SRK: Jab Tak Hai Jaan beyond box office

Plus: Alex Pandian to hit screens in January; Subhash Ghai on the look-out for a fresh face for Kaanchi; and Ahmed Boulane talks aout his Bollywood influences.

The Bollywood actors from left, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan,and Anushka Sharma at a press conference for the film Jab Tak Hai Jaan in New Delhi IANS / Amlan

The Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says his new film Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Yash Chopra's last directorial venture, is all about celebrating the late filmmaker. The actor says he's not really concerned about how well the movie will do at the box office. "After his demise, I can't relate the film with numbers," the 47-year-old actor told reporters at a press conference for the movie on Sunday. "Anyway, my belief is movies should never be about counting. This film, in particular, is beyond numbers – it's about Yashji." He said Chopra's death came as a shock to the whole production: "When he used to say on the sets that this is his last film, I never took it seriously, none of us did." The film also stars Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. – IANS

Alex Pandian promises high-octane action

The Tamil action-thriller Alex Pandian will hit screens in January and promises "never-before-seen daredevil stunts", says its director Suraj. The film is headlined by Karthi and Anushka Shetty, along with the supporting cast of Santhanam, Suman, Mano Bala and Milind Soman. According to Suraj, one of the film's highlights is a scene involving the hero and the villain atop a moving train, shot near Mysore. The 35-year-old Karthi apparently did not use a body double. Filming locations include Chennai, Salakudi, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Mysore and several other spots in North India. – IANS

Subhash Ghai looking for new face for Kaanchi

The filmmaker Subhash Ghai is on the lookout for a fresh face for his forthcoming new movie, Kaanchi. The newcomer will join a cast of veteran actors including Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty. "For the film, we are looking for a new girl for the title role. She should be a complete newcomer and should not have acted in any film before. Other than this, she can be a model or a TV artist," said Ghai. "I hope to find the leading lady by December, so shooting can start in January." Kaanchi is set for a mid-2013 release and filming will take place in India as well as in various international locations. – IANS

Ahmed Boulane: influenced by Bollywood

The acclaimed Moroccan filmmaker Ahmed Boulane says Bollywood has influenced filmmaking in his home country. He grew up watching Indian, especially Bollywood, movies and said Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan were just as popular in Morocco as the nation's biggest actors. "Moroccan culture is similar to Indian culture. We all are very emotive, which is reflected in our cinema," he said. Boulane was speaking at this week's 18th Kolkata International Film Festival, where his film Le Retour du Fils (Return of the Son) was screened. Le Retour du Fils follows a young boy upon his return to Morocco, 15 years after being kidnapped by his European mother. – IANS