2010: Bad Press For Bollywood

Bollywood's calendar this year was marked by controversy and headlines of the wrong sort. SRK's IPL related comments nearly did him in while Karan Johar got more Konversation than he bargained for on his show. All in all, an eventful year for the film fratpack.

  • Bollywood's calendar this year was marked by controversy and headlines of the wrong sort. SRK's IPL related comments nearly did him in while Karan Johar got more Konversation than he bargained for on his show. All in all, an eventful year for the film fratpack.
    Bollywood's calendar this year was marked by controversy and headlines of the wrong sort. SRK's IPL related comments nearly did him in while Karan Johar got more Konversation than he bargained for on his show. All in all, an eventful year for the film fratpack.
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  • <b>MNIK- Shiv Sena controversy</b>: The release of SRK starrer My Name Is Khan was marred by the Badshah's ill timed criticism of the fact that no Pakistani cricketers had been bought by the IPL. Shiv Sena's misplaced patriotism raised it's ugly head against the Kolkata Knight Riders' owner, burning effigies of him and threatening to block the release of My Name Is Khan unless the star apologized. SRK stood his ground and offered to meet Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to discuss the issue. Theatres across Mumbai refused to open bookings for the movie and those that did were attacked by Sena activists. The Maharashtra government stepped in and My Name Is Khan opened to full houses against a backdrop of tight police supervision
    MNIK- Shiv Sena controversy: The release of SRK starrer My Name Is Khan was marred by the Badshah's ill timed criticism of the fact that no Pakistani cricketers had been bought by the IPL. Shiv Sena's misplaced patriotism raised it's ugly head against the Kolkata Knight Riders' owner, burning effigies of him and threatening to block the release of My Name Is Khan unless the star apologized. SRK stood his ground and offered to meet Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to discuss the issue. Theatres across Mumbai refused to open bookings for the movie and those that did were attacked by Sena activists. The Maharashtra government stepped in and My Name Is Khan opened to full houses against a backdrop of tight police supervision
  • <b>Ranbir- Deepika, Sonam on KOffee with Karan</b>: Karan Johar and season 3 of Koffee With Karan went into unintentional overdrive when Ranbir Kapoor's ex-flame Deepika Padukone, and rumoured ex-flame Sonam Kapoor appeared together on the show. Both actresses took potshots at the absent Ranbir with Deepika wanting to give him a pack of condoms and Sonam calling him ?not sexy'. Ranbir-daddy Rishi took offence to Sonam's forthrightness and, in return, her dad Anil Kapoor spoke up to say it was silly of Rishi to take petty fights seriously
    Ranbir- Deepika, Sonam on KOffee with Karan: Karan Johar and season 3 of Koffee With Karan went into unintentional overdrive when Ranbir Kapoor's ex-flame Deepika Padukone, and rumoured ex-flame Sonam Kapoor appeared together on the show. Both actresses took potshots at the absent Ranbir with Deepika wanting to give him a pack of condoms and Sonam calling him ‘not sexy'. Ranbir-daddy Rishi took offence to Sonam's forthrightness and, in return, her dad Anil Kapoor spoke up to say it was silly of Rishi to take petty fights seriously
  • <b>Yana Gupta</b>: Yana Gupta's wardrobe didn't so much malfunction as go M.I.A. Buckling under the radar, she put herself right back on the map by claiming to be a ?no panty girl? in an interview. That did the trick and the former Kingfisher calendar girl was among the hottest Internet searches for some weeks, even being photographed without her scanties. She's now back in the public consciousness as contestant on reality dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Ja and has reportedly been offered a crore to do a nude cover for a men's magazine
    Yana Gupta: Yana Gupta's wardrobe didn't so much malfunction as go M.I.A. Buckling under the radar, she put herself right back on the map by claiming to be a “no panty girl” in an interview. That did the trick and the former Kingfisher calendar girl was among the hottest Internet searches for some weeks, even being photographed without her scanties. She's now back in the public consciousness as contestant on reality dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Ja and has reportedly been offered a crore to do a nude cover for a men's magazine
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  • <b>Sleaze on TV</b>: Reality bit back hard when Bigg Boss 4 and Rakhi Ka Insaaf discovered there was only so much sleaze and sensation they could get away with on national television. A televised wedding night and an allged suicide finally prompted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to all but pull the plug on the increasingly obscene shows. Both shows were moved out of TV prime time to after 11pm and the government decision got support from unexpected quarters including former Bigg Boss participants who agreed that the content was unfit for general consumption
    Sleaze on TV: Reality bit back hard when Bigg Boss 4 and Rakhi Ka Insaaf discovered there was only so much sleaze and sensation they could get away with on national television. A televised wedding night and an allged suicide finally prompted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to all but pull the plug on the increasingly obscene shows. Both shows were moved out of TV prime time to after 11pm and the government decision got support from unexpected quarters including former Bigg Boss participants who agreed that the content was unfit for general consumption
  • <b>Rakhi Ka Insaaf</b>: Where be Rakhi Sawant, there be headlines. This year, she helmed a controversial talk show called <i>Rakhi Ka Insaaf</i> on which she called a participant ?namard'. The participant, Lakshman Prasad from Madhya Pradesh, took Rakhi's words to heart so much that he stopped eating and drinking, and finally died. <I>Rakhi Ka Insaaf</I> also brought upon itself the wrath of many women's rights groups who objected to it's indecent content, forcing the show's time slot to be pushed to 11 pm.
    Rakhi Ka Insaaf: Where be Rakhi Sawant, there be headlines. This year, she helmed a controversial talk show called Rakhi Ka Insaaf on which she called a participant ‘namard'. The participant, Lakshman Prasad from Madhya Pradesh, took Rakhi's words to heart so much that he stopped eating and drinking, and finally died. Rakhi Ka Insaaf also brought upon itself the wrath of many women's rights groups who objected to it's indecent content, forcing the show's time slot to be pushed to 11 pm.
  • <b>Sonam - Shobha De</b>: Current Bollywood It Girl Sonam Kapoor's style statements competed for news space with her other statements. Apart from getting candid on Koffee With Karan, she proved her brain was not wired to her mouth by taking on noted writer Shobhaa De who criticized her performance in I Hate Luv Storys. The Saawariya actress joined director Puneet Malhotra in calling the lady ?a fossil who's getting no action?. Better sense prevailed later and Sonam apologized publicly, Tweeting "Mrs De I owe you an apology for getting personal. I'm ashamed for my momentary lapse in judgement. And apologetic.. Every writer and journalist and audience are entitled to their opinion and I respect that."
    Sonam - Shobha De: Current Bollywood It Girl Sonam Kapoor's style statements competed for news space with her other statements. Apart from getting candid on Koffee With Karan, she proved her brain was not wired to her mouth by taking on noted writer Shobhaa De who criticized her performance in I Hate Luv Storys. The Saawariya actress joined director Puneet Malhotra in calling the lady “a fossil who's getting no action”. Better sense prevailed later and Sonam apologized publicly, Tweeting "Mrs De I owe you an apology for getting personal. I'm ashamed for my momentary lapse in judgement. And apologetic.. Every writer and journalist and audience are entitled to their opinion and I respect that."
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  • <b>Salman - Sanjay Leela Bhansali</b>: Salman Khan ruined his Dabangg dream run by making fun of former friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish. The actor reportedly said: <i>Usme machchar udti hai par koi makkhi bhi nahin gaya dekhne</i>. While Bhansali, who has directed Salman in hit films <i>Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam</i> and <i>Khamoshi</i> didn't say anything, Guzaarish's main lead Hrithik reacted, saying that Salman was not being graceful.
    Salman - Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Salman Khan ruined his Dabangg dream run by making fun of former friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish. The actor reportedly said: Usme machchar udti hai par koi makkhi bhi nahin gaya dekhne. While Bhansali, who has directed Salman in hit films Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Khamoshi didn't say anything, Guzaarish's main lead Hrithik reacted, saying that Salman was not being graceful.
  • <b>Aamir - Chetan Bhagat</b>: Aamir Khan starrer <i>3 Idiots</i> made headlines even before it released in 2009 and the controversy spilled over into this year. Author Chetan Bhagat's book Five Point Someone was credited as being the basis for the story, but thi was not enough for Bhagat who maintained that producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had copied the entire story from his book. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Aamir were joined by director Rajkumar Hirani in a press conference they held to make their stand clear.
    Aamir - Chetan Bhagat: Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots made headlines even before it released in 2009 and the controversy spilled over into this year. Author Chetan Bhagat's book Five Point Someone was credited as being the basis for the story, but thi was not enough for Bhagat who maintained that producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had copied the entire story from his book. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Aamir were joined by director Rajkumar Hirani in a press conference they held to make their stand clear.
  • <b>Munni Badnam -- Zandu Balm</b>: <b>Munni Badnaam Hui</i> ruled the radiowaves for months before the makers of Zandu Balm, Emami, woke up to the fact that the use of their product name was less than complimentary. A notice was issued to producer Arbaaz Khan and matters were settled out of court with Malaika Arora Khan being signed on as the brand ambassador of Zandu Balm. Emami had more reason to thank Munni with skyrocketing sales and one of their best second quarter results ever
    Munni Badnam -- Zandu Balm: Munni Badnaam Hui ruled the radiowaves for months before the makers of Zandu Balm, Emami, woke up to the fact that the use of their product name was less than complimentary. A notice was issued to producer Arbaaz Khan and matters were settled out of court with Malaika Arora Khan being signed on as the brand ambassador of Zandu Balm. Emami had more reason to thank Munni with skyrocketing sales and one of their best second quarter results ever
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  • There was smoke and lots of fire for Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was shown cigarette in hand on the posters and in promos of Guzaarish. Three days before the film's release, anti-tobacco activists launched a protest, demanding that the shots should be removed. Bollywood and Aishwarya, they said, influence young people.
    There was smoke and lots of fire for Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was shown cigarette in hand on the posters and in promos of Guzaarish. Three days before the film's release, anti-tobacco activists launched a protest, demanding that the shots should be removed. Bollywood and Aishwarya, they said, influence young people.
  • <b>Karan Johar - RGV</b>: Sticks and stones may break bones but words were the weapon of choice for directors Karan Johar and Ram Gopal Verma. Just when everyone thought the rivalry was cooling off came an RGV comment about KJo's remake of Hollywood tearjerker Stepmom. He Tweeted, "The good thing about official remakes is that we can officially prove to the world how bad as makers we are" . Karan volleyed back with: "It's sad when extreme failure and death of talent drives filmakers into a zone of negativity...sad! But that is the unfortunate truth!"
    Karan Johar - RGV: Sticks and stones may break bones but words were the weapon of choice for directors Karan Johar and Ram Gopal Verma. Just when everyone thought the rivalry was cooling off came an RGV comment about KJo's remake of Hollywood tearjerker Stepmom. He Tweeted, "The good thing about official remakes is that we can officially prove to the world how bad as makers we are" . Karan volleyed back with: "It's sad when extreme failure and death of talent drives filmakers into a zone of negativity...sad! But that is the unfortunate truth!"
  • <b>Anusha Rizvi - Aamir Khan</b>: Aamir Khan found himself in more hot water when director Anusha Rizvi taking issue with Aamir-produced Peepli Live's promotional overdrive. She and husband, and co-director, Mahmood Farooqui refused to lobby for the film in USA even as the film's famous producer ensured it got the kind of attention few movies out of the mainstream get. Aamir's fast developing a reputation of dominating projects he's part of.
    Anusha Rizvi - Aamir Khan: Aamir Khan found himself in more hot water when director Anusha Rizvi taking issue with Aamir-produced Peepli Live's promotional overdrive. She and husband, and co-director, Mahmood Farooqui refused to lobby for the film in USA even as the film's famous producer ensured it got the kind of attention few movies out of the mainstream get. Aamir's fast developing a reputation of dominating projects he's part of.
  • <b>Sherlyn Chopra goes nude</b>: Brazen Bollywood hottie Sherlyn Chopra posted nude pictures of herself on social networking site Twitter. Sherlyn was also quoted to have said that though she adores nudity, she is not yet ready to bare herself fully to the camera. She was later asked to remove her pics from the account. So much for her stock rising!
    Sherlyn Chopra goes nude: Brazen Bollywood hottie Sherlyn Chopra posted nude pictures of herself on social networking site Twitter. Sherlyn was also quoted to have said that though she adores nudity, she is not yet ready to bare herself fully to the camera. She was later asked to remove her pics from the account. So much for her stock rising!
  • <b>Katrina Kaif - False sex tapes</b>: Sex tapes were the Kaif sisters' thing this year. Close on the heels of Isabel Kaif's sex tape scandal came Katrina's. Both videos are fake, featuring lookalikes of the sisters but that hasn't stopped suspicion from raising its ugly head with the authenticity of both videos being hotly debated online.
    Katrina Kaif - False sex tapes: Sex tapes were the Kaif sisters' thing this year. Close on the heels of Isabel Kaif's sex tape scandal came Katrina's. Both videos are fake, featuring lookalikes of the sisters but that hasn't stopped suspicion from raising its ugly head with the authenticity of both videos being hotly debated online.
  • <b>IIFA controversy</b>: IIFA 2010 was held in Sri Lanka with the intention of showcasing the country's emergence from 30 years of civil war. The move backfired as the Tamil film fraternity were up in arms that the awards were to be held at a venue associated with the deaths of Tamil civilians. Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith, Suriya, Mani Ratnam and the rest of the Southern galaxy refused to have anything to do with the event. Angry Tamil protesters parked themselves outside IIFA ambassador Amitabh Bachchan's residence. Finally, Big B and many others from Bollywood stayed away from IIFA 2010. Among the few who did go were Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta and Riteish Deshmukh
    IIFA controversy: IIFA 2010 was held in Sri Lanka with the intention of showcasing the country's emergence from 30 years of civil war. The move backfired as the Tamil film fraternity were up in arms that the awards were to be held at a venue associated with the deaths of Tamil civilians. Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith, Suriya, Mani Ratnam and the rest of the Southern galaxy refused to have anything to do with the event. Angry Tamil protesters parked themselves outside IIFA ambassador Amitabh Bachchan's residence. Finally, Big B and many others from Bollywood stayed away from IIFA 2010. Among the few who did go were Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta and Riteish Deshmukh
  • <b>Aamir Copyright act Panel</b>: And Aamir made up for not starring in a movie this year with yet more melodrama off screen. After a direct confrontation with veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar over the importance of actors in making a song popular, he decided to resign from the 10-member committee looking into proposed amendments to the Copyright Act. Two days later, he was back on the committee. The actor told Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal that he was taking back the resignation as an "amendment to Copyright Act is an extremely important process."
    Aamir Copyright act Panel: And Aamir made up for not starring in a movie this year with yet more melodrama off screen. After a direct confrontation with veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar over the importance of actors in making a song popular, he decided to resign from the 10-member committee looking into proposed amendments to the Copyright Act. Two days later, he was back on the committee. The actor told Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal that he was taking back the resignation as an "amendment to Copyright Act is an extremely important process."
  • <b>Salman's Tweet on 26/11</b>: Salman Khan ruffled feathers just after the release of Dabangg, stating in an interview to Pakistani channel Express TV, "Too much hype has been created around the 26/11 attacks because elite people were targeted. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much." He went on: "Everybody knows that the Pakistani government was not behind it and it was a terrorist attack. Our security had failed. We have had lot of attacks earlier, and all of them were not from Pakistan. They were from within." In the uproar that followed, Salman attempted disaster management in a separate interview to an Indian channel saying "The interview has been twisted. I saw it myself, the way it is coming across on TV, it is sounding insensitive. I was just saying life is equal for both rich and poor, some attacks get more media coverage and some don't. Why is that? Every human life is important." He was quick to apologise, on Twitter, "Looks like I mite hv to get off twitter. Don't want to but wat to do? I think I messed up, so sorry guys, $sorry bolne mein koi sharam nahi."
    Salman's Tweet on 26/11: Salman Khan ruffled feathers just after the release of Dabangg, stating in an interview to Pakistani channel Express TV, "Too much hype has been created around the 26/11 attacks because elite people were targeted. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much." He went on: "Everybody knows that the Pakistani government was not behind it and it was a terrorist attack. Our security had failed. We have had lot of attacks earlier, and all of them were not from Pakistan. They were from within." In the uproar that followed, Salman attempted disaster management in a separate interview to an Indian channel saying "The interview has been twisted. I saw it myself, the way it is coming across on TV, it is sounding insensitive. I was just saying life is equal for both rich and poor, some attacks get more media coverage and some don't. Why is that? Every human life is important." He was quick to apologise, on Twitter, "Looks like I mite hv to get off twitter. Don't want to but wat to do? I think I messed up, so sorry guys, $sorry bolne mein koi sharam nahi."