Actress Sonakshi Sinha says it's time people stop calling movies with a female protagonist as "women centric" as it takes away the essence of the project.

The 29-year-old actress feels the gender of the protagonist shouldn't determine the kind of film one is making.

"I really want people to stop calling it a 'female or women centric' film. When a male actor does it nobody calls it a male centric movie. A film is a film, you watch it as that, not based on the gender of the protagonist," Sonakshi told PTI.

"These headlines that 'Sonakshi is doing a female centric film', it makes no sense. I am an actor, I am doing a film and that's it. Gender doesn't have to come in here." 

Sonakshi, who last year appeared as a solo lead in "Akira" and is now gearing up for the release of "Noor", which again stars her in the lead, says films with female protagonist in lead will someday also do the kind of business which a male star's film does.

"We as an audience have very recently opened up to receiving a film with a female protagonist and they have just started doing really well. Filmmakers have just started making a variety of films which perhaps weren't being made earlier.

"There is a difference in that and there will naturally be a difference in box office number as well. Slowly and steadily it will reach a point where we all want to see it and I am glad to be a part of that change," she says.

Directed by Sunhil Sippy, Noor is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel Karachi, You're Killing Me! 

The film follows journalist Noor's (played by Sonakshi) misadventures and love life as she navigates her way through Mumbai.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha says it's time people stop calling movies with a female protagonist as "women centric" as it takes away the essence of the project.

The 29-year-old actress feels the gender of the protagonist shouldn't determine the kind of film one is making.

"I really want people to stop calling it a 'female or women centric' film. When a male actor does it nobody calls it a male centric movie. A film is a film, you watch it as that, not based on the gender of the protagonist," Sonakshi told PTI.

"These headlines that 'Sonakshi is doing a female centric film', it makes no sense. I am an actor, I am doing a film and that's it. Gender doesn't have to come in here." 

Sonakshi, who last year appeared as a solo lead in "Akira" and is now gearing up for the release of "Noor", which again stars her in the lead, says films with female protagonist in lead will someday also do the kind of business which a male star's film does.

"We as an audience have very recently opened up to receiving a film with a female protagonist and they have just started doing really well. Filmmakers have just started making a variety of films which perhaps weren't being made earlier.

"There is a difference in that and there will naturally be a difference in box office number as well. Slowly and steadily it will reach a point where we all want to see it and I am glad to be a part of that change," she says.

Directed by Sunhil Sippy, Noor is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel Karachi, You're Killing Me! 

The film follows journalist Noor's (played by Sonakshi) misadventures and love life as she navigates her way through Mumbai.

None of the ministers in the Narendra Modi government are engaged in any private business, and all are "committed" to government work, parliament was told on Monday.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi dismissed the allegation made by Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha member Naresh Agrawal that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and other ministers were busy doing their personal business while being part of the council of ministers.

"It's factually wrong. All ministers are committed to their assigned work," he said.

None of the ministers in the Narendra Modi government are engaged in any private business, and all are "committed" to government work, parliament was told on Monday.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi dismissed the allegation made by Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha member Naresh Agrawal that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and other ministers were busy doing their personal business while being part of the council of ministers.

"It's factually wrong. All ministers are committed to their assigned work," he said.

Rapper Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian enjoyed a date night at a posh restaurant here.

The couple wined and dined for over three hours and spent some quality time inside a private room, reported E! Online.

Kardashian donned an off-the-shoulder beige sweater and a pair of snakeskin-patterned stiletto boots, while her husband opted for a casual look in a white hooded sweatshirt paired with a long black trench coat.

"Kim and Kanye were seated in a private room with several other tables, but the room was reserved just for the two of them," a source said, before adding, "they sat on the same side of the table and talked very quietly.

Rapper Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian enjoyed a date night at a posh restaurant here.

The couple wined and dined for over three hours and spent some quality time inside a private room, reported E! Online.

Kardashian donned an off-the-shoulder beige sweater and a pair of snakeskin-patterned stiletto boots, while her husband opted for a casual look in a white hooded sweatshirt paired with a long black trench coat.

"Kim and Kanye were seated in a private room with several other tables, but the room was reserved just for the two of them," a source said, before adding, "they sat on the same side of the table and talked very quietly.

Opening pair of Murali Vijay (6) and KL Rahul (13*) led a swift movement towards the small target of 106 runs as India reach 19 for no loss at stumps of Day 3 of the series-decider Test against Australia on Monday.

Earlier, Indian bowlers appeared in best shape when they wrapped Australia’s second innings for small total of 137 runs inside of just 54 overs.

Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and pacer Umesh Yadav claimed three wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a single wicket to help India claim an easy target to win at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Australian batting line-up collapsed like dominoes as five of their batsmen were dismissed for a single-digit score.

Middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell hit highest 45 runs in Australia’s second innings, while fighting hard against the highly-dominating Indians. He scored a six and boundary to excite the spectators.

Off-spinner Ashwin (3/29) took the scalp of Maxwell, tapping him right on front. The 28-year-old batsman reviewed the umpire’s decision, however, failed to overturn the judgment.

Captain Steve Smith, who scored a spectacular 111-run in the first innings, was dismissed for 17 runs in the second innings.

Peter Handscomb managed to contribute just 18 runs, while wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade remained not out for 25 runs in the end.

Opening pair of Murali Vijay (6) and KL Rahul (13*) led a swift movement towards the small target of 106 runs as India reach 19 for no loss at stumps of Day 3 of the series-decider Test against Australia on Monday.

Earlier, Indian bowlers appeared in best shape when they wrapped Australia’s second innings for small total of 137 runs inside of just 54 overs.

Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and pacer Umesh Yadav claimed three wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a single wicket to help India claim an easy target to win at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Australian batting line-up collapsed like dominoes as five of their batsmen were dismissed for a single-digit score.

Middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell hit highest 45 runs in Australia’s second innings, while fighting hard against the highly-dominating Indians. He scored a six and boundary to excite the spectators.

Off-spinner Ashwin (3/29) took the scalp of Maxwell, tapping him right on front. The 28-year-old batsman reviewed the umpire’s decision, however, failed to overturn the judgment.

Captain Steve Smith, who scored a spectacular 111-run in the first innings, was dismissed for 17 runs in the second innings.

Peter Handscomb managed to contribute just 18 runs, while wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade remained not out for 25 runs in the end.

Marvel has unveiled the very first logo of its upcoming TV series Marvel's The Inhumans.

The logo looks similar to the classic "Inhumans" symbol used by Marvel Comics, though new alterations have been noticeably made as the entire word has given a metallic touch, reported AceShowbiz.

The official logo for ABC's series features modified fonts. The crossbar from the letters "H" and "A" is forming a slight downward arc rather than a straight outward one.

The series follows a race of superhumans with diverse and singularly unique powers, (which) were first introduced in Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965.

Since that time, they have grown in prominence and become some of the most popular and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe.

It will also explore the never-before-told epic adventure of Black Bolt and the royal family.

The eight-episode series stars Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Serinda Swan as Medusa, Iwan Rheon as Maximus, Isabelle Cornish as Crystal, Sonya Balmores as Auran.

Marvel has unveiled the very first logo of its upcoming TV series Marvel's The Inhumans.

The logo looks similar to the classic "Inhumans" symbol used by Marvel Comics, though new alterations have been noticeably made as the entire word has given a metallic touch, reported AceShowbiz.

The official logo for ABC's series features modified fonts. The crossbar from the letters "H" and "A" is forming a slight downward arc rather than a straight outward one.

The series follows a race of superhumans with diverse and singularly unique powers, (which) were first introduced in Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965.

Since that time, they have grown in prominence and become some of the most popular and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe.

It will also explore the never-before-told epic adventure of Black Bolt and the royal family.

The eight-episode series stars Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Serinda Swan as Medusa, Iwan Rheon as Maximus, Isabelle Cornish as Crystal, Sonya Balmores as Auran.

The Punjab Cabinet on Monday decided to take up the matter of settlement of the legacy accounts regarding the pending Cash Credit Limit (CCL) with the Union government, along with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of India (SBI), on priority basis. A decision to this effect was taken here at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

The meeting decided to take up the CCL issue with the central government as well as the RBI and SBI, in larger public interest and in view of the state’s financial situation.

Disclosing this after the meeting, an official spokesperson said the Punjab government, which has inherited a huge debt legacy from the previous Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government, will actively pursue the issue with the Centre. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had last week met Union finance minister Arun Jaitely to seek immediate authorisation and release of Rs. 20,683 Crore CCL from the Central government for smooth and timely wheat procurement in the state. The procurement of wheat in the state is slated to commence on 1 April.

At its meeting on Monday, the state Cabinet also approved supplementary grants for the year 2016-17 to be presented before the state assembly during the ongoing session. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal for seeking Vote-on-Account for 2017-18 in the Vidhan Sabha. The supplementary grants and Vote-on-Account are scheduled to be presented before the House on March 29.

The Punjab Cabinet on Monday decided to take up the matter of settlement of the legacy accounts regarding the pending Cash Credit Limit (CCL) with the Union government, along with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of India (SBI), on priority basis. A decision to this effect was taken here at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

The meeting decided to take up the CCL issue with the central government as well as the RBI and SBI, in larger public interest and in view of the state’s financial situation.

Disclosing this after the meeting, an official spokesperson said the Punjab government, which has inherited a huge debt legacy from the previous Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government, will actively pursue the issue with the Centre. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had last week met Union finance minister Arun Jaitely to seek immediate authorisation and release of Rs. 20,683 Crore CCL from the Central government for smooth and timely wheat procurement in the state. The procurement of wheat in the state is slated to commence on 1 April.

At its meeting on Monday, the state Cabinet also approved supplementary grants for the year 2016-17 to be presented before the state assembly during the ongoing session. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal for seeking Vote-on-Account for 2017-18 in the Vidhan Sabha. The supplementary grants and Vote-on-Account are scheduled to be presented before the House on March 29.

Hollywood star Christina Ricci says she read everything she could find on F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald to prepare for her role in Z: The Beginning of Everything, which revolves around the tumultuous romance of the Jazz Age icons.

The ten-part series will see Ricci and David Hoffin in lead roles. Both Fitzgerald and Zelda epitomised the rebellion and the glamour of the decadent era of the 1920s but their marriage ended in bitterness and tragedy.

Ricci says to understand Zelda, she started reading everything that she could find on the couple, including their own writings.

"I read all of her biographies and then I read a biography of Fitzgerald. I read all of her and Fitzgerald's writings that I could get my hands on. I did as much research as I could. I will do all this again for the second season," Ricci told over phone from New York.

Zelda, who was later institutionalised, nurtured writing dreams herself and accused her husband of using entries from her diaries. In one of the essays, she famously wrote that Fitzgerald "seems to believe that plagiarism begins at home".

Fitzgerald, who based many of his characters on Zelda, was dismissive of his wife's literary ambition and criticised her for using personal details in her only published work Save Me The Waltz.

Ricci believes that later interpretations of Zelda as a feminist notwithstanding, she never identified herself as one.

"Zelda always said that she was not a feminist. She did not consider herself a feminist and that was one of the reasons, I think, that she had so many problems.

"She wanted to have all the benefits of feminism but without actually doing any of the hard work. She wanted to get where she wanted to be, through her marriage. She relied on her good looks and feminine vile," says Ricci.

Z: The Beginning of Everything, which is available in India on Amazon Prime Video, digs deep into the life of this fascinating woman who wanted to establish her own identity as a writer while living under the shadow of a famous author.

"Zelda got to a place where she thought she would be appreciated for her artistic merit and that was setting herself up for failure and she made certain choices early on, that I believe, were out of laziness. She had to fight against its repercussions for the rest of her life and that led to a huge conflict," says Ricci.

The 37-year-old actress, best known for her Hollywood ventures like Sleepy Hollow, Monster", Penelope, Bel Ami and Mothers and Daughters, is equally famous for her television outings such as Pan Am and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.

Ricci, who was applauded for her turn as Lizzie Borden in the series, believes television and new media are the future as talented writers and directors are moving there.

"It is always great to get good content and right now most of the really wonderful material is available on cable or new media platforms like this (Amazon). Everyone who is not getting to make a movie is switching to TV, which is reaping its benefits.

Hollywood star Christina Ricci says she read everything she could find on F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald to prepare for her role in Z: The Beginning of Everything, which revolves around the tumultuous romance of the Jazz Age icons.

The ten-part series will see Ricci and David Hoffin in lead roles. Both Fitzgerald and Zelda epitomised the rebellion and the glamour of the decadent era of the 1920s but their marriage ended in bitterness and tragedy.

Ricci says to understand Zelda, she started reading everything that she could find on the couple, including their own writings.

"I read all of her biographies and then I read a biography of Fitzgerald. I read all of her and Fitzgerald's writings that I could get my hands on. I did as much research as I could. I will do all this again for the second season," Ricci told over phone from New York.

Zelda, who was later institutionalised, nurtured writing dreams herself and accused her husband of using entries from her diaries. In one of the essays, she famously wrote that Fitzgerald "seems to believe that plagiarism begins at home".

Fitzgerald, who based many of his characters on Zelda, was dismissive of his wife's literary ambition and criticised her for using personal details in her only published work Save Me The Waltz.

Ricci believes that later interpretations of Zelda as a feminist notwithstanding, she never identified herself as one.

"Zelda always said that she was not a feminist. She did not consider herself a feminist and that was one of the reasons, I think, that she had so many problems.

"She wanted to have all the benefits of feminism but without actually doing any of the hard work. She wanted to get where she wanted to be, through her marriage. She relied on her good looks and feminine vile," says Ricci.

Z: The Beginning of Everything, which is available in India on Amazon Prime Video, digs deep into the life of this fascinating woman who wanted to establish her own identity as a writer while living under the shadow of a famous author.

"Zelda got to a place where she thought she would be appreciated for her artistic merit and that was setting herself up for failure and she made certain choices early on, that I believe, were out of laziness. She had to fight against its repercussions for the rest of her life and that led to a huge conflict," says Ricci.

The 37-year-old actress, best known for her Hollywood ventures like Sleepy Hollow, Monster", Penelope, Bel Ami and Mothers and Daughters, is equally famous for her television outings such as Pan Am and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.

Ricci, who was applauded for her turn as Lizzie Borden in the series, believes television and new media are the future as talented writers and directors are moving there.

"It is always great to get good content and right now most of the really wonderful material is available on cable or new media platforms like this (Amazon). Everyone who is not getting to make a movie is switching to TV, which is reaping its benefits.

In a major development to the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, the Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgment on the appeals filed by four death row convicts.

A top court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan heard the case.

The convicts – Akshay, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh – had earlier challenged the Delhi High Court order which had sentenced them to the gallows. The trial court also had sentenced all the four convicts to death penalty.

The top court had on February 3 accepted submissions made by amicus curiae in the case, Raju Ramachandran, that there has been a procedural error in sentencing of the men.

In a moving bus, six people gang raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern and she succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

In a major development to the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, the Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgment on the appeals filed by four death row convicts.

A top court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan heard the case.

The convicts – Akshay, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Mukesh – had earlier challenged the Delhi High Court order which had sentenced them to the gallows. The trial court also had sentenced all the four convicts to death penalty.

The top court had on February 3 accepted submissions made by amicus curiae in the case, Raju Ramachandran, that there has been a procedural error in sentencing of the men.

In a moving bus, six people gang raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern and she succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

Indian bowlers appeared in best shape on Monday as they wrapped Australia’s second innings for small total of 137 runs in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Monday.

Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and pacer Umesh Yadav claimed three wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a single wicket, as India got an easy target of 106 runs at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Australian batting line-up collapsed like dominoes as five of their batsmen were dismissed for a single-digit score.

Middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell hit highest 45 runs in Australia’s second innings, while fighting hard against the highly-dominating Indians. He scored a six and boundary to excite the spectators.

Off-spinner Ashwin (3/29) took the scalp of Maxwell, tapping him right on front. The 28-year-old batsman reviewed the umpire’s decision, however, failed to overturn the judgment.