Filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar says he is still waiting for the right script to approach actor Vidya Balan, who made her debut with his film "Parineeta" in 2005.
There were reports that the director has approached her for a film on Binodini Dasi, a 19th century courtesan, who went on to reign the theatre scene in Kolkata for a decade.
When asked about that, Sarkar said he hasn't discussed that project with Vidya.
"In fact, we had discussed a film called Devi Chaudhurani long time back, not now. But nothing happened on that front. As of now, I have not really discussed a new idea with her. I haven't come up with a subject like that," Sarkar told PTI.
The filmmaker, who last helmed Kajol starrer "Helicopter Eela", will soon announce a film project.
"I am working on two-three scripts and projects together. I am running really mad handling them. I will soon make an announcement on what I'm working on."
Sarkar has currently shot "Neel Samandar", a music video featuring Richa Chadha and Ankit ...

Haven't discussed a film with Vidya: Pradeep Sarkar

PTI Automatic

Actor Kareena Kapoor will undergo dialect training for her historical period drama "Takht", which is based in the Mughal era and chronicles the story of two warring brothers.
The 38-year-old actor says her character in the Karan Johar-directed film is "socially relevant."
"It's a different film because I've not really done a period film like this. There will be a certain amount of dialect preparation, look tests that will happen. I'm also working with Karan after a very long time so I'm very excited," Kareena told PTI.
The actor said Karan has evolved as a director and even she has "completely changed as an artiste" since they last worked together in "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (2001).
"Hopefully it'll be a part which will be remembered because it's socially relevant. It's a strong character. The best part is it'll be completely different than what I did in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' as Poo," she added.
The historical drama also features Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi .

My character in 'Takht' socially relevant: Kareena

Lata Mangeshkar, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are some of the Indian film personalities who hailed the Indian armed forces for carrying out air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan on Tuesday.
The strike comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group in Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.
The celebrities took to social media to share their reactions.
"I have been watching since morning and I'm very happy that our armed forces are so prepared and strong. I always say that India is there because of our armed forces. We live in this country and are very fortunate," Mangeshkar told a news channel.
"Respect @IAF_MCC Indian Air Force... Jai ho !!!," Salman wrote on Twitter.
Kumar said he is proud of the Indian Air Force for "destroying terror camps".
"Enter their territory and hit them! Quiet no more! #IndiaStrikesBack," he wrote on Twitter.
Ajay Devgn praised the IAF 

Indian film personalities hail IAF air strikes in Pakistan

Actor Nicollette Sheridan is leaving "Dyansty", CW has confirmed.
Sheridan joined the show as the scheming diva Alexis Carrington since midway through the first season.
"Nicollette Sheridan will be leaving Dynasty in order to focus on some personal family responsibilities. She was a valuable asset to the show and we wish her continued success in the future," the network said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
Before Sheridan's exit, James Mackay and Nathalie Kelley left the show last year.
The series is currently in the second season and has already been renewed for a third season.

Nicollette Sheridan quits 'Dynasty'

A choir in the Russian city of St. Petersburg has drawn criticism for performing a satirical song about firing a missile on the United States from a Soviet nuclear submarine.
The video of the Saturday performance by the St. Petersburg Concert Choir was published over the weekend but only gained attention on Tuesday.
The choir promptly turned off the option of comments on its social media page after it was inundated with indignant remarks.
The song, popular in the 1980s, jokes about Soviet troops being willing to fire a missile on the US. "for three rubles." The choir said in a statement Tuesday that it performs a variety of songs authentic to the time they were written, and that it refuses to "rewrite lyrics for the sake of political correctness.

Russian choir performs satirical song about nuking the US

Actor Kate Mara and husband Jamie Bell are expecting their first child together.
The actor shared the news on Instagram with a picture.
In the photograph Mara, 35, showed off her bump in a white and silver dress as she stepped out for Elton Johns annual AIDS Foundation Oscars Party.
"Went on a date with our bun in the oven," she captioned her photo.
The baby will be first for Mara while Bell shares a son with ex-wife Evan Rachel Wood.
Mara and Bell started dating in 2015. The former "Fantastic Four" co-stars announced in July on social media that they had tied the knot.

Kate Mara, Jamie Bell expecting first child together

Emilia Clarke has teased there is "a very good reason" why the makers "Game of Thrones" took their time with the last season of the hit show.
The 32-year-old actor, known for playing the iconic role of Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series, said the eighth and final season will "shock people".
"It's going to be huge, that much everyone needs to know.
"It took us a long time to film this one for a very good reason. But I think there's going to be some things... I know there's going to be some things in this last season that will shock people," Clarke told E! on the Oscars 2019 red carpet.
The eighth chapter of the show comes almost two years after last installment aired on July 16, 2017.
"Game of Thrones" returns for a final lap on April 14.

'GOT' final season has things that will 'shock people': Emilia Clarke

Actor Felix Mallard has joined Netflix's adaptation of "Locke & Key" in a recurring role.
According to Variety, Mallard will play Lucas Caravaggio, a charming teenager in the town of Matheson whose exposure to magic leads to serious complications.
The actor currently features in CBS comedy "Happy Together".
"Locke & Key" also stars Petrice Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Griffin Gluck, Darby Stanchfield, and Laysla De Oliveira.
It is based on the comic book franchise of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez.
The story revolves around three siblings who move to their ancestral home after their father is gruesomely murdered. However, once there, they discover the house contains magical keys that give them a vast array of powers and abilities.
But they did not know, an evil demon also wants to lay its clutches on the keys, and will stop at nothing to attain them.
Netflix has ordered a 10-episode first season for the hour-long series.

Felix Mallard boards Netflix's 'Locke & Key'

Actor Jimmy Smits is set to star in NBC drama pilot "Bluff City Law".
The show also stars Caitlin McGee.
According to Variety, the project is a character-driven legal drama that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis law firm that specialises in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases.
Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (McGee), they take on the toughest David-and-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship.
Dean Georgaris serves as writer and executive producer on the pilot with David Janollari and Michael Aguilar also executive producing.
Universal Television is producing the show with David Janollari Entertainment.

Jimmy Smits to play lead in 'Bluff City Law'

Actor Brittany Snow is set to play the lead in untitled Fox drama pilot based on the Australian series "Sisters".
The project is written by Annie Weisman and Jason Katims, reported Variety.
The story revolves around Julia Bechley (Snow) whose life turns upside down when it is revealed that her father, a pioneering Nobel Prize-winning fertility doctor, used his own sperm to conceive dozens of children over the course of his career.
Reeling from this revelation, Julia discovers two new sisters  her former best friend and an ex-Olympic athlete. The women attempt to form an untraditional family and lean on each other as they grapple with their own identity crises.
The original "Sisters" series, produced Endemol Shine Australia, was created by Jonathan Gavin and Imogen Banks. Annie Weisman will write and executive produce the pilot.

Brittany Snow joins Fox pilot based on Australian drama 'Sisters'

R Kelly, who has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse, was released from jail after the R&B singer posted USD 100,000 in bail.
According to Cook County jail records cited by the New York Times, a woman who described herself as a friend from the Chicago area paid the said amount, the standard 10 per cent bail fee, to secure his release Monday.
Kelly pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts of criminal sexual abuse levelled against him at the hearing.
He had been in prison since he turned himself in to police authorities Friday night after his indictment earlier that day. The rapper's next hearing is scheduled for March 22.
He is, however, due in court on March 6 for a separate hearing, related to his outstanding child-support payments of amounting to USD 160,000.

R Kelly posts USD 100,000 bail, freed from prison

The second installment of "Escape Room 2" is in development at Columbia Pictures.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, filmmaker Adam Robitel will return to direct the follow-up of the psychological thriller.
The news comes barely a month after the film's release.
Besides Robitel, screenwriter Bragi F Schut and producer Neal H Moritz.
"Escape Room" centres on a group of strangers who are told they are competing for a USD 10,000 prize, but have been lured into a deadly game.
Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Tyler Labine, Deborah Ann Woll, Nik Dodani and Jay Ellis were part of the cast.
The movie earned USD 118.6 million globally after exceeding expectations its opening weekend.
Columbia has set April 17, 2020 as release date.

'Escape Room 2' in the works with original director

An animated series version of the 1984 comedy horror film, "Gremlins" is in development.
Sources told Variety that WarnerMedia's upcoming streaming service is coming up with the potential project.
Said to be a period piece, the show would follow Mr Wing, the Chinese grandfather  as a young man as he goes on adventures with the friendly Mogwai Gizmo.
Keye Luke played Mr Wing in the Joe Dante-directed box office hit.
A sequel, "Gremlins 2: The New Batch," was released in 1990 with Dante returning as director.
Tze Chun is attached to write and executive produce.
It will be produced by Warner Bros Television and Amblin Television, who also backed the films on which the show is based.
Warner Bros and Amblin declined to comment.

'Gremlins' animated series in the works

Cobie Smulders is set to headline investigation drama "Stumptown".
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Avengers" star will play Dex Parios, a former military intelligence officer turned private detective in the show by ABC.
Parios is a complicated, unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran who works as a PI in Portland. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people's messes with a blind eye toward her own.
The development comes shortly after Smulders-starrer Netflix series "Friends From College" was cancelled after two seasons.
The show is based on author Jason Richman's Oni Press graphic novels of the same name.
Her most notable works include CBS show "How I Met Your Mother" and her role as SHIELD agent Maria Hill in Marvel films. Smulders, 36, was last seen in a post-credits scene of "Avengers: Infinity War".
The actor's next outing is "Spider-Man: Far From Home", which is set to hit theatres in June.

Cobie Smulders to lead PI drama 'Stumptown'

Peter Farrelly's "Green Book" may have ended up with the Best Picture trophy at the 91st Academy Awards but it's win has not gone down well with many on social media calling it out for its "sanitised look" at racial problems in America.
The film, about the story of an unlikely friendship between a Black musician and his white driver, upstaged front-runners Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma", "Black Panther", "The Favourite" and "BlacKkKlansman" to bag Best Picture Oscar.
Many on Twitter equated the film's surprise win with "Crash", Paul Haggis' 2005 film that had controversially bagged the coveted honour despite the presence of films like "Brokeback Mountain" and "Munich" in the category.
"'Crash' watching 'Green Book' take its place as the worst Oscar winner," wrote a person on Twitter.
Another person wrote, "'The Green Book' was 'Crash II: Crash In The Past'."
Spike Lee, who ended his own long enduring wait for Oscar glory with his Best Adapted Screenplay win for "BlacKkKlansman", was also ...

Oscar 2019: 'Green Book' Best Picture win sparks angry reactions on social media

Guneet Monga says the win of "Period. End of Sentence"  at the 91st Academy Awards will help shed the stigma surrounding menstruation in India, especially in the rural areas.
The film, set in a village in western Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district, won the Oscar in the Documentary Short Subject category.
Monga, who is currently in Los Angeles for the awards night, said a film on a subject still considered taboo in many parts of the country, receiving global recognition is a new high for her and all those women who struggle to be heard.
In a telephonic interview from Los Angeles, Monga told PTI that the victory has been "huge, epic and crazy".
Co-produced by Monga's Sikhya Entertainment, the movie has been directed by award-winning filmmaker Rayka Zehtabchi.
"I'm numb. I've lost my voice. This is what one always wanted and I'm so glad the universe and God chose this film because it's so important," the filmmaker added.
Monga said the recognition is not hers alone, and credited Mandakini ...

Each one of us needs to put another woman forward: Producer Monga on India's Oscar win

Indian-origin YouTuber Lilly Singh aka Superwoman on Monday revealed she is bisexual.
The 30-year-old internet sensation said she faced challenges in the past due to her gender, colour and sexuality, but has now decided to "embrace" them.
"Female... Coloured... Bisexual. Throughout my life these have proven to be obstacles from time to time.
"But now I'm fully embracing them as my superpowers. No matter how many 'boxes' you check, I encourage you to do the same," she posted on Twitter.
Other popular YouTubers have also come out as bisexual in recently.
In October, Anna Akana revealed she is a bisexual after getting drunk at the Streamy Awards.
Lilly, who went active on YouTube in 2010, has emerged as one of the most popular stars on the video-sharing website. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

YouTube sensation Lilly Singh comes out bisexual

A year after Oscars traded for an all-black look on the red carpet marking the emergence of #MeToo and Time's Up movements, Academy Awards 2019 painted the town pink with a smatter of metallic shades, pastels and nudes.
"Pose" actor Billy Porter, however, threw the real gender-bender when he appeared in a black velvet Christian Siriano dress and a coordinated bolero jacket.
Known for breaking fashion barriers, both on-screen and off-screen, Porter chose a rather subtle look from his usual flamboyant wardrobe.
Helen Mirren, Angela Bassett, Kacey Musgraves, Gemma Chan, Jason Momoa and wife Lisa Bonet, and Sarah Paulson were some of the names who added a pop of colour to the ceremony.
Dressed in a custom fuchsia Reem Acra gown with Casadei sandals and matching earrings, Bassett looked regal.
This year's multiple Grammy winner Musgraves opted for voluminous Giambattista Valli tulle gown with tiered skirt and flared sleeves.
While Mirren twirled for the shutterbugs in a V-neck long-sleeve .

Pink, pastels and metallic dominate Oscars red carpet

Biographical drama "Green Book", the story of an unlikely friendship across racial divides, upstaged Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" to bag Best Picture Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards, which spread its four top awards among four different films.
Cuaron bagged the Oscar for Best Director while Olivia Colman got the Best Actress win for "The Favourite" and Rami Malek Best Actor for his turn as Queen musician Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody".
The glittering ceremony, which went hostless for only the second time since 1989, began on a predictable note here Sunday evening but the Best Picture and Best Actress awards proved that anything can happen at the Oscars.
The India connect came with "Period. End of Sentence", set in a village in western Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district, walking away with Documentary Short win. The year's best film "Green Book", about the relationship between a black musician and his white driver, is backed by Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment's Amblin ...

Oscars 2019: 'Green Book' surprises as Best Picture winner, halts 'Roma' wave

The newly crowned Best Actor at the Oscars, Rami Malek tumbled off the stage into the audience after the 91st Academy Awards ceremony concluded.
Malek, who won the honour for his performance as Freddie Mercury in Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody", looked surprised with the sudden fall and was helped up by people around him.
Paramedics appeared to rush to the actor's aide, who was photographed seated in the front row with his Oscars statuette still in hand.
According to People magazine, Malek was then moved to a private area backstage.
The outlet also said Malek was unable to pose with Mahershala Ali, Regina King and Olivia Colman, who also won big at the Academy Awards.
The actor, however, did not sustain any injury and he celebrated his win by popping open a bottle of champagne and showering onlookers backstage.
"Being on that stage, I don't know how I looked on that stage, but I never thought this would happen in my life. As an actor, and there are so many of us, who only dream of ...

Rami Malek falls off stage post Best Actor Oscar win

Spike Lee may have ended his own long enduring wait for Oscar glory with his Best Adapted Screenplay win for "BlacKkKlansman" but the director made it clear that he was not happy with "Green Book" winning Best Picture honour.
At the 91st Academy Awards, the Peter Farrelly-directed film, featuring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali in the lead, edged out the likes of "Roma", "Vice", "The Favourite" and "Vice" to bag the top honour of the night.
According to Deadline, Lee, whose film "BlacKkKlansman" was also nominated in the category, attempted to storm out of the Dolby Theatre after it was announced that "Green Book" has won the award.
The director "walked towards the back of the auditorium in a huff." During the winners' speech, Lee had turned his back to the stage.
He was later seen engaged in an "intense conversation with Jordan Peele, who was behind him."
Backstage, Lee referenced to his 1989 film "Do the Right Thing", which was denied a nomination in the Best Picture award, which 

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