Mumbai Mirror has learnt that the actor has signed a special contract for endorsement deals with a company owned by Shailendra Singh. When contacted, Singh confirmed the news and added, "I met Nana for the first time in Pune.

I was there to sign him for my new film with Priyadarshan. Ever since then, we have been in touch.

I was inspired by his creativity and energy. He could be a brilliant icon for endorsements but he has stayed away from the public glare.

And now, with him open to endorsements, companies are going to latch on to him. I promised that I would present him in a good way.

And he asked me to take charge as long as we could have some fun. He finally signed the papers on Friday.

Now my company will manage his endorsements. Now don't be surprised to see Nana sipping a soft drink with Katrina Kaif .

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Says a source close to the development, "Akshay has signed on Jha's film. He will be playing the role essayed by Jiiva in the original.

The unit is now trying to get the dates of top stars for the other crucial characters." We hear that the makers are keen to make the project a true multi-starrer and are thinking of casting only major Bollywood stars for it.

"That is why even an actor like Prakash Raj, who was in the original, is not being considered for this film. Instead, they are trying for Nana Patekar , who is being pencilled in to play either Prakash Raj's or Kota Sreenivasa Rao's character in the original," adds the source.

And it seems that Katrina (who worked with Jha on Rajneeti) or Kareena could play the leading lady that was essayed by Karthika in the original (less)

"I am doing an item number in Kamal Dhamaal Malamaal . (But) We have not yet shot the item number," Anjana told IANS.

"The song is a blend of Indo-western theme. It should be shot by next week and it will be choreographed by Pony Verma," she added.

Contrary to reports, Anjana says Kamal Dhamaal Malamaal is not a sequel to the 2006 film Malamaal Weekly ."No it's not a sequel to Malamaal Weekly .

They are calling it as a fresh film," she said. The movie features Paresh Rawal , Om Puri , Nana Patekar , Asrani , Shakti Kapoor , Shreyas Talpade , Razak Khan and Neeraj Pathak .

It will release Sep 28 (less)

However, none got him as much recognition as the Salman Khan , Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta starrer. And now, he is back.

This time to launch his son Azim. Interestingly, the controversial filmmaker has kept his connection with the film or the film's hero a secret.

However, when Mirror approached Nazim, he had no qualms in admitting that the 24-year-old hero of Qasam Se Qasam Se is indeed his son. "Azim is my son.

And I have not withheld my name during the promotion of the film due to my past. It's just that Azim met this pharmaceutical businessman Dharmendra Nath Thakur, who wanted my son for the first production of their banner New Mumbai Talkies.

I will not deny the fact that I am behind the film. And yes, I am one of the producers.

" He even said that his past has in no way affected his son's career. "Meri controversies se isko koi matlab nahi hai.

Azim has already got two film offers - one with Amitabh Bachchan and the other with Nana Patekar ," he added (less)

The day, Priyadarshan received the Padmashri, with his team of dedicated actors, the director was shooting for Percept Pictures' Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal in Film City. Considering that this was also the year when Priyan again bagged the National Award as well as taking on the responsibility of the Chairman of the Kerala Chalchitra Academy, there is a lot to look forward to.

But Priyan is a man of few words. Focus is the key and he prefers to let his work do the talking.

We catch up with Priyadarshan at Film City and get him talking..

. So, it is Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal this time.

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Yes. Tell us more about it.

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Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal is a big film in terms of narrative, the plot size, number of days of shoot etc. The production values are great, the cast is also a treat to work with.

We have Nana Patekar with Paresh Rawal , Om Puri , Shreyas Talpade , Asrani, Shakti Kapoor amongst many others and this time the music also gets mainstream with Sajid Wajid. I am very happy with what they have created.

It is fun, original and enjoyable to the fullest. How is it working with seasoned actors? They have all worked with me or are people with whom I share a mutual admiration.

When you have actors who trust you completely, it is a delight. I do not believe in favoritism.

The actors are cast according to the script once it is complete. That is the way I always function.

But you have always stated that if you were a woman, you would have married Paresh Rawal? (Grins) Yes , I did. It is because he is with me in almost 20 films.

If he was a woman, they would have stated, we have an affair. He is a man.

So I made that statement. What should I say about him or Shakti or Asrani? They have worked with me on so many films.

To them, it is just another film they enjoy being part of. How is Nana to work with? We share a mutual admiration for one another.

He is a pleasure to work with. So, does Nana have a pretty woman opposite him? Why does he need one? He has me (guffaws!) What about Shreyas Talpade? Shreyas is one of the most talented actors I ever met.

He has not been exploited to his fullest potential. This film will bring him to a new league altogether.

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You said this film is more musical..

. Yes, we have some great score by Sajid-Wajid.

The earlier film did not focus on music. This one has some amazing numbers.

So how does it feel receiving the Padmashri? 83 films, 150 ads, 16 National Awards for films and two myself, I think I deserve it. And I am the only director to make films with both genres over 32 years in all five languages (less)

Besides Rampal, the blockbuster also starred Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai. "She (Katrina) is one of the hardest working souls in the industry.

She is someone who would try and make every scene..

.shot perfect.

She will not leave anything half way. She memorises and understands everything properly and then bring it on screen naturally," Jha told reporters here after the launch of a book on the film last evening.

She even dubbed for the film herself for 39 days till she got every word perfect. She is a good actress.

One thing that impresses a director is to have an actor who is completely dedicated to work and Katrina is one such actress." The book, Raajneeti - The Film and Beyond , is edited by Pooja Verma.

It describes how the film was conceptualised and made. Katrina is back, but injured? Reportedly, the 60-year-old filmmaker would again team up with Katrina for his forthcoming film tentatively titled 'Satyagraha', said to be loosely inspired by Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement.

Tweet (less)

I was playing a double role in the film and it was a very big film for me. I gave that movie all my time and dates, and I kept rejecting other offers.

But, unfortunately that movie never released. I even refused "Raaz 2" and "Fashion", as I was shooting for "Horn Ok Pleassss".

At that time it felt right. Let's just say that I was naive and immature.

I could not handle my success and my career at that time. Now do you think you've matured? Yes I have.

I've learnt a lot in these five years. I don't have the backing of a film family.

Neither do I have a godfather, nor do I have a star girlfriend who will recommend me. I have to build it up on my own merit and I will.

I won Gladrags when I was only 18 and did "Dhokha" when I was 22. Now I'm 26, and am better equipped to deal with the ways of the film industry.

There were talks that you didn't get work because of you're unprofessional. You even fought with Pooja Bhatt , who gave you your first film.

Pooja had seen my music videos and she called me from her office saying that she wanted to meet me. I met her and after having a formal chat, she told me that I was chosen as the hero for "Dhokha".

We even started filming, but we had some creative differences. But that is all past now, I would still love to work with her, if she ever decides to cast me in her film.

What was it like, working in an ensemble cast in your last film "Will You Marry Me"? I was the youngest on the sets. Even Mugdha, who has been my senior in the modelling world, is older than me.

Both Rajeev and Shreyas treated me like their younger brother. We partied and hung out together, but being the youngest, I was often the butt of all jokes.

We all used to play pranks on each other all the time, it was so much fun. You had shot a scene for this film in which you were running in a mall in Dubai , while wearing a bikini.

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It was a nightmare. There were 15,000 people in that mall and my director asked me to run across it in a bikini.

I was sweating before that scene, not knowing how I'll do it, but when I finished that scene, people started applauding and I felt relieved. But I have to admit, I've received two bravery awards for saving people from drowning, and I never felt afraid, but this is the most daring stunt I've ever done.

There are rumours that you are dating a Victoria's Secret model. Next question please.

You were dating Deepika Padukone at some point, weren't you? I don't want to talk about Deepika. With all due respect to her, she is doing great in her career and I wish her all the best.

I'm also starting a new innings, and I don't wish to look back. Are you dating anyone now? I am in a relationship.

But I don't want to reveal her identity. All I can say is that she is an international model, and she is from Italy.

I met her in Milan and we both are going strong (less)

In an exclusive chat with zoOm, Lolo revealed, "My daughter just found out that I'm an actress. She believed all moms hand out autographs to people just like her mother.

And to see even her maasi and nana doling out autographs, she was confused. So, I finally sat her down and explained that I was a movie star with fans and people loved me and wanted my autographs.

" Awww, that's sweet! Well, given the Kapoor genes, she'll know a lot more about stardom sooner than you'd imagine. Watch this exclusive interview with Karisma, on B Tonite at 10 pm; tune in to zoOm - India's No 1 Bollywood channel (less)

In an exclusive chat with zoOm, Lolo revealed, "My daughter just found out that I'm an actress. She believed all moms hand out autographs to people just like her mother.

And to see even her maasi and nana doling out autographs, she was confused. So, I finally sat her down and explained that I was a movie star with fans and people loved me and wanted my autographs.

" Awww, that's sweet! Well, given the Kapoor genes, she'll know a lot more about stardom sooner than you'd imagine. Watch this exclusive interview with Karisma, on B Tonite at 10 pm; tune in to zoOm - India's No 1 Bollywood channel (less)

While Ramu gave the most cliched wisher award to Madhur Bhandarkar , he pleaded to Abhishek and his other fans to not wish him a happy year as it didn't work for him last year! Abhishek wished Ramu as he said, "Today is Ramu's birthday and nothing would irritate him more than all of twitterverse wishing him. So please send him "sweet" messages.

Happy birthday Ramu Nana. Have the best year ever and keep smiling!" Ramu reacted, "I want all you people who wished me the best year last year to know that I dint have best year so I advise you all to keep your wishes to yourself.

Wth every happy birthday I die a year." Vivek Oberoi , Karan Johar , Jiah Khan and many more wished him too.

Why Ramu won't believe in birthdays we don't know! (less)