Top Entertainment News: Tamil Actor Jiiva Part of ‘83’
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Karan Johar, Tabu Walk the Ramp at Lakme Fashion Week 2019
Karan Johar and Tabu made appearances as the showstoppers for designer Gaurav Gupta at the inaugural show of Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019. Karan was seen sporting a sequinned red jacket and Tabu stunned in a floaty sliver number with delicate origami-like embellishments.
Read more on The Quint.
'Thackeray' Producer Sanjay Raut to Make George Fernandes Biopic
Fresh from the success of Thackeray, senior Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut now plans to make a biopic on veteran trade union leader and politician George Fernandes who passed away in New Delhi on 29 January, says IANS.
Despite their strong ideological differences, the Sena founder-patriarch Bal Thackeray and Fernandes enjoyed a great personal rapport, especially since the latter spoke fluent Marathi, among 10 languages he had mastered.
In fact, in the Thackeray film, a scene is depicted where Fernandes, played by Prakash Belawadi, visits Sena supremo Thackeray, essayed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in a Pune jail.
"Now I will make a biographical film on George Fernandes. It would focus mostly on the period from the mid-1950s in Mumbai to the Emergency, and the crucial role he played in coalition-era politics," Raut told the media.
Besides Thackeray, Fernandes had inspired the characters of a union leader D'Cost in Arun Sadhu's noted Marathi novel, Mumbai Dinank, and in the film Simhasan directed by Jabbar Patel.
Alia Bhatt Buys Home in Juhu
Reports suggest that Alia Bhatt has recently purchased a new apartment in Mumbai’s upscale neighbourhood of Juhu. The actor has allegedly payed double the original price of the house, shelling out over Rs 13 crore.
Huge Honour & Responsibility: MAMI Chairperson Deepika Padukone
Actor-producer Deepika Padukone has been voted the new chairperson for the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Former chairperson Kiran Rao has stepped down so as to focus on a film project. Read more here.
R&B Singer James Ingram Dead
R&B singer James Ingram, known for the soulful, smooth voice behind hits like "Just once" and "I don't have the heart", is dead. He was 66.
Ingram's long-time friend and creative partner, Debbie Allen, confirmed the news to cnn.com.
"I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name," Allen wrote in a tribute on Twitter.
The cause of Ingram's death was not revealed.
‘Hum Paanch’ to Return on Television With a New Cast
If you were growing up in the 90s, you would remember rushing home to watch Hum Paanch on TV, following the (mis)adventures of the Mathur family. Comprising the father (Ashok Saraf), two mothers (Priya Tendulkar and Shoma Anand) and their five mad-cap daughters Meenakshi (Vandana Pathak), Radhika (Vidya Balan), Sweety (Rakhee Tandon), Kajal bhai (Bhairavi Raichura) and Choti (Priyanka Mehra). It aired from 1995 to 1999, and then 2005 to mid-2006.
Well, the Mathur family is set to return on television for a third season as Hum Paanch Phir Se. The comedy show will have a new cast. According to IANS, actor Jayashree Venkataramanan has confirmed that she would be playing Kajal bhai.
Priyanka Chopra To Make Appearance on ‘The Ellen Show’
After a whirlwind wedding and a snowy honeymoon in Switzerland, Priyanka Chopra is ready to dive back into work. The actor is set to make an appearance on popular US talk show The Ellen Show hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres.
Priyanka shared a photo of herself on Instagram with the caption, “Ready for ya @theellenshow - tune in tomorrow! #isntitromantic”
Ryan Reynolds to Star in Romcom 'Shotgun Wedding'
Ryan Reynolds is giving his Deadpool suit some rest and is set to relive his romcom days with "Shotgun Wedding".
According to EW, the film will also have an action element to go along with the actor's public image, courtesy the Marvel film series.
Reynolds said he is looking forward to do a romantic comedy, his first after "The Proposal".
"I haven't done a romantic comedy since 'The Proposal' but I just fell in love with 'Shotgun Wedding'. It's so refreshing and surprising. I can't wait to bring it to life with Jason, Todd, Dave and the great team at Lionsgate," he said.
My Censor Board Is My Own Heart and Mind: Pooja Bhatt
From producing a movie franchise like "Jism" to a film like "Cabaret", actress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt has been redefining the image of women in Indian cinema since the 1990s. She says she will never project women in a vulgar manner while celebrating their sensuality and beauty.
"Since I started as an actress in the film industry, I realised the power of visuals, and how that can fuel the imagination of our mind. It is very powerful. Therefore, I always cater to my own sensibility first and then to the world," Pooja told IANS in an interview here.
"My censor board is my own heart and mind. Our audience can say that the women in my films are bold or sensual, but never ever vulgar. I can never look at a female body, even if it is naked, in a vulgar manner," added the daughter of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
'Hamid' Wins at Rajashtan International Film Festival
'Hamid', directed by Aijaz Khan, has won two awards at the Rajashtan International Film Festival, including best director and best actor for Rasika Dugal.
Tamil Actor Jiiva Joins Cast of '83'
Tamil actor Jiiva has been cast as cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in upcoming sports film 83.
The Kabir Khan directorial, which is based on India’s historic win at the 1983 Cricket World Cup, stars Ranveer Singh and Ammy Virk.
Karanvir Bohra Detained in Moscow
Actor Karanvir Bohra has been detained in Moscow due to passport damage. He says the Indian embassy in the capital of Russia is helping him to get the matter sorted out.
"So bummed... Waiting at Moscow airport because my passport is a little damaged. They are contemplating to deport me back to India. (Indian embassy in Moscow) I wished you would have told me that prior to issuing me the visa," Karanvir posted on Twitter on Wednesday.
His tweet was noticed by the Indian embassy in Moscow as they replied through their official Twitter handle: "Embassy officials are in touch with Russian authorities regarding the issue."
The actor flew to Moscow on Tuesday afternoon for the MacCoffee Bollywood Film Festival.
Web-Series on the Iconic 'Ponniyin Selvan'
The epic novel Ponniyin Selvan is being made into a web-series. Produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth, it will be directed by Sooryaprathap. Ponniyin Selvan is a historical novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy. It tells the story of Arulmozhivarman, who later became the Chola king Rajaraja Chola.
Ali Fazal Shares His Look From 'Mirzapur 2'
Ali Fazal has taken to social media to share his look from the second season of Mirzapur on Amazon Prime. Intriguing, eh?
Yami Gautam Felicitated by BSF in Amritsar
Actress Yami Gautam was given a memento and felicitated by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Amritsar for her performance in the hit film "Uri: The Surgical Strike".
"BSF is the first line of defence of our country and it gives me immense pride to have met them in person and be in their company. It was kind of them leaving me overwhelmed to have given me this love and to the team," said Yami, who visited Amritsar for the celebration of Republic Day on January 26.
The 30-year-old actress added that wherever the cast has travelled with the film, "especially meeting the men who serve our country have showered us with a great deal of appreciation and love. They have been unanimously happy with the essay of those in the armed forces and the incredible role they play in our society".
Malayalam Director Sreenivasan Hospitalised
Malayalam actor, director and scriptwriter Sreenivasan was hospitalised on Wednesday following breathing difficulties. He was put on ventilator support at the Medical Center Hospital in Ernakulam. A team of doctors, including a cardiologist attended to the Malayalam film industry veteran.
Speaking to The News Minute, the ICU duty doctor Gautham Chandran said, "He showed symptoms of a small heart failure, with water filling the lungs and high BP. We have given medicines to bring down the BP and moved him to ventilator support. There's a small improvement but as long as he's on ventilator support, we need to monitor him carefully. For at least 24 hours. We are waiting for more details. We have briefed his immediate relatives."
‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Hospitalised After Homophobic Attack
Chicago police opened a hate crime investigation after Empire actor Jussie Smollett said he was attacked by men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs and physically beat him.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Smollett reported that two men approached him and began shouting racial and homophobic slurs while he was walking here around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, reports The Guardian.
According to the police account, they then struck him in the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on him before one wrapped a rope around his neck.
Smollett went to Northwestern Memorial hospital. Police said he was being treated and was in good condition.
Shooting for 'Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare' Ends
Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava has wrapped up shooting for her Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar.
Shrivastava shared a photograph on her social media from the film's set, where the team can be seen joyfully celebrating the wrap-up.
Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare also stars Kubbra Sait, Vikrant Massey, Amol Parashar and Karan Kundrra.
The film is scheduled to have a 2019 release.
Pakistani Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Issued Ed Notice
The Enforcement Directorate has issued a show-cause notice to singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his manager Maroof Ali, both Pakistani nationals, for allegedly violating foreign exchange rules involving Rs 2.61 crore, officials said on Wednesday.
The notice, issued on Monday, has been served in a case that pertains to the seizure of undeclared US dollars from Khan at the Delhi airport in 2011. Khan and Ali both live in Pakistan.
"The show-cause notice has been served to Khan and Ali for violation of foreign exchange rules," an ED official said.
An ED statement said that Khan had engaged the late Chitresh Shrivastava (elder brother of Bollywood singer Aadesh Shrivastava) as global event manager, who used to collect payments on his behalf for various shows performed by him in India.
Major part of these payments were received in cash. This was illegally converted into US dollars through unauthorized sources by Shrivastava and the same was handed over to Khan, the ED said.
It said that Khan had illegally received $340,000 in India through unauthorized sources with the help of his event manager and with the support of his manager he had illegally taken out $225,000 out of India.
The ED has registered a case against Khan and Ali under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for illegal dealings in foreign exchange and also some Indians for their involvement in supplying foreign currency unauthorizedly. This followed a case filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
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