Page 944 - Entertainment Culture
Lyricists must think twice before writing item songs: Shabana Azmi
Veteran actor-social activist Shabana Azmi, who has expressed her angst against item songs in the past, on Tuesday said lyricists must take care to avoid derogatory words.
Story of 'Laila-Majnu' will never be old: Imtiaz Ali
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who is presenting his brother Sajid Ali's upcoming film "Laila Majnu", believes storytellers keep returning to the romantic tale because of its timelessness. Ali said through the story, he also wanted to understand why some people, who are criticised in their lifetime, acquire the status of saints. "Before 'Rockstar' was made... almost ten years ago, I was making movies and I was very fascinated with the story of 'Laila Majnu' because I wondered 'why these people who are criticised, stoned, hated in their lives, have this status of saints in Sufi vision'. The director said he kept writing the scenes from the story without even thinking that it would be a film someday. "Lot of scenes got written and ten years later this film is out," Imtiaz, who has written the story, told reporters here at the trailer launch of the film. The story of two lovers, who are separated by the society, has a certain overfamiliarity but that does not bother the filmmaker. "Some stories ..
Legacy, background don't matter to me: Ekta Kapoor
Producer Ekta Kapoor today said she believes in giving a chance to someone who is deserving rather than getting influenced by a person's background and connections while casting for her movies and TV shows. Ekta, who is promoting her home production "Laila Majnu", featuring newcomers Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri, said she decides her cast after watching the audition tape. "My take on nepotism is that I don't do it. I don't agree that it is only film industry's problem because there is a whole world around it..." she said when asked about her take on nepotism at the trailer launch of "Laila Majnu". For her, newcomers are not strugglers but "untapped talent". "When I see an audition we only notice how good or bad they are, if there is vulnerability and if they fit the role. To the young talent out there, 'Do not stalk me or follow me. Just send me your audition tape. Your legacy and background will not matter and don't make your friends or uncle, politician aunty or family friends ...
Jennifer Garner, daughter got lost while kayaking
Hollywood star Jennifer Garner has revealed she and her eldest daughter Violet got lost while they were kayaking and had to be rescued. The actor made the revelation in an Instagram post "On a pre-middle school sneak away with my eldest... Did I get us lost in a kayak? Yes," Garner wrote along side photograph, which shows a silhouette of her and Violet paddling together. "Did we paddle as hard as we could for 100 hours and end up in a shipping lane? I'm afraid so. Did we have to be rescued? Yup," she added. Garner praised her daughter because "she never complained".
'Sonu Ke Titu...' actor in 'Mere Sai'
"Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" actor Shibesh Debnath has joined the cast of "Mere Sai" in which the problems that he faced in life due to his short height will be shown.
Chitrashi Rawat went through depression
Actress Chitrashi Rawat, best known for playing Komal Chautala in the 2007 movie "Chak De! India", says there was a time when she went through depression as she wasnt getting good work.
Artisans from across India design 'Sui Dhaaga' logo
Celebrating the rich and diverse culture of India, artisans from all over the country came together to design the logo of Varun Dhawan starrer 'Sui Dhaaga'.By creating the logo in as many as 15 different needle art forms from India, Sui Dhaaga hopes to create awareness about India's culture amongst today's youth and the impact that it leaves on modern design, fabrics and fashion at large. Art forms from states like Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Lucknow have been used for the initiative.'Sui -Dhaaga' is based on the stories of self-reliance and high spirits of the two central characters, Mamta and Mauji, rooted in an earthy town of India. It is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's 'Make in India' ideology, which is being campaigned by the Government of India.While Varun plays the role of a tailor, Anushka plays an embroiderer in the film. The love story is slated to hit the screens on September 28.
Akshay Kumar gets 20 million Instagram followers
Actor Akshay Kumar has scored over 20 million followers on Instagram and has thanked fans for adding to the number.
An artiste creates an alternate reality: A.R. Rahman
Known for his powerful music and introvert nature, Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman says that as an artiste, he prefers to create an alternate reality as opposed to expressing an opinion on the troubled socio-political scenario worldwide.
Goutam Ghose is like a master painter: Tillotama Shome
Acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Goutam Ghose, who is directing a Hindi film titled "One Day In The Rains" 12 years after helming "Yatra", is like a master painter and has a child-like vibe about him, says the film's lead actress Tillotama Shome.
22nd edition of Paramapara series to begin on Aug 10
Grammy winning instrumentalist Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Carnatic vocalist Abhishek Raghuram, Khyal singers Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra are among the many eminent artistes who will be performing at the 22nd edition of 'Parampara series - National Festival of Music and Dance'. Organised by Natya Tarangini led by Padma Bhushan awardee Kuchipudi couple Raja and Radha Reddy, the music and dance festival will be held at Kamani Auditorim here from August 10. The festival aims to offer a platform to young talents trying to make their foothold in the world of art and culture, organisers said. "Indian dance and music were created by illumined minds of yore to enlighten people and bring peace and tranquillity to society. Natya Tarangini's Parampara Festival combines this ancient ideology with modern aspirations to teach the future generation the essence of our 'Bharatiya' culture through 'natyam' and 'sangeetam'," Reddy said. The three-day event will also see performances by veteran ...
I was on the verge of a mental breakdown, says Kendall Jenner
Supermodel and reality TV star Kendall Jenner has revealed she was close to having a "mental breakdown" due to exhaustion. "Last season I didn't do any shows. Just because I was working in LA and I was like 'Oof, I can't right now - I'm going to go crazy'," the model told Love magazine. "I was on the verge of a mental breakdown," she added. Instead of walking the runways in Paris for the fall/winter fashion week, the 22-year-old opted to stay home and look after her health. She returned to the ramp in June, but says her decision to remain in the states was for the best. Jenner has always been open about her struggles with anxiety. On "Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the reality star has always been candid about suffering from what she describes as "debilitating anxiety".
Resolution to remove Trump's Walk of Fame star passed
The West Hollywood City Council has passed a resolution asking the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. West Hollywood Mayor John Duran tweeted about the move on Monday night (local time).Since Trump joined politics, his Walk of Fame star has been vandalized a number of times, reports Entertainment Weekly.Recently, on July 25 a man named Austin Clay destroyed Trump's star using a pickaxe. Earlier in 2016, a man named James Lambert Otis destroyed the star with a pickaxe and sledgehammer.President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Leron Gubler, previously told by Entertainment Weekly that his organisation is working with Police over the issue; he added that this is something they will do for any Walk of Fame star, in case one was vandalized.On a related note, the Hollywood Historic Trust had planned to restore Trump's star immediately but added that it will require several days.
Fogel is a gifted comedy writer: McKinnon
Actress-comedian Kate McKinnon finds "The Spy Who Dumped Me" director Susanna Fogel a very gifted comedy writer.
Web is the future: Omung Kumar
He maybe judging a show on the small screen but director Omung Kumar has his eyes set on the web medium, which he believes is the future of entertainment. The director, known for biopics such as "Mary Kom" and "Sarbjit", says he is planning to do a web series. "I don't know about television but I am looking forward to web series and I have plans for that medium. That's the future over here. But about TV, I don't know," said Kumar, who currently judges reality show "India's Best Dramebaaz" alongside Vivek Oberoi and Huma Qureshi on Zee TV. "The future is web. Netflix and everyone is taking over. You name the biggest star whether it is Will Smith or any other A-lister, they all want to work in this medium," Kumar told PTI. On the film front, the director will next explore Manipuri sport of Yubi Lakpi which some people believe is the inspiration behind global game rugby. "I can't say much about it right now but it is based on Rugby. The sport of Yubi Lakpi is called the father of rugby. .
Hollywood film 'Alpha' to release in India on August 24
Sony Pictures is releasing Hollywood movie 'Alpha', an epic adventure set inthe last Ice Age, in India on August 24. The film, directed by Albert Hughes and starring Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jhannes Haukur Jhannesson, explores the origin of man's best friend. According to an official synopsis of the film, while on his first hunt with his tribe's most elite group, a young man is injured and must learn to survive alone in the wilderness. He reluctantly tames a lone wolf abandoned by its pack and the pair learn to rely on each other and become unlikely allies, enduring countless dangers and overwhelming odds in order to find their way home before winter arrives. The film will be releasing in English and Tamil.
Honey Singh recreates A R Rahman's 'Urvashi'
Music maestro A R Rahman's chartbuster "Urvashi", from Prabhudheva-Nagma-starrer 1994 Tamil film "Kadhalan", has been recreated by Yo Yo Honey Singh. Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani will feature in the video of the single, which is produced by T-Series' Bhushan Kumar. "The original was an iconic chartbuster and we are rekindling the on-screen magic with Shahid and Kiara as per the tastes of today's young generation," Kumar said in a statement. Choreographer Sanjay Shetty, reveals, the team has changed the lyrics, but the hook line remains the same. "The song doesn't showcase a love story but a new-age relationship between Shahid and Kiara. The choreography is contemporary. Shahid is super excited and looks like a rockstar and Kiara is a fab dancer," he added. Kiara is excited about featuring in the new version of the superhit number but is nervous too. "I know the pressure one goes through when a classic song is recreated. There will be comparisons. This could be my ode to Prabhu ...
Patrick Adams, Troian Bellisario expecting their first baby
'Pretty little liars' actor Troian Bellisario and 'Suits' star Patrick J. Adams are expecting their first child.According to a report by E! Online, Bellisario is not comfortable with posting pregnancy photos on social media and has kept a relatively low profile.The couple got engaged in 2014 followed by a wedding near California's central coast in 2016.Adams left 'Suits' at the end of season 7 to spend more time with his wife. He said that his work kept him away from home for 8 years, US Weekly reported.The real-life couple was last spotted together in London attending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding and have worked together in the 2017 sci-fi film 'Clara'.
Akshay showers love on Mouni in new 'Gold' song
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar dropped a peppy number from his upcoming movie 'Gold' and it is all about his love for his beautiful wife in the film, played by Mouni Roy.Titled as 'Monobina', the song features Akshay's character Tapan Das enjoying at a party with his wife and colleagues. The foot-tapping music and addictive lyrics of the song will surely make you groove.The sports drama, starring the 'Rustom' actor, takes the audience back in time to witness the struggle of a team to make India proud.The upcoming flick will release this Independence Day, which also marks the occasion of the 70th anniversary of free India's first gold medal at the 1948 Olympics.The film boasts of an ensemble cast including Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Vineet Singh, and Sunny Kaushal, among others.'Gold' also marks the debut of TV sensation Mouni Roy on the big screen.
11th India Art Fair from Jan 31 to Feb 3 next year
The 11th edition of the India Art Fair will begin on January 31 next year, the organisers have announced. The director of the four-day annual art fair, which is best known for its strong representation of leading Indian galleries alongside selected exhibitors from across the world, will be Jagdip Jagpal, the organisers said on the website of the event. Jagpal took over the reins from fair's co-owner and founding director Neha Kirpal last year. "Taking place annually in the capital city of New Delhi, India Art Fair reflects the fast-developing arts scene in the country, while offering curated insights into the cultural landscapes of neighbouring states," the website stated. The fair also opened up applications from galleries and institutions for the upcoming edition. The event, in the past, has promoted cultural discourse through a wide ranging line-up of large-scale installations, conversations, screenings, performances and live events to engage a diverse audience as well as cover a ..