Bipasha has never looked so simple: Rocky S

Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu, known for her bold and sensual image, is playing a Kashmiri girl in “Lamhaa” and designer Rocky S, who has draped her in the Bollywood movie, says that she has never looked so simple onscreen.

“In this movie, you will be surprised to see Bipasha in a non-glamorous role. She is without any makeup and has worn simple clothes to fit in perfectly for this role,” Rocky S said in an interview.

“She is looking very simple, and trust me, she has never looked that simple. She has always looked glamorous onscreen but this time, it would be the girl next door look,” he added.

Elaborating on Bipasha’s look, Rocky said: “In this movie, you will see her in salwaar kameez, kaftans and dupattas. The colours that I have used there are also very subtle.”

“She is playing the role of a tortured girl in the movie and this demanded a very subtle look,” he added.

Was it difficult to portray Bipasha as a simple girl?

“Not at all. She is someone who carries every outfit with elan. She is beautiful and sexy and looks very feminine. The character of this simple Kashmiri Muslim girl has brought out that femininity,” Rocky explained.

“It took me about one-and-a-half months to create the look for her. But at the end of the day, I am very happy with her look,” he added.

Mumbai-based Rocky S is in the capital to participate in the three day Van Heusen India Mens Week (VHIMW) that opened Friday.

Rocky’s Bollywood clientele includes John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Shilpa Shetty. When asked which celebrity would walk the ramp at VHIMW, the designer said: “Now I don’t need any celebrity to prove myself.”

Apart from “Lamhaa”, he is also designing for Katrina Kaif in Priyadarshan’s “De Dana Dan” but refused to divulge any details.

Priyadarshan amazed at winning National Award: “This Is My First Award Ever”

Priyadarshan who’s shooting in distant Karaikudi cannot believe his Tamil film Kanchivaram has won the National award for best film.

“This isn’t just my first National award it’s my first award ever Can you believe, in my career of 25 years as film director this is the first time I’ve won an award. And that I’ve won it for Kanchivaram is a very special thing for me. This film is very close to my heart.” Says the director emotionally, even as he prepares for the release of his next masala film De Dana Dan.

“Now when the critics see De Dana Dan they’ll say Priyan is back to his old tricks,” chuckles the prolific director. “But I am proud of my masala films as well. It’s very important for a film to get an audience. And my comedies are big successes. I can’t fight success. I will continue to make the massy comedies,” says the director whose films have often been accused if being wholesale adaptations of South Indian films.

Ironically all his serious-toned films in Hindi including the recent Billu with Shah Rukh Khan have been failures. “I’ve to make what the audience likes. But now, I also have to make films that are close to my heart.”

“Kanchivaram is a completely original screenplay. And I’m really happy for my leading man Prakash Raj. He has breathed life into the role of the silk weaver. Sabu Cyril who has worked many times with me got the National award for best art direction. Sabu has made every frame look like a silk saree woven with love and care.”

Sadly Priyan missed out on the National award for best director. “But no regrets. Adoor Gopalkrishnan is a colleague I greatly admire. He deserved it. I’m just glad to be finally recognized after all these years.”

Contrary to reports in a section of the press (put out by vested interests jumping the gun to create hype around their nominated films) Anil Kapoor’s Gandhi My Father and Shah Rukh prestigious starrer Chak De have lost the Nagis Dutt Award for Best Film On National Integration to Bhavna Talwar’s Dharm.

Confirming this Dharm’s producer Sheetal Talwar says, “Yes, our film has won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration. We’re proud because the other nominee was Chak De, which was a very good film. My wife Bhavna is the first debutant director to win this award. Earlier it has gone to stalwarts like Mani Ratnam.”

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saw Dharm at a special screening some time ago. “The last time he had seen a film was Lage Raho Munnabhai,” says Sheetal proudly.

However Sheetal Talwar is miffed that Pankaj Kapoor has lost the best actor award in Dharm to Prakash Raj. “I’ve seen Kanchivaram and it deserves every National award that it has got. But I thought Prakash, though brilliant, was a little over-the-top. Pankaj in our film was incredibly subtle and nuanced.”

Prakash Raj has won the award for his sterling performance as silk weaver in Priyadarshan’s Kanchivaram. This would be Prakash’s second National award. He earlier won the best supporting actor award for Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar.

The film has also beaten the popular entry Taare Zameen Par for the best film category.

Taare Zameen Par has to be content with winning the National award for best Hindi film.

Priyadarshan who hoped to win the National award for best director has lost the award to the awards favorite Adoor Gopalkrishan who won for the Malayalam film Nalu Pennnugal.

The National award for best actress has gone to Kannada politician-actress Umashree for Grirish Kasaravalli’s Gulabi Talkies. The National award for best first film has gone to Shivajee Chandrabhushan’s Frozen beating the other popular entry Amrit Sagar’s 1971 in the category.

Priyadarshan can’t believe he’s won National Award

Priyadarshan, currently shooting in Karaikudi, cannot believe his Tamil film “Kanchivaram” has won the National Award for Best Film. “This isn’t just my first National Award, it’s my first award ever!” he exclaims.

“Can you believe, in my career of 25 years as film director this is the first time I’ve won an award? And that I’ve won it for ‘Kanchivaram’ is a very special thing for me. This film is very close to my heart,” says the director emotionally, even as he prepares for the release of his next masala film “De Dana Dan”.

He was reacting soon after the 55th National Film Awards for 2007 were announced in New Delhi Monday.

“Now when the critics see ‘De Dana Dan’ they’ll say Priyan is back to his old tricks,” chuckles the prolific director.

“But I am proud of my masala films as well. It’s very important for a film to get an audience. And my comedies are big successes. I can’t fight success. I will continue to make the massy comedies,” says the director whose films have often been accused of being wholesale adaptations of South Indian hits.

Ironically, all his serious-toned films in Hindi including the recent “Billu” with Shah Rukh Khan have been failures.

“I’ve to make what the audience likes. But now I also have to make films that are close to my heart.

“‘Kanchivaram’ is a completely original screenplay. And I’m really happy for my leading man Prakash Raj. He has breathed life into the role of the silk weaver. Sabu Cyril who has worked many times with me got the National Award for Best Art Direction. Sabu has made every frame look like a silk saree woven with love and care.”

Sadly Priyan missed out on the National Award for Best Director. “But no regrets. Adoor Gopalkrishnan is a colleague I greatly admire. He deserved it. I’m just glad to be finally recognised after all these years.”

Gopalkrishnan won the award for “Nalu Pennnugal”.

Priyadarshan to remake Tamil hit ‘Anjathey’ in Hindi

Filmmaker Priyadarshan is so impressed with Tamil director Mysskin’s “Anjathey” that he wants him to remake it in Hindi under his banner Four Frames Entertainment.

Priyadarshan described the film as one of the best recent movies. Mysskin has accepted the offer and will soon start the film’s shoot in Mumbai, said a source.

Priyadarshan will also join hands with Kamal Haasan for a period film, in which the versatile actor will play the role of a king.

Trisha thanks Priyadarshan for ticket to Bollywood

Southern actress Trisha describes her entry into Bollywood as dream debut and thanks her mentor, filmmaker Priyadarshan, who launched her in Tamil movies with “Lesa Lesa” seven years ago, for now introducing her to Hindi films as well.

Priyan has signed Trisha for the Hindi movie “Khatta Meetha” opposite Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.

“My lucky director Priyadarshan, who introduced me in Tamil movies, is giving me a break in Hindi films too. After my debut in ‘Lesa, Lesa’, I was reticent about my career. Now with a firm foot in southern cinema, things have worked out for Bollywood as well, thanks to Priyadarshan. I have a meaty role on par with Akshay in the movie,” Trisha told IANS.

The former Miss Chennai has one more reason to feel happy about her association with Akshay. Yes, she has signed on the dotted lines for two more Hindi movies to be made by the Akshay’s production house, Hari Om Productions.

“I should consider myself lucky. Though I had several offers from Bollywood earlier, I couldn’t accommodate the dates as I was busy with Tamil and Telugu films. Now the moment has come and that too in a big way. Three movies and a dream debut opposite Akshay Kumar, that too directed by my mentor Priyadarshan,” she says with a vivacious smile.

Asked will she bid adieu to south Indian films now, Trisha said: “No. I have done over 30 films in various south Indian languages. Why do you think I should say bye to my native?”

She also rubbished rumours that she had pulled out of “Aadukalam”.

“I am extremely happy to be part of the movie directed by Vettrimaran. However, if the dates allotted for the film will clash with my Hindi movies, I will have to rethink about it. But as of now, the rumours are baseless,” she said.

The actress is optimistic about stiff competition in Bollywood.

“There is competition everywhere. It keeps one going. When I entered southern film industry, Simran and Jyothika were ruling the roost. Competition makes you give your best. And I am ready for the game,” she said.