Flip-flop brand Havaianas has teamed up with the Indian luxury swimwear brand Shivan & Narresh to create special collection for fall season. The hand-sewn collection with interesting materials makes it a must-have.

Havaianas Special flip flop collection for Shivan & Narresh, made from crystals and organic meshes, such as the straw from the moriche palm, a tree in the Brazilian cerrado (tropical savanna), is hand-sewn by artisans from Alagoa Nova, in the state of Paraíba, north eastern Brazil, said a statement.

The flip-flops, which you can slip into before heading out for beach holiday or spa, will be retailed on Havaianas’ e-commerce website havaianasindia.in as well as through the designer duo’s stores.

The price range is between Rs.4,800 and Rs.5,200.

After successful biopic "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and hit masala movie "Chennai Express" comes gangster drama "Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!". Directed by Milan Luthria, the much-awaited Akshay Kumar-starrer hits the screen Friday.

A sequel to the 2010 hit movie "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai", it will see the characters, played by Akshay, Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha, involved in a love triangle.

While the prequel was more about the gangster world, this one - as the tagline says - is about personal tussle between the heroes trying to win over their common love interest - Sonakshi, who plays a budding actress in the movie.

Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, the movie is made with a budget of approximately Rs.100 crore and, according to distributors, it will be released on approximately 2,500 screens.

It also brings back Sonali Bendre on the silver screen after almost a decade and she did it for her friend Luthria.

"The film is directed by Milan Lutharia and I have known him since a long time. He used to assist (Mahesh) Bhatt sahab and my first ever song 'Sambhala hai maine...' was shot by Milan. So the equation and the relationship go very far back," Sonali said.

After the stupendous box office success of "Chennai Express", it will be interesting to see if the trio of Akshay, Imran and Sonakshi can turn the audience's interest in their favour.

Bollywood actress Adah Sharma, who made an impressive debut in Vikram Bhatt's horror-thriller "1920", has reportedly been roped in opposite Nithiin Reddy in filmmaker Puri Jagannadh's upcoming Telugu romantic-drama "Heart Attack".

"Adah Sharma has been cast opposite Nithiin in the film. Puri was impressed with her performance in '1920' and decided to cast her. Many actresses were considered for this role, including some big names in Telugu industry, but Adah was finally signed," a source close to director Puri, told IANS.

Not long ago, it was reported that Catherine Tresa, who featured in Telugu films "Chamak Challo" and "Iddarammayilatho", was cast opposite Nithiin in the film.

Does this mean Adah has replaced Catherine?

"We are not sure about that. Puri did consider Catherine but we don't have much clarity on it. He (Puri) would be the right person to confirm the same," added the source.

Puri hopes to resurrect his sagging career with "Heart Attack" after suffering lukewarm response with films such as "Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu" and "Iddarammayilatho".

Nithiin, who is basking in the success of back-to-back blockbusters with "Ishq" and "Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde", hopes to score a hat trick with this film.

Describing his upcoming Telugu action-drama "Bhai" as a "popcorn entertainer", actor Akkineni Nagarjuna promises that the various commercial essentials make it a film for everybody.

"With catchy one-liners, drama, songs, comedy sequences and stunning action shot in different exotic locales, my film is a popcorn entertainer. The concoction of commercial elements makes it a film everybody would love to watch," said Nagarjuna in a statement.

Nagarjuna,53, is said to portray three different shades in the film, which has been shot over 15 international locales such as Bangkok and different part of Europe.

Slated to release in September, "Bhai" is helmed by Veerabhadram, who rose to fame with his highly successful blockbuster directorial debut "Poolarangadu".

The film also features Richa Gangopadhyay as hero's love interest, while Sonu Sood, Rahul Dev, Mukul Dev, Ashish Vidyarthi, Brahmanandam and Jayaprakash Reddy will be seen in important roles.

Hamsa Nandhini and Nathalia Kaur will be seen in two item numbers each.

Nagarjuna, who has also produced the film under his home banner Annapurna Studios, says "it will be the quality of the script and the versatility of all the actors that will leave a lasting impression".

Director Anand Kumar, who brought together Vivek Oberoi and Sanjay Dutt in action-drama "Zila Ghaziabad", has launched his own production and will make three films under his banner.

His production house is called Anand Kumar Productions.

"It is a great feeling to be your own master. We have three exciting projects lined up for future - 'Desi Kattey', 'Juliet' and 'Nabbu'. While both 'Desi Kattey' and 'Nabbu' will be directed by me, 'Juliet' will see my associate at the helm of affairs," Kumar said in a statement.

"'Desi Kattey' is action-drama based in a small town near Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). The story is about two kids who turn out to be India's best sharp shooters, thanks to the childhood they spend in the katta (handmade pistol) factory," he added.

Anand Kumar had earlier directed films like "Delhi Heights" and "Jugaad".

Actress Huma Qureshi has revealed that she may have turned fashionable nowadays, but she used to be a book lover during her school and college days and never worried about following trends.

"I love books. In fact, I was a geek in college and school. I became an actress by mistake," the 27-year-old told reporters Tuesday at the launch of debutante author Vibhor Tikiya's book "Dada".

"Now I have become fashionable, but initially I used to wear my dad's shirts. In Delhi, I still have more books than clothes," added the "Gangs Of Wasseypur" actress.

Huma has a special fascination for biographies and seeks inspiration from them.

"Lots of books inspire me, especially autobiographies and biographies... whether it's an athlete's or an actor's or an industrialist's. If you read an autobiography you will find somewhere all stories are the same," Huma said.

"They are all human beings no matter which background or ethnicity they belong to. They somehow seem to have the same problems and demons they have to fight with," she added.

Huma is currently shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj's production venture "Dedh Ishqiya". Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, it stars Madhuri Dixit in the lead role.

Actress Shanvi Srivastav, who gets only 15 hours of sleep in a week, resorts to yoga to keep herself active and her skin healthy.

The 20-year-old is currently busy working for Kannada horror-comedy "Chandralekha".

"Even though we act with make-up, lack of sleep means bad skin. For a heroine, it's very important to look good, and therefore, I do yoga every morning to ensure my skin doesn't get affected. It also keeps me active on sets," Shanvi told IANS.

Shanvi is playing a character that gets possessed by a ghost in the film, a remake of Telugu horror-comedy "Prema Katha Chitram".

"We mostly shoot at night, especially around midnight," she laughed and added: "It's a challenging role with a lot of focus on expressions. It's extremely torturing for my eyes because I have to wear contact lens for most scenes. But, as an actor I can't step back."

She feels fortunate to land such an intense role so early in her career.

"It's a big responsibility to play such a powerful role. I'm just two films old and I'm glad to have got this opportunity. My first two films were in the romance genre, but this is the first time I got to portray my acting skills because of the role," added the actress who has so far featured in Telugu film "Lovely" and romantic-drama "Adda", coming out Thursday.

Shanvi believes while working on a remake it's important to not have the effect of the original on one's performance.

"I must have watched the original thrice, but ensured not have its effect in my performance. I watched to convince myself that I can do it too and to get used to the character I'm playing and internalise certain nuances," she said.

"Chandralekha" is being helmed by Om Prakash Rao. It also features Chiranjeevi Sarja in the lead role.

Imran Khan is not apprehensive about his work in "Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara" any more. He is confident viewers will appreciate his work in the underworld-based romantic drama, releasing Friday.

Directed by Milan Luthria, the film is a sequel to "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" and revolves around three characters played by Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha and Imran.

"I am always very nervous before the release of a film, but I saw the film last night (Monday) with Akshay sir and Sonakshi and I am feeling very strong," the 31-year-old said here Tuesday in an interview.

"I feel we have managed to make a very good film, I feel very happy with my work and I have a sense that people are going to appreciate my work," he added.

Imran received the best compliment from Luthria.

"The best compliment came from my director Milan sir, who said that he is very pleased with my work. Obviously, as an actor you want the audience to appreciate your work," Imran said.

"But a film starts in a director's head, that's where it really takes birth. For him to feel that I have done justice to his character, is a great honour," he added.

An ominously stormy sky, skyscrapers, choppers flying in the air and a topless man watching all this standing behind a window - this is the first look of the much awaited film "Dhoom 3". It's dramatic and makes you curious.

Although the face is not visible, the man in the poster looks like Aamir Khan giving a glimpse of his well-toned body, something which audiences appreciated in his 2008 hit "Ghajini". He is seen wearing a pair of trousers and has teamed it up with a hat.

The film is scheduled for a Christmas release, an auspicious time for Aamir's films, and the poster's tag line proclaims: "This year will end with a Dhoom".

The 48-year-old is playing an antagonist in "Dhoom 3", the third instalment in the franchise that started in 2004 with John Abraham playing the villain. Hrithik Roshan played the negative role in "Dhoom 2".

It is reportedly said that Aamir has used a lot of acrobatic skills to pull off heists in the Vijay Krishna Acharya directed action thriller that also features Katrina Kaif as his love interest.

Abhishek Bachchan once again returns to play a cop, chasing the super villain with Uday Chopra as his sidekick.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha is looking forward to a quiet Raksha Bandhan with her twin brothers, Luv and Kush and says that the festival has always been special.

"My brothers were in boarding school and I was at home in Mumbai. Every year I made sure to send them rakhis and gifts," Sonakshi told IANS.

"This year no plans as such. We will be together and that's it. My mother prepares everything and it will be a nice get together," she added.

While Luv Sinha is an actor and was seen in the lead role in "Sadiyaan", Kush wants to be a director.

Now that her brothers are grown, she wants them to pamper her with gifts.

"When they were in school, they used to say they are not earning, but now I do full vasooli. Rakhsha Bandhan has always been special," said Sonakshi who will be seen next in "Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara".

Actor Boman Irani will judge the "best works of cinema and TV" for the first time for the first edition of South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) to be held in Durban on Sep 6. He says judging comes with added responsibility, but at the same time he feels that the event will bring the two countries closer.

"The event will definitely strengthen the bond between the two countries. There will be exchange of opinions, story ideas, technicians, technology and artists. The possibilities are endless," Boman told IANS in a telephonic conversation.

"The association will help build a bridge between the two countries that are full of talented people. Also, it's about give and take. South Africa is at one corner of the world. They would love to accept our work and promote their work too," the 53-year-old added.

For the maiden edition of SAIFTA, veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, filmmakers Mukesh Bhatt, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Farah Khan will join Boman in the judge's panel.

SAIFTA, an annual event, aims at rewarding excellent performers of the Indian and South African entertainment industry. The project is aimed at strengthening the bond between India and South Africa by enhancing the exchange of cultural elements in entertainment, talent and technical expertise between the two countries.

Celebrity Locker, a Mumbai-based events company agency has joined hands with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Durban for the event, which will also see prominent South African dignitaries.

Boman has been a part of the film industry for over a decade and has worked in hits like "Munnabhai" series, "3 Idiots", "Cocktail" and "Student of the Year".

He has hosted award shows, but this is his first stint as a judge and he said: "Honestly, judging is not really exciting as it comes with added responsibility. We would be judging one's career, hard work of months and years. It's about judging one's artistic endeavours. You can't just make your decision, you have to be really careful."

"Also, sometimes what happens is when you judge, your opinions don't match with the others. So, there's a lot of pressure. I would say it's a nice feeling, but it's definitely not a fun thing to do," he added.

As a judge, Boman's yardstick to judge will be to give importance to films carrying message and highlighting social responsibilities.

"We are not experts, we are the audience members only, but we do have the experience to differentiate between the films. We can see and differentiate how a film is made, if it will create an impact and what message does it provides. I would judge it like a common viewer," said Boman.

"Though cinema is all about entertainment, but there are films that provide messages and highlight our social responsibilities. I feel those films should get more importance. I would judge films on the basis of content and expression."

Boman says he is familiar with South Africa and visited Durban 14 years ago as a theatre actor.

"I had gone there to do a play called 'Mahatma Vs Gandhi'. People liked it so much that we staged it for a month. It was hugely popular because of the connection with Mahatma Gandhi. There was great resonance with local communities. We had hired many local actors also," said Boman.

Last seen in "Jolly L.L.B", the actor's future projects include Telugu film "Attharintiki Daaredhi".

As we celebrate our 67th Independence Day Thursday, filmmaker Kiran Rao feels that the true independence will come when the country will be free from inequality. Prachi Desai and Karisma Kapoor relate independence to education and strength.

"For me, what it (independence) really means is to be free from inequality. In the true sense, I think we have a way to go before we are truly, truly independent," Kiran said here.

Other film and TV celebrities also expressed their views on what independence means to them.

Here's what they have to say.

Prachi Desai: Independence Day for our nation is a very big thing and a very big day. Personally also, independence means a lot to everybody. I was always told that education should come first. So education is very important for independence also because you can understand it only when you are able to learn about it. Otherwise, you will feel that independence is just about 15th August, it's a lot more.

Karisma Kapoor: Independence is about strength for our country, for our people, for ourselves, and for women.

Shazahn Padamsee: For me, freedom is just being yourself and I think that's the best freedom that you can have.

Dilip Joshi: If our country gets free of corruption, then our county is the best place. 'Saare jahan se achha Hindustan hamara'.

Chandni Bhagwanani: If we want to make our country a good place, it's necessary that we become good and clean at heart first, and never cheat anyone. If we want our country to progress, we have to do this.

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who has taken a pledge to donate her organs, reveals that her actor-filmmaker husband Aamir Khan is also keen to follow in her footsteps.

"Aamir is definitely keen to donate his organs as well," Kiran told reporters at an organ donation camp Tuesday. She was present on the occasion along with "Ship Of Theseus" director Anand Gandhi.

She feels that "Ship Of Theseus" spreads the message beautifully. Kiran has released the film in the country in collaboration with UTV Motion Pictures.

"If anyone has seen the film ('Ship Of Theseus'), I hope they will definitely be convinced that it's the most beautiful and most logical thing to do," she said.

Kiran, who directed "Dhobi Ghat", would now try her best to encourage the members of the film fraternity, friends and family to go in for organ donation.

"Anyone I will meet, I will definitely discuss it with them. I am not necessarily going to call up the celebrities, tell them and convince them of this cause.

"I don't know whether it is going to be easy for me to talk to all the celebrities and become the ambassador for this (organ donation). I am happy to try, but certainly I would like to encourage friends in the fraternity, people I know and definitely my family to donate their organs," she added.

Television actress Delnaaz Irani, who participated in reality shows like "Bigg Boss", "Zara Nachke Dikha" and "Nach Baliye", is eager to shake a leg on "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa".

"I would like to be part of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'. Dance is my passion and I really love dancing. And a lot of people know that. I did a show called 'Zara Nachke Dikha'. All these shows were with partners and in a group," Delnaaz told IANS.

"Jhalak..." will help her learn more, she feels.

"There is so much to learn. It is not only the grace and the timing, it is also the technique - I can learn a lot from the show. I would really hope that next year I am a part of 'Jhalak...'," she said.

Currently the sixth season of "Jhalak..." is being shown on Colors channel.

"I have done all kinds of reality shows now. I need to show my dancing skills and more than that I need to learn a lot from the younger generation," said the actress who did successful TV shows like "Yess Boss" and "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada". She also did films like "Kal Ho Naa Ho".

Ameesha Patel's first production venture "Desi Magic" has gone on floors and the actress looks at her maiden project in the same way as a mother would look at her 'new born baby'.

"I feel like a mother who is creating this new born baby in 'Desi Magic'," the actress said on the sidelines of a photo shoot for a magazine.

"I am seeing it taking its (baby) steps, learning to crawl, learning to walk, having its falls while learning to walk and coming through each hurdle. And now with 'Desi Magic' going on floors, I feel I have sent my kid to school. I just want it to graduate with flying colours."

The actress is playing a double role for the first time in the film and admits it is very challenging.

"I have never played a double role in my life. This needs a lot of homework because characters are poles apart. They are like cheese and chalk," said Ameesha who made a successful debut alongside Hrithik Roshan in "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" in 2000.

"There are days when I am going to be changing my costume, look, make-up, hair and attitude seven-eight times a day when both Ameeshas actually come together and I have to be completely familiar with both the character of Mahie Deol from Punjab and Sonia Saxena, a spoilt child," she added.

Directed by debutant Mehul Atha, the film also features Zayed Khan, Ravi Kishan and Randhir Kapoor in pivotal roles.

Critically acclaimed Tamil period-drama "Paradesi" has been nominated for eight awards, including best film, at the London International Filmmaker Festival (LIFF).

LIFF is scheduled to take place between Oct 12 and 18 in Ealing, London.

The English title of "Paradesi", directed by Bala Pazhanisaamy, is "Vagabond".

"Paradesi" is nominated for best film, best foreign language feature film, best director of a foreign film and best director of a foreign language feature film.

It is also nominated for best music (G.V. Prakash Kumar), best cinematography (R. Chezhiyan) and best lead actor (Atharva Murali) and best costume (Poornima Ramaswamy).

Set in the pre-independence era, "Paradesi", based on the book "Red Tea" by Paul Harris, is the story about the plight of tea plantation workers in south India.

Released earlier this year, the film featured Atharva Murali, Vedhika Kumar and Dhansika in lead roles.

At the 60th National film awards, "Paradesi" won an award for best costume design for Poornima Ramaswamy.

To mark the 67th Independence Day of India, a four-day extravaganza showcasing Indian fashion and classical and folk dances will be held at a top shopping mall in Thailand's capital Bangkok.

The “Incredible India Week”, being organised by the Indian embassy in Bangkok, will be held at the Siam Paragon mall Aug 15-18.

The event will showcase contemporary Indian fashion by popular Bollywood fashion designers Joy Mitra and Vikram Phadnis, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.

The opening night Thursday will also feature the classical Indian dance form Bharat Natyam accompanied by Carnatic music.

A Snow Lion dance from the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and Royal Fables, a display of India's rich cultural heritage including textiles, paintings, jewellery and costumes, are other highlights of the event.

Thai visitors can also enjoy authentic Indian cuisine and taste the finest of teas from Darjeeling and Assam.

The “Incredible India Week” is being held to promote the historical and cultural ties between India and Thailand.

There are around 200,000 people of Indian origin in Thailand.

Director-choreographer Farah Khan praises her mother-in-law Geetanjali Kunder for her support and culinary skills, but rues that the latter cooks only for her son and grandchildren.

Choreographer-filmmaker Farah is married to director-producer Shirish Kunder.

Farah, who judges "DID Super Moms", was joined by her mother-in-law on the set of the dance reality show. Geetanjali brought idli-chutney for Farah and her co-judges Mithun Chakraborty and Master Marzi Pestonji.

During the saas (mother-in-law) special episode, Farah revealed things she loves and hates about her mother-in-law.

"My sasu maa (mother-in-law) cooks lovely food, but it is so annoying that every time she cooks something, I never find my share in any of it. It is like she only cooks for her son and grandchildren!" Farah, a mother of three children, said.

Farah feels left out when Geetanjali talks to her son (Shirish) in Tulu (language spoken in parts of Karnataka and Kerala).

"Whenever she and Shirish are together in a room, they begin to talk in Tulu, which for all that I understand of Tulu could very well be Greek or Latin," said the director of "Main Hoon Na".

"However, she is also one of the sweetest people I know. Whenever I am not around, she is the one who looks after my babies. I do not think I would be able to work as much as I do if she wasn’t a part of our lives. I also tend to call her daadi (grandmother), which is something she doesn’t like one bit,” she added.

Actor Boman Irani, who has worked in films like "Munnabhai" series, "3 Idiots" and "Jolly L.L.B", says he likes watching drama and wants to be part of films that have human experiences.

"I used to enjoy all genres - horror, action, thriller, and romance. But now I like watching drama more than anything else," Boman told IANS.

"I like to watch and be part of movies that have human experience... that have great drama involved. I like to see actors enjoying their performances," he added.

Boman, who has experience of over a decade in the film industry, is now ready to judge South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA), to be held in Durban, Sep 6.

Salman Khan, who is ready to host the seventh season of controversial reality TV show "Bigg Boss", has reportedly expressed his desire to be a housemate and not just a host.

The promo of the Colors reality TV show is out. Featuring Salman in a double role as an angel and devil, it reflects the theme of 'Heaven and Hell'.

While shooting the promo, Salman was heard as saying: "Mujhe bhi 'Bigg Boss' ke ghar ke andar daal do. Aur agar mai gaya toh pakka saare contestants ki life jahannum bana doonga. (I also want to go into the 'Bigg Boss' house and if I go inside, I'll definitely make the other contestants' life hell)."

"Bigg Boss" season seven is expected to go on air by mid-September.