Nice knowing you, Jack Bauer. It was good while it lasted. After eight days seasons of secret agent, butt-kicking goodness, 24 is officially closing its doors on the Counter Terrorist Unit. "This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible," series star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherlandsaid in statement Friday. "While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon." Now about that 24 movie... "Looking ahead to the future, Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24," Kiefer explained (yay!). "But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful." Still, the potential movie doesn't make a canceled hit show any easier. Fan favorite Mary Lynn Rajskub(Chloe) immediately tweeted the news to fans in two solemn sentences. "Just found out we got the word officially," she wrote. "This is 24's last season." Don't miss 24's two-hour series finale Monday, May 24 at 8 p.m. on Fox. Will you miss 24 and the CTU gang? Is 24 past its prime? Say your goodbyes below.Time Finally Runs Out on 24
MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - A new Bollywood film has put the spotlight on changing sexual mores in small-town India, unsettling conservative filmgoers with spy cam footage and pushing the limits of the country's censorship board. "Love Sex aur Dhokha" (Love Sex and Betrayal) is the latest in a series of avant-garde offerings stripping the film industry of decades of inhibition and dramatically changing the traditional formula of song-and-dance romances and violent revenge sagas. The film, which opened in cinemas last week with an adults-only rating, has courted controversy with blurred visuals of a naked woman and voyeuristic sequences in its trailers. Director Dibakar Banerjee says "Love Sex aur Dhokha" is more about a change in attitudes than it is about sex. He says the film explores the lack of privacy in the modern world -- one where even mobile phones can capture, and broadcast, intimate moments. "What my camera is doing is that it's recording a story that is changing in front of the camera," says Banerjee. "Earlier, sex used to be behind closed doors but now that is changing." A decade ago, when a coy couple were about to kiss on screen, the camera would glide to two flowers brushing against each other or birds pecking at each other's beaks. Audiences just assumed the couple had done the deed. In that sense, Banerjee's film, with a bunch of unknown actors, broke new ground with an extended sex scene which didn't quite escape the censor board's scissors. But it's the director's use of unconventional cameras -- spy cams, handycams, supermarket security cameras and even underwater ones -- that seems to have won over the critics and drawn comparisons with Hollywood blockbusters "Paranormal Activity" and "The Blair Witch Project". The story is told from the point of view of the camera, making it almost a character in a plot that interweaves three storylines -- a student who falls in love with his film's lead actress, a shop manager who traps an employee in an infamous MMS scandal and a sting operation on a rock star. "The film effectively exposes the fat, sexual underbelly that sags out of the middles of this disturbingly prejudiced middle India," critic Mayank Shekhar wrote in the Hindustan Times. Although critics agree "Love Sex aur Dhokha" marks a big leap for conservative India, it might take more than a few films to change mindsets. When director Banerjee spoke to his mother about the project, she didn't repeat the name of the film because she didn't want to use the word 'sex'. (Writing by Tony Tharakan, Editing by Miral Fahmy)Bollywood film breaks new ground on sex in India
Bollywood heart-throb Ranbir Kapoor is all set to play 'The Game' with actor Sanjay Dutt. Pepsi recently launched 'The Game', a concept of gaming through TVadvertising.Ranbir 'Game' for Sanju
"The Game by Pepsi is a rocking concept which is sure to instantly connect with the Youngistaanis. Shooting for the same was a phenomenal experience, similar to a fantasy film that I have never done before. I hope all youngsters would participate in The Game with me to show Youngistaan Ka WOW... so, let's play," said Pepsi's brand ambassador Ranbir.
'The Game' is set in a fantasy world and all the action takes place in a castle owned by the 'Game Master' played by the originalKhalnayak, Sanjay Dutt. He challenges Youngistaani, Ranbir to get his Pepsi from his lair.
While Ranbir faces these mind-bending challenges, it is the viewers who can help him make the right choices and come out victorious.
As a viewer gets Ranbir closer to his Pepsi, his right answers will get him closer to the ultimate cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.
"In my career, I have experimented with many looks, roles and characters, but playing the role of the Game Master was an ultimate WOW experience. I hope Youngistaan will enjoy the whole game experience as much as we enjoyed putting it together," said Sanjay Dutt.
'The Game' is played over five films with three levels, each ending with a brainteaser. Three options are given for each riddle.
The exciting five-week game begins with a teaser film on March 27 where the lead characters including Sanjay and Ranbir along with the 'WOW Girl', Jacqueline Fernandes are introduced.
This is followed by three films presenting the challenges every Thursday; concluding with the fifth film.
Viewers can enter 'The Game' at any level and can win exciting prizes including free talk-time, song downloads and ring tones. Those who answer correctly at all levels, stand a chance to win Rs. 50 lakh by succeeding in the final tie-breaker slogan challenge.
Speaking about 'The Game', Punita Lal, Executive Director, Marketing, PepsiCo India said, "With the launch of 'The Game', Pepsi once again acts as a trendsetter by bringing together gaming to TVadvertising for the first time ever".
"We are confident that 'The Game' will not only attract eyeballs owing to its huge entertainment value but also drive participation amongst youngsters thanks to the fantastic concept and thrill it promises to deliver", she added.
In 'The Game', while Ranbir sports an active and uber cool look, Sanjay as the Game Master will be seen in a unique look straight out of a video game.
Eminent personalities like Palash Sen (Euphoria), Raghav Sachar, Raghu Ram (MTV Roadies Fame) Padmini Kolhapure, Luke Kenny, Avial, and Saurabh Saxena kicked-off the Follow Your Dreams signature campaign to reform Indian education system here. The campaign is initiated by 'I Pledge to Stop Student Suicides' movement, in association with Mexus Education.'Follow Your Dreams' aims to reform education system
Palash Sen, lead vocalist, Euphoria, said, "Music has always been the best way to connect directly with the youth. I personally feel that our education system should stress more on enhancing the student's learning experience along with offering him the freedom to make his/her own choice.
"Whatever Euphoria has achieved till date, is because of the fact that we followed our dreams and worked hard towards converting them into a reality. This is the change we intend to bring about with this petition. We never gave up on our dreams and that is my message for everyone, "Haar Na Maan Naa!"
The campaign kicked off at Follow Your Dreams Pronite-Zodiac 2010, an intra-college festival hosted by Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RGIT) here.
Raghav Sachar, Youth Icon, popular singer and an ardent supporter of the Follow Your Dreams campaign, said, "It's a great cause and I am a firm believer of following your dreams and chasing them till you fulfil them. I am an artist and have always encouraged art of all forms. That's my passion and I think if every individual is allowed to do what he or she wants to,there will be no urge to take any drastic step. I am happy to support this campaign and I will extend all possible help to them in the near future."
The objective of the 'Follow Your Dreams' signature campaign is to raise awareness about the need to de-stress education and provide a balanced and healthy learning environment in schools and colleges across India.
Saurabh Saxena, Director, Mexus Education, said "A student in today's education system is under tremendous academic,parental and social pressure to perform in a highly competitive environment. In this situation, it is important to help students with the right kind of learning tools along with emotional support to ensure that they have a positive outlook towards education which will give them the inner strength to face any challenge in life.
"Our support to the Follow Your Dreams campaign is inherently organic as it is in sync with our philosophy of practical learning and edutainment. We are extremely proud to be a part of this movement."
The signing campaign was followed by concerts by leading independent artists such as Avial, Junkyard Groove and Split.
The Follow You Dreams signature campaign is a part of the series of initiatives under the 'I Pledge to Stop Student Suicides' movement.
Earlier this year, on February 17, 2010 an inspirational compilation music album titled 'Follow Your Dreams' was launched featuring leading artists such as Euphoria, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Kailash Kher amongst other who donated a song each to urge students in schools and colleges across India not to give up and follow their dreams.