Kamal Haasan has congratulated  superstar Rajinikanth, who has been chosen by the Andhra  Pradesh government for the prestigious NTR National Film Award  for the year 2016.
Rajinikanth repaid the gesture and congratulated Haasan,  who has also been chosen for the same award for the year 2014.
"Congratulations, Superstar Rajinikanth for the NTR  National award in 2016.
"Thank you Andhra for honouring me also, yet again. I am  indebted to your continued support, which started early in my  career. Kruthagnyathalu," tweeted Haasan.
Replying to Haasan's tweet, Rajinikanth tweeted,  "Thankyou Kamal... I wish you the same !!! Congratulations!"
The NTR National Film Award was instituted in the memory  of Telugu film legend and former Chief Minister Nandamuri  Taraka Rama Rao.
A committee, headed by film star and MLA Nandamuri  Balakrishna, has selected the awardees for the three years.
Ace director K Raghavendra Rao will receive the same  award for 2015.
NTR's contemporary and doyen of Telugu 

Haasan, Rajinikaanth congratulate each other on NTR award

PTI Automatic

Devashish Makhija-directed rape-  revenge drama "Ajji" will be releasing in India on November  24.
The film was screened at films festival such as Busan  International Film Festival and Singapore Film Festival, and  has been lauded by critics for its dark and gritty take on the  classic fairy-tale story Little Red Riding Hood.
Sushama Deshpande leads the cast of the film, which also  features Sharvani Suryavanshi, Sadiya Siddiqui, Manuj Sharma,  Sudhir Pandey, Kiran Khoje, and Smita Tambe.
"Fairy tales are all written metaphorically, and this one  specifically holds a lot of relevance today. We are extremely  happy at the interest shown by the festival circuit for our  film," said Makhija.
In India, the film was screened at Mumbai Film Festival  (MAMI) and Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF).
Bollywood veteran Javed Akhtar also praised the film and  tweeted, "AJJI is a film really worth watching. I am not  surprised that it is getting such flattering reactions at  different 

'Ajji' to release country wide on November 24

With the "Padmavati" row growing  murkier day by day, filmmaker Hansal Mehta has come out in  support of his contemporary Sanjay Leela Bhansali, saying he  is pained at how the film is embroiled in a controversy even  before its release.
Bhansali has been facing the ire of various Rajput groups  and political leaders, who have accused the director of  "distorting historical facts" in his starring Deepika Padukone  in the title role. It is slated to be released on December 1.
Mehta, who has courted controversies himself with  critically-acclaimed films such as "Shahid" and "Aligarh",  said he sympathises with Bhansali and can understand what he  must be going through right now.
When asked that the decision of the makers to organise a  special screening for the disgruntled groups was surrendering  to such elements, the director told PTI, "There is a lot of  pressure and a lot of investment riding on you as a director.  The director would want his film's release to be as smooth as  ...

My heart goes out to Bhansali: Hansal Mehta on 'Padmavati' row

Be it a Chakma girl's failed  love story in Satarupa Sanyal's 'Tanyabi Lake' or the complex  tale of relationships in Ahsan Majid's Monpa language movie  'Sonam', rare language films, quite unassumingly, are touching  the right chords at the 23rd Kolkata International Film  Festival (KIFF).
Spoken by tiny minorities, these films give glimpses  of traditions and cultures that not many are aware of, said  the chairperson of KIFF seminar committee, Ratnottama  Sengupta.
"Rare language films were first introduced in KIFF  schedule in 2015. These little-known languages, if not  promoted, would go extinct over a period of time and with that  the poetries, songs and films made in these dialects would  also fade into oblivion," Sengupta said.
This year, eight movies in as many languages or  dialects - Monpa, Konkani, Kodava, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili,  Khasi and Chakma - have found screen space at the 'Unheard  India: Rare Indian Languages' section of the fest, much to the  delight of film ...

Rare language films enthral film buffs at KIFF

Actor Amber Heard said she  believes the term "LGBTQ" does not help the marginalised  community as much as it did at one point of time, especially  in Hollywood.
The 31-year-old actor said even educated people tend to  hide behind such terminology by "adding letters" and remain  stuck with regressive ideas.
"I didn't come out. I was never in. It's limiting, that  LGBTQ thing. It served a function as an umbrella for  marginalised people to whom rights were being denied, but it  loses its efficacy because of the nuanced nature of humanity.
"As we become more educated and expand the facts of our  nature, we keep adding letters. It was a great shield, but now  we're stuck behind it," Heard told Allure magazine.
The actor, who will next be seen in "Justice League",  said she was warned by people in the film industry that coming  out as a bisexual would cause damage to her career.
But she eventually dared her opponents and proved them  wrong.
"Everyone told me: 'You cannot do this.' I had ..

Term LGBTQ doesn't help community as much as it used to: Heard

Singer Blake Shelton has been  crowned "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2017 by People magazine.
The 41-year-old country singer succeeds "Fate of the  Furious" star Dwayne Johnson, who bagged the coveted title  last year.
Shelton, who also appeared on the cover page of the  magazine, said, "Y'all must be running out of people. Like,  Wow, we're down to somebody who is somewhat symmetrical."
He also teased his "The Voice" co-judge Adam Levine, who  won the title in 2013.
Shelton said, "I can't wait to shove this up Adam's a**.  As proud as I am and honoured that you guys asked me, that's  really the only thing I care about."
The musician credited his singer girlfriend, Gwen  Stefani, for convincing him to accept the title.
"She goes, 'Listen to me, you're going to regret this for  the rest of your life if you don't take this gift and just  live in the moment'," Shelton said.

Blake Shelton named 'Sexiest Man Alive'

Reminiscing about "Dostana", actor  Priyanka Chopra says the 2008 film gave her the sobriquet  "Desi Girl".
The "Quantico" actor took to Twitter and posted,"It's  nine years of 'Dostana', the movie that's forever made me the  'Desi girl'."
The star also tagged film's director Tarun Mansukhani and  co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham in the tweet.
"Wait a second... Thought John and I were the Desi  Girls..." replied Abhishek.
"Forgot to celebrate yesterday... so here is to my  'Dostana' with Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan and John  Abraham that has lasted for Nine years one day... And  counting!" posted director Mansukhani.
Released in 2008, "Dostana" was the story of two men who  pretend to be a gay couple in order to secure an apartment.
Both fall in love with the same girl and strive to win  her heart, only to realise that she loves someone else.

Priyanka Chopra celebrates nine years of 'Dostana'

Tanuja Chandra, whose "Qarib Qarib  Singlle", has been critically applauded, says she is more  comfortable with hard-hitting films but would love to explore  light-hearted stories as well.
Tanuja is best known for her psychological thrillers such  as "Dushman" (1998) and "Sangharsh" (1999), which she feels  were ahead of their time.
"If they had released now, they would have been received  even better," says Tanuja in an interview to PTI.
"I have made dark films that were great and that is my  comfort zone. There is a certain comfort zone (in)... a hard-  hitting thriller or a dramatic-emotional film. But I do want  to diversify."
The reviews and box office response for "Qarib Qarib  Singlle", starring Irrfan Khan and Malayalam actor  Parvathy, have been good. Its success has encouraged the  director to try more films in this genre.
"I love this space and would love to make films in this  space. If I had to guess, it is to do something real and  genuine in terms of characters. I don't 

Can't make film that are not rooted in real life: Tanuja

Actor Sidharth Malhotra says Sanjay  Leela Bhansali has made films which are "respectful and  artistic" and it is not right to judge "Padmavati" without  watching it.
The actor said being a part of the industry, he  understands the hard work that goes into making a film.
"If you see the kind of movies Sanjay Leela Bhansali has  made, they are respectful, artistic and they have nothing  offensive about them," Sidharth told reporters here  last night.
"So, I feel it is unfair that you comment on a film  without watching it. Only the censor board has that right (to  comment on a film). As an industry, we are hoping the film  gets a good release and people are able to watch the film and  then decide," said the actor while speaking on the sidelines  of the second edition of Lokmat Mahasrashtra's Most Stylish  awards.
Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started  shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised  twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and the director was  ...

Unfair to judge 'Padmavati' without watching it: Sidharth

Actor Kristen Stewart feels  'lucky' for the experience she had while filming for  "Twilight" series.
The "Snow White and the Huntsman" actor said that  playing the character of Bella really helped her shape as a  person that she is today.
"Every part that I've ever played has shaped me in such a  significant way...I know from an outsider's perspective you  might have something to say about that like in general.
"But I kind of view it as every other thing that I've  invested in and really loved. And I'm lucky to have had that  experience," Stewart told E! News,
The 27-year-old said that she never looks back at her  life and introspects and just counts on the experience.

Lucky to have Twilight experience: Kristen Stewart

Actor Julia Roberts has said that  people should understand the difference between loving their  children and spoiling them.
The 50-year-old actor plays the role of a mother in  "Wonder". The film also stars Room" actor Jacob Tremblay, who  plays Auggie Pullman, a young boy born with a rare genetic  disorder named Treacher Collins.
"I think some people confuse unconditional love with  spoiling. None of my kids would think I have a problem with  that distinction," said Roberts, according to Femalefirst.
"I do love them unconditionally, and I try, when they do  something wrong, to say, 'This doesn't change the amount of  love in this house for you, but you've got to do your  homework.' Because I think that also makes a child feel safe,"  Roberts added.

People confuse unconditional love with spoiling: Roberts

"Ugly Betty" actress Ashley Jensen  has said that she would love to reunite with the cast of the  show for its big screen revival.
The show, which went off air in 2010, featured America  Ferrera as Betty Suarez, the lead character, with Jensen as  Christina McKinney, a seamstress who worked at fashion  magazine Mode alongside Betty.
"It was one of those programmes that really touched a lot  of people and I think that a lot of people really feel a great  deal of warmth from it, so I think there could be scope for an  Ugly Betty movie, definitely," Jensen told iTV This Morning.
Over the course of four seasons, 'Ugly Betty' won two  Golden Globes and three Emmys.

Ashley Jensen would love to make an 'Ugly Betty' film

Actor Taraji P Henson will star  in the remake of "What Women Want".
The film has been titled "What Men Want" and Henson will  play the role of a sports agent, who gains the power to hear  men's thoughts, reported Variety.
Directed by Nancy Meyers, "What Women Want" was released  in 2000 starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt.
The new project will be produced by Will Packer and James  Lopez with Henson as executive producer.

Taraji P Henson joins "What Women Want" remake

Actor Rose McGowan has  surrendered before a court in Virginia after a warrant was  issued against her for alleged possession of a controlled  substance.
The "Grindhouse" actor was arrested and later released on  a bond of USD 5,000, reported Variety.
The charges against the actor stems from a police  investigation into her personal belongings which she left  behind on a flight early this year.
The police has claimed that the items allegedly tested  positive for narcotics.
McGowan was one of the first actors to come out and  accuse Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault last  month.

Rose McGowan surrenders over drug charge warrant

Luc Besson will be directing a  pilot of "The French Detective" for ABC studio.
Oscar winner Jean Dujardin will star in the pilot which  will also marks the TV directorial debut for Besson, reported  Variety.
ABC had recently acquired rights for James Patterson's  "The French Detective", which follows detective Luc Moncrief,  who moves to the US and joins the New York Police Department.
Dujardin, who is also making his TV debut in the US, will  play the role of Moncrief in the pilot.
The project is being developed and executive produced by  Bill Collage, Jonathan Collier and Adam Cooper.
Besson, Patterson, Leopoldo Gout and Bill Robinson are  also executive producing.

Luc Besson to helm 'The French Detective' pilot

"Fear the Walking Dead" has  added actor Garret Dillahunt to its ranks for the fourth  season.
"The Last House on the Left" was earlier in contention  for the role of Negan on "The Walking Dead", which went to  Jeffrey Dean Morgan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The details of Dillahunt's role has not been revealed but  he joins the show as a series regular.
"Fear the Walking Dead" also features Kim Dickens, Frank  Dillane, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Mercedes Mason, Colman Domingo  and Daniel Sharman.
Dillahunt has shows like "The Mindy Project", "The  Gifted", "The Guest Book", "Hand of God" and "Raising Hope" to  his credits.

Garret Dillahunt joins 'Fear the Walking Dead'

Shakira is postponing her European  tour until next year after suffering a vocal cord hemorrhage.
The 40-year-old Colombian sensation took to Twitter today  to apologise to her fans, saying she has a "heavy heart" but  must stop singing to recover.
"All the years I've been signing, I've never been faced  with a situation like this," she wrote in statements in both  English and Spanish. She says she can't wait to be back  onstage and "hear your voices singing along with mine."
Shakira this year released her 11th album, "El Dorado,"  and her European tour this winter was due to hit Paris,  Amsterdam, Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Munich, Milan and  Zurich, among other cities.

Shakira postpones European tour due to vocal problems

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh today  came out in support of the controversy-mired film "Padmavati",  underscoring a director's right to creative freedom.
"It (film) is a fiction and the audience is intelligent  enough to judge the movie. The entire film crew works hard to  showcase their art, and the director has the right to present  his perception and creativity before the audience. There  should be freedom of speech and creativity," he said.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of an event here, the  37-year-old Bollywood actor hoped that the upcoming  period-drama, slated to release on December 1, hit the screens  and people get to watch it.
"As an artist, I would like that no other artist suffers  losses," he said.
The film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali has drawn flak  from various quarters for allegedly distorting historical  facts. The film has Deepika Padukone essaying the role  'Padmavati'. It also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

Director has right to creative freedom: Neil Nitin on

Sony Music today said the Hindi  song 'Tera Zikr' by Darshan Raval will also be released in two  regional languages - Gujarati and Bengali.
Raval of 'India's Raw Star' fame is a popular figure  on social media, with his YouTube channel 'DarshanRavalDZ'  having a total of 257,323 subscribers.
"I am what I am today because of love from Gujarat and  therefore, a Gujarati version had to be done. And, I also  understand that I have a great following in Bengal...I really  hope fans and music lovers enjoy this version, too," he said.
A Sony Music spokesman said it is working with the  "young talent" on his next single with the objective of  widening his fan base in India, as well as in international  markets.
The Hindi version of 'Tera Zikr' is a sad number  composed by Darshan himself, with lyrics by A M Turaz.

Darshan Raval's 'Tera Zikr' to release in Gujarati, Bengali

The British prime minister's office  says it is treating with "utmost seriousness" a television  producer's allegation that she was sexually assaulted inside  10 Downing St, the official office for Britain's leader.
Daisy Goodwin, who created royal period drama "Victoria,"  says a government official groped her breast while she was  visiting Downing St to discuss a proposed television program.
She says she did not report the incident, which happened  during the 2010-2016 administration of Conservative Prime  Minister David Cameron.
Goodwin told Radio Times magazine that recent abuse  revelations made her reconsider her silence.
Cameron's spokesman said he was "alarmed, shocked and  concerned" and had informed the Cabinet Office, which  investigates allegations of misbehavior in politics.
Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said today the  government treated all allegations "with the utmost  seriousness.

UK TV producer claims Downing St official groped her breast

Amid the ongoing protests against  "Padmavati" and the information and broadcasting ministry's  decision to pull out two films "S Durga" and "Nude" from  screening at IFFI, Farhan Akhtar says the film industry needs  to come together in such testing times.
The information and broadcasting ministry dropped  Malayalam movie "S Durga" and Marathi film "Nude" from the  48th edition of the film festival, to be held in Goa from  November 20 to 28.
When asked about his viewpoint on the issue, Farhan said,  "This is not just about those two films or just about the film  ('Padmavati'). This has happened in the past with many films.  Unfortunately, we also have to blame ourselves. We should not  just be pointing fingers, there is lack of unity (in the film  industry) when it comes to these things.
"Everyone gets scared. It is a small industry... There  are not that many people. If they don't come together to  create an environment that they themselves can function in,  the way they want to, ...

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