SRK is my role model for film marketing, says Varun Dhawan!

Varun Dhawan, who went all out for the publicity of his latest release "Main Tera Hero", tells megastar Shah Rukh Khan is his role model when it comes to film marketing.

"My role model for marketing films is Shah Rukh Khan. He is unbelievable. Look at how he marketed 'Chennai Express', told Varun.

In "Main Tera Hero", Bollywood's other beloved Khan, Salman, has lent his voice. Isn't he a role model for Varun?

"He is a role model for not just me but every young actor. More than anything else he's a tremendous human being. He just called up Dad and said, 'I want to do something for Varun.' Dad gave him the voice of god. We didn't want Salman to help market the film," told the young actor.

"Main Tera Hero" is directed by Varun's father David Dhawan. The latter had a health scare during the film's shoot in Bangkok and Varun tells he is not happy with the fact that his father has not been taking care of his health.

"I've actually inherited my energy level from him. But he's not physically fit enough to carry off the energy. I tell him to get fitter. I take him to the gym with me. But not frequently enough.

"To add to his weight woes, he is a foodie. But he has cut down on his food. The only reason I am talking about it is because I'm desperate for him to get fitter. Lots of his friends tell him to change his lifestyle. I feel if he reads what his son is saying, he will take care of his health," he further added.

Varun is also close to his brother Rohit. Any plans of working with him?

"I definitely want to work with him. When the time is right, we will. But nothing planned right now," he told. 

Kangana's bloody lip kiss for Vir Das!

She is playing a wild character in "Revolver Rani" and true to her role Kangana Ranaut got aggressive while locking lips with her co-star Vir Das for a scene, told a source.

Apparently, the actress kissed him so wildly that his lips began to bleed.

"In one scene, Kangana is arrested and is on her way to jail. She requests for some time to attend to an urgent matter and drags Vir Das to a room and kisses him so wildly that his lips start bleeding! No actress till date has portrayed such a 'manizing character'," a source told in a statement.

Set for an April 25 release, the film will present Kangana as an extremely dominating and aggressive woman, in contrast to her role in her latest hit "Queen". 

Mahesh Bhatt praises Arjun Kapoor over Alia in '2 States'!

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who watched his daughter Alia Bhatt's third film "2 States", is happy to see her playing a different role. But it's her co-star Arjun Kapoor who stole the filmmaker's heart.

"'2 States' - Alia is fantastic in a startlingly different role. But it is Arjun who stole my heart and made me weep. He is a star! It's a winner," Mahesh wrote on Twitter Monday.

The movie, based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller by the same name, revolves around a Punjabi boy, who falls in love with a Tamil girl. The regional and cultural clash that it leads to is what forms the rest of the tale.

It will hit theatres Friday. 

An award says 'you're on right path', says Gulzar!

The multifaceted Gulzar is "happy" and "thankful" on being named for the popular Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which he tells is a mark that "you are on the right path".

"I am happy to receive this award and I am thankful to everyone, people and the jury members. An award is a respect which says your work is loved and you are on the right path," the 79-year-old veteran said journalists here Saturday.

The ministry of information and broadcasting announced that the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2013 will be bestowed on Gulzar, who started his career in 1956.

Lyricist, director, screen writer, producer and poet, Gulzar is the 45th winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award which is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

The award is given on the basis of recommendations of a committee of eminent persons set up by the government for this purpose. This year, a seven-member jury of artists unanimously recommended Gulzar for it.

Born in 1934 in Punjab in pre-independence India, Gulzar started his career in 1956. As a lyricist, he got his first break in Bimal Roy's "Bandini". He then worked with leading composers like Sachin Dev Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Shankar-Jaikishan, Hemant Kumar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, Rajesh Roshan, Anu Malik and the new age Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Gulzar also had successful partnerships with Rahul Dev Burman, A.R. Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj.

He has contributed to several films as script, story and dialogue writer. His directorials include "Mere Apne", "Koshish", "Ã?andhi", "Kinara", "Khushboo", "Ã?ngoor", "Libaas", "Meera", "Lekin" and "Maachis".

Gulzar's small screen stint included creating series like "Mirza Ghalib" and "Tahreer Munshi Premchand Ki". He wrote lyrics for Doordarshan serials "Hello Zindagi", "Potli Baba Ki" and "Jungle Book".

The 79-year-old was conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. He has won a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards.

At the 81st Oscars in 2009, he won the Academy Award for best original song for "Jai ho" with Rahman.

His poetry has been published in three compilations: "Chand Pukhraaj Ka", "Raat Pashminey Ki" and "Pandrah Paanch Pachattar". His short stories are published in "Raavi Paar" and "Dhuan".

Want to do path-breaking film, says Rajeev Khandelwal!

Actor Rajeev Khandelwal, who made an unconventional film debut with "Aamir" in 2008, tells he wants to do a path-breaking cinema.

"The films that I want to do should be a path-breaking cinema. It should be something new to offer to the audience. The industry is so huge but the kinds of films are being made..." told Rajeev.

"People tell me you are on the right path and stick to that. That's a huge compliment for me. I don't want to do films with the budget of Rs.50 or Rs.100 crore. I want to be focused. 'Soundtrack' was a great film. It didn't work...it was not promoted well," he further added.

"Commercial film is made 80 to 90 percent but content-driven films are just five to 10 percent. I want to do that kind of films and don't want to repeat myself," tells the actor, who has featured in films like "Shaitaan", "Soundtrack" and "Table No 21".

Rajeev will soon be seen in Rajshri Productions' "Samrat & Co." and he is presently busy promoting it.

"I am happy I am part of a Rajshri film which is a different film. I am proud that I was considered for this film. I was shocked when I was approached by Rajshri. When I was told it's a detective film, I was shocked. They are changing the trend with the right script," told the 38-year-old.

The movie is slated for April 25 release. 

Developed mother-daughter relationship with Revathi, says Alia Bhatt!

Two-film old Alia Bhatt, who worked with actress-director Revathi in their upcoming movie "2 States", tells they share a strong bond akin to that of a mother and daughter.

"Towards the end of the film, I developed mother-daughter relationship with her (Revathi). The way she touched my face, I kind of felt that warmth with her. What also I realized is that while working with her I became a good actor.  What she brings to the table is not just the dialogues. She would bring much more... I felt like she was my mother. I could bring the emotions only because of her. She is a fantastic actor," Alia said.

Revathi plays Alia's mother in "2 States", adapted from Chetan Bagat's novel by the same name.

The "Highway" star is also fond of actress Kareena Kapoor and tells that she feels great when she is compared to the "Jab We Met" star.

"I can be flattered. I have done two films and people are comparing me with her. I don't think I am like her. I feel like there is only one Kareena Kapoor and that's her. I am her biggest fan. I am not trying to be like her but she is my biggest inspiration," told Alia. 

Manisha Koirala is thinking of adoption!

Actress Manisha Koirala, who successfully battled cancer, tells that when she overcomes her fear of relapse, she will adopt a baby girl.

The 43-year-old was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

"Maybe someday I'll be free of fear of relapse and adopt a baby girl...till then having a family of my own is a distant dream," she posted Sunday.

Bipasha Basu is in love with new hairdo!

Actress Bipasha Basu has worn her hair long and short. This time she has tried the fringe look and she is loving it.

"Love my new hair cut and hair colour! Thank you my darling Nida Patel from Hakim's Aalim!," she wrote on Twitter.

The "Raaz" star's new layered lock in shades of brown is surely enhancing her appearance.

Previously also, Bipasha had gone global blonde with platinum highlights with the help from Patel. 

Football has never been far away, says Ranbir Kapoor!

Bollywood hunk Ranbir Kapoor, who will be owning the Mumbai franchise in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL), told he was looking to translating his passion for the sport into development activity.

Ranbir has tied up with investment banker Bimal Parekh to co-own the Mumbai franchise of the eight-city league that will be played during September-November.

"It is a moment of great pride for me to be a part of the Indian Super League and to represent the vibrant city of Mumbai. Football has never been far away from my daily life since childhood, and now as a partner in the Indian Super League, I am looking forward to translate my passion into contributing to the growth of the sport," told Ranbir.

Ranbir hoped the grassroots program developed by ISL promoters IMG-Reliance for the franchise owners will benefit the game.

"I firmly believe in the grassroots and community development program designed by the league organisers IMG Reliance, to popularise the game and that's one thing which excited me to be part of this dream," he told. 

I'm still a Delhi boy at heart, says Sidharth Malhotra!

Sidharth Malhotra, who shifted base from the capital to the country's entertainment capital Mumbai, tells while Mumbai has made him what he is today, he's still a Delhi boy at heart.

"I was lucky to come in (to Mumbai) at a time when they (people) were looking for new talent. I have done my share of auditions. I have evolved and changed over the period and Mumbai has a lot to do with that," the 29-year-old.

"Mumbai has added so much to my personality, the exposure that you get and people you meet, the professionalism here, which we should have in Delhi. But I am still a Delhi boy at heart and Delhi is my home but Mumbai is great too," he further added.

Sidharth tells being an outsider made things tough for him when he first came to Mumbai to become an actor. But hard work and focus helped.

"It's always tough when you come from a different town, you don't know anybody and don't have any family...no support system, professionally or personally. Mumbai is a tough city but it has given me everything today. It requires you to be a little patient, to be focussed and to work hard," Sidharth told.

Sidharth made his debut with "Student of The Year" in 2012 and was last seen in "Hasee Toh Phasee."

His next is Mohit Suri's "Ek Villain" where he will be seen in a grey character. It also stars Shraddha Kapoor. 

Amrita Singh is spontaneous, says Arjun Kapoor!

Actor Arjun Kapoor is all praise for Amrita Singh, who plays his mother in the upcoming movie "2 States" and describes her as being "naturally gifted".  

This is his second movie with Amrita after "Aurangzeb" and he told, "She is the most spontaneous actor in the world. Before shooting she will be nervous. Once the camera is on, she delivers the best, and we would wonder how she did that. She is naturally gifted and she doesn't care so much."

Arjun made a fantastic debut with "Ishaqzaade", but his last two releases "Aurangzeb" and "Gunday" received a lukewarm response at the box office.

Talking about his performance, he told, "I am confident about my acting. The insecurity is that I hope I don't slip and fall. But we are young and it's going to be a long race. It's a great time to be in this profession."

Dad doesn’t want their daughters to get married, says Alia Bhatt!

Actress Alia Bhatt tells her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is possessive about her, but adds that he has taken her on-screen kissing with Arjun Kapoor in the upcoming movie "2 States" practically.

"Like every father, who don't want their daughters to get married, even my father is the same," Alia told in a group interview.

"Recently, my father told us (Alia and her sister Shaheen) you all can't go anywhere, I will lock you up in a room. He is honest and blunt about the fact that he doesn't want us to get married. He is not saying just like that, he means it. He is very possessive and he doesn't want me to get married. If my sister's boyfriends get me some present, he would say - even I can get presents, I will get you two," she further added.

Presently, the actress is looking forward to her upcoming movie "2 States".

She has a kissing scene in the film and when asked about her "possessive" father's reaction on the same, she told, "But he knows I am acting Â…but, if I kiss my boyfriend in front of him, he will slap me.

"It's in the scene and I am not doing it to irritate him. It's a family film and the scene is just for three seconds."

Directed by Abhishek Verman, "2 States" is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's bestseller of the same name and the actress has read the book three times.

She told, "I have to be as natural as possible. I read the book three times before we started shooting."

Alia tells that when she read the book for the first time, she felt it could be made into a good movie.

"I knew Arjun was on board… but I never thought I will be part of the film. I got a call for a look test and the point being that I should look good with Arjun. I was hoping it comes to me and it did. It's a big achievement for me," she told.

The actress, who garnered rave reviews for her performance in her last release "Highway", tells there was a reason behind doing "2 States".

"After 'Highway' I wanted people to say I am an actor and that I am not here to be a star. I would not like to be five or six films old Â…so I want to make sure I am an actor," she told.