Page 842 - Entertainment Culture

What's the fun in doing conventional things, asks Rajkummar Rao (IANS Interview)

With a filmography boasting of titles like "Shahid", "Newton", "Trapped", "Shaitan", "Kai Po Che!" and "Queen", actor Rajkummar Rao, who has carved a niche for himself in just eight years in Hindi filmdom, says he enjoys being an unconventional hero in Bollywood.

Michael Caine joins Czech historical biopic 'Medieval'

Veteran actor Michael Caine is set to star in the upcoming biopic of 15th century Czech warrior Jan Zizka titled "Medieval". According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is reportedly the most expensive Czech movie of all time. Caine joins Ben Foster in the historical action-drama, which is being directed by Petr Jakl. Foster will play Zizka, widely considered a Czech national hero and a renowned military leader known for his role in the Battle of Grunwald against the Teutonic Order and civil wars in Bohemia, which went on to become the contemporary Czech Republic. Caine will reportedly star as Lord Boresh, the main adviser to the Czech King Wenceslas IV.

'The Upside' gets a release date

Actor Kevin Hart starrer comedy drama "The Upside" will release on January 11, 2019.

Of Mughals and Marathas, spirituality and Calcutta (IANS Books This Weekend)

Flick through a historical saga that brings to life the complex and ever-shifting dynamics between two arch enemies -- the Mughals and the Marathas; examine the nature of a spiritual search through a series of illuminating conversations between a teacher and a student; go through a compassionate take on the disparate lives that entwine over the building of a house in the city of Calcutta; and realise that your work does not need your youth as a sacrificial offering.

Sudhir Mishra finds digital world exciting

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra finds digital world really exciting and feels that amazing actors and talent are going to emerge from it in the future.

Bhuvan Bam makes short film debut with Divya Dutta

Youtube sensation Bhuvan Bam is making his short film debut with "Plus Minus" that also stars actress Divya Dutta. The story explores various dimensions of human relationships through the narrative of two individuals

It's a surreal feeling: Kiara Advani on working with Akshay, Kareena in 'Good News'

Actor Kiara Advani is excited about working with Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh in her next "Good News", and says she has already started prepping to match up to the seasoned actors. The film is produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. "I get butterflies in my stomach when I think of working with them. Akshay sir launched me in 'Fugly' and now to work with him in a film is surreal. I look up to Kareena, I think she is a total diva and one of the most iconic stars of today. I would learn so much by working with them and Diljit," Kiara told PTI. The film is to be directed by Raj Mehta. "I play a Punjabi character and then we have these three inherently Punjabi people. I have started prep work so I can match up to them. All three of them are so spontaneous. It's a mad comedy. There will be a lot of improvisation which is going to happen on set so as an actor it is going to be an amazing ride," she added. Kiara was speaking on the sidelines of an event where she

Jamie Lee Curtis says she never looks at herself in mirrors

Veteran actor Jamie Lee Curtis says she does not look in the mirror because she wants to avoid being ''confronted'' with the changes in her body. The 60-year-old actor expressed her feelings on ageing to Good Housekeeping. "I don't look in the mirror. I am not going to look the same as I used to, and I don't want to be confronted every day.' When I get out of the shower, I have a choice: I can dry myself off looking in the mirror, or I can dry off with my back to it. I turn my back to the mirror, and I feel great," she said. Curtis added, "I don't want women to hate themselves, because I think women are extraordinary." The actor also listed several pieces of advice for women, including learning to ''let go'' of things in their lives in order to keep starting afresh. ''I am a constant editor. I shed people, I shed clothing, I shed possessions, I shed ideas. The biggest thing I've shed is my own limitations and perception of who I am.

Charlie Hunnam to star in Justin Kurzel's 'True History of the Kelly Gang'

Hollywood star Charlie Hunnam has joined the cast of director Justin Kurzel's "True History of the Kelly Gang". The film also features George MacKay, Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult and Essie Davis, reported Variety. Writer Shaun Grant has penned the screenplay, based on Peter Carey's Booker Prize-winning novel of the same title. The book revolves around a notorious bushranger Ned Kelly (MacKay), one of the world's greatest outlaws, and the colonial badlands from which he rose. The film will be wrapping principal photography on September 8. The movie is being produced by Liz Watts from Porchlight Films, Hal Vogel from Daybreak Pictures, Justin Kurzel and Paul Ranford.

'Namaste England' revisits Vipul Shah's old-world romance

The first 'Namaste in Namaste London came ten years back. It was an honest sweet gentle film about a NRI London-bred girl Katrina Kaif's attempts to adjust in marriage to a Punjabi rustic man Akshay Kumar who adores her to death. Director Vipul Shah wanted to make the sequel with the same pair but things didnt work out.

Avril Lavigne teases music comeback

Singer Avril Lavigne has revealed that she will be releasing new music soon. The singer, behind huge hits including "Sk8er Boi," "Complicated" and "Here's to Never Growing Up", announced that her new single titled "Head Above Water" will be out on September 19. "I spent the last few years at home sick fighting Lyme Disease. Those were the worst years of my life as I went through both physical and emotional battles. I was able to turn that fight into music I'm really proud of. "I wrote songs in my bed and on the couch and recorded there mostly as well. Words and lyrics that were so true to my experience came pouring out of me effortlessly. Truly... by keeping my spirits up, having goals to reach and a purpose to live for, my music helped to heal me and keep me alive," Avril posted on her website. "Head Above Water" is the first song Avril wrote from her bed during "one of the scariest moments of my life." "I have decided to be truthful about my struggle, open and more vulnerable than ..

'The Greatest Showman' star Sam Humphrey undergoing 'high-risk' surgery

Actor Sam Humphrey, best known for playing Tom Thumb in "The Greatest Showman", is undergoing a serious procedure in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old actor is suffering from Crohn's disease. It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pains and the urgent need to move bowels. "Sam has been suffering from complications due to Crohn's disease, which is exasperated by Sam's skeletal dysplasia and size. He is currently under the care of some of the best doctors in the world at Cedars Sinai and is undergoing high-risk corrective surgery. "His family and friends are with him and they ask for privacy while Sam is treated and recovers. They welcome everyone's prayers and support at this time," Humphrey's family said in a statement to E! online. The actor wished Zendaya a happy birthday just days before he underwent surgery.

Colin Farrell and Common to star Jessica Chastain's "Eve"

Actors Colin Farrell and Common have joined Jessica Chastain in upcoming action-drama "Eve". Tate Taylor is directing the film. Taylor replaced Matthew Newton as director of "Eve" two weeks after Newton left the project following online backlash due to his history of alleged assault and domestic violence. Principal photography is set to begin in Boston on September 24. Farrell will be playing the role of Simon, the leader of a black ops organisation whom Chastain's title character works for. Common will play Chastain's ex-fiancee Michael. The project is backed by Voltage Pictures and Freckle Films.

Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds of 'Smokey and the Bandit' dead

Burt Reynolds, the moustachioed megastar who first strutted on the screen more than half a century ago, has died, his agent said. He was 82.

Morgan Freeman will keep SAG Life Achievement Award after investigation

Screen actors union, SAG-AFTRA, said it will not rescind Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman's SAG Life Achievement Award after it completed an investigation into reports of inappropriate behaviour toward several women. The award was presented during this year's SAG Awards. "Based on the results of an independent investigation and the information we have at this time, we are taking no action regarding the SAG Life Achievement award presented to Morgan Freeman. As always, the details of the investigation are confidential," said SAG-AFTRA spokesperson in a statement issued to Variety. SAG-AFTRA launched the investigation in May following a CNN report that said that eight women had come forward with allegations "they were victims of what some called harassment and others called inappropriate behaviour" by Freeman. National Geographic, meanwhile, which had suspended production of Freeman's "The Story of God" in order to investigate the allegations, announced last week that production of ...

Malaika Arora loves peppy 'Hello hello'

Actress Malaika Arora says she had fun shooting for peppy song "Hello hello" for the film "Pataakha".

'The Predator' director Shane Black apologises for sex offender casting

Director Shane Black has apologised for casting a registered sex offender in "The Predator" saying he is "deeply disappointed" in himself. ?On ?Thursday, The Times published a report that 20th Century Fox had deleted a scene from the upcoming sci-fi thriller that featured Steven Wilder Striegel, Black's friend of 14 years. The studio decided to omit the scene from "The Predator" after actor Olivia Munn, one of the film's stars, learned that in 2010, Striegel pleaded guilty to allegations that he tried to lure a 14-year-old girl into a sexual relationship online. Black originally defended casting Striegel, who has previously appeared in the filmmaker's "Iron Man 3" and "The Nice Guys" saying "I personally chose to help a friend". But after the Times story, Black said Thursday, "it has sadly become clear to me that I was misled by a friend I really wanted to believe was telling me the truth when he described the circumstances of his conviction. I believe strongly in giving people second

I'm a super proud brother: Siddhanth Kapoor

Actor Siddhanth Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming film "Paltan", said that he was a super proud brother as his actress sister Shraddha Kapoor is doing really well in Bollywood films.

Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds dead

Burt Reynolds, the moustachioed megastar who first strutted on screen more than half a century ago, has died, according to his agent. He was 82.

'The Nun': A lacklustre spin-off of horror films (IANS Review, Rating: **)

Film: "The Nun"; Director: Corin Hardy; Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Demian Bichir, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons, Charlotte Hope, Michael Smiley, Ingrid Bisu, Sandra Teles, August Maturo, Jack Falk, Lynnette Gaza; Rating: **