Definitely we should make (a TV serial), we had thought about it as well. Currently it is tough to find time away from the films we are doing.

But we will definitely think about making a TV soap or thriller," said Mustan. Added Abbas: "We have a lot of subjects that we can do.

" The duo were talking at the launch of the TV serial Chhal . The thriller will be aired on Colors channel.

Abbas-Mustan's last film Players , a remake of the Hollywood hit Italian Job bombed at the box office. Meanwhile some of the recent films like Paan Singh Tomar and Kahaani were praised for their powerful scripts and Abbas-Mustan agree that script comes first.

"Definitely, scripts are always a priority and then the actors and other things. Script is foremost and should be good, whatever the cast be.

The subject should be good," Mustan said. They are currently busy directing Race 2 , a sequel to their 2008 hit Race .

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Definitely we should make (a TV serial), we had thought about it as well. Currently it is tough to find time away from the films we are doing.

But we will definitely think about making a TV soap or thriller," said Mustan. Added Abbas: "We have a lot of subjects that we can do.

" The duo were talking at the launch of the TV serial Chhal . The thriller will be aired on Colors channel.

Abbas-Mustan's last film Players , a remake of the Hollywood hit Italian Job bombed at the box office. Meanwhile some of the recent films like Paan Singh Tomar and Kahaani were praised for their powerful scripts and Abbas-Mustan agree that script comes first.

"Definitely, scripts are always a priority and then the actors and other things. Script is foremost and should be good, whatever the cast be.

The subject should be good," Mustan said. They are currently busy directing Race 2 , a sequel to their 2008 hit Race .

Tweet (less)

..

all those vaguely excited by the idea of a sequel to 'Jaane Tu..

.', as suggested in the press today - hey, please let me know if one is happening.

I'd love to watch it as well. But I sure ain't making one," Tyrewala posted on his Facebook page.

"I guess its just a mild attack of cafeteria journalism..

. whilst practicing ventriloquism (I've been quoted giving random answers to questions I was never asked.

Actually, I've an idea! Maybe Jai and Aditi (film's characters) could turn psychopathic, a la Natural Born Killers, and start shooting reporters too lazy to actually do things like 'reporting'," he added. "Jaane Tu.

..

", a light-hearted college romance, was Tyrewala's directorial debut and also the launch pad for Imran Khan . It featured Genelia D'Souza opposite Imran, and their crackling chemistry worked wonders for the movie.

Post "Jaane Tu..

.", in 2010, Tyrewala directed John Abraham-starrer " Jhoota Hi Sahi ".

It tanked at the box office (less)

..

all those vaguely excited by the idea of a sequel to 'Jaane Tu..

.', as suggested in the press today - hey, please let me know if one is happening.

I'd love to watch it as well. But I sure ain't making one," Tyrewala posted on his Facebook page.

"I guess its just a mild attack of cafeteria journalism..

. whilst practicing ventriloquism (I've been quoted giving random answers to questions I was never asked.

Actually, I've an idea! Maybe Jai and Aditi (film's characters) could turn psychopathic, a la Natural Born Killers, and start shooting reporters too lazy to actually do things like 'reporting'," he added. "Jaane Tu.

..

", a light-hearted college romance, was Tyrewala's directorial debut and also the launch pad for Imran Khan . It featured Genelia D'Souza opposite Imran, and their crackling chemistry worked wonders for the movie.

Post "Jaane Tu..

.", in 2010, Tyrewala directed John Abraham-starrer " Jhoota Hi Sahi ".

It tanked at the box office (less)

However, the pretty lady clarifies her cinema as a director would be different than her husband's. Pakhi has also worked on the casting of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na .

We bumped into Pakhi at a music launch recently where she told TOI.com, "I am not into acting anymore.

I am currently working as an Assistant Director for Nagesh Kukunoor on an interesting project. Abbas is also a filmmaker (known for Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) but our sensibilities are different.

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Since then Bipasha and Kareena have shared cool vibes. Now, shooting for Abbas Mustan’s Race 2, a possessive Kareena does not want to leave Saif and Bipasha (in a guest appearance) alone, so she is planning to fly down and be with Saif the moment shooting for Heroine is over and is planning to fly down every 15 days.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Kareena is doing something like this. Kareena had flown down to London to check on Saif Ali Khan when she heard rumours about Deepika Padukone and Saif’s closeness.

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According to industry insiders, after meeting producer Taurani yesterday, Deepika realised that it wouldn’t be in her best interest to contest the filmmaker on monetary grounds. The damages that Taurani claimed he would ask from the actress might be too high for Dippy, said the source.

Though the official CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes? Association) meeting was called off 30 minutes before its scheduled time on Wednesday, the actress did end up meeting CINTAA general secretary Dharmesh Tiwari. According to a source present at the meeting, it was Tiwari who asked Deepika to stay away from monetary hassles and allot dates to Taurani.

Deepika, however has given a list of ‘conditions’ to Taurani. ?Deepika has five points of concern.

If the producers of Race 2 are interested in having her back on board, they will have to look into the conditions. Now the ball is in their court,? said a friend of the actress.

1. Dates can’t change Deepika, who will be busy with her other projects Rajinikanth’s Kochadaiyaan and Ranbir Kapoor starrer Jawaani Diwani, will not allot fresh dates to Race 2.

2. Direct communication She has requested the producer Ramesh Taurani and directors Abbas-Mustan to not work with middlemen.

3. No interference in personal care Deepika will only work with her chosen set of designers, hair stylist and makeup artist.

4. Right to decide release date The actress wants the filmmakers to consult her for the release of Race 2.

This is because she wants no misunderstandings during the promotional phase of the film. 5.

Information on overseas shoot In case of a foreign schedule, the actress wants to be informed a month in advance. Sphere: Related Content Posted in (less)

Reason being that the producer had a case to get a non-cooperation notice issued against the actress, industry sources said. A well-placed source points out that contrary to the actress' claim that Race 2 was delayed, a major portion of the film indeed had been scheduled after the release of Abbas-Mustan's Players .

Also, after Taurani filed a complaint against her with Cine and Television Artistes Association and Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers, she apparently had to even face the ire of her co-stars, Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham. And all this led to Deepika realising the futility of the situation.

"Besides, if the issue had passed to Federation of Western India Cine Employees, she wouldn't have responded as necessary, then a Non-Cooperation Directive would have been issued against her, which can be detrimental to a star if proved wrong," explained the source. The source further added, "Deepika couldn't take those chances.

That's why she was also keen that Rameshji withdraw the complaint against her." Ramesh Taurani however denied that the actress made any demands.

He stated, "I don't understand where all these stories regarding various demands are coming from. There's no fight, the way it's being made out in the media.

The only issue is dates that Deepika and I are trying to solve." On being probed about Deepika wanting him to withdraw the complaint against her, Taurani maintained, "The question of Non-Cooperation Directive would have arisen if the issue was going to be solved with the involvement of the associations.

But we're sorting it all between ourselves." While the actress was unavailable for comment, a close friend of hers said, "Rameshji is very keen to have only Deepika in the film.

He doesn't want any other heroine. The value that Deepika Padukone brings to the project is immense.

We are in conversation and both sides are working hard to make this happen. All details are being worked out.

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It was also earlier reported that Deepika was walking out of Race 2 because she was not happy with the film's constant change of schedule. Deepika Padukone to star against Rajinikanth in Kochadaiyaan According to a source, the reason Deepika had given for opting out -- that she was signing her first Hollywood film -- is not true.

The source reveals, "Deepika was already committed for Race 2 and had shot for it for a few days when she was offered a film opposite Rajinikanth. She was really keen to do the film but didn't have the dates for it.

As a result, she decided to opt out of Race 2 ." The source further adds, "Instead of telling the truth, her manager told the Race 2 producer that Deepika had a Hollywood film offer that she couldn't let go of and the dates were clashing with this film.

Though she was very apologetic about it, still it was very unprofessional of her to opt out of a film mid-way. Rameshji had let her go without creating any scene.

It was later found that the actress opted out for the Rajnikanth film and not for any Hollywood film." "Her manager Anirban said that she has bagged a big Hollywood film and it's a lifetime opportunity for her.

So, we had to let her go." Apparently the southern actress' departure has caused a lot of mess for the makers," said angry Taurani.

"We have to immediately look for her replacement and re-shoot her portions all over again. She has not only caused inconvenience to us but also to her co-stars (which includes Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt) who had allotted their dates for the shoot," said Taurani.

The producer adds that this has resulted in huge monetary losses for them as the building of sets for their next schedule is already underway and the crew and the location were already booked. A source close to Deepika however categorically denies that she opted out of Race 2 for Rajini's film.

The source points out, "The shooting was constantly getting pushed back. She shot for only two days for two hours each.

They have wasted her dates for December and January. She hasn't left Race 2 because of Rajinikanth's film.

The film was supposed to be completed before September 2011. We have documentary proof of that.

Now, there is a fresh requirement of dates as new actors like Sanjay Dutt have been roped in. She cannot give them blanket dates because of her prior commitments.

" Taurani says, "It's a highly unprofessional behaviour. In my entire career of 28 films, I have never faced such a situation.

It's not done!" Reports are that Taurani is going to lodge a complaint against Deepika with the Cine & TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA). Other actors who went the Deepika way : Chitrangada left Krissh because of prior commitments to Sudhir Mishra's untitled next with Arjun Rampal and Mehrunissa .

Imran opted out of Punit Malhotra's next for Vishal Bhardwaj's Maatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola Vivek Oberoi left Shootout At Wadala for Bejoy Nambiar's David Kangana left Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children for Double Dhamaal Ajay Devgn left Maatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola for Son Of Sardar Tweet (less)

Among the list of politicians of all shades is the name of Sam Pitroda. That is an impressive name for his role in guiding India through the telecommunication revolution.

But over the years the former NRI, now an advisor to the prime minister, has become a part of the inner political circle in Delhi. There is nothing wrong with that, but how many Indians know the name of Pitroda.

In fact, I wonder how many Indians know that Patil is the country's current head of the state. I am thinking about a radical idea, that perhaps India needs a president whose name and work is familiar to practically every Indian, even those in Diaspora.

Someone who has made a major contribution to the well being of the nation - having entertained generations since the late 1960s in many popular films. How about Amitabh Bachchan for the president of India? This October Bachchan will turn 70.

He started his career 43 years ago - first as a voiceover artist in Bhuvan Shome and soon after in the role of an anti-Portuguese freedom fighter in Goa in K.A, Abbas's Saat Hindustani.

He has been acting since then, reaching the peak of his career and then at times of set backs, reinventing himself - more than once. One list on the Internet says that Bachchan has acted nearly 190 films.

Bachchan to me represents the kind of aspirational individual that many should relate to in the changing India. Although he came from an educated, established and a well recognised family his early years in the Hindi film industry were marked with struggle.

But persistence coupled with his natural talent, and a few angels in the form of filmmakers and scriptwriters helped him overcome his dark days. Not many actors or other film personalities can have a decade defined by their work.

There were a lot of different forms of Hindi cinema in the 1970s, but that decade along with at least a part of the 1980s is first and foremost remembered as the time of the angry young man. And Bachchan defined that era, using his voice, eyes, physical presence and speaking words written by a few gifted writers, to define the character There is no doubt that Bachchan is one of the most recognised names in India - still immensely popular and appealing to different generations.

There is even a temple dedicated to him in Kolkata. I suppose something will have to be done about that if he does become the president.

And something will also have to be done about the cold war that exists (or at least used to exist) between him and the Gandhi family. There have been controversies surrounding Bachchan, but that is a sign that he is a human being, at times flawed.

These mistakes should only make him a better individual. Bachchan is articulate, bright, educated, all of the qualities that should be important for a person who heads the nation - even though the Indian president is more of a symbol.

I can see him with foreign dignitaries, reviewing armed forces at airports abroad and during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. It will be so much more impressive than watching yet another drab career politician pretending to speak on behalf of all Indians.

In the lives of Indians, especially those who love Hindi language films, there are many images of Amitabh Bachchan I will always remember the early Bachchan - the quiet, sensitive doctor in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand or the brooding, tragic loner in the same director's Mili. I also remember the cocky and angry Bachchan of Yash Chopra's Deewar, who is reduced to nothing, when he hears the classic dialogue - Mere Paas Maa Hai, spoken by the honest cop brother played by Shashi Kapoor.

I would like to add to that the image of a president - a man who would do Indian proud (less)