He was in town to unveil the logo of the first ever Kolkata Fashion and Lifestyle Week.

Commenting on his fashion statement, he said: "For me, the best fashion is the one I am comfortable with."

John has no favourite designers, but said: "Among Kolkata designers Sabyasachi (Mukherjee) is brilliant."

Encouraging the young designers, he said: "You all have a long way to go. Remember, fashion is not about actors who wear your dresses, but about the dress itself.

"But I signed him only after I saw the potential in him. We`ve been working on the script for three years. Meanwhile, a really wonderful thing has happened. Shahid became a big star. I`m very proud of him as his father. And Shahid`s stardom is a happy happening for `Mausam`."

The original plan was to only direct the film and let Shahid take the lead. But now giving in to pressure, Pankaj has decided to make an appearance in his directorial debut.

"It would be an Alfred Hitchcockian kind of fleeting appearance. But I`d largely like to concentrate on making the film and stay behind the camera," he said.

The actor, who recently wowed the audiences with his performances in films like "Maqbool", "Dharm" and "The Blue Umbrella", refuses to divulge details about his directorial debut.

"It`s a love story and we don`t want any of the details being picked up by other filmmakers. I plan to bring my own sensibilities together with Shahid`s," said Pankaj, who doesn`t like being labelled an offbeat actor.

"It`s rather sad that I`ve been dubbed an offbeat actor. But whenever given an opportunity I`ve done mainstream cinema. I`ve nothing against commercial cinema as long as the rendering of the story is sensible.

"I`ve learnt so much watching the commercial greats. I hope to use all that I`ve learnt from them into my own `Mausam`. If the producers are spending crores on my film I better get it back for them."

Incidentally, the title `Mausam` may change.

"We`ll try and find an alternative name. I know the association with the film by Gulzar saab called `Mausam` is too strong. The format of that film was inspired by Ingmar Bergman`s `Wild Strawberries`. That `Mausam` is far superior to what I`m trying to achieve in my first film as director."

When asked whether her British background would be coming in handy if she plays one of those NRIs from Southall who wish to make it big in Bollywood, Kunder said "Nothing like that. There isn`t any Southall connection to Katrina`s character in the film. Instead she came in primarily due to her overall appearance which just fitted in perfectly with the requirement of the character. We were looking for somebody like her and ultimately settled for her only," Kunder said.

Though Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have played fashion models in the past, getting into the garb of an item girl isn`t something that many have dared to do in the past.

`Tees Maar Khan` will see a global release on 24th December, taking over the slot which has been occupied by Aamir Khan since `Taare Zameen Par` (2007), `Ghajini` (2008) and `3 Idiots` (2009).

"Farah and I are mighty excited to start shooting for the film, beginning 1st March. `Tees Maar Khan` would belong to Farah Khan brand of film, as established after `Om Shanti Om` and `Main Hoon Naa`. You would certainly be aware about the language that she talks," Kunder said.

"Her films are meant to be complete masala entertainers that cater to all segments of audiences and `Tees Maar Khan` does exactly that. I am so convinced that we have the best case scenario here with her donning the hat of the director and I running the film`s production," he added.

The makers are planning to release ‘Kites’ that also stars Kangna Ranaut and Mexican actress Barbara Mori, May 21, but Basu says he has no inkling when the film is releasing.

"I`m just a technician on the film, just like the cinematographer or editor. I know as much as any one else who has worked on `Kites`. But I`ve heard the film is being released on May 14 or May 21, I don`t know which date it actually is. But I`m happy it`s finally being released," he said.

’Kites’ was taken away from Basu and given to Hollywood director Brett Ratner for editing. Significantly, the director doesn`t feature in any of the publicity and marketing of ‘Kites’.

"I still maintain I had no creative differences with Rakesh Roshanji. When I didn`t have any hesitation in walking out of my first directorial venture `Kuch To Hai` when I had differences with my producer Ekta Kapoor why would I not do the same with `Kites`, if necessary, when I`ve proved myself as a director with `Gangster` and `Life...In A Metro`."

It will be available through Mango fashion stores across the world with all profits benefiting Oxfam`s relief fund for Haiti, which was hit by a massive tremor Jan 12.

"I`m thrilled to be collaborating with Mango to promote conscious consumerism and to benefit Oxfam`s Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. By purchasing this bag, which I specially designed, you are helping to provide life saving assistance like clean water to the people of Haiti, " said the actress.

News has it that while shooting for an Emami commercial, MS Dhoni and Preity donned superman-like robes. Ecstatic about the shoot, Preity put a message on a social networking site, which said, “We are shooting a commercial for Emami. Healthy and tasty cooking oil. Shooting a real fun commercial I must confess.”

Sources reveal that the duo was having some real great time while shooting for Emami oil. Matrimonial alliance between film stars and cricketers is not an unusual thing in our country. And now we have a new ‘jodi’ in the making to watch out for in the IPL matches.

Luhrmann`s films "Strictly Ballroom", "Romeo + Juliet", "Moulin Rouge" and "Australia" had a profound presence of "love and spirit". Not many know that the influence has an Indian connect.

"I can`t escape my spirit and love - the truth of relationships and the depth, meaning and power of them. Without that I can`t be creative. When I don`t have one of that, I am nothing.

"When I came here 15 years ago that changed me and every single time I come here, I`ve had the same experience. It`s always the same and very spiritual. At the same time all the other experience I have gathered here whether it is Satyajit Ray or anything, at the heart of it is love. The (Indian) connection is always with me. My relationship with India is continuing," he added.

Luhrmann has been hugely influenced by Bollywood and picked up many things while researching for his opera production "A Midsummer Night`s Dream" here in 1993. Eventually he also set the opera in India.

His 2001 musical "Moulin Rouge" saw actress Nicole Kidman grooving to popular Bollywood number "Chamma chamma" from "China Gate".

"Indian musicals have inspired me since the first time I`ve been here. I had that cathartic experience 15 years ago when I was here working on Shakespeare and watching a Bollywood movie and it felt the same (like Shakespeare`s plays).

"(In Bollywood films) There`s tragedy, then comedy and next is music which is just like Shakespeare`s works. It reached me as an idea of the old form that was alive in Bollywood and that we brought to ground in `Romeo + Juliet` and `Moulin Rouge`."

The 47-year-old was here with Australian portrait painter Vincent Fantauzzo, as part of a Le Sutra and Royal Enfield initiative.

Asked how his overall trip to the country was, he said: "You cannot put it in a nutshell. If you could, it wouldn`t be India. And the best thing about being in India is not having plans. But I`ll be honest, in the first couple of days it is a bit hot, but then I always find myself secured a lot."

Luhrmann is now working on F. Scott Fitzgerald`s masterpiece "The Great Gatsby", which he hasn`t confirmed yet.

"`Great Gatsby` is one project I am working on but I haven`t confirmed it yet. I do have the rights to that book but I don`t know if I`m doing it (in terms of a film)," he said.

He is a huge fan of Bachchan and has become his devotee after working with him.

’I was a huge fan of Mr. Bachchan and now I am his devotee. It’s his personality that made him stay in the industry for 40 years,’ he said.

Directed by Leena Yadav, ’Teen Patti’ is an emotionally riveting and razor sharp thriller about greed and deception. Releasing Feb 26, it also stars Hollwyood veteran Ben Kingsley.

Asked about his character in the film, Madhavan said: ’I play a professor who wants to have the luxuries of life as soon as possible. So he makes certain compromises for which he has to make a lot of sacrifices.’

The actor was recently seen in the super duper hit ’3 Idiots’. After the film, Madhavan, who has always been choosy about his movies, would go even slower.

’I am very choosy about my films. I don’t do a film just for the sake of money. I will continue to be choosy and I will go even slower now. I will wait for movies that are of equal calibre or have something, at least little bit, in respect to ’3 Idiots’. ’Teen Patti’ is one among them.’

Talking about his transition from a student in ’3 Idiots’ to a professor in ’Teen Patti’, he said: ’Actually, I did the role of the professor first and then became a student. We actually finished ’Teen Patti’ before ’3 Idiots’.’

Madhavan’s next project is director Aanand L. Rai’s ’Tannu Weds Mannu’. It is a romantic movie and he has teamed up with Kangana Ranaut in it.

Talking about their unique camaraderie, Imtiaz said, "Our kind of cinema may be different but Rohit and I share a lot in common, especially our passion for movies. There is also another factor -- our love for food. We share similar likes and dislikes when it comes to our eating habits. So we get along really well."

"Both of us love to eat red meat and always on the look out for a good mutton meal. I have introduced him to Shahi Grill at Oshiwara which serves Lucknowi fare and Rohit has been placing more orders than me!"

Incidentally, Imtiaz met Rohit at the success bash of ‘Golmaal’ as he recollects, "At first glance, he looked like those typical action film directors. He is well built and muscular -- the kind who can protect, in case of any attack! At the party, I also realised that he had a funny bone -- that`s where the comic streak in his films come."

Further, Imtiaz was intrigued by Rohit`s strange tattoo that have symbols from Islam, Hinduism and Christianity with `Only God Can Judge Me` written beneath it.

Talking about his friendship with Imtiaz, Rohit said, "Being with him is a learning process. He`s one of the best directors we have. I love to sit and listen to him and discuss cinema techniques."

However, talking about their association with Ashtavinayak, Rohit added, "When Ashtavinayak signed us, they had made films like ‘Fun2oosh.’ Then they signed Imtiaz and me for ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Golmaal. ’ I had earlier made ‘Zameen’ and he had directed ‘Socha Na Tha.’ But with ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Golmaal,’ the scenario changed for us as well as the producers (with the success of both the films). So, we both began on common ground."

ostana,’ Katrina protested violently and made it clear to producer Karan Johar and director Tarun Mansukhani: no exposure, no kissing.”

Talking about her skin flashing inhibitions, Katrina said, “I don’t deny I’ve done scenes in the past where I did things that I wasn’t comfortable with. But now I won’t. I just don’t feel comfortable doing kissing scenes, or for that matter, wearing a bikini on screen.”

And it’s not the first time that the beauty has put her foot down on such requests. In the past too, Kat had denied all such demands in her previous films ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ and ‘Raajneeti.’ Speaking firmly on the matter, Katrina said, “It’s true. I’m not at all comfortable doing kissing scenes. Call me a prude or conservative. I just don’t feel kissing scenes jell well with our audiences. So no kissing scenes for me.”

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