Activists, Writers Protest in Pakistan Against 'Manto' Ban
Writers, activists and journalists in Pakistan on Monday held a nationwide protest against a ban on Indian filmmaker Nandita Das' "Manto", based on the life of the late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, in the hope the movie will see the light of the day in their country. The filmmaker is grateful.
"Beyond borders, the fight for freedom of expression is the same. Thanks to all those in Pakistan who are working to free 'Manto'. Thanks to everyone who has taken to the streets to protest against the ban on 'Manto' in Pakistan. I am there with you in spirit, and so is the entire 'Manto' team," Nandita tweeted.
"Amazing to see people out on the streets to protest. Salima Hashmi, artist and daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and others! Respect and gratitude," she added.
Wish to Work With Spielberg Despite Mockery: Sreesanth
Former India cricketer and actor S. Sreesanth, who has featured in the recently released "Cabaret", on Monday brushed aside mockery about his stated ambition to work with acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg.
He said people had also mocked him in the past when he was aspiring to play for the Indian cricket team, when he was in the Kerala Under-19 squad.
"I did say I want to work with Steven Spielberg. Yes, because my dreams are... If you ask my friends, they would tell you that when I was in Under-19, if someone asked me what I want to do, I had said, 'I want to play for the country'... and they would have laughed," the former India pacer told reporters here.
"I already did two Bollywood movies, I did Southern movies, and I would love to work in Hollywood," he said.
Rajkumar Hirani Is a Man of Integrity: Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi on Monday said he stands by his "3 Idiots" director Rajkumar Hirani, who has been accused of sexual assault by a woman. The actor has called the filmmaker a man of immense integrity, character and honour.
Sharman tweeted: "Raju Sir is a man of immense integrity, character, honour, compassion and truthfulness, all the virtues one would imagine are non-existent in people today, someone I am absolutely inspired by and have learnt from and because of whom I believe I have gone onto being a better person. All I want to say, Sir is that this too shall pass."
Read more on The Quint.
Madhavan-Anushka Shetty to Star in a Hollywood Crossover Film
Baahubali star Anushka Shetty and R Madhavan have been roped in for a huge project bankrolled by producer Kona Venkat’s Kona Film Corporation. The film will be directed by Hemant Madhukar and will also star Anjali, Shalini Pandey and Subbaraj as well as Hollywood actors who are yet to be named.
The producer revealed details in a series of tweets. “Yesss.. @KonaFilmCorp & @peoplemediafcy are proud to be associated with this prestigious project. A first South-Hollywood cross over film with the star studded cast of @ActorMadhavan #Anushka @yoursanjali @ShaliniPandey_ @actorsubbaraju and some top Hollywood actors,” he wrote.
Read more on The Quint.
Farhan Akhtar’s ‘The Fakir of Venice’ Release Date Postponed
Farhan Akhtar and Annu Kapoor-starrer The Fakir of Venice will release in February instead of January 18 to avoid a box office clash with films like Why Cheat India and Fraud Saiyyan. The release date of The Fakir of Venice, which was made about a decade ago and was to launch Farhan as an actor in Bollywood, has been shifted quite a few times. Read more here.