Ali Zafar has received the lifetime honorary membership of the Lahore Press Club and the Pakistani actor-singer says that he is probably the youngest to get the honour.

“Honoured to have been bestowed the status of Lifetime honorary member by the Lahore Press club. Apparently am the youngest to have received,” the 34-year-old tweeted.

Ali, who has worked as a model for several commercials in Pakistan, has also acted in TV serials “Lunda-Bazar”, “Kanch Ke Par” and teenage sitcom “Kollege Jeans” in his home country.

He made his Bollywood debut in 2010 with "Tere Bin Laden" was recently seen in "Kill Dil" also starring Parineeti Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Govinda.

Films and fashion go hand in hand and their relationship went a step forward in the year gone by,with designers going behind the camera to make movies and film stars taking to scissors and measuring tapes to showcase their expertise in designing.

If Vikram Phadnis crossed over to direct a film, Deepika Padukone also did so to reveal her creativity with fabrics.

Phadnis, who will celebrate 25 years in the entertainment industry in 2015, announced his big Bollywood directorial debut with "Nia", starring Bipasha Basu and Rana Dagubatti. To be shot in Australia, the film will go on the floors in January 2015.

Excited about his new venture, Phadnis said that "Nia" is a great subject that touches an emotional chord.

"We will start shooting in January for a 50-day schedule and I look forward to getting behind the camera," Phadnis told IANS.

Ace designers Manish Malhotra, Rocky S and Sabyasachi Mukherjee are also interested in the movie business and if things go as planned, they would soon announce their projects.

While some will choose to direct a film, others would start their production ventures.

Rocky, who is behind some of the oh-so stylish appearances of Bollywood divas like Bipahsa and Shilpa Shetty, owns production banner E-Sense Motion Pictures and may soon launch a movie.

The designer is "very passionate about the movie industry", but admitted that "since direction is not my strength, the natural next step is production".

Rocky is however not so keen to share the details about his production venture except for the fact that the movie is in the "scripting stage".

The evolving Indian fashion industry is estimated to be worth Rs.720 crore ($114 million), while the Indian film industry is estimated at Rs.12,530 crore and the creative crossover may spell profits.

The credit for this migration largely goes to Muzaffar Ali: he was perhaps the first designer to wield the megaphone and his effort, titled "Umrao Jaan", a period drama starring stunning Rekha in a never seen before avatar, was a huge success. If movie aficionados appreciated the storytelling and performances in the 1981 movie, they equally appreciated the style and wardrobe featuring in the movie.

According to designer Ritu Kumar, "fashion has become more professional in Bollywood movies and has seen a sea-change for the better".

Given a chance, Ritu Kumar would also like to wield the megaphone - but only for documentaries on Indian craftsmanship.

"I used to watch my son Ashvin Kumar direct his films in which I had done the costumes and never wanted to exchange places," Ritu Kumar told IANS.

"I may actually be attracted to make a film on the textile areas of India, with people who are craftsmen enacting their lives. But that would be more in the nature of documentaries and not Bollywood," she added.

Then, there are stylists like Samant Chauhan who feel that "designers are getting attracted towards films because they are the highest form of art".

He fulfilled his dream of styling for a film by teaming up with "great storyteller" Tigmanshu Dhulia for "Yaara" this year.

If fashion designers are saying "lights, camera, action", celebrities are trying to prove their mettle as designers. Cases in point are Deepika and Mandira Bedi, who created apparel lines for mass brands, thereby churning up huge business for themselves.

Deepika unveiled her limited edition collection for lifestyle brand Van Heusen. On the other hand, Mandira, noted for her noodle-strap blouses and sassy saris, launched a range of saris for the modern Indian woman.

Known for his impeccable taste, it's hardly surprising that filmmaker Karan Johar can't keep away from fashion. After successfully creating and showcasing a line at the India Couture Week in October 2009, Karan teamed up with Varun Bahl in October 2010 for the HDIL India Couture Week.

This year, he made his debut in designing female wear with the women's wear brand Vero Moda for a marquee collection.

"The film personalities are well-groomed and they constantly work on their personality to improve it. If they can do it for themselves, they can do it for anyone," Heena Malhotra, head of design and distribution at fashion brand Chhabra 555, told IANS. Actress Lara Dutta previously designed a sari line titled Lara Dutta Chhabra 555 for the brand.

Taliban gunmen Tuesday attacked an army-run school in north-west Pakistan killing as many as 126 people, most of them children, and celebrities from India and across the border condemned the killings saying it's a "sick" and "black" day for the human race.

Heavily armed terrorists launched a brazen attack on an army-run school in Pakistan's Peshawar city and according to BBC live tweets, an eyewitness said that the terrorists were entering every class and were killing the children, some as young as five-years- old.

A doctor at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar told BBC World News that some students were shot in the head and chest, while others died in a suicide bomb attack in their school playground.

Numbed and horrified by the assault, celebrities from India and Pakistan took to Twittter to condemn the gruesome attack:

Akshay Kumar: Feeling numb hearing about d terrorist attack on innocent children in #Peshawar! May God give strength to the victims families. RIP humanity

Javed Akhtar: 104 innocent children are killed by Talibans In Peshawar. A black day for humanity.

Priyanka Chopra: Appalling! What kind of wimps hurt kids! I send out a prayer. Please god...in whichever form and whatever name. Pls teach your children to value human life. I pray for peace. #Peshawar

Karan Johar: The Peshawar killing is just heartbreaking...the death of humanity on every level....helplessness is the only feeling.

R. Madhavan: Ohhhhhh...No no no. Please not children in schools. God this is not right. My heart and prayers go out to the children and families in Peshawar. Who are these people actually. Where are they from, their families, their upbringing, their faces, what can drive them to kill children.

Raveena Tandon: Which religion in the name of God allows this? Any parents nightmare #griefbeyondcompare The horror the pain! Oh god you are being questioned now as the world sheds tears for those innocent souls! Lil Angels of the future!

Farhan Akhtar: My heart has broken. The world failed those children in Peshawar ... It's a sad sad day.

Arjun Kapoor: Just reading about Peshawar never felt more helpless...my prayers with everyone in Peshawar all the children and parents...sad sad day.

Vishal Dadlani: This happens when you mix religion and politics. It's a sad, sick world, where kids are killed in the name of God and politics. #Peshawar

Salim Merchant: Very disturbed about the terrorist attack in Peshawar army school. 21 kids lose their lives and many injured. When will this stuff stop?

Sophie Choudry: Innocent kids are victims and yet again religion the sick excuse. Heartbroken and ashamed that this is the world we live in! #PeshawarAttack

Shekhar Ravjiani: My heart goes out to the innocent souls that lose their lives everyday to acts of terror. Pray that humanity prevails someday.

Jackky Bhagnani: It's shameful that terrorists are using innocent children to get their demand fulfilled. I pray for the safety of all the children.

Rajat Kapoor: Millions of year of evolution- FOR THIS? Kamaal hai!

Riteish Deshmukh: Death of Humanity - Wake up World - it's not their issue -it's our issue - we need to stand up.#PeshawarAttack

Sonu Sood: How can anyone kill 100 innocent students? Can't be humans. My heart goes to the parents of those innocent Angels..#PeshawarAttack.

Milap Zaveri: They say God lives in every child. These Taliban bastards have killed God by killing these children. Disgusting and heart breaking.

Nimrat Kaur: Don't have the courage to put the news on ... Reading about the children of Peshawar is heart wrenching enough . No words at all.

Vivek Oberoi: *Killing innocent unarmed school children? This is not war, this is not -#*jihad, this is not -#Islam! This is purely inhuman! -#PeshawarAttack

Papon Angaraag: Killing School Kids?!! Where r we heading now?!Who instigates such cowardly acts! The keepers of religion & politics? All for power?#Peshawar

Rahul Bose: Everyday reveals a new face of evil. Courage, caring, hope, justice & love are never to be lost. We need them now more than ever. #Peshawar.

Sonam Kapoor: What a senseless unspeakable act. The world is filled with monsters. #Peshawar #PakSchoolSiege #PeshawarAttack

Kunal Kohli: Sad black day for humanity in Peshawar.

Sonu Nigam: Shocked to know what's happened in Peshawar.. Gosh.. No access to TV. Came on Twitter for d promised chat for The Music Room.

Sonakshi Sinha: Oh god! What's happening in this world. Times like these make you question humanity. Everyone please pray for whats happening in #Peshawar.

Reema Kagti: The attack on school kids is just horrific. Sad sad day. RIP innocent children let down by a senseless, violent world.

Shafqat Amanat Ali: Lady Reading Hospital in #Peshawar appealing for blood donation. Extreme shortage reported. Friends in #Peshawar please respond to this call.

Veena Malik Khan: I strongly condemned horrific attack of utter barbarism on innocent school children...shocked and Heartbroken!

Ali Zafar: This is sad. Real sad! Children:(

Adnan Sami: My heart weeps for the massacre & loss of the innocent angelic lives of the School Children in Peshawar today...This is the Ultimate form of Cowardice & Barbarism which no dictionary in the world can define. May Allah bless the souls of these beautiful children and may He give strength to their families. Today we all bleed with them.

Ishika Taneja, international beauty expert and executive director of Alps beauty Clinic, has set a new Guinness World Record by doing fastest airbrush make-up in just an hour at DLF Emporio here.

The beauty expert did the airbrush make-up by using three colours on 60 models in 60 minutes. The airbrush make-up done by her was divided into seven different steps, using "only" the airbrush equipment, said a statement.

Lucia Sinigagliesi, Guinness World Record official adjudicator verified the accuracy of the record setting attempt and rewarded Taneja with a certificate of Guinness World Records.

“This was the first attempt in India. The target was 25 but she was able to achieve 60. The attempt was really appreciable. I was the independent witness from Guinness World Record and I am really happy to be part of this attempt,” said Sinigagliesi.

After officially being recognised in the Guinness World Record, Taneja celebrated her triumph by dedicating her award to Braveheart Nirbhaya -- a victim of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape -- in the presence of her parents.

The entire fund raised during the event will go to the Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust.

Moreover, 12 scholarships worth Rs.12 lakh will be endowed to other women victims of Delhi, with 100 percent job assurance by Taneja.

France was looking forward to shooting French films in West Bengal and taking up potential business projects including tourism with the eastern state, its envoy said here Tuesday.

French Ambassador to India Francois Richier, who held a "fruitful" meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the day, exuded confidence on more cultural exchanges between his country and the state.

"Today I had a very fruitful meeting with the chief minister where we discussed a host of issues but culture and ways and means to promote cultural exchanges between Bengal and France, dominated the talks," Richier said after inaugurating the new office of Alliance Francaise du Bengale here.

On a three day visit to the city that began Monday, Richier said he was hopeful of developing joint ventures in various fields including tourism and cinema.

"We have heard about the chief minister inviting foreign movie makers to shoot their films in Bengal. Although we didn't have talk on that, we are looking forward towards shooing French films in Bengal since Bengal is world famous for its films," he said.

"We also discussed about potential business projects including tourism. Tomorrow we will be meeting with business community from here so we hope to clinch new deals," said Richier who also met state Finance and Industry Minister Amit Mitra during the day.

Talking about his Wednesday meeting with state Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahul Sinha, he said: "Since BJP is in power in Delhi so it's reasonable to meet their leaders here".

Inaugurating the new office, Richier said the Alliance Francaise du Bengale will continue to be instrumental in enhancing cultural ties between France and Bengal.

He also read out a congratulatory letter by Banerjee for the new office and asked it to be archived at the Alliance office.

The ambassador also conferred insignia of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on Kanchana Mukhopadhyay, Naveen Kishore and Chinmoy Guha for their service to art and literature.

"People often ask about the secret of Indo-French ties. The secret is the romance between the people of the two countries and their desire to connect with each other. People of Bengal have the desire to associate with AFrance and France is always eager to reach to India and it's amazing people," he added.

Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna's second son Akhil is making his acting debut in a yet-untitled Telugu film that was officially launched here Wednesday.

"On this lovely morning I would like announce that my debut film is on the go. With none other than V.V.VINAYAK! Just got done with a small informal pooja with close family and friends (sic)," Akhil tweeted Wednesday.

The film will be jointly produced by actor Nithiin Reddy and Sudhakar Reddy.

Akhil's debut was on hold for all this while as Nagarjuna was scouting for a suitable project to launch him.

"We are not in a hurry to launch Akhil. All of us in the family had a great start to our careers, and I want to ensure Akhil has one too," Nagarjuna had told IANS.

Ahead of Christmas, actor-comedian Cyrus Sahukar spread cheer, laughter and happiness at NGOs and at a hospital here.

His visit was part of English entertainment channel Comedy Central's initiative 'Spread the Cheer'.

Comedy Central hosted a laughter-inducing evening with Cyrus at Make a Wish foundation, Teach for India and Masina Hospital here. He indulged in interactive sessions with the audience and encouraged them to participate in fun activities.

Their otherwise gloomy faces cheered up for the evening.

"Children at Make a Wish Foundation and Teach For India immediately recognised Cyrus and thoroughly enjoyed the various activities that were lined up for them, such as caterpillar Walk, a balloon popping game called Burst them all," said a source.

Stars alone cannot make a movie a box office success. But they indirectly contribute to it as distributors are drawn to films which have the big names, and thus a good distribution network sends the cash registers ringing, a US- based professor says in a research paper.

Tridib Mazumdar, a marketing professor in US-based Whitman School of Management in Syracuse, New York, has done research on the effect of a star cast in a movie and how having a star on board affects its box office collections.

"My goal was to separate it (the effect of the star on the movie's performance) out. Let's not give credit to (the star) where it wasn't (his contribution)," Mazumdar told IANS on the sidelines of an event organised by Kolkata-based International Management Institute (IMI), here Tuesday.

IMI is one of the leading business schools in the country and has international collaborations with Institut d'Administration des Entreprises de Tours from France, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and Oxford Institute of Retail Management, both based out of Britain.

"My focus was on stars; whether having a star causes a movie to succeed or not. There were two sides of the research -- effect of star power on distribution and effect on box office", he added.

According to Mazumdar, movie stars get selected to the movies which are likely to succeed. They pick and choose the particular script, director and the producer which is likely to make the movie a success.

Further, movies featuring one or more stars get widely distributed and it is through this distribution network that the box office revenue comes in.

"Stars contribute nothing to the revenue (through their talent). Stars do contribute to the distribution. So, star movies are widely distributed and through the distribution, you get revenue."

Mazumdar focused his research on Hollywood, estimated to be US$ 12 billion presently, and used counterfactual technique for the findings.

Counterfactual technique is a concept in psychology that involves the human tendency to create possible alternatives to life events that have already occurred; something that is contrary to what actually happened. It is also used to measure prejudice, discrimination and related subjects.

The film unit of "Duronto", starring National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, observed two-minutes silence in memory of children who lost their lives in a Taliban attack on a school in Pakistan's Peshawar city.

"Film unit of DURONTO observed 2 mts of silence in memory of the children killed in peshawar," Manoj tweeted Wednesday.

"My prayers and thoughts are with the parents who lost their children. It was a brutal murder. even god must be crying at this sight.#peshawar," he added.

The Pakistani Taliban killed 148 people, 132 of them children, in a terror attack Tuesday by heavily armed gunmen and suicide bombers on an army-run school in Peshawar city.

A day after 132 children were brutally killed in a gruesome Taliban attack on a school in Pakistan's Peshawar city, Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are still in shock and feel "anger" and "disgust" for the "monstrous" act.

Here’s what the stars shared about the act on digital platforms:

Amitabh Bachchan: When innocence is silenced...There can be just silence.

Shah Rukh Khan: The soul is healed by being with children. Extreme anger & disgust for all those who took our children, our future, our healers away.

Aamir Khan: Just heard about the innocent children being killed in Peshawar. I'm devastated.

Shekhar Kapur: Killings of innocent children is not justified in any religion or culture. It's an act by depraved desperate and Godless men #PeshawarAttack

Anupam Kher: Today the world is so sad. Those children deserved a long & happy life. #SAD

Shahid Kapoor: Black day. Innocence lost. Where is humanity heading. No religion no God could ever want this. Peshawar. Prayers. Shock.

Anushka Sharma: This is the cruellest most inhuman cowardice act. It pains me so much. Prayers & strength with the families of the innocent kids killed.

Sonu Nigam: Morning. New agendas. New dreams. World moves on. How sad. But 4 sm, world ended yesterday. Now they shall live with d corpse of their life.

Alia Bhatt: No such thing as humanity. Its appalling to even think that we are capable of being so monstrous and so majorly MESSED UP!!!#PeshawarAttack

Varun Dhawan: Darkest day of the human race. No RELIGION tells you to kill children. cant believe someone is capable of this monstrosity#PeshawarAttack

Rannvijay Singha: Can't imagine what the parents are going through, they just sent their kids to school...what wrong can children do? so angry.. #PeshawarAttack

"Dharam Sankat Mein", the official Hindi adaptation of British satire "The Infidel" which stars the powerhouse trio of Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah, will hit the screens March 13, 2015.

The Viacom18 Motion Pictures film, which is said to challenge stereotypes from a humorous eyeglass, is produced by Sajjad Chunawala and Shariq Patel from Trigno Media and directed by Fuwad Khan.

The shoot schedule of "Dharam Sankat Mein" has been completed. The film is at post production stage now.

The Bangladeshi film industry needs India's expertise in digitising the filmmaking process in their country and cooperation to facilitate screening of their films in both the neighbouring countries simultaneously, a film industry official said Wednesday.

According to Bangladeshi film exhibition committee joint secretary Sudipta Kumar Das, "Ma Amar Swarga" ("My Mother is My Heaven") will be the first commercial Bangladeshi film to be released in India Friday.

"It is a five to six-year-old film and we have managed to get it released in West Bengal Friday. However, we seek cooperation from the film industry here to widen our reach and ensure films from Bangladesh release in both countries simultaneously," Das told IANS.

The film is in the old 35mm format, while the movies being made currently are digital. Bangladesh has taken to the new technology only recently, said Das and is yet to master the techniques.

"We have exported only one print of the film to run on an experimental basis. We will be sending digitised films next," he said.

Because of the film's format, it will be released in select theatres, which can run the 35mm movie.

"India has the expertise in digital technology. We have been using it only since the last couple of years. It would be a great benefit if India helps with digitising our filmmaking and screening processes since almost two-thirds of the Bangladeshi theatres are closed," Das said.

This advancement would also bring the Bangladeshi films on par with movies from India, in terms of technology.

"To enable export and import of films between the two neighbours, it is essential to be on the same platform. This will also help revive our cinema halls," he said.

Indo-Canadian actress Lisa Ray will walk for ULKA SB at the forthcoming fifth season of Pune Fashion Week here.

The "Bollywood Hollywood" star will sport one of the creations from designer Ulka Bafna Vohra's latest collection titled "Nirbheek" on Friday, read a statement.

The collection, which consists of floor length lehengas, saris, anarkalis and pre-draped saris, aims to add a tasteful softness to the powerful woman of today.

Golden 3D flowers in hand embroidery will add depth of sartorial elegance to the range.

The three-day fashion extravaganza will conclude Dec 21.

After a big year with "The Amazing Spider-Man 2", film production and distribution firm Sony Pictures India is geared up for an exciting slate in the new year, thanks to a line-up of movies like "Chappie", "Pixels" and the 24th James Bond movie "Spectre".

"Our 2015 line-up promises an exciting year ahead, with the distribution of some local films, the scope of a sure-shot blockbuster like 'Spectre' plus a very rich variety of other promising titles," Kercy Daruwala, managing director, Sony Pictures India, said in a statement.

The year for the banner will start with the comedy "Sharafat Gaye Tel Lene". A comedy thriller, distributed by Sony Pictures, the film will hit theatres Jan 16, 2015, followed by the Hollywood comedy "The Wedding Ringer", about a best man on hire.

Next up will be "Chappie", about a robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. Then, "Annie" will be a classic Broadway musical starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz.

The summer will be as exciting and thrilling with the third chapter of successful horror franchise "Insidious".

For the children and fans who grew up with Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and the likes, there'll be "Pixels", a unique action comedy directed about aliens using classic video game characters. There will be another comedy "Grimsby" and then "Ricki And The Flash", a story about an ageing rocker.

The last quarter of 2015 will see "The Walk", based on the true story of high-wire artist Philippe Petit’s attempt to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974, hit the screens.

And the year will end with a bang couresty the highly anticipated "Spectre", releasing in early November, followed by the follow-up to the record-smashing "Hotel Transylvania".

“Our fantastic slate in 2015 holds equal promise for both audiences and exhibitors. With the Bond film slated for a release in the next Diwali season, we intend to literally light up the box office," said Appu Singh, director (Sales), Sony Pictures India, said.

If you like your fashion to be inspired by your favourite Bollywood actors' screen avatars, here's your chance to look like Arjun Kapoor! The actor has launched a special jacket in tune with his style in his forthcoming film "Tevar".

Arjun was here Tuesday to launch the 'Tevar Jacket', which has been launched under denim brand Flying Machine, endorsed by the "Ishaqzaade" actor.

Keeping in mind his rugged appeal, Flying Machine has recreated and customised the biker jacket that Arjun is donning in his film. With 'Bellow Pockets’ placed on the chest as the key design element; it gives the jacket a very rugged yet classy appeal, just like its inspiration, Arjun.

It also boasts of a shirt collar made of leatherlite.

Arjun says the collaboration blends seamlessly with "Tevar".

"I have worn a Flying Machine jacket in the film, and the brand's motto 'thenewcool' is also what brand 'Tevar' stands for," he said in a statement.

For the brand, this association is an important step in strengthening its 360 degree connect with the young target audience, said Alok Dubey, CEO, Arvind Lifestyle brands.

"The whole idea of this association is centered around given that Flying Machine and Arjun Kapoor fans get a complete experience by which they not only see their favourite star wear Flying Machine clothes but also get an opportunity to wear an autographed original recreation piece that Arjun Kapoor wears in the movie.

"The engagement with the audience, product, brand and the celebrity thus gets completed in full," he added.

As many as 20 documentary films exploring the consequences of urbanisation are being screened at a three-day international film fest that began here Wednesday.

The 'Shehernama-International Documentary and Short Film Festival' (DocuFest) at Rotary Sadan and will showcase works of both young and experienced film makers and even students from development studies, organisers said in a statement.

Documentaries based on marginal communities residing in some of the world's biggest cities like Beijing, Manila and Kinshasa will be shown in addition to entries from Indian cities.

The documentaries revolve on pressing issues like waste management, recycling, labour problems, marginalisation of women in public, Hindu-Muslim riots etc.

Organised by Calcutta Samaritans, Action Aid and Films Division, highlights of the event include short films by Mira Nair, Anirban Dutta among others.

"The Imitation Game", which has received five Golden Globe nominations, will hit Indian screens Jan 23, 2015.

Being released in India by PVR Pictures, the film has a cast of Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley and Charles Dance, said a statement.

Cumberbatch plays the role of a mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing in the biopic.

Firstly premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2014, the film released in Britain in November, followed closely by its release in US.

Family entertainer "Paddington", based on the bestselling and internationally loved series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond, will hit 150 screens across India Jan 16, 2015.

Directed by Paul King and produced by David Heyman, the movie will be released in the country by PictureWorks, a statement said.

The film has already opened to warm reviews in Britaon and Australia, and it will head to North America on the same day as its India release. It will also be distributed in all territories worldwide.

"Paddington" follows the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British. The bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he begins to realise that city life is not all he had imagined -- until he meets the kindly Brown family who read the label around his neck (Please look after this bear. Thank you.), and offer him a temporary haven.

It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

Avinaash Jumani, film acquisitions, PictureWorks, said: “We're pleased to have a family film in the truest sense of the word, one that's genuinely hilarious, touching and inventive to both kids and their parents. A little bear will make a big splash of entertainment to all ages. 'Paddington' is an adventure not to be missed.”

Manjeet Ral’s new song titled "Party like a Punjabi”, for which he teamed up with actor-singer Gippy Grewal, will be out Dec 22. The Canada-based Punjabi singer says the dance track is not just for Punjabis but everyone.

"I wanted to create something that has an international sound that works with a cosmopolitan audience. This is my musical creation for all audiences that like to party,” Ral said in a statement.

“The track is not just for Punjabi people to dance to, but all nationalities. We need to show everyone how to truly let your hair down and celebrate like a Punjabi and I’m confident this track will do the trick,” he added.

On working with Grewal, the “Whistle baja” hitmaker said that it was a “pleasure”.

“I presented the song to Gippy Paji who I thought fits the track best and he just loved the music and wanted to be part of the song instantly. Despite being one of the biggest Punjabi actors today, he is well grounded and down to earth," he added.

Actor Hemant Pandey says his upcoming satirical comedy "Chal Guru Ho Ja Shuru" is about sadhus (sages), but it has nothing to do with spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, who is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail.

Directed by Manoj Sharma, the story will focus on sadhus - both genuine and fake - but it won't showcase anything about Asaram Bapu, who was arrested in September last year when a 16-year-old girl lodged a police complaint accusing him of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur.

"The film will show how these corrupt sadhus are exploiting the common people. It doesn't focus on the life of any particular spiritual guru. It has nothing to do with Asaram Bapu," Hemant told IANS in an interview over phone.

"The film is similar to 'OMG - Oh My God!'," added the actor who will be seen as a fake sadhu in the film.

"Chal Guru Ho Ja Shuru", which also stars Chandrachur Singh, Sanjay Mishra and Manoj Pahwa in pivotal roles, will release Jan 30, 2015.

Sharma said the film will carry an important message.

"In our film we have not only focused on corrupt sadhus, but will also show how the real one's have changed the mindset of people. The message that we wish to give is that people should stop following the fake sadhus but on the other hand they should not criticise the genuine ones."