Ranbir Kapoor gets annoyed at Barfi press conference

Plus, Madhur Bhandarkar joins the jury of the Cairo film festival; Boujemaa talks hopes for Arab cinema; Big B meets Judi Dench.

Ranbir Kapoor promotes his film Barfi at R City Mall in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, on Saturday. IANS

Ranbir Kapoor gets annoyed at Barfi press conference

The actor Ranbir Kapoor walked out of a Mumbai press conference on Saturday, held to promote Barfi, his new film. Bombarded by questions from reporters about his rumoured relationship with his co-star Ileana D'Cruz, the 29-year-old star said: "If your question is 'How did your feel working with Anurag Basu (director)?', then I will respect you. But if you ask me questions such as 'Are you having an affair with Ileana?' then you will lose my respect. I would like you to ask me questions about my work." Barfi is scheduled to be released in the UAE on Thursday. - IANS

Bhandarkar joins jury of Cairo film festival

The Indian director Madhur Bhandarkar has been tapped to join the jury of the 35th Cairo International Film Festival, to be held from November 27 to December 6. "I'm delighted to be a part of the jury," said the 46-year-old filmmaker. "I love the festival's theme this year, 'Positive Thinking, Revolution and Freedom'." A retrospective of some of Bhandarkar's films was held at the Cairo film festival in 2010. He is currently promoting his latest film Heroine, starring Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal, which will be released in India on September 21. - IANS

Boujemaa talks hopes for Arab cinema

The Tunisian director Hinde Boujemaa, whose documentary Ya Man Aach (It Was Better Tomorrow; pictured) was screened at the recent Venice film festival, says Arab cinema is witnessing a wave of creativity. "There is something about revolution that gives you energy. It makes you want to talk and explore," she said. "I have a lot of hope for Arab cinema. There are new ways of seeing things." Boujemaa's film was shot during and after the Tunisian revolution in January last year and focuses on a divorced mother struggling to hold on to her children. - AFP

Big B meets Judi Dench

Amitabh Bachchan was introduced to Dame Judi Dench at the book launch of the renowned Indian designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla at Sotheby's in London during the weekend. The two veteran stars were the event's special guests. "She was a delight – soft-spoken, a keen listener and a complete sport even when the host of the evening mispronounced her name as 'Dame Bench'!" Bachchan said. The book launch was followed by a charity auction, which included some of Bachchan's and Dench's personal items. - IANS

Luthria reunites with Saif Ali Khan

The filmmaker Milan Luthria will reunite with the actor Saif Ali Khan nearly 13 years after they first worked together in the 1999 hit action thriller Kachche Dhaage. The yet-to-be-titled film is produced by Bhushan Kumar and will be shot in Mumbai. "Saif has signed on. We'll begin shooting in April. We've shortlisted a few actresses for the film, too. It will be full of romance and action," said Luthria, who is currently wrapping up the crime drama Once Upon a Time Again, headlined by Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. - IANS