Actors Idris Elba and Mathhew McConaughey have been roped in to star in the film version of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower".
	Elba, 43, will play gunslinger with McConaughey, 46, portraying the mystical foe known as the man in black, reported Entertainment Weekly.
	"The thing is, it's been a long trip from the books to the film. When you think about it, I started these stories as a senior in college, sitting in a little cabin beside the river in Maine, and finally this thing is actually in pre-production now. I'm delighted, and I'm a little bit surprised," King said.
	Nikolaj Arcel is helming the project.
	"What Stephen King does best is mixing the everyday, or what you might call the mundane, with the fantastical. In my view, (The Dark Tower) novels are a mix between sci-fi and fantasy and modern times. That exact mix is so Stephen King," Arcel said.
	The six-shooter-and-sorcery tale which spans eight novels, assorted comic books and short stories, is frequently referenced throughout 

Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey to star in 'The Dark Tower'

PTI Automatic

The first official poster for Zoe Saldana's upcoming film "Nina" has been released, leading to a chorus of criticism on social media.
	Following the poster reveal, the casting of Saldana - who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent - as the legendary African American singer received widespread backlash on Twitter and Instagram.
	Many express disappointment over Saldana's casting, saying she's not black enough to play the late singer, after it was announced that "Nina" will be released in theatres and on VOD in April, reported Ace Showbiz.
	"Zoe Saldana should be ashamed of herself for stealing what could have been a breakthrough role for so many black actresses," wrote a Twitter user.
	"Why is Zoe Saldana (a light skin woman) playing Nina Simone (a dark woman)? Can someone help me out?" another said.
	Another fan suggested that the film's producers could've picked Viola Davis or Lupita Nyong'o for the role.
	Saldana's involvement in "Nina" has drawn criticism not only from fans, but 

Zoe Saldana criticised after Nina Simone biopic poster release

Actress Sonam Kapoor is disheartened that "Neerja" is yet to release in Pakistan and feels that politics might be the reason behind it.
	"I think it is just politics. I believe there is no place for politics in art and sports. And unfortunately that's the case... That is happening. I don't understand the reason of not releasing it in Pakistan," Sonam told reporters here last evening.
	According to the "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" actress all her films have done commercially well in Pakistan but "Neerja" is yet to see the light of the day there.
	"It is sad that it has not released there (Pakistan) officially yet. I have learnt that people have watched the film through pirated copies which is sad. I am disappointed," she said.
	Veteran actress Shabana Azmi also fails to understand why the film is yet to release in the neighboring country.
	"It is sad but I haven't given up. I hope it releases there (Pakistan). We have been told the process of releasing the film there is going on," Shabana, who 

It's politics: Sonam on "Neerja" not finding release in Pak

Works by women directors of Asian origin ranging from animation, documentary, experimental, short fiction to fiction feature are set to be featured in the upcoming 12th IAWRT Asian Women's Film Festival beginning here from March 3.
	The festival, which began in 2005 and is now held annually around International Women's Day, has for this edition included 35 films from 13 countries apart from a special section of 11 films from Palestine under 'Voices of Palestine'.
	"An interesting aspect of the film festival is an audio segment called soundphiles. This is the third year we are showcasing this segment where artists send in their sound entries. This year we have a total of 8 sound works," says Uma Tanuku, Festival Director.
	Tanuku has curated the festival along with Aradhna Kohli.
	24 filmmakers and sound artists are scheduled to take part in the three-day event where films from Bangladesh, Iran, Israel, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK, ...

Festival of films by women - experimental, sci-fi, fiction etc

Being one of the leading stars in Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra says she is careful in choosing her international roles as she does not want to do something that undermines the position she holds in Hindi film industry.
	The actress, 33, became the first female star to land the lead role in a US television and will now play the main villain in "Baywatch". She also made a successful debut on the Oscars red carpet recently where she presented a trophy.
	"I am very strict about the fact that I have a certain position in Hindi film industry and that does not get compromised. I will never do that wherever I work in the world. The kind of position I have in Hindi cinema, I want something similar in my Hollywood projects too," Priyanka told PTI in an interview.
	The actress said she opted for "Quantico", where she plays a young FBI recruit accused of being a terrorist, because ABC offered her an important role.
	"Alex is not a wallflower. She is the lead character while in 'Baywatch', I play ...

Won't play a wallflower in Hollywood: Priyanka Chopra

Chris Rock's Girl Scouts cookie-selling bit at 88th Academy awards has helped them make big money.
	 A representative for the organization said in a statement that it raised USD 65,243 - the number Rock, 51, showed on stage during the telecast.
	"Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles was thrilled to participate in the 88th Oscars on Sunday evening.
	"Both Girl Scouts of the USA and the Academy have verified that, through sales of Girl Scout Cookies and donations made during the Oscars, the Girl Scouts raised USD 65,243 that will benefit girls, allowing them to improve their communities and continue developing into strong leaders," the statement read.
	During the Oscars telecast, Rock called on the A-list audience to "reach into (their) millionaire pockets" and buy cookies from his daughters' Girl Scouts troop.

Chris Rock's Oscar bit did help Girl Scouts raise USD 65,000

Pop star Taylor Swift served as maid of honour at her best friend Britany Maack's February wedding during which she touched every attendees' heart with her emotional speech.
	The "Out of the Woods" hitmaker recalled her BFF and her man's adorable beginnings, saying they had one of the "best love stories," reported Ace Showbiz.
	In a video from the ceremony which was uploaded, but later deleted, by Britany, the 26-year-old songstress began her speech by recalling the sweet couple's adorable beginnings.
	"He would chase her and pursue her through middle school and junior high and high school, and their paths would diverge, and then come back together," she said at the reception.
	"It would be so magically unpredictable, but at the same time, so incredibly fated just like the best love stories are.
	"My favourite accomplishment of my entire life is that everything in my life has changed except for me and Britany," Swift said.
	The video also showed a series of events from the rehearsal ..

Taylor Swift gives emotional maid-of-honour speech at wedding

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's father-in-law Colonel Ramesh Chandra Chibba passed away at a city hospital here.
	Chibba died last night at Escorts hospital, a member from Shah Rukh's team confirmed.
	Shah Rukh, who is married to the colonel's daughter, Gauri, flew down to the capital to attend the cremation, which took place at Lodhi Crematorium today.
	The actor cancelled the shooting of his film "Raees" which was underway in Mumbai.

Shah Rukh Khan's father-in-law Ramesh Chandra Chibba dies

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has confirmed that the upcoming "Fantastic Beasts" will be a triology.
	The 50-year-old British novelist made the revelation while correcting a fan, who thought that her new play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," will also be a film.
	"You heard wrong, I'm afraid. "#CursedChild is a play. #FantasticBeasts will be 3," she wrote.
	Starring Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander,	"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," is the first installment. It is scheduled to release on November 18.
	Rowling's new play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," is the official eighth Potter story and is set to open in London on July 30. It picks up the boy wizard's story 19 years after the end of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".

JK Rowling confirms 'Fantastic Beasts' will be a trilogy

The first teaser poster of upcoming film "Baaghi" has been unveiled on the occasion of the birthday of its lead star Tiger Shroff, who dons an intense and rebellious look in the film.
	The 26-year-old actor's co-star from the film, Shraddha Kapoor took to Twitter to share the poster and also wished Tiger.
	"Presenting... My favourite rebel! #Baaghi Happy Birthday @iTIGERSHROFF," Shraddha wrote.
	Thanking the "Ek Villain" actress, Tiger replied saying, "Shradddzzzz thank you love you! #Baaghi #BeARebel."
	The Sabbir Khan-directed film is about a rebel (Tiger), who will go to great lengths to fight for his love.
	Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, which has produced the film shared the poster on their official Twitter page.
	"A surprise on @iTIGERSHROFF's birthday! #Baaghi #BeARebel @ShraddhaKapoor @baaghiofficial."
	"Baaghi" is Tiger's second film. He made his Bollywood debut in 2014 with "Heropanti".

Tiger Shroff is a fierce rebel in Baaghi' first poster

The makers of Sonam Kapoor-starrer "Neerja" feel the film should be India's entry to the Academy Awards for 2016.
	"I think this is the film that deserves to go...I think it will make India proud. So, I think 'Neerja' has to be India's entry to the Oscars (this year)," Fox Star Studio CEO, Vijay Singh, told reporters here last night.
	Singh also revealed that they plan to release the film in different countries.
	"'Neerja' has been a learning lesson for all of us. This is just the beginning...We want to release the film in lot of countries like Taiwan and others who don't look at Bollywood films. It is a long race," he added.
	The Ram Madhvani-directed film narrates the story of an ordinary 23-year-old girl, Neerja, a flight stewardesses, who saved hundreds of passengers who were hijacked on an Pan Am flight. She, posthumously, went on to become the youngest recipient of country's highest gallantary award, Ashok Chakra.
	The Studio thinks today it is the content-driven films that are .

Makers want 'Neerja' to be India's official entry to Oscars

She has ruled the Indian television with her daily soaps and TV producer Ekta Kapoor says she wants to bring back audience to watch the 10PM prime time slot.
	Ekta, who took the TV scene with a storm with show like "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" and "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" airing between 10-11 PM, says the time slot is now considered "non prime time."
	"Time slot of 10 PM is now considered non prime time because we have audiences growing more and more in smaller town...So by 10'o clock, televisions are shut. But I am hoping I manage to get them to watch the 10'o clock show at least," Ekta told PTI.
	The producer is all set with her upcoming show, "Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki".
	Ekta says unlike her show "Naagin" which is a finite series, the new show will not be a limited one but she wants to keep it going only till the interest lasts.
	"I don't think it's a finite series but I realised in TV if you don't get the ratings they automatically make the show a finite series. So you never ...

Hope to bring back audience to prime time slot: Ekta Kapoor

He has invited biggest celebrities from Bollywood and sports on his popular TV show but comedian Kapil Sharma now wishes to have politicians as guests on his new show, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose story he finds "inspirational".
	"I wish to have Mr Narendra Modi on our new show ('The Kapil Sharma show'). I was watching television recently and saw Mr Barack Obama on Ellen's show (on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show') and it is great. We should also have politicians connecting to people," Kapil said in an interview here.
	"If we have Mr Modi on the show we will not talk about politics, party and all. I would love to know how a man from a small town has come this far and became the PM of our country. It's an inspirational story. I will try and talk to him," he said.
	Kapil said he is happy that his previous show "Comedy Nights with Kapil", aired on channel Colors, has ended as he is now getting the opportunity to try something novel.
	"I feel it is good that show got over as we 

Kapil Sharma wants to have Narendra Modi on his new show

The "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actress Daisy Ridley has recorded her first song with veteran singer-actress Barbra Streisand.
	The 23-year-old actress took to Instagram to confirm that she hit the recording studio last Saturday with Streisand to make some music.
	"I'm gonna end this spate of pictures detailing my insane weekend with this... Ummmmmmmmmmmm," she captioned the picture of her with "Woman in Love" singer.
	Ridley's "Star Wars" director JJ Abrams revealed last week that she not only had a great singing voice, but she was also set to record a song with a "massive superstar."
	"I can tell you everyone's guesses are way off. When JJ said 'superstar,' he meant a legendary awe-inspiring jaw-dropping superstar," Ridley said day after the recording session.

Barbra Streisand is Daisy Ridley's duet partner

Comedy star Tina Fey says things are still "terrible" for women comedians in the entertainment industry.
	The 45-year-old "Sisters" star said there are many women comedians, who are better than their male contemporaries, but still get paid less, reported People magazine.
	"Every single interviewer asked, 'Isn't this an amazing time for women in comedy?' People really wanted us to be openly grateful - 'Thank you so much!' - and we were like, 'No, it's a terrible time.
	"If you were to really look at it, the boys are still getting more money for a lot of garbage, while the ladies are hustling and doing amazing work for less," she said.
	Fey will next be seen in comedy, loosely based on journalist Kim Barker's experience as a war reporter in Afghanistan. The film follows her character as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, reporting on war overseas.

Terrible time for women in comedy: Tina Fey

Veteran singer Stevie Wonder was honoured with Global Green Hero award at the 13th Annual Global Green USA pre-Oscar party.
	The 65-year-old music icon, who was joined onstage by his two sons, was presented with award, which he in turn presented back to his sons as a gesture to "encourage their generation to care about the planet," reported People magazine.
	"We have to love our planet, we have to want to make it more green. We have to make sure that we can sustain the planet and make sure that people are able to survive as it has always been meant to be," Wonder said.
	The Grammy-winning singer also performed a nine-song set of his greatest hits also pointed out that climate change and its environmental impact are issues that he has always been invested in.
	"I've always been passionate about it but obviously as time has gone and I've been blessed to live some minutes in life, I've had the opportunity to see the changes in the weather.
	"And to those who think that in a normal ...

Stevie Wonder honoured with Global Green Hero award

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West is being sued by Rafael Linares, a California driver, who claims she "negligently" hit his car in 2014.
	Linares has brought a personal injury lawsuit against Kardashian, 35, two years after the accident that occurred in Beverly Hills, reported People magazine.
	The lawsuit said the driver has "sustained personal injuries which caused and will continue to cause pain, discomfort and physical disability."
	Linares is also suing the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star for past and future medical expenses, loss of income and property damage.

Kim being sued by California driver over 2014 collision

Disney Channel has started working on the next installment of one of its most popular franchises "High School Musical".
	Peter Barsocchini, who wrote all three previous movies, will co-write the new project with Dan Berendsen, said The Hollywood Reporter.
	The channel has officially started casting for fourth installment, which will center on a new group of students at East High, as well as their crosstown rivals, the West High Knights.
	Jeffrey Hornaday is attached to direct and choreograph the movie.
	The announcement comes a decade after the first film debuted on Disney Channel and instantly became one of the network's biggest hits. The second film debuted one year later, followed by "High School Musical 3," which premiered in theaters in 2008.

Disney working on 'High School Musical 4'

Actress Kate Levering has been roped in to play the role Annette Hargrove in "Cruel Intentions" pilot.
	The part was essayed by Reese Witherspoon in the film, which also starred Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
	The role will mark Levering's TV follow-up to "Drop Dead Diva," which ended its run in 2014, said The Hollywood Reporter.
	"Cruel Intentions" TV reboot picks up more than 15 years after the 1999 movie left off.
	The drama will follow the Kathryn Merteuil(Gellar, reprising her role from the feature) as she tries for control of Valmont International as well as Bash Casey (Taylor John Smith), son of her brother, the Sebastian Valmont, and Annette Hargrove Casey (Levering).
	The small-screen sequel, hails from "Cruel Intentions" writer-director Roger Kumble and producer Neal H Moritz.
	Kumble, Ross and Rosin will pen the script and executive produce the pilot.

Kate Levering to play Witherspoon's role in 'Cruel Intentions'

A video footage appears to show Leonardo DiCaprio leaving a Hollywood eatery Ago without his best actor Oscar.
	The 41-year-old actor, who scooped the Best Actor accolade at the 88th Academy Awards, was caught on camera getting into a car as he left Ago in Hollywood, reported Female First.
	The clip shows one person handing "The Revenant" actor a bottle of alcohol, before a man rushes out holding the statuette and attempts to hand it to DiCaprio.
	The man asked: "Do you want this to go with you?" The actor calmly replied: "Give it to Dan right there."
	The "Wolf of Wall Street" star headed to both the Governors Ball and the Vanity Fair after party once the award ceremony at the Dolby Theatre had finished, but decided to head to Ago "where everyone could get in" so he could celebrate with all his friends.

Leonardo Dicaprio almost left his Oscar trophy in hotel

Actress Brie Larson hugged all of the 50 sexual assault victims from Lady Gaga's "Til It Happens To You" Oscars performance as they left the stage.
	The "Born This Way" singer was joined on stage by a number of victims of abuse as she performed her Academy Award-nominated song from the rape documentary "The Hunting Ground" at the ceremony and best actress winner Brie gave each brave person a cuddle as they left the stage, reported Female First.
	While Larson showed her support at the Dolby theatre, a number of stars took to Twitter to praise the performance of Gaga, who was also a victim of sexual assault when she was just 19.

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