ODI format should be terminated: Swann

England’s star spinner Graeme Swann wants an end to one day international cricket, he told the BBC. The 32-year-old – who has slipped from the top of the bowler’s rankings in that format of cricket to third – said it was not an enjoyable experience playing the 50 a side game.

Don 2 promotion in Ra.One

For all those who have already watched SRK’s Diwali release Ra.One, you couldn’t have skipped a scene where Prateek (SRK’s son) witnesses a dream about G.One, in which he sees G.One in long hair and makeup similar to SRK’s look in Don 2. After researching the rumors it was found out that it was SRK’s idea to give G.One a new look in that scene. This might not be, but it looks like a marketing stunt to promote Don 2 with release of Ra One.

Don2 on dec 2011

 

Don 2 – The Chase Continues is action thriller Bollwood Movie expected to release near Christmas 2011.

• Movie Name- Don 2
• Director- Farhan Akhtar
• Producer- Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Gauri Khan
• Expected Starring- Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Boman Irani, Om Puri, Isha Koppikar, Kareena Kapoor (cameo for flash back)
• Release Date- 23rd Dec 2011

dezi boys are in the town

Director: Rohit Dhawan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangda Singh

The Desi Boys are here and contrary to their purported indecent acts, the film turns out to be a decent entertainer. Regardless of Akshay Kumar and daddy David Dhawan’s legacy of farcical comedies, director Rohit Dhawan chooses story over slapstick in his debut venture. And though it has its share of inconsistencies, the desi duo is entertaining enough in the larger picture.

In a recession-hit UK, it doesn’t take too long for the jobless duo of Jerry (Akshay Kumar) and Nick (John Abraham) to rename themselves as Rocco and Hunter and turn towards the morally-low but highly-paying profession of male escorts. They strip at hen parties though never cross the preset (Bollywood hero) limits of sleeping around. Things go wrong when Nick’s girlfriend Radhika (Deepika Padukone) discovers of their clandestine career.

Jerry and Nick fall apart and the narrative divides into their individual episodes with Sajid Khan’s Heyy Babyy being a strong influence for both tracks. Nick tries every trick in the trade to seek forgiveness from Radhika. Anupam Kher, as her dad, reprises Boman Irani’s part from Heyy Babyy supporting the repentant boyfriend. On the other hand, the flippant Jerry turns serious in life to win the custody of his orphan nephew. For that he walks that extra mile – to the university, bringing back memories of Farah Khan’s Main Hoon Na also.

Rohit Dhawan’s storytelling is simple and swift and the comedy never takes the no-brainer route with adequate conviction in the writing. He smoothly establishes the comic chemistry between Akshay and John and never lets anyone overshadow the other, thanks to their reasonably written roles. Renuka Kunzru’s dialogues, ranging from the witty to the wacky variety, are a major highlight and pack the requisite comic punches with some much-needed freshness over the customary synchronized lines in most recent comedies.

Certainly Desi Boyz isn’t unblemished and has its set of flaws and formula. The basic conflict of Akshay Kumar going back to college to acquire a clean-chit image that could help him legally win back his nephew sounds too silly. If that was not enough, he graduates in less than half a year, thanks to private tuitions by his super-hot teacher (Chitrangda Singh) who gives economics lessons through salsa and striptease sessions. Then the film treads in absolute unnecessary territory, taking its desi title a little too seriously, giving sermons on the intelligence of Indians amidst firangs who demean our country. Sadly the Namastey London gimmick seems completely out of place in this film.

After an interesting graph to the narrative, the film is marred by a weak end, which lacks the high point that a climax demands. A courtroom drama, which drastically changes the scene tone from being comedy to contemplative, isn’t a befitting culmination for the otherwise engaging flick. Nevertheless, on second thoughts, you find it as a much better end as compared to the commotional climax that most slapsticks resort to in present times. And like its climax, the film underplays in its humour and romance. The decibel levels don’t go deafening in an attempt to make you laugh and you prefer the half-baked Akshay-Chitrangda track rather than the plot straying into an extended love story.

Thankfully the film balances the Desi Boyz’ acts and smartly summarizes their striptease stunts in a couple of songs. The strip-shows never go crass and are classily captured with the requisite gloss and glamour. Akshay and John’s sculpted bodies save the show and the average audience is never grossed out. With striking cinematography, crisp editing and vibrant costume design, the film’s a technically superior product. Pritam’s music is catchy and peps up the mood of the film.

Akshay Kumar is in good form and after long a film does justice to his impeccable comic timing. He often steals the scene even where his presence is not primary. John Abraham is cool, convincing and glides effortlessly through his part. Their casual chemistry makes the film work big time. Deepika Padukone is charming and makes her presence felt in the male-dominated flick. Chitrangda Singh might not have as much extensive role but brings a refreshing appeal and immense screen presence to her character. Anupam Kher is funny. Omi Vaidya is hilarious in his short role. Sanjay Dutt, in a cameo, perhaps gets the best lines in the film.

So make some way for the Desi Boyz. And be sure, they won’t disappoint you!

Velayudham movie box office collection

Velayutham movie box office collection expected to be increased because of the release on Diwali day which attract more people to the theater. Vijay and the velayutham crew is eagarly waiting for the Velayutham collection report. Its expected to earn good overseas collection as well. Velayutham movie was another big budget from Aascar films with a whooping Rs. 45 Crore.

DAM999 REVIEW…….

Stories based on human tragedy and crumbling world have always raised curiosity at the Box Office. In ‘Dam999’, Sohan Roy tries to recreate a 3D film based on dam disaster of epic proportions.

Starring Ashish Vidyarthi, Rajit Kapur, Linda Arsenio, Vinay Rai, Joshua Fredric Smith, Vimala Raman and Megha Burman, ‘Dam999’ starts with the book launch of Captain Fredric (Joshua Fredric Smith), a mariner, who witnessed a devastating dam disaster.

Sohan roy is from kerala..to have this excellent film

The movie takes us into flashback where Captain Fredric (Joshua Fredic Smith) along with his wife Razia (Megha Burman) and fellow mariner Vinay (Vinay Rai) and his better half Sandra (Linda Arsenio) are struck in a catastrophe. The crux of the story lies in highlighting the damage which ageing and disheveled dams can cause (Something that recently snowballed into a major controversy in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the film unwittingly mirrors the quandary of Mullaiperiyar Dam).

Yet, instead of highlighting the root cause of concern, the film wanders and dwells upon unnecessary obfuscation where its 3D effects hardly add to the drama.

The film at times looks clichéd with its moral sermons and tacky sequences that just doesn’t blend together.
‘Dam999’ is completely disarrayed, can be skipped this weekend.

beauty...

ra-one collection at box office

Did you know Shahrukh Khan’s first salary was 50 rupees

Shahrukh Khan’s Ra.One is no doubt the biggest blockbuster to be released in Bollywood this year. According to Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Ra.One has grossed almost Rs 112 crore in its Hindi version in the first two weeks. Trade guru Komal Nahta said that he always thought that Ra.One would cross the 100 crore mark in the first week itself. Komal Nahta added, “The film makes you realise the kind of business big budget films can do if you have a five-day weekend.”

Here are the details of the investment cost along with the box office net collections of the recent biggest Bollywood films…

Ghajini – Investment cost: Rs 50 crore, Box office collections: Rs 118 crore

3 Idiots – Investment cost: Rs 55 crore, Box office collections: Rs 215 crore

Dabangg – Investment cost: Rs 45 crore, Box office collections: Rs 143 crore

Ready – Investment cost: Rs 55 crore, Box office collections: Rs 122 crore

Singham – Investment cost: Rs 45 crore, Box office collections: Rs 118 crore

Bodyguard – Investment cost: Rs 62 crore, Box office collections: Rs 150 crore

Ra.One – Investment cost: Rs 135 crore, Box office collections: Rs 112 crore (would keep increasing)

Chicken Roast With A Kuttanadan Touch !

Step 1: Ingredients to marinate chicken:-

• • 1 ½ lb chicken cut into small pieces (Around ½ to ¾ kg)
  • 3 ½ tbsp Masala Powder* (Recipe follows)
  • 1 ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper powder
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1tsp vinegar
  • 3 finely chopped green chilies
  • 2tbsp Oil, preferably coconut oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 1-2 tsp water

  Step 2: Ingredients to roast the chicken:-

  • 2 cups thinly sliced small red pearl onions/shallots
  • ¼ cup finely chopped ginger
  • ¼ cup finely chopped garlic
  • 3 green chilies
  • 1 sprig coarsely chopped curry leaves + 2 sprigs
  • ¼ tsp Masala Powder* (Recipe Follows)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1-2 tbsp water

  Directions:

  • Wash and cut the chicken into small bite size pieces with slits on the flesh. Make a paste with masala powder, pepper powder, turmeric, vinegar, green chilies and salt with 1-2 tsp water and marinate the chicken well and leave for 30 minutes in the room temperature. This helps the marinade to penetrate into the meat.
  • Heat oil in a large pan and sauté small onions until they turn transparent and then add green chilies, ginger, garlic and curry leaves and cook until they are soft. At this stage add the chicken and sprinkle 1-2 tbsp water and cook for around 20 minutes in low heat or until the raw smell goes. Transfer this chicken masala to a pressure cooker and I generally wait for 3-4 whistles.
  • When steam goes and cooker cools down, transfer the pressure cooked chicken with the gravy, back to the large pan and in medium heat, bring it to a boil. There is no need to add more oil at this stage. Sprinkle ¼ tsp masala powder ( to get the aroma of the spices) and adjust the salt and generously use 2 long sprigs of curry leaves and then reduce the heat to low and let the slow cooking begin. Keep stirring, until the gravy is well coated with the chicken and completely dry, making sure that the gravy does not stick to the bottom. This slow-cook-dry-process will take 15-30 minutes depending on the amount of the gravy. Serve hot with rice/Chappathi/Appam.

  

• *To Make the Masala Powder: – (Approx. measurement shown in the picture)

  • ¼ cup fennel seeds/perinjeerakam
  • 12-15 cinnamon/karugapatta
  • 8-10 cloves/grambu
  • 2 cardamom/Elakkaya

  How to: Grind all the ingredients together until it becomes a fine powder. Use sparingly as per the measurement listed in the recipe. There is no need to roast the the masala powder before marinating the chicken.

  Note: The taste of this dish mainly depends on the masala powder used and also on the fresh ingredients. Hence, to get the authentic taste, it is better to stick on to the masala powder recipe given above and also stay away from using big onion instead of small onions and store bought ginger-garlic paste instead of finely chopped fresh ginger and garlic. Also there is no need to add tomato. I have personally tried out all these variations and alternatives, but it does not come anywhere near the original recipe. So trust me!

easy ways to lose weight…..

1. Eat Breakfast Every Day. One habit that’s common to many people who have lost weight and kept it off is eating breakfast every day. “Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day, says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids.  “Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom.” Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.
2. Go for the Grain.  By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much-needed fiber and will fill up faster so you’re more likely to eat a reasonable portion. Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers.
3. Add More Steps. Get yourself a pedometer and gradually add more steps until you reach 10,000 per day. Throughout the day, do whatever you can to be more active — pace while you talk on the phone, take the dog out for an extra walk, and march in place during television commercials.  Having a pedometer serves as a constant motivator and reminder.
4. Switch to Lighter Alternatives. Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products.  “You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products, and if the product is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice,” says Magee. More smart substitutions: Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches; and use a little vinaigrette on your salad instead of piling on the creamy dressing.
5. Control Your Environments.  Another simple strategy to help cut calories is to control your environment — everything from stocking your kitchen with lots of healthy options to choosing the right restaurants. That means avoiding the temptation by staying away from all-you-can-eat restaurants.  And when it comes to parties, “eat a healthy snack before so you won’t be starving, and be selective when you fill your plate at the buffet,” suggests Ward.  Before going back for more food, wait at least 15 minutes and have a big glass of water.