Page 1586 - Entertainment Culture

'Vodka Diaries': A Thriller unlike any other (Film Review)

Film: "Vodka Diaries"; Starring: K.K. Menon, Mandira Bedi, Raima Sen, Sharib Hashmi; Director: Kushal Shrivastava; Rating: ***(3 stars)

Woody Allen backlash grows as daughter says telling 'truth'

Woody Allen was thrust to the fore today of the sexual harassment watershed sweeping the United States when his daughter revived child molestation allegations against the famed director, asking the world to finally believe her. Dylan Farrow's claim that the director touched her inappropriately as a seven-year-old first surfaced a quarter of a century ago in the wake of her mother's acrimonious split from Allen, who ran off in 1992 with his lover's adoptive daughter from a previous marriage, Soon-Yi Previn, 21 years old at the time. But the legendary director of more than 50 movies, winner of four Oscars and showered with awards in Europe, has always denied the allegations. The claims were never proven and the 82-year-old director has continued to enjoy a glittering career. But the sexual harassment firestorm that has brought down Hollywood titans such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, and rocked industry, politics and the media, has fueled a growing backlash ...

Madhya Pradesh MP advises all states to ban 'Padmaavat' to maintain law, order

Member of Parliament (MP) from Madhya Pradesh, CP Joshi, on Wednesday said if people do not want the controversial movie 'Padmaavat' to be release, then state governments should ban the film to maintain law and order situation."Earlier as well we raised this topic in Lok Sabha. We wrote several letters to the Censor Board and Smriti Irani. We always demanded that the distorted history or facts should not be presented in the front of the people of India. If the people do not want any movie to be released then the respective state government should ban the film to maintain law and order," Joshi told ANI.Despite the clearance from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), 'Padmaavat' won't be released in Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Joshi had earlier requested Home Minister Rajnath Singh to allow the release of 'Padmavati' only after obtaining approval of Mewar's royal family and historians.In the letter, Rajasthan's Chittorgarh MP had

In MP, people should not play banned 'Padmaavat' songs: Home Minister

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh on Wednesday said the people should not play the songs of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Padmaavat', as it has been banned by the state government.Reacting to the incident when members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena vandalised a school in Ratlam for performing the dance number 'Ghoomar', Singh said, "If the Madhya Pradesh government has banned the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus, then the people should refrain from even playing the songs since those are part of the film."He also criticised the members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena and said, "Going inside a school and creating a ruckus like this is not at all acceptable. If someone plays a banned song, it must be reported to the police. A police enquiry will definitely be carried out against those involved."The incident was reported from Saint Paul's Convent School where students from grades one to five performed on the 'Ghoomar' song during their annual day ...

Shankar Mahadevan mesmerises Yerwada prison inmates

The walls of one of the largest prisons in South Asia reverberated with the melodious voice of Shankar Mahadevan on Wednesday.The playback singer enthralled the prison inmates of Yerwada jail with soulful music.Speaking about the performance, Mahadevan said, "I can never forget this experience in my lifetime. Thanks to all the people for this amazing experience. It was very inspiring. They were the most amazing audience and I am touched by them."The event was organised by the Maharashtra prison department, in collaboration with a Foundation.ADG (Prison) Bhushankumar Upadhyay also termed Mahadevan's performance as the best so far."It was a thrilling experience for the inmates. We hold a number of programmes in the jail but this was the best so far. Such programmes reform them," he said.

Likes balancing between serious and light-hearted roles: Taapsee Pannu

Actress Taapsee Pannu, who will soon be seen in rom-com "Dil Juungleee", says she enjoys balancing between intense serious and comedy roles.

Rajini, Haasan share dais amid political buzz

Amid hype over their political entry, the Tamil film industry's top two actors, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, today shared the dais at a function here with the former saying only time will tell whether he will forge an alliance with the latter. Asked about forging ties with Haasan, who is set to embark on a political tour next month, Rajinikanth said, "only time will be able to tell that. Let us see in due course of time." The veteran actors were at a function where the pooja for the film 'Kizhakku Africavil Raju' (Raju in East Africa) was being conducted. The movie is being planned as a sequel "in motion capture technology" to AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran starrer, the 1973 superhit 'Ulagam Sutrum Valiban,' film industry sources said. Rajinikanth, who had announced on December 31 that he would form his party before the next state assembly polls, snapped the clapboard and Haasan inaugurated the shoot. The sequel to the movie could not be done

President confers Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, fellowships

Noted theatre personality Ram Gopal Bajaj, dancer and historian Sunil Kothari, Carnatic music exponent R Vedavalli and famous Sitar player Arvind Parikh were conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi's fellowships (Akademi Ratna) by President Ram Nath Kovind today. In a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kovind also presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) to 43 eminent artists in five categories for the year 2016. Speaking on the occasion, Kovind said while singing or listening to the national anthem, every citizen rises above his and her personal aspirations. "The energy of music and singing can be seen in a simple fact. Every country has its own national anthem which expresses the feeling of pride of a country. The anthem triggers feeling of patriotism among countrymen," he said. He said artists should use this power of art in the interest of the society and the country. Those awarded in the field of music include Hindustani vocalists Padma Talwalkar and ...

Netanyahus to be star of 'Shalom Bollywood'

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who arrived in Mumbai late on Wednesday - has a date with some of the biggest stars and film personalities at an exclusive 'Shalom Bollywood evening on Thursday.

I am not pregnant: Bipasha Basu

Actor Bipasha Basu has quashed reports suggesting that she is expecting her first child with actor husband Karan Singh Grover. The 39-year-old actor took to Twitter to deny the claims without naming the publication. "Amused yet again. I kept a bag on my lap while getting into my car and certain media people started my pregnancy speculation again. Guys, I am not pregnant. "Kinda getting irritating. Stay calm. It will happen only when we want it," Bipasha wrote. It is not the first time the couple has been said to be pregnant. Reports of the actors' expecting a child were rife late last year. The couple, who co-starred in 2015 film "Alone", got hitched in April 2016.

Onir's romantic drama to release on Valentine's Day weekend

Filmmaker Onir, known for movies like "My BrotherNikhil" and "I Am", is excited that his first romantic feature film "Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz" will hit the screens on February 16, the Valentine's Day weekend.

Rajini offers best wishes to Kamal

Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday said only time will answer the question whether he and Kamal Haasan could tie up in politics.

Nair plans to bring musical adaptation of 2001 film to India

Filmmaker Mira Nair has said that she plans to bring the musical version of her 2001 film 'The Monsoon Wedding' to India. The stage adaptation, with an ensemble cast, had opened in Berkley, California, last year, and received critical acclaim, Nair said at the recently concluded literary fest in the city. "We opened it (the stage version) in California last year and staged it for four months. It is a beautiful visual," she had asserted, adding that people will relate to the characters of the play. Welcoming Nair's plans, theatre personality Rudraprasad Sengupta today said the musical version of the 2001 film 'will be a visual treat for the theatre-going audience of this country. Sengupta said Peter Brook had brought 'Mahabharata' to the Indian stage in 1985 but only a small segment of theatre-going audience got to watch the play as the tickets were expensive. "If Mira Nair plans to bring the stage version of 'The Monsoon Wedding' to India, she is more than welcome. I ...

'Padmaavat' producers move SC against ban by various states

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear tomorrow a plea of the producers of the controversial Deepika Padukone-starrer movie 'Padmaavat' opposing the ban imposed on its screening by various state governments. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of the counsel of Viacom 18 and other producers of the film that the plea be heard urgently as the movie was set for all- India release on January 25. Governments of Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have declared that they will not allow screening of the movie, which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles. The Haryana government, at a recent cabinet meeting, decided to ban the movie in the state. The producers moved the top court through senior lawyer Harish Salve and advocate Mahesh Agarwal and submitted, in a petition, that the movie has undergone changes including in its title as ...

I'm a victim of creative short-sightedness of others: Sanjay

In his career of nearly 19 years, Sanjay Suri has no regrets the way his journey has panned out but the actor says he is a "victim of creative short- sightedness of others". The 46-year-old actor, who has mostly featured in award- winning indie films, believes that being "underutilised" has been his biggest struggle. "My biggest struggle would probably be, may be under- utilisation as an actor. No regrets but I think I became a victim of creative short-sightedness on the part of others. They couldn't imagine me, use me properly," Suri told PTI in an interview. He said even as a producer, marketing independent projects is a difficult task. "As an indie producer, the biggest struggle is marketing films, not making it. You make films with like-minded people but market films with excel sheets." Having made his debut with "Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi" in 1999, Suri said he feels blessed to still be around in the industry without having any "100-crore hit" film to his credit. "The

Kareena to walk for Anamika at LFW Summer-Resort 2018 finale

Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan will be the showstopper for fashion designer Anamika Khanna at Lakme Fashion Week Summer-Resort 2018. Anamika will bring down the curtains to the upcoming fashion week with her collection 'Reinventing Nudes'. The designer, who has often dressed Bollywood celebrities, said choosing the actor was an easy choice. "For this one it's simple, it's Kareena Kapoor. She's the face of Lakme," Anamika told PTI. The designer, known for her work with rich craftsmanship that blends Indian colours with global contours, said there is a need to look at the nude palette from a different perspective, especially in a country where there are diverse skintones. "When the rest of the world has it all why should we lag behind? For India, nudes is an absolutely new phenomenon. When we talk about reinvention, we need to see that we live in a country so vast that has so many complexions - from the very whites to extreme darks. "What is interesting to see is that there is ..

Abu Dhabi Festival 2018 announces visual arts programme

Abu Dhabi, Jan 17 (IANS/WAM) Abu Dhabi Festival 2018 will present a diverse visual arts programme throughout February and March, with over 100 artworks by more than 70 artists, including 20 Emirati artists.

I'm not pregnant: Bipasha

Actress Bipasha Basu on Wednesday denied she is pregnant.

Twinkle Khanna to address Oxford University students

Writer-producer Twinkle Khanna has been invited to speak at The Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society. The 43-year-old actor-turned-author will address the students of the Oxford University tomorrow, where she will also showcase her upcoming production, "Padman". Based on the life of social entrepreneur and activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, who revolutionised sanitary hygiene in rural India 20 years ago, the film stars Twinkle's husband actor Akshay Kumar in the title role. Through her address, Twinkle will give an insight into the story of the movie and how it would play an interesting role in tackling taboos and addressing stigma around menstrual hygiene "Padman" will be the first Indian film to be screened at The Oxford Union. Also featuring Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor, the film opens worldwide on January 25.

Khelo India anthem scores double century, crosses 200 million

The Khelo India Anthem, which was unveiled on 15th January, has already struck a chord with India. The anthem has crossed an unprecedented reach of 200m reach across digital platforms YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It has struck a chord with celebrities and politicians alike. Right from Sachin Tendulkar to Amitabh Bachchan, everyone took to their social media channels and praised the effort that has gone behind revamping this program. The anthem was launched by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore along with the Sanjay Gupta, Managing Director, Star India at a press event in New Delhi on Monday. The Khelo India anthem was launched ahead of the Khelo India School Games, an initiative by the sports ministry which encourages mass participation and excellence in sports among youngsters. A spirited composition, the Khelo India anthem is now all set to go live on TV, OOH and other media as well. The anthem is conceptualised by Ogilvy, composed by Louis Bank ...