Manish Paul turns hacker for new film

Plus: Ram and Vinayak make for winning combo; Sharma collaborates with Eric Mouquet; Manish Paul turns hacker for new film.

The Indian television actor Manish Paul . Narinder Nanu / AFP

The popular television anchor Manish Paul is set to make his Bollywood debut with the forthcoming comedy thriller Mickey Virus, which sees him playing a computer hacker. The film, directed by Saurabh Verma, also stars Manish Chaudhary, who starred in 2009's Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Mickey Virus is about computer hackers in Delhi. "I always had this movie in mind," Verma said. "I've been in this business for many years now. This film was not made overnight. The pre-production itself took about six months." Asked if he was worried because the majority of the cast and the crew of the film are relatively new in the industry, Verma replied: "Newcomers or not, the important thing is the film is extremely interesting." Mickey Virus is due in May.  * IANS

Siddiqui to shoot Bandit Queen biopic

The actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Gangs of Wasseypur) has announced his next project, the biopic End of Bandit Queen, which is based on the life of Sher Singh Rana, the prime suspect accused in the murder of the bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi in 2001. "I will start shooting for this biopic film in March. We will be shooting in India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan," said Siddiqui. "I will be meeting Rana who is in Tihar Jail right now. Then I will get a clear picture about my character. This is the only research that I will have to do to fit the bill." End of Bandit Queen will be directed by Barry John. * IANS

Teja and Vinayak make for winning combo

DVV Danayya, the producer of 2007's Dubai Seenu and 2012's Julai, feels the collaboration between the actor Ram Charan Teja and the director VV Vinayak in their forthcoming film Naayak will "not fall below expectations". The film, out in India next week, also features Kajal Aggarwal and Amala Paul. "The story is about Ram's struggle to fulfil his father's ambition. As an actor, he has worked with sincerity since this film demands that he carry an aura totally different from the rest of his films," said Danayya, referring to Teja's more debonair and heart-throb roles in the past. The producer added: "Kajal and Amala have a good mix of glamour and varied emotions in their roles and they have carried all of them well." The 27-year-old Teja is currently shooting Zanjeer, a remake of Amitabh Bachchan's 1973 film. The remake also stars Priyanka Chopra, filling the role originally played by Jaya Bachchan. * IANS

Sharma collaborates with Eric Mouquet

The santoor player Rahul Sharma has collaborated with the Grammy-winning French musician Eric Mouquet for a new album, titled Deep India. Sharma says he feels the record offers more depth than a regular fusion album. Mouquet is the co-founder of the band Deep Forest and has composed and produced for artists including Josh Groban. In 2008, he started the label Deep Projects, to promote music inspired by meetings with musicians from around the world. Deep India, which is out on Friday, brings together Indian folk music and electronic music of the West. "I think it's going to appeal to a lot of younger listeners because the way the sound is designed, it is very electronic and groovy," said Sharma. "At the same time, it features the sounds from India." The album is inspired by music from Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Punjab and Maharashtra, as well as by Sufi singers from Punjab. Also featured are rare instruments played in Rajasthan and the Bihu folk songs of Assam. * IANS