Page 658 - Entertainment Culture
Doubt if we can release 'Jaaon Kahan...' theatrically: Director
Aadish Keluskar, director of "Jaaon Kahan Bata Ae Dil" which won the Young Critics Choice Award at the 20th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, says he is doubtful if the movie will have a theatrical release. He feels a digital release will help it reach out to a wider audience.
Hope 'The Flood' helps cultivate compassion amid refugee crisis, says Lena Headey
Lena Heady's next is immigration drama "The Flood" and the actor hopes the film makes the world more compassionate and understanding. The actor, best known for playing Cersei Lannister in HBO's hit "Game of Thrones", plays Wendy in the film, a British immigration officer deciding the fate of an asylum seeker. "What I hope, personally, is we change 10 minds, or people reconsider how they feel about someone who has lost everything. Or maybe it will grow a bit more compassion, understanding, curiosity or bravery," Headey told Variety. The film's script has been penned by Helen Kingston who drew material from real-life stories after she, producer Luke Healy and director Anthony Woodley spent time volunteering in Calais, France, a refugee hotspot. Headey said Kingston's work is "a really smart take on what's happening", adding the film deals with the widespread refugee crisis without preaching or being overtly political. "I think it's a very quiet, strong bit of cinema and it's really ...
Ariana Grande's new song features ex-fiance Pete Davidson!
Ariana Grande has released a new song titled 'Thank U, Next' and it's about the men she has dated. The song features everyone from her late ex-boyfriend Mac Miller to ex-fiance Pete Davidson.The song, which was released on Saturday, features the lyrics, "Thought I'd end up with Sean / But he wasn't a match / Wrote songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh / Even almost got married / And for Pete, I'm so thankful /Wish I could say 'thank you' to Malcolm / 'Cause he was an angel."The song was launched just hours before the 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) episode featuring Grande went on air. In the track, the 'No tears left to cry' singer mentioned that she is happy to hang out with those close to her while she heals."Spend more time with my friends / I ain't worried about nothing / Plus I met someone else / We having better discussions / I know they say I move on too fast / But this one gon' last / Cause her name is Ari / And I'm so good with that," the lyrics read.The title of the track .
Hard to make film which doesn't give audience life-affirmation: Devashish Makhija
Director Devashish Makhija, best known for his short film "Taandav" and feature "Ajji", says it is hard to make a project which shows the audience the dark reality of life. The filmmaker, whose latest venture "Bhonsle" was screened at the Dharamshala International Film Festival on Friday, believes audience in India still prefers watching life-affirming stories. "I believe when you are not operating in the mainstream and when you are not entertaining people or giving them life-affirmation, it's always hard to make a film. I am trying to show them the mirror but they are not showing me the money. "It is a good sign that a film like 'Andhadhun' is making money or smaller films are making money, but again they are all entertaining and life-affirming films. A dark film, which is trying to hold up a mirror, for a better word, is not going to find money or audience," Devashish told PTI in an interview here. The director adds that the audience does not want to be reminded of the harsh ...
Superheroes in movies more violent than villains: Study
The "good guys" in superhero films engage in more violent acts than the villains, according to a study which warns that such movies may send a strongly negative message young viewers. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US analysed 10 superhero-based films released in 2015 and 2016. They classified major characters as either protagonist ("good guy") or antagonist ("bad guy") and used a standardised tool to compile specific acts and types of violence portrayed in the films. The researchers tallied an average of 23 acts of violence per hour associated with the films' protagonists, compared with 18 violent acts per hour for the antagonists. They also found the films showed male characters in nearly five times as many violent acts (34 per hour, on average), than female characters, who were engaged in an average of seven violent acts per hour. "Children and adolescents see the superheroes as 'good guys,' and may be influenced by their portrayal of risk-taking behaviours ..
Over-simplification of women in romantic-comedies irritates Argentine filmmaker
Award-winning Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel says women are so "incredibly over-simplified" in romantic-comedy films that she finds it irritating.
Lena Headley hopes 'The Flood' spreads compassion
Actress Lena Headey hopes her new film "The Flood" will further the understanding of immigration crisis around the world, and spreads a bit of compassion.
Had suicidal till 25 years of age, says AR Rahman
Before the country recognised the talent of AR Rahman, the celebrated composer says there was a phase in his life where he felt like a failure and thought about ending his life almost every day. The Oscar-winning composer says the initial low phase of his career eventually helped him emerge braver. "Up until 25, I used to think about suicide. Most of us feel they are not good enough. Because I lost my father, there was this void... There were so many things happening. "(But) that in a way made me more fearless. Death is a permanent thing for everyone. Since everything created has an expiry date, so why be afraid of anything?" Rahman told PTI. The turnaround for the 51-year-old composer came when he built his recording studio Panchathan Record Inn in his backyard in hometown Chennai. "Before that, things were dormant so may be it (the feeling) manifested then. Because of my father's death and the way he was working, I didn't do many movies. I got 35 movies and I did two. "Everyone ...
Feature films sans entertainment will never get due treatment in India: Devashish Makhija
It is difficult to survive in the Indian film industry if a film does not carry strong entertainment value, says filmmaker Devashish Makhija who started his movie journey as a research associate and assistant director on "Black Friday" and then moved on to making feature films like "Oonga" and "Ajji".
Foremost thing for any artwork is engagement: Sujoy Ghosh
National Award-winning filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh says engaging an audience must be the priority for any artwork, and the technicalities come later.
Charlize Theron praises Time's Up movement
Charlize Theron lauded the Time's Up movement, saying the campaign has stirred up conversation about gender dynamics, which was long overdue. The 43-year-old actor, who is a vocal supporter of #MeToo, said she has noticed the shift in the film industry firsthand. "Since Time's Up, I've been in meetings and on set and there's not a moment that there isn't a conversation happening. We've recognised that it's going to get ugly and now it's about who has the tenacity to see it through. "We're in pre-production on a film right now and we've worked really hard to make everyone very aware that the industry needs to change," Theron told Elle magazine. The "Mad Max: Fury Road" star emphasised on evolving with times and providing greater opportunities, irrespective of gender. "We need to start hiring differently and we need to create opportunities for a gender-neutral set," she added.
I have started enjoying rejection and misery: Manoj Bajpayee
Rejection at the National School of Drama made him suicidal, but after over two decades in the film industry Manoj Bajpayee says he has started enjoying the "insult" of listening to the word 'no'. The 49-year-old actor believes the initial rejections he faced have made him practical and motivated him to work harder. "I have realised that rejection is nothing but a sign that one needs to work hard. Rejection is not negative it makes you look at things very realistically and practically. I have started enjoying the rejection, misery and the whole insult of hearing 'no' from people. "It gives me strength to knock the door harder next time. I believe it depends how you look at it. I won't say you are not suppose to feel sad or dejected, but what matters is how better you come out of it," Bajpayee told PTI. The critically-acclaimed actor adds that while he is a "hardcore optimist", he feels dejected at times. "When you fall there is pain, but how quickly you get over that pain and move ...
All you need to know about A.R. Rahman's 'Notes of a Dream'
Music maestro A.R. Rahman recently attended the launch of his biography titled 'Notes of a DreamThe book has been written by author Krishna Trilok in association with Landmark and Penguin Random House.At the launch event, the Oscar-winning musician reflected upon his journey and excerpts from his life that will be revealed through the book."Notes of a Dream has been a journey for me that took me to those corners of my life which have remained candid for a long time," he said.Rahman also talked about the 23-year-old author of the book and said, "The insightful conversations with Krishna Trilok have unraveled parts of my creative and personal life which are not known to many."Trilok brings out the candid side of Rahman's life which goes beyond the heights of stardom the artist has reached. The author has written about the man behind the music and the struggle of his life, experiences, and travels which made him the man he is today. He has beautifully penned the insightful interviews to .
Kolkata actor joins international cast of unique play in UK
A 23-year-old actor from Kolkata is the only Indian in an international ensemble cast of a unique immersive theatre experience which is attracting rave reviews in London. Ninad Samaddar, who recently completed a Master's course in acting at Central Saint Martins in London, takes audiences on an unusual tour around the British capital as part of 'The Curious Voyage'. The murder mystery meets treasure hunt performance, complete with a surprise musical, is created as a cross-continental experience, which began in Barrie, Canada, and concludes in London on November 10. "This play is a promenade immersive experience, which essentially means that the stage is not a particular building but a given area such as a town, city or neighbourhood," explains Samaddar. "This play is designed to be a three-day immersive experience for a Canadian audience. The last day is set in London, thus open to a one-day London immersive experience for Londoners. The audience are requested to participate in a lot
I've always been shy: Jamie Dornan
Actor Jamie Dornan is very "shy" and feels more confident when he's working than in his ordinary life.
Leah Remini had to present herself as 'perfect'
Actress Leah Remini said she never presented an "authentic" version of herself to people when she was a Scientologist because she had to try and recruit them to the religion.
Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate KIFF
Australia would be the focus country of the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival, slated to be inaugurated by Bollywood's living legend Amitabh Bachchan in the presence of a galaxy of superstars of Indian cinema including Shah Rukh Khan here on November 10, the organisers announced on Saturday.
Perry's battle with depression inspired her for new song
Singer Katy Perry says she connected with the cover "Waving Through a Window" from Broadway show "Dear Evan Hansen" because of her own battle with depression and "mental isolation".
US jazz trumpet player Roy Hargrove dies at 49
American trumpet player Roy Hargrove, a precocious talent and a frequent performer at European jazz festivals, died Friday at age 49, his Facebook page announced Saturday. The page quoted his longtime manager Larry Clothier as saying Hargrove died in New York from cardiac arrest following complications from a battle with kidney disease. "One of the most respected and loved musicians in our New York City community and the world at large, the trailblazing multiple Grammy Award-winning trumpeter was known just as intensely for his brimming fire and fury as he was for his gorgeous, signature balladry," the post read. "Over and over, his sound attested to and sanctified his deep love for music. His unselfish timbre covered the waterfront of every musical landscape. Owning his music, his sound, Roy inspired generations of musicians." The Texas-born musician, discovered at his Dallas performing arts high school during a visit by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, developed his talents ...
Sunny Leone stages maiden performance in Bengaluru
Amid tight security, the maiden stage performance by Bollywood actor Sunny Leone in the city concluded without any hindrance. Police had tightened the security in and around the venue fearing that the members of a fringe group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene (KRVYS), would disrupt the show. The pro-Kannada outfit had threatened to disrupt the event. Around 200 policemen in civil dress were deployed at the venue. The KRVYS, an offshoot of pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, has been opposing the event for two reasons - first, the event would spoil the culture of Bengaluru and second, Sunny Leone was playing the lead role in a multi-lingual movie Veera Mahadevi, a period drama portraying a warrior. KRVYS state president R Harish said the agitation was called off as they had inputs that their rival group was planning to stage a parallel agitation only to defame them. "We wanted a peaceful agitation. Our intention was never to create a commotion. Hence we backed off,"