Today in Bollywood: Bachchans do Bhojpuri film for free

Plus Abu Dhabi to host International Emmys judging, Barfi selected for Busan film festival and Madhuri Dexit returns to the big screen.

Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor's film Barfil will screet at the Busan Internatioal Film Festival next month. Pawan Singh / The National

Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya have begun shooting the Bhojpuri film Ganga Devi, directed by Abhishek Chaddha. The 69-year-old Bachchan said he and his wife are doing the film for free as a show of support to Bollywood's tiny counterpart in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. The movie is being produced by Deepak Sawant, who has been Bachchan's long-time make-up artist. "He has been with me for 35 years and never ever missed a single day. He started with humble beginnings," said Bachchan. "Such individuals who do Bhojpuri films that have limited releases need all the encouragement. I work for him and never charge - it's not a monetary matter for me. His contribution to cinema is greater than any fees." Asked how it was to work alongside his wife, Bachchan quipped: "My behaviour changes. There are lots of restrictions. There's always a sense of discipline - or else, when I go back home, the situation goes out of control." - IANS

Abu Dhabi to host International Emmys judging

For the third consecutive year, the International Academy of Arts & Sciences and Pyramedia, one of the Middle East's leading entertainment companies, will host one of the semi-final judging sessions for the 40th International Emmy Awards in Abu Dhabi during several dates this month. The judging panel, comprises of 12 prominent media figures in the region, will be hosted at the entertainment hub twofour54. "We're delighted to be coming back to Abu Dhabi again," said Jessica Franco, a judging coordinator for the Emmys. "The Academy's interest in holding judging panels in Abu Dhabi is a clear indication of the capital's success in advancing the local media and film industry." The International Emmys ceremony will be held on February in New York.

Barfi selected for Busan film festival

The director Anurag Basu's new film Barfi has been selected for the 17th edition of the Busan International Film Festival. The romantic comedy revolves around a fun-loving deaf-mute boy, played by Ranbir Kapoor, and an autistic girl, played by Priyanka Chopra. The two actors were in Dubai last week to promote the movie, set to premiere in the UAE on September 13. "This is another good news today for the Barfi team and our fans: we got selected! Thank you," Basu posted on Twitter. The Busan festival, considered one of the most significant film events in Asia, will be held from October 4 to 13. - IANS

Madhuri Dixit eyes comeback in Gulab Gang

The actress Madhuri Dixit is making her Bollywood comeback in Gulab Gang, for which the filmmaker Anubhav Sinha puts on the producer's hat for the first time. "The film has something for everyone - there's song and dance, as well as drama and action sequences. I'm excited to start shooting in October," said Dixit. The 45-year-old star was last seen on the big screen in 2007's Aaja Nachle. She took a break from Bollywood to move to the US to marry her long-time partner Shriram Nene. She also revealed she has signed on to another project, Vishal Bhardwaj's Dedh Ishqiya, a sequel to the 2010 comedy thriller. On Gulab Gang's release date, Sinha said: "I'm hoping to premiere the film on March 8, 2013, on International Women's Day, since the movie is all about powerful women in Indian society." - IANS