Page 519 - Entertainment Culture

Laxmikant Kuldakar, Usha Timothy get Mohammed Rafi Award

The Mohammed Rafi Award, instituted by an NGO headed by Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, was Monday bestowed upon late music composer Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar and playback singer Usha Timothy. Kudalkar, of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo, was given the Mohammed Rafi Lifetime Achievement Award consisting of Rs 1 lakh and a trophy. The award was received by his daughter. Timothy was honoured with the Mohammed Rafi Award and Rs 51,000 at a programme held in suburban Bandra Monday evening. The awards, instituted by the NGO Spandan Arts, were handed over by Shelar. Kudalkar formed a successful and long partnership with Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma and as music composers they belted out hit tracks like 'Bindiya Chamkegi', 'Main Shayar Toh Nahin' and 'Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra' among others. Timothy has sung 1,000 songs in multiple Indian languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Marathi, among others. Some of her popular songs include 'Jab Jab Bahar Aayi', 'Papa ...

Teena Singh to share screen space with Shahid

Actress Teena Singh has finished shooting for her next film, "Kabir Singh", with Shahid Kapoor. She says she had a good time working with the actor.

Aditi Budhathoki joins cast of 'Inside Edge 2'

Actress Aditi Budhathoki will be next seen in "Inside Edge 2".

Nicki Minaj joins 'Angry Birds Movie 2'

Rapper Nicki Minaj has joined "The Angry Birds Movie 2".

Vishesh Bhatt to produce web series on RK Laxman's book

Vishesh Bhatt has come aboard to produce a web series based on legendary cartoonist RK Laxman's book "Servants of India". This will be the first time that the work by Laxman, who was known for his social commentary and satires, will be adapted for the digital platform. RK IPR Management Pvt Ltd, a company founded by Laxman, has entrusted the rights of the book to Bhatt. "RK Laxman had interesting stories to tell and his vulnerable characters enhanced his vision. I am so glad that his family believed in me and gave me the opportunity to make this series. "I am really looking forward to working on this project and bringing his characters to life with contemporary twists," the filmmaker said in a statement. The series would be a satirical drama on the casual class prejudices in India with the absurdity of situations that people have experienced. The book has some unpublished material that will also be seen for the first time adapted in the series. Laxman's "The Guide", for which the ...

'The Gandhi Murder' is not a festival film: Producer

"The Gandhi Murder" is a commercial historical thriller and not a "festival film", says its producer Lakshmi R. Iyer.

2018: Hunt for newer markets saw interesting crossovers in India cinema

With the pressure of three-day box office performance worrying even the biggest of the stars, the producers and actors are looking beyond their core audience. 2018 was a remarkable year in this regard as Akshay Kumar, the quintessential Bollywood hero, traded his charm to play a villain in a Rajinikanth film, which went beyond the southern audiences to woo the Hindi belt with its grand scale and visual effects. It all started with the "Baahubali" franchise that reached its conclusion in 2017. SS Rajamouli's film had southern stars but such was its epic scale that it became a pan-Indian hit with its lead stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty and Rana Daggubati becoming national stars. When it comes to making larger-than-life films Bollywood seems to have ceded ground to its southern counterparts, but the producers in Hindi cinema are waking up to the pan-India appeal of these stories. Karan Johar was one of the early names to realise this potential and presented both "Baahubali" and S ...

Norman Reedus shares first photo of his daughter

Actor Norman Reedus is celebrating his first Christmas with his newborn daughter.

Kartik Aaryan all set to make 'Koffee With Karan' debut

Treating his fans on the occasion of Christmas, Kartik Aaryan revealed that he will be making a debut on Karan Johar's popular talk show 'Koffee With Karan'.The 28-year-old actor shared his look from the show on his Instagram account and teased his fans with the caption, "Merry Christmas everyone, Santa has a surprise for you, Something's brewing." The actor looked dapper donning a fancy jacket.The 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety' actor will be accompanied by his co-star Kriti Sanon, KJo confirmed with his latest Instagram post which features him posing with the two actors for a stunning picture. He captioned the post as, "3K's in the Koffee house!!!! KRITI KARTIK AND KARAN!"The two actors would be seen sharing screen space for the first time in Dinesh Vijan's directorial 'Lukka Chuppi' which is all set to release on March 1, 2019. However, before coming together on the big screens, they will appear on the koffee couch.Interestingly, this marks the debut of both the actors on the chat show. ..

'EK Ladki Ko...' apt film to team up with my father, says Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor, who will be sharing the screen space for the first time with her actor father Anil Kapoor in "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", said though they have been offered a lot of films in the past, this one was apt for them to collaborate. "I was very sceptical to do a film with my father. We have been approached for films several times. I said yes to Shelly Chopra (director) as I loved the story and I felt this is the film that dad and I should do together. I was enthusiastic about the film. I trusted the director, she was clear about the film," Sonam told reporters at a promotional event of the film on Monday. Sonam said she did not want to do a film with her father for the sake of it. "I never found authenticity or idealism in any of the other films. I felt nobody besides me and my father (were apt) to do 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga'. We are glad to know that we were the first choice of the director," she added. As per media reports, the film is about the father's (Anil

Series on R.K. Laxman's book in the works

Filmmaker Vishesh Bhatt will be producing a web series based on late R.K. Laxmans book "Servants Of India".

Richa meets law professors to prepare for her role

Actress Richa Chadha is set to play a lawyer in the upcoming courtroom drama "Section 375". As part of preparation for her role, she met law professors from law colleges here.

There's lot to explore with 'Bumblebee': Producer Bonaventura on possible sequel

"Bumblebee" has earned rave reviews from around the world courtesy its humane story at the core of the "Transformers" spin-off and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has teased the possibility of a follow-up. Directed by Travis Knight, set in the 1980s, "Bumblebee" is a prequel to the "Transformers" series. A tribute to its parent films, the Hailee Steinfeld-John Cena-starrer has every bit of its signature hi-end VFX, thrilling car chases and action sequences but focuses on the bond of friendship between a teenager, Charlie Wilson and alien robot B-127 or Bumblebee as he came to be known as. Asked whether there are more sequels planned, Bonaventura said it depends on how the global audience receives the film. "When we make any movie, it's about the audience coming up and showing 'coz we are never going to get to the other movie if the audience doesn't come. So we tend to feel that it is a bit of a bad luck to think too much about the next one. "But I think look at these two fantastic ...

Robin Thicke is engaged

Singer Robin Thicke is engaged to pregnant girlfriend April Love Geary

I'm concerned about country's anger: Sonu Nigam

Singer Sonu Nigam, who has been in the proverbial eye of the storm for his comments on Pakistani musicians and the #MeToo movement, says he is concerned about the "country's anger" and would like people to "smile and be a little easy". An eye for an eye leads to lynchings and road rage incidents and is just not his style, said the singer who ignited twin controversies last week. He said during a media summit that it would be better if he was from Pakistan so he would get more offers from India. Nigam also attracted attention with his verbal spat with Sona Mohapatra on #MeToo movement. "I am very concerned about the country's anger. There has to be some decorum. The kind of language people use is unbelievable. The kind of language she (Sona) used, there is so much hatred. I maintained my decorum in all my statements. We need to smile and be a little easy," Nigam told PTI. The 45-year-old said he became a victim of sensational headlines and their viral effect on social media. "When I ...

Heidi Klum, Tom Kaulitz engaged

Supermodel Heidi Klum and musician Tom Kaulitz are now an engaged couple. The catwalk icon made the announcement on Christmas Eve on Instagram where she shared a black-and-white photo flaunting a big diamond on her finger. Klum, 45, captioned photo,"I said yes." Klum and Kaulitz, 29, went public with their relationship in March this year at the amfAR Gala Cannes.

Nicki Minaj joins cast of 'The Angry Birds Movie 2'

American rapper Nicki Minaj is all set to lend her voice for a character in the upcoming animated film titled 'The Angry Birds Movie 2'.Other celebrities, including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Peter Dinklage, will reprise their roles from the first film, reported Variety.They are being joined by Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Lil Rel Howery, Dove Cameron, and Zach Woods.The adventure film is directed by Thurop Van Orman and co-directed by John Rice. It is produced by John Cohen along with Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews. David Maisel and Catherine Winder are the executive producers for the film.Interestingly, the release date of 'Angry Birds Movie 2' coincides with the 10th anniversary of the popular video game. The 'Angry Birds' video game has been downloaded more than 4 billion times.The 2016 film 'Angry Birds' grossed USD 350 million worldwide, including USD 107.5 million domestically. The film was directed by Fergal

Televising theatre may be the next big step in entertainment (Arts Feature)

Theatre has been so much a part of Indian culture that it's where some of the renowned Bollywood names have cut their teeth. However, it is struggling to keep its identity alive in the present-day, tech-driven frenzy, prompting some of the veterans to suggest it be given a cinematic and digital feel to make it more relatable and reachable to the young.

My Indian heritage really helps me: Indo-British singer

Nineteen-year-old London-based singer-songwriter RESHRICH, who has had two hit releases earlier this year and is ready with a third offering, says his Indian heritage helps him find inspiration for his music and he hopes to capitalise on the trend among Indian composers to experiment with Western culture and sonics.

Nicki Minaj onboard 'Angry Birds Movie 2' voice cast

Rapper Nicki Minaj has joined the voice cast of "Angry Birds Movie 2". The 36-year-old recording artiste will lend her voice to an unspecified role, Variety reported. Minaj's previous movie credits include "Ice Age: Continental Drift", "Barbershop: The Next Cut" and The "Other Woman". The sequel will see Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Peter Dinklage reprise their roles. Rachel Bloom, Sterling K Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Zach Woods, Awkwafina, Lil Rel Howery, Dove Cameron, and Brooklynn Prince are all part of the voice cast. Leslie Jones has been roped in to voice the film's villain. The follow-up to the 2016 film will be directed by Thurop Van Orman and John Rice. John Cohen is producing. "The Angry Birds", directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis, was set on an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds - except for Red (voiced by Sudeikis), speedy Chuck (Gad), and Bomb (McBride). The film's release on September 20, 2019 coincides with the 10th ...