Priyanka to work with Zoya again

After working with Zoya Akhtar in her multi-starrer Dil Dhadakne Do, Priyanka Chopra is all set to work with the director in her next. A source close to the two tells us that Zoya and PC bonded rather well during the making of DDD, which is why Zoya offered Priyanka her next film. And because the actress love’s the director’s sensibilities, she readily agreed to be a part of the project. Zoya’s next is touted to be a women-centric film.

Kangana, Queen, Haider win big at the National Awards

Two months back, the Black Lady honoured Kangana Ranaut’s performance in Queen as the Best Actress. Today, the actress has won yet another prestigious honour for her stellar performance. She has bagged her second National Award in the Best Actress category. Her first National Award was for Fashion (Best Actress in a Supporting Role).

Queen has also won the Best Hindi Feature Film this year. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider too won big. The film won 5 National Awards including Best Music, Best Playback Singer (Male), Best Dialogue, Best Costume Designer and Best Choreography. The Priyanka Chopra-starrer Mary Kom was named the Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment. 

This is not the first time that a Filmfare Award winner goes ahead to win the National recognition. In the past, Priyanka Chopra for Fashion, Vidya Balan for The Dirty Picture, Rishi Kapoor for Do Dooni Chaar, Irrfan Khan for Paan Singh Tomar and Rajkummar Rao for Shahid went ahead to win the National Award after winning the Black Lady.

Shahid Kapoor to marry Mira Rajput?

Of what we’ve heard, Shahid Kapoor is ready to get married. And the bride is a final year English Honours student from Lady Shri Ram College, Mira Rajput. The two apparently met through a religious group in Beas, of which Shahid and his father Pankaj Kapur are ardent followers. And what’s more, Shahid and Mira reportedly got engaged on January 14^th, but have been avoiding the media. While Shahid and Mira have been keeping hush about the entire affair, reports also say that Shahid’s father visited Mira’s home in Chhatarpur a few days ago. Shahid had earlier expressed the desire to marry someone outside the industry for a fresh perspective. So it remains to be seen if Mira is indeed the one for him.

Anurag Kashyap signed by Ekta Kapoor?

Rumour, reality or in between, but we have heard that Anurag Kashyap has been signed on by Ekta Kapoor to direct a film for Balaji Motion Pictures. The director is busy right now with the promotions of his magnum opus Bombay Velvet. Art meets mart?

Virat Kohli praises Anushka Sharma's work

In an absolute 'awww' moment, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli took to Twitter to share his thoughts on his girlfriend, Anushka Sharma's film, NH10. Having watched the film, Virat tweeted that he is proud of his lady love's outstanding performance in the film. While Anushka Sharma has been spotted in the stands in support for Virat, this is the first time that the cricketer has openly acknowledged their relationship. More power to the adorable couple.

Kangana to learn editing

Kangana Ranaut has decided to take time off after she completes her London schedule of Tanu Weds Manu 2. The actress will take off to New York once again, this time to do a course in editing. The actress also completed a script-writing course in New York some time ago. Looks like we’ll have a hot new filmmaker in town soon!

Salman recommends Daisy for Hate Story 3

It was earlier revealed that Zarine Khan, Salman Khan’s heroine in Veer, has been cast in the third installment of the erotic thriller franchise, Hate Story. And now, word is that Daisy Shah, who made her debut with Jai Ho, has been cast alongside Zarine for the film. What’s more, her addition to the cast list was on Salman’s recommendation.

 

A source reported that Daisy wasn’t able to take her career to the next level post Jai Ho. Only being offered small roles, she was waiting for a good project to come her way. Incidentally, producer Bhushan Kumar met Salman around the same time, with whom he shares a friendly bond. On hearing about Bhushan’s search for a parallel lead for Hate Story 3, Salman insisted he contact Daisy, who agreed to the film once she’d heard it.

 

Apart from Zarine and Daisy, Hate Story 3 also stars Sharman Joshi and Karan Singh Grover.

Deepika to perform solo in Bajirao Mastani

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus in progress, Bajirao Mastani will now have Deepika Padukone perform a solo Kathak number in the film, choreographed by Pandit Birju Maharaj. The maestro reveals, "I will choreograph Deepika in a solo act which is a more contemporary adaptation of one of my own performances set on an Avadhi Brijwasi thumri, Balma re chunaria maiko lal.There's a lot of lal rang in the song with Deepika dressed in fiery red, her head demurely covered by a ghoonghat but her eyes flashing fire".

Interestingly, while the Kathak maestro was earlier slated to recreate a jugalbandi a la Dola Re from Devdas, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali now has other plans. Having second thoughts about the jugalbandi between Priyanka and Deepika, the director has now asked Birju Maharaj to choreograph Deepika alone in a contemporary Kathak performance.

The song is slated to be filmed at the end of the month and the maestro ends by saying, "We'll be shooting for 12 nights at a stretch. And till then I've given Deepika lots of homework that'll keep her busy.”