Page 1532 - Entertainment Culture

Malaysia bans screening of 'Padmaavat'

Malaysia's film censorship authority has banned Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial, 'Padmaavat' from screening in the country.Malaysia's Film Censorship Board (LPF) put the movie in its 'not approved' list and signed its age rating section as 'not relevant'.According to media reports, a movie producer familiar with the LPF's ratings told a leading Malaysian news portal that 'not relevant' remark signifies banned movies which are likely to incite communal uneasiness and hatred.Unlike in India, Malaysia's censor board has the ultimate power in terms of allowing or disallowing a film from screening. Their verdict cannot be questioned or upheld by any court of law.Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus stars Deepika Padukone in the lead role of Rani Padmini, Shahid Kapoor essays the role of Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh portrays Alauddin Khilji, the 13th Century ruler of the Khilji Dynasty.The film is based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a 13th century Hindu Rajput queen, ...

Didn't invite Deepika for casting for my film: Majid Majidi

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi today said he hoped to collaborate with Deepika Padukone in future after they missed the chance to work in his debut Indian film "Beyond the Clouds". In 2016, pictures of Deepika on the sets of the film had gone viral, prompting many to speculate that the "Padmaavat" actor was doing a look test for Majidi's film. The director, however, said the team did not invite the actor for an audition. "I must also mention a special thanks to Deepika for being extremely humble. We actually didn't invite her for casting, we just wanted to put her in the situation to get a feeling of the film. And she was quite humble," Majidi said. "For different reasons, the collaboration couldn't happen. But in future, I hope there is an opportunity where we can work together." The filmmaker was speaking today at the trailer launch of his film, "Beyond The Clouds", which was also attended by music composer, AR Rahman, and lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Malavika ...

'Back To Dad' gives a message that every youngster should learn: Johnny Lever

Actor-comedian Johnny Lever says that film "Back To Dad" gives a message to the audience which every youngster should learn.

Can focus on other projects now: Shahid post 'Padmaavat' release

Shahid Kapoor's much talked about film "Padmaavat" released last week and the actor says that now that the film is out of his system, he can focus on other projects.

Shahid is paternal figure to me: Ishaan Khatter

Budding actor Ishaan Khatter says his brother and Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor is an inspiring father figure to him.

Shahid like a teacher: Ishaan Khatter

Shahid Kapoor's half brother Ishaan Khatter, who is all set to make his big screen debut with Majid Majidi's "Beyond the Clouds", says the Bollywood star is a paternal figure in his life. On a question whether there will be competition with Shahid, Ishaan told reporters, "No, not at all. He is almost like a teacher, he is a paternal figure in my life. I learnt so much by watching him, I can't possibly consider myself a competition to him. In fact, I would say we are a team." The actor was speaking at the trailer launch of the film along with Majidi, music composer A R Rahman and co-star Malavika Mohanan here today. The film dwells on the intricacies of human relationships and revolves around a pair of brother and sister who, in a bid to help each other, end up in jail. Ishaan, who is also working in the Bollywood remake of Marathi movie "Sairat" produced by Karan Johar said he discussed Majidi's project with his mother Neelima Azeem, Shahid and Johar. "Because I stay ..

Raman Singh inaugurates FM radio studio in Raipur varsity

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday inaugurated FM radio studio at Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication here.Technical Education Minister, Prem Prakash Pandey was the special guest at the inauguration ceremony.The radio studio has been established to provide practical training to students."It will help students gain practical experience. This journalism varsity of Chhattisgarh is the first such university in India, which has radio and TV stations with its infrastructure as per the world standards. I have never seen such studio equipped with high-tech facilities," Chief Minister Raman Singh told media here.The transmission capacity of this radio station will be within the radius of 40 km. It can be heard at 90.8 frequency.Various plans of the State and Central government will be broadcasted from the radio station and the public will also be given regular updates on weather.

SC dismisses petition over Padmaavat

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition which sought deletion of certain scenes from film Padmaavat.The petition was filed by a lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma.The Sanjay Leela Bhansali magnum opus, which released on January 25, has been embroiled into controversy since its inception.While various Hindu and Rajput fringe outfits have raised objections over the epic drama, the Supreme Court has given a green signal to the film.The top court had set aside the notification passed by the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat to ban the release of the movie.Meanwhile, various fringe groups including Rajput Karni Sena went on a rampage and created ruckus all over India demanding a ban on the film.

'Padmaavat' running housefull in US theatres

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat" has been running to its full capacity in several theatres across the US in both standard format as well as IMAX 3D. In Houston alone, it has been running housefull in all AMC theatre locations with 24 shows a day since its opening. As per box office collections sources, the film has collected over USD 3,488,239 till Saturday. It has crossed all previous records for Bollywood movies by collecting USD 1,841,628 on January 27 in a single day across North America, racing past PK's USD 1,418,817. "'Padmaavat' has all the hallmarks of what might have been a universally celebrated Bollywood epic, a critically acclaimed director, A-list actors dressed in lavish finery, elaborate dance and action sequences, and a love story to tie it all together," said Anuva Kay, an avid bollywood fan, who watched first day first show with packed audience in Irving, Dallas. Anuva, who was born in US, said, "I still don't understand why the movie was the ...

SC dismisses plea against 'controversial' scenes in Padmaavat

The Supreme Court today rejected a plea filed by an advocate, the third by him, seeking deletion of some alleged controversial scenes from movie 'Padmaavat', saying the film has been cleared by the censor board. The top court stalled the third attempt by the lawyer, who had earlier filed two petitions seeking to prevent the release of movie starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, which too were dismissed. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said the film has been cleared by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Lawyer M L Sharma, in his fresh plea, referred to the apex court order of November 20 last year on one of his previous plea, ordering expunction of certain details about the movie from his petition on the ground that these may create "disharmony". He said when the apex court had ordered expunction of the paragraphs from his petition which dealt with the scenes of the movie, then those ...

Did not call Deepika for the casting for 'Beyond the Clouds': Majidi

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, whose first Indian film "Beyond The Cluds", stars newcomer Ishaan Khatter, actor Shahid Kapoor's younger brother and Malavika Mohanan, says that actress Deepika Padukone was not called for the casting of the film.

Grammy Awards organisers address women's under representation at gala

"There is no way we can really deal with everybody," Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich has said on the under-representation of women at the 60th edition of the gala.

Journalists celebrate 238th anniversary of India's first newspaper

Journalists and social activists in the Taj city celebrated Hicky's Day paying tributes to the fighter-journalist James Augustus Hicky who launched India's first newspaper, the Bengal Gazette, on January 29, 1780.

Rajat Kapoor plans to make 'RK/R Kay' through crowdfunding

Actor-director Rajat Kapoor, the man behind critically-acclaimed films such as "Mithya" and "Aankhon Dekhi", hopes to make his next film "RK/R Kay" this year by raising money via crowdfunding. The film is about a man who loses his reflection, an idea that the filmmaker said struck him seven years ago. Rajat needs to raise around Rs 2.30 crores for the film. "'RK/R Kay' will happen this year... With your help! We need 50000 people who'd give in rs 500 each. Or 5,000 people who'd give Rs 5,000 each or 50,000 people who'd give Rs 500 each either way, do it if you haven't done it already," he tweeted with the link to the campaign. On the film's campaign page, Crowdera, Kapoor said he had been trying to raise funds through conventional methods but without success, so he decided to take it to the public. "I know, many of you have wanted to be a part of this independent cinema movement, or wondered what you could do to help but did not know how. "Well, this is one way. Whatever ..

U2, Logic, call out Trump on 's**thole' comments at Grammys

At the Grammy Awards, artistes such as Camila Cabello, Logic, Sting and band U2 came forward in the support of countries which were called "sh*thole" by US President Donald Trump. The musicians took the stage at the 60th music gala to send a message to Trump on his reported derogatory remarks against immigrants from Haiti and Africa. Standing in solidarity with "DREAMers", children of undocumented immigrants who are fighting to stay in the US because of recent legislation, singer Camila Cabello called herself "a proud Cuban-Mexican immigrant" before she introduced U2's musical act. "Today, in this room full of music's dreamers, we remember that this country was built by dreamers, for dreamers, chasing the American dream. I'm here on this stage tonight because, just like the dreamers, my parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope. "They showed me what it means to work twice as hard and never give up. And honestly no part of my journey is any

Ravi Shankar, Rahman amazing musicians: Austrian composer

The talent of Indian music legends like sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and composer A.R. Rahman must be known the world over, says Austrian musician, composer, producer and DJ Parov Stelar, who is set to perform in India for the first time next month.

'Padmaavat' banned in Malaysia by censor board

Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed "Padmaavat" has been banned in Malaysia by the country's censor board as the film touches on the "sensitivities of Islam". The chairman of National Film Censorship Board (LPF) Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz has said the lavishly-mounted film was not cleared as it might offend the Muslims in the country. "The storyline of the film touches on the sensitivities of Islam. That in itself is a matter of grave concern in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country," Aziz was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today. The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on the 16th century epic, "Padmaavat" by poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The film faced controversy at home as well after various Rajput groups accused Bhansali of "distorting historical facts" with the portrayal of queen Padmavati, a claim repeatedly denied by him. According to the report, Aziz said the distributors of the film had filed an appeal against the ban which would ..

She is entitled to her opinion: Bollywood on Swara's letter

Bollywood celebrities such Ayushmann Khurrana and director Imtiaz Ali have said that while Swara Bhasker, who has criticised the depiction of 'jauhar' in "Padmaavat", is entitled to her opinion, they found nothing objectionable in the movie. Bhasker slammed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for apparently glorifying jauhar (mass sati) in the period drama, which released last week after months of controversy. Ayushmann said while everyone is entitled to their opinion, a filmmaker should be respected for his or her perspective. "A movie does two jobs: either it gives something to the society or it takes from it. Every director has his or her own perspective. The intention of every piece of art is to cause a debate, a discussion, there are critics also who discuss and then the audience also gives its opinion. So, everyone has their own opinion. Art is always subjective, never objective," The actor said at the red carpet of Mirchi Music Awards. Actor Divya Dutta said she agrees

Now 'Padmaavat' gets barred from release in Malaysia

Controversial Bollywood movie "Padmaavat", which has released in India after a struggle, is now barred from opening in cinemas in Malaysia over concerns regarding "sensitivities of Islam".

Lebanese newspaper, editor sued for insulting Saudi king

Lebanon's public prosecutor has filed a lawsuit against ad-Diyar newspaper and its owner and editor-in-chief Charles Ayoub on charges of insulting Saudi King Salman, the daily has said.