Page 1469 - Entertainment Culture

Indian cinema a victim of misconceptions: Karan Johar

Indian films still being considered a song-and-dance routine in the global circuit deeply troubles Karan Johar and the director-producer feels such "misconceptions" about the country's cinema hinder its growth internationally. Citing examples of acclaimed movies such as "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha", "Padman" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi", the 45-year-old filmmaker says Indian films have much more to offer than the "cliched sequences". "I feel very sad when I still see people across the globe having this misconception about Indian cinema that it is all about song and dance. This stereotypical view about our films can only be changed when we as a part of the entertainment industry go out and tell people that we have much more to offer in terms of storytelling and content than just actors dancing around trees. "Indian cinema is a victim of misconceptions on global stage. The way Aamir's (Khan) films have been performing in China proves that we can make a huge mark globally. But only dialogue ...

Kashmiri actor on growing up in 'politically unstable state'

"Kuch Bheege Alfaaz" actor Zain Khan Durrani, a Kashmiri by birth, says the worst part about growing up in a "tumultuous and politically unstable state" is that you insidiously get used to the violence around.

Khajuraho Dance Festival to begin from February 20

Myriad forms of classical dance in India will be on dispaly at a festival beginning in Khajuraho from February 20. The week-long Khajuraho Dance Festival at the temple town in Chhatarpur district is being organised by the culture department of the Madhya Pradesh government. The February 20-26 festival will showcase classical dances including Kathak, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Mohiniattam to name a few, an official said. "This festival of classical dances and other forms of art is held annually against the spectacular backdrop of the magnificently-lit Khajuraho temples in Chhatarpur district," said Manoj Shrivastava, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture. This is 45th year of this event, he said. Modern Indian contemporary dance forms were added in the festival in the recent times. During the festival, dances are performed in an open- air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple ...

Get over yourself for Indian cinema's progress: KJo to filmmakers

Filmmaker Karan Johar is bursting with pride as he is representing Indian cinema at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. He feels that to achieve a global impact and for Indian cinema to progress, fellow filmmakers need to go beyond themselves and focus on the industry.

'The Last Jedi' trolls threatened by women, says JJ Abrams

Director JJ Abrams has blasted the trolls who criticised the "Star Wars" franchise for its focus on female characters in the recently-released "The Last Jedi", saying they feel "threatened" by women. The 51-year-old filmmaker, who helmed "The Force Awakens" and is on board to direct the Episode IX of the popular sci-fi series, said people today will nitpick anything today, thanks to social media. "Their problem isn't 'Star Wars', their problem is being threatened. 'Star Wars' is a big galaxy, and you can sort of find almost anything you want to in 'Star Wars'. If you are someone who feels threatened by women and needs to lash out against them, you can probably find an enemy in Star Wars. "You can probably look at the first movie that George (Lucas) did and say that Leia was too outspoken, or she was too tough. Anyone who wants to find a problem with anything can find the problem. The Internet seems to be made for that," Abrams told IndieWire. The director added the flak received by ...

Women I play on screen are an extension of me: Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan picked powerful women characters even before "female-centric cinema" became mainstream in Bollywood and the actor, who has pioneered a change in the concept of the Hindi film heroine in the last decade, says her choices are often guided by her personal experiences. Vidya has successfully established herself as an actor par excellence with films such as "Parineeta", "Ishqiya", "No One Killed Jessica", "The Dirty Picture", "Kahaani" and "Begum Jaan" among others. But she says the films that are among her personal favourites and have become turning points in her career, are "Kahaani", "The Dirty Picture" and her last release "Tumhari Sulu". "Every film or role that I have done has had some personal connect. All these women (characters) follow their heart and do exactly what they want to do and in a way they were all an extension of me," Vidya told PTI in an exclusive interview. "I am a shy person. There are two sides to me, when the actor side comes out, I am different. I ...

Amitabh uploads resume on Twitter

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has jokingly uploaded a job resume on Twitter emphasising on his height.

Sarandon attributes Hollywood sexism, racism to 'corporate takeover'

Veteran actor Susan Sarandon has said the hegemony of big-budget studios is responsible for the precipitation of "sexism and racism and ageism" in Hollywood. The 71-year-old actor, who is serving as head juror at the Tropfest short film festival, also attributed the increasing dependence of the entertainment industry on the reboots of films to a "lack of imagination". According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sarandon said the problem in turn has led to a bigger issue of discrimination, along with the "corporate takeover of making films". "This is why we have so much sexism and racism and ageism in Hollywood. There's a lot of businessmen that are making decisions, not people who necessarily love movies. This is where you get casting by how many followers you have on Instagram," she said. The "Feud" star praised the digital platform and young filmmakers calling them the new "hope" of the showbiz for being revolutionary. "They don't need to appeal to everybody. So you're seeing braver, ...

Kashmir's laugh doctor: He wants to bring mirth back to Kashmir's depressed lives (IANS Special Series)

Long before it was infected by violence and its streets reverberated with sounds of slogans and gunfire, Kashmir was a place where one could hear laughter in every household in the evenings when Nazir Josh, Kashmir's very own "Charlie Chaplin", used to come on Doordarshan (DD), the national broadcaster, with his facial expressions of total bewilderment, the street impressions of a joker and strong Chaplinesque elements in his walking style.

Sidharth reveals secret behind his 'fresh face'

Actor Sidharth Malhotra says his mother used to suggest him to drink water and sleep properly for a fresh face.

I am a product of my mother's disadvantages, says Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer says she owes her success in life to her mother, Dellsena, whom the actor lost when she was 18. For the 45-year-old Oscar-winner, her mother continues to be her biggest inspiration, who did everything in her power to provide for her children in the best possible manner. "The woman who has inspired the most is my mother. I am a product of her disadvantages in life, and she tried to make sure that we took advantage of all of the opportunities that were afforded to us," Spencer told People magazine. The "Hidden Figures" star says her mother taught her to be humble and hard-working. "We had more than she did, and a lot less than a lot of people, even to this day. So she is the one woman that I credit everything to," she said.

Maxwell obsessed with 'Black Panther' star Danai Gurira

Singer Maxwell says he has "a bit of an obsession" with "Black Panther" star Danai Gurira. The 44-year-old musician said he has been a long-time fan of the actor since her "The Walking Dead" days, Page Six reported. Maxwell, who walked the red carpet of the Marvel film premiere here, said he would like to take Gurira on a dinner date. "The woman I would want to wine and dine from the film is Danai Gurira, but she might be taken. I used to watch her on 'The Walking Dead,' so I do have a bit of an obsession with her - and we share the same barber, by the way, so it could actually work out," he said. Gurira plays Okoye, the head of the Dora Milaje, the personal body guards of the Black Panther in the Ryan Coogler-directed film. The "Pretty Wings" singer went on to say, "Danai is so bada**. I have not seen the movie, so I am walking in blank. I am just happy that there is a movie celebrating our culture.

James Caan, Danny Glover to star in 'Bang Bang'

Actor James Caan and Danny Glover have joined the cast of boxing drama "Bang Bang". The film, directed by Brendan Walsh, follows the story of an ex-boxing champion who returns home after failing to settle a score with a former opponent seeking one last chance at redemption. Will Janowitz has penned the script of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie will be produced by Bradley Ross, Mary Jane Skalski and Damon Lane. Filming on the project is expected to start in May.

'Black Panther' is phenomenal: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is all praises for "Black Panther" and the talk show host and actor has called the Ryan Coogler-directed film a "phenomenal" piece of work. The 64-year-old media mogul took to Twitter to laud the Marvel movie calling it a multi-layered masterpiece, which she watched with longtime partner Stedman Graham. "Just saw it with Stedman. It's Phenomenal!! Layers and layers of it. Wakunda ForEveeeerrrr! #BlackPanther (sic)" Winfrey wrote. "Black Panther" is the first Marvel film to be led by a person of colour - Chadwick Boseman - and featuring a virtually all-black cast with Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Andy Serkis, among others. The movie is receiving rave reviews and is going strong at the box office.

Weighty reading: Books which provide physical exercise too (Column: Bookends)

Someone once quipped that the "universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle" and devoted book readers know it too well. Any of the (sadly-diminishing) tribe would be familiar with responses of wonder over the fact that they manage to read even a modestly-long work in a day or two. Wonder what these amazed people would make of a book termed a "doorstopper"?

Robert Pattinson finds love 'complicated'

Actor Robert Pattinson says "love is complicated". The 31-year-old actor had recently split with singer FKA Twigs, to whom he was engaged since April 2015. Pattinson, who was recently asked about his character Samuel in the film "Damsel" at a press conference in Berlin, described the part as someone who lives in a romantic bubble. The Independent quoted the actor saying, "It's obviously more complicated. I think Samuel, the main character, is a bit of a fantasist. He likes believing in a poetic version of reality. "I think life and love is a little more complicated than he perceives it.

Haley Bennett in talks to star in 'Resistance'

Haley Bennett is in negotiations to star in legendary mime artiste Marcel Marceau's biopic "Resistance". If finalised, the "Girl on the Train" actor will join Jesse Eisenberg, who will play Marceau in the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. German star Matthias Schweighofer is also in talks to star in the film directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. The movie follows the life of Marceau and his involvement in the French Resistance during WWII. Bennett is vying for Emma's character, a Resistance fighter who played a vital role in inspiring Marceau to join her in rescuing thousands of children and walking them out of France and into Switzerland. Schweighoefer is expected to play notorious SS commander Klaus Barbie, who was personally assigned by Adolf Hitler to dismantle the French Resistance. The film will be produced jointly by Claudine Jakubowicz, Carlos Garcia de Paredes and Dan Maag.

Maxwell obsessed with Danai Gurira

Singer Maxwell says he is obsessed with "Black Panther" star Danai Gurira.

Chris Rock was turned down by Rihanna

Actor-singer Chris Rock claims that he was rejected by singer Rihanna.

Khloe finds sex during pregnancy interesting

Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian says sex in pregnancy is uncomfortable, but interesting.