`Social Network' friends Globes with 4 prizes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The Facebook tale "The Social Network" won top honors Sunday at the Golden Globes with four prizes, including best drama and director, solidifying its prospects as an Academy Awards favorite.
Winning the dramatic lead-acting prizes were Colin Firth for the British monarchy saga "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman for the psychosexual thriller "Black Swan."
Lead-acting honors for the Globes' musical or comedy categories went to Annette Bening for the lesbian-family story "The Kids Are All Right" and Paul Giamatti for the curmudgeon tale "Barney's Version."
The boxing drama "The Fighter" earned both supporting acting Globes, for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.
David Fincher, directing winner for "The Social Network," said he thought it was strange when "The Social Network" script came to him, since he usually makes dark character studies about misanthropes or films about serial killers. His films include the murder tales "Seven" and "Zodiac."
"I'm personally loath to acknowledge the kind of wonderful response this film has received for fear of becoming addicted to it, so suffice it to say, it's been really nice," said Fincher, whose film also won the Globes for screenplay for Aaron Sorkin and musical score for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Sorkin, creator of TV's "The West Wing," had kind words for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network."
"Mark Zuckerberg, if you're watching, Rooney Mara makes a prediction at the beginning of the movie. She was wrong. You turned out to be a great entrepreneur, a great visionary and an incredible altruist," Sorkin said.
While "The Social Network" dominated, it was a night with something for almost everybody, as most key films came away with prizes. The main snub was for the sci-fi blockbuster "Inception," a best-drama contender that had four nominations but lost them all. Johnny Depp, who had two nominations for best musical or comedy actor, also left empty-handed.
The win by Portman as a ballerina coming unhinged amid a production of "Swan Lake" sets her up for a two-woman showdown for best actress at the Feb. 27 Oscars with Bening, who won for her role as a stern lesbian mom in "The Kids Are All Right," which also was named best musical or comedy film.
Portman thanked the film's choreographer, her fiance Benjamin Millepied, with whom she's expecting a child. He also appears in the movie, and his character doesn't want to sleep with hers.
"He's the best actor! It's not true, he totally wants to sleep with me," Portman said, giggling.
"Barney's Version" follows the many loves in his life: his three wives, played by Rachelle Lefevre, Minnie Driver and Rosamund Pike, whom Giamatti described as "a trifecta of hotties."
"I got to smoke and drink and get laid in this movie and I got paid for it. An amazing, amazing thing," Giamatti said.
Bening won the musical or comedy actress prize in a field that included "The Kids Are All Right" co-star Julianne Moore. The film stars Bening and Moore as a couple whose family falls into turmoil after their teen children seek out the sperm donor that fathered them.
"I'm very proud to be a part of this very special film about two women who are deeply in love and try to keep their family together," Bening said. "My partner, Julianne Moore, I have to thank first. She asked me to do the picture with her. She made it possible for us to shoot it where we shot it, when we did, so Julianne — you are a class act, thank you."
The buzz around town on Globes weekend was not only about likely winners, but also about a lawsuit filed Thursday by a former longtime publicist for the Globes claiming the organization that runs the show, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, engages in payola schemes for nominations and awards. The allegations have been denied by the HFPA, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets.
Ricky Gervais returned as Globes host for the second-straight year. Gervais joked that Globe nominees weren't picked just so that Globe voters could hang out with stars such as Depp.
"They also accepted bribes," Gervais said, referring to the publicist lawsuit.
Philip Berk, who heads the HFPA, made no reference to the lawsuit during his appearance early in the show, simply offering a perfunctory plug for the quality of Hollywood movies.
Gervais pulled few punches as the night progressed, mocking Hugh Hefner, Charlie Sheen, Cher, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Scientologists and Robert Downey Jr., among others.
"Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited, with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good so far, wouldn't you?" Downey, a presenter, shot back, perhaps only half-jokingly.
Bale, who won for his role as a former boxer whose career unraveled amid drugs and crime, thanked his collaborators on "The Fighter," among them director David O. Russell and star and producer Mark Wahlberg, who plays boxer Micky Ward to Bale's Dicky Eklund, Ward's older half brother.
"I've really got to give a shout out to Mark, because he drove this whole movie, and you can only give a loud performance like the one I gave when you have a quiet anchor and a stoic character," Bale said. "I've played that one many times, and it never gets any notice."
Bale seems to be on the same awards track as his "Batman" co-star, the late Heath Ledger, was two years ago, when he won supporting actor at the Globes for "The Dark Knight" on the way to earning a posthumous Oscar.
Leo, who plays the domineering mother of Ward and Eklund, had gushing words for all of her co-stars — along with her own mother and other ancestors.
"Here in Southern California, home of my mother, her mother, her mother before her — look Mom, I got a Golden Globe!" Leo said. "Mark Wahlberg, you are a prince, you are amazing. It was so beautiful to play your mother."
"Toy Story 3," the top-grossing film released last year and the second sequel to 1995's digital animation pioneer "Toy Story," won the Globe for animated films, making Disney's Pixar Animation unit five-for-five in the category since it was added in 2006. Past Pixar winners are "Up," "WALL-E," "Ratatouille" and "Cars."
"Wow, were you two even born when the first `Toy Story' came out?" "Toy Story 3" director Lee Unkrich said to his award's presenters, 16-year-old pop star Justin Bieber and 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, co-star of the hit Western "True Grit."
Robert De Niro received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for career achievement.
The usually taciturn De Niro gave an uncharacteristically interesting acceptance speech, making jokes about members of the HFPA being deported (along with most of the waiters working the event) and suggesting that most people in the room hadn't seen a lot of the films he was proud of, including "Stone," "Marvin's Room" and "Stanley and Iris."
"Some of you would be seeing them for the first time. You didn't even watch the screeners, did you?" De Niro said.
Among TV winners, "Glee" won three prizes, best comedy and supporting-acting prizes for Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. "Boardwalk Empire" won two prizes, for best drama and dramatic actor for Steve Buscemi.
The Globe ceremony traditionally had a strong track record as a forecast for what film would win best picture at the Oscars. But the two shows have split in recent times, with only one top Globe recipient — 2008's "Slumdog Millionaire" — also winning the main prize at the Oscars over the past six years.
A year ago, the sci-fi sensation "Avatar" won best drama at the Globes, but the Iraq War saga "The Hurt Locker" took best picture at the Oscars.

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Byomkesh Bakshi Goes International

 Byomkesh Bakshi has been one of our most loved detectives, and now his charm and findings are not going to be limited within India only.

According to reports in the media, Byomkesh Bakshi is flying off to America. We are not talking about a film being made on the detective in America but about the latest Bengali film by director Anjan Dutta which stars actor Abir Chatterjee in the lead role. Reports in the media suggest that the Anjan Dutta production Byomkesh Bakshi will be played in the theaters of North America after the firm Databazaar Ventures purchases rights to show the film over Netflix, Amazon and Roku streaming. The very successful Bengali film will also be available in all leading retail stores across North America in the near future.
Byomkesh Bakshi has been one of the most loved detectives of little children in Bengal. The detective was first introduced onscreen by maestro filmmaker Satyajit Ray through Uttam Kumar in his 1960s release Chiriakhana. Based on the writings of Saradindu Bandopadhyay, Byomkesh Bakshi came and won hearts. The 2010 version of Byomkesh Bakshi was based on 'Adim Ripu', one of Saradindu Bandopadhyay's stories featuring the detective.
Abir Chatterjee in and as Byomkesh Bakshi came and won hearts in Bengal and Anjan Dutta will be looking forward to the same response in North America. 

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With Band Baaja... Anushka continues 'right' films

The question isn't that how many films Anushka Sharma has done in the last two years. The question is - How many more will she be doing after that? In the Hindi film star

terms, the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 are the years of Anushka Sharma. With two films, she proved her acting credentials. Now, with her third film all about wedding planning coming out soon, Anushka will prove her stand on taking up the right kind of films. Here, she talks about her upcoming film, the kind of offers coming her way, her co-star Ranveer, endorsing two brands and her focus on her film career.
"The only way actors can sustain themselves in this industry is by doing the right kind of films"
It's not how quickly my third film has come out, but the fact that the kind of films I am doing is making me proud of myself. I am picking the right films and that is what any actor would want. I want to pick up offers that make me happy and I felt that with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Badmaash Company and with Band Baaja Baaraat.
I'm not seeing how many films I am coming up with in a year. It's also about what kind of people I am working with. The only way actors can sustain themselves in this industry is by doing the right kind of films. I am here on my own and I go home proud by the end of the day.
"Ranveer has a lot of potential and is a superb actor"
It's the truth that I made my debut two years ago with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and today I am working with a debutant actor in my third film. That's life, that's Bollywood. I was a newcomer barely two years ago. I think as encouraging as people were of me, I feel the same way for Ranveer. More importantly because he is a very talented actor. That's what got him the role in Band Baaja Baarat. People are already loving Ranveer in the promos and once they see the film, they'll second my opinion.
"The more I am seen on the big screen, the better for me"
I don't know how this works. If I am not doing any film for a few months, the media starts writing about Anushka Sharma not seen. If I come out with back to back releases, they write that I am rushing to climb the ladder of success.
I don't decide these things. I just pick up scripts and do films that interest me. If my films have come in quick succession then I can't be sad. I'm happy about the films I am doing and happier on the feedback I am getting. The more I am seen on the big screen, the better for me.
"If a girl identifies with me in a certain way, the advert is working for both of us"
I am endorsing two brands at the moment. I endorse brands that go with my personality. At the end of the day, you're an actor

and you're trying to sell the image and the brand. If a girl identifies with me in a certain way, the advert is working for both of us. Parachute and Vaseline are such brands that not only appeal to the youth but to all generations in a generic way.
"I am not getting married. I would rather concentrate on getting others married"
We have really embarked upon our characters by following the script. To be honest, the film is about an event management of a wedding. I haven't really bothered to take real life stories of my friends just because the script demanded it.
Normally, actors do bring in some suggestions and stories they've heard from friends and colleagues but here, the story was in the right place and didn't leave us to do anything except play our characters well. As of now, I am not getting married. I would rather concentrate on getting others married.
"I didn't have a three film deal with Yash Raj Films"
There was no three film deal with Yash Raj Films. I wasn't tied up with them anyway. I signed Patiala House before I signed Band Baaja Baaraat.
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Golmaal 3 has a nice emotional base - Tusshar

Stating that Tusshar Kapoor is one of the main pillars of Golmaal series would be repeating the obvious. After all, along with Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi

, he has stayed on to be a constant part of this franchise, which has now unveiled it's third instalment. While his 'goonga' act with a love for expletives is the choice of the masses, Tusshar in real life is much quieter and if one observes right, even a tad shy. Tusshar talks to this correspondent about his new film Golmaal 3

Golmaal is a known setting. Does that make it a far more comfortable outing for you?
Yes, it becomes comfortable but then despite a known setting, we treated this like an altogether new movie

. Yes, there are high expectations from the film but then they are good because they keep you on your toes. Also, now, because Golmaal 3 has become even bigger due to large number of actors

, you have to work harder to make your presence felt.

But how did the team ensure that the confidence from the success of the earlier two instalments didn't border on over confidence?
Yes, we were confident for sure. However, as the captain of the ship, Rohit (Shetty) himself made sure that no one, including himself, turned overconfident at all. In fact he was always thinking that we should not be taking anything for granted or get carried away. In fact he used to talk about Golmaal and Golmaal Returns and inspire us all to do something different.
Like?
If there was something that people didn't like in the first two parts, he would fine tune the script to correct it this time around. Just like every other creative person, he too had his bouts of insecurity. But yes, overall we were quite confident while keeping enough space for improvement.
Improvement? So, do we see Tusshar beginning to speak now as well?
[Laughs] I guess Rohit won't allow me to change that at all.

But don't you feel that with others getting the speaking part, you could pitch in as well?
I used to have such apprehensions but mainly in the first part. I felt that amongst so many people, ek gooonga aadmi kya karega. However, after working in Golmaal Returns, I guess this exactly is the USP of this character. I have realised that this trait of the character has been justified even before with Golmaal 3. I have got my due by getting ample scope to perform. After finishing the shooting, I am feeling very secure and happy. Audience will get enough of this character in Golmaal 3. [Smiles] And guess what, I also have a long emotional outburst scene this time around. Imagine going mute for that!
Well, one couldn't imagine you pulling off your stunts as well. What made you go for that 'jeep over the cars' stunt?
Ask me (Laughs). When the script was narrated, Rohit had told me that I would be driving a sand bike. It was later when he said that it would be a jeep. I thought that may be he would put it on a harness, so I consented to it. When I reached the location, I went like 'Oh my God, this vehicle is going to wobble; after all there were three slopes that I had to go over'. I didn't know how I would manage that and just kept telling myself that 'let me try; I may just about manage to pull it off'.
And then...?
I was scared and thought of going over one slope at a time. We started doing like that and it was fine. Then we took another shot with the second slope and so on. It was lunch and I thought that I was done. This is when Rohit threw a bomb that now he wanted me to attempt all three slopes at the same time. I somehow did that and thought that I was finally done. Guess what, I still wasn't. Now he asked me to do it again as he also wanted some close-up shots. Man, it was some experience for sure.
So we have a mute Tusshar, some good camaraderie, a familiar environment and some stunts. With all the fun and frolic around, do we actually see a concrete storyline as well in Golmaal 3?
The most special thing about Golmaal 3 is that it has a nice emotional base to it. There is a proper script and storyline and a treatment that makes it a family entertainer. The narrative is such that the characters have emotions. Of course comedy is there throughout because that's an integral part of the film's flavour. We took the best of the first and the second part and added a lot more to it.
The million dollar question though is, will Golmaal 3 manage to emulate the success of earlier parts?
It has an edge over other comedy films that we have seen in the past. Typically in case of out and out comedies, you see comedy, comedy and then some action before the film ends. That is not the case here as it also comes with a certain depth due to an emotional aspect to it. It comes with a capability of crossing the success of both the films
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