Page 1282 - Entertainment Culture
Shorts films should release theatrically
Director Tarun Dudeja's latest short film "Listener", which travelled to film festivals in the US and Germany, was released digitally earlier this week. But he feels the audience in India should be able to watch short films on the big screen too.
Hope my thought on cinema does not get corrupt: Nawazuddin Siddiqui
With passion for acting and belief in his skills, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's journey in the Hindi film industry is a success story in itself and he just hopes his thought on cinema "never gets corrupt". For about 19 years, Nawazuddin has been working relentlessly, doing exceptional work, be it as a junior artiste or a leading man in Bollywood today. With films like "Patang: The Kite", "Miss Lovely", "Haraamkhor" and "The Lunchbox" among others - that travelled to various international film festivals - he has won the hearts of audiences across the globe. "I just hope my thought on cinema does not get corrupt. The kind of cinema I am doing is getting overwhelming response - be it in India or internationally. The films are getting screened and recognised at prestigious festivals of the world, the appreciation that I get as an actor is great. I just hope this thought of doing good work continues and I do not get corrupt," Nawazuddin told PTI. Coming from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, ...
merica pays tribute to Avicii in special way!
The America has found a unique way to pay tribute to their much-loved DJ Avicii.Following the death of the artist, the sales of the Swedish DJ's song have increased by 6,000 percent across the country, reported The Hollywood Reporter.According to the report, the DJ's catalogue sold around 25,000 downloads on Friday, instead of fewer than 1,000 on the previous, usual day.Based on preliminary sales reports to Nielsen Music, Avicii's song sales increased by over 6,000 percent on April 20 versus the previous day, The Hollywood Reporter quoted the Billboards.Also, the sales of his albums saw a hike of 12,000 percent on April 20, as compared to a negligible sale the previous day.The superstar DJ-producer-artist was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20, according to an official statement.The artist, known for songs such as 'Wake Me Up', 'Lonely Together', and 'Levels,' had retired from tours in 2016 due to health issues.
Nikki Bella spotted without her engagement ring
American professional wrestler and actress Nikki Bella was spotted without her engagement for the first time after her split with ex-fiance, John Cena.The star was having a rose-all-day at Nirvana Food & Wine's Rose Parte on Saturday with her friends as her twin, Brie Bella, posted a picture and wrote,"Such a great day @nirvanafoodandwine ???#Repost @belleradiciTeam BR at @nirvanafoodandwine #roseparte#Repost @timtusk - @belleradici party time @nirvanafoodandwine with @jessicabiggins @thebriebella @thenikkibella @whatlolalikes."The last time Nikki had the 4.5 carat diamond sparkler from Tiffany's on was April 3 at the premiere of John's film, Blockers, reported E!Online.On April 15, the longtime duo announced they were parting ways. The two had been together since 2012.
Working with Majidi 'big learning experience' for Maelzer
Mia Maelzer, an actress, casting director, acting coach, art director and production designer, says that working with the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi in "Beyond The Clouds" was a big learning experience.
Universal acquires rights for Stephen King's 'Tommyknockers' movie
Universal Studios has won the film rights race for illustrious author Stephen King's "Tommyknockers" novel. The film is being developed by producers James Wan and Roy Lee, Variety reported. Netflix and Sony were also eyeing the project. Wan will produce through his Atomic Monster company, while Lee, whose credits include "It", recent movie adaptation of King's novel of the same name, will produce through Vertigo Entertainment. The duo has got Larry Sanitsky on board, who executive produced the 1993 ABC miniseries adaptation of "The Tommyknockers", starring Jimmy Smits and Marg Helgenberger. Talking about the film, Sanitsky said the story is an "allegorical tale of addiction" as the novelist was struggling with his own demons at the time. "... The threat of nuclear power, the danger of mass hysteria, and the absurdity of technical evolution run amuck. All are as relevant today as the day the novel was written. It is also a tale about the eternal power of love and the grace of ...
Bindra biopic aims to inspire youngsters to take up shooting as sport
In a country where cricket is a religion, makers of the proposed biopic on World and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra hope the film will encourage youngsters to consider shooting seriously as a sport. Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games - he achieved the feat at the quadrennial event held in Beijing in 2008. Indian target shooters fared pretty well in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Australia. Young shooters Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala shined in the Gold Coast Games along with experienced marksmen like Heena Sindhu and Tejaswini Sawant. "This year Indian shooters picked up a lot of gold medals and it is entirely because of Abhinav as he showed the path. His gold medal has inspired entire generation of shooters. Abhinav's achievements are inspiring. "One of our main motivation to make the film is that more young people should get inspired to take up shooting as a profession. I think Indians can become a world power in ...
Want to do entertaining cinema with social message: Pankaj Tripathi after Natiomal Award Special Mention
The National Film Award Special Mention this year after a long journey dotted with several immensely intense portrayals has also brought new responsibilities for Pankaj Tripathi. Receiving the special mention for his performance in 'Newton', a dark comedy on the electoral system of India, which also won the National Award for Best Hindi Film, Tripathi is happy that the highest recognition to his art has come through this meaningful film in which he plays a paramilitary officer. "I have been associated with the industry in one way or the other for almost 20 years now but my craft has got recognised through 'Newton' which was also nominated for the Oscars... But the National Award has given me much more happiness than any international acclaim," Tripathi, who was on a shooting schedule recently in Lucknow, told PTI. "The National Award is a matter of pride for me and it has also increased my responsibilities towards the country... My effort from now on will be to do cinema which gives
Avicii's brother in Oman
David Bergling, brother of world-renowned Swedish DJ and electronic music producer Avicii, whose demise on Friday shook music lovers and the showbiz industry all over the world, is here as his family seeks answers to what caused his death.
'Austin Powers' fame Mini-me dead at 49
Actor Verne Troyer, who played Mini-Me in two of the "Austin Powers" comedy films, is dead. He was 49.
It's really exciting: Thandie Newton on getting equal pay for 'Westworld'
Days after "Westworld" star Evan Rachel Wood revealed that HBO rectified her own pay disparity, Thandie Newton has confirmed that she, too, will be making the same money as her male co-stars on the science fiction western thriller. "They're all happening right now, and yeah, we're all equal across the board. It's really exciting. It's unprecedented. It's goodness; it shatters so much calcified pain, resentment, frustration. It just shatters it," Newton told Vanity Fair at the drama's season two premiere in New York. The actor said she has now decided to turn down any job offer that would pay her less than a male cast member. "It literally sets a precedent, and (HBO is) leading the way, which is amazing," she added. Casey Bloys, an executive with HBO, had told The Hollywood Reporter for an April interview that the network was "proactively" cleaning house of any glaring pay disparities.
Hugh Jackman got caught sneaking into 'The Greatest Showman' sing-along screening
Hugh Jackman was caught sneaking into a cinema hall that was screening of his latest release, "The Greatest Showman". The 49-year-old star took to Twitter to post his video in which he could be seen singing and dancing to his own songs from the musical, until he was noticed by the audience. "Wanted to experience the singalong too! So I snuck in the back of the theatre. Then I got busted," Jackman captioned the clip. The "Logan" star features alongside Zac Efron in the Michael Gracey-directed musical film, which released last year. "The Greatest Showman" also stars Michelle Williams and Zendaya, and follows the true story of P T Barnum, an American showman, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Ticket bookings for 'Avengers: Infinity War' starts early
The buzz for Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" -- an ensemble of 22 superheroes to fight the supervillain Thanos -- is high and that has made the studio start the ticket bookings for the film early in India.
I'm hoping we're going to start getting Avenger fatigue: James Cameron
Veteran filmmaker James Cameron believes the world has had enough of superhero films and people will soon get "Avengers fatigue". The 63-year-old filmmaker said he enjoys watching the superhero films but it is important to focus on other stories as well, reported Entertainment Weekly. "I'm hoping we're going to start getting Avenger fatigue. Not that I don't love the movies. It's just, come on, guys, there are other stories to tell besides, you know, hypogonadal males without families doing death-defying things for two hours and wrecking cities in the process," Cameron said. The director's remarks comes ahead of the release of Marvel Studio's biggest film "Avengers: Infinity War". The Marvel Cinematic Universe is converging in the film with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk) and ...
James Cameron compares 'Avatar' films to 'The Godfather'
Veteran filmmaker James Cameron has compared "Avatar" sequels to "The Godfather" saying his upcoming projects are generational family saga just like the 1972 iconic film and its follow-ups. The writer-director was speaking at a press event to promote his new AMC documentary show, "AMC Visionaries: James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction". "I found myself as a father of five, starting to think about what would an 'Avatar' story be like if it was a family drama, if it was 'The Godfather'. Obviously very different genre, but I got intrigued by that idea. So, that's really what it is. It's a generational family saga. And that's very different from the first film. Now, it's the same type of setting, and there's the same respect for the shock of the new, that we want to show you things that not only you haven't seen, but haven't imagined. "I think that's absolutely critical to it. But the story's very different. It's a continuation of the same characters, but what happen when warriors that
Delhi-NCR soaks in Bihu festivities
Bihu functions are the flavour in the Delhi-NCR area which has hosted several such events in the past 10 days or so to celebrate the Rongali Bihu festival that heralds the Assamese new year and the onset of spring. If it was Gurgaon on April 14, the IGNCA grounds hosted a Bihu function the next day. Similar functions were held at Noida and Faridabad yesterday and one at Dwarka here today. The highlights of these functions were husoris (group dances that are an integral part of the Bihu celebrations), Bihu songs and dhol (drum) performances. Also popular artistes from Assam like Zublee Baruah, Mousam Gogoi, Nirmali Das and Neel Akash gave spirited performances belting out Bihu and other numbers. The Bihu at Gurgaon was a tribute to Assamese actor Biju Phukan and filmmaker Abdul Majid who passed away last year. At the Delhi Bihu function, there was a dance performance on popular songs from Phukan's films. "Assam Association Gurgaon (AAG) has been celebrating Rongali Bihu in Gurgaon ...
Puffin comes out with book of 10 timeless folktales
Here's a special gift for children on World Book Day tomorrow - India's finest writers have come out with a riveting book about 10 timeless folktales. "The Puffin Book of Folktales" is a motley treasure of heart-warming folktales by master storytellers such as Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murty, Devdutt Pattanaik, Kamala Das, Paro Anand and others, with each author adding an own special touch. The book brings to life India's glorious cultural heritage in all its richness, along with generous doses of fun. Puffin India has partnered with Flipkart and UNESCO for the exclusive release of this edition on World Book Day on the online store. According to Sohini Mitra, associate publisher of Puffin (Penguin Random House India), the vision is to nurture and spread the joy of reading, and make books and stories accessible to one and all. "In keeping with the ethos of World Book Day which celebrates stories, books and the love for reading, we are delighted to bring to our readers an exquisite collection .
Carrie Underwood shows face scars in new selfie
American actor and singer, Carrie Underwood, for the first time showed the scars on her face from an accident she suffered outside her home in November.On Friday, Underwood shared a close-up selfie which showed the scars around her upper lip. "Ready to cheer on the boys tonight! Especially that #12! I hear he's alright! ?? @mfisher1212 @predsnhl #LetsGoPreds," she posted on Instagram while supporting her husband's ice hockey team.The star had received more than 40 stitches after falling down some steps outside the house and had told her fans earlier that this year she "might look a bit different." She also broke her wrist and required surgery, reported E!online.The 35-year-old star made her first public appearance since the accident at the 2018 ACM Awards and also made a music comeback by performing her new single, "Cry Pretty."Carrie and Mike are parents to a 3-year-old son, Isaiah.
'Namaste England' to release early!
Vipul Amrutlal Shah's 'Namaste England' has been preponed for a Dussehra release.The decision came from the filmmakers owing to the smooth shooting schedule.Starring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles, the film is a sequel to 2007's blockbuster 'Namastey London'.'Namaste England' will be shot in Punjab, Dhaka, Paris, Brussels and London.The film brings back Arjun and Parineeti back together after their hit debut film 'Ishaqzaade'Following the lines of its prequel, the film will narrate the journey of two young individuals from Punjab to England, meshed together due to love.Namaste England is scheduled to hit the theatres on the October 19, 2018.
Verne Troyer passes away at 49
American actor and comedian Verne Troyer died at the age of 49 on Saturday.The actor, who was born with the genetic disorder known as achondroplasia dwarfism, had openly battled depression and alcoholism, reported E!online.The news confirming his death was announced on his Instagram account as the post said, "It is with great sadness and incredibly heavy hearts to write that Verne passed away today."Talking about Verne, the post read, "Verne was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday. He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude.""On film & television sets, commercial shoots, at comic-con's & personal appearances, to his own YouTube videos, he was there to show everyone what he was capable of doing. Even though his stature was ...