Amitabh Bachchan: actors are human, too

Plus: Saif and Kareena name the day, Anurag Kashyap lauds Shanghai, and making a comeback at the age of 97.

Aishwarya Rai. Valery Hache / AFP

The megastar Amitabh Bachchan, whose daughter-in-law, the actress Aishwarya Rai, recently found herself in the midst of media attention because of her post-pregnancy weight, says he's amazed by the interest in the personal lives of celebrities. "If you're a celebrity, this is the cross you have to carry with a smile. Do no wrong and you shall be safe, but be prepared for the worst even when a small wrong has been done," he posted on his website. "Celebrities are not some outer-world aliens, they are human too." Bachchan and his wife Jaya celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on Sunday. * IANS

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor set October 16 date for wedding

In the first official confirmation from their families, Saif Ali Khan's marriage to Kareena Kapoor has been confirmed for October 16 by his mother, the actress Sharmila Tagore. "Yes, that's the date we have decided on. There will be a reception, too, but not a very big one," she told CNN-IBN. The wedding is set to be held at the groom's ancestral home and will be a quiet affair for immediate family members and close friends.

Anurag Kashyap lauds Shanghai

The director Anurag Kashyap has declared the forthcoming political thriller Shanghai the best film he's seen in a while, after attending a screening arranged by the movie's director Dibakar Banerjee. "It's a film that should be made compulsory for everybody to watch. This is the most powerful film I've seen in a long time," said Kashyap, whose two-part series Gangs of Wasseypur received critical acclaim at the recent Cannes film festival. "Dibakar is the best filmmaker in the country, period." Shanghai, which premieres at this weekend's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards and opens in the UAE on Thursday, stars Abhay Deol and Emraan Hashmi. Kashyap posted on Twitter that the film is "visceral, stunning" and the most daring film ever made in the country. In response, Banerjee said: "Anurag is too generous. It's very exciting to have someone like him around because you get excited to do more exciting stuff." * IANS

Actor makes comeback at the age of 97

The 97-year-old actor AK Hangal is making his return to the industry via the TV show Madhubala. "I believe there is no age limit to work. I am feeling great about this," said Hangal, who made his film debut in 1967. The producer Prashaant Bhatt says he approached Hangal because the series is a tribute to the centenary of Indian cinema. "He has been a part of the industry for such a long time and has made a huge impact," said Bhatt. "He was super-excited. He is 97 now, so we were sceptical whether he would agree to do it. But when we spoke to him, he asked when and where to come for the shoot. Once an actor, always an actor." Madhubala, which premiered last week on Indian TV, tells the story of a girl forced into the world of showbiz. * IANS