Paris Hilton paid a visit to an orphanage in suburban Bandra, Mumbai, on Monday. The 31-year-old star arrived bearing gifts for the children and was welcomed with a traditional aarti ceremony. She also joined the children as they danced to popular Bollywood songs. Hilton was in Mumbai for a stopover following her recent showing at the India Resort Fashion Week in Goa. "I admire the work done here. It makes me so happy," she said of the orphanage. - IANS
Shah Rukh Khan casts spell on Moroccans
Shah Rukh Khan whipped thousands of Moroccans into a frenzy at this week's Marrakech International Film Festival when he danced to the tunes of movie songs at Jamaa El Fna square. A giant screen was installed at the square to show a preview of his latest movie, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. The festival, which runs until Saturday, is presenting a special tribute to the centenary of Indian cinema. "I am pleased to present the star, the icon, the demigod of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan," said an organiser as the arrival of the star sparked a roar from young fans, who braved cold weather to catch a glimpse of him. Khan was specially invited for the festival in Morocco, where Bollywood films rank alongside Egyptian movies in popularity. A true showman, he warmed up the atmosphere with more than half and hour of song and dance on stage that had the crowds screaming in appreciation. - AFP
Akhtar: Milkha Singh role was a challenge
Farhan Akhtar, who counts director, screenwriter, producer, actor and lyricist among his job titles, says that his latest role as the famed Indian runner Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a challenge. "But it was a challenge that was a very exciting one to accept," the 38-year-old star said. When asked if he had to learn Punjabi for the film, Akhtar said: "I mainly focused on dialogues and certain improvisations within scenes. But of course I had to because there is a very distinct Punjabi flavour to the whole film." The biopic, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and co-starring Sonam Kapoor, is due to be released in July. - IANS
Sivaji 3D to feature new surround sound
Sivaji 3D, a political thriller starring the Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, is set to be the first Indian film released with Dolby Atmos, a new surround-sound technology system designed to provide audiences with a heightened sensory experience. "It is one of our most significant innovations in recent years and represents the future of entertainment," said Pankaj Kedia of Dolby Laboratories India. Sivaji 3D, directed by S Shankar, opens in India on December 12, which also happens to be Rajinikanth's 62nd birthday. - IANS
Gunasekhar to direct historical drama
The Telugu filmmaker Gunasekhar has started working on his next film, the historical drama Rudramadevi. "The story is set in the 13th century, for which we have to recreate buildings and forts from that era. To understand the aesthetics of these structures from a long-forgotten era, we consulted historians along with our art director before the start of the shoot," said Gunasekhar. Both the National Award-winning art director Thota Tharani and the composer Illayaraja are working on the film, in which Anushka Shetty will take on the lead role. - IANS
