Page 1579 - Entertainment Culture

Dolly Parton earns two Guinness World Records on birthday eve

A day before turning 72, singer Dolly Parton has been awarded two certificates for her inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. The music legend earned two Guinness World Records -- one for most decades with a top 20 hit on the US Country Songs chart and another for the most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist, said a statement. Parton expressed her happiness over receiving the world records. "To receive these two Guinness World Records is so great. Joining so many wonderful singers and songwriters who have been honoured this way feels so special to me. "You never know when you start out with your work how it's going to turn out, but to have these two world records makes me feel very humbled and blessed!", she added. Parton edged out other country music icons George Jones, Elvis Presley and Reba McEntire, and is the the only artist with top 20 hits on across six consecutive decades, from 1960 to 2010. Parton's first top 20 entry was ...

Working on a film in the 'Being Cyrus' space: Homi Adajania

Homi Adajania last directed a film more than three years ago but the filmmaker plans to start shooting for his next soon and it would be on the lines of his successful comedy "Being Cyrus". "Being Cyrus", starring Saif Ali Khan, released in 2006 and was Homi's directorial debut. It was the story of a dysfunctional Parsi family. "I'm working on a mind-bending concept, which is closer to my 'Being Cyrus' space, but on steroids! It's an interesting concept that is unique to India. If it works out the way I want it, I'll start that mid next year. If it doesn't, then I have a very funny option that I'm excited about as well," Homi told PTI. There were reports that the director had written a story about women in a family running a cocaine cartel. When asked about the progress on the project, Homi revealed that he wrote it as a web series but it was now being adapted for the big screen. "'Saas Bahu aur Cocaine' is a story I had written as a web series and currently that is ...

Actor Soumitra turns 83; greetings pour in from CM, film stars

Legendary Bengali actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Soumitra Chatterjee turned 83 today. Greetings poured in for the thespian from across the Bengali film fraternity and political circles. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee took to Twitter to greet the veteran actor. "Wishing Soumitra da (Soumitra Chatterjee) a very happy birthday. May you give us many more memorable characters on screen," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle. Prosenjit, who recently shared screen space with Chatterjee in the film 'Mayurakshi', said more than a co-actor, he was like a family member. "Soumitra Chatterjee, the man who I look upto as an inspiration, a guide and a great co-actor is no less than a legend to the world. For me more than a co-actor he is like my family and on his special day, I would like to wish Soumitra Kaku many many happy returns of the day," Prosenjit tweeted. Popular actor and Trinamool Congress MP Dev also wished ...

Positive buzz for both 'Padman' and 'Padmaavat': Radhika Apte

Actor Radhika Apte is not worried about the box office clash between "Padman" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavati", and says except for the opening day, both the films should sail smoothly. "Padmaavat" had to miss its release on December 1 due to protests by Rajput organisations. The film, initially titled "Padmavati", is now set to be released on January 25 with "Padman". Radhika, however, is confident about "Padman" as the audience has so far responded positively to the trailer and the songs. She has also seen the trailer of "Padmaavat" and finds it "amazing". "I feel there is positive buzz about both the films and there is an audience for both. It is not even comparable. There is nothing common between 'Padman' and 'Padmaavat'," Radhika told PTI. "The audience will be split and it (films) will open to lesser numbers. The opening will be affected, but I don't think it will affect the overall game of a film as people want to watch both the films." "Padman" is based

Won't work with Woody Allen again, says Colin Firth

Hollywood heavyweight Colin Firth has become the latest actor to distance himself from the acclaimed director Woody Allen, saying that he will not work with him again.According to The Guardian, the 57-year-old actor, who starred opposite Emma Stone in Allen's 2014 movie 'Magic in the Moonlight' gave this statement on the same day when Dylan Farrow gave her first televised interview accusing her adopted father Allen of sexually assaulting her.Firth said, "I wouldn't work with him again."He had worked with Allen before Farrow published an open letter the following year alleging that her father molested her in an attic and accusing Hollywood of turning a "blind eye".The Oscar-winning actor is the latest in a strong list of actors to move away from Allen following his daughter's claims.Selena Gomez, who stars in his upcoming film 'A Rainy Day In New York' has made a "significant donation" to the Time's Up Legal Defence Fund.Her co-star Timothee Chalamet also donated his fee, splitting the

'My Birthday Song': Thriller in pursuit of relentless thrills (Review)

Film: "My Birthday Song"; Director: Samir Soni; Cast: Sanjay Suri, Nora Fatehi, Zenia Starr; Rating: ***

Young woman arrested for boxer's murder

A woman photo-journalism student has been arrested along with two male accomplices on charges of killing a boxer who she alleged had been blackmailing her, police said on Friday.

'The Way We Were' actor dead

Actor Bradford Dillman, known for his work in "Compulsion" and "The Way We Were", is dead. He was 87.

SC rejects lawyer's plea to stop 'Padmaavat' release

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea filed by lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma, claiming the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to Sanjay Leela Bansali's 'Padmaavat' was illegal.A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said in a statement, "The court has to function as a constitutional court and it has already in its interim order said yesterday that the states can't block a movie from screening 'Padmaavat'."The court on Thursday stayed notifications issued by four states - Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat - to ban the release of the film 'Padmaavat'.In its interim order, the court said all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film after permission has been granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).The flick has run into trouble time and again, as members of several Rajput factions have ...

Stephany joins as 'Toy Story 4' screenwriter

Stephany Folsom has been roped in as the new screenwriter for "Toy Story 4", set for release on June 21, 2019.

Michael B Jordan is 'technically' single

"Creed" star Michael B Jordon says he is dating but is not in a serious relationship. The 30-year-old actor, who originally hails from California, said after he moved to LA, getting in a relationship does not seem like a good idea. "(I'm) dating, but technically single," Jordon told WSJ Magazine. "LA isn't the best place to date. No offence to LA," he added. The actor said even if he finds a girlfriend he has to take approval from his parents, who happened to be his "roommates".

Song by Thane EuroSchool kids to be part of German album

A song composed by ten students of the city-based EuroSchool has been selected to feature among 23 songs for a German music album called Eine Welt (One World). This is the only school from Asia, whose song will feature in the album. The contest, which received 400 entries from across the globe, was organised by Engagement Global in association with the German Federal President's school development policy. An official release by the school said, "EuroSchool Thane's song "Ich Bin Ich" (I am me) has been selected in German contest "Dein Song Fuer Eine Welt" (Your Song for One World), an initiative towards creating an album aimed at world peace and harmony." "The participants were required to create a song themed around global development covering issues like racial discrimination, gender inequality and religious discrimination. The song was required to have original lyrics and voice composition. The participants were to abstain from voice enhancements," the statement ...

Malala Yousafzai biopic 'Gul Makai' being shot in Kashmir

Bollywood film 'Gul Makai', based on the life of teenager Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, is being shot in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir for the last few days.Directed by Amjad Khan, the cast of the film includes Reem Shaikh, Divya Dutta, Mukesh Rishi, Abhimanyu Singh and Ajaz Khan."The film chronicles the journey of Malala from her days in Swat Valley to her becoming the youngest Noble peace prize winner. Major part of the film has already been shot in Bhuj and Mumbai and we are here in Kashmir to shoot the last leg of the movie," said Khan.He further said the film aims to capture Malala's spirit, her fight, and also the reality and suffering of the people of Pakistan.At the age of 17, Malala became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012.She founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit organisation and in 2013 co-authored 'I am Malala', an international bestseller. She has ...

'The Commuter': Typical Liam Neeson fare (IANS Review, Rating: **1/2)

Film: "The Commuter"; Director: Jaume Collet-Serra; Cast: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks and Sam Neil; Rating: **1/2

Feel lucky to be in huge film like 'Total Dhamaal': Niharica Raizada

Actress Niharica Raizada, who has earlier acted in "Waarrior Savitri", will next be seen in "Total Dhamaal". She says she feels lucky to be part of such a huge film.

Of longing, friendships, Buddha and desire (IANS Books This Weekend)

Read a compelling translation of a masterpiece by Rabindranath Tagore, delve into the friendship of three flatmates in London, enjoy the thrills that an obsessed seductress unleashes on a perfect couple, and finally take a look at the world of godmen, spiritual seekers, and the men and women whose lives are ruled by the sex market and its overlords.

Colin Firth won't work with Woody Allen again

Actor Colin Firth has said he will not do any projects with Woody Allen in the future.

Luke Kleintank joins 'The Goldfinch'

Actor Luke Kleintank is set to join the ensemble cast in a movie adaptation of the book "The Goldfinch".

Contemporary uncanny: Modern-day mysteries that defy solution (Book Review)

Title: The Mysterium: Unexplained and Extraordinary Stories for a Post-Nessie Generation; Author: David Bramwell & Jo Keeling; Publisher: Brewers/Hachette India; Pages: 256; Price: Rs 699

You won our hearts: Bollywood celebs thank Netanyahu

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bonding here with film celebrities -- who have described it an honour and privilege to meet him -- was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "wonderful".