Lovebirds Rubina Dilaik and Avinash Sachdeva seem to be charting the same course professionally as well.

While Rubina was seen in the second season of Punarvivaah --- Ek Nayi Umeed, boyfriend Avinash is all set to feature in the second season of popular telly show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? on Star Plus.

He will be paired with Shrenu Parikh, last seen in Byaah Hamaari Bahoo Ka. The first season of the show, featuring Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani, had become quite popular along with the lead pair. But after Braun quit, it ended immediately.

Says a source, "Season one was popular, so it is only logical to cash in on the brand. The new season, which will launch soon, will have the same title with a tag line --- Ek Baar Phir." Barun Sobti, popularly known as Arnav, said, "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon was one show that was loved by one and all, I was lucky to be a part of the show and have very fond memories of the year and a half that I shot for it. I hope the second season does well."

Comedian Kapil Sharma has denied rumours that he will be a contestant in the seventh edition of reality show " Big Boss". However, he says he may do a guest appearance in the show like he did in the grand finale of its previous edition.

"I won't enter the house as a contestant, but I might do the special appearance in the show like the way I did in the grand finale of the previous edition," Sharma told IANS.

The promo of the reality show is out. Featuring Bollywood star Salman Khan, the show's host in a double role as an angel and devil, the promo reflects the theme of 'Heaven or Hell' of the forthcoming season.

Sharma is currently seen as the host of his hit comic show "Comedy Nights with Kapil", aired on Colors.

About his stint on "Bigg Boss 7", he said: "I will do a one-day shooting for the episode, but I won't stay in house for long. I can't live in my own house for long, so entering the 'Big Boss' house is definitely not happening."

Sony Entertainment Television long-running series CID will have a power-packed integration episode with the lead cast of the upcoming flick Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara.

The team of CID will shoot with the lead actors of the movie Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. A source informs us that, there will be a press conference of the movie Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara happening while everyone is waiting for Sonakshi to join, Sonakshi will suddenly shriek from inside and to shock they will discover a man lying shot dead her makeup room. CID will start their investigation and initially they get no clue about the victim's identity. But an interesting clue is discovered that the dead man was trying to search for something in Sonakshi's belongings!

Now the CID must find what the doomed under cop was after in the underworld and save Sonakshi's life which is the key to the whole mystery!

The wait has finally come to an end for Swastik Productions' Mahabharat as they have found their Draupadi.

The makers were in search of Draupadi since long time and many known names like Yuvika Chaudhary, Anupriya Kapoor and many more were approached for the role. However our credible source informed that Mahabharat has found its Draupadi in a model turned actress, Pooja Sharma.

Source further said, "With Ahem Sharma getting finalized for playing Karan, Pooja Sharma who is a model has been roped in by the makers to play Draupadi."

When contacted, Pooja Sharma confirmed the buzz.

With this the Star Plus' magnum opus show Mahabharat is set to go on floors from 16th September, 2013.

A local magistrate’s court in Ahmedabad issued notices to the producer of TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) and Amitabh Bachchan, host of its Season-7, among others after a complaint alleged that its promos present the legal profession in a “derogatory” manner.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S V Parekh asked all seven respondents, in an application filed by advocate Davinder Singh Rakkad, to file their response by August 21 when he would hear the case again.

“Promos of the popular quiz show being telecast widely on Sony Entertainment TV channel, shows lawyers and their profession in a derogatory manner,” Rakkad said in his complaint.

Rakkad also demanded legal action against show producer Siddharth Basu, host Amitabh Bachchan and five others associated with the show, under Section 500 (defamation) and other provisions of the Information Technology Act.

In support of his contention that KBC promos showed lawyers and their profession in a “derogatory” manner, he has cited scenes from promos and submitted a compact disc with visuals as well as transcripts of all its dialogues.

The complainant has said that in a scene in the promo, an advocate screams “I object”, while thumping his hand on the table in a court room, when another lawyer by his side prompts him saying “First, let the court proceedings begin”.

Citing other scenes, Rakkad has alleged that such depiction of lawyers is not only “derogatory” in nature but would also “negatively inspire” people either not to join the profession or to leave their practice.

Indian Idol Junior will see a 'Dobaara' effect on the upcoming 'Qawali' special gala episode. Imran Khan along with the beautiful Sonakshi Sinha will make an appearance on the show to promote their upcoming flick 'Once upon a time in Mumbai Dobaara'.

While Imran will appear for the first time, this will be Sonakshi's second visit on the show. The superb talent and love of the contestants is what compelled Sonakshi to make an appearance on the show 'Dobaara'. Host Karan Wahi too couldn't control his emotions and took off from where he left last time. He flirted with Sonakshi 'Dobaara' and brought a red rose for her. Even before Karan could mouth his PJ's Sonakshi fired her own set of PJ's and sealed his lips.

Gautami Gadgil Kapoor and Ulka Gupta all set to return to small screen after a haitus.

It seems TV is going back to its older days with launching the 'baap' of small screen, who were once worshipped by viewers for their characters. Accordingly, Sakshi Tanwar, Ram Kapoor, Kiran Karmarkar, Mona Singh, Shweta Tiwari and now Sangeeta Ghosh were brought in to re create their charm with the audiences.

And now latest to join the bandwagon is Ram Kapoor's better half, Gautami Gadgil Kapoor and our Jhansi Ki Rani Ulka Gupta. Yes! You heard it correct. The two versatile and talented actresses have been zeroed to play the leads in Zee TV's next.

Source informs, " Esselvision, Zee TV's in house production house is coming up with a new show, titled Kacche Dhaage. The show is not a love story but a story about a girl' journey from being a average Joe to an achiever in an unusual family circumstances."

"For the same Gautami Gadgil Kapoor has bagged the role of the protagonist's mother and Ulka Gupta will play the 15 years old main lead," said source further.

If sources are to be believed than the channel is going to shoot a promo shoot tomorrow and the teaser will probably hit the TV screens by next week.

Gautami Kapoor and Ulka Gupta both remained unavailable for comments.

Keep reading for more updates!!!

The fans of Purvi (Asha Negi) and Arjun ( Rithwik Dhanjani) were disheartened with the news of their break-up in Balaji Telefilm's Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV.

Ever since then they have been eagerly waiting to see the couple re-unite. Now, here's some good news for the all the fans of Purvi-Arjun as the couple is all set to tie the knot soon.

Sources inform that before the much talked about generation leap of 18 years takes place, Purvi and Arjun will be shown getting married. The marriage sequence is expected to happen in the grand maha episode to be aired on 17 August 2013. And to make the occasion even more special, the makers have decided to bring Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha who will be part of the celebration.

When contacted, Rithwik and Asha both remained unavailable for comments.

Actor Rakesh Paul who has done shows like Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kartavya and Bhabhi is now doing Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga has always stayed away from films, despite getting many chances.

Commenting on this Rakesh says, "All this while in the industry, only filmy families got the best opportunities. So for me it was better to stick to television where you get a chance completely on your merit. And a bit of luck. Television is being watched by a larger audience and you become a household name after portraying a popular character in a daily soap. TV is a very big medium watched by masses and classes. Television Industry rocks. " He also adds, "But now with the kind of films being made I feel this is the right time to get into films where the script is the hero. Thankfully, today actors from television get roles that they actually deserve." When asked who are his favourite film actors, he responds, "Salman Khan for his sheer persona and star power and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan for the variety of roles he has done with so much conviction and grace."

Ravi Rai, elder brother of the Raanjhanaa director Aanand Rai, changed the way we look at the home-viewing medium. His serials, notably Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and Sparsh were path-finders on Indian television. For the past ten years Ravi has been a recluse, trying to rediscover his bearings on the large-screen,

Ravi is finally ready with his feature film, an autobiographical film on male-bonding oddly entitled Maya Vanilla and Strawberries.

When we caught up with him on Sunday morning Ravi was calm and contained. “Where have I been? I’ve been trying to find a centre to my life. When I was doing television there was scope for much innovation. That is why we could do something as path-breaking as Sailaab. But now I feel Indian television has reached point of stagnancy. Everyone is doing the same thing. Big revenue is involved and no one is willing to risks. If I ever do television again it would have to be something that would make my audience think about the quality of our life.”

Cinema, feels Ravi, is going through a ferociously fertile phase. “Movies are talking about sperms (Vicky Donor) and sex. In the recent release Sixteen the attitude of the youngsters is, ‘I want to f...k so what?’ I think our cinema has discovered a new freedom. And it’s still trying to find out what to do with that freedom. In the meanwhile a director like my brother Aanand is able to express himself exactly the way he wants to in his cinema.”

Ravi is very proud and happy about his brother’s success. The two brothers are very close to one another. “We live five minutes’ distance away from one another and we work out of the same office. I always knew he had it in him. When Aanand made Tanu Weds Manu I was thrilled. His female protagonist Kangna Ranaut was unlike any heroine I had seen. She drank and she was frank. She was foul-mouthed and fearless. Ussko jo dil mein aata who bolti aur karti. This is the kind of freedom I wanted my female characters to have in my television serials. Now hopefully I’ll find a similar freedom in my movies.”

Ravi’s feature film which is ready for release is based on his own life. “Every student and youngster has his own Chashme Buddoor to recount. In my younger days I too had my bum chums in Delhi. They continue to be my friends to this day. They are Raju Kher (Anupam Kher’s brother) and Deepak Sinha.”

In Maaya Vanilla & Strawberries Namit Das and Aman Uppal play Ravi’s pals while Ali Faizal (the young guitar-playing actor from Fukrey) plays Ravi Rai.

Says Ravi, “It’s an autobiographical film. Ali Fazal plays my character. I first wanted to make a vigilante film entitled Sorry Mr Gandhi, I Have To Kill Them. It’s about 50 youngsters getting together to kill 5 of the most corrupt politicians of the country. It’s a very controversial subject. I’ll come to that after Maaya Vanilla & Strawberries.”

After the success of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Ravi Rai too is ready with a script based on a sport. His script for Main Manjula Parmar is the story of a girl from the interiors of Rajasthan who becomes a basketball champion and represents India at the Asian Games.

Says Ravi, “With these films I hope to break the mould in the same way that I did on television. The good thing is, my brother Aanand’s success gives me a certain freedom. He can ask distributors to see my films and they will. That’s it.”

Karan Kundra, the popular host of Channel [V]’s Gumrah, the TV show which brings to light some real life teen crime cases, recently had a close encounter of the ‘criminal’ kind.

He was shooting adjacent to the Ghatkopar Railway Station in Mumbai on the skywalk. The only people with him that rainy night were the director, cameraman and the attendant.

Just as the director wanting to take a shot yelled ‘Action’, the versatile actor saw a man running towards him with cops running behind him. When he heard them yelling at the man, he knew that this was a police chase in progress.

Describes Karan, “We got a call from the production team that a lot of top cops were in the vicinity. I realized something was wrong. My cameraman then tried to stop the guy but he was pushed. When the guy was crossing me, I reacted instinctively. Though he threatened to kill me if I tried to stop him, he fell after I kicked him. Within minutes, the cops came, picked him up and took him away.”

Karan didn’t know who the culprit was, but what matters is that our streets are a lot safer now, with one goon off it.

Promos of Indian TV serials are very intriguing. Life OK’s Gustakh Dil (Ravi Ojha Productions) promo rouses the interest of the viewers. Apparently, it seems like a story done to death if you are verbally communicated the synopsis of the serial- which is that of the chaste wife putting up with it when her husband is in love with another woman and being candid about it too.

The creatives aver that it is a different show though despite the love triangle theme seeming to be a cliché. The tagline of the show also innovatively mentions that the wife is the other woman in this case. The promos show the wife trying on a beautiful jewellery set and admiring her reflection in the mirror. When her husband asks her how she likes the gift she smiles as if in appreciation. In the forthcoming shot she hands over the jewellery set to her husband who will gift it to his girlfriend.

In such a scenario, a modern feminist woman would insist that the wife immediately divorces her husband. This however is a soap, which must lather on to deliver many episodes which is why the wife has to linger on in the marriage. If there is no conflict, there is no story. We do expect the creatives to unfold a back story as to why Nikhil (Vibhav Roy) marries Laajo (Sana Sheikh) despite his heart being with his childhood sweetheart Ishana (Parvati Sehgal).

The very fact that the title of the show is Gustakh Dil is a sign of originality.Whereas it is the norm of the Indian television industry to name shows after the title songs of popular movies; it is a laudable that the creatives have selected the beautiful title song Gustakh Dil from the critically acclaimed film English Vinglish which was released last year. Gustakh Dil may be roughly translated to English as ‘an insolent or stubborn heart’.

This show seems to cater to both the urban and small town/ rural women simultaneously. Whereas Ishana who calls herself ‘hot’ may appeal to the urban women, non-urban women may relate more to Laajo who is shown in the serial poster observing Karva Chauth for a husband who doesn’t love her. We however hope that the serial will not turn regressive or clichéd with the wife going on sacrificing for her errant husband, Ishana changing from being a positive character to the vamp and the mother-in-law Bhavna (Meghna Malik) turning out to be torturous. We hope that she will support her innocent daughter-in-law instead.

The serial blends pathos and merry moments. The tragic death of Nikhil’s brother for which his mom holds his son (Nikhil) responsible to going to the extent of refusing to celebrate his birthday as it coincides with the death anniversary of her late son naturally makes us feel sad. There are humorous moments punched in Nikhil’s one-liners during his chirpy conversations with his friend and girlfriend.

As far as linking the past sequences with the current day scenes are concerned, the creatives impressed us by freezing on the mug shot of Nikhil’s brother (as a child) to cut to a shot of the same face in a photo frame with an old garland signifying obituary to the deceased boy. Also, a child Nikhil telling his brother Akash that he is too afraid to tell his mom that he wants a guitar on his birthday is followed by a scene in which his mom who is now older still coming across as a no nonsense woman. It reveals that she hasn’t changed over the years as far as her strict nature is concerned.

All the actors have put in decent performances. We hope that the serial will carry on imparting the Delhi feel both through outdoor shots and dialogues which are intrinsic to the city in which it is set.

Gustakh Dil has started off on a pleasant note. We just have to wait and watch if it becomes yet another family drama or offers something different on the plate.

TV actress Mouni Roy says she gets very uncomfortable doing an intimate scene, even if it means holding hands with her co-star.

"I get very uncomfortable. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I will always remain the small-town girl that I am. My first thought was 'Oh god, my parents are going to be so embarrassed'," the 27-year-old said here Sunday on the sets of her show " Junoon - Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq".

Mouni shot an intimate scene with actor Aditya Redij for the show.

"I remember when in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi...' someone had to hold my hand, I felt very weird," added the actress who grew up in Cooch Behar in West Bengal.

However, Mouni has learned to take it as professionally as she can.

"I just think it is work and has to be done, so be as professional as you can and finish it," Mouni said.

She won appreciation for her role of Sati in the TV serial " Devon Ke Dev - Mahadev".

The Jassi of yesteryears' TV, Mona Singh has come a long way. While she plays mum to a grown-up girl in 'Kya Hua Tera Vaada', in real life the actress is still much in love, and for the record, "unmarried".

If I was married I would proudly announce it to the whole world
"I am in love with Vidyut Jamwal, but I am not married," she says, reacting to reports of her secret nuptial with the actor. "I don't know where the news of my marriage came from. But if I was married, I would proudly announce it to the whole world. A girl's dream is to eventually get married, so why would I hide that?" she adds.

The rumour, says Mona, upset her parents a great deal. "My parents went through a very bad phase after the news of my supposed marriage came out. My relatives called them up and said things like, 'Oh my God! Yeh kya ho gaya aapke saath? Mona ne shaadi kar li?' My father is still very angry. As celebrities, we let it go as we know this is part of the entertainment world, but families don't understand," rues Mona, who was in Lucknow recently.

And though Mona is not sure when she will get married, one thing she is confident of - "That mine will be a love marriage." As she reasons, "In love marriages, you at least know your partner. A known devil is better than an unknown one!"

I am the highest paid actress on TV
That she's in no hurry to get married is understandable, considering she's one of the highest paid stars on TV. But Mona corrects us, "I am the highest paid actress on TV today." She adds, "It is about time that TV actors were paid as well as film stars. And that is what is happening these days. If you look at Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor, Sakshi Tanvar and me, we all are getting a huge renumeration. And why not? We deserve it...we have earned it! Bollywood actors come and host a show and charge crores per day. It is so good to see that today people in the television industry are ready to pay handsome amounts to TV stars too."

Quiz her about how most shows with highest paid actors aren't doing too well and she defends herself saying, "Whether the serial works or doesn't work, it is not our problem. Whatever scenes we are given, we do them with 100% conviction."

TV actors have their own market
Mona has been missing from movies for a long time but she says she hasn't quit Bollywood altogether. "I have never made statements like I'm quitting TV or I'm quitting Bollywood. I have always wanted to strike a balance between the two. But as far as movies are concerned, after 3 Idiots, every role that I got was that of a pregnant woman. That's so funny! Why do people in Bollywood slot you in one particular role," she complains, adding, "TV actors are doing great in Bollywood. We have our own market, our own fans, who love to see us on the big screen. I am waiting for something really nice to come my way and be a part of the intelligent cinema that is being made these days."

Popular small screen actress Kritika Kamra of 'Kuch Toh Log Kahenge' fame, feels that television is monotonous and tedious but that is where the challenge lies.

Kritika did a TV serial before she bagged Ekta Kapoor's show 'Kitani Mohabbat Hai' that made her popular. Then she appeared in 'Kuch Toh Log Kahenge' as Dr Nidhi, which was also appreciated by the audience.

The last episode of this show, which is loosely based on Pakistani soap 'Dhoop Kinare,' will reportedly aired on March 28.

"TV shows do become tedious but that is the challenge you face. That is how this medium is.. like if you keep doing same kind of work again and again it becomes monotonous. TV is monotonous but that is the challenge that you overcome. But if the show is interesting then you don't feel it," Kritika told .

She will be seen next in Ekta Kapoor's upcoming tele series 'Ek Thi Naayka' as a part of the promotions for the supernatural thriller 'Ek Thi Daayan' (co-produced by Vishal Bhardwaj and Balaji Motion Pictures -Ekta Kapoor).

It will feature the television industry's top most actresses, coming together for the first time, in a thrilling and spooky series based on the 'daayan' characters in the forthcoming film.

Hat's Off production's situational comedyRKLaxmanKiDuniya based on the cartoons of famous cartoonist RKLaxman is all set to bid adieu to its fans. The show which was launched with high hopes and expectation, initially grabbed many eyeballs but could not continue to impress the audiences and now will go off-air.

Sources inform that the makers of the show were contemplating to axe the show for a long time now and finally the decision has been taken. The last day of the show's telecast will be 22 March 2013 but it can get an extension of a week till 29 March 2013.

When contacted, Producer JD Majethia said, "Yes, the show is going off-air. We are very happy that our show ran for about 350 episodes. I think we have done justice to the legendary RK Laxman's cartoon and I believe that this is the right time for our show to go off-air. It is a collective decision of the channel and the production house."

Media has been flooded with reports about Optimystix Production's new show Modern Bahoo. The list of actors finalized to be a part of the show seems to be never ending and the latest actors to join the cast are Charu Asopa, Arshima Thapar and Neha Sehgal.


Sources inform that Charu who is currently seen in Baal Veer, Arshima Thapar who played Sakshi Tanwar's friend in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and Neha Sehgal currently seen in Pavitra Rishta will play the lead actress Sanaya Irani (Chanchan)'s best friends. They will all be part of a girls gang and Sanaya's friend. Tentatively titled Modern Bahu stars Sanaya Irani in the lead and is loosely inspired from Rekha and Rakesh Roshan starrer Bollywood film Khoobsurat.

When contacted, Charu said, "Yes, I've being approached for the show but I can't comment at this point of time."