Apnaindia Entertainment

A potent mix of sleek production, inspiration from literary works, sex and high quality music are behind a resurgent commercial Bengali cinema, which is again giving tough competition to Bollywood films in West Bengal. "Bengali cinema has been going through an excellent phase for the last two-three years. But there is no place for complacency and we need to build up and improve on it," filmmaker Sandip Ray told IANS

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Sunday used 10 tonnes of sand to create an image of megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Odisha's Puri beach to wish the ailing actor a speedy recovery. The 69-year-old actor underwent abdominal surgeries Feb 11 at the Seven Hills Hospital at Mumbai. He was to be discharged Feb 13, but new complications forced doctors to keep him under observation.

Lauding Bipasha Basu as one of the most outstanding and rewarding actresses he has worked with, Bollywood actor R. Madhavan Sunday said it has been a privilege to work with the dusky beauty. "She is one of the most outstanding and rewarding co-stars I have ever worked with. Bipasha is a heroine who is involved in all creative aspects of the film,"

Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's wedding saris and a range of specially commissioned shawls and headbands will be showcased as part of the 'Inspired by India' selling exhibition of contemporary design at Sotheby's in London May 8-15. Sotheby's reputed curator Janice Blackburn feels Mukherjee was an undisputed choice for the segmen

Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most popular brand ambassador and is endorsing several products, and the superstar says whatever he does, he does it with a sense of responsibility. "When you are a brand ambassador for anything, any of the products or even a leading man for a film or a producer, I think you have a lot of responsibility.

Amitabh Bachchan has reported signs of improvement in his blood test reports, thus avoiding a second surgery. He also tried to walk a few steps, but didn't reveal when he will be discharged from hospital. "The morning of today arose with deep thought and contemplation on the morning before. In the midst of intense discussions between the medical team and the family,

Renowned percussionist Taufiq Qureshi stole the show Saturday night at the end of the fourth day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) with amazing vocal percussions at designer Payal Jain's show. Brother of table maestro Zakir Hussain, Qureshi left the audience clapping and cheering, as the models walked the ramp in Jain's creations while he created remarkable musical sounds from his mouth in the backdrop.

Actress Bipasha Basu, who walked for designer Rocky S during the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), says that she finds it tough to drape a sari. "I think the sari is a very beautiful attire as it makes a women look elegant but yes for me, sari draping is tough thing. It takes me a little while to wrap it around and to carry it properly," Bipasha said after the show.

Now this one's an 'ooh la la' pairing! Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi and "The Dirty Picture" star Vidya Balan have been cast opposite each other for comic-thriller "Ghanchakkar". The two hope to rock it. A UTV Motion Pictures' project, the quirky film is expected to go on floors in August and will be directed by Rajkumar Gupta, who worked with Vidya in "No One Killed Jessica".

His debut directorial "Bumboo" is the remake of French hit "L'Emmerduer", yet it is sans big Bollywood stars. Budget constraints notwithstanding, Jagdish Rajpurohit says he would have made it with the same cast even if he had much more money because stars don't guarantee returns. "I have a great cast - Sharat Saxena, Sanjay Mishra,

The father-daughter duo of Govinda and Narmmadaa walked as showstoppers for designer Reynu Tandon's show on the last day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Sunday - a day which which also marked the actor's 25th year in the Hindi film industry. "I have completed 25 years in the industry and I am thankful to each and everyone who have supported me and given me so much love throughout my career. I am hopeful to keep up the good work," said Govinda.

Actor Govinda has wished megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is recuperating after undergoing abdominal surgery, a speedy recovery. "I wish him all the best. I pray for his well being. He has always been very active. I wish him speedy recovery. Amitabh ji is not just a personality, he is an icon. We all are very proud of him.

The first Dharma Productions project that came Shahid Kapoor's way was the 2005 movie "Kaal", but he couldn't do that. Seven years later he got another offer to work with the filmmaker, and once again he had to let go the opportunity due to date problems. Now he hopes it doesn't take them another seven years to come together.

Talented actor R. Madhavan straddles two worlds - Hindi movies and southern cinema - with elan but despite having a good hold in both, he doesn't believe in piling up projects in his kitty. "I do one film a year. I don't look at a film like a project, I worship it. It's like going to a temple. I can't jump from one film set to another film set," Madhavan told IANS.

John Abraham has displayed his brawny and chiselled physique in many films, but now he will have to get rid of it to suit his role in his upcoming movie "Shootout at Wadala", inspired by a real life incident. The actor has apparently been asked to shed 20 kg to play Manya Surve in the film, based on the 1982 incident in which the infamous gangster was shot dead in Mumbai.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be relieved "in a day or two" from the SevenHills Hospital, where he is recuperating following two abdominal surgeries. "Amitabh's health is improving. Doctors will take a call regarding his discharge from the hospital by today (Monday) evening. He should be discharged in a day or two," a source told IANS.

Amitabh Bachchan, who is recuperating in the SevenHills hospital here, is suffering hunger pangs which is seen as a positive sign by doctors attending upon the megastar. "Hunger pangs swell for the first time... docs say its good sign... hope so," Big B posted on his Twitter page. The 69-year-old was admitted to hospital Feb 11 and underwent two abdominal surgeries,

Ajith Antony, son of Defence Minister A.K. Antony, has decided to try his luck in showbiz and his debut film "Oberoi" will go on the floors in August. The film's director Aji John said the script for the Malayalam version is over and now they are scouting for a writer to pen the script in Tamil.

Television actor Eijaaz Khan, who is returning in a lead role after five years, was in for a surprise when he got mobbed by his fans on the sets of his new show "Shubh Vivaah" in Agra. Eijaaz is immensely popular in Agra, thanks to his stint in the film "Tanu Weds Manu". The actor was shooting for his show along with co-star Neha Janpandit and Rakesh Bedi.

TV actor Mrunal Jain is leaving no stone unturned to give his best to his show "Hitler Didi", even if it requires him to stay away from salt and water. According to insiders, Mrunal deprived himself of salt and water for some time to shoot for a scene where his character is shown working out.