Mumbai (PTI): Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for his wit and humour, has shared a “job application” suggesting his name as a male lead suitable for Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, thanks to his height.

The 75-year-old star took to Twitter to post his resume against a newspaper cutting that read how filmmakers found it tough to pair Deepika and Katrina opposite Shahid Kapoor and Aamir Khan.

“Job Application: Name: Amitabh Bachchan DOB: 11.10.1942, Allahabad Age: 76 yrs Credentials: Worked in films for 49 years, IN APPROX 200 FILMS Speaks: Hindi, English, Punjabi, Bengali HEIGHT: 6’2”… Available… YOU SHALL NEVER HAVE HEIGHT PROBLEM!” tweeted Bachchan.

The actor has worked with Deepika in “Piku”.

He has collaborated with Katrina on the 2003 film “Boom” and will next share screen space with her in “Thugs of Hindostan”, along with Aamir.

Hyderabad (PTI): Actor Deepika Padukone today said organisations should focus on the mental health of their staff.

Speaking at an interactive session with Wipro Board member Rishad Premji, the Bollywwod actor said her sportsmanship helped her quickly overcome the psychological problem she suffered.

“I think it is important to deal with (the people) who experience mental illness with lot more empathy and little more heart. I think it is really very important for every organisation to focus on mental health and to ensure that you have a counsellor coming, a Psychiatrist coming in (regularly)

“Everyone may not want to disclose and may be people want to keep it confidential. It is important to have that facility in every organisation,” she said replying to a query.

She also said that people with metal illness should not be treated differently and everyone should realise that they are equally capable.

On social media helping people overcome psychological problems such as depression, she said the networking platforms should be used moderately as they reflect glorified versions of persons.

She also explained about various activities undertaken by her organisation “Live Love and Laugh Foundation”.

New Delhi (PTI): Union minister Babul Supriyo today called for a temporary ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, saying the initiative should come from within the industry.

The minister made his comments at a press conference here where he was joined by producer Vashu Bhagnani, whose film “Welcome to New York” features a song by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Bhagnani said he will not be able to replace the concerned song, titled “Ishtehar”, in the movie but vowed not to work with the artistes from across the border in future.

“We made this song around 8-9 months ago. Now the film is releasing the day after tomorrow. We want to remove this song because for us the country and our soldiers come first. But still we cannot do anything as the film is releasing this Friday,” Bhagnani said.

Supriyo said at a time when soldiers are dying at the border, there should be an initiative from within the Bollywood that no Pakistani will be allowed to work in India as long as their nation indulged in terror activities.

“As an artiste I do feel that there are no boundaries to art. But having said that I feel when our soldiers are dying at the border, I think the rhetoric that tensions between India and Pakistan can be solved through cricket and music cannot be applicable for sometime. In Cricket, we are not allowing Pakistan cricketers to play in the IPL. And I think the Bollywood, which is a strong medium in itself, should take a stand as well on this issue,” Supriyo, who himself is a playback singer, said.

“During the time of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, I took a stand in support of the makers and had to face a lot wrath for that. I had said that the film has been made and should not be obstructed because our Indian producers will face the losses. I stand by my fraternity. But right now, it is time that we show restraint when it comes to using Pakistani artistes in Bollywood,” he added.

The BJP minister said the views were personal and should not be taken as the stand of the government.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan responded to the controversy around the song and tweeted, “In midst of so much being said all I can say is music has no boundaries and thank everyone for showing so much love for the songs which I am a part of.”

Mumbai (PTI) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said that major Bollywood stars stayed silent on “Padmaavat” controversy not out of fear but to avoid hurting the film’s chances at the box office.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film faced a lot of trouble ahead of its January 25 release as various Rajput groups were up in arms against the movie over its portrayal of Queen Padmavati and Rajput honour.

Shah Rukh said the perception that the industry does not unite in times of crisis is wrong.

“Sometimes, when people are going in an ‘uprising’, you should just stand back. Nobody is scared, fearful or hiding their own skin as is said about Bollywood stars, ‘Oh these people just want to earn money and not do anything for the society.’ No. We love our society, we make entertaining films and we want our society to be happy,” he said at the ‘Media – Shaping the Future and Entertainment’ panel discussion at Magnetic Maharashtra event here.

The actor said, he in fact, suggested the film’s team to remain quiet during the controversy, rather than giving importance to the protests.

“Business of our films happen in the first few days. If you kill the first few days, the business suffers… Recently with the Viacom18 film (‘Padmaavat’), we had people saying ‘Why don’t the other stars come up, they are not coming up, oh they are hiding.’ No, we are not hiding. As a matter of fact, the simple truth is this – there are certain people who go on an ‘uprising’, so to say.

“If more prominent actors, actresses and directors came and talked about this film… As a matter of fact, many a times I suggested to their team, not to talk about this, just keep quiet because you are giving wind to fire. And suddenly these people are getting more recognised by the virtue of being on all the news channels. So don’t give them importance,” Shah Rukh said.

When asked whether creative people should have thick skin in times when creativity is in danger, the actor said dissent is a part of the process, but creative people are more emotional and they tend to become “a little wary”.

“No filmmaker goes out and makes films to incite people, to trouble regions, to disturb the community. I never think anyone does that… Especially, all the responsible people. (But) Sometimes this is going to happen.”

The actor said there are always people who do not agree with a film, news piece or a web series but the films finally do release and if they are well made, people lap them up.

“I don’t know about the thick skin part of it but creative people do get emotional about it. One of the emotions is also that you become a little wary – you make it with so much love. More often than not, there is a certain business attached to that emotion which you can’t let go of.”

Shah Rukh said despite facing trouble, creative people are not scared of anything but they do worry about the audience’s safety.

“As a 52-year-old father, I want you to come to the theatre – safe and sound – with your child and go happily. Even if you don’t like the film, the experience should be fantastic. That’s my responsibility. So the hurtfulness is not because ‘I am worried about my film’ but I am worried about that girl, my own son watching the film.

“… No matter how much you stop them, creative people will continue making films, they will speak what they want. Sometimes there could be troubles, but they won’t be scared of the hardships.”

The actor said one needed to get used to the fact that in the era of information technology, it will become increasingly difficult to stop an idea from spreading.

“The sooner the world realises that with this free flow of information, technology and communication that is happening, a time is going to come when nobody can stop any idea from flowing freely. None of us can stop it… The faster we get used to this, that no matter how much we stop it, break it, hide it, the ideas won’t stop. All the more with social media and digital. This is the beauty of the current world of entertainment and media.”

London (PTI): Kate Middleton courted a mild controversy at the all-black 2018 Baftas as the Duchess of Cambridge appeared at the award ceremony dressed in an emerald green dress.

The 36-year-old royal turned up on the red carpet of the 71st British Academy Film Awards in a Jenny Packham attire, defying the call for wearing black in solidarity with Hollywood’s Time’s Up campaign to continue protests against sexual harassment after the Harvey Weinstein expose rocked the showbiz late last year.

To her credit, which did not go unrecognised by many, Middleton wore the neck-plunging dress with a black sash underneath her bust accentuating her seven-month baby bump. She completed her look with emerald jewellery, suede Prada heels and a black clutch.

While few said the Royals tend to stay away from making political statements, some social media users said the Duchess of Cambridge could have taken a stand as the fight to eliminate the assault and bad treatment of women in the workplace is a generic, worldwide issue.

“Disappointed in #KateMiddleton #DuchessofCambridge not wearing black to the #EEBAFTAs It’s not a political thing. It’s a woman thing! #TimesUp #StandTogether,” a Twitter user wrote.

“Can someone please sit me down and explain why Kate Middleton couldn’t wear black for a few hours for an important cause?” wrote another tweeple.

“I know the Royals aren’t supposed to get involved with ‘protests’ or anything but would it really have been THAT bad for Kate Middleton to wear black? #BAFTAs2018,” one tweeted.

Among the celebrities who attended the Baftas in black, actor Frances McDormand was an exception with her long-sleeved, print-heavy dress, which she pointed out herself when she got on to the stage to accept her Best Actress award for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”.

“Martin said I have a little trouble with compliance,” she said as the audience clapped away at her wit-laced address.

“But I want you to know that I stand in full solidarity with my sisters tonight in black,” McDormand added, who took home her maiden Bafta.