After the riveting success of Murder 2, Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villian , director Mohit Suri known to be associated with angst driven ,high on content love sagas and chartbusting music enjoys being a unique space that he has created for himself in the industry.

The director, who is currently riding a wave of success with ‘Ek Villain’, which recently crossed the 1o0 Crore mark at the Box Office, might someday team up with his cousin Alia Bhatt for a film as sources claim the latter has expressed a keen desire to work with Mohit.

Confirming the news, Mohit revealed, “She once told me that she wants to work with me and asked me how I manage to make other heroines look pretty. To be honest, I think I’d have double the responsibility, as we are related and I would have to get her a great script."

Rohit Shetty's forthcoming action film ' Singham Returns' is based on the plot of Black Money which will see Ajay Devgn return as the famous cop Bajirao Singham.

What we hear is that director Rohit Shetty is not too fond of shooting during the nights, but the script of his upcoming film Singham Returns demanded to be shot at night extensively. This is the first time he has shot for maximum night schedules. As the Ajay Devgn starrer is about black money and illegal siphoning of funds, it needed to be symbolized by being shot in the dark of night.

As a result, Rohit and his unit spent several sleepless nights shooting till the wee hours of the morning.

Ace director Sasikumar, referred to as the first "hitmaker" of the Malayalam film industry, passed away Thursday at a private hospital here, his family members said. He was 86.

Sasikumar, who was born N. Varkey John, was suffering from age-related illnesses.

His first film "Kudumbini" came in 1964 and his last film was "Dollar" in 1993.

During the nearly three decades, he paved his way into record books by becoming the director who made a maximum number of 141 films.

Another record that he has is, that he cast, Prem Nazir, the legendary evergreen hero of the Malayalam film industry, in 84 films.

In 1977, Sasikumar directed a staggering 15 Malayalam films.

Incidentally, he has directed a huge number of stars starting from Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jayan, Kamal Hassan, Sukumaran, Soman Mammootty and Mohanlal.

His popular films include "Sethu Bandhanam", "Thuruppu Gulam", "Saghakkale Munottu", "Attakkalasam" and "Ethikkara Pakki", to name a few.

The Kerala State Government honoured him last year by conferring the coveted J. C. Daniel Award for his contribution to Malayalam cinema.

He played the role of an alcoholic in his last two films "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" and "Aashiqui 2", but Aditya Roy Kapur is glad that in his next film "Daawat-E-Ishq", he is only 'high' on food.

In both his past films, the 28-year-old actor was seen playing characters addicted to alcohol, and he pulled it off well. Now, "Daawat-e-Ishq", directed by Habib Faisal, will see him play a cook from Lucknow and Parineeti Chopra plays his love interest.

"I guess I am good at playing a bevda (drunkard). But I don't want the roles in which I am required to a play an alcoholic anymore. I think I should include it in my contracts. But in this film ('Daawat-e-Ishq'), my character is high on food," Aditya said here Thursday evening.

He was in the capital with Parineeti to launch the first song of the movie, produced by Yash Raj Films.

Talking about his character, Aditya disclosed that he plays Tariq, a happy-go-lucky man.

"In the last films, I feel my characters have had a very serious undertone. In this film, I play a happy soul... He is guy with a big heart. I am glad that I got to work with Habib who has seen so much in the world and it is because of him that I was able to play this character," he said.

There's also something Aditya has done in the film that he's not done before many times.

"I haven't done much song and dance (sequences) in my previous films, and always tried to be in the corner of the frame whenever there was a song. But in this film, I have tried to dance and it was fun. But yes, I had to rehearse a lot," he said.

"Daawat-e-Ishq", releasing Sep 5, also stars Anupam Kher and TV actor Karan Wahi.

Model and actress Lisa Haydon walked down the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW) ramp here flaunting a contemporary bridal lehenga designed by Monisha Jaisingh.

Her look as a bride was complete with 'chooda' and 'kaliras', specific to the Punjabi wedding tradition.

Lisa's strong stage presence was accentuated by Jaisingh's heavily embroidered lehenga, which she teamed with a white knotted top to give it a modern twist. Exquisite jewellery pieces by the fashion extravaganza's title sponsor complemented the overall look, showcased here Thursday night.

The striking feature was the use of 'chooda' (red and white bangles) and 'kalire' (umbrella shaped ornaments), traditionally worn by Sikh brides to be.

The models sashayed down the ramp to showcase the 'World Bride' range, inspired by the lifestyles of the high-borne from the past. The collection's inspiration is a fusion of Indian, Mughal and European styles of monarchy architecture and lifestyle.

Aimed at modern, confident and edgy brides, the pieces captured the drama of the 18th Century, especially the Rococo style known for its splendor, grandeur and luxury.

She used sensuous draping from luxe fabrics featuring golden embroideries on light and dark surfaces. The intricate embroidery takes inspiration from the homes of the high-borne in Rococo style, promoted by Madame de Pompadour; King Louis XV's official mistress.

World Bride also takes its influence from the City Palace, Jaipur, which includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings. The palace complex incorporates an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings, which has been captured in the form of imagery and intricate embroidery in Jaisingh's collection.

The silhouettes are constructed keeping in mind the Indian body type which makes it commercially viable. There are sensuous sari gowns, swirling lehengas, embellished leggings, sherwanis, evening wear, and structured versions of the kurti in fabrics like pure georgette, leather, velvet, heavy satin, stretch net, nylon.

Neutral colours such as ivory, ebony, silver, gold and denim blue; sorbet colours such as mint green, ice blue, banana yellow, pale pink, whiskey creme; earthy tones such as olive green, brick red and burnt umber, tangerine; jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby, topaz, and turquoise; and monotones such as black and white have been used for the line.

Digital printing, cut work embroidery, Mukaish embroidery, Persian embroidery techniques, Zardozi embroidery and other hand drawn embroideries have been well-incorporated in the line.

It wasn't saris, but sari pants and no 'kalis' in Anarkali suits at Varun Bahl's Fall 2014 haute couture showcase at the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW) here Thursday night.

His line, India Moderne, saw models flaunting modern versions of Indian-wear staples which celebrate Indian traditional crafts.

His silhouettes included the Anarkali, sari and lehenga.

Bahl experimented with the Anarkali by avoiding the usual panels or 'kalis' and achieving the same fit-and-flounce with circular-cut patterns.

The sari also got a contemporary update in the form of the sari pant, a mix two classics. Completing the line-up was a selection of traditional lehengas and classic saris.

The show was special for Bahl as it happens to be his tenth year as a showing designer. Though he started making clothes in 2001, his first ramp presentation took place in 2004.

His line was thus an amalgamation of elements from almost all of his favourite shows: his signature Rose motif, dainty appliques in velvet, intricate hand-embroideries achieved in strips of chiffon and gota, interplays between volume and structure, layered looks, and his favourite colours like duck-egg blue, navy, black, ivory, silver and gold, mustard, fuchsia, and pale pink.

Makers of "Mary Kom", based on boxer M.C. Mary Kom's life, have said they will try their best to release the movie in Manipur, the Olympic bronze medallist's home state, where Hindi films are not shown since a few years.

Hindi films are reportedly not screened in Manipur due to threats by some militant outfits.

“The film is set in Manipur, Mary's hometown, and highlights the milieu and culture from where a world champion arose. We will try our best to ensure the release of the film in the territory," Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, told IANS.

"Mary Kom" stars National Award winning actress Priyanka Chopra, and it was made with the support of the five-time World Champion boxer herself. Priyanka spent a lot of time with Mary to understand the nuances, stance and style of a boxer like her.

The film's first look was unveiled via two posters earlier this week, and they were received warmly on social networking sites.

Movie fans are hopeful that the movie turns out to be as promising as its poster, while members of the film fraternity hailed Priyanka's ability to slip into any and every role.

Directed by Omung Kumar, the movie is slated to release Oct 2.

After receiving acclaim overseas, Wes Anderson's film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" will release in India Aug 1.

The movie revolves around adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars played by Ralph Fiennes; and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend, played by Tony Revolori.

The story line of this movie involves theft and recovery of a priceless painting, which leads to a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; and the sweetest confection of a love affair.

The film also features F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and Owen Wilson.

Talking about the inspiration of the film, Anderson said in a statement: "The pre-code comedies of the 193Os and the stories and memoirs of Viennese writer Stefan Zweig were amongst the mix of inspirations for the film."

Fox Searchlight Pictures in association with Indian Paintbrush and Studio Babelsberg is presenting the movie, written by Anderson himself.

Film: "Pizza"; Actors: Akshay Oberoi, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Dipannita Sharma, Arunoday Singh; Director: Akshay Akkineni; Rating: ***1/2

What the devil! Here's the deal. Normally in films about paranormal experiences, the terror comes from outside. But what if the fear factor is turned on its head? What if the pizza delivery boy, known to be occasionally and potentially dangerous, gets spooked while making a home delivery?

It's an audacious, potentially delectable premise for a horror film. And debutant director Akshay Akkineni delivers.

When you gotta go, you gotta go...right? When the devil within summons the poor pizza boy for a bit of footsie in an abandoned bungalow, you know it's time to get seriously concerned about the health of your spirit.

First-time director Akshay Akkineni (his celebrated editor-dad Sreekar Prasad adroitly edits the footage) gives us a horror film that's also funny and flighty. There's a comic crust to the cheesy base. That's a rarity indeed.

If you've seen the Tamil original, then you know what you're in for. "Pizza" is a pacy perky ode to new-age terror where traditional horror elements such as a woman possessed by an evil force is combined with the theme of the effect of metropolitan quirks such as mindless materialism and commitment phobia, on the mind of the upwardly mobile class.

The film has some genuinely scary moments once the pizza boy (Akshay Oberoi, sincere) gets locked inside the house with ghouls on the prowl. There are insane twists in the terror tale that add up finally to a fairly convincing too-clever-for-its-own-good denouement. Though nothing spectacularly shocking happens during the film's running time, there are enough turns and twists in the tale to keep us alert and involved from behind our 3D glasses.

That brings me to the singular unimportance of being three-dimensional in our movies. I'm never able to figure out why our films make a spectacle of themselves.

Dude, 3D is distracting. However, the chill quotient in "Pizza" works better with objects flying into your face and bloody hands lunging from nowhere to grab our pizza boy by the throat.

But it's not only such shock shots that make "Pizza" engaging. It's that crisp spicy topping of humour where we see our hero being trapped into a house of horrors that his pregnant wife (Parvathy Omanakutttan, sunny and funny as the missing Mrs.) would probably have written about in one of her stories.

Yup, Mrs. Pizzaboy is a practising horror writer with a penchant for a hearty laugh at her timorous terrorized spouse's expense. Akshay Oberoi's Kunal is a mixture of the timid and the defiant. He lets the character's confusions build up as the story progresses so that finally we see him as a victim in ways that we would never suspect otherwise.

The supporting cast, though impressive by name, seem distressfully stilted in action. The tone in which they are made to deliver their dialogues has something to do with it. The dialogues could have been delivered less urgently than the pizza. Dipannita Sharma and Arunoday Singh are wasted. Period.

"Pizza" is a fear fest with a yummy twist at the tale's end. Unlike other films of the horror genrem, this one doesn't depend on excessive gore to send shivers up our spine. Director Akshay Akkineni creates an eerie aura in one specific house of horror and ramshackle havelis being passe. This one unfolds in a spanking upmarket bungalow.

And then Akkineni turns around and mocks our response of horror and fear. The premise is interesting and intriguing.

Yup, "Pizza" delivers.

Celluloid is getting progressively sporty. After tennis player Leander Paes and boxer Vijender Singh, it's time for wrestler Sangram Singh to make his big screen debut. He says he wanted his debut outing to carry a positive message for the youths.

Sangram has been signed on to play a sports coach by producer Dhanraj Jerhani in a film tentatively entitled "Vande Mataram". As expected, the film starring Sangram is sporty.

"I play a sports coach to 16 to 17-year-old kids. What I specially liked about my role was that I get to spread a positive message against drugs and sexual violence. I feel these are rampant problems among the young," he said.

"As a responsible citizen and a role model to a certain section of people, I need to use every available platform to reach out to the impressionable sections of our country," he added.

Sangram says he chose this project because he trusts the producers.

"'Vande Mataram' is about the need for the young to remain healthy, drugs-free and to desist from sexual violence," he said.

The title "Vande Mataram" is tentative.

"We're trying to get that title. Otherwise we'll call the film 'Yuva'. I know it was the title of a Mani Ratnam film five years ago. But now we can get it," he added.

Impromptu singing at live events seems to be becoming a trend with Bollywood actors. After Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, "Daawat-e-Ishq" actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Parineeti Chopra did the same at an event here.

The duo was in Delhi Thursday for the launch of the title song of their upcoming movie "Daawat-e-Ishq", and they even sang the foot-tapping number for the media.

The song "Daawat-e-Ishq" has a Lucknowi flavour with a blend of Qawwali and rock.

The video of the vivacious song features Aditya, who plays a cook in the movie, dancing around a restaurant and trying to woo Parineeti with his 'Daawat-e-Ishq'. Both the actors look splendid in their Lucknowi attire.

Talking about Lucknowi food, the actors shared that they are big foodies and enjoyed Lucknowi food all through the shooting of the movie.

"Daawat-e-Ishq", releasing Sep 5, is a Yash Raj Films production.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who recently faced a paparazzi boycott, says photographers can refuse to click his pictures but they cannot "ban" him as there's no such provision in the law. He has also questioned if it will even affect his stardom.

"You (photographers) can say 'I don't want to click Salman's pictures', but can't say ban me as there is no provision in the law to ban anyone," the 47-year-old star said in a group interaction here.

"Out of choice if I pass by (somewhere), then I want to see the whole fraternity (press photographers) to stand together. No one should take pics of mine. My cycling pictures or my pictures with my girlfriends...you will not get any pictures...So do you think this will affect my stardom," he questioned.

The matter snowballed into a controversy when at a recent promotional event for Salman's forthcoming film "Kick" in Mumbai, camerapersons present there were mishandled by the superstar's bodyguards and security personnel.

Following this, Salman told reporters that whoever wanted to stay could stay and others could leave. This comment left the photographers miffed.

Salman is nonchalant about the matter.

“They have all the right to take a stand and to not take my pictures and I am so happy, but it is also a sad story as every coin has two sides. They had banned me long time ago. I was very happy. I was so peaceful. Every 10 years, there are 10 or 12 (such) people who come...it does not work like that," he added.

Defending his bodyguards, the "Bodyguard" star said: "The problem is not us (stars). We come and stand there, you (media) have got equipment. When you can shot from 50 ft, you have got long lenses, you don’t need to come close.

"They come between the bodyguards and us, so the bodyguard's job is to stop these people coming to us...like they (photographers) are getting paid for the pictures, bodyguards get paid for this (protecting us).”

Now the actor is contemplating on having personal photographers who will click his pictures and release them for his fans.

“They (some photographers) used to tell me, 'Please let us click a picture, we get Rs.150 per picture'. So, I used to make it a point to come and stand and get clicked. Just to stand for five minutes if they are earning their bread and butter, then what's the harm? I don’t mind that, but later it felt they are doing a favour on me.

"It's fine…now I can come in front of you and do the towel dance and you can't click those pictures. Now what will happen...there are photographers who will take my pictures, they will travel with me and release those pictures for my fans," he said.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has sung for his films in the past, but he says recording a number for "Kick" took him as long as three days.

The actor says composer Wajid of his favourite Sajid-Wajid duo was his guru and he just followed his instructions.

"I have sung in 'Hello Brother' and 'Wanted' also. People around me have been asking me to sing a song in a film and my problem is I can't do it if anybody asks me to...it has to come naturally," Salman said here.

He found the experience tough.

"Singing in front of the mike is very difficult without any training. I am not a trained singer at all. Wajid used to sing in front of me, and I used to copy. My guru is Wajid," he added.

Salman, who stars in "Kick" with Jacqueline Fernandes, says the song sounded "bad" once he recorded it.

"Once it was complete, it was sounding very bad. But the composers were saying, 'It's superb, don't worry'. They were confident about their technicians and said the song will get refined and by the time it comes out, it's going to be 70 percent better.

"Usually, a trained singer does it (records a song) in an hour or so. I took three days," he quipped.

He worked with superstar Amitabh Bachchan in his last directorial "Bhoothnath Returns" and is in the news for working with Aamir Khan in his next film. But Nitesh Tiwari says his stories aren't written specially for any actor.

"I don't write stories with actors in mind. That would limit me to write around my perception about that actor. Once I am done with a story, I start thinking who would suit this role the best. And yes, there are quite a few actors who are on my wish list," Tiwari told IANS from Mumbai.

He also chose to remain mum when asked about his project with Aamir and said: “I am not in a position to comment on this one.”

Tiwari recently directed the new commercial of air freshener brand Air Wick, for which he captured real life situations that can cause stress amongst couples.

He believes "one must not let the romance from the daily lives fizzle out and the daily nit-picks to turn into mood spoilers".

"Fragrance can play a crucial role in uplifting the mood and overcoming the daily stress. I am sure most of the couples watching the TVC will be able to relate to it," he said.

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who turned 32 Friday, treated her fans with a teaser of her much-awaited movie "Mary Kom" - and much like the movie's poster, she has packed quite a punch in it.

"For you... a sneak peak into the life of a true fighter... bit.ly/MaryKom-Teaser #MaryKomPunch Full trailer coming soon. Can't wait to share it," the National Award winning actress, who received many birthday wishes online, posted on her Twitter page.

Since the morning of her birthday itself, the micro-blogging website was abuzz with posts on a "surprise" that Priyanka had planned for her fans. The teaser for the film. based on Olympic bronze medalist and five-time World Champion M.C. Mary Kom, was unveiled online at 5:30 p.m.

In the 53-second teaser, which is more about sound than visuals, the actress is seen fighting in the boxing ring and she looks totally in character.

The tagline in the teaser reads - "Most Champions Make Their Name. She Made History".

Co-produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions, and directed by Omung Kumar, the inspirational biopic is due to release Oct 2.

Meanwhile, several celebrities, including Lata Mangeshkar, Anushka Sharma, Shraddha Kapoor, Rahul Bose and Manish Malhotra, wished the former Miss World.

An offsite venue, loads of glamour and out-of-the-box offerings, Manish Arora's show at the ongoing Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW) turned out to be an absolute delight for all couture lovers with his line's psychedelic colours, trendy prints and unique designs.

The internationally acclaimed Indian designer is known for giving an edge to the Indian elements and this was fully on display when he presented a gamut of designs in varied colours.

"I love Indian tradition and colour and this is the reason why I believe that no other designer can play with so many colours in one garment like the way I do. I believe in telling stories through my designs and this is what my couture line was all about.

"It was meant for all the powerful women who believes in creating name for themselves," said the designer who showcased his collection at the French Embassy here.

Asked about the reason for this offsite show, he said: "I think couture has its route from France so this was an ideal venue."

Arora chose to showcase six different lines through six different stories that varied in inspiration from Italian castles to Japanese crafts to royalty and were titled "The Peacock", "The Crown", "The Jewels", "The Light Fantastic", "Iridescent" and "Temari".

Striving for the full design experience, headgear too played a pivotal role in the collection with different forms, shapes and sizes completing the look of all themes.

Gold, an intrinsic element of Indian culture dominated "The Jewels" theme, with the designs looking more glamorous in colour themes that varied from sea green, powder blue and ivory on diverse fabrics like heavy crepe, duchesse satin and silk dupions.

"The Light Fantastic' was a physical translation of the fantastical imagery of the Light Festivals of Belgium and Paris through the most intricate and finest embroideries.

Sequins of different sizes and proportions were translated in the form of sensuous garments recreating geometric and abstract patterns. Luxurious fabrics like velvets and silk dupions in a darker colour palette including maroons, blacks and emerald greens, were a rare treat to watch out for.

Taking inspiration from the Peacock Room in Castello di Sammezzano in Italy's Tuscany region, "The Peacock" story revisited the "old school Manish Arora".

Multicolour stripes, gold rexine embroideries, and 3D highlighted on bases of bright colour were some of the highlight of this psychedelic collection. Applique, zari, peacock textures and traditional embroideries harmoniously inter-wove Indian aesthetic with European sensibility to make it a true example of East meet West.

"The Crown Story" derived its inspiration from the majestic crowns worn by historic monarchs, with the designs were translated beautifully and delicately in the collection that was feminine in its own way.

The beautifully-intricate Temari is a celebrated craft for the Japanese aristocracy and this is what the "Temari" story was. Highlighting the techniques through the constant base colours of black, white and gold, each garment was distinguished by a special colour ranging from emerald green and fuchsia, to red and electric blue, with accents of pearls and gold embroidery.

Last but not the least, "Iridescent" was an ode to the love of sheer, with the designs showcasing opalescent embroideries in traditional Indian motif, and serving as the perfect finale to the long show.

Bollywood heros Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan have paid tribute to fireman Nitin Ivalekar, who lost his life when the top two floors of a 22-storeyed building here went up in flames.

The deceased fireman was trapped along with 10 other colleagues in the thick smoke billowing on the top of the Lotus Business park building in suburban Andheri West Friday and succumbed.

The building also houses Hrithik's office.

Shah Rukh and Hrithik took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share their condolences and salute the brave men who came to everyone's rescue.

SRK posted: "Non nobis solum nati sumus. (Not for ourselves alone are we born.) Cicero. Fireman Nitin Yewalekar, u proved that You r a real Hero. R.I.P."

Hrithik tweeted: "Respect for the brave firemen who risked their lives today to extinguish d flames. True courage."

A cancer scare caused by an intimidating white patch in his mouth had all of actor Om Puri's friends and well-wishers worried after the report of the physical irregularity was out. But after a recent mouth surgery, he is fine and says he has kicked the butt.

The veteran actor sounded hale and hearty when this writer spoke to him.

Talking about the ordeal, Om said: "When this white patch was detected in my mouth I was hospitalised and fearing the worst, immediate surgery was performed. Most luckily for me, the patch was found to be benign. So there is no threat to my life."

Om has been strictly advised to quit smoking.

"After years of inability to kick the habit I've quit smoking with immediate effect. Nothing is more important than one's health. I've realized this after being in hospital," he said.

The actor whose next release "The Hundred Foot Journey", directed by Lasse Hallstrom, features him as the main lead opposite formidable British actress Helen Mirren, says roles have dried up for him at home.

"Indian cinema seems to have nothing to offer me any more. After having seen and done it all, I suddenly find myself jobless at home," he said.

Remind him that the West still reveres his talents and Om says: "But that can't keep me going as an actor. A good offer from the West comes once in a blue moon. I need to be valued at home."

Comedian actor Kiku Sharda finds it hard to juggle the shooting of four different shows simultaneously as it's taking a toll on his health and family life.

Rues Kiku: "I have 'Akbar-Birbal', 'F.I.R.', 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' and 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' to shoot all at once. It is an impossible schedule. I am shooting for 18 to 20 hours everyday. I get barely four hours of sleep.

"I don't get to see my kids at home, so I invite them on the sets...time management has become a very big problem."

The actor who was seen as his onscreen avatar as Palak in "Jhalak..." as well, will now be seen as Kiku himself on the dance reality show.

Also, to ease the strain on his schedule, Kiku had taken a break from one of his serials.

"I had taken time off from 'F.I.R.' for three months. But its makers didn't like my absence. I don't blame them. To me, every serial is equally important. And if they felt I was neglecting them, they've every reason to pull me up. So I am back to shooting 'F.I.R.'. That means, extra burden on my time. I have no choice but to cope.

"Jhalak..." and Palak, says Kiku, have been the biggest source of strength and stress for him.

"It's not that I don't enjoy doing both. I love 'Jhalak...' and I love Palak. And I love bringing Palak to 'Jhalak...', but bringing them together on one platform is way too exhausting.

"I've to constantly think of dancing, and of dancing like a woman with feminine expressions. Plus, I've to plan songs that two women, 'Palak' and my choreographer can perform together. Now when I am myself on the show, I've much more freedom to express myself," he said.

Kiku says dancing on "Jhalak..." is an exhausting job.

""I am shooting the whole day. Then in the evening when I'm exhausted I am dancing vigorously on the show. It's not the easiest of things to do. Luckily, 'Jhalak...' is a finite show. There are some more weeks before it wraps up. Then I can breathe a little easier," he said.

The popularity of Kiku's creation Palak grows by the week. Kiku says he loves Palak.

"She has got amazing spirit and energy. In her mind she is a desirable woman with guys breaking down her door. She is one hot woman in her own esteem."

The comic actor admits balancing out three different avatars on "Comedy Nights With Kapil" with other commitments is tough.

"But I am enjoying the challenge of being in so many places at the same time. Which other actor has appeared in one-half of a dance show as a girl and in the second-half as a man?"

Director Rohit Shetty is known to dig out hidden gems from every place where he shoots. As the story of his upcoming movie "Singham Returns" revolves around Mumbai city, he has shot at some of the iconic sites there.

Shetty has canned shots at Gateway of India and the Worli fort, as well as in some of the unexplored remote places to bring out the real character of the city.

"Rohit sir is very particular about the locations in his films and for Singham Returns since the story revolves in Mumbai he wanted to shoot at places which show the real Mumbai," a source said.

It will be interesting to see Mumbai from Shetty's viewpoint on the big screen.

"Singham Returns", which releases Aug 15, is co-produced by Ajay Devgn Films, Rohit Shetty Productions and Reliance Entertainment.