Actor Dhanush's latest Tamil outing "Maari" has turned out to be a sleeper hit. To celebrate the success, he has gifted gold chains to key members of the crew, including the film's director Balaji Mohan and co-star Vijay Yesudas.

"Dhanush gifted gold chains to director Balaji Mohan, actors Vijay Yesudas, Robo Shankar and Vinoth, among a few others from the team," a source close to Dhanush told IANS.

This is not the first time Dhanush has been thankful to his team.

He had also gifted gold chains to his team of last year's blockbuster "Vela Illa Pattathari" (VIP).

In "Maari", Dhanush plays a hooligan. Although the film, which released on July 17, opened to mixed reviews, it has reportedly minted over Rs.15 crore in its opening weekend at Tamil Nadu box office.

The "Raanjhanaa" star is currently busy shooting for a yet-untitled film with VIP team and also another project with filmmaker Prabhu Solomon.

Pakistani actress Armeena Khan, who made her acting debut with Hindi film "Huff! It's Too Much", is worried about the Bollywood industry as she feels it "has become all about masala and sex".

"People don’t realise that I actually worked in Bollywood before (working in) Pakistan. Normally, it is the other way around, with actors making the transition from Pakistan to Bollywood.

"But I am worried about Bollywood," the actress, whose Pakistani film "Bin Roye" opened on Eid, told the Dawn in remarks published on Thursday.

She feels that "films should reflect the societies they emanate from as well as their audiences" and "inspire you to be more than you thought you could be". But for her, Bollywood has become "all about masala and sex".

"But there are consequences. As a result, we are seeing that Bollywood is not only at odds with the hopes and aspirations of right-minded Indian women but also the rich heritage and culture of Indian society,” she said.

“India is more than this. Where is the philosophy, history, the dreams and the richness of India and its people?

"I hope Bollywood can start to encompass these facets, and that is the Bollywood I would want to be part of,” she added.

The release of “Bin Roye” in India sparked a row as Bollywood distributor B4U Films had to blackout the film in Maharashtra following demands from a bodh affiliated to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

But the movie was released elsewhere in India on Friday.

Actor Irrfan Khan, who is known for his critically acclaimed roles and movies, is fond of organic farming.

Besides being known for his acting, he has been into organic farming since a very young age in his hometown in Jaipur and has been longing to visit his farms.

"I like being close to nature... I have been longing to visit my farm for some time now. Hopefully will be visiting it,” Irrfan said in a statement.

The “Piku” actor owns a beautiful farm in the hills of Nashik.

The 48-year-old was last seen in "Jurassic World" and is currently filming “Jazbaa” alongside actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and “Inferno” which also features Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.

Actress Parineeti Chopra says she cried a lot while watching Neeraj Ghaywan directorial "Masaan".

"I cried a lot inside the theatre," Parineeti said at a special screening of the film here on Wednesday night.

Starring Richa Chadda, Vicky Kaushal, Sanjay Mishra, and Shweta Tripathi, the film won international accolades and awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

Though it is releasing on Friday, the film's screening is happening for the Bollywood fraternity here since last three days. From Rajkumar Hirani, Kabir Khan, Shabana Azmi to Dia Mirza, every one has been highly impressed by the film and now Parineeti joins the list of admirers.

"It is a very touching film. I cried a lot inside the theatre. Richa was amazing. I was so moved by Vicky's performance, so congratulation to the team. It will be a hit film" said Parineeti.

"It was an amazing film. I hope everybody goes and watch it!" added the actress who was last seen in "Kill Dil".

Composer Salim Merchant says Armaan and Amaal Malik remind him of his Salim-Sulaiman team.

"Armaan and Amaal Malik remind me of Salim-Sulaiman," Salim said at the birthday bash of Amaan Malik.

"My association with Armaan is old, I sang for his first album 'Krazy Konnection'. He is very talented. Both are talented and bright and very deserving. I wish them all the luck," added Salim.

Armaan is the son of singer and music director Daboo Malik, brother of music director Amaal Malik and nephew of music director Anu Malik.

On the Bollywood front, he has songs in Madhur Bhandarkar’s "Calendar Girls" and "Hero", co-produced by superstar Salman Khan. He also sang the track "Main Hoon Hero Tera" in the remake of "Hero".

Producer Sunil Bohra, who is planning to make an adaptation of Sanjay Baru's book “The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh”, says that it will take at least six months to create a script of the film.

Having produced movies like “Gangs of Wasseypur”, “Shaitan” and “Saheb Biwi aur Gangster”, Bohra is planning on filming an adaptation of the book which talks about former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

“Right now the filming is in a very premature state, we will take atleast six months to create a script and after that there will be more clarity on this. First we need to lock the script and then other things shall follow," Bohra told IANS.

“I just bought the book and now we are in the process of forming a team of writers to create the script. What is there in the book, we will follow that only and not add or delete anything. This is no political agenda, its just that we are making an adaptation of the book which we thought we should be making," he added.

“The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh” is a 2014 memoir by Indian policy analyst Sanjaya Baru, who was Manmohan Singh's media advisor from May 2004 till August 2008.

Delhi University has started its new academic session and award-winning singer Kailash Kher, who couldn't be a regular college student of the university, doesn't regret the fact that he could only do a correspondence course.

The "Teri deewani" hitmaker, now 42, says when he spent time in the capital, he had too many things in his kitty and so couldn't focus on just studies. It made him conscious at first, but now, he doesn't look back at his teen days as something to regret about.

"I used to feel a bit awkward earlier because I didn't study properly. Now, its ok. I have met so many people...degree holders, but they are not necessarily great human beings," Kher, who received the Yash Bharti Award from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav earlier this year, told IANS.

The singer, who hails from Meerut, says that earlier he used to "have a complex".

But after getting invited by prestigious institutes like the Indian Institute of Management and the Indian Institute of Technology to give motivational speeches, he realised that a 'literal degree' doesn't matter.

"A real degree is about your character. I don't regret at all (not studying in a college). God has given me something bigger to enlighten the world now. So, instead of regretting, I am thankful," he said.

Would he like to go back to college?

"At that time, money wasn't the only concern. There was time constraint too. I was looking after my parents, trying to earn money to survive... you know how students try to do things for pocket money and I was also trying to learn music. So, I couldn't concentrate on one thing. Now also, I don't have time, unfortunately," he said.

As of now, he is enjoying the love showered by his fans for crooning songs like "Jal rahin hain" and "Kaun hain voh" for S.S. Rajamouli's magnum opus "Baahubali: The Beginning".

"'Baahubali' is not like any other project for me. I was honoured, amazed, and overwhelmed to be a part of it before the film got released and became a superhit.

"We always believe that music heals people. In this particular film, I have also sung 'Shiv tandav stotram'. There is a scientific connect to it. If you listen to the tune and production of the sound, it has a wave which connects with each one of us...in our breathing, hormone and senses," said Kher.

So, is this the best work of the singer, who has given hit Bollywood songs like "Allah ke bande" and "Mangal Mangal"?

"I definitely loved it the most... after 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising', the kind of music that gave me goosebumps while singing ..., he said.

He is also all praise for "Baahubali" as it doesn't show India in bad light, something that most films based on India do.

"Movies that have won Oscar so far with India as a subject haven't glorified our tradition and culture. Most of them show our country's poverty or helplessness. So this way, India's image has become that of a third world country where only poor people stay," he said.

He believes that "Baahubali" deserves "all the awards in the world" as it's not just the music but also the storytelling that is worth lauding for.

"It's a piece of art," said the singer, who is working on an untitled album with his band Kailasa.

The cast of "Kaun Kitne Paani Mein" including Gulshan Grover and Kunal Kapoor had to live the simple life while filming the movie, which is a quirky take on water crisis.

At the trailer launch of the film, Gulshan told reporters: "All of us had to face severe hardships and difficulties during the shooting of the film. Our room was slightly bigger than our bathroom here. There was no gym.

"And we got fully used to the food menu as we would eat the same food stuff every day. I remembered all the normal activities in daily life which we had forgotten as film stars. We would also sit on the 'khaat' and 'charpoy' along with the villagers."

"In the process of doing good acting and a good film, I've realised that several things which we have got accustomed to in the name of comfort, is actually not needed in life," added the actor, popular as "Bad Man" in Bollywood.

A major portion of the film's shooting took place in small villages of Bhubaneswar and Haryana.

Kunal shared: "Whenever you go to such small villages and areas, we realise what is actually happening in India. Staying in cities, we are unaware about what is going on. I would've missed this interesting experience had I not done this film."

The film is directed by Nila Madhab Panda.

Stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das, who was in London for the screening of his forthcoming film “31st October” at the London Indian Film Festival, wrote a film script for the first time on an almost 100-year-old typewriter.

The script is a comedy based on an Indian family.

“My company Weirdass Comedy will produce the film and I'm going to act in the same," Vir said in a statement.

On his purchase of the almost 100-year-old typewriter, the actor shared that he found the “beauty in an antique shop, besides being close to 100 years old it was used in a government office during World War II.

“It's kind of amazing when you think about the things that might have been written on it. Also, writing on a typewriter is a totally different experience," added the "Revolver Rani" actor.

Actress Suchitra Pillai will be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar's forthcoming directorial "Calendar Girls" and Abhishek Kapoor's "Fitoor".

"I've done a small role in 'Calendar Girls' with Madhur Bhandarkar... in Abhishek Kapoor's 'Fitoor' too, I'll be there," Suchitra told reporters at the store launch of designer Amy Billimoria here.

"In 'Calendar Girls', my character is related to the future of one calendar girl. This girl meets her romantic lead at my party in the film where I introduce them. There are two to three scenes," she added.

In "Fitoor", which stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, she will be essaying the role of a socialite.

"There is this introduction scene where Aditya is getting introduced to the industry. My scenes are with Aditya, Katrina and also a bit with Lara (Dutta)," she said.

"Gour Hari Dastaan - The Freedom File", a biopic based on Oriya freedom fighter Gour Haridas, will have its screenplay published before the film is released in theatres.

After seeing the film at a festival screening, Yoda Publishers' Arpita Das was so moved that she expressed her desire to publish the film's screenplay on August 10.

“I was happy to fall in line as I could incorporate several scenes in the book which were part of the original screenplay penned by me but could not be included in the film for duration purposes," the film's director Ananth Mahadevan said in a statement.

"We have had screenplays of films being published in the US which have served as useful reference material, and this could be at par with them," he added.

The publishers and the directors have planned to release it as a Directors' Cut edition with specially selected black and white images from the film besides a complete filmography of cast and crew and some artistically designed posters.

The film, which features Vinay Pathak, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ranvir Shorey and Tanisshtha Chatterjee, will release on August 14.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, whose forthcoming film "Bangistan" has been stalled in Pakistan, says he is "shocked and clueless" about the satire comedy being banned in the neighbouring country.

"I am as clueless and shocked as you are because (they decided to ban the film) based on a trailer, but I have explained (to) them that you cannot judge on the basis of a trailer. A trailer will have to show a conflict (and) I cannot show you the entire film in my trailer...," Sidhwani told IANS.

Talking about the film, he says he has created a fictional country called "Bangistan", which "has its own passport, national flag and its own position on the world map. We have created a different world" where people of all castes live.

"But nowhere in the film does it say it's Pakistan," he added.

The "Dil Chahta Hai" producer also added that he has written to the Pakistan High Commission to send him an invitation letter so that he can show the movie to prove that it is not "anti-Pakistan".

"I have written to them (that) I would come there personally with my team to show the film and then take a call after watching it," he added.

It was reported that the producer along with the film's director Karan Anshuman and actors Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat have applied to visit the country.

Asked about travelling to Pakistan, Sidhwani said: "I need an invitation letter before I apply for the visa. Without an invitation letter, I cannot go to Pakistan. I am hoping that they will give me the letter."

The film, which was mostly shot in Poland and Ladakh, is about two suicide bombers, Hafeez Bin Ali Ishwarchand Sharma (Riteish) and Allah Rakha Khan Praveen Chaturvedi (Pulkit), who have been brainwashed into an explosive mission but eventually realise the death wish is futile exercise.

"Bangistan", which was slated to hit the theatres on July 31, will now release on August 7.

Riteish took to micro-blogging website Twitter on Friday to share the news.

"Bangistan Now Releases On 7th August," he tweeted.

Muzaffar Ali, whose upcoming film "Jaanisar" features newcomers Imran Abbas and Pernia Qureshi, says one of the reasons for choosing Imran as the protagonist was because he seemed a reincarnation of actor Farooque Sheikh.

"The story is about a king and a courtesan. I found the required aspects on her (Pernia) face as well on his (Imran) face. The kind of sensitivity that should be there on such a person, Imran has that. A nice vulnerable face. For me, he is Farooque Sheikh's reincarnation. And I couldn't think of any other actor for this character," said Ali at the the music launch of the film.

Farooque Sheikh was always known for his simple and understated performances in relationship-based films which connected with the audiences.

In a previous interview, Ali had said about Imran that "there's no boy as good-looking as him in India or Pakistan".

Imran made his way into the hearts of viewers with numerous serials in Pakistan. When those serials started being telecast on Indian channels, Indians too got acquainted with his simple portrayal in the relationship-based serials. Thus, he got noticed by filmmakers and eventually made his debut in Vikram Bhatt's "Creature" opposite Bipasha Basu.

The film, set two decades after the 1857 revolt, also marks the debut of fashion designer Pernia.

Actress Nigaar Z. Khan, who married her long time boyfriend Khayyam Sheikh here, has thanked her fans for the wedding wishes.

Nigaar, who has appeared in shows like "Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi Ki", "Main Naa Bhoolungi" and "Bigg Boss 8", reportedly tied the knot with Sheikh on Thursday.

"Thank u all for the heartfelt wishes," Nigaar tweeted on Thursday.

According to reports, her groom is a Pakistani businessman settled in Abu Dhabi.

Her star sister Gauahar Khan kept everyone in the loop by sharing photographs of the wedding ceremonies on the micro-blogging site.

Gauahar donned an icy blue lehenga with golden embellishment for mehendi. For the sangeet ceremony, she wore a pink and golden lehenga.

The actress is now back in India.

"Landed in Lucknow. Travelin bck rite after a crazy nite of #meribehenkishaadi,#superhectic..show to launch H.O.M.E a project by #bayaweaver," tweeted Gauahar on Friday.

The trend of biopics has gripped Bollywood with most of them succeeding at the box office and work on several others has already begun. And now renowned director Subhash Ghai says that he'd like to make one on talented singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan.

Mahadevan was a special guest as a music teacher at Ghai's popular film school. When Ghai was asked which famous personality he would like to make a biopic on, he quickly responded: "Shankar Mahadevan."

"The environment of our institute has become extremely musical with Shankar's visit, spreading positive energy all around. I think the students are extremely fortunate since he shared his various experiences on different forms of music. He even shared the stories behind some of the songs which was a beautiful experience not just for them but also for me since I too learnt a lot of things from him today," said Ghai.

The success of official biopics on Milkha Singh, Paan Singh Tomar and Mary Kom were critically acclaimed as well as successful at the box-office. A biopic on Mahendra Singh Dhoni with Sushant Singh Rajput, on Mohammed Azharuddin and on Sarabjit Singh starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have already started work. In the pipeline are those on Kishore Kumar and Sanjay Dutt.

Hyderabad-based model Rohit Khandewal bagged the Provogue Personal Care Mr. India 2015 award and will be now represent India at the prestigious Mr. World pageant, a statement said.

The winners were announced after multi-city auditions that received an overwhelming response from over 10,000 participants across the country.

This year the pageant comprised of four city auditions across four zones in the country, which culminated into a final round of auditions.

The contestants were supported by experts from the different verticals of the glamour industry to train and guide them to excel in the contest.

The panelists included experts like show director Prasad Bidapa, fashion director Nivedita Saboo, cricketer Zaheer Khan (pro sport fitness), Bollywood casting director Nalini Rathnam among others.

The grand finale was attended by key personalities from the fashion, TV and Bollywood industry including Tusshar Kapoor, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ken Ghosh, Vatsal Sheth, Rocky S, Nishka Lulla, Candice Pinto, Shilpa Agnihotri, Evelyn Sharma, Pernia Qureshi and Prachi Desai among others.

The contestants were supported by experts from the different verticals of the glamour industry to train and guide them to excel in the contest.

Mansi Scott gave a dazzling performance to the hit tunes of the Bollywood chartbusters to lighten up the atmosphere for the contestants.

Later, actress Kareena Kapoor came to congratulate and celebrate the success of the winners.

Actress Mannara, who was last seen in Hindi erotic thriller "Zid", has been roped in to play the leading lady in comedian-turned-hero Sunil's yet-untitled next Telugu outing, which will go on floors in August.

"For months we were on the lookout for a suitable female lead and it has finally ended with Mannara. She's highly talented and will match Sunil's comic timing as well as heroism," the film's director Vamsi Krishna Akella told IANS.

To be produced by R. Sudharshan Reddy of "Prema Katha Chitram" fame, the film will also feature Pradeep Rawat and Saptagiri in important roles.

This will be Mannara's second Telugu outing after last year's "Prema Geema Janta Naia". She is the cousin of Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra.

Filmmaker Gunasekhar says he's been fascinated by the story of queen Rudhramadevi - on which his upcoming eponymous film is based - ever since he heard it as a school boy.

"I read about Rudhramadevi in school and since then her inspiring story has stayed with me. Her valour fascinated me so much that when I became a filmmaker, I decided to make a film on her story at any cost," Gunasekhar told IANS.

The film, which features Anushka Shetty in the lead, is the story of the reigning queen of Kakatiya dynasty.

After months of delay, the film will finally hit the screens on September 4.

"We're in the final leg of post-production but we will definitely arrive on time. Besides Telugu, we also plan to release the film in Tamil and Malayalam. The Hindi version will be released at a later stage," he said.

Touted to be India's first stereoscopic 3D film, Gunasekhar said the delay in release was due to the 3D work.

"Since the entire film was shot in 3D, designing visual effects turned out to be a daunting and time-consuming process," said Gunasekhar, and added he spent nine years on research for this project.

"We had to be as authentic as possible in our recreation of the story. Since this is history, the recreation of every minute detail to perfection was very important. My research was backed by the inputs of several historians and industry veterans," he said.

Although he hadn't planned to make the film with Anushka, he feels she was destined to do it.

"Even before I could approach her, a lot of my industry friends and well-wishers felt she'd be perfect for the lead character. Had it not been for her continuous support, we wouldn't have completed the film smoothly," he added.

The film also features Rana Daggubati and Allu Arjun in important roles. Nithya Menen, Prakash Raj, Catherine Tresa, Aditi Chengappa and Krishnam Raju are also part of the ensemble cast.

Actress Shamili is not playing the female lead in actor Vishal Krishna Reddy-starrer Tamil actioner "Sandakozhi 2".

"Shamili is not the heroine of our film. We are still on the lookout for a suitable actress," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

To be directed by Lingusamy, the film is the sequel to his own blockbuster "Sandakozhi", which catapulted Vishal to stardom.

The regular shooting will start from September.

Incidentally, the makers were in talks with Akshara Haasan.

"Talks were initiated but things didn't materialize. Meera Jasmine who was part of the first part will be essaying a brief role in 'Sandakozhi 2'," the source said.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee says that he's highly inspired by critically acclaimed Marathi films "Court" and "Killa".

He was present at the screening of Marathi film, "Mantalya Ulhat" where he told media: "I was inspired watching films such as 'Court' and 'Killa'."

"The good thing is that in Marathi cinema, there is some brilliant work being done. A whole group or generation has come to the fore that is not just making good films but also inspiring filmmakers across the country to make films like them or better it," he added.

"Court" had won the National Award for best film this year while "Killa" won awards at the Berlin Film Festival.

Manoj also says that when "Indian cinema is competing with world cinema, the artists irrespective of the language receive the inspiration to do better work and to show their films not just all over India but across the globe."

Manoj was last seen in the Arjun Kapoor- Sonakshi Sinha starrer "Tevar'. He will soon be seen in "Missing" and "Aligarh" among other films.