Page 1473 - Entertainment Culture
Maharashtra NGO files blasphemy plaint against Malayalam film
City-based NGO Jan Jagran Samiti Maharashtra (JJSM), has lodged a complaint with police here demanding that a song in the forthcoming Malayalam film "Oru Adaar Love", featuring new social media hearththrob Priya Prakash Varrier, be deleted.
SC refuses to stay 'Aiyaary' release
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the release of Hindi film "Aiyaary" starring Manoj Bajpayee and Sidharth Malhotra.
Naipaul, Rushdie vying for one-off Golden Booker Prize
Leading Indian-origin authors like VS Naipaul and Salman Rushdie are in the run for a one-off special Golden Man Booker Prize to mark the literary awards 50th anniversary this year. The new award, launched in London today, will involve five judges whittling down titles from the past five decades which will then be put forward for a public vote to come up with an overall winner. The Indian-origin authors in the running include Naipaul for his 1971 winner In a Free State; Rushdie for Midnights Children (1981); Arundhati Roy for The God of Small Things (1997); Kiran Desai for The Inheritance of Loss (2006); and Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger (2008). Each judge has been assigned a decade from which they will select one former Booker Prize winning author to create a Golden Five shortlist, to be unveiled at Hay Literary Festival in May. The five books will then be put to a month-long public vote from May 26 to June 25 on the Man Booker Prize website to decide the overall winner, which ..
SC refuses to stay release of Bollywood film "Aiyaary"
The Supreme Court today refused to stay the release of Bollywood film "Aiyaary" by brushing aside an allegation that it was portraying the Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society of Mumbai, which was marred by controversy, in a "bad light". Holding that right to freedom of speech and expression was "absolutely a cherished" right under the Constitution, a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice S K Kaul dismissed the petition by the housing society saying it was for the Central Board of Film Certification to l00k into the issue and the board has already granted certification to the film. The housing society had approached the top court contending that the movie was likely to have an impact on the pending litigations in the matter and affect the reputation of members of the society. The bench observed that courts of law decide a controversy placed before it on the basis of the material brought on record and not as per the author's imagination as projected in theatre and ...
Islamic seminary issues fatwa against 'Oru Adaar Love' song
A city-based Islamic seminary has issued a fatwa against a song in the upcoming Malayalam film "Oru Adaar Love", saying the government should have it removed as it hurts the religious sentiments of Muslims. After some local Muslims raised questions over the song, Jamia Nizamia issued the fatwa yesterday. It was alleged that lyrics of the song 'Manikya Malaraya Poovi' in the Omar Lulu-directed film have some "objectionable" words hurting the sentiments of Muslims, an official from Jamia Nizamia said today. "Some residents of Farooq Nagar, in an application to the seminary, raised questions about the song, saying its lyrics hurt the sentiments of Muslims. "A fatwa against the song was issued by a mufti (religious expert) from the seminary subject to the question (the allegation that the song can hurt sentiments of Muslims) being true," he said. According to the fatwa, if the allegation is true, the government should have the song removed, the official said. On February 14, Hyderabad ...
Haryana to have film university
With Hindi films like "Dangal" and "Sultan", which had a strong Haryana connection, turning out to be blockbusters, the state government is planning to set up a film university in the state.
'Aiyaary' to not release in Pakistan
Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey's latest directorial venture "Aiyaary" will not release in Pakistan. The movie with the Indian Army at the backdrop has been rejected by the Pakistan censor board. "The makers did apply for the censor certificate but apparently the censor board rejected it as the film is about India and patriotism," an exhibitor-distributor told PTI. One of the producers of the film, Jayantilal Gada, however, said that they never submitted the film to the Pakistan censor board. "We had not applied in Pakistan as we knew it would have been rejected. It is about Indian defence services," he said. Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee in the roles of army officers, the film is Pandey's third project to not hit the theatres in Pakistan. His films "Baby" and "Naam Shabana" were also barred from having a release in the country.
Mamata Shankar asks women not to work in ads portraying them
Danseuse-actor Mamata Shankar today said women should not work in advertisements where they are portrayed as commodities. Crime against women was on the rise for various reasons and that should be checked to ensure their safety at home and outside, Shankar told PTI on the sidelines of a programme that awarded women achievers. "At times women are portrayed as commodities in ads and the question arises why they should turn up in such works," said the 63-year old actress who debuted in Mrinal Sen's 'Mrigayaa' in 1976. Why should women should be part of certain ads which project them as inferior ones in some way or the other, the veteran danseuse asked. Shankar, a favourite of both Sen and Satyajit Ray, received the 'Sonar Sansar' award for acting along with 12 other women achievers from different fields. "I am happy, but this award is a tribute to all women like me," said Shankar who acted in three Ray films. Rabindra Sangeet exponent Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, film director .
Why you can't get enough of your favourite songs
If you have played your favourite Kishore Kumar song or a Beatles classic umpteen times but do not know why you forget to press the stop button for some particular numbers, new research offers some clues.
Here are five self-help e-books to help ignite your inner-self
If you are looking for some ultimate and ever-lasting guides to sway through the rough and confusing life of yours, here is a perfect list of five books to help you solve some of the future problems.Monkey NutsRaman Narula took his readers on a self-introspecting journey making certain revelations and providing deeper meanings to the daily life occurrences.The author sets out to send a message to his readers that 'All of Hell, Heaven and Gods are within you". He advises his readers to de-clutter their thoughts, live in present and enjoy your white space depicting the individual's personal time.The subtle art of not giving a F*ckPenned down by Mark Manson, the book has already taken its readers by storm getting increasingly popular among the youth. It is a quirky self-help book instead of the preachy ones that teach its readers to inculcate positivity in their lives.The tongue-in-cheek novel presents a modern interpretation of the teachings of nihilists, Buddhists, Charles Bukowski ...
Have no say in Nirav Modi fraud case: Sidharth Malhotra
Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra, who featured in the ad campaign for Nirav Modi jewels, on Friday said his contract with the latter's company got over a year ago."That is something not related to us. I have nothing to say on it," said Sidharth when questioned on the Punjab National Bank fraud case involving the celebrated designer.The actor's statement comes after PNB suspended 10 of its officials for being involved with Modi in cheating the bank to the tune of Rs. 11,400 crore.Actress Priyanka Chopra's spokesperson on Thursday said the 'Quantico' star was also seeking legal opinions on terminating her contract with the designer.The Enforcement Directorate has been conducting simultaneous searches and raids at various Nirav Modi and Geetanjali stores across India, the latest being one of his properties in Jaipur city of Rajasthan.
Meghna to do Bengali film after over a decade
Actress Meghna Naidu, whose last project in Bengali was the 2004 film "Coolie", is now shooting for the Bengali movie titled "Sitara".
Tambor fired from 'Transparent' over sexual harassment claims
Actor Jeffrey Tambor has been dropped from the Emmy-winning comedy drama "Transparent" after facing sexual harassment allegations.
Priya Prakash beats Sunny Leone to become Google's most searched actress
Viral sensation Priya Prakash Varrier has taken down Sunny Leone to become Google's most searched actress.The first song of Malayalam movie 'Oru Adaar Love' became viral on social media within few hours of its release because of Varrier's cute articulations and wink. Since then, the 18-year-old has become the talk of the town.In the past few days, 'Priya Prakash' has been searched way more than Sunny Leone, who is known to perpetually trend on the search engine.With a follower count of over three million on Instagram, Priya has become a social media sensation overnight.
Padman to be tax-free in Rajasthan
Hindi film "Padman" will be made tax-free in Rajasthan as it gives a social message, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced on Friday.
T-Series to invest Rs 500 crore in films in 2018
Indian music label and movie studio T-Series is investing Rs 500 crore in films in 2018, a statement said.
6th Delhi Literature Festival to begin on Feb 23
The sixth edition of the Delhi Literature Festival is all set to kick off from February 23 here with a line-up of popular authors and personalities including Anant Padmanabhan, Durjoy Dutta, Ashwin Sanghi, Nilotpal Mrinal, and Rakshanda Jalil. Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, will inaugurate the three-day festival with a session titled Education for Empowerment at Dilli Haat. The literature festival will witness discussions and book readings sessions with an aim to promote young and inspiring authors. "We are delighted to come up with the sixth edition of Delhi Literature Festival with much acclaimed authors and speakers. The three-day festival will hold many discussions and book readings as great attractions. Our objective is to promote young and inspiring authors, inculcate reading habits among the youth, and promote Indian literature across the globe, Bharat Bhargava, founder director-Delhi Literature Festival, said. The festival will open with a musical session ...
SC rejects Adarsh Society's plea to stall film 'Aiyaary'
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea, filed by Adarsh Cooperative Society members, to stay the release of the film 'Aiyaary'.The petitioners alleged that the film has shown them in a bad light.Helmed by Neeraj Pandey, the film stars Sidharth Malhotra, Manoj Bajpayee, Rakul Preet Singh, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher in the lead roles.The film hit the cinema halls today.
Raza academy pens letter to Smriti Irani seeking ban on Priya Varrier's song
The Raza Academy has penned a letter to Union Information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani seeking a ban on internet sensation Priya Prakash Varrier's song 'Manikya Malaraya Poovi' from her debut movie 'Oru Adaar Love'.The academy has alleged that the said Malayalam song insults Prophet Mohammad and his 'pious wife'.Asif Sardar, President, Rehmani Group, urged Irani to "immediately issue instructions to the censor board and the film maker to cut the song and spare the nation from yet another controversy."The academy also held a protest here in front of the Minara Mosque, where they held placards with messages like, "Stop misuse of sacred personalities."The first song of Malayalam movie 'Oru Adaar Love' became viral on social media within few hours of its release because of Varrier's cute articulations and wink. Since then, the 18-year-old has become the talk of the town.
Navrasa Duende Global Carnival to kick off from Feb 23
Over 400 Indian and international artists including the famous Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, London Festival Opera, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Raghu Dixit will be performing at the Navrasa Duende Global Carnival here. With over 20 genres of performing arts, the music festival, touted to be the "biggest melting pot of arts & entertainment", will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from February 23. Organised by Gurgaon-based arts and entertainment production house Navrasa Duende, the three-day music carnival will see 20 live shows featuring over 200 top international artists from 15 countries, and 200 artists from India. "Among the most anticipated performances during the festival are London Festival Opera's internationally successful show 'A Night at the Opera', Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra's Romancing the Romantic Era, globally celebrated masters of Jazz & Crossover, namely Peter Cincotti, A J Crore and Loiuz Banks in an immersive afternoon of curation called Jazz +, and