Ranveer Singh wraps up film with Sonakshi Sinha

Plus, Veteran actor AK Hangal critically ill; Poonam Dhillon to star in Prabhu Deva film; Palestinian playwright awarded in Sweden; and Karan Johar to judge India's Got Talent.

From left, Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma at the 8th Dubai International Film Festival. Singh has just wrapped up filming of the movie Lootera with Sonakshi Sinha. Pawan Singh / The National

Ranveer Singh wraps up Lootera

The actor Ranveer Singh says he has finished shooting his forthcoming romantic drama Lootera, in which he stars opposite Sonakshi Sinha. "The film has been completed and I'm very thrilled of the way it has turned out," said the 27-year-old, who debuted in the 2010 comedy Band Baaja Baarat. "I'm satisfied and proud with what we have accomplished and all the credit goes to our director Vikramaditya Motwane. I think he has made a quality film and I cannot wait for it to come out." Lootera is scheduled to be released in March next year. Singh also announced that he will headline Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next film, Ram Leela, and will co-star with the actress Deepika Padukone.- IANS

Veteran actor AK Hangal critically ill

The condition of the 98-year-old Bollywood actor AK Hangal, best known for his roles in Sholay (1975) and Lagaan (2001), is critical, according to his son Vijay. Hangal was admitted to a Mumbai hospital on August 14 after experiencing complications in breathing. "Right now my father's condition is a little serious. He still has a breathing problem and is in the ICU right now," the actor's son said. "We have been using the funds the industry has given us for his medical treatment and well-being." Hangal debuted in the industry in the 1967 film Shagird, directed by Samir Gunguly. He has since starred in over 140 other movies and was last seen on the big screen in 2008 in Humsey Hai Jahaan. Earlier this year he appeared in a special cameo in the Indian drama series Madhubala. - IANS

Poonam Dhillon to star in Prabhu Deva film

The actress Poonam Dhillon announced that she has begun shooting for her next film, a romantic drama helmed by the actor and filmmaker Prabhu Deva. "It's a love story featuring Shruti Haasan and Girish Kumar. The film is still untitled and should be out in two to three months," she said. The 50-year-old actress said that because her kids are now grown up she can allot more time to the industry. "I will be doing one or two more films this year. My kids are all adults now, so I can concentrate on films again." Dhillon's director Deva has been mum about the new movie, but rumours suggest that it's a Bollywood remake of his 2005 Telugu blockbuster Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana. - IANS

Palestinian playwright awarded in Sweden

The young Palestinian playwright Valentina Abu Oqsa was awarded the 2012 Etel Adnan Award for Women Playwrights at the 9th Women Playwrights International Conference held last week in Stockholm. She received the accolade for her dramatic play, titled Ana Hurra (I am Free). The jury included Nidal Al Achkar, the founder of the Al Madina Theatre in Beirut and the Swedish playwright Daniela Kullman. Oqsa's award-winning play will be co-produced by the Swedish National Theatre and Al Madina Theatre and will be staged in both Sweden and Lebanon. The production will also tour several European countries and be translated into English. The Etel Adnan Award was established in 2010 in honour of the Lebanese-American essayist and visual artist Etel Adnan. It aims to promote literature and drama by women writers in the Arab region.

Karan Johar to judge India's Got Talent

The filmmaker Karan Johar has announced that he is joining the judging panel of the forthcoming fourth season of the top-rated talent programme India's Got Talent. "Shooting for the show! It's back-to-back reality television," tweeted Johar, who is currently judging another popular reality show, the dance competition series Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5. The 40-year-old filmmaker is also gearing up for the October release of his next film, the comedy Student of the Year, starring the newcomers Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt. Johar is the first judge confirmed for India's Got Talent. The actress and former MTV VJ Malaika Arora Khan is rumoured to be in talks to be on the panel. - IANS