Bootleg Argo DVDs bestseller in Iran

The National staff with agency

Earlier this month, Iran not only banned Ben Affleck’s Argo, it also announced it will film its own version that will function as an “appropriate response to the ahistoric film”. The controversy may have sparked more interest in the movie: the Wall Street Journal reports bootleg DVD copies of Argo are selling like hot cakes in Iran. Pirated DVD vendors called the film “their bestseller in years” with “several hundred thousand copies” sold, reported the WSJ.

2. Deepika Padukone booked for 2013

Deepika Padukone is working on back-to-back movie projects with barely any time for herself, she says. “But I am enjoying a busy schedule,” says the 27-year-old star, who has a number of movies scheduled to be released this year, including Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express, Ram Leela and Kochadaiyaan. After finishing promotions for her new action thriller Race 2, she’s currently shooting for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani in Kashmir. The movie, which co-stars Ranbir Kapoor, is directed by Ayan Mukherjee. – IANS

3. Dunham honoured
and plans a new show

Fresh from her Golden Globe wins, the Girls star Lena Dunham won the TV comedy directing prize from the Directors Guild of America on Saturday. “It is such an unbelievable honour to be in the company of the people in this room, who have made me want to do this with my life,” she said. Dunham, 26, is reportedly working on another comedy series for HBO, based on All Dressed Up with Everywhere to Go, a new memoir from the personal shopper Betty Halbreich, now 85. – AP

4. Warsi and Dutt star in new film

After starring together in 2003’s Munna Bhai MBBS and 2006’s Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Dutt are reuniting in the new political thriller Zila Ghaziabad. Warsi said it’s a privilege to work again with Dutt. “Your comfort level increases when your co-actor is secure, and Sanju is very secure,” said Warsi. “He gives you freedom to do whatever you want to do while acting and that is a privilege that very few actors get.” Directed by Anand Kumar, Zila Ghaziabad is released on February 22 in India. – IANS