Karan Johar denies Katrina Kaif slams

Plus: Hindus protest against Kannada film, Sridevi guests on Aamir Khan show, Hindus protest against Kannada film and Sridevi guests on Aamir Khan show.

Indian Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif and director Karan Johar. AFP

The filmmaker Karan Johar has denied reports he criticised the actress Katrina Kaif and the way she poses for pictures. "Absolutely crazy media report suggesting I have said something about Katrina! I have not! It's totally baseless and a lie!" Johar posted on Twitter. The Times of India reported last week that the director was overhead in a party joking about Kaif's monotonous looks in pictures, particularly on magazine covers. Johar added: "Katrina is not only a dear friend but also a supremely talented and hard-working megastar! All these reports are ridiculous!"

Hindus protest against Kannada film

A newly released Kannada film, starring the actors Ambareesh and Upendra, is facing the wrath of pro-Hindu outfits in the south Indian state of Karnataka for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Members of Bajrang Dal staged a protest against the screening of Katariveera Surasindarangi and set afire the movie's posters on Saturday, calling the film "unacceptable". The protest was staged in front of two theatres screening the film, the group warning cinema staff to cancel the showings or face "stern steps". - PTI

Sridevi guests on Aamir Khan show

The actress Sridevi made a special appearance on Aamir Khan's TV show Satyamev Jayate to show her support to sexually-abused children. Harish Iyer from Mumbai, who was abused by a relative in his childhood, said Sridevi's films helped him survive through those troubled times and inspired him to raise his voice against the exploitation. "You have shared your past with us and this will encourage those who are going through it - that makes you a real hero," Sridevi told Iyer. Satyamev Jayate airs Sundays, 9pm on Star Plus. - PTI

Emraan Hashmi stumbled into acting

Emraan Hashmi, star of the upcoming political thriller Shanghai, says he became an actor by chance. "I never wanted to act. I was more inclined to the technical stuff. I wanted to direct a film. But I made my debut with Footpath because my uncle (Mahesh Bhatt) persuaded me," said Hashmi, who entered the industry at age 18 as assistant director on Raz. On his new movie, slated for a June 8 release, Hashmi says: "It's a fantastic film. I try to take up projects where I can introduce a new world to my audience." - PTI

Kaifi Azmi remembered in play

The veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who is currently starring in a play on her father Kaifi Azmi, says her lyricist husband Javed Akhtar has a lot in common with the late Urdu poet. Akhtar, 67, plays the part of Azmi in Kaifi Aur Main, produced to commemorate the latter's 10th death anniversary. Shabana is essaying the role of her mother Shaukat. "Neither of us had any doubt about Javed playing Kaifi. His sensibilities are exactly the same," she said. The play traces the life of the couple from childhood to their marriage that lasted 55 years. - PTI