Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar  said he is completely against the trend of remixing old songs  which according to him are "cultural heritage".
Akhtar, who launched his book "Talking Films:  Conversations on Hindi Cinema" last evening, was asked about  the current trend of remixing songs and whether it leads to  old ones losing their essence.
"I quite agree. I don't know why people remix old songs.  They should have enough confidence that they will give super-  hit songs. Why should they borrow? What's the need? Besides  that, these songs by Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore  Kumar... these are our cultural heritage," he said.
"We need to preserve them. There are certain things  that they should be respected the way they are. It's rubbish  (remixing old songs). It's not acceptable," he added.
The 72-year-old lyricist was speaking at the eighth  edition of 'Tata Literature Live!' here.
At the event, Akhtar also opened up about his iconic  movies like "Deewar" and "Trishul", ...

Retro songs are heritage, need to preserve them: Javed Akhtar

PTI Automatic

Comedian-actor Sarah Silverman  broke her silence on longtime friend Louis C K's sexual  misconduct in a moving monologue before the latest episode of  her Hulu talk show, "I Love You, America."
"This recent calling out of sexual assault has been a  long time coming. It' good. It's like cutting out tumours:  it's messy, and it's complicated, and it is going to hurt, but  it's necessary and we'll all be healthier for it. And it  sucks. And some of our heroes will be taken down and we will  discover bad things about people we like, or in some cases,  people we love," Silverman said.
"And it s**** and some of our heroes will be taken down,  and we will discover bad things about people we like, or in  some cases, people we love. Let's just say it: I'm talking  about Louis," she added.
C K and Silverman's friendship has spanned more than 25  years, with the latter playing a fictionalised version of  herself on the former's FX series, "Louie."
Silverman was clearly emotional as she spoke, ..

Sarah Silverman addresses Louis C K's sexual misconduct

"Mad Men" creator Matthew  Weiner has publicly denied the sexual harassment allegation  levied against him.
Kater Gordon, an assistant-turned-writer, told The  Information on November 9 that Weiner told her that she owed  it to him to see her naked.
"I will just say what I've said: the allegation is not  true," Weiner said at an event here.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, he then addressed  the larger issue of sexual harassment in the workplace,  emphasising that "this is a very important topic and a topic  that has been an obsession of mine, in my work and in my life
and for, like, 92 hours of the show.
"We wanted people to be having this conversation and it's  great that were having it. It's a very serious issue.

Weiner says sexual harassment claim against him 'is not true'

Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Atom  Egoyan will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at  the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Information  and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani has announced.
The festival, to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28,  will also screen three films produced by the 57-year-old  filmmaker.
"Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Atom Egoyan will be  bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award at #IFFI2017. @IFFIGoa  will also honour his work with a special film section that  will screen 3 films produced by him," Irani tweeted yesterday.
Egoyan is best known for his films "Exotica", "The Sweet  Hereafter" and "Chloe".

Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan to get lifetime achievement

Veteran actor and social activist  Shabana Azmi today raised questions over the Central Board of  Film Certification (CBFC) sending back the application for the  certification of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed "Padmavati".
"#Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz  of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for  electoral gains?," the actor tweeted.
Earlier today, the CBFC decided to send the film back to  its makers citing "deficiency in the application".
According to the CBFC, the movie, which has been facing  protest from several Rajput groups, will be reviewed as per  the set norms once it is sent back to the board after sorting  out the issue.
"Padmavati" starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and  Ranveer Singh is set for December 1 release.

Sahabana Azmi questions CBFC for sending Padmavati back to

The Central Board of Film  Certification (CBFC) has sent Sanjay Leela Bhansali- directed  "Padmavati" back to the makers as the application for the  certification was "incomplete".
According to the CBFC, the movie, which has been facing  protest from several Rajput groups, will be reviewed as per  the set norms once it is sent back to the board after sorting  out the issue.
"The film was submitted for certification last week. We  examined the documents, as we normally do. It was conveyed to  the makers that their application was incomplete. They had to  rectify and send it back, we will view it when it comes back  to us," a source in the CBFC told PTI.
"When they (makers) rectify the deficiency we will again  scrutinise it once more and when the turn comes we will  examine it (film for certification)," the source added.
The source, however, refused to divulge details about the  "deficiency in the application" on account of which it was  returned to the makers for rectification.
When ..

CBFC returns 'Padmavati' to makers due to technical issues

Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies  Entertainment and streaming service Netflix are working on  original series, based on the book, "Bard of Blood".
Penned by the young Indian author, Bilal Siddiqi the  book will adapted to an eight-episode high-octane political  espionage thriller series.
"We have always tried to create world class content and  entertainment from India. Netflix has shown that Indian  stories have a global audience and we would love to use this  platform and its reach to tell more stories," Shah Rukh said  in a statement.
Set against the backdrop of the Indian subcontinent, the  multilingual series will tell the story of an expelled spy,  Kabir Anand who is recalled from his new life as a Shakespeare  professor in Panchgani to save his country and long-lost love.
The series will be shot on location and the characters  will interact in Hindi, Urdu, English and other languages.
"We believe in the global vision of Red Chillies to  create groundbreaking content out of India. ..

Red Chillies and Netflix working on 'Bard of Blood' series

Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri  Dixit's online dance tutorials will soon make it to the small  screen.
Titled "Dance with Madhuri", the show will now be a part  of DishTV's Dance active platform.
"Our vision for Dance with Madhuri is to take the  expression and passion of dance to everyone. With DishTV's  reach, we do believe that millions of people can now learn  how to dance right in their living rooms.
"We put in a lot of effort to create an amazing team of  choreographers who help us bring this vision to life with  their unique style and training routine. So excited to launch  this service!" Madhuri said in a statement.
Dance gurus such as Pt Birju Maharaj, Saroj Khan, Terence  Lewis, Remo D'Souza and other renowned choreographers from  India will be part of the show.

Madhuri's dance class comes to TV screens

The makers of Sanjay Leela  Bhansali's "Padmavati" have rubbished reports that the film,  which is facing protest from several Rajput groups, has been  postponed to January next year.
There have been reports saying that the makers plan to  postpone the release of "Padmavati" to January 12, following  political pressure.
When contacted Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer,  Viacom18 Motion Pictures, told PTI, " (It's a) complete  rumour."
He also shared a statement on Twitter.
"Rumours of postponement of Padmavati are baseless," he  tweeted.
The period drama has been courting controversies as  several fringes including Rajput Karni Sena are protesting  against the film and Bhansali for distorting historical facts.
The film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and  Ranveer Singh is set to release on December 1.

Complete rumour: Ajit Andhare on 'Padmavati' being postponed

The Telangana government today  said it has signed an MoU with the Vancouver Film School (VFS)  of Canada to set up a satellite campus here.
According to an official release, the satellite campus  will offer programmes in animation, VFX, game development and  film.
The institute will provide skills to students on par  with international industry standards, it said.
Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao said the gaming  industry is a key growth engine for next level of technology  exports and employment generation.
"As a part of shared vision, the Government of  Telangana and VFS have joined efforts through this MoU to  synergise on skilling the youths from the state on cutting  edge technologies in animation, VFX and the gaming sector," he  said.
Diwakar Gandhi, Director of International Strategy and  Business Development, VFS, said there is a massive demand for  VFS programmes in India. But most of the students cannot come  to to VFS in Vancouver due to several limiting factors.
"That is 

Vancouver Film School to set up campus in Hyderabad

The Mumbai Police said today it will  deal strictly with people trying to be "adventurous" ahead of  the release of 'Padmavati', amid a threat issued by the Shri  Rajput Karni Sena to the film's lead actor Deepika Padukone.
A senior police official said the department was  committed to provide security individually or collectively to  those linked with the film.
"Any individual or group, which attempts to be  adventurous, will be dealt with sternly and will face strict  legal action," Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law  and Order), said.
The Karni Sena has opposed the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-  directed film, alleging it "distorts historical facts" and  "hurts sentiments" of the Rajput community.
Featuring Deepika Padukone in the title role of Rani  Padmavati, with Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and  Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the movie is slated  to arrive in theatres on December 1.
Karni Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana yesterday invoked  the ...

'Padmavati' row: Will deal with miscreants sternly, say police

Canada is the focus country at the  48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this year,  according to festival director Sunit Tandon.
The festival, to be held from November 20 to 28, will be  hosting a Canadian delegation and presenting eight films from  the country, in association with Telefilm Canada and in  collaboration from TIFF.
The special focus will kick off on November 21 with "Old  Stone", directed by Johnny Ma, being the opening film.
"Meditation Park" directed by Mina Shum will be  showcased at the country focus - gala screening.
"We are happy to be working with Telefilm Canada and  appreciate the support extended towards making this possible.  We look forward to welcoming the Canadian delegation, and this  highlight of the Festival," Tandon said in a statement.
An IndoCanada co-production seminar has also been  proposed to be organised by the Canadian High Commission in  India during the festival.
IFFI 2017 will also host special guests such as Cameron  Bailey ...

Canada the focus country at IFFI 2017

Popular animation series 'Sunny  Bunnies' is coming to India, with Discovery Channel set to  premiere the short format, non-dialogue comedy this month.
Under a three-year agreement, Discovery Kids will  collaborate with London-based content distribution company  Media IM to telecast the hit series in the country.
Talking about the deal, Uttam Pal Singh, Head
Discovery Kids, Discovery Communications India, said, "We are  delighted to offer different mix of content like 'Sunny  Bunnies'. This fascinatingly crafted short format series...  have all the elements to captivate and engage with the kids in  India."
With its India premiere, the total number of  territories across the world having aired the animation series  stands at over 160, a Discovery statement said.
"India is not only one of the biggest, most vibrant  and exciting markets in the world, but it's also an extremely  challenging one to break into," Media IM co-founder Maria  Ufland said.

Hit animation series 'Sunny Bunnies' to premiere in India

It could be about distorting  history, hurting religious sentiments or that favourite  bugbear Pakistan.
Filmmakers navigate a minefield before a release and the  brouhaha over "Padmavati" is only the most recent example, say  Bollywood insiders.
Be it the small-budget "Lipstick Under My Burkha" that  touches on women's sexuality or a biggie like Karan Johar's  "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", a mainstream entertainer but with a  Pakistani in a cameo, trouble comes in all shapes and sizes.
In the most recent instance of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's  lavishly mounted period drama "Padmavati", historians are  divided on whether she even existed but irate Rajput groups  have called the film an insult to their honour.
According to trade sources, Rs 150 crore is riding on the  Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh-Shahid Kapoor starrer on the  Rajput queen Padmini, whose story was narrated in Malik  Mohammed Jayasi's epic poem "Padmavat" in the 16th century.
The jury is out on whether some factions of the Rajput 

Protests over 'Padmavati': Bollywood held hostage again

Amitabh Bachchan has rubbished  reports claiming he had a close shave when the rear wheel of a  car taking him to the Kolkata airport rolled off.
Bachchan had gone to Kolkata at the invitation of the  West Bengal government for the inaugural programme of the 23rd  Kolkata International Film Festival on November 10.
The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter to inform his fans  that he is well.
"I am informed by concerned well wishers and media, that  I had a close escape from a car accident in Kolkata, that is  incorrect. There has been no accident... I am well," Bachchan  tweeted yesterday.
According to reports, the superstar was on his way back  to the airport on November 11 when the incident occurred.  He was accompanied by a senior state minister.
The car was provided by a travel agency. A senior  official was quoted as saying that the government had sought  an explanation from the agency.

There was no accident, I am well, says Amitabh Bachchan

Miranda Kerr and husband Evan  Spiegel are expecting their first child together.
A representative of the couple said, "Miranda, Evan, and  Flynn are looking forward to welcoming the newest member of  their family."
No announcement about the gender of the child has been  made yet, reported Vogue magazine.
The supermodel already has Flynn with ex-husband Orlando  Bloom.
Snapchat founder, Spiegel and the 34-year-old Kerr tied  the knot six months ago.

Miranda Kerr pregnant with her second child

Everyone remembers Taapsee  Pannu's powerhouse performance in Pink, but she got the role  only after "a popular female actor" refused it, director of  the film Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury has said.
Aniruddha, however, did not divulge the name of the  actor who rejected the role of Meenal Arora.
At a discussion in the 23rd Kolkata International Film  Festival last evening, director of the 2016 film was speaking  on how it was made.
"I had narrated the story four and half years back to  director-producer friend Shoojit Sircar on-board a flight and  he was hooked to the idea. A popular female actor had refused  to do the character which was ultimately given to Taapsee  Pannu," Aniruddha said.
The 'Pink' project got rolling when Amitabh Bachchan  agreed to do the film after listening to the story only for 5  minutes at his residence, he said adding that the rest is  history.
"A film happens when everyone starts believing in the  subject. We see so many things around us everyday, but do we  ...

Taapsee got Pink role after popular actor refused it: director

Actor Robert Pattinson has revealed  that he missed out on continuing his studies as he had signed  on a role in the "Harry Potter" series.
The 'Twilight' star played Cedric Diggory in the movie  "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
During an interview to Time Out magazine, Pattinson said,  "It was so nice to be a part of it. That, more than anything,  changed my life."
"It's the reason I didn't go to university. It went so  far over schedule, I couldn't go. It was supposed to be four  months, but it ended up being 10 or 11," he added.

Pattinson picked 'Harry Potter' over university

Taylor Swift's album  'Reputation', that released on November 10 has broken all  records by selling 1.05 million copies in the initial four  days of release.
According to Billboard, Ed Sheeran held the record of  best selling album, with 919,000 copies before it was broken  by the "Bad Blood" singer.
This is Swift's fourth album that sold a million copies  within a week. Swift is also the only artiste that has three  different albums that sold million units within a week since  1991.

Swift's "Reputation" becomes the highest selling album of 2017

"Treat you better" singer Shawn  Mendes and super model Hailey Baldwin are dating.
According to sources close to E! online, they have been  dating for several weeks.
"It started out casual as they would run into each other  at parties and hangout, but most recently it's become more  serious, they are definitely dating and spend a lot of time  together."
The couple has gone to Europe for a private vacation, and  Baldwin was recently seen attending "There's nothing holdin'  me back" singer's concert in Brooklyn.

Shawn Mendes and Hailey Baldwin are dating

Hollywood star Julia Roberts  says though she is sad about the recent revelations of her  colleagues, but sexual harassment has not been a part of  her experience.
In an interview with Matt Lauer from the Today show the  actor reveals that she had been "spared" from the whole  experience in her long Hollywood career.
Roberts, 50 said "You know, it's all so ugly in so  many ways, I've never had this experience. I mean, I almost  feel bad saying that because I don't know why I was spared.
"You hear some of these heart-wrenching, awful stories
and I have a daughter  it is heartbreaking. But it's not  been part of my experience."
Roberts had previously released a statement against  Harvey Weinstein to People magazine, "I stand firm in the hope  that we will finally come together as a society to stand up  against this kind of predatory behaviour, to help victims find  their voices and their healing, and to stop it once and for  all.

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