It's a wrap on TV show "Hitler Didi"! Actress Rati Pandey, who played the lead role in it, says she has a whole lot of happy memories of her association with the show, which was appreciated by viewers for so long.

The show went on air in 2011 on Zee TV.

Rati has thanked the audiences for all the love and support towards the show.

"Thank you so much for all the appreciation that you gave us. Whether people watched it or not, but 'Hitler Didi' has become a trendsetter now. They know about Hitler Didi and the show as well," Rati said here Tuesday at the wrap-up party for the show.

"We are wrapping up the show after one year and seven months! That's a long time...but we all are happy and enjoying," she added.

The actress heaped praises for her co-star Sumit Vats, who played her husband Rishi in the show, and said that she hopes to collaborate with him again.

"I would say that keep appreciating us (me and Sumit) even in future! No matter we both work together or not but we will always try our best to convince you (viewers), whatever the storyline of a show be," said Rati.

She has earlier been a part of the shows like "Miley Jab Hum Tum", "Raat Hone Ko Hai" and "Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai".

The last episode of "Hitler Didi" will reportedly be aired Aug 2. It will be replaced by "Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se".

Ayushmann Khurrana recently turned assistant director for Viacom 18 Motion Pictures,JA Entertainment and Rising Sun Films’ Madras Cafe.The actor traveled to Cochi for ten days to assist director Shoojit Sircar on a crucial dramatic scene between John Abraham and Siddharth Basu and a few others.

Though Ayushmann was keen on assisting the director through the entire schedule,his professional commitments didn't permit him to.However as soon as his calendar opened up ,he caught the next flight to Cochi to assist Shoojit on the political thriller.

Says Shoojit Sircar, “Ayushmann had told me during Vicky Donor that if the film tanked and he didn’t get any work thereafter,he would assist me.But the film worked and he became a star.However,to get a better hang of direction,he did join us for a few days on the sets of Madras Cafe and proved to be a talented assistant”.

Says Ayushmann Khurana, “I wish I could be there for all 40 days of the Madras Cafe shoot. Shoojit has a fabulous set up .It was fascinating to see actors from a different point of view.I hope this experience results in making me a better actor.”

Presented by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and JA Entertainment and produced by Rising Sun Films and JA Entertainment , Madras Cafe ,directed by Shoojit Sircar is scheduled to release 23rd August 2013.

Much before Bollywood newcomer Tiger Shroff decided to face the arclights, he had been working on his athletic body, flexibility and motion training.

He has been learning martial arts since the age of four and has been training in gymnastics for the last three years under the watchful eyes of his coach, Ziley Mawai, a national level gymnast from Haryana.

Tiger spends long hours practising gymnastics - back layout, front pike, 360 degree-backward twist, wall flips and leaps - all with the ease and poise of a professional.

The actor, son of Jackie Shroff, is set to debut with "Heropanti". Guess he's living up to the title already!

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Thalaivar Tribute (lungi dance)" from "Chennai Express" is said to have received a nod by legendary actor Rajinikanth.

The song, by rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, pays a tribute to Rajinikanth, who is given the title Thalaivar (supreme leader) by his fans.

A source close to the film says, "Obviously if Shah Rukh is giving a tribute to Rajinikanth, due permissions have been taken. We hear that Rajinikanth sir has blessed the song and given a nod to it".

Directed by Rohit Shetty, "Chennai Express" also features Deepika Padukone. It releases Aug 9.

Ace choreographer Ashley Lobo says he has performed on a professional platform after 20 years, and he couldn't be more excited about doing it for the finale episode of reality show "India's Dancing Superstar".

"I am performing on a professional platform after 20 long years for 'India's Dancing Superstar' finale. Excitement combined with a little nervousness are the feelings I am going through," Lobo said in a statement.

One of the judges of the Star Plus show, Lobo has been associated with performing arts through his dance company, the Danceworx, and Bollywood.

He will team up for some of his students for the performance, which will be a blend of various dance forms like jazz, contemporary and hip-hop.

"Tu hi re" and "Dum maaro dum" are the songs Ashley has selected for his breakthrough performance.

Catch the performance on the show's finale Aug 3.

In conventional love stories, the wife never plays the 'other woman'. A new show, "Gustakh Dil" is ready to depict just that on the small screen.

Produced by Ravi Ojha, "Gustakh Dil" portrays the life of Laajo, who is the other woman for her husband Nikhil. In spite of being married to her, he continues to be in love with his childhood sweetheart Ishana.

“With 'Gustakh Dil', we are aiming to bring out the other side of a love triangle. We are confident that people will accept this unique storyline and will appreciate our modest attempt at providing quality entertainment," Ajit Thakur, general manager, Life OK, said in a statement.

The cast was in the capital to launch the show, which goes on air Aug 5.

It features actors like Sana Sheikh, Vibhav Roy, Parvati Sehgal and Meghna Malik.

Acclaimed filmmaker Basu Chatterjee's 1979 film "Baton Baton Mein" is set to be remade. Aditya Bhatia, who produced the recently released erotic film "Nasha", is keen to drive the project ahead.

"It's true that I am remaking Mr. Basu's cult film 'Baton Baton Mein'. But right now I am waiting to choose the right director for the film. I am in talks with few directors. By the next weekend, I will finalise the director and the star cast," Bhatia told IANS.

Bhatia claims that the 83-year-old filmmaker has given his blessings for the remake.

"I spoke to him and he is very happy. He has given his best wishes for the remake. This is one of his best films and we're proud to remake it. It will be a full-fledged remake," he said.

The original movie, a romantic comedy, starred Amol Palekar and Tina Munim. The remake will have a fresh cast.

"The remake will have fresh faces and the film will go on floors by November 2013," Bhatia said.

The government is in the process of developing a single window clearance system for film shootings in India for foreign and Indian producers.

"A dedicated online portal would be developed for operationalising the system," Information and Broadcasting secretary Bimal Julka said inaugurating a national workshop on the single window clearance system here.

The website would include data on various requirements such as custom clearances, visas, cultural sensibilities etc. A production resource guide highlighting different aspects of production as well as logistics and a digital location library of panoramic images of potential production locations would also form an important component of the online portal, an official release said.

The website will also include information on state-wise facilities like transport, hospitality, medical and other local information for the applicants.

Bollywood actress Tabu, who walked the ramp for designer Anju Modi on the first day of the Delhi Couture Week (DCW) 2013, represented a modern "Draupadi" who is strong and independent.

The couture week is being held at the Taj Palace hotel here.

Justifying the theme of the show, "Draupadi", a character from the Mahabharata, Tabu walked the ramp in a beautifully embellished lehenga.

The actress not only represented class and style, but also got herself registered in the list of celebrities who have aged gracefully.

The red and mustard coloured silhouette was created using fabrics like organic silk, raw silk and chanderi. It was embellished with gold and silver embroideries and refined needle work. Embroideries like zardozi and mukesh were also used extensively.

"I chose Tabu as a showstopper because I feel Tabu expresses herself really well. She is strong and looks elegant. When I thought of Draupadi, I wanted a woman with strength and the first name that came in my mind was of Tabu. I was sure that she will portray the character as beautifully on the stage as she portrays it in the films," said Modi.

Tabu, who has featured in films like "Astitva", "The Namesake" and "Chandni Bar", said: "I feel walking the ramp is all about looking good and dressing well. I am totally in love with this bridal outfit as it highlights the Indian textiles and embroideries."

"When Anju approached me with the concept, I agreed to it because it was all about playing a character on the ramp. Draupadi is the character from Indian mythology and I found it interesting," she added.

The fashion extravaganza, organised by Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), will go on till Aug 4.

Raghubir Yadav says he spent almost 20 days shooting in a real jail in Goa for the upcoming film "Calapor", in which he plays a warden. Recounting the experience, the actor says it was both fun and scary.

"We shot there for some 15 to 20 days. The place feels good also and sometimes very scary. The environment was different and life is different there," the 55-year-old said in an interview here.

"It was a good experience as I got to live a new and different life there," he added.

Raghubir has been in the industry for more than 25 years with commendable performances in films like "Massey Sahib", "Salaam Bombay", "Dharavi", "Rudaali", "Bandit Queen", "Lagaan", "Dilli 6" and "Peepli Live".

He has done few negative roles in his career and hopes to take on more such parts if "Calapor" works in his favour.

"I take every character as a challenge, and I have rarely done negative characters. So it's good and let's see if I will continue with negative characters or get back to positive characters after this film," Yadav said.

Directed by Marathi director Dinesh P. Bhonsle, "Calapor" narrates the story of jail reformation. Releasing Friday, it also stars Priyanshu Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta and Harsh Chhaya.

If not regularly, then at least once in a while it would be good to see an inspiring story from a woman's perspective on the big screen, says actress Isha Talwar, who appears in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil movies.

"Once in a while it would be interesting to see a stimulating story from women's perspective. I'm sure stories narrated from a woman's standpoint will be a different experience for the audiences," Isha told IANS.

She, however, believe it's the story that makes any film worth watching.

"Subject is the king. It doesn't matter if you plan to narrate a story from women's or a man's perspective, but eventually the success of a film relies on its story. A man or woman won't matter if you don't have a good story to tell," she added.

Known for back-to-back hits such as "Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde" and "Thillu Mullu 2", Isha is currently set to start shooting for Malayalam drama "Balyakalasakhi".

Actress Rituparna Sengupta, who features in upcoming Hindi film "Calapor", which is being heartily supported by Kiran Bedi, hopes the former IPS officer's encouragement boosts the movie's prospects.

Marathi director Dinesh Bhonsle's Hindi film "Calapor" is based on jail reformation. At a recent screening of the movie, Kiran Bedi applauded it and even said that she would personally urge the authorities in Goa to declare it tax free.

Rituparna Sengupta is happy with the support.

"Kiran jee got very excited after watching the film and I feel as a personality, who changed jails into reformation homes and worked towards improving them, her comment matters to us a lot," the 41-year-old said here Wednesday in an interview.

"She was absolutely thrilled seeing the film. I believe if a personality like hers gets associated with the film, it is good for the film," she added.

Rituparna says "Calapor" isn't a regular affair.

"It is not a simple subject, and a lot of people have given inputs. Jails are now called correctional homes and what all goes into making jail a correctional home is what is shown in the film," she said.

Talking about her own part in the film, she said: "I visit the jail on behalf of an NGO and try to change things there through music, dance and entertainment."

"Calapor", releasing Friday, also stars Priyanshu Chatterjee, Raghubir Yadav and Harsh Chhaya.

Wowed by the corporate culture and technological revolution in showbiz, Shilpa Shirodkar, a popular actresses of the 1990s, is happy to start her second innings. She says working in a corporatised atmosphere will be a different ball game and she is ready for the "cultural shock".

"I never missed Bollywood. I didn't have time to do that. I have a beautiful family. I am very happy being a mother and full-time homemaker," Shilpa, who has shifted residence to Mumbai, told IANS here during a break in the shooting in this Delhi suburb of her comeback vehicle, Zee TV's new show "Ek Muthi Aasman" based on the life on domestic helps.

"Now that I have shifted (to Mumbai) after 10 years, I got the offer; it just happened and I agreed to do it. Honestly, I didn't have to try hard for it," added the actress who confessed that during the last decade, not even once did she miss the arclights, which she gave up when she got married.

A mother of nine-year-old daughter Anushka, the actress, who won the hearts of many with her work in "Kishen Kanhaiya"(1989) and "Khuda Gawah" (1993), is a firm believer in the institution of marriage.

"I promote marriage to everybody. I have got a fantastic husband and a beautiful daughter. I lost my parents suddenly, one after the other. But my in-laws are my support system. My sister (actress) Namrata Shirodkar stays in Hyderabad. We have shifted here (to India) to be with them," Shilpa shared.

Now that Shilpa has begun shooting for "Ek Muthi Aasman", she realises how the film and the TV industry have evolved.

"The TV and the film industries have evolved undoubtedly over all these years. People have become more professional and disciplined. The whole corporate culture has come in and there's a lot more exposure and opportunities.

"I think it would be great working now...it was organised in the 1980s, but it wasn't like this. It's beautiful and fun," said Shilpa.

"There were very few channels earlier and less media attention," she added.

Shilpa, who also featured in films like "Hum", "Aankhen" and "Gopi Kishan", enjoys working with new technologies.

"Earlier, while shooting, the director used to say cut after each shot while standing behind the camera...and that's it. There wasn't any monitor to see the shot. Sometimes when we used to see the scene, we used to feel terrible.

"In those days, only a few producers and directors used to agree to reshoot scenes. But now it's amazing. You can see yourself on the monitor after every shot. You can edit it, add graphics and a lot more. It's amazing," said Shilpa.

As far as films are concerned, the 43-year-old would like to work with filmmakers like Karan Johar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

"Karan Johar makes beautiful love stories and I was amazed to see 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' and 'Go Goa Gone'. But I think I am too old to work with Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

"Beautiful, inspiring films are being made in Indian cinema," said Shilpa, who also said that Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha are her all-time favourite actors.

Amidst all the good things, she rues the current overdose of glamour and paparazzi.

"Back in the 1990s, there was growth for an actor. Her costumes, makeup and dialogues used to change with every film. But now, from first film to the last, an actor pretty much looks the same.

"I am surely going to have a cultural shock. I have changed...I have grown over all these years and I'll take my own time to be comfortable in the industry," said Shilpa.

Asked if she has met her previous co-stars like Govinda and Anil Kapoor, she said: "No, I haven't. I don't party. I do attend events. May be after the show, I'll start meeting people again. Right now I am very happy in my space."

Abhinav Singh Kashyap's "Besharam" stars Rishi Kapoor as Inspector Chulbul, a name that became popular after Salman Khan etched it in "Dabangg". The director says that he is making fun of himself.

"There was no glimpse of Salman Khan also. Chulbul is a name and it has come from me. So I can make fun of myself, I am not laughing at anyone else," Kashyap said at the first look launch of the film.

Meanwhile, the "Besharam" promo kicks off with lead Ranbir Kapoor singing "Tennu vekhya toh ye jaana sanam" and Kashyap says the song has been used to stress the point that it is a romantic film.

"Trailer begins with the Punjabi version of 'Tujhe dekha toh ye jana sanam' and there is no impression of Shah Rukh Khan. DDLJ ('Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaenge') is a popular film, an image of love stories and I have used that image in my way because this is predominantly a masala romantic comedy. So that is just a platform to explain that it is a love story," he said.

"Besharam" also stars Neetu Singh and Pallavi Sharda, who made her debut with Karan Johar's "My Name Is Khan".

It is slated for an Oct 2 release.

Film: "Chor Chor Super Chor"; Cast: Deepak Dobriyal, Chandrahas Tiwari, Anshul Kataria, Priya Bathija; Director: K. Rajesh; Rating: ***

There is a very good reason why this interesting satire on petty crime and plummeting morals in Delhi is captioned "Season One".

Reality shows and their absolutely disregard for basic decency and human sensitivities play a major part in "Chor Chor Super Chor". The script by director K. Rajesh, Anil Thomas and V. Radhakrishnan creates a world of petty crime in the metropolis with a generous dosage of warm humour and a comic candour directed at the middle-class and its craving for a good life.

In this sharply-drawn satire, the Great Indian 'Muddle' Class is projected in a bright and reflective light that never blinds the director of the plot's central search for an engaging story.

The film teems with vividly-drawn low-life characters scattering their self-serving subterfuge all across the malls, highways, streets, back-alleys and loos of Delhi.

Except for the very talented Deepak Dobriyal, the rest of the characters are played by natural-born actors from theatres. One of the virtues of this large-hearted saga voicing the vices of pickpockets and other swindlers of modern life is that almost every character is played by actors we have hardly ever encountered before.

This naturally confers a sense of complete believability on the goings-on.

The narrative moves on two levels. Initially, we are swiftly familiarised with the characters' lives as petty criminals. It is the absolutely ingenious second movement of the narration where reality television enters the characters' lives in most unexpected ways, where the director makes telling comments on the rise of a working-class whose moralities are constantly challenged flexed and dilated.

The film has a very original and provocative story to tell. It tells it with warm and intelligence. The mirthful momentum is somewhat lost at the climactic moment partly because the film insists on using songs when there is no room for any.

"Chor Chor Super Chor" is a prime example of new-age cinema, which doesn't forget the basic requirement of the audience. A strong story line and characters whose dramatic potential is laced with humour.

The plot here is riddled with visuals and emotions that are peculiar to life in metropolises. Delhi, to be more precise.

So, we have one of the film's more interesting characters a petty businessman, played by Chandrahas Tiwari, who is kidnapped and kept in a cheap eatery by a pickpocket rising in life to become a kidnapper.

"Chor Chor Super Chor" is the kind of vehemently visual cinema, which the viewer needs to experience and discover on his own. Any attempt to describe the goings-on diminishes the force of the satire. Delhi never seemed so sinister and satirical and so filled with heartbreaking humour. This is a sordid squalid world of petty crime and manufactured reality on reality-shows where our hero wears a samosa costume in a mall to eke out an honest living.

It's a crazily out-of-control world held together by K. Rajesh's straightfaced non-judgemental humour addressed to fringe lives.

The performance by Dobriyal and a cast of gifted impresarios is intuitively vivacious. And the brisk goings-on never get tedious.

This enjoyable film is a surprise. It sparkles with original wit directed at lives that would have been truly sad if they weren't so funny.

For those who have been waiting to see Shah Rukh Khan-Katrina Kaif re-unite for "Happy New Year" after "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", there is bad news. The actress won't be able to do the film due to prior commitments.

There were reports that the two are coming together again in Farah Khan's directorial venture "Happy New Year", but according to reliable sources, "it is not true".

As Katrina has signed two new films - Kabir Khan's directorial venture for producer Sajid Nadiadwala with Saif Ali Khan and Abhishek Kapoor's adaptation of Charles Dickens's "Great Expectations", she has no room this year for any other film.

Said a friend of Katrina: "She would have loved to do Farah's film, but we believe Farah initially wanted to sign a completely new girl for 'Happy New Year'. She zeroed in on Katrina recently when Katrina had already said yes to other projects.

"Katrina and Farah are very fond of each other ever since they worked together in 'Tees Maar Khan'. The film's failure did not affect their mutual fondness. To be in Farah's next and that too with Shah Rukh with whom Katrina really hit off during 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan', would have been fabulous.

"However much Katrina would like to do 'Happy New Year', she cannot as she is committed to finishing Vijay Krishna Acharya's 'Dhoom 3' and Siddharth Anand's 'Bang Bang' before going into Abhishek Kapoor's film with Sushant Singh Rajput and Kabir Khan's film with Saif."

Interestingly, Farah's heroine in "Happy New Year" has to be a fast-talking Marathi girl and also a fabulous dancer since it's the role of a dancer.

"Katrina would have needed a long period of intense speech practice to sound Marathi. But where was the time?" asked a friend of the actress.

Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee lived up to expectations with his couture collection Opium, a name inspired by his mother's perfume, which had beautiful pieces of artwork adorned with oldest Indian embroidery like ari tari and tara - and wowed everyone on the opening day of the Delhi Couture Week 2013.

Through Opium, Sabyasachi Wednesday night presented a glamorous and sensual collection that took viewers back to the 1920s.

"I wanted to do something that has a very strong sense of opium and has 1920s feel to it," Sabyasachi told IANS.

"I called the collection Opium because it's very heavy and it is the perfume by Yves Saint Laurent that my mother always used. So, there were memories attached to it. I wanted to make the collection heavy, sexual and glamorous," he added.

From hand embroidered churidaars with dupattas created using tulle fabric, elegant saris beautifully embellished with tilla work and zardozi, printed ghararas teamed with flapper waistcoat to heavily embellished lehenga paired with khadi blouse - the collection was lavish and perfect for those looking for elegance and glamour to accentuate their feminine look.

Sabyasachi also said that he took inspiration from director Fernando Meirelles's film "The Constant Gardener".

Talking about the fabrics, the designer told IANS: "I have used lot of khadi from West Bengal, veil tulle fabric from France. I have also used tilla work, zardozi, velvet, nets, designer laces and mirror work."

"The whole collection is very feminine and glamorous and it also belongs to the era, which is my favourite too - 1920s. It took me two-and-a-half-month to complete the collection and I didn't have to do much research work as I think I'm 1920's child.

"Also, I have interpreted some scenes from the movie 'The Constant Gardener'," said Sabyasachi, who has styled Bollywood celebrities like Vidya Balan, Sridevi and Kareena Kapoor.

His collection for men too had a royal touch. The collection comprised of hand-dyed canvas sherwani with churidaar and Kashmiri shawl.

If that's not enough, Nehru jackets embellished with zardozi ari tilla work and mirror work with tulle base and khadi churidaar looked perfect for those who like to experiment with their wardrobe.

Flapper jackets and waistcoats, trousers also highlighted 1920s fashion. Also, textured silk sherwani with Kashmiri detail work, cotton printed safa and churidaar looked perfect for the forthcoming wedding season.

"I have also used bandhgalas, short tops, flapper jackets, coats in subtle shades like ivory, gold and off white. I have used sequin work, tara work, which is mainly hand, cut gold, silver and copper work.

"I have also used India's oldest embroidery ari tari as I wanted to revive it. There's lot of bling too as the creations are heavy and luxurious," informed Sabyasachi.

Jewellery is important for such collection and the designer said: "I have used lot of vintage and antique jewellery. They are mainly collectibles from 1800 to 1900. It is like personal collection put together."

Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India, the Delhi Couture Week (2013) is being held at Taj Palace hotel.

Makers of upcoming Bollywood film "Calapor" will heed super cop Kiran Bedi's advice and speak to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in an effort to get the film declared tax-free.

"Calapor" is arguably one of the most expensive films made by a Goan producer-director duo and stars Rituparna Sengupta, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Raghubir Yadav and Harsh Chhaya.

Shot in a real-setting in two Goa prisons, the film releases Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji Thursday, the film's director Dinesh Bhonsle said: "We have sought time from the chief minister. We are going to request him to make the film tax-free."

On July 31, Kiran Bedi, known for her passion for prison reforms ever since her stint as in-charge of New Delhi's Tihar jail, had said at a press meet that she would appeal to Parrikar asking him to make the film tax-free.

"I would urge the Goa chief minister to make the film tax-free so the word spreads. Like 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' has been made tax-free, and that's promotion of sports, and by making it tax-free it will also be spreading prison reforms and coming together of three PPP (denoting the government, public service officials and the people)," Bedi told reporters in Kolkata.

Parrikar was one of the first few chief ministers to declare the Farhan Akhtar-starring biopic of Milkha Singh, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" tax-free earlier this week.

Delhi Couture Week (DCW) 2013 had an interesting start - if Sabyasachi Mukherjee's collection had historical influence, designer Anju Modi, who opened the fashion extravaganza, narrated a fascinating anecdote from "Mahabharata" through her collection themed Draupadi, one of the main protagonists in the epic.

Modi, known for her exquisite designs and resplendent embroideries, tried to recreate the "Mahabharata" era on stage Wednesday. Dressed as Draupadi, Bollywood actress Tabu walked the ramp as showstopper.

The show began with a spectacular performance by a Bangalore-based dance troupe.

"I wanted to create a film set on the ramp. There was dance, drama, action and emotion. It's not just about showcasing your collection, it's also about creating something larger than life. To clear the concept and theme of the show, I invited a Bangalore-based dance troupe which enacted the whole act,” said Modi.

Modi's creations, a perfect blend of Indian and western silhouettes for men and women, boasted Victorian fashion.

The men's collection comprised of stylish Nehru collar kurtas embellished with varied motifs.

If Khadi kurtas with extensive detailing and western cuts caught attention, embroidered shawls impressed too. Modi's creation - flowy skirts paired with kurtas imitating “Maharaja” look - can set the next big trend in menswear.

In short, it seemed men's outfits were directly taken out from an emperor's wardrobe.

"Men are experimenting with their looks and apparels. So, I have created bold and sophisticated outfits inspired from the rulers' dresses of that time. The outfits are embellished with varied motifs like bird cages, peacocks, elephants, arrows and Arjuna's as it signifies power and strength,” said Modi.

However, while designing outfits she keep the wearability factor in mind.

“I wanted to create outfits that are wearable and at the same time symbolic and philosophical. I have created bandhgalas, used pashmina shawls embellished with Kashmir embroidery and styled with a belt. Fashion interpretation - that's what is the job of designers," she added.

The women's collection included lehengas and anarkalis in varied subtle shades like ivory, off white, rust, ash grey, indigo blue and brutal maroon because the designer feels brides are opting light-weight and sophisticated attires.

Full sleeves blouses with western cuts and shoulder jackets enhanced the overall look of the outfit and left little scope for skin show.

"I have mainly used organic fabrics like pure cotton and khadi. In some of the creations, I have used chanderi and raw silk. The fabrics are home grown. I just can't handle synthetics," said Modi.

As it's a couture collection, she used fine needlework on the fabrics.

"The silhouettes are also embellished with zardozi, mukaish and beadwork. I had taken fabrics from the weavers in Benaras and Kerala.

"The collection also has a Victorian touch. I have tried to mix varied cultures and crafts and that's what is required today. It's a digital world. It's important to contemporise a dress. There are prints inspired from the British Raj, Victorian Albert Museum and Sanganer. It's all mixed together to create a unique look," added Modi.

She doesn't limit herself to clothes, Modi indulges in getting right makeup, hairdo and jewellery.

"I have used elegant and light-weight gold jewellery for the modern brides. It includes danglers, neckpieces and maang tikka. Makeup is very natural. Models tied their hair.

"Only Tabu, the showstopper, had left her hair open because I wanted something different for her. I wanted her to be a modern Draupadi who is strong and independent," said Modi.

Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the five-day fashion week is being held here at Taj Palace hotel.

Bollywood actress and now singing sensation Priyanka Chopra has been hobnobbing with popular names in Los Angeles. She recently met up with former "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, and says he even gave her a piece of advice.

"Thank you for the advice @yo_randyjackson... Here's to taking over the world! Was lovely meeting you," Priyanka had posted on her Twitter page Wednesday, along with a photograph with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.

She met the record producer and TV personality for lunch, and as an added bonus, even bumped into singer-songwriter Paula Abdul at the same time, a source close to the actress, told IANS.

Priyanka, who is in the US to promote her latest international single "Exotic" and for the promotion of action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure "Planes", in which she has given voiceover for an Asian character named Ishani.

The former Miss World also launched her celebrity milkshake named The Exotic, at the Millions of Milkshakes in Los Angeles. She will be back in India later this month.