Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is promoting his forthcoming movie "Bhoothnath Returns" on the small screen, says the degree of talent on TV reality shows is "of a standard never seen before".

The 71-year-old actor has already shot for "Comedy Nights With Kapil", and he recently visited the set of "Boogie Woogie" and "India's Got Talent".

Sharing his experience on "Boogie Woogie" via his blog, Big B posted: "It goes down well as did the promotional on 'India's Got Talent' some days ago. But really, the degree of talent that is of witness at these competitions is quite simply audacious and of a standard not seen before. Astounding!"

"These are little ones in the range of 11 to 14 years or even less, and they perform to a degree that cannot be anything but professional...and they have had no training or scouts picking them up, or any kind of sponsorship for their future."

"They have played in common open spaces, and picked up a craft which has brought them to the finale of this show," he added.

The actor, who has three grandchildren - Navya Naveli and Agastya from his daughter Shweta Nanda, and Aradhya from son Abhishek, finds it "cruel" to declare a winner from amongst a select few kids on such reality shows.

"Announcing their victory...indeed the victory of one among five unbeatable ones is a destruction of our inner selves. It almost becomes a cruelty to give one above the other, for they are all excellent. But a winner has to be declared, and a list of losers to bear," he said.

For Big B, they are "all winners".

"May god bless them and their talent," he added.

"Bhoothnath Returns", directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is the sequel to 2008 film "Bhootnath". The film will hit theatres April 11.

Singer Sonu Nigam showcased his fun side during an episode of comedian Sunil Grover's "Mad In India - 100 % Desi Show". He created a parody of his popular song "Main hoon na".

Sunil, who plays Chutki on the show, will don a new avatar, that of a student struggling with the pressures and anxieties of an exam. Like a majority of students, Chutki too does not like to study, and when she does, she starts seeing historical characters in her dreams.

She even goes to the extent of asking the mighty emperor why she has to learn about his fights and problems.

But she gets a saviour in Sonu, who not only helps Chutki prepare for her exams but also gives her an easy way out to learn chapters in the form of songs. It is then that the duo create a parody on "Main hoon na".

The TV show will be aired Sunday.

The Lok Sabha election in Mumbai North-West constituency will get a dose of glamour with the entry of Bollywood item girl Rakhi Sawant as an Independent candidate.

"I have been virtually mobbed by people demanding that I should fight the election, so here I am," Sawant told media persons here Wednesday.

She will lock horns with Congress's former union minister and party general secretary Gurudas Kamat and Shiv Sena's Gajanan Kirtikar.

Others in the fray are Bollywood actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, producer-actor Kamaal R. Khan of the Samajwadi Party and Mayank Gandhi of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Sawant had recently called on the Bharatiya Janata Party's top leadership in New Delhi and expressed her admiration for its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"I was offered a BJP ticket from Srirampur in West Bengal. But I am from Mumbai and known Hindi and Marathi. I don't know the local language of West Bengal, so why should I stand from there?" she said.

"Please give me one chance and see what I can do," the actress urged.

Sawant said she was leaving the film industry for the cause of the people and would take up cudgels for women for dignity and respect in society.

Sawant was attired in a green outfit and covered her head with a scarf as she posed for media persons.

Fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani Wednesday opened the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week autumn-winter 2014 with his impressive collection and actress Shilpa Shetty, known for well-maintained figure, heightened the glamour quotient when she hit the ramp in a kanjeevaram outfit.

Tahiliani's autumn-winter pieces were terrific.

Right from ivory cascade jacket with zardozi shoulders and black silk linen salwar pants to gold applique asymmetrical one sleeved dress in red to tweed embellished blouse with teal heritage sari and corset blouse, there were many appealing pieces.

Shilpa, 38, who gave birth to her son in 2012, has been the showstopper for Tahiliani several times in the past, but this time she got conscious of her figure.

"I was bothered whether I would fit into Tarun's creation. I worked out in two months," Shilpa told reporters here after the opening show of the five-day event.

Dressed in layered kanjeevaram puffy draped skirt and a draped corset blouse, her waist looked as perfect as it can be.

Though the outfit, looked heavy due to the puffiness, she said it was just the opposite.

"It's very light. The use of kanjeevaram saris sounds heavy, but it's not. It's so beautiful and even if I wear it inside out it will look fabulous. The finish is also great," said Shilpa, who wore a kanjeevaram sari with swarovski on it designed by Tahiliani on her wedding day. She married businessman Raj Kundra in 2009.

She was accompanied by actors Harman Baweja and Ayesha Khanna, stars of her first production venture titled "Dishkiyaoon", on the ramp.

Ayesha wore a sari inspired draped dress and Harman looked chic in layered bandhgala with pants.

The clothes surely grabbed attention, but so did the music and elaborate stage.

The sound of castanets being played by two men from Jaisalmer fused well with a pre recorded DJ mixed number.

The stage with colourful wheels hanging reminded of a mela or an event that just got wrapped up, but yet to be cleaned.

Designer Rahul Mishra, the first Indian to win the coveted International Woolmark Prize (IWP) in Milan, was Wednesday honoured at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) autumn-winter 2014 for his achievement.

Sunil Sethi, president Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), presented Mishra with a black cashmere scarf for winning the 2013-14 (IWP) in February.

"It's a beautiful textile and can be draped in many ways. I am going to keep this in a special place," Mishra told IANS.

Designer Rina Dhaka praised Mishra and said: "The collection was beautiful. You (Mishra) have given hope to people here."

His Merino wool collection, which won the prestigious award, attempted to portray the journey of human race and the process of metamorphosis that earth has undergone in the last century.

Speaking about the collection, he said: "I created wool in such a way that it's trans-seasonal. I thought about lotus. I was inspired by Buddha's philosophy that lotus is found in womb of the world."

He said the garments are not just about consumption.

"The idea is to work with more people in the process," said Mishra, who teamed up with weavers from Kerala, Odisha and other parts of the country.

He will present his autumn-winter collection at the ongoing WIFW Thursday.

Sri Lankan beauty and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who has wrapped up shooting the Delhi schedule of her upcoming film "Kick" with Salman Khan, says she had a lot of fun while filming in the capital as got to see many places that she had never seen before.

"I had a lot fun in Delhi. It is very different. There is a lot of stuff to do there. The shooting experience there was also amazing," Jacqueline told reporters in Mumbai Wednesday at the red carpet of Stree Shakti Women Awards.

"I got to see the places I hadn't seen before. That was really good," she added.

The 28-year-old also tasted some delicacies of Delhi and enjoyed them.

Directed by Sajid Nadiadwala, "Kick", the Hindi remake of the 2009 Telugu hit of the same name that featured Telugu superstar Ravi Teja, has been extensively shot in Delhi.

Slated to release in July this year, it also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Randeep Hooda in key roles.

For veteran actress Asha Parekh, it's hard to believe that her friend and confidante Nanda is no more. She says she had spoken to the late actress just the night before she passed away, and finds it "frightening" that she didn't even get a chance to bid her goodbye.

Nanda, known for hits like "Gumnaam" and "Jab Jab Phool Khile", died here Tuesday morning following a massive heart attack at her residence. She was 72.

"I spoke to her on Monday night. We had a long chat. On Tuesday morning she was gone. When I spoke to her in the night, she was absolutely normal. She was in no pain at all, not even any uneasiness. It is frightening when you don't even get a chance to say goodbye. You are reminded of the fragility of life," Asha said.

Nanda and Asha were very close.

"We had to meet regularly, all of us friends. Waheeda Rehman, Sadhana, Helen, Nanda and I," she said.

Asha recalls all the good times she shared with her suddenly-deceased pal.

"We, the entire group of friends, last met for lunch on Saturday (March 22) just three days before Nanda was snatched away from us. Now I wonder how we girl pals would ever meet without missing her constantly," she said.

Asha describes Nanda as a gentle soul.

"She was a sweet-tempered and soft-spoken person who would never lose her temper or create a scene. She loved being at home, and in recent years, she had become more of a home-bird.

"She loved her family. The death of a brother some years ago left her shattered. She had two other brothers. And she liked to spend time with them," said Asha.

Getting Nanda out of the house was an ordeal.

"She had come for my 60th birthday. But she didn't come for my 70th birthday, and I never held that against her. I knew it painful for her to dress up for public appearances.

"I was very close to her. We spoke about anything under the sun. My last conversation with her is now etched permanently on my mind. It's hard to believe that now when I dial her number she won't be there to answer.

"I have lost not just a friend but my confidante."

Divya Dutta, who plays a psychiatrist in horror film "Ragini MMS 2", is intrigued by the fact that she got scared by a film that she is a part of.

"I was scared. I am coming from the show (the film's screening) and I closed my eyes in a few scenes. I felt weird that a film you are a part of can impact you to such an extent," the 36-year-old said here Wednesday at a press meet of the film.

"This is a first-time experience for me and the feeling is very strange. It's very intriguing that you are on the screen, but still you are getting scared," she added.

"Ragini MMS 2" stars porn star-turned-actress Sunny Leone stars in the lead in the film.

Directed by Bhushan Patel and produced by Ekta Kapoor, "Ragini MMS 2" is doing good business at the box office.

Actor Sanjay Khan, Nanda's co-star of three films - "Beti", "Abhilasha" and "Woh Din Yaad Karo" - says unlike most heroines of her times, the late actress was neither fussy nor did she ever throw tantrums on the set.

"I am dismayed to hear of Nanda's demise. I can't say I knew her beyond the sets because I never met her outside the workplace. I only knew her on the sets. She was a delight to work with," Sanjay said.

"Unlike many heroines she threw no tantrums. She was absolutely fuss-free and no-nonsense. She would give her shot, sit patiently for the next shot or if there was time she would withdraw into her make-up room," he added.

He says his wife Zarine was closer to Nanda, who died at her residence following a heart attack Tuesday morning.

"In fact, my wife designed Nanda's home," he said, adding that the actress was "punctual, gentle and well-mannered".

"I never saw Nanda behave in any improper way in all the three films that we worked with together. Nanda was preferred by the audience in tragic roles, and in two of our films together she was cast in tragic sacrificing roles.

"But in 'Abhilasha', she was very glamorous, quite the typical heroine. She was versatile and well-versed in the craft of acting. I knew nothing about her personal life. But she was cultured impeccably behaved lady, and I hope she was happy."

Actor-producer Sunny Deol, who has decided to direct the much awaited film "Ghayal Returns", says he is completely focussed on the project, and other films can wait for the moment.

"I will be directing 'Ghayal Returns'. I can't say anything other than that because that is the only film I am doing right now. My complete focus is on this film and everything else will happen only after this film," Sunny said here.

"Ghayal Returns" is a sequel to the 1990 film "Ghayal", featuring Sunny with Meenakshi Sheshadri and Raj Babbar.

Asked if he plans to take a break from acting after his son Karan makes his debut, he said: "(As an actor) I will never take a backseat. I am here to work and I will always be working."

Meanwhile, the actor is busy promoting his film "Dishkiyaoon", in which he plays a Haryanvi character.

"I did this film because this character is very interesting I have never spoken Haryanvi earlier. and it was different. I enjoyed it," said the son of veteran actor Dharmendra.

Directed by Sanamjit Singh Talwar, "Dishkiyaaon" also features Harman Baweja. The film is releasing Friday.

Shooting for "Jal" in Rann of Kutch was a journey full of hardships, but for Purab Kohli, the experience turned out to be a memorable adventure.

"We shot in (almost) 50 degree celsius, faced duststorms, worked on characters far separated from our real selves...but throughout all this time, I never looked at them as hardships. In fact, it was an adventure," Purab told IANS.

Directed by first-timer Girish Malik, "Jal", releasing April 4, also features Kirti Kulhari and Tannishtha Chatterjee.

Praising the director, Purab said that it hardly felt like he was debuting with the movie.

"He's an extremely passionate man with a lot of courage, has a big vision as a director and has lots of energy. He has shocked me with his first film.

"'Jal' doesn't look like Girish's first film. I'm sure he's going to create a huge impression with the film," he added.

Actress Divya Dutta, recently seen as a doctor in "Ragini MMS 2", says she was offered a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls but she isn't ready to take the plunge.

"I was also offered a seat, but I don't think I am ready for politics right now. I don't want to enter politics but my support is with all those who have and I hope they shine in the field," the 36-year-old said here Wednesday at the "Ragini MMS 2" press meet.

The 16th Lok Sabha Election will see Hindi filmdom actresses Kirron Kher (Bhartiya Janta Party), Gul Panag (Aam Aadmi Party), Rakhi Sawant (Independent), Naghma (Congress) and Jayapradha (RLD), mont others, contesting.

Divay is active in Hindi as well as Punjabi films. In Bollywood, she is known for her work in "Veer-Zaara", "Delhi-6" and "Welcome To Sajjanpur".

Filmmakers Satish Kaushik and Dev Benegal’s “Dead, End” has been honoured with an award at the 12th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

“Dead, End”, which tells the story of a man who was declared dead on paper, was given the Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award in Hong Kong Wednesday.

“Dev Benegal and me packing bags to leave for Hong Kong airport after winning an award for our project ‘Dead, End’ in Hong Kong Film Festival,” Kaushik tweeted Thursday.

The forum, that connects Asian filmmakers and their upcoming film projects with film financiers worldwide, was held from Monday to Wednesday at the Hong Kong convention and exhibition center.

The success of "Queen" has catapulted Kangana Ranaut to the big league, but the "self-made" actress who has quite a few given good films in her eight-year career, says she is only "trying to make my own identity" and doesn't aspire to win "flavour of the season" tag.

From her first film "Gangster - A Love Story" to "Woh Lamhe", "Life...in a Metro", "Fashion" and "Tanu Weds Manu", the 27-year-old proved her mettle whenever she faced the camera. But the success of Vikas Bahl directed "Queen", which has collected about Rs.50 crore at the domestic box-office, is like an icing on the cake.

But the success hasn't gone to her and she said: "I am a self-made person. Whatever I have achieved till date, I have struggled a lot for it."

"'Queen of Bollywood' is tag, which is given to different actresses every month, so I don't want any such tag," the actress told reporters Wednesday at the film's success party hosted by Bahl.

Kangana, who won Nation Award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of a troubled model in “Fashion”, will next be seen in the lead in "Revolver Rani", releasing April 25.

"I have been struggling from the last eight years and where I have reached today, I am still not the flavour of the season and I don't aspire to be one. I do my job honestly. I do different kind of work and I am trying to make my own identity," she said.

Hindi film superstar Hrithik Roshan will perform at the 15th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards taking place in Tampa Bay, Florida. He is looking forward to the event as he will be performing in the US after a decade.

"I have been part of many IIFAs where I have performed at different locales. IIFA was in fact my first international performance and something I have always treasured," said the actor known for his excellent dancing moves.

"I will be performing in the US after a decade, so I am extremely excited to meet my fans there. I can assure you that this is going to be the best IIFA ever," Hrithik Roshan told reporters Thursday at the IIFA press conference.

His fans believe that when Hrithik dances, he dances as though no one is watching him. But the 40-year-old dismisses the praise by calling it "a myth".

"Who says I dance like no one's watching me? It's a myth that people feel I dance like no one is watching me. All I can say is this year I will dance in a better way, with more energy," he said.

Starting April 23, the event will be co-hosted by Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar

Shahid Kapoor, all set to host the 15th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards with Farhan Akhtar, is known for his dancing skills, but the actor says he is not even a patch on Hrithik Roshan.

"I am extremely happy to host IIFA again and more than that I am excited to see Hrithik performing. He is the best dancer in the industry. I remember watching 'Koi... Mil Gaya' and I felt like a shit actor," Shahid told reporters Thursday at the IIFA press conference.

Shahid and Farhan had co-hosted the IIFA 2012 in Singapore and the latter said that it's great to be back as a host for the event which will take place in Tampa Bay, Florida from April 23 to April 26.

"I had a great time hosting the show with Farhan. It takes a lot of effort to create such an event and I am looking forward to be part of this," he added.

Yesteryear actress Saira Banu remembers Nanda as "gentle, soft spoken and so unassuming" and added that she saw a lot of her mother's traits in the late actress.

"I met her very late. We began interacting when my husband worked with her in B.R. Chopra's "Mazdoor" in 1982. But we struck an instant rapport," said Saira Banu.

"Nanda baaji, that's what I called her, was a Capricorn just like my mother. I saw a lot of my mother's beautiful traits in Nanda baaji. She was gentle, soft spoken and so unassuming.

"She would always say, 'When I have to go, I want to go without getting in a hospital and going through a lot of pain.' It seems god does listen to good people. She went exactly the way she had hoped she would. She came out of the bathroom at 7 a.m. and collapsed. That was it! When death has to come, it should be instant."

Nanda died Tuesday following a heart attack. She was 72. She acted for about four decades in over 65 titles including hits like "Gumnaam" and "Jab Jab Phool Khile".

Nanda took retirement in 1995 and after that she stayed away from the media glare. Saira Banu says that the late star was a private person and only mingled with a set of friends.

"Not many knew Nanda baaji well. She had a tightly cordoned set of friends - Jabeen (Jaleel), Shakila and Waheeda (Rehman). Later that group was extended to Helen, Sadhana and Asha Parekh. Like I said, I came into Nanda Baaji's life very late. But the time we spent together was incredibly fruitful.

"Like all actresses of our generation, she was thrilled to finally work with my husband. She told B.R. Chopra saab that even if it is just one frame, she would happily share it with Dilip saab as this would complete her career.

"My husband immediately took to her because she was the well known Marathi actor Master Vinayak's daughter. He said something to her about her father in Marathi and Nanda baaji was blown away. 'How can he speak such fluent Marathi?' she wondered," said Saira Banu.

She added that Nanda was a foodie, but later she became a frugal eater.

"Nanda baaji would come home to be with us. We would sit and chat on my bungalow's terrace. I'd serve her delicacies of shrimp and tikkas and other non-vegetarian stuff that she enjoyed at our home.

"She was a foodie earlier, but later on in life she became a frugal eater just nibbling on food. And then eventually she stopped taking dinner altogether."

Nanda's beautiful home used to be filled with the chatter of relatives and siblings, said Saira Banu.

"Gradually her relatives passed away and she was left with two brothers. I loved her gentle soft spoken demeanour. There was nothing crass or materialistic about her. She was happy to be who she was and with whatever she had. She wasn't money minded at all. As an actress I saw her in two of her films 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' and 'Choti Bahen'. She had a serene quality to her on screen.

"The one thing that she did not have and I do is a soulmate and a life companion. She was ready to marry (filmmaker) Manmohan Desai and then tragedy struck. I don't know what happened," she said referring to Nanda and Desai's engagement in 1992, but the filmmaker died in 1994 after falling from his balcony.

"Nanda baaji used to say, 'Dua karo jab mein jaaoon toh bina kisi taqleef ke.' I also wish the same for Dilip saab and myself. Jaana toh hum sab ko hai. Just pray that we remain healthy as long as we are here," she added.

Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha will be honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award at the forthcoming edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony to be held in Tampa Bay, Florida next month.

"Sholay" fame filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, who directed Shatrughan in movies like "Shaan" and "Zamaana Deewana", made the announcement here Thursday.

"This year, the Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award will go to Shatrughan Sinha," Sippy said at an IIFA press conference here.

The annual gala, said to be Hindi cinema's largest extravaganza abroad, will be held for the 15th time. This year, the event makes its US debut and will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida from April 23-26.

Lovingly called 'Shotgun', Shatrughan, an actor-politician, started his career in 1970. He is known for films like "Kalicharan", "Blackmail", "Dostana" and "Shaan".

Nowadays, the actor is busy preparing to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket for the Patna Sahib seat.

Actor-politician Raj Babbar says he was not being high-handed when he questioned police officials for videographing him as he was "informally" addressing "my party colleagues at a private gathering".

According to reports, the Congress candidate for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh near Delhi, lashed out at the police while addressing a gathering in a house in Vijay Nagar in Ghaziabad.

The video footage captures Raj Babbar shouting angrily. The Ghaziabad police has taken strong exception to his outburst and an investigation has been ordered into the matter.

However, Raj Babbar has a completely different story to tell.

He said: "When I asked the cops why they were videographing me, I was not being high-handed. I was making a legitimate point. The Election Commission rules that public speeches of election candidates be videographed. But I was not in a public place. I was at a Congress corporator's residence and the law under Section 144 did not apply there.

"I was informally addressing my party colleagues at a private gathering and not making a public speech. There was no public address system, no loudspeakers. It was just me talking informally with my colleagues. They had no right to videograph me."

He alleges that the incident took place at the instigation of an individual from a rival political party.

"Close to the home where I was addressing my colleagues from the Congress, there is the residence of a Samajwadi Party politician. He informed the cops about my presence. I am one of the most law abiding politicians in the land. You won't find me in any scuffle anywhere. This whole thing has been blown out of proportion to malign me.

"There are many political elements from rival parties in around my constituency who can't digest the fact that an honest politician can do his job sincerely and effectively and still be elected from the same constituency four times."

Babbar says his fight is not for power.

"I am here as a politician not because I want to use this platform for monetary and other benefits. I am here to fight for the rights of farmers. I've taken on the most powerful business lobby, of the Ambanis, and the very powerful political lobby of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. My fight for famers is to the finish," he said.

One of the first few Bollywood personalities to enter politics, Raj Babbar is happy to see so many of his colleagues joining politics.

"There was a time when only the intelligentsia -- lawyers, doctors, teachers were allowed into politics. Now the spectrum of professionals in politics has broadened. Today, politics needs dynamic professionals from all walks of life.

"I am glad my colleagues are coming into politics. It wasn't me who started this influx from show business. Before me there were distinguished actors turned parliamentarians like Karunanidhi, MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa."

Babbar would like to follow the example set by actor-politician Sunil Dutt.

"Dutt saab's honesty, integrity and ideological firmness made him a role model for all future mergers between the entertainment industry and politics. If I can achieve even a fraction of his transparency in politics, I'd be happy."

"Besides me there is Rajesh Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Prada, Hema Malini...I think all these personalities from cinema prove there's more to show business than just show."

He will be stationed in Ghaziabad until elections. His two sons Aarya and Pratiek are expected to join him for the election campaign.

"They are busy with their lives. I've asked them to join me. If they come I'll be happy. If they don't I'd still be happy," he said.

Asserting that he was not like other celebrity politicians who "disappear after the polls", famed music composer Bappi Lahiri, contesting the Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket, said he aspires to turn his constituency in West Bengal into a tourism hub.

The "Disco King" also plans to set up a music academy in Sreerampur in Hooghly district from where he is contesting.

"People often complain that celebrities after joining politics are not seen once the polls are over. But I am not like them. I would work for development. I want to bring forth the historical significance of Sreerampur and turn it into a tourism hub," Lahiri said addressing the media here.

Credited with synthesizing disco music in Bollywood, he said his music will form the base of his poll campaign.

"Music is my soul and naturally my campaign too will be musical," said the singer/composer who is working on developing a few songs to promote both his party and himself for the polls.

Lahiri, who ruled the charts in the 1980s and 1990s giving tunes mega hit films like "Disco Dancer", "Namak Halaal", "Dance Dance", "Commando", and "Sharaabi" among others, said he has plans to open a music academy in Sreerampur to nurture and train local budding talents.

He said his immense respect for Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party's adherence to Swami Vivekananda's principles, inspired him to join the party.

"Under the leadership of (prime ministerial candidate) Narendra Modi, BJP is coming to power at the centre and I sincerely hope that the people of Bengal will vote for us so that we can work for their development and welfare," said Lahiri.

Pitted against sitting MP from Trinamool Congress Kalyan Banerjee and Congress' Abdul Mannan, the 62-year old musician exuded confidence about his victory.

"Only god can defeat or destroy. No human being, or party can defeat me," he asserted.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Rahul Sinha said the party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) after Lahiri's posters and banners were removed from some places allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers.

"Trinamool is apprehending defeat so it is adopting all kinds of unfair means. While the party is known for its terror tactics it now has stooped so low that its workers are pulling down our posters and banners. We have lodged a complaint to EC," he said.