Bollywood's beloved 'Kaka' Rajesh Khanna is fine, says family!

Rajesh Khanna, Akshay Kumar, Dimple Kapadia

Rajesh Khanna, Akshay Kumar, Dimple Kapadia

Bollywood's beloved 'Kaka' Rajesh Khanna, who has not been keeping well, is now more than fine, his family told.

"He's more than fine. He is absolutely fine. Thank you for your concern," Rajesh Khanna's son-in-law, actor Akshay Kumar said journalists outside Khanna's bungalow Ashirwad in Bandra here.

Akshay's comment came after the 69-year-old veteran's manager Ashwin said that the actor had stopped food intake for the "last three or four days".

Worried fans lined up outside his house, and India's first superstar Rajesh Khanna gladly obliged by waving to them and showing them the 'V' for victory sign from the balcony of his house. He was dressed in a crisp white kurta, a stole and dark shades.

With a heavily bearded look, he appeared weak, but seemed to be in high spirits as he sported the same smile which in his heydays made millions of his female fans’ hearts skips a beat.

He was accompanied by his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, who takes regular care of him these days, as well as Akshay, who is wedded to his elder daughter Twinkle.

While Twinkle is expecting her second baby, her younger sister Rinke has flown down to Mumbai to be with her ailing father.

The actor began his career with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966. He became a popular name with his work in movies like "Raaz", "Do Raaste" and "Aradhana" and was crowned "superstar" after he delivered 15 consecutive solo super hits.

In April, he was admitted to a hospital due to a brief health scare.

He freshly featured in a TV commercial for Havell's fan.

Playing Nehru is challenging for Dalip Tahil in Bhag Milkha Bhag!

After playing a variety of character roles in Bollywood masala movies, Dalip Tahil will be seen as Jawaharlal Nehru in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhag Milkha Bhag". He tells the role was a challenge as people have a reference point for that character.

"It's a big challenge for me. I am very excited that I am playing the role of India's first prime minister. It's a very significant character in Milkha's life. He is motivating, promoting and giving him a platform to lead India in various sports events," Dalip said.

He said he saw documentary footages and read books on Nehru to prepare for the role.

"We have got the look right. Pandit Nehru is an important character in the history of India, so it was important to play him right. When you have to play a living character or a person who is dead, people have a reference to that character. So, there is an obligation, responsibility to reflect him right," he further added.

The whole experience of working in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" has been "fantastic" for Dalip and he told, "Rakeysh is a pleasure to work with. The whole production team has been so professional and painstaking about Nehru's way of dressing, the tilt of the cap, his makeup and all. I am very impressed."

A known face in Bollywood as well as television, Dalip played key roles in "Darr", "Baazigar", "Ishq" and "Ra.One".

He follows his gut feeling while selecting a role.

"I don't have an extremely profound theory for selecting roles. I usually go by my gut feeling. When the story is being narrated to me, the character is being described and I feel I can bring something to the character, I do it. I want to do characters which move the story. I don't go by anything else."

Boman feels promotions are important for showing confident in our film!

Actor Boman Irani, who is riding high on the success of his latest movie "Ferrari Ki Sawaari", feels promotions are important because it shows one is confident about his or her product.

"Promotion is very important because if we do not do it people will feel that we don't have confidence in our film. As much as we could, we promoted the film. But it eventually boils down to the watermark," Boman told.

The 52-year-old is now gearing up for the release of his new movie "Cocktail" and told, "It is a wonderful, romantic comedy with Saif Ali Khan, Diana Penty, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia and, of course, myself. Homi Adajania, who directed 'Being Cyrus', has directed it," he said.

"I think it's a very fresh film, it has a very youthful bent to it and I am very confident that it will do well too," he further added.

Sanjay Dutt's niece Nazia Hussain’s debutant film is ‘Yeh Jo Mohabbat hai'!

Producer Ashim Samanta is set to keep on the legacy of Aradhana Films with his upcoming romantic film "Yeh Jo Mohabbat hai".

This will be his son, Aditya Samanta's debut movie and he will be seen with Sanjay Dutt's niece, Nazia Hussain. The movie is directed by Shree Narayan Singh.

Both Aditya and Nazia make a nice on screen couple. "I am very excited. I hope that they succeed. The chemistry on screen is excellent. They both look fantastic and like they are made for each other," Ashim said on the music launch of the film.

"She (Nazia) is exactly what we wanted. I auditioned so many girls. I wanted somebody young and innocent and not very modern. I wanted a mix of tradition and modernity and that was tough," he added.

The music of the film is fresh and has been composed by Anu Malik, who was also present at the event along with the complete cast of the film. The film's cast also includes veteran actors like Mohnish Behl, Rati Agnihotri and Farida Jalal.

Shakti Samanta's banner Aradhana Films is known for its epic romantic dramas like Amar Prem, Kati Patang and Aradhana. "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai" is also a romantic film but is modern in its outlook.

"Emotions like love don't change with time. We might be portraying age old emotions in the film, but the film is very modern in its outlook," Ashim said.

Estranged wife Dimple Kapadia takes care of ill Rajesh Khanna, stops food intake!

Dimple Kapadia, Rajesh Khanna

R. Balki, Rajesh Khanna

All's not well with Hindi filmdom's original megastar Rajesh Khanna. The actor, freshly seen in a TV ad, has stopped intake of food the past few days, while his separated wife Dimple Kapadia is taking care of him.

"Rajeshji is in poor health. He has stopped having food since the last three or four days," the 60-year-old's manager Ashwin said.

"He is not able to have his food. Khaana muh pe nahi jaa raha hai (The food is not going into his mouth)," he added, but didn't confirm if the actor will be admitted to a hospital soon.

Commonly known as 'Kaka', Rajesh Khanna went through a health scare in April too. He was hospitalized following uneasiness back then.

His present ill health brought his younger daughter Rinke to Mumbai Wednesday morning.

"Rinke and her mother Dimple Kapadia are by his side and taking care of him," told Ashwin.

Dimple and Rajesh Khanna's elder daughter Twinkle is expecting her second baby with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.

Rajesh Khanna, touted as Hindi cinema's "first superstar", began his acting career with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966 and rose to prominence with his performances in movies like "Raaz", "Do Raaste" and "Aradhana".

He earned his title following 15 consecutive solo super hits between 1969 to 1972.

Of late, he was seen in a TV commercial for Havell's fan. The campaign was directed by R. Balki.

Saif Ali Khan to play Nehru in Gurinder Chadha’s next!

Gurinder Chadha

Saif plays Nehru

Britain-based Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha sports a new look and is ready to wear the director's hat again. She'll soon begin filming a film on partition, to be shot in Delhi and Jodhpur, and is keen to rope in Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan as Jawaharlal Nehru in it

Chadha, who has lost 25 kg, has already spoken to Naseeruddin Shah to play Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the movie -- and he's game.

"This is my biggest challenge to date. I've been working on my partition film for some time now. The central character is Lord Mountbatten. The movie is set in January 1947 when Mountbatten was asked to oversee India and the movie ends in August 1947, so it's a brief time span. But (it is) a huge canvas requiring tonnes and tonnes of research and scores of characters. I've spoken to some people including Naseer and Saif. Nehru's role is a cameo, so I wonder if Saif would be willing to do it," she told on phone from London.

She has been working on the partition film while changing nappies and feeding the babies. She plans to roll it on floors in October.

The film's central figure would be Lord Mountbatten, and either of the two Hollywood biggies -- Colin Firth or Michael Fassbender - will step in to play the role.

The "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride and Prejudice" filmmaker has already locked locations for the shooting.

"I've already acquired the necessary permission to shoot everywhere in India including Rashtrapati Bhavan. So I am all set. I don't have to shoot in Pakistan at all. This would be my ultimate dream project and I can't wait for it to take off," she further added.

But she has to wait until October because an astrologer has advised her so.

"The wife of the author of the book, on which my partition film is based, is heavily into astrology. She says October is a good time to start," further she told.

For now, she is looking forward to running between Blackpool and Manchester with the Olympics torch Saturday.

"Though it's just a 300-yard run, I've been practising for it for months. There will be 8,000 people to cheer me on. My friends and relatives are coming there with drums and other musical instruments to cheer me. I am super excited to have been selected to run and I see it as a great honour. I get to keep the torch too, so my children will have a very special memento to keep in years to come," further added the 52-year-old.

Since her five-year-old twins have started attending school now, she has six hours to herself at home.

"I'm making up for lost time," she joked.

Chadha was also in Mumbai last month for her friend Karan Johar's 40th birthday party.

"But no one saw me slip in and slip out, probably because there was so much less of me now to see," she added.

The Ganga Sharan Singh Award for Bhandarkar, Benegal!

President Pratibha Patil honored filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar with Ganga Sharan Singh award along with Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad for their contribution to Hindi cinema.

The filmmakers were presented with the award at Rashtrapati Bhavan here. The award comprises of a certificate and a cheque of Rs.1 lakh.

"Over the years not just the audience or the industry but also the government of our country has supported and acknowledged my work. I am honoured and thankful to the HRD ministry for finding me befitting for this award," Bhandarkar, who is known for making hard-hitting and gripping films like "Chandni Bar" and "Page 3", told in a statement.

As many as 28 people from various walks of life were also honored by the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), as part of the Hindi Service Awards Scheme.

The Ganga Sharan Singh Award is a literary honour that the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (Central Hindi Organisation) annually confers on writers of outstanding works in Hindi literature. It is also given to those who play an important role in promoting the Hindi language through their area of expertise.

Sunny plays again a Sardar in Anil Sharma’s next 'Singh Sahab the Great'!

Sunny Deol, Anil Sharma

Sunny Deol, who was last seen in "Yamla Pagla Deewana" in 2011, is gearing up for his next movie "Singh Sahab the Great". To be helmed by Anil Sharma, it will feature him as a sardar and the shooting is expected to start in October or November.

"I am making a film with Sunny Deol. The film is titled 'Singh Sahab the Great' and Sunny plays a sardar in the film. The leading lady of the film is not yet finalised," Sharma, who earlier made hits like "Gadar - Ek Prem Katha", "The Hero - Love Story of a Spy" and "Apne" with Sunny, said.

Conversation about the subject, he told the "film deals with the system and corruption in our country".

Before it goes on floor, the film's music will be launched Thursday.

"We have different music directors for this film and the first music is composed by Anu Malik," he told.

"We will start shooting from October or November. We are planning to finish the entire film in three to four months. The entire film will be shot in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," he further added.

Sharma, who has been lying low post the failure of 2010 Salman Khan starrer "Veer", says planning a film is a time consuming affair and added, "Every film takes time. I take a lot of time in scripting and now when I am ready, I am making an announcement."

A book author Seema seeks compensation of Rs.2.5 crore from Bhandarkar due to copyright infringement!

A Delhi court has reserved its order for June 27 on an author's plea for lodging a first information report (FIR) against Bollywood filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for copying the plot of his 2008 movie "Fashion" from her book.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Sharma told that the court would June 27 decide on the plea filed by book author Seema Seth seeking compensation of Rs.2.5 crore.

"To come up June 27 for orders," told the court, in an order made available.

The court was hearing a plea by actress-turned-author Seth alleging that Bhandarkar stole the plot and idea for "Fashion" from her book "El Dorado" which was published three months before the release of the movie Oct 29, 2008.

She demanded the court to book Bhandarkar for violation of the Copyright Act, as the idea of the story had been taken from the book without permission.

Seth also made Ronnie Screwvala of UTV Motion Pictures a party in the case.

The idea has been stolen from the "book wherein the story begins in Kolkata, where an aspiring model wishes to go to Mumbai but her father opposes and mother supports" the idea.

"Careful reading of the said book vis-a-vis the story of the said movie would conclude that the story/script has been taken from the said book without my permission", she challenged.

Himangini Singh Yadu wins Miss Asia Pacific 2012!

Himangini Singh Yadu, who represented India at the Miss Asia Pacific 2012, has won the international title. She is the first one to win the crown in 12 years.

The beauty pageant was held in Busan, South Korea.

"This is a dream come true! All the hard work, time and effort that my mentors have put in with me has paid off," told Himangini told in a statement.

She has been selected by I AM She, a national beauty pageant, started in 2010, which sends its winner to Miss Universe and Miss Asia Pacific pageants.

"I am extremely thankful to the entire I AM She team and Sushmita Sen... I couldn't have done it without them! I am extremely thrilled at making them and India proud," Himangini told.

Ever since I AM She came into being, this is the first time their candidate has won an international title and Sushmita, founder of the organisation, is delighted with the victory.

"We did it! The entire team is extremely happy and very proud of Himangini for winning the international title... She has so beautifully represented India and won us back that sweet taste of victory," told the former Miss Universe.

Model-turned-actress Dia Mirza was the last Indian to win the Miss Asia Pacific title in the year 2000.

Himangini Singh Yadu is a BCA graduate from Indore's International Institute of Professional Studies. She was also crowned Miss Indore in 2006 and has since walked the ramp at various fashion shows.

Aamir Khan's diving for leaner look!

Aamir Khan who earned the name of Perfectionist is currently taking diving lessons at city club for his forthcoming project 'Dhoom-3' on YRF banner. In March 2012, a video posted online showed how Aamir Khan had been working out actually hard to achieve a leaner look for his upcoming YRF project Dhoom 3. Instructor Dheepesh Bhatt is taking extreme care so that Amir doesn’t skip these intense training sessions. And even accompanied the star to Pondicherry where he was shooting for Talaash.

Amir later hired a French trainer to teach him acrobatics. This is too for Dhoom 3. And now, we hear, the actor is learning how to dive. In fact, we got our hands on some pictures of the actor caught in the act at Orca Diving Club.

Anees Abenwala, the man who had taught the whole cast of Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara how to dive, has been training Aamir as well. He was not forthcoming about his training sessions but he revealed telling, "I train actors for a specific reason. After the training, we shoot the underwater sequence as well. They are lovely people. Safety of actors is very important. I always accommodate them." Giving insights about the training he told, "It is a great adventure sport. It opens a new window. We start in a pool and then go to fantastic islands like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maldives or Sri Lanka. This is one sport that should not dry up."Majumdar and Darsheel Safary.”

Salman Khan forgets stardom for differently abled children!

It was limited to India till lately and now it’s out of India. Well, we are talking about Salman Khan’s ‘Being Human’. The megastar was in Dubai recently, launching his brand “Being Human”, at various stores, including Splash.

The 46-year-old star, besides launching his brand, also took out time for his fans at the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre in Dubai.

Okay, so what’s this organization all about??
Well, this organization helps the differently – differently abled children.

With the little kids, Salman Khan himself became a kid. He played, joked, hugged and almost forgot his stardom. After all, at and of the day, it’s all about “Being Human” to Salman.

Sonu Sood is going to be a next Don Dawood!

Sonu Sood who will be playing underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Shootout at Wadala wishes to learn all about the notorious don to ensure he portrays the role realistically. Don Dawood remains an obsession with Bollywood and he has been depicted in films like Black Friday, ‘D’ and Company.

Sonu tells he is reading articles and books and doing his homework to learn all about the don. He even plans to visit the places where Dawood grew up and meet people who used to know him. To be as realistic as possible, Sonu will don a mustache and 70s inspired costumes since the movie is based in the 1970s.

Shootout at Wadala boasts an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Tusshar Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, Ronit Roy and Mahesh Manjrekar.

Salman’s cost only Rs. 1.75 Crores for your personal parties and events!

Salman Khan’s current hits have made him more pricey. Now, he is quoting a huge Rs. 1.75 crore to appear at private parties and events. Plus, he will accept an offer only if he is ferried in a chartered flight.

Freshly, Salman flatly refused an offer of Rs 1 crore to appear for two events in Dubai. The brain behind this fee hike is rumored to be Salman’s manager Reshma Shetty. Sources disclose Salman is being bombarded with offers to appear in marriages, birthday parties, business launches etc. So, he his confident somebody or other will pay his high rate.

Sharman Joshi says thank to viewers for Ferrari Ki Sawaari success!

Actor Sharman Joshi, whose first solo hero movie "Ferrari Ki Sawaari" opened to good reviews, is humbled by the praise being showered upon his movie by the viewers.

"I am feeling too happy. We are very, very thankful to the people for their love. We are very humbled by the love and affection they are showing. Thank you very much," the 33-year-old told here at an event.

"In Bombay and in the whole country, every show is earning a huge collection and we are expecting Rs.25 crore in the first week and it's only going to grow bigger and stronger," he further added.

Released Friday, "Ferrari Ki Sawaari" has been produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and is directed by debutant director Rajesh Mapuskar. It also stars Boman Irani.

Boman is all praise for the actor and wants filmmakers to make good use of his talent.

"I would only say that after '3 Idiots', Sharman is like a family member in the Chopra camp. Sharman is a fantastic actor and it would be so unfair of our directors and producers if they don't use a talent like Sharman in our films," he told.

"I am so happy that Sharman got this role and he essayed it so fantastically. And I feel good that such a good actor is with us," he added.

Mukesh Bhatt's son Vishesh debuts as director with 'Murder 3'

 Vishesh Bhatt

Mukesh Bhatt, Vishesh Bhatt

Mukesh Bhatt, whose production house is known for giving break to newcomers in the showbiz, is set to launch his son Vishesh as a director with his production endeavor "Murder 3".

“‘Murder 3' will be directed by Vishesh. Next month is the 25th year of Vishesh Films and it marks the debut of Vishesh as a director," Mukesh Bhatt, who named the banner after his son, said.

Mukehsh Bhatt co-owns Vishesh Films with his brother Mahesh Bhatt and the banner launched actors like Rohit Roy, Anu Aggarwal and John Abraham.

"This movie ('Murder 3') is as important for us as 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' was for Yas Raj Films or 'Maine Pyar Kiya' was for Rajshri. This is a very important film for us," he further added.

Directed by Anurag Basu, "Murder" featuring Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat, was released in 2004. "Murder 2" came in 2011 and this time Mohit Suri wielded the megaphone, while Emraan and Jacqueline Fernandez played the lead pair.

But in "Murder 3", Randeep Hooda has replaced Emraan and Aditi Rao Hydari will play his love interest.

“‘Murder 3' will be a different movie. Unlike 'Murder' and 'Murder 2', 'Murder 3' will not be an erotic movie but will have sensuality. Last two movies focused much on single screens, 'Murder 3' will be an up market movie for the multiplex as well," told Mukesh Bhatt, 60.

He added that the movie "will go on floors by July end" and that the "90 percent of the film will be shot in Cape Town".

Shahid & Priyanka recalls old days by traveling in Mumbai local!

Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Mumbai Local Train

Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Mumbai Local Train

Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Mumbai Local Train

Actors Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra freshly traveled by a "local" train, and both told they boarded a suburban train after a long time and it was a fun ride.

"I got on to a train after a long time. It was a bit chaotic because there was a lot of media and public. It was tough to reach our destination because of the crowd but getting onto a train and going from one station to another was fun," told Shahid.

Priyanka said, "Initially, when I came to Mumbai I used to travel in local trains a lot. So, it felt nice that trains haven't changed, the public has not changed. So it was a good experience."

Both the actors and director Kunal Kohli were promoting their movie "Teri Meri Kahaani". They first boarded a local train to reach Jai Hind College, Churchgate, and from there they went to Oberoi Mall to launch Opium eyewear in a car.

Seemingly, the whole train was booked for Rs. 5,00,000.

Kohli flaunted his funny side by telling, "We hope 'Teri Meri Kahaani' is a superhit. We have just shown three births and it is a time of sequels. So if the movie is a hit, I'll show four more births in the next film."

Earlier this year, actress Vidya Balan also undertook a similar promotional medium for her film hit film "Kahaani".

Karan Johar’s two movies offer for Emraan Hashmi!

Karan Johar

Emraan Hashmi

Emraan Hashmi is actually having a good time these days. A number of directors are approaching him for work. Most recent news is that, Karan Johar has approached the serial kisser of Bollywood for two of his movies. One movie is to be directed by Rensil D’Silva and produced by Karan’s home production company. In an interview, the talented director was all in praise for Hashmi. He divulged his plans of casting Emraan in Silva’s film, as well as told that he is contemplating on featuring the Casanova of Bollywood in another project also.

Karan tells he waited so long for a right script to come so that he could work with Hashmi. The way Emraan is building up his acting career day by day is what earned a lot of respect in Karan Johar’s mind. Emraan Hashmi is unquestionably a bankable star; he has given a number of hits in recent times like “Murder 2”, “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai”, “The Dirty Picture” and “Jannat 2”.

Karan tells in his movie, the role which will be played by Emraan is a suitable role for the star. Though the character is very different from any characters which Emraan played still now.

Priyanka becomes Hindi tutor for Ram Charan aka Cherry!

Ram Charan Teja, Priyanka Chopra

Ram Charan Teja

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra and Ram Charan are romancing in 'Zanjeer; which marks the Bollywood debut of Mega Power Star from South. Priyanka is taking care so that Cherry doesn't feel alone and even helping him in getting his Hindi right becoming his Hindi tutor. Ram Charan earlier employed a Hindi tutor but the entry of Priyanka changed everything and now he has done away with the tutor enjoying the company of Priyanaka.

However news is she is burning mid night oil with Cherry listening to his master's voice. It is known that the Zanjeer is concurrently made in Hindi and Telugu. Priyanaka, a thorough professional as she was, is keen on dubbing for her Telugu version also and is learning Telugu from Ram Charan. The movie is directed by Apurva Lakhia and is the remake of yesteryear Big B super hit Zanjeer.

Though Ram Charan has only few Hindi dialogues, Priyanka's role has lots and lots of dialogues which mandate Cherry to concentrate more on Priyanka and make her attain perfection in Telugu. This developed a close bond between Cherry and Priyanka.

Ajay’s one-liner dialogues in ‘Bol Bachchan’!

Bol Bachchan will see Ajay Devgan in a distinct style.

Ajay’s character is named Prithviraj Raghuvanshi and he plays the role of an English speaking addict. Loads of witty proverbs have been used by the actor.

“Bol Bachchan” will see Ajay trying hard to speak in English. However, he fails to do so and ends up translating well-known Hindi proverbs in English.

He interprets “Bagal mein chhora aur sheher mein dhindora” as “Boy under armpit and hypercity noise pollution”, and “Tujhe paakar meri chahati aur bhi choudi ho gayi hai” as “My chest has become blouse”.

A source from the sets, reveals, “These are just a few! Ajay has quite a number of fascinating dialogues which are sure to get the audiences cracking. We won’t be surprised if these one-liners too become a rage like the dialogues from ‘Singham”.

“Bol Bachchan”, also starring Abhishek Bachchan in a double role.

The movie releases on July 6.