A curious eyes glimpse of Aaradhya Bachchan!

We finally got a glimpse of Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan’s daughter, Aaradhya.

Big B recommends the Gangs of Wasseypur for cinema goers!

Amitabh Bachchan was super awed by Gangs of Wasseypur which released last Friday. Ever since the actor watched the movie, his blog has been flooding with its reviews and strongly recommends the film to each and everyone.

On Friday, the film ran houseful in most parts.

“Quite undoubtedly the moment of the day has been the film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (GOW), which I have had the great privilege to see. Indian Cinema at its best, honest, stark and as painfully real as possible. For one that has been born and lived a major portion of his life in almost similar environment, or at least exposed to it to some degree, I found so much that I could well relate to. And that has led to the authenticity…,” Big B posted on his blog.

“Anurag Kashyap has not done any fancy shot taking and allowed the visuals to flow as they would, were one to be living those circumstances in real time,” he posted.

The movie has stellar performances by Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha and Piyush Mishra.

Praising Manoj Bajpayee, the 69-year-old posted, “Manoj Bajpayee in particular, and of all the artists right down to the smallest in capacity and presence, has been beautifully done. No one looked or performed out of place. They just did enough and that was effective enough.”

“Importantly though, the film GOW touched and expanded on a topic that apart from the blood and gore and the violence educated us on a social issue which most of us may never have heard of. The disparities yes, on more social and moral levels, but also on a factor that concerns religion and the evil that exists within most of the polity even now about it. In all a glorious film and one that I would recommend strongly,” he wrote.

Madhuri Dixit and Sushmita Sen honoured for individual excellence in their field!

Madhuri Dixit

Sushmita Sen

Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit and former beauty queen and actress Sushmita Sen were honoured for individual excellence in the field of acting and entrepreneurship respectively.

While Sushmita was honoured with woman entrepreneur award for successfully running her organisation --I AM SHE, Madhuri was conferred with platinum diva award, at Planman Media's Powerbrands Hall of Fame awards held at Kingdom of Dreams.

"I am very proud and honoured after receiving the award. It reiterates the fact that people still look at me with integrity. I have come here with a lot of hard work," told Madhuri, who was accompanied by husband Sriram Nene, after receiving the award.

While thanking for the honour, Sushmita told: "It has been a journey for me. I won Miss Universe in 1994, got to do my first film 'Dastak' in 1996 and now I receive this woman entrepreneur award for I AM SHE, which I opened two years ago."

Sen said she opened it with the idea of making "our Indian beauties capable enough to win international titles. All you people have been a source of great strength".

Actors Parineeti Chopra and Prateik also received the awards for rising star female and rising star male respectively.

"Just a year ago I was not even planning to become an actress. I was working in corporate industry. I always thought of becoming a banker. But I think destiny has its own role to play," told Parineeti who is enjoying new found fame after the success of "Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl" and "Ishaqzaade".

"It feels really good that I have been getting so many awards. I promise to keep working harder and I hope to keep everybody happy," she added.

Prateik, who has movies like "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na", "My Friend Pinto" and "Aarakshan" to his credit, dedicated his trophy to the people he has worked with so far.

"This is really encouraging. I would like to dedicate this to all the people who I have worked in all my films," he said.

Theatre veteran Tom Alter was given an award for exemplary contribution to Indian theatre while recently crowned Miss Asia Pacific Himagini Singh Yadu was honoured with the title of inspirational youth icon.

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna was given an award in the category, India Ki Shaan- culinary. People from various corporate and marketing fields were also honoured at the awards ceremony.

The event saw the unveiling of Planman's second edition of "Powerbrands", a research-driven book, which talks about 100 most powerful brands of India.

Stand up against husband’s extra-marital affairs, says Mona Singh!

Mona Singh

Ekta Kapoor, Mona Singh, Pawan Shankar

Actor Mona Singh won hearts as an unattractive, yet confident duckling in "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi", and now as a strong woman who battles her husband's unfaithfulness in "Kya Huaa Tera Vaada", she wants to inspire women across the country.

"As an actor, I am here to inspire women in whatever way I can," Mona said.

"There are many women who aren't treated well, whose husbands have extra-marital affairs and yet there are women who accept them back. But here I want to tell them to stand up for themselves and not be dependent on their husband for every decision and for money," she added.

In the show, the actress plays Mona, a happily married woman with three kids. Their family life is perfect until her husband goes back to his college sweetheart.

The current track of the Sony show features Mona who steps out of her life as a homemaker to make a mark for herself and be financially independent for the sake of her kids.

"A women has to be independent, she has to be working. She has to go out and meet new people," tells the 31-year-old.

While Mona's husband is essayed by actor Pawan Shankar, actress Mouli Ganguly plays his love interest.

The show's track has been compared with that of David Dhawan's 1999 hit movie "Biwi No.1". But Mona tells it isn't totally so.

"To a certain extent I agree, because the man did have an extra-marital affair and there was infidelity, but that was a three-hour movie. However, this is a serial and it will last for one year or two years at least, so it cannot be based on a movie," Mona told.

In the time that Mona was away from small screen's fictional content, she was seen on the big screen in films like "3 Idiots" and "Utt Patangg". Her association with TV was only limited with reality shows "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4", "Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega 4" and "Shaadi 3 Crore Ki".

Just when everybody thought she had shifted to the big screen, she came back to TV.

To this, Mona tells movies are just a bonus and her heart lies with the idiot box.

"I was never going to quit television. You'll never read a single interview of mine where I have said that 'Okay, this is it! I have done enough, of television and now I am quitting.' Quitting was never my idea," Mona told.

"I started from television, I belong here and I will continue to do this. Movies will happen whenever they are supposed to happen. Movies will be bonus for me, television is my everyday bread, butter and jam and everything," she added.

Kamal Haasan’s a racy spy thriller Vishwaroopam with beautiful Pooja Kumar!

Kamal Haasan

Pooja Kumar, Kamal Haasan

Pooja Kumar

Pooja Kumar

Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam – a racy spy thriller is all set to roll on floors. The movie is made on a huge budget of approximately Rs 150 crore. Vishwaroopam will hit theaters in Tamil and Hindi. Kamal Haasan has written, directed and produced the movie all by himself.

The movie stars actors like Rahul Bose, Jaideep Ahlawat, Samrat Chakrabarti, Zarina Wahab and even Shekhar Kapur, who will be seen in a cameo in the movie.

Singer-actress Andrea Jeremiah, and the beautiful starlet Pooja Kumar, who plays Dr. Nirupama will act opposite Kamal. The actor will be seen playing a double role in the movie, one an accomplished Kathak dancer and the other a stylish spy.

“Vishwaroopam revolves around a marriage of convenience and the desire of the wife to spy on her dancer husband to find an excuse to leave him. This results in wires getting cross connected and all hell breaks loose,” tells actor-director Kamal Haasan.

The movie is releasing on July 13.

First Look of Ram Charan Teja in‘Zanjeer’ remake!

Ram Charan Teja

South actor Ram Charan Teja is all set to step into Amitabh Bachchan’s shoes, as the angry young man Inspector Vijay, on in the ‘Zanjeer’ remake.

Here is the first look of the actor.

The movie is directed by Apoorva Lakhia, who shot to fame with Shootout At Lokhandwala, and will have Priyanka Chopra step into the shoes of Jaya Bachchan.

Ram tells, “Zanjeer is a tribute to Mr. Bachchan and my father (actor Chiranjeevi).”

Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog, “I do hope they will make a successful film. It is a compliment to the film being remade it was worthy of remaking when you had a hand in making the original. How many films do carry the benefit of a remake is what needs to be appreciated also.”

Till date, just forty percent of the movie is complete.

Now do vote for 'The Greatest Indian' list!

From Jawaharlal Nehru and Lata Mangeshkar to Vikram Sarabhai and E. Shreedharan - a list of Indians who have shaped the country since its independence, have been listed under various categories as part of an initiative by History TV18 and CNN IBN to win "The Greatest Indian" title.

As many as 50 nominees across five categories - political leaders, arts and social leaders, movie related, entrepreneurs and idea leaders and sports and administrators, have been short listed for the initiative.

Based on British show "The Greatest Briton", which has been adapted in 21 countries so far, the series, which went on air Monday, is set to trigger a debate on who is the greatest Indian after Mahatma Gandhi.

"I'm sure this series will trigger an enthusiastic debate in homes, offices and public places around the country," Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, IBN18 Network, told in a press statement.

According to Ajay Chacko of A+E Networks | TV18, the poll will help youth recognize the achievements of country's key individuals.

"This partnership with CNN IBN enables HISTORY TV18 to bring forth the inspiring figures over the years, after the Mahatma, who have had the maximum impact on the country's present and future.

"While the jury and nationwide polls will ultimately lead to the search for that one individual who's contribution to India has been overwhelmingly acknowledged as the most enduring, it also gives us Indians a chance to be aware of the contributions of many other great individuals from diverse fields," he told.

The jury for the entire process consists of a panel of 28 Indians from different walks of life. It includes names like Shashi Tharoor, Nandan Nilekani, Rajkumar Hirani, Soli Sorabjee, Shabana Azmi and Arun Jaitley among others.

Along with the nationwide poll, equal weightage will be given to the jury's selection as well as a separate market research poll conducted by The Nielsen Company.

At first, a shortlist of the top 10 'Greats' will be decided, followed by the selection of the 'Greatest Indian'. The shortlist of top 10 'Greats' is slated to be revealed July 1 and the second round of voting will begin soon after.

The initiative will culminate with the announcement of The Greatest Indian in a glittering ceremony to be telecast around Independence Day this year.

As part of the nationwide poll, viewers can cast their vote by visiting the website TheGreatestIndian.in or giving a missed call to a unique number assigned to their nominee of choice.

Here are the names of some leaders listed under each category:

Political leaders - Atal Bihari Vajpayee, B. R Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, APJ Abdul Kalam

Arts and social leaders: Baba Amte, Mother Teresa, Pt. Ravi Shankar, M. F. Husain, Bismillah Khan

Movie related: Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Kapoor, Rajinikanth, Satyajit Ray, Dev Anand, Mohammad Rafi

Entrepreneurs and idea leaders: Homi Bhabha, Dhirubhai Ambani, Ghanshyam Das Birla, J. R. D. Tata, Ramnath Goenka, Amartya Sen

Sports and administrators: Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Dhyan Chand, Viswanathan Anand, Milkha Singh

Now Priyanka adopts lioness Sundari of Ranchi's Birsa Munda zoo!

After tigress Durga, Bollywood's 'junglee billi' Priyanka Chopra has adopted lioness Sundari of Ranchi's Birsa Munda zoo, an official said.

"We have received a cheque of Rs.200,000 from Priyanka Chopra foundation. She has adopted lioness Sundari," a zoo official told.

The contract will last till April 30, 2013. The official said Priyanka had adopted tigress Durga last year. That contract ended April 30.

Last year the Ranchi zoo introduced a scheme for adoption of animals. One can adopt any animal for a period of one year to 11 years.

The money is used for the upkeep of the animals and to create awareness about wildlife.

Besides folks, some corporate houses and public sector undertakings have adopted elephants, peacock, tigers and leopards.

Zohra Segal and Ramesh Sippy will get lifetime honors at IIFA!

Zohra Segal, Ramesh Sippy

Veteran actress Zohra Segal, who turned 100 years old last month, and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy will be honored for their outstanding contribution to Indian cinema at the 13th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony to be held in Singapore next month.

Sippy will be conferred for his outstanding contribution to movies.

"To be recognized on an international platform is an honor. I am truly honored that my work has been acknowledged," Sippy told in a statement. He is known for giving blockbusters like "Sholay" and "Seeta Aur Geeta".

Zohra, who celebrated her 100th birthday April 27, is an acclaimed dancer and actress, and has had a prolific career in theatre, film and dance. She will receive the special award for contribution to 100 years of Indian cinema, for her large body of work, and the impact she has had on the industry.

"Nothing gives us more pleasure than to honour these incredible individuals, who have dedicated their life to the progress of Indian cinema and the passion with which they entertain people across the globe," told Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

"It is through their work that the Indian film industry has grown and we are honored to be able to recognize their efforts," he further added.

The three-day cine event, to be held June 7-9 in Singapore, will feature fashion shows and a musical extravaganza, with all celebrations culminating into a glittering awards presentation ceremony.

Shah Rukh defends the West Bengal chief minister's action!

Mamata Banerjee, Shah Rukh Khan

As critics criticized Mamata Banerjee for giving a rousing welcome to a private corporate team like KKR, Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan defended the West Bengal chief minister's action.

"There is no harm in being happy and sharing happiness. Nobody should criticize it. It's alright to be happy," told Shahrukh, the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders which lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy.

"Let's not be political. It has been done because we all are happy. There is no wrong if we bring a small pinch of happiness in the city of joy," he told.

King Khan, who is also Bengal's brand ambassador, along with the KKR team was felicitated by Banerjee for winning the IPL tournament.

With a frenzied crowd of thousands cheering on, KKR took a victory parade from south Kolkata's Hazra Crossing on a flower-bedecked open top trailer.

Around 70,000 people gathered at the Eden Gardens where the team was given a civic reception whereas 20,000-30,000 stood outside to have a glimpse of Shah Rukh and Gautam Gambhir.

Banerjee's gala felicitation at Eden Gardenshad drawn severe criticism from a section of the people who had slammed the state government for spending so much money on the felicitation of a private cricket team.

Aamir’s ‘Satyamev Jayate’ show inspires a Sarpanch to stop female foeticide!

Aamir Khan in Satyamev Jayate

Aamir Khan’s newest TV show, “Satyamev Jayate” has shaken the whole nation from her sleep. The reality show has inspired so many people across the country. The most recent we hear is that in a small village in Rajasthan, a sarpanch registered a police complain against women and families who go for tests to detect and abort the girl child.

“Illegal sex determination is rampant in the Shekhawati region (Jhunjhunu, Churu and Sikar districts),” sarpanch Randheer Singh of Budania village said.

The sarpanch also told that a committee of six-members has been formed to take a closer look at women who are expecting.

“After watching Aamir Khan’s TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ on female foeticide, I felt that awareness in Rajasthan is not enough,” he told.

“Checking female foeticide at the village level is necessary to save girl children.”

He also told that almost every pregnant woman in the village is known by auxiliary nurses and midwives.

“If a woman is found involved in illegal sex determination and abortion of a girl child, an FIR (First Information Report) will be filed against her with the police,” Singh told.

“If she is forced to abort by her in-laws, similar action will be taken against them also,” he told.

Salman’s comeback as Prem in Sooraj Barjatya’s next!

Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya

The Prem of Maine Pyaar Kiya is back on silver screen. Well, if all goes well, Salman Khan will soon be seen in director Sooraj Barjatya film, movie tentatively titled Bade Bhaiyya.

The film will go on floors by early next year. Keeping with the Rajshri tradition, Salman plays a titular role and he will be named Prem.

As a source tells a tabloid, “Salman will play the character of the elder brother that was traditionally done by Mohnish Behl in the films by the banner.”

Now the main question is who will be the actress??

Chillar Party director signs Kangna for his next Queen!

Vikas Bahl has signed Kangna Ranaut for his upcoming chick flick Queen. The Chillar Party director is currently penning the script for the film that is already in pre-production, and all I can tell you right now is that Kangna will play a Delhigirl in it. The film is being co-produced by Phantom Films and Viacom 18, and there is buzz that it will do for Kangna’s career what The Dirty Picture did for Vidya Balan. That’s a pretty big claim from a film that hasn’t even finished scripting yet, what say you?!

Vikram Bhatt reintroduces Aftab Shivdasani with sequel of film 1920!

Vikram Bhatt and Aftab Shivdasani

Vikram Bhatt is turning into the master of re-launches! After recently re-launching Karisma Kapoor in Dangerous Ishq the filmmaker has now set his sights on reintroducing us to Aftab Shivdasani! From what I hear the writer and director is making a sequel to his hit horror film 1920 with Faffie playing the lead in part 2. Vikram chose Aftab over his current favourite Rajneish Duggal who featured in the original and if all goes well then he plans on making more movies with Aftab in the future. Here’s wishing the actor better luck this time.

Kaahani will remake in three different languages!

Vidya Balan’s Kahaani is going great guns. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the movie will soon be remade in Tamil and Telugu, and most probably in English too.

“There are talks. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, it didn’t happen. It’s at a very nascent stage.” Ghosh told, at the DVD release of “Kahaani”.

Endemol India, a TV production company, which is now into movie making, has purchased the remake rights for Telugu and Tamil version of “Kahaani”.

The remakes is said to roll on floors in September. Both the Tamil and Telugu versions will release in January 2013.

“I’m delighted to know that the film and the ‘Kahaani’ franchise are being handled by a reputed name in the entertainment industry like Endemol India,” Ghosh told in a statement.

“This association will help us reach out to audiences in the south. Here’s looking forward to great success,” he added.

Salman in a remake of Tamil movie Pithamagan!

Satish Kaushik, has purchased the rights of Tamil movie “Pithamagan”. The actor cum director is keen on roping in Salman Khan, for the project. Previously, Sallam worked in his 2003 hit film Tere Naam, which was a super hit.

“Sometimes destiny has its own way. I have a nice script for Salman Khan which is much bigger than ‘Tere Naam’. I have bought the rights of Tamil film ‘Pithamagan’, which featured national award winning actor Vikram who had also done Tamil version of ‘Tere Naam’,” Satish Kaushik said.

What’s interesting is that “Pithamagan” just like ‘Tere Naam’, belongs to director Bala. Actor Surya acted in both the movies.

“I have developed the script and I will soon narrate the script to Salman Khan. He is perfect for the character,” told Kaushik.

Aishwarya Rai supports fight against AIDS at Cannes!

Actress Aishwarya Rai is all set to make her presence felt on the 65th edition of the prestigious Cannes film festival and this time, besides being the brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, she will also help raise funds for fight against AIDS at an auction there.

It is reported that the actress will attend the L’Oreal Paris – amfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) on May 24-25, followed by dinner.

“Eleven glorious years….the journey so far has been remarkable and truly memorable. This year, I am especially privileged as I also get to lend my support to a very important cause at the amfAR dinner, by helping raise funds for the fight against AIDS, at the AMFAR auction,” Aishwarya Rai, told in a statement.

“It makes me proud that L’Oreal Paris sponsors and supports our fight against AIDS through this special amfAR event at Cannes,” she further added.

Other key celebrities to join Aishwarya Rai to the gala dinner are, Gwen Stefani, Milla Jovovich, Aimee Mullins, Liya Kebede, Doutzen Kroes, Natasha Poly, Julianna Margulies, Diane Keaton.

Alec Baldwin, Kenneth Cole, Milutin Gatsby, Michel Hazanavicius & Berenice Bejo, Ryan Kavanaugh, Karl Lagerfeld, Hugh Laurie, Carine Roitfeld and Harvey Weinstein will also be present.

The 65th Cannes International Film Festival kick starts on May 16-27.

Salman is the only entertainer of the bollywood: Shahid Kapoor

Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor

According to Shahid Kapoor, the one and only entertainer of the Hindi film industry is Salman Khan and the fact cannot be changed. Salman is Shahid’s all time much loved actor.

“I don’t think anybody can be Salman Khan. And I don’t think anybody should try and be like him. There is only one Salman Khan and I am sure he is not trying to be like someone else,” Shahid Kapoor said journalists.

“I am a huge fan of him and enjoy his work. I am not trying to be someone else and I am trying to create an identity for myself,” the 31-year-old told.

Shahid Kapoor will soon be seen with Priyanka Chopra in director Kunal Kohli’s Teri Meri Kahaani.

Farhan’s hard work for looking like the 17-year-old sprinter!

Farhan Akhtar, film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Farhan Akhtar, Milkha Singh

Essaying the role of an athlete is not easy. After undertaking a rigorous regime to get into the character of Milkha Singh, Farhan Akhtar will now have to work hard to look like the 17-year-old sprinter in the film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".

This is the time, during the 1950s, when Milkha Singh was a 17-year-old army recruit.

A source close to the project revealed, "Farhan worked really hard to look at least 10 years less than his actual age to look like Milkha in the 1960s. Farhan would now have to knock off another 10 years from his real age to look like the 17-year-old Milkha, the army-boy in the 1950s."

Farhan, who spent a lot of time researching the army for his war film "Lakshya", would undertake at least a fortnight of on-the-spot training in an army cantonment to get the hang of that particular phase of Milkha's career.

Taking a breather from shooting in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra told, "We're not looking anywhere except at getting the on- screen Milkha as correctly on screen as possible. It's not about just looking like Milkha Singh or running like him.

"Farhan got that right once when he trained for the athlete's phase in Milkha's life. I'm sure Farhan would get it right again when we shoot another phase in Milkha's life."

When persuaded to reveal more on how Farhan intends to look 17 years old as an army recruit, Mehra told, "We've shot the runner's phase. We will be going back further into Milkha's life. I'm sure Farhan would be able to pull it off with full conviction. We don't know how much of Milkha Singh's life we'd finally be able to get on screen. We are doing our job to the best of our abilities."

Incidentally, the success of another biopic, Tigmanshu Dhulia's "Paan Singh Tomar" on a sprinter's life, has put additional pressure on the Milkha project.

"Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" producers Viacom 18 are keen to ensure that there are no resemblances between the two films.

Mehra told, "We aren't looking at anything except Milkha's life and how to put it on screen. We've the real Milkha Singh with us. He is currently out of the country. But the minute he returns, he'll be joining us."

Ram Charan Teja takes Hindi lessons for remake of Big B’s 'Zanjeer'

Ram Charan Teja

Telugu star Ram Charan Teja is not fluent in Hindi, but that isn't likely to come in the way of his Bollywood debut project - "Zanjeer" remake - as his character lets his silence speak. However, the actor is taking Hindi tutorials.

Teja, who is superstar Chiranjeevi's son, will play the role of cop Vijay, a silently seething social outcast.

"I'm working on my Hindi for sure. I've got a tutor to teach me the nuances. Waise meri Hindi utni buri nahin hai (Anyway, my Hindi is not that bad). But yes, it's a character who screams through his silence," told Teja.

"So let's just say I'd let my silence speak louder than my words. That's how my director Apoorva Lakhia and I are working on my character," he added.

For now, Teja has larger concerns to deal with -- like stepping into megastar Amitabh Bachchan's shoes. Big B, as the latter is fondly called, played Vijay in the original film.

"So far dealing with being Chiranjeevi's son was a challenge enough. But that challenge is nothing when compared with what I face now. To get into the space of India's biggest star-actor is a prospect that I am not brooding over," told Teja.

But he isn't mulling over prospective comparison with the much senior Amitabh.

"If I think about how I'll be compared in our 'Zanjeer' with Mr. Bachchan, I wouldn't be able to get into it. I've constantly lived under the shadow of comparisons.

"When I started in Telugu cinema in 2007, I was judged as the great Chiranjeevi's son. If I cowered, thinking I was being seen only as an heir-apparent and not an individual, I'd have been immobilised. I just did what came naturally to me," he said.

Teja's father Chiranjeevi too tried his luck in Hindi films like "Pratibandh" and "Mera Maqsad", and the young actor feels that language is no bar for him.

"He did some films in Hindi and then returned to Telugu cinema. The world has shrunk since then. To me, Hindi cinema is only an extension of what I'm already doing. It doesn't matter what the language of a film is. A movie is a movie at the end of the day," he said.

Apart from "Zanjeer", Teja's most well-known Telugu film "Magadheera" might be remade in Hindi.

But Teja says he isn't interested in doing the film in Hindi.

"I'm done with that character and role. 'Magadheera' was a special challenge. But to recreate that challenge would be of no use. I'd rather do a 'Zanjeer' which has been done earlier by another actor. I'd like to see where I can take that role," he said.

There are also plans to bring the father-son duo together on screen soon.

"My father has completed 149 films. I hope to produce his 150th film and be part of it as an actor as well," said Teja, who has no plans of getting into politics like his father.

"I'm happy being an actor. I don't see myself in the role of a politician at all," he said.

But was there a lot of politics in southern movies?

"Not at all," said Teja, adding: "All of us in Telugu cinema who are working as leading men, share a common platform. We're competitors on screen. But once we're out of the studios we're one big family.

"In that sense, cinema is a lot like politics. My father says when he enters the Assembly, all the politicians debate, argue and fight. But once they are done, they become friends again."