Down Memory Lane with Micheal Jackson in India

Journalist Flynn Remedios recounts his memories of covering the Micheal Jackson tour in India in 1996..

“The year was 1996 and I was then with Island magazine from the Magna Group. Raj Thackeray and his newly formed Shiv Udyog Sena in association with Wizcraft had announced the HISTory Micheal Jackson Tour in India (for charitable purpose of course – the proceeds of the tour was to be used to generate job opportunities for the SUS) and we were all naturally very excited. We were waiting for the big day. Jackson was supposed to come to Mumbai a couple of days before. He was to stay in a suite at The Oberoi and as field reporters we had been assigned to find out how The Oberoi was preparing to make the King of Pop feel at home.”


As a reporter who religiously covered and reported on the controversies surrounding the Micheal Jackson tour in India in 1996, Flynn Remedios recalls how Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray – then the roaring tiger in Maharashtra whose one word could bring the entire state to a standstill - had blushed like a child before the media when he admitted that Micheal Jackson used his personal toilet when he visited his newly done up and renovated residence Matoshree at Kala Nagar in suburban Bandra. Thackeray had just about moved into his newly furnished residence – superbly done up by Unity Constructions Ltd and got Jackson to almost inaugurate his residence.

“I clearly remember the crowd from the airport to Thackeray’s residence. Jackson who landed at the Sahar airport had stopped over for cup of tea at Thackeray’s residence. I had managed to hitch hike on a media vehicle – there were very few TV News channels then – the roads were lined with lakhs of students and fans. The energy and sentiment was ecstatic as though a god was driving down.”

“I was covering that press conference and wanted to ask Thackeray if he had a western or Indian toilet, but looking at the tough looking sainiks around, I kept my mouth shut, he says, recalling the trouble that the Jackson Concert got his friends from Wizcraft – Andre Timmins, Sabbas Joseph and Viraf; and not to forget Raj Thackerey and his SUS (Shiv Udyog Sena – for those who came in late) – with all the allegations of entertainment tax evasion.

“I also remember reading some report that the tax chaps from the Suburban District Collector’s office had raided Andre and Viraf’s residence and tried to attach their personal belongings like the refrigerator and TV set. Then the jokes that followed when Sonali Bendre was asked to ‘welcome’ MJ at the airport with an ‘aarti’.

Showtime magazine had then asked me to interview Raj Thackeray post the concert and ask him about the ‘reported alleged linkup’ with Sonali Bendre. I was trembling as I went into the tiger cub’s den at Prabhadevi near Dadar. The Ramesh Kini episode was roving around in my mind and I was praying that my corpse wouldn’t be found somewhere in some desolate place, for asking Raj all the ‘tough’ questions.

Fortunately, the interview went off well – and I lived to tell the tale. Raj had said his wife Sharmila – who was sitting by his side during the interview - had recommended Sonali Bendre as she was her friend. In spite of his tough exterior, Raj Thackeray was a very congenial, jovial person who liked to joke. Raj was of course a great fan of Micheal Jackson, he had said in the interview. This interview with Raj was followed by many smaller interviews and continued for almost two years when I joined the Sunday Observer.

Post the Jackson tour, which was a resounding success – not surprisingly because the tax guys made life miserable for Wizcraft later on – there was an auction of Jackson’s personal effects that he used at The Oberoi. I remember seeing Shobha De jump up to the podium at the auction, pump Micheal Jackson’s hand and later on tell the media ‘it was a great orgasm’. I don’t exactly remember how much the pillow that Micheal slept on at The Oberoi went for – if I am not mistaken, it was sold for Rs One Lakh. I just hope that I haven’t mixed up any facts here, says Flynn Remedios, adding that everybody right from Prabhudeva in the south to Amitabh Bachchan in Mumbai had joined the “praise Micheal Jackson’ bandwagon, each claiming some reason for hero-worshiping the hero.

Watching the news of MJ’s death on TV, I couldn’t help but recall seeing a frail, weak and tired Balasaheb Thackeray return home from Lilavati Hospital just days before the news of Jackson’s death became known.

How the hands of time move? How life comes full circle? How time takes its toll on everyone? Veterans, stalwarts, enigmas like Micheal Jackson and Balasaheb Thackeray who made the world ‘stop’ at their whims and fancy have fallen to the silent killer ‘Time’. Long Live Micheal.. You will always live in our hearts.

(Excerpts from a yet-to-be published book by Flynn Remedios tentatively titled 18 Years of Reporting. This excerpt or article is © Flynn Remedios/Futuristic Media Network)

Michael Jackson: Accident, Murder or Suicide?

By Flynn Remedios – Futuristic Media Network

Like all great enigmas of his time - Princess Diana and Ernest Hemingway to name two, Michael Jackson’s untimely and unexpected death – or murder or suicide – has stirred a hornet’s nest. Was Michael Jackson murdered? Or did he commit suicide? Who dialed 911 from Jackson’s residence? Did someone spike Jackson’s drinks or water with an over dose of his painkillers Demerol? Why was his personal physician – who was supposed to be with him day in and day out - missing from the scene or went missing as soon as he was rushed to the Emergency Centre? (The personal physician has since surfaced and is being questioned by police). Did the caller call 911 after confirming that Micheal Jackson was dead or couldn’t be revived? Did the caller (in that case) have a hand in that case in his murder or was an indirect accessory to murder. Was Micheal fed up of life and his problems and knowingly consumed an over dose of painkillers. Did Micheal Jackson’s companion in his last few moments know about this and was part of the suicide pact. Did Micheal Jackson ‘choose’ to die at 50? Did Micheal Jackson really die of a cardiac arrest or was a cardiac arrest created with an over dose of Demerol?

Why didn’t Micheal Jackson - who was ailing and under medication – with all his wealth and riches not have 24x7 emergency aid available to him at his residence?

Hopefully these questions will be answered in a couple of weeks when final results of the toxicology tests are out and made public. However, the theory that Jackson probably committed suicide or was administered a lethal cocktail of drugs, with or without his knowledge and consent gained ground when Jackson’s personal physician Dr Conrad Murray who was the last person to see him alive refused to sign the death certificate. This is compounded by the disappearance of the physician when Jackson was rushed to hospital.

Police officials carried out a second autopsy on the body of the 50-year-old Pop icon. The results will take at least two weeks say reports.

Another question remains unanswered. Why didn’t Dr Conrad Murray immediately call 911? Was he trying to confirm that Jackson was dead before the emergency rescue service came in? Was Dr Conrad Murray ‘paid to do Jackson’.

According to reports in the western press, emergency services were only contacted after the singer’s father Joe - who was alerted to Jackson’s condition by a security guard at the singer’s home - made a “huge commotion”.

Jackson is believed to have been given a shot of the methadone-based pain killer Demerol the night before he died. Dr Murray, had attempted to revive Jackson with CPR after his collapse, apparently successfully answered all police queries – of course after spending nearly 24 hours in ‘hiding’ with his lawyers.

Media reports say that Jackson was taking two other powerful narcotic pain relievers – Dilaudid and Vicodin – in addition to Demerol. Maybe on the fateful night, Jackson took a cocktail of painkillers that pinned the last nail in his coffin. Probably the truth will never come out. Did Jackson take the lethal cocktail himself, or was he unknowingly administered the poison?

Jackson’s other drugs included muscle relaxant Soma, a sedative called Xanax and anti depressant Zoloft. He also took Paxil for anxiety and Prilosec, a heartburn pill, say reports.

Bollywood actress Shradha Sharma's nude sex clip crops up in Ahmedabad

FOR MORE PICS OF SHRADHA SHARMA CLICK HERE AND HERE

By Rajesh Sawant – Futuristic Media Network

After the Salman-Katrina, Roadie Tammna and the MTV Splitsvilla participant Sakshi Pradhan sex clip scandals, the latest sex clip to crop up is that of the voluptuous and curvaceous Shradha Sharma. According to Shradha Sharma’s media manager, Flynn Remedios, the clip surfaced in Ahmedabad and is now available on the internet and is fast spreading via Bluetooth all over the country. “I have not yet seen the clip,” said Shradha, adding, please send me a copy if you get one.


One techie said that the sex clip may also contain a mobile phone virus in disguise given the rapid progress the clip has made in just about two days. The clip was first officially reported in Ahmedabad on Wednesday when a journalist from a local English tabloid called up Shradha’s manager for a clarification. The clip seems to spread to other cell phones if one’s Bluetooth connection is in the “discover” or “search devices” mode. “This looks like more than a movie clip; it’s definitely a mobile phone virus masquerading as a porno sex clip. Maybe somebody renamed the sex clip file as Shradha Sharma as it bears hardly any resemblance to the popular television actress,” said Flynn Remedios.

The fake sex clip which is available on the internet can be VIEWED HERE

Recently Shradha Sharma has been in the news for her link-ups with Dj Shezwood and Raja Chaudhary. The sexy actress has been seen often with both of them sparking rumours that she is dating both of them.

The female in the 1.5 min clip has a vague resemblance to Shradha Sharma and looks like a very amateur fake job. It shows a buxom woman undressing and having sex with a man who looks more like a European than an Indian.
(PHOTOS/CONTENT COURTSEY: FLYNN REMEDIOS)

SHOCK AND DISBELIEF: INDIAN MICHEAL JACKSON FANS MOURN THE LEGEND

Thousands of Indian Micheal Jackson fans in India watching late night television watched in utter disbelief as the news of the cardiac arrest of the legend and the subsequent announcement of his death filtered in.

Since most Indian television channels show only repeats of earlier recorded news bulletins, the internet, news websites, blogs and foreign channels were much in demand. Social Networking sites like Facebook, Orkut and Twitter became sources for the latest bits or tweets of info.

SMS networks in India also registered a significant rise in SMS traffic since 4.30 am on Friday morning as news of the King of Pop filtered in. For journalists like Flynn Remedios who grew up on Man in the Mirror, Black or White, Beat it and several other MJ tracks the news came as a big shock.

Long Live MJ. May your soul rest in peace....


updated from my mobile device

NANDANA SEN TO GO TOPLESS FOR BOLLYWOOD FASHION DESIGNER UMAIR ZAFAR??

By Flynn Remedios – Futuristic Media Network


According to sources, Bollywood fashion designer Umair Zafar is planning a mega fashion event and plans to feature none other than Nandana Sen as his show stopper. Also planned is a steamy photo shoot which according to insiders and unconfirmed sources will feature Bengali Tigeress Nandana Sen in the nude.

Nandana Sen had apparently refused to do any topless or nude scenes or shoots after the controversial nude scenes in Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya. Bollywood gossip also suggested that Nandana Sen turned down several prestigious offers including one by Italian film maker Italo Spinelli to pose in the buff. Then what prompted her to say yes to Umair Zafar?

Fashion designer Umair Zafar when queried said, “Yes we have approached Nandana Sen to be part of this mega event next month. She has expressed her willingness to join us and we are yet to decide on the concept, outfits, fabric, etc. I do not know where you have got this news from? Yes she is going to wear a very hot and sexy outfit, but I cannot say anything more.”

Spinelli script had Nandana playing the lead role of a tribal woman who is surreptitiously shot nude by a photographer. However, Nandana apparently turned down the offer including several others that required her to show flesh.

Umair Zafar refused to reveal any further details about the fashion event or the photo shoot. However an assistant to the designer told us, “It seems that Nandana Sen has consented to do a nude or semi nude shoot, but it would be done in a very artistic, aesthetic and classy way.”

We spoke to Nandana Sen and she acknowledged that she has been talking to Umair Zafar. “We are yet to work out the concept, outfits and other stuff, was all that she would reveal at this stage.”

Neither Umair Zafar nor Nandana Sen were willing to share further details, but insiders say that a very volatile and steamy photo session is being planned wherein the Bong siren may even go nude.

SHINEY AHUJA CASE: VICTIM CONTRADICTS HERSELF, MALE FRIEND GOES UNDERGROUND

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Just as Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja was remanded to judicial custody – meaning he would be shifted from the police lockup to Arthur Road Jail in Central Mumbai, the first chinks in the armour of the alleged victim’s testimony have cropped up.

According to another domestic help at Shiney Ahuja’s house Sangeetha, on the fateful day, she had asked the victim to accompany her when she left the premises at about 5 pm. The alleged victim had REFUSED to go with her and insisted on staying on in the house, knowing well that she was all alone in the flat.

The same victim in her statement to the police and in the FIR has stated that Shiney Ahuja had allegedly tried to get fresh with her and tried to molest her the previous day. Even a simpleton would understand that no 17 or 18 or 20 year-old girl would want to stay alone in a flat with a man who had tried to molest or touch her or made advances towards her just a day before. She would have tried her level best to ensure that her “sister maid” was also there with her or would have tried to leave with the other maid.

But in this case, the sister maid while leaving actually asked the alleged victim to accompany her while she went to attend a church service (according to her sister maid Sangeetha, it was the victim’s idea earlier to join her) but the victim REFUSED TO GO WITH HER KNOWING WELL THAT SHE WOULD BE ALONE IN THE HOUSE with Shiney Ahuja who had just a day before tried to molest her according to her very own statement to the police.

Now is this the normal behaviour of a young girl – irrespective of whether she is a virgin or not or has been accustomed to sex or not? To the best of my knowledge and belief any girl or even a hard-boiled aspiring Bollywood actress who has learnt how to avoid the lecherous C-grade producers and other ‘hawks’ would try to get away as quickly as possible from a man she perceives or thinks could act fresh or smart with her.

This argument brings to the fore the conspiracy theory put forth in another article by Flynn Remedios titled Shiney Ahuja: Rape or Blackmail, Villain or Victim? Further, it probably also explains why the alleged victim’s so-called boyfriend or friend suddenly has gone underground and switched off his phone when the media began hunting for him after his presence in the drama was exposed by Flynn Remedios in the same article. This could also explain Shiney Ahuja’s initial and first statements to the police when he was picked up and brought to the police station. Shiney Ahuja had maintained that the sex was consensual and that they had even ‘done it a day before’.

Whatever be the case, the first chinks in the victim’s testimony have begun to surface with a few days of her allegations. May the Truth Prevail and may Justice Be Done!

HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS CLAUDIA CIESLA INJURED AT JUHIU IN MUMBAI

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

A crazy – and probably drunk, motorcyclist brushed past German supermodel and Hollywood actress Claudia Ciesla late on Wednesday night (early Thursday morning) while she was getting out of a car causing minor bruises on her right hand.

Claudia who was scheduled to fly out of India in the wee hours of Thursday morning to Germany was driving back to her hotel along the Juhu-Chowpatty road. When she neared her hotel, she asked her driver to stop. It was then that a speeding motorcyclist brushed passed her at full speed from behind just as she opened the door of her car and stepped out.

Claudia sustained minor bruises on her right hand which were treated and bandaged at a nearby hospital on her way to the airport.

Confirming the freak accident, Flynn Remedios, Claudia Ciesla’s spokesperson and publicist for India said, “Yes it is correct that Claudia was slightly injured when an errant speeding motorcyclist brushed past her while she was getting out of her car from the right side door. Since this incident happened in the early hours of Thursday morning and as Claudia had a flight to catch, we learnt about it only when she reached Germany.”

The motor cyclist sped away so fast that neither Claudia nor her driver managed to get a glance at his registration number, added Flynn Remedios.

JOURNALIST FLYNN REMEDIOS GETS DEATH THREATS FOR ‘SUPPORTING’ SHINEY AHUJA

Freelance journalist and avid blogger who posted a blog entry “supporting’ Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja – accused of raping his domestic help – received several threatening calls and emails on Tuesday.

Says Flynn Remedios, “While most of the threatening calls were from agitated women some of them were from men who either had some political background or were hardliner rightists. I have discounted most of them except for one or two calls which threatened me with serious bodily harm and one of them with death if I continued to ‘support’ Shiney Ahuja.”

Remedios also received several emails lambasting him for his ‘support’ for Ahuja, some of them very vulgar and offensive.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday evening, Flynn Remedios said, “As a journalist - and particularly one who has covered the crime and legal beat – I wanted to present some facts and views that came up. I am not Shiney Ahuja’s PRO or publicist. The law presumes every accused is innocent until convicted or proven guilty by a proper process of trial. These days some people can go to any extent to extort money and even ‘scream’ rape. I am not defending nor am I condemning anybody through my article.

In about 15 years of reporting, I have come across cases wherein drugs, contraband or arms have been ‘planted’ on innocent persons out of rivalry or enmity. I have come across several situations where false FIRs are registered and innocent accused arrested. Sections of the IPC like 376 (rape), 498 (harassment for dowry, etc), 354/509 (sexual harassment) and even 420 (cheating) are the most misused. The police machinery has been used as a ‘recovery’ or ‘revenge’ mechanism time and again. Domestics or employees have accused their employers of sexual harassment to avenge a demotion or transfer and employers have accused their employees of theft. I have been a first hand witness to a high profile case wherein a highly educated software engineer in an IT firm was accused of Data theft, hacking, etc merely because he decided to quit his job and join another firm.

Some persons have been accused of murders they did not commit. Shiney Ahuja has no prior record of violence or misbehavior. He was known and portrayed as a doting father and a good family man. Even if he did commit the heinous crime, there must have been some provocation or circumstances that got him into it.”

Flynn Remedios’ article suggesting a third character in the Shiney Ahuja rape case can be found at http://futuristicmedianetwork.blogspot.com. He has handed copies of all the threatening emails and details of the phone calls to the police who are expected to register an FIR after scrutinizing the available evidence.

SHINEY AHUJA: RAPE OR BLACKMAIL? VILLIAN OR VICTIM?

In an article published on a prominent news website, freelance journalist, former crime reporter and Celebrity Publicist Flynn Remedios of Futuristic Media Network, after extensive research and investigation, has pointed out a new conspiracy theory that suggests that Shiney Ahuja is not the villain, but a victim of blackmail himself.

In his article, Flynn Remedios says that he spoke to several officials at the Oshiwara Police Station over two days, officers from the ‘Detection Section’ as well as some other domestic helps and maids who worked in the same residential complex where Shiney Ahuja lives. Flynn Remedios managed to track down a third, as yet unknown character in the “Rape Drama” – the so-called boyfriend of the alleged victim – Shiney Ahuja’s maidservant. The boyfriend or a ‘close friend’ of Shiney’s maid servant had a bad habbit of gambling. He also did drugs and was himself a small time thief.

According to the investigation of journalist Flynn Remedios, it seemed to be somewhat apparent from the people he spoke to that Shiney Ahuja was himself a victim of blackmail and has been framed. His maidservant’s boyfriend or close friend was heavily in debt and probably “used” the maid servant to extract money from Shiney Ahuja. “This is just a theory,” said Flynn Remedios, adding, “I do not want to influence, hamper or disturb the police investigation in any way, but as a journalist, I have to present the other side of the story and the various aspects and possibilities that have come to the fore. It is a fact that the alleged victim was friendly with some other male person of dubious character. There is a strong possibility that he could have used the alleged victim to extract money from Shiney Ahuja who at one time was pegged to be charging Rs One crore per film.”

Apparently, the maid servant had either seduced Shiney into having sex with her and then tried to black mail him or in a moment of weakness, Shiney Ahuja himself must have made a pass at her or tried to ‘get physical’. What ever be the case, once the maid servant’s boyfriend realized that there was the proverbial golden goose waiting to lay the golden eggs, he first tried to extort money from Shiney Ahuja and when that probably failed, he got the maid servant to file a complaint of rape.

“At no point of time am I trying to suggest that some sort of sexual activity – whether consensual or coerced – did or did not take place. However, one important fact that the police investigation and the media has probably missed out is the presence of a gambler/drug user boyfriend or close friend in the life of the alleged victim maid servant and the possible role of such a character in the entire chain of events,” explains Flynn Remedios.

Some media reports have claimed that there were marks of “forced intercourse”, but unless the same are confirmed, all options are possible. “It is also possible that someone else may have used the maid servant to get even with Shiney Ahuja in either a professional or business vendetta after knowing his weaknesses. \

A similar incident had happened two years ago, when the young influential son of a prominent builder and businessman was accused of raping a commercial sex worker in his Mercedes Benz car. The victim is now absconding and all efforts by the police to trace her have proved futile. At that time, Remedios who was a crime reporter with a daily newspaper had identified – after a lengthy and detailed investigation, including interviews with the victim - a possibility of a business rivalry in the entire drama, given the fact that the stakes ran into several hundred crores. He has now put forward a similar conspiracy theory in the Shiney Ahuja case. “In the last two years about three prominent business men were eventually acquitted by the courts in spite of being accused of attempt to murder (Builder Chaturvedi case) and possession of drugs (Salil Chaturvedi/Provogue case). In the former case, several high ranking officers were either transferred or suspended when their complexity in the frame up was exposed. In the Provogue case, the court came down heavily on the cops for “framing’ Salil Chaturvedi,” says Flynn Remedios, adding that the possibility exists that Shiney Ahuja is a victim himself of some sinister plot.

Remedios has also quoted some officers of the “detection department” as saying – of course on condition of anonymity – that initially when Shiney Ahuja was brought to the police station he kept saying that he was framed by someone else. While the rest of the media has reported that apparently Shiney Ahuja broke down and later “confessed to the crime”, it is probably under the subtle psychological pressure of police investigation and the fear that he may be beaten or put through third degree that the actor probably decided to “confess” to a crime that he probably did not confess. Such situations are well-known with other white collared criminals as well, who under psychological pressure break down and just want to get it over with.

While the police do not exactly use third degree on white collar or ‘influential or educated accused’ they are subjected to subtle psychological pressure like not being allowed to go to the toilet or being denied drinking water, etc. Sometimes, a detection officer will pretend to be a ‘friend’ of the accused and ‘suggest’ that he just ‘confess’ and get over with it. The accused is also told that he will only prolong his agony and time at the police station (under police remand) if he does not confess. Many tough persons succumb to such subtle pressure and say what the cops what to hear, just to get over with the entire process. Some of them are also aware that any statement or confession made while in police custody is unacceptable as evidence in court and can be retracted later on.

ACTRESS RAGASIYA GETS THREATENING CALLS, FILES POLICE COMPLAINT

Anonymous caller threatened her NOT to model for the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International event.

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Well-known south actress Ragasiya – who has done films like Bombay to Goa, Vasoolraja, Annan Thampi, Vaigai and about 20 others - filed a police complaint at the Oshiwara Police Station in suburban Mumbai on Thursday night after an anonymous caller threatened to throw acid on her face if she modeled for the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International 2009 event. Ragasiya has been signed on to walk the ramp in a bikini for the super-glam event and is also the Face of the Event for their publicity and promotion.

The police registered a Non-Cognizable complaint (NC No 1819/09 u/s 506 IPC) after Ragasiya and Living Talent Ms Bikini India International 2009 director Flynn Remedios submitted a written complaint to the police.

On Monday, the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International 2009 auditions at Pune were interrupted by a mob of unruly persons shouting “Jai Maharashtra” slogans.Spokesperson and co-organiser of the event Flynn Remedios said, “We were conducting auditions for the beauty pageant when a mob of about 20 persons gathered outside the audition hall. Earlier we had some problem with some model co-ordinators who didn’t want non-Maharashtrian model co-ordinators to send in their candidates. Since our event is open to all Indian girls and even to NRI girls of Indian origin residing abroad, we told them to get lost. After about 15 minutes, they returned with some 20-odd people and started shouting slogans.”

“We had to suspend the auditions for that day as the mob blocked the entry and exit route. We didn’t want to inconvenience the models. We will hold the auditions on some other day,” said Flynn Remedios, adding that the goons claimed to be from a local political outfit and threatened to beat up the organisers and contestants if the event was not cancelled.

Living Talent had announced that the Ms Bikini India International would be held in September-October this year at a glittering mega event. The venue of the event is top secret for now and even the exact schedule is not known except to a few insiders.

Living Talent, - organizers of the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International is India’s foremost Artiste and Talent Management Agency, that manages the professional careers of almost 50 models, singers, comedians, stage performers, item dancers and actors put together and is today one of India’s most aggressive agencies. It is also the organizer of the Living Talent Face of India Talent Hunt at which international supermodel and Hollywood actress Claudia Ciesla will ramp walk. South actress Ragasiya has also confirmed her participation for the fashion show that will be part of the bikini event.

Several Bollywood and a few Hollywood celebrities are expected to attend the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International mega event to add the glam and glitter component. The main event will be telecast live and will have a televised Reality Show lasting about 30 days where the finalists will rough it out for the coveted crown, explained Remedios.

MS BIKINI INDIA INTERNATIONAL IS BACK

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

The talk-of-the-town and much-awaited Living Talent Ms Bikini India International - which could not be held last year due to regulatory issues – is now back with a bang. This announcement was made yesterday by co-founder and organizer of Living Talent Ms Bikini India International 2009, Flynn Remedios who said that the event will be held in September-October this year at a glittering mega event. He however refused to confirm the venue of the event, saying that the venue and exact schedule of the event will be announced soon.

Living Talent, - organizers of the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International is India’s foremost Artiste and Talent Management Agency, that manages the professional careers of almost 50 models, singers, comedians, stage performers, item dancers and actors put together and is today one of India’s most aggressive agencies. It is also the organizer of the Living Talent Face of India Talent Hunt at which international supermodel and Hollywood actress Claudia Ciesla will ramp walk. South actress Ragasiya has also confirmed her participation for the fashion show that will be part of the bikini event.

Several Bollywood and a few Hollywood celebrities are expected to attend the Living Talent Ms Bikini India International mega event to add the glam and glitter component. The main event will be telecast live and will have a televised Reality Show lasting about 30 days where the finalists will rough it out for the coveted crown, explained Remedios.

According to sources, the winner will take home a cool Rs 50-lakh and will also get an opportunity to feature in a Bollywood production. Living Talent has also announced fantastic special cash incentives for model co-ordinators, modeling agencies, agents, photographers and others who send in entries and contestants for the event.


Contestants can email their entries at living.talent.bikini (at) gmail.com

CANADIAN POLICE “BLOCK” FAKE SALMAN KHAN-KATRINA KAIF SEX VIDEO

By a Futuristic Media Network correspondent


According to reports from Canada, the Canadian police have intervened to “block” the fake Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif hardcore sex video. Freelance journalist and Bollywood celebrity publicist Flynn Remedios who first exposed the existence of this video through an article said, “A senior Canadian police officer of the rank of Major/Assistant Commissioner who spoke to me on condition of anonymity explained that after a fan who had read the article and brought the existence of this video on some porn websites to the notice of police, the police immediately ‘instructed’ the websites (most of them are USA-hosted) to pull off the offending video.

According to the article published online by Flynn Remedios, a poorly made hardcore home sex video, using look-alike actors pretending to look like or dressed like and using wigs, outfits and makeup to resemble Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif had surfaced in Canada and was the talk of the town among NRI audiences.

A MMS clip from the same fake Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif video was also in circulation and became the talk of the town among high school and college-going kids who helped spread the fake amateur porn video through Bluetooth transfer. The video was till recently also available on some sex websites that “sell” such downloads but seems to have disappeared after word of its existence spread. The Canadian police are now trying to ascertain the origin of the MMS, said Flynn Remedios who has been tracking the case since it was first exposed by him two days ago. “Though the sex video has been taken off the European, US and Canadian websites, it is still available for download on sites hosted in the erstwhile USSR, China and Australia,” informed Remedios.

It is quite apparent that the video is a fake and the actors are either body doubles or have used make up techniques to resemble the Bollywood Badshah and his girl friend and use his brand equity and popularity worldwide, particularly among the prominent NRI Indian population in Canada, said Flynn Remedios adding that the fake sex video has now found its way to Indian shores.

“A friend called me up from Bangalore to say that the Salman-Katrina sex video MMS is in circulation in Bangalore, but we are not sure if it’s the same thing,” he revealed.

POONAM DASGUPTA WITH RAHUL ROY IN BEGUM SAHIBA

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Veteran yesteryear television and film actress Poonam Dasgupta - who has done over 100 films and tele serials (Notably 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), will return to her first love - acting after a hiatus of almost ten years.

Poonam Dasgupta will feature in India's most expensive theatre production titled Begum Sahiba with Rahul Roy. According to industry sources, the play that the producers promise has a climax never heard of or imagined before is being produced at a budget of Rs 50 lakh. According to Flynn Remedios, publicist for Begum Sahiba, the play will set new benchmarks for theatre and will also feature a video as part of the project. “It will be one of the most splendid plays and a visual treat for viewers,” he added. Rehearsals for Begum Sahiba, produced by Saar Entertainers have been going on for about two months now and it is expected to be staged around mid-August, explained Flynn Remedios.


At an informal interaction with media persons and friends - including regional actress Priyankaa who was all praises for Poonam’s theatrical antics - Poonam Dasgupta said, “It’s like coming back home again after ten years, after a long break, I am doing something that I have always loved. Though I have been regularly getting film offers, I have consciously stayed away from filmdom. Now, I am back again with a bang in Begum Sahiba as the evergreen, quintessential Begum,” said the vivacious and feisty actress with a twinkle in her eyes.

Rahul Roy who managed to make it directly from the airport said that he was pleased to be part of Begum Sahiba. “This is absolutely a new orgasm for me that I never experienced before. I can imagine the thrill of acting on stage – an orgasm that I did not probably get in my Bollywood career. When you are live on stage, there are no retakes, no editing on the computer. It’s all real, all live, happening then and there.”

Actor director Babloo Mukherjee is directing the play (he also plays a character in Begum Sahiba) which also features Kishore Bhanushali (also known as junior Dev Anand), Raj Prem and Zara as a transvestite. “Begum Sahiba has got romance, charity, deceit, humour, homosexuality, infidelity, suspense, lust and a variety of other attributes,” said Babloo Mukherjee.

PRIYANKAA IS A MARATHA PRINCESS IN A SPECTRA MULTIMEDIA FILM

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Regional actress Priyankaa plays a Maratha princess – in a Spectra Multimedia film - who is in love with a Mughal prince. All hell breaks loose when the Maratha garrison finds out in a midst of a skirmish that the Mughal territory they have just attacked is controlled by a prince who has their princess literally in the palm of his hand.

Spectra Multimedia began shooting for its regional, multi-lingual film featuring actress Priyankaa at a lavish set about 25 kilometers from Panvel, on the outskirts of Mumbai about two weeks ago. The shoot resumed after a break of one week for the second schedule.

The huge set for the palace was constructed at a cost of about Rs 50 lakh – a record for a regional film. About 100 labourers, 50 skilled technicians, 10 electricians and 5 engineers were involved in the construction of the set which boasts of several technical marvels that will help Spectra Multimedia shoot different aspects of the film on a rotating, revolving podium. Each time the podium is moved, it will enable the director to use different backgrounds or facades as may be required for the film.

Spokesperson and Executive Producer for Spectra Multimedia, Flynn Remedios said, “While we would not like to specify the exact budget of this film, it is definitely a big budget project when compared to the standards of the regional or Marathi film industry. Though the story is part fiction, it envelopes and includes a great part of Maratha history, which would be a treat to watch.”

The Mumbai-based Film and TV software Production House Spectra Multimedia signed a 3-film deal with upcoming regional actress Priyankaa in May. All three films will be made in Marathi and are expected to be completed by this year-end or mid 2010. While one film will be a family comedy, another will be based on a historical story. The third and last film is expected to be a suspense thriller, according to a release issued by the company. According to Flynn Remedios, “While the films will be primarily in Marathi, they would have a multi-lingual approach with added dialogues in Hinglish to give them a larger appeal.” Spectra Multimedia through its distribution partners will release these films all over the country, he added.

By virtue of this 3-film deal, actress Priyankaa is also into a two-year exclusive artiste management contract with Spectra Multimedia who will handle all her film, advertising, endorsement and branding assignments.

FAKE SALMAN KHAN-KATRINA KAIF SEX VIDEO SURFACES IN CANADA

By Flynn Remedios – Futuristic Media Network


A poorly made hardcore home sex video, using look-alike actors pretending to look like or dressed and disguised like and using wigs, outfits and makeup to resemble Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif has apparently surfaced in Canada, say sources. This hardcore sex video is not to be confused with the several comic clips on Salman and Katrina already in existence on YouTube.

A MMS clip from the same fake Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif video also seems to be in circulation and apparently is the talk of the town among high school and college-going kids who have helped spread the fake amateur porn video. The video was till recently also available on some sex websites that “sell” such downloads but seems to have disappeared after word of its existence spread.

According to a source whom we spoke to in Canada, it is obvious to any viewer that the video is a fake and the actors are either body doubles or have used make up techniques to resemble the Bollywood Badshah and his girl friend and use his brand equity and popularity worldwide, particularly among the prominent NRI Indian population in Canada.

We tried to contact both Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif for their comments or feedback and in spite of our sustained efforts, both were unavailable for comment. Katrina Kaif’s publicist didn’t answer or return our calls.

It is very unlikely that the fake and fraudulent sex video has reached Indian shores. We did a check in various cities in India, calling friends and fellow journalists to find out if they had heard or seen anything. Not many of them had even heard of it, but some of them said that such a fraudulent sex videos using body doubles have been in existence and are not an uncommon thing in the underground porn clubs in the west. Apparently, many Hollywood actors have such amateur fake and fraudulent videos in circulation made by body doubles to encash on the popularity of the actor’s name.

ACTRESS KRISHIKA GUPTA GETS THREATENING CALLS – FILES POLICE COMPLAINT

SAYS POLICE REFUSED TO REGISTER HER COMPLAINT

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

For actress and stage performer Krishika Gupta, the plot just couldn’t get thicker. She probably never realized when she consented to do a photo shoot with Garam Masala and Lucky Oye actress Neetu Chandra, the kind of mess she would be in.

On Monday, upcoming actress and model Krishika Gupta (who actually spells her name as Krrishika) along with her Manager and Publicist filed a police complaint at the Santacruz Police Station in suburban Mumbai (NC No 1554/08 u/s 506 IPC) after the sexy and voluptuous actress began receiving threatening calls. Apparently, the caller warned her not to speak to the media on the photo shoot issue and threatened her with dire consequences if she continued to give media interviews.

On Saturday in a press release issued by her Publicist Flynn Remedios, Krrishika had alleged that she was molested, pinched on the rear, abused and her modesty outraged during the shoot at a 5-star hotel at Juhu in suburban Mumbai.

She also blamed the police for not registering her complaint of molestation and outraging the modesty of a woman. Said Krrishika, “Though I told them (police officials) that some people had tried to pull off my robe, pinched me and abused me, they refused to take down that part of my complaint.” Her manager Flynn Remedios added, “We first went to the Versova Police Station at Andheri in suburban Mumbai as that’s where Krrishika resides. But they directed us to the Juhu Police station. The Juhu Police sent us to the Santacruz Police Station. We spent almost three hours driving from one police station to the other. The police refused to add section 354 and 509 which deals with outraging the modesty of a woman. They only took down a complaint u/s 506 which is criminal intimidation.”

In an official statement released on Saturday in Mumbai by her publicist Flynn Remedios, Krrishika Gupta said, “I was exploited, pinched on the rear, molested and abused. While Neetu Chandra was provided with security, the organizers of the photo shoot left me to fend for myself. I had offered to get my own assistant along, but they told me that every thing would be provided for at the venue. I was told that it was a very artistic and classy shoot for a very prestigious magazine. When I reached the venue, I realized that these were all empty promises.”

“During the shoot, since we were shooting in bikinis in the open on Juhu beach and at a hotel adjoining the beach, some people tried to touch me and even tried to pull away the bath robe that I had put on over the bikini to cover myself. When I complained to the organizers no action was taken. The organizers were very busy ensuring that the shoot was completed as per their plans – since a crowd had collected by then - and did not pay any heed to my complaint. I feel completely cheated by the organizers and will sue them for the indignity and insult endured by me. There was no proper security. Though the shoot was on the open beach, no police permission was taken nor was any police official present.”


For more photos of Actress Krrishika click here or go to http://bollymanager.blogspot.com



(CONTENT AND PHOTOS © FLYNN REMEDIOS)

ACTRESS KRISHIKA GUPTA: “I WAS MOLESTED, PINCHED AND ABUSED”

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

In a new twist to the Neetu Chandra photo shoot controversy, upcoming actress and model Krishika Gupta (who actually spells her name as Krrishika) has alleged that she was molested, pinched on the rear, abused and her modesty outraged during the shoot at a 5-star hotel at Juhu in suburban Mumbai.

In an official statement released on Saturday in Mumbai by her publicist Flynn Remedios, Krrishika Gupta said, “I was exploited, pinched on the rear, molested and abused. While Neetu Chandra was provided with security, the organizers of the photo shoot left me to fend for myself. I had offered to get my own assistant along, but they told me that every thing would be provided for at the venue. I was told that it was a very artistic and classy shoot for a very prestigious magazine. When I reached the venue, I realized that these were all empty promises.”

“During the shoot, since we were shooting in bikinis in the open on Juhu beach and at a hotel adjoining the beach, some people tried to touch me and even tried to pull away the bath robe that I had put on over the bikini to cover myself. When I complained to the organizers no action was taken. The organizers were very busy ensuring that the shoot was completed as per their plans – since a crowd had collected by then - and did not pay any heed to my complaint. I feel completely cheated by the organizers and will sue them for the indignity and insult endured by me. There was no proper security. Though the shoot was on the open beach, no police permission was taken nor was any police official present.”


Krrishika’s Manager and Publicist Flynn Remedios confirmed that Krrishika is contemplating filing a police complaint. “Some persons from the crowd tried to pull her bath robe and also tried to touch her improperly and paw her. One of them pinched her on the rear. They showered her with some of the choicest abuses in vernacular languages and made vulgar and abusive signs and gestures at her. Krrishika will file an official police complaint on Monday, after consulting her family and lawyers,” said Flynn Remedios, adding that Krrishika was uncertain about complaining about this earlier. "She didn't want to disturb or upset her family," explained.

Krishika is thankful that the situation did not get out of hand. “They crowd could have done anything to me,” she said, recounting with horror the story of two girls who were molested by an unruly crowd at Juhu on New Year’s Eve. It was very irresponsible of the organizers and the magazine to shoot on an open beach with models in bikinis without proper security, added Krishika.

For more photos of Actress Krrishika click here or go to http://bollymanager.blogspot.com