Anna Hazare says Digvijay Singh should be sent to mental asylum for remarks against Kejriwal

A day after Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh's statement against his key aide Arvind Kejriwal, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Monday hit out at the leader saying he should be sent to a mental asylum for his statements.

Defending Kejriwal Anna said he was a good man.

Close aide said Mayawati has 'penchant for corruption': WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks secret cables said chief minister Mayawati has a "strong authoritarian streak.

NEW DELHI: In yet another WikiLeaks expose, the whistleblower website has said that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's right hand man Satish Chandra Mishra told the US that the CM has a "penchant for corruption".

India can be world's 3rd largest economy: PM

India is well-positioned to emerge as the world's third largest economy by 2025, but the long-term 9% growth target will not happen with a "business as usual" approach, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.

Indian tax plans condemned by mining companies

Mining firms have criticised the Indian government's decision to make them pay more tax to help develop tribal areas affected by the Maoist uprising.

Various trade associations have denounced the bill, under which firms will pay up to 26% more tax on profits.

The new legislation is to be introduced during the new parliamentary session which started on Monday.

Maoist rebels say they are fighting for the rights of indigenous tribal people and the rural poor.

They are active in several eastern and central states.

India's corruption scandals

India's ruling Congress party has been hit by a series of damaging corruption scandals over the past year. The opposition has made regular calls for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resign, only adding to the difficulties of a politician once seen as India's most honest.

BBC news considers the major corruption controversies to have beset the government in its second term of office.

Why mining in India is a source of corruption

The mining scandal which led to the unseating of a prominent leader in India's southern state of Karnataka is the latest scandal to hit the industry.

BS Yeddyurappa of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quit recently after an anti-corruption report named him as a key suspect in a scam which allegedly cost the exchequer more than $3bn (£1.8bn). Mr Yeddyurappa denies any wrongdoing.

Ministers 'stole millions in Karnataka mining scam

Karnataka's Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa was involved in an illegal mining scam that cost the southern Indian state $400m (£250m), according to an anti-corruption ombudsman.

Retired judge Santosh Hegde said he had evidence of a "huge racket" involving members of the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

India mining scandal: G Janardhana Reddy remanded

A former minister in India's southern state of Karnataka has been arrested and remanded in custody for 14 days in connection with a mining scandal.

G Janardhana Reddy, also a mining businessman, had been named in a report which said the alleged scam cost the state more than $3bn over four years.

Cash-for-vote scam: Amar Singh ducks court, says he is ill

Former Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and BJP leader L K Advani's former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni today failed to personally appear before a Delhi court in response to its summons for their alleged role in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam.

Cash-for-votes: Amar Singh falls ill, skips court

New Delhi: In another case of a high-profile accused falling ill before court appearance, Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh on Tuesday gave a miss to court proceedings in the cash-for-votes scandal.

Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had on August 25 issued summons to Amar Singh, former BJP MPs Fagan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora and Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former associate of BJP leader LK Advani, in the cash-for-votes scam that rocked Parliament during a trust vote in 2008. 

Velayudham music is for Vijay fans only

Aascar Films' Velayudham, starring Vijay, Hansika Motwaniand Genelia , is directed by M Raja. With Vijay Antony composing the music, here's a look at what the album has to offer: 

Rathathin Rathame begins with thumping rhythms and a rather subdued tune. It's also a bit angst-laden and seems to hark right back to Vijay's impassioned pleas to his fans. Haricharan and Madhumitha have pitched in with the vocals to lyrics penned by Annamalai. The words are slightly amateurish but very emotional, almost like a thanksgiving and entreaty to fans all rolled into one.

Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha avoid talking about each other in public

It is unlikely that you will find actor Ranveer Singh talking about Bollywood hottie Sonakshi Sinha anymore.

Post reports of his split with actor Anushka Sharma which insinuated at Sonakshi being the reason for it, Ranveer hasbeen issued ‘strict instructions’ about not talking about his new ‘best buddy’.

Ranveer, Sonakshi avoid each other in public!

Mumbai: After singing paeans of praise for each other, Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha have brought an end to their mutual encomiums.

Buzz has it that after his split with ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ co-star Anushka Sharma, courtesy Sonakshi, Ranveer has issued strict orders not to talk about his new friend Sonakshi. 

Prabhu turns lyricist now

Prabhu Deva has a way with words...and this seems to have done Vedi a great deal of good. 

At a recent press meet, music composer for the film Vijay Antony said, "Prabhu Deva has written the opening lines for a couple of songs in Vedi. He's a great lyricist too and not many people know that. Whenever we used to sit together for recording, Prabhu Deva used to explain the scene to us, and then used to come up with the opening lines for the song too. In fact, some of the lines were written by Prabhu Deva himself. There are many bits left over, which we plan to use later on." 

Nayanthara, Prabhu Deva to wed after 'Vedi'

Actor-director Prabhu Deva hogged the limelight at a press conference organised by actor Vishal for his upcoming film Vedidirected by the former.

All the press wanted to know was when Prabhu Deva is marrying actress Nayanthara. But the soft-spoken Prabhu put an end to that when he started by saying “This is a press meet for Vedi and not for my personal life.”

Ritu Kumar designs for Bollywood

Ritu Kumar designs for Bollywood

Check out the designer's style statement in Love Breakup's Zindagi 

If you've loved the ethnic sensibilities of designer Ritu Kumar, her devotion to the revival of traditional Indian craft and design, then don't miss seeing her work in a new movie that releases early next month.

Ritu Kumar designs for `Love Breakups Zindagi`

Mumbai: Veteran designer Ritu Kumar has designed bridal ensembles for the cast of Sahil Sangha`s new film "Love Breakups Zindagi".


Actresses Dia Mirza, Auritra Ghosh, Soni Razdaan and Nandini Sen will be seen flaunting the bridal ensembles from Kumar`s brand `Ri for the movie, a statement said.

Bollywood: Three films receive thumbs up

Be it Agneepath, The Dirty Picture or Rockstar, the recently released trailers of these much-awaited three films have received a thumbs up from members of the film industry, thanks to their perfect packaging.

The titillating, sensual and intriguing trailer of The Dirty Picture, which shows Vidya Balan in a never-seen-before avatar, opened to 73,222 views on Yahoo within 180 minutes of its release, according to Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures. It crossed 350,000 views on the website within 10 hours.

I don’t need to woo Ranbir: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu has rubbished the rumours that she is trying to woo the much single Ranbir Kapoor. Ever since Bipasha Basu broke up with John Abraham, rumourmongers have been busy linking her up with different men, be it Josh Hartnett or Ranbir Kapoor.

I don't need to woo Ranbir or anyone: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu has hit back at reports that claim she is trying to woo actor Ranbir Kapoor, saying it is "bizarre".

"Woke up to a news report that says 'Am wooing Ranbir'! Bizarre! Just because I love Rockstartrailer and I tweeted about it!"Bipasha posted on Micro-blogging site Twitter.

Pankaj Kapur to sing live for the first time ever

Pankaj Kapur in Mausam

After debuting as a director with Mausam, Pankaj Kapuris all set to debut as a singer too. 

After trying his hand for the first time on direction with Mausam , there is one more thing that the ace actor turned director will be doing for his film. Pankaj Kapur will be debuting as a singer too. 
 

Pankaj Kapoor turns singer

Veteran actor-turned-filmmaker Pankaj Kapoor has crooned for the first time for his debut directorial venture 'Mausam'.

According to sources, Pankaj will be singing 'live' for the first time at Mausam's music success party soon. He has been practising since few days and is going to perform the song 'Saj Dhaj Ke...'

Kajal goes topless for FHM!

Yes, we are referring to the same Kajal Aggarwal who expressed in many interviews that she would never don a bikini in her films. Kajal has taken her fans and those in the industry by surprise by going topless for a magazine cover photo shoot. The popular magazine's September issue carries the interview of the actress and the cover page has her posing topless. The actress has gone topless and has sported an haute pair of stockings with polka dots. Although the pose doesn't seem overtly suggestive it is minimally voluptuous.

Saif Ali Khan's dad to be discharged within a week

Former India cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, receiving treatment for lung infection in a Delhi hospital, is recovering slowly and is likely to be discharged within a week, a doctor attending on him said.

Masked men steal hearts in multi-designer show

New Delhi: Sometimes presentation gets an edge over others. This is what happened at a four-designer show at the Van Heusen India Men`s Week, when masked men, wearing kohl and gold bracelets and chains, walked the ramp Saturday in crisp, clean silhouettes.

Film maker who straddled two universes, noble and base

Far too often, and for far too long, Jagmohan Mundhra, the crossover director who passed away in Mumbai on Sunday, was a victim of perception. At times he was hailed for his guts and gumption in making films that ranged from the evocative Kamala to the provocative and international headline grabbing Provoked; but he was also berated, not entirely unjustly, for films like Night Eyes, Eyewitness to Murder, Open House and Halloween Night. If some were too keen to hail him as a genius, others were equally enthusiastic in dismissing him as nothing more than a purveyor of sleaze. The reality lay somewhere else.

India film-maker Jagmohan Mundhra dies at 64

Indian film-maker Jagmohan Mundhra has died of multiple organ failure in the city of Mumbai (Bombay), aged 64.

The Los Angeles-based director was admitted to a hospital early on Friday after suffering from chest pain and low blood pressure. He died on Sunday.

Jagan’s YSR Congress slams Congress over CBI probe

YSR Congress has hit out at ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh, saying it is creating problems for their party President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who is facing CBI probe over his assets and investments by companies in his business entities.

Review: That Girl In Yellow Boots

Cast: Kalki Koechlin, Naseeruddin Shah and Shiv Subramaniyam Director: Anurag Kashyap Producer: Anurag Kashyap

The only hint of colour that there is in the life of the female protagonist is confined to her boots. It is significant that we do not see that piece of fancy leatherfootwear ever again after the introductory scene, which provides a worm’s eye-view of British citizen Ruth (co-screenwriter Kalki Koechlin) patiently waiting for her turn at the foreigners’ registration office in Mumbai. 

SRK to rope in Schumacher for ‘Ra.One’ promotion!

Mumbai: Come Grand Prix this October and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan might just pull off a major publicity coup.

Even as India prepares to play host the first ever Grand Prix in Noida, sources confirm that SRK is planning to get Formula One sensation Michael Schumacher to drive a car which will carry the name ‘Ra.One’ on it.

State of the art office for SRK

Whenever Shah Rukh Khan does anything, he does it in style. His motto in life has been that if anything is worth doing then it’s worth doing well. Even a small thing like doing up his office has his complete attention to detail. 

Katrina Kaif shakes a leg with Dharmendra on `India`s Got Talent

Mumbai: Katrina Kaif took to the stage to shake a leg with 75-year-old-actor Dharmendra on talent show `India`s Got Talent`.

The actress, who was present on the show along with Imran Khan and Ali Zafar to promote their upcoming film `Mere Brother Ki Dulhan`, first took the stage to replay the famous suicide act that Dharamendra played in the cult film `Sholay` and then danced with him to the `Dream Girl` song.

Abhishek, Riteish's petition against Karan Johar

Actors Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh have an agenda. They are all out to avenge Karan Johar... 

Just when Abhishek was in a reminiscent mood, and spoke about the lovely things that happened to him on September 5, seven years ago... Besides shooting the first shot of 'Sarkaar', and sharing the same frame as Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek was offered Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna on the same day!

Abhishek, Riteish `nudge` Karan Johar for chopping their roles

Mumbai: In a friendly nudge towards filmmaker Karan Johar, actors Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan on Monday took to Twitter to reveal how their respective roles were ‘chopped’ by Johar in two blockbusters.