And for the last rites of the very man, Shammi Kapoor at Banganga on Monday morning, Bollywood turned up to show how much he was revered. While the entire Kapoor clan stood by one another, Anil Ambani and Amitabh Bachchan too helped the Kapoor brothers carry the legend on his last journey from his Malabar Hills residence.

Aamir Khan came to bid final adieu to the man he considered to be his lucky charm. Yash Chopra, Rakesh Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan , Shatrughan Sinha , Danny Denzongpa , Vinod Khanna , Prakash Jha, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Govinda, Ashutosh Gowariker , Kabir Bedi, you pick a name and they were there for the man the country loved and respected.

Remembering his older brother and sitting on his wheelchair was Balbir Raj aka Shashi Kapoor. The man said to be extremely close to his elder sibling Shammi, had been hospitalised along with the late actor in January this year.

Both brothers had then refused to be taken abroad for further treatment wanting to be with their family instead. Soon after, Shashi had received the third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.

Shammi however was left out from the list. But the lovable Junglee did not just belong to Bollywood.

He belonged to India. He belonged to the masses.

And if the crowd outside the crematorium, that the cops were having much trouble to control, was anything to go by, his fans surely made for a huge number. There were people on the tin roof of buildings around.

There were fan sitting atop watertanks of terraces. There were even fans filing up on the road outside to catch a last glimpse of the man who made Kashmir a hot tourist spot way back in the 1960s.

It's never easy to say goodbye. And thus, to remember the legend, his family organised for a prayer meeting on Tuesday at Blue Sea, Worli between 5pm-7pm.

However, for most of us, Shammi Kapoor will always be remembered every time we see snow, or visit a hill station, or feel like doing the tango, or drive a hatchback jeep or simply sing a song. Shamsher Raj Kapoor, the legend will live on (less)

It was only after Ali and the film's producers agreed to make the required deletions that the Censor Board passed the film with a UA certificate. The changes ordered by the board included the muting (beeping no longer allowed) of the words "sex" and "b*****d" in the soundtrack--words that commonly occur in our films and would have been allowed if the Rockstar team had agreed to an 'A' certificate.

Likewise, a Hindi expletive which apparently Ranbir Kapoor's character uses whenever he's emotionally aggravated, has been muted wherever it occurs. Again, the word, common in the films of Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and other purveyors of cowbelt lingo, was not permissible in a film passed for kids with parental guidance.

Most notable of all is the board's instruction to do away with a reference to Tibetan freedom from Chinese dominion. Apparently, Imtiaz Ali has been asked to do away with a flag in the film that reads 'Free Tibet'.

" Rockstar has been given two options regarding the flag that reads 'Free Tibet' -- either they can delete or blur the visual of the flag," a source said. "Not that there are too many Bollywood films that would dare to take a stand on a sensitive political issue like Tibet.

Rockstar does. The Censor Board has asked for its removal," the source added.

The CEO of the Censor Board, Pankaja Thakur, has confirmed the alterations in the film. Tweet (less)

Enjoying every bit of his life, even his illness, the second son of Prithviraj Kapoor never stopped living. And even in his death, the legend will surely live on.

The last rites will be held at 11 am on Monday at Banganga after his grandson Vishwapratapraj Kapoor comes back home from US. Born in Bombay to a Pathan hailing from Peshawar, Shammi joined his father Prithvi Raj Kapoor on stage as a junior artiste in 1948 on a salary of Rs 50 per month.

"I stayed with the theatre till 1952, my last paycheck being Rs 300," claimed the last Junglee of tinsel town. He hit the big screen the very year he left theatre.

Though his first success was still a far way off. Meanwhile, the man known for his charisma fell in love.

It was for a film titled Rangeen Raaten by Kedar Sharma that he first came across Geeta Bali. Shooting in the vales of Ranikhet, he fell in love with his leading lady.

The actors tied the knot in 1955. Soon after came his first big success, Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957.

And then there was no looking back. Here was a man who was in love with life.

With love. The death of his wife Geeta bali, left him shattered.

He fell in love once again. This time with his co-star from the film Brahmachari, Mumtaz.

A 37-year-old Shammi's proposal for marriage to the 18-year-old actress on the verge of success in Bollywood was refused. He later married Neela Devi Gohil, from the royal family of Bhavnagar in Gujarat.

The wife who stood by his side till he breathed his last. Perhaps it was this capacity to love that made Shammi one of the most romantic heroes of his times.

Creating his own special genre of hillside romances with films like Kashmir Ki Kali and Junglee, here was one actor whose sheer presence on screen brought the emotions alive. With songs like Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein Dil Lene Waale, one actually wanted to ask the man 'bataa yeh hunhar tune seekha kahaan se?' Shammi was of course a natural.

The man did not need to learn how to love. He did not need to learn how to dance either.

Named the Elvis Presley of India, this man could jump in the air and land on snow without the need for kneepads in the Yahoo song, or jump into water for Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra in Kashmir Ki Kali. And he did not need a choreographer for either.

His zest for life translated into many forms. Here was one man who refused to be confined to his room even during his illness.

His doors were always open for people who wanted to meet him. He would attend parties even if it meant going on a wheelchair.

On his grandson, Ranbir Kapoor's insistence, he even signed his last film with Imtiaz Ali - the yet to be released Rockstar. Shammi was ahead of his times.

The oldest Indian actor on Twitter (his last tweet being: @priyankachopra look for a joint called RESSEE. Super dance of the fountains.

1961. Love), Shammi even started his family homepage and was known to be Internet savvy.

Almost everybody from the industry came to bid his or her final goodbye to the man synonymous with joie de vivre, at his Malabar Hills residence last evening. Shashi Kapoor was there to see off his brother.

Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Karisma with husband Sanjay, Kareena with Saif Ali Khan and the rest of the Kapoor clan apart, there were the Bachchans. Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Aamir Khan with wife Kiran Rao and Imran with Avantikaa were also there.

And for a little while..

.ruk gayi yeh zameen, tham gaya aasman, as all of us remembered the legend Shamsher Raj Kapoor.

Remembering Shammi Aditya Raj Kapoor, son I wouldn't say I shared an uneasy relationship with my father. But when it comes to a man of Mr Shammi Kapoor's stature, no relationship can be simple.

We shared an adventurous relationship .Yes, we were apart for some years, but lately we had become very close.

I was with him every single evening at the hospital, during his last few days. He lived life king-size.

He was young and vibrant right to the end. I am proud to be his son.

I wish we had spent more time together." Aamir Khan, Actor Shammi uncle was, is, and will always be for me the epitome of the joy-of-life.

Positive energy and a naughty spirit always flowed out of him. His big support and anchor in life was Neila aunty and my heart goes out to her at this time.

Indians all over will always be indebted to him for the joy that he brought to our lives. Imran Khan, Actor More than being a star, Shammi uncle was a very important part of my family.

When my grandparents couldn't afford to get married he arranged everything for them. He even hosted the function in his house.

He was an inspiration to everyone who aspires to be an actor. I loved him dearly.

I wish we'd had more time. Deepika Padukone, Actor Shammiji was an inspiration not just for his style and for the films he did but also for his attitude towards life.

Subhash Ghai, Filmmaker He met me on 2nd August, 12 days ago. He said, "Subhash, aap mere sabse achche kuch doston mein se hain.

" Mukesh Bhatt, Filmmaker Shammiji was the first dancer hero that the country ever produced. He and Elvis very much looked alike so I call him that.

He is the only hero who has worked with the maximum new heroines. He didn't require an established actress opposite him.

Any heroine who made her debut opposite him became a superstar. - Subhash K Jha and Vickey Lalwani and Latika Mehta Watch Video'+'';} else {tmpdiV="";} var b1=""; var b2=""; var hid="526"; if(sldemsidcnt>1){imglinksh='View Images';}else{imglinksh='View Image';} var b2 = ''+''+ capt +''+ tmpdiV +''; bellyad.

innerHTML = b2 + b1; (less)

According to his publicist, the advertisement - said to have been made especially for the Diwali season - has infuriated Shiney. "Shiney has sent a legal notice to the mobile company as the advertisement amounts to willful character assassination," his publicist Dale Bhagwagar told IANS.

Shiney was arrested June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation levelled by his maid servant, and spent nearly five months in jail. On March 30, 2011, he was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by a Mumbai fast track court, a decision he challenged before the Bombay High Court.

"For the mobile company to air such a commercial influencing public opinion when Shiney's appeal is pending hearing is equivalent to contempt of court," Bhagwagar added. Shiney, star of movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi , Life In A Metro and Gangster , is expected to make a comeback with releases like Ek Accident , Ghost and Chaloo Movie .

Tweet (less)

According to the FIR, Bhanti and Singh have been sending repeated emails threatening to kill him if he did not shell out `2-3 crore in cash. The dispute is over a film that Jha was planning to make with them in 2004.

Jha was apparently paid $50,000 (`24.5 lakh) for the project, which he claimed he had returned after the movie in question was shelved.

The FIR has been registered under Section 384 (extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jha was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts (less)

The actor slapped a legal notice on Micromax Mobile late October, contending that the advertisement - in which two bais (servants) poke fun at him - "amounted to wilful character assassination and contempt of court". "Shiney has challenged his conviction and the Bombay High Court has admitted his appeal, which is currently pending hearing.

For the mobile company to air such a commercial influencing public opinion when Shiney's appeal is pending hearing, is equivalent to contempt of court," the actor's publicist, Dale Bhagwagar, said. Now, the Micromax Mobile has sent a reply to Shiney's October notice, stating that the controversial commercial has been withdrawn, Bhagwagar said.

Shiney was arrested June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation, levelled by his maid servant, and spent nearly five months behind bars. On March 30 this year, he was awarded seven years of imprisonment by a Mumbai fast track court - but he has challenged the sentence in the Bombay High Court.

Shiney is known for his performances in movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi , Sins , Life In A Metro , Woh Lamhe , Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Gangster - A Love Story , and is awaiting release of forthcoming movies like Ek Accident , Ghost , Chaloo Movie and Har Pal . Tweet (less)

" Bhindi Bazaar " was a great learning experience. Sharing screen space with actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Prashant Narayan, Dipti Naval etc was any new comers dream come true.

I really feel I'm very lucky to have bagged that movie," says Vedita who's very happy with the success of her film. "Best was that my acting was great;y appreciated by everyone," she adds.

But there's lots more in store for the girl who has been busy shooting with the Chhota Nawab Saif Ali Khan in Parel in Mumbai since morning on Tuesday. "It's a very cute and hilarious TV ad for Amul Macho that Saif and I have been shooting since morning here.

We're having loads of fun," says Vedita. Vedita will also be seen in a scooty ad, which will be aired on TV soon (less)

The actor slapped a legal notice on Micromax Mobile late October, contending that the advertisement – in which two ‘bais’ (servants) poke fun at him – “amounted to wilful character assassination and contempt of court”. “Shiney has challenged his conviction and the Bombay High Court has admitted his appeal, which is currently pending hearing.

For the mobile company to air such a commercial influencing public opinion when Shiney’s appeal is pending hearing, is equivalent to contempt of court,” the actor’s publicist, Dale Bhagwagar, said. Now, Micromax Mobile has sent a reply to Shiney’s October notice, stating that the controversial commercial has been withdrawn, Bhagwagar said.

Shiney was arrested June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation, levelled by his maid servant, and spent nearly five months behind bars. On March 30 this year, he was awarded seven years of imprisonment by a Mumbai fast track court — but he has challenged the sentence in the Bombay High Court.

Sphere: Related Content Posted in (less)

Prakash Jha's film Aarakshan seems to be constantly mired in controversy. Political parties continue to oppose the theme of reservations in his film and there has also been a case of cheque bounce following which there were reports that the film's release will be stalled.

The director comes clear about it. "The RPI activists have been protesting outside my office.

They have burnt photographs of me and posters of the film. They have also been trying to damage our publicity material and hoardings across the city", says Prakash Jha.

� "The fact of the matter is that they have not seen the film. They are attacking me on the basis of presumptions and misconceptions about the treatment of the caste-issue in Aarakshan .

� I am a law abiding and responsible�citizen and filmmaker. I feel it's only fair if my film is judged after it has released.

The Censor Board has cleared the film without a single cut and with a U/A certificate. � I am confident that my film�has examined the issue of reservation and caste-divides with sensitivity.

I don't understand why everybody is up-in-arms against my film. However, it's a democratic country, so everyone has a right to protest.

� The police have been very helpful in taking care of my office premises and dealing with the violent protests happening there. Nobody from my�office has been hurt.

And I'm very grateful for that."�� Talking about the cheque bounce case, Jha says, "Prakash Jha Productions is the sole rights-holder of Aarakshan .

All rights and authority regarding the business of Aarakshan are vested with Prakash Jha Productions. The cheque-bouncing issue is between Mr.

Feroze A. Nadiadwala and Mr.

Sushil Gupta . It has nothing to do with Aarakshan .

Mr. Nadiadwala is sorting it out.

Aarakshan will release worldwide on August 12th, as per schedule."� Even Feroze A.

Nadiadwala has agreed to the fact that the rights of Aarakshan are with Prakash Jha Productions and only he is seized of the court order which he is resolving with Mr. Sushil Gupta (less)

It was only after Ali and the film's producers agreed to make the required deletions that the Censor Board passed the film with a UA certificate. The changes ordered by the board included the muting (beeping no longer allowed) of the words "sex" and "bastard" in the soundtrack -- words that commonly occur in our films and would have been allowed if the "Rockstar" team had agreed to an 'A' certificate.

Likewise, a Hindi expletive which apparently Ranbir Kapoor's character uses whenever he's emotionally aggravated, has been muted wherever it occurs. Again, the word, common in the films of Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and other purveyors of cowbelt lingo, was not permissible in a film passed for kids with parental guidance.

Most notable of all is the board's instruction to do away with a reference to Tibetan freedom from Chinese dominion. Apparently, Imtiaz Ali has been asked to do away with a flag in the film that reads 'Free Tibet'.

"'Rockstar' has been given two options regarding the flag that reads 'Free Tibet' -- either they can delete or blur the visual of the flag," a source said. "Not that there are too many Bollywood films that would dare to take a stand on a sensitive political issue like Tibet .

'Rockstar' does. The Censor Board has asked for its removal," the source added.

The CEO of the Censor Board, Pankaja Thakur, has confirmed the alterations in the film (less)

"We are of the view that the petitioner's prayers for special screening of the movie before its release is totally misconceived and wrong. Hence we are rejecting it," Justice Sinha said and adjourned the matter for further hearing on August 22.

The court also refused to stay the release of the movie on August 12 as sought by Advocate Sanghraj Rupwate, who appeared for the petitioners. "It is not right to impose restraint on the movie's release.

There is no ground to do so," the court observed. Additional government pleader Vijay Patil had earlier informed the court that the state government was well equipped to handle any law and order problem, if any, after the release of the film.

The movie has faced a flurry of protests by several political leaders in Maharashtra including state minister Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP and RPI (Athavale) chief Ramdas Athavale, besides the National Commission for Secheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes over its alleged anti-quota stance. Jha, in his affidavit, has refuted allegations that the movie was anti-reservation or anti-dalit.

Rajeev Chavan, counsel for the Central Board of Film Certification informed the court that the petitioners have failed to provide any basis for their apprehension that there would be law and order problem after its release. Tweet (less)

"Something this dangerous should be considered a deadly weapon and must be outlawed without delay. Please, won't you prevent more senseless suffering and deaths by banning glass-coated manja throughout India?" wrote Khanna.

The 'manja' used in kite-flying competitions is often gummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed glass, making it lethal for birds, who are slashed, wounded and killed when they become entangled in the strings. Besides birds, it also poses a threat to people.

Tweet (less)

There have been demands of a ban on Jha's film, for its alleged anti-reservation and anti-dalit stance. "I think there is nothing objectionable in the film.

When people will see it, they would realise that there is nothing controversial," Devgn said when asked if the prospects of Rascals would be affected as several theatres across the country may not screen Aarakshan . Ajay has earlier worked with Jha in Gangaajal and Rajneeti .

Amitabh Bachchan, who is the lead actor of Aarakshan , launched the promo of Rascals today. Directed by David Dhawan, Rascals stars Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut and Arjun Rampal.

When a question was posed to Dutt as to whether protest against Aarakshan would affect promotion of Rascals , he refused to reply, and asked producers Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksi to answer instead. Tweet (less)

In fact, Mumbai Mirror has learnt that Vedita, who has been injured on her forehead as a result of the scene, has accused Veena of intentionally hurting her. According to a unit member, Veena took the scene more seriously than was perhaps required and as a result Vedita had to be rushed to the hospital.

The source revealed, "In the scene, Veena had to pull Vedita by the neck and bang her head on an iron rod. It created a lot of commotion on the sets and director Hemant Madhukar was brought in to resolve the issue.

Vedita, who was furious, told Hemant that Veena purposely hurt her." Vedita's injury was reportedly nursed at a city hospital.

The source informed that she is currently undergoing treatment to get rid of the scar on her forehead. When contacted, Vedita confirmed the incident and said, "It was an action sequence.

I was supposed to be beaten up. I don't know what happened to Veena.

She actually hurt me and she did it so badly that I had nail marks on my body. I don't know what was wrong with her.

And then she pushed me so badly and banged my head on the rod. After the incident, I spoke to the director and told him that she is deliberately doing this.

Acting is one thing, but this is just over acting." When asked if there is any enmity among them on the sets, she said, "I don't know.

I think somewhere she is just insecure or just waited for the opportunity to do something like this to me. As a result of the injury, I have marks on my forehead, which I have to undergo treatment to get rid off.

" (less)

The actor slapped a legal notice on Micromax Mobile late October, contending that the advertisement – in which two ‘bais’ (servants) poke fun at him – “amounted to wilful character assassination and contempt of court”. “Shiney has challenged his conviction and the Bombay High Court has admitted his appeal, which is currently pending hearing.

For the mobile company to air such a commercial influencing public opinion when Shiney’s appeal is pending hearing, is equivalent to contempt of court,” the actor’s publicist, Dale Bhagwagar, said. Now, Micromax Mobile has sent a reply to Shiney’s October notice, stating that the controversial commercial has been withdrawn, Bhagwagar said.

Shiney was arrested June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation, levelled by his maid servant, and spent nearly five months behind bars. On March 30 this year, he was awarded seven years of imprisonment by a Mumbai fast track court — but he has challenged the sentence in the Bombay High Court.

Sphere: Related Content Posted in (less)

Charan is supported in this endeavour by Upasana Kamineni who he is going to marry. Upasana - grand-daughter of Apollo Hospitals head Pratap C Reddy - is interested in polo, Charan said to reporters in Hyderabad.

Charan, who has blockbusters like Magadheera and Chiruta under his belt, introduced the four-member Polo team and unveiled its logo today. It would participate in tournaments in Hyderabad and elsewhere.

"Upasana is supporting me. P C Reddy has been in racing for long.

"This is not like IPL cricket. You have money in IPL.

On the contrary, you lose money here," he said, replying to a query. Saying that horse-riding sharpens the mind, Charan said that school children should be encouraged to take up the sport.

Talking about personal life, he said engagement to Upasana was likely to take place during this year. Upasana's forefathers were rulers of Domakonda Samsthan in Nizamabad district and one of the ceremonies was likely to take place in the ancient fort in the village, Charan said.

Tweet (less)

" Most of Mumbai might know Manoj as an actor who does a variety of roles in films, usually light-hearted, but his intensity as a theatre actor is to be seen to be believed. "That's true, I'm a very intense actor on stage.

Unfortunately, that side of mine is yet to be exposed on screen," he says. Just a few days back, one got to see Manoj in Chanakya, a play he feels very strongly about.

"It's a very contemporary play. It talks about raajneeti.

It talks about a time when politics was pure and for the society. The politics was based on dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

What we have lost in today's scenario is the purity within," says Manoj. The actor feels that the audience would be left questioning today's political scenario, after watching the play.

"They will think to themselves, 'hum kahaan thhey, aur ab hum kahaan hain?'" Chanakya is not a new play, but one that Manoj has revived. "My fascination for Chanakya came from my Sanskrit teacher in school.

A college friend of mine Mihir Bhuta wrote the play in Gujarati and we performed it in 1990 for the first time. It was in 1996 that we had its first show in Hindi but it didn't get a very favourable response at that time," he recalls.

Much later, they revived the play in 2009 and that was when it found a connect with the audience. "Whoever's seen me in this play is suprised as they don't know me as such an intense actor," he says with a smile.

But Manoj is glad that he's been given a variety of roles to enact, whether in TV or films or in theatre. "I am known as a versatile actor.

Mujhpe thappa nahin laga hai and that's something I thank God about," he adds (less)

Sunita Chowdhary, who lodged a complaint against him. A case under sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code was booked against Nagarjuna on Saturday at Jubliee Hills police station.

Sunita, a freelancer who is also working as member of state censor board, alleged that the actor threatened to kill her and used filthy and vulgar language against her when she met him at Annapurna Studio during the shooting of Damarukam Sep 29. The actor reportedly picked up an argument with Sunita over an article she had written about him a few months ago.

Nagarjuna, 52, is the son of legendary Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. One of the popular actors of Telugu cinema, he also acted in few Hindi films including Shiva for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award in 1989.

Tweet (less)

Aarakshan releasing on Friday is a socio-political drama based on the caste-based reservations in the government jobs and educational institutions. Incidentally, the Bombay High Court today refused to stay release of the film saying there will be no special screening for anybody before its release.

Tweet (less)

Producer Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksey too will be present at the event. According to reports, Bachchan readily agreed to be a part of this promotional activity after a phone call from Sanjay, who is also producing the film, to be released on Dussehra (October 6).

Filmmaker David Dhawan, who is directing Rascals , is excited with this development as he has worked with Bachchan in movies like Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan and Hum Kisise Kum Nahin . Jha, whose film Aarakshan releases Friday (August 12), was also more than happy to agree to unveil the first look of Ajay's new movie, the source added.

Together, they have worked in films like Gangaajal and Raajneeti . Tweet (less)

Ques : There are stories that you are planning a 2012 wedding with Kareena Kapoor..

. Saif : I don't want to talk about my personal life simply because it is distracting, and the incessant talks about it can get quite annoying.

I want to come across as a serious professional and not just someone who is being talked about because of his personal life. Ques : But is the wedding happening soon? Saif : It's not happening soon Whenever it happens, we will announce it.

Ques : Aarakshan deals with a controversial topic. Were you at any point anxious while signing on for the film? Saif : No, not at all! When I read the script, I thought it was a great opportunity for me.

It is fantastic that Prakashji (film's director/producer Jha) has broached an area of political concern. These issues are inherent in India and someone has to speak about them.

Ques : And now, with so many people raising objections to the film, what are your thoughts? Saif : I don't think what is happening is right. Once the Censor Board has passed a film, without any cuts and with a U/A certificate, the least one can do is allow the film to be released.

Yes, the subject of the film and the title itself has kind of invited controversies, but since the Censor Board had no issues, I see no reason why there should be objections raised by others? We must respect their judgement. Ques : For someone like you who comes from an entirely diverse background, was it a challenge to play a Dalit? Saif : There is a certain responsibility that comes with every role.

With Aarakshan , there was a totally different kind of responsibility. Since, I was playing a Dalit and representing a certain community, I had to take special care.

I did a little bit of research. More than my background, I think it is my fair skin and my personality that could have worked against it.

But I play this guy who is academically a success, so with education comes a certain posture so that seemed fine. But generally speaking, I think you and I will never be able to understand what they have gone through, or have to go through.

Dalit children still have to clean toilets even while studying in government schools. We have no idea what's happening in some parts of our country.

Ques : Your film Agent Vinod has also been riddled with controversies..

. going over budget, then there were reports of you not getting along with the director Sriram Raghavan.

..

Saif : Agent Vinod is releasing in December. Yes, there have been all kinds of stories, which is a good thing.

It is good publicity for the film. The movie has been made well within the budget.

I am looking forward to the release of the film. As for me not getting along with Sriram, that's not true either.

Yes, we do discuss things, which is natural. Otherwise, I have implicit trust in him.

Ques : Why did you launch another film, Cocktail, even before the release of Agent Vinod ? Saif : That's because we were getting the dates of the stars at the same time. Cocktail is almost 70 per cent complete and we are looking at a February 2012 release.

Ques : You have been offered many TV shows like Master Chef, India's Got Talent etc. Why have you been turning them down? Saif : Yes, I have been offered television shows.

I wouldn't like to disclose which ones. Something or the other didn't work out.

But I am very much open to doing television. Tweet (less)

According to reports, the Dum Maaro Dum actor is throwing a bachelor party for Ram Charan this weekend. Though Rana is busy shooting in Mumbai for Department , he has flown down specially to Hyderabad for the boys' night out.

Ram Charan Teja's engagement photos Reports also suggest that cars have been organised for the guests to take them to a secret location. Sounds like quite a party! Ram Charan Teja got engaged to Apollo Chairman Pratap Reddy's granddaughter, Upasana Kamineni at a high-profile event in Hyderabad on December 1.

Ram Charan, an actor like his father, is the star of hit movies such as Magadheera (2009). He is currently working in the Telugu Racha , due to release early next year.

Upasana currently heads the Charity and Wellness divisions of the Apollo group. Tweet (less)

Vedita, who was in the city to collect an award of a Young Achiever bestowed upon her by Subhash Ghai's academy, tells us more about the film. "It's a horror thriller and is a very interesting film.

I'm playing the lead in the film and with me is Pakistani actor Veena Malik ," says Vedita. "We have been shooting in the jungles for the past 50 days for scenes in which the actors are all being killed one by one and I'm exhausted," she laughs.

"We shoot the whole night and then I come back home at around 6 am. Sleep for a few hours and back on the sets again at 5 in the evening.

So it's as if I have lost all sense of time," adds Vedita who recently appeared in an ad with actor Saif Ali Khan . Acting with the temperamental Veena Malik, one can't help but ask Vedita about her Pakistani counterpart.

"Veena is a thorough professional. She comes on time, she shoots on time and she keeps to herself.

She has shot with us for 15-20 days but she never interacts with any of us. She gives her shot and sits in her vanity van.

Whereas my co-star Karan and Anupama have a blast on the sets," says she. Vedita regrets having come home for just a few hours.

"Yes, my flight also got delayed and I hardly got any time to spend at home. I visited my mom just for fifteen minutes and then rushed back to catch my flight to Mumbia.

" But she is looking forward to a long New Year's break which she will be spending with friends in Goa. "I'll be relaxing and unwinding completely in Goa.

It'll be just friends, music, partying and swimming in Goa. See you next year," says she as she signs off (less)

Producer Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksey too will be present at the event. According to reports, Bachchan readily agreed to be a part of this promotional activity after a phone call from Sanjay, who is also producing the film, to be released on Dussehra (October 6).

Filmmaker David Dhawan, who is directing Rascals , is excited with this development as he has worked with Bachchan in movies like Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan and Hum Kisise Kum Nahin . Jha, whose film Aarakshan releases Friday (August 12), was also more than happy to agree to unveil the first look of Ajay's new movie, the source added.

Together, they have worked in films like Gangaajal and Raajneeti . Tweet (less)

The actor slapped a legal notice on Micromax Mobile late October, contending that the advertisement - in which two bais (servants) poke fun at him - "amounted to wilful character assassination and contempt of court". "Shiney has challenged his conviction and the Bombay High Court has admitted his appeal, which is currently pending hearing.

For the mobile company to air such a commercial influencing public opinion when Shiney's appeal is pending hearing, is equivalent to contempt of court," the actor's publicist, Dale Bhagwagar, said. Now, the Micromax Mobile has sent a reply to Shiney's October notice, stating that the controversial commercial has been withdrawn, Bhagwagar said.

Shiney was arrested June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation, levelled by his maid servant, and spent nearly five months behind bars. On March 30 this year, he was awarded seven years of imprisonment by a Mumbai fast track court - but he has challenged the sentence in the Bombay High Court.

Shiney is known for his performances in movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi , Sins , Life In A Metro , Woh Lamhe , Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Gangster - A Love Story , and is awaiting release of forthcoming movies like Ek Accident , Ghost , Chaloo Movie and Har Pal . Tweet (less)

For the film, he teamed up with young director Imtiaz Ali, known for making films like Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal . The musical drama with Delhi as its backdrop tells the story of Janardhan Jakhar (Ranbir), a Jat boy living in the middle-class locality of Pitampura who dreams of becoming a famous rockstar like Jim Morrison.

He tries hard to prove himself as a singer but instead of appreciating him, the audiences ridicule and humiliate him. While contemplating his failed attempts, it occurs to Janardhan that most of the famous musical stars have something in common--tragedy.

So, Janardhan, who is leading a happy life, decides to bear pain to become a well-known singer. He approaches Heer Kaul (Nargis Fakhri), who is rich, beautiful and arrogant.

She has broken many hearts. Hoping she will break his heart too, Janardhan starts following her.

The story then moves forward as the happy-go-lucky boy leaves behind Janardhan and becomes Jordan after going through various ups and downs in life. His transformation from a simple naive individual to a tortured soul, from a college campus in Delhi to the international stage.

His fulfils his dream, but in his quest for fame he loses his heart forever. Ranbir is said to have left no stone unturned to make his character believable on the screen.

From learning to play the guitar to staying with a Jat family and from eating at local dhabas to milking cows - the 29-year-old did all to bring authenticity in his character. Co-produced by Eros International and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, the film, made on a budget of more than Rs.

60 crore, has been extensively shot in Delhi in locations like St. Stephen's College, Connaught Place and Nizamuddin, among others.

One of the songs that mark the turning point in the film has been shot in the Nizamuddin dargah. Some portions of the film have also been shot in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai.

Imtiaz also shot the film offshore--in the Czech Republic and Italy. The music, composed by Oscar winner A.

R. Rahman, is already a rage and the promos of the film have received a positive response.

Ranbir and Imtiaz have been extensively promoting the film with city tours. The team was recently part of the concert where both Rahman and Ranbir performed live on stage for their fans.

They are also planning a show in Kashmir and London. Rockstar will introduce two new faces to the Indian film industry--Pakistani-American model Nargis will be seen for the first time as Ranbir's love interest and it will also launch Brazil based Moufid Aziz, born to parents of Portuguese and Arabic origin.

After RA.One , movie buffs are eagerly looking forward to the release of this film, but whether it will be able to strike a chord is yet to be seen.

Tweet (less)

Karbon Copy was about cloning and I played three roles. In one sequence which was shot in, of all places, a restroom, all my three characters had to come face-to-face.

That was really tough. I had to deliver my dialogue of one of my characters, while pretending that the other two characters were also present in the small bathroom.

I had to do this for my second and third character as well. On-screen it had to appear that all three of my characters were interacting with each other.

The hard part was that all the three parts were shot concurrently, while on-screen they had to come together simultaneously. Luckily for me, my director was very clear about what he wanted and how to shoot it.

We actually managed to shoot all my three characters in about two hours. But they were the most challenging two hours of my acting career.

(As told to Subhash K Jha) (less)

For the film, he teamed up with young director Imtiaz Ali, known for making films like Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal . The musical drama with Delhi as its backdrop tells the story of Janardhan Jakhar (Ranbir), a Jat boy living in the middle-class locality of Pitampura who dreams of becoming a famous rockstar like Jim Morrison.

He tries hard to prove himself as a singer but instead of appreciating him, the audiences ridicule and humiliate him. While contemplating his failed attempts, it occurs to Janardhan that most of the famous musical stars have something in common--tragedy.

So, Janardhan, who is leading a happy life, decides to bear pain to become a well-known singer. He approaches Heer Kaul (Nargis Fakhri), who is rich, beautiful and arrogant.

She has broken many hearts. Hoping she will break his heart too, Janardhan starts following her.

The story then moves forward as the happy-go-lucky boy leaves behind Janardhan and becomes Jordan after going through various ups and downs in life. His transformation from a simple naive individual to a tortured soul, from a college campus in Delhi to the international stage.

His fulfils his dream, but in his quest for fame he loses his heart forever. Ranbir is said to have left no stone unturned to make his character believable on the screen.

From learning to play the guitar to staying with a Jat family and from eating at local dhabas to milking cows - the 29-year-old did all to bring authenticity in his character. Co-produced by Eros International and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, the film, made on a budget of more than Rs.

60 crore, has been extensively shot in Delhi in locations like St. Stephen's College, Connaught Place and Nizamuddin, among others.

One of the songs that mark the turning point in the film has been shot in the Nizamuddin dargah. Some portions of the film have also been shot in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai.

Imtiaz also shot the film offshore--in the Czech Republic and Italy. The music, composed by Oscar winner A.

R. Rahman, is already a rage and the promos of the film have received a positive response.

Ranbir and Imtiaz have been extensively promoting the film with city tours. The team was recently part of the concert where both Rahman and Ranbir performed live on stage for their fans.

They are also planning a show in Kashmir and London. Rockstar will introduce two new faces to the Indian film industry--Pakistani-American model Nargis will be seen for the first time as Ranbir's love interest and it will also launch Brazil based Moufid Aziz, born to parents of Portuguese and Arabic origin.

After RA.One , movie buffs are eagerly looking forward to the release of this film, but whether it will be able to strike a chord is yet to be seen.

Tweet (less)

At present, according to the IMDb ratings, Roy is the most popular Malayalam director of the week. DAMM999 was released end of last month in 550 theatres across the country and got a huge boost on account of the ongoing dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the leaking Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala.

Tamil Nadu banned the film,saying it portrays the collapse of the dam and this had hurt the sentiments of the Tamil community. Also, there were allegations that the movie was funded by the Kerala government for political reasons.

Roy has now approached the apex court against the banning of his film by the Tamil Nadu government. The film revolves around nine characters and their emotions which revolve around the central edifice of a dam.

Produced by Dubai-based BizTV Network, the movie with a social cause highlights hazards a dam can cause. It creates awareness about the impending dangers of a dam collapse, if not attended on time.

The unique subject motivated the audience to watch the movie and it was housefull in Kerala for a week. Tweet (less)

Charan is supported in this endeavour by Upasana Kamineni who he is going to marry. Upasana - grand-daughter of Apollo Hospitals head Pratap C Reddy - is interested in polo, Charan said to reporters in Hyderabad.

Charan, who has blockbusters like Magadheera and Chiruta under his belt, introduced the four-member Polo team and unveiled its logo today. It would participate in tournaments in Hyderabad and elsewhere.

"Upasana is supporting me. P C Reddy has been in racing for long.

"This is not like IPL cricket. You have money in IPL.

On the contrary, you lose money here," he said, replying to a query. Saying that horse-riding sharpens the mind, Charan said that school children should be encouraged to take up the sport.

Talking about personal life, he said engagement to Upasana was likely to take place during this year. Upasana's forefathers were rulers of Domakonda Samsthan in Nizamabad district and one of the ceremonies was likely to take place in the ancient fort in the village, Charan said.

Tweet (less)

For the film, he teamed up with young director Imtiaz Ali , known for making films like "Jab We Met" and "Love Aaj Kal". The musical drama with Delhi as its backdrop tells the story of Janardhan Jakhar (Ranbir), a Jat boy living in the middle-class locality of Pitampura who dreams of becoming a famous rockstar like Jim Morrison .

He tries hard to prove himself as a singer but instead of appreciating him, the audiences ridicule and humiliate him. While contemplating his failed attempts, it occurs to Janardhan that most of the famous musical stars have something in common - tragedy.

So, Janardhan, who is leading a happy life, decides to bear pain to become a well-known singer. He approaches Heer Kaul ( Nargis Fakhri ), who is rich, beautiful and arrogant.

She has broken many hearts. Hoping she will break his heart too, Janardhan starts following her.

The story then moves forward as the happy-go-lucky boy leaves behind Janardhan and becomes Jordan after going through various ups and downs in life. His transformation from a simple naive individual to a tortured soul, from a college campus in Delhi to the international stage.

His fulfils his dream, but in his quest for fame he loses his heart forever. Ranbir is said to have left no stone unturned to make his character believable on the screen.

From learning to play the guitar to staying with a Jat family and from eating at local dhabas to milking cows - the 29-year-old did all to bring authenticity in his character. Co-produced by Eros International and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision , the film, made on a budget of more than Rs.

60 crore, has been extensively shot in Delhi in locations like St. Stephen's College, Connaught Place and Nizamuddin, among others.

One of the songs that mark the turning point in the film has been shot in the Nizamuddin dargah. Some portions of the film have also been shot in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai.

Imtiaz also shot the film offshore -- in the Czech Republic and Italy. The music, composed by Oscar winner A.

R. Rahman , is already a rage and the promos of the film have received a positive response.

Ranbir and Imtiaz have been extensively promoting the film with city tours. The team was recently part of the concert where both Rahman and Ranbir performed live on stage for their fans.

They are also planning a show in Kashmir and London . "Rockstar" will introduce two new faces to the Indian film industry -- Pakistani-American model Nargis will be seen for the first time as Ranbir's love interest and it will also launch Brazil based Moufid Aziz, born to parents of Portuguese and Arabic origin.

After "RA.One", movie buffs are eagerly looking forward to the release of this film, but whether it will be able to strike a chord is yet to be seen (less)

Well the twist created by their friend Barkha will really catch the fans off guard. Radhika's friend Barkha, who has been instrumental in bailing out Dev and Radhika out of their predicament every time, will turn a vamp and now be seen hatching nefarious schemes to separate Dev and Radhika.

Says, Benaf Dadachanji who plays the character of Barkha in the show, "I am really looking forward to playing the 'grey' Barkha. It will just add a new dimension to the character.

So far people have seen me as totally 'Ms Goody'. But now they will curse me when they see how depraved I have turned and how I will never let Dev and Radhika come together.

" According to a source on the sets, apparently Benaf turning negative is not a sudden decision but was always planned right from the inception of her character. The source reveals, "One cannot have 3 morally superior characters together when you are exploring an emotion called love.

There's bound to be some tension between them at some point cause that is what is natural and human. We wish Benaf good luck in playing this challenging role convincingly.

Sumit Jha (less)

Asked if the group, consisting of Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Mel C, Geri Halliwell and Mel B, were going to reform for the 2012 London Olympics, she said: "I think the Queen's Jubilee concert is the event I'd be looking at more closely for that to happen." However, she quickly changed the subject after realising she had made the omission and after the show she admitted it was all "top-secret" information still, reports thesun.

co.uk.

Mel told TV crew off-air: "I am going to be in such strife for saying that. It's all so totally bloody top-secret still.

" Tweet (less)

In the last four years, the chocolate boy has grown up as an actor. He entered the industry with "Saawariya" and did light-hearted dramas like "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and "Wake Up Sid" and it was his mature performance in "Rajneeti" that changed everyone's perception of him.

Now with "Rockstar" and "Barfee", he feels he is on the right path. "I hope I can grow with every character I do.

I want to be the biggest star. I want to be the best actor and I feel I am on the right path.

I have been fortunate that I have worked with such talented directors," Ranbir, 29, told IANS in an interview. Undeterred by negative talk, he says, "I am happy with my growth and the way my career is shaping up.

People have tried to pull me down with negative reviews and never-ending rumours. But that doesn't affect me at all now.

"I have become numb to such stories. I have learnt how to detach myself.

It doesn't bother me or my peace of mind." The great grandson of the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, grandson of Bollywood's one and only showman Raj Kapoor and son of yesteryear stars Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir is finally finding a firm foothold as an actor.

His debut vehicle "Saawariya" (2007) was a damp squib at the box office, but Ranbir rose above the film's fate and won the Filmfare award for the best male debut. In his short career he has pushed the envelope by doing different roles like a lover boy in "Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani", a casanova in "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and a calculative scion of a political family in "Raajneeti".

When asked about his role in "Rockstar", he said: "I play a Jat boy from Delhi, who lives in Pitampura. He studies in the Hindu college and plays the guitar.

It is not about music, it is a love story where music is incidental..

.people tell him that to get the best out of you, you should go through a heartbreak.

So, deliberately he falls in love..

." Essaying a jat boy was not a cakewalk for Ranbir as he couldn't find a common connect with his character.

"My character comes from a different stratum of society. He is somebody whom I haven't met in my life.

So it was very hard for me to get into his skin. So I went and spent a lot of time with a jat family in Delhi.

It was very important for me to observe them, to pick up certain nuances," he said. Though he plays an aspiring musician in the film, Ranbir lacks the art in real life and would like to exercise his vocal chords some day.

"Music is the purest form to reach millions of hearts and it has always been on my side. It is a disadvantage that I can't sing.

My mother tried that I get hold of it, but my teachers also confessed that I can't. It's one of my aspirations that I would want to fulfil.

I would want to lend my voice some day," he said. His grandfather was the youngest director at his time, and Ranbir too harbours the dream of wielding the megaphone.

"I want to direct but the problem is I don't think I can pen my thoughts and vision on paper beautifully. I want to make something like 'Shree 420' or 'Jagte Raho'.

I want to make films that would be relatable, that would spread joy and love. Yes, I would also want to star in my own films without a doubt.

" So what next? "I would want to do an out-and-out negative film. I want to play with characters, I want to explore myself.

People ask me if I want to do an action film because action films are in vogue. I would definitely do one in some time, but not when it is being followed as a trend.

I will do it when I feel it is the best time for me to get into such a role." Tweet'; var stindex=100; var stp=150; var taglen=0; var tmp; var tagcheck = new Array("div","span","br","font","a"); if(storymetalinks==true) { var storydiv=document.

getElementById("storydiv").innerHTML; if(storydiv.

indexOf(" ") > '-1' || storydiv.indexOf(" ") > '-1'){ var beflen=storydiv.

indexOf(' '); if (beflen == '-1'){beflen=storydiv.indexOf(' ');} var befart=storydiv.

substring(0,beflen)+" "+ almtatag +" "; var aftart=storydiv.substring((beflen+8),storydiv.

length); } document.getElementById("storydiv").

innerHTML=befart+aftart; } var storycontent = document.getElementById("storydiv").

innerHTML; var firstpara = storycontent.substring(0,storycontent.

toLowerCase().indexOf("")).

toLowerCase(); function findptt(cnt){ zz++; if(zz == 10)return; var xxx=-1,yyy=-1; var ccnt = cnt; for(ii=0; ii "); if(yyy != -1){ taglen += yyy; stp = stp + yyy; yyy+=1; } break; taglen = taglen + tagcheck[ii].length + 3; } } if(xxx == -1 || xxx >= 150){ return; }else{ var tmp2 = ccnt.

substring(0,xxx); tmp2 += ccnt.substring((yyy+xxx),ccnt.

length); findptt(tmp2); } }findptt(firstpara); if(firstpara.length ")){ }else{ tmpminus = tmpcon.

length - tmpcon.lastIndexOf(" Watch Video'+'';} else {tmpdiV="";} var b1=""; var b2=""; var hid="526"; if(sldemsidcnt>1){imglinksh='View Images';}else{imglinksh='View Image';} var b2 = ''+''+ capt +''+ tmpdiV +''; bellyad.

innerHTML = b2 + b1; (less)

The biggest surprise was the camera-shy Adi posing happily for the cameras. Is an announcement coming soon? (less)

How much scope do you have in a male-dominated political drama like Aarakshan? Well I believe that the character that I play of Purbi Anand has a very strong and important voice in the film. She's a girl who is torn between her father and boyfriend when the issue of Aarakshan flares up.

She idolizes her father, loves her boyfriend but at the same time understands the situation and where both of them are coming from. The decision that she makes thereon is important.

What is your personal take on reservations? It's an issue that I've always been very aware of. But having done the film, it's very difficult for me to tell whether I am for it or against it because I know both sides of the story now.

I know the implications and the complications that it has and I don't even know what the solution to it is. Does the film take any stance towards reservations? The film doesn't talk about pro or anti reservations.

What it does is states facts and reality like it is in our country today. Aarakshan is facing a lot of opposition for its theme.

..

Since it is such a sensitive issue, I am not surprised that certain people have certain issues with the film. Having said that, being a part of the film, I believe it is unfair for people to react at a stage when they haven't seen the film.

Ok, the promos are suggesting certain things but you still don't know what the entire film is about. So I feel until you have seen the entire film, one shouldn't really judge it.

What is the one thing you learnt from Amitabh Bachchan? I can't say I learnt one thing from Amitabh Bachchan. It has been an overall learning experience - watching him interact with people, the way he is on the sets, the way he performs in front of the camera.

The minute he walks in the room, he has this certain energy and aura about him. He made me feel very comfortable, instilled a lot of confidence in me and he's also fun to work with.

Don't you think Saif is too suave and sophisticated to play a Dalit? I think this is where the fact that he is a good actor comes into play. A lot of people felt that because of, say maybe, his personal lineage or the fact that he has played only certain kind of roles that he can't play certain other kind of roles.

But I think what he did in Omkara was a classic example of that. He took people by surprise and won awards and acclaim for that film.

Is there a love triangle between Saif, Prateik and you in the film? No there isn't a love triangle. The conflict for me is of three different kinds.

One is with my father whom I worship and idolize and look up to. The issues I have with my friend (Prateik) and my love (Saif) are separate.

Which was the most difficult part of working in Aarakshan? I think to hold my own amongst so many male characters within the film was really challenging for me. Finally, given a chance, which actor/director would you want to reserve for yourself? I think I would want to reserve an entire classroom so that I can have many actors and directors in that.

It's a never-ending list! Watch Video'+'';} else {tmpdiV="";} var b1=""; var b2=""; var hid="526"; if(sldemsidcnt>1){imglinksh='View Images';}else{imglinksh='View Image';} var b2 = ''+''+ capt +''+ tmpdiV +''; bellyad.innerHTML = b2 + b1; (less)

It was only after Ali and the film's producers agreed to make the required deletions that the Censor Board passed the film with a UA certificate. The changes ordered by the board included the muting (beeping no longer allowed) of the words "sex" and "b*****d" in the soundtrack--words that commonly occur in our films and would have been allowed if the Rockstar team had agreed to an 'A' certificate.

Likewise, a Hindi expletive which apparently Ranbir Kapoor's character uses whenever he's emotionally aggravated, has been muted wherever it occurs. Again, the word, common in the films of Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and other purveyors of cowbelt lingo, was not permissible in a film passed for kids with parental guidance.

Most notable of all is the board's instruction to do away with a reference to Tibetan freedom from Chinese dominion. Apparently, Imtiaz Ali has been asked to do away with a flag in the film that reads 'Free Tibet'.

" Rockstar has been given two options regarding the flag that reads 'Free Tibet' -- either they can delete or blur the visual of the flag," a source said. "Not that there are too many Bollywood films that would dare to take a stand on a sensitive political issue like Tibet.

Rockstar does. The Censor Board has asked for its removal," the source added.

The CEO of the Censor Board, Pankaja Thakur, has confirmed the alterations in the film. Tweet (less)

"I don't do villainous or positive roles. I do human being roles.

They are positive and negative both. If you say that I do only villain roles then your research is wrong," Manoj told reporters here.

Manoj has played negative roles in films like "Aks", "Road", "Raajneeti" and "Aarakshan", but maintains that his characters can't be called villains. "'Shool' was not villain's role, 'Zubeidaa' was not villain's role, and 'Lanka' has me in role with grey shades.

The character is like any human being in the society, like you or like me. We all have positive and negative aspects.

So they can't be called villains," added the actor, whose best remembered role is that of underworld don Bhiku Mhatre in "Satya". The 42-year-old admits he has a few negative aspects in his personal life.

"I am very ambitious and I leave a lot of things for my work. Sometimes I lie and sometimes I want to earn a lot of money, sometimes I feel like earning a lot of money without doing much work.

So there are many bad things inside me that I don't want to share with you," said the actor here at a celebration party held for "Lanka". Directed by Maqbool Khan, "Lanka" also stars Arjan Bajwa and Tia Bajpai.

The film released Friday. His next films include "Chittagong", " Gangs Of Wasseypur ", and "The Whisperers" (less)

The producers of "Rangam" had sold the rights of the film to a Bollywood producer who has firmed the deal with the "Rajneeti" director. Confirms a source close to the development, "Yes, Prakash has signed on the dotted line and will remake "Ko".

He will also bring in the hero for the project. Prakash was mainly chosen because he is known as a filmmaker who deals with political subjects and the plot of the Tamil superhit starring Jiiva and Karthika suits his style perfectly.

" We also learn that the remake rights of "Ko" was among the highest paid to a Tamil film after " Ghajini ". The grapevine says that the amount is close to `1.

5 crore. Following the huge success of Southern remakes in Bollywood, top production houses have been competing heavily for bagging the remake rights of hit films (less)

But it is also a beautiful love story about what happens to two characters from the same line of work and how much misunderstanding is created by people who are supposed to make that communication easier," the 39-year-old actor said at an event here. Kareena plays an actress who touches the heights of fame and then falls from glory.

Asked about his role, Arjun said: "It's going to be a Madhur Bhandarkar film which deals with a lot of layers of reality and that's what I enjoy doing. I like all my characters to have a certain level of realism.

I hope to portray it with conviction and not in a caricaturist manner." Arjun debuted in Bollywood with 2001 movie "Pyaar, Ishq Aur Mohabbat" but had to wait for a long time to find a firm foothold.

He was first appreciated for his role in "Don - The Chase Begins" (2006) and then people liked him in the negative role in "Om Shanti Om". But he came into his own as a brooding musician in "Rock On!!" and continued it with "Raajneeti".

"Heroine" is expected to hit theatres September this year (less)

She recently lost 30 pounds by following the Jenny Craig diet, and says the process has enhanced her vocals. "Right now I feel like pregnancy actually helped me vocally," Carey said in an interview Wednesday.

"At this moment my voice is in great shape." The Grammy winner is also working on new music, which she said is partly inspired by her pregnancy.

Carey made the comments as she was announced as the new brand ambassador for Jenny Craig, which is now called Jenny. The singer said after giving birth she was "approached by a lot of different companies," but that the folks at Jenny "understood me.

" During her pregnancy Carey dealt with gestational diabetes and toxemia. She says "you couldn't make me go through that again.

"I knew I was going to gain weight during the pregnancy, but I didn't think about the pain the weight would cause," she said. "I didn't know if I was going to be able to walk again.

I couldn't get up out of my chair alone." Carey said in addition to eating right, she worked out a lot, though husband Nick Cannon wasn't her partner in that sense.

"He's in great shape and he can eat anything he wants (and) I'm jealous of that," she said. "But sometimes I'm glad `cause he has candy by the bed, and I'll sneak one of his little candies.

" Carey says her involvement with Jenny - which supports the American Heart Association's "My Heart. My Life.

" initiative - stretches beyond just helping women bounce back from weight gain during pregnancy. "We just lost Heavy D," she said of the rapper who collapsed and died Tuesday.

"I considered him my friend and he was (in his) early 40s, so it's serious. It's really serious.

" Tweet (less)

"Something this dangerous should be considered a deadly weapon and must be outlawed without delay. Please, won't you prevent more senseless suffering and deaths by banning glass-coated manja throughout India?" wrote Khanna.

The 'manja' used in kite-flying competitions is often gummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed glass, making it lethal for birds, who are slashed, wounded and killed when they become entangled in the strings. Besides birds, it also poses a threat to people.

Tweet (less)

Aarakshan releasing on Friday is a socio-political drama based on the caste-based reservations in the government jobs and educational institutions. Incidentally, the Bombay High Court today refused to stay release of the film saying there will be no special screening for anybody before its release.

Tweet (less)

It was only after Ali and the film's producers agreed to make the required deletions that the Censor Board passed the film with a UA certificate. The changes ordered by the board included the muting (beeping no longer allowed) of the words "sex" and "b*****d" in the soundtrack--words that commonly occur in our films and would have been allowed if the Rockstar team had agreed to an 'A' certificate.

Likewise, a Hindi expletive which apparently Ranbir Kapoor's character uses whenever he's emotionally aggravated, has been muted wherever it occurs. Again, the word, common in the films of Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and other purveyors of cowbelt lingo, was not permissible in a film passed for kids with parental guidance.

Most notable of all is the board's instruction to do away with a reference to Tibetan freedom from Chinese dominion. Apparently, Imtiaz Ali has been asked to do away with a flag in the film that reads 'Free Tibet'.

" Rockstar has been given two options regarding the flag that reads 'Free Tibet' -- either they can delete or blur the visual of the flag," a source said. "Not that there are too many Bollywood films that would dare to take a stand on a sensitive political issue like Tibet.

Rockstar does. The Censor Board has asked for its removal," the source added.

The CEO of the Censor Board, Pankaja Thakur, has confirmed the alterations in the film. Tweet (less)

Jenny D was non-committal about the celebrities joining the protest and even refused to say what the exact form of protest would - either a rally or something else. She only admitted that a novel form of protest is being planned out.

"We are yet considering the options and will not divulge any details unless we have a green signal from our lawyers," said Jenny D. However, a source said that a morcha on the lines of the Slut Walk March or Besharmi Morcha held in Delhi recently is being planned.

Last week the police arrested and detained about 133 party goers because the venue of the party - a bungalow in Juhu area did not have all the required licenses. The organisers of the party were also arrested by the police for serving liquor without obtaining the requisite licenses (less)

Director Manish Tiwary is all set to begin filming his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet titled "Issaq" from October 20. There's an interesting twist to the classic tale of love - the inclusion of the Naxalite angle.

Says Manish, who had directed "Dil Dosti Etc", "I wanted to set my movie in the contemporary world. The story of Romeo and Juliet ends in a tragedy.

I wanted to explore what happens to an emotion like love in a non-loving atmosphere. Romeo comes from a violent mafia background and all his understanding has got to do with guns.

Pitted against his clan is a Naxalite group. I have not taken any sides since both of them have their own points of view.

I wanted a dramatic conflict in my film and introducing the Naxalite angle adds a new layer to my plot." While Prateik is busy preparing to play Rahul and get the Banarasi accent right, a new girl has just been cast in the role of Juliet.

"She is new and is called Bachhi in the movie. Prashant plays a Naxalite in the film.

I have always admired Prashant's acting and my casting him has nothing to do with him acting in "Murder 2". He plays an expat who ignites the Naxalite cause," the director adds.

Is there any chance of introducing any real-life characters involved in the Naxalite movement? "No. There is a Ramleela sequence in the climax.

It might be shot in the documentary style. But I don't wish to rope in any real-life Naxalite leaders," he says.

Meanwhile, Prashant is excited to have bagged the role of a Naxalite. "This is one role that Shakespeare never included in his Romeo and Juliet.

I have just returned to Mumbai after shooting my first Malayalam movie. I'm now busy with recording my own album.

I will be off to Banaras on October 22. This is a one-schedule movie and shooting should be over by December," the actor says.

Three composers - Sachin Jigar, Krishna and Sachin Gupta - are scoring the music. While majority of the shooting will take place in Banaras, portions of it will also be shot in Allahabad.

Incidentally, author Kunal Basu had begun an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet too that was supposed to be directed by Aparna Sen. Though there hasn't been any further talk about this project, Basu had set his adaptation in the cynical world of land mafias and had said that his version could well have been called, love in the times of land garb (less)

At the moment, I am only doing one film - Bol Bachchan," says Junior B. But rumour has it that the Rohit Shetty directorial has landed itself in a title tussle, with producer Aarif Khan claiming that he is making a film with the same title.

But Abhishek chooses to keep mum about the issue. "I am not aware of it," he says dismissively.

Remakes of classics seem to be the flavour of the season, what with two of Abhishek's father Amitabh Bachchan's films -Don and Agneepath - being the inspiration for new films. "Well, I didn't get to watch Don 2 and I hope the Agneepath team has done a good job and I wish them all the best," he says, and adds, "All my father's films are classics.

I don't think there is a need to remake any of them. His films can be watched even today.

" In the meantime, it is his daughter - still known to the world as Beti B - who absorbs his attention. Ask him what the experience of being a father is like and he says, "Well, I have rehearsed these lines many times, but somehow I am never able to express my feelings on the subject.

It is the most indescribable thing to happen and one can never put it down into words." Though the Big B has been forthcoming about his granddaughter's looks, Abhishek says it is "better to say she looks like her mother".

When asked why, he laughs, "It's hard to imagine a one-month-old child with a stubble." (less)

According to reports, the Dum Maaro Dum actor is throwing a bachelor party for Ram Charan this weekend. Though Rana is busy shooting in Mumbai for Department , he has flown down specially to Hyderabad for the boys' night out.

Ram Charan Teja's engagement photos Reports also suggest that cars have been organised for the guests to take them to a secret location. Sounds like quite a party! Ram Charan Teja got engaged to Apollo Chairman Pratap Reddy's granddaughter, Upasana Kamineni at a high-profile event in Hyderabad on December 1.

Ram Charan, an actor like his father, is the star of hit movies such as Magadheera (2009). He is currently working in the Telugu Racha , due to release early next year.

Upasana currently heads the Charity and Wellness divisions of the Apollo group. Tweet (less)

Whatever roles he has done -be it films where he had to kiss his partner or fight in the rains -the audience can always identify with his emotions. There is an instant connect.

Even if Emraan is serenading a girl wearing a sharkskin jacket while driving a sports car, he makes the members in the audience believe that they too can do what Emraan is doing. In "Shanghai", I made Emraan play a character who represents this viewer whose icon is someone like Emraan Hashmi.

He is a small town guy eking out a living by being a photographer. He does odd jobs, isn't very well-read or articulate and has two or three press cards on him.

Basically, he is a man of all seasons. What's nice about Emraan is that he is a natural actor and has great comic timing.

He is sharp and his presence adds the laugh lines to "Shanghai". His character undergoes a transformation and by the time the film ends, he is finally facing his own reality.

You are the only director with whom Abhay Deol has done two movies. How did you see him evolve as an actor? Abhay is usually the black sheep in most of his films.

In "Shanghai", he is the core of conservative, middle class India who clings on to his patriotic belief that India has to take over China one day. I've known Abhay as a very spontaneous actor who doesn't rehearse much.

But in this film, Abhay was different. He was playing a Tamil Brahmin who is an IAS officer.

Abhay asked for a language coach and insisted that everyday, before we shot the scenes, he spent at least 40 minutes with him. He researched on IAS officers apart from interacting with two different Tamilians from different social classes.

He also got a book to learn Tamil alphabets. It's a tough task to speak in Tamil-accented Hindi without turning it into a caricature.

Your movie is based on Greek author Vassilis Vassilikos's novel titled Z, the rights of which you had purchased. There is a Costa-Gavras movie that has already been adapted from the same book.

How difficult does the scope of adaptation become in such cases? The organic difference between a book and a film is that while in the former we need to read what the character is going through and figure it out in our heads, the audience has to see those experiences in a movie. Ergonomically, a book often meanders in terms of the narrative.

A film, in contrast, has to be more evocation and linear in structure. Writing the screenplay of an adaptation is a tough job.

Urmi Juvekar and I bickered for a year to get the screenplay in place. It is a continuous iterative and interactive process.

One has to be flexible. In the book, there are two characters who come from the lowliest of society.

They are involved in negative acts but Vassilis has dealt with them quite positively. He understood the compulsions of these two characters.

The earlier film ignored these two characters. I didn't.

Is this because in the Indian context, finding a sentimental reason for a character's flaw is always a great way to win over the audience? No, that's not it. The book was set in the 1960s and was written in the context of the Left and the Right wing politics.

Today's India has no political ideologies as such. It is more about the rich and the poor.

From being a transmutation of a "Left and Right film", "Shanghai" became a "Rich and Poor movie". "Shanghai" is a political thriller at a time when real-life political scenario has become one big tamasha with a lot of thriller element.

Does that interest you? No. Most of the political thrillers in India are about this tamasha.

But my film is about the politics of real life. It is about the politics that decide where you will live and which road will be open for you and which building will be demolished to create which mall.

The great Indian political tamasha, in contrast, is a creation of the bad habits of the elite media of our country. One has to manufacture tamasha and have people opine on every possible event because there are so many pages to fill up.

My interest doesn't lie there. My movie is about the blood and sweat politics of real survival.

While you spent a year deciding on the screenplay of the movie, most of the hits in India today don't even have the script. What's the importance of scripts in the context of Indian cinema then? A script of an Indian film is as important as you make it.

A film with lots of stars and expensive locations might generate 100 crore at the box-office. But who knows whether the film wouldn't have generated 200 crore at the BO if more attention was paid to the script or not.

For me, the important factor is the need to make better and well-made cinema that's organically complete. A well-made cinema should not be judged by its BO success.

The maker and his respect for what he does in cinema should not be judged by what he earns by doing so. Are you happy with what you've earned? Yes, I am.

I have my house, my cars and can afford a decent standard of living. Do you still not have a television at home? I don't.

My mobile still doesn't have Internet connectivity. But do I look ill-informed? I have my iPad and I am very prompt about replying to e-mails.

Does your daughter insist that you let her to watch cartoons on television? We don't have a television at home. She doesn't watch it.

Can she speak Bangla? No, she can't. The fault is completely mine because I have never spoken to her in Bengali.

My wife, Richa, is from Kolkata and can speak the language. But Richa and I speak Bengali only when we have some secret to share in front of others.

Otherwise, we speak in Hindi and English. I certainly want our daughter to be introduced to Bengali literature.

My parents did that to me and hence my world opened up. I too would want that to happen to her and will soon gift her a Barnaporichoy (less)

Sunita Chowdhary, who lodged a complaint against him. A case under sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code was booked against Nagarjuna on Saturday at Jubliee Hills police station.

Sunita, a freelancer who is also working as member of state censor board, alleged that the actor threatened to kill her and used filthy and vulgar language against her when she met him at Annapurna Studio during the shooting of Damarukam Sep 29. The actor reportedly picked up an argument with Sunita over an article she had written about him a few months ago.

Nagarjuna, 52, is the son of legendary Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. One of the popular actors of Telugu cinema, he also acted in few Hindi films including Shiva for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award in 1989.

Tweet (less)