Entertainment

tv-actor-dolly-sohi-dies-due-to-cervical-cancer

Fri Mar 08 10:47:49 IST 2024

Actor Dolly Sohi, best known for TV show Jhanak and Bhabhi, died on Friday morning at a hospital in Navi Mumbai due to cervical cancer, her brother Manpreet said. She was 47.

The actor, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer around six months ago, was undergoing treatment for the disease.

"She is no more. She passed away around 4.00 am at Apollo Hospital. She had cervical cancer which had spread to her lungs. We had admitted her last night to the hospital as her health had deteriorated," Manpreet told PTI.

A night before, Dolly's sister Amandeep Sohi, also an actor, passed away due to jaundice.

"Amandeep passed away on Thursday due to jaundice at the DY Patil hospital," Manpreet added.

Some of Dolly's notable performances include TV shows such as Kkusum, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, Kumkum Bhagya, and Parineetii.

Dolly's last rites will be held in the afternoon.

jim-parsons-and-mayim-bialik-to-reunite-for-young-sheldon-finale

Thu Mar 07 17:03:32 IST 2024

The Big Bang Theory actors Jim Parsons, who played Sheldon in the series, and Mayim Bialik will come together for the finale of Young Sheldon. The actors will reprise their roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler. This brings the actors together, who were last seen together in the finale of The Big Bang Theory in 2019.

The final episode is expected to air on Thursday, May 16. Young Sheldon has had a successful run for seven seasons. In India, the series is streaming on Netflix and Prime Video. Young Sheldon was meant as a prequel to The Big Bang Theory, chronicling the early life of the show's eccentric character Sheldon Cooper. Ian Armitage played Sheldon in the series.

A spin-off of Young Sheldon was recently announced, based on Emily Osment and Montana Jordan's characters-- Mandy and Georgie, in Young Sheldon. Fans had expressed curiosity about what would happen to Mandy and Georgie's relationship.

In The Big Bang Theory, Amy and Sheldon end up getting married. The show produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in partnership with Warner Bros. Television, was ranked as top new comedy when the first season came out in 2017-2018.

sanjay-leela-bhansali-launches-music-label

Thu Mar 07 16:14:03 IST 2024

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Thursday launched his music label Bhansali Music.

Bhansali, who is set to make his streaming debut with "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar", has previously composed music for his films "Guzaarish", "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" and "Gangubai Kathiawadi".

Through the label, the director-composer aims to collaborate with talented musicians and artists "to produce captivating compositions for his films and memorable independent albums", a press release said.

"Music brings me great joy and peace. It's an integral part of my being. I am now launching my own music label 'Bhansali Music'.

"I wish the audience to experience the same joy and spiritual connect that I feel when I listen to or create music," Bhansali said in a statement.

In 2022, the director released his first original music album, "Sukoon".

Bhansali is looking forward to the premiere of his Netflix series "Heeramandi". His next feature film is "Love & War", starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.

watch-what-has-aamir-khan-been-up-to

Thu Mar 07 16:05:34 IST 2024

Director Karan Johar recently shared an ad that featured Aamir Khan as an old man. Co-starring in the ad was Darsheel Safary, who starred with Khan in Taare Zameen Par in 2007.

Sharing the video on Instagram, Johar wrote, “Here is what #AamirKhan has been up to. Totally charged!? @chargedbythumsup"

The actor plays 'dadu' or grandfather to the young actor. He takes the 26-year-old Safary through various adventures through time. The advert is for Charged, a drink by Thums Up.

In the ad, the actor can be heard saying, “mind charged, body charged.” And towards the end of the ad, Safary can be heard saying the same. The ad begins with Safary sharing his problems with his grandfather-- not getting admission to the college he wants, when Khan asks him to take a sip of the beverage, which takes him through various adventures, with the last one being Khan shown as a caveman, who makes a fire.

Aamir Khan was last seen in Laal Singh Chaddha, which was released in 2022. Safary, After acting in Taare Zameen Par, has appeared in films like Bumm Bumm Bole, Zokkomon and Midnight's Children.

want-to-work-with-aamir-khan-and-hrithik-roshan-turkish-star-hande-ercel

Thu Mar 07 12:59:50 IST 2024

Turkish TV star Hande Ercel, currently on her maiden visit to India, says she has always been fascinated with everything Indian and would like to work with Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan in future.

Ercel, who gained international recognition for shows such as Ask Laftan Anlamaz, Gunesin Kizlari, and Sen Cal Kapimi, is set to attend a session at the FICCI Frames on Thursday.

A "new door is opening" for her with the participation at the event, said the 30-year-old actor .

"I've been interested in learning about (different) cultures since I was young. I was already interested in this (Indian) culture and I wanted to see India. I told one of my friends that I want to go to India... I like how people follow the culture here... I wanted to wear a traditional sari. But, I don't have much time here.

"I would like to work with Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Sidharth Malhotra. This is the right time for me to be here. A new door is opening for me to do something here," Ercel told PTI in an interview here.

The actor believes she was destined to visit India one day.

"My agent asked me if I would like to go to India for FICCI Frames this year. I instantly said yes as I was thinking of coming here. I feel this is a universal plan, she said through an interpreter.

Owing to her packed schedule and Mumbai's traffic snarls, Ercel said she wouldn't be able to explore the city.

"I want to see the Ganesha temple (Siddhivinayak), we have thought of going to the ISKCON temple. I love these kinds of things. (But) I know about the traffic issues here," she said, adding that she also wants to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Speaking about Hindi movies, Ercel said some of her all-time favourite films are PK and 3 Idiots and she also likes actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Dev Patel.

Among the directors I like, Sanjay (Leela Bhansali), he was there at Cannes. We don't have Hindi movies releasing theatrically (in Turkey), so I saw them all online," she said.

At FICCI Frames, the actor will be part of the session From Bollywood to Turkish Drama: Acting across Borders' along with Ayushmann Khurrana.

She is aware of Khurrana's work as a singer and said she loves the song "Mere Liye Tum Kaafi Ho" from his 2020 film Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.

Ercel, who has close to 32 million followers on Instagram, said it's encouraging to see actors working across industries.

More people should come together in front of and behind the screen, and start making (films as) cultural projects. This is an amazing exchange through art. The emotions, the language of love are universal.

For me, it is about discovering myself. It is about adding new experiences. I enjoy learning. This is the reason why I would love to come here and try in (Hindi movies) she added.

Ercel is happy to have a fan following in India.

It was early in my career, where I attained popularity through Gunesin Kizlari', this was 10 years ago. That was the beginning but with Ask Laftan Anlamaz' I became big in this region. It feels good, she said.

The actor said women in Turkish shows have strong on-screen representation, but it's difficult to raise funds for female-led projects even in her native country.

I've been part of screenplays where women are in the lead but those who invest and pick the stories, they didn't want it. Now, they are choosing projects like that. Times are changing, like my recent project, Bambaska Biri', in which my role of Leyla Gediz is at the forefront. I played a female prosecutor, she was perfect, tough, genre wise this is good.

"In Turkish projects, we always have a balance between the roles of men and women. We have lead men and women, but we never have only men in the lead. Mostly, the stories have men as the heroes but the story is (told) through the women, Ercel added.

janhvi-kapoor-to-have-a-dance-number-in-pushpa-2

Thu Mar 07 12:46:24 IST 2024

After Samantha Ruth Prabhu's 'Oo Antava' number in Pushpa, Janhvi Kapoor is rumoured to be roped in for a special dance number in Pushpa 2. 'Oo Antava' amassed over a billion views on YouTube. The actor is set to star opposite Ram Charan in Ram Charan's upcoming film, to be directed by Uppena fame Buchi Babu Sana.

Headlined by Allu Arjun, Pushpa 2 also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Fasil and Prakash Raj. The film is being bankrolled by Mythri MovieMakers. Kapoor is set to make her Telegu debut with Devara, which also stars NTR Jr. The movie, being directed by Koratala Siva, will also star Prakash Raj, Shine Tom Chacko and Saif Ali Khan. The movie is set to release in October 2024.

Pushpa 2 is expected to be released in August 2024. Shooting for the song is expected to begin soon. Kapoor, who recently celebrated her 27th birthday, was last seen Bawaal alongside Varun Dhawan. At the Ambani pre-wedding celebrations, she was spotted with rumoured boyfriend, Shikhar Paharia.

gal-gadot-announces-birth-of-fourth-child-with-jaron-versano

Thu Mar 07 11:50:51 IST 2024

"Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot has revealed that she has given birth to her fourth child with husband Jaron Versano.

The Israeli actor, who resides in Los Angeles, made the announcement on her Instagram account on Wednesday. It was not widely known that Gadot was pregnant.

It is the fourth girl for the couple, who are already parents to Alma (12), Maya (six), and Daniella (two).

"My sweet girl, welcome. The pregnancy was not easy and we made it through," Gadot wrote in the post.

The actor said they have named the newborn 'Ori', which means 'my light' in Hebrew, but didn't disclose when and where she gave birth.

"You have brought so much light into our lives, living up to your name, Ori, which means 'my light' in Hebrew.

"Our hearts are full of gratitude. Welcome to the house of girls.. daddy is pretty cool too," the 38-year-old captioned a photo of her holding the baby in her arms in the hospital.

On the work front, Gadot last starred in Netflix's 2023 spy action thriller "Heart of Stone". She will next be seen in Disney's "Snow White", set for a 2025 release.

after-manjummel-boys-success-anurag-kashyap-says-hes-jealous-of-malayalam-filmmakers

Thu Mar 07 09:44:03 IST 2024

After watching recently released Malayalam films 'Manjummel Boys' and 'Bramayugam', director Anurag Kashyap said Hindi films are so far behind. However, he was quick to praise 'Laapataa Ladies', which had garnered rave reviews but he is unhappy that such quality is not reflected in mainstream Bollywood.

Kashyap, while reviewing movies in Letterboxd, wrote, “Simply extraordinary piece of confident mainstream filmmaking. So much better than all the big budget filmmaking in india. Such confidence, such impossible storytelling. I was wondering how does one even sell this idea to a producer."

"In Hindi they can only do remakes of such ideas. Hindi cinema really is so far left behind with three back to back brilliant Malayalam films," he added.

For his review on Mammootty-starrer 'Bramayugam', Kashyap expressed his envy when it comes to Malayalam filmmakers. “I am just so jealous of Malayalam filmmakers... the courage, the audacity and the amazing discerning audience of Kerala that empowers the filmmaking..I am so insanely jealous."

Kashyap was also full of praise for Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies, saying, "My heart is so full after seeing Kiran's such soulful sincere film. Cried like a baby. And seeing a packed house brings back the hope and faith in Hindi cinema and its audience. Beautiful writing, sincere and honest performances. Bliss."

the-thankamany-incident-real-story-behind-dileep-starrer-thankamani

Wed Mar 06 22:15:18 IST 2024

Mollywood is gearing up for another exciting release. Come Thursday, (March 7), revenge-drama Thankamani, with Dileep in the lead, will hit cinemas. Directed by Ratheesh Reghunandan and produced by R. B. Choudary and Raaffi Mathirra, the movie, also starring Manoj. K. Jayan, Siddique, Neeta Pillai and Pranitha Subhash, is based on a real-life incident that happened in Thankamany village of Idukki district in Kerala on October 21, 1986.

The tragedy began with an altercation between bus operators and college students over bus service. The route between Kattappana and Thankamany was in poor condition and most of the buses would not ply till Thankamany, but would stop at Paramada. From this stop, people would have to travel another two kilometers to reach Thankamany. However, the passengers would be charged ticket fares up to Thankamany. People in the village and students were upset and angry over this.

One day, a bus named Elite, as usual, stopped at Paramada. Some of the passengers questioned this and forcefully made the bus employees drive it till Thankamany. The owner of the bus, Devasya, reached the village with cops and tried to take back the bus. This resulted in a quarrel between the police and the locals.

Under the leadership of circle inspector I.C. Thamban, the police unleashed violence on the villagers—they opened fire at people, demolished houses, and sexually assaulted women. The movie, Thankamani, is expected to be a retelling of these events.

The 1987 Malayalam film Itha Samayamayi, directed by P. G. Viswambharan, was loosely based on this incident. The movie featured Ratheesh, Shari, M. G. Soman, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Innocent in the lead.

richa-chadha-wants-inclusivity-for-women-working-behind-the-scenes-in-bollywood

Wed Mar 06 15:02:43 IST 2024

Actor-producer Richa Chadha says she wants to work towards empowering women in traditionally male-dominated areas of the film industry, such as spot and lighting departments.

The 37-year-old actor, known for films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Fukrey franchise, said for her debut home production, Girls Will be Girls, they trained and hired women in the lighting department.

Directed by Shuchi Talati, the film follows the journey of Mira, a 16-year-old girl whose rebellious awakening is intertwined with her mother's unfulfilled coming-of-age experiences.

"Intentionality matters, and we have to try and do something. I turned producer with Girls Will Be Girls'. The director is a woman. There was a sexuality thing in the film, so she wanted an all-female team. When you shoot, there's an (intimate) scene and then there's (a man) holding thermocol and you are told, There's not enough light, there was shadow, etc', so you don't always feel safe.

"In the lighting department, there are no women in India. We thought of doing a training programme for it. A company called 'Light and Light' (in Mumbai) sent a trainer. They spent time with girls teaching (them) storytelling through lightning, using technology, etc. We hired one of them on our set, Chadha said during a panel discussion at FICCI Frames on Tuesday evening.

The actor said while there has been progress in the representation of women in front of and behind-the-camera, a lot of work still needs to be done.

Condemning the recent incident of a Spanish woman's gang-rape in Jharkhand's Dumka district, Chadha said such horrible instances create a fear of unsafe atmosphere for women.

"We have made some progress. Every year it is better than last year. But then, it's taking two steps forward and one step back. When something horrible happens in society, whether it's in Manipur, Jharkhand, it sets people (back in time) because then parents are like, It's unsafe for you to study and work'. We are not in a decision-making position in society," she said.

In the movie industry, she said her aim is to create work opportunities for women in different departments that have been largely dominated by men.

"There's one film gaffer only in the film industry and that's because her father was a gaffer, not that she is not talented. I'm also going to see what we can do about the spot department. It's always about spot boy or spot dada, so why not (a girl) because there are so many women, and it's a job for caregiving, they (women) can give so much care. So, let's see, Chadha said.

The actor applauded producers like Ekta Kapoor, who create diverse female-led films like "Crew" and "Thank You for Coming".

Asked about the shift in representation of female characters and the need to challenge the stereotypical portrayal of women in testosterone-filled movies like Animal, Pushpa, the actor said movies are often inspired by society.

"I've seen Pushpa', I haven't seen Animal' yet. I think society also goes through phases. There are some films that give space for some kind of anger, I look at it that way. I feel if society is getting more and more angry, it goes in a certain direction, we have phases like this. I think representation shifts (onscreen), she said.

Chadha and Ekta Kapoor were part of a panel discussion at FICCI Frames, called Trailblazers in entertainment: Celebrating Women's Contribution in Films and Shows'.

Kapoor said it is easier to make misogynistic films than a movie that celebrates womanhood.

"It has become far tougher since COVID-19 because it is easier to make a slightly misogynistic film, or a more machismo kind of film than celebrating womanhood or feminism. The word feminism is a taboo in movies. It is so scary as, we as women producers, want to support stories, and we will be at it, the producer said.

Kapoor, known for backing films like The Dirty Picture, Veere Di Wedding, Thank You for Coming, Dream Girl and others, she was questioned for making a female-led movie like "Crew".

"In movies, it is becoming more and more difficult to make films about women. I'm making a film called Crew' and there's so much love for the promo, and a lot of people told me, Who will watch a film about three women?'.

"If this (film) had three heroes, the story would have been totally different. This mindset can only change by changing the commerce of it, and that me and Rhea Kapoor, as two female producers, are extremely dedicated to. When the commerce changes, the kind of films change, the lens changes.

According to Kapoor, TV and streaming platforms have changed because of the likes of Aparna Purohit at Amazon and Monika Shergill, the Netflix India VP.

bradley-cooper-gigi-hadid-to-make-relationship-official-at-oscars

Wed Mar 06 13:19:20 IST 2024

Actor Bradley Cooper is set to make his relationship with model Gigi Hadid official at the 2024 Oscars, according to reports. The two, who have been reportedly dating since October, have relatively kept things low profile. They are, however, yet to make an appearance on the red carpet together.

Cooper has been nominated in the best actor category for his role in Maestro. Maestro starring Cooper, is also up for best picture. Cooper is expected to attend the Vanity Fair party with his supermodel girlfriend, Hadid. According to a source, their relationship is getting more serious.

Cooper has also directed Maestro. Despite being nominated 12 times, Cooper hasn't won an Oscar yet. Weeks before being linked to Cooper, Hadid was rumoured to be dating Leonardo DiCaprio. Reportedly, Hadid has been introduced to Copper's mother Gloria Campano.

Cooper's regular red carpet companion has been his mother, Campano. Cooper has dated Irina Shayk, Zoe Saldana and Jennifer Lopez. He has a 6-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper, with supermodel Shayk. Lea made a cameo appearance in Maestro.

colin-firths-costume-from-famous-pride-and-prejudice-wet-shirt-scene-sells-for-dollar25000

Wed Mar 06 11:22:33 IST 2024

What's arguably the most famous wet shirt in television history sold for 20,000 pounds ($25,000) on Tuesday; water not included.

The white linen garment worn by Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1995 TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was the star item at an auction of film and television costumes.

Firth's costume including boots, moleskin breeches and velvet waistcoat fetched double its top pre-sale estimate of 10,000 pounds ($12,700) during a sale at Kerry Taylor Auctions.

The total price is 25,000 pounds ($32,000) once an auction house fee known as the buyer's premium is added.

The scene in which Firth's brooding heartthrob emerges from a pond, startling soon-to-be true love Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle), was once voted the U.K.'s most memorable television moment.

It was later re-imagined in Bridgerton in a scene featuring British actor Jonathan Bailey. Firth referenced his own performance with further romantic soakings in Love, Actually and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Other items up for sale include a 1950s' Christian Dior taffeta ball gown worn by Madonna in the 1996 movie Evita, which sold for 40,000 pounds ($50,000) and Johnny Depp's costume for Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, which fetched 24,000 pounds ($30,000).

Clothes worn by Depp as the Earl of Rochester in The Libertine and as writer J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland were also among some 60 items that went under the hammer.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the Bright Foundation, an arts education charity founded by Academy Award-winning costume designer John Bright. The items have been donated by his costume house, Cosprop.

My life's work has been committed to costume design for film, TV and theater, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to pursue this path, Bright said. It is my firmly held belief that the arts and creativity can shape happier and healthier children and enable young people to reach their full potential.

randeep-hoodas-swatantra-veer-savarkar-attracts-criticism-from-grandnephew-of-subhas-chandra-bose

Tue Mar 05 22:58:00 IST 2024

A day after release of the trailer of the upcoming movie, Swatantra Veer Savarkar, directed by and starring Randeep Hooda in the lead, the film ran into controversy with grandnephew of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandra Kumar Bose, coming out with a warning against makers of the movie.

The over three-minute trailer of the film shows Savarkar meeting key figures in Indian Independence movement like M.K. Gandhi, Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak among others even as it recounts the life journey of Veer Savarkar.

Taking to X, Chandra Kumar Bose said he appreciated the director making a film on Veer Savarkar but added that it is important that the true personality of Veer Savarkar is projected.

He asked Hooda to refrain from "linking 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's' name with Savarkar."

"Netaji was an inclusive secular leader & patriot of patriots," Chandra Kumar Bose wrote.

He also retweeted a tweet that read: “Netaji didn't go for any sort of compromise with the British imperialist. In contrast Savarkar was a mercy-petition-wala, & is widely known for that, accepting stipends from the British colonialists. Subhas equated Savarkar with Jinnah.”

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, produced by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and Randeep Hooda Films, in collaboration with Legend Studios and Avak Films, is set to hit screens on March 22.

Earlier, speaking about the movie, Hooda had claimed that this was not a propaganda movie. "It (the movie) will counter all the propaganda against Savarkar that has been going on for decades. He was not a ‘maafiveer’ (apologist). Not only him, but many other people too wrote mercy petitions at the time. I have addressed this very extensively in the film,” the director-actor said in an interview to Mid-Day.

shaitaan-anweshippin-kandethum-hanu-man-ott-and-theatre-releases-this-week

Wed Mar 06 20:37:14 IST 2024

THEATRE RELEASES

1. Thankamani

Release date: March 7

After his last outing 'Bandra' failed to make an impact, Dileep is back with 'Thankamani', a movie based on real-life incidents. The film explores an incident that rocked the rural hamlet of Thankamani in Kerala, which saw police baton charging and gunfire. Dileep portrays the character of Abel Joshua Mathan while Siddique, Neeta Pillai, Manoj K. Jayan, and Sudev Nair play significant characters.

2. Shaitaan

Release date: March 8

The highly-anticipated supernatural thriller 'Shaitaan', starring Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, and Madhavan, arrives in theatres this week. The filmmakers have kept the plot of the movie under wraps, but from the trailer, it appears to be a supernatural thriller. The movie also marks Jyotika's comeback to Bollywood. Directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak.

3. Karataka Damanaka

Release date: March 8

Dr Shiva Rajkumar and Prabhu Deva team up as two fraudsters who use their wit and disguises to lead a hedonistic life in this Kannada outing. Shiva Rajkumar plays the role of Karataka, and Prabhu Deva portrays Damanaka. Going by the trailer, this movie is going to be a fun ride.

The movie is directed by Yograj Bhat, known for directing 'Mungaru Male' and 'Galipatta'. As for its quirky name, Yogiraj says, the title is inspired by the sly foxes from the Panchatantra tales.

OTT RELEASES

1. Anweshippin Kandethum

Release date March 8

Streaming platform: Netflix

Tovino's 13-crore hit 'Anweshippin Kandethum' is one of the top Malayalam blockbuster movies releasing this week. In this investigative thriller, Tovino plays the role of cop Anand Narayan. The movie is based on true events and revolves around two murders that occurred in two villages in Kottayam. Tovino's father, Adv. Thomas Ellikkal, portrays Anand's father, Retd Head Constable Narayana Pilla. Directed by Darwin Kuriakose, the film is a slow-burner thriller that gradually builds up tension, making it an intense watch.

2. Damsel

Release date: 8 March

Streaming Platform: Netflix

Millie Bobby Brown stars in Oscar-nominated Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's upcoming movie 'Damsel'. The plot deviates from the traditional fairytale, as a young woman agrees to marry a prince but falls into a trap where he sacrifices her to a hungry dragon. The Stranger Things star described her character as "a damsel who doesn’t need to be saved". The fantasy movie features an ensemble cast including Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Brooke Carter, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and a dragon.

3. Maharani - Season 3

Release date: March 7

Streaming platform: Sony LIV

Following the success of the first two seasons, Rani Bharti returns for another season. Season 2 concludes with Huma Qureshi, who portrays Rani Bharti, going to jail. In Season 3, she struggles to return as a politician. Directed by Saurabh Bhave and produced by Naren Kumar and Dimple Kharbanda, the third season features Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Pramod Pathak, Kani Kusruti, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles.

4. Hanu Man

Release date: March 8

Streaming platform: Zee5

The Telugu Hindu mythological superhero film received positive responses after its theatrical release. Set in the village of Anjanadri, Hanumanthu, portrayed by Teja Sajja, gains powers from Hanuman and fights for Anjanadri. The movie features a stellar cast, including Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, Amritha Aiyer, and Vinay Rai, among others. The sequel, 'Jai Hanuman', is due for release in 2025.

5. Lal Salaam

Release date: 8 March

Streaming platform: Netflix

Rajinikanth makes an extended cameo appearance in Aishwarya Rajinikanth's 'Lal Salaam'. The movie tackles socio-political issues revolving around a cricket game. Thiru and Shamsuddin, portrayed by Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth respectively, have been rivals since childhood. Cricketing legend Kapil Dev also makes a cameo appearance in the film. However, the movie failed to impress at the box office.

6. Merry Christmas

Release date: March 8

Streaming platform: Netflix

Following the success of the black comedy film 'Andhadhun', Director Sriram Raghavan attempts to blend romance, suspense, drama, and murder in 'Merry Christmas'. The movie is an adaptation of French writer Frederic Dard’s novel 'Bird In A Cage'. The plot revolves around two strangers who meet on Christmas Eve and develop feelings for each other, but the romantic evening takes a dark turn. Vijay Sethupathi portrays Albert, and Katrina Kaif plays Maria.

7. Showtime

Release date: March 8

Streaming platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Dharma Productions' much-awaited series 'Showtime' is set to debut in the OTT space. The series delves into the secrets, glitz, and glam of Bollywood. Featuring a stellar cast including Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Shriya Saran, Mouni Roy, and Neeraj Madhavan, the series promises an insider's look into the industry. Emraan Hashmi, during the promotions of his latest release 'Tiger 3', expressed his

excitement about the show, stating he "seized the opportunity".

8. Yatra 2

Release date: March 8

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

In 2019, South star Mammootty portrayed former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, the late YSR Reddy, in the political drama 'Yatra'. While 'Yatra 2' aimed to recreate the fervour, it fell short of expectations at the box office. Directed by Mahi V Raghav, the sequel delves into YSR's electoral campaign, untimely death, Jagan's contest as an MP, and the challenges he faces. The film, though missing out on major real-life incidents, showcases Mammootty's remarkable performance, while Jiva, portraying the Chief Minister.

oscars-2024-air-date-time-and-how-to-livestream-the-96th-academy-awards-ceremony

Tue Mar 05 13:52:00 IST 2024

The much-awaited annual Academy Awards ceremony is around the corner and fans are hoping that their favourite actors, directors and movies will bag the coveted award in various categories.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2024 Oscars, marking his second consecutive year in the role. The ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will be held at the Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) in Hollywood.

Oppenheimer is leading the race with 13 major nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nominations for Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr and Emily Blunt. Besides the Christopher Nolan directorial, films nominated in the Best Picture category include American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest.

In the Best Director category, the big names are Nolan for Oppenheimer and Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon. Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest), Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) and Justin Triet (Anatomy of a Fall) are also in the race.

Besides Best Director, Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon landed 10 more nods including Best Actress nomination for Lily Gladstone and Best Supporting Actor nomination for Robert De Niro. Greta Gerwig's Barbie won eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor nominations for Ryan Gosling and Best Song.

When will the Oscars 2024 air?

The 2024 award ceremony will air on March 11, 2024 at 4.30 am (IST).

How to livestream Oscars 2024 online?

Oscars 2024 can be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

You can also watch the ceremony on the Academy’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram handles. It will also be streamed on the Academy website Oscars.org.

ae-watan-mere-watan-trailer-sara-ali-khan-looks-fierce-as-a-freedom-fighter

Mon Mar 04 14:42:45 IST 2024

Director Karan Johar released the trailer of the film, Ae Watan Mere Watan, starring Sara Ali Khan. The movie is a patriotic drama and has been directed by Kannan Iyer. The movie has been written by Kannan Iyer and Darab Farooqui, it is set to stream on Amazon Prime from March 21 onwards.

The movie also stars Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O' Nell and Anand Tiwari in pivotal roles and a special guest appearance by Emraan Hashmi. The movie is inspired by the true story of Usha Rani, who started a radio station against the backdrop of the Quit India movement in 1942.

The radio station was started to disseminate news across the country, at a time when free press wasn't the norm. This is the first time Sara Ali Khan will be seen in a patriotic film. The movie has been produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra.

22-year-old Usha, a college girl from Bombay, is seen being warned by her grandmother, who says, “The British are merciless, they will kill you.” Towards the end of the trailer, Usha (Sara Ali Khan) is heard saying, "You may kill me if you wish to, but, as long as I am alive, this radio station won't shut down". The trailer also shows a British officer commanding his subordinate to find the person behind the radio station and hang them.

The film highlights the courage and resourcefulness of the youth during the freedom struggle. Sharing the trailer, Khan wrote, “Rising from the shadows of history, a tale of unyielding courage emerges”.

amazing-that-indian-women-are-able-to-shine-their-light-in-hollywood-mean-girls-actor-avantika

Mon Mar 04 10:51:10 IST 2024

South Asian women, especially of Indian origin, taking center-stage in global titles like "Bridgerton" and "One Day" was long overdue, says Indian-American actor Avantika, who plays Karen Shetty in the new iteration of the popular teen comedy "Mean Girls".

This is not the first acting gig for the 19-year-old, born to an Indian family in California. Avantika made her debut with 2016's "Brahmotsavam", a film in her mother tongue Telugu.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas ("Citadel"), Simone Ashely ("Bridgerton"), and Ambika Mod ("One Day"), the line-up of female actors with an Indian connect is only getting longer with Avantika's name in it.

"It has been a long time coming considering we are a large population with so many incredibly, beautiful, and talented women. It was time that a community of 1.5 billion people was represented on the global (stage)," the actor told PTI in an interview.

Crediting the women paved the way for actors like her to come up, Avantika said she and her contemporaries hope to do similar for "future generation of South Asian women" so things are a bit easier for them.

"It's amazing that Indian women have kind of been able to shine their light in Hollywood... I feel honoured to be a part of this legacy," she added.

Growing up on films such as "Matilda" and "3 Idiots", which she described as a heartfelt portrayal of the human condition, propelled Avantika's love for cinema.

"'Matilda' shaped my interest in wanting to be in films. '3 Idiots' is a classic, it was such a big film for me. I am inspired by heartfelt movies that feel like a true representation of what it means to be human and what it means to live," she said.

"Mean Girls", directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr, is billed as a new twist on the 2004 modern classic which comes from the comedic mind of Tina Fey.

The new film follows Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), who joins her new high school's elite group 'The Plastics', run by Regina George (Renee Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).

When Cady falls for Regina's ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she is at loggerheads with Regina. As Cady sets out to take down Regina with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli'i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating high school.

Avantika landed the role of the gullible Karen, played by Amanda Seyfried in the original movie, through a standard audition process.

Thinking she had "completely bombed" her audition, she sent a message to a fellow actor on social media whom she had never met before but had seen her work.

"I wrote 'I don't know if you can sing, I know I have never met you, and this might sound weird but I just got an audition for Karen in 'Mean Girls' and I am definitely not going to get it. But I think you should ask your team for an audition'," she recalled.

When the actor didn't hear from the "Mean Girls" casting team for four months, she "assumed" she was not going to get the role.

Avantika said she was shooting for her upcoming film "Tarot" when she got the good news that she had made it.

"It was an offer from Paramount and the team of 'Mean Girls'. And, I have never done a callback, so I wasn't really processing any of it. It never felt real until I showed up to rehearsals and Tina Fey was in the office next to me. I was like 'Oh, it's actually happening now'," she added.

Receiving Seyfried's blessing during the release of "Mean Girls" was the icing on the cake.

"It was wonderful to kind of get her blessing and know that she was supportive and encouraging of my participation in the film. She had a lot of faith in me, especially when reprising an iconic character like this. There is this sense of hesitation and fear that comes with living up to the legacy before you and her being supportive of me meant a lot," she said.

Avantika also fondly remembers her initial years in the Indian film industry. Besides "Brahmotsavam", her acting credits include "Premam" and "Manamantha" in Telugu and "Boomika" in Tamil.

It may be like a "blur of positive memories" for the actor, who was barely 10 at the time, but she remembers "Brahmotsavam" stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal and Naga Chaitanya ("Premam") being supportive.

"Samantha, Kajal Aggarwal were lovely and kind. It meant a lot to me as a young girl who was struggling with the way she looked. Samantha is doing incredible things and so is Kajal and so to continue watching them succeed is inspiring. I remember Naga Chaitanya being so lovely to me on set."

Up next for Avantika is the Disney+ series "A Crown of Wishes". She is also set to make her Hindi debut with Nitya Mehra's Prime Video show "Big Girls Don't Cry".

"There are 100 per cent plans to work in India. But it's a different beast. There's a lot to battle that goes beyond talent to work like nepotism, colourism. I don't have that necessarily going in my favour.

"That being said, I have an Amazon Prime show coming out in a few weeks called 'Big Girls Don't Cry' by Nitya Mehra. I hope that will kind of be my debut in Bollywood even though it's on OTT."

Paramount Pictures released "Mean Girls" in Indian theatres last month.

watch-ranveer-singh-deepika-padukone-groove-to-gallan-goodiyan

Sun Mar 03 16:54:27 IST 2024

Bollywood stars and biggies from the business world are in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for the three-day pre-wedding gala of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The couple, who got engaged in January last year, will get married in July.

Their pre-wedding celebrations began with anna seva, where they served food to over 51,000 people. Then was a cocktail party, where Rihanna performed. This was followed by a musical extravaganza, where Diljit Dosanjh performed.

Bollywood stars took to the stage too. The three Khans-- Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh danced to 'Naacho Naacho', the Hindi version of the song Telegu film, RRR, 'Naatu Naatu'. They were joined by Ram Charan, one of the heroes of the film.

Parents-to-be Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh danced to 'Gallan Goodiyan', a track from the Zoya Akhtar directorial, Dil Dhadakne Do. The pair looked lovely, dancing step in step. Padukone was wearing a gold Sabyasachi lehenga, with a gold organza dupatta, while Singh wore a black bandhgala, with blue embroidery. The couple will soon be seen in the Rohit Shetty action flick, Singham Again.

laapataa-ladies-earns-rs-385-crore-in-two-days

Sun Mar 03 14:59:42 IST 2024

Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies" has raised Rs 3.85 crore globally in gross box office collection within two days of its release, the makers announced on Sunday.

The Hindi film is a comic take on two brides in rural India who accidently get swapped during a train journey. It is presented by Jio Studios and produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Rao's Kindling Productions.

Aamir Khan Productions shared the box office update on its official X page.

"Public bhi bol rahi hai movie bohut sundar hai be! Kya abhi tak nahi dekhe ka #LaapataaLadies?" read the post, stating the movie had raised Rs 3.85 crore in gross box office collection worldwide and Rs 1.40 crore net in India in two days.

Starring Pratibha Ratna, Nitanshi Goel and Sparsh Shrivastav with Ravi Kishan in a pivotal role, "Laapataa Ladies" opened to Rs 1.70 crore (gross box office worldwide) and received good reviews upon its release on Friday.

The film is based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. Sneha Desai has penned the screenplay and dialogues with Divyanidhi Sharma credited for additional dialogues.

It is produced by Rao, Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande.

dulquer-salman-express-shock-over-rape-of-sapnish-woman-in-jharkhand

Sun Mar 03 22:54:28 IST 2024

Actor Dulquer Salmaan has expressed shock at the Spanish tourist being gang raped in Jharkhand. The actor, on his Instagram stories, wrote, “This news broke me. Both of you had recently arrived in Kottayam. Had dinner with my close friends. This should not happen to anyone anywhere.”

The couple, who were touring India on a cycle, were en route to Nepal and had stopped at Dumka, to pitch a tent, when the incident took place.

The couple had said the men robbed them and beaten them. But, did not steal many things as their main motive was to rape her.

The incident took place at Kurumahat in the Hansdiha police station area, around 300 km from the state capital Ranchi, on Friday night when a tourist couple from Spain was spending the night at a makeshift tent.

"Superintendent of Police Pitamber Singh Kherwar himself went to the spot last night and is still camping there. Investigation is underway, and forensic teams have visited the spot. The survivor has been admitted to a hospital.

The crime occurred on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Jharkhand and had expressed serious concerns over deteriorating law and order and extortion in the state, according to a PTI report.

anant-radhika-pre-wedding-watch-srk-salman-and-aamir-khan-dancing-to-naatu-naatu-song

Sun Mar 03 08:36:11 IST 2024

The Khans trio of Bollywood rocked the stage on the second day of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding gala on Friday night as they grooved to 'RRR' song 'Naatu Naatu'.

Donning kurta pyjamas, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan displayed a fun performance as they graced a stage together after a long time.

The Khan trio also danced to songs of each of their famous songs as well. Videos showed Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir shaking their legs to Chaiyya Chaiyya, Jeene Ke Hain Chaar Din and Masti Ki Pathshala.

Other Bollywood stars who graced the event include Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Ali Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Ananya Panday, Kiara Advani and Aditya Roy Kapur.

Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were also present.

why-is-panchayat-season-3-delayed-heres-when-sachiv-ji-will-be-back-on-amazon-prime

Mon Mar 04 11:57:49 IST 2024

Panchayat fans who have been waiting for the show's Season 3 since May 2022 may have to wait for another 10 months as a report by The Stateman claims that the new season will be out on Amazon Prime by December this year.

Earlier, it was reported that the Deepak Kumar Mishra directorial might release on January 15 this year. Once that didn't happen, there were speculations that the show will air during March first week but that did not happen either. And now, The Statesman has reported that the Season 3 is likely to air during December first week.

The script of Panchayat is written by Chandan Kumar. The show has Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Roy and others in the key roles. The plot revolved around the life of an engineering graduate who is appointed as a Panchayat secretary in the fictional village of Phulera in Uttar Pradesh.

The first season premiered on April 3, 2020 during the height of Covid pandemic and turned out to be an instant hit among viewers stuck during the lockdowns. The second season released on May 18, 2022.

Why is Panchayat Season 3 delayed?

Earlier reports said the show was delayed due to clash with other OTT releases. Though there is no official confirmation regarding the exact release date, reports suggest that the shooting for the upcoming season is still going on, causing delay in post-production as well.

sandalwood-karnataka-news-actor-k-shivaram-ias-first-to-clear-upsc-in-kannada-dies-aged-70-at-bengaluru

Fri Mar 01 18:40:00 IST 2024

Actor K Shivaram, who was the first person to crack the UPSC exam in Kannada, passed away on Thursday. He was 70.

Former IAS officer Shivaram, who also had innings in politics and acting, breathed his last at a Bengaluru hospital. He was undergoing treatment for multiple health problems, reports said sources close to his kin. K Shivaram is survived by his wife Vani Shivaram and a daughter. Kannada actor Pradeep is his son-in-law.

A native of Ramanagar district's Urugahalli, Shivaram was born on April 6, 1953, to drama master Kempaiah and his wife Chikkaboramma. He landed a government job in 1972 but managed to find a better opportunity in the intelligence department of the Karnataka Police the following year, news reports said.

Inspiring journey

While serving as the police reporter, Shivaram attended evening classes to pass UG and PG courses. In 1985, he passed the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam and was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police. The following year he came out flying colours in the UPSC exam that he attended in his mother tongue Kannada, reports added.

Shivaram retired as the Bengaluru regional commissioner in 2013, the Deccan Herald said in a report. However, he managed to build an acting career in the meantime. After making his debut in 1993 in 'Baa Nalle Madhuchandrake', Shivaram went on to act in Vasantha Kavya (1996), Prarthibhatane (1999), Khalanayaka (1999), Naaga (0206) and O Prema Devathe (2007) among others.

Political stint

Shivaram joined the Indian National Congress after retirement. However, he switched allegiance to Janata Dal (Secular) and contested the 2014 general elections unsuccessfully from Bijapur seat, the DH report said. He made yet another switch to the BJP, the very party that defeated him in 2014 and was selected to the party's executive committee.

when-will-prabhas-film-spirit-be-shot-director-sandeep-reddy-vanga-drops-hint

Fri Mar 01 17:04:29 IST 2024

Animal and Arjun Reddy director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, said that his film 'Spirit', starring Prabhas in the lead, will go on floors in December 2024. Vanga made the announcement soon after he unveiled the theatrical trailer for Vishwak Sen’s ambitious adventurous drama, Gaami. Gaami's crew has been working for six years to bring their film to the big screen.

Spirit will feature Prabhas as a cop. Harshvardhan Ramshwar will be composing music for the film. Prabhas will next be seen in Kalki 2898 AD alongside Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan. The movie will release on May 9. The movie has been directed by Nag Aswin and bankrolled by Aswani Dutt and Swapna Dutt. It will be released in Hindi, Telegu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

The movie will be produced by Bhushan Kumar and following Vanga's style, there won't be any compromise on violence. Vanga is also teaming up with Allu Arjun for another project.

Vanga's last film Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor was a super hit. It garnered close to Rs 500 crore worldwide.

mollywood-news-premalu-star-mamitha-baiju-condemns-misquoted-media-reports-hails-vanangaan-director-bala-kollywood

Fri Mar 01 16:36:55 IST 2024

Young Malayalam actor Mamitha Baiju on Thursday released a public statement after her comments on working with Kollywood director Bala kicked up a row. The Premalu star clarified that she never experienced any mental or physical harm from Bala's part and his behaviour was not abusive in any manner.

In an interview, Mamitha Baiju was reported as saying that while working for Vanangaan, Bala used to scold her and even beat her. He used to beat me from behind," the actor has said.

The 22-year-old actor, in a story on her official Instagram handle, said that the said that the interview clip was taken out of context. "I would like to clarify that the news being circulated online regarding my involvement with a Tamil film is absolutely baseless. An excerpt from a film promotion interview, has been taken out of context and is being clearly misquoted to create this irresponsible headline," Mamitha's story read.

She also clarified the circumstances that led to her backing out from the movie. "I opted out of that film later on, only because of other professional commitments," the Instagram story said.

"I have worked with Bala Sir for close to a year including pre-production and production of the film. He has always been kind enough to help me become a better actor," Mamitha's post said.

What was said in the interview?

In the said viral interview clip, the actor recalled, "There is something called Villadichampaatu in the movie. So I asked the director if my character had been doing this for a long time or trying it for the first time. The director told me this is something that the character is well-versed in."

Mamitha Baiju said Bala then pointed to a woman (a Villadichampaatu artiste) and asked her to observe her. "He immediately told me to start the shoot. I wasn't exactly ready. I had no idea what they were singing. I learned to do it in three takes. I was repeatedly rebuked by the director during the shoot."

She said the director had warned her that he would be scolding her during the takes, but she shouldn't be taking those seriously. "He used to beat me from behind," the actor revealed.

When asked how her co-actor Suriya reacted to this, she said Suriya was familiar with Bala's style of functioning as they have worked with each other previously.

Full transcript of Mamitha Baiju's Instagram story:

Hello Everyone, I would like to clarify that the news being circulated online regarding my involvement with a Tamil film is absolutely baseless. An excerpt from a film promotion interview, has been taken out of context and is being clearly misquoted to create this irresponsible headline. I have worked with Bala Sir for close to a year including pre-production and production of the film. He has always been kind enough to help me become a better actor. I would like to reiterate that I have not experienced any mental or physical harm or any other sort of abusive behaviour during my work on that film. I opted out of that film later on, only because of other professional commitments. I would also like to thank those Media Houses who have contacted me to verify the news before publishing. Thank you for your understanding!

kate-winslet-says-fans-recognise-her-more-for-the-holiday-role-not-titanic

Fri Mar 01 14:55:00 IST 2024

Oscar winner Actor Kate Winslet says that more people recognise her for her role in the 2006 romantic comedy "The Holiday" than "Titanic", the 1997 disaster epic.

During an appearance at "The Tonight Show", host Jimmy Fallon asked the actor if she knew "The Holiday", a Christmas movie by Nancy Meyers, would be a big hit.

In her reply, Winslet said: "People come up to me in the street more about 'The Holiday' and the episode of 'Extras' (TV show) that I did than 'Titanic'. I promise you. Especially at Christmas."

In James Cameron's multiple award-winning blockbuster "Titanic", she and Leonardo DiCaprio starred as members of different social classes who fall in love during the maiden and doomed voyage of the Titanic ship.

"The Holiday", however, was the story of two lovelorn women played by Winslet and Cameron Diaz from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean who swap their homes to escape heartbreak during the Christmas and holiday season.

Winslet, 48, further said women often tell her they watch the rom-com every Christmas as a ritual.

"What's so lovely is that mothers and daughters come up to me in the grocery store and they say, 'OK, we just love 'The Holiday'. It's our little ritual at Christmas.' "And they have things that they eat every year. They sit down, it's a tradition, and I just love that. That's something I never would have expected, this sort of mother-daughter connection around a film like that. It's so nice," she added.

The actor's latest project is the upcoming miniseries "The Regime", a political satire from

disney-hotstar-announces-release-date-of-lootere

Fri Mar 01 12:40:04 IST 2024

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta's son Jai Mehta's directorial debut "Lootere" is set to premiere on March 22 on Disney+ Hotstar, the platform announced on Friday.

In a press statement, the streamer described the series, set in the treacherous seas of Somalia, as "a game of life and death".

Created and produced by Shaailesh R Singh, "Lootere" has Hansal Mehta on board as the showrunner.

Disney+ Hotstar also shared a sneak peek into the series on its official X page.

"Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! #HotstarSpecials #Lootere streaming from 22nd March only on @DisneyPlusHS," read the post.

"Lootere" stars Rajat Kapoor, Vivek Gomber, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Aamir Ali.

nick-offerman-betty-gilpin-join-cast-of-death-by-lightning

Fri Mar 01 12:23:01 IST 2024

"Parks and Recreation" alum Nick Offerman and "GLOW" star Betty Gilpin have boarded the cast of the upcoming historical drama series "Death by Lightning".

The project hails from Netflix and will be directed by Matt Ross, reported entertainment news outlet Variety.

Based on Candice Millard's novel "Destiny of the Republic", the show will follow the assassination of James Garfield, the 20th US president, by Charles Guiteau.

Offerman and Gilpin join previously announced leads Michael Shannon ("The Shape of Water"), who will play James Garfield and "Succession" star Matthew Macfadyen, who will portray the role of Guiteau in "Death By Lightning".

Offerman, also known for films such as "The Founder" and "The Kings of Summer", will essay Chester A Arthur, James Garfield's vice president and eventual successor.

On the other side, Gilpin will star as Crete Garfield, the First Lady and James Garfield's wife. The series marks her return to Netflix after "GLOW".

"Game of Thrones" creators David Benioff and DB Weiss serve as executive producers on "Death By Lightning".

netflix-yrf-entertainment-release-first-looks-of-mandala-murders-maharaj-and-vijay-69

Thu Feb 29 17:11:17 IST 2024

Streaming platform Netflix and production banner Yash Raj Films (YRF) on Thursday shared the first glimpses of their series "Mandala Murders" as well as films "Maharaj" and "Vijay 69" at the 'Next on Netflix' event in Mumbai.

The three projects are part of the multi-year creative partnership between Netflix and Yash Raj Films' digital arm YRF Entertainment. "The Railway Men", a series on the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, was the first project under the deal which premiered on the platform last November.

"Mandala Murders", a gritty crime thriller, stars Vaani Kapoor in her OTT debut and Vaibhav Raj Gupta of "Gullak" fame as detectives trying to solve a series of murders that may be part of a sinister plan orchestrated by a secret society.

"Be prepared to enter into the thrilling world of 'Mandala Murders' where the villain, victims, survivors and detectives are intricately and deeply connected to each other," the makers said in a press release.

Gopi Puthran, who serves as creator and director on the series, said "Mandala Murders" is a genre-bending crime thriller that will shock and awe viewers.

"We want to build as much intrigue as possible around the show before it releases. Hence, the first glimpse is specifically designed to heighten the mystery that shrouds 'Mandala Murders'. We're excited to invite the audience into this exciting world that we have created, which promises to take the viewers on an immersive, adrenaline-fueled journey on Netflix," said the director, best known for "Mardaani 2", in a statement.

Described as "an incredible David versus Goliath story", "Maharaj" is directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra.

According to the official logline, the film narrates how a regular man, journalist by profession, takes on a powerful role model of society, hailed by many as a messiah for the masses.

"The fearless reporter wields his pen to go toe-to-toe with this spotless figure of the community in a bid to uncover a series of incidents that shake the very foundation of society.

"The period drama is an ode to mankind's spirit to do good, to pursue and discover truth at any cost and to fight for humanity. It shows how one person's will to affect positive social change can triumph over all evil and bring those in power to justice," it read.

Malhotra said "Maharaj" is set in the 1800s and inspired by true events.

"Get set to be mesmerized by a world of horse-drawn carriages, old-school printing presses, kaccha roads, beautiful traditions and a man's willpower to do good. "We are beyond thrilled to present Maharaj that is set to stream exclusively on Netflix, the world's biggest streaming platform. A story like this will resonate to audiences globally and Netflix is the perfect platform to take our story to the world," he said.

"Vijay 69", starring Anupam Kher in the title role, is a quirky, slice-of-life film about a man who decides to compete in a triathlon at the age of 69. The comedy is produced by Maneesh Sharma and directed by Akshay Roy for YRF Entertainment.

"YRF Entertainment has been committed to telling stories that are distinct and diverse. I'm thrilled that 'Vijay 69' is set to premiere on the biggest global streaming platform, Netflix. This will help our endearing story reach audiences across the world and pull at their heartstrings," Roy said.

shah-rukh-khans-son-aryan-khan-to-make-his-acting-debut-soon-sources

Thu Feb 29 16:47:32 IST 2024

Aryan Khan, the son of popular Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, will soon make his acting debut.

According to sources, noted director and a close friend of Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, is all set to launch him.

Janhvi Kapoor is expected to be paired opposite to Aryan Khan.

Johar will make an announcement in this regard in a few weeks.

Aryan Khan’s acting debut was to be announced over a month ago. However, the youngster was busy with his first Bollywood venture, a series tentatively titled Stardom, which he has written and directed. Stardom is produced by Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment.

He had played the younger version of his father in the 2001 Bollywood family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which was directed by Johar.

Aryan Khan is also an entrepreneur. Slab Ventures, a company launched by him, along with his business partners Bunty Singh and Leti Blagoeva, had come out with an ultra-premium vodka, D’Yavol, in partnership with AB InBev India in 2022.

In 2021, Aryan Khan completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts, Film and Television production, from California-based School of Cinematic Arts.

deepika-padukone-ranveer-singh-expecting-first-child

Thu Feb 29 22:57:23 IST 2024

Bollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh on Thursday announced they are expecting their first child.

The news comes days after reports of Padukone's pregnancy were doing social media rounds when the actor was photographed covering her midsection at the 77th BAFTA awards which she attended as a presenter.

In an Instagram post, the couple said the baby is due in September.

"September 2024," read the picture embossed with baby shoes and clothing.

Industry colleagues, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shreya Ghoshal, Vikrant Massey, and Alia Bhatt congratulated the couple on the good news.

"Mubarak," wrote Priyanka in the comments section of Deepika-Ranveer's post.

Alia shared a series of heart emojis in the comments.

Ghoshal said she was both excited and happy for the couple. "Many congratulations," she added.

"Bahut bahut shubhkamnaen aap dono ko!!" wrote Vikrant.

Deepika and Ranveer, both 38, tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in 2018 at Lake Como, Italy.

On the work front, the couple will next be seen in a special appearance in the Rohit Shetty-directed "Singham Again", headlined by Ajay Devgn.

Frequent collaborators Deepika and Ranveer have worked together in films such as "Ram-Leela", "Bajirao Mastani" and "83".

hollywood-remake-of-drishyam-in-the-works

Thu Feb 29 12:16:36 IST 2024

Production house Panorama Studios on Thursday said it has teamed up with Gulfstream Pictures and JOAT Films for the Hollywood remake of the "Drishyam" franchise.

Panorama Studios has acquired the international remake rights to the Malayalam movies "Drishyam 1 & 2" from the original producers Aashirvad Cinemas.

The film series is also being developed in South Korea as well as a development deal is being finalised for a Spanish language version, the banner said in a release.

Kumar Mangat Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director, Panorama Studios, said he is excited to celebrate the story of "Drishyam" with audiences worldwide.

"We are very happy to collaborate with Gulfstream Pictures and JOAT Films to create this story in English for Hollywood. After Korea and Hollywood, our mission is to produce 'Drishyam' in 10 countries in the next three to five years," he said in a statement.

"We have received immense love from our Indian audiences, who have made the 'Drishyam' franchise a massive success. The strength of 'Drishyam' lies in its story, and we want it to be enjoyed by audiences globally," added producer Abhishek Pathak, who also directed "Drishyam 2" (Hindi).

"Drishyam", the 2013 Malayalam crime thriller, revolved around Georgekutty (Mohanlal) and his family, who come under suspicion when Varun Prabhakar, the son of the IG Geetha Prabhakar, goes missing. The movie was written and directed by Jeethu Joseph.

Mike Karz and Bill Bindley of Gulfstream Pictures, the banner behind "Blended" and "Upgraded", said they are happy to collaborate with Panorama Studios and JOAT Films on the English language adaptation of "Drishyam".

"The film is a timeless thriller that has entranced audiences across the globe. We can't wait to bring the movie to fans here in the U.S," Karz and Bindley said in a joint statement.

Jack Nguyen, founder of JOAT Films, described "Drishyam" as a unique yet enduring story.

"The story has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide as evidenced by the numerous remakes it has spawned. Gulfstream, Panorama and JOAT are excited to have the opportunity to present our take on this cleverly crafted thriller to audiences globally," Nguyen said.

While the Korean and English versions are in the works, "Drishyam" has also been remade in languages such as Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Sinhala and Mandarin.

premalu-actor-mamitha-baiju-says-director-bala-used-to-beat-scold-her-on-sets-of-vanangaan

Wed Feb 28 21:02:37 IST 2024

Popular Mollywood actor Mamitha Baiju, who is basking in the success of her recent movie Premalu, spoke about her experience of working with Kollywood director Bala for Vanangaan.

Although Mamitha Baiju had signed up to play the female lead in Vanangaan, she quit the project later, say media reports.

In an interview clip that has now gone viral, the actor recalled that Bala used to beat her and scold her during the shooting.

"There is something called Villadichampaatu (also known as Villu Paatu, this is a musical-story telling art form) in the movie. So I asked the director if my character had been doing this for a long time or trying it for the first time. The director told me this is something that the character is well-versed in."

She said the director had warned her that he would be scolding her during the takes, but she shouldn't be taking those seriously. "He used to beat me from behind," the actor revealed.

When asked how her co-actor Suriya reacted to this, she said Suriya was familiar with Bala's style of functioning as they have worked with each other previously.

music-lovers-of-the-sub-continent-will-always-remember-pankaj-udhas

Wed Feb 28 13:39:10 IST 2024

When 'Mughal-e Azam' was released in 1960, Pankaj Udhas was a nine-year-old from Jetpur in Rajasthan learning basics in Tabla from his father Keshubhai Udhas. Music composer Noushad had Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshed Begum and maestro of the Kasur-Patiala gharana Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan to sing for Prince Salim, Anarkali and Mian Tanesen in the film. All songs were to praise the eternity of love ('Ae Mohabbat Zindabad'), and Pankaj Udhas can be considered as an offshoot of a filmy Mughal darbar, a blend of Rafi and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He is well-travelled in the route of Ustad's 'Prem Jogan Ban Ke' but with the characteristics of a Mohammed Rafi vocal cord. 'Aahat' in Urdu means the sound of someone's soft arrival. In 1980, Gazal lovers of the sub-continent heard a soft but predictive footstep of a future-trendsetter when the music album 'Aahat' was released. 'Ye Alag Baat Hein' was Pankaj Udhas's first song from the album.

Pankaj Udhas was 29 years old then. All established ghazal singers of that time were at least a decade older than him, whether it was Ghulam Ali, or Jagjit Singh or Iqbal Bano, Chitra Singh or Bhupinder Singh. Farida Khanum was 45 years old at the time. Talat Aziz was the only ghazal singer who was younger than Udhas by five years. Pankaj Udhas with an unusual but spectacular speed came to the centre stage of ghazal singing and one of the main reasons was the Anand Bakshi penned song composed by Lakshmikant and Pyarelal 'Chithi Aayi Hai, Aayi Hai, Chithi Aayi Hai' for Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Naam'. The film song had all the traits of a ghazal, whether its structure or content, anatomical frames like Matla'a, Radif or Qaafiyaa. The song paved an embellished way for its singer for time to come. The song had the pain of separation, an aroma of fondness, and the language of intense expression, which all Begum Akthar had in her wounded voice in abundance. But, she remains a nonpareil phenomenon in ghazal singing and ghazals by most of the established singers born in the 1940s or later could not import the core of Thumri tradition into the singing style as the eternal singer from Awadh could accomplish. If I quote a music-loving friend's candid remark on Akthari Bai Faizabadi here, 'a chocolate is quite different from a sugary candy'.

Pankaj Udhas had lessons in Hindustani classical vocalism from Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan of the Mewati gharana, son of Ustad Wahid Khan. Thumri, ghazal and earlier counterparts like tappa all have played a major role in South Asian music, but unlike tappa or thumri there are no claimants for ghazals for a possible ancient root in Sanskrit. 'ghazal is a unique product of a cultural moment marked by unprecedented socio-historical features', as musicologist Peter Manuel said. There are many references to prove that this music genre evolved through an Indo-Persian cultural amalgam. Pankaj Udhas, like all his contemporaries in ghazal singing, carried forward the spirit of the same aesthetic vigour produced by the coexistence of varying cultures and beliefs.

In a ghazal, the lyrics always address a person, often a beloved. Pankaj Udhas tenderly established that one-to-one relationship with a listener, by intertwining his songs with sorrows or pleasures of every individual. When he sang ‘warna main kuch bhi hoon, ehsaan faramosh nahi’, the listener thought he was comforting her or him by saying, ‘I may have forgotten everything but I remember your affection for me’. Ghazals represent a universal genre of song for love. At the time of his execution in 1936, Federico García Lorca, a Spanish poet, was preparing for his last compilation of poems, which were gacelas, meaning ghazals. In ‘gacela of unforeseen love’ Lorca wrote,

‘Between plaster and jasmines,
your glance was a pale branch of seeds.
I sought in my heart to give you
the ivory letters that say "siempre" '

Siempre in Spanish means ‘always’, and we, music lovers of the sub-continent will remember you, Pankaj Udhas, always.

chris-geere-to-join-amy-schumer-in-upcoming-film-kinda-pregnant

Wed Feb 28 12:56:56 IST 2024

Actor Chris Geere, known for his roles in "Detective Pikachu" and "You're the Worst", is set to join Amy Schumer in romantic comedy "Kinda Pregnant".

The film will be directed by Tyler Spindel and is being made for streaming platform Netflix with Happy Madison producing, reported entertainment news outlet Deadline.

Written by Julie Paiva, the film follows Lainy (Schumer), who gets jealous of her pregnant best friend, and ends up wearing a fake baby bump. Amidst all this, she meets the man of her dreams.

Geere, 42, has been a part of several shows including "Single Parents", "A Million Little Things", and "Modern Family."

Schumer, 42, was last seen in Netflix's "Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact" which she also directed.

actor-lena-reveals-she-is-married-to-gaganyaan-group-captain-prasanth-balakrishnan-nair

Tue Feb 27 19:15:47 IST 2024

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of four Indian astronaut-designates—Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla—popular south Indian actor Lena revealed that she is married to Nair, who hails from Kerala.

Taking to Instagram, the actor said they got married in a traditional ceremony on January 17, 2024, and that it was an arranged marriage. Lena said she was waiting for the prime minister to make the announcement of the names of astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan mission to reveal that she is married to Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair.

“Today, 27 February, 2024, our Prime Minister Modi ji Awarded the First Astronaut Wings to India Air Force Fighter Pilot Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair. It is a historic moment of pride for our Country, our state of Kerala and me personally,” she wrote.

“In order to maintain the officially required confidentiality, I was waiting for this announcement to let you know that I got married to Prasanth on 17 January, 2024 in a traditional ceremony through an arranged marriage,” she added.

Nair was born in Palakkad district of Kerala in 1976 as the second son of Balakrishnan Nair and Prameela. He is a recipient of the 'Sword of Honour'—an honour given to the best all-round cadet at the Air Force Academy.

He was commissioned in the fighter stream of the IAF in December 1998.

"A Cat A flying instructor and a test pilot with approximately 3,000 hrs of flying experience, he has flown a variety of aircraft, including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier and An-32," a spokesperson of the Indian Air Force told news agency PTI.

Nair is also an alumnus of the United States Staff College and a DS at DSSC, Wellington and FIS, Tambaram, the spokesperson said, and added that he commanded a premier fighter Su-30 Sqn.

ryan-gosling-to-perform-i-am-just-ken-at-oscars

Tue Feb 27 17:19:00 IST 2024

Ryan Gosling is set to perform 'I'm Just Ken' at the 96th Academy Awards. The actor made his disappointment known when Gerta Gerwig wasn't nominated for best director for the film and Margot Robbie wasn't nominated for the best actress category. Gosling was nominated for the best actor in a supporting role and America Ferrera was nominated for best actress in a supporting role.

The Academy Awards will take place on March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. And will be hosted by talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. The song has won a nomination for an Oscar for best original song. Another song from the film that has won a nomination for best original song is 'What Was I Made For?' by Billie Eilish and Finneas.

Barbie won the Golden Globe for cinematic and box office achievement. It also took home trophies for best actor in the male and female categories and best supporting actress for the People's Choice Awards. The movie's soundtrack also won three Grammys including best compilation soundtrack for visual media.

'I'm Just Ken' was written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. The track also landed on the Billboard Hot 100 in its first week at no 87. at the 2017 Oscars, Gosling and Emma Stone passed up the chance to perform 'City of Lights' from their Oscar-nominated film La La Land. The track went on to win the Oscar for best original song.

glen-powell-says-he-and-sydney-sweeney-are-reading-scripts-for-their-next-gig-together

Tue Feb 27 15:50:12 IST 2024

After the success of their romantic comedy "Anyone But You", actor Glen Powell says he and co-star Sydney Sweeney are trying to "find the next thing" by reading scripts coming their way.

"Anyone But You", an Australia-set romantic drama about two strangers who connect briefly only to become sworn enemies due to misunderstandings, was directed by Will Gluck. The film is loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's famous play "Much Ado About Nothing".

"When you find somebody that you really jive with, Sydney is so easy to work with and so fun. We're definitely trying to find the next thing," Powell told Variety recently.

Please send us all the scripts you got. You know we're here for it. It's been really wonderful to read a lot. Sydney reads everything, by the way, and in record time. She's the fastest reader I think I've ever met. It takes me a little longer, but we're reading everything and just trying to see what makes sense, what we can turn into something that audiences are going to respond to.

Sweeny, 26, and Powell, 35, have emerged as one of the romantic pairings to look forward to in Hollywood, following the success of "Anyone But You" earned a record-breaking $200 million at the box office.

Powell, who also starred in another romantic drama "Set It Up" in 2018, is currently promoting his upcoming action project "Twisters".

napoleon-laapataa-ladies-poor-things-ott-and-theatre-releases-this-week

Tue Feb 27 15:47:26 IST 2024

The month couldn't begin better for film enthusiasts. From Joaquin Phoenix's 'Napoleon' to Priscilla Presley's eponymous biography, OTT platforms and theatres offer a rich treat this March.

OTT RELEASES

1. The Greatest Love Story Never Told

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: February 27

The documentary looks into the life of Jennifer Lopez, the behind-the-scenes of JLo's album, and her cinematic original 'This Is Me... Now'. The documentary is directed by Jason Bergh.

2. Spaceman

Streaming platform: Netflix

Release date: March 1

The sci-fi film revolves around an astronaut sent to the end of the solar system on a solo mission. Six months into his journey in space, he meets a mysterious creature who helps him to fix his problems back on Earth. Adam Sandler essays the role of the astronaut. Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Isabella Rossellini, and Paul Dano essay other important characters.

3. Poor Things

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: February 27

The 2023 film is based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray of the same name. The plot looks into the fantastical tale of Bella Baxter, a young woman who comes to life through a brain transplant. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery and starts to explore the world. Emma Stone essays the role of Bella Baxter, and the film features a stellar cast, including March Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Rammy Youseff among others.

4. Priscilla

Streaming platform: MAX

Release date: March 1

The biographical film is based on the memoir 'Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love' between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll. This drama traces the life of Priscilla Presley and her complicated relationship with Elvis. Priscilla is played by Cailee Spaeny, and Elvis Presley is played by Jacob Elordi. The movie arrived in theatres in 2023.

5. Napoleon

Streaming platform: Apple TV

Release date: March 1

Joaquin Phoenix's 'Napoleon', which was released in theatres in 2023, looks into the life of Napoleon Bonaparte and his relationship with his wife Joséphine Bonaparte. His rise to power and exile forms the core of the movie.

6. Maamla Legal Hai

Streaming platform: Netflix

Release date: March 1

A comic outing, Maamla Legal Hai is about a bunch of employees who work to uphold justice. However, their daily escapades are not without a few objections. According to the director, this is not a courtroom drama but a courtroom premise drama.

6. Blue Star

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Release date: February 29

The Tamil sports drama looks into the rivalry between two young cricket team captains from different caste and how it affects the game. Ashok Selvan and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj essay the role of two cricket captains. The movie was released in theatres earlier this year with positive reviews.

THEATRE RELEASES THIS WEEK

1. Laapataa Ladies

Release date: March 1

Directed by Kiran Rao, 'Laapataa Ladies' is about two newly-wed women who get lost on a train. The film is set in rural India, and the story unfolds when the groom files a police complaint. Watch this comic outing to know how they find the newly-wed woman.

2. Kreem

Release date: March 1

A neo-noir Kannada thriller film is based on real events and looks into how a girl infiltrates a mysterious cult that practices human sacrifice. Samyutha Hedge essays the main role along with Agni Sreedhar. The movie is directed by Abhishek Basanth.

3. POR

Release date: March 1

Set against the backdrop of a college festival, the rivalry of two best friends turns into a fierce competition. Kalidas Jayaram and Arjun Das essay the main roles along with others. The Tamil film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar, and the cinematography is done by Jimshi Khalid.

4. Operation Valentine

Release date: March 1

'Operation Valentine' looks into the challenges Air Force heroes face and how they fight one of the biggest and fiercest aerial attacks India has seen. Varun Tej and Manushi Chillar are seen playing Air Force officials.

5. DUNE- Part 2

Release date: March 1

Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen and seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. The epic science fiction drama directed by Denis Villeneuve is a sequel to Dune (2021). The movie is based on the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herber. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson are among the stellar cast in the movie.

everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-oscars-2024

Tue Feb 27 16:52:33 IST 2024

The Annual Academy Awards are right around the corner. The 96th Oscars will take place on the night of Sunday, March 10. here's what you need to know about the biggest award ceremony of the awards season. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will host the show which will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Kimmel has hosted the ceremony in 2023, 2017 and 2018. Presenting the awards will be Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, Al Pacino, and others.

As for the nominations, Oppenheimer swept quite a few. So did Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon. Ryan Gosling was nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Ken in Barbie and America Ferrera got nominated for best supporting actress for her role in the same movie.

Greta Gerwig, however, missed out on the nomination for best director and Margot Robbie for best actress. Oppenheimer scored 13 nominations, Poor Things won 11 mentions, while Barbie got eight nods including the ones for best picture and best adapted screenplay.

Other artists who were snubbed include Leonardo DiCaprio, Charles Melton, Dominic Sessa, Wes Anderson and Pedro Almodóvar. Artists nominated under the best actor category include Bradley Cooper, Cillian Murphy, Lily Gladstone, and Emma Stone among others.

If Lily Gladstone wins the award for best actress for her role in Killers of the Flower Moon, she might become the first Native American woman to win the award. If Sandra Huller, who was nominated for Anatomy of a Fall wins the award, she becomes the first German-born actor to win the award. If Colman Domingo, who is nominated in the best actor category for his role in Rustin takes home the statue he could become the first performer of Afro-Latino descent to win the award.

want-to-play-roles-that-are-out-of-my-comfort-zone-bobby-deol

Tue Feb 27 10:06:54 IST 2024

Bollywood actor Bobby Deol says he doesn't distinguish his characters as negative or positive and wants to explore roles that challenge him.

"I want to do work that is out of my comfort zone, challenging me, and pushes me to bring out the best in me. I hope I keep getting work like that, Deol told reporters here at the press conference of 22nd Zee Cine Awards 2024.

"There's nothing like negative or positive characters. Earlier there used to be a certain category like comedians, villains, and heroes...It's not like that anymore. Cinema has changed, storytelling has changed, because the world is evolving, and there are so many interesting characters out there,

The actor said playing the antagonist in "Animal" was challenging. The Sandeep Reddy Vanga-directed film, which featured Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, received polarized reviews but was a blockbuster hit and Deol was praised for his performance and the song 'Jamal Jamalkudu'.

For me, playing a negative role was a challenge but every human being has a bad thing in them, only when you suppress the bad, we become a better person. So, it gives you the opportunity to let that bad out, and perform and enjoy those negative characters.

"If you look at my character of Abrar from Animal', he had a very strong reason why he was like that. When I played Abrar, I didn't think of myself as villain, I felt as the hero of my family.

Deol, who has been nominated in the best villain category for his performance in Animal, at Zee Cine Awards 2024, said awards are a form of appreciation for one's hard work.

"Just to be nominated makes it special. It gives me more happiness because my fans get so happy about me winning an award, he said, expressing gratitude to his fans for their unending love and support.

I hope I can keep doing work that's different, challenging, and keep entertaining my fans. I've been here in this industry for 28 years and they have always been supporting my dad, brother and me. Whatever I'm today is because of the love and belief that they had in me. It motivates me to work harder, he added.

The actor will also perform at the award show.

I've done it earlier (danced on stage). It's going to be exciting. I always find being on stage challenging more challenging than playing characters. It's going to be fun and I'm sure people will enjoy it. Last year was Deol's year so it (performance) is dedicated to them, he said.

Actors Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Bobby Deol, Ayushmann Khurrana, Mouni Roy, Utkarsh Sharma, and Simrat Kaur among others are also among the performers at Zee Cine Awards 2024.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparshakti Khurana, and Sunil Grover, who will take over for a few fun segments.

ghazal-singer-pankaj-udhas-dies-at-72

Mon Feb 26 16:42:44 IST 2024

Prominent ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away at age 72. His daughter Nayaab shared the news on Instagram. She wrote, “With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to a prolonged illness."

Udhas was known for songs like Aur Ahista, Jeeye toh Jeeye Kaise, and Chitthi Aayi Hai among others. He was conferred the highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2006. Fans around the world were captivated by the combination of his melodious voice and poignant lyrics.

The singer was suffering from a prolonged illness and passed away at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai.

yami-gautams-article-370-banned-in-all-gulf-countries

Mon Feb 26 16:59:00 IST 2024

Yami Gautam's political film, Article 370 is doing well at the domestic box office and abroad. The movie, has, however, been banned in all Gulf countries. The movie, which has been garnering praise, is about human experiences in the state of Jammu & Kashmir after the government abrogated Article 370. Gautam plays Intelligence Officer Zooni Haksar in the film.

The movie, directed by Aditya Jambhale, was produced by Lokesh and Aditya Dhar, and Jyoti Deshpande. Aditya Dhar is actor Yami Gautam's husband. The movie delves into the challenges people face amidst a complex socio-political setting.

In August 2019, the Central government abrogated Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir. Following this, the state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering in Jammu, mentioned the film and said, "I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week... It is a good thing as it will help people in getting correct information."

Considering that Indian tourists to Gulf countries make up a significant amount, and several Indian movies are shot there, the ban comes as a surprise. Recently, Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter was banned in Gulf countries. Reportedly, the film was banned due to 'some objectionable content'.

according-to-the-statement-the-actor-suffered-from-als-for-five-years

Mon Feb 26 13:04:47 IST 2024

Kenneth Mitchell, Captain Marvel actor has died at age 49. He was suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Formerly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, it is a neurological disorder. It affects motor neurons, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement including breathing.

Mitchell's Instagram account shared a statement which read, “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend to many.” He has also acted in Star Wars: Discovery, in which he portrayed the roles of Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik, and Aurellio.

According to the statement, the actor suffered from ALS for five years. “He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community,” the statement further read.

Mitchell also starred in Jericho, a post-apocalyptic series. He is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their two children. The statement also requested that any gifts be directed towards ALS research or in support of his children.

priyanka-chopra-shares-trailer-of-to-kill-a-tiger-calls-it-truly-remarkable

Mon Feb 26 12:04:13 IST 2024

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently on-boarded Oscar-nominated documentary To Kill a Tiger as one of its executive producers. She joins other notable names like Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling and Rupi Kaur among others. The actor shared the trailer of the film, which will soon stream on Netflix.

“Trailer. Truly remarkable,” the actor wrote, sharing the trailer on Instagram. The movie is the tale of a father, whose 13-year-old daughter is gang-raped. Chopra directed the movie directed by Indian-Canadian director Nisha Pahuja at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She instantly took to the film.

On Sunday, when she announced her onboarding as an executive producer, she wrote that the film felt personal to her, as the father and daughter hail from Jharkhand, where the actor was born. “This hard-hitting piece of art also really hits home on so many levels, but personally, I was born in the state of Jharkhand (where the survivor and her father are from), and as the daughter of a father who was my forever champion…I was moved to pieces. I cannot wait for audiences around the world to discover this moving story,” she wrote.

The film has been nominated in the best documentary feature film category at the Oscars. At the end of the trailer, which is sure to move you, the girl (rape survivor) can be heard saying, “To do good, to build a good future, isn't that why God created us in the first place?”

the-cast-of-modern-family-reunited-at-sag-awards-internet-buzzes-with-nostalgia

Sun Feb 25 13:18:50 IST 2024

Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson posted a picture with members of his onscreen family on his Instagram handle and fans are having a field day.

“I miss my family so much,” commented one user. “We are ready for the reboot,” wrote another. Ferguson's husband Justin Mikita wrote, “my fav fam.” The picture Ferguson posted featured Ed O'Neil, Eric Stonestreet, Sofia Vergara, Ty Burell and Ferguson's on-screen sister, Julie Bowen.

Sofia Vergara posted a picture too, but, it was blurry. She also shared a picture with her on-screen husband O'Neil and one with Stonestreet and Burell. “She’s the only one that didn’t age,” commented a fan. Another commented, “Phil is having the moment of his life and we know it.”

Eric Stonestreet shared the same image on his social media, which also garnered several comments. One of them read, “Orange juice gang.” About two days ago, Stonestreet had posted a picture of the Modern Family cast in a huddle, which marked end of the series. He wrote, “4 years ago, 11 years came to an end.”Rico Rodriguez, who played Manny Delgado in the series, commented, “Love and miss ya Jesse.”

The series, which aired for 11 seasons, was about families of two siblings and their father and their dynamics after their father marries a younger woman.

priyanka-chopra-joins-to-kill-a-tiger-as-executive-producer

Sun Feb 25 12:42:50 IST 2024

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has on-boarded To Kill a Tiger, the Oscar-nominated documentary as executive producer. This comes at the heels of Netflix announcing that the documentary will be available to stream on the platform.

"I’m so proud to join the incredible team of the Academy Award-nominated documentary @tokillatigerdoc and to announce that @netflix has acquired the global distribution rights to this powerful feature directed by @nishappics. When I first watched this film in 2022, I was immediately captivated by its poignant narrative, depicting a father’s valiant struggle within the judicial system to secure justice for his daughter," she wrote, sharing a picture of a report from Deadline.

The film directed by Nisha Pahuja, is about a father seeking justice for his 13-year-old daughter, who was brutally gang-raped in 2017. "This project serves as a testament to the boundless love and unyielding determination of a devoted father for his cherished daughter,” Chopra added.

“We are thrilled to share that @Netflix has acquired global rights to TO KILL A TIGER! What’s more, the amazing @PriyankaChopra joins as Executive Producer,” Pahuja wrote on Instagram. Reportedly, Chopra has been a supporter of the film since it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.

The film has been nominated in the best feature documentary category for the Oscars 2024. The documentary has so far won 24 awards in festivals around the globe. Chopra will be seen in Heads of State alongside Idris Elba and John Cena. She will also be seen in Russo Brothers’ film The Bluff and has been announced as one of the actors in the Farhan Akhtar film Jee Le Zaraa, alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.

poacher-might-leave-you-shaken-but-not-spell-bound

Sun Feb 25 11:24:08 IST 2024

There are beautiful shots of mist-enshrouded forests and roaming wild animals – snakes, bison, tigers, baboons, and of course, elephants – in Richie Mehta’s new show, Poacher, starring Roshan Mathew, Nimisha Sajayan and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, among others. But the brilliant cinematography is only a cog in the wheel that makes the show work. The forest is not just to be admired for its natural beauty, it is something to be cherished, protected and taken care of. For most city-dwellers, the forests and the wild animals that inhabit them, exist only in the periphery of our consciousness. That’s why a show like Poacher – about the forest officials fighting a trans-national ivory trading racket, based on the Malayattoor poaching case of 2015 – could be a rude awakening.

But Mehta is primarily here to tell a story, not deliver a sermon. He does it well, and the plot hardly ever falters. There is no artificial tang to the dialogues, and it is admirable that he has stayed true to the spirit of the story, without caving in to the urge to make it more sensational. This is not to say there is no sermonising, but it is skilfully hidden in the personas of his main characters – forest range officer Mala (Sajayan), tech-savvy snake expert Alan (Mathew) and the senior officer they report to, Neel Banerjee (Bhattacharya). All three deliver solid performances.

Their love for the forest and the elephants, and their desire to protect them, are Mehta’s main vehicle for saying what he wants to say. Once in a while, we get glimpses into their emotional landscape – like when Mala breaks down in a washroom and calls her mother, and her tough-cop exterior slips for a moment. But such glimpses are few, and mostly used to establish how much these forest officials have sacrificed for the sake of the work they do. Fortunately, at no point are they portrayed as some sort of samaritans; Mehta is all too keen to show their human frailties. For the most part, however, he keeps the focus on the poachers and the illicit ivory trade. This is, after all, a true crime drama, and some element of drama is essential to its success.

Yes, the show does have it in parts – when Mala almost lets an ivory seller slip through her fingers at an airport, when the crime fighters are nearly mobbed at a gully in Delhi when a gripping chase culminates in a dead-end. But, ultimately, the problem with Poacher is that, it is so committed to staying true to the story that it becomes predictable. Without the element of suspense, the pace slackens. It might leave you shaken, stirred or disturbed, but it might not leave you as engrossed.

Cast: Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew

Director: Richie Mehta

Rating: 3/5

davine-joy-randolph-pedro-pascal-win-at-the-sag-awards

Sun Feb 25 12:46:34 IST 2024

Oppenheimer continued to steamroll through Hollywood's awards season on Saturday, winning the top prize, for outstanding cast, along with awards for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

As the Academy Awards draw closer, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster biopic already a winner at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs has increasingly looked like the run-away favorite. The SAG Awards, one of the most telling Oscar predictors, will only add to the momentum for Oppenheimer, the lead Academy Awards nominee with 13 nods.

The SAG Awards were streamed live on Netflix, a first for a major Hollywood award show. That made for some significant tweaks to the age-old traditions of such ceremonies. There were no ads. Profanity was permitted. (Don't say anything you wouldn't say in front of Oprah, said Idris Elba.) And winners were occasionally interviewed backstage by red-carpet co-host Tan France sometimes awkwardly, sometimes charmingly.

The SAG Awards don't always signify Oscar success. Two of the last five winners from the guild (The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Black Panther) lost at the Academy Awards. But in the past two years, all five of the top SAG prizes best ensemble and the four acting winners have corresponded with the eventual Oscar winners, including the ensembles for Everything Everywhere All at Once and CODA.

That could mean the SAGs offered an Oscar preview in two of the closest contests: best actor and best actress.

The night's most thrilling win went to Lily Gladstone for female actor in a leading role in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. No category has been more hotly contested, with analysts evenly split between Gladstone and Emma Stone for Poor Things.

But Gladstone won Saturday and the crowd erupted. Stone, too, stood and vigorously applauded. More is riding on Gladstone than perhaps any other Oscar contender this year. Her win would be a first for Native Americans.

We bring empathy into a world that so much needs it, said Gladstone. It's so easy to distance ourselves. It's so easy to close off, to stop feeling. And we all bravely keep feeling. And that humanizes people. That brings people out of the shadows. It brings visibility.

Murphy and Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) have also been seen as in a neck-and-neck contest. But Murphy has now won at the SAGs, the BAFTAs and Globes, suggesting he has the clear edge heading into the Academy Awards.

Downey Jr. and Da'Vine Joy Randolph each won for their supporting performances, likewise solidifying their status as Oscar favorites.

Why me? Why now? Why do things seem to be going my way? said Downey Jr., accepting his first SAG Award for a film performance. "Unlike my fellow nominees, I will never grow tired from the sound of my own voice."

Randolph's performance in Alexander Payne's The Holdovers has been a breakthrough role for the 37-year-old actor. Now, she appears poised to win the Academy Award.

To every actor out there still waiting in the wings for their chance, let me tell you: Your life can change in a day," Randolph said. "It's not a question of if but when. Keep going.

After more than two decades airing on TNT and TBS to dwindling viewership, Netflix acquired telecast rights to the SAG Awards in early 2023. Netflix, a dominant force for years in awards season, turned host, too.

Personally, I can't wait to get home and have Netflix recommend this show to me based on all the other stuff that I watch myself in, joked Idris Elba, the night's de facto emcee.

The TV awards went largely to the same shows that have cleaned up at the Emmys and Golden Globes: The Bear (best comedy series ensemble, Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri ); Beef (Ali Wong, Steven Yeun); and the cast of Succession.

One exception was Pedro Pascal, who won best male actor in a drama series for The Last of Us over a trio of Succession stars.

This is wrong for a number of reasons, said a visibly stunned Pascal. I'm a little bit drunk. I thought I could get drunk.

This year's SAG Awards follows a grueling months-long strike in which the SAG-AFTRA union fought a bitter battle over a number of issues. Much of the work stoppage was prompted over changes in the film and TV industry brought on by streaming and a sea change led by Netflix.

Your solidarity ignited workers around the world, triggering what forever will be remember as the hot labor summer,'" said Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA. This was a seminal moment in our union's history.

The new streaming platform was sure to put even more of a spotlight on one of the most closely-watched predictors of the Academy Awards. Oscar voting wraps Tuesday.

Barbra Streisand held the audience in rapt attention while accepting a lifetime achievement award, presented by Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper.

I remember dreaming of being an actress as a teenager sitting in my bed in Brooklyn with a pint of coffee ice cream and a movie magazine, said Streisand, who recalled being transfixed by my first crush, Marlon Brando.

Streisand also took a moment to celebrate the Jewish pioneers of Hollywood.

Now I dream of a world where such prejudice is a thing of the past, she said.

Saturday's show was one of Netflix's most significant forays yet into live streaming events. Netflix has previously hosted a live Chris Rock comedy special, a celebrity golf tournament and a live reunion Love Is Blind episode that was marred by technical difficulties. But Netflix is gearing up for more. On March 3, it will stream a live tennis event.

indian-wildlife-documentaries-to-watch

Fri Feb 23 18:04:54 IST 2024

Poacher, the web series on wildlife crime being streamed on Amazon Prime, is getting rave reviews. Directed by Richie Mehta of Delhi Crime fame, and starring Nimisha Sajayan and Roshan Mathew among others, Poacher is about forest officials getting to the bottom of an ivory smuggling racket.

Here's are some documentaries and docu-series on India's flora and fauna, which will help you appreciate the diversities in the country's wildlife and why it is important to conserve them.

Wild Karnataka: This documentary celebrates the diversity of the state of Karnataka. This documentary, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, gives a glimpse into the state's flora and fauna. And into the large number of elephants and tigers. It has been filmed over four years using drones and hidden cameras. Background music for the film has been provided by Grammy-winning Ricky Kej. It was directed by Amoghavarsha an Indian filmmaker and wildlife photographer, who has worked with National Geographic and BBC. Watch it on YouTube.

Elephant Whisperers: This one won the Academy Award for the best documentary short film. It was directed by Kartiki Gonsalves. It tells the tale of Bomman and Bellie, a couple in Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai, who care for an orphaned elephant, Raghu. The couple works tirelessly to ensure Raghu's well-being. Watch it on Netflix.

Chilika - the Jewel of Odisha: Chilika, Asia's brackish lake and lagoon, was considered a dying wetland until it was scientifically restored. It is the largest wintering ground for waterfowl in the subcontinent. It hosts migrant birds from Central Asia, Siberia and Europe. The short documentary showcases the biodiversity at the lake. The film has been directed by Shekhar Dattari. Watch it on YouTube.

A Dream of Trees: This documentary follows the work of two scientists, Divya Mudappa and TR Shankar Raman. In 2001, they set out to restore degraded tropical rainforests in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. The duo go about doing this with the help of tea and coffee plantation companies. As the restoration progresses, it revives the forest, bringing back wildlife. Watch it on YouTube.

The Real Black Panther: This documentary short, follows the tale of Saya, the only black panther in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve's Kabini. In this film, directed by John Cullum, Saya is shown wanting to challenge the status quo and stake his claim to the throne. Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

Gaur in my Garden: This documentary is directed by Rita Banerji, a conservation filmmaker. It showcases human-animal interactions and conflicts in Kotagiri, Nilgiris. It mainly focuses on the experiences of the residents with the Indian bison, a threatened and endangered species. Watch it on YouTube.

The Jujurana's Kingdom: This documentary short, made by Munmun Dhalaria, journeys into the life of the colourful and vulnerable pheasant, Jujurana. The bird is native to Hazara in Pakistan and Uttarakhand in India. The film highlights what it takes to protect the species. Watch it on YouTube.

On the Brink: This docu-series showcases various species of animals across India. The series brings in local conservationists, environmentalists, scientists, and biologists, who talk about wildlife and the various methods that are implemented to protect endangered species. It takes us through various habitats across the country, following the rarest of animals and the effect climate change has on their life. Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar.