It is the quality of flexibility and ability to adapt to an out-of-comfort zone that helps Indian actors make a mark in a foreign land, says Nimrat Kaur, who has worked in American shows like "Wayward Pines" and 'Homeland'.

Nimrat first caught attention with THE LUNCHBOX, a simple but compelling film that found wide visibility at international film festivals. It worked in her favour for projects abroad.

In the past few years, Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Ali Fazal have featured in international movies.

What does it take for an Indian-origin actor to break into Hollywood?

"For any Indian actor, the first thing which helps you to be able to cross over and be able to work in different industries — not just the American film industry, but even in Europe or anywhere else — is, I guess, flexibility and relatability… What happens is that the first thing is language," Nimrat told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Actors with an ability to express themselves in different languages have an advantage, she said.

"We are one of the largest film industries in the world, but we are a Hindi-speaking film industry. So, for actors who are able to express themselves and who are able to translate as actors in a different language, they truly stand out with that advantage… They are able to cross over and are able to work in different industries.

"That is a very basic factor which helps actors to be able to cross that bridge," she added.

Nimrat hopes to see more and more Indian actors in "projects, films and TV series abroad".

"I feel like we have all the talent of the world. We have such incredibly diverse and amazing actors who just need to be seen in a different light. It's very exciting to be out of your comfort zone and be able to plug yourself into environments that you do not entirely relate to. But as exciting as it is to work in a foreign project, it's also being majorly out of your comfort zone," she added.

She stressed that flexibility, openness and being able to move without carrying any baggage of where one comes from "really helps if you work in a foreign set-up".

Nimrat was last seen on the silver screen in the 2016 film AIRLIFT, starring Akshay Kumar. She is currently seen in ALT Balaji's web series THE TEST CASE.

She hopes this year she is going to be seen in more projects.

It is the quality of flexibility and ability to adapt to an out-of-comfort zone that helps Indian actors make a mark in a foreign land, says Nimrat Kaur, who has worked in American shows like "Wayward Pines" and 'Homeland'.

Nimrat first caught attention with THE LUNCHBOX, a simple but compelling film that found wide visibility at international film festivals. It worked in her favour for projects abroad.

In the past few years, Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Ali Fazal have featured in international movies.

What does it take for an Indian-origin actor to break into Hollywood?

"For any Indian actor, the first thing which helps you to be able to cross over and be able to work in different industries — not just the American film industry, but even in Europe or anywhere else — is, I guess, flexibility and relatability… What happens is that the first thing is language," Nimrat told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Actors with an ability to express themselves in different languages have an advantage, she said.

"We are one of the largest film industries in the world, but we are a Hindi-speaking film industry. So, for actors who are able to express themselves and who are able to translate as actors in a different language, they truly stand out with that advantage… They are able to cross over and are able to work in different industries.

"That is a very basic factor which helps actors to be able to cross that bridge," she added.

Nimrat hopes to see more and more Indian actors in "projects, films and TV series abroad".

"I feel like we have all the talent of the world. We have such incredibly diverse and amazing actors who just need to be seen in a different light. It's very exciting to be out of your comfort zone and be able to plug yourself into environments that you do not entirely relate to. But as exciting as it is to work in a foreign project, it's also being majorly out of your comfort zone," she added.

She stressed that flexibility, openness and being able to move without carrying any baggage of where one comes from "really helps if you work in a foreign set-up".

Nimrat was last seen on the silver screen in the 2016 film AIRLIFT, starring Akshay Kumar. She is currently seen in ALT Balaji's web series THE TEST CASE.

She hopes this year she is going to be seen in more projects.

Actor Ranveer Singh, who was highly praised by audiences and critics for portraying the character of Alauddin Khilji in PADMAAVAT, says that the movie will always be a gem in his filmography.

Ranveer attended launch of makeup and prosthetic academy — Makeup Designory — on Wednesday in Mumbai. During media interaction, he shared his views on gigantic success of PADMAAVAT.

"I am enjoying it. I don't get too carried away with success and neither do I get bogged down by the failure. What's important for me is that, you deliver on your promise to the audience," he said.

"I have pledged myself to try and be the best entertainer that I can possibly be and to see the kind of response, love, praise that people are showering on the performance, it's extremely heartening for me and it's filled me with more motivation to go out and work even harder and keep doing good work.

"Of course, PADMAAVAT will always be a gem on my filmography," he added.

Ranveer also expressed that he hasn't really had time to celebrate this great success as he is busy shooting his next which is Zoya Akhtar's GULLY BOY.

"It's one of those rare successes where it gets the kind of critical success as well as commercial success, so yeah ! it's been an avalanche of love coming in from everywhere and it's been quite overwhelming but I haven't really had time to celebrate as I have been shooting 'Gully Boy' everyday," said Ranveer.

The actor also says that GULLY BOY is doing extremely well.

"It's going extremely well. Things are just flowing along sparklingly and delightfully with Zoya (Akhtar) and Alia (Bhatt).

"I am really enjoying the shooting process and honestly what more could I ask for. That's my greatest gift and pride that I am able to go to a film set everyday and do what I love doing," he said.

With PADMAAVAT, Sanajay Leela Bhansali and Ranveer have created magic onscreen for the third time post GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA and BAJIRAO MASTANI.

He says that he will continue working with the filmmaker.

"Yes why not?.. For Mr. Bhansali, I am ready to do anything," he said.

"I understand all too well that our collaboration is very special and lot of people recognize that and I recognize it too, so I hope to do more films with him and I hope that I am able to create vast legacy of memorable films with such a special filmmaker," added Ranveer.

Actor Ranveer Singh, who was highly praised by audiences and critics for portraying the character of Alauddin Khilji in PADMAAVAT, says that the movie will always be a gem in his filmography.

Ranveer attended launch of makeup and prosthetic academy — Makeup Designory — on Wednesday in Mumbai. During media interaction, he shared his views on gigantic success of PADMAAVAT.

"I am enjoying it. I don't get too carried away with success and neither do I get bogged down by the failure. What's important for me is that, you deliver on your promise to the audience," he said.

"I have pledged myself to try and be the best entertainer that I can possibly be and to see the kind of response, love, praise that people are showering on the performance, it's extremely heartening for me and it's filled me with more motivation to go out and work even harder and keep doing good work.

"Of course, PADMAAVAT will always be a gem on my filmography," he added.

Ranveer also expressed that he hasn't really had time to celebrate this great success as he is busy shooting his next which is Zoya Akhtar's GULLY BOY.

"It's one of those rare successes where it gets the kind of critical success as well as commercial success, so yeah ! it's been an avalanche of love coming in from everywhere and it's been quite overwhelming but I haven't really had time to celebrate as I have been shooting 'Gully Boy' everyday," said Ranveer.

The actor also says that GULLY BOY is doing extremely well.

"It's going extremely well. Things are just flowing along sparklingly and delightfully with Zoya (Akhtar) and Alia (Bhatt).

"I am really enjoying the shooting process and honestly what more could I ask for. That's my greatest gift and pride that I am able to go to a film set everyday and do what I love doing," he said.

With PADMAAVAT, Sanajay Leela Bhansali and Ranveer have created magic onscreen for the third time post GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA and BAJIRAO MASTANI.

He says that he will continue working with the filmmaker.

"Yes why not?.. For Mr. Bhansali, I am ready to do anything," he said.

"I understand all too well that our collaboration is very special and lot of people recognize that and I recognize it too, so I hope to do more films with him and I hope that I am able to create vast legacy of memorable films with such a special filmmaker," added Ranveer.

Actress Renuka Shahane who will soon be seen in film 3 STOREYS that is releasing in March, says now that her children are growing up, she will be seen in more film.

During the trailer launch of the film, Renuka, asked what kept her away from Hindi cinema for so long, said: "Well, my children are small, and they need me. My son is in 10th standard and once they start going college I will find time for myself. Then I will hopefully work more in cinema."

Renuka, who was last seen in DIL NE JISE APNAA KAHA in 2004, said that the script of 3 STOREYS was so brilliant that she has more than happy to be a part of it.

"I was so stunned when I was offered the film because the story and the character are so different and exciting for any actor. Then to sink your teeth into a character which is not in your forte is a reason for any actor to explore it. That apart, in the film, we have so many wonderful co-actors, the story has a mystery and intrigue value… so after 14 years, I am doing a Hindi film and this is the perfect one," she said.

The actress who worked with her HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN… co-star Madhuri Dixit on their upcoming Marathi film BUCKET LIST, said: "Yes after 23 years, I worked with Madhuri in a Marathi film and it is a dream to work with her."

Quite active on social media and never fearing to express her opinion, Renuka faced trolling many times.

Asked about how she handles it, she said: "Earlier I used to pay attention to trolls and talk to people who are trolling. I used to think that I should converse with them to change their thoughts. Back then I had no idea that there are manufactured trolls and people are paid money to troll. Now, mostly I avoid trolls and block them!"

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani and directed by Arjun Mukherjee, 3 STOREYS, also featuring Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, and Sharman Joshi, is slated to release on March 9.

Actress Renuka Shahane who will soon be seen in film 3 STOREYS that is releasing in March, says now that her children are growing up, she will be seen in more film.

During the trailer launch of the film, Renuka, asked what kept her away from Hindi cinema for so long, said: "Well, my children are small, and they need me. My son is in 10th standard and once they start going college I will find time for myself. Then I will hopefully work more in cinema."

Renuka, who was last seen in DIL NE JISE APNAA KAHA in 2004, said that the script of 3 STOREYS was so brilliant that she has more than happy to be a part of it.

"I was so stunned when I was offered the film because the story and the character are so different and exciting for any actor. Then to sink your teeth into a character which is not in your forte is a reason for any actor to explore it. That apart, in the film, we have so many wonderful co-actors, the story has a mystery and intrigue value… so after 14 years, I am doing a Hindi film and this is the perfect one," she said.

The actress who worked with her HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN… co-star Madhuri Dixit on their upcoming Marathi film BUCKET LIST, said: "Yes after 23 years, I worked with Madhuri in a Marathi film and it is a dream to work with her."

Quite active on social media and never fearing to express her opinion, Renuka faced trolling many times.

Asked about how she handles it, she said: "Earlier I used to pay attention to trolls and talk to people who are trolling. I used to think that I should converse with them to change their thoughts. Back then I had no idea that there are manufactured trolls and people are paid money to troll. Now, mostly I avoid trolls and block them!"

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani and directed by Arjun Mukherjee, 3 STOREYS, also featuring Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, and Sharman Joshi, is slated to release on March 9.

A well-known holistic health and fitness guru Mickey Mehta has been roped in as the wellness guru for reality TV show "India's Next Superstars".

"I'm really excited to be a part of the show as the wellness guru. All the contestants are young, energetic and talented, I hope to bring out their best personalities through my activities," Mehta said in a statement.

The Star Plus talent-based reality show is judged by filmmakers Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra is on board as acting coach, Puneet Pathak as their choreographer, and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also joined for a special session.

Mehta shot for the first episode on Wednesday and will be seen as a part of the show in the coming week.

A well-known holistic health and fitness guru Mickey Mehta has been roped in as the wellness guru for reality TV show "India's Next Superstars".

"I'm really excited to be a part of the show as the wellness guru. All the contestants are young, energetic and talented, I hope to bring out their best personalities through my activities," Mehta said in a statement.

The Star Plus talent-based reality show is judged by filmmakers Karan Johar and Rohit Shetty. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra is on board as acting coach, Puneet Pathak as their choreographer, and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also joined for a special session.

Mehta shot for the first episode on Wednesday and will be seen as a part of the show in the coming week.

Veteran Bollywood actor Jeetendra was on Wednesday accused of sexually harassing his cousin, who has come forward to file a police complaint 47 years after the alleged incident. Jeetendra has dubbed the charges as baseless, and a miserable effort by a jealous competitor to disrupt his business activities.

Jeetendra, whose real name is Ravi Kapoor, is the son of the victim's father's sister.

The victim made the allegation in a police complaint filed with Himachal Pradesh's Director General of Police. A copy of the complaint is with IANS.

Rubbishing the charges, Jeetendra's counsel Rizwan Siddiquee in a statement said, "Foremost my client (Jeetendra) specifically and categorically denies any such incident."

He claimed that such baseless, ridiculous and fabricated claims cannot be entertained by any court of law or the law enforcement agencies after a span of almost 50 years.

He said: "In any event the timing of this baseless complaint seems to be nothing but a miserable effort made by a jealous competitor to disrupt the business activities of my client and his esteemed company.

"Such efforts are, therefore, in all fairness treated with the contempt it truly deserves," Siddique said.

He also said that the statute has provided a justice delivery system through the courts.

"And the Limitation Act 1963 was specifically enacted to ensure that all genuine complaints are made within a maximum time limit of three years, so that a proper investigation is carried out and timely justice is delivered," Siddique said.

The advocate said that the law does not give any person any rights or liberties of making any baseless, ridiculous or fabricated claims against any man publicly and seek to defame him with a hidden personal agenda.

He also advised the media to "cautiously refrain from giving any importance to such ridiculous, baseless and fabricated claims", saying they should not participate in any way whatsoever in defaming or assassinating the character of any man in such cases.

As per the complaint, the incident took place in January 1971, when the victim was 18 and Jeetendra was 28. It happened when he arranged for the victim to join him from New Delhi to Shimla on the set of his movie without the complainant's "awareness".

The victim has claimed that on the night they reached Shimla, Jeetendra returned to the room in an inebriated state, joined the two separate beds and sexually assaulted her.

The allegation comes amid the #MeToo campaign as part of which women have come out about facing sexual abuse at the hands of powerful men. While several ladies have accused Hollywood's powerful men, the Hindi film industry — while admitting the prevalence of abuse — has not been named and shamed as openly.

Jeetendra, now 75, is a well-known name in the Hindi film industry. He is also a film producer, and has daughter Ekta and son Tusshar with wife Shobhaa.

Veteran Bollywood actor Jeetendra was on Wednesday accused of sexually harassing his cousin, who has come forward to file a police complaint 47 years after the alleged incident. Jeetendra has dubbed the charges as baseless, and a miserable effort by a jealous competitor to disrupt his business activities.

Jeetendra, whose real name is Ravi Kapoor, is the son of the victim's father's sister.

The victim made the allegation in a police complaint filed with Himachal Pradesh's Director General of Police. A copy of the complaint is with IANS.

Rubbishing the charges, Jeetendra's counsel Rizwan Siddiquee in a statement said, "Foremost my client (Jeetendra) specifically and categorically denies any such incident."

He claimed that such baseless, ridiculous and fabricated claims cannot be entertained by any court of law or the law enforcement agencies after a span of almost 50 years.

He said: "In any event the timing of this baseless complaint seems to be nothing but a miserable effort made by a jealous competitor to disrupt the business activities of my client and his esteemed company.

"Such efforts are, therefore, in all fairness treated with the contempt it truly deserves," Siddique said.

He also said that the statute has provided a justice delivery system through the courts.

"And the Limitation Act 1963 was specifically enacted to ensure that all genuine complaints are made within a maximum time limit of three years, so that a proper investigation is carried out and timely justice is delivered," Siddique said.

The advocate said that the law does not give any person any rights or liberties of making any baseless, ridiculous or fabricated claims against any man publicly and seek to defame him with a hidden personal agenda.

He also advised the media to "cautiously refrain from giving any importance to such ridiculous, baseless and fabricated claims", saying they should not participate in any way whatsoever in defaming or assassinating the character of any man in such cases.

As per the complaint, the incident took place in January 1971, when the victim was 18 and Jeetendra was 28. It happened when he arranged for the victim to join him from New Delhi to Shimla on the set of his movie without the complainant's "awareness".

The victim has claimed that on the night they reached Shimla, Jeetendra returned to the room in an inebriated state, joined the two separate beds and sexually assaulted her.

The allegation comes amid the #MeToo campaign as part of which women have come out about facing sexual abuse at the hands of powerful men. While several ladies have accused Hollywood's powerful men, the Hindi film industry — while admitting the prevalence of abuse — has not been named and shamed as openly.

Jeetendra, now 75, is a well-known name in the Hindi film industry. He is also a film producer, and has daughter Ekta and son Tusshar with wife Shobhaa.