Mahesh Bhatt’s Vishesh Films website has incorrect info: IAAF

By Ashwini Salian – MumbaiWire.in

Mahesh Bhatt was in a tearing hurry to sign on Sunny Leone for his film, but his production house Vishesh Films website hasn’t been updated for the last two years, says the IAAF. “We were trying to get in touch with Bhatt saab for the last three days as we wanted to hand over a memorandum signed by all the members of the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum requesting him not to sign a foreign porn star when there is so much talent in India. Our members – about 350 of them – felt Bhatt’s decision to visit Sunny Leone in the Bigg Boss House and offer her a film on a platter was belittling to the Indian film industry. All the numbers listed on the Vishesh Films website have changed or are not in service,” said Flynn Remedios, spokesperson for the IAAF.

Meanwhile veteran actress Poonam Dasgupta , a member of the IAAF who has featured in over 150 films in the last 15 years and played main lead roles opposite the likes of stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and Dharmendra to name a few, hit out viciously at director and producer Mahesh Bhatt for his special visit to the Bigg Boss house “Mahesh Bhatt is an idiot. He is growing old and senile. He has really lost it. A good and reputed director or producer would never do stunts like this. He could have waited for one or two weeks till Sunny Leone was out of the Bigg Boss House. He has lowered his own status and the status of the entire Hindi film industry by his so-called publicity stunt. Either he is getting big money from Colors for this stunt, or he is completely mad. If it was so urgent and he wanted to meet Sunny Leone for some god-forsaken film, he could have done it in secrecy,” Dasgupta said.

IAAF calls for a boycott of Mahesh Bhatt, Colors for promoting porn

 

IAAF says Sunny Leone Go Back

 

By Jenifer R – MumbaiWire.in

If director-producer Mahesh Bhatt wanted to have his eleven seconds of fame on national TV in the Bigg Boss house, he could have probably done it in a different way. Bhatt’s antics of visiting porn star Sunny Leone to offer a role in his film has not gone down too well with the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) who have called for a boycott of Mahesh Bhatt. And joining them in this boycott call are several prominent citizens from different walks of life including lawyers, politicians, fashion designers, actors and producers.

Some of the persons who have openly expressed their support for the IAAF’s campaign against porn star Sunny Leone are TV actress Smriti Irani, fashion designer and BJP spokesperson Shaina NC, veteran actress Poonam Dasgupta, fashion designer and stylist Umair Zafar and model Ameesha Yadav to name a few. Umair Zafar was quoted as saying that Bhatt has become a brand ambassador for a porn star while Ameesha Yadav said that Bhatt was speaking like her publicist and that he should clarify his position. Poonam Dasgupta said Bhatt has probably gone mad, while both Shaina NC and Smriti Irani severely criticized Tv channel Colors’ decision to rope in a porn star to boost the TRPs of their show Bigg Boss, Season 5. Earlier Member of Parliament Nilesh Rane had spoken out against Veena Malik ka Swayamvar and Congress MLA Krishna Hegde from Mumbai has also expressed his support for the IAAF’s anti-Sunny Leone campaign.

The IAAF is waiting for a response to their written complaint against the channel Colors sent to I&B Minister Ambika Soni on Monday. Soni meanwhile claims that she still hasn’t seen the complaint. Flynn Remedios, spokesperson for the IAAF says, “We have about 300 members from the film fraternity and it is the combined opinion of our members that Mahesh Bhatt has belittled Indian cinema and the Indian film industry by stooping so low. A senior producer-director going to the sets of a TV reality show to offer a role to a porn star is going a bit too far. If it’s a publicity stunt then Bhatt saab should have given it a serious thought. He is considered a ‘voice’ of the film industry and when a stalwart like Bhatt saab does something so flimsy it speaks for the industry itself.”

IAAF sources said that they will move the courts if there is no response within 48 hours from the I&B Ministry. “There are chances that Sunny Leone may be ‘evicted’ this week, we are waiting and watching and will take a decision on Sunday after the results of the eviction are announced,” said Flynn Remedios.

The IAAF has approached several senior politicians like former I&B minister and BJP spokesperson Sushma Swaraj and other Congress MPs for support on this issue. “Sunny Leone has no claim to fame. She has chosen her profession of her own free will solely for the quick income it provides.  She was not born in poverty nor was she forced into pornography. Why is she being glorified on national television? More and more kids are accessing her website sunnyleone dot com which is a hard core porn website because of the hype created around her by the channel Colors and Mahesh Bhatt’s antics. Both Mahesh Bhatt and Colors are indirectly promoting pornography and the dissemination of pornography in India which are criminal offences by publicizing porn star Sunny Leone,” said Remedios of the IAAF.

 

Want to work with Bhatt, become a porn star: Ameesha Yadav

By Ashwini Salian – MumbaiWire.in

Actress and model, Ameesha Yadav is hell-bent on picking up a fight with Mahesh Bhatt. Speaking to a TV news channel in Mumbai on Tuesday, she said, “If any female wants to work with Mahesh Bhatt it is advisable that she becomes a porn star. Then Mahesh Bhatt will come running to her wherever she is and offer her a role in one of his films.  Bhatt saab has gone mad. He should start a porn production house if he wants to cast a porn star like Sunny Leone. Isn’t there enough talent in India? Or does Bhatt saab want to become a Reality TV star. Or has he started a lobbying firm for porn stars and the international porn industry in India, “she asked?

Mahesh Bhatt has come under heavy criticism for his overtures towards Sunny Leone from members of his own fraternity. Fashion designer Umair Zafar, veteran actress of more than 150-plus films Poonam Dasgupta and now starlet Ameesha Yadav of the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) has severely criticized Mahesh Bhatt. Speaking to Flynn Remedios Editor of Mumbaiwire.in, Poonam Dasgupta said, “As a reputed film maker, Bhatt has made a big fool of himself. His publicity-seeking antics have angered a lot of senior actors and film industry professionals who may not come forward and speak out because they do not want to get involved. Why should we give so much importance to a porn star? She has chosen the career of a porn star of her own free will. She is making a lot of money selling and peddling porn in the West. It’s not that Sunny Leone was born in utmost poverty or was forced into the porn industry. She chose it on her own free will for the quick and enormous returns that it provides. Why should film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt shed tears for her now? Either he is really stupid or has completely gone mad.”

Meanwhile the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) which has written to I&B Minister Ambika Soni on the issue has called for a boycott of Mahesh Bhatt films.

Bigg Boss contestant Shradha Sharma offered Rs 35-lakh for 31 Dec show

Item girl and Tv actress Shradha Sharma who is currently ensconced inside the Bigg Boss Season 5 house has broken all records this year. Of course, there is no competing with the likes of Kareena Kapoor or Bipasha Basu or Katrina Kaif, but in her category, Shradha Sharma has got the highest offer for a 31^st December performance. She has been offered a whooping Rs 35-lakh for a one-hour performance at a 7-star hotel in Dubai informs Flynn Remedios, her manager and publicist, but refuses to name the 7-star hotel.

“As my client and artiste is not available personally for comment as she is inside the Bigg Boss house, it is not appropriate for me to divulge any details. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Right now I cannot confirm anything with any organizer as Shradha Sharma is in the Bigg Boss house. I have got several offers but that is only possible if Shradha Sharma gets evicted. If she continues to stay in the house till the end, it will not be possible for her to perform on 31^st December as there will be no time to practice and rehearse. Either way it’s a win-win situation for Shradha Sharma,” says Flynn Remedios, who has been managing her work for the last three years.

“Shradha is a very brave girl and talented girl. She is a very good dancer too. I have been with her more than 3-years now as her manager and publicist and I am very happy that her career graph is on the ascent. About eight producers and production houses, both from Bollywood and the south have approached us with film and TV offers. We will take a call on them when Shradha is out of the Bigg Boss house,” said Remedios who also handles Business  and PR for DJ Jenny D, Ameesha Yadav and a host of other artistes.

In the past years Shradha Sharma has been associated with Country Club and has done 31st December performances at Jaipur, Baroda and Ahmedabad. She has also performed at Delhi, Indore, Kolkatta and Bangalore in the earlier seasons.

Umair Zafar: “Mahesh Bhatt has become a brand ambassador for pornography in India”

As told to Frank Franklyn – MumbaiWire.in

Producer director Mahesh Bhatt has come under heavy criticism for his overtures towards Sunny Leone from members of his own fraternity. Fashion designer Umair Zafar, veteran actress of more than 150-plus films Poonam Dasgupta and starlet Ameesha Yadav of the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) besides several others have severely criticized Mahesh Bhatt.

Says Umair Zafar, “I heard on Tv yesterday that Mr Mahesh Bhatt is planning to cast porn star Sunny Leone for one of his upcoming films and that he would be visiting the Bigg Boss house to meet with her. All this was surprising because, we consider Bhatt a serious film maker, who has tried to raise issues and subjects like minorities and the suffering of the weaker sections of society and the ills of prostitution etc. The interview of Mahesh Bhatt which I saw and heard on TV sounded like Mahesh Bhatt had suddenly become Sunny Leone’s publicist or PRO – the way he was defending her choice of profession. Mahesh Bhatt has started promotion and brand building for porn stars, and I think he should become the Brand Ambassador for the Porn Industry in India. He can probably make more money that way than his films have made till today.”

Adds Umair Zafar, “I have heard that Sanjay Dutt doesn’t want his own daughter to get into main stream Hindi cinema or Bollywood, but I am surprised that he is hosting a family show with a porn star as a participant. He is not bothered about the cultural sensibilities of our country or its impact on minors and youngsters who have started searching specifically for Sunny Leone on the internet. Salman Khan too needs to take a stand on the issue. He is a star whose films are always appreciated by the entire family. He needs to understand the impact of getting associated with a porn star and the change that his image as a family entertainer could take.”

 

Mahesh Bhatt should start a porn production house: Ameesha Yadav

Mahesh Bhatt has come under heavy criticism for his overtures towards Sunny Leone from members of his own fraternity. Fashion designer Umair Zafar, veteran actress of more than 150-plus films Poonam Dasgupta and now starlet Ameesha Yadav of the Indian Artistes and Actors Forum (IAAF) has severely criticized Mahesh Bhatt. Says Ameesha Yadav, “Bhatt saab has gone mad. He should start a porn production house if he wants to cast a porn star like Sunny Leone. Isn’t there enough talent in India? Or does Bhatt saab want to become a Reality TV star, “she asked?

Speaking to Flynn Remedios Editor of Mumbaiwire.in, Poonam Dasgupta said, “As a reputed film maker, Bhatt has made a big fool of himself. His publicity-seeking antics have angered a lot of senior actors and film industry professionals who may not come forward and speak out because they do not want to get involved. Why should we give so much importance to a porn star? She has chosen the career of a porn star of her own free will. She is making a lot of money selling and peddling porn in the West. It’s not that Sunny Leone was born in utmost poverty or was forced into the porn industry. She chose it on her own free will for the quick and enormous returns that it provides. Why should film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt shed tears for her now? Either he is really stupid or has completely gone mad.”

“Mahesh Bhatt is an idiot. He has completely lost it,” Poonam Dasgupta

As told to Flynn Remedios – MumbaiWire.in

Veteran actress Poonam Dasgupta  who has featured in over 150 films in the last 15 years and played main lead roles opposite the likes of stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and Dharmendra to name a few, hit out viciously at director and producer Mahesh Bhatt for his special visit to the Bigg Boss house to “speak to porn star Sunny Leone about his film and ‘ask’ her if she was interested” as reported in the media. “Mahesh Bhatt is an idiot. He is growing old and senile. He has really lost it. A good and reputed director or producer would never do stunts like this. He could have waited for one or two weeks till Sunny Leone was out of the Bigg Boss House. He has lowered his own status and the status of the entire Hindi film industry by his so-called publicity stunt. Either he is getting big money from Colors for this stunt, or he is completely mad. Or he wants to compete with other Reality TV stars like Raja Chaudhary, Rahul Mahajan, Rakhi Sawant, etc?”

“If it was so urgent and he wanted to meet Sunny Leone for some god-forsaken film, he could have done it in secrecy. Lawyers, artiste managers and family members are allowed to meet Bigg Boss inmates under exceptional circumstances. Mahesh Bhatt could have met Sunny Leone privately instead of tom-toming it all over the media. In doing so he has not only made a fool of himself but also belittled the standing of the film industry. What will the world think? Our filmmakers are so desperate for porn stars and Indians are so hungry for the trash and scum from the west, that they will go out of their way and visit the sets to meet them. Or is that India is so devoid of talent that there is no woman left for Mahesh Bhatt to cast. Does he visit the girls who are victims of the casting couch? Does Mahesh Bhatt visit the poor girls who come from small towns in search of a career and livelihood in the film industry? Does Mahesh Bhatt visit the struggling girls who are forced to sell themselves to pay their rents which may be as little as a few thousand rupees?

Poonam Dasgupta who produced the play Begum Sahiba with Rahul Roy is now working on some new projects. Poonam who has done over 150 films and tele serials including Dil Ka Doctor with Anupam Kher, Mr Bond with Akshay Kumar, Dil Ke Jharoke Mein with Manisha Koirala & Vikas Bhalla, Fauji with Dharmendra, Ganga Kahe Pukaar Ke with Rakesh Pande,  Geeta Ki Saugandh with Dharmendra and TV serials like Betaal Pachishi directed by Sunil Agnihotri, Black Cat produced by Kumar Sanu, Bus Stop Ki Raat, Commander,Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Kismat and Kya Baat Hein directed by Ramesh Sippy, Marshall with Mukesh Khanna, Nagin by Ramsays, Shri Adhikari Brothers Top Ten, Shrimaan Shrimati, Swabhimaan (produced by Shobha De), Tehkikaat with Karan Razdaan, Teri Bhi Chup Meri Bhi Chup with Shafi Inaamdar, The Great Maratha directed by Sanjay Khan and the The Zee Horror Show to name a few, was also very critical about Veena Malik’s Swayamvar.

Speaking to Flynn Remedios, Editor of Mumbaiwire.in, Poonam Dasgupta said, “As a reputed film maker, Bhatt has made a big fool of himself. His publicity-seeking antics have angered a lot of senior actors and film industry professionals who may not come forward and speak out because they do not want to get involved. Why should we give so much importance to a porn star? She has chosen the career of a porn star of her own free will. She is making a lot of money selling and peddling porn in the West. It’s not that Sunny Leone was born in utmost poverty or was forced into the porn industry. She chose it on her own free will for the quick and enormous returns that it provides. Why should film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt shed tears for her now? Either he is really stupid or has completely gone mad.”

“India has become a dumping ground for the world. Even when it comes to manufacturing, countries like China and the US are dumping their unsold products in India be it electronics or even automobiles. Now we are offering centre-stage to artistes like Veena Malik who are given pride-of-place in shows like Swayamvar. “I was aghast to read about the killing of Hindus in Pakistan and Veena Malik’s swayamvar drama on the same page of the newspaper. The first thing I can’t tolerate is why we should encourage people from an unfriendly country that export terrorism to India to work here? Also we have the best of beauty and talent in India which is recognized around the world and there is no reason to entertain a Veena Malik who has nothing special to offer. Veena comes from a country where such swayamvar-type dramas are taboo. Is India a dust bin where shallow people without character or integrity come to dump their stunts? Are Indian channels so devoid of creative ideas to boost their TRPs. Getting a Sunny Leone or Veena Malik is the least creative thing a channel can do?”