Together they changed the destiny of popular Bengali songs. And now 19 years after the demise of Salil Chowdhury, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar recorded a newly-discovered tune by late composing maestro under the musical supervision of composer Mayuresh Pai.

Lata will turn 85 on Sunday.

"Salilda was Salilda. No one could compose songs like him. His tunes were layered and textured and very difficult to sing. I loved the challenge of singing Salilada's Raaton ke saaye in 'Annadata' and Rajanigandha phool tumhare in 'Rajnigandha'," said Lata, who is called the Nightingale of India.

Folklore has it that once during a particularly difficult recording of a song composed by Salil Chowdhury , she had passed out.

"It's a fact. I did faint while singing one of his songs. Salilda's tunes were a special challenge for me. And the fact that many of his Bangla compositions were later sung in Hindi made it doubly difficult for me," she said.

And now an undiscovered composition of Salilda has reached Lataji's lips.

"It's a great honour to be singing one of Salilda's compositions when he is no more with us. I hope I do justice with the song," said Lata, who went on to record songs for more than 1,000 films in 36 languages.

Producer Ekta Kapoor has launched yet another show with a title picked up from a famous old song 'Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye.'

This has been the trend with her shows for quite some time now. Be it "Bade Acche Lagte Hain", "Kya Hua Tera Vaada", "Pyaar Ki Ye Ek Kahaani" or "Bairi Piya."

Her two upcoming shows "Itna Na Karo Mujhe Pyaar" and "Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai" are also in keeping with the trend.

Explaining the reason behind choosing such titles, Ekta says it's simply the lyrical recall value of the songs.

"Everyone asks me this question wherever I go, about why this fixation of having film songs as show titles? I just feel it's lyrical and somewhere if the song is popular, the title automatically clicks with the audience," the 39-year-old said here at the launch of the show "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye."

"Be it 'Bade Acche Lagte Hain', 'Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye' or others. Mostly these songs work for me because they are so strong in their lyrical recall that they work," she added.

"Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Ye" features Sonali Bendre and Apoorva Agnihotri in lead roles and goes on air on Life OK channel starting Oct 7.

Indian culture has inspired Tommy Hilfiger since the beginning of his career. The 63-year-old iconic American designer confesses that his heart lies in Indian wear and that he often uses in his creations "Ikkats, block prints and colours that are seen only in Jaipur".

"I have seen amazing Indian clothes and I love traditional Indian saris and Indian wear," Hilfiger, who reigns the fashion world despite any formal training, told IANS in an interview here.

The man, who has spent 30 years in the fashion industry dealing with new techniques and creating news, admits that the Indian fashion industry has been quiet for very long, but feels that now it is on the "verge of exploding".

"I think faces like Naeem Khan are doing great internationally. Also Prabal Gurung is an incredible name and he is someone who is coming up very strong," said the king of the runway who was sporting his trademark 'preppy' look dressed in a red trouser, white shirt and blue jacket. He teamed it with a pair of loafers.

Hilfiger, who is here to commemorate 10 years of his brand's existence in the country, has made a niche clientele with his cool, casual, relaxed and youthful designs. But he also looks up to India for inspiration.

"Being a global fashion brand, I have to incorporate inspiration from all over the world and India also inspires me a lot. Sometimes I use Ikkats and block prints, which are truly Indian," said Hilfiger, who will host special events in the capital as well as in Mumbai.

"Sometimes I use colours that are seen only in Jaipur. I also did khakee in my collection and khakee belongs to India. There is so much of inspiration from India all the time," he said.

Keeping in mind the 'mixed and matched wardrobe' that fashionistas flaunt, the designer believes that Indian designs can tap global market in a big way by creating the scope for mixing and matching.

"If we can do a lot with mixing and matching in kurta-pajama globally, it will sell. Today, people dress in a very eclectic and mixed way. Sometimes people wear jeans with tuxedo jacket or may be jeans with Louis Vuitton heels and a beautiful blouse. It's more casual and more glamorous," he said.

Indian designers have an edge compared ot their international counterparts.

"Indian designers have tremendous advantage. They have access to their beautiful fabrics, most incredible embroideries, most incredible ability to do hand work, amazing tailors, and amazing ability to go to silk mills. So, I think all the designers should focus on that," he added.

It was way back in the 1985 that Hilfiger introduced his first signature collection by modernising button-down shirts, chinos, and other time-honoured classics with updated fits and details.

Since then his business has grown from a single menswear collection to a global lifestyle brand earning over $6 billion dollars in retail sales in 2012. There are over 1,200 Tommy Hilfiger stores, in over 90 countries.

Coincidentally, the brand's tryst with India started during the same period when Hilfiger was just starting out.

"I vividly remember my first trip to India, and over the course of my career, I've returned here many times. I continue to be inspired by the energetic culture, incredible colours, textures and fabrics," said the designer, who grew up in Elmira, New York, in a working-class Irish Catholic neighbourhood.

However, it took him two-decades to open his first store in India. It came up in 2004 at Forum Mall in Bangalore, and receieved an overwhelming response.

After a decade, the designer plans to increase his presence in the country.

"The brand's growth in India has been phenomenal, something that was beyond my imagination. We have been embraced by the Indian people and we have embraced the Indian people also," he said.

"We are a global lifestyle brand and we brought our casual wear into it, but there is much more. In future, we will bring our home products, personal care products for instance fragrances. We expanding our denim and women wear business. We are already expanding accessory business here, so in future it will be an entire lifestyle brand here," he added.

Producer Vipul Shah finds huge potential in actor Rannvijay and says that he needs that "one film" to start on his way.

Interestingly Shah had introduced Rannvijay to the screen with "London Dreams" five years ago. The same film had also introduced Aditya Roy Kapoor.

Recalling those days, the producer said: "I had cast both Rannvijay and Aditya in both my films 'London Dreams' and 'Action Replay'. Aditya raced ahead to become a big star. Rannvijay, unfortunately did not do the right films and the ones that he did, didn't work at the box office."

Shah feels Rannvijay has the potential to be a major star.

"He just needs that one film...like Aditya's 'Aashiqui 2', and....bang! He will be on the way. I am working on that," he said.

Rannvijay is not only the leading man of Vipul Shah's untitled 24-episode serial for Life OK (where Rannvijay will star opposite Adaa Sharma), the veejay-turned-actor is also being prepared for a grand action entry in a feature film.

Rajith Menon, a known name in Malayalam and Tamil film industry is making his Bollywood debut with " Hotel Beautifool". The southern actor however calls himself different from Bollywood actors.

When asked about his view on Bollywood actor's inclination towards six pack abs, the 26-year-old told IANS: "As an actor you have to showcase your talent and I believe, if an actor is supposed to build up a body for a character, it has to be done. I don't have six pack abs and I am different from Bollywood actors."

But he is ready to work on his body if his role demands it in future.

"If my character requires it (six pack abs) in future, I will be more than happy to work on it. I get amazed when I see Shah Rukh Khan's eight pack abs," he added.

There are many southern actors who made their Bollywood debut in past few years and one of them is Prithviraj Sukumaran. Rajith says he is good friends with him.

"Prithviraj is a friend and he has got the best launch in Bollywood opposite Rani Mukerji in 'Aiyyaa'... I am sure he will do well in Bollywood," he said.

Rajith also says that he rejected five scripts in Hindi before giving nod to "Hotel Beautifool."

"I have been getting offers from Bollywood for quite some time but i didn't feel like being part of it. I almost got five scripts from Bollywood before "Hotel Beautifool"," he said.

Talking about his role in the film, he said: "This is an out and out comedy film. I am playing a South Indian character in the film. I hope Bollywood accepts me as an actor."

Directed by Sameer Iqbal Patel, "Hotel Beautifool" also features Johnny Lever, Imam Siddiqui among others. The Film is jointly presented by Madhire Film Corporation and Umbrella Film Corporation.

TV actress Sara Khan feels marriage is a man-made custom and love is enough to complete two people.

"According to me, marriage is a man-made custom, which ultimately gives acceptance to a relationship for the society. But for me, the moment you lose your heart to someone and you wholly and solely want to be with that person, that's marriage," Sara said in a statement.

The actress will be seen dealing with the issue of inter-caste marriage on TV show "Yeh Hai Aashiqui". The actress will play the role of a Tamilian girl who falls in love with a guy from a different caste.

For Sara, who made headlines with her wedding stint with actor Ali Merchant in the fourth season of reality show "Bigg Boss", love comes before caste and creed.

"I do not believe in system of caste, religion etc., for me love between two people is sufficient to complete them and make them happy,." she added.

The actress will feature in the first episode of the four-week mini series, where every week each episode will talk about societal relationship based issues.

The episode with Sara will be aired Sunday on Bindaas channel.

Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, who has written comedy for the first time with "The Shaukeens", Saturday said he didn't direct the film as he was "scared".

Asked why didn't he direct "The Shaukeens" himself despite writing the script, he said: "I was busy doing other films and I thought Abhishek Sharma was apt to direct this film. I was scared to direct this film so I asked Abhishek Sharma to direct."

Tigmanshu said Akshay Kumar was threat for other actors in the film.

"I was wondering who could play the Mithun Chakraborty character in the film, then I thought who better than Akshay Kumar. Akshay Kumar was the best threat to the 3 Shaukeens."

Akshay Kumar, who will be seen in a special appearance, said: "I am playing a special appearance in the film but it's my film and I am happy about this film and I will support the film in every way."

"There are only good things being a superstar ever since I have been in this industry and there is nothing that I regret about. Anybody would love to be in my shoes."

A remake of the cult classic "Shaukeen", "The Shaukeens" will see five actors from National School of Drama - Annu Kapoor, Piyush Mishra, Anupam Kher, as well as Abhishek and Tigmanshu.

Actress Lisa Haydon, who will be seen playing a huge fan of Akshay Kumar in "The Shaukeens", says she likes him in his unshaved look.

"It is a clean and funny film. I play Akshay's huge fan in the film and in real life I like Akshay in an unshaved look," she said at the film's trailer launch.

Praising Lisa's work, Akshay said: "Lisa has surprised everyone in the film... she has shocked me by her performance."

Asked who is the most "shaukeen" amongst Annu Kapoor, Anupam Kher and Piyush Mishra, Lisa said: "Annu Kapoor is the most shaukeen, Piyush ji is innocent and Anupam is a buddy."

Renowned lensman P.C Sreeram said Saturday that only two days of shooting is left for R. Balakrishnan aka Balki-directed "Shamitabh", which features megastar Amitabh Bachchan and southern actor Dhanush in the lead roles.

"Dhanush rocking in his dance moves by Bosco & Ceaser for Shamitabh. Two days left and film release will be ready for release on Feb 6 2015," Sreeman tweeted Saturday.

Also starring Akshara Haasan, who is making her cinematic debut, "Shamitabh" marks Balki's third collaboration with Big B after "Paa" and "Cheeni Kum".

Yesteryear's heartthrob Shashi Kapoor, who was hospitalised here for chest infection, has been discharged and is happy to be back home, says his son Kunal Kapoor.

He was hospitalised Sep 21 at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute here.

"He is absolutely fine. He is resting at home and he is happy to be back home. He got discharged on Friday," Kunal told IANS.

Known for his work in films such as "Deewar", "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" and "Kabhie Kabhie", the 76-year-old has been staying away from the limelight since the late 1990s.

Actors Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi will reportedly start shooting in Cape Town, South Africa, for "Humari Adhuri Kahaani" from next month.

The film was slated to go on floors in the summer of 2014, but it has now been postponed to October.

"Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi will start shooting for 'Humari Adhuri Kahaani' from October and the first schedule will be widely shot in Cape Town (South Africa) and the second schedule will take place in Dubai," a source told IANS.

To be directed by Mohit Suri, "Humari Adhuri Kahaani" also features National Award winning actor Rajkummar Rao. The film is reportedly partly based on Mahesh Bhatt's life.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar turned 85 Sunday and Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini wished best for her.

Here’s what the celebrities tweeted about the “Nightingale of India” who has given hit numbers like “Aye mere watan ke logon”, “Lag ja gale”, “Inhi logon ne” and “Aye-dil-e-nadan”:

Amitabh Bachchan: Lata ji - ek taar jo aatma ko parmatma se apni swar dhwani se jodta... janam diwas ki anek shubhkamnay, sneh, aadar, aap chir aayu ho (Lataji- A thread which connects soul to almighty, happy birthday, affection, respect and may you long live).

Hema Malini: @mangeshkarlata Please accept my Pranams & all best wishes on your birthday Lataji

Madhur Bhandarkar: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to d one & only @mangeshkarlata. It's an absolute privilege to know u & to have worked with u, TAI. Wish u health & happiness.

Shreya Ghoshal: My heartfelt wishes to the Nightingale of India, Lataji on her 85th birthday. Your songs inspire my life every passing day. Always grateful.

Sonu Nigam: Happy birthday Lata ji.

Salim Merchant: Happy birthday Lata mangeshkarji. We are fortunate to be blessed by your voice in this world.

Shaan: Very Happy Birthday Lataji!!! @mangeshkarlata

Celina Jaitly: Happy 85th birthday @mangeshkarlata ji ur voice has been the soul food of 3 generations.We love U!

Actress-politician Hema Malini started filming for Ramesh Sippy’s light-hearted comedy "Shimla Mirchi" here Sunday.

“The first day of shooting for Shimla Mirchi- with my Director Ramesh Sippy who is also doing a cameo in the movie (sic),” she tweeted Sunday.

The duo together gave hits like "Andaz", "Seeta Aur Geeta" and "Sholay".

“Shimla Mirchi” also stars Rajkummar Rao, who called it an “unusual film”. He even expressed his excitement to romance Hema Malini on the big screen.

If reports are to be believed, the story is about how a single mother (Hema Malini) and her daughter (Rakul Preet Singh) fall in love with the same man.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who received National Award for “Chandni Bar”, says the 2001 film transformed his life.

The movie, starring Tabu and Atul Kulkarni, completed 13 years Sunday and the director got nostalgic.

“13 years ago, on this day, CHANDNI BAR released & changed my life #Tabu @atul_kulkarni. An unforgettable experience!! (sic),” Bhandarkar tweeted Sunday.

Bhandarkar, also known for helming films like "Fashion", "Page 3", and "Corporate", last directed the 2012 movie “Heroine” featuring Kareena Kapoor.

He is now working on his new project "Calendar Girls" with new faces. He earlier said that his endeavour with "Calendar Girls" is to offer purposeful entertainment to movie buffs.

On the occasion of International Coffee Day, small-screen actors like Vivian Dsena and Sharad Kelkar talk about their favourite beverage.

Here’s what they have to say:

Vivian Dsena: I drink very personalised...my kind of coffee which has unique ingredients. I drink two cups of coffee in a day.

Sharad Kelkar: I drink one coffee in a day. It depends on mood. I prefer black coffee. When I was very small, every Thursday we used to go to Indian Coffee House. I sometimes like coffee with ice cream.

Ssharad Malhotraa: I have coffee four to five times a day. Whenever I think of coffee, it reminds me of my first coffee date during my college days. Yes, coffee is stress buster for me, it make me fresh, lively and happy.

Roopal Tyagi: I am a coffee addict. I drink at least three cups a day. It makes me feel super energised. I try out different world coffees whenever I can. I drink when I am happy, sad or whatever mood, it always lifts me up.

Mohammed Nazim: I drink three cups of hot coffee daily. One at home and one on set and one when I go out for a meeting. Coffee is a good way to reduce stress.

Jaswir Kaur: Coffee and friends go hand in hand. When I want to have coffee, I connect with friends and vice-versa. I am not a coffee addict, but I love to have cold coffee with ice-cream and chocolate and I can spend good amount of time over coffee.

Sneha Wagh: I love coffee. I like it black, strong and without sugar. I don't know if it reduces stress, but it definitely changes my mood.

One of the biggest weekends of the year, starting Oct 2, will see the release of two films - Hrithik Roshan's “Bang Bang!” and Shahid Kapoor's “Haider”, which are as different as chalk and cheese in terms of theme, budget, cast, and sensibilities. Hence, trade experts opine that it's “unfair” to compare the two.

“It's not a clash of the titans at all,” trade analyst Komal Nahta told IANS. “It is unfair to compare them...”

Cinematically speaking, it's true!

Not only the tone and tenor of the two films are diverse, their directors are poles apart in their sensibilities and approach while narrating a story.

In comparison to director Sidharth Anand's massy entertainers like “Salaam Namaste” and “Bachna Ae Haseeno”, Vishal Bhardwaj, known for his penchant for literature, especially his fascination for Shakespeare's classics, has scored big for convincingly adapting Macbeth as “Maqbool”, Othello as “Omkara” and now he has adapted Hamlet as “Haider”.

Bhardwaj too feels that the two films are put in the same bracket only because they are releasing on the same day, otherwise there is not a single common factor between them.

“'Bang Bang!' is said to be a Rs.180 crore film, ours is a Rs.24 crore film. Of course, they would need more money to break even, we would need lesser,” Bhardwaj told IANS.

“It's a very big weekend and it can accommodate two films and that's why we thought of releasing with 'Bang Bang!',” he added.

Shot in Abu Dhabi and India, fast-paced “Bang Bang!”, which has elements like car chase and shoot-outs, promises edge of the seat excitement, while “Haider”, set in the 1990s of Kashmir, is grim and gritty as it focuses on the human tragedy in the region.

When it comes to the lead actors of the two films, Hrithik's and Shahid's standing is also different in Bollywood boulevard.

Dismissing the comparisons, Rajesh Thadani said: “Hrithik is altogether in a different league, so let's not compare them. Their budgets and costing are also different, so there is no space for comparison. Also, 'Bang Bang!' will have more screens compared to 'Haider', so let's not compare,” he added.

If Bhardwaj has roped in Irrfan Khan and Tabu, to make the drama more intense, Anand relies on the likes of Danny Denzongpa and Javed Jaffrey to add entertaining elements.

Bollywood's reigning queen Katrina Kaif is the female lead in "Bang "Bang" and rising star Shraddha Kapoor will be seen with Shahid in "Haider".

Set for the Thursday release, films with diverse themes will give a healthy choice to the viewers to the make the best of their holiday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday wished melody queen Lata Mangeshkar on her birthday.

"On Lata Didi's birthday, I convey my warm greetings and pray for her long life and good health", the prime minister tweeted.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar turned 85 Sunday.

Neil Nitin Mukesh made an impressive debut with “Johnny Gaddaar” in 2007, but he feels he still needs to make a mark for himself.

On completing seven years in the industry, the grandson of late singing legend Mukesh, walked down the memory lane.

“It's been 7 years today (Sunday) and I feel like it was just yesterday that my first film ever released. A Walk to remember, a Path to carve yet!!!,” Neil tweeted.

Singer Sonu Nigam replied to his tweet and called him a “perfect package”.

“@NeilNMukesh The Best is yet to come... You, a perfect package of talent looks and humility. God is by your side... Lots of love,” Nigam tweeted.

Post his debut film, Neil was seen in movies like “Aa Dekhen Zara”, “Lafangey Parindey” and “3G”, but they all bombed at the box office. However, his performance in “New York” was appreciated though.

Soon, he will make his Tamil debut as a villain in "Kaththi".

Veteran actress and activist Shabana Azmi has been chosen as a jury member for Isa Award for Service to Humanity in Bahrain.

“Off 2 Bahrain for one day as Jury Member for ISA Award for Humanity (1 million US dollars) instituted by the King,” she tweeted Sunday.

The Isa Award for Service to Humanity endeavours to encourage humanitarian acts of future generations to come.

Established in 2009 by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, king of Bahrain, the award was established to honour the individuals and organisations around the globe that have served humanity in a profound way.

The award is given every two years to an individual or organisation selected by a committee of experts.

The laureate will be awarded a certificate of merit, a gold medal, and a prize of one million dollars.

He has never shot at an effigy of Ravana with a bow and arrow, but actor Hrithik Roshan will get an opportunity to do so Oct 3 in the capital.

He is due to attend Dussehra celebrations hosted by the over 50-year-old Luv Kush Ramlila Committee at the Lal Qila Maidan (Red Fort ground) here.

"I will be there. I've never done it (shot the bow and arrow), but I know the history of it. Mazaa aayega (It will be fun) and I am sure I will enjoy it," Hrithik told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The 40-year-old, whose latest actioner "Bang Bang" releases on Dussehra itself, says he completely believes in the concept of victory of good over evil that the festival of Dussehra celebrates.

Arjun Kumar, secretary of the Luv Kush Ramlila Committee, told IANS: "Hrithik will use a bow and arrow to shoot at the effigy of Ravana. This will happen at 6 p.m. on Oct 3."

The security at the venue will be tight and actors like Govinda, Raveena Tandon and Chandrachur Singh are due to attend the Ramlila celebrations on days ahead of Dussehra.