Actor Vikram, who is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming Tamil magnum opus "I", will be seen in three different roles and he feels blessed to have got that opportunity.

In the film, directed by Shankar, Vikram will be seen as a bodybuilder and a disfigured man.

"This film has been a blessing for me as I got to play three or rather four very different roles in one film that look different, built different, speak different," the actor said here Monday during the press conference of the film.

"I am blessed that I got to do something like this on-screen," he added.

The superstar, who has given remarkable performances in films like "Aparichit", "Raavan" and others, says he was always inclined towards grey shade characters and always wanted to do "out-of-the box" things.

"I grew up doing plays on stage. I was more on stage than in the classroom. So I have always wanted to do something different," the National Award winner said.

"Even when I was acting, they (teachers in school) offered me Julius Caesar but I said "let me play Brutus" because it is a grey role. So in films also I always wanted to do something out-of-the box something which is not me as far as possible," he added.

"I" also features Amy Jackson and Upen Patel. Upen is currently seen as one of the contestants in "Bigg Boss 8".

Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh Tuesday advocated tax exemption for Aamir Khan-starrer "PK" in view of the movie's "new message" that would encourage scientific temperament among students across India.

Agnivesh welcomed "th film which takes a swipe at superstitious beliefs and false idol worship practiced by some people in the name of religion, said a statement released by his organisation Bandhua Mukti Morcha.

As the film's storyline questions exploitation of devotees and followers in the name of religion, Agnivesh urged people to "ignore the hue and cry made by some of the so-called religious leaders like Swami Ramdev and other religious outfits like Vishva Hindu Parishad or Jamaat-e-Islami Hind".

"It is natural that such religious leaders and institutions are bound to get threatened for their survival as the movie hits out at the blind faith," he said, in the statement.

He congratulated Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Leela Samson for rejecting a review of the screening certificate to the film despite pressure from religious fundamentalists.

Actor Aamir Khan’s recently released film "PK" has seen a string of controversies and this has slightly affected the box office collection of the film in a few pockets and has also got police protection at theaters.

Ashish Saksena, COO at BIG Cinemas, told IANS: “ 'PK' has been doing well but from last two to three days there has been a downfall in the collections due to the controversies. But overall it’s been doing great and nobody can deny that 'PK' is the biggest film ever.”

However, it's also been said that once the censor board has passed the film, nothing can be changed.

Rajesh Thadani from Multimedia Combines said: “Censor Board is the ultimate authority and they have passed the film, so we should respect their decision.”

After watching "PK", Hindutva groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were so livid that they went on a rampage in Ahmedabad and Bhopal, smashing theatres screening the film. Also, members of the Bajrang Dal allegedly vandalised theatres in Ahmedabad and demanded a ban on the screening of the Aamir Khan starrer.

In Agra, a "PK" screening was disrupted by protesters who accused Aamir Khan of double standards and allegedly even asked him to move to Pakistan.

The film has also been affected in a few pockets elsewhere in the country.

Rajesh Thadani said: “Yes, the film has been affected in a few pockets like Gujarat, but as we rightly say controversies have added extra publicity to the film. So, it’s only going to help the film in coming days.”

"PK" has been getting police protection in multiplexes and single screens.

Vishal Anand, COO of Fun Cinemas, said: “The film is doing exceptionally well and these controversies have not affected the film at all. Yes, we have been getting police protection.”

Adding to this, Thadani said: “Not just multiplexes, even single screens has been getting police protection.”

Despite all the controversy, the film has managed to collect more that Rs.200 crore, which is outstanding.

Kamal Gianchandani, president of PVR Pictures, said: “The business has been usual and there has been no impact on the collections. The film has crossed Rs.200 crore, which is outstanding.”

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, "PK" also features Anushka Sharma among others. The film was released Dec 19.

Demanding a ban on Aamir Khan-starrer "PK", right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Tuesday termed the film part of a larger scheme to discredit Hindu religion and rituals.

VHP spokesman Vinod Bansal told IANS that they have also demanded an overhaul in the film censor board which approved the movie, and a "change in its character" is needed.

"The movie makes fun of Hinduism in every possible way. For those who are saying it hits at other religions too, all together the scenes of attack on Christianity and Islam will last for two minutes. But for the rest of two and half hours or more, they keep making fun of Hinduism," said Bansal, on a day when protests were held at cinema halls in Delhi screening the film.

"The movie is so insensitive, the character was an alien, but the director was not," he said.

Bansal called it a part of a scheme to discredit Hindu rituals.

"We want an immediate ban on the movie, and the government needs to change the character of the censor board. Every one says that we should not have problem when the censor board has cleared the movie, the question is who is heading the board..." he said.

Bansal added that National Investigation Agency (NIA) must probe the source of funding for the movie, after Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy's claim that the movie was funded by ISI.

Asked about the vandalism, the spokesman said: "Are the theatres not guilty of screening the movie and being a party to the malignant agenda."

He also claimed that there was no vandalism in Delhi theatres.

"We staged peaceful protest at Delite cinema, and another protest at Priya cinema".

Asked to air his objections on the movie, Bansal said there is a long list.

The Bajrang Dal Tuesday continued its protest against Aamir Khan's “PK” in the state alleging that the film insults the Hindu religion and rituals.

They tore and burnt the posters of the film while demanding a ban on the screening of the movie, directed by Rajumkar Hirani, in Neemuch in Malwa region.

The activists proceeded towards Rajmandir movie hall with saffron flags in their hands and demanded that the screening of the movie should be stopped.

However, Additional Superintendent of Police, Neemuch, Pankaj Pandey told IANS that the protesters were stopped before the cinema hall and were not allowed to disrupt the screening of the film.

VHP and Bajrang Dal activists Tuesday protested at various cinema halls in the capital and vandalised a theatre screening Aamir Khan's movie "PK", saying it was against the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Demanding an immediate ban on the film, the activists of the right wing groups protested outside Delite theatre in central Delhi's Daryaganj and south Delhi's PVR Priya.

Around 70 protesters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal gathered outside the Delite theatre at 11.45 a.m. They smashed windows, tore up posters and banners and raised slogans against the film directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

The other group of activists staged a protest around 4 p.m. outside Priya.

The right wing groups demanded a ban on "PK" which has generated controversy for its portrayal of godmen and their misuse of religion for personal gain.

"The movie hurts the sentiments of Hindus, it should be banned immediately," Hindu Sena national president Vishnu Gupta told IANS.

Gupta also demanded the immediate removal of the censor board chairperson.

He said similar protests will be held Wednesday if their demands were not fulfilled.

A Delhi Police official said: "After receiving complaints of protests at several places, we have deployed security personnel at the cinema halls to maintain law and order."

Aamir Khan-starrer "PK" Tuesday faced protest here as activists of right-wing Hindu groups held a demonstration outside a cinema hall, demanding that its screening be stopped.

The owners of Megha, a cinema theatre in Dilsukhnagar area, had to briefly suspend screening of the movie due to protest by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists.

Police said about 30 protesters gathered outside the theatre, tore and set afire the posters of the movie. They also raised slogans against Khan and the film's director Rajkumar Hirani.

The protesters alleged that certain scenes in the film were "objectionable" as they "hurt" the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Alleging that the film had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus, they demanded that its screening be immediately stopped.

The protestors left the theatre after police reached there. The screening of the movie resumed as police provided protection.

Police said they were stepping up security around theatres screening the movie to prevent any untoward incident.

Last week, some Bharatiya Janata Party workers lodged complaints against the movie at two police stations in the city. They sought action against the makers for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus.

Police, however, have not registered the case. A police officer said they have sought legal opinion in this regard.

VHP international working president Praveen Togadia, who was here to attend a meeting Monday, however declined to say anything when asked to comment on "PK" controversy.

It was beyond the scope of the information and broadcasting ministry to restrict the viewing of Aamir Khan's movie "PK" and those opposed to it were at liberty to move court, union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said Tuesday.

"The information and broadcasting ministry has no legal right whatsoever to restrict the viewing of any film," said Rathore, the minister of state for information and broadcasting.

"Freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution," he added.

The movie is being opposed by right-wing organisations who say certain scenes hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and promoted 'love jihad'.

In a countrywide protest, the groups called for the suspension of the film's screening while members of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside theatres, tore the film's posters, and raised slogans denouncing Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.

Filmmaker Shankar, who was here for the audio launch of his upcoming Tamil magnum opus "I", Tuesday said he would like to direct a Telugu film in the future.

"I'm indebted to the audience here. I will direct a Telugu film in the future. I hope it happens soon," Shankar told reporters.

Most of Shankar's Tamil films have been only dubbed in Telugu so far.

Vikram-starrer "I" is scheduled for release during Pongal in January 2015. The film also features Amy Jackson, Suresh Gopi and Upen Patel in major roles.

Filmmaker Shankar describes actor Vikram's dedication for upcoming Tamil magnum opus "I" as "crazy" and mad" and says it has worked in favour of the film.

"For the role of the bodybuilder, I requested Vikram to put on weight. He worked extremely hard for it and we were happy with the output. For the other role of a disfigured man, I never asked Vikram to lose weight but he felt it would suit the role," Shankar told IANS.

"I said it was not required but he was hell bent on achieving it as he found it to be exciting. He was madly dedicated for the role. Going by whatever he's gone through for the film, I sometimes felt he was crazy. But all that worked in favour of the film," he said.

Shankar said he was extremely concerned about Vikram's health.

"It's not easy to gain and lose weight for the same film. He didn't just lose a few kilos, but he lost so much weight that I was worried about his health. I even told his wife that I had never asked him to lose weight," he added.

Also starring Amy Jackson, Upen Patel and Suresh Gopi, "I" is slated for a early January 2015 release.

Indians are attracted to concerts because of their passion for music and not an excuse to party, says Jono Grant, a member of English dance music group Above & Beyond.

"We have performed in India on several occasions and we know the crowd here. They are very passionate about music and I think that people come for the music and not just for drinking and partying," Grant told IANS in a group interview on the sidelines of Vh1 Supersonic 2014 being held on the shores of Candolim beach here.

"People here know their music and that is the best crowd a DJ can play to. I think India is a great place to play," he added.

Grant got together with Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki to form the group in 2000 and since then there has been no looking back. They have released three studio albums, two remix albums and one side-project album. They have their own Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep labels. Grant felt that the music from 2000 till date has become more complex and intriguing.

"The production of shows has become a lot more complex and involving better lights, sound and visuals. I think we spend a lot time on the road doing shows now because when we started, it was not a big scene. Now, it is a global scene because of the internet.

"Everything changes with time and it is changing faster than ever. So, it is a really interesting time to be in dance music," the artist said.

The electronic trio also has a Group Therapy radio show that Grant said helps them connect with their fans and also update them about the music scene.

"We started doing a radio show because the ministry of sound invited us to do a show and we thought it would be a great idea to connect with fans once every week. Then it kind of grew.

"It is a way to interact with the audience every week and also keep us on top of the new music that is coming through," he said.

The musician says he looks up to people for their creativity, but prefers not to follow anyone's footsteps to retain the edge in his music.

"I look up to people who have done some amazing things and are dedicated to come up with some amazing things whether it is music or technology. I don't follow any DJ because I think if you follow dance music then you end up sounding like everybody else," he said.

Above & Beyond is ready with a new album "We Are All We Need" and Grant said it will keep the trio on its toes in the year to come.

"The year 2015 is all about new album. We are doing a European tour in January and a US tour in February. I hope we come to India again for a tour for the new album. And then maybe some acoustics in 2016," he said.

Actor Vishnu Manchu will be busy shooting yet-untitled Telugu remake of Tamil action-thriller "Arima Nambi" Thursday on New Year's Day.

"Vishnu has decided to start the second schedule of the film tomorrow. He wants to ring in the New Year with some exciting work," a source close to the actor told IANS.

"One of the reasons Vishnu is working right from the start of the year is because he wants to complete the film as quickly as possible," he said.

Vishnu specially underwent training in freestyle martial arts for his role in the film.

Also starring Pranitha Subash, the remake is being directed by Deva Katta.

In 2014, Vishnu experimented with films such as "Rowdy" and "Anukshanam".

Actress Shanvi Srivastava has been signed as the female lead opposite promising Kannada star Yash in upcoming film "Masterpiece". Regular shooting of the film will start from second week of January next year.

"We were on the lookout for a heroine for a while. Then I saw Shanvi's performance in 'Chandralekha' and was really impressed. We zeroed in on her because we wanted someone very committed and she perfectly fits the bill," the film's director, Manju Mandavya, told IANS.

"We plan to start shooting from the second week of next month," he said.

This will be Shanvi's third Kannada film after "Chandralekha" and yet-untitled remake of Telugu hit "Ala Modalaindi".

The cast of "ABCD 2" has wrapped up its Las Vegas's shooting schedule and actor Varun Dhawan, who plays one of the leads in the film, says he never had so much fun like the way he did in this film.

"The USA schedule of #abcd2 is done never has soo much fun on any film energy, passion, love and DANCE thank u," Varun posted on micro-blogging site Twitter,Wednesday.

Directed by Remo D'Souza, "ABCD 2" is a sequel to his directorial debut "ABCD: Anybody Can Dance" that released last year. The film also features Shraddha Kapoor.

Nearly 200 Bajrang Dal activists Wednesday protested outside a cinema hall in Delhi and stopped the screening of Aamir Khan starrer "PK", saying it went against the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Neeraj Doneria, Delhi state convener of the Bajrang Dal, told IANS that the activists gathered outside Nand Nagri's Gagan cinema in east Delhi around 11.30 a.m.

"We protested against the screening the movie and also burned Aamir's effigies and the film's posters," he said.

He demanded the cinema hall should stop screening the movie.

The protestors also blocked Sunder Nagri Road in the area for nearly 30 minutes.

According to the police, the area was barricaded and adequate policemen were deployed outside the theatre.

Doneria said they stopped protesting after being assured by the owner of the cinema hall that he would not screen the movie any further.

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists had also protested Tuesday at various cinema halls in central and south Delhi area and also vandalised a theatre.

Have you ever tried siting down at an Electronic Dance Music(EDM) festival and bouncing back with pulsating beats? Well the final day of the second edition of Vh1 Supersonic 2014 Tuesday was all about this, along with a mix of electronic beats.

Be it the star performers of the night, Dash Berlin or the trendsetters The Chainsmokers, the artists made the energetic crowd sit on the ground with them and cavort with the music which went low and then reached the high tempo.

The moment instantly became a hit with the crowd, which could be seen swaying on the music on the ground and jumping back on. In fact the artists also participated in the movement, which boosted energy of the crowd.

The four-day annual musical extravaganza, which started Dec 27 at Candolim Beach here, witnessed some of the world's most celebrated music artists from various genres setting the right tempo with their gigs. Overall, the fest had an impressive line-up like internationally acclaimed DJ Paul van Dyk, British DJ Mark Knight, English dance group Above & Beyond and DJ Dillon Francis.

The last day summed up the gala affair with performances of international artists to the likes of Aly & Fila and Delta Heavy. The crowd was spoilt with choice be it-- Egyptian trance, techno or electro.

The Chainsmokers, who shot to fame with their tracks like “#Selfie" and “Kanye”, was the power house of the night. They presented a mesh of their tracks with an electronic twist, leaving the audience wanting for some more.

The sprawling venue was packed when Dash Berlin took to stage. People cheered for him until their voice became hoarse. Dash Berlin transformed the session into one big party with their tracks and other popular tracks like “A sky full of stars” and “If I lose myself tonight”.

The crowd also got a taste of Egyptian trance with Aly & Fila and Israeli electronic music with Infected Mushroom, who took the stage to wow music aficionados.

To fit the perfect finale of the festival, some dazzling firework was also their which did turn heads and divert people's attention from music.

Conceptualised by popular DJ Nikhil Chinapa and Live Viacom 18, the second edition of the music festival kept security in mind and set-up drones for aerial shots.

It wasn't just about music, the fest also had organised a flea market at the venue, which has something special for everyone. Not to forget an interesting spread of mouth-watering snacks at the stalls at the venue.

Actress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says she can’t believe that designer Isha Mantry is no more.

The 27-year-old fashion designer, who was originally from Mumbai, collapsed allegedly due to a drug overdose at an Electronic Dance Music festival at Candolim beach in Goa late Monday and subsequently died at a local hospital, the Congress alleged Tuesday.

Pooja is in shock.

“Isha Mantry I can't believe you have left us so early. You with the dancing eyes & shy smile! Why my love? WHY?,” she tweeted Wednesday.

“What appalls me is the damn music did not stop at EDM even after Isha's body was carried off the floor. Are we that blasé? That brain dead?,” she added.

He also advised her followers on Twitter to leave the chemicals behind.

“Stick to alcohol if you must guys! Smoke a damn joint! But for God's sake, leave the chemicals BEHIND. Life is too damn precious,” she tweeted.

Her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also took to the micro-blogging site to mourn the designer’s death.

“Amusing yourself to death! Do u know that when Isha Mantri our designer dropped to the dance floor & died, the music did not stop? Tragic!,” he tweeted.

The members of the Tamil Nadu Film Directors Union (TANTIS) have urged Tamil Nadu government to erect a statue in memory of legendary filmmaker K. Balachander, who passed away here last week.

"Balachander sir deserves to be remembered for many generations. We were moved to see how many people showed up at his funeral. It shows the kind of impact he had left on the people with his films. We thought we could build and unveil a statue in his memory," R.K Selvamani, a member of TANTIS told IANS.

"We would also like the government to name a street in Mylapore, where he lived, after him. We also plan to change the name of our office building to aBalachander Illam' (Balachander's abode)," he said.

In February 2015, TANTIS will hold a special memorial service for Balachander.

"We plan to organize a week-long festival showcasing his best films. The entire industry will come together for this event, which we plan to celebrate in a big way," he added.

Actress Shefali Sharma, who portrays Ria Agrawal in TV series "Tum Aise Hi Rehna", will flaunt saris designed by actress Mandira Bedi in the upcoming episodes.

The show witnessed the lead pair, Abhimanyu (Kinshuk Mahajan) and Ria tying the knot after much family drama. As per the sequence, post her wedding, her mother-in-law presents her with four beautiful saris which will be worn by the new bride.

Ria, who was usually seen wearing suits in the TV show, will now don designer saris and Shefali is excited to flaunt the look.

"I am thrilled to wear the saris from Mandira Bedi's collection. The saris are a perfect combination of beauty and tradition with a modern touch to it. The work on each of the saris is exquisite and the colours make them stand out," Shefali said in a statement.

The show is being aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

Actress-turned-director Divya Khosla Kumar says she will spend her New Year shooting in Shimla.

"It's going to be a working New Year for me this time as I am in Shimla shooting for my second directorial film, 'Sanam Re'," said Divya, who made her directorial debut with "Yaariyan".

However, she is happy that her family will be around on the New Year.

"But the blessing in disguise is that my son Ruhaan is already here with me and my husband Bhushan will also be joining me. I will be off to silent dinner post work with family and the star cast of my film. Nonetheless, bringing in year 2015 in this chilly Shimla weather is going to be fun!" she added.

"Sanam Re" is a romantic film and faetures Pulkit Samrat and Yami Gautam in the lead.