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Pioneering director with a vital role in India’s ‘parallel cinema’ movement who used his films to explore difficult issues The Indian film-maker Shyam Benegal, who has died aged 90, was a pillar of the “parallel cinema” movement, the informal grouping of independently minded and funded creatives whose work stood in stark, socially committed contrast to the song-and-dance escapism of Bollywood. Responding to real events and centred on marginalised characters (often women), Benegal’s breakthrough films of the 1970s rejected the cosmetic, crowd-pleasing approach of the Hindi mainstream. Yet they found an appreciative audience both at home and abroad, helping to make household names of such performers as Shabana Azmi, Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/8ADEln4 via IFTTT

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 after a flight in which she alleges Pitt was abusive to her and their children It was a great Hollywood love story, and a very 21st century one at that: two of the most famous actors in the world star together in a movie, and go on to have a large brood of children, a magazine tie-in wedding and one of the defining celebrity portmanteau brands of the age: Brangelina . In September 2016, however, after 11 years and six children together and two years of marriage, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt , citing irreconcilable differences. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/DWXC4fo via IFTTT

Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated New Year’s Eve concert in Ludhiana has sparked legal controversy. The event, which was part of his ongoing Dil-Luminati India Tour, became the center of attention after a complaint was filed against the artist for performing songs with alcohol references, such as 'Patiala Pegg', '5 Tara Theke', and 'Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya)'. Complaint Sparks Legal Action As per a report by ANI, the complaint, filed by Punditrao Dharenavar, an assistant professor from Chandigarh, highlighted concerns about the impact of these songs, especially on young audiences. The complaint prompted the Deputy Director of the Women and Child Department in the Punjab Government to issue a formal notice to the Ludhiana District Commissioner. The notice urged local authorities to prevent Diljit Dosanjh from performing the controversial tracks during his live concert. Legal Precedents and Warnings Dharenavar’s complaint references prior wa...

Based on a real mass killing, this 16th-century tale of backstabbing and beheadings is a clunker with a laddish edge ‘A great deal of this actually happened,” reads the title card at the start of this action-packed historical epic. Possibly. But it’s unlikely that anyone actually said these words. Like an episode of Game of Thrones scripted by Guy Ritchie, there is a laddish finesse to the dialogue in this 16th-century tale of backstabbing and beheadings. “That sounds like a load of bollocks,” splutters the Danish king Christian II to an adviser in one scene. The actors are mostly Danes and Swedes speaking lines in English, plus a few Brits with a slight Scandi tinge to their accents. The film is based on real events: the mass killing of Swedish nobles in 1520, ordered by Danish king Christian II (Claes Bang). The script gives history a revisionist twist or two: namely by adding a pair of aristocratic Swedish sisters, beautiful Anne (Sophie Cookson) and skilled hunter Freja (Alba Aug...

In a heartfelt tribute to the late Shyam Benegal, Doordarshan has announced a special screening of the filmmaker’s iconic 1976 classic Manthan. The screening, which will feature the 4K restored version of the film, is scheduled for January 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. This screening marks a significant moment as Manthan is not only a cinematic gem but also a tribute to the man whose contributions to Indian cinema continue to inspire generations of filmmakers. Restored Version of Manthan to Air on Doordarshan The restored 4K version of Manthan, a monumental film inspired by Dr. Verghese Kurien’s White Revolution, has been carefully preserved by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF). The restoration was showcased at the Cannes Classic section earlier in 2024. The process was made possible with support from the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (Amul), whose farmers funded the original production. The Film Heritage Foundation confirmed the screening date through a post on their offi...

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan is expanding his impressive property portfolio by purchasing two high-end properties in Andheri, Mumbai. With his rising success in the film industry, the actor is leveraging his increased financial standing to make strategic investments in both residential and commercial real estate. Details of the New Purchases According to a report by Mid-Day, Aaryan has been actively scouting properties with the assistance of veteran producer Anand Pandit. "Since a week, Pandit has been helping Kartik shop in Andheri for two properties—a high-end residential apartment and a commercial space of over 2,000 square feet," revealed the source. A Look at Kartik Aaryan’s Existing Properties The actor already owns several properties across Mumbai, solidifying his position not only in Bollywood but also in the real estate market. Notably, he owns two luxurious apartments in Juhu, each priced at over Rs 17.5 crore. One of these apartments is currently rented out at an...

A Mongolian family is forced to trade the splendour of the desert for the sprawl of the city in this exquisitely filmed documentary Like generations before them, Mongolian herders Davaa and Zaya lead a nomadic life in the Gobi desert, where they tend to their livestock; and life with their four children is a tough but contented one. Moving between the sweeping and the intimate, Gabrielle Brady’s hybrid film juxtaposes the vast splendour of the Mongolian landscape with moments of domestic warmth as the family huddle up together for a nap or a meal, filling the simple shed where they live with laughter. In one scene, the young children take turns telling scary stories of mythical happenings and deadly potions. Reality, however, has become much more frightening than fiction. As a result of the climate crisis, unprecedented natural disasters have wiped out countless herds, including Davaa and Zaya’s own. Left without their animals, the family reluctantly moves to the city for better oppo...

Actor who was catapulted to fame as one of the teen stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet in 1968 When Franco Zeffirelli ’s film version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was released in 1968, it made the two lead actors, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, into instant stars. Hussey, who has died aged 73, later said that “while it brought me fame – for whatever that’s worth – and glamour, it also thrust me into a spotlight that, while intoxicating, was at times too bright and too revealing”. At the time of the filming in Italy of Romeo and Juliet, Whiting was 17 years old, Hussey 16 (in the 1936 Hollywood version, the lead actors were 43 and 34). Zeffirelli was determined that his star-crossed lovers be credible teenagers. In his autobiography, Zeffirelli remembered that he was not immediately impressed with Hussey, saying “she was unfortunately overweight, clumsy-looking and bit her nails constantly”. But later he took a second look, and found that “she was a new woman: she ...

Aman Gupta, co-founder of the audio brand boAt and a prominent judge on Shark Tank India, recently shared a candid account of his professional challenges with a celebrity brand ambassador. Speaking on a podcast alongside fellow Shark Tank judge Anupam Mittal, Aman revealed how the actor's public image clashed starkly with his on-ground behavior. The conversation unfolded as part of promotions for the upcoming season of Shark Tank India, set to premiere on January 6. Discussing the duality in personalities, Aman said, “We had this actor as our brand ambassador. He was an extremely egotistical man. In the news, I had always heard good things about him. People only wrote that he is ‘sweet,’ ‘nice,’ ‘kind,’ and 'humble'... but his attitude was the extreme opposite when he worked with us. This experience taught me that people today have mastered the art of being humble." Netizens Suspect Kartik Aaryan or Diljit Dosanjh Aman's remarks quickly ignited speculation among n...

A devoted fan from Rajasthan marked Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's 59th birthday with an extraordinary gesture, distributing Being Human clothing worth Rs 6.35 lakhs to those in need. The charitable act coincided with the brand's special birthday discount campaign. Massive Distribution Drive Catches Social Media Attention A viral video captured the fan's generous initiative, showing the distribution of Being Human clothing packages. The brand, owned by Salman Khan, had already announced a 50% discount across all merchandise from December 25-27 to celebrate the star's birthday. "Bhai ka Budday hai, doston! Flat 50% OFF for every true-blue Salman fan – kyunki fandom ka asli swag Bhai ke saath hota hai!" read the official announcement from Being Human's website, encouraging fans to celebrate their idol's special day in style. Fan Community Responds with Warmth The gesture sparked positive reactions across social media platforms. "Jaisa Salman ...