Khajuraho and Ujjain Bag Awards in Indian Swachhta League 2022 Competition

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Aha has released the latest promo of the SamJam episode which has Rana and Nag Ashwin as the guests.

In the promo, we see Rana speaking about his health problems.

"When life was in fast-forward mode, I came across a pause button and things have changed drastically ever since. It has been a completely new experience for me personally," Rana said.

Rana further added that he faced the threat of potential heart stroke and hemorrhage while being diagnosed for kidney failure.

Samantha said Rana stood like a rock when people around him who were close to him were crumbling. The Daggubati hero sheds a few tears in this episode.

Rana opens up about his health problems in Samantha’s show (Photo:SocialNews.XYZ/NewsHelpline.com)

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Film: We Are Little Zombies

Starring:  Keita Ninomiya, Mondo Okumura,Satoshi Mizuno 

Director: Makoto Nagahisa

Rating: ***1/2

Reviewer: George Sylex

Overview - It's nothing unexpected why We Are Little Zombies won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Originality at the Sundance Film Festival. Like an addictive computer game become animated and blasting at the edge with shading and sound, We Are Little Zombies is one of the most inventive and fun movies of the year.

We Are Little Zombies recounts to the tale of four stranded Japanese teens Hikari (Keita Ninomiya), Ikuko (Sena Nakajima), Ishi (Satoshi Mizuno), and Takemura (Mondo Okumura) who are bereft of feeling. It doesn't make a difference that their folks passed on in repulsive manners – auto collision, self destruction, fire, and murder – the youngsters have never lamented, never at any point shed a tear. They conclude that their new typical, which is currently without power, is a way of life they appreciate and with their freshly discovered feeling of opportunity, choose to shape a pop-electro band. What else would one do?

The Little Zombies is Makoto Nagahisa's first full length film, however, you'd never surmise that from watching it. This movie has none of the peculiarities of a first-time screenwriter, however, rather figures out how to be without a moment's delay creative, confident, and mentally shrewd. The Little Zombies is genuine, yet, in addition mindful, exuberant without being excited, and works in an assortment of visual styles, including a gesture to super-modest computer game designs. It's also exceptionally clever, with Hikari's self evident actuality portrayal just expanding the silliness of his odd perceptions.

The teenagers' indifferent mentalities give the film its hazily comical energy and joined with the in fact propelled camera movements and excessively wanton and many-sided sets, We Are Little Zombies is a true to life accomplishment. It resembles Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim versus the World or a Wes Anderson film on some acid. Kudos to Makoto Nagahisa, who created the film as well as credited as the screenwriter and contributed the music. I couldn't want anything more than to go through a day inside his mind.

In We Are Little Zombies, Nagahisa also goes up against the hackneyed female job in an adventure movie. Without a ring finger, Ikuko is a young lady who can't be possessed, even as her male partners sneak for her warmth. Depicted as a femme fatale, her numb articulations are prime instances of how men mirror their wants on ladies: she's a mother and a sweetheart, an object of unadulterated sexual want to these young men, however in reality, is none of those things. She dismisses those monikers, rather, existing as her own entity.

The second half of the movie changes to a melodic frame, with the four composing a number entitled "Little Zombies." They before long become sucked into the unforgiving and exploitative commercialization of the music business, a business that exploits their particular awful backstories to sell records. The contention of bigger catastrophes prompting snappy and insipid business offer, which can be found in a film like Vox Lux, is played to an increasingly funny impact here.

Final Word - We Are Little Zombies is a multicolored representation of a reality where feelings are gotten to and uncovered essentially through computerized delegates. It's a fortitude completion to an amazingly practiced directorial debut.

The trippy film you'll see this year!

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On Monday, in a conference room of a Marriott hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts, Camille, 71, was ordered to speak about her husband during a deposition connected to a defamation lawsuit filed in a federal court by seven women who allege that statements made by Bill's representatives portray them as liars, after they claimed that he drugged and/or sexually assaulted them, reports people.com.

Yet, in the over seven hours the deposition was held, just two and a half hours were actual testimony.

The remainder of the time was spent going back and forth between lawyers about what Camille could and could not say, and with two phone calls to a judge "to elicit help", said Joseph Cammarata, a lawyer for the women, in a press conference.

"I got the sense she didn't want to be there," Cammarata said. At least "a dozen" times Cosby's attorneys claimed Camille did not have to answer questions due to a rule disqualifying spouses from testifying against each other.

Attorneys for Cosby were not available for comment.

While Cammarata declined to describe what he elicited from Camille, he described the day "as fruitful in a sense and frustrating in a sense. You have to come back and start the process again."

The deposition will resume March 14, either in Springfield or Boston, Cammarata said.

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Guwahati, Feb 9 (IANS) Alcohol, women and parties are not his "taste" when it comes to rapping. Borkung Hrangkhawl, who hails from the northeastern state of Tripura and is a politician's son, likes to regale music lovers with songs that highlight issues like racism and discrimination that is widely faced by the people of the region.

"Singing about clubs, alcohol and ladies are part of rapping, but they are not my taste. Rapping is a gift from god that I want to use in making a difference," Borkung told IANS here on the sidelines of the second edition of Rongali, Assam's destination, culture and harmony festival.

The son of Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, president of the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura, finds the genre interesting as he believes "you can literally tell a story through a rap song".

"Being from Tripura, I felt like I have lots of things to say. My father is a politician. I got inspired by him because he has been working for the welfare of tribal people in Tripura. So, I picked up rapping to tell the stories of my life, people in Tripura and others around it," said Borkung.

"Tribal people's rights in Tripura are being neglected for some reason, probably because of the population ratio... We are declining. Other people have come in and settled there. It's not that I want to chase away others. We just want our rights as Tripuris. I don't want to promote violence or anything against humanity. I want to promote equality and peace," added the 29-year-old.

Talking about violence, the Delhi University alumnus, who began his musical voyage with the hip-hop band DropSquad over five years ago, once got stabbed while strolling in a park in the capital.

"I think it was 2006...I was poked in my chest with a small knife. They poked me three to four times, but it didn't go in by god's grace. I asked them why they tried to do it. They said it's their job. I told them there is no use in doing all this. They thought I was from Nepal.

"Later, they apologised and got me a Bandaid. I could have died. I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. It was a bad experience," he said.

Didn't he feel like returning to his hometown after the incident or on reading about racist attacks on northeast people in the capital?

"I felt like that at one point of time. But I thought why we should run away. We are Indians. I feel that there is a need to bridge the gap.

"Instead of always going to the usual vacation spots in India, they (people from other regions) can go to Guwahati, Tripura or Nagaland. The only thing is that they don't understand our culture. That's the only problem. Otherwise, they are also good human beings," he said.

Borkung, who has delivered hits like "The roots (Chini Haa)", "Never give up" and "The journey", likes to rap in English as he thinks the language has a greater impact.

"I am more fluent in English. I thought it would be more impactful. Though I did sing 'The journey' in Hindi as well," he said.

Is he open to Bollywood?

"If an opportunity comes, I will consider it... Not so commercial though. I would like to work on films like 'Barfi!' as it's different. I don't watch movies for 'masala' sake," said the rapper, who has performed in Chennai, Delhi, Mizoram, Shillong and more.

As of now, he is looking forward to be part of a documentary.

"We are doing a documentary with a few people from Mumbai. I can't reveal much. They want to make a documentary on people who make protest songs. I am excited about it," he said.

(The writer's visit was sponsored by the festival's organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

This Tripura Rapper Fights Discrimination with Music

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Mumbai: Actor Dharmendra and Veteran radio announcer Amin Sayani during the 19th Hira Manek Awards in Mumbai on Jan. 30, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Veteran actor Dharmendra says the day everyone becomes a "good Indian", all the "small issues" which are very prevalent in the country will fade away.

Did his new production "Ghayal Once Again" undergo any trouble as the dynamics of the censor board have changed over the years?

"This country, which we call mother India... Nobody considers it as a mother. Whoever gets whatever in their hands, they do that. But people don't take care of this country. There is some or the other disturbance. If first everyone becomes a good Indian, then things will change," Dharmendra told reporters here while promoting his son Sunny Deol's directorial.

The 80-year-old "Yamla Pagla Deewana" actor added that "the day we become a good Indian, all these small issues will finish."

He also emphasised that knowing Indian culture, "we know what we have to give in films".

"We know our culture and thoughts," Dharmendra said.

"Ghayal Once Again", which will release on Friday, is produced by Dharmendra and stars Sunny and Soha Ali Khan in pivotal roles.

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By Natalia Ningthoujam

Guwahati, Jan 30 (IANS) Assamese actor-singer Zubeen Garg, who puts his fame to good use by raising his voice against groups that dictate terms or strikes in his home state, says artistes can't be ordered to do something and that they should be "rebels with a cause".

India, as a whole, has seen artistes getting barred from performing in the country or not being able to showcase their art without their work being brutally censored. Zubeen, who defied the diktat against singing Hindi numbers during Bihu celebrations three years back in the northeastern state, believes that artistes need to be rebellious for good.

"Artistes can't be dictated. Artistes should be like rebels with a cause. Culture has no barrier. Culture shouldn't be mixed with politics. I fight a lot here and people support me because they love me," the "Ya Ali" fame singer, who enjoys cult status in Assam, told IANS here on the sidelines of the ongoing Rongali - Destination, Culture, Harmony - a festival of Assam.

On the opening day of the fest, which will conclude on Sunday, he performed on some of his numbers including a Bihu song titled "Morilong morilong lagi jai".

And now he is "trying hard" to save the state's popular one-horned rhino, which is considered to be among the world's most endangered species.

"I am doing rallies and awareness programmes to help the rhinos and create awareness about the animal," he said.

The artiste, who has been entertaining the masses for over two decades, is also trying to push the regional film industry.

"I got camera equipments here to promote our film industry. I am also working on my film 'Mission China', which is probably the costliest film in Assam. The budget is expected to go up to Rs.2 crore. It's a seasonal film, so, I can shoot only in winter.

"I had to wait for summer to end. I will start shooting soon and release it in October," he said about the bilingual film, which will be released in Assamese and Bengali.

His dedication to projects and people in Assam are in a way keeping him away from Bollywood.

"I sang in many Bollywood films, then I got bored with Mumbai and I have so many responsibilities here and even in Bengal. I have so many projects. Plus, I do a lot of social activities. I have an institute called Abhinaya that I am promoting as much as I can. Then I do a lot of shows every month," said the "Dil tu hi bataa" hitmaker.

He might not be regularly seen in the mainstream space, but his fans across the country will soon get to hear him singing in a "big movie" soon.

"I recently sang in one big movie titled 'Kabil'. Hrithik Roshan is the lead actor. It is Rakesh Roshan's movie. I will be visiting Mumbai next month for Mahesh Bhatt's film," he said.

(The writer's visit has been sponsored by the festival's organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

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Singer Zubeen Garg  (Photo: IANS)

Guwahati, Jan 30 (IANS) Zubeen Garg, who has acquired cult status in Assam, got undivided attention of theatre and music lovers at the Rongali -- Destination, Culture, Harmony -- a festival of Assam, when he hit the stage as an actor and later as a singer.

The three-day fest, which also has exhibitions of horticulture and handicraft products, and northeast cuisine, started on Friday.

Rongali aims to promote Assam as an adventure sports destination. It took the first step towards it by starting the day one of the fest with aero sports like parasailing, paragliding and paramotoring. In fact, Zubeen launched the first flight. He flew over the mighty river Brahmaputra for half an hour.

"It was a lot of fun. I love doing adventurous things. If you promote such activities nicely, I am sure Assam can be an adventure sports destination. Assam has the potential," Zubeen told IANS prior to his performance here.

After catching an aerial view of the city, his Abhinaya team presented noted Assamese playwright-songwriter Jyoti Prasad Agarwala's "immortal drama" titled "Karengor Ligiri". He sang and portrayed a role in the play.

"I did a cameo. It's a very old play. It's a simple love story. It's a periodic one with kings and queens. I tried to give Opera music to it," he said.

Soon after the play, musicians Mayukh Hazarika and Anaya Brahma entertained the attendees with their songs that were mostly in Assamese.

Zubeen concluded the first day of the fest with his peppy numbers.

With his band mates taking charge of instruments like guitar and drums, he started off with a catchy Assamese number "Mayabini raatir bukut".

The "Ya Ali" hitmaker also paid tribute to the legendary composer S.D. Burman by singing "Sun mere bandhu re" from the 1959 movie "Sujata".

That wasn't the only Hindi song that he picked for the evening. "Dil tu hi bataa" from "Krrish 3" also made it to the list of songs for the gig. Singer Zublee Baruah increased the entertainment quotient by joining him on stage for the song.

The audience enjoyed each and every number played by Zubeen,A who turned up in a pair of white pants, shirt and a jacket with a bandana. But it was Bihu songs that were on the lips of the crowd.

He finally gave in to their demand and performed on his Bihu song "Morilong morilong lagi jai".

While some did the Bihu dance on their spot, others got close to the stage and matched steps with the strong beats.

The fest, which is being organised by a socio-cultural trust of Assam Trend MMS in association with Hotel & Restaurants Association of Assam, Assam Tourism, department of cultural affairs, government of Assam, and Ministry of Youth Affairs, government of India, will see performances by celebrated names like Amjad Ali Khan and Papon in the remaining two days.

(The writer's visit has been sponsored by the festival's organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

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Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS)

Live from Polo Grounds, Delhi University, Hungama users will have an opportunity to listen to their favourite Punjabi singers like Jazzy B, Jassi Gill, Babbal Rai, Guru Randhawa, Sukh E, amongst many others performing at the music festival.

"“As an artist, it gives me immense pleasure that our performance will be seen not only by the audiences at the event but also by millions of people across the country. Digital platforms today help us take our music to the masses and help increase the scope of the industry as a whole",” Jazzy B said in a statement.

“"I am glad that Crossblade is being live streamed and look forward to more such instances in future where our performances can be taken to youth across India",” he added.

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Mumbai: Singer Pritam Chakraborty during the launch of Eid special song titled Aaj ki party meri taraf se from the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Mumbai on July 3, 2015. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) Music composer Pritam is eager to fulfill his dream of many years - to come out with his album - and says it might come out soon.

"I dream about a personal album every year but I just don't get the time for it. There are numerous films which I have to deliver, so I get less time but definitely it's on my mind to come up with my own album and you can hear it soon," said Pritam in a press meet before performing at the Royal Stag Barrel MTV Unplugged Season 5 on Saturday.

About the possible genre of his album, he said: "I have all kind of ideas, it depends on the idea with which we proceed. Only when we'll make the album, will I be able to tell, it's too early. This year I have five releases and my whole year will get spent in readying these songs."

The five films are all big films - "Dangal", "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", "Jagga Jasoos", "Azhar" and "Dishoom".

Pritam has been in the industry for 15 years now, having started out with Jeet Gannguli in the first few films before they parted ways. But he has chalked out back-to-back songs for numerous films in numerous genres over the years.

Regarding his favourite genre, he said: "I have done about 100-102 films, and I have done all kind of genres. I have done dark romantic films... like I've extensively worked with Vishesh Films, with the Bhatts, action genre, Punjabi and romantic films. But doing romantic films, rom-com or a bit dark romantic or intense, passionate romantic like Vishesh Films' genre is what I like the most.

"Also at this stage of my life, I have kind of decided to try and stay away from action films and comedy films - the films where music is not that important."

Pritam prefers composing music according to the script.

"When you're a film music director, it becomes important that you do what the film exactly demands, the film's boundaries define the kind of music it'll have.

"The music changes according to the movie. In the way the characters change, my music template also has to be changed otherwise it wouldn't fit the film, neither will it help the film nor the film helps it."

Despite taking a sabbatical, he still had three big releases last year - "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", "Phantom" and "Dilwale" - all of which were appreciated and liked.

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Dubai, Jan 26 (IANS) Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor on Tuesday booked a two-bedroom flat in 'Ritz by Danube' housing project here and sought similar investments by fellow Indians.

Addressing a press conference in this populous city of the United Arab Emirates, the veteran actor was in his element as he told media persons how it was his "Sindhi" wife Sunita Kapoor who okayed the deal in Mumbai a fortnight ago.

"I am an actor and must admit that I do not have that nose to smell business, but my better half being Sindhi is apt at it" he said amid guffaws from those he was addressing.

Calling Dubai his "second home" which over the years had endeared itself to him and his family, he said the "deal appeared lucrative" as real estate was set to appreciate in value in the city owing to the World Expo-2020.

He said Danube Group chairman Rizwan Sajan informed them about Spanish technology being used in the project to optimise the use of space, which was another reason to go in for the buy.

Sporting a beard and dressed in a black suit to match, Kapoor admitted candidly how he was behaving like a real estate agent himself by praising the Danube Group's project.

The actor later told IANS that property in Mumbai was "out of reach for even the richest" and that he and his wife had a harrowing time in finding an appropriate place for their actress daughter Sonam Kapoor.

"Either the place was not good or it was not affordable," he said, contrasting his experience in Mumbai with his Dubai buy which was "both within reach and good".

Sajan said 'Ritz by Danube' was a 300 million Dh project being planned in Al Furjan neighbourhood in Jebel Ali area that was in close proximity to Dubai south, the Dh 120 billion and 140-square km mixed use development, which will host the Al Maktoum International airport and the World Expo 2020.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)

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Kolkata, Jan 22 (IANS) Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Aditya Vikram Sengupta on Friday questioned the need for superhero films in Hindi, specifically when India has its rich mythology to draw from.

"Children in India are relating to it (films like 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'Avengers'). Why do they need to see it in Hindi? Are they getting dissatisfied because of the language," Ali countered a query from an audience member at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here on Friday.

He was asked whether there is a gap between Hollywood and Hindi films in the genre of superhero films for kids.

Ali explained that though Bollywood films like "Krrish" have been successful, Hollywood keeps churning out enough superhero entertainers.

"For the audience of superheroes in India, do we need to make films in Hindi specifically or is Hollywood doing the job already? So why do we try to fit into that slot," he asked.

The "Tamasha" maker expressed his desire to "make a superhero type of movie which perhaps could be from Indian mythology".

The National Award winner Sengupta added to the discussion by saying that Indian mythology is replete with superheroes like Hanuman.

"I heard from someone that the US doesn't have a rich mythology as we have and so they have the superheroes to make up for it," observed Sengupta.

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New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) Considering the virtual popularity of the Bollywood talent hunt show, acting portal Bombaycasting.com, which launched an online audition round on January 6, has extended the last date for entries from January 21 to February 14.

The online portal, which is the brainchild of producer Sunil Bohra, embarked on an endeavour to turn people’s Bollywood dream into a reality with a online talent show, which garnered attention from foreign shores as well.

People from Britain, the US and UAE have sent in their entries. The portal also hired spots on a news channel to provide an impetus to its popularity.

The site visit is said to have crossed the 100,000 mark and is drawing traffic from across India, including from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

According to an official statement from the platform's founder, the last date of the contest was January 21. But looking at the requests pouring in from all quarters the deadline has been extended.

The team decided that "life gives us many a chances and so should we also give chances to the contestants."

"Hence, the deadline has now been pushed to February 14. The management is also contemplating hiring extra manpower to tide over the sea of applicants that will log in due to the deadline being pushed," the statement read.

Bollywood directors Aanand L.Rai, Hansal Mehta and Tigmanshu Dhulia have taken charge to spot three stars in the making.

The aspirants have to just log on to the site and record their audition online. As many as three aspirants will be discovered from the talent hunt, and the winner will get Rs.11 lakh and an acting contract with a leading filmmaker. The first and second runners-up will get cash prize of Rs.500,000 and Rs.200,000 respectively.

All the winners will get 100 days of work on various projects, such as movies, documentaries and advertisements.

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Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) While cricket is almost considered a religion in India, it is often tagged by many as a "male dominated game" and to change this perception, Star Plus has launched its new offering "Tamanna" here.

The show will feature the unconventional tale of an aspiring women cricketer, who travels through different phases in her life to achieve her goals.

Featuring Anuja Sathe as the protagonist Dharaa Solanki, "Tamanna", which starts on February 1, is a finite series that is touted to challenge the mentality that people that a woman's dreams come with an expiry date.

"I don't know why cricket is seen as a male dominated game. There is no expiry date to a woman's dreams - that's what the aim of this show is," Ajinkya Deo, producer of the show, said at the launch.

"There is no big difference in 'Tamanna' as compared to other shows. But what sets it apart is its concept. While we see a lot of 'saas-bahu' talks in other soap opera, these conversations will be less in 'Tamanna'," Deo said.

Apart from Anuja, "Tamanna", which has been shot across various locations in Gujarat and Mumbai, will also feature Ketki Dave, Kiran Karmarkar, Harsh Chhaya and Vishal Gandhi among others.

As cricket plays a big part in the storyline of "Tamanna", the show was launched in a unique style where a friendly match was organised between the stars of the show and media persons.

Kiran, best known for his roles in shows like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Uttaran", said: "I don't think many of us know how many women cricketers are there. We can't even name one of them even when we know Saina Nehwal (Badminton player) and Sania Mirza (Tennis player). Every person has the right to live up to his or her dreams. Still very few girls get a chance to fulfill their dreams."

Talking about her role of Dharaa, Anuja told IANS: "It is a character which I can relate myself to. Though she is simple and belongs to a middle class family, at the same time she is strong and has an unconventional dream of becoming a cricketer."

Anuja, who has previously worked in few Marathi shows, is making her Hindi TV debut with "Tamannna".

"I am nervous about getting in front of the national audience. I have worked for six years in Marathi television. But this show is the biggest of all," she said.

"Tamanna" is said to be an inspiration for those women who feel that their dreams end after marriage and motherhood.

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Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) Chhaya -- the younger of the two daughters adopted by Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon -- is set to tie the knot in Goa on January 25. The actress will walk her down the aisle.

"Off to Goa for my younger one's wedding... going to be a hulla gulla (noisy) week," Raveena posted on Twitter on Thursday.

According to a source close to the "Mohra" actress, it will be a Hindu-Catholic wedding in Goa as the groom is based in the state.

Earlier in 2011, Raveena had got her older adopted daughter Pooja married.

She had adopted the two girls as a single mother back in the 1990s.

Raveena is married to film distributor Anil Thadani. Together, they have a daughter named Rasha and son named Ranbir.

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Mumbai: Actor Kunal Kapoor during the 81st birthday celebration of filmmaker Shyam Benegal, in Mumbai on Dec 14, 2015. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Actor Kunal Kapoor has bruised arms, but he isn't complaining as he is absolutely loving enacting sword fighting sequences for his upcoming film "Veeram".

"Side effects of shooting sword fighting sequences for a week. Bruised battered but loving it #Veeram," Kunal captioned a photograph which shows his arm with cuts.

He had earlier tweeted about the difficulty in doing action sequences during rain.

"Shooting action scenes in the rain for the last 10 days! Every cell in my body is waterlogged. Don't wanna see water for a long time after this," he had shared on the micro-blogging site.

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Peshawar, Jan 17 (IANS) The birthplace of Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor has been partially demolished by its owner here in Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday.

Officials of the archaeology directorate said they made an eleventh-hour attempt on Saturday to save the historic building located in Dhaki Munawar Shah area of the walled city but failed.

By then, however, the top floor of the 98-year-old four-storey "Kapoor Haveli" was pulled down, the Dawn said. They said the rest of the building was badly damaged.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had earlier declared the houses of Peshawar-born Bollywood actors Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar as heritage to protect and preserve them.

The officials told Dawn that they learned about the demolition of the house on Saturday morning and sought police help to halt the razing.

They complained that instead of stopping the razing, police officials got into formalities and sought a written application.

After much haggling, police personnel followed us to the site and the demolition stopped, an official was quoted as saying.

Born on December 14, 1924, Raj Kapoor began to act at the age of 10 years and became one of the best known actors, producers and directors, enjoying global audiences, particularly in Asia and Europe.

His first film was "Inquilab" (1935). He earned fame with "Neel Kamal" in 1947 and set up the RK Films banner in 1948. His memorable hits include "Boot Polish", "Sangam", "Mera Naam Joker", "Awaara" and "Shree 420". He got the Padma Bhushan in 1971 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Dawn said the archaeology directorate wanted a police case registered against the house owner.

The current owner claimed to have a notice of the municipal authorities asking him to pull down the structure "as its condition was too precarious and it could collapse any time", the report said.

The official, however, said that despite the damage, Raj Kapoor's house was stable. We will watch the building closely to save it from further destruction.

Police said four labourers working at the building were taken into custody but later freed.

Local councillor Mian Zulfiqar told Dawn that residents had been warning authorities that the structure was fragile and it threatened their lives.

The archaeology department woke up only when it heard about demolition. It never bothered to check the structure for stability and damages following the earthquakes, he said.

Zulfiqar said if it was a heritage building, the directorate should have taken care of it earlier instead of waiting for it to cave in.

The Sarhad Conservation Network said the demolition had shocked the civil society and heritage lovers of Peshawar.

It said the building would soon become history if the government didnt take immediate measures to protect it.

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Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Singer Pawni Pandey says after singing for Salman Khan-starrer "Bodyguard" in 2011, she started getting "lots of opportunities".

"After singing for film 'Bodyguard', things didn't change rapidly. It was a slow process. But I must say, I got lots of opportunities after that. I sang for 'Gulaab Gang', 'Fugly', 'Welcome Back'," Pandey told IANS.

"After 'Bodyguard', people started meeting me and they got the assurance that I can do a good job. Perspective of people changes after working with a huge production house," said Pandey, a former "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs" contestant.

As of now, she is excited about her latest song "Aa ja mahi ve" in the upcoming film "BHK Bhalla@Halla.Kom".

"It's a beautiful song that I sang for 'BHK Bhalla@Halla.Kom'. These days, we don't get briefing of the situation of songs so, it's just the lyrics that speaks for itself. According to lyrics, it's quite a romantic and sensuous song. But it's beautifully written," she said.

Directed by Rakesh Chaturvedi, "BHK Bhalla@Halla.Kom" has been co-produced by 9 Production, GM Film Production and RCOM Productions. It will release on February 5.

--Indo-Asian News service
uma/nn/vt

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New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) The country's disc jockeys have the ability to make a splash internationally, but can do so only with their indigenous style and not by aspiring to match standards set by foreign DJs, says Delhi-based DJ Kerano, who feels there's a dire need for Indians to value homegrown talent.

All of 22, Kerano, who dabbles in progressive house music, has already collaborated with Polish producer and DJ Tom Swoon for a single titled "Here I Stand". That apart, he has played at grand music festivals like Sunburn and Enchanted Valley Carnival.

In an interview to IANS, Kerano said: "We need to stop using the West as a standard and instead do your own thing, have our own market and take that market globally."

"Right now, if I go and produce music like a certain DJ in the West... when he has already done it, it's not really going to make a big difference if I do it. We should do our own thing and make original music. Then, we can nail it (internationally)," he said, stressing on the need for originality among musicians here.

Kerano feels that under the influence of content from the West, being original is tough for a lot of artistes. He, however, also blames the lack of marketing and promotion of Indian talent within the country.

"When an international artiste comes to India, there is so much of hype that people think that 'I want to be like that guy'. So they start doing what the international talent does," he said, adding that primarily, the Indians should value Indian artistes more.

"From the marketing point of view, when an international DJ comes, there is a lot more marketing than when a local DJ is playing. It's always a local DJ playing an opening set for an international artiste if you see. Obviously, then the hype is more... for example, we had French DJ David Guetta coming, and the amount of media attention and hype that is created will obviously lead to a much better turnout," Kerano said.

"Promoters, producers and media should treat Indian talent as real talent. We need to value Indian artistes more. That is how it will grow," added Kerano, who performed last month at the Sunburn Goa Festival, where top international DJs like Kygo, Martin Garrix, David Guetta and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike took to the stage.

Among the Indian DJs who regaled music aficionados were Anish Sood, Avantika Bakshi and DJ Shaan.

Kerano also believes that if music producers and DJs do more collaborations, the popularity of electronic dance music -- which is only expanding over the years -- can be taken to "the next level" in the country.

(Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in)

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New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Being or calling someone a criminal is a matter of perspective, said acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Sudhir Mishra.

"Who is a criminal is a matter of perspective", he said at the second edition of the Crime Writers Festival which started on Saturday.

"Story telling is to make people ask questions, to take away the veneer," he said adding that crime fiction did that better than literary fiction.

Mishra's upcoming movie is an adaptation of Devdas turned upon its head, Dasdev and it's Sarat Chandra meets Shakespeare mediated by Sudhir Mishra, he said, also adding that the young new directors bringing in a breath of fresh air to Hindi cinema.

He also suggested that North Indians watch Marathi cinema for a sense of what contemporary Indian cinema had to offer.

Mentioning that he had just watched Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight", he said: "Bad work of a good director is more interesting than the good work of a bad director."

In another session, award winning French author Veronique Ovalde spoke of the difficulties of being a female crime writer, noting that it was only because she was so determined that she was ever published. In conversation with festival director Lady Kishwar Desai, she said that literature saved her life. At heart a reader, she said, "I need to be surprised by my text."

Piergiorgio Pulixi from Italy and Clara Penalver from Spain brought a fresh, international perspective to the festival, reading from their respective books. While Clara preferred a more mellow pace with an inward focus, Piergiorgio's excerpt featured three bodies, an arrest and a dirty cop all in one chapter.

Earlier in the opening session, festival director Namita Gokhale said that that the proliferation of crime fiction in India suggested the maturing of society, with it moving away from the vendetta fantasies of Hindi cinema to more nuanced explorations of truth.

In the session titled "The Gangsters of Dalal Street", R.V. Raman and Ravi Subramanian, two bankers turned writers, spoke of the vastness of financial fraud in India.

While Subramanian maintained that he was not out to change the world and merely wanted to tell people stories from the world of banking, Raman admitted that there was a sense of moral outrage when he wrote about the scams. "It isn't about people who are doing wrong; it's about the innocents that get punished," he said.

In "Dial M for Mafia", Vivek Agrawal told Aditi Maheshwari about his thrilling career as a crime reporter covering the Mumbai underworld and how willpower and honesty were his greatest protection against the wrath of the dons.

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New Delhi: Director Imtiaz Ali during a programme ``Perfect Strokes Season 2`` in New Delhi on Dec. 5, 2015. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 15 (IANS) Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says he doesn't want to be cut off from theatre.

"I wish that I remain involved with theatre in some way or the other. And I also wish that like earlier times, I get involved in theatre full-fledged and do plays irrespective of my work in it. It might be direction or something else. I don't want to cut off from theatre.

"If I feel capable or if there is an urge, maybe I'll write and maybe I'll direct," Ali said at the Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival on Wednesday.

His 2015 release "Tamasha" also had theatre as a strong backdrop.

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Bharatnatyam Dance Recital by Shashrek Ambardar

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) The mere mention of Bharatnatyam will evoke images of sculpturesque poses and vivid expression of emotions, of dancers swaying to rhythmic Carnatic music. However, young and dynamic Bharatnatyam dancer Shashrek Ambardar lends a refreshing touch to one of India’s most-loved classical art forms by attempting a unique synthesis between Carnatic and Hindustani music styles.

Choreographed by renowned danseuse and actress Sindhu Mishra, and performed solo by her young disciple Ambardar, the recital is in Hindi and offers a unique synthesis between two different musical forms.

“We are hopeful that this unique experiment will be loved and appreciated by the people. I thank our troupe and my guru for giving me this opportunity,” said Ambardar, who has been learning Bharatnatyam for the past 14 years. While not foregoing his passion for dance, Ambardar plans to take up policymaking in the future.

A student of Economics at Delhi University, Ambardar was conferred with the National Balshree Honour in 2009.

Explaining the unique features of the dance recital, Mishra said she and her team have worked tremendously hard on this recital to offer something different and enchanting to lovers of classical Indian dance.

“This recital is different for its unique amalgamation of Hindustani and Carnatic music not just in rhythms but also in vocals. The vocal renditions are in both Hindustani and Carnatic, and this lends a unique blend to the traditional South Indian dance form,” she said.

The entire Varnam displays the Sringar Ras of the Nayak (and not the Nayaki), depicted through the episode where Rama has a glimpse of Sita for the first time in a garden before the Dhanush Yagya,” she said.

Presented by Aayam Cultural Society, the performance will take place on Friday at 6 pm at LTG Auditorium, Mandi House.

While Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra will be the chief guest at the performance, it will be attended by Sonal Mansingh, and other veteran artists including Raja Reddy, Bhajan Sopori and Bharti Shivaji.

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Kolkata, Jan 13 (IANS) With acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal heading a committee set up to revamp the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt believes one shouldn't be scared to exercise his or her freedom of expression despite pressure from the central government.

"You will have to fight because there will be pressure from the government... whoever comes into power. You will get threats to curb your voice but you shouldn't be afraid because India's Constitution has given you the right to freedom of expression," Bhatt told a TV channel here when asked on Benegal's involvement.

Bollywood celebrities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Anupam Kher and Kabir Bedi hailed the decision by the government to form a committee headed by Benegal to revamp the CBFC, which has been mired in controversies recently.

Asked who will be cast in the lead in the Hindi version of Srijit Mukherji's Bengali film "Rajkahini", which Bhatt is producing, he said the announcement will be made shortly.

"We (Srijit and I) have started working on it. Soon you will see its Hindi version with a new interpretation," added Bhatt, but refused to divulge whether actress Vidya Balan or Rituparna Sengupta will essay the lead.

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Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Actress Taapsee Pannu has been signed as the brand ambassador of "Celebrity Cricket League 6" (CCL).

"I have always been inclined towards sports. The difference being, I watch all other sports with my mind but cricket with my heart. Cricket and movies being the only two religions of this country, it's beautiful to see them merge as one during CCL",” Taapsee said in a statement.

On the film front, she will be seen in "Ghazi" and "Hunkar".

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New Delhi: Director Imtiaz Ali during a programme ``Perfect Strokes Season 2`` in New Delhi on Dec. 5, 2015. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Vikas Bahl will inaugurate the first edition of the annual Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival here on Wednesday.

Organised by Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, the non-ticketed event will conclude on January 17.

"Theatre is my first love. Whatever I am today, I owe it to the theatre. It has given me a purpose in life and this is my way of paying back to the theatre in a small way. Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival is the first step in that direction and I would like it to become an annual event," Mukesh Chhabra said in a statement.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a performance by lyricist-musician Swanand Kirkire. The festival, which will be held at the Sathaye College here, will conclude with a session of poetry reading and music performance by actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana followed by a poetry reading by actor Piyush Mishra.

The fest will feature five plays namely Chittaranjan Tripathi's "Gunno Bai", Ishteyak Arif Khan's "Shadow of Othello", Dheerendra Dwivedi's "Old Munk", Prashant Kumar's "Blackbird" and Ram Ji Bali's "Koi Baat Chale".

Produced by Mukesh's father T.C. Chhabra, all the plays apart from "Shadow of Othello" will be performed here for the first time.

"My father introduced me to the theatre and I am happy that he has started this initiative," Mukesh added.

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New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The melodies and tunes of Indian music have found a way into the heart of Swedish DJ Axwell, but he is having a tough time in cracking the Hindi musical code. The Grammy-nominated artiste says language barrier is stopping him from blending in Hindi vocals into his electronic music.

Axwell, who has been getting his sound-box to Indian soils since a long time, also took notice of the growing electronic dance music (EDM) party scene in the country, and hopes Indians remain inquisitive about music like they have always been.

I have been trying to figure this out, but you know it is so hard because I dont understand the language. I would love to take some vocals from here and there which Ive heard in the Indian songs, but since I dont understand I might take a really weird sentence you know, and that wont make any sense. So, it is kind of a hard thing to do, Axwell told IANS.

Axwell, who along with his music partner Sebastian Ingrosso finds a spot in the top 100 DJs list by djmag.com on the 17th position, added: It (India) is a great place to come and its (EDM party scene) will grow bigger. I just hope that the people of India will still stay excited like they have always been.

Axwell, whose real name is Sven Axel Christofer Hedfors, first entered the world of music about two decades back, and swirled his way to success with his fast paced and edgy music. His ticket to fame was becoming a part of electronic dance music heavyweight Swedish House Mafia, through which he went on a global tour with songs like Don't you worry child, Miami 2 Ibiza and Save the world.

The group - comprising Axwell, Ingrosso and Steve Angello, parted ways in 2013. However, Axwell continues to work with Ingrosso, and the duo is credited for songs like Sun is shining, Something new and the most recent Dream bigger, which they released on the New Year's eve.

Axwell toured India with Swedish House Mafia in 2012 and 2013, with Ingrosso in 2014, and has been a part of music festivals since 2007. He brought the party back to India last month at Vh1 Supersonic 2015, which was held in Goa.

He gave fans of Swedish House Mafia a reason to cheer by hinting reuniting of the group. Question him about the chances of the trio recreating the magic again, and the music producer is quick to note that I think that is still small.

The year may not be about reconciling, but Axwell feels 2016 is a big year for music. It will be going in many directions. People are trying many things, people want to develop.

He also shares that paving a place in the musical world is much easier today than when we started back in 2000, when the social media was not that big. We had to put record sets on vinyl which was quite expensive.

So, to get a break was bit harder, because you to get a record label to invest in order to get your record out. These days, people can just put it up on Soundcloud for free. So I think it is probably easier these days.

Talking of his inspirations, he said that everything around him from small to big inspires him, adding that state of mind decides the emotion of songs.

He said: I get inspired by everything... But then again I just get inspired while I am making music, I get inspired by the music itself.

And sometimes you are in a mode when you feel personal and emotional, which is when you make certain tracks, and then sometimes you are in a more rave mode where you make music like a banger where you know people will go crazy. So it just depends on the state of mind.

(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in)

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Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) Actors Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur flagged off the fourth edition of Max Bupa Walk for Health here on Sunday. The initiative has been inspiring thousands of families to walk more to enhance their overall health and well-being.

Extending support to the initiative, Akshay said in a statement: "Walking is an intrinsic part of my fitness regime. I strongly believe that walking is a great way to stay fit and encourage everyone to start walking, since it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get healthier.

"I urge the whole of India to pledge to walk and take a step towards good health."

Nimrat also shared a similar view.

"Regular walking should be practised by all ages as it not only keeps you fit and energised but also makes you look fabulous and in-shape all the time. I'm a walking enthusiast and go for a regular morning walk to the beach.

"Walking is a great way for women to stay fit and I encourage everyone to start walking as it is the easiest and the best way to get healthy," she said.

In an attempt to encourage the entire nation to walk more and discover the multiple benefits of walking, Max Bupa Walk for Health this year has transformed into a 33-day walking event which will touch upon 15 cities including Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, and will conclude in Delhi on February 14.

Akshay, Nimrat Encourage People to 'Walk for Health'

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Pakistani ghazal singer Ustad Ghulam Ali. (File Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 10 (PTI) Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, whose several concerts recently were cancelled due to protests, has lent his voice to a patriotic song in an upcoming movie.

Its director-producer Suhaib Ilyasi says Ali will launch the music of "Ghar Wapsi" here on January 29.

If he attends, it will be his first event in the city after his concert in October was scrapped following threats from Shiv Sena.

The music launch will also be attended by singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Sonu Nigam, Ilyasi said.

Ali will feature in the song "Apni mitti ki khoosboo hain rago mein yeh basi hai... chhomenge isko shaan se. Humko toh pyara hain yeh watan, apni jaan se" from the movie, which also stars Alok Nath and Farida Jalal.

"I hope the 'Ghar Wapsi' music launch will be smooth and successful without any hiccups," Ilyasi said.

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Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) Actor Akshay Kumar will be seen promoting his forthcoming reality drama film “Airlift” in the TV show “India's Best Dramebaaz”.

“On the sets of @ZeeTV's India's Best Dramebaaz today (Saturday),enjoying all the #dramebaazi! These kids will #Airlift your mood! @AirliftFilm #IBD,” Akshay posted on Twitter on Saturday.

Filmmaker Sajid Khan, who is seen on the judging panel of the show alongside actors Vivek Oberoi and Sonali Bendre, also took to the micro-blogging site to share a photograph of himself with Akshay and his “Airlift” actress Nimrat Kaur.

“#indiasbestdramebaaz airlifted by my friend @akshaykumar and @NimratOfficial,” tweeted Sajid, who has worked with Akshay in films like “Heyy Babyy”, “Housefull” and “Housefull 2”.

Meanwhile, Vivek also shared an image with his fans on Twitter.

He wrote: “With my brothers @akshaykumar and @SimplySajidK rocking it on the sets of #IndiasBestDramebaaz @ZeeTV,” he wrote.

The special episode featuring the “Airlift” stars will be aired next week on Zee TV.

Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, the film will release on January 22.

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Actor Vivek Oberoi. (File Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) Actor Vivek Oberoi, who is busy judging the talent hunt show India's Best Dramebaaz, says he is all set to turn producer this year.

"I am busy setting up my production company. I am all set to turn producer this year. I have two to three scripts ready and we are still deciding on the best script, Vivek told IANS.

Ask, Vivek if he will also be acting in his produced films, he added: "It depends on the script. If the film needs me to be part of it then I will happily do that.

Meanwhile, the actor is enjoying the role of the judge on "India's Best Dramebaaz" and thanks the makers to allow him to judge the second season as well.

"There is so much of negativity around us so these kind of shows takes you to a different world altogether. I am glad that I am judging the second season of this show as well."

The talent hunt show puts children in the age range of 5-13 years through a series of tasks and challenges that will groom them as actors and test their creativity, spontaneity and acting capabilities.

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Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS)

The 50-year-old, who was playing lawyer K.D. Pathak, a criminal lawyer in the show, took to Twitter to share the news about show on Saturday.

"To all those who are asking. Yes. We are working towards bringing 'Adaalat' back. @SonyTV," he tweeted.

"Adaalat" aired from 2010 to 2015 on Sony Entertainment Television channel.

The last episode of the TV series was aired on July 11 last year.

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Mumbai: Actress Katrina Kaif during the Van Heusen GQ Fashion Nights 2015 Day 2 in Mumbai on Dec 2, 2015. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS) Actress Katrina Kaif neither denied nor confirmed if she'll be opposite Shah Rukh Khan in "Don 3" or Hrithik Roshan in Kabir Khan's film but only said she "prays" that films are "happening with her".

Asked if she was part of "Don 3", she said: "That's incredible if that's true. This is all good news to me."

To queries if she will be seen in Kabir Khan's next project with Hrithik, to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, she laughingly said: "These are both amazing films, I pray that they're happening and that they're happening with me."

Katrina was speaking to reporters at a radio station where she came as part of promotions for "Fitoor". She has previously worked with "Don" Shah Rukh in Yash Chopra's "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" and has worked with Hrithik in "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".

There were initially reports which claimed that Priyanka Chopra, who was part of the earlier two films, would be dropped from the "Don" franchise. But Farhan had claimed in November last year that except for Shah Rukh reprising the character, nothing had been finalized, not even the script.

Katrina and Kabir have given hits like "New York" and "Ek Tha Tiger" and she had worked in his last film "Phantom" opposite Saif Ali Khan. Her chemistry with Hrithik has been appreciated always as seen in "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Bang Bang".

About a recent report stating that she spent two hours on "Sultan" sets convincing superstar Salman Khan to cast her, she denied it. "Nothing of that sort happened. Actually we were dubbing for 'Fitoor' and Ali Abbas Zafar, the director of 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' had his shooting going on there. And I haven't gone on anyone's set."

Katrina's next release after "Fitoor" will be "Baar Baar Dekho" opposite Sidharth Malhotra in September.

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Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS) Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma has been finalised as the female lead opposite superstar Salman Khan for the upcoming film "Sultan", said a statement from Yash Raj Films on Friday.

Anushka, who made her debut in Hindi cinema in 2008 took to Twitter, to share a photograph of herself hugging the "Dabangg" star.

The "NH10" actress captioned the image saying: "Sultan".

Produced by Aditya Chopra and written-directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, "Sultan", which has been shot in Karjat, is reportedly based on the life of a wrestler.

One of the fittest stars of Bollywood, Salman has gone through intensive training for wrestling and mixed martial arts for Zafar's directorial with international action director Larnell Stovall.

"Sultan" is slated to release on Eid 2016.

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Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS)

"I've read the book and I've seen the films that have been made on it. So when I got the script from Abhishek, I really just judged it on as an entirely new movie because most of the people who'll see the film will probably not have read the book," said Katrina, who was present with her co-star Aditya Roy Kapur and director Abhishek Kapoor to promote the film at a radio station.

"Honestly, I found it to be one of the most romantic stories I've ever heard and ever read. For me, that was instantly where I wanted to be a part of it because I think everybody loves romance and passion. And this film just depicted it in a beautiful, classic way," she added.

"Great Expectations", first published in 1861, has been adapted into various films, plays and television shows and even novels.

After adapting Chetan Bhagat's "Three Mistakes Of My Life" for "Kai Po Che", Kapoor has taken up a novel again.

"I had read the book several years earlier, during my childhood in school. The heart and soul of the book are very basic... in any country or place, people are able to relate to this story because it is about love and about heartbreak.

"I thought this story will be amazing for our Indian audiences, who will like the story... When the story is made for our people, we need to adapt it slightly so that it can create the right impact on them," he added.

However, lead actor Aditya, who plays a character inspired from the character Pip, hasn't read the book. "Gattu (Abhishek) had adapted the book into a script. And If I was going to read the book and those elements are not going to be there in the script, then it would not make any sense because I'd be looking for things that don't exist.

"I have to just take whatever is there in the script and develop my character based on that. So I didn't want to cloud my judgment by reading the book, then reading the script, because I would get confused," he said.

"Fitoor" also stars Tabu in a pivotal role.

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Chennai: Stills of film Irudhi Suttru. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS) Actor R. Madhavan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani have planned a special event to introduce Ritika Singh - the female lead of the forthcoming film "Saala Khadoos".

"Ritika is a real life boxer and hence, Rajkumar Hirani and R. Madhavan have planned a special event for a launch. This would be a unique event as a sports personality is getting a Bollywood launch," a spokesperson of the film said in a statement.

Ritika, a national-level kick boxer, has also learnt mixed martial arts.

"Saala Khadoos", co-produced by Rajkumar Hirani Films and Tricolour Films in association with UTV Motion Pictures, revolves around Madhavan, who is relentlessly pushing his protege Ritika to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals.

The Sudha Kongara-directorial is set to release on January 29.

Event Planned to Introduce Female Lead Of 'Saala Khadoos'

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