The two actors keep oscillating between being sweet and being bitchy to each other…will you girlies stop playing around with us, please!

Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have both been busy promoting their respective films for the past month. And at every event they invariably fell prey to questions about each other. Their rivalry is by now something that every gali ka baccha knows about. And the media is always waiting to know what their relationship status is!

But like jilted lovers, they keep going from hate to love to hate. We last heard Kareena say, “Priyanka is a dumdaar actress.” Post that, when Priyanka was asked about Kareena’s wedding, she said, “I can’t wait to see Kareena as a bride!” And the whole world thought that finally the actors had decided to be friends, and if not friends, then at least cordial acquaintances or colleagues. And just before all these sweet words were said, the Chopra girl and the Kapoor babe bonded when Priyanka paid her a visit on the sets of Heroine. And we thought, ‘all is well’.

Perhaps we thought that too soon. Insiders tell us that Kareena feels that Priyanka is her biggest competitor and she keeps a constant watch on PeeCee’s moves. And so we think Kareena read between the lines when Piggy Chops made that comment about her wedding (and who knows, she might not be entirely wrong). So perhaps PeeCee’s eagerness to see Kareena get married didn’t go down very well with Bebo. Considering Bebo wants to work till she is 80, being a married actor has been a cause of major concern for the heroine any which way. Recently Kareena also made a statement that she would definitely beat the success of Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion – starring Piggy Chops – and that she didn’t really care about winning a National Award (we don’t really believe that one).

A couple of days ago Priyanka was dumbfounded when she was asked to react to that statement. She quickly came up with a retort. “A case of sour grapes – what else do I say,” she giggled. We like your tongue-in-cheek humour, Priyanka, and we love your witty (read snide) remarks, Bebo, but we would also love it if you girls made up your minds about whether you want to be nice to each or not.

Having said that, we can’t wait to see the next big statement that is waiting to come from of either of the two. PeeCee is getting rave reviews for Barfi!, so she sure is in a happy place right now. But what will happen if Kareena’s ambitious Heroine (which releases this week) fails at the box office? Will Priyanka make a statement saying that Bebo should not be disheartened and should look forward to her wedding instead? And will Kareena get miffed and get back at Piggy saying, ‘At least I have a boyfriend I can admit to’? Girlies, you’ve got us addicted to your ‘friendly’ repartee!

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The Barfi! babe is probably having the best year of her career so far, and her fans seem to be loving it!

Bollywoodlife.com conducted an online poll asking our readers who they thought was Bollywood’s biggest heroine right now, and we got an overwhelming response. Must say that the competition was tough – between Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra. But PeeCee quite comfortably beat her contemporaries to come out as the winner of the poll.

While Priyanka received 31 percent votes, Kareena – the current “Heroine” – got 25 percent votes and Katrina Kaif came third with 24 percent votes. The others in the running were Vidya Balan with 10 percent votes and Rani Mukerji with 5 percent.

PeeCee has had an amazing 2012 and it’s not surprising at all that she has come out tops in this poll. She started the year with a big hit in the form of Agneepath and now Barfi! has managed to win over the audiences and critics alike. Priyanka was applauded for her subtle and mature portrayal of the autistic girl Jhilmil. The only thing that hasn’t worked for her is Teri Meri Kahaani with Shahid Kapoor, but it seems like everyone has already forgotten about it.

Barfi! has made over approximately Rs 80 crores (including overseas collections) and has been picked as India’s official entry to the Oscars. And if that wasn’t enough, the girl is making waves internationally as the first singing star from India. Her first single In My City became the anthem of the National Football League, putting her directly in the top league. Her video is set to release soon, and it’s creating loads of curiosity in India.

Priyanka’s 30th year definitely seems to be proving lucky for her. And we are sure that 2013 will be as exciting for the babe, as she vies for all the best actress trophies in India and Barfi! fights for a place in the top five foreign language films list at the Academy Awards. The superhero flick Krissh 3 releases next year and Priyanka’s album also hits the market in early 2013! Way to go PeeCee!

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Sedition: does it have any place in modern India?

Now that Kanpur-based cartoonist Aseem Trivedi has been charged with sedition for his cartoons that 'mocked' the country's political class, Parliament and the national emblem, one has to bear in mind that the word "sedition" does not actually figure anywhere in the Indian Constitution. It is an offence against the state as enumerated in the Indian Penal Code which is an 1860 Act ratified by the British to rule over Indians. Section 124 A of the IPC was drawn up in 1860, just three years after the British East India Company had weathered the storm of the Sepoy Mutiny. 

So yes, the case against Aseem is registered under Section 124A of the IPC that is an 1860 Act which defines sedition as: "Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine." 

A member of Repubican Party of India, Amit Katarnayea, had filed a complaint against Trivedi that the latter had put up banners mocking the Indian constitution during the Anna Hazare rally held last year at the Bandra Kurla Complex. 

Before Aseem, Dr Binayak Sen was also charged under the same section, a charge the court threw away after the Chhattisgarh government's attempts to put Sen away drew international rebuke. Many prominent Indians - from Tilak to Gandhi to Jogendra Chandra Bose - have faced sedition charges. 

In India, where 'ignorance of law is no excuse,' the Constitution however guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Article 19(1)(A) of the Indian Constitution says that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. The right to freedom of speech and expression incorporates protection for austerely censuring existing government structures, policies and administrative schemes, coupled with protection for suggesting and recommending the development of other system. Article 19 (2) of Indian Constitution says that, every citizen of the country holds the right to air his or her opinion through the printing or the electronic media, with certain restrictions imposed.

The recent cases of Dr Sen and Aseem reveal the archaic nature of sedition charges, something that is not quite in sync with a modern democracy which cherishes the ideals of freedom of expression and speech. It is one of those numerous IPC codes drawn up in British India to help the British Police to lord over native Indians, to crush every small protest against British rule. Police reforms and an overhaul of police laws is the only way to ensure that such regressive and irrelevant sections are relegated to the pages of legal history.

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Sedition and treason: the difference between the two

After the arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi under sedition charges, it has become important to understand what is and can be construed as sedition and how it is different from treason.
Sedition is an overt subversive act which leads to incitement against status quo or authority or order. It is a challenge to the establishment. It may be a book, a painting, an idea, a speech, pretty much anything that can act as a vehicle of an anti-establishment idea.

Treason, on the other hand, involves colluding with anti-national forces in terms of providing material support to people or groups who work against the idea of one's nation.

So sedition is against a government in power where as treason is violation of one's allegiance to one's country or sovereign. Sedition threatens a government or individuals in power and treason threatens the entire country with all its people.

However, in many societies the differences between the two have become blurred and sedition has been closely linked to acts of terrorism and public safety violation.

It is to be noted that the Section 124A of IPC which was slapped agaainst Aseem is an 1860 Act that was promulgated by the British Raj to help control its Indian subjects. Where as the anti-sedition law was abolished in the UK in 2010, in India it has been levied twice in the last five years - against Dr Binayak Sen and Aseem Trivedi. There have been calls for charges under Section 124A to be formed against writer Arundhuti Roy for her comments on Kashmir and the Maoist issue.

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Salman Khan is great, says Kareena Kapoor!

Kareena Kapoor is contacts with all the Khan’s in Bollywood. In fact, she is one of those few actresses who has got a prospect to work with all of them. She was just asked to pick out the Tiger of Bollywood and as anticipated, the actress picked Salman Khan.

Bebo is really happy for Salman Khan’s success at the box office. She also says, that her film with her beau Saif Ali Khan, ‘Agent Vinod’ is nothing when compared to Sallu’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’.

“Agent Vinod” didn’t do well at the box office, while “Ek Tha Tiger” has done roaring business at the ticket window. 

Asked if she is upset with a lukewarm response to “Agent Vinod”, Kareena Kapoor said: “Both, Saif and I don’t think that way. We both are fans of Salman. He is the tiger of the industry… we can’t think of anything that way.” 

“Salman is great. Saif made ‘Agent Vinod’ as the crow flies from his heart. It was his dream,” Kareena said.

What do you think who is the real Tiger?

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First Look: Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 is a follow-up to the 2011 hit flick Yamla Pagla Deewana. The film is written by Jasvinder Bath and directed by Sangeeth Sivan.

Besides Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, the film stars Neha Sharma, the Russian beauty Kristina Akheeva, Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Johnny Lever and Sucheta Khanna.

Like the poster?

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Deepika and I had a beautiful relationship, says Ranbir Kapoor

In a recent meeting with a popular tabloid, Ranbir Kapoor couldn’t help but shower praises on Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone.

So, what eased the pressure between him and Salman?

Ranbir said, “A lot of things have been said about Salman, which is unreasonable. I respect Salman, our families have been friends for years. He is one of the kindest human beings around and has been helpful in grooming me as an actor. He trained me a few things about working my body, makeup.”

Talking about his relationship with Deepika post their break up, Ranbir said,

“It is great. Deepika has been helpful in making me who I am today. We had a beautiful relationship, which didn’t work out for whatever reasons. But I have taken a lot from it. It is amazing the way she has grown. I am proud of her. Now that we are doing a film together, there is no embarrassment.”

Ranbir also revealed that he is keen on experiencing a live in relationship. However, now that he lives with his parents, he is happy and has no complaints.

“I would like to experience a live in relationship. But I am also happy to live with my parents” said RK

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Sonakshi and Saif in ‘Bullet Raja’

Tigmanshu Dhulia’s determined to act  gangster film ‘Bullet Raja’ will see Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan and the sweet Sonakshi Sinha come together, for the very first time.

Buzz is that Sonakshi will play Saif’s love concern. She is said to be an self-sufficient Bengali girl, who is fresh and well educated, while Saif plays a gangster.

If all goes well, the film will move out in November, this year. The shooting will take place in Lucknow, Kolkata and Mumbai. Other details about the film are yet to be revealed.

What do you think of Saif and Sona’s join up?? We think they will look enormous together.

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