Page 868 - Entertainment Culture

Hindi poet Ashok Chakradhar to write 'Panipat' dialogues: dir Ashutosh Gowariker

Director Ashutosh Gowariker today announced that celebrated Hindi poet Ashok Chakradhar will pen the dialogues of his upcoming period film "Panipat". Gowariker took to Twitter to share the news. "Honoured and proud to have the giant of Hindi literature, poet and essayist #PadmaShri @ChakradharAshok ji, to write the dialogues of #Panipat. Welcome sir, to the 18th Century!" the filmmaker tweeted and tagged the cast members of the film. Chakradhar replied saying he is waiting to create the period piece with him. "Dear Ashutosh, thank you for your heartfelt words. Collaborating with you is a matter of pride for me. My heart is beating for the 18th Century India," the poet wrote in Hindi. The film, which features Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt in key roles, is based on the third battle of Panipat that took place in 1761. Arjun plays the role of Maratha leader Sadashivrao Bhau, while Sanjay Dutt is portraying Ahmad Shah Durrani. "Panipat" is slated to release on December 6 next ..

Celebrating Janmashtami through theatre

Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is around the corner.Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra are abuzz with preparations for Dahi Handis, a ritual in which young men and boys form a human pyramid to break an earthen pot filled with buttermilk tied at a height.In Delhi and north India, especially Mathura- the birthplace of Krishna, the festival is celebrated with a different fanfare. Theatrical enactment of Krishna's life is an inseparable part of the fun, frolic and spirituality of Janmashtami.An epic saga of Lord Krishna's life was staged in Delhi on Thursday. Somnath Pawar, the prodigy of British-era theatre company, iconic Parsi Theatre, brought to life the rendition of Shri Krishna Avataar, the first performance of which was held in 1926.Almost a century later, the history repeated itself as Pawar chose the same play as the maiden performance of his theatre company. He left a cushy job behind to revive the theatre."However men try to reach me, I return their love with my love; .

'Stree' a new experience for Rajkummar Rao

Very few actors today can boast of being as prolific and yet as quality-conscious as Rajkummar Rao. Having done some really serious films, he was happy to have a fresh experience with a fun film like the horror-comedy "Stree".

Acquire RK Studio, convert it into film museum, Nirupam to

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam today wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking that the state government acquire the landmark RK Studio in suburban Chembur and convert it into a film museum. The Kapoor family has reportedly decided to sell off the sprawling RK Studio -- 70 years after it was established -- as it was not "economically viable" to rebuild it after it was gutted in a fire last year. Founded by legendary actor Raj Kapoor in 1948 in suburban Chembur, the studio witnessed several films made by the Kapoor family under its RK Films banner over the decades. On September 16 last year, a major fire broke out on the sets of dance reality show "Super Dancer", being shot at the studio, destroying a large part of the property. Nirupam said he respected the decision of the Kapoor family to sell the property, but added that people of Mumbai too had developed an emotional bond with it. "Hence, we demand that the government acquire this property at

'Gold' first Bollywood film to release in Saudi Arabia

Akshay Kumar-fronted "Gold" has become the first Bollywood film ever to release in Saudi Arabia. The Reema Kagti-directed sports film is only the second movie after Rajinikanth's hit social drama, "Kaala" to hit the theatres in the Gulf country. Akshay today took to Twitter to share the news. "The story of India's first Gold medal victory for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Happy to share, #Gold is the first ever Bollywood movie to release in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, in cinemas from today! @excelmovies @ZeeStudiosInt," he wrote. "Gold" is the fictional re-telling of the India's iconic win at the 1948 London Olympics. Also featuring Mouni Roy, Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor and Vineet Kumar Singh, the film released on August 15. In May, Saudi Arabia held a private screening of international cultural phenomenon, "Black Panther" to herald the launch of movie theatres, open to the public, in the kingdom.

'The Underworld' director dreams of taking Assamese cinema to new heights (Lead, correcting para 4)

Director Rajesh Jashpal, whose Assamese movie "The Underworld" is set to hit the screens, says it has been a dream to take the Assamese entertainment industry to new heights.

Why Richa Chadha never took casting couch route

Actress Richa Chadha has faced casting couch "a couple of times", but she says she never chose that route even if it would have made life easier for her.

Convert RK Studios into film museum: Mumbai Congress

The Mumbai Congress on Thursday demanded that the iconic RK Studios in Chembur, founded by legendary Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor, should be converted into a film museum for posterity.

Venice Film Festival jury head Guillermo del Toro bats for gender equality

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro has said that he favour a 50-50 ratio between the male and female filmmakers by 2019 to promote genders equality at film festivals. The director's comment came in response to the controversy surrounding the Venice Film Festival, also known as Biennale, which has been slammed for selecting only one female director in its 2018 competition line-up. "I think that the goal has to be clear, and has to remain 50/50 by 2020. If it's 50/50 by 2019, better. It's a real problem we have in the culture in general," Del Toro told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about the shortcomings of the festival where he is serving as the jury president. The organisers of Cannes Film Festival had signed a pledge to increase gender equality in the programming by 20/20, and they were followed by Locarno Film Festival organisers who also undertook a similar resolution. "It's a real problem we have in the culture in general. Many of the voices that should be heard, need ..

Peter Dinklage responds to whitewashing claims in new film 'My Dinner with Herve'

"Game of Thrones" star Peter Dinklage has responded to the whitewashing allegations over his casting in "My Dinner With Herve". The HBO film, directed by Sacha Gervasi, is about Herve Villechaize during what end up being his final days, as he unexpectedly bonds with a journalist sent to interview him. Herve is best known for his roles in "Fantasy Island" and "The Man With the Golden Gun". Dinklage's casting attracted criticism and many called it a case of "whitewashing" since Herve was half-French and half-Filipino. Dinklage, 49, said people are not properly informed about Herve and claimed that he was not "half-Filipino". "I'm glad you brought that up. The internet is the best thing and the worst thing. The funny thing about the backlash is it addresses what we address in the film about not judging a book by its cover. Herve was judged by how he looked, and cast and perceived to be who he is accordingly," he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "It says (Villechiaze was ...

Kiran Rao gearing up for new film

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who made her directorial debut with "Dhobi Ghat" in 2011, says she has finally found a new story worth telling for the silver screen.

Arjun Kapoor learns sign language for fan

Actor Arjun Kapoor learnt sign language for a specially abled fan.

Rami Malek and I starved ourselves for 'Papillon': Charlie Hunnam

Actor Charlie Hunnam says he and co-star Rami Malek went full method for their roles in the upcoming film "Papillon". The film is based on autobiographical novel written by Henri Charriere and chronicles his incessant attempts to escape from an infamous penal colony on Devil's Island in French Guiana, South America. Hunnam, 38, who plays the title character in the Michael Noer-directed film, says he and Malek bonded over hunger pangs. "Rami and I aggressively starved ourselves, which is the type of thing that will make two men become brothers very quickly," Hunnam said in a statement. "To be hungry all the time, and to deny the primal instinct to feed yourself, is no easy trick. Not drinking water was hard. All I had was two small bottles over the course of five days without food. It got a little crazy, and it was definitely very emotional. I found myself crying once or twice when everyone left work and I was there alone," he added. Malek, 37, plays convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega .

Ashok Chakradhar to pen dialogues for 'Panipat'

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar has roped in Hindi litterateur, poet and essayist Ashok Chakradhar to pen the dialogues for his upcoming historical "Panipat".

Shweta Tiwari set to return to theatre after a hiatus

Actress Shweta Tiwari is returning to the stage after a long time, with "Jab We Separated", a production penned and directed by veteran Rakesh Bedi. She is excited about performing for a live audience.

SRK to introduce 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' characters

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be introducing the characters of the upcoming reboot of the love saga "Kasautii Zindagii Kay", says film czarina Ekta Kapoor.

'The Underworld' director dreams of taking Assamese cinema to new heights

Director Rajesh Jashpal, whose Assamese movie "The Underworld" is set to hit the screens, says it has been a dream to take the Assamese entertainment industry to new heights.

Comic book series on 'Superhero' Dara Singh to motivate youth in Punjab

The heroic exploits of legandary Dara Singh, in the ring and outside it, would soon come in a graphic avatar as a comic book series is set to be launched on the wrestling icon's life. Graphic artist George Emmanual, speaking to PTI over the phone from Mumbai, said Dara Singh was as 'institution' known across the globe for his achievements in wrestling as well as the film industry. "The motive behind the launch of the comic book series, particularly in Punjab, is related to the rising drug menace among youth. The comic books would motivate youth and children on how to exercise, proper diet, and valuable tips to keep the body fit and fine," Emmanual said. The son of the wrestler, Vindoo Dara Singh, may introduce the comic series first in Punjab in November close to his father's birth anniversary, he said. Dara Singh was born on November 19, 1928. Tips for achieving a fit and muscular physique would also there in these comics, he said. Eye-catching sketches of the sturdy Dara Singh in ..

Have done films for the greed of getting a hit film, says Jackky Bhagnani

Jackky Bhagnani says in the initial days of his career he did some films out of "greed" as he wanted to have a hit movie to his credit. The actor, who has been part of films like "F.A.L.T.U" and "Youngistaan", admits he made mistakes to do films that were not up to the mark. "There were two-three films that I did not want to do it but my dad felt I should do them as there was a big director involved. I was 23-24 then and I wanted a hit. So I did it. I don't have regrets because my instincts said 'no' but my greed said 'yes'," Jackky told PTI. The actor, who is producer Vashu Bhagnani's son, said spending around three years without work was tough. "It took two-half-year to three years for me to get work. But to be Vashu Bhagnani's son, who is giving work to the world and you don't have work for three years, so that is not easy and that is not the best feeling. "But you can't get affected by it. I could have gone bitter but I have seen my father coming this far from selling saris to ...

Impossible for anyone to take Kishore Kumar's place: Asha Bhosle

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle says late singer Kishore Kumar was one of a kind and it is impossible for anyone to take his place.