Pakistani actress Humaima Malick, who will be seen with Emraan Hashmi in "Raja Natwarlal", says both her co-star as well as Bollywood superstar Salman Khan have a huge fan following in Pakistan.

She also said that people in her country feel that Emraan is a Pakistani.

"Emraan and Salman have a huge fan following in Pakistan and their films get good openings in Pakistan," Humaima told IANS.

"The audience are crazy about them. Many people even feel that Emraan is a Pakistani himself. So I am quite sure my film 'Raja Natwarlal' will get a huge opening in Pakistan," she added.

Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, con drama "Raja Natwarlal" is scheduled for a Aug 29 release.

Critically acclaimed for her performance in "Bol", the actress says she is open to doing all kinds of films but with meaty roles.

"As an actress I don't want to limit myself as far as films are concerned and I am open to do all kinds of films but I should have an important part to play in it," she said.

Jewellery designer Varuna D Jani targets modern women, who want to look glamorous yet subtle, with his new selection of solitaire range. Intricate details are the high point of the collection.

With fine engravings around the precious stones, the range comprises of pendants, ear rings and finger rings encapsulating the essence of a modern day woman.

These pieces are "strikingly awesome" and can be worn on various occasions, the designer said in a statement.

"It can easily be carried from day to night and create a style statement and is meant for independent modern women who want to look glamorous yet subtle," she added.

Flower designs, petal designs and intricate circles makes each piece exclusive in its own way.

"The modern day consumer wants to invest in jewellery that is wearable for more than one occasion. My solitaire range brings that needed bling which makes you stand out.

"The designs are uncluttered and match the personality of a buyer who is contemporary and fashion forward. The range spells elegance and confidence," the designer added.

Actor Emraan Hashmi says he regretted being in the movies when his son went abroad for cancer treatment and he couldn't accompany him.

The actor is married to Parveen Shahani and their four-year-old son Ayaan was diagnosed with a tumor in his kidney that was found malignant and doctors said it was first stage cancer.

"I was literally cursing my profession when my son had gone for treatment. I was not there with him during his treatment because of my (movie) commitments," said Emraan. Ayaan is their only child.

"My son is absolutely fine now. He thought that he is going for a vacation when he was going for the treatment. But thank god, he is fine now," added the actor.

Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle Friday spoke up for tennis star Sania Mirza, who was at the receiving end of criticism on her appointment as Telangana's brand ambassador, saying it's an "unneccessary controversy".

"Sania Mirza is being dragged into unnecessary controversy. I too was once labelled anti-national by a politician. I found that quite funny," Asha tweeted Thursday.

On Wednesday, Telangana BJP leader K. Laxman had criticised the state for appointing Mirza its brand ambassador saying she is a non-local and "daughter-in-law" of Pakistan.

Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi too took to Twitter to express her views on the same.

She tweeted: "From d start I said reining in its lunatic fringe will b a challenge for @narendramodi Shiv Sena BJP MPs at it again Mhrstra Sadan n Sania. The true test of a liberal is when she is attacked by both Muslim and Hindu bigots. Javed and I constantly face the wrath of both. Terrific!"

Selfie – this word has been personified literally by our very favorite B-town celebs, and has also officially made it into the dictionary this year!

While our B-Town celebs always take out time to click their selfies, the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor is on a different spree altogether. She will be seen clicking a selfie in the film too!

Amused, well for one particular scene in the film, it so happened that Kareena was sitting with the restaurant owner and is supposed to be chatting away to glory with him which matches completely with her reel life character. To improvise the scene Kareena then tells the restaurant owner to click a selfie. It was totally impromptu and Rohit decided to incorporate this scene in the film too!

A source close to Rohit Shetty confirmed and said, “Yes! It was totally impromptu of Kareena initiating to click a selfie, it was a
jovial conversation which the two of them have in the film and Kareena just improvised it by clicking the selfie and has made the scene look even much better, to know more you will have to wait for the film!

Bollywood's "Dabangg" star, whose "Kick" is attracting Indian cine-goers to the box office, has been appointed the brand ambassador for plumbing pipe major Astral Poly Technik Ltd.

The brand, which manufacturers plumbing and drainage systems in the country, has signed on Salman for two years.

“Our association with Salman Khan is in sync with our brand communication that highlights the strength of our products. We have earlier partnered with the movie ‘Dabangg 2’ where Salman actually used Astral Pipes in the film," Sandeep Engineer, managing director, Astral Poly Technik, said in a statement.

"Now our association with Salman Khan as brand ambassador will further strengthen the brand image and take it to the next level,” he said.

Astral Poly Technik has a client base across different sectors of industry like retail, residential, commercial, hospitals and industrial.

All of 21, she's young and versatile unlike others of her generation, and even in terms of dealing with criticism, "Highway" star Alia Bhatt has a mature approach. She says being "thick-skinned" comes in handy.

"Criticism and appreciation should be welcome at all times. But it helps to be thick-skinned in the industry," Alia told IANS over phone from Mumbai when asked how she reacts and handles situations when the audience gives extreme reactions to her work.

Nonchalant about the feedback she receives, Alia took to online instant messaging and video chat platform Google Hangout Friday evening for a multi-city integrated session in Delhi and Mumbai to interact with her fans on beauty trends for the season as part of her association with make-up brand Maybelline New York.

She found the idea to be "fun".

"We go to different cities all the time to promote our films, but having a virtual interaction via Hangout is different. Technology has made it fun and easy to interact with the audience for feedback on any product - whether it's a film or a product - as they're the ones we work for," Alia said.

The actress, who can sing as well as she can dance is currently active on social networking platform Twitter, where she often tweets to her over 1.8 million Twitterati.

She is not on Facebook, but when asked if she has a team to manage her Twitter account, which is functional under the handle 'aliaa08', she was quick to clarify: "I don't have a team. I manage the account on my own."

Alia admits "digital is a massive space" to explore, but she says "it's important to not get lost in it".

"I feel there has to be a line that you draw between your life and the virtual world," said the actress, who is the youngest daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

After making an impressive debut with Karan Johar's directorial "Student Of The Year", Alia has been surprising viewers and critics alike movie after movie.

If she played a brand-conscious, make-up laden and arrogant girl in her launchpad project, Alia left a lasting impression with her powerful act in "Highway" as a city-slick girl who experiences a sense of freedom and gets a taste of reality only after being abducted.

This was followed by her easy portrayal of the fun-loving, carefree and Tamilian girl-in-love with a Punjabi boy in "2 States". Alia has recently also amassed appreciation for "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" in which she has essayed the role of a fearless girl, who fights to live life her way.

From ultra-glamorous to deglam and desi - Alia has sported different looks in each of her films, but she says "it's too soon" for her to set "fashion trends".

Her association with showbiz notwithstanding, she says "girls have a right on make-up", but she personally does not like to preach any style or fashion mantra.

Actor Kunal Kemmu, who recently and suddenly proposed to his lady love Soha Ali Khan in Paris, says the engagement was pre-planned, but also something he did on impulse. He's glad he managed to pull off a surprise.

"It had to be! I had to take friends into confidence in Paris to get me the ring. But I managed to keep my proposal plans completely hidden from Soha," Kunal said.

The couple was on a month-long European holiday when the thought of proposing to the love of his life occurred to him.

"We were on a 26-27 day holiday in Europe. We went to several cities including London and Rome. Paris was not part of our travel plan. I added Paris to our holiday destinations, so I could propose to her in the most romantic city in the world," he added.

Soha would often find Kunal smiling to himself as they travelled to Paris.

"I had to use all my acting skills to hide my Parisian plans from Soha. But all the effort was finally worth it when I saw her face after I proposed to her," he said.

After Soha said 'yes' to Kunal, she took to Twitter Wednesday to announce the news to the world.

Talking about Soha's idea of sharing the news via an online social networking platform, Kunal said: "We both are basically very private people. We don't like put our lives on any social media platform. However, Soha took to Twitter to announce our engagement only so that she would be able to say exactly how she wanted to.

"This is a very special occasion for both of us. And Soha wanted to choose all the right words personally."

The announcement has, however, opened up questions from family and friends as to why they weren't taken into confidence.

In the couple's defence, Kunal said: "We didn't plan my proposal. I decided on Paris for the proposal on an impulse. And I am glad I did."

Kunal denies any family pressure to make the relationship official.

"Neither Soha's mother nor my parents have ever shown any anxiety about the profile of our relationship. They're happy to see us happy," he said.

Kunal didn't feel any pressure about marriage until now.

"When I proposed to her, I only did what seemed natural. Only now do we feel that we've taken our relationship to another level through the proposal," he said, adding that there is no immediate marriage plan.

"Soha and I are like a married couple. We already feel married. We live together and share everything like a normal couple. We see no reason to make our relationship any more official than it already is.

"However, this may change any time. I didn't know I was going to propose to Soha until I actually started planning it all of a sudden, as a surprise to her. Likewise, we may surprise ourselves by getting married, who knows? But like I said, there's no parental pressure to get married," said the actor, whose next film is titled "Guddu Ka Gun".

"Mary Kom" co-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali is overwhelmed by the impact of the trailer of the film. He agrees that Priyanka Chopra, who plays M.C. Mary Kom onscreen, doesn't resemble the Olympic bronze medallist boxer but says the actress has captured the star athlete's "soul" for the role.

"We wanted to tell Mary Kom's story. Her life has everything. Drama, passion, valour, warmth, humour. Her story was waiting to be told on screen. I am honoured that we are doing it," Bhansali said.

The trailer shows Priyanka in a state of unconditional surrender as the Olympian boxer. The Manipuri accent is not overdone and neither are those pugilistic postures where she boxes like an untamed cat in the ring with her immediate adversaries and other far less definable enemies outside the boxing ring.

There is her troubled relationship with her father, and her boxing guru. And then there is the tender romance with the man in her life, played by a fine actor, Darshan Kumar.

Said Bhansali: "Now that we've completed the film, it is impossible to imagine anyone but Priyanka playing Mary Kom. She has lived the role. She breathes life into every pore of the character. There are other very fine actors in the film, chosen because they suit the role."

The only doubt raised by the trailer is that Priyanka does not physically resemble the real Mary Kom.

Defending the team's choice of Priyanka for the lead part, Bhansali said: "I don't think the physical resemblance is as important as capturing the soul of the person that the actor is portraying. How much like Charlie Chaplin did Robert Downey Jr look in 'Chaplin'? Did Meryl Steep actually resemble Nora Ephron in 'Heartburn', or Robert De Niro...did he actually look like Al Capone in the 'The Untouchables'? Or Van Kilmer in 'The Doors'...did he actually look like Jim Morrison? No.

"It's the core, the essence of the personality that matters. And Priyanka has captured the soul of Mary Kom."

Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said: "This is already a historic film. Never earlier has a world champion in one arena (Priyanka Miss World 2000) portrayed world championship (five times world champion) in another arena on screen.

"The trailer is bull's eye and the traction we are seeing on digital shows strong engagement. Two rounds won and the match is set up."

The movie is releasing Sep 5.

Actress Chitrangada Singh walked the runway for jewellery brand Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers at the recently concluded India Couture Week 2014. But when it comes to her personal life, she is not a jewellery person.

"I am not so much into jewellery in my personal life, but yes, if I have to dress up in something elegant, a statement piece always works wonders," the "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" famed actress, told IANS.

Even in her films, she hardly cares about making a style statement and concentrates on her characters more.

"Honestly, when a film is there, we never think of making style statements. It's a lot to do with character. Of course you want to style your character in a certain way, but that happens only if the role demands.

"For me style statement is not important over playing a character," she added.

Having essayed understated roles in "Hazaaron..." and "Yeh Saali Zindagi", Chitrangada's glamorous side was seen in movies like "Desi Boyz", "Inkaar" and "I, Me Aur Main".

Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Saturday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to intervene and save Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Fashion and Communication, founded and run by film director Subhash Ghai from closure.

"Whistling Woods has, over the years, got itself an enviable reputation for being among the best institutions for film education in India. Not only does it attract students from different parts of India but also from countries abroad," Benegal said in a communication to Chavan.

He said that closing down such an institute of international repute would be an "unmitigated disaster" and brings credit neither to the Maharashtra government nor the nation as a whole.

Referring to the plans to create a cultural centre in its place, Benegal urged for better sense to prevail over the issue.

Ghai, in a note recently on the subject, has said that after the recent developments: "I felt helpless. Where to go?"

"We felt destroyed, shocked and numb. The government is being awarded with money and we are being punished so much with no fault of ours. Neither (the) court pointed out any of our fault in all of this," he said

Referring to his desperate attempts to save the institute, he said he had submitted three workable options under law but there was no response from the state government for two years, and his best attempts to meet Chavan also failed.

Ghai said that meanwhile Culture Minister Sanjay Deotale has forwarded "his ambitious plan" to the media of the government opening a cultural university on the campus of Whistling Woods, asked their own agency, PWD, to value the building and sent us a notice July 14 to pay Rs.60 crore and vacate the building by July 31.

He lamented that now the institute has to pay more than Rs.60 crore, plus hand over the building to the government after running the campus for eight years with a Rs.100 crore investment and a Rs.62 crore debt in its share.

"The worst we feel today is when we admit new aspiring students with a condition that we may not run our institute on this same campus with five star custom made facilities for cinema students after July 31," he said.

Ghai noted that presently Whistling Woods is consistently ranked one of the top 10 film schools in the world.

Top Bollywood personalities have come out in support of Ghai and the institute and appealed to the government not to shut it down.

Seems like Bollywood stars are taking charge of their film’s singing department too. After Salman Khan who sang in “Kick”, Akshay Kumar has given his voice to one track in his forthcoming film “Entertainment".

The actor uploaded the Youtube link of the making of the song on micro-blogging site Twitter.

“And here's a brand new track from #Entertainment sung by yours truly :) Enjoy,” he tweeted with the link.

"Entertainment" is directed by debutant duo Farhad-Sajid who have previously penned for "Housefull 2" and wrote the story and dialogues of "Boss".

The film which also features Tamannaah Bhatia, will hit the screens Aug 8.

Bengali actor-producer Arindam Sil, whose company is handling the regional production of Hollywood film "Deity" - the remake of Bollywood blockbuster "Kahaani" - Saturday expressed gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for extending help for the shooting in Kolkata.

The remake will be directed by Niels Arden Oplev of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" fame, while Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Richard Regen (Tehran) have scripted the adaptation.

Starring Vidya Balan in the lead role, "Kahaani" was directed by Sujoy Ghosh and had Sil as its executive producer. The film was largely shot on the streets of Kolkata.

"Deity" is a thriller about an American woman who goes to Kolkata in search of her missing husband. As she gets closer to the truth, she finds herself at the centre of a dangerous conspiracy.

The story unfolds in the context of a colourful, week-long festival.

Sil, who was recently honoured by the state government with the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman award, said Kolkata will be captured in a different perspective in the remake.

At the award function, Banerjee had remarked that after Bollywood, its Hollywood's turn to come to Kolkata.

"This is a proud moment for Kolkata and we are actually crossing all borders to become an international hub of film making, which of course it already was.

"I am grateful to our Mamata Banerjee, who has extended all help for the making of this film here in Kolkata. Need the support of all Kolkatans," Sil said in a Facebook post Friday and iterated the same Saturday to a TV channel.

"The way we look at Kolkata is different from the way it is perceived by outsiders. Therefore, the Hollywood version will show us a different side to the city," he added.

The international movie will be financed and produced by YRF Entertainment, and starts production in February 2015. It will be shot on different locations in Kolkata.

Sil's production company Nothing Beyond Cinema is in-charge of the Kolkata leg of shooting.

Known for his rich oeuvre of politically-charged works as well as his diverse football related projects, artist Riyas Komu plans to open an international football culture club.

Hailing from Kerala and based in Mumbai, Komu prefers to do "socially relevant" paintings and is famed for football-themed installations. The artist is in talks with internationally-acclaimed football writer Simon Kuper to set up a unique art and culture hub.

"It will showcase various art forms, including paintings and films about how football has influenced and inspired society and culture," Komu told IANS here Saturday at the Experimenter Curators' Hub, a meeting of art curators from across the world.

"I am discussing the idea with a few people," he said.

Komu, the brain behind several football film fests, said India is moving towards art that is more socially relevant.

However, he pointed out that there is a need for better infrastructure in the art institutes, the majority of which are in a deplorable state.

"It has gained momentum in India. More socially relevant art is being produced but at the same time the status of the art institutes is pathetic. About 95 percent of the institutes are bad. There is a need to acquire better infrastructure in these institutes," he said.

Veteran filmmaker Guru Dutt's son Arun Dutt has died in Pune due to health reasons, a family member said Sunday. He was 58.

Arun Dutt's daughter Gouri Dutt said he died Saturday afternoon.

"My father passed away yesterday (Saturday) afternoon in Pune. He was suffering from multiple complications but the major reason was kidney failure. His funeral took place last (Saturday) night in Pune," Gouri Dutt told IANS.

Arun Dutt is survived by his two daughters and wife.

Rajeshwari Sachdev's stint in theatre, TV and films has been like a treasure-trove. The National Award winning actress too admits that her acting journey has been rewarding and she gained something at each stage.

"I am maturing like an old wine," said the actress when asked about her her career growth, which started way back in 1991 with Marathi movie "Aayatya Gharat Gharoba".

After not being too active in front of the camera for some time, Rajeshwari returns with double dhamaka - she is seen in TV show "Laut Aao Trisha" and her movie "Dombivli Return" is set to hit the screens.

Versatility has been her forte and once again she is proving it as a modern high-profile woman in the TV show, and a Maharashtrian woman in the thriller movie.

A staple in Shyam Benegal's film, including "Sardari Begam", "Hari Bhari" and "Welcome To Sajjanpur", Rajeshwari says connecting with her character of a Maharashtrian in the movie wasnt' tough, because she was "born and brought up in Bombay and continue to grow up in Mumbai".

"I grew up in a multicultural and multilingual vicinity and you cannot be untouched by the grace and charm of the middle-class Maharashtrian woman. One can eulogise educated, working, (Maharashtrian) homemakers... they run their life efficiently and honestly," Rajeshwari told IANS in an email interview.

"You can identify a Maharashtrian woman from a distance... and this part was easy for me," said the actress on how she got the naunces of her character right.

She also praised Mahendra Teredesai, the director of "Dombivli Return", for leading the team efficiently.

"A very good experience indeed...," she said about associating with the director.

"Truly a captain of the ship. Apart from being armed with a great script, it's the directors' vision and his capability in carrying along an entire team on the same path that makes it an exciting journey."

"Each person got something new to the table and he did a great job assimilating it into one whole," she added.

In terms of the impact of a story on someone, Rajeshwari's theory is that "every story impacts the mind ... more so if you are in a similar crisis, fortunately I am not (facing the same crisis as my character does in the movie."

The film is a socio-psychological thriller and when asked its impact on her, she said: "If your are listening to a fairy tale, you don't necessarily get impacted by it, but you have a moral to the story and it stays with you for life.

"We 'felt' the story and now we are narrators, you tell us how it impacts you," added the actress who bagged the National Award for her performance in "Sardari Begum".

Did you find your role in "Dombivli Return" different from your past roles?

"Maybe I will rephrase that question... for me, this is in keeping with the varied roles I've done in practically all my other ventures. So I say with pride, once again (I play) a distinct character set in a backdrop and region... so it is always a challenge for an actor to actually create a character with distinct nuances," said the actress who is married to actor Varun Badola and the couple has a son.

The actress, who worked in Hollywood movie "Little Buddha" opposite Keanu Reeves, believes in moving on.

When asked about future plans, she said: "Towards another script and another film...that's been a pattern."

Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar, who made his Bollywood debut in 2010 with "Tere Bin Laden", will now direct a short film.

He tweeted his photograph Sunday with a caption: “At my set as director.”

Ali Abbas Zafar, who directed the actor in 2011 for “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan”, replied to his tweet saying: “@AliZafarsays All the best now there will be even more confusion about you and me as "Directors". Inshallah you will make a kick ass film.”

The “Sun re sajaniya” hitmaker thanked him and said: “@aliabbaszafar haha. Thx buddy. This one is a short film.”

However, he neither revealed the film's title, nor the theme.

Pakistani model-actress Humaima Malick was comfortable shooting a "kissing scene" for her debut Hindi movie, but she shuns bikini.

Humaima is making her Bollywood debut with "Raja Natwarlal" and the film releasing Aug 29 is said to be a crime comedy.

"I don't think I will be able to wear a bikini, I really don't think so," Humaima told IANS while sharing her views on donning that piece of costume.

Produced by UTV Motion Pictures and directed by Kunal Deshmukh, "Raja Natwarlal" will see Humaima teaming up with Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi.

"If I am a good actor, then there is no need to wear a bikini. In my film, there is no sex put in forcefully. Every romantic part makes sense. It's been shot sensibly, which will not look vulgar," she added.

She also says that people should not judge her on the basis of the kissing scene.

Humaima said: "Everybody is loving it in Pakistan, they are proud of me and I don't think you should judge a person on the basis of a kissing scene."

"I know the culture is different here. However, I was nervous because I never thought of doing it in my career but I could never have a best co-star. Doing it with him (Emraan) is far better than doing it with someone else. People love him for this and it doesn't look vulgar."

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has been long associated with campaigns for polio eradication in India, won't mind working on anti-tobacco projects too.

The "Bhoothnath Returns" star has been actively campaigning for polio eradication since 2002 and was appointed a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador with a focus on HIV/AIDS and polio eradication in April 2005.

At a function held here Sunday to celebrate India being certified polio-free, he revealed that he would like to extend a helping hand to those in other countries as well infected by polio virus and also support other cause.

"If I get offer from other countries, I will do it. If any campaign is made, and they want me, for society and country, I'll do it," Amitabh said here.

The non-smoker is also open to anti-tobacco campaigns.

"If any campaign on tobacco is made, I am ready to work on it. I don't smoke, so it will be close to my heart," said the 71-year-old.

He also shared why he is closely associated to medical cause.

"I've been through medical episodes throughout my career. I respect Indian doctors," said Amitabh, who was on many occasions critically ill and was treated in India.

The father-in-law of actress Aishwarya Rai, who is married to Abhishek Bachchan, also said that his daughter-in-law makes sure Aaradhya, 2, gets her polio drops and other vaccines on time.

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's experience of working in India was very good and he credits his "Khoobsurat" co-star Sonam Kapoor for it.

"She is a great person and I enjoyed working with her. The environment on the sets was very homely and I didn't face any problem at any stage," Fawad said here Sunday on the sets of "Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega".

"I didn't face any problem in communicating with the people on the sets and a lot of credit goes to her (Sonam) for that," he added.

Fawad would love to take Sonam on a tour of Pakistan, especially the Sind region Sonam's family belongs to.

"I have heard she is interested in the Sind region, so I can show her that area. Besides that, I can show her around Lahore the best as I belong to that city," Fawad said.

"It would be a pleasure to show her around Pakistan. I think this is a good chance for us to connect as it is not often you get to visit the other's country," added the actor.

"Khoobsurat" has been produced by Sonam's sister Rhea Kapoor and directed by Shashanka Ghosh.

It also stars Kirron Kher and Ratna Pathak Shah and hits theatres Sep 19.