Actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who is busy promoting her much-awaited film "Kick" has praised her co-star Salman Khan's former ladylove Katrina Kaif for working hard to be where she's today.

"We can't do anything without hardwork. I feel even if you are doing good work, you still have to work harder...I am sure Katrina is someone who has worked exremely hard and that's the reason she is one of the leading actresses today," Jacqueline said here.

"For five years I have been here (in Hindi filmdom) and I have only been working hard," said the Sri Lankan beauty.

The actress is open to do special dance numbers in films.

"If I was asked to do special appearance, I don't mind. Our (Bollywood) movies are considerd to be part of song and dance culture, so if I get an opportunity to perform on a song in a movie, I think it's nice. I love dancing and music," she said.

Film: "Hate Story 2"; Cast: Surveen Chawla and Jay Bhanushali; Director: Vishal Pandya;

By Subhash K. Jha

Rating: **

In how many ways can a wronged woman get even with a man? In "Hate Story", three years ago Paoli Dam made a suntanned socialite, "Main sabse badi r**di banna chahti hoon.'

Okay then.

Fortunately, Surveen Chawla who takes over the vendetta franchise, has no such lofty career ambitions. She seems miserably ensconced as a politician's plaything (aka mistress) until she falls in love with a boy-toy who seems to believe love means never having to say you can't smooch.

"Koyla", anyone?

In a series of disembodied scenes meant to show their growing passion, television star Bhanushali chews on Ms. Chawla's lips as though they were life-saving drugs. The pantomime of passion doesn't pay off. Bhanushali can't survive lip-chewing for too long. That's because Baba, the ruthless politician, has Ms. Chawla's loverboy killed.

That isn't a spoiler. It's plot perversion.

Ms. Chawla is left to die buried underground. But she escapes to take revenge. "Khoon Bhari Maang" without the crocodiles.

Just how Ms. Vendetta Queen gets even with her benefactor-tormentor (Sushant Singh, powerful and menacing), forms the corny crux of this horny tale told in shades so pale and stale you know it's a losing battle to the finale where Ms. Chawla, conveying all the smouldering intensity of a goldfish circling her bowl on a bored Saturday afternoon, takes on Babu and even beats him at his game of viciousness.

It's a sad and sorry premise, more daring in letting the vengeful vixen romp in skimpy clothes than in actually showing the lady's volume of venom.

No matter how we look at it, this is a film waiting to get us hooked. The promised explosion never happens.

The vendetta looks awfully unconvincing. Where and how did our desi Uma Thurman find the courage and strength to...err, 'Kill Bill'? And pray, hasn't producer Vikram Bhatt shot the story as "Lanka" in 2011? Maybe Bhatt wanted to film the same story more convincingly. If that's the case, "Hate Story 2" doesn't quite raise the ante...Though apparently, the thrust of the male gaze suggests that the film is supposed to raise other things (pun intended).

"Hate Story 2" is a story in pursuit of a constant state of arousal. The female protagonist gets wet, gets into a bikini, gets just so aggressive - she is like a sex bomb ready to explode...but all in vain. There is nothing in her personality to suggest she has taken the stereotypical character of the Vengeful Vixen anywhere it hasn't been before.

"Hate Story"? Not quite hateful. But nothing to wrap our hands around either.

Actress Shraddha Kapoor, who will be seen in Remo D'Souza's "ABCD 2", says she is working hard to get a muscular body for the film.

"I have been working very hard for this film. I have been asked to get a muscular body for 'ABCD 2' as it's the demand of the script. So lately, I've been on a strict diet and developing muscles," Shraddha told IANS.

To be directed by Remo, "ABCD 2" is a sequel to "AnyBody Can Dance" and it will feature Varun Dhawan with Shraddha in the lead.

Meanwhile, the actress also says she is nervous about matching steps with Varun.

"Varun is a fantastic dancer. I am nervous to match dance steps with him. Besides, Varun is a very dear friend, so I am also excited to work with him," she added.

Kunal Deshmukh, who has cast Emraan Hashmi in almost all his directorials so far, has teamed up with the actor yet again for his new offering "Raja Natwarlal". The director says he shares a comfort level with Emraan.

Deshmukh says whenever he conceptualises an idea for a film, Emraan is the only actor whom he can think of to play the lead part. Further, he feels Emraan "makes my work better" and so, he hopes to take this partnership ahead in future as well.

"When I start conceptualising an idea, the first actor that comes to my mind is him (Emraan Hashmi). So, naturally I am going to him with all my scripts. I love working with him," Deshmukh said here Friday at the trailer launch of "Raja Natwarlal".

In films like "Zeher", "Jannat", "Jannat 2", "Tum Mile" or "Kalyug", Deshmukh has cast Emraan.

"My first film as an assistant director was 'Zeher', where he (Emraan) was the hero. I have known him since then. It has been more than ten years now. We have this comfort level. I think he makes my work better. I hope that we can take this partnership ahead," he added.

Produced by UTV Motion Pictures, "Raja Natwarlal" features Emraan as a conman. It also features Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon and Pakistani model-actress Humaima Malik. It is slated to release Aug 29.

An animated avatar of Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn appears on the small screen to encourage people to take a bold stand on the country's burning issues - as part of a promotional strategy for his forthcoming film "Singham Returns".

In the movie, directed by Rohit Shetty, Ajay will be seen as Bajirao Singham.

News channel Aaj Tak has tied up with the makers of the movie, which is slated to release Aug 15, to take movie partnerships to another level.

The channel leverages on Ajay's character for promotions of their show "Halla Bol". High quality animations have been used in the series of co-branded promos that drive the message of 'Halla Bol', and urges people to raise their voice against wrongdoing.

"It is a great and unique video conceptualized by Aaj Tak and we all are quite happy to see the way it has been created as it will further spread social awareness amongst the people," Shetty said in a statement.

One of the videos shows the animated character of Singham helping an ambulance with a patient to clear the traffic to reach the hospital.

"Halla Bol" is a show which covers crucial topics of public relevance. The episodes highlight the issues faced by society and the economy while also outlining a road map for a lasting solution with recommendations from expert panelists.

At 47, ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra is among the country's most eligible bachelors. But he says he marries his "fashion shows" every six months.

At the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW), the designer displayed a splendid array of high-end ensembles, aimed at the neo-bride and groom.

Asked when he is getting married, the handsome designer said: "Fashion shows are my weddings. I get married every six months."

The designer's line 'Portraits' was met with a round of applause by the audience, which had celebrities like Urmila Matondkar, Huma Qureshi, Ayaan Ali Khan, Shahnaz Hussain and Vandana Luthra.

On the ramp as showstoppers were Bollywood's young and raring to go talents Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur. Malhotra called the duo "young, glamorous and confident".

"I felt they walked like two professional models," he said, praising his showstopper duo.

Bollywood's young star Alia Bhatt put up a confident front while walking a three-ramp set-up in a lehenga as heavy as over 20 kg, for ace designer Manish Malhotra's show at the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week. She said she was nervous as she's usually clumsy.

"I get very nervous. I am not the best walker. I am a very clumsy human being, I fall (while) standing, so walking on the ramp wearing (an outfit of) almost 25 kg and high heels, looking good, posing and smiling while people are clapping...I think it's nerve wrecking, but I think it's the best two minutes," Alia told reporters here post the show.

With minimalist make-up, a roughly done-up hairdo and no jewellery, Alia carried the red bridal wear couture outfit, adorned by vintage gold embroidery, with aplomb Saturday night.

Adding more Bollywood flavour on the ramp was "Aashiqui 2" actor Aditya Roy Kapur, while off the stage and in the audience were names like Urmila Matondkar and Huma Qureshi.

Alia is fresh out of tasting success with her latest Hindi film "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania", in which her character is hell-bent on getting a lehenga worn by Kareena Kapoor in a film. Here, she was happy that in real life, she was getting a chance to walk for Malhotra, who is one of Bollywood's favourite designers and has been responsible to lend a makeover to many of Hindi cinema's heroines.

"I think when you're walking in a Manish Malhotra outfit, it's a big day. It's a special day. I was telling someone that I am very happy that my film has done well, but I'm happier to be walking for Manish. It's a great achievement," Alia said.

She also recalled a time when she was in the audience for a Manish Malhotra show.

"I was here two years back and Katrina (Kaif) was walking the ramp. I was sitting in the audience with Karan (Johar) and was thinking, 'How do people walk?'

"I remember Katrina was sitting and her outfit looked heavy. I had no idea then how heavy it was but when you walk yourself, you realise how heavy it is. But it's beautiful, I loved it," she added.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is so impressed with director Anurag Singh’s “Punjab 1984”, a Punjabi film focusing on the ill effects of 1984-86 Punjab insurgency on social life, that he says it is worth going to the Oscars.

Starring Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, Pavan Malhotra and Kirron Kher, the film came out June 27 and has earned rave reviews from all quarters.

Praising the film, Anupam tweeted: “Anurag Singh's Punjab-1984 is outstanding cinema. It is film worthy of going to Oscars. Take a bow the entire team.:)”

Anupam also praised his actor-politician wife Kirron's performance in the movie.

“Diljeet is BRILLIANT, so is Pawan Malhotra. Everyone is superb. But d Soul of d film is @KirronKherBJP.:)#Punjab1984,” he wrote.

Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez is excited about her next project "Bangistan", a film about two terrorists.

Directed by Karan Anshuman, "Bangistan" features Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat in the male leads, while the actress will make a special appearance in it.

"I am doing a song and a special appearance in the movie. It's a very interesting script about two terrorists, it's extremely funny," said the 28-year-old.

"It has Pulikt and Riteish, and I play a character who shows them life otherwise. I am extremely excited about the film," added Jacqueline, who is currently busy promoting "Kick", in which she plays Salman Khan's ladylove.

Former Miss India-turned-actress Parvathy Omanakuttan, recently seen in horror flick "Pizza", says her debut film "Untitled 6" bombed at the box office as it was not promoted well.

"I did that film because I felt the story was good, but the film wasn't promoted well. If a film is not promoted well, it will not work," said Parvathy Omanakuttan.

"Everyone would expect to be launched by Yash Raj or Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bansali. But everyone is not that lucky," she said.

"I learnt a lot about acting through that film and only after that film I went to acting class," she added.

Parvathy's debut film "Untitled 6" was released in 2011 but went unnoticed.

The actress also said she is not fine doing item numbers.

She said: "I am not fine doing item numbers. I don't want to be categorized as an item girl which is very easy in the industry."

Aditya Roy Kapur's presence on the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week (ICW) ramp was met with a loud cheer. Flaunting a heavily embroidered gold sherwani, the actor said walking for Bollywood's favourite designer Manish Malhotra almost feels like "you've arrived".

"I am not much a stalwart...but it's been an honour to walk for him (Malhotra). It makes you feel you've arrived somewhere," Aditya told reporters here post the show Saturday night.

Malhotra, who has a huge friend circle in tinsel town and tops their list of favourite designers, responded by saying: "You're too sweet."

The actor is busy promoting his forthcoming film "Daawat-e-Ishq" and Malhotra gave his project enough footage while talking to the media.

"Aditya has 'Daawat-e-Ishq' coming up and he is looking fabulous in it," said the designer, while also praising the actor's kurta style, seen in the movie's title song.

Since the ensemble that Aditya flaunted was meant for a groom, the "Aashiqui 2" star could not evade questions about when he's going to tie the knot. Is wedding on the cards?

"In life, yes, but not right now," he quipped.

Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who walked the ramp as showstopper for designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula on the last day of Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014, says that Indian women are blessed with "naturally beautiful curves" and they should not feel embarrassed about it.

Asked about how much pressure she faces every day as an actress to look slim and prefect, the voluptuous beauty told IANS: “It’s not just actresses but even the normal girl constantly tries to fit into the particular idea of beauty. They face the entire pressure of marriage madness where everyone try and look prettier and forget what they actually are.

“I agree that one should be fit and take care of one’s body as there is no excuse to be unfit. But I feel that Indian women are naturally blessed with beautiful curves. Just because somebody has said that you need to be perfect, one should not kill herself to achieve that. Be proud of your curves.”

Huma also said that one should not try to modify their body just because someone else doesn’t like the way you are.

“Don’t be embarrassed about your body. Yes, as an actress, if I have to play a model or wear something where I need to be super toned, I would obviously love to work towards that but that is the part of my job. But my real life is mine and this is how I look. So don’t be apologetic about how you look,” she said.

The actress also recalled her childhood memories when she used to get teased by her schoolmates because of her body weight.

“I was quite a chubby kid so I used to get teased by schoolmates because of my body weight,” said Huma.

The “Gangs of Wasseypur” fame actress looked like a true diva when she walked the ramp for Rimple and Harpreet in dull gold lehanga with antique zari detailing and a tulle trail. She completed the look with minimal jewellery and hair wide open.

The designer duo presented a collection titled “The eternal wanderlust”, inspired by nomads and wanderers who used to abound in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (in Pakistan), the Thar and Sahara deserts, ancient Persia and Syria.

The duo used hand crafted textures created by intricate fabric manipulation and crocheting, monogrammed coins, weaves of delicate tulles and gossamer silks. Also, there were tessellations inspired by Islamic Art that were juxtaposed with fine hand embroideries to veritably breathe life onto the surfaces of each ensemble.

The silhouettes comprised of capes and robes, sheer billowy jackets and regal cloaks.

Sharing her experience of walking on ramp for the designer-duo, Huma told IANS: “I have done a shoot with them and I really like their bridal work. It’s interesting to walk for them. Also since the fashion week was happening in Delhi so I thought why not. I always look for excuses to come back to Delhi.”

Also spotted at the show was cricketer Virendra Sehwag accompanied by wife Aarti.

A live performance by singer Kamaal Khan on popular Bollywood tracks, décor reflecting the golden period and actresses Bipasha Basu and Chitrangada Singh walking the ramp in true diva style, the grand finale by Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers as a part of India Couture Week 2014 turned out to be a complete Bollywood affair.

While Chitrangada started the show in black voluminous Gauri and Nainika gown accessorising it well with statement neckpiece, Bipasha looked no less than a bride in designer Rohit Bal lehanga and matching jewellery.

"Whenever I wear Indian outfit, I make sure of accessorising it well with jewellery and today I am feeling like a queen. I started my career as a model and it's great to come back to Delhi again and walk on ramp. It was such a great welcome that I felt emotional,a Bipasha shared after the show.

As the actress was looking no less than a bride, it was obvious for her to get bombarded with questions on wedding.

Asked that whether she would like to adorn the similar heavy pieces on her wedding day, she said: "I would love to look like a Bengali bride and I don't mind if I get the chance to wear such beautiful looking pieces. Afterall, every bride wants to look her best on the most special day of her life."

Chitrangada, on the other hand, took her inspiration from the famous Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe when she walked down the ramp dancing and smiling.

"Yes I tried to replicate her (Marilyn) but it is not easy . Doing Marilyn is not easy for anyone. She was someone who has inspired many but I tried to give my best," she said.

The show was mix of jewelleries from the Svara and Sondaraya collection of the title sponsor of the couture week. Pieces inlaid in gold and diamonds embellished with precious stones such as emeralds, rubies and pearls dominated the range of designs.

The Svara collection comprises of gold and polka jewellery embellished in precious stones such as emerald and ruby while Sondaraya was a variable mix of traditional motifs and contemporary styles in diamond jewellery.

Also seen walking the ramp was filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and model-actor Muzammil Ibrahim.

One of the highpoint of the show was live singing by Kamaal Khan who sung tracks including "Afrin" , "Ishq Sufiana" and "Mein tenu samjhawan". Though it was difficult for people sitting in Main Show Area (MSA) to see him but the voice certainly made of them Asing with him.

Alia Bhatt, who has confirmed she has signed Vikas Bahl's "Shaandar" for a role with Shahid Kapoor, says she's a fan of the actor, whom she first fell in love with when she was all of 11.

"I'm a huge Shahid Kapoor fan. I must have been 11 years old when I went to see Shahid in 'Ishq Vishk' at Gaiety-Galaxy (in Mumbai). I've been a fan since then. He is a fabulous actor and from what I hear, a very supportive co-star," Alia said.

Shahid is a generation removed from most of the co-stars Alia has worked with so far.

Gently, she corrects that by saying: "You forget I've done 'Highway' with Randeep Hooda. But yes, that apart, I've so far worked with actors my own age. So there was a natural comfort level with them.

"But it's not like Shahid is any different from Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor or Sidharth Malhotra. He is a very chilled-out guy. He has been around for so many years. I am sure he's a thorough professional. And I am really looking forward to working with him."

The actress, who was recently seen in "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania", admits there is plenty on the plate. But she isn't allowed to speak about them all as yet. She is, however, excited about "Shaandar".

"I'm very excited. I loved his (Vikas Bahl's) 'Queen'. And I am really looking forward to what he does in the film with me," said the "Highway" actress.

"Shaandar" is to be shot in an undisclosed part of England later this year. Bahl's last film, the much-lauded "Queen" had been shot in Paris, one of Alia's favourite cities where she got a chance to holiday recently.

"I am very excited about this film. It's something I haven't done so far. I want to work with every major actor," she said.

Documentary maker Raj Sampad's short film "Dreaming With Sand" chronicling the inspiring story of sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has officially entered the Sundance Film Festival, its maker said Monday.

"Dreaming With Sand" will compete with other films and if it wins, it will be premiered at the 2015 edition of the festival, starting Jan 22.

"Sundance is one of the largest independent film festivals in the United States. It takes place every year in the Park City of Utah. My docu-fiction 'Dreaming With Sand' has officially entered the festival, the result will be out Oct 1," Sampad told IANS.

"In the docu-fiction 'Dreaming With Sand' I have shown Pattnaik's journey from being in a financial predicament to rising into one of the greatest and critically acclaimed sand artists on the planet today," he added.

At 22, Sampad, an independent filmmaker from the city, has made three short films under his production house Incendiary Films on offbeat topics.

The theme of this year's fest was to create an inspirational story that would show an individual or a community overcoming poverty or hunger.

"When I first read the theme, the first person that struck my mind was Sudarsan Pattnaik as I had heard about his struggle," said Sampad.

"Everybody knows him as a famous sand sculptor, but the real inspiration lies in his past life and very few people know about it. Pattnaik himself has lent his voice in the film," he said.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher was due to undergo minor surgery for the removal of a cyst in the upper eyelid Monday but this has been postponed.

"Thanks to your wishes, surgery postponed because of the infection around the eye. #KucchBhiHoSaktaHai.:)," Anupam posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Earlier Monday, he had shared: "On my way for a minor ‘cyst in the upper eyelid’ surgery. Thodi sympathy mil jaye to shayad Dard cum Ho jayega. Baki aapki marzi. (If I get some sympathy, maybe the pain reduces. Rest is upto you)."

The 59-year-old actor is currently being seen on his chat show "The Anupam Kher Show - Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai".

He recently reached out to his Twitterati for good wishes for his mother, who underwent ankle surgery.

Director Rohit Shetty and actor Ajay Devgn became partners in crime on the sets of forthcoming movie "Singham Returns" when the duo decided to scare the crew members.

When they were on the sets of "Singham returns" in Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Ajay and Shetty played a prank.

They planned the entire prank in advance and took a spot boy under their confidence. The prankster duo made the spot boy wear white clothes and told the crew members that the set was haunted and that there was a ghost on the sets, as it was a night shoot and quite deserted.

“Ajay sir and Rohit sir have been constant pranksters on sets. Once, they baffled and scared all of us by dressing up a spot boy in white clothes and making him behave like a ghost," said a source from the movie's production team.

"Also, they always tried to scare us by telling stories of the ghosts in our hotel room," the source added.

"Singham Returns", which also stars Kareena Kapoor, will release Aug 15. It is co-produced by Ajay Devgn Ffilms, Rohit Shetty Productions and Reliance Entertainment.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, whose forthcoming entertainer "It's Entertainment" is directed by debutants Farhad-Sajid, refers to the duo as 'Sethji'.

Farhad-Sajid and Akshay go back a long way, courtesy their past projects - they duo had penned for "Housefull 2" and they wrote the story and dialogues for "Boss".

"It's true Akshay sir addresses Farhad Bhai and Sajid Bhai as Sethji and in return for this sweet gesture, they also call Akshay sir Sethji only. It sounds very sweet and little different at the same time," a source close to Farhad-Sajid revealed.

When asked about it, Farhad-Sajid said in a statement: "Yes, it's true we address each other as Sethji."

Saif Ali Khan recently called his latest release "Humshakals", directed by Sajid Khan, a mistake. Without making any direct reference, Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has said it's an "uncool" practice.

"A film is your baby even if it fails to perform at the box office. It is so not cool for actors to thrash it after release," Gupta posted on Twitter.

"Why do stars not criticise their trashy films that have worked at the box office? Hit hai toh sab chalta hai (If it's a hit, then it's okay)," he added.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira organised a celebrity football match to raise funds for an animal welfare shelter.

The charity match was held Sunday here for PIGI Foundation, which will build an animal welfare shelter with the money.

Nuzhat Khan, actor Imran Khan’s mother and Ira's aunt, will look after the shelter, read a statement.

Aamir and actor Abhishek Bachchan were captains of the two teams and the former's team won the match by 4:2.

Celebrities like Sohail Khan, Karan Wahi, Gurmeet Choudhary and Shabbir Ahluwalia also participated in the match.

Superstar Salman Khan distributed prizes to all.