Beckhams among guests to Guy Ritchie's wedding

Beckhams among guests to Guy Ritchie's wedding


Singer-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham and husband and former footballer David Beckham will be among the guests to celebrate film director Guy Ritchie and model Jacqui Ainsley's wedding.

Ritchie, who is marrying Ainsley later this week and hosting a lavish party at his home, has invited guests to the couple's country pad, Ashcombe House in Wiltshire, where English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is overseeing the food arrangement.

The `Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows` director has also invited star couples Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as well as George and Amal Clooney, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Singer-actor Sting and wife Trudie Styler, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and producer Matthew Vaughn are also expected.

`The guest list is jaw-dropping. It's like the Oscars. If even half of them come, it will be the party of the year. There are marquees being set up in the gardens and food by Jamie's chefs. It's going to be amazing. Guy is well connected and liked, so it's no surprise there are so many people invited to his wedding,` said a source.

Ritchie, who was earlier married to singer Madonna, proposed to Ainsley in 2012. They have three children - Rafael, Rivka and Levi.

Kate Moss took marriage counseling from ex-boyfriend?


Kate Moss took marriage counseling from ex-boyfriend?

Supermodel Kate Moss has reportedly sought marriage counselling from her former boyfriend Jeffereson Hack.

According to a source, the 41-year-old has split from husband Jamie Hince, 46, and gone on a family holiday to Niagra Falls with former love and her child's father, Hack, reports mirror.co.uk.

"He has been comforting her and helping her through her problems with Jamie,` the source said.

Moss and her 12-year-old daughter Lila Grace were due to travel with Hince. However, they left him behind as they headed for Canada last week with Hack, who Moss had a brief romance with in 2003.

"Jamie was supposed to go but Jefferson came instead. He has always got on with Jamie. It gave Kate the perfect opportunity to leave her partying lifestyle to spend quality time with the dad of her child,` the source added.

Kylie Jenner keeps things private


Kylie Jenner keeps things private

Reality TV star Kylie Jenner says "no one knows what goes on" in her day-to-day life and she only shows people what she wants them to see.

The 17-year-old, who celebrated high school graduation at an extravagant bash hosted by her mother Kris Jenner on Thursday, felt obligated to share pictures and video footage from the event on social media.

This was to make it clear that rumours that she quit school last year weren't true, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Kylie wrote on Twitter: "That's what's wrong with today. If you don't show or 'prove' to social media that you've done something, it's like it never happened!

"My reality is.. I only show people what I want them to see. No one knows what goes on in my (life) day to day but me and who I share my moments with."

I am very proud of my children: Uma Thurman


I am very proud of my children: Uma Thurman

Actress Uma Thurman is "madly in love" with her children and is "very proud" of the way "they conduct themselves."

The 45-year-old, who has daughter Maya, 16, and son Levon, 13, with ex-husband Ethan Hawke, as well as three-year-old daughter Luna with former partner Arpad Busson, admits is "very proud" of the way "they conduct themselves."

"I'm madly in love with all of my children and very proud of them. I think they conduct themselves with a lot of dignity and respect for others. It's all a parent could dream of,` femalefirst.co.uk quoted Thurman as saying.

Asked about the similarities between her and her eldest daughter, who stunned onlookers at the 2015 CFDA Awards in New York City, she joked: "Well, she never left the room at the hospital, so they didn't switch her!"

I love Tom Cruise: Simon Pegg


I love Tom Cruise: Simon Pegg

Actor Simon Pegg says Tom Cruise is "far more human" in real life and thinks he is "kind of vulnerable."

The 45-year-old Pegg thinks "there is a lot of mythology" surrounding his `Mission: Impossible - Rogue nation` co-star and insists he is "different" than his public persona, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I love Tom. I love working with him because he's a really interesting person. I feel really privileged to get to see the real man, you know? There's a lot of mythology about him, a lot of speculation about the kind of myth that surrounds him that people are very keen to believe,` said Pegg.

"When you actually meet the man himself, he's different. He's far more human. He's very fun. He's kind of vulnerable, and he's a human being, and it's great to see. But he can also be Tom Cruise when he wants to be.

`I say to him, I say, 'Do Tom Cruise.' And puts his sunglasses on and smiles. 'There's Tom Cruise!' And he knows it! It's a brilliant capacity to have. He's cultivated a certain kind of persona which enables him to be the movie star that he is, but at the heart of it is a human being,` he added.

Imran Abbas: I want to work with Kangana Ranaut

Imran Abbas: I want to work with Kangana Ranaut

Imran Abbas, 32, is not just one of the highest paid actors in Pakistan, but is also very sought after by all the women there. He is simple, emotional and spiritual and proud of himself being rooted. He hardly has any friends and is a very private person who remains most happy in his own company and the environment of his home.

He takes people at face value and loves his mother the most in the world.He doesn't mind people being stupid, but cannot deal with lies. Over an hour-long conversation, ahead of his upcoming romantic filmJaanisaar, directed by the extremely artistic Muzaffar Ali, he talks to Bombay Times about his love for his mother, what he does with the money he makes and how becoming spiritual has changed his outlook to life. Excerpts:

You are one of the most sought-after men in Pakistan. Tell us about your background?

I was born and brought up in Islamabad. Right from the age of four, I started painting. I also sing, write and like poetry. My father was a civil engineer in a government job and my mother a housewife. I am the youngest amongst our six siblings. Being the youngest, I was always given a free hand by my parents to do whatever I wanted to. My mother supported me for my painting and allowed me to learn music. I studied architecture from National College of Arts, Lahore as I felt architecture was a good blend of art and engineering. A famous Pakistani photographer Khawar Riaz saw me in my final year and offered me to do modelling for a magazine. The money was really good as I earned Rs 35,000 for just one hour. People started noticing me and I did Pakistani television and since have been doing it past ten years and became the highest paid actor in Pakistan. My last television serialAlvidabroke all the records. I was offeredAashiqui2, but could not take it for another film that I was to do that too did not happen. I then did Vikram Bhatt's Creature and now Muzaffar Ali's Jaanisaar.

Tabu is not obsessed with marriage


Tabu is not obsessed with marriage

During the media interactions for Drishyam, Ajay Devgn was good-naturedly ribbing Tabu on how he wrapped up his interviews really quick, while she took hours over her Q-and-A sessions. To this, Tabu quipped, "They don't ask you too many personal questions. However, in my case, they want to know everything from the movies to my marriage."

Taking that as a cue, one asked the powerhouse actress whether she was open to getting married. And as is her nature, she candidly replied,"Yes, I am open to everything. I believe in taking things the way they come.Frankly, the way I am currently, I just believe in taking life by its horns and asking it to come get me. I have stopped worrying or obsessing over marriage or anything that is going to happen tomorrow or day after. I think it is a pointless exercise. We never end up doing anything if we just sit around and keep obsessing. But yes, I'm most certainly open to marriage, children and a family."

Ask her if she would ever consider relocating, and the actress replies, "Never. I can go and work in London or Los Angeles, but I cannot think of settling in a foreign country. Moving to a place must have a purpose. If there is a purpose, then it is different. You cannot move in a vacuum and not know what to do out there, especially when you have so much going for you in your own country. Personally, I do not think any one of us who has lived in Mumbai can make a move and go anywhere. I can go overseas for a few months at a stretch, that too if there is something truly interesting there to keep me occupied, but I do not see myself settling anywhere other than Mumbai. But, who knows, like it's said 'Que sera sera'.''

Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi's heart-wrenching love story


Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi's heart-wrenching love story

According to a Bombay Times report, when asked about the inexhaustible concept of love triangle in his films, Mahesh Bhatt spoke about the love triangles he came across in his life. He said, in an interview with BT, that his mother found herself in a triangular situation of his father and his legitimate wife. Bhatt further said that he experienced the emotional trauma of that triangle in his cradle. He was then hurled into an extra-marital affair with an actress (Parveen Babi) who was fiercely lonely, confessed Bhatt. She somehow reminded him of his mother, she was alone, and he needed to play the prince on the white horse, Bhatt added.

Bollywood has seen many love stories over the years, both on screen and off screen. While few love stories overcame all odds and triumphed, few succumbed to societal norms and differences. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actress Parveen Babi's love story is a tale of heartbreak and grief. In a detailed interview with Filmfare, Mahesh Bhatt untangled all those broken threads of his heart and expressed his love and grief for Parveen Babi.

Parveen was at the peak of her career when she fell in love with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Their love blossomed in 1977. Though Bhatt was a married man, he decided to live in with Parveen Babi, who was a superstar then. Parveen was shooting forAmar Akbar AnthonyandKala Patharin those days. Theirs was a life filled with love where there was no place for failure or stardom. At home, Parveen was just an ordinary girl who was madly in love with Mahesh Bhatt. But this fairytale had a bitter ending.

Doctors and filmmakers, who sensed their films on the verge of being stalled, wanted Parveen to undergo 'electric shock treatment' which seemed like the only temporary option to calm her down at that time. But Mahesh Bhatt stood rock solid by her and tried his level best to protect her. Kabir Bedi, who was Parveen Babi's ex, suggested a couple of hospitals to Mahesh Bhatt in the US for her treatment. Danny Dengzongpa, who was once Parveen's neighbour and boyfriend, also helped Bhatt during this phase. Parveen's panic attacks refused to cease. A continuous threat of someone trying to kill her hounded her. At times she would feel the AC had a bug, at other times she felt their car had a bomb and she could hear it ticking. She felt that Amitabh Bachchan, with whom she had done a number of films, wanted to kill her. Parveen believed that she had harmed him in some way, and so he wanted to kill her. Her constant attacks made it necessary to hide her from the public.

How Shah Rukh Khan made money...


How Shah Rukh Khan made money...

Rohit Shetty'sDilwale, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon has generated a lot of curiosity. The film which has partly been shot in Bulgaria, is one of the most awaited films to release this year. What makes it more interesting is that King Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment will distribute the film. According to Bollywoodlife.com, a daily states that the film has already been sold to exhibitors in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Nizam and Rajasthan. Further to the report, the figures are apparently expected to be around Rs 280 crore.

SRK is known for his keen business sense and investing in ventures. Shah Rukh Khan has purchased the Trinidad & Tobago franchise in the Caribbean Premier League. According to reports, Khan's company Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, along with Kolkata Knight Riders co-owners Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta, has invested in the T&T franchise. The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to run from June 20 to July 26, 2015. Khan is the first owner of an Indian Premier League team to own an overseas cricket franchise. He told TOI, "This is in line with our vision to expand globally . We are thrilled to become part of the cricketing tradition of Trinidad & Tobago. The passion for franchise cricket in the Caribbean is evident with the success of CPL and we hope to bring all the best practices of KKR to the T&T franchise."

Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler already own CPL franchises. Wahlberg owns reigning champions Barbados Tridents, led by Kieron Pollard, while Butler owns Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle.

Saif Ali Khan goes ga ga over Katrina


Saif Ali Khan goes ga ga over Katrina

Saif Ali Khan, who will be seen with Katrina Kaif inPhantom, said that he is very fond of his co-star and that any person would be lucky to have her as a girlfriend, fiancee or more, reports IANS. At the trailer launch of their upcoming action film, directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Saif told reporters, "I think Katrina is one of the most lovely girls I've worked with. And anybody would be lucky to have her as girlfriend, fiancee or in the future something more." The report further stated that Saif, who has worked inRacewith Katrina, termed her as, "One of the most beautiful and biggest stars in Bollywood." He said, "I've known Katrina for a while. I've watched her from being a relatively new actor in Race to becoming one of the biggest stars in the country, working very hard and becoming an amazing personality on screen. It's always nice to spend time with her. She is extremely relaxed and is someone who I've enjoyed talking to and working with. I think we had an easy equation.

" Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has denied reports that she is getting engaged to actor Ranbir Kapoor, saying there is time for marriage.There were reports that 32-year-old actress and Ranbir got engaged on July 16, which was Katrina's birthday. "I am glad you asked this question. I am not engaged. You guys are sweet you seem to want me to get married. But there are no such plans now...so please bear me for not being married for sometime," Katrina told PTI at the trailer launch ofPhantom.

While the couple has no plans to get married, they don't mind working together in a film. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina might star in a movie together.

Alleged couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, may pair-up once again, post their outing on the silver screen with films likeRaajneetiandAjab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani. The duo are also working together in Anurag Basu'sJagga Jasoosand if things go their way, they could do another film together. According to a report on Mid-day.com, Ranbir and Katrina are being considered to play the lead role in a YRF film which may also star Varun Dhawan. A source working on the project was quoted in the report as saying that they were currently working on the script which will most likely be a romantic comedy and that it all depends on Ranbir and Katrina's availability. A YRF spokesperson however had something else to say. He was quoted saying that they would not like to react to speculations on the casting of their future films and asked people to wait their forthcoming film announcements.

After uproar, Salman apologises for Yakub-Tiger tweets

After uproar, Salman apologises for Yakub-Tiger tweets

After tweets that triggered a volley of protests, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Sunday evening apologised for saying that the 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon should not hang but his brother Tiger Memon should.

While standing by what he said overnight, Salman said his father Salim Khan wanted him to retract his tweets "as they have the potential to create misunderstanding". And he promptly deleted the earlier tweets.

In his latest tweet, the 49-year-old actor he never sought to imply that Yakub Memon, who is set to hang in the Nagpur jail on July 30, was not involved in the deadly 1993 blasts that left 257 people dead and over 700 injured in what was then the world's worst urban terror attack.

"What I said is that Yakub Memon should not hang for him (Tiger). I have not said or implied that Yakub Memon is innocent. I have complete faith in the judicial system of our country.

"Many lives were lost in the Mumbai blasts. And I have repeatedly said the loss of (even) one innocent life is equal to the loss of all humanity.

"My dad ... said I should retract my tweets as they have the potential to create misunderstanding. I hereby retract them.

"I would like to unconditionally apologize for any misunderstanding I may have created unintentionally.

"I also strongly condemn those who are claiming my tweets are anti-religious. I have always said I respect all faiths and I always will," the actor tweeted.

Yakub is the brother of one of the main accused, Tiger Memon, who along with others is absconding. Indian officials believe he and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim are in Pakistan.

In his previous tweets, the "Ek Tha Tiger" star also called Tiger Memon a coward for letting his brother face the gallows.

"We can die for our family. Tiger, your brother will be hanged for you in some days. Say something, make a statement or address that it was you. What kind of brother are you?"

The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" actor also asked Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to share details about Tiger's whereabouts with Indian authorities.

"Where are you hiding Tiger? Sharif Saab, I would request you to let us know about Tiger, if you have any information about him.

"I've been wanting to tweet this for three days and was afraid to do so but it involves a man and his family. Don't hang brother, hang the fox who ran away."

Taken aback by his son's outburst, father Salim Khan told Zee Media: "Salman should have thought sensitively before tweeting in support of Yakub."

Salman's earlier tweets led to furore, forcing authorities to deploy around 50 policemen outside his residence in Galaxy Apartment in Bandra in fear of possible violence. Baricades came up outside his building.


Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mumbai president Ashish Shelar denounced Salman by calling his remarks an "insult to all Mumbaikars".

Shelar sought the cancellation of Salman's bail against his five-year jail term in the 2002 hit and run accident case.

Some 200 members of the BJP youth wing staged a noisy protest outside Salman's home on Sunday afternoon.

BJP Mumbai North-East MP Kirit Somaiya pledged to raise the matter in parliament on Monday.

Ujjwal Nikam, who directed the prosecution in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case, also criticized Salman.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray declined to react. "Whether action should be taken against him (Salman), let it be decided by the people concerned with the case."

Bollywood was largely silent.

But filmmaker Sudhir Mishra came out in support of the actor saying Salman was entitled to his views. "And by the way many Indians share his views. Please react and talk to him with respect."

Hang Tiger, not Yakub, says Salman Khan


Hang Tiger, not Yakub, says Salman Khan

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has come out against the death penalty given to 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon, saying he should not be punished for his brother's crime.

"Hang Tiger. Brother is being hanged for Tiger. Aarrre (Where) is Tiger? Get Tiger. Get Tiger hang him. Parade him, not his brother," Salman tweeted on Saturday night, referring to Ibrahim alias Tiger Memon.

Yakub Memon is set to be executed on July 30 for his role in Mumbai blasts in which 257 people were killed and 712 others injured. Yakub is the brother of one of the main absconding accused, Tiger Memon.

The "Ek Tha Tiger" star also called Tiger Memon a coward for letting his brother face the gallows.

"We can die for our family. Tiger, your brother will be hanged for you in some days. Say something, make a statement or address that it was you. What kind of brother are you," Salman wondered.

The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" actor also called upon Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urging him to share details of Tiger, if available to him.

"One innocent man killed is killing the humanity. Read about Yakub Memon before commenting on him. Where are you hiding Tiger? Sharif Saab, I would request you to let us know about Tiger, if you have any information about him," the actor shared.


The outburst over the conviction via a series of tweets was not sudden, as the actor wanted to express his views for the last three days.

"I've been wanting to tweet this for 3 days and was afraid to do so but it involves a man and his family. Don't hang brother hang the fox who ran away," added the star.

As Salman's tweets has snowballed into a controversy, there are reports that security around his residence here has been beefed up.

However, Salman's father Salim Khan criticised his son for tweeting about a serious issue without thinking it through.

"Salman should have thought sensitively before tweeting in support of Yakub," a media house, Zee Media quoted Salim as saying.

Milind Deora, MP from the Mumbai South constituency, tried to clear the confusion over Salman supporting a convict, by saying that the actor wanted to bring the main accused into focus.

"Spoke to @BeingSalmanKhan last evening & today. He doesn't believe Yakub Memon isn't guilty & was only spotlighting YM's brother's cowardice," Deora tweeted on Sunday.

'Baahubali' actor meets Modi


'Baahubali' actor meets Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday met Telugu actor Prabhas, whose film "Baahubali: The Beginning" is creating history at the box office with stupendous success.

"Met 'Baahubali' Prabhas today," the official Twitter handle of Modi read, while sharing an image with the lead actor wearing a black shirt and jeans.

In the photograph, the actor, along with his uncle and veteran actor Krishnam Raju and his wife are striking a pose with Modi, who can be seen in an off-white kurta pajama.



"Baahubali: The Beginning", which is about two brothers at war for an ancient kingdom, has so far grossed over Rs.350 crore worldwide.

Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, "Baahubali - The Beginning" also features Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty and Tamannaah Bhatia in lead roles. The film came out on July 10 in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi simultaneously.

B-Town salutes Kargil martyrs


B-Town salutes Kargil martyrs

A wave of patriotism swept across the tinsel town as members of the film fraternity, including melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and megastar Amitabh Bachchan, paid tributes to the 1999 Kargil war martyrs online on Sunday.

Actors with Army background like Anushka Sharma also gave a 'fauji' salute to the soldiers.

India observes Kargil Diwas on July 26 to salute its soldiers who fought against Pakistani soldiers and guerrillas who sneaked into Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.

Here's what they tweeted:

Lata Mangeshkar: Greeting. I salute Indian army on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas today. I pay my respects to the martyrs.

Amitabh: Some points to remember and cherish that because of them and their sacrifice we breathe and sleep in peace and security.

Hrithik Roshan: In honour of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Kargil War. Proud to be your fellow countrymen. Jai hind! #KargilVijayDiwas.



Anushka: Deep and solemn respect for all the soldiers who fought and laid down their lives in the Kargil War. Salute from a fauji kid!

Madhur Bhandarkar: Saluting the brave soldiers who fought and sacrificed for the nation's pride at Kargil. #KargilVijayDiwas.

Sonu Sood: Kargil war heroes. Big Salute!

Raveena Tandon: Salute all brave soldiers who fought, and who lost their lives in Kargil their sacrifice valour, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Preity Zinta: A big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all the Brave Men and their families who fought for our Motherland. Jai Hind.

Satish Kaushik: Salute to our Indian soldiers who gave up their life for the nation...remembering The Heroes on #KargilVijayDiwas.

Vivek Oberoi: Remembering our real heroes, our braves who gave the ultimate sacrifice 16 years ago to protect #india! #KargilVijayDiwas #respect #JaiHind

Vijender Singh: Salute to our soldiers #KargilVijayDiwas

'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' continues its victorious run

'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' continues its victorious run

Superstar Salman Khan's on-screen journey from India to Pakistan in "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" has hit the jackpot at the box office with its victorious run since its release on July 17. The film raked in Rs.20.05 crore on Saturday, zooming past the Rs.200 crore mark.

"The Kabir Khan directorial, which collected Rs.197.77 crore till Friday, minted Rs.20.05 crore (India), taking the cumulative total to Rs.217.82 crore," the film's spokesperson said in a statement.

The movie narrates a heart-warming tale of an Indian man (played by Salman) and a mute girl from Pakistan (essayed by child artist Harshaali Malhotra) and the bond they develop during their road trip to Pakistan. It chronicles the adventures they stumble upon during their odyssey.


Trade guru Taran Adarsh lauded the success of the film, which also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Kareena Kapoor Khan, on micro-blogging site Twitter.

"#BajrangiBhaijaan continues to take giant strides. Witnesses massive jump on Saturday. Week 2: Friday 13.15 cr, Saturday 20.05 cr. Total: Rs. 217.82 cr," Adarsh shared.

Another trade analyst Komal Nahta was also ecstatic over the film's figures as he tweeted: "Bajrangi crosses 200 crore in 9 days! Fantabulous!"

TV actresses talk about their security concerns on sets

Small screen actors often grapple with security concerns, cases of harassment, thefts and Peeping Toms on set. They  reveal the ugly side of an industry that functions on tight budgets and TRPs
Television actor Sai Ballal, who essays the role of Bhaiyaji in Udaan, grabbed headlines recently for allegedly molesting and sharing pornographic clips with a female co-actor during a shoot. The actress alleged that when she approached the production house, no action was taken against Ballal. She then approached the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), who advised her to lodge a police complaint, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Deepika Singh (left) had alleged that her co-star Anas Rashid had touched her inappropriately while shooting for their show Diya Aur Baati Hum
Deepika Singh (left) had alleged that her co-star Anas Rashid had touched her inappropriately while shooting for their show Diya Aur Baati Hum
The incident has, once again, highlighted the security concerns of small screen actors. Unlike their counterparts in Bollywood, most TV actors can’t afford to hire personal bodyguards. Moreover, film production houses hire security agencies to keep a hawk’s eye on the set to prevent untoward incidents from taking place and keep fans and gatecrashers at bay. In stark contrast, television production houses do not provide such security measures due to budget constraints. In an industry ruled by TRPs, tackling issues of long working hours and inadequate safety measures is rarely a priority.
Sai Ballal was arrested for allegedly molesting and sending pornographic clips to a female co-actor on the sets of the TV show Udaan
Sai Ballal was arrested for allegedly molesting and sending pornographic clips to a female co-actor on the sets of the TV show Udaan
More often than not, actors are forced to take matters in their own hands. For instance, they often pay someone on set to safeguard his/her valuables, to combat acts of theft on set. Vanity vans are often shared between actors and a unit member, for some extra money, often doubles up as a guard to keep Peeping Toms at bay.
Dipika Kakar plays Simar in Sasural Simar Ka
Dipika Kakar plays Simar in Sasural Simar Ka
One tight slap
Actress Deepika Singh, who essays the lead role of Sandhya in the daily soap Diya Aur Bati Hum, recently complained that her co-actor Anas Rashid (who plays her on-screen husband, Sooraj, in the show) allegedly molested her on the set. Singh claimed that while shooting a romantic scene, he touched her inappropriately and that she raised the issue with the crew, which included her director-husband, Rohit Raj Goyal.
Aashka Goradia
When Rashid tried to explain and clear his part, she lost her cool and slapped him.
Telly actress Aashka Goradia says such incidents are scary. “I feel sorry for the actress as this shouldn’t happen to anyone,” she says.
Goradia recounts an incident where an actress’s complaints of harassment against a male co-star went unheard. Goradia has her own set of safety measures in place while shooting. “I always check my vanity van thoroughly. It’s become a habit over the years, but you never know what can happen to anyone.” The actress opines that producers must ensure that actors’ privacy is not compromised on. “There must be a strict disciplinary check — crew members and assistants must not be allowed to use camera phones on the set,” she adds.
Krystle D’Souza was last seen as Sakshi in Ek Nayi Pehchaan
Krystle D’Souza was last seen as Sakshi in Ek Nayi Pehchaan
Checklist
Telly actress Sara Khan, too, feels the need for safety regulations. “I have never faced anything like this, but all I can say is that such incidents display heights of shamlessness and disrespect. But now, I will be extra cautious and check the green room and vanity vans before settling in. This is the one place an actor considers his/her ‘chill out zone’, so mobile phone cameras should not be misused here.” However, Khan also opines that being a TV producer is not easy. “There are too many responsibilities and pressures to deal with, so they tend to ignore the safety of the cast. But at the same time, it is the producer’s duty to keep his cast and crew secure.”
Nia Sharma plays Roshni in Jamai Raja
Nia Sharma plays Roshni in Jamai Raja
According to her, producers should monitor employees and unit hands to avoid untoward incidents from taking place. “In a daily soap, where an actor shoots every day at a long stretch, normally one has a permanent make-up room. I avoid sharing my make-up room and hotel room while travelling for work. I always lay down this condition,” she explains.
Sara Khan is seen as Anji in Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls
Sara Khan is seen as Anji in Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls
Price of fame
Telly actress Dipika Kakar feels that such incidents happen in every field, but get highlighted when they happen to actors. She says, “Women’s safety is an issue across the country. I always check my make-up room when I enter it. When in front of the camera, I hand my personal stuff over to someone I trust. My staff stays with me throughout the shoot.” She also points out that production houses need to make sure that they hire trustworthy people and that the actors are safe on the set. “I have never faced such an unpleasant situation and I am hoping that I won’t either.”
Kavita Kaushik is seen in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Kavita Kaushik is seen in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Be careful
Telly actress Kavita Kaushik believes that one has to remain alert all the time. “These days, it is important to be aware of what is happening around and be on guard — whether on set or elsewhere. I feel safe on the set as I make sure that people who I trust take care of my belongings. I also ensure that there are people around me to avoid unpleasant incidents from taking place.”
Barkha Bisht,
Kaushik also thinks that actors should refrain from carrying expensive items to the set. She says, “I lost my mobile phone in the past. I have also lost an emerald ring because I took it off and kept it on my make-up table. There are many people on a set, so how can you nab the robber?”
Scary scene
Telly actress Nia Sharma adds, “I would not like to take names, but, yes, I have heard of several such incidents. In cases of molestation, you need to speak up immediately and bring the culprit to book. It is scary indeed. Robberies are also rampant on the set. I have often discovered cash missing from my bag. The robbers are smart — they do not steal the entire amount, so that the theft is detected only later.”
However, not all actresses are equally critical. Barkha Bisht thinks that television is the safest industry for actresses. “I have been in the industry for 10 years and I have never faced anything like this.
TV industry is a safe place to be in. In our industry, it is important to have your head on your shoulders, be wise and not let anything or anyone affect your integrity. We have to work as professionals and if anyone tries to challenge your integrity, then you need to raise your voice.”
Krystle D’Souza agrees. She says, “I feel safe on the set and have always been careful with my belongings. I lock my room and prefer to keep my valuables in my car. Thankfully, I haven’t had such an experience in any of my shows.”
What TV producers say...
Rajan Shahi
(Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehla Hai and Tere Shehar Mein)
Shahi thinks the industry is one of the safest places for a female actor. “We not only have female actors, but also several crew members —  right from the creative heads to junior artistes — who are women. The men in the TV industry are used to working under female bosses.
Rajan Shahi
In fact, I would be happy if my daughter chooses to be part of the TV industry in the future. I agree that there have been a few unpleasant incidents in the past, but they can happen anywhere and in any industry. To avoid such cases, all one needs to do is communicate. If a person is not comfortable with someone’s behaviour, we bring it to the notice of a senior person on the set and appropriate action is taken. We always make travel arrangements for the female artistes and see to it that they reach their destination safely.” Shahi asserts that it isn’t possible to keep a vigil everywhere on the set. “If there are issues, they need to be spoken/written about, but since TV is a big medium such cases get too much attention,” he adds. 

JD Majethia
(Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, Khichdi)
JD admits that while one cannot exert complete control over a set, some basic rules need to be followed to avoid unwanted situations. “Normally in my production house, I hire a a security guard who has worked with me before on a show, so it makes matters simple for us. It is true that even after you take precautions, you end up paying a price for certain loopholes, but a complete background check of the person is of utmost importance.”
JD Majethia

He cites an example. “Once, expensive make-up got stolen from the set. We laid a trap and caught the thief, who was the assistant of the person in-charge of costumes. She was new to the industry and did not confess to her crime. Finally, we had to go to her house and recover the stolen items. She said that she was in need of money as her mother was unwell. We let her off with a warning and asked her to look for another job, but now I feel we should have registered a complaint.”

Majethia also feels that cast members, too, need to be careful. During costume changes, mobile cameras can be misused. They should also be aware about lightmen while they are on the set as they can use lighting angles to manipulate shots. Another point is that producers should immediately sack the person if his or her behaviour is not right.”

Abhinav Shukla
(Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon)
Abhinav believes that while rules may or may not help a situation, creating a respectful atmosphere is the right way to approach such a situation.
ABHINAV SHUKLA
“We work for nearly 12 hours and most of the cast and crew share a cordial relationship with each other. I don’t think setting a rule is a right thing to do, as we are more or less like a family. As far as women’s safety is concerned, we make sure that we provide transportation to every  crew member when we are shooting late into the night or at remote places. Also, if we come across someone who has misbehaved with a crew member, we immediately take action or sack that person. It finally comes down to having faith and maintaining respect for each other.”

Bill Cosby accusers appear together on magazine cover

New York: As many as 35 of 46 women who accused Bill Cosby of drugging and raping them have appeared together on the cover of New York magazine's latest issue.
The women are seated in rows with the date of the alleged assault written underneath them. There is an empty chair placed at the end of the rows.
'Cosby: The Women, An Unwelcome Sisterhood' reads the title, reports aceshowbiz.com.
The magazine shared its cover on Instagram along with the caption: "So far, 46 women have come forward to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault, in some cases, according to a recently unsealed deposition, with the aid of Quaaludes-a powerful sedative that can render a person functionally immobile.
"But these allegations are by no means new, with some stretching back decades-to a time when the culture of rape in America left victims little recourse but to suffer silently, and in shame.
"Today, the way we think and talk about rape has evolved, creating a safer space for survivors to feel empowered by speaking up and reclaiming their victimhood. And that's led us here. Of the 46 women who have come forward to accuse Cosby, we spoke to 35 of them - 'a sorrowful sisterhood' of women united by their dark experiences, steadfast in their resolve to remain silent no more."

Casper Smart: Jennifer Lopez and I are just having a good time

Los Angeles: Jennifer Lopez and former boyfriend Casper Smart are enjoying each other's company.

Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez. Pic/Santa Banta
It is still unclear whether or not they're officially back together, reported People magazine.
"We're just having a good time, just being ourselves, that's all," the choreographer, 28, said.
Smart has recently taken his talents from behind the scenes to in front of the stage, appearing as a judge on "Fake Off", a talent competition show featuring theater, acrobatics, aerial stunts and illusion.
Off the show's set, Smart and Lopez, 45, have been spotted together quite frequently recently, holding hands and even sharing a kiss.

'Top Gun 2' would be fun to do: Tom Cruise

Los Angeles: Hollywood star Tom Cruise says he would love to do a sequel of his 1983 hit action drama 'Top Gun'.

Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise. Pic/Santa Banta
At the "Mission: Impossible" premiere, Cruise said that while he had not "turned an eye" to the thought of a Top Gun sequel, it would be "fun" to get back in the cockpit, reported Entertainment Weekly.
"It's tricky to figure out. If I can figure it out, if all of us can figure it out, it'd be fun to do. I'd like to fly those jets again, but we've got to do all the jets practical no CGI on the jets.
"If we can figure all that out, and the Department of Defense will allow us to do it, that would be fun," he said.
A "Top Gun" sequel has been in the works for at least five years, and last month, producer David Ellison said that a screenplay is in development, with unmanned drones replacing many pilots.

Britney Spears wants more children

Los Angeles: Singer Britney Spears, who has two sons, allegedly split from her boyfriend Charlie Ebersol because he wasn't ready to have children with her.

Britney Spears
Britney Spears. Pic/Santa Banta
The "Perfume" hitmaker, who sons Sean Preston and Jayden James with former husband Kevin Federline, reportedly decided to end her romance with the producer in June because she wants to have a bigger family, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
"The beginning of the end was when Britney told Charlie that she wanted to have more kids. His career is red hot and so is Britney's. He told her he didn't know if there would ever be a right time for them to take a step back and become parents," Life & Style magazine quoted a source as saying.
"She just wants to find someone who wants all the things that she wants in life," the source added.

'Ant-Man' tops North American box office again

Los Angeles: The tiny superhero film 'Ant-Man' beat 'Pixels' to top the North American box office race for the second week in a row.

Ant-Man
Ant-Man. Pic/Santa Banta
'Ant-Man', from Disney and Pixar studios, took in another $24.8 million, passing the 100 million mark this weekend. The Paul Rudd-led superhero film was down a sharp 57 percent from last weekend, but it has grossed a solid $106.1 million in ten days.
The critically panned Adam Sandler-led 3D action comedy, 'Pixel', about the 1980s video games, disappointed with a $24 million dollar weekend, but still managed a second-place finish, according to projections released on Saturday by tracking firm Rentrack.
Opening at 3,723 locations, Sony's 'Pixels' received a respectable 'B' rating from first-night moviegoers on CinemaScore and got a poor 19 percent approval rating from critics on RottenTomatoes.
Analysts said that the $88 million budget movie has a possibility of making benefits from overseas markets where 'Pixels' will debut in the following weeks, Xinhua reported.
Meanwhile, Universal's 'Minions' continued to prove its worth at theatres, ranking the third with a take of $22.1 million.
Rounding out the rest top 10 films of the weekend were 'Trainwreck' ($17.3 million), 'Southpaw' ($16.5 million), 'Paper Towns' ($12.5 million), 'Inside Out' ($7.4 million), 'Jurassic World' ($6.9 million), 'Mr. Holmes' ($2.8 million) and 'Terminator Genisys' ($2.4 million).

Jennifer Lopez bares all in a racy dress

New York: Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez sported a racy dress as she celebrated her 46th birthday.

Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez. Pic/Santa Banta
Jennifer Lopez, who now dons a much shorter hairstyle, headed out to 1 Oak nightclub here on Friday.
She managed to distract fellow guests from the fact that she had turned another year older by wearing an outrageously racy dress, reports mirror.co.uk.
The frock included a hefty display of cleavage thanks to a cut-out chest area, along with sheer panels running down her thighs.
There was very little material going on, but that which there was clung to her body and flaunted her desirable figure.

Robin Williams' son still grieving his death

London: Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams' eldest son Zak is still mourning his loss, a year after the funnyman committed suicide.

Robin Williams
Robin Williams. Pic/Santa Banta
Zack, 32, revealed he is trying "to focus on the joyful moments and memories," reported Female First.
"We try to focus on the joyful moments and memories. We're still grieving. We're moving through the process of healing and recovering," said Zak.
He celebrated what would have been his father's 64th birthday on Tuesday along with his siblings Zelda, 25, and Cody, 23, as well as other relatives by having a private dinner, and said they have been helped by "wonderful family and friends" during the 11 months since Robin's passing.

Whitney Houston's only daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown passes away at 22

Melbourne: Bobbi Kristina Brown, the only child of late music star Whitney Houston and R&B singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 22.
The young singer had been in a coma ever since she was found face down in a bathtub, just like her mother in six months ago, and had been in hospice care in her final days, News.com.au reported.
Kristen Foster, a family representative, said that the Bobbi was surrounded by her family at Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, Georgia, when she died on July 26, and was finally at peace in the arms of God.
She thanked everyone for all the love and support they had received during the last few months.
Doctor's had said that Brown's brain function was 'significantly diminished' as a result of the incident after which she was placed in a medically induced coma and was moved to a rehabilitation centre two months later, where she remained until June 24.
The late music legend had the sole custody of Bobbi Kristina, after parting from Bobby Brown in 2007, and when she died in 2012, Bobbi was rushed to hospital that same month for anxiety treatment as she was reportedly found taking drugs after her mother's funeral.
Houston had left a reported 115 million dollars inheritance for her daughter.
Bobbi Kristina's death has a tragic resemblance to Houston's, who was found dead in the bath tub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, 2012.

Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender do 'The Big Lebowski' live read

Los Angeles: Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, actor Michael Fassbender, Olivia Munn, and Patton Oswalt took part in Jason Reitman's live read of 1983 crime comedy film 'The Big Lebowski' in Montreal.

Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence. Pic/Santa Banta
Michael Fassbender read the part of The Dude (originally played by Jeff Bridges), while Jennifer Lawrence took on Julianne Moore's role as Maude, reported Variety.
Olivia Munn played Bunny, Maude's stepmother, while Patton Oswalt was John Goodman's Walter.
At the event, which was part of the Just For Laughs festival, Fassbender dressed for the occasion wearing The Dude's signature bathrobe.
He also reportedly smoked cigarettes on stage and drank a cocktail during the reading.
"I think Fassbender went a little too Method on this one". Oswalt joked.

'Bajrangi Bhaijaan': Triumph of brotherhood across borders

Strained diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan are back in focus only days after leaders of both the nations discussed how to defuse tension. But the unanimous success of Eid release 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' - a Salman Khan starrer that propagates a positive message of peace, unity and brotherhood - on both sides of the border is proving there's a strong force in the soft power of Bollywood.
'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'
'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'. Pic/Santa Banta
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in the Russian city of Ufa earlier this month in an effort towards restoring cordiality in ties - but the situation was back to square one when a top Pakistani diplomat said that no dialogue process will take place with India sans the Kashmir issue.
It only seems more symbolic then that the movie too doesn't miss Kashmir - neither in its visual treat of the picturesque Valley nor when a Muslim character tells a Hindu man on a lighter vein: "Thoda (Kashmir) hamaare paas bhi hai."
Largely, cinema can play a "big part in changing the bitterness of our history into a sweet future for our children", concedes Fakhr-e-Alam, chairman of Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors.
"Films are a great way to bring people closer or to make people understand each other better. It's a great tool for propaganda and awareness. If used wisely like in 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'PK', it can connect
people the world over, create a better understanding for each other, increase tolerance, open minds and connect hearts," Alam, who courted "life threats" for giving a green signal to the Salman Khan starrer and was trolled on Twitter for being a "traitor", told IANS in an email from Karachi.
Alam - the same person who banned Akshay Kumar's "Baby" in his nation for being a "a poor propoganda (sic) film basically saying all muslims r terrorists & Pakistan harbors them" - however, went on record on social media to convey "'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' is the most positive film for Pakistan that Bollywood has produced in a long time".
The Kabir Khan directorial sees Salman - a hugely popular Hindi film superstar - in the role of a god-fearing Hindu simpleton named Pavan aka Bajrangi taking it upon himself to unite an accidentally-lost
six-year-old mute Pakistani girl in India with her parents in Pakistan. It's not just Salman's holier-than-thou portrayal sans his trademark mannerisms that has tugged at the audience's heartstrings, but the angelic smile of talented little girl Harshaali Gupta; the quirky dialogues of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and the deftness with which the director has handled a subject as sensitive as Indo-Pak ties.
Ali Murtaza of Shiny Toy Guns, currently producing the upcoming Pakistani romantic comedy "Dekh Magar Pyaar Say", told IANS that he saw the movie in a "packed show" on the fourth day of Eid. He describes it as a "brilliant and breathtaking" story, with special praise for the director's attention to detail.
Having released in 47 screens with over 74 screenings on July 17 - a day before the holy Eid celebrations - 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' has enjoyed a decent run over one week in Pakistan, despite clashing with two awaited Pakistani movies "Bin Roye" and "Wrong No.", as well as Hollywood movies like "Ant-Man" and "Terminator Genisys".
The gross billing for Pakistan territory for the first seven days turned out to be $1.2 million, said Satish Anand, head honcho of Eveready Group of Companies, which distributed 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' in the nation - primarily in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, which are key centres for films.
"Salman Khan films on Eid always have a very strong initial draw in Pakistan," Anand told IANS in an email from Karachi, adding that what makes 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' stand out from his past entertainers is the
fact that it's not "all out action" and it is this reason why women and family audiences in Pakistan are patronising it from the word go.
However, Anand, who was himself bowled over by the "different tangent and direction" that Salman had taken as an actor and producer of the film, and is all praise for the movie's feel-good-factor, said he faced issues in distributing 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'.
"I had a lot of problem in having it released...first due to the trailer, and then in the past, the director (Kabir Khan) had made 'Ek Tha Tiger' (about a RAW agent), which never got released in Pakistan. So, there was anticipation in the market that there would be a problem with the content in the film. There was a huge campaign (from certain quarters) to try to create a negative perception about the film," he added.
The business which, according to him, is "phenomenal", could have been better had the movie been released at a time when not many Pakistani films were coming. Also, pirated prints, he said, have already
come into the market and on cable, hampering chances of sustainability on Pakistan's big screens.
In India, of course, the film has crossed the Rs.200 crore mark.
Decoding why the film is working, Mumbai-based film historian S.M.M. Ausaja told IANS: "It's working because we as Indians are largely tolerant and peace-loving. I also feel that these are times when politics
has polarised the people and this is their way to endorse secularism and human values, giving a message that the basic civilizational values we (in India and Pakistan) have imbibed remain intact."
While several people are praising 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' for avoiding Pak-bashing, Ausaja pointed out how "all the films on Indo-Pak issues eventually depicted a triumph of peace and brotherhood, including 'Border' and 'Gadar - Ek Prem Katha'".
"There may be stray scenes in some, but the industry has largely been secular and above narrow divisive ideologies," he added.
Shailja Kejriwal, who pioneered the Zindagi channel - a platform which brings Pakistani TV content closer to Indian TV viewers - told IANS that apart from a political discourse on igniting peace between the
nations, a social discourse involving people-to-people understanding, acceptance and involvement must also be stressed upon. And this, she said, is possible with the power of mass media platforms like films and TV.
"Someone asked me: 'Will what you're doing (through Zindagi) bring peace between India and Pakistan?' As I see it, most landmark movements have been people's movements, and even if efforts like Zindagi or a 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' may not bring peace, they are a step towards peace."
To that end, she added, the remarkable aspect about 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' is that it tells a simple story about people, goodness and genuine emotions without touching politics, and sends out a universal message: "Goodness is more important than enmity."
Pakistan had banned Indian movies in 1968 but lifted this later. Now, various initiatives like the Aman ki Aasha movement, fashion shows and movies like 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' are doing their bit to promote harmony between the two nations.

Big B on nostalgic trip

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan took a nostalgia-filled photographic tour to the past by sharing online some moments close to his heart through a series of images with his family and co-stars like Shashi Kapoor.
Amitabh Bachchan
The 72-year-old actor, who has entertained film-goers for over four decades, described those days gone by as “delightful”.
The cine icon, who stays connected to his fans and well-wishers through several virtual platforms, took to social networking site Facebook to share the photographs.
The star shared throwback photographs via a series of posts with captions: “Enjoy some memorable pictures...given by Ef”, “Just some moments...delightful” and “Those were the days”.
In one image, the star is seen posing with veteran actor Shashi Kapoor and in another he strikes a dance pose with late actress Parveen Babi.
The actor, who has earned sobriquets like Bollywood Shahenshah, also posted a group photograph with the star cast of the classic hit “Sholay”, including Hema Malini, Dharmendra, late Amjad Khan and late Sanjeev Kumar.
The “Piku” actor also shared some family moments with wife Jaya, daughter Shweta Nanda and son Abhishek.
“Some early family pictures...Abhishek and Shweta in their looks of innocence...Abhishek and me in a Kayak...a boat in Nepal for the shooting of 'Mahaan'...and Shweta with her favourite doll,” Big B shared.
On the professional front, the actor is gearing up for “Wazir”, which also stars multi-talented Farhan Akhtar.

Word of mouth boosts 'Masaan' ticket sales

Tagged as 'one of the finest Hindi films' and 'technically brilliant', "'Masaan' witnessed a strong fillip in ticket sales on Saturday -- thanks to the strong and reliable word of mouth.
A still from 'Masaan'
A still from 'Masaan'
Produced jointly by Drishyam Films, Phantom Films, Macassar Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, 'Masaan' hit the Indian screens on Friday.
"In major cinema chains like PVR, Cinemax the film opened on Friday morning with an average occupancy of 17.5 to 18 percent. By Friday night, it rose to around 24 percent and by Saturday the average occupancy was 37.4 percent," Shiladitya Bora, CEO of Drishyam Films, said in a statement.
"In urban centres like PVR Anupam Saket (Delhi), the Saturday average occupancy was as high 89.30 percent, PVR MGF Gurgaon 85.60 percent, PVR Forum Bengaluru 79.40 percent, PVR Juhu Mumbai 78.50 percent, PVR Phoenix Mumbai 76 percent, PVR Andheri Mumbai 93.70 percent, PVR Director's Cut Delhi 91.50 percent, PVR Marketcity Bengaluru 87.60 percent, PVR Kukatpally Hyderabad 97.10 percent and so on," he added.
The film, which has opened in around 250 screens in the country, is looking stable to go in the second week with more shows.
“Excellent reviews coupled with very strong word of mouth resulted in full house in almost all major multiplexes in urban centres on Saturday. We are confident that 'Masaan' will sustain in theatres for a good number of weeks making it also a success at the box office along with being critically acclaimed," said Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films.
Vikramaditya Motwane of Phantom Films also shared that the strong word of mouth and the "super reviews have added to the buzz around the film, and the ticket sales went up by almost double on Saturday".
The story of debut directorial of Neeraj Ghaywan revolves around four lives which intersect along the Ganga ghats in Benares: a low-caste boy falling hopelessly in love, a daughter ridden with guilt of a sexual encounter ending in a tragedy, a hapless father with fading morality, and a spirited child yearning for a family, long to escape the moral constructs of a small town.

Remo D'Souza: Want 'Flying Jat' to be at par with 'The Avengers'

Filmmaker Remo D'Souza wants his upcoming Tiger Shroff-starrer superhero film 'Flying Jat' to be an answer to Hollywood's action movies.
Remo D'Souza
Remo D'Souza
Also starring Jacqueline Fernandez, 'Flying Jat' will see a Punjabi superhero for the first time in India.
Though the "ABCD 2" director feels the subject is challenging, he wants to raise the bar of superhero films in India through the movie.
"The film will see the first Punjabi superhero. It is a big subject. It is something I have to prove it again. With 'ABCD 2', I had to prove that dancing could be of a certain level and with this film I have to show that a superhero film can be made in India like this," Remo told PTI.
"Like we always see 'Avengers', 'Spider-Man', 'Superman' and I want to take this film on that level so that Indian people think that we also have our superhero film. It is my answer to the foreign superhero movies," he said.
The filmmaker is happy with the way the movie is shaping up and looking forward to its second schedule in mid-August.
Praising Tiger, Remo said he wanted to launch the "Heropanti" actor and is happy he is finally getting to direct the young star.
"I know Tiger before he came into films. I wanted to launch him but he got launched in 'Heropanti', which was good as well. Then I thought I would do second film with him but his second is 'Baaghi'. I am happy his third film is with me," the director said.
Remo, who choreographed Jacqueline in her earlier films, said he knew from the beginning she would become the star she is today.
"Jacqueline is outstanding, she is amazing. I did songs for her first film and since then I knew she would do well and she is," he said.
'Flying Jat', produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is slated to release in 2016.

Sajid Nadiadwala: Don't want to miss chance to back good projects

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala says he doesn't want to lose the opportunity to back interesting projects.
Sajid Nadiadwala
Sajid Nadiadwala
Sajid has produced hit films like 'Highway', '2 States', 'Heropanti' and others. He has interesting range of films lined up for release, including Saif Ali Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer 'Phantom', Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone's 'Tamasha', Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Rangoon', 'Housefull 3' and others.
"It is difficult to greenlight films now after "Highway". I don't want to lose an opportunity to tell an interesting story. I am thankful to Kabir Khan (director) for this film ("Phantom") and to Katrina and Saif for endorsing it," Sajid told reporters here last evening at the trailer launch of 'Phantom'.
"Phantom" is based on Hussain Zaidi's novel 'Mumbai Avengers' set in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and deals with global terrorism.
The film is set to release on August 28.
After "Phantom" big films like John Abraham's "Welcome Back", Salman Khan's home production "Hero" and others are releasing back to back.
Talking about this box office competition, Sajid said, "We have only 52 weeks, there is one Christmas, Eid, Diwali and some other festive times. We are releasing our film on Raksha Bandhan... we hope Raksha Bandhan humari film ki Raksha karegi (we hope festival of Raksha Bandhan shields our film)."

Suniel Shetty: I hope Athiya conducts herself well in Bollywood

Actor Suniel Shetty feels he has earned respect and maintained a clean image in his more than two decades of showbiz career because of his conduct and wants daughter Athiya to follow his path.
Suniel Shetty with daughter Athiya
Suniel Shetty with daughter Athiya
Athiya, 22, is making her Bollywood debut with Nikhil Advani's 'Hero' opposite newcomer Sooraj, Aditya Pancholi's son.
Happy with her decision to make acting her career, Suniel, 53, said the only advice he has for Athiya is to conduct herself well in the industry.
"I don't have to tell her anything. I was worried because Athiya was always watching me. By telling them they don't learn but by watching us they do.
"In 26 years, I don't know what I have earned but there is lot of goodwill and blessing that I have got. I have conducted myself that way I hope Athiya will do the same," Suniel told PTI.
The "Hera Pheri" star said Athiya was passionate about acting right from her childhood.
"She did plays in her school. I am glad she asked me if I would be happy with her joining films. I said, 'I am in this industry and it is a beautiful industry. It is the most beautiful and safe place for girls. If they want to conduct themselves right, then nobody can trouble them,'" the actor said.
When Suniel made his acting debut there was no one to guide him but now that Athiya is entering the industry, he and superstar Salman Khan, who is launching her, are there to help her.
"I don't regret my time. I was strong. I stood on my own... fell down. I did death defying stunts. I am happy that I am there for my children to support them," the actor said.
"Athiya has been out there so she doesn't know much about the real world. I am happy we are there to protect, guide them and see that they don't end up messing things for themselves," the "Border" star said.
According to him, there was never a moment when Athiya said she was not able to do her work properly.
"She is extremely hard working and passionate. The only thing she told me is, 'Dad I did so many takes today but I am not happy... Nikhil sir said it is ok but I did not like it'."
"Then she would message or call Nikhil at the night saying I am not happy with the way I did a scene. So he used to ask her to do one more take of the scene in morning. These were the only things that she told me. She never said, 'I am tired'," he said.
Suniel has told Athiya to look at a film from a producer's perspective.
"I told her look at the film from producer's point of view as he puts in his hard earned money... He is treated worst and if he loses at the box-office then he loses all.
Make sure you are on time.
"I told her to understand and read the script.. The more you said no to a script the better it is today. She enjoys and is passionate about her work," he added.
"Hero", co-produced by Salman Khan Films and Subhas Ghai, is a remake of filmmaker's 1983 movie with the same name.

Ileana D'Cruz doesn't have 'patience' to take selfies

Ileana D'Cruz avoids taking selfies as the actress does not have "patience" to pose for them.
Ileana D'Cruz
Ileana D'Cruz
The "Happy Ending" actress said she was taken aback when she saw a girl's dedication for taking a selfie.
"Stopped at #Starbucks and noticed this girl holding her phone up pouting taking a selfie... For 15 mins! That's some dedication for a photo.
"Now u know why I don't take as many selfies... I just don't have the bloody patience!," D'Cruz, 27, posted on Twitter.
The actress started her showbiz career with Southern films before making it big with Ranbir Kapoor-starrer "Barfi!" followed by "Phata Poster Nikla Hero", "Main Tera Hero" and "Happy Ending".

Amitabh Bachchan and other celebs at a school launch

Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia with Amitabh Bachchan
Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia with Amitabh Bachchan
Several celebs from the film world were spotted at the inauguration of an international school in Juhu.
Poonam Dhillon
Poonam Dhillon
Preeti Jhangiani and Praveen Dabbas
Preeti Jhangiani and Praveen Dabbas. Pics/Satyajit Desai and Yogen Shah

Amitabh Bachchan and other celebs at a school launch

Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia with Amitabh Bachchan
Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia with Amitabh Bachchan
Several celebs from the film world were spotted at the inauguration of an international school in Juhu.
Poonam Dhillon
Poonam Dhillon
Preeti Jhangiani and Praveen Dabbas
Preeti Jhangiani and Praveen Dabbas. Pics/Satyajit Desai and Yogen Shah

Amazon Prime Video reveals the poster of Penguin, Teaser Out on 8th June

Amazon Prime Video today unveiled the poster for the much-awaited psychological thriller - Penguin. A Karthik Subbaraj, Stone Bench Films an...