Cameron's 'Avatar' the costliest film at $230 mn

Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron's much anticipated 3-D sci-fi epic 'Avatar' is being touted as the most expensive film ever - with a whopping $230 million (Rs.1,200 crore) budget, according to a company statement.
Releasing Dec 18 worldwide, the action-adventure is Cameron's comeback directorial venture after his multiple Oscar-winning 'Titanic' (1997).

Conceived by Cameron 14 years ago, the movie took four years of actual production work and is also generating unprecedented buzz, courtesy the path-breaking technology that has been used for its filming.

Already being praised as a 'fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind' and a 'revolutionary technology' that will 'alter moviemaking experience' across the globe, 'Avatar' has been shot using the Fusion digital 3-D camera developed by Cameron and Vince Pace.

Produced by Twentieth Century Fox, the motion picture is a blend of live-action photography and virtual photo realistic production techniques.

Starring Sam Worthington, Siqourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana, the movie shows the story of a wounded ex-marine thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.

Advance bookings for the film have already opened in several parts of the US.

AR Rahman’s message for a safe Deepavali

AR Rahman has acted in a 30-second promo produced by the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services department to create awareness about celebrating Deepavali safe. We should be careful while bursting crackers and not cause injury to others. This will be the message of the Oscar award winning music composer, whose work is known for creating fireworks among music buffs. Director General of Police (Prisons) R Natraj said, after editing, we produced the DVD format and sent copies to all the districts, from where it will be distributed to channels and theatres. AVM helped us with facilities. The promo was directed by S Valarmathi Priya. Many leading television channels have agreed to telecast the clipping free of cost in view of public safety.

Armani Underwear's new model Megan fox

After soccer stud Christiano Ronaldo, it is Hollywood temptress Megan Fox who has joined the Armani stable.

After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the'Transformers'beauty will be the new spokesmodel for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans starting from 2010, reported Ace Showbiz online.

The 23-year-old movie beauty has done a photo shoot for the famous brand in Los Angeles over the weekend. The actress who won the' Sexiest Woman Alive' title two times in a row, takes over the role from former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham who dressed down to her Armani underwear for a steamy campaign featuring her and husband David Beckham.

Fox had a photo shoot with famed photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in Los Angeles over the weekend, for her new role. The new images featuring the actress will start running worldwide in January.

After 12 rejections, Stone bagged 'Basic Instinct'

Hollywood superstar Sharon Stone has revealed that she got the role of Catherine Tramell in' Basic Instinct'after 12 actresses had rejected it before her.

The 51-year-old actress had campaigned eight months for the 1992 role after her manager stole the script from a secretary's desk, reported New York Post.

" After 12 actresses turned down the role, it was finally mine," Stone told her Hamptons Film Festival fans at the Bay Theater in Sag Harbor.

The actress also revealed that she wore an Armani pantsuit and a sheer blouse with no bra underneath to the audition for the role just to prove that she had no problem with nudity. Stone also admitted that although she wasn't shy when Paul Verhoeven filmed her leg-crossing scene, but she was shocked at the first preview, when the audience gasped.

" After a week of considering to stop the release of the movie, I decided it fit the character in the film and it should stay in," she said.

Shriya thanks Manish for the attire he designed for Film Festival

Shriya who is normally seen in skimpy outfits went to the international film fest that happened in Toronto recently. Cooking With Stella is the film in which Shriya acted and that stepped on the red carpet of the film fest. The actress went traditional with a yellow saree wrapped around with a golden sleeveless designer blouse. She went in rickshaw on a drive near the theaters along with Seema Biswas, to promote the film. Though her film did not get any awards, the lady was praised for her beautiful attire. The admiration I got was not for me, it was for our traditional cloth I wore for the fest. The fashion designers of Toronto were in awe about the saree. I should thank our designer Manish Malhotra to have made this saree for me. The next day I was praised in many local paper presses and I got a lot of good comments about my attire. I looked very unique and the saree gave me a lot of respect in front of many big-wigs out there shared Shriya.

Song on internet is not from Ravan – AR Rahman

Music maestro A R Rahman has said that the song ‘Kaadhale…’, which is making waves in the internet claiming that it is one of the numbers composed by him for Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, is not from the film. Denying the news, Rahman said, someone is pulling a fast one. There is no such song in the film. There were postings on the web that the song was sung by none other than Aishwarya, following which the number managed to get many clicks. With Rahman denying it now, it’s now clear that the former Miss World has not crooned for the song