Page 952 - Entertainment Culture

Jay Soni excited to make theatre debut

"Sasural Genda Phool" actor Jay Soni says he loves to watch plays and is excited to make his theatre debut.

Doing mainstream films is like going to office: Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee is often regarded as the face of independent films and the actor hopes indie cinema becomes a fashion in the country and make money. The actor says after gaining recognition in the commercial space he could have easily said no to indie projects but backing content driven films was always his aim. "I just hope independent films make money. I want independent movies should become a fashion in this country. I could easily afford not to do independent films but it is my passion for good cinema that I do it and I always wanted to be on the path of content and quality," Bajpayee told PTI. Though he leans more towards indie films, Bajpayee has acted in conventional Bollywood potboilers like "Veer Zaara", "Bewafaa", "Shootout at Wadala", "Tevar" among others. The actor cites maintaining relationships as the reason he did commercial films. "I have been part of many superhit films... which could get me the chance to get into commercial zone. There is a conscious decision to do ...

Nawazuddin has many traits that are similar to Manto: Nandita Das

Nandita Das says she chose Nawazuddin Siddiqui to portray the title role in "Manto" as he has a lot of similarities with legendary Urdu author-writer. Nandita said she always had Nawaz in mind while writing "Manto", based on the life of Saadat Hasan Manto, whose work continues to remain relevant to this day. "He has many traits that are similar to Manto a deep sensitivity and intensity, anger, and a dry sense of humour. These innate qualities in Nawaz helped him transition into Manto on screen quite effortlessly," Nandita said in a statement. She said she needed an actor who could portray many contradictory emotions as Manto was a complex character. "For instance , he was a person with moral courage, but was also scared of going to jail, confident but vulnerable, deeply sensitive yet very angry. You will know Nawaz's range when you see 'Manto'," she added. Nawazuddin, who has been receiving rave reviews for his performance in "Sacred Games", will be seen next in "Rome Rome Mein" to be

Classical dancer Geeta Chandran's disciple debuts with 'tribute performance'

Years after her own debut or 'Arangetram' in 1974, Padma Shri awardee and classical dancer Geeta Chandran said the first ever Bharatnatyam performance by her disciple Sowmya Laxmi Narayanan was a "true tribute from a disciple to her guru".

Kurt Russell defends director James Gunn

Actor Kurt Russell, who starred in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2", has lent support to its director James Gunn, who got fired by Disney Studios after the filmmaker's controversial tweets on paedophilia and rape resurfaced.

Manoj Pahwa: Not a shooting star but an actor in making

Manoj Pahwa describes his Bollywood journey not as an over-night star but as a planet: forming slowly, steadily, struggling and eventually becoming habitable, finding himself to be now in his best phase. Over the years, the 54-year-old actor has featured in supporting roles mainly in big commercial films like "Ready", "Singh is Kinng", "London Dreams", "Jolly LLB", "Dil Dhadakne Do" among others. But reaching this far wasn't easy for him. The actor says he is aware that in the country, it is a star who draws the audience to theatres. It's a fact, Pahwa says, and it doesn't hurt him. "People aren't going to come to theatres unless there's a star. Coming to theatre today with family is expensive. They want to see big event films like 'Avengers' or 'Baahubali' . Even Hollywood is turning to event films as theatres there are also running empty for normal films," he told PTI. "In India also, unless there is Salman Khan or someone else, people won't come to see Manoj Pahwa or any good ...

How Abu Dhabi authorities provided C-17 military plane for Cruise's HALO jump!

The makers of "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" had a very specific requirement of a C17 aircraft for shooting Tom Cruise's death-defying HALO jump and it could only be met by the military of UAE, says CEO of Abu Dhabi's Media Zone Authority Maryam Eid AlMheiri. The production of "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" in Abu Dhabi is a "significant moment in the development of our media industry and we are extremely proud to have been the staging ground for such a ground-breaking stunt," she says. Paramount Pictures had this requirement to deliver the first-ever HALO jump (High Altitude, Low Opening) for cinema. "For the HALO parachute jump, Paramount Pictures required a C17 plane which was used during rehearsals and the shoot. This is a very specific requirement that could only be met by the military. There aren't many places in the world where a C17 military aircraft is available to a producer for three weeks, but we managed to cater for it," AlMheiri told PTI. "We worked closely with ...

I am now looking for every opportunity to find joy: Sonali Bendre

In a heartwarming post Sonali Bendre today said she is happy and staying positive by looking for joy in every moment. The 43-year-old actor, who is currently in New York undergoing treatment for high grade cancer, said she does go through moments of "pain and low energy" but spending time with loved ones keeps her motivated. "This is me. And in this moment, I am really happy. People give me strange looks when I say that now, but it's true and I'll tell you why. I am now paying attention to every moment, looking for every opportunity to find joy and Switch On The Sunshine. "Yes, there are moments of pain and low energy, but I am doing what I like, spending time with people I love, and feeling very loved and happy," Bendre posted on Instagram along side a picture of herself with good friends Sussanne Khan and Gayatri Oberoi, clicked by actor Hrithik Roshan. Sussanne and Gayatri visited the actor in the US and spent some quality time with her ahead of Friendship Day. Bendre thanked her ..

Ruby Rose nearly drowned while shooting for 'The Meg'

Actor Ruby Rose has revealed that she had to be rescued by divers while she was filming for a scene for her latest "The Meg". The 32-year-old actor plays Jaxx in the Jason Statham-starrer which tells the tale of a giant shark terrorising a group of scientists trapped at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. According to Femalefirst, the actor said that her clothes made it difficult for her to swim for the scene and next moment she realised she was drowning. "It was a scene in which I'm in the water and have to swim back to a boat. My clothing, including a layer of thermals to help with the cold, made it really difficult to swim ... everyone loved how it looked and thought I was doing a great job, they didn't realise my shoes had filled up with water and were making me sink to the bottom of the tank we were shooting in," Rose said. "The next thing I know, safety divers were grabbing me. I drank a lot of tank water, which I have a feeling is not particularly good for you," she added.

Paul Rudd says he had 'geeked out' on 'Captain America: Civil War' set

Actor Paul Rudd has said that he had "geeked out" after he got the opportunity to meet the Marvel superheroes during the making of "Captain America: Civil War". The 49-old-actor, who portrays Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made a brief appearance in the 2016 superhero ensemble alongside Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. "(The Avengers) are all pretty impressive. I experienced this on 'Civil War'. I kind of turned into an eight year old because I saw all the Avengers in real life and I kind of geeked out," Rudd told Heat Magazine. "It was that feeling of, 'Wow, there are a lot of people who would like to be standing where I'm standing now. There's Captain America's shield and the Winter Soldier's silver armour. Everybody is very nice and I liked all of them," he added. The actor also appeared hopeful about his character's appearance in the upcoming "Avengers 4". ''You'll have to ask (MCU boss) Kevin Feige, but I'd say that there's a chance. You know, you'll have to talk ...

Matt Reeves says his Batman movie not based on Frank Miller's 'Year One' comic

Director Matt Reeves has shared his plans for The Batman standalone film, featuring Ben Affleck as the caped crusader. The 52-year-old director said that the new film will not be based on one single comic book and that the first draft of the script will be completed in the next few weeks. "We're not doing any particular (comic). 'Year One' is one of the many comic books that I love. We are definitely not doing 'Year One'," Reeves told Slashfilm. Reeves said the film will be focused on Batman's personal story. "It's just exciting to be focused very specifically on a tale that is defining for him and very personal to him. Obviously we're not doing an origin tale or anything like that," he said. "We're doing a story that is definitively Batman though and trying to tell a story that's emotional and yet is really about him being the world's greatest detective and all the things that for me, since I was a kid, made me love Batman," he added. Reeves said that Affleck "is still involved" but .

Would totally do it: Ewan McGregor on Obi-Wan Kenobi solo

Actor Ewan McGregor has said he is ready for a solo film based on his "Star Wars" character Obi-Wan Kenobi. The 47-year-old actor said that though he has not heard about any project on Obi-Wan, he would still do the film if the studio gives a go-ahead. "I would totally do it, of course. There's no plans as such to do it, as far as I know. I've been asked this question for years and years. I'd be happy to do it," the actor told The View. "There must be a good story to tell as they're doing spin-offs - there's likely to be a good Obi-Wan between me and Alec Guinness. I've answered 'yes' so many times it looks like I'm touting for work!" he added. There have been rumours swirling around an Obi-Wan Kenobi solo movie but the likelihood of one coming to fruition were hit after the disappointing run of another "Star Wars" spin-off "Solo: A Star Wars Story". McGregor played the iconic role in three "Star Wars" films -- "The Phantom Menace", "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith". ...

They bring uniqueness to every film: Anil Kapoor on re-uniting with Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla

Anil Kapoor says he is looking forward to share screen space with his former leading ladies Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawala. The 61-year-old actor will star opposite Dixit in "Total Dhamaal" and re-unite with Chawla for his home production "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga". "Total Dhamaal" will hit the screens on December 7 and "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" is scheduled for February 1 release. "It's always a pleasure to re-unite with them. They are one of the best actors in our industry. They bring uniqueness to every film. After so many years they are still loved as much as they were before. I know very well why they became what they are. I understand the reason for their success. "I have realised how good they are. They are just amazing. Madhuri in 'Total Dhamal' and Juhi in 'Ek Ladki...' are so beautiful and professional. They are still so hard working and young actors should learn from them," Kapoor told PTI. The actor has delivered hits like "Beta", "Tezaab", "Parinda", "Ram ..

Another 'Sherlock' season is a way off, says Mark Gatiss

Actor-writer Mark Gatiss has said that another season of popular series "Sherlock" is at least five years away. The BBC's modern interpretation of Arthur Conon Doyle's work featured Benedict Cumberbatch as the famed detective Sherlock Holmes while actor Martin Freeman played his sidekick and friend "Dr Watson. Gatiss, who co-created and co-wrote the series with Steven Moffat, told On the Line podcast that they have not ruled future seasons of the show but it will not happen anytime soon. "We're certainly not ruling it out. We're shooting 'Dracula' next year, that's a two or three year process to get that from script to screen. Even if we then started planning 'Sherlock' season five that would be another two years, so it's a way off," Gatiss said. Availability of Cumberbatch and Freeman, who are currently busy with their Hollywood careers, also appears to be a major hurdle for the prospective fifth season. "It was very, very, very difficult to schedule the fourth series in terms of ...

Bald is beautiful, says Sonali Bendre

Actress-author Sonali Bendre, who is braving a fight against cancer, is finding positivity in her new look and says bald is beautiful.

Only films can give you recognition as director: Atul Manjrekar

Atul Manjrekar believes no off-camera job can get the recognition that directing a full-length feature brings for a new filmmaker. Manjrekar's directorial debut "Fanney Khan", featuring Anil Kapoor in the lead, released this week. "I have been working for about 20-21 years as an assistant director, as an editor and also made ad films. And those who are making ad films or shorts or documentary films want to direct at least one full length feature film. "In our industry, films only give you recognition as a director. I have done about 400 ad films," he told PTI. An ad film he made three years ago-- a father-daughter story touching the topic of farmer's suicide-- carved his path to "Fanney Khan". The film, which is an official remake of "Everybody's Famous", is produced by Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra. "Before that I was editing films... It was Mehra's decision that I should direct this film. He had belief and confidence in me," he adds. The film also stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rajkummar ..

I feel lucky to have survived: Prateik Babbar on Bollywood journey, drug addiction

Prateik Babbar started out in Bollywood as a promising young performer and despite being lost in the middle, the actor is still raring to go. The actor completes a decade in the industry this year and reflecting back, he says it was a roller-coster ride with its own share of ups and downs. "It has been fair bit of struggle, fair bit of celebration. Everyone has some sort of struggle. This is my struggle but I never gave up. The hunger helped me, I am hungry for work so I am here," Prateik told PTI in an interview. "I have realised acting is my heartbeat and my lifeline. It's been one hell of a roller-coaster ride. I am very fortunate for this phase I am in. I am grateful that I am here today and no looking back anymore. I am ready to go, hungry and passionate and positive and I am more confident now," he adds. He was among those rare breed of actors who bagged a Filmfare Award for their debut film after he starred in 2008's "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na", alongside another debutante Imran .

'Feud: Charles and Diana' scrapped by FX

FX has scrapped its plan for a Prince Charles and Lady Diana edition of its "Feud" limited series. According to Entertainment Weekly, writers were unable to develop a version of the story for the previously announced sequel to 2017's "Feud: Bette and Joan". "It's not moving forward at the moment," FX chief John Landgraf said. Asked if "Feud", with Ryan Murphy attached as executive producer, was still a series or is cancelled at this point, he replied, 'I'd say if you asked Ryan, he would still say it's an active series and he's still intending to do further cycles. "But he hasn't told me 'this is the cycle I'm doing and this is when I'm doing it'.

Michael Bay developing horror movie 'Meet Jimmy'

Filmmaker Michael Bay is developing horror film "Meet Jimmy" with Paramount. Bay will be producing the project through his banner Platinum Dunes, reported Variety. "Meet Jimmy" revolves around a podcast that generates horrific consequences for listeners. David-Jan Bronsgee will direct from a script by Tom Koomen and the writing team of Shawn and Michael Rasmussen. "Meet Jimmy" will be a co-production between Platinum Dunes and the Picture Company.

'Brahmastra' is a universe by itself: Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is currently shooting for "Brahmastra" in Bulgaria, says the upcoming film is a universe by itself, for itself and of itself.