An excited Yami Gautam has started shooting for her upcoming film “Action Jackson”. The actress took to Twitter to share her eagerness to start the shoot.
“'Action Jackson' day one...super excited,” Yami posted on the microblogging site Monday.
Directed by Prabhudheva, the film also stars Ajay Devgn, Kunaal Roy Kapur and Sonakshi Sinha and will hit screens April 11 next year.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is busy shooting Farah Khan's “Happy New Year” with his co-star Boman Irani, but the two make sure not to ignore their love for video game PlayStation 4.
Farah took to Twitter to talk about their “dedication” to the game.
“We have packed up just now at 1 am! But Shah Rukh Khan and Boman Irani, who had wrapped at 8.30 p.m. (are) still in van playing PS4,” Farah posted on the microblogging site Monday.
The comedy also stars Sonu Sood and Abhishek Bachchan.
Director Abhishek Sharma says "Tere Bin Laden 2" is a first of its kind sequel as the stories of the first film and the second are linked but not in continuity.
"The structure of the film is such that you cannot call it a conventional sequel and that is why we are not calling it part two. It can be called a spin-off and in that sense it is a first of its kind," Sharma said here Sunday at a press event held for the film.
"We have not seen a sequel like this anywhere in the world till now where the first and the second part are related. There is a definite and strong relation, but still there is no continuity," he added.
Manish Paul plays the lead in the second film while Pradhuman Singh continues to play as Osama Bin Laden look-alike.
Talking about the story of the film, Sharma said it takes off from the news of terrorist Laden's death and the ensuing ambiguity and problems.
"The first 'Tere Bin Laden' gets over with Ali Zafar reaching America. This film doesn't continue from there. This film starts from the point where America says Bin Laden in dead. Now, I don't know (whether it is true) because there is still no proof about Osama's death," said Sharma.
"So taking that thing in mind, after Osama's death what all happens with Barack Obama (US president) and with the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan and also the problems that Manish and Pradhuman face because of it, is what the film is all about," he added.
After acting with popular actors like Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone now wants to work with other superstars - Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
"Every year I am asked this question (which Bollywood actor I would like to work with now), but I hope in the next one or two years I will get to work with Hrithik, Salman and Aamir," Deepika, who has given four back-to-back hits this year, told reporters here at her success party.
"Till now I have not worked with these actors (Aamir, Salman and Hrithik)," she added.
There are reports that Deepika has been roped in opposite Salman in Sooraj Barjatya's next, but Deepika denied and said: "That's not true and I have not officially met Sooraj ji."
It's not just Deepika who is eager to work with Salman. In fact, the "Bigg Boss" host has also expressed his desire to work with the actress and has been seen praising her on many occasions. Deepika said it feels great.
"Definitely it feels great when Salman says such good things about me because if you all know he was the one who first noticed me," said Deepika, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh in 2007 film "Om Shanti Om".
"I was doing an ad with his friends in Rajasthan. So, he noticed me first of all and he was the one who offered me my first film," she recalled.
Deepika, during her modelling days, had got an acting offer from Salman before she was chosen for Shah Rukh-starrer "Om Shanti Om". However, the actress denied Salman's offer as she felt she was not ready to face the camera.
Currently, Deepika has films like "Happy New Year", "Finding Fanny Fernandes" and Imtiaz Ali's untitled film in her kitty.
Bonhomie was evident at the much-awaited meeting between Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and MNS chief Raj Thackeray as they shared the dais at a programme here Monday after five years.
Burying past bitterness, a relaxed and smiling Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Thackeray virtually forgave Bachchan who had accepted the brand ambassadorship of Uttar Pradesh in 2008, which started the fracas.
"I have always felt that in the past 100 years, there has not been an actor as big as Bachchan. He is the brand ambassador of the whole nation, and not just any state," Thackeray said in a rich compliment to the actor, who was seen smiling.
He warmly urged the people to forget whatever happened in the past and that "it has been immersed in the Ganga river", amidst a loud round of applause.
Thackeray said people like Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar are sent by god and cannot be restricted to any particular region as they belong to everybody.
Reciprocating warmly, Bachchan lauded the MNS Chitrapat Sena, which celebrated its seventh anniversary Monday, for taking up the cause of the people behind the scenes and standing behind them.
"Not many are aware that those behind the scenes in the making of a movie need to be recognised... And in the celluloid world, it is important that the financial future of these invisible artistes is secured," Bachchan said, rounding off his speech with a recital from his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan's poem "Agneepath".
Later, along with actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, Bachchan distributed insurance policies to junior artistes and stunt-persons who risk their lives for dangerous acts.
The insurance policies organised by the MNS Chitrapat Sena was part of the ongoing centenary celebrations of Indian cinema.
"We may have differences of opinion on various political issues, but there is no personal animosity with any individual," MNS vice president Vageesh Saraswat told IANS, explaining the significance of the event.
Barring the occasional fracas, the Bachchans have always enjoyed a close relationship with all members of the Thackeray clan from the days of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
Deepika Padukone says that her next with Imtiaz Ali is not titled "Window Seat".
The yet-to-be-titled film, which will bring back hit on screen pair Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika together after the successful "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", will go on the floors next year.
"In May or June (next year), we will start shooting for Imtiaz's film. The title of the film is not 'Window Seat', it will be something different," Deepika told reporters here at her success party.
"I don't know when it will be released," added the actress who had earlier teamed up with Ali for "Love Aaj Kal" and "Cocktail".
Deepika is happy with the recent success of her films "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", "Chennai Express" and "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela" and gives credit to her chemistry with her co-actors.
"Of course! With Shah Rukh Khan, I had done my debut movie ('Om Shanti Om') and when you have debuted with someone that co-star will always be very, very special in a very different way," the 27-year-old said.
"But within this year (2013) if I had to choose, then both Ranbir and Ranveer (Singh) have been amazing co-stars. Whether it has been my pairing with Ranbir or Ranveer, I think my chemistry in both the films was highly appreciated and the films did really well," she said.
If Deepika and Ranbir wowed in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", the actress scorched the screen as Ranveer's love interest in "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela".
Both the films did a whopping business of over Rs.100 crore each.
"Our performances were appreciated. Critics liked the film. It feels like a wholesome sort of victory," said the actress.
Deepika will soon be seen in "Happy New Year" and "Finding Fanny Fernandes".
In Farah Khan directed "Happy New Year", she will be paired with Shah Rukh while in "Finding Fanny Fernandes" the actress will be joined by Arjun Kapoor as the male lead.
Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar, who played the lead in "Tere Bin Laden", will be seen in a stretched cameo in the sequel to the 2010 superhit comedy, says director Abhishek Sharma.
Popular TV host Manish Paul, who made his big screen debut with "Mickey Virus", has been roped in to play the lead.
"You will not miss Ali Zafar because he is in the film, but he is playing a stretched cameo. Only Ali could have played the role," Sharma said at a press meet Sunday.
Manish came on board because the story demanded a new protagonist.
"Ali couldn't have played Manish's (Paul) role," said the director.
"This was a very conscious decision by the producers. Usually producers don't want to change anything in a sequel, but my producers were open about it because they knew the story needed a new protagonist," he added.
Sharma told media persons that "Tere Bin Laden 2" will hit theatres in six months time.
Pradhuman Singh continues to play an Osama Bin Laden look alike in the part two.
Bollywood 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan says he loves to work during holidays as it gives him a "strange sense of accomplishment".
"Nothing like working during the season of holidays. Has a strange sense of accomplishment. Come on Day...Hit Me!" Shah Rukh tweeted Monday.
On the work front, SRK is currently busy shooting for his romantic comedy "Happy New Year". Directed by Farah Khan, the movie also features Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani and Sonu Sood.
Actor Vivek Oberoi, who is in Shillong on his maiden visit, experienced the "true Christmas spirit" after spending an evening with underprivileged children.
"Spent the evening in Shillong visiting a home for underprivileged kids. You should have seen how their faces light up when they saw the cakes I brought them," Vivek tweeted Sunday.
"Felt the true Christmas spirit in their smiles as the kids ate their cakes and sang Christmas carols! The joy of sharing, giving and caring!" he added.
Director Gauri Shinde can only be wowed with good humour. She feels that a bad joke is like a "stale nut".
"No Yahoo jokes please unless they are really funny. Bad jokes are like stale nuts. You cannot crack them," She tweeted Monday.
Shinde made her directorial debut with highly acclaimed movie "English Vinglish" last year, which marked Sridevi's comeback on the big screen after 15 years.
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai is eager to show the first glimpse of his upcoming film "Kaanchi".
Assuring his fans, it is "worth waiting for", he took to Twitter to share his excitement and wrote: "Just nine days more, I shall introduce you to my latest directorial film 'Kaanchi' with a vibrating sound and visuals Jan 1, 2014."
"Kaanchi" stars Mishti along with Kartik Tiwari, Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty.
For actor Anil Kapoor, who will turn 57 Tuesday, 2013 has been a fabulous year. And the 'ever-grin' Bollywood actor-star's smile just got bigger and brighter during the year, mainly because of his successful TV show "24".
"The number 24 has proved lucky for me. My serial '24', which just concluded, has been received with incredible enthusiasm. Now on my birthday on Dec 24 I feel I am 24 years old," said Anil on the eve of his birthday from Dubai.
"There is so much to do. And I want to do it all. I feel like a child in a toy store. I want everything, and I want it now,"
However, for his birthday Anil is flying back from Dubai to Jaipur, Rajasthan, where his two daughters are shooting.
"Sonam has done very well for herself in 2013. Two of her films 'Raanjhanaa' and 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' were superhits and she established herself as an actress of substance.
"My other daughter Rhea has gone on to produce her second film. In fact, Sonam was shooting for Rhea's 'Khubsoorat' in Bikaner. Now they're moving to Jaipur where I'll be joining them for my birthday. So will the rest of my family. So it's one big happy family birthday for me. I wouldn't want it any other way."
The birthday celebrations don't end in Jaipur. On 27th Anil flies back to Dubai for a long-due holiday.
"All my friends from all over the world are joining me here in Dubai after I return on 27th. We'll just relax. I've been working really hard in 2013. My serial '24' kept me on my toes," said the star of films like "Tezaab", "Viraasat" and "Judaai".
Mumbai-based filmmaker Sunil Shinde's "Kaash" won the Golden Eye award while Pune-based Pranay Makwane's "Ummeed" bagged the Silver Eye at the recently concluded short film festival organised by Antardrishti Foundation to promote eye donation.
The special jury award was presented to "Kari Balaku", made by Kannada filmmaker Abhilash Shandilya at the two-day event that ended Saturday.
Antardrishti convener Akhil Srivastav said that the film festival is organised every year to promote the importance of eye donation.
"The growing popularity and increased participation from all over India is very encouraging for us," Sirvastav told IANS and added that more than 50 lakh blind people are waiting to be helped with eye donations. He felt that it was high time myths and ignorance about eye donation were fought collectively.
The festival was held at Agra University's Jubilee Hall.
Srivastav said that Antardrishti is planning to open an FM station that will be run by blind people.
The 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend and awards event will begin April 24 at Tampa.
This is the first time that IIFA, which promotes Indian cinema offshore by organising various activities like premiers, discussions and award functions, will be held in the US.
"Preparations for the very special IIFA weekend are well underway. The Tampa Bay Area is a fantastic destination and will be a great host for a spectacular IIFA Weekend," said Andre Timmins, Director, Wizcraft and IIFA.
Celebrate Christmas by painting your lips red and flaunting nail art for the winter festival.
Makeover expert Aashmeen Munjaal doles out tips for Christmas look:
- Face: First apply the primer according to your skintone. Create a sheer base to avoid cakey look. If you are going for a day party, apply sunscreen.
- Cheeks: Choose colours like strawberry or plum, for your liquid rouge to be applied on your cheekbones.
- Eyes: Try white or pearl white colours for eyes. You can apply vanilla or pearl white eye shadow.
- Lips: Strawberry colour is best for your lips during this festival.
- Nail art: Leave aside star and Santa Claus designs. Gifts and different kinds of candies can be used as nail art designs. Nail piercing is also in trend. You can pierce your nails and hang stars or candies or gifts or bells.
Music maestro Illayaraja suffered a mild heart attack Monday. He was rushed to a hospital and is out of danger, said his manager.
"He was admitted to Apollo Hospital this afternoon after he complained of some chest pain at his residence. The doctors confirmed that it was a mild attack, but have ascertained that he is absolutely fine," the agent told IANS.
"The doctors are likely to perform angioplasty on him this evening, and they are yet to tell us when he can be discharged," he added.
Illayaraja, 70, has composed music for over 900 films across several languages. His latest film was Tamil drama "Thalaimuraigal", which has been received well.
Some of his best albums include "Thalapathi", "Thevar Magan", "Mounaragam" and "Nayagan".
Actor Shahid Kapoor, who will be seen sharing screen space with talented Tabu in Vishal Bhardwaj's "Haider", is all praise for his accomplished co-star.
"I had a great time shooting with Tabu, she is one of the finest actresses," Shahid told IANS.
"In fact, in the film, we also have actors like Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan, so it will hugely benefit the film. I have not yet shot with Irrfan for the film. I will start shooting with him by the mid of January," added the 32-year-old.
The actor will also go bald for the film and says it was the demand of the script.
He said: "I don't have any apprehensions. You as an actor have to do it when its required in the script. We all felt it is required so I am fine with it."
Directed by Bhardwaj, "Haider" also features Shraddha Kapoor.
Five years after she performed with her father Pandit Ravi Shankar at the prestigious Dover Lane Music Conference here, sitarist Anoushka Shankar will be back in the city with her maiden solo act at the 62nd edition of the event.
The four-day event, to be held Jan 22-25, will have recitals by maestros like vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, violinist L. Subramaniam, who have participated in the festival on multiple occasions.
It will also see several artists for the first time.
"Anoushka will be performing as a solo artist in this conference for the first time. We have santoor player Rahul Sharma, veteran sarod player Rajeev Taranath and others for the first time in the festival. It's a mix of veteran artists and second generation players," Bappa Sen, general secretary of the conference, told reporters.
Drawing visitors from across the country and abroad, the festival has always provided a platform for budding artists who contribute to the field of Indian classical music, said vocalist Kaushiki Desikan, daughter of Pandit Chakraborty.
"It has maintained a continuity over the years and it has always inspired new musicians. There is not a lot happening in the city, so the conference has become Kolkata's representation in the national circuit," Desikan told IANS.
The Sangeet Samman Award 2014 will be conferred upon shehnai maestro Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussein Khan at the conference.
"People who want to play classical music and people who want to listen to it... for them the festival has become a tradition. It is very necessary for youngsters who are propagating the culture of classical music, to get a chance to show their talents," Khan said.
The stellar line-up includes sarod player Alam Khan, vocalist Vinayak Torvi, sitarist Anupama Bhagwat and a flute and violin duet by Ronu Majumdar and Mysore Manjunath.
Abhay Deol, who turns producer with his forthcoming film "One By Two" has forayed into production for the very first time. However, his family including Dharmendra and Sunny Deol advised him to focus on acting at present. But Abhay was quite keen on doing something different and giving a platform to new talent in terms of directors, actors and writers.
The film "One By Two" stars Abhay Deol and Preeti Desai in lead roles. Preeti, who is making her debut with this film, will be seen opposite Abhay for the very first time.
Abhay adds "My family advised me not to get into production. They did not want me to venture into production right now. But producing One By Two has been a great experience with my long time friend Amit Kapoor who has co-produced it and my friend and supporter Sanjay Kapoor"
One By Two was initially set to release on 7th Feb, but because brother Sunny Deol's forthcoming film is also set to release on the same day, Abhay pre-poned the film's release.
The films trailer was recently released and has received positive feedback. It is set to hit theaters on 31st January'14.
India's retail beauty and cosmetics industry, currently estimated at $950 million, is likely to almost treble to $2.68 billion by 2020, experts said.
Annual growth in the Indian beauty and cosmetics markets is estimated to remain in the range of 15-20 percent in the coming years, twice as fast as that of the US and European markets.
Massooma, Editor at New Age Salon & Spa magazine and knowledge partner for ‘International Beauty Mart’ (IBM) 2014, believes awareness in India of the latest global beauty trends and the numbers are prompting more international players to set up shop and increase their presence in India.
“India’s cosmetics market is reportedly growing at 15-20 percent annually, twice as fast as that of the US and European markets. Demand for skin whitening products by men as well as women, is driving the trend but other beauty products are not far behind,” she said in a statement.
Over the last five years, cosmetics products have seen a growth of 60 percent. Skin care cosmetics have experienced a relatively slower growth and products such as anti-wrinkle creams, cleansers and toners are not as popular as facial creams, moisturisers and fairness creams in this genre. Companies like Pond’s and Fair & Lovely top the list in this segment.
The number of salons have also gone up. Its growth rate is 35 percent. Cosmetic treatments are also growing at the rate of 5 percent. The hair and beauty industry is seeing a per capita annual spend of $1.2 which is expected to grow to $ 6.2 by 2015. The spa and body treatment segment is estimated to grow approximately $772 million over the next five to eight years.
“Driven by growing consumption in rural and semi-urban areas, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is set to double from $14.7 billion in 2008-09 to $30 billion in 2014 in order to become the fourth largest sector in the economy with a market size in excess of $14.7 billion,” Manoj Mehta, chairman, IBM 2014, said.
According to a study titled “Prospects in the FMCG sector,” recently made public by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, FMCG sector will witness more than 50 percent growth in rural and semi-urban India by 2014.
Seeing the growth of the cosmetics market in the country, International Beauty Mart (IBM) will be held here at Ashok Hotel between Jan 14 and Jan 16 next year. There will be a gathering of brands, companies and experts showcasing their products, trends and services before a niche and exclusive professional audience.
Supported by National Hairdressers & Beauticians Association, All India Hair & Beauty Association, The Indian Franchise Association and the Indian Spa and Wellness Association, IBM 2014 will also hold special master classes on trends in hair, make-up, skin and nail.
