Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra's critically acclaimed film "The Lunchbox" beat out Hollywood movies, Oscar contenders, and all other foreign-language films to score the number one per-theatre average gross of any film in North America last weekend.

After its success in New York and Los Angeles, the Irrfan Khan-starrer will release in additional American cities March 7, including Washington DC, San Francisco, and Chicago.

"The Lunchbox" has become the best-reviewed Indian film in the US in several years with top American film critics giving it rave reviews in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal among others.

Batra's "debut feature, is a romance that takes place in Mumbai, but its style is more Hollywood than Bollywood, and Old Hollywood at that," said the New York Times.

Irrfan and Nimrat Kaur's performances "are graceful and dignified in the manner of movie stars in an earlier, less aggressive age, ennobling the ordinary lives they explore," it said.

And "Batra makes their story touching and credible, an urban fable of hope in the face of disappointment".

Describing "The Lunchbox" as "a delectable take on the hunger for connection", the Los Angeles Times said: "Ritesh Batra's lovely debut feature...mixes melancholy with sweetness in a case of mistaken delivery."

"One thing that makes 'Lunchbox' so strong is that a touch of melancholy hangs over its sweetness," it said. "Finally this is a film about the wheel of life, about what helps us cope with its turns and find our way in its unforgiving labyrinth."

The Wall Street Journal saw the film as a "wonderfully fresh and affecting fable from India".

It calls marvellous Irrfan Khan as "one of the finest actors of our time" who "is the film's heart and soul". He is "blessed with a voice that can turn any of the languages he speaks into music".

Film: "Total Siyapaa"; Cast: Ali Zafar, Yami Gautam, Kirron Kher and Anupam Kher; Director: Eeshwar Niwas; Rating: ***

Picture this. The daughter of a family has a secret boyfriend whom she's about to introduce to the family. No big deal, right? But what if she is an Indian and he's a Pakistani?

Picking on this pert premise screenwriter Neeraj Pandey does a special 69 on cross-border politics. Borderline tensions are defused to the point until we see just the ludicrous futility of cultural bickering. It's a delicious idea to build a plot around.

Pandey derives inspiration from a Spanish film "Seres Queridos", in which the conflict between the Palestinian boy and his girlfriend's Jewish family was served in a feisty feast of farcical episodes, all meant to draw humour from the dysfunctional family's dysfunctionalism.

In the Hindi adaptation, the Pakistani boy is utterly and delectably lost in his girlfriend's Punjabi home in London.

Director Eeshwar Niwas, who had earlier adapted the ransom caper "Ruthless People" in a reasonably watchable film "Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega", uses London's nightscape as a beguiling backdrop to the Punjabi family's bickering. Ironically, the plot loses its liberal air once out on the streets.

Anupam Kher's tryst with a British hooker is sadly unanchored.

It's one evening in the family's history. The script brings out the eccentric characters and their whimsical ways with the kind of pleasure that a housewife experiences while serving up her husband's favourite dishes although she may not be too good at the cooking.

A lot of the humour simply sags in soggy lumps. There is a distinctly 'European' flavour and fervour to the unravelling of the comic mode in the dysfunctional family's life.

Ali Zafar as the bewildered Pakistani boyfriend and Kirron Kher as his scattered mother-in-law-to-be project a prowling predatoriness to their scenes together. They are a delight to watch when thrown together.

I really wish there was more of Kher and Zafar in the plot. The meat of the matter lies in the mater's time on screen with her to be 'damaad' (son-in-law).

Yami Gautam as the giggly prim girlfriend is a sketchily written mediocre character with no dips and curves.

New-find Sara Khan as Yami's sister comes across as a far more seductive character. The role is tantalising and Sara plays with guts and vivacity the near-divorced single mother with a restless foot under the dining table. And for my money, Sara's tabletop dance with the distinctly diffident Ali is the film's highlight.

Sadly by the time Sara's sexy jig comes along, the plot meanders in search of a combustive climax. The strenuous effort to Indianise a Spanish comedy begins to take its toll on the narrative when the dysfunctional family runs out of tricks to rivet us to their wackiness.

The film comes to an inglorious halt with one of the character's stumbling home in a dazed condition, much in the same condition as the plot. But there is a lot that goes in its favour.

The elegantly done-up cosy and eccentric atmosphere of a London home, for one. David Meadows' cinematography looks at London as home rather than a tourist destination.

Sanjoy Chowdhury's background score reminds us that no matter how hard the characters scream, the music needn't get aggressive in support.

The cast, as mentioned, largely does well for itself with Ali, Kirron and Sara leading the pack.

Is it enough for two individuals from clashing cultures and countries to be in love? Love can be quite a bitch.

"Total Siyapaa" is total madness. An audacious comedy that dares to poke fun at a border issue, the film is stylised and is attentively staged.

Actress Deepika Padukone has been appointed the brand ambassador of cereal brand Kellogg’s.

The 28-year-old, riding on four back-to-back hits like "Chennai Express", will present women with a Special K 2 Week Challenge as part of a healthy lifestyle to help them begin a weight management journey. The challenge aims to prepare women for a bold and contemporary look for weddings.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be associated with Kellogg’s Special K. I personally have always been a firm believer of the importance of a combination of balanced eating with regular exercise for a healthy lifestyle,” she said in a statement.

In the past Lara Dutta had endorsed Kellogg's breakfast cereal brand Special K.

Imran Khan says that he will start shooting for director Nikhil Advani's next after the birth of his first child.

Imran's wife Avantika will give birth to their child in June.

"The next film I will start is untitled. It is with Nikhil Advani. But we are not going to start until after the baby is born. I plan to spend some time with my family at this point of time," the 31-year-old said at a Vespa event here Wednesday.

Imran-Avantika dated for about nine years before tying the knot in 2011.

Meanwhile, the actor's last release, Punit Malhotra directed "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein", which also starred Kareena Kapoor, was a flop show.

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has reportedly been offered a cameo in Shivrajkumar starrer upcoming Kannada film "Kabira", but he is yet to accept the offer.

Incidentally, Amitabh and Shivraj played teacher-student in a television commercial of a popular jewellery brand.

"Since the advertisement turned out to be popular, the makers decided to use the same pair on the silver screen as well. Amitji has been offered the role. He hasn't confirmed yet for the role," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

"Kabira" is a remake of Kannada classic "Mahatma Kabir", which featured yesteryear superstar Rajkumar in the lead.

"It was Shivrajkumar who had requested Amitabh to take up the role of a teacher. They have known each other for a long time and after working together in a television commercial, Shivraj sir felt it would make sense to cast him in the movie," the source said.

The film is being directed by Narendra Babu.

In the past Big B did a cameo in 2005 Kannada release "Amruthadhare", which was a runaway hit.

The sun has begun to assume summer heat proportions, and it's the best time to stock up some easy-to-wear and comfortable bottom-wear. An Indian ethnic wear brand has launched a new range of loungers to cater to fashionistas.

BIBA has introduced a fashionable range of bottom-wear available in different styles and funky fusion prints

The collection has a variety of styles inspired from Indian heritage, designed in sync with the latest international trends.

“These have been styled in an easy-to-wear relaxed and comfortable way to give a stylised look and a sense of freedom to move around. This new range of Loungers is a contemporary collection of bottom-wear that is sure to excite the youth and fashionable urban women of today,” read a statement.

The Loungers are available in four broad categories to suit different choices:

Farshi Loungers: The Farshi Pajama is a traditional Indian bottom that was worn between late 17th and early 20th centuries in the Muslim courts and by royalty and ladies from privileged classes. Farshi means associated with the 'farsh' or floor. When combined with the word Pajama, the term evolves to signify a bottom-wear garment that falls generously on the floor, and trails as one walks. Team it up with short and long kurtas and you are sure to make a fashion statement.

Jaipur Loungers: A tourist-like look that can be easily co-ordinated with short and long kurtas.

Safari Loungers: A range of straight, cotton palazzo pants that are comfortable, breathable and easy-to-wear. These Loungers come in colorful, fusion prints and embroideries at the hem. Team them with kurtas or kurtis and you are sure to get noticed.

Banjara Loungers: A new range of unique embroidered anklets which have a smart, slimming effect and make you feel great. A refreshing change from the plain bottoms, the embroidery and the crop of the anklets make for a style statement. These can be teamed with long kurtas and short kurtis to make you feel and look different.

The price ranges between Rs.599 and Rs.1199.

Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who had a fallout with Aditya Chopra after she flouted her three-film deal with Yash Raj Films (YRF) for “Aashiqui 2”, says she will always consider the producer as her mentor. She hopes he will call her for a movie someday.

During the shooting of a forthcoming episode of celebrity chat show “Koffee With Karan”, Shraddha was asked by host and filmmaker Karan Johar if she still shares a cordial relationship with Chopra.

“He is always going to be my mentor, always,” said Shraddha.

To that, Karan asked - “So, no matter what water ran through that bridge it’s all okay now?”

Shraddha responded by saying: “Well! I am just waiting for the day when he calls me and tells me, ‘Shraddha I want you in a film’. So, fingers crossed...that should happen soon.”

The actress, daughter of seasoned actor Shakti Kapoor, made her Bollywood debut with 2008 film "Teen Patti", following which she featured in YRF's "Luv Ka The End".

It was the first project of her three-film deal with the film production giant, but instead of opting to do a second YRF movie, she gave a nod to "Aashiqui 2".

The romantic film gave her visibility like none of her past films, and it was almost like a new lease of life in filmdom for her.

Her desire to work with YRF again was also apparent when during the rapid-fire round on "Koffee With Karan", the celebrity host asked her to give quick answers to "One thing the following people have which you don't."

Karan: "Parineeti Chopra"
Shraddha: "Aditya Chopra"

Karan: "Alia Bhatt"
Shraddha: "You!"

Karan: "Sonakshi Sinha"
Shraddha: "Salman Khan"

The episode featuring Shraddha and her "Aashiqui 2" co-star Aditya Roy Kapur will be aired Sunday.

It seems the excitement and exhaustion of the past few weeks have finally caught up with young Alia Bhatt. This weekend the petite but ostensibly tireless scene-stealer was down with an exhaustion-induced fever.

Said a friend of the actress: "Shooting 'Highway' was emotionally and physically gruelling. Alia has been promoting 'Highway' extensively all over the country."

"Even before the film was released properly, she was already promoting her next film '2 States'. And that wasn't all. She was also shooting nights for Shashank Khaitan's 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya' and simultaneously dubbing for '2 States'. All of this multi-activity proved too much for 20-year-old girl."

"She has been advised to rest it out. She's a livewire and cannot rest easy. You won't find Alia in the same place for more than five minutes. But for now, she's taking it easy," added the friend.

The Delhi High Court Thursday cleared the Hindi movie "Gulaab Gang" for commercial release.It is reportedly based on the life of activist Sampat Pal, who formed Gulabi Gang, a group of pink sari clad women vigilantes in Uttar Pradesh.

The Delhi High Court Thursday cleared the release of Hindi movie "Gulaab Gang", reportedly based on the life of activist Sampat Pal, who formed the Gulabi Gang, a group of pink sari clad women vigilantes in Uttar Pradesh.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul vacated the suspension granted by a single judge bench of the high court Wednesday on the movie's release.

The filmmakers of "Gulaab Gang", set to release Friday, assured the bench that they will run a disclaimer that the movie is not based on the life of Sampat Pal and her work.

The production house filed an appeal against the restraint order passed by a sin gle-judge bench earlier.

The high court Wednesday blocked the release of the film, which stars Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla, saying that if the release is allowed, it will cause irreparable damage to the reputation of Sampat Pal.

"Reputation once lost is lost forever and cannot come back and can't be compensated in monetary terms," the court observed.

Directed by debutant Soumik Sen, the film has been produced by Anubhav Sinha.

Sampat Pal moved the Delhi High Court seeking restraining order on the release of "Gulaab Gang", saying the filmmakers did not take her permission before making the movie, which shows her in bad light.

She alleged that the actress playing her character was shown in a bad light in the promos of the film, which will thus affect her reputation.

She also contended that the film's promos depict her as an anti-social element, contrary to her real life image.

"Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns", "Go Goa Gone", "The Lunchbox" and "Shahid" will be honoured with an Anti-Kela Award each for being boons of Bollywood in 2013.

The award will be given out by organisers of the annual Golden Kela Awards, the Indian Razzies, which honours the worst in the filmmaking industry in the West.

Anti-Kela Awards are the special awards given by Golden Kela team to the films that are meaningful and entertaining, while still being in the mainstream.

"Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns" is being lauded for being "the only real sequel made last year", while "Go Goa Gone" will be awarded for being "India's first ever zombie comedy and stoner film in one nice package".

Irrfan-starrer "The Lunchbox" will get the Anti-Kela for "showing the world that Indian films are not all song and dance", and "Shahid", on real-life slain lawyer Shahid Azmi, will be awarded for "being the best biopic made by Bollywood in a long time".

“The Kela Awards are not just about highlighting the worst performances of the year, we feel it is also our duty to point out some of the great work being done in the Indian film industry, therefore the Anti-Kelas," Anant Singh, creative head, Golden Kela Awards, said in a statement.

The 6th Annual Golden Kela Awards ceremony will take place March 29 at India Habitat Centre here.

Apart from announcing the worst Bollywood performances of 2013 and the Anti-Kela Awards, some special awards will be also announced at the official ceremony too.

Golden Kela awards started in 2009, whereas Anti-Kela Awards were introduced by Golden Kela team in 2011.

Namrata Joshipura will be the grand finale designer for the autumn-winter edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, starting March 26 at Pragati Maidan here.

“I am very honoured to be the grand finale designer at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion week. I have had a long association with Wills Lifestyle and FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India) and am looking forward to a great experience and collaboration with them,” the designer said in a statement.

She will present contemporary silhouettes which will be a modern interpretation of artisanal embellishments.

“The collection will be a further exploration of my aesthetic, which is ‘modern interpretation of artisanal embellishment techniques’ paired with edgy and forward silhouettes,” she said.

The designer will also create an exclusive collection that will be retailed from Wills Lifestyle stores across the country.

Commenting on the association, Atul Chand, divisional chief executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business Division said: “Wills Lifestyle has taken the unique initiative of partnering with India’s leading designers to retail the exclusive co-creations at the stores. This enables the fashion industry in reaching out to consumers across the country thus furthering the business of fashion."

Alia Bhatt, who sported a de-glam look in her second film "Highway", may not be "constantly fashionable" but she says there is nothing wrong in being fashion conscious.

The actress made her debut as an upmarket glamorous girl in "Student of the Year".

"I am closer to my second character. But I don't think it's shallow to care about clothes and make-up. Every girl likes to dress up. I didn't really begin to care about my looks until I started acting. Now I enjoy dressing up. But I am not constantly fashionable. There are days when I am in pyjamas at home," she said in an interview.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. Which is closer to the real Alia, the shallow clothes horse in "Student Of The Year" or the sensitive pained girl in "Highway"?

A. I am closer to my second character. But I don't think it's shallow to care about clothes and make-up. Every girl likes to dress up. I didn't really begin to care about my looks until I started acting. Now I enjoy dressing up. But I am not constantly fashionable. There are days when I am in pyjamas at home.

Q. Not looking good is not an option for you?

A. You think so? (laughs) In that case I'll have to be more careful about my appearance.

Q. How do you rate yourself in "2 States"?

A. I haven't seen the film. But I love my character in "2 States". She is very different from the girls that I've played in my first two films. She is strong and mature. Which I am at times. At other times, I am not. But the emotions in "2 States" were all new to me. I may be speaking too soon. But the director Abhishek Varman is absolutely fantastic.

Q. Will you live up to the audience's expectations in "2 States"?

A. Expectations will always be there. But I can't be thinking about that all the time. Only when the film is out, then all the anxieties will sink in. But I still feel I am too new to raise too many expectations. I am okay with failing.

Q. That's Mahesh Bhatt's daughter speaking?

A. My father was the most excited after seeing "Highway". He told me he couldn't sleep after seeing my performance. To me that's very personal triumph. My father's approval means a lot to me. Actually, my entire family's approval means a lot to me. But my father's approval means a little more since he is a fantastic filmmaker and can separate Alia the daughter from Alia the actress.

Q. Maybe you bring out the fantastic side of all your directors?

A. Nooooo, that's giving me too much credit. The novel "2 States" was so good. We could easily go wrong in the screen adaptation. I hope people don't feel so. Because we've worked genuinely hard to keep the spirit of the novel intact in the film.

Q. Which was harder in "2 States" - playing a South Indian or playing a wife?

A. Speaking Tamil was really hard for me. Fortunately, I didn't have to play the Tamil girl in a loud caricatural way. She is a city girl. She can be from any part of the world. The Tamil side of her comes out when she's speaking to her parents. I didn't have to learn too much Tamil.

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai Thursday unveiled the trailer of "Kaanchi" and said the film's story is "very inspiring".

"I was always surrounded by movies. 'Kaanchi' is a very special film and I would like to say it's a typical Subhash Ghai kind of a film," he told reporters at the launch.

Directed by Ghai, "Kaanchi" features Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Kartik Aaryan, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Rishabh Sinha and Mishti.

"The subject of the film is very important and 'Kaanchi' is a very inspiring story. I auditioned more than 350 girls for the role of Kaanchi and there came a time when I thought I will drop the project. But finally I met Mishti and she fits the role," he added.

The film is slated for an April 25 release.

Subhash Ghai-directed "Kaanchi" is set for an April 25 release and the filmmaker says he didn't plan to release it during the election period.

India will go to polls from April 7. The Lok Sabha elections will be spread over nine days ending May 12.

"I wanted to release the film in December, but as a director I take my own time to complete the film. I never make a film with the release date as the target. It is just a coincidence that it is releasing during elections," Ghai told IANS during the press conference of "Kaanchi".

He was one of the most successful directors in the late 1970s and 1980s and gave a string of hits like "Kalicharan", "Karz", "Karma", "Ram Lakhan", "Saudagar" and "Pardes". Thanks to the successes, he was crowned as "the showman" of the industry.

When asked about the title, he said: "I still don't know why people call me showman, but I see a showman in every second person I meet in the industry and I am happy about it."

But the tide turned against him when his "Yaadein" bit the dust at the box office. His last directorial venture was the flop movie "Yuvvraaj". But he is undeterred by the failure.

"I make films when I feel like making them. The most important thing for me is the passion to make films. Every director goes through ups and downs. There is a difference between a film that doesn't work and a bad film. I will keep making films," said Ghai.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha will contest the Lok Sabha election from Bettiah parliamentary constituency in Bihar on a Janata Dal-United ticket, state JD-U president Vashisht Narain Singh said Friday.

Jha's name figured in the first list of four candidates released by the JD-U for the general elections.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Jha's candidature for the polls Thursday during his Sankalp Yatra in East Champaran district, Singh said.

The party has decided to field Jha, a native of a village near Bettiah, keeping in view the caste equation on the ground.

Jha contested and lost the 2009 Lok Sabha election, but is hopeful of wooing voters of all sections, particularly Muslims, this time.

He fought on a Lok Janshakti Party ticket in 2009.

The filmmaker has been campaigning in the state, particularly in Bettiah, for nearly a month and addressed a public meeting Thursday along with the chief minister.

Jha also staged a dharna with Nitish Kumar in a protest over the denial of special category status to Bihar March 2 in Patna.

He announced he would soon make a film on the subject.

Jha is known for making films like "Gangaajal", "Apaharan", "Raajneeti", "Satyagraha" and "Aarakhshan".

A suspended BJP legislator, Avanish Kumar Singh also figured in the JD-U's first list. Singh, who formally joined the JD-U Thursday, will contest the Lok Sabha election from East Champaran constituency.

Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan will grace the audio launch of superstar Rajinikanth's Tamil period-drama "Kochadaiiyaan" here Sunday.

"Shah Rukh Khan has agreed to attend the audio launch on Sunday. When Soundarya Ashwin Rajinikanth called and requested him to be present at the event, he instantly agreed. He said that it's like his own film and he'll be there," Rajinikanth's manager told IANS.

SRK's spokesperson confirmed his presence too.

"Kochadaiiyaan", which is supposedly India's first motion capture photo-realistic animated film, is directed by Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya.

The film also features Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff, R. Sarath Kumar, Aadi Pinisetty and Shobana in important roles.

Touted to be made along the lines of Hollywood films "Avatar" and "Tin Tin", the film is jointly produced by Eros International and Media One Global Entertainment.

Actress Kangana Ranaut believes she has given her best shot ever to her forthcoming movie "Queen".

"My role in 'Queen' is very challenging and as an actor, I believe I have never done such good work in any film before. I haven't got such a good opportunity before," the 26-year-old said here Thursday in an interview.

"Queen" is the story of a Delhi-based girl Rani, who goes on her honeymoon alone due to some circumstances.

The film, which released Friday, also stars Lisa Haydon and Rajkummar Rao.

Actress Juhi Chawla is glad that her film "Gulaab Gang" has overcome its legal hassles and has finally hit theatres Friday.

The Delhi High Court Thursday cleared the release of the Hindi movie, reportedly based on the life of activist Sampat Pal, who formed the Gulabi Gang, a group of pink sari clad women vigilantes in Uttar Pradesh.

"I am happy and excited. There was so much build-up and we were looking forward to the film. But yesterday (Wednesday) there was a hiccup and we felt the film would not release," the 46-year-old said here Thursday at a special screening of the film.

"But I am so glad everything for the moment is settled and the film is in theatres. Hope you (people) will come and watch the film," she added.

Sampat Pal moved court to stop the release of the film, alleging that it is based on her life and a portion of the movie shows her in bad light.

The film's release was suspended by the court but the filmmakers filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court Thursday and the film was cleared for commercial release.

Directed by Soumik Sen, "Gulaab Gang" also stars Madhuri Dixit.

Not so long ago Vidyut Jamwal stepped in to play a role earmarked for Irrfan Khan in "Bullett Raja". Now director Tigmanshu Dhulia will cast them together in the same film.

But Irrfan and Vidyut wouldn't be seen together in the same frame as they will be cast as the younger and older versions of the same character.

"My next film is 'Bichhde Sabhi Baari Baari'. It's the story of two friends and their relationship over a period of 35 years. Manoj Bajpayee and Irrfan Khan have been cast as the older avatars of the buddies, whereas Amit Sadh and Vidyut Jamwal would play the younger versions of the same characters," Dhulia said.

But surely Manoj and Irrfan are accomplished enough as actors to pull off the age span?

"I don't think so," Dhulia averred.

"Irrfan and Manoj can't look 25. That's the age when the two protagonists become friends. I can't have Irrfan and Manoj playing 25-year-old men. That period was something else when Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz used to play college students."

"Today's audience won't accept Irrfan or Manoj as 25-year-old, just as they won't accept Vidyut and Amit as a 50-year-old or a 60-year-old. So I need two sets of actors," added the acclaimed filmmaker.

Vidyut and Amit will now have to spend some time with Irrfan and Manoj to get a hang of their body language.