Actress Vidya Balan found it exciting to return to her roots - the small screen, to promote her forthcoming entertainer "Bobby Jasoos".

She made an appearance on BIG MAGIC's comedy show "Ajab Gajab Ghar Jamai" to spread buzz about her movie, in which she plays a detective.

For Vidya, who started her career by playing a part in TV show "Hum Paanch", shooting a cameo for "Ajab Gajab..." turned out to be a fun experience.

"It was exciting to act on the small screen once again after a very long time. It brought back many memories for me and now has made this show special. It was like coming back home since this is where I started my acting career," Vidya said in a statement.

Ever since the National Award winning actress made it big on the silver screen, she has made various appearances on the television to promote her films. Her latest appearance can be seen in a special episode of "Ajab Gajab..." Friday.

Veteran actress Himani Shivpuri, who features in the show, appreciated Vidya’s sense of comedy.

"The episode is a fun one and Vidya was extremely sporting through it," she added.

Singer Ankit Tiwari, whose "Sun raha tu" in "Aashiqui 2" turned out to be a chartbuster, has hit the right note with "Galliyan" in "Ek Villain". He says that he tries to keep his music "pure".

Why is there so much angst in your singing and composition?

"I wouldn't say it's angst. I'd say it's just the natural feelings within me," he said.

"Luckily, I've the ability to express my music exactly the way I create it because I sing my own compositions. I suppose that is why 'Sun raha hai tu' and now 'Galliyan' have come out sounding so heartfelt."

The acoustic version of "Galliyan" is sung by the film's leading lady Shraddha Kapoor. Ankit says getting her to do a version of this haunting melody was a masterstroke.

"It was Mahesh Bhatt Saab's idea to get Shraddha to sing 'Galliyan'. I was all for it. I hadn't met her until the music release function of 'Aashiqui 2'.

"She told me she liked my 'Suna raha hai tu' number. We were standing next to each other on the stage for the function. She was humming something. I was amazed at how tunefully she was humming. Then I asked her to hum it again. And she did exactly the same way. And mind you, all this was happening while the music release function was happening," he said.

Recalling the recording of "Galliyan", Ankit said: "We called Shraddha with the intent of trying out her voice. If it hadn't worked we would have re-recorded her voice. But when she sang 'Galliyan', I immediately knew she owned it. There was a purity in her voice. That's the quality in my music that I cherish. Good or bad, doesn't matter.

"My music has to be pure. When we finished recording her portion of the song Shraddha stayed on to hear me sing. Which busy actress would do that? Nowadays singers leave after their portion of a duet is recorded."

They both have Indians roots, grew up in the US and are part of the glamour world. Now couturière Amita Bal and Trishala Dutt, daughter of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and late actress Richa Sharma, have joined hands and are set to give “fashion” a new meaning.

Their first project is for a high-end fashion magazine.

While Amita, based in Palo Alto in the Silicon Valley, 20 minutes south from San Francisco, entered the field with her couture line three years ago, New York-based Trishala recently floated her hair extension line DreamTresses Hair Extensions, which provides hat clip-in hair extensions.

“They both are stylish, fashion forward, business women and are planning to take over Bollywood and US with their trend-setting,” said a statement.

“They have a lot in common - from being in their early 20s, to being born in America and having a Bollywood background - for Trishala by birth and Amita by choice.”

Their maiden project was shot June 23 at a private winery, Kuleto Estate, Napa Valley. While Amita styled and directed it, Trishala provided her hair extension line for the shoot.

Next month, the duo will work on Bollywood celebrity photo-shoot in Los Angeles.

“Trishala will be flying out there from New York for the shoot. They both have a phenomenal alliance,” said the statement.

If Trishala has a strong India connect, Amita too is well versed with Indian culture and fashion, thanks to her schooling in India.

Amita organised a Bollywood fashion show with the first Indian American Miss America Nina Davuluri as her showstopper at the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Tampa Bay and wowed the audiences with her design aesthetic and fashion sense.

She also owns a showroom in Fremont, California and has her workshop in India.

Industrialist Ness Wadia Wednesday provided a list of nine people present at the Wankhede Stadium May 30 in connection with the abuse case filed against him by his ex-girlfriend, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta.

The list has names of six women and three men who were present during the Kings XI Punjab versus Chennai Super Kings match when the alleged incident took place.

"We believe these people who were present would be able to provide independent and truthful facts about the events that took place at the stadium that evening, with regard to the false complaint filed by Preity Zinta against me," Wadia said in his letter to the investigating officers.

Shortly after Preity Zinta lodged the complaint in June, Wadia said he was "shocked at the complaint and allegations which are totally false and baseless".

Mumbai Police are contemplating calling Wadia this week to record his statement in the case lodged by Preity Zinta June 12, accusing him of abusing her publicly and manhandling her.

Preity Zinta has submitted a list of 14 witnesses, many of whom have already been questioned by police.

Armaan Jain, Bollywood's new kid on the block, says he doesn't have the perfect six-pack abs but he follows a regular workout regimen.

Most newcomers in tinsel town come with a perfect physique complete with the six-pack.

Does Armaan aim for it too?

"I've got a family pack! There is no six-pack. If (in a film) my character demands, I will work on my body. But I am into sports. I work out daily for two hours besides playing football, cricket and tennis," Armaan said here.

He is making his debut with Arif Ali-directed "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil", which also features Deeksha Seth.

Before facing the camera, Armaan has had a taste of filmmaking when he assisted filmmaker Karan Johar.

"I assisted Karan Johar for three years - during 'My Name is Khan', 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' and 'Student Of The Year'. I got very influenced by his direction. I am fascinated with the art of filmmaking. I didn't go to Karan with the idea that he would launch me...but I went to learn direction," he said.

Armaan also misses working as an assistant.

"I wish I could go back on the set. I was purely into acting (initially), but when I started learning direction, I got interested in it. I made short films as well, and now I have developed a new passion for direction," added the youngster, who happens to be the cousin of actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Deepika Padukone is set to shoot for "Tamasha" with director Imtiaz Ali and actor Ranbir Kapoor in Corsica, France. However, she is nervous and says it almost feels like it's her first film.

"I am really excited and looking forward to it. I am almost nervous like it is my first film, for some reason," said the actress here Wednesday at the launch of an edition of FHM magazine featuring her as the sexiest woman in the world.

"I am getting butterflies in my stomach almost like it is my first film," added the 28-year-old.

But she is looking forward to reunite with Ranbir, with whom she did 2013 hit film "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", and Imtiaz.

"Ranbir has been a fantastic co-star and we have done a beautiful movie together. Imtiaz gave me one of my most memorable films 'Love Aaj Kal.' So, now getting to work with the two of them together is great," she said.

Actress Deepika Padukone has been voted the sexiest woman in the world in a poll conducted by the FHM magazine.

She will feature in the new edition of the magazine and the actress Wednesday unveiled the edition featuring her and the other girls in the top 100 list of sexiest women.

However, Deepika believes that her physical appearance has got nothing to do with this poll and it is only her work that led her to this.

"I think something like this is really the result of the work that I do. I don't think it has got anything to do with me physically. I also think that the brand endorsements are also the result of the films that you do," the statusque actress said here.

"I have been very fortunate that the roles I have done in the last 2-3 years have been very different from each other. So I guess this and the endorsements are a result of that and, of course, the success of that and the relatability of the characters," she added.

Deepika was last seen in the Tamil film "Kochadaiiyaan."

Her look in her upcoming film "Finding Fanny" is also out. The film has been directed by Homi Adajania and also stars Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia.

Actor Harshvardhan Rane received a "best wishes" note from Amitabh Bachchan for his Bollywood debut and was touched by the megastar's gesture.

Harshvardhan is making his Bollywood debut with John Abraham-produced film "Satra Ko Shaadi Hai".

"When I signed my first Bollywood film, I thought I should go to a temple. I went to Bachchan saab's bungalow instead. It was at that exact moment, he came out and I clicked a selfie with him in the background," Harshavardhan told IANS.

"I showed the picture to my friend, who works for him (Amitabh Bachchan). My friend was so happy for me. He took the picture to Bachchan saab and got it signed for me. He also sent a note, which read, 'All good wishes for 'Satra Ko Shaadi Hai' - Amitabh Bachchan'. I thought it was an auspicious moment for me," he added.

In the movie, directed by Arshad Syed, Harshavardhan is paired with Barun Sobti and Sapna Pabbi.

Rane is currently awaiting the release of his Telugu film "Maaya".

Last week Varun Dhawan's promotional event with Alia Bhatt for "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" in Chandigarh turned out to be a surprise for his fans. He sang live on stage with rapper Badshah.

"Alia persuaded me to sing on stage. We started singing at promotional events in North India in Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Luckily for us, the song Saturday, Saturday is already doing very well," said Varun.

"For the first time in my life, I performed a rap section with Badshah on stage in Chandigarh Sector 17 in front of 10,000 people. I can't put the experience in words. You see, Punjabi rap has become really big with Yo Yo Honey Singh, Gippy Grewal and Badshah. It's trending. The rapper's role suits my character Humpty, that's why I agreed."

Directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Karan Johar, "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" is scheduled for July 11 release.

Three-film old Varun confesses this was his way of making the promotions unique.

"I had to make the promotions this time completely different from what I had done for my previous release 'Main Tera Hero'. I didn't want to repeat myself. I wanted Alia and I to find new ways of entertaining people. So the USP that we thought up this time was that we sing. Yeah, Alia and I have tuned singers to promote 'Humpty...," said the actor who started his career in 2012 with "Student Of The Year".

Unlike Alia and Shraddha Kapoor, who have sung professionally for their films, Varun has no such plans at the moment.

"Shraddha and Alia are doing some great singing. I am not a trained singer, or anything. But if I am encouraged to hum or rap a few lines, as I was in Chandigarh, I don't mind singing. Haven't many of our stars from - Bachchan Saab (Amitabh Bachchan), to Salman Bhai (Salman Khan) to Shah Rukh (Khan) and Govinda sung for their films?"

Film: "Bobby Jasoos"; Cast: Vidya Balan, Ali Fazal, Kiran Kumar, and Rajendra Gupta; Director: Samar Shaikh; Rating: *** 1/2

This is a very special film. As a detective comedy-drama (gosh, doesn't that sound over-ambitious!) "Bobby Jasoos" is filled with furtive delights and the ambivalent aromas of a city and a heroine that never sleeps.

If the truth be told, and it's the truth that our endearing Hyderabadi Nancy Drew is drawn to -- there are two heroes in "Bobby Jasoos". One, of course, is Vidya Balan. But the other more surprising hero is the city of Hyderabad. You can almost feel the unrehearsed jostle of a city always in a celebratory mood, the colours and gaiety, and yes, the biryani.

Oh yes, there is a whole mouth-watering section devoted to biryani where our lady snoop takes her extended family hand-in-hand on an eating expedition.

So may I add another hero, cinematographer Vishal Sinha to the ravishing roster of achievers in this film about a female under-achiever trying to impress her father into finally giving her some desperately-needed attention and affection.

Vishal captures the bustle, jostle, aromas and attitudes of Hyderabad with the same affection of a non-tourist as he did when he shoot "Raanjhanaa" and "Issaq" in Varanasi. You can almost touch the city's skyline and then willingly dive right into our heroine's over-whelmed heart as it searches for all sorts of clues for what humans do to and in a city mired in mystery and intrigue.

Debutant director Samar Shaikh is as proficient in bringing us the sleepless city's endearing as well as unspeakable transgressions, as he is in showing Bilkis, alias Bobby's home life.

The protagonist's family life is constructed with the affectionate diligence of a carefully built brick-and-mortar Taj Mahal. In no time at all we know every member of Vidya's filmy family. That they are played by some superb actors, notably Tanve Azmi (as a busybody match-maker) and Rajendra Gupta (Vidya's father), is just such a stroke of luck for this genre-inventing Bollywood entertainer.

"Bobby Jasoos" is that colourful kaleidoscopic surge of vibrant drama and humour, which we tend to seek but seldom find in our cinema-viewing experience. It's got the kind of bouncy effervescent energy that somehow eludes today's cinema.

That Vidya plays the inept detective trying so hard to prove her worth to self and dad, is providential. With her impeccable coming timing, faultless dialogue delivery (the Hyderabadi was last spoken with such effortless seductiveness by Shabana Azmi in "Ankur" and "Mandi") and eyes that don't only speak volumes, they chant reams of poetry on the hurt and healing process of existence, Vidya just nails her goofy free-spirited character.

This is her best performance to date. Yes, even better than "Kahaani" and certainly far superior to the over-rated over-sensationalized "The Dirty Picture". In the title role she sparkles, shines and shimmers providing us with more proof her versatility.

The mystery that surrounds Bobby's cryptic client Kiran Kumar's assigments for missing persons provides a kind of conspicuous backdrop to Bobby's free-wheeling relationship with the world at large.

I carried home a wonderful father-daughter love story between Rajendra Gupta and Vidya. It's good to see commercial Hindi cinema acknowledging the father-child relationship.

"Babby Jasoos" also left me with one of the most heartwarming romances in recent times. Bobby/Bilkis's brittle relationship with a television journalist Tssavur (Ali Fazal) grows in the plot with nurtured natural niftiness. Not for a minute does the relationship appear unreal or manipulated.

There is this lengthy wonderful episode in a narrow lane between Bobby and Tassavur where they discover their true feelings for one another.

This is the kind of romantic writing that cinema today sorely misses. And when was the last time we heard the Santoor playing in the background in a romantic sequence? Slow clap for Shantanu Moitra's thoughtful dreamy and fluent background music.

That Vidya is partnered on screen by the striking Ali just gives s dizzying spin to the narrative. Though the film belongs to Vidya, Ali makes his own space and owns his part with pride and confidence. Make no mistake - he is star material, probably Vidya's most confident co-star to date.

"Bobby Jasoos" works so well because it creates a unique yet relatable world for its female hero without making her seem super-vulnerable (like Kangana Ranaut in 'Queen') or super-confident (like Shabana Azmi in her best roles).

Bilkis/Bobby in her salwar-kameez, sneakers and various super disguises, is a fearless, unabashed bundle of bumbling energy. Her infectious gusto and irresistible joie de vivre envelope this biryani-flavoured Hyderbadi delight of a film.

Like Vidya's multiple disguises, the film's ability to surprise never flags. If Bobby/Bilkis revels in a sense of adventure the narration doesn't lag behind. You can find flaws here. But you won't hold them against the film. That's a guarantee.

Sprightly and talented Alia Bhatt, who has sung the unplugged version of "Main Tainu Samjhawan Ki", not only wants to prusue singing in films, but also dreams of cutting an album one day.

She has corooned the song for "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" and her dad Mahesh Bhatt praised her talent, saying "she is a raw and wild diamond, a wild flower".

"If I get an opportunity, I would love to sing. I really enjoy singing. But I would like to take singing forward. I wouldn't want to restrict myself to singing for films alone, I want to cut an album of my own one day," the 21-year-old said here.

Bhatt was also present in the audience. He loves the rawness of Alia's voice and hopes she never attends any formal training.

"Her unique point is being untrained. I fear people misleading her and sending her to a training school. She is a raw and wild diamond, a wild flower, which is beautiful in this way only and it should remain this way," Bhatt said.

The song, originally sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, has also been sung by Arijit Singh for the film.

For "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" Alia has teamed up with Varun Dhawan and their second film together hits theatres July 11.

Sonam Kapoor-starrer "Dolly Ki Doli" has been locked for Feb 6, 2015, release.

"'Dolly Ki Doli' releases 6th Feb 2015!!!" Arbaaz Khan, the film's producer, posted on his Twitter page.

The comedy-drama, directed by Abhishek Dogra, is about a girl who loots men after marrying them and runs away. It also features Rajkummar Rao and Pulkit Samrat.

Anupam Kher, who has worked with Rajshri Productions on films like “Vivah” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”, has started shooting for their upcoming project “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”. The veteran actor says it’s like homecoming.

“On my way for the first day shoot of Sooraj Barjatya's PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO. Working for Rajshri productions is like home coming.:),” he tweeted.

The film's lead pair is Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor.

It seems actress Bipasha Basu hopes for love and genuine happiness to spread across the world.

"Wish there was more love in this world than hatred and anger! Wish there was genuine happiness than just the need to hoard materialistic things," the Bengali beauty posted on Twitter Thursday.

Bipasha's latest release was "Humshakals", which she chose not to promote. She will next be seen in "Creature 3D".

On the personal front, she is said to be dating Harman Baweja.

Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan, who is currently working on her next commercial venture "Happy New Year", feels the critics are biased towards "arty, slow and a bit boring" movies.

"It would be great if everyone likes the movie, critics and the audience. But I think there is a bias against commercial cinema. I know the critics are only doing their job, but there is a breed of critics that only likes slow and boring movies," the 49-year-old said here Wednesday on the sets of reality show "Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega."

She feels such critics should stop reviewing commercial films.

"So I think they should not review commercial films and someone who understands and enjoys commercial films should do it," she said.

Pointing her brother Sajid Khan's film "Humshakals" as an example, Farah said, "'Humshakals' got terrible reviews but it did pretty well at the box office, so I rest my case. So did 'Ek Villain' also I think. I was in London at that time, but I heard the reviews were not great. But look at the box office."

However, she gives brownie points to the audience for not being influenced by the reviews.

"I am noticing that the critics today are liking only a particular type of film, which is arty, slow and a bit boring. They do not like commercial films at all. So if we follow only those four people, then the film industry will shut down," Farah said.

"Audiences watch a film using their own sensibility and if they like it, they go again. They don't go only by the critics," she added.

"Happy New Year" stars Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Sonu Sood and Boman Irani. It is being readied for a Diwali release this year.

Comedian Kapil Sharma, who was slated to make his Bollywood debut with Yash Raj Films'"Bank Chor", is now out of the project, the production house revealed via an official statement Thursday. It is a mutual decision.

The film will now go on floor without Kapil, whose popularity soared high following the success of his stand-up comedy show "Comedy Nights With Kapil".

"We will look forward to working together in future when the time is right," Ashish Patil, business and creative head, Youth Films, Talent Management and Brand Partnerships at YRF, said in the statement.

Earlier, there was news that Kapil was caught in a quandary over how to balance his show and film. But it is not clear why Kapil is no longer a part of "Bank Chor", a comic-caper.

The film tells the story of three men trying to rob a bank, how they choose the wrong day for the robbery, and how they're inadvertently caught in the cross fire between cops, industrialists and corrupt politicians.

Produced by Patil, the project will be helmed by Bumpy.

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" star Adrian Pallicki has apparently been convinced to join her "Dr Cabbie" co-star Vinay Virmani in India for its release in the country.

The Indo-Canadian production, to be premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, is expected to have a grand Indian release a little later in the year when Salman Khan, who is the film's official presenter, would be free of his own big release "Kick".

While the big plans for the Indian release are being kept under wraps the buzz from sources close to the project suggests that Salman is keenly interested in bringing the cast of "Dr. Cabbie" to India for the release.

"While Salman has convinced Izabelle Kaif (Katrina's sister) who has a pivotal role in 'Dr Cabbie', to be in India for the film's Indian release, Adrianne was not so keen until her co-star Vinay convinced her that a trip to India would be just the stress-buster she needed," said a source.

The modalities of the Indian release are now being worked out.

"We do want to come with 'Dr Cabbie' to India. The film is produced outside but its heart is completely Indian. It's the story of a qualified Indian doctor who ends up as a taxi driver in Canada," said Vinay who was last seen as one of the leads in Bejoy Nambiar's "David".

He hopes to consolidate his career in Bollywood and abroad with "Dr. Cabbie".

Thirteen months after actress Jiah Khan was found dead in her Mumbai home, the Bombay High Court Thursday ordered the city police to hand the case over to the CBI.

A division bench of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice P.D. Kode ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe from a Special Investigation Team (SIT), on a plea filed by Jiah's mother Rabia Khan last October seeking a probe by the central agency.

"The case is handed over to CBI for further investigations and to assess whether Jiah Khan committed suicide or was murdered," the division bench said, adding that they were not expressing any opinion on the merits of the probe done by the Mumbai police.

The court also directed the Maharashtra government and police to provide all necessary support to CBI in investigating the case.

The judges said that the forensic opinion obtained privately by the petitioner was at variance with that of the Mumbai police, suggesting there was a "lacuna" in the probe.

Moreover, the SIT constituted following court directives, consisted of officers who were part of the earlier team which had probed the police case and reached the conclusion that Jiah's death was a suicide.

A US citizen, Jiah, 25, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her Juhu residence late June 3, 2013 in a case of apparent suicide, and police later recovered a suicide note purportedly penned by her.

Police had subsequently arrested Jiah's boyfriend, Sooraj Pancholi, actor son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, and charged him with allegedly abetting Jiah's suicide.

Not satisfied with the probe, Rabia Khan had moved the high court, submitting reports by independent experts to support her contention that Jiah was murdered.

The court also pulled up the CBI for its reluctance to take up the case investigation on grounds of shortage of manpower, as stated by CBI counsel Vedika Gonsalves.

"It is not expected of CBI to come out with such an excuse - that they do not have enough officers to conduct a probe. In a country of one billion people, an agency like CBI should not take such a stance otherwise, where will the citizens go to seek justice," Justice Kanade noted.

He added that two officers of the US Consulate remained present throughout the hearing as the deceased was an American citizen.

"This shows how much concern that country has for its citizens. Look at our own agency which is refusing to do the probe... they (CBI) should learn from their (US) example," he said.

The presence of the US consulate officials came in the wake of Rabia's letter to then US envoy Nancy Powell seeking Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s help in the probe, and the US agency saying it was prepared to do so if India permitted.

In October 2013, Rabia did not insist on a CBI probe after the court directed police to record her statements and investigate the death as a murder case.

Police however again concluded that Jiah had committed suicide and charged Sooraj for abetting it (her suicide).

Undeterred in her quest for unraveling the truth behind her daughter's death, Rabia mentioned several circumstances in her petition which indicated that Jiah could have been killed, and how police had allegedly discarded the opinion of a private forensic expert she had provided.

Indian actors Irrfan Khan and Tillotama Shome were named the best actors at the recently concluded International Film Festival of Queensland (IFFQ) in Australia, for their performances in "Qissa". The movie also won the best director award for Geneva-based Anup Singh.

IIFQ concluded Wednesday with the announcement of the awards, leaving Singh in a celebratory mood.

"Irrfan Khan is with me in Geneva at the moment. We're celebrating and look forward to celebrating with the 'Qissa' team soon," Singh posted on his Facebook page Thursday.

The Punjabi movie, about a girl raised as a boy, also won the best cinematography award for Sebastian Edschmid.

"Qissa" has been screened at various movie galas including Toronto International Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival, Abu Dhabi International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam and Curacao International Film Festival.

It is now being screened at the Munich International Film Festival in Germany and is scheduled to release in the country on July 10. It will be showcased in the dubbed version and also in the original version with English subtitles in select theatres.

The hard-hitting drama is likely to release in India in September.

A sequence in horror film "Pizza" left actress Dipannita Sharma in excruciating pain.

The movie required her to shoot some intense sequences, and for one such scene, she was hung from a wall and was secured with a harness for a long time.

A source close to her said: "Dipannita was manually taped to the wall and she had to stay on the wall for the entire shoot of the day as it was an ongoing action sequence and they couldn't break continuity."

For the scene, Dipannita sported a pretty white gown and she could also feel the blast of the air conditioner.

"The harness finally had to be removed as Dipannita started to face excruciating pain on her shoulders. With the fear that she might end up hurting her shoulder, the crew had to wrap the shoot in a hurry," the source added.

It had led to a temporary muscle pull, which healed in a day or two.