imran's career, from launching him into stardom with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na in 2008 to producing critics' favourite Delhi Bellly for him.

Zilla Ghaziabad's fake trailer hits the web

A fake trailer of the upcoming Sanjay Dutt-starrer Zilla Ghaziabad is on YouTube, claiming to be the film’s official preview. It already has over 40,000 views.

Furious about the same, the makers have filed an official complaint with the cyber crime department in Mumbai.

Producer Vinod Bachahan says that the “hoax” trailer is misleading for the audience: “We haven’t even revealed the look of the film or any stills yet, and the trailer on YouTube has nothing to do with our film. Such promos can convey a wrong impression about the film, and that is unacceptable.”

Vinod is yet to decide the release date of Zilla Ghaziabad, which also stars Vivek Oberoi and Arshad Warsi. The film is based on
a true story about conflicts between two gangs — that of Satbir Gujjar (played by Vivek Oberoi) and Mahender Fauji (played by Arshad Warsi ) — in Ghaziabad. Earlier, the film ran into trouble when it faced protests from the villages of the two slain criminals.

1993 Mumbai blasts case: Supreme Court's final hearing on Sanjay Dutt's appeal today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will begin its final hearing on Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's appeal against his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case today. Mr Dutt was convicted in July 2007 for the illegal possession of a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but was acquitted of more serious charges under the now defunct Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) law and was sentenced to six years jail term. He had spent 16 months in jail after his arrest in 1993.

In August 2007, Mr Dutt moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction, and sought bail. 

In his appeal, Mr Dutt said that he was in possession of a 9 mm pistol from September 1992. He said no arms or ammunition were recovered from him or his residence or at his instance.

Mr Dutt said that there was no credible evidence against him and the prosecution failed to discharge the burden cast upon it. He also said that the procedure adopted by the trial court was in utter violation of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article 21 of the Constitution (right to life and liberty).

The Bollywood actor said that his conviction was entirely based on inadmissible evidence, and as such, the judgment rendered by the trial court was erroneous in law and consequently unsustainable.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not appeal in the Supreme Court against Mr Dutt's acquittal under TADA. In November 2007, the Supreme Court granted bail to Mr Dutt. The court has also been granting conditional permission to Mr Dutt to go abroad for film shoots.

The Mumbai blasts took place on March 12, 1993 and left 257 dead and 713 injured. Property worth Rs. 27 crore was lost. 123 accused were tried by the CBI - 100 of them were convicted and the rest acquitted by the TADA court in Mumbai.

From NDTV