The shock of Whitney Houston's untimely death is being felt as far away as India. Bollywood's top stars, including Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Akshay Kumar took to the microblogging site Twitter to express their grief and surprise at the pop icon's passing.

Shahrukh implored his fans to not dwell on life's inconsequential matters and instead to live life to its fullest: "and v waste so much time on inconsequential aspects of life. criticism..cynicism...voyeuristic.live ur life so u don't miss it.whitney r.i.p"

Priyanka Chopra, who is on her way to Los Angeles where she has been invited to attend tonight's Grammy Awards, mourned Whitney Houston as her inspiration: "LA bound..the Grammys will be sad.. Such a tremendous loss to the world." "Bitter sweet..memories..that is all..I'm taking..with me..so goodbye..pls don't cry"RIP Whitney..u made me believe in magic and dreams."

Other stars were equally grief-stricken. AR Rahman, India's music maestro who is as beloved (and award-winning) in India as Whitney was in the US, paid his respects to the singer: "Another shining star of the music world gone too soon...! We will miss you, Whitney... Respect and prayers for you!"

Akshay Kumar responded poignantly to the singer's death: "The loss of one of the greatest voices of all time!! R.I.P. Whitney Houston. I will always love you." He was one of the millions of fans who honored Whitney with the phrase "I will always love you," the title of her mega-hit ballad from the soundtrack of her film The Bodyguard.

Joining Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, AR Rahman, and Akshay Kumar in expressing their condolances were Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Siddharth, Bipasha Basu, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sunidhi Chauhan (the latter two being among India's most popular playback singers and recording artists).

It's a testament to Whitney Houston's amazing voice and beautiful talent that superstars like Shahrukh Khan, who works in an industry to which Houston had absolutely no connection, are not just mourning her, but doing so publicly and with so much passion.

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Though superstar Shahrukh Khan is unwell and has been advised rest by his doctors, the buzz is that Shahrukh will surprise his Don 2 team by turning up at the Berlin international premiere of the film.

Shahrukh Khan, who has been on antibiotics for some time now, had apparently told director Farhan Akhtar and co-star Priyanka Chopra that he will not attend the international premiere of Don 2 in Berlin. However, it is now being speculated that Shahrukh Khan is in a condition to travel and hence might make it to the premiere, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Shahrukh Khan has immense fan following in Berlin and hence the actor is likely to spend some time interacting with his fans as well during the stay. Shahrukh has reportedly advised his Don 2 team to sport D tattoos. The premiere is extremely special for the Don 2 team since the film was shot there and they all have some pleasant memories associated with the city.

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Pernod Ricard India on Friday said it has signed Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan as the brand ambassador for its brand, Royal Stag.

"In a big development, two iconic brands in their own respective spheres, Shahrukh Khan and Seagram's Royal Stag, have come together in an association that will make it large," Pernod Ricard India said in a statement.

Shahrukh will work in tandem with his fellow Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who has been its brand ambassador for the last several years, the statement said. The company said Khan has been roped in for one year but did not provide financial details of the agreement.

Speaking on the association Pernod Ricard India Vice- President Marketing Bikram Basu said: "Shahrukh Khan dared to dream and achieve. Dream big, and achieve really big. We have great common ground with Royal Stag and him in 'making it large'".

"The Royal Stag make it large story is insightful and inspirational. I am sure, together we will make it large," Shahrukh Khan said. Headquartered in Paris, Groupe Pernod Ricard owns several brands, including Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal and Jacobs Creek Wine. In India the company sells various brands, including 100 Pipers, Blenders Pride and Royal Stag.

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When it comes to logic in films, Salman Khan clearly doesn’t really care much. The 46-year-old superstar has been packing a punch that could set four men flying in the air, throwing his shirt open with a strong gush of water and playing a skirt chaser when he should actually be doing mature roles. With his last three blockbusters – Dabangg, Ready & Bodyguard – Sallu has proved that with his star power even nonsensical films can work at the box-office. So when we heard that Salman’s sister Alvira and brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri were planning to cash in on the success of Bodyguard with a sequel, we were sure it would happen, especially since it’s a time when sequels and remakes are being made by the hoards.

We hoped against hope though that Salman wouldn’t do any more of those illogical and incoherent films. And fortunately our prayers were answered. Salman, before going to the US for a check up for the facial neuralgia, said in an interview, “There was no story to take forward (in Bodyguard). It all ended beautifully. It’s true that we had contemplated a sequel, but Baby (younger sister Alvira) and Atul agreed with me that there was no point (to make it). So, we’ve now decided to make another film together, but the work hasn’t started on it yet.”

We agree that Bodyguard had no scope for a sequel left and it’s great that Salman has finally taken a logical decision. Sallu already has two sequels on hand – Dabangg 2 and No Entry 2, so why struggle to get another! Come on Sallu, we are sure that with 20 years of experience in the industry, you can definitely come up with some original ideas to entertain your fans!

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His vision of romance on Swiss Alps caught the attention of many newly wedded couples in India. Despite the freezing temperature, Yash Chopra films put forward the unique trend of shooting on snow clad mountains for a romantic scene.

From Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhee Gulzar cuddling in a shawl in ‘Kabhie Kabhi’ or Amitabh and Rekha holding hands and singing ‘Dekha Ek Khwab’ in Silsila, Yash Chopra bought the magic on screen. The combination of snow and romance seemed inseparable and iconic, for a Yash Raj movie. Today, the legendary filmmaker is set to return to his much-loved job, direction, with one of his favourite heroes, Shah Rukh Khan. Pairing the sensational Katrina Kaif on screen with the King Khan, Chopra is looking forward to bring back the same white romance in his forthcoming project.

Mumbai Mirror, a leading website in the country, recently learnt that Chopra is busy location hunting. Asserting the fact that he wants part of the film to be shot in a snow clad region, the director said, “It is being planned.”

The film is expected to be shot in a number of different locations, apart from the traditional snow clad mountains, which have always been a distinct feature of Chopra’s movies. The production house is engaged in looking for the best locale to shoot the movie, as the cast and crew of the SRK-Katrina film is all set to travel to London next month.

While speaking about Shahrukh Khan and the progress of the movie, the director added, “Shah Rukh is such a lovely boy. It is always fun shooting with him. We have finished shooting a song here (in Mumbai). Now, we will be going to London next month. After we return, we will be shooting in India for a while. The team is still busy location hunting. Everything will be finalised by the time we come back.”

For the record, Shahrukh Khan has previously featured in a number of snow clad mountain scenes for the director. In Darr, a psychological thriller featuring Khan as the villain, Shahrukh sang ‘Tu Mere Saamne’ for Juhi Chawla on a snow clad peak. In 1995, SRK won the hearts of fans again with his blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, in which he was subjected to Kajol’s drunken passion in the song ‘Zaraa Sa Jhoom Loon Main’. The song was also shot on a slow clad scenario, registering the trademark aesthetic of the director. With the upcoming venture of the magician and his urge to re-create the aura of romance on screen, fans are sure to be enthralled by Yash Chopra and his vision towards Indian film-making.

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When the Dil Chahta Hai costars met each other at Ritesh-Genelia's wedding, they took digs at each other... but in good spirits of course.

It's been quite some time that Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan have been seen in the same frame. The two Khans who exemplified friendship in Dil Chahta Hai more than a decade back might not be the best of buddies but are warm to each other nevertheless.

So when they recently exchanged pleasantries at the wedding reception of Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza, the paparazzi went into frenzy. A source present at the occasion said, "Saif Ali Khan entered with Kareena Kapoor while Aamir Khan was just about to leave. On seeing each other they greeted each other warmly." But if the buzz is to be believed there was more to the greetings as they tried taking digs at each other.

Aamir Khan was seen in a formal shirt with a tie while Saif Ali Khan came in an achkan befitting his royal nawab persona. The source says, "On seeing Aamir, Saif's instant reaction was 'You forgot your coat, Aamir'". However Aamir, who usually takes his time before reverting to anything, was quick to retort this time. So what did he say? "'You forgot your shoes, Saif' is what Aamir said". Incidentally Saif had come in shoes but not exactly the ones that would go with his traditional outfit.

Of course everything happened in good spirits. Finally we have two Khans in Bollywood who are not on war. Dil Chahta Hai sequel anyone?

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is one of the busiest man in the Industry. At present he is shooting for Yash Chopra’s directorial comeback. Even as Yash Chopra is readying himself to direct his next film at the age of 79, SRK is working out his body to suit the character he is playing in the film being directed by the veteran filmmaker.

The untitled Diwali release, which sees Chopra behind the camera after a gap of seven years, went on the floors on January 9. But there's a little hitch, one of schedules of the film is likely to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedules. And Shah Rukh Khan owns one of the team - Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). SRK has been in full support of his from day one and attends every match played by them. And he is determined to be by their side even this season.

Auction for cricket players for the Indian Premier League’s fifth edition took place on February 4 in Bangalore and Shah Rukh was present there to pick his players. The tournament flags off on April 4 in Chennai. Yash Chopra's movie will start shoot in London. Another schedule is due in April, when the love story’s second leading lady, Anushka Sharma, will join the cast and crew.

Shah Rukh Khan doesn’t mind to go an extra mile for what he believes in. So, to shuttle between Yash Raj Films and Indian Premiere league surely doesn’t come as a surprise. He will leave no stone unturned to strike a good balance between YRF film with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma and IPL.

SRK exclaims about his presence in all the matches of Kolkata Knight Riders come what may and simultaneously won’t let that hamper the shoot of YRF’s yet to be titled venture. We hope Shah Rukh's KKR give their best this time and win the trophy in IPL season 5.

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Actor Salman Khan admits that the sequel to last year’s biggest commercial success, Bodyguard, has been shelved. “There was no story to take forward. It all ended beautifully. It’s true that we had contemplated a sequel, but Baby (younger sister Alvira) and Atul (Atul Agnihotri) agreed with me that there was no point. So, we’ve now decided to make another film together, but the work hasn’t started on it yet.”

In Cuba at the moment, the actor, who co-anchored Bigg Boss 5 with Sanjay Dutt, is flying to the USA for a thorough health check-up to examine the size of the aneurysm in his head, which results from the abnormal swelling of an artery due to weak walls of the blood vessel.

Salman, who has completed more than 70 per cent of director Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger with Katrina Kaif, says, “The visit has been due for a while. The doctors have successfully treated the trigeminal neuralgia that I was suffering from. But I still don’t know how big the aneurysm is. I just pray it has reduced in size, because if it has increased, I will be in deep trouble. And that will put a lot of people in trouble too. A lot is at stake.”

Once he returns from his hospital visit in March, the actor will start step back into the shoes of supercop Chulbul Pandey for the sequel to the 2010-hit Dabangg, produced by elder brother Arbaaz Khan. Salman was also working on younger brother Sohail Khan’s Sher Khan, which was reported to be shot in 3D. But he reveals that the film requires 24 months more of pre-production work. “We can’t start it immediately, though I know the project is superb. So, Sohail is taking his time to complete the pre-production work on Sher Khan. And once that’s done, we’ll start, even if it’s after three years from now,” the actor reveals, adding, “He’s started work on a comedy that I’ll work with him for. We’ll announce it once the details are ready.”

‘Chulbul becomes even more corrupt’
Arbaaz Khan, who will also direct the Dabangg sequel, has been working hard to put the cast, crew and script together. Apart from the new villain, to be played by Singham  (2011) baddie Prakash Raj, Salman insists everyone else from the previous movie will make a comeback in part two. “The film can’t be complete without Prajapati Pandey (Vinod Khanna), Makhi (Arbaaz), his wife (Mahi Gill) and of course, Rajjo. The story will shift base to Mumbai, where Chulbul will become even more corrupt than he was when he was posted in Lalganj,” he says. “His crooked activities will land him in trouble, and then you’ll see what the villain does.”

Ask who has been cast to play Chulbul junior in the coveted sequel that releases on Christmas day this year, and the 46-year-old says, “I can just tell you that there will be a lovely romance between Rajjo and Chulbul, the kind we see between our parents who’ve had an arranged marriage. As for the child, whether we have a junior Chulbul or a choti Rajjo is something I’ll leave for the audience to discover. If I reveal everything now, there’s nothing left for you to watch on Christmas when the film opens.”

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Actor Shah Rukh Khan often reiterates in his interviews that he’s still the ‘Dilli ka goonda’ lest you’re glamoured by his swish image of the present. But it was his showdown with filmmaker Shirish Kunder at a popular pub on a Monday morning that actually cemented the fact. It’s one tamacha that’s stunned the industry into a twilight zone. Filmmaker Farah Khan with whom the actor had a fallout, reportedly reacted saying that the slap to her husband, Shirish clearly ended all room for any reconciliation. The rift has now brought into the open the battle-lines that were as yet subtle, concerning camps in the industry.

B-Town, at present, is showing caution in taking sides publicly, though some have been vocal. For instance, Farah’s statement has elicited unlikely support for SRK from actress Ameesha Patel.

“Shahrukh is super rockin.. Good he gave it 2 Shirish,” she tweeted, later adding, “Farah is my friend but she was also helped by @iamsrk n Shirish shud respect that by not talking ill of SRK.”

Reality show winner, actor Vindu Dara Singh responded to Ameesha’s tweet, “@ameesha_patel I respect you for standing up for @iamsrk SRK’s friends should learn from Ameesha @rampalarjun @kjohar25 @shahidkapoor.” Incidentally Vindu is said to belong to SRK’s frenemy, actor Salman Khan’s camp. “@iamsrk Hats off Sir.. You are real life Don... I am tired of hypocrites and non-confrontational people,” Vindu tweeted further.

Jewellery designerFarah Ali Khan, meanwhile, was irritated that Shirish was mistaken for her husband. The designer, who’s also actor Hrithik Roshan’s sister-in-law, refused to take sides, saying that she was not at the party. “Both Gauri and Farah Khan are my friends. I will never pick sides and im (sic) sure they will sort it out in good time,” she tweeted.

While some have been vociferous about the incident, Shah Rukh’s friends like filmmaker Karan Johar have chosen not to dwell on it in public, i.e. on social networking sites at least till the time of going to press. It is learned that the filmmaker was at the actor’s place most of the day on Monday offering support. Hrithik is in Hyderabad shooting for his new film Krrish 2, but it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the Khans in his life — buddy SRK, Farah whom he calls his dancing guru and Salman, with whom he patched up recently. In fact, Salman, reportedly, called up Shirish to find out if he was fine after the brawl.

Time will tell how the SRK-Farah-Salman rift goes from here, but as of now all eyes are on actors Riteish Deshmukh-Genelia D’Souza’s wedding and the ongoing pre-wedding events, where all have been invited.

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Actor, producer and director Sohail Khan owns the Mumbai Heroes team as a part of the celebrity cricket league. As the league matches are underway, Sohail is extremely proud of his team and has high hopes from his players. He prefers referring to his team as a group of ‘good-looking’ boys from Bollywood. In a candid chat with After Hrs Sohail shared his thoughts on actors becoming cricketers and how it’s in the spirit of good sportsmanship and entertainment.

How did you put your team together?
It took us less than 48 hours to get a team together because a lot of my friends are cricket enthusiasts. I sent out a message asking them if they would want to be a part of a professional team. All of them got back with a positive response.

Are you enjoying your role of a team owner?
Undoubtedly, it’s a lot of fun but it is getting more responsible and the league is also growing in size. Last year we had four teams, this year we’ve got six teams and next year we are going to have eight teams and then we are going to end with ten teams. We plan to cover all the film industries of India and it is a great platform for bringing together directors and producers.

What is the message behind having celebrities play cricket?
As we said, there is no barrier and all film industries can be a part of this competitive sport. It’s great to see them unite and play cricket in a sporting spirit. Its great fun and we have a good laugh in the after parties regarding the experiences of the game. We are not cricketers. We are just actors training to play good cricket.

Can fans expect Salman Khan to play a match in this season?
Unfortunately not this season as he has a tight filming schedule and has also underwent a surgery last year.So we have restricted him from playing but he may play in the next season of CCL. But nevertheless he is the most crucial part of the team as he is the icon player and ambassador of our team.

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