Shah Rukh Khan might star with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Rohit Shetty's next project. According to Absolute India, the director has approached the actress to play a lead role in the film. Bachchan hasn't been seen on the big screen since her daughter, Aaradhya, was born in 2011. She last starred with Khan in Devdas in 2002. – The National staff
Craig David and French Montana kick off new clubbing season
The clubbing scene is ramping up. The Moroccan-born American rapper French Montana, responsible for the hip-hop hit Pop That, will launch the latest season of VIP Room On Air club nights at Dubai's J W Marriott Marquis on Thursday. Doors open at 9pm. For bookings, call 052 881 8888, or email bookings@viproom-dubai.com. In Abu Dhabi on the same night, the British R&B crooner Craig David will showcase his DJ skills on at People by Crystal Abu Dhabi, at The Collection within The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. For more information, call 050 826 9698 – The National staff
Thai youth orchestra to play at Emirates Palace
Siam Sinfonietta will give a free concert at Emirates Palace on Sunday. The internationally acclaimed Thai youth orchestra, consisting of 60 musicians, will perform a repertoire blending classic western compositions and pieces by Thai composers. The orchestra have performed at the Los Angeles International Music Festival, New York's Carnegie Hall and Konzerthaus Berlin. Led by Somtow Sucharitkul, the orchestra will debut the conductor's latest piece From the Life of Abu Nuwas, inspired by the life of the well-known Arabic poet. For reservations, call 056 112 1348. – The National staff
Jazz at St Regis offers fun for the whole family
Jazz and food aficionados in Abu Dhabi will have plenty to savour at the inaugural Jazz at St Regis festival. Organised in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York and the St Regis Abu Dhabi, the Corniche hotel will host a three-day programme featuring performances, fine food and family activities. The opening notes will be sounded on October 15 with a midnight-supper performance (doors open at 7pm, show ends by midnight) featuring the Emmy award-winning jazz and blues vocalist Gregory Generet, supported by the night's host, the trumpeter and Jazz at Lincoln Center ambassador Dominick Farinacci. Tickets cost Dh450, including beverages. The following afternoon is the St Regis Family Jazz Day, at which families can meet musicians and children can try playing the instruments. The festival closes on October 17 with the Journeys With Jazz Gala concert featuring the acclaimed vibraphonist Christian Tamburr. Tickets are priced from Dh500 and include soft drinks. For more information, call 02 694 4553 or email restaurants.abudhabi@stregis.com. – The National staff
Newspaper hits back at actress Deepika Padukone
The war of words between The Times of India and Deepika Padukone rumbles on. It started a few weeks ago when one of India's largest daily newspapers tweeted a year-old video of the actress in a low-cut dress with a sensational headline drawing attention to her cleavage. The actress and others criticised the newspaper for its attitudes towards women. Now the paper has hit back with a story bashing the actress for lashing out and talking about the incident to other publications. It suggested that because she has posed in revealing outfits, she had no reason to criticise the newspaper. The actress has yet to respond to the story. – The National staff