Celebrated author Munshi Premchand changed the course of literature in Hindi and Urdu with his "modern perspective" and simple expressions, according to his grandson Alok Rai.
	Rai, who was speaking in a session titled, "Hindustani Zindagi Ka Naqsh-Nigaar: Premchand", said Premchand chose a language that could reach masses.
	"Premchand had a modern view and understood things happening around him from a completely different perspective. Being an ardent reader, he had several influences which he used in telling stories," Rai said while speaking at Jashn-e-Rekhta, a festival celebrating Urdu language.
	Author and former JNU professor, Manager Pandey said extensive use of idioms was unique to Premchand's writings.
	"He adopted an extensive use of idioms in most of his stories. The best thing about Premchand was that he was a social writer and expressed himself in a language that people could easily understand. He touched different castes, cultures as well as religions and catered to ...

Premchand changed Hindi-Urdu literature with his writings

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Gulzar today advised the young generation of aspiring writers to "become their own critics" by emulating Mirza Ghalib's practise of repeatedly editing his own writings.
	The award-winning lyricist-poet, who was speaking in a session titled, "Hum Sooratgaar Kuch Khwaabon Ke", said that it was imperative for young poets to "self-evaluate and self-edit".
	"Ghalib used to edit his own poems and often reject the works he did not like. It is important for poets and writers today to know their shortcomings, and be able to edit their own work as well as reject them if they are not up to their standards," Gulzar said at the ongoing Urdu festival 'Jashn-e-Rekhta'.
	In conversation with famous Urdu and Hindi screenwriter Javed Siddiqui, Gulzar also talked about the relevance of pioneers of Urdu poetry like Mir Taqi Mir and Faiz Ahmad Faiz among others.
	Highlighting Faiz's literary contribution and its importance during India's freedom struggle, Gulzar asserted that poetry was not merely a ...

Gulzar advises aspiring writers to become their own critics

A documentary paying tribute to Aram Nagar, known as the hub for creative people located partially off the rocky beaches of Versova, is in works.
	The film, titled "The Aram Nagar: Kingdom Of Dreams", is produced by Bombay Casting, Bohra Bros and After Studio, co-produced by Kunal Rohra.
	Producer Sunil Bohra says he always wanted to pay tribute to the place that attracts aspirants and creative people.
	"The place is like no other in Mumbai. In fact the charm of the place, people say, is that it makes them feel like they're not in the city with its small by lanes, tree cover and the sounds of birds humming all the time.
	"I truly think it is a mini film city in itself as the place has produced over 200 films in all Indian languages till now," says Sunil, who has produced films like "Gangs Of Wasseypur 1 & 2" in the last few years in Aram Nagar.
	The place constitutes of two parts that are internally connected. Aram Nagar was used as a military barrack during World War II and now ...

Documentary on mini film city Aram Nagar to release on Aug 15

Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's "No Bed of Roses", starring and co-produced by India actor Irrfan Khan, has been effectively banned in Bangladesh.
	Speculation has been rife in the Bangladeshi and Indian media that the film is a biopic loosely based on late Bangladeshi writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed who divorced his wife of 27 years and married an actress 33 years his junior. Farooki has denied that the film is a biopic.
	According to Variety, the film begins with a disclaimer that the film has no resemblance to any real life characters alive or dead. Irrfan plays a filmmaker named Javed Hasan who leaves his wife and marries an actress who was his daughter's classmate in school.
	"I am really surprised to know that the government of Bangladesh has blocked the film. This is a humane story that deals with complex male and female relationships in a subtle and balanced way. What harm will it cause to the society if seen?" Irrfan said.
	The film is a co-production ...

Bangladesh bans Irrfan Khan-starrer 'No Bed of Roses'

Hugh Jackman arrived at Berlin Film Festival for the premiere of "Logan" with a small bandage on his nose and assured that he is fine after being treated for skin cancer once again.
	"It is fine, it is all done, all fixed, all out. Thank you for asking," he said on the red carpet, according to NBC.
	Jackman, 48, had earlier revealed  that he had another basal cell carcinoma on his nose, and tweeted out a picture of his bandaged nose, and urged people to wear sunscreen.
	"Logan" is the third installment of the "Wolverine" spin-off series. It's competing at the Berlin Film Festival.
	"I didn't want it to be seen as a comic book movie, I wanted it to be seen as a film on its own. I had no doubts whatsoever. When I began to understand some of the content of this film, I was all for it. The film is unusual, very different and I think remarkable," he said.

Hugh Jackman 'fine' after latest skin cancer bout

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who is currently shooting his comeback film "Bhoomi" here, explored the lanes of the city on a scooter with wife Maanayata and two kids.
	Maanayata took to Instagram to share the picture in which Dutt, 57, is seen with his wife and kids - daughter Iqra and son Shahraan.
	"Nothing compares to a simple ride on a scooter with the family.... Exploring the lanes of agra.. #beautifullife #thankyougod #happy #instafam #agra #bhoomi #love #grace #positivity #dutts #shahraandutt #iqradutt," Maanayata wrote alongside the picture.
	"Bhoomi" is being directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Bhushan Kumar. It also stars Aditi Rao Hydari.

Sanjay Dutt's scooter ride with family

Actor Siddharth has expressed concern on the current political situation in Tamil Nadu and wonders if there is any hope left for the state.
	Taking to Twitter the actor, who has starred in Hindi films like "Rang De Basanti" and "Chashme Baddoor", wrote, "Is there any hope left for #TamilNadu or are we destined to see only this low level politics and zero conscience leadership?"
	Calling the situation "shameful days for democracy, Siddharth added, "...Let even children see, hear and learn what is happening in the assembly in #TN. Make them understand. Shameful days for democracy!" he added.

Siddharth upset with current political situation in Tamil Nadu

Octavia Spencer thinks Viola Davis will win Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Oscars.
	The 46-year-old actress has been nominated alongside the "Fences" star for her role in "Hidden Figures" but believes that Viola will come out on top, reported Contactmusic.
	"For me, being nominated puts no pressure whatsoever. I have no hopes in hell of winning. Viola Davis is winning so I'm excited just to be invited to the party. It is an extreme honour to be nominated," Spencer said.
	The actress has remained close to her "The Help" co-stars, which includes Viola and Emma Stone, since they all starred together in the 2011 movie and was thrilled to see them both nominated.

Viola Davis will win the Oscar: Octavia Spencer

Actress Emma Stone has revealed her all-time favourite film moment is a dialouge from the movie "Network".
	The 28-year-old actress said the line from the 1976 American satirical film written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet,  made her feel alive in front of the movie screen, reported People magazine.
	"The 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore' speech in 'Network'," said Stone.
	She also goes on to explain the reason she loved it, "When he comes in from all of the rain in his trench coat and just really becomes the mad prophet of the airwaves."
	Stone also revealed her must-have snack when she goes to the movies.
	"Milk Duds in my popcorn. So you eat them at the same time and you get a great salty to sweet ratio," said the actress.
	Stone has been nominated for best actress at the Oscars, which will air on February 26.

'Network' dialouge is Emma Stone's all-time fav movie moment

A tree smashed through supermodel Ireland Baldwin's driveway as a storm coursed through California.
	Baldwin, 21, posted a picture of the damage, writing, "So this is my drive way. Anyone expecting me to get anywhere this weekend it's not happening! thanks for understanding xo", reported People magazine.
	The model - who is the only daughter of Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger - later posted a video, showing the extent of the damage done to her driveway.
	"Completely stuck in my house until this figured out!" she wrote in the caption.

Tree crashes through Ireland Baldwin's driveway

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with wife Jaya, superstar Salman Khan, his rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur and Katrina Kaif were among attendees at the wedding reception of actor Neil Nitin Mukesh here.
	Neil and Rukmini Sahay, who met through their parents, tied the knot on February 9 in a grand ceremony in Udaipur, which was attended by family, friends and a few close Bollywood colleagues.
	The couple hosted the reception last night for their friends from the film industry, at a city hotel.
	Salman, who worked with Neil in 2015 hit "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", entered quite late, and hours after Iulia came. Looking radiant in an all-black lehenga choli, Iulia attracted maximum attention as she attended the reception.
	Also present at the event were Rekha, Abhishek Bachchan, Sooraj Barjatya, Swara Bhaskar, Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Abbas Mustan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Pamela Chopra, Sahara chief Subrata Roy and wife, Udit Narayan, son Aditya, Alka Yagnik, Pooja Hegde, ...

Bachchans, Salman Khan attend Neil's wedding reception

Manav Kaul has made his presence felt in both, indie and commercial film space and he says Indian cinema is going through an exciting phase and its about time people stop addressing certain actors as "character artists".
	The "Jai Gangaajal" actor says filmmakers are today giving importance to good actors in leading roles, a big change from the earlier times.
	"I don't like the term character artist. I think it is very demeaning. It sort of puts you in a box, 'oh you are a character artist.' It becomes difficult to break that then," Manav told PTI.
	"Cinema has changed dramatically in the last 7-8 years. A fabulous actor like Sanjay Mishra plays lead role in 'Aankho Dekhi'. People are taking good actors in prominent roles and they are playing strong 'characters', not the standard 'hero-heroine' material."
	The 40-year-old actor had a packed February with the Akshay Kumar starrer "Jolly LLB 2" hitting screens and the digital release of his film, "Maroon".
	Manav says, unlike mainstream 

Calling actors character artists is demeaning: Manav Kaul

Warren Frost, the character actor best known for his role as Dr Will Hayward on "Twin Peaks," has died. He was 91.
	 Frost passed away after a long illness at his home in Middlebury, Vermont, reported Variety.
	Frost was the father of Mark Frost, the co-creator with filmmaker David Lynch of the revered mystery-fantasy franchise
	"We're saddened today to announce the passing of our dear old dad, Warren Frost," son Mark Frost said.
	"From the Normandy shores on D-Day to his 50-year career on stage and screen, he remained the same humble guy from Vermont who taught us that a life devoted to telling the right kind of truths can make a real difference in the lives of others. We're grateful to have shared him with the world for as long as we did."
	Frost had recently come out of retirement to reprise his "Twin Peaks" role for the sequel to the ABC series that is set to debut on Showtime in May.
	He had a long career before and after the original "Twin Peaks." He logged a memorable guest ...

'Twin Peaks' actor Warren Frost dies

"Beauty and the Beast" star Emma Watson has said former US First Lady Michelle Obama would be her dream house guest because she could give her a "pep talk."
	The 26-year-old actress thinks the former US First Lady, 53, could give her some great advice.
	Asked during a Q&A with young fans for Entertainment Weekly who would be her dream house guest, Watson said, "Michelle Obama. Just for a quick chat, you know. Just for a quick pep talk. That would be great."
	The British beauty, who is one of the ambassadors for the United Nation's HeForShe outreach movement, also opened up about why she believes Hermione Granger is a strong feminist character in the "Harry Potter" films.
	"Hermione was that perfect example of turning on its head this initial prejudice that she gets. Hermione finds a way to wield her intelligence and become really the leader in this group of two other boys and that's kind of the role that she assumes.
	"Harry is much more intuitive. Ron is just along for the ride. ...

Emma Watson wants a pep talk from Michelle Obama

Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the 'Legendary Award' by Brand Laureate.
	The Brand Laureate Awards recognise world-class achievement in branding amongst individuals and companies.
	"Heartfelt thank you to "The Brand Laureate" for honouring me with the "Legendary Award" 2017," Mangeshkar, 87, posted on Twitter alongside the pictures of the award.
	In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with the Brand Laureate Legendary Award for his unmatched contribution to Indian Cinema.
	The Brand Laureate Legendary Award has been earlier given to the likes of former South African president Nelson Mandela, Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus, Indian businessman Ratan Tata, late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Facebook CEO Marck Zuckerburg and F1 ace Michael Schumacher.

Lata Mangeshkar gets Legendary Award

Popular television actor-host Maniesh Paul has been roped in to host and perform for superstar Salman Khan's "Da Bang" world tour.
	The "Tere Bin Laden 2" actor, who is anxiously looking forward to his first world tour with Salman, has already stared rehearsing for the same, a press release issued here said.
	"It feels very good to be on the tour because its going to be my first world tour. Performing with Salman Khan, Prabhudheva, Bipasha Basu, Daisy Shah and everyone will be a great experience," Maniesh said in a statement here.
	"I am looking forward to that and its not just hosting so planning something different and quirky its going to be great," he said.
	Titled 'DA BANG - The Tour', the event organised by The Chocolate Room will see a bevy of Bollywood stars including Sonakshi Sinha and Badshah joining Salman.
	The "Dabangg" star is gearing up for the tour as he will be visiting Hong Kong, Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne along with other celebrities.
	Also, there are reports ...

Maniesh Paul to host and perform for Salman's 'Da Bang' tour

Reality TV stars Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna have broken up and are no longer living together.
	The stars of "Rob & Chyna", who got engaged last year and share a 3-month-old daughter, Dream Kardashian, had undergone a brief but drama-filled breakup in December, months after weathering a fight.
	They have not been spotted together publicly this month and Chyna was recently seen without her engagement ring. The two have not commented, reported E! online.
	A source said that Rob and Chyna are living in separate homes and that even family members are not sure about their relationship status.
	"Rob is focusing more on himself, the baby and work. He's been focusing on his sock line more," the source said.
	The reality stars are no longer together and that "his friends think right now this is definitely for the best.

Rob Kardashian, Blac Chyna break up again

Warner Bros negotiations with Matt Reeves to helm "The Batman" has failed as the director has backed out of the project.
	After Ben Affleck stepped down from the role, Reeves was reportedly in talks for the job. Now, however, the "Cloverfield" helmer has also exited the discussions, The Hollywood Reporter said.
	It's unclear what caused the breakdown in the negotiations.
	Warner Bros is also still intent on making the movie despite the so many challenges it has faced and is ready to move on to another director should it fail to reach a deal with Reeves.
	Reeves is currently in post-production on "War for the Planet of the Apes", which is due out July 14 in the United States.
	It was previously reported that all parties, including Affleck, seemed to share a similar creative vision with Reeves early on.
	Affleck himself stepped down as director for "The Batman" as he decided that tackling double duty for such massive project was too much.

Matt Reeves backs out of directing Ben Affleck's 'The Batman'

Fresh off his directorial debut, the "Lights Out" helmer David F Sandberg is being eyed to sit behind the lens for the upcoming DC comic book adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson.
	The long-delayed superhero movie "Shazam" might soon go on floors, reported The Wrap.
	Johnson will not play the titular hero. He is attached to the role of the villain, Black Adam.
	It's unclear who will portray the protagonist, but Black Adam will also get his own solo movie. Johnson is expected to return to the spin-off, and his character will be envisioned as an anti-hero.
	Early this year, the actor opened up, "Had a very cool and strategic meeting with the heads of DC about their entire universe. As a hard core DC fan, to get a real sense of the tonal shifts and developments coming in these future movies has me fired up.
	"Something we, as DC fans have all been waiting for for a very long time. Hope, optimism & FUN. Even when talking about the the most ruthless villain/anti-hero of all time finally ...

David F Sandberg in talks to direct DC movie 'Shazam'

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has gone back to platinum blonde as she debuted her new locks on Snapchat.
	In addition to turning its color lighter, she seemingly chopped off her long dark locks as it looked shorter in the snap, reported Ace Showbiz.
	Kim debuted the new do in honor of former BFF Paris Hilton's birthday.
	"Happy Birthday Paris Hilton," the wife of Kanye West wrote along with the mirror selfie, giving a shout out to the birthday girl, who turned 36.
	The reality TV star also took to Twitter to share the same picture that showed her wearing a low-cut black crop top.
	"Today's vibes channeling Paris! Happy Birthday @ParisHilton. Can't wait to celebrate with you soon!"
	It's not the first time Kim bleached her brunette locks. The socialite first went platinum blonde back in March 2015 ahead of the Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week, during when she shocked fans after revealing her drastic makeover in the City of Lights.

Kim Kardashian goes platinum blonde again

The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has penned a 75,000 word memoir but has refused to publish it, according to writer and publisher John Blake.
	It is also claimed by Blake that he has the manuscript kept in a "secret hiding place", reported NME magazine.
	Blake said that it was written in late '70s when Jagger was paid an advance of 1 million pounds, which he eventually gave back.
	It offers an "extraordinary insight" into the singer and "shows a quieter, more watchful Mick than the fast-living caricature."
	Jagger initially found it difficult to write the book, Blake claimed, because "all the years of drugs and debauchery had addled his brain so badly that he could not remember anything."
	When the book was finished in the early '80s, it was rejected by publishers because "it was light on sex and drugs".
	Blake goes on to describe the memoir as "a little masterpiece," adding that it's "a perfectly preserved time capsule written when the Stones had produced all their greatest ...

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