Page 759 - Entertainment Culture

Kangana looks fierce in 'Manikarnika' teaser

The teaser of period drama 'Manikarnika' is finally out. The brief glimpse of the Kangana Ranaut-starrer, which is based on the life of the warrior queen of Jhansi, looks promising to say the least.The two-minute clip opens with voice over by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who narrates the story of Queen Manikarnika's rebellion against the British. Going by the teaser, we may get to hear Big B's baritone in the movie narration too.Moving on, the teaser boasts of extravagant sets and elaborate costumes, but it is leading lady Kangana Ranaut who is under the spotlight as the fierce fighter.At one moment she is a doting mother and before you know she is out in the battle field wielding a sword to rip apart the enemy. Kangana's Manikarnika will also transform as the people's queen who leads them in the face of adversity and suppression inflicted by the coloniser East India Company. The leading lady's costumes also from warrior armours to graceful Maharastrian style sarees.Kangana's prowess at

Less trendsetters, more copy masters in sarod: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (IANS Interview)

There are more "copy masters" and fewer trendsetters among those playing the sarod these days, laments maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, saying the focus for performers today is the "shining, glittering" world of television and social media.

Tyrese Gibson, Samantha welcome first child

"Fast and Furious" star Tyrese Gibson and social worker wife Samantha Lee became parents to their first child, a baby girl on Monday. The 39-year-old actor shared the news on Instagram, alongside the footprints of the baby, whom the couple have named Soraya Lee Gibson. "Father God we love you for delivering on your promise princess Soraya Lee Gibson is here... 8 pounds 6 Oz our lives just changed forever... "My wife is the real champion. 30 hours of labor. I witnessed first hand the strength of a woman... Thank you Jesus we are so humbled by your grace and love and favor..." Gibson wrote. The couple got married in a surprise Valentine's Day ceremony last year. Lee, 29, learnt the news of her pregnancy in late January. Gibson is already a father to 10-year-old daughter, Shayla, whom he had with former wife, Norma Mitchell.

Split with Alice Kim was a shocker, says Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage says end of his marriage to Alice Kim was a "shocker" for him, but he has no hard feelings towards his estranged wife. The 54-year-old actor split from his third wife in January 2016 shortly before he started shooting his latest movie "Mandy". ''It was a shocker for me - I definitely didn't see it coming, and those feelings had to go somewhere, so they went into the performance," Cage told The Guardian newspaper. Asked if he and Kim are still friends, he added, ''Oh yes, I want to. She was quite young when I married her and I don't really have any ill will towards what happened. That's all I'll say. And now it's like, wow, I'm 54 and I'm single again - I didn't see that coming! It's pretty grim.'' The "Con Air" star, however, ruled out trying a dating app like Tinder to find love again. ''No, definitely not. I'm not on social media, but everyone else is so I'm like, well, what do I do?'' Before Kim, Cage was married to Lisa Marie Presley for several months in 2002 and ...

Madison Iseman to star in new 'Annabelle' movie

Madison Iseman, best known for "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle", has been roped in for the third "Annabelle" film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor will play a lead role in the new movie which is latest Conjuring spin-off to be announced. More details about her character are yet to be revealed. The currently untitled film will revolve around Judy, daughter to Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators, and her teenage babysitters. The two characters, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, appeared in the main two Conjuring movies. It is, however, unclear if Wilson and Farmiga will make an appearance in the new feature. "I, Tonya" child actor Mckenna Grace has been cast as Judy. Gary Dauberman, who has penned both previous Annabelle films, will make his directorial debut with the film. Production begins next month. New Line has set July 3, 2019, as a release date.

Bradley Cooper was dropped from a film due to lack of sex appeal

Hollywood star Bradley Cooper has revealed he once lost out on a role because makers of the film did not find him sexy enough for the part. The 43-year-old actor, who is one of Hollywood's in-demand men courtesy his performance in movies such as "American Sniper', "American Hustle" and "Silver Linings Playbook", says he has always felt like an underdog in the movies. He has already created an Oscars buzz with his directorial debut "A Star Is Born". "I've always been an underdog. I was always operating under the lens of not really being seen as the 'main guy'. I've heard it all in my career. Early on, I didn't get a role because they said I wasn't 'f***able.' In the end, you have to reserve your attention for the work and not listen to anyone. "People I care about, who care about me, told me not to direct 'A Star Is Born', said that it would be too difficult and I should start with something easier. Luckily, I didn't listen. I loved that it was really, really hard to make this film. ...

Nicole Kidman to be honoured with Career Achievement Award at HFA

Nicole Kidman will receive the Hollywood Career Achievement Award at this year's Hollywood Film Awards (HFA). According to HFA, the 50-year-old actor is being honoured for her chameleonic performances in movies such as "To Die For", playing Virginia Woolf in "The Hours", "Eyes Wide Shut", "Moulin Rouge!", "Lion" and "Dogville", among others. "With three films coming out before the end of this year, Kidman has already received praise for her transformative performance in Karyn Kusama's 'Destroyer' and in Joel Edgerton's 'Boy Erased'," the statement on the awards official website read. The Oscar-winning actor is also being recognised for her career-long support of independent filmmakers, particularly women. "Through her production company, Blossom Films, she has taken this to a new level. Among the many projects she has produced, last year's 'Big Little Lies' was a phenomenon that entered not only the cultural, but the social zeitgeist," the statement further read. The 22nd annual ...

Bollywood has powerful international footprint: Designer Manish Malhotra

Having worked on the costumes for films like "Rangeela", "Mohabbatein", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" in his over-two-decade journey in Hindi filmdom, ace fashion designer and couturier Manish Malhotra says Bollywood has a powerful international impact.

Malayalee musician Balabhaskar passes away

Malayalee violinist and music composer Balabasker has succumbed to the injuries he sustained after a car accident on September 25.The 40-year-old musician was undergoing treatment for serious brain and spine injuries after his car rammed a tree near Pallippuram last week. He was traveling to Trivandrum after visiting a temple in Thrissur with his family. His body will be kept in Trivandrum for people to pay tributes.His two-year-old daughter, Thejawini, died in the accident, while his wife Lekshmi and driver Arjun are undergoing treatment for injuries.Best known for promoting fusion music in South India, Balabhaskar was a child prodigy on the violin and had directed the music of his first movie 'Mangalya Pallakk' at the age of 17.He had worked with Dr. K. J. Yesudas, Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, K. S. Chitra, Sujatha, Sreenivas, Karthik and some other legendary singers.He later composed many music albums and performed on stage across the world though gradually pulling out of film ...

Ansel Elgort to play Tony in Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story'

Ansel Elgort has bagged the lead role in Steven Spielberg's take on the classic Broadway musical, "West Side Story". According to Variety, the "Baby Driver" star will play the role of Tony, co-founder of street gang the Jets, in the remake of the 1961 romantic musical drama. The part has been formerly essayed by Larry Kert in the original 1957 Broadway musical and Richard Beymer in the 1961 movie. "Angels in America" playwright Tony Kushner has penned the revival script. "West Side Story" is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original was inspired by William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," and revolves around the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs. Spielberg, Kevin McCollum and Kristie Macosko Krieger will produce the movie for Fox. Filming is set to begin in the summer of 2019.

Ansel Elgort bags lead role in Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story'

American actor Ansel Elgort has nabbed the male lead in Steven Spielberg's upcoming musical, 'West Side Story.'The 'Fault in Our Stars' actor will portray the role of Tony, who was once in the white gang known as the Jets and falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.The role was first portrayed by Larry Kert in the original 1957 Broadway musical and Richard Beymer in the classic 1961 movie.Oscar-nominated screenwriter and Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner has written the adaptation of the musical, which is originally penned by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim with music by Leonard Bernstein.Meanwhile, Elgort will next be seen in 'The Goldfinch', an adaptation of the Donna Tartt novel, which is set for release on October 11, 2019.

'Andhadhun' is not a dark film: Ayushmann Khurrana

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is gearing up for the release of "Andhadhun" later this week, has said the film is not a dark one as usually most suspense thrillers are.

High time film industry stands up against sexual harassment: Kunal Kapoor

Actor Kunal Kapoor feels it is high time the film industry stands up against issues like sexual harassment at workplace.

Madison Iseman to star in new 'Annabelle' movie

American actor Madison Iseman is all set to star as the lead in the upcoming 'Annabelle' movie.One of the young stars of 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle', the 21-year-old will star in the yet untitled third installment of the popular horror franchise opposite 'I, Tonya's McKenna Grace, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.The script will once again center on the demonically possessed doll, this time, as she is placed by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a location where they believe she can no longer wreak havoc.Grace will portray the role of Warrens' daughter, while Iseman will play the role of a babysitter, both of whom have to deal with terror.Gary Dauberman, who wrote the two previous 'Annabelle' installments, has penned the latest chapter and will also make his directorial debut with the movie.The project is set to go on floors later this month and will hit the theaters on July 3, 2019.

Ariana Grande gets optimistic

Days after Ariana Grande went on an emotional Twitter spree in which she begged for "one okay" day, the singer found herself looking forward to what the future holds.

Anurag Kashyap gives space to people he understands: Rachita

Composer-singer Rachita Arora, who composed four songs for Anurag Kashyap's film "Mukkabaaz", says the filmmaker understands what people are capable of and gives them space.

Kaley Cuoco celebrates 3 months of marital bliss

'The Big Bang Theory' star Kaley Cuoco is celebrating her three-month wedding anniversary with husband Karl Cook with a sweet social media post.The 32-year-old shared an adorable picture with her better half and captioned it: "3 months and a #mcm all rolled into one .. here's to you my darling."Cuoco tied the knot with professional equestrian Cook at an intimate wedding near San Diego, California, on June 30. The couple, who are together since March 2016, got engaged in December 2017.The actor was previously married to tennis player Ryan Sweeting, with whom she split in 2015.

Get ready for 'A Legendary Christmas', says John Legend

Gear up for a John 'Legend'ary Christmas!The singer-songwriter and recent EGOT winner has announced his first-ever Christmas album and tour. Titled 'A Legendary Christmas', the album is due to be out on October 26.The 39-year-old took to Instagram to break the news. Along with a video which showcases him hard at work in the studio, he wrote, "This winter, get ready for A Legendary Christmas! I have a brand new Christmas album coming out accompanied by #ALegendaryChristmas Tour!"The clip also includes a behind-the-scenes look at a holiday-themed photoshoot with Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, and their daughter, Luna."What's up, everybody, it's John Legend here. It's sunny Los Angeles in September but I can't stop thinking about Christmas," he said while wearing a Santa hat. "I just made a new Christmas album. I've wanted to do this for a long time."The album includes classic songs like 'Silver Bells,' 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' and 'The Christmas Song' (Chestnuts ..

Anne Hathaway's touching post for 'Princess Diaries' Julie Andrews

Anne Hathaway has paid a heartfelt tribute to 'The Princess Diaries' co-star and veteran actor Julie Andrews on the occasion of her 83rd birthday.The 'Ocean's 8' star took to social media to share what she has learnt from Andrews. "The importance of grace, The knowledge that power is nothing without respect; Why one must have patience, positivity, perspective, manners, kindness, and humility. Always, To everyone, (No exceptions); The joy in treating people as a gift rather than a burden; How far choosing gratitude can get you," the 35-year-old wrote along with a still from their film."If I know anything about any of this, It's because I was lucky enough to have learned from the very best at the very beginning. Happy Birthday Julie, Queen Eternal. All my love, Annie," concluded Hataway.Hathaway and Andrews shared the screen space in 'The Princess Diaries' films in 2001 and 2004, which gave 'The Dark Knight Rises' star her big break.

Anushka Sharma is 'keeping it real' on latest mg cover

Anushka Sharma looks fierce on the cover of Grazia's October issue.Donning a puffer golden Tommy Hilfiger jacket, the 30-year-old is the cover girl of the edition that deals with 'loving the shape of you.' Anushka shared the image on her social media.Meanwhile, the official Instagram account of the magazine also shared the cover and called the 'Sultan' actor "the truest and the realest" star."Presenting our October cover star, the truest and the realest, @anushkasharma!" read the caption.On the work front, Anushka's recently released film 'Sui Dhaaga: Made In India', which also stars Varun Dhawan, is doing well at the box office. She will next be seen in 'Zero' that also features Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. The movie is set to release on December 21.