Page 1594 - Entertainment Culture

Lebanon bans Spielberg film and Israeli adventurer biopic

Lebanese authorities have banned Steven Spielberg's latest film, political thriller "The Post", and Australian drama "Jungle" to comply with a boycott of Israel, an official said. "Screening of the film 'The Post' has been banned," the official from Lebanon's General Security authority told AFP Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Spielberg "is blacklisted by the Arab League's boycott office, which Lebanon complies with", the official explained. The pan-Arab body maintains a regional boycott of Israel, and blacklisted Spielberg after he donated USD 1 million to Israel during its 2006 war with Lebanon. The two countries are still technically in a state of war. While Lebanon is generally considered the most liberal of Arab countries, it occasionally bans content considered immoral, inciteful, or supportive of Israel. Lebanon's General Security -- in addition to controlling the country's borders -- is responsible for censoring films, plays, and books. "The Post" was ..

Mob barges into school, disrupts student's "Ghoomar"

A mob barged into the annual day function of a private school today and disrupted a student's dance performance on the "Ghoomar" song from the film "Padmaavat", police said. A child and a parent was injured in the incident which happened in a school in Jaora, about 42 kilometres from Ratlam, police added. MPS Parihar, station in-charge of Jaora police station said, "Nearly 15-20 persons barged into the school premises where as part of its annual day function, "Ghoomar" dance from the film "Padmaavat" was being staged by a young student. The mob threw chairs, caused panic among the audience, disrupted the function and then fled the venue." He said investigations were underway to check whether they belonged to the Karni Sena which has been opposing the movie. Police were in the process of registering a case, he added.

'IIchak Dana Beechak Dana' -- a hit at Modi's lunch for Bibi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that he and his wife Sara were elated that they will get to to see Bollywood up close when they travel to Mumbai. Netanyahu will be travelling to Mumbai on January 18 and will attend an exclusive "Shalom Bollywood" event. "My wife and I are very happy, we going to Bollywood. We would like to see it first hand," the Israeli prime minister, popularly known as 'Bibi', said at a joint press event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vijay Gokhale, secretary (economic relations) in the External Affairs Ministry also narrated an anecdote that gave a sense of Bollywood's popularity in the Jewish country. While Modi was hosting a lunch for the Israeli delegation today, a live band played the song 'IIchak Dana Beechak Dana', the number of Israelis who knew the number was amazing, he said. In fact, they all instantly reacted, saying they knew the song very well, he said, adding that films will be a good way of building people to ..

We had 50-50 chances of winning 'Bigg Boss 11': Hina on Shilpa

"Bigg Boss 11" finalist Hina Khan may have lost to another TV 'bahu' Shilpa Shinde but the actor says she is proud of making it so far in the show. Shinde, who became popular with her show "Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain", was declared the winner of the 11th season of the TV reality show last night. "Shilpa and I had 50-50 chances. We both were very nervous and we knew one of us will win. It is matter of few votes. We played well. It is not important to win the show, what you have taken back from your experience on the show and earning respect is important. "Bigg Boss" is way to difficult show," Hina told PTI. During her time in the house, Hina had fights with co- contestants like Arshi Khan and Bandgi Kalra. Hina was also seen bad mouthing previous winner Gauhar Khan and TV star Sakshi Tanwar. When asked about her statements, she said: "If it came out as I have said something against Sakshi I want to clarify (that) I am her big fan and I have immense respect for her. "In the ...

Amish Tripathi vouches for 'Padmaavat'

Amish Tripathi, a master of mythological fiction titles, has vouched for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's forthcoming controversial movie "Padmaavat", saying it celebrates Rajput bravery and projects India's culture in a positive way.

Williams praises Wahlberg for donating reshoot fee

Actress Michelle Williams has praised her co-star Mark Wahlberg for donating the reshoot fee he took for "All the Money in the World" for a cause.

Turkmenistan bans sex, 'bad habits' from TV

Tightly-controlled Turkmenistan has banned broadcasters from showing sex and encouraging "bad habits" in a law designed to create a "positive image" of the Central Asian country on the air. The law, signed by strongman President Gubanguly Berdymukhamedov over the weekend according to state newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan, cites "protection of minors" as the reason for the ban on erotic content. While the legislation does not specify what "bad habits" broadcasters should avoid promoting, Berdymukhamedov's government has waged a war on smoking in the republic of five million. The document equally does not explain how content will be judged "pornographic" or "sexual-erotic". In practice, television channels have long shown versions of foreign films with sexual and suggestive scenes edited out. The new law also says broadcasters must aim "to create TV and radio programmes (showing) a positive image of Turkmenistan." Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders says ...

Records are meant to be broken: Salman Khan

After setting the cash counters ringing and registering a collection of Rs 325.71 crore nett in India with "Tiger Zinda Hai", superstar Salman Khan hopes many more movies create records for Bollywood for the industry to flourish.

Namit Das, Omkar Kapoor join 'Kaushiki'

Actors Namit Das and Omkar Kapoor have joined the cast of web series "Kaushiki", which also features Sayani Gupta and Rannvijay Singha.

Jacqueline begins 'Allah duhai hai' song shoot

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez has started shooting for the song "Allah duhai hai", a track repeated in instalments of the "Race" franchise.

No place for art in my country: Nakuul Mehta

Actor Nakuul Mehta, in reaction to an advertisement of disclaimers from the makers of "Padmaavat" on Monday, said there's "no place" for art in India.

'Padmaavat' makers release ad with detailed disclaimers

Makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much awaited film "Padmaavat" have released a new advertisement listing all the disclaimers, clarifying controversies surrounding the film. The producer confirmed yesterday that the film will release on January 25. The movie was mired in controversy after various Rajput groups, including Rajput Karni Sena, raised their objections towards the content of the film. Last month, during the certification process of the film, Bhansali appeared before a parliamentary panel where he said that the film is an adaptation of Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's "Padmavat". Featuring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, the film was given a U/A certificate from CBFC recently. The board had asked the producers to change the title, along with four other modifications. The new advertisement states that the film "'Padmaavat' is based on epic 'Padmavat' by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad ...

Heritage evenings at Jaipur's iconic monuments 11th JLF

With a line-up comprising spellbinding music and theatre performances, the Jaipur Literature Festival, in its 11th edition, will celebrate the pink city's rich heritage, against the exquisite backdrop of its popular monuments. The five-day literary festival will host two glorious heritage evenings, organised in association with Rajasthan Tourism, at Jaipur's iconic Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. On the second day of the festival, 'Under the Stars' at Hawa Mahal will feature 'The Troth-Usne Kaha Tha', a multimedia dance and theatre production presented by Akademi, a UK-based producer of Indian dance, marking the centenary of World War I. Telling the story of love, loss and sacrifice against the horror of World War I, 'The Troth' will recount the story with use of film and subtitles and unfold the poignant narrative through an interplay between image, music and dance. "As part of the Reimagine India programme (Arts Council England/British Council) and the UK-India Year of ...

Journalist 'Gnani' Sankaran no more; CM, leaders condole death

Noted journalist and political analyst 'Gnani' Sankaran passed away here today following a brief illness, family sources said. He was 64 and is survived by his wife and a son. Sankaran had worked in the Indian Express Group and also edited a large number of Tamil magazines. In April 2014 he unsuccessfully contested the Alandur by-poll representing Aam Aadmi Party. Later he quit AAP, citing health issues. He was editor of Tamil magazine 'Deem Tharigida' and had also staged various plays with his drama troupe 'Pareeksha'. "(Gnani) had been undergoing dialysis. Last night he complained of breathing problems. He breathed his last at around 12.30 AM", a family member told PTI. He said Gnani's body would be donated to the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital. Chief Minister K Palaniswami and political personalities like rebel AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, MDMK Chief Vaiko, PMK Leader S Ramadoss and DMDK Chief Vijayakant conveyed their condolences to members of the bereaved ...

Kangana is like a true goddess on sets: Jisshu Sengupta

Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta, who is part of "Manikarnika", says actress Kangana Ranaut is like a true goddess on the movie set.

When Sehwag made tea for Sakshi Tanwar (TV Snippets)

Television actress Sakshi Tanwar and former cricketer Virender Sehwag bonded over food and tea during the shooting of a cookery show.

Music has always been my religion: Benny Dayal

Singer Benny Dayal, whose new romantic single "Sunwai" released on Monday, says music has always been his religion.

Mamata condoles death of Sarod maestro Buddhadev Das Gupta

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condoled the death of legendary Sarod player Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta, terming it a great loss to the world of classical music.

Sarod maestro Pt Buddhadev Dasgupta passes away

Sarod maestro Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta today died of cardiac arrest at his residence in south Kolkata. He was 84. The Padma Bhushan awardee had been suffering from respiratory problems for the past few days, a family member said. He is survived by wife and two sons. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said his death has created a void in the field of classical music. "My heartfelt condolences to his family and disciples," she said in a tweet. The musician, born in 1933 at his maternal home in Bhagalpur, Bihar, learnt sarod under the tutelage of Pt Radhikamohan Moitra. His father, Prafulla Mohan Dasgupta, was a district magistrate and a music aficionado. He was conferred Sangeet Mahasamman and Bangabibhusan in 2015. Dasgupta's body is kept at the Peace Haven morgue for people to pay their last respects. He will be cremated on Wednesday after his younger son returns from the US, one of his close disciples said.

Glad it's finally out in public: Hina on bond with Rocky

Actress Hina Khan, the first runner-up of "Big Boss Season 11" is glad her relationship status with Rocky Jaiswal is no more a secret, but says wedding bells are far away.