Prateik Jain, who won the first edition of Provogue MensXP Mr. India 2014, is inspired by model-turned-actor Arjun Rampal and says he looks up to him as an example to be successful.

“Arjun Rampal has got an amazing charisma and he is very charming. I take inspiration from how he carries himself. He is a perfect example for me,” Prateik told IANS from Mumbai.

He will now represent India at Mr. World 2014 pageant to be held June 15 in Torbay, Britain.

His moment of glory and victory was made more special when he receieved the winner's trophy from Arjun himself.

The 25-year-old from Bangalore left his job as an investment banker to pursue his love for martial arts. He says the shift from a high-earning profession to a glamorous one wasn't easy.

“I was not into modelling before. I worked as an investment banker, but then I realised it was not my cup of tea. Then I started martial arts and then that passion turned into a profession."

"I used to fight a lot while training and this ended up in getting me injuries. Doctors advised me bed rest for six months, but my strength and will power made me follow my dream,” he said.

While most successful models are paving their way into filmdom, what's Prateik's plan?

“The only thing that is running in my mind right now is the Mr. World title. If I get that title, then surely I will enter Bollywood,” he said.

The first runner-up title of Provogue MensXP Mr. India 2014 went to Puneet Beniwal from Delhi and Bharat Raj from Chennai was the second runner-up.

Vinod Khanna, the veteran actor-politician who contested as the BJP candidate from Gurdaspur in Punjab, says he expects "lots of changes to happen very fast" when "our government comes" after the elections.

The result of the elections will be announced May 16 and a confident Vinod said: "A lot of change is going to happen once our government comes.

"Lots of changes will happen very fast and quickly and you will see that happening at the grassroot level. We all talk about change at a very superficial level, but now it will come to the grassroot level. It will effectively change the lives of millions of people," Khanna told IANS in an interview after returning here from Punjab.

He says politics is his prime responsibility, but does manage to squeeze in time to act in films, a craft he knows well. However, when it comes to direction, he feels now it's too late to fulfil his long-cherished dream.

"I wanted to direct many, many years ago. I was almost co-director to all my directors," the 67-year-old who featured in hits like "Qurbani" and "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, disclosed.

"I always used to take active interest in direction. I also used to study cinematography, screenplay writing - all kind of things. I wanted to direct, but now I feel it's too big a responsibility to take on," added Vinod, who had produced his younger son Akshaye's launch pad "Himalay Putra" in 1997.

In the last few years, the $2 billion Indian cinema industry has undergone a lot of changes - for instance marketing and promotional activities have become a vital tool of the filmmaking business. Also, too many awards have mushroomed.

He praised the acceptance of comedies by the audiences.

"Comedy is welcomed. Everybody has grown out of his or her chambers of the 1960s. The mindset has changed and audiences are open to realities. Nobody wants to live a life that is surpassed any more, especially the younger generation."

Asked about the awards, Vinod told IANS: "I don't know, I feel too many awards make it a joke. But definitely I feel that some awards are very prestigious awards, but it should be done in a nice and transparent way."

The actor-politician, who generally shies away from the media, blames his political career and the lack of a PR agency for this.

"It's just that I don't have any PR agency and I am more concerned about my constituency and political work," said the actor, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1997 and is a three-time MP (1998, 1999, 2004) from Gurdaspur in Punjab. He lost in 2009 and is again contesting from the constituency, where polling was held April 30.

"Acting is my bread and butter, so it's not something that I pursue as much as I should because this was the only thing that I was trained and now I have come to politics and that's a great responsibility. We are looking at 300 million people and their needs; so you have to be constantly in touch. So that takes all our time," he added.

Meanwhile, Vinod is seen in Asshu Trikha's recently released "Koyelaanchal", along with Suniel Shetty, among others. The actor, who started his career as a villain in Sunil Dutt's 1968 film "Man Ka Meet", etches the role of a Mafioso in the coal mafia drama.

While Priyanka Chopra is miffed that a film is being made on her life, Aseem Merchant, who is planning to direct the movie, says it is not an effort to malign the actress.

Aseem allegedly dated Priyanka during her modelling days. His movie will reportedly not only chronicle her modelling days, but also her infamous fallout with her ex-manager Prakash Jaju over finances.

Priyanka was upset when the news of a film on the subject emerged. But defending his creative freedom, Aseem said: "The film is about Prakash Jaju, not Priyanka Chopra."

"It is about his experiences in Bollywood and will cover the entire entertainment industry. I respect and admire Priyanka. In no way am I trying to malign or hurt her. As a producer I am only trying to make a realistic film," he added.

Jaju had claimed that Priyanka owed him a large amount of money. The actress' late father Col. Ashok Chopra then filed a police complaint against the manager, citing false accusations and threatening of the family members.

Jaju was later arrested in 2008 and spent over two months behind bars.

It's been eleven years since Shahid Kapoor's debut film “Ishq Vishk” hit the screens. Yet, the actor who has given hits like "R... Rajkumar", "Kaminey" and "Vivah", says he still feels like he’s new in B-Town.

Shahid, who was a back-up dancer before his career as an actor started, got nostalgic when his first film directed by Ken Ghosh turned 11.

“Every day...Eleven years ran by in a blink and yet it seems like I'm just getting started,” Shahid posted on Twitter Saturday.

Ghosh also shared a selfie featuring him with the film’s lead actress Amrita Rao, as well as Shahid.

“Come to think of it, we took the first Bollywood selfie 11 years ago,” Ghosh tweeted Friday.

Shahid and Ghosh went on to work together in movies like “Fida” and “Chance Pe Dance”.

The shooting of "Kill Dil" has come to an end. Its lead actor Ranveer Singh calls it a "surreal" experience.

“And that's a film wrap on ‘Kill Dil’! Surreal,” Ranveer posted on Twitter Saturday.

In the upcoming film, directed by Shaad Ali, Ranveer will share screen space with comedy star Govinda.

Actors like Rani Mukerji, Parineeti Chopra and Ali Zafar too have key roles in the film.

Actor and stand-up comedian Vir Das has laid his hands on a guitar from Hawai. He calls the instrument his "girl", whom he has named Luna.

“I've got a new girl. She's really tiny. Her name’s Luna. She's from Hawai. And she's in my van for 20 days. Fun,” Vir tweeted Saturday.

On the work front, Vir, currently in Ludhiana, will be seen in “Amit Sahni Ki List” releasing July 18.

If toddlers say mamma or papa, parents jump with joy. Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, a mother of triplets, has more reasons to be happy as her children are coming up with their own words.

“New words my kids invent. Today’s word - ‘jhongla’! Used by Anya to describe her bunched up blanket and other entanglements,” she posted on Twitter Saturday.

Farah, who became a mother to son Czar, and daughters Anya and Diva in 2008, recently started the new schedule of her upcoming film “Happy New Year”.

As the world celebrated Mother’s Day Sunday, Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar, Sridevi, Farhan Akhtar and Farah Khan wished their moms too.

They took to Twitter to reach out to their mothers. Here's what they had to say:

Karan Johar: Happy Mother's Day mom!

Sridevi Boney Kapoor: Wish all of you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Farah Khan: There's no one way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one! To all the great moms, a very Happy Mother's Day.

Madhur Bhandarkar: Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all. Happy Mother's Day!

Farhan Akhtar: Not all superheroes wear capes. Happy Mother’s Day.

Sanjay Gupta: To all the lovely mammas out there and to the beautiful one in my house, Happy Mothers Day.

Priyanka Chopra: Happy Mother's Day mom.. You are all the strength I need. Thank you for tirelessly handling everything.

Arjun Rampal: Because of you I am here today, with memories, laughter and positivity I live each day. Thank you dear ma. Happy Mother's Day.

Shilpa Shetty: My mom. Happy Mother's Day ma. Big hug.

Raveena Tandon: A Happy Mother's Day to all you glorious goddesses!

Neil Nitin Mukesh: On this beautiful day, I pray to god that she is my mother in all my lives. I love you ma. Happy Mother's Day.

Kunal Kapoor: Happy Mother’s Day ma. I love you and miss you so much and I know that you are always around, watching over me.

Jacqueline Fernandez: Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful mummy!

Divya Dutta: Ma has chosen to get unwell on Mother's Day! Not fair! But Happy Mother's Day to my Laddoo! My angel and to all moms today and everyday.

Dia Mirza: You are my peace, my sanity, my faith. You are my mother.

Manoj Bajpayee: Good morning! Always lived away from my parents to do something worthwhile in life. She taught me not to leave job unfinished. Happy Mother’s Day.

Actress Kajol, a hands on mom to her two children, says she is very close to her mother and yesteryear actress Tanuja and that it does matter to her whether her mom approves her decisions or not.

"My mom is very special to me. I have idolised her since my childhood. When I was a kid, the biggest thing was my mum's approval. I crave for my mother's approval. My mom is my mentor and the way she has taught me has made me a better mother."

She added: "If I am taking any decision in my life I always give it a thought what my mother will think about it. I know for a fact that she is not narrow minded and she is very cool."

The leading lady of hits "Baazigar", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Gupt" and "Dushman", has been a winner of several awards for her brilliant performances on the silver screen. But she feels one should move on after that.

"I think awards are great, but that's precisely for that time till you are on the stage and you are accepting that award. After that it's over. After that momentary high, you have to go to the next thing and go on with your life and don't have to live with that for the rest of your life," the 39-year-old said.

She had a sizeable role in Rajkumar Hirani's 2009 box office biggie "3 Idiots", but after that actress Mona Singh wasn't too active on the big screen and the small screen star blames it on stereotype offers.

Mona, who was seen as Kareena Kapoor's character's pregnant elder sister in "3 Idiots", talked about her absence from the big screen and said: "Post '3 Idiots' I was only getting offers of pregnant women, which really surprised me and I said no to all of them."

The actress made it big on television as geeky Jassi in her 2003 debut show "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin" and after many years she returned to play a housewife who has to deal with her cheating husband in "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada".

"I don't want to repeat myself as an actress and I want to explore different things. It's very sad that one tends to get typecast very easily here. I don't understand why do people do that? Haven't they seen me playing 'Jassi' or in 'Kya Huaa Tera Vaada'.

"We are actors. We are here to play different roles. I was very clear I am not going to do something similar again," she added.

In between her acting assignments, the vibrant and chirpy actress not only participated in and won dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa", but also hosted shows like "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4" and "Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega".

Mona will be seen again as the co-host of the new season of "Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega", and she is certainly enjoying it.

She said: "I was like it cannot get better than this. I am having a blast hosting the show with Krushna Abhishek. Everybody should keep reinventing themselves and my journey so far has been great. Hosting the show is a unique experience all together. People take the title 'Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega' so seriously that they tend to do some crazy stuff."

Composer-singer Himesh Reshammiya says he failed as an actor because he was not dedicated to the craft. However, he is confident about his forthcoming thriller "The Xposé".

"I failed because I was not dedicated as an actor. The kind of dedication, which was needed, was missing in all my films," Reshammiya told IANS.

From his debut movie "Aap Kaa Surroor - The Real Luv Story" to "Karzzzz" - none could create a buzz at the box office.

"When my films didn't work, I wondered what was wrong in my acting graph, and then I realised the dedication I had for music, I didn't have the same for acting. So, I have given my dedication to my performance in 'Xpose'," he added.

In the past, the critics ripped his films apart, but the singer-actor says he has not received any negative comments so far on "The Xpose", coming out May 16.

Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, "The Xpose" also stars Sonali Raut, Zoya Afroz and Honey Singh among others.

"I have not received criticism for the film and if at all I get criticism, let's see. This whole game of hit and flops will always be there and I have survived because I am hit. I think industry works on hit and flop.

"I have given many hit songs and as an actor only one film worked, three to four films didn't click, but I am sure this film will work," said the composer of hits like "Namastey London" and "Aitraaz".

Tiger Shroff is eagerly waiting for his debut film “Heropanti” to hit the screens May 23 and he is happy yet nervous as “Kochadaiiyaan”, featuring his dad Jackie Shroff as a villain, will release the same day.

The 24-year-old is already making news for his daring stunts and he says that his hard work has made him secure about “Heropanti”.

“My father is also in that movie (superstar Rajinikanth starrer ‘Kochadaiiyaan’). He (Jackie) is a villain in that movie. It will be father-son competition on May 23.

"I am nervous about both actors acting in ‘Kochadaiiyaan’, but I have worked so hard so I am secure about ‘Heropanti’ and happy to show the audience what we have done and what we have accomplished,” Tiger, who started preparing for his role since he signed the movie in June 2012, told IANS.

The newcomer’s fate is still uncertain but he believes he has made an “impact”, thanks to Twitter jokes on him.

“One day I came across a news that read Tiger Shroff trending on Twitter. I thought how fast and already famous. I clicked and saw people making fun on my name. I laughed reading them,” he said.

“If you are being talked about already at this stage that means somehow or the other you have made an impact already. Publicity is publicity - good or bad. If no one was talking about me, it would’ve been something to worry about. But I am clear I have made an impact,” he added.

His clean shaven face and hair reaching his eyebrows are also talked about, but he says it’s talent that matters more than looks.

“I want the audience to accept who I am. I want to show them who I really am. If you don’t like me, I’ll try and change but I am sincere and honest to my work and I want that to come across. Looks are secondary. I want to prove my talent,” said Tiger, who doesn’t mind taking classes to be a better dancer, actor and performer.

Currently on a multi-city tour to promote his film, the devotee of Lord Shiva is excited about his maiden visit to Varanasi a day before the city goes to the polls.

“The experience has been superb. People are lovely. The city is the oldest and it’s a spiritual city and I am a spiritual person. That’s why I chose to come here and pay my respects to Lord Shiva. I am a follower of Shivji. That’s why I am here.

"This morning (Sunday) I woke up early to go to Tulsi Ghat to experience the whole energy and exercise there,” said the actor, who will also travel to Delhi, Punjab and Nagpur for Sabbir Khan's directorial's promotion.

After vigorously campaigning in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, actress-politician Hema Malini says she had a good dose of laughter watching Johny Lever's stand-up comedy show.

The veteran actress, who is also Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, returned home a few days back, and thanks to her daughter Esha Deol, she had a good time watching Johny Lever's stand-up comedy show.

“Was lounging around last evening (Friday), surfing the TV when Esha called. Wanted to take me out. Shook myself out of my lethargy and got dressed to go!"

“Guess where she took me? To Johny Lever's stand-up comedy show! God! How much I laughed! Dil kholke! He was too good,” Hema posted on Twitter Saturday.

The mother-daughter duo were joined by the “Dhoom” girl’s husband Bharat Takhtani and her in-laws.

“Was a night full of laughter with my mom, Bharat and my in-laws! Thank you Johny ji...,” Esha posted on Twitter.

Actress Asin Thottumkal, whose last Hindi movie "Khiladi 786" came out in 2012, is currently shooting for her upcoming film "All Is Well" in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

When asked about her visit to Shimla, she told IANS: "Yes, early in the morning. It is for 'All Is Well’. It’s little early to talk about the film as the schedule is on right now.”

The film is directed by Umesh Shukla.

Asin, who acted as Abhishek Bachchan’s sister in “Bol Bachchan”, will again share screen space with the actor and she doesn’t mind working with the same people again.

“I am happy that people whom I have worked with actually want to work with me again. I see it as a good thing. I’ve never had any problem with my co-stars whether it’s male or female,” said the Avon India brand ambassador, who has worked with actors like Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan more than once.

Apart from shooting for a new film, the “Ghajini” fame actress is also pumped up about her first tweet.

“Tweet tweet! My first ever tweet, really looking forward,” she posted on Twitter May 10.

Odia film actor Sarat Pujari died at his rented house here early Monday following a heart attack.

Odisha governor S.C. Jamir and chief minister Naveen Patnaik and scores of film celebrities from the state mourned the sudden death of the 80-year-old.

"He suffered a massive cardiac arrest at about 12.30 a.m.," his son Soumen Pujari, who is also an actor, told IANS.

Sarat is survived by his widow, two daughters and two sons. His last rites will be performed in the temple town of Puri, about 55 km from Bhubaneswar, later in the day.

Known for his versatile acting, he entered the Odia film industry in 1958 while serving as a teacher in a private college in western Odisha. He acted in about 50 films.

Some of the famous Odia films in which he acted as a hero include "Tapoi", "Asanta Graha", "Astaraga" and "Sadhana". He also played the lead role in a Hindi film, 'Aranyaka', directed by A.K. Bir.

In a condolence message, S.C. Jamir said: “The state lost a stalwart actor and ardent culture lover."

Patnaik said the state lost a talented actor and educationist.

For filmmaker Nirad N Mohapatra, the news of Sarat’s death “came as a great shock”.

“He was a young man at heart, an artist with a rich taste," said Mohapatra.

Famous Odia film actor Prasanta Nanda said: "I was a child artist when he was a star. He will continue to remain as my star actor."

Although some of Sarat’s films were not commercially successful, they dwelt on the plight of farmers and reflected Odisha's culture and traditions.

Sarat retired as principal of state-run Sangeetha Mahavidyalaya in Bhubaneswar in 1994. He was serving as the president of the state-run Sangeet Natak Academy at the time of his death.

His last film "Pooja Pain Phulatie" was released in 2007. It had bagged the National Award for best feature film in Odia.

Besides films, he was closely associated with social work.

"His death has created a void in both the film industry and the social sector which cannot be filled," said Ranjan Mohanty, secretary of People's Cultural Centre, an NGO.

He was active until his death.

"On Sunday itself, he went to witness a drama in Rabindra Mandap, a city hall," Mohanty said. Sarat was very clear about the projects he wanted to do.

In an interview in 2007, Sarat had told IANS: "I never act in a film if I don't like the story. That is why I never acted in many films even though I was offered a role."

Actress Mishti, whose debut in "Kaanchi" received a lukewarm response, says she feels she has grown and matured thanks to the one weekend when the Subhash Ghai film hit the screens.

"Kaanchi" released April 25. Now that Mishti is said to be doing another film with Ghai and this time starring Salman Khan, she says all the flak has made her stronger and wiser.

Says the spirited Bengali girl: "It is said what can't break you, makes you stronger. These last few days have matured me. It's amazing how one weekend can change one's entire life. Today I feel stronger than I did earlier. I think I've grown up."

Not that Mishti is overjoyed by the response to the film.

"That's one year of my life. During the last one year, I did nothing except 'Kaanchi'. It was my life. Now there is a feeling of disappointment at the way some critics have responded to the film and my presence."

"There is also a vacuum within me, as I've nothing else lined up at the moment."

Responding to the criticism that she is awkward and shrill in the film, Mishti retorts sardonically: "I play a village girl. I don't play a city-bred chick who knows how to modulate her voice and walk as though she's on the ramp."

"I walk and speak clumsily because that's the way my director Subhashji conceived my character. She is not sophisticated like Aishwarya Rai in 'Taal'."

Mishti finds the comparisons with Aishwarya unfair.

"'Kaanchi' is my first film. I am learning. I am trying to understand the grammar of film acting. Luckily for me, I got a fantastic teacher in Subhash Ghai-ji. Whatever I know about acting comes from him."

Meanwhile, she is getting ready to do another film with Ghai.

"I've a three-film deal with Subhash-ji. Even if I didn't have that to fall back on, I wasn't going to leave just because people criticized my first film. I've several offers in Bangla."

"But I am not shuttling back and forth between Kolkata and Mumbai to keep my career going. I'll stay put in Mumbai to fight my way through the criticism that has come to me for 'Kaanchi'."

Mishti doesn't mind the flak.

"Why should I take it to heart? Whatever is being said must be the result of careful thought. I've taken some of the criticism seriously. I will work to improve myself."

Cinematic icon Rajinikanth, who is working with Sonakshi Sinha for a Tamil film, is said to be impressed with Bollywood actress' acting and quick adaptability.

Sonakshi is making her Tamil debut with Rajinikanth-starrer “Lingaa” and they were both seen shooting in Mysore lately.

“It is Sonakshi’s debut in the south and we all are quite fascinated, including Rajinikanth sir, with how she has adapted to the southern movie so quickly,” said a source close to the production team.

“Even though it is a completely foreign language for Sonakshi, she has been pretty quick with the shooting and all the scenes are coming out perfect in the first shot itself,” the source added.

The film is directed by K.S. Ravikumar.

Sonakshi and Anushka Shetty will be playing the female leads in the film, for which double Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman will compose the tunes.

Actor-singer Himesh Reshammiya says no amount of controversies and criticism affects him as long as he continues to deliver hits.

The actor-singer-composer has often been ridiculed for his nasal style of singing. But he says, "I don't care".

"I have seen success...if there is no success in your life, then controversies and criticism affects you. As long as you are (I am) delivering hits, I don't care what others are talking about me," he said here.

"With each film, I have to better myself. Others' opinion doesn't matter me at all. I only work hard. If I start thinking what others think of me, then it doesn't make sense," he added.

Himesh, who has featured in movies like "Aap Kaa Surroor - The Real Luv Story", "Karzzzz", “Kajraare”, “Khiladi 786”, says he keeps himself busy with his various roles as a singer, actor and composer in the Hindi film industry.

He is now set to feature in “The Xpose”, which he is busy promoting. He says he had to lose a lot of weight for this film.

"I have worked really hard for this film. I had to lose lot weight. I used to do exercise and used to finish my dinner by 9 p.m. I work out a lot, and I had to control my diet to be fit."

“So, not just in terms of looks, but in terms of dedication too, I have given my best (to ‘The Expose’)," he said.

Directed by Ananth Mahadevan, "The Xpose" also stars Sonali Raut, Zoya Afroz and Honey Singh. The film is slated for release May 16.

Bollywood playback singer Ankit Tiwari, who was arrested here on charges of allegedly raping his former girlfriend, was Monday remanded in judicial custody till May 26, his lawyer said.

"The prosecution sought his police custody as they wanted to recover Tiwari's mobile phone and some clothes. However, Railway Mobile Court Magistrate S.C. Jadhav granted the judicial custody," lawyer Nagesh Mishra told IANS.

Mumbai police arrested Tiwari May 8 and he was granted police custody till May 12, while his brother Ankur secured a bail.

The Tiwari brothers have alleged a conspiracy by their professional rivals after Ankit achieved nationwide fame with his popular numbers like "Sun Rahai Hai Tu" in the recent blockbuster, "Aashiqui 2" and other songs.

Soon after his arrest last week, Tiwari's family and Mishra contended that Ankit had not met the woman for over a year.

According to Mishra, Tiwari has been charged under Sections 376 (rape), 417 (cheating) and 493 (cohabitation by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage) of the Indian Penal Code.

For two months, they moved through dusty roads and narrow village alleys, asking people to vote for them. Bengal's celebrity Lok Sabha candidates Monday lined up at polling booths to vote in the last phase of the general election.

Reigning matinee idol Dev, contesting on a Trinamool Congress ticket from Ghatal, turned up at the South City polling booth in Jadavpur constituency and proudly held up his voter's id card prior to casting his vote.

He took to Twitter to egg on voters.

"I have given my Vote...Guys go out n vote..Don wait fr the time ..let the time waits fr u. JAI HIND," he tweeted.

Fellow Trinamool nominee, veteran actress Moon Moon Sen, arrived at a polling station in Ballygunge in Kolkata South parlimentary constituency with actress-daughters Raima and Riya in tow.

The Sen daughters, who had religiously accompanied their mother during the exhaustive campaign trail in the Bankura constituency, stood in a queue beside Moon Moon Sen.

Dressed in a white saree, Moon Moon Sen, the daughter of legendary Bengali film actress Suchitra Sen, was accompanied by her husband Bharat Dev Barma. All of them held aloft their Id-proof in unison.

BJP's candidate from Barasat, famed magician P.C. Sorcar Junior, got inked at a booth in Ballugunge in Kolkata South LOk Sabha constituency.

Besides the star candidates, celebrities from various fields took part in the carnival of democracy.

Among those who participated in the balloting were former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, veteran actors Sabyasachi Chakraborty and Koel Mullick.

As many as 17 constituencies in the state went to the hustings Monday.