Shah Rukh to invite barbers, hairstylists for Billu premiere

In a move to appease the Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan is planning to invite various barbers and hairstylists for the premiere of Billu, which was earlier titled Billu Barber.

"As far as I know, Shah Rukh is planning a premiere for the various barbers and hairdressers' associations, so they'd see and know that the film doesn't ridicule them in any way. In fact, the film is a homage to the hair-cutting technique. I can't understand how there can be a protest about the film or its title without anyone seeing the film," Priyadarshan told IANS.

According to Priyadarshan, Shah Rukh is not inviting friends from the industry for the screening.

The film was earlier titled 'Billu Barber', but when Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai objected to the use of the word "barber" in the title, Shah Rukh, who is producing the film and making a guest appearance, decided to change it.

"I'm in Chennai. Shah Rukh Khan tells me all the posters hoarding with credits will blacken out the word 'barber'. If it was hurting anyone's sentiments, I'm okay by it," Priyadarshan said.

He wonders how the word 'barber' could be okay in other languages and not in Hindi.

"Does it mean half the Indian population is not put off by the title and the other half is upset about it? I don't understand the controversy. And I've left it entirely to Shah Rukh to deal with it."

The director has no plans of being in Mumbai for the release of Billu. "I've done my best. And Irrfan Khan in the title role is the best homage that can be paid to any profession."

Priyan does wonder, and so do we, if we as a collective nation protest too much.

Irrfan Khan plays the title role and is paired with Lara Dutta in the film, which is releasing Friday. Shah Rukh will make a guest appearance along with Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.

Trisha and Kamal together in Milan!

Trisha will share the dais with Kamal very soon, though not the screen space so far! Milan 2009, a national-level cultural fest organized by the SRM University, will be kick started by film stars Trisha and Kamal Haasan.

This two day fest will begin on 13th February. Several students across the Indian States are expected to participate in this event. On the last day of the fest (15th February 2009) Singer Asha Bhosle will distribute the Sivaji Ganesan awards to the winners.

Pathan brothers lead India to victory

World champions India relied on a late blitzkrieg by Pathan brothers Yusuf and Irfan to snatch a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the one-off Twenty20 International on Tuesday. Chasing a stiff target of 172, Irfan (33 not out) and Yusuf (22 not out) scored 59 runs from 25 balls in the tense final moments to steer India home in a pulsating floodlit contest at the Premadasa Stadium.

Suresh Raina (35) and Yuvraj Singh (32) were the other notable performers for the visitors as India capped their brief tour of Sri Lanka with a stunning victory in the Twenty20 game in addition to their 4-1 ODI series triumph.

Earlier, captain Tillakaratne Dilshan led from the front, smashing his maiden half century to guide Sri Lanka to 171 for four after he won the toss and elected to bat. Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya contributed a quickfire 17-ball 33 in the first Twenty20 match between the two sides.

Yaavarum Nalam To Release On March 6

Maddy, the choco-chap of Kollywood has completely lost his mania down here. His flimsy quotient is that about not picking the right scripts. Also, he kept on donning exceptional roles and that turned away guys and gals away from him. At the moment, the actor has lots and lots of Bollywood offers. He is shooting now for Aamir Khan’s ‘3 Idiots’, Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Teen Age Patti’ and ‘Sikandar’.

Already he has completed shooting for the bilingual film ‘13B’ and in Tamil titled as ‘Yaavarum Nalam’. Directed by Vikram, the film is produced by ADLABS. Thought it isn’t a film about devil and ghosts, the film is all about more horripilation. The film will release on March 6 in both Tamil and Hindi…

Deepika says Asin and Anushka deserve it!

Deepika Padukone thinks that both Asin and Anushka deserve a FilmFare award this year. Though the Om Shanti Om girl may not be in the race for this year’s FilmFare, the lady was adjudged the Best Debutant last year. Deepika says that Asin’s performance was brilliant in Ghajini and Anushka’s role in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was equally good.

Moving on from the failure of Chandni Chowk To China, Deepika is currently is busy with Love Aaj Kal starring opposite Saif Ali Khan. This film is expected to release later this year.

Actress Nayanthara Ban Cancelled

Actress Nayanthara who has been banned by Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and Nadigar Sangam from Tamil movies on 7th February can now be happy, since ban on her has been lifted by Tamil Film Producers Council and the South India Film Actors Association.

But still it not clear that Nayanthara has paid the advance amount she received for the movie Paiyaa.

Earlier, Nayanthara was banned since she did not pay back producer and director Lingusamy the advance amount Rs 15 lakhs which she had paid for his movie Paiyaa.

Subash Chandra, the producer of Paiyya has lodged a complaint against her in TFPC and action has been taken against it. Now TFPC have also requested the Telugu and Malayalam producers association to cooperate with them and not to sign Nayantharan for any further films untill they receive further announcements from TFPC.