Shah Rukh, Amitabh, Dilip Kumar -- Giving peace a chance

Shah Rukh Khan, who attended a luncheon in honour of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at the Taj Palace Hotel, called for greater cultural exchanges between our country and Pakistan. The actor interrupted his shoot for Devdas to be present at the luncheon.

He said that cultural policing between the two countries had not worked, otherwise nobody would have known him there and he wouldn't have known greats like Noor Jehan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Talat Aziz, Jagjit Singh, Dilip Kumar, director Shyam Benegal, actress and MP Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar were also present at the function.

Bavandar -- Sandstorm wins international award

Bavandar -- Sandstorm directed by Jag Mohan based on the true story of a low caste woman won the best feature film award at Zanzibar's festival of the Dhow countries. The film starred Nandita Das as a woman who is gang raped for her criticisms against child marriages.

The runner up in the feature category went to an Iranian film titled Whispers, about three young siblings roaming the streets of Tehran.

At least 100 films were screened and judged during the 14-day festival, which also included music and theatre.

Jackie's next as producer

Grahan hasn't dampened the spirits of Jackie Shroff. He's back with friend Shashilaal Nair who will be directing his next venture.

Shashilaal wanted to produce the film titled Naagrik but Jackie insisted that he would. The duo are on the lookout for a hero and a heroine who fit the bill as they wish to commence shooting right away.

Rajlakshmi to do an Asoka number

The latest victim of the item-number bug is Rani Rajlakshmi, wife of actor Rahul Roy. Santosh Sivan has roped her in for a special appearance in Asoka - The Great.

This might just mark the beginning of a film career for this well-known ramp model.

Compiled by Vivek Fernandes
Design: Imran Shaikh