Nishikant Kamat is playing the role of villain in his upcoming film "Rocky Handsome" and the filmmaker says it is difficult to act and direct at the same time.
	"It is extremely difficult (to act and direct). I respect those people who act and direct. When I act, I start thinking like a director... It disturbs my performance. So I don't do justice to my acting when I am directing," Nishikant told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Rocky Handsome".
	"Ideally, I would avoid acting in the films, I would direct. I would act in films otherwise. Direction will always remain my first love," he said.
	The "Drishyam" helmer reveals it was decided at the last moment that he should act in the film.
	"It is a coincidence that I am acting. I had not thought I would play villain. I had thought of one of my friend for the role he is not an actor. Initially, he was going to act but he did not come," he said.
	"We had only two days left for the schedule (for his part). So the (direction) team ...

It is extremely difficult to both act, direct: Nishikant Kamat

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Veteran actor-director Manoj Kumar, best known for his patriotic films "Purab Aur Paschim", "Upkar" and "Kranti", will be conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award for his contribution to the film industry.
	The 78-year-old actor became the 47th recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs and a shawl.
	The actor is best known for his films "Hariyali Aur Raasta", "Woh Kaun Thi?", "Himalaya Ki God Mein", "Do Badan", "Upkar", "Patthar Ke Sanam", "Purab Aur Paschim", "Shaheed", "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" and "Kranti".
	Kumar was born as Harikrishna Giri Goswami in Abbottabad, which was then a part of Pre-Independent India.
	He initially started as a romantic hero following his debut in 1960 with "Kaanch Ki Gudia" but later shifted focus to acting and directing films with patriotic themes so much so that fans started calling him "Bharat Kumar".
	The actor won a National Film Award for "Upkaar" and was honoured with .

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar to get Dadasaheb Phalke award

P K Nair, the founder and director of Pune-based National Film Archive of India whose passion and dedication for preserving movies led to the setting up of the NFAI, passed away today after a brief illness.
	Nair, 83, breathed his last in a city hospital where he was admitted for old age-related ailments on February 22, hospital sources said.
	He is survived by two sons and a daughter.
	Fondly called the 'celluloid man' of Indian film industry, Paramesh Krishnan Nair carved a niche for himself as a pioneering archivist who founded the National Film Archives of India (NFAI) to preserve for posterity the country's cinematic heritage.
	Hoping to build a film career, he came to Mumbai in 1953 after graduating from the Kerala University. He worked in association with veterans of the time like Mehboob Khan, Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
	However, later he turned his focus to the academic side of cinema and became an assistant film curator of Pune's Film and Television Institute of ...

'Celluloid Man' P K Nair, the legendary archivist, no more

WWE wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is bowled over with the charm and talent of Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.
	The 43-year-old actor and Priyanka are working together in the "Baywatch" movie reboot, with the "Quantico" star playing villainous Victoria Deeds.
	Johnson shared an on-set picture with the 33-year-old actress on Instagram.
	"Every great story starts with a great villain... My sistah @priyankachopra is one of the biggest and most beloved stars in the world," he wrote in the caption.
	"When I asked her how she felt about playing opposite me as our main #BAYWATCH villain she simply said with a sly and seductively evil smile, "Oh you're going down..." Cool is the rule, but sometimes bad is bad. Thank you PC for the strong work week and see you on the rebound in GA," Johnson added.
	"Baywatch" also stars Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Jon Bass, Kelly Rohrbach, Ilfenesh Hadera and Hannibal Buress.
	The movie is all set to hit screens on May 19, 2017.

Dwayne Johnson thanks Priyanka for 'strong work week'

Sonam Kapoor-starrer "Neerja", a biopic on flight attendant Neerja Bhanot, has been declared tax free in Rajasthan.
	The film, which released on Februray 19, earlier announced tax free in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
	"A huge Thank You to Hon CM Smt @vasundharaBJP for making #Neerja tax free. Humbled by the gesture towards our nation's pride Neerja Bhanot," Sonam posted on Twitter.
	The film revolves around the hijacking of Pan Am Flight in Karachi, Pakistan on September 5, 1986, specifically focusing on head purser, who died while saving the life of hostages.
	Directed by Ram Madhvani, the film also stars Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani and Yogendra Tiku.

'Neerja' declared tax free in Rajasthan

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has shot with children for his upcoming wrestling-drama "Sultan".
	The 50-year-old actor, who is training hard with real wrestlers for the Ali Abbas Zafar-directed movie, posted a picture on Twitter with a group of kids.
	"Sets of 'Sultan'. Shot with these kids," Salman wrote in the caption.
	The photo features the superstar wearing red kurta and holding a tiny tot in his arms with children dressed in school uniform posing excitedly with the him.
	Salman has been fond of children. His performance and on-screen camaraderie with seven-year-old Harshaali Malhotra in "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" was appreciated.
	Produced by Yash Raj Film, the movie stars Anushka Sharma as female lead.
	The sports drama is set to release this Eid.

Salman shoots with kids for 'Sultan'

Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani has alleged that there have been instances when filmmakers have tried to bribe him to retain certain scenes in their films.
	Nihalani claims some people try to get away with their work by bribing.
	When asked if filmmakers tried to bribe him to retain scenes in their films, Nihalani told reporters, "Yes, because people never leave their habits. They want to get away with the work by hook or crook. Somebody had offered me (bribe) also. But I can't give names.
	"They want to get away with the job, its nobody's fault... Why blame babus, once we feel our work should be done we don't mind paying money and get away... There are people who don't have shame and do this."
	Nihalani said his staff in the CBFC does not accept any gifts and the corruption in the board is now "zero".
	"Today I can tell you, my staff has refused even the Diwali gifts we get, I am proud of them. There is zero corruption in the board."
	He was speaking at the launch of the new cover 

Directors have tried to bribe me to pass films:claims Nihalani

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has wished a happy life to Urmila Matondkar, who tied the knot with Kashmir-based businessman-model Mohsin Akhtar Mir.
	The wedding, which was a quiet ceremony, was solemnised as per Hindu rituals at the 42-year-old actress' residence in Mumbai.
	"Extremely happy to hear news about the most beautiful actress I ever worked with... I wish from heart that her life will be "Rangeela" forever," Varma posted on Twitter.
	Urmila and Varma worked together in "Rangeela", "Satya", "Bhoot", "Mast" among others.
	Urmila, who has been away from the silver screen, had last appeared in a 2014 Marathi film named "Ajoba".

Ram Gopal Varma wishes Urmila 'rangeela' married life

Founder director of Pune-based National Film Archive of India, P K Nair, passed away today after a brief illness. He was 86.
	Nair died at a private hospital in Pune this morning, where he was admitted last week, NFAI sources said.
	Paramesh Krishnan Nair dedicated his life to preservation of films and building its collection at the NFAI, and was instrumental in archiving several landmark Indian movies.
	These included Dadasaheb Phalke's "Raja Harishchandra" and "Kaliya Mardan", Bombay Talkies' films such as "Jeevan Naiya", "Bandhan", "Kangan", "Achhut Kanya" and "Kismet", S S Vasan's "Chandralekha" and Uday Shankar's "Kalpana".
	Nair joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune as a research assistant in 1961, and went on to play a key role in the setting up of the NFAI in 1964.
	He was appointed assistant curator in 1965, and continued with the NFAI till 1991. By the time he retired as NFAI director, he had acquired a whopping 12,000 films for the archive. Of ...

Noted film archivist P K Nair passes away

China plans to promulgate a new law with clear guidelines to promote "open and transparent" censorship system, a senior Chinese official said today, as the country expands its links with Hollywood and Bollywood.
	A new bill to promote China's movie industry, world's second largest box office market, will provide clearer lines for filmmakers, Fu Yinga spokesperson for the annual Chinese national legislature the National People's Congress (NPC) said.
	There is a consensus among filmmakers and censors that there should be clearer lines for China's filmmaking and that the censorship system should be "open and transparent", Fu added.
	Fu quoted the draft bill as saying that, in establishing specific criteria for movie censorship, opinions and suggestions must be sought from experts and other members of society.
	The largely closed door Chinese film industry is undergoing transformation in the recent years with government permitting more foreign collaborations to expand its operations both .

'China's new film law to promote open censorship system'

Indian-origin actress Freida Pinto has revealed that she is playing Mowgli's adoptive mother in "Jungle Book: Origins".
	The live-action adventure fantasy film is being directed by Andy Serkis, who plays Baloo, along with Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Christian Bale as Bagheera and Cate Blanchett as Kaa.
	Pinto, who co-starred Serkis in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", said she is very excited to be a part of the film, which is based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling, reported Entertainment Tonight.
	"I play Mowgli's adoptive mother, so I'm very, very excited about it. I read The Jungle Book and watched the TV series in India growing up, and for me, to finally be part of the film that reminds me so much of my childhood is just amazing," the 31-year-old actress said.
	"It's one of those films that I feel, no matter what age group you are, you're going to enjoy that film, and I feel like it's been a while since I've done something like that, because most of my films have not been ..

Freida plays Mowgli's adoptive mother in 'Jungle Book Origins'

Singer Meghan Trainor says she was convinced she didn't have the "face" or body to make it as a pop star.
	The 22-year-old, who recently won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, became a star when she released her first hit "All About That Bass", an anthem encouraging people to embrace their curves, reported Ace Showbiz.
	However, Meghan says she hasn't always been so self-confident, and she used to make an extra effort to hide her body from the world.
	"I, every day, wore sweatshirts and sweatpants to cover up my body, because I was so insecure," Meghan told a CBS correspondent in a new interview.
	"And it would be summer. And I would go on vacation and I'd be in Trinidad and Tobago, 90-degree weather, and I'd be wearing sweatshirts that said (her hometown) 'Nantucket'."
	Despite family members encouraging her to wear more weather-appropriate items, she refused.
	"I didn't want to show my arms. I didn't want to show anything, and I was just so insecure and uncomfortable, and I ...

I thought I didn't have the 'face' for fame: Meghan Trainor

Actor Abhimanyu Singh, who plays a godman in "Global Baba", says the upcoming film is a social satire and does not target any religion or specific person.
	The movie, directed by Manoj Tewari, talks about the deceitful ways by which con men under the guise of religious gurus deceive people.
	"The subject does not target any religion or any specific person. I believe the film will act as an eye opener for our countrymen who usually become victims to such con men," said Abhimanyu.
	"I think our hardwork will pay off even if we convince one person to not fall prey to such people," said the actor, who is known for his performance in films like "Gulaal", "Rakta Charitra" and "Ram-Leela".
	Actress Sandeepa Dhar plays a journalist in the film.
	"While we were shooting in Varanasi, people around us thought that Abhimanyu was a real baba because of his attire and even came to seek blessings from him," she said.
	The movie, produced by Vijay Bansal, will release on March 11.

'Global Baba' does not target any specific person: Abhimanyu

Bollywood playback singer Divya Kumar says the trend of re-creating iconic songs from the 90s is not a healthy one as the tracks have emotional value attached which cannot be modernised.
	Divya, who sang the chart-buster 'Jee Karda' number from "Badlapur" last year, feels adding a rap portion to the re-created song takes away the purity which the original track has.
	"For me, the 90s is a very emotional era. The essence of 90s music cannot be brought back...It was very pure, you can't add rap to it and make it modern. 'Aashiqui 2's soundtrack was successful because they didn't recreate any of the hit tracks of the previous films.
	"They created new melodies which were in the similar zone. I am completely against the recreation of 90's songs. I think those should not be touched," Divya told PTI.
	The singer has lent his voice to hit songs like 'Maston Ka Jhund' from "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and 'Sunn Saathiya' from "ABCD 2".
	It was however, 'Jee Karda' which brought him to instant ...

90s music should not be recreated: singer Divya Kumar

Japanese comedian-actor Takeshi Kitano will join Scarlett Johansson in the live-action adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell".
	Rupert Sanders will direct the DreamWorks production, which is based on the famous Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
	"Ghost in the Shell" follows the story of a female special-ops cyborg who leads a task force called Special 9 in order to stop dangerous extremists bent on the destruction of the advancement of cyber technology.
	Kitano will play the chief of public security Section 9, Daisuke Aramaki.
	Kitano is one of Japan's top film talents, having worked both in front of and behind the camera.
	The film will be Kitano's first Hollywood role since 1995, when he starred opposite Keanu Reeves in "Johnny Mnemonic".
	Paramount Pictures will release "Ghost in the Shell" on March 31, 2017.

Takeshi Kitano joins Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who won the best director Oscar for "The Revenant", has defended himself in the face of criticism for not applauding costume designer Jenny Beavan as she made her way to the stage to pick up her award.
	In a widely-circulated clip - the Vine has been viewed over 38 million times - Inarritu is among a number of attendees who are shown not to be clapping, instead regarding Beavan with what many have interpreted as disdain.
	The 52-year-old director has called earlier suggestions that he hadn't out of malice "mean-spirited and false", reported The Guardian.
	"I think Jenny Beavan is a masterful costume designer and very deserving of the Oscar for 'Mad Max: Fury Road'," he said.
	Inarritu also sent a gif (video) showing that he did clap later, as Beavan made her way up the steps to the stage, where she was presented with the award by Cate Blanchett.
	"By editing and omitting the full reality and suggesting I felt anything but admiration is mean-spirited and ...

I did applaud Jenny Beavan at the Oscars: Alejandro Inarritu

"Les Miserables" actress Amanda Seyfried has reportedly found love in actor Thomas Sadoski.
	The 30-year-old actress and "The Newsroom" star first became friends when they co-starred in the Off Broadway play "The Way We Get By" last year.
	They recently reunited on the set of their new movie "The Last Word", and their relationship has since become romantic, reported Us Weekly.
	"Amanda and Thomas are definitely dating right now. She's no longer single," a source said.
	Sadoski separated from his wife of eight years, Kimberly Hope, in October last year.
	The stars have yet to comment on the romance rumours.
	Sadoski, 39, isn't the first co-star Seyfried has dated off-screen. She previously romanced "Mamma Mia!" actor Dominic Cooper from 2008 to 2013, and she most recently dated actor Justin Long, but they split in September (15) after more than two years together.

Amanda Seyfried dating Thomas Sadoski

Actress Priyanka Chopra has reached 13 million followers on Twitter and she celebrated the milestone by leaping on the beach in Boca Raton, Florida, where she has been shooting "Baywatch" movie.
	The 33-year-old actress thanked all her fans and hoped that her "crazy ride" continues.
	"13 million and counting... Blessed! Here's to continuing our mad, crazy ride," Priyanka posted.
	The former Miss World rose to international fame with last year's ABC thriller "Quantico", which has been now renewed for a second season, thanks to its positive reception by the audience.
	The actress plays the main villain in "Baywatch", which also stars Dwayne Johnson. She recently made a successful red carpet appearance at the Oscars, where she also presented an award.

Priyanka Chopra reaches 13 million Twitter followers

Amid rising criticism of Zoe Saldana for not being black enough to portray Nina Simone in the biopic, the film's director and the singer's daughter have defended the actress.
	Simone's only child Lisa Simone Kelly thought it was unfair to attack Saldana for her role in "Nina" like that, reported Ace Showbiz.
	"It's unfortunate that Zoe Saldana is being attacked so viciously when she is someone who is part of a larger picture," Kelly told TIME.
	"It's clear she brought her best to this project, but unfortunately she's being attacked when she's not responsible for any of the writing or the lies."
	The film's director Cynthia Mort asked people to appreciate the huge effort that the actress had put into portraying the singer and civil right activist.
	"Zoe gave an amazingly courageous and great performance. I think that's all that should matter. I wish the movie well. There are very different visions of what the movie could have been and should have been. Other than that, I think Zoe was .

Nina Simone's daughter defends biopic star Zoe Saldana

"Ghostbusters has released its first full trailer, introducing a new team consisting of Melissa McCarthy'a Abby Yates, Kate McKinnon's Jillian Holtzmann, Kristen Wiig's Erin Gilbert and Leslie Jones' Patty Tolan.
	It gives a sneak peek at how a team of two scientists, an engineer and an Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker to save New York when ghosts appear all over the city.
	"We have dedicated our whole lives to studying the paranormal," Abby says in the video.
	"Now there's sighting all over the city. Holtzman, you're a brilliant engineer, Erin, no one's better at quantum physics than you. There are people out there who need our help. We can provide a real service!"
	Patty is added as the fourth member of the all-female ghost trackers.
	The MTA worker explains why she's so important for the teams, "You guys are really smart about this science stuff, but I know New York."
	Directed by Paul Feig, the remake is going to hit the United States on July 15. Chris Hemsworth and ...

The new team assembles in first 'Ghostbusters' trailer

A judge at the Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia has ordered Bobbi Kristina Brown's autopsy result to be released to public.
	It will now be clear as to what happened to Whitney Houston's 22-year-old daughter who died eight months ago after falling unconscious, reported Ace Showbiz.
	The autopsy was unsealed on Thursday but the medical examiner's officer "has not received a signed authorization from the court indicating whether we can release information and, if so, what type of information can be released."
	Meanwhile, District Attorney Paul Howard begged to differ and wanted to keep it off public for "safety and investigative reasons".
	"It is our feeling that those valid reasons still exist; however, as citizens and officers of the court we must, nevertheless, follow the orders and instructions of the court," Howard said in a statement.
	"We would hope that news agencies and the media receiving the report would do so with the discretion and dignity a family who has lost a ...

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