Actor Kay Kay Menon, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film PHAMOUS, says he always wanted to shoot a film in the badlands of the Chambal ravines.

Kay Kay was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of the film along with Jimmy Sheirgill, Pankaj Tripathi, Mahi Gill and director Karan Lalit Bhutani here on Thursday.

PHAMOUS is based in modern day Chambal, a place notorious for the escapades of dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Paan Singh Tomar, Man Singh and Nirbhay Singh Gujjar.

When Menon was asked what drew him towards the film, he said: "Earlier, films which were based on Chambal were really good, so I have a superstition… Whenever you make a film on Chambal, it turns out to be really good, and therefore, I think this film is also really good.

"I always wanted to shoot a film in Chambal (Madhya Pradesh) and with this film, that wish of mine was fulfilled."

Shekhar Kapur's BANDIT QUEEN and Tigmanshu Dhulia's PAAN SINGH TOMAR, also based in Chambal, both won National Awards. So, when Kay Kay was prodded about PHAMOUS in their comparison, the actor said: "We all believe that the way Karan has presented this film is really unique.

"I think, there are basically eight to 10 stories in entire universe that are empirical. We represent it in different ways so it is true that if you want to make comparison, then you will find many films like any other."

Jimmy said of his experience of working with debut director Bhatani in PHAMOUS: "Karan has worked with me as an assistant director in films like SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER (both parts) and BULLET RAJA.

"While shooting this film with him, I told him one thing that he has his own style. He has earlier assisted Tigmanshu Dhulia. But I told him to retain his own unique style of filmmaking. So he shot this film very differently and he gave it his characteristic touch."

PHAMOUS narrates the story of the three lead characters played by Kay Kay, Pankaj and Jimmy, who have to resort to violence to finally find their place in society.

The film also features Mahie Gill, Jackie Shroff and Shreya Saran in key roles.

It is produced by Raj Khatri, Vidisha Productions and Amitabh Chandra. PHAMOUS is set to release on June 1, and will clash with Sonam Kapoor's VEERE DI WEDDING at the box office.

Actor Kay Kay Menon, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film PHAMOUS, says he always wanted to shoot a film in the badlands of the Chambal ravines.

Kay Kay was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of the film along with Jimmy Sheirgill, Pankaj Tripathi, Mahi Gill and director Karan Lalit Bhutani here on Thursday.

PHAMOUS is based in modern day Chambal, a place notorious for the escapades of dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Paan Singh Tomar, Man Singh and Nirbhay Singh Gujjar.

When Menon was asked what drew him towards the film, he said: "Earlier, films which were based on Chambal were really good, so I have a superstition… Whenever you make a film on Chambal, it turns out to be really good, and therefore, I think this film is also really good.

"I always wanted to shoot a film in Chambal (Madhya Pradesh) and with this film, that wish of mine was fulfilled."

Shekhar Kapur's BANDIT QUEEN and Tigmanshu Dhulia's PAAN SINGH TOMAR, also based in Chambal, both won National Awards. So, when Kay Kay was prodded about PHAMOUS in their comparison, the actor said: "We all believe that the way Karan has presented this film is really unique.

"I think, there are basically eight to 10 stories in entire universe that are empirical. We represent it in different ways so it is true that if you want to make comparison, then you will find many films like any other."

Jimmy said of his experience of working with debut director Bhatani in PHAMOUS: "Karan has worked with me as an assistant director in films like SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER (both parts) and BULLET RAJA.

"While shooting this film with him, I told him one thing that he has his own style. He has earlier assisted Tigmanshu Dhulia. But I told him to retain his own unique style of filmmaking. So he shot this film very differently and he gave it his characteristic touch."

PHAMOUS narrates the story of the three lead characters played by Kay Kay, Pankaj and Jimmy, who have to resort to violence to finally find their place in society.

The film also features Mahie Gill, Jackie Shroff and Shreya Saran in key roles.

It is produced by Raj Khatri, Vidisha Productions and Amitabh Chandra. PHAMOUS is set to release on June 1, and will clash with Sonam Kapoor's VEERE DI WEDDING at the box office.

After enough speculations about actress Priyanka Chopra that she being the bridesmaid at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wdding, PeeCee cleared the air as she says she will not be a bridesmaid at Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle's upcoming royal wedding.

However, the actress didn't clear the mystery whether she has been invited to the wedding or not.

In an interview with people.com, Priyanka expressed her excitement about Harry and Markle's wedding. The couple will exchange vows at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19.

"I'm super excited about her and her big day," Priyanka said.

She added: "It's not just going to be life-changing for both of them, it's life-changing for the world that needs to see strong women as icons, and I think Meghan has the potential to be that."

Talking about Markle, the 'Quantico' star said: "She's just a really real girl. She's a girl's girl. She's a really relatable young woman who is concerned about the world just like you and I are. That's what I love the most about her. I feel like her authenticity is what's going to make her really stand out in this new life she's going to take on."

Prince Harry and Markle started dating in July 2016 and made their first public appearance as a couple in September 2017.

After enough speculations about actress Priyanka Chopra that she being the bridesmaid at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wdding, PeeCee cleared the air as she says she will not be a bridesmaid at Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle's upcoming royal wedding.

However, the actress didn't clear the mystery whether she has been invited to the wedding or not.

In an interview with people.com, Priyanka expressed her excitement about Harry and Markle's wedding. The couple will exchange vows at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19.

"I'm super excited about her and her big day," Priyanka said.

She added: "It's not just going to be life-changing for both of them, it's life-changing for the world that needs to see strong women as icons, and I think Meghan has the potential to be that."

Talking about Markle, the 'Quantico' star said: "She's just a really real girl. She's a girl's girl. She's a really relatable young woman who is concerned about the world just like you and I are. That's what I love the most about her. I feel like her authenticity is what's going to make her really stand out in this new life she's going to take on."

Prince Harry and Markle started dating in July 2016 and made their first public appearance as a couple in September 2017.

At the trailer launch of VEERE DI WEDDING here on Wednesday, Kareena said: "Right now I want this movie to release. I wanted to be a part of (this film) and I am happy about it. I haven't thought about what I'm going to do next. Let's see, Taimur (son Taimur Ali Khan) is just 16 months old.

"So I want to spend more time with him. After the release of this film, I will take three months' time to decide my next project. But I promise to do at least one or two films a year."

There were rumours that Kareena was offered a role in "Salute", an upcoming biopic on astronaut Rakesh Sharma. But she said; "If I sign any film, I will make a formal announcement of that."

It was during the shooting of VEERE DI WEDDING that Kareena's pregnancy news came out.

Asked about the experience of shooting the film, Kareena said: "I got pregnant after signing the film, so I told Rhea (producer Rhea Kapoor) about it and that they need to take someone else. As a producer, she stood by me. She decided to change the character to be pregnant.

"But then I told them that I can't do this. However, it was Rhea's conviction that she said, 'Let's just wait for some time'."

Kareena is one of those commercially successful actresses who has not only continued her work just after marriage with films like KI & KA and UDTA PUNJAB, but also didn't shy away from flaunting her baby bump.

"I am so lucky to have a husband who is so understanding. He told me to go to the gym and go back to the studio and take my son along to set an example. Yes, we (women) can do both," added Kareena, who is married to actor Saif Ali Khan.

VEERE DI WEDDING, releasing on June 1, also features Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. It celebrates woman power.

Kareena had a joyride working with the team.

She said: "I'm lucky that I've worked with Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. I'm sure everyone wants to work with them. But I wanted to get out of that commercial zone and big Bollywood movies and work in a movie like this… where there's a lot of teamwork."

At the trailer launch of VEERE DI WEDDING here on Wednesday, Kareena said: "Right now I want this movie to release. I wanted to be a part of (this film) and I am happy about it. I haven't thought about what I'm going to do next. Let's see, Taimur (son Taimur Ali Khan) is just 16 months old.

"So I want to spend more time with him. After the release of this film, I will take three months' time to decide my next project. But I promise to do at least one or two films a year."

There were rumours that Kareena was offered a role in "Salute", an upcoming biopic on astronaut Rakesh Sharma. But she said; "If I sign any film, I will make a formal announcement of that."

It was during the shooting of VEERE DI WEDDING that Kareena's pregnancy news came out.

Asked about the experience of shooting the film, Kareena said: "I got pregnant after signing the film, so I told Rhea (producer Rhea Kapoor) about it and that they need to take someone else. As a producer, she stood by me. She decided to change the character to be pregnant.

"But then I told them that I can't do this. However, it was Rhea's conviction that she said, 'Let's just wait for some time'."

Kareena is one of those commercially successful actresses who has not only continued her work just after marriage with films like KI & KA and UDTA PUNJAB, but also didn't shy away from flaunting her baby bump.

"I am so lucky to have a husband who is so understanding. He told me to go to the gym and go back to the studio and take my son along to set an example. Yes, we (women) can do both," added Kareena, who is married to actor Saif Ali Khan.

VEERE DI WEDDING, releasing on June 1, also features Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. It celebrates woman power.

Kareena had a joyride working with the team.

She said: "I'm lucky that I've worked with Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. I'm sure everyone wants to work with them. But I wanted to get out of that commercial zone and big Bollywood movies and work in a movie like this… where there's a lot of teamwork."

A fire broke out on the sets of Akshay Kumars film KESARI, destroying the whole set just ten days before the film was expected to wrap up. However, no one was injured.

A source in the know of developments told IANS that Akshay had already left for the day when the incident took place at the set in Wai, over 200 km away from here by road.

"They were shooting a crucial war scene when everyone heard a blast sound, which triggered the fire. The mishap occurred just 10 days before the team was about to wrap the film's schedule after shooting the climax.

"The explosion was a massive one, but not a single person from the crew was injured," the source said.

It is not known yet what the makers will do now that the set has been destroyed. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the quantum of loss they have incurred has also not yet been revealed.

Akshay has teamed up with filmmaker Karan Johar's Dharma Productions for the movie, being directed by Anurag Singh. The film is said to be based on the Battle of Saragarhi of 1897.

KESARI, which is slated for a 2019 Holi release, also features Parineeti Chopra.

A fire broke out on the sets of Akshay Kumars film KESARI, destroying the whole set just ten days before the film was expected to wrap up. However, no one was injured.

A source in the know of developments told IANS that Akshay had already left for the day when the incident took place at the set in Wai, over 200 km away from here by road.

"They were shooting a crucial war scene when everyone heard a blast sound, which triggered the fire. The mishap occurred just 10 days before the team was about to wrap the film's schedule after shooting the climax.

"The explosion was a massive one, but not a single person from the crew was injured," the source said.

It is not known yet what the makers will do now that the set has been destroyed. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the quantum of loss they have incurred has also not yet been revealed.

Akshay has teamed up with filmmaker Karan Johar's Dharma Productions for the movie, being directed by Anurag Singh. The film is said to be based on the Battle of Saragarhi of 1897.

KESARI, which is slated for a 2019 Holi release, also features Parineeti Chopra.

Industry veteran Anupam Kher, whose career has spanned over three decades and over 500 films, says playing the role of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been the most difficult one in his career.

Anupam spoke to the media on the sidelines of the the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards 2018 held here on Tuesday.

Asked whether he has completed shooting of ambitious film THE ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER, Kher said: "No… Only 40 per cent of the film shoot has been completed. I have studied the character of Manmohan Singh for four months and it is the most difficult role that I have done. I hope the audience will see his journey on-screen really soon.

A video of Anupam in the midst of the film's shoot was met with appreciation for how well the actor has tried to mould his walk and demeanour to match Singh's distinct style.

At the awards ceremony, Anupam received a special honour for his contribution to Indian theatre and cinema.

"I have come straight here only to receive this award from England after completing my shooting (schedule) for 'The Accidental Prime Minister'. I am really honoured and fortunate to receive this award.

"The kind of contribution that the Mangeshkar family has in the world of music is really unbelievable. They have not only won our hearts with their music, but with voices of Mangeshkar sisters, they have united the nation and that is their achievement. It's a great feeling to receive an honour by them."

Anupam dedicated the award to youngsters from rural parts of India.

"Whenever I receive an award for my work, it motivates me to do even better. I always say that it s not my lifetime achievement award because I feel like I have started my career just now. This award I have dedicated to youngsters from rural parts of India who come here (to Mumbai) and work hard towards achieving success.

"I just want to advice them that if a boy like me who was son of clerk from forest department of Shimla can receive this award, then they can also achieve many things in their life."