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Showing posts from July, 2023

‘You have to get over the me thing’: Kevin Bacon on money, marriage – and learning to live with himself

Kevin Bacon, Hollywood’s great survivor, first set hearts fluttering in the 1984 classic Footloose. Now 65, he’s back on the big screen again. Here, he talks about his band, politics, family, embracing change and, most of all, learning selflessness… There’s a state that veteran Hollywood actors can reach, beyond ravenous ambition, but with retirement still distant, that seems to make them contented as professionals and mellow as people. Kevin Bacon, now 65, has hit that sweet spot. Continually employed for decades, he shares a Manhattan apartment as well as a Connecticut farm with his wife of 35 years, Kyra Sedgwick, and their two adult children, Travis and Sosie. Bacon is in a country band with his brother, Michael, and otherwise channels any musical overspill into adorable Instagram videos of the Family Bacon (barnyard animals included) covering pop songs old and new. The hunger of the 1980s lead-actor-in-waiting, the frustration of the bit-player in mid-career who kept a wary eye

#Barbenheimer backlash: Japan rejects co-marketing of Barbie and Oppenheimer as trivialising nuclear war

Warner Bros Japan has publicly criticised their US counterparts over ‘inconsiderate’ reactions to art combining playful Barbie imagery with mushroom clouds Warner Bros Japan has criticised what it called “extremely regrettable” Barbenheimer tweets shared by their US counterparts. It joins a growing backlash in Japan against the conflation of Greta Gerwig’s playfully marketed film with Oppenheimer, a biopic of the scientist behind the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/91MqYDj via IFTTT

Rahul Mahajan and Natalya Ilina head for divorce? Former REACTS 

Rahul Mahajan, who has been married twice before, is reportedly headed for divorce with his third wife, Natalya Ilina. The couple has been married since 2018, but according to a source, they have been having compatibility issues since the beginning. "They stretched their marriage as long as they could, but they parted ways last year and have filed for divorce," the source told Bombay Times. When the portal reached out to Rahul for clarity over the matter, he neither confirmed nor denied the portal. He said, "I want to keep my private life private. I would not like to comment on anything. I do not discuss what's happening in my personal life even with my friends... By the way, I'm doing well." The report quoted a close friend of Rahul stating that he was "absolutely shattered" after the breakup, but he is now "doing fine" and "getting back to life." "He was not in a great state last year, but now he is hoping to find love

The Unabridged Mrs Vera’s Daybook review – lovable profile of drag-artist campaigners

Straightforward telling of artists David Faulk and Michael Johnstone’s story of love and activism is warm and heartfelt Sometimes a hat festooned with plastic straws, Christmas tree baubles and random trash is more than just a hat festooned with plastic straws, Christmas tree baubles and random trash: it’s a political statement – well, sort of. This vivid, effervescent and often moving documentary revolves around David Faulk and Michael Johnstone, two artists who found each other in the middle of the Aids pandemic, fell in love and ended up building not just a life together but a wider community around the drag persona Mrs Vera. The latter is incarnated by Faulk, clad like a psychedelic Joan of Arc in an armour of upcycled polyester and tchotchkes, under a thick impasto of makeup – not unlike the inch-thick layers of paint he used to apply on canvases back in his days as a New York-based artist. But once he moved to San Francisco and started making art with life partner Johnstone, th

Kangana Ranaut reacts to Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy questioning the massive security given to the actress

Kangana Ranaut, who is of late been in news for her controversial statements against ‘superstars’ and ‘Bollywood’ industry, was questioned by a Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy for the Y plus security given to her. The actress received immense protection after she made accusations and statements against Shiv Sena which led to her being given ample security for protection. After Mr. Swamy questioned about the security on social media, the actress took to the platform to respond to his statement. Kangana Ranaut was left quite upset when a Rajya Sabha member accused her of being give too much security, responding to which, the actress called herself a ‘vocal and concerned citizen’. She added that her statements have often angered certain groups and also revealed that her upcoming projects can ruffle feathers, which led to her requesting for more protection. Subramanian Swamy took to Twitter to say, “The SPG knows, and has kept a register of her movements. I wonder why since it is no

Bhumi Pednekar joins Jio MAMI as the Brand Ambassador for Dimensions Mumbai

Dimensions Mumbai, a short film competition based on the theme of Mumbai City, is back and now open for submissions. The category was introduced in 2009 by Jaya Bachchan as an ode to Mumbai. Dimensions Mumbai competition is applicable for young filmmakers within the age group of 18–25 years across India; all they need to do is film Mumbai-based themes in Mumbai. Bhumi Pednekar is the Brand Ambassador for Dimensions Mumbai this year. A hard-core Mumbai girl herself, Bhumi Pednekar, in her role, will be engaging and supporting the young creative collective of aspiring filmmakers at Dimensions Mumbai. Commenting on this, Bhumi Pednekar said, "I am thrilled to be a part of Dimensions Mumbai this year. It's an incredible platform for young filmmakers; it empowers them to tell personal stories that mean something to them. It gives them an opportunity to showcase their film to a larger audience on a big screen. For decades, Mumbai has inspired filmmakers from around the world. This

Kangana Ranaut CONTINUES slamming Karan Johar, compares him with “Raavan”, accuses him of manipulating perception through “paid PR”; drags Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Ever since Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani released, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has left no stone unturned to bash the film and its director Karan Johar. In fact, besides a bunch of Instagram Stories, yesterday, on July 30, Ranaut dedicated three posts to Johar, in which she accused him of manipulating the perception of his movies through “paid PR." In a series of Instagram posts and Stories, Ranaut shared videos of Johar talking about his ability to control the media and influence public opinion. She also alleged that Johar uses his connections to get positive reviews for his films, even if they are not well-received by audiences.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@kanganaranaut) "It's not a crime to do atrocious work but to warp people's perception to think of worse as best and best as worse is demonic, evil and malicious," Ranaut wrote. "Hindi film industry is like a sinking ship

Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh to feature as actors in Akshay Kumar-Sanjay Dutt-Arshad Warsi starrer Welcome 3

Welcome (2007) is one of the funniest films of Bollywood and has a tremendous recall value. Though the sequel, Welcome Back (2015), was not as memorable, there’s a lot of excitement for Welcome 3. Recently, Arshad Warsi spilled the beans and confessed that apart from him, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Paresh Rawal are also a part of the third part of the franchise. A few days later, reports emerged that Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi have replaced Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar in Welcome 3. Bollywood Hungama now brings another exciting and unexpected update from this much-awaited comic caper. A source told us, “Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh have also bagged Welcome 3. They’ll be seen as actors in this film. It’s an interesting addition to the multi-starrer and their roles are expected to be very funny and crucial to the plot. Both Daler and Mika were taken aback when they were offered the film. However, they realized that theirs is a fun role. Hence, both the talented brothers decided to s

Producer Dinesh Vijan buys apartments worth whopping Rs. 103 crore in Mumbai

Bollywood producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films has spent a whopping Rs. 103 crore to purchase apartments. The producer purchased apartments on the 15th and 16th floors respectively at Parishram by Rustomjee on Nargis Dutt Road at Pali Hill in Mumbai. As per a report in Money Control, the apartment units are spread across 9,000 square feet and were registered on July 25, 2023. The carpet area of the units is 7,791 sq. ft. The registration took place between Keystone Realtors and Dinesh Prem Vijan. The documents showed that a stamp duty of Rs 6.17 crore was paid. Meanwhile, Dinesh Vijan is busy with many projects. Following Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, he is producing Stree 2 starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. He also has an untitled project with Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Meri Jaan with Mrunal Thakur and many more. ALSO READ: Stree 2: Filming begins for Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan’s horror comedy sequel from Latest Bollywood News | Hindi Movie News | Hindi Cinema N

NCW India raises Celina Jaitly's complaint against self-proclaimed Pakistani journalist for demeaning her; MEA initiates action

Celina Jaitly has taken action against a self-proclaimed Hindi film critic and journalist from Pakistan named Umair Sandhu who alleged that she was in a relationship with her mentor Feroz Khan and his son Fardeen and made some bizarre allegations. Celina took the matter to the National Commission of Women in India who in turn initiated action after the actress’ complaint and took the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs. In a long tweet, Celina revealed, “A few months ago, a self-proclaimed Hindi film critic and journalist from Pakistan named @UmairSandu took to Twitter to make viral untrue horrific claims about me which included bizarre allegations like my relations with both my mentor Feroz Khan and his son Fardeen , in addition he made claims targeting me and my family’s safety and security even in Austria.” A few months ago, a self-proclaimed Hindi film critic and journalist from Pakistan named @UmairSandu took to Twitter to make viral untrue horrific claims about me which

Emergency viewing: 15 must-see films about the climate crisis

These unflinching documentaries, indie thrillers and anime fables can help us to understand the climate emergency, and how to respond We are rapidly becoming the all-star cast of the biggest disaster movie of all time, and tragically it’s a global success. Towering infernos blaze over Canada, the Canaries and Rhodes, Bangladesh, China and even northern England have had their own devastating Poseidon adventures while the whole world continues to reel in the socioeconomic chaos of the Covid contagion and in fear of an H1N1 outbreak. Only the dramatic effects are no longer computer-generated, they are real, and people are really dying. I went to the Odeon in the 1970s and was terrified and wowed by the disaster film genre. Since the late 1980s I’ve been watching the real world’s climate effects department ramp up its protests to our wholesale inactivity and disregard for the science that says, with increasing accuracy, that humanity is facing Armageddon. But there’s been another competi

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi reacts to Naseeruddin Shah’s ‘darinde’ remark; says, “I object strongly to this distasteful & factually incorrect statement”

Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report about Naseeruddin Shah’s controversial ‘darinde’ remark against exhibitors and distributors recently. Speaking at an awards function on July 26 at Mumbai’s Regal cinema organized by the Film Heritage Foundation where veteran projectionists were awarded, Shah said that those who work the hardest in the film industry get paid the least. While making his point, the veteran actor added, “When the film gets completed and if it becomes successful, toh iski asli malaai distributors aur exhibitors naam ka darinde kha jaate hain (a large share of it is taken away by the demons called distributors and exhibitors).” Shah’s comment hasn’t gone down well with the exhibitors. Reacting strongly to his comments, exhibitor Akshaye Rathi wrote a detailed post on Twitter. Responding to Shah’s use of the word ‘darinde’, he said, “As a film exhibitor, I object strongly to this distasteful & factually incorrect statement.” Rathi elaborated, “As they say,

Singer Usha Uthup to grace Star Plus show Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si starring Mohit Malik and Sayli Salunkhe

With Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si, StarPlus is all set to venture into something different and relatable. The show is to be produced by Rajan Shahi. The story is going to revolve around a girl with a unique voice trying to make a place in the music industry against all odds. Baatein Kuch Ankaheen Si, starring Mohit Malik and Sayli Salunkhe in lead roles, revolves around two middle-aged people from different backgrounds and how their worldviews collide when they meet, with music set to play an important role in their journey. It is going to be a musical, fictional love saga. Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si will be the biggest musical television show. As we had earlier reported, Star Plus is going to bring a singer on board to promote their new show Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si, and we finally know who it is. Singer Usha Uthup will be seen promoting the show through a music video. As the show is about the protagonist, Vandana, making it big against the tides, she has a very unconventional voice and talen

Kangana Ranaut accuses a “womaniser superstar” of hacking her account; requests Mumbai Cyber Police to “take action”

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has accused two of her colleagues of criminal activities, including hacking her social media accounts, buying fake bulk tickets, and manipulating box office collections. In a series of Instagram stories on Sunday, Ranaut said that she was informed by a fan about a scam in which people were using her name to hack into accounts. She shared a screenshot of the scam, which showed a message from someone claiming to be Ranaut's online manager. Ranaut said that she had nothing to do with the scam and that the people behind it were part of the "film mafia." She also made some shocking claims about two of her colleagues, whom she did not name. "Film mafia has always indulged in criminal activities," she said. "This superstar who I dated later claimed that I was dating his imposter. He used to use different numbers and accounts to chat with me, he also hacked my account and operated in a shady way." Ranaut said that she also

The Storyteller to have Australian premiere at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne; Paresh Rawal REACTS

The highly acclaimed film The Storyteller, starring the renowned actor Paresh Rawal, after having been screened in Busan is now all set to have its Australian premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne next month in August. Directed by Anant Narayan Mahadevan, the film is based on the legendary Satyajit Ray's short story "Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro" and explores the themes of originality versus plagiarism. Alongside Rawal, the film features an exceptional ensemble cast including Adil Hussain, Revathi, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anindita Bose, and Jayesh More. The Storyteller is a cinematic gem that pays homage to the literary genius of Satyajit Ray. Based on the renowned author's celebrated short story, the film delves into the captivating conflict between originality and plagiarism. Through compelling storytelling and thought-provoking performances, The Storyteller poses important questions about creativity, inspiration, and the ethical boundaries of artistic expr

Streaming: Polite Society and the best ‘stop the wedding!’ films

Nida Manzoor’s fizzing comedy joins cinema’s long procession of disrupted nuptials, from The Philadelphia Story to Muppets Most Wanted I blame the movies for the tense, wilful shiver I feel at every wedding ceremony I’ve ever attended – when the priest or officiator opens the floor for objections, and a few seconds of awkward, semi-amused silence ensues. What a chaotic thrill it must be to speak up in that moment! I never would, of course, and have never seen anyone else do so. But in cinema, nuptials are made to be sabotaged as often as not, and by forces more malicious than the tepid British summer. The “stop the wedding!” film is virtually its own subgenre. Nida Manzoor’s fizzy, raucous comedy Polite Society is a pleasingly unusual addition to its ranks. The wedding targeted in Manzoor’s film isn’t a victim of romantic discord or envy. Instead, it’s the bride’s sister who simply believes it’s a bad idea all round. Martial arts-obsessed London teenager Ria (a delightful Priya Kans

Sonam Kapoor becomes spokesperson for hair care brand Kérastase

French Luxury hair care brand, Kérastase is delighted to reveal Sonam Kapoor as their brand spokesperson in India! The Bollywood star known for her impeccable fashion choices, is looking radiant in her new hair campaign with the brand! “For me, self-care is something I’ve always believed in! When you’re travelling, working, and trying to play multiple roles at the same time it’s so important to make sure that you invest in the right kind of care. Kérastase is a brand I deeply resonate with. It not only stands for innovative luxurious hair products but also for the message they deliver to women: dare to be who you want, because you have the potential! I’m so excited for our collaboration!” says Sonam Kapoor. Kérastase has been in India since 2005 and is now well known for its innovative and luxurious hair care offering that it brings to consumers through salons across 41 cities in India and through its own DTC platform www.kerastase.in. Today it is the leading luxury hair care brand i

Israel ambassador reacts to Auschwitz-Holocaust reference in Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor starrer Baawal: “Trivialisation of the Holocaust should disturb all”

Bawaal, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, released on Prime Video on July 21. Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film has opened to mixed reviews. While many applauded the performances of the actors, the film was also criticized for the analogies related to Auschwitz, Hitler and World War II references. Some even called the makers insensitive for using a highly sensitive topic as analogies in a romance drama. Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon on Friday spoke about the Auschwitz–Holocaust reference in Bawaal. He said that he has not watched the film, but the trivialization of the Holocaust should disturb all. “I did not and will not watch the film Bawaal but from what I’ve read, there was a poor choice of terminology and symbolism. Trivialisation of the Holocaust should disturb all. I urge those who don’t know enough about the horrors of the #Holocaust to educate themselves about it,” the ambassador wrote. I did not and will not watch the film Bawaal but from what I’ve read, t

Bhuvan Bam is all set to lend his voice for an international animated series

Bhuvan Bam is all set to add another feather to his cap. As per sources, following the success of his show, Taaza Khabar, Bhuvan Bam is all set to enchant young audiences by lending his voice to the lead character in an upcoming international animated series. The highly anticipated animated series, is scheduled to stream at the end of this year on a digital platform. Bhuvan Ban has been leaving hints on social media with stories of him dubbing for the said series. There are also posts where he is seen spending time at the studio. Although not many details are revealed, we hear that the show in question is a fun filled animated drama series targeted towards young kids and teenagers. A source close to the digital celebrity said, “Bhuvan has been spending time at the recording studio for the last three weeks. He worked with his voice coach ahead of recording. He’s known for embodying different roles and characters right from the start when he started with content on YouTube. This is his

Oppenheimer: sex, death and impending apocalypse – discuss with spoilers

Christopher Nolan’s film about the godfather of the nuclear bomb is impressive, and Cillian Murphy the perfect man for the job, but do women get a raw deal and is it all too sanitised? This article contains spoilers for Oppenheimer J Robert Oppenheimer’s apocalyptic legacy has haunted modern politics and culture, but his personal story is not obvious blockbuster material. It would take a film-maker of the talent, and Hollywood heft, of Christopher Nolan to pull it off. Oppenheimer opened in the US last weekend with a box office haul of $82m, second to Barbie’s gargantuan $162m. The instincts of Nolan, and his backers at Universal Studios, have been rewarded in a way that, hopefully, bodes well for the future of big-budget films about difficult subjects (Nolan isn’t the only purveyor of such work , but there aren’t many around). Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/1uiA3F7 via IFTTT

Trailer of Raj & DK's Guns & Gulaabs starring Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav to arrive on August 2

Netflix today dropped a teaser ahead of the trailer for the most-anticipated series of the year - Guns & Gulaabs. The trailer is set to launch with a showcase in the Capital on the 2nd of August! From the crazy minds of Raj & DK comes a gangster-comedy like no other, jahan 90s ke gaane, pyaar ke deewaane aur anokhey gangsters...sab milenge! Pulling off a casting coup, Guns & Gulaabs is a quirky, genre-blend that stars Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav, T.J. Bhanu, and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles. From the first kill to the first kiss, in Gulaabganj, anything can happen, gangs run riot, a cartel heir is reluctant to pull the trigger on his new life, a mechanic is looking for love and an officer is struggling to keep his secrets. Kasam paida karne wale ki, we can't contain our excitement for Raj & DK's first Netflix series! #GunsAndGulaabs ki romanchak aur manoranjan bhari duniya mein aapka swagat hai. Trailer arrives on August 2nd! ????????#GunsAnd

‘I was making a film about the trauma of an entire country’: director Alice Winocour on her movie about the 2015 Paris terror attacks

After her brother was caught up in the Bataclan siege, Winocour wanted to address the events that had scarred France. She explains why she focused on the aftermath, not the violence Even from the safety of her home, the film-maker Alice Winocour’s experience of the Paris terror attacks in November 2015 was terrifying. Her younger brother, Jérémie, was hiding in a back room at the Bataclan concert hall, and forbade her from texting him in case it gave away his location. She had to wait to hear that he made it out alive. Later, he told her about a random thought he had while waiting to die: that he had left a half-eaten yoghurt open in the fridge. What would whoever found it make of his poor kitchen hygiene? It is a touch of human absurdity that resurfaces in Paris Memories, her new film, about the 13 November attacks. Unlike the recent Jean Dujardin film November , it completely ignores religion and largely passes over the bloodshed. Instead, it joins films such as You Will Not Have M

Ram Kamal to direct Rukmini Maitra in magnum opus Draupadi

Dev Entertainment Ventures and Pramod Films once again collaborates to bring in the magical tale of Mahabharata on big screen. Produced by Bengal's superstar Dev Adhikari and Prateek Chakravorty from Mumbai, the film promises to be Bengal's biggest visual extravaganza. The production houses have roped in Bollywood filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee to helm this magnum opus. While Rukmini Maitra will play the title role. The film is based on noted author Pratibha Ray's award winning Odiya novel Yajnaseni. "When director Ram Kamal approached me for the film rights of Yajnaseni through my publisher Rupa Publications, I was delighted that even today Indian filmmakers are interested in the story of Mahabharata. My book, Yajnaseni, is about Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view with contemporary relevance. Yajnaseni is an epitome of Patience, Penance and Power. It's a creative collaboration, and Ram Kamal being an author himself, will definitely do justice to Yajnase

Zoey 102 review – Jamie Lynn Spears returns for unwanted nostalgia reboot

The long-gestating movie follow-up to the mid-aughts Nickelodeon show gets mired in a familiar ongoing adolescence If I were a television executive, particularly one at a large streaming platform that contains a teen network, I would certainly consider a reboot of Zoey 101. The tween series, which ran from 2005 to 2008 and starred Jamie Lynn Spears as a boarding school student in Malibu, is remembered fondly by a certain slice of Nickelodeon-raised late millennials. Its ending felt premature and tinged with sadness, as the series finale aired a few months after Spears, the younger sister of Britney, revealed that she was pregnant at 16. Though the show had already wrapped production before Jamie Lynn became a too-young tabloid fixture, the popular impression was that her off-screen shock pregnancy torpedoed the cutesy, very PG series. (As a 14-year-old at the time, this was a brain-searing event.) In other words, there’s an on-paper case for Zoey 102, the new Paramount+ movie reboot

Rahul Bhatt, Sunny Leone starrer Kennedy gets chosen as the closing film at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

The 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated film Kennedy starring Rahul Bhatt and Sunny Leone, directed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, has been selected as the prestigious closing night film. The festival, celebrating the best of Indian cinema, will conclude with the screening of this neo-noir thriller on August 20, 2023 in Melbourne. Kennedy had its grand world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and it also received a lot of critical acclaim and attention for its gripping storyline and for the performances of Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhatt. The closing night ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair, as it will be graced by the director himself, Anurag Kashyap, who is known for his bold and unique storytelling. Alongside him, the lead cast of Kennedy, Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhatt will also be present to share their experiences and insights into their roles in the film. But that's not all; A day ahead of

Kriti Sanon launches own skincare brand “Hyphen” on her 33rd birthday!

In the ever-expanding world of celebrity beauty brands, a new entrant has emerged. Bollywood star and birthday girl Kriti Sanon is the latest celebrity to jump on the bandwagon, as she recently launched her own skincare line named “Hyphen.” The expectations are naturally high when it comes to celebrity brands, and Kriti Sanon's venture into the beauty industry has created a buzz. Today, Kriti took to her Instagram and shared a post announcing her brand. Talking about it, Kriti said in the video, “Why do we put people in a box? And say, this is who you are? Why can't we be everything we want to be in life? I refuse to be a full stop or be limited by a bracket. I'd rather be a hyphen. Hyphen has hope! Hope that there's going to be something more after it. Hyphen is a hope of possibilities, opportunities of adding more chapters to my life. I'm an engineer, a model, an actor, an entrepreneur, a producer, a separately poet, a fitness enthusiast, a skin nerd and a lot mo

Sunny Leone and Ameesha Patel skip meeting amid non-payment of dues issues of Rs. 21 lakh and Rs. 1.2 crore respectively; IMPPA to take strict action against them

Actors Sunny Leone and Ameesha Patel are making headlines for non-payment of dues of Rs. 21 lakh and Rs. 1.2 crore respectively with producers. Both the actresses were summoned before the Arbitration Tribunal of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) on July 25 in response to the complaints by the producers about their pending dues. However, the actresses failed to appear before them and now IMPPA plans to take strict action. Reports stated that producers Haresh Patel of M/s AD Films and Vinod Bachchan of M/s Soundarya Productions had filed complaints against Sunny Leone and Ameesha Patel respectively. As per ETimes, IMPPA has “directed them to pay the entire claim payable to the aforementioned producers within 7 days of the meeting failing which there will be consequences.’ Meanwhile, on the work front, Ameesha Patel will be next seen in Gadar 2 alongside Sunny Deol wherein she reprises the role of Sakeena. The trailer was launched on Wednesday. It will release on

EXCLUSIVE: Yami Gautam starrer Dhoom Dhaam opts for direct-to-digital release; sold to JioCinema

The makers of Yami Gautam-Pratik Gandhi starrer Dhoom Dhaam were in a happy dilemma for a long time whether to release the film in theatres or on OTT and after a lot of discussions, the film has been sold to an OTT platform JioCinema for a direct-to-digital release. As per the industry source, “The producers of the film (Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar, Jyoti Deshpande) have been extremely confident about the film and have been aware that they have a winner at hand thanks to the multiple focus group/trial screenings that have been held by them. The unanimous feedback from all these screenings, which had people from different walks of life has been phenomenal. It is after a very long time that, such a good, fun film, family-entertainer, new age caper comedy will be released for the audiences. It will definitely be a breath of fresh air in a time when there is so much dark, gritty content available online. As per the source, the film has been sold at the highest price compared to the previous

Is there a sequel to RRR on the anvil? Writer Vijayendra Prasad spills the beans

There has been a lot of talk lately on a sequel to A S Rajamouli’s international blockbuster RRR, which has broken nearly every box office record of Indian cinema. So the talk of a sequel seemed more like wishful thinking than reality. However when I asked the RRR writer Vijayendra Prasad to throw light on the ostensible sequel to RRR, he replied, “Sir, it’s both a yes and a no...After the release of RRR I shared an idea of the sequel where the story continues with Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (NTR Jr) set in Africa.” Vijayendra Prasad, who is a regular writer on his son Rajamouli’s projects, says the idea of the sequel appealed to Rajamouli. “My son liked it and asked me to develop it into a full script.” Vijayendraji says the sequel is likely to happen after Rajamouli completes his film with Mahesh Babu. “Right now he is fully into the movie with Mahesh Babu...and knowing my son’s temperament he will not pay any attention to the sequel-idea till the movie with Mahes

The Virgin Suicides review – Sofia Coppola’s debut rereleased with solemn trigger-warning

Sunlit suburban calm masks the shocking nature of the story itself: a horrendous tragedy in the guise of a teenage coming-of-age movie Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Sofia Coppola made her feature directing debut with this adaptation of the literary sensation of its day: Jeffrey Eugenides’s novel about five teen sisters in 70s suburban Michigan who take their own lives. Now it is rereleased with a solemn trigger-warning disclaimer at the beginning about certain historic attitudes which might now cause offence; these are unspecified, but appears to mean the entire premise of the film, up there in the title, but which is treated more circumspectly nowadays in the context of new ideas around self-harm and “suicidal ideation” . This was a movie which mystified as many as it entranced, and it would be honest of me to admit that I didn’t quite understand it back in 2000, and maybe don’t quite now. But I can perhaps appreciate with more clarity its artistry and poise and the confident

Mumbai court drops extortion charge against Javed Akhtar filed by Kangana Ranaut

A Mumbai court on Tuesday dismissed the extortion charge against lyricist Javed Akhtar which was filed by Kangana Ranaut. The case revolves around her public dispute with Hrithik Roshan. According to her plea, she alleged that Akhtar had called her and her sister Rangoli Chandel to his house in March 2016, and demanded an apology from her to Hrithik Roshan. "Asking a person to give a written apology will not come under the definition of valuable security....because no legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released," a Magistrate court said in Mumbai, as reported by India Today. "However, the accused, with a malafide intention and ulterior motive, called her and her sister Rangoli Chandel at his house in Juhu in the month of March 2016 and criminally intimidated and threatened the complainant (Kangana Ranaut) as well as forced her to tender a written apology to the co-star thereby forcefully seeking to create a document (valuable sec

Haunted Mansion review – Disney theme-park chiller is joyless Halloween merch

Lakeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson and Jamie Lee Curtis cannot save this laborious story of a creepy old dwelling and the awful Hatbox Ghost There’s scope for a genuinely disturbing and subversive horror set in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, the attraction which first opened at the original theme park in Anaheim in California in 1969, with cloned versions appearing at the Magic Kingdom in Florida in 1971 and Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. There’s also scope for a properly funny, amiably creepy Goosebumps-type family comedy based on it. But this tiresome, convoluted piece of corporate IP product isn’t it; like the 2003 film version with Eddie Murphy , it feels cynical – though I must admit I have never seen the Muppets Haunted Mansion special. This new attempt to cross-monetise the tourist walkthrough is laborious and joyless while the throwaway funny lines, which do exist, only serve in the end to remind you how clunky it really is overall. Writer Katie Dippold has worked on fu

‘It’s unsustainable’: can Hollywood survive without transformation?

Despite the success of Barbenheimer, the industry faces strikes, AI concerns and an untenable situation for those not at the top It was a pink mushroom cloud that even enveloped the White House. “Did you see Barbie or Oppenheimer this weekend?” a reporter asked the press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre. She replied: “I knew I was going to get that question. I did not. But heard that it did very well.” Both films did very well : Barbie collected $162m in ticket sales while Oppenheimer, about the father of the atom bomb, earned $82.4m. It was comfortably the best weekend at the domestic box office since the coronavirus pandemic. But when future historians come to study the “ Barbenheimer ” phenomenon, they may still have a question: was this the dawn of a Hollywood renaissance or glorious last stand of an industry in decline? Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/U7sOIRQ via IFTTT

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani: Alia Bhatt reacts as CBFC asks to remove abusive words, references to Mamata Banerjee and Khela Hobe: “The final cut is seamlessly flowing regardless of these minor cuts”

Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt have been busy promoting their upcoming movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Billed as a new era of love, the film is helmed by Karan Johar. The fourth song 'Dhindhora Baje Re' was launched in Kolkata as the song features sindoor khela during Durga Puja. The two were accompanied by Tota Roy Chowdhury and Churni Ganguly. However, CBFC had asked for several cuts in the movie. From scenes containing abusive words to references to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including the dialogue ‘Khela Hobe’ (Game on) which was the slogan for TMC during the 2021 Assembly elections, were asked to be removed. While interacting with the media, Alia addressed the CBFC cuts. When asked about the cuts in the movie, Alia Bhatt said that they followed the protocol but also said that even after those cuts, the final film flows seamlessly. She said, “There have been some minor cuts that have been asked by the board and we respect that complet

Punjab '95: Jaswant Singh Khalra biopic starring Diljit Dosanjh to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2023

Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP is set to captivate audiences with their latest venture, Punjab' 95, a biopic based on the life of eminent human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Starring the immensely talented Diljit Dosanjh, Punjab '95 is the only film this year to get a gala premiere from India, at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In an era where real stories have struck a chord with audiences, Punjab '95 promises to be another thought-provoking masterpiece from the house of RSVP. With Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, and Surinder Vicky leading the cast, the film is expected to be a gripping portrayal of Jaswant Singh Khalra's life and his remarkable journey as a human rights activist. World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival! Presenting the first look of Punjab ‘95, a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji ????????@honeytrehan @rampalarjun @Suvinder_Vicky #GeetikaVidyaOhlyan @kuk

Kate Winslet, Emily Blunt and Olivia Colman movies headed to Toronto film festival

Despite the actors’ strike limiting promotional activity, a bumper lineup of Oscar-tipped films is set to premiere in September Much-anticipated films starring Kate Winslet, Emily Blunt and Olivia Colman are set to premiere at this year’s Toronto film festival. The annual gathering of A-list stars is set to be an unusual edition as a result of the ongoing actors’ strike, which forbids members of the Screen Actors Guild from promoting certain films. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/wTs3lev via IFTTT

Barbenheimer bonanza: how two films saved the summer box office

Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan’s vastly different summer offerings have opened to record-breaking numbers at a precarious time for the industry The past weekend wasn’t the first time that two major films had been released simultaneously but the big screen blitz of Barbie and Oppenheimer saw the first time audiences saw it less as a competition and more of a collaboration. Months ago, Barbie v Oppenheimer had been widely discarded for the cosier, Bennifer-adjacent Barbenheimer, the bomb-maker and the bombshell hand-in-hand, fans planning to watch them both rather than just one, an unprecedented event that had exhibitors and studios both geared up for a much-needed win. But even the most ambitious box office analysts couldn’t have predicted just what a win that was going to be, the higher end of estimates now looking positively conservative, the two films combining to shatter records and create a genuine, online-to-offline pop culture phenomenon. Continue reading... from Film

Sunny Deol’s second son Rajveer Deol and Poonam Dhillon’s daughter Paloma Thakeria to mark their debut with Rajshri Productions’ Dono

Earlier we had reported that Sooraj Barjatya's son Avnish Barjatya is all set to don the director's hat with his debut film, titled Dono. While Rajshri's fourth generation is foraying into the film world, Dono isn't just Avnish's directorial debut. The film will also launch Sunny Deol's son Rajveer and Poonam Dhillon's daughter Paloma in Bollywood. The makers released an announcement poster on July 24 whereas a teaser of the film will be unveiled on Tuesday, July 25. Interestingly Sunny Deol and Poonam Dhillon have played the leads in the iconic love story of Sohni Mahiwal in 1984. And now their children, Rajveer Deol and Paloma Thakeria aka Paloma will be essaying the role of two lovers in their upcoming film debut. Although the details of their characters are yet to be revealed, it is believed that the backdrop of a beach plays an essential role in their romance. The makers also unveiled a poster along with this announcement wherein Rajveer and Paloma are

Sonam Kapoor roped in as brand ambassador for exquisite diamond boutique Zoya

Zoya, the exquisite diamond boutique from the House of Tata, today announced Sonam Kapoor Ahuja as their brand ambassador. Redefining the way fine jewellery is experienced in India, the luxury atelier celebrates fifteen years of crafting meaningful pieces of wearable art, created exclusively with the discerning, aesthetically astute woman as its muse. Every rare Zoya creation sparkles in celebration of a woman connecting to her most authentic self. "Zoya and I share a fierce pride in India’s rich tradition of jewellery craftsmanship and a passion to showcase its brilliance to the world,” says Sonam Kapoor. From statement-making red carpet looks to trendsetting street fashion, the actor has always led India’s style game with standout looks and sartorial choices. The appointment solidifies the star’s friendship with the label, and underscores a synergistic approach to style. “Over the last 15 years, Zoya’s name has become synonymous with rare jewels that have exceptional crafting

Manish Malhotra confirms he is making Meena Kumari biopic, says Rekha inspired him: “We are still working on the script”

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra is turning to direction. Ready to launch his production house Stage 5 with three movies, one of the projects will be a biopic on veteran legend, late Meena Kumari. The ace designer recently confirmed that he is indeed working on the biopic and that the scripting is currently underway. In an interview with Film Companion, Manish Malhotra said, “I don’t know how it got out but it is happening. We are still working on the script. The script is key, always. I have been reading her books. The film is based on her books. I have always been fascinated by Meena Kumari.” He revealed that Rekha inspired him to go ahead with the Meena Kumari project. He added, “Rekha told me once that you know when you turn 40, you will understand the genius of Meena Kumari. And that is true. But I was young and I was busy working but when I turned 40 I not only understood the genius of Meena Kumari but even Nargis ji and Dilip Kumar and Guru Dutt. I started watching that cinema

John Farnham: Finding the Voice review – a gushy account of Australian music history

This eulogistic documentary has Farnham’s blessing, but we learn very little about the man himself as everyone else reflects on his career Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email The biggest question I had going into director Poppy Stockell’s documentary about the beloved Australian singer John Farnham is: how many times will it deploy that song ? You know, the one reminding us that we’re all someone’s daughter, we’re all someone’s son. The song that arrived in 1986 and became seared on to the national psyche, to be played and replayed ad infinitum, and may God curse the swinish face of any so-called ‘Strayan who doesn’t like it. Will You’re the Voice be played once? Twice? Will it be reserved for the last act? How long can we look at each other keep watching a Farnesy doco without hearing this amazingly catchy tune about standing up to injustice? The answer is: about halfway through the runtime. But even then we hear the song in pieces, as the story around it is recounted.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has a runtime of 168 minutes, gets U/A certificate from CBFC

Karan Johar is all set to return as a director after almost seven years with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. His last directorial venture Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had released in 2016. His latest film stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles and the two have been religiously promoting the film in different parts of India these days in various events. As the film readies itself for release, more details about the movie have emerged. Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh has revealed on Twitter that the runtime for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is 168 minutes and 33 seconds, which comes down to 2 hours, 48 minutes and 33 seconds. He also mentioned that the movie has been granted U/A certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Bollywood Hungama was the first one to recently disclose the censor details of the movie. The CBFC asked the makers to remove the abuse ‘b******d,’ which is used several times in the film, with ‘behen di’. The rum brand ‘Old Monk’ is changed t

‘I’m monomaniacal, I get slightly obsessive’: actor Tobias Menzies on tennis, moon landings and people watching

Tobias Menzies has always relished a challenge, whether it’s playing Prince Philip, or a New York therapist – or just keeping up with Brad Pitt As a child, the British actor Tobias Menzies was a talented junior tennis player. At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, he decided to see if he could get his game back. He joined his local club in north London and started hitting, mostly on his own with a machine firing balls at him, at least a couple of times a week: for the first six months, he only struck forehands; then he did a similar stint on his backhand. Two years on, Menzies has finally felt ready to contest matches, mainly against the club pro. “When I started playing again, I thought, ‘OK, I’m going to do my 10,000 hours, I’m going to start again,’” says the 49-year-old Menzies, referring to the principle, popularised by the writer Malcolm Gladwell, that it takes that amount of time to achieve expertise in any field. “I’m monomaniacal, I get slightly obsessive. I don’t get bored

Kajol opens up on the success of The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha; says, “Being able to represent the strength of a woman and being appreciated for that portrayal is empowering for me”

Kajol’s web series debut The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha is garnering a positive response from the audience. Streaming on Disney + Hotstar, the show trails the journey of Noyonika played by the stunning Kajol, as she embarks on a journey that truly makes her stand the test of time after her husband’s betrayal. Kajol’s portrayal of a vulnerable woman who takes the rein of her life in her own hand has been unanimously appreciated by audiences. The show’s esteemed star cast Sheeba Chaddha, Jisshu Sengupta, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait and Gaurav Pandey have raised the bar with their impactful performances in this gripping journey of Noyonika’s life. Directed by Suparn S Varma, the show has reached a remarkable number of views and has been receiving good word of mouth. Elated with the response Kajol has garnered for the series, she shared, “Noyonika’s character is very close to my heart. She is a strong and practical woman who is always ready to tackle every situation in her life. Hearing t

Oppenheimer is the BIGGEST Hollywood opener in Inox Srinagar, Kashmir; has an outside chance of crossing the collections of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan

Bollywood Hungama has been at the forefront to report about the reopening of cinemas in Kashmir. The first multiplex in the beautiful state was opened on September 20, 2022. Two days earlier, on September 18, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated Multipurpose Cinema Halls, located in Pulwama and Shopian districts. RRR (2022) was the first film shown in Kashmir in these theatres and also the first film to be screened in Kashmir in three decades. Last week, we also reported on how Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023) will be the first film to be screened at the newly opened theatres in Kashmir’s Baramulla and Handwara. And now, Kashmir theatres are back in the news, thanks to Oppenheimer. The Christopher Nolan directorial is done beyond expectations across the country, and Inox Srinagar is no exception. It emerged as the biggest Hollywood opener and could possibly emerge as the highest Hollywood grosser in the state, beating other recent Hollywood biggies like Fast X (2023), John Wick: