The actor and producer Farhan Akhtar, whose latest film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara won nine awards at the recent International Indian Film Academy Awards, quashed rumours that he's planning to produce a sequel. "Just because the movie is a success, that doesn't make it necessary for us to make a sequel," said Akhtar on Sunday, after returning from the IIFA awards in Singapore, where he hosted the main ceremony and won the best supporting actor award. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara also won best film, best story, best screenplay and best director for Akhtar's sister Zoya. Of his next project, he revealed: "Our next film is called Talaash. It will be released in November and is directed by Reema Kagti. It stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji." * IANS
New film Jalpari competes at 'Asia's Oscars'
The filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda's new film Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid will screen in the competition section of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, to be held on November 23 in Queensland, Australia. Panda's debut film, I Am Kalam, premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and won several international awards. "I'm absolutely thrilled because the APSA is like the Oscars of Asia. It's the biggest, in fact, in this continent, and to be invited for a recognition like this is indeed a matter of great pride and honour," he said. Jalpari revolves around the adventures of a brother and sister who visit their father's village which is deprived of water. It stars Harsh Mayar, Parvin Dabbas and Tannishtha Chatterjee. The film's producer Sushil Kumar Agarwal said: "We have believed in the film right from its inception and to see it being appreciated across the world makes us very happy." Jalpari will get its premiere in India on July 20. Established in 2007, the APSA is an international cultural initiative by the Queensland state government, in association with Unesco. * IANS
Rohit Shetty praises Big B for cameo
The filmmaker Rohit Shetty is ecstatic after roping in the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to star in a promotional song for his forthcoming romantic comedy Bol Bachchan. "I don't know whether this moment will come in my life again or not. Working with Mr Bachchan - it's like I'm working with God," Shetty said. "I'm still in awe. It's the first time I asked an actor if he'd be willing to have a photo taken with me." Inspired by the 1979 comedy Gol Maal and filmed entirely in Jaipur, Bol Bachchan stars Big B's son Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Asin Thottumkal and Prachi Desai. It's due for release on July 6. * IANS
Esha Deol to wed businessman beau
The actress Esha Deol has announced that she will marry her long-time boyfriend, the businessman Bharat Takhtani, on June 29. The couple have decided on a traditional ceremony, setting the wedding in a temple in Mumbai. Deol's mother, the actress and director Hema Malini, said of the plans: "We want the wedding to be a private affair with relatives and close friends. We chose a temple because it is the perfect place for matrimony. But I still want it to be an elaborate wedding for my daughter. My own was very quiet." Malini and her husband, the legendary actor Dharmendra, will throw a reception on June 30 at an undisclosed hotel, where Bollywood's biggest names are set to attend. "We'll have lots of guests from the film industry and politics," said Malini. * IANS