Actors Naomi Watts, Octavia  Spencer and Tim Roth will star in a new drama film "Luce".
To be directed by Julius Onah, the film also features  Kelvin Harrison Jr.
The script has been written by Onah and JC Lee with John  Baker, Onah, and Andrew Yang producing the project, reported  Variety.
The story is about an African teenager and a former child  soldier living with his adoptive family. Spencer will play the  role of a teacher in the film.
The shooting for the project has already commenced in New  York.

Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer and Tim Roth joins "Luce"

PTI Automatic

Actor Gary Oldman has praised  makeup artist Kazuhiro Tsuji for transforming him into former  British Prime Minister Winston Churchill for the film "The  Darkest Hour".
At the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, the 59-year-  old actor said he was against the idea of using prosthetics to  get the look of Churchill, reported Variety.
"I wasn't going to put on 50 or 60 pounds and put my  health at risk so it was contingent on getting Kazuhiro to see  if this thing was going to work.
"You could control the other component  the energy, how  he used his hands, the way he moved. But if you look  ridiculous, it's not going to work. So you surrender to it,"  said Oldman.

Gary Oldman credits his makeup artist for Churchill look

Actor Kenneth Branagh enjoys  doing yoga even though he started practising it late.
"I'm a man of certain age who's come to enjoy yoga. I  came to it later in life, but lately, its a necessary thing,"  Branagh told People Magazine.
"I love walking my dog. I have a little Jack Russell who  runs my life. I talk to him; I train him," he added.
Branagh, who portrays Detective Hercule Poirot in the new  film adaptation of the Agatha Christie's 1943 novel "Murder on  the Orient Express", also said that it took him six months to  get his moustache into an ideal shape for his character.
"(It took) six months of work to work out what's the  volume, what's the shape and how do we put it on," Branagh  said.

Kenneth Branagh enjoys doing yoga

Music icon Elton John said Prince  Harry possesses a "rare gift" that makes people feel loved.
John, who was a good friend of Princess Diana, said  Prince Harry has inherited the quality from his mother,  reported Femalefirst.
"People love (Harry). He's young and he's got his  mother's ability to talk to people and make people feel at  ease. Make them feel loved. Make them feel important and  that's a wonderful gift to have," said John.
"It's a very rare gift. He's inherited it from his mother  and he's using it to good use," he added.

Prince Harry got a rare gift: Elton John

Director Denis Villeneuve has  declined to helm the next instalment of iconic Bond series.
The 49-year-old French-Canadian director said he is  "busy" with his next project, the "Dune" remake.
"The thing is I don't now about that, but listen. Daniel  Craig is a very inspiring actor and I had some contact and the  thing is that I'm busy right now doing 'Dune'.
"But, I will say to have the privilege to work with him  it would be a dream. I would love to work with Daniel and a  Bond movie for me would be a treat. It's a matter of timing, I  guess," Villeneuve told The Playlist.
The director is to tackle a new version of the Frank  Herbert novel "Dune", following the critically-mauled David  Lynch version released in 1984.

Denis Villeneuve says no to new Bond movie

'Bollywood Badshah' Shah Rukh  Khan today quipped that his Bengali will need to improve in  the next edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival.
Khan, who has been a regular at the film festival's  inauguration for the past couple of years, was again a part of  the 23rd KIFF launch event today.
"Now, I am attempting eight lines in Bengali, please  bear with me," he told a capacity crowd at Netaji Indoor  Stadium here.
"Ei film fesivaler bisesh anusthane uposthit thakte  pere sammanito bodh krchhi (I am honoured to be present at  this special event of the film festival)," King Khan said.
Thanking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  for organising the show, Khan said, "Wonderful weather,  wonderful city, looking lovely and Mamata didi looking  lovelier. I am asking my wonderful friends to give me dhoti  next time."
Describing cinema as a language which needs to be  propagated and felt for spreading the message of love,  togetherness and unity, the superstar added that ...

My Bengali will be better in next KIFF: Shah Rukh Khan

Actor Irrfan Khan today addressed the  controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed "Padmavati",  saying said it is for the government to decide who has the  authority to certify a film for release.
Various groups, most of them from the Rajput community,  have accused Bhansali of "distorting" historical facts in the  film which features Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and  Ranveer Singh.
"It is in censor board's (Central Board of Film  Certification) hand to give certificate.
"The government will decide... whose validity  (matters)... whether it is Censor board or other bodies. I am  not in that position to decide or say anything," Irrfan told  reporters here.
Earlier today, hundreds of people associated with various  community organisations took out a morcha in Thane demanding a  ban on the film.
Bhansali had earlier said that the film is his tribute to  the "sacrifice, valour and honour" of Rani Padmavati. He has  also said there is nothing in the film that will hurt anyones  ...

Govt has to decide whose validity matters: Irrfan on Padmavati

Shahid Kapoor starrer "Batti Gul  Meter Chalu", which addresses the issue of electricity bills,  will hit the theatres on August 31, 2018.
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh and produced jointly by  T-Series and KriArj Entertainment, the film is a light-hearted  social drama.
"With TSeries we celebrate Janamasthami with Batti Gul  Meter Chalu... this Shahid Kapoor starrer, directed by Shree  Narayan Singh to release on 31st Aug 2018," tweeted the  official twitter handle of KriArj Entertainment.
The makers of the film had earlier released a teaser of  the film, which is expeced to go on floors soon.

Shahid's 'Batti Gul Meter Chalu' to release on Aug 31, 2018

To get a first hand feedback of  their new film "Qarib Qarib Singlle", actors Irrfan Khan and  Parvathy today visited a cinema hall here.
The lead cast of the film, which had a countrywide  release today, also interacted with audience to gauge their  mood.
"This is the first time I have tears in my eyes seeing  the reactions. We are alive because of the people, they are  acknowledging our effort...
"We see a lot of cinemas where a hero is something who is  a superman or is not identifiable who you don't relate to that  person. I want to create stories where I could tell you that  there is a hero inside everybody and you should also be able  to romance like this, it is not only me," said Irrfan.
Malayalam actress Parvathy, who makes her Bollywood debut  with the Tanuja Chandra-directed film, felt overwhelmed by the  response to the film.
"Even I am very overwhelmed. Earlier also I have attended  many first-day first shows and seen it with the audience and  since nobody really ...

Irrfan, Parvathy visit theatre playing 'Qarib Qarib Singlle'

Bhojpuri film director Shad Kumar  allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his  residence at Mira Road, police said today.
Shad Kumar (50), whose original name was Shamshad Ahmed,  allegedly took the extreme step yesterday at his apartment in  New Saloni Heights Cooperative Society at around 1.40 pm, a  senior police official said.
According to the official, he was found hanged from the  ceiling by his wife, Bano Shamshad Ahmed Shaikh, after she  came home.
The society's chairman, a doctor by profession, declared  him dead, the officer added.
Assistant Police Inspector Satish Nikam said as per  Bano's statement Shad was depressed from the last few days due  to the losses he suffered in films.
A case has been registered at Naya Nagar Police Station  and a probe is on, added Nikam.
Shad directed number of hit Bhojpuri films like "Ek  Laila, Teen Chaila", "Bhail Tohra Se Pyar", "Tumhare Pyar Ki  Kasam".
His new release "Swarg" was to hit theatres on November  24.
Shad, who ...

Bhojpuri film director commits suicide

Renowned lyricist and chairperson  of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Prasoon  Joshi today said that it becomes difficult to take decision on  somebody else's work as the head of censor board.
"When you are at a certain position you have to see the  work that other artistes do through a certain vantage point  and you have to analyse it with the impact it will have on  people," he said during a session at Sahitya AajTak here.
He said that earlier it was only his opinion that was  expressed through his work, but since taking up the job of the  head of censor board he has to consider the other artiste's  freedom of expression too.
"Before being in censor board I was only expressing  myself through my work and was only connected to my freedom of  expression. Being an artiste myself it becomes difficult since  I have to express my point on other artiste's works," the  lyricist said.
While expressing his views on "art with responsibility",  Joshi said that the creator should .

To judge others' work is no easy task: Prasoon Joshi

Curtains were raised on the 23rd  Kolkata International Film Festival began here today with the  screening of Iranian film 'Yellow'.
Altogether 143 films from India and abroad will be  screened in the 8-day festival which was inaugurated at the  packed Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Megastars Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kamal  Haasan, besides British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom and  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were present at the  inaugural function.
The KIFF has become the landmark for showcasing best  cinema across the world and he is happy to be back in a city  which always holds special memories, Bachchan said.
Bachchan, who delivered the main address on the  inauguration, said the Rajesh Roshan composed 'Chukar mere man  ko' song which was shot in the same Netaji Indoor Stadium, the  festival inauguration venue, for the film Yaarana.
Bengalis love music, from Tagore songs to Baul songs,  he said described how Bengali culture had influenced the music  in Hindi ..

23rd Kolkata International Film Festival begins

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's former  girlfriend Sunita Rajwar, whom the actor had called his 'first  love' in his now withdrawn memoir, has filed a legal notice  against him and demanded a compensation of Rs two crore.
Sunita, a television and theatre personality, said that  she sent a legal notice to Nawazuddin on November 4, for  tarnishing her image and causing mental agony.
"The damage is done, nothing can't be changed. He has  apologised but it seems more like a disclaimer. The way he has  taken the names in his book and made story around it, is not  right.
"He said the book is withdrawn but it is available  online. I ordered two books I got the first one on November 4  and the second on November 7. The circulation of the book is  going online. So it is one lie, after another," Sunita told  PTI.
She said that the actor has not yet responded to her  notice.
"He is doing such great work, I don't understand why  he had to do all this? He has hurt me badly but still I had  forgiven ...

Nawazuddin's ex-girlfriend slaps Rs 2 crore legal notice

Actor Sanjay Kapoor has been paired  opposite Manisha Koirala in Dibakar Banerjee's short film  in "Bombay Talkies 2".
Released in 2013, "Bombay Talkies" was a curation of four  short films, directed by Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee,  Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar.
The film was released on 3 May 2013, celebrating the 100  years of Indian cinema.
The quartet are returning for "Bombay Talkies 2", which  is being co-produced by Ashi Dua and Ronnie Screwvala.
"He (Sanjay) is playing the main lead in Dibakar's film  and is paired opposite Manisha Koirala. The short film is  about love and lust. He plays a married man in it. It has been  a wonderful experience to be working on this film with them,"  sources close to the project told PTI.
The makers have already shot for the film and are looking  forward to its release early next year.
"The film should release in February or March," the  source added.
Sanjay appears on television show "Dil Sambhal Jaa  Zara", which is aired on Star Plus ...

Sanjay Kapoor joins Dibakar's "Bombay Talkies 2"

On a day the Supreme Court refused  to stay the release of Bollywood film 'Padmavati', BJP MLA  from Laksar Sanjay Gupta accused its director Sanjay Leela  Bhansali of presenting the Rajput queen in a bad light and  said there would be strong protests in Uttarakhand against the  film's screening.
"Showing a brave, self-respecting Hindu queen dancing in  front of a Muslim aggressor was unnecessary. We object to the  disparaging projection of a historical character like  Padmavati, which has been done by Bhansali only for the sake  of money in the name of entertainment," he said.
Accusing the makers of films and television serials in  the country of being in the habit of lowering historical  characters, Gupta cited a TV serial titled "Jodha-Akbar",  which was aired a couple of years ago, and claimed that Mughal  emperor Akbar was glorified in the soap while Jodha's role was  made subservient to his.
"This is a common tendency among our film and serial-  makers. As Hinduism is a ...

Screening of 'Padmavati' to be protested in U'khand: BJP MLA

Jason Bateman's wife Amanda Anka  has acccused celebrity hotelier Andre Balazs of sexual  misconduct.
Anka has alleged that Balazs groped her at a 2014 dinner  party held following the premiere of Bateman's film, "Horrible  Bosses 2", according to the New York Times.
Bateman defended his wife's account in a joint statement.
"On behalf of Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka, we can  confirm that the account of Andr Balazs's outrageous and vile  behavior on that night in London is factual. His actions were  dealt with at the time," the statement read.
According to Times Anka, Bateman and co-stars Jennifer  Aniston, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day were at Balazs's  hotel, the Chiltern Firehouse in London, when Balasz offered  to take the group on a tour.
He suggested they climb up a firehouse-style ladder to an  upstairs room for a better view, which eyewitnesses said made  Anka hesitate because she was wearing a leather dress.
Balazs insisted and when Anka began climbing the stars,  he ...

Bateman's wife Amanda Anka accuses hotelier of groping her

Veteran actor and parliamentarian  Hema Malini has said that some secrets should not be revealed  so as to retain a bit of mystery to the personality.
"I think a closed fist is more interesting than an open  one. It is important for celebrities to keep some secrets in  order to maintain a bit of mystique," said Malini during the  Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2017 here.
The 69-year-old actor was asked about the social media  and its role in the society.
Malini also said that her time was supposed to have been  the golden age as it was so different then.
"There was a kind of passion that is missing today.  People are now not as emotionally independent and they succumb  to the pressures of the industry. We should be strong,  especially as today we are living in a world that is full of  opportunities," she said.
Malini also said that a person must not hesitate to dream  as it is the first step towards achieving one's goals.
"It is important to dream in order to reach your goals. 

Some secrets must be kept: Hema Malini

The third edition of Russian Film  Days, an initiative to strengthen the Indo-Russian  relationship through cinematic and cultural exchange, begin  today with a special tribute to Raj Kapoor.
The film festival opened here at Siri Fort Auditorium  with a theatrical performance dedicated to Raj Kapoor and his  legendary film of the 1970 year, "Mera Naam Joker", which  remains one of the most favourite Indian movies in Russia.
Speaking at the inauguration, Russian Minister of Culture  Vladimir Medinsky said that he looks forward to seeing "Indo-  Russian cooperation turn into co-production of films".
"Through this cooperation, we hope to develop audience  for our film-makers in both the countries. We hope to turn  this cooperation into co-production of films in future.
"If Russian and Indian film-makers start making films  together, we can show the Hollywood what we are capable of,"  Medinsky said.
The Bollywood Dreamgirl, Hema Malini, who was recently  honoured at the 4th Indian Film ...

3rd Russian Film Days begins with tribute to Raj Kapoor

Veteran lyricist and filmmaker  Gulzar has penned a poem for the upcoming film "Kadvi Hawa".
The poem, titled "Mausam Beghar Hone Lage Hai", is based  on the theme of climate change, which is also the central  point of the film.
It is narrated from the perspective of nature which is  detailing its torture at the hands of mankind. The poem talks  about how mankind is hellbent on destroying each and every bit  of nature just to satiate its lust for advancement.
Gulzar liked the movie and its idea and therefore penned  a poem on the climate issue, which has become the talking  point of late after a thick smog engulfed the Delhi-NCR.
The film, directed by Nila Madhab Panda and produced by  Drishyam Films, stars Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey and  Tillotama Shome.
Kadvi Hawa will release countrywide on November 24.

Gulzar pens poem on climate change

"Creed" star Michael B Jordon  is all set to make his directorial debut with the adaptation  of David Barclay Moore's "The Stars Beneath Our Feet".
The story of the book revolves around a 12-year-old in  Harlem who is grappling with the death of his older brother  due to a gang-related violence, according to The Hollywood  Reporter.
Jordan will next be seen in Ryan Coogler's "Black  Panther" movie for Marvel.
He also is set for HBO's adaptation of the Ray Bradbury  classic "Fahrenheit 451" and will appear in the "Creed"  sequel, to be directed by Sylvester Stallone.

Michael B Jordon set for directorial debut

Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o has  called out Grazia magazine for retouching her natural hair in  their November issue.
In the magazine cover, Nyng'o appears with a shaven head  but the actor shared the original images on her Instagram  where she has a loose afro ponytail.
"As I have made clear so often in the past with every  fiber of my being, I embrace my natural heritage and despite  having grown up thinking light skin and straight, silky hair  were the standards of beauty, I now know that my dark skin and  kinky, coily hair are beautiful too," Nyng'o wrote.
The 34-year-old star said while she loved being featured  on the magazine's cover, it defeated the very purpose of  promoting different ideas of beauty.
"Being featured on the cover of a magazine fulfills me as  it is an opportunity to show other dark, kinky-haired people,  and particularly our children, that they are beautiful just  the way they are. I am disappointed that @graziauk invited me  to be on their cover and then ...

Page 929 -