Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be conferred with the French honour Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for his efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema across the globe.
India is the guest country at the ongoing 66th Cannes International Film Festival, which began on Wednesday. It celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema.
French Culture Minister, Aurelie Filippetti will confer the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) honour on Kashyap at a ceremony during the Cannes film fest on May 20, said a statement.
"Last year, at the Cannes Film Festival, his film Gangs of Wasseypur received a standing ovation as it was premiered at the Director's Fortnight. This film was distributed commercially in France a few months back and was well received by the French public and press," said Francois Richier, ambassador of France to India.
"France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world.
Bestowing the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters on Anurag Kashyap is a recognition of his artistic talent and career, and his notable efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema in the world," Richier added.
To honour the Indian Film Industry, French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti will confer the award of Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on Kashyap at a ceremony during the Cannes Film Festival May 20, said a statement.
Four of Kashyap's works, including production projects Monsoon Shootout and Lunchbox, as well as directorials Ugly and Bombay Talkies, are to be screened at the fiesta.
One of the four short stories in Bombay Talkies, commemorating 100 years of Indian cinema, is directed by Kashyap.
Some past Indian recipients of the honour include Lata Mangeshkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Raghu Rai.
Rishi Kapoor: Don't want standard father's role The popular chocolate hero of the 1980s, Rishi Kapoor says he is "a competent actor" and would like to try out character roles and that he doesn't want to be typecast as a typical onscreen dad.
He wowed everyone when he donned the garb of ruthless underworld lord Rauf Lala in Agneepath remake.
"Not trying to be modest but I have tried to experiment with my look in different roles. I don't want to do standard father's role, I want to do characters.
I would like to do characters and bring something on the table myself," Rishi Kapoor told .
The actor, who gave hits like Bobby, Prem Rogand Khel Khel Mein in his heydays, was seen playing father in films like "Fanaa" and "Namastey London".
"If I am in a film, the makers should take complete advantage of the fact that I can perform and I feel I am a competent actor and I would like to perform. I visualise it that way," added the actor, who proved it with his performance as a middle-class school teacher Santosh Duggal in the National Award winning film Do Dooni Chaar.
Set to be seen as a cop in director Atul Sabharwal's Aurangzeb, which has released Friday, Rishi says he is playing "a Haryanvi cop in the film. I have cut my hair short to get into the look".
"This is the second time I am playing a negative role. It's a serious family drama with crime as its backdrop. Hats off to Aditya Chopra, who has attempted to make a film, which is very unlike Yash Raj Films banner."
He is also part of "Besharam", in which his son Ranbir plays the male lead, and the Abhinav Kashyap directed film has one more Kapoor in the cast. Rishi's wife Neetu.
Talking about the film, Rishi said: "It's been good, but I still feel they need to put more of us, we have just done one sequence and by the time we realised we are working together, it was over. There was no moment of discomfort when we were working together, it was quite enjoyable. It's been great fun," the 60-year-old said.
Bollywood actress Sashaa Aagha says her mother, veteran actress Salma Aagha, is like a friend to her, and that she often guides her in career decisions.
"She is very supportive. She always guides me. She is like a friend in my life...She has always been there for me...(and she is) very protective," Sashaa, who has made her Bollywood debut with Aurangzeb, told.
"I do consult her. She always asks me if I am comfortable carrying it (the role). I like it when she says these things because it gives you (me) a clear picture of things," she said.
Sashaa admits the pressure increases when one comes from a film family.
"I think when you belong to a film family, people notice you more. But they will pick you up only if you have the talent. If I am her (my mother Salma's) daughter, and I didn't have it in me, I won't have got this film," she said.
Her future plan is to try and essay different roles on screen.
"I want to do different kinds of looks and characters. I never want to repeat stuff. It has to keep changing," she said.
Sashaa is well aware of the competitive nature of the film industry. But she has a positive attitude towards it.
"As an artist, I always appreciate and enjoy everyone who entertains me on screen and makes me feel like I connect to them - whether it is Parineeti Chopra or Anushka Sharma. I am the kind of person who will encourage my co-actors. This is how it should be," she said.
Talking about the December 16 gang rape incident that sparked nationwide protests, Simi Garewal said, "What is happening in India and Delhi, there is only one way to stop it that is to put fear of God. I would love to see public hanging. There are policies and laws but no one to implement them. A court case can take 15 to 14 years."
Rockstar actress Nargis Fakhri has bagged a "key" role in Varun Dhawan-starrer Main Tera Hero
. The movie, produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, will be directed by Varun's father David Dhawan. Actress Ileana D'Cruz, whose performance in Barfi! was widely appreciated, is already a part of the movie.
"Ileana and Nargis are playing key roles in the film 'Main Tera Hero'," Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures, told.
"Details are being worked upon," he added.
Main Tera Hero, which will go on floors this June, is slated to release April 4, 2014.
It is expected to be a commercial project, aimed at entertaining the youth and family audience. .
