Famed actor-director Aparna Sen Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the multi-crore-rupee Saradha chit fund scam.

Sen, who was the editor of a magazine brought out by the group, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate office here after being summoned by the agency which is probing the scam.

She was accompanied by her husband Kalyan Roy.

Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Textile Minister Shyamapada Mukherjee is also slated to appear before the agency for questioning during the day.

The first state minister to be questioned in the scam, Mukherjee has been summoned regarding the transaction of a plot of land with the Saradha group in 2009.

Actress Bipasha Basu says the remuneration disparity between actors and actresses will not change in filmdom, adding that she doesn't loose sleep over this anymore.

"Remuneration disparity is not going to change much," Bipasha, who is active in the Hindi film industry since 2001, told IANS.

"It's definitely going to remain the same because the kind of box office Salman Khan does may be a Katrina Kaif won't achieve that alone. It's just normal infrastructure and business, so I am not really crying about it," she added.

But at the same time she feels in terms of role, the situation is getting better for the actresses.

"I believe we are going to get a lot of space in the industry, and women would get to play a lot of role. I think it's going to change and at every age a woman would get an interesting role to play," said the 35-year-old whose right now looking forward to her next release "Creature 3D".

"Now the actress is not just an arm candy who sings and dances. It's getting better," she said and added that some of the recent women centric films were good.

Composer A.R. Rahman doesn't favour the trend of using songs in the background because he feels it affects its popularity.

In the 1970s filmmakers Basu Chatterjee would often force his songs into the background and some of the current directors like Shoojit Sircar and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra feel the same and avoid lip-sync songs in their films.

But Rahman begs to differ.

"A lot of my very good songs in films like 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Delhi 6' were used as soundtracks in the background. They were not used as lip-sync. So the reach of those songs was just 30 or 40 percent of what it was meant to be," said Rahman.

"Songs that are sung by major stars on screen get played in clubs and on radio. They make a psychological impact on the audiences' mind," he added

The Oscar winning composer is looking for a more prominent outlet for his creativity.

"One reason why I want to do music in young stories is because these films allow their actors to sing on screen," he said.

Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables 3” is set for Friday release in India and the Hollywood action star wishes “luck” to "Indian Rambo" Ajay Devgn and his new film “Singham Returns”.

The two films were supposed to hit the screens Aug 15, but the face off was avoided.

“I think we are releasing against the Indian Rambo in India. Best of luck to ‘Singham’ and Ajay Devgn,” the “Rambo” star said in a statement.

“The Expendables 3” will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, other than English, in India Aug 22.

"Singham Returns", on the other hand, has already minted Rs.53.14 crore in the first two days of its release.

Actress Rani Mukerji, now married to Yash Raj Films (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra, says that her next will be outside her home banner.

Her forthcoming release "Mardaani", which has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar, has been produced by YRF.

So, when asked whether she would star only in her home banner, Rani said: "No, not at all. My next film will be outside the YRF banner."

The actress, however, says that she wants to stick to acting and has no plans to be involved creatively with the production house.

"No, not at all. There are many capable people who take care of everything. Adi (Aditya) is at the helm and I don't think he requires anybody else. I don't want to produce or direct a film."

For the time being, Rani is busy promoting "Mardaani". The raw and gritty film will see her flaunting women power as Shivani Shivaji Roy, an officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch unit, when it comes out Aug 22.

Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman has announced the launch of an app for his fans to help them connect conveniently with him and his music.

Over 24 million Rahman fans across Facebook and Twitter will now be able to follow him through one interface called AR Rahman app.

The “Rockstar” composer will be able to engage directly with his fans via the app with exclusive content and merchandise.

Fans can either buy or complete challenges in the app to earn points to redeem against content and merchandise.

The app has been created in collaboration with Qyuki.com - an online multi-channel network founded by Rahman, Shekhar Kapur and Samir Bangara.

It is already live on iOS and Android.

“This Independence Day I wanted to thank my fans for their support by offering them a new and convenient way to stay in touch with me and my music. I am looking forward to a more engaging experience with my friends and well-wishers. Salaams to the motherland!” Rahman said in a statement.

Some of the key features of the app include a consolidated social feed including Twitter and Facebook posts made directly by Rahman, direct access to his videos as well as premium videos only available in the app and exclusive photos.

Veteran actor Om Puri, who recently underwent mouth surgery, says all is well now.

"It was a small surgery. I was in the hospital just for two days. Now, I am absolutely fine," he said.

On the work front, he was recently seen in Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom’s "The Hundred Foot Journey".

Bipasha Basu has spooked the audience by acting in horror films “Raaz” and “Aatma”. But she says her forthcoming film “Creature 3D” does not belong to the genre.

"It's the first Indian creature film and that was the most exciting part... also being done by Vikram Bhatt is great," she said.

"I really didn't know where we were going to head. We shot the entire film and it was completely on the basis of trust, Now 'Creature' has been made and it's looking exciting.

"Anybody who thinks it's a horror film doesn't have the right information. It's a film like "Jurassic Park" or "Anaconda". It’s action-oriented and adventurous film,” she said.

Also starring Imran Abbas, it is produced under the banner of T-Series and is slated to release Sep 12.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has finished shooting for R. Balakrishnan’s directorial “Shamitabh” and is ready to take up the next project.

“Shamitabh' hits the last day for me ... after a hard day on location several miles away from the city, they cheer for me as I leave ... to continue the next work and schedule on hand,” he posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com.

The movie, also starring Dhanush, marks the Bollywood debut of southern superstar actor Kamal Haasan's daughter Akshara.

Sridevi may be a Bollywood star, but she still cherishes her days spent in Chennai.

The capital of Tamil Nadu will celebrate its 375th birth anniversary Aug 22 and the actress, who featured in Tamil movies like “Muruga” and “Pagalil Oru Iravu”, took to Twitter to wish the people there.

“I cherish lots of memories attached with Chennai over the years and congratulate the people of this great city on its 375th anniversary,” she tweeted.

Singer Nakash Aziz, who grew up listening to A.R. Rahman's music, feels fortunate to work with him in the Hollywood venture "The Hundred-Foot Journey" and says the Oscar-winning composer has got a powerful aura around him.

The Mangalore guy has crooned "Afreen" for the film helmed by Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom and to a soundtrack composed by Rahman. And he is more than happy.

“Rahman sir has been kind enough to trust me with his work. I started with recording a sarod for 'Delhi-6'. I've been observing him. I've heard his songs right from 'Roja' to 'Lekar Hum Deewana Dil'. He is like a guru,” Aziz told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

The “Indian Idol” participant, who has sung three songs for Rahman, says the composer learned about his singing skills by chance.

“I never told him I am a singer. I thought he would figure out eventually. You can't tell him to do anything because he is Rahman. I don't think I am qualified to discuss music with him. Once he asked me, 'Have you sung 'Dhating naach?' I said yes. He said ok.

“I didn't have the courage to ask him if he has heard it because he has got a very powerful aura around him. I am lucky to be breathing same air as he is. It's a pleasure,” added the 29-year-old.

Aziz has sung for him for “Highway” and “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil” too and hopes he gets more opportunities.

But as of now, Aziz is happy about the fact that he is associated with a Hollywood film which boasts of names of biggies like Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, who have co-produced "The Hundred-Foot Journey” along with Reliance Entertainment.

“It was a surprising thing to happen. The names involved in the project are Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Rahman sir and then a small person like me. I feel blessed. If I meet Spielberg, I'll tell him that I sang for his film and that will be something really cool.

“I think he might be aware of my existence in this world now. That's the best thing that has happened to me,” he added.

Actress Taapsee Pannu will be the showstopper for fashion designer Gaurang Shah Friday here at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2014 edition.

Shah will unveil his latest Chitr-Sena line and Taapsee is more than happy to be his showstopper.

"I love Gaurang's work and admire his weaves. I was anxiously waiting for a chance to walk for him. I follow his collections and I have done lot of photoshoots for his line of handwoven saris and outfits. I love his innovations in lehenga and anarkali which are outstanding," Taapsee said in a statement.

Shah's collections give her a "royal feeling".

"I also wore lot of his saris. This will be a really special moment for me as I am walking for someone who I admire. The way he conducts his shows also speaks volumes about his idea of fashion," she added.

This will be the first time Taapsee will walk the ramp for the designer.

LFW will begin here Wednesday and conclude Sunday.

Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis has collaborated with ethnicwear brand Nakkashi for the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2014.

Announcing his association with the brand in Mumbai Monday, the celebrity designer said that his lines will be available at affordable prices all over the country via the brand.

"We have partnered with the brand Nakkashi. I just feel that every designer has a certain kind of growth in his career graph, so I feel it was the right time for me to partner with the brand that has penetrated into the deeper markets of every city," the designer said here.

"Nakkashi is special for me because 'Vikram Phadnis Label' from Nakkashi will be available all over at affordable prices. My pret, my diffusion and couture line will be available at Nakkashi," he added.

LFW will begin here Wednesday, and conclude Sunday.

Further, talking about his collection to be showcased at the fashion gala, Phadnis said will be "subdued and earthy" with lots of colours that will surprise the audiences.

"I am known for my colours and bling. This time I am going to surprise the audience by doing something really subdued and earthy. The collection is very understated. I have done a lot of gota and zardozi work. The colours I have used include beige, gold, maroon, emerald green and navy blue, which is something that I normally do not do.

"I have changed the colour wheel completely this time around. I am really happy with what has turned out. It was a challenge for me and Nakkashi supported me all the way through," he added.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan, who owns Jaipur Pink Panthers, a franchise of the Pro Kabaddi League, may do a full-fledged movie on the sport.

It may be too early to talk about the movie, but sources close to the project say it would be as inspirational a film about the game of kabaddi as "Chak De! India" was for hockey.

"Abhishek wants to make sure it's the perfect kabaddi film. He's on the lookout for the script," said a source.

For now, making kabaddi into a cool game is Abhishek's game-plan. Though he is committed to join his good friend Shah Rukh Khan on their global tour to promote their film "Happy New Year" September onwards, Abhishek is making the best of the time before the concert tours to promote his kabaddi team at matches all over India.

Abhishek makes sure he is physically present to cheer and motivate his kabaddi team, the Jaipur Pink Panthers.

"There is little point in associating with a team, no matter which game, unless you're physically present to motivate them," said Abhishek.

The star of parallel cinema, Om Puri, romanced Oscar-winning British actress Helen Mirren in the gastronomic love story "The Hundred Foot Journey". The movie has evoked good response and the actor says romantic films with older couples can be a good watch too.

"I feel even old people can do a nice love story, but here we don't make that kind of films. In the West, such films are being made and they make a nice romance, which is more like compassion," the 63-year-old said during a group interview.

Co-produced by DreamWorks Pictures, Reliance Entertainment and Oprah Winfrey, the culture-clash drama-comedy has been praised by international media as "a trip worth taking".

Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom has whipped up an eclectic cast for the "The Hundred Foot Journey", which also features Indian American Manish Dayal, Bolllywood actress Juhi Chawla, and Canadian actress Charlotte Le Bon.

A screen adaptation of Richard C. Morais' 2010 bestseller of the same name sees Mirren's and Puri's characters as rivals who eventually fall in love with each other.

The actor says the film is about "emotions and age."

"The film's story is about a French and an Indian restaurateur and their rivalry. It's also about French and Indian culture," he said.

"It's a wonderful film, a very warm film and it also has a parallel love story. It's a different love story, which starts with bitterness and anger and eventually ends in a warm relationship."

Puri, who has also been part of quite a few Hollywood films in the past, praises the industry for giving a bigger exposure.

Asked why actors are crazy about doing Hollywood films, he said: "Every person wants to stretch himself and widen his audience. Since Hollywood has got more exposure and is shown all over the world, it's obvious that every actor would want to do an English film and explore himself."

Meanwhile, Indian cinema too has undergone some positive change with actors like Irrfan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who are not conventionally good looking, winning accolades on the global arena.

Puri, who dared to dream cinema in the era dominated by actors like Amitabh Bachchan and tough to find a foothold with his pock-marked face, is happy with his accomplishments.

"I have no regrets at all. I have done quite well for myself. I didn't have a conventional face, but I have done well and I am proud of it," said the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) alumnus.

From "Ardh Satya" to "Maachis", from "Gupt" to "Hera Pheri", from "East is East" to "The 100 Foot Journey", the actor surely comes with a vast experience in Indian and international cinematic space.

If he is noted for his work on the silver screen, the National School of Drama pass out is equally active on the stage and admits that personally he enjoys doing theatre but prefers films for their wider reach.

"I personally enjoy theatre, but preferably I do films so that I can reach up to maximum audience. If you want to give a serious message, it will reach out to maximum people through films. But through theatre, you can hardly reach out to about 3,000 audience at a time," he said.

Members of the film fraternity have reacted to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) CEO Rakesh Kumar's arrest in an alleged bribery case saying the process is "politicised" and it's high time people with understanding of the craft are given the responsibility.

Kumar was arrested Monday evening. Before that, CBFC advisory panel member and an authorised agent for censor certification Shripati Mishra was arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs.70,000 for issuing a certificate to "Mor Dauki Ke Bihav", a regional film from Chhattisgarh.

Filmmakers reacted saying there's no reason to be shocked.

"I don't know why people are shocked. It's something we all know. This whole damn thing is politicised. People who have no love for cinema and those who have no fear are in this place. Let's not just blame the CEO for accepting bribe, there is a whole racket that's part of this game,""Hate Story 2" director Vivek Agnihotri told IANS.

The CBFC is a statutory body under the ministry of information and broadcasting to regulate public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.

Agnihotri feels there's no need for a body like this.

"We don't have any censor board in writing books and poems since a lot of money is involved. But we (cinema industry) have this whole damn system. Censor board should be abolished and we should have some Directors' Association or Producers' Association from the industry (with people) who understand the dynamics of cinema.

"There should be self-certification. This censor board thing is ridiculous. I'm very happy that this matter has come out and I hope this is abolished," he added.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said: "This man's (Rakesh Kumar) position itself was questionable. The whole guidelines that CBFC follows, that itself is outdated.

"Unfortunately, for years this has been happening - the same people from different government services are placed in this position and they have no idea about art. This is ridiculous. We have to rehash the whole thing, and the government needs to pay attention to this."

Director Ajay Bahl of "B.A. Pass" recalls having a pleasant experience with former CBFC CEO Pankaja Thakur.

"It's very unfortunate - whatever has happened, but I want to tell this when we were releasing 'B.A. Pass', Pankaja Thakur (former CBFC CEO) used to look after all this and she was very capable and had great understanding about cinema. So, I had quite a good time releasing my film.

"Whatever has happened is very unfortunate, but I can only say we should have people from art, literature, theatre, drama or from painting background at this place, and definitely not someone from a railway background," said Bahl.

Actor-producer Atul Agnihotri has another view.

"I have no issues with censorship. CBFC is an important government body and just because one person is wrong, it doesn't mean the whole system is corrupt. Now that this thing has come out, we can only hope there will be some implementation. I hope whoever is in this place (position of CBFC CEO), is aware of cinema and art," he said.

Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Returns” has struck gold at the box office and is marching inexorably towards the Rs.100 crore-mark.

It seems Shetty, known for giving hits like “Chennai Express”, the “Golmaal” series and “Singham”, is set to add one more blockbuster to his list of record-breaking movies.

"#SinghamReturns Fri 32.09 cr (crore), Sat 21.05 cr, Sun 24.55 cr, Mon 14.78 cr. Total: (Rs.) 92.47 cr nett. India biz," tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Starring Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, the movie released on Independence Day and has performed well overseas too.

The first weekend overseas collection was $2.4 million (approximately Rs.14.5 crore), read a statement.

The film is co-produced by Ajay Devgn Films, Rohit Shetty Productions and Reliance Entertainment.

Writer Shagufta Rafique, who is now all set to make her debut as a director, says she has been looking for the right star cast for her debut project but the stars are not interested in working with her.

"It's been a while now that I have been looking for a star cast. I went to a couple of stars with my script and they are not interested," Shagufta, who scripted hits like "Raaz 2" and "Murder 2" told IANS.

"Their mindset is different. I don't think stars want to work with me. I am looking for semi-established stars. I don't want to run behind people. I want to work with people who are interested in working with me," added the writer who started her journey as a bar dancer and then moved on to scriptwriting.

Tentatively titled "Rose", Shagufta's debut film will be produced by Pooja Bhatt and will go on the floors by October.

"My film is male oriented, It's an action thriller and both the actor and actress have to be fit as there are a lot of action scenes in it. I am beginning my career with violence," she said.

Writer Zeishan Quadri, who is debuting as a director with crime-based movie "Meeruthiya Gangsters", says he doesn't write films keeping the censor board in mind.

Quadri made it big as a writer with crime saga "Gangs Of Wasseypur", a film that was cleared with an A-certificate.

"I don't write films keeping censor board in mind. It doesn't bother me if my film gets an A-certificate, but my producers will be in trouble," he said.

"We lose the family audience because of A-certificate, but I feel now is the best time for filmmakers as each and every film has its own audience.

"I will be taking my film to the censor board in next two months and I hope by that time things are much more liberal and I get an U/A certificate," he added.

"Meeruthiya Gangsters" will come out Feb 20 next year and Quadri has shot almost the entire film in Meerut.

"The film is based on a real incident which happened in Meerut in 2011. I hope people appreciate my hard work. I have written the script myself and the script is very close to my heart," he said.

Days ahead of her next release "Mardaani", Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji Tuesday sought blessings at the famed Kalighat temple here for the film's success, and urged women to invoke the strength within themselves in the light of recent escalation in crimes against women.

Rani is now married to Yash Raj Films (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra.

"I am here to seek blessings from the goddess at the start of my new journey (her marriage with Chopra) and for my next film," she said.

Her forthcoming release, which has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar, sees Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta in a supporting role.

Revealing that the script deals with women's empowerment, the actress told reporters in Bengali at the temple, "There is a lot going on nowadays... I urge women to awaken the 'Mardaani' (the brave woman) within themselves and be brave and strong."

When asked by media persons about her plans for the Durga Puja, Rani said she was looking forward to the ritual of 'Sindoor Khela' where married women apply vermilion on one another on the last day of the festival.