No, I haven't but I am dying to see it. I really have no time right now as I'm shooting. But I would love to see it as soon as possible. I have been hearing a lot about the film and that it deserves an Oscar. My best wishes to Harishchandrachi Factory.

He may not be fighting the battle of being one of the contenders for the Top-5 actors that we have in the industry today. Still, Ajay Devgn has made a definite place for himself with two decades of hard work and a line up of films that could make majority of actors nervous. Starting off his career as an action hero with multiple hits like Phool Aur Kaante, Jigar, Divyashakti and Vijaypath, Ajay is today known as one of the few versatile actors that we have in the industry today.

"Yes, in a way I am lucky that I can do action, comedy, drama or an emotional film. This is what keeps me going. Working in a similar genre for years can't really work for you all the time. You have to bring in a change in your approach towards making films and this is what I strive for. I know for sure that not many actors and stars are capable of being versatile today. This way, I am blessed", says Ajay whose London Dreams has seen a steady progress at the box office ever since it's opening.

With films like All The Best, London Dreams, Rajneeti, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Priyadarshan's next, Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge, Toonpur Ka Superhero and a sequel to Golmaal or All The Best in his kitty, his statement does make sense. After all, the man is enjoying his status as an actor who can work in movies belonging to diverse genres.

Coming back to London Dreams, with critic reviews going in the favour of the film and audiences too giving a thumbs-up to this Vipul Shah venture, it is now Ajay's second film in quick succession that has brought smiles back for the industry. From a slapstick comedy All The Best, was it the confidence of getting into a different kind of 'home territory' with an intense role in the offering that made him go for London Dreams?

"I really don't know what exactly is like being in a 'home territory'", smiles Ajay, "I knew for sure that London Dreams is a kind of an intense film and since I have done quite a few successful films with a similar requirement in the past, perhaps audiences were expecting me to do well again. But yes, London Dreams did bring in a different dimension of intensity."

Can he elaborate on this?

"See, every film has a different dimension regardless of the genre that it belongs to. Every script has its own dimension and every actor or a director looks at it in a different way. Vipul and I envisaged the character of Arjun and his placement in London Dreams in a particular way and this is what is reflected on screen", he explains.

Ajay Devgn What was the kind of vision that he and his friend/director Rohit Shetty had when it came to making All The Best? It was pretty much a scary Friday leading to stable weekdays for the comic entertainer. Had he actually bargained for that over the Diwali weekend?

"Pretty much so", promptly replies Ajay, "We were very much prepared that All The Best would take a slow start on the day of it's release. Even the distributors assured us that they weren't worried since family films take time to find their share of audiences. Moreover, this being a Diwali weekend, masses were expected to drop in once the festivities were through. That's what exactly happened in case of All The Best and results are there for all to see."

Another factor working in the favour of the film was unanimously good reviews that the film fetched.

"Yes, that really helped though we were quite sure about this", says Ajay, "We knew that we had a decent film that catered to all kind of audiences. Comedies do tend to bring in some double meaning dialogues but there wasn't anything like that in case of All The Best. We were confident that our effort would be appreciated."

No wonder, his association with Rohit Shetty is being labelled as a reliable actor-director 'jodi'. Do we see a modern day replacement of Priyadarshan in Rohit here?

"Hey, don't compare him with anybody", Ajay is quick to comment, "Yes, Rohit has a knack of comedy and that reflects in his work. Success of films like All The Best, Golmaal Returns and Golmaal is a testimony to that. Moreover, he also has a contemporary bent of mind which further gives him an edge. However, it would be unfair to compare him with anyone. Let his work talks for itself."

Meanwhile, what happens to his own directorial outing? It has been quite some time since U Me Aur Hum came and industry is waiting for him to announce his next.

"I am still working on my next film", says Ajay, "People do ask me a question that since I started with an action film (Phool Aur Kaante), would I be directing an action film next? Well, I am yet to lock on it and would be making an announcement at a later stage."

"I never do what everyone is doing. My work talks for itself. I have never got into this 'everyone' business and herd mentality. I always did what I felt like and when I felt like. So it was not a trend that I followed and returned to comedy because it clicks nowadays," Santoshi told IANS in an interview.

"Since the beginning I have been one of the trendsetters. When I made an action film like 'Ghayal', people were making more of love stories. Then when I made a comedy with 'Andaz Apna Apna', no one was making comedies at that time.

"So for me my decision to make a particular film depends on my frame of mind and the kind of subject I touch. Nothing else," he added.

Santoshi, who started his career with Sunny Deol's "Ghayal" in 1990, forayed into comedy with "Andaz Apna Apna", starring Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, in 1994. Later he went on to make dramatic and serious films like "Ghatak", "Pukar", "Lajja", "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and "Halla Bol".

Now after one and a half decades, the filmmaker is again exploring comedy with "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", starring Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor in the lead.

So why such a different name for a film?

"I suggested this name. If you see my career, you will notice that I have always kept a name that talks about the subject. So in this film too, Prem is the hero's name and it is a love story and love encompasses strange situations and emotions, so the name of the film completely compliments the subject," he said.

Asked to throw light on his decision to cast Ranbir and Katrina, the director said: "Katrina and Ranbir were my original choices for this film. Both are young and I am making a young love story so who else should I cast? They suit the role completely. They were apt for it."

"Both of them have given extremely good performances. Both Ranbir and Katrina are talented people and believe in hard work. I am very happy with their work," he added.

Santoshi also revealed that like most of his films "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" also conveys a message.

"This film too will convey a message in its own subtle way. I'm trying to say something through this medium that the audiences will come to know when they watch the film," he said.

The romantic comedy is slated to release Nov 6.

Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, who belongs to a family of great actors and filmmakers, says while his mother Neetu Kapoor is his biggest fan, his father Rishi Kapoor is his biggest critic.

“My mom is my biggest fan, but my father is my biggest critic,” Ranbir told IANS.

“He is someone who will call a spade a spade and is not afraid of hurting anyone because he is very correct when opinions are concerned and I am really happy that I have someone like him in my life who will tell me when I’m bad and when I’m good,” he said.

Ranbir, who has acted in films like “Saawariya”, “Bachna Ae Haseeno” and “Wake UP Sid” will be next seen opposite Katrina Kaif in the romantic comedy “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani”, slated to release Nov 6.

“I am very scared of doing comedies. I always wonder: will I ever be able to do it or not. But I still want to try it some day. I want to come out of my comfort zone and try to do something I don’t find easy,” said Mahie.

The actress will be exploring various genres in upcoming films like “Paan Singh Tomar”, “Dabang”, “Bhaang”, “Surmai Shaam” and “Gulaab Gang” among others.

“Kurbaan was hard work. Period. In fact, the Philadelphia schedule was plain hell. It wasn’t anything like a picnic shooting for the film,” shudders Saif, who is glad that the film is complete and ready for release.

Saif says, “It gets dark there at 4 p.m. itself. Moreover, it’s so cold and at minus 10 degrees it can actually get really depressing. Since we were shooting in sync sound, it was extremely difficult to get the pitch and tone right while delivering our dialogues.”

The film by Rensil D’Souza also stars Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, Om Puri and Kirron Kher and will be released Nov 20.

It was during the shoot of the film that Saif and Kareena got news of the terror attack in Mumbai last year. “Because of that, it was so difficult to concentrate on the film’s shoot. Thankfully, Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) was there with me at that time but still both of us were very depressed,” says Saif.

As it was quite cold in Philadelphia, Saif and Kareena were required to wear layers of clothing. Later, for continuity purpose, they had to wear the same clothes in the summer of Mumbai.

Saif and others also had a hard time adjusting to the locations chosen for the film’s shoot.

“We were shooting in a tube and that’s anything but fun,” he remembers. “We had to shoot a subway sequence but being in a tube for hours at a stretch is like being in an underground prison. Really, it is very disorienting. Who says shooting for a film is like being in a picnic? ‘Kurbaan’ certainly wasn’t one.”

When asked to name one film which was fun to shoot, Saif talks of Abbas-Mustan-directed “Race”.

“Now that’s what I call as a real picnic”, he says. “Doing the film was quite easy since the working hours were quite comfortable while locations were nice, easy and comfortable. It was really simple work and I enjoyed a lot. It was really entertaining to drive fast cars, saying cool lines, be a hero and stuff alike.

“On the other hand, ‘Kurbaan’ has me playing this complicated character which only makes it further difficult for an actor.”

Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor- This was one pairing which has just started showing signs of being an established 'jodi' on the big screen. Their 'Jab We Met' had become a good hit but much more than just box office outcome, what was loved most was the endearing presence of a couple that seemed to have got the nuances right for a romcom, a term which pretty much got coined in the context of Bollywood cinema post Imtiaz Ali packaged the whole love story genre in an entirely different manner. The same 'jodi' which was lynched for being supremely uneven in 'Fida' was now the darling of the masses, classes as well as the media. The forgettable past of 'Chup Chup Ke' was best left buried and it was time to herald a new pairing which could well have picked up from where Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol (in their younger days) had left.

Alas, that was never meant to be the case as the world is aware about the incidents that led to Shahid and Kareena 'jodi' going kaput once the release of 'Jab We Met' was round the corner. The film worked, even the 'jodi' did but the hopes of all those dozen odd film makers who were hoping to cash in on this new found success of the two Kapoors were in for a disappointment.

Amidst all these unfortunate turn of events, there was one film maker who was in the middle of all the action. He was Boney Kapoor, the man who could actually get into the Hall of Fame if he could ever finish and release his film inside a year. Call it sheer mishap but just like so many of his films in the past, he too had his 'Milenge Milenge' beginning much before 'Jab We Met' and is now seeing signs of revival two years later. The situation has pretty much changed for the film during half a decade that has gone in the making of the film.

Alas, in the absence of concrete announcement around the release of the film, there have been speculations galore around Shahid and Kareena giving their nod to the promotion of the film. Today, even for an average budget film with lesser stars, a round of radio stations, TV studios, print media, and website stations and even straight on to the roads is the bare minimum for any film to be noticed. It's a 24X7 job, literally. In such a scenario, getting the two superstars on a platform even alone, let aside together, was imagined to be a humungous task for the makers.

One may well have chosen to believe all these rumors to be true considering the fact that no love seemed to have most between the 'once in love jodi'. However, all speculations could well come to an end now since Kareena is well declaring that there was never any war per se to begin with.

"Really, I can't help if media chooses to report things based on their whims and fancies. When did I ever say that I won't be working with Shahid? In fact I loved Shahid in 'Kaminey'. He was superb there. Our personal equation can't define our professional relationship. Whatever has happened in the past and could take place in future, I will always be Shahid's well wisher", Kareena sets the record straight as she makes her stance clear about the boundaries around her personal and professional life.

Now this was the easy part, since one does expect a superstar of her stature to respect her professional commitments. However, things may well be a little different when it comes to the matters of heart. While she may well be game for talking about 'Milenge Milenge', would she be equally enthusiastic doing so on the same platform with Shahid Kapoor? Quite a tricky situation since the film is a love story and it may be counter productive for the movie if they are not seen together and talking in unison.

"These are things that are just written and talked about for effect. I have absolutely no problems sharing stage with Shahid for the film's promotion. When I am willing to do films with him, why would I hesitate from the promotional perspective? I also heard recently that I had said 'no' to shooting for a music video with him to promote 'Milenge Milenge'. Now someone has to tell me where did that come from? Was any quote of mine seen anywhere? Puhleeze, I am there for the makers whenever they call me", Kareena quashes another rumor.

The two have moved on in life and doing extremely good for themselves personally as well as professionally. They won't end up saying 'Milenge Milenge' for sure but it would be worth a treat, if they end up doing that at least in front of the camera for many more years to come. Amen!

"I have been in my 40s since a few years now and I gracefully accept the age. But honestly, I feel like I am just 25 or 26 except for the physical problems I've had in my past year," Shah Rukh told reporters here.

"Maybe I look older, but then when I look younger, people say I get plastic surgeries done to my face. When I look old, they say I am over and done with. But the fact is that when I sleep well, I look young and when I don't get enough sleep, I look old," he quipped.

The actor underwent an arthroscopic surgery for acute pain in his left shoulder here in February and was on a forced break to recuperate completely. But he promises to make up for his absence.

"I am a workaholic, but in the last year I couldn't do much due to my shoulder problem, my team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't do too well and I shot for just one film 'My Name Is Khan'. My injury also pulled me down in terms of my endorsements but I had time to introspect and spend a quieter time at home and with my children.

"I feel more energetic and happy now and totally ready for a comeback with many projects in the next two years after this one year break," added Shah Rukh.

Apart from work, he wants to do good to society by "doing something for youngsters, underprivileged girls and talk to 16- 17-year-old children who are on the threshold of voting for the government and lead the world forward".

"I don't know whether I want to join an NGO or something of the likes, but in my heart, I have this strong feeling that I want to give something back to society," he said.

Among his forthcoming films are "My Name Is Khan", Farah Khan's "Happy New Year", "Don 2", but he says he is most keen to work in a superhero film, which is he is designing on his own.

"I was out of work for two and a half years because of my shoulder injury and I was going through my own suffering. I was frustrated and not keeping good mental health. I was restless and a time came when I started resigning to my destiny," Manoj told IANS in an interview here.

Scripts, however, kept coming his way despite his absence from the big screen.

"I won't give the names of the films I was offered or you'll feel sorry for me, but I had to let go of them because I could not move my arm even an inch," said Manoj.

The actor, who's won kudos for his performances in films like "Satya", "Pinjar" and "Shool", says his personal sorrow helped in slipping into his character in "Jail".

"I was living such a painful life that I guess I was already in the state of mind required to play my character in 'Jail'. I started doing yoga and when 'Jail' was offered, I was much deep into meditation," said the two-time National Award winning actor.

"My role in 'Jail' is that of a silent narrator. I play the protagonist Parag Dixit's (Neil Nitin Mukesh) guardian and I am the narrator and observer of his journey.

"My character Nawab Khan is a convict who is serving life imprisonment. He doesn't speak much yet he is the film's narrator. My character is also the representative of the term 'jail' - both literally and figuratively," he explained.

Co-produced by Percept Picture Company and Bhandarkar Entertainment, "Jail" is the story of a common man who lands up in prison for unknown reasons.

Releasing Nov 6, the film stars Neil and Mugdha Godse apart from Manoj.

Unlike Bhandarkar and Neil, who did rigorous research for the film, Manoj did not make any such efforts.

"I don't necessarily do research for a role by going to a particular place or meeting people because the data in my mind is already so much that I just need to recollect, write it down and rehearse," said Manoj, who was last seen in duds like "Acid Factory" and "Jugaad".

He, however, did concede to visiting Thane Jail for the movie. "But I had already been there three times earlier. I was given a full round and I was given a brief about it. I've also been to Hyderabad Jail earlier.

"My experience with jails is not new because I've visited them earlier and so the workings of one were not new for me when it came for the movie," he added.

Despite the sabbatical Manoj is content with his career. "I am very happy with the films coming my way and very satisfied with the choices I am making...I'd love to do different kinds of roles and different genres if people (filmmakers) will give me that choice," said Manoj.

Apart from "Jail", his future projects include "Rajneeti" and "Das Tola".

We hope Shahid also does the same!