Designer Atsu Sekhose, a promising name in the Indian fashion world since his debut in 2007, will launch his first couture line on an online pop-up shop.

The line will be available on www.perniaspopupshop.com.

Known for his chic, feminine and understated clothing, Sekhose brings to his customers a couture collection that combines delicate intricacies of haute couture, grand Indian aesthetics and bold designs.

The line brings together soft hues and detailed embroideries to celebrate elegance.

"This is my first ever couture collection and to collaborate with Pernia's Pop Up Shop is a huge launchpad for me. The collection will be available and can be viewed by everyone across the world through the website," Sekhose said in a statement.

Qureshi says the designer is one of her favourites.

"This couture collection takes his aesthetic to whole new fashion dimension. One will find a lot of it in my closet. I hope the shoppers love it as much as I do," she said.

Controversial model Poonam Pandey, who recently made her Bollywood debut with bold film "Nasha", has vowed never to perform at a New Year's Eve celebration after her nightmarish experience in Bangalore while performing at a posh club.

"Never again! Never will I perform at a New Year's Eve celebration. It's much too dangerous," said Poonam.

She describes the incident as her most serious confrontation with male aggression.

"I agreed to perform in Bangalore because the money was too tempting. They offered me a bomb. How was I to know what the evening had in store for me?"

Apparently, 10 minutes into her performance, the all-male crowd got wildly out of control.

"They were all male and they were all drunk. I had 15-20 of my own bouncers and the organisers had provided about a 100 guards. But it wasn't enough," says Poonam who first grabbed attention during the 2011 Cricket World Cup when she offered to go nude before Team India if they won.

As soon as her performance ended, hordes of rowdy male revelers broke the cordon separating the stage from the audience and tried to clamber on to the stage.

"I realised on that evening that no amount of bouncers and bodyguards can protect you from a drunken mob. The men, who jumped on to the stage, had only one thing on their mind. And they were not thinking with their minds. They were thinking with another part of the anatomy," she said.

Poonam did the only thing she could, given the dangerous circumstances. She fled.

"I've never run so fast in my life. I am sure I gave Milkha Singh a run for his money. I ran upstairs all the way to my room. But guess what? The mob chased me to my room! So there I was, running into my room with the mob in hot pursuit and the bodyguards and bouncers chasing them. It'd have been comic if it wasn't so scary," she said.

Not again, she says.

"Believe me, it is just not right. There are only men and they are all drunk. I'd advice all female celebrities to avoid dancing for New Year's celebrations. No amount of money is worth your izzat and your life. I've never been more scared in my life. Never again," she said.

Finding the right make-up leaves many women with dusky complexion frustrated. Fret not. Expert says that from dual tone to catty make-up, there are looks aplenty they can play with.

Make-up expert Niti Luthra suggests how to create different looks:

* Black and grey combination: Apply ash grey eye shadow and contour it with black eye shadow. Then put lots of kohl and mascara. Follow it up with silver highlighter on brow-bone. Choose medium tone blush for cheeks. Finish the look with a red lipstick.

* Dual tone look: Blend colours like deep blue and emerald green in equal proportion. It will turn into ash colour and then contour with black colour. If you are wearing a blue garment, use only blue eye shadow and contour with black shade giving a V-shape in corner of the eyes. Then use a silver highlighter on top. Similarly, you can create the smokey look with green shade. Apply a medium tone blush to your cheeks with a nude lip colour.

* Catty look: With half eyes black, you can extend the kohl towards outer corner. Apply medium tone blush with red or nude lips.

* Coal look: Blend brown, red and copper properly and then contour it with black shade in the corner of the eye. Apply a medium tone blush to your cheeks and keep the lips red.

Actor Jimmy Sheirgill, who plays a mall security head in "Darr@The Mall", says shooting for it took a toll on the team's health, but he is sure that the movie will make its mark as a "one of the best horror films made in Bollywood".

"This was one of the toughest films to shoot for me as it was mostly shot at nights and it took a major toll on our health," Jimmy said in a statement.

"Not only this, the location of the shoot was actually eerie, which added to the bunch of challenges that we had to face while shooting for 'Darr@The Mall'," he added.

The film, produced by MSM Motion Pictures in association with Contiloe Entertainment, is directed by Pavan Kripalani. Releasing Feb 21, the movie revolves around horror in a mall.

"However, I believe that all the hard work that has been put in has been honestly reflected in the film and we all are quite eager to know the public reaction to this film, which can be easily described as one of the best horror films made in Bollywood," said Jimmy.

The popular trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has given the music for the film, while Ganesh Hedge has choreographed the dance number.

Kripalani, who had earlier directed "Ragini MMS", said: "Ever since I was a kid, I have been a fan of the horror genre and as a director. It has always been my ambition to make classy horror films.

"After 'Ragini MMS', I felt that there is more to explore as far as horror films are concerned and 'Darr@ The Mall’ is my honest attempt to make a horror flick in the vein of classic Hollywood scare fares like ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The Shining’, which I have grown up watching.”

Apart from Jimmy, the film features actors like Arif Zakaria, Asif Barsa, Neeraj Sood, Nushrat Bharucha, Nivedita Bhattacharya and Shraddha Kaul.

Actor Sanjay Dutt's wife Manyata has been hospitalised at Global Hospital here, said her cardiologist Ajay Chaugule.

Chaugule told IANS: "Yes, Manyata was hospitalised yesterday (Tuesday) morning. We are currently investigating (her case) and looking at her medical reports."

In December last year, Chaugule had confirmed that Manyata has a tumour in her liver and that she may have to undergo surgery.

When asked whether Manyata will undergo any surgery, he said: "At the moment I can't say anything. Nothing is confirmed right now."

The doctor said Manyata was accompanied by Sanjay, who has been released on parole on Dec 21 after he applied for a month's parole to take care of his sick wife.

He said: "Ever since she has been hospitalised, Sanjay Dutt is by her side."

Sanjay, 54, was sent to jail to serve the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence for his involvement in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Having served 18 months in jail before his trial began, Dutt started his stint in jail May 16.

His parole evoked protests and opposition from various quarters.

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, the great grand nephew of Muslim scholar and nationalist Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Wednesday said it is his dream to make a film on the life of the great leader.

"I hope that some day I can use my capabilities, and through the art form that I practise, to make a film on Maulana Azad. It's a dream to bring his life to a larger populace of India," he said at the inauguration of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Fest 2014.

The actor wished he had met the freedom fighter and read excerpts from one of Azad's interviews in 1946.

In reference to the interview, he said he was "amazed" by Azad's predictions, a year before India's Independence, of the partition of the sub-continent in 1947 and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

"I read the book that he wrote and that's how I got to know him. He came across to me as an extremely progressive mind, extremely fertile mind, a person who was balanced, a person who who really had justice at his core.

"When I was reading the interview I was amazed at his clear thinking ... his ability to convey in a very clear manner what he felt ... his ability to really predict what was going to happen really hit out at me."

Chairman of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies Sitaram Sharma, a collaborator of the event, extended the institute's co-operation to Aamir for his proposed film on the freedom-fighter.

West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan said Azad's view on secularism are "extremely important today" when secularism is coming under attack.

AKLF, running till Jan 13, will celebrate the secular views of Azad to coincide with his 125th birth anniversary.

The Etawah district administration in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday banned the entry of mediapersons and camera crews into the Saifai Mahotsav and telecast of the event where film stars Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit are to perform.

Officials said this was done as performances of these stars were under a contractual obligation and could not be telecast on television channels.

Earlier, Madhuri, Salman, Soha Ali Khan, Alia Bhatt and other Bollywood stars reached the native village of the Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in a chartered plane.

Salman, accompanied by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, took a round of the grounds where the cultural extravaganza is to take place.

Even as the district administration decided to ban the telecast of the event and installed jammers at the venue, the opposition pounced on the state government.

BSP leader and former CM Mayawati's aide Satish Chandra Mishra said the state exchequer's money was being wasted in Saifai while people were dying from severe cold in Muzaffarnagar relief camps.

Bharatiya Janata Party state spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak also took a dig at the blackout of the cultural event. "Why is the government blacking out the coverage when they are so busy in merry-making," he told IANS.

Actor Aamir Khan Wednesday revealed he might not have been a superstar if it weren't for the advice 'do what your heart says' by his great grand uncle, Muslim scholar and nationalist Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

During his opening address at the 2014 Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) here, Aamir recalled the leader had instilled confidence in Aamir's uncle, producer Nasir Hussain, to join the film industry, in the wake of family protests.

This had spurred Hussain and Aamir's father, producer Tahir Hussain, to join showbiz.

"He (Nasir Hussain) mentioned to me ... when he was a young boy and came out of college and was very interested in films ... in the creative field and he wanted to be a writer ... the entire family was against and was dissuading him from joining the film industry and he said: 'I went and I met Azad saheb. He (Azad) said don't listen to anyone ... do what your heart says. He was the only person who supported me'."

Aamir thanked Azad for the critical piece of advice that, according to him is responsible for his being in showbiz.

"... ironically that's the theme of one of my films '3 Idiots': do what your heart says."

"Actually if Maulana Azad hadn't given that advice, my uncle might not have been in films, then my father wouldn't have joined films and if my father hadn't joined films I might have been somewhere else."

"So I thank him for the advice he gave to my uncle."

AKLF, running till Jan 13, will celebrate the secular views of Azad to coincide with his 125th birth anniversary.

Evenings at the upcoming Jaipur Literature Festival will be audiovisual treat for music lovers as they will be treated to Africa's traditional nomadic melodies along with Rajasthani folk, Indie-pop and classical jazz.

"The Musical Stage", on the sidelines of the five-day literary event, will begin here Jan 17 and will be hosting musical wizards from around the globe.

Grammy Award winner Tinariwen -- a band of Tuareg musicians from northern Mali in Africa, Rajasthani folk artists, composer-singer Karsh Kale, Indian electronic band Midival Punditz will bring evenings alive after a heavy day of literati debates and discussions.

The musical sidelight is scheduled for four days from Jan 17.

On the opening day, giving a glimpse of sophisticated rhythms of India, will be Jaipur Kawa Brass band who have given many international performances with their riotous trumpets, clarinets and loud, clattering drums.

Other performances include Rajasthani folk music and dance, Delhi-based band Ska Vengers, sarangi player Suhail and the Sufi gospel project.

The festival is also hosting two Nobel Prize winners, Amartya Sen and Harold Varmus, Order of the British Empire (OBE) awardee Mary Beard and teacher of classics at Cambridge University and Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri.

British writer Samantha Shannon, actor Irrfan Khan and boxer Mary Kom will also address sessions.

The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual event, billed as the world's largest free literary festival. The first of these festivals began on a small scale as part of the Jaipur Heritage International Festival in 2006.

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who was recently approached with an offer to shake a leg with Suriya Sivakumar in his upcoming yet-untitled Tamil thriller, has expressed interest in it, says director N.Lingusamy.

"We did approach Sonakshi for a special song, which is not an item number in the film. She really liked the song and was interested to do it, but she hasn't signed on the dotted line yet," Lingusamy told IANS.

The special number is expected to be shot next month in Mumbai, where most of the film's shooting has taken place so far.

The film also features Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Vidyut Jamwal, Manoj Bajpayee and Rajpal Yadav in important roles.

Film: "Gunday"; Composer: Sohail Sen; Singers: Javed Ali, Shadab Faridi, Vishal Dadlani, KK, Neeti Mohan, Bappi Lahiri, Arijit Singh, Neha Bhasin, Shahid Mallya, Altmash Faridi, Sohail Sen, Monali Thakur, Kinga Rhymes; Rating ***1/2

The music album of director Ali Abbas Zafar's forthcoming film "Gunday" is evidence of Sohail Sen's versatility.

Set in the 1970s, the soundtrack of the movie, which features Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles, boasts of 10 tracks, including a rap, a classical and a Bangla version of "Tune maari entriyaan".

It starts with the peppy, entertaining "Jashn-e-ishqa". Sung by Javed Ali and Shadab Faridi, it is an all-male number. It's a celebration of love, friendship and power. Whichever mood you are in, this will pep you up so much that you will automatically start jiving to the beats.

The second one is "Tune maari entriyaan". Sung by Bappi Lahiri, KK, Neeti Mohan, and Vishal Dadlani, it will just blow you away with its beats and the right combination of voices.

Are you in love? If yes, "Jiya" is perfect for you. And in case you are not in a romantic relationship, then you would surely want to be in one after hearing the song in Arijit Singh's soothing and melodious voice. It strikes an instant chord with the listeners.

Next up is "Asalaam-e-ishqum". Sung by Bappi Lahiri and Neha Bhasin, it creates a retro and modern feel. The duo definitely takes the song to the next level. The next time you visit a discotheque, there is a huge possibility you will be welcomed by the song.

"Saaiyaan" is fifth on the list. Initially, it will remind you of "Do dhari talwar" from "Mere Brother ki Dulhan". A very soothing number sung by Shahid Mallya, it is all about heartbreak.

Next in line is "Mann kunto maula". Amir Khusro's poem has been given a modern twist by Altamash Faridi and Shadab Faridi. The song stands out because of the use of the guitar that gives it a very modern feel.

The title track "Gunday", which is placed seventh, is of 163 seconds and basically describes the two male characters in the movie. What makes the song perfect for the album is the rap by Kinga Rhymes.

"Rhythm of Jashn-e-ishqa" is not so appealing. There is nothing wrong with it, but such songs look effective when played during a dramatic scene in a movie.

"Mann kunto maula (classical)" is next. As the name suggests, it is a classical number and is more soothing than the original version. It will remind you of the spiritual number "Kun faaya kun" from "Rockstar".

"Tune maari entriyaan (Bangla version)" wraps up the album. Sung by Bappi Lahiri and Monali Thakur, the lyrics are not very difficult to understand. It is high on fun and entertaining.

Overall, "Gunday" has songs for every mood and music lovers couldn't have asked for more.

Bollywood's new entrant Daisy Shah, who is debuting with Salman Khan-starrer "Jai Ho", says she was asked to tone up a bit before starting work on the movie.

"I was asked to tone down my body before staring for the film. I was not asked to lose weight as such, but I was asked to tone a bit. I was not plump, but I was always on the healthier side and toning up your body brings a huge difference in your appearance," Daisy, also a choreographer, told IANS.

Praising her superstar co-star Salman, she said: "It's always a dream for everyone to work with Salman and I had an opportunity to work with him. He is very supportive and very protective about his co-stars."

If given a chance, she said, "I would like to romance with Salman again and again in all my films."

Daisy has earlier worked in the southern film industry, and she believes there is a difference in the way the Mumbai film industry functions.

"The working pattern is different in both the industries," she said.

Actress Kangana Ranaut is a "fashion queen" and "overconfident" in real life unlike her role in the forthcoming movie "Queen", says its director Vikas Bahl.

"Kangana is overconfident in real life. She is a fashion queen and her approach towards her life is absolutely different (from her character in the movie)," Bahl told IANS.

The actress essays the role of Rani, a shy Punjabi woman in "Queen".

Bahl said: "She has played her part really well, but in real life she is nowhere close to Rani. Kangana has contributed a lot to this film."

"Queen" was appreciated in festival circuits despite being made as a commercial venture.

"For us, it's a huge achievement because 'Queen' was made as a commercial film and it was also liked by the festival audience. It's an achievement for us," Bahl said.

"Queen" will hit the screens Feb 28.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is shooting with young stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Parineeti Chopra for "Daawat-e-Ishq", says they are perfect to work with as they are energetic.

"Aditya Roy Kapur and Parineeti Chopra are perfect co-actors and make it easy to shoot at night. They are energetic, charming and real funny," Anupam tweeted Thursday.

The movie is produced by Yash Raj Films, and it is being directed by Habib Faisal.

Actress Anushka Sharma is upset with the way horses are treated at the Gateway of India here.

“So pissed! The way the horses are treated at Gateway of India is so sad. You can see their ribs! Legs so weak,” the “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” star tweeted Wednesday night.

“Gateway of India is a tourist location. And this is how animals are being treated. This is cruel,” she added.

The 25-year-old recently completed five years in Hindi film industry, and was last seen in "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola".

Director Ken Ghosh has shared that his son will give his first stage performance at Blue Frog here Thursday.

“The son is making his stage debut at Blue Frog tonight with an acoustic guitar performance - rockstar beta,” he tweeted Thursday.

Ghosh is known for films like “Ishq Vishk” and “Chance Pe Dance”.

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who has delivered hits like "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and "Rock On!!", turned 40 Thursday, and his friends from the film fraternity wished him more power and success.

Here’s what celebrities like Arjun Rampal, Karan Johar and Abhishek Bachchan posted on Twitter:

Arjun Rampal: Happy birthday Farhan Akhtar. Mere dost mere bhai (my friend, my brother). Welcome to the 40s and rock on forever. Love and a big hug.

Karan Johar: Happy Birthday Farhan Akhtar! Known you for over three decades and here's to many more! Big love and all the happiness! Huge hug!

Abhishek Bachchan: Here's wishing my buddy Farhan Akhtar the happiest birthdays of all. Bas tu bhaag Farhan! Big love.

Farah Khan: Happy birthday to Farhan Akhtar and me, the only two members of "Capri9" (Capricorn Jan 9).

Nikhil Advani: Happy birthday. Power to you and how you've constantly been changing the film scene. Showing all of us the way it can be done.

Arshad Warsi: Happy Birthday to the super talented Farhan Akhtar. Bhaagwati.

Ehsaan Noorani: Happy Birthday Farhan Akhtar. Have a super one bro!

Punit Malhotra: Farhan Akhtar, Happy birthday. Hope you have a super day and a rocking year ahead.

Riteish Deshmukh: Bas tu Bhaaag Farhan Akhtar - janamdin ki haardhik shubh kaamnayein (keep running Farhan Khan - wish you happy birthday).

Shekhar Ravjiani: Happy Birthday Farhan! Rock on brother

Satish Kaushik: Wishing you a happy birthday my dear. More happiness, more success is in store for you. Proud of you 'Milkha'.

Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan, currently tied up with “Happy New Year” shooting, turned 48 Thursday and she has been showered with love by friends, including Abhishek Bachchan who said that he will "dance my socks off for you today".

Celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Nikhil Advani and her husband Shirish Kunder took to Twitter to wish the mother of triplets:

Shirish Kunder: It's Farah Khan's birthday today. Contrary to rumours, she only grew a year older.

Karan Johar: Happy Birthday Farah Khan! We have more memories together than we can even remember. Love you! Have a Happy New Year!

Farhan Akhtar: Nothing better than being home with family to bring in the birthday. Happy birthday Capri-9.

Abhishek: So it happens to be Farah Khan‘s birthday too. Farahbia, thank you for the faith you have in me. Will dance my socks off for you today!

Nikhil Advani: Happy birthday Farah Khan. This year is going to be such a "Happy" one for you. Love and big hug!

Punit Malhotra: Farah Khan many happy returns of the day. Wish you all the love and happiness. Happy Birthday!

Arjun Rampal: Farah Khan happy birthday darling, wish you all the happiness and love. Have a superb year.

Shekhar Ravjiani: Farah! Tum jiyo hazaaron saal (may you live for thousand years). Happy birthday to you.

Sujoy Ghosh: Yo Farah Khan the happy birthday to you. Nobody loves your aloo (potato) more than me.

Jacqueline Fernandez: The amazing Farah Khan lots of love coming your way for your birthday!

Sonu Sood: Today on eve of Farah Khan 's birthday Farah's favourite Juhu signal is all clear, no traffic. Jai ho Farah. Aap Mahaan ho (you are great). Happy birthday. No salads, no muesli, no oats for today. Only pastries and sweets. My best buddy.

Bengali veteran actress Suchitra Sen has become "weak" due to poor food intake although her cardiac condition is stable, a medical bulletin said Thursday.

According to the latest bulletin, "her oxygen saturation again dipped Wednesday evening but with intensive chest physiotherapy, it has now stabilized. Her cardiac condition remains stable.

"In view of her poor food intake, she is weak and her dietary therapy has been intensified. She is being seen by two pulmonologists," it said.

Following complications, Sen was put on the ventilator Jan 3.

According to experts, her respiratory tract infection is under control though it still remains detrimental to her health.

The 82-year-old actress was undergoing treatment for chest infection at a nursing home since Dec 23. Her condition worsened Dec 28 night.

Dubbed as the Greta Garbo of Bengali cinema, Sen is known for her performances in films "Deep Jwele Jaai" and "Uttar Falguni" in Bengali as well as Hindi movies "Devdas", "Bombai Ka Babu", "Mamta" and "Aandhi".

She won the best actress award for "Saat Paake Bandha" at the Moscow Film Festival in 1963.

Here's yet another innovation for film marketing. Iconic Hindi movie "Sholay", which released in 3D recently, will now entertain users of social networking platform Facebook with specially designed stickers that 'friends' can send to each other.

The stickers, which will be launched jointly by Hungama Digital Media Entertainment and Sholay Media Entertainment over the weekend, will have on them the likeness of popular characters of the film -- Jai, Veeru, Thakur, Gabbar, Radha and Basanti.

The "Sholay" stickers include common emoticons by characters like love, tears, sleep, action and heartbreak.

The idea was to cash in on the popularity of Facebook stickers among the youth.

"It adds an element of fun in your interaction and people connect well with some of the emotions displayed in 'Sholay'. Hence, as part of our digital strategy, we decided to launch the Facebook stickers so that people can incorporate a facet of the film in something as simple as the Facebook chat," Neeraj Roy, managing director and CEO, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd., said in a statement.

To send a "Sholay" sticker, open a message or chat with the person you want to send the sticker to, click the smiley face in the chat window, scroll to see the available stickers, click on the basket in the top right to download more stickers and get the "Sholay" stickers.