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‘It needs to be loud’: Jozef Van Wissem’s one-man mission to make the lute rock again

The Dutch ex-punk and Jim Jarmusch bandmate talks about his passion to free up a hidebound repertoire and make its strings ‘a real pop instrument’ Nobody can accuse Jozef Van Wissem of doing things by halves. The musician, very likely the world’s most notorious contemporary lutenist, owns a sonic arsenal of eight of the string instruments: some bespoke, and all boasting remarkable features. With them he has created a huge body of work, nearly 50 titles to date. Another album, This Is My Blood is released this May. Each Easter, Van Wissem settles down to compose a new record. He finds the peace of Warsaw, where everyone has “gone away for the holidays”, more amenable for work than “noisy” Rotterdam, where he also has a flat. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/lIktvjD via IFTTT

Riteish Deshmukh SLAMS Bageshwar Baba over Shivaji Maharaj comment: “Unacceptable and infuriating”

Actor Riteish Deshmukh has strongly reacted to controversial remarks made by spiritual leader Bageshwar Baba about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The statement triggered backlash online, with many expressing anger over the portrayal of the revered Maratha warrior king. Riteish, who is set to portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his upcoming historical film Raja Shivaji, also joined the criticism and shared a powerful response on social media. The controversy began after Bageshwar Baba claimed in a speech that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had grown tired of fighting wars and once placed his crown before Ramdas Swami, asking him to take charge of the kingdom while he rested. The remarks were widely criticised by many who felt they misrepresented history and undermined Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. Responding to the issue, Riteish took to X, formerly Twitter, and posted a message in Marathi. Expressing his views as a devotee and admirer of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the actor strongly obje...

Harvey Fierstein on Kinky Boots, addiction and survival: ‘When you get sober, it takes five years to get your marbles back’

He found roaring success on Broadway with Torch Song Trilogy, then appeared in blockbusters Mrs Doubtfire and Independence Day. But notoriety had a cost. The 73-year-old stage legend talks recovery, grief and why he’s taking aim at Trump I hear Harvey Fierstein’s inimitable rasp as soon as I enter Cotton Candy Fabrics quilt store in Connecticut. The walls are lined with vibrant fabrics and colourful quilts hang from the ceiling. On any given day you’ll probably find the 73-year-old five-time Tony winner here, among a chatty cast of crafty women and gay men. Fierstein took up quilting in 2009, partly inspired, he says, by his enjoyment of the cable TV show Simply Quilts, but also because of the Names Project Aids Memorial Quilt . It was to be displayed in Washington DC, and he wanted to make panels for two of his close friends who had died of the disease. He has been prolific ever since. He shows me photos of his creations on his phone: an LGBTQ+ rights quilt featuring pink triangles,...

Shanaya Kapoor-Adarsh Gourav starrer Tu Yaa Main trends in 12 countries on Netflix Top 10

Actor Shanaya Kapoor, who made an impressive debut with Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, followed it up with yet another standout performance this year—this time in a role vastly different from her first. Teaming up with director Bejoy Nambiar for Tu Yaa Main opposite Adarsh Gourav, Shanaya earned widespread appreciation for her portrayal of influencer Avnee, with audiences particularly praising her screen presence, performance range, and crackling chemistry with Adarsh. One of her dialogues from the film—“Tu yedi ho gayi kya, bachi?”—has especially struck a chord online, quickly turning into a fan-favourite pop culture moment and finding its way into memes, reels, and internet conversations. Following its theatrical run, Tu Yaa Main premiered on Netflix a few days ago and has continued to build momentum ever since. The film has been trending strongly on the platform, even reaching the No. 1 spot in India, while also charting in several international markets. Clips featuring Shanaya’s scenes ...

Luke Hemsworth: ‘I have to be very specific about which brother I am. But it still gets confusing’

The star on his famous acting family, wrestling Chris and Liam, the best advice from Anthony Hopkins and being traumatised by The Exorcist Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email In Beast, your new film about an MMA fighter, you play Gabriel: a dirtbag guy with a dirtbag goatee. Did you base him off any dirtbags you’ve met? Oh, that’s all me. I’m channelling my inner dirtbag. He has some inadequacy issues. He’s like a used car salesman; he looks fair and feels foul. But there are parts of me in him – I’m wearing my own snake skin boots for the whole film. I ended up actually keeping one of his suits, which I might have worn to a couple of premieres, which is pretty funny! [Laughs] Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/twlXANL via IFTTT

Michael B Jordan to take on big-screen adaptation of hit video game Battlefield

Oscar winner set to produce, and possibly star in, film of war game series with Christopher McQuarrie at the helm Michael B Jordan is following up his Oscar win with the announcement of another new project: a big-screen adaptation of the hit video game series Battlefield. According to the Hollywood Reporter , the Sinners star will produce, and possibly star in, a film based on the long-running war series which is being hyped as the year’s most in-demand project to date in Hollywood Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/gNmY7Tl via IFTTT

Kriti Sanon no longer CCO of Hyphen, skincare brand confirms decision

Actor-entrepreneur Kriti Sanon is no longer serving as the Chief Customer Officer of her skincare brand Hyphen, the company confirmed in a recent statement. The development comes nearly three years after the brand’s launch in 2023, during which Kriti had been closely associated with its positioning and outreach. The announcement was made through Hyphen’s official social media handle on April 24. In its statement, the brand acknowledged the significance of the decision and described it as part of a broader transition. “This is not a statement we make lightly. After careful study, we believe that this should be addressed honestly. The road ahead represents a tremendous transition. Certain painful but important decisions were taken. With that, we publicly announce that Kriti Sanon is no longer functioning as our Chief Customer Officer,” the statement read. The update quickly gained traction online, with users expressing a mix of surprise and curiosity about the move. Given Kriti Sanon’s...

Sunny Deol's next with Excel Entertainment is a "high-concept project"

Sunny Deol is set to collaborate with Excel Entertainment for a new film that is currently in development. While the makers have not officially shared details about the project, early information suggests that it is being planned on a notable scale. According to a source close to the development, “Sunny Deol is gearing up for a massive with Excel Entertainment, high-concept project that could redefine his big-screen presence. While the makers are keeping details tightly under wraps, insiders hint at an ambitious scale and powerful backing already in motion. The film has the potential to become one of his most impactful and talked-about ventures yet." At present, the nature of the film, including its genre, storyline, and supporting cast, remains undisclosed. The production house is known for backing a range of projects across genres, and this collaboration adds another title to its upcoming slate. Sunny Deol, who has continued to maintain a strong presence in Hindi cinema, is e...

Khalnayak Returns launch event: Sanjay Dutt CONFIRMS, "We are working on Vaastav 2"; makes an appeal to Rajkumar Hirani, "Raju, please make Munna Bhai 3!"

Actor-producer Sanjay Dutt, Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global (Aspect Entertainment), Subhash Ghai and Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios announced Khalnayak Returns at an event in Mumbai. Sanjay Dutt revealed that he’ll be producing the second part of the cult 1993 film under his banner, Three Dimension Motion Pictures. A journalist asked that besides Khalnayak, the other characters of the actor who have achieved legendary status are Raghu from Vaastav (1999) and Murli Prasad Sharma from Munna Bhai. Hence, the journalist enquired if sequels to these films could be made. Sanjay Dutt replied, “We are working on Vaastav 2. As for Munna Bhai, you’ll have to ask Raju Hirani. Raju, please make Munna Bhai again!” At one point during the event, Subhash Ghai narrated, “With Sanju, I first worked in Vidhaata (1982), in which he played the grandson of Dilip Kumar. He was forced into acting by his father (Sunil Dutt). He was like ‘Main kyun actor banu? Mujhe motorcycle chalani h...

Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani buys Rs.38 crores sea-facing apartments in Bandra

Pooja Dadlani, Shah Rukh Khan’s longtime manager and one of the most trusted members of his inner circle, has reportedly made a major real estate investment in Mumbai. According to property registration documents reviewed by CRE Matrix, Dadlani and her family have purchased three luxury sea-facing apartments in Bandra for a combined value of Rs.38.21 crores. The reported purchase has quickly become one of the most talked-about celebrity property deals of the year. The apartments are located in an upscale redevelopment project on Carter Road, one of Mumbai’s most sought-after residential stretches known for its premium sea-facing properties and celebrity residents. As per the reports, the ownership of the three apartments has been divided between Pooja Dadlani, her husband Hitesh Prakash Gurnani, and her father Mohan Seoram Dadlani, with one unit registered in each of their names. The homes are situated on one of the higher floors of a building named Varun, which is being developed by...