Aamir Khan On A Break, Salman Khan In Court, Rani Mukherji Honored

-- After enjoying one of the biggest successes in Bollywood, Aamir Khan has decided to take a break from his acting career. Currently, he is only focused on his wife's directorial debut, "Dhobhi Ghat," and his next production "Peepli Live." Following this, his attention will be on his nephew, Imran's, "Delhi Belly." It seems he will not be taking a leading actor role until 2012.

-- Actor Salman Khan appeared before a special court as a prosecution witness and deposed against gangster Chhota Shakeel`s henchman Anjum Fazlani. According to the prosecution, Fazlani had threatened Salman to reduce his fee for producer Nazim Rizvi`s movie "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" (2001) or face dire consequences. The actor told special MCOCA Judge M P Kukday that he was approached by Rizvi and assistant producer Abdul Rahim Allahbaksh with an offer to play the lead role in the movie. "I agreed to the offer but on the condition that the movie should be directed by a well-established director. Rahim wanted to direct the movie himself, but later agreed, and the movie was directed by Abbas-Mastan." Salman told the court. Salman, however, said he does not remember Fazlani and that he might have met him once or twice. The prosecution`s case is that the film released in 2001 was financed by diamond merchant Bharat Shah at the behest of Chhota Shakeel. Shah, Rizvi and Rahim were charged and faced trial under the stringent provisions of MCOCA and other sections of IPC.

-- The Indian Film Festival 2010 has commenced in Australia and New Zealand. Interestingly the festival is giving special honours to Rani Mukherji by organizing a 'Rani Mukherji Retrospective'. Being tagged as 'Queen of Bollywood', the event is screening many of Rani's films including "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna," "Hum Tum," "Bunty Aur Babli," "Black," "Paheli," and "Saathiya." Gracing the inaugural ceremony of the festival, Rani had stated that she is there mainly to promote culture and movies and nothing else. The festival arrives on the heels of strained relations between India and Australia. "We are here for the larger number of Australians who love our cinema. We are (here) for the Indians and the Asian communities who watch our movies, so we are here for a greater cause," quoted the actress.