Priyanka Chopra's pre-wedding celebrations begin

Priyanka Chopra's friends and family hosted a bridal shower for the Bollywood actress ahead of her wedding with pop singer Nick Jonas here.

Held on Sunday night, Priyanka looked ravishing in an ivory Marchesa dress paired with nude coloured stilettos and a Tiffany & Co. choker. She was seen standing next to silver coloured balloons which read: "Bride".

The photograph was shared by Mimi Cuttrell, who styled Priyanka for the bridal shower and captioned it: "The bride... The brighter version for everyone. "Priyanka Chopra... (Sorry I was too excited when I posted the first picture).

The actress, 36 shared a photograph of herself on her Instagram stories while getting her hair and make-up for the celebration.

She captioned it: "My girls are in town! Any reason to party. Pre-wedding celebrations."

Priyanka and Nick are reportedly getting married at Rajasthan's Mehrangarh Fort in December.

The two got engaged in August in a traditional Roka ceremony at her residence in Mumbai.

Sachin: A Billion Dreams: A glorified account of an over-glorified celeb

Like his book, Tendulkar's biopic is a nostalgic cruise through his career

As I walked out of the cinema hall after watching Sachin: A Billion Dreams, I wondered: Would I have thought differently of this biopic had I not known anything about the person it is based on? James Erskine’s documentary on one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world – one who has achieved a near-deific status in India – went along expected lines.

But was that because I, like many Indians and cricket followers around the world, already knew so much about Sachin Tendulkar? How would someone living under a rock for the last quarter of a century, and did not know who Tendulkar was, have liked it?

Sachin: A Billion Dreams starts off rather nicely, showing us a naughty curly-haired boy of seven or eight years living in Mumbai’s Bandra suburb, getting up to the usual seven-or-eight-year-old boy things like annoying his neighbours with pranks. The boy then receives a cricket bat as a gift from his elder sister, and this is where the story that most Indians and cricket followers already know begins.

This wasn’t the first time I was watching the celluloid adaptation of a story I already knew. I wasn’t, of course, expecting any suspense or plot twists, but I have been far more entertained by some of those other movies where I already knew what was going to happen, than I was by Sachin: A Billion Dreams. Maybe our man under the rock might think differently, but then a story still needs to be told properly, completely and honestly, and this is where Erskine’s attempt is found lacking. (more)

Smartron srt.phone: A fine deal if you are a die-hard Sachin Tendulkar fan

Powerful innards of Smartron's 'all-rounder' smartphone are failed by its many software glitches

Domestic information technology (IT) start-up Smartron, which counts Indian cricket legend Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and former Motorola Mobility Chief Executive Sanjay Jha among its investors, recently launched the srt.phone smartphone, “inspired by the dependable traits of Tendulkar”.

At the launch of srt.phone, the company claimed that the smartphone used the best antennas and other security features that made it an all-rounder. Indeed, Smartron has pleased investors with its manoeuvres to deliver solutions ranging from internet of things (IoT) to smartphones built specifically for Indian consumers. But how does the srt.phone fare against the claims of dependability and the inspiration it apparently draws from one of the tallest role models for India in recent times?

To find out, Business Standard took the device for a spin and tested its real-life performance. Here is an in-depth review of the srt.phone:

Watch the hands-on review here
Design

The srt.phone offers a no-frills design, with rounded edges and curved sides. The smartphone might look appealing, but its polycarbonate built with metallic finish seems to somewhat spoil the experience. The plastic built is not loose or creaky – it fits perfectly on all sides and the matte touch adds to the aesthetics – but the pseudo metallic look was not necessary; it is way too prominent even at the first glance.

The front of the srt.phone is dominated by a 5.5-inch full-HD display protected with Gorilla Glass 3. There are three capacitive keys below the display, but these are without any sign or icon, just three flat dots. These dots acts are the home button and navigation keys. The earpiece along with sensors are placed neatly on the top, next to the front camera. (more)

Brad Pitt in Mumbai to attend War Machine screening, meets Shah Rukh Khan

The 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt is in India to promote his latest film, the Netflix satire "War Machine".

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan will be moderating a special chat session here with Pitt, in which the two actors will discuss the project.

In the movie, the 53-year-old actor plays a US General posted in Afghanistan.

Directed by David Michod, of "Animal Kingdom" fame, the Netflix Original film is inspired by the book "The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan" by late journalist Michael Hastings.

An investment in the range of $60 million also makes it Netflix's biggest-budget feature to date.

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Surprise! Brad Pitt in India to promote 'War Machine'

Pitt's character is loosely based on General Stanley A McChrystal, a retired United States Army general best-known for his command of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

His last assignment was as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, US Forces Afghanistan.

Hastings's blistering profile on McChrystal led to his firing by Obama.

Pitt's company Plan B is also one of the producers of the film.

The first big-budget Hollywood movie on Netflix will be released on May 26.

Bollywood's smiling mom Reema Lagoo passes away in Mumbai

Lagoo, who had played on screen mother to Salman and Shah Rukh, died of a cardiac arrest, she was 59

Actress Reema Lagoo, best known for playing the modern-day Bollywood mother in films such as "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!" and "Kal Ho Na Ho", passed away at a hospital here today. She was 59.

Lagoo, who came to represent the antithesis of the mournful white sari-clad mother of Hindi cinema through her roles, died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of the morning at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

She was admitted to the hospital late last night after she complained of chest pain, the hospital's Executive Director Ram Narain told PTI.

She is survived by her daughter Mrunmayee, who is also a theatre and film actress as well as a theatre director.

From Amitabh to Aamir, Madhuri Dixit, Bollywood mourns Reema Lagoo's sudden demise

Lagoo's son-in-law Vinay Waikul told PTI, "She was complaining of chest pain so we took her to the hospital at around 1 AM. She passed away due to a heart attack around 3.15 AM.

"She was perfectly fine and had no health issues... So it is really shocking for all of us that she is no more with us."

Tributes poured in as the news of her sudden death spread.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Lagoo as a versatile actor who left a big impact in the film and TV world. "Her demise is saddening. My deepest condolences," he tweeted.

Born in Mumbai, Lagoo's acting career spanned almost four decades. She started her career with Marathi theatre.

She was just 30 when she came to the limelight as Juhi Chawla's mother in Mansoor Khan's hit film "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak". Read more

IT job cuts: Up to 600,000 engineers likely to be laid off in next 3 years

McKinsey & Company report says half of IT workforce will be irrelevant over the next 3-4 years

Executive search firm Head Hunters India said the job cuts in IT sector will be between 1.75 lakh and 2 lakh annually for next three years due to under-preparedness in adapting to newer technologies.

"Contrary to media reports of 56,000 IT professionals to lose jobs this year, the actual job cuts will be between 1.75 lakh and 2 lakh per year in next three years, due to under- preparedness in adapting to newer technologies," Head Hunters India Founder-Chairman and MD K Lakshmikanth told PTI, analysing a report submitted by McKinsey & Company at the Nasscom India Leadership Forum on February 17.

McKinsey & Company report had said nearly half of the workforce in the IT services firms will be "irrelevant" over the next 3-4 years.

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McKinsey India Managing Director Noshir Kaka had also said the bigger challenge ahead for the industry will be to retrain 50-60 per cent of the workforce as there will be a significant shift in technologies. The industry employs 3.9 million people and the majority of them have to be retrained.

"So, when we analyse these figures, it is clear that 30 to 40 per cent of the workforce cannot be retrained or re- skilled. So, assume that half of this workforce can continue to work on old skills, then balance will become redundant.

"So, the number of people who will become redundant in the next three years will be about five to six lakhs. This will workout to, on a average, between 1.75 lakh to 2 lakh per year for next three years," Lakshmikanth explained. Read more

From Mumbai to the Oscars — 8-year-old Sunny Pawar’s incredible journey

The 89th Academy Awards may be over, but the internet cannot get enough of eight-year-old Sunny Pawar. The Indian child actor who acted in the Oscar-nominated movie Lion starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman was a huge hit with the stars at the awards. Host Jimmy Kimmel even went on to pick Sunny up in his arms.

Sunny, who plays the role of Saroo Brierley, the younger version of Dev Patel, joined the Slumdog Millionaire actor on stage while he introduced their film. Lion is the true story of a young child who is separated from his family and later gets adopted by an Australian family. When he grows up, he uses Google Earth to find his parents.

Sunny used phonetics to learn and speak English as he speaks only Hindi. Initially, director Garth Davis had to struggle a bit, but only until Sunny overcame the obstacles with hard work. Garth and casting director Kristy McGregor went through over 2,000 tapes and zeroed in on Sunny for this role. In an interview with Vulture, Garth said, "For me, when I’m looking at all the kids, anyone who kind of touched that place in me, I thought we were getting close. But it was never a bull’s-eye, really, until one day, this little Sunny came into the room and he was kind of pretty instant for me."

Actor Dev Patel, in his chat with Daily Telegraph, had to say this about Sunny, "He’s our little mascot on this movie. For him, he’d never been on a plane before or seen a Hollywood film and now he’s leading this big movie. He’s so beautifully innocent and that’s why you get such a beautiful performance from him. He’s just really enjoying it."

Though Sunny is passionate about choosing acting as a career option, he is also interested in becoming an IPS officer and joining the Mumbai Police. He loves WWE and is very keen on attending a match soon, which he missed during his press tours. Otherwise, this adorable little actor likes to eat and sleep.

Read more : 'Lion' king Sunny Pawar gets royal reception in Mumbai

Mumbai's young 'Lion' Sunny Pawar meets The Rock, Triple H other WWE stars

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See Pics: Vin Diesel moves rhythmically to LUNGI Dance

Vin Diesel seems to have enjoyed each moment of his during his first visit of him to India.

Deepika Padukone, Vin Diesel-starrer Hollywood film, xXx: Return Of Xander Cage is what everyone is talking about, as Vin is in India for the premiere of the film.

Deepika Padukone is all set to make her Hollywood debut with xXx Return of Xander Cage.

Not only this, at the star-studded premiere, Deepika's boyfriend Ranveer Singh, her Padmavati co-star Shahid Kapoor, Irrfan Khan,

Ranveer put in a rockstar appearance at the premiere to support Deepika. He did not shy away from calling it his proud moment

See more pics

Vin Diesel landed in Mumbai to promote xXx

Deepika Padukone & Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel received a rousing reception when he landed in Mumbai to promote his forthcoming release xXx: Return of the Xander Cage

The American actor was accompanied by co-star Deepika Padukone, who is making her Hollywood debut with xXx, and director DJ Caruso.

Diesel looked excited as he waved out to the media and to the crowd there with much gusto.

See More Photos Click Here :

The much awaited Hollywood action flick 'xXx

People have been waiting for Vin Diesel to join Deepika Padukone in India for the promotions of the flick and finally the day is here!


The two will be arriving in aamchi Mumbai today, after completing their London promotional tour.

As per the schedule, they would be attending a special event at High Street Phoenix Courtyard, 5:00 pm onwards.

It doesn't end here, the latest musical sensation and the much loved, DJ Nucleya has been roped in to make the stars and the fans groove to his electrifying beats! This crowd event is open to all those who are waiting to grab a sight of the actors!

On the same note, DJ Nucleya has built up his name as one of the biggest electronic music artists in the country.

SRK starrer Raees' release date changed, to clash with Hrithik's Kaabil yet again!

Rakesh Roshan had changed Hrithik Roshan starrer Kaabil’s release date in order to avert the big clash with 'Raees'.

With just few hours to go for the trailer launch of Shah Rukh Khan’s much awaited film ‘Raees’, fans are sitting on the edge of their chairs, waiting patiently. While you are glued to your computer screens and are counting minutes for the trailer, you will not have to wait that long for the film.

Yes, Shah Rukh starrer Raees’ release date has been changed and the good news is, it’s releasing a day prior its schedule. Instead of January 26, ‘Raees’ will hit the theatres on January 25.

In case you’re wondering that these are just thin rumours, let us tell you that the makers had arranged a special screening of the trailer for the media and the new release date was clearly mentioned in it.

Now this comes as a surprise since Rakesh Roshan had changed Hrithik Roshan starrer Kaabil’s release date to January 25, in order to avert the big clash with ‘Raees’ but seems like the war is still on!

It’ll be exciting to see who rules the box office as it’s yet again ‘Raees’ vs ‘Kaabil’ since both the films have preponed the release date of their films.

Directed by Rahul Dholakia and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Excel Entertainment, the movie also features Mahira Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

SRK looks fierce in new 'Raees' poster.

Jealous Neighbour Killed Nurse In Mumbai With Acid Attack, Says Court

Man who threw acid on Delhi nurse convicted for murder

A young woman who moved to Mumbai to work as a nurse in the navy was murdered by an acid attack inflicted by her jealous neighbour, a court has ruled today.

Preeti Rathi, 23, who was from Delhi, was to begin work at a naval hospital in Mumbai in 2013. She had just reached the city after an overnight train journey with her father when a man tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned around, he flung acid at her and disappeared.

Ankur Panwar was arrested nearly a year later. His family lived next door to Ms Rathi's in Delhi. The police said he was jealous of her success and frustrated by his family goading him about being unemployed while lauding Ms Rathi as a success. So he allegedly took the same train to Mumbai that the Rathis were on, attacked the young woman, and then boarded another train departing Mumbai.

He will be sentenced tomorrow.

"Preeti had told her friend in hospital that Ankur used to harass her in Delhi and even tried to propose marriage to her. When she refused his advances, that's when he decided to teach her a lesson," said special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. "I will ask for the maximum sentence, that's the death penalty."(more)

Read more: Preeti Rathi acid attack case: Accused held guilty of murder