Page 40 - Entertainment Culture

When Archana was nervous to kiss Anupam Kher in 'Ladaai'

Actors Anupam Kher and Archana Puran Singh, who entertained the audience with their chemistry as Mister Malhotra and Miss Braganza in "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", shared an anecdote about a kissing scene they were supposed to do in their 1989 movie "Ladaai".

It's 'peace' between Katy Perry and Taylor Swift

It seems that everything is good between pop singers Katy Perry and Taylor Swift and the hatred is buried somewhere.Katy posted a picture of baked chocolate chip cookies on Instagram with "peace at last" written on the edge of the plate and tagged her former foe in the post."Feels good," the 'California Gurls' singer captioned the photoSwift commented on the adorable post by posting a heart emoji.According to some media reports, the feud is suspected be over Swift's 2014 track "Bad Blood" which the fans assumed to be on Perry, and Swift told Rolling Stone, that when the song came out, it was about another female artist who tried to "sabotage an entire arena tour."Swift has never publicly revealed who the alleged artist was.This appears to be the first time that the two pop singers have been vocal about their relationship since Katy literally extended an olive branch as a peace offering.Fans will remember that Katy had sent the 'Reputation' performer an olive branch ahead of Swift's ..

Sophie Turner reveals secret behind 'GoT' auditions

Sophie Turner has shared a funny anecdote with her fans that she forgot to inform her parents about her auditions and role in 'Game of Thrones.'According to People, the 23-year-old actor auditioned for her HBO series when she was just 13 years old.The actor who rose to fame for her eight-season run as Sansa Stark on 'GoT', shared the funny incident when she sat down with her Dark Phoenix co-star Jessica Chastain for Vogue Paris and as People cited, explaining that her mother was unaware of her initial audition for the role.The topic popped up when the two actors chatted about their families, and after Chastain asked, "so what did your parents say when you told them you wanted to get involved?""Well, I didn't tell my parents I auditioned for Game of Thrones. They just kind of found out," Turner surprised all with her reply.The actor who recently got hitched to Joe Jonas went on to narrate that the fantasy drama's casting director, Nina Gold, went on a search hunt in various schools to .

Could not relate to damsel in distress formula in animation: filmmaker Jill Culton

As somebody who grew up on animation movies, director Jill Culton says she could never relate to the damsel in distress idea of the princess films. This is why when Culton joined the animation field, she promised herself to create self-empowered female characters like the one in her upcoming film "Abominable". With the film, Culton becomes the first female director to helm a full-length animation feature. The director says it is high-time that creators in animation field worked towards eradicating such gender biases. "When I was growing up, the only example I had of how a girl should be were princess movies. And I was not at all like that. I couldn't relate to it. I was a tomboy. I was sturdy and went for camping. Although I appreciated these movies, there was nothing in them which I could relate to. So, when I decided to get into the field of animation, it was very important for me to create a strong female lead who was self-empowered and had her own mind. She is not afraid to get in

Priyanka Chopra to receive UNICEF USA humanitarian award

Actor Priyanka Chopra will be awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF's American chapter at their Snowflake Ball in December. The award is named after actor-philanthropist Danny Kaye, who was UNICEF's first Goodwill Ambassador. The 36-year-old actor took to Twitter to express her gratitude on Wednesday. "So humbled. Thank you @UNICEFUSA for honouring me with the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award at the #UNICEFSnowflake Ball in December! "My work with @UNICEF on behalf of all the world's children means everything to me. Here's to peace freedom and the right to education #ForEveryChild," Priyanka tweeted. The actor is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as a part of which she visited Ethiopia last month. Priyanka Chopra is known for her contribution to social causes and for being a voice for children's education. She has been a part of United Nation's global "Girl Up" Campaign and is associated with several NGOs in India to raise awareness about ways to improve the education, health ..

Vidya Balan is having 'pure joy' on her Bali trip

Actress Vidya Balan is giving vacation goals by sharing glimpses of her holiday in Bali.

6-year-old's dance video find fans in Will, Jada Smith

Six-year-old Ivanah Campbell's dance has earned her new fans in Hollywood stars Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar's '2.0' to release in China on July 12

Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer sci-fi action film "2.0" is all set to release in China on July 12. The film, sequel to the 2010 blockbuster "Robot", is touted as the first Indian film to release in the summer season this year in China. It will be distributed by Chinese company Beijing HY Media Co Ltd. "China has emerged as a highly lucrative market for Indian content, raking in handsomely at the China box office. Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar are superstars in their markets and we are thrilled to bring this unison of superpowers to the China market. "We are confident that a movie of this stature will be popular with Chinese audiences," Lisa, General Manager, Beijing HY Media Co Ltd said in a statement. The distributors are also planning to hold a press conference both in Beijing and Mumbai for an important announcement. "2.0" will be also screened at Shanghai International Film Festival this month.

Bothers me when identities are viewed through religious lens: Dia Mirza

As someone who grew up in a secular atmosphere, actor Dia Mirza says she is pained when people are viewed through a religious lens. The actor, who was born to a Christian father, a Bengali mother and raised in a Muslim home, says her identity has never been limited to religion, culture, caste or community. "My identity has always been of a citizen of this planet and a human being. It bothers me when identities are viewed through a religious lens. If you go back to history, every time human beings have moved towards majoritarianism, they have gone away from inclusivity and they have suffered. They have suffered at the hands of fear," Dia told PTI. The actor said those who propagate singular ideologies are the ones "who want to control us." "People want to control us by driving or re-enforcing fear. The only thing which can free us from this fear is art. This is why art exists. This is why we tell stories. We tell stories to evoke human empathy, compassion and to navigate human ...

Shahid tells what makes 'Kabir Singh' unique

Actor Shahid Kapoor believes the sheer intensity of "Kabir Singh" and the lead character makes it unique and special.

'Sooryavanshi' averts release clash with 'Inshallah'

Director Rohit Shetty's film "Sooryavanshi", which was to have an epic box office clash with Salman Khan's "Inshallah" on Eid in May 2020, will now be released on March 27.

'Sooryavanshi' release postponed to avert clash with Salman Khan-starrer 'Inshallah'

Salman Khan's 'Inshallah' and Rohit Shetty's 'Sooryavanshi' will no longer lock horns at the box office on Eid next year, as Shetty has decided to prepone the film's release date to March 27, 2020.Referring to Shetty as his younger brother, Khan wrote on Twitter, "I always thought of him as my younger brother and today he proves it... #RohitShetty. Sooryavanshi releasing on 27th March 2020."In March, the makers of 'Sooryavanshi' had shared the first look of the film and revealed that it would be released on Eid in 2020.This is the first time that Akshay has collaborated with Rohit for a project, where he will be seen sharing screen space with 'Namaste London' co-star Katrina Kaif.On the other hand, Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have teamed up after a hiatus of 19 years for 'Inshallah', where he will be sharing screen space for the first time with Alia Bhatt.The 'Bajrangi Bhaijan' actor also has Prabhu Deva's 'Dabangg 3' in the pipeline.

'Kabir Singh' director was keen to cast Adil Hussain

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is glad that actor Adil Hussain agreed to be part of his first Hindi film "Kabir Singh".

Sonakshi's new film gets 'Khandaani Shafakhana' title

Actress Sonakshi Sinha's upcoming film with actor Varun Sharma and rapper Badshah, has finally got a title and release date. Directed by Shilpi Dasgupta, the film is titled "Khandaani Shafakhana", and is scheduled to release on July 26.

'Rocketman' banned in Samoa for depictions of homosexuality

The Pacific nation of Samoa has banned singer-songwriter Elton John's biopic 'Rocketman' over its depiction of homosexuality.The Samoan government has banned the widely acclaimed Taron Egerton starrer film from screening in the South Pacific island country, reported Entertainment Weekly.Breaking the news on Facebook, the Apollo Cinemas Samoa wrote, "Unfortunately due to censoring issues we have had to cancel Rocketman."The film follows John's journey starting from a young piano prodigy named Reginald Dwight, to a rockstar struggling with addiction who finally finds his way to sobriety. The biopic is directed by Dexter Fletcher and is produced by Elton and his husband David Furnish.According to Samoa's principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui, the film clashes with the country's culture and its Christian beliefs."(The film is) not good for public viewing and violates laws against same-sex marriage," Faaui asserted.Reportedly, the film features multiple instances of intimate same-sex ...

Riteish Deshmukh joins cast of 'Baaghi 3'

Shraddha Kapoor is all set to reunite with her 'Ek Villain' co-star Riteish Deshmukh, who is the latest entrant to the cast of 'Baaghi 3'.This will be the sixth film of the 'Banjo' actor with Sajid Nadiadwala, who is producing the third instalment of the Tiger Shroff-starrer. The duo earlier collaborated on three instalments of 'Housefull', as well as 'Heyy Babby'."Woohoooo! So excited to be a rebel with @Riteishd you again after Ek Villain! Let's do this! Baaghi3," Shraddha tweeted on Wednesday.For the 'Stree' actor, this film will mark the third project with Sajid after 'Baaghi' and 'Chhichhore' (shooting for which recently wrapped up).Further details of the character to be portrayed by Riteish has been kept under the wraps. The film is scheduled to hit the screens on March 6, 2020.While the first instalment of "Baaghi" featured Shraddha as the female lead, the 2018 sequel had Disha Patani opposite Tiger Shroff.Tiger was last seen in the film 'Student of The Year 2' with debutants ..

'The Matrix' actor Collin Chou to star in 'The Half of It'

Collin Chou, best known for "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions", is set to feature in rom-com "The Half of It". The Netflix film will be directed by Alice Wu, reported Deadline. The project, which is a follow-up to Wu's 2004 film "Saving Face", revolves around the struggles of an immigrant family against the backdrop of an American-esque teenage angst romantic comedy. Chou will play Edwin Chiu, a struggling immigrant father to Leah Lewis' Ellie. Ellie was a highly educated engineer whose promising career was compromised by Edwin's poor English speaking skills when he moved to the US. He takes up the job as a station manager of the local train depot to provide for his daughter, but poor pay hinders his ability to move up the ladder. Wu is the writer and co-producer on the film. Anthony Bregman and M Blair Breard are also producing with executive producers Erica Matlin and Greg Zuk.

Francis Ford Coppola to receive honorary award at the Lumiere Festival

American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola will be honoured with Lumiere Award at the Lumiere Festival, scheduled to be held in October this year. Coppola's most famous work, "The Godfather Trilogy" will be screened through the night at the festival as part of the tribute to the 80-year-old filmmaker, reported Variety. The film festival, to be held from October 12 to 20 this year, celebrates heritage movies and filmmakers every year in Lyon Metropolis, France. It was launched by Cannes' artistic director Thierry Fremaux and filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier from the Institut Lumiere in 2009. Previous recipients of this award are Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Wong Kar-Wai.

Netflix renews 'Russian Doll' for second season

American comedy-drama series "Russian Doll", starring Natasha Lyonne in the lead role, has been renewed for a second season. The new season will have eight episodes. In the show, Lyonne plays Nadia Vulvokov, a software engineer who is in New York City to attend a party as the guest of honour but soon realises that she cannot escape it as she is caught in an endless loop of dying and returning to the same moment. Lyonne, who co-created the show with Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland, announced the show's renewal at the CODE Conference in Arizona, reported Variety. The first season of the show, which premiered on February 1, 2019, was critically-acclaimed.

Actor-politician Radha Ravi returns to AIADMK

Well-known actor Radha Ravi, who was suspended from the DMK earlier this year over his alleged misogynistic remarks about a popular south Indian actress, joined the AIADMK on Wednesday. He returned to the ruling party's fold two years after he joined the DMK. The actor-politician joined the AIADMK after calling on Chief Minister K Palaniswami at his official residence here, a party release said. Palaniswami is also the AIADMK's joint coordinator. Ravi, a versatile actor, had courted controversy in March this year after a video purportedly showing him making misogynistic remarks about actress Nayanthara went viral. His remarks drew condemnation from various quarters, prompting the DMK to suspend him. DMK president M K Stalin had said that his party would not tolerate such indiscipline. Besides Nayanthara herself, celebrities like Kamal Haasan and Taapsee Pannu had also criticised Ravi's remarks. He had later expressed regret for his comments. Ravi was elected MLA on an AIADMK ticket in