Whenever Emraan Hashmi has kissed on screen, more often than not the film has gone on to become a hit.

The actor's Shanghai didn't see him locking lips. Call it coincidence or just bad luck, but the film didn't do well at the box office.

Ek Thi Daayan and Ghanchakkar too didn't find many takers. Nonetheless, Hashmi apparently is keen that his next film, reportedly titled Badtameez Dil, includes an intimate kissing scene.

Buzz is that he conveyed this desire to Ekta Kapoor, who is producing this film in association with Karan Johar. Unfortunately, for him, his request was denied because the heroine of the film — Kareena Kapoor — told the producers that she will not kiss on screen. The film is slated go on the floors this September, with the first schedule in New Delhi.

The first look and motion poster of DHOOM: 3, third installment of DHOOM, is out. The poster features Aamir Khan flaunting his chiseled bare back.

However, Aamir’s pose, especially, his super physique give us a sense of deja vu. The way it introduces the actor quite reminds us of his film GHAJINI.
If you recollect, the first poster of GHAJINI had the perfectionist exposing his bare-back and brawny body.
 

Aamir Khan plays a baddie in DHOOM: 3, while Katrina Kaif will be his love interest in the film. Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will be once again seen in the cop role.


Written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, Dhoom 3 is produced by Aditya Chopra.

DHOOM:3 is slated to release in Christmas 2013.

Ranbir Kapoor, who has stolen million hearts with his performance in films like Rockstar, Barfi! And Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani seems to face some criticism now by Salman Khan and SRK’s fans.

His upcoming film Besharam’s promo seems to have disappointed many. In one scene he says that ‘Sirf Chulbul naam rakhne se koi Dabangg nahi ban jaata’ which has offended Salman’s fans. While, he is seen singing SRK’s song Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jana Saman while urinating which has disappointed SRK’s fan club.

According to sources, fans have decided to ban his films and have been expressing their disliking on social networking sites.
After giving back to back hits, will Ranbir’s act affect the box office collection of his film?

Actress Sonakshi Sinha says her family has given her freedom to choose her kind of films but at the same time she would not do anything to offend them.

“My parents have given me enough freedom to choose and do the kind of roles and films I want to do. They know how professional I am… they trust me. They know I will not do anything that will offend them,” Sonakshi told .

Her comment comes in wake of reports that her mother Poonam Sinha used to come on the sets and was sceptical of the intimate scenes with her co-star Ranveer Singh in ‘Lootera’.

“My mom never came on set for that particular scene. You can say what you want to by using my name but there is no need to drag my family. If it happens I will take a stand… I will stand up against it,” she said.

She feels all this was done for publicity to grab eyeballs for that particular scene or film.

The actress reveals that her mother used to come on the sets to give food to her, co-stars and director, and that they all loved her.

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, ‘Lootera’, a period romance opposite Ranveer Singh, brought lot of appreciation for Sonakshi.

But the 26-year-old seeks advice from her family before signing a film.

“I take advice from them whenever I am in doubt. They have been here in the industry for over 30 years, which is really a very long experience. I truly respect their advice… it’s the logical thing to do,” she said.

Sonakshi reveals that her mother is her biggest critic, while her father Shatrughan Sinha loves her in all her films.

“My mom is my biggest critic. I know she is one person who is saying it only for my good. My dad loves me in all films,” she said.

“If I could have done it much better or if the outfit is not looking good, she will tell me then and there itself. The best part is she is so honest about it. My father thinks everything I do is good only,” she added.

Sonakshi will next be seen in ‘Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobaara’ alongside Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan. The film will release on August 15.

Salman Khan’s love life has always created as many headlines as his films. And if rumours are to be believed the star has ended his alleged romance with his Romanian girlfriend Iulia Vantur. And interestingly, it’s being said that it was at his parents’ insistence that Salman decided to call it quits.

Ever since his break-up with his alleged girlfriend Katrina Kaif, Salman had moved on with Iulia, an actress and TV presenter. The star was believed to be quite smitten with her as he allegedly even gave her a place to stay in Mumbai. But constant buzz about her being previously married started causing ripples in the Khan family.

A source says, “Iulia apparently is married to a Grammy nominated musician Marius Moga. When she was confronted about it, she kept denying the allegations. That was when Salman’s family decided to step in and take charge of the situation.”

And as more and more information about Iulia’s past was unearthed, the Khan family apparently decided it was best if the couple parted ways. Those close to the star say that even though he had already received his visa for London, Salman stayed back in the city to sort the matter out with his family.

“He was spotted spending Eid alone with close friend Baba Siddiqui for company at a restaurant and then at a club,” adds the source.’ And Iulia who had earlier accompanied Salman to Hyderabad during the shoot of Sohail Khan’s upcoming film is believed to have packed her bags and gone back to Romania.

Dear Deepika
I shudder to think what would have been the case had you not boarded the Chennai Express at Kalyan Station.

Up until then, we were treated to a fare which best resembled a low budget television serial with stray actors who did not even have the ability to be decently still on screen when not required to mouth any dialogues. Can you imagine a film with big names starting in a manner like that?
Add to it some frivolous planning of three 40-plus men wanting to have ‘some fun’ in Goa with girls. Whatever!!!

But thank God you decided to catch the running train with a little bit of help from the hero, which left you almost breathless as you took your seat. After that, it was the hero who was left short of breath with your breath-taking performance that chugged along even when the train lost speed.
To be honest, your complete being-in-sync with Meena was a joy. It also came as a surprise. And your continuous presence on screen enabled us, poor viewers, feel vindicated for holding on to our seats till the very end.

You have done well for yourself ever since you charmed the audience with OM SHANTI OM. And though you have shown glimpses of brilliance, this was the first time you bedazzled from Kalyan to Chennai. And mind you, I have not been a fan of yours. Although I have found you to be a decent enough actor on screen (you can work a bit on your accent, though), on this train you were just perfect; including your accent, which you had to round a bit to suit the lingo. I guess that is what made you stand out.

KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK saw you evolve as an actor; COCKTAIL saw you nudge your acting a few bars higher; a bindaas babe who, beneath her tough exterior, was actually a fragile girl who needed to be loved. The shift from bold to helpless was class.
And now Meenamma!

You will be surprised to know that among those who admire you, not just your acting talent, but personality as a whole, is an 84-year-old gentleman who knows all about ‘Class’.

I was a bit taken aback when he mentioned you as someone who has substance among the younger lot in Bollywood. When I asked him his reason for this assessment, he simply said: ”Deepika has an intrinsic charm which she doesn’t flaunt.”
He should know all about it, because he has a degree in Social and Behavioral Science from the University of Maine, in the US. He started his career in the Indian Air Force (which he quit early in the rank of Squadron Leader). He also spent four years as a diplomat with the Indian Embassy in Paris, France.

He will be out with his fifth book, sometime in October. Maybe you would want to meet him. Let me know.

So there it is. That is what worked for Rohit Shetty; your intrinsic charm which you do not flaunt. And even though ‘reports’ are doing the rounds of the wealth amassed in a few days, you continue to be quiet; quite immersed in the confidence you have in your ability to deliver.

God Bless You
Martin D’Souza
(This weekly column tries to be as honest as honest can be… )

Sajid Nadiadwala’s KICK has already become the talk of the town for multiple reasons. The movie marks Sajid Nadiadwala’s debut as a director and also brings back the super hit jodi of Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan. The action movie has already locked its release date for next year’s Eid on 27th July and has become the most anticipated movie of 2014.

Eid has proven very lucky for Salman Khan, as the actor has delivered four back-to-back blockbusters on this auspicious day. 2013 has been the only year since 2009, that Eid has not seen a Salman release. The shooting for the film has begun in Glasgow.

Excited about directing his longtime friend, Sajid Nadiadwala says, ”I am ecstatic to be directing Salman Khan, with whom I have shared a very good rapport over the years. Releasing the movie on Eid would be like cherry on the icing, as Salman has already proved his mettle with Eid releases and we hope to recreate the magic with KICK.”

Having broken every box-office record in less than a week since it released, Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty's Chennai Express is the new gold standard when it comes to blockbusters. Despite average reviews, Chennai Express did not derail and continues to enjoy good word of mouth among masses. A simple, mainstream comedy that ticks all the boxes of a commercial entertainer, Chennai Express has benefited from a lead pair that does not take itself too seriously, and a director who believes in giving the audience exactly what they want.

Doses Of Clean Family Humor
Top rated TV shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and Comedy Nights With Kapil, give a fair idea of the kind of comedies Indian audiences relate to. And Rohit Shetty is one filmmaker who gets this style bang on. His comedy may not be the LOL kind that an in-form David Dhawan can execute, but he manages to mix a bit of everything that makes Indians laugh. So be it doing Bollywood spoofs or playing on different regional accents or rehashing SMS jokes, Shetty and his writers serve a thali that appeals to everyone from the age of 8 to 80 in the great Indian family. And like Golmaal 3 and Bol Bachchan, his Chennai Express too has something for everyone.

Shah Rukh Khan's Star Power
He may not be the 20-something Rahul of Dil To Pagal Hai, but SRK proves that when it comes to shear screen presence and dialog delivery, he still packs in a solid punch. So when he carries his girl and climbs the steps of a temple, or takes-on her father with a fiery speech in the end, you can't help but surrender in front of his persona.

Deepika Padukone, The Hero Of Chennai Express
The debate over the authenticity of her Tamil accent is irrelevant. What matters now is the acknowledgment of this 'once-wooden' actress' evolution into a bona-fide star, who can hold her own in the presence of any superstar. A transformation that began with Cocktail, and evolved with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is now complete with Chennai Express. And the fact that her acting chops have peaked at a time when she is looking her best, is a double bonanza for all filmmakers who are queuing up outside her van to make most of the Deepika Padukone phenomena. Deepika drives this train in a way Sridevi and Madhuri used to dominate their films in the early 90s.

Positivity Towards SRK
Be the birth of AbRam or the Salman Khan hug; SRK's happyness quotient is up again. Suddenly all the negativity that had crept into SRK's image post RaOne, seems to be a thing of the past. Staying away from any sort of ugly controversy, SRK has allowed Chennai Express to do all the talking in the promotion of the film. And that has translated into a positive vibe towards the film in the eyes of the paying public, who have welcomed the film with open arms. So much so that despite being constantly compared to Ek Tha Tiger in its box office performance, the film has managed to escape the Khan war and has the nod of the entire trade and fraternity.

Shahrukh Khan's Chennai Express has made a new record at the box office, but the actor claims that when he makes a film he only thinks about his movie and doesn't think about the box office.

While talking about trade analysts, who are busy comparing SRK's Eid release to Salman Khan's movies like Ek Tha Tiger and Dabangg which released on the festival of Eid in the past, the actor believes that there is no competition here. "If I start thinking on everything what people say that I will not be able to work. I don't think there is competition. It's a good time to release any film," said SRK.

"I don't have any calculations at the box office. Also, to be honest I don't know how much other actor's films make money on Friday as I don't remember how much money my last film did on Friday," concluded Shahrukh.

It's not as if Ranbir Kapoor is only spending time with Katrina Kaif. In fact, when the young actor wants to let loose, he is either with Ayan Mukerji or then a South Indian friend of his who resides in Santacruz.

People who live in the same building as RK Jr's friend are excited about the actor's nocturnal visits to their fancy building.

Onlookers say Ranbir is one of those chilled out guys who doesn't carry his superstardom into his edifice. He is happy to hang around the reception area of the housing complex without a care in the world.

Must say Junior is a good break from some other superstars who take the trappings of stardom too seriously and are constantly peeking over their shoulders to see if they are getting noticed.

Welcome to the new breed of celebrities who can differentiate between real and reel.

Shah Rukh Khan has revealed that he feels very loved and appreciated, based on the reaction he has received from his international audiences for his movies.

When the 'Chennai Express' star was asked about how global audiences respond to him, he said that the masses feel like he makes films for the people living in England and America, GulfNews.com reported.

The actor said that he's of the opinion that it was a coincidence that good movies just happened to him when people already liked him.

Bollywood has been wondering why Deepika Padukone was missing from Shah Rukh Khan's Eid party.

The actress was in Milan to shoot for a commercial. Apparently, she had made this committment much earlier, because the Chennai Express team had not asked for her dates post release. Of course, Dippy had been closely in touch with SRK through text messages and was fully aware of the enormous response to her latest film.

When she returned to Mumbai on Monday, the actress was visibly happy as she smiled at the waiting press at the airport.

Now here is a royal audience that Akshay Kumar would rather forget. The actor along with rest of the 'Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara' cast was in Dubai for promotional duties and scored an invite to the royal residence.

Once at the palace they were welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the son-in-law of Sheikh Mohammed, the monarch of Dubai. And it went downhill from there.

Unfortunately for Akshay, Imran and Sonakshi, the Sheikh's knowledge of Bollywood stopped at Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. Imran introduced himself as the nephew of that actor from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak but Akshay had no such Khan connect to elaborate on.

The Sheikh tried to plow through the awkward silences by name-dropping SRK but little did he know that he was making the situation worse, given that the team was there to promote a film which has long been tagged as the rival to SRK's latest release Chennai Express.

At one point, Akshay asked the Sheikh which Bollywood movie he had watched last and pat came the reply, "A Shah Rukh movie!" Akshay gave up after that and the stiff silence resumed. And in a rather brilliant attempt to amuse his guests, the royal brought out a rather delicate curio from his collection, a dinosaur's egg procured from Korea. The Bollywood duo had to showcase the best of their acting chops to keep a straight face as they admired their host's proud possession. Sonakshi whipped out her phone for a picture and Imran patted the extinct relic. And as usual it all ended with a photo opportunity but thankfully the egg did not make a special appearance in there.

Rohit Shetty, Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are celebrating the success of Chennai Express, which has already crossed the 100 crore mark in the opening weekend itself.

And SRK has been going all out to promote his film which has done wonders at the box office. There has also been great camaraderie on the sets between the director and his leading stars.

As per media reports, Rohit Shetty gifted Shahrukh a muffler. But unfortunately for the superstar, during one of his promotions, he was mobbed by the public and his muffler was stolen.

Saddened by this event, SRK even posted on a social networking site that he was robbed of the muffler and sent a message to the snatcher to wear it with love as it was a gift by Rohit.

After three years, the sequel to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai returns, bigger and with a new star cast. The sequel, Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobaara! stars Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan and Sonali Bendre, with Akshay reprising the role of Emraan Hashmi (who played Shoaib), in a mature avatar for this film.

OUATIM Dobaara! takes off from where the first film ended. Akshay Kumar takes over Emraan Hashmi's role (as Shoaib) who rules Mumbai after killing his mentor Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn). A womanizer, Shoaib extends his empire to the Middle East and even the West.

Shoaib's old time love Mumtaz (Sonali Bendre) is always by his side. He then befriends Aslam (Imran Khan) from the slums and the two seem to share a great rapport. Meanwhile, Shoaib has his fair share of enemies who are trying to bring him down. Along the way, he and Aslam encounter a starlet (Sonakshi Sinha) and both fall in love with her. That's when the tables turn. Shoaib and Aslam become enemies and the fight between the two begins, with Shoaib's enemies posing as a double threat to him.

While most of the unit remains the same, (producer, director, writer and music composer) for OUATIM Dobaara!, will it prove to be as lucky as the original and will it be a bigger hit?

While OUATIM had great music with songs like Pee Loon and Tum Jo Aaye that topped the charts, OUATIM Dobaara! seems to have a lukewarm response to its music.

Once again there is a unique star cast for the sequel, just like the original which had Emraan Hashmi, Ajay Devgn and Kangana Ranaut. But this is something director Milan Luthria is used to. "Odd ball casting works for me in all my films, be it OUATIM, OUATIM Dobaara!, Taxi No. 9211, The Dirty Picture or Kachche Dhaage. A lot of questions were asked when I cast Emraan in OUATIM. Everyone said he was non conventional. I was told I had done the worst casting for Silk, who was a dancing superstar. But I wanted to give our film a unique look and it brings different audiences to theatres," says Milan.

While leading lady Sonakshi Sinha has delivered back to back hits, Akshay Kumar is not far behind. The Khiladi of Bollywood has been a mass entertainer and a favourtie with audiences. Viewers are also warming up to this unique star cast with Sonakshi Sinha being paired opposite both Akshay and Imran Khan. This could work in the favour of the film.

Director Milan Luthria comments on this star cast. "We needed an older Shoaib who was 15 years mature since this is a mentor protege franchise. We wanted to the protege from the earlier film to play a mentor in the sequel and that's why we chose Akshay. He was in talks with Ekta to do a film and he also wanted to work with me so why not? Akshay's into comedy and action of late so it was interesting to cast against his type, in an evil role. It will be a good change for his fans and as a director, I would have something different o play with. For Aslam's character, I wanted an earnest, righteous looking actor to play the role and that's how I cast Imran Khan. Sonakshi's a phenomenal actress and I've seen all her work. We wanted an Indian looking girl who is naive and comes from the North to make it into Bollywood. She had to look good against Akshay and Imran so I could not cast an older looking actress. I had to also ensure that Akshay did not look like a cradle snatcher and Imran did not look like a baby against Sonakshi. The actress had to fit well against both the male characters."

This time, the entire team is going all out to promote the film across every medium. But is too much visibility killing curiosity?

OUATIM Dobaara! has also been in the news as it was supposed to release on the same date as Chennai Express which released on Eid. But both Ekta and Milan pushed it by a week, thus cashing in on Independence Day. Milan also sorted the issue with Shahrukh Khan.

But with Chennai Express breaking all records on the day of its opening and still continuing to go strong, will it affect the box office opening of OUATIM Dobaara? Especially since Chennai Express will complete a week on 15th August (the same day that OUATIM Dobaara! releases).

Akshay Kumar, 45, is easily one of India's most good-looking men. He considers the month of September both lucky and expensive for him as his birthday as well as the birthday of both his children, his niece and his parents' anniversary take place in it. He just can't figure how these mothers always know everything about their sons and wonders if science will ever have a solution for it. Ahead of his upcoming release Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara, he talks to TOI about how much he misses his father, why martial arts needs to be made compulsory for girls and how he can beat Tina (Twinkle) hands down at cooking. Excerpts:

Let's talk about your family background?
My dad was a Punjabi from Amritsar and my mom is a Punjabi from Kashmir. My dad was a soldier in the Indian Army. He left the army to join as an accountant in UNICEF in Delhi where I was born. When I was three, he was transferred to Mumbai where we stayed in a 100 rented hall in Sion Koliwada where we had the kitchen on one side, a dining table and bathroom on one side and a room in the middle. I was lucky to get admission in a big school like Don Bosco for a small thing I had done. My father told me, when we had gone there for admission, I picked up a paper lying on the floor and threw it in a waste-paper basket on my own. Father Gatty saw me doing that and gave me admission without even interviewing me. I would always spend more time in the gallis playing than studying. My father, before joining the army, was a wrestler himself who had represented Punjab and realised that I was more interested in sports than studies. I initially joined karate in class VII, influenced by a neighbour of mine who would show off in front of girls, which made me feel humiliated as a boy. But then, I started falling in love with it. I joined Khalsa College just opposite Don Bosco in class XI, but soon I quit studies and was sent to Bangkok by my father to learn martial arts, as that is the only place we could afford given that I would also work there to support my training. So, I trained in Thai boxing and Tai Chi and am a six-degree black belt holder (there would be only about 15 across India). In Bangkok, I joined Metro guest house where there was a restaurant below and a guest house above. I would cook and serve food there to the guests.

When did you return to Mumbai?
After three years in Bangkok, I worked in Dhaka for six months post which I worked for two years in New Market Kolkata after which I started a small business of selling artificial jewellery in Delhi. I would buy jewellery worth 40,000 in Delhi and come and sell it in Mumbai for a 20% margin. I then returned to Mumbai when I was 22 and started teaching martial arts for 5,000 a month. One day, somebody saw me and offered me a modelling assignment for a furniture store where I had to sit with some models on some furniture and I made 21,000. The mind started seeing the amount of money I could make as a model vs working the whole month for just 5,000. I was also part of a dance group where we would freelance in Shanmukhananda Hall. I have danced behind Govinda and Jackie Shroff. I did not know how to dance, but I knew martial arts, so initially my dance looked like aerobics.

A lot in your life is connected to your martial arts training. What do you like the most about it?
Apart from the fact that it teaches you to defend yourself, it teaches you how to respect others. It teaches you to be humble. That is what I love the most about it. If you are in Bangkok, you will find that people there will never speak to you without joining their hands. It's not that they are speaking to you like that because you are tourists. They even speak at their home like that. When I returned to India, it had become my habit to join my hands when I spoke. It's my goal to make martial arts compulsory for girls in school. In China, you have to do two years of martial arts' training without which you cannot get a graduation degree. There is so much violence and action in martial arts that when you come out in the world, your mind does not think of violence as it takes out all your anger. Therefore, I believe that countries with martial arts will be more peaceful and not as physically violent as others who don't have it.

Let's talk about your father?
If I have got a jolt in my life, it is when he died of cancer in 2000. We all don't know much about so many things. I didn't know that every man needs to check his PSA after the age of 45. Had I known about it, I would not have lost my father. He was detected with cancer in his third stage and I lost him within just two years of that. I was a star by that time and had taken him everywhere where I could and did whatever I could afford. I was most attached to him. He gave me company in everything I did. When I would represent volleyball in school, he would be the only father who would be there. He would come and watch and bring water and energy drinks for me and even my opponents. He was more like a water boy and served water to every one as he was so much in love with sports. He would call some of my friends and make us wrestle and if any of us cried, he would treat us to chocolates. I am here today only because of his decision to allow me to go to Bangkok and learn martial arts against forcing me to study. There is no film we missed seeing as a family. Every Saturday, my dad, mom, sister and I would go and watch a movie with my mango stick and Guru Kripa ka samosa at Rupam Cinema, which has now become a mall. Even when we later shifted to Bandra East, we used to go to Kalamandir and also Badal Bijlee Barkha in Matunga. My dad was a big fan of Dharmendra and Dara Singh. I remember going and watching every single wrestling match of Dara Singh fighting King Kong. My father was proud of me throughout, but was most happy when he first saw me on screen. He would take people in his office to see my films. I learnt to be punctual and calm from him. I always miss him. He is the first person I see every morning. I have not put my wife's photo, but his photo on my mobile. My film company is named after him — Hari Om Productions ( his name was Hari Om Bhatia). I need him everyday. All my decisions take place through my phone only, so actually they are taken by him only.

You are training your son Aarav in martial arts. Do you talk to him about your father?
I try and explain to him so many things saying, 'Dadaji used to do it like that'. I showed him his dadaji's Churchgate office and our old home at Sion. This time I went to Bangkok, I took him to Metro guest house and the kitchen where I used to work and showed him that. I still cook sometimes. Tina doesn't know cooking at all, so this time we went to New York, we both enrolled ourselves in a cooking class. People who were teaching us cooking knew I had done Master Chef and asked me, 'Why have you come to learn?'

Who is the better cook between the both of you?
Obviously me.

What attracted you to Tina?
Her honesty. She is extremely honest. I am diplomatic. For instance, if you take both of us to see a movie which we don't like and the producer asks, 'Bhabhiji, kaisi movie lagi?' She will immediately say, 'S**t film hai'. Whereas I would say, 'Nahi, achhi hai, thodi kaat ke achhi ban sakti hai'. She has a whacky sense of humour and can keep the whole family rolling with laughter.

Who is your emotional anchor?
It was always my father, but after him no one. I am very strong. I don't talk much even within the industry and mostly am friendly only to my work.

You are self-made. You must be a proud man?
I have got more than what I had ever dreamt of. I remember, I did my first photo session just outside this wall of my house on Juhu beach. I was not being allowed to do it on this land on which I now live. I was assisting photographer Jayesh Sheth at that time and had once done a photo shoot of Sangeeta Bijlani. I had to go and show her the pictures at Filmalaya where I met Govinda sir who was the only one to tell me, 'Yaar, tum hero kyun nahi ban jaate ho'?

Bollywood celebs are known to lend their support for various causes. Now, the biggies of B-Town along with Television personalities will come together on Independence Day to raise funds for the victims of Uttarakhand, by running a seven hour marathon.

To be telecast by a leading entertainment channel, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Anil Kapoor, AR Rahman, Boman Irani, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, Prasoon Joshi, Mukesh Bhatt and Ayushmann Khurana will join forces with TV stars from popular shows to raise awareness and give some relief to the flood victims.

The event which has been dubbed as 'Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand' will be held at NSCI Grounds, Worli. While many celebrities have already shot their promos for this event, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan fans will be in a tizzy as their favourite stars will be present at the same venue on the same day.

Salman, who is taking this initiative on behalf of his Being Human foundation, is known to be a philanthropist who does his bit without any publicity.

But with Ash present there, will Salman be gracious and extend a hand of friendship the way he did with Shahrukh Khan at Baba Siddiqui's Iftar party?

While tentpole releases usually launch their promos with big films, Yash Raj Films believes in doing things their own way. They’ve done it again with their decision to attach the trailer of Dhoom 3 – which is as big as it gets – to Shuddh Desi Romance (SDR) which releases on September 6. Not only does that show great confidence in the mega-franchise, it also demonstrates the production house’s conviction in SDR. Bravo!

And while on the subject, a few select distributors who were given a sneak peek of the Dhoom 3 trailer are raving about it. Not only is it contrary to all the speculations about the film’s content, it also sets up the scale and class of the film in a simple yet very effective manner. Moreover, while Aamir Khan is undoubtedly the star of the show, the trailer does full justice to each of the other key characters like Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Uday Chopra.

Mega star Amitabh Bachchan would be shooting for Sudhir Mishra’s next film ‘Mehrunnisa’ in Lucknow, some time after Eid, sources said on Friday.

A lavish stage is being erected in the Chowk area for the shoot, which will see Big B, as Amitabh Bachchan is popularly known, Rishi Kapoor and the main lead of the film, Chitrangada Singh, shoot in the city.

Permission for shooting has been sought by the film unit for places like the Chowk, Bada Imambada, La Martinere Boys’ College and Colvin Taluqdar’s College.

The film is a tale of two friends who meet again after a span of 40 years. The script was written in 1996 by director Sudhir Mishra, and revolves around the friends, who fall in love with the same woman and get separated. The woman they sought, played by Chitrangada, re-enters their life when they are in their 60s.

In the film, Big B and Rishi play hindu and muslim, respectively. A source informed Rediff, “They’re as thick as thieves, inseparable pals, until they fall in love with the same girl, played by Chitrangada Singh. Thereafter, they don’t speak to each other for decades.”

Interestingly, Amitabh and Rishi have no scenes with the Chitrangada. “Though they’re supposed to be in love with Chitrangada’s character, she’s part of their past, so she’d only have scenes with the actors chosen to play the young Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor.”

The tale that the film tells begins in 1945 and spans four decades.

Mehrunnisa is produced by Nikhil Advani. Director Sudhir Mishra hails from Lucknow.

The makers of ‘Kick’ have become the unwitting victims of Salman Khan’s legal troubles. The film’s team is currently in the UK waiting for their leading actor whose visa was rejected by the British embassy last week. Salman re-applied and got the visa four days ago but he is still in India.

The schedule was supposed to kickstart on July 27 but has been irrevocably delayed. The situation looks set to get worse with the next hearing in the hit-and-run case against the actor looming on August 19.

Sajid Nadiadwala, producer-director of the film flew to the UK in the last week of July and has been waiting there for Sallu with the rest of the cast and crew. And the stay is eating into the film’s budget. When contacted, Salim Khan, said that Salman will leave for the UK on Sunday or Monday. “But if he doesn’t get a court exemption he may have to come back for the hearing slated for August 19,” he added.

In that case, Sajid will have to cool his heels in the UK until Sallu returns. “Films do have their share of ups and downs. This is one such,” Salim replied when asked about the film’s fate.

While a source from the industry says that Nadiadwala has shot a few scenes with Jacqueline Fernandez and Randeep Hooda in Salman’s absence, the film’s schedule has suffered a big setback. “Salman is in most of the scenes. Without him, it is not easy to make much headway in the film,” the source told Mirror.