Irrfan who is being dragged into a controversy with Vashu Bhagnani’s ‘Welcome To Karachi’ clears the air saying that he amicably parted ways with the producer owing to creative differences. Talking about the same, a source close to Irrfan added, “The producers were informed well in advance about Irrfan not being part of the film.

Irrfan was taken aback with the way the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Talking about it, the actor added, “Why would I do something of this sort to a producer. I had been involved in Welcome to Karachi right from the scripting stage since a year and a half when there were no producers. When Vashuji came on board as the producer, he wanted to start immediately, but I felt we were underprepared. I suggested we delay the shoot to plan things as it's a character-based film and needs good actors, who can get the Karachi accent right. I didn't think we were ready with the climax either. But they were impatient to go ahead with the shoot.” To which the producer reportedly said, “I am okay if you do or don't do the film.”

”This attitude was the exact thing which prompted me to walk away from the project. Later, I even agreed to do a cameo in the film. I even returned the money I had received from him for the shoot” Added the actor. This was not it, Irrfan was informed about the mahurat shot at the very last minute and the producers pleaded him to come for the same. Being the professional that Irrfan is, the actor cancelled his prior commitments and made sure that he attended the Mahurat shot.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is known to support new talents, will be seen launching the music of the Marathi film "Sanngto Aika...!" here Sep 15. The movie is being produced under new banner Landmarc Films.

"I happened to tell Salman sir that I was working on a Marathi project and he, being so supportive and such a great human being, asked me to tell him the story. We narrated the script to him and he just loved it and wanted to support the film. We invited him to launch our music and first look and he instantly accepted (the invite)," Vidhi Kasliwal, producer of "Sanngto Aika...!", told IANS.

Kasliwal has earlier directed a film "Isi Life Mein", which saw Salman in a cameo. For "Sanngto Aika...!", she's working as a producer.

Talking about her bonding with Salman, Kasliwal, who is Sooraj Barjatya's niece, said: "Salman sir is such a big personality, but such a simple person. I have known him from a distance since the time I was eight years old, but got to work with him in 2010 on my first film 'Isi Life Mein'.

"Right from that time, he has taken a keen interest in my career and has been gracious enough to be in touch with me for the last four years throughout which he has encouraged and supported me and my career."

Directed by Satish Rajwade, the film features Sachin Pilgaonkar, Vaibhav Mangle, Bhau Kadam, Pooja Sawant, Sanskruti Balgude and Milind Shinde.

The film is slated to release Oct 2.

In his over two-decade career, Shah Rukh Khan has maintained his on-screen charisma, his craze and an average of two and a half films per year and he wants to keep it that way. The Bollywood Badshah says he has no intention of doing multiple projects at a time because he doesn't want to miss out on enjoying the filmmaking process and indulging in other activities.

The last time fans saw him on the screen was when he came riding on "Chennai Express". Running at notch eight, the action-romantic comedy made the quickest Rs.200 crore, thus multiplying manifold the megastar's stake in filmdom.

After over 14 months, he is returning with a completely different genre - heist drama "Happy New Year". Scheduled for Diwali release, the big budget multi-starrer is high on technology.

Asked why such a long gap and pat came the reply: "I like making one film at a time."

"I can't do more than one film at a time... I am through with that. 'Happy New Year' is a big film. It had 170 days of shooting," Shah Rukh told IANS in an interview.

Without a pause, he pointed out that he never took up multiple projects in his career and, on an average, did two to three films in a year.

"I have never done that actually. In 25 years, I have done 55 full-length feature films. So, I have never been able to do more than two to two and a half films in a year even in the times when people used to 12 films," he said, adding the rest were guest appearances.

"I would like to keep it that way. I enjoy doing one film. I like finishing it, taking some time off, spending time with kids and then get on to the next one," said Shah Rukh who became active in showbiz in the late 1980s.

Hopping from one project to another is not his cup of tea.

"It's very irritating for me that one film ends and immediately I go to the second one... I can't do that. I have not been able to do that for five-six years now. I enjoy the process," said the 48-year-old.

Coming back to "Happy New Year" produced by his company Red Chillies Entertainments and directed by his good friend Farah Khan, he said that the film was time-consuming.

"'Happy New Year' is a big film. It's a 170-day film - that's nearly half a year and half a year means the film is spread over a year.

"I would rather sit down and enjoy the process... have other things to do as well," said SRK, who was expected to jump on "Fan" bandwagon soon after the trailer launch of "Happy New Year".

"But I requested the makers to allow me a 20-day break," said SRK who also has "Raees" and Rohit Shetty's next film in his kitty.

Said to be made on a budget of Rs.150 crore, the film, which is Shah Rukh's third film with Farah post gold spinners "Main Hoon Na" and "Om Shanti Om", is not only technologically sound but also boasts a versatile cast, which sees Bollywood's dainty darling Deepika teaming up with SRK for the third time.

Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah join them in the rigmarole of stealing a diamond.

"This is a quintessential Bollywood film and on Diwali, everyone wants to feel happy and celebrated. I hope this one brings some cheers to them," said Shah Rukh who takes pride in accepting that he is known as someone who "makes families happy -- for the mothers, daughters, sisters...and everyone."

"As an actor, I'm happy, and I hope people like it. It ('Happy...') is a fine film... it is a fun, happy family film," he added.

Prior work commitments will keep actress Sonam Kapoor away from the promotions of her forthcoming film "Khoobsurat" in Pakistan, the home country of her film's co-star Fawad Khan. She says she would love to visit the country sometime in future.

Despite her absence from the film's promotions, Sonam plans to make her presence felt.

"I was going to Pakistan (earlier). But (now) I am recording a message and I am doing as much (interviews with) Pakistani media as I can to promote the film," she said.

However, Sonam is very eager to visit Pakistan.

"I really, really want to go. My forefathers are from Peshawar and my mom's side of the family comes from Karachi. So there is so much of a connection...I am just a second generation Indian," Sonam said.

"Khoobsurat" will release across the border the same day as it releases in India Sep 19. Directed by Shashanka Ghosh, the film also stars Kirron Kher and Ratna Pathak Shah.

Post the packed promotional schedules in India, Sonam will soon be caught up with a shooting schedule of "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo".

"The film ('Khoobsurat') releases Sep 19 and we are in Delhi till then. Our promotion schedule is such that we are going somewhere everyday till 19 and on 20th, I start shooting for 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'," the 28-year-old said Friday.

"Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" is Sooraj Barjatya's film starring superstar Salman Khan in the lead.

Actor Arjun Kapoor was all set to visit a college here to promote his latest release "Finding Fanny", but the plan had to be cancelled due to security hassles.

"I was ready!!! And then I was requested not to show up at the college event...the trustees told us not to arrive," Arjun had posted on his Twitter page Friday.

"Bummed out...was looking forward to going back to my college...was told security is a major issue...hope to be back there someday though,” added the son of Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor.

"Finding Fanny", directed by Homi Adajania, is an English language Bollywood entertainer that also stars Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah.

Mythological TV show “Buddha”, which narrates the life and teaching of Gautam Buddha, will air its final episode Sep 21. Its producers are planning to take the show global.

"Buddha", which airs on Zee TV, features names like Kabir Bedi, Samir Dharmadhikari and Nigaar Z. Khan along with Himanshu Soni who plays the titular role.

Co-producer B.K. Modi looks back at the "overwhelming" journey of making the show, with joy.

“It has been an overwhelming experience to make 'Buddha'. The response has been fabulous. It was a beautiful journey. Buddhism is a way of life,” Modi said in a statement.

Though the show is going off air, the producers are planning to take it abroad.

"Buddha being the universal truth and having its strong staunch believers all over the globe has mass appeal as a subject. We were always certain about the subject of the show to be accepted globally. Buddha depicts serenity, love, peace, compassion and it surely contributes in World's peace," said Ridwana, the show's creative producer.

"'Buddha' is already being aired in Sri lanka. We are tapping the places like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, and 'Buddha' is surely going international in a big way. It will dubbed there in the local language," he added.

Actor Himanshu felt blessed playing the role of Buddha, and said: “The show has had a deep impact on my life as a person and as an actor. I am grateful to B.K. Modi and creative producer Ridhwana for giving me the opportunity to play the title role.”

Actress Bipasha Basu, who describes herself as "fiery and forthright" has shot down "blind stories" of an unsavoury happening related to her on the set of Sajid Khan's "Humshakals", saying no one can "mess around" with her.

Recently, there was a buzz that Sajid had made an "indecent proposal" to Bipasha during the shooting of "Humshakals" -- a movie she had stepped back from promoting prior to its release as she was unhappy with the outcome. But the actress says the rumour about any indecency is just that -- a rumour.

Setting the record straight, Bipasha said: ""A lot of unsavoury stories are going around about what happened during the shooting. I've been reading 'blind' stories about some terrible situations that happened during 'Humshakals'.

"Let me set the record straight. No such thing happened. These are completely false stories. I'm not the kind of girl anyone can mess around with. I'm fiery and forthright and I don't take bulls**t from anyone.

"I don't know which heroine in 'Humshakals' this happened with. It didn't happen to me. Nobody would dare to behave badly with me. I know how to protect myself."

"Humshakals", directed by Sajid, featured Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Esha Gupta and Tamannaah Bhatia apart from Bipasha.

She says the movie "really rattled me".

"I felt I didn't deserve this. For the first time, during a shooting I came home and cried to my mother."

When asked about her rapport with Sajid, Bipasha said: "The rapport was zero.I shut myself down. I did what I was instructed to on the sets. That's it."

While Bipasha had decided not to promote the movie before its release, Saif too disowned the film, but following its release.

Talking about Saif's move, Bipasha said: "What was the point? Yes, 'Humshakals' was a bad experience for me. But not for the reasons some media reports are whispering about. No one ever takes advantage of me. I don't allow it. I won't allow it.

"It's not in my nature to take bad behaviour quietly or to hush it up. If something ugly were to happen, I'd shout about it from rooftops."

Bipasha does admit that "Humshakals" was the biggest mistake of her career.

"I've said this before. I am saying it again. I had no clue what I was doing in the film. I was doing a film without a script and role. Even though I knew such comedies are driven by the male characters, I still took it on hoping there would be some substance to my role," she said.

In the film, she was paired with Riteish. She didn't mind not being paired with Saif as she "just wanted to bring a solid quirkiness" to her part. But that didn't happen.

"I was miserable just standing around in every frame trying to figure out what I am supposed to do. I was always there on sets, doing nothing," said the actress, who has her business manager to blame for the fiasco that was "Humshakals".

"I always follow my own instincts about the roles I should do. This time I listened to my business manager. I never listen to managers. She told me it would do my career a lot of good to do 'Humshakals'. It was a big lesson for me. I should always listen only to my heart."

Bipasha's new film "Creature 3D" has hit the screens, and she says she'd rather be part of films like the thriller, where she has a "definite and concrete part to play".

Actress Neha Marda, who plays a girl faced with atrocities by her chauvinistic husband in "Doli Armaanon Ki", believes the show gives out a positive message for women to encourage them to live life on their own terms.

The actress was recently in Kanpur to talk to a group of women about their basic rights in a marriage, and about women empowerment.

She said: "I believe we're delivering a very relevant and pertinent social message through our show 'Doli Armaanon Ki'."

The show, aired on Zee TV, has so far captured Urmi's life after marriage -- how she enters wedlock with hopes, but sees them getting shattered with each passing day.

Her husband Samrat, played by Mohit Malik, is a male chauvinist with regressive and sexist views on the man-woman relationship. After seeing most of her dreams as a wife fall apart, Urmi faces domestic abuse at the hands of Samrat, who even cheats on her with another woman.

The show recently completed 200 episodes and it has reached a turning point where Urmi's character decides that she will take no more and stands up for herself instead of staying trapped in a troubled marriage.

Neha, who is proud to essay the character, said: "In treating domestic abuse and infidelity as absolute deal-breakers and standing up for herself, Urmi lays down a fine example for scores of women in our country trapped in bad marriages to emulate.

"The show is an attempt to reach out to these women and help them find their voice and lost dignity."

The talk was part of Zee TV's initiative to have a countrywide series of symposiums addressing women on the subject of their basic rights in a marriage.

Superstar Salman Khan has anchored "Bigg Boss" for the past five seasons, but he says the immensely popular reality show is beyond his understanding.

The Indian adaptation of international show "Celebrity Big Brother", the show features celebrities from different fields congregating under one roof, without any frills or connect with the outside world, and under constant prying of multiple cameras for three months. It features a lot of emotional highs and lows.

The eighth season of the show is set to air on Colors Sep 21.

So, what should one expect from the show this time?

"I have no idea about it! What you want to know even I want to know -- how they (the contestants) will get along, what will be their tolerance level, how nice or bad they are...I don't know," Salman said of the forthcoming season.

The list of contestants for the forthcoming season is yet to be disclosed officially.

However, during an event here Friday, Salman announced that the new theme of "Bigg Boss" season 8, will be aviation.

Salman will be seen as the captain and will lead twelve first class passengers who will need to carve their own paths in the show.

When asked how well does he understand the game, the "Dabangg" star said: "I have still not understood the game! Nobody understands this game. How will you (one) know whether a person is lying or not?"

On "Bigg Boss", catfights and melodrama are almost tradition -- people backbite, gossip and plot against each other to become the winner. But the ultimate power to retain a housemate or evict him or her, lies with the viewers.

On several occasions, it has been speculated that "Bigg Boss" is scripted. But Salman says otherwise.

"Tasks are given to the contestants, but there is nothing on what they have to say (while inside). There is no script. It's completely real.

"Actors (contestants) do it themselves -- it's exactly what happens -- some people know how to play the game, some don't know...so, it's a combination. Everyone knows one person will be evicted, so obviously it has to be the best one. Only once you get into the situation, you will understand," said the 48-year-old.

In the last season, Salman was accused of being biased towards Tanishaa Mukerji, who had developed a close camaraderie with Armaan Kohli.

But defending himself, Salman said: "You can't be biased on this (reality show)...you can see how that person is behaving...You all (audiences) see one hour of the show, but I see all the episodes (in detail)."

Mohit Suri is set to direct the film adaptation of author Chetan Bhagat's upcoming novel "Half Girlfriend", which is about a Bihari boy falling in love with a girl from upper class society.

"Delighted to announce super talented Mohit Suri @mohit11481 (Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain) will direct the film based on my next book Half Girlfriend (sic)," Bhagat tweeted Sunday.

This will be Bhagat's sixth novel to be made into a film after "3 idiots" based on "Five Point Someone", "Hello" based on "One Night @ The Call Centre", "The Three Mistakes of My Life" as "Kai Po Che", "2 States" based on "2 States: The Story of My Marriage" and a yet-untitled upcoming film based on "Revolution 2020".

Suri is expected to start shooting for the film next year. He currently has "Humari Adhuri Kahani" and the remake of French film "Intouchables" in his kitty.

The cast and crew are yet to be finalised.

E. Niwas, who made his Bollywood debut as a director with "Shool", now plans to make a sequel to the National Award winning movie. He says he won't make it without Manoj Bajpayee.

Set in a small-town in Bihar, the original, which was released in 1999, focused on criminalisation of politics. Manoj Bajpayee played an honest police officer who locks horns with a brutal legislator in the movie co-written and produced by Ram Gopal Varma.

After 15 years, Niwas is working on the sequel.

"It is in the initial stage right now. I am still scripting it. I don't know when we will start shooting. 'Shool' had created a benchmark, so unless it's not the best script and unless I am not completely satisfied with the script I will not touch it," Niwas told IANS.

When asked about the cast, he said: "I can't see 'Shool' sequel without Manoj Bajpayee. So, I don't intend to make the film without him."

Pakistani actor Imran Abbas, who debuted in Bollywood with "Creature 3D", says he has certain reservations about bold scenes.

Asked if he has any reservations about bold scenes, he said: "I have certain reservation with that and I can't cross that line. But when you start working, you can't take the load of reservation. But I know how far I can go. But if I am not comfortable doing it, I will not do it."

Directed by Vikram Bhatt, the "Creature 3D" came out Friday. Starring Bipasha Basu and Imran in the lead, the scary movie earned Rs.6.88 crore in two days of its release.

Talking about his co-star Bipasha, he said: "She is one of the finest actors I have ever come across. She has a huge fan following in Pakistan. It was my pleasure to work with her."

Bollywood divas Deepika Padukone and Bipasha Basu entered theatres with "Finding Fanny" and "Creature 3D" respectively, but neither could rock the box office.

If Deepika's English language quirky drama has appealed to niche audience, Bipasha's scary film doed not have too many takers either, say experts.

Both films came out Friday. "Finding Fanny" has managed to collect approximately Rs.10 crore, while "Creature 3D" could manage to earn Rs.6.88 crore in two days.

For "Finding Fanny", Homi Adajania went behind the camera, while Vikram Bhatt helmed "Creature 3D".

"'Finding Fanny' has earned close to Rs.10 crore. Masses won't go for movies like 'Finding Fanny'. It is popular in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore," Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines told IANS.

However, the film starring Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia has been recommended by celebrities like Shekhar Kapur, Anupam Kher and Neha Dhupia.

The box office business of "Creature 3D" indicates that it has not succeeded in its endeavour of scaring people.

Also starring Imran Abbas, Bhatt's directorial has not received encouraging feedback.

"The genre and 3D aspects are interesting, but the subject is not strong," said Thadani.

Film critic Anupama Chopra also tweeted: "This creature should have demanded a better script."

The eternal diva of cinema, Rekha who will be seen next in Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria's Super Nani is sure set to mesmerize her fans once again!!

Women power is all set to get the magical and evergreen ‘Rekha’ touch with her much awaited Super Nani and we have got this exclusive first look from the movie wherein Rekha has wonderfully recreated none other than the iconic Mother India image made famous by Nargis Dutt way back in 1957!!!

Director Indra Kumar has re-created the cult Mother India scene as part of the story as seen in this pic!!

Music director Sajid and Wajid performed qawwali at the Taj Mahal in Agra to promote their upcoming movie "Daawat-e-Ishq". Actors Aditya Roy Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra were present during the show.

Sajid and Wajid have composed the music for the movie "Daawat-e-Ishq". They performed Sunday night on some of the songs from the movie.

Written and directed by Habib Faisal and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film will hit theatres Sep 19.

Parineeti Chopra visited the Taj Mahal for the first time.

She also visited Fatehpur Sikri with Aditya Roy Kapoor earlier in the day for the promotion of their film.

After regaling movie aficianados with her act as Manipuri boxing champion M.C. Mary Kom in Bollywood film "Mary Kom", actress Priyanka Chopra is excited about her visit to the northeastern city of Guwahati in Assam.

“Heading to Guwahati...So glad to go to the North Eastern part of the country. Esp after #MaryKom. Looking forward... In more ways than one (sic),” the National Award winning actress tweeted Monday.

Filmmakers, celebrities and fans have come forward to applaud Priyanka for her power-packed act in the film.

"Mary Kom" had a limited release in the northeast region, which is made of eight states, also including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim.

It hit 72 screens in Assam and in two theatres in Meghalaya.

In Manipur, there has been opposition to screening of Hindi films and elsewhere in the nothereast there is a lack of operational cinema halls.

Farah Khan can barely contain her excitement for the music launch of her film "Happy New Year" Monday despite sufferring a sudden throat problem.

"So music launch of #HNY today n my throat is gone!!! Luckily I'm not singing there," the spirited choreographer-filmmaker tweeted.

"Happy New Year" is Farah's pet project and it is said to be one of 2014's biggest Bollywood releases with a star cast that includes Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah.

Films, travelling and a mix of people have made the ongoing year to be "super duper" for actress Shruti Haasan.

"It's been such an amazing year so far - the work the people the places and all the things I've learned :) super duper," Shruti tweeted Monday.

The actress spent her Sunday dubbing for Tamil actioner "Poojai".

"I've loved dubbing ever since I was a kid - the silence - the dark room :) #memories #movies," she added.

Travelling is perhaps one of the best parts of an actor's life, and this time, actress Sonakshi Sinha is getting to go to Austria for her film "Action Jackson".

"Action Jackson in Austria. Taking off now," Sonakshi tweeted in the early hours of Monday morning.

Directed by Prabhudheva, the film stars Ajay Devgn, who recently gave a glimpse of his chiselled body frame.

The first edition of three-day Accessory Carnival is starting Sep 18 here. It would offer a wide range of shoes, jewellery and bags collections.

Brainchild of shoe sculptor Payal Kothari, the carnival is being held in association with multi-designer store Amara, where the event will take place.

In footwear, one can choose from Swarovski bridal wear to high heel in the form of pumps and peep toes, and wedges.

“The products available at the carnival will be fun and young with the affordable element and an absolutely must-have this season,” Kothari said in a statement.

She will also consult and customise shoes for the buyers.