A Pakistani civil servant who never let go of hope Leonardo DiCaprio might win an Oscar became a social media star after his memo ordering a tea break for staff celebrating the actor's long-awaited victory went viral.
	Rizwan Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner of the Inland Revenue department in Pakistani-held Kashmir, told AFP today he was "inspired" by the Titanic star "because he'd been nominated four times and he never lost faith despite losing".
	Though one of the world's biggest and most bankable stars, the 41-year-old DiCaprio had never taken home the golden statuette, sparking a years-long meme-fuelled Internet campaign.
	He received a standing ovation at the Academy Awards on February 28 when he was finally recognised for his intense portrayal of 19th century fur trapper Hugh Glass in the survival epic "The Revenant".
	"I wanted to convey this message of hard work and commitment in the face of adversity to my staff," Ahmed said.
	"In honor of Lenoardo DiCaprio getting his ...

Pakistani tax official celebrates DiCaprio Oscar win

PTI Automatic

Allegations that she illegally grabbed land for a dance academy at a nominal price notwithstanding, veteran actress-MP Hema Malini asserts no can stop her from from establishing her institute.
 	A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court last month sought a direction to the city police commissioner to file a case of cheating and forgery against the yesteryear actress and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse on charges of illegally allotting land.
	Malini said she has waited for 20 years to have her own dance academy, where classical dance forms would be taught, and she won't let "politics" ruin her plan.
	"I have been waiting for this for 20 years and when I was about to get it so much hullabaloo was created that I got scared. People said, 'You leave it, why are you after this land? I said why should I leave something I have been wanting for so many years," Hema told PTI in an interview.
	"I want to impart my dance my music, I want to make an institute and teach 

No one can stop me from starting dance academy: Hema

Celebrated author JK Rowling is set to release a four-part series titled "Magic in North America", which will provide a backstory to the upcoming "Harry Potter" spin-off, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".
	Rowling will release the first of the series on the Pottermore website tomorrow. The following pieces will be released at the same time daily until Friday.
	The series will cover magic-related topics such as the Salem witch trials and native American legends.
	The series is a prelude to the release of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".
	The film will be in cinemas in November and star Eddie Redmayne as "magizoologist" Newt Scamander, who writes a Hogwarts School textbook about the weird and wonderful fictional creatures he encounters.
	Rowling has written the screenplay for the film, which is based on a "Harry Potter" spin-off book she published in 2001.
	A post on Pottermore read, "Magic in North America will bring to light the history of this previously unexplored 

Rowling releasing 4-part series in run-up to Potter spin-off

Actress-activist Shabana Azmi believes the projection of women's sensuality in Bollywood needs to change as there is a thin line between sensual and vulgar.
	The 65-year-old "Neerja" star does not want "morality brigade" to interfere with the working of film industry but feels filmmakers should monitor it themselves.
	"The way sensuality is projected depends on the way camera moves, not on how you danced or the clothes you wore. I feel filmmakers and artists should do self regulation on how they want to present sensuality.
	"We don't want to give this in the hands of morality brigade. It is a very fine line which we have to take care of," Azmi said at the NDTV- L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth 2016 conclave.
	Azmi, who has brought to life many path-breaking characters, has serious objection to the way actresses are captured in item numbers. However, she did mention that not only movies but people getting entertained from them are also responsible for the way they perceive what is shown ...

Sensuality should be self regulated in films: Shabana Azmi

William Dalrymple's "The White Mughal" has been adapted for a TV programme with the writer turning a narrator to tell the love story between James Achilles Kirkpatrick and Khair-un-Nissa, the Muslim princess of Hyderabad.
	Set in the 18th century India, 'The White Mughal - Love and Betryal in India' is an emotive description of the book and it will take viewers to the forbidden romance between the British diplomat and the princess.
	Kirkpatrick risked everything, even converting to Islam just to marry Khair-un-Nissa.
 	The programme is a compelling look at the lives of the 'White Mughals' who assimilated themselves into the Indian life.
	The show will air on Discovery Channel, Discovery Tamil and Discovery HD World on March 28 at 9 PM.

Discovery to present hour-long programme on 'The White Mughal'

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut today hinted at making a film on her sister Rangoli, who is a acid attack survivor.
	Kangana said though she had a conversation with Rangoli on making such movie but the latter was not excited.
	"I told her I want to make a story on you. I want the rights of your life. I want to play you, me, everyone. She said yes it will be a very big flop film," Kangana told reporters.
	The actress was speaking at the new cover launch of Femina magazine.
	"On a serious note, I think her (Rangoli's) life is far more interesting than my life, thanks to her husband who has been madly in love with her since day one. My life is not as exciting as Rangoli," Kangana added.
	Rangoli narrated her struggle since a man flung acid on her and the impact the incident had on her life.
	"I was struggling for my life. When acid goes deep inside your skin and if you're not treated on time, it attacks your organs also. When the incident happened, I was struggling for my life...The ...

Kangana hints at making film on her acid attack victim sister

Emma Watson, one of the foremost advocates of women's rights in Hollywood, says gender-based pay disparity is not just limited to showbusiness but affects women in all spheres.
	The pay disparity between male and female stars in Hollywood has been criticised by stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Patricia Arquette.
	Lawrence even penned an article to talk about how she did not always push for a better raise fearing she will be perceived as a 'diva' or a 'difficult woman'.
	Watson, who has taken a year's sabbatical from films to focus on women's issues around the globe, admits that women have to not only fight for equal pay but also the negative perception that comes with it.
	"We are not supposed to talk about money, because people will think you're 'difficult' or a 'diva.'
	"But there's a willingness now to be like, 'Fine. Call me a 'diva', call me a 'feminazi', call me 'difficult,' call me a 'First World feminist', call me whatever you want, it's not going to stop me from .

Gender pay gap exists everywhere, says Emma Watson

Sonam Kapoor-starrer real-life inspired drama "Neerja" has continued its box office momentum in the third week by earning Rs 65.24 crore, surpassing the business of another woman-centric film "Mary Kom".
	The movie, directed by Ram Madhvani, narrates the story of Neerja Bhanot, a senior flight attendant on board a Pan Am Mumbai-New York flight, who died while saving the lives of the passengers during the hijacking of the flight at Karachi airport in 1986.
	"Neerja crosses Mary Kom lifetime biz [Week 3] Fri 1.15 cr, Sat 2.20 cr, Sun 2.69 cr, Mon 1.45 cr. Total: ? 65.24 cr. India biz. SUPERB!," tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
	The film is one of the biggest hits in Sonam's career.

'Neerja' earns Rs 65 crore, crosses Mary Kom's biz

Bollywood veteran Pankaj Kapur feels that though female-centric films are being made in the country today but for better roles for women in the industry, the society needs to change its mindset.
	The "Shaandaar" actor said the percentage of women oriented movies is better than what it used to be earlier.
	"Today there are certain films being made in which the female characters are of importance. I am not saying their percentage is large but it is certainly better than nothing, especially what it used to be over the last 20-30 years.
	"When the mindset of the society will change, new stories will be written that way," he told reporters.
	Kapur, 61, feels if there is awareness in the society regarding male-female equality, there will be a natural outcome too.
	"If this awareness increases among people, the natural outcome will be that stories will be written that way and female actors will get a chance to do (women centric) characters," he added.
	The actor was speaking at a debate on ..

Better female roles will come with change in mindset: Pankaj

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari feels women should follow their heart and not conform to the expectations of the society.
	The 29-year-old "Wazir" star has shot for an online dance video that celebrates womanhood.
	"I feel women should live the way they want to... To be who you are and not be burdened by any kind of pressure of who you are expected to be", Aditi told PTI in a telephonic interview.
	Directed by Akanksha Seda, "Let's Dance" by Culture Machine, which released today to mark International Women's Day, features Aditi performing western dance forms like contemporary and freestyle and in the background while talking about what being a woman means to her.
 	The "Guddu Rangeela" actress said she was comfortable sharing every part of information she has shared in the video.
 	"I believe that one should feel comfortable with who one is and I don't think fear should enter your psyche about how you live your life or what you cannot do.
	"Of course, there are times when you feel perplexed .

Women shouldn't be burdened by expectations: Aditi Rao Hydari

Pop sensation Lady Gaga continues to stand by Kesha.
	"I think that people should just know that there's so much more than what meets the eye in a case like that," said Gaga, 29, who has opened up about being raped when she was 19 by someone in the industry.
	"I feel like she's being very publicly shamed for something that happens in the music industry all the time, to women and men. I just want to stand by her side because I can't watch another woman that went through what I've been through suffer."
	After a February hearing where a judge denied Kesha's request for a preliminary injunction that would allow her to record new music without Dr Luke for the time being as her lawsuit continues, many pop stars, including Gaga, took to social media to support the singer.
	A few days after the decision, Gaga shared a photo on Instagram of herself and Kesha.
	"I talk to her every day. I'm friends with her personally, and what I'm watching her go through is not only something I've been through 

Kesha is being very publicly shamed: Lady Gaga

As Women's Day is being celebrated worldwide today, the young brigade of Bollywood feels that filmmakers should offer meaty roles to actresses.
	Actor Sidharth Malhotra says earlier actresses used to have promising roles, but in between there was a lull phase but he is happy to see things changing again.
	"During the time of Raj Kapoor, I think portrayal of women in cinema was confident and bold and it was not seen as cheap and sleazy. Their beauty was admired. Actresses like Zeenat Aman used to wear bikini and they looked elegant," Sidharth told PTI.
	"In the 90s it went down. I am too junior to comment on these stages. But today we have women-empowering scripts. Films like 'Queen', 'Piku' and 'Neerja' speak volumes. It's fantastic that these films are doing well," he said.
	The "Ek Villain" star feels filmmakers should continue to make women-centric films.
	"I think change has happened. We are encouraging women oriented scripts. Today audience can watch and enjoy heroines (being ...

Young B'wood actors feel women should get prominent roles

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Nandita Das, Kriti Sanon and Aditi Rao Hydari among others today paid tribute to the courage and strength of being a female on the occasion of International Women's Day.
	"Often I wish I was a woman... Then realise I don't have enough guts, talent, sense of sacrifice, selfless love or beauty to be one. Thank you girls," wrote Shah Rukh on Twitter.
	"Mother's #WomensDay wish to me "Strive to stay on course with grace, dignity and gentleness." #PowerOfLove #InternationalWomensDay2016," posted Dia Mirza.
	Nandita wrote, "Happy #WomensDay! Not as a tokenism, but as a pledge, as a dream waiting to be realised for a more equal and compassionate world."
	"When you are your biggest celebration every day is women's day... So....Let's dance!
#HappyInternationalWomensDay," wrote Aditi, who has shot for a dance video to mark the occasion.
	Kriti said, "I absolutely love being a woman and I celebrate that every single day! P.S. When is Men's Day??"
	Actor Sushant Singh ...

B-town wishes for gender equality on International Women's Day

Former NFL star Tony Gonzalez has joined the cast of Vin Diesel's "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage", which also stars Indian actress Deepika Padukone.
	The film, produced by Revolution Studios, Roth Kirschenbaum Films and Diesel's One Race Film, is directed by from a script by Chad St John, with current revisions by F Scott Frazier, reported Variety Online.
	Diesel starred in the original 2002 "XXX", directed by Rob Cohen, as underground sports star Xander Cage, who was blackmailed by the US government to take down a gang of international terrorists.
	The film, released by Sony, performed well with USD 277 million worldwide.
	This marks the feature film debut for Gonzalez, 40, a former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons All-Pro tight end and current CBS Sports analyst.
	Gonzalez's NFL career spanned 17 years, 12 with Kansas City after being the team's first-round pick in 1997, and five with Atlanta before his retirement in 2013.

Former NFL star Tony Gonzalez joins 'xXx' sequel

Fans may still hope to see Jon Snow alive as "Game of Thrones" returns with its sixth season but actor Kit Harington insists that he is merely going to play a corpse.
	The demise of the popular character, who was killed by his the members of Night's Watch at the end of the last season, had shocked fans of the series. There are several theories about his return even though HBO and the cast have rubbished it.
	Harington has reportedly been on set in Northern Ireland but the actor told Time Out that it was just to complete his death scene.
	"Look, I'm not in the show any more. I'm definitely not in the new series," the actor said.
	"I filmed some scenes of me being dead - (jokily) it's some of my best work," he said, adding, "I don't have a clue. I know how long I'm a corpse for, but I can't tell you that!"
	The season six of the hit show will air in India on Star World Premiere HD from April 26.

I play a corpse in 'Game of Thrones 6': Kit Harington

The first poster of Swara Bhaskar-starrer "Nil Battey Sannata" was unveiled today online by her good friend Sonam Kapoor.
	"Nil Battey Sannata" marks the debut of "Bhoothnath Returns" director Nitesh Tiwari's wife Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and is said to be about the relationship between a mother and her daughter.
	Swara had received best actress award at a film festival for her role in the movie.
	The poster sees Swara (playing the role of the mother) and her teenage daughter jumping in happiness.
	"On woman's day, I have the privilege of launching my behen @ReallySwara poster!," Sonam posted on Twitter.
	The "Neerja" star and Swara have worked together in Aanand L Rai's "Raanjhanaa" and superstar Salman Khan-starrer "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo".
	Produced by Aanand and Ajay Rai, "Nil Battey Sannata" will also be released simultaneously in Tamil.
	The movie is slated to release on April 22.

Sonam Kapoor unveils poster of Swara Bhaskar's next

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says the Chandra Barot-directed 1978 action film "Don" was a masterpiece.
	Bachchan, 73, played the titular character of the most wanted criminal in the movie, which also starred Zeenat Aman and Pran in pivotal roles.
	"DON completes several years... And what a masterpiece it was... For me just another day of apprehensions!," he posted on Twitter.
	"Don" was the third-highest grossing Bollywood movie of 1978. A remake and sequel were also released in 2006 and 2011, respectively that saw Shah Rukh Khan stepping into the shoes of Bachchan.
	The "Piku" star is currently in the capital to shoot filmmaker Shoojit Sircar's next production venture, tentatively titled "Eve".
	He said he had jitters on the first day of his work.
	"First day works, first day anxiety, first day fathoming, first day uncertainties, first day several tries for perfection, first day in a million suggestions and first day complete...

'Don' was a masterpiece: Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge says it was a learning experience working with Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi in the upcoming film "Irada".
	The film, which revolves around a social issue, brings back the pairing of Naseeruddin and Arshad who worked together in "Ishqiya" and its sequel "Dedh Ishqiya".
	Sagarika, best known for her debut role as Preeti Sabarwal in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Chak De! India", says Naseeruddin has tremendous energy as an actor.
	"Working with Naseeruddin and Arshad has been a learning experience. Naseeruddin Sir has lots of energy. We shot for a combined scene recently and the feeling was amazing. He has a very warm presence on the set," Sagarika told PTI.
	"While Arshad, more than anything else, is spontaneous and keeps on doing improvisations. That is a great quality to have as an actor because you get to a learn a lot as co-stars," she added.
	"Irada" is helmed by debutant directors Aparna Singh and Nishant Tripathi. The actress says the directors ...

Working with Naseeruddin, Arshad learning experience: Sagarika

Actor Farhan Akhtar, who recently separated from his wife after 15 years of marriage, has refused to comment on his alleged link-ups with actresses Aditi Rao Hydari and Kalki Koechlin.
	The "Rock On" star and his celebrity hair-stylist wife Adhuna announced their decision to separate "mutually and amicably" earlier this year.
	Post his separation, gossip mills were initially abuzz with growing romance between Farhan and his "Wazir" co-star Aditi. Later, the 42-year-old actor was linked to Kalki Koechlin, with whom he was seen in "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".
	"Regardless of what I would say, people will still talk. I don't want to comment," Farhan told PTI when asked about the alleged link-ups.
	On work front, Farhan will be seen next in "Rock On 2", a sequel to the 2008 box office success "Rock On".
	Actress Shraddha Kapoor is the new addition to the cast that already has Farhan, Arjun Rampal, Prachi Desai and Purab Kohli reprising their roles.
	Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, the film ..

Farhan Akhtar mum on rumoured link-ups

Funnyman Jimmy Kimmel will be returning as host for the 68th Emmy Awards, having fronted the ceremony four years ago.
	"I am hosting the #Emmys on Sunday Sept 18," the 48-year-old TV host tweeted to his followers confirming the announcement.
	"Until then, have a great summer," he added.
	Kimmel follows previous Emmys hosts Andy Samberg (2015), Seth Meyers (2014) and Neil Patrick Harris (2013).
	This year's ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Jimmy Kimmel to host 2016 Emmy Awards

Singer-actress Zendaya Coleman has reportedly landed a role in the new "Spider-Man" reboot.
	British actor Tom Holland was revealed as Andrew Garfield's replacement in the superhero franchise in June last year, reported Deadline.
	Jon Watts is directing the film and he has reportedly cast Zendaya as a character named Michelle.
	Further details about Zendaya's role have not been revealed and it is unclear if she will play Holland's romantic interest or sidekick in the project.
	Holland will make his debut as Peter Parker and his alter-ego in "Captain America: Civil War" in May, before his stand-alone "Spider-Man" reboot is released in 2017.
	He was cast as the web-slinging superhero last June, after studio bosses at Sony Pictures decided to ditch plans to continue with Garfield as the comic book character in further follow-ups to 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man" and its sequel, and start the movies again.

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