After becoming the first movie to make the fastest Rs.100 crore in just three days of its release, Aamir Khan-starrer "Dhoom: 3" has created another history by minting Rs.252.70 crore at the domestic box office within two weeks, including earnings from the Tamil and Telugu versions.

Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, the movie, which came out Dec 20, was released in about 4,000 screens. Also featuring Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra, "Dhoom: 3" was made on an approx budget of Rs.100 crore.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to microblogging website Twitter to share the news.

"'Dhoom: 3' week 2 - Total Hindi: Rs.240.78 crore, Tamil and Telugu: Rs.11.92 crore. Grand total: Rs.252.70 crore," Adarsh tweeted Thursday.

The movie earned Rs.36.22 crore on the first day. It was followed by Rs.33.36 crore and Rs.38.09 on the second and third day respectively.

In the first week itself trade pundits predicted that the movie will gross Rs.250 crore in the first two weeks.

The third instalment of Yash Raj Films' popular "Dhoom" franchise, "Dhoom: 3" saw Abhishek and Uday reprise their roles as Jai Dixit and Ali. Aamir was seen in a double role as Sahir and Samar, while Katrina played a female acrobat, Aaliya.

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who is launching Tiger Shroff with his upcoming film "Heropanti", says he is happy to be able to "train" the newcomer, a responsibility he took 15 years ago.

"I am very happy with how the movie is shaping up and the fact that I am actually fulfilling the responsibility given to me 15 years ago by Jackie Shroff to train his son. It certainly is a different space, but training it is," Nadiadwala said in a statement.

Under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandsons Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (NGEPL), "Heropanti" is being directed by Sabbir Khan and also features Kirti Sanon.

The film is slated to release May 16.

New Year brings new delights for Karan Johar - he is looking forward to the release "Zehnaseeb" song from his forthcoming film "Hasee Toh Phasee".

The song will be launched Friday and the filmmaker is "dying to share it" with all his fans.

"One of my favourite love songs from a Dharma (Dharma Productions) film will release tomorrow (Friday) 'Zahnaseeb' from 'Hasee Toh Phasee'. Dying to share it with all of you," Karan posted on Twitter Thursday.

Featuring Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra, the romantic track is sung by Chinmayi Sripaada and Shekhar Ravjiani.

The film has been directed by Vinil Matthew.

The final schedule of Hansal Mehta's next film "City Lights" will begin Saturday. The film is an official adaptation of Britain's Oscar entry - "Metro Manila".

"Final schedule of 'City Lights' commences in two days," Mehta posted Twitter Thursday.

Produced by Vishesh Films, the Rajkummar Rao starrer has been directed by Ajay Bahl.

Mehta's last film was "Shahid" and the Rajkummar starrer had received a lot of appreciation.

The New Year seems to have started on a good note for Subhash Ghai. The filmmaker saw parts of his new movie "Kaanchi" and it left him with a smile.

"Saw a major part of 'Kaanchi'. I felt fulfilled, happy because it is adorable, energetic and true to the story and full of a word called entertainment," Ghai posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

"Kaanchi" is a project Ghai has been talking about with immense passion.

Starring Kartik Tiwari and newcomer Mishti in the lead roles, the musical drama also features veterans like Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty. It is said to be an inspiring tale of a girl who dares to fight against corruption.

Ghai, who has made entertainers like "Ram Lakhan", "Saudagar", "Khalnayak", "Pardes" and "Taal", is yet to lock a release date for the new movie.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor, the new face of Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo India, says he identifies with the brand's tagline "Pal banaye magical" (make moments magical).

The 31-year-old, who reportedly demanded a whopping Rs.25 crore for the brand endorsement, says he believes that a lot of magical moments are hidden in "life's ordinary moments".

"Lay's stands for youthfulness, spontaneity and seeking simple joys in life's ordinary moments. Their belief of 'Pal Banaye Magical', which has always celebrated the joy in life's little moments, is something I can identify with," the "Rockstar" actor said in a statement.

"I genuinely believe that many a magical moment is hidden in life's ordinary, spontaneous moments. I am excited to work with the brand and look forward to a great journey ahead," he added.

Actor Saif Ali Khan will continue to endorse Lay's.

Speaking on the association, Gaurav Mehta, Category Director - Western Category, PepsiCo India Foods, said: "We are proud to associate with Ranbir Kapoor who truly reflects the modern, aspirational and youthful persona of the Lay's brand and its consumers. As an individual who seeks joy and magic in the ordinary, spontaneous moments of life, Ranbir is also a genuine embodiment of the brand philosophy of 'Pal Banaye Magical'.”

"We believe this association with Ranbir will enable us to take our brand philosophy to new heights as we expand our reach to India's youth. We look forward to a great New Year and are confident that this partnership will be mutually rewarding," Mehta added.

While the rest of film industry was celebrating New Year the Cammando actress Pooja Chopra injured her foot and spent the last of 2013 on a hospital bed. On Monday afternoon when Pooja was sipping tea by the window of her apartment in Lokhandwala, the glass from the window-pane collapsed on the floor. One of the pieces pierced her left leg and the actress started bleeding profusely.

Immediately her domestic help, rushed her to a nearby hospital where she underwent an emergency surgery, which lasted for over three and a half hours. Had it not been for the domestic help, the situation could have been worse.

When contacted, Dr. Charudutta Chakraborty, who operated on Pooja said, “She had lost some blood when she was bought in. We had to put around 50 stitches to tie her arteries, nerves and tendon, which were severely damaged.” He added, “To walk comfortably, and do the stunts that she does in her films, she will at least need a minimum of four months.”

Aamir Khan stepped out of his comfort zone to essay a negative role in his latest release "Dhoom 3". He says he chose to feature in such a role as he wants to exploit his talent as an actor to the hilt.

"I don't want to limit myself as an actor. It should not be like, 'He will only do logical stuff, or only films films with a social message'. I don't want to limit myself. I want to do all different kind of films," Aamir said here.

The idea behind doing "Dhoom 3", he said, was: "We wanted you all to experience a different thing on screen which has not been shown before."

Aamir pulled off a double role in the movie, and says he preferred his character as Samar over Sahir.

"I personally liked Samar more. Actually, the film is about two brothers' love story. We didn't reveal that aspect before the film's release. Maximum people have liked Samar more, but few of them who called me, like Govindaji and Anil Kapoor, they liked Sahir.

"I have received a lot of compliments for this film and I am very happy right now," he added.

Directed by Vijay Krishan Acharya, "Dhoom 3" also feaures Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra.

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer "Miss Lovely", which has done a fair share of rounds at foreign film festivals will release in India Jan 17 with well over 400 prints, said its distributors.

B.L. Gautam, who is co-distributing the film under his banner Easel Films said: "We are looking at a nationwide release for 'Miss Lovely' and we will cover all the major territories including the northeastern states."

"Indie cinema has come of age in India, it seems, and it is crying for a separate room. These films need right voices, and not empty noise to reach out to their audience. Everything from marketing to the screens needs to be apt for these small gems to make some money," he added.

"Miss Lovely", helmed by Ashim Ahluwalia, is set in the lower depths of Mumbai's C-grade film industry and follows the devastating story of two brothers who produce sleazy horror films in the mid-1980s.

The movie's co-distributor, Sunny Khanna of White Lion, said: "Initially, when we were planning the release of 'Miss Lovely', we were sure of going about with just 225 to 250 screens. But after seeing the overwhelming response from the multiplexes, theatre owners, exhibitors and distributors pan India, we are looking at 400 plus screens and a decent number of shows."

The directorial debut of Ahluwalia, who has also produced it under his home banner Future East, stars Anil George, Zeena Bhatia and Menaka Lalvani in prominent roles.

Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, known for yesteryear's blockbuster "Sholay", Friday withdrew his plea seeking to put on hold the screening of the film's 3D version as it was released Friday morning itself.

A bench of Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice Dipak Misra allowed Sippy to withdraw his plea as senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for him, told the court that the plea has become infructuous as "Sholay 3D" has already been released 9 a.m. Friday.

However, on the plea by Sippy, the court said that his other rights arising from his copyright of the "Sholay" film, would remain intact and would be decided in a separate suit if he files it.

Allowing Sippy to claim any damages that he may be entitled to under a civil suit, the court asked the producers of "Sholay 3D" to keep the accounts of the proceeds from the film's screening.

"Sholay 3D" is produced by Sascha Sippy, nephew of Ramesh Sippy and grandson of G.P. Sippy who had financed the original film.

Bhojpuri film actor Ravi Kishan says he aspires to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from his home district of Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh, adding he is still awaiting confirmation from the Congress on a ticket.

Saying that Congress was in "his blood", the actor Friday said he has applied for a ticket and was hopeful that the Congress leadership will approve it.

"I have completed all the preparations and very exited to jump into the political arena on a Congress ticket," he told reporters in Jaunpur.

Though many parties were in touch with him, he claimed his only choice was the Congress as he firmly believed in its policies, the 43-year-old actor said.

After a successful innings in the Bhojpuri cinema, Kishan has worked in television and Hindi films including "Phir Hera Pheri", "Agent Vinod" and "Bullet Raja".

Actor Amit Sadh, for whom year 2013 brought in a miraculous career turn-over, will now be seen as an oddball Haryanvi character in Subhash Kapoor's "Guddu Rangeela".

After years of struggle, including a disastrous movie debut with Ram Gopal Varma's "Phoonk 2" in 2010, Amit suddenly came into his own with Abhishek Kapoor's "Kai Po Che", and he has just completed a romantic comedy titled "Runningshaadi.com" with Tapsee Pannu where he plays a boy who runs away from Patna to Punjab at age 15.

Now he is geared for "Guddu Rangeela".

"From a Bihari to a Haryanvi. I have to now do a Haryanvi accent for Subhash Kapoor's film. I also have to stand up to an actor of Arshad Warsi's calibre. I play an absolutely wacked-out character. We start shooting (later) in January," Amit said.

He got several film offers post "Kai Po Che", but Amit played it safe.

"I waited so long for good things to happen to my career. I didn't want to mess it up now when I was finally noticed. I am not greedy. I am not into acting for money. I still live in a rented house and drive around in a second-hand car.

"What 'Kai Po Che' did to my career is beyond expression. I owe the director Abhishek Kapoor this new lease of life," added the actor, who started with the small screen and was popular for his show "Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr".

"Kai Po Che" also gave him a great friend in the form of Abhishek Kapoor, whom the actor consults on all career decisions.

"He is a friend for life. People ask why he isn't doing another film with me. I say, that is such a frivolous way of defining friendship. I'd rather have Gattu (Abhishek) as a friend than someone I look towards for work," he said.

Tell him that Sushant Singh Rajput reaped all the benefits of the "Kai Po Che" success, and Amit protests: "I don't look at my success in 'Kai Po Che' in comparison with the other actors in the film. I look at it from the perspective of what I was going through before 'Kai Po Che'.

"I was completely lost, personally and professionally. I even did 'Bigg Boss' in 2010."

Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, who has produced Marathi film “Balak Palak” in the past, is thrilled with the progress that Marathi cinema has made recently.

The actor took to Twitter to support Ravi Jadhav's Marathi film “Timepass”.

“Excited that Ravi Jadhav's 'Timepass' is set to open big at the box office - slowly Marathi films are gaining ground amongst its people,” Riteish posted on the microblogging site Friday.

The actor is also waiting for the release of another Marathi entertainer, “Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush”, a biopic on freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The film's teaser is out.

“Biopic on one of the greatest freedom fighters 'Lokmanya Tilak' is here, produced by Nikhil Advani,” Riteish said.

Directed by debutant director Om Raut, the film is a full-length feature film featuring Subodh Bhave in the lead role.

The festive season and holidays have resulted in weight gain for actress Mandira Bedi, who is utterly disappointed with what she saw on her weighing scale Friday morning.

“I hope your having a good morning. Because I got onto my weighing scale today and it wasn't a pretty sight,” Mandira posted on the microblogging site Friday.

After the curtains came down on TV show "24", where Mandira's character Nikita Rai required her to be absolutely fit, the actress happily hogged on chocolates and other delights. But that doesn't seem to have left her too happy!

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who keeps himself abreast with the latest gadgets and gizmos, said that using gadgets can be infectious but also frustrating sometimes.

The 71-year-old, who started using an iPhone 5S, said that shifting to a new mobile phone device has been easy, but operating it is painful.

"Gadgetry is infectious and frustrating...shifting to the iPhone 5S has been as easy as drinking a glass of water! Fine! But operating it to its ultimate strength, its potential is another chapter, another realm," Amitabh posted on his blog.

He also said that the accessibility of information on finger tips thanks to the devices has substituted the cleverness and intelligence of humans.

"The availability of almost every possible information, at the soft touch of the mobile screen, has become such an essential substitute for a kind of cleverness that abounded about us during our earlier years, that it now invokes a peculiar kind of fear...the fear of excessive knowledge at the tip of the fingers," he posted.

"Keeping up with availability is now competitive! Not the intelligence of what needs to be known, but availability. Where can I find this answer, on which application, rather than the desire to spending major decision making education...or having some kind of ambiguity in the correct answer," rued the actor.

Rizwan Manji, an Indian origin actor who resides in the US and appeared with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street", says he now wants to be part of movies made by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.

Best known for US TV show "Outsourced", Manji thinks the "Dhoom:3" actor is one of the few people who can bring different emotions together on the big screen at the same time.

"He has a specific way to make you laugh and cry at the same time. As an actor and producer, he has a way of bringing those emotions together. So, if Aamir Khan Productions is interested, I will fly to India tomorrow," Manji, who enjoyed Aamir's "3 Idiots" and "Taare Zameen Par", told IANS in a telephonic interview from New York.

Though Aamir's movies top his list of Bollywood films, he is smitten by the industry as a whole.

"I am a big fan of Bollywood. I grew up watching Hindi movies. I know of the industry just because I watched the films. I am brushing up my Hindi too," he said.

If not for movie assignments, the Canada-born actor wouldn't mind visiting India again as he fell in love with the country a decade ago.

"Me and my wife went backpacking across India for six months in 2003. Coincidentally, that time my film 'American Desi' was being played (in Indian theatres). We visited places like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad and Jaipur. I loved it so much," he said.

"I also met (Bollywood actor) Govinda that time. It was exciting," said Manji, whose grandparents hail from Gujarat.

The alumnus of New York's American Musical and Dramatic Academy had no plans of shifting base from Canada to the US. But thanks to assignments, he decided to pack his bags and reside in Los Angeles.

"I did theatre in New York. I also did MTV show 'Damage Control'. In 2006, I moved to LA And while pursuing acting, I also worked at Merrill Lynch," said the actor, who had also applied to law schools.

With distinctive Indian looks, the actor believes that his appearance has pros and cons.

"It has given me lot of opportunities. In my class, there were a number of Caucasians who had to struggle a lot because the market is saturated. On the other hand, there aren't too many people of my ethnicity; so I got lot of offers," he said.

"Having said that, there hasn't been much lead roles. But things are moving in a positive direction. I just wish it happens faster," added Manji, who had stepped into the shoes of cab drivers and doctors.

After playing small parts in Hollywood movies like "The Guru" and "Transformers", he has a crucial role in "The Wolf of Wall Street".

He plays the role of Khalil, a stockbroker in the firm of Jordan Belfort, portrayed by DiCaprio. The Martin Scorsese directorial, distributed by MVP Entertainment and PVR Pictures, will release Friday in India.

Manji, who enjoys sitcoms, is looking forward to his next release "Dr.Cabbie". It also features "The Big Bang Theory" fame Kunal Nayyar, an Indian origin British actor.

Ramesh Sippy, who produced and directed 1975 film "Sholay", Friday withdrew his plea against nephew Sascha Sippy's 3D version. The latter says he was always confident that the case was in his favour.

Ramesh Sippy had filed a plea seeking to put on hold on the release of the film due to a copyright dispute. However, the film came out Friday.

"We have always been confident that the film will release. In the film industry, it is very normal for people to try and use ambush tactics. We have seen it with many films in the past that people try and go to court to try and stop a release," Sascha told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"But in those cases, people have a real and valid grievance. Here there is no valid grievance. Here, it was frivolous," he added.

Sascha has no grudges against his uncle and has even invited him to see the film.

"We are happy that justice has been served. As we say in the film business, the show must go on! We still implore Ramesh Sippy to please come and watch the film," said Sascha, the grandson of G.P. Sippy.

He hopes the film enjoys a long run at the box office.

Actor Amit Sadh, who was in a relationship with actress Neeru Bajwa for a long time, says he is currently single and happy.

Around three years back, he was happily in love with Neeru. The couple was first seen together in TV show "Guns and Roses" and later on dance reality show "Nach Baliye" in 2005. The two also got engaged, but broke up in 2010.

Amit says he is still single since then.

"And I like it that way. Of course, there are rumours the minute I am seen with a girl. While I was shooting in Punjab with Taapsee Pannu, I went out for dinner with her. The next day we were a couple in the papers. But the truth is, I am not seeing anyone," said the actor, whose work in the 2013 film "Kai Po Che" was lauded.

Recalling his past relationship, he said: "All of a sudden my life fell apart. She was was the only family that I had. She transformed me from a boy into a man. When she left me, my life fell apart. I had to start from scratch."

He was told about his split from Neeru during his stay in reality show "Bigg Boss" in 2006. He admits he was a "cry baby" on the show.

"I was only 22 and. therefore, just a baby. Inside 'Bigg Boss', emotions are constantly heightened. It's not a normal place to be in."

"On top of that, I was told my girlfriend Neeru Bajwa had left me. Can you imagine, she was my life! And to be told inside there where I had no way of ascertaining the truth, that she had left me...it shattered me," said Amit.

But he found a new lease of life, ultimately.

"I used the money I got for 'Bigg Boss' to go to the Lee Strasberg Acting School in New York where I learnt to be single again," he added.

Iconic Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, under treatment in the critical care unit (CCU) of a nursing home here, has been put under non-invasive ventilator support after her condition deteriorated, a medical bulletin said Friday.

Sen's breathing problem has increased leading to dipping of her oxygen saturation and thus necessitating the ventilator support.

Undergoing treatment for a chest infection at the hospital, she was Sunday night rushed to the CCU after her condition deteriorated and the heartbeat became irregular.

"However, her other vital parameters like heart rate and blood pressure remain stable. She continues to take light diet," said the statement.

Sen was seen by two chest specialists Friday. Her health is being monitored by a cardiologist and chest physician of the medical team set up for her treatment.

Sen, 82, was admitted to the nursing home Dec 23 after she complained of breathlessness.

Starting her film career with Bengali movie "Sharey Chuattor", she is known for her performances in films like "Deep Jwele Jaai" and "Uttar Falguni" in the same language as well as Hindi movies "Devdas", "Bambai Ka Babu" and "Mamta".

Sen, who won the best actress award for "Saat Paake Bandha" at the Moscow film festival in 1963, quit acting in 1978.

Since her retirement, she has been living a reclusive life and only meets her daughter actress Moon Moon Sen, granddaughters Raima and Riya Sen, and a handful of others.

Winter can leave you confused about how to team jewellery with your clothes. But just a pair of right chandelier earrings can add a dazzle to your look, suggests designer Annu Chadha, who says that designs in diamond, polki and rubies are very much in trend.

Chadha has come up with a range of chandelier earrings.

“The spectacular collection is designed keeping in mind the winter outfits which restrict your jewellery options as most of it gets hidden under long sleeves and high necks,” Chadha said in a statement.

“This collection has an amalgamation of diamonds, polkis and precious stones to suit your every mood. Whether it is a wedding or a dinner or even a casual day out with friends, Jewels by Annu Chadha has a pair for you. Go on, indulge yourself,” she added.