‘Afghan Jalebi’ doesn’t objectify women: Asrar

Ever since last year’s Coke Studio brought him into the spotlight, Asrar has been carving a niche for himself in the local music industry. His powerful, raw vocals and Sufic inclination make him one of the most interesting new artists of the current generation. It’s not surprising that his talent recently landed him a gig across the border, for one of the most controversial films coming out of Bollywood this month, the Saif Ali Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer Phantom. Sung by Asrar, the song “Afghan Jalebi” from the movie has managed to make headlines not only for its jiggy beat but also for the fact that this is one dance number that doesn’t see sexy Kat shake a leg. In fact, she doesn’t do more than pout at the screen as she walks around, covered head to toe, amongst a group of dancers

During an interview with an Indian website, Asrar revealed that to be the very reason he agreed to do the song. “The best part was that the song did not objectify women and that’s one of the reasons why I agreed to do it. I believe that when you praise someone’s beauty, you are automatically praising the creator,” said Asrar.

Phantom, directed by Kabir Khan, focuses on the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and is being deemed a political thriller along the same lines as Khan’s earlier offerings such as Ek Tha Tiger and New York. It is already creating waves for its controversial subject matter that points a finger at Pakistan and there seems to be little likelihood of the film getting a green light from the local censors. Will it be a typical masala action flick spouting jingoism or will it show some depth at tackling the subject of terrorism? We’ll have to wait to find out.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese teaming up again

Despite many, many celebrated performances in his career, the Oscar has always eluded Leonardo DiCaprio. After astonishing performances in his last three back-to-back films, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Great Gatsby and Django Unchained, the actor gained notoriety for his partying ways, serious weight-gain, and a bushy, busy beard. His return to cinema can be seen next in The Revenant in which he is supporting the bushy beard and the weight. Leave it to Leo to completely transform his image for a role. However, it isn’t The Revenant that is creating Oscar buzz for the actor. That nod must go to Devil in the White City, in which Leonardo is reuniting with director Martin Scorsese, for the sixth time. The film will be an adaptation of Erik Larson’s book, The Devil In The White City: Murder, Magic And Madness At The Fair That Changed America.

According to Deadline, this particular film had at least five studios chasing it and even had a bidding war of sorts before Paramount nailed the deal by combining Leo, Marty and writer Billy Ray, who will pen the script for this film. Monomaniacal performances tend to do well at the Oscars. Think Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, Heath Ledger as Joker in The Dark Knight to name just two. Perhaps this portrayal of a sadistic madman will get Leo the Oscar he really deserves.