Read on to find out more..

..

Karan Johar: "Ekta and I are really close - even our families are very close so there was always talk of doing a film together. But we wanted to be sure it was the right one.

Ekta came to me with the script. It was so entertaining that I just had to be part of it! I was very happy with the director - Akshay Roy, who is a very bright young boy.

At Dharma , we believe in launching young talent. What excited me about the script is that it is a love story where the man and woman are taking each other on - in a powerful and sexy manner.

There is a very strong man-woman chemistry based on a combination of sexual, social and political dynamics. Casting hasn't been finalised as yet.

We want big stars to play the leads. I'm very proud of the way Ekta has structured her company.

The projects she has been putting up are fantastic. I am very excited as I believe this to be a professional and emotional marriage and what has good energy will always show on screen.

" Ekta Kapoor: "Karan and I had always thought of producing a film together but the credit of finally bringing us together goes to the President of Balaji Films , Swati Shetty. The film needed chutzpah and someone who could turn it into something bigger than it was.

Karan heard just one line in the script and said he was on. It is a dream come true to work with one of the most prolific filmmakers of today.

When I was just starting off in films, he was already a success but he hasn't changed at all. We have signed Akshay Roy to direct as he has a different sensibility.

The film is an urban take on love - it is quirky, edgy, dramatic and intense! The lead actor is probably the edgiest male character from all the films I have made till now. Karan and I both loved the take on love as that emotion is something we know better than anyone else (laughs).

We will start casting in a week." (less)

"It draws inspiration from the strugglers in the 1980s whose indomitable spirit made them emerge triumphant and create a unique space for themselves in a male-dominated film industry. The film is not a formal biopic or biography, as is being speculated.

It is a work of fiction, and any character's resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental," it added. The clarification was issued after a media report that claimed that southern sex icon Silk Smitha's brother, V.

Naga Vara Prasad, who lives in a village in Andhra Pradesh, sent a legal notice to the film's producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria for not taking permission from the late actress' family before making the movie. Prasad claims that he learned about the film through television.

Silk Smitha committed suicide in 1996. " The Dirty Picture , a spectacular musical entertainer, is in essence, a love story, and a celebration of the never-say-die spirit of every industry newcomer," said the statement.

Tweet (less)

The filmmaker, who has long dreamed of making a film on Bajirao Mastani, is spending sleepless nights over her television show on the same love story. He has been trying to persuade the television channel in question to delay, or better still, trash the series completely.

Ekta Kapoor , who has secretly been working on the epic tale for the past three months, is planning to launch it by early next year. This has rattled Bhansali, who wants to be the first one to tell the story.

A source said, "He is trying to sabotage Ekta's plans. But then everything is fair in love and war.

And these two are currently locked in a big business battle. People in the film and television circles are talking about it.

Some of them are caught in the crossfire." The source added, "Bajirao Mastani is very close to Bhansali's heart.

He keeps reviving it every few years. He had started working on it before Saawariya and Guzaarish.

He would love it if he can put just that on floors very soon." Bhansali has refused to give up on his magnum opus, which was originally to star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan .

Based on the story of the renowned Maratha general Peshwa Bajirao and his half-Muslim second wife Mastani, the film hit a roadblock when Salman and Aishwarya parted ways. He considered making the film with Salman and Kareena in 2005 but dropped the idea because both signed another project with Priyadarshan.

Rumour had it that Bhansali wanted exclusivity for his lead pair. Ekta, we hear, is adamant to go ahead with her TV show.

"Why should she stop simply because Bhansali wants her to? She is aware that Bhansali has met some people who matter in the TV industry to dissuade them from the show," said the source. Bhansali, who is about to make his own debut as a TV producer, has hired Ekta's right hand person Ravindra Gautam, who worked on Bade Achche Lagte Hain.

He has asked Gautam to direct his first TV show. The source said that this, however, has gone down badly with Ekta.

"Ravindra is a very senior professional who sets up a show and then moves on to other projects." Bhansali and Kapoor remained unavailable for comment (less)

"The fact is that the change started with 'Khosla ka Ghosla'. It's been a welcome change - to have good, small budget films with simple stories, do well with all kinds of audiences, and it is important for such a change to come as it adds more pluralism to the industry," Banerjee told IANS.

The 40-year-old, who also helmed small budget, critically acclaimed and commercially successful films like "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!" and "Love Sex aur Dhokha", feels the filmmakers can reap better results if they dig deeper into Indian roots. "I think there's so much within India, in the interiors of India.

There is a large pool of talent in the country and so many local stories waiting to be told. But we need to stop being elitist and stop catering just to the English-speaking market.

That endangers the existing talent in the nooks and corners of the country. "I agree that the well-educated minds and business-inclined people may control the industry, but if the genuine Indian talent from interiors fails to come to the fore, it can kill the bio-diversity of the industry," said the adman-turned-filmmaker, who believes "Peepli Live" was a perfect example of simple, local talent lauded by the audience and critics alike.

For now, Banerjee is looking forward to his next project "Shanghai", which focuses on corruption and the revenge of the common man. "Shanghai" is based on a mid-1960s book, "Z", by Greek writer and diplomat Vassilis Vassilikos.

Slated for a Jan 26, 2012 release, it is a political thriller, starring Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi and Kalki Koechlin. The film has been shot in places like Latur and Baramati in Maharashtra.

"I can't reveal the costs..

.but I have to admit that this is my highest budget film so far.

The budget is not big at all, but for the kind of subject that it deals with, it has a fairly good budget," said Banerjee. 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)

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world.

..

you might say, that you love Paris, but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial Kya Huaa Tera Vaada .

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added. Pics: Ekta at the launch of new show Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra, has produced films like Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor In The City and Ragini MMS .

She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better. "Whatever I am today, is because of television.

So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better.

Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing "Shootout at Wadala" with Sanjay Gupta. The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 lined up for release.

Tweet (less)

The movie is a love story between two outlaws (reportedly a take on Abu Salem and Monica Bedi's life), and will be shot in Delhi and Mumbai. Apparently, it's Richa's oomph factor that got her the role, and she has already started preparing to play Bedi's character on screen.

Richa was reportedly finalized for this role after an intensive search, since the producer was looking for someone with the right face and attitude. A source from the movie's unit tells us, "She was born and brought up in Delhi and she's also completed her education from here.

She studied at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya and did her graduation from DU's St Stephen's College. She has done theatre in Delhi with Barry John and then she started modelling.

So, as someone who has spent so much time in Delhi, she had the right attitude and haav-bhaav to be able to play this character." But before the team had even met her, it's apparently director Anurag Kashyap and the casting director for his film "Gangs of Wasseypur", who recommended Richa.

We hear that Anurag liked her work in his flick and recommended her for this role. When we contacted the movie's producer Suryaveer Singh, he said, "She has a very hot vibe and the role required the actress to be like that.

She's a woman who uses her sexuality to make her way up..

. She's like a typical starlet.

" (less)

Ekta Kapoor, who's known to be superstitious, rescheduled the launch of her newest production, Rock The Shaadi , to Dussehra. It is learnt that initially, the Navdip Singh directed movie, featuring Abhay Deol and Genelia D'Souza, was to start, with an outdoor in Rajasthan, on Friday, October 7.

"At first, the plan was to complete all the ceremonial puja of Navratri before starting the film," informed a source associated with the movie. He added that towards the end of the nine-day festival, the producer decided to get her film's shoot started on Dussehra itself.

Explaining the production czarina's decision, our insider explains, "Among Hindus, three days in a year are considered the most auspicious -- Gudi Padwa, Akshay Tritiya and Dussehra. So much so that one need not find the best time during these days to start a new venture.

Because since eons, the entire day, on which these festivals fall respectively, is believed to be auspicious. And since Dussehra is one of them, Ekta decided that it was the best day to start her film, instead of a specific mahurat on any other day.

While Ekta was unavailable for comment, Tanuj Garg, CEO of her production house, confirmed that it was rescheduled. Interestingly, Ekta's superstitious is not just limited to an auspicious time alone.

A schedule of her other production, Kya Super Kool Hain Hum , will be shot in Goa. HitList (July 7, 2011) had reported that the beach state of India was chosen over Bangkok as a number of films shot there, like All The Best , Singham and the Golmaal series which also featured her brother Tusshar, had turned out to be hits.

Sachin Yardi, who wrote the first movie and is directing the sequel, had confirmed the same, saying, "Though the luck factor was also influential to some extent, Goa fitted the requirement of the script perfectly." Here's a look at some other Bollywood stars and their superstitions.

Aamir Khan If you thought a perfectionist like Aamir Khan wouldn't need to resort to such beliefs, you're mistaken. The actor has come to believe that Christmas is a lucky time for him.

That's why after Taare Zameen Par , he scheduled the release of Ghajini and 3 Idiots during the December festival. Apparently, when he locked Reema Kagti directed Dhuaan , the actor was planning a Christmas release.

But since it couldn't be completed, he thought of Republic Day. The January weekend has been lucky for him twice, with Rang De Basanti and Dhobi Ghat striking gold at the box-office.

Besides, his Dhoom 3 is already being touted as a Christmas 2012 release. And it's not without reason that Aamir scheduled the release of Delhi Belly on the first Friday of this July.

Reportedly, he thought it's a 'lucky' time as his previous production and nephew Imran Khan's debut too had opened in cinemas on the first Friday of July 2008. Salman Khan After the success of Wanted and Dabangg during Eid, Salman Khan has been hooked on a release around the festival.

That's why Bodyguard was planned as this year's Eid release from the time he signed it. For next year, the actor had first decided on brother Sohail Khan's Sher Khan .

But now his Ek Tha Tiger has been finalised as his next Eid release. Considering the extensive production and post-production Sher Khan required, the Khan brothers couldn't complete it in time.

Katrina Kaif Having come from outside the industry and making it big, Katrina Kaif too has imbibed the superstitious ways of the industry. Never mind if her skirt raised a controversy during the filming of Namastey London in the Ajmer Dargah, she makes it a point to visit the shrine before every release.

Even before the release of her last film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Kat had gone to pray at the mosque that is also a favourite of many B-town folks. Ajay Devgn While he adopted Ajay as his industry name over his real name Vishal when he debuted with Phool Aur Kaante , the intense actor was not given to superstitions.

However, a couple of average runners at the box-office combined with a couple of accidents saw his mother consult an astrologer. At the behest of the family's jyotish , Ajay dropped the 'a' from his surname and became Devgn.

Then onwards, starting with his production All The Best till Singham , the spelling seems to have worked. Never mind if Toonpur Ka SuperHero , Aakrosh and Rascals didn't work.

His Golmaal 3 and Singham crossed the Rs 100 crore mark and he hasn't had any injury either. Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan was one of the few tinsel town citizens not given to superstition.

However, things changed this year after his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to win their first couple of matches earlier this IPL season. A taaviz /talisman he started wearing, seemed to have brought his Knights out from the dark shadows of defeat.

And it seems the good luck charm is working for his forthcoming superhero fantasy film too. The trade pundits are positive about his Rs 150 crore plus extravaganza not only breaking even, but also making profit from various revenue avenues.

Rakesh Roshan With My Name Is Khan , We Are Family and Student Of The Year , Karan Johar might have let go of his fixation with the letter 'K'. But Rakesh Roshan continues to be superstitious about the alphabet with which he started his innings as a producer ( Kaamchor ) and director ( Khudgarz ).

So what if his last production venture, Kites failed to soar high. The filmmaker's next Krissh movie has already struck distribution deals amounting to Rs 125 crore.

And that too without even a look test, forget a frame being shot. Subhash Ghai Subhash Ghai's recent movies might have failed to befit his showman status, but he still believes in one thing -- the date, October 24.

It's not only his wife's birthday, but also the day he married her. And ever since, he's made it a point to announce his new ventures on this date.

With his lucky date drawing near, it remains to be seen what new projects he announces closer to Diwali this month. Tweet (less)

One" and " Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara " not only satiated the moviegoer's appetite but also yielded profits for the Hindi film industry. Here IANS lists the top 10 movies of the year: 1.

"Bodyguard": Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor's "Bodyguard" broke the opening day records by earning Rs.22 crore on the first day.

Although the story of the film, directed by Siddique , didn't have much to say, the music as well as the action sequences worked in its favour. Salman's signature dialogue - "Mujh par ek ehsaan karna ki mujh par koi ehsaan na karna" - once again struck a chord with fans.

2. "Ra.

One": World class VFX, amazing graphics, innovative marketing, tie-ups with multiple brands and Shah Rukh Khan as the superhero made sci-fi thriller "Ra.One" a profitable venture.

Another highlight of the film was its music, especially the song "Chamak challo" sung by international rapper Akon. And the marathon promotion by the superstar helped bring people to the theatres.

3. "The Dirty Picture": Her sensuous look shocked, her itsy-bitsy clothes astonished and her double meaning dialogues left audiences gasping for breath, but all this nothwithstanding, Vidya Balan swept both the classes and the masses off their feet with her bold avatar in Ekta Kapoor's "The Dirty Picture".

An unofficial biopic of southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, the film broke the myth that only movies with "Khans" work at the box office. 4.

"Ready": Romantic comedies have been a staple of Hindi films and this year Salman Khan's "Ready" used the recipe to earn profits. Shot in exotic locales of Thailand , director Anees Bazmee's drama about mistaken identity saw Salman romancing Asin Thottumkal amid all the hotch-potch in their lives, thanks to their onscreen relatives.

5. "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara": Focussing on three bachelors dealing with their friendship and romance, the well-scripted film, with a resemblance to real life episodes, was supported by beautiful performances by the talented cast - Hrtihik Roshan, Abhay Deol , Farhan Akhtar , with Kalki Koechlin and Katrina Kaif as their love interests.

Kudos to director Zoya Akhtar for bringing liveliness, happiness and joyfulness with such deftness on screen through an adventurous road film mostly based in Spain. 6.

"Singham": An out-and-out action film, the success of "Singham" proves that there are takers for such films. Based on the "good wins over evil" theme, the actioner takes a dig at the corruption within the police department through two main characters - honest cop Ajay Devgn and Prakash Raj as a corrupt politician.

Director Rohit Shetty's film also marked southern actress Kajal Aggarwal's debut in Bollywood. 7.

" Rockstar ": Give him a good role and he can sink his teeth into it. Ranbir Kapoor proved that again by stepping into the shoes of a musician.

From a cute and simple college boy to a crazy lover to a successful but cynical singer, the young actor proved his mettle in every frame. The film appealed despite a faulty script, which had too many loose ends.

In short, it was Ranbir's film, which launched American Pakistani model in the Bollywood business. Other high points of the movie were A.

R. Rahman's music and Mohit Chauhan's singing.

8. "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan": Not good, not bad - that is how Yash Raj Films' "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan" could be described.

Thanks to Imran Khan , Katrina Kaif and Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zaffar's tangled love story woven against the backdrop a wedding, the romantic comedy managed to pull the crowds. The film got mixed reviews, but managed to enter the top grosser list of the year.

9. "Delhi Belly": Replete with cuss words, weird situations, witty dialogues, the experimental movie in the English language targeted the urban audiences, who hailed this free will adult comedy as they identified with the characters of Imran Khan, Kunal Roy Kapoor and Vir Das in the movie.

If director Abhinay Deo faced failure with "Game", this film pulled him out of darkness and Aamir Khan once again proved that he has a knack for choosing the best scripts as a producer. 10.

"Yamla Pagla Deewana": After the 2007 release "Apne", the Deol trio - Sunny, Bobby and Dharmendra - returned to the big screen with the comic caper "Yamla Pagla Deewana" by director Sameer Karnik. Though a small budget film, it received an overwhelming response.

The impeccable comic timing between the father and sons struck a chord with the audiences (less)

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world.

..

you might say, that you love Paris, but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial Kya Huaa Tera Vaada .

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added. Pics: Ekta at the launch of new show Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra, has produced films like Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor In The City and Ragini MMS .

She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better. "Whatever I am today, is because of television.

So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better.

Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing "Shootout at Wadala" with Sanjay Gupta. The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 lined up for release.

Tweet (less)

Women have played several roles on screen - helpless mother, submissive wife, devoted girlfriend and ignored sister. But over a decade, filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali , Shyam Benegal, Vishal Bhardwaj have tried to break the stereotype and present them in a more realistic way, and successfully too.

IANS lists women-centric films in the past decade that have ruled the box-office or garnered critical acclaim: "The Dirty Picture" (2011) - Vidya Balan's itsy bitsy clothes, cleavage-showing blouses and raunchy dance numbers swept the audience off their feet even before the film hit the silver screen, but her powerful and crisp dialogue delivery and easy portrayal of the character took the attention away. The film is an unofficial biopic of southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, her rise to fame and downfall.

"7 Khoon Maaf" (2011) - Priyanka Chopra won critical acclaim for her performance as Susanna, a potentially loathsome serial spouse-killer. At the outset Priyanka's character seemed negative but at the same time it gave an insight into a woman's heart and soul.

Rather than hate her, many ended up sympathising with her. "No One Killed Jessica" (2011) - Based on the real-life murder of model Jessica Lall in 1999, this film kickstarted the year on a positive note.

While Vidya Balan triumphed with her non-glamorous and distraught portrayal of Jessica's sister Sabrina, Rani Mukerji's unprecedented use of abuses as a journalist raised quite a few eyebrows but brought critical acclaim for her. "Fashion" (2008) - Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar , "Fashion" gave a sneak peak into the dark reality of the glamour world.

Priyanka stole the show with her powerful and intense performance as a girl who goes from aspiring model to supermodel before her descent. The actress played a bubbly girl, who connected with the darkest of human emotions while pursuing her dream.

Her performance also won her a national award. "Dor" (2006) - A Nagesh Kuknoor film, "Dor" was the poigant tale of two women and how their fate brings them together.

Relatively new to the world of cinema, both Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag proved their mettle as actors with their distinctive performances. "Black" (2005) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, "Black" was one of the best films of Rani Mukerji's career.

Her portrayal of a deaf and blind girl and how she forms a strong bond with her teacher played by Amitabh Bachchan won her accolades from all over the world. The film brought out the untapped potential of the actress.

"Chameli" (2003) - "Chameli" was a brave attempt by Kareena Kapoor , where she played a sex worker. With her over-the-top makeup, bright coloured saris and intense portrayal, Kareena proved that she is much more than just glamorous.

"Zubeidaa" (2001) - A Shyam Benegal film, "Zubeidaa" starred Karisma Kapoor and Rekha in prominent roles. It was the story of a girl who gets married into a royal family and frets about the restrictions on her as princess and often vents her frustrations at not having her husband to herself.

The film saw Karisma in a completely different avatar. "Lajja" (2001) - Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, "Lajja" satirized the status of women in society and the restrictions on them.

The film chronicled the story of four women with the names Maithali, Janaki, Ramdulhari and Vaidehi that are considered to be the versions of Sita. The film starred Manisha Koirala , Rekha, Madhuri Dixit and Mahima Chaudhry.

"Chandni Bar" (2001)- Madhur Bhandarkar's "Chandni Bar" was again the heartwarming story of a sex worker played by Tabu and how she struggles to provide a better lifestyle to her kids, keeping them away from the gritty world of prostitution. Tabu walked away with the national award for best actress (less)

Ekta is known to be a strict producer, and blunt with her words. But it doesn't cause ego hassles between them, says the younger brother.

"Yes of course, (she criticises my performance) if she doesn't like it. Films work when audience likes it.

Ekta is also from the same industry, so criticisms are always welcome," Tusshar told IANS. "I do take her criticisms positively.

Ekta and I don't get egoistic about each other's comments. We welcome suggestions constructively," he added.

While Ekta's production house Balaji Telefilms is on a roll with films like Shor In The City and The Dirty Picture doing quite well, does Tusshar plan to get into production anytime? "I haven't thought of it. We keep giving tips to each other.

Ekta and her team have made some mistakes in the past and we have learnt a lesson from that. I am not getting into production so soon," said the 35-year-old, who also played a part in hit movie The Dirty Picture .

Tusshar says he is still soaking in the success of the film. "I am still in the OOh la la phase since I was the part of the film.

It feels great and exciting that The Dirty Picture was in news since its making days," he said. In 2012, Tusshar is all set to do a film tiled Chaar Din Ki Chandni with Kulraj Randhawa.

Directed by Samir Karnik, this love story is about a Rajput boy and a Punjabi girl. "I am playing a Rajput guy from a royal family.

He falls in love with a Punjabi girl. He comes back home after studying abroad.

He makes up stories to save his life from his father to make his love life a success," Tusshar said of his role. The release of Chaar Din Ki Chandni is clashing with that of his The Dirty Picture co-star Vidya Balan's Kahaani March 9.

But he is unfazed. "I am not really nervous.

Vidya Balan's Kahaani is a more serious film so the audiences are going to get divided. And Of course I will watch Vidya's Kahaani ," Tusshar said.

Tweet (less)

According to Custom officials, Superintendent of Customs Ashok Pandit intercepted Kaur, who had arrived at the airport from Thailand on Wednesday night. The officials revealed that Hasleen Kaur was carrying branded purses and cosmetics, which she hadn't declared.

When the officials approached her and stated that they intended to check the goods, she told them that the purses she was carrying were local products. Undeterred by her reasoning, the officials detained Kaur, confiscated her belongings and only then allowed her to leave.

Earlier this year, actors Minissha Lamba and Bipasha Basu, producer Ekta Kapoor and TV actor Swapnil Joshi had been detained by the Customs for not declaring goods. Tweet (less)

"Ekta and I are super excited about the script we are producing together..

. will announce details as we cast the film and title it!!!" Johar posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

According to reports, the film will be a "love story with a twist", and it will be directed by Akshay Roy. It will be interesting to see what Johar's Dharma Productions and Ekta's Balaji Motion Pictures will have to offer considering their different styles of filmmaking.

The rumour about Johar and Ekta's romance had reached its peak when news of their wedding started doing the rounds three years ago. But they have been good friends since childhood, and have been looking forward to working together for a long time.

Tweet (less)

Now she has asked the makers of her next release Lootera to release the film on Eid yet again. However,the problem is that Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger also releases on the festival day.

A source reveals, "Sonakshi has asked producers Ekta Kapoor and Vikas Bahl to get an Eid release date for Lootera. She feels it's an auspicious date and is insisting they lock it for her film with Ranveer Singh.

" Since Salman has already secured the Eid date with ETT, the makers have planned to bring it out on another Eid holiday (Bakri Eid on October 26). The source adds, "There was no way Sonakshi would want to have a release the same date as Salman.

It would not only affect the box-office performance of Lootera but also send out a wrong signal. With both the films securing Eid dates, the problem has been sorted.

" (less)

While the marriage date is not declared as yet, if sources are to be believed, it would be around February 2012. While most industry people are elated about the engagement, one person to be most affected by their bonding is producer Ekta Kapoor .

That's because both Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza are working in her individual productions. Riteish will be seen in Ekta Kapoor's Kya Super Kool Hai Hum while Genelia is a part of Rock The Shaadi .

An industry insider reveals, "Ekta Kapoor wants to finish both films before their marriage considering they would want time for themselves post the festivities. So she is getting her team to work overtime on the projects".

While Kya Super Kool Hai Hum is scheduled for an April 2012 release, Rock The Shaadi went on floors this Dushera after much delay. Meanwhile producer Ramesh Taurani might be much relaxed as his film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya which stars both Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza is more or less complete with a February release date (which could be close to their wedding day) (less)

The film is also set to be showcased at other festivals abroad, says director Suman Ghosh. "The film will first be having its world premiere at the 16th Busan International Film Festival where it will be shown in the Section A Window on Asian Cinema and will have three screenings from October 6-14," Ghosh said in a statement.

At the BFI London Film Festival, the movie will have two screenings under the world section. In the film, Mithun plays the role of Bhanu, who finds the lost Nobel medal of noted poet Rabindranath Tagore.

What happens to the medal and Bhanu in a twisting turn of events forms the entire story. Actor Soumitra Chatterjee also features in the movie, apart from names like Harsh Chhaya and Rupa Ganguly.

Tweet (less)

Bollywood has a lot to offer in 2012. TOI picks the 10 hot favourites AGNEEPATH DIRECTOR: Karan Malhotra CAST: Hrithik Roshan , Priyanka Chopra , Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor EXPECTED RELEASE: January 26 The raw, pulsating aggro of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan - portrayed by none other than Amitabh Bachchan in the 1990 classic - will be brought alive on screen by Hrithik Roshan.

For visual relief from the all-out action is the leggy Katrina Kaif as the fetching Chikni Chameli. WATCH OUT FOR: Sanjay Dutt as the bald baddie Kancha Cheena.

EK THA TIGER DIRECTOR: Kabir Khan CAST: Salman Khan , Katrina Kaif EXPECTED RELEASE: August Salman turns tiger for this one, his prowl - sorry, pay - was a whopping 32 crore. Filmed in five countries including Ireland and Turkey , the crew faced some tense moments when an earthquake hit Turkey.

It's touted as a romantic thriller, but will it romance the BO? Let's wait and watch the tiger. WATCH OUT FOR: Kat sizzling opposite her ex.

BARFEE DIRECTOR: Anurag Basu CAST: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D'Cruz EXPECTED RELEASE: July Bolly heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor in a non-star avatar, as happy-go-lucky deaf-mute man, Murphy, while Piggy Chops plays autistic girl Jhilmil. A murder mystery with a fair share of thrills and chills, "B" has been the buzzword in tinseltown ever since it hit the floors.

WATCH OUT FOR: South siren Ileana D'Cruz, who's the narrator of the story. HEROINE DIRECTOR: Madhur Bhandarkar CAST: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal , Shahana Goswami, Randeep Hooda EXPECTED RELEASE: September Heroine ho aur nakhre na ho? Madhur had a taste of this Bollywood adage as his first heroine, Ash, became pregnant and dropped out.

Madhur went back to his 'first choice' Kareena Kapoor. The film captures the insecurities of a once-famous heroine whose career is on the decline.

WATCH OUT FOR: Echoes of Madhubala and Marilyn's lives. ROWDY RATHORE DIRECTOR: Prabhu Deva CAST: Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha EXPECTED RELEASE: June 15 Akshay returns to full-on action with this remake of the Telugu bumper hit "Vikramarkudu" - and that too in a double role, as a dhaansu police officer and a thief.

Akshay is learnt to be finetuning his martial art skills for this role. Kickass, eh? WATCH OUT FOR: All eyes will be on Sonakshi.

This will be her next release after "Dabangg". And, of course, Pradhu Deva as director.

TALAASH DIRECTOR: Reema Kagti CAST: Aamir Khan , Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji EXPECTED RELEASE: June 1 Another cop movie, with Aamir donning khaki for the first time since "Sarfarosh" (1999). Being an Aamir film, the buzz over it is a given.

And Aamir being Aamir, he's making sure that the plot isn't leaked. Fans posted 'inspired' posters online (above), forcing producer Farhan Akhtar to clear the air on Twitter.

WATCH OUT FOR: Kolkata boy Subrat Dutt's performance. BOL BACHCHAN DIRECTOR: Rohit Shetty CAST: Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan , Asin Thottumkal and Prachi Desai EXPECTED RELEASE: July 6 Rohit Shetty had a hit with "Golmaal 3", but instead of another sequel, he announced "Bol Bachchan", which, we now hear, is a tribute to the 1979 "Golmaal", a Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic.

Abhishek is Ram Prasad (Amol Palekar in the original) and Devgn plays Bhawani Shankar (Utpal Dutt). WATCH OUT FOR: LOL lines every minute.

AGENT VINOD DIRECTOR: Sriram Raghavan CAST: Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor EXPECTED RELEASE: March The director has said that it's not a remake of the 1977 film, but it's not every day that you get to see the Nawab of Pataudi romance his would-be begum on screen, right? The only 'wrong' is that the release of the much-hyped film has been delayed a number of times. Pull up your socks Agent Vinod, you have to save the film! WATCH OUT FOR: Thrills, thrills and more thrills.

SHANGHAI DIRECTOR: Dibakar Banerjee CAST: Abhay Deol, Emraan Hashmi, Kalki Koechlin, Prosenjit Chatterjee EXPECTED RELEASE: April/ May A take on the anti-corruption movement. The hatke political thriller focusses on the revenge of the common man and has been inspired by Greek writer and diplomat Vassilis Vassilikos's book, Z.

Dibakar has raised the bar with films like "Khosla Ka Ghosla" and "Love, Sex Aur Dhoka". We're waiting for more! WATCH OUT FOR: Prosenjit Chatterjee's return to Bollywood.

HOUSEFULL 2 Akshay Kumar is all set to tickle your funnybone in 'Housefull 2' DIRECTOR: Sajid Khan CAST: Akshay Kumar, Asin, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade and Shazahn Padamsee EXPECTED RELEASE: April 5 "Housefull" had a house full run at the BO. Idea! Why not repeat the success with a sequel? That's how "Housefull 2" happened.

Akshay Kumar's character, Aarush, is supposed to be a comic take on James Bond. Will Sajid get the comic formula right and laugh all the way to the bank? We'll have our eyes glued.

WATCH OUT FOR: Performances by Mithun Chakraborty, Rishi Kapoor and even Big B (less)

It is learnt that Kareena Kapoor is rooting for Imran Khan, her co-star in Ekk Main Aur Ekk Tu (previously titled Short Term Shaadi ), to play the character inspired by Chhota Rajan. Interestingly, Kareena herself isn't being paired with Imran in the Milan Luthria directed movie, as she has already confirmed to pair with Akshay Kumar, who plays the role of a don, inspired by Dawood Ibrahim.

According to an insider associated with the film, "Kareena feels that Imran would bring novelty to the character inspired by Rajan. More so because he has played strong romantic roles in most of his films.

" Besides that, an insider told us that working in the project, Short Term Shaadi , Kareena is enthused about how well she gets along with the co-actor. "That's also one reason why she's so strongly recommending Imran's for this movie," said our source.

Now, the actor will have take a call when the producers approach him. However, our source maintained that producer Ekta Kapoor is also backing Kareena's suggestion to director Milan Luthria.

"But it's still some time before they connect with Imran, as currently Milan is focused on finishing the last schedule for The Dirty Picture , for Ekta's company. In another week or two, talks should be initiated," said our source.

When contacted, Tanuj Garg, CEO Balaji Motion Pictures said, "It's still too early to talk about the parallel male lead. When things are finalised, we'll make a formal announcement.

" Tweet (less)

Mumbai Mirror has learnt that Banerjee has got former co-stars Abhay Deol and Neetu Chandra of Oye Lucky Lucky Oye on-board for the thriller. According to a source close to the filmmaker, he has titled the thriller Kolkata to pay homage to his hometown.

But, interestingly Banerjee has no plans of shooting the film in his home city. The source explained, "This is the second in Dibakar's 'phantom-city' series.

Just like the sequences in Shanghai were not shot in the Chinese capital, the same will apply for his film Kolkata." According to the source, Banerjee has already started scripting the screenplay of the film with Urmi Juvekar, who also wrote Shanghai.

And Abhay Deol is in for an extreme makeover, claimed the source. "Abhay's character is a very intelligent detective who has been assigned to work on a rather challenging crime case.

He will be required to do a lot of research to get into character," added the source. When contacted, Banerjee confirmed his plans for his next film and said, "It's a detective thriller.

Detective thrillers are perceived in a particular way in our cinema. I want to change that.

" (less)

Refreshingly, Ekta Kapoor admits to all of them but says she's a changed woman today. Ques : After enjoying huge success, your company went through a really bad phase in 2008 and suffered a loss of around Rs 14 crore.

What did that phase teach you? Ekta Kapoor : We lost more than Rs 14 crore. After a steady success for eight years, suddenly everything started going wrong.

I was a wreck. Channel 9, where we had many serials running, shut down, we had this fight with Star TV, we had paid advance to a company to make films and that wasn't materialising, ask me what didn't go wrong.

Only post Pavitra Rishta things started looking up. This is when I realised that if I took calculated proposals it would be a big risk to take.

My choice was making a huge film and spend two crores over promotions or make a three crore film and depend on the content. Brand Balaji going for the brand value of Dibakar and going completely against the flavour and texture of what they have been doing itself made enough noise to launch a brand.

Ques : Also this perhaps gained you more respect as till then in spite of being called the czarina of television you were also criticised for making regressive content..

. Ekta : But if you ask me, I am still more proud of my achievements in television.

It is so tough to cater to that many tastes. I might not understand the financial situation of a middle class home but the middle class values I can totally identify with.

In fact, there was a survey that said that women in homes got more assertive after this TV boom started. So many of my friends told me that I make regressive serials, but these were the people who wouldn't even watch TV.

They would say - 'Oh I watched one or two scenes and I didn't like what I saw'. I would call such people myopic.

I still have far more respect for TV producers because there is no star power there; all that works is the content. Those TV producers are not lunching with Salman Khan or dining with SRK.

All they have is the content that could either make or break a serial. I on a personal level just ran out of stories to tell on television, so the only other medium available for me was films where I could explore darker, edgier stories.

Stories with more layers..

.in truth, I am bohemian in thought and conservative in action.

Ques : When you were riding high you were a short-tempered, impatient person. Did the low phase mellow you down? Ekta : I was 17 when I started my TV career.

If you have the number one show when you are 19 and at 25 the whole era on television is being dedicated to you, you are bound to grow cat's whiskers. I made some really stupid decisions, I lost some really nice friends because I asked them to leave the company.

I was short tempered because I had too much work. I didn't know how to absorb it all.

It is not the low phase but it is success, which taught me a few things. Now when I look back I have realised that no longer do I want to be a slave to success.

I was in such a hurry to be successful that I simply didn't care. Today I know that you have to be a human being first.

Tomorrow if none of my films do well, I am not going to reach the lowest rungs of depression like I used to. I know that I have many other things to be thankful for.

If I am not successful maybe the world will value me lesser, but the world's view not necessarily be my own view of myself. Today spirituality comes to me before success.

In fact, it is my strong belief in God that has cushioned my failure. I have not become a saint, but I can say sorry more easily now.

I am willing to accept my fault. I have killed my ego and learnt to say sorry.

Ques : And is there a regret you can't amend? Ekta : Yes, I didn't have time for amma. She was my guardian and took care of us for 27 years.

When she was dying I was too busy to be with her. I gave work my highest priority.

She took care of me for so many years and I couldn't spare a few months for her. Regret lasts longer than anything else and that is a karmic burden I will always carry.

Ques : You also had trust issues? Ekta : I still do. At one point I stopped talking to people, started closing all doors and I was very wary of people in general.

Now you see the much lighter me. I used to feel that everyone is after me for something.

It is then my mum told me, if you close the very first door, how would you know when a genuine person wants to enter? She said keep the door open, and then the second door let only few people enter and then slowly you can reach the trust lever with fewer people. People tell me that after a certain age you can't make friends, but now I know that if you haven't kept the doors open, someone out there who might share the same world as you, will not have been given the opportunity to come close to you.

Ques : If the door is open, why is your love life still not happening? Ekta : I really don't know why. I am very pissed with myself for that.

Either I am too intimidating or it is the bad placement of stars. I don't want to get involved with an actor.

..

Ques : Why? Your dad was an actor..

. Ekta : (Laughing) But my mum was not a producer.

That door is never open for an actor..

..

Ques : Are your standards high? Ekta : No. My standards are really low.

But it just doesn't happen. Even a flirty situation has not come up.

I have not been remotely interested in a guy since last one year..

.But my trust issues come up here too.

I still think somewhere you have got to be careful. I just want to protect my heart from rejection.

Also I am not sure who is approaching me for what I am. I joined a gym and I couldn't work out because there were four aspiring actors working out only around me.

I take a flight, pursers give me their numbers. If I write a story, I will have the most amusing real life incidents to narrate.

How will I ever know who wants to genuinely be my friend and not use me? A friend was asking me the other day if there is anyone I trust at all, and I said yes, only my mother. I have learnt many things now.

I have learnt to delegate. I have also learnt that I won't die if I don't continue being successful.

People's expectations of you can be killing. In 2005 I thought I can't give a flop ever.

But today I wouldn't care less. If I fail and if you don't want to talk to me, that's your problem.

I am on this let me be happy phase. For me spirituality comes first and then success.

It can be really lonely at the top and the company you have around is not what you want. So I am not taking that risk again.

Tweet (less)

"It draws inspiration from the strugglers in the 1980s whose indomitable spirit made them emerge triumphant and create a unique space for themselves in a male-dominated film industry. The film is not a formal biopic or biography, as is being speculated.

It is a work of fiction, and any character's resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental," it added. The clarification was issued after a media report that claimed that southern sex icon Silk Smitha's brother, V.

Naga Vara Prasad, who lives in a village in Andhra Pradesh, sent a legal notice to the film's producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria for not taking permission from the late actress' family before making the movie. Prasad claims that he learned about the film through television.

Silk Smitha committed suicide in 1996. " The Dirty Picture , a spectacular musical entertainer, is in essence, a love story, and a celebration of the never-say-die spirit of every industry newcomer," said the statement.

Tweet (less)

The New Year holds a lot of new promise in Bollywood. We list down 10 debutantes to look forward to in 2012.

Varun Dhawan: David Dhawan's elder son Rohit Dhawan made his debut as a director in 2011 with Desi Boyz. His younger son Varun Dhawan will debut as an actor with Karan Johar's ambitious project 'Student of the Year'.

Both sons of David Dhawan have paved their own path into Bollywood without the need of their father having to launch them. Varun has earlier assisted Karan Johar on My Name is Khan .

Alia Bhatt: Other than David Dhawan's son, Karan Johar will also be introducing Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Alia Bhatt in his campus love-story 'Student of the Year'. Alia Bhatt is Mahesh Bhatt's daughter from his second wife Soni Razdan.

Again like in the case of Varun Dhawan, even Alia isn't being launched by the Bhatt banner Vishesh Films, especially when Bhatts are known for introducing several new talents in Bollywood. Nevertheless with Karan Johar at the helm of affairs, it should be a dream debut for Alia anyways.

Siddharth Malhotra: Siddharth completes the debut factor in the lead cast of Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year'. Not to be confused with the director of We Are Family (also a Karan Johar production), Siddharth Malhotra is a Delhi boy who boasts of great looks.

Karan Johar would ensure he acts well too. Arjun Kapoor: 2012 seems to be a year when most celebrity children are being launched in banners outside their home productions.

Prominent Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor's son and Anil Kapoor's nephew, Arjun Kapoor will be launched by Yash Raj Films. Arjun was to debut with a film called 'Virus Diwan' until the banner scrapped the project and is now introducing him with 'Ishaqzaade' to be directed by Do Dooni Chaar director Habib Faisal.

Like Cousin Sonam Kapoor, even Arjun used to be overweight at 140 kgs. But under Salman Khan's gym-guidance, he lost oodles of weight and is now his smashing-self.

Arjun Kapoor assisted on films like Kal Ho Na Ho, Salaam-e-Ishq, Wanted and No Entry . Ileana D'cruz: Ileana is a popular Telugu actress who has to her credit superhit films like Pokiri, Kick and Nenu Naa Rakshasi.

She makes her Bollywood debut opposite Ranbir Kapoor in 'Barfii'. Director Anurag Basu has put her through meticulous diction coaching so that she is comfortable with the Hindi language.

And with Ranbir playing a mute character, she is expected to do all the talking in the film. Subsequently she will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar in 'Khiladi 786' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2'.

Tapsee Pannu: Another Telugu actress Tapsee Pannu will be making her debut in the remake of 'Chashme Buddoor' being directed by David Dhawan. The charming actress will be reprising Deepti Naval's role from the original and is paired opposite Ali Zafar in the film.

Tapsee was a Miss India contestant in 2008. Amy Jackson: After Katrina Kaif and Nargis Fakhri, Amy Jackson in another foreign import in Bollywood who will make her debut opposite Prateik Babbar in 'Ek Deewana Tha' - the Hindi remake of Tamil hit Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa .

The ravishing looking actress has won titles like Miss Teen 2008 and has already worked in a Tamil film Madrasapattinam . Esha Gupta: Model Esha Gupta bagged the role in 'Jannat 2' for her hot looks and sex appeal.

Bhatts wanted an actress with a bold body language and thereby she replaced girl-next-door Prachi Desai who was earlier signed for the film. The dusky bombshell is known as the desi Angelina Jolie in modeling world and was also considered as the second lead for Krrish sequel.

Pulkit Samrat: Best known for his television stint as Lakshya Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , Pulkit Samrat was out of the scene following fallout with Ekta Kapoor. He now makes his Bollywood debut with 'Bittoo Boss' from the same banner that produced the hilarious flick Pyaar Ka Punchnama with a complete new cast.

Imran Zahid: Imran Zahid would be another Bhatt discovery who will debut with 'Jannat 2'. This theatre artist has worked with Mahesh Bhatt earlier and Jannat 2 will mark his foray into feature films (less)

"Ekta and I are super excited about the script we are producing together..

. will announce details as we cast the film and title it!!!" Johar posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

According to reports, the film will be a "love story with a twist", and it will be directed by Akshay Roy. It will be interesting to see what Johar's Dharma Productions and Ekta's Balaji Motion Pictures will have to offer considering their different styles of filmmaking.

The rumour about Johar and Ekta's romance had reached its peak when news of their wedding started doing the rounds three years ago. But they have been good friends since childhood, and have been looking forward to working together for a long time (less)

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world.

..

you might say, that you love Paris, but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial Kya Huaa Tera Vaada .

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added. Pics: Ekta at the launch of new show Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra, has produced films like Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor In The City and Ragini MMS .

She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better. "Whatever I am today, is because of television.

So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better.

Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing "Shootout at Wadala" with Sanjay Gupta. The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 lined up for release.

Tweet (less)

When Mirror got in touch with Dibakar, he confirmed and the incident and said, "Abhay (Deol) and I had gone to Jaipur in early December to attend INK (Innovation & Knowledge Conference). The idea was to have a healthy discussion on various issues concerning our society and the world.

As a part of the programme we held a special preview of Shanghai which is a political thriller." According to Dibakar, the two-minute preview had everyone talking the look and feel of the film and the discussion drifted away from the topic of the day.

The director admits it felt nice but was also concerned that his preview may have grabbed way too many eyeballs than he had intended. It was at that time, he believes, someone stole the clip from the dump of the system and uploaded on a website.

Within minutes the video had generated enough buzz for word to reach an unsuspecting Dibakar. "I immediately asked my marketing team to try and remove it as it is not even the official promo of the film.

It was just a two-minute clip." The clip is no longer available on the blogging site.

The film is slated for a late January release (less)

Ekta Kapoor, who's known to be superstitious, rescheduled the launch of her newest production, Rock The Shaadi , to Dussehra. It is learnt that initially, the Navdip Singh directed movie, featuring Abhay Deol and Genelia D'Souza, was to start, with an outdoor in Rajasthan, on Friday, October 7.

"At first, the plan was to complete all the ceremonial puja of Navratri before starting the film," informed a source associated with the movie. He added that towards the end of the nine-day festival, the producer decided to get her film's shoot started on Dussehra itself.

Explaining the production czarina's decision, our insider explains, "Among Hindus, three days in a year are considered the most auspicious -- Gudi Padwa, Akshay Tritiya and Dussehra. So much so that one need not find the best time during these days to start a new venture.

Because since eons, the entire day, on which these festivals fall respectively, is believed to be auspicious. And since Dussehra is one of them, Ekta decided that it was the best day to start her film, instead of a specific mahurat on any other day.

While Ekta was unavailable for comment, Tanuj Garg, CEO of her production house, confirmed that it was rescheduled. Interestingly, Ekta's superstitious is not just limited to an auspicious time alone.

A schedule of her other production, Kya Super Kool Hain Hum , will be shot in Goa. HitList (July 7, 2011) had reported that the beach state of India was chosen over Bangkok as a number of films shot there, like All The Best , Singham and the Golmaal series which also featured her brother Tusshar, had turned out to be hits.

Sachin Yardi, who wrote the first movie and is directing the sequel, had confirmed the same, saying, "Though the luck factor was also influential to some extent, Goa fitted the requirement of the script perfectly." Here's a look at some other Bollywood stars and their superstitions.

Aamir Khan If you thought a perfectionist like Aamir Khan wouldn't need to resort to such beliefs, you're mistaken. The actor has come to believe that Christmas is a lucky time for him.

That's why after Taare Zameen Par , he scheduled the release of Ghajini and 3 Idiots during the December festival. Apparently, when he locked Reema Kagti directed Dhuaan , the actor was planning a Christmas release.

But since it couldn't be completed, he thought of Republic Day. The January weekend has been lucky for him twice, with Rang De Basanti and Dhobi Ghat striking gold at the box-office.

Besides, his Dhoom 3 is already being touted as a Christmas 2012 release. And it's not without reason that Aamir scheduled the release of Delhi Belly on the first Friday of this July.

Reportedly, he thought it's a 'lucky' time as his previous production and nephew Imran Khan's debut too had opened in cinemas on the first Friday of July 2008. Salman Khan After the success of Wanted and Dabangg during Eid, Salman Khan has been hooked on a release around the festival.

That's why Bodyguard was planned as this year's Eid release from the time he signed it. For next year, the actor had first decided on brother Sohail Khan's Sher Khan .

But now his Ek Tha Tiger has been finalised as his next Eid release. Considering the extensive production and post-production Sher Khan required, the Khan brothers couldn't complete it in time.

Katrina Kaif Having come from outside the industry and making it big, Katrina Kaif too has imbibed the superstitious ways of the industry. Never mind if her skirt raised a controversy during the filming of Namastey London in the Ajmer Dargah, she makes it a point to visit the shrine before every release.

Even before the release of her last film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Kat had gone to pray at the mosque that is also a favourite of many B-town folks. Ajay Devgn While he adopted Ajay as his industry name over his real name Vishal when he debuted with Phool Aur Kaante , the intense actor was not given to superstitions.

However, a couple of average runners at the box-office combined with a couple of accidents saw his mother consult an astrologer. At the behest of the family's jyotish , Ajay dropped the 'a' from his surname and became Devgn.

Then onwards, starting with his production All The Best till Singham , the spelling seems to have worked. Never mind if Toonpur Ka SuperHero , Aakrosh and Rascals didn't work.

His Golmaal 3 and Singham crossed the Rs 100 crore mark and he hasn't had any injury either. Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan was one of the few tinsel town citizens not given to superstition.

However, things changed this year after his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to win their first couple of matches earlier this IPL season. A taaviz /talisman he started wearing, seemed to have brought his Knights out from the dark shadows of defeat.

And it seems the good luck charm is working for his forthcoming superhero fantasy film too. The trade pundits are positive about his Rs 150 crore plus extravaganza not only breaking even, but also making profit from various revenue avenues.

Rakesh Roshan With My Name Is Khan , We Are Family and Student Of The Year , Karan Johar might have let go of his fixation with the letter 'K'. But Rakesh Roshan continues to be superstitious about the alphabet with which he started his innings as a producer ( Kaamchor ) and director ( Khudgarz ).

So what if his last production venture, Kites failed to soar high. The filmmaker's next Krissh movie has already struck distribution deals amounting to Rs 125 crore.

And that too without even a look test, forget a frame being shot. Subhash Ghai Subhash Ghai's recent movies might have failed to befit his showman status, but he still believes in one thing -- the date, October 24.

It's not only his wife's birthday, but also the day he married her. And ever since, he's made it a point to announce his new ventures on this date.

With his lucky date drawing near, it remains to be seen what new projects he announces closer to Diwali this month. Tweet (less)

"I am lucky that I have a good metabolism rate. If you are in a good, happy space, you are working hard and you are not overeating, then you get to eat everything you can as long as you keep exercising and eat sensible food," the 29-year-old said at the launch of Kalli Purie's book Confessions of a Serial Dieter .

"It does not mean that you are on a diet all the time. It's just you eat everything in moderation," she added.

However, Kalki does not like to sweat it out in the gym. "Yoga is something I have been doing on-and-off.

For me, it's swimming. Swimming and yoga.

I am not much of a gym person. I don't like to build muscle, but yoga and swimming is what I do," said Kalki, who was last seen in My Friend Pinto .

In 2011, she also garnered praise for her work in her husband Anurag Kashyap's Shaitan and Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara . Just three years old in Bollywood, Kalki carved a niche with her performance in her debut film Dev D (2009) and also walked away with the Filmfare best supporting actress award.

She will next be seen in Dibakar Banerji's Shanghai , releasing Jan 26. She will be seen alongside Emraan Hashmi and her Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara co-star Abhay Deol.

Tweet (less)

Refreshingly, Ekta Kapoor admits to all of them but says she's a changed woman today. Ques : After enjoying huge success, your company went through a really bad phase in 2008 and suffered a loss of around Rs 14 crore.

What did that phase teach you? Ekta Kapoor : We lost more than Rs 14 crore. After a steady success for eight years, suddenly everything started going wrong.

I was a wreck. Channel 9, where we had many serials running, shut down, we had this fight with Star TV, we had paid advance to a company to make films and that wasn't materialising, ask me what didn't go wrong.

Only post Pavitra Rishta things started looking up. This is when I realised that if I took calculated proposals it would be a big risk to take.

My choice was making a huge film and spend two crores over promotions or make a three crore film and depend on the content. Brand Balaji going for the brand value of Dibakar and going completely against the flavour and texture of what they have been doing itself made enough noise to launch a brand.

Ques : Also this perhaps gained you more respect as till then in spite of being called the czarina of television you were also criticised for making regressive content..

. Ekta : But if you ask me, I am still more proud of my achievements in television.

It is so tough to cater to that many tastes. I might not understand the financial situation of a middle class home but the middle class values I can totally identify with.

In fact, there was a survey that said that women in homes got more assertive after this TV boom started. So many of my friends told me that I make regressive serials, but these were the people who wouldn't even watch TV.

They would say - 'Oh I watched one or two scenes and I didn't like what I saw'. I would call such people myopic.

I still have far more respect for TV producers because there is no star power there; all that works is the content. Those TV producers are not lunching with Salman Khan or dining with SRK.

All they have is the content that could either make or break a serial. I on a personal level just ran out of stories to tell on television, so the only other medium available for me was films where I could explore darker, edgier stories.

Stories with more layers..

.in truth, I am bohemian in thought and conservative in action.

Ques : When you were riding high you were a short-tempered, impatient person. Did the low phase mellow you down? Ekta : I was 17 when I started my TV career.

If you have the number one show when you are 19 and at 25 the whole era on television is being dedicated to you, you are bound to grow cat's whiskers. I made some really stupid decisions, I lost some really nice friends because I asked them to leave the company.

I was short tempered because I had too much work. I didn't know how to absorb it all.

It is not the low phase but it is success, which taught me a few things. Now when I look back I have realised that no longer do I want to be a slave to success.

I was in such a hurry to be successful that I simply didn't care. Today I know that you have to be a human being first.

Tomorrow if none of my films do well, I am not going to reach the lowest rungs of depression like I used to. I know that I have many other things to be thankful for.

If I am not successful maybe the world will value me lesser, but the world's view not necessarily be my own view of myself. Today spirituality comes to me before success.

In fact, it is my strong belief in God that has cushioned my failure. I have not become a saint, but I can say sorry more easily now.

I am willing to accept my fault. I have killed my ego and learnt to say sorry.

Ques : And is there a regret you can't amend? Ekta : Yes, I didn't have time for amma. She was my guardian and took care of us for 27 years.

When she was dying I was too busy to be with her. I gave work my highest priority.

She took care of me for so many years and I couldn't spare a few months for her. Regret lasts longer than anything else and that is a karmic burden I will always carry.

Ques : You also had trust issues? Ekta : I still do. At one point I stopped talking to people, started closing all doors and I was very wary of people in general.

Now you see the much lighter me. I used to feel that everyone is after me for something.

It is then my mum told me, if you close the very first door, how would you know when a genuine person wants to enter? She said keep the door open, and then the second door let only few people enter and then slowly you can reach the trust lever with fewer people. People tell me that after a certain age you can't make friends, but now I know that if you haven't kept the doors open, someone out there who might share the same world as you, will not have been given the opportunity to come close to you.

Ques : If the door is open, why is your love life still not happening? Ekta : I really don't know why. I am very pissed with myself for that.

Either I am too intimidating or it is the bad placement of stars. I don't want to get involved with an actor.

..

Ques : Why? Your dad was an actor..

. Ekta : (Laughing) But my mum was not a producer.

That door is never open for an actor..

..

Ques : Are your standards high? Ekta : No. My standards are really low.

But it just doesn't happen. Even a flirty situation has not come up.

I have not been remotely interested in a guy since last one year..

.But my trust issues come up here too.

I still think somewhere you have got to be careful. I just want to protect my heart from rejection.

Also I am not sure who is approaching me for what I am. I joined a gym and I couldn't work out because there were four aspiring actors working out only around me.

I take a flight, pursers give me their numbers. If I write a story, I will have the most amusing real life incidents to narrate.

How will I ever know who wants to genuinely be my friend and not use me? A friend was asking me the other day if there is anyone I trust at all, and I said yes, only my mother. I have learnt many things now.

I have learnt to delegate. I have also learnt that I won't die if I don't continue being successful.

People's expectations of you can be killing. In 2005 I thought I can't give a flop ever.

But today I wouldn't care less. If I fail and if you don't want to talk to me, that's your problem.

I am on this let me be happy phase. For me spirituality comes first and then success.

It can be really lonely at the top and the company you have around is not what you want. So I am not taking that risk again.

Tweet (less)

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world.

..

you might say, that you love Paris , but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada ".

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added. Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra , has produced films like "Love Sex aur Dhokha", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", "Shor In The City" and "Ragini MMS".

She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better. "Whatever I am today, is because of television.

So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better.

Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing "Shootout at Wadala" with Sanjay Gupta . The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like "Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum", "Rock The Shaadi" and "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2" lined up for release (less)

"In 2011, a very important film of mine like 'Tanu Weds Manu' came and even 'Double Dhamaal' did well. Even those films which didn't do too well, my work was appreciated in them.

So, it could be a landmark year for me," said Kangana at the launch of an eye wear here. "And now the kind of films I have signed.

..

I have already signed big franchises like 'Ishqiya', 'Krrish', and 'Tanu Weds Manu'..

.so I have good projects.

..

even 2012 could be a landmark year for me," she added. The list consists mostly of sequels, but Kangana is not complaining.

"It is just coincidence. I have been quite lucky to have such franchises that are definitely going to get a lot of attention and good opening weekends because the earlier sequences have been so popular and successful," she said.

Kangana's last release was " Miley Na Miley Hum" opposite debutant Chirag Paswan. She will start 2012 with the release of "Tezz".

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film also stars Anil Kapoor, Zayed Khan, Mohanlal and Ajay Devgan. After debuting with 2006 movie "Gangster - A Love Story", Kangana also featured with Hrithik Roshan in "Kites" and won National Award for her performance in "Fashion" (less)

However, Gupta doesn't 'want him' anymore. Tired waiting for the actor to get back with a confirmation, Gupta and producer Ekta Kapoor have not only decided to replace him but also ask Vivek to return the script that he had been keeping with him.

The fact that Vivek took too much time to revert back with a definitive answer irked Gupta. "We ran out of patience.

I don't put up with such behaviour. We don't want Vivek in the film now.

We have also asked him to return the script," said Gupta. Ekta, however, decided to remain diplomatic and simply added, "Gupta felt that he needed someone with a different personality than Vivek.

We abide by the director's vision." Vivek's inclusion in the project that already had Anil Kapoor and John Abraham as part of its cast had always been under the scanner.

After initial discomfort with the role, Vivek had told the media how excited he was about the film. The actor, however, had failed to revert with any confirmation as far as the director and the producer was concerned.

Both Ekta and Gupta, reportedly, want to start the project soon. They could not keep waiting for Vivek forever.

Finally, Gupta and Kapoor decided to inform Vivek that he was no longer required in the film. Meanwhile, Mumbai Mirror had reported how Sanjay Dutt had asked the actor not to opt for the film.

"Dutt's manager, Dharam Oberoi had told Vivek to stay away from Sanjay Gupta's film. Dutt wasn't too happy that his former friend Gupta was getting back to direction after so long," revealed a source close to the film.

Vivek Oberoi however, had a different story to tell. According to the actor, it wasn't his failure to respond but availability of dates that made him withdraw from the project.

"I have six films in my kitty and despite being friends , at times dates can be an issue. Nevertheless, I understand Gupta is angry since he is a friend.

But such things do happen. However, I would like to work with him in the future, dates permitting," said the actor.

The actor also added, "I have earlier spoken about my discomfort about the character that was offered to me, But I have now signed Bejoy Nambiar's film. The character that Bejoy has offered is better for me and the space I am in right now.

This is purely a professional decision and not personal at all. I wish Gupta loads of luck with Shootout At Wadala.

" (less)

What followed was a racy dialogue that sparkled with ideas, wit and confidence about transforming Rushdie's celebrated novel into film. The audience clearly felt rewarded.

A ten minute clip of the film that will release by October 2012, demonstrated its epic quality. Rushdie called it 'History handcuffed by pathos', while Deepa felt it was a 'love letter to India'.

"It is a very long novel," stated Rushdie while discussing the novel's adaptation into a film script. Rushdie claimed that he is now distanced enough to look at the novel objectively.

"I am not 23 now," said the author who wrote Midnight's Children at that very age. Both were hugely enthusiastic about the actors they finally got on board.

The huge cast includes Satya Bhabha, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Seema Biswas, Shahana Goswami, Shreya Saran, Soha Ali Khan, Samrat Chakrabarti, Rahul Bose, Rajat Kapoor, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Darsheel Safary. Speaking about his experience in India while on a star hunt earlier this year, Rushdie said, "Its strange that stars in India do not appreciate the concept of an exceptional ensemble cast - they think in terms of only the lead role and not beyond.

" While Midnight's Children was celebrated at TIFF , a small film, Lucky, set in South Africa and directed by an Indian psychiatrist hailing from UK, Avie Luthra, did not go unnoticed either. The story about a 10-year-old Zulu orphan boy Lucky and an elderly South Indian widow Padma upholds human kindness and faith amidst a racist society (less)

" 'The Dirty Picture' had a shocking opening of Rs.32.

62 crore. This has put the film in the enviable list of top 10 first three days ever," Girish Johar, head of distribution of Balaji Motion Pictures, which has produced the film, told IANS.

Even a filmmaker like Ram Gopal Varma , who has so far made only male-centric movies, can't stop raving about the film by Ekta, who seems to have a knack for picking real stories and turning them into box office wonders. "I want to give 2 million 15 lakh 17 thousand 3 hundred and 26 and a half kisses to Ekta for proving that Dirty is Clean and Clean is Dirty," he tweeted.

Ekta has always been a trailblazer - when she entered the TV business, she was crowned television czarina following her long-running successful soaps like "Kyunki..

.Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" and made saas-bahu sagas the staple diet on TV.

When she forayed into the moviemaking business, she left the small screen melodrama far behind and carved a niche by doing real life stories with films like "Shootout At Lokhandwala", "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", "Ragini MMS" and now "The Dirty Picture". And she has also brought forth Vidya.

In a way, Vidya is Ekta's prodigy as she brought the actress into the limelight with her comedy show "Hum Paanch" as Radhika, a geek, in 2000. After featuring in song videos, the actress enjoyed a dream debut in Bollywood with "Parineeta", but she was jolted back to reality by mishaps like "Kismet Konnection" and "Heyy Babyy".

But just like her mentor, Vidya bounced back as a single mother in "Paa" and took her boldness a step further with her sensuous avatar in "Ishqiya". "The Dirty Picture" is her boldest performance so far - she sheds clothes and inhibitions to play a sex symbol.

Though critics are not so happy with director Milan Luthria's treatment of the subject and too much focus on Vidya's skin show, the 32-year-old actress has no regrets. "I am not coy or 'chui mui' type," said the actress in an interview and persisted that she is "unapologetic" about her dare bare act and that "she loves the limelight and enjoys the attention she gets.

" An unofficial biopic of southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, "The Dirty Picture", which released with an A-certificate, may not fit the bill of a family watch, but critics are raving about her performance. It won't be an exaggeration to say that just like her dialogue in the film "itihaas awah hai ki mardon ki duniya rahi hai, aurton ne aa kar hungama macha diya", she has created a furore in the male-dominated arena as Silk.

Usually male actors are seen in the commanding position during film promotions, but here Vidya singlehandedly marketed the film and played the 'hero'. In fact, Vidya's co-star Emraan Hashmi too feels that the film has broken stereotypes about actresses.

"Can't thank all of you enough for the overwhelming response to 'The Dirty Picture'. The film's emerged a real game changer," he tweeted.

Echoing the same, writer-director Saurabh Shukla told IANS: "Vidya Balan is no doubt a marvellous actress and she has proved it once with 'The Dirty Picture'. Bollywood is indeed a male-dominated industry, and even society is; hence fewer woman-centric films are made.

But with 'The Dirty Picture', Vidya is likely to turn the tables." Once in a while woman power is palpable in the Hindi industry.

Vidya and Rani Mukerji-starrer "No One Killed Jessica" was a big hit despite the fact that it was a real story and had no glamour or titillating element to it. Earlier, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut's "Fashion" was a box office success and helped in dispelling the notion that actresses were merely showpieces.

Even Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag's off-beat film "Dor" was another woman-centric film that did well. Ranjan Sinha, a Bihar-based distributor, says "The Dirty Picture" has nothing much to offer in terms of the story, but it has got a good response.

"It is a bold film. There was a lot of curiosity among people.

Vidya is indeed a great actress and her acting is once again very good. With 'The Dirty Picture' she has climbed up the popularity charts in Bihar," he added (less)

It is a known fact that Ekta visits the holy Tirupati shrine (near Chennai) before a new serial or film is about to launch. This time Ekta confirmed, she will be visiting not one but four temples in different parts of the country to seek the blessings of the Almighty.

"I will be visiting the temples between November 15 and 28 whilst promoting the film intermittently" said Ekta. She will first head to the Ajmer Sharief dargah, followed by the Kamakhya Devi temple in Guwahati.

As Kolkata is close by, she will visit the Kali Ghat temple there, and just before the release, Tirupati Balaji. " The Dirty Picture " releases on December 2, 2011 (less)

"It draws inspiration from the strugglers in the 1980s whose indomitable spirit made them emerge triumphant and create a unique space for themselves in a male-dominated film industry. The film is not a formal biopic or biography, as is being speculated.

It is a work of fiction, and any character's resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental," it added. The clarification was issued after a media report that claimed that southern sex icon Silk Smitha's brother, V.

Naga Vara Prasad, who lives in a village in Andhra Pradesh, sent a legal notice to the film's producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria for not taking permission from the late actress' family before making the movie. Prasad claims that he learned about the film through television.

Silk Smitha committed suicide in 1996. " The Dirty Picture , a spectacular musical entertainer, is in essence, a love story, and a celebration of the never-say-die spirit of every industry newcomer," said the statement.

Tweet (less)

"I am lucky that I have a good metabolism rate. If you are in a good, happy space, you are working hard and you are not overeating, then you get to eat everything you can as long as you keep exercising and eat sensible food," the 29-year-old said at the launch of Kalli Purie's book Confessions of a Serial Dieter .

"It does not mean that you are on a diet all the time. It's just you eat everything in moderation," she added.

However, Kalki does not like to sweat it out in the gym. "Yoga is something I have been doing on-and-off.

For me, it's swimming. Swimming and yoga.

I am not much of a gym person. I don't like to build muscle, but yoga and swimming is what I do," said Kalki, who was last seen in My Friend Pinto .

In 2011, she also garnered praise for her work in her husband Anurag Kashyap's Shaitan and Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara . Just three years old in Bollywood, Kalki carved a niche with her performance in her debut film Dev D (2009) and also walked away with the Filmfare best supporting actress award.

She will next be seen in Dibakar Banerji's Shanghai , releasing Jan 26. She will be seen alongside Emraan Hashmi and her Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara co-star Abhay Deol.

Tweet (less)

"The rest of the star cast would include primarily fresh faces," says Amit who also has a prominent role in Issaq, a film featuring Prateik being shot in Varanasi (less)

"I thought there was no point in doing something that has already been done. So I decided to take a woman and explore her in my own way," Luthria told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"After all we are an evolving nation; with the internet being the most common tool of communication, pornography is reaching out to every household. These days people no more feel sorry about their desires.

Lust is a part of our lives and nature, so why shy away from it?" added the director who helmed "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai" and "Taxi Number 9211". In the film, Vidya's character unabashedly expresses her desires.

"There is fun in knowing unknown things, exploring a woman's mind, body and spirit in such a way as has never been done before. So, when the idea came to me, I was like why not? This is interesting and challenging.

When our country's top-notch directors like Mahesh Bhatt and Yash Chopra have made women-centric films like 'Arth' and 'Lamhe' respectively, why not me?" he asked. But "The Dirty Picture" is something that has not been attempted by A-list filmmakers.

"It is much easy to take a familiar route, but it's difficult to be different. And I was very clear from the very beginning that I didn't want to talk about their love or suffering.

I wanted something spunky. I wanted to show a woman who has guts and glory.

" The film was launched as a tell-all tale of southern sex symbol Silk Smitha, but later the filmmakers said it was not so. Asked why, Luthria said: "We are living in a media age where information gets exaggerated.

We have always said that it was based on a dance girl, but it was not Silk Smitha as in those days there were other women in the industry like Disco Shanti. The story is about a dance girl who left a mark while she was pitted against so many men.

" "It is the journey of a dancer and what goes on in her mind, what made her a phenomenon and how troubled relationships were part of her life, how she battled fame, fortune and alcohol. So it's not about Silk.

You have to see it to believe that it's a work of fiction," he added. The film has an interesting star cast.

If Vidya has shed inhibitions to ooze oomph, Naseeruddin Shah is cast as a lecherous actor, Emraan Hashmi an impatient lover and Tusshar Kapoor as wicked, but innocent. "Naseer is my friend.

I remember watching his movies like 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron' and 'Chamatkar'. I wanted to tap that side of his, but I wasn't sure how he would react.

But I was sure that his fans would love to see him in this role," said Luthria. "When I narrated the script and his role, I was surprised.

He loved it at first go. He told me, 'I want to do everything - dance, get wet in the rain, be a lech, go over the top'," he added.

The film will land in the theatres on Dec 2 and Luthria is waiting for the audience verdict with baited breath. "We wanted to fire the audience with all powerful bullets in our armory.

A lot of effort was put in music and I am glad the audience is noticing our product, which has no big names. This shows the perception of the audience is changing and it is nice to see them lapping up something experimental," he said.

But all this was not easy. "There were times when we were not sure whether we were heading in the right direction.

But I am lucky that producer ( Ekta Kapoor ) believed in my vision and trusted me completely," he added (less)

Now there are reports of Abhay having signed up with an image and brand management company - a story he strongly refutes. Excerpts: Have you signed up with a company to handle your brand endorsements? No.

I have met a lot of people and they're all keen to take on my work, but I have not signed up with anyone yet. I would like to make it clear that only one person represents me right now and that is my manager Shobha.

I haven't jumped onto the brand wagon aggressively, but it's something I want to do now and strike a balance between brand endorsements and acting. How open are you to endorsements today? I am available for endorsements but not for everything that comes my way.

Some people tell me it appears that I don't want to do endorsements, but I am open to it and will endorse what excites me. I would love to work with a car brand as I am looking at a couple of action scripts.

Cars make me think of speed and stunts, and that's something that excites me. You've established yourself successfully as an unconventional actor doing hatke films.

I entered films by doing conventional romcoms like Socha Na Tha and Ahista Ahista, which didn't make money. So I switched to offbeat films, because that was what I always wanted to do.

That's when it started to pay off with films like Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Dev.D.

I always wanted to have a collection of work that was consistent and would get me noticed in the industry rather than one or two commercial hits. What are the films you are doing now? There's Navdeep Singh's Rock The Shaadi and Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai.

I was thrilled to work with Navdeep and Dibakar again. After ZNMD, I felt the need to work with people I have an equation with.

Shanghai is topical as it deals with corruption and has the nation up in arms against the system. I am happy that people are giving my films bigger platform and better marketing.

I have become very picky as I understand the business a little more now. I want to raise the bar further (less)

The film, is a sequel to Abhay Deol's Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. When contacted, Anshuman told Mumbai Mirror, "My character is very surreal and a first in Bollywood.

Its beauty lies in the writing. I play an innocent-faced devil whose character changes drastically from the first to the second half of the film.

I cannot reveal my character's name. I was a kid when I used to watch Vivek's films and today, I have a good opportunity to work with him.

I'll try my best to entertain with KLPD. I am really excited.

" After LSD, Anshuman's next film is going to be Boys Toh Boys Hai, where he plays a sardar (less)

"It's (TV is) home ground. You might want to travel the world.

..

you might say, that you love Paris, but Mumbai will always be Mumbai for you. So for me if you ask, television is Mumbai and films are like Paris," the 36-year-old producer said at the launch of her new serial Kya Huaa Tera Vaada .

"It's (films) a great vacation, but I will come back to television," she added. Pics: Ekta at the launch of new show Ekta, daughter of yesteryears star Jeetendra, has produced films like Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor In The City and Ragini MMS .

She insists films are an experiment for her, and help her understand TV better. "Whatever I am today, is because of television.

So all the emotional connect is with television. I am experimenting with films and enjoying the freshness of a film but it helps me understand television better.

Whatever art of storytelling I have, is because of television," said Ekta, who is also co-producing "Shootout at Wadala" with Sanjay Gupta. The New Year is a busy time for her production house with films like Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 lined up for release.

Tweet (less)

Ekta is known to be a strict producer, and blunt with her words. But it doesn't cause ego hassles between them, says the younger brother.

"Yes of course, (she criticises my performance) if she doesn't like it. Films work when audience likes it.

Ekta is also from the same industry, so criticisms are always welcome," Tusshar told IANS. "I do take her criticisms positively.

Ekta and I don't get egoistic about each other's comments. We welcome suggestions constructively," he added.

While Ekta's production house Balaji Telefilms is on a roll with films like Shor In The City and The Dirty Picture doing quite well, does Tusshar plan to get into production anytime? "I haven't thought of it. We keep giving tips to each other.

Ekta and her team have made some mistakes in the past and we have learnt a lesson from that. I am not getting into production so soon," said the 35-year-old, who also played a part in hit movie The Dirty Picture .

Tusshar says he is still soaking in the success of the film. "I am still in the OOh la la phase since I was the part of the film.

It feels great and exciting that The Dirty Picture was in news since its making days," he said. In 2012, Tusshar is all set to do a film tiled Chaar Din Ki Chandni with Kulraj Randhawa.

Directed by Samir Karnik, this love story is about a Rajput boy and a Punjabi girl. "I am playing a Rajput guy from a royal family.

He falls in love with a Punjabi girl. He comes back home after studying abroad.

He makes up stories to save his life from his father to make his love life a success," Tusshar said of his role. The release of Chaar Din Ki Chandni is clashing with that of his The Dirty Picture co-star Vidya Balan's Kahaani March 9.

But he is unfazed. "I am not really nervous.

Vidya Balan's Kahaani is a more serious film so the audiences are going to get divided. And Of course I will watch Vidya's Kahaani ," Tusshar said.

Tweet (less)

But it was for a brief period of time and since then both have moved on with their respective partners. Or so one thought.

But from her latest move it appears that Vidya has not moved on. There have been stories of her telling her Dirty Pictures producer Ekta Kapoor not to promote Shahid's next film Mausam on Ekta's serial, Bade Achche Lagte Hain .

Why would a star of Vidya's calibre and repute do such a thing unless she was still in love with Shahid? One wonders if there's trouble in her relationship with her current beau, whom Vidya has been dating for over a year? It appears as if Vidya is still holding grudges aganst Shahid, while the actor has moved on and only wishes her well." However a source from Balaji has another version.

"Ekta's decision not to promote Mausam on her serial Bade Achche Lagte Hain was not personal or anything to do with Vidya. Ekta is a professional and was very clear right from the beginning that only her film Dirty Pictures would be promoted first in Balaji's flagship television serials.

Promoting upcoming releases through TV serials has always been one of the marketing strategies of Balaji but this time Ekta wants Dirty Pictures to come first (before other's films) on Bade Achche Lagte Hain as it's one of the top-ranking popular serials today. Vidya is a very dignified and balanced girl who is in a happy space today.

She is a professional who would never interefere in someone's work. Nor does she need to resort to such gimmicks.

" So who then is spreading the rumour? (less)

..

My whole idea is that if it is a nice enough story to be told, then it should be told. There is no choice that I will make my next on a woman again, but I will make a strong and smart story again," Ekta told reporters at a press conference to celebrate the success of The Dirty Picture , which tells the story of an actress's rise and fall.

After making long-running successful saas-bahu soaps Kyunki..

.Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay , she took a plunge into moviemaking and produced hit crime thriller Shootout At Lokhandwala , based on a real story, underworld saga Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai , and experimental Love Sex Aur Dhokha .

Once again she is going back to her first love and said: "This week I am going back to TV. There are many TV shows.

The movie work is for next year now." For next year Ekta's production house Balaji Telefilms has an interesting line up of movies - Kya Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 and Shootout at Wadala .

Ekta has been producing TV serials since 1995 and her first serial Hum Paanch was a super hit. Tweet (less)

According to Custom officials, Superintendent of Customs Ashok Pandit intercepted Kaur, who had arrived at the airport from Thailand on Wednesday night. The officials revealed that Hasleen Kaur was carrying branded purses and cosmetics, which she hadn't declared.

When the officials approached her and stated that they intended to check the goods, she told them that the purses she was carrying were local products. Undeterred by her reasoning, the officials detained Kaur, confiscated her belongings and only then allowed her to leave.

Earlier this year, actors Minissha Lamba and Bipasha Basu, producer Ekta Kapoor and TV actor Swapnil Joshi had been detained by the Customs for not declaring goods. Tweet (less)

The two were linked together during the making of Salaam-E-Ishq . Now buzz is that Kangana has been finalised to play the role.

After the success of The Dirty Picture , producer Ekta Kapoor was keen to cast Vidya as the heroine opposite John in the film based on the encounter of underworld don Manya Surve in 1981. "However, after a while, Vidya seemed to have reservations doing a film with John, lest the old rumours come up again," revealed a source.

Post this, Sanjay and Ekta started looking for other suitable actresses for the same role. Soon they settled for Kangana, who had also starred in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai , produced by Ekta.

The source said, "After that film Kangana is like family and she was keen to work with Balaji again. This time round too, it's a very intense and pivotal role in the movie.

Besides, she's never been paired with John before." Kangana confirmed her inclusion in the film, "It's a great role and franchise.

I'm looking forward to it." Sanjay Gupta however denies that Vidya had any reservation working with John.

He pointed out, "She had told us that she'd wait for the release of The Dirty Picture , before figuring out her next couple of movies. I guess she had other plans.

The next obvious choice was Kangana, who's such a powerhouse performer herself." The director also pointed out that Kangana will be sporting two different looks in the film.

He has in fact given two references for the star's get-up - Manisha Koirala's look in 1942 - A Love Story and Smita Patil in Arth , Namak Halal and Shakti . Tweet (less)

"Ekta and I are super excited about the script we are producing together..

. will announce details as we cast the film and title it!!!" Johar posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

According to reports, the film will be a "love story with a twist", and it will be directed by Akshay Roy. It will be interesting to see what Johar's Dharma Productions and Ekta's Balaji Motion Pictures will have to offer considering their different styles of filmmaking.

The rumour about Johar and Ekta's romance had reached its peak when news of their wedding started doing the rounds three years ago. But they have been good friends since childhood, and have been looking forward to working together for a long time.

Tweet (less)

"It is not just cosmetic additions to the screenplay. The extra shooting considerably alters the mood and the content of the narrative," said Banerjee.

Isn't it an unusual practice? The director expressed surprise: "But I've done it in the past as well! Finished a film and then revised and added footage to the narration. After completing the entire shooting and post-production of 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!', I had summoned Abhay again and shot extra scenes.

" "I've done the same again this time. You see, sometimes after you think you've completed your film and you look at it in totality, you find you've missed out on something vital.

" Banerjee admits the additional footage for "Shanghai" would entail extra expenditure and a delay in release. "We will miss our January 26 release.

But that's okay. The important thing is to take every film as close to what you had envisaged it in your mind rather than be blindly true to your screenplay and put a lid on the project even if it looks unfinished to you," he said.

"Shanghai" also features Emraan Hashmi and Kalki Koechlin. The political thriller has been inspired by a mid-1960s book, 'Z', by Greek writer and diplomat Vassilis Vassilikos, and talks about the common man's revenge from the rich and powerful section of the society (less)

..

My whole idea is that if it is a nice enough story to be told, then it should be told. There is no choice that I will make my next on a woman again, but I will make a strong and smart story again," Ekta told reporters at a press conference to celebrate the success of The Dirty Picture , which tells the story of an actress's rise and fall.

After making long-running successful saas-bahu soaps Kyunki..

.Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay , she took a plunge into moviemaking and produced hit crime thriller Shootout At Lokhandwala , based on a real story, underworld saga Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai , and experimental Love Sex Aur Dhokha .

Once again she is going back to her first love and said: "This week I am going back to TV. There are many TV shows.

The movie work is for next year now." For next year Ekta's production house Balaji Telefilms has an interesting line up of movies - Kya Super Kool Hai Hum, Rock The Shaadi, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 and Shootout at Wadala .

Ekta has been producing TV serials since 1995 and her first serial Hum Paanch was a super hit. Tweet (less)

Now there are reports of Abhay having signed up with an image and brand management company - a story he strongly refutes. Excerpts: Have you signed up with a company to handle your brand endorsements? No.

I have met a lot of people and they're all keen to take on my work, but I have not signed up with anyone yet. I would like to make it clear that only one person represents me right now and that is my manager Shobha.

I haven't jumped onto the brand wagon aggressively, but it's something I want to do now and strike a balance between brand endorsements and acting. How open are you to endorsements today? I am available for endorsements but not for everything that comes my way.

Some people tell me it appears that I don't want to do endorsements, but I am open to it and will endorse what excites me. I would love to work with a car brand as I am looking at a couple of action scripts.

Cars make me think of speed and stunts, and that's something that excites me. You've established yourself successfully as an unconventional actor doing hatke films.

I entered films by doing conventional romcoms like Socha Na Tha and Ahista Ahista, which didn't make money. So I switched to offbeat films, because that was what I always wanted to do.

That's when it started to pay off with films like Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Dev.D.

I always wanted to have a collection of work that was consistent and would get me noticed in the industry rather than one or two commercial hits. What are the films you are doing now? There's Navdeep Singh's Rock The Shaadi and Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai.

I was thrilled to work with Navdeep and Dibakar again. After ZNMD, I felt the need to work with people I have an equation with.

Shanghai is topical as it deals with corruption and has the nation up in arms against the system. I am happy that people are giving my films bigger platform and better marketing.

I have become very picky as I understand the business a little more now. I want to raise the bar further (less)