Ranveer Singh: Deepika is someone I have grown close to

Ranveer and Deepkia are rumoured to have been dating for a while now.

Actor Ranveer Singh says that co-star Deepika Padukone is special to him, but at the same time maintains that they are "just friends."

"Deepika holds a special significance in my life. She is somebody I respect and admire a lot, somebody whom I have grown close to. She is an awesome person, she is somebody for whom I have great amount of admiration," Ranveer told PTI.

Since the time Ranveer and Deepika started working on romantic drama film Ram Leela, they have been often seen together and there are speculations about their relationship.

"We are friends. We go out and hang out. I go out and hang out with lot of other people as well, but they are not as famous as her... she is a very cool person to hang out with, I thoroughly enjoy her company. We hang out like any other youngsters who are friendly with each other. I have school friends, Arjun Kapoor... and assistant directors etc with whom I go out. I am protective about all my friends," he said.

The 28-year-old actor, however, said he is currently single and "ready to mingle."

On his comments during the time he was down with dengue that he was suffering from "loveria," the actor clarified, "I have said it before, that was a very stupid interview that I gave. That interview is invalid."

Ranveer said he had just come out of the hospital and was under heavy medication when he gave that interview. "I am usually a fun loving person and I say most of the things in a jest. Sometimes I get in trouble, but over a period of time, I think people now realise that most of the things I say are in jest. They are used to it," he said.

The actor said he does not want to change himself.

"I would be just the way I am. For me if you are a certain way, people are going to pass a judgement, so be the way you are," he said, adding that "...I don't like getting serious in any situation, I like to joke, I like to have fun and keep the atmosphere light and make people laugh."

Shahid Kapoor recently said he would not date an actress, but Ranveer does not share the opinion.

"I think it is good if you have a common ground, you understand each other's work and you have many things to talk about, common interest. I don't think there is any problem in that," he said.

Speaking of her first co-star Anushka Sharma, he said, "I did my first and second film with Anushka, so we used to work together, we used to get time to interact a lot. After that we haven't worked together, so we have drifted apart. But she is somebody who always holds a special significance in my life as she was my first heroine. She is somebody who taught me so many things as I was raw and new.... I genuinely believe she is one of the outstanding talents our industry has."

Commenting on his flamboyant image, he said, "I would want to be known for my films. It is not something that I do to get attention, it just happens. If I am in news for my films, my life would be much happier."

On the reports that at the recent wedding of Dharmendra and Hema Malini's daughter Ahana Deol, Ranveer thrashed a photographer who captured a picture of him with Deepika, the actor said the story was blown out of proportion.

"It is not true. We were all at a wedding reception and we were at a private party there... which was happening in a different enclosure. The person who was taking the photos was taking it without permission, he was not a wedding photographer, he was taking photos secretly. I told him it is not right, if you would ask for a photo I would not say no, but you are taking photos without permission," he said.

"I am 28 years old now and since the last seven years I have not beaten up anyone. I did not get wild but made him understood. There were security people around me, so there was no need to beat him up. I think it the story is made up to spoil my name," he added.

Inside Ahaana's fairytale wedding: Hema Malini dances, Dharmendra gets teary

Ahaana and Vaibhav got married on February 2.

If the guest-list of Ahaana Deol and Delhi businessman Vaibhav Vohra's big fat Bollywood wedding and their wedding reception in Delhi attended by BJP VIPs had you awe-struck, these videos from their sangeet and wedding will make you fall in love with love.

Life is a fairytale - Ahaana & Vaibhav Trailer created and shared by 'The Wedding Story' on their Facebook page captures beautiful candid moments from the couple's wedding celebrations.

Hennaed hands, lots of laughs, tears of joy and dances by bride's mother Hema Malini, still the Dream Girl of Indian cinema, aunt Madhoo and sister Esha Deol Takhtani will make you smile. "Bombay is gonna spin," an ecstatic Esha announces at the sangeet.

"Kanyadaan se bada koi dan nahi hota, aur bhagwaan ne iss daan ke badle humme bhaut kuch diya hai," says actor-turned-politician Dharmendra, the father of the bride, with tears in his eyes.

Taylor Swift's "Today Was A Fairytale" plays all through the second half of the video and we can't think of a better song.

Watch:

For Shah Rukh Khan, Farah crafts "one-legged moves"

SRK suffered some minor injuries on the sets of Happy New Year few days ago.

Filmmaker Farah Khan is thrilled to have Shah Rukh Khan back on the sets of Happy New Year and is trying to whip up some "one-legged moves" for the superstar.

Farah took to Twitter to share her excitement for the day.

"Exciting day ahead! Entire star cast of Happy New Year in a song starting today...will figure out some one-legged moves for Shah Rukh Khan. It may just start a trend," Farah posted on the microblogging site Friday.

The film also features Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Deepika Padukone.

Parineeti Chopra: Alia Bhatt and I went on Koffee With Karan to prove we are friends

Alia had earlier advised Parineeti to get some help for her dressing style on the show.

Parineeti Chopra and Alia Bhatt will soon be seen together on filmmaker Karan Johar's Koffee With Karan show and the former says that they agreed to appear together to bury all rumours of a tiff between them.

"We actually went on the show to tell everyone that there is no problem between us. She has been my friend even before (her) Student of the Year released and nothing has changed between us," the 25-year-old Parineeti said at a press meet for her film Hasee Toh Phasee that released on February 7.

Alia had earlier appeared on the show with actors Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan where she advised Parineeti to get some help for her dressing style.

Parineeti has no problems with her suggestion.

"She had genuinely like a friend said that Parineeti should be careful about her dressing style. We wanted to tell everyone there is no problem between us and that's why we went on that couch," she added.

Tom Cruise's lawyer dismisses $1 billion lawsuit

Tom Cruise in a still from Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Hollywood star Tom Cruise has been hit with USD 1 billion lawsuit for alleged copyright infringement.

Timothy Patrick McLanahan, who filed the suit in December, claims his script idea was stolen for 2011's film Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. He named Cruise, Brad Grey, Paramount Pictures and 10 others as defendants, reported Ace Showbiz.

In the document, screenwriter McLanahan claims he wrote a script titled Head On in 1998 and pitched it to the William Morris Agency, but he was told "that they could not use the script as a movie."

He alleged that his script was passed to Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents Cruise, and that was how they stole his idea.

"I immediately recognised that the scripts for this movie had been illegally written and produced from Head On's 1998 copyright," he claimed.

"Because the Ghost Protocol film generated close to USD 1 billion, I am asking for this amount in damages," he added. McLanahan, however, does not provide any examples of similarities in his lawsuit.

Cruise's lawyer Bert Fields has denied the accusation. "Tom Cruise has never stolen anything from anyone. This bizarre lawsuit against 13 people will be quickly dismissed by the court," he said.

Apple's Siri calls Scarlett Johansson 'beyond artificial'

Scarlett Johansson reveals she feels betrayed by the comment

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, who lent her voice to operating system named Samantha in the Oscar-nominated film Her, was recently dissed by Apple's Operating System - Siri.

"Her portrayal of artificial intelligence is beyond artificial," Siri said in a statement.

When Johansson was asked to comment on Siri's comment, the actress replied: "I feel like I've been betrayed. The other day I asked Siri how I looked and she said, 'You're the fairest of them all.' So, she's obviously playing both sides. What the hell? What a backstabber, man."

Johnny Depp wants The Rolling Stones to perform at wedding

Johnny Depp proposed to Amber Heard last year

Actor Johnny Depp is keen on having The Rolling Stones rock band perform at his wedding.

Depp, who is close to band member Keith Richards, is said to have asked him to perform and might even be joining him in the performance.

"The wedding plans are at an early stage. But the one thing Johnny does know is he wants Keith and the guys there. He might even ask to join them on a track or two," contactmusic.com quoted the 50-year-old as saying.

He had proposed to his girlfriend Amber Heard in December last year; however the date for their wedding has not been set as yet.

Dylan Farrow's brother defends Woody Allen

Dylan Farrow claims Woody Allen sexually molested her when she was seven

Moses, brother of Dylan Farrow who has accused her director father Woody Allen of sexually abusing her when she was seven, claims their mother has created the web of lies.

"My mother drummed it into me to hate my father for tearing apart the family and sexually molesting my sister," people.com quoted Allen's adopted son Moses as saying.

"And I hated him for her for years," he added.

Moses now believes his mother, actress Mia Farrow, was looking for revenge after learning of Allen's affair with her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, whom Allen went on to marry in 1997.

"I see now that this was a vengeful way to pay him back for falling in love with Soon-Yi," he said.

"Woody did not molest my sister. The day in question, there were six or seven of us in the house. We were all in public rooms and no one, not my father or sister, was off in any private spaces. My mother was conveniently out shopping.

"I don't know if my sister really believes she was molested or is trying to please her mother. Pleasing my mother was very powerful motivation because to be on her wrong side was horrible," Moses added.

Mia, who declined to respond to Moses's accusations, tweeted: "I love my daughter. I will always protect her. A lot of ugliness is going to be aimed at me. But this is not about me, it's about her truth."

According to Dylan's claims in the letter, when she was seven Allen took her to a "closet-like attic" in their home and sexually abused her. She then reported the issue to her mother, which resulted in Allen and Mia splitting up as a couple in 1992.

Allen has no plans to take anyone to court over the renewed accusations but is devastated by his daughter's open letter.

"Mr Allen has read the article and found it untrue and disgraceful," a representative of the 78-year-old had said.

Tom Sizemore says he made up story of affair between Bill Clinton, Liz Hurley

Tom Sizemore had once alleged that Bill Clinton asked him for Liz Hurley's number

Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore has taken back his allegation of an affair between his ex-girlfriend actress Liz Hurley and former US President Bill Clinton, telling Huffington Post that it was "the rantings of a guy that...had a very severe drug problem."

In an audio recording that was released on RadarOnline yesterday, Mr Sizemore appeared to admit to orchestrating a tryst in the White House between the-then President and the British model-actress. Mr Sizemore also appeared to allege that he was asked for Ms Hurley's number by Mr Clinton at screening of Saving Private Ryan in the White House in 1998, after which Mr Clinton allegedly sent a plane to fly Ms Hurley in.

Now, Tom Sizemore tells HuffPost he made the story up, saying "It's not true. I was never at the White House. I've never met Bill Clinton." He does not deny saying what he did on the recording but insists that what he said never actually happened: "I'm not denying that I said these things. I don't remember saying them, but it's an old video tape and they're the rantings of a guy...that had a very severe drug problem. Although I said it, none of it is true."

Mr Sizemore's lawyer told HuffPo that he had been contacted by an unknown woman who wanted $20,000 for the recording - which she claimed she was in possession of - before reducing the price to $6,000.

Tom Sizemore, who has also appeared in movies like Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down and Natural Born Killers, is believed to have dated Bedazzled star Liz Hurley for four years.

Brangelina wine sequel called 'mouthwatering'

The latest Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie sequel is being described as powerful and elegant

The latest Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie sequel is being described as powerful and elegant with a "mouthwatering finish."

These raves don't appear in movie publications - they're from Decanter magazine's review of the celebrity couple's second vintage of rose wine produced at their French Provencal estate, Chateau Miraval.

The 2013 Miraval goes on sale online on Friday and will be in shops and restaurants around the world next month. Decanter describes the Cotes de Provence rose as "charmingly pretty in color" with "a delicate structure that deepens through the palate."

The 2012 vintage, Pitt's and Jolie's first since buying the 500-hectare (1,200 acre) estate, was the highest-ranked rose on Wine Spectator's annual Top 100 wines list.

Around 200,000 bottles of the '13 will be sold for around 15 euros ($20) each.

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of our generation's best actors: Matthew McConaughey

Matthew has been nominated in the best actor category in this year's Academy Awards along with DiCaprio.

Actor Matthew McConaughey, who has been nominated in the best actor category in this year's Academy Awards along with Leonardo DiCaprio, has appreciated the latter's acting skills.

The two recently shared screen space in the Oscar nominated film The Wolf Of Wall Street.

"That guy's been doing work that's deserving of being in the conversation and of winning for some time. He's one of our generation's best actors," the Dallas Buyers Club star, who recently bagged a Golden Globe for playing and AIDS patient in the Jean-Marc Vallée directorial, said in a statement.

The biopic on Ron Woodroof, an AIDS patient, will release in India on February 28.

Tom Cruise allegedly sued for $1 billion over Mission: Impossible 4 script

Tom Cruise is being sued by a screenwriter

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise and his associates have allegedly been sued by screenwriter Timothy Patrick McLanahan who claims the script of the blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol was plagiarized from a script he wrote. The fourth film in the hit Mission: Impossible series starring Tom Cruise as secret agent Ethan Hunt made over $600,000 worldwide, making it the actor's highest-grossing film of all time.

According to a report on Radar.Online which has secured documents filed by Mr McLanahan to support his claim, Mr Cruise, Paramount Pictures, talent agency William Morris and various production companies are allegedly being sued for a sum total of $1 billion. Mr McLanahan filed the lawsuit in California on December 20, 2013, reports Radar Online.

Mr McLanahan alleges that Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, released in 2011, is based on a copyrighted screenplay he wrote in 1998 called Head On. He claims he sent his script to William Morris who told him it could not be made into a film but actually handed it around to several other agents including Tom Cruise's.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol featured Indian star Anil Kapoor among its cast, which included actors Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton, and was partly shot in Mumbai. There is a fifth film in the works.

Ethical concerns hit Oscar races

A still from the movie Blue Jasmine

Next week, about 6,000 Oscar voters will start casting ballots for their favorite films of 2013 and those who made them.

Will they make moral judgments as well as artistic ones with their votes?

That question and others erupted this weekend as a controversy emerged involving people and movies in the annual film awards race.

An open letter by Dylan Farrow, Woody Allen's adopted daughter, was published on Sunday in the column and blog of Nicholas Kristof, the columnist for The New York Times. In the letter, Farrow presented graphic details in her account of sexual abuse as a child by Allen.

Farrow challenged actors like Cate Blanchett and Diane Keaton to justify their decisions to work with him, as both have, or to celebrate him, as Keaton did at the Golden Globes in January, when Allen received a lifetime achievement award.

Her torment, Farrow wrote, "was made worse by Hollywood," adding that "all but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye." The letter suggests a callous indifference by film professionals now celebrating their accomplishments in a series of ceremonies leading up to the March 2 Academy Awards. And it lands as Allen's film Blue Jasmine enters the Oscar balloting that begins on Friday. He is nominated for best original screenplay, and Blanchett, the film's star, figures on many lists as the favorite for best actress honors.

The abuse claims go back to 1993, when Farrow's mother, Mia Farrow, fought with Allen over custody of three children, including Dylan. Last fall, Dylan Farrow spoke in detail about her claims of abuse in an interview in Vanity Fair. Allen, who was never charged with criminal wrongdoing, has denied the accusations, a position his lawyer repeated on Sunday.

In a separate blowup, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, on Saturday issued an emphatic defense of its decision to rescind a nomination for the song Alone Yet Not Alone, from a small, religious movie of the same title.

The Academy had been accused in a letter from an earlier Oscar winner, Gerald Molen, of opening itself to charges of bigotry against Christians, but insisted that the nomination was revoked only because the song's co-writer, Bruce Broughton, had abused his position as a committee member by emailing voters with a notice about his song.

Together, the two controversies are this year's contribution to an emerging insistence by many who watch the Oscar process, and some who participate in it, that Academy members should take into account moral, ethical and social factors when marking a ballot or enforcing the rules.

A year ago, Zero Dark Thirty, about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, was sharply criticized by public officials and some Academy members who believed that the film advocated the use of torture, or falsely suggested that harsh interrogation had led to Bin Laden's discovery.

The actor Martin Sheen, a prominent Academy member, was linked to a drive against the film's portrayal of torture, then publicly disclaimed the effort. The film had five nominations, including one for best picture, but received an award only for its sound editing.

Another kind of storm broke around Life of Pi, which drew pre-Oscar protests for supposedly underpaying its visual effects artists. Ang Lee still won the Oscar for best director.

By and large, Oscar voters are lucky if they can find time to see the nominated films, let alone sort through a court case or a secret military operation. But they, including actors, are increasingly being asked to do just that.

At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where she was honored Saturday night, Blanchett was asked about the Farrow letter by the Hollywood-Elsewhere.com reporter Jeffrey Wells on her way to an after-party. "It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family, and I hope they find some resolution and peace," she said.

A spokeswoman for Blanchett said she had no further comment. Keaton's agents did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We have had a long, productive and rewarding relationship with Mr Allen," Sony Pictures Classics, which released Blue Jasmine, said in a statement. "Mr Allen has never been charged in relationship to any of this, and therefore deserves our presumption of innocence."

Elkan Abramowitz, a lawyer for Allen, responded harshly to the new round of publicity. "It is tragic that after 20 years a story engineered by a vengeful lover resurfaces after it was fully vetted and rejected by independent authorities," he wrote in an email Sunday. "The one to blame for Dylan's distress is neither Dylan nor Woody Allen."

In summarizing the case, Kristof, who acknowledged being a personal friend of Mia Farrow and her son Ronan, wrote that "a panel of psychiatrists sided with Allen, a judge more with Dylan and her mother."

Oscar voters have occasionally used the awards to send a message about focusing on art, not behavior. That appears to have happened in 2003, when they named Roman Polanski best director for The Pianist, while Adrien Brody received an Oscar as its star and Ronald Harwood for writing its screenplay - even though Polanski was still wanted for sentencing on a statutory rape charge from more than 25 years earlier.

Asked to comment on Dylan Farrow's claims, an Academy spokeswoman wrote in an email, "The Academy honors achievement in film, not the personal lives of filmmakers and artists."

But Dylan Farrow, through her letter, now insists that accountability, at least as she sees it, be part of the package.

Philip Seymour Hoffman death: Four arrested on drug charges

Philip Seymour Hoffman, left, and Laura Linney in a scene from The Savages

Four people are in custody on drug charges after police executed search warrants at three apartments in New York City.

Police say undisclosed quantities of heroin and marijuana were found on Tuesday night in the apartments in a lower Manhattan building. They say three of the people lived in the building.

All four - three men and a woman - face charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Two of the suspects also face charges of criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Police wouldn't say why they had search warrants for the apartments. They say that "at this time," they aren't linking the arrests to their investigation into the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Hoffman was found dead on Sunday in his apartment with a syringe in his arm.

Is Angelina Jolie "sick with worry" over Brad's crush on Lupita Nyong'o?

Angelina Jolie attended the wrap party of Unbroken with Brad Pitt

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie was spotted looking very skinny at a party, which apparently shocked some of her fans.

When the 38-year-old actress was recently seen at Airlie Beach, Queensland, alongwith her partner Brad Pitt, 50, for wrap party for her latest film Unbroken, some of the fans thought she seemed too bony, reported Daily Star.

The actress was reportedly worried as Pitt is believed to have a crush on his 12 Years A Slave co-star Lupita Nyong'o.

"She had a bulging vein in her forehead and dark circles under her eyes. Her famous lips even looked thin. Everyone is talking about Brad's crush on his 12 Years A Slave co-star Lupita Nyong'o and she looked sick with worry," a source said.

When George Clooney was held at gunpoint

George Clooney reveals he was making a documentary in western Sudan

Hollywood superstar George Clooney has revealed he was held at gunpoint in Darfur while making a documentary in western Sudan in 2007.

The 52-year-old actor threw light on some of the experiences of his life and his upcoming film The Monuments Men in a new interview with Variety magazine.

"We got stopped in the middle of nowhere, where we shouldn't have been. A little 10-year-old kid came over with a Kalashnikov assault rifle to my head, basically wanted to get us out of the truck," Clooney said.

Following the terrifying encounter, the actor co-founded the humanitarian aid organisation Not On Our Watch with a few of his friends, including Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle, six years ago.

The actor revealed that the stars of The Monuments Men Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, and Jean Dujardin were paid very little of what they usually make in a movie.

"If you pay everybody a full boatload, it's a USD 150 million film. You just can't do it. Everybody worked for super cheap, like crazy cheap," he said.

Private funeral for Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was hailed as the finest character actor of his generation

Philip Seymour Hoffman's loved ones will say goodbye to the late Oscar-winning actor in a private funeral here.

The Capote star's funeral is set to take place at St Ignatius of Loyola Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan. The 46-year-old actor's family and friends, including a number of his famous co-stars, will also gather for a private wake at the nearby Frank E Campbell Funeral home, according to the New York Post.

Plans are underway for a memorial service later in the month, which will also be in New York.

"In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Phil's name to two charities that were very close to his heart: The DreamYard Project and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The family wishes to thank everyone for their continued support and good wishes," Hoffman's representative said.

Hoffman's long-term partner Mimi O'Donnell, who reportedly kicked him out of their house a few months ago in a bid to get him to seek help for their three children, Cooper, 10, Tallulah, seven, and Willa, five, was spotted arriving at the funeral home with the late actor's personal assistant to make arrangements for the services.

Lindsay Lohan "shaken up" after being barred from clubs

Lindsay had to face this after she claimed that her fur coat has been stolen.

Actress Lindsay Lohan has reportedly been refused entry in a number of nightclubs.

The 27-year-old is said to have been recently banned from New York clubs after a series of incidents including one where she claimed that her fur coat has been stolen, reports contactmusic.com.

"She stared the doorman down and was surprised that they wouldn't let her in. She was definitely shaken up," a source told Bang Showbiz. 

Sidharth Malhotra: My dark side has been explored in The Villain

Sidharth reveals The Villain is an intense love story

Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who will be seen in Mohit Suri's The Villain, says that the director has explored his dark side in the film.

"It's a typical Mohit Suri kind of a film. The Villain is a different film, it's an intense dark love story and there is a lot of action in it," said the actor who made his debut with Karan Johar's Student Of The Year.

"Every one has a dark side in them and Mohit Suri has explored the dark side of me in this film. He is the best person to explore my grey shade. It's a dark side to the film but it's essentially a love story," he added.

The Villain also features Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh among others.

Madhur Bhandarkar undecided on next project

Madhur Bhandarkar says he is working on three-four scripts at the moment

Contrary to the reports that Madhur Bhandarkar's next project is again a women-centric film titledMadamji, the filmmaker has said that he is still to decide upon his next venture.

"Nothing is decided yet about my next project. I have never said anything but it is you guys who have been saying that I am making such and such film," the filmmaker told reporters here at the wedding reception of RJ Siddharth Kannan.

"But I have not decided anything yet," he added.

There were reports that Bhandarkar, whose last film was Heroine, is searching for a leading lady for his film and was juggling between the names of Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan for the film.

However he dismissed it and said: "Right now I have three-four scripts which I am working on. I will soon decide upon one and announce as soon as possible."

How Nargis Fakhri lost three kilos in six days

Nargis was shooting for Main Tera Hero

Model-actress Nargis Fakhri has turned dietician for her upcoming film Main Tera Hero.

Nargis, who herself shed weight by going on a special juice diet, made her co-star Illeana D'Cruz try the same for one of the scenes in the film.

"I had a great time shooting in Bangkok. While I was there I always wanted to try a juice cleanse. I have heard and researched great things about giving your body a break from regular or junk food, so I decided to try a six day juice cleanse. I lost three kilos in six days," Nargis said.

She also said that seeing her diet course, Illeana got curious and she convinced her to try it. But she could do it only for one day, the actress said.

Main Tera Hero, a contemporary commercial Bollywood entertainer, features Varun Dhawan, Nargis Fakhri and Illeana D'Cruz.

Produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures, the film hits cinema houses on April 4.

On Abhishek's birthday, Amitabh Bachchan wants to be 'friend, confidante'

Big B and Abhishek have worked together in Paa and Sarkar Raj

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he wants to be a friend, companion and a never ending support to his son Abhishek, who turned 38 today.

The occasion brought many old memories to the mind of the 71-year-old actor.

"Abhishek just turned 38...! It is obvious cliche to start speaking suddenly of the day and moment he was born and what we were up to, of how he behaved when young, of his growing up, his days then to now, little incidents of nostalgic flavour," Mr Bachchan posted on his blog.

"Now it is best to be with him as an adult, a friend a confidante, a support, a companion... That is best what occurs to me, and shall ever remain," he further added.

Abhishek's last release Dhoom: 3 scripted history by becoming the first Bollywood film to gross Rs 500 crore across the world.

The actor will be next seen in Farah Khan's Happy New Year, that also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Boman Irani among others.

"Parineeti Chopra is a clown, can make you laugh 24 hours"

Parineeti in a still from Hasee Toh Phasee

Debutante filmmaker Vinil Mathew says that actress Parineeti Chopra has "amazing comic timing" and that is why he roped her in for Hasee Toh Phasee.

"The character which Parineeti is playing in the film is very tough. There is madness in the character and the actress playing the role needed to translate that madness on screen. Parineeti has that energy and her sense of comic timing is amazing. I thought she would be the right person who could pull off the role," said Mathew.

"She is a clown, she can make you laugh 24 hours. I wanted a cute actress whom the audience can relate and these qualities were there in Parineeti," he added.

The director, who decided to debut with the rom-com genre, says it's very challenging to make such films.

"Rom-com is a very tough genre. There are many rom-com films which have been made so you have to create something new which is different and challenging," he said.

Hasee Toh Phasee also features Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in lead. The film is slated for a Friday release.

Katrina Kaif welcomes move to target false claims in advertising

Katrina says advertisements should not be misleading

While the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) is planning to target companies and celebrities endorsing a product for any false claims in advertisements, Katrina Kaif believes it will make both the actor and brand more responsible.

"I don't know enough about it (the rule) but if that is the case, it is very good. It will enforce quality control and it's going to make the actor and the brand a little more responsible and careful in making a claim," the 29-year-old said here on Tuesday while unveiling a new hair care range by L'Oreal Paris.

"It's important, you should not mislead people. So if you are making a claim in an advertisement, hopefully your product should deliver that promise," she added.

The CCPC is planning to set up certain rules under which a distressed consumer can claim compensation from both the company and the celebrity endorsing a product.

Katrina says she has always been responsible while endorsing any brand.

"I think I have been very conscious throughout my career. I can't go back and remember every line of every ad I have done but I think in the most part I have been pretty conscious that we are not making a wrong claim. I am pretty confident with everything I do," Katrina said.

Katrina Kaif is the new face of the international brand L'0real Paris. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor are also the faces of the brand.

Amitabh Bachchan: Aaradhya introduced to writing on Saraswati Puja

Big B says Aaradhya scribbled on a slate

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that his two-year-old granddaughter Aaradhya was introduced to education and learning on Saraswati Puja.

The toddler was given a slate and chalk to scribble with.

"This morning early on the 4th (February 4) was an auspicious day, Saraswati Puja, a day of learning and education and a prayer to Saraswati the goddess of learning, a small prayer with the staff, and then the most important ritual, the moment of giving Aaradhya a writing utensil and leave it to her to scribble.

"It's a moment of initiation of the child towards education and learning, after completing two years of age! It's tradition, it is culture, it is cute," Amitabh posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com on Wednesday.

"Aaradhya picked up a piece of chalk and scribbled on a slate. The initiation was complete" he further posted.

Aaradhya, daughter of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, was born in November 2011.

Katrina Kaif: Underutilised taunt for Dhoom: 3 role is a compliment

Katrina Kaif in a still from Dhoom: 3

Actress Katrina Kaif said she has taken the "underutilised" taunt on length of her role in Dhoom: 3 in her stride.

The third instalment in the Dhoom series, released last year, is known as more or less as Aamir Khan's film where roles of Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra and Katrina Kaif appear less prominent in comparison.

When asked to comment on reports that she was underutilised in Dhoom: 3, Katrina said, "I take it as a compliment that people wanted to see more of me in the film. Next time when I do a film I will see to it that I do more stuff".

Katrina had played the character of "Aaliya" in the film and appeared in two songs.

Aamir had earlier said in an interview that male characters of Ali and Jai played by Uday Chopra and Abhishek Bachchan, respectively were properly placed.

"Ali's role is a good one in terms of what he is meant to do in the film. Jai's role is not at all weak in any way. His character controls the entire story. Talking strictly from the point of view of the screen time, I think Katrina Kaif's character could have been a little longer", Aamir had said.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to team up with Mani Ratnam

Aishwarya has worked with Mani Ratnam in movies like Guru and Raavan.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has been on a sabbatical post the birth of her daughter Aaradhya two years ago, is all set to return to the big screen in a film directed by filmmaker Mani Ratnam. Aishwarya, who is quite close to Mani Ratnam, has worked with him in films such as Iruvar, Guru and Raavan. Aishwarya has even starred alongside husband Abhishek in Raavan, but sources say that this film will only have Aishwarya Rai in it.

"Mani Ratnam shares a fabulous equation with Abhishek and Ash. But this time he's planning to direct a film that revolves around a female protagonist. Mani feels there is little room for Abhishek in this film. For Aishwarya, working with him post the birth of her daughter is life coming full circle. She started her career with him and now she's starting another phase with a film made by him," says a source.

The source adds that this will be a bi-lingual film starring Mahesh Babu and Nagarjuna, and that Aishwarya will be playing a strong woman character in it. Aishwarya remained unavailable for comment, but a source close to director confirms the news.

"Mani Ratnam is currently doing a recce as part of the film's pre-production. If everything goes as per plan, the film will be shot at foreign locations and shooting will begin in July," says this source.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'greatest character actor of his time'

Philip Seymour Hoffman, left, and Laura Linney in a scene from The Savages

Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday, was hailed as the finest character actor of his generation but struggled with fame and addiction.

For more than 20 years, Hoffman mesmerized and entertained filmgoers with his portrayal of some of the most repellent and yet electrifying characters of the silver screen.

He transformed movies through calculatingly understated performances and his daring choice of roles, quietly stealing scenes from much bigger stars with his portrayals of misfits in films as diverse as "Boogie Nights" and "The Talented Mr Ripley."

In 2006, he won an Oscar for his chilling turn as the brilliant but self-absorbed US author Truman Capote and was immediately flung into the A-list world of instantly recognized celebrities.

But, for all his success, Hoffman was reluctant in the limelight and, in an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper published in October 2011, said he thought everyone struggles with self-love.

Heroin relapse "I think that's pretty much the human condition, you know, waking up and trying to live your day in a way that you can go to sleep and feel OK about yourself," he was quoted as saying.

He spoke about his struggles with drink and drugs as a drama student at New York University, and reportedly checked himself back into rehab in 2013 after having a relapse with heroin.

His career spanned more than 50 films, as well as TV and theater credits, and in 2010 he became a director for the first time with "Jack Goes Boating." He appeared in Hollywood blockbusters such as 2006's "Mission Impossible III" alongside Tom Cruise and "Hunger Games," but was starred in some of director Paul Thomas Anderson's best films.
He played striking roles in Anderson's "Magnolia," starring Cruise (1999); in "Flawless," in which he plays a melodramatic drag queen opposite Robert De Niro, and in "Punch-Drunk Love."

"Film's hard when you don't have any relationship with the director at all and you just show up," Hoffman said in an interview with Esquire magazine in 2012.

"But that doesn't happen so often with me. I'm lucky that way."

Born Philip Hoffman in July 1967 in Fairport in New York state, he was the third of four children of a Xerox executive and a feminist housewife. They divorced when he was nine.

He became interested in theater and comedy at school, but was also an accomplished sportsman. He left home to study at the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. "Theater's the most taxing. But to act well is always difficult, no matter the material," he told Esquire.

Incorporating his grandfather's name, Seymour, between his given names, he made his big screen debut in a 1991 independent film called "Triple Bogey on a Par Five Hole."

In 1997, he made waves as a closeted gay crew member in Anderson's porn industry tale "Boogie Nights."

But it was perhaps in Anthony Minghella's thriller "The Talented Mr Ripley" that he made his true breakthrough. Although cast alongside A-list favorites Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, he stole the show in a supporting role as the duplicitous preppie Freddie Miles.

The late Minghella described Hoffman as an extraordinary actor "cursed, sometimes, by his own gnawing intelligence, his own discomfort with acting."

Then came the 2005 biopic "Capote," which put Hoffman center stage on his own.

In Bennett Miller's movie about the outspoken gay author, Hoffman captured not only Capote's effete demeanor and high-pitched voice but also the powerful forces that drove him -- and ultimately destroyed him -- as an artist. Hoffman won three more Oscar nominations after "Capote" as a supporting actor playing a foul-mouthed CIA agent in "Charlie Wilson's War" in 2008, "Doubt" in 2009 and "The Master" in 2013. In "Doubt," he was Father Flynn, an anguished Catholic priest suspected of molesting a teenage student. Based on John Patrick Shanley's successful stage play, the film's best moments come when Hoffman's character wages verbal warfare with his accuser Sister Aloysius played by Meryl Streep.

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead in New York

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment of an apparent drug overdose on Sunday. He was 46.

The enigmatic star, who was hailed as the finest character actor of his generation, won an Oscar in 2006 as best actor for "Capote" and was nominated for three further Academy Awards.

A substance thought to be heroin was found at the scene when police arrived at the actor's home in Manhattan's West Village after receiving a call from one of his friends.

"It appears to be an alleged overdose," a police official told AFP. The actor was found on the bathroom floor with a syringe in his arm, wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

"Two glassine envelopes contained alleged heroin," another officer said. There were no pills and no sign that the actor had been drinking.

An autopsy was due to be conducted on Hoffman's body Monday, US media reported.
Hoffman, whose two-decade career made him one of the most liked and respected actors in Hollywood, leaves behind his partner, costume designer Mimi O'Donnell, and three children. In a brief statement, his family asked for privacy as relatives grieved their "tragic and sudden loss."Police investigate.

New York detectives and police officers secured the street outside the actor's home, and entered and exited the red brick, six-floor apartment building.A crowd of journalists and neighbors gathered, and a red rose and a bouquet of white roses were laid at the entrance.

One neighbor, who gave her name as Janine, said she was accustomed to seeing the actor and his family out and about.

"They were always in the 'hood," she said. "My husband saw him last week... They were a part of the community here."Tributes quickly poured in from fellow celebrities and actors, with many taking to Twitter to express their sorrow.
"I feel so fortunate to have known and worked with the extraordinary Philip Seymour Hoffman, and am deeply saddened by his passing," said Julianne Moore, who co-starred with Hoffman in "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia" and "The Big Lebowski."
George Clooney, who appeared alongside Hoffman in "The Ides of March," said: "There are no words... It's just terrible."
"This is a horrible day for those who worked with Philip. He was a giant talent," Tom Hanks said. Hanks starred with Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War." The three co-stars spoke through their agents to US media.
British actor-director Gary Oldman told Sky News there was an "audible gasp" when the news of Hoffman's death was announced at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards.
Talented but battling addiction.

Born Philip Hoffman in July 1967 in New York state, he was the third of four children of a Xerox executive and a feminist housewife who divorced when he was nine. He earned a drama degree from New York University in 1989, though he fell into alcohol and drug abuse for a while.

In 1997, he made waves as a closeted gay crew member in Paul Thomas Anderson's porn industry tale "Boogie Nights," followed by a quirky turn in the Coen brothers' "The Big Lebowski" (1998).

In Anthony Minghella's crime thriller "The Talented Mr Ripley," he stole the show from co-stars Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow with his supporting role as slippery and duplicitous preppie Freddie Miles.

The late Minghella once said that Hoffman was an extraordinary actor "cursed, sometimes, by his own gnawing intelligence, his own discomfort with acting." "There are few actors more demanding in front of camera, less demanding away from it," Minghella added.

In one of his most recent roles, Hoffman played game master Plutarch Heavensbee in the second installment of the blockbuster "Hunger Games" franchise.

He had been cast in the final two installments of the series, and industry publication Variety said the films would be released in November 2014 and 2015 as planned.

For all his success, Hoffman was a reluctant occupant of the limelight.

After his Oscar-winning turn in Capote, Hoffman had three more Oscar nominations as a supporting actor in Charlie Wilson's War in 2008, Doubt in 2009 and The Master in 2013.

Sachin Tendulkar is Bharat's Ratna, says Bollywood

Deepika and Dia say no honour, however big, will match Sachin's achievements

Sachin Tendulkar, who will be conferred the Bharat Ratna by President Pranab Mukherji at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 4, has Bollywood celebrities like Dia Mirza, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh rooting for him. But they feel that no honour will ever match what the master blaster has achieved in his 24-year-long career.

The 40-year-old cricketer retired from international cricket on November 16 last year.

Here is what B-town has to say:

Dia Mirza: There are some people, who, no matter how many awards they are given, give you the impression that they deserve more. Of course it is fantastic that he is being conferred the Bharat Ratna. But we have always known that Sachin Tendulkar is Bharat's (India) Ratna. Every cricket fan, every Sachin fan is going to be ecstatic and thrilled for him.

Deepika Padukone: He deserves it. He deserves every sort of appreciation that anybody can get. But I think more than anything he is a brand, he is a legend. No matter how many times you felicitate him or the biggest honour that you give him, I don't think anything will sort of live up to what he has achieved for himself.

Ranveer Singh: I feel some other award must be invented for him, he is such a legend.

Juhi Chawla: He has made millions of his fans proud. For years, he has been playing consistently. He is an icon and an inspiration for all. He deserves it. I am very happy for him.

Javed Akhtar: He deserves it.

Sonakshi Sinha: He (Sachin Tendulkar) deserves it. I am really glad.

Dia Mirza: Thrilled to work on Bobby Jasoos

Dia Mirza says the shooting for Bobby Jasoos is over

Actress-producer Dia Mirza is thrilled to wrap-up the shooting of her upcoming film Bobby Jasoos, starring Vidya Balan, in 51 days.

Dia and Sahil Sangha's film, produced under their banner Born Free Entertainment, has completed principal photography on schedule.

The film was shot over 51 days in a non stop schedule across a host of never-seen-before real locations in Hyderabad.

"We are thrilled with the work done so far. Vidya and the entire cast and crew have made Bobby Jasoos their own and that has led to an experience that we will all cherish forever," Dia said.

"The shoot is complete. Now we will carry the same energy to complete the film and present it to the audience," Sahil added.

The film, directed by Samar Shaikh is now in post production and will release in summer this year.

The IIFA effect: Tampa Bay hopes for more Indian tourists

The IIFA weekend will commence from April 23-26

A 30 percent rise in tourists from India is what Tampa Bay, the host of the 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards in April, expects this year, an official said.

Tampa Bay is the first city in the US to host the Weekend, which has earlier traversed to destinations such as Sun City, Macau, Singapore, Toronto, Amsterdam, Colombo and Johannesburg.

Come April, Bollywood glamour and glitterati will light up the picturesque city, which is waiting to welcome fans and tourists from across the globe.

"We're expecting now to be recognised in India and across other parts of the world as the 'City that hosted the IIFA' among the many great cities over the last 14 years," Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, told IANS in an interview here.

The city expects to attract over 30,000 visitors during the IIFA Weekend April 23-26, but Corrado is confident of "a spike in tourism" in the year after the extravaganza.

"We would be happy with an increase of 30 percent in our tourism from India. It has been that high and higher in other cities in the world. I believe it was around 35 percent in Singapore.

"I want fans of Indian cinema to say: 'IIFA was in Tampa, now I want to go to Tampa. I want to experience what my idols experienced, I want to go to the beaches, the venues, dine where they dined'.

"We also want more people to visit us from other parts of the world as a result of the IIFA," he said.

From the restaurants to hotels and the venues to the people - the buzz for IIFA seems to be warming up here.

The event celebrates the magic of Hindi cinema with dance, music, seminars, film premieres, parties and master classes. Some of the top stars travel to the chosen international destination every year and they not just get to walk down the red carpet and perform, but also mingle with their fans.

What's interesting is that Bollywood is as new to Tampa Bay as Tampa Bay will be for Bollywood. Yet, people are putting together all forces, literally, to facilitate a well-organised and memorable show.

There are no cinema halls that play Hindi films here, but Corrado says Tampa Bay's "large Indian community has done a good job of bridging the cultural difference".

Which is also why the main IIFA awards night April 26, when leading Bollywood stars will take to stage at the spacious Raymond James Stadium, is likely to be a sell-out. The tickets for the culminating night, mind you, start anything between $75 and $3,000 per person.

The city's wonderful venues - the scenic Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, University of South Florida's state-of-the-art Sun Dome, the one-of-a-kind MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre and the Raymond James Stadium, have been reserved for each large scale event of the four-day weekend.

That IIFA is a "powerful brand" was something Corrado knew, he told IANS during a chat amid the bright red seats at the breezy Raymond James Stadium. "We knew that it would expose us not just to India, but to the rest of the world. For us, that was key," he said. The event's organiser, Wizcraft International Entertainment, is also getting the support of the government here.

"We've had great government support as far as providing in-kind aid is concerned. In terms of money, they have helped to offset some costs. We have all forces behind to make it the best IIFA ever," Corrado said.

Shah Rukh Khan on rest, Happy New Year shoots without him

SRK is recovering from an injury on the sets of Happy New Year

Farah Khan's Happy New Year has begun its next big schedule, but without Shah Rukh Khan. The superstar is recovering from the injury he recently sustained on the sets of the film.

The filmmaker took to Twitter to announce the news.

"And another big schedule starts of Happy New Year today (Monday)! It's always like a family reunion and yes am letting Shah Rukh Khan rest today (Monday)," Farah posted on the microblogging site on Monday.

The film also features Sonu Sood, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Deepika Padukone.

Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor "did not break up in the first place"

Ranbir and Katrina are rumoured to be in a relationship

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif were spotted partying together at a bash at Kiran Rao's residence last week.

It was recently reported that the couple had split up owing to serious differences. According to rumours, the couple had a fight during their holiday in New York and that they didn't get along during their shoot for Anurag Basu's film, Jagga Jasoos. But a source close to the couple put rest to all such talk, saying that the couple is very much in love with each other.

Says the source, "They did not break up in the first place. It was a minor tiff and every other couple goes through this. They have been together for the past four years and they won't break up because of a small argument."

Sunny, Bobby Deol skip Ahana's wedding

Ahana with husband Vaibhav Vora

Ahana Deol, second daughter of actors Hema Malini and Dharmendra, married businessman Vaibhav Vora in Mumbai in a big fat Bollywood wedding on February 2. Two familiar faces were missing from among the celebrity guests who came dressed in their best - the bride's elder half-brothers Sunny and Bobby Deol.

Their's was an expected absence, however, and was not remarked on as it was in 2012 when both skipped Ahana's elder sister Esha's wedding, raising eyebrows. A source told news agency IANS ahead of the wedding: "Neither Dharamji nor Hemaji would want to hurt Prakashji (Sunny and Bobby's mother). The family has decided it's better if Sunny and Bobby stay away."

Deol patriarch Dharmendra's private life has been distinctly unorthodox ever since he married Sholayco-star Hema Malini in 1980. At the time, Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Deol and their sons, Sunny and Bobby, were over 20 and a pre-teen respectively.

Dharmendra, who converted to Islam to marry Hema, never divorced his first wife and has maintained two separate families ever since.

Sunny and Bobby's absence was more than made up for by a large contingent of VIP guests including the Bachchans, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

Ranvir Shorey: Konkona and I are together

Ranvir says marriage is not always peaceful

Actor Ranvir Shorey is miffed with speculations that his marriage with Konkona Sen Sharma has fallen apart and has clarified that they both are "together."

"Marriage is not always peaceful, there is no need to write about every fight that I have with my wife. That is not fair. They (media) don't have time to write about my work but write about this," Ranvir told PTI in an interview here. "We are together, we have a child, we moved into a new house. The press is writing parallel narrative about my life, especially my married life and nothing about my work. That's media for you," he said.

Earlier there were reports that Konkona had been living independently, in an apartment in suburban Andheri, with her son Haroon. Despite the gossip mills talking about them, Ranvir does not feel the need to clarify anything. "I am not that dumb (to clarify). More than me feeling disappointed they should feel ashamed of writing lies," he said.

Meanwhile, Ranvir will be participating in adventure-action reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi, which he has taken up to fulfil his promise of doing something adventurous.

"When I turned 40 last year, I had promised myself that I will go for an adventure holiday. With Rohit Shetty coming as host for this show, I will get an opportunity to tell filmmakers that I want to do this kind of work (action)," he said.

Taking the show as a challenge, Ranvir said, "For a show like this there is no concept of body doubles, also no face replacement technology is there. While in films, they get stunt men to do action and put stars face. This show is a challenge to check out how my body and mind react at this age to pressure situation."

Ranvir says he is scared of water, heights, fire, failure, etc. Even his family asked him not to participate in the show.

"My family kept telling me that there is no need to do it. They were worried. But I am treating this as promise which I had made to myself of going on an adventure holiday and do something thrilling," he said.

For the show, Ranvir will go to South Africa with the other 12 contestants to perform daredevil stunts.

Ahana Deol's wedding to be a star-studded affair

Ahana shows off her mehendi as she poses with fiance Vaibhav Vora

Veteran actors Hema Malini and Dharmendra's younger daughter Ahana Deol will marry Delhi-based businessman Vaibhav Vora at the ITC Maratha here on Sunday evening. Big names from the fraternity like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan and politicians like Narendra Modi and Raj Thackeray are expected to grace the occasion.

The wedding will have a mix of Punjabi and traditional south Indian customs. Ahana's wedding clothes have been created by Jodha Akbar fame fashion designer Neeta Lulla.

According to a source, the couple went to seek blessings at the Iskcon temple in the morning. The groom's wedding procession will proceed from Hyatt Regency around 4 pm, and the feras will happen later at ITC Maratha. The reception will be hosted at the same hotel.

The couple will have another reception at the groom's farm house in New Delhi on February 5.

Ahana's half-brothers, Sunny and Bobby, are reportedly not attending the wedding. However, it is said they will bless the couple at the reception in the capital.

Ahana met Vaibhav at her sister Esha Deol's wedding to Mumbai-based businessman Bharat Takhtani in 2012. The two were very serious about each other and sensing their commitment, both the families gave their consent. They got engaged in June 2013.

Sunny, Bobby Deol likely to skip sister Ahana's wedding

Ahana shows off her mehendi while posing with fiance Vaibhav

Actor-brothers Sunny and Bobby Deol, who were absent from half-sister Esha Deol's wedding in 2012, are not expected to attend Esha's younger sibling Ahana's marriage here on Sunday.

Esha and Ahana are daughters of veteran actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini.

"Neither Dharamji nor Hemaji would want to hurt Prakashji (Sunny and Bobby's mother). The family has decided it's better if Sunny and Bobby stay away," a source said.

"Sorry to disappoint the gossip mongers, but there is no ill-will or bitterness about the Deol brothers' absence from Ahana's wedding," said the source.

"Sunny and Bobby love both Esha and Ahana like they love their own sisters," the source added.

Ahana, who will get married to Delhi-based businessman Vaibhav Vora, had her mehendi function on Friday, and a guest says Esha was "disheartened" due to a shoulder injury.

"Esha was a little disheartened by her shoulder injury at the mehendi ceremony. But her mother, sister, husband and brother-in-law-to-be made sure to keep her spirit alive," said a guest.

Hema said Esha fell on Thursday.

"Esha slipped and fell. She suffered a minor shoulder fracture. She is better now," said Hema.

Ranveer Singh: Would love to be directed by Aditya Chopra

Ranveer Singh made his Bollywood debut with Band Baaja Baarat

Actor Ranveer Singh says he would love to a directed by ace filmmaker Aditya Chopra. There were reports that Aditya Chopra's next film would have Ranveer in the lead, but the actor quashed such rumours.

"It is not true, but I wish it was. Being directed by Adi sir in a movie would be a dream come true for me," Ranveer told PTI.

Ranveer was launched by the YRF banner in Band Baaja Baarat, which was a huge hit. His second film Ladies vs Ricky Bahl was again with Mr Chopra's banner.

He later acted in two films - Lootera and Ram-Leela - which were not backed by YRF. However, his two upcoming movies - action drama Gunday and romance-action flick Kill Dill - are with Yash Raj Films.

Ranvir Shorey: Hope to get an action film after Khatron Ke Khiladi

Ranvir Shorey has worked in either comedy or serious films

Actor Ranvir Shorey, who has mostly done comedy or serious films, now wants to feature in a complete action entertainer. He hopes that his stint at the fifth season of action-adventure show Khatron Ke Khiladi will send out the right signals to filmmakers.

"You can say that I have never done an all out action role so far. But with this I am hoping that I can send out a signal to filmmakers that I am keen to do action and stunt-oriented roles as well," Ranvir said at the launch of Khatron Ke Khiladi 5.

Ranvir admitted that his actress-wife Konkona Sen Sharma was concerned about him but he wanted to do something "adventurous" in his life and that's why he took the show.

"She was a little concerned, she wanted me to be sure of what I am doing. But this is what I promised myself, to do something adventurous when I turn 40. So this is it," said the actor.

The new season of Khatron Ke Khiladi features 12 contestants including actors Rajneesh Duggal, Nikitin Dheer, Dayanand Shetty, Mahhii Vij, Pooja Gor, Kushal Tandon, Gauahar Khan, choreographer-actor Salman Yusuff Khan, actress Mugdha Godse, stuntwoman Geeta Tandon and Femina Miss India International Rochelle Maria Rao.

The show will be shot in Cape Town, South Africa, this year.

Why Ahana Deol's wedding will be like 'a true Hindi film'

Hema Malini with her daughter Ahana and son-in-law Vaibhav

Dream Girl Hema Malini is excited about her younger daughter Ahana's "big fat Punjabi wedding" and says that this was something which she missed when she got married to veteran actor Dharmendra.

Ahana, who will get married to Delhi based businessman Vaibhav Vora on Sunday, had her mehendifuction on Friday.

"My marriage happened very quietly and quickly. There was no time or occasion for a big ceremony. But now there is finally going to be a big fat Punjabi wedding in my family," said Hema.

"From the very Punjabi baraati to our doorstep to a very Tamil welcoming of the groom into themandap (platform for wedding rituals). I am very excited," she added.

The wedding would have Punjabi as well as South Indian touch to it.

"Like a true Hindi film my daughter's wedding will have two halves. The first-half of the wedding ceremony would be done in Punjabi style. The second-half of the wedding would be done in Tamil style," she said adding that there will be "two pundits (priests), one from north India and the other from the south".

The wedding of her younger daughter comers more than one and a half years after her elder daughter Esha Deol's wedding to diamond merchant Bharat Takhtani. This has made things easier for Hema, but she says that she still has her hands full.

"As Ahana's is the second wedding in my family in quick succession it's easier this time to arrange everything since we already know what all needs to be done. Having said that, it's no less difficult for us to make all the wedding arrangements for the second time," she said.

"Luckily for me all the nitty-gritty is being taken care of by my two bhabhis (sisters-in-law), the wives of my two brothers Jagannath and Kannan. I don't know what I'd have done without them," she said.

The bride's father Dharmendra is even more nervous than the bride and her mother.

"I've told Dharamji, tension bilkul nahin lene ka (don't take any tension). He's very nervous and tense. Ahana is his laadli (favourite). I've told him to just relax and leave everything to me and my family and then of course, there is the events manager, who is following our instructions," she said.

Talking about her family, the Sholay actress is thrilled to welcome another son-in-law.

"You know, this is exactly why I've never felt any need for friends. My family is my friend. My brothers and their wives take care of everything. Now I've two sons to complete my family," she said.

"People always reminded me that I've no sons, only two daughters. But I want to tell them that now I've two sons. Both my sons-in-law are as good as my own sons. In any case, my daughters are like my sons as well as daughters. Esha always says she is my son," she said.

While Esha has stayed close to her mother in Mumbai after marriage, Ahana will move to Delhi after the wedding.

"Her husband and his family are Delhi-based, so naturally she will shift base to the Capital. Ahana gets very sad when she thinks of the impending distance between us. But I keep telling her not to fret," she said.

"Traveling from Delhi to Mumbai is now like catching a bus from your home to the suburbs. Besides, Ahana's sasural is very close to the airport in Delhi. Ahana's mother-in-law keeps reassuring her she would never have to miss her mother," she added.

Coming back to the impending wedding the busy mother of the bride says, "The Mehendi ceremony will be followed by the wedding and reception. So the next few days are going to go in a mad swirl of activities."

Ahana's wedding clothes are being designed by Neeta Lulla.

"She (Neeta Lulla) is an old family friend. She she took over the responsibility of almost the entire pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding clothes for my daughters and I. Almost all our clothes are being done by Neeta, except a few by Manish Malhotra and Shyamal and Bhumika," she said.