Anchor-actress-designer Mandira Bedi, who is ready to showcase her new line of saris at the Lakme Fashion Week summer-resort 2014 here, has received a special good luck wish from the talented Masaba Gupta.

"LFW starts tommorow. All my lovve to Mandyyyy who makes her debut! Sad I'm missing it all! But with you in spirit. Always," Masaba, who is the fashion director of Satya Paul, posted to Mandira on Twitter.

Mandira, who is known for flaunting Satya Paul designs in the past, ventured into fashion designing last year and even opened a signature store here.

The Karachi premiere of Bollywood film "Total Siyappa" was rocking, says its lead hero, Pakistani actor Ali Zafar.

"The Karachi premiere rocked on Thursday (March 6). We got a massive applause. The Lahore premiere at the Super Cinema Vogue Theatre was equally successful," Ali said on phone from Karachi.

Initially, there were reports that the Pakistani premieres of E. Niwas's movie had been called off. However, the events are said to have gone off well.

According to a source from Karachi, the film's Indo-Pak love story was warmly accepted by the Pakistani audiences.

"They laughed at all the Indo-Pak jokes. It was an evening of fun and no one was getting hyper over cross-border issues. They all wanted to know where the film's leading lady was," says a source from Karachi.

"Vicky Donor" actress Yami Gautam plays the female lead in the film.

Tired of comedy shows encashing in on cross-dressing antics? Sunil Grover has decided to go easy on the gender benders, and on his show "Mad In India", he will now play two roles - the popular female avatar Chutki and a brand new avatar as a boy named Sabjee.

"The idea is to expand the bandwidth of the humour from gender differences to a more broad-based appeal. It is hoped that Grover's kid-avatar Sabjee would become as popular as Grover's female avatars," said a source.

"Mad In India" is on a damage control spree. The show makers have roped in cricketer Harbhajan Singh for a tete-a-tete with Grover, who will appear before the cricketer as a child eager to learn the ropes of the game.

"The producers wanted Grover to come on the show as Chutki to interview Harbhajan Singh. But Grover doesn't want to make the cross-dressing the show's talking point. Hence, the child," said the source.

Trendspotters.tv, an online digital channel, has entered into an alliance with film production banner Mukta Arts as their online channel partner for Subhash Ghai's directorial "Kaanchi".

This will be its first such film association. As part of the deal, the digital channel shall be associated with the film for special promotional activities during March and April.

“I have been a trendsetter myself and I am more than keen to be associated with Trendspotters.tv,” Ghai said in a statement.

Trendspotters.tv will showcase behind the scenes stories of the film, and it will also webcast a pre-release interview of Ghai along with the star cast.

“At Trendspotters.tv, we are keen on engaging our audience with fresh developments in the world of entertainment. Bollywood being a much loved genre of films among our target audience, collaboration with the production house that has given some of the biggest hits of the industry is indeed a significant one,” said Kunal Kishore Sinha, founder, www.trendspotters.tv.

Featuring Kartik Aaryan Tiwari from “Pyaar ka Punchnama” fame along with newcomer Mishti in the lead, the film is scheduled to hit the cinemas April 25.

Jacqueline Fernandez, who will be next seen in Salman Khan starrer Kick, recently had a pleasant surprise when a female fan landed on the sets of the movie to seek advice from her on beauty products.

A source close to the actress said, "One of the assistant directors of the film, who used to regularly praise Jacqueline for her look, asked her to share beauty tips with his female friend. A sport that she is, Jacqueline readily agreed to do so." The actress spent around half an hour with her on the sets.

Confirming the news, Jacqueline said, "I have always believed in natural beauty products and that's what I recommended to her. She called me up a few days later to tell me that my tips worked wonders for her."

Apart from Kick, Jacqueline will also be seen in Roy, where she will share screen space with Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.

Dia Mirza celebrated International Womens Day on 8th March with her fans on Twitter, where she encouraged her male and female fans to pledge, using the Hash Tag #ThisWomensDay.

Dia pledged on Twitter (@deespeak), saying, "This Womens Day I pledge to make place for myself in my list of priorities. If I take care of myself will I be able to take of my family." Many fans replied with their pledges. Dia's male fans, too, took a pledge to
respect the fairer sex. A female fan tweeted, "#thiswomensday Pledge to live, not survive. From HER, heroes are born!". Dia retweeted and even responded to few of the many pledges by her enthusiastic fans.

Womens Day has always held a special place in Dia's life. A photoshoot, 14 years ago for a Women's Day edition, played a stepping stone in the gorgeous acto's career. Since then, the actor has been making her presence felt every year with her work and appearances.

Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee Tuesday ended speculation about contesting the Lok Sabha elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket, and also said no to campaigning for candidates.

In 2004, Chatterjee had contested the Lok Sabha elections for the Congress from Kolkata North East constituency but lost to Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate Mohammed Salim.

Last week the actress met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat Nabanna, fuelling speculation that she was eyeing a ticket for the polls.

"I am not thinking of politics at the moment. Though I have got offers from more than one party, I am not taking the step now. I can't say about the future though," she told the media here.

"When I feel I am capable (for politics), then I will announce my decision. I will not be campaigning for any candidate," she said.

Chatterjee admitted that joining politics in 2004 was a mistake.

"It was a mistake on my part. I couldn't understand the nuances. I had only 25 days," she said.

The actress - one of the highest paid in her time - spoke about her "immense respect" for Banerjee, a fact that had in the past prompted her to decline an offer to stand against her.

"I was once asked to stand against her but I declined. She has come a long way through so much struggle and I have tremendous respect for her," she said.

Filmmaker Subhash Kapoor, lately beleaguered by charges of sexual harassment, has quietly started shooting for his next film "Guddu Rangeela".

Kapoor and his cast comprising Arshad Warsi, Amit Sadh and others left for Shimla last week where the director is valiantly trying to piece back his scattered life by focusing on his work.

"Subhash is taking it one day at a time. His main and immediate fear when the unexpected scandal broke out was that he would be forced to cancel the first schedule of his new film 'Guddu Rangeela'," said a source.

To the director's relief and good fortune, the film's entire cast and crew pitched themselves in Kapoor's support.

"He is now recovering from the blow," said a friend of the director.

"Luckily for Subhash, his producers Fox Star Studios are not fazed by the unsavoury controversy. When Subhash offered to postpone the first schedule of 'Guddu Rangeela' in Shimla, his producers insisted he go ahead with it," he added.

The director's wife too has been supremely supportive in these trying times.

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, whose numbers are a hit among the Indian youth, is awed by the energy of 71-year-old thespian Amitabh Bachchan, with whom he has recently collaborated for a song.

The duo shot a song together, and Honey Singh can't stop raving about the Big B.

"It's like being in a room filled with kinetic energy. Shooting with the Big B made me feel so old and inadequate. Not for a minute does he remind you of who he is. In fact, I felt I was with someone much younger than me," said the rapper, who turns 31 this month.

"Bachchan sahab was the coolest and youngest one on our crew. Every time he came on the sets, the energy level went up by many notches. When he left, we actually felt the energy level drop. He has the energy level of a 22-year-old," he added.

The song that they shot is a promotional video for Big B's forthcoming release "Bhoothnath Returns", and the rapper, often reprimanded for his bold and crass lyrics, made sure the words used were not "even remotely irreverent".

"I had to be very careful. It is okay to use casual trendy words for the younger stars. But the Big B is a star of stars," said Honey Singh, who says he spent sleepless nights trying to be politically correct for the Big B.

"It isn't as if we decided to be prim and proper in the song. There is a great deal of masti (fun) in our number. Bachchan sahab likes to have fun with the young. But I had to exercise self-censorship for the first time because this was for Bachchan sahab, and it was going to be incorporated into a film targeted at children," he said.

The song was shot over two days. At the end of the shooting, Honey Singh and his gang organised a party on the sets.

"We had this huge cake which said, 'Thank You, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan' and we partied hard at the end of the song. Bachchan sahab has spoilt me. He is addictive. Everyone who works with him wants to do so again. So, how am I an exception? Yes, I've plans of doing more music with the Big B," he said.

Manish Malhotra opened the summer-resort 2014 edition of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) with his A Summer Affair collection and he roped in actress Sonakshi Sinha to walk for him in a soft and feminine attire.

The audience gave his collection a standing ovation as Sonakshi walked the ramp in a midnight blue ensemble here Tuesday night.

Malhotra said his line is "influenced by the romanticism that exists in today's day and age."

"Summer 2014 for me is about the feelings and emotions this modern day romance evokes," he said.

The designer incorporated colours like pink, powder blue, beige and ivory along with navy and grey on different prints and embroideries. From zip saris and summer skirt lehengas with pockets, to dress-styled kurtas and easy slim pants, the collection is apt for fashion forward youngsters.

The men's collection introduced print on print and different textures in contemporary Indian jackets. Sherwanis were overruled by bandis, and kurtas got a makeover as shirt kurtas by the designer in his latest range.

The front row was completely packed with some known faces from tinsel town - Kangana Ranaut, Kajol with sister Tanisha Mukherjee, Sonali Bendre, Urmila Matondkar, Ameesha Patel, Zarine Khan and Zayed Khan, Lisa Haydon, Sophie Choudry, Esha Gupta, Richa Chaddha, Swara Bhaskar, Tusshar Kapoor, Punit Malhotra and Hard Kaur.

"Ragini MMS 2" director Bhushan Patel says the audience will get to see a new side of Indo-Canadian adult film star Sunny Leone in the movie.

"You will see Sunny in a new avatar, you will see her do things you haven't seen her doing before. You have never seen her dance, but you have (seen her do it) in 'Babydoll'. She worked hard for that song and she rehearsed for 10 days for it," Patel said here Tuesday in an interview.

"Sunny has acted very well in my film. She has done a lot of action scenes. We have tried to present Sunny in a new avatar and we hope we are successful," he added.

"Ragini MMS 2" is being promoted as a 'horrex' film, a combination of horror and sex.

"Ragini MMS 2" is a sequel to Ekta Kapoor's 2011 film "Ragini MMS." It also stars Sandhya Mridul, Divya Dutta and Parvin Dabas and hits theatres March 21.

Shreya Ghoshal has turned over a new leaf with the launch of her first non-film ghazal album "Humnasheen". The melodious songstress turned 30 Wednesday.

Shreya is glad that she chose ghazals to make a transit to non-film work.

"I have been a fan of ghazals, but I had never thought I would take it up as my first step into the non-film world. But now that I have done it, I am happy that this was the step I took first, doing something which is equivalent to good poetry and soulfulness," Shreya said here at the launch of the album Tuesday.

Shreya says ghazals give her a chance to do something she can't do in films.

"Urdu poetry has it's own charm and impact. I can't do raag-based singing in films and I don't even expect that to happen in films," she said.

Shreya is a Bengali, but she has worked hard on her Hindi and Urdu diction. She has thanked all those who have helped her.

"Diction needs to be very clear. I am a Bengali, but I was brought up in Rajasthan and that's why my Hindi is good.

"My tilt towards Urdu happened only after I entered the film industry. There are so many talented lyricists and composers from whom I learnt something everyday. I have learnt music from Kalyanji (composer) and he also told me how important diction is.

"Now when I hear old songs of Lata-ji (Mangeshkar) and (Mohd.) Rafi saab, I can see how particular they were to ensure that the words were clear and beautifully pronounced," she added.

Shreya started her career with regional music albums and devotional songs. She was just 16 when she recorded her first song "Bairi piya" for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas".

The video of "Aa Bhi Jaa", the second single from A.R. Rahman and Kapil Sibal's collaborative album "Raunaq", will be introduced in a 4K - ultra high definition version - on online video-sharing platform YouTube Friday.

"It's a first in India and we are extremely excited to be launching this video. This version has not been used even in Bollywood films and watching a video in this ultra high definition format is an immersive experience in itself," Sanujeet Bhujabal, marketing director, Sony Music India, said in a statement.

4K resolution is a generic term for display devices or content having horizontal resolution on the order of 4,000 pixels.

Introducing the song's video in the special version, singer-producer Rahman said: "We wanted this video to be in a format that gives viewers a visual delight as the essence of the video is taken from Raja Ravi Varma's paintings."

"Aa Bhi Jaa" is a visual delight that has artistry inspired by Raja Ravi Varma's paintings. Featuring actors Yami Gautam and Muzammil Ibrahim, the video harkens back to the days of dynasties ruling India.

Rendered by singer Jonita Gandhi, the song is a mellow and slow track that blends seamlessly with poetry by Sibal.

Sonakshi Sinha, who flaunted her newly-acquired svelte figure at the Lakme Fashion Week summer-resort 2014 here, says her consistent workout regime has contributed to her fitter frame.

Sonakshi looked resplendent in a midnight blue ensemble when she glided down the ramp for designer Manish Malhotra at the opening show of the fashion gala Tuesday.

"It (slimming) has not happened in a jiffy. I started working out in November (2013) and now in March, the results are showing. I have been consistent through out. I was also shooting my films but I was also regular with my work-out," the actress told reporters on the sidelines of the show.

Sonakshi will next be seen playing a boxer's role in "Holiday", which also stars Akshay Kumar. The film releases June 6.

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor attended the inaugural session of the 15th FICCI Frames 2014. She lit the inaugural lamp along with other dignitaries, including filmmaker Ramesh Sippy and Star India CEO Uday Shankar.

Several noted names from the Indian media and entertainment industry, including Harshvardhan Neotia (FICCI vice president), Uday Shankar (chairman, FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee, and CEO, Star India), Bimal Julka (secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), Patrick Suckling (Australian High Commissioner to India) and Sippy (co-chairman, FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee), were present on the stage with Sonam.

The actress looked chic in a designer outfit.

The conference opened with the delegates discussing about the growth in the media and entertainment industry in 2013.

"The media industry is unique and despite the slowdown last year, the media and entertainment industry experienced a growth of four percent over last year and this is a testament to the tenacity of the industry," Shankar said here.

FICCI Frames, an annual conference where reforms, regulatory mechanisms and implementation of policies related to the media and entertainment world are discussed, started Wednesday. It will end Friday.

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra says the biggest part of his success with "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" was that the movie managed to have a connect with children as young as six and eight.

Present at the FICCI Frames 2014 here Wednesday, Mehra and his "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" lead actor Farhan Akhtar discussed their views on the topic - "From Real-life Heroes to Reel-life Heroes: Biopics Inspiring Generations".

"Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" is a biopic on former Indian athlete Milkha Singh. The movie managed to get a warm response from critics and audiences alike.

Talking about it, Mehra said: "If I have to talk about my success, I feel my biggest success was when we got calls from many schools in India to take the school kids for the morning show of my film on low profit rate.

"It's great when six to eight year old kids get connected to your film...it's something that I had not even dreamt. Kids have the knack of sensing things...it's amazing," Mehra told reporters here.

The invigorating session saw a discussion on the creation of the inspiring biopic.

Farhan, who was immensely appreciated for his portrayal of the Flying Sikh, says his biggest challenge was to connect with the emotions.

"Of course there was a physical challenge, but I also had to worry about the emotions. There was a certain body language and command which I had to adapt to become that person," he said.

The makers of "Kaanchi" have released the movie's title track "Kaanchi Re Kaanchi".

The song has been shot in rural localities and it exhibits the fearless and cheerful life of the lead character Kaanchi, played by debutante Mishti, in her village, said a statement.

With upbeat vocals by Sukhwinder, and lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil, the song wonderfully captures Mishti’s charisma and composer Ismail Darbar’s soulful music.

"Kaanchi" is directed by Subhash Ghai. It chronicles the story of an innocent rural beauty and her fight against power.

Slated to release April 25, the movie also features Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Kartik Aaryan, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Rishabh Sinha.

Bollywood's "Ooh la la" girl Vidya Balan is on a multi-city promotional tour of the US to spread buzz about the forthcoming International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations, which will make its American debut this year.

IIFA Weekend and Awards, an annual Bollywood gala, is scheduled to be held in Tampa Bay, Florida, April 23-26.

Vidya has joined its promoters on the second IIFA US tour to visit New York, Houston, Tampa and Orlando. The journey began Tuesday, and will end Friday.

“Having travelled to a number of exotic locales the world over, IIFA has made its mark on the map, educating the world about Indian cinema. Going forward, I am very pleased to be part of IIFA’s landmark journey, as they venture into the US, in Tampa Bay," Vidya said in a statement.

During the main event, the National Award winning actress will also be part of a Master Class with Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey.

"I am excited to be part of the IIFA Master Class this year and look forward to engaging with my fans in the US," said the versatile talent, who was recentlu seen on the big screen with "Shaadi Ke Side Effects".

Popular Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will take centrestage during the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards event to be held here next month.

Rahat, the nephew of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is popular both in India and Pakistan. His songs - "Sajda", "Teri ore", "O re piya" and "Jiya dhadak dhadak" are a hit with fans on both sides of the border.

Apart from his performance, the Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards, one of the four major events to be held as part of the four-day IIFA gala this year, will see names like Pritam, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari and Shruti Hassan regaling their fans.

Also joining in will be Bhoomi Trivedi, Monali Thakur, Ravi Drums and Ankit Tiwari.

Sensing the excitement as the IIFA gala makes its US debut this year, the organisers have announced a selection of tickets opening up for IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards to be held on the third day of the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend at The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.

IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards will be a night of music, dance and awards, with performances from Kareena Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Farhan, Bipasha Basu and a special musical act by Pritam.

The show will be hosted by Bollywood's 'Nawab' Saif Ali Khan and actor-comedian Vir Das.

Tickets for the same will go on sale on www.ticketmaster.com Saturday.

Bollywood's 'desi girl' Priyanka Chopra's talent and popularity has landed her a new endorsement. She has been named the brand ambassador of Rajnigandha Silver Pearls - saffron blended, silver coated cardamom seeds from the house of DS Group.

Actress-singer Priyanka features in a new 60-second television commercial announcing the new launch.

It celebrates the little gestures of goodness that people make despite a hectic day-to-day life with the slogan "Achai ki ek alag hi chamak hoti hai". The new catchphrase re-emphasizes the brand’s belief that real goodness always shines through in our words and deeds, read a statement.

Priyanka agrees with the belief.

"There is an innate goodness in all of us and I think in today's time its hugely important to spread as much love and positivity as possible. I am delighted to have been chosen as the brand ambassador of Rajnigandha Silver Pearls," said the 31-year-old.

Talking about the product, she said: "It not only delicious and refreshing, but also a brand that promotes such positive messages, which is something the world really needs."

The National award winning actress, who turned to singing with international singles like "Exotic" and "In my city", was chosen to represent the product "as she is an epitome of a global achiever and at the same time a grounded and humble person who is always ready to give time and effort for a good cause".

The ad film has been created by Dentsu Marcom and narrates the story of a successful filmstar, who has a massive following because of her inherent goodness. It shows interwoven scenes that narrate examples of little acts of goodness.