After "Kick", are you ready for some more jumping, boxing, punching and chasing? Bollywood lovers, brace yourself for a slew of action-packed high-on stunts movies slated for release in the remaining 2014 calendar.

Salman Khan's "Kick" has already set a high standard by zooming into the Rs.100 crore club within its first week itself and now, the stage is set for entertainers like "Singham Returns", "Mardaani", "Mary Kom", "Desi Kattey", "Bang Bang", "Haider", "Happy New Year", "Tevar" and "Tamanchey".

If the success of the 2011 movie "Singham" is anything to go by, Ajay Devgn as Bajirao Singham will roar again upon his return in Rohit Shetty's "Singham Returns", releasing on Independence Day.

The Ajay-Shetty duo has dished out "some unique and different stunts", says a source close to the production team - and that's a fact well-endorsed by the movie's trailer.

Once Hindi movie aficionados have had a dose enough of the men in action, gear up for Rani Mukerji's dare-me-if-you-can look and avatar in "Mardaani", produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF). The film isn't about stunts, but they are integral to the plot and what's worth looking out for is the fact that Rani has been trained professionally to carry out the stunts.

"'Mardaani' is not a stunt-based film and is a must-watch movie only for 'action-buffs'. The action scenes are very real and integral to the story without people flying around after being punched," Rafiq Gangjee, vice president (Marketing and Communications), YRF, told IANS.

"Rani has been trained by professionals of Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art form, and her actions are true to life. Her role is that of a senior Police Inspector of the Crime Branch who goes after the child trafficking mafia and she has played that role to perfection without going into unrealistic fight sequences and 'daredevilry'," Gangjee said.

Talk about Bollywood ladies in action mode, and you wouldn't like to miss the punches that Priyanka Chopra seems to have packed up in "Mary Kom".

As the Olympic bronze medallist boxer onscreen, the National Award winning performer has "undergone extreme physical endurance to prepare for the character and delivered a knock-out performance that has set a new bar for the women protagonists in Bollywood," says Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

"Action sequences have been an integral part of cinema, but today these sequences are real, they are gritty and the stars train resiliently to be able to deliver the same," Andhare told IANS.

True that - be it Rani and Priyanka or Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan - actors go through months of training to pull off tough action sequences despite the prevalence and use of advanced technology, which is believed to have eased out the process of making stars fly in the air, jump down high-rises and perform other dazzling and dangerous stunts.

One will also agree that the old world charm of 'dhishoom dhishoom' action does not seem to bore the audiences either - and that's why "Desi Kattey", with its raw and gritty stunts, seems like it will hit the right chords with the audience.

In contrast, there's Bollywood's own 'superhero' Hrithik Roshan in "Bang Bang"! The Greek god of Indian cinema is ready to surpass the standards of action he himself set with "Dhoom 2" and the "Krrish" series. He zooms out of the sea, swings like Tarzan and his bike stunts are to be watched.

There's also the Shahid Kapoor-starrer "Haider", an adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" by Vishal Bhardwaj. A sneak peak into the forthcoming movie via its trailer, tells it's high on guns, explosions and violence.

And how can the year be complete without a dose of Shah Rukh Khan? So, there's "Happy New Year", which has a multi-starrer punch with Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Sonu Sood.

Ready for all the action, are you?

Pakistani model-actress Humaima Malick, who has shot a rain song "Tere hoke rahenge" with Indian actor Emraan Hashmi in her forthcoming Bollywood debut "Raja Natwarlal", says this was the first time she shot in the rain and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

In fact, to get the real feel of the rain songs of Bollywood, the actress even watched a lot of Bollywood's popular rain songs.

"For the first time I have shot a song in the rain. I remember a night before the shoot, I googled all the rain songs of Bollywood and watched them," Humaima said here Wednesday at the song's launch.

"Shooting for the rain song was an interesting experience for me. I enjoyed a lot. We shot it for two days with great hard work," she added.

"Tere hoke rahenge" is sung by Arijit Singh.

Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, "Raja Natwarlal" also features Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon. It will hit the theatres Aug 29.

Young and versatile actor Rajkummar Rao, who will be seen in Ramesh Sippy's film "Shimla Mirchi", says the movie is unusual and that he's excited about romancing Bollywood's "dreamgirl" Hema Malini in it.

"It's ('Shimla Mirchi' is) a very unusual film. It's a rom-com and the treatment of the film is going to be very different. I am extremely excited to romance Hema Malini on screen," Rajkummar told IANS.

Without divulging the film's plot, Rajkummar went on to share that he has so far "not got an opportunity to meet Hema ji, but it's a dream come true to share the screen space with the 'dreamgirl'."

"Shimla Mirchi" is a romantic comedy, and if reports are to be believed, its story is about how a single mother (Hema Malini) and her daughter (Rakul Preet Singh) fall in love with the same man, essayed by Rajkummar.

Rajkummar says the makers of "Shimla Mirchi" have asked him to gain weight for the film.

"The film will be widely shot in Shimla and I have been asked to gain weight by the makers of the film. I am working very hard to gain weight as I had lost seven kg for 'Citylights'. I have a personal trainer who is working with me to help me gain weight," he added.

"Shimla Mirchi" will go on floors in mid-September.

It's an Oct 18 wedding for actress-producer Dia Mirza and her softspoken fiance Sahil Sangha.

Confirming this, Dia said: "We've finally zeroed in on a date for our wedding. It's 18 October. That's the date when Sahil and I will be married."

The wedding will take place in Delhi and will be attended by the couple's family and close friends only. Dia is likely to later host a lavish reception in Mumbai for her friends from the entertainment industry.

Sahil's family is largely based in Delhi, and so, their nuptials are due to be held in the capital.

"It was the two families' decision to have the wedding in Delhi on the chosen date," said Dia.

Pakistani model-actress Humaima Malick says she may have shot steamy and passionate kissing scenes with her co-star Emraan Hashmi for her forthcoming Bollywood debut "Raja Natwaral" but there is no vulgarity in the movie.

"There is no vulgarity in the film at all. In fact, I am very proud that we have done many romantic scenes in the film and have shot beautifully," Humaima said here Wednesday at the launch of a song from the film.

Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, "Raja Natwaral", also featuring Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon, will hit the theatres Aug 29.

"Everyone can watch the film with his/her kids and family," she added.

Actress Richa Chadda, who stars in the play "Trivial Disasters", says performing in front of a live audience is a tough and challenging job.

At a press conference here Wednesday, Richa spoke about working on the play, and said: "I have done some stage (shows) before, mostly like extra parts and only one or two lead parts, that too five years back. It's a tough job, it's live feedback.

"If people don't like you, it's difficult to concentrate if people are not laughing at your jokes. You have to do the whole script in one go. If one person misses his cue, everyone can, it's like a domino effect. So it's more challenging for sure."

On the Bollywood front, Richa will soon be seen in the film "Tamanchey" with Nikhil Dwivedi.

"Trivial Disasters" is directed by Atul Kumar and also stars Kalki Koechlin and Cyrus Sahukar.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is coming back to his roots - the small screen, soon, reveal sources.

The Bollywood 'Badshah' is said to have been roped in to host a grand live show based on the hugely popular international series "Got Talent", for a leading Hindi general entertainment channel in December.

A formal announcement of the show will be made at a press conference here Friday, but the source aware of the grand plans told IANS that the show will be one live event to be telecast on the channel.

The source said that if things go as planned, international TV personality Simon Cowell, creator of "Got Talent" and "The X Factor", may also visit Mumbai for the show, likely to be a first-of-its-kind twist on "Got Talent". The live event will be held at the Andheri Sports Complex here in December.

Meanwhile, the Indian television already has "India's Got Talent", the desi spin-off of Cowell's show.

Shah Rukh, one of Bollywood's most iconic stars, is not new to the TV medium.

The 48-year-old started his tryst with showbiz via television with shows like "Fauji" and "Circus", and it was from there that he landed a role in his debut film "Deewana" 22 years ago.

He returned to the medium to host the third season of the hugely popular game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" and later he anchored "Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?" and "Zor Ka Jhatka".

On the Bollywood front, Shah Rukh will be seen in Farah Khan's multi-starrer "Happy New Year", which happens to be tinsel town's big ticket Diwali release this year.

Designer Payal Singhal is set to showcase a collection titled Chintz, which is inspired by the age-old printed fabric of the same name, at the forthcoming winter-festive edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).

“The collection is inspired by India's first fashion export to the world, the ancient technique of printing fabric from the coast of Coromandel, 'Chintz' as we now call it,” said the designer in a statement.

The collection explores the westernization of an ancient Indian art and the history and origin of Chintz.

The ensembles will have lots of deconstructed traditional Indian silhouettes done in deep tones of aqua, navy, teal, sienna, and cranberry on fabrics including rich crepes, silks and linens.

The forthcoming edition of LFW is scheduled to take place Aug 20-24 at Palladium hotel here.

Actress Kalki Koechlin is not new to theatre and will soon be seen in a new play titled "Trivial Disasters", in which she essays five roles.

Kalki, a theatre enthusiast, loves the medium as she feels it gives her a chance to be spontaneous.

"I have done some theatre, studied theatre and for me, it's exciting to come back to theatre because you are spontaneous and you can constantly change your act to suit the audience. It makes you react a lot more to things around you. I enjoy it," the 30-year-old said here Wednesday at the press conference of the play.

"Trivial Disasters" is a comedy play and Kalki plays five characters in it.

"'Trivial Disasters' is very funny, there is a lot of comedy and it is also dark. There are nine stories in this play and we all are playing different characters. I am playing five characters," Kalki said.

"One is a very shy girl, then an older lady, even a young sales boy who is hyper and energetic. So it is a fun play," she added.

"Trivial Disasters", directed by Atul Kumar, also stars Richa Chadda, Purab Kohli and Cyrus Sahukar.

Filmmaker Sanjay Tripathi, who has bought the rights of the book "Escape To Nowhere" for a movie adaptation, says he is keen to cast southern superstar Mohanlal as one of the protagonists.

"I have bought the official right of this novel 'Escape To Nowhere' and I am busy scripting this film. I am keen on casting Mohanlal for this film. I feel he is apt for a role," Tripathy told IANS.

"I will soon be approaching him for this film. I am just one film old, so I am taking each and every step very carefully," he added.

The director made his debut with "Club 60", which starred veteran actors like Farooque Sheikh, Sarika and Satish Shah.

"Escape To Nowhere", by Amar Bhushan, is an espionage thriller on the disappearance of a RAW officer in 2005.

Talking about the movie, Tripathy said: "It's a semi-fiction drama and there are three protagonists in the film. So far, I am clear about casting Mohanlal in the film."

Kareena Kapoor is confident that the song "Aata Majhi Satakli", which she has shot with composer-rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh for "Singham Returns", would be a chartbuster.

The song's video also features Ajay Devgn in his "Singham" avatar along with hundred kids dressed as cops.

"I am a big fan of Honey Singh just like everyone here. So I was very excited," the actress told reporters here at an event to launch the film's merchandise Wednesday.

"I am so happy as it is the first time that he has given a track for any of my films and what better than 'Singham Returns'. So the way it is shot, the track itself I think is going to be a chartbuster," sher added.

Directed by Rohit Shetty "Singham Returns" releases Aug 15.

In what must qualify as a first in the field of literary adaptations, author-columnist Anish Trivedi has written a sequel to international best-selling author Jeffrey Archer's novel "First Among Equals".

Now the story from "First Among Equals" is being carried forward by Trivedi in a screenplay entitled "Dilli" for a feature film to be produced by Sheetal Talwar.

Though not much is being revealed about the project, it is understood that the screen-sequel to Archer's novel is an Indo-Pak love story.

Said Talwar: "All I can reveal at the moment is that that we've bought the rights to Jeffrey Archer's 'First Among Equals', which we'll make into a television serial eventually. And yes, Anish Trivedi has written a sequel to 'First Among Equals'. It is based in the present-day cross-border politics."

The sequel to Archer's novel will eventually be converted into a novel.

"We've authorised them to publish the book three months after the film's release," said Talwar.

The film is expected to go on the floors by the end of the year.

Star comedian Kapil Sharma features in a unique avatar of an unused juicer in a kitchen, for a new television campaign for online classifieds platform OLX.in.

The quirky TVC uses the much-loved Kapil's style of humour to tell the life story of unused products, which want to be sold on OLX in order to find owners who can use them. It touches upon people's habit of stocking goods that are not being used.

Talking about the idea of roping in Kapil for it, Amarjit Batra, CEO, OLX.in, said in a statement: "Kapil Sharma personifies humour in India, and that resonates strongly with OLX's style of messaging. The brand association between OLX and Kapil Sharma for this TVC was seamless as both have risen recently to become strong brand names that are loved by people and have become a part of their daily lives."

Conceived by advertising agency Lowe Lintas, the ad portrays Kapil as a juicer in the kitchen of a woman who has not used the juicer in years.

Kapil as the juicer, urges the woman to either use him or sell him off on OLX. On being tagged as 'useless' by the owner, Kapil (as the juicer) retorts that in his current state, he is 'used-less' and not 'useless'.

"Since Kapil Sharma is hugely popular, our challenge was to ensure that he looks and sounds different in this TVC while retaining his core essence. So, we came up with the idea of Kapil as a product. The balance between Kapil Sharma the person, and Kapil Sharma the product was critical," said Shayondeep Pal, group creative director, Lowe Lintas.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan seems to be fed up with questions on his rival Salman Khan and says he is bored of it now.

When asked whether Salman ever gifted him a painting as he is a better painter, Shah Rukh said: "It's an old question now and we have hugged each other and we are friends. It's been too many years now that you all are asking me the same question ... I am bored now."

The actor also took a dig at Aamir Khan starrer PK film's poster at the announcement of the Got Talent World Stage Live.

When the host of the show Mini Mathur asked Shah Rukh if he wanted to show his hidden talent under his belt which was not known to the people yet and he wanted to show the world, SRK said: "Now it's getting vulgar...show the world what you have under the belt (laughs)...muje aisa laga PK poster ki baat kar rahe hai hum."

When a reporter asked whether Shah Rukh has seen Aamir's talent by shedding his clothes on PK poster, SRK said: "Idhar talent bola teek hai but isse talent mat bolna."

Aamir Khan's PK poster shows the actor in the buff holding a radio.

Shah Rukh Khan, who has a huge fan following all over the world, says he has been given a lot more than what he deserves.

"It's been 25 years that I have been working... initially you want money, then fame, happiness for family, awards, rewards and no matter wherever you reach...you comeback to the core and realise only what you want is to bring smile on people's face," Shah Rukh told reporters here during the announcement of the Got Talent World Stage Live.

"I feel I have been given a lot more than what I deserve and I have to return it to them...I owe them. I want to be on sets and want to work harder ...Lights Camera Action...Ohhh shit he is gone," he said.

The actor, who is all set to host the show, says "when you feel that you are talented that's the end".

He says, "Even today when I go on the sets I get nervous before my first shot. The way to live life is not to know your talent."

The Got Talent World Stage Live will be telecast on Colors and be held at Andheri Sports Complex here Dec 6, 2014.

"Kick" superstar Salman Khan will take off for a three-day tour of Toronto from Aug 28 to promote Vinay Virmani’s big-ticket film "Dr. Cabbie".

The flash-decision to fly in Salman to Toronto post "Kick" was taken in a move to upstage the Toronto International Film Festival which starts on Sep 4.

"Dr. Cabbie", directed by Jean-Francois Pouliet was to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. But with a clutter of Hindi films being screened at the festival this year, the Toronto-based actor Vinay and his entrepreneur-dad Ajay Virmani have decided against screening "Dr. Cabbie" at the festival.

Instead, they have decided to steal the Indian thunder at the Toronto International Film Festival by inviting Salman, the official producer of "Dr. Cabbie" to Toronto.

While details of Salman’s activities in Toronto during his three-day visit are being kept a secret, sources have said that Salman would spend an extensive part of his time in Toronto interacting with Indian can drivers in Toronto.

“That’s what the film is about. It is about the adventures of a young taxi driver in Canada who moonlights as a doctor. Local cabbies would be sharing their experiences with Salman. It’s going to be three days of non-stop dhamaal (fun) with Salman and his Canadian fans," said a source.

Rumours are abuzz that Kangana Ranaut, who is riding high on the success of her last hit "Queen", has hiked her fee by 50 percent. The actress says she chose to hike her fees as she believes she deserves it.

The 27-year-old was present at the launch of the cover of Grazia magazine that features her. Here, on being asked about the reason to hike her fees, she said: "There is no particular reason. I have been working for the last seven years and analysing whatever I have earned till date in this profession, I think I deserve and so I am demanding money.

"I don't think I am not worthy of that kind of fee. So that is my personal decision."

Kangana made her Bollywood debut with 2006 release hit "Gangster" and since then featured in a number of films and won numerous awards and accolades. Currently, she has almost three films in her kitty. Her last releases were "Queen" and "Revolver Rani".

Vinod Rathod credits Kishore Kumar for influencing him in his life. As a tribute to the late singer-composer on his birth anniversary Aug 4, the singer is going to dedicate his new album “Mera Pyaar” to him. The album will have a special song in remembrance of the legend.

Rathod will launch the album during his own birthday month in September, and it will be written, composed and sung by himself.

“There is an album that I am doing titled 'Mera Pyaar' which is written, composed and sung by me only. That album is going to release during my birthday time which is Sep 12. This I think will be first time that any Bollywood singer will play tribute to Kishore-da thorugh his album,” Rathod told IANS from Kolkata.

“Kishore Kumar's birth anniversary is day after tomorrow (Aug 4) so I will be in Khandwa, the birth place of late singer, that time. I am planning to launch the album for my friends in India and world who were waiting for my songs from years. There will be 20 to 24 songs and a special song dedicated to Kishore-da,” he added.

The singer also shared few lines of the song - "Kaash mere pankh hotey, milney aata aapse...sur bhi leta, laye bhi leta...gyaan paata aapase (I wish I had wings so that I could have come to meet you to take lessons in tune and rhythm).

Rathod is popular for giving playback in films including "Deewana", "Khalnayak", "Mission Kashmir" and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai". He has crooned "Kitaabein bahut si...", "Nayak nahin Khalnayak hun main..." and "Koi na koi chahiye..."

He was in the capital Friday night to perform at an event held in remembrance of the 75th birth anniversary of composer R.D. Burman, fondly known as Pancham-da.

An initiative of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event witnessed a full-house as people from all walks of life gathered at Talkatora Stadium to relive the music of Bollywood's golden era.

Actors Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh are undergoing workshops together for Ramesh Sippy's new directorial "Shimla Mirchi", which also stars veteran actress Hema Malini.

"Ramesh Sippy sir has been taking workshops for Rakul and I. Rakul is shooting in the south, so every weekend we have a workshop. It's a very unusual film a light-hearted comedy so we have to make sure about how we look together on screen," Rajkummar told IANS.

Rakul made her Bollywood debut with "Yaariyan", which Rajkummar is yet to see.

"But I have seen her advertisements, she is outstanding," he said.

Meanwhile, Rajkummar is excited about sharing the screen space with senior actress Hema in the film, the story of which is reportedly about how a single mother (Hema) and her daughter (Rakul) fall in love with the same man.

"This is for the first time I am working with a senior actress. I am extremely excited to share the screen space with Hema Malini," he said.

The new season of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC) was launched Saturday in a grand style by Bollywood megastar and its host Amitabh Bachchan in the India's diamond city, which reportedly has the maximum viewership for the game show.

Organised at Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre - a 7,000 seat auditorium, the venue was jam-packed as the programme kicked off with inimitable comedian Kapil Sharma whose one liners tickled the guests.

Entertaining as always, he welcomed Big B on stage who came with dancers grooving on his hit numbers like "Pyar humein kis mod pe le aayaa", Sara zamana" and "Main hoon Don" playing and interspersed with his famous dialogues.

"Nobody will go empty handed from the show. We will win hearts," said Amitabh, who sported blue jeans, a cream jacket and a shirt.

"If people are capable, they will go with a big prize," he added.

It also saw some stars like Meiyang Chang and the cast of hugely successful shows of Sony Entertainment Television.

With the theme of touching the heartstrings of the people, the new season will go live Aug 17 on Sony Entertainment Television.

This time the prize money is Rs.7 crore, and Big B tagged it "Kaun Banega Mahacrorepati".

The 71-year-old had changed the history of Indian television by associating with it since its first season in 2000. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan had hosted it for one season.