Page 1537 - Entertainment Culture
Digital format will be more rewarding in future: Madhavan
R Madhavan is the latest actor to join the digital bandwagon and he believes the online platform will become "more creatively liberating" and a major money- spinner in the future. The 47-year-old actor, who stepped into the digital arena with Amazon Prime Video's original "Breathe", said he took up the web series as the experience was nothing less than working on a film. "I think it is going to be more creatively liberating and financially more rewarding medium in the near future," Madhavan told PTI in a interview. As a lot of people in India have already conditioned themselves to quality series such as "House of Cards" and others, Madhavan said as an actor he was very keen to explore this new format. "Audience here (in India) would have watched web series and have set standards, so if I am going to enter in this form then I got to be better or be as good as they are. I was not sure if India was getting that kind of content. "When I heard the idea of 'Breathe' I was ...
Asha Bhosle to receive Yash Chopra Memorial Award
Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle will be conferred with Yash Chopra Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to the Hindi film industry. Bhosle, 84, whose illustrious music career spans nearly seven decades and recorded over 11,000 songs in 20 different languages, has been a selected for the award instituted in the memory of the filmmaker. The award jury members comprising Chopra's wife Pamela Chopra, filmmakers Boney Kapoor, Madhur Bhandarkar, singer Alka Yagnik, actor Padmini Kohlapure, scriptwriter Honey Irani, and Anu and Shashi Ranjan made the announcement last evening here. Bhosle will be presented with the award on February 16, where Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will be the Chief Guest. The list of previous recipients include the likes of melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and actors Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Shah Rukh Khan. The award has been instituted by MP T Subbarami Reddy in the memory of Chopra, who died in 2012, in association with Anu ..
Sushmita Sen to walk for Kotwara at Lakme Fashion Week
Actor Sushmita Sen is all set to turn showstopper for poet-filmmaker Muzaffar Ali and his producer wife Meera Ali's label, Kotwara at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Spring 2018. The former Miss Universe has been roped in to walk for the collection 'Samanzar - A Garden of Flowers', which blends the old with the new under the couple's daughter Sama Ali's guidance, read a statement. The clothing line presents a range of exotic occasion wear textured with softly coloured pearls and sequins on arabesque forms. The collection will showcase innovated forms of Chikankari, Zardozi, Aari and Muqqaish, including the creation of silhouettes, with fine muslin, sheer chiffons that blend with velvet and brocade. The classic Kotwara style which reminds about the glory of Awadh (present-day Lucknow) will be seen in flowing capes and shrugs to the sharara and sari. The palette has whites contrasted against black with a touch of vintage rose and gold. LFW runs from January 31 to ...
Faced rejections from production houses for my film: Konkona
Actor Konkona Sen Sharma has said she endured several rejections before finding like-minded producers for her directorial debut 'A Death in the Gunj'. Expressing apprehensions over her next venture, Sen Sharma said the situation might be worse for industry newcomers. "I had a huge privilege, having been an actor in this industry for many years. It was easy for me to meet people. Not that all of them agreed though The film was rejected by four-five studios. Then the right set of people came and it was made, although with limited resources," she said yesterday during a session at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here. Sen Sharma, daughter of eminent actor and filmmaker Aparna Sen, got the best director award for 'A Death in the Gunj' at the 2017 New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). The film also fetched two Filmfare awards. Recalling the days when she was writing the script for the film, the 'Omkara' actor said, "When I was writing it, I knew that someone who comes ..
I choose gap between films over non-exciting work, says Pooja
Pooja Chopra is back on the big screen after a gap of two years and the actor says she prefers a long wait over featuring in films she does not believe in. The Miss India-turned-actor, who will next be seen in Neeraj Pandey's "Aiyaari", made her Bollywood debut opposite Vidyut Jamwal in "Commando" four years ago. "I don't enjoy the gap but good script, cast and crew are not easy to get. It is difficult for me to put myself into something I don't want to be in. "The films that came my way weren't the ones I wanted to be a part of. That's why there were more 'no's' to scripts than 'yes's'," Pooja told PTI in an interview. The actor was last seen in the forgettable film, "Yea Toh Two Much Ho Gayaa" in 2016. Pooja said that breaks between films bother her but she is ready to take on the challenge and wait for good content to come her way. "I am going to be lying if I say the gap doesn't bother. But I don't like to force myself to do something I am not up for. I'd rather don't
Following all rules of Govinda-ism in 'Fry Day': Director
"Fry Day" director Abhishek Dogra is confident Govindas dry phase will end with "Fry Day" as he has tried to incorporate all elements that the actor is known for.
My book predicted Trump's election: Rushdie
Indian-born British author Salman Rushdie has said his book "The Golden House" predicted the election of US President Donald Trump although he was sure of Hillary Clinton winning.
Writers must weave tales to enthuse young readers: Ramendra
Children take keen interest in stories and writers and story tellers must churn out tales which can entertain and enthuse young ones, says noted writer Ramendra Kumar. This will wean away the young minds from the distractions of the virtual world, said the well-known award winning children's writer. "The notion that children are not interested in stories is incorrect," Kumar said while narrating his experience at Jaipur Literature Festival, where he was invited to participate. Author of at least 33 books, Kumar said he conducted story telling sessions in several schools as part of the Jaipur Literature Festival Outreach. Kumar, who happens to be the Chief of Communications of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), visited a number of schools and interacted with the students in the age group 7 to 14 years and in numbers ranging from 100 to more than 400. The students were from various backgrounds and were comfortable in different languages, the author said adding for the first time
Ravi Shankar's sitar to take centrestage at 'Beatles in India'
A sitar used by late Pandit Ravi Shankar will be the centre of attraction at a new UK exhibition to celebrate 50 years since the Beatles tour of India to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in 1968. The sitar has been loaned to theBeatles Story museum in Liverpoolby the Ravi Shankar Foundation for the showcase, which opens in the city on February 15 to run for two years. The members of the famous band John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison had arrived at the ashram in Rishikesh on February 15, 1968. The 'Beatles in India' exhibition will look at the relatively secretive part of the popular music group's story, with never-before-seen memorabilia, imagery and personal accounts from the people who spent time with the band on their India visit. "The 1968 visit was an important time of reflection for The Beatles as their manager, Brian Epstein, had sadly passed away in the summer of 1967, and they escaped away from their fans and the media in search of ...
Kesha 'nervous' ahead of Grammy performance
Singer Kesha said she is "nervous" and "overwhelmed" ahead of her performance at the Grammy Awards. The 31-year-old singer will perform her Grammy-nominated song "Praying", which she also co-wrote amid her legal battle with producer Dr Luke, whom she has accused of rape and abuse. "When I wrote 'Praying', with Ben Abraham and Ryan Lewis, I just felt as if I had gotten a huge weight off of my shoulders," Kesha wrote on Twitter. She also shared a picture of Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the annual music gala will be held. "It felt like an emotional raw victory for myself, one step closer to healing. I never could have known what would've happened these past few years," the singer added. The song features in her new album 'Rainbow'. "I just want to say that I needed this song in a very real way. I'm so proud and nervous and overwhelmed to be performing it at the Grammys on Sunday, and if you need it, I hope this song finds you," she wrote. Kesha is nominated ..
Bhansali ought to answer for thoughtlessly glorifying Sati:
Actor Swara Bhasker has criticised director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for "thoughtlessly glorifying" Sati and Jauhar practices in his latest release, "Padmaavat". The 29-year-old actor wrote a blistering open letter to Bhansali, published on news website The Wire, in which she condemned the filmmaker for presenting the criminalised archaic customs in a "breathtakingly shot" manner. Swara said Bhansali, whom she respects and has worked for in "Guzaarish", had set a dangerous precedent in questioning the laws of the land. "In independent India, The Indian Sati Prevention Act (1988) further criminalised any type of aiding, abetting, and glorifying of Sati. "Your act of thoughtlessly glorifying this misogynistic criminal practice is something you ought to answer for, Sir. As your ticket-buying audience, I have the right to ask you how and why you did this," she wrote. Swara said the climax which shows multitude of women dressed in red marching towards their deaths "seduced the ..
'Indiana Jones V' to begin filming in 2019
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is reportedly planning to film "Indiana Jones V" before working on the new adaptation of the Broadway musical "West Side Story".
Three women accuse Jeremy Piven of sexual misconduct
Actor Jeremy Piven has been hit with fresh allegations of sexual misconduct. Three more women have come forward with their stories of abuse at the hands of the "Entourage" star, who has already been accused of misbehaviour by five women. According to a report from BuzzFeed News, the women alleged that they experienced aggressive sexual advances from Piven. One women, a background actor, claimed that the actor forcefully pinned her down on a couch after following her to the trailer, while another woman said Piven turned physically aggressive with her during an intimate encounter. The third woman said the actor pushed her against a wall and tried to force her to engage in sexual intercourse. The incidents occurred between 1985 and 1996. Piven has denied the fresh set of allegations. "These allegations, which in one case goes back more than 30 years and the two others more than 20 years ago, are false," the actor said in a statement. "As evidenced by the lie detector test I ...
Sharon Stone hopes Weinstein goes to jail
Actress Sharon Stone hopes disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein goes to jail.
'Baywatch' star claims Scott Baio molested her
"Baywatch" star Nicole Eggert has accused actor-director Scott Baio of molesting her when she was a minor. He has denied the charge.
My parents brimmed with pride on watching 'Padmaavat': Deepika
Actress Deepika Padukone, who faced threats over "Padmaavat", says she remained confident throughout the row due to the upbringing she got from her parents, who were full of pride after watching the movie.
Mammootty-Ganesh Kumar tussle over AMMA control out in the open
The tussle between Kerala superstar Mammootty and actor-turned-legislator K.B. Ganesh Kumar over control of the powerful Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) is now out in the open, with the superstar seemingly not keen on allowing the latter to the helm.
Craft of acting can be taught: Manoj Bajpayee
National Award winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, whose forthcoming release is Neeraj Pandey's "Aiyaary", says the craft of acting can be taught but it needs relentless passion from the learner.
'Call Me by Your Name' dir to tackle HIV and AIDS in sequel
'Call Me by Your Name' director Luca Guadagnino says he aims to address the HIV-AIDS crisis in the planned sequel of the movie. Based on the novel of the same name which takes place at the height of the AIDS epidemic in 1987, the gay romance film showcased Elio and Oliver's summer love story to 1983, around the time HIV was discovered. The 46-year-old filmmaker said the disease would be "a very relevant part" of the next installment. "I think it's going to be a very relevant part of the story. I think Elio (Timothee Chalamet) will be a cinephile, and I'd like him to be in a movie theatre watching Paul Vecchiali's "Once More" (a 1988 film about a man who falls in love with a man after he leaves his wife, which was the first French movie to deal with AIDS). That could be the first scene (in the sequel). "The novel has 40 pages at the end that goes through the next 20 years of the lives of Elio and Oliver (Armie Hammer), so there is some sort of indication through the ...
McGowan's lists Hollywood Hills house for USD 1.9 mn
Actor Rose McGowan has listed her contemporary residence above Nichols Canyon in the Hollywood Hills for sale at USD 1.9 million. The 44-year-old actor-turned-activist bought the 1960s hillside residence in late 2011 for USD 1.39 million, Variety reported. The mansion is spread over 2,923-square-foot of area, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms on two floors. There are two guest bedrooms on the upper floor, a master bedroom, and a broad concrete terrace with a green planted and custom-lit hillside towards its back. McGowan, who was one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of rape, had earlier said she was selling her house to pay for the legal fees to continue her fight against the disgraced Hollywood producer.