How we wish we were privy to the moment(during a live satellite program) when Pak Prez Pervez Musharraf in a personal appeal to Aishwarya Rai, asked her not to act in films that show Pakistan in poor light. "I would request (you) not to act in such films because they will be most unrealistic." He said. Prez Pervez also expressed disdain for Bollywood films that show Pakistan in a poor light. Hope our Bollywood producers are taken note!

Our favorite director Mani Rathnam’s new film is being shot in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously. Ayutha Ezhuthu in Tamil and Yuva in Hindi (starring Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor and Simran).

Attack of the star daughters? Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam is assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his latest film ‘Black’. Moushami Chatterjee’s daughter Megha is hoping to make e debut in a Bollywood movie real soon.

Remember Leena Chandrawarkar? She was married to the late great Kishore Kumar. We are glad to report that she is returning to the big screen with Rajkumar Santoshi's latest where she will act opposite Amitabh Bachchan. She has already sang a song for Karan Razdan's 'Eight'.

Mallika Sherawat is supposed to have replied and emphatic NO to Mahesh Bhatt’s request to undress for his film ‘Murder’. Based loosely on the Hollywood film ‘Unfaithful’ , ‘Murder starts Mallika, Ashmit Patel and Imran Hashmi . The Bhatts are hoping for a hit this time (after the miserable Box Office returns of Paap), but Murder’s music is receiving great reviews already.

After Preity Zinta’s foray into journalism, it is now Manoj Bajpai who is all set to pick up the pen for BBC. He will write a weekly column in Hindi, we hear.

The British audiences is waiting for Gurinder Chaddha's "Bride and Prejudice" Aishwarya and Martin Henderson eagerly. The film will be premiered at the National Arts Cinema in London and the entire star cast is expected to attend the premiere.

The Big Bachhan is ready for Hollywood, we are glad to report. Speaking during an interview in Singapore where he was promoting the International Indian Film Academy awards, (to take place on May 22), he indicated that he would accept only meaningful roles. He also said that he had been approached by Hollywood producers earlier but only to play stereotypical roles such as a Maharaja, a Hindu beggar, or a turban-wearing soldier.

India's most renowned sitar player, Ustad Vilayat Khan, died on Saturday, March 14 at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. He was 76 and had residences in Dehra Dun, India, and Princeton, N.J.

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