Tom Hanks is set to star in  sci-fi "Bios" with "Game of Thrones" helmer Miguel Sapochnik  attached to direct.
Penned by Craig Luck and Ivor Powell, the story follows a  robot that lives on a post-apocalyptic earth. Built to protect  the life of his dying creator's beloved dog, it learns about  love, friendship, and the meaning of human life.
Hanks will play the ailing creator, reported Empire.
Robert Zemeckis and Kevin Misher are producing the  project.
The makers are planning to start the shooting of the  film in the first quarter of 2018.

Tom Hanks joins sci-fi 'Bios'

PTI Automatic

The trials and tribulations of  Arunima Sinha, the first female amputee to have conquered Mt  Everest, will soon be told on the big screen.
Dar Motion Pictures will tell the life story of 29-year-  old Arunima, a national level volleyball player who was pushed  from a running train by some robbers in 2011 while she was  resisting them. As a result, one of her legs had to be  amputated below the knee.
Besides scaling Mt Everest, she has climbed Kilimanjaro in  Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Kosciuszko in Australia, Aconcagua  in Argentina and Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) in Indonesia,  showing that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
"After long deliberations, a decision to make a film on my  life's journey has been taken and it is likely to be completed  by next year," Arunima told PTI.
According to Arunima, Kangana Ranaut has evinced interest  in playing the main character and has also shown eagerness in  directing the film.
Earlier, Farhan Akhtar too had shown interest in .

Biopic on Arunima, the first female amputee to climb Everest

Veteran writer-lyricist Javed  Akhtar has been honoured with the Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award.
Akhtar received the honour here last night at an event  which marked the 28th anniversary of Hridayesh Arts and the  80th birthday of veteran music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
Akhtar said that receiving the award was one of his  highest honours as it comes from the Mangeshkar family.
"I had taken my first award for 'Zanjeer' in this very  hall. But all those awards are on one side  and I've received  many but this one is the most special. To get an award from  Mangeshkar family is unbelievable, you can't think of India's  music without them," he said.
Akhtar, 72, recalled how Lata Mangeshkar played a pivotal  role in his journey as a lyricist.
"Yash Chopra sahab came to my house and said he was  making 'Silsila' and I should write the songs... I refused,  saying I write poetry only for myself and script writing is  enough. But he insisted and made me write the lyrics.
Akhtar said he got ..

Javed Akhtar receives Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award

"Castle" actor Nathan Fillion  is set to star in a new cop drama series "The Rookie".
The drama, inspired by a true story, will be written by  Alexi Hawley, reported Deadline.
The story follows John Nolan (Fillion), who casts aside  his comfortable, small town life and moves to LA to pursue his  dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years  his junior, Nolan  must navigate the dangerous, humorous and  unpredictable world of a young cop, determined to make his  second shot at life count.
Hawley will also executive produce the series along with  Fillion,  Mark Gordon and Nicholas Pepper, Michelle Chapman  and Jon Steinberg.
The show will be produced by The Mark Gordon Company in  association with ABC Studios.

Nathan Fillion to appear in cop drama 'The Rookie'

Hollywood star Tom Cruise has  been named the recipient of the annual honour by Will Rogers  Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
Cruise will be given the award on April 25 at CinemaCon,  the National Association of Theater Owners' annual convention  in Las Vegas.
The Pioneer of the Year award is given to a member of the  motion picture community to honour professional leadership,  service, and commitment to philanthropy.
Cruise is the first actor to receive the honour, as the  award has traditionally been bestowed to industry executives,  reported Deadline.
"We are delighted that Tom will be receiving this well-  deserved honour. His contributions to the film industry as  both an actor and producer, including his tremendous support  of the exhibition community, has made him a true pioneer in  his field.
"He has starred in the most celebrated films of all time,  inspiring audiences everywhere," said Kyle Davies, president  of the foundation and president of domestic distribution at  ...

Tom Cruise to receive Pioneer of the Year award at Cinemacon

In the wake of massive sexual  harassment scandal involving Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein,  the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is planning to  establish a new "code of conduct" for its members.
The Academy's 54-member board of governors had earlier  removed the disgraced film producer with immediate effect  after the investigations by The New York Times and The New  Yorker revealed sexual harassment and rape allegations against  Weinstein.
In an email sent to the members of the Academy, CEO Dawn  Hudson said, "Like you, the Academy's Board of Governors is  concerned about sexual harassment and predatory behaviour in  the workplace, especially in our own industry."
In the email, obtained by Deadline, Hudson stressed the  Academy has a role to play in fostering a safe and respectful  atmosphere for the professionals who make motion pictures.
"To this end, we are taking steps to establish a code of  conduct for our members, which will include a policy for  evaluating ...

Motion Picture Academy plans new "code of conduct" for members

Actor Josh Stewart has been  roped in to star in the upcoming Focus Features film "Mustang"  opposite Matthias Schoenaerts, Gideon Adlon, Susan Sarandon,  and Bruce Dern.
Alain Goldman and Molly Hallam of Legende Films are  producing the project.
French director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre is helming  from his own script, co-written with Mona Fastvold and Brock  Norman Brock, reported Variety.
In the film, Schoenaerts is playing a violent convict,  who is given the chance to participate in a rehabilitation  therapy program involving the training of wild mustangs and  Stewart is his eager, strung out cellmate.
Sarandon will play the prison therapist and Adlon will  portray Schoenaerts' character's daughter.
Production has already started in Nevada, but Focus has  not yet dated the project.

Josh Stewart joins the cast of 'Mustang'

"Broadchurch" star Olivia  Colman has been roped in to play Queen Elizabeth in seasons  three and four on Netflix's hit show, "The Crown".
Claire Foy has played the Queen in the first two seasons.  She earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the young  Queen. She also won a Golden Globe award and Screen Actors  Guild award as best actress in a drama, reported Variety.
The second season of the show, that revolves around Queen  Elizabeth II's reign, is set to debut on December 8 on the  streaming service.
Colman, 43, has starred in critically-acclaimed shows  such as "Broadchurch" and "The Night Manager".
She won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress and  was nominated for an Emmy award as well for her role in "The  Night Manager".

Olivia Colman to replace Claire Foy in "The Crown"

Actors Evan Peters, Kate Mara,  James Van Der Beek and Tatiana Maslany have joined the cast of  Ryan Murphy's FX drama "Pose".
According to the Entertainment Weekly, the project looks  at the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society  in 1980s New York City: the rise of the luxury Trump-era  universe, the downtown social and literary scene and the ball  culture world.
Peters and Mara will play a New Jersey couple named Stan  and Patty who get sucked into the glamour and intrigue of '80s  New York. Van Der Beek will portray Stan's financial kingpin  boss, and Maslany is set as a modern dance teacher who takes a  special interest in the talent of Damon (previously announced  cast member Ryan Jamaal Swain).
The pilot has already created history by roping in five  transgender actors in series-regular roles  a scripted TV  record.
If picked up to series, "Pose" would mark Murphy's fourth  at FX, joining anthologies "American Crime Story", "American  Horror Story" and "Feud". He 

Evan Peters, Kate Mara join Ryan Murphy's 'Pose'

"13 Reasons Why" actor Uriah  Shelton has been hit with a restraining order after allegedly  kicking a woman in stomach.
The 20-year-old Disney Channel star kicked a friend in  the stomach after the pair allegedly got into an argument,  reported People magazine.
A woman who described herself as Shelton's former best  friend said in the documents that the pair argued after she  tried to block him from getting into his truck.
"I was standing in the way of his truck door (and) he  kicked me in the stomach to get me out of the way," she said  in the filing.
She has described Shelton as an "MMA fighter who competed  (and) has won titles."
"Abdominal and chest trauma, internal muscle bruising,  (and) inflamed intestines," the documents further read.
The judge ordered Shelton to stay 100 yards from the  woman. He was also ordered to attend therapy sessions, and  there will be a court hearing November 14.
A representative for the actor told E! online that  Shelton would "never harm another ...

'13 Reasons Why' actor accused of kicking woman in stomach

"Hamilton" star Lin-Manuel  Miranda is developing a "Kingkiller Chronicle" TV series at  Showtime.
Miranda will serve as the executive producer on the  series based on Patrick Rothfuss's bestselling contemporary  fantasy trilogy "The Kingkiller Chronicle", reported  Entertainment Weekly.
The 37-year-old Tony-winner will also compose music for  the series.
Writer-producer John Rogers (Leverage) will serve as the  showrunner.
The series will follow "a pair of wandering performers on  their adventures through the unique and startling world of  Temerant, immersing audiences in a universe of unexpected  heroes, mystical places, and terrifying dark forces."
The first season will be a subversive origin story of  legendary proportions set a generation before the events of  the trilogy's first novel, 'The Name of the Wind'.

Lin-Manuel Miranda working on 'Kingkiller Chronicle' TV series

Netflix has roped in actor  Olivia Colman to replace Claire Foy as Her Royal Highness in  "The Crown" directed by from Peter Morgan.
Colman will take over the lead role for the show's third  and fourth seasons, reported Entertainment Weekly.
Foy was only set to play the young Queen for two seasons.
According to Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos, they  want the period drama to run for six seasons, following the  Queen's story throughout her whole life.
The second season of "The Crown" is set to debut December  8 on the streaming service.

Olivia Colman to replace Claire Foy in 'The Crown'

Broadcast television network  CBS has decided to part ways with writer-producer Rick Najera,  following an investigation into allegations that he made  inappropriate remarks to performers while directing the  network's annual "Diversity Sketch Comedy" showcase.
CBS' investigation focused on allegations that surfaced  during the past few years, according to The Hollywood  Reporter.
Najera has helmed the showcase for the past 13 years. The  last showcase was held in January 2017.
"In March 2017, CBS became aware of inappropriate  comments made during the production of the Diversity Comedy  Showcase, and remedial action was taken at that time, which  the company felt was appropriate to the matter.
"Subsequent information has recently emerged. After  looking into these reports and a discussion with Mr Najera, he  has resigned from his role with the Diversity Comedy  Showcase," a spokesperson for CBS said in a statement.
According to the sources, the first complaint arose last  February. ..

Director Rick Najera exits CBS amid harassment allegations

Press Trust of India

Hollywood stars Selma Blair and  Rachel McAdams are among the latest women who have accused  director James Toback for sexually harassing and assaulting  them.
In separate interviews with Vanity Fair, Blair and  McAdams recounted their alleged experiences with Toback, whom  they had met for a business meetings, early in their careers.
Detailing the incident Blair said that when she was  supposedly auditioning for a role as a lawyer in "Harvard  Man," Toback invited her to his hotel room for "a private  audition and coaching".
Toback asked Blair to audition naked, then asked her if  she would have sex with him. He also hinted to Blair that he  had gang connections and could have her kidnapped and killed  if she did not agree or told anyone about the meeting.
"After he finished, he told me, 'There is a girl who went  against me. She was going to talk about something I did. I am  going to tell you, and this is a promise, if she ever tells  anybody, no matter how much time she thinks went 

McAdams and Blair detail sexual harassment by James Toback

Leading television producer,  Gautam Adhikari, who is considered as one of the pioneers of  the Marathi TV industry, passed away at his residence here  today after a brief illness, his family sources said.
He was 67.
The last rites will be performed at 11 am in Vile  Parle suburban area of Mumbai.
Gautam and his brother Markand started a company-- Sri  Adhikari Brothers (SAB) Group- in 1985 as a small family owned  partnership firm.
It went on to become the first publicly-listed  television production company in India when it was listed on  the BSE in 1995. The company initially produced serials in  Marathi, but soon ventured into film distribution & production  business.
It is a leading Indian M&E conglomerate with interests  in broadcast, films, content production and publishing.
Gautam Adhikari, who was a diploma holder in  commercial art, had directed several films and serials.

Leading television producer Gautam Adhikari passes away

Hollywood star Scarlett  Johansson is in early negotiations to star in "Reflective  Light".
The drama from Focus Features will mark the directorial  debut of art photographer Gregory Crewdson, reported Variety.
Marc Platt is producing along with Platt Productions'  Jared LeBoff.
The film is an adaptation of the 2014 Carla Buckley  novel "The Deepest Secret," which Crewdson and partner Juliane  Hiam have adapted.
The story follows a teenage boy who suffers from a malady  that makes him gravely allergic to sunlight. If things work  out, Johansson will play the boy's mother, who is devoted to  his care and has alienated the rest of their family, creating  an oddly sustainable nocturnal lifestyle for him at the  expense of her own well-being. When a neighbourhood girl goes  missing, the balance that kept them afloat begins to unravel.
Focus hopes to start the production next year.

Scarlett Johansson to join Focus drama 'Reflective Light'

An empty Pennsylvania mental  hospital will be full when M Night Shyamalan's upcoming film  "Glass" starts shooting there next week.
The film, starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson and  James McAvoy, is the final chapter in a superhero trilogy that  also includes 2000's "Unbreakable" and last year's surprise  hit, "Split."
The stars and others are expected to film at the former  Allentown State Hospital starting Monday. Sharon Pinkenson,  director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, says the set  will be closed, so stargazers won't have a chance to see the  cast.
Shyamalan, who was raised in Lower Merion Township, began  filming earlier this month in other locations in Philadelphia.
The Allentown State Hospital filming is expected to last  for a few weeks. The hospital was built in 1912 and closed in  2010.

Shyamalan's 'Glass,' to film in shuttered mental hospital

Actor Irrfan Khan has said that he  always wanted to explore the romance genre which he believes  is not a "patented" property of any actor.
The National Award winning actor will next be seen in  "Qarib Qarib Singlle", where he is paired opposite south actor  Parvathy.
"People have the capacity to watch romantic films. It  (romance) is no one's property, nobody has patented it,"  Irrfan told PTI.
"Everybody is allowed to do their own version of romance  and there is an audience to watch it if it is engaging enough.  I would love to see Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor coming up  with more romantic films, they are good at it," Irrfan added.
"Qarib Qarib Singlle" is a romantic tale of two people  who start liking each other but not yet committed.
The "Hindi Medium" actor said he never approached a role  as a "romantic hero".
"I never approach a role as a romantic hero, all I know  is I wanted to do a love story. To do a love story you don't  need to behave like a romantic hero, you will 

Nobody has patent over romance genre: Irrfan Khan

Addressing concerns of conflict of  interest in his appointment as chairperson of FTII while also  running an acting school, actor Anupam Kher today said that he  had informed Union Minister Smriti Irani about the institute  before taking up the new role.
The 62-year-old actor was appointed chairman of the Film  and Television Institute of India (FTII) on October 11,  succeeding Gajendra Chauhan who had a controversial tenure as  the head of the Pune-based institute.
Critics, however, pointed to a conflict of interest as  Kher already runs his own acting school.
"I got a call from Smriti Irani where she told me you've  to chair this. I thought there was no discussion. We all can  run away from any situation but I thought if I can make a  difference then why not.
"I told her that I travel a lot, I have my own acting  school and these are the things I want to inform you. She said  no problem, you do it," Kher said during an event organised by  a private channel here.
Kher also read out .

Had informed Smriti Irani about my acting school: Kher

Wading into the ongoing debate over  playing the national anthem in public places, singer Sonu  Nigam today said while he honoured every country's anthem, he  also believed theatres and restaurants were not the place for  it.
Sonu said the national anthem of any country should be  respected and be given the same honour that people bestow on  their own anthem.
"If the national anthem of Pakistan is played and all  Pakistanis are standing, I will also stand out of respect for  that country and those people," he said.
"There are some people who are saying the national anthem  should be there (in cinema halls), some say it should not be  there. The national anthem is a prestigious and sensitive  thing and I think it should not be played in certain places--  in movie theatres or restaurants," he said.
On Monday, the Supreme court directed the Centre to  decide on the playing of the anthem in public places,  including cinema halls.
The singer, who has often walked into controversies, drew  .

Anthem should not be played in halls; will stand for Pak's:

Singer Lady Gaga has teamed up  with former US vice president Joe Biden for campaign to  support survivors of sexual assault.
The pop star posted a video on Twitter with Biden  captioned, "A message from me and my buddy Vice President  JoeBiden @ItsOnUs to stop sexual assault."
"We want to make it real clear: it's on us. It's on  everyone to intervene, to stop abuse when they see it and when  they hear about it," said Biden.
"No man has a right to raise a hand to a woman for any  reason other than self-defence. Ever. Period," he added.
Gaga said that she was a sexual assault survivor and  knows about "the effects, the aftermath, the trauma:  psychological, physical, mental."
"It can be terrifying waking up every day feeling unsafe  in your own body," she said.
"But we're here to remind you that it's important to  reach out to someone in your life that can trust and to know  that they will be there to help you. There will be someone to  listen, because you know what, it's on us," she ..

Page 949 -