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Neeraj Pandey, one of India’s finest contemporary filmmakers, today launched his debut novel Ghalib Danger at an event that was attended by the stars of his cinematic ventures.  After entertaining Indians all over the world with memorable and much-loved films like A Wednesday and Special 26, the critically acclaimed director, who is no stranger to thrillers has further explored the genre with his first book.A fictional gangster saga set in the visually eclectic Mumbai underworld, Ghalib Danger makes Neeraj one of the rare Bollywood directors who have also authored novels. Ghalib Danger revolves around the life of its main protagonist Kamran Ali. A young taxi driver by profession, Kamran stays in Mumbai and dreams of making it big someday. However a twist of fate awaited him as on an eventful day his life transforms when he saves the life of a notorious underworld don from called Mirza. As an act of gratitude, Mirza takes Kamran under his tutelage.Speaking of his book, the celebrated film writer-director and now author says, ‘Writing has always been a passion and when the story of Kamran and his world took shape in my mind, I knew that only a book would do full justice to it. It’s a story of destinies that collide and shape the world of our characters’.The launch of Neeraj’s first book was also a special occasion for some of his favourite stars to come and cheer in support. While Anupam Kher, who credits Neeraj’s as giving him two out of his top 10 roles in the form of A Wednesday and Special 26, read out a chapter from the book to a live audience, Naseeruddin Shah penned the leading quote. Manoj Bajpayee not only joined the gathering but also lent his voice to the motion poster of the book as he read out couplets from Ghalib’s work. Divyaa Dutta dropped by to wish Neeraj good luck as well.

From the moment Anil Kapoor bought the Indian Version official rights of the famous American T.V Series 24, The Trade, Press, Media and Viewers started drawing certain comparisons. Some started comparing Anil Kapoor with Keifer Sutherland, while others started analyzing Indian Viewer's acceptance towards the show. Anil Kapoor's '24' premiered its first episode tonight at 10 pm on Colors. It also replaced the popular comedy show, Comedy Nights With Kapil.So how is the show? Will it shatter all Daily Soap records with its TRP? Will 24 bring a new revolution in the history of Indian Television? Can 24 become a platform where a T.V watching viewer starts accepting big stars on small screen (On a Serial Format, of course and not in some Game or Reality based shows)?The serial's first episode starts with an explanation from its protagonist Jai Singh Rathod (Anil Kapoor) where he explains how India has faced some major terrorist attacks and for which Indian Government has formed ATU (Anti-Terrorist Unit) to protect our country from any such future damages. Jai Singh Rathod is the head of this ATU.Jai Singh Rathod is celebrating his wife Trisha Rathod's (Tisca Chopra) birthday along with his daughter Kiran (Sapna Pabbi). Jai get's a call from Nikita Rai (Mandira Bedi) who is a government agent at ATU. The minute Jai reaches the ATU Wing, He is informed about a serious threat on PoliticianAditya Singhania (Neil Bhoopalam) who is a Prime-Ministerial candidate and a youth icon. Aditya Singhania's life is in danger. Jai (While his way to ATU) get's a call from Wasim Khan (Anupam Kher) who is a Research and Analysis wing (RAW) officer informing about a "Rat" in ATU wing.Irritated by his father's behavior, Kiran goes out to party with her friends without informing her mother. The result is she goes missing.Aditya Singhania is ready to take his oath the next day with a prepared speech by his Mother (Anita Raj). But all hell breaks loose when he gets an immediate call from a T.V Channel head (Suchitra Pillai) who informs him about some of his dark crime which he committed 12 years back.A contract Killer is on his way from Thailand but killed in the Flight itself by another Femme Fatale. The Indian adaptation of '24', retains all the elements of the international series, the real-time, pulse-pounding, fast-paced format with split screens and complex interweaving storylines, with 24 episodes capturing 24 hours.Director Abhinay Deo does full justice with his dedicated direction along with tight screenplay by writers Rensil D'Silva and Milan Milaap Zaveri. This one does not at all looks like a T.V Series but it looks like a One Hour feature film on TV. Full marks to the Direction, Writing and Production team for creating a wonderful extravaganza on small screen. Performance wise, The show totally belongs to the one and only Anil Kapoor who makes you sit tight without touching your Remote Control buttons with his charm and persona. Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer might have been good there, but here Anil Kapoor is extra-ordinarily amazing as Jai Singh Rathod. Tisca Chopra, Anupam Kher, Mandira Bedi are superb in their respective parts. Neil Bhoopalam is just outstanding as Aditya Singhania and trust me, this first season belongs to him after Jai Singh Rathod. We are yet to see Shabana Azmi, But it was nice to see Anita Raj in a mind blowing role after a long time. Special mention to the actress who played Femme Fatale, The one who killed the contract killer and jumps from the flight. She hardly had 10 minutes in the First Episode, but she made her presence felt real strong.It is reported, some major channels initially refused to buy the idea of Indian Version of 24, At least not until Colors swooped in. I am very much sure those channels now regret it. I really have no clue or will not lay a challenge if 24 beats other Thrillers running strongly on other TV Channels with huge TRP's, But 24 will be the most exciting, The most talked about and the most interesting TV Mini Series India has ever produced.Prepare yourself on every Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm for a Thrilling roller coaster ride of 24 as this one is most Powerful, Gripping and an Honest show you will ever come across.

Veteran actress Madhuri Dixit is all set to make a return in acting with upcoming film Dedh Ishqiya. The trailer of the film released recently and the actress sis bagging applaud for all quarters for her look as well as act in the film, which is quite visible in the trailer.The film stars Madhuri, Naseeruddin Shah, Huma Qureshi and Arshad Warsi in lead roles, and the trailer of the movie came out online on Friday (November 8, 2013). For those unaware, in the movie, Madhuri will be seen playing a dancer, Begum Para, who is an attractive dangerous woman."Dr Nene (my husband) appreciated and complimented me that I am looking good in the poster and promos of the film," said Madhuri on Friday at Sanofi's diabetes awareness event. Not only her husband, l but even her kids are excited about her film. "My kids are always excited. If they see me somewhere in a photograph also, they say 'Mom, you are in this photograph'," she said.The film has been produced by Vishal Bhardwaj and directed by Abhishek Chaubey. The film is a sequel to the 2010 hit Ishqiya. It is based in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. Dedh Ishqiya is slated to release on January 10, 2014.