Page 1690 - Entertainment Culture
Gwendoline Christie worked as Simon Callow's dog sitter
Gwendoline Christie says while she she was studying theatre at Drama Centre London in 2000, legendary actor-writer Simon Callow had employed her as his personal dog walker and assistant. The 39-year-old actor said her association with Callow, 68, went on to blossom into a beautiful relationship of that of a mentor and a mentee. "The school secretary came to me and said, 'I have a job for you. Simon Callow wants his compact disc collection organised.' He had 4,000 CDs. "I met him, fell in love with him, in the non-romantic sense, and he became my mentor. When I left drama school I started looking after his dogs, and I became his research assistant, and collated chronologically every piece of writing he's ever written, for his autobiography," Christie told The Times newspaper. "In return he told me to be an artiste and not to compromise myself. He used to throw books at me and say, 'Take this and read it, and feed your lazy and disorganised mind!'" she added.
Hope my kids grow up to understand value of service: Hrithik
Hrithik Roshan says of all the values he wants his sons to imbibe while growing up, understanding the importance of one's contribution to the society tops the actor's wish list. As a father of Hrehaan (11) and Hridhaan (nine), Hrithik is a hopeful parent. "Sometimes at home, during breakfast time, when I am sitting at the table with my two young boys, I look at them and think to myself that 20 years from now, what do I want them to grow up to be? While there are different pictures in my head, I also think what will success mean to them. What values will they uphold and which virtue will they hold highest? "I am discovering a father's hopes and desires for his children. But among all those, one value that I want them to have, which I believe is the most important one is of contribution," the 43-year-old actor said here. The Bollywood star was speaking at the 43rd Giants Convention Awards, where he was the guest of honour. Hrithik said contribution to the society helps ...
Feel sense of responsibility towards people around world:Jolie
Angelina Jolie says she is a proud American but the actor feels a sense of responsibility towards people from different parts of the world. The 42-year-old actor, who was honoured with a humanitarian award from the UN Correspondents Association Awards, said as a "citizen of the world" she empathises people who are struggling for their rights, W magazine reported. "... Like everyone here, I love my own country. I am proud to be American. But I also feel a sense of responsibility towards all other people all around the world fighting for the freedoms that we are very lucky to have secured years ago. "And for me, this is what it means to be a citizen of the world: seeing yourself in the struggles of others," Jolie said in her acceptance speech. The actor, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees special envoy, said considering oneself a global citizen does not make one any less patriotic. "It is being suggested by some people today that to consider yourself a global .
From Harry Potter to Joker, heroes and villains at comic fest
With round glasses on a thin face and a lightning bolt-shaped scar on the forehead, Harry Potter at the seventh Delhi Comic Con was precise down to the last detail -- except, of course, for the wizard's vivid green eyes. Though his heart beats for DC and Marvel comic heroes, school student Aayush Mall, with a wavy tuft of hair, was cajoled by friends into dressing up as the J K Rowling character for his strikingly similar looks. "I am not really into Harry Potter, but when friends told me I look like him, I thought 'why not'! It actually feels pretty amazing," a beaming Aayush, surrounded by fans from the muggle world, wizards' term for non-magic people, told PTI. Massive and colourful young crowds have been thronging the NSIC Grounds in Okhla at the Delhi chapter of Comic Con which opened its door to a star-studded weekend. The three-day festival ending today has been choosing five best-dressed cosplayers -- or costume players -- every day across categories such as ...
Akshay's 'Gold' not a biopic on any hockey player: Producer
Producer Ritesh Sidhwani says, contrary to reports, the Akshay Kumar-starrer "Gold" is not a biopic on former hockey player Balbir Singh Sr. It was being reported that the film is based on the life of hockey player Balbir Singh - played by Akshay - who was a part of the team that won the first Olympic medal for India as a free nation in 1948. Sidhwani clarified that his forthcoming film, co-produced by Farhan Akhtar under their production house Excel Entertainment, is a story based on true events, not a biopic. "It is not a biopic. It is a completely fictional story but it is set against a real backdrop between 1933-48 India about what the country was, the sports... About hockey. It is not based on any character," Sidhwani told PTI in an interview here. "We have set it in real events so people (often) confuse it with a biopic. It talks about the era in which we achieved Independence and what happened with sports, (primarily) hockey at that time. It is not about a ...
DoT mulls allotment of backhaul spectrum through auction
The Department of Telecom's working group on backhaul spectrum -- including E and V bands that connect mobile towers with each other -- is mulling to allot such airwaves through auction instead of 'fixed fee' as suggested by the sector regulator TRAI. "The working group on microwave access and microwave backbone at the DoT is largely in favour of allocating E and V band spectrum through auction. The report of the committee will be placed before the Telecom Commission in its meeting scheduled for December 21," an official source told PTI. Data through E (71-76 Gigahertz frequency and 81-86 Ghz) and V (57-64 Ghz frequency range) band can be transmitted with a speed of around 1000 megabit per second. Spectrum in these band can ease work of telecom operators from laying optical fibre cable (OFC). Telecom operators are required to pay huge price for laying OFC to local authorities and frequently maintain it as well. Experts opine that these spectrum can be used for ...
'The Sound of Music' Julie's best performance, says Plummer
Veteran actor Christopher Plummer says his "The Sound of Music" co-star Julie Andrews delivered her "most free" performance in the film. The 88-year-old star, still best known for his Captain Von Trapp in the 1965 musical classic, however said the movie would never be one of his favourites. "It's not entirely true that I loathe 'The Sound Of Music'. I think Julie Andrews, who I adore, is absolutely lovely in it. I think it is her most free and naked performance - her best. "But when you do a film with 1,000 nuns, there's a danger it can run over into a deep abyss of mawkishness," Plummer told Metro newspaper. The actor believes his role was a "comedown" after having played a number of leads in Shakespearean plays. "I didn't like the role. I found it boring because when I was that age, in my thirties, I had already played Hamlet, Henry V, Macbeth, everything under the sun on stage and 'The Sound Of Music' was a bit of a comedown as a role," he said.
Kevin Hart wants to feature in 'Mrs Doubtfire' remake
Kevin Hart wishes to fill in veteran actor Robbie Williams' shoes if a remake of "Mrs Doubtfire" is ever made. The 38-year-old actor, who currently features in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle", a rehash of another classic starring Williams, said bringing Mrs Doubtfire to life again would be interesting, CinemaBlend reported. "I'll stay on the Robin Williams train and say that if I could jump into 'Mrs Doubtfire'. That was a very amazing performance on both ends for him. I think that's one I'd love to get to play in," Hart said. The 1993 award-winning comedy had Williams play a father who goes to extreme lengths to be in his children's lives - posing as a Scottish nanny, Mrs Doubtfire - after a judge grants their custody to their mother after divorce.
'Amazon Obhijaan' to release in 9 UK theatres
'Amazon Obhijaan' will be the first Indian Bengali film to be released theatrically in the United Kingdom. The film, a sequel to Bengali blockbuster 'Chander Pahar', will hit the big screens on January 12 in nine theatres of England, targeting over 100 screenings in a week, a spokesman of the film's UK-based distribution partner said. "Amazon Obhijaan (Amazon Adventures) will be initially released in nine places in the UK through Cineworld chain Feltham, Wood Green, Ilford, Milton Keynes, Birmingham Broad Street, Bradford, Leeds. The movie will also find screen space at The Odeon Trafford Centre, Manchester and Safari Cinema, Harrow, London," the spokesman said. "We have also lined up two other films 'Meghnadbodh Rahosyo' and 'Mayurakshi' for release in the UK theatres," he said. The Kamaleswar Mukherjee-directed film, extensively shot in the rain forests of Brazil, will be released in India on December 22 in six languages Bengali, Hindi, Odia, Assamese, Tamil and ...
Production on Morgan Spurlock's 'Who Rules the World' halted
Production has stopped on the upcoming unscripted series "Who Rules the World", after executive producer Morgan Spurlock publicly admitted to sexual misconduct in the past. The TNT show, which centres on a wide range of women's issues, is in its initial stages of production. According to the statement obtained by Variety, a TNT spokesperson said, "Production on 'Who Rules the World' (working title) has been suspended until further review." The project is backed by Spurlock's Warrior Poets and actor Sarah Jessica Parker's Pretty Matches Productions with Refinery29 and Turner's Studio T. Refinery29 and Pretty Matches also released a statement condemning Spurlock's behaviour. "In light of recent revelations, Pretty Matches and Refinery29 are severing ties with Morgan Spurlock. We stand in solidarity with the victims. We are suspending production on 'Who Rules the World' (WT) to re-evaluate the best path forward for the project, and are more determined than ever to share ...
Benji Madden taking remodelling crew to court
Musician Benji Madden is suing a designer team he and actor wife Cameron Diaz hired to remodel their house for improper and overpriced work. The 38-year-old artiste said he struck a deal with Ryan Silverman and The Wooden Palate in 2015 to remodel his spare bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, deck and a man cave. According to the documents obtained by TMZ.com, when the workers finished the project last year in October, Madden had paid USD 478,509 for the job, which he claims "was done improperly and would have to be redone", especially the man cave. The Good Charlotte member added the custom built doors for the wine cellar had to be repaired, along with other defects, which cost him an extra USD 78,000. Madden demanded USD 500,000 as damage claim, a big refund with added legal fees. Comment from Silverman is awaited.
Would love to take 'Fukrey' franchise ahead: Ritesh Sidhwani
After the success of "Fukrey Returns", producer Ritesh Sidhwani says they would love to take the franchise forward. Sidhwani said he and co-producer Farhan Akhtar would explore the chances of a third part if a potential story would be "funnier" than the latest installment. Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, "Fukrey Returns" is a sequel to the 2013 hit. "There is no discussion yet about the third part. But we would surely love to take the franchise ahead but it needs to be organic and honest. It has to come from the writer and the director, not us. "Mrig should only make the film if there is a story and if he believes in taking it ahead. There was a hunger for 'Fukrey Returns', so we made it. The third part has to be bigger, better and funnier," Sidhwani told PTI. The second part earned Rs 50.30 crore in India till now after its release last week. Talking about the numbers, Sidhwani said, "It shows how much the audience has loved the film. (But) we got a sense of the love
Gene Simmons sued for groping radio personality
Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has is being sued for groping and making sexual advances towards a TV-radio broadcaster. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against the 68-year-old musician in Los Angeles Superior Court, after she interviewed him at his new Rock & Brews restaurant on November 1, San Bernardino Sun reported. According to the lawsuit, during their conversation Simmons allegedly grabbed her hand and "forcefully placed it on his knee" until she pulled it back. At a point, the artiste "forcibly flicked/struck" her in the throat before giving an "incoherent explanation" to his gestures when she appeared shocked. Simmons is also said to have made "unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances" towards the claimant and use several innuendos during the interview, including one remark about how she "must use lotion". As per the broadcaster's lawyer Willie W William, her client was left "embarrassed and humiliated" by the end of the assignment. "She filed suit
Bachchan completes 'Thugs of Hindostan' Thailand schedule
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is ready to head home after wrapping up the Thailand schedule of his upcoming film "Thugs of Hindostan". The 75-year-old actor took to social media to announce the news. "From the wilds and chills of Thailand after finishing schedule of TOH... 'Thugs of Hindostan' now ready to go back to the warmth of Mumbai and home," Bachchan wrote on Instagram, alongside his photograph from the film sets. The actor also shared more pictures from the schedule on his official blog. He wrote, "A schedule is wrapped and there dwells a longing, surprisingly, to remain with the unit and the crew... A bond develops between them and us... A professional familiarity... Just as you get to know each, it's time to get back to the grind... Somewhat emotional... You have spent most part of your time with them... "And shall again for the next schedule... But till then it is a wrap!" The Vijay Krishna Acharya-directed movie also features Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima ..
Weinstein made me blacklist Judd, Sorvino, says Peter Jackson
Director Peter Jackson has claimed Harvey Weinstein designed a "smear campaign" against Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino, that discouraged him to offer roles to the two actors who were one of the first women to openly accuse the disgraced media mogul of sexual harassment. The 56-year-old filmmaker said he was unaware of the allegations against Weinstein while working him on projects including "The Hobbit" and "LOTR" trilogy, but was wary of collaborating again. "I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998. At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us - but in hindsight, I realise that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing. "I now suspect we were fed false information about both of these talented women (Judd and Sorvino) - and as a direct result their names were removed from our casting list," Jackson told New Zealand's Stuff in an ...
Taapsee Pannu wraps up India schedule of 'Soorma'
Taapsee Pannu is through with the India schedule of sports biopic, "Soorma". The 30-year-old actor took to Twitter to announce the news. "And that's a wrap for India schedule of #Soorma. Closing in towards the final pack up call and ready to present to you this gem of a story on #29June2018," Taapsee wrote. Directed by Shaad Ali, the film is a biopic on former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh, who will be immortalised on the celluloid by Diljit Dosanjh. Taapsee will be seen playing Diljit's onscreen love interest in the movie.
'Florida Project' producer to step down amid harassment claims
"Florida Project" producer Andrew Duncan is resigning from his independent production company amid allegations of sexual harassment. CEO Alex Saks said plans to buy out Duncan's stake in the company, June Pictures, will be rolled out soon, reported Deadline. "In light of allegations of misconduct against our investor Andrew Duncan, I am assuming sole ownership and leadership of June Pictures. "June Pictures is committed to a respectful work environment dedicated to producing quality films. We will continue our projects already in production and development," Saks said in a statement. The move comes after rumours of the producer's alleged sexual misbehaviour intensified over the last couple of weeks. Duncan's departure comes at a bad time for the film, which is being touted as a candidate for an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The Sean Baker-directed movie follows a 6-year-old girl who embarks on an adventure with her friends and develops a relationship with her ...
Byomkesh Season 2 web series debuts today
Byomkesh Season 2, the much-awaited web series sequel featuring the iconic fictional sleuth, has started streaming on the digital platform from today. The web series started streaming on the 'hoichoi' web digital platform from 7 am. In the new series, Byomkesh Bakshi, the creation of Bengali writer, Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, will solve the mystery of Satyakam's murder. The script is based on 'Rakter Daag', another bestseller in the Byomkesh series, director Soumik Chattopadhyay said. Byomkesh is being played by actor Anirban Bhattacharya in the web series. "I have tried to project him as a crime-buster as well as an ordinary human. The character has four to five shades to it and I tried portraying them all," Bhattacharya said. 'Yeti Obhijaan' actor Aryann Bhowmik, who plays Satyakam in 'Rakter Daag' in the Byomkesh Season 2 web series, said, "My character has the premonition of being killed and turns to Byomkesh for help. I have been hooked to Byomkesh Bakshi novels ...
Streep's sassy comeback to Hanks' 'high maintenance' comment
Meryl Streep has responded to her "The Post" co-star Tom Hanks' playful comment of her being "high maintenance" in a way only the legendary actor can. The 68-year-old star jokingly gave it back to Hanks, saying if anyone was high maintenance it was the actor himself, reported E! News. "Just check the amount of time he took in hair and makeup and how much I did, and you'll find out who's high maintenance," Streep quipped at the premiere of the Steven Spielberg film in Washington D C. She added, "By the way, the movie is dedicated to Nora Ephron, who claims that phrase - high maintenance - as her own." Ephron, who wrote the 1989 classic romcom "When Harry Met Sally", has been credited for the expression, which features in one of the dialogues of the film. At one point in the movie, Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) tells Sally Albright (Meg Ryan), "There are two kinds of women: high maintenance and low maintenance." Both Streep and Hanks have worked with the screenwriter in ...
James Corden initially named daughter after Beyonce
TV host-actor James Corden reveals he almost named his newborn daughter after music diva, Beyonce. "The Late Late Show" presenter, who welcomed his third child with producer wife Julia Carey on December 12, admitted they had not zeroed in on a name for the newest member of the family, reported E! Online. "I looked at the doctor and I said, 'We're going to call her Beyonce'... My wife did not think that was funny," he said. Corden said he actually made one of the nurses actually believe he wanted to name his little one after the "Formation" singer and started filling out the necessary paperwork. "I had to go over to her and go 'Excuse me, there's only one Beyonce'," he said. This episode marked the host's return to the show after the birth of their daughter. The couple is already parents to son Max, six, and daughter Carey, three.