Page 308 - Entertainment Culture

Portrayal of democracy in Bengal grandstanding: Filmmaker

Welcoming the Supreme Court's verdict on his film "Bhobishyoter Bhoot" (Ghosts of the Future), filmmaker Anik Dutta on Friday said everyone should know that Bengal's administrative head's portrayal of democracy is absolutely grandstanding.

Director of Bengali film hails SC directive to WB government

The director and producers of Bengali film 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' on Friday hailed the Supreme Court's direction to the West Bengal government to ensure that no obstruction or restraint of any kind is imposed on the screening of the political satire film in the state. Calling it a "victory of democracy", director Anik Dutta told reporters that the support of common people, many eminent personalities from the film industry, artistes and others has made this possible. "Yes the SC has given a direction to bring the film back to screens. We hail the order of the apex court. The SC has ensured the fundamental right of a film maker to show his film to the audiences is safeguarded, " Dutta said. One of the producers said that after the SC order reaches the production house office in Kolkata, the city theatres, where the screening had been stopped from February 16, would be given photocopies of the order soon. An apex court bench comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta issued ...

No problem for Mercedes if Hamilton skydives or surfs

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff Friday said he had no problem with star driver Lewis Hamilton's passion for extreme sports, despite the injury risk to such a lucrative asset. Hamilton's adrenaline-fuelled off-season hobbies, including skydiving, surfing, snowboarding and riding motorbikes, have raised eyebrows in the past. But Wolff said the Briton was an adult and knew what helped him "decompress from racing". "Of course, I'm always worried and we had a laugh last year because I couldn't get hold of him or my chief strategist or one of the race engineers because they were racing motorbikes," he said. "But Lewis is not an 18-or 19-year-old young man anymore, he is a five-time world champion and he knows exactly what works for him and what doesn't. "All these activities in my experience are not a negative distraction but something he enjoys doing and every time he decompresses from racing, he comes back stronger." "We mustn't be judgemental," he added. "Some people go on a mediation ...

Varun Sharma, Manjot collaborate with Harrdy Sandhu

Singer Harrdy Sandhu has joined forces with actors Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh for the single "Yaarr superstaar".

SC directs WB govt to ensure smooth screening of film 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot'

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Mamata Banerjee government to ensure that no obstruction or restraint of any kind is imposed on the screening of the political satire movie 'Bhobishyoter Bhoot' in theatres in West Bengal. A bench comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta issued notice to the West Bengal government and others seeking their response before March 25 on a plea by the film producer which alleged that the movie has been taken down from a majority of theatres at the behest of the state authorities. "We specifically direct the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Department of Home, Government of West Bengal to ensure that no obstruction or restraint of any kind whatsoever is imposed on the viewing of the film or on the film being screened in theatres," the bench said. The top court also directed the chief secretary, principal secretary, Department of Home and the Director General of Police of West Bengal to ensure that adequate arrangements for ...

Wanted to be authentic with my role in 'Kesari': Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra, who plays Akshay Kumar's love interest in "Kesari, Friday said she wanted to be "authentic" to the character of a Punjabi woman in the film "Kesari" is based on the Battle of Saragarhi fought between the British Indian army's Sikh Regiment comprising of 21 soldiers and 10,000 Afghan tribesmen in 1897. Parineeti said she did not have any knowledge of that era and it was director Anurag Singh, whose research on the subject helped her in playing the part . "I used to ask several questions to Anurag before doing a scene as I did not want to go out of the character. I did not want to improvise in this world. I wanted to be as authentic as possible. "She is a Punjabi girl, so I knew an approximate world but I did not know about that kind of love story. It is the story of 1897 but we have an amazing friendship, there is no unequal relationship over here. This is a genius move by Anurag to not show the typical conservative side of husband and wife," Parineeti told reporters .

Sean Paul, J Balvin join hands for song

Grammy award-winning rapper Sean Paul has teamed up with Latin singer J Balvin for the single "Contra La Pared" (Against the Wall).

Louis Vuitton removes Michael Jackson-inspired pieces from collection

French fashion house Louis Vuitton has decided to no longer producer pieces from the autumn/winter 2019 menswear collection that directly reference Michael Jackson. The decision was taken by brand after sexual abuse allegations against Jackson resurfaced post the January release of the HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland". The label unveiled their collection in a show, which took place just over a week before "Leaving Neverland" premiered at Sundance. It featured several pieces that paid homage to Jackson that were then intended to go on sale in the summer. "I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights. "My intention for this show was to refer to Michael Jackson as a pop culture artist. It referred only to his public life that we all know and to his legacy that has influenced a whole generation of artists and designers," Virgil Abloh, men's artistic ...

MJ-inspired pieces to be removed from LV collection

Fashion house Louis Vuitton said it will remove those items from its Michael Jackson-inspired menswear collection "that directly feature" the late pop singer.

Indians don't know much on Saragarhi battle: Akshay

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who features as Havildar Ishar Singh in "Kesari" -- a film on the historical Battle of Saragarhi -- has urged the youth to watch the film as he feels the heroic tale has got lost in the pages of history books.

Delhi ArtEast Festival focuses on Brahmaputra

The mighty Brahmaputra and its multi-hued canvas are the focus of an art festival here explores the source, history and imagination of the river through art installations, video installations, poetry, dance, music and conversations. The third edition of ArtEast Festival, which began Thursday, is curated by Kishalay Bhattacharjee. The highlight of the festival will be an illustrated talk Visions of Paradise in the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra Gorge by Ian Baker, hailed as one of the seven 'Explorers of the Millenium' by National Geographic. The festival is a visual and historical journey from the river's source at Mansarovar in Tibet to Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, Brahmaputra in Assam, Jamuna, Padma and Meghna in Bangladesh, Bhattacharjee said. The festival is also attempting to imagine a 'new commons' and start a conversation on Brahmaputra and Ganga. Dancer Surjit N from Manipur is choreographing a piece for ArtEast on migration and displacement, National Geographic explorer and author Arati .

Netflix to remove controversial real-life accident footage from 'Bird Box'

Netflix has said that it will be removing footage of a real-life Canadian rail disaster from its film "Bird Box". The Sandra Bullock-starring film, directed by Susanne Bier, featured a stock footage from 2013 Lac-Megantic tragedy that claimed lives of over 40 people. It was used to depict a fictional news story about an apocalyptic scenario. In a brief statement to The Wrap, the streaming giant confirmed that it has decided to replace the clip. "Netflix and the filmmakers of 'Bird Box' have decided to replace the clip. We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Megantic community," the statement said. Netflix had earlier refused to remove the footage from the film after the controversy happened in January. The Canadian Parliament had also voted unanimously, criticising Netflix and demanding removal of the images from "its fiction catalogue". The country's lawmakers also asked for compensation for the citizens of Lac-Megantic, Quebec. The footage from the tragedy appeared in an episode

Will stop acting moment I turn full-fledged director, says Aamir Khan

Superstar Aamir Khan says filmmaking does excites him, but currently he wants to focus on acting. The 54-year-old actor, who made directorial debut with "Taare Zameen Par", said he will quit acting once he decides to turn full-fledged filmmaker. "I am inclined towards filmmaking and I coincidentally directed 'Taare Zameen Par'. I have been in love with filmmaking and acting and I can't alienate the two but what I can say right now is that I began my career as an actor and it excites me. "The moment I become a full-fledged filmmaker I will stop acting. Right now, I don't want to stop acting, that's why I am holding back the director inside me," Aamir told reporters here on Thursday. As a producer, Aamir has backed films like "Lagaan", "Taare Zameen Par", "Jaane Tu Yaha Jaane Na", "Peepli Live", "Dhobi Ghat", "Delhi Belly", "Talaash", "Dangal" and "Secret Superstar". The actor said his aim is to support good scripts and making money is not his agenda. "I had not thought at what pace I ..

LMIFW: Where gowns, lehengas went hand-in-hand

From floor-sweeping lehengas, flowy gowns to dhoti pants and kurtas -- fashion lovers in the capital were in for a treat at the ongoing Lotus Make-Up India Fashion Week here on Friday.

Alia gets 'great' birthday gift from her mother

Actress Alia Bhatt, who brought in her 26th birthday on Friday with her close friends and actor Ranbir Kapoor, was ecstatic about launching the teaser of her mother Soni Razdan's "No Fathers In Kashmir".

Parineeti 'truly grateful' to play Saina Nehwal

Actress Parineeti Chopra, who has replaced Shraddha Kapoor in the Saina Nehwal biopic, is grateful about taking on the role.

If not for rejections I wouldn't have lasted so long in showbiz: Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty believes rejections made her stronger and played a huge part in her success. The actor-reality show judge said she faced a tough time in making her footing in the film industry, but that never stopped her from working hard. "I always felt I am doing the right work. I am hard working. I hide under sofa when I see my old films. Back then in films I had blonde hair, used to wear blue lenses and red lipstick. I wonder how I got opportunities. "I think it was all destiny. There is no successful person who hasn't faced failure. The more you get rejected you rise and give your best," Shilpa said during a session at the 20th FICCI Frames. Shilpa, who started her Bollywood journey with "Baazigar", said the success of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrern did not help her much in getting good roles. "I did not feel people were accepting me as an actor. Maybe I wasn't that good actor. Even after doing films like 'Phir Milenge' and 'Dhadkan', I never got an award. I felt rejected and ...

Ustad Rashid Khan, Pt Birju Maharaj to perform at Dilli Durbar music festival

Stalwarts of Indian classical music and dance Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Birju Maharaj, and Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar among others will aim to connect the youth with the country's age old traditional classical art forms and culture at the Dilli Durbar music festival starting Saturday. The two-day festival, organised by Dilli Gharana in collaboration with Sursagar Society and Ameer Khusro Institute of Music, will be held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. The main components of the musical extravaganza will be Hindustani classical vocals, Kathak, Carnatic instrumental performances along with workshops, lectures on Hindustani music, seminars and panel discussions. Eminent Indian classical vocalist and the founder of Dilli Durbar, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan said the festival gives him an opportunity to pass on his learnings to the younger generation. "I had the great privilege of learning music under the tutelage of great maestros of Indian Classical Arts; they not only taught us the

Akshay Kumar's 'Kesari' made Mohit Raina nostalgic

As Akshay Kumar's "Kesari" nears its release, actor Mohit Raina says he feels nostalgic as he was the first actor to be a part of a project based on the battle of Saragarhi.

Dia opens up about Bollywood's ageism game

Actress-producer Dia Mirza, 36, says she is perceived to be at an awkward age in the entertainment business.