Top Bollywood Artists

Huma Qureshi, who will be seen in one of the stories in "Shorts", tells the movie has already received so much acclaim that they are not thinking about its box office performance.

"Shorts" is a compilation of five short movies helmed by five different directors - Neeraj Ghaywan, Vasan Bala, Anubhuti Kashyap, Shlok Sharma and Gitanjali Rao.

Co-produced by Guneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap, the movie will see the "Gangs of Wasseypur" trio - Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi and Richa Chadda - teaming up again. The film's cast also features newcomers such as Murari Kumar, Arjun Srivasava, Satya Anand, Vineet Singh, Preeti Singh and Ratnabali.

"We haven't made this film for the box office. These are new directors, fresh talent, and we are also new-age actors, so the idea was to create some new cinema, new thoughts, and new films. In fact, most of the films in 'Shorts' have got awards, I have got an award, Shlok has (also won an award)," the 26-year-old told at the first look launch of the movie.

"So there is international acclaim and the film has been made for that. That's why the film is being released only in select theatres," she further added.

The five short movies are titled "Hidden Cricket", "Moi Murjani", "Epiphany", "Geek Out", and "Chai" and it is releasing July 12.

Huma further told that the idea behind 'Shorts' is to "create a new breed of actors and directors who have an interesting way of looking at things".

When asked about the difference she felt between a short movie and a feature movie, Huma told, "A feature is a much longer, dedicated sort of a commitment. A short (film) is, in terms of time, much shorter. But what you have to portray within those 10-15 minutes is the main thing. So actually there's a lot of pressure in doing a short film."

"You have to tell an entire story and the journey of a character and make people move and believe in 10-15 minutes. That's quite a challenge," she told. 

Rajkumar Gupta's maiden directorial venture was Rajeev Khandelwal's Bollywood debut "Aamir". While the filmmaker has now started working with known names like Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi, he tells having stars doesn't guarantee the success of any movie.

"Star system was always there in our country, but it depends on the subject of the film. Stars don't guarantee the success of any film. Yes, certainly there is no denying that they have a strong box office appeal, but they don't guarantee a good film," Gupta said.

He worked with Vidya and Rani Mukerji in "No One Killed Jessica", and his upcoming movie "Ghanchakkar" features Vidya and Emraan Hashmi.

"As far as my choice is concerned, I cast Vidya and Rani in 'No One Killed Jessica' because that was the demand of the script. It all depends from script to script," he further added.

Gupta tells Vidya is a thorough professional.

"Post 'No One Killed Jessica', I wanted to work with her again, but I needed a strong script to convince her. She is a thorough professional and I am glad that she agreed to do 'Ghanchakkar'," told Gupta.

"Ghanchakkar" is a comic entertainer, releasing Friday. 

Actors Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor will take on triple roles in comedy entertainer "Humshakals", which will go on floors in September and will hit the screens June 6, 2014.

The Pooja Entertainment & Films Ltd. and Fox Star Studios' project will be helmed by Sajid Khan, who has previously directed comedies like "Heyy Babyy", "Housefull" and "Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen".

"The film promises to be a laugh riot, as the trio unleash total madness and confusion in their triple avatars," told a statement.

It will be shot extensively abroad. 

Bollywood actor Manjot Singh, who has played comic roles in movies like "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!" and "Fukrey" will take on the lead role in "The Zero Line". He will essay a serious character named Bhagat Singh.

Directed by Gagan Puri, the movie is based on India-Pakistan relations, and highlights how a game of cricket helps to resolve the differences between the two nations, told a statement.

For the first time, Manjot will be seen working with his father Paramjot Singh on the screen. Manjot's character will be intense and patriotic.

The movie is produced by Niraj Gadge. 

He wowed everybody with his storytelling technique in award winning film "Do Dooni Chaar" and buoyed by the positive response to his middle-class drama, director Habib Faisal tells he will certainly make a sequel to the movie, but is waiting for a "kick-ass" script. Lead actor Rishi Kapoor is equally thrilled about the idea.

The 2010 film starring Rishi and Neetu Singh in the lead roles along with Archit Krishna and Aditi Vasudev brought the story of a middle-class family's predicament when they decide to buy a four-wheeler. The light-hearted drama not only wowed the movie-goers, but also won National Award for best Hindi film.

"I want to make a sequel to the film and I know that Rishi and Neetuji are equally exited to be part of it, so there is a possibility for the sequel. Right now I don't have the script because I need a kick-ass script and I don't know when the script will get ready," Habib Faisal said.

"If not better, the sequel should be at least as good as the first one. I certainly desire to make a sequel to the film in future, but now there is no concrete idea as such," he further added.

In the meantime, Rishi, who is tied up with a lot of projects this year, told, "I am really excited about the sequel and I would love to be part of it, but I haven't heard anything from the other end." 

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, a doting dad of Aryan and Suhana, has been voted India's most popular father in a Father's Day poll conducted by a web site. He got more votes than megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has a daughter and a son.

The results of the poll, conducted among over 11,000 Indian women, by matrimonial site.

Shah Rukh received 34.83 percent votes while Amitabh was chosen by 31.58 percent of the women surveyed. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took the third spot with 18.61 percent.

"The poll showcases some of the most successful Indian men whose love and dedication also makes them popular fathers. This suggests that people are looking at celebrities as real people with real relationships," COO of known matrimonial site, told.

The poll also posed other questions to the respondents.

In the survey for the country's most popular father-daughter relationship, Big B took the top spot along with his daughter Shweta, who is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda.

Veteran actor Jeetendra and her film producer daughter Ekta Kapoor got 35.06 percent votes followed by father-daughter duo Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor (22.42 percent).

Also, 44.85 percent Indian women voted for Shah Rukh and his son Aryan as India's most popular father-son duo. 

He sailed into Bollywood riding on the hit film "Student Of The Year" (SOTY), but the success of his first film has not influenced Varun Dhawan.

"I think it is too early for all that (stardom). I just feel like an actor now and whose performance people really liked, hence they want to support and love (me). I feel it is important for me to support things, which I believe in," Varun said.

He is the son of director-producer David Dhawan, known for movies like "Hero No.1", and Varun is proud of his film legacy, but points out that he cannot take a piggy ride on his dad's successful career.

Measuring success with practical yardstick, the youngster told, "I am my father's son. It is not my fault that my father happens to be famous and good at his job. I am proud to have a father like him. At the same time I have to make my own space. If you don't achieve, then people won't care. I think each person has their own journey to fulfill."

For his next, he has teamed up with his father in "Mein Tera Hero". After that Karan Johar, who launched him in his directorial project SOTY, has roped him in for his next project.

"I feel very privileged and happy that these people are there. They are ready to experiment and try things, which are amazing for new talent," told the 26-year-old.

Thanks to the success of his film, he has bagged couple of brand endorsements too. He is endorsing chat application - We Chat - along with Parineeti Chopra and is also seen in Coca Cola new ad.

Varun likes to do launch when he is free.

"I think it is good to spread social awareness and be in touch with current trend. As a person, who is in the public view, if you are not up-to-date, you will get outdated. I guess when I am not working and have the time to do this, I will do it," he told.

How do you de-stress yourself?

"I watch movies, read a book, surf the net...I love traveling, I can go for a holiday or spend time with the family," he told.