Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has started shooting for the untitled film directed by R. Balakrishnan, is nervous about it.

“First day shoot new project R Balki...nerves, apprehensions, discomfort, uncertainty, butterflies! Only redemption, the director,” Amitabh posted on Twitter Sunday.

The film, which also features “Raanjhanaa” star Dhanush and actor Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara, is currently being shot in Goa and the 71-year-old is getting nostalgic too.

“It is hard to forget the various films that were shot here, in what circumstances they were made and what they look like now. But each and everyone of those incidents etched a mark on my system."

“The statue of a Portuguese celebrity, where during the shoot for ‘Saat Hindustani’, in the centre of the street, we had gathered to perform the raising of the Indian flag, as a protest against a rule that had robbed us of our independence,” he posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com.

“Then the various locations on the schedule under production, which have remained close and very close to us and to those that spent time with us. Locations such as the climax of ‘Kabhi Kabhie’, the boat and song sequences of ‘The Great Gambler’ and the ride along the river Mandovi, passing by the hospital, now a Bal Bhavan, where Amjad Khan fought for his post accident treatment. And just so many moments,” he added.

Amitabh and Balakrishnan, popularly called R. Balki, had also worked together in films like “Cheeni Kum” and “Paa”.

Debutant actor Luthfudeen Baashaa, son of popular Tamil actor Nasser, says sharing screen space with his father in upcoming Tamil drama "Saivam", was intimidating in the beginning, but it boosted his confidence and gave him the opportunity to observe the actor in him from close quarters.

"At home you'll just see a father, but not a genius actor. However, on the sets, he was like a senior actor to me and I couldn't see my father in him. Scenes with him were at first intimidating but he made me feel confident," Luthfudeen told IANS.

"This was also the first time I observed him as an actor because all these years I had only seen him in films, never observed him much. This gave me an opportunity to learn as well," he added.

Baashaa plays a 17-year-old grandson to Nasser's character in "Saivam", directed by A.L. Vijay.

Although Nasser, a veteran actor, didn't give his son any "acting advice" for his cinematic debut, he wanted him to brush his acting skills.

"I had never told my father that I was selected for the film. It was a surprise for him and when he came to know he made me promise to enrol in an acting workshop. I underwent training under the mentorship of N.K. Sharma in Delhi," he said.

He says the training helped him "to cope with the pressure of being the son of a popular actor".

"I have to fight hard to live up to the expectations of the audience who will compare me with my father. The acting training helped me overcome that pressure," he added.

Keen to follow in his dad's footsteps, Baashaa wants to be as "professional" as his father.

"He is never late to shootings. He doesn't trouble the producers or directors and is very friendly with everybody. People like him for his professionalism and I will try to follow it in my career as well," he said.

Contrary to the trend that only sons of yesteryear heroes such as Sivakumar, Prabhu, Karthik and T. Rajendar have been successful in Tamil filmdom, Baasha believes "talent is finally the deciding factor".

"I don't think such a trend will affect my future in the industry. Everything finally boils down to talent and confidence. If as an actor I think I can survive in the industry, then I don't think anyone could stop me. The trend has been there, but I'm not worried about it," said Luthfudeen, who has a degree in design from Malaysia and a diploma in music production.

Baashaa admits acting runs in his genes, but he says he always "wanted to be a filmmaker".

In that case, why did he become an actor?

"The reason I agreed to act because I realised that even as a director I would have to handle actors. If I were an actor working under some director, it gives me an opportunity to learn the art of handling actors," he said.

"The directorial dream is still alive and I'm working towards it by making short films," said Baashaa, who agrees that he is "more passionate about direction than acting".

If career in films wouldn't have taken off, Baasha said, "I would've been a performing musician. I play the guitar and I'm part of a band".

"Saivam" is slated for a summer release. It also features child actor Sara Arjun along with a host of newcomers.

Indulging in superhero films is not a cake walk, says Vivek Oberoi and adds that inflated budgets restrict the endeavours of filmmakers.

The 37-year-old had his stint with superhero film "Krrish 3", in which he played a villain opposite Hrithik Roshan in the title role. The successful franchise of "Koi... Mil Gaya" and "Krrish" was directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan.

Talking about the few superhero film in filmdom, Vivek told IANS, "The budgets of superhero films are extremely high. The subject should also be interesting and to back such a huge project, it takes a lot of effort. In India, we have our own mythological heroes, but it is not easy to make a superhero film."

He appreciates senior Roshan for his guts to make such films in Bollywood.

"Hat's off to Rakesh Roshan, who has the guts to make superhero films. The way he has made 'Krrish' franchise a successful one, it's certainly not an easy task," he said.

Actress Sonam Kapoor might not have gone public about her relationships, but she has no qualms about revealing her admiration for Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin.

The 28-year-old shared her fondness for the British rockstar on Twitter.

“God! I have such a big crush on Chris Martin. He almost trumps over Bourdain (chef-author-TV personality Anthony Bourdain),” Sonam shared on the microblogging site.

Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has thanked Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha for agreeing to walk the ramp for her NGO at IIFA Rocks in the US.

“Thank you Anil Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha for agreeing to walk the ramp for Mijwan by Manish Malhotra at IIFA Rocks in Tampa, US,” she tweeted.

Earlier this month, she brought together Bollywood's male actors Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor and Sidharth to walk for her NGO Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS) to support emancipation of the female gender.

She ventured on the filmmaking journey with "Sultan", but it got shelved. Unfazed, Soundarya Rajinikanth says that it didn't affect her animation dream and she fulfilled it with "Kochadaiiyaan".

Starring her superstar father Rajinikanth, "Kochadaiiyaan" is Soundarya's directorial debut, which is set to deliver ground breaking technology -- the Rs.125-crore project is said to be the country's first motion capture photo-realistic 3D animated movie.

"I started 'Sultan' six years ago when animation was not as advanced as it is today. For various reasons, 'Sultan' got shelved, but my animation dream did not, so I continued dreaming. And today here I am with 'Kochadaiiyaan'."

"This is my first film and I hope to continue making films. Animation is my passion but at the end of the day I am a creative person, but yes, I will also do a live action film," she added.

Soundarya always wanted to be a creative person.

"I always wanted to be a creative person... My parents have encouraged us to do whatever we wanted to do as an individual. It was a decision I made. I wanted to be behind the camera and my parents are happy about it," she said about herself and her sister Aishwarya, who is also a filmmaker.

"Kochadaiiyaan", featuring Deepika Padukone as the female lead opposite Rajinikanth, will hit the screens May 9.

Actress Amy Jackson, who made her Bollywood debut in 2012, is reportedly in a relationship with British TV show "Coronation Street" star Ryan Thomas.

Thomas was pictured with the "Ekk Deewana Tha" actress on a night out here.

"Ryan and Amy have started seeing each other, they first met a few years ago and have recently met up again," dailymail.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

"It’s early days but they’re great together - Amy is a successful Bollywood actress, with a schedule to match - so it’s not easy for them to find time together, but they both really want to make it work," added the source.

Jackson, a Britisher, moved to India in 2010 to act in Indian movies. She has also featured in Tamil films like "Madrasapattinam" and "Thaandavam".

Book: "Prem Naam Hai Mera, Prem Chopra"; Author: Rakita Nanda; Publisher: Rupa & Co; Pages: 248; Price: Rs.499.

He never needed any special costumes or makeup. Just his trademark lascivious sneer and a voice that could switch from silken menace to wheedling entreaty was all it needed to establish him as villain in the viewer's mind. But when Prem Chopra embarked on his film career, it was with the intention of becoming a hero! A director's illness, a small role in a film that went to be a hit and the need to establish himself ruled otherwise.

He has worked with (and got pounded up by) by every Bollywood superstar - Manoj Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Rajinikanth, Rishi Kapoor while casting lecherous eyes on Hema Malini, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Saira Bano, Sharmila Tagore, Dimple Kapadia, Rekha... to mention a few.

And then shifting to roles more positive - and in line with his advanced years, he worked a newer generation - or many cases second or even third generation of his former co-stars - including Bobby Deol, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Kajol, both Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Twinkle Khanna and Sonam Kapoor - a record unlikely to be surpassed!

But establishing himself in Bollywood was not easy.

As he recalls in this biography by his daughter Rakita Nanda, his wish to try his luck in films - when he was waiting his graduation results in 1955 - failed to impress his parents and his initial foray to Bombay the same year was unsuccessful.

It was not till 1960 that he was emboldened to return to Bombay and films - but on the advice of his father, searched first for a job to sustain himself, eventually landing up as supervisor in Times of India's circulation department.

His first appearance as hero was in "Chaudhary Karnail Singh" (1960) - a Punjabi film - and though some small roles came his way, a break was still far off. Legendary director Mehboob Khan offered him an important role in his next film but the project was delayed due to his illness.

Meanwhile, Chopra accepted a small but villainous role in Manoj Kumar starrer "Woh Kaun Thi" (1964) and its success sealed his fate.

After the film's premiere, an angry Mehboob Khan chided him for his impatience, prophesying he would now be labelled a villain. Chopra met Filmistan studio chief Tolaram Jalan but his right-hand man Bakshi advised him that if he wanted to be a popular actor, to make money, to have a house and a car, he should forget being a hero and continue as a villain.

Thus was born one of the abiding screen presences of Bollywood - an actor who invented and re-invented himself as villain, interpreting each role with subtle nuances.

The real-life Chopra is a far cry from his reel-life persona. All his colleagues testify to his warm and considerate nature, his humour and above all, his professionalism. Also his poetic skills that led Dharmendra to dub him "Prem Awaargi".

This is well brought out in the biography, based by Nanda on a series of interviews with her father and reminiscences of various on-screen colleagues - old and new. She writes she chose the first person device as the "best way to put his story across would be as if he was narrating it in his own way".

A mix of chronological and thematic approaches, it gives a nuanced portrait of Chopra - both at work and at home - the latter including the tough task of explaining to his young daughters why he is evil onscreen and gets beaten up or even killed.

It includes his insightful views on portrayal of villainy and his experiences of rape - the simulated, onscreen version he became notorious for. But simply as a view of Bollywood over the years, the book makes for a most absorbing and enthralling read.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has found his Sahibaan for his love tale "Mirza Sahibaan" in Saiyami Kher, niece of talented actress Tanvi Azmi and granddaughter of yesteryear's leading leady Usha Kiran. The director says Saiyami was not chosen for her illustrious acting lineage.

He chose her after months of intensive search and rigorous churning.

"We've selected Saiyami for her ability to project the delicacy, strength, turmoil and resolve of the character. Just like Harshvardhan (Kapoor), it didn't matter where Saiyami came from. She had to prove herself capable of carrying off the character," said Mehra.

"Mirza Sahibaan" will also mark the debut of Anil Kapoor's son Harshvardhan, who has been cast as Mirza.

Rakeysh confesses the decision to cast Sahibaan wasn't easy.

"We searched for our Sahibaan for months. We finally shortlisted three girls, all strong possibilities as being the final choice. We put all three under rigorous training. That Saiyami finally got the role was a matter of just a slight edge.

"All three were almost equally competent. And I know the other two girls are also going to be major talents in our cinema," he said.

Saiyami's aunts Tanvi Azmi and Shabana Azmi seemed unaware that Saiyami had been finalized for the coveted part opposite Harshvardhan.

"I knew she was under consideration. But I wasn't aware she has been confirmed. That's terrific news," said Tanve.

Saiyami has been searching for the right break in Bollywood for two years now.

She even did a Telugu film entitled "Rey" with Ramcharan Teja's nephew Sai Dharam. But Rakeysh's film is Saaiyami's break into the big league.

Arjun Kapoor says children were scared of him after his first two releases - "Ishaqzaade" and "Gunday" - but he is now glad that "2 States" has changed things for him.

The actor played raw, rustic and action-oriented avatars in his first two movies, but in "2 States", Arjun plays a smart, suave, cultured and lovable young man.

"The best thing is that kids are not scared of me any more. After my previous films, kids got scared upon seeing me," the 28-year-old said here Sunday at Cinemax theatre.

"One kid saw me once and started saying 'Bala, Bala' (name of Arjun's character in 'Gunday' and later, he started to cry. No kid is crying now and they are ready to take photographs with me," he added.

Meanwhile, "2 States" has been readily accepted by the audiences. However, the reviews aren't unanimous among critics.

Arjun is nonchalant about it as he feels that everyone has a right to an opinion, and the box office collections so far point at good results.

"We make a film for a very big diaspora of audience, so everyone has a right to opinion. You are spending money, so you can have an opinion, but eventually you make a film for the majority and not minority. I think box office collections are majority whether they (critics) like it or not," Arjun said.

"You have to balance the pros and cons of the critical reviews and audience interactions. It is too early to suggest where the film is heading in terms of numbers but as far as I am concerned, I have never got such a good response for any of my previous films," he added.

Directed by Abhishek Varman, "2 States" stars Alia Bhatt opposite Arjun and is based on Chetan Bhagat's popular novel "2 States: The Story Of My Marriage".

Young actor Tiger Shroff, a fitness freak, has perhaps left author Chetan Bhagat with a complex.

The duo caught up during a gym session recently, and Bhagat took to Twitter to share a photograph from there itself.

He captioned it: "Do NOT work out next to this guy, he will only give you a complex! Tiger Shroff."

"Sometimes when I work out next to beefy guys in the gym flexing their muscles, I secretly wish I could show them my mark sheets," added Bhagat, who is getting compliments galore for the movie adaptation of his bestseller "2 States: The Story Of My Marriage".

Tiger, son of Jackie Shroff, will make his debut with "Heropanti".

Dia Mirza has rubbished rumours that she has signed the dotted line for a Kannada film.

"I'm curious to know who are and how have the makers of a south film made assumptions that I am doing a film with them? False news," the actor-producer posted in a tweet Monday.

There was news that film producer Suresh Babu had confirmed that Dia has given her consent for a Kannada movie titled "Bham Bham Bholenath".

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, who celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary Sunday, have thanked their friends, family and fans for leaving them "truly touched" with their wishes.

"Thank you all so very much for all the anniversary wishes. Truly touched. Big love, Aishwarya and Abhishek," the junior Bachchan posted on his Twitter page.

Together, the actors have a daughter named Aaradhya.

Singer Mika Singh, known for his hit songs and livewire performance, didn't mind sharing the stage with new talent at the Idea Rocks India - Season 6 talent hunt finale here.

The "Subah hone na de" singer, who was also the special performer and judge of the property, first felicitated Ashish Daniel Singh for winning the hunt, and then performed together with him at Idea Rocks India, held here Sunday.

Ashish was selected as the winner after a rigorous audition process involving thousands of entries from the capital. A panel of musicians selected the top five finalists. They were later screened by Mika.

"I congratulate Ashish Daniel Singh for winning the Idea Rocks India - Season 6 Talent Hunt. I see a lot of potential in him and I am confident that taking off from the Idea Rocks India stage at Delhi will help him chart a great musical journey ahead in life," Mika said in a statement.

Idea Rocks India - Season 6 is a 17-city concert-cum- talent hunt with musicians Mika, Sunidhi Chauhan, Karthik and Andreah.

Arjun Kapoor, who is working with his dad Boney Kapoor for the first time in "Tevar", holds him in high regard for his vision and creativity.

The young actor feels his father's decision to make sci-fi film "Mr. India" way back in 1987 proved that he's much ahead of his times.

Lauding his dad's endeavour, Arjun said: "'Mr. India' is the epitome of special effects and emotions, sci-fi and family film coming together. I feel my father is ahead of his times with the kind of visual effects he had in 'Mr. India', it's commendable."

"It had clean visual effects, it's an inspirational piece of work. As a creative person, I would have wished I were involved in it. I am very proud that my father was the person who made it," the 27-year-old told IANS in an interview.

Directed by Shekhar Kapur and produced by Boney, "Mr. India" featuring his uncle Anil Kapoor and Sridevi was a runaway success.

Coming back to "Tevar", Arjun called it a typical masala entertainer and said he's enjoying working with his dad.

He said: "As far as working with dad is concerned, it has been strangely normal. It's not been overbearing. I have done five films before going with 'Tevar' and they are confident about my work. They have not been bogging me down.

"It's a typical masala entertainer. He is known for larger than life entertaining cinema. I am happy he doesn't have to feel I am his weakness."

Arjun's latest release is Abhishek Verman directed "2 States", which has got a good opening in theatres. Arjun, who first locked lips with Parineeti Chopra in his 2012 debut "Ishaqzaade", is seen kissing Alia Bhatt in their recent release "2 States".

He takes it in his stride and dismissed the hullabaloo surrounding it by saying, "Kiss is not the deciding factor, it's not a big deal any more."

Arjun, who once dated Salman Khan's sister Arpita, says he is yet to experience love in real life.

"I have never been in love; I have not got to the extent of being in love. It's not by choice. It's purely lack of choice.

"I was concerned about making my journey. I have sacrificed my personal life. Today, it's been two years in the industry and I have no time for myself. I have not got to see a film. If I don't have time to see a film, can you imagine how can I give time to a girl? I am ready for it, but my life doesn't allow me at this point of time," he said.

Actor Vivek Oberoi has come out in support of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and says he is a karma yogi and the country needs him.

"I feel that the country needs Narendra Modi today. He is a vikas purush, he has proved his work in Gujarat. People are raising questions against him, but I think Modiji talks less and works more," the 37-year-old said here Saturday at a press conference to show support to 15 known names from Mumbai.

"That's why he has a lot of work to show. Around 18,000 villages in Gujarat have received electricity and it is not plain talk, he has done work, he is a karm yogi," he added.

He also urged everyone to cast their vote on an individual basis.

"You shouldn't see Bollywood as one community, everyone is an individual. That is what I want to appeal to everyone, not to link your ideology to one group - like Hindu, Muslim or Dalit. Such politics should stop now. Don't vote your caste, cast your vote," Vivek said.

The general election for the 16th Lok Sabha is currently on and Mumbai goes to polls April 24.

The results of the 10-phased polls will be declared May 16.

"Hero" is the launch pad of two star kids - Athiya Shetty and Sooraj Pancholi - and the former's father and actor Suniel Shetty wants the film to do well at the box office for the sake of both the "kids".

Sooraj, who was jailed for allegedly abetting actress Jiah Khan's suicide, has been released on bail is being launched by Salman Khan with "Hero".

When asked about Sooraj's controversy, Suniel said: "I support Sooraj completely and I know he is outstanding. Nikhil Advani is directing it and Salman is producing it, so it's like my own production. People can only dream of such launch. I want the film to do well so that kids are happy."

Suniel, who has featured in films like "Dhadkan", "Hulchul" and "Hera Pheri", has been part of the industry for a long time, but says he never had any Friday fever.

He said: "I was never scared of Friday. I never had that Friday fever. I have always made sure that I am financially secure. I multi-task and I have my real estate company and interior solution store, so by god's grace I am secured."

Hollywood star John Travolta, of "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease" fame, will attend the 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend and awards in Tampa Bay, Florida starting Wednesday. He will also be honoured with the 'Most Popular All time International star in India’ award.

The two-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner's presence at IIFA is symbolic of the coming together of the two distinctive film industries - Hollywood and Bollywood, said a statement issued by the event's organisers Monday.

Travolta will grace the extravaganza, which is making its US debut this year.

An iconic name in Hollywood, Travolta, 60, has seen stupendous success as an actor, singer and dancer. He has starred in hits like "Pulp Fiction", "Swordfish", "Face Off", "Broken Arrow" and "Ladder 49".

The green carpet for IIFA will roll out in Tampa Bay Wednesday and the culminating awards night will be held Saturday.

Actor Kevin Spacey will also attend the gala as part of a Master Class Panel, where he will share the stage with Bollywood star Vidya Balan.

Actress Evelyn Sharma, who has so far been part of ensemble cast films, has now bagged a lead role in crime thriller "Dannk". She says the movie couldn't have come to her at a better time as she's ready to experiment.

The film, directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala, will go on floors this year.

While it would be Evelyn's first solo lead performance, it will also be her chance to showcase her acting prowess in this fast-paced flick after doing light-hearted and frothy roles.

She is ecstatic.

"Bollywood has been extremely warm in accepting me over the last two years, where I have substantially matured as an actor. 'Dannk' comes at an absolutely perfect time, as I am confident of experimenting with a completely different genre and carry the film partly on my shoulders," the half-Indian half-German talent said in a statement.

"I am definitely excited, as this opens up new horizons for me both personally and professionally," she added.

Seen in films like "From Sydney With Love", "Nautanki Saala", "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani", "Issaq", "Yaariyaan" and "Main Tera Hero", Evelyn will essay the role of a typical teenager in "Dannk".

"She's a charming young woman who knows how to get her way out in life, and for her there are no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants," a source said of her role in the movie.

The Bangla entertainment industry knows of the local heart-throb Prosenjit's proximity to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. But the actor refused to contest election in spite of the high command's repeated offer and says it has nothing to with his father and yesteryear star Biswajeet.

Biswajeet contested from New Delhi constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket.

Denying reports that his father had any hand in his decision to stay out of the elections, the "Dosar" star said: "My father came into the picture long after I was offered a seat. I was one of the first persons didi offered a Lok Sabha ticket."

"Mamata didi is extremely fond of me. She was very keen that I contest elections. However, I am very clear about my priorities right now. I am fully involved with my acting career. I can't even think of directing a film, let alone taking on an entirely new responsibility."

"I've absolutely no issues with my father in the fray. He and I sorted our problems some time ago. Senior actors like my father and even Mithunda (Chakbraborty) have relatively more time to devote to politics than me. Right now I am in the most exciting phase of my acting career. Politics is of as much interest to me at the moment as astronomy. As I speak to you, I'm shooting in spite of a fever."

The National Award-winning actor, considered the Amitabh Bachchan of West Bengal, is doing a revisionist version of the "Mahabharat" on the screen.

"It's a role loosely based on the 'Mahabharat' that takes me from the age of 27 to 85. It requires an immense deal of preparation. I can't take a major chunk of time off from such acting assignments to contest elections. Mamata didi is family. I'll be by her side only when I am completely able to give her time," he said.

The actor says he neither has much knowledge about the politics nor can he give hundred percent commitment, therefore he has decided to stay away right now.

"I know nothing about politics. It's okay to be iconic and to command a fan-following. But one has to be prepared for a life in politics. I am very clear about joining politics only as and when I can give a 150 days straight to electioneering. I can't go into anything half-heartedly," he said.