Drashti Dhami: I told Salman that I want to quit, he was shattered

Drashti Dhami was balancing television soap Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon along with Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. The work pressure was so high that she told her choreographer, Salman Yusuf Khan, that she wants to quit.

“I did think of quitting. There was a time when I started getting low scores. The amount of energy, which I was trying to put into my performances, was not showing,” said Drashti. “After a month and a half, there is no physical strength left. It is only mental strength. I was so tired, I told Salman that I want to quit. He was shattered,” she added.

“But I knew, I would not give up…I know myself,” she added.

The 28-year-old described winning the show as a larger than life feeling. “It is a proud moment. It is larger than life feeling. But I am very tired and really zoned out right now,” said Drashti.

Asked about her joining other reality shows, Drashti said right now her priority is Madhubala… “I will concentrate on Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon as I haven’t given it too much time. As far as other reality shows are concerned, I don’t know what I will do. As of now, I just want to rest and rejuvenate myself,” she said.

Drashti-Salman team won the trophy as well as Rs 50 lakh prize money. “I have no idea what I will do with the prize money as of now, lets see,” Drashti said.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene’s father passes away

Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit-Nene’s Shankar R Dixit, passed away today morning in his sleep, after a prolonged illness. He was 91. His family was by his side during the time of his death.

On the demise of her father’s death, the actress was quoted saying, “We’ll miss him but we know he lived a full life. We thank all those who have offered their condolences and prayers.”

We offer our condolences to the Dixit and Nene family. May his soul Rest in Peace.

Kamal Haasan to be presented with Lifetime Achievement Award at Mumbai Film Festival

Acclaimed French filmmaker Costa-Gavras and renowned Indian actor Kamal Haasan will be felicitated with the trajectory Awards in Mumbai Film Festival 15th.

Oscar winner Costa-Gavras is known for his political thrillers as Z, Missing, The Little Apocalypse and Amen.

Gavras has also met with the title of the French cavalry. He has been a judge of several film festivals and has won numerous international film awards.

Mumbai Film Festival, an initiative of the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), begins October 17 and more than 200 films from 65 countries will be screened at the eight-day festival.

“We are honored to award the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Costa-Gavras. His films have been loved and celebrated by millions of movie lovers around the world. We are honored that you have agreed to receive this award,” Shyam Benegal, Chairman, MAMI, said in a statement.

Haasan has recently completed 50 years in the industry and it has over 190 films to his credit, across genres and languages, such as Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. He is best known for his performances in films like Moondram Pirai, Nayagan, Pushpak, Appu Raja and Hey Ram.

“He is a legend in every sense of the term’s A writer, singer, director, author and actor par excellence. We are honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Kamal Haasan,” said Benegal.

Grand Masti stay lifted

Just two days after it stayed the release of Hindi film Grand Masti in cinema theatres in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Thursday lifted the order.

The order, imposed by a single judge bench on Tuesday, was vacated by a division bench.

The court had earlier stayed the release of the film, scheduled to be released across India on Friday, September 13, after a lawyer filed a petition complaining about its vulgar dialogues and obscene content. He said that the movie promos were degrading women and that the content and actions in the film were indecent.

Starring Bollywood actors and actresses Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani, Grand Masti is a sequel of the Masti, which was released in 2004.

In his petition, the lawyer sought directions for the Central Board of Film Certification to reconsider its approval granted to allow screening of the film.

Kareena's Saree to be Auctioned

Despite being in the midst of promotional activities for her upcoming next, Bollywood's Numero Uno Kareena Kapoor has jetted off to London, where she will join Saif Ali Khan as the duo will together attend an auction hosted by the Pataudi family, to raise funds for charity.

The actress will auction her signature 'Chammak Challo' saree from the film 'Ra.One' - proceeds of which will go towards a hospital, whose endeavour has been to help visually challenged people.

The auction, to be held in London, will see author Jeffrey Archer wielding the hammer. Apart from Kareena's saree, the auction will also see a tee signed by footballer Lionel Messi and a bat autographed by Rahul Dravid to name a few.