Page 945 - Entertainment Culture

Music no longer a character in Bollywood movies, says Rahman

Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman believes music should be treated as a character in films and not something that is dispensable. When asked about the deterioration of music in Bollywood, Rahman said people are not working on integrating music with the story. "People are not convinced about lip-syncing or having a song because they are not working on the screenplay that can sustain a scene with beautiful music," Rahman said in an interview here. "Music should become a character. In films like 'Rockstar' and 'Taal', they had music as a central force. If you treat it like a chewing gum, just one song or two song and then spit it out, then that's what you get." Rahman, credited as one of the most influential music composers in Indian cinema, said good music demands honesty and spirituality. "When power comes and we want more money and more money, then you leave beautiful things out and you go to gross things. We need to invest a certain sense of spirituality, honesty and love to ..

Was underselling myself by making adult comedies: Milap Zaveri

Milap Zaveri became popular for his adult comedies but at this juncture in his career, he has realised that he was limiting himself as a filmmaker and now wants to explore other genres. Zaveri wrote dialogues for sex comedies like "Grand Masti", "Kya Kool Hai Hum 3" and directed Sunny Leone-starrer "Mastizaade". "I'll never direct a sex comedy again. I have nothing left to do in that genre. I've exhausted myself as a creative person in those movies. I have nothing against the genre. I'd keep watching them but as a director, as a writer, I'm done with it. It doesn't excite me anymore," Zaveri told PTI. Though he was a writer for films like "Ek Villain", "Shootout at Wadala" among others, Zaveri was mostly associated with adult comedies- something which bothered him when "Mastizaade" tanked at the box office. "The tag didn't bother me till 'Mastizaade' failed. After that it bothered me. I felt I was underselling myself. I was capable of something more. You tend to get slotted in what ...

In my era, cinema wasn't driven by studios: Kamal Haasan

Tamil film icon Kamal Haasan, who started his acting career when he was just three years old, says he comes from an era when artistes believed that cinema was one vision and not driven by studios.

New festival to celebrate India's diversity

Over 200 Indian artists from various fields including art and craft, food, dance, and music, will come together for an upcoming festival celebrating the diversity of India. "Atulya Bharat" organised by north central zone cultural centre (NCZCC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, will be held at two different locations - Connaught Place and Janpath here from August 8. "During this cultural fest visitors will be getting an opportunity to feel and experience the vibrant culture of India. "The event will witness about 200 artists coming from distant parts of the country and performing on the tune of national integrity which will definitely give a sense of incredible India," Inderjeet Grover, Director of NCZCC, said. While the main cultural performances during the five day festival will be hosted at Central Park in Connaught Place, the Handloom Haat in Janpath will feature a 'Craft Bazaar', as well as a 'Cuisines and Artists Painting Camp'. Performances will also include ...

Superstar Salman Khan has congratulated Priyanka Chopra for bagging a major Hollywood ...

Superstar Salman Khan has congratulated Priyanka Chopra for bagging a major Hollywood project but said he got to know about her exit from "Bharat" just 10 days before the shooting. Director Ali Abbas Zafar had shared the news that Priyanka had left the project while hinting that it was because of her engagement with boyfriend Nick Jonas. But there were reports of a fallout between Salman and the "Quantico" star, who has just bagged Hollywood film "Cowboys Ninja Vikings" opposite Chris Pratt Talking to reporters at the trailer launch of his upcoming production "Loveratri", Salman said if they knew that she had signed a big film in Hollywood, they wouldn't have stopped her. "We got to know about it at the end moment and that too 10 days before the start of shooting. We got to know that she wants to leave the film and she has gone home," Salman said. The actor said Priyanka gave a "different reason" to them about leaving the film. "That time some other reasons were given to us. That ...

Sonam Kapoor celebrates 8 years of 'Aisha'

Bollywood diva Sonam Kapoor celebrated 8 years of her film, 'Aisha' with sister Rhea Kapoor.Reminiscing one of the 'most memorable' characters played by her, the star shared a picture of herself on the sets of the film with Rhea and other crew members. In the candid photo, Sonam is all dressed up to shoot and is scrutinizing a shot along with her sister and other crew members.She wrote, "Eight years! Can you believe it? It feels like only yesterday that Aisha and I first met, one of my most memorable characters! ??Rhea, do you remember which scene we were intently staring at?#8YearsOfAisha @rheakapoor."'Aisha' is a 2010 drama film based on the life of a fashionista who plays cupid and helps people find love.The flick also starred Abhay Deol, Ira Dubey, Lisa Haydon and Amrita Puri.On the work front, Sonam is all set for her upcoming flick, 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga', which also stars Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao and Juhi Chawla in pivotal roles.

Musical retelling of Partition gives message of peace

An experiential music performance recounting the Partition echoed the poetry of Saadat Hassan Manto, Ali Sardar Jafri, Daman, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Amrita Pritam, and personal accounts of ordinary people who lived through it, at the Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC) here.

Let music bring countries together: Tulsi Kumar on singing with Atif Aslam

Singer Tulsi Kumar, who has sung a duet with Pakistani singer Atif Aslam for a forthcoming Bollywood film, says music connects people universally and it has the power to connect countries together.

Rosie O'Donnell stages protest against Trump

Actress Rosie O'Donnell and some performers from Broadway's biggest musicals led a sing-along protest against US President Donald Trump outside the White House.

No limits to craft of acting, learning: Ranveer

Ranveer Singh, in his pursuit of an illustrious filmography, says he finds the craft of acting limitless and keeps the learning going.

Preity Zinta shares her look from 'Bhaiaji Superhit'

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who is coming back on the big screen with her film "Bhaiaji Superhit" after a long break, on Tuesday unveiled the look of her character from the film.

'The Bachelorette's Garrett Yrigoyen opens up about his Instagram scandal

The Bachelorette star Garrett Yrigoyen opened up about his Instagram scandal for liking a series of highly inflammatory Instagram posts.The reality star was immersed in a social media firestorm for liking some racist and homophobic posts.Speaking about the controversy, Yrigoyen told People Magazine that it was tough for him and he didn't mean to offend anyone.He said, "Just because I liked it, doesn't necessarily mean that I supported it. I was raised in a very open-minded family that was acceptable to everybody. We're very non-judgmental. I'm genuinely sincere."He got engaged to American publicist Becca Kufrin on the season finale of the show.Defending her fiancee, Kufrin said, "People have been saying really terrible things about Garrett, but that's not who he is. At his core, he's a good guy. We've all made mistakes and done things that aren't perfect. But all I could ask for is somebody who owns up to what they've done and who apologizes and wants to grow. And that's what he's ...

'Homeland' indeed ending with Season 8

Showtime's thriller series"Homeland" is officially ending after eight seasons. Showtime Networks CEO David Nevins confirmed the news at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour. "I do not want to hear the word 'cancellation. (Co-creator and showrunner) Alex Gansa will bring the show to its proper conclusion," Nevins said. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nevins had been previously shy to call it quits on the network's popular drama, even though Gansa has been implying season eight would be the end since the Emmy-winning drama scored a three-season renewal back in 2016. "Homeland", developed by Gansa and Howard Gordon, is based on the original Israeli series "Prisoners of War" by Gideon Raff. Along with Gansa and Gordon, Chip Johannessen, Lesli Linka Glatter, Patrick Harbinson, Danes, Michael Klick, Ron Nyswaner, Gideon Raff, Avi Nir and Ran Telem also serve as executive producers.

Indian small screen 'thrills' with paranormal, plays up superstitions (Entertainment Feature)

With frequent media reports of helpless women in the hinterland being branded as witches or stigmatised for being possessed by "evil spirits" -- often resulting in their persecution and even muder -- the Indian small screen is focusing on shows that highlight the paranormal and feed on people's dark side -- despite these being called "regressive" by many.

Tamra Davis to direct Paul Feig comedy 'Turned On'

Veteran filmmaker Tamra Davis will helm Fox's comedy "Turned On." Paul Feig and Jessie Henderson are producing for Feigco Entertainment, where 20th Century Fox has been developing the script for the past two years. According to Deadline, the studio bought the script in 2016 from Charlie Kesslering, an assistant to James Corden. Written by Charlie Kesslering, the film tells the story of a brilliant but awkward engineer who creates an android clone to fill in with difficult situations, but when the robot self-actualises, her life soon spirals out of control. Davis broke into show business in 1986 as the director of music videos for N.W.A, Sonic Youth, the Beastie Boys and Black Flag. She began directing feature films with 1992's "Guncrazy", followed by "Billy Madison", "Half Baked", and "Crossroads". Davis also has multiple TV credits including "Still the King", "Younger", "My Name Is Earl", and "Everybody Hates Chris".

Jennifer Lopez to star in 'Hustlers'

Pop diva Jennifer Lopez has been roped in to star in "Hustlers". The film is based on a New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler titled 'The Hustlers at Scores', reported Variety. The article was about a group of former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Lorene Scafaria is directing the film from a screenplay she adapted. Annapurna and Gloria Sanchez are producing with Scafaria co-producing. Lopez and producing partner, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas will executive produce along with associate producer Alexandra Brown. Set in New York City in the wake of the financial crisis, the film explores the toll it took on the livelihood of the dancers who relied on their Wall Street clientele. Lopez will play the ringleader to the group of ambitious women who take their plans of getting their full cut too far.

Gal Gadot to star in Hedy Lamarr series

"Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot is in final talks to headline and executive produce a limited series about film actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr for Showtime. The series is from "The Affair" co-creator/executive producer Sarah Treem, "The Handmaid's Tale" producer Warren Littlefield and Endeavor Content. According to Deadline, Treem is in negotiation to write the limited series, which will chronicle the life and career of Lamarr. Gadot will executive produce the limited series with her husband and producing partner Jaron Varsano. Austrian-born Lamarr started her career in Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s before leaving her husband and moving to Paris. In London, she met Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio head Louis B Mayer, who offered her a movie contract in Hollywood, where she starred in "Algiers" (1938), "Boom Town" (1940), "I Take This Woman" (1940), "Comrade X" (1940), "Come Live With Me" (1941) and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). She was also an inventor and at the beginning of World War II,

Rebecca Hall to make directorial debut with Ruth Negga, Tessa Thompson's 'Passing'

Rebecca Hall is set to make her directorial debut with Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson-starrer "Passing". Hall is directing from a script she adapted from Nella Larsen's Harlem Renaissance novella, reported Deadline. The film follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities. Larsen's story was first published in 1929 by Knopf and her exploration of race was informed by her own mixed racial heritage and the increasingly common practice of racial passing in the 1920s. Margot Hand of Picture Films and Oren Moverman of Sight Unseen are producing, with Angela Robinson serving as executive producer. "Rebecca Hall is a brilliant artist who I've had the pleasure of working with and I've loved the Nella Larson novella, 'Passing' since I first read it many years ago. When Rebecca told me about her family history and her passion to tell this story, I immediately signed on to

'Supergirl' movie in the works

Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment are in the early stages of a "Supergirl" film. They have hired "22 Jump Street" writer Oren Uziel to pen the script, but have not found a producer yet.

Johnny Depp's 'City Of Lies' film pulled from release schedule

Hollywood star Johnny Depp's "City of Lies" crime-thriller movie, directed by Brad Furman, has been pulled off its September 7 release date. The film based on the true story behind the investigation into the murder of rap star Notorious B.I.G, also stars Forest Whitaker. Global Road, which acquired the movie's original distributor Open Road last summer, has not set a new date for the project, reported Deadline. The film was set to hit screens on what would have been the 46th birthday of the iconic rapper, aka Biggie Smalls, who was gunned down in 1997 in a drive-by in Los Angeles. In the movie, Depp plays LAPD detective Russell Poole, and Whitaker is the journalist looking into the unsolved murder, which came six months after the death of Smalls' rap rival Tupac Shakur. The film is pulled from release a month after Depp was sued by a location manager involved in the production who said the actor punched him. The 10-claim suit, which also names Furman and producers Miriam Segal, Good ..