Salman Khan's film "Jai Ho" has received mixed reactions at the box-office and the superstar feels that the response at the theatres and the collections garnered are not "matching up".

"This time we are also confused because the reactions inside the theatres and the collections are not matching up. So it's a very strange thing," the 48-year-old said here Monday at the launch of Gixxer bikes by Suzuki.

However, Salman believes that their effort at doing something different from their regular stuff might be a reason for people not thronging to the theatres.

"We have done something different, may be people were expecting something like 'Dabangg', 'Ready' like time pass film to enjoy. Some must have understood that 'Jai Ho' is not that kind of film, this is a serious film with a social message," Salman said.

The 48-year-old says that he is the only person to be blamed for any kind of debacle.

"I will only say that the credit or the blame for my film should come to me and not to anybody else. Perhaps I have failed in bringing in the people," he said.

Directed by his brother Sohail Khan, "Jai Ho" has managed to collect around approximately Rs. 61 crore in the opening weekend of it's release.

Under the tutelage of leading actors such as Shivrajkumar and Kiccha Sudeep and activist Vatal Nagaraj, the Kannada film industry staged a rally here against the release of dubbed films in the state.

"By releasing other language films and serials dubbed in Kannada, we are sidelining the importance of Kannada in its own land. We wouldn't let that happen and if it continues we'll take serious steps to stop it," Nagaraj told IANS during Monday's rally.

"Late Kannada superstar Rajkumar protected the culture of Kannada industry for many years. Dubbed films were not allowed during his era but it has changed in the last few years. We need to continue what he started many years ago," he added.

Several cinema halls were shut and film activities were cancelled during the rally.

"We requested all the theatre owners to respect our request and shut down. The rally went off peacefully and hundreds of Kannadigas joined us in our movement to not allow dubbed films to be released in the state (Karnataka)," he said.

"We request the government to intervene and bring in suitable legislation. This matter needs to be taken seriously and addressed at the earliest," he added.

Several Kannada celebrities such as Darshan, Puneeth Rajkumar, Yash, Tara, Jayamala, Pooja Gandhi, Radhika Pandit, Leelavathi, Satish, Vinod Raj and Kumar Govinda participated in the rally.

Rohan Chand, a nine-year-old American actor of Indian origin, shares screen space with Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg in new war film “Lone Survivor”.

Rohan, who has acted in movies like “Jack & Jill” and “Bad Words”, is said to have an integral role in “Lone Survivor” that will hit Indian screens Feb 7.

His character and his onscreen father, played by actor Ali Suliman in the film, are the ones who save Wahlberg from the Afghan Army and nurse him back to health. The child actor, who started acting at the age of six, also speaks in Hindu and Urdu in the film, said a statement.

Later this year, he’ll be seen in another Hollywood film produced by popular talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg. The project also features Bollywood actors Juhi Chawla and Om Puri.

When you step out to let your hair down, look as stunning as the 1940's stars. Prepare your skin and then go for make-up, says an expert.

Steven Mick, international creative director, Blliis by Ravissant Spa and Salon, doles out few tips:

* Start with the basin skin care - cleansing, toning and moisturising.

* Use sunscreen in winter also.

* Apply only water-based foundation.

* Use loose powder to fix the foundation.

* Apply eye shadow which should include light creamy colour and a light rose shade.

* Finish eye make-up with eye liner giving the 1940's look.

Superstar Salman Khan plans to gift a swanky bike to one of his fans who walks or cycles around 18 km to watch his films.

At the launch of Gixxer bike by Suzuki Monday, the 48-year-old told reporters about this fan of his.

"There is one fan of mine who I have been trying to get in touch with for the longest time. I think during 'Bodyguard' I heard of him. He travels around 16-18 km from his village to watch my film," the 48-year-old said here at the event.

"He doesn't have much money, so whatever he grows like fruits, he exchanges them for the film's tickets from people. He cycles or walks those kilometres. I can't find him but when I do I will give him one of these bikes. What he does with the bike later is his concern but I am going to give him one Suzuki," Salman added.

His latest film "Jai Ho" released this Friday. Directed by Sohail Khan, the movie also features newcomer Daisy Shah along with Tabu and Danny Denzongpa.

Denying recent reports that actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will not be a part of Salman Khan's "Kick", producer Sajid Nadiadwala has confirmed that the actor will start shooting for the film soon.

"We were all celebrating Nawaz's (Nawazuddin) big win at Filmfare when we heard this news. We are starting the next schedule with Nawaz in a few days," Nadiadwala said in a statement.

Nawazuddin, who will be seen playing a pivotal role in "Kick", recently won the Filmfare award for the best actor in a supporting role for his film "The Lunchbox".

He has also proved his mettle in the past with films like "Gangs of Wasseypur" and "Bombay Talkies".

Be it exquisitely designed elaborate multilayered necklaces inspired by nature or alluring nose rings, brides can now team up refreshingly new jewellery pieces with their traditional attire.

Jewellery retailer Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Limited (TBZ-The Original) has unveiled New Age Brides wedding collection that complements every wardrobe, said a statement.

It consists of elaborate multilayered necklaces inspired by nature, which can embrace the bride’s neck. There are matching earrings and nose rings to complete the look. Bracelets and armlets can further help you make a style statement.

The exquisite gold and diamond wedding jewellery collection comprises a well curated assortment of engagement and wedding rings, bangles and kangans, waist belts, tikkas and more.

Actor Arjun Kapoor, who will be seen as Bala in the forthcoming movie "Gunday", says he had a difficult time during the shoot of the movie as he had to go four shades darker for his role.

"Gunday", also featuring Ranveer Singh, is based in the 1970s Calcutta (now Kolkata) and both the actors had to get their body tanned to match the skin tone of people there and make it look more realistic.

"I had it more difficult than Ranveer Singh as he had to go only two shades darker. For me, it was almost four shades," Arjun said in a statement.

It took approximately three hours for both the male lead actors to put on the tan make-up and two hours to get it off each time.

"Gunday", which also stars Priyanka Chopra, releases Feb 14.

Mustard oil manufacturer Puri Oil Mills Tuesday said it has roped in popular Bollywood actor Boman Irani as brand ambassador for its popular ‘P’ mark oil.

The association will enable the 80-year-old brand to connect with its traditional audience in the hinterland as well as with younger, lifestyle oriented and health conscious urban consumers, the company said in a statement.

The campaign featuring Boman Irani is expected to start in a new months. The company did not disclose the money it will pay to the actor for endorsements.

“I am excited by the prospect of being a brand ambassador for mustard oil. I am a foodie and I also believe in the connection between fitness and healthy eating,” Boman Irani said.

“The recognition of the health benefits delivered by mustard oil goes back thousands of years, and Puri Oil Mills Limited has taken this ancient heritage to new heights for the past eighty years,” the company statement quoted the actor as saying.

Puri Oil Mills managing director Vivek Puri said: “Boman Irani is an exceptional actor. He combines top performance in his movies with sincerity, elegance and maturity. These are precisely the qualities that are embroiled in our brands.”

Amole Gupte's films generally leave the audience teary eyed. Saqib Saleem was one such member of the audience after he watched Stanley Ka Dabba. Ever since Saqib saw the film, he was extremely eager to meet the film maker; so much so that he called up Amole Gupte's manager to request him for a chance to meet the illustrious director. However, the meeting never happened then.

It was finally in 2011 that Saqib got a call from Mr.Gupt's new manager offering him a role in the director's next, titled Hawaa Hawai. Soon after that call Saqib auditioned for the role of a skating coach and was selected. A dream came true for Saqib who not only just met the celebrated film maker but also got the opportunity to work with him.

It is usually the actresses that take hours to get ready for shoot. But this time around, it is the two boys, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor that took hours to get ready for their shots in Gunday.

For their upcoming film, Gunday, which is a total masala film set in Calcutta, both the boys needed to get on a tanning makeup before the shot.

These shots were bare body shots so not just their face.. But also their body had to have the tan in order to match the skin tone of people in Calcutta and make it more realistic.

It took the boys 3 hours to put the tan make up and 2 hours to get it off each time.

The boys really understood why the actresses take so much time now and they surely empathize with them after this experience.

The film is slated to release on 14th Feb 2014.

Arjun Kapoor says, "I had it more difficult than Ranveer Singh as he had to go only two shades darker for me it was almost four shades."

The teaser of RAGINI MMS-2 released last year created an online stir with more than 8 million cumulative views.

Now the main trailer of the keenly awaited Sunny Leone HORREX (horror and sex) feature is ready to be unveiled.

Balaji will attach it with Dharma Productions' Sidharth Malhotra-Parineeti Chopra starrer HASEE TOH PHASEE, releasing on 7 February.

The steamy and spooky uncensored version of the trailer will be released on the Net earlier, on 3 February.

Confirmed Tanuj Garg, CEO - Balaji Motion Pictures, "Dharma is family. They kindly consented to attach the trailer of RAGINI MMS-2 with HTP. To reciprocate the gesture, we will attach the trailer of their TWO STATES to SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS."

RAGINI MMS-2, top-lined by Sunny Leone, releases in cinemas on March 21.

Fondly reminiscing their relationship with their "mentor" and legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, veteran actors Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore Tuesday expressed awe that every time they watch his films, there's always something new to learn.

Privileged to have worked with the master in the early phases of their career, Chatterjee and Tagore recalled how the meticulous director ingrained in them the basic tenets of acting that guided them in their celluloid sojourns through decades and still continues to resonate long after his death.

"Every time you see his films, you discover something and it's such a learning experience and so enhancing," said Tagore during a session at the third Kolkata Literary Meet here.

"Watching his films is always a learning process," said Chatterjee.

Chatterjee, who made his debut in Ray's "Apur Sansar" in 1959 along with the then school-going student Tagore, stressed Ray's clarity of vision that helped his actors to get the essence of the characters right.

"He used to read the script with us and everything was clear during that reading session. Unlike some filmmakers who try to impress their expertise on their actors, Ray never exaggerated his instructions. He was clear and precise," Chatterjee said.

Echoing Chatterjee, Tagore added she never found it difficult to understand Ray and the "atmosphere of the set" that he and his crew created helped her to step into the character with ease.

As a teacher, Ray always emphasised the importance of working "wholeheartedly" and with "unwavering focus" on the film, be it any director, a lesson that both inculcated during their illustrious career.

Moreover, the "multi-layered" Ray was stern when it came to doing what was required of the script.

"If he did want something, he would absolutely make you do that... there was no way he would compromise," said Tagore.

"There were a lot of skilled filmmakers, but none like Satyajit Ray. He never allowed style to override content," explained Tagore on Ray's editing process.

Tagore narrated how Ray enacted a soliloquy of "Nayak" to Uttam Kumar during filming -- a testimony to his lesser-known facet as a good actor.

Indeed, both the actors owe their success to Ray.

"We grew very close in a short span of time and his vision has always been the guiding principle in my life and full of morals and I have imbibed his teachings," said Chatterjee.

"99 percent of the success was due to his direction... only one percent was due to me because I was an obedient student and could follow his instructions well," he said.

Tagore, who went on to become one of Bollywood's leading ladies, said though Hindi cinema gave her visibility and popularity, her being a performer is due to Ray.

"At a personal level, most certainly I valued working with Ray and that came early in my life. It was a privilege. He changed my life and I owe him everything."

Actor Abhay Deol, who turned producer with his film One By Two, says playing both parts at the same time is a tough job and he would prefer some other actor in his productions."But it's a tough job being both. In fact, I would prefer working in some other producer's film and having another actor in my production. That would be ideal for me," the 37-year-old said here Tuesday at the merchandise launch for the film in collaboration with the Bewakoof brand.

Abhay says being an actor and a producer gives one a chance to be more involved in all the processes but at the same time, a producer has to sacrifice a lot.

"There are different responsibilities like marketing, budget, distribution and all. As an actor you try and stay in the loop regarding these aspects. But as a producer you have more control," said the 37-year-old.

"You also sacrifice more as a producer, we take whatever we get in barter, we promote our film on any big platform possible. So we can give more commitment as an actor and producer," he added.

"One By Two" has been directed by Devika Bhagat and stars Abhay's girlfriend Preeti Desai in the lead.

The film will hit theatres Jan 31.

He received appreciation from fans and critics alike for his debut venture "Band Baaja Baaraat" and director Maneesh Sharma has donned the producer's hat with "Dum Laga Ke Haisha". He feels that films with good content always do well commercially, even if they are not promoted with excessive pomp and show.

"As a producer I feel promotions are really important but I also feel that if your content works, things work. It's really important that the movie has good content because that's what attracts the audiences in the first place," Sharma told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"There are different ways to promote a film. People hop from one TV channel to another, media interviews, city visits etc and the like, but despite all of this, if the basic content is not able to pull the audiences, all of this will go in vain," he added.

He is the first independent producer to be fostered by production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) under its new initiative.

What did he feel about the initiative?

"It's a new idea to promote new talent. It will give filmmakers the opportunity to try out different genres and make more films. It's definitely going to give filmmaking a very futuristic side.

"Moreover, doing this I feel Adi (YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra) will get time to concentrate on directing films as it's been long since he has directed one. He is raising the bar in filmmaking and setting a new benchmark by doing this," Sharma said.

Sharma worked as an assistant director for movies like "Fanaa", "Aaja Nachle" and "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" and made his directorial debut with "Band Baaja Baaraat", which featured Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles.

He then went on to direct "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl" and "Shuddh Desi Romance", but he says he still has the same feeling producing a film that he had while directing one.

"The experience is still the same. It's like a continuation of the same feeling. But dabbling with your directorial ventures and scripts, you don't get time to be creative, so it is exciting in that sense," Sharma said.

Asked if YRF presenting the film made things easier, he said: "Yes, it has made things easy for me. There is a definite cushioning for me and it is a big relief. Moreover, it gives me an option to focus on the creative aspects."

"The film being associated to YRF will surely help creating a buzz, but at the end of the day, the business will still depend on the audiences. Nobody can force a viewer's mind to watch a movie. So, the business bit is still not sure," he added.

"Dum Laga Ke Haisha", directed by Sharat Katariya, features Ayushmann Khurrana as the male lead. The female lead is a new face and the name will be announced soon.

"'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' is a very light-hearted romantic film. It is a simple, sweet and quirky film set in a small town. The lead actress is a new girl and we will be announcing her name soon. The budget is not big. It is a mid-sized film and does not require a big budget," he said.

Talking about his promotional strategy, Sharma said: "I can talk about it only after the first cut of the movie is ready. The movie will go on floors in early February and is slated for a 2014 release, and I guess it's too early to talk about the promotional strategy."

"But I do agree that for the movie to have a certain reach, a cost needs to be paid. So, once the movie's first cut is ready we will start doing the promotional rounds."

Cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Santosh Sivan is delighted by the government decision to honour him with a Padma Shri, since the recommendation for it came from within the film industry.

"I understand that it was Graftii, former students of the Pune Film Institute of India, who recommended my name for the honour. It feels good to be recommended by people who know my work... These are people whom I've worked with and who understand what I do on screen," said Sivan.

He feels the Padma Shri will give him more power to do what he believes in.

"I am now empowered to expand my voice in cinema and outside. When I was nominated as a member of the American Society Of Cinematographers, I was empowered. It allowed me to do the cinematography in Hollywood films and vote for the Oscars," he said.

Sivan is one of India's most accomplished cinematographers and filmmakers.

"The line dividing the two jobs gets blurred. But cinematography is more organic and personal. In direction you have a lot more organisational work to handle. You can't forget the film after pack-up. Direction is far more challenging," he said.

In the meanwhile, Sivan has started working on his new Malayalam film, "I Am Not Sita". He is also gearing up for the release of his political thriller "Ceylon" in Tamil and, then, Hindi.

"'I Am Not Sita' is a modern contemporary film with new actors. All are talented theatre actors," he said.

"I've also shot a separate 90-minute English version of 'Ceylon'. I don't want it to look like an art house film. There're elements of art in it.

"But I've made sure the Tamil-Hindi version is two hours long. Otherwise it wouldn't get a proper release in the Tamil Nadu theatres," he added.

As a cinematographer, Sivan is currently shooting a big budget Tamil film "Anjan" in Mumbai, directed by Lingswamy and featuring Suriya, Manoj Bajpai and Vidyut Jamwal.

Preeti Desai, who features opposite boyfriend Abhay Deol in her second film One By Two, had to train herself a lot in ballet and jazz dance forms for the film.

"Samara (Preeti's character in the film) has been dancing since she was four-year-old. It's not your typical Bollywood dance, it is ballet and jazz," the 29-year-old said here Tuesday at the merchandise launch of the film in association with brand, Bewakoof.

"So before the film started I trained five months prior everyday in ballet and jazz. Hopefully I will be convincing enough as a dancer in the film," she added.

"One By Two" has been directed by Devika Bhagat and will hit theatres Jan 31.

Actress Asin Thottumkal has been named the first brand ambassador of direct selling beauty company Avon India.

The "Ready" star, who has endorsed a soap and deodorant body spray brands in the past, will Feb 3 be officially announced as the face of Avon India.

The brand, which offers make-up, skin care, fragrance, hair care and more, is represented globally by Hollywood stars like Olivia Wilde, Megan Fox and Lucy Hale.

Avon's make-up collection for 2014 will also be unveiled at the event.

Asin, a popular name in the Telugu and Tamil film space, made her Bollywood debut in 2008 with Aamir Khan-starrer "Ghajini" in 2008. She went on to act with other renowned actors of the Hindi film industry like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan.

Soon after the Supreme Court refused to review its verdict on Section 377, actress and gay rights activist Celina Jaitely, currently stationed in Singapore with her husband and twin children, expressed shock and disbelief at the verdict.

Celina said from Singapore: "The honourable court has rejected the petition as it found no merit in it... No merit in it? Millions of lives are at stake and the court finds no merit in the petition?"

"People with gay tendencies cannot be held guilty for going against the order of Nature. Who decides what the order of Nature is? To me child marriages and marital rapes are unnatural," she added.

The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea of the central government, NGO Naz Foundation and others for the review of its Dec 11, 2013 verdict holding homosexuality to be an offence.

A bench of Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Sudhansu Jyoti Mukhopadhyay dismissed the review petition in a chamber hearing Tuesday afternoon.

However, Celina is still hopeful.

"I hope Parliament will address the issue and all the political parties, regardless of their political and religious affiliation, will come together to uphold the constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens. And that includes those affected directly by Tuesday's judgment."

The actress also says that her heart reaches out to the gay community in India.

"Thousands from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community came out in the open to protest when their sexual identity was challenged during the past four years. And that too after the Delhi High Court had decriminalized gay sex.

"Now the gay community is back to Square One. They face the threat of being prosecuted for choosing the partners that they want. I can't think of a greater injustice," she said.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is supporting and co-producing "Ya Rab", a film based on religious fundamentalists in Islam, says the movie faced a lot of trouble with the Censor Board as the board's examining committee was not ready to clear it with a U/A certificate.

"The film ("Ya Rab") had a tough time at the Censor Board," Mahesh Bhatt, who is co-producing the film under his banner "Vishesh Films", said here Tuesday at the launch of the first look of the film.

"The examining committee (of Central Board of Film Certification) refused to see the film and give it the certificate that we wanted. We wanted U/A certificate for the film but the Censor Board was not willing to do so unless some cuts were done. The revising committee got cold feet," he added.

It was then that Bhatt and the makers of the film decided to go to the Tribunal to seek a U/A certificate for the film.

"Finally me and director Hasnain Hyderabadwala went to the Tribunal and thank god, India has people who have integrity, who have courage. There Lalit Bhasin, who was heading the Tribunal, looked at Hasnain with awe and said 'you have made a brilliant film. I think India needs to see this film'," Bhatt recalled.

"Ya Rab" shows the battle between two ideologies. One group represents the Islamic principle of compassion and respect for human life while the other incites youth to avenge alleged atrocities on Muslims.

Slated to release Feb 7, 'Ya Rab' features 'Bigg Boss 7' fame Ajaz Khan in the lead role.