Page 1075 - Entertainment Culture

Penguin Random House India acquires Hind Pocket Books

Penguin Random House India tonight announced its acquisition of Hind Pocket Books, one of the oldest Hindi language publishers in the country. Vaishali Mathur, previously responsible for Indian language publishing and rights at Penguin Random House (PRH) India will be Editor-in-Chief of Hind Pocket Books. Nandan Jha, senior vice president at PRH India, will in his expanded role have the additional responsibility of building the Indian language publishing programme, in addition to heading sales and product for the company. Established in 1958, Hind Pocket Books is widely considered as pioneer in publishing Hindi and Urdu paperbacks in India, and has an impressive list of critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles. It has published some of the most renowned authors from the subcontinent and across the world, including Amrita Pritam, Shivani, Acharya Chatursen, Gulshan Nanda, Narendra Kohli, Khushwant Singh and R K Narayan. Its titles and authors have won several prestigious

Rajapaksa's aide rejects allegations of Chinese funding to his party in Lanka polls

A close aide of Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa today rejected as "gross misrepresentation of facts" a media report that claimed China had funded his unsuccessful 2015 presidential re-run. A recent New York Times report claimed that "large payments from the Chinese port construction fund flowed directly to campaign aides and activities for Rajapaksa, who had agreed to Chinese terms at every turn and was seen as an important ally in China's efforts to tilt influence away from India in South Asia." "The payments were confirmed by documents and cash checks detailed in a government investigation seen by The New York Times," the report titled 'How China got Sri Lanka to cough up a Port' claimed. Rajapaksa's aide Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who was the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, termed the report as a "gross misrepresentation of facts". He described the NYT report as a piece of journalism which has "violated the truth in a shocking manner". "This is probably .

Gaurav, Narayani feel no discomfort in being friends after split

Actors Gaurav Chopraa and Narayani Shastri continue to share a bond despite their split. They say with time, the awkwardness disappears.

KFC announces first Indian Colonel Sanders

Theatre actor Denzil Smith has been roped in as the mascot of KFC in India. He will play the role of Colonel Sanders, the founder of the chicken restaurant company, in India.

Former cricketer Venugopal Rao joins Jana Sena

Former Indian cricketer Y. Venugopal Rao on Thursday joined Jana Sena party of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan.

Will not return till cleared, Dileep tells AMMA after actresses complain (Roundup)

With the row over revocation of his suspension from Malayali actors' body AMMA heating up after three top actresses demanded its urgent meeting to discuss the matter, actor Dileep on Thursday said he will not return to the association till he gets cleared in the case of abducting and sexually assaulting an actress.

Two films releasing on same day can survive: John Abraham

Bollywood actor John Abraham, whose upcoming film "Satyamev Jayate" is releasing on August 15 along with Akshay Kumar's "Gold", says the date clash is not a problem.

B-town gives thumbs up to 'Karwaan' trailer

The makers of the Irrfan Khan-starrer 'Karwaan' dropped the trailer yesterday and it has garnered attention not only from the audience but also from the entire Bollywood fraternity.Director-Producer Karan Johar took to Twitter and shared the trailer of the movie with the caption, "The way @irrfank renders his dialogues is absolute genius! Welcome to the Hindi movies @dulQuer !! L you're amazing! Such a lovely slice of life trailer! Excited to see #Karwaan http://bit.ly/Karwaan-Trailer congratulations to @RSVPMovies"'Dangal' scriptwriter and director Nitesh Tiwari also took to the micro-blogging website and wrote,"What a lovely trailer brother @dulQuer Best wishes to you and team Karwaan. @RonnieScrewvala"'Dum Maaro Dum' actor Rana Dagubbati, meanwhile, tweeted, "This is too cool DQ. All the best and congrats on going pan indian champ @dulQuer"'Murder 3' actress Aditi Rao Hyadri expressed excitement about the trailer and wrote, "DQ!!!!!!! This looks like Mad fun! Welcome to Hindi ..

First look of Kristen Wiig in 'Wonder Woman 1984' unveiled

Director Patty Jenkins took to social media to unveil the first look of 'Saturday Night Live' actor Kristen Wiig in the upcoming sequel 'Wonder Woman 1984'.Taking to his Instagram account, Jenkins posted the picture with a caption, "Enter Barbara Minerva. #WW84".'Wonder Woman 1984' is an upcoming American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman.Kristen Wiig plays a British anthropologist, who, after locating the lost city of Urzkartagan, stumbles into an ancient ritual and becomes the avatar of their Cheetah god. Cheetah is set to be the primary antagonist in the film.

Here's the first poster of Taapsee-Rishi Kapoor's 'Mulk'

The first look posters of Taapsee Pannu starrer movie, 'Mulk'' has been unveiled.Film critic Taran Adarsh took to his Twitter handle to share the posters, wherein the National award-winning star along with veteran actor Rishi Kapoor look intense."Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu... First look posters of #Mulk... Teaser out tomorrow... Directed by Anubhav Sinha...Produced by Deepak Mukut and Anubhav Sinha... 3 Aug 2018 release," he wrote.Taapsee will be seen essaying the role of a lawyer in the flick while Rishi is portraying as an accused man named Murad Ali Mohammed.The film, which also stars Prateik Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Manoj Pahwa and Neena Gupta, is presented by Kamal Mukut and Soham Rockstar Entertainment.Helmed by Anubhav Sinha, the movie will hit the theatres on August 3.

'Toilet - Ek Prem Katha' a huge boost to the 'Swachh Bharat' journey

It lacks the usual commercial trappings of a Bollywood film, but with its message of cleanliness and an admonition against open defecation, "Toilet - Ek Prem Katha", inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, has ably demonstrated how a film can transcend demographic and language barriers.

Exhibition celebrates Michael Jackson as the cultural inspirer

Global icon Michael Jackson on whom an exhibition, which opened Thursday in Londons National Portrait Gallery recreates the star singers influence on some of the leading names in contemporary art. "Michael Jackson: On The Wall" opened on the day his 89-year-old father Joe Jackson, died following a battle with cancer.

You remain relevant only through good work: Chitrangda Singh

Chitrangda Singh, who is making her production debut with hockey player Sandeep Singh's biopic "Soorma", says while 'out of sight is out of mind' adage holds true for Bollywood, one tries to stay relevant by doing quality cinema. The actor was last seen in a full-fledged role in 2013's "I, Me Aur Main" but she will be soon back on screen with "Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3" and "Baazaar". "There was lot of work that came my way but I turned it down. I think it is important to enjoy the work you do. I choose what makes me happy and is believable. When you do a good job onscreen, you stay relevant," Chitrangda told PTI. The actor, who made her debut in 2003 with Sudhir Mishra's critically-acclaimed "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" and went on to do films such as "Yeh Saali Zindagi", "Inkaar" and "Desi Boyz". "I used to think sometimes, what if I had done things differently and not taken a break. I was going through some personal issues in 2013-14. And whatever was coming my way, I did not like ...

Akshay is a friend, I wish him best: John on clash with 'Gold'

Actor John Abraham, whose upcoming film "Satyameva Jayate" will clash with Akshay Kumar starrer "Gold" on August 15, today said the two films can release on the same day as the stories are different. This Independence Day three films will be clashing at the box office - "Satyameva Jayate", "Gold" and "Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se", which stars Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. "Akshay is a friend, I wish him the best. Two films can release on the same day as both the films are of different genres," John told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Satyameva Jayate". Director Milap Zaveri said, "I wish 'Gold' all the best. I wish and hope all the films that are releasing on August 15 get positive response and do good business." John said "Satyameva Jayate" is a commercial entertainer with patriotism at its core. "We have spoken about patriotism, corruption. This is an unfiltered commercial film. It has everything from drama to action," he said. Akshay and John, who have worked ...

Lalu Yadav's elder son Tej Pratap may soon act in a Hindi move

RJD MLA and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of party chief Lalu Prasad, may soon be seen playing a role in a Hindi movie titled 'Rudra the Avatar'. The 28 year old leader, who is said to have previously acted in a Bhojpuri movie, recently posted teasers of the upcoming flick on his Instagram account and official twitter handle. The posters show the former health minister striking different poses, donning jeans, T-shirt and sunglasses, with the tagline 'coming soon'. However, there was no mention of other cast and crew members or even the banner of the production house involved in it. While the MLA was himself not available for further details, a source close to his family claimed that details regarding the proposed movie will be made public in due course of time. Tej Pratap, a year elder to Tejashwi Yadav, has been seen on many occasions donning the avatar of Lord Krishna playing flute. It may be remembered that his father Lalu Prasad had also hit the silver ...

Marriage, kids and films should be taken up for right reasons: Shweta Tripathi

Actor Shweta Tripathi, who is all set to tie the knot with longtime boyfriend, actor-rapper Chaitnya Sharma, tomorrow believes that a decision like getting married should only be taken when a person is ready for it. Shweta and Chaitnya, whose on-stage name is Slow Cheeta, will be getting married in Goa. "Marriage and films should be done for the right reasons. You do all of these when you are ready because this is going to be a life changing moment for you and your partner. So if you feel that you need somebody, then that is great. But we shouldn't do anything out of parental or societal pressure," Shweta told PTI. "So many of my friends have gone through this situation. So it is very difficult but a person's happiness should always comes first." Chaitnya said that many men prefer to get settled first before getting married but he finds the idea flawed because people can never be satisfied with their careers. "It is the mindset of many guys that they have to be sure of themselves. But

Lucian freud's nude painting sold for $30 mn

A late masterpiece by British painter Lucian Freud "Portrait on a White Cover" was sold for around Rs 205 crore (almost $30 million) in the Contemporary Evening Sale by art auctioneer Sotheby's London on Tuesday.

Work comes first for Mohit Malik

Actor Mohit Malik is suffering from stomach infection and high fever, but he isn't letting his illness get in the way of his work.

Paritosh Tripathi joins 'Comedy Circus' team

Actor Paritosh Tripathi will be seen spreading laughter with his gags in "Comedy Circus Returns". He is elated about it.

Revathy, Padmapriya, Parvathy slam AMMA, demand meet

Three actresses on Thursday demanded an urgent meeting of the top artistes' body AMMA to discuss the controversial reinstatement of actor Dileep, who has been accused of abducting and sexually assaulting an actress.