Aishwarya Rai Bachchan urges ‘immediate’ change for women

Plus: hunt on for actress in Kishore Kumar biopic; Suparn Verma wants to make zombie film.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. AP

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan urges ‘immediate’ change for women

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has called for "immediate" action to protect women in India following the fatal gang-rape of a student two months ago. The appeal comes as Indian lawmakers prepare to introduce new measures to tighten laws on sexual assault against women. The 39-year-old actress – one of India's best-known faces both home and abroad – voiced anger over the situation of women in the country. "There should be definite laws for offenders. They should be punished immediately. That is when we will see the change in society," Rai Bachchan told reporters. "I don't feel fear. Rather, there is a lot of anger and I don't hesitate to say this. Some of us have assurance about our safety but most of the women in our country do not have that." Five suspects in the case are being tried in a fast-track court on charges of murder, gang-rape and kidnapping. "The incident has brought about a lot of attention and awareness but the change needs to come immediately," said Rai Bachchan. – AFP

Hunt for actress in Kishore Kumar biopic

The filmmaker Anurag Basu, who is writing the script for a biopic on the late singer Kishore Kumar, says he's still auditioning actresses to play the superstar Madhubala in the film. "I am hunting for Madhubala but it is too early to talk about it," said Basu. "Casting will be finalised two to three months before we start shooting. The film is in its initial stage and would probably release next year." Basu earlier announced that the actor Ranbir Kapoor was roped in to play Kumar. Rumours are abuzz that the role of Madhubala will either go to Katrina Kaif or Kangna Ranaut, but Basu refused to comment. – IANS

Suparn Verma wants to make zombie film

The director Suparn Verma, who is awaiting the release of his new horror film Aatma, says he's eager to explore the zombie genre for his next project. "I definitely want to make a zombie film. I have some interesting ideas in my mind right now. I am a big horror buff and want to make a film in this genre soon," Verma told reporters. "Zombie films certainly have a bright future – in fact, Go Goa Gone and Luke Kenny's Rise of the Zombie are soon coming up." Verma also revealed he has played a small role in Go Goa Gone, which is produced by Saif Ali Khan. "I am not playing a zombie, though my part is interesting. I have a small cameo in Aatma, too," he said. Starring Bipasha Basu and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Aatma is scheduled for release on March 22. – IANS