Page 716 - Entertainment Culture
Had approached Akshay, Katrina for 'Namaste England': Vipul Shah
Filmmaker Vipul Shah says he had spoken to the original leads of "Namastey London", Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, for its sequel "Namaste England" but things didn't work out. The director said while Akshay was busy with prior commitments, Katrina thought she would not suit the part. "Katrina could not have been an Indian desi girl. We both did speak about it. And she said this role is something that people may not accept her in. I was going to do the film with Akshay but his dates were blocked for two years so he recommended I go to another actor," Vipul told PTI. The director said he then approached Arjun Kapoor who had everything that he needed in an actor to play the part. "I met Arjun and I told him I was going to do this with Akshay but he doesn't have dates. He heard the script and agreed to do it and that's how he came into the picture. I wanted someone desi who can also look modern and who has got a certain honesty in his face. "He was the most suited boy for the part. ...
Aftab Shidvasani clocks 19 years in Bollywood
Actor Aftab Shivdasani on Monday looked back at how life changed for him 19 years ago when he stepped into the world of Bollywood.
Neha Dhupia wants to be unstoppable
Neha Dhupia says more than playing the lead in a film, her desire is to keep working in the film industry. The 38-year-old actor, who was last seen in Karan Johar's segment of Netflix anthology series "Lust Stories", says she wants to be "unstoppable". "It is hard to be the leading lady all my life, my desire is to keep working and be part of cinema. I want to be unstoppable. I am eight and half months pregnant and I am still going to work. I am not worried about whether I am doing lead role or anything else... "It is good to be associated with good subjects and stories. Everything that is topical will have an audience. I like doing films that are topical," Neha told PTI in an interview. The actor says she is waiting to embrace motherhood. "I have tread different paths like TV, audio, reality shows and cinema. I do pretty much everything. And now I am going to wear the toughest hat, that is of motherhood. I will have to balance things out." Neha has been lauded for her performance in .
Aahana Kumra's warm relationship with Soni Razdan
Actress Aahana Kumra says she is glad that she got a chance to work with Soni Razdan, Mahesh Bhatt and Pankaj Tripathi in "Yours Truly".
Tough to call sequels a safe bet: Arjun Kapoor
Sequels have often proved to be money spinners but Arjun Kapoor, who will be seen in "Namaste England", believes there is no sure-shot formula to make a film successful. The film, which also features Parineeti Chopra, is a sequel to 2007 hit "Namastey London". "It is tough to call sequels as a safe bet, it does have a recall value and it has goodwill. But eventually beyond the Friday, the audience will judge the film on the basis of merit. Eyeballs is easier to get (for franchise or sequels). The audience has become sensible today they do not just come in for franchise but they see what new and interesting a film offers to them," Arjun told PTI. The film marks Arjun and Parineeti's first collaboration after "Ishaqzaade" and the actor said he was excited about working with her as they had an opportunity to present their on-screen chemistry differently. "This film made sense as we want to show the audience our pairing in a unique manner. We are married in the first 15 minutes of the ...
AMMA defends actor Mohanlal
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) on Monday came out in support of its chief, superstar Mohanlal, who has been slammed by the Women's Collective in Cinema (WCC) over the way a case involving an actress' kidnap case was handled.
'Namaste England', 'Badhai Ho' to release on October 18
In what could be considered a Dussehra 'dhamaka', the two big Hindi releases this week, Vipul Shah's "Namaste England" and Amit Sharma's "Badhai Ho" have been given a last-minute early release.
Hope #MeToo movement in India doesn't get dissolved: Rakul Preet
Actress Rakul Preet is happy with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum in India, but feels it is important to differentiate between sexual harassment and sexual misconduct and deal accordingly.
Akshay Kumar is excited for 'Namaste England'
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is excited about the upcoming sequel of his 2007 film 'Namaste London' as he wished all the luck to the 'Namaste England' team.The 'Gold' star, who has worked on several projects with director Vipul Amrutal Shah, said, "I wish Vipul, Arjun, and Parineeti all the luck. I hope that this film receives as much love as 'Namastey London' did. The trailer looks exciting and I am looking forward to watching the film".Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who earlier won hearts of the audience with the super hit 'Namaste London', is all set to take the franchise forward with Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra starrer 'Namaste England', which will ahit the screens this Friday.The first installment starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif was a romantic comedy based against the backdrop of Punjab and London.'Namaste England', on the other hand, is a young and refreshing story that traces the journey of two individuals Jasmeet and Param. The recently released second trailer of the film ..
Chris Evans clarifies rumours around Captain America
As Chris Evans' farewell tweet on "Avengers 4" led some fans to believe that Captain America will die in the upcoming Marvel movie, the actor has clarified it saying that the post wasn't an insinuation that "Captain America will die".
'Yes people' around an artiste toxic: Karan Johar
Filmmaker Karan Johar believes it is important for a successful person to be around people who give their honest opinion. Johar, who has evolved with time graduating from college romance to family dramas and will soon be helming his first period-drama in "Takht", believes sycophants spread toxicity. "To surround yourself with 'no' people and not 'yes' people. People who can tell you the wrong you're doing and what right you can do. "It's very stupid to be deluded. The 'yes' men around you are toxic. It's important to have people who'll call out the wrong - 'this film isn't good, script isn't nice.' Sometimes you know the truth but when people praise you, you start believing," he said in a group interview. Johar said being relevant is important if one has to continue making good art. "I can't live in the past with my laurels. I should not take myself seriously and instead surround myself with younger people. They inspire us. It's important to hear them. I don't want to lose that ...
Disney offers EU antitrust concessions over $71.3 billion Fox deal
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Walt Disney has offered concessions in an attempt to allay EU antitrust concerns over its $71.3 billion bid for Twenty-First Century Fox Inc's entertainment assets, the European Commission said on Monday.
People can get tired of a character but not the genre: Marvel's Stephen Wacker on superhero fatigue
The appeal of superhero films lies not in the special effects but the relatable underdog stories, which makes the genre a fan favourite, believes Stephen Wacker, VP - Creative Development, Marvel. Superhero films are the biggest money-spinning machines in the industry but some critics say there is bound to be a fatigue of the genre. Wacker, however, said viewers will always resonate with the films on these iconic characters as it is "the person behind the mask" who they care about. "I read a lot of Marvel stuff, so I feel there can be superhero fatigue someday. Sometimes we get lost in the cosmetic special effects of the superhero work, which is an exciting part but at the core, these are stories about ordinary people, who are put in extraordinary positions and have to take a stand. That's no different than any novel regardless of genre. "The question superheroes bring to the people is 'Will I rise to the occasion? or Will I be able to do this?'. I am a big believer that there is a ...
Khayyam named for Hridaynath Award for lifetime achievement
National Award winning music director Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, famous as 'Khayyam', has been named for this year's Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Achievement, an official said here on Monday.
Bryan Adams makes it a night to remember in Gurgaon
He came, he performed and left crooning and swaying fans asking for more; Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams wound up his five-city India tour with a first-time concert in the Delhi-NCR region Sunday night. Beginning his nearly two-hour gig at the Leisure Valley Park here with the 2017 hit Ultimate Love', which seamlessly segued into the one-two punch of Can't Stop This Thing We Started', he went on to belt 24 more numbers from his rich repertoire of songs before going solo on being persisted by the 15,000-strong crowd. Taking the stage after an opening act by Bollywood singer Harshdeep Kaur, Adams said, We have been coming here (to India) since 1994. It's taken long and I've always asked our promoters, where is my Delhi show'? He went on to say, I have all kinds of songs for you tonight, old ones, a few new ones, I'm not sure how much time you have but we have a long show ahead! Tonight we have the biggest party in India. And indeed, what a party it was. As Adam's song Summer of 69' ...
I'll always be loyal to Vineeth Sreenivasan: Nivin Pauly
Actor Nivin Pauly says he will always be loyal to his "guru" and filmmaker Vineeth Sreenivasan, who introduced him to the Malayalam film industry.
I am a big introvert, says Disha Patani
Actress Disha Patani, who has featured in films like "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story" and "Baaghi 2", says she is a shy and reserved kind of person in real life.
Eric Clapton unveils 'Happy Xmas'
Legendary musician Eric Clapton's album "Happy Xmas" is out now.
'Takht' based on true historical event: Karan Johar
Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar, who is gearing up for his upcoming directorial venture, a multi-starrer period drama "Takht", says its story is based on a true historical account. He vouches that it will be treated with dignity in the film.
Didn't expect 'Dangal' would be career-changing experience, says Sanya Malhotra
Like every newcomer, Sanya Malhotra's hopes were also pinned to her debut "Dangal" but the actor says she did not expect the 2016 sports drama to be a career-changing experience. Since the Nitesh Tiwari-directed film, the 26-year-old actor starred in the rustic comedy "Pataakha" this year. She will follow it up with "Badhaai Ho" opposite Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya says she is lucky to have been offered a wide range of roles early in her career. "The kind of response I got after 'Dangal' was amazing. I did not expect that. I thought I will have to go through several rounds of auditions even now. I had not thought that one film will make this much difference to my career. "Three days after 'Dangal' released, I got a call from Ritesh Batra for 'Photograph'. It was going to be my second film but 'Pataaka' released first," Sanya told PTI. Being an actor was always her dream and Sanya says she understands she needs to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way. "Acting is ...