Search on for Monica Bedi

Monica Bedi, who starred in Jodi No 1, is in the news again. It is believed that Ministry of External Affairs has issued a search notice for her.

The Bombay Police had her on their watch list after she was reportedly found with gangster Abu Salem in a Dubai hotel, during Salem's detention in Dubai this October. The actress has also been charged under the Indian Passport Act for giving false information to the Bhopal Passport Officer.

Abu Salem, alias Danish Baig, had his passport cancelled last week and the MEA is planning to cancel Bedi's passport too.

Vajpayee watches K3G

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Amar Singh were among those present at a special screening of Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in Delhi. The film's producer Yash Johar, actress Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan and designer Manish Malhotra were also present at the show.

The PM was most taken up with Shah Rukh's dialogue in the film, which refers to him. SRK also presented the first copy of the book, The Making of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, to the PM. While the book will be released on December 9, the film will hit theatres on December 14.

Smita Thackeray elected FFI president

Smita Thackeray, President of Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA), was elected President of Film Federation of India (FFI) on December 3.

Smita said her first priority would be to fight for various the problems of film piracy, entertainment tax, service tax and cess.

This enterprising daughter-in-law of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, Smita has produced Hasina Man Jayegi and a television serial Khel.

Hollywood producer makes Indian period film

Hollywood producer Peter Rawley, who made blockbuster hit Ransom with Sean Connery, will produce a period Indian film based on an 18th century war between the Britsh army and Indian soldiers.

The film, titled The Invaders, is based on the dramatic 1779 Anglo-Maratha war fought in the treacherous hilly terrain of the present-day western state of Maharashtra. The film will be produced by Bombay-based Neelmudra Entertainment Limited with Rawley as executive producer.

The film will be made in English, Hindi and Marathi will be shot in the Sahyadri Hills in Maharashtra.

Compiled by: Vivek Fernandes
Design: Imran Shaikh