Bollywood

Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman discussing her life on the silver screen, a masterchef sharing his culinary journey, travel anthologies and an art appreciation lecture – the fifth edition of literary festival Mountain Echoes in Bhutanese capital Thimpu next month will feature all this, the organisers said Saturday.

Apart from literary sessions that will dominate the the three-day festival beginning May 21, the festival will open a window for exchanges in the field of art, travel, food and of course, Bollywood.

Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) upcoming movie “Dawat-E-Ishq”, which was slated to release in June, will now hit the screens on Teacher’s Day Sep 5.

A source close to the project says producer Aditya Chopra felt the need to add a couple of songs to the film. Since the additional shoot would take some more time, they chose to push the release date.

Also, early September has emerged to be a good time for YRF over the past few years.

Kareena Kapoor Khan enjoys watching her actor-husband Saif Ali Khan host awards shows but she has no plans to exchange places with him as the actress feels it is not her cup of tea.

Saif hosted the IIFA technical awards last night and has been a hit as an emcee earlier too. Kareena believes his success as host has a lot to do with his natural sense of humour.

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who has always lent support to women empowerment, spoke about the importance of educating a girl child as part of a ‘Girl Rising Project’ session at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards here.

“Fortunately, I come from a family where there is no difference between a girl and boy child. But to bring a change, the mindset of the people has to be changed. A girl child is not a burden, nd I would like to say if you educating one girl is like educating a family,” Priyanka said here.

Actress Vidya Balan, who was active in the promotional tours for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards earlier this year, has left many guessing the reason behind her absence from the main event.

“Vidya had to cancel her plans at the last moment,” said a source from the organisers.

The National award-winning actress was due to attend a special session here, but Priyanka Chopra filled in for her.

Vidya was also slated to be part of a Master Class Panel with Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey. Now, Priyanka will attend the same, scheduled to be held here Saturday.

Actress Priyanka Chopra feels that the mindset of people in India needs to change and they should no longer think of a girl as a burden.

Priyanka was part of a session titled — `Girl Rising Project` on the third day of IIFA awards here, where noted actress Shabana Azmi was also present.

“I hear stories like a girl is not given education because she is going to go to another family (marriage). A boy is educated because he will bring income to the family. It is horrible. I feel the mindset of people need to change in India that a girl child is not a burden,” Priyanka said.

Highlighting the international appeal of India’s Bollywood film industry, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards event is being held in the US for the first time in Tampa, Florida, Saturday.

“This year, Bollywood, its glittering stars and its legions of fans, have come to Tampa,” National Public Radio (NPR) reported noting, “At nearly all of the events held this week in downtown Tampa, the soundtrack has been throbbing Indian pop.

“At an outdoor dance concert, several thousand people – mostly Indian-Americans – gathered at a park on Tampa’s waterfront.”

Actor Govinda, who is set to revive his home banner Mangal Tara Films after a gap of nearly seven years with ‘Abhinay Chakra’, hopes everyone will like the movie.

“I am extremely excited to unveil the first look of my film here at IIFA. It is a great platform. It is a very special film its an entertaining film,” he told reporters.

Govinda had last produced the film ‘Ssukh’ in 2005 which failed to create magic at the box office.

Film: “Revolver Rani”; Cast: Kagna Ranaut, Vir Das, Piyush Mishra; Directed by Sai Kabir; Rating: *** 1/2 (3 and a half stars)

Hail the female. Kangna Ranaut plays the quirky queen of all she surveys.She lords over her doomed anarchic and wretched kingdom like a doped and excitable “Pan Singh Tomar”.

It is a dangerous world out there in the Indian heartland. Specially for women who have to fight prejudices and betrayals on so many levels.

Actress Anushka Sharma has lent her support for banning the use of horse-drawn carriages here.

She took to Twitter to help put an end to horse-drawn carriages, said a statement.

“Friends, please join Peta India and me in asking for a complete ban on horse carriages in Mumbai. Take action here: http://bit.ly/1ft3UqE”, tweeted Anushka.

“It is extremely saddening to witness the cruelty towards these horses used as carriages in tourist spots in Mumbai. Please show your support,” she added.

Actress Deepika Padukone, who featured in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2013 hit film “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela”, says essaying the role of Leela was a big responsibility for her.

In an interview to UTV Stars’ show “Yeh Hai Meri Kahani”, the 28-year-old said that before shooting the film, the director thanked her for accepting the role, said a statement.

Deepika Padukone in filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar’s next project? The actress is surprised by the rumours, says her spokesperson.

There are reports that the “Chennai Express” star might sign Bhandarkar’s upcoming film, but a clarification from the actress’s end has been issued to scotch the rumours.

“We have not been approached for the film,” her spokesperson said in a statement.

She is currently busy with Farah Khan’s “Happy New Year” and will soon start shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming film “Tamaasha” with Ranbir Kapoor.

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Southern actress Anupama Kumar says working with co-star Gautham Karthik was a breezy experience because they bonded like mother and son in forthcoming Tamil romantic-drama “Ennamo Yedho”.

Anupama plays Gautham’s mother in the film, which is the Tamil remake of Telugu blockbuster “Ala Modalaindi”.

“Gautham and I are part of this beautiful mother and son relationship. It was written, edited and emoted beautifully. Working with him was like a breeze because we hit it off from the very beginning. On sets, we became mother and son,” Anupama told IANS.

Ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, who refuted rumours that superstar Rajinikanth recently visited him on the sets of his upcoming Telugu directorial aceBaahubali”, says he’s still waiting for the privilege to welcome him.

“The news that you’re hearing that Rajini sir visited our sets is untrue. We haven’t had that privilege yet. I guess it may happen one day,” Rajamouli told IANS.

At a recent event in Hyderabad, Rajinikanth had sought Rajamouli’s permission to visit him on the sets of “Baahubali”. Rajamouli instantly agreed to his request.

ctress Priyanka Chopra, who has been making space for herself in the international music scene, is here to be part of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations. She’s glad that the event celebrates the country and its cinema abroad.

The four-day extravaganza began Wednesday and will culminate with the awards ceremony Saturday. Priyanka is sure it will be a one “magical blockbuster weekend”.

Bollywood starts and celebrities added a dash of glamour to the elections on Thursday as they took to polling booths in Mumbai.

Renowned actors from the Bollywood urged people to cast votes on the second biggest day of polling.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan, his wife and veteran actress Jaya Bachchan could be seen arriving at a polling station in Mumbai. Followed by their son, Abhishek Bachchan and his wife, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,.

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor turned up to cast his vote accompanied by his father, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.

Many Bollywood celebrities like Anil Kapoor and Shabana Azmi who could not cast their ballot as they were here to attend the IIFA said it was “unfortunate” not to be able to vote but their commitment to the film awards was made much in advance.

It was an important day back home in Mumbai as it was election day in the city, but a host of Bollywood celebrities chose to attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards here than casting their vote.

The IIFA Awards 2014 are being held in Tampa Bay, Florida and it will be a four-day-long extravaganza between April 23 to April 26.

Rani Mukerji tied the knot at 36. While she exchanged vows with filmmaker Aditya Chopra in Italy, her contemporaries like Tabu, Preity Zinta and Urmila Matondkar continue to be in the list of 30-plus yet single. There are other Bollywood beauties like Priyanka Chopra and Amrita Rao who have also found a spot on the list.

IANS lists the latest 30-plus entrants on the list who are yet to say ‘I Do’ off-screen:

Actor Anil Kapoor kicked off International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) expo at the Tampa Convention Center.

Bringing business, products and services from India and USA under one roof, the three-day expo provides a unique platform to promoting trade and commerce between two countries and cultures.

“I am thankful to be launch the expo. It is a wonderful concept. It is a fantastic way to interact and exchange business. I am glad to see so many people here. I never expected these many people will come. People of Tampa Bay are so warm and loving,” Anil said.

Bollywood`s thinking actor Aamir Khan came along with wife and director Kiran Rao to cast his ballot Thursday and appealed to everyone to step out of their homes to fulfil their civic duty.

“It is a very important day today (April 24) and once again I appeal to every Indian to step out and go, vote. I have come along with my wife Kiran to cast our vote,” Aamir said here after he cast his ballot.

Film: “Kaanchi”; Cast: Mishti, Kartik Aaryan, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Mithun Chakraborty, Rishi Kapoor; Directed by Subhash Ghai; Rating: ****

Subhash Ghai loves the mountains. In many of his films, these are captured with the sobering imposingness of a climber gazing lovingly and reverently at the peaks he knows he must conquer.

It was mere destiny that superstar Salman Khan flew here to shoot his upcoming film “Kick”. Impressed with the scenic locales, he said he would like to come here to unwind and also hoped that Indian filmmakers will explore the facilities that the country offers.

“Had the British authorities not refused me the necessary visa, the original shooting would have been done in London,” Salman told IANS.

“But I am happy that I have come to Warsaw to finish the film. Poland on the whole is a very beautiful country and the city of Warsaw is a place of my dreams.

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been signed on to endorse Roadster, an in-house contemporary jeanswear brand by fashion and lifestyle e-commmerce platform Myntra.com. The “Band Baaja Baaraat” actor says he subscribes to the brand’s philosophy of not being bound to societal norms.

“I have always been very selective when it comes to brand associations because I believe that who you associate with says a lot about you. Roadster is a brand I took a liking to instantly,” Ranveer said in a statement.

Filmstars, 111-year-olds and hospitalised people travelling in ambulances — all took part in the democratic exercise in Mumbai and nearby areas Thursday.

* Bollywood and Marathi celebs

Mumbaikars did not miss a chance to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood and Marathi filmstars as they came to cast their votes. In polling stations where celebrities were expected – like in Bandra, Khar, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri, Oshiwara – the crowds were unusually thick.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan defeated stars like Hrithik Roshan and Arjun Rampal to grab the first position as India’s fittest actor in an online poll.

The poll was conducted by TheHealthSite.com, a health and wellness site, where more than 30,000 people voted for their favourite stars.

Salman and Hrithik’s fan following on social media ensured that they received the maximum number of votes defeating other fit actors, said a statement.

Salman received 43.36 percent votes while Hrithik got 42.81 percent votes.