Entertainment: Remakes introduce films to the youngsters, says SRK

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has been a part of remakes like Devdas and Don, said he loved introducing Ittefaq to a new generation as the Rajesh Khanna-starrer was his mother's favourite movie.

Shah Rukh has produced the remake of 1969 thriller with Karan Johar and BR Films. Sonakshi Sinha, Sidharth Malhotra and Akshaye Khanna feature in the new version that has been directed by Abhay Chopra.

“ When I was growing up, it was my mother’s favourite film. Rajesh Khanna and Nanda ji both were good. I found the story interesting. It is exciting for these two boys (Abhay and Kapil Chopra) to remake a classic,” Shah Rukh said at a promotional event of the movie last night.

Calling the original film one of his favourite thrillers in Hindi cinema, Shah Rukh said, “I have done Devdas, which would never be better than the classic (and) Don, which would never be better than Bachchan sahab's (version).

“Somewhere down the line, (it is) just to reintroduce great cinema that perhaps passes the youngsters by. So Ittefaq is another move in that line. Hopefully, youngsters will like it,” he added.

Shah Rukh, who worked with Yash Chopra on many films including the director's last one, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, said the filmmaker had narrated to him the story that inspired the original Ittefaq.

“Before Yash ji passed away, he told how he made Ittefaq. He said he was making some film and there was a break and they decided to see a play. Then overnight they decided to make this movie for BR Films. It is based on a play and I found it interesting,” he said.

The film is set to release this Friday.

Kangana focused on mental health to overcome obstacles

National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut says she worked towards her “mental health” to overcome the hurdles that she faced while working in Bollywood.

“Not belonging to a lineage makes the path to success in my industry automatically harder. I belong to a humble family that has no connection to Bollywood. My passion and dreams brought me to a junction, but the tracks ahead had to be laid by me and each step was unfathomably difficult,” Kangana, a Reebok India brand ambassador, said in a statement.

The actress, who has joined hands with Reebok India for #FitToFight campaign to address inequality in pay, added: “I worked towards my mental fitness and while the determination and zeal to reach the end had made every other obstacle look miniscule, I set out to face them. Slowly but steadily, I worked towards becoming a better version of myself and did not let anything or anyone deter my path to success.”

Talking about pay disparity, the Queen star said: “I have personally experienced inequality on the professional front, on several occasions, and have fought my way up the ladder to stand shoulder to shoulder with my male counterparts. I identify very strongly with the campaign.”

Kangana is known for openly talking about her struggle in the film industry, as an outsider and during that phase of her life, how she had an abusive relationship with actor Aditya Pancholi. She has been in news for her murky legal battle with actor Hrithik Roshan over their alleged affair.

Indira Gandhi had keen interest in music: Lata Mangeshkar

Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar on Tuesday paid a tribute to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 33rd death anniversary, saying she not just had a keen interest in music but was also a good singer.

“Today is the death anniversary of India's first and only woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhiji. I pay homage to her,” Mangeshkar tweeted and recalled that Indira Gandhi not only had a keen interest in music but also sang well.

She also shared a throwback photograph in which she is seen with Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her bodyguards a few months after she ordered the storming of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar to counter the Punjab insurgency. She held office from January 1966 to March 1977, and again from January 14, 1980 till her death.

With inputs from agencies