Page 1455 - Entertainment Culture
And trend of movie stars joining TN politics continues
Lights. Camera. Action. As it has happened many times in Tamil Nadu, once again the action has moved from the screen to a much larger stage of politics. Veteran film star Kamal Haasan's entry into politics with the launch of his party 'Makkal Neethi Mayyam' (People's Justice Centre) is the latest addition to the state's time honoured tradition of film stars leveraging their almost cult-like popularity to seek office. And to the tinseltown's credit, the Chennai film industry gave the state two popular actors who became chief ministers in the state. Actor-cum-filmmaker M.G. Ramachandran led the way, occupying the chief minister's office for seven years after a three-decade long domination of the silver screen. Following in his footsteps was one of his protegees, the evergreen J Jayalalithaa, who too became the chief minister and served the state for six terms for over 14 years between 1991 and 2006. However, to set the record straight, it was DMK founder CN Annadurai, a playwright ...
Bachchan sings and composes song for '102 Not Out'
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has sung and composed a song for his upcoming film "102 Not Out". The 75-year-old announced the news on Twitter and also shared some pictures from the shoot rehearsals of the track, which will be choreographed by noted choreographer Ganesh Acharya. "Sung a song and composed it for '102 not out'... Rehearsals on with the great Ganesh... Shoots on in a few... It's BAADDUUUMBAAAA! TRUST ME..." Bachchan tweeted. The actor also wrote on his blog that how even after almost 50 years in the industry he gets jitters when it comes to dance rehearsals and feels the nervous excitement when the song releases. "Those apprehensions still remain... It is a torture to be given the decision of picturising a song, of being asked to dance... To get it right... To the fear of repeated mistakes... Particularly when in the open spaces of an outdoor where millions watch you... Watch you making mistakes and retakes..." he said. The film is being helmed by "Oh My God!" director Umesh .
We want to back great content: Sony India's Vivek Krishnani
Showbiz is at an interesting juncture in India, says Sony Pictures Entertainment India Managing Director Vivek Krishani who is hoping to expand the company's presence in India by partnering with local banners and curating its own content. Banking on the belief that viewer habits are changing, SPE India has backed Akshay Kumar's "Padman" on the unusual subject of menstrual hygiene. The company has co-produced the film, the first Bollywood film to release in territories such as Russia and Ivory Coast, along with Mrs Funnybones Films and KriArj Entertainment. It also handled the worldwide distribution of the film. "The success of films such as 'Hindi Medium' and 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' last year proved that if content is strong, you can market the film. In the case of big tent poles, some have worked, some haven't, Krishnani told PTI. Last year was an interesting year as it forced everyone to go into soul-searching mode to understand what kind of creative is going to drive people to the ...
Mark Hamill to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Not in a galaxy far far away, but Luke Skywalker-fame Mark Hamill is all set to receive a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 66-year-old "Star Wars" alum will be honoured in a ceremony on March 8, Variety reported. Hamill will receive the 2,630th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the ceremony that will be held at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the El Capitan Theatre. Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, Ana Martinez said fans would be overjoyed to see the actor getting his own star. "'Star Wars' fans will be over the moon that hearing their idol Mark Hamill is going to be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We are proud to add this extraordinary actor on our historic Walk of Fame," Martinez said in a statement. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and Hamill's co-star Harrison Ford will host the event along with Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Stormzy, Dua Lipa win big at Brit Awards 2018
British singer Stormzy edged past the likes of Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher to win top prizes at the Brits Awards 2018. The 24-year-old singer, whose real name is Michael Omari and hails from South London, won British Male Solo Artist, and Album of the Year for his debut record 'Gang Signs & Prayer'. The hip-hop artiste, who ended the nigh with a live performance, took an aim at the Theresa May-led UK government over the Grenfell Tower tragedy that claimed the lives of 70 people, reported BBC "Yo, Theresa May, where's that money for Grenfell? What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell?" he rapped. Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa was the other big winner at the ceremony that was held at London's O2 Arena. She took home two awards -- British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough. She was nominated in a total of five categories. "I want to thank every single female who's been on this stage before me that has given girls like me - not just girls in the music industry but girls .
'Joker' stand-alone film starts shooting in May
Warner Bros studios is hoping to start the production on the stand-alone Joker origin movie in May. According to a tweet posted by The Tracking Board's editor-in-chief Jeff Sneider, the movie's team is eying a production start date of May 1. "Also from early January. I could literally post this s**t all day but I CHOOSE NOT TO. Because I care less and less with each passing day," Sneider wrote alongside a listing for the untitled project. The studio had tapped "The Hangover" director Todd Phillips last year to co-write a script with scribe Scott Silver, which will be produced by Martin Scorsese. Actor Joaquin Phoenix was said to be in negotiation to play the iconic DC villain in the film. This would be the first film under a new banner in which WB can expand the canon of DC properties. The Joker has memorably been a part of two Batman movies with Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, and most recently Jared Leto playing the role in the first "Suicide Squad" film. Leto will reprise his role
'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri': A remarkable tragi-dramedy (IANS Review, Rating: ***1/2)
Film: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"; Director: Martin McDonagh; Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Zeljko Ivanek, Caleb Landry Jones, Clarke Peters, Samara Weaving, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage, Sandy Martin, Amanda Warren, Brendan Sexton III, Kerry Condon, Kathryn Newton, Darrell Britt-Gibson; Rating: ***1/2
Big B sings 'Badumba' for '102 Not Out'
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice for a song titled "Badumba" for his upcoming film "102 Not Out".
Dua Lipa, Stormzy, white rose pins rule Brit Awards (Round-up)
Artistes Dua Lipa and Stormzy shined at the 38th edition of Brit Awards, where most stars gave a shout-out to the victims of sexual harassment in solidarity with the Time's Up movement by sporting white rose pins.
Lupita Nynog'o to star in film adaptation of Trevor Noah's memoir
"Black Panther" star Lupita Nynog'o is all set to star and produce the film adaptation of "Daily Show" host' Trevor Noah's memoir bestselling memoir. The Oscar-winning star will play Noah's Mother, Patricia, in the adaptation of "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood". "When I read @Trevornoahs Born A Crime, I could not put the book down. Excited to announce that I will be starring in and producing its feature film adaptation!," she wrote on Twitter. Noah will also produce the project through his Ark Angel Productions alongside Norman Aladjem, Derek Van Pelt and Sanaz Yamin of Mainstay Entertainment, and Nyong'o, reported Deadline. The 2016 book chronicles the popular comedian's coming of age in South Africa as apartheid ended. It also details Noah's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother, who was determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse. The 'Daily Show' host, the son of a white Swiss father and a ...
Vishal Bhardwaj postpones shoot of Deepika-Irrfan film
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has postponed the shooting of his film, starring Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan, citing health concerns of the two actors. While Irrfan has been diagnosed with a severe case of jaundice, Deepika's back injury, which the actor suffered while filming "Padmaavat" has resurfaced, the director said in a Facebook post. The shooting for the film was expected to start from next month in Nepal. "I am pushing back the film by a few months as both of my lead actors are down with different health problems. Irrfan is down with jaundice and it will take him a few weeks to recover and Deepika Padukone's back problem which had previously developed during the shooting of Padmaavat has now resurfaced. "Her role in the film is very physically demanding and the doctor has advised her not to do any strenuous work for a couple of months... I want both of them to be strong and fit before we start the film," Bhardwaj wrote. The director also clarified that the film is not based on
Bhardwaj postpones Irrfan, Deepika starrer over health issues
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj says he is pushing back his film, starring Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan, by a few months as both the actors are having health issues.
Shruti, Akshara wish father success for political journey
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's daughters Shruti and Akshara have wished him love and success in his new journey in politics.
Ariana Grande pulls out of Brit Awards
Singer Ariana Grande pulled out of 2018 Brit Awards at the last moment leaving organisers frantic.
Kendrick Lamar, SZA sued over 'All the stars' video
Musicians Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Top Dawg Entertainment have been sued by British-Liberian artiste Lina Viktor for what she sees as clear plagiarism of her work in the video of the track "All the stars". The song is a part of the album for the blockbuster film "Black Panther".
Digitally restored 'Imaji Ningthem' screened
A digitally restored 37-year-old Manipuri film 'Imaji Ningthem' at its premiere here has enthralled the audience. Made in 1981, the restored classic, scripted by Maharaj Kumari Bindodini Devi and directed by prominent film maker Aribam Syam Sharma, was shown at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University yesterday. Screened at many international film festivals,'Imagi Ningthem' (My son, My Precious) won the 'Golden Montgolfiere' at the Festival of Three Continents at Nantes in France in 1982. Present at the show, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla appreciated the restoration of the film and remembered the literary and cultural contributions of Binodini. Binodini received Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979 for her Manipuri novel 'Bor Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi'. The function was jointly organised by the Imasi Foundation and the Mass Communication Department of Manipur University with the support of the state Arts and Culture Department.
Aamir to shoot 'Thugs of Hindostan' climax in Rajasthan
Aamir Khan's big release this year - "Thugs of Hindostan" - is nearing completion as the superstar says the last leg of shooting remains, which will be wrapped up in Rajasthan by the end of next month. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the Vijay Krishna Acharya film brings together Aamir and megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the first time on screen. "I am going abroad for a few days. Once I am back, we will resume shooting the climax in Rajasthan. The film will be completed by March end," Aamir told reporters when asked about the status of the film. Last year,pictures of Aamir and Bachchan's looks had leaked from the film set. Aamir had then said, "Ideally, the pictures should not have been leaked" and he maintains that the first look will only be put out with an official poster. "My look is still (being) kept under wraps. Of course, I am wearing the earrings and the nose ring, but my hair is quite long in the film and that will be out with the poster," he said. "Thugs..." also starsKatrina ...
Didn't expect this response for 'Secret Superstar' in China: Kiran
Riding high on the success of her film "Secret Superstar", producer Kiran Rao says that she never expected the amazing love and support for the film that it received in China.
Stormzy, Dua Lipa shine at Brit awards
Artistes Dua Lipa and Stormzy, took away two prizes each at the Brit awards, which were held here at the O2 Arena.
Pressure to rehash old songs comes only from producers: Amit Trivedi
Ace music composer Amit Trivedi says no Bollywood music director or singer he knows likes recreating old songs, but have to compromise owing to the pressure from film producers and big labels. The trend of rehashing old film numbers has caught up fast with Bollywood music directors. Amit, known for giving music for "Dev D", "Bombay Velvet", "Queen" and "Lootera", calls the growing trend a step down as he does not feel it is plausible to touch a song, which was once "someone else's vision". "For creators, especially for me as a composer, I am sure for singers also, it is sad. It is not exciting that we have to create something that someone else has already done before. It is someone else's baby, which we would not like to touch, because at that time it was that person's vision. It is difficult to do in a film format," Amit told reporters. "The pressure is only from the producers and the labels. No composer, no singer would ever want to sing a remix. I don't know about others, but there