Entertainment

scoop-asur-2-school-of-lies-mumbaikar-manifest-season-4-ott-releases-this-week

Wed May 31 16:50:10 IST 2023

Streaming platforms have a wide variety of content to offer this week, from movies to fresh seasons of popular shows and more. Here is a quick look at all that's arriving on Netflix, Disney plus Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema and more.

Scoop: Netflix

Release date: June 2

Hansal Mehta's much-awaited Netflix thriller delves into the life of a crime reporter and her fight for justice after she gets arrested for the murder of a fellow journalist. Based on the true story of journalist Jigna Vora, the series is based on her memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison. The series features Karishma Tanna, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Harman Baweja in key roles.

Asur 2: JioCinema

Release date: June 1

The second season of the acclaimed crime thriller series directed by Onir Sen, Asur 2 will see Barun Sobti, Arshad Warsi, Amey Wagh, and Riddhi Dogra reprise their roles from the first season which premiered in 2020. The show chronicles the story of a serial killer on the loose in the backdrop of myths and religion.

School of Lies: Disney plus Hotstar

Release date: June 2

Yet another exciting release this week, the eight-episode mystery drama revolves around a 12-year-old boy's disappearance from a boarding school. Starring Nimrat Kaur, the show, inspired by real events is produced by BBC Studios and directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware. It also features Aamir Bashir, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Sonali Kulkarni and Jitendra Joshi along with Varin Roopani, Divyansh Dwivedi, Aryan Singh Ahlawat, Hemant Kher, Parthiv Shetty, Adrija Sinha and Aalekh Kapoor.

Manifest season 4 part 2: Netflix

Release date: June 2

After a cliffhanger ending to part 1, the last part of the finale will hopefully answer fans' questions about Flight 828. The series is centered around passengers of the flight who were believed to have died, but return to their much-changed personal lives and society after five years. The final part will have 10 episodes.

Sulaikha Manzil: Disney plus Hotstar

Release date: May 30

The Malayalam romantic comedy which was released in theatres recently, is now available for OTT viewing. Directed by Ashraf Hamza, the film starring Lukman Avaran and Anarkali Marikar, is set against the backdrop of a Muslim wedding in Malabar.

Mumbaikar: JioCinema

Release date: June 2

A remake of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s directorial debut MaanagaramMumbaikar revolves around a Mumbai’s mafia leader who is mistakenly abducted for ransom. The action thriller, directed by Santosh Sivan, features Vijay Sethupathi, Vikrant Massey, Ranvir Shorey, Tanya Maniktala, and Sanjay Mishra.

83-year-old-al-pacino-expecting-a-baby-with-girlfriend-noor-alfallah-reports

Wed May 31 13:10:41 IST 2023

Hollywood veteran Al Pacino is set to become a dad for the fourth time. The 83-year-old actor is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Noor Alfallah, according to reports.

Alfallah, 29, is currently eight months pregnant, the actor's rep confirmed to People. Alfallah has reportedly been dating the actor from 2022. The couple sparked dating rumours when they were spotted having diner together earlier.

Pacino shares daughter Julie Marie, 33 with his ex-girlfriend, acting coach Jan Tarrant. He also shares 22-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with ex Beverly D'Angelo, whom he dated from 1997 to 2003, People stated.

“Pacino and Noor started seeing each other during the pandemic. She mostly dates very rich older men. She has been with Al for some time and they get on very well. The age gap doesn’t seem to be a problem,” TMZ quoted a source as saying.

Pacino, star of The Godfather series, has featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, House of Gucci and Amazon Prime series Hunters in recent years.

ott-shows-to-carry-anti-tobacco-warnings-health-ministry-amends-rules

Wed May 31 12:47:04 IST 2023

On the World No Tobacco Day, the Union health ministry on Wednesday notified the amended rules under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2004, making it mandatory for OTT platforms to display anti-tobacco warnings as are seen in movies screened in theatres and TV programmes.

According to the notification, publishers of online curated content displaying tobacco products or their use will be required to display anti-tobacco health spots each of a minimum of 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of the programme.

They shall also be required to exhibit an anti-tobacco health warning as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen when tobacco products or their use are displayed during the programme.

Also, an audio-visual disclaimer of a minimum of 20 seconds on the ill-effects of tobacco use will have to be also displayed at the beginning and middle of the programme, the source stated.

"The anti-tobacco health warning message as specified in clause(b) of sub-rule (1) shall be legible and readable, with font in black colour on white background and with the warnings 'Tobacco causes cancer' or 'Tobacco kills'," the notification stated.

Besides, the anti-tobacco health warning messages, health spots and audio-visual disclaimers will have to be in the same language as used in the online curated content.

The display of tobacco products or their use in online curated content shall not extend to display of the brands of cigarettes or other tobacco products or any form of tobacco product placement and display of tobacco products or their use in promotional materials.

According to a senior ministry official, the decision was taken following discussions with the Information and Broadcasting ministry and other stakeholders. "If the publisher of online curated content fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rules (1) to (5), an inter ministerial committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, shall take action suo motu or on a complaint, and after identifying the publisher of online curated content, issue notice giving reasonable opportunity to explain such failure and make appropriate modification in the content," the notification said.

The expression online curated content means any curated catalogue of audio-visual content, other than news and current affairs content, which is owned by, licensed to, or contracted to be transmitted by a publisher of online curated content, and made available on demand, including but not limited through subscription, over the internet or computer networks, and includes films, audio visual programmes,television programmes, serials, series and other such content.

aamir-khan-says-he-will-do-a-film-when-emotionally-ready

Tue May 30 22:42:12 IST 2023

Hindi cinema superstar Aamir Khan on Tuesday said he is enjoying spending time with his family right now and will decide to do a film when he is "emotionally ready".

Months after his last film Laal Singh Chaddha opened to mixed reviews and poor box office collections, the actor had in November 2022 said he was taking some time off, maybe "a year and a half", to prioritise family over career.

At the trailer launch event of Punjabi film Carry On Jatta 3, Aamir was asked why he didn't announce a new film after Laal Singh Chaddha. He was last seen in a cameo in the Kajol-starrer Salaam Venky.

In his response, the actor said he is "feeling good" about spending time with family at the moment.

"Today, we should ideally only talk about Carry On Jatta, but since you all must be curious, let me quickly give you an answer.

"I haven't decided to do any film as of now. I want to spend time with my family right now. I'm feeling good about it because that's what I want to do right now. I'll do a film when I'm emotionally ready, for sure," Aamir told reporters.

Carry On Jatta 3 stars Gippy Grewal, Sonam Bajwa, Kavita Kaushik, and Gurpreet Ghuggi.

Gippy expressed gratitude towards Aamir for extending his support for the upcoming film.

"Thank you so much, paaji (Aamir). Thank you everyone for coming here. It's the first Punjabi film that's releasing on this level. We've made an effort to add (English) subtitles, so that you all can understand it," the Punjabi superstar added.

most-anticipated-hollywood-movies-of-2023

Tue May 30 22:36:32 IST 2023

The year 2023 so far has seen some major Hollywood releases, including Fast X, Creed 3, Air, Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3 and John Wick: Chapter 4 among others. The rest of the year, too, looks promising with films like Oppenheimer to Killers of the flower moon lined up. Here's a look at some of the most anticipated and upcoming Hollywood movies of 2023.

1. Joy Ride

Four friends, one trip, and no luck! Joy Ride revolves around four friends and their trip to their homeland and things and people they come across during their trip. Their experiences during the journey and their bonding are expected to make this comedy-drama a fun watch. The cast includes Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola, and Sabrina Wu. Directed by Adele Lim, the film is expected to hit theatres on July 7.

2. Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse

After witnessing the three Spider heroes on screen together in Spider-man: No Way Home (2022), the fans are in for more with Marvel's latest Spider venture. The anticipation is at its peak as Sony has dropped a surprise for the Indian fans as well. The friendly neighbourhood Spiderman will swing by on June 2, 2023.

3. The Flash

“These scars we have, make us who we are. We are not meant to go back and fix them.”

In an attempt to save his family, Flash uses his power to travel back in time. Things get worse when he gets trapped in a different reality. Andres Muschietti’s film is expected to hit theatres on June 16. Fans are waiting with bated breath as Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are set to come on screen together as Batman.

4. Extraction 2

The Russo brothers—Joe and Anthony Russo—Sam Hargrave, and Chris Hemsworth. These names are more than enough to get the audience excited for the action-filled suspense film releasing on Netflix on June 16. A sequence to the hugely successful action thriller Extraction, the film will see Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) returning for another high-stakes mission. The cast also includes Golshifteh Farahani, Rudraksh Jaiswal, and Tinatin Dalakishvili .

5. Asteroid City

Directed by West Anderson and starring an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Tom Hanks, Maya Hawke Sophia Lillis, Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, and Steve Carell, Asteroid City tells the story of a group of parents and students from across the US convening in a small desert town. Known for the high degree of formalism that he employs, this science fiction romantic comedy-drama from Anderson is expected to be a visual treat. The film will be released on June 16.

6. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

The beloved archeologist, played by Harrison Ford, is back with a new adventure and mystery. The fifth and final installment in the 'Indiana Jones' franchise, The Dial of Destiny will be released on June 30. In the action adventure film directed by James Mangold, Indiana Jones teams up with his goddaughter Helena Shaw and races against time to get hold of the dial of destiny that holds immense power. The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

7. Killers of the flower moon

Greed is an animal that hungers for blood!

Set in 1920s Oklahoma, Killers of the flower moon is a Western crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and is based on a book by David Grann. The movie depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone). The movie is expected to be released on October 6.

8. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

The world is changing; truth is vanishing; war is coming.

Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie are back with another mission. The Mission Impossible movies have established themselves to be among the best action film franchises out there. The latest addition to the franchise too is likely to meet the high expectations of the audience. The movie also stars Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, and Simon Pegg. The film will hit cinemas on July 12.

9. Oppenheimer

“You are the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves, and the world is not prepared.”

Oppenheimer tells the story of the father of atomic bomb, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. The star-laden trailer of the movie, directed by Christopher Nolan, already has the audience excited. Nolan is known for his complex storytelling, and the audience can expect the same in Oppenheimer as well. The film, starring Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey jr, Florence Pugh, Jack Quaid, and Matt Damon will be released on July 21.

10. Dune 2

“In the shadows of Arrakis lie many secrets but the darkest of them all may remain.”

The highly anticipated sequel to Dune hits the theatres on November 3, 2023. Both readers and the fans are keeping the figures crossed to see if director Denis Villeneuve will outdo himself as he had set the bar high with the first installment of the film. The viewers expect more screen presence for Timothe Chalmette and Zendaya, and rivalry between Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) and Chani (Zendaya). Will fury really rise, beyond fear?

sandra-huller-winning-hearts-and-praises-one-unconventional-role-at-a-time

Tue May 30 19:21:55 IST 2023

German actor Sandra Hüller had been the focus of much media attention during the 76th Cannes film festival, and rightfully so. The 45-year-old actor, who played notable roles in two of the top films of the festival, left the audience in awe with her versatility and acting prowess.

Anatomy of a Fall, with Hüller in the lead, bagged the Palme d’Or. Another film, starring Hüller, The Zone of Interest, won Grand Prix at the festival. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest, a chilling drama about a family behind the Auschwitz concentration camps, saw her play Hedwig Hösses, the wife of the commander of the camps.

Born on April 30, 1978, in Suhl in East Germany, Hüller made her on-screen debut with a short film Nicht auf den Mund (Not on The Lips) in 1999. She studied theatre from 1998 to 2000 at the Ernst Dusch Academy of Dramatic Arts, Berlin.

Best known for her roles in the 2006 Hans-Christian Schmid-directed German drama film Requiem and, and 2016 Maren Ade-directed comedy-drama Toni Erdmann, Hüller possesses the ability to morph into characters and come up with gripping performances. Hailed as one of the most versatile and fearless actors in Europe, Hüller has been praised for the hours of spellbinding work she puts in.

Hüller recently told LA Times that while she doesn't shy away from challenging projects, she took her time to decide on playing the “unambiguously monstrous” Hedwig Hösses in The Zone of Interest. She said she decided to accept the role to work with Glazier.

The actor said she portrayed the role to show how just because people like Hösses existed, that does not mean that they deserve respect, love, or have to be liked. She played the complex woman with a flawless porcelain facade that she carries with pride while rarely showing remorse about the atrocities that she was a part of.

Anatomy of a Fall is a courtroom drama, in which she played a seemingly cold writer accused of murdering her husband. Hüller’s character demands sympathy but her unsettling ability to lie makes one unsure if she is actually trustworthy.

Hüller has always been fascinated about testing her limits. Her 2013 movie Finsterworld, directed by Frauke Finsterwalder, has been described as an “intensely funny yet subtly terrifying film.” The film portrayed post-war Germany, blanketed by the shadows of its past, and a young generation that seems to have resigned to its seemingly bleak future. Another one of her films, Fly (2009) directed by Piotr J. Lewandowski, explored the relationship between a soon-to-be-deported criminal and a young student who makes a documentary about him.

Instead of playing safer, black-and-white roles, Hüller has always been experimenting with her characters. She may not have won an award at Cannes, but the impact she created with her roles and the attention she managed to garner were indeed greater than any award.

swatantrya-veer-savarkar-netajis-grandnephew-trashes-randeep-hoodas-claims

Tue May 30 19:26:48 IST 2023

Randeep Hooda’s directorial debut Swatantrya Veer Savarkar seeks to unfold the “true story” of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his role in the freedom struggle. Ever since the release of its teaser, the film has been grabbing headlines, but what made it more contentious is the reaction of Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

The movie introduces Savarkar as the most wanted Indian by the British, the most feared revolutionary and the man who inspired Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose. Responding to this claim, Chandra Kumar Bose tweeted that his granduncle was inspired only by Swami Vivekananda, his spiritual guru, and Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das, his political mentor. He even claimed that Netaji never followed Savarkar's ideology, but was rather opposed to it.

Chandra Kumar Bose further asserted that Savarkar being a communal leader would never be considered an inspiration as both Netaji and his brother Sharad Chandra Bose had strongly opposed communalism.

“It is an offence to project history,” he said, accusing the actor-director of trying to stir up a controversy for the mileage of his film.

Savarkar was born to a Marathi Hindu family in 1883. He founded Abhinav Bharat, India’s first organised secret society, and lead the first ever bonfire of foreign clothes in Pune in 1905. His book on 1857 uprising, in which he termed the revolt as the 'First War of Independence', inspired many other revolutionaries.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar commonly known as Veer savarkar was born into a Marathi hindu family who earned the name veer due to his courage even at a very young age .He was the first revolutionaries to coordinate India’s first organised secret society which was called Abhinav Bharthe and also the first one to lead the first ever student bonfire against foreign clothes on 1905 in Pune.

Vikram Sampath, the popular historian and the author of Savarkar's biography, says that according to the historical documents it was Bose who got Savarkar’s book translated into Tamil, Japanese and many other languages as the book expresses on how revolution needs to be structured.

Hooda released the teaser of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar on Twitter on Savarkar’s 140th birth anniversary on May 28. Despite criticsims, the teaser is being widely shared on social platforms with the hashtag #WhoKilledHisStory.

martin-scorsese-meets-pope-francis-announces-film-about-jesus

Tue May 30 17:27:25 IST 2023

Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese met Pope Francis over the weekend and said he is inspired to make a film about Jesus.

According to entertainment news outlet Variety, the 80-year-old cinema icon and his wife Helen Morris met Pope Francis during a brief private audience at the Vatican on Saturday. .

"I have responded to the Pope's appeal to artists in the only way I know how: by imagining and writing a screenplay for a film about Jesus. And I'm about to start making it," Scorsese said during the Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination conference at the Vatican.

The conference was organized by Jesuit publication La Civilta Cattolica and Georgetown University.

The filmmaker was visiting Italy after the premiere on his directorial venture Killers of the Flower Moon at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone and Jesse Plemons.

in-latest-stand-up-special-zakir-khan-offers-lessons-to-single-men-in-the-modern-dating-world

Mon May 29 14:17:36 IST 2023

Who doesn’t want to end their week with a good laugh? And that is what you would have got if you were in the audience at stand-up comedian Zakir Khan's show at the JT Performing Arts Centre in Kochi on Saturday.

Zakir became a known face in India’s comedy world in 2012 after winning the title of 'India's Best Stand Up', a comedy competition organised by Comedy Central. He later became an internet sensation by releasing three standup series Haq Se Single (2017), Kaksha Gyarvi (2018) and Tathastu (2022) on Amazon Prime Video and is now doing live comedy shows by touring different cities.

His first stop this year is in Kochi which also happens to be his first time performing in this city. He started the show on a melodious (not really though) note where he lifted his guitar and sang about his life struggles, albeit laced with humour. Most part of the show was in Hindi, but that did not stop the audience from cracking up at his relatable jokes. Zakir, known for his punchline "sakht launda'' which refers to a guy with immense self-control and does not easily fall for girls, set the mood of his standup by sharing what his girlfriend once told him: “When other men do push ups you wear one.”

Zakir brings in a comedic twist even as he shares his experiences with different relationships he has witnessed, right from that of his parents to his personal equations with the women he has been with. He spoke about how his housewife mom, who apparently did 'work from home' by keeping tabs on his dad, who left his job and sat at home critiquing every single piece of news a channel had to offer. He also took the audience on a nostalgia ride with his boy tales about girls.

Early into his act, Zakir spoke about an alleged unspoken understanding between men of all ages regarding all things female, or the "bro code". It seemed like his jokes struck a chord with the audience because many of them still rely on generalising how men and women behave in romantic relationships. You could see it coming every time he goes "ladkiyon ka aisa hai na [girls are like this right?]".

Zakir later directly approached all the single men in the crowd and addressed them as his “class of students”. It seemed like a good amount of single men attended his show based on the number of men shouting “yes sir”, acknowledging each of his statements. He mentioned the struggles of dating from the point of view of an average man who feels entitled to gain a woman's attention and affection. When he said “take your lady shopping because next time you come across an argument you can remind yourself that you’ve already gotten past the bigger hurdle”, the crowd burst into laughter. He then said: “Who do you think women speak to the most?” A moment of whispers in the crowd followed by Zakir answering: “Themselves”. The crowd couldn’t agree more.

Although his jokes were based around the unfair singlehood of an average guy in the world of modern dating, it is the women who become the gist of every line.

Zakir has an inborn skill to engage with his audience by transporting them into his own life with visually evocative storytelling. The show went on for over 90 minutes with the crowd’s standing ovation for the artist as he called it a night.

iifa-awards-2023-drishyam-2-wins-best-picture

Sun May 28 14:36:35 IST 2023

Ajay Devgn-starrer Drishyam 2 won the top prize of best picture at the star-studded IIFA Awards ceremony here that saw Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan bagging the female and male acting trophies, respectively.

The two-day extravaganza, held at a foreign location every year to celebrate the best of Hindi films, concluded Saturday night at the Etihad Arena, part of Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island.

Producers Bhushan Kumar and Kumar Mangat accepted the best picture award for Drishyam 2, a remake of a popular Malayalam movie of the same title. The film also won the award for best-adapted story.

Bhatt, who gave the ceremony a miss, was awarded best performance in a leading role — female for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Roshan lifted the IIFA trophy for best performance in a leading role - male for his work in the action-thriller film Vikram Vedha.

"I have lived with Vedha for many years now. It all began right here in Abu Dhabi. I gave my first shot as Vedha here. It feels like life has come full circle to me," he said, thanking the director duo Pushakar and Gayatri for the role.

"Vedha has unleashed a certain madness in me that I didn't know was within me and I held on to that madness," said the actor, who later shook a leg with co-host Vicky Kaushal on 'Ek Pal Ka Jeena' from his debut movie Kaho Na Pyaar Hai.

Ranbir Kapoor and Bhatt-starrer Brahmastra: Part One Shiva registered the most wins for a film, including -- best playback singer (female) for Shreya Ghoshal, best playback singer (male) for Arijit Singh (Male), best lyricist award for Amitabh Bhattacharya and best supporting actor (female) for Mouni Roy.

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor won the award for best performance in a supporting role - male for Jugjugg Jeeyo.

Actor R Madhavan was honoured with the best direction award for his maiden filmmaking effort Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. Perveez Sheikh and Jasmeet Reen bagged the trophy for best original story for Darlings.

Late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan's son, Babil Khan, won the best debut (Male) award for the film Qala. He shared the award with Shantanu Maheshwari of Gangubai Kathiawadi fame.

Actor Khushali Kumar was adjudged the winner of best debut (female) for Dhoka Around the Corner.

Music maestro A R Rahman felicitated cinema icon Kamal Haasan with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema honour at the IIFA Awards.

"I am a child of cinema, I was born in movies. I have been here for three-and-half decades. I always feel I haven't done enough. I will have to go back and work harder," Haasan said after receiving the award.

The awards night saw some electrifying performances from Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh.

Dhawan paid a tribute to Bollywood directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rohit Shetty, and Karan Johar by dancing on popular songs from their films.

Fatehi performed on old Bollywood cabaret numbers such as Laila O Laila and Monica Oh My Darling, whereas Singh paid an ode to the black-and-white era with an act on classic tracks such as "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh and Pyaar Hua Ikrar Hua.

The IIFA Awards and Weekend were held in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading curator of immersive destinations and experiences.

anatomy-of-a-fall-grabs-cannes-palme-dor

Sun May 28 12:10:47 IST 2023

A jury chaired by last year's Palme d'Or winner, Swedish director Ruben Ostlund, added a little bit of history to the Cannes Film Festival by adjudging Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall the best among the 21 films that competed for the Palme d'Or this year. But in doing so, it did not spring any surprise.

Triet is only the third woman director to win the festival's top prize after Jane Campion (The Piano, 2001) and Julia Ducournau (Titane, 2021), who was also on the jury this year.

Anatomy of a Fall is about a popular novelist who is on trial for allegedly murdering her husband. The film is more than just a legal drama it is a dissection of marriage, too.

Ducournau presented the Grand Prix to English director Jonathan Glazer for his Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest.

In The Zone of Interest, the Nazi atrocities take place off camera. The film focuses on the private life of a commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp played by Christian Friedel and his wife essayed by Sandra Huller (also the lead actress of Anatomy of a Fall).

"Anatomy of a Fall" and The Zone of Interest were expected to be among the big winners at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.

The Palme d'Or was presented to Triet by veteran actress Jane Fonda.

The win for Triet in a competition in which one-third of the entries were helmed by women was in the fitness of things. But apart from the Palme d'Or winner, all the other women in the fray went empty-handed.

The Jury Prize was won by Aki Kaurismaki's Fallen Leaves, a remarkable film that looks for hope amid despondency through a love story of two people whose lives hang by a thread.

The best actor award was expectedly won by Koji Yakusho for his moving performance in Wim Wenders' Tokyo-set film Perfect Days. He plays a man who cleans toilets by day and reads, listens to music and waters and photographs plants in his free time.

The best actress award came as a surprise it went to Turkish actress Merve Dizdar for Nuri Bilge Ceylan's About Dry Grasses, about a male art teacher accused of sexual misdemeanour.

Sakamoto Yuji won the best screenplay prize for Hirokazu Koreeda's Monster, which also won the Queer Palm earlier in the day.

The prizes for the Un Certain Regard section were announced on Friday evening. Debutante British director Molly Manning Walker took home the top prize of the section for How to Have Sex.

The festival's Camera d'Or award for the best first film of a director was won by the three-hour Vietnamese film, Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, directed by Thien Ann Pham. The film played in parallel Directors Fortnight.

tina-turner-top-10-songs-of-the-queen-of-rock-n-roll

Thu May 25 16:40:11 IST 2023

Everyone loves a comeback story; rewriting your destiny and inspiring the world to look up to you.

Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock 'n' Roll”, was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as one-half of a duo and later as a solo artist. During her stint in a duo with former husband Ike Turner, she ruled the charts with 20 songs on the Hot 100 and 26 on the Hot R&B charts. This included hits like 'Proud Mary' which peaked at No. 4.

Winner of 12 Grammys, Tina went on to release hits like 'What’s Love Got To Do With It' and 'Private Dancer', with 17 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 charts—a stunning comeback as a solo artist after ending her abusive marriage to Ike.

As a tribute to Tina's resilience and her impact on the music industry, here is a list of her top 10 songs (in no particular order).

1. What’s Love Got To Do With It (1984)

Released in 1984 as a single from the album Private Dancer, the song was her first and only Billboard Top 100 No. 1 where it stayed for three weeks. And it was even inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012. Her big comeback at the age of 46 when many thought she was past her prime, the song took the world by storm and also introduced many to her discography. The song peaked at No. 1 and also won her four Grammys and an Oscar nomination for the biographical film by the same name.

2. Private Dancer (1984)

Released by her along with the album of the same name in 1984, the song was initially written by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler for their album Love Over Gold. It was later offered to Tina, who brought into the music not just a passion but also her pain and pride. The song peaked at No. 7 on the Top 100 charts.

3. Proud Mary (1971)

A cover of a song originally released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969, it was released by Ike and Tina Turner in 1971 as a single for their 1970 album, Workin’ Together and later re-recorded by Tina for the 1993 movie What's Love Got to Do with It. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 100 charts and won them a Grammy.

4. The Best (1989)

Released by Tina for her album Foreign Affair (1989), it was a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s song by the same name. Featuring a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter, it was described by Billboard's Bill Coleman as an "easy-paced pop offering which finds Turner's voice taking front and centre stage.” The song spent 14 weeks on the Top 100 chart where it peaked at No. 15.

5. We Don't Need Another Hero (1985)

Appearing in the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (starring Tina as Aunty Entity), hot on the heels of Private Dancer, it has been called a pulsating rock and pop radio hook combined with the sweep and force of her Ike and Tina days by The Guardian. The song peaked at No 2 and charted for 18 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 charts.

6. Nutbush City Limits (1973)

Released as a single for the album of the same name, it is a semi-autobiographical memoir of her life in her hometown of Nutbush Tennessee. It was the last hit single Ike and Tina produced together as a duo before their split in 1978. It also became a dance sensation in Australia with a line dance of the same name. The song peaked at No. 22 on the Top 100 charts.

7. Typical Male (1986)

Released in 1896, the song features Phil Collins on the drums and even a saxophone solo by Tim Cappello. Featured in the album Break Every Rule, the music video showcased her playfulness and charm. The song spent 18 weeks on the Top 100 charts and just missed becoming her second No. 1 Hit, peaking at No. 2.

8. I Don’t Wanna Fight (1993)

Penned by British singer Lulu and her brother, Tina recorded the song as a part of the soundtrack for the movie What's Love Got to Do with It. The film is based on Tina’s life and features Angela Basset and Laurence Fishburne as Tina and Ike respectively. The song peaked at No. 9 and spent 24 weeks on the Top 100 charts.

9. Let’s Stay Together (1983)

Originally a song by American singer Al Green for his album by the same name, the song was covered and released by Tina in 1983. Produced by British synth-pop group Heaven 17 and British Electric Foundation, it charted at No. 6 in the UK. The song spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 charts and peaked at No. 26.

10. River Deep – Mountain High (1966)

The title track to their studio album that was released in 1966, the song was sung only by Tina, though it has been credited to Ike and Tina. Producer Phil Spector released the duo from Loma Records and signed them to his Philles Records to use Tina’s voice with his “Wall of Sound” technique and the Wrecking Crew. Though it only charted at No. 88 on the Billboard Top, it is still considered one of her most spectacular performances.

legendary-rocknroll-star-tina-turner-dies-at-83

Thu May 25 08:22:23 IST 2023

Tina Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and 70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at 83.

Turner died Tuesday, after a long illness in her home in Ksnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager.

She became a Swiss citizen a decade ago.

Few stars travelled so far she was born Anna Mae Bullock in a segregated Tennessee hospital and spent her latter years on a 260,000 square foot estate on Lake Zurich and overcame so much.

Physically battered, emotionally devastated and financially ruined by her 20-year relationship with Ike Turner, she became a superstar on her own in her 40s, at a time when most of her peers were on their way down, and remained a top concert draw for years after.

With admirers ranging from Beyonc to Mick Jagger, Turner was one of the world's most successful entertainers, known for a core of pop, rock and rhythm and blues favourites: "Proud Mary," "Nutbush City Limits," "River Deep, Mountain High," and the hits she had in the '80s, among them "What's Love Got to Do with It," "We Don't Need Another Hero" and a cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

Her trademarks were her growling contralto, her bold smile and strong cheekbones, her palette of wigs and the muscular, quick-stepping legs she did not shy from showing off.

She sold more than 150 million records worldwide, won 11 Grammys, was voted along with Ike into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 (and on her own in 2021) and was honoured at the Kennedy Center in 2005, with Beyonc and Oprah Winfrey among those praising her.

Her life became the basis for a film, a Broadway musical and an HBO documentary in 2021 that she called her public farewell.

kennedy-crowns-india-day-of-plenty-in-cannes

Thu May 25 18:37:28 IST 2023

On an unprecedented bumper day for India, three films premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in a span of a few hours on Wednesday.

The eventful day culminated with the world premiere of Anurag Kashyap's highly anticipated Kennedy. The screening of the neo-noir thriller began a little after midnight.

The Midnight Screenings title screened to a packed Theatre Grand Lumiere, with the director and key cast members Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in the house.

Also present in the audience was filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, to whom the genesis of the film's eponymous character is credited.

It was exactly ten years ago that an Indian title last played in Midnight Screenings at Cannes. The film, Monsoon Shootout, was co-produced by Anurag Kashyap.

The 142-minute Kennedy, which ended well after 2.30 in the morning, received a warm post-screening applause.

It was a day of plenty for India at the festival. Kanu Behl's Agra premiered to another packed house in Directors Fortnight at Theatre Croisette earlier in the evening.

Besides the director, Agra was represented on stage by actors Priyanka Bose and Mohit Agarwal.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Marathi-language short film, Nehemich, written and directed by Kolkata-based FTII alumnus Yudhajit Basu, was unveiled at the Bunuel Theatre in the Palais des Festivals.

Basu was in attendance with co-writer Prithvijoy Ganguly and other members of the film crew.

Nehemich, Marathi for 'always', played as part of La Cinef, the Cannes Film Festival's competition for film schools. The awards for the section are scheduled to be announced on Thursday evening.

anupamaa-actor-nitesh-pandey-passes-away-at-51

Wed May 24 15:10:23 IST 2023

Just as the television industry grapples with the loss of two actors—Aditya Singh Rajput and Vaibhavi Upadhyaya—the death of another prominent actor has come as a shock. Anupamaa actor Nitesh Pandey, who played the character of Dheeraj Kapoor in the hit show, has passed away due to cardiac arrest. He was 51.

According to Times of India, the actor suffered a cardiac arrest at about 2am near Nashik on Wednesday. Pandey was found unconscious in his hotel room and later declared dead before admission at the hospital. Police said preliminary investigation revealed that Pandey had ordered some food. The hotel staff got suspicious when the actor didn't open the door after the hotel staff knocked several times, the official said.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit remembered Pandey as a "brilliant actor and a fun loving person".

Nitesh is known for playing Shah Rukh Khan's assistant in 'Om Shanti Om, and known for his roles in many popular television shows. He was last seen in Anupamaa and Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara.

The last rites of the actor will be held in Mumbai. Nitesh is survived by his wife Arpita and a son.

60-year-old-actor-ashish-vidyarthi-gets-married-to-fashion-entrepreneur-rupali-barua

Thu May 25 21:18:26 IST 2023

Popular actor Ashish Vidyarthi got married to Rupali Barua, a fashion entrepreneur, in Kolkata recently.

The 60-year-old actor got married in an intimate ceremony, according to media reports. The photos of the couple have gone viral.

In the pictures, the two are seen traditional Indian attire.

The actor, in a recent interview, had said at this stage of his life, getting married to Rupali is "an extraordinary feeling."

"We had a court marriage in the morning, followed by a get-together in the evening," the actor was quoted as saying.

He said he met her some time ago. According to him, they decided to keep the wedding a small family affair.

ayushmann-khurrana-pens-emotional-tribute-to-his-late-father

Thu May 25 18:44:20 IST 2023

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, on Thursday, took to social media to pay tribute to his late father astrologer P Khurana who passed away recently.

Posting a few pictures of himself and his brother Aparshakti Khurrana along with their mother from the prayer meet for his late father, the actor wrote: "Maa ka khayal rakhna hai aur humesha saath rehna hai. Pita jaisa banne ke liye bahut duur jaana padta hai apne pita se. Pehli baar aisa mehsoos ho raha hai ki papa bahut duur aur bahut qareeb hain humare (Take care of your mother and always be with her. To become like father, you need to go far away from your father. For the first time, I feel my father is very far, yet very near to me.)

"Thank you for your upbringing, love, sense of humour and the most beautiful memories."

Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife and author Tahira Kashyap too penned a long, emotional note for her father-in-law recalling the fond memories they shared.

“Papa 💔 A relationship since I was in high school. I remember all my firsts. The first time I came to your home which had a full filmi family picture. To the first time I used my salary in college to gift you and mama a portrait that I got made from an artist to impress you. The time I struggled to call you papa and then it just didn’t leave. The first time I had heard that you were absolutely cool with me not shifting my base after marriage.”

“You respected my family, broke all traditions and let me stay happy. How often do you see that. There have been many firsts. But this first I am about to mention perhaps was the last. Just 2 days back I was going through your things and saw you kept the magazine which had my cover. This was clicked many years back but you treasured it and I never knew. Breaks my heart to not have the hero around to the boy I love the most. I haven’t met perhaps never will meet someone like you. I will never forgot your laughter, we’ll miss you papa.”

P Khurana passed away on May 19 due to a “prolonged incurable ailment.” He had been battling heart problems for a while and was admitted to a hospital in Mohali.

sarabhai-vs-sarabhai-actress-vaibhavi-upadhyaya-dies-in-car-accident

Wed May 24 11:35:33 IST 2023

Actress Vaibhavi Upadhyaya, best known for her role in the popular TV show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, has died in a car accident, according to reports. The news was first shared by producer JD Majethia on Wednesday morning.

"Life is so unpredictable. A very fine actress, dear friend Vaibhavi Upadhyay popularly known as 'Jasmine' of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai passed away. She met with an accident in the north. Family will bring her to Mumbai tomorrow morning around 11 am for last rites. RIP Vaibhavi (sic)," he wrote in the post.

Upadhyaya died in the Banjar area of Kullu district when the Fortuner she was travelling in with her fiance fell into a gorge. The accident occurred while negotiating a steep curve. "Vaibhavi tried to get out of the vehicle through the window and sustained a head injury which proved fatal while the other passenger was safe," SP Kullu Sakshi Verma told PTI.

Upadhyaya's character, Jasmine Mawani, was popular for the Gujarati catchphrase "Khot nat kehti" (I speak the truth) and for standing up to family matriarch, Maya Sarabhai (Ratna Pathak Shah).

Actress Rupali Ganguly also took to social media to express shock at the actor's sudden demise. Majethia also shared that the actress's last rites will be held at 1pm in Mumbai.

Upadhyaya also featured in Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak and TV shows such as CID and Adaalat.

ban-on-the-kerala-story-an-insult-to-constitution-kangana-ranaut

Tue May 23 20:38:58 IST 2023

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, on Tuesday, said the ban imposed on The Kerala Story by some states was "unconstitutional" after it was cleared by the CBFC.

"Banning a film which has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) amounts to insulting the constitution. The ban on The Kerala Story by some states is not correct" Ranaut, 36, told reporters.

Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story has polarised the political discourse in the country as it depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS).

The West Bengal government had imposed a ban on the film on May 8, apprehending tensions among the communities. Theatres in Tamil Nadu had decided to stop its screening, citing the law-and-order situation and a poor audience turnout.

Last week, the Supreme Court stayed the West Bengal government's order banning the film in the state and asked Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of the moviegoers.

According to Ranaut, people often complain that Bollywood does not make the kind of films they want to watch.

"When a film like The Kerala Story is made, people's complaint is redressed. Such films help the film industry," she said.

The Kerala Story stars Adah Sharma in the lead, along with actors Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani. The movie has so far raised over Rs 200 crore at the domestic box office.

sirf-ek-bandaa-kaafi-hai-bhediya-city-of-dreams-s3-pachuvum-atbhutha-vilakkum-ott-releases-this-week

Tue May 23 15:22:15 IST 2023

Streaming platforms are back with a fresh lineup of movies and shows. Here is a quick look at what's arriving on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney plus Hotstar, ZEE5, JioCinema and other platforms this week.

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai: ZEE5

Release date: May 23

Starring Manoj Bajpayee, the Hindi court-room drama is based on the true story of a lawyer's long battle against a self-styled godman who was accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl. The film written by Deepak Kingrani is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki.

Victim/Suspect: Netflix

Release date: May 23

The true-crime documentary sheds light on the cracks in the social justice system and the struggles of sexual assault survivors. The documentary is centred around the work of investigative journalist Rachel (Rae) de Leon who notices a pattern in which sexual assault survivors are being arrested for 'falsely' reporting a rape.

Fubar: Netflix

Release date: May 25

In the upcoming action-comedy drama series starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, a father and daughter discover they both secretly work for the CIA. Created by Nick Santora, the series also features Monica Barbaro.

Bhediya: JioCinema

Release date: May 26

The Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon-starrer horror comedy will have its digital premiere after its theatrical release in April. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the film is part of the producer's horror-comedy universe comprising Stree and Roohi.

City of Dreams season 3: Disney plus Hotstar

Release date: May 26

The third season of the popular series will continue to track the feuds within the Gaikwad family. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the series features an ensemble cast of Atul Kulkarni, Priya Bapat, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sushant Singh, Eijaz Khan and Rannvijay Singha.

Pachuvum Atbhutha Vilakkum: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: May 26

The Malayalam comedy drama starring Fahadh Faasil tells the story of a Mumbai-based middle-class businessman who travels to Kerala to run an errand. The film written and directed by Akhil Satyan also features Anjana Jayaprakash and Indrans in key roles.

actor-ajith-kumar-channels-his-passion-launches-motorcycle-touring-company

Tue May 23 12:49:40 IST 2023

Tamil actor Ajith Kumar, who is also an avid biker, has launched his motorcycle touring company AK Moto Ride. Making the big announcement on Tuesday, the actor said: “I have long loved and lived by this quote: ‘Life is a beautiful ride. Embrace the twists, turns, and open roads ahead.’ I am now pleased to share that I will be channelling my passion for motorcycles and the outdoors into a professional endeavour, through a motorcycle touring company, AK Moto Ride”

The company will not only offer tours of Indian regions, but international routes also. AK Moto Ride will also provide 'meticulously maintained adventure touring superbikes that guarantee dependability and performance throughout the tour with an unyielding dedication to safety and comfort'.

In a statement, Ajith further said: Professional guides well-versed in the intricacies of motorcycle tours and with extensive knowledge of local customs and traditions will offer riders a seamless and immersive experience from start to finish.”

Ajith's love for the road is no secret. Last year, he went on a bike tour across India and was also seen on a motorcycle tour across Europe. In fact, he even ended up inspiring his Thunivu co-star Manju Warrier to buy a BMW superbike. The actress had accompanied Ajith on a bike ride to Ladakh last year.

rrr-actor-ray-stevenson-dies-rajamouli-says-working-with-him-was-pure-joy

Tue May 23 11:21:07 IST 2023

Director SS Rajamouli on Tuesday remembered actor Ray Stevenson, who played the villainous British governor in RRR, as someone who brought "infectious" energy to the film's sets.

Stevenson died in Italy on Sunday, four days before his 59th birthday, his publicist confirmed with entertainment website Variety. No cause of death was available.

In a Twitter post, Rajamouli said he was shocked to know about the Irish actor's death.

"... Just can't believe this news. Ray brought in so much energy and vibrancy with him to the sets. It was infectious. Working with him was pure joy. My prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace," the filmmaker captioned a throwback picture with Stevenson from RRR sets. The official Twitter page of RRR shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the late actor filming a crucial action scene in the movie.

"He was 56 years old when we were shooting this difficult scene but he did not hesitate while performing this stunt. We will forever cherish having you on the sets of #RRR, Ray Stevenson. Gone too soon," the tweet read.

In his career spanning 25 years, Stevenson also played Volstagg, an Asgardian warrior in the Thor films and a member of the 13th Legion in the BBC/HBO drama series Rome.

Filmmaker James Gunn said while he didn't work extensively with Stevenson, he has fond memories of collaborating with the actor while shooting post-credits scenes of Thor: The Dark World (2013).

"Damn. So sorry to hear about the passing, far too young, of Ray Stevenson. I only knew him a little from shooting post-credits of Thor 2 & a couple interactions at events, but we had some good laughs & he was a joy to work with. His friends & family are in my heart today," Gunn said in a tweet.

The official Twitter page of Marvel Studios, home to "Thor" film franchise, said the actor will be missed. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ray Stevenson, who brought humor and wit to the character of Volstagg. He was a wonderful actor who will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones," the studio said.

Stevenson also did voice work in Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars as Gar Saxon. He has a role in the upcoming Star Wars live-action series Ahsoka, in which he plays a villain, Baylan Skoll. The eight-episode season is expected on Disney+ in August.

Stevenson has three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, who he met while working on Rome.

mumbai-model-actor-aditya-singh-rajput-found-dead-in-his-apartment

Mon May 22 19:55:05 IST 2023

Actor, model and casting director Aditya Singh Rajput was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment in suburban Andheri here on Monday, police said.

Rajput (33) was allegedly not keeping well since the last couple of days and he collapsed in the bathroom of his apartment in Oshiwara area this afternoon, an official said.

The actor's maid noticed the fall and informed the building's security guard, following which he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, he said.

"We have not found anything suspicious about Rajput's death so far. An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and his body has been sent for autopsy," the official added.

Rajput has participated in reality shows such as Splitsvilla and also acted in films such as Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara.

one-lifetime-not-enough-to-explore-the-beauty-of-kashmir-says-ram-charan

Mon May 22 20:48:22 IST 2023

Popular South Indian actor Ram Charan, on Monday, said the accolades that the popular film RRR received are not just for the film, but for the whole of India. The actor was speaking at the 'Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation' event at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, being hosted as a part of the three-day Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20 countries.

“I never get tired talking about RRR,’’ the actor said, adding, “I am detached from my other works, but not from RRR.”

Ram Charan said RRR has become India's film. “It is not my movie, but India's. It is not my song, but that of the people of India.”

He said he doesn’t know what it takes to compose a song like Naatu Naatu but everyone involved in RRR is more than happy with the kind of response the movie and the song received.

He called the movie “pure desi product.”

Showering praises on Kashmir for its scenic beauty, the actor said he used to come to Kashmir with his father, as a kid.

“It will sound cliche, but the coolest place to shoot in India is Kashmir. I am a second-generation actor. My dad has shot extensively in Kashmir, the actor, son of cinema veteran Chiranjeevi,” the RRR star said.

“There is something about this place. One lifetime is not enough to explore the beauty of Kashmir,” he said.

The actor thanked the government and Union Minister for Tourism Kishan Reddy for inviting him to the event.

He was presented with a Kashmir shawl amid thunderous applause.

The actor and South Korean ambassador enthralled the audience by dancing to Naatu Naatu on the occasion.

veteran-telugu-actor-sarath-babu-dies-at-71

Mon May 22 16:37:20 IST 2023

Veteran Telugu actor Sarath Babu died at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Monday. He was 71.

Sarath Babu was undergoing treatment at the hospital and the end came in the afternoon following multiple organ failure, sources said.

Sarath Babu, who acted in many films as lead actor, earned fame for his brilliant performance in various other roles.

Some of his well-known films include K Viswanath's Sagara Sangamam, Apathbandhavudu and Nagarjuna-starrer Criminal.

He has also starred in a number of Tamil movies, especially alongside superstar Rajinikanth in films including Mullum Malarum, Velaikkaran, Annamalai and Muthu.

The actor with a soft voice was known for his memorable roles including those in Mullum Malarum and Nenjathai Killathey.

whatever-work-ive-done-has-led-me-to-this-moment-sonakshi-sinha-on-dahaad-success

Mon May 22 15:37:30 IST 2023

As someone who learned "everything on the job", actor Sonakshi Sinha says she counts all the "good, bad, ugly" moments from her career as part of her growth.

The actor, who made her debut with Dabangg in 2010 as the love interest of Salman Khan's cop character, has now donned the police officer's uniform for a critically-acclaimed turn in Prime Video series Dahaad.

But she does not consider her journey from Dabangg to Dahaad, her digital debut, a "full circle" yet.

"It's not a full circle. 'Meri jalebi ban rahi hai'. I'm still going around in a spiral. And, I want to keep growing. This is a good place I have reached in 13 years now. Whatever I've learned, I've learned on the job with the people I've worked with, the roles I've done and the things I've worked on," Sonakshi said.

"Everything teaches you something and whatever experiences I've had, whatever work I've done... good, bad, ugly, whatever it may be, have all led me to this moment," added the actor, known for films such as "Lootera", "Noor" and Force 2.

In the last one decade, there has been a shift in the portrayal of women police officers on screen -- be it Tabu in Drishyam, Kuttey and Bholaa, Sanya Malhotra in Kathal, Shefali Shah in Delhi Crime series and Raveena Tandon in Aranayak.

Sonakshi said it's "about time" that these changes happened. "It's actually a really good time for a woman to be an actor in the industry because great characters are being written and there's such lovely content coming out, so it's a fantastic time," the 35-year-old actor said.

The praise coming her way for the portrayal of Anjali Bhaati, the sole woman cop in the interiors of Rajasthan who suspects a serial killer is on the loose, has been "overwhelming" for her.

"It's like my debut has happened all over again. I'm getting so many messages and calls from people I haven't spoken to in a year or so. It's truly overwhelming, it's been so good. Even my family loves the show," she added.

Dahaad is directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi, with Kagti serving as co-creator of the show along with Zoya Akhtar. Sonakshi said she was waiting for a character that was "so powerful, raw and empowering".

"When it came to me, it just resonated with me and everything that I stand for. It just felt like a perfect fit. I had to say yes. In fact, I told Zoya and Reema that nobody other than me is playing this role and I'm saying yes right away. I guess, stars really aligned on this one," she said.

The character of Anjali Bhaati, a woman from lower caste who is fighting discrimination at job as she deals with the pressure of getting married, was easy to play because of the way it was written, added Sonakshi.

"I just had to show up, wear my uniform. The second I wore the uniform, I became this character. Automatically, the way you talk changes, a sense of power, a sense of authority comes in," she said, adding she trained in judo and learnt how to ride a bike for the role.

The actor, also a painter and fashion design graduate, said she became a good rider and now owns a bike.

"I love it when I learn a new skill for work. So, all of these just add so much to you as an actor. It makes your character come to life and that's why I think people are connecting with it so much." Anjali Bhaati is how women should be portrayed on screen, as go-getters and achievers, Sonakshi said.

"That's the kind of portrayal we need to see on screen of women—strong, focused and determined women who actually go out and achieve something in their lives, no matter what obstacles come their way. It was an inspiring character for me."

Societal pressure of getting married is an aspect of Dahaad that strongly resonated with her as well as the audiences, believes Sonakshi.

"No matter what profession you are from, no matter what you're doing in life, women are always thought of as incomplete if they are not married. I'm glad that the makers really touched upon some real topics in the show." There are also moments when Anjali Bhaati is mocked by men in the series, including being called "Lady Singham" in a reference to Ajay Devgn's cop role.

Sonakshi said these moments were included in the film after Kagti and Akhtar's discussion with women cops.

"Female officers said people don't even think twice before teasing a woman in uniform. They'll never do that with a male cop. Just because she's a woman who's wearing a uniform, they feel they can get away with it. And, you have to put those people in their place," she said.

Dahaad also stars Vijay Varma, Gulshan Devaiah, and Sohum Shah.

jr-ntr-to-join-war-2-hrithik-drops-hint-in-birthday-wish-for-telugu-star

Sat May 20 13:34:59 IST 2023

Fans of RRR actor Jr NTR have something extra to be happy about on the actor's birthday. Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, in his birthday message for the Telugu star, dropped a hint the duo could come together for War 2.

Wishing Jr NTR an 'action-packed' year, Hrithik also said he was awaiting him on the 'yuddhbhumi' (battlefield). He also dropped a birthday wish in Telugu. Hrithik wrote, "Happy Birthday @tarak9999! Wishing you a joyous day and an action packed year ahead. Awaiting you on the yuddhabhumi my friend. May your days be full of happiness and peace…until we meet. Puttina Roju Subhakankshalu Mitrama.”

Hrithik's message comes amid rumours that the makers of War 2 have signed these two actors for a thrilling sequel. According to Times of India, the film will be directed by Ayan Mukerji who helmed Brahmastra. According to an exclusive report by Pinkvilla, Jr NTR is set to portray a character with negative shades. “While the final script is still being developed, Jr NTR’s character in War 2 will have some negative shades, which will add an interesting layer to the overall story,” Pinkvilla quoted a source as saying.

War, which released in 2019, was directed by Siddharth Anand, who has now delivered Pathaan. War 2 is part of the YRFs grand plans of a spy universe.

the-kerala-story-to-be-screened-at-ftii

Sat May 20 12:09:50 IST 2023

The makers of The Kerala Story have announced that a special screening of the movie will be held for the students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Directed by Sudipto Sen, The Kerala Story depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS). It is produced by Vipul Shah's Sunshine Pictures.

"We are very excited to meet our own people there. This is the future of the industry that is getting ready in FTII. It would be very interesting and exciting to see how they are looking at 'The Kerala Story', and what they think of it. What they have understood and their viewpoint, which is the future's viewpoint. It is going to be fun," Shah said in a statement.

The movie, which has polarised the political discourse in the country, was released in theatres on May 5.

The West Bengal government had imposed a ban on the film on May 8, apprehending tensions among the communities. Theatres in Tamil Nadu had decided to stop its screening from May 7 onwards, citing the law-and-order situation and a poor audience turnout.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed the West Bengal government's order banning the film in the state and asked Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of the moviegoers.

The Kerala Story stars Adah Sharma in the lead, along with actors Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani. Shah also serves as the creative director, and the co-writer of the film.

The movie has so far raised over Rs 150 crore at the domestic box office.

modern-love-chennai-review-well-crafted-stories-of-love-and-heartbreak

Fri May 19 17:33:50 IST 2023

Six separate tales, one warm fuzzy feeling. Amazon Prime's latest anthology series, Modern Love Chennai, captures this feeling while blending in the charm of Chennai's streets and lifestyle.

From a young baker to a married man, Modern Love Chennai explores the complexities of human relationships. The combination of timeless Tamil movies and songs transports viewers to the days of past glory. With Ilayaraja’s classic tunes, director Bharathiraja has managed to portray a controversial yet intriguing subject in his film. In Lalagunda Bommaigal, we see the heartaches one must endure before meeting the one person who accepts us for who we are.

Immaigal on the other hand shows us the surreal beauty of what love truly entails and the lengths to which your loved ones could go. This well-crafted love story is portrayed in such a way that everyone yearns for one just like that of Nithyanandan (Ashok Selvan) and Devi (TJ Bhanu). Selvan and Bhanu elevate the experience with their on-screen chemistry.

Krishnakumar Ramkumar’s Kaadhal Enbadhu Kannula Heart Irukkara Emoji is a visual treat for 90s kids raised in the era of innocent Tamil romance flicks. Ritu Varma's character Mallika, the protagonist of the story, is obsessed with films and yearns to have the same romantic occurrence. From the rain encounter from Minnale to the iconic train scene in Mani Ratnam’s Alai Payuthey, the episode was a complete success in deepening our love for Tamil cinema.

The mood of the anthology suddenly changes with the last two films—Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal by Bharatiraja and Ninaivo Oru Parvai by Thiagarajan Kumararaja. Kumararaja's film shines light on a forced union between two strangers who just so happened to fall in love. The psychological anguish that each person experiences in an unsatisfactory relationship, as well as the idea that love can be both beautiful and terrifying at the same time are portrayed well. Shoba (Sri Gouri Priya) has effortlessly played the role of a sharp-tongued yet heartbroken baker who is on a quest to find true love.

Modern Love Chennai shows us the downfalls and yet the impeccable emotions one goes through on the journey of love. The multitude of perspectives offered by all segments of the anthology broadens an ordinary viewer's perspective on love and what it entails.

Series: Modern Love Chennai

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Rating: 3.5/5

tiger-zakhmi-hai-says-salman-khan-after-sustaining-shoulder-injury

Thu May 18 20:45:51 IST 2023

Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Thursday said he suffered an injury in his shoulder.

In a tweet, Salman hinted he was hurt on the set of his much-awaited film Tiger 3.

"Wen u think u r carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, he says duniya ko chodo paanch kilo ka dumbbell utha ke dikhao (Let the world be, try lifting a 5 kg dumbbell). Tiger Zakhmi Hai (Tiger is injured). #Tiger3 (sic)" the 57-year-old actor wrote on the microblogging site.

In his post, Salman also shared a picture of his back with a pain-relieving patch on his left shoulder.

Tiger 3, backed by Yash Raj Films, will see the star return as the titular Indian spy alongside Katrina Kaif's Zoya, a Pakistani spy and his wife.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma, the action thriller will hit the screens in November.

Salman was last seen in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, a family entertainer produced by Salman Khan Films.

i-dont-need-hollywood-i-dont-think-about-it-says-johnny-depp

Wed May 17 21:36:30 IST 2023

Appearing at the Cannes Film Festival the day after premiering his first film in three years, Johnny Depp said Wednesday that he has no further need for Hollywood.

Depp made a rare public appearance to face questions from the press following the opening-night premiere of Jeanne du Barry, in which Depp plays King Louis XV. The film, directed by and starring Maiwann, is Depp's first film since a jury last year largely sided with him in his legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

Part of Depp's argument in that 2022 defamation trial was that he had lost work due to Heard's allegations. Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in damages, vindicating his allegations that Heard lied about Depp abusing her before and during their brief marriage.

“Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? You'd have to not have a pulse to feel like, 'No. None of this is happening. It's a weird joke',” Depp told reporters. “When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted.”

Depp was most notably asked to step down from the Harry Potter spin-off franchise Fantastic Beasts. Now, though, he says he's not interested in returning to studio projects.

“I don't feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don't think about Hollywood. I don't have much further need for Hollywood, myself, Depp said. It's a strange, funny time where everybody would love to be able to be themselves, but they can't. They must fall in line with the person in front of them. If you want to live that life, I wish you the best.”

The Jeanne du Barry press conference was among the most circus-like in recent years at Cannes. The press conference began unusually late and started with Maiwann and other cast members there, but no Depp. He arrived about 20 minutes into the press conference and quickly took the spotlight.

Depp called the majority of what's been written about him in recent years fantastically, horrifically written fiction.

“It's like asking the question: How are you doing?' But the subtext is, 'God, I hate you,'” said Depp.

Some have raised questions about whether Cannes ought to have given Depp such a prominent platform. Asked how he would respond to such critics, Depp made a comparison that suggested few people feel that way.

“What if one day, they did not allow me to go to McDonald's for life because somewhere there'd be 39 angry people watching me eat a Big Mac on a loop?" pondered Depp. “Who are they? What do they care?”

Jeanne du Barry opened Tuesday in French cinemas. It doesn't have US distribution as of yet.

“I've had my 17th comeback,” apparently, said Depp. “I keep wondering about the word comeback.' I didn't go anywhere. As a matter of fact, I live about 45 minutes away. Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But I didn't go nowhere.”

modern-love-chennai-agent-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-ott-releases-this-week

Wed May 17 13:51:22 IST 2023

Streaming platforms are back with a slate of exciting new releases to keep you hooked to the screens. Here is a quick look at all that's arriving on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney plus hotstar and more.

Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery – Netflix

Release date: May 19

The social comedy drama starring Sanya Malhotra and Rajpal Yadav follows a young cop on a mission to find jackfruits that have gone missing from a local politician's garden. Inspired by true events, the film is directed by Yashowardhan Mishra, who has co-written the script with Ashok Mishra.

Modern Love Chennai: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: May 18

The third Indian adaptation of the much-loved anthology series, Modern Love Chennai brings together six filmmakers— Bharathiraja, Balaji Sakthivel, Rajumurugan, Krishnakumar Ramakumar, Akshay Sundher, and Thiagarajan Kumararaja. The anthology explores the complexities of love through heart-warming stories that explore the nuances and culture of the city.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - Disney plus Hotstar

Release date: May 17

The Marvel movie starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Mayors will be available for OTT viewing after its theatrical run. The film follows Ant-Man and Wasp as they set off to explore the Quantum Realm and beyond.

McGregor Forever: Netflix

Release date: May 17

Netflix is back with yet another sports docu-series. Helmed by Gotham Chopra, the new series focuses on the career of mixed martial artist Conor McGregor, and his rise to the top of UFC rankings.

Agent: SonyLIV

Release date: May 19

The Telugu spy action thriller starring Akhil Akkineni will be available to stream after a poor performance at the box office. Directed by Surender Reddy, the film also features Mammootty and Dino Morea in key roles.

Ayalvaashi: Netflix

Release date: May 19

The Malayalam family comedy drama featuring Soubin Shahir and Binu Pappu, is scripted and directed by Irshad Parari. The film also features Nikhila Vimal, Lijomol Jose, Naslen, Kottayam Nazeer and Jagadeesh.

the-kerala-story-row-sc-stays-bengal-ban-directs-tn-to-ensure-security-of-moviegoers

Thu May 18 15:56:10 IST 2023

In a major relief for the makers of The Kerala Story, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the West Bengal government's ban on the film. Mamata Banerjee's government was the first to implement ban on the controversial movie that revolves around conversions and alleged radicalisation of young women.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it is the duty of the state government to maintain law and order as the film has been granted certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The legal provision cannot be used to put a premium on public intolerance. Otherwise, all films will find themselves in this spot, the bench, also comprising justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, said during the hearing which is still on.

The SC also addressed the situation in Tamil Nadu where multiplexes had banned screening of the film. In the counter filed by Tamil Nadu, it was stated that the screening of the film has not been directly or indirectly prohibited within the state. Responding to the plea against the ban, Chandrachud directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide additional security for movie goers who want to see the film. “No steps shall be taken by TN or its officers or instrumentalities including police to prevent screening of film,” CJI said, Live Law reported.

The CJI also directed the makers to add a disclaimer that the film is 'a fictionlised version of subject matter'. Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the film producer, agreed to clarify in the disclaimer that "there is no authentic data available to back up the suggestion that the figure of conversions is 32,000 or any other established figure".

The Kerala Story, starring Adah Sharma, was released in cinemas on May 5. Directed by Sudipto Sen, the film claims women from Kerala were forced to convert to Islam and recruited by the terror group Islamic State (IS).

avatar-the-way-of-water-to-stream-on-disney-hotstar-from-june-7

Tue May 16 18:30:39 IST 2023

Filmmaker James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water will be available for streaming in India on Disney+ Hotstar.

A sequel to Cameron's 2009 blockbuster Avatar, which is the all-time highest grossing movie in the world, Avatar: The Way of Water will debut on the streamer's platform on June 7, a press release stated.

It will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

Released in December 2022, Avatar: The Way of Water featured an ensemble cast of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaa, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet.

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water follows the story of the Sully family—Jake (Worthington), Neytiri (Saldana), and their kids—the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.

Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the 20th Century Studios movie amassed nearly USD 2.32 billion at the global box office.

makers-of-ponniyin-selvan-under-ed-scanner

Tue May 16 18:29:26 IST 2023

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches in several places linked to film production company Lyca—the makers of ace director Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan I and II—in Chennai. The ED sleuths searched least eight locations including Lyca's offices in T Nagar, Adyar and Karapakkam.

The raids, according to sources, were conducted over allegations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations and on charges under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. The details of the searches are yet to be revealed by ED.

Lyca is one of the leading film production houses which has made several big ticket movies in Tamil with leading superstars like Rajinkanth, Vijay, Ajith, Suriya and Kamal Hassan. Enthiran, 2.0, Kaththi are a few of Lyca’s big films. Mani Ratnam’s recent super hit Ponniyin Selvan I and II were also bank-rolled by Lyca. The collection for the second part of Ponniyin Selvan has crossed Rs 400 crore in the box office. Lyca is presently working with Rajinikanth's Lal Salaam, Kamal Hassan’s Indian 2 and Ajith’s Vida Muyaarchi.

Founded by Allirajah Subashkaran in 2014, Lyca is currently headed by G.K.M. TamilKumaran, son of PMK leader G.K. Mani. The Group also owns Lyca mobiles, Lyca Tel, Lyca Chat, Lyca Fly, among many other companies.

It may be recalled that the ED had on May 11 and 12 carried out searches at the residential and business premises of lottery king Santiago Martin and his Future Gaming Solutions India Private Limited at Coimbatore under provisions of PMLA, 2002. In a press statement, the ED on Monday said that “during the searches, properties worth Rs.457 crore (approximately) in the form of FD, Mutual funds and immovable property documents were seized.”

yes-propaganda-no-propaganda-the-tale-of-two-kerala-stories

Tue May 16 22:37:01 IST 2023

On May 5, two movies graced the screens, each presenting a wildly different take on Kerala. We had The Kerala Story, a cinematic “masterpiece” that was even promoted by the ‘you know who’ for its audacious attempt to label an entire state and community as terrorists. Oh, the subtlety! It must have taken a genius to come up with such absurd stereotypes and false claims.

But fear not! 2018: Everyone is a Hero swooped in to save the day, showcasing Kerala's resilience and unity in the face of unimaginable calamity. It received thunderous applause from the Malayali cyberspace, for serving as the “perfect antidote” to the hate propagated by Sen et al. “Bravo, 2018! You truly captured the spirit of the people,” it said.

Now, let's talk numbers because apparently, that's what defines “success” in the world of cinema. The Kerala Story managed to join the prestigious Rs 100-crore club in just ten days. Unsurprising though. Hate sells well here.

Meanwhile, 2018 took an extra day to achieve the same feat. The survival thriller attracted the family audience and infused some oxygen into many Kerala theatres currently in the ICU. Hallelujah!

But wait, there's always a sour grape in the bunch. It seems that a certain section is miffed about 2018's triumph and the narrative it subtly weaves. How dare it not be a propaganda film idolising their beloved (and “double-hearted”) Premier v2.0? The disappointment is palpable! They made quite a fuss about The Kerala Story being a propaganda piece, but alas, 2018 didn't meet their lofty expectations. Oh, the irony!

Njngal aswastharaanu (We are unhappy)

The grumpy gang of hornets won't rest until they've unleashed their fury upon the "apolitical" filmmaker who had the audacity to omit the punch dialogues of their Premier and cast a feeble figure to portray his role. How dare he cast a 77-year-old actor to portray their beloved Premier, who, coincidentally, is also 77 years old! The nerve of that filmmaker!

Oh, the indignation! The disgruntled hornets took to their keyboards, crafting lengthy essays and recording never-ending rants to showcase their unwavering loyalty towards their Premier. They were determined to prove a point, and boy, did they go the extra mile!

Meanwhile, the filmmaker, in his infinite wisdom, used the success of his film as an opportunity to settle some personal scores. What a genius! Little did he know that his own stupidity would become the ammunition for their counter-narratives against 2018. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot!

Quest for "fictitious" historical accuracy!

Even this writer agrees with the grumpy hornets on one point: 2018 is just not up to snuff when it comes to being "historically accurate." Sure, it's a gripping film with plenty of spine-tingling moments to keep you on the edge of your seat. But alas, it fails to capture the essence of the order—the system—that arose amidst the chaos that unfolded during the deluge.

Oh, the irony! Imagine if the film had actually strived for that elusive "historical accuracy." It would have been a disaster for the Premier! Why, you ask? Because it would have dragged the tales of faulty dam management, as confirmed by a study from IISc Bengaluru, back into the limelight. Can't have that, now, can we?

So, here we are, stuck in a comical dilemma. On one hand, we have a thrilling film that leaves us spellbound but lacks that historical precision. On the other hand, we have a Premier who dodges the bullet of public scrutiny, thanks to the ‘apolitical’ film's focus on other aspects. What a tangled web we weave!

jyotika-to-make-a-comeback-to-bollywood-after-25-years

Mon May 15 22:12:52 IST 2023

South star Jyotika has been roped in to play a pivotal role in filmmaker Vikas Bahl's supernatural thriller movie, headlined by Ajay Devgn.

According to a press note issued by the makers, the project will mark Jyotika's return to Hindi films after 25 years.

The yet-untitled film, which also features R. Madhavan, is being produced by Devgn, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under the banner Ajay Devgn Ffilm and Panorama Studios.

The project is in the pre-production stage and will will start filming next month. It will be shot in various locations across Mumbai, Mussoorie and London.

Jyotika was last seen in Tamil drama film Udanpirappe.

sara-ali-khan-manushi-chillar-esha-gupta-stun-in-white-at-the-cannes

Wed May 17 12:51:16 IST 2023

It's that time of the year again! Time for gorgeous gowns, beautiful dresses, dapper tuxedos and brilliant films-- we are talking about the Cannes film festival of course! Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan made her Cannes red carpet debut and she looked simply ethereal in a white Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga. The outfit complete with an embroidered panelled skirt, dupatta and a blouse studded with crystals and pearls made the Zara Hatke Zara Bachke actor stand out on the red carpet.

The 76th edition of the festival, which opened on May 16 will conclude on May 27. The festival kicked off with the Johnny Depp movie 'Jeanne du Barry', in which Depp plays French king Louis XV. The film reportedly got a seven-minute standing ovation.

Former Miss India Manushi Chhillar and actor Esha Gupta too graced the red carpet on day one of the festival. Both of them chose white for their red carpet appearances. Gupta looked simply sexy in a white gown with floral detailing. The outfit by Nicholas Jebran had a thigh-high slit, giving us Angelina Jolie from the 2013 Oscars flashbacks. She nonetheless looked gorgeous with barely-there make-up and minimal accessories.

Manushi Chhillar, on the other hand, exuded Cinderella vibes in a white gown by Fovari. The dreamy, environment-friendly gown had corset detailing with ruffle detailing. Chillar completed her look with a statement necklace. Other Indians who made an appearance on the red carpet on day one were actor Urvashi Rautela and Film curator, critic and filmmaker Meenakshi Shedde, who is on the International Critics' Week jury. While Shedde chose a saree, Rautela chose a pink tulle gown by Sima Couture. She paired the gown with an alligator necklace by Cartier.

amitabh-bachchan-thanks-stranger-on-bike-for-dropping-him-to-shooting-location-on-time

Mon May 15 20:06:28 IST 2023

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan thanked a stranger for helping him beat the traffic and reach his shooting location on time.

Bachchan, 80, shared a photograph with a biker on his Instagram on Sunday night.

"Thank you for the ride buddy... Don't know you... but you obliged and got me on time to location of work... faster and in avoidance of the unsolvable traffic jams... Thank you capped, shorts and yellowed T-shirt owner (sic)," he captioned the post.

In the photograph, the cinema icon can be seen sitting on the back seat of the bike, wearing a casual bottom paired with a corduroy jacket, white shoes and sunglasses.

His granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda commented on the post with a heart and heart-eye emoji. Rohit Bose Roy wrote: “You are the coolest dude on earth Amit ji! Love you.”

“Had always heard Mr Bachchan has always been the most punctual. Can see today what honouring Time truly means to you. I hope actors can learn a thing or two from this,” said actor Sayani Gupta.

While most of his colleagues and fans praised Bachchan's decision to opt for a bike ride to reach on time, some pointed out that the film star and the biker are not wearing helmets.

"Where is the helmet sir,” a user commented.

Another user wrote, "Sir, it is mandatory to wear a helmet. Just a cap won't do."

Bachchan is currently shooting for Section 84, directed by Ribhu Dasgupta. He will also be seen in Nag Ashwin's sci-fi movie Project K, co-starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone.

release-date-of-jigarthanda-double-x-revealed

Mon May 15 19:50:27 IST 2023

Fans of popular Kollywoood Karthik Subbaraj’s Jigarthanda finally have some reason to cheer. The makers of the sequel to the 2014 Tamil action comedy announced on Monday that Jigarthanda Double X will be a Diwali release.

Jigarthanda Double X is an action thriller with Raghava Lawrence and S.J. Suryah in the lead.

The director took to Twitter to announce the release date of the movie.

I am happy that we have been able to lock Diwali 2023 as the release date for Jigarthanda DoubleX, Indian Express quoted Subbaraj as saying during a media interaction.

Calling the movie "an ambitious project" he said, "given the love that the predecessor, Jigarthada, received. I am confident that this film will be a worthy successor to its prequel.”

The producer of the movie Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, of Stone Bench Films, said the announcement of the sequel to Jigarthanda had garnered much curiosity and excitement. "I am extremely happy that we can proudly say that Jiagthanda DoubleX, a mass entertainer that people are looking forward to, will be releasing this Diwali in three languages," he was quoted as saying.

dulquer-salmaan-to-star-in-vaathi-director-venky-atluris-next

Sun May 14 21:46:47 IST 2023

Malayalam star Dulquer Salmaan is set to team up with Vaathi filmmaker Venky Atluri for his next directorial venture.

The film will be produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. The makers announced the project on their official social media handles.

"The uber cool #DQ is BACK! Sithara Entertainments' in Association with @fortune4cinemas #Production24 will be directed by the our dearest #VenkyAtluri ft. @dulQuer," the post read.

Shoot of the film will begin in October and the makers are planning to release the movie next year.

Dulquer Salmaan will next be seen in gangster drama King Of Kotha, directed by Abhilash Joshiy.

Atluri's last directorial venture was Vaathi, starring Dhanush. The film was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu.

aap-mp-raghav-chadha-actor-parineeti-chopra-engaged

Sat May 13 23:02:45 IST 2023

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra on Saturday got engaged in a private ceremony attended by family members and political leaders.

Raghav and Parineeti shared the news on their Instagram pages, posting several photos from the ceremony.

"Everything I prayed for .. She said yes!" wrote the 34-year-old Rajya Sabha MP.

The ceremony, held at the Central Delhi's Kapurthala House, was attended by around 150 guests, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Parineeti's cousin, film star Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

The function began at 5 pm with Sukhmani Sahib path, followed by ardas. The engagement took place at 8 pm.

For the special occasion, Raghav wore an ivory achkan from his uncle, designer Pawan Sachdeva's collection, while Parineeti, 34, opted for a pastel peach dress by Manish Malhotra.

The guests also included Congress leader P Chidambaram, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien.

Priyanka arrived from the US earlier in the day to attend the ring ceremony. She wore a yellow saree for the occasion and posed for the shutterbugs along with Parineeti's father Pawan Chopra.

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who also arrived in the national capital in the morning, was seen dressed in a black and white kurta pyjama with jacket for the function.

Rumours of the AAP MP and Parineeti's wedding started in March after they were spotted together in Mumbai. The duo reached Delhi on Tuesday for the engagement.

On the eve of their engagement, Parineeti's Mumbai home and Raghav's government residence in Delhi were decorated with lights and flowers.

parineeti-chopra-raghav-chadha-to-get-engaged-today-reports

Sat May 13 11:54:07 IST 2023

Actress Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha will get engaged today at the Kapurthala House in Delhi, according to reports. Parineeti's cousin Priyanka Chopra was spotted at the Delhi airport on Saturday morning, amid buzz around the engagement.

Rumours about the couple started doing the rounds after they were spotted together at a restaurant in Mumbai, and later watching an IPL match at Mohali together. Parineeti and Raghav reportedly studied together at the London School of Economics and are long-time friends.

Speaking to the Pinkvilla, Priyanka's mother Madhu Chopra said she was very happy for the couple. Parineeti made her acting debut with the 2011 romantic comedy Ladies vs Ricky Bahl. She will next be seen in Chamkila.

According to Times of India, around 100 guests have been invited to the ceremony. The wedding date has not been finalised yet, sources said.

bts-to-release-book-beyond-the-story-in-july

Fri May 12 21:52:17 IST 2023

South Korean pop sensation BTS will release a book on the history of the band on July 9, its US publisher, Flatiron Books has announced.

The book, 'Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS' will first release in South Korea and then the United States. The release of the book coincides with the date BTS's fanbase ARMY was founded.

It is written by journalist Myeongseok Kang and members of the group, and it will be published in South Korea by the band's label Big Hit Music.

According to The New York Times, the US edition will be 544 pages and contain exclusive photographs, and will have a first printing of one million copies.

The English translation is done by Anton Hur, in collaboration with Clare Richards and Slin Jung.

BTS, comprising RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, has released nine albums and six EPs. They have emerged as a global sensation with songs like "Dynamite", "Butter", "Life Goes On" and "Permission to Dance".

The band is on a hiatus as two of its members—Jin and J-Hope—have enlisted in South Korea’s military as required by law. The other members will soon follow.

taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-actress-accuses-producer-of-sexual-harassment

Fri May 12 14:06:14 IST 2023

An actress, who was part of Taarak Mehta ka Oolta Chashmah, has accused the television show's producer Asit Kumarr Modi and two others of sexual harassment, according to reports. Denying the allegations Modi said the actress was let go from the show due to 'misbehaviour', and added that he will take legal action against her for trying to defame him.

The Mumbai Police stated that she lodged a complaint, but an FIR is yet to be registered. “We have started an inquiry and soon the statements of some of the people will be recorded,” cops told ANI on Friday. According to a report by NDTV, the actress sent a formal letter to the concerned authorities, including the National Commission for Women (NCW) and Mumbai Police on April 8, accusing Modi, project head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of sexual harassment.

"He (Modi) would pass uncharitable comments but I ignored them. In March 2019, in Singapore, he said many things like, Come to my room, let's have whisky'", she alleged. "I kept quiet but shared these things with two of my colleagues. They would often shield me. They are still working on the show, so they can't do much," the actor told PTI.

In a media statement, Ramani and Bajaj denied the allegations, claiming the actress regularly misbehaved with the entire team of the show. "We had to terminate her contract because of her bad behaviour and indiscipline during the shoot. During this incident, Asit ji was in the US. She is now trying to defame us and the show by making baseless allegations,” they said.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, which started airing in 2008, is one of the longest-running sitcoms in Indian television history. It also features popular actors Dilip Joshi, Munmun Dutta and Mandar Chandwadkar.

-with agency inputs

parveen-babi-to-manmohan-singh-indians-who-appeared-on-time-magazine-cover

Thu May 11 15:51:24 IST 2023

Actor Deepika Padukone is the latest Indian personality to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine. In her cover interview with the US-based magazine, the actor addressed being in the eye of the storm over Padmaavat for allegedly distorting historical facts and more recently, dealing with allegations of hurting religious sentiments by wearing a 'saffron' bikini as a Pakistani spy in Pathaan song Besharam Rang.

Padukone, who shared a behind-the-scenes video of the cover shoot on Instagram, isn't the first Indian to be featured on the cover of the TIME magazine. Here's a complete list from Parveen Babi to former PM Manmohan Singh.

In 1976, Parveen Babi became the first Indian to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine. Babi was part of a feature titled 'Asia's Frenetic Film Scene'. After her, former Miss India Aishwarya Rai was featured on the cover in 2003.

Then, in 2004, megastar Shah Rukh Khan graced the cover. Khan had delivered three hits back to back-- Veer Zaara, Swades and Main Hoon Na. He was also featured on TIME's Asia’s Heroes: 20 under 40.

In 2012, three Indians were featured on the cover of TIME magazine-- former prime minister Manmohan Singh, actor Aamir Khan and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was dubbed the 'God of Cricket' by the magazine. Khan's edition was titled 'Khan's Quest' and Singh was called 'The Underacheiver'.

Then, in 2016, actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas was featured on the cover. This was post her Hollywood debut with Quantico.

hansal-mehtas-web-series-scoop-to-release-on-june-2

Thu May 11 13:28:11 IST 2023

Director Hansal Mehta's series Scoop will premiere on June 2, streaming platform Netflix announced Thursday.

Inspired by Jigna Vora's biographical book Behind the Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison, the show is co-created by Mehta and Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul (writer of Thappad).

Karishma Tanna, best known for soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Rajkumar Hirani's film Sanju, headlines the first season of Scoop which will track the story of crime journalist Jagruti Pathak.

"In pursuit of a career-defining story Jagruti Pathak is caught between the powerful nexus of the police, the underworld, and the media, when she is charged with the murder of a fellow-journalist. How does a headline-writing journalist become the headline?" the official synopsis read.

The story of Scoop, billed as a human drama, is penned by Waikul and Mirat Trivedi.

The series also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Harman Baweja and Prosenjit Chatterjee. It is produced by Matchbox Shots, Sarita Patil and Dikssha Jyote Routray.

priyanka-chopra-on-past-relationships-always-ended-up-dating-actors-that-i-worked-with

Wed May 10 17:03:11 IST 2023

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she took a break from romantic relationships before meeting husband Nick Jonas as she wanted to figure out her patterns and mistakes.

During her appearance on Call Her Daddy podcast with host Alex Cooper, the actor opened up about her love life and how at one point she went from "relationship to relationship".

"I did not give myself time at all between relationships... I think I worked a lot and I always ended up dating the actors that I worked with. And I think that I just thought I had an idea of what a relationship should be like, and I kept seeking that and trying to fit the people that came into my life into my idea of that relationship," the 40-year-old actor said.

Looking back, the Citadel star said though some of her relationships ended really badly, the people she dated were "really wonderful".

"After my ex (boyfriend) and before my husband, I literally took two years off. And there was a big reason. I didn't even date Nick at that time because I was just like I need to know why I keep repeating my mistakes.

"The repeating of the mistake was always feeling like, I need to be the caretaker, always feeling like it's okay to cancel my job, my work, my meeting or my priority to make sure that he's propped up," Priyanka said.

The actor said she had normalised the idea of "giving the power in such a skewed way" that she never stood up for herself.

"I literally would become like a doormat and I was like, 'okay, that's fine.'" she added.

Priyanka said she came to a realisation that getting into a new relationship soon after one ended wasn't good for her. "I reached a point in my life where I was like, what the f**k are you doing? Like, this is getting self-destructive at this point when I had to choose me, I had to be like I don't owe no one anything except my family and myself, the people who truly love me. "When you are in relationships where you stop recognising who you are, you stop having your own identity, or you stop knowing what is it what you want for yourself, what your goals are, then you are invisible. And, I just started feeling invisible in my relationships," she added.

Priyanka married Jonas in December 2018. The couple welcomed their daughter Malti Marie in January 2022.

robert-de-niro-welcomes-his-seventh-child-at-79

Tue May 09 21:56:55 IST 2023

Acclaimed Hollywood actor Robert De Niro revealed that he "just had a baby." The 79-year-old actor announced the news during the promotion of his upcoming film About My Father.

When the actor was asked what his love language is during an interaction with ET Canada, he said he believes "in being loving with [his] kids,” although he has “to be stern about stuff” sometimes.

“I mean, there’s no way around it with kids. I don’t like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But, [sometimes] you just have no choice,” he was quoted as saying to Brittnee Blair of ET Canada.

"...any parent, I think, would say the same thing. You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can’t,” the actor said.

When the host said she knows he has six children, De Nero corrected her, saying he has seven children. "I just had a baby.”

The representatives of the actor confirmed the news.

It is unclear who the mother is.

taj-reign-of-revenge-dahaad-the-mother-ott-releases-this-week

Wed May 10 14:15:55 IST 2023

From historical dramas to documentaries and movies, OTT platforms bring an interesting lineup this week. Here is a quick look at what's arriving on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney plus Hotstar and more this week.

Taj: Reign of Revenge season 2 – ZEE5

Release date: May 12

ZEE5 is back with the follow-up season of its original series based on the conflicts within the Mughal empire and the dynamics between Emperor Akbar and his two sons. In season 2, the battle for the throne gets fiercer. The eight-part show will continue to star Naseeruddin Shah as Emperor Akbar, Dharmendra as Shaikh Salim Chisti, Shubham Kumar Mehra as Prince Daniyal, Sandhya Mridul as Queen Jodha Bai, Zareena Wahab as Queen Salima, Queen Ruqaiya Begum as Padma Damodaran, Rahul Bose as Mirza Hakim.

Dahaad: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: May 12

The crime-drama series features Sonakshi Sinha as a cop hunting for a serial killer as women are found dead in public bathrooms. Created by filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the series also features Vijay Varma, Gulshan Devaiah and Sohum Shah.

The Mother: Netflix

Release date: May 12

The eagerly-awaited action drama featuring Jennifer Lopez in the lead arrives just in time for Mother's Day. Directed by Niki Caro and Misha Green, the film follows an assassin who comes out of hiding to save her daughter.

Queen Cleopatra: Netflix

Release date: May 10

The latest installment in Netflix's African Queens series, Netflix is back with a docuseries on one of history's most famous women—Queen Cleopatra. The series re-creates the true story of Queen Cleopatra, narrated by Pinkett Smith. The first season followed 17th-century warrior Queen Njinga, who ruled over Ndongo and Matamba.

Crater: Disney plus Hotstar

Release date: May 12

In the coming-of-age sci-fi drama, a young boy named Caleb Channing, who grew up on a lunar colony, is set to be relocated to a new planet after the death of his father. Just before he leaves, he goes on a journey with his best friends to explore a mysterious crater.

Vikram Vedha: JioCinema

Release date: May 12

The action crime thriller which was released in theatres earlier is a remake of a 2017 Tamil hit movie by the same name. The film starring Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan tells the story of a tough police officer (Saif) who sets out to track down and hunt a menacing gangster, played by Hrithik. Vikram Vedha also stars Radhika Apte, Rohit Saraf and Yogita Bihani in pivotal roles.