Pakistan’s leading designer Maria. B has come up with a collection of bridal and formal wear for the forthcoming wedding season.

Inspired by the elegance and grandeur that is characteristic of Pakistani weddings, the new collection presents a fusion of modern and traditional bridal fashion.

“For the upcoming wedding season, we are introducing a new line of bridal wear and formal wear that features elegant and feminine clothing for the modern bride-to-be. The new collection is a fusion of eastern and western bridal fashion which is currently on trend internationally and which we anticipate will be popular locally as well,” the designer said in a statement.

“The designs provide diversity of choice for their Mehndi, Barat and Walima ceremonies with ensembles consisting of full-length gowns, A-line shirts with lehengas and short frocks and straight shirts with cigarette pants among others,” she added.

The new line features the use of a subtle colour palette comprising pastels and fresh tones, and features intricate embroidery in a luxe range of sheer fabrics consisting of net chiffon, pure jamawar and raw silk.

For bridal wear specifically, the brand has made use of unconventional embellishments such as foil printing and tissue and jamawar appliques to create a distinct aesthetic.

The new collection will be available for custom order through our Bridal Studio in Lahore and online through email orders.

Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha along with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh will attend the premiere of their forthcoming film "Entertainment" in London Aug 8.

The Wave World Kabaddi League (Wave WKL), the first international Kabaddi league, will host the premiere of the Tips Entertainment movie at Imax Cinema on the eve of the extravaganza's inauguration.

The event will also see the presence of actress Tamannaah Bhatia among other officials.

"Entertainment" is a Bollywood slapstick comedy film directed by debutant duo Sajid-Farhad and produced by Ramesh S. Taurani of Tips Industries Ltd and Jayantilal Gada. The movie is named after a Golden Retriever dog who plays a key character.

Excited about the international premiere of his new film, Akshay said in a statement: "My fans have always appreciated my comic characters. I am delighted to announce the premiere of my new comedy film 'Entertainment'.

"The movie has rib-tickling sense of humour and will surely makes all fans come out smiling from the theatres. I am thankful to Wave WKL for hosting the premiere of the film. Also I urge all my fans to support my Kabaddi team Khalsa Warriors."

The Wave WKL officials are confident that "Akshay's magic will bind a spell on the audience and make both the movie and the Wave WKL a great success".

The sports extravaganza will start Aug 9 and will be held till Dec 13 during which various national and international Kabaddi players will be seen in action via eight franchises.

Designer Sayantan Sarkar will showcase a collection inspired by the Kokeshi dolls of northern Japan at the forthcoming winter-festive edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).

"This collection brings together an interplay of cultures and traditional techniques. Japan’s popular doll motifs and shibori dyeing is infused with traditional Jamdani weave and Indian block print along with a liberal measure of zardozi embroidery to fuse in the Indian ethos,” the designer said in a statement.

The designer has worked around the Jamdani weave with Kokeshi doll motif and Indian block prints has been fused on shibori-dyed fabrics in structured and layered silhouettes.

“The concept of bringing together traditional techniques of weaving and printing in a not-so-regular pattern is essentially done to cut across the contemporary boho silhouette adding in an element of quirk,” said the designer.

The colour story comprises tones of indigo, charcoal-gray, tangerine-orange and shades of off-white while hints of sunflower-yellow act as refreshing accents.

A collection for men and women on fabrics like cotton mul, linen and jamdani transform the designer's vision to reality.

With "Shahid" and "Citylights", Rajkummar Rao is being touted as one of the more talented actors of contemporary Indian cinema. He is, however, disturbed by the fact that people consider him only for "serious" roles, and says he is keen to play an action hero and a die-hard romantic too.

In a tete-a-tete, the young "Love Sex Aur Dhoka" actor has spoken about his career, his hopes and his projects.

Excerpts:

Q. Suddenly every filmmaker wants a piece of you, so much so that you had to opt out of Rajkumar Gupta's adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's "Revolution 2020"?

A. Yes, that's very unfortunate. I am a big fan of Chetan Bhagat's writing and was looking forward to being in another screen version of his fiction after 'Kai Po Che!'. Sadly, I had to opt out because the dates clashed with Ramesh Sippy-ji's film which I was committed to do for a long time. Anyway, no regrets. I am sure there will be many more novels by Chetan Bhagat going into cinema.

Q. You are all set to dance with Malaika Arora Khan in "Dolly Ki Doli"?

A. Yes, I am really looking forward to that. Not too many people in the film industry know this. But I love to dance. They think of me as this serious actor who wouldn't be caught having fun on his feet. But friends now how I freak out when the music blares. Sajid-Wajid have composed a really wicked track. I can't wait to get into the groove.

Q. You were praised to the skies for "Citylights"?

A. Yes, the critics were kind. I take some seriously, some not so seriously. But I know the mistakes that I made in "Citylights".

Q. After "Shahid" and "Citylights", your career has gone into a different league?

A. I have to admit these two films have changed my career. There was also 'Kai Po Che!'. I think these three films gave me a commercial credibility beyond recognition. I also began to see and like myself on the posters. Yeah, I've become a poster boy.

Q. Would you consider "Shahid" a turning point in your career?

A. I think Dibaker Banerjee's "Love Sex aur Dhokha" (LSD), Hansal Mehta's "Shahid" and Abhishek Kapoor's "Kai Po Che!" ... these three were decisive.

Q. How do you regard the increased volume of recognition that you get from audiences?

A. I have to admit it has increased. That has a lot to do with "Kai Po Che!", "Queen" and the National Award for "Shahid". I accept the recognition humbly.

Q. I believe you've decided not to do supporting roles?

A. Yes, "Queen" and now "Dolly Ki Doli" would be the last of my supporting roles. I am consciously trying not to do smaller parts. I will only do leading roles now. But if someone offers me "Satya", I'd agree to play Bhiku Mhatre instead of the title role. Fortunately, no one is offering me supporting roles.

Q. Do you get time and space to be Rajkummar Rao?

A. Ha ha. The last two years I've been completely consumed by my characters in "Shahid" and "Citylights". So yes, it's been a while since I met Rajkummar. But it's okay. I am not missing him. I am just coming out of my character in "Citylights". And I'm missing him. It's like going on holiday with a friend, spending every waking hour with him and then not seeing him after the holiday ends.

Q. Do you miss being with yourself?

A. Work is more important than my own space. I am happy I am getting the kind of roles I want. I think I will take time off for myself before I start shooting for my next film.

Q. You've done so many serious films, do you want to do some hero-panti?

A. I'd love to bash up 20 people, dance and romance beautiful girls. I've no inhibitions about playing any character. But the script should make sense to me.

Q. Okay, "Citylights" or "Shahid", which is your favourite?

A. Very tough to say. I give all of myself to all my characters. Even the s***bag I played in "Ragini MMS". Both my characters in "Shahid" and "Citylights" are heroic. I am in Hindi cinema at just the right time. Five years ago, I wouldn't have got a "Shahid" or "Citylights". To me, my character, the story and then the producer -- these are the three aspects I look into before I accept an offer.

Actress Rani Mukerji feels that a film should be judged on the basis of its content instead of its lead character.

As her forthcoming film "Mardaani" narrates the guts and glory of a female police officer, it is tagged as a women-centric drama. But Rani begs to differ.

"I feel the term women-centric is a bit strange. We don't call a normal film male-centric. It is either a good film or a bad film. The content should be the king," the actress told reporters at the unveiling of "Mardaani" anthem here.

"There are many love stories in which women had strong roles, but the females were not the protagonists. Just because the female protagonist is playing the title role, the mindset is such that people call it a women-centric film. Yash Chopraji has directed so many films where women had a strong role," said Rani, who is married to late Yash Chopra's son Aditya.

Her "Mardaani" has been produced under Yash Raj Films and it is coming out Aug 22.

Meanwhile, Rani feels the audience would be able to connect to the theme of the movie.

"We have made the film with heart and we all feel it's a relevant subject," she said.

Shahid Kapoor, who loves his hair and is also known for his different hairstyles, knew that going bald for his look in Haider would cost him greatly. But still he agreed to go bald because it was necessary for the script.

Vishal Bhardwaj also asked him to grow a beard for the film. Again, Shahid agreed. However, after saying a yes to all the challenges of going bald and sporting a beard, for three months he had to sit at home.

The reasons behind that were initially, the look for Haider had to be kept under wraps till Vishal Bhardwaj felt it would be right for him to go public with it. And secondly, Shahid had to wait for his hair to grow back so that he could start working on his next movie. Going bald did come with its fair share of challenges for Shahid Kapoor.

Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan who makes his big Bollywood debut with Disney & Anil Kapoor Film Company's Khoobsurat, the country's first official Disney romance is already feeling much at home as he kickstarts the film's promotions in India,courtesy the Kapoor family hospitality.

Says Fawad , "I have to say that Anil Kapoor sahab, Rhea and Sonam have treated me like family and have really looked after me here. Sonam especially was very sweet and accommodating. If my sugar was low, she would go herself, get something for me even though she could have asked 10 people around her to get it, but that shows how they cared for me as a family. I was in an alien environment with new people and you do get conscious. But they all made me really comfortable.”

Bringing sexy back, the mysterious and broody actor has garnered an unprecedented female fan following if the Khoobsurat facebook page is anything to go by.

Fawad was the topic of discussion as female fans took to the page showering effusive praises on the actor within the first 48 hours of the launch of the Khoobsurat campaign.

While Sonam will essay the role of fresh faced, charming and effervescent Milli, an endearing misfit in a royal setting, , Fawad Khan, will reprise the role of a straight jacketed royal prince in this romantic-comedy.

Daisy Shah was signed for the film Spark as the lead, directed by V K Singh, from which she allegedly walked out halfway after she was signed opposite Salman Khan in Jai Ho. Now the makers of Spark are upset with her that she is not keen on considering their request to promote their film.

Director V K Singh claims that Daisy has started to shoot for their film before she was approached for Jai Ho and she had completed a song, “She was cast as the lead actor, but she backed out of my project just because she got a film starring Salman Khan. I replaced her with Subhashree Ganguly as the lead then,” says the director.

Director is annoyed that Daisy isn’t helping makers promote the song in which she did an item number and is retained in the final cut, director further adds, “Now she is not even considering our request to promote the item song she has shot, initially, she had said that she will do so, but only after Jai Ho releases. Now she is backing out on all her promises”

The Other Side

Daisy Shah however decline these claims, she says, “I was playing the lead in the movie, and they had not figured out the male lead at that time. After the shoot (of the song), Jai Ho started, and they could not wait for me, so they went ahead with the film,”

About the song of the film spark, featuring her, she further adds, “I am upset that they are calling it an item song. It was a situational song according to the script. But they are using it for publicity now. I wouldn’t promote(the film) or get associated with the people who have their own selfish motives”

Wave World Kabaddi League (Wave WKL), first international Kabaddi league, will host the premiere of Tips Entertainment upcoming, Akshay Kumar starrer, Entertainment. The film will have its World Premiere in London at Imax Cinema on the eve of Wave WKL inauguration, on August 8, 2014. The event will see attendance of film star cast, Akshay Kumar; Tamannah Bhatia; United Singhs franchisee co-owner, Sonakshi Sinha; Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister-Punjab and President, Wave WKL; Mr. Pargat Singh, Commissioner, Wave WKL; Mr. Raman Raheja, CEO, Wave WKL; Wave WKL Franchisee Owner & Bollywood Actor, Mr Akshay Kumar; Mr Monty Chadha, Managing Director, Wave Group, Title Sponsor, Wave WKL, filmmakers and members of the voice cast in attendance for red carpet media interviews.

Excited about the international premiere of his new film, Akshay Kumar said, “My fans have always appreciated my comic characters. I am delighted to announce the premiere of my new comedy film ‘Entertainment’. The movie has rib-tickling sense of humour and will surely makes all fans come out smiling from the theatres. I am thankful to Wave WKL for hosting the premiere of the film. Also I urge all my fans to support my Kabaddi team Khalsa Warriors.”

“We are looking forward to hosting the premiere of Entertainment. I wish the entire team of Entertainment for the premiere and wish them for a splendid success. Akshay Kumar is a sport enthusiast, he has partnered with Wave WKL. London is home ground for his team, Khalsa Warriors. I am confident that Akshay Kumar’s magic will bind a spell on the audience and make both the movie and the Wave WKL will be a great success.” said Mr. Raman Raheja, CEO, Wave WKL.

Wave WKL is set to kick off from today i.e. 9 August to 13 December 2014 and will see various national and international Kabaddi players in action through 8 franchisees. The league will follow the Formula 1 touring sports format and will be played across 4 continents. Wave WKL aims to become the go-to brand when it comes to sports entertainment or delivering value to its partners and sponsors. Wave WKL as a brand embodies strength, power, agility, tactic, entertainment, masculinity and aggression. It is taking an indigenous Indian sport to the world and redefining it for the Indian audience.

It gives Kabaddi a ‘gladiatorial’ persona and adds loads of spunk and aura. We need to vie for a niche currently occupied by well-established sports like soccer and cricket. Our visual identity, tone and texture is global and aspirational.

If Rani Mukerji will be seen kicking, slapping and punching criminals as a police officer in "Mardaani", Ajay Devgn will also be seen doing similar things in his forthcoming release "Singham Returns". But the actress says it's unfair to compare the two films.

When asked whether the release of "Singham Returns" before "Mardaani" -- both being cop-dramas -- would impact her film, she said: "He (Ajay) is a huge star and the film is a huge franchise. I have seen 'Singham' and I loved it."

"Ours is a very small film and it's a small effort for all women. 'Mardaani' should not be compared to 'Singham Returns', which is a huge film."

If reports are anything to go by, Kareena Kapoor has expressed a desire to play a police officer on the big screen.

And Rani too feels that "Kareena will make a fantastic cop. There is lot of scope in this industry to play different roles".

Rohit Shetty's action thriller "Singham Returns" is coming out on Aug 15, while "Mardaani" is scheduled for an Aug 22 release.

"I hope everybody likes this film. The film has got an A-certificate and it is a very relevant film. I feel if you have a daughter, you must teach her karate and martial arts. Self defence is important."

Pradeep Sarkar has directed "Mardaani", which is his first film after the 2010 flop movie "Lafangey Parindey".

Talking about the gap, he said: "I take time to make films. It's difficult to get good story. It takes time to find a good subject."

Superstar Salman Khan, who became popular as Prem thanks to his characters in Sooraj Barjatya’s films like “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Hum Saath-Saath Hain”, is now celebrating 20 years of their blockbuster hit film “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”.

The musical family drama that released on this day in 1994 was hugely successful, with a star cast including Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher, Mohnish Behl, Renuka Shahane, Reema Lagoo and Alok Nath.

Anupam tweeted: "Happy 20th birthday to one of my most successful and cherished films - HUM AAPKE HAI KAUN. Thank you Sooraj for making this classic."

Salman and Barjatya are celebrating its success on the sets of their new film, which is titled “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, said a statement.

The two are currently shooting for the upcoming film in Karjat, Maharashtra.

Salman and Barjatya are working together after a gap of 15 years in “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”. They last joined hands for multi-starrer “Hum Saath-Saath Hain”, which also featured Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu and Sonali Bendre.

Veteran actor Om Puri, who shot with Helen Mirren in the French town of Albi for Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom’s "The Hundred Foot Journey", says he was very impressed by the location and his lovely leading lady - and even went down on his knees for her.

"I rented my own apartment in Albi where I did my own cooking. When Helen Mirren arrived for shooting, I invited her home for dinner along with the rest of the crew. I cooked an Indian meal for them. When she arrived, I fell on my knees in front of her and confessed I was a fan. Helen laughed, made me stand up, hugged me and said she also admired my work," Om told IANS on the phone from Albi.

Om is simply bowled over by Mirren and is ecially impressed by her generous spirit.

"She is such a great actress and so devoid of any vanity. I had a great time shooting with her. The one saving grace of my troubled life is that when I start to work I forget all my problems," he said.

As for his own experience during the shoot, Om said: "I was so happy to be here in Albi. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I’m very proud of what we achieved in this film. I think my country will be proud of me."

“That at my age I get such pivotal roles in international projects proves I must have done something right,” he added.

Television star Gurmeet Chowdhary is being packaged as the first true-blue action star of Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatts’ production house. He is said to be gearing up to perform some daring stunts in "Khamoshiyan" a la Hugh Jackman.

“Gurmeet is like a one-man army in 'Khamoshiyan'. He will be presented as a larger-than-life invincible force. So far the heroes in Bhatts’ films - Emraan Hashmi or Randeep Hooda or Shiney Ahuja, were never shown to rip off their shirts in rippling glory. Gurmeet will be marketed by Vishesh Films as Bollywood’s own Hugh Jackman," said a source

"Elaborate stunts would be part of the narrative for the first time in a Bhatt film," the source added.

Gurmeet fights shy of commenting on his looks and presentation in "Khamoshiyan".

“Mahesh Bhatt sahab has tweeted my picture with blood on my face. So you can guess what kind of a role I have. With the kind of physique and image that I have, doing stunts comes naturally to me," he said.

He can’t stop raving about his film’s producers.

“The experience of working with the Bhatts is everything I had hoped for. It’s something I’d never forget. I'm indebted to the Bhatts for life...just as I am indebted to Ramanand Sagar-ji’s family for giving me my first break on television. Some things you never forget. You shouldn’t forget."

Gurmeet feels his movie debut is just right.

“I couldn’t have hoped for a better film debut for a better banner. I’ve shot with for 'Khamoshiyan' for about 20 days, and I feel the same surge of excitement that I did when I started on television. Mahesh Bhatt saab is on the sets to guide us because we’re a new team. I feel blessed. Right now my complete focus is on getting it right in 'Khamoshiyan',” he added.

Acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has been chosen to receive the Raj Kapoor Smriti Award from the Maharashtra government for his contribution to Indian cinema.

The filmmaker is honoured by the award, which will be conferred Aug 12 at a ceremony.

“Thank you to each one of you for the congratulatory messages you sent. I accept this Maharashtra State honour bestowed on me, in all humility," Bhandarkar tweeted.

The recent award has added another achievement to Bhandarkar's credit. He has so far received four National Awards for his films “Chandani Bar”, “Page 3”, “Fashion” and “Traffic Signal”.

The filmmaker is now busy making his next film “Calendar Girls” based on lives of models who feature on special calendars.

Actress Tanuja and Marathi actress Uma Bhende will be conferred with the Lifetime Achievement honour at the Raj Kapoor Smriti Awards.

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who has delivered blockbusters galore in Bollywood and who is currently awaiting the release of "Singham Returns", doesn't believe in taking success for granted and so continues to put in his "100 percent" to his films.

The director of films like "Golmaal" series, "Singham", "Bol Bachchan" and "Chennai Express" has a pulse of the audience's taste.

Does that put an additional pressure on him to surpass the success of his previous films?

"No, it is not about the pressure," Shetty said here.

"It is the approach that matters the most. You cannot take your success for granted. After 'Chennai Express', when we were writing 'Singham Returns', we knew the pressure. Today, that is why I am not nervous.

"See, I don't know the fate of the film and I can't boast of the business. But whether the film is a hit or a flop on Friday, my honesty will be there. When I sit with my team in my office, I would feel that 'Yes, we gave our 100 percent to the film'. The rest is up to the audience," he said.

Starring Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, "Singham Returns" is releasing Aug 15 on Independence Day.

Two decades since the release of Sooraj Barjatya's hit family drama "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!", Karan Johar says it was the movie which made him decide he wanted to be a filmmaker.

"#20YearsOfHAHK ....the movie that made me want to make movies!!!! @MadhuriDixit @BeingSalmanKhan and the man himself #SoorajBarjatya," Karan tweeted Tuesday.

The film, about love and family, starred Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles.

Congratulating the film's team, Madhuri tweeted in a stylish fashion: "Wah wah Soorajji, picture kya banayee!Rajshri aur parivaar ko badhai hobadhai #20YearsOfHAHK unforgettable memories."

A bout of nagging cold led Ayushmann Khurrana to have strange dreams - about late star Guru Dutt.

"Overslept with nagging cold, dreamed about Guru Dutt saab, & offended him with a stupid joke. Couldn't apologise in my dream, so, sorry sir," tweeted the "Vicky Donor" actor.

On the big screen, Ayushmann was last seen in "Bewakoofiyaan".

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty finds it amusing to know the various rumours doing the rounds about his next project. He says so far he has only signed Shah Rukh Khan for the new film.

"There are so many films I am doing, according to reports in the media. Some are saying that I am doing a remake of 'Angoor', some are saying it is 'Hum' and now you are saying it is 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi'. And there is also a 'Punjab Express'.

"So as per the reports, I am doing as many as nine films with Shah Rukh. I'd like to put all rumours to rest and say that only Shah Rukh has confirmed for my next film. No one else has been roped in as of now. The pre-production for the film has already started and it will go on floors next year," Shetty said here.

The "Chennai Express" director is currently awaiting the release of "Singham Returns" on Independence Day Aug 15.

The forthcoming edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) will see the best of hair fashion on the runway with a one-of-its kind ‘Show Stopping Hair’ collection.

Conceptualized and crafted by Lakmé Salon experts with international hair stylist Winnie Loo, and styled by designer Little Shilpa, the show promises to be one of the most exciting launches in hair fashion in the country, said a statement.

With the philosophy of “Hair is Fashion”, Lakmé Salon will present a collection across three themes: ‘Illusion’, ‘Metamorphosis’ and ‘Moulin Rouge’, which draw inspiration from three different spaces; Alaska, postmodern Paris and romantic Paris.

'Illusion' is a playful fusion of colours, resulting in a desirable look of mystery and wonder, while 'Metamorphosis' showcases the binaries of hair textures, ranging from straight to curly, and short to long. It displays the transition of hair textures and length.

'Moulin Rouge' is a modern take on ‘classic elegant’. From bouffants to waves, the collection strikes a balance between commercial and creative, thereby catering to a variety of hair lengths, personalities and professions.

Anita Advani, Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna's companion during his last years, is still waiting to get her hands on a copy of the actor's will as ordered by the Bombay High Court recently. She wonders what the actor's family is hiding from her.

On July 30, the Bombay High Court ordered that Anita can be given a copy of the will whose veracity she has disputed.

Rajesh Khanna's elder daughter Twinkle Khanna, from wife Dimple Kapadia, challenged the order favouring Anita.

Reacting to this, Anita told IANS: "I was supposed to get the copy of his will the very same day when we won the case...I don't know what are they hiding from me and not letting me have a look at it. It's very fishy. They knew I will be benefited. I was his live-in partner and I have all the rights."

Now Anita plans to challenge the order.

"I will fight for this and we are going to challenge the order and file a petition for revocation of the probate of Kaka-ji's (Rajesh Khanna's) will."

Rajesh Khanna died on July 18, 2012, leaving behind a will in which he had named his daughters Twinkle and Rinkie his legal heirs, and the former as his will's executrix.