Actor Abhishek Bachchan turned 38 Wednesday and his father Amitabh Bachchan feels that it's time to turn his son's friend.

The 71-year-old took to his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com to share his feelings on the special occasion.

"Abhishek just turned 38. It is obvious cliché to start speaking suddenly of the day and moment he was born and what we were up to, of how he behaved when young, of his growing up, his days then to now, little incidents of nostalgic flavour," Amitabh posted on his blog.

He further added: "Now it is best to be with him as an adult a friend a confidante...a support, a companion...that is best what occurs to me, and shall ever remain."

The two have worked together in "Paa" and "Sarkar Raj".

Shah Rukh Khan, who is back to work after his recent injury, says that even though he is not completely fine, he is comfortable.

The actor, who was hurt while shooting for Farah Khan's "Happy new Year", resumed work Tuesday.

"Worked. Dented, bent and broken, but hopefully into shape. Only my work understands me. For the rest, I am outside their content of understanding," Shah Rukh posted on the microblogging site Tuesday night.

The actor will be seen with Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Deepika Padukone in "Happy New Year".

Actor Manoj Bajpayee is enjoying family time in the capital and says that the city has given him "wonderful memories".

"Now to Delhi to be with my large, big family! Wonderful memories attached with the city...can't forget a single moment," Manoj, who spent many years in Delhi before shifting base to Mumbai, posted on Twitter Wednesday

The actor has been seen in films like "Raajneeti" and "Gangs of Wasseypur".

The 3D action-adventure-romantic drama “Pompeii”, which is set for international release Feb 21, will hit the Indian screens on the same day.

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the story is set in 79 AD and follows the life of Milo, a slave- turned-gladiator played by Kit Harington. He finds himself in a race against time to save his love Cassia, portrayed by Emily Browning.

“A love story in its heart, the film has some stunning visual effects along with gladiator action set in the historical Roman city of Pompeii which makes the experience of viewing the film a lot more majestic as you watch a fight for love amidst a crumbling city,” Deepak Sharma, chief operating officer, PVR Pictures Ltd., said in a statement.

“...we’d be coming right alongside the international release on the 21st of February,” he added.

Be it Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra or Aishwarya Rai, a migration from modelling to acting is a common trend among models. Reyhna Malhotra, who joins the list with her debut film "Babloo Happy Hai", describes it as a "natural" progression.

"Every field has a progression, after modelling, the next step is acting! Modelling is fun but both the medium are very different and that's why we jump into acting," Reyhna told IANS in an email interaction.

She has walked the ramp for designers like Shane-Falguni Peacock, Rocky S, Babita Malkani and Asif Shah.

Unlike many who are specific about their debut, for Reyhna, working with National Award winning director Nila Madhab Panda was enough.

"'Babloo Happy Hai' being my first film, I didn't give too much thought to the character or length of my role - I just grabbed it! The name Nila Madhab Panda, who has already directed films like 'I Am Kalam' and 'Jalpari', attracted me to come on board," she said.

Originally from Srinagar, Reyhna has been brought up in Delhi. Aiming to enter the film industry, she came to Mumbai two years back.

After finishing "Babloo Happy Hai", Reyhna took up a southern film and says she has no hang ups about working in regional cinema.

"I started the Telugu film after 'Babloo Happy Hai'. Southern industry is equally amazing and people are professional as well as punctual."

"There was no difficulty in shooting the film as I was called a week before the shoot to understand my lines and get it right," added the actress who mugged up Telugu and Tamil lines to make her role convincing.

Currently, she is busy meeting people for more films and said that she is getting a "positive response".

Contrary to the reports that Madhur Bhandarkar's next is again a women-centric film titled "Madamji", the filmmaker has said that he is still to decide upon his next directorial venture.

"Nothing is decided yet about my next project. I have never said anything but it is you guys who have been saying that I am making such and such film," the filmmaker told reporters here at the wedding reception of RJ Siddharth Kannan.

"But I have not decided anything yet," he added.

There were reports that Bhandarkar, whose last directorial was "Heroine", is searching for a leading lady for his film and was juggling between the names of Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan for the film.

However he dismissed it and said: "Right now I have three-four scripts which I am working upon. I will soon decide upon one and announce as soon as possible."

Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who will be seen in Mohit Suri's "The Villain", says that the director has explored his dark side in the film.

"...It's a typical Mohit Suri kind of a film. 'Villain' is a different film, it's an intense dark love story and there is a lot of action in it," said the actor who made his debut with Karan Johar's "Student Of The Year".

"Every one has a dark side in them and Mohit Suri has explored the dark side of me in this film. He is the best person to explore my grey shade. It's a grey shade in the film but it's essentially a love story," he added.

"The Villain" also features Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh among others.

Fashion designers like Manish Arora, Varun Bahl and Rina Dhaka have created limited edition teddy bears for Valentine’s Day.

The stuffed toys, also designed by Ashima-Leena, Monisha Jaising, Neeru Kumar, Ravi Bajaj, Raghavendra Rathore, Shantanu & Nikhil, Satya Paul, Suneet Varma and Vineet Bahl, are available at the capital’s DLF Emporio.

Rathore, who is known for his signature "classic bandgala" is excited to put his trademark style on stuffed toys.

"Classic Bandgala a trademark of the Raghavendra Rathore brand finds its latest customer - “The Teddies” in a happy avatar! Hand stitched by skilled artisans who craft the classic jodhpuri bandgala which is a global novelty of the Raghavendra Rathore brand," said the designer in a statement.

Available in a plethora of designs, the price range of these teddies starts from Rs. 2,500 and goes upto Rs. 5,000.

“The limited edition teddy bears were a big favourite last year and we are delighted to present a new range of our limited edition teddy bears created in association with some of India’s greatest names in luxury,” Dinaz Madhukar, senior vice-president, DLF Emporio, said in a statement.

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra (JUeM) has taken strong objection to the depiction of 'madrassas' as schools of terror in the forthcoming Bollywood movie 'Ya Rab', an activist said here Wednesday.

The JUeM has also questioned the portrayal of madrassa 'aalims' (teachers) allegedly brainwashing their students to prepare them for 'jihadi' activities, said the NGO's spokesperson Gulzar Azmi.

"These and other issues form part of a public interest petition I have filed before the Bombay High Court Wednesday against the movie. It will come up for hearing Thursday, before the scheduled release this Friday," Azmi told IANS.

The film's producer seemed unfazed. He told IANS: "It's a nice film and will not hurt anybody's sentiments or any community. The censor board is a responsible body and has seen the film and given a couple of cuts."

Azmi said Muslims are upset by this "blatant, fictitious and wrongful depiction of madrassas and the teachers" who teach Muslim students there.

"In fact, a madrassa not only imparts quality education but also gives shelter to orphans. They are not centres of any such anti-national activity. There are no incidents anywhere in the state where any terror act or anti-national activities are associated with a madrassa," Azmi said.

The panel of JUeM lawyers comprising A.A. Siddiqui, Ansar Tamboli and Mateen Shaikh said there are thousands of madrassas across the state and the rest of the country.

"The exhibition of such gross untruths on the big screen can create general disturbances and also lead to communal disharmony," Siddiqui said.

Tamboli said the censor board has already rejected the film by not issuing it a certificate for exhibition. Later, the film-makers went to the review board where it was rejected.

"It was only after they appealed to the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal that they finally secured permission to release the movie with a U/A certificate. But we shall oppose the release in the present form," said Tamboli.

Shaikh said the petitioners have sought deletion of certain objectionable scenes and dialogues in the movie before allowing its public release.

The PIL is expected to come up before Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M.S. Sanklecha here Thursday.

Directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala, 'Ya Rab' is being promoted and released through veteran film personality Mahesh Bhatt's company, Vishesh Films.

It features actors Ajaz Khan, Manzar Sehbai, Akhilendra Mishra.

Actress Kirron Kher Wednesday unveiled textile and fashion designer Gaurang Shah's heritage collection of sarees for spring-summer 2014.

The event "An evening with Kirron Kher" was organised at Gaurang's flagship store in upmarket Jubilee Hills. It was well attended by high-end fashionistas who have penchant for hand-woven sarees.

"Hyderabad is one of the most important fashion and cultural cities in India, which brings together heritage and innovation. The collection for this season include experimentation in weaves and prints, striking the perfect balance between heritage textiles and contemporary attitude," Kirron said.

There is nothing more beautiful than a hand-woven saree, said Kirron, who has also added Gaurang's collection to her wardrobe.

Interacting with the fashionistas, she said she would love to do a line of sarees along with Gaurang in the future.

Kirron said their relationship was more than a designer-celebrity one.

Gaurang is well known for his mastery in the art of Jamdani.

Film: "Highway"; Composer: A.R. Rahman; Singers: Sultan Nooran, Jyoti Nooran, A.R. Rahman, Jonita Gandhi, Kash, Krissy, Suvi Suresh, Zeb Bangash, Alia Bhatt, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Shweta Pandit; Rating: ****

Alia Bhatt-Randeep Hooda-starrer "Highway", a romantic drama directed by Imtiaz Ali, boasts of nine tracks. The songs show Rahman's efforts at once again creating something enthralling.

It starts on a very soothing note with "Patakha Guddi". Sung by the Nooran sisters - Sultan and Jyoti - the Sufi number is soulful. The song will make you feel free-spirited.

Sung by music maestro Rahman, "Maahi ve" comes next. A love ballad, it has simple yet expressive lyrics mixed with Rahman's voice. This one will surely give you the chills.

"Kahaan hoon main", sung by Jonita Gandhi, is a situational track. The touching number might make the listener question about what one is doing and what one really wants to do.

The fourth one is "Wanna mash up?" by Kash, Krissy and Suvi Suresh. This one is very urban and will connect with youth. It is not one of those fast tracks but has the ability to grow on the listener.

Next up is Alia and Zeb Bangash's "Sooha saaha". A very melodious lullaby, it will remind you of your mother. Alia's efforts are commendable.

What follows is Rahman's version of "Patakha Guddi". The first track and this one are completely different. While the first one is earthy, this one has a Western feel. Though Rahman's voice creates magic, the effect is not the same.

"Implosive silence" is next. Crooned by Jonita Gandhi, the song hits the right chord.

Sunidhi's "Tu kuja" is placed eighth and will remind you of "O paalanhare" from "Lagaan". Though a devotional number, Chauhan's voice mixed with the music creates a very Western effect.

"Heera" wraps up the album. The song is comforting and melodious thanks to Shweta Pandit's voice and wonderful music.

All in all, the songs of "Highway" will take music lovers to a different level - it's very powerful and magical.

Film: "Babloo Happy Hai"; Cast: Sahil Anand, Erica Fernandes; Director: Nila Madhab Panda; Rating: ****

First, a question for the director: Why on earth has he given such a moronic robotic title to a film that informs, entertains and engages our attention? In short "Babloo Happy Hai" does everything cinema is meant to. And it does so with a transparency and sincerity that leave us...well, not quite enchanted, but decidedly involved with the lives of characters who seem to drift in and out of a haze of self-indulgence until their lives come to a stuttering halt.

There is a soulful fluidity to the narration even when the characters seem to be moving aimlessly through a series of misadventures designed to make them look prettier from outside than they actually are inside.

The "hero" is one of those spiritually frozen guys who lets himself be trapped in the wrong relationship for money and security.

Jatin (Sahil Anand, the 'duh' student in Karan Johar's "Student Of Year") is about to marry money and is not ready to let go even if it means bearing with the heiress Tammana(Preet Kamal)'s public bullying. His two friends ,the horny virgin Harry(Sumit Suri) and the gay Rohan(Amol Parasher) snigger behind and in front of his back.

But does Jatin care! He is one of slackers who would probably like to die in an Armani suit.

Enter the free-spirited Natasha(the dusky and expressive Erica Fernandes). Jatin and Natasha share a one-night stand at a bachelor's party on the eve of his wedding.

You know exactly where this story is heading. Hint: in the direction opposite to the aimless alliance between Jatin and his overbearing fiancee Tamanna. But suddenly, out of the blue, the narration changes into a somber hue. We are led gently, as it were, by director Nila Madhab Panda into the world of HIV AIDS.

The second movement of the plot brings out a statement on the need for self-control for the "now" generation and the even more urgent need for compassion towards people suffering from the HIV virus. Where the film could have become unbearably preachy and sanctimonious director Panda opts for a light, though never frivolous tone.

The characters are connectible in a very Delhi noveau-riche way. The film is good-looking without sanitizing the underlying message. Panda looks at these soul-less characters with indulgent humour.

Never judgemental, but not quite forgiving either, the mood of narration constantly swerves from tongue-in-cheek to borderline tragic.

This is a film rich in texture and tonality. While it misses out on getting to a place of real greatness, it does display a substantial amount of harnessed energy in putting across the characters who are fatally flawed and fiercely pitiable in their pursuit of good times.

"Babloo Happy Hai" is fresh, breezy, naughty, nifty.It gives out a strong message without being weighed down by the social statement.

The film is neatly edited by Biren Jyoti Mohanty with the characters sometimes cut short in their self-indulgent activities and distracted babble merely because what they are doing ceases to be interesting beyond a point. The film's Manali snowscape and Delhi traffic are captured by cinematographer Subhransu Das with austere gloss.

While the film does want to look pretty it never gets carried away by a cosmetic conceit. The performances have a well-worked out "workshopped" quality. While some of the supporting is interesting, the real find of the film is Erica Fernandes who as the fey and feisty Natasha comes to grips with her character's doddering inner-world. And never mind the cop-out at the end when her audacious one-night-stand is turned on its head.

It isn't easy to put across a message on AIDS without making the film look like government-sponsored propaganda. Easy does it in "Babloo Happy Hai". It wears its social message on the perils of unguarded intimacy lightly. It is thought-provoking but not preachy, emphatic but not screechy. It makes a whole lot of sense in that disarmingly artless style we saw in the director's "I Am Kalam".

Don't know about Babloo. But main khush hua.

Come heavy snowfall or other obstacles, Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon are all game to put in their best for their debut film “Heropanti”. The two recently got injured while shooting for the Sajid Nadiadwala’s film, but they were brave enough to quickly get back to work, says director Sabbir Khan.

Khan was filming a romantic scene for the film in Kashmir, where Tiger and Kriti were made to sit on a 10-feet high swing. While shooting the scene, they slipped and fell off the swing on the ice-covered ground, injuring themselves.

The actors suffered minor injuries, but were all eager to shoot the scene again.

Khan said that it is extremely brave and commendable that both Kriti and Tiger were up on their feet and wanted to shoot. He was concerned they might have to call it a day.

"The temperature was minus nine that day and both of them fell straight into the ice below, making the pain unbearable, especially since they were in minimum costumes from the film, as opposed to the crew, that was heavily layered for snow,” Khan said in a statement.

“Heropanti” will hit the theatres May 16.

From action drama to period films, Sonakshi Sinha has tried various genres and now she hopes to be part of a biopic.

"Right now I am not doing any biopic, but if given a chance I would love to portray an actress. Be it Madhubala or Meena Kumari, somebody who has had a very illustrious career," the 26-year-old said at the Jehangir Art Gallery here Wednesday.

Sonakshi was here to inaugurate artist Neeraj Goswami's painting exhibition.

Seen in hits like "Dabangg" and "Rowdy Rathore", she is currently working in "Action Jackson" and "Tevar."

The 26-year-old is also doing "Anjaan", her first Tamil film.

Being Human: Salman Khan Foundation, an international clothing brand that promotes the cause of the underprivileged in the education and healthcare sectors, opened its outlet in Kathmandu Thursday.

ABCD, Inc. of Nepal has entered into a partnership with Salman Khan Foundation to set up the first ever outlet at Rising Mall in Kathmandu, according to ABCD chairman Dipendra Gurung.

Mandhana Industries, which produces the Being Human products, will sell the branded apparel in Nepal in partnership with the Foundation and ABCD, Inc. Set up in 2007, Being Human has 60 outlets across India, France, Belgium, Spain, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Pakistan among a number of countries and this is the 61st outlet.

"Following the core spirit of Being Human: Salman Foundation we will contribute a certain percentage of our profits to education and healthcare sectors in Nepal," said Gurung.

Hundreds of Salman Khan's fans thronged the mall during the opening of the outlet. The average price range of the brand's apparel is between Rs.500 and Rs.5000.

"Gradually we will expand our presence in Nepal," Gurung said, adding eight more outlets will be opened in Nepal including in major cities like Pokhara and Ithari.

The Nepal outlet will employ at least two differently-abled people in the outlet.

There is trouble over the title of Prabhudheva's film "Action Jackson" but co-producer Gordan Tanwani says he will not buckle under pressure.

Warner Bros' 1988 Hollywood film featuring Carl Weathers and Sharon Stone released with the same name and the production house has given the makers of the Bollywood film a 48-hour notice to change the title as "Action Jackson" is registered by them for the sub-continent as well.

A letter has been sent to Baba Arts Limited Production and Eros International, who are jointly producing the film.

"When you register a title with any or all of these associations, they get their clearance from the government of India. My film is 70 percent complete, why have they sent a notice now? Why do they have an objection now and not earlier," Tanwani of Baba Arts Limited Production told IANS.

"It is just because they want to pressurise the individual producer...they know I am an individual producer and they are big people. They want to create pressure on the small producer," he said.

He added that Warner Bros should have approached the producers' associations rather than sending a notice to the production house.

"What was the need to send a notice? They should have called the associations because they are also the member of the same association. I am surprised," he said.

The film stars Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam and Kunal Roy Kapur.

Kerala-based filmmaker Shivaprasad's "Sthalam" bagged the best feature film award at the 7th CMS Vatavaran International Environment and Wildlife Film Festival held in the capital.

"Sthalam" is based on the life of environmentalist Pokkudan, whose name is synonymous with mangroves in the state. Over the years he has planted one lakh mangrove trees in different parts of the state and across the country.

The film focuses on what happens to the families when mangrove forests are acquired for industrialisation.

So far Shivaprasad has made 86 short films and documentaries and has won both national and state awards. He is a regular at international festivals.

Busy actress Mandira Bedi, a known face on the big and small screen, made it a point to take out time to spend with her mother.

The 41-year-old took to Twitter to convey how she still feels for her mother, who lives in Delhi.

"My Mother came visiting from Delhi. And now she leaves...am so sad. There is no person as special and as loving as one's mothers (sic)," Mandira posted on the microblogging site Thursday.

The actress was last seen in Anil Kapoor's TV production "24".

Jackky Bhagnani, seen in films like F.A.L.T.U” and “Ajab Gazabb Love”, pins his hopes on his forthcoming film "Youngistaan".

The first poster of the film released Thursday and the actor took to Twitter to share his excitement.

"Here is the first poster of my film 'Youngistaan'...the countdown begins," Jackky posted on the microblogging site.

The film is about a youngster who gets the chance to become the prime minister of India. Apart from Jackky, the movie also features Neha Sharma, Boman Irani and late actor Farooque Sheikh.

Director Hansal Mehta, who recently criticised Central Board of Film Certification's certification policy, says his new film "City Lights" has helped him to be a positive person.

"It's been a month of elation and disappointment. Thank god for 'City Lights'. The process of making the film has helped me focus productively," Mehta posted on microblogging site Twitter Thursday.

An official adaptation of Britain's Oscar entry - "Metro Manila", it has been produced by Vishesh Films.