Page 937 - Entertainment Culture

Bihar Guv, CM, Dy CM congratulate Harivansh on being elected

Bihar Governor Satya Pal Mallik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed delight over the election of Harivansh, who represents the state in Rajya Sabha, as the Deputy Chairman of the Upper House. In his congratulatory message, Mallik said Harivansh would bring to his office insights on society and culture and immense wealth of journalistic experience and that Bihar would be proud upon his being in the chair. Kumar, who also heads the Janata Dal (United) to which Harivansh belongs, described the newly-elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman as a gifted writer who has made invaluable contributions to the field of journalism. The Bihar CM had spoken to his counterparts in Odisha and Telangana Naveen Patnaik and K Chandrashekar Rao respectively seeking support for Harivansh election on Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha post. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi also congratulated Harivansh, recalling his close association with towering figures like Jayaprakash Narayan ...

Taylor Swift enthrals audience with songs from debut album

Performing at a home state show in Pittsburgh, Taylor Swift gave a shout out to her fan and decided to sing a song that she wrote before she became famous.She performed 'A Place in This World', a song from her 2006 debut album, for more than 50,000 fans. Swift introduced the song saying that she wrote the song back when she was living in Pennsylvania. The song was about not knowing if things were ever going to work out, she added.The singer, who is on her fifth concert tour, Reputation Stadium Tour, for the latest studio album 'Reputation', has been dropping one old favorite at every stop so far.Taylor was recently cast in the film 'Cats'. The movie is about a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make a choice that changes their lives.

Harivansh: A first time MP who became RS Dy Chairman

Newly elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh preferred the struggle of journalism to a cushy government job in his early days and did well in his chosen field while also maintaining good ties with politicians. The 62-year-old first time MP from Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had briefly worked as an adviser to the former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar but went back to journalism after that government fell. A candidate of the ruling NDA, he was elected to the deputy chairman's post today securing 125 votes against 105 for Congress MP B K Hariprasad, who was a joint opposition candidate. Born in Balia in Uttar Pradesh, Harivansh's close aides say he was a meritorious student and went on to do M.A. in Economics and Diploma in Journalism from Banaras Hindu University. He comes from the same region where socialist leader and anti-Emergency crusader Jai Prakash Narayan was born. While he landed a government job as a bank officer, he chose to work as a journalist and rose to become the Chief .

Redford's last film 'The Old Man & The Gun' to release in India in September

"The Old Man & The Gun", which will mark veteran Hollywood star Robert Redford's retirement from acting, is slated to release in India on September 28. The 81-year-old actor recently revealed in an interview to Entertainment Weekly that the true story crime drama would be his last. Directed by David Lowery, the film also stars Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tom Waits and Sissy Spacek. PVR Pictures is releasing the film in India. The film is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest's commitment to his craft, and a woman (Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.

Upcoming ceramics triennale to promote clay artists

With the aim of taking ceramic art into the larger contemporary art world, India's first ceramic triennale will present projects by Indian and international artists at the Jawahar Kala Kendra here from August 31.

Bryan Cranston returning to Broadway with 'Network'

Veteran actor Bryan Cranston is set to make his Broadway comeback with "Network". The National Theatre announced that the "Breaking Bad" star is returning to the New York stage, bringing his Olivier Award-winning performance as Howard Beale in "Network". Directed by Tony winner Ivo Van Hove and adapted by Lee Hall, "Network" is based on 1976 movie of the same name. It premiered at London's National Theatre in November of last year. "We are excited as hell to bring Ivo van Hove's brilliantly innovative and electrifying production of Network to Broadway this fall. "The incomparable Bryan Cranston brings Howard Beale to brilliant life and we are so thrilled for American audiences to have the opportunity to experience his masterful performance and this spectacular new play," the production's producers said in a statement to LondonTheatre.co.uk. Cranston was last on Broadway stage in 2014 with "All the Way", which won Tony Awards for Best Play and his performance as President Lyndon B ...

Brie Larson to co-star with Michael B Jordan in 'Just Mercy'

Actor Brie Larson is in final talks to star alongside Michael B Jordon in "Just Mercy". Directed by Destin Cretton, the film also stars Jamie Foxx, reported Variety. Cretton co-wrote the script with Andrew Lanham and Jordan will produce with Gil Netter and Asher Goldstein. Based on the book "Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption," the movie tells the story of Bryan Stevenson (Jordan), a gifted young lawyer fighting for equal justice in a flawed legal system. Production is set to start next month in Atlanta. Details about Larson's role are unknown at this time.

Travis Scott, Post Malone to perform at VMAs

MTV has added singers Travis Scott and Post Malone to the list of star performers for the 2018 Video Music Awards (VMAs).According to a report by People, Travis Scott will be performing songs from his latest album 'Astroworld' at the award show that will air on August 20. Malone, who is nominated for artist of the year for his song 'Better Now' and song of the year for "Rockstar, will be singing from his album 'Beerbongs & Bentleys'.Travis Scott and Post Malone will be joining the previously announced performers Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes and Ryan Tedder .The production of the award show will be handled by Melanie Block. Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic have joined the team as executive Producers, Variety reported.

Playing Vikram Batra 'toughest role' for Sidharth

Actor Sidharth Malhotra says essaying the role of Kargil war martyr Captain Vikram Batra is the toughest role of his life.

Redford's 'The Old Man...' gets India release date

American crime-comedy film "The Old Man & The Gun", which is likely to be actor Robert Redford's last film, will release in India on October 28.

How Karuna used films, Tamil to promote Dravidian ideology!

M Karunanidhi used the medium of films and his command over Tamil language to reach out to the people and promote the Dravidian ideology, according to two books related to the late DMK patriarch. "Tamil was his 'uyir moochu' (life breath) in more ways than one. It dominated his politics and his political career. Over time, as the first-generation leaders of the Dravidian movement passed away, Karunanidhi attempted to take over the mantle of the 'protector' of Tamils worldwide," the book "Karunanidhi: A Life in Politics" by journalist Sandhya Ravishankar says. Karunanidhi discovered early that his gift was language. Wit, clarity of thought and a firm grasp over Tamil history dominated his writing - whether as editor of "Maanava Nesan" (Friend of Students), a handwritten newsletter started by him during those days in school, or as the founder of DMK organ "Murasoli" (Drum roll), or as contributor to "Dravida Naadu" (Dravidian Land), a magazine started by Annadurai. The other book "The ..

Had a blast shooting for 'Kamariya' with Rajkummar: Nora

Actress Nora Fatehi says she had a blast shooting for song "Kamariya" with actors Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee.

Check out Tom Hardy's gangster look in 'Fonzo'

'Dunkirk' star Tom Hardy is unrecognisable as gangster Al Capone - the character he is playing in his upcoming film 'Fonzo'.Writer-director Josh Trank took to Twitter to share Hardy's still in which he wears heavy prosthetics. Wearing a striped shirt and blue satin robe, the 'Dark Knight Rises' star can be seen smoking a cigar in the tough look.'Fonzo' will portray the final days of the legendary gangster's life, for which the 40-year-old Hardy had to undergo quite a transformation. He had previously shared shots of himself as Capone.According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story of the film picks up with Capone at the age of 47, when dementia has rotted his mind, following nearly a decade of imprisonment. The release date of the film has not been announced as yet.

Here's why Shahid is feeling 'on top of the world'

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor is on cloud nine as the trailer of his much-anticipated film 'Batti Gul Meter Chalu' is releasing tomorrow.The 37-year-old on Thursday shared his excitement on social media by posting a fresh poster of the film.He wrote alongside, "Feeling on top of the world! Kal se trailer chalu. #BattiGulMeterChalu @ShraddhaKapoor @divyenndu @yamigautam @TSeries @bgmcfilm #BhushanKumar @ShreeNSingh @KuttiKalam"'Batti Gul Meter Chalu' is about bringing the social issue of electricity shortage to the notice of people and to encourage authorities to investigate the inaccuracies of electricity bills.The film also features Shraddha Kapoor and Yami Gautam in pivotal roles.Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, it will hit the screens on September 21.

I like to shoot at a stretch: 'Karwaan' director

Actor-writer-director Akarsh Khurana hit the road and shot at places like Ooty, Coimbatore and Bengaluru for his second Bollywood directorial "Karwaan". But he has no complaints as he likes to shoot a film at a stretch.

Priyanka's emotional night in Mumbai (Movie Snippets)

Actress Priyanka Chopra says she spent an "emotional night" at her mother Madhu Chopra's home.

Tulsi Kumar excited for first UK tour

Singer Tulsi Kumar says she is excited to perform in the UK for the first time.

'Redrum: A Love Story': A rehash of skewed love stories (IANS Review, Rating: *1/2)

Film: "Redrum: A Love Story"; Directors: Dhruv Sachdev and Sourabh Bali; Cast: Vibhav Roy, Tom Alter, Pawan Nagpal, Saeeda Imtiaz; Rating: *1/2

Shortlist announced for Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize

Six books by debut authors have been shortlisted for the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018.

Kathleen Turner says 'Friends' actors were 'clique' and she didn't feel welcomed on set

Veteran actor Kathleen Turner has said she did not feel welcomed by the cast of 'Friends' when she appeared in a cameo role. The popular sitcom starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow in the lead roles. Turner played Chandler Bing's dad who divorced his mum, Nora Taylor Bing, when he came out as transgender. Known as Helena Handbasket, Turner's character appeared in seventh season after a number of previous mentions for Chandler and Monica's wedding. Turner told Vulture that she "didn't feel very welcomed by the cast" when she made her appearances. "I remember I was wearing this difficult sequined gown and my high heels were absolutely killing me. I found it odd that none of the actors thought to offer me a seat. Finally it was one of the older crew members that said, 'Get Miss Turner a chair'. "The Friends actors were such a clique, but I don't think my experience with them was unique. I think it was simply that they ...