Shreya Ghoshal coming to Dubai
The popular Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal will perform in a concert on October 26 at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena. Ghoshal, who has won four National Awards in India, has performed countless songs for Bollywood films including recent hits such as Ek Tha Tiger, Ishaqzaade, Agneepath and The Dirty Picture. The 28-year-old will be taking the stage for a three-hour show along with her 20-member troupe of backup singers and musicians. Tickets cost from Dh175 and can be purchased at www.timeoutickets.com. For more information, call 050 698 4599 or visit www.facebook.com/ShreyaGhoshalDubai.
Akshay Kumar has a baby girl
The Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and his wife, Twinkle Khanna, have announced the birth of their second child. On Tuesday, the actor tweeted that his new daughter "looks just like her mother and grandmother and I have no words to express my happiness". The couple, who got married in 2001, also have a 10-year-old boy. Kumar has been acting for nearly 20 years. Khanna, a former actress, is the daughter of two Bollywood actors – Dimple Kapadia and the late Rajesh Khanna. * AP
Vedhika Kumar stars in Bala Pazhanisaamy's new film
The actress Vedhika Kumar says it was a dream come true to work with the director Bala Pazhanisaamy in his new film Paradesi, a period drama based on the Malayalam novel Eriyum Thanal. Kumar says her biggest challenge was living up to the expectations of the veteran filmmaker. "I still cannot believe that I was the chosen one for Paradesi. I didn't want to let him down. But he made it really easy – he knows how to extract the right kind of work from his artists," says Kumar. "It is now my most favourite project and it was an unforgettable journey working with a National Award-winning director." Paradesi, which will be released in India in November, also features the Tamil actor Adharvaa Murali. * IANS
Vivek Oberoi plans follow-up to Dekh Indian Circus
The actor Vivek Oberoi, whose debut production Dekh Indian Circus earned accolades at international film festivals last year, plans to produce another film. "I believe if people have interesting ideas and if you are in a position to support them, you should do it," says the 36-year-old. "There is another film I hope to produce soon. It is based in Gujarat. I may even act in it." Oberoi, who is awaiting the arrival of his first child with his wife, Priyanka Alva, says film production is "stuff that I do for myself, something I enjoy doing". Dekh Indian Circus chronicles the life of a family living in a village in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The movie, featuring Tannishtha Chatterjee, premiered at South Korea's 16th Busan International Film Festival and won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film. Chatterjee and the actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui went on to win top honours at the 12th New York Indian Film Festival. Oberoi is currently awaiting the release of his new film, Kismet Love Paisa Dilli, which stars Mallika Sherawat. The movie will be released in India on October 5. * IANS