Page 680 - Entertainment Culture
'The Simpsons' reportedly dropping Apu after debate
The character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is reportedly being written out of "The Simpsons" after a controversy. One of the longest running animated shows on American TV, "The Simpsons" came under intense scrutiny after Hari Kondabolu's documentary "The Problem with Apu" highlighted the stereotypical depiction of Indian immigrants in Hollywood. The sitcom recently addressed the criticism over Apu's characterisation in the episode "No Good Read Goes Unpunished". However, it failed to pacify the viewers and was slammed on social media for its tone-deaf response to the controversy. One of the producers confirmed to IndieWire that the show is planning to "drop the Apu character altogether". "I got some disheartening news back. I've verified from multiple sources now: They're going to drop the Apu character altogether," producer Adi Shankar said. "They aren't going to make a big deal out of it, or anything like that, but they'll drop him altogether just to avoid the controversy," he ...
New delegate registration stopped at 2nd GIFF
The organisers of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival have stopped new registration of delegates in the film extravaganza as over 6,000 delegates have already registered and there is space limitations in the auditoriums. The Assam Government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which are being held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute. "We have received huge response this year. Already over 6,000 have registered and new requests are coming daily. We have space limitations at the auditoriums. So, we are forced to stop new registration," Jyoti Chitraban chairman Pabitra Margherita told PTI. There is standard norm of having delegates registration in the ratio of 1:3 in respect of seat capacities and the 2nd GIFF has already crossed that, he added. "Most of shows are houseful and people are not getting any space to stand even. We feel bad to close the
Jason Derulo cancels Prague concert over safety concerns
Singer Jason Derulo cancelled his concert here after his tour manager determined that the structural integrity of the stage was not up to the mark.
My autobiography will make a great film: Sanjay Khan
Sanjay Khan is excited about unveiling his autobiography, "The Best Mistakes of My Life", which will take the readers to his world of films, family, his near-death accident and more. The veteran Bollywood actor says it will make a great book for movie adaptation.
Pakistan SC reimposes ban on Indian content
Pakistan's Supreme Court has reintroduced a ban on Indian films and television shows being broadcast on the country's local channels. The apex court was hearing a case filed by the United Producers Association pertaining to the broadcast of foreign content on Pakistani television channels, reported Dawn. During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar ordered a "shut down" and made it clear that authorities should "only air appropriate content". "They are trying to (obstruct the construction) of our dam and we cannot even ban their channels?" Nisar said. In 2016, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had imposed a ban on airing Indian content on local television and FM radio channels. However, the Lahore High Court lifted ban in 2017, declaring it null and void as the Pakistan government had no objections regarding the same.
Subtle censorship more prominent in India: Actor Shahnaab Alam
Actor-producer Shahnaab Alam on Saturday said "subtle censorship" is more prominent in India instead of the legal one, and that people's sentiments are getting hurt more easily due to films than in the past. The filmmaker also batted for complete elimination of the censorship process and advocated the rating system like in the US and some European countries. "There are two kinds of censorships in India -- one is the legalised one. But, there is a whole lot of subtle censorship in India. Many sections do not agree and we have backlashes. There is no law and order support," Alam said. Participating in a discussion in the ongoing 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), the filmmaker said this subtle censorship is more profound and prominent. "Different people are getting hurt easily compared to the past... My personal view is that there should not be any censorship at all. Only ratings should be there," he added. Asked if the rise of "unofficial censorship" is in ...
'Uri' will be a special film in my career: Yami Gautam
Actress Yami Gautam, who is gearing up for the release of her forthcoming movie "Uri", says it will be a special film for her career.
Life is enjoyed when you have difficulties to overcome: Model Gabriella Demetriades (Lead, correcting para seven)
Born and raised in South Africa and now enjoying her modelling and acting career in India, Gabriella Demetriades recalls the time when it was hard to stay away from her family in a new country. However she believes that life is enjoyed the most when there are tough times to overcome.
Jim Carrey lashes out at Trump for "kidnapping children"
Actor Jim Carrey has slammed United States President Donald Trump for "kidnapping children". The actor was honoured for his achievements in comedy at the Bafta Britannia Awards in Los Angeles on Friday. During his acceptance speech, the 'Yes Man' actor said, "We need to be clear: Shamelessness is not, and will never be a superpower. It is the mark of a villain, kidnapping children are 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?"According to The Hollywood Reporter, by accusing trump of kidnapping children, Carry referred to the Trump administration's 'Zero-tolerance' immigration policy, under which, many children were separated from their families. Taking a jibe at the recent incident in which pipe bombs were posted to high-profile figures in the US, 'The Mask' actor said "Yes, I no longer have packages delivered to my home in great America fashioned in the last couple of ...
Life is enjoyed when you have difficulties to overcome: Model Gabriella Demetriades
Born and raised in South Africa and now enjoying her modelling and acting career in India, Gabriella Demetriades recalls the time when it was hard to stay away from her family in a new country. However she believes that life is enjoyed the most when there are tough times to overcome.
When Swara Bhasker was rejected by a director for 'looking intelligent'
Beauty and appearance play a crucial role in cinema and Swara Bhasker says in the initial days of her career she was rejected for "looking intelligent". "I think everyone who comes to the industry has to face certain kind of rejection for how they look. Otherwise people would not be spending so much money on the make up. "All this is a reflection of a person's mindset. The first meeting I had when I came to Bombay, a director rejected me saying, you look too intelligent. I have still not understood what does this mean," Swara told PTI on the sidelines of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival where her movie "Shame" was screened. Swara said it is best to ignore such things and focus on work. "Shame", directed by Anusha Bose, is a twisted journey of a meek, vulnerable woman who emerges from the background to unapologetically reclaim her dignity, confidence and her right to desire. "It is about how women are often shamed for their looks and it is a story of a nice sweet girl, who is shamed for ..
I hope to do more movies: Tara Sharma
Actress Tara Sharma is happy to be the creator, writer and co-producer of her successful project "The Tara Sharma Show", but says once in a while it's nice to get offered a film with a good script. She has made her acting comeback with a short film and a feature movie, but she wants more.
#MeToo should not become male bashing: Shonali Bose
Lauding several women for having the courage to share their sexual harassment stories, filmmaker Shonali Bose says the #MeToo movement should not be reduced to male bashing. "This movement should at no point become male bashing.. It is not about men and women, it is about the patriarchy imbedded in our society. I was in a prominent college in Delhi, I was sexually harassed in auditorium and went up to the stage and said we were shutting down the festival as many faced it. "The principal said I was going to be expelled from the college. It is about the ideology, like women being shamed as to how you project yourself, what you wear... It is not coming from men alone but women as well," Shonali said on Friday at #MeToo panel discussion at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film festival here. Shonali said the incident only made her realise, how women are judged for what they wear and how they appear. The 53-year-old director believes cinema is the best way where one can break boundaries and smash ...
Jenna Dewan files for divorce from Channing Tatum
Jenna Dewan has officially filed for divorce from actor Channing Tatum six months after the two announced their split. According to The Blast, Jenna's lawyer Samantha Spector filed the documents, in which Jenna requested child and spousal from Tatum, in addition to having her name restored to Jenna Dewan. Tatum filed a response in which he also requested joint physical and legal custody of of their daughter. The couple was married for eight years and share a daughter named Everly.
Allison Janney, Laura Dern to play sisters in Tate Taylor's 'Breaking News in Yuba County'
Oscar winner Allison Janney and actor Laura Dern will be leading the cast of Tate Taylor's dark comedy "Breaking News in Yuba County". Taylor, best known for "The Help" and "The Girl on the Train", is directing the project with a script from Amanda Idoko, reported Variety. Janney, 58, and Dern, 51, will be playing sisters in the film. Janney, 58 will portray a pencil pusher who catches her husband in bed with another woman, which causes him to die of a heart attack. So she buries his body and takes advantage of the growing celebrity status that comes from having a missing husband but finds herself in over her head, dodging cops and criminals. Dern, 51, will play her sister, a local news anchor who's desperate for a story. Taylor will also produce the project alongside actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, Franklin Leonard and John Norris. The film is expected to start production in mid-2019.
Vasan Bala revisits childhood memories through 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'
Screenplay writer and film director Vasan Bala, whose film "Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota" gained appreciation on its premiere at the ongoing 20th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, says the movie has been derived from his childhood memories of cinema and the neighbourhood.
Why Radhika Madan chose 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' over 'Laila Majnu'
Radhika Madan would have had a different, more conventional Bollywood story to narrate had she not been spotted by director Vasan Bala's team for "Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota" while she was all set to audition for "Laila Majnu". The actor went to audition for the Imtiaz Ali-backed modern day re-telling of the epic romance. But, as fate would have it, she was instead zeroed in as a feisty martial artiste in the action-comedy. "For 'Laila Majnu', I was pretty excited because I thought I would get to be Laila in my debut film which will be shot in Kashmir. And here, there was this action film script, a genre which I've never liked. If given a chance I would go for a rom-com or any other genre film but this," Radhika told PTI. "But something inside me knew I had to do this. I knew 'Laila Majnu' in that sense was conventional, I'd look a certain way, it'll be treated in a certain way but there was so much of uniqueness to this film, I said chuck everything I'm doing this one," she added. "Mard .
Netflix cancels 'American Vandal'
Streaming giant Netflix has decided to cancel its true-crime spoof series "American Vandal" after two seasons. "'American Vandal' will not return for a third season," an official statement uploaded on Netflix website read. "We're very grateful to the creators, writers, cast and crew for bringing their innovative comedy to Netflix, and to the fans and critics who embraced its unique and unconventional humour." The news comes after Netflix cancelled Marvel series "Iron Fist" and "Luke Cage" after both aired their second seasons.
'Mere Pyaare Prime Minister' screened at Rome Film Festival
Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's upcoming film "Mere Pyaare Prime Minister" was the only Asian film which was screened at the Rome Film Festival.
My first feature film will be with kids: Jitendra Rai
Jitendra Rai, whose short film "Cup of Tea" won the Best Film Award at the Consumer Film Festival last week, says that his first feature film will be definitely with children.