Yash Chopra's last film promoted in hometown

Plus Anees Bazmee to direct Sohail Khan, Hard Kaur champions non-film albums and Muddapu Rambabu talks about Tarak Ratna's role in Bhaktha Siriyala.

The actors Anushka Sharma, Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif have visted Yash Chopra's hometown of Jalandhar, Punjab, to promote Jab Tak Hai Jaan. AFP

The cast of Yash Chopra's last film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, has begun movie promotions in the late director's hometown of Jalandhar, Punjab. "His wish was to start off the promotions there and then to move out to other cities," said a statement from the film's production company. The film's lead stars, Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif, held a press conference yesterday in Jalandhar and also visited the college where Chopra studied to inaugurate a new media course the school has established in honour of the veteran director. Chopra died on October 21 at age 80. He had completed the shooting of Jab Tak Hai Jaan apart from one song number. The film is out in Indian cinemas on Tuesday, which is also Diwali. - IANS

Anees Bazmee to direct Sohail Khan

The filmmaker Anees Bazmee has revealed he is in talks to direct the actor Sohail Khan in a forthcoming project. "I was in Cochin this weekend and I had a chat with Sohail. If things fall in place, we will soon be collaborating and making a film together, though it's too early to talk about any details right now," said Bazmee. "Right now he's busy with filming Sher Khan and I'm busy shooting No Entry Mein Entry. Once we're done with our individual films, then we can talk more about it." Talking about the progress of No Entry Mein Entry, the sequel to his 2005 hit comedy No Entry, the director said: "Right now we have only finalised the lead actors, which are Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Fardeen Khan. We are in the process of casting the rest." - IANS

Hard Kaur champions non-film albums

The hip-hop singer Hard Kaur says that even though non-film music has lost its popularity in India, musicians should not stop producing it. Kaur has just released a new album, PLAY - Party Loud All Year, produced by Sony Music. "Although the Bollywood stuff pays for our bread and butter, I'm still doing the non-film songs. At the end of the day, we are artists and our heart is in music, not just composing tracks for movies," said the 33-year-old singer. "So to other musicians out there, please keep doing your thing. If you have your own non-film albums to release, do so. For the fans, please support our work." - IANS

Rambabu talks new film, lead star

The Telugu director Muddapu Rambabu says Tarak Ratna's role in his new mythological thriller Bhaktha Siriyala could be a milestone in the actor's career. "This role will definitely be very special in Tarak's career. He plays the role of a pious Shiva devotee who embarks on a journey that tests his devotion and courage," Rambabu said. Ratna, who's acted in several Telugu films in a career spanning a decade, hasn't had a noteworthy hit to date. "Bhaktha Siriyal may be the one that will make people remember him," said the filmmaker. The movie also stars Narayana Rao and Prasanna Kumar. - IANS