Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin has been announced the brand ambassador for IICE Vodka, the packaging for which has been redesigned.

Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) company Jagatjit Industries Limited has decided to re-brand of its IICE VODKA series, both in terms of packaging and name of flavours.

While the bottle has got an artsy makeover, the company has renamed the flavours to 'Undress the Orange' (earlier Orange) and 'Bite the Apple' (Green Apple), while the plain Vodka is now called 'Bare it All'.

Also, the company has announced the launch of a new chilli flavour called 'Kinky Chili', an innovative and enjoyable beverage where you feel the burn.

“Vodka has become the drink of choice for the youth. Delhi is a key launch city for us given its youth demographic and we want the consumers here to be among the first to try our new and improved products. After the Delhi launch, we go pan-India with our new and improved IICE Vodka range,” Roshini Sanah Jaiswal, chief restructuring officer, Jagatjit Industries, said in a statement.

The new design of IICE Vodka carries a reduced quantity of glass, thereby minimizing environmental impact.

Actors Piyush Mishra, Amit Sadh and Taapsee Pannu have shared the frame for a short film "The Homecoming", which aims to tell the importance of a family.

The film is for online furniture store Urban Ladder, and delves into the thought that a home is built by a family that lives in it and not the furniture.

The seven-minute film, which has the festival of Diwali as its backdrop, captures the journey of a couple to move into their son’s home, when the son and his wife make them feel at home with thoughtful changes in the house.

“The Homecoming” is conceptualised and filmed with Boring Brands.

“The beauty of this film lies in its simplicity. It celebrates relationships set in the backdrop of Diwali festival and brings out the coming together of a family.

"For someone who has been in the industry for so long, it is heartening to see young brands create unique content and I feel lucky to have been a part of this effort by Urban Ladder,” Mishra, who plays the role of the father in the film, said in a statement.

The film is directed by Vinay Jaiswal of Kreative Wings Studio, who has also directed digital films like “Jai Hind” and “Father’s Day”,

Stressing that the brand strongly believes that the pillar of a beautiful home is not just good looking furniture, Nikhil Ramaprakash, vice president - marketing, Urban Ladder, said: “A lot of thought also makes spaces comfortable and cozy. In this film, we have tried to capture how small but thoughtful changes can make a house a home and bring people together."

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a farmer's son, says he is aware of the hardships faced by farmers and so, he is urging his fans to help them.

Known for delivering scintillating performances in Bollywood films like "Gangs of Wasseypur 2", "Kick", and "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", the actor has asked people to join him and donate to help the farmers in the country.

"I am a farmer's son and I know the hardships they face. That's why I'm supporting #SeedTheRise. Join me and donate to help India's farmers," Nawazuddin tweeted.

The initiative is to help improve the lives of farmers across India. The official site of the initiative reads: "Betrayed by the weather and our indifference, these men and women are struggling and fighting against the odds every day. But no more.

"Together, we can turn things around for them by donating money to five impactful projects. So join us in helping the farmers of our country do what they do best, with their heads held high."

Actor Ali Fazal, who made his international movie debut with the seventh instalment of the "Fast and Furious" franchise last year, says he is very jealous of actor Irrfan Khan, who has a growing presence in Hollywood.

In "Furious 7", Ali worked with Vin Diesel.

Asked whom he wants to work with on the international platform next, Ali told IANS over phone: "Oh there are many! Tom Hanks is one of my favourite actors...I definitely want to work with him... I am very jealous of Irrfan Khan as he is already doing something with him."

The "Fukrey" actor also hopes to work with veteran Hollywood actor Robert De Niro.

"Robert De Niro... I had a chance to meet him and I hope to get to work with him one day," the 29-year-old actor said.

In october, Ali had dropped subtle marriage hints on social media, in sync with his upcoming web series “Bang Baaja Baaraat”, which was featured in the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival along with his other film "For Here Or to Go".

The "Bobby Jasoos" actor had tweeted: "Hey guys, so...Wish me luck..So next four minutes, I propose marriage to this wonderful woman. Here on my life changes. See you on the other side”.

So, asked if he is planning to get married any time soon, Ali cleared the air and said that he is "very much single".

"No marriage plans right now...Not at the moment. I think there is too much demand for me on the celluloid. I'm very much single, unfortunately," he said.

BJP MP and popular Bhojpuri singer Manoj Tiwari here on Wednesday condemned superstar Shah Rukh Khan's statements on the growing intolerance in the country.

Shah Rukh Khan on Monday said there was "nothing worse than religious intolerance and that it would take India to the Dark Ages".

"He (Shah Rukh Khan) has issued a statement when the Bihar elections are going on. He has always been close to Congress party and his closeness has been seen before as well. I consider his statement as a political comment.

"If there was any kind of intolerance in the country, he wouldn’t have been one of the top superstars in India. He should keep this fact in his mind that whatever statement he makes, it makes a big impact.

Tiwari also said if the Bollywood actor wants to make such political remarks then he should join politics.

Asked about other artists protesting over intolerance, the MP from Timarpur parliamentary constituency said, “This is a revolt against Narendra Modi. This is political move. Many of them who have returned their awards have had some connections with the UPA government and Congress in the past."

Tiwari also said that the NDA government stands with legendary ghazal singer Ghulam Ali. "We condemn the move of Shiv Sena and we’ve had serious discussions about it. We will not tolerate such a thing.”

Veteran actor Anupam Kher along with a string of artistes, writers and painters, will head to Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Saturday to protest against 'Award Wapsi'.

"Will give details about our march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 7th by artists, writers, painters etc. by tomorrow. #ToleranceDebate," Anupam tweeted on Wednesday.

After a host of filmmakers, including names like Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, returned various government awards and honours they have received to express solidarity with FTII students, a few members of the Hindi film fraternity termed it as a "publicity gimmick" and an "insult".

Anupam had earlier shared on Twitter: "This #AwardWapsiGang has not insulted the government, but the jury, the chairman of the jury and the audience who watched their films."

Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, whose concert in Mumbai was called off after resistance from the Shiv Sena, cancelled all his scheduled performances in the country, saying that he won't return to India until "things settle down”.

Ghulam Ali expressed his disappointment over recent incidents, but asserted that Indian fans have always welcomed him and his music with open arms.

He told an Indian news channel that he will "not perform until things settle down" and that he was hurt by the politics being played over his concerts

"I'm a singer, I will talk about music, not politics,” he said.

All his scheduled concerts, including the one in Delhi on November 8, and another in Lucknow, have been scrapped.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, president of Indian Films & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), welcomed Ghulam Ali's decision.

"I welcome Ghulam Ali's decision of not coming to India. Hope others will follow him. Now all those who want to listen to the concerts of Ghulam Ali can visit Pakistan," he tweeted.

The singer, who made an entry into Indian cinema with his popular song "Chupke chupke raat din" for B.R. Chopra's "Nikaah", was stopped from performing in Mumbai and in Pune last month after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his concerts. It led to a debate, with artistes from all sections urging that art be kept out of politics.

Back then, Ghulam Ali had said that he was sad, but his admiration for India remains undiminished.

Veteran theatre, film and television actress Supriya Pathak on Wednesday questioned what the artistes are gaining by their 'award wapsi'.

“One person returned his award, now everybody is returning their awards. Are we gaining anything from that? Have you been able to make a point that something has changed? Whom are we pressurising by this? Nobody is paying heed. The government is not even addressing the matter,” the “Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela” actress said here.

She spoke in reference to the decision of a string of writers, historians, filmmakers and others to return their national awards and honours to protest an atmosphere of "intolerance" in the country.

Pointing out a probable reason why the problem has not been addressed yet, she said the government is currently interested in the Bihar election.

"When the issue there finishes, then another issue will spring up."

Talking of the 139-day strike by the students of the Film and Television Institute of India, she said: "There was a huge uproar with FTII strike, the students went on strike for so long, the students were not studying, the government lost so much money, there was so much bitterness... What happened in the end? Eventually we are back to square one.”

Supriya, who was in the capital to promote Life OK's forthcoming TV show "Jane Kya hoga Rama Re!", also said that "when a group of people want to work together, there are a lot of people who want to break that group".

Veteran actor and BJP supporter Anupam Kher has invited all Indians to march with him to Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Friday to protest the voices being raised over "intolerance" in the country.

"#MarchForIndia will start from India Gate, New Delhi at 10 a.m. on November 7. All INDIANS are invited. Jai Ho. :) #IndiaIsTolerant," Anupam shared on his Twitter page.

The actor will be joined by a string of artistes, writers and painters for the march.

This follows the decision of a host of filmmakers, including the likes of Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, as well as writers and historians to raise voice against the rising intolerance under the BJP-led government, and to return various government awards and honours.

Anupam earlier shared on Twitter: "This #AwardWapsiGang has not insulted the government, but the jury, the chairman of the jury and the audience who watched their films."

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on Thursday said he has roped in Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, who last month called off all his scheduled concerts in India, to sing for his play titled 'Milne Do', a collaborative effort of theatre actors from India and Pakistan.

Bhatt, whose play narrates an intense love story between two culturally-crossed individuals during times of hatred, says they want to “stitch” ties between the neighbouring countries with Ghulam Ali's voice.

“He (Ghulam Ali) has been approached and he has gracefully agreed to lend his voice and be a part of the peace endeavour through performing arts. I can't say whether he will come to India or not, but he will certainly sing a song which will be a part of the play,” Bhatt, whose 1990 film "Awaargi" featured a song by Ghulam Ali, told IANS.

After facing resistance by Shiv Sena in India last month, Ghulam Ali -- who made an entry into Indian cinema with his popular song "Chupke chupke raat din" for B.R. Chopra's 1982 film "Nikaah" -- cancelled his scheduled performance in Delhi, saying that he won't return to India until "things are settled down”.

Then it struck Bhatt -- a filmmaker who has been initiating cultural dialogue with the audience and artistes in Pakistan through films and plays -- that why not use "his voice as the glue to stitch the nations together through this play”.

"Milne Do" will be staged on April 24 next year at Shri Ram Centre here before it travels to other cities of India and Pakistan. "Laal Band" from Pakistan has composed the music and will perform live during the play, the story for which has been written by Suhrita, the writer of "Hamari Adhuri Kahani".

Bhatt emphasised that with 'Milne Do', they "are saying that the human interaction is the only route through which distances created in the hearts of the people, can be scaled down".

The National Award-winning filmmaker had earlier this year taken a stage production based on his 1989 film "Daddy" to Pakistan.

Condemning all the “unpleasant” incidents happening in India, he said: "Ghulam Ali sahab, a world icon, has been a ghazal king for years and has been coming to our country for many years. He had an unpleasant experience here in India and we personally, the government -- both in Maharashtra and at the Centre -- have without any hesitation conceded that was not the right kind of treatment."

Ghulam Ali's concert in Mumbai and Pune was called off last month after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt his live performance.

Actor Naseruddin Shah, who played the common man against tough cop Anupam Kher in "A Wednesday", says that his role as a police officer in suspense thriller "Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein" is completely different from Kher's role.

"He was an idealistic, straightforward and honest police officer but the role that I'm playing is not at all like him," said Naseerudin to queries about similarities between the two characters, while attending the opening night of Prithvi Film Festival here.

Both Kher and Naseeruddin had earned accolades for their performance in the fast-paced thriller directed by Neeraj Pandey, where they were seen going at each other with sharp, witty one-liners.

"Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein" deals with drugs, and murder among other twists and turns.

Regarding the film, Naseeruddin said: "It's a mystery and generally a thriller is described as, 'don't miss the beginning and don't reveal the end'. If I say a lot, the suspense will be revealed, so I can't talk much... you watch the film and make conclusions on your own."

"Charlie Kay Chakkar Mein" produced by Karan Arora and directed by Manish Srivastava under the banner Picture Thoughts Production, is releasing on November 6.

Filmmaker Kiran Rao says that there is a market for independent or non-commercial cinemas in India too. She, however, feels that the makers need to put an extra effort to make more such films.

"From the response, we come to know that there is an audience. We just need to take the effort of bringing them such films. When people say that there is no market for these kinds of films, it is wrong," Kiran said here at the 17th Jio MAMI Film Festival that concluded on Thursday.

"When we don't offer new content to them, how can we say that there is no audience? The new generation is exploring different content,” she further added.

Kiran, in the past, has backed many non-commercial cinema. She not only directed “Dhobi Ghat” but even supported Anand Gandhi's film “Ship of Theseus” which received tremendous critical acclaim.

Hansal Mehta's film, “Aligarh” starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao was the opening film at the MAMI festival and Kiran was amazed to see the variety of films shown during the event.

"The variety is huge and the quality of films has been excellent throughout. These are not the usual films. Some of them are quite difficult films while some are artistic films and some are quite entertaining too,” she said.

After a few politicians called superstar Shah Rukh Khan a "Pakistani agent", "deshdrohi" (traitor) and even likened him to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed for commenting on the growing intolerance in India, the actor's "Happy New Year" co-star Sonu Sood has come out in his defence and said the 'King' Khan is "grounded", "generous" and "speaks from his heart".

Sonu interacted with his fans on Friday over a quick question and answer session on Twitter.

A user asked him if he was supporting Shah Rukh.

"SRK is the most grounded and generous actor I have come across who speaks from his heart (sic)," Sonu tweeted.

Even Anupam Kher has come out in SRK's support after BJP MP Yogi Adityanath targetted him, likening Shah Rukh to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed following the actor's comment that there was growing intolerance in India. Kher himself is a supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Earlier, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya had called SRK a 'deshdrohi' (traitor) while his party colleague Sadhvi Prachi dubbed him a "Pakistani agent".

The Supreme Court on Friday asked yesteryears film actor Aditya Pancholi to vacate the rented accommodation he is living in in Mumbai by December 31 and hand over its possession to its owner.

Giving time till December 31 to the actor to vacate the bungalow at Juhu, a bench of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice R. Banumathi directed him to deposit the rent upto December 31 to the woman owner within two weeks.

Telling Pancholi that his conduct was "unacceptable", the court said that he was big man who could buy a flat. The court said this as counsel for Pancholi offered to pay market rent for the bungalow he was residing on rent.

"You are a big man. You can buy a flat. Your conduct is not acceptable," the bench said.

The bungalow in question, near the ISKCON temple in Juhu, was taken by Pancholi's father in 1960 on a rent of Rs.150.

The owner, Tarabai Hate had moved the court in 1977 under the Bombay Rents, Hotel, Lodging House Rates Control Act, 1947 after Pancholi's failed to pay rent for three months.

The Bombay High Court had last month ruled in favour of the landlady and asked Pancholi to vacate the accommodation and pay the arrears to her. The apex court reaffirmed the high court order asking Pancholi to vacate the bungalow by December 31.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher on Friday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be an audience to share with him the thoughts of "millions of Indians".

Anupam, who will lead a 'March For India' to protest the voices being raised over "intolerance" in the country, made the request on Twitter.

"Dear PM @narendramodi Ji. Please give us time tomorrow to share with you the thoughts of millions of Indians all over the world. #IndiaIsTolerant," the actor and BJP supporter, posted.

The actor will be joined by a string of artistes, writers and painters for the march, which will be held on Saturday.

Anupam shared on Twitter that "due to overwhelming response, the location of March For India has been shifted from India Gate to National Museum, Janpath here. They will walk to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The regular shooting of Suriya-starrer Tamil actioner "Singam 3" will start from the first week of December.

"We've finally zeroed in on December 2 as the day to take the film to sets. We wanted to start much earlier but things didn't fall in place," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

The third instalment in the highly successful "Singam" franchise will feature Shruti Haasan and Anushka Shetty as Suriya's love interests.

To be produced by 2D Entertainment and directed by Hari, the makers plan to release the film during April 2016.

Meanwhile, Suriya is currently awaiting the release of Tamil thriller "24", which is currently in its post-production phase.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, while leading his 'March for India' campaign here on Saturday said that India is a "tolerant country" and nobody has the right to call it "intolerant".

Kher said: Every country has some problems but nobody has the right to call our country intolerant."

The actor and BJP supporter, who believes that India is a tolerant country, is leading a march from India Gate in central Delhi. From there, the gathering will march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Some popular names that have joined Kher for the march include filmmakers Madhur Bhandarkar and Ashoke Pandit.

Kher also said that he will meet President Pranab Mukherjee and deliver a message to him that India is a very tolerant country.

"We are secular people, we don't believe in pseudo-secularism or selective outrage," Kher said.

On Saturday early morning, Kher tweeted: "Patriotism gives us a feeling of self worth. Join us on this historical day at National Museum, Janpath at 10 a.m."

Anupam had earlier shared on Twitter: "This #AwardWapsiGang has not insulted the government, but the jury, the chairman of the jury and the audience who watched their films."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met a delegation of artistes led by Bollywood actor Anupam Kher protesting against a section of artistes who are returning their awards over "intolerance" in the country.

"He (Modi) listened to us and said the intolerance issue is harming the country and its reputation," Kher said after meeting the prime minister.

"The filmmakers and documentary makers must make an attempt to talk to the PM and not wait for the government to contact them. We have to express our anguish but nothing should come between us and the integrity of the nation to be discussed outside India in an intolerant manner," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, the delegation led a 'March for India' to protest against those returning their awards over intolerance.

After the march, Kher called on President Pranab Mukherjee, and described it as a "great meeting" where he raised concerns about the 'award wapsi' by various people.

Kher also said the Prime Minister's Office had invited renowned Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, but he has not replied to it so far.

On October 18, Rana had returned his Sahitya Akademi award along with the Rs.1 lakh cash prize amid the ongoing debate over growing intolerance. Rana had said that if he is called by the PMO, he will go and meet Modi.

A decade after she had a shaky Bollywood debut with "Dil Maange More", actress Soha Ali Khan hopes she has carved her own niche in the film industry -- but the much-admired daughter of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and late Indian cricketing legend Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, says she doesn't want to be a role model.

"I think it's really special to have that kind of heritage on both sides. But I hope that I have managed to carve an identity for myself... I am quite secure in the fact that there's more to me than just my family lineage. But I don't want to be a role model," Soha told IANS here.

Opening up on feminism and her connect to Tagore and Pataudi, the "Rang De Basanti" actress admits that unlike others, she never had to fight for certain things.

"Feminism to me has always been the desire to be equal to men and I feel we are (equal).

"I have to say that I have had a very privileged upbringing and by privileged I mean not economically but in terms of education," Soha said.

"My brother (Saif Ali Khan) and I were treated completely the same and I never had to want to prove myself in any way but I totally respect the fact that other people did not have it so easy. Women especially -- and especially women in this country -- had to fight to get what they deserve, so I don't want to be a role model because I never had to fight for certain things that other people had to," asserts Soha.

The 36-year-old prefers to star in "interesting films" and concedes that actors are paid "quite handsomely".

"I also feel that as an actor we are paid very well. There's also a difference between the way we are paid but I know there are certain women who helm films like Deepika Padukone, who should be paid accordingly and sometimes the hero helms the film and is paid accordingly.

"But I can't really complain the way we are paid because we are paid quite handsomely relative to the rest of the country," she said.

Married to actor Kunal Kemmu, the "Iti Srikanta" and "Midnight's Children" actress is in the city to celebrate Kali puja.

Actress-filmmaker and politician Hema Malini is proud that women are gradually making a mark as directors in the film industry and said that she would like to go behind the camera herself again.

Hema's first Bollywood directorial was the 1992 film "Dil Aashna Hai", after which she wielded the megaphone for the 2011 box office dud "Tell Me O Kkhuda", which featured her daughter Esha.

Over the years, women filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar, Gauri Shinde, Farah Khan and Madhureeta Anand have come to the fore.

Talking about it at an event here, Hema said: "I am so happy that there are so many woman directors coming forward and doing good films. If an opportunity comes, I would like to direct a film once again. Currently, Mathura is taking lot of my time."

Hema, who is a member of parliament from Mathura, was also asked if she feels that the Central Board of Film Certification is harsh with movies nowadays.

She said: "Socially, the world is changing. Around 10 years ago, the scenario was different. Now there is so much violence in the outside world... How we will put a full stop to it is a question. If films are influencing those things, then we or the censor board have to help to control that. It is the basic idea."