INDIAN YOUTH

India ranks fourth among the top ten nations in the world with 81 million internet users

India has been ranked fourth among the top ten nations in the world with 81 million internet users even as the world aggregate touched 134,85,72,040 by the end of 2007.

United States leads the chart with 220 million Internet users followed by China (210 million) and Japan (88.1 million).

Brazil comes next to India with 53.1 million users, UK 40.2 million, Germany 39.1 million, Republic of Korea 35.5 million, Italy 32 million and France 31.5 million.

The Internet Governance Forum has released these statistics on the eve of its third four-day global conference that begins at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre on December 3.

From about 70 million people (1.7 per cent of the world population) who had access to the Internet at the end of 2007, the figure crossed 134.8 crore by 2007. Asia has the highest number of Internet users with an estimated 568.7 million people followed by the Americas with 377.9 million.

Europe ranks third in this list with 335.9 million users and Africa and Oceania close the rank with 51.8 million and 14 million users respectively, according to the IGF.

India, however, does not find place among the top ten nations in terms of broadband connections where too the US stands first with 73.2 million connections.

China has 66.4 million, Japan 28.28 million, Germany 19.6 million, UK 15.6 million, France 15.5 million, Republic of Korea 14. 7 million, Italy 10.8 million, Canada 9 million and Spain 8 mil lion broadband connections.

Source:The Economic times

Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay

is a forthcoming 2007 film, a remake of the 1975 film Sholay.

Ram Gopal Varma has already surprised the public by announcing that Amitabh Bachchan who played Jai in the original will play the role of Gabbar Singh played by Amjad Khan in the original. Varma also roped in Mohanlal, the popular South Indian actor, to play the role of Thakur Baldev Singh played by Sanjeev Kumar in the original. The character of Jai was be portrayed by new find, Mohit Ahlawat but will now be played by Prashant Raj Sachdev. Another shocking casting decision was Katrina Kaif being chosen for the role of Radha, but the latest news is that Sushmita Sen is now going to play the role.

Ram Gopal Varma's current favourite Nisha Kothari will play Basanti. Abhishek Bachchan was originally meant to play the role of Veeru but dropped out. When Ram Gopal Varma discussed the film's end with Amitabh and Abhishek, they realised it would be very difficult to show the real-life father and son duo fight each other for shooting the climax. This led to Abhishek bowing out of the film. Saif Ali Khan was then offered the role but he turned it down as well. It was announced in December 2005 that Ajay Devgan will now essay the role of Veeru. Sunil Shetty was also considered for the role of Sambha but later Ramu signed Sushant Singh for Sambha’s role. They are rumours that Boman Irani was offered to play Angrez Jailer. Shreyas Talpade was offered to play Ahmed, but turned down the offer, now Gaurav Kapoor will essay the role of Ahmed. Asha Bhosle, who was originally supposed to sing the famous track ‘Mehbooba O Mehbooba’, the original song being sung by her late husband R D Burman, has been replaced by Sunidhi Chauhan, Amitabh Bachchan will pitch in a few lines. Earlier Himesh Reshammiya was to compose a different special remixed version of the original number for the film, however things seem to have changed and Ganesh Hegde roped in, because Himesh is quite busy with his schedule.


Poster of Sholay
[edit] Confirmed Cast
Amitabh Bachchan ... Gabbar Singh
Mohanlal ... Inspector Ranveer[1]
Ajay Devgan ... Veeru
Prashant Raj Sachdev ... Jai (Jaidev)[2]
Nisha Kothari ... Ghunghroo[3]
Sushmita Sen ... Durga[4] or Devi[5]
Sushant Singh ... Sambha
Rajpal Yadav ... Soorma Bhopali
Boman Irani ... Angrez Jailer (Rumored)[6]
Gaurav Kapoor ... Ahmed[7]
Urmila Matondkar ... Dancing Seductress
Abhishek Bachchan ... Gypsy Singer[8]


Directed by
Ram Gopal Varma
Produced by
Ram Gopal Varma
Written by
Ram Gopal Varma
Starring
Amitabh BachchanMohanlalAjay DevganPrashant Raj SachdevNisha KothariSushmita SenSushant SinghRajpal YadavGaurav KapoorUrmila MatondkarAbhishek Bachchan
Music by
Ganesh HedgeBappi LahiriAmar MohileVishal Bharadwaj
Distributed by
Adlabs FilmsT-Series
Release date(s)
May 2007

John Abraham as Suhel Khan and Arshad Warsi as Jai Kapoor
TV journalists from India in search of the ultimate news scoop: meeting the Taliban.

Salman Shahid as Imran Khan Afridi
A soldier of the hated Taliban who needs to escape the wrath of the Afghans and run to his country, Pakistan.

Hanif Hum Ghum as Khyber
A proud Afghan who has seen the destruction of his country over the decades.

Linda Arsenio as Jessica Beckham
An American photojournalist ready to risk her life to photograph the Taliban.

Synopsis

This is a thrilling story, spanning 48 hours, of five individuals linked by hate and fear, but brought together by fate to finally recognize each other. Five people from different worlds, their paths are destined to cross in a ruthless country devastated by war – Afghanistan.

Kabul Express is set in post 9/11 (November 2001) Afghanistan where the American bombing has destroyed the most hated Taliban regime and the Taliban soldiers are trying to escape to Pakistan to avoid the wrath of the Afghans. Against this turbulent backdrop, Jai and Suhel – two Indian Television reporters have entered Afghanistan and their aim is to somehow get a rare interview with a Talibani. Helping them in their pursuit of a Talibani is their Afghan guide, translator and driver – Khyber in his Toyota Jeep called Kabul Express. The three of them are having their share of adventure as they go from being blindfolded and taken to secret hideouts in the mountains to interview Taliban prisoners to nearly getting trampled by horses while shooting a game of Buzkashi (Rugby played on horses with a dead lamb). They are saved from getting trampled by an American photojournalist, Jessica. Despite all their attempts the Taliban remains elusive. But unknown to them, these hunters are being hunted down themselves...

One cold winter morning in Kabul, they get kidnapped at gunpoint by a Taliban fugitive who wants to escape to the Pakistani border. The kidnapper, Imran is a Pakistani army soldier who was part of the Taliban. He knows that as journalists, Jai and Suhel’s movements in the country will not be questioned and posing as their local guide, he can reach the safety of his country. Imran knows that the Taliban were the most hated regime in the history of Afghanistan and if caught by the Afghans, he would be torn to pieces. From here on begins the two-day journey from Kabul to the volatile Afghan-Pakistan border. Jai and Suhel’s mission becomes a nightmare as they are taken hostage aboard the Kabul Express and made to drive across the most dangerous country in the world. Jessica sees their car driving away from Kabul and mistakenly thinks that they are onto a big story. She begins to chase them. Before she knows it Jessica gets stuck in a bizarre situation and inadvertently, also gets taken hostage by Imran. Along the long treacherous route they get stopped by dangerous mercenary armed bandits, see an angry mob kill prisoners with their bare hands, and in a hilarious situation they even get chased by a suicidal donkey! Political and ideological boundaries not withstanding, all five of them are forced to act as a team in life threatening situations. As the film unfolds, a special relationship develops between an Afghan, a Pakistani, two Indians and an American.

By the end of the journey Jai, Suhel and Jessica actually help Imran reach the border of Pakistan – his country that he is very proud and patriotic about. But the turbulent political situation at that time has a surprise in store for all of them.

Two years after the edge-of-the-seat thriller 'Dhoom', director Sanjay Gadhvi and producer Aditya Chopra return with a bigger, faster and hi-tech sequel, 'Dhoom 2'.

The movie promises a perfect recipe for adrenalin rush : death-defying stunts, gritty action sequences and furious chases, all packed together with a punch of gloss, glamour and a little laughter.

Star Cast

'Dhoom 2' has a bigger star cast than its prequel. While Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra reprise their respective roles, Bipasha Basu joins them in the role of a cop.

On the opposite side are Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, pairing together for the first time.

Abhishek Bachchan as Jai Dixit

ACP Jai Dixit is a sharp and intelligent cop with a no-nonsense attitude. He knows well how to put a tight leash on criminals and how to bring them to book. A tough cop who leads from the front, Jai Dixit knows the art of baiting a sly criminal out of his/her den.

But he meets his match in a most elusive thief called Mr. 'A', who has baffled the police throughout the world.

Bipasha Basu as Shonali Bose

Don't go on the beautiful and sexy exterior of ACP Shonali Bose. Behind her delicate look is a rough and tough woman who has been the best sharpshooter in the force.

Shonali is an intelligent, thinking cop who has been gathering all information on the crimes conducted by the elusive Mr. A.

Hrithik Roshan as Aryan

Supercop Jai Dixit describes him as 'the perfect thief' who has left the entire police force baffled. He lurks in the shadows, he comes when least expected and leaves without a trace. No one has seen him. On paper, he does not exist. But he is the man behind the most daring and impossible heists. He is Aryan (Hrithik), or Mr. 'A'.

Aryan has a unique style of working. He trusts none. He seeks challenges. He loves stretching his own limitations. Impossible is nothing for him.

He is like a thief with the personality of a gentleman. He uses his brain more than his tongue. He is a quiet, thinking thief with very refined tastes in arts, wine and women.

Aishwarya Rai as Sunehri

As her name suggests, Sunehri is always on lookout for some golden opportunity. An extremely beautiful, fearless and ambitious girl, Sunehri lives in the suburbs of Mumbai but dreams of America and Australia. Her life changes after she meets Aryan.

Uday Chopra as Ali

Although he has now become a police officer, Ali hasn't changed much from his former jovial self. He still is a non-serious guy with a sense of humour for everything. He still loves riding bikes. And his heart still skips a beat at the sight of a woman. Ali provides comic relief in this cops and robbers story.

Story

The location is the vast and dry desert of Namibia. The only sign of civilization is a railway line that runs through the heart of the desert. A royal family is traveling in a train, carrying a centuries old royal crown.

Out of nowhere, comes Mr. A, an anonymous thief. And even before the guards and the royal family can sense danger, the crown is stolen.

Back in Mumbai, Jai and Ali make an unlikely team. Ali still gets reprimanded by his senior for his flippant attitude. But in crucial moments the two work with utmost compatibility, nabbing the criminals and bringing them to book.

After eluding the police of many nations, Aryan now comes to Mumbai. Cops haven't seen his face. They only know him as Mr. A.

In Mumbai, Aryan meets his match in Sunehri. Although Sunehri is just a petty swindler, she is not in awe of Aryan's larger-than-life persona. Rather, she makes him an offer of partnership. Amused and impressed, Aryan accepts her offer.

Shonali is Jai's classmate from college days. She is now a police officer. She has been tracking the movements and crimes of Mr. A throughout the world. Shonali and Jai team up to nail the criminal whom no one could catch so far.

What happens when the most reliable cop and the most elusive thief come face to face? Jai and Aryan give each other tough time. Many times Aryan has the upper hand, but Jai also gets even with him. Deep within, the two also develop respect for each other.

But then, Jai devises an ingenious plan to snare Aryan. Will Aryan take the bait? Or will he remain elusive as ever?

Shooting Locations

'Dhoom 2' has been shot at various locations : Namibia, Goa, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Durban and Rio De Janeiro.

Music

The music of 'Dhoom 2' has been given by Pritam Chakraborty, Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant. The choreography is done by Shiamak Davar.

The screenplay and dialogues of the film are written by Vijay Krishna Acharya. Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra are the producers. Sanjay Gadhvi is the director.

One of the most awaited movies of this year, 'Dhoom 2' is slated to hit the theatres on November 24.

Biography for
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Birth name
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger
________________________________________
Nickname
Arnie
Austrian Oak
Conan the Republican
Styrian Oak
The Governator
________________________________________
Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
________________________________________
Mini biography
Growing up in a small, isolated village in Austria, he turned to bodybuilding as his ticket to a better life. Prior to that he served a mandatory one year in the Austrian military (beginning in 1965). After conquering the world as arguably the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived, he went to America to make his name in motion pictures. Hampered by his impossible name and thick accent, success eluded him for many years. It wasn't until he found the tailor-made role of Conan that he truly came into his own as a performer. A succession of over-the-top action films made him an international box office star. By alternating violent action films with lighter, comedic fare, he has solidified his position as one of the most popular - if not the most popular - movie stars in the world. After his long, and successful movie career, he ran in the California recall. He is now the Governor of California, yet another celebrity to be elected to the position.



Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
$30,000,000
Collateral Damage (2002)
$25,000,000
The 6th Day (2000)
$25,000,000
End of Days (1999)
$25,000,000
Batman & Robin (1997)
$25,000,000
Jingle All the Way (1996)
$20,000,000
Eraser (1996)
$20,000,000
Junior (1994)
$15,000,000
True Lies (1994)
$15,000,000
Last Action Hero (1993)
$15,000,000
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
$15,000,000
Kindergarten Cop (1990)
$12,000,000
The Terminator (1984)
$75,000
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
$250,000
Hercules in New York (1970)
$12,000
________________________________________
Where are they now
(17 November 2003) Sworn in as Governor of California. Drawing a salary of $175,000 per annum.
(October 2003) Is now the Republican Governor-elect of California
(August 2003) Running for Governor of California on the Republican ticket.
(December 2003) Refused to take the salary for Governor of California. Uses private jet at his own expense.