Page 1483 - Entertainment Culture
Ban Valentine's day celebrations: TN fringe Hindu outfit
A Tamil Nadu based fringe Hindu outfit today wanted the district administration to ban Valentine's Day celebrations tomorrow. Such celebrations are against the culture and tradition of India, Hindu Makkal Katchi president Arjun Sampath told reporters here. He also took strong objection to actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's reported remarks on "Hindu extremism." Haasan recently courted controversy when he hit out at whathe called Hindu extremism, claiming that right-wing groups have taken to violence because their earlier "strategy" has stopped working. The actor, who is facing flak over his comments on right-wing extremism, has clarified he never intended to hurt Hindus and opposed violence in the name of any religion. The HMK, however, welcomed his "stand not to join hands with Rajinikanth." Haasan has recently made it clear that any political alliance with superstar Rajinikanth was unlikely if his colour is "saffron", in an apparent reference to the BJP.
8th Theatre Olympics to begin with grand ceremony at Red Fort
With participation of 30 countries and 25,000 artistes from across the globe, National School of Drama (NSD) is set to host the "biggest theatre celebration" for the first time in India here. The 8th edition of Theatre Olympics, touted as the largest international theatre festival, will be inaugurated by vice president Venkaiah Naidu on February 17 at the Red Fort, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma announced today at a media briefing. The 51-day theatre extravaganza will see 450 shows including 65 shows by international artistes, 600 ambient performances and 250 youth forum shows. "Through the Theatre Olympics we will be able to showcase the Indian arts and culture in front of people of the world. It is a huge event where 65 foreign shows will take place in 17 cities across the country. Folk artistes will also present their arts there," the minister said. Among theatrical performances, the event will also see activities like 'Living Legends' series, 'Master Classes', symposia, ...
Cold open water plunge may provide instant pain relief: study
A short, sharp, cold water swim may offer an alternative to strong painkillers and physiotherapy to relieve severe persistent pain after surgery, a study published in the journal BMJ Case Reports claims. Doctors carried out a surgical procedure (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) on a 28 year old man to curb his excessive facial flushing. The surgery entailed cutting the triggering nerves inside his chest, according to the case study. The procedure itself was successful, but 10 weeks later, the usual postoperative prescription of strong painkillers and staged physiotherapy had barely made a dent in the severity of his pain. The man explained that exercise and movement just made the pain worse, preventing him from completing his rehabilitation and recovery. The constant pain caused him a great deal of distress and wrecked his quality of life, the authors said. Before his surgery, the young man had been a keen triathlete, and so had swum competitively in open water. He thought that a ...
New challenges keep me motivated: Actor Ram Kapoor
Actor Ram Kapoor, who is exploring the comedy genre for the first with the upcoming television show "Comedy High School", says he is going out of his comfort zone and that it is such new challenges which keep him motivated as a performer.
Paul King in talks to direct 'Willy Wonka' reboot
"Paddington" director Paul King is in negotiations to helm a reboot of "Willy Wonka". The project is being produced by David Heyman, which is based on Roald Dahl's classic childrens book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Variety reported. Simon Rich has written the new script. The plot focuses on the book published in 1964, which revolves around an 11-year-old Charlie Bucket and the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka, who decides to re-open his factory. He allows five children to come on a tour of the factory after they find a golden ticket in a Wonka Bar. Gene Wilder famously portrayed Wonka in the 1971 film adaptation titled Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp too played the legendary chocolatier in the 2005 adaptation.
I have nothing more to prove in television: Ram Kapoor
Ram Kapoor is one of the biggest television stars in India and the actor says he looks for challenging experiences rather than fretting over the fate of his projects. The actor, best known for his TV shows such as "Kasamh Se" and "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", will next be seen in a new show "Comedy High School", a light-hearted take on society, culture, education and current affairs through a classroom based set up. "I am always looking at ways to challenge myself. If I keep doing the same stuff, I tend to start getting bored. I want to keep having fun as an actor. So I am always open to doing new things. I wanted to do comedy with right people on TV," Kapoor told PTI. "I have nothing more to prove in television. I am one of the biggest names in TV. If this show works, I will be happy, if it doesn't, I will still be happy as I challenged myself, did something new and learnt something from it," he added. The actor said he was quite clear that he wanted the show to have clean, ...
Currently married to my work, and I love it: Tiger Shroff
Actor Tiger Shroff says he is currently "married" to his work and he loves it.
Michael Fassbender to star in 'Kung Fury'
Michael Fassbender has been roped in to feature in action-comedy "Kung Fury". The movie is the sequel to the short of the same name, which was written and directed by David Sandberg, Variety reported. The project will also star David Hasselhoff, who had featured in the original movie. The feature film will be set in 1985's Miami, which stays safe under the watchful eye of police officer Kung Fury through his Thundercops. After the death of a Thundercop leads to the disbandment of the group, a mysterious villain comes to the fore to help the Fuhrer in his quest to attain the ultimate weapon. Sandberg will also feature in the movie and will be attached as producer. David Katzenberg, Seth Grahame-Smith and Aaron Schmidt will co-produce. The feature-length project begins shooting this summer.
Acting is an insecure profession: Saqib Saleem
Actor Saqib Saleem says "Race 3" came as a big career opportunity for him at a time when he needed it the most. Saqib, best known for his work in "Mere Dad Ki Maruti" and "Hawaa Hawaai", said the film, starring Salman Khan, gave him a confidence boost as it came after the box office disappointment of his 2017 release "Dobaara: See your evil". "Acting is a very insecure profession. One Friday can make or break you. My last Friday broke me. It can go to a point where you start doubting if you even know how to act," he told PTI. "Sometimes you are being harsh on yourself, and sometimes massaging your own ego. And then the biggest franchise comes to you and you are like 'Whoa, people believe in you. You were wrong!' It gives you great confidence," he said. While he is awaiting the release of his next, "Dil Junglee", which features Taapsee Pannu opposite him, Saqib said he is putting his best foot forward for "Race 3" as he wants it to be a better experience for him as an actor. "This is ..
I have nothing to do with 'Super 30': Tiger Shroff
Tiger Shroff has clarified that he will not be a part of Hrithik Roshan's film, "Super 30". Hrithik will bring to celluloid the life of Anand Kumar, a Patna-based mathematician, who runs the famed 'Super 30' programme for IIT aspirants among economically backward students. There were reports that Kumar's brother Pranav had suggested that his role be given to either Tiger or Sidharth Malhotra in the Vikas Bahl-directed film. When asked whether he was in the film, Tiger told reporters here today, "I don't know from where these rumours started. I wish good luck to my superhero (Hrithik). I have nothing to do with 'Super 30'." Tiger, however, will work with Hrithik in director Siddharth Anand's action entertainer, which will also have Vaani Kapoor in the lead. His other films include "Baaghi 2", "Student of the Year 2" and the Indian remake of Stallone's iconic film "Rambo".
Vicky Kaushal was offered similar films after 'Masaan'
Vicky Kaushal, the star of films such as "Masaan" and "Raman Raghav 2.0", will be seen in his first romantic comedy "Love Per Square Foot" and the actor says it was a "tricky shift" for him. "I realised the gravity of doing comedy (with this film). It is about getting the timing right. I am thankful to my director Anand Tiwari who guided me as this was an alien space for me. I feel I am a better actor after working on this romcom," Vicky told PTI in an interview. The actor made an impressive debut with "Masaan", which resulted in him being typecast initially. "After 'Masaan', I got eight to ten scripts that were about a guy who belongs to UP. The filmmakers start looking you into that light or (dark) zone as they feel that is your strong point. I don't mind it (being typecast) as I feel that I have done my work well. "After this film, if people think I am good at doing romcoms, that would be a victory for me," he said. "Love Per Square Foot" is an offering from Ronnie Screwvala's new
Ravi Kishan to foray into digital space
Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishan is all set to make his debut in the digital medium with a crime-based web series. The show, tentatively titled "The Family", will air on media mogul Ekta Kapoor's ALTBalaji online app. The actor is excited to explore the medium and this is also his first collaboration with Ekta. "Very very excited to debut in a web series and what better association than ALTBalaji. The concept is different and not explored much. This is also the first time that I am collaborating with Ekta Kapoor and I am very excited about it," Ravi said in a statement. Actor Vivek Oberoi is also on board the project, which will be his second stint in a web series. Vivek tweeted, "Welcome bro @ravikishann to 'The Family'. Ek aisa parivaar jahan Diwali goliyon se manayi jaati hai. Saath milkar dhamaka karenge. (A family where gunshots ring in Diwali. We will be explosive.) Haha! Looking forward to working together! @altbalaji #TheFamily.
Chinese Consulate holds 'Spring Festival' in Kolkata
In the run-up to the Chinese New Year, cultural troupes from the neighbouring country put up a splendid display of dance, music, ancient magic art and acrobatics at the 'Spring Festival' held here. Chinese Liuzhou Arts Theatre of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Acrobatic Group and Guilin Drama Creative Research Institute of Guangxi presented an over two-hour long show yesterday night. Consul General Ma Zhanwu said he was happy to see the response of the Indian audience, consisting high school students and others, as the musicians, magicians, dancers and acrobats performed on stage which proved art has its own language. "Also, during the acrobatic performance, an image of lotus came in the background. And lotus is the national flower of India. The image was put up with a purpose, to show our deep rooted ties," he said. The Consul said there is a lot of common interest shared between Indians and the Chinese, one of which is the love for music, literature and ...
'Spice Girls' aren't going on tour: Victoria Beckham
Putting all rumours to rest, 'Spice Girls' Victoria Beckham has said the band isn't going on tour."I'm not going on tour. The girls aren't going on tour," Beckham told British Vogue magazine, as reported by The Independent.It was recently reported that Victoria, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel B and Melanie C were preparing to embark on a reunion tour in the coming months.The five members, who have not been seen together since 2012, recently had a reunion in London. They met at Horner's Hertfordshire home accompanied by their former manager Simon Fuller."It was so great to see the girls. We had such a fun lunch. It was really, really, really lovely. I still speak to them all individually, but for us all to get together was really lovely.""There's something so strong in the message of what the Spice Girls stood for. What is that in the future? What does that look like? We were just bouncing ideas around. Brainstorming."While she's not up for a reunion tour right now, the fashion ...
'Cheerleader' singer set to make India debut
India is emerging as the new 'it' destination for musical tours and concerts - be it for its lively audience or heart-warming welcome.It has come to light that a Delhi-based event company is bringing 'Cheerleader's singer OMI to India for a debut three-city tour.The 31-year-old Jamaican singer-songwriter will make his first performance on February 23 in Mumbai, moving on to Delhi for a February 24 performance. He will end his multi-city tour in Hyderabad on February 25.The singer became a global music sensation when his chartbuster single, 'Cheerleader' hit the tides. The song was officially hailed as the 'Song Of The Summer' by Billboard weekly, after a successful six-week reign at #1 spot on 'Hot 100 Chart'.The whole trip is being organised by White Fox India, the company who had earlier brought Justin Bieber to the country in 2017.
The girl who flooded your social media is now a popular online meme
If you are amused by a new 'expression queen' who might be flooding your newsfeed, we shall tell you it's the rising Malayalam star Priya Prakash Varrier.The young actress, set to make her debut with 'Oru Adaar Love', a film celebrating the romance among the school students, became an overnight star among the netizens as her multiple expressions done in few seconds fed the fodder to multiple memes online.A Twitter user went on to compare the popular 'wink' pose of Priya to various iconic wynks in the Bollywood films.Another gave tongue in cheek remark as he compared Priya's expression to that of Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.A Twitter account Bollywood meme created a special calendar for the popular memes of 2018 including that of popular Anant ambani speech.Multiple Twitter fan accounts of the Malayalam sensation soon followed as the Instagram account of Priya Prakash got a blue tick. She currently has 1.8 million followers on the Instagram.Being a great sport, the actress posted ..
Harry Styles' LA mansion on the market
The singer-songwriter Harry Styles has put his Los Angeles home up for sale on the market.According to The Independent, the 'One Director' star has put a hefty price tag of eight million USD or 5.8 million GBP on the Hill mansion.The 4,400-square-feet house boasts of beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles with the backdrop of Pacific Ocean.The house is reported to have three bedrooms, five bathrooms, a gym, a screening room, a swimming pool, and a cabana.The LA mansion has been listed by Hilton & Hyland, a Beverly Hills Real Estate Brokerage that features luxury properties across Malibu, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles.Styles bought the house in January 2016 for the price of 6.87 million dollars or 4.97 million GBP at a discreet location of Hollywood Hills that also house stars like pop-queen Britney Spears, fellow '1-D' member Niall Horan, and 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' actor Matthew Perry.
Tiger Shroff makes entry into active lifestyle business
Actor Tiger Shroff has forayed into the active lifestyle business space with the brand PROWL.
Kriti begins 'Arjun Patiala' shoot (Movie Snippets)
Actress Kriti Sanon has started shooting for her upcoming film "Arjun Patiala" in Chandigarh.
Ravi Kishan to make his digital debut
Actor Ravi Kishan is set to make his digital debut with a crime-based web series, which is a project by Ekta Kapoor's ALTBalaji.