Aishwarya Rai has a new fan: Alec Baldwin

Plus: Tannishtha Chatterjee on Bollywood's parochialism, Prasoon Joshi remembers Shammi, and Gurdeep Kohli wants more shows for families.

Alec Baldwin and Aishwarya Rai. Loic Venance /AFP

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Alec Baldwin arrived together at a Cannes film festival gathering held on Friday night, organised by the Cannes president Gilles Jacob for his French talk show Le Grand Journal. The Times of India reported that Baldwin told Bachchan he was a big fan of hers and that she should consider taking on projects in Hollywood. Baldwin also reportedly introduced his fiancée, Hilaria Thomas, to Bachchan, who was in Cannes to attend the amfAR Cinema Against Aids auction.

Tannishtha Chatterjee: Bollywood not yet global

After the producer Sheetal Talwar's recent controversial statement that Bollywood representation at the Cannes film festival is of no relevance, the actress Tannishtha Chatterjee told reporters the industry is promoting the wrong films and directors. "I think what Sheetal said is to some extent true. We make 800 films a year, but we're nowhere globally. Iran produces 25 films per year and their films get noticed everywhere," she said. "That's because we promote the wrong films, filmmakers and actors in India. Personally, if I was not recognised in Shadows of Time and Brick Lane in the West, no one would have noticed me at home." Chatterjee just finished filming Ravi Kumar's forthcoming historical drama Bhopal: Prayer for Rain, in which she co-stars with the Hollywood actors Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton. * IANS

Prasoon Joshi pens tribute to Shammi Kapoor

For the forthcoming film Teri Meri Kahaani, the composer-lyricist Prasoon Joshi has written a song titled Jabse Mere Dil Ko Uff, which he dedicates to the Bollywood legend Shammi Kapoor, who passed away last year. Sung by Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan, the track is inspired by Kapoor's song-and-dance acts on the big screen, said Joshi. "It's a very easy song but it has meaning. That doesn't mean that it's very serious. It's a fun song I can imagine people singing. Already I hear some humming it," he said. The romantic drama Teri Meri Kahaani, starring Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, is scheduled for a June 22 release. * IANS

Gurdeep Kohli calls for family-friendly programmes

Children should be catered to with quality television shows that entertain and impart learning at the same time, says the actress Gurdeep Kohli, who will be seen in the second season of Disney Channel India's original sitcom Best of Luck Nikki, which centres on a family of six. "The success of the show's first season proved there's space for quality content for children. It's funny, yet teaches children to love themselves. It leaves a smile on your face," she said. "When I used to do soap operas a few years ago, there was nothing on TV that was worthwhile to watch and learn from." * IANS