TV personality Sharon Osbourne is writing a children's book for Disney.
	The 'X Factor' UK judge said it is an honour to have penned 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Mama Hook Knows Best', her first-ever book, reported Contactmusic.
	It is based within the world of TV series 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates', in which she voices Captain Hook's mother.
	"I have such a wonderful time playing Mama Hook on 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates'. To be able to take that role to the book world and share Mama Hook's stories with families around the world is an honour.
	"I hope kids enjoy reading Mama Hook's pirate tales and continue to fall in love with her, just as I have," she said.
	She is partnering with Disney Worldwide Publishing and Parragon Books and the work will be released next year.

Sharon Osbourne writing children's book

PTI Automatic

Singer-turned-designer Victoria Beckham has drawn up elaborate plans for her new London home, including a futuristic 500,000 pounds kitchen.
	Victoria and her former soccer star husband David Beckham recently splashed out 40 million pounds on the new home and she is enlisting the services of her interior designer friend Kelly Hoppen to redesign the property, reported Contactmusic.
	"Victoria's planning a massive overhaul of the whole place, while remaining sympathetic to the house's original features. She's set aside a cool half a million for her James Bond-style kitchen alone," a source said.
	"It won't even look like a kitchen when it's done as all of the appliances - the cooker, the fridge - will disappear into marble units at the press of a button.
	"Victoria also has plans to grow her own organic veggies - macrobiotic salads, alfalfa sprouts and so on - in a state-of-the-art greenhouse outside," the source said.
	The seven-bedroom, eight bathroom property will also include ...

Victoria Beckham plans futuristic home

Singer Rita Ora has almost finished working on her new album and revealed she has collaborated with pop icon Prince.
	Ora said she was in awe of the iconic pop star while working with him, reported Daily Mirror.
	"I have met him and I have had the honour of being in the same studio as him. We messed around with some music and you know, I can't believe he can play so many instruments," Ora said.
	"All I can say is that we've definitely done some music together," she added.
	The 'How We Do Party' hitmaker is working hard on her follow-up to 2012 debut 'Ora' and has also teamed up with her DJ boyfriend Calvin Harris and Gwen Stefani.

Rita Ora teams with Prince for new album

Rap mogul Russell Simmons and director John Singleton are teaming up to develop a US TV series.
	'Club Life: Miami' will be written and directed by the 'Boyz n the Hood' filmmaker and will centre on a reformed criminal who moves to Florida and in a bid to start a new life, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
	Simmons will executive produce the series, which is set to air on US network HBO.
	This isn't the only TV show Simmons has in development with bosses at the cable network. He is also working with '12 Years A Slave' director Steve McQueen on a series about a young African-American man's attempts to enter into New York's high society.

Russell Simmons, John Singleton teaming up for TV series

U2 star Bono has penned a tribute essay honouring his friend former South African President Nelson Mandela.
	The rocker reveals that the late leader was his mentor and hero and the leading figure behind his decision to become an activist for world change as a teenager, reported Entertainment Weekly.
	In the 1051-word piece, titled 'The Man Who Could Not Cry', was published on Time magazine's website hours after the news of Mandela's death was released.
	"As an activist I have pretty much been doing what Nelson Mandela tells me since I was a teenager," Bono wrote.
	The singer, who has become a leading light in the fight against Aids and world poverty and an international rights advocate, called Mandela a "forceful presence" in his life, adding his idol was a "hardheaded realist" and a "compromiser without being compromised".

Bono writes essay tribute to Nelson Mandela

'127 Hours' star James Franco has revealed that he is working on his body..
	The 35-year-old actor posted a picture of himself wrapped in just a towel on Facebook and told his fans he's been trying to get buff, reported Radar online.
	Underneath the photo he posted, "Almost nude... You asked for it, you got it. Trying to work that body."
	The picture quickly amassed 45,000 'Likes' and prompted many comments.
	The picture had many of Franco's female fans swooning over him, with one posting, "This is cute. Hopefully you start to hit the gym as much as you hit the books this pic would be better if you were smiling."
	However, the actor's increasingly muscular body wasn't the big star of his last video, as Seth Rogen stole the show by posing topless as he played the part of Kim Kardashian in a recreation of Kanye West's music video for his track 'Bound 2'.
	The re-creation proved a big hit, even with Kim and Kanye themselves.

James Franco getting buff

Legendary singer Paul Simon is set to be honoured for his career achievements and charity work at New York's fabled Carnegie Hall next year.
	The 72-year-old hitmaker will be celebrated with a series of tribute performances on March 31 as part of the venue's annual music education benefit, which aims to raise funds for underprivileged youths, reported E! online.
	The line-up of artists singing from Simon's back catalogue will be announced at a later date.
	The concert series has helped to raise over USD 1 million for various charities over the past nine years.
	Past honourees include Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Prince, who was the 2013 honouree.
	The news comes as Simon prepares to embark on a North American tour with Sting next year.

Paul Simon to be honoured at Carnegie Hall benefit

Popular Telugu film comedian Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam (53) died here tonight.
	Dharmavarapu was introduced to Telugu films by noted director Jandhyala through his film 'Jayammu Nischayammura' in late 1980s.
	The actor shot into instant fame with his comedy serial 'Anando Brahma' on Doordarshan in mid-1980s. He not only acted in the serial but also wrote and directed it.
	Dharmavarapu acted in several Telugu films, including many with all the top stars of the industry.
	He directed one film 'Tokaleni Pitta'.
	Dharmavarapu joined Congress when late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was Chief Minister.
	He served as Chairman of the AP State Cultural Council.
	Subsequently, he joined YSR Congress.
	Dharmavarapu turned a political satirist with a popular show 'Ding Dong' on Sakshi TV.
	He was the second Telugu comedian after A V Subrahmanyam to die in the last couple of months.

Noted Telugu film comedian Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam no more

Popular Marathi actor Vinay Apte, known for his roles in movies like "Jogwa", "Satyagraha" and "Aarakshan", died at a city hospital today at the age of 62.
	"Mr Vinay Apte was admitted to the hospital yesterday at 8.24 pm. He died today at 5.45 pm. The cause of his death is multiple organ failure and secondary to acute coronary syndrome," Dr Ram Narain, COO of Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, told PTI.
	Apte worked both in films and on television.
	He has acted in television serials like "Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon" and "Adalat" and in the Marathi soap "Durva".

Marathi actor Vinay Apte passes away

British actress-singer Sofia Hayat tonight became the latest contestant to be evicted from the controversial 'Bigg Boss' house.
	The 28-year-old 'Superdude' host said she was happy to be out of the show as she was unable to cope with the situations in the house.
	"I feel relieved that I am free at last. I am really happy to be out of that house. I don't think I could have survived there any more," Sofia told PTI after her eviction.
	During her stay, Sofia got involved in spats with fellow contestants Tanishaa, Ajaz Khan but the worst of all was her altercations with Armaan Kohli, which turned ugly and violent.
	The television presenter felt that Armaan should not be in the 'Bigg Boss' house and the team should evict him immediately.
	"I think 'Bigg Boss' should just evict him. He is impossible. I don't know how he is still there. I think the public enjoys watching fights and he is very good at it. He entertains people but it is not right," she said.
	Sofia said she wants Gauhar Khan ..

Sofia Hayat eliminated from 'Bigg Boss 7'

Family members of Tanishaa Mukerji are not unhappy with her being on reality TV show 'Bigg Boss' and does not want her out of it, sources close to the actor said today.
	Ever since Tanishaa decided to enter the 'Bigg Boss' house, there were reports about her family being unhappy with the decision. There were speculation that her family was upset with her growing closeness to Armaan Kohli on the show.
	There were also reports about actor Ajay Devgn trying to get his sister-in-law Tanishaa out of the show.
	Apparently, her family members were asking the channel to evict Tanisha from the show. Ajay had also reportedly threatened to boycott the channel.
	However, her PR firm said the family members were not against her being on the show.
	"The Mukerji and Devgn family is extremely non-interfering and in fact has always supported each other's decisions. Tanuja and Kajol had shown their support for Tanishaa in the opening episode of 'Bigg Boss'," a statement issued on her behalf ...

Tanishaa's family not trying to get her out of 'Big Boss'

Hollywood has a long history with Nelson Mandela, whose life story was seemingly made for the big screen -- and stars and filmmakers have lined up to pay tribute to him.
	By mere chance, his death on Thursday was announced during the London premiere of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," the movie version of his 1994 autobiography that took 19 years to come to fruition.
	Morgan Freeman, who played the South African leader in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated 2009 film "Invictus," called Mandela "one of the true giants of the past century.
	"Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honor, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve -- a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of humankind," he said.
	Freeman was better placed than many to comment on Mandela. In a 1994 press conference to promote his autobiography, the then South African president was asked who he would choose to play himself in a movie version of the book.
	Mandela chose Freeman, and ..

Hollywood hails Mandela, after long walk to big screen

Sitar player Anoushka Shankar today blamed Bollywood for objectifying women instead of creating awareness about gender sensitisation.
	"We need male role models for young boys to look up to, not Bollywood stars who are said to have beaten their girlfriends and yet continue to be worshipped by the masses," she said while speaking about 'Changing mindsets' at Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2013.
	"Bollywood... My favourite topic... If it could spare a little time to change the mindset of billions of people who give them lifelong attention," she said during a discussion where actor-turned-politicians Smriti Irani and Khushbu Sunder too participated.
	Shankar, who had revealed that she was molested as a child, said India doesn't respect its women.
	Bollywood was busy making money "by objectifying women", the daughter of late musician Ravi Shankar said.
	The sitarist said she was lucky to have been born in a family that loved her and gave her freedom to lead her life the way she wanted .

Need male role models for boys not Bollywood stars: Shankar

Actress Jennifer Lawrence is planning to take a short break from acting to focus on her personal life.
	The 'Hunger Games' star, whose career is in full swing after winning an Oscar for 'Silver Linings Playbook', said she is craving to spend a little time away from the spotlight, reported Contactmusic.
	"I've built my career. I need to build my human life. I need to get a house and connect to the people around me and not work for a little while" said Lawrence.
	She will next be featured in four films, including 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' and 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1'.
	The actress has been dating on-and-off boyfriend Nicholas Hoult since 2011.

Jennifer Lawrence to take a break

Legendary music maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar has received a posthumous nomination at 56th Grammy Awards with his album 'The Living Room Sessions Part 2' in the World Music section.
	The sitar master, who died last December at the age of 92, won the World Music album award last year for the first part of the album 'The Living Room Sessions Part 1', besides being given the lifetime achievement honour, which was received by his daughters Anushka Shankar and Norah Jones.
	The album consists of three tracks Raga Mishra Kafi, Raga Sindhi Bhairavi and Raga Bhairavi.
	Others nominees of the World Music Album category are Gipsy Kings' for 'Savor Flamenco', Femi Kuti for 'No Place For My Dream' and Ladysmith Black Mambazo for 'Live: Singing For Peace Around The World'.
	Ang Lee's India-based story 	'Life Of Pi' has also received a Grammy nod for music composer Mychael Danna. The album features a song by Indian Carnatic singer Bombay Jayashri titled 'Pi's Lullaby', which was also nominated at ...

Ravi Shankar gets posthumous Grammy nod for his album

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging a 1982 decision of Maharashtra Government allowing change of user on a plot of land in Kolhapur, belonging to singer Lata Mangeshkar.
	The division bench of Justices S J Vajifdar and Gautam Patel ruled that petitioner did not make out any case as to why the decision of the state should be set aside.
	Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, an organisation of Marathi film fraternity, had filed the PIL, contending that government's decision was meant only to favour Mangeshkar.
	Lata Mangeshkar purchased this 13-acre plot in 1959 from renowned Marathi film director-producer Bhalji Pendharkar. Pendharkar had bought this land from the erstwhile princely state of Kolhapur on the condition that it would be used for a building a film studio.
	PIL contended that Pendharkar's Jaiprabha studio still stood on this land.
	In 1982, Mangeshkar approached the government seeking permission to change the user of land, as 

HC relief to Lata Mangeshkar in Jaiprabha studio land issue

Fitness freak Rajbir Singh, who is all set to play the titular Arab prince in TV soap 'Hatim', takes inspiration from Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to have a chiseled body like them.
	"I idolize Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone immensely. I was into body building before I entered the world of modelling and acting and it was my dream to have a body like them.
	"In fact I have even trained under senior body builders on a National level. However, I had to give it up and let go of my dream once I started acting and got into theatre groups," Rajbir said.
	For Hatim's role, Rajbir was asked to lose 20 kilograms and also learn martial arts.
	Based on the popular folktales of Hatim, the show will be aired on December 28 on Life Ok.

Rajbir idolises Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone

Supermodel Heidi Klum says she is not scared of getting old.
	Klum, 40, who had dressed up as a 95-year-old woman this Halloween, finds the idea of plastic surgery far more frightening, reported People magazine.
	"I've never done anything. I've been too scared, to be honest with you," she said.
	The 'Project Runway' host said she has not had fillers or injections.
	"Botox or bangs. I go for bangs. I'm scared that all of a sudden you're changing too much, your face starts changing. I would have a hard time looking in the mirror and seeing something that I'm not used to seeing.

Heidi Klum won't have plastic surgery

'Avatar' star Zoe Saldana says she kept her wedding a secret for over six months in order to protect her personal life.
	The 35-year-old actress married Italian artist Marco Perego in June this year, but she announced their wedding six months later, reported Contactmusic.
	"I love what I do so much, but I love my personal life more. I realised through the years of being in this business that the only way to maintain some kind of sanity is to protect that which is most dear to you, which is your life and everyone that's in it," Saldana said.
	The actress, whose previous high profile relationship with actor Bradley Cooper lasted just over a year in 2012, also revealed that the top secret wedding had taken place in London.
	"I got married in England. I did it in England. Can you top that?" she said.

Zoe Saldana has secret wedding to save her private life

Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone is offering fans the chance to get up close and personal with him at a chat show in London next month.
	Show titled 'An Evening with Sylvester Stallone' will see the 67-year-old actor discuss his life and career at Westminster's Central Hall on January 11, reported BBC online.
	"I have a big mix of wonderful stories and colourful anecdotes. When people meet me they're often surprised - I talk a great deal.
	"I'm perceived to be this solitary character but nothing could be further from the truth. I consider myself something of a raconteur. I have a rather audacious sense of humour," he said.
	Fans will also be able to put questions to the 'Rocky' star.

Sylvester Stallone to host fans session in London

Terminator is all set to be made into a new TV series, which would be penned by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, the authors behind superhero films 'X-Men: First Class' and 'Thor'.
	Stentz and Miller would also serve as the executive producers of the television project based on James Cameron-created franchise, said the Hollywood Reporter.
	The new series will follow a critical moment from the original 1984 'Terminator' movie, but will take it in a completely different direction. Other details are still kept under wraps.
	The sci-fi film franchise, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character, was earlier made into a TV series by the name of 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', which aired in 2008-2009.
	 Lena Headey and Thomas Dekker starred as Sarah and John Connor respectively.

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