Page 1145 - Entertainment Culture

Not ready to work in feature films, says Soha Ali Khan

Actress Soha Ali Khan who is enjoying her maternal phase and has became a hands-on mother, says that as of now, she is not ready to work in full-length feature films.

Facebook announces first original news shows with partners

Facebook today announced its first original news shows for the social network, joining other online platforms producing video to compete with television. The news shows will be produced for Facebook by a variety of partners including CNN, Fox News, ABC News and Univision. The programs are producing the social network's on-demand video service called Facebook Watch, which is part of an effort to compete with platforms such as Google-owned YouTube, and potentially develop a wider following. Facebook said the launch of news shows was also aimed at offering its members "trusted" content following concerns that the platform was used to spread misinformation. "Earlier this year we made a commitment to show news that is trustworthy, informative, and local on Facebook," said a statement from Facebook news partnerships chief Campbell Brown. "As a part of that commitment, we are creating a dedicated section within Watch for news shows produced exclusively for Facebook by news publishers. With ..

Swaraj evokes Mahatma Gandhi in Durban museum

During her last leg of South Africa's visit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday celebrated the bilateral connection with India by visiting the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology at Phonix settlement in Durban.Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology at Phonix settlement served as Mahatma Gandhi's home during his stay in South Africa and was earlier inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Singh.The Phoenix Settlement was set up in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi. It exhibits various articles related to Gandhi and imparts computer training to the students.Swaraj along with foreign delegation then paid her respect to Mahatma Gandhi as she offered flowers to one of his busts.The place exhibits various posters which mark the historic political landmarks in the world including the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Aung Sang Syu Kii's fight for democracy in Myanmar, Anti-Vietnam war ...

Clouds of uncertainty loom over 'Kaala' release in Karnataka

The Supreme Court and Madras High Court today refused to stall the release of Rajinikanth starrer 'Kaala' tomorrow but a cloud of uncertainty continued to hang over its screening across Karnataka over the superstar's remarks on Cauvery river dispute. Amid the growing clamour by pro-Kannada groups against the film's release, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said though it was his government's responsibility to ensure its smooth screening, he once again advised the distributers to delay it till the Cauvery dispute was resolved. Meanwhile, the filmstar, who enjoys a cult following in South India and among the Indian diaspora from southern states, made a desperate, last gasp attempt to reach out to pro-Kannada outfits opposed to the release, insisting he had done "no wrong" and requesting them not to thwart its screening. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea by K S Rajashekaran for injunction against Kaala's release over alleged ...

Rajkummar Rao unveils first look of 'Stree'

Bollywood star Rajkumar Rao unveiled the first look of his upcoming horror film 'Stree', also starring Shraddha Kapoor.The teaser shows a semi-urban area where nobody can be seen, but a voice resonates in the background, asking a woman to come tomorrow.Towards the end, the frame zooms out and a woman's feet appears hanging in the air.The 'Newton' star took to Twitter and said "Stree ke baare mein zyada nahi jaanta hoon, bas sab kehte hain aa rahi hai woh. #OStree31stAugKoAana." (I don't know much about Stree but everybody says that she is coming.)Meanwhile, Shraddha is currently prepping for the Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Baati Gul Meter Chaalu'.Helmed by Amar Kaushik, 'Stree' will hit theatres on August 31..

'Kaala' set to hit screens tomorrow as HC declines stay

The Madras High Court today declined to stall the release of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' slated to hit the screens tomorrow on a plea alleging that the movie has portrayed Thiraviyam Nadar and his family in bad light. Petitioner J Muthuramesh claimed that Thiraviyam Nadar, who at one point was respected as a leader of a section of Tamils settled in Mumbai, especially in slums of Dharavi, had helped many people who migrated there seeking a livelihood. The petitioner submitted that the film's director Pa Ranjith has made the movie based on the life of Thiraviyam Nadar, but used untrue facts to portray him and his family in bad light. Recording the submissions, Justice T Raja asked the petitioner whether he had the consent or permission of Thiraviyam Nadar's family to move the plea. The petitioner said that Nadar's son Jawahar Nadar had given his consent through a mail. Directing the petitioner to produce a copy of the mail, the court today adjourned the plea till Thursday. The ...

'Rasaraj' Narayan Prasad Singh dead

Odisha's most popular lyricist, Narayan Prasad Singh popularly known as Rasaraj died at his residence here today following prolonged illness, family sources said. Singh was 86. Born on May 28, 1933 at Koeli village, Singh earned his name in the world of Odia music. He was the lyricist of several popular melodious songs in Odia cinema. He made his debut by writing songs for Akashvani and came to be known as Rasaraj in Odia film industry for penning more than a hundred of songs that touched the heart of both the urban and rural population. Some of his songs are all time hits and his philosophical and contemporary songs had a great impact on youths. Some of his soulful and melodious songs in Odia cinema are 'Jeevan Jamuna re Juara uthere', 'Ratani gaja gamani', 'Ae ta kali kaal reeti biparita bhai re'. Eminent personalities in the film industry visited his residence to pay their last respects to him. In his condolence message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described Singh .

Uttarakhand CM inaugurates workshop on film making

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today inaugurated a five-day workshop here on film making. Being organised by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and the Uttarakhand Film Development Council from June 6 to 10 at Suchna Bhawan, the event will educate participants about the minute aspects of film making. As part of the workshop, experts from FTII will deliver lectures on film making, an official release said. Speaking at the event, the Rawat highlighted the steps taken by the state government to promote the hill-state as a prime destination for shooting films. He said film makers, shooting in the state were being given fee exemptions. Similar workshops will be held in Almora and Tehri districts of the state as well, it added.

'Hanuman vs Mahiravana' gets new release date

"Hanuman vs Mahiravana", which was scheduled to release on June 22, will now open on July 6.

I strive to imbibe my father's teachings: Sanjay Dutt

Actor Sanjay Dutt says his late father and politician Sunil Dutt was his pillar of strength, and he feels his absence with each passing moment.

Actor Vijay gives Rs 1 L each to next of kin of firing victims

Well known Tamil actor Vijay today gave a sum of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of 13 persons killed in the anti-Sterlite protest in Tuticorin last month. The actor visited the families in that town today and gave the cash, sources said. Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of those who died in the firing. Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth had also called on the injured and the bereaved The months-long protest demanding closure of Vedanta's Sterlite copper unit by the people, citing pollution concerns, took a violent turn on May 22 and 23, resulting in police firing which killed 13 persons.

Cast of 'The Addams Family' unveiled; Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron to lend voices

Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron will lead the voice cast of "The Addams Family" animated film, MGM Studios have announced. The "Annihilation" star and the Oscar winner will voice Gomez and Morticia Addams, respectively, in the new animated film, which will be directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, the studio said in a statement. They will be joined by Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester; Chloe Grace Moretz as Wednesday Addams; "Stranger Things" star Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley Addams; Bette Midler as Grandmama; and Oscar winner Allison Janney as the family's archnemesis, Margaux Needler. The film's story follows the Addams family whose lives begin to unravel when they face-off against a crafty reality-TV host while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration, Addams-style. Matt Lieberman has penned the screenplay which is based on the Charles Addams iconic cartoon series. "Greg and I have always been a fan of the Addams Family in past versions, so when we set ..

'Manto', 'Mehsampur' to be screened at Sydney film festival

Nandita Das' "Manto", which had its world premiere recently at Cannes, and Kabir Chowdhry-directed "Mehsampur" will be screened at the Sydney film festival. "Manto", starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the role of acclaimed writer, had a much-buzzed premiere at Cannes Un Certain Regard sidebar. Her film focus on four most creative yet tumultuous years of the writer's life, who chronicled the brutal side of the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947. "After an overwhelming response at Cannes, very happy to be going to the Sydney Film Festival with 'Manto'. The power of cinema is its ability to transcend countries and cultures. It is still the beginning of my 'Manto' journey, so I am very curious to see how the audiences react in different parts of the world, before it finally releases in India later this year. "While the context of the film is local, I feel the story will resonate universally. At the core, 'Manto' is about troubled times and one man trying to makes sense of it all," Das said in .

First film always remains special: Raj Kumar Gupta

Director Raj Kumar Gupta, known for helming films like "Aamir", "No One Killed Jessica" and "Raid", says making films is a constant challenge, but his first project will always remain close to his heart.

'Simmba' goes on floors

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh and debutant Sara Ali Khan kick-started the shooting of their upcoming flick, 'Simmba' on Wednesday in Hyderabad.Ace filmmaker Karan Johar, who is producing the film under his production banner, Dharma Productions, took to Twitter to confirm the news."ROHIT SHETTY is back!!!! @RanveerOfficial as #SIMMBA with #SaraAliKhan produced by @RSPicturez @DharmaMovies @RelianceEnt @apoorvamehta18 releasing 28th DEC 2018"Sara, apart from 'Simmba', will also be seen in 'Kedarnath' opposite Sushant Singh Rajput.Directed by Rohit Shetty, 'Simmba' is all set to hit theatres on December 28.

Jamie Foxx opens up about racism

'Amazing Spiderman 2' star Jamie Foxx recently opened up about racism he encountered in college before his career took off.The star revealed that he wasn't allowed to appear onstage in a College Musical because he is black, reported People."They came to me because they needed a tenor. They wouldn't let me go on the stage, but they would let me behind the curtain because there weren't any African Americans in the production. So I would sing in the back, and I would just sing the parts they needed me," People quoted Off Script.Foxx attended United States International University, where he studied classical music and composition.In addition to the talk show, Foxx is set to host and produce the game show 'Beat Shazam', which premieres for its second season on May 29 on Fox.He will also be seen in the new Robin Hood film alongside Taron Egerton and Jamie Dornan..

Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan speak out on 'Kaala'

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the release of 'Kaala', the 67-year-old Rajnikanth, main star of the film, said, "Producers are trying, the movie will definitely release. We ask you to cooperate".The comment came in the wake of a plea filed by K. Rajasekhara, seeking to defer the release of the film because of the Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.Kamal Hassan, actor-turned-politician, said, "Vishwaroopam was also banned in Karnataka, the film chambers in respective states had to sort it out. There are many fans eagerly waiting for Rajni's film to be released there. Just like the farmers issues need a conversation, so do films."Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the release of the film.A vacation bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and also comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, stated it did not find any merit in the application.The Top Court, while refusing to stay the film, had said, "Everybody is ...

I get terribly reflective on birthdays: Ekta Kapoor

Popular producer Ekta Kapoor, whose latest film "Veere Di Wedding" is being lauded by many, will bring in her birthday in Tirupati on Thursday instead of hosting a lavish party. She says she gets "terribly reflective" on birthdays.

Netherlands to observe Intn'l Yoga Day on June 17

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, violin maestro L Subramaniam and Bollywood playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy will be part of an international Yoga day celebration to be held in the Netherlands this month, Indian embassy here said today. The capital Amsterdam's prestigious Museumplein (public space) will host the biggest international Yoga day celebration ever held in the Netherlands on June 17, with a number of Dutch and Indian dignitaries expected to attend the event. The celebration, organised at the initiative of the India embassy, will include a whole day wellness festival with mass yoga demonstrations, meditation sessions, music, dance and vegetarian as well as vegan food on offer, the embassy statement said. The event will be opened by Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen; Mayor of Amsterdam Jozias van Aartsen, spiritual guru Shankar and India's Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony, it said. Following the inauguration, there will

Gaurav Sareen gains 10 kgs for show

Actor Gaurav Sareen has put on 10 kgs for a special sequence of the show "Krishna Chali London".