0 Silk was competing with international porn: Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan analyses what changed the definition of eroticism in a film actress over the years...

It is amazing to see the kind of journey that the portrayal of sensuality in women in Bollywood has taken. Till the 80s, men had no access to titillation except perhaps in magazines or desi detective novels, which were actually suggestive.

Then in the 80s, the video revolution happened and people could watch whatever they wanted within the confines of their homes; all sorts of fantasies were being catered to. Porn was available at the click of a button.

So it became a huge challenge for filmmakers to drag this particular set of audience out of the house to watch their films.

So it is interesting to see how the films of those days introduced this sexy woman who was disqualified to be a heroine, because the filmmakers were not yet comfortable with the sensuality of a 'good' woman.

Since they had to include the titillation factor, the vamp was introduced.

And then by and by, they stopped pretending and these women were purely introduced as sex objects. They were after all competing with international porn, which was easily available to any man. So in came this dancing girl who was skimpily clad and who used lewd gestures.

Some of the scenes that these films, especially the south Indian ones had, were so suggestive that it sometimes gets shocking. Like this scene I saw of Silk Smitha trying to dance with the hero's leg placed on her crotch. She is balancing herself on her hands and legs and moving off the floor. It is incredible.

And then there is this scene where she has to seduce a horse! So, there were many kinky scenes but they couldn't go the whole hog.

Makers started getting more and more creative and every film started including one such kinky song, hoping to get the audience into the theatre, at least for the sake of that song.

I think this piqued the interest of every man...I am surprised that many of my so-called polished male friends, who look down on Bollywood, have all watched movies like Kanti Shah ke angoor.

I think it was only in the 90s that heroines were allowed to be sexy. Suddenly it was okay to desire the heroine and not look at her just as someone who can be taken home to meet parents.

Songs like Dhak Dhak, Chholi ke peeche, Kaate nahi katthe, etc started being introduced. If you see Kaate nahi katthe, it is almost like Shridevi is making love to the camera, but hats off to her and Saroj Khan, that not for one moment it looked sleazy.

Actresses got comfortable with sensuality and I think that was a good sign. Now of course, we have come a long way.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

0 Manisha Koirala's last bid to save her fading career

The actress has chosen to return to Mumbai to promote her next, in a bid to boost her fading career

Manisha Koirala's film Do Paise Ki Dhoop Chaar Aane Ki Baarish will release on International Women's Day, (March 8).

She plays an aging disfigured sex worker with a 12-year-old child. There are plans to tie-up the film with the work that she does with UNESCO for women and children.

The actress will also be spending time with sex workers in Mumbai.

Manisha is leaving no stones unturned to make this her comeback film. She is all set to leave behind her life as a housewife in Nepal for this. She would be spending nearly two months in India, travelling to Mumbai and other parts to promote the film.

Says a source, "At the moment Manisha is making a very sincere effort to make her marriage work. But Do Paise Ki Dhoop... is a very important film for her. Besides the film's director Deepti Naval is the actress' best friend."

Sources suggest that the success of this arthouse film will decide the future course of her career.

Adds the source, "This is her do-or-die bid to regain lost glory. Both director Deepti Naval and Manisha are aiming for a National Award through this film."

Says the source, "If Do Paise Ki Dhoop... works for her, then she'd consider a serious shift to Mumbai. For now she will give the promotion her entire concentration, although her husband is apparently dead-set against her return to Mumbai."

Deepti Naval confirms, "She has rightly decided to give the film the time it deserves, away from her personal commitments."

Manisha confirmed she would spend significant time on her film. "I am in a meditation course. I can't talk until December 22. But yes, I'll be flying in and out of Mumbai, as I need to be in Nepal too, " the actress messaged.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

0 Britney Spears to offer free Mexico City concert

MEXICO CITY: US pop singer Britney Spears will deliver a free Christmas concert in a downtown Mexico City plaza, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday.

Spears will perform at the Monument to the Revolution on Sunday, kicking of Christmas festivities in the populous city, Ebrard said.

In late August 2009 some 11,600 volunteers set a Guinness world record by dancing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller" in unison at the Monument to the Revolution.

Mexico City festivities include a giant Christmas tree; an ice rink at the Zocalo, the main city square; and artificial snow during a parade.

The so-called "Princess of Pop" will also perform at concerts in the western city of Guadalajara on Friday, in Mexico City on Saturday, and in the northern city of Monterrey the following Tuesday. (AFP)

0 Pippa Middleton, Kardashians among "most fascinating" of 2011

NEW YORK: What do Britain's Pippa Middleton and the Kardashian family have in common?

They are all among the 10 most fascinating people of 2011, according to veteran journalist Barbara Walters.

Middleton, 28, younger sister of Prince William's new wife Kate, was named on Wednesday along with British reality TV guru Simon Cowell, singer Katy Perry and businessman Donald Trump as making the list in Walter's annual ABC TV special.

Walters will announce the number one most fascinating person of 2011 when the 90-minute show "Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" airs on December 14.

Other celebrities making up the top 10 most prominent names in entertainment, sport and pop culture include baseball star Derek Jeter, and "Modern Family" actors Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson who play a gay couple on the Emmy-winning TV comedy.

Middleton found unexpected fame during the British royal wedding in April when she wore a figure-hugging white dress as maid of honor to her sister Kate. She has been a constant fixture in U.S. and British celebrity media ever since.

Socialite sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian and their mother Kris -- the biggest reality TV stars in the United States -- found new fame in 2011 when Kim held a lavish summer TV wedding after a whirlwind romance that ended in her filing for divorce just 72 days later. (Reuters)