Filmmakers unite for Indian cinema centenary

Plus: news on the 12th edition of the New York Indian Film Festival, Genelia D'Souza returns to TV and much more.

The Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor with the director Madhur Bhandarkar. AFP / STR
Powered by automated translation

The directors Anurag Kashyp, Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee and Zoya Akhtar have joined forces for Bombay Talkies - a film tribute to Indian cinema's centenary. Akhtar says that contrary to rumours, their project is not a documentary. "Just to clarify, it is a fiction film," he said, refusing to reveal any details until the producers' official announcement. Each director has reportedly created a 20-minute film about how cinema is an integral part of the country's culture. * IANS

Kapoor, Bhandarkar at NY Indian fest

Kareena Kapoor and Madhur Bhandarkar are among the celebrities expected to attend the 12th edition of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), which will pay tribute to the late Dev Anand. Also attending the event, to be held in Lower Manhattan from May 23 to 27, are Anurag Kashyap, Rituparno Ghosh and Mira Nair. NYIFF will host the world premiere of Ghosh's Chitrangada as well as the US premiere of both parts of Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur, which are also lined up to be screened at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival. * IANS

Genelia D'Souza returns to TV

Genelia D'Souza, who was last seen on the small screen in 2009's Big Switch, is set for her television comeback. The actress takes on the role of a mentor on UTV Stars network's forthcoming The Chosen One, a reality programme hunting for the channel's newest presenter. D'Souza has dropped hints about her new venture on Twitter: "Shooting after three months, feels good, great team. Will reveal details in a couple of days," she posted on Monday. * IANS

Vidhu Vinod Chopra: story, not stars

There is no lead actress in Ferrari Ki Sawaari, but the film's producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is confident about its box office performance. He says he believes in telling good stories, not in movie stars. "We don't make movies for leading men, leading women," he told reporters on Monday. "We make good cinema." The film, billed by Chopra as a "sports family movie", is set for a June 15 release and stars Boman Irani and the newcomer Sharman Joshi. * IANS

Big B recreates 1977 film

Amitabh Bachchan is set to recreate the magic of his 1977 film Amar Akbar Anthony in a special cameo in his son Abhishek's upcoming film, Bol Bachchan. He will perform the famous song My Name is Anthony Gonsalves which, in 1977, showed him popping out of a life-size egg. A similar stunt is planned for the remake. Big B wrote on his blog that remaking his famous scene has made him ponder whether it is time to retire: "When they start recreating your 'stuff', is it an indication that your days are over?" * IANS