Salman Khan is single again - breaks up with girlfriend Iulia Vantur?

Salman Khan's love life has always seemed to garner a whole lot of attention. Post his break-up with former flame Katrina Kaif, it was rumoured the Dabangg actor was blissfully in love with his Romanian girlfriend Iulia Vantur.

However, according to a reports in Mid-Day, Salman Khan and Iulia have called it quits.

The report further suggests that the real reason behind the split, is that the Khan family were not too pleased with speculations about Iulia's marital status.

According to reports, the Romanian actress and television presenter is apparently married to Grammy nominated musician Marius Moga. However, Vantur has denied the allegations.

Pictures of Iulia accompanying Salman Khan on the sets of Kick in Hyderabad were splashed all over the Internet recently.

However, that may have the been last people seen of Lulia as it's believed she has returned to Romania.

Salman Khan on the other hand has been maintaining a somewhat low profile of late.

The actor was spotted having a quiet Eid celebration along with his friend Baba Siddiqui.

Sonakshi Sinha's mother was sceptical of intimate scenes with Ranveer Singh in Lootera

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 PTI.

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.

Meet Shah Rukh Khan on Facebook tonight

Shah Rukh Khan fans can chat with Bollywood superstar on Facebook today about his recent blockbuster movie Chennai Express.

Shah Rukh and the director of Chennai Express, Rohit Shetty, will come live on Facebook today at 9 PM, the social networking site said.

This is the first time that the actor is hosting a Facebook live chat to connect with fans in India and globally on his page facebook.com/iamsrk.

Aryan, Suhana feel embarrassed and angry with Shah Rukh Khan's stardom

Shah Rukh Khan says his star status sometimes embarrasses and angers his two children – Aryan and Suhana – who are uncomfortable sharing the limelight.

On Eid, the 47-year-old superstar along with wife Gauri, his sister Shehnaz and children came out to pose for the shutterbugs after offering prayers with the family.

He waved at hundreds of fans, waiting for him since morning outside his residence 'Mannat' in suburban Bandra.

Holding her father's hand, daughter Suhana also waved at the fans along with brother Aryan, who seemed a little uncomfortable.

"I enjoy celebrating functions with fans.. I can't be alone. Now that my kids are grown up, I would like them also to say hello to all those who made me who I am today," Shah Rukh told reporters here.

"They were feeling embarrassed, shy and were even angry but I feel they should do this," he said.

Talking about his Eid plans, he said, "There is no big celebration today.. Tomorrow we have a dinner party with family and friends."

Also, Shah Rukh Khan is happy with the response of his film Chennai Express. The actor is so busy that he has not checked his phone to see the messages sent by industry friends.

"We are happy with the response. People are having fun and are finding it entertaining is a great thing. We can't stop smiling. I don't think about the numbers," Shah Rukh Khan, who was accompanied by director Rohit Shetty, said.

The film sees Deepika Padukone playing a Tamilian. There are few dialogues in the film that are in Tamil.

"We did not feel the need to give subtitles as we want the audience to relate to my character as he is also clueless about the language. All we are trying to say is love has no language," he added.

Exploring the Box Office journey of Deepika Padukone

Once Deepika had a film each with makers like Yash Raj Films, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ashutosh Gowariker, Kunal Kohli and Farhan Akhtar, it was a great opportunity for her to balance films with established superstars as well as upcoming stars. She had done a film each with Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan already which means the next obvious step was to conquer youngsters. She made the wise move and hence signed films like Break Ke Baad (Imran Khan), Karthik Calling Karthik (Farhan Akhtar), Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (Abhishek Bachchan) and Lafangey Parindey (Neil Nitin Mukesh).

Ironically, her biggest success that year was with Akshay Kumar (Housefull) with whom she had delivered the biggest flop of her career (Chandni Chowk To China) till then. Rest of the films were a mixed bag as Lafangey Parindey and Break Ke Baad turned out to be average successes, Karthik Calling Karthik just about passed muster while Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey was a disaster. Unfortunately for her, these films didn't add much to her fan following either and though there was critical acclaim for her in Lafangey Parindey, rest were Comme Ci, Comme Ça affairs for her.

If at all there was any silver lining, then that came from the fact that she was still delivering at least one hit every year which means stocks continued to be high for Deepika and it was just a matter of her scoring big with one of her future outings.

An average year again.

The script continued to follow the same course in 2011 as well though one has to admit that a clean hit from Deepika was sorely missed. She was appreciated for her fiery act in Aarakshan, but the film was such a mess that it couldn't be elevated to any height despite the combined power of Amitabh Bachchan, Prakash Jha and Saif Ali Khan. The fact that she still managed to make at least her presence felt in this expensive film that couldn't score much at the box office was the sole takeaway for her.

When Meena Kumari nearly missed 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam'

It is considered one of the most brilliant portrayals in Hindi cinema by any actress but not many know that Meena Kumari nearly missed playing the lead role of 'Chhoti Bahu' in Guru Dutt's " Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam".

Dutt wanted to make a commercial film and decided to adapt Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and when it came to casting, he thought only Kumari could do justice to Chhoti Bahu. 

"And do you know she nearly missed it? Guru Dutt sent word that he would be interested in hiring my heroine. Was she available? 

The answer from Rembrandt (the house she shared with husband Kamal Amrohi) was no, she had her hands full with pending commitments," writes veteran journalist Vinod Mehta in "Meena Kumari: The Classic Biography". 

The book was first written in 1972 but Mehta decided to bring out the second edition to commemorate her 81st birthday on August 1. 

Guru Dutt then tried an Indian girl living and acting in London but "she was entirely unsuitable". Desperate, he completed the entire film by 1962 except for the role of Chhoti Bahu. In a memorable passage, Mehta narrates how Kumari finally accepted the role that came to define her. 

"Negotiations with Meena Kumari were resumed and this time they were more successful. Forty-five clear and consecutive days were offered and the fee raised by 25 per cent." 

As Chhoti Bahu, Kumari beautifully evoked the image of a long suffering wife, who took to alcohol to please her philandering husband. Ironically, it was her addiction that took her life at the age of 39. 

The film sealed Kumari's reputation as the 'great tragedienne of Hindi cinema', an adjective, Mehta believes, she took rather seriously. But, the role did not come easily to the actress who was haunted by this doomed woman. 

Mehta quotes a passage from her diary where she writes, "This woman is troubling me a great deal. All day long-and a good part of the night-it is nothing else but Chhoti Bahu's helplessness. Chhoti Bahu's sorrows, Chhoti Bahu's smiles, Chhoti Bahu's hopes, Chhoti Bahu's Tribulations, Chhoti Bahu's endurance, Chhoti Bah's ... Chhoti Bahu's... Chhoti Bahu... Oh! I am sick of it." 

The book largely focuses on Kumari's personal life and delves on her turbulent marriage and love affairs. 

Writing about the factors that contributed to the end of her 12-year-old marriage to Amrohi, Mehta mentions the ego clash between the two film personalities. 

"For it was nothing but an ego clash. Kamal Amrohi was a man of no mean self-importance. One of the finest writers of Urdu, he had begun to feel that his only function in life was to organise film dates for his wife - sort of manager." 

Mehta also believes the late night phone conversations between Kumari and Amrohi during their courtship days later contributed to them becoming insomniacs. 

After her marriage hit a rough patch, she became busy with projects and developed sleeping problems. One peg of brandy which was prescribed by her doctor as a sleeping pill, became too many though Amrohi tried to control her addiction. 

"... The bottles of Dettol in the Amrohi bathroom did not contain antiseptic but brandy. From that day onwards Kamal says he checked the Dettol bottles and ensured that Meena did not have any drink handy," Mehta writes. 

According to the author, Amrohi blamed Bimal Roy and Mehmood (married to Kumari's youngest sister) group for alienating him from his wife during the shooting of Benazir. 

"By the end of 1963, Meena Kumari had decided to leave Kamal Amrohi- and he knew it. One morning, just before my heroine was off to work, Mr Amrohi went into the bedroom. He took hold of his wife`s face and said, 'Manju don't leave me." 

Amrohi and Kumari's marriage ended in great bitterness but the two came together to complete "Pakeezah" despite their differences. 

Shot over 14 years, the film became Kumari's swan song and her death, shortly after its release, helped the movie achieve great success. 

Amrohi directed his last film "Razia Sultan" in 1983, which was a box office disaster. He died in 1993 at the age of 75.

Chennai Express shatters all records, crosses Rs 100 cr mark in 3 days of release

Shah Rukh Khan's latest release Chennai Express created history by entering the elite Rs 100 crore club within three days of its release.

Read Review: Chennai Express

The movie directed by Rohit Shetty had a rocking start at the box office all over India and overseas.

In India, Chennai Express, which also features Deepika Padukone, collected Rs 6.75 cr in paid previews on Thursday itself. Overall the movie managed to collect a whopping Rs 67.92 cr in just two days including the paid previews.

The movie did very well over the weekend and with Sunday's figures finally out the movie has already crossed the Rs 100 crore.

Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif in post-26/11 counter-terror film

Kabir Khan, whose last film Ek Tha Tiger was about the life of a RAW agent, is all set to cast Saif Ali Khan in a film about post 26/11 counter-terrorism.

The film is to be written by Hussain Zaidi, the prominent crime writer whose scrupulously researched books have earlier been the basis of Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday and Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Wadala.

This wouldn't be the first film Saif would be doing on global terrorism. He has earlier done Rensil D'Silva's Kurbaan where he played a terrorist. In Kabir's film that Sajid Nadiadwala will produce, Saif crosses over to the other side.

Says a source, "Saif plays a counter-terrorist deputed to tackle a post-26/11 scenario. It's a kind of extension to Salman Khan's RAW agent's role in Kabir Khan's Ek Tha Tiger. But the politics of this film would be far more topical."

Saif, we have come to know from reliable sources, would be required to undertake remarkable research to get his data on counter-insurgency right.

Says the source, "It's a different world for Saif and producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Sajid has only done mass entertainers so far."

Ahmedabad court issues notices to Big B, KBC producer

A metropolitan court in Ahmedabad issued notices to Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bhachchan, the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), its producer Siddhrath Basu and five others Wednesday after a complaint alleged that its promos present the legal profession in a "derogatory" manner.

City-based advocate Davindar Singh Rakkad filed an application before the chief metropolitan Magistrate S V Parekh stating that in the promos of the serial there are several derogatory substance against lawyer fraternity, which have been aired for past several days. The magistrate issued notices against seven persons and sought their reply by August 21 for hearing of the case.

In his complaint, Rakkad demanded legal actions against the seven persons involved in the quiz-show including host Amitabh Bachchan under Section 500 of code of criminal procedure (defamation) and various provisions under Information and Technology Act.

He has also submitted a CD containing the visuals of the promos including the transcript.

Aamir Khan can't wait for 'Dhoom 3'

Superstar Aamir Khan is smiling after seeing the final cut of " Dhoom 3" and says that he can't wait to see the audience's reaction on the film.

"Guys... I just finished seeing the final cut of 'Dhoom3' and I cannot wait for you all to watch it... Suddenly Christmas seems too far away," the 48-year-old posted on social networking site Facebook. 

Aamir is playing an antagonist for the first time in "Dhoom 3", the third instalment of the "Dhoom" franchise that started in 2004. In the first two films, John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan played villains, respectively. 

The actor is paired with Katrina Kaif in "Dhoom 3", directed by Vijay Acharya.

Astro Prediction: Will Chennai Express be a Box-Office Hit?

World's #3 and India's #1 Astrology service, GaneshaSpeaks.com is steadily rising up the popularity ladder with 5 million+ monthly visitors. Its hugely trusted astrology services are available via multiple platforms including Web, Mobile & Land-line, Apps for iOS, Android & Windows Phone and Books.

After creating magic in the 2007 in Bollywood magnum opus Om Shanti Om, Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are back in action as the lead pair in the forthcoming Chennai Express. The awaited and aggressively promoted film is due for an Eid release on August 9, 2013. There has not been a major, star-studded Hindi release in quite a few weeks, especially if you discount the inspiring Bhaag Milkha Bhaag! Plus, this would be Deepika's next after the 2013 big hit Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Thus, naturally there are huge expectations from this action-comedy. Besides, being slated for release for the usual domestic and international markets, it is also all poised to release in non-traditional international markets such as Peru, Morocco, France and Israel amongst others. And, that's not all! Even before its release, Chennai Express has had its share of controversies, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MSN) threatening to stall its release, as the movie distributors had demanded prime slots in single screen cinemas, thereby perceived to dislodge popular Marathi films.

As they say – all publicity is good publicity – Will this extra impetus add to the film's business? Also, what lies ahead for this film? Will Chennai Express live up to all the hype surrounding it? Will the film manage to cross the 100 crore mark? And, most importantly, will this film resurrect King Khan's career? Ganesha finds out...

Astrological Observations

• Ganesha observes that the film Chennai Express is going to release with the Virgo Ascendant and Moon in Leo, Purvaphalguni constellation.
• Jupiter and Mars are placed in the 10th House of its release chart. 
• Jupiter is in the Anyo Anya Uchcha Yoga, because it is posited in Gemini – the Sign ruled by Mercury. And, Mercury is placed in Jupiter's Sign of exaltation. Same way, Mars is getting debilitated by an exchange, because it is placed in Mercury's Sign and Mercury is in Mars' Sign of debilitation.
• Saturn and Rahu are placed in the House of finances.
• Sun being the 12th House's Lord is placed with Mercury – the Lord of the Ascendant and the 11th House.

Astrological Predictions

• Considering all the factors mentioned above, Ganesha feels that the film Chennai Express shall receive a warm welcome at the box office.
• The advance-booking score would be very high.
• The film's first day's business and the first weekend's business in India and in the overseas markets shall be good.
• However, this does not imply that Chennai Express will become a very big hit. Yes, this film looks set to bag good money in the first weekend, especially in the absence of any knock-out competitors.
• However, as soon as it crosses Monday, we may see a notable decrease in the film's business, and by end of the first week, the business may come down remarkably.
• Despite this, this movie's business abroad may continue to  be good, feels Ganesha.
• Overall, although this is a very big release, astrologically speaking – Chennai Express doesn't have a great potential to be a big blockbuster.Still, Ganesha wishes loads of luck to this endeavour.

The crorepati writer

He's the man who gives Amitabh Bachchan his lines. Meet RD Tailang, the writer of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', the successful game show that's set to enter its seventh season.

When RD Tailang was invited to audition as a scriptwriter for the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) in 2000, he was overwhelmed and nervous. He was among the many writers short-listed by the production house, and the chances of being selected seemed rather slim. Siddhartha Basu, the mastermind behind the show, provided a simple brief: A quiz show that will entertain while educating. Tailang had his job cut out. "As a television writer, I knew the language had to be short and sweet. I also knew that the biggest audience would be middle-class India, " he says. 

Tailang struck the right chord when he penned the lines: "Ek crore rupay ek aam Hindustani ke jeevan main kya maayne rakhte hain? Kareeb kareeb aadhe se zyada Hindustaniyon ki salary bees hazaar hai.

I hope to be a part of Krrish 4: Anil Kapoor

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who launched the trailer of the superhero franchise Krrish 3 said he hopes to be a part of Krrish 4.

"I feel privileged and honoured to launch or anchor or whatever you call it the trailer of Krrish 3. Guddu (as director Rakesh Roshan is fondly called) has a 100 per cent track record as a filmmaker. He is a great father and a husband, a fantastic friend...his friendship goes on for years and years no matter if anyone achieves box office success or not and that is what I admire about him," Anil Kapoor said.

"I hope to be part of Krrish 4," the actor added.

Also Read: Krrish 3 – Hrithik Roshan ready to compete with Hollywood superheroes

Anil Kapoor also said he shared a special director-actor pairing with Rakesh Roshan as together they had delivered many hit films.

"Like there was this hit jodi (pair) of Amitabh Bachchan and Manmohan Desai, Karan Johar-Shah Rukh Khan...the same way, I felt Guddu and me were also a jodi," Anil Kapoor said.

"...But Hrithik came in the way and broke our jodi," he said in a lighter vein. Anil Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan worked together in films like Kala Bazaar, Kishen Kanhaiya, Khel and others. Hence, when Rakesh Roshan asked Anil Kapoor to launch the Krrish 3 event and introduce the star cast, he immediately agreed.

Rakesh Roshan thanked Anil for coming to the event at such a short notice.

"This gesture of him will always remain in my heart. Hrithik says when he started his career, everybody who observed him said he performed like Anil Kapoor...that is because he worked closely with him while he assisted me on Anil Kapoor's films," he said.

"My model of acting was based on Anil Kapoor...he is a fantastic person and actor. He is so young today that I can't even call him uncle," Hrithik said.

Akshay Kumar's Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara sold for Rs 15 cr in north circuit

Actor Akshay Kumar starrer Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara has been sold for about Rs 15 to 18 crore for distribution in the north circuit, sources said.

Films financier and Mumbai distributor Bharat Shah has forayed into film distribution in the Delhi-UP-Punjab territories. He has invested in a start-up company by distributor Anil Agarwal.

"The markets of Delhi-UP-Punjab have been sold to Bharat Shah and Anil Agarwal, who is the most influential distributor of that territory, for an appropriate price," Tanuj Garg, CEO Balaji Motion Pictures, told PTI.

Agarwal, known in the North Indian film trade circles, has set up his own venture that will focus on the acquisition of select films for release.

"The film has been acquired for distribution for Rs 15 to Rs 18 crore in Delhi-UP-Punjab circuit," sources close to the development confirmed.

Milan Luthria directed romantic-gangster drama film stars Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. It releases on August 15.

Kalki Koechlin turns muse for Gaurav Gupta at DCW

Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin stunned in a gorgeous golden gown on the runway for designer Gaurav Gupta as he displayed his futuristic couture collection on the final day of the PCJ Delhi Couture week.

Besides the Shaitan actress, Aditi Rao Hydari also cheered for her designer friend from the front row.

"I love his collection. I think it is fun and crazy just like the way he is. I am so glad that I could watch this marvel today," said Aditi, who was dressed in an off-white saree gown from the designer's collection.

Kalki, who seemed to enjoy her stint on the ramp today as she sauntered gleefully down the ramp in a high slit gown with a ruffled train.

"I have come here after a 24-hour-long flight from Los Angeles. This is such a welcome change from what I have been wearing for so long. I really feel transformed and I can't thank Gaurav enough for this wonderful outfit," the actress

said.

Gaurav, whose couture collection was titled 'Lightfall', said that he chose the two actresses for his show as they represent what he believes in- style and youth.

"The theme of my collection was how we would see our mythology in the future. Hence it was very futuristic in the approach. So I decided to have Kalki and Aditi. Besides being very gorgeous, these two ladies represent the new-age India. They are young, fun, vibrant, bold- everything what my brand represents," Gaurav said.

The collection comprised new silhouettes in gowns and derivatives of saree and lehenga. The colour palette ranged from moon grey, ecru, dust gold, teal, and pop neon.

There was a juxtaposition of ancient Indian embroidery techniques and materials like saadi, pitta, zari, nakshee, lace, organza, georgette were used in the collection.

Designers must integrate fabrics from various regions: Krishna Mehta

Veteran designer Krishna Mehta who will showcase Manipuri weaving craft at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week, says designers need to take a keen interest in promoting newer markets by highlighting specialities indigenous to certain regions.

Mehta, in her initiative, has collaborated with the Manipur government's department of commerce and industries for the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013.

"It is an endeavour for giving platform to weavers. So with the help of little guidance I would like to be able to do better. I am giving my best shot and trying to open markets for them, I wish to open up their fabric to the country," Mehta told PTI in an interview here.

Mehta feels its the designers who need to take steps to tap a region and promote it in every possible way.

"If the designers don't do it then how the rest of the country will know that there is something like Manipur Handloom existing, or how to buy or use it. We need to open up as it is beautiful handloom sector. Or else if you don¿t work towards it then it will soon die...we should work and give this a boost and impetus," she said.

Manipur handloom has rarely been used so comprehensively by any big designer in the past and this is seen as a great platform to bring the handloom into mainstream fashion.

Mehta is set to play up the weaving technique of the state with her distinct creations at the forthcoming mega fashion event that kick starts from August 23 to 27.

"I have been working with weavers from across the country right from Banaras to Bhagalpur to Cochin to Andhra Pradesh.. this is one region I haven't touched. I have been working with them today and it I found it excessively interesting and unique," she said.

Sushant Singh Rajput: There were no issues between me and Ankita over the kiss scene

Kai Po Che star Sushant Singh Rajput says his love and passion for cinema are his driving force to do something new onscreen.

"I don't work for fame and money. I work for the love and passion of cinema. For me, it does not matter if I am acting in films or TV or doing theatre. The day I stop getting interesting work in films, I would go back to doing TV," Sushant told reporters at a promotional event of his upcoming film Shudh Desi Romance.

Sushant became a household name with TV serial Pavitra Rishta.

In his upcoming romantic-comedy film Shuddh Desi Romance, Sushant is seen locking lips with newcomer Vaani Kapoor.

There were reports that things went wrong between him and his girlfriend Ankita Lokhande after the scene. But Sushant denies them, saying, "There were no issues about it (kissing). She (Ankita) is quite supportive, she knows its part of my job, she is an actor too," Sushant said.

The event saw the launch of a new song Gulabi from the film. Also, newcomer Vaani was introduced to the media. Going by the theme of the song, the two actors were dressed in pink and the set was decorated with pink frills.

Tabu turns Draupadi on ramp at Couture Week

Bollywood actress Tabu scorched the ramp as modern day Draupadi for designer Anju Modi as she displayed her Mahabharata-inspired collection on day one of the PCJ Delhi Couture Week.

Dressed in a red and gold lehenga teamed with a full-sleeved velvet blouse, the 41-year-old actress looked every bit regal as she sauntered down the ramp elegantly.

"I love walking at a fashion week as it gives me an opportunity to glam up. When Anju told me that her theme was Indian mythology, I was very excited.

"I loved the fact that there was an interesting story woven around the collection. It was almost like acting because I had to feel the character. I enjoyed myself," Tabu said.

Anju was also all praise for her muse.

"When I decided on the theme of Draupadi, I could only think of Tabu as she is a strong woman. She is passionate, beautiful and intelligent just as Draupadi was," she said.

When asked why she chose to depict Draupadi through her collection, Anju said, "Draupadi is an embodiment of the empowered Indian woman. Her portrayal through the pages of the Mahabharata epitomises the multi-faceted nature of a woman."

The beauty and charm possessed by Draupadi was unveiled act-by-act. The show also had a dance performance by a Bangalore-based group, who enacted various important scenes from the Mahabharata.

The first part celebrated the opulent "Marriage to Pandavas" with celebratory colours like crimsons, caramels, tamarinds and golds, which accentuated the romanticism and the magnificence.

Transitioning to the "Game of Dice", shades of ash grey, indigo blue, maroon reflected the dilemma and chaos echoing within Draupadi.

The show culminated with Draupadi's "Devotion" towards Lord Krishna, and subtle, delicate shades of faune, blush and ivory resonated the ethereal bond.

Models sashayed down the ramp in anrakalis, lehengas, long jackets, skirts, achkans, jodpuri breeches, churidaars temed with brown leather shoes.

Galli grit at Tate

Anand Patwardhan's controversial films being screened at Tate Modern, London show that the politics of protest transcend national borders, time and space.

India's smug politicians, lathi-wielding policemen, gritty slum-dwellers and self-absorbed elite have made their way into the Mecca of art. London's Tate Modern is screening the radical political documentaries of noted Indian filmmaker Anand Patwardhan. 

Patwardhan's cinema, grounded in the reality of contemporary India, is in stark contrast to the abstract forms of art displayed at Tate Modern. He does not believe in art for art's sake. His art, activism and films are indistinguishable. 

He propels his audience into the rough and tumble of contemporary India with such dexterity that one can be forgiven for forgetting entirely about the man behind the camera and focusing, instead, on the politics of everyday life unfurling on screen. While politics takes centre-stage in Patwardhan's cinema, his form and technique often go unnoticed, and his aesthetic architecture is virtually invisible, points out writer-filmmaker Kodwo Eshun of the Ottolith Collective, co-curating Patwardhan's retrospective at the Tate Modern. 

Patwardhan's cinema, which lays much emphasis on the politics of protest in India, is being screened in London at a time when Britain's culture of protest is on the wane. As political activity recedes from the streets, it is being revived in public art galleries such as Tate, says Anjalika Sagar of Ottolith Collective. The changing nature of protest in Britain is mirrored by a similar process in India that Patwardhan has captured on screen. While street protests form a part of Patwardhan's cinema in the India of the 1970s and early '80s, he talks of how the country now aims at prettifying its metros and silencing voices of protest. Both Mumbai and Delhi have outlawed street protests and confined protesters to a tiny area. 

In his film, Bombay: Our City, on the brutality of slum-demolitions, a woman slumdweller glares into camera and asks Patwardhan to stop filming the poor as he can do nothing to help them. Patwardhan retains the moment because "it reminds both filmmaker and audience of the voyeurism inherent in films that focus on the misery of others. It forces us to introspect. " That the same woman loved the finished film after seeing it at one of the many screenings held across Mumbai's shantytowns was a bonus, but it never reduced the original chastisement. 

The life and death of dalit poet and singer, Vilas Ghogre, forms the thread that binds Bombay: Our City (1985) with Jai Bhim Comrade made 27 years later. Patwardhan's 14 year opus on the oppression of dalits opens with Vilas's song from Bombay: Our City. Then the film abruptly freezes to tell us that Vilas committed suicide in 1997 after 10 dalits were killed in a police firing. They were protesting because their statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar had been garlanded with footwear. 

Patwardhan has maintained political and financial independence as a filmmaker by not seeking co-production or corporate and NGO grants. Costs are kept to a minimum and the distribution earnings of each film are recycled into the next one. 

Patwardhan's films show 40 years of history largely through the eyes of India's poor and marginalised. They explore the complexity of the Emergency years, militancy in Punjab, communal violence and India's nuclear tests. He records the parallel and almost simultaneous rise of neoliberalism and the rise of the religious right, both of which grew in the 1980s and came into their own in the early 1990s. 

Art, for Patwardhan, is that which transcends time and space. His films have done both. A young woman from Argentina was initially daunted at the thought of watching a film on India, a country she knew so little about. On watching Patwardhan's films, she realised how similar his narrative was to the situation in her own country. 

While the events recorded by Patwardhan are local, and specific to India, the concerns they raise transcend national borders. "You cannot fight for human rights or the protection of the environment in only one part of the world, " he says. "Globalisation has come to mean the global exploitation of resources and labour by multinationals. It must be fought by citizens who share the idea and the fact of a resistance that is equally global. "

Award in Yash Chopra's memory, Lata Mangeshkar to be 1st recipient

T Subbarami Reddy Foundation has instituted an award in the memory of the late Yash Chopra, the reputed Bollywood film maker.

T Subbarami Reddy, an Congress MP, told reporters here that the award, which carries Rs 10 lakh cash prize and a citation, would be presented to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in Mumbai on October 19.

The jury, headed by Reddy and comprising Bollywood personalities Hema Malini, Anil Kapoor and Simi Garewal, decided to present the 'National Yash Chopra Memorial Award' to Lata Mangeshkar, he added.