Film production is the new thing on actress Neha Dhupia's mind. She says it may happen in the future.

"The one business that I always wanted to do is the filmmaking business. I am looking to get ito production in future. I want to produce films," said Neha.

If her wish comes true, she's join the list of Bollywood beauties who have entered the production domain. The list already includes the likes of Pooja Bhatt, Shilpa Shetty, Dia Mirza, Lara Dutta, Juhi and Preity Zinta.

Meanwhile, Neha will next be seen on the big screen in "Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami". Her role is that of a struggling actress.

Of struggle in real life, the former beauty queen said: "It's an ongoing process. Everybody is struggling - be it people in the top league or the newcomers."

The film features Neha in a song via which she has paid a tribute to celebrated actresses like Helen, Madhuri Dixit, Zeenat Aman and Aishwarya Rai. She says she was especially conscious about imitating dancer par excellence Helen.

"It was a very challenging song where I had to copy the steps of legendary actresses. I was consious about imitating Helenji. She is a legend and a fabulous dancer. The song is part of the film and it's very unusual," she added.

Actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana will release his new single "Mitti di khushboo" Oct 7. Its video will feature actress Huma Qureshi, who says its sweetness drew her to it.

"My single 'Mitti Di Khushboo' will be launched Oct 7 and it has Huma Qureshi in it. I am singing a lot these days," the 30-year-old "Vicky Donor" actor said here Sunday at the Femina Style Fashion show.

Huma was also present at the event and she's very excited about the music video with Ayushmann.

"It is a very sweet song and the moment I heard it, I jumped and had to be a part of it," Huma said.

"The director is Amit Roy...he has shot it beautifully. It is set in Punjab and I hope everyone likes it," she added.

On the acting front, Ayushmann currently has four films in hand -- "Hawaizaada", "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", "1911" and "Hamara Bajaj."

Bollywood's evergreen beauty Rekha has dressed a la Madhubala's character from "Mughal-e-Azam" for a song sequence in her upcoming movie "Super Nani", where she will also reprise the magic of ageless Bollywood tracks.

Taking styling cues from iconic actresses like Madhubala and Waheeda, Rekha will dance to the tunes of various songs, like "Pyaar kiya toh darna kya", all entwined into one particular song for the movie.

"In the song, Rekha will be seen dancing to some old classics dressed as iconic actresses such as Madhubala, Waheeda Rahmaan from their famous movies such as 'Mughal-e-Azam' and 'Howrah Bridge' as part of the storyline," a source close to the film's unit said.

Rekha was initially hesitant to do the song, which is choreographed by Shabina Khan. But she is said to have given a go-ahead after much persuasion by the film's unit, including director Indra Kumar.

"When we approached Rekhaji with the concept, initially she was hesitant to portray such a cult and respected figure like Madhubala onscreen. But we expressed to her that her inimitable talent will truly justify the scene and re-enactment of the iconic song of one of the most celebrated actresses," Kumar said in a statement.

"Super Nani", co-produced by Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria, deals with women empowerment. Featuring actors like Sharman Joshi, Shweta Kumar, Anupam Kher and Randhir Kapoor, the film will hit the screens Oct 24.

Actor Irrfan Khan, who Monday graced the opening ceremony of the fifth Jagran Film Festival here, said it's vital for Indian movies to travel to get exposure.

Jagran Film Festival is a travelling movie gala held in 14 Indian cities including Mumbai, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Meerut and Varanasi.

Praising the initiative, Irrfan said: "I am glad that this festival is taking films from small places, as exposure is very important in today's date. It's the young generation who will take filmmaking to the next level...we are seeing the change and different films are being accepted."

Irrfan, whose films "The Lunchbox" and "Qissa", have grabbed a lot of eyeballs on the foreign turf via festivals, feels there's a dire need for the western world to see the talent from the country.

"Our industry makes a lot of money, but our films don't travel. We buy tickets of Hollywood films and watch them, but Hindi films are not watched abroad. I hope the young breed of filmmakers take our films to places," Irrfan added.

The 5th Jagran Film Festival, which began here Monday, will conclude Sep 28.

Along with Irrfan, actress Neetu Chandra was also present during the opening ceremony.

He lost 12 kg to look convincing as the iconic boxer M.C. Mary Kom’s supportive husband Onler on screen. But Delhi boy Darshan Kumar feels his struggle to be credible in his role has paid off, especially when women come up to him to say he's an ideal husband.

Darshan had to go on a strict grilled chicken and oil-free fish protein diet for three months and he was made to have seven small meals every day for "Mary Kom".

"I ended up looking so gaunt that I couldn’t recognise myself in the mirror. But the effort seems worth it when women come up to me to say they want a husband like me. That feels good.

"It means my character works within the film’s context. Now I need to regain some weight as I’ve become too gaunt. But I want to keep my six-pack," Darshan said.

He made a valiant effort to look convincing as Onler in the film opposite the National Award winning actress Priyanka Chopra.

“It was a challenge. But I was ready for it. I’ve been doing theatre for ten years. My acting guru is Naseeruddin Shah. Everything I know about acting is what I’ve learnt by watching him. At his age, he is so energetic and passionate about his work. He was my inspiration for all the hard work I put in to play Onler in 'Mary Kom'.”

On Teacher’s Day Sep 5, when the film hit the screens, Darshan showed "Mary Kom" to his guru. His words of praise meant the world to Darshan.

“I waited for Naseer saab to see my film. I’ve trained under him for ten years. What better Teacher’s Day gift for me than to show my labour of love to my guru?”

Darshan says he likes to spend time with creative people.

“Whether it is Naseer sir or Sanjay Bhansali sir, just being with them is such a learning experience. I feel like a student whenever I’m with them.”

Meanwhile, the gifted young actor has also completed work on Navdeep Singh’s "NH10", where he is cast opposite Anushka Sharma.

Not willing to divulge much about his role in "NH10", Darshan said: “All I can tell you is that I play a character very different from the one in 'Mary Kom'. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

"In 'NH10', I am aggressive, insensitive and insufferable. Not the kind of guy any girl would want to marry.”

So who’s Darshan marrying in real life?

“At the moment, there is no one in my life. I’m married only to my work," he said.

Anindita Nayar's first movie would have been "Blood Money" had things worked out differently. But the actress is glad that with her new film "3 A.M.: The Hour of the Dead", she has the chance to make up for the missed opportunity of working with director Vishal Mahadkar.

Anindita made her Bollywood debut opposite Vir Das in "Amit Sahni Ki List". But destiny has brought her back to work with Mahadkar.

"I was excited to work with Vishal. He's a great director and knows how to bring out the best in his actors. Though we could not work on 'Blood Money' together, I am happy to be part of '3 A.M...'," Anindita said in a statement.

A source close to the actress said that Mahadkar was keen to cast Anindita for the lead role in his movie, however, as Amrita Puri was more apt for the role, Anindita could not be a part of the movie.

Having spotted her potential during the auditions, Mahadkar had given his word to Anindita that he would work with her in his next. True to his word, he cast her in "3 A.M....".

Anindita says she connects "strongly" with her character in the film, and added: "Though it is a horror movie, Vishal has infused elements which have never been seen before making it unlike any other movie that you have seen."

The movie, which also features Rannvijay Singh, releases Sep 26.

"Rang De Basanti" actor Kunal Kapoor, who got engaged to his ladylove Naina Bachchan earlier this year, says they haven't yet fixed a wedding date. But he admits they are in a "happy relationship".

"I am a private person. I don't talk much about it (my personal life), but we haven't really got down and fixed the date or decided when to get married. It will happen soon for sure," Kunal told IANS.

Will it be this year?

"We are really not sure right now. We have to sit down and decide on the dates. We are in a good space and in a very happy relationship and happy together. But the date we haven't fixed as yet. I really don't know whether this year or next year," he added.

Naina, daughter of megastar Amitabh Bachchan's brother Ajitabh and his estranged wife Ramola, is an investment banker.

After rumours that Tanishaa Mukerji and Armaan Kohli were gearing up to take their relationship to the next level, a source close to the former says the duo has parted ways amicably.

They grew close to each other during their stay on reality show "Bigg Boss" last year, and post the show, they were spotted together at several events. Yet, Tanishaa always maintained that Armaan is her "best friend".

"Tanishaa and Armaan were definitely two different people and hence after the ups and downs throughout this past one year, they realised that they were just not meant to be," said the source.

They are said to have split on a good note.

"Unlike many break-ups, where there is a lot of bad blood, these two have decided to remain cordial. And hence, Tanishaa was (recently) spotted at Armaan’s father’s birthday as well," the source added.

Meanwhile, the duo is concentrating on their respective careers.

While Tanishaa is busy in launching her production house T.Mukerji along with her mother Tanuja, Armaan on the other hand has been preparing to come back to films.

Director Sai Kabir's upcoming film, Divine Lovers starring National Award winners Irrfan Khan and Kangana Ranaut, is one of the few projects from all over the world which has been noticed and advised by Frank Priot,DGA Film France, the French Film Commission, which has been closely following Sai Kabir’s work as a director for 3 years now.

Helping set up the partnership between Paris and Mumbai talents and companies, Film France made sure that Divine Lovers is on the track to be an official Indian-French co-production, and therefore could be eligible for French Qualification when its production starts. What this means for the film is that Divine Lovers may receive a mainstream cinema release in France and the rest of Europe, a very rare occurrence.

Every bit the great Indian Dream,Divine Lovers will be India’s answer to French edgy , love stories that the whole world watches .Bringing together two versatile talents, Divine Lovers is a love story drama set in the heartland of India that deals with the lives of the lower middle class.

Talking about the film says director Sai Kabir, “Divine Lovers will be a collaboration of French & Indian producers coming together for a project.The film will also star French technicians. It's an attempt at making an authentic Indian film, with French technical and philosophical support. I really admire their passion for cinema”.

Says Frank Priot, DGA Film France, "It is exciting for us at the Film France to have young talents like Kabir Sai, from the new generation of Indian directors, willing to work with France and French talents in order to have their movies reaching out to wider audiences outside of India. And his impressive knowledge of French cinema for sure will help him to find common grounds and references with us.With its reality-grounded style, Divine Lovers has a potential appeal to European audiences, even if they don't know the Bollywood conventions".

The film will be produced by Shailesh R Singh with Irrfan Khan. Shailesh Singh has previously produced many acclaimed films like Tanu Weds Manu, Dil Kabaddi and Shahid to name a few. He is excited to collaborate with his French partner, Léonard Glowinski (co-producer), a successful film producer,having headed StudioCanal and Pathé and produced films like Oliver Stone's Alexander,Alain Chabat's Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre and Julian Schnabel's The Diving Bell and the Butterly to name a few.

Says French co-producer Léonard Glowinski, "What I notably appreciate is that Sai's Divine Lovers deals with hard and complicated subjects with a comic tone which I'm sure will prove extremely effective.The casting too is perfect for the exposure of the film".

The film that goes on floors March next year, will be shot in various locations across India.

Says Kangana Ranaut, "To work on Divine Lovers is extremely exciting for me as an artist and as an actor .It will be India's answer to edgy, love stories that world-cinema viewers enjoy and I'm glad to be a part of the film".

French co-producer Léonard Glowinski , Frank Priot ,DGA Film France flew down to Mumbai over the weekend and interacted with the media here along with director Sai Kabir, leads Irrfan Khan and Kangana Ranaut.

The latest heartthrob of the nation Sidharth Malhotra will soon be seen in his swim gear as the brand ambassador for India's newest Water-Party destination, Adlabs Aquamagica. Aiming to be the must-experience destination for the youth, Aquamagica will bring thrilling rides & experiences, day party vibe, variety of food and awesome music for visitors. The soon to be launched water park will be promoted by Sidharth Malhotra in their upcoming campaign.

Pooja Shetty Deora of Adlabs said, “As with our theme park, Imagica, we wanted a water park with international standard water slides and wave pool in India. The youth today has a very easygoing, Go With The Flow philosophy and we wanted a space that embodies this. We wanted to take India's thriving party scene and build a destination where the party is on all day, every day. We combined that with the ease that comes of being in a water park and Aquamagica was born. Sidharth, our brand ambassador, is a youth icon that embodies our philosophy and was the perfect match for our brand."

Talking about his association with Adlabs Aquamagica, Sidharth Malhotra said, “Adlabs has created the hugely successful IMAGICA, India’s only international standard theme park and are now launching AQUAMAGICA. I have only seen these rides in water parks abroad and was excited to present an international water park to the country, coupled with unique slides. Just like the brand philosophy, I believe in going with the flow in life too. I can't wait to take all my friends to Aquamagica the next time they ask me, 'Where's the party?'".

The Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) Monday criticised the manner in which a leading daily sought to justify itself against objections raised by a prominent Bollywood actress.

The actress, whose body part was described in the entertainment section of the newspaper, registered her objections to the description following which the daily went on to justify itself without so much as tendering an apology for having offended the actor's sensibilities in the first place, it said.

"The question is not whether the actor had not objected before or had posed for revealing photographs earlier, but that she had a sovereign right to object to what she perceived as offensive.

"Rather than display a sense of sensitivity to the issue, the concerned daily has justified itself in the most outrageous manner," the IWPC said in a statement.

"The commodification and objectification of women are very serious issues. While the Mumbai film industry also needs to reflect on this, on the continued portrayal of women which is far from emanicipatory, the media should not, under the garb of a libertarian understanding, portray women in a light which is actually regressive," it said.

They're back! Over two years after giving movie audiences a taste of their onscreen chemistry with "Ishaqzaade", young and effervescent Bollywood actors Parineeti Chopra and Arjun will together endorse audio solutions brand JBL India.

Known for their cool attitude and connect with young India, the duo's camaraderie was further brought alive during their shoot for the new ad and marketing campaign for the brand, according to a source.

Passionate about music, both actors are upbeat about their new appointment.

Arjun, who has been using JBL products, said in a statement: "I am super thrilled to become the new brand ambassador for JBL India, which strengthens my association with the brand. It was great to work with my first co-star and buddy Parineeti while shooting this awesome television campaign."

Parineeti, who believes that music and sound are very important triggers for any actor as it encourages and inspires better performance, said: "JBL's exciting and fashionable range of products is absolutely amazing and automatically manages to pump up my mood and make me want to party.

"This has been one of my absolute favourite projects and working with Arjun again was like the icing on the cake."

Both the actors are currently on a roll with the response to their latest movie projects. While Arjun-starrer English language Bollywood entertainer "Finding Fanny" has been appreciated by it's niche audience, Parineeti's "Daawat-e-Ishq" also seems to be tempting viewers to catch the movie at a theatre.

Southern actress Vedhika Kumar considers working with Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman for the second time in upcoming Tamil drama "Kaaviya Thalaivan" a "rare privilege" as everybody longs for one opportunity to work with the maestro.

"I have worked with Rahman sir previously in "Sakkarakatti". I have grown up listening to his music and there is no way I could say no to an opportunity to work with him. I feel extremely lucky because most people seldom get to work with him in one film, but I have had the rare privilege to work in two," Vedhika told IANS.

Talking about Rahman's music, she said: "I feel his music is such that you do not need words to describe it. Even if music has no words, it is sure going to reach the people because he makes it from his heart."

She added that Rahman's music can only be "described with goose bumps and tears because it is divine. It touches your heart and almost pierces through your soul".

"Kaaviya Thalaivan", which revolves around a troupe of 20th century theatre artists, is directed by National award-winning filmmaker Vasantha Balan.

Vedhika plays a 17-year old girl in the film, which also features Siddharth, Prithviraj, Thambi Ramaiah, Singampuli and Anaika Soti in important roles.

Model-turned-actress Sonali Raut, who has entered reality show "Bigg Boss 8" in a bid to get "visibility", says her Bollywood debut with "The Xpose" didn't get her the recognition she had hoped for.

Sonali played a sensuous grey character in the film.

"Very frankly, Bollywood was not very welcoming. I played a character with grey shades and that went against me. Bollywood still favours the sweet goody-goody girl," Sonali said before entering the reality show.

But her career disappointment is not what has led her to "Bigg Boss 8", which is hosted by "Dabangg" star Salman Khan.

"I am here to have fun. And my biggest incentive is Salman Khan. I’ll get to interact with him. I performed with him on the opening night to the song 'Jumme ki raat'. As far as I was concerned, that was paisa vasool for me," she said.

She is also hopeful to "get a certain amount of visibility through this show".

"But more than that I am going into 'Bigg Boss' to have fun. I’ve watched the show very carefully in the past. I know it’s emotionally taxing. But I think I am prepared for it.”

Forthcoming Bollywood action entertainer "Bang Bang" has been called the official remake of Tom Cruise-starrer "Knight and Day", but its lead actor Hrithik Roshan says it's different and "better".

At the launch of an official "Bang Bang" game here Monday, Hrithik was asked that since his movie is an adaptation of a Hollywood movie, how much pressure did he feel to live upto it.

To that, the 40-year-old, who's done some daredevil stunts for the movie, said: "This is better, always better. Why would I do something if I know it can't be done any better? Also, it's not the same film."

"If you did not know it was an adaptation, while seeing 'Bang Bang' it would not even occur to you that the germ was from 'Knight and Day'. So it's an entirely different film," he added.

Fox Star Studios has produced "Bang Bang", which also stars Katrina Kaif and releases Oct 2.

Goa's official elevation to a permanent venue for the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI) comes with a cinematic bonus.

For a state which has just one premium multiplex facility maintained by INOX in the capital, the formal announcement of the beach state as the permanent home for India's top official film festival spells a bonanza for film buffs.

According to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Goa government is likely to unveil a liberal policy to promote setting up of multiplexes and cinema halls in the state, known more for its love for theatre, especially tiatrs, a Konkani genre.

"Basically it will be a policy to encourage more multiplexes and cinema halls in the state," claimed Parrikar, who also announced plans to upgrade INOX , a facility built by the state government in 2003 and operated on lease by the multiplex giant.

The festival was first shifted to Goa, during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime in 2004, after its reputation as a festival travelling to different Indian cities, officials claim, did the intellectual property more harm than good.

While the festival has been held in Goa every successive year after 2003, it was only an ad hoc arrangement between the state and the central authorities renewed every year, before being formalized Wednesday.

IFFI also indirectly gave Goa its first multiplex amid allegations of corruption leveled against Parrikar by the Congress, which later filed a graft complaint with Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)in 2004. Parrikar, who had sworn never to visit INOX until his name was cleared of the charge, was later granted a clean chit by the federal agency in 2011.

But the permanent move down south could result in a few more movie-viewing facilities, which are being planned at a Film Festival Secretariat, which is also being conceived.

"One requirement will be setting up of permanent Film Festival Secretariat. We are in process of identifying various places. The film festival complex will consist of an auditorium-cum-cinema hall. This is not finalized. There will be a multiplex with five or six screens," the chief minister said.

Film buffs, meanwhile, are reveling in the prospects of a wider range of options for viewing movies.

"The number of IFFI delegates vis-a-vis the number of seats available in a cinema hall right now doesn't tally. Many people miss out on screenings or make requests for re-screening, thereby restricting the number of films featured at the festival and that is quite a dampener," says Yulette Coutinho, an IFFI delegate who also runs a local film screening club.

Janhavi Savaikar, a mass communications lecturer in Panaji, says that while watching films in a multiplex is fun, the government could also look at upgrading existing facilities owned and operated by local businessmen.

The IFFI is held every November and is one of the biggest annual events organized in the state.

Brad Pitt's "Fury" will splash across Indian screens Oct 31, two weeks after its international release Oct 17. The decision has been kept taking in mind the Diwali festivities and the much-awaited release of Shah Rukh Khan's "Happy New Year".

Understanding the Diwali season is family time in India, PVR Pictures, the distributors of "Fury" in India will release the film once the festivities have wound down and die-hard fans of Shah Rukh have at least seen "Happy New Year" once in the theaters.

Deepak Sharma, chief operating officer, PVR Pictures, is confident "Fury" will do well in India.

"However, since the worldwide release is Oct 17 and that's peak family time in India, given the festivities of Diwali, we took a conscious call to push the release.

"Also, 'Happy New Year' is coming out too, which will definitely be a priority watch for the audience as most people wish to during this period, watch movies with their families. We didn't want to dilute the release of our film," Sharma said in a statement.

"Fury" is a war drama, which also stars Shia Labeouf. Its trailer has received rave reviews internationally.

National Award winning Hindi film "Liar's Dice", starring acclaimed actors Geetanjali Thapa and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is India's entry for the best foreign film category at the 87th Academy Awards.

The film has been chosen by a 12-member jury appointed by the Film Federation of India (FFI), and out of a record number of 30 shortlisted films.

"'Liar's Dice' is the chosen film as India's Oscar entry this time," FFI general secretary Supran Sen told IANS.

"The last time we had a record number was 25 films way back in 2001," Sen added.

The movie, debut directed by Malayalam actress Geetu Mohandas, tells the story of a young tribal mother who, along with her three-year-old daughter, embarks on a journey in search of her missing husband. On the way, she meets an army deserter who decides to accompany them to their destination.

"Liar's Dice" won the best cinematography honour for Rajeev Ravi and best actress title for Geetanjali at the 61st National Film Awards.

It has also travelled to film festivals across the globe. Its world premiere was held at the Mumbai Film Festival last year and it was later screened at Sudance Film Festival as well as at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Pakistani actress Veena Malik and her husband Asad Bashir Khan Khattak became parents to a boy here Tuesday. He has been named Abram Khan Khattak.

Veena, who entered showbiz in India via the fourth season of reality show "Bigg Boss" in, delivered her newborn at the Virginia Hospital Center here, a statement said.

She even tweeted: "Alhumdullilah we are blessed with a Baby Boy @iAbramKhan... cute son of Proud father @Asadbashirr."

The news was also disclosed by her businessman husband on Twitter.

"Thank you Allah Pak 4 blessing us wth a lovely son Abram Khan Khattak.

@iVeenaKhan thx 4 giving me biggest happiness," tweeted Asad, who married Veena in Dubai last year.

The duo also shared a photograph, in which the proud daddy is holding the little one in his arms.

Baby Abram already has a Twitter page.

Happiness and pride are feelings that engulfed actress-director Geetu Mohandas when her independent film "Liar's Dice" was chosen as India's official entry for the best foreign film category at the 87th Academy Awards Tuesday. She says this was unexpected.

"I am extremely excited and happy for my entire cast and crew, and for my producers. This ('Liar's Dice') was purely an independent film. It's a proud moment for all of us today," Geetu, a Malayalam film actress, who made her directorial debut with "Liar's Dice", told IANS.

"When you make a film, you don't expect anything from it...you just want the film to be accepted and appreciated. But I am extremely happy with the way things have shaped up," she added.

The film stars talented actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Geetanjali Thapa. It tells the story of a young mother who takes her daughter in search for her missing husband.

Geetanjali's performance was lauded with the best actress honour at the 61st National Film Awards, while Geetu's husband Rajeev Ravi had won the best cinematography National Award for the movie.

Ravi, who married Geetu in 2009, told IANS: "I don't have words to describe how it feels. It certainly feels great and it's a proud moment for the entire team of this film."

The team is now waiting for the moment when the Oscar shortlist for the best foreign film category will be announced.