Influential Bollywood director and producer Yash Chopra will be honoured as filmmaker of the year at one of Asia's biggest film events, South Korea's Pusan International Film Festival, organisers said on Thursday.
Chopra will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, considered one of the top cinema honours in Asia, during the festival that runs from October 8 to 16 in the South Korean southern port city.
"As the most influential producer and director in India over decades, Chopra has made remarkable contributions to establish Bollywood cinema on the global stage," the organisers said in a statement.
The festival will screen several films he directed or produced, including the 1991 movie "Lamhe", also known as "Moments."
Chopra is the founder of Yash Raj Films, described by festival organisers as India's largest film production company.
Previous winners of the award have included Hong Kong actor and producer Andy Lau and the late Taiwanese director Edward Yang
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Anil slips on world power ranking, Mukesh out from world's 100 most powerful people
The Ambani brothers seem to be losing on their world ranking due to the prolonged sibling rivalry.
While Anil has slipped 30 places down in the list of the world's 100 most powerful people, Mukesh has made an exit from the list.
Ranked 97th in the latest edition of the annual ranking compiled by British fashion magazine Vanity Fair, Anil is the only Indian in the list, which is topped by financial services behemoth Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.
Anil was ranked at 67th position jointly with Mukesh in the previous year's list.
The current list, described as 'The New Establishment 2009' by the magazine, also figures names like Apple's iconic chief Steve Jobs and legendary investor Warren Buffett and these 100 people have been described as the world's most powerful in today's information age.
"Ambani was the biggest loser when Forbes published its annual wealth ranking in March: his fortune fell by $32 billion, to $10 billion. But that still left him with plenty of cash to close a Bollywood-meets-Hollywood deal with Steven Spielberg to make a $500 million investment in DreamWorks (along with the rights to distribute its films in India)," Vanity Fair said about Anil.
While Anil has slipped 30 places down in the list of the world's 100 most powerful people, Mukesh has made an exit from the list.
Ranked 97th in the latest edition of the annual ranking compiled by British fashion magazine Vanity Fair, Anil is the only Indian in the list, which is topped by financial services behemoth Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.
Anil was ranked at 67th position jointly with Mukesh in the previous year's list.
The current list, described as 'The New Establishment 2009' by the magazine, also figures names like Apple's iconic chief Steve Jobs and legendary investor Warren Buffett and these 100 people have been described as the world's most powerful in today's information age.
"Ambani was the biggest loser when Forbes published its annual wealth ranking in March: his fortune fell by $32 billion, to $10 billion. But that still left him with plenty of cash to close a Bollywood-meets-Hollywood deal with Steven Spielberg to make a $500 million investment in DreamWorks (along with the rights to distribute its films in India)," Vanity Fair said about Anil.
I will attract more people to IPL: Salman Khan
All of a sudden Salman Khan is a part of Indian sport. He wants to buy a team in the Indian Premier League and he is the brand ambassador of Indian football. So what's prompting the Bollywood superstar to take this sporting journey? CNN-IBN put all the important questions to Salman Khan in a freewheeling chat.
CNN-IBN: You are the brand ambassador for Indian football and you are also interested in buying a IPL team. How does that work?
Salman Khan: Why not? I would have done the same if it was a swimming team or a cycling team. I just want to get into sports. I think if I can get people into the gym, I am sure I can bring people in the field as well.
CNN-IBN: How far has that progressed? I believe you had a good meeting with Lalit Modi.
Salman Khan: I just found out how that works. I came to know about the bidding system. And I will bid next year. If it works out and we get the bid, then we have the team; if not we will try again.
CNN-IBN: Are you going to be a sole owner or a co-owner?
Salman Khan: We have to work all those details out. I have not figured it out yet.
CNN-IBN: Any members of your family is going to be involved in it?
Salman Khan: My dad and Arbaaz (Khan) are both huge cricket fans. So may be.
CNN-IBN: What attracts so many actors from the Indian film industry to the Indian Premier League?
Salman Khan: I think Twenty20. It's got glamour to it, it has speed, it's got the zing.
CNN-IBN: What sort of role do you see for yourself. Will you be out there dancing or be the behind man support.
Salman Khan: I am just going to be in the stands. You are not allowed on the field unless you are playing.
CNN-IBN: If you are owning a team, you have to be involved in all aspects and that requires different skills from what you are used to.
Salman Khan: If I am jumping in the water, I have to learn how to swim; I will drown otherwise. So I am jumping in, may be while in mid air I will probably learn.
CNN-IBN: You are the brand ambassador for Indian football and you are also interested in buying a IPL team. How does that work?
Salman Khan: Why not? I would have done the same if it was a swimming team or a cycling team. I just want to get into sports. I think if I can get people into the gym, I am sure I can bring people in the field as well.
CNN-IBN: How far has that progressed? I believe you had a good meeting with Lalit Modi.
Salman Khan: I just found out how that works. I came to know about the bidding system. And I will bid next year. If it works out and we get the bid, then we have the team; if not we will try again.
CNN-IBN: Are you going to be a sole owner or a co-owner?
Salman Khan: We have to work all those details out. I have not figured it out yet.
CNN-IBN: Any members of your family is going to be involved in it?
Salman Khan: My dad and Arbaaz (Khan) are both huge cricket fans. So may be.
CNN-IBN: What attracts so many actors from the Indian film industry to the Indian Premier League?
Salman Khan: I think Twenty20. It's got glamour to it, it has speed, it's got the zing.
CNN-IBN: What sort of role do you see for yourself. Will you be out there dancing or be the behind man support.
Salman Khan: I am just going to be in the stands. You are not allowed on the field unless you are playing.
CNN-IBN: If you are owning a team, you have to be involved in all aspects and that requires different skills from what you are used to.
Salman Khan: If I am jumping in the water, I have to learn how to swim; I will drown otherwise. So I am jumping in, may be while in mid air I will probably learn.
YS Jaganmohan in YSR's shadow
Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, 37, who is being pushed to succeed his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as Andhra Pradesh chief minister, is a media baron who runs popular the Telugu daily Sakshi and a television channel by the same name.
The state cabinet presided over by K Rosaiah, who was installed as caretaker chief minister Thursday, passed a resolution urging the Congress party's central leadership to let Jaganmohan take over the mantle of the state, though the high command is yet to decide on YSR's successor.
The decision also has a backing of some 100-odd legislators, who have even launched a campaign to put Jaganmohan in the saddle.
There is also an SMS doing the rounds, saying: "When Indira Gandhi expired Rajiv Gandhi was made the prime minister. Why not Jagan be made chief minister now?" The SMS is being circulated by Jaganmohan's supporters.
Jaganmohan Reddy, a first time MP from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, received his early education from Pulivendula--also the place of his birth-- and went on to get a Master's degree in business administration. While in college, he took active part in sports, excelled in cricket and won several shields at various inter-collegiate tournaments.
His supporters argue that by projecting Jaganmohan Reddy as a young entrepreneur and a philanthropist, they could counter the charisma of those cine stars who have either started new political outfits or have been actively campaigning for regional parties. Jaganmohan is married and has a school-going daughter.
Making Jaganmohan the chief minister would be a real tribute to the deceased leader, state Health Minister D Nagender said.
Born on December 21, 1972, Jaganmohan joined the Congress in his young years and was inspired by the late Rajiv Gandhi. He also has a website ysjaganreddy.com, that claims he is an industrialist who sets up factories in remote villages to create employment opportunities for the poor.
There is a groundswell of support for Jaganmohan. While many legislators met Union Minister for law and in-charge of party affairs in the state M. Veerappa Moily and submitted a memorandum to make him the chief minister, some even went to Praja Rajyam Party president K. Chiranjeevi to request him to support Jaganmohan Reddy's candidature.
A group of MPs held a meeting here and decided to place their demand before Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Some party workers sitting outside Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters in the city, said they would not accept anybody other than YSR's son to head the state government.
YSR was killed in a chopper crash while travelling to Chittoor from Hyderabad in inclement weather Wednesday. The mangled remains of the helicopter and the bodies of the chief minister and four others accompanying him were located on Thursday morning in the Nallamala jungles.
The state cabinet presided over by K Rosaiah, who was installed as caretaker chief minister Thursday, passed a resolution urging the Congress party's central leadership to let Jaganmohan take over the mantle of the state, though the high command is yet to decide on YSR's successor.
The decision also has a backing of some 100-odd legislators, who have even launched a campaign to put Jaganmohan in the saddle.
There is also an SMS doing the rounds, saying: "When Indira Gandhi expired Rajiv Gandhi was made the prime minister. Why not Jagan be made chief minister now?" The SMS is being circulated by Jaganmohan's supporters.
Jaganmohan Reddy, a first time MP from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, received his early education from Pulivendula--also the place of his birth-- and went on to get a Master's degree in business administration. While in college, he took active part in sports, excelled in cricket and won several shields at various inter-collegiate tournaments.
His supporters argue that by projecting Jaganmohan Reddy as a young entrepreneur and a philanthropist, they could counter the charisma of those cine stars who have either started new political outfits or have been actively campaigning for regional parties. Jaganmohan is married and has a school-going daughter.
Making Jaganmohan the chief minister would be a real tribute to the deceased leader, state Health Minister D Nagender said.
Born on December 21, 1972, Jaganmohan joined the Congress in his young years and was inspired by the late Rajiv Gandhi. He also has a website ysjaganreddy.com, that claims he is an industrialist who sets up factories in remote villages to create employment opportunities for the poor.
There is a groundswell of support for Jaganmohan. While many legislators met Union Minister for law and in-charge of party affairs in the state M. Veerappa Moily and submitted a memorandum to make him the chief minister, some even went to Praja Rajyam Party president K. Chiranjeevi to request him to support Jaganmohan Reddy's candidature.
A group of MPs held a meeting here and decided to place their demand before Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Some party workers sitting outside Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters in the city, said they would not accept anybody other than YSR's son to head the state government.
YSR was killed in a chopper crash while travelling to Chittoor from Hyderabad in inclement weather Wednesday. The mangled remains of the helicopter and the bodies of the chief minister and four others accompanying him were located on Thursday morning in the Nallamala jungles.
Bigg Boss 3 to be hosted by Big B
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will return to the small screen after a gap of four years to host the third season of Colors' popular reality show Bigg Boss, a well-placed source confirmed on Friday.
" Bigg Boss is set to get bigger. And Amitabh Bachchan is going to take over as host from Shilpa Shetty, who hosted it last season," the source told IANS.
The Indian version of the popular British reality show Big Brother, Bigg Boss will have celebrity contestants locked into a house under the surveillance of multiple cameras for a period of three months without any contact with the outside world.
Periodic eliminations will take place based on voting by housemates and the audiences.
The show is expected to go on air around December.
Big B, who had a super hit stint as the host of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" for two seasons, will be seen on the show on the days of the elimination.
The inaugural Bigg Boss show in 2006 had Arshad Warsi as the host.
" Bigg Boss is set to get bigger. And Amitabh Bachchan is going to take over as host from Shilpa Shetty, who hosted it last season," the source told IANS.
The Indian version of the popular British reality show Big Brother, Bigg Boss will have celebrity contestants locked into a house under the surveillance of multiple cameras for a period of three months without any contact with the outside world.
Periodic eliminations will take place based on voting by housemates and the audiences.
The show is expected to go on air around December.
Big B, who had a super hit stint as the host of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" for two seasons, will be seen on the show on the days of the elimination.
The inaugural Bigg Boss show in 2006 had Arshad Warsi as the host.
67 die after YSR's(Andhra Chief minster) death
More than 60 people across Andhra Pradesh have died of shock or committed suicide after the death of their chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, prompting his MP son Y S Jagannathan Reddy to appeal to his late father's admirers to be patient and brave.
"I appeal to all of you to be patient and be brave in this hour of tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to see a smile on the faces of all and if you resort to such things (suicide) this will hurt him," said Jaganmohan, trying to hard to control his tears.
"I request you not to commit suicide," said Jaganmohan, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Kadapa in recent elections and is being seen by many as the next chief minister.
The appeal before the camera was telecast on all Telugu television channels.
Telugu television channels estimated that 67 people died of shock on hearing the news of their leader's death in a horrific air crash Thursday or committed suicide, unable to bear the loss. Most of those who died of shock were watching news of YSR's death on television.
This is the first time in the state's history that such a large number of people have died over the death of any political leader.
YSR, as the late leader was popularly known, has surpassed in death the popularity of actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N.T. Rama Rao who died in 1996.
A large number of those who died of shock included young supporters of YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by him in the last five years. They suffered a cardiac arrest following the news of the chief minister's death in the helicopter crash.
The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state. In the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and four committed suicide.
"YSR dedicated his life to people, I am dedicating my life to him," a youth wrote in his suicide note before consuming pesticide.
A physically handicapped couple, who were getting monthly pension under a welfare scheme, attempted suicide by jumping into the Godavari river but were saved by fishermen.
In Hyderabad, 42-year-old Yadgiri died of shock while watching news of YSR's death on television. M Srinivas, 30, suffered cardiac arrest.
"I appeal to all of you to be patient and be brave in this hour of tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to see a smile on the faces of all and if you resort to such things (suicide) this will hurt him," said Jaganmohan, trying to hard to control his tears.
"I request you not to commit suicide," said Jaganmohan, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Kadapa in recent elections and is being seen by many as the next chief minister.
The appeal before the camera was telecast on all Telugu television channels.
Telugu television channels estimated that 67 people died of shock on hearing the news of their leader's death in a horrific air crash Thursday or committed suicide, unable to bear the loss. Most of those who died of shock were watching news of YSR's death on television.
This is the first time in the state's history that such a large number of people have died over the death of any political leader.
YSR, as the late leader was popularly known, has surpassed in death the popularity of actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N.T. Rama Rao who died in 1996.
A large number of those who died of shock included young supporters of YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by him in the last five years. They suffered a cardiac arrest following the news of the chief minister's death in the helicopter crash.
The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state. In the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and four committed suicide.
"YSR dedicated his life to people, I am dedicating my life to him," a youth wrote in his suicide note before consuming pesticide.
A physically handicapped couple, who were getting monthly pension under a welfare scheme, attempted suicide by jumping into the Godavari river but were saved by fishermen.
In Hyderabad, 42-year-old Yadgiri died of shock while watching news of YSR's death on television. M Srinivas, 30, suffered cardiac arrest.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Bitter truth: India drought may trigger world sugar crisis
India has enough grain stocks to ride out an expected poor harvest, but the failure of the monsoon adds to global uncertainty about food and grain stocks, the head of an agricultural think tank said on Wednesday.
India's monsoon rains have been 29 per cent below normal since the beginning of the June-September season, hurting crops such as rice and cane and triggering a sharp rise in food prices in India and sugar futures abroad.
For the time being, India has built up sufficient grains stocks, said Joachim von Braun, director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute, but warned that the uneven rainfall has raised concerns.
"If government food distribution systems and national markets operate well, there should not be any serious issue for increasing hunger," he said in Beijing.
"But it will draw down stocks and that will make the international market again more nervous. It is very difficult to rebuild stocks from the low levels we have."
IFPRI in April released a report that warned of a rush by wealthier nations afraid of food shortages to buy agricultural land, particularly in Africa.
It called for standards of transparency and ethics in the acquisitions, to avoid people being displaced from land or food being exported during a crisis.
The deal spree was triggered by a spike in agricultural prices in 2008, as high energy prices triggered greater interest in biofuel, that caused many countries, especially in Asia, to limit exports and build domestic reserves.
"It's systematic, it's there to stay, and it shouldn't surprise us. The undermining of trust in trade through the export bans of last year... has not been forgotten," he said.
"It was a huge failing of the world trading system."
IFPRI has tracked land deals and leases totalling 20 million to 25 million hectares, an area greater than France, von Braun estimated. Investors in overseas land include hedge funds, private entrepreneurs and state-backed corporations, as well as government-to-government deals.
Between one-third and one-half of the overseas land deals studied by IFPRI have been for the purpose of growing crops for biofuels, he said
India's monsoon rains have been 29 per cent below normal since the beginning of the June-September season, hurting crops such as rice and cane and triggering a sharp rise in food prices in India and sugar futures abroad.
For the time being, India has built up sufficient grains stocks, said Joachim von Braun, director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute, but warned that the uneven rainfall has raised concerns.
"If government food distribution systems and national markets operate well, there should not be any serious issue for increasing hunger," he said in Beijing.
"But it will draw down stocks and that will make the international market again more nervous. It is very difficult to rebuild stocks from the low levels we have."
IFPRI in April released a report that warned of a rush by wealthier nations afraid of food shortages to buy agricultural land, particularly in Africa.
It called for standards of transparency and ethics in the acquisitions, to avoid people being displaced from land or food being exported during a crisis.
The deal spree was triggered by a spike in agricultural prices in 2008, as high energy prices triggered greater interest in biofuel, that caused many countries, especially in Asia, to limit exports and build domestic reserves.
"It's systematic, it's there to stay, and it shouldn't surprise us. The undermining of trust in trade through the export bans of last year... has not been forgotten," he said.
"It was a huge failing of the world trading system."
IFPRI has tracked land deals and leases totalling 20 million to 25 million hectares, an area greater than France, von Braun estimated. Investors in overseas land include hedge funds, private entrepreneurs and state-backed corporations, as well as government-to-government deals.
Between one-third and one-half of the overseas land deals studied by IFPRI have been for the purpose of growing crops for biofuels, he said
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