Page 1582 - Entertainment Culture
Haasan bats for "Dravidian" identity to take on Centre
Top actor Kamal Haasan, who is set to embark on a political tour of Tamil Nadu next month, today batted for unity among Southern states under the "Dravidian" tag to leverage ties with the Centre. "It is our identity, and it will give the southern states a leverage with the Centre," the actor said. Writing in his weekly column in a Tamil magazine, "Ananda Vikatan," he said the Chief Ministers of all southern states --Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh-- were 'Dravidians,' and there was no need to stake claim that only Tamilian was 'Dravidian.' When the Dravidian identity is "celebrated," across South India, it will lead to a united "chorus," that will reach New Delhi, he said. "When this thought gains roots, it will add up to our strength," Haasan said. The actor also said "Dravidam," (a word meaning South India) was not Tamil Nadu specific but pan-India having facets of history, anthropology and archaeology. "I can show you a man in Bihar with your ...
Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri passes away
Eminent cartoonist and author Chandi Lahiri died at a hospital here today, his family members said. He was 87. He was admitted to the R G Kar Hospital two days ago after he was diagnosed with pneumonia, his family said. Lahiri was suffering from age-related ailments for quite some time. He is survived by his wife and daughter. His cartoons reflected the socio-political situation in West Bengal and the entire country for over 50 years. The popular cartoonist had a large fan following among the readers of various newspapers, where his works appeared, including in a leading vernacular daily here. His distinctive style made him an institution and his cartoons were used even in various government campaigns. He had started his career as a journalist in 1952 and became a full-time cartoonist in the next one decade. Lahiri had also penned several books on cartoons, including 'Bangla Cartooner Itihas' (History of cartoons in Bngal). Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to .
Backdoors 2018 set to debut in Mumbai
Music festival Backdoors 2018, which puts a spotlight on indie artistes, will be held in Mumbai for the first time on February 14.
I am not anti-Hindu, I am anti-Modi: Prakash Raj
Actor Prakash Raj said on Thursday that he was not anti-Hindu as alleged by critics but only anti-Modi.
'Nude' gets 'A' certificate without cuts
Marathi film "Nude", which was dropped from the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has received A certificate from the CBFC, without any cuts. The director of the film, Ravi Jadhav, took to Twitter to thank the special jury team of the Central Board of Film Certification, presided by actor Vidya Balan, for their support. "Our film 'Nude' received an 'A' certificate without any cuts! The entire CBFC special jury team headed by Mrs Vidya Balan gave us a standing ovation! Thank you everyone for your kind support," Jadhav wrote. The film, which depicts the struggle of a woman secretly working as a nude model in Mumbai, was pulled out from the Indian Panorama section of the 48th edition of the film festival, which was held in Goa last year in November. The exclusion of "Nude", along with Malayalam film "S Durga" days before IIFI's opening, had created an uproar after the I and B Ministry overruled the festival jury's decision of screening the movies at the ...
SC stays ban, 'Padmaavat' to be screened pan-India on Jan 25
The Supreme Court today paved the way for the nationwide release of Bollywood movie 'Padmaavat' on January 25 by lifting the ban on the screening of the controversial film in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The apex court also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film, based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. The decks were cleared for the release of the film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, as the apex court stayed the orders and notifications issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat governments prohibiting its screening. Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments had not issued any formal order but had stated that they would not allow the exhibition of the film. Creative content, including theatre and cinema, are "inseparable aspects" of the right to freedom of speech and expression ...
'Padmaavat' ban to stay in MP, government to study SC order: Minister
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said on Thursday that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat" continues to remain banned in the state and the government would take its next step in the matter after studying the Supreme Court order.
Madhur Bhandarkar hails SC's decision of clearing 'Padmaavat' release
National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court's order to stay the ban on the release of controversial film 'Padmavaat'."I welcome the judgment of the court for giving green signal to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus. It's a great news for the filmmaker and the cine goers who are looking forward to watch the film," Bhandarkar told ANI.The 49-year-old further said, "I hope the state government will provide security for the cine goers and definitely it will be a smooth release."Earlier in the day, the top court stayed notifications issued by the four states -Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat - to ban the release of Bhansali's film.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).Producers of 'Padmaavat' yesterday moved the top ...
Sharing of taxes by central government is discriminatory: Kamal Haasan
Tamil and Hindi movie actor Kamal Haasan has said he feels that the sharing of taxes by the central government is discriminatory and if all the southern states celebrate Dravidianism then the discrimination may not be there.
Film stars willing to act for free for Swachh Bharat: Minister
Film stars are willing to act free of cost and even contribute in person towards popularising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission, Union Minister for Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar said on Thursday.
Bollywood welcomes Supreme Court's stay on 'Padmaavat' ban
Bollywood celebrities say their faith in Indian judiciary has been restored after the Supreme Court today allowed the country-wide release of controversial movie "Padmaavat" on January 25. The apex court stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the lavishly- mounted period drama in their states. Fraternity members such as actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Rahul Dev, director Madhur Bhandarkar and author Chetan Bhagat took to social media to thank the court for its timely intervention. Ayushmann touted SC's verdict as the "best news of the day". "Best news of the day which restores faith in our democracy: Supreme Court suspends ban imposed by four states on 'Padmaavat', restrains other states from issuing similar orders," he wrote on Twitter. Bhandarkar congratulated the team of the film for the breakthrough. "I welcome the Honourable Supreme Court's decision of withdrawing the ban on 'Padmaavat'... Congrats to the entire ...
It's frustrating: Sharmila Tagore on 'Padmaavat' ban
Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore has rued that people in the industry don't speak on issues like ban on "Padmaavat" fearing "instant backlash" and an impact on business. "Today if you speak up, there is an instant backlash and it does affect your film. People really don't want to go and see a film, if they feel there will be unrest or violence," she said. "Also the producers don't want you to say anything because they say our business will get affected. So don't be too heroic about it. So everybody is looking at their business angle... They feel this will die down," Tagore told Barkha Dutt at the book launch of daughter Soha Ali Khan last night. "Padmaavat", whose release was pushed due to protests from various Rajput groups over the alleged portrayal of queen Padmini, was banned by four states -- Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan -- even after a clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification. The makers finally decided to move the Supreme Court, which
Tried making best film in every episode: 'The Test Case' director
Marking his directorial debut with web series "The Test Case", Vinay Waikul says he tried to make the best film in every episode.
SC stayed ban order sans listening to us, says Anil Vij
Responding to the Supreme Court order to stay the ban on the release of 'Padmavaat' in four states - Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat - Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the court has given the decision without listening to their side."Supreme Court gave the decision without listening to our side. Since it is the highest judicial forum, we will abide by the decision. We will also examine the decision and see if there is any scope of appealing against it," Vij told ANI.Earlier in the day, the top court stayed notifications issued by the four states to ban the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali magnum-opus.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).Producers of 'Padmaavat' yesterday moved the top court to convince the aforementioned states to ...
Salman is supportive of whatever I do: Maniesh Paul
Actor Maniesh Paul, who has made his singing debut with the song "Harjai" along with Romanian TV presenter Iulia Vantur, says superstar Salman Khan has been very supportive of whatever he does.
Aamir wants to do films with talent from China
Superstar Aamir Khan says it will be wonderful if Chinese and Indian talents make a film together.
'Tiger Zinda Hai' snubbed at Filmfare Awards 2018 nominations
Salman Khan's "Tiger Zinda Hai" shook the Bollywood box office from slumber by registering record-breaking business last year, and "Newton" got global acclaim by becoming India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars 2018. But the two films failed to earn a nomination in the main categories for the 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018.
Hang me but won't let 'Padmaavat' to be screened: Suraj Pal Amu
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court order to stay the ban on the release of 'Padmavaat', Rajput community leader Suraj Pal Amu on Thursday said that he would continue protesting against the film."Today's Supreme Court order has hurt the feelings of crores of Hindus. The protest against the film will continue even if I'm hanged," Amu told ANI.He added, "The release of the film will divide the nation."Amu said that the top court did not take into consideration the struggle that the Rajput community had to undergo.Meanwhile, members of the Rajput community in Chattisgarh's Raipur have threatened to burn down the cinema halls that would screen the film.In its interim order, the apex court said all the states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film as permission had been granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to release the movie.Senior lawyer, Harish Salve, and former attorney general Mukul .
Not for money in Bollywood, want to experiment: Diljit Dosanjh
He is already a superstar in Punjab and now Diljit Dosanjh is keen to establish himself in the Hindi film industry by doing quality cinema. The actor, who made a promising debut in Bollywood with "Udta Punjab", said rather than running after money, he wants to be associated with interesting projects. Diljit's upcoming Hindi movies include "Soorma", a biopic on hockey player Sandeep Singh, "Welcome To New York" with Sonakshi Sinha and a film with producer Ramesh Taurani. "I am not earning a lot of money in Bollywood. I am earning (more) money by doing shows and Punjabi films than Hindi films. Let me establish myself here (in Bollywood). I am not running after money in Bollywood, I am experimenting with films and roles here," Diljit told PTI in an interview. The actor-singer has been bombarded with offers from B- town filmmakers but wants to do only those roles that are integral to the story. "Last year in Bollywood, I said 'no' to more films than saying 'yes'. The reason ..
Kabil Sibal welcomes SC's 'Padmaavat' verdict
Congress leader Kabil Sibal on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's green signal to the controversial film 'Padmaavat' and hoped that the states against its release would honour the apex court's verdict."Extremely excited and it is the vindication of the rights of the artists and it is the vindication of the right to freedom of speech and I think Supreme court should be congratulated for upholding not just freedom of speech but the right of artist to present the story in the manner he or she wishes", Sibal told ANI."I hope that states concerned will honour the verdict and don't create hurdles for its implementation on the ground", he added.In its interim order, the apex court had said that 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).Producers of 'Padmaavat' on Wednesday moved the top court to convince the ...