Malika Sherawat launches Milkshake

Asin in a dual role in Dasavatharam

After Ghajini, Asin is to be seen in Dasavatharam which releases next Friday. Though the Tamil version was released worldwide in June last year, the dubbed Hindi version will release after a gap of nearly a year.

Asin has a double role to play in the film. In the film, Asin plays the characters of Kothai Radha and Andaal, opposite Kamal Hassan from the 12th and 21st century respectively. Incidentally, in both the roles, she plays a Brahmin woman. Kamal Hassan the protagonist plays as many as ten different roles in the film. The movie also ha another female lead who happens to be Mallika Sherawat.

Asin walked into a role which was originally meant for Vidya Balan as Vidya did not have the due dates.

After its release, Dasavatharam ( the Tamil Version ) became one of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Tamil cinema by breaking records across the globe.

Well, it is good news for Asin fans that were left asking for more ever since she made her Bollywood debut - Ghajini last year. Now with Asin being seen in a double role in Dasavatharam, it should only be double the excitement for the audience.

Mallika's Dress Again a Cause for Concern

Sexy Ms Mallika Sherawat has landed in trouble again. A Hindu outfit is giving the bindaas actress a tough time for wearing a revealing black dress during the audio launch of the Kamal Hassan starrer Dasavatharam in Chennai recently.

The Hindu outfit is not sparing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi either. It has criticised him for the way the party’s Kalaignar TV (named after him) is promoting obscenity.

Ganirajan, who is the district organiser of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) had lodged a complaint with the police on Thursday against the way Mallika appeared at the audio launch which had M Karunanidhi as the chief guest.

Superstars like Hollywood action king Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan had also attended the function.

The complaint said: “Mallika by sitting cross-legged in front of the Chief Minister, had disrespected moral ethics and conducted herself in an indecent manner. By dressing indecently and sitting cross-legged, she has hurt the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, besides causing mental agony.”

“Her appearance in a sleek attire has degraded Tamil culture,’’ said Ram Manohar, legal wing leader of the outfit.

According to him, they are seeking action under Sec 294 of Indian Penal Code.

This was not the first time that the Hindu outfit is targetting an actress.

HMK leader Arjun Sampath recalled that Shreya, who had acted in the Rajnikant starrer Sivaji was forced to apologise afer they lodged a complaint for the way she dressed during the film’s celebration function. M Karunanidhi had attended that function too. The issue had snowballed with Pattali Makkal Katchi MLAs raising the issue in the assembly.

South Indian actresses, Anushka and Mamtha (below rignt)

The Mallika Sherawat further indicates how moral policing is touching new heights in Tamil Nadu.

“After Shreya apologised, we did not insist on further action against her. We also kept a close watch on what stars wore to one or two functions that followed later. They had worn the traditional silk sari,’’ Arjun Sampath told Mumbai Mirror.

“This time we are not going to let off the case just like that. We want Mallika Sherawat to be punished to stop the recurrence of such incidents,’’ he added.

Sampath also criticised the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for being too keen on commercial gains as the Sivaji celebration function and Dasavatharam audio launch were telecast live on his channel, Kalaignar TV. Sampath also said that the channel promotes obscenity through various programmes including the reality shows.

Anita Dongre, who designed the outfit that Mallika wore to the event, said, “I think the costume is very sexy and glamorous. I completely believe that Mallika Sherawat has to look like Mallika Sherawat.

The costume has to be about her sense of style and I think she is looking beautiful. This is how a star would dress for a red carpet event.”

Dongre adds, “I had no idea that someone had raised objection. Someone just called me and told me. I don’t think the dress is obscene. If someone has objected to it, it is their viewpoint and everyone is entitled to have an opinion. As far as I am concerned, I don’t think there is anything obscene about the dress.”