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Neeraj Pandey, one of India’s finest contemporary filmmakers, today launched his debut novel Ghalib Danger at an event that was attended by the stars of his cinematic ventures.  After entertaining Indians all over the world with memorable and much-loved films like A Wednesday and Special 26, the critically acclaimed director, who is no stranger to thrillers has further explored the genre with his first book.A fictional gangster saga set in the visually eclectic Mumbai underworld, Ghalib Danger makes Neeraj one of the rare Bollywood directors who have also authored novels. Ghalib Danger revolves around the life of its main protagonist Kamran Ali. A young taxi driver by profession, Kamran stays in Mumbai and dreams of making it big someday. However a twist of fate awaited him as on an eventful day his life transforms when he saves the life of a notorious underworld don from called Mirza. As an act of gratitude, Mirza takes Kamran under his tutelage.Speaking of his book, the celebrated film writer-director and now author says, ‘Writing has always been a passion and when the story of Kamran and his world took shape in my mind, I knew that only a book would do full justice to it. It’s a story of destinies that collide and shape the world of our characters’.The launch of Neeraj’s first book was also a special occasion for some of his favourite stars to come and cheer in support. While Anupam Kher, who credits Neeraj’s as giving him two out of his top 10 roles in the form of A Wednesday and Special 26, read out a chapter from the book to a live audience, Naseeruddin Shah penned the leading quote. Manoj Bajpayee not only joined the gathering but also lent his voice to the motion poster of the book as he read out couplets from Ghalib’s work. Divyaa Dutta dropped by to wish Neeraj good luck as well.

Veteran film actress and social activist Shabana Azmi says that she was brought up in such a manner that she pays huge attention while selecting a movie. Azmi was speaking as the chief guest for the 18th International Film Festival of Kerala, which started on Friday night.While addressing the sources, Shabana revealed how happy she felt looking at the participation of the audience in the festival. Azmi is someone who believes that a social message must come from a film, and she feels that the director is responsible for the same. "My family and the way in which I was bought up influenced my selection of movies across all genres," Azmi said.Azmi said, "I have trust and faith on the upcoming directors as they were reflecting reality based on what they have seen and experienced in life in cities. Masters like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen portrayed rural life, as it was the reality they had seen in their life time."Quizzed if she would like to take up Malayalam films, Azmi said, "While acting, it is important for me to understand the meaning of the language."We applaud your belief!

Some time back there was buzz making rounds that the star couple Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Roshan is divorcing. However, later the news was rubbished by the concerned parties, and it is learnt that the two are happy in their personal life with their two kids.Recently when Hrithik had to speak about his ladylove, he had all good things to say. “Sussanne has been my closest companion. She paid for my first date with her. She's still very ambitious and career-driven and I am very proud of her. She has established a name for herself and has her individuality in place. She is a very generous and loving person. I call her sunshine.“Whenever she enters the room, she puts a smile on people's faces. My handicaps or problems condemned me to lead a darkish life in the past while I was growing up. I would struggle day in and day out and so God must have thought of her as a blessing that he must send down for me as a ray of sunshine. That is how I have managed to survive.I had broken tools and was the last person people would have thought would make it. But she recognised the mettle in me. I am a fighter and I don't quit on anything in my life,” Hrithik said of her.Going by his words it is obvious that everything is fine between the couple!

The love between girlfriend Payal Rohatgi and wrestler Sangram Singh was clearly seen when Payal recently visited the house of Bigg Boss 7 for a special episode. The duo had an amazing conversation with each other that has confirmed one thing that the couple is actually serious about their future and keen to make it official.Although they were in a live-in relationship, before Sangram entered the house, but now Payal says she wants to settle down with him as soon as possible. TV and film actress Payal is in a live-in relationship with Sangram from past two years. She says that Sangram's absence has brought a vacuum in her life and she has realized that Sangram is the one who she wants to settle down with.Payal spilled the beans, “Sangram is my best friend. He loves me more than himself and his absence in my life has brought a vacuum in my life. Sangram has been always around me and has handled everything very nicely. So, now when he's not around, I’ve realized one thing that he's my soul mate and he's the one with whom I want to settle down.”For the unawares, Payal was allegedly dated co-participant of Bigg Boss Rahul Mahajan, but their relationship hit the road block when Rahul went ahead to do his Swayamvar on Imagine TV. He got married to contestant named Dimple. Here’s we are hoping Payal’s relationship with Sangram live long and they tie the knot soon!

There have been speculations since sometime around that the estranged couple of B-town, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s daughter Sara Ali Khan is set to join Bollywood. And now the latest buzz has that the teenager already has the permission of her father. But there is a condition that she first completes her education. Saif and Amrita married in 1991, and they share two children - daughter Sara and a son. The couple went separate ways in 2004, and now Saif is happily married to Kareena Kapoor Khan."She is in America in college in Colombia University. She will have a degree and then she is free to choose whatever she wants to do. She can live and work anywhere in the world, she can come back here and join films, or become lawyer. It is upto her," said Saif.The actor-producer also said that her daughter will have his full support if she chooses to become an actress. But he did advice her to lose some weight. "If she chooses to be here then she will have to lose weight. I think it is better to concentrate on education and have some backing. What if you are not successful as an actor? Then you will be stuck with no job also."Though you get lot of things as an actor, there is a lot of pressure. It is not a normal life as you don't have time for the little things in life. I am fine with it but I think college degree is important," he added. At the same time, he revealed that his daughter is his weakness. "She is my friend and my weakness too," he says.And when he comes to fatherly advice, he said, "One should put priorities in the right place. My main thing is that they should go to college and then figure out what they next. The other thing is to marry the right person or not to get married. These are things that can affect your life, if you get these things right then rest is fine," he added.Highly second you here, Saif!

Hrithik Roshan, who plays superhero Krrish in the famous film franchisee, says that a superhero lies within everyone."I have always strived to imbibe good qualities and values from all the characters I have essayed through the years. It has been a constant search, a mission to grow into a stronger and better human being. The values that define Krrish have had the biggest impact on my life," says Hrithik, who will be seen in Rakesh Roshan’s directorial Krrish 3. The actor adds, "A superhero uses all his powers to serve others. He believes that life is less about you and more about the people who love you... these are qualities I live by. Any one of us can find that superhero inside of us. Anyone can choose to be a superhero once we recognise the values he lives by. All we have to do is decide. I keep his symbol to remind me of those values, to remind me in times of despair that I can overcome anything. This symbol has empowered me to rise each time and create the greatest story ever told." "Let's make it our mission to live the best life possible... take our weaknesses and use them to fuel our strengths. I believe in the Krrish inside all of us. It's time now for you to find him inside of you." Hrithik concludes. Krrish 3, produced by FilmKraft Productions, releases November 1.

Tinseltown actor Robert Di Niro is seen playing memorable characters like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. However, when he was quizzed about his real-life heroes, he named out Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.Niro, 70, is presently in Goa, India, where he will be participating at the ongoing THiNK Fest 2013. Sharing his thoughts, he said, "I have many real life heroes as my inspiration. Mandela, Peres, James Dean, Marlon Brando and from India... Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi. They are strong people with a big heart," De Niro said on the sidelines of the festival. "I try to be more empathetic towards my characters. I try to understand its position by putting myself in their shoes. I feel I am lucky to get into these lives without having to pay a real price," he added. When confessed that he doesn’t remember his early film days, he said, "I really don't remember..." He also said that he has no idea why he wanted to be in cinema and he started his career at the age of 16. "I dropped out of school and enrolled in Stella Adler's acting school, to the surprise of my friends and family. When she (Stella) asked me why I joined this profession, I didn't have an answer. She answered on my behalf that since I wanted to express myself so I chose this profession. I nodded and repeated the same line," he said. Speaking of Indian trip, he added, "Indian people are very nice. I came here 35 years ago and promised that I will be back in couple of years. I got busy and even tried to come last year. But it didn't happen." Glad you came now!