Salman is ‘Ready’

At the music launch of his upcoming comedy film Ready, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan charmed the film’s ladies, Asin and Zarine Khan, in his own unique way.

On being asked if Ready will be a bigger hit than Wanted and Dabangg, Salman said, “We don’t make films thinking it should be the biggest flop, theatre mein ‘ek kutta bhi na aaye’.”

Sallu never misses any opportunity to promote his Being Human cause. He was peeved to see some people at the event wearing fake Being Human T-shirts and told them not to buy fakes.

Zarine Khan wore a Being Human shirt and Sallu too, was wearing a BH tee.

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Mohanlal to act in 45 min documentary

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is all set to act in a 45-minute documentary that will show girls how they should take care of themselves in public life. Produced by the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), the video is titled ‘Yathra’ and it will be shown in all schools across Kerala. P.T.M. Sunish, managing director of KSWDC, told IANS that an expert committee headed by M.K.C. Nair, director of Child Development Centre, has written the script and the video will be ready soon. ‘The aim of the film is to convey to the girls about everything they need to know to tackle issues. We will screen this film in all the rural schools in the state starting next month. We will also give out CDs to all those who need it,’ said Sunish. Of the total enrolment of 44.58 lakh students in the state, girls constitute 49.29 percent and, except in the capital district, boys outnumber girls. The video will contain tips on how girls should safeguard themselves from routine miscreant activities and attempts of molestation of any kind. It will also have useful contact details and helpline numbers of authorities who could be contacted to settle or report grievances of any sort against adolescents.

The Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Ltd (KSDWC) has mooted the setting up of two advanced finishing schools for women in the central and northern part of Kerala. KSWDC chairperson N K Radha said that the schools would be set up on the lines of the Resource Enhancement Academy for Career Heights (REACH), a KSWDC initiative and Kerala’s first ever finishing school for women, which is celebrating its first anniversary on January 18. With the slogan ‘One year of Reaching Out and Making a Difference’, REACH, functioning at Kaimanam here, has completed one year of operation enabling employment to girl students mostly from BPL families. The highlights of the finishing programme are courses in Communicative English, personality development, IT, Tally, financial accounting and administrative skills. For meeting the demand for qualified girls in retail market, REACH also has a training programme in customer service and billing with Plus-II/graduation as basic qualification. It also offers 45-day training for International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The first anniversary celebrations of REACH functioning at Kaimanam will be inaugurated by Social Welfare Minister P K Sreemathi at a function to be presided over by N Sakthan MLA. The chief guest of the function will be Suresh Gopi. State Planning Board member Mridul Eapen, T N Seema MP, B S Mavoji, and KSWDC director P S Krishnakumari among others will speak.

Produced by the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), the video is titled “Yathra” and it will be shown in all schools across Kerala. P.T.M. Sunish, managing director of KSWDC, told IANS that an expert committee headed by M.K.C. Nair, director of Child Development Centre, has written the script and the video will be ready soon. “The aim of the film is to convey to the girls about everything they need to know to tackle issues. We will screen this film in all the rural schools in the state starting next month. We will also give out CDs to all those who need it,” said Sunish. Of the total enrolment of 44.58 lakh students in the state, girls constitute 49.29 percent and, except in the capital district, boys outnumber girls. The video will contain tips on how girls should safeguard themselves from routine miscreant activities and attempts of molestation of any kind. It will also have useful contact details and helpline numbers of authorities who could be contacted to settle or report grievances of any sort against adolescents.

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Amitabh Bachchan offers help to A.K. Hangal

On hearing that veteran actor A.K. Hangal is going through financial crisis due to old-age related ailments, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has offered help. He said that he would render immediate support and help. “It has been sad and unnerving to learn today of the dire condition of one of our most devoted and dedicated character artists of the Industry, Mr AK Hangal. I came to know of this through the kind offices of the cyber - the net and the social net. I have now initiated my office, sitting some distance, to render immediate support and help. As individuals, as fraternity, as humans, that is the least we can do,” he wrote on his blog. Amitabh said that it's sad to see veteran actors on their knees due to unavoidable circumstances. “My prayers and wishes for Hangal Saheb. May he recover soon and without the worry and concern of where the next medication is going to come from,” he added. Earlier, celebrities like Jaya Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan have offered help to the actor. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had given Rs. 50,000 and film associations like Cine Artistes Welfare Trusta and Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) have promised financial support to the actor. Hangal, who has acted in over 125 films, is in deep financial crunch, as he has been bed-ridden due to old-age-related ailments. His monthly medical bill is over Rs.15, 000. This has forced his son Vijay, 75, who worked in Bollywood as a still photographer but gave up his work due to back problem, to approach CINTAA for help.

After Aamir Khan, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has come forward to offer support to ailing veteran actor A.K. Hangal, who is languishing in penury. "It has been sad and unnerving to learn today of the dire condition of one of our most devoted and dedicated character artists of the industry, Mr A.K. Hangal. I came to know of this through the kind offices of the cyber - the net and the social net," Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com. "I have now initiated my office, sitting some distance, to render immediate support and help. As individuals, as fraternity, as humans, that is the least we can do (sic)," he wrote. The 68-year-old has worked with Hangal in "Abhimaan", "Sholay" and "Sharabi", and Amitabh admits that he's disturbed to read about the 95-year-old's condition. "It has always been disturbing to read and learn of such occurrences. I do not wish to mention names here, for they are individuals that were idolised and revered in their prime, and bringing up their condition now is an act that would seem most demeaning to them and to their stature," he said. "Life's stories have been overloaded with vivid descriptions of unfortunate circumstances. Circumstances that have brought the greats down to their knees. It is shocking and most undesirable to comment on it, but a quiet yet considered action for their good, is what I would want to get involved in. And I do. My prayers and wishes for Hangal Saheb." Hangal, a professional tailor-turned-actor, currently lives with his son Vijaya, 75, in his ground floor flat in Saraswati Apartments, Santacruz East. He is unable to afford his mounting medical bills as he suffering from old age related problems. The father-son duo together have a medical bill of over Rs.15,000 per month and now have to practically choose between spending on food and medication.

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