Music composer Pritam who landed in the city on Monday to perform at the star-studded Indian Premier League (IPL-8) inaugural, said it felt good to be back home.

"Landed in Kolkata. Performing in @IPL opening ceremony. Always feels good to come back home," Pritam wrote on social networking site Twitter.

Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma are set to enthrall audiences at the glitzy opening ceremony of the eighth chapter of the league at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday.

During the two-hour long show, actor-director Farhan Akhtar will belt out songs with his band while actor Saif Ali Khan, Indian cricketing legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's son, will host the show and introduce the cricketers and stars.

Pritam who is incharge of the overall music of the ceremony will also be performing live.

In addition, Ash King (born Ashutosh Ganguly), the London-based Indian-origin singer, will also be part of Pritam's act.

"Hello Kolkata. Im back thanks to Pritam, for part of his IPL Launch performance which is showing LIVE across the WHOLE WORLD tomorrow!," King tweeted.

He made his playback singing debut in director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's movie "Delhi-6" and has belted hits for movies like "Aisha", "Dum Maaro Dum", "Bang Bang!" and others.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, a Kashmiri Pandit, is ecstatic about what he calls "a holiday in 30 years". And he's more excited as he's heading to "the most beautiful place on earth", Kashmir.

The 60-year-old, who has been a part of the film industry for over three decades, took to Twitter to express his excitement over his visit.

“On my way to Gulmarg, my Kashmir. Have not taken a holiday in 30 yrs. So what better place to go but to The Most Beautiful Place On Earth,” Anupam posted.

“Flight is full of tourists to Srinagar, Kashmir. I have already started my photo sessions with Fans, Followers & Countrymen. Jai Ho,” he added.

Anupam was recently seen in films like “Dirty Politics”, “Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene” and “Baby”.

After landing an opportunity to groove for a special song in S.S. Rajamoulia's magnum opus "Baahubali", model-turned-actress Nora Fatehi will next feature in an item song in Telugu action-comedy "Kick 2".

"Nora has been signed on for an item song in 'Kick 2'. The song will be shot soon in a specially erected set here," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

"Kick 2", a sequel to the 2012 blockbuster, is being directed by Surender Reddy. The crew recently returned from Switzerland after shooting some songs.

Also starring Ravi Teja, Rakul Preet Singh, Ravi Kishan and Kabir Duhan Singh, the film is gearing up for release in May.

"Kick 2" is said to be the story of son of Ravi Teja from the first part.

Actor Ajay Ghosh, who is in awe of National Award-winning filmmaker Vetrimaaran, says the experience of working with him in upcoming Tamil thriller "Visaaranai" was inspiring.

"Hundreds of people wait for an opportunity to work with Vetri sir. I feel extremely lucky to have worked with him in 'Visaaranai'. The passion with which he makes films is amazing. And that in a way makes working with him so inspiring," Ajay told IANS.

"Vetri sir has an eye for actors. When I met him, he quickly assessed me and said I'll make a great villain. He can read actors by their body language and no wonder the actors he picks are so good in his movies," he added.

Based on true events, "Visaaranai" is about police interrogation techniques and brutality.

"The story focuses on how police torture innocent people to admit to crimes they never committed. It's about the psychological behaviour of the torturer and ones who get tortured. I play an inspector and appear throughout the first half, while actor Samuthirakani will be seen post interval," he said.

"Vetri sir spent a lot of time on getting the torture scenes right. Police torture is not about beating someone to pulp; it has a style and technique, which we've tried to bring on the scene. It's as realistic as any film can get," he added.

"Visaaranai" stars Dinesh, Anandhi, Murugadoss and Misha Ghosal in important roles.

Explaining more about the film, Ajay said: "Since the story begins from Guntur, first half is mostly in Telugu and some sporadic dialogues in Tamil. The film has come out extremely well. It raises pertinent questions on human rights".

Ajay is currently busy shooting for Telugu film "Jyothi Lakshmi" in Goa.

Members of Hindu Vishwa Parishad (VHP) have called for a ban on actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan-starrer Tamil drama "Uttama Villain", claiming it will affect the religious sentiments of Hindi people.

In their statement to the commissioner of police on Monday, the group alleged that the song "Iraniyan Nadagam", about the disparaged conversation between Prahalad and Hiranyakashipu, will hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

"The lyrics of the song will upset followers of Lord Vishnu. It belittles the conversation between Prahalad and Hiranyakashipu. Hence, we demand a ban on the film," K.L Sathiyamoorthy, member of VHP, told IANS.

Directed by Ramesh Aravind, the movie is about an 8th century theatre artist and a modern-day superstar.

Tamil thriller "Vil Ambu" is a film about how society influences common people and the role it plays in shaping their lives, says the makers of the venture.

Starring Sree, Harish Kalyan, Srushti Dange, Samskruthy and ChandiniAin the lead roles, the film is directed by newcomer Ramesh Subramaniam and produced by filmmaker Suseenthiran.

"Society substantially plays an influencing role in shaping a person's life. Every little thing that a person might encounter would precisely let him choose the way. Sometimes, it maybe a good path and in contrary a bad one, which would change the lives of respective persons forever," read a statement released on behalf of the makers.

"'Vil Ambu' is about one such instance, where couples of youngsters, each belonging to an upper class and lower middle class are residing in the same locality. These characters, one being a roughneck and other, an innocent person never meet from beginning till the end, but somehow they keep influencing each other," added the statement.

Singer Bhoomi Trivedi has recorded a party song for the upcoming film "Hotel Beautifool" and says it's a very groovy track.

"Sanjeev Tiwari and Sameer Iqbal Patel (the music composers of the film) were sure what they wanted. I feel, it is a groovy song where everyone is having fun and enjoying their own space," she told IANS.

"It's an apt club song with beautiful lyrics," she added.

The lyrics of the song is "Baat bas tu ye samjha le, baanho me hi jannat hain re, ji le har pal zindagi ji le".

Sameer, who is also the director of the film, says wellknown singers like Shaan, Usha Uthup and Bhoomi have so far recorded songs for "Hotel Beautifool".

"Shaan, Usha Uthup and Bhoomi are some of the few big names who have crooned songs for my movie. Wide variety of moods, tastes, range and texture, the music of the film is brilliant, edgy and downright groovy," he said.

The film has been jointly produced by Reddy and Mohammed Aslam Shaikh under the banner of Madhire Film Corporation and Umbrella Film Corporation.

Faisal Saif's movie, which was earlier titled "Main Hoon Rajinikanth" has now been changed to "Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer" and the filmmaker says the film is set to release on April 24.

"I am extremely happy that my film is now all set to release on April 24," Saif told IANS.

After the long running court battle between superstar Rajinikanth and Varsha Productions, the title of the comedy-spoof "Main Hoon Rajinikanth" was changed to "Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer."

The film made news when the south Indian superstar moved a court and it put on hold the film's title regarding the personality rights. The film is a comic-spoof thriller where a CBI officer named Rajinikanth mistakenly creates havoc in other people's life and goes on a killing spree.

"Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer" is written and directed by Faisal Saif and stars noted south Indian villain Adithya Menon as Rajinikanth along with Kavita Radheshyam, Sunil Pal, Reema Lagoo, Ganesh Yadav, Smita Gondkar and Shakti Kapoor.

Making a comeback after eight years to Tamil filmdom with upcoming drama "36 Vayadhinile", actress Jyotika says it was at the behest of her best friends and her actor-husband Suriya, she decided to don the greasepaint again.

"I was confused when I got the offer to act again. When I consulted with my best friends Sarah, Anu and Lakshmi, they said I should do it because I deserve a break. They were my driving force behind my decision to act again," Jyotika told IANS.

Jo, as she's popularly referred to by her fans, said she couldn't have done it without their support.

"From time to time, they'd encourage me via calls and text messages. I should also thank my help Devi, with whom I entrusted my children and stepped out to act without having to worry. I couldn't have done it without their support," she said.

Jo feels extremely lucky to have been married to Suriya. The couple has two children.

"My in-laws never questioned my decision to act again. They could've asked me, but they didn't. My father-in-law would drop the kids at school and my mum-in-law would pack their lunches and look after them at home. I could concentrate on sets because they were looking after my children," she said.

Talking about Suriya, she said: "He was the first person I met when I came to Chennai many years ago. Since then he's been my pillar of strength. I'm so happy to have married hima.

Directed by Roshan Andrrews, the film is the official remake of Malayalam hit "How Old Are Youa. It's about who decides the expiry date of women's dreams.

"36 Vayadhinile" is produced by Suriya's home banner, 2D Entertainment, named after his children Dev and Diya.

Jo said she couldn't have asked for a better comeback.

"This is easily my career's best film. We complain that Tamil cinema rarely produces women-centric films. I think all that is going to change with my film. It's amazing on Roshan's part to debut in a new industry with a woman-centric film," she said.

Recalling the shooting experience, she says that there was lot of women empowerment even on the sets of the movie.

"Most of the technicians were accompanied by their wives on the sets. Our cinematographer Diwakar's wife assisted him. While shooting, they'd argue about light and other small things. Off the sets, you find them eating hot bhajiya in rain. They make a wonderful couple," she said.

The makers of the film, 2D Entertainment have teamed up with Sakthi Masala to plan and help ten women realise their dreams.

"36 Vayadhinile" is gearing up for release in May. The film also features Rahman, Abhirami, Delhi Ganesh and Siddhartha Basu in important roles.

Off to the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) for the screening of her debut feature film "Haraamkhor" -- a title an actress with quintessential Bollywood preferences perhaps won't prefer -- debutante Shweta Tripathi hopes the international film jamboree makes her stronger about her choice of the evolving offbeat genre in Indian cinema.

"Haraamkhor", a debut feature by director Shlok Sharma, features Hindi cinema's acting powerhouse Nawazuddin Siddiqui as a school teacher who enters a forbidden relationship of sorts with his student, essayed by the vibrant 29-year-old Shweta.

"The festival is going to be a platform for me to showcase my work. At the events, I'm looking forward to interact with talent from all over the world, watch cinema that will inspire me and motivate me to carry on and be strong about my choices," Shweta told IANS before flying off to Los Angeles, for her film's screening which is scheduled for Wednesday. IFFLA will also screen her short film "Safar".
Next month "Haraamkhor" heads to the New York Indian Film Festival.

The journey to films has been "very eventful" for Shweta -- the daughter of Delhi's former chief secretary P.K. Tripathi -- who came to Mumbai eight years ago and not in the pursuit of becoming an actor.

But love for theatre since her childhood days brought this National Institute of Fashion Technology graduate closer to the world that she's now ready to invade with her talent.

Shweta heads a theatre group which goes by the quirky name of AllMyTea Productions; she featured as the lively Zenia Khan in Disney channel's "Kya Mast Hai Life"; has featured in short films, and has several advertisements to her credit.

She says "theatre makes you disciplined, makes your foundation strong and helps you explore".

Films, of course, are a different medium, but for the actress, her "choices are shaped by what I like".

And while she maintains that she's a "very happy, positive person", she is attracted to and excited by "dark roles, a bit twisted and with a disturbed past".

How come a debut with the title "Haraamkhor"?

"The title came later. I had worked with Shlok on his short film 'Sujata'. It's after shooting for it that he told me he'd like me to be a part of his first feature (good work gets you more work).

"I heard the script. It had all the ticks on my check list. And who was I going to be opposite? Nawaz? Nawazuddin Siddique? Sure! And then I met him during costumes trials and that's when it finally sunk in that I am actually going to be working with him," she gushed.

After having worked with Nawazuddin, who's already become a poster boy of sorts of Indian films at foreign film galas, she says "he's an institution in himself".

"He never made me feel anything less than him," she said, stressing that she is here to continue doing "meaningful" cinema "that makes you think and that makes you feel".

Actor Emraan Hashmi, most of whose films have got an A-certificate from the censor board, is relieved that his soon-to-be-released sci-fi thriller "Mr X" has got a U/A certificate as now he can show the film to his son and family.

"I am more relieved than Vikram (Bhatt, the director) to get the U/A certificate for the film because I don't have too many films with U/A certificate," the 36-year-old said here Monday during the promotion of the film.

"But this is the first film that I, without any stress, would show to my son and my family," he added.

Produced by Vishesh Films and directed by Vikram Bhatt, the film features Emraan as an invisible guy, who seeks revenge for all the wrong done to him.

The actor also has some passionate and bold scenes with his co-star Amyra Dastur. However, he is happy that this film will have additional audiences due to the U/A certificate.

"I am really relieved that this film has certain additional audiences that "Raaz 3D" didn't have when we released it two years back because of its erotic quotient and blood," Emraan said.

"I am looking forward to kind of tapping into that potentially new audience," he added.

Emraan is satisfied with the final outcome of the film and hopes the audience will love it. He says it will be a roller-coaster ride for the audience.

"It is an absolute delight. It's like a roller-coaster ride with the invisible man, with the action sequences in 3D or even if you don't see this in 3D," said the actor, a couple of whose last films didn't do well at the box office.

"Mr X" is slated to release April 17.

Actor Emraan Hashmi, who is gearing up for the release of his sci-fi 3D film "Mr X" does not want it to be compared with the Hollywood-based technologically superior franchise "The Avengers".

The actor contends that "Mr X" has so strong a philosophy and emotional base that it could also take on the hit Hollywood superhero franchise.

"I think those (Hollywood superhero) scripts don't have the stories of Krishna and Arjun (as shown in 'Mr X') ... the story of 'Mr X' is deeply rooted in our culture," the actor said here on Monday during the promotion of the film.

"I wouldn't really want to put 'Mr X' into comparison with superhero films like 'Avengers'. I think with the story, with the emotional base and with the philosophy that the film has, it could also take on 'Avengers'," he added.

Produced by Vishesh Films and directed by Vikram Bhatt, the film features Emraan as an invisible guy, who seeks revenge for all the wrong done to him.

"Mr X" will be released in 2D and 3D on April 17.

Actress-filmmaker Revathi, who will be next seen in Kalki Koechlin-starrer "Margarita With A Straw", feels that urban audiences will like this film.

In the film directed by Shonali Bose, Kalki plays a cerebral palsy-affected girl. The film has been appreciated on the international platform as well.

Revathi feels that urban audience will like this film and it will be "shocking also" for some.

"If you have a disabled person in your family, you will relate to it. It's a very truthful film. It's so real that everybody will connect with it. It's a family story," she told IANS.

Asked about all research that went behind the film, Revathi said: "I did a film called 'Anjali' 21 years back that was directed by Mani Ratnam. In the film, my daughter Anjali had a disability. I had done research at that time and since then I am a volunteer in an organization. I have knowledge about it and it's nothing new for me."

"When I heard the story, I felt that it is about something that I know. So I was happy to do it," she added.

The film that also features Sayani Gupta is slated to release on April 17.

The idea of India being a multi-cultural secular nation was ingrained in the writings and poems of mystic poet and saint Kabir Das, whose life and times will be recreated in a play to be staged here on April 14.

After successfully running shows of "Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein" all over India between 1982 and 1992, veteran theatre director M. K. Raina is back with this production which has been written by late Hindi writer-playwright and actor Bhisham Sahni.

This play is 'The Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust's' (SAHMAT) tribute to Sahni whose birth centenary year is being celebrated in 2015.

"People are celebrating Sahni's celebrated works through various activities and events. So when someone asked me what I was doing, I thought of reviving the play," Raina told IANS.

With a young ensemble in place, Raina hasn't tampered with the script as he feels the outlook and poetry of Kabir is relevant in today's time.

"He represented the period of Sufi and Bhakti sangeet that spread across all languages and religions. He was the one who had a secular, multi-cultural view about India. This is what Kabir stood for and his viewpoint is very relevant today," Raina added.

The two-hour play will be staged at the Shri Ram Centre on the occasion of the 27th National Street Theatre Day.

Inspired by the high and the classy, designer Preeti Singhal showcased her Derby collection here.

The collection, which was presented on Monday at a Derby event hosted by Rohit Gupta of Rolli Stud farms & Daksh Oberoi, was an ensemble of hats, satin gloves, skirts and spaghettis.

Actress Hrishita Bhatt, who walked as the showstopper, wore the after party Derby lace Gown in beige colour.

Singhal also exhibited her collection of concept saris.

The fashion show was held after horse races.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the event and would like to thank Rohit for providing me an opportunity to showcase my starline collection,” Singhal said in a statement.

Just as Bollywood stars go hopping from one city to another to promote their films, the figurines of fictional comic book heroes Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America are being made to tour different Indian cities to create pre-release buzz for "Avengers: Age Of Ultron".

The Iron Man figurine has been sent to Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru; Captain America to Indore and Ahmedabad, and Hulk to Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Delhi.

"We also have requests coming in from Bhopal, Kanpur and a few other centers. The craze to get 'selfies' with the figurines is huge," said a source from Disney.

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" is releasing in India on April 24, a week before it hits US screens.

Double Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman on Tuesday attended a special screening of director Umesh Aggarwal's documentary "Jai Ho" based on the career of the "Mozart of Madras".

The screening at the India Habitat Centre here saw a packed audience of music lovers from not only the capital but the rest of the country.

The film celebrates Rahman's achievements through his career, which spans two decades.

Considered one of the world's most influential people by Time magazine, the music maestro's work includes over 120 film scores worldwide.

The documentary explores the evolution of his style of music -- a fusion of Eastern sensibilities and Western technology.

Through various turning points in his life and significant milestones, the film showcases an Indian icon who has proved to be no less than a global phenomenon.

A standing ovation by the audience marked the end of the 60-minute documentary, and what followed was a question-answer session featuring Rahman and the film's director with the audience.

Rahman was also asked by the audience to sing a song in his melodious voice but unfortunately due to time constraints, the wish could not be fulfilled.

Rahman has won two Oscars for his music in "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2009 -- Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song, which he shares with lyricist Gulzar.

Oscar-winners A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty, along with veteran vocalist Pandit Jasraj and music director Uttam Singh on Tuesday launched the music of forthcoming biopic of Guru Nanak, titled "Nanak Shah Fakir".

Produced by Harinder Sikka, the film is based on the life and teachings of the first Sikh guru, depicted through the voice of his friend, companion and disciple 'Bhai Mardana', a Muslim fakir.

The Mozart of Madras, who has mentored the background score of the film -- originally been composed by Finnish composer Tuomas Kantelinen -- said: "I did 12 movies last year, so I was totally jam-packed. I was travelling between US, Iran, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. So, when they asked me to do background score, I said I'll get them the right person and Tuomas got ready for it."

"I told producers that he is correct person as he has been a spiritual student in Delhi and has knowledge of the ragas," he added.

The music of "Nanak Shah Fakir" has been composed by Uttam Singh, who has previously made songs for films like "Dil To Pagal Hai" and "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha".

"People will get to hear a totally different music in the film, something which is not at all similar to the ones which are currently in demand in the industry. This is unlike a film soundtrack as the songs are hymns in praise of the Lord,” Singh said.

The shabads (hymns) composed by Singh have been sung by Padma awardees Pandit Jasraj and Bhai Nirmal Singh.

Also available at the event were Bollywood playback singers Kailash Kher and Harshdeep Kaur, who have lent their vocals for the album.

Apart from them others include, Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod, Bhupinder Singh, Harbhajan Mann, Jiya Wadekar, Tej Boodardekar, Saapna Mukerjee, Master Saleem, Sukhjit Singh, Manjit Singh, Harshdeep, Ishwanik Kaur and Puneet Sikka.

“Nanak Shah Fakir” is all set to release on April 17.

Uthara Unnikrishnan, who bagged the National Award for her song in last year's Tamil drama "Saivam", has crooned again in G.V Prakash Kumar's composition in upcoming but yet-untitled film in the language featuring superstar Vijay.

Ten-year-old Uthara won the National Award for the song "Azhage", which was also composed by Prakash.

"Uthara recorded a lovely track for Vijay's 59th film. It has come out very well. It's too early to talk about the song," Prakash told IANS.

An ardent fan of actor Vijay, singing for the superstar was on the young singer's wish list.

The film, which is yet to go on floors, will be directed by Atlee. Amy Jackson and Samantha are rumoured to have been signed on as the leading ladies.

In his four-decade career, Mahesh Bhatt has never shied away from showing the elements of his real life in films like "Woh Lamhe". The veteran filmmaker says there is "nothing personal about any human being".

From his linkup to late Bollywood star Parveen Babi to his inebriated past, Bhatt has never hesitated in sourcing ideas for films from his real life. The 66-year-old says he has no problems in showcasing his real life onscreen as what one goes through is "pathetically close to somebody else".

"There are two streams in me. One is the stream which makes films out of the real material called life and make inspiring tales out of that. There is a particular section of society which loves that kind of cinema," Bhatt, who was in the capital to promote his forthcoming production venture "Mr. X", told IANS in an interview.

"Then, there is another section which loves my other kind of cinema like 'Sadak', 'Dil Hai ki Manta Nahin' or 'Raaz' and 'Mr. X' also fits into that type. So I have no problem in oscillating between the two. I have no problem in shifting from one genre to the other.

"I do not want myself to be restricted to a pigeonholed kind of filmmaker. I choose to speak in the language the person is comfortable with. There is nothing personal about any human being. Whatever one goes through is pathetically close to somebody else," he added.

Talking about "Mr. X", which stars his nephew and actor Emraan Hashmi, Bhatt says that "It's the first 3D family film with those state of the art special effects which are indigenously created in our own country."

"It's a film which is made within the attention span that young people have or viewers have for films nowadays... 'Mr. X' has the kind of pulse of the time we live in because it's getting progressively difficult to bring people to cinema halls. They have tremendous variety available to them. So 'Mr. X' is unique, distinct and special in terms of its visual texture. It will appeal to the large section of people which wants to have a good time".

Although Bhatt admitted that the invisible concept is not new to the film industry, he said: "There is a child in every man and that's why larger than life stories which have a fairly tale component will work."

"People love miracles; they love stories which break through adversities. That's what 'Mr. X' gives to them. There is nothing real about Spiderman or Superman. Filmmaking is unreal business. It's all about storytelling," he said.

"With larger than life films you are lifted from your mundane ordinary life because you empathise with the hero and people see themselves in him. That's why stories with characters like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Krrish or Mr. X work in a very big way universally," he added.

So what he'll do if he get's a chance to be "Mr. X"?

Bhatt said: "I would unmask all those self proclaimed saints and good people who pretend to the world through their media manipulation that they are spotless and reveal their real face."

"I would love to unmask them to the real world to let people know that these people pretend to them what they are, but actually they are not because they are innumerable. Such people are a curse to mankind."

Directed by Vikram Bhatt, "Mr. X" also stars Amyra Dastur and Arunoday Singh and is set to release on April 17.