Filmmaker Amol Gupte has launched Anuj Sachdeva in Bollywood with his forthcoming film “Hawaa Hawaai” and he says the TV actor is “mature”.

Anuj reportedly plays a parallel lead as Saqib Saleem’s elder brother in the film.

"The biggest surprise in ‘Hawaa Hawaai’ is Anuj Sachdeva! What an actor! So mature! So effective as Bugs! I couldn't have got a better Bugs! Everybody's asking me who's Bugs? What a performance,” Gupte said in a statement.

Anuj, who has become a rage in Punjab with his super hit Punjabi film called “Haani”, also liked the script of the film.

“Amol sir’s conviction for the film and the extremely well written script just made ‘Hawaa Hawaai’ a film which I couldn’t turn down. The character I am sure will connect well with the audiences,” said Anuj.

The unit of Neeraj Pandey's tentatively titled film “Baby”, starring Akshay Kumar, landed in trouble here after they allegedly failed to pay dues of Rs. 2.5 million (in Nepali currency) to a Nepali film management company.

"We have not detained any one. We have called both the parties to reach an understanding," Abhi Narayan Kafle, Deputy Superintendent of Nepal Police at Gaushal Beat, told IANS.

"The Nepali side seized the shooting material claiming the Indian side failed to pay some due amount, so we have brought both the parties to the police station. We are trying to find a common ground," added Kafle.

Aksahy left the city Wednesday after completing the shooting in various locations in Kathmandu.

Ram Krishna Pokhrel, chairman of the film management company Ice-fall Adventure Pvt Ltd, seized the shooting materials after the unit reached Tribhuvan International Airport to fly to Turkey via India without clearing his dues.

Ice-fall claimed that expenses on the shoot were around Rs.9.5 million and they had received only Rs.7 million.

The Indian film unit sought the Nepal police's help.

The film unit claimed they missed the 7 a.m. flight Thursday and it has resulted in more financial loss for them. They told the police that they made an arrangement where they were leaving one of their team members in the city to clear the dues, but Ice-fall rejected their proposal.

After failing to catch the flight, we have lost another Rs.5 million (Indian currency), the Indian team told police.

The two parties didn't reach any understanding till evening.

The film revolves around two smugglers who dupe people in Mumbai and start a new business in Kathmandu. Pandey shot in posh locations around the city.

Film: “Koyelaanchal”; Cast: Vinod Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Vipinno; Director: Asshu Trikha; Rating: ***

When the gods holler, the skies open up. Such is the milieu of monstrous mayhem and diabolic allegiances that courses through the veins of this earthy robust and homespun film about the coal mafia in Dhanbad.

Meticulously researched and intricately written by Vishal Vijay Kumar and Sanjay Masoom, it is evident from the start that a whole lot of careful plotting and planning has gone into this tale of melodramatic dimensions filled with characters who shriek and protest even when they are in the wrong. Not the meek, but the strong and the powerful inherit the earth occupied by Trikha's trenchant drama.

Initially it is difficult to get a hang of the murky ethics and violent machinations of a district run by a powerful coal mafioso and his army of well trained goons. It takes time to understand how deeply corrupt man could get in the face of wealth and power.

The badlands of Jharkhand and the pitch dark societal sickness of the community that exists in and around the coal mines of Dhanbad flicker to life in this strikingly shot film. The theme and the violent trigger-happy treatment may remind you of Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs Of Wasseypur”.

Banish that thought. In “Koyelaanchal” Trikha manages to hold his own. Though the crowd of characters and the criss-crossing enmity is initially difficult to pin down, the plot finally converges on three main characters, the coal mafioso (Vinod Khanna) his blindly devoted henchman (played by an imposingly structured impassive hulk Vipinno) and the district collector (Suniel Shetty).

There's a strongly written female part of a spunky self-dependent prostitute, played by newcomer Rupali Krishnarao, who reminded me of Sharmila Tagore in “Mausam”.

This is a space that mass-oriented films have occupied since mainstream cinema came into being. Coincidences collide with the historical perspective of a town whose mineral resources are being blatantly criminalised.

It's not easy to convert a politically surcharged tale populated with headline-making characters, into a populist pulpy drama. Trikha does this with impressive fluency.

There are scenes of unmitigated brutality lancing the film's inky skyline, painting pronounced bloodied images that pounce on us like wild animals in a forest filled with sinister beasts.

The second half where the coal mafioso's lieutenant goes through a moral reformation is enormously "filmy". That's the non-negotiable territory Trikha has chosen for his hard hitting tale.

If on one end there is bitter irony in a provincial journalist making a clumsily worded documentary on the health hazards of the coal community, on the other end there are wildly improbable twists and turns in the plot all adding up to a breathless romp in the savage heartland.

Dark brooding tense and tumultuous “Koyelaanchal” takes us into the abdomen of the coal mines and digs out a yarn that grips from the word go.

Trikha directs with sure handed intensity. The film takes extravagant leaps of faith, creates dramatic conflicts within the lethally compromised political and bureaucratic ambit. It flounders in balancing out all the turbulent circumstances that tumble out in the fierce narrative.

This could not have been an easy film to make. Applaud the director for flavouring the Indian heartland with a plot that reads like pulp fiction but feels like a slice of ugly Indian history.

In a one of its kind fashion and lifestyle collaboration featuring the finest of Indian fashion, design and décor, Caravan 2014 at Harvey Nichols in Riyadh will see the works from ace designer Anita Dongre.

An Initiative by Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, CEO of Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Caravan 2014 is a two month long retail and lifestyle extravaganza that offers exemplary Indian design, décor, jewellery and fashion with more than 80 participants.

The festival will start June 15 and will go on till August 2014.

The designs showcased by Dongre at the festival will offer an eclectic range of boho luxury gowns adorned with gota patti work alongwith hand woven sheer and panelled maxis and gowns to raw silk draped tunics and dhoti style gowns, said a statement.

“I am excited to be showcasing my collection at Caravan 2014. I see the showcasing of Anita Dongre Timeless collection here as a fitting blend of Indian aesthetics with modern contemporary silhouettes,” Dongre said in a statement.

“Caravan 2014, is an excellent platform to showcase our rich Indian aesthetics, crafts and timeless heritage and the initiative is well curated and has a handpicked pool of emerging and established Indian talent,” she added.

Designer Nikhil Mehra is all set to make his debut with his actor wife, Vidushi Mehra , in director Kabir Sadanand's next, 'Fugly'.

"It happened rather spontaneously purely by accident. The director wanted me to an intimate scene and I wasn't very comfortable. He asked me if my real husband would do the scene with me, without knowing whom am I married to until then. I didn't think Nikhil would be game for it. But when I called him, to my surprise Nikhil seemed pretty excited for it. We had never done anything like this on screen. It was awkward, but now I think it was one of the nicest shots," says Vidushi.

Nikhil, on his part, says that he enjoyed the shoot. " It was interesting because it was an opportunity to do something with my wife on screen. Kabir shot it very quickly and I didn't realizs when it finished." Ask him if he'd now like to pursue acting on the side, and he says, " don't think I have that kind of talent. I don't see myself as an actor, unless it requires me to be who I am. To play someone else would be a very hard job for me and I don't think I am cut out for it."

Prateik Jain of Bangalore was announced the winner of the first edition of Provogue MensXP Mr. India 2014 here Thursday. He will now represent India at Mr. World 2014 pageant held in Torbay, Britain June 15.

The first runner-up title went to Puneet Beniwal from Delhi and Chennai's Bharat Raj was declared as the second runner-up, said a statement.

The 14 contestants were judged by Bollywood celebrities Arjun Rampal, Arjan Bajwa and Elli Avram along with fashion designers Rocky S and Manish Malhotra.

While Arjun gave the trophy to Prateik, Malhotra and Arjan handed over the second position's trophy to Puneet. Bharat received the trophy from Elli and Rocky S.

Director Shoojit Sircar, who was due to shoot an ad film starring Amit Sadh in mid-March, not just requested the concerned brand to postpone the shooting due to the actor's leg injury, but also altered the ad's script to accomodate the mishap.

Amit injured himself on the sets of Subhash Kapoor's "Guddu Rangeela" in March, and he even underwent surgery for it. He was due to shoot for a leading deodorant brand with Taapsee Pannu under Sircar's direction, but just two weeks before the ad was supposed to be shot, he got injured.

Now, after a delay of over a month, the ad was finally shot recently with a lot impromptu changes on the set.

Curbing all movement for Amit in the ad, the entire concept was changed to show only Amit's upper body movements as he's shown flying a kite.

Also, Amit Roy, director of photography, who is also the director of RunningShaadi.com, shot the ad in a way where the actor's cast isn't visible.

The "Kai Po Che" actor said: "I had to undergo surgery and so, the entire shoot had to be pushed by about 45 days. Shoojit dada is a genius and he was extremely accommodating, so not only was the ad pushed, but they changed the entire script to suit my injured leg as well."

"The entire ad was finally very recently shot, with my cast still on. Amit Roy learned of this entire development and was kind enough to volunteer and he did a brilliant job with the camera," added the actor. "It was quite exciting shooting my first commercial."

Former beauty queen and actress Sangeeta Bijlani is fully geared to get "back into the groove" of the Hindi film industry, where she's making a comeback with "Shab" after almost two decades. She is excited about her new innings, and says she feels like a newcomer.

Last seen in a Hindi film in 1996, Sangeeta will now appear in Onir's "Shab".

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What made you take the plunge again after 19 years?

A. It wasn't planned that way. It isn't as if I wasn't getting any offers. I've been getting movie offers for quite some time now. Somehow, I wasn't sure I wanted to act in movies again. I didn't know whether I'd be comfortable with the idea.

Q. Does the idea of facing the camera again make you uncomfortable?

A. No, not at all. I've always been very comfortable facing the camera. I've been there for so many years. Although I was out of the public domain for so many years, the relationship with the camera didn't end. It was dormant.

Q. What prompted you to take up a movie offer?

A. I met Onir a year and a half ago at my friend Anita Dongre's fashion show. He kept asking me why I didn't return to movies. We were from the same group and he kept asking me to get back in the movies. Then he came up with the script of "Shab". He suggested I just read it. I did. And I was hooked. Onir wants me to play a powerful diva. At the same time, he wanted someone who looks vulnerable and soft.

Q. A lot has happened in your life. Does that make you a better actor today?

A. You know, you grow every day. You learn so much from life. All those experiences are bound to reflect in your personality. I think today I'm a far more evolved person. My journey so far has been beautiful.

Q. Why were you so reluctant to come back to the movies?

A. See, I am open to any experience. Life has taught me to expect the unexpected. I don't shut doors to anything in life. I read Onir's script, loved it. It was in the realistic space, and I loved that. I've a very interesting role that suits me. I never did realistic cinema in my career. I always did the commercial stuff.

Q. Yes, in fact, you were in many hits of the 1990s with Mithun Chakraborty!

A. I am not complaining about my acting stint in the past. I had fun while it lasted. I hope my second innings too would be interesting.

Q. Do you feel apprehensive about the changes that have overtaken the film industry since you left?

A. No apprehensions at all. Now that I've said yes to Onir I am fully prepared to take the plunge again. Actually, I'm glad to be back at a time when so many different genres of films are being made in Hindi. When I was playing the conventional heroine there was just the commercial and some offbeat cinema, nothing in-between.

Q. In fact, you made your debut with a brilliant commercial film?

A. Yes, J.P. Dutta's 'Hathyar' (1989). But at that time I was just doing what I was asked. To be honest, I wasn't all that involved, nor was I passionate about acting. I was happy with whatever came my way. Today I feel I am far more clued in and emotionally evolved. I think this is the best time to be in the movies.

Q. Is Onir's film going to be the beginning of many other offers?

A. Now that I've stepped into it, I am fully into it. It's time for me to get back into the groove. I am happy to be working again. The film industry has changed completely. The industry is so much organized now. No one can afford to be lazy or disorganized. There are people to take care of everything. Earlier, we had to handle everything from dates to media ourselves. It's more of a team effort now.

Q. But you never stopped being in the limelight!

A. No, that isn't true. I wasn't doing anything in terms of work. I may have been visible but I wasn't doing anything. To be honest, it feels good to be working again.

Q. Have you been in touch with the film industry, especially through Salman Khan's family?

A. No, not at all. I am not in touch with anybody in the industry. I've completely cut off from the film industry. When I started getting offers, I wondered if I'd fit into the changed scenario in the industry. Onir's script made me make up my mind.

Q. So this is a new start for you?

A. Yes, I feel like a newcomer.

Q. Then I hope to see you win all the debutant awards next year?

A. Ha ha, I hope so. I need the industry and the audience to support me.

Actress Shilpa Shetty, who has won titles like 'Yummy Mummy' and 'Spalicious Mom' recently, says mothers don't need her advice as whatever they do for their child, they do it with their heart.

Shilpa was named Yummy Mummy by Bio-Oil based on a survey, and she was given the Spalicious Mom title at the recently held GeoSpa asiaSpa India awards 2013.

The 38-year-old says these are huge compliments as they appreciate her all-round achievements after giving birth to her son Viaan.

"They (people) didn't just vote for me because I have got back to my slim shape. They felt that as an all-rounder I have been able to balance motherhood and my work and get back to shape. So, there is no bigger compliment," Shilpa said here at an event Thursday.

Despite being an active entrepreneur now, Shilpa stays on her toes around her son. She says everything about motherhood is tough but educative.

"Whatever we do, we do it out of heart. Other mothers don't need my advice. I stay on my toes and that's just normal. I used to think that pregnancy is hard and after delivery things will be easy."

"But then you feel the first six months are very hard...then he (the baby) starts to walk. When he starts to walk, he falls everywhere and you are scared...Every phase (of a child's life) is a learning curve for parents," she added.

Shilpa is into the spa business and she recently also opened a gold company Satyug Gold. She is married to businessman Raj Kundra and became a mother in 2012.

Actors like Saif Ali Khan and Mohnish Bahl didn't find cricket or the Indian Navy as enticing as the acting world. They chose to step into the shoes of different characters and face the arclights like their star mothers Sharmila Tagore and Nutan instead of pursuing their father's professions.

On the occasion of Mother's Day on May 11, IANS lists some of the star kids who followed their mom's footsteps:

Saif Ali Khan: The son of late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and "Kashmir Ki Kali" star Sharmila Tagore made his acting debut in 1992 with "Parampara". He didn't taste instant success like his mother, who delivered many hits like "Aradhana" and "Amar Prem" after her superhit debut "Kashmir Ki Kali". For long, he was best known for his supporting roles in films like "Kya Kehna", "Dil Chahta Hai", "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein" and "Kal Ho Naa Ho".

It was only in 2004 that many saw him as an actor who can carry a film on his own shoulders instead of relying on another star to make a film a blockbuster. "Hum Tum" not only made many filmmakers offer him lead roles but also won him the National Award for his role in the romantic comedy. Today, Saif, who has also acted with his mom in films like "Eklavya: The Royal Guard" and "Aashiq Awara", is a sought-after actor and a producer.

Mohnish Bahl: The late actress Nutan's son is a known name in both the TV and movie industries. Though he hasn't been able to match his mother's success, he has given notable performances in movies like "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!" and "Hum Saath-Saath Hain".

If his mom was known for being a lead actress, who gave impressive performances in movies like "Karma", "Bandini" and "Milan", the son of late Indian Navy officer, Lt. Cdr. Rajnish Bahl, also won hearts of the audiences with his TV shows like "Sanjivani" and "Kuch To Log Kahenge". He continues to do small roles in films. He was recently seen in Salman Khan-starrer "Jai Ho".

Tanuj Virwani: The self-proclaimed mamma's boy has been open about the importance of his mother-actress Rati Agnihotri in his life. The son of architect-businessman Anil Virwani is only two films old, but he feels the sense of responsibility as his mother, who has been a part of the industry for almost 40 years, had a successful career. Both his films "Love U Soniyo" and "Purani Jeans" didn't strike gold at the box office, but his hands are still full. The lad of the "Ek Duuje Ke Liye" star has been signed by Eros Entertainment for a three-film contract.

Ruslaan Mumtaz: His mom Anjana Mumtaz, who had a successful movie career in Gujarati and Marathi films apart from Bollywood and TV, is now one of the favourite on-screen mothers. She has played a mother to Shilpa Shetty in "Dhadkan", and Govinda's mom in "Saajan Chale Sasural", among others and her son is now loved by many, thanks to his current TV show "Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara".

The movie career of Ruslaan, son of Sajid Mumtaz - an Air India official - didn't have a flying start but the small screen industry seems to have embraced him. Ruslaan, who made his cinematic acting debut with "MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar" in 2007, was also seen essaying a police officer in the crime show "Encounter", hosted by actor Manoj Bajpayee. He is also occupied with shooting for romantic comedy "Romeo Idiot Jathani Juliet".

Farhan Akhtar: He is a multi-talented individual just like his mother Honey Irani, now a popular screenwriter, who started off her career as a child actress. Her acts in movies like "Qaidi No. 911", "Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan" and "Zameen Ke Tare" in late 1950s and early 1960s are still cherished by many. She also had small roles in films like "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Amar Prem" and "Kati Patang" when she grew older.

The son of writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, on the other hand, took the acting plunge much later. He first tried his hand at directing with hit movies like "Dil Chahta Hai" and "Don". In 2008, he graduated from behind the camera to facing it with "Rock On!!!". Farhan also bagged many awards for his performance in the film, for which he even sang a few rock numbers. Most recently, he was widely praised for essaying the role of former athlete Milkha Singh in the "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" biopic.

Designer Simer D. Singh has taken inspiration from the charm of Old Delhi's intricate architecture and colourful life to launch her summer collection of Indian wear under the Color Code brand name.

Her brand offers saris and anarkalis in contemporary and classic styles.

"Each garment is artistically designed and hand crafted, taking its inspiration from current trends to create understated elegance with minimal fuss to allow the wearer to feel comfortable and classy at the same time. This line defines grace and glamour with its fashion," the designer said in a statement.

Walking in the bylanes of Old Delhi inspired Singh.

"The beautiful flows and colours of traditional saris and Indian wear worn by people going about their daily lives in the stunning heritage part of Delhi, were muses for Color Code. With an emphasis on timeless styles, Color Code's take is an update on the classics," she said.

Born in Delhi, the designer pursued her higher education in management at London's The Cass Business School.

Known for his offbeat choice of cinema, Rahul Bose has finally rehearsed dance steps for a song in a film. It was quite an experience for him.

"For the first time in my career, yesterday (Thursday) I rehearsed dance steps for a song in a film. Two choreographers have been hospitalised for shock. Another choreographer laughed so hard they had to call in the paramedics. #burst blood vessel #my first dance number," Rahul posted on Twitter Friday.

He felt his performance was good.

"At one point I thought I'd pulled off a pretty nifty move. The hall (with 40 dancers) suddenly went very quiet," he added.

Rahul has starred in films like "English, August", "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer", "Jhankaar Beats" and "Pyaar Ke Side Effects". He recently said that he was busy shooting in the RK Studios, where he had last shot 14 years back.

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle says her latest performance in Paris was welcomed by a warm and cultured audience.

"Thank you Paris for your warm welcome and (for) being such a fantastic cultured audience. Overwhelmed. Carrying memories back with me to India," the 80-year-old posted on her Twitter page Friday.

The versatile songstress took to the stage Thursday at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.

She wanted to make sure she put her best foot forward for the event and was even rehearsing just three hours before the performance.

Asha, younger sister of singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, has apparently sung over 12,000 songs in 18 languages and has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. Some of her popular songs include "Maang ke saath tumhara", "Dum maro dum", "Mehbooba mehbooba", "Piya tu ab to aaja" and "Chura liya hai tum ne".

Newcomer Tiger Shroff's ability to perform daredevil stunts has been the talk of tinsel town for a while, but now he will be in a different battlefield when his debut film "Heropanti" will release alongside mammoth star Rajinikanth's "Kochadaiyyaan" May 23.

Director Sabbir Khan's "Heropanti" boasts of some high octane action sequences performed by Tiger himself, while "Kochadaiiyaan", directed by Rajinikanth's younger daughter Soundarya R. Ashwin, is being credited with being the country's first 3D animated photo-realistic motion capture film.

It may sound silly to draw a comparison between the two films - considering the different genres and contrasting lead actors - young Tiger and veteran Rajinikanth, but it surely will be an interesting battle at the ticket counters.

"Kochadaiiyaan", which promises some never before seen action sequences featuring Rajini in an animated avatar, was due for release May 9 but two days before it was slated to hit the screens it was pushed ahead due to technical issues.

Made in Tamil, "Kochadaiiyaan" will also be released in Telugu, Hindi and Bhojpuri.

Whether it will affect the expected moolah for "Heropanti" is something one has to wait and watch. But if one goes by recent trends, one shouldn't underestimate the power of fresh talent in the Hindi film industry.

Also, while the curiosity levels for a Rajinikanth film are always on high, expectations from Tiger, who is trained in martial arts, are also valid - given the fact that he's the son of intense actor Jackie Shroff who's pulled off many popular roles in movies like "Hero", "Yudh" and "Karma".

The leading ladies of the films are also in a battle of sorts - while "Kochadaiiyaan" stars Bollywood's top heroine Deepika Padukone, "Heropanti" marks Kriti Sanon's foray into filmdom.

However, there has been hardly any focus on the heroines during the promotion of both the projects.

This will definitely be one Friday to watch out for!

Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat, who has been a regular at the Cannes International Film festival since the past few years, will inaugurate the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Pavilion during the gala later this month.

She is excited about being invited to inaugurate the event.

"Feeling honoured to be invited to inaugurate the CII Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival 2014," tweeted the actress, who has featured in Bollywood films like "Murder" and "Pyaar Ke Side Effects", besides Hollywood films like "The Myth" and "Hisss".

Mallika will also be part of the inaugural session 'Indian Cinema: Opportunities & Synergies with Global Cinema', which will have speakers like Arun Kumar Singh (Indian ambassador to France) and Ashok Amritraj (Hollywood producer and chairman, CII Cannes Initiative), said a statement.

The session will also include the likes of Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, Jerome Paillard (executive director, Marche Du Film), Aditi Das Rout (director general, Services Export Promotion Council) and filmmaker Sudhir Mishra.

CII, for the twelfth consecutive year, will co-ordinate the participation of various Indian representatives at the Cannes Film Market May 14-23.

Indian state governments, filmmakers and services experts will be part of the booth space and CII’s aim is to get maximum business for the Indian media and entertainment industry by facilitating global opportunities.

Dull, tired looking skin is a thing of the past for men as global skin care brand Pond’s has launched their skincare range for men in India. The products will be endorsed by Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan.

The company is set to launch two different products under the brand - first is energy charge and the second is oil control.

Varun, who made his Bollywood debut with "Student Of The Year" and was last seen in "Mein Tera Hero", will propagate a regular grooming routine for all Indian men, especially daily facial skin care.

“My skin has to go through a lot during a regular work day - since most of my time is spent outdoors in dusty environments. So a good face wash that can refresh my skin instantly is almost indispensable to me,” the actor said in a statement.

“I love the new Pond’s Men range of face washes and moisturisers because they are an effective and no-fuss solution to my skin needs. Pond’s is amongst the most reputed skincare brands in the world. It is exciting to be the face of this product range for men,” he added

Each platform in the new Pond’s Men range features a face wash and moisturiser with special ingredients and proven benefits addressing the skincare concerns among men.

Srinandan Sundaram, vice president, skincare and colours, HUL (Hindustan Unilever) feels that men take equal pride in their appearance as women do and being global leaders in skincare solutions, Pond’s has introduced this new range which is specially formulated for the skin needs of men.

“In a man’s life today, long work hours, stress and pollution adversely affect his skin often making his face look dull and tired. Pond’s Men is a first of its kind skincare range that offers the benefit of instantly bright and recharged skin for Indian men,” said Sundaram.

Pond’s Men will be available in India May 25 onwards.

Actress Kajol was Friday honoured with the Mighty Mom award by the makers of forthcoming animation movie "Mighty Raju Rio Calling". But for the "Fanaa" actress, every mother is a mighty mom.

Directed by Rajiv Chilaka, "Mighty Raju Rio Calling" is an Indian animated series of films aimed at young children, focusing on the adventures of Raju, a four-year-old boy in the city of Aryanagar. The film comes from Green Gold Animation, the makers of Chhota Bheem.

"I believe every mother is a mighty mother, every mother goes through hell dealing with kids. All the mothers are doing a fabulous job," Kajol told reporters at the trailer launch of "Mighty Raju Rio Calling".

The music of "Mighty Raju Rio Calling" was also showcased at the event.

"I don't know if I am a mighty mother or not, but yes, I have always maintained that my children are my foremost priority and responsibility. As for Green Gold, I would like to thank the team for naming me mighty mom," said Kajol.

The film is slated for a May 16 release.

When it comes to watching TV, the actress, who has two children - daughter Nysa and son Yug, hardly gets time to catch any show.

She said: "My son is a big fan of Chhota Bheem and I know it's okay to watch this. I don't get to watch TV because most of the time they are watching it."

Life has come full circle for actor Ranvir Shorey - he is back on television to host the new season of dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7. He started his career as a VJ.

Insiders say his cheeky sense of humour is perfect for the show and that he will forge a fresh equation with the judges and contestants.

Ranvir, who featured in films like Khosla Ka Ghosla and Pyaar Ke Side Effects is a diehard fan of the show's judge and actress Madhuri Dixit.

The two have previously worked together in Aaja Nachle and Ranvir is looking forward to interacting with her once more.
Jhalak will be aired on Colors and a source close to the show said: "Looking at his fantastic comic timing during stressful situations in Khatron Ke Khiladi, we thought that Ranvir would be the best choice for Jhalak."

"The creative team is certain that he would do absolute justice to the show as an anchor. He shares an excellent camaraderie with all the contestants as well as the judges. When we approached him with the offer, he was equally excited to take up the project and get groovy on the floor. People have known Ranvir for his comic timing, acting prowess. Then he showed his 'khiladi' side to the world. Who knows, now the viewers might get to see him shaking a leg as well."

After finalising Ranvir, the makers are on the lookout for a female co-host this season.

Film: "Mastram"; Cast: Rahul Bagga, Tara Alisha; Directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal; Rating: *** (3 stars)

Once upon a time, pornography was read in the loo, not seen on the internet. The imagination soared. Just think of how much money a man could make in the 1970 or 1980s by penning porn for a drooling generation.

Unzip those inhibitions, will ya?

If in "Mastram", you expect a Boogie Nights kind of all-encompassing panoramic peek-a-boob...sorry boo, at the porn industry, then you are in for an anti-climax. "Mastram" chronicling the life-story of a man who would be kink (y), is a sad, glum, wistful look at the life of litterateur who was persuaded to give porn a chance, just to make ends meet.

Director Akhilesh Jaiswal lets the porn writer Rajaram, aka Mastram, played by Rahul Bagga, grow within a space where sex is a synonym for survival. He must write dirty books to make a living. In Guru Dutt's "Pyaasa", the poet Vijay faced the same dilemma. Write pulp, or perish, he was told. Vijay preferred to perish.

Rajaram is a product of consumerist culture. With creditors knocking down his door, he chooses a life after debt.

For those expecting to see the rise and fall (and I don't mean that in any other but the most physical sense) of a generation fed on porn, "Mastram" is not your cup of tea. It never goes into the author's libidinous craft. It stays in his mind, probes and punctuates the protagonist's perverse practice dispassionately.

There is a pronounced absence of frenzied excitement in the narrative. If seen as a mating game, then "Mastram" is a lazy evening of half-hearted copulation. We get to meet the man behind the orgasms. We feel the pain beneath the porn. Director Akhilesh Jaiswal tears at the layers of titillation and touches the pain and loneliness of an artiste compelled to sell sex when all he wants is to write literary works.

Rahul Bagga plays Mastram with an an air of boyish curiosity and impassive mystery. We never know what he is thinking maybe because he isn't thinking hard. Could this man be faking his enthusiasm for erotica? We never touch the man's soul but feel its presence in his life and specially in his bond with his wife, played with understated grace by Tara Alisha.

Underscored by a sense of tragedy, "Mastram" brings a meditative melancholy to the porn writer's life.

Newbie Sakshi Chaudhary has been zeroed in on to play Priyanka Chopra in a film, based on the National Award winning actress' infamous fallout with her former secretary Prakash Jaju over finances.

Sakshi, it would be recalled, has been signed by producer Firoz Nadiadwala for a three-film deal. She will be first seen opposite John Abraham in the next instalment of the "Hera Pheri: franchise".

For the role of Priyanka Chopra in "67 Days", Sakshi would have to go into rigorous workshops.

"She will play Priyanka after very closely studying of her movies. Sakshi is not a major movie buff. But Aseem Merchant, who is making '67 Days', wants Sakshi to adopt Priyanka's body language and mannerisms," said a source.

"Priyanka tends to talk very rapidly, letting the sentences, words spill out in a tumble. Sakshi would be speaking like that. There will also be an attempt to recreate some of Priyanka's early songs and dances from 'Andaaz' and 'Aitraaz'," said the source.

On being contacted, Sakshi said: "I don't think I am allowed to talk about this. But yes, I am playing the part in the film that you mention. I guess they thought I was suitable for the part. As far as studying Priyanka goes, I haven't done much of that so far. I was never star-struck. But she is a good actress. Hopefully, I will play a good actress well."