Zanjeer music average, could have been better

Composer: Chirantan Bhatt

Singers: Mika Singh, Talia Bentson, Mamta Sharma, Meet Bros Anjjan, Wajhi, Palak Muchhal, Sukhwinder Singh, Shabab Sabri, Shweta Pandit, and Shreya Ghoshal

Ratings: * * *

Director Apoorva Lakhia's movie "Zanjeer", a remake of the 1973 movie of the same name, has seven tracks. While retaining the original flavour of the plot, composer Chirantan Bhatt has given it a contemporary twist.

The album begins with stylish Mika Singh number "Mumabi ke hero". This can become the anthem of Mumbai Police as it portrays them in a most heroic way. Amitabh Bachchan's dialogues from the original add nostalgia. Singer Talia Bentson kicks in with a rap and a British accent but does not really impress. It can be summed up as a cool track. 

When will singer Mamta Sharma stop singing item numbers? This is the first thought that comes to mind when the song "Pinky" starts, but nonetheless, it is a full entertainer like all her other numbers. The song with a Marathi flavour scores well in the genre. 

Wajhi sings "Lamha tera mera". He is joined by Palak Muchchal, whose voice is beautiful. It gradually slows down but the moment you start enjoying it, the beats become faster. It's an excellent track gone awry. 

The qawali has its own charm and "Kochey pathan" reveals that perfectly. Singer Sukhwinder Singh's voice is apt for the song. It reminds you of an authentic qawali session. The singers' voice easily reflect the passion of friends. It might not be on a par with "Yaari hai imaan" from the original, but it entertains. 
The next track, "Kaatilana", is interesting. Shweta Pandits's voice is sensuous and beautiful. Surprisingly, this is a melodious and energetic number. 

"Shakila banoo" is a character-driven track. Shreya Goshal croons the song, but there is nothing to write home about. 

The soundtrack of "Zanjeer" is okay, but it could have been grand. "Kochey pathan" stands out.

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PC's rash decision

Priyanka Chopra refuses to shoot in Manali for her upcoming Mary Kom biopic after bug bite on sets leads to skin rash

A birdie chirps to sat that while shooting in Manali for the biopic on Mary Kom, Priyanka Chopra apparently developed a rash on her skin. Sources state that the actress was bitten by a bug at the site

As a result, PC decided not to shoot at the location. Debutant director Omung Kumar apparently tried convincing her but she was adamant. 

The unit was then forced to move to Mumbai and shoot at Filmistan Studios. Hope there were no bugs in the vicinity.

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Oops! Zanjeer remake could face a roadblock

Superstar Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan's Bollywood debut might run into rough weather in Andhra Pradesh due to the Telangana issue

Owing to the ongoing strife across the states of Andhra Pradesh and the newly formed Telangana, actor-politician Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan's upcoming film could face a roadblock.

People across the two states are apparently miffed with Chiranjeevi for his flip-flop political affiliations on the matter. Sources say the local folk could put up a protest by disrupting the screening of his film co-starring Priyanka Chopra.

For the moment, Ram Charan's upcoming film a remake of Amitabh Bachchan's Zanjeer is slated to release on September 6. Says a source, People of Andhra Pradesh are very upset with Chiranjeevi.

He had been against the formation of Telangana and had even gone on a fast in 2009 on the issue. But with his stance changing recently, even his brother Pawan Kalyan's film Camerman Gangatho Rambabu helmed by Puri Jagannath had run into trouble.

With local people accusing the film of hurting sentiments, the film was forced to undergo seven cuts. Despite this, the Telangana activists had called for a ban on the film. Hope with Ram Charan's next, people can see the difference between art and politics, adds the source.

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Have Kareena and Priyanka called a truce?

With Kareena and Priyanka seemingly bonding with each other at Imran Khan's recent party, could their long-lived acrimony have come to an end?

Most Bollywood heroines over the ages have stayed true to the adage that two actresses of the same league can never be friends. However, looks like Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra could prove it as a thing of the past. If rumours are to be believed, the two ladies could well be on their way to call for truce. But questions is, ultimately will they or won't they?

Both PC and Bebo have often engaged in a war of words, whether be it in front of the media and even telly chat shows. They have been at loggerheads about not just their professional lives but also their personal lives. The two have apparently even shared boyfriends (read Shahid Kapoor).
However, a source present at Imran Khan's recent housewarming party, where both Kareena and Priyanka were invited, states that the two apparently shared a very warm conversation on the floor.

The source says, Everyone present in the room was surprised to see Kareena and Priyanka talking non-stop with each other. They were in each other's company for more than an hour and had even taken a corner of the house to themselves.

They kept on giggling and laughing throughout. Apparently, there was no other person who was part of their conversation. They just came face to face and started talking,` adds the source. What remains to be seen is if their newfound friendship will carry over to the next year as well. Let's wait and watch.
Past imperfect
Kareena and Priyanka have not exactly been the best of friends for a long time. A sneak-peek into their colourful history together...

2007: The two worked in Aitraaz together, post which they heaped praises on each other at every media interaction possible.

December 2007: Kareena took a dig at Priyanka by stating that she did not consider any of her contemporaries to be 'actresses' except Rani Mukerji. Priyanka issued a dignified response saying, "Bebo is a more senior and hopefully more mature actress than me. December 2010: Kareena, once again, ridiculed Priyanka on Koffee With Karan for her accent, prompting PC to comment on Bebo's then-beau, now hubby Saif Ali Khan's accent as well.
January 2011: There were some signs of a patch-up during an event for the Mumbai police. During her performance, Priyanka roped in Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena on the stage to jive along with her.

September 2012: Even during the promotions of Kareena's Heroine, the two actresses made sarcastic comments about the fates of the other's films at the box office and award events.

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Revamp women's rights: Priyanka

Sharing the nation's outrage over the gang-rape case in Delhi, actress Priyanka Chopra favoured a re-look into women's rights in the country while rejecting criticism that Bollywood only pays lip service to such causes

'What happened is a heinous crime. I call for stringent punishment for the accused, but I also want the protests to be peaceful. The youth has come together for the first time. I want a re-look at women's rights in this country,' she said.

'We live in a male-dominated society, but the attitude towards girls should change. They should be valued as much as boys,' Priyanka added. The 30-year-old actress said that it is not fair to take aim at film personalities for championing causes in spirit only.

She feels Bollywood stars are equally committed to the causes even though they are not often present in the heart of things. 'Why is Bollywood targeted always for not being there? We have our work commitments due to which we might not be at the venue of protests, but that doesn't mean we are not committed to the issue.

We have also been debating about it. 'I don't understand why Bollywood is questioned just because it is famous,' said Priyanka, who was in the Capital today to launch UNICEF's dare to care campaign alongwith cricketer Irfan Pathan. Pathan, who was representing IPL team Delhi Daredevils at the event, said, 'My sympathy goes to the victim and I hope and pray she overcomes this battle.

This incident is an inhuman act and a real shame. It's gruesome and I would like to see that such incidents never happen again, ever.' Talking about the demand for capital punishment for the accused, he added, 'Strict punishment should be meted out to them. The government should ensure that swift justice is meted out to the culprits.'
The UNICEF campaign launch coincided with the nationwide rage against the incident that has rocked the Capital. 'It is a coincidence that this campaign is being launched at this time. The dare to care campaign is for adolescent girls who drop out of schools and do not complete their education,' said Priyanka. 

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