Southern composer Anirudh Ravichander of "Why this kolaveri di" fame and actress Amy Jackson will soon head to the US to shoot a music video for the single "Enakenna Yaarum Illaye" from upcoming Tamil film "Aakko".

"While the single was released earlier this year, the makers are now planning to shoot a music video featuring Anirudh and Amy Jackson. The video will be shot in the US most likely in August," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

The song, which was penned by director Vignesh Shivan, was composed and crooned by Anirudh himself.

Directed by M. Shyam Kumar, the film features Geethan Britto, Tulika Gupta and Arjunan in important roles.

Initially, Anirudh was offered the lead role in the film, but he passed it and agreed to compose the film's music.

The common string that ties the team of "Masaan" to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is the critically acclaimed crime drama "Gangs of Wasseypur". Now as "Masaan" is treading towards success, Kashyap says he is proud of the whole cast for making a mark with their first outing.

The film's lead Richa Chadha, Vicky Kaushal and debutant director Neeraj Ghaywan worked on Kashyap's critically acclaimed "Gangs of Wasseypur".

While Ghaywan and Vicky were assistant directors of "Gangs of Wasseypur", Richa was one of the female leads.

"It's good to see my brightest first-timers not wasting any time to go out there and make a brilliant first film. There is a lesson there for all of us. I'm very proud of Neeraj as a director and Vicky as actor," Kashyap said in a statement.

There's more. The lyricist of songs like "Womaniya" and "Kaala rey", the IIT graduate Varun Grover has penned the story of "Masaan" and also written songs in the film, including "Mann kasturi", which is sung by Indian Ocean band.

Besides, other people who worked on both the films are actor Pankaj Tripathi, action director Sham Kaushal, editor Nitin Baid, Karuna Dutt (assistant director) and Shrikant Desai (make-up).

The film, set in Varanasi, takes audiences to the dark side of Indian society through the lives of two women and how their life coincides at some point. There are ghats and scenic locales with the holy Ganga river in the backdrop.

The film won the Promising Future Prize and the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) Award at the Cannes International Film Festival this year.

Other than the past alliances, Kashyap is related to "Masaan" in one more way. He is co-producing the film with his Phantom Films along with Manish Mundra (Drishyam Films) and Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment.

Though "Masaan" will hit the Indian screens only on June 24, a Cannes-cut version of the movie was screened here when it opened the sixth edition of Jagran Film Festival earlier this month, and elicited a positive response.

After launching the trailer of the film "Gour Hari Dastaan - The Freedom File" here, Mumbai Mayor Sneha Ambekar is planning to host a special screening of the movie for her close aides. The movie's director Ananth Mahadevan says her support is encouraging.

Ambekar is said to be hosting the screening as she feels the movie, which traces the inspirational journey of freedom fighter Gour Hari Das, should reach bureaucrats.

Mahadevan said the support of forces other than the film industry is "crucial for a film like this".

"Mayor Snehal Ambekar advocating a film critical of a system we are embroiled in, is very encouraging and exciting," he said in a statement.

The film features Vinay Pathak, Konkona Sen Sharma, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Ranvir Shorey, Asrani, Rajit Kapur, Vipin Sharma, Saurabh Shukla, Vikram Gokhale, Mohan Kapur, Bharat Dabholkar and Siddharth Jadhav among others.

Besides the star cast, the film also features the real life Das who was a part of the shooting from start to finish.

The film is scheduled to release on August 14, the eve of the country's Independence Day.

Actor Junior NTR, who seldom writes about his own films on social media platform, on Thursday wished good luck to team "Baahubali", and added that he hopes the film will spread the fame of Telugu cinema in all directions.

"Telugu cinema khyatini dasa disala Bahubali vyapimpachestundani na nammakam (sic)," NTR posted in Telugu on his Twitter page.

The highly anticipated S.S. Rajamouli-directed "Baahubali" releases in cinemas on Friday worldwide.

Said to be a Rs.250 crore film, it features Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anusha Shetty and Tamannah Bhatia in lead roles.

The two-part mythological drama about two warring brothers over an ancient kingdom will simultaneously release in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.

Designer Pawan Sachdeva, who has been in the menswear market for over a decade and stepped into womenswear just last year, is now all set to establish his flagship stores in tier-II cities in the country.

The designer is targeting central and north India this year and is opting for the franchisee mode for his expansion, said a statement.

According to him, a partnership with a local entrepreneur always works best when you are venturing into an unknown territory.

“I had always felt the need to expand to the new metros of India and now when I have everything to offer to fashion savvy men and women from couture, to prêt and fusion, I feel the time is right to have glagship stores," said Sachdeva, who is targeting cities like Indore, Ludhiana and Jalandhar this year.

Even though it will be a franchise module, the designer will be actively involved in consulting his clients over Skype. He also has lot of innovative plans -- from interactive sessions to collection previews and exclusive one-to-one consultations -- for his style savvy loyal clients.

Cuts are Sachdeva's USP and for him, the beauty of a garment is the distinctive cut and style and not in an overdose of embellishments and embroideries.

The designer currently retails from his flagship stores at New Delhi and Geneva. His eponymous label is being exported to UAE, Britain and the US.

Fashion is moving away from occasion wear and becoming a part of everyday life in India, says well-known designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, who has a reputation of creating classy menswear and womenswear since over a decade.

"Fashion has evolved tremendously. We have seen fashion as something that was occasion based. However, now, fashion is more like an everyday element attached with you," Ahmed told IANS when asked about the significant changes that he has noticed in the country's fashion scene.

"You want to look trendy and fashionable when at work, party, beach or lunch. It is no longer restricted to only special days. From picking the colour of your car to the dress or shirt you plan to wear to office, everything is driven by fashion," added Ahmed, who is also the creative director of Amazon Fashion, an online shopping hub that has launched a formal shoe store.

The designer, who was part of the second graduating class from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, in 1990, credits online shopping for bridging the gap between consumers and fashion.

"Two years back I realised that the way people shop will change drastically. Fashion, over the last decade, has become an integral part of our lifestyle. It is one of the fastest growing segments in India."

"Fashion today is not only restricted to the large metros, but has also captured the imagination of consumers in remote cities and towns. The lack of accessibility of products and collections in smaller markets has opened up avenues for e-commerce in India," said Ahmed, who started his eponymous label in 2000, offering a range of western wear for men and women.

He stressed that fashion was earlier restricted to smaller communities, but with the increasing reach of the online community and the fashion appetite of the buyer, fashion is now reachable and easily accessible.

According to a 2015 report released by India Opportunity Advisors, a strategy consulting and communication company, the Indian e-commerce market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 80 percent or more over next six years, while per capita spending on e-commerce is also expected to increase from $138 now to about $345 by the year 2020.

Not only is the online business bringing a change in the way people perceive fashion, getting online brands as title sponsors during fashion weeks is also affecting in a good way, the designer shared.

"Getting online mediums as title sponsors for fashion events, we are now able to tap designers sitting even in the smallest part of the world, giving him the opportunity and exposure to showcase his talent at a wider platform and also give consumers access to a wide variety of brands and designers, which are otherwise present only in select cities in India," he said by citing an example of Amazon India Fashion Week.

"With Amazon India Fashion Week, we aim not only to bring fashion and designers closer to our consumers across India, but also to give designers a platform that will give them access to national markets and customers who are increasingly shopping online for fashion," added Ahmed.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who stepped into the director's shoes with the 2002 film "Om Jai Jagadish", says it was a "great experience".

The 60-year-old actor took to micro-blogging website to share his happiness after the film completed 13 years of its release on Wednesday.

"Directing #OmJaiJagdish was a great experience. It didn't do well at box office but will Always rule our hearts," he tweeted.

The family drama film featured Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Fardeen Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahima Chaudhry, Urmila Matondkar and Tara Sharma.

Fashion is moving away from occasion wear and becoming a part of everyday life in India, says well-known designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, who has a reputation of creating classy menswear and womenswear since over a decade.

"Fashion has evolved tremendously. We have seen fashion as something that was occasion based. However, now, fashion is more like an everyday element attached with you," Ahmed told IANS when asked about the significant changes that he has noticed in the country's fashion scene.

"You want to look trendy and fashionable when at work, party, beach or lunch. It is no longer restricted to only special days. From picking the colour of your car to the dress or shirt you plan to wear to office, everything is driven by fashion," added Ahmed, who is also the creative director of Amazon Fashion, an online shopping hub that has launched a formal shoe store.

The designer, who was part of the second graduating class from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, in 1990, credits online shopping for bridging the gap between consumers and fashion.

"Two years back I realised that the way people shop will change drastically. Fashion, over the last decade, has become an integral part of our lifestyle. It is one of the fastest growing segments in India."

"Fashion today is not only restricted to the large metros, but has also captured the imagination of consumers in remote cities and towns. The lack of accessibility of products and collections in smaller markets has opened up avenues for e-commerce in India," said Ahmed, who started his eponymous label in 2000, offering a range of western wear for men and women.

He stressed that fashion was earlier restricted to smaller communities, but with the increasing reach of the online community and the fashion appetite of the buyer, fashion is now reachable and easily accessible.

According to a 2015 report released by India Opportunity Advisors, a strategy consulting and communication company, the Indian e-commerce market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 80 percent or more over next six years, while per capita spending on e-commerce is also expected to increase from $138 now to about $345 by the year 2020.

Not only is the online business bringing a change in the way people perceive fashion, getting online brands as title sponsors during fashion weeks is also affecting in a good way, the designer shared.

"Getting online mediums as title sponsors for fashion events, we are now able to tap designers sitting even in the smallest part of the world, giving him the opportunity and exposure to showcase his talent at a wider platform and also give consumers access to a wide variety of brands and designers, which are otherwise present only in select cities in India," he said by citing an example of Amazon India Fashion Week.

"With Amazon India Fashion Week, we aim not only to bring fashion and designers closer to our consumers across India, but also to give designers a platform that will give them access to national markets and customers who are increasingly shopping online for fashion," added Ahmed.

Cbazaar, one of the largest ethnic fashion e-tailers, has relaunched itself with a new brand identity "EthnoVogue" for its operations across the globe and has associated with ace designer Ritu Kumar who will help reinvent textiles of Indian heritage for the modern era.

A new logo was also unveiled in the presence of Ritu Kumar and Rajesh Nahar, co-founder and CEO of Cbazaar, here on Thursday.

The re-branding exercise is primarily aimed at capitalising on the growing affinity for Indian ethnic textiles in the world markets.

The new branding exercise will also focus on reviving the rich traditional Indian fineries and bringing them to the mainstream fashion that blends culture and avant garde.

"I strongly believe in the concept of EthnoVogue that has been truly created to capture the synergy between traditional and western outlook. It addresses people with a more cosmopolitan lifestyle and takes Indian motifs to a new international high while retaining its inherent ethnic aesthetics. Cbazaar has made the right move with EthnoVogue to take the Indian fashion story forward," the designer said.

While taking the Indian fashion story forward with EthnoVogue, Cbazaar is bringing a whole new set of vibrant and dynamic designers, brands and retailers on board to address the cosmopolitan lifestyle.

With a customer base of over one lakh, Cbazaar caters to customers in more than 188 countries and the new brand dovetails with Cbazaar's international business focus.

"The Cbazaar product portfolio draws its inspiration from the timeless fashion heritage of India. EthnoVogue is a concept that reflects a whole new revolution in the ethnic fashion sense that combines a contemporary blend while retaining the rich Indian ethos. The new brand identity 'EthnoVogue' honours the legacy that Cbazaar has built over a decade and at the same time looks into the future," said Nahar.

"With the Czarina of high fashion in the country, Ritu Kumar, sharing her vision with us, Cbazaar EthnoVogue gets a distinct edge and a high-definition."

The brand's USP is made-to-measure clothing and offers custom-built ethnic wear to keep with the international tastes and preferences. The brand houses some of the finest cuts, fabrics and styles across a myriad of Indian ethnic wear, along with accessories for men, women and children.

Following a lawsuit that accused singer Sona Mohapatra and Rituraj Mohanty of distorting the original Sambalpuri cult song "Rangabati" in their re-rendition of it for Coke Studio, Mohapatra said her intention was not to hurt anyone but to bring her home state Odisha into the spotlight.

"I'm just saddened and it's just hurtful. The intention was not to hurt anyone, least of all, the people I want to pay homage to. We got a beautiful opportunity in Coke Studio, which is a cross-cultural platform where different cultures merge with modern music to reach out to a whole different audience," Mohapatra told IANS at the launch of her new album "Punjab Project - Volume 1".

The original "Rangabati", which was sung by Jitendriya Haripal and Krishna Patel, was first aired by All India Radio in Sambalpur in the mid-1970s.

Mohapatra said she only wanted to bring her home state into the spotlight and appreciates the affection she has garnered through the song from various communities.

"The intentions was to put the spotlight on my home state Odisha. I think I want to focus on the millions of people who have shown us love. In four days, the video has hit one million views and a lot of love, affection and pride has come my way.

"And for a few people who are upset by it, I don't want to kill the celebration that is around the song," she said.

The Coke Studio version of the song has reached a staggering 1,114,554 views in just six days and Mohapatra said this has led to the recognition of Sambalpuri folk at a larger level.

"Overall, people have written that it has united Odias... Bengalis to Punjabis to Malayalis have written that they can't understand it but they love it. They were not even aware of Sambalpuri folk as a folk form.

"I think I am introducing my home land to the rest of the world and if there are issues with that, they'll get resolved. I'm just looking for them to get resolved," she said.

Director Anant Narayan Mahadevan says his film "Gour Hari Dastaan" is based on a real story, and the actors will be seen without make-up.

"It is rare for actresses to agree to do a film without make-up. And in this film, no actor has put on make-up as such whether it is Konkona (Sen Sharma) or Tanisshtha (Chaterjee) or any of the other actors," Mahadevan told the media at the trailer launch.

"Chak De India" actress Vidya Malvade also plays an important role and will be seen sans make-up.

As Mahadevan said, "I must salute the guts of this girl (pointing to Vidya)", she replied: "It's just like how I'm at home... like a complete 'jhalli' (crazy). And I think that's why you cast me because I'm a complete jhalli."

The story is based on Gour Hari Das, who had to face severe hardship in the process of procuring a freedom fighter's certificate. His struggle lasted for an enormous 32 years and this forms the core of the film.

The film stars Vinay Pathak as the main lead, along with Konkona Sen Sharma, her husband Ranvir Shorey and Tanisshtha Chatterjee. It releases on August 14.

Comedy entertainer "Gun Pe Done" is in the final stages of post-production confirmed its director to IANS.

"The film is in the final stages of post-production currently and we are brainstorming on an apt release date for the film to reach the maximum number of audience." said Abhik in an exclusive interview to IANS.

The film does not boast of big stars but efficient actors like Jimmy Shergill, Vijay Raaz, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee along with stunning newcomer Tara Alisha Berry in its cast more than compensates for that.

"Working with such distinguished artists was the most pleasant experience of my life. I consider myself extremely fortunate that someone of the calibre of Jimmy Shergill loved the concept of my film very much. And Tara Alisha Berry is just outstanding in the film," Abhik said.

"'Gun Pe Done' is a funny, family entertainer and it will connect with viewers of all age groups. Undoubtedly the kids are just going to love the film. I'm extremely confident about the prospects of the film," he added.

The makers have tried to spread the message about the ill-effects of hooch in a simple yet simple way.

"Gun Pe Done" is produced by Asif Kazi and Manoj Menon under the banner of Pioneer Films and Entertainment LLP.

Actress Radhika Apte had to wear contact lens for the first time for her role in Sujoy Ghosh's short film titled “Ahilya”.

The short 20-minute film, which also stars Tota Roy Choudhury and Soumitra Chatterjee, will feature Radhika in the lead role, and she had to wear contact lenses for this, a statement said.

“There is a certain kind of significance that Radhika's eyes play in the short film, leading to Radhika who had to wear the lenses for the very first time,” said Radhika's spokesperson.

According to a source, the “Badlapur” actress never usually wears lenses, but in the film her eyes play a significant element and therefore the actress had to wear honey brown colour lenses for same. The actress donned the lenses for the very first time for the film, which will release this week.

On the big screen, the actress was last seen in “Hunterrr”.

The trailer of actor-comedian Kapil Sharma's debut film “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon” will be out on August 13.

The 34-year-old shared the news on micro-blogging website Twitter and wrote: "Hello friends.. I have a news for u..Trailer of KKPK is coming out on 13th August".

Directed by popular duo Abbas-Mustan, the comic family entertainer also stars Arbaaz Khan, Manjari Fadnis, Simran Kaur Mundi and Elli Avram. It will be introducing Sai Lokur.

"Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon" is produced by Ratan Jain, Ganesh Jain and Abbas-Mustan under their banner Venus Records & Tapes Pvt Ltd in association with Abbas Mustan Films Production Pvt Ltd.

The film is slated to release on September 25.

In the age of smartphones and e-books, megastar Amitabh Bachchan -- son of legendary writer-poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan -- who is quite abreast with technology, says books should be retained for their "magical quality" of being a trove of knowledge.

"Books...they shall never be shelved away...they shall remain...there is a magical quality about them… yes I could keep them 'kindled' but somehow the charm of holding the pages of a freshly printed book, the writing of our name for its possession, the almost divine manner in which they are kept not too far away from us...ah...such a remarkable habit...such attachment and such wealth...with us," Big B posted on his official blog.

The 72-year-old went on to add that books are not only valuable assets, but hold the key of their owner's personality.

"A home without the exhibition of valuable books seems so bare and ignorant...they convey the character of those that abide in the home…their nature, habits, conversation, likes and dislikes.. all….If music, as I said yesterday, be the soul of our being, books, are the educators of our soul," he shared.

The "Paa" star also dispelled the misconception that he is an avid reader.

"There is belief among many that I read a lot…nonsense...I do not...I merely respect those that do and live in their reflected glory...that too is a limitless attribute...so long as knowledge keeps swimming about you in waves, soft and gentle...life is calm and ethereal," he posted.

On the professional front, the cine icon is gearing up for "Wazir" this year.

Celebrities like Anupam Kher, Madhur Bhandarkar and Randeep Hooda took to Twitter to mourn the death of Egyptian-born actor Omar Sharif. While some remembered him as a "true gentleman", there are others who called him the "towering personality."

Sharif , who came into the limelight with his role in David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and the lead role in "Doctor Zhivago", died of a cardiac arrest on Friday, aged 83.

Remembering his unmatched journey in the entertainment industry, many Bollywood celebrities took to micro-blogging site Twitter to offer condolence on his death. Here's what they tweeted:

Anupam Kher: With Omar Sharif's passing away, kindness of emotions & warmth of heart has also moved away from cinema. RIP Dost

Madhur Bhandarkar: Saddened to hear about the demise of Omar Sharif. Talented actor & a towering personality, a rare combination. R.I.P sir.

Shekhar Kapur: The greatest movie introduction of all time. Dont make stars/films like that anymore #RIPOmarSharif #LawrenceOfArabia

Raveena Tandon: Rip Omar Sharif

Randeep Hooda: RIP #OmarSharif.Superstar, Gentleman,Icon.An"Arab"who never let his voice or image be misused by idiots. Marhabaaaa!

Kabir Bedi: In all my films with OMAR SHARIF - "Ashanti", "Beyond Justice" and "Lie Down with Lions"- he LOVED planning food for his dinner guests. RIP.

Anup Soni: Legendary actor Omar Sharif no more... RIP sir.... #LawrenceOfArabia

Ashoke Pandit: The legend #OmarSharif passes away. I bow down & salute him for being one of the finest actors in the world. RIP.

Born Michel Demetri Chalhoub on April 10, 1932 in a Catholic family of Lebanese descent, Sharif started his career in Egyptian films in 1953 with "Sira Fi al-Wadi" ("The Blazing Sun") opposite leading actress Faten Hamama, whom he married in 1954 after converting to Islam.

He worked in over 20 films before being approached for the role of Sharif Ali in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962) which was his first Hollywood movie.

Rajkumar Rao is the latest Bollywood celebrity to come out in support of the students protesting againt the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as the new chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He says that students' need a chairperson who they can "trust and look up to", so that the premiere institute is in "safe hands".

"FTII needs to be in safe hands. Students need somebody who they can trust and look up to. It's their future which is at stake here," Rajkumar, who an alumnus of FTII, posted on micro-blogging site Twitter on Friday.

The 30-year-old National Award-winner, who has starred in films like "Love Sex aur Dhokha", "Shahid", "Queen" and "CityLights", passed out from the institute in 2008.

The students of the Pune-based institute have been boycotting classes and abandoning academic work to protest the "politically motivated" appointment of Chauhan, who according to them, lacks stature and vision to head the institution.

Chauhan, best known for playing 'Yudhisthira' in popular mythological TV serial "Mahabharata", took over as the chairman of the institute's governing council last month. His appointment was later criticised by current and former students of FTII, who were joined by students of various institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and Delhi Technological University in their protest.

So far, names like Ranbir Kapoor, Kiran Rao, Piyush Mishra, Sayeed Mirza, Jahnu Barua, Pallavi Joshi, Resul Pookutty and Rajat Kapoor have expressed their dissent over Chauhan's appointment.

It's wrong to put a "harsh lens" on India regarding gender inequality and sexual violence as it's not just confined to Indian borders but spread across the globe, says Vibha Bakshi, who framed the aftermath of the December 2012 gangrape on camera in the National Award winning documentary "Daughters of Mother India".

"We are not a rape capital of the world. It is wrong to paint everyone with the same brush. It's not just India's fight. This is a global issue as all rapists speak the same language. India is always under a harsh lens and I think that is wrong because it leaves people with disgust and disillusionment," Bakshi told IANS in an interview.

India earned global notoriety after a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern was brutally gangraped in a bus in New Delhi on December 16, 2002. But India is not the only country to be fighting the evil.

Mumbai-based celebrity hair stylist Sapna Moti Bhavnani has come out in the open about her ordeal when she was gangraped at gun point in Chicago. Bhavnani, who appeared in reality TV show "Bigg Boss 6", narrated her experience on social networking site Facebook, and drew a lot of attention.

In the same vein, Bakshi, who shared views about the need to spread awareness about sexual violence at TEDxWalledCity 2015 last month, even questioned that "there are so many incredible strong women and men of India, how can you erase that?" while painting India's image on the international map.

Her film "Daughters of Mother India" won a National Film Award in Best Film on the Social Issues category this year and it also walked away with the Best Documentary Film award at the 15th edition of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF).

Bakshi, who embarked on a journey to find answers about women with the film, says the positive response to the film added impetus to her endeavour of bringing change in society.

"Our film takes a more panoramic view...with people who are relentlessly working towards change. And we have taken them as a model. The success has exceeded anything we could have hoped for. The film sensitised people and didn't leave people with disgust and disillusionment," she said.

"Our toughest critic, the police, also embraced the film. So, that is one step in the right direction," added Bakshi, who is also credited with the film "Terror At Home", which was part of the United States Government's Emmy Award winning campaign to Stop Violence Against Women.

What changes can a film bring to society?

"My film does not give you an answer. But it makes you think. I think a film can create empathy, which will be converted into action. It makes you retrospect about your attitude," she added.

The director, who has studied Journalism and Broadcasting from Boston University and New York University, noted that she has moved a step ahead with her campaign to usher in a change.

"Right now we are working very closely with the police across the country. We just launched a women safety campaign which hit all the theatres in Mumbai. Under this, theatres screened three films based on three disturbing sexual crimes of Mumbai of three-minute duration," she said.

Though the campaign was restricted to Mumbai, Bakshi says she is planning to make it pan-India starting with Delhi.

"We will soon start shooting in Delhi. The Mumbai campaign went viral. It will be a state-based campaign to bridge the gap between people and police," said Bakshi, who is also in talks to take her "Daughters of Mother India" for screening to the United Nations headquarters.

Veteran Tamil filmmaker J. Mahendran has been signed on to play the antagonist in Tamil superstar Vijay's next film, which is tentatively titled "Vijay 59" and is being directed by Atlee.

"Director Mahendran has been finalised as the film's villain. Unlike regular villains, this will be a very interesting role. He is expected to join the sets soon," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

The source also added that the role was initially offered to two other veteran directors, who turned down the offer.

Mahendran, 75, is known for helming Tamil classics such as "Mullum Malarum", "Uthiripookkal" and "Johnny".

Vijay is said to be playing a police officer in the film, which also features Amy Jackson and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles.

The tragic demise of legendary actor Omar Sharif has left many in grief including Hollywood stars. Actors Antonio Banderas, Josh Gad, singer Boy George ,German director Roland Emmerich are some of the international celebrities who paid homage to the Egyptian-born star, who died of heart attack at the age of 83.

Sharif, who who came into the limelight with his role in David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and the lead role in "Doctor Zhivago", died on Friday.

His death news has broken hearts all over Hollywood, after which many of them took to micro-blogging site Twitter to pay homage to the actor, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Here's what the stars tweeted:

Josh Gad: Sad to hear about #OmarSharif. I grew up on Lawrence and Zhivago. A legacy with not one but multiple timeless classics.

Antonio Banderas: My great friend Omar Sharif has passed away. I will always miss him. He was one of the best.

Dana Delany: Yes, Dr Zhivago. But Nicky Arnstein, Nicky Arnstein...what a beautiful, beautiful name...Omar Sharif.

Boy George: Omar Sharif, R.I.P. Movie Legend!

Roland Emmerich: Very saddened by the passing of Omar Sharif. Blessed that I was able to work with such a legend. Love to the family.

Daniel Sharman: One of the greats. In the greatest. The incomparable Omar Sharif.

Vincent D'Onofrio: #OmarSharif will be missed. I have watched this graceful ,this wonderful actor since I was a child. I salute him .V.

Eugene Michael Simon: RIP Omar Sharif, what extraordinary work you brought the world.

Andie MacDowell: #RIP #OmarSharif what a beautiful man! gorgeous, gifted actor.

Scott Foley: I had the honor and privilege of working with Omar Sharif a few years ago. He was a man I won't soon forget. Rest in peace.

Nitin Ganatra: RIP #OmarSharif one of the coolest of his time.

Lara Scandar: #OmarSharif , you'll be missed by the entire world. By everyone that loved you from near and afar.