A sessions court here Friday rejected the bail plea filed by Sooraj Pancholi, arrested on charges of abetting the suicide of Bollywood actress Nafisa alias Jiah Khan.

The prosecution opposed his bail application on grounds that the investigations had already reached a crucial stage and his release at this stage could hamper the probe.

Sooraj -- son of Bollywood actor-couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab -- is in judicial custody till June 27 and lodged at the Arthur Road Central Jail.

In his bail application, among other things, Sooraj has contended that the late Jiah's mother, Rabiya Khan who is the complainant in her daughter's suicide case, was allegedly taking revenge against him for some unknown reasons.

Sooraj further alleged that Rabiya Khan was "misusing" a letter penned by Jiah which was found at her home four days after she ended her life, June 3.

In his bail plea filed through a lawyer, Sooraj further contended that the letter - in which Jiah had described her woes with Sooraj - was not addressed to him and did not carry his name.

After the five-page letter was recovered and handed over to the police, Sooraj was arrested June 10 on grounds that it was "incriminating" evidence against him as she had blamed him for various problems she faced during her lifetime.

Shortly after his arrest, a magistrate in Andheri court had remanded Sooraj to police custody for three days and then to judicial custody till June 27.

Sonal Giani, an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activist, is living her daily life in front of the cameras for the show "Connected Hum Tum", and she has been vocal about being in love with another woman. She admits that the show is a "huge step forward in terms of acceptance of same sex love".

"Janu (my partner) and I are the first lesbian couple to be showcased at primetime on national television," Sonal said in a statement.

"So many people, and not just members of the gay community, have written in and called up to say that seeing us go through the typical trials and tribulations of love, has opened their eyes to the fact that sex between two men or two women is not all that different from the love a man and woman feel for each other," she added.

The 26-year-old, a theatre producer, is happy that "more and more people have begun to accept us with open arms as they feel for our struggle to be together".

"Connected Hum Tum”, a weekday show, is hosted by Bollywood actor Abhay Deol, features six women showcasing their personal lives. Sonal's story has garnered unprecedented response.

Harish Iyer, a prominent activist wrote an open letter to the show's director Paromita Vohra.

Iyer wrote how he "expected a lot of hungama with some over-the-top, over-powering music and dramatic effects" when the gender of Sonal's lover was revealed. But instead he "was pleasantly proven wrong" as Sonal's partner was revealed "without any fanfare".

"It was so casual and so strongly depicted that without spelling anything out, you said everything. And you conveyed the right message to the audience. The message that love is beyond gender. And it didn't matter whether a man loves a man, or a woman loves a woman - whatever the permutation and combination, the word, the feeling, the emotion that stands out is love," he added.

Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh still can't believe he spent 13 days in jail for being accused in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scam. Now he says he will never ever watch a cricket match or associate with cricketers.

"I thought I'd be out in hours. I had told my wife I'd be back by lunch time when they took me in. I came home after 13 days," Vindoo said after he was granted bail earlier this week.

It was his family's support that kept him strong.

"My wife stood by me. She believed in my innocence. And so did my entire family. They came to see me after I was taken in. I told them I was not guilty of any of this. That was all they needed to hear.

"My family kept me going. My wife knows exactly what I am capable of. She didn't believe any of this nonsense. My love and respect for her has doubled," he added.

Recalling the genesis of the experience, Vindoo said: "I still can't believe what I went through. There are thousands of people who bet in cricket. I haven't done anything wrong. Except that I loved cricket! Now I hate the game.

"I'll never again look at cricket. My love for cricket has cost me so heavily that I'd never again watch a game in my life. I'll never speak to anyone related to the game of cricket."

Thinking of his arrest leaves Vindoo in jitters.

"I never expected I'd be held for so long. When these guys decided to arrest me, there were hundreds of mediapersons around. I don't know who informed them. They asked me to cover my face. I refused. Why should I have covered my face? I had done no wrong," said Vindoo, son of late legend Dara Singh.

None of Vindoo's friends from the film industry spoke up for him. He defends their silence saying: "You have to understand they were not sure of my innocence. If everyday I read the things that were written about me in the papers, even I'd have kept quiet.

"I don't blame anyone for not speaking up for me. If I had done wrong they'd be in trouble. So they had to be careful."

However, he is glad his "childhood friends" stood up for him, and he was "amazed" with the support of actress Dolly Bindra.

Vindoo revealed he was treated well in custody. "During the first hour of interrogation, I told them about my exact connection with cricket. They wanted to know more about Gurunath Meiyappan and Asad Rauf. I came clean. But like I said, I am done with cricket.

"My brothers would often ask me why I waste so much time watching cricket. I'd fight back. Today I realise I was wasting my time. To hell with this rubbish game. It has brought me so much pain," he added.

Nevertheless, he is all for legalising betting in cricket.

"If they're going to pick up anyone on these charges, then they might as well either shut down the bookies completely or allow them legally. The world knows for 25 years where all the bookies of the world stay," he said.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been lately worried sick. His extended family is caught in the devastating deluge of Uttarakhand, and the Bollywood actor has been struggling hard to stay connected with them.

"I have three brothers and a sister in Dehradun. It's hard get in touch. But so far they are safe. This kind of natural fury and devastation are unknown in our parts," says Nawaz who spent all his growing up years in Uttarakhand.

The Uttarakhand capital Dehradun is some 340 km from the national capital Delhi.

"My family being there is one thing. So many locals, pilgrims, tourists and travellers being stranded is very disturbing," says the actor who is deeply pained by the devastation, destruction and deaths caused by nature's fury, and thinking of ways to help the people of the state.

"There wasn't even a cinema hall where I grew up. Our entire family lived in a state of uncomplicated simplicity. Although we were a poor family, the place holds wonderful memories for me. It pains me to hear and see so much havoc being created by nature in my beautiful homeland. I think we're paying for our sins of economical devastation," says Nawaz.

The actor is currently trying to finish the dubbing for Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa".

Nearly 600 people have been killed, while thousands remain stranded in Uttarakhand. The state saw over 60 hours of continuous and heavy rains coupled with few incidents of cloudbursts at various locations June 14-17, which led to the flooding in Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and triggered landslides at many places.

From deep sea diving and skydiving in “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” to snow hiking in “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” - thanks to Bollywood movies showing adventure sports, these exciting activities are capturing the interest of Indian youths rapidly.

According to a recent online poll conducted by iExperience.in, an online platform where one can book adventure activities, underwater diving emerged as the top choice for adventure sports lovers with 51.82 percent votes.

Trekking, skydiving and cycling were other favorites, said a statement.

“We wanted to know if Bollywood acts as a catalyst to inspire young India to try out new things, and well it does. What we learnt, is that even though a small percentage, yet people are open to new adventures and new learning,” said Sandeep Singh, CEO and co-founder of iExperience.in.

Few other interesting observations were the choice of weekend plans. As many as 48.26 percent of the 2,000 respondents chose hanging out with friends as against 15.64 percent who wanted to try some new experience for their weekend breaks.

Clubbing seems to be a dying trend as only 15.3 percent chose to spend their weekend in a club or pub.

Keeping in sync with the summer holiday rush, the website carried the survey across various portals targeting the age group of 18-40.

Southern star Dhanush's Bollywood debut "Raanjhanaa" opened to rave reviews when it hit the screens Friday. His performance is being lauded, but he says he felt happiest when he didn't come across even a line of complaint about his Hindi dialogue delivery.

Dhanush had worked hard to improve his Hindi accent for the movie.

"For me, in all the reviews, there was one line that was not written and that not written line, was the best compliment (for me). No one complained about my Hindi," the 29-year-old said here Friday at the launch of the cover of Star Week magazine, featuring him and Sonam Kapoor.

"Nobody said anything about my Hindi and for me, it's really big. I really suffered saying the lines and while dubbing (for the movie). So that's the biggest compliment (I have received)," he added.

Asked about his Bollywood plans post "Raanjhanaa", he said: "I don't think like that, I don't plan my future. I am sitting here because god wanted that. He made all my decisions for me."

"Even now I am not planning anything. Whatever comes my way, that's enough," he added.

Directed by Anand L. Rai, "Raanjhanaa" tells the love story of Kundan and Zoya who reside in Benaras. Sonam Kapoor plays his love interest in the film.

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh's own film "Shortcut Romeo" released Friday, but he also wishes well for the fate of his close friend, actress Sonam Kapoor's "Raanjhanaa", which released on the same day. Neil feels the movies will mark a new beginning for both of them.

"Sonam in 'Raanjhanaa' is completely transformed. I can see the change in her. I feel it would be like a new beginning for her. It's like what happened to Karisma Kapoor after 'Raja Hindustani' or Shabana Azmi in 'Arth'," said Neil.

Neil and Sonam developed a good friendship ever since they worked together in Abbas-Mustan's "Players". They have kept close tabs on each other's projects since, and even make sure they watch one another's films.

There's a healthy give-and-take of criticism from both ends.

Neil himself feels a similar change in his own work in "Shortcut Romeo".

"Believe me, I've never worked so hard. Because the director Susi Ganesh is completely new to Hindi cinema and Bollywood, I was virtually the one-point stopover for the entire project in Mumbai," he said.

The actor says he served as the hero, the chief assistant, the production co-ordinator and the spotboy on this one.

"My involvement with 'Shortcut Romeo' was so deep that I forgot where the actor was left behind and the all-purpose project coordinator took over. Susi is completely alien to Bollywood. I had to lead him through the entire project. But I enjoyed every bit of it," he added.

Neil is confident of "Shortcut Romeo" in spite of competition from his friend's film, which is already doing brisk business.

"I know 'Raanjhanaa' is a big one. Everyone wants to see the love story between Sonam and Dhanush. So do I. But we are advantaged by our budget. 'Raanjhanaa' is a Rs.30 crore to Rs.35 crore project. We completed 'Shortcut Romeo' within Rs.15 crores although we shot in some of the most exotic spots of the world," said Neil.

Nevertheless, Neil is all for "Raanjhanaa", and even confident of his own film.

"'Shortcut Romeo' was a huge success in Tamil. And we've gone many steps ahead of the Tamil original 'Thiruttu Payale' in terms of treatment and execution," he added.

As the compassionate helper Shabbo in "Veer-Zaara" or as the lower-caste Jalebi in "Delhi-6", actress Divya Dutta has proved her versatility time and again with strong roles. She says it's not as though she is scared of being typecast.

"I believe in my roles and I am not scared of trying different roles. I an not scared of being typecast (either). When I played a mother's role in 'Gippi' people really appreciated my work," the 35-year-old told IANS.

The actress says her Bollywood journey, which began n 1994 with "Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna", without any backing, has not been a cakewalk.

"I didn't have any backing and there was nobody to guide me. The journey was not easy, but I am happy that I have reached so far," said the acclaimed actress.

She has also done lead roles in films like "Train to Pakistan" and "Shaheed-E-Mohabbat".

She will also feature in forthcoming films like "Lootera" and "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".

Priyanka Chopra's second single, "Exotic", from her album "In My City" has leaked online, but the actress is not complaining.

"Okay! So my new single 'Exotic' has been leaked! I should be angry, but I'm actually quite relieved and happy to share it with you all," tweeted the 30-year-old.

American rapper and songwriter Pitbull has collaborated with the Bollywood actress for her second number, which is catchy and, a few Hindi lyrics add a bit of a 'desi' flavour to it as well.

Priyanka, who recently lost her father, says the "official version is out any minute now.... wait for it".

"And as always, let me know what you guys think," added the National award winning actress, who made her international singing debut with the song "In my city" in 2012.

Her first song featured guest vocals from Will.i.am and 130,000 copies of it are said to have been sold in India.

Veteran actress Hema Malini's younger daughter Ahana Deol, an Odissi dancer and a keen fashion designer, is engaged to Delhi-based businessman Vaibhav Vora. The engagement here was a private family affair, said a source.

They exchanged rings Friday evening, confirmed the source, who is close to the family.

"Ahana got engaged to Delhi-based businessman Vaibhav last evening at Hemaji's Juhu residence. It was a very private affair with only close family members," the source added.

The wedding date is yet to be fixed. Ahana is Hema and Dharmendra's second daughter after Esha, who was married in June 2012.

"Dharamji and Hemaji will decide on the wedding date and they will make an announcement," said the source.

Ahana and Vaibhav are said to have met during Esha's wedding with businessman Bharat Takhtani.

Sonam Kapoor perhaps couldn't have asked for more with "Raanjhanaa"! She says her father, actor Anil Kapoor, who is usually her biggest critic, gave her the biggest compliment for her performance in the romantic saga.

"The biggest compliment for me was when my dad saw the film...and usually he is my biggest critic....He told me, 'There is not one false moment from you'," the 28-year-old said here Friday at the launch of the cover of Star Week magazine featuring the father-daughter duo.

"Obviously, he doesn't say anything beyond that," she said, adding how her father then went on about her film's co-star Dhanush.

"Raanjhanaa" marks Dhanush's entry into Bollywood. He plays Kundan in the movie and Sonam essays his love interest Zoya.

Released Friday, the Anand L. Rai directorial is said to be amassing a good response at the box office.

Exhorting people to help the Uttarakhand flood victims, Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha Saturday expressed their support and solidarity for the disaster-stricken state.

Sonakshi's father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, has donated Rs.50 lakh for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

"What we did, we did as a family. We are not separate entities. My father has extended help and we are with him. We are really sympathetic," said Sonakshi while promoting her forthcoming film "Lootera" here.

"Please come forward to help. As long as we are all together nothing can stop us as a country," she said.

Her "Lootera" co-star Ranveer Singh feels pro-active action can help mitigate problems asrsing out of natural disasters.

"I think it is a massive tragedy very sad not in anybody's hand...I am hopeful the authorities will do something about it. It is important to prepare ourselves and brace ourselves..this might happen again," said Ranveer.

"Lootera" is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.

His favourite genre is action, but Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh Saturday said he is ready to take up the challenge of doing a biopic.

"I am looking forward to do a biopic. I think it would be very exciting to transform into a person who has lived a full life...whose life has been closely chronicled. As an actor, I think it's a great challenge, and I am feel am upto it," Ranveer said here while promoting his forthcoming movie "Lootera".

The actor, who has been seen in films like "Band Baaja Baaraat" and "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl", will next be seen in "Lootera", directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.

The film stars Ranveer opposite Sonakshi Sinha.

Ranveer confessed he has been considering superhero-based film scripts as well.

"I would absolutely love to do a superhero film. I am looking forward to doing a superhero film. I think action is my favourite genre and I thoroughly enjoy it. I am a great fan of superheroes myself," he said.

"It would be a very good experience for me to play a superhero. There have been couple of superhero films that have come my way. They have not worked out because they are not the right ones," added the 27-year-old.

Dhanush has been lauded for his acting acumen, but he refuses to let go of his work as a singer, composer and lyricist. The actor, who has entered Bollywood with "Raanjhanaa", says music is such an important part of his life that he can't perform without it.

The actor has written songs for few Tamil films like "Mayakkam Enna", "3", "Ethir Neechal" and upcoming film "Maryan."

"Music is my life, without music I will just perish, I cannot perform. Whenever I perform, there is some music running in my head and I perform for that music," the 29-year-old said here Friday at the launch of the cover of Star Week magazine featuring him and Sonam Kapoor.

"Music is my food, my love, my life , everything," he added.

Dhanush's "Why this kolaveri di" became a rage in 2012. He had penned and sung it.

National award winning actor Annu Kapoor promises to share some of Indian cinema's unheard stories through the radio. He has turned radio jockey for 92.7 Big FM's new offering “Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor".

His show, which will also take listeners back to the golden era of music, will go on air Monday.

“I would like to share my experience with my audience through the tremendous heritage of melodious music from 1955 to 1985. I want to tell untold stories and trivia which I learnt while working with and interacting with great directors and producers throughout my career of 31 years,” the actor said at the launch of the show Friday.

Also seen at the launch were Annu's "Vicky Donor" co-actor Ayushmann Khurrana, and singer Jaspinder Narula.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha is one of the few actresses who wears a nose accessory even on screen. She says it is convenient to wear and gives her the 'desi' look.

Sonakshi had her nose pierced when she was 16.

"I have worn a nose ornament right from my first film ('Dabangg') and I keep altering from a nose ring to a stud," Sonakshi, who is known for sporting various Indian avatars in her films, said in a statement.

The 26-year-old will flaunt a nose ring once again in her forthcoming film "Lootera". The actress will wear a traditional nose ring, which also enhances her character in the movie.

"I have used a very traditional Bengali-looking nose stud in the shape of a flower. It's a hassle-free accessory and is also the mark of an Indian woman," she tweeted.

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Bipasha uses own fitness DVD for workout

Fit and fabulous Bipasha Basu never gives her workout session a miss. So, when she was in Ooty shooting for 3D film "Creature" and didn't find the gym facilities satisfactory, her own DVDs came in handy.

The actress has so far launched two fitness-based DVDs - "BB Love Yourself: Fit and Fabulous You" (2010) and "Breakfree" (2012).

“In Ooty, the gym is not that great, so the workout DVDs are helping us all! Waiting to launch 'Unleash' next,” tweeted the 34-year-old, who has flaunted her perfect curves in movies like “Jism”, “Dhoom 2” and “Players”.

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Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani get emotional

Rough and tough Vishal Dadlani and melodious beauty Shreya Ghoshal ended up in tears when they had to select one between a brother and a sister for singing reality show “Indian Idol Junior”.

Vishal and Shreya judge the Sony Entertainment Television show along with Shekhar Ravjiani. It became the strenuous task for them to select the top 10 young singers of the nation, said a statement.

There was a point when Shreya and Vishal had to choose one between a set of siblings. They couldn't control their emotions and eventually shed few tears, said a source.

Shreya says eliminating kids is the toughest part about being on the show.

“I just do not like this part of show when we need to say no to the contestants and specially to those cute and little ones. It really feels sad,” said Shreya.

For those who saw her in the stiff and strict character of Ammaji in "Na Aaana Is Des Laado", it would have been hard to imagine that Meghna Malik can dance - and how!

Despite her entertaining and confident performances, the powerhouse actress's stint on dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6" came to an end Saturday.

Meghna was the third celebrity contestant to get eliminated from the show, after actor-comedian Suresh Menon and former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

She, along with her choreographer Savio Barnes, was in the bottom three contestants of this week's elimination episode.

The others who could have been out of the show were Karanvir Bohra and Shweta Tiwari.

Karanvir and Meghna performed in the face-off round to secure their spot in the celebrity dance reality show.

Saturday's episode was a "Family Special" and it saw the contestants stage some wonderful performances dedicated to their family members.

The remaining contestants now include actors Drashti Dhami, Shweta Tiwari, Karanvir Bohra, Siddharth Shukla, Ekta Kaul, Aarti Chabaria along with singer Shaan, actress-dancer Lauren Gottlieb and "India’s Got Talent” winners Sonali and Sumant.

The Colors' show is judged by talented trio Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar and Remo D'Souza.

Filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor, who is set to shoot his next film with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, says he has still not finalised the leading lady of the project.

As per earlier reports, Katrina Kaif was supposed to play the lead in the film opposite Sushant, who plays the protagonist.

"It's a sensitive love story and we are still in the scripting stage. Sushant is playing the lead and nothing else has been finalised," Kapoor told IANS.

The film is an adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic "Great Expectations" and Sushant's second movie with the director after the 2013 hit "Kai Po Che!".

The movie is being produced by Ekta Kapoor and is expected to go on floors by October this year.

Appreciating co-actor Sonakshi Sinha's managerial skills, Ranveer Singh says he hardly has time for himself.

"It is very off balance right now. It is completely skewed one way. I don't have much of a personal life. You promote one day...you shoot all night. There really isn't any time right now for personal life," Ranveer said here while promoting his forthcoming movie "Lootera".

"I think it's all right because we are in our late twenties...we need to consolidate a career that's just taken off," said Ranveer.

The actor, who has been seen in films like "Band Baaja Baaraat" and "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl", next stars in "Lootera", directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, opposite Sonakshi. The film is scheduled for release July 5.

The heart-throb praised Sonakshi for committing to multiple projects a year and said he learns the art of dealing with work pressure from her.

"We work double shifts, something I am very new to, which Sonakshi does all the time. She is such a busy actor. She has five releases a year...she makes so many movies a year. One of the busiest actors in the business. I learn from her how to tackle the load of your professional life," said the 27-year-old.

"I try and take out some time for friends and family to rejuvenate and recharge yourself so that you can tackle your work afresh but yes the sole priority in my life right now is my career," added Ranveer.

Actress Shruti Haasan says she could not let go of the opportunity to work in forthcoming movie "D Day" as it is the most challenging role for her so far.

The 27-year-old, who was seen playing a simple girl in the recently released "Ramaiya Vastavaiya", is glad that she is part of the movie, which is helmed by Nikhil Advani.

"When I was approached for this film, I couln't say no to it. It's the most challenging role so far. I am glad I am part of this film," Shruti said.

Shruti, who made her Bollywood debut with 2009 movie "Luck", will be seen opposite actor Arjun Rampal. She insists that her role in the movie is not bold.

"I won't say bold but it's a very sensual role and Arjun Rampal made me feel very comfortable. Arjun is a wonderful co-star to work with," she said.

"D Day" also stars Rishi Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Irrfan in prominent roles. It is slated for July 19 release.