Veteran filmmaker Woody Allen has  said that he feels sad for Harvey Weinstein and the woman who  were subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of the media  mogul.
In wake of multiple sexual allegations against the  producer, Allen said no one opened up about these incidents  "with any real seriousness" to him since people were only  interested in making their films in the end.
"The whole Harvey Weinstein thing is very sad for  everybody involved. Tragic for the poor women that were  involved, sad for Harvey that (his) life is so messed up.
"No one ever came to me or told me horror stories with  any real seriousness... And they wouldn't, because you are not  interested in it. You are interested in making your movie,"  Allen told the BBC.
The Oscar-winning director said he hopes these  allegations will lead to some drastic changes in the film  industry but also voiced his concern about Hollywood slipping  into a "witch-hunt" culture.
"You also don't want it to lead to a witch-hunt  ...

The whole Harvey Weinstein thing is very sad: Woody Allen

PTI Automatic

Actor Sophie Turner and singer  Joe Jonas have announced their engagement.
The couple, who have been in a relationship since 2016,  shared the news on Instagram with the same photograph of a big  diamond ring on the "Game of Thrones" star's hand.
While the DNCE frontman, 28, wrote, "She said yes",  Turner, 21, shared the picture with the caption, "I said yes".
Jonas's brother Nick, who was a part of their pop band  The Jonas Brothers, took to Twitter to congratulate his  brother.
"Ahh! Congratulations to my brother... and sister in law  to be on your engagement. I love you both so much," he wrote.

Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas engaged

Self-styled godwoman Sshivani Durga,  who entered the Bigg Boss house as a commoner, was evicted  from the show tonight.
This week the contestants who were nominated for eviction  included Sshivani Durga, Hina Khan, Vikas Gupta, Jyoti Kumari  and Sapna Chaudhary.
During the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode, host Salman Khan  had declared Hina, Vikas and Sapna safe. The final eviction  was to happen today and Sshivani got less number of votes as  compared to Jyoti and hence she was out of the show.
During her entry to the Bigg Boss house, Sshivani had  said her main reason to do the show was to regain the respect  lost for 'tantriks' because of last season's contestant Om  Swami.
The first contestant to get evicted from the controversial  reality show was Zubair Khan. Another contestant, Priyank  Sharma, was asked to leave the house as he got into a fight  with Akash Dadlani.
The show is aired on Colors channel.

Sshivani Durga evicted from 'Bigg Boss 11'

Filmmaker Lekh Tandon passed away  today due to multiple health issues at his residence in  suburban Powai here.
He was 88.
Tandon, who directed films like 'Amrapali' (1966) and  'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye' (1977), breathed his last  this evening.
"He was not keeping well for sometime and was bed-ridden  from the last five to six months. He had multiple health  issues due to which he passed away around 5.30 PM," filmmaker  Ashoke Pandit told PTI.
Tandon is also credited with discovering actor Shah  Rukh Khan by casting him in his TV serial 'Dil Dariya' in  1988. He also directed TV serial "Farmaan", broadcast on  Doordarshan in early 90s.
Tandon will be cremated tomorrow in Powai.

Filmmaker Lekh Tandon passes away

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta's upcoming  movie, "Omerta", has been chosen as the film which will bring  the curtains down at the ongoing Jio MAMI 19th Mumbai Film  Festival.
The movie reportedly chronicles the life of Britain-  born terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, with Rajkummar Rao in  the title role.
Talking about showcasing the movie at the film festival,  Hansal tells PTI, "MAMI has always been special. It was a  pleasant surprise to see the announcement while I'm in Busan  screening 'Omerta'.
"There is always nervous energy when your film is being  shown to your home audience... But I'm also very happy with  the news."
The film, based on a real-life story, marks Rao and  Mehta's fourth collaboration. They have previously worked on  acclaimed films like "Aligarh", "Citylights" and "Shahid",  which got Rao a National Award for Best Actor.
The duo are also working on the ALTBalaji web series  based on the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, titled "Bose:  Dead/ Alive".
"Omerta" ...

Rajkummar Rao's 'Omerta' to close MAMI film festival

"Thor: Ragnarok" will be longest in  the film franchise with a run time of 130 minutes and 21  seconds.
According to the British Board of Film Classification  (BBFC), the third sequel in the "Thor" series will not be far  behind the likes of MCU films such as "Captain America: Civil  War" and "The Avengers" in terms of time duration.
The news comes in after director of the Chris Hemsworth-  starrer, Taika Waititi, said back in July that the film would  be one of the shortest in the Marvel canon.
"It's not gonna be a very, very long film. I think  stories are better when you leave them wanting more, and this  film moves at a clip, it's got stuff happening all the time.
"I think people are still gonna feel exhausted by the  end, they've been on this big journey and stuff, so I don't  think we need the film to be three hours," he had said.
The movie opens in UK cinemas on October 24 and US  cinemas on November 3.

'Ragnarok' to be the longest Thor film with 130 min as runtime

In the backdrop of protest,  #WomenBoycottTwitter, sparked by actor Rose McGowan, Twitter  has decided to roll out new safety rules in the "next few  weeks".
Large number of women participated in the campaign to  protest the silencing of their voices on the microblogging  site.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has announced that the social  media platform will be issuing new safety rules around  "unwanted sexual advances, non-consensual nudity, hate  symbols, violent groups, and tweets that glorifies violence."
"Today we saw voices silencing themselves and voices  speaking out because we're *still* not doing enough.
"We've been working intensely over the past few months  and focused today on making some critical decisions. We  decided to take a more aggressive stance in our rules and how  we enforce them," Dorsey tweeted.
The co-founder said that more information regarding the  rules will be shared next week.
#WomenBoycottTwitter gained momentum after Twitter locked  McGowan's account for ...

Twitter to issue new safety rules post McGowan-sparked protest

Aamir Khan's former manager-turned  director Advait Chandan says managing the superstar's work was  a great experience and he learnt a lot from the projects that  were rejected.
Advait closely monitored Aamir's career choices for last  seven years, which saw the actor giving some of the biggest  blockbusters such as "PK", "Dhoom 3" and "Dangal".
He was a production assistant on "Taare Zameen Par"  and then worked on "Dhobi Ghat" before turning Aamir's  manager. He is now geared up for the release of his  directorial debut "Secret Superstar".
In an interview with PTI, Advait says, "I sat in all his  edits, narrations. I was there when he first heard 'Dhoom 3',  'PK' and 'Dangal'. I've also been there for 50 other films  which no one knows about which got rejected. The films which  got rejected taught me more about writing than the ones which  were selected.
"... I understood what was it about these films which  wasn't working. It was an educational experience to work with  him. It was .

Working with Aamir Khan was an educational experience: Advait

The Weinstein Company (TWC) has  pushed back the release date of Benedict Cumberbatch's film  "The Current War" to next year in wake of Harvey Weinstein's  sexual harassment scandal.
The Alfonso Gomez-Rejon-directed movie was earlier  scheduled to hit the cinema halls on November 24.
As per a report in Deadline, the climate in Hollywood has  turned toxic due to multiple allegations of sexual abuse on  Weinstein that was expected to kill the film.
Cumberbatch also blasted the media mogul for his  misconduct, saying he was "utterly disgusted by the continuing  revelations" of Weinstein's actions.
He added, "We need to collectively stand up and support  victims of abuse such as the brave and inspiring women who  have spoken out against him and say we hear you and believe  you."
Weinstein was recently fired as TWC co-chairman following  allegations of sexual harassment published in the New York  Times.

Weinstein Co postpones Cumberbatch's 'The Current War'

Veteran actor Helen Mirren will  receive Film Society of Lincoln Center's Chaplin Award.
The Film Society will honour the Oscar-winning actor at a  gala on April 30, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"It is an honour and a pleasure for us to present Helen  Mirren with our 45th Chaplin Award. From housemaid to Queen  and everything in between, Ms Mirren has delivered masterful  performances of complex characters, upending stereotype after  stereotype along the way," said Ann Tenenbaum, the Film  Society of Lincoln Center's Board Chairman.
The evening will celebrate Mirren's multifaceted career  in cinema which spans more than 50 years.
Past recipients of the Film Society's annual honour  include Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Laurence Olivier,  Federico Fellini, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, James  Stewart, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Diane Keaton, Meryl  Streep, Tom Hanks, Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand, Robert  Redford and Robert De Niro.

Helen Mirren to receive 45th Annual Chaplin Award

Actor Parineeti Chopra believes  writers need to create more characters for female actors in  the comedy genre.
The 28-year-old actor, who features in Rohit Shetty's  next in comedy franchise "Golmaal", says enjoys making people  laugh and would love to do more such films.
"It depends on your personality and what you want to  do on screen. I would love to do a comedy film as I like to  make people laugh.
"I don't think there are many comedy films being written  today. I would want someone to write a great comedy part for a  female. Writers need to write amazing female parts for us,"  Parineeti tells PTI.
The actor says popular artistes such as Hema Malini,  Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Karisma Kapoor have been part of some  good comedies, but today there is a dearth of such roles.
Talking about stepping into a film franchise as cult as  "Golmaal", Parineeti says, "Sometimes it can be difficult to  step into a world of a film that is already established due to  its story and actors. The ...

Lack of comic roles for female actors, says Parineeti

Singer Courtney Love warned  young female actors about Harvey Weinstein in 2005, according  to a video that has emerged online.
In an interview from the red carpet of the Comedy  Central's 2005 roast of Pamela Anderson, Love was asked by  comedian Natasha Leggero what advice she has for young women  trying to make it in Hollywood.
"Ummm... I'll get libeled if I say it... If Harvey  Weinstein invites you to a private party in his Four Seasons  (hotel room), don't go," Love, 53, had said in video of the  chat shared by TMZ.
After the video surfaced online, the "Hole," frontwoman  said she was not one of Weinstein's victims, but claimed she  had been blacklisted by agents at Creative Artists Agency for  speaking out against him.
"Although I wasn't one of his victims, I was eternally  banned by CAA for speaking out against #HarveyWeinstein  #rape," she tweeted.

Courtney Love warned actresses about Harvey Weinstein in 2005

Priyanka Chopra has said she  loves singer Kelly Clarkson for being a source of inspiration  to women.
The 35-year-old actor and the "American Idol" alum were  present at Variety's Annual Power Of Women Luncheon.
Clarkson, 35, shared a picture with Priyanka on Twitter  where the latter can be seen doing the singer's touch-up  before she went onstage to deliver her speech.
"One of my favorite parts of today... My girl  @priyankachopra helping me out after sweating my behind off on  stage giving a speech... I love her!" wrote the "Stronger"  hitmaker, who was recognised for her contribution to education  through XQ Institute.
To this Priyanka replied, "You were amazing  @kelly_clarkson you made me laugh cry and inspired everyone in  the room! Adore you. Always."
The "Quantico" star was honoured for her work as the  UNICEF ambassador.
Hosted by Judd Apatow, the evening also honoured  celebrities such as Octavia Spencer, Michelle Pfeiffer and  Patty Jenkins.

Priyanka Chopra adores Kelly Clarkson for inspiring people

With films such as "The Namesake",  "Chandni Bar", "Maqbool" and "Haider" to her credit, Tabu is  undoubtedly one of the finest performers of her generation,  but the actor says becoming a star was never on her agenda.
The 45-year-old actor, who did an offbeat film like  "Maachis" in the initial days of her career, says she decided  to carve her own path in films as she never wanted to be  pigeonholed.
Excerpts from an interview:
Q- You have build a varied filmography. It seems you  always opted for variety instead of trying to get at the top  in the movie business.
A- I was always passionate about my work. I wanted to  show people what I am as an actor. I did not join the film  industry with an ambition to become famous or popular. I am a  very private person. I don't like so much attention. The whole  phenomenon of fame throws me off guard. In this whole madness,  I find something that I can hold onto, enjoy and that is doing  different roles.
Luckily I met people like Gulzar ji, ...

The phenomenon of fame throws me off guard: Tabu

In his over four-decade-long career  in films and theatre, Naseeruddin Shah has played diverse  parts but the veteran actor believes he has not portrayed  enough negative roles.
The 68-year-old actor said he enjoys playing negative  characters more than the plain, white-shaded ones.
"The negative roles are a bit more interesting than those  (of) good guys. My own favourite performances (from my films)  are the filthy gangster of 'Bombay Boys' and the heartless  subedar of 'Mirch Masala'.
"I do not think I have played enough of them, I am  looking for more. I have been cast much in man-fighting-for  good-cause type of characters, and now I want to murder people  and serve them on the platter!" Shah said on the sidelines of  the 19th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival here.
The actor said his ambition as an artiste has evolved  overtime and from now on he wants to be a part of those  projects that are remembered by the masses.
"With time the hunger has changed... Earlier there was  hunger to 

I don't think I have played enough negative roles: Naseeruddin

Hollywood star George Clooney  has responded to the accusations made by his former "ER" co-  star Vanessa Marquez, who claimed the actor helped  perpetrators of sexual assault in Hollywood.
The actor took to Twitter claiming Clooney, 56, was to  blame for her being "blacklisted" from the popular drama  series in 1995, after she complained about sexual harassment  on the sets.
Marquez, 48, retweeted an article in which Clooney spoke  out against Harvey Weinstein and the many sexual misconduct  allegations that have come out about him this week.
Clooney, who played  Douglas Ross on the show, has now  responded to her claims saying he did not even know Marquez  was blacklisted in the first place.
"I had no idea Vanessa was blacklisted. I take her at her  word. I was not a writer or a producer or a director on that  show. I had nothing to do with casting. I was an actor and  only an actor."
He continued, "If she was told I was involved in any  decision about her career then she was lied ..

Clooney denies suppressing Marquez's harassment accusations

Director Rohit Shetty says he will  start filming his hardcore action-drama featuring Ranveer  Singh by the middle of next year.
This is the first time the director-actor duo have teamed  up, and Rohit says Ranveer is enthusiastic to work with him.
In an interview with PTI, Rohit says, "I will start the  film next year in May or June. It is a hardcore action film.  It is a space which Ranveer has not explored and he wanted to  do this with me. People will love that also. I don't think it  will be difficult to present him in this space (action)."
The "Singham" director says his team is currently working  on the final draft of the script.
Rohit also had plans to remake Anil Kapoor-Jackie  Shroff's 1989 superhit film "Ram Lakhan" and Gulzar's 1982  directorial venture "Angoor".
"We have kept 'Ram Lakhan' remake on the back burner.  I have 'Angoor' remake as well in my kitty. I will make it as  and when things materialise."
Besides directing, Rohit is also keen on producing  films.
"There 

Ranveer to start work on Rohit Shetty's action film next year

Singer Aaron Carter has checked  back into rehab after briefly leaving the treatment to attend  to several legal and personal matters.
"Aaron has taken care of the legal and financial matters  that required his attention and returned to the wellness  facility to complete his program," his representative told Us  Weekly.
The "I Want Candy" singer, 29, initially checked into  rehab at the end of September after he was arrested for  driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.
Upon entering the treatment center in September, Carter  released a statement on Twitter.
"My loved ones, I would like to tell all of you that I  will be disappearing for a while to work on myself. I would  also like to announce that I am releasing a gift to you on Oct  27. In time for Halloween, a new version of 'I Want Candy.' 4  weeks later, I will be releasing my first single from my new  album, LOVE," he wrote.
"I'll see you soon looking amazing and ready to play all  my new songs LIVE. Most ...

Aaron Carter checks into rehab again

Vidya Balan, who will be seen  shaking legs on the popular track 'Hawa Hawai' in her next  film "Tumhari Sulu", says the song is a tribute to legendary  actor Sridevi.
Vidya has recreated Sridevi's chartbuster "Hawa Hawai"  from the 1987 blockbuster "Mr India".
"I am an ardent fan of Sridevi, I was nervous (while  doing the film). But having said that we are recreating 'Hawa  Hawai' song that guys have seen in 'Mr India'.
"It is a tribute to her, we are having fun. There is only  one Sridevi," Vidya told reporters here at the trailer launch  of "Tumhari Sulu".
The makers revealed Sridevi will launch the recreated  version of the song at a special event soon.
"Tumhari Sulu", a slice-of-life film, will see Vidya  essay the role of a happy-go-lucky Mumbai housewife whose  routine life changes when she unexpectedly lands herself with  the job of a night RJ (radio jockey).
"I have not done a fun part on screen since quite  sometime. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this film, she is  fun ...

Vidya pays tribute to Sridevi with her version of "Hawa Hawai"

Former Pussycat Dolls member  Kaya Jones has claimed that the group was like a "prostitution  ring".
Taking to Twitter over the past week, the 33-year-old  singer has responded to the Harvey Weinstein scandal by  detailing what it was like for her growing up in the industry  and the abusive behaviour she faced, reported E! online.
"My truth. I wasn't in a girl group. I was in a  prostitution ring. Oh and we happened to sing and be famous.  While everyone who owned us made the dollars," she began by  writing to her fans.
"How bad was it? People askbad enough that I walked away  from my dreams, my bandmates and a 13 million dollar record  deal. We knew we were going to be #1."
Without taking names, Jones also called out the "den  mother" of the group, writing, "I want the den mother from  hell to confess why another one of her girl group girls  committed suicide? Tell the public how you mentally broke us."
Social media users alleged that Jones was talking about G  R L singer Simone ...

Kaya Jones alleges Pussycat Dolls was a 'prostitution ring'

The actors and filmmakers from  Hollywood annd Bollywood are expected to attend the Global  Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) to be held here next month, a  senior official of the Telangana government has said.
As per the agenda of GES-17, to be held in Hyderabad  from November 28 to 30, there will be discussions how the  tinsel world is going to become a game changer in terms of  wealth and job creation.
"Some of the prominent film personalities from across  the Indian and Hollywood industry are expected to participate  in the session. Though the names are not yet out, the list  will have top shots of the movie world. They will share their  experiences on how to make the industry a more lucrative  one," the official told PTI.
Besides, discussions on media and entertainment, there  will also be deliberations on healthcare and life sciences,  digital economy and financial technology (fintech) and energy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump, the  adviser to US President Donald ...

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