The makers are moving forward with plans to release Nate Parker's historical drama "The Birth of a Nation" despite the resurfacing of a rape trail from the  actor-director's past.
	Fox Searchlight, which bought the project for a record-breaking USD 17.5 million at Sundance, said they are standing behind Parker as he was acquitted of the charges, reported the Entertainment Weekly.
	The studio confirmed  that the film about Nat Turner's 1831 slave rebellion is still scheduled to release in the US on October 7.
	"Searchlight is aware of the incident that occurred while Nate Parker was at Penn State. We also know that he was found innocent and cleared of all charges. We stand behind Nate and are proud to help bring this important and powerful story to the screen," the studio said in a statement.
	In 1999, Parker and college roommate Jean Celestin, who also co-wrote the film, were charged with raping a fellow student while she was unconscious after a night of drinking.
	Parker was ...

'Birth of a Nation' release unchanged despite rape controversy

PTI Automatic

Actor-comedian Jason Sudeikis is all set to play John Keating, "The Dead Poets Society" role made popular by late Robin Williams, in a stage adaptation of the movie.
	Off-Broadway nonprofit Classic Stage Company will present an adaptation of the Oscar-winning director Tom Schulman's 1989 screenplay, reported Deadline.
	Performances are slated to begin October 27, with an official opening November 17.
	The story, set in an all-boys prep school, is about professor Keating, who has an off-beat approach to education and encourages his students to live life passionately.
	Sudeikis' upcoming films include the sci-fi thriller "Colossal" where he stars opposite Anne Hathaway and Kodachrome with Ed Harris.

Jason Sudeikis to reprise Robin William's role for stage

Actor Hugh Grant is set to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland in September.
	The "Notting Hill" actor has been named the recipient of the festival's prestigious Golden Icon Award in recognition for his career achievements, reported Variety.
	"Hugh is as beloved a star as there is in the world of film," said festival directors Karl Spoerri and Nadja Schildknecht in a statement.
	"His uncanny charm and charisma have fuelled memorable performances for decades, but in watching his amazing body of work, the depth of his acting is unmistakable and equally as memorable."
	He will receive the prize on September 27 and also present a screening of his latest movie Florence Foster Jenkins, which co-stars Meryl Streep and "The Big Bang Theory" star Simon Helberg.
	The 55-year-old actor follows in the footsteps of previous winners such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hugh Jackman, Sean Penn, Richard Gere, and Morgan Freeman.
	The festival runs ...

Hugh Grant to receive Zurich Film Festival Award

Former "Desperate Housewives" actor Jesse Metcalfe is engaged to his actress and fashion blogger girlfriend Cara Santana.
	The 37-year-old actor proposed to Santana on a sailboat in the middle of the Hudson River in New York this week when they were celebrating her birthday, reported Us Weekly.
	"It's been a long time coming, but we couldn't be happier," he said.
	Metcalfe, and 33-year-old Santana have been together for over 10 years.
	The couple were previously forced to deny reports they were engaged.
	Metcalfe previously dated Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle.

Jesse Metcalfe engaged

After working together in "Talladega Nights" and "Step Brothers", Will Ferrell and John C  Reilly are re-teaming to play Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in a comedy.
	The duo will star in director Etan Cohen's "Holmes & Watson", which will give Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective saga a comedic bent, reported Deadline.
  	Ferrell will play Holmes while Reilly will back him up as Watson.
	Sony Pictures originally bought the project with Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen but things did not move to a conclusive end.
	They have now revived the project and they are planning to go into production later this year.
	Sherlock continues to be a popular subject for both movie and TV world.
	Guy Ritchie, who gave Sherlock a quirky makeover, is coming up with a third movie, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
	Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock in the hit series of the same name while CBS has a series called "Elementary" with Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu.

Will Ferrell, John C Reilly reteam for 'Holmes & Watson'

Actress Ariel Winter considers her "Modern Family" co-star Sofia Vergara her role model.
	The 18-year-old actress praised Vergara for being a "curvy beautiful woman," reported ET online.
	"I really had the greatest opportunity to have some wonderful role models, especially Sofia Vergara.
	"Working with a curvy beautiful woman that everybody looked up to and loved the way she looked ... That was my inspiration to move forward and accept myself because that's what matters," Winter said.
	The young star has been criticised in the past for posting sexy Instagram picture but she doesn't see what the big deal is.
	"I don't really think I'm telling myself, 'You should post this, you shouldn't post that,' I feel like I'm just having fun. I like my fans to see what I'm doing. Everybody is so hyped...I don't think it's crazy," she said.

Sofia Vergara is my role model: Ariel Winter

Hollywood stars Ben Affleck, Emma Stone, and Matthew Mcconaughey will be among the A-list stars standing up to cancer as part of this year's big US telethon.
	The trio will be joined by the likes of Josh Gad, Anna Kendrick, Eric Stonestreet, and Ken Jeong at the fifth biennial Stand Up To Cancer broadcast live from Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on September 9, reported People magazine.
	Bradley Cooper, who is the broadcast's executive producer and will also appear during the big event, said, "We all have a reason to stand up. Stand Up To Cancer is a sustained movement that impacts millions of lives.
	"We honour the personal stories that motivate individuals to fight, and that highlight the urgent need to get new methods of treatment to the patients who so desperately need them."
	This year's telethon will feature skits and performances as well as films about cancer heroes, victims and sufferers.

Ben Affleck, Emma Stone to lead stand up to cancer telethon

Lin-Manuel Miranda has joined "The Little Mermaid" live action adaptation as a producer and songwriter.
	The "Hamilton" star is teaming up with Alan Menken, who scored the original 1989 cartoon film, to create songs for the new movie.
	Lin-Manuel will also produce the film and supervise the storyline alongside Marc Platt. Moviemakers are currently seeking a screenwriter, reported Deadline.
	The 36-year-old star has long admired the animated film.
	"It's the movie that's probably most responsible for me being here.
	"I started taping the Oscars because I wanted to see Geoffrey Holder's performance of 'Under the Sea'. That was the beginning of the end. Or, the beginning of the beginning, depending on how you look at it... I could sing you not only the songs in Little Mermaid but the music to the score. That's how important those scores are in my life and in my upbringing."
	The actor is making his Disney songwriting debut on animated film "Moana", which is due out in November.

Lin-manuel Miranda to create music for 'Little Mermaid' film

Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has joined the cast of Ryan Murphy's FX mini-series "Feud".
	The 46-year-old actress will play Olivia de Havilland.
	"Thrilled that Oscar-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones is joining FEUD as Oscar-winner Olivia de Havilland," Murphy wrote.
	The eight-episode mini-series, which stars actresses Jessica Lange (Joan Crawford) and Susan Sarandon (Bette Davis), will showcase the classic rivalry between the Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? stars, said The Hollywood Reporter.
	Scheduled to air in 2017, the show will also feature Alfred Molina (as film's director Robert Aldrich), Judy Davis (as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper), and Stanley Tucci (as Jack Warner).
	The show will mark the actress' her first prominent TV project since her role in the '90s British dramedy "The Darling Buds of May.

Catherine Zeta-Jones joins Ryan Murphy's 'Feud'

Hollywood stars Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman have reunited to buy the movie rights to novelist Liane Moriarty's "Truly Madly Guilty".
	Witherspoon's Pacific Standard production banner and Kidman's Blossom Films will produce the film.
	The two actresses are already in the postproduction stage on a limited series based on Moriarty's "Big Little Lies" for HBO, reported Deadline.
	The series was adapted by David E Kelley and directed by Jean-Marc Vallee and stars Witherspoon, Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz and Alexander Skaarsgard.
	"Truly Madly Guilty", explores fundamental relationships like marriage, sex, parenthood and friendship through a fateful event.
	The story takes place over a weekend, among six adults and three cute kids.

Witherspoon, Kidman buy brights for 'Truly Madly Guilty'

Oscar-nominated director and former Academy president Arthur Hiller died on Wednesday in Los Angeles of natural causes. He was 92.
	The Canadian-born filmmaker enjoyed a movie career spanning five decades which included 1964 comedy "The Americanization of Emily," ratings smash "Love Story," for which he was Oscar nominated in 1970, and 1975's "The Man in the Glass Booth."
	"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved friend Arthur Hiller," Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement.
	"I was a member of the board during his presidency and fortunate enough to witness firsthand his dedication to the Academy and his lifelong passion for visual storytelling."
	Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Hiller served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, and embarked on a show business career first in Canadian television and then in Hollywood.
	A jobbing director at first, he turned out episodes of "Matinee Theatre," "Playhouse 90" and "The Third Man" in the ...

Oscar-nominated director Arthur Hiller dies

Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Ileana D'Cruz have joined megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal in "Aankhen 2".
     The official announcement of "Aankhen 2", a sequel to 2002 'Aankhen', continues to feature Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal. Joining the duo will be Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Ileana D'Cruz.
     Anees Bazmee will be stepping in as the director. The first "Aankhen" had Vipul Shah helming the film.
     The official announcement of the sequel was made at an event here.
     "This will be different from "Aankhen" and it will be bigger and better. The basic premise will be same," Anees told reporters at the launch event here.
     "Aankhen" tells the story of Vijay Singh Rajput (Bachchan), a hard-working but temperamental man. When Vijay loses his mind and goes on a violent rampage beating up another employee, he is subsequently fired. He decides to take vengeance by organising a heist, and having the same bank robbed by three blind men (Arjun, Akshay and Paresh ...

Anil, Arshad, Ileana join Big B for "Aankhen 2"

Lauding the hardwork of the Indian athletes, megastar Amitabh Bachchan today came out in their support, saying winning medals is not everything.
     Rio Olympic 2016 is nearing its end but India still awaits a tick on its medal tally.
     "They (athletes) need support of the whole country. It's not an easy task to go up there and perform the way they are doing. I really applaud the fact that they are able to bring the name of the country on an international platform, that's most credible. It's a tough job and it's difficult to be there," he said.
     According to Big B the fact that the athletes are representing India on an international platform is a huge thing.
     "It's extremely laudable that we had to so much talent there representing the country. It's another matter that they are not able to bring in medals. But medals are not everything in life," he said.
     "This experience and exposure will help them and I am pretty certain that in the next Olympics in 2020 we will do ..

Winning medals is not everything in life: Big B

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee, who is making his acting debut with "Unindian", says he doesn't know if he misses playing cricket as he is exploring himself as an actor right now.
	The 39-year-old former fast bowler has teamed up with Bollywood producer-director Anupam Sharma for romantic comedy "Unindian".
	"No, I don't know if I miss cricket (or not). I am trying out different things right now like acting," he told PTI.
	Lee, may not be playing cricket anymore, but does follow the game.
	"They (Indian team) are going well. They have lot to offer. (Indian bowler Jasprit) Bumrah has got good pace. Virat Kohli is the best...He is world's best," he added.
	Set in in Sydney, the English-language film tells the story of the cultural challenges that two characters,-- Australian Will (Brett) and Indian Meera (Tannishtha Chatterjee)--face as they get into a relationship.
	The movie was released in Australia last year and is set to hit the theaters in India on August 19.
	"My family ...

I am trying out different things like acting now: Brett Lee

Bollywood music composer duo Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani have collaborated with British boyband The Vamps for a new single "Beliya".
	The song, which was launched today, sees Vishal and Shekhar jamming with the band comprising Connor Ball, Tristan Evans, James McVey and Brad Simpson.
	"OUT NOW! Vishal & Shekhar featuring The Vamps-Beliya," The Vamps posted on their official Twitter account along side the link of the video.
	Vishal wrote, "I'm late, but here it is! #Beliya with @TheVampsband ! Let me know what you think!"
	Actor Riteish Deshmukh congratulated Vishal and Shekhar on the song writing, "Amazing! #Beliya, written, composed and produced by Vishal and Shekhar, with #TheVamps. Check it out!"
	"Together you are beautiful @VishalDadlani @ShekharRavjiani @TheVampsband," Sophie Choudry wrote.
	Actor Ashish Chowdhry posted, "@ShekharRavjiani @VishalDadlani theres no stopping you two geniuses! I see you escalate each day #TheVamps.

Vishal-Shekhar collaborate with The Vamps

Superstar Salman Khan, the goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent at this year's Olympics in Rio, will present a cheque of Rs 1,01,000 to each of the athletes.
	"As a gesture of appreciation for our Olympic athletes, I will present each one with a cheque of Rs 1,01,000," Salman, 50, tweeted.
	The "Sultan" star, whose appointment as the goodwill ambassador had come under scathing criticism, said every citizen of the country should do their bit to encourage sports.
	"The government is very supportive of sports. Each of us can also do our bit to encourage a sports nation," he posted.
	"I admire the work that Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) is doing to shape tomorrow's champions.

Salman to present Rs 1,01,000 cheque each to Olympic athletes

Shakun Batra is happy that his last release "Kapoor & Sons", starring Fawad Khan, Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, won the best film honour at Indian Film Festival Melbourne, 2016.
	The 33-year-old filmmaker says the cast of the film is delighted with the praise.
	"I am really happy, the whole cast and crew at Dharma (Productions) is really happy. We went out there to just make the movie. It wasn't about big box office and awards. But, all of us are really happy that the belief we showed in the project is getting us a lot in return," Batra told PTI.
	The director says he had a great time in Melbourne and the award was a cherry on the cake.
	"It was wonderful to be in Melbourne, being with people who love films. For me, the fun part is making the film and working with people I like. When people, who have worked with me, feel they have done something good for me that is the validation.
	"The next is when audience accepts the efforts and connects with the film. Awards are a cherry ...

Happy with IFF Melbourne honour for 'Kapoor & Sons': Batra

Filmmaker Aanand L Rai is hoping to raise the bar with his next directorial venture, starring superstar Shah Rukh Khan, which will go on floors this December.
	The yet-untitled film will see Shah Rukh playing a dwarf and Rai says the project is an important project for both of them.
	"It is a very important film not only for me but for all of us... Because it is one of its kind. It has a unique content. I have a reason to tell this story. I want to raise the bar for myself everytime I make a film," Rai said in an interview.
	Deepika Padukone and Parineeti Chopra are in the fray to join SRK in the film but the 45-year-old director did not confirm his leading lady's name.
	"We start shooting the film in December. I will announce the actress in a month's time."
	Rai is gearing up for the release of his production "Happy Bhag Jayegi", which stars Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Jimmy Sheirgill.
	The filmmaker says he is enjoying his stint as a producer.
	"Producing a film is a ...

Will begin shooting SRK-starrer in December: Aanand L Rai

Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri has allegedly been cheated of around Rs 6 lakh through fraudulent use of her credit card in the United States, police said today.
	The actress filed a compliant in this connection at Juhu Police Station on late Monday night.
	About 14 transactions, amounting to over Rs 6 lakh were made through the actress's credit card in the US, an official at the Juhu Police Station said.
	Fakhri was in Mumbai when the incident happened.
	The official said the card was used to withdraw money and not for other purposes like shopping.
	Details from the concerned bank regarding the fraudulent transactions is awaited, the official added.
	Police is also probing as to why the bank did not initiate any action when the transactions went on for 4 hours, he said.

Actress Nargis Fakhri duped of Rs 6 lakh

"The Birth of a Nation" actor- director Nate Parker has spoken after news surfaced that the woman who accused him of raping her in college 17 years ago took her own life in 2012.
	The writer-director and his roommate Jean Celestin, who is also the co-writer on the movie were accused of rape at Penn State university. Parker was acquitted in a 2001 trial, but questions about the case still persist, reported Variety.
	Parker, whose film revolves around a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831 and is being seen as a possible Oscar contender, expressed "profound sorrow" while maintaining his innocence in the case as he posted a lengthy statement on his Facebook.
	"I write to you all devastated. Over the last several days, a part of my past - my arrest, trial and acquittal on charges of sexual assault - has become a focal point for media coverage, social media speculation and industry conversation. I understand why so many are concerned and rightfully have questions," he ...

Director Nate Parker addresses rape accuser's suicide

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says he is proud of his daughter Alia Bhatt's work and feels she must taste failure as well.
	In her five-year career, Alia has garnered rave reviews for her acting and also got commercial success with films like "Highway", "2 States", "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania", "Kapoor and Sons", "Udta Punjab", barring "Shaandaar" that did not do well.
	"It's good. She (Alia) should taste failure. She is just a human being like everybody else," Bhatt told PTI.
	The "Saaransh" helmer looks at the work of his 23-year-old daughter with pride.
	"She has evolved from a reasonably good talented beginner to an extraordinary actor in 'Udta Punjab'. She has nailed it in that film. I wonder where this emotional intelligence is coming from. Alia staggered me in 'Udta Punjab'," the 67-year-old filmmaker said.
	Nowadays, quite a few Bollywood actresses are going to the West to explore new options.
	When asked, if he would be ok with Alia going to Hollywood, Bhatt said he will be a ...

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