Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan, 34, may have been termed the 'jinx factor' at the start of her career, but today she has won the award for the best actress back-to-back four times, a feat achieved by none other. In an hour long conversation, she opens up to TOI about her reasons for falling in love with Siddharth, her sister Priya, who is her hero, and the men who changed her life. Excerpts:

The obvious question first. Tell us about your love journey with your husband Siddharth Roy Kapur?
We met for the first time at the Filmfare awards. I had won an award for Paa after which I got introduced to him for the first time. I had started shooting a day before for UTV's No One Killed Jessica and knew of him, but had not met him till then. But we didn't meet during the film. We met again much later and we started seeing each other even later. A live-in relationship is not for me. I did not see myself living in with Siddharth till we were married. He is my first serious relationship. Marriage was the most natural progression for us and it has happened and I am happy to be married. I don't think marriage has changed me in any way, except that it allows me to wear the sindoor that I really enjoy wearing.

What attracted you to Siddharth?
Apart from his looks... just the person he is. He is non-judgemental, which is rare. He lets people be. He is self-assured and is accepting of people the way they are. He is very easy to be around. He likes to have a good time and lets you be the way you are and that's what I respect about him.

Is work priority going to change post marriage?
Not at all. I have taken my month-long marriage break. I am an actor and will always be. That's part of who I am... and I am also married now.

In a corporate setup, it becomes awkward when you are married to your boss. How different is it for you as an actor with Siddharth being your producer on Ghanchakkar?
I did not fall in love with Siddharth when he was my producer. It happened after No One Killed Jessica. Siddharth will not be involved on Ghanchakkar where it involves me. He wasn't even involved in the contract. When I read the script, we both decided we will not discuss it with each other. That way we guard our relationship and our work. We are both passionate about what we do. Our professions mean a lot to us as does our relationship.

You have won the Best Actress award back-to-back four times. Did you struggle to reach here?
I was born and brought up in Chembur, which is like a mini Palakkad. When I watched Madhuri Dixit in Ek Do Teen, I decided I wanted to be in films and be a junior Madhuri. Every South Indian child is initiated into dance and music but no one really makes it a profession, so while my parents would indulge me, they would hope that I didn't mean it. I went to St Xavier's College where I started acting in the first year itself. I did Hum Paanch and several ad films. As an actor, one needs to bide time and so I did MA in Sociology. At 21, I got my first break in a Malayalam film opposite superstar Mohanlal. He was the clincher for my mother as we were all fans of his work. Also, the director of the film in terms of personality was like Gulzar sahab and that made my parents comfortable.

I was confirmed for the role and my mother went along with me to shoot. Mohanlal and the director had a fallout and the shoot was stalled. Mohanlal and director Kamal had delivered eight superhit films before this one and so the blame of their fallout was pinned on me... I was the jinx factor. I was devastated.

In the following months, I got replaced in the dozen other Malayalam films I had been signed for. I started doing another Malayalam film with Mukesh and as luck would have it, that too got stalled. That's when I too started believing that I was jinxed. I was then signed for a Tamil film, which also I got thrown out of. Fear is a self-fulfilling prophecy and I had this sneaking feeling that I would be replaced. My mother, who so far had apprehensions about letting me become an actor, began to pray that I should get at least one film if that's what I really wanted. Once I remember, I went to Nariman Point and just started walking fast in the scorching heat to clear my head. Don't know what I was thinking, but I was not willing to give up and was resilient. It was a purposeful walk, but there was no destination. It was around that time when I shot for the Euphoria music video with Pradeep Sarkar (dada) and he said to me, 'Eh ladki I will make a film with you someday'.

While I began to resurrect my self-confidence, I got to do my first film in Bengali with Soumitra Chatterjee and was so thrilled in my head that the jinx had been broken. All of us said our Thank Yous! I remember, one week before the release of Paa I cried bitterly. It wasn't that I was worried about becoming Nirupa Roy, but it was a gamble for me playing a mother of a 13-year-old Amitabh Bachchan.

I had been panned to death for Kismat Konnection and Heyy Babyy and therefore, I felt it was a do-or-die for me. At such times as an actor you don't know where to draw your strength from when you lack the confidence. My father said, if he has brought you to it, he will take you through it... and he did.

Apart from your parents, you are attached to your sister. Tell us about her?
My sister Priya is my hero. She plays every role effortlessly in her life, be it of a mother, wife, sister, daughter or professional. When I was growing up, my friends used to call on the landline and tell me not to pick up the phone and instead let Priya pick it up as she had a sexy voice and was cool and sexy. I have always looked up to her. And with Priya's marriage to Kedar, it's like I got another set of parents. My brother-in-law is my most objective critic.

Today, every director and actor would like to work with you. Who are your favourites?
Mr Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi are possibly the most professional co-stars. Like the rest of the country, I am also an Amitabh Bachchan fan. Sujoy Ghosh and I share a tumultuous relationship and it's not the easiest director-actor relationship. We were like that couple who fights but stays together for the children — the child being Kahaani. Milan Luthria, I surrendered myself to in The Dirty Picture and trusted implicitly. Balki helped me reclaim myself. While working on Paa, we were on this flight back from KL and I was wondering which way to go and he said, 'You are the quintessential Indian woman and there is only one you, so why are you giving it up to be one amongst many'. That really hit home.

I had gone through the criticism for Heyy Babyy and Kismat Konnection and was not following my instinct. The problem was not in the films, it was me in those films. I enjoyed playing other people on screen, but off screen I am just me. In these films, I did not do that and I have no one to blame other than me. Sabyasachi, for the fact that he said if you like wearing saris and cotton, wear it. Fashion is not about right or wrong, it's about what's you or not you. Lastly, please ask Gulzar sahab to make a film with me.

West Indian cricketer Anisa Mohammed (L) looks on as Indian cricketer Thirushkamini jumps in the air to celebrate her century. (AFP Photo)

MUMBAI: India rode on opener Thirush Kamini Murugesan's maiden century to thrash West Indies by 105 runs in their opening Group A match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup here on Thursday.

Kamini scored 100 off 146 balls to become the first Indian eve to notch up a century in 50-over World Cup as the hosts piled up a commendable 284 for six after being sent into bat.

Defending the total, Nagarajan Niranjana (3/52), Jhulan Goswami (2/13) and left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana (2/38) starred with the ball to help India bundle out the Caribbean side for 179 runs with 5.3 overs to spare.

West Indies run chase never really got off as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Kycia Knight, one of the twin sister in the team, was dismissed in the second ball of the innings after she was run out by a direct hit from Harmanpreet Kaur.

West Indies then other opener Stafanie Taylor in the first ball of the sixth over after she edged one to wicket-keeper Karuna Jain off Amita Sharma's bowling.

Niranjana then castled the timbers of Shemaine Campbelle with an in swinger to reduce the West Indies to 38 for three.

Deandra Dottin then took the attack to the opposition with a 16-ball 39-run blitzkrieg which was studded with four sixes and three fours.

The 21-year old West Indian clobbered Niranjana for two sixes and a four in the 19th over before the pacer took her revenge by trapping Dottin plumb in front of the wicket in the same over.

Kyshona Knight (11) was then bowled by Sultana in the next over as West Indies lost half of the side back with just 84 runs on the board.

West Indies skipper Merissa Aguilleira shared a 49-run stand for the sixth wicket with Shanel Daley before she was caught at covers by Indian skipper Mithali Raj off Nilanjana.

From there on, victory was just a formality for India and Goswami ensured a quick end to the match by picking up two wickets in the later stages of West Indies' innings.

Earlier, Kamini etched her name record books and together with Poonam Raut (72) shared 175 runs for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for India's total.

Before Kamini, the previous best by an Indian eve in a World Cup was by skipper Mithali Raj who socred 91 against the Netherlands in the 2005 edition, while this was the highest team total posted by the side.India surpssed their previous highest score of 275 against the Netherlands in the 2000 World Cup in New Zealand.

Left-hander Kamini, who made a comeback into the side, scored 100 in 146 balls was finally run-out. She struck 11 fours and a six and batted till the 43rd over and spent 156 minutes at the crease.

Put into bat, Kamini and Poonam Raut (72) made best use of the flat track at Brabourne Stadium here.

Raut's 72 runs came off 94 balls and she struck seven fours during her 144-minute stay at the crease.

Raut was finally out leg before trying a sweep shot off spinner Shanel Daley. India tried to accelerate and made best use of the Powerplay as 45 runs came off those five overs.

She was joined by former Indian skipper Jhulan Goswami, who was promoted as a pinch hitter and Goswami made a quickfire 36 in 21 balls.

India started losing wickets towards the end in their bid to step up the ante.

For the visitors, seamer Deandra Dottin picked up three wickets in her four overs while giving away 32 runs, and Daley picked up one.

KYZYL TU, KAZAKHSTAN: A passenger plane crashed in thick fog near Kazakhstan's commercial capital Almaty on Tuesday and broke into pieces when it slammed into the ground, killing at least 20 people.

Private Kazakh airline SCAT said all 15 passengers and five crew were killed when the Canadian-built Bombardier Challenger CRJ-200 came down near the village of Kyzyl Tu about five km (three miles) from Almaty's airport.

"There was no fire, no explosion. The plane just plunged to the earth," Yuri Ilyin, deputy head of the city's emergencies department, told Reuters near the scene.

Parts of the plane could be seen in the thick snow. Tractors and other heavy vehicles were being used cut paths through the snow to the wreckage but journalists were prevented from going close.

It was the second fatal plane crash in the former Soviet republic in just a over a month.

Visibility at Kyzyl Tu was only about 20 to 30 metres (yards), and much of the area around Almaty was veiled in fog when the plane crashed at around 1 p.m. (0700 GMT).

"The preliminary cause of the accident is bad weather," Deputy Almaty Mayor Maulen Mukashev told reporters. "Not a single part of the plane was left intact after it came down."

The plane had been on its way from the city of Kokshetau in northern Kazakhstan to Almaty in the southeast, Mukashev said.

Ilyin put the death toll at 22 but SCAT and the office of the Central Asian country's prosecutor general said there had been only 20 crew and passengers on board.

SCAT, which has been operating since 1997, runs an extensive domestic service and has some international flights.

Alexander Gordeyev, deputy head of Almaty's airport, said the weather had been bad but planes were being allowed to land there.

A military transport airplane crashed in bad weather on Dec. 25 near the southern Kazakh city of Shymkent, killing all 27 on board. Prosecutors have said a combination of technical problems, bad weather and human errors caused that accident.

Emraan Hashmi, who ruled the Murder franchise, was replaced by Randeep Hooda in Murder 3. The promo of the film is out and Mukesh Bhatt in an exclusive conversation with TOI speaks about Randeep, Aditi Rao Hydari and Vishesh Bhatt as a director.

Emraan Hashmi was a part of Murder and Murder 2. Were you hesitant to cast Randeep Hooda in Murder 3?
Murder franchise make stars, stars don't make Murder franchise. In the past it made Emraan,Mallika Sherawat and Jacqueline Fernandez. Randeep is a great actor and he has performed well in the film.

Why not Emraan?
The story which Vishesh got to us required someone like Randeep. Emraan would have been misfit for Murder 3. When you will see the film, you will come to know that only Randeep could have done justice to the role.

With Vishesh's directorial entry in Bollywood was there any kind of hand-holding by his father or uncle?
Vishesh comes from a different world. He doesn't like any kind of interference in the film. He knows his work well and has a global view on things.

Bhatts have always believed in their franchise when it comes to films like Murder, Raaz, and Jannat. What keeps your confidence in the franchise?
We believe in content of the film. Murder 3 is ahead of Murder and Murder 2 when it comes to the content and it was only possible because of Vishesh. It's an intense film and we believe in content not in stars.

Aditi Rao Hydari has always carried a sweet image, while Murder has a record of sensual scenes. How did the casting happen?
Aditi Rao Hydari will surprise you. She is a good actor and that's the good thing about good actors. When you give them a role, they do it well.

New Delhi: A three-day workshop will allow school students here to photograph a range of fascinating features on the earth's surface, courtesy a NASA sponsored education programme, an NGO said Monday. 

The three-hour workshops - under the project International Space Station (ISS) EarthKAM - will begin Tuesday at the Indraprastha World School. The project is being coordinated by NGO Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE).

"Participants will be able to control a digital camera - the same serviced by astronaut Sunita Williams on her last mission - mounted on the ISS the processed images will then be available for viewing and studying," said a statement. 

"Teachers can use these images for the development of the curriculum plans for studies in subjects like physics, oceanography, climate, geography, Earth science etc.," it added. 

The workshop will give the students an opportunity to view large scale geographical features of the earth, weather and climate and also to study the areas affected by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, fires etc. 

Through this project they also learn about the mission and science of ISS, and about the life of astronauts on board ISS, said the statement.

Chennai: Whether Kamal Haasan's mega-budget thriller Vishwaroopam will remain banned in Tamil Nadu could be decided later tonight. The Madras High Court is expected to deliver its verdict after 8 pm.

In court today, the Tamil Nadu government defended the ban it ordered last week, just days before the film's scheduled release, over-ruling the clearance granted to the 95-crore film given by the country's censor board. The state's Advocate General Navaneedakrishnan described that sanction as "a scam" and said it appeared to have been granted "without application of the mind." 

Kamal Haasan's lawyer argued that the ban is "unconstitutional."  A lawyer representing the film board agreed.  "It is absolutely unacceptable. We have certified hundreds and thousands of films...only with Vishwaroopam, you find it has not been done with due diligence? This is an infringement on freedom of expression," said Leela Samson, who heads the Central Board for Film Certification. 

The government introduced the ban citing the need to protect communal harmony after Muslim groups said the film's portrayal of the community is offensive. Before going to court,  Kamal Haasan, who stars in the film which he has also directed and produced, described the government's intervention as "cultural terrorism" and said Vishwaroopam is "one of the most Muslim-friendly films in recent times."

The judge hearing the case had reviewed the film over the weekend. Yesterday, he advised Kamal Haasan to compromise with the government. Last night, reports emerged that the actor had rejected suggestions by government representatives to edit the film by an hour.

The controversy engulfing the film has impaired its release in other Southern states. In cities like Hyderabad, the film's screening in theatres has been punctuated with protests outside. In Karnataka, the film has been released today with police protection.

After releasing the
sequel to Temple run - named
"Temple Run 2" - for iOS, Imangi
Studios, the makers of the game,
has now released the new version
of the popular game for Android.
The new game - Temple Run 2 - is
now available on Google Play for
Android users. The app is available
for free.
The new features include beautiful
new graphics, gorgeous new
organic environments, new
obstacles, more powerups, more
achievements, special powers for
each character, and bigger
monkeys.
"With over 170 million downloads
(since its 2011 release), Temple
Run redefined mobile gaming. Now
get more of the exhilarating
running, jumping, turning and
sliding you love in Temple Run 2,"
said Imangi Studios, LLC, adding
"Navigate perilous cliffs, zip lines,
mines and forests as you try to
escape with the cursed idol. How
far can you run?!"


GOOGLE PLAY Link

posted from Bloggeroid

A petition was filed in
the Allahabad High Court accusing
Bollywood superstar Amitabh
Bachchan of having made a
"derogatory" remark, "with
malicious intention", about a Holy
book in a more than a year-old
episode of the TV quiz show 'Kaun
Banega Crorepati'.
The petition was filed by Mudassir
Ullah Khan, a resident of Jhansi,
who has taken exception to the use
of the phrase "racha
gaya" (composed) in the context of
the Holy book by Bachchan in the
episode aired on 28.09.2011.
The petitioner has sought to make
Bachchan, besides the manager of
Sony TV and the 'Karyakram
Prayojak' (programme sponsor) of
'Kaun Banega Crorepati' a party in
the case.
Khan has contended the Holy book
was "neither written nor created by
anybody, rather it came into
existence/revealed by Allah (God)
Himself" and hence the use of the
phrase "racha gaya" was
tantamount to "a serious offence"
as Bachchan was a "popular figure"
and "words used by him affect all
communities".
Khan has also challenged orders of
Chief Judicial Magistrate and
District and Sessions Judge of
Jhansi, dated 29.11.2011 and
21.5.2012 respectively, whereby
his pleas for directing the police to
register an FIR under Indian Penal
Code sections dealing with hurt
caused to religious sentiments were
turned down.

posted from Bloggeroid

New Delhi: The government Monday hiked the import duty on gold and platinum to 6 percent from 4 percent with immediate effect - a move aimed at curbing imports of the precious metals to check the widening current account deficit.

"Government has decided to increase import duty on gold and platinum from 4 percent to 6 percent with immediate effect," Department of Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram told reporters.

He further said the government will link Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) with gold deposit scheme, which will enable mutual funds to unlock their physical gold and invest in gold- linked schemes offered by banks.

"The changes proposed to the Gold deposit scheme will make it attractive for individuals to deposit their idle gold with the banks under the Gold deposit scheme," Mayaram said.

He said the changes would help moderate import of gold and help in bridging the current account deficit (CAD).

Gold imports in 2011-12 amounted to USD 56.5 billion and in the current financial year, till December, they are estimated at USD 38 billion.

Mumbai: Domestic auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra plans to launch its 300 cc bike 'Mojo' next fiscal and said it will also roll out variants of its scooter series.

"We are going through testing protocols right now for the engine. We are hopeful of its launch in the next fiscal," president of two-wheeler sector and member of the group executive board, Mahindra & Mahindra, Anoop Mathur, said here after the preview of 110CC bikes.

The company is taking all possible steps to make sure that the engine, vehicle and composite are duly tested and validated before it hits the road, he said.

Mahindra 2 Wheelers also plans to roll out a new model of its scooters portfolio by third quarter of next fiscal, Mathur said adding within the next fortnight, a variant of 'Rodeo' scooter is set to be launched.

"We want our presence across segments and ranges. Our plan is to come out with new models of scooters and motor cycle at frequent intervals over the next three to five years," Mathur said.

The company, which has forayed into 110 cc motorcycle segment with the unveiling of two models, 'Pantero' and 'Centuro' last Friday, is working on the bikes exports, which could commence before March, 2013.

"It is our strategic plan to have a significant presence in the motor cycle exports market. We hope to start shipping out our bikes within this fiscal," Mathur said.

The company has earlier said that its two models, 'Pantero' and 'Centuro' were designed completely in-house at the Mahindra R&D centre in Pune and powered by the MCi-5 engine manufactured at the company's Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh.

The company has invested Rs 100 crore in the research and development of the products.

Dubai: India claimed the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings after their win over England in Ranchi coupled with South Africa’s loss to New Zealand later in the day.

India has accumulated 4279 points from 36 matches, taking their rating to 119. England, on 118, are following India closely.

South Africa are 3rd with 2201 points from 19 matches giving them a rating of 116.

India were 3rd in the rankings as they went into the ODI series against England. 

Anticipations, expectations, that incessant wait. All of that is on the threshold of fulfilment as the who’s who of Tinsel Town descends upon the venue where that grand event is to take place – Zee Cine Awards 2013.

So wrap up all your work, get that tub of popcorn and jump on to the couch. For this year, Zee Cine Awards is all set to tickle that funny bone of yours at times, and make you wipe that tear of nostalgia at others.

2013 will see the Awards returning to the place where it all began from - aamchi Mumbai. With the witty Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh donning the anchors’ hats, rest assured, there won’t be a single uninteresting moment this time around... Shah Rukh Khan will join the two at times and many others of your favourite stars will make sure that Zee Cine Awards 2013 is made into an affair to remember! There will be power-packed performances from new stars like Ayushmann Kharrana, Varun Dhawan on the one hand, and the stalwarts like Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor on the other. There will be many fun-filled moments, side-splitting laughter-inducing times, and acts which would leave one agape at the sheer brilliance of it. So get set: let’s make a night to remember!

And in case you are wondering who’d be the ones to receive the most coveted of all awards, keep getting back to this space for live updates of every little thing that ensues tonight...

...made it such a spectacle!

- Amitabh Bachchan addresses the crowd - he is the one who coordinated Abhishek's and Ritesh's performance!

- Best Actor (Male/Popular) goes to Salman Khan for 'Dabangg 2'.

- The next award is for the Best Actor (Male/Jury): Riteish and Abhishek present the same. And the award goes to... Ranbir Kapoor for 'Barfi!'. RK performs Barfi's iconic steps on stage and goes ahead with his vote of thanks!

- Best Actor (Popular/Female): Priyanka Chopra is awarded for her portrayal of an autistic girl in 'Barfi!'. In a black floor-length gown, PC looks more than stunning! She thanks the entire team of 'Barfi!', her family, and people who actually believed in her; dedicates her award to her dad.

- Best Actor (Jury/Female): Vidya Balan for 'Kahaani'. Vidya wishes Zee a happy 20th birthday; goes ahead with her vote of thanks, beginnning with God! Balan dedicates her award to Siddharth Roy Kapoor and the entire team of 'Kahaani'.

- Best Director (Popular): Anurag Basu for 'Barfi!'.

- The next award - Best Director (Jury): Sujoy Ghosh for 'Kahaani'.

- Best Film (Popular): 'Barfi!' - Ronnie Screwala, Anurag Basu, Ileana D'Cruz, Ranbir Kapoor, Pritam on the stage to receive the award. Ranbir does a Barfi by jumping on to Anurag Basu's shoulders!

- This segment of awards - some of the biggest of the night - Best Film (Jury): 'Kahaani'... Shah Rukh Khan presents the award to Vidya Balan!

- "Yashji, agar aap na hote, shayad mohabbat na hoti!" - Shah Rukh Khan

- SRK tells Sridevi - she was Chopra's most favourite actor! Poonam Dhillon, Sridevi and Deepika join Shah Rukh in the tribute to Yash Chopra.

- Shah Rukh thanks Karisma, Katrina and Anushka; calls all those actresses who have had the privilege of working with Yash Raj Films and Yash Chopra.

- And finally, Katrina Kaif on stage with Shah Rukh - the two shake a leg to 'Saans mein'.

- Anushka Sharma, clad in pristine white, joins King Khan now for a soothing 'Tujh mein rab dikhta hai'.

- Karisma Kapoor, in one of her first post-marriage performances, joins Shah Rukh on stage, dancing to 'Mujhko hui na khabar'.

- King Khan lands on to the stage from his pearly white steed... Kabhi kabhi is dil mein khayal aata hai in SRK's voice!

- Gear up for the last performance of the night - a tribute to the late Yash Chopra. Shah Rukh Khan appears on stage with 'tujhe dekha toh ye jaana sanam'... the song that turned him into the quintessential romantic hero of Bollywood!

- Shah Rukh Khan is now the butt of Riteish and Abhishek's jokes!

- For Ayushmann, success has no rule. And on that happy note, Arjun dances to 'My name is Lakhan'!

- Best Actor Debut (Male): Arjun Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana for 'Ishaqzaade' and 'Vicky Donor' respectively.

- The next awards: Best Actor Debut (Female): Santosh Shrivastav, Anurag Basu and Sonali Bendre present the award to Yami Gautam and Ileana D'Cruz for 'Vicky Donor' and 'Barfi!' respectively.

- Hussain urges everyone present to keep a minute's silence for the Delhi gangrape victim.

- Best Dialogue: Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sanjay Chauhan for 'Paan Singh Tomar'.

- Best Screenplay: Vidya Balan gives away the award to Anurag Basu for 'Barfi!'.

- The Award for the Best Story: Sujoy Ghosh and Advaita for 'Kahaani'.

- The next award - Best Use of Social Media - Shanaina G and Huma Qureshi present the award to Arbaaz Khan who accepts it on behalf of brother Salman Khan.

- And the sexy Kaif grooves to 'Ishq shava' from 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' now.

- Katrina Kaif on the stage: setting it on fire with 'Mashallah'! What performance... mashallah!

- The Power Club Box Office Awards: for the directors whose films made it to the 100 Crore Club in 2012 - Karan Malhotra ('Agneepath'), Sajid Khan ('Housefull 2'), Prabhu Deva ('Rowdy Rathore'), Kabir Khan ('Ek Tha Tiger'), Anurag Basu ('Barfi!'), Rohit Shetty ('Bol Bachchan'), Arbaaz Khan ('Dabangg 2'), Ashwini Dhir ('Son of Sardaar'). And the late Yash Chopra for 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. 

- Best Music: Pritam is awarded for 'Cocktail'.

- Sonu Nigam is asked to imitate Udit Narayan - and boy! How he does it!

- Best Playback Singer (Male): Sonu Nigam for 'Abhi mujh mein kahin' from 'Agneepath'.

- Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal for 'Saans' from 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'.

- Udit Narayan and Malaika Arora present the award for the Best Fresh Singing Talent - Shalmali Kholgade for 'Pareshaan' from 'Ishaqzaade'.

- Jasraj and Vishwajeet of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' treat the audience to 'Ishaqzaade'.

- Shah Rukh imitates Katrina's speech... in his inimitable witty style!

- Best International Icon (Male): Shah Rukh Khan

- Katrina's acceptance speech: Kaif thanks Sridevi and Boney Kapoor.

- Sridevi and Boney Kapoor present the Best International Icon of the Year (Female) award to Katrina Kaif.

- Rishi Kapoor says that he had refused his role in 'Agneepath' in his acceptance speech. The role of Rauf Lala was a scary, risky one.

- Best Actor in a Negative Role: R. Balki presents the award to Rishi Kapoor for 'Agneepath'.

- Best Debut Director: Gauri Shinde for 'English Vinglish'.

- The Song of the Year: 'Radha' from 'Student of the Year'. Shreya Ghoshal receives the award.

- The award for the Best Choreography: Ganesh Acharya for 'Chikni Chameli' (Agneepath).

- We're on to the next awards: Best actor in a supporting role - Nawazuddin Siddiqui walks away with the award for 'Talaash'.

- Ayushmann joins Varun for a mash-up of the latter's 'Disco deewane' and the former's 'Rum whiskey'!

- Dhawan's on to 'Radha' now.

- Varun Dhawan's superbly sculpted body and six-pack abs are sure to make many hearts skip many beats! He's grooving to 'Velle' now!

- The jaw-droppingly handsome Varun Dhawan on stage now: with 'Ishq wala love'!

- And now, Khurrana's on to 'Pandey ji seeti' from 'Dabangg 2'.

- Khurrana dances on 'Chammak Challo' now. 'Rum Whiskey' is still the refrain!

- Ayushmann performs on 'Jumma chumma de de' .. interspersed with 'Rum whiskey'.

- Ayushmann Khurrana takes to the stage crooning 'Paani da rang'... We're all ears, Ayushmann!

- Ayushmann Khurrana and Varun Dhawan are at the end of Ritesh and Abhishek's jokes now. Varun and Ayushmann are to perform next!

- And Ritesh Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan are back to tickle the audience's bones!

- Best Background Score: Ajay and Atul for 'Agneepath'.

- Best Marketed Film of the Year: Ek Tha Tiger

- Best Action: Arusu Kumar for 'Rowdy Rathore'. Prabhu Deva receives the award on behalf of Kumar.

- Up next is the award for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Ali Zafar and Chunkey Pandey present the award to Anushka Sharma for 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'.

- Clad in blue and yellow, the gorgeous Anushka Sharma grooves to 'Oye boy Charlie' from 'Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola'.

- Anushka Sharma joins Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan in making the audience go into splits with laughter!

- Best Cinematography: Ravi Varman for 'Barfi!'.

- Namrata Rao walks away with the Best Editing award - for 'Kahaani'.

- Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh are back with their comic performance. Boman Irani joins in now.

- Best actor in a Comic role - Abhishek Bachchan for 'Bol Bachchan'.

- Up next: The Best Lyrics' award - Kausar Munir for 'Pareshaan' (Ishaqzaade).

- The first set of awards: Boman Irani and Esha Gupta present Rajat Poddar for 'Barfi!' Best Production Design.

- Stay tuned for more... there's so much the night has to offer!

- Tum hi ho bandhu' on the floor now. Deepika is scalding hot!

- A romantic 'Be intehaa' follows.

- Deepika shakes a leg to 'Angrezi beat' from 'Cocktail'. She looks stunning in black.

- So the exquisite Deepika Padukone is the first to perform on the stage. Boy! She's setting it on fire!

- Ritesh and Abhishek pull off a stunning Chaplinesque act on the stage.

- 'Paan Singh Tomar' is the second to be nominated in the category. 'Barfi!' makes it to the third. 'English Vinglish' is the fourth in the list. Vidya Balan's 'Kahaani' makes it to the list as well.

- The best films of the year are here in front of us - with 'Agneepath' being the first among the Best Film category nominations.

- The charming, witty actors take us to Zee Cine Awards 2012.

- With the background music of 'Sab se bada rupaiyya', the two tux-clad actors are all charged up to rock Mumbai!

- Hussain Kuwajerwala introduces the hosts for the night - Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan.