Sanjay Dutt to remain in terrorist Kasab's 'Anda' cell

Maharashtra police today said it would take at least 15 days to decide whether to keep actor Sanjay Dutt in the high security Arthur Road jail here where he is presently lodged or to shift him elsewhere. 

Dutt is currently lodged in the 'anda' (egg-shaped) cell after he was brought to the Arthur Road jail last week to serve his sentence in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. 

The actor has been restless at nights, reading religious books, police said. "We will take some more time to take a call on whether to shift Dutt or not. 

He will not be shifted anywhere in the near future," Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) Meera Borwankar told. 

Another jail official said dilemma to shift the actor or not will continue for at least another 15 days. 

Reasons attributed for this were that the prison department has been gathering information such as number of convicts, security conditions, presence of inmates linked to underworld in various jails in the state like those located in Taloja (Navi Mumbai), Yerwada (Pune), Thane, Nagpur and Nashik.

"The authorities are studying various aspects, particularly security ground before taking any decision on the actor's shifting," the jail official added.

Though there are some convicts lodged in the city jail, usually it is used to house undertrials. 

Dutt has to serve 42 more months in jail following his conviction in the 1993 bomb blast case being upheld by the Supreme Court, which, however, reduced his sentence by one year (to five years from six) in March this year. He has already served 18 months of his sentence.

PeeCee adopts a lion cub

Animal lover for ages, Priyanka wanted to do her bit to protect the endangered species of cats

For a while now, Priyanka Chopra has lent her name to the cause of environmental conservation 

A while back, the actress adopted a tigress called Durga and a lioness called Sundari from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Zoo. 

The big cat Sundari, for whom PC had earlier paid Rs 2 lakh, recently delivered a female cub. The actress has now adopted this cub as well.

A source says, ` She has been an animal lover for ages and wanted to do her bit to protect the endangered species.` 

Those close to the actress also say that recently she extended her support for an organisation that works for the protection of rhesus monkeys. She is also said to be providing some financial aid to the group to help carry on their work. 

Is Preity Zinta joining politics?

Saddened by the current situation in the country, actress-businesswoman Preity Zinta is "thiking" about joining "politics" as she wants to be part of a movement to bring positive changes in India.

Currently busy promoting her first production venture "Ishkq in Paris", Preity said: "Off late, I have been thinking that I will join politics because it's so sad what is happening to our country."

"I really want to be somehow involved in positively changing our country... One fine day (I) am going to come out and say vote for me,` she said on "Star Speak" on UTV Stars.

She has even made an imaginary picture of Priety Zinta, the politician. 

She said: "I will be a very glamorous politician. I will have nice hair, nice clothes, and I will not be corrupt. But I think it's important we start thinking about our country also because it's really sad what is happening to our country. 

How much do you genuinely need to eat? 'Khaane ke liye aap biscuit hi khaate ho, gold biscuit to nahi khaate ho'. So, survival is limited to one point. How much more do you want?"

Having said that, she hopes that "people like me don't have to get into a political future, because there are good people. There are lots of good politicians. Don't get me wrong, but they are eclipsed by all the corruption. And the only way to make India shine is if all this stops. Because who is the one that suffers...it is always the man on the street and that breaks my heart." 

The 38-year-old actress is also the co-owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team King's XI Punjab. 

The show will be aired Monday.

Sherlyn sizzles with popular 'Aa Ante Amalapuram'

Sherlyn Chopra had some high-octane gyration to do with the local crowd going berserk in Kerala for the upcoming season of a dating reality show

The sex siren, who is also co-hosting the show with Nikhil Chinapa, performed to the Aa Ante Amalapuram track. In typical South attire, the boys got on the stage to showcase their talent in the task given to them. A fun evening. 

Box Office: 'Aurangzeb' rakes in Rs 12 crores

ccording to the trade, Arjun Kapoor film fails to live up to expectations in its opening weekend at the box office

Some would say it's a bit odd that some of the most hyped films of this year have failed to make a mark at the box office. While two Hollywood biggies The Great Gatsby and The Reluctant Fundamentalist released last Friday apart from animation film Epic, Bollywood was represented by Arjun Kapoor's Aurangzeb. 

The trade says that the last releases including Go Goa Gone and Aashiqui 2 have been the saving grace at the ticket windows. 

Exhibitor Girish Wankhede says, `It has been a bit of a disappointment at the box office as none of the four films have been able to live up to their expectations. 

Aurangzeb showed 35 to 40 per cent occupancy, Epic stood at 35 per cent while the others commanded only 30 per cent. In fact, Go Goa Gone was holding stronger with 40-45 per cent occupancy. Aashiqui 2 too also had 45 per cent occupancy. A lot was expected from Aurangzeb but somehow the audience didn't find much excitement in the film.`

Distributor Sunny Khanna elaborates, `Aurangzeb raked in just Rs 3.83 cr on Friday, saw a marginal drop on Saturday with Rs 3.76 cr and on Sunday saw a rise with Rs 4.58cr, so that makes it Rs 12.17crore over the weekend. But if you compare the film with Arjun's first release Ishaqzaade, it had a Rs 14-15 cr weekend.`

Khanna feels a lot of factor went against the film including its music and the title. He adds, `From the posters, the film looked straight out of '90s. For Go Goa Gone, despite a limited number of screens, the film still managed to hold good. Shootout at Wadala has collected about Rs 50 crore at the box office and Aashiqui 2 is sitting pretty at Rs 62 crore.` 

A trade expert and distributor Suniel Wadhwa informs us, `Aurangzeb clearly lacks music and face value and a proper female lead.

The film cashed in around Rs 12 and half crore at the box office over the weekend but it looks difficult for the film to sustain in the coming week. Even in its fourth week Aashiqui 2 is raking in the money. It has collected approximately Rs 3 crore last week. In fact this 'U' certificate film from the Bhatts has earned much more than the banner's typical 'A' certificate films, in terms of cost versus revenue.` 

'I'm playing Yami's sister, it's a parallel lead'

Television actress Sara Khan, known for her show "Dhoond Legi Manzil", who will be seen in comedy films "Aman Ki Asha" and "Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries", says while she enjoys the genre, she would like to play a serious role as well. 

"Comedy is an interesting genre. I have finished two comedy films. I enjoyed it. But I want to take up something very challenging and play a very serious character," she told.

"Aman Ki Asha" has been directed by Neeraj Pandey and stars Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam. Sara Khan said that she plays Yami's sister in the film.

"I was in Singapore and someone called me saying that that I am apt (for playing) Yami's sister. I told them that I don't play character artists. But they said I could call it a parallel lead. I found the character very interesting. It is a Neeraj Pandey story and I said that I would try it," she said.

The film has been shot in London, which is the actress's hometown. This made it more enjoyable for her. 

"I was brought up in London and the entire shoot was in London. We were there for a month. I loved the experience. We finished our schedule in 22 days. We faced a lot of challenges. But it was a very good experience," she said. 

She will also be seen in "Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries", which stars "Fukrey" actor Ali Fazal and has been directed by Ravi Rai.

Talking about the kind of roles she would want to play in her future films, Khan said she is looking for performance-oriented characters.

"In movies, I would like to go for something like "Devdas" or "Dor". That is something challenging. Everyone does glamorous roles. It is tough to get something which is completely acting-oriented. Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi used to play these roles so beautifully," she said.

Actress sighted with Sreesanth courier for bowler, bookies?

Marathi actress sighted with Sreesanth when he was nabbed, was his collection agent, suspect cops

Cops suspect the woman who was in Kerala cricketer's car when he was nabbed had gone to his hotel room a few days earlier to deliver payment

Turns out the Marathi actress spotted with now-ousted Rajasthan Royals cricketer S Sreesanth at the time of his arrest by Delhi police may have been doing more than adding a touch of razzle-dazzle to the proceedings. According to sources, the starlet was acting as a courier - collecting money from bookies and delivering it to the medium pacer.

Sources also informed that the actress, who was seen at the cricketer's hotel room in the western suburbs a couple of days before the police action, would collect money on his behalf during his absence in Mumbai.

Sources say that she may have gone to Sreesanth's room to tender some of the payout. City police officials reportedly recovered Rs 75,000 in cash during the raid conducted at Sreesanth's room in Sofitel Hotel on Friday night. 

`Though we don't have substantial evidence against her yet, she is indeed under surveillance,` added a police source. 

Both Sreesanth and the Marathi actress - who has done several television soaps and also acted in Bollywood films - partied at the Original Gourmet (Or-G) pub in Bandra after which Sreesanth walked into Royalty, the club, for some socialising. Cops have also established that the cricketer and his friends spent thousands of rupees in that one night before getting arrested. 

Meanwhile, in CCTV footage retrieved from Sofitel Hotel in BKC, Crime Branch has spotted two other models and a casting director entering the rooms booked by Sreesanth. `The girls entered around 6 am a day before the bowler was arrested, and they were seen emerging from the room around 10 pm.

Based on the videos, Crime Branch sleuths traced the casting director who mediated between Sreesanth and the models, and he was interrogated.

`He (the casting director) revealed that he had referred the girls to Sreesanth for endorsement campaigns of a t-shirt company named S36 Enterprises, which is owned by Sreesanth and a Hyderabad-based filmmaker,` a Crime Branch official said on the condition of anonymity.

During Friday night's raid, cops had found Sreesanth's laptop and iPad in his room. The laptop had photos of several models. According to cops, so far they have not come across any concrete leads towards establishing that the casting director was supplying models to Sreesanth. 

During questioning, the director in fact told investigators that he had never let the girls interact with Sreesanth directly, as this would have impeded his chances of getting a cut from the endorsement deal.

Meanwhile, taking the first step towards ending their lack of coordination ('Delhi police vs Mumbai Crime Branch may help fixers', May 20, MiD DAY), a team of Delhi police's Special Squad on Monday met Mumbai's joint commissioner of police, Crime Branch, Himanshu Roy, asking him to share information in the spot-fixing case. Cops here yesterday produced arrested bookies Ramesh Vyas (52), Pandurang Kadam (41) and Ashok Vyas (41) in a court that remanded them to police custody till May 22. 

Cracking the bookie code - Crime Branch is now searching for bookies code-named P Jaipur, Bunty Jaipur, Lokesh Delhi, Master Jaipur, Kothari, Bablu, Ketan, K P Badri, Vickey, A A, Shoban, Paresh, Lotus, Rakesh Jaipur, Sanjay Jaipur, Nokka Jaipur, Tinku Delhi, Jatin Gujarat, Lambu Gujarat, Kishore Pune and Shrimurthi. 

Rs 75K - The amount reportedly recovered from Sreesanth's hotel room during the raid by Crime Branch 

Deepika clears the air about nasty SRK rumours

Deepika Padukone has rubbished rumours that her "Chennai Express" co-star Shah Rukh Khan has asked her not to go for the promotional tour of her film "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", and says he will never do such a thing. 

"That's not true at all. Shah Rukh is the most encouraging person I have worked with. He is extremely proud of me and my achievements and he would never do something like that," she said here. 

The makers of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone-starrer "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" have chalked out a plan for the promotion and global tour of the movie but reportedly, it's being said that Shah Rukh has asked her to stay back and complete their film.

Deepika, who was present at an event held for the launch of People magazine, minced no word in praising Shah Rukh. 

"Today, I am lot more confident and lot more comfortable around him," said the actress who made Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh in 2007 hit movie "Om Shanti Om".

"In the first film, I was just too shocked and too surprised about the fact that I have even got such a debut," she said. 

"He (Shah Rukh) is definitely a friend. He is always been someone who I can rely on or call on any point in the daytime or whatever. He is just somebody to talk to and he has been that person for me in 'Chennai Express' as well." 

Directed by Rohit Shetty, "Chennai Express" is scheduled for release in August this year.

Viaan Raj Kundra turns one, Shilpa excited

Shilpa Shetty's son Viaan Raj Kundra turns one Tuesday and she thanked all her fans and family for their blessings for the toddler.

Viaan is Shilpa's first child with her businessman husband Raj Kundra. The couple tied the knot in 2009. 

"Big day for Raj Kundra and me. Our Son turns one today. Yipppeee. Thank you so much for all your good wishes and blessings. Love you all (sic)," the 40-year-old tweeted.

Preity Zinta is shaken and upset with IPL Scandals

Preity Zinta who is getting ready for the release of her much-anticipated debut as a producer in Ishkq In Paris, is pretty shaken by the latest spot-fixing scandals to hit the cricket IPL business. 

Taking a deep breath she says, `Look, I'd still like to give the accused the benefit of the doubt. But if the allegations are true then it's really really sad for the country, for the game and for the IPL. So much faith is placed on these players.

I don't think they've any business betraying us like this. If the allegations are true then let me tell you the BCCI is going to take very stern against these players. At the same time we can't write off the game just because there might be some rotten eggs in the basket. `

Preity admits there have been times when she has felt out of place in the IPL. `I am not going to deny there are dark moment when I feel, 'What the hell am I doing here?' 

But on the whole the IPL experience has been very fulfilling and I've never been seriously tempted to question my place in it. I only wish people who are part of the IPL would take their responsibilities seriously.

Finally it's not the players but the team owner who has to face the uncomfortable questions on the raison d'etre of the IPL. `

And Preity by the grace of the cricketing Gods, has learnt to take the criticism on her chin. `These last three years have made me stronger. I feel I am far more experienced now as a humanbeing than I was three years ago. 

We actors lead very cocooned lives. I think being only actor limited my world-view. We go to the studios do our shots and come back home. As an entrepreneur, a cricket team owner and a producer I've had rigorous exposure to the world outside the film studio.

Today I feel I am in touch with many more realities both within myself and in the outside world. Yeah, I think I'm stronger. `

Breaking News: Vindu Dara Singh arrested for IPL spot-fixing

The murky saga of IPL spot fixing has finally reached Bollywood. In a high-profile development, Mumbai police Tuesday nabbed Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh for suspected links with the spot-fixing scam in the ongoing IPL tournament, officials said here. 

According to police, Vindu has links to Ramesh Vyas, one of the bookies arrested in the scam, currently in Mumbai police custody. 

With the arrest of Vindu, 49, Mumbai police have sounded the first knock on Bollywood, completing the cricket-underworld-Bollywood triumvirate in the betting and spot-fixing scam that has hit the sixth edition of Indian Premier League. 

Picked up from his home in suburban Mumbai, Vindu is likely to be presented before a magistrate Tuesday evening for remand and further custodial interrogation. 

Son of the late wrestler-cum-actor Dara Singh, Vindu shot into the limelight a few years ago after wining the "Bigg Boss 2010" reality show on TV. 

Though police are reluctant to divulge details, it is learnt that Vindu had been under the scanner for the past few days after Vyas was arrested. 

Three Rajasthan Royals IPL cricketers S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan and over a dozen bookies have been arrested in the ongoing investigations into the IPL-6 spot-fixing scam busted last week. 

Vindu has acted in several movies, including the recent "Son of Sardaar".

Recently he made headlines when he was spotted with skipper MS Dhoni's wife, Sakhshi at the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings match on April 6.

Sources close to Mahindra Singh Dhoni say India skipper has nothing to do with Vindoo Dara Singh, he was just attending a match.

According to news sources Vindu has confessed to his links with the bookies. He was reportedly a go-between cricketers and bookies.

Amitabh addresses Cannes audience in Hindi

It was a "historic moment" for Amitabh Bachchan to be invited to open the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival with his "The Great Gatsby" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. Big B made the experience more special by addressing the audience in his mother tongue Hindi. 

"Truly a historic moment for me, but immensely historic and honourable for the Indian film industry, a fraternity that I am and shall always be most proud of," Bollywood Amitabh posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com. 

The Cannes extravaganza celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema this year, and Amitabh was there also for the premiere of his Hollywood debut movie "The Great Gatsby". The 70-year-old veteran was truly delighted at the importance given to him at the fest. 

It was an "emotional" experience, he shared on Twitter. 

"The honour and respect meted out by Cannes, incredible. Announcing suddenly for Leonardo DiCaprio and myself to open the festival. With the entire world film fraternity at Cannes, applauding and welcoming our presence, treating us like royalty ... it's emotional. 

"For a complete alien in the midst of Cannes to be acknowledged, is the proudest moment for me as an Indian. Acknowledging Cannes in recognising 100 years of Indian cinema, it was absolutely imperative for me to address, in my mother tongue," posted Big B. 

He shared how the "director of Cannes (was) delighted to hear the 'music of the Hindi language' spoken" as "it brought in the universality of the occasion". 

Big B also loved watching "The Great Gatsby", directed by Baz Luhrmann. 

"I loved 'The Great Gatsby' better the second time ... understood the nuances, the words, the pathos and energy," he added. 

The actor plays Meyer Wolfsheim in the $125 million 3D project, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the same name.

Naseer impressed with Mira Nair's never to give up spirit

Bollywood veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah marvels at the US-based Indian filmmaker Mira Nair's positive attitude and her perseverance to "experiment" with different styles of filmmaking. 

"She (Mira Nair) is very brave that she experiments with a lot of different styles of filmmaking and she is not afraid of failing. I really admire that spirit about her," said Naseer, who worked with Nair in 2001 movie "Monsoon Wedding".

So far Nair has directed "Salaam Bombay!", "Monsoon Wedding", "The Namesake", "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love", "Mississippi Masala" and "Vanity Fair", among others. 

While "Salaam Bombay!" showed the day-to-day life of street children in Mumbai, "Monsoon Wedding" was about a chaotic Punjabi Indian wedding. 

Mira's latest drama "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", released Friday, is based on Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid's novel of the same name that talks about the changing scenario in post 9/11 US through a young Pakistani immigrant in the US.

Naseer, who has read the novel already, is quite confident that the film will be hard-hitting and truthful. 

"It ('The Reluctant Fundamentalist') will be a truthful, hard-hitting and entertaining movie," said the 59-year-old, who was present at the premiere of "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" here Wednesday. "I can't quite imagine how it (the novel) has been made into a movie and that's why I am so curious about it," he added. "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" stars Britain-based Pakistani origin actor Riz Ahmed along with Hollywood biggies Kate Hudson, Liev Schreiber and Bollywood veterans Shabana Azmi and Om Puri.

Anushka and Kangna's 'effortless dressing' impress Deepika

A style icon of sorts, Deepika Padukone praises her counterparts Anushka Sharma and Kangna Ranaut for being well-dressed on every occasion. 

While Deepika and Anushka made their Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan in "Om Shanti Om" (2007) and "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" (2008), respectively, Kangna entered filmdom with the 2006 hit movie "Gangster-A Love Story". 

"I think Anushka and Kangna are two people who are always very well turned out. It looks very effortless," said the actress at the Jabong "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" collection launch here Wednesday. 

She added: "It doesn't look like they have been put together by a stylist. I think they carry off Indian and western equally comfortably." 

Talking about her favourite outfit, the 27-year-old Deepika said: "I love Indian clothes. If you ask me, sari is my most favourite garment. I am the most comfortable in a sari." 

Deepika will next be seen in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" with Ranbir Kapoor, slated for a May 31 release.

Bollywood stars and their super luxury Cars

In the last two months, there have been several new swanky additions to B-Town's garage celebrating the sweet success at the BO

Success parties and holidays abroad are now passe. Bollywood seems to be on an automobile-buying spree to celebrate sweet success at the box office. And bigger the success, the luxury quotients of the cars too go up proportionately. 

Close on the heels of his latest release Shootout At Wadala, we heard that John Abraham has gifted himself a spanking new Gallardo Lamborghini in black. And with Aashiqui 2 too raking in the moolah, the film's lead Aditya Roy Kapoor has purchased a BMW 5 series. John's set of wheels is estimated to be around Rs 3. 5 crore. 

John Abraham

An industry insider says, `Buying luxury cars to celebrate the success of films seems to be the latest fad in Bollywood.

John even gifted Shootout director Sanjay Gupta a Yamaha V Max. While previously stars used to pamper themselves with international holidays or throwing lavish parties, this seems to be the new way of celebrating after a film's release. `

It all started with director duo Abbas-Mustan's Race 2, the biggest hit so far this year. Saif Ali Khan bought himself an Audi R-8 while its producers Ramesh and Kumar Taurani pampered themselves with A-8 Audi cars. 

Shahid and Priyanka

David Dhawan, who made a successful comeback with Chasme Buddoor, too didn't waste much time before gifting himself an Audi Q-7. 

Certain critics have loads of free time to think of me: Ameesha

Ameesha Patel and her business partner Kuunal Goomer, who recently announced the cast of their maiden home production, Desi Magic, are happy with the way their team is getting along 

The film's stars Zayed Khan and model-turned-actor Sahil Shroff are buddies in real life, so the teamwork is amazing. As Ameesha knows both of them personally, she is more like a friend than a producer to them. It's just a matter of days before the film goes on the floors. 

Says a source, `A 50-day non-stop schedule has been planned for Budapest and Venice and later in Punjab. Ameesha is presently busy for a month with her next release Shortcut Romeo opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh. She's playing a strong character and is looking forward to the way her career is shaping up.` 

Shah Rukh Khan: No Hollywood, thanks

Shah Rukh Khan recently said that he will be the last person to go to Hollywood

King Khan prefers to stay in Bollywood and use his popularity to get Indian films on the world map. The star stated that he is often told to head West.

But with a global fan following and being a star who opened up avenues for Bollywood in the international market, he needn't head West. 

Sneak Peek: Parineeti narrowly avoids Oops moment!

Parineeti Chopra narrowly avoids an oops moment at her recent brand endorsement event 

Crossing your legs in a mini skirt risks too much exposure of your thighs 

Parineeti Chopra did exactly that seated atop a high stool at a brand endorsement event. Luckily there was a cushion to avoid any oops moment. 

'Saxxx ki Dukaan is an adult-youth comedy, set in the world of adult toys'

Bollywood is changing and one of the men who is leading this change is Siddhartha M Jain, the maverick producer and owner of iRock Films 

A quick interview with him in his unique, museum-style office in Andheri, before he left for Cannes last night... 

You created and produced the Ragini MMS franchise in horror films... 
I wanted to test my instinct with regards to the audience, so we created in-house, a horror film script that could be made in R 1 crore and shot in 12 days, in two languages with unknown, fresh talent. We sold the film to a leading studio and now it has turned into a franchise. No one does low budget better than us. 

Your next film Disco Valley has been hailed as the successor to Delhi Belly. 
Disco Valley is a 90-minute mad, outrageous comedy set in in a rave party. It's a youthcentric film that will appeal to both big and small town audiences.It was such a compelling script, that Viacom18 picked it up at the script stage, like all our films. 

Arjun to Sashaa: How come we were not linked?

Arjun Kapoor asks his 'Aurangzeb' co-star Sashaa Agha. While she giggles, Prithviraj prefers to let his eyes do the talking 

Arjun Kapoor, Prithviraj and newcomer Sashaa Agha visited the Mid Day office along with their entourage as part of the promotions of their upcoming film Aurangzeb.

It's South star Prithviraj's second outing in Bollywood after Aiyyaa. While this super hot man acted cool it is Arjun Kapoor who did most of the talking (Did someone say he's shy?). In a hour-long session, the actors indulged in some serious talk and some banter... Excerpts of their conversation with the Hitlist team.

Arjun: I play a double role in this film, it's like ek pe ek muft. We have been saying the same things at the promotions for the past few days and trying to make it as exciting as ever. But one thing I have realised, an actor may be having a bad day or whatever but you have to put up an appearance. You are there because of these people.

It's exactly a year since my debut film Ishaqzaade released. When I was offered Aurangazeb, I was initially keen to do the role Prithviraj has done. But Adi (producer Aditya Chopra) put me in my place ke bhaiyya tumhe double role mila hai.

Movie Review: 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' - a superficial saga

Cast: Riz Ahmed, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Donovan, Nelsan Ellis, Imaad Shah, Adil Hussain, Haluk Bilginer and Meesha Shafi 

Director: Mira Nair 

Rating: ** 1/2 

The film, based on the acclaimed novel of the same name authored by Mohsin Hamid, is a typical Mira Nair film in terms of the cascade of colours, textures, frames and characters. Unlike the novel, the films is a blunt, slow and pretentious work of art. 

It's about the meteoric rise and fall of a Pakistani migrant in the US. 

The film begins with an intimidating situation, where an American professor at Lahore University is kidnapped. The CIA with the help of Bobby (Liev Schreiber), an American journalist, tries to ferret out information about the kidnapping through Changez Khan, also a professor at the same university. 

In Pics: Cannes and the Indian connect

As the 66th edition of the renowned film festival kicks off, we look at how India has made its presence felt at the French Riviera over the years

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is the face of Cannes as far as India is concerned. This year, she will be making her 12th consecutive appearance at the fest. 

Vidya Balan will be on the jury panel of the 66th Cannes Film Festival. The jury has internationally acclaimed named like Hollywood star Nicole Kidman, director Ang Lee and jury president Steven Spielberg.

Bravo Angelina Jolie! I bow to you for your double mastectomy

Praising Angelina Jolie's decision to go for double mastectomy to reduce her risk of getting breast cancer and having the courage to share it with the world, Indian filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar says the Hollywood actress has become an inspiration for women the world over.

`I bow to the courage and strength that Angelina Jolie has shown by talking about breast cancer and encouraging the women world over to fight it,` tweeted the 46-year-old filmmaker, known for movies like "Dev D" and two-part series "Gangs of Wasseypur".

Jolie revealed that her mum died of breast cancer at the age of 56, and doctors told her she had an 87 percent chance of getting the disease herself. 

Watch out Kat! Parineeti wants to flirt with Ranbir Kapoor

Actress Parineeti Chopra says if she has an option to flirt with someone in Bollywood, it would be the current heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor. 

Mesmerised by the young Kapoor scion, the actress calls him "one of her favourite actors of the current generation". 

And why not? After his unimpressive debut with "Saawariya" in 2007, Ranbir climbed up the success ladder with his performances in "Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year", "Wake Up Sid", "Raajneeti", "Rockstar" and "Barfi!" and has become an actor to reckon with. 

His forthcoming is "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" and he also has "Besharam" and Anurag Basu's untitled biopic on legendary singer Kishore Kumar in the pipeline. 

"If I had to choose (whom to flirt with in Bollywood) then it would be Ranbir Kapoor," said Parineeti, who made her debut with 2011 film "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl" and later featured in political thriller "Ishaqzaade". 

I never felt helpless when 'my' MMS went viral: Sasheh Aagha

Pakistani actress Sasheh Aagha, making her Bollywood debut with "Aurangzeb", was involved in an MMS scandal, but says it was not a difficult phase. 

In 2011 an MMS showing Sasheh with Bollywood actor Ruslaan Mumtaz went viral, but the actress says her name got falsely implicated. 

"It was not difficult at all. I felt that these things happen, people gossip all the time," Sasheh told. 

Daughter of "Nikaah" fame actress-singer Salma Aagha, she considers herself "to be like any normal human being". 

"I never felt that what I should do? I was not involved in something, my name has been used and that comes with the whole baggage. I never felt what am I going to do now?" 

Sanjay Dutt withdraws plea to surrender in Pune jail

In a sudden development, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt Wednesday withdrew his application seeking to surrender in Pune's Yerawada Jail as he apprehended threats to his life in Mumbai. 

Sanjay, convicted for his role in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts will now surrender before a Mumbai TADA Special Court by 4 p.m. Thursday. 

The reason behind the abrupt move is not yet known.

Apprehending death threats from some fundamentalist groups, which he did not identify, if he gave himself up in Mumbai, Sanjay Tuesday moved an application before TADA Special Judge G.A. Sanap seeking permission to surrender in Pune's high security Yerwada Jail.

Special Judge Sanap had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file its reply in the matter and had posted the matter for hearing Wednesday. 

"The applicant is facing threats to life from fundamentalist groups and those with vested interests," Sanjay's application stated. 

Happy birthday Madhuri Dixit, says Bollywood

As Madhuri Dixit celebrates her 46th birthday today, Bollywood takes to twitter to convey their best wishes for the dancing queen. here's what they said...

Karan Johar: Happy birthday Madhuri Dixit. You are beyond your smile and beauty, your aura makes you the superstar you were born to be...

Bebo's Sister Act: Sorry Zoya, Not without Ranbir

Buzz is that Kareena Kapoor is having second thoughts about Zoya Akhtar's film in which she was to essay the role of Ranbir's sister

The actress was approached to essay the role of Ranveer Singh's sister in the film. The project was initially planned with Ranbir Kapoor -- the reason why Bebo agreed to play his sibling in the film as they are first cousins. But with Ranbir out and Ranveer in, Bebo does not apparently want to be part of a project.

Says a source, `When Zoya began writing the script, she thought of getting Kareena and Ranbir together in the film. Kareena was extremely excited to play his screen sister. But with a change of plan, she is having second thoughts now.`