Hollywood star Emily Blunt will be receiving the Creative Impact in Acting Award at Palm Springs Film Festival on January 4.
According to Variety, the award celebrates Blunt's year in film between her supporting role in "A Quiet Place" and her starring role in Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns".
The actor has received SAG nominations for both roles and a Golden Globe nomination for "Mary Poppins Returns".
Previous recipients of this award have included Daniel Kaluuya, Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, and Steve Carell.
Variety will also honour Ryan Coogler with the creative impact in directing award.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival will be held January 3-14.

Emily Blunt to be honoured at Palm Springs Film Festival

PTI Automatic

Pop star-actor Ricky Martin and husband, artist Jwan Yosef have become proud parents to a daughter.
The couple have named the baby - Lucia.
The 47-year-old music icon took to Instagram to announce the birth of their little one on New Year's Eve.
"We are beyond happy to announce that we have become parents to a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Lucia Martin-Yosef.
"It has been a special time for us and we cant wait to see where this stellar baby will take us. Both her beautiful brothers and me and Jwan have fallen in love with Lucia," Martin wrote alongside their daughter's photograph, without revealing her face.
Martin is also father to 9-year-old twin sons Matteo and Valentino, whom he is raising with Yosef, 35.

Ricky Martin, Jwan Yosef welcome daughter

Netflix has announced that the third season of "Stranger Things" will premiere on July 4.
The streaming giant made the announcement via a clip which was posted on its official Twitter handle. A new poster of season three was also shared on the microblogging website.
The video features footage from Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve from 1985, as well as a commercial for the Starcourt Shopping Mall and a  computer screen forewarning something called "Program SilverCatFeeds".
Netflix previously teased fans with the nine episode names for the new season: "Suzie, Do You Copy?," "The Mall Rats," "The Case of the Missing Lifeguard," "The Sauna Test," "The Source," "The Birthday," "The Bite" and "The Battle of Starcourt".
Created by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, the series stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnappy, Winona Ryder, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer,  Charlie Heaton, Sadie Sink and Dacre Montgomery.

'Stranger Things' season 3 to premiere on July 4

Kader Khan, best known for penning some of the most powerful dialogues and comic timing as an actor, passed away on December 31 due to prolonged illness. He was 81.
Khan was admitted to a hospital in Canada and his son Sarfaraz confirmed that the actor died Monday.
"My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness. He slipped into coma in the afternoon. He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks," Sarfaraz told PTI.
He also said the last rites of the veteran actor will be performed in Canada.
"The last rites will be performed here in Canada only. We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it. We are thankful to everyone for their blessings and prayers," he added.
The news of the death of the actor-screenwriter, who was at his peak in the 1980s-90s, comes a day after his son dismissed media reports of his demise.
Khan had developed breathing issues and the doctors had reportedly transferred him from regular ...

Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan dies at 81

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan Tuesday paid homage to his frequent collaborator veteran actor-writer Kader Khan, who passed away on December 31 due to prolonged illness.
Bachchan, who has worked with Khan in blockbusters such as "Do Aur Do Paanch", "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar", "Mr. Natwarlal", "Suhaag", "Coolie" and "Shahenshah", took to Twitter to remember the multifaceted personality.
"Kader Khan passes away. Sad depressing news. My prayers and condolences. A brilliant stage artist a most compassionate and accomplished talent on film.
"A writer of eminence; in most of my very successful films. A delightful company and a mathematician," Bachchan wrote.
Khan was admitted to a hospital in Canada and his actor son Sarfaraz confirmed the news of his demise. He had developed breathing issues and the doctors had reportedly transferred him from regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee also paid respects to the actor-writer.
"Rest in peace Kader Khan saheb," Bajpayee tweeted.

Amitabh Bachchan remembers Kader Khan as 'accomplished talent'

Bengali cinema had a decent 2018 by offering a varied diet of adventure thrillers, sleuth films and dramas, which did great business at the box office despite the competition from Bollywood films.
The year began on a great note with the release of 'Asche Abar Shabor' that marked the return of the much loved fictional sleuth Shabor Dasgupta, aka, the versatile Saswata Chatterjee and his team.
A gripping story of gruesome crime, the third installment of popular Shabor series by director Arindam Sil was widely appreciated by critics and audiences alike and ran for several weeks at box office.
Similarly, 'Guptodhoner Sondhane', a treasure-chase adventure on a new breed of sleuths - Sona da, Abir and Jhinuk - went on to become a superhit with its fresh story.
"The film's success showed if the content is fresh and original and the execution is good, it will draw audiences," actor Abir Chatterjee, one of the principal actors in the  movie, said.
Presenting a totally new genre of films, ...

2018: Bengali cinema offered a varied bouquet of films despite competition

Aamir Khan's "Thugs of Hindostan" failed to impress Chinese audiences with poor opening on Friday which will be his first flop in the Chinese market after a string of box office hits.
This is first movie that failed to click in China after the massive success of his previous films  "3 Idiots", "Dangal" and "Secret Superstars" which won him massive revenues besides a huge fan following.
"Thugs of Hindostan" raked 10.74 million yuan (USD1.56 million) at the box office and according to Chinese movie ticketing platform Maoyan, the movie is estimated to get in only 96.1 million yuan, possibly the worst of Aamir's movie performances in China, sate run Global Times reported this weekend.
"Thugs" had performed miserably at the Indian box office too and the makers had hoped Aamir's popularity in China will help the film pull through but that did not happen, the report said.
Aamir, who is known as Mi Shu or Uncle Mi in China, had produced a special Chinese edition. He had also promote the film .

Aamir Khans 'Thugs of Hindostan' flops in China

Rapper Cardi B has slammed the paparazzi in Australia following a tense confrontation with them over the weekend.
The 26-year-old rapper arrived in Sydney on Saturday for a New Year's holiday gig and was greeted by photographers.
She was not in the mood for pictures or interviews, and covered her head in a blanket as she and her publicist, accompanied by a male associate pushing luggage, made their way through the terminal.
The disappointed photographers tried to confront the rapper.
"You're in Sydney now, mate, you're in Australia," one of the photographers shouted at her as the group followed them around the airport.
"It's our rules, not yours, buddy. Our rules, not yours. Be clear on that. What's going on with the blanket, Cardi? You got an identity crisis or something? Give the fans a picture, Cardi."
The rapper asked the photographers to leave her alone, but according to E! online one of them reportedly hit out at the her over her split with her estranged husband Offset.
"No ...

Cardi B accuses paparazzi of racism

There's a thin line between caricature and real, says actor Anupam Kher, describing his portrayal of former premier Manmohan Singh in "The Accidental Prime Minister" as his "proudest role" yet.
The former prime minister will create a space for himself in the hearts of the people of India after the film, based on Singh's former media advisor Sanjaya Baru's 2014 book of the same name, Kher said.
The film found itself at the centre of a political controversy with the BJP sharing the trailer on its official Twitter handle, terming it a "riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years".
The Congress said it was BJP's "propaganda" ahead of the 2019 general elections. The Maharashtra Youth Congress initially asked that the film be shown to them before the release but withdrew the demand with the party saying they were not seeking a ban on its release.
One has to live in such times, Kher told PTI in reference to the controversy over the film, which releases next ...

After 'Accidental Prime Minister', Manmohan Singh will be in everyone's hearts: Anupam Kher

Singer Nile Rodgers has revealed his cancer battles in 2010 and 2017 motivated him to do more collaborations and live shows.
The 66-year-old star, whose latest album 'It's About Time' saw him team up with the likes of Elton John and Lady Gaga, said he will continue working with new people.
''When I was first diagnosed with cancer the doctor told me to contemplate life. I was like: 'I'm going to do more collaborations that I've ever done before, more concert shows than I've ever done.' And that's what I'll continue to do," Rodgers told the Daily Star.
In 2019, he will be releasing the follow-up to his latest record which will feature songs with artistes such as Bruno Mars, Jorja Smith and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant.

Cancer battle inspired Nile Rodgers to create more music

Actor Manisha Koirala, who won a tough battle against ovarian cancer, feels the disease came into her life as a gift as her vision is now sharper, mind clearer and her perspective realigned.
As she completes six years of being cancer-free, she shares her story - one marked by apprehensions, disappointments and uncertainties - and the lessons she learnt along the way.
In her memoir "Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life", she talks about her treatment in the US and the care provided by the oncologists there to how she rebuilt her life once she returned home.
Manisha says her book is a result of intense soul-searching and she has plunged deep into the dark, bottomless pit of painful memories and woven a story out of them.
"It has taken a lot of courage to confront and relive my experiences. But I needed to do so in order to become a true storyteller for the readers' sake as well as my own," she says.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.
Manisha says for a decade, she had ...

Cancer came as a gift, it transformed my life: Manisha Koirala

Ayushmann Khurrana, who emerged as the biggest star of 2018 with the back-to-back box office success of "Andhadhun" and "Badhai Ho", attributes his success to choosing unconventional yet entertaining stories.
Khurrana says he has always believed that the script is the true star of a film.
"I am audience made star. But I believe the real star (of a film) is the script, it is the script that makes you a star. I want to give the audience something unconventional every time, something novel. As an actor it is a great space to be in, he told PTI in an interview.
"Doing unconventional thing is least risky now. Conventional has become more risky in this day and age. You have to do something different so that people buy movie tickets and come to cinema halls. The audience has changed," he added.
As the poster boy of middle-of-the-road cinema in India, next on Khurrana's wishlist is a film on LGBT subject.
"We have lot of battles to win. There is cultural shift. We can make a film now on it ...

I am audience made star: Ayushmann Khurranna

Action star Dwayne Johnson surprised his mother with a new home for Christmas.
The WWE wrestler-turned-actor revealed on social media that he gifted his mother Ata, 70, with a ''golden ticket'', which entitles her to any house she wants, wherever she wants.
''Surprise! Bought my mom a new home for Christmas," Johnson wrote on Instagram alongside a video of his mother's reaction to the gift.
In the video, Ata, 70, opens a card with the ticket and starts to read it before crying tears of joy and hugging her son.
"Guess what?" she says to her granddaughter Jasmine, three. "I get a brand-new house!"
"All our lives growing up we lived in little apartments all across the country. Lived like gypsies on the road from one state to another. The first home my parents ever lived in was the one I bought for them in 1999.
"They divorced about  five years later and was with life, stuff happens and things got a little complicated. Since then I always made sure my mom and dad have everything they'll ..

Dwayne Johnson gifts his mom a house for Christmas

Hong Kong-born filmmaker Ringo Lam, best known for directing influential crime film "City on Fire", has died. He was 63.
According to Variety, Hong Kong media outlets reported that the director was found unresponsive in bed on Saturday by his wife.
The 1986 film "City on Fire", which won many accolades, including best director at the Hong Kong Film Awards, was a major influence on Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs".
Tarantino had told the Baltimore Sun that "City on Fire" was "a really cool movie. It influenced me a lot. I got some stuff from it."
Lam followed up the film with "Prison on Fire" and "School on Fire".
The director worked on various international projects and frequently collaborated with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
They worked on films such as "Maximum Risk", "In Hell" and "Replicant".
"I'm deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Ringo Lam," Van Damme posted on Twitter.
His final film was "Sky on Fire".
Star of the film, Daniel Wu posted a tribute on Facebook, saying ..

'City on Fire' director Ringo Lam dies at 63

In a span of two years Fatima Sana Shaikh has tasted both success and failure with her films "Dangal" and "Thugs of Hindostan" respectively. The actors says the fate of her movies on the ticket window has taught her that audience will always connect with a good script.
Fatima, who started her Bollywood career as a child actor in "Chachi 420", said she does not understand the "business of filmmaking" but recognises the importance of good content.
"I do not follow the business of filmmaking. I do not understand bankability. We are lucky as today there is so much new content available, also producers are backing new talent. It creates a lot of opportunities.
"The focus is on content and if the script is bankable then it does well. People have realised that a good script does win hearts," Fatima told PTI.
The actor received critical acclaim for her portrayal of wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan-fronted "Dangal". Her second film "Thugs of Hindostan", however, did not work at the box ...

If the script is bankable the film will do well: Fatima Sana Shaikh

Popular TV actor Dipika Kakar, who lifted the trophy for "Bigg Boss 12", said her win proved that she stood for the right and never played dirty.
Social media polls and those conducted by various media houses had predicted that the "Sasural Simar Ka" fame actor would emerge as the winner.
"I am thankful to everyone. I had anticipated that Sreesanth, Deepak and I would be there in the top three. I was just praying I win the show, I am very happy I won," Dipika, who also won a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh, told PTI.
"I wanted to prove that 'Bigg Boss' is not about being mean or demeaning anybody and it is about being honest and good. I am very happy (with) the way I conducted myself on the show. I won," she said.
Dipika said this win proved that she stood for the right and "never played dirty to prove anyone right or wrong. It was all about being good and graceful".
She said she would have been equally happy if Sreesanth, who she considered here brother, had won the show.
"I would have been 

Win proves I stood for right: Bigg Boss winner Dipika Kakar

Popular TV actor Dipika Kakar has won season 12 of reality show Bigg Boss, beating former Indian cricketer Sreesanth.
The top five contestants who were competing in the finale were Dipika, Romil Chaudhary, Deepak Thakur, Karanvir Bohra and eventual runner-up Sreesanth.
With the final result, Dipika, popularly known for her show 'Sasural Simar Ka', has taken home a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh, while second runner-up Deepak Thakur walked away with Rs 20 lakh.
The polls conducted by few media houses and on social media had predicted Dipika's win.
In the "Bigg Boss" house, Dipika had struck friendships with co-contestants Nehha Pendse, Jasleen Matharu, Megha Dhade and Sreesanth.
In the past few seasons of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show, popular TV bahu's Shilpa Shinde, Urvashi Dholakia, Juhi Parmar and Shweta Tiwari have emerged winners.
The show which went on air on September 16 had contestants, which included commoners and celebrities. Around 16 contestants were part of the show, ...

Dipika Kakar wins Bigg Boss 12

Dadasaheb Phalke award-winning film director Mrinal Sen, the last of the triumvirate of directing icons, Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, passed away on Sunday. He was 95.
Sen took his last breath at his residence at 10.30 am after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments, family source said.
"Sen passed away today around 10.30 am due to age-related ailments," a family member said.
At around 2:45pm Sen's mortal remains were taken from his residence at Padmapukur in Bhawanipore area to Peace World mortuary.
According to a family member, the last rites of the filmmaker will be performed on January 2, Wednesday, after his son Kunal Sen, who lives in the US, arrives here tomorrow.
The family wants to keep the cremation a low key affair, the source added.
Sen, who has won multiple national awards, was known for his artistic depiction of social reality.
The auteur, who started the "new wave of Indian cinema" with "Bhuvan Shome", was one of the most acclaimed filmmakers to bring ...

Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen passes away at 95, cremation on Jan 2

Dadasaheb Phalke award-winning film director Mrinal Sen, the last of the triumvirate of directing icons, Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, passed away on Sunday. He was 95.
Sen took his last breath at his residence at 10.30 am after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments, family source said.
"Sen passed away today around 10.30 am due to age-related ailments," a family member said.
At around 2:45pm Sen's mortal remains were taken from his residence at Padmapukur in Bhawanipore area to Peace World mortuary.
According to a source close the family, the last rites of the filmmaker will be performed tomorrow after his son Kunal Sen, who lives in the US, arrives in India.
The family wants to keep the cremation a low key affair, the source added.
Sen, who has won multiple national awards, was known for his artistic depiction of social reality.
The auteur, who started the "new wave of Indian cinema" with "Bhuvan Shome", was one of the most acclaimed filmmakers to bring recognition to ...

Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen passes away at 95, cremation tomorrow

"Absolutely Famous" actor June Whitfield has died. She was 93.
According to BBC, Whitfield's agent said she passed away "peacefully" Friday evening.
In her six decades long career, Whitfield starred in the BBC sitcom "Terry and June" and appeared in the "Carry On" movie series.
In 1998, she made a guest appearance in a London-based episode of the sitcom "Friends". In "Absolutely Fabulous," she was the mother of lead character Edina Monsoon, played by Jennifer Saunders.
Julia Sawalha, who played Whitfield's granddaughter Saffron in the series, tweeted  that the actor had been an inspiration.
"Thank you #damejunewhitfield, for teaching me my craft with such grace and dignity.I always wanted you to know how in awe of you I was, however, you were always far too humble to accept my adoration. You were a great source of inspiration to me. Bye-bye Gran," she posted
TV producer Jon Plowman, who worked on Absolutely Fabulous, said there was "no-one with a better ability to just 'place' a line, 

Actor June Whitfield dies at 93

Yami Gautam says the film industry is a "consuming place" and can drain a person emotionally.
The actor says the key for her to stay sane is being able to hold her own guard.
"It can either take one film or more for someone to be up there. There is no formula for it. When you are up there it is about how you survive and how you handle it, how you take it forward is important.
"At one point I was a newcomer and there will be new people coming in, if I look left, right and centre I would not be able to focus on my work. It is a very consuming place, it can absorb you, it can drain you emotionally," Yami, who made her film debut with 2012's "Vicky Donor", told PTI.
The actor says being respected both by the fraternity and audience is more important for her than raking in money.
"Respect is important. For me, it is more important to be respected as an actor. If you are successful, money will come. If money is the basis to do films, it won't work.
"I have come here so far in a very hard ...

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