It was beyond the scope of the information and broadcasting ministry to restrict the viewing of Aamir Khan's movie "PK" and those opposed to it were at liberty to move court, union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said Tuesday.

"The information and broadcasting ministry has no legal right whatsoever to restrict the viewing of any film," said Rathore, the minister of state for information and broadcasting.

"Freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution," he added.

The movie is being opposed by right-wing organisations who say certain scenes hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and promoted 'love jihad'.

In a countrywide protest, the groups called for the suspension of the film's screening while members of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside theatres, tore the film's posters, and raised slogans denouncing Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.

Filmmaker Shankar describes actor Vikram's dedication for upcoming Tamil magnum opus "I" as "crazy" and mad" and says it has worked in favour of the film.

"For the role of the bodybuilder, I requested Vikram to put on weight. He worked extremely hard for it and we were happy with the output. For the other role of a disfigured man, I never asked Vikram to lose weight but he felt it would suit the role," Shankar told IANS.

"I said it was not required but he was hell bent on achieving it as he found it to be exciting. He was madly dedicated for the role. Going by whatever he's gone through for the film, I sometimes felt he was crazy. But all that worked in favour of the film," he said.

Shankar said he was extremely concerned about Vikram's health.

"It's not easy to gain and lose weight for the same film. He didn't just lose a few kilos, but he lost so much weight that I was worried about his health. I even told his wife that I had never asked him to lose weight," he added.

Also starring Amy Jackson, Upen Patel and Suresh Gopi, "I" is slated for a early January 2015 release.

The cast of "ABCD 2" has wrapped up its Las Vegas's shooting schedule and actor Varun Dhawan, who plays one of the leads in the film, says he never had so much fun like the way he did in this film.

"The USA schedule of #abcd2 is done never has soo much fun on any film energy, passion, love and DANCE thank u," Varun posted on micro-blogging site Twitter,Wednesday.

Directed by Remo D'Souza, "ABCD 2" is a sequel to his directorial debut "ABCD: Anybody Can Dance" that released last year. The film also features Shraddha Kapoor.

Nearly 200 Bajrang Dal activists Wednesday protested outside a cinema hall in Delhi and stopped the screening of Aamir Khan starrer "PK", saying it went against the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Neeraj Doneria, Delhi state convener of the Bajrang Dal, told IANS that the activists gathered outside Nand Nagri's Gagan cinema in east Delhi around 11.30 a.m.

"We protested against the screening the movie and also burned Aamir's effigies and the film's posters," he said.

He demanded the cinema hall should stop screening the movie.

The protestors also blocked Sunder Nagri Road in the area for nearly 30 minutes.

According to the police, the area was barricaded and adequate policemen were deployed outside the theatre.

Doneria said they stopped protesting after being assured by the owner of the cinema hall that he would not screen the movie any further.

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists had also protested Tuesday at various cinema halls in central and south Delhi area and also vandalised a theatre.

Actress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says she can’t believe that designer Isha Mantry is no more.

The 27-year-old fashion designer, who was originally from Mumbai, collapsed allegedly due to a drug overdose at an Electronic Dance Music festival at Candolim beach in Goa late Monday and subsequently died at a local hospital, the Congress alleged Tuesday.

Pooja is in shock.

“Isha Mantry I can't believe you have left us so early. You with the dancing eyes & shy smile! Why my love? WHY?,” she tweeted Wednesday.

“What appalls me is the damn music did not stop at EDM even after Isha's body was carried off the floor. Are we that blasé? That brain dead?,” she added.

He also advised her followers on Twitter to leave the chemicals behind.

“Stick to alcohol if you must guys! Smoke a damn joint! But for God's sake, leave the chemicals BEHIND. Life is too damn precious,” she tweeted.

Her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also took to the micro-blogging site to mourn the designer’s death.

“Amusing yourself to death! Do u know that when Isha Mantri our designer dropped to the dance floor & died, the music did not stop? Tragic!,” he tweeted.

Actress-turned-director Divya Khosla Kumar says she will spend her New Year shooting in Shimla.

"It's going to be a working New Year for me this time as I am in Shimla shooting for my second directorial film, 'Sanam Re'," said Divya, who made her directorial debut with "Yaariyan".

However, she is happy that her family will be around on the New Year.

"But the blessing in disguise is that my son Ruhaan is already here with me and my husband Bhushan will also be joining me. I will be off to silent dinner post work with family and the star cast of my film. Nonetheless, bringing in year 2015 in this chilly Shimla weather is going to be fun!" she added.

"Sanam Re" is a romantic film and faetures Pulkit Samrat and Yami Gautam in the lead.

The Uttar Pradesh government Wednesday announced that Aamir Khan's movie "PK" will be exempted from tax, as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said it was a "very nice" film.

Yadav announced the government's decision before the media at his official residence, and said he watched the film Tuesday night.

He said the film "was a very nice one" and urged the media persons to go and watch it.

Yadav criticised people and organisations for protesting against the film, saying they were doing it without any valid reason.

He said the protesters would also laud the film's story after they watch it.

"I regret not watching the film earlier as I was busy with other engagements," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Yadav, and said he was trying to incite certain groups by his announcement.

"Any government should try and douse protests. Here, the chief minister himself is becoming a party to the controversy," BJP state spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak told IANS.

He said that when some Hindu groups were opposing the film for hurting Hindu sentiments, the chief minister should have avoided the decision.

Some groups Wednesday protested against the tax free status to "PK" in Lucknow, Rae Bareli and Kanpur.

Actress Ayesha TakiaÂ’s sister-in-law Rushda Azmi Shaikh has ventured into restaurant business.

It seems AyeshaÂ’s husband Farhan Azmi, who successfully manages popular restaurants like Koyla, Chai Coffi and Cafe Basilico, is not the only one in the family with hospitality expertise.

Her sister-in-law opened a cafe-cum-patisserie called Sugar Rush here Tuesday and the outlet is said to be perfect for every coffee and dessert lover.

Rushda said in a statement: “My love for desserts and bakery originated from our in-house bakery - Bakers Vault and I always wanted to start something of my own.”

“It would not have been possible without my brother Farhan,” she added.

Former Bihar chief minster Nitish Kumar Wednesday gave "full 10 marks out of 10" to Aamir Khan's film "PK", saying it is not only entertaining but also creates awareness.

"Aamir Khan's 'PK' deserves full 10 marks because it is giving a positive message to the society," the Janata-Dal United leader told the media here.

Criticising those opposing and protesting "PK", Nitish Kumar said the film was already a hit across the country and was helping people gain knowledge.

Asked about the countrywide protest against 'PK' by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, he said: "All those opposing 'PK' are hypocrites."

As Hindu right-wing groups continue their protests over "PK", veteran journalist and activist Ved Pratap Vaidik says people are opposing the Aamir Khan movie because of a "misunderstanding" and they should watch it before going against it as the movie is actually against religious frauds and people who have made a business out of religion and are conning ordinary people.

Demonstrations against the movie have taken place in Delhi, Agra, Bhopal, Ahmedabad and many other places across the country. Hindu organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal say the movie hurt religious sentiments of Hindus.

Among those who have spoken against the movie are yoga guru Ramdev, Swami Swaroopanand Shankaracharya and Maulana Firangi Mahal.

However, Ramdev close aide Vaidik says he is "amazed" at the people who are protesting against the film.

"Whatever Ramdev was told by people, on that basis, he issued the statement. But now perhaps, he will see the film and form his own opinion," Vaidik, who hit the headlines last year after he went to Pakistan and met extremist leader Hafiz Sayed, told IANS.

"The film is against hypocrites, against fraudulent people, against those who, in the name of god, or in the name of religion, are setting up their own 'dhanda' (business).

"I was amazed why people are protesting against this film. The film should be watched before opposing it. They will stop opposing once they watch it. The people are opposing the film because of a misunderstanding, there is no other reason," he said.

"PK" portrays Aamir Khan as an alien who is fascinated by India. The film, which released Dec 19, also stars Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani and Sushant Singh Rajput.

Vaidik also encouraged filmmakers to make movies that portray the truth and feels they should not be afraid of such protests.

"Filmmakers should be courageous enough to make such good artistic films which depict the truth. And they should never be afraid of those people who are protesting because they have not seen the film."

Aamir Khan's movie "PK" will be exempted from tax in Bihar so that the poor can watch the film that exposes the fraud taking place in the name of religion, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi announced Thursday.

Bihar became the second state after neighbouring Uttar Pradesh to take this step, ignoring continued protests by right-wing Hindu organisations that claim the movie hurt religious sentiments of Hindus.

Manjhi said the government took the decision after former chief minister Nitish Kumar advised it.

"Our leader Nitish Kumar advised us to exempt 'PK' from tax. We have decided to make it tax free to ensure that the poorest of the poor can watch the film that exposes the superstition and fraud taking place in the name of religion," Manjhi told the media at his official residence here.

Manjhi also expressed his desire to watch "PK".

"I would love to watch 'PK' after Nitish Kumar watched it Wednesday and praised the film," he said.

Manjhi also termed "PK" a "must watch film".

"It should be watched by all, particularly the poor and illiterate who have been victims of blind faith, superstition and fraud by so-called godmen in the name of religion," he said.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar gave "full 10 marks out of 10" to Aamir Khan's film, saying it was not only entertaining but also created awareness.

"Aamir Khan's 'PK' deserves full 10 marks because it is giving a positive message to the society," the Janata-Dal United leader told the media here.

Criticising those opposing "PK", Nitish Kumar said the film was already a hit across the country and was helping people gain knowledge.

"All those opposing 'PK' are hypocrites," he said.

From Sonakshi Sinha, Akshay Kumar to Anupam Kher, Bollywood celebrities have reached out to fans via the online medium to wish them happy New Year.

With someone urging for a "super-hit year" to someone asking people to smile more, here's what they tweeted:

Lata Mangeshkar: Greetings. Wish you all a very happy New Year. I hope the year brings in a lot of happiness. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. God bless u all.

Ranveer Singh: Happy new year, everyone! May your year be blessed with happiness and fulfillment. Peace, love & joy <3

Akshay Kumar: Happy new year everyone! Hope you are ready to challenge this new year with new goals. Wishing you a year full of love, peace and prosperity

Sonakshi Sinha: Happy new year you guys! Thank you for believing in me, standing by me and for all the love. This 2015 hoping to give u back lots more

Anushka Sharma: Happy new year everyone !! Thank you for being part of an amazing year ! Have the best year. Stay happy. Be nice . Smile more...

Arjun Rampal: Happy New Year...2015 is gonna be a super year for all. This is my prediction. Love and Luck to all.

Anupam Kher: Happy New Year. May all your dreams come true. Love, Peace & Happiness Always.:) #2015

Shekhar Kapur: Let 2015 be the year of Screaming. Scream for justice for all. Scream for equality for all. Scream for protection of women. Scream for good

Sanjay Gupta: HAPPY NEW YEAR. Mine just took off to a great start. It rained here in Goa. Lovely nippy morning.

Aditi Rao Hydari: It's going to be a happy new year, I can feel it! So 2015 pl be kind,warm,loving,generous,gentle and joyous.Love you#Maska PositiveProjection

Sunidhi Chauhan: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY LOVELY PEOPLE!!!!! Have a SUPERHIT one!!

Hindutva groups in Agra continued their protest against the Aamir Khan starrer movie "PK".

Activists of the Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Manch and Vishwa Hindu Parishad held demonstrations at several places, burnt posters of the film and shouted slogans.

Dharmendra Gola, Madan Sharma, Avinash Rana and other activists questioned the logic behind giving the film tax exemption in Uttar Pradesh.

They criticized Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for insulting the sentiments of the Hindus by making the film tax free in the state.

Bajrang Dal leader Premendra Jain said tax exemption to "PK" should be immediately withdrawn.

Leaders of the Samajwadi Party and social activists have welcomed the tax exemption to "PK". Subhash Jain, former corporator, Usha Jain and other SP activists said it was a bold move and the message of the film would get across loud and clear.

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who spent New Year's Day in Agra visiting the Taj Mahal and meeting his family friends, says greed and a penchant to make quick money are the guiding principles of filmmaking nowadays.

He said that his "films like "Vidhaata", "Ram Lakhan" or "Karz" were not only entertaining and artistically crafted with catchy music but also conveyed messages.

"They were Indian. Today the commercial concerns and the overall approach to filmmaking had changed", he said in a media interaction.

On the recent controversy related to Aamir Khan-starrer "PK", he said "tax exemption should have come right in the beginning. Now there was a political angle to this move".

The film has been exempted from entertainment tax in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and this added fuel to the fire. Activists of the Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Manch and Vishwa Hindu Parishad held demonstrations at several places, burnt posters of the film and shouted slogans to stop the screening of the film as they feel it hurst the sentiments of Hindus.

Ghai also had some suggestions for movie industry.

"There is a need to make films on Prem Chand's literary heritage. (Also) acting could be introduced as a course in universities," he suggested.

Ghai's films like "Pardesh" and "Vidhaata" have been extensively shot in Agra and now it is said that sequel to his 1989 released film "Ram Lakhan" could be shot in Agra.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will launch the trailer of Bollywood romantic comedy "Thoda Lutf, Thoda Ishq" Jan 8, 2015.

The movie’s cast including Hiten Tejwani and Raajpal Yadav, along with the film’s director Sachin Gupta will be present at the launch, which will take place during the ongoing annual Saifai Mahotsav.

About 90 percent of the film has been shot in Uttar Pradesh’s cities including Etawah, Noida and Meerut.

The story revolves around two Delhi men who are depicted as best examples of fools who are good for nothing.

"The shooting of the film is expected to be completed January and is slated to be released in February 2015,” Gupta, who has also produced the film, said in a statement.

With Aamir Khan-starrer "PK" facing protests from Hindu rightwing groups alleging that it defames Hindu religion, a religious leader Friday said one must first examine the context of the film before making accusations

"We must be very sensitive anyway in a right way, first of all, to not give any cause for such a controversy.

"Secondly, we must understand the context... maybe it wasn't an insult at all. In what context those words were used... these must be clarified," Archbishop of Calcutta Thomas D'Souza told IANS here but added he has not himself watched the film yet.

Producers, directors and actors as well as movie buffs were unanimous that the Hindi film no way hurt Hindu interests and that the protests were unacceptable as it had cleared the censors.

But the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) reiterated its demand that the film, one of the biggest hits from Bollywood, be banned or at least what it said were the offending parts be deleted immediately.

D'Souza was attending the "Sab Dharm Sammelan" at the Muslim Institute here where representatives of all major religions gathered to discuss the formation of a "Religion Parliament" that would deal with religious matters and controversies.

Quizzed on the debate surrounding "PK", Shamim Ahmed, national president (India) and international convener, Human Rights Protection Association said religious leaders could watch the movie and decide for themselves.

"Let the religious leaders watch it and if they feel it is wrong then there should be prohibitions and if it is all right then it should be allowed to run," said Ahmed.

Ahmed said controversies like 'ghar wapsi' should be ignored.

"We are not giving it any importance. Isko uchaalne ki zarurat nahi hai (there is no need to discuss it)... those who feel they are Hindus or Muslims in their heart will follow that religion," he said.

Leaders of Nepal's two largest communist parties watched Aamir Khan's movie "PK" here as part of efforts to mend ties within the Left camp.

The event took place in a theatre ahead of the Jan 22 deadline to draft the country's new constitution, it was reported Sunday.

Those who watched the film, which has sparked controversy in India, included CPN-UML's vice chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam and former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as well as Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

The event was kept low key. The reports said that before heading to view "PK", the three leaders had a breakfast meeting. Gautam bought tickets for the Bollywood movie.

Earlier, former prime minister and Maoist ideologue Baburam Bhattarai also watched the film, one of the biggest hits from Bollywood.

The New Delhi-educated Bhattarai then said: "'PK' is a successful movie in terms of striking at social evils like superstition, hypocrisy and exploitation.

"It promotes social justice. It comes with a lot of message," he said.

The bonding over "PK" is being seen here as significant as the CPN-Maoist led by Prachanda and the CPN-UML have different stands on state restructuring.

Relations between the two parties - and personal ties between their top leaders - hit a new low over the constitution drafting process.

Umesh Shukla's "All Is Well" seems to be back on track. Veteran actress Supriya Pathak will soon start shooting for the movie, the director has said.

"Supriya Pathak is on board, and she will start shooting for the film soon," Shukla told IANS.

The movie had been left in the lurch when actress Smriti Irani, the union human resource development minister, decided to step out of the project after shooting for over half the movie, to devote her time full-fledgedly to her cabinet duties.

Now, Supriya has stepped in for the role of Abhishek Bachchan's onscreen mother.

However, Supriya said that while "it's an interesting role and talks are on, we have not signed the papers yet".

Smriti had reportedly shot for 30 to 40 per cent of the film. It will be reshot with Supriya.

The makers were earlier also in talks with Tanvi Azmi and Shefali Shah for the role, but things didn't materialise.

Now that all's well, the shoot of "All Is Well", which also stars Asin and Rishi Kapoor, will resume Jan 15.

Variety has been the key in the career of actress Deepika Padukone, who turned 29 Monday. The New Year will be no different with three movies as different as "Piku", "Tamasha" and "Bajirao Mastani" slated for release.

In Shoojit Sircar's "Piku", she will be seen teaming up with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. She will play his onscreen daughter in the movie which is said to be about the father-daughter relationship.

Then in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic period drama "Bajirao Mastani", Deepika will share screen space with her rumoured boyfriend Ranveer Singh.

This apart, she will also scorch the screen with her former beau Ranbir Kapoor in "Tamasha".

Deepika's film career started off with a bang in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Om Shanti Om” in 2007.

She consolidated her spot among the top rung Hindi film actresses when she gave four back-to-back hits in 2013. In the year gone by too, Deepika continued to rule the hearts of many.

She came together with King Khan once again for musical heist drama “Happy New Year”, which had a bumper opening. The movie, which featured the actress as an enthusiastic dancer named Mohini, earned a record Rs.44.97 crore on the first day of its release.

Deepika also experimented with Homi Adajania's English language Bollywood entertainer "Finding Fanny", and she was also seen with megastar Rajinikanth in “Kochadaiyaan", touted as India's first motion capture photo-realistic 3D animated film.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday met Hollywood actor Richard Gere here.

"Mr. Richard Gere met Prime Minister @narendramodi," read a post from the @PMOIndia Twitter handle.

The 65-year-old star of films like "American Gigolo" and "Pretty Woman", is an ardent devotee of the Dalai Lama.