Top Entertainment News: ‘Romeo Akbar Walter’ First Look Out & More
What’s breaking in the world of entertainment?
X-Men Director Bryan Singer Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minors
Bryan Singer has again been hit with allegations of misconduct for engaging in sexual encounters with underage boys.
The Bohemian Rhapsody co-director has categorically denied the charges.
According to a report by The Atlantic on Wednesday, four men allege that Singer had sexual encounters with them when they were teenagers in the late 1990s.
One of the men, Victor Valdovinos, says he was a 13-year-old extra on the set of Apt Pupil when the film's director, Singer, fondled his genitals.
Read more here.
Amitabh Bachchan Denies Buying IPL Stake
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has denied that his family was interested in picking equity stake in any of the franchises of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).
"This news is incorrect," Bachchan told IANS when asked about media reports on the issue.
Earlier, there were reports that the Bachchans had approached the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals with proposals to buy stakes in the franchises.
While the talks with three-time champions CSK were reportedly unsuccessful, discussions with the Royals did not progress beyond the first round.
Interestingly, the Bachchan family already has stakes in Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Chennaiyin FC and Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) franchise Jaipur Pink Panthers.
'The Gandhi Murder' Will Not Release in India: Producer
The Gandhi Murder is set to hit the screens worldwide on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary -- January 30, but its release in India has been cancelled as "certain elements have issued threats" to its makers, claims its producer Lakshmi R. Iyer.
"We have decided against releasing The Gandhi Murder in India. India is a big market, with all kinds of people. Unfortunately, certain elements have issued threats including bodily harm to the producer and director," Iyer told IANS.
The film, co-directed by Karim Traidia and UAE-based director Pankaj Sehgal, is the makers' take on the "real truth behind Mahatma Gandhi's assassination on January 30, 1948".
"The Central Board Of Film Certification had cleared it last year. It is not biased in any way. If Indians are too sensitive to learn the truth, it is clearly not the time," she said.
The film stars American actor Stephen Lang and late actor Om Puri, among others.
Farhan, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to Perform at Lalkaar Concert
Actor Farhan Akhtar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Shaan among other performers will take the stage at the Lalkaar concert here on February 14, taking forward a message on women empowerment.
The concert, to be held at Bandra Fort Amphitheatre, is led by the Population Foundation of India (PFI), Farhan's MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination) and director Feroz Abbas Khan.
PFI's popular television edutainment series "Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon" has impacted lives through its focus on women's health, family planning and gender issues. Lalkaar will take the show's messaging ahead with the objective of enabling, empowering and transforming women at large.
It will be an evening of music to not only honour those who fight the odds to bring about change but also urge everyone to pledge in order to protect and empower women everywhere.
'Romeo Akbar Walter' First Look
The first look of John Abraham’s Romeo Akbar Walter has just been released. John took to social media to share the picture with the caption: “One man. Many faces. One mission - to protect his country. Presenting ‘Romeo’ from #RAW, based on the true story of a patriot. #RAWRomeo”. The film is directed by Robbie Grewal, and releases on 12 April.
Padmini Kolhapure's Son Priyaank Sharma All Set for Bollywood Debut
Actor Padmini Kolhapure’s son and Shraddha Kapoor’s cousin, Priyaank Sharma is all set for his Bollywood debut in debutant Karan Kashyap's upcoming film, Sab Kushal Mangal. According to Mumbai Mirror, Priyaank would star in the film alongside Akshaye Khanna.
'Lego Movie 2' to Open in India in February
Chris Pratt's "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" will release in India on February 8.
Warner Bros. Pictures is bringing the film to India. It will also release in IMAX, read a statement.
A standalone adventure, the film builds on the existing narrative from the original "The Lego Movie".
The film reunites the eclectic gang of Lego, the heroes of Bricksburg, to save their city.
In the movie, Pratt is returning to voice Master Builder Emmet Brickowski along with new character Rex Dangervest. The unfailingly optimistic Emmet has been searching the galaxy for Lucy (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) after her abduction by a malevolent, alien force.
I've Had No Involvement in My Father's Business: Shilpa Shetty
Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra on Wednesday said she has had no involvement in her late father's business, amid reports that she, her mother and her sister are being dragged to court over a Rs 21 lakh loan taken by Surendra Shetty.
"I have had no involvement in my late father's business ever and have no knowledge of the financial dealing of the company at all. This gentleman is misleading the media. I knew him in the capacity of our family car mechanic, that's all," Shilpa said in a statement.
Akshay Kumar, Kareena Start Shooting for 'Good News'
Actor Akshay Kumar on Wednesday started shooting with actress Kareena Kapoor Khan for their upcoming film "Good News".
Amidst the ongoing 10-year-challenge on social media, Akshay took to Instagram and posted his throwback and current photographs with Kareena.
"2009 to 2019, the good news is that not much has changed, or so we hope. First day of the shoot it is, do send in your best wishes. #10YearChallenge," he wrote.
Akshay and Kareena are reuniting on the big screen after four years. They last co-starred in "Gabbar is Back."
Aamir Khan Screens 'Rubaru Roshni' for Sri Sri Ravishankar
Sri Sri Ravishankar and Mahaveer Jain attended the screening of Rubaru Roshni along with Aamir Khan in Bengaluru. The film is produced by Aamir and Kiran and directed by Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal.
Anupam Kher, Jimmy Fallon Meet, Share Mutual Admiration
Veteran actor Anupam Kher met Jimmy Fallon and said that he is admires the TV show host and comedians work.
Anupam, who has featured in Hollywood film "The Silver Linings Playbook" among many others, on Wednesday tweeted a selfie along with Fallon, who is the host of "The Tonight Show".
"When you meet someone whose work you admire says he is a fan of your work, it is a wonderful and a humbling feeling. Thank you dear Jimmy Fallon for your warmth, appreciation and generosity," Anupam captioned the image.
Chris Brown Released After Arrest in Paris on Rape Complaint
Rapper-singer Chris Brown was released without charge, hours after he was detained in Paris over a rape allegation.
The 29-year-old singer and two of his associates, including a bodyguard, were held by police on Tuesday following an investigation into an alleged rape at Le Mandarin Oriental hotel, where he has been staying for Paris Fashion Week.
The Grammy Award winner was detained on suspicion of aggravated rape and a drug offence.
Not Being Part of 'Manikarnika...' Will Always Bother Me: Sonu Sood
Sonu Sood had to walk out of "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" owing to his professional commitment towards "Simmba". And the actor says not being a part of the period drama will always bother him.
"Not being a part of 'Manikarnika...' will always bother me. I will always miss that whole experience of shooting for the film because the film was very special to me," Sonu told IANS in a recorded response.
"But sometimes things are not meant to happen and I was not meant to be part of 'Manikarnika...'. I just want to wish the team all the best. I am sure everyone has worked really hard on the film and film has to do well for every individual associated with the film," he added.
Depp Denies Amber's Domestic Violence Charge
Superstar Johny Depp has filed legal documents supporting his claim that he never physically assaulted his former wife Amber Heard.
Depp is in the midst of a defamation case which he slapped on a British publication for calling him a "wife-beater" in an article. The actor has claimed that he has an evidence which will prove that he never beat Heard, reports eonline.com.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star's lawyer Adam Waldman said: "We filed a partial list of evidence that we will use to disprove the fraudulent underlying allegations against Depp."
The lawyer said they have "dozens of video security tapes" as well as "eyewitness statements" which will prove the allegations wrong.
Karan Johar Speaks out on Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul Debacle
Karan Johar has finally broken his silence on the controversial episode of his talkshow Koffee with Karan featuring cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The sportsmen have received strong backlash for the racist and sexist comments made during the episode.
In an interview with Times Now Karan Johar said, “I have to say that I feel very responsible because it was my show, it was my platform. I invited them as guests and so the ramifications and repercussion of the show are my responsibility. I have had so many so many sleepless nights, wondering about how I can undo this damage, who is gonna listen to me. It’s now gone into a zone which is beyond my control.”
Read more on The Quint.
Punjabi Actor Ammy Virk Joins Cast of '83'
Punjabi actor Ammy Virk is set to essay the role of Balwinder Singh Sandhu in upcoming sports film 83. Sandhu played a pivotal role in the 1983 Cricket World Cup where he memorably clean bowled West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge.
Directed by Kabir Khan and starring Ranveer Singh, 83 is based on India’s historic win at the 1983 Cricket World Cup.
Read more on The Quint.
Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Sister and Mother Dragged to Court
Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s family is being dragged to court by Parhad Amra, the proprietor of an automobile agency, over an alleged Rs 21 lakh loan her late father Surendra Shetty had taken from him.
Reliance Entertainment's Amblin Secures 10 Oscar Nominations
Three films -- "Green Book", "First Man" and "Ready Player One" -- backed by Anil D. Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment's Amblin Entertainment have scored a total of 10 nominations for the 91st Academy Awards.
The nominations were announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
"Green Book" finds a spot in five categories: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Viggo Mortensen), Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali), Best Original Screenplay (Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly) and Best Film Editing (Patrick J Jon Vito).
India-Set Film Around Menstruation Lands Oscar Nomination
Period. End of Sentence", an India set film on the taboos around menstruation and featuring the real 'Pad Man', has made it to the Oscar nomination, it was announced here on Tuesday.
The film has made it to the top five nominees of the Documentary Short Subject category. Other nominees include "Black Sheep", "End Game", "Lifeboat" and "A Night At The Garden".
"Period..." is executive produced by Guneet Monga and is co-produced by Monga's Sikhya Entertainment, which has backed films like "The Lunchbox" and "Masaan".
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