Deepika-Ranveer in Bhansali’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’

The “Ram-Leela” couple is back! Actress Deepika Padukone will play historical character Mastani with Ranveer Singh playing Bajirao Peshwa in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani”.

The casting of Ranveer and Deepika puts an end to months of speculation about who would play the role. Besides Ranveer, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn were the strongest contenders for Bajirao’s role.

As for Mastani, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif were also considered.

B-Town celebs turn up at launch of Shilpa Shetty’s gold firm `Satyug Gold`

The launch of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s new venture, ‘Satyug Gold’, was a star-studded event in Mumbai. Actors Harman Baweja, R.Madhvan and Geeta Basra were amongst many other Bollywood celebs at the event.

On the occasion, Baweja admitted his love for investing in gold and wished the duo good luck for their venture.

Kangana Ranaut says she’s not following in Aamir Khan’s footsteps

Kangana Ranaut, who has decided not to attend any award functions in the future, has insisted that she is not following in footsteps of Aamir Khan, who is also known for his lack of appearance on shows. On being asked if she was planning to do a film with Khan, the 27-year-old said that though they would both like to work with each other, it is not her priority as an actor.

Koyal Rana of Jaipur crowned 51st Femina Miss India

Jaipur girl Koyal Rana was Saturday crowned Femina Miss India 2014 at the 51st edition of the beauty pageant here.

The first and second runners-up were Jhataleka Malhotra from Mumbai and Gail Nicole Da Silva from Goa respectively.

The trio was selected from the top five finalists of the fbb Femina Miss India 2014 that also included Lopamudra Raut and Nikhila Nandgopal.

Miss India 2013 winners Navneet Kaur Dhillon, Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz were on stage at the Yashraj Studio to handover the titled to the winners.

Waheeda mum about her alleged relationship with Guru Dutt

Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, who has shared her life journey in the book “Conversations with Waheeda”, was tight-lipped about her alleged relationship with filmmaker Guru Dutt.

Asked about it at the book launch event, she said: “I don’t want to get into it… my private life is nobody’s business.”

Coming to her rescue, the book’s author Nasreen Munni Kabir said: “We have to respect actors’ personal lives and we should not cross the line. She has been loved by all of us (for her work) and that’s not (her relationship) what she is known for.”

Forget bikini, never even wore a sleeveless blouse: Waheeda

Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, who dominated Bollywood in the 1950s, says she never wore a sleeveless blouse, and so a bikini would be entirely out of the question.

The actress, who was signed by renowned filmmaker Guru Dutt for three years in the beginning of her career, recalled she incorporated a clause in the contract that she would have the final say on the costumes.

Waheeda Rehman unveils ‘Conversations with Waheeda’

Unveiling “Conversations with Waheeda Rehman” authored by Nasreen Munni Kabir, veteran actress Waheeda Rehman Saturday said she doesn’t like the idea of biographies.

“I don’t like the concept of biographies but I would credit it (this book) to Nasreen for her patience. Why should anybody know about my personal life so we have made it into an interview,” Waheeda told reporters at the event.

The book shares an insightful view of Waheeda in a question and answer format.

‘Main Tera Hero’ mints Rs.6.60 crore net on first day

Varun Dhawan’s ‘hero-giri’ in “Main Tera Hero” earned the entertainer a good opening of Rs.6.60 crore net on its first day of release in the country.

Directed by David Dhawan and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, the movie, which released Friday also stars Ileana D’cruz and Nargis Fakhri.

The actors had gone out of their way to promote the film, the songs of which received a good fan following prior to the movie’s release. A total David Dhawan-style masala entertainer, the film is being loved for its comedy and acting by Varun.

Aamir clueless of his son Junaid’s plans

Superstar Aamir Khan has no clue what his 21-year-old son Junaid plans to do in life. He says he doesn’t “tell me anything”.

“We don’t have any command on our kids. What will he do, when will he do, I have no idea. He doesn’t tell me anything,” Aamir told reporters here at the trailer launch of Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger’s debut film “Heropanti” Friday.

“You (media) please ask him and tell me about his plans,” he added.

Anupam Kher to conduct acting workshop at IIFA 2014

Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher has been appointed to conduct an acting workshop as part of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards in the US later this month. His directorial venture, a short film, will also be screened.

IIFA is scheduled to make its US debut this year. It will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida April 23-26.

The world premiere of Anupam’s directorial “I Went Shopping For Robert De Niro” will be held on the second day of IIFA after he hosts an acting workshop for the students of the University of South Florida (USF).

Amir Khan unveils first look of Tiger Shroff’s debut movie ‘Heropanti’

Amir Khan recently unveiled the first look of Sajid Nadiadwala’s upcoming flick ‘Heropanti’ that marks the debut of Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger Shroff in Mumbai.

Whilst launching the debutant actor’s movie, the ‘Dhoom 3’ star said, “It’s really a special day, I think, Subhash Ji had launched Jackie and gave us such a huge star in him and it’s wonderful to see now his son been launched and it gives me great pride and pleasure to present Tiger to all of you.”.

Khan believes that Tiger is the new superstar in the horizon, who has a lot of potential to be a top most star of the country.

I feel proud to present the new superstar, Tiger: Amir Khan

Actor Aamir Khan who launched the trailer of Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger’s debut movie ’Heropanti’, said here today that he has a lot of potential.

“I feel proud to present the new superstar. He (Tiger) has lot of potential. The trailer looks fantastic. Both Tiger and Kriti Sanon (heroine) are lovely,” the Bollywood actor said.

He said that he had spent time with Tiger. ”He is talented, dedicated and he is good at gymnastics. I see a bright future for him,” he said. Aamir expressed hope that viewers like both Tiger and Kriti in the movie ‘Heropanti’.

—PTI

Comedian Kapil Sharma to be brand ambassador for Delhi poll

Well-known comedian Kapil Sharma is being roped in by the Delhi election commission to motivate voters, especially the youth, to cast votes on April 10 for the Lok Sabha election.

Sharma would join two other celebrities, cricketer Virat Kohli and film star Soha Ali Khan, to woo the electorate to go to the polling booth that day, said an election official Friday.

Addressing a press conference here Friday evening, Sharma said: “Every citizen should come forward and participate in the polls.”

‘Main Tera Hero’: David Dhawan’s ‘son stroke’ is full-on dhamaal (IANS Hindi Film review)

Film: “Main Tera Hero”; Cast: Varun Dhawan, Ileana D’Cruz, Nargis Fakhri, Arunoday Singh; Directed by David Dhawan; Rating:***

It’s not easy being David Dhawan. Over the last 20 years he has constantly kept the laughter alive. Having generated barrels of mirth with Govinda and Salman Khan in the past, now it is time for David’s son to have a blast. Playing Seenu, the no-good wastrel who cons his way through a series of outrageous escapades, Varun Dhawan is to be seen monkeying around in every frame.

Salman’s plea to club cases in poaching incident turned down

A District and Sessions Court today rejected actor Salman Khan’s plea to club the cases against him under Arms Act and the Wildlife Act in connection with 1998 incident of poaching of two black bucks in Jodhpur.

Upholding the lower court’s January 29 order, Judge Manoj Kumar Vyas gave the go ahead for Salman’s trial in the poaching case.

“Let the case under Arms Act take its own pace to reach the stage of trial,” the judge said.

I also feel unsafe; wish to spread message of safety: Sakshi

Popular TV actress Sakshi Tanwar is set to narrate the 2012 Delhi gangrape case on reality-based TV show ‘Crime Patrol’ from a woman’s point of view once again, sources said here today.

“I have been a part of the Crime Patrol show earlier and it is such a great feeling to be back for the most important episode. As a woman, I also feel unsafe like other women and can empathise her agony and pain. With this special episode we are trying to spread the message of safety for women across the nation,” Sakshi said.

Inspiring to do every scene of ‘Mary Kom’: Priyanka (Movie Snippets)

National Award-winning actress Priyanka Chopra, who is yet to devote 15 days to complete shooting of the biopic on India’s champion boxer M.C. Mary Kom, says every scene in the film is inspirational.

“‘Mary Kom’ is the story of every woman who wants to be larger than she is meant to be. Inspiring to do every scene…can’t believe only 15 days left to complete the film. It’s been so tumultuous yet wonderful,” Priyanka posted on her Twitter page.

Simone sports vintage look for ‘EK Hasina Thi’ (TV Snippets)

Side swept curls, pearl strings, chiffon saris and lace blouses – Simone Singh’s new look in forthcoming show “Ek Hasina Thi” will reflect a vintage flavour.

Simone, who is making a comeback on the small screen as the affluent and powerful Sakshi Goenka, is said to have been actively involved in the styling of her on screen character.

She calls her character “quite the style icon”.

Sonakshi Sinha graces cover of Women’s Health Magazine

Sonakshi Sinha, who has graced the cover of Women’s Health Magazine, recently unveiled the mag’s latest edition at an event in Mumbai.

While sharing her experience of shedding off her extra kilos, the ‘Dabangg’ star said “You make a decision and you stand by it, today no matter how tired I am, I come back home and I have a treadmill and I get on to it for good half an hour to 45 minutes”.

The 26-year-old actress said that making up her mind to lose weight has really changed her.

Kapil has ‘special b’day’ with Big B, Lata Mangeshkar

Stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma had a memorable birthday this year as he got to meet two legends of Bollywood – Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar.

Kapil turned a year older Wednesday. He shared his joy with reporters, recounting how he got a cake from Big B on his show “Comedy Nights with Kapil” and later, a gift from singing legend Lata Mangeshkar.

We take Rajinikanth jokes positively, says star’s daughter

Superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya says people create jokes on her father as they believe he can do the “impossible”. That’s why the family takes the humour in a lighter vein.

Jokes on the southern icon are a rage online. Sample these – “Rajinikanth can eat dosa with chopsticks”; “Rajinikanth can cure cancer with his first aid box”; “Rajinikanth can sneeze with open eyes”.

Soundarya finds the jokes okay “because everybody feels that he can do the impossible, and I personally feel there is a lot of respect (for him). So, we take it positively”, she said.

Sonakshi says her dad doesn’t need her to get elected

Actress Sonakshi Sinha has made it clear that she won’t be campaigning for her father Shatrughan Sinha who is contesting the Lok Sabha election.

“My dad has his star power, he doesn’t need my star power for it. As a daughter I will support him,” Sonakshi said at an event here.

There were some reports that BJP workers wanted Sonakshi to campaign for her father.

“I don’t know why people expect from me this (campaigning in elections) when my dad is not saying anything. He knows about my (work) commitments here (in Bollywood),” Sonakshi said.

Telugu group unhappy with ‘Thenaliraman’, says will hurt sentiments

The Tamil Nadu Telugu Yuvasakti association is unhappy with Vadivelu-starrer Tamil period-comedy “Thenaliraman” for allegedly portraying Telugu folk hero Thenaliraman and king Krishnadevaraya in poor light. They are seeking the state government’s intervention in the matter, but the film’s lead actor Vadivelu says he is playing a fictional character.

Several other Telugu groups too have united to raise their voice against the film’s release on April 18.

Manisha says no to small roles

Post illness, actress Manisha Koirala is eagerly waiting to wear the grease paint and face the camera, but is not ready to do small roles.

“I want to see myself on the screen but it has to be with good script, good actors, and director. I have been getting lot of offers, but they say it’s an important role with two scenes. I will not do that and I am not interested.”

Manisha, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, has been cured.

Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha lend voice in ‘Rio 2’

Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha have lent their voices in the upcoming animated film ‘ Rio 2’.

During a recent press conference held in Mumbai, Khan said that he had fun voicing an animated character since there are a lot of sound and funny effects to play along with.

The ‘Dabangg’ actress said that there is an emotional connection, family bonding and values in the film, which one would want to see and the film is really funny and put in a very good way.

The film is set to hit theaters on 11th April 2014. (ANI)