Did 'Bajirao Mastani' for Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Priyanka Chopra

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2015, (IANS)

 Actress Priyanka Chopra, who is not playing the title role in "Bajirao Mastani", says she has a very challenging role as Kashibai in the film, which she took on only for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"I did this film for Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I know you all will ask me, 'Mastani is played by Deepika (Padukone), and Bajirao is played by Ranveer (Singh). So why did you do this film?' Let me tell you, I was the first person to be cast in this film. I remember Sanjay came to me with this script and he was clear he wanted me to do this film," Priyanka said here.

"I thought Kashibai's character was very heart-breaking. This is a feminine character and it was very challenging for me to do the role... It's a special film for me. I am just super excited to be part of it," she added.

Priyanka Chopra will be seen playing Bajirao's first wife in the movie.

"It was not easy to do this role. I wanted to get the Maharashtrian accent right and there were many dramatic scenes, which I used to take back home. I am generally a switch on and off actor, but this character was very heart-wrenching."

The film is slated for December 18 release.

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Suriya to team up with Trivikram next year

Chennai, Nov 30, 2015, (IANS)

Suriya's Telugu-Tamil bilingual project with filmmaker Trivikram, which was announced a few months ago, will finally go on floors next year, a source said.
"As soon as Suriya completes shooting for 'Singam 3', he will start working on the project with Trivikram. It will be his first bilingual film which will also mark his debut in Telugu filmdom," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

To be produced by Haarika and Hassine Creations, the film is likely to have music by Devi Sri Prasad.

Suriya currently awaits the release of Tamil psychological thriller "24", and he will soon start shooting for "Singam 3".

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'Yellow', a special film for Riteish Deshmukh

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2015, (IANS):

Riteish Deshmukh, whose Marathi production "Yellow" has been selected as the opening film of the first International Film Festival for the Persons with Disabilities (IFFPD), says it is a "special film" and he is "honoured and excited" with the selection.
"'Yellow' is a special film and we are honoured and excited to be the opening film at the first international film festival for persons with disabilities. Such initiatives are important and will help spread the necessary awareness," Riteish said in a statement.  

The film's director Mahesh Limaye called it a "proud moment for the entire team".
"We are honoured to be the opening film. I'm very happy for Gauri Gadgil (on whose life the story is based) who chased her dreams and they came true. She is the inspiration for all of us," he said. 

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), union ministry of social justice and empowerment, has collaborated with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to organise IFFPD, a unique three-day film festival for persons with disabilities. It will be held on December 1-3 at Siri Fort here.

The festival will conclude on December 3, which is also observed as the International day of Persons with Disabilities.

"Yellow" is selected among one of the eight features in the competition category and will be screened on Tuesday. 

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Would love to do Bhagyashree's role in Maine Pyaar Kiya: Daisy

Mumbai, Nov 30, 2015, (PTI)

Actress Daisy Shah says her dream role would be the one played by Bhagyashree in superstar Salman Khan's film "Maine Pyaar Kiya".

"I would want to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vishal Bhardwaj. I would like to play Bhagyashree from 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' and romance Salman. I would also like to play Sridevi from 'Chaalbaaz'," Daisy told PTI.

She made her acting debut last year with Salman's "Jai Ho".

Before becoming an actress Daisy was a choreographer. The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star spotted the 31-year-old, who was one of the background dancers in his "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya".

He noticed her once and asked her if she would like to get into acting.

"I left choreography three years ago. I am focusing on acting and I am enjoying every bit of it. I am getting comfortable in this space. I want to explore different kind of films," she said.

Daisy is looking forward to the release of "Hate Story 3", which is an erotic thriller.

"It was not surprising for me to get this offer. I was looking forward to do something that is out of my comfort zone. I wanted to do something that is not like 'Jai Ho'.

"I was kicked by the story. I knew it had bold scenes and that was holding me back from doing the film. I was in a dilemma whether I should do this film or not," she adds.

Initially, Daisy was uncomfortable doing intimate scenes.

"Indian films have limitations and we all know about it. I was uncomfortable doing bold stuff on screen as I had not done it earlier," she said.

"I was frightened initially. But this (bold) scene happened in the end of the film so by that I was comfortable with my co-actors, directors and other cast and crew of the film," she added.

Besides Daisy, the film stars Zarine Khan, Sharman Joshi and Karan Singh Grover in the lead.

"I had a great time working with Sharman Joshi and Karan Singh Grover. Zarine is a sweet girl. She has done a phenomenal job," she said.

The third instalment of the "Hate Story" franchise is directed by Vishal Pandya and it is set to release on December 4.

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Censor as a system should be abolished: Ram Gopal Varma

New Delhi, Nov 29, 2015 (PTI)

National Award-winning filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma feels the concept of censor board seems irrelevant in today's times of instant information.

Censor Board of Film Certification chief Pahlaj Nihalani has come under fire for shortening the kiss in the latest James Bond film "Spectre".

Varma, said that he feels Nihalani is "eventually" doing his job and it is the body, which needs to be done away with.

"Today anybody with their cellphone can access porn if they are interested. In that kind of digital world we are living in, four-five people sitting and deciding for the rest of the country what they should watch or what they should not watch is the most ridiculous thing.

"I also agree to a point that he (Pahlaj) is eventually doing a job, going by the guidelines and rules... I think censor as a system should be abolished," Varma said on the sidelines of Times Lit Fest.

The 53-year-old director-producer feels the level of censorship differs with changing team members of CBFC.

He recalled when his 1998 hit "Satya" was censored, the censor board retained cuss words, as the members felt they were an integral part of the film.

"When 'Satya' was censored, for the first time they (Censor) allowed the cuss words because they felt it was very much a part of the film and taking them away would be destroying the fabric of the film. That particular thing happened with those particular members.

"Another set of members would have felt something different. When 'Bandit Queen' was censored, lots of cuts were asked. When Shekhar (Kapur) went to revising committee, they wanted to ban the film. When he went to tribunal, they said release it as it is without any cut. So, three set of members have opposite views. that itself is a big problem..."

When asked if the problem lies with with the larger government policies, Varma replied, "Yes. The very act is too outdated." 

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