Film writers often decry absence of due credit, but here was megastar Amitabh Bachchan at a conclave here Friday, glorifying their talent for moulding his profound image as an actor with movies like "Zanjeer" and "Kaala Patthar".

The 71-year-old thespian was in the capital for a talk on "Cinema as the mirror of society" at the India Today Conclave 2014, and was asked how he managed to bring the society's pains and pressures so effectively on the screen with his movies.

"The image was more an instigation from the people who wrote films at that time. I would credit the writers of that time... writers like Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). They thought about it. I am merely an actor who happened to get a role in films like that," Amitabh said humbly.

When "Zanjeer" came out in 1973, the corruption levels and low economic growth had cast a pall of gloom on the country and the common man was upset with the system - a predicament which was well-captured with the angst in Amitabh's iconic portrayal as Inspector Vijay Khanna.

"They (the writers felt the anguish, the wrath, discontent and dissatisfaction among the people in the society and embodied it in one man - the angry young man (Inspector Vijay Khanna in 'Zanjeer')," said Big B, adding that he hates such "epithets".

His 1979 film "Kaala Pathhar", also penned by the indomitable Salim-Javed, highlighted the plight of coal miners and was also in sync with reality.

But Amitabh said: "I am just the voice in the films, but the thoughts and words are of the writers. The cinematic expression is of the writers."

The response, as expected, was met with applause.

Had Amitabh Bachchan not married actress Jaya Bhaduri way back in 1973, and had got a chance to woo someone else, it would be the "epitome of Indian beauty" Waheeda Rehman. The megastar says he would have tried to catch her attention with a poem.

At the India Today Conclave 2014, when anchor Koel Purie asked him about one actress that he would have loved to court, he took the ethereal Waheeda Rehman's name despite the fact that she is six years his senior.

"It's too late in the day to do that now," laughed the 71-year-old thespian, adding that he admires her immensely for her grace and poise.

"She's been one of my favourite actors along with Dilip Kumar saab. She is the epitome of an Indian beauty, of simplicity... so genuine, soft and beautiful. If I had to woo her, perhaps I would recite a poem," he added.

Right then, the versatile star changed the mood of the gathering by reciting his famous couplet "Main aur meri tanhai aksar ye baatein kiya karte hain."

The gathering was floored.

Amitabh was in a jolly mood as he also imitated the mannerisms of the different onscreen characters immortalised by him, and he was also sporting enough to sing a few lines of the song "Mere angne mein tumhara kya kaam hai" on the effervescent Koel's behest.

The actor spoke fondly of his wife Jaya, with whom he has two children - Shweta and Abhishek.

Koel asked Big B about the challenges that came with marrying a popular star of that time, and then later becoming a star himself, with Jaya relegating her career for her family.

Was it challenging?

"Every marriage is a challenge, and mine wasn't different. One think I find very admirable about Jaya is that she chose to give preference to home and not films. There was no obstacle from me ever, it was her decision," he said.

Was it her decision or a joint decision, asked Koel.

"Well, in marriages, all decisions are taken by the wife," he quipped, adding that it was indeed Jaya's decision to look after the house and raise the children well.

Had Amitabh Bachchan not married actress Jaya Bhaduri way back in 1973, and had got a chance to woo someone else, it would be the "epitome of Indian beauty" Waheeda Rehman. The megastar says he would have tried to catch her attention with a poem.

At the India Today Conclave 2014, when anchor Koel Purie asked him about one actress that he would have loved to court, he took the ethereal Waheeda Rehman's name despite the fact that she is six years his senior.

"It's too late in the day to do that now," laughed the 71-year-old thespian, adding that he admires her immensely for her grace and poise.

"She's been one of my favourite actors along with Dilip Kumar saab. She is the epitome of an Indian beauty, of simplicity... so genuine, soft and beautiful. If I had to woo her, perhaps I would recite a poem," he added.

Right then, the versatile star changed the mood of the gathering by reciting his famous couplet "Main aur meri tanhai aksar ye baatein kiya karte hain."

The gathering was floored.

Amitabh was in a jolly mood as he also imitated the mannerisms of the different onscreen characters immortalised by him, and he was also sporting enough to sing a few lines of the song "Mere angne mein tumhara kya kaam hai" on the effervescent Koel's behest.

The actor spoke fondly of his wife Jaya, with whom he has two children - Shweta and Abhishek.

Koel asked Big B about the challenges that came with marrying a popular star of that time, and then later becoming a star himself, with Jaya relegating her career for her family.

Was it challenging?

"Every marriage is a challenge, and mine wasn't different. One think I find very admirable about Jaya is that she chose to give preference to home and not films. There was no obstacle from me ever, it was her decision," he said.

Was it her decision or a joint decision, asked Koel.

"Well, in marriages, all decisions are taken by the wife," he quipped, adding that it was indeed Jaya's decision to look after the house and raise the children well.

Film: "Gulaab Gang"; Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla; Directed by Soumik Sen; Rating:** 1/2 (two and a half stars)

Women in pink sarees dot the lush rural landscape. They want revenge. Men, all raunchy paunchy rapists, leery bribe seekers and rowdy merry makers, get their comeuppance in the hands of these pink ladies armed with sickles, sticks, knives and gumption.

Director Soumik Sen's film is designed as a flamboyant loud and message-driven film on women empowerment.In parts it looks like a government-sponsored documentary on rural development with Madhuri in it to ensure people care and respond to the message.

This would be as good as any place to reveal that the makers' claims that the film is NOT based on Sampat Pal's missionary zeal, is blatantly untrue. From the colour of the saree to the whole idea of making the male species look and feel really really saree..sorry, sorrry...Bro, this is Sampat's kingdom all the way.

If you have any doubts on that score, check out Nishtha Jain's excellent documentary Gulaabi Gang clevery released to preempt this imposter's endeavour.

The problem is Madhuri Dixit hardly looks like the rural Mata Hari-Om. She tries hard. Oh boy! Does she try! The Yankee twang is put away firmly from public view and replaced by a sexy village tongue that rolls out stinging jibes at corrupt netas, male and female villains who enunciate cheesy lines with the lip-smacking relish of junior artistes in Prakash Jha's trademark parables of rural oppression.

Trouble is, debutant director Soumik Sen's vision lacks the socio-historical perspective of Jha's cinema. Sen's conscience bleeds all over the place. He seems to invest a great deal of idealism in his saga of girl power. But he forgets to apply brakes on his narrative so that very often the plot hurls forward in uncontrollable spasms of sarcastic stock-taking.

Scene after scene pitching the smug social reformer Rajjo (Madhuri) against the conniving politician Sumitra (Juhi) is piled on to the plot. The effort to make the battle look epic in scale is weighed down by the cornucopia of cliches that flows out of the writer's pen liberally, as though the writer believes the corrupt can be vanquished simply by portraying them as cardboard cut-outs, like the ones that greet netas at public rallies.

Madhuri has her moments. Her face is definitely more mobile and emotive here than it was in her other recent release "Dedh Ishqiya" where she stood strangely sterile and detached in her redolent ambience. But her performance and demeanour are inconsistent. Some of the actresses in her girl gang like Tannishta Chatterjee, Priyanka Bose and Divya Jagdale are interesting in their enthusiasm to blend into the theme.

Juhi Chawla as Madhuri's adversary chews on her lips furiously to appear evil, laughs fiendishly at any sign of disobedience among her minions and throws tantrums when an aging bureaucrat calls her by her first name. Juhi is interesting to watch in her diabolic avatar but a bit too eager to prove her point.

The same holds of the film. It has its heart in the right place. It portrays rural oppression of women with honesty. But the brutality is brittle and sometime laughable. The women in the Gulaabi gang are shown to often break into songs composed by the director and dances choreographed by Saroj Khan. They are more irritants than militant.

During these intermittent recreational breaks, the ladies look like unmoored avatars of Ketan Mehta's beautiful gallery of rebellious women in "Mirch Masala". The transition from pink to red is dreadfully self-conscious. The director assembles a series of striking visuals in the brutal rural landscape. But the characters never quire blend into the fabric of corruption.

The confrontations between Madhuri and Juhi are stymied by awkwardly worded verbal 'jubalbandis' which tell us these two women are on opposite of the wall of morality. But not much of their contrasting characters actually translates into an engaging drama. Characters are shown to be manipulated, insulted, poisoned and attacked. But their bearing never suggests any drama and conflict that would leave us with a deep impact.

Maybe the ladies of the pink brigade should have worn less chic blouses. Maybe their fingernails needed to look less manicured. Even the external detailing is haphazard, as though the director thought investing in a cause and a conscience were enough insurance against signs of wear and tear.

But sometimes caring is just not enough.

Sunny Deol, who is known as the original He-Man of Bollywood, will soon be seen teaming up with Harman Baweja in a special role for Eros International and ESM's action-thriller Dishkiyaoon; and it seems that the two actors, who have a fondness for high-octane action, have got along like a house on fire.

Harman, who will be seen in a never-seen-before gritty avatar in the film, said, "I have always admired Sunny Deol and his action films, and so getting to work with him was a dream come true. However, at the same time, I was also aware that I need to match up to his level when it comes to action sequences and I hope I have succeeded in achieving that."

On his part, Sunny, who seems quite impressed with Harman's action avatar, says, "Harman has really worked hard on his physique and I was quite impressed with his level of dedication and hard work. He is extremely talented and fans of the action genre will enjoy watching this film."

Eros International and ESM's Dishkiyaoon directed by Sanamjit Talwar starring Harman Baweja, Sunny Deol and Ayesha Khanna is scheduled to release on March 28 2014.

One would have thought that an actor known for his comic sense would inevitably helm a comedy film on getting in the director’s chair. However, Satish Kaushik, who made his directorial debut in 1993, has always been known for making love stories and social dramas.

However, that is about to change soon as Kaushik gears up for ghost comedy ‘Gang Of Ghosts’, which is the remake of a Bengali film ‘Bhooter Bhabhishyat. Talking about his decision to direct the film, Kaushik said, “Lots of people said that I have been a comic actor for such a long time, but as a director I was very serious. They said, ‘you make us laugh so much on screens but when it comes to directing films, you get in a serious zone.’ Hence, I decided that people have been saying that I should make a comedy film so let me pleasantly shock them with the one which revolves around ghosts no less, and friendly ones at that.”

Kaushik added that he is quite pleased with this decision as comedy is his forte and making a humorous film has been a therapeutic exercise for him.”

Venus Records and Tapes and actor-director Satish Kaushik’s ‘Gang Of Ghosts’ stars Sharman Joshi, Mahie Gill, Meera Chopra, Parambrata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Saurabh Shukla, Vijay Verma, Jackie Shroff, Rajesh Khattar, Chunky Pandey and other actors. The film is slated to release on March 21.

Actor Shiney Ahuja, who faded into obscurity after he was accused of rape by his former domestic help, will now be seen in Anees Bazmi's "Welcome Back".

Confirming the news, Shiney told IANS: "Yes, I am a part of 'Welcome Back'. I got a call from Anees sir's casting director and he briefed me about my role. It's a comedy film and I come in the second half of the film."

The actor will start shooting in Dubai soon for the film.

"This role is different and I have not played (such a role) earlier," he added.

The first schedule of "Welcome Back", which has an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, John Abraham, Shruti Hassan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal, has already been completed in Dubai.

Shiney says his family is relieved that he is getting work.

"I can't tell you how happy my family is. In fact, they are relieved. I don't know about a comeback, but I am grateful to god," he added.

Shiney was last seen in a horror film "Ghost", which bombed at the box office.

The actor was arrested in June 2009 following charges of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation levelled by his maid. He spent nearly five months behind bars.

Actress Sunny Leone, who has been a part of the Mumbai entertainment industry since her 2011 appearance on "Bigg Boss 5", says she hasn't made too many friends in Bollywood yet.

"I don't have lot of friends here. I am too busy and I don't get to socialize much. I just want to rest at times and take a day off after a hectic schedule," Sunny said.

The actress, who will next be seen in horror film "Ragini MMS 2", says she can feel the pressure of carrying the movie on her shoulders.

"There are also other actors in this film. I had not thought about it (the pressure) till the promotions started. But now there is a pressure because everyone is asking me this question," she added.

Directed by Bhushan Patel, "Ragini MMS 2" releases March 21.

Considered to be a male-dominated industry, Bollywood sometimes celebrates woman power with aplomb. In the past decade, several such movies with power-packed female characters have come to the fore.

On the occasion of International Women's Day Saturday, here's a dekko at ten such movies:

* "Murder" (2004): During the year when "Dhoom" defined the Hindi film heroine as the air-headed eye-candy, Mallika Sherawat came to the forefront as a horny wife cheating on her husband. The last time that a screen wife had an affair under her husband's nose was when Mala Sinha took a shine to adultery in "Gumrah". This was different. This was a lot more physical. Mallika didn't mind taking off her clothes during sexual intercourse. Women's innerwear became as important as their inner thoughts.

* "Black" (2005): Rani Mukerji's proudest moment. As a deaf and mute girl who climbs over every mountain to reach her goal, Rani's performance in this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film was bravura and inspirational. She swept the awards and made her name as an actress who can be relied on to excel in an author-backed role. Her personal association with the Yash Raj Films banner has cost Rani plum roles in outside productions. After a disastrous heroine-oriented turn in "Aiyya", she will again be seen in an author-backed role in "Mardaani".

* "Water" (2005): Deepa Mehta named her incandescent heroine Kalyani after the timeless Nutan in "Bandini". And Lisa Ray as the new-age Kalyani in this tale of forbidden love between a widow and a social reformer did not let her namesake down.

* "The Namesake" (2007): Aushima Ganguly stranded in the US after her husband's death shakes and weeps uncontrollably ...that one sequence defined Tabu's impressive ability to shoulder films with the aplomb that her aunt Shabana Azmi showed throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Tabu had the makings of another Shabana. She ruined it with her smug laid back attitude. Her histrionics today seem outdated when pitched against Parineeti Chopra and Alia Bhatt's zest for excellence.

* "Fashion" (2008): Madhur Bhandarkar's hard-hitting saga of a small town girl's rise as a supermodel and then the tripping over drugs and the fall. This was Priyanka Chopra's career-best performance matched only by her brilliance in "Barfi". She lives out the model's dreams, nightmares and ambitions with a conviction that scoffs at the artifice that defines the glamour world. Chopra was so hot in the film that she made her co-star Arjan Bajwa look like a lost kid in her presence.

* "That Girl In Yellow Boots" (2011): Kalki Koechlin's made-to-order role as a foreigner trying to eke out a decent living in Mumbai through underhand means in a massage parlour was a portrait of peril under pressure. She seemed to not act at all. And boy, that is quite something.

* "Kahaani" (2012): Now the kahaani can be told. Vidya Balan pretended to be pregnant all through this film. Her final denudation of the artificial baby bump at the end signified how far the heroine's image had come in our film. In "Kahaani", Vidya and Kolkata were the heroes. Bengali star Parambrata Chatterjee joked he was the heroine of "Kahaani". Some years ago, Shilpa Shetty had played the 'hero' of "Phir Milenge" while Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan sportingly stepped in to be cast opposite her. Times, they are a-changing. Sujoy Ghosh wrote Kahaani specially for Vidya and even named the protagonist after the actress.

* "English Vinglish" (2012): Sridevi's comeback film, released during the same year as Vidya Balan's "Kahaani", featured the 50-year-old actress as a housewife on a journey of self-realization. Debutant director Gauri Shinde was obviously a crazy Sri fan. That helped. Sadly, no other film since then has found place for Sridevi's indomitable talent.

* "Heroine" (2012): This film did not set the box office on fire as it was expected to, but Kareena Kapoor's descent into a cocaine-sniffing nervous wreck of a movie star was stark, raw and moving. Too bad, director Bhandarkar seemed to be making "Fashion" all over again. Kareena, though, still has a lot to give to the camera.

* "Queen" (2014): Rani gets jilted at the altar and decides to alter her life irreversibly. Kangana Ranaut's interpretation of a girl's journey through darkness into the light is so bouncy, bubbly and burnished that you want to stand up and applaud this film about a small-town Indian girl's journey of self-realisation.

Yes, girl power lives on in our movies.

A mother is a special woman in everyone's life, but every person has another favourite lady whom they idolise and admire. On International Women's Day Saturday, Bollywood celebrities like Dimple Kapadia and Javed Akhtar make their pick.

Here's a look:

Dimple Kapadia: Krishna Kapoor

Javed Akhtar: Lawyer-activist Vrinda Grover

Sushant Singh Rajput: Dr Kalpana Chawla

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: Lata Mangeshkar

Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Lata Mangeshkar

Ram Kapoor: Meryl Streep

Nargis Fakhri: Mother Teresa & Oprah Winfrey

Amit Sadh: Vidya Balan

Rajkummar Rao: Meryl Streep

Swara Bhaskara: Aung San Suu Kyi

Lisa Haydon: Kate Hudson

Shiamak Davar: My guru Khorshed Bhavnagri

Vennira Aadai Nirmala, who made her debut in Tamil cinema along with now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, will be one of the star campaigners for the AIADMK in the Lok Sabha polls.

The ruling AIADMK released its 19-member list of star campaigners late Friday. They will begin their campaign across the sprawling state March 11.

It includes Tamil movie and television artists like movie director and actor Ramarajan, Vindhya, comedy actors Senthil, Gundu Kalyanam, Singamuthu, Kuyili, TV news reader and actor Fathima Babu, and villain actors Anand Raj and Ponnambalam.

The list also includes AIADMK leaders such as Nanjil Sampath, S. Sasikala Pushpa, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi and Vijila Sathyanand.

In 1986, AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran wanted to nominate Vennira Aadai Nirmala to the Tamil Nadu legislative council. But this did not happen as a court declared her insolvent.

On International Women's Day Saturday, Bollywood celebrities like Arjun Rampal, Farah Khan and Shabana Azmi not only expressed their love towards the "stronger sex" but also saluted the efforts and sacrifices of every woman.

A range of film celebrities took to micro-blogging website Twitter to share their wishes:

Farah Khan: Happy Women's Day to every woman out there who puts her loved ones' needs ahead of hers; who loves unconditionally and gives without a thought.

Bipasha Basu: I celebrate being a woman everyday. On International Women's Day sending out love to all you fabulous women. Stay awesome!

Arjun Rampal: Safety, compassion, dignity and lots of love to all the women in the world, who just make it such a beautiful place. More power to you. Respect.

Anupam Kher: Happy International Women's Day. Thank You.

Madhur Bhandarkar: This life has no existence without a woman in every stage of life from Motherhood to wife, sister and finally a daughter. Happy Women’s Day.

Rahul Bose: That we have an International Women's Day shows how far we are from gender equality. Still, a good day to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause.

Shabana Azmi: On Women's Day we salute all those women whose work over the years has given us strength in our struggle for equality and justice. March On!

Manoj Bajpayee: Happy Women's Day! May you have a safe world which recognises the immense contribution you make everyday in nurturing it.

Vishal Dadlani: By far, the stronger, smarter, more resilient, more emotionally evolved, more beautiful sex. Today, and every day, ladies. Thank you!

Shekhar Ravjiani: Happy Women's Day. More power to all of you. Because in your strength lies ours. Love and Respect. Always.

Punit Malhotra: For me everyday is Women's Day... Nevertheless love and respect to all the women on International Women's Day!

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey will join Indian actor Vidya Balan at the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Master Class Panel to be held here next month. They will discuss trends in the movie industry.

The Master Class panel is one of the myriad sub-events that takes place during the main 15th Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend here.

Spacey will join other dignitaries from both Hollywood and Bollywood who will share their insights and opinions on a variety of subjects relating to cinema.

National award winning actress Vidya will preside over the informative session.

Since IIFA has always been viewed as a platform to bridge the gap between the Indian film industry and the international audience, what better than involving Hollywood in it.

"It has been our dream to be able to do this with the participation of Hollywood artists being featured within our events and this year as we debut in America we are proud to have achieved this with a Master Class Panel that features Vidya Balan," Andre Timmins, director - Wizcraft International and IIFA, said in a statement.

"This panel will be an enthralling event that will create a great platform for knowledge exchange in the world of film and media," he added.

During the panel discussion, the participants will also tap into the recent surge of digital media as a platform for television and film. They will even talk about the unique experience of shifting roles in the industry hierarchy.

Panelists will deliberate over the future of the respective film industries too.

Spacey has given Academy Award winning performances in "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty" as well as memorable performances in "Seven", "Beyond The Sea" and his most recent role as Francis Underwood in "House of Cards".

He also has a rich history in the theatre world and has been the artistic director of the Old Vic Theater Company in London for the last decade.

Spacey was made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth for his services to theatre and won the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards for best actor for his stage role in "The Iceman Cometh" as well as a Tony award for best supporting actor in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers”.

He has also featured in the Broadway and West End productions of “Long Day’s Journey into Night” as well as the title role in the Sam Mendes production of “Richard III”.

The 15th Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend and the Tata Motors IIFA Awards will be held April 23-26. This will be IIFA’s debut in the US.

Aamir Khan believes there are only a few people who dare to speak their mind, but personally, the actor-filmmaker prefers to be prudent with his words to avoid hurting people "for no reason".

Recently, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was upfront with his views on the Farhan Akhtar-starrer "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag". He said he didn't like it.

Asked if Aamir can be so straightforward with his views on films or stars publicly, he said: "Few people have the guts to say what they feel. In general, there are a few artists who say what they feel.

"What they say must not necessarily be right, but at least they are free to say what they want to."

However, Aamir is careful.

"Most of us keep quiet...publicly I might not say (anything), but I feel shy that he or she (any person) may feel bad. Thinking about the relationship, I may not say it...It's the emotion that stops us as for no reason, it (the comments) will be taken personally."

Almost 60 years after the Filmfare Awards were first introduced, the coveted honour makes its east India debut this March, the organisers said Saturday.

The first 'Vivel Filmfare Awards 2013' March 29 here will provide a national platform to recognise Bengali, Assamese and Oriya films.

"I am happy that such a national honour is coming to east India. Films from the region will be in the spotlight," Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee said while unveiling the trophy here.

"There has been a resurgence in Bengali cinema in the last seven to eight years and the time is right for the initiative," Tarun Rai, CEO, Worldwide Media, publishers of Filmfare Magazine, said.

The iconic Black Lady will be given to winners in a 21 categories for Bengali films and four each for the Oriya and Assamese film industries.

"We didn't have such platforms in the region when we started. I am glad that now the emerging artists from these states will get national exposure through this," said the 51-year-old actor, who preferred to acknowledge Bengali films as part of Indian cinema.

The glitzy award ceremony will held at the Science City auditorium here.

Pakistani actress Sana Khan has died in an accident near Looni Kot, around 30 km off Hyderabad, a media report said.

Sana and her husband actor Babar Khan were on their way from Karachi to Hyderabad in a car when the vehicle, driven by Babar, went out of control Friday, reports dawn.com.

The car overturned, leaving the duo seriously injured.

The motorway police and ambulance reached the spot soon after receiving the information, and shifted them to Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro.

Sana breathed her last before she could get any first aid while Babar was later shifted to Liaquat University Hospital City Branch.

Babar, who had married Sana in December 2013, is said to be in critical condition.

Sana was known for her appearance in a serial "Parchaiyan" and Babar is known for the serial "Ek Tamana Lahasil Se".

Be it Meena Kumari in "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" or Tabu in "Astitva" - the Hindi film industry has witnessed a range of actresses essaying women-oriented roles powerfully. Here's a look at the top 10 such portrayals, on the occasion of International Women's Day Saturday.

* Nargis’ Radha in Mehboob Khan’s "Mother India" (1957): Nargis played Radha, the deserted wife who brings up her two sons on her own and kills one of them when he turns into an outlaw. For the first time in a Hindi film, the female protagonist was portrayed as strong and resilient, conscientious and doughty without losing her femininity.

* Meena Kumari’s Choti Bahu in Guru Dutt’s "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" (1962): In the feudal household where women were content wearing expensive sarees and jewellery and never mind what their husbands did with other women, this wife dared to raise her voice. If her husband liked to drink, no problem. Choti Bahu hit the bottle to have him stay at home. The portrait of a woman as the rebellious seductress opened up new doors in the way the woman was portrayed in our cinema.

* Mala Sinha’s Meena in Yash Chopra’s "Dhool Ka Phool" (1959): The 'unwed mother' was an unsung entity until this film came along to shatter every myth about ideal motherhood. Mala Sinha, who was scared of what the film would do to her career, became a counsellor and guide to hundreds of girl students who wanted to know more about pre-marital sex.

* Nutan’s Kalyani in Bimal Roy’s "Bandini" (1963): She can do anything for love. Even kill her beloved’s nagging wife and go to jail. And when a chance to rebuild her life offers itself to Kalyani, she shuns it and runs back to the same man who unintentionally ruined her life. Love has never been blinder and the on-screen heroine never more resolute and passionate.

* Waheeda Rehman’s Rosy in Vijay Anand’s "Guide" (1965): Rosy is so seductive in her whimsicality, such a non-conformist that she dumps her husband for the love of dancing and then dumps her lover when he turns out less than what she had hoped. This film gave the Indian heroine the right to defy stereotypical gender rules.

* Durga Khote’s Parvati in L.V. Prasad’s "Bidaai" (1974): One after the other she sees her sons migrating to the city leaving her alone and defenceless to die in the village. The portrait of the matriarch as an undefeated figure of strength and sustenance was indomitably inspiring. At 65, Durga Khote was cast as the central character.

* Shabana Azmi’s Pooja in Mahesh Bhatt’s "Arth" (1982): Another turning point for the heroine...Mahesh Bhatt’s "Arth" gave us a deserted wife who rebuilds her life piece by piece. Finally at the end she says no to the man who wants to support her. This was the heroine’s first chance to say no to love when it knocked on her door.

* Tabu’s Aditi in Mahesh Manjrekar’s "Astitva"(2000): She dared to tell her husband that she had an affair in his absence and was willing to suffer the consequences. Tabu’s performance as the repressed Maharashtrian housewife who finds her identity after being ostracized by her son and family, was a dazzling display of femininity.

* Smita Patil’s Sonbai in Ketan Mehta’s "Mirch Masala" (1987): The 'woman as prey' when under attack had no choice but to pray - until Smita Patil in this film, who refuses to give in to the powerful subedar’s lurid leering advances. The metaphor of the chilli factory as the fortress for female protection showcased Patil’s powerful performance.

* Madhuri Dixit’s Ketaki in Prakash Jha’s "Mrityudand" (1997): Quickly she gets sucked into the patriarchal tyranny of her newly married husband’s village. And when he is killed, she takes to the gun to avenge his death. Madhuri as 'Murder India' set the screen on fire.

Juhi Chawla is revelling in the reviews of her latest release "Gulaab Gang", in which she has played a negative role for the first time.

"I am loving the hate. For the first time, I'm actually glad you could hate me," Juhi posted on her Twitter page, along with the links of reviews where she has been lauded for playing a villain in the women-oriented movie.

"Thank you very very much...Am amazed and grateful for the overwhelming response to the movie 'Gulaab Gang'. Thank you ALL," she had posted earlier.

"Gulaab Gang" is 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.

The movie, which even stars Madhuri Dixit, released Friday, a day before International Women's Day.

The multifaceted Ayushmann Khurrana performed in a flash mob outside a restaurant here to promote his forthcoming film "Bewakoofiyaan".

The actor, who plays the character of Mohit Chadda, a person who loses his job in the film, danced with a placard, which read "Hire Mohit".

As many as 24 dancers walked around with placards along with the actor-singer.

They danced to the tunes of the film's title track - "Bematlab betukhi...bewakoofiyaan".

The film, releasing March 14, also stars Sonam Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor.

Evelyn Sharma has been putting her design instincts to good use. At a recent event, the actress flaunted one of her self-designed outfits and if all goes well, she may even launch a fashion line sometime soon.

In recent times, actresses like Mandira Bedi and Lisa Ray have launched their fashion lines, but they did it with much fanfare. However, Evelyn has begun the process by designing her own outfits for her appearances before planning to put a line together to make it available for her female fans.

Evelyn's line will be fashionable but won't support or promote too much skin show, said a source.