Konkona launches her first directorial venture

The latest updates from Bollywood.

After proving her mettle as an actress, Konkona Sen Sharma has now turned director.

The Bong beauty announced the launch of her first directorial venture A Death in the Gunj at an event in suburban Mumbai on January 5.

Quite a few people from the film fraternity turned up to wish Konkona all the luck!

Renowned  lyricist Gulzar and filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj made their presence felt at the do. 

The cast of the film was also present at the event: Kalki Koechlin, Tillotama Shome, Gulshan Devaiah, Ranvir Shorey and television actor Vikrant Massey.

Konkona's film also stars two veteran actors, Tanuja and Om Puri.

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Farhan Akhtar: Shyam Benegal-led panel will bring good results

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar hopes that the new Shyam Benegal-headed committee will bring positive changes in the controversy-ridden Censor Board.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been at the centre of flak for some time now because of the way it snips scenes in films like NH10 and Dum Laga Ke Haisha to shortening a kiss in Spectre.

The 41-year-old feels a rating system should be adopted while certifying a film.

"Everything is work in progress. A new committee has been set up, headed by Mr Shyam Benegal. I would hope some result will come of it that benefits artists."

"In my personal opinion, there needs to be a rating system. We are stuck with the U, U/A and A system, which do not allow that much sensibility. You can't tell a person above a certain age that you are immature to watch a kiss. We don't need to be babysit," Farhan said in an interview.

The actor expressed his disappointment with the "inconsistency" in the CBFC's working.

"There has not been consistency in the way the Censor Board has behaved in the past that can tell you what will be removed. Every single time the people in the committee that come to watch your film, they are not the same people."

"Different members come, hence they have different sensibilities and aesthetics. You can't have a written rule and this is with every art form because context is everything. Snipping has to be done away," he said.

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Arvind Kejriwal watches Wazir 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the screening of upcoming action thriller Wazir along with the film's team, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari, director Bejoy Nambiar and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Also starring Amitabh Bachchan, the film tells the story of two unusual friends -- a paralyzed chess grand master and a grief stricken ATS officer, brought together by a peculiar twist of fate as part of a wider conspiracy that has cast a dark shadow over their lives.

Wazir, co-produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Chopra, also features actors Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham.

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Deepika to start shooting for Vin Diesel's XXX 

Speculation about Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut with Vin Diesel's XXX series has finally been confirmed. The actress will begin working on the film in February.

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage director DJ Caruso tweeted the news, saying, 'We start in january. She starts sometime in February.'

The third installment of the popular XXX franchise will begin filming on January 13 in Dominican Republic. It will also star Jet Li and Tony Jaa.

The buzz start in December after Dips shared a picture with the Fast and Furious star on social media. 

Sources: PTI, ANI