New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has once again sparked a discussion on the royalty issue that gripped the Bollywood music fraternity and producers earlier this year, saying “composers and singers make millions by performing on hit songs by way of live shows”.
“A wrong perception has been built up, giving an impression that composers do not make money from a hit song. The fact is that the composers and singers make millions by performing on hit songs by way of live shows,” Bhatt posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

“Whereas the producers take the entire commercial risk. How can you ask for an equal share in the profit when you don’t share the loss?” he added.

However, Bhatt’s comment didn’t go down too well with writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar.

“No one is asking for a penny from the film’s profit. We are asking for our rights and dignity,” Akhtar wrote on Bhatt’s account on Twitter.

Aamir Khan-Javed Akhtar and Sonu Niigam-Vidhu Vinod Chopra have already had an altercation in this regard as the music industry is demanding 50-50 share in the profits that the producers make from the music of the film. But producers are resisting it.

Members of the music industry have also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and proposed amendments to the Copyright Act as a solution.

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Lara Dutta to attend FIFA semi-finals

Bollywood actress Lara Dutta is extremely excited about attending the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Cape Town.

“Soooo excited! Touchdown in Cape Town tomorrow (Tuesday)! Apart from being one of my favourite cities, I am super thrilled to catch the first semi final there,” the actress posted on her Twitter page.

Lara is supporting Holland.

“Going to be blowing my vuvuzela for Holland tomorrow,” she added.

The city reminds her of the days when she was shooting for her films “Andaaz” and “No Entry”.

“Shot ‘Andaaz’ and ‘No Entry’ in Cape Town! Have very fond memories! Absolutely love the energy there,” she said.

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Madhur Bhandarkar anxious about first romantic comedy

National award winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is anxious about his first romantic comedy film tentatively titled “Dil Toh Bacha Hai Ji”.

“…starting the shoot of tentatively titled ‘Dil Toh Bacha Hai Ji’ from tomorrow (Tuesday). Lots of anxiety and nervousness even after directing so many films,” Bhandarkar posted on Twitter.

“For the first time, (I am) trying rom-com (romantic comedy) for a change from topical and hard hitting cinema…So need all your wishes and blessings,” he added.

Bhandarkar is known for realistic films like “Page 3″, “Traffic Signal” and “Fashion”. “Dil Toh Bacha Hai Ji” will feature actors like Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Shruti Haasan.