Katrina Kaif is being eyed to star in the sequel to the 2011 hit comedy Yamla Pagla Deewana, after the actress Preity Zinta left the project last week. The film was originally scheduled to start shooting in August but will be delayed until its director Sangeeth Sivan has found a new leading star. "Negotiations are on. If Katrina doesn't agree, there are other names under consideration," said the filmmaker. The movie also stars Sunny Deol, Dharmendra and Bobby Deol. * IANS
Akshay Kumar thanks fans for 'dignified' funeral
Bollywood's first superstar Rajesh Khanna got the funeral he deserved, said his actor son-in-law Akshay Kumar. "Thanks to you all for giving him a dignified funeral that he deserved. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers," Kumar posted on Twitter. "Your thoughtfulness is truly a comfort. Knowing you all are here helps." Rajesh Khanna died at the age of 69 on Wednesday following a liver infection. Kumar is married to Khanna's daughter Twinkle, who is expecting her second child. * IANS
Kapoor delays release of Shootout at Wadala
Ekta Kapoor, the producer of the crime film Shootout at Wadala, has decided to release it in January, saying she does not want to compete against Aamir Khan's forthcoming thriller Talaash, which is set for a November 30 release. "How can we decide to take on the mammoth Aamir Khan?" said Kapoor. "I don't want to compete with him, absolutely not." Shootout at Wadala, directed by Sanjay Gupta, stars Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Kangna Ranaut and Sonu Sood. * IANS
Riteish Deshmukh tired of comedies
The actor Riteish Deshmukh, who has done back-to-back romantic comedies this year, says he is growing tired of the genre. "Enough of comedies - I can't stand them anymore. I feel exhausted doing them now," he told reporters. "I want to try new things." Deshmukh says he has already signed on to two non-comedy projects. "Next year I'll be seen doing something different. I have zeroed in on two scripts, an urban crime thriller and a drama." * IANS
Hemant Gaba wants Delhi movie industry
The filmmaker Hemant Gaba, who shot his internationally acclaimed Shuttlecock Boys in New Delhi, believes it's high time the capital had its own movie-making infrastructure. "It's time for Delhi to have its own film set-up. There are so many filmmakers and actors who are from here but had to shift base to Mumbai for work," he said. Shuttlecock Boys, which has screened in festivals in Nepal, Florida, Seattle and Chicago, is set for an August 3 release in India. * IANS
