Page 1604 - Entertainment Culture
Freedom of expression should not be absolute: Ruskin Bond
Amid the growing controversy over the release of Bollywood film "Padmaavat", celebrated author Ruskin Bond on Friday said freedom of expression should not be absolute.
Shree Venkatesh Films to make 25 films in 3 yrs;spend Rs 100cr
Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF), one of eastern Indias biggest movie production house, today said it is producing 25 big ticket films over the next three years by investing Rs 100 crore. As part of the 25 films, film-maker Arindam Sil is set to make two detective films -- 'Asche Abar Shabor' and 'Byomkesh Gotro' -- while Sandip Ray will be back with his Feluda and 'Professor Shonku O El Dorado', bringing Satyajit Ray's iconic fictional scientist Professor Shonku to the big screen for the first time, SVF Director Srikant Mohta said in a statement. The list also includes projects from the national award winning directors Srijit Mukherjee and Aparna Sen. While Srijit is coming up with 'Uma', 'Kakababur Protyabarton' and 'Ek Je Chhilo Raja', Aparna Sen will be adapting the classic novel by Rabindranath Tagore Ghare Baire, titled 'Ghare o Baire'. As part of the project, film-maker Raj Chakraborty will be directing two of his most ambitious works -- Siraj Ud Daulah and Tong ...
Filmmaker agrees to remove 'Gujarat' from docu on Amartya Sen
National award-winning filmmaker Suman Ghosh today said he has accepted the Censor Board's recommendation to remove the word 'Gujarat' from his documentary on Nobel laureate Amartya Sen after consideration. The film 'The Argumentative Indian', which was shot in two parts in 2002 and 2017, has Sen talking about the social choice theory, development economics, philosophy, and the rise of right-wing nationalism across the world including in India. The Central Board of Film Certification, Kolkata, had, on July 11, asked Ghosh to cut or mute six parts (both words and phrases) - 'Gujarat', 'In India', 'Hindu', 'Cow', 'These days' and 'Hindutva' -- from the documentary for a 'U' certification. "I recognise that the decision (on removing the word 'Gujarat') is not the best but I strongly believe that the film should be shown to the public without further delay since beyond the controversies, which were rather unfortunate I have a larger point in the film which needs to be ...
Classical music fest kicks off
With the who's who of Indian classical music and dance gathered to enthral a jam-packed auditorium, the 18th edition of the Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav began here. The festival, which opened here yesterday, will see eminent classical artistes including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Kaushiki Chakraborty, Ustad Ashish Khan and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt take the stage over the course of the next three days. The inaugural evening at the Modern School on Barakhamba Road here saw performances by Kathak doyen Uma Sharma, legendary flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty. Organised by Uma Shankar School of Dance and Music and HCL Concerts, the event was inaugurated by Union minister Mahesh Sharma. Expressing his happiness at the presence of a large young audience, he said the youth were global ambassadors of the country's culture. The minister also urged people to always keep the flames of the country's rich culture burning. He appealed to ...
Karan Johar suggested I direct 'My Birthday Song', says Samir Soni
Actor Samir Soni, who is making his debut as a director with "My Birthday Song", says it was filmmaker Karan Johar who encouraged him to helm the film.
I believe in doing my own thing, says Rajeev Khandelwal
Rajeev Khandelwal made a switch to movies when he was at the peak of his television career and now when the actor is making debut on digital platform he is equally confident about his decision. The actor, who became a star with Ekta Kapoor's "Kahiin To Hoga", is now making his web series debut with the producer's ALTBalaji project "Haq Se" "When I was doing television, people said don't do daily soaps, and then when I did films they were like don't do 'Aamir' kind of films. With this web series people might again say something. "My interpretation of myself is best and it has nothing to do with their (people) interpretation of me. I do my own thing," Khandelwal told PTI in an interview. The actor said digital space has great scope for actors willing to experiment as audiences are now open to explore various mediums of entertainment. "Digital is the future, maybe tomorrow more new medium will come in. There is an audience for all kinds of medium." Khandelwal was on two-year
'The Shape of Water', 'Big Little Lies' win top awards at CCA
The annual Critics' Choice Awards furthered the award prospects of "The Shape of Water" with Guillermo del Toro's film taking four awards home, including the best picture and director. Horror drama "Get Out", which was snubbed at the Golden Globes, had a better run at the Critics Choice by bagging trophies for best original screenplay for directer-writer Jordan Peele and best sci-fi or horror movie. Both Gary Oldman ("Darkest Hour") and Frances McDormand ("Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri") repeated their Golden Globes wins by taking home the Best Actor and Best Actress trophies, respectively. In the television sphere, "Big Little Lies" and "The Handmaid's Tale" once again took the top honours. "Big Little Lies" won best limited series while Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern and Alexander Skarsgard repeated their Globes triumph. "The Handmaid's Tale" went home with the best drama and best actress (for Elizabeth Moss) trophies while Sterling K Brown won the best actor ...
Gerard Butler's 'Den of Thieves' to release in India in February
Gerard Butler's "Den of Thieves" will make its way to theatres in India on February 2.
Africa startled by Trump's sudden and vulgar attention
Africans woke up today to find President Donald Trump had finally taken an interest in their continent. It wasn't what people had hoped for. Using vulgar language, Trump yesterday questioned why the US would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa rather than places like Norway in rejecting a bipartisan immigration deal. The African Union continental body told The Associated Press it was "frankly alarmed" by Trump's comments. "Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behavior and practice," AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo said. "This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity." African governments quickly found themselves in an awkward position. As top recipients of US aid, some hesitated to jeopardize it by criticizing
Obsession for cinema more important than luck in filmmaking: Mira Nair
Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair believes obsession for cinema and a fire in the belly to succeed are far more important than luck to become successful in filmmaking.
Women rule 2018 #CriticsChoice awards
Critics' Choice awards turned out to be a memorable night for women of Hollywood.Most of the winners at the star-studded event were shows and movies that were women-centric.Shows like 'Big Little Lies' won four awards, while 'The Handmaid's Tale' took home three trophies. Last year's blockbuster movie and the first female led superhero movie 'Wonder Woman' won the Best Action Movie and the star of the movie Gal Gadot went on to win the prestigious #SeeHer award, which honours actresses for challenging female stereotypes on screen and off.Gadot also shared about the box office success that women enjoyed but also noted that there is still a long way to go. She also expressed support for the current movement of people speaking out against harassment in Hollywood and beyond."I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right, standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves," she said. "And I promise, my commitment to all of you is that I will never
What I had said would happen: MP CM on screening of Padmavat
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today indicated that the film "Padmavat" will not be allowed to be released in his state. The film is likely to release on January 25. Asked if the film would be banned in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan told reporters today, "Jo Kaha tha, wo hoga (What I had said, will happen)." However, he did not clarify. Chouhan was talking to reporters after attending a state-level mass 'Surya Namaskar and Pranayam' event organised to mark the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. The film has received a clearance from the Central Board for Film Certification after the change of title and some script modifications. While speaking to some members of the Rajput community on November 20 last year, Chouhan had made it clear that the film would not be allowed to release in the state if it contains scenes "breaching the honour" of the Rajput queen Padmavati or features "distorted facts". "We will not tolerate any distortion of .
It's a turning point: 'Annabelle' director on sexual misconduct scandals
Filmmaker John R. Leonetti feels the clamour around sexual harassment in showbiz is a turning point in Hollywood, and a reflection of how men have looked at women for ages. The "Annabelle" director says it is a signal that it's a time for change.
Salman Khan wishes luck to Zareen Khan for '1921'
Superstar Salman Khan has wished good luck to actress Zareen Khan for her latest film "1921".
New faces ready to take over Bollywood in 2018
From star children like Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor to television stars like Ankita Lokhande and Mouni Roy and newcomers like Banita Sandhu -- there are a lot of fresh faces who are going to begin their Bollywood innings this year.
Gal Gadot delivers inspiring speech on gender equality at CCA
As "Wonder Woman" Gal Gadot received the #SeeHer trophy at the Critics' Choice Award, the actor kept alive the "Time's Up" spirit and called for gender equality. #SeeHer award aims to recognise the importance of accurately portraying women across the entertainment landscape. Gadot began her acceptance speech by pointing out that the top three films of 2017 "The Last Jedi", "Wonder Woman", and "Beauty and the Beast" were all led by women. "Although this is progress, there is still a long way to go," she said. "We've been witnessing a movement in our industry and society and I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right," the actor added as she focused on the shift in the industry as a result of the #MeToo movement. She said that she "will never be silenced. We will continue to band together to make strides uniting for equality." Alongside Gadot's award, "Wonder Woman" received three Critics' Choice nominations, for costume design, ...
McMafia: Nawazuddin shares intense first look of his web series
Bollywood star Nawazuddin Siddiqui is all set for his first international web series, titled 'McMafia'.The 'Munna Michael' star took to social media to share the first look of his character.He wrote alongside, "McMafia being my first International Web Series has come out really amazing. All Thanx to Director #JamesWatkins @JgiNorton @AmazonVideoIN."#McMafia being my first International Web Series has come out really amazing. All Thanx to Director #JamesWatkins@JgiNorton@AmazonVideoINpic.twitter.com/28haFwCV1Q— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) January 11, 2018The eight part series has been created by Hossein Amini and James Watkins. It is said to be inspired by Misha Glenny's non-fiction book titled 'McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld'.The actor will be seen alongside British actor James Norton, Aleksey Serebryakov, Maria Shukshina, Faye Marsay, Juliet Rylance.The series will be released sometime this year.
Patty Hearst biopic cancelled after heiress' criticism
Twentieth Century Fox has cancelled the biopic of heiress Patty Hearst. "Logan" director James Mangold was attached to direct the project with Elle Fanning as the lead. "Twentieth Century Fox Film and its production partners have decided to cancel the studio's planned project based on the book 'American Heiress'," Fox said in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter. The development came after Hearst criticised author Jeffrey Toobins on whose best-selling book "American Heiress", the film was based on. Toobins is also the producer of a CNN docu-series based on Hearst life. The book detailed the capture of the heiress and her two-year detainment by the Symbionese Liberation Army in the mid-1970s, as well as her transition from hostage to warrior. She ended up sympathising with her captors and even went on bank robberies with them before she was arrested in 1975. In a statement, Hearst said Toobins' book "romanticises my rape and torture and calls my abduction a ...
Rannvijay to play policeman in new web series
Actor-anchor Rannvijay Singha will be seen as a tough police officer in a new web-series titled "Kaushiki" on Viu.
Bob Odenkirk to star in 'Nobody'
"Better Call Saul" star Bob Odenkirk is on board to produce and star in the action thriller "Nobody".