MUMBAI: One of the highest-profile Asian movie directors of all time, Ang Lee is the first ever filmmaker from the region to win a Best Director Oscar for the critically acclaimed ?Brokeback Mountain?. His latest work, ?Lust, Caution? is a return to his Chinese roots and is expected to be both controversial and successful in equal measure. The movie has already scooped the Golden Lion Award at the Venice International Film Festival. On this week?s TALK ASIA, the director attends the film?s Asian premiere in Hong Kong, joining Andrew Stevens in a wide-ranging discussion on his childhood inspirations, his stellar career and of course the hype surrounding the film?s explicit sex scenes.

Lee tells Stevens that his 2005 Oscar triumph gave him the backing he needed to film ?Lust, Caution?, a work which depicts the psychology of female sexuality against the backdrop of 1940s Shanghai and the war against Japan. He explains how he cast his female lead from a field of 10,000 candidates, instinctively choosing Tang Wei, an unknown Chinese actress who reminded him of someone from his mother?s generation.

?Lust, Caution? has come under scrutiny for its graphic sex scenes, which saw him re-edit the movie for audiences on the Chinese Mainland. This shortened version is also the only one being shown in cinemas in Singapore and Malaysia. Yet Lee still believes that the scenes are integral to the romantic thriller and contribute to the complexity of the characters. He describes filming the intimate scenes as a nightmare, adding that he is unlikely to repeat the experience in the future.

Despite opposition from his father, an academic who frowned on his son entering the world of show business, Lee persevered, following his heart and has since directed hits including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Sense and Sensibility and of course, Brokeback Mountain. Lee shares his memories of making these films, but reveals how his father?s vital approval remained elusive ? until two weeks before his father passed away, when Lee finally received encouraging words and father and son reconciled.

Despite being considered the most successful director to crossover from Asian to Western film, Lee admits to Andrew Stevens that he is extremely shy socially and has difficulties in carrying out a normal conversation. However, he is open and frank throughout this week?s Talk Asia and reveals what future projects lie in store.

MUMBAI: BBC World in association with Taj Bengal presents Point Of View, a panel discussion series on issues that are relevant to India in the changing world order.

Whichever way you measure it; business in India is booming and as the economy grows so does an average Indian?s purchasing power. As a result, the Indian retail industry has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade, opening several opportunities but raising ethical issues at the same time. One of the fastest developing countries, India clearly holds focus on the world stage and with its unparalleled journalistic resources, BBC World constantly endeavours to bring the world to India and India to the world.

Karishma Vaswani, Presenter , India Business Report on BBC World and BBC?s Mumbai Business Correspondent will be moderating the discussion on the topic ? Indian Retail Industry: Boom or Doom? Threats, Challenges and Opportunities.

The debate will see retail czars on the panel like Kishore Biyani, Harsh Neotia, Sanjeev Goenka and Rahul Saraf discussing the subject, sharing perspective and raising questions on the Indian Retail Industry and its future.

Vaishali Sharma, head of marketing communications, India, BBC World said, ?a trusted source of international news to viewers in more than 200 countries, BBC World is dedicated passionately to journalistic excellence and trusted news programming, and takes pride in providing a platform such as this for global debate, dialogue and discussion.?

MUMBAI: Coming Friday will be a day of final verdict. Two names out of the 6 wildcard entrants of Amul Star Voice of India that nation will finally decide on who should come back to the show.

MUMBAI: It was a spectacular celebration of 75 years of Indian Test cricket at the 10th Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence. The brightest stars of Indian cricket ? the past, present and future were there in full strength as Castrol honoured and felicitated the outstanding cricketers who have played for India in the last 75 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naveen Kshatriya ? Managing Director, Castrol India Limited, said, ?It is a great honour and privilege for Castrol to felicitate and recognize the most outstanding Indian cricketers. These great cricketers have provided unprecedented moments of joy for millions of Indians across the world and Castrol is proud to recognize their outstanding achievements through the Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence.?

Amongst the cricketers who attended the function were stars of yesteryears like Nari Contractor, Chandu Borde, Ajit Wadekar, Bishan Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, EAS Prasanna and BS Chandrasekhar. Also present were the current heroes, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, and of course Dhoni and his T20 champions. It was indeed heartening to have the young guns of Indian cricket present to respect and honour their seniors ? those who inspired them to follow their footsteps.

To recognize the outstanding cricketers of the last 75 years, the period was divided into six ?eras?; 1932 ? 47, 1947 ? 61, 1961 ?71, 1971 ? 81, 1981 ? 97 and 1997 ? 2006. Col. C.K. Nayudu, the man they still call the ?Shahenshah? of Indian cricket, was nominated as the Castrol Indian Cricketer for the first era - 1932 ? 47. The award was received by his daughter Chandra Nayudu. The awardee for the second era 1947 ? 61, was Vinoo Mankad, the first Indian to complete the ?double? of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests. This Award was received by his son Atul.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the ?tiger? of a cricketer who revolutionized fielding standards and instilled the ?winning? habit into his team, received the Best Indian Cricketer Award for the third era ? 1961 ? 1971. He could not make it to the function due to prior commitments, but sent in a recorded message. The winners for the next two eras virtually picked themselves. Sunil Gavaskar, the first batsman to score 10,000 runs, and Kapil Dev, the first Indian to take 400 Test wickets, won the award for the fourth (1971 ? 1981) and fifth era (1981 ? 1997) respectively.

The last era was the decade of the Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence and appropriately, two individuals who have dominated Indian cricket and the Castrol Awards since their inception in 1997, shared the award for the sixth era ? Rahul Dravid (five-time winner of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year) and Sachin Tendulkar (four-time winner of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year).

One of the high points of the evening was the felicitation of India?s Test captains Nari Contractor, Chandu Borde, Ajit Wadekar, Bishan Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, all members of this elite club who were present on the occasion, were honoured for their outstanding service to Indian cricket. A special trophy was presented to Ganguly for being India?s most successful captain in Test cricket.

A pleasant surprise during the evening was the announcement by Jhulan Goswami, of Castrol?s intention to start a special category for Outstanding Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year award for women cricketers. Jhulan Goswami was a recipient of a special Castrol Award for Outstanding performance in 2006. More recently, she won the ICC Player of the Year Award for Women Cricketers.

The ceremony culminated with a leap into the future. The Castrol Outstanding Achievement Award was given away this year to the recent ICC T20 Champions.

MUMBAI: Ten Sports, the most watched sports channel of the sub-continent, will bring live action from four of the biggest European clubs ? English Premier League leaders Arsenal, defending Premiership champions Manchester United, Chelsea and the ever-powerful Spanish outfit Real Madrid ? as it continues its coverage of the high-profile UEFA Champions League.

Four matches from the second two match days of Europe?s biggest and most prestigious football tournament, will be available live on Ten Sports.

United will face Roma at 11:30 pm IST on Tuesday, October 2, followed by Arsenal taking on Steaua at 2:15 am IST on Wednesday, October 3. The United-Roma match will be repeated at 4:15 am.

The action continues on Wednesday night, when Valencia square up with Chelsea at 11:30 pm, followed by Lazio vs Real Madrid at 2:15 am on Thursday, October 4.

Chris McDonald, CEO, Taj Televisions Ltd, commented: ?With live telecast of matches of four of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a veritable feast for the football fans on Ten Sports. This might just be the biggest two nights in football this year.?

Both United and Roma have made winning starts to their UEFA Champions League campaigns with United beating the Portuguese outfit through a solitary Cristiano Ronaldo header while Roma beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0.

Roma will be revisiting Old Trafford just five months after their humiliating 7-1 defeat in the quarter-final of last season?s UEFA Champions League ? United?s biggest victory in Europe since 1968.

Arsene Wenger?s Arsenal make their first-ever visit to the Romanian capital and will be the overwhelming favourite following their impressive run in the Premier League and their comprehensive 3-0 home win against Sevilla in the opening round match.

Valencia will have a great chance to avenge their quarter-final loss from last year when they take on a struggling Chelsea, which has been shocked by the sudden departure of their flamboyant coach Jose Mourinho. Valencia started with a commendable 1-0 away victory against FC Schalke 04, while Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg.

Real Madrid travel to Rome after their 2-1 triumph over Weder Bremen in their 300th European Champion Clubs? Cup match. Lazio picked up a point with a 1-1 draw in their opening game at Olympiacos, but will have a tough task against Real, who are unbeaten in their previous four visits to Rome and possess the most feared strike force in the game today.

The UEFA Champions League starts in September and continues till the champion club of Europe is determined in May. The tournament comprises a group stage features 32 teams in eight groups of four, followed by four knockout rounds.

Schedule:

MUMBAI: With its unprecedented effort to provide quality entertainment to its viewers, India?s no.1 Hindi General Entertainment Channel STAR PLUS, is all geared to launch its new weekday primetime show- ?Sapna Babul Ka?.Bidaai? starting 8 October, Mon-Thurs. With its innovative & captivating line of programming in the primetime band beginning with - Sangam, Kasautii Zindagi Kay , Kasturi, Meri Awaaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kayamath week on week the channel has entertained & enthralled its viewer. Now with Bidaai the channel will further consolidate its programming, as it offers a never before told storyline in the show.

A presentation of the new & promising production house- Director?s Kut; ?Bidaai? is a show of an orphan girl ?Sadhna? and her life?s struggle with her biggest asset, that is her own ?beauty? which becomes her biggest curse!

Sadhna, an extremely fair & beautiful girl is in complete contrast with her cousin sister Ragini, who is dark & unattractive. However the two sisters share a great camaraderie of love & bonding despite the differences in their physical attributes. Brought up by her Mama(Prakash Chand) & Mami (Kaushalya) in the beautiful city of Agra, Sadhna a humble & simple person, is left upon the mercy of her relatives after an early death of her mother. Her father (Kishan Chand) works in America with the only hope to someday fulfill his wife?s dream of seeing their daughter?s Bidaai. But all this is far from simple, as Sadhna?s mami has always hated her for her beauty & simplicity, which becomes the ground to emotional upheavals in the family.

Meddled with complexities, Sadhna?s life is a portrayal of the Indian society?s two-faced attitude towards a woman?s beauty which on one hand is her greatest asset & on the other, her greatest curse!

With its strong cast line-up Bidaai will witness coming together of the veterans actors ranging from -Alok Nath (mama), Vibha Chabbir (mami) & Mahesh Thakur (Father) , while Parul Chauhan (Ragini) & Sarah Khan (playing the lead character of Sadhna) are the fresh young faces on the show.