Rakyesh says that with India's strengths and the population, the country should get at least "50 medals in the Olympics," but this is a distant dream. Not that it has anything to do with the "lack of facilities", but has everything to do with "the lack of focus as a nation," something that is apparent in the wonky education system of the country too.

Rakeysh told DT, "You'll kill me for it, but I was ashamed the other day when I found out that at my college, Sri Ram College of Commerce, the cutoff list ended at 100%. I said 'Oh my god, what are we doing?' I think you really need to open up avenues for youngsters.

They just can't be going to coaching classes. Studying is now like a race.

It's about, 'Who is scoring how much and what's the percentile?' It would be such a boring nation if we only had engineers in the country..

. it'll kill the nation.

" "I can't think of an educational institution which is just honouring a marksheet. It can't be a more shallower organization.

..

then you're not creating citizens, you're not creating great human beings, you are creating very uni-dimensional robots who are good in one subject and specialization of that one subject and in that syllabus. It's crazy.

I wish I can do something with the education system." There's something he did try and do - write a script called "96.

7". "We'd started work on "96.

7", till I realized it had become redundant, and I should work on a subject called 100%. It was about the education system.

Perhaps I'll make it once I understand the whole system..

. perhaps my views are very lopsided right now.

But the seeds have been sown," he says. Rakeysh feels that addressing the system is the need of the hour.

"I hope they hear me -Delhi University - whether it's SRCC or St. Stephen's or Hindu, they need to get their acts together.

You can't take kids based on percentages..

. you are already dividing the country and you are not letting people come together.

So, take 50% like that and 50% like that..

. it's complex, but you'll have to derive a way of doing it.

Something really needs to be done..

. this is not a problem, I don't see it as a problem.

This way, we'd just be creating another world, a world full of ignorance." "Imagine if Shakespeare goes to DU and he's told, 'We can't take you based on stories you've written as your marksheet isn't that cool.

' Or if a Leonardo, or Rabindranath Tagore goes there, and writes something called "Gitanjali" and they tell him, 'Mr Tagore, it's nice to write things such as 'Where the head is held high', but where is your marksheet?" Movie on Dhaula Kuan rape case While Rakeysh is taking on Delhi University , there is another one being made which has a Delhi connect. Delhi-based actor Sharhaan Singh, known for tele serial "Uttaran", tells us that he's playing a baddie in a movie which is based on the Dhaula Kuan rape case.

Talking about the movie, which has been named "Dily Dily Dily", Sharhaan discloses, "We'll be shooting the final climax scenes of the movie in Delhi on November 26." "I am playing a negative character in the film, which is based on the real life story of the Dhaula Kuan rape case that shook Delhi a few years ago.

The movie will also have Nasir Abdullah, Mukul Nag, Abhijit Dutta and others." Sharhaan had to grow his hair and beard to get the typical goonda look for the movie which was mainly shot in Delhi and Manali.

Piyali Dasgupta (less)

The actors later went to a registrar in Ghaziabad tehsil to receive a marriage cerificate making the event completely private. Nandish (Veer) and Rashmi (Tapasya), who play estranged couple in the serial, started dating each other on the sets of Uttaran and were often seen hitting the floors together at various award functions.

The pair confirmed their relationship status when Nandish proposed his lady love last year on his birthday (less)

The actors later went to a registrar in Ghaziabad tehsil to receive a marriage cerificate making the event completely private. Nandish (Veer) and Rashmi (Tapasya), who play estranged couple in the serial, started dating each other on the sets of Uttaran and were often seen hitting the floors together at various award functions.

The pair confirmed their relationship status when Nandish proposed his lady love last year on his birthday (less)

"However, announcement of Tees Maar Khan on the same date became too much to compete against. It makes better business sense to postpone the film.

Bhoot And Friends is a good film, one, kids and parents will enjoy. It's based on bedtime stories that we tell our children and is shot with real time characters, animation and special effects.

And Jackie is a hot favorite amongst children. I don't want to get lost in the crowd on 24th," comments the producer Aneesh Arjun Dev.

Directed by Kittu Saluja and produced under the banner of Wide Angle Media Pvt Ltd, Hindi feature film 'Bhoot And Friends' is the story of an 11 years old boy and his little friends who are enjoying their summer vacations. However, all goes haywire when they accidentally get involved in hunting for a lost treasure which is also sought and hunted for by a notorious villain.

Jackie Shroff plays the Ghost with magical powers in this kids adventure thriller flick. Other starcast of the film is Ashwin Mushran as main villain and Aditya Lakhia along with Child artistes Maarkand Soni (movie Khichadi), Ishita Panchal (Tappu of serial Uttaran), Akash Nair and Tejas Rahate (less)

After Rahul Bhatt from Bigg Boss, now it is Rashmi Desai (Tapasya of TV serial Uttaran) who is the latest beneficiary of the actor's penchant for promoting young talent.Rashmi met Salman during the promotion of Dabangg when Salman was invited as a guest on the show, India's Got Talent.

The producer of the show, Siddharth Basu, had asked the actress to perform live to Munni badnaam hui. An ardent Salman fan, she confirmed immediately when she heard he would be there.

Rashmi danced her heart out and Salman appeared highly impressed with her act. Later, he joined her on stage to do a jig.

A source close to Rashmi adds, "In the evening Rashmi met Salman backstage and told him that it was her dream to work with him sometime in the future. The actor told her it would be his privilege and that he would keep her in mind whenever something suitable came up.

He kept his word by recommending her name for a commercial starring him."A few weeks ago, Salman was offered a new endorsement deal for a soap ad.

The ad required a fresh female face and he decided to give Rashmi an opportunity.He told the agency about her and they were more than willing.

"She is very well-known on television and they too felt she would look good alongside Salman. When the actress first got the call, she thought someone was joking with her.

But once the creative team came and met her to finalise the deal, she knew it was for real."The shoot was eventually canned at ND Studios in Karjat.

Rashmi says, "Working with Salman was a very good opportunity and like a dream come true for me. Ever since I was in school and college Salman has been my dream guy.

When we first shot for the ad, I was very nervous because he's such a big star but he made me very comfortable. I really appreciate it that he pushed me for his ad.

The day I was shooting I didn't know how he would be as there's a huge difference between TV and film stars but I found Salman to be very down to earth and sweet. He treated me like a princess and was very warm with my family.

I felt no difference with him as he made me feel comfortable in a few minutes. I respect him tremendously today.

Now I understand why people are crazy for him. Thank you so much, God!" When Prachi Desai had told a few friends that she was keen to work with Salman, he went out of his way to make her a part of a washing powder commercial he was to do (less)

'But I'm finally getting the kind of roles in Hindi cinema that I've waited for,' Ravi said before heading to Kerala for the last schedule of Ratnam's film. 'It's the climax of Raavan and I love climaxes.

We're all looking forward to it. Abhishek, who plays my younger brother has really become like my brother.

I play this guy who can kill for my bhai." For his role in Luck and Raavan, Ravi lost 15 kgs.

'Bhojpuri films require their men and women to look healthier than normal. I had to lose all those kilos for my return to Hindi films.

But the effort has paid off.' When Ravi Kissan got to know that Kamal Haasan had watched his daughter's debut film Luck he was petrified.

In the film, Ravi's character is shown to be pushing his unwanted attentions on Shruti Haasan constantly. Says Ravi, 'I'm quite an animal in Luck.

And I mean that literally.I've taken cues for my character's behaviour from jungle animals including hyenas, tigers, panthers Check out Ravi Kissan's pics '+ capt +' '; else var b2 = ' ' + tmpdiV + ' '+ capt +' (less)

As they reached the spot, tourists and residents guided them towards the spot where the "action" took place. It took the TV show's crew some effort to convince police and onlookers about the reality.

"The residents mistook the reel thieves for real ones. There was chaos for almost half-an-hour," B.

P. Singh, creator of the serial that has been on air for 13 years, told IANS.

"But it was (quite an) experience for all of us when the reel sequence turned into a real one. This, of course, is a memorable one," he said.

For the last one week, the entire crew of 'CID', including actor Shivaji Satnam, popularly known as ACP Praduman, has been shooting in the hill station for the teleserial's 612th episode. "Before coming here (in Shimla) for the last sequence of an episode, we were in Manali and its nearby areas for a sequence in which we chased criminals on snow scooters to solve a murder mystery," said Singh, who also created the horror TV show 'Aahat'.

"We do not show violence and make viewers comprehend the mystery and arrive at a conclusion before the show's climax, like a brain-teaser," the director said. The teleserial has bagged 36 awards so far and it has entered the Guinness World Records for the longest single shot of 111 minutes in 2005 (less)

Here are 10 fiction and non-fiction shows that captivated audiences despite cricket matches. 1.

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar (NDTV Imagine) - Item girl Rakhi Sawant left the nation shocked when she decided to find a suitable life partner through the reality show. It brought unprecedented TRPs for the channel, but Rakhi failed to sustain her engagement to Toronto-based businessman Elesh Parujanwala, whom she found through the show.

2. Balika Vadhu (Colors) - Set in rural Rajasthan, the family drama changed the face of Indian television in 2008 and continued to rule the charts this year with its gripping script.

It deals with grave social issues like child marriage, perils of teen pregnancy and mismatched marriage. 3.

Sach Ka Saamna (STAR Plus) - The Indian version of popular American reality show The Moment of Truth , Sach Ka Saamna hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal featured contestants who had to answer 21 questions, the authenticity of which was determined by a polygraph machine. Though the government expressed its ire against "vulgarity" on the show, it hasn't stopped the channel from planning its second season.

4. Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (Zee TV) - Another top rated rural-based show Agle Janam.

..

revolves around the plight of a poor girl Laali who strives to help her family financially. But she is later sold off to a rich landlord by her parents.

The show has proved to be a worthy replacement for the hugely popular soap Kasamh Se . 5.

Dance Premier League (Sony)- This big ticket dance show not only brought actress Rani Mukerji to the small screen but also provided a platform to dancing teams from different zones across India. The show is nearing its finale.

6. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (STAR Plus)- Speaking volumes about Indian tradition and culture, the show narrates the story of love finding its way into arranged marriages and how two strangers bond and blossom together after entering matrimony.

Lead characters Naitik and Akshara have become household names. 7.

Bigg Boss 3 (Colors) - In its third season, Bigg Boss promised to get bigger and it certainly did by roping in megastar Amitabh Bachchan to host it. The show started with a mix of 12 celebrities, including Rakhi Sawant's mother Jaya, Bhojpuri actor Kamaal Rashid Khan and Vindu Dara Singh.

It provided ample drama. 8.

Bandini (NDTV Imagine) - Based in a Gujarat village, the Balaji Telefilms production, Bandini , is about a young girl Santu who is forced to marry a much older Dharam Raj, played by seasoned actor Ronit Roy. The show traces Santu's trials and tribulations while adjusting with the family and how love surfaces between her and her husband.

The show is liked for its simplicity. 9.

Dance India Dance (Zee TV) - After the success of its first season this year, the dance show has already entered its second season. It has three popular choreographers, Terrence Lewis, Remo D'Souza and Geeta Kapoor, who train 18 contestants in dance forms like ballet, acrobatics, mid-air dancing, contemporary, Bollywood and hip-hop.

Yesteryear superstar Mithun Chakraborty has joined the show as the grand master. 10.

Bidaai (STAR Plus) - This serial questions whether life is happier for fairer people. It is the parallel story of two sisters - Sadhna and Ragini and shows how their looks determine the quality of their lives.

Shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 , India's Got Talent , Uttaran and Na Aana Iss Des Laado on Colors, Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao and Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa 3 on Sony, Aap Ki Kachehri and Perfect Bride on STAR Plus and Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV also made for good entertainment this year (less)

Here are 10 fiction and non-fiction shows that captivated audiences despite cricket matches. 1.

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar (NDTV Imagine) - Item girl Rakhi Sawant left the nation shocked when she decided to find a suitable life partner through the reality show. It brought unprecedented TRPs for the channel, but Rakhi failed to sustain her engagement to Toronto-based businessman Elesh Parujanwala, whom she found through the show.

2. Balika Vadhu (Colors) - Set in rural Rajasthan, the family drama changed the face of Indian television in 2008 and continued to rule the charts this year with its gripping script.

It deals with grave social issues like child marriage, perils of teen pregnancy and mismatched marriage. 3.

Sach Ka Saamna (STAR Plus) - The Indian version of popular American reality show The Moment of Truth , Sach Ka Saamna hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal featured contestants who had to answer 21 questions, the authenticity of which was determined by a polygraph machine. Though the government expressed its ire against "vulgarity" on the show, it hasn't stopped the channel from planning its second season.

4. Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (Zee TV) - Another top rated rural-based show Agle Janam.

..

revolves around the plight of a poor girl Laali who strives to help her family financially. But she is later sold off to a rich landlord by her parents.

The show has proved to be a worthy replacement for the hugely popular soap Kasamh Se . 5.

Dance Premier League (Sony)- This big ticket dance show not only brought actress Rani Mukerji to the small screen but also provided a platform to dancing teams from different zones across India. The show is nearing its finale.

6. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (STAR Plus)- Speaking volumes about Indian tradition and culture, the show narrates the story of love finding its way into arranged marriages and how two strangers bond and blossom together after entering matrimony.

Lead characters Naitik and Akshara have become household names. 7.

Bigg Boss 3 (Colors) - In its third season, Bigg Boss promised to get bigger and it certainly did by roping in megastar Amitabh Bachchan to host it. The show started with a mix of 12 celebrities, including Rakhi Sawant's mother Jaya, Bhojpuri actor Kamaal Rashid Khan and Vindu Dara Singh.

It provided ample drama. 8.

Bandini (NDTV Imagine) - Based in a Gujarat village, the Balaji Telefilms production, Bandini , is about a young girl Santu who is forced to marry a much older Dharam Raj, played by seasoned actor Ronit Roy. The show traces Santu's trials and tribulations while adjusting with the family and how love surfaces between her and her husband.

The show is liked for its simplicity. 9.

Dance India Dance (Zee TV) - After the success of its first season this year, the dance show has already entered its second season. It has three popular choreographers, Terrence Lewis, Remo D'Souza and Geeta Kapoor, who train 18 contestants in dance forms like ballet, acrobatics, mid-air dancing, contemporary, Bollywood and hip-hop.

Yesteryear superstar Mithun Chakraborty has joined the show as the grand master. 10.

Bidaai (STAR Plus) - This serial questions whether life is happier for fairer people. It is the parallel story of two sisters - Sadhna and Ragini and shows how their looks determine the quality of their lives.

Shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 , India's Got Talent , Uttaran and Na Aana Iss Des Laado on Colors, Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao and Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa 3 on Sony, Aap Ki Kachehri and Perfect Bride on STAR Plus and Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV also made for good entertainment this year (less)

Piping hot concept, isn't it? AKSAR, directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, takes a look at relationships. The story isn't about two men fighting for a woman.

This one has a complex theme. In terms of storyline, AKSAR does push the envelope, but the question is, will the orthodox Indian moviegoer digest the theme? AKSAR has an out of the box kind of a plot: A millionaire hiring a casanova to have an affair with his wife, the millionaire-husband then catching the wife red-handed in an uncompromising position in the bedroom, the wife not regretting her decision? the concept, though bold, is extremely modern for the Indian audiences.

But the biggest flaw lies in the penultimate reels, which can be guessed after a point and most importantly, the cat-n-mouse game is hardly the type that would appeal to a viewer. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to state that the ending cannot be deciphered easily.

At best, AKSAR has lilting music [Himesh Reshammiya] and individualistic sequences as highs, but the lows outweigh, overshadow and outnumber the plusses completely. Ricky [Emraan Hashmi] is a leading fashion photographer, who carries his heart on his sleeve.

He's an absolute womanizer. The film begins with Ricky getting a call from Sheena [Udita Goswami], who asks him to meet her in a gym.

Once there, the two have a showdown since Ricky had used and dumped Sheena's friend Nisha [Tara Sharma]. A heartbroken Nisha had even contemplated attempting suicide.

Three years later, Ricky is about to hold an exhibition of his creations, when a millionaire walks in and buys the entire lot even before the exposition has begun. The millionaire, Rajveer aka Raj [Dino Morea], has a pre-condition: Ricky should make Raj's wife Sheena fall in love with him [Ricky].

Ricky is perplexed, for he fails to understand why a husband would hire someone to have an affair with his wife. But Raj explains that he wants Sheena to divorce him and this would be possible only when she falls in love with another man.

Ricky flies to London -- that's where Raj and Sheena live in a splendid mansion -- and starts playing his cards. Sheena detests the presence of Ricky at first, but the hatred transforms into love gradually.

The plan seems to be working perfect. Raj catches Ricky and Sheena red-handed, but instead of regretting her decision, she hits back at Raj: If he can have extra-marital affairs, so can she.

Raj is stunned, he feels his game plan has gone kaput. Realizing that Sheena wouldn't divorce him, Raj turns to Ricky, tells him to pack his bags and return to India.

But now Ricky does a somersault. He's enjoying using a rich woman and staying in the lap of luxury.

Raj is stunned again. It's a clear case of double crossing.

..

Mix UNFAITHFUL and INDECENT PROPOSAL, add a dash of Bollywood masala , shake it, stir it and the plot of AKSAR is ready. Yet, despite the inspirations, it must be noted that the plot of the film does seems inventive.

But, to be honest, a subject like this has its limitations. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan unfolds the plot gradually.

The story actually gathers momentum when Emraan accepts the proposal and arrives in London. The twist in the tale -- Udita refusing to divorce Dino -- only raises the expectations of a better second half.

The post-interval portions also start well and with another twist in the tale [one of the characters is murdered], you only wait for a nail-biting, nerve-racking finish. But the climax, although novel, is just not happening for the aforesaid reasons.

From the scripting point of view, the fault lies in the pre-climax. The hidden camera bit looks contrived/false mainly because the camera is concealed behind a wall.

If the camera was hidden behind a wall all through, how could it capture the entire murder episode with such clarity? The hidden camera plays a crucial role in turning the tables, so the end should've been more logical. After handling light entertainers [DIL VIL PYAR VYAR, DIL MAANGE MORE], director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan explores a new genre this time: Thriller/suspense saga.

To Ananth's credit, the director has handled a few sequences deftly [especially the pre-interval portion], but the impact a thriller ought to make is missing, partly because the climax is a downer. Also, the story unfolds at a lethargic pace all through.

Himesh Reshammiya's music is a scoring point. 'Jhalak Dikhlaja' and 'Lagi Lagi Lagi' are chartbusters already and the two songs only accentuate the goings-on.

But the placement of the Himesh Reshammiya track in the end ['Mohabbat Ki Guzarish'] doesn't serve any purpose. Cinematography is of standard; the locales of London give the film a visually stunning look.

Dialogues are witty at places. AKSAR revolves around three characters, but if there's anyone who stands out at the end of the day it's Udita Goswami.

She may not be a great actor, but she nevertheless drives the movie with conviction. The generous display of skin show only makes her a favorite.

Emraan Hashmi is efficient, but the problem is he's getting repetitive. Right from MURDER, AASHIQ BANAYA AAPNE to the recent JAWANI DIWANI, the skirt chaser-serial kisser bit is getting too much.

Dino Morea looks suave, acts ably, but needs to work hard on dialogue delivery. Tara Sharma doesn't get much scope.

Rajat Bedi is adequate. Suresh Menon is okay.

On the whole, AKSAR has hit music as its trump card, but a difficult-to-absorb theme and lackluster screenplay will only go against it. At the box-office, this one's a disappointment! (less)