Short-term goals better than New Year resolutions

Tamil actor Arya, who is currently busy shooting for "Purampokku" and "Meagaamann", says he prefers setting short-term goals over long-term resolutions.

"It's better to have short-term goals because they are usually achievable. I don't believe in New Year resolutions...one can easily get distracted or leave it midway," Arya told.

With two back-to-back blockbusters "Raja Rani" and "Arrambam" in 2013, he hopes for a successful 2014.

"This year, I'm doing films with directors I haven't worked with earlier. Therefore, it is going to be interesting. I will just continue working as hard as ever and I guess everything else will fall in place automatically," he added.

Arya will begin the New Year by playing football with his friends.

"I'm not much of a party guy. I like to start my year with some physical activity. I usually play football with my friends on the first day of the year. I plan to do that this year too. I think it will keep me active and I hope be like that throughout the year," he said.

Nayan ready to show her power?

Natural beauty Nayanatara who all these days sizzled in glamour roles bowling all with her skin show, is now getting ready to show her power on silver screen. According to sources she is playing the role of a powerful police officer in a Kollywood film opposite Jayam Ravi. 

The film is directed by Jayam Raja. Sources say Nayan's role will be on par with the hero and will have many breathtaking action sequences. Insiders who watched Nayan say she performed those scenes in a terrific manner. 

Nayan is also starring in Sekhar Kammula's Anamika and Venkatesh's Radha in Tollywood.

Bollywood celebs in tears at Farooque Sheikh's funeral

Bollywood celebrities were in tears as they bade farewell to veteran actor Farooque Sheikh, who was laid to rest at the Andheri graveyard here Monday evening.

The body of the 65-year-old actor was earlier in the day brought to Mumbai from Dubai, where he died after a cardiac arrest Friday. 

Farooque's close friends and family members were inconsolable and shared their memories about him.

"I will never meet a person like him. His friendship matters a lot to me. I was lucky to find a co-star like him. He never did any film for money but only if he liked the script," Deepti Naval told reporters.

Sonali Bendre broke down in front of the media.

"I was shocked when I heard the news. I cannot eat biryani without him... whenever I will eat biryani, I will always remember him. He was so gentle and so humble," Bendre said.

Shabana Azmi, who did the play "Tumhari Amrita" with Farooque Sheikh for 21 years, said the curtain has fallen on the play.

"Parda gir gaya hai (curtain has fallen). This was our last play which we performed together on Dec 14 in Agra. There will be no show without Farooque."

"My last interaction with Farooque was when we did our play on Dec 14. I said it's been 21 years and we should stop this play. And he said 'Why are you saying this? In fact, we will continue this play for the next 21 years'," Azmi said.

Other Bollywood celebrities who attended the funeral included Javed Akhtar, Tabu, Farhan and Adhuna Akhtar, Shekhar Suman, Zoya Akhtar, Swara Bhaskar, Ila Arun, Rahul Bose and Sarikaa.

Farooque Sheikh is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Bikini treat in Rudramadevi?

Beauties wearing bikinis is most common in the glamour industry. But one can dare to do that in mythological and historical films.  There is bikini treat in Gunasekhar's historical film Rudramadevi. 

This is making many Questions how come bikinis appear in the age of kings. The film's shooting featuring Gunasekhar,Rana is currently progressing in Kuntala water falls where a romantic song is being filmed on the lead pair. 

In the song Anushka should be shown bathing in a pond. But it odd to look if one shows heroine with saree immersed in a pond.  So insiders say Anushka wore a bodylight skin suit for the scene. 

But those who watched Anushka got an impression that she wore bikini for that  song only. 

Anjali show’s her anger on film makers

Anjali showed her anger. This is a shock to all as Anjali did not even show her fury when arrest warrant was sent to her by courts. This time however she dared to question filmmakers angrily why they are sidelining at local telugu girls. 

Anjali impressed all in a Kollywood film Kalakalappu. The film will be remade in Telugu as Jump Jilani with Allari Naresh as hero. Filmmakers can as well as cast Anjali who starred in the original. 

However they started scouting for a Mumbai heroine.Anjali who turned furious on filmmakers decision asked them directly in which way telugu girls are inferior with Mumbai girls. 

While analysts justify that Anjali's anger, critics say Anjali need not rue the missed opportunity opposite Naresh since stardom deserted heroines who shared screen presence with Naresh.

Twitter and Facebook make’s Sonakshi happy

Actress Sonakshi Sinha has a huge fans following and the actress took to Twitter to thank her fans for bestowing so much love on her.

"Two million on twitter, five million on Facebook. What a way to end the year! Thank you guys, you're the best," Sonakshi posted on the microblogging site on Monday.

The actress was last seen in Prabhudheva's "R...Rajkumar" which enjoyed a good run at the box office. 

Salman finds an apartment for Elli Avram next to his.

We all know about the Salman Khan is ‘big heart’ nature. The actor is known to be lending a helping hand to everybody that he is fond of. 

The latest in question is Bigg Boss 7’s ex-contestant Elli Avram., Salman Khan has helped to her find a house next to his house. That means that Elli will be shifting from her humble apartment in Malad to a posh flat in Bandra, Mumbai.

It was evident that Salman was very fond of Elli Avram during his interactions with her in Bigg Boss 7 house. So, it's no wonder that the 'Dabangg' star went out of his way to find a house for good friend Elli. At one occasion, he even remarked that if she had met him before, she would not have been in Bigg Boss, but in Bigg Boss host's house!

Well, we wonder Sallu bhai if you were serious when you said that.

No 'Milky Tempt' to Cherry

Mega Power Star Ram Charan till yesterday was touted to enjoy the 'milky temptations' of Tamannah in his new film in the direction of creative director Krishna Vamsi. But now it is came to take  light that Ram Charan will not have a chance to enjoy the milky temptations of Tamannah.

Tamannah revealed that she couldn't star in Ram Charan's film as she was pre occupied with her other films like Mahesh Babu's Aagadu, Prabhas' Bahubali and two Bollywood movies with Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.

Ram Charan who is not unduly worried about that decided to enjoy with his Magadheera Princess Mitravinda. Charan who romanced with  Kajal in Magadheera and Nayak will be romancing her for the third time in the upcoming entertainer in their combination   .

To find actor to play transgender's role in hindi Kanchana

Ajay Devagan will play for the lead in the Hindi remake of the Tamil blockbuster "Kanchana", but director Raghava Lawrence says that he is yet to zero in on an actor for the transgender's role in the film, which will go on the floors next year.

In the original, Tamil actor Sarath Kumar played the role of a transgender who seeks revenge in the form of a spirit.

"The project is on with Ajay Devagan but we are yet to finalize an actor for the role of the transgender’s. It's a very important role in that movie and I need someone who could play it with a lot of dedication because not all actors are keen to essay such roles. It will take time," Lawrence told.

Lawrence, who’s directed as well as played the lead in "Kanchana", will help in the Hindi remake to be jointly produced by Hindi movie actor Tusshar Kapoor and Shabina Khan.

Ajay Devagan has already starred in Hindi remakes of southern films such as "Singham" and "Son of Sardaar".

Meanwhile, Now Lawrence is busy shooting for the sequel to "Kanchana", title "Ganga-Muni 3"

HC directed for Mohan Babu, Brahmanandam of 'Padma Sri' titles

The Andhra Pradesh High Court today directed the authorities concern to remove title “Padma Sri” prefix before the names of “Denikaina Ready” film producer Mohan Babu and comedian Brahmanandam. The court also directed the film actors (Mohan Babu and Brahmanandam) to submit their affidavits as to why they used the names before their names for in that film. 

However, the High Court adjourned the case to a future date on the hearing whether to seize their titles or not.

Shruti presenting new year gift

Sexy starlet of South Shruti Hasan became top star in Tollywood with the success of Gabbar Singh and Balupu. Shruti has no hits in Tamil and Hindi. Though she did 3 with Dhanush, Shruti didnot star in Tamil for more than two years. However Shruti has good following in Kollywood as she is the daughter of Kamal Hasan. Many always ask her when her next Tamil film will be.

Shruti through twitter made them happy that she waited all these years for a good story and she will be offering it as New Year present.She says this will be loved even by Telugu movie lovers. Buzz is Shruti is starring under Hari's direction opposite Vishal.

Hari showed his power showing Surya as powerful police officer in Yamudu, Singam2. Her Yevadu with Ram charan is releasing during Sankranthi next year. Even her Race Gurram with Allu Arjun is in post production while she is starring in Hindi remake of Tagore, Gabbar directed by Krish.

Samantha readying to cast magic spell

Southern sizzler Samantha role out glamour treats in all her films. Except for her first film in which she attracted with traditional attire, her glamour treat gladdened the hearts of guys.

According to the latest Samantha is once again getting ready to cast magic spell on movie lovers. Buzz is a song was filmed on Samantha and Naga Chaitanya in Autonagar Surya. Sources say though she was confined to only two songs since the film is an action entertainer, this is more than enough to give sleepless nights to youth.

Film Nagar vouch the song will be highlight in the film which is releasing on Jan 31st.Autonagar Surya is directed by Deva Katta. Anup Rubens is scoring music and K.Atchi Reddy is producing the film.

Amitabh in Hollywood adaptation of 'Six Suspects'

The stalwart of film industry, Amitabh Bachchan has reportedly been approached for an international project.

He has been approached by BBC and Starfield Productions to star in the project, which will be directed by award winning Argentinean filmmaker Pablo Trapero, read a statement issued recently.

Well…that’s a great news!!!

'Chennai Express' among top trends of 2013

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's 2013 blockbuster "Chennai Express" has managed to get a spot in Google Zeitgeist's list.

"Chennai Express" is the only Indian movie in the top trends of 2013 in the Google Zeitgeist's list, said a statement. The list highlights top trending topics.

While superhero Hollywood films "Man of Steel" and "Iron Man 3" got the top two positions, respectively, the Rohit Shetty-directed Rs.75 crore comedy-action entertainer that minted Rs.216 crore is placed at number seven in the list. 

Released in August, it hit over 3,500 screens in the country and 700 screens abroad including unconventional international markets like Peru and Israel. 

Co-produced by Red Chillies Entertainments and UTV Motion Pictures, SRK had teamed up with Deepika Padukone for the potboiler that wooed the masses like never before.

The top 10 films are:

1. "Man of Steel" 

2. "Iron Man 3" 

3. "World War Z"

4. "Django Unchained"

5. "Despicable Me 2"

6. "Gravity"

7. "Chennai Express"

8. "Les Miserables"

9. "The Conjuring"

10 "Argo"

Did 'X' for self-satisfaction

Southern actress Piaa Bajpai, who is awaiting the release of her debut independent project "X", says she did it for self-satisfaction and to prove herself as an artist.

"I'm aware indie films are made on limited budget, time and resources but I still consider them special because they give a lot of satisfaction to an actor. I did 'X' for that satisfying factor and I have been satisfied in the process," Piaa, known for southern films such as "Ko" and "Goa", told.

"You do films either for money or name. I did 'X' for name, to carve my niche as a performer in the industry," she added.

"X" has been directed by 11 indie filmmakers -- Abhinav Tiwari, Anu Menon, Hemant Gaba, Nalan Kumarasamy, Pratim D. Gupta, Q, Raja Sen, Rajshree Ojha, Sandeep Mohan, Sudhish Kamath and Suparn Varma.

The movie is about a filmmaker's journey through his past encounters with his 10 ex-girlfriends after he meets a mysterious girl who intriguingly seems to have something to do with every woman in his life.

Actor-director Rajat Kapoor plays the lead in "X", which will feature Piaa in the role of a 17-year-old school girl.

"I thoroughly enjoyed playing a school girl in the film. I didn't find it difficult playing a character younger than myself because I enjoyed playing my role. I wore a school uniform and even got to wear ribbon for my hair. I had a ball shooting for the film," she said.

The portion featuring Piaa in "X" is directed by Gaba, who is known for his heartwarming debut film "Shuttlecock Boys".

Piaa is more excited about the project because she feels it might even earn her international acclaim.

"I'm sure this film will be sent to several film festivals. If I'm lucky I may also travel to these places and earn some recognition. My parents will also watch this film and that makes it even more special for me," she added.

The film, produced by Manish Mundra and Shiladitya Bora, also features Aditi Chengappa, Bidita Baig, Gabriella Schmidt, Huma Qureshi, Neha Mahajan, Parno Mittra, Pooja Ruparel, Radhika Apte, Richa Shukla, Rii Sen, Swara Bhaskar and Usha Uthup.

'Kaanchi', a girl's fight against power

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai says his upcoming film "Kaanchi" is an inspirational story of a girl who dares to fight against corruption.

"The story of 'Kaanchi' is an inspirational story of an aam ladki (common girl) of India who shows the strength of a woman within but without outside support," Ghai tweeted Sunday.

The musical drama features Mishti and Kartik Tiwari in the lead roles. It also stars veteran actors Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty

Cherry not a coward?

There is an old saying that one should regain from where they lost. While many lose faith after one negative result, some strike back with vengeance showing their power. Now Mega Power Star Ram Charan is also keen to strike back with vengeance in Bollywood showing he is not a coward or his superstardom in South is not flash in a pan. 

Cherry proved his power after entering the industry as Chiranjeevi's son. However this Magadheera star tasted disater in Bollywood with critics blasting even his performance. Though many said even more nasty things on his face, he remained silent. 

However he is not ready to leave Bollywood. He says he is not a coward and this time he will take Bollywood bull by its horns. Creative director Ashutosh Gowarikar who is mesmerised by Magadheera says Zanjeer flop didnot change his impression on Cherry. He is planning to take a film casting Deepika Padukone opposite Ram Charan. Now the question is will Cherry scale new heights shutting his critics.

Call girl cheated Shriya

Sensuous seductress Shriya made shocking revelation that a call girl cheated her robbing her off her stardom. Shriya who faded out of silver screen in a surprising manner when she was bowling all top heroes and movie lovers romancing them on screen, says when she hoped that her role as call girl Pavitra in the film titled by the same name would bring her immense fame, it actually cheated her. 

Many say it is Shriya's own undoing when she was ruling the industry as a top heroine. Shriya doing that time did a item song taking cue from Bollywood beauties but from then on filmmakers offered her only item songs. Filmmakers quickly changed her to B grade heroine.

Shriya made these revelations when she came to Visakhapatnam to launch a show room. She expressed all her anguish in front of media after the launch.

Education is daily growth

Actress Poonam Dhillon, who plays an illiterate person in her new TV show, says education is not limited to a certain age or class and describes it as a daily growth that helps one become a complete person.

Her show is titled "Ekk Nayi Pehchaan" and it shows how she learns to read and write from her daughter-in-law.

"Education is a daily growth. It's not about the degrees but about the kind of person it makes one. I feel it makes a human being complete," Poonam told in a telephonic interview.

"It makes you a more interesting person and it makes you deal with people in a better way.

"For me, education is very important. It opens up vistas of life and makes it easy for you to deal with it, because if you learn from other people's experiences, it enhances your life," she added.

The actress, who has been part of movies like "Sawaal", "Teri Meherbaniyan" and "John Jani Janardhan", has returned to the small screen after four years. She was last seen in the third season of "Bigg Boss" and was declared the second runners-up.

Earlier she did TV show "Kittie Party", which had a successful run of approximately 500 episodes.

Poonam also believes that age has nothing to do with education or learning.

She said that she saw her mother studying throughout her childhood and feels that every family should support their daughters and daughters-in-law in completing their education.

"My mother got married at a very young age, but she did her B.A., B. Ed and M.A. after marriage. Parents or in-laws have to realise that they should give equal importance to their sons and their daughters. Both of them should be independent."

The show not just covers the issue of education and literacy but also brings the relationship of a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law in good light.

The actress feels that if a girl is unable to complete her education before marriage, she should do it afterwards.

"There is no age to learn. I think in-laws should be supportive and help her do that," Poonam said.

She strongly feels that films and TV shows can bring a change in society as people start relating to the characters and empathise with them.

"I definitely feel that films and TV shows can bring about social change. It becomes a topic of discussion in the family and people relate to it. Even the older generation are able to understand things when they see it on TV and identify with it," said the "Noorie" actress.

"A lot of people are able to empathise with the characters. They can also distinguish between good and bad," she added.

SRK turns gangster

Shahrukh Khan will be playing a role of a gangster in Rahul Dholakia’s upcoming movie.

This film is about two rival gangsters, and the other lead for the film hasn’t been finalized yet.

Well…we are eagerly waiting to see you in the gangster avatar Shahrukh!!!