Known for Telugu films such as "Sontha Ooru" and "Oka Romantic Crime Katha", director Sunil Kumar Reddy always prefers working with new and not so popular faces because he believes in moving audiences with his characters.

"You don't see an actor in a film but the character he or she is enacting. I always believe that the real hero of a film is the character," Reddy told IANS.

"I like to move audiences with my characters but not by using a popular face of a hero. The purpose of a character is killed when it's merely traded for a popular face.

"Only when a film has strong characters, can audiences take back home the memories of living with that character for a few hours," he added.

Reddy, who is currently working on his new film "Waiting for You" about pre-marital pregnancy, has roped in a new face for the lead role.

"The story is inspired by events. I met a girl recently who narrated this story about issues dealing with pre-marital pregnancy and the moral policing one faces from society. It's a story that calls for performance but not for popularity of a star," he said.

However, Reddy is not against casting popular actors, if needed.

"I don't have a rule to not work with stars. I will when I have to work with a popular actor. I will wait and find a suitable actor if ever I need to work with one," he added.

TV actor Shashank Vyas, who has successfully completed a three-year journey on "Balika Vadhu", credits the popular series for making him confident about his acting ability.

The actor, who plays the key role of Jagdish aka Jagya in the Colors' show, says he was nervous and unsure of his acting skills when he stepped into the show in 2010.

"Now I can say I can act! When I started my journey, I was nervous. I was worried about how I will cope up. Now I am quite confident of myself and of the show as well," Shashank told IANS.

He says "Balika Vadhu" has been a learning experience.

"It feels good to know how much people like the show after three years also. I am working with senior actors and working with them is a wonderful experience. I see my (acting) graph rising now," he said.

However, he admits that his real challenge will only come after "Balika Vadhu".

"My next journey will decide my career. This is my debut show and people accepted what I played. In my next show, it will be a challenge for me as an actor," he said.

Shashank entered the social issue-based show when it took a leap in July 2010.

Most TV shows are being pulled off air barely after a few months of their launch, but in the case of "Balika Vadhu", its story has made it a success, says the actor.

"As far as daily soaps are concerned, writing is the main thing. There are so many brilliant actors, but if the work on paper is not good, you can't do anything," he said.

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who launched the Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign earlier this year, believes that the concept of fast-track courts must live up to its name, thereby granting speedy justice to victims of rape.

He also believes it can result in a serious difference to rising number of crimes against women.

"I feel that the fact that cases can go on for so long, emboldens people. I feel the concept of fast-track courts, which really hasn't come into effect the way we hoped it would... if that can happen, it will probably make a serious difference," the 39-year-old said here Wednesday.

"Right now the rate of conviction is very low and that is because of the process of judiciary moving really slow," Farhan said in reaction to the recent Mumbai rape case of a photojournalist.

Farhan stated that if there is fear of law, it will deter potential criminals from committing crimes.

"I think a certain degree of fear factor in the mind of somebody who is a potential offender is important. There has to be respect for law, there also has to be fear that 'I will get caught'," Farhan said.

A 22-year-old photojournalist was raped by five men in an abandoned textile mill complex in central Mumbai last week after her male colleague was beaten and tied-up.

All five accused have been arrested.

Radio jockey (RJ) Jeeturaaj, who entertains Mumbai listeners with slice-of-life episodes on the city with his show "Hi Mumbai" every morning, has bagged a chance to host the show in Zurich. He finds it intimidating, but he is also excited.

Jeeturaj's show is aired in Mumbai on Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM. He is going international after winning The Sound Of India@IRF 2013 Competition, which invited entries from radio jockeys all over the country.

He will now play in Zurich as part of the International Radio Festival (IRF), to be held Sep 4-8.

"It is always good to get an appreciation for your work! It goes to show that there is something that you are doing is good and is working for your show and the audiences. I am really humbled with this success," Jeeturaaj said in a statement.

"Being the voice of India on an international platform is intimidating, but I am going to do my best and entertain Zurich just the way I do each day on 'Hi Mumbai'," he added.

Jeeturaaj's youthful energy helped him win the competition.

"RJ Jeeturaaj represents the aspirations and mood of most of India. The IRF loved the energy in his voice and his show. Going forward, we expect more Indian jocks to participate in the contest and represent India at the IRF," said Darryl von Daniken, IRF co-founder.

Jeeturaaj will be one of the many international RJs who will come and air their radio shows from around the world.

Organised by Indiantelevision.com's Radioandmusic.com (RnM) along with IRF and its partners, The Sound of India@IRF2013 competition received over 100 entries from radio jockeys and radio show producers from more than 40 private and public FM radio stations.

This is the second year for the festival.

Actor and standup comedian Vir Das says his new theatrical, "Battle of Da Sexes", is laced with "intellectual comedy".

Vir has joined hands with theatre production house Ashvin Gidwani Productions for the new show.

His new performance will focus on a scientific chronology of the struggle between men and women. It will be unveiled to the public Sep 7 at Tata NCPA theatre here.

"After history, it's now time to move onto chemistry. The show is an intellectual comedy based on scientific facts, which will give you a different perspective on your respective other," Vir said in a statement.

"This show is very close to my heart since I've written the script myself after a lot of research and experimentation. We've been patriotic and poignant for two years, now let's have some fun and misbehave," he added.

With theatrical comedies such as "Walking on Broken Das" and "History of India", Vir has taken comedy experiences to another level, making him a noticed standup comedian in the country.

On the Bollywood front, the "Delhi Belly" actor is currently awaiting the release of "Santa Banta", which also stars Neha Dhupia and Boman Irani.

He has proven his versatility time and again but actor Manoj Bajpayee, who has been a part of the Hindi film industry for around 20 years, says showbiz has not utilised even 20 per cent of his potential.

"I have no resentment towards the industry but at the same time I would say the industry has not utilised even 20 per cent of my potential. I like to work with like-minded people and right now I am enjoying what I am doing. I am in a very happy space," said Manoj.

The 44-year-old's career got a boost post the 1998 film "Satya" which brought him commercial success as well as a national award. Later, he featured in movies like ""Kaun?", "Shool", "Zubeidaa" and "Pinjar".

His next film "Satyagraha", directed by Prakash Jha, releases Friday.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma who had directed "Satya" is now set to make "Satya 2". Manoj, who had played the iconic role of a gangster named Bheeku Matre, believes the sequel will help RGV bounce back.

"I met him at his daughter's pre-wedding bash but we didn't talk films. He will make a fantastic film with 'Satya 2'. I am simply blinded by his genius and I am what I am because of him," said Manoj.

Of late, none of RGV's films have done well at the box office. But Manoj has "no reason to doubt his capability".

"I know he is going through a lean phase but everybody sees that phase. Don't single him out. He will bounce back and surprise you and then you will have to eat your own words! He is going to come back," added Manoj.

Harlequin India Thursday launched the book "Grand Masti: The Fun Never Ends" which is based on the upcoming Bollywood adult comedy "Grand Masti".

Joining hands with film producer Maruti International, the publication house has added this book in the erotic imprint: Spice. It is written by Neha Puntambekar.

Terming this "reverse spin", Harlequin India Country Head and Publishing Director Amrita Chowdhury told IANS the tie-up was an attempt to tap new markets where the readers would want to know more about the movie.

"Usually, we have films based on books, but there are many things in a film that can't be communicated to the audience. This tie-up is complementary to what you will watch in the film," she pointed out.

"The novel will talk about characters: How they met and focus on areas that are not shown in the film. It will take off from where the film begins or ends. These are original episodes and not in the movie," she added.

Chowdhury said there would be many more similar tie-ups in the future. She said, "...but it all will depend on the ethos and sensibilities of the two brands matching."

The trio of Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani and Riteish Deshmukh had featured in the Indra Kumar-directed 2004 film "Masti" that had left the audience in splits.

They are now back in its sequel, "Grand Masti", to release Sep 13.

Another book, 'Satyagraha: The Story Behind the Revolution", based on the film directed by Prakash Jha, was launched here. The book traces the months of hard work, fun on the sets, costume crises and other events that tell behind-the-scene tales.

All the way from Las Vegas, Rick Harrison and his son Corey - members of the celebrated cast of US reality series "Pawn Stars" were here Thursday for their debut Asia tour. They called the Taj Mahal "priceless".

The show, aired on History TV18, chronicles the daily activities of the Pawn Stars - patriarch Richard "Old Man", his son Rick, grandson Corey "Big Hoss" and also, Corey's childhood friend, Austin "Chumlee" Russell.

It revolves around the three generations of the Harrison family, who jointly run the family business. The show depicts the staff's interactions with customers, and how they haggle over artefacts meant for sale or pawn. It also follows the interpersonal conflicts among the cast.

Since the launch of History TV18 in India in 2011, the show has garnered positive reviews in the country, and thus, the cast of the show decided to pay their first visit here.

As part of their Asia tour, they are visiting India only.

They landed in Delhi Wednesday, and left early morning for Agra. The travelling tired them out, but the father-son duo readily posed with their fans with the Taj Mahal as a perfect backdrop.

The Harrisons value artefacts often, but when asked to value the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, Rick told IANS: "Priceless!"

The duo was amazed to see the intricately built monument, built by the by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.

They even shot a promotional trailer for the channel, and later, took a guided tour of the monument, and their keen interest in its history was evident from their inquisitiveness.

Rick said he would love to visit here again, but without any cameras to follow them.

The "Pawn Stars" will leave for the US Friday evening.

The popular game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati", hosted by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, is back and this time it's bigger and better.

The jackpot prize in the "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2013" will be Rs.7 crore and participants will have to answer 15 questions to win the whopping prize money.

There will be four questions in the new feature "Sapta koti sandook" that will let contestants win from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 3 crore, Rs. 5 crore and finally Rs. 7 crore.

Entering the hot seat has become more challenging as 'Fastest finger first' round has been modified. It will now be called 'Best out of three'.

That's not all. Five, instead of four, lifelines will help contestants to reach closer to prize money. While "audience poll" and "phone a friend" will continue as lifelines, "flip the question" will return in place of "ask the expert". "50:50" will replace "double dip". The latest addition is "power paplu". It will help to revive any used lifeline.

The show, which has "seekhna bandh toh jeetna bandh" as central theme, will go on air on Sony Entertainment Television Sep 6.

Along with modifications in the game, the show's set has also been changed.

"It has been shifted from Filmcity in Goregaon here to Yash Raj Films studio in Andheri West. The infrastructure is better. In Filmcity, if it rains hard you have to stop shooting. If generator can't take load, then also you have to stop," Siddhartha Basu, chairman and managing director of Big Synergy Media Ltd., told IANS.

The show, based on international quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", started in 2000.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan hopes to establish an institute dedicated to the work of his late father Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who was a poet.

The father penned several poems and even today remembered for his works like Madhushala, Madhukalash, and Madhubala.

Amitabh Bachchan admitted that reading all his father's poems over and over again was not possible. But he wished to open an institute for his father.

"Jaya (Bachchan) and I have been thinking about it. We hope to open an institute where research of my father's poems can be done," the 70-year-old said here Thursday.

He said apart from his father's poems, a thesis on Irish poet W.B Yeats is also great and one can learn a lot from it.

) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has hosted game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC) five times but he still finds it nerve-wracking.
Except for the third edition, which was hosted by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh has been seen on the quizmaster's seat. He has also shot three to four episodes of the seventh season of the show based on international quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". But the 70-year-old says he still feels nervous.
"I do get nervous. Whether it is a press meet or work. It's nerve-wracking. I disagree that just because you are a professional you are not going to get nervous," Amitabh told reporters here during press conference held for launch of seventh season of KBC.
Before KBC's recordings started earlier this week, Bachchan had even twitted about feeling jitters in stomach.
The game show will be aired three times a week starting Sep 6.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is set to host the seventh season of gameshow "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC), says he is just a host and doesn't take any credit for the show's popularity.

"I take zero credit. The most important part of the show is the show itself. It's a very well constructed show and not just a simple question and answer thing. Very deep research has gone into it.

"Anybody can run the show. It's running in 127 countries and I am not there in those countries, I am only here in India. There is an intrinsic value in the show," Amitabh Bachchan told IANS in a group interview.

The forthcoming season will for the first time in the history of KBC will have a jackpot prize of Rs7 crores and is all set to get bigger, better and brighter.

"Season 7 will be maha crorepati and this time the prize will be Rs. 7 crores. Its back - bigger, better and brighter with format tweaks," Siddhartha Basu, CMD, Big Synergy Media Ltd, said.

The show will have few changes, including a new lifeline called Power Paplu. The money tree will now consist of 15 questions. It will also have a brand new set and design elements adding glamour to this fantastic show.

KBC will launch on Sep 6, Friday to Sunday at 8.30 pm on Sony Entertainment Television.

Singer Sonu Nigam will be seen with megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the opening act of the seventh edition of game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC).

Sonu, 40, will belt out some hit numbers while Big B will jive to its beats.

"With the incomparable Sonu Nigam and the fluidity of his voice...still trying desperately to shake that b**ty," Big B posted on his blog.

Except for the third season, which was hosted by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh has been the quiz master of the show since the beginning, but is still nervous about the premiere episode of the seventh season.

"Setting up for the opening of KBC on the Sep 6, the 7th season, and the excitement and the nervousness mounts, but giving it all that it deserves tasseled shoes and all," he posted.

The show, based on international quiz show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", first went on air in 2000.

Actress Delnaaz Irani, known for her innocent and cute roles in films and television, feels the audience has accepted her in such characters.

The actress, who has been part of shows like "Yes Boss" and "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada", doesn't feel that her fans would like to see her in anything different and she is not complaining.

"There is a larger audience who make an image for an actor. They have seen me in that image and they like me in that. I don't think they would want me to do something different. I am okay with that, as long as the audience likes me and it works for me," Delnaaz told IANS.

She further added that she would not like to take a chance and do something which people don't like her in. However, she is open to good offers.

"I don't want to do something which people don't like me in. It is about who will take a chance and risk. If some producer wants to take a chance and give me something different, then he can," she said.

Talking about newcomers coming into the industry, she said it tough to bag different roles.

"With the kind of competition which exists today, it is tough to get a different role or a different character every time. But I am okay with playing similar roles, if the audience likes me in it," she said.

But the actress has played a negative character in her play, "See No Evil, Hear no evil, Speak No Evil and Do No evil"

"I am playing shades of grey in this play. It's an English play. I am playing a different role in that," she said.

Irani said that she likes to keep all three mediums of acting; films, television and theatre alive.

"After one daily and a play, I want to do more movies. I like to keep all my three mediums alive. I have had a trend of doing at least two plays over the year. I have one or two shows on TV. I am hoping for more films to happen," said Delnaaz, who shared screen space with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in 2003 movie "Kal Ho Naa Ho".

The actress is currently seen in television show "Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara"

At 60, Remo Fernandes is going on from becoming a 'singing actor' to an 'actor' with "Bombay Velvet". He has been associated with the Hindi film industry for over 25 years, but it took him all these years to try acting as he was too shy and self-conscious.

Many would recall watching the musician's glimpses in movies like "Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha" and "David", but he clarifies that they were "singing roles".

"There, I sang my song, that's all - no acting required as such. It was the same in all the previous movies in which I've appeared - be it 'Jalwa' and 'Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha'," Remo told IANS in an email interview, before he left for Sri Lanka to shoot some of his last scenes for the Anurag Kashyap film.

"'Bombay Velvet' is the first film where I'm not singing a single song. I have a purely acting and speaking role and that is what I'm thrilled about, as it is my first-time experience as an actor," he added.

Known for hit tracks like "Humma humma", "O, meri munni" and "Pyaar to hona hi tha", Remo said he always saw himself as a musician.

"I was too shy and self-conscious to act. It never even struck me to try out for an actor's part, even when I was younger. But now, on being offered this short, but intense and significant role by Kashyap's casting director out of the blue, I feel that acting would be a great new adventure to go on once in a while," said the Goa-based artist.

He is already "thrilled" by Kashyap's "compliments and praise" on his acting.

In the film, Remo plays a Portugese musician, and he fitted the bill for the role as Kashyap wanted someone who was fluent in Portuguese.

It has been "beautiful" working with Kashyap, said Remo, adding: "I love his actor-handling, and I love the kind of films he makes. The most satisfying bit was to hear him say a couple of times after my shots: 'Great! You are a very natural actor. You must act more from now on.'"

Remo's real life experiences helped him add realistic dimensions to his character.

"I play the part of a nobleman who loves the arts and horse riding back in the Portuguese days. Since I saw and observed people in my own family and around me in Goa at that time, I was able to slip into the character quite easily," he added.

Remo hit the Hindi film scene like a storm with his title track in the 1987 film "Jalwa". His fame and popularity found a new high when he forayed into pop and rock albums such as "Bombay city" and "O, Meri Munni".

The Padma Shri awardee recently composed "Maria Pitache" and "The Lighthouse Symphony" for Bejoy Nambiar's "David", a film which released simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil earlier this year.

Over the years, Remo has donned different hats, but he admits that "music will always remain my first and greatest love and passion".

But, he said, "that does not prevent me from following other passions as well, such as designing and drawing, writing, scripting and directing and editing my own music videos, and so on."

"And now it seems like I've discovered yet another passion - acting," he added.

"Bombay Velvet" is based on Mumbai in the 1950s and 1970s. The film, slated to release on Christmas 2014, features Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in key roles.

Actor-director Pooja Bhatt has stood up for international pop star Miley Cyrus' performance with singer Robin Thicke at a recent music awards ceremony for which she has been criticised.

Cyrus performed with Thicke on his track "Blurred lines" and was seen twerking and flirting with the singer on stage at MTV Video Music Awards.

Bhatt, 41, took to Twitter to speak in favour of Cyrus.

"Bash Miley Cyrus yet say nothing about Robin Thicke and his obnoxious lyrics. How can the world be different from our own backyards," she tweeted.

"So she twerked, stuck out her tongue, pissed the world off. Cannot take away from the fact that the girl can sing and 'We can't stop' rocks!"

The award ceremony took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Aug 25. Cyrus has been making headlines since then for her racy performance with Thicke.

Bollywood actress Aditi Rao Hydari is elated at the response the trailer of her forthcoming movie "Boss" has received.

The trailer was released Aug 27.

"The 'Boss' trailer has crossed 1.4 million views in 58 hours. Thank you from the girl in the pink bikini (this is the first time that the actress has worn a bikini in her film)," Aditi posted on Twitter.

Directed by Anthony D'Souza, the film also stars Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Shiv Pandit, Danny Denzongpa, Ronit Roy and Johnny Lever.

Co-produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Cape Of Good Films and Ashwin Varde Productions, "Boss" will release in October.

Last seen in the medical thriller "Ankur Arora Murder Case", actor Arjun Mathur says he will not get into the romantic comedy (rom-com) genre but is game for a love story.

"I am not getting into rom-coms ever in my life. I am into love stories and I want to do them, but something with a slightly different concept," Arjun told IANS.

"We are just stuck to one particular depiction of love in our films. If I do a love story it will be something different," he added.

The 31-year-old also said that he wants to explore new genres and wants to try different things.

"I am not stuck to one particular genre. I want to explore and do different things. Last year all the movies I did were completely different from each other," Arjun said.

"I think I am just lucky in that sense because if a filmmaker is making his first film, for some reason he thinks of me," he added.

Arjun has been part of films like "Luck By Chance" and "My Name Is Khan" and is currently working on "Fireflies", "Coffee Bloom" and "Couching Tiger Mannu".

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has urged men to respect women and elderly people, saying those who do so will be blessed.

"Respect the girls and women in your home, there is nothing bigger than that. I want every young man to remember that you will be blessed only if you respect your parents, care for them and look upon girls in your family and outside with respect," the 47-year-old said during the dahi handi celebrations in suburban Ghatkopar on Janamashtmi on Thursday.

Shah Rukh's comments come in the wake of the ghastly gang-rape of a young photojournalist by five men last week. All the five perpetrators have been arrested.

He asked everyone present to repeat after him: "When we wake up in the morning, we will touch our parents' feet and give them respect. We will respect our wives and sisters like goddess Lakshmi and give them utmost respect."

Shah Rukh also broke the dahi handi and entertained everyone by mouthing dialogues from his films "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", "Devdas", "Don" and "Chennai Express."

Revered as a brilliant chronicler of human relationships, late filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh forged strong personal ties with his co-workers from different strata of society and nurtured them as his surrogate family.

Two of his colleagues - one a reputed designer and the other a humble driver - recall Ghosh as a true professional who had an affectionate side for the cast and crew, thereby endearing him to all. He would go all the way for them, disregarding social barriers.

"Ritu-da (elder brother in Bengali) had this amazing quality to build and nurture a surrogate family around him. I was fortunate to be part of this family," Darshan Shah, founder-trustee of Weavers Studio, a textile design studio, told IANS.

Ghosh died of a heart attack May 30.

Shah and her team had been working closely with him for the costumes for "Satyanweshi" - the director's last film.

Produced by Shree Venkatesh Films, Ghosh's swansong features filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh as Byomkesh Bakshi and Bengali actors Anindya Chatterjee, Arpita Chatterjee, Sibaji Bandyopadhyay and Indraneil Sengupta in key roles in this detective thriller. (A Facebook posting says the film is due for a Septermber release though the date has not been specified.)

"Ritu-da narrated the story of 'Satyanweshi' in short and highlighted what clothes and costumes each character would wear and the look of each of the actors - the period, the different settings, from the Zamindarbadi (Zamindar's household) to when they would travel and the influences would have to also be in sync as the movie progressed," Shah explained.

Possessing a clarity of vision about how the script would progress, a sense of aesthetics and what nuances he expected from his actors, Ghosh got the best out of his team.

"He challenged us with deadlines but always thanked us for our efficiency," Shah noted.

The sartorial elegance in Ghosh's films are evidence of his love of natural earthy organic textiles, his eye for detail and a penchant for the vintage.

For "Satyanweshi", Ghosh chose exquisite tussar silk (raw silk produced in Malda district of West Bengal that has a dull gold sheen) and organic cotton.

"The men were to be either in dhoti punjabis (kurtas) in organic cottons, hand-reeled tussars and sometimes with an elegant tussar matka shawl draped over their shoulders or be dressed in simple old-fashioned trousers and shirts when the scene changed and the location changed.

"He told us what type of collar, buttons, zip and pleats he wanted for the trousers and shirts," said Shah.

Ghosh guided Shah's team and chose the saris that Aloka (the character portrayed by Arpita) would be wearing and selected the type and fabric for the blouse.

"He told us how he wanted it styled and chose the accessories carefully from a wide range of Narayan Sinha's artistic creations to Amrapali's traditional pieces. For some costumes, he just asked us to convert a piece of textile and put a border and define it and make it like a sari."

Tarakeshwar Shaw, who currently chauffeurs for a government undertaking, had a chance to rub shoulders with the "gentleman" as part of his crew.

'Ritu-da', for Shaw, was a disciplinarian, yet friendly with all.

"He used to be elated if crew members showed up on time. Especially if the set, camera and lighting were all ready before the cast arrived. He used to call me up to ensure whether I would make it on time... he used to ask 'Ki Taraka.. time e chole ashbe toh' (Tarak, will you be on time')," Shaw told IANS.

During his decade-long tryst as a crew member in the Bengali film industry, Shaw (now in his late 40s) used to ferry cameras and other essential production staples.

Shaw drove a car packed to the brim with equipment during the filming of Ghosh's "Bariwali" (1999), "Shubho Mahurat" (2002) and "Chokher Bali" (2003).

Shaw recalls Ghosh having a casual attitude on set. He insisted that all lunch and dine together. Moreover, Ghosh preferred the same team for his subsequent films.

However, his homosexuality made him a constant target of jokes.

"He was mocked by some technicians because of his effeminate mannerisms. He used to speak in a ladylike manner and some people on set used to answer him back in the same way. But he never complained and took it stoically," Shaw revealed.

He reacted in the same way when his brother Indranil Ghosh, an art director in the regional film industry, distanced himself because of his sexual preferences, Shaw added.

Indranil is now remorseful.

"I have lost everyone... my parents and now my brother. I don't want to comment... I just want to get out of this whole thing," a grief-stricken Indranil told IANS over the phone.

Born Aug 31, Ghosh's premature death, at the age of 49, due to cardiac arrest shocked both industry insiders and his fans.