Page 678 - Entertainment Culture

I have scared a lot of men, women, says Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand says when she was starting out both men and women were scared of her ambition and dedication. The 76-year-old actor-director said the fact that she wanted to have full control over her life did not go down well with a lot of people. "I didn't want to stay in my place. I started out wanting to be an actress and I got to acting through my singing. But then that wasn't enough. I wanted to shape things, I wanted to write. I wanted to direct. I wanted to produce. I wanted to make decisions. And that got me into trouble. A woman in control: that scared men. It scared other women! They weren't ready for it," Streisand told the Guardian. The actor said she was unfazed by the criticism she received. "I would constantly get attacked; I still get attacked. I remember a line from George Bernard Shaw's play 'Saint Joan': 'He who tells too much truth shall surely be hanged'. I was making TV movies about subjects I loved, about gun control, gay rights, about Margarethe Cammermeyer, .

I've been crazily adventurous with my life: Taapsee Pannu

From a girl who loved studies to becoming an actress, Taapsee Pannu's journey has been a roller-coaster ride. She says she has always been about exploring the unexplored.

Shamelessness is not, and will never be a superpower: Jim Carrey takes a dig at US govt

Comedy star Jim Carrey took a sly dig at current US government and President Donald Trump saying people need to understand that being "shameless" does not make a nation superpower. The 56-year-old star, who was presented with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, however, did not mention Trump's name in his acceptance speech. "We need to be clear: Shamelessness is not, and will never be a superpower. It is the mark of a villain, kidnapping children is not what great nations do. One half of America at this moment believes there is a sinister deep state diabolically plotting to what? Give them healthcare? We in America are misinformed. "Reality shows have warped our idea of what a hero is or what the truth is so tonight I'd like to dedicate this award to those who remind us of our virtues, who remind us of the truth, to Sir Charles Chaplin, who battled McCarthyism into exile, to Christopher Steele who tried to pull a thorn out of the paw of an ungrateful beast, ..

Film on 'Homecoming King' on Hasan Minhaj's mind

Hasan Minhaj found global fame when he gave words to his story through the stage production turned comedy special "Homecoming King". The Indian-American comedian is now thinking about making a feature film on it.

Shah Rukh Khan set to begin Rakesh Sharma biopic from Feb 2019

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will start working on astronaut Rakesh Sharma's biopic early next year, producer Ronnie Screwvala said. With script written by Anjum Rajabali, the film will be directed by Mahesh Mathai and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur and Screwvala under their banners Roy Kapur Films and RSVP Films respectively. There were reports that Bhumi Pednekar has been signed opposite Shah Rukh in the film, reportedly titled "Saare Jahaan Se Achcha" but Ronnie said an official announcement will be made soon. "We are doing that film with Shah Rukh Khan. We should begin it by February or March next year, but we haven't announced the female lead yet," Ronnie told PTI. The producer, who has also backed Sushant Singh Rajput-Sara Ali Khan starrer "Kedarnath", said going forward he wants to be more involved in each and every project he is a part of. "This time around there is no compulsion. I can do three movies a year, or six. Telling the stories I want to tell is most important. That's ..

Dwayne Johnson reflects on fatherhood

Actor Dwayne Johnson says he doesn't mind his daughter Jasmine waking him up to play after he has had an exhausting day at work.

My father is Youth Icon of Year: Alia Bhatt

Actress Alia Bhatt, who received the Youth Icon of the Year honour at a gala here from her father for the first time, said he was best suited for the title.

Think out of the box to recover money from movies: filmmakers

Filmmakers of various countries have advocated thinking out of the box for marketing their films in order to recover the money spent on making it. Targeting academic circles, secondary markets and digital platforms were some of the suggestions offered by the filmmakers during the ongoing second Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) here. Taking part in an open forum discussion at the GIFF here on Saturday, the filmmakers also lamented the lack of government support in promoting independent movies. "We need to think out of the box at the beginning of making a film. But unfortunately, we start thinking about it only after the film is ready. From writing the script to the final product, a film usually takes two years to be completed," Indian producer-actor Shahnaab Alam said. The filmmakers put enormous effort in making a film, but never tries hard for marketing the same, he rued. "There is a space for every kind of film. Since each film is different from the other, so

Demi Lovato sober since 90 days, says mother

Singer Demi Lovato has reached 90 days of sobriety, according to her mother Dianna De La Garza.

Don't stop dreaming: Jackky Bhagnani urges youth

Actor Jackky Bhagnani, who attended the sixth edition of the Young Leaders Connect Conclave here, urged the youth to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

I always try to learn from my failures: Saqib Saleem

There have been some hits and some misses in his career, but Saqib Saleem has learnt to embrace failures. The actor says failure -- the first step towards success -- is the best teacher.

Actress Rasika Dugal to explore comedy in commercial space

Actress Rasika Dugal's name is often attached to independent films with strong storylines. She is now ready to explore comedy in the commercial space.

Filmmaker opens window to unseen side of Assamese society

There are many stories about the Assamese society that need to be reach out to a wider audience, and filmmaker Jahnu Barua, through his latest venture 'Bhoga Khiriki', has made an attempt to open a window to this "inconspicuous side" of his homeland. 'Bhoga Khiriki' or 'Broken window', which had its world premiere at the inaugural session of the second Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), tells the tale of an educated young woman, whose "placid life turns difficult" after her childhood sweetheart turns a militant. "The name 'Bhoga Khiriki' is a metaphor symbolising the Assamese society. It is through this window that I wish to paint a picture of the world around us," Barua told PTI. The film, produced by Priyanka Chopra's Purple Pebbles Picture, in association with two other production houses, is set in rural Assam. There are stories lurking in different corners of Assam, the world needs to hear and learn about them, he said. "Films reflect the ethos and ...

Delhi govt Health Dept issues notice to director, producers of 'Badhaai Ho' for smoking scenes

The Delhi government's Health Department has issued a notice to the director, producers and actors of the recently released movie 'Badhaai Ho', asking them to remove smoking scenes as well brand promotions of tobacco products from the film. Additional Director (Health), Dr S K Arora, said there are lot of smoking scenes and also a tobacco shop displaying tobacco packs shown repeatedly in the movie which are violations under section 5 of COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act ). These are punishable offences under section 22 of COTPA. "A strict compliance notice has been issued to the director, producers and actors of the recently released movie 'Badhaai Ho' asking them to remove smoking scenes as well brand promotions of tobacco products from the film as these are violations under COTPA," he said. "Punishment for first offence is imprisonment for up to 2 years with or without fine up to Rs 1,000 or both. For subsequent offence the punishment is imprisonment up to 5 year and ..

Unfortunate that Bollywood is still star driven, says Shonali Bose

Shonali Bose's next "The Sky is Pink" may have Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar in the lead, but the director believes it is still tough to make small film in a star-dominated industry. The 53-year-old filmmaker said there are better chances of her film drawing the audience's attention with top actors headlining it. "It is unfortunate (that the industry is) driven by star system. I do wish that was not the case. Bollywood is still star driven even for one to get backing on the script. "It is difficult to make smaller films. Like in case of 'Amu' and 'Margarita, With A Straw' you do not get backing by big studios as stars are not playing roles," she told PTI in an interview. Asked if it is essential to be regarded as commercial director, Shonali said numbers matter but she has not let that affect her personally. However, the National Award-winning director said, "I always set out for failure and it doesn't matter if the film doesn't succeed at the box office. I have to be true to my ..

You can smell hypocrisy from a mile away in industry today: Sanjay Khan

Veteran actor Sanjay Khan says he has enjoyed several long-lasting friendships in Bollywood but believes the equation among the current crop of actors is so superficial that they are ready to "backbite" anytime. Khan says these things existed in the industry in his heyday but there was elegance and class. "The value of friendships among the current reigning lot pains me. It is superficial. It's just to show courtesy. The extra hugs and the taps on the back, you can smell hypocrisy from one mile away, that they don't have anything in common," Khan told PTI in an interview. "The moment they turn around, they backbite. This is a downside of the film industry. In those days we could say it was like this too but it had elegance, some class, respect. Now there is naked aggression," he adds. Khan says the reason for the downfall of quality relationships between people in the industry could be "material gain." "In those days, the parity of money was more or less the same. Today with changing .

Ananya Birla surprise addition at Oktoberfest line-up

Singer Ananya Birla will be wrapping up the ongoing Oktoberfest 2018 here with a performance with Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer Sean Kingston.

'Boy Erased' to release in India on Nov 16

Nicole Kidman's "Boy Erased" will release in India on November 16.

Kaley Cuoco slams body shaming trolls

Kaley Cuoco gave it back to social media trolls for body shaming her. "The Big Bang Theory" star shared a video on her Instagram story slamming abusers after some of the users asked her if she was pregnant. "So, because I'm in traffic I thought I'd take this time to comment on some Instagram trolls. I posted a picture this morning of my sister and I from an event last night and people said I looked pregnant. "Now, would you ever walk up to someone on the street or at an event where they're obviously dressed up and say, 'Are you pregnant?' It's just so comedic and shocking that people would ask that. I'm not pregnant. I guess it was a pregnant angle. Seriously, shut up," Cuoco said in the video. The actor married equestrian Karl Cook in June.

Chris Rock may direct Kevin Hart in 'Co-Parenting'

Chris Rock is in negotiations to direct Kevin Hart in the comedy "Co-Parenting". The project by Universal is based on an original idea by Rock and Hart, Variety reported. "Black-ish" writer Yamara Taylor will pen the script. If the deal is cracked, Hart will play a stay-at-home father who raises the children while his CEO wife serves as the breadwinner and finds himself in turmoil when his wife decides to ditch him, leading to a bitter divorce and custody battle. Hart, Rock, Will Packer and John Cheng will co-produce along with James Lopez. Executive vice-president of production Kristin Lowe will oversee production on behalf of Universal.