Page 1649 - Entertainment Culture
When Michael Jackson made Zac Efron cry
Actor Zac Efron may be one of the biggest heart-throbs in Hollywood right now, but even he gets star-struck.While appearing in a recent episode of 'The Graham Norton Show', the 'Baywatch' star remembered a time he and late-pop star Michael Jackson cried over the phone while talking to each other.The 30-year-old actor shared that while he never met the King of Pop face-to-face, he spoke to him briefly on the phone about a decade ago, when Jackson called movie director Kenny Ortega.Efron said he was having dinner with the 'High School Musical' director in Paris, when Ortega's phone started ringing.Zac noted, "I was in Paris with Kenny Ortega and we were promoting 'High School Musical' so I was 20 or 21 at the time. Kenny's phone rang at dinner and he goes 'it's Michael Jackson' and he handed me the phone. Michael said 'Who's this?' and I said 'It's Zac Efron, I'm an actor and I'm a huge fan of yours'. And he goes, 'That's nice, can you hand the phone back to Kenny?' Then the phone rang .
Bollywood upholds the remix trend, but listeners reject
In a year where the Hindi film industry brought many impactful original stories on screen, a lack of novelty in its music was majorly felt as remixes of the hit '80s and '90s tracks dominated the Bollywood albums. The tone for remixes, which are nowadays called 'recreated versions', was set right from the first month of the year with the release of superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees", actor Hrithik Roshan's "Kaabil" and Shraddha Kapoor- starrer "Ok Jaanu". While the album of "Raees" featured the remix of popular Bollywood number "Laila Main Laila" (originally from the 1980 Zeenat Aman-starrer 'Qurbani'), by composer Ram Sampath, "Kaabil" soundtrack had "Sara Zamana" remixed. The original song belongs to the album of megastar Amitabh Bachchan's 1981 film "Yaarana". Interestingly, both the new and the old version were composed by Rajesh Roshan. Both "Sara Zamana" and "Laila Main Laila" could not recreate the magic of the originals. The listeners also had a revamped version .
Music runs in our blood: Tansen Music Festival patrons
A 100-year-old man, with his white, well-combed hair matching his crisp white dhoti, found solace in the 'sur', 'taal' and 'ragas', listening with rapt attention at the Tansen Music Festival here, signifying the long-standing love that music lovers have had for this 93-year-old gala which celebrates the legendary musician of Mughal emperor Akbar's court.
A pastime for practitioners too: Authors on reading and collecting books (Column Bookends)
They may not flaunt the object of their interest like some do with mobiles or other high-tech devices, but committed and devoted readers can be made out by how their eyes suddenly display a glint of interest when they see a fellow reader, someone who talks about books, or they pass that increasing rarity -- a bookstore. But one can wonder what authors, old and new, think of the habit.
James Norton says he is not in race for Bond role
Actor James Norton has once again said that he is not in the race to take on the role of James Bond after Daniel Craig's last outing as the beloved spy. The "Happy Valley" actor, who is being considered as one of the top contenders for the iconic role, said he feels humbled to be considered along side Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender, reported Metro. Talking about the opening scene of his new show "McMafia", where the actor wears a tuxedo, Norton said, "I did say to James Watkins, the director, are you just baiting me and stoking the rumour fire with scenes like that? When it's reported in the press, people assume that I've co-ordinated the scene, but I promise you I didn't. The truth is that it's total speculation." "It's really humbling and flattering, but to have my name next to the likes of Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender is just mad. If you're thinking of putting a bet on me, keep your money in your pocket," he added.
Ed Sheeran is 'little obsessed' with Robbie Williams
Ed Sheeran said he has developed a "little obsession" for singer Robbie Williams. The 26-year-old singer said that his career path has similarities with that of Williams'. "I feel a weird affinity with Robbie. We email now and then but I've been reading up on him and his career is so similar to mine," Sheeran told The Sun. "Like the way the album's going, the way it went to stadiums, the way it was just like one lone man... a very lonely sort of life. I have a little obsession with him and working out how he did stuff.
Quality TV has improved Hollywood movies, says Hugh Jackman
Actor Hugh Jackman believes the changing landscape in the TV industry has forced Hollywood filmmakers to do better in order to get people to watch movies in cinemas. The "Greatest Showman" actor said the TV industry is going through a rapid change with high quality writing and acting. "There's been now for a while this belief and this commitment to giving people more than they expect, changing things up, taking some risk," Jackman told Collider. "The landscape in TV has been changing so rapidly and there's such high quality - high-quality writing and acting - and that it's inevitable. If we're gonna convince people to go out to a cinema, we have to give them more than they're gonna get at home," he added.
Narrowly missed death: Efron on cycle trip with Hugh Jackman
Actor Zac Efron said that he almost died during a cycling trip with his "The Greatest Showman" co-actor Hugh Jackman. The 30-year-old actor recalled the incident during his appearance with Jackman and Zendaya on "The Graham Norton Show". "I cycled with him in London, but I'm not one to ride a bike early in the morning in traffic so it turned out to be quite dangerous," Efron told Norton when asked how he prepared for his role in the film. "I followed Hugh around a few cars and suddenly there was a double decker bus right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, went under the front tire and narrowly missed death," he added. Luckily, the "Baywatch" actor survived and was unharmed. "Hugh was on the other side of the road and stuck up his thumb and just said, 'You good? Let's go,'" Efron said.
New album inspired by sense of optimism and hope: Nick Jonas
Singer Nick Jonas has said that his new album is inspired by a real sense of "optimism and hope". The 25-year-old actor-singer said the fans will be thrilled with his new LP, a follow-up to his 2016's 'Last Year Was Complicated'. "I've got new music done, actually. It's been done for a little while, but it's been so crazy busy this last part of the year that I've had to sort of push it till next year, but very excited to release this music," Jonas told Us Weekly. "I think a real sense of optimism and hope (inspired the new album)... The last body of work was very much a breakup album which needed to be done, and I needed to write it and go on that journey, but I'm excited to bring something to the fans that feels like a look inside where my headspace is now and the hope that I feel and the joy overall," he added.
Liam Gallagher's son wants to be in a band
Singer Liam Gallagher said that his younger son, Gene, aspires to be a musician and wants to play in a band. The 45-year-old is touring Australia and was asked why his sons, Lennon, 18, and Gene, 16, are not accompanying him. "They're still in school. I'm kinda in trouble at the moment for bringing them out of school on tour. I did offer to bring them out, but I think travelling to Australia is just a little bit too far for their little brains. They'll regret it man," Gallagher said. "Lennon does a bit of modelling for whoever, he does stuff in New York. Gene's still in sixth form but he's desperate to be in a band. He plays guitar and drums, he's on the look out for band members," he added. Gallagher said though he never heard his son sing before, he thinks he will do good in the industry and has the looks of a rocker, reported Contactmusic. "I've not heard him sing, but he's got the attitude and the look for sure. He's a good little guitar player, he's better than me. .
Olivia Munn blames Eva Longoria for making her look pregnant
Olivia Munn is not pregnant, but the actor blames Eva Longoria's cooking for making her look like one. The 37-year-old actor posted on Instagram that she might need to cut back on her diet after indulging in some homemade food. "Masseuse just pointed to my stomach and said 'Baby?' Ummmm no... No baby in my belly. I blame Eva Longoria's delicious home-cooking for this," Munn posted. "I guess I'll start my New Year's diet today," she added. The actors had earlier celebrated Christmas with each other in Miami along with other friends, tennis star Serena Williams and Gabrielle Union. Longoria is expecting her first child with media mogul husband Jose Antonio Baston. The 42-year-old actor had earlier revealed that she is four-months along and all set to welcome a baby boy.
Rajinikanth to float a party, contest in Assembly elections
Tamil movie superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday said that he would float a political party and contest in all the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state in the ensuing polls.
Fans await Rajinikanth's announcement on entering politics
With superstar Rajinikanth all set to make an announcement on his entry into politics today, the fans who are expected to meet the actor for a photo session said they were excited about the possible announcement.The screens inside the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam played clippings from various news media outlets speculating on his political entry which included reactions from various political leaders."I will make the announcement in Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in a while," Rajinikanth told media here.Earlier this week, the actor, while addressing his fans in the Tamil Nadu capital, had announced that he would disclose his political plans on December end."I am not new to politics. I'm there since 1996. I got delayed. Entering is equal to victory. I will announce a decision on December 31," he had said.There have been widespread speculations in Tamil Nadu that the superstar would take a plunge into politics very soon.Rajinikanth's wife Latha had also said it was her husband's decision .
Gucci Mane announces new album
American rapper Gucci Mane has already released two albums in the span of two months, and has now announced a new one.
Jackman says quality TV has improved movies
Actor Hugh Jackman says that the quality of TV shows in the current climate has forced Hollywood movies to improve in order to tempt people out of their homes.
Bella Thorne poses nude in throwback photograph
Actress-singer Bella Thorne has shared a racy throwback photograph of herself on social media.
Rajinikanth to spill the beans on his political entry
Superstar Rajinikanth will on Sunday end the suspense over his political plan and announce his decision on joining politics on the last day of 2017.Earlier this week, the actor, while addressing his fans in the Tamil Nadu capital, had announced that he would disclose his political plans on December end."I am not new to politics. I'm there since 1996. I got delayed. Entering is equal to victory. I will announce a decision on December 31," he had said.There have been widespread speculations in Tamil Nadu that the superstar would take a plunge into politics very soon.Rajinikanth's wife Latha had also said it was her husband's decision and would accept and respect whatever decision he takes.Fellow actor Kamal Haasan has also hinted he was willing to work with Rajinikanth if the superstar ever decided to enter politics.Rajinikanth, who is referred as "Thalaivar" or "Ultimate Boss" by his fans, enjoys almost demigod status among his followers.
Efron almost died biking with Hugh Jackman
Actor Zac Efron says he is lucky to be alive after he nearly collided with a bus during a bike ride with his "The Greatest Showman" co-star Hugh Jackman.
Royal family slams CBFC for clearing 'Padmavati' sans consent
Erstwhile royal of Udaipur, Vishvaraj Singh, on Saturday slammed Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Prasson Joshi for suggesting modifications to the controversial film 'Padmavati' without his accord."It is very clear that the movie is about my family. Cosmetic changes like the proposed change in name will not change the fact that the movie refers to real places, my ancestors and other persons in history with their names continuing to remain the same," said Singh, a member of the Mewar royal family.With such changes, he said, the CBFC has "reduced itself to endorsing the propagation of fiction about heroic personalities and living families.""You're stating one thing and doing another renders the CBFC to be just as ignoble as those distorting and seeking to profit from the history of this country and my family," he further said.Vishvaraj also mentioned that he earlier wrote a letter on December 22 stating, "The fact remains that my questions are relevant for every ...
Rashid Khan, Pandit Jasraj show-stoppers on fourth day of Music Festival
A clutch of stalwarts weaved their magic to captivate the packed crowd on the fourth day of five-night Bengal Classical Music Festival at the Abahoni Grounds in Dhanmondi here on Friday.