Filmfare awards night

Bollywood actors Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor hosting the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008.

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan performing at the the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008.

Bollywood actors Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan walking the red Carpet at the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008.

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra wins the Filmfare award for Best Actor (Female) for Fashion at the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008

VJs sizzle at MTV launch

It was glitz and glamour as MTV rolled out its new slate of programs and personalities on December 13, 2008. Present at the event were VJs Deepti Gujral and Bani.

Shah Rukh’s biography a hit in Poland

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is a favourite icon of Polish youth and all his films are lapped up eagerly in Poland. Now, a biography of the Indian actor has been translated in the Polish language and received very well.

Massive publicity has been given to film journalist Anupama Chopra’s book King of Bollywood  throughout Poland.

Lifesized posters of Shah Rukh Khan with the book title,King of Bollywood, have been displayed at the underground stations in Warsaw and all important places in big cities. Word of mouth publicity is also adding to the book’s sales.

Shah Rukh’s popularity among Polish youth began with Kbhi Khushi Kabhie Gham when it was released in January 2005 with Polish subtitles. It was the first megahit from Bollywood that enchanted the Polish people. Since then most of Shah Rukh’s films have been superhits in Poland, whether it was Dile Se, Kabhi Alvinda Na Kehna  or the evergreen Main Hoon Na.

To cash in on Shah Rukh’s popularity, the most important newspaper Gezeta Wyborcza, a few months ago started selling Bollywood films along with its weekly edition at throwaway prices to boost sales.

“The name of Shah Rukh has become a common home name. The profile of India has gained many notches in the Polish psyche. It is a sheer phenomenon if not anything else,” said Piotr Klodkowski, ambassador-designate to India and a wellknown Indologist, while addressing the Warsaw Rotary Club.

“To my mind after Kama Sutra  it is Bollywood and Shah Rukh which have given tremendous popularity to India over the past several decades,” said Klodkowski.

“The Bollywood popularity has given new dimensions to Indian culture,” added Janusz Krzyzowski, president of the India-Polish Cultural Committee. “When we organise any classical dance recital or musical programme, people feel more attracted and our programmes are more appreciated by the audience.”