Ek Tha Tiger smashes box-office records

Plus, Ketan Mehta picks Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in his film Mountain Man, and Sonu Nigam gets picky about new projects.

Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan in a scene from "Ek Tha Tiger". Courtesy Yash Raj Films

Ek Tha Tiger smashes box-office records

Kabir Khan's latest film Ek Tha Tiger, a romantic thriller starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, is on its way to become the year's biggest blockbuster. It broke the previous domestic record held by the action drama Agneepath (starring Hrithik Roshan), earning 330 million Indian rupees (Dh22m) on its opening day last week (Wednesday). By yesterday, the film had collected 61m rupees. The film is expected to cross the billion-rupee mark by the end of the week. – IANS

Siddiqui to star in Ketan Mehta's new film

Ketan Mehta (pictured) has tapped the actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui to headline his new film Mountain Man, a biopic of Dashrath Manjhi, a labourer who single-handedly carved a road through a mountain so that villagers could quickly get to the hospital in the nearest town. "Yes, I have chosen him for the film. He is a wonderful actor and he fits the part," said Mehta. "We're still in the process of finalising the rest of the cast." The movie will be shot in Manjhi's hometown in India's northern state of Bihar. – IANS

The singer Sonu Nigam on picking new projects

Sonu Nigam, who has sung several hit tracks in Bollywood films, says he's become choosy with his projects. "I've stopped myself from saying yes to everyone. You should work only with those you believe in," said Nigam, who has sung the title track for Shirish Kunder's new film Joker, which will be released in India on August 31. "I've simplified my life. I have put aside all the insecurities I had when I first started." He is currently working on an English album titled Spirit Unfolding. – IANS

Rahul Roy supports Aashiqui remake

The actor Rahul Roy, who headlined the 1990 romantic hit Aashiqui, says he's looking forward to watching the director Mohit Suri's remake of the film, which stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor. "I think both the actors are absolutely right for the role. And Mohit is a very good director," said Roy, 44. Asked if he would be interested in a cameo in the film, he said: "No, I don't think I would want to do it. I'm a different person now, with a different set of priorities." – IANS

Mukesh shooting new gangster comedy

Neil Nitin Mukesh is currently shooting the gangster comedy David, directed by Bejoy Nambiar. "The progress on the film is incredible. I feel proud to be working on this film," said the 30-year-old. "The atmosphere on the set is great. Our director of photography, Shanu, and the action director Javed Bhai have brilliant minds." Co-starring Lara Dutta and Isha Sharvani, David will be released early next year. Mukesh was last seen on the big screen in the thriller Players. – IANS