Born in the northern Pakistani city of Lahore in 1929, she appeared in films from 1941.

She went on to star in many hits, including Pyaar ki Jeet (Love Triumphs), Badi Bahen (Elder Sister) and Dillagi (Flirtation), and was the highest-paid actress in Bollywood between 1948 and 1951.

She quit films in the 1951 after her grandmother stopped her affair with actor Dev Anand, but made a comeback three years later.

Kung-fu star defies bird flu

Hong Kong kung-fu star Jackie Chan said he was not afraid of the bird flu crisis hitting Asia, as he prepared for public appearances in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

"I'm not afraid to travel. I'm a lucky person," he told reporters at a press conference in Singapore.

American singer Andy Williams has already postponed his March concert in Singapore to July over fears about the disease, which has already killed people in Thailand and Vietnam.

"I'm born in Hong Kong but I belong to the whole Asia. I have so many friends around Asia so when I have the time, I go around to see them, especially the fans," Chan said.

Actress Givens in accident quiz

US TV actress Robin Givens has been questioned after her Mercedes struck and critically injured an 89-year-old pedestrian, police have said.

Maria Antonia Alcover was knocked down as she crossed a busy road in Miami during rush hour on Wednesday.

She was said to be "extremely critical but stable" in hospital. Police said they were satisfied it was an accident.

Givens, 39, star of 1980s comedy Head of the Class, was given a traffic summons for "failing to use due care".

Hip-hop star gets Hitchhiker role

Hip-hop star Mos Def is to star in the film version of Douglas Adams' novel The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

He will appear as Ford Prefect, the alien who takes earthling Arthur Dent - played by The Office's Martin Freeman - on a strange galactic trip.

Director Garth Jennings begins shooting in April, from a script that writer Karey Kirkpatrick took over after the sudden death of author Adams in 2001.

Mos Def's move to acting includes roles in The Italian Job and Monster's Ball.

Art Garfunkel fights drug charge

Singer Art Garfunkel is contesting a marijuana possession charge after his lawyer appeared in court on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old was charged after police stopped his limousine in upstate New York on 17 January.

Police said an officer smelled marijuana and 6 grams of the drug were found in Garfunkel's jacket pocket.

He could have paid a $100 (�61) fine on Wednesday without the matter going further, but decided to fight it and a hearing is now set for 11 February.