Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone says that Holi is one of her favourite festivals and she remembers the time when she was a kid and played colours with friends.

"Holi has been one of my favorite festivals since childhood. Playing Holi with my friends from my building after coming back from school is one of my favorite childhood Holi memories. Preparations for the festival would start at least a week before," Deepika told IANS.

The actress, who delivered four back-to-back hits "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", "Chennai Express", "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" and "Race 2" in 2013, is currently shooting for "Happy New Year".

She is looking forward to celebrate the festival with the cast of the film this year.

"This year I will be shooting for my film 'Happy New Year'. It’s a fun bunch and I’m sure celebrating Holi on the set will be a lot of fun,” she said.

Deepika, who is known for her beautiful skin, also keeps a check on her beauty regime around Holi.

“During Holi, I am concerned about my hair the most. Applying a coconut based hair oil acts as a protective layer for my hair against the colours and the summer heat. I tie my hair in a side braid or a messy pony tail. Also I make sure to keep myself hydrated,” said the actress.

“Playing Holi can be exhausting. When I return home, I like to pamper myself with a coconut based hair oil massage and a cup of hot coffee,” she added.

Aamir Khan is guarded about sharing his views on any political party and when it comes to the new Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) the actor-filmmaker prefers to wait and watch. Meanwhile, he has urged the youth to step out and vote intelligently in the polls.

At a press conference at his residence on his 49th birthday Friday, Aamir was asked which party he is favouring and he said: "I am not supporting any political party's campaign, nor do I support any political party."

"It's a democratic country and I believe each person should take their own decision and must go out and vote intelligently," he added.

Looking fit as a fiddle, the "3 Idiots" and "Dhoom 3" actor believes the youth especially must cast their vote.

"Every person of voting age should vote," he added.

Asked to comment on Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, Aamir said: "AAP is a new party. Let's see what they do. As I said, I don't support any political party, but if there's an important cause, we all come forward."

True to his word, he is raising various issues on his well-researched chat show "Satyamev Jayate".

Aamir had earlier lent support to Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement.

Gaurav Gupta made his Lakme Fashion Week debut in collaboration with Britain-based Indian origin jewellery designer Mawi Keivom and showcased a collection titled “Memphire”.

His show took place Thursday at the summer-resort 2014 edition of the fashion gala and he presented Egyptian gowns, multi-draped futuristic saris, sari-gowns and body suits.

"Memphire is a journey in time that leaps forward to an imagined Egypt, blanketed in mysticism of the future. The designs are made for women who have the power to control, transform, subdue and vanish at will,” said the designer.

Gupta, who has known Mawi for years, welcomed the chance to collaborate for the unusual show format.

"This has been an exciting experience and the project came together very naturally. Mawi's future-primitive style resonates with my sensibility," said Gupta.

A quiet, leafy South Delhi neighbourhood was abuzz Friday morning as news trickled into homes and busy markets that Bollywood star Rani Mukerji was shooting in one of the houses.

"Did you know that Rani is in Chittaranjan Park," squealed Manushi, a 20-year-old househelp, as she excitedly passed on the news on the phone to her friends in the neighbourhood - and beyond.

Rani is in the capital to shoot for "Mardaani". Being directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film will see the actress in khakis.

Burly private guards, wearing black safari suits, cordoned off an entire area around a neighbourhood park, not allowing even househelps and courier boys to transgress the road leading to the house.

Many older residents were upset at this "unwarranted intrusion" into neighbourhood peace, but the younger ones revelled in a sense of pride of their neighbourhood being a location for a Bollywood film.

"Do you think they will show our park in the movie," one housemaid was overheard asking another. When an irate neighbourhood gent asked one of the guards on whose authority they were blocking off a colony road, one of them said: "Sir, we have taken all necessary permission and clearances, including from the resident association."

After an outcry in the media and complaints from citizens a couple of weeks ago over private guards blocking off busy arterial roads in East Delhi where Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif were shooting and creating huge traffic jams, the shooting team appeared to be more circumspect this time and the guards were scrupulously polite in dealing with residents even while diverting people and traffic away from the location.

But the long line of vans and cars that make a production unit's cavalcade nevertheless created traffic choke points even as groups of people stood at various vantage points near the house and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of their favourite star.

"She was dressed in jeans-jacket and the onlookers were saying that she looks different off the screen," said Ramakanta Mahanta, an onlooker who got a glimpse of the actress of hits like "Saathiya", "Hum Tum" and "Black".

Actress Mahie Gill says after watching her forthcoming film "Gang of Ghosts", the audience will fall in love with spirits.

"Gang of Ghosts", directed by Satish Kaushik, is a remake of Bengali blockbuster "Bhooter Bhabishyat". It is slated to release March 21.

"...I am sure after watching the film, the audience will surely fall in love with the ghosts," she told reporters in an interview.

The actress admits that she is scared of ghosts but has learned to overcome her fear.

"I'm very scared of ghosts. I keep all the lights on, wherever I stay, be it at my home or in a hotel," she said.

The film also features Sharman Joshi, Rajpal Yadav, Anupam Kher, Chunkey Pandey, Saurabh Shukla and Meera Chopra.

For most people, the festival of Holi has been about water balloons, water guns, tubs full of coloured water and multifarious colours - but leading Indian TV actors like Sanjeeda Sheikh and Karan Grover urge their fans to play a "waterless" Holi.

Here's what the actors have to say:

Surbhi Joyti: As a kid, every year as Holi approached, I loved going to the terrace with my friends in the evenings and splashing colours on them. I never realised back then about the amount of water we were wasting, but now as a responsible citizen, I feel everybody should opt for a waterless Holi and use organic gulaal to ensure that they do not end up damaging their skin in the bargain.

Sanjeeda Sheikh: I used to love playing Holi with water but now I have realised the need to conserve the most important resource of our planet. I have made a promise to myself that I will play Holi with organic colours and gulaal. I urge the viewers and my fans also to practice the same. Wishing all my fans a colourful and 'waterless' Holi.

Mansi Shrivastav: I love Holi as it is one festival when I get to be with my entire family. I have some extremely fond memories of Holi as a kid when I used to throw water balloons at the passers-by and would ensure that everybody around is drenched in water and colours. This year on Holi, my family and I will avoid wasting water and will play with safe colours during the day.

Karan Singh Grover: Conserving water should be every individual's priority. While Holi is a fun festival to celebrate, I request everyone to play smartly.

Digangana Suryavanshi: I love the festival of Holi. It's fun to get together and feel the excitement of this colorful festival. This Holi I would like all my fans to be conscious about wasting water unnecessarily and play it in a way that helps the environment.

Ali Asgar: Most of us actors are busy all the time and rarely get leisure time to spend with our families. Holi is one occasion where I always stay at home with my family and spend time meeting friends and other extended family members and exchange pleasantries.

Ishita Dutta: "I have very fond childhood memories of playing Holi with my family and friends. With loads of colour and good food, Holi has always been a festival we look forward to. This year I am supporting the initiative of water conservation and I have consciously chosen to play without water.

Raqesh Vashisht: Each time during a festival, what excites me the most are the savouries prepared specially for the guests visiting our home. I have a sweet tooth and gujiyas are my weakness.

Roopal Tyagi: The exuberant colours of Holi bring along with them a spirit of joy, naughtiness and enthusiasm. It's a special time of the year to remember those who are close to our hearts and have a little fun with them by splashing colours. As responsible citizens, we should save water and use only organic colours.

Karishma Sahani Khan, Lalit Sengar, Mrinalini Chandran and Sidharth Sinha Friday opened the Indian handloom and textile day with their collections at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week summer-resort 2014.

Focusing on the craft of Ajrakh, block printing and natural dyeing from Gujarat, Khan's collection called "Kaam Kaaj" was an ode to the tradition at the fashion gala.

Inspired by the attire of local vendors, workers and tailors, the collection had gamchas, shirts, and lehengas with utility pockets.

Keeping the silhouettes feminine with an androgynous influence, the slightly flared waisted dresses had large embroidered patch pockets in pure white or navy hues and looked classy over white flowing long skirts.

Sengar's debut collection titled "Sylvan Swain" was inspired by the Art Nouveau era when ornamental style and architecture was prevalent.

Combining form, texture, space and colour, the asymmetric lines were perfect with the right touches of style and creativity.

Presenting a predominantly men's wear collection with just three printed layered silk gowns for women, the designer brought an old world charm to the garments with the use of Indian textiles like cotton, chanderi and linen.

Ending the show was VJ and actor Purab Kohli who walked the ramp sporting a printed jacket with button detailing, worn with baggy salwar pants.

Sinha presented the beauty of northeast India through his designs at LFW.

The designer revealed his collection under his label N & S Gaia featuring the amazing textiles of Meghalaya and crafts of northeast. There was the dominance of hand-woven fabrics like dakwanda cotton on every design.

Chandra's accessory collection was a creative blend of metal and semi precious stones. The grand singhasans of the past, the peacock throne, the comfortable rocking chair inspired the elements of the collection.

Actress Nargis Fakhri has chosen a purple bikini from her own collection to wear for a song sequence in the forthcoming film "Main Tera Hero".

When the "Rockstar" actress learnt that she had to wear a bikini for a song, she was so excited about it that she insisted on wearing her personal recently bought set.

Confirming this, a source said: "Yes, Nargis is wearing a bikini from her personal collection. She had recently brought a bikini which she wanted to wear and showed it to the stylist of the film. The stylist immediately agreed with her as the bikini looked apt for the song."

She sports a very Bohemian look for the song as she has teamed a pair of funky shades, junk jewellery and a fluorescent yellow sarong to go with the bikini.

The slim and trim talent features alongside Varun Dhawan in the movie, which is directed by the latter's father David Dhawan.

Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and also starring Ileana D'cruz, the movie releases April 4.

Successful actress Priyanka Chopra, who has been part of hits like "Fashion", "Barfi" and "Dostana", Friday said an actress's fee may not be on par with her male counterpart, but she is hopeful that soon their remuneration will get better.

When asked why there is disparity when it comes to sharing profits with actresses despite their having a sizeable contribution in a film's success, Priyanka told IANS on the sidelines of FICCI Frames 2014: "I don't think the contribution is as much. I think you have to give credit to the boys also.

"The films make about Rs.200 or Rs.300 crore and it has a lot to do with the boys. We (actresses) haven't made that dent into the box office as females as the boys have, and I am very hopeful because we have the kind of audience which is ready to watch women-oriented films that will happen.

"Yes, there is a huge disparity in terms of remuneration, but there is also a big disparity in the kind of money that has been brought back by female actors so far. I am hoping we will soon be able to break that and may be remunerations will get better."

"No One Killed Jessica", "Kahaani", "The Dirty Picture and "Queen" are some of the recent women-centric films that have done brisk business at the box office.

The actress, who attended the 15th edition of FICCI Frames 2013, was in conversation with Nidhi Razdan on women-centric films being made in the showbiz.

In her over a decade long career, the actress maintained a balance between parallel and masala films and she has no qualms about being a Hindi film heroine.

She said: "I am proud to be a Hindi film heroine. I am unapologetic about being a Hindi film heroine. I love Hindi cinema I love the blockbusters, but at the same time I also enjoy doing films like 'Barfi' and 'Fashion'."

The actress, who is also into singing, feels that women are good at multi-tasking.

"I have realised that women are good at multi-tasking and we do it really well. I was raised with music and I wanted to push myself and see what I can do. I am taking baby steps," the 31-year-old said.

Actress Shabana Azmi Friday attended a special session at FICCI Frames 2014 and praised the films for their drama and presentation, but said it's time to reduce the length of movies to compete in bigger market.

While talking about Indian films being accepted internationally, Shabana said: "If we are talking about Indian films being accepted internationally, then time has come where the world has shrunk to a global village. We need our culture to be understood in our own paradigm. The mainstream Bollywood has caught the attention of many people, but the only thing we need to change is reduce the length of the films."

She further added: "The element, drama, and presentation we have is unique in the industry and especially the songs are very unique. We have to make space for the world to accept us the way we are, rather than mould ourselves to other people."

Anupam Kher too was present at the session. He also praised the changes in filmdom.

Anupam said: "As far as Indian films are concerned, I feel cinema has evolved. There is more discipline and things are much more professional now.

"Indian cinema is made for Indian audiences and it's not easy to do difficult or over-the-top scenes and yet to convince the 1 billion population. I think Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan can do what Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt can do, but I doubt whether they (Hollywood actors) can do something like 'Tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam'."

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi appreciates the new breed of filmmakers for touching upon "unusual" subjects in their films and "great" portrayal of women.

In an interesting session Friday at the FICCI Frames 2014 on "The Film That Changed My Life" several celebrities shared their views and Shabana too participated in it.

"One film that changed my life was Mahesh Bhatt's 'Arth'. After we completed the film, we showed it to the distributors and the producers. They liked the film but they asked us to change the end. But me and Mahesh insisted that we will not change the end and then the way the film did both commercially and artistically was great," Shabana told reporters during the press meet at FICCI Frames 2014.

The "Arth" climax sees Shabana's character leaving her husband, who cheats on her, to make a new beginning, which was something unusual to see in films in 1980s.

"I feel there is a change and especially the new filmmakers are making some unusual films especially with the way men regard women is great."

Other celebrities, who participated in the session, were Anupam Kher, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ayan Mukerji, Subhash Ghai and Amol Gupte as well as Liz Shackleton, Asia Editor, Screen International.

When asked, Anupam too named Mahesh Bhatt-directed "Saaransh"

"It was Mahesh Bhatt's 'Saaransh' that changed my life. I was 27 that time playing a 65-year-old in the film. But it is 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara, in which I played an Alzheimer patient, that was the most difficult role so far."

Bhandarkar, known for making realistic films like "Page 3", says it was not his highly acclaimed and award winning movie "Chandni Bar", but his flop debut film "Trishakti" that changed his life.

"People feel that my debut film is 'Chandni Bar', but I must say that my debut film is 'Trishakti'. As a filmmaker it was very difficult to get a break and when I used to say I want to make a film with a message they used to say give your message through your phone, not through films.

"But it was the failure of 'Trishakti' that I am sharing the panel today with these prominent celebrities. So after that dud, I made 'Chandni Bar' and this is one film that changed my life."

Film: "Bewakoofiyaan"; Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sonam Kapoor; Directed by Nupur Asthana; Rating:*** 1/2 (three and a half stars)

Sometimes, love just ain't enough. So there we have two people in love. The pampered but not spoilt bureaucrat's daughter Mayera and her lover beau Mohit whose upward mobility is frozen by an employment meltdown in his airline organization (spicy allusion to the Kingfisher crisis, yes?)

It's Delhi's noveau riche Gurgaon world bathed in cosmetic conceit. Sonam Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana blend into this gleaming kingdom's excesses effortlessly. The two of them are so good as a couple, imagining them apart for even a portion of the bitterness that bites into the narrative during the second-half becomes unbearable.

Debutant director Nupur Asthana's film is a bright scrambled world of wealth, luxury and the yuppy club's unstated desperation to move up the corporate ladder. It is also, by its very definition, a ridiculously self-important delusional world.

Miraculously this film with its gleaming polished surfaces neither gasps nor laughs at the ignobility of upward mobility.

There is an interestingly crafted fight scene between the film's lead pair where Mayera reminds Mohit that she has not bought a new pair of shoes during the last two months because of his job loss. That she doesn't realize how ridiculous she sounds to Mohit is a measure of the underlining irony that the narrative scrapes out of these characters while portraying the exacerbated materialism of the go-getting generation.

Habib Faisal's writing is smart and amiable, crowded with quaint colloquialisms culled from the capital youngster's language. The writing also surprises itself by becoming inwardly-drawn and introspective at the most unexpected moments. That the screenplay has got Ayushmann to play the cool guy whose perfectly laid-out plans fall apart, is a stroke of luck for this likeable film.

Ayushmann looks like the guy next-door who wouldn't mind pulling a few strings to float higher than the level allotted to him by fate. He brings a suave arrogance to his role and creates a cohesive graph for his character. He is an actor to watch.

Of course it helps Ayushmann that he has Rishi Kapoor to play his girlfriend's hawk-like father. Rishi's character of the IAS officer on the verge of retirement (with a companion from his work place who typically, offers his "humble" advice on every matter) is brilliantly written.

Rishi's Sehgal is a pompous name-thrower with an inflated sense of self-worth, over-possessive about his only daughter's life and preferences. V.K. Sehgal is a striking image of a man on the verge of erupting into a self-deprecatory laughter, if he only he knew how funny his quirks look from the outside.

Rishi brings to the characters a cornocupia of "cool". Seldom in his any other recent film except "Do Dooni Chaar" has this brilliant actor expressed such pleasure in putting forward his character's point of view.It's no coincidence that film too was written by Faisal.

So many of Rishi Kapoor's scenes with Ayushmann stand tall because of the way the two characters meet as adversaries who fortunately love the same girl in different ways. Sonam as the girl torn between an autocratic dad and unreasonable lover is so in-character you wonder whether the role and its fetish for designer labels were written specially for her.

"Bewakoofiyan" has nothing new to say. And that is its greatest virtue. It is "Meet The Parents" where the father and the prospective son-in-law's roles are better played than the original. Yes, Rishi and Ayushmann are better than Robert de Niro and Ben Stiller were in the Hollywood film about the father of the bride.

The narrative sparkles with a mischievous elegance. The winking homage to the go-getting glam-set of Delhi works mainly because the three protagonists are so immersed in the goings-on they make us forget that we've seen most of these conflicts over and over again in the past. In terms of the fluency with which the cliche about the love birds and the girl's disapproving dad is tackled, "Bewakoofiyaan" is a marked improvement on Yashraj Productions' last two pretentious hammy films "Shudh Desi Romance" and "Gunday".

Ayushmann's performance is oh not so hammy. A pure delight to behold after Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor's over-energized bravado in "Gunday".

Director Sukumar has roped in actor Sumanth Ashwin to play the lead in his maiden yet-untitled Telugu production venture, which will be directed by one of his associates, Vema Reddy.

Sukumar launched Mahi Entertainments few months back to make films with his associates.

"Sumanth is playing the lead. It was Sukumar sir who felt Sumanth would do justice to the role. We will start shooting from the month end," Vema told IANS.

The rest of the cast will be finalized soon.

Sumanth, who recently scored a hit with "Anthaku Mundhu Aa Tharavatha", is currently busy shooting for another Telugu film "Lovers".

Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan will feature in a dual role in upcoming Tamil comedy "Uttama Villain". He will play an eighth century drama actor and a 21st century cinema superstar.

"Kamal will be seen as Uttaman, an 8th century and drama actor and Manoranjan, a 21st century cinema superstar. Andrea Jeremiah will be paired with Manoranjan while Pooja Kumar will play emotionally disturbed princess to Uttaman," read a statement.

The film, which is being directed by Ramesh Arvind, also features K. Vishwanath, K. Balachander, Jayaraman, Parvathi Menon, Oorvasi and M.S Bhaskar.

The film, currently on the floors in Bangalore, is being produced by Thirupathi Brothers.

Anil Kapoor has several film offers coming his way but is tempted to set the ball rolling for the second season of his game-changing TV series "24".

Confirming his full-throttle plans for the show's season two, Anil said: "My entire team is into pre-production. Only my own dates need to be worked out. I am in a bit of a fix."

Last year, Anil is said to have refused all movie offers to focus on "24". This year, the movie offers have piled up, but Anil is in the mood for the TV show.

"There are quite a number of tempting film offers. But I haven't said yes to them as yet. I need to work out my dates for season two of '24'. That's a commitment I've made to myself. As a movie actor, I've seen and done it all. Television is a new medium for me, and it's very exciting," he said.

So would he end up doing no films this year?

"I am already doing Anees Bazmee's 'Welcome Back'. So I've a major film coming up this year. As for more movies, they would depend on how much time season two of '24' would need. You see, the first season was tougher, what with the entire machinery and logistics of television being new to me.

"A lot of the production hassles would be automatically lessened this time," he said.

An espionage thriller, "24" was the Indian adaptation of the eponymous American TV series, which starred Keifer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer.

The one thing that one is most certainly going to see in season two of '24' is the core cast of Anil, Tisca Chopra and Mandira Bedi.

Rishi Kapoor and Jeetendra are likely to join the cast.

"Let's see how it goes. I am even more excited about season two," said the actor-producer.

Actress Gazala, who is set to make a comeback to the southern film industry after a four-year hiatus, says she would like to take up author-backed roles with good story rather than commercial roles.

Gazala's last film in Telugu was "Money Money, More Money" and "Durai" in Tamil.

"I want to take up roles I will enjoy doing. A few months back I was offered the remake of a horror film, which I didn't accept because I was not excited. I don't want to do a film because it has songs and dance. I want author-backed roles that will suit me," Gazala told IANS.

"For instance, I really liked the movie 'Raam' that I did few years ago. There was immense opportunity to act in it. That's the kind of film I enjoy doing, otherwise doing commercial films means you are being taken for granted. I want films where I can prove myself even in a brief role," she added.

Gazala took a break to spend time with family and complete a course in interior designing.

"I started my career very early and was continuously working for nearly ten years. I couldn't spend much time with family because I was mostly busy shooting in Chennai or Hyderabad. So I decided to take a break and spend time with them," she said.

"I was also doing an interior designing course through correspondence and was also helping my father in his construction business," she added.

Gazala made her cinematic debut with 2001 Telugu film "Student No 1". She has worked with top stars such as Junior NTR, Jiiva and Arjun Sarja.

Do you feel it's challenging to make a comeback after a break?

"I don't see films as a career. Even when I started acting, I was doing films because I enjoy cinema. I never decided that I will do films till I'm 40 or 50 years old. I'm not struggling to work in cinema. If I get a good film, I'll be happy to do it, otherwise I'm not worried," she said.

"Moreover, I don't have any competition with anybody in the industry. So getting opportunities shouldn't be a problem," she added.

She has a backup career option ready.

"I was always ready to join my family business if my career in cinema was not going well. I always felt I would help my dad in his business as I feel only a family member will know the family business well more than an outsider," she said.

Having spent the last few years in Muscat, Gazala says she couldn't keep track of the southern industry.

In preparedness for her comeback, Gazala has kept herself extremely fit.

"I didn't really workout to stay in shape. I usually have very good eating habits and I happen to continue it. Travelling is also one of the reasons that I'm probably fit. I feel I have grown mature and that's probably reflecting in me currently," she said.

Rocking rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh turned 31 Saturday with a secret party with his close friends in Dubai.

He flew to Dubai Friday.

Confirming this, he said: "Yes, I flew into Dubai with my close friends and family for my birthday. I've been working really hard. So I deserve to party hard, right?"

So what was the pleasure agenda for the birthday?

"Only friends from outside the film industry. All my close friends are people I knew before my Bollywood connection was strengthened. I hardly get time to spend with my close friends and family.

"My family has given up on me. They don't bother me at all. They know this is the time for me to build my career. The family feels, 'Issko joh karna hai karne doh (Let him do what he wants to do)'. There is no interference or demand for my time from them. So it is my duty to take out time for them," he said.

He has crossed the 30 mark, but Honey Singh feels younger.

"At 31, I feel I am 22. Actually, I stopped growing when I was 22. In my heart and mind, I'll be 22 forever. Life is too beautiful to think of age. I was just a young boy from Punjab with big dreams. My parents thought I'd never make anything of my life. But I was sure of what I wanted to do.

"Today I feel I am in a dream. I feel like a kid in toy store. I don't know what to pick up and what not to pick. My life is a shopping mall of options. I can pick up whatever I like," said the popular rapper, whose one unfulfilled desire is to do something to better the lives of under-privileged children.

"When I see children go hungry, my heart bleeds. I want to work towards improving the prospects of children who do not get enough to eat. If kids continue to go hungry, how can I be happy singing? So my birthday wish is to not see a single hungry child in the country," he added.

Carefree actress Sonam Kapoor has come to learn that she needs to be "careful" with her words in an industry where statements can be "twisted and distorted".

Sonam's father Anil Kapoor had recently said that Sonam's bikini shot would get "Bewakoofiyan" a good opening.

Refuting this, the actress said: "My father never said that. All that I said at a press meet was that my father feels the film would get a good opening. That statement found itself bonding with the bikini in the newspaper headlines.

"I've realized I have to be very careful in what I say. I speak my heart out. Such honesty is not appreciated in the film industry. Instead, it is twisted and distorted. A lot of what I say is lost in translation."

Actresses often credit the decision of wearing a bikini on screen to the "demand of the script" or the director, but Sonam Kapoor says it was her own decision to flaunt the two-piece garment in her forthcoming film "Bewakoofiyaan". And she wasn't tense about it.

"It wasn't the producer Aditya Chopra or the director Nupur Asthana's idea that I wear a bikini. In fact, the director suggested a one-piece bathing costume. But I thought a bikini was fine," said the saucy actress.

It's no big deal, she feels.

"If you see the trailer, there are two young people going for swim. It's perfectly natural for the girl to be in a bikini. It's not Halle Berry in a James Bond film or Bipasha Basu in 'Dhoom' making a splash.

"The bikini blends naturally into the scene. And I am very happy to be wearing one. Having a female director around helped. But I wasn't really tense about wearing a bikini," she said.

Actress Dia Mirza, who walked the ramp for designer Anita Dongre at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) summer-resort 2014, says it was fun walking in clothes that were easy and light to wear.

Dia wore a light golden coloured choli and a lehenga with very subtle detailing for the Dongre show Friday night.

She said that the garment was so light and breezy that it made her automatically tap her feet.

"I was having fun. The garment is breathing, it's eco-friendly, it's cotton, soft and comfortable. I was feeling like I could float in it," said the 32-year-old.

"I think whatever a garment makes you feel is how you express yourself on the ramp and luckily I had no rules laid down, like don't smile and walk straight," she added.

Whites and light blue colours dominated Dongre's collection that celebrates the rich Indian textiles of Varanasi. The designs were meant for both men and women.

Filmmaker A.R Murugadoss Saturday confirmed that Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh will make his Tamil debut with upcoming yet-untitled film featuring superstar Vijay.

"Yes, Neil is playing villain in our new film," posted Murugadoss on his Twitter page.

Vijay and Murugadoss have teamed up for the second time after the success of "Thuppakki", which has already been remade in Hindi.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been paired with Vijay in the film, which is currently on floors and will hit the cinemas this Diwali.