bollywood

February 8, 2011

Ten years and two wars after 9/11, America’s struggle against Islamist terrorism is nowhere close to succeeding. And there is no better admission of failure than new airport security procedures to grope and fondle Americans. But if a superpower like America can’t vanquish this scourge, is there any force in the world that can?

Shah Rukh Khan's new TV show starting on Tuesday explores new frontiers of Indian diplomacy — more specifically, how Bollywood is at the cutting edge of influencing new continents. The TV series 'Wipe Out (Zor ka Jhatka)' will show stunning videos of Argentina for the next couple of weeks.

The Jaipur Literature Festival, which wrapped up Tuesday, is India at its best, and occasionally not-so-best, proving that the proud emerging nation can easily trounce China in at least this category: the soft-power world of ideas, debate, criticism and a willingness to question authority.

January 23, 2011

Kutch may be Gujarat's most barren region, but it has given birth to people with the most fertile imagination. Films, music, literature... Kutchis have left their imprint on everything creative.

Glitz, glamour and the biggest stars from India's movie industry will converge on Canada's largest city this summer in what is being pegged as Bollywood's most highly anticipated event of the year. "Toronto will be Bollywod central," proclaimed film star Anil Kapoor at the official launch Wednesday for the 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA).

Cultural exchange was an important part of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s agenda during his visit to the city. On Wednesday, he met a delegation of filmmakers at Yash Raj Films Studio in Andheri. The idea was to encourage and improve cultural relations with Bollywood.

Bollywood finds mention in WikiLeaks in a confidential cable sent by U.S. diplomats in India suggesting that the appeal of Bollywood stars in Afghanistan could aid international efforts to stabilize the country. Media reports here over the weekend have quoted the March 2007 cable that was a response to a request from Washington for "specific, concrete ideas for opportunities for India to use soft power in helping Afghanistan's reconstruction."

From Raj Kapoor to Aishwarya Rai, Russia's romance with Bollywood continues. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will keep this old affair burning when he visits the master showman's studio in Mumbai and interact with stars.

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