ENTERTAINMENT

Classical Tabla & Vocal mesmerize at SaMaPa Digital Baithak

Jammu, July 27: SaMaPa in its 4th week of SaMaPa Digital Baithak Series featured Tabla Solo recitals by 2 generations of Farrukhabad Gharana by and Vocal recital representing Kirana Gharana. Renowned Tabla player Ustad Akhtar Hasan and his son and disciple Sh.

Nivin Pauly starrer 'Moothon' to premiere on ZEE5

Mumbai, July 23: Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas' Malayalam-Hindi bilingual film "Moothon" is set to stream on ZEE5 from July 24. The film stars Nivin Pauly, Sobhita Dhulipala and Shashank Arora in key roles. "Moothon" revolves around a 14-year-old who travels to Mumbai from Lakshadweep in search of his elder brother but gets trapped in the underbelly of the city.

'Dil Bechara' musicians pay tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput

Mumbai, July 22: The team of Sushant Singh Rajput's upcoming film "Dil Bechara" on Wednesday remembered the actor by performing tracks from his swansong with a wish that he will live on in people's hearts forever. Composed by AR Rahman with lyrics penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, the film's album features nine tracks. "Dil Bechara" marks the directorial debut of casting director Mukesh Chhabra, Rajput's close friend.

Sonu Sood launches app to help migrants find job opportunities

Mumbai, July 22: Actor Sonu Sood on Wednesday launched an app to offer support to workers in finding right job opportunities in various sectors across the country. Sood, who catapulted to the national spotlight for his work in helping migrants reach their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has come out with a free of cost online platform called 'Pravasi Rojgar', which will provide all the necessary information and right linkages to find jobs.

'Bad Boys for Life' an homage to action films of 1990s: Director duo Adil & Bilall

By Radhika Sharma New Delhi, July 22: As children, writer-filmmaker duo Adil el Arbi and Bilall Fallah were "huge fans" of the action comedy "Bad Boys" series and getting the opportunity to direct a film in the franchise led by Hollywood stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence was a dream come true.

HC raps govt for not allowing those aged above 65 on film sets

Mumbai, Jul 22: How can a physically fit person above 65 years of age be expected to live a dignified life if he is not allowed to go out and earn his livelihood, the Bombay High Court asked while pulling up the Maharashtra government for prohibiting those above that age on sets of film and TV shows.

Deepika Padukone, Prabhas to star in multilingual sci-fi film

Mumbai, July 19: Actors Deepika Padukone and Prabhas are set to collaborate for the first time for a multilingual sci-fi film, to be directed by Nag Ashwin. Vyjayanthi Movies, which completes 50 years in the industry, announced the project on on Sunday to mark the golden jubilee of the banner. Deepika took to Instagram and wrote she was "beyond thrilled" to be a part of the project.

Don't think I am a full-fledged writer yet: Varun Badola

Mumbai, July 19: Varun Badola established himself as one of the best performers on Indian television with the introduction of cable network in the country, but many are still unaware about his flair for writing, a talent he discovered on-ground initially in his career. Badola started his journey as an assistant director to filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia on his 1997 television series "Naya Daur" and wrote three episodes for the show.

Chunky Pandey says it was exciting to play antagonist in digital debut Abhay 2

Mumbai, July 17: Chunky Pandey is set to make his digital debut with the second season of ZEE5's crime thriller series "Abhay" and the actor says it was a great opportunity as he got a chance to play a character different from the roles he had done in his over three decades long career. The sophomore season, headlined by actor Kunal Kemmu, will see Pandey playing an antagonist.

Kabir Khan decodes Bajrangi Bhaijaan's popularity ahead of its fifth anniversary

By Komal Panchamatia Mumbai, July 16: Bajrangi Bhaijaan is Kabir Khan's most loved film and it is also that one movie he has watched maximum number of times thanks to his daughter who loves to catch it during its multiple TV runs.

10 years of 'Udaan': Vikramaditya Motwane, Rajat Barmecha look back on the 'special' film

Mumbai, July 16: Director Vikramaditya Motwane's coming-of-age drama "Udaan" turned 10 on Thursday and the filmmaker, along with actors Rajat Barmecha, Manjot Singh, and Anand Tiwari expressed gratitude towards people for their love towards the "special" movie. The critically-acclaimed title, which released on July 16, 2010, was Motwane's directorial debut as well as the first Bollywood gig for Barmecha.

Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty relive 'Cocktail' memories as film turns eight

Mumbai, July 13: Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty on Monday celebrated the eighth anniversary of their film "Cocktail", saying that working on the romantic comedy was an unforgettable experience. Written by Imtiaz Ali and directed by Homi Adajania, "Cocktail" marked Diana's debut in Hindi cinema and proved to be a turning point in Deepika's career with her performance as the feisty, unapologetic Veronica.

Kunal Kemmu-starrer 'Lootcase' to stream on Disney+Hotstar from July 31

Mumbai, July 13: Comedy drama "Lootcase", starring Kunal Kemmu, will premiere on Disney+Hotstar on July 31, the streaming platform announced on Monday. The Fox Star production, which was earlier scheduled to arrive in theatres in April, chose a digital route in the wake of coronavirus-induced lockdown which has forced theatres to remain shut since March.

BBC to produce feature-length documentary Britain vs Coronavirus'

London, July 10: BBC is set to produce feature length, state-of-the-nation documentary, telling the definitive story of the coronavirus pandemic in Britain . The broadcaster has commissioned its own BBC Studios Documentary Unit to deliver the documentary titled Britain vs Coronavirus.

Jagdeep laid to rest at private funeral

Mumbai, July 09: Veteran actor-comedian Jagdeep, best known for his role as Soorma Bhopali in "Sholay", was laid to rest in the presence of family and close friends at a cemetery here on Thursday. Jagdeep, 81, died at his residence in suburban Mumbai on Wednesday night. The veteran actor was laid to at a cemetery in south Mumbai's Byculla neighbourhood at around 2.30 pm, a family source told PTI.

My father gave his life trying to elevate art of acting in adverse conditions: Irrfan's son Babil

Mumbai, July 08: Actor Irrfan Khan's son Babil on Wednesday said he doesn't like the political debates around Sushant Singh Rajput's death, but there is now a wind of change in cinema, something his father kept fighting for throughout his life.

My family has launched more new talent than entire Bollywood: Pooja Bhatt on nepotism

Mumbai, July 08: Actor Pooja Bhatt on Wednesday said her home banner Vishesh Films, under father Mahesh and uncle Mukesh Bhatt, has done far more than the combined efforts of Bollywood in launching new talent across the board in the film industry. The actor's comments came as a response to the nepotism debate that has intensified after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

I'm done with reflecting, time to look forward: Abhishek Bachchan

By Radhika Sharma New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Abhishek Bachchan turned 20 in Bollywood years last month and after a period of self-reflection, the actor says he now wants to focus on the coming decades. The actor, who along with Kareena Kapoor Khan made his debut with JP Dutta's 2000 film "Refugee", returned to screen with Anurag Kashyap's "Manmarziyaan" in 2018 after a brief hiatus. "I have reflected far too much.

Govt to come up with SOP for shooting films in India in wake of COVID-19 pandemic: Javadekar

New Delhi, July 07: The government is coming up with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for shooting films in India in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and is also set to provide incentives for production to accelerate restarting of film-making, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday.

Filmmaker Harish Shah dies at 76

Mumbai, July 07: Veteran filmmaker Harish Shah, best known for producing Rajesh Khanna-Tanuja starrer "Mere Jeevan Saathi", passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 76. According to Harish Shah's brother, Vinod Shah, the filmmaker breathed his last at 6 am at his residence here. "He was battling throat cancer for 10 years and passed away in the morning today," Vinod Shah told PTI.

Bhansali couldn't work with Sushant due to date issues: Police

Mumbai, July 07: Mumbai Police on Tuesday said Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was planning to cast late actor Sushant Singh Rajput in four films, but due to unavailability of his dates the movies were offered to other actors. Rajput (34) was found hanging at his suburban Bandra residence on June 14.

Manoj Bajpayee to narrate Discovery Plus docu 'COVID-19: India's War Against the Virus' in Hindi

Mumbai, July 06: Actor Manoj Bajpayee will narrate the documentary "COVID-19: India's War Against the Virus" in Hindi on Discovery Plus. The documentary will provide a rare glimpse into all the key steps being taken across the country to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

'Lootera' team celebrates film's seventh anniversary

Mumbai, July 05: Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and actors Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha on Sunday celebrated seven years of their film Lootera. Set in the 1950s, the romantic-drama chronicled the story of a young conman (Ranveer) posing as an archaeologist and the daughter (Sonakshi) of a Bengali zamindar.

Of SRK's boxing bout before 'Fauji', Kishore da's song for TV

Cinema has lost faith in writing: 'Hanna' creator David Farr

By Shubha Dubey New Delhi, July 04: For writer David Farr, the fundamental idea behind creating "Hanna", a series that he says organically empowers women, was the dearth of female existential heroes in cinema. The writer, who adapted Joe Wright's 2011 film Hanna into an original series for Amazon Prime Video, said movies have never been able to go beyond fetishising lycra clad women assassins.

End of an era: Madhuri, Akshay, Kareena remember choreographer Saroj Khan

Mumbai, July 03: Bollywood woke up to the shock news of their beloved 'masterji' Saroj Khan's death on Friday, with actors Madhuri Dixit, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and others remembering the role played by the veteran choreographer in their life and career. Khan, the name behind some of the most famous songs in Bollywood such as "Dhak Dhak" and "Ek Do Teen", died following a cardiac arrest early on Friday morning. She was 71.

James Bond is the gift that keeps giving: Pierce Brosnan

London, Jul 1: Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan says even though playing the role of iconic British spy James Bond "allowed" him to have a wonderful career in cinema, he doesn't regret exiting the film franchise. The 67-year-old actor played Agent 007 in four films, the last being "Die Another Day" which released in 2002. He wanted to continue playing the character but producers decided to recast the role, with Daniel Craig as Bond.

People in power should work to make industry democratic for new talents: Manoj Bajpayee

By Justin Rao Mumbai, June 25: Actor Manoj Bajpayee says the film industry's nepotistic culture will change only when established people work towards making Bollywood a more inclusive place for new talents. Bajpayee believes the structural shift that everyone in the industry wants to see will begin once the powerful abolish the "insider-outsider" divide.

Folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar to get lifetime honour

Mumbai, June 24: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced the Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award to folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar. The Annasaheb Kirloskar award will be conferred upon veteran theatre actress-singer Madhuvanti Dandekar. The awards were announced by culture minister Amit Deshmukh. "The Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award is given to a senior tamasha (folk art) artiste.

Roy Kapur Films to adapt 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of The East India Company' into series

Mumbai, June 23: Filmmaker Siddharth Roy Kapur's production house, Roy Kapur Films (RKF) has acquired the rights to adapt author William Dalrymple's book "The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of The East India Company" into a series. Encompassing a period from 1599 to 1802, the book traces the rise of The East India Company against the decline and fall of the storied Mughal Empire.

Abhay Deol recalls meeting Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro during 'Road, Movie's' stop at Tribeca

Mumbai, June 23: Abhay Deol is reminiscing about his meet-and-greet with Hollywood veterans, filmmaker Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro, during the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009. Abhay met the two cinema giants during the festival where his film "Road, Movie" was being screened. "'Road, Movie', released in 2009.

CAIT appeals to celebrities to stop endorsing Chinese products

New Delhi, June 18: Traders' body CAIT on Thursday appealed to celebrities to stop endorsing products of Chinese brands as a mark of respect for Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the Galwan Valley attack in Ladakh. In an open letter, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has appealed Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Virat Kohli and others to stop endorsing Chinese products.

Struggle in industry more mental than physical: Varun Badola

Mumbai, June 18: Actor Varun Badola says working in the film and TV industry comes with more mental challenges than physical and that is why an artiste must try to maintain sanity. The actor has made a name for himself with performances on shows like "Koshish - Ek Aashaa", "Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand", "Astitva.. Ek Prem Kahani", but believes it is important for one to remain "balanced" through the highs and lows.

Vikram Sharma, Theatre's King of Tragedies

By. Dr. Varun Suthra Every era and society has some non conformists who have an inbuilt mechanism to revitalise and revolutionise the area of work they pick. Call them mavericks or obsessives it's something words can't exactly define about their personality. One such extraordinary person who has proved his mettle every now and then is Vikram Sharma. Born and raised in Jammu, Vikram has hugely contributed towards modern theatre.

Amazon unveils first look of Abhishek Bachchan from 'Breathe: Into The Shadows'

Mumbai, June 18: Amazon Prime Video has shared the first look of Abhishek Bachchan from his digital debut series "Breathe: Into The Shadows". The psychological crime thriller is created and produced by Abundantia Entertainment and also stars south actor Nithya Menen. "Breathe: Into The Shadows" will see actor Amit Sadh reprise his role as Inspector Kabir Sawant from the first chapter of the series in 2018.

I want to keep redefining myself: South star Keerthy Suresh

By Radhika Sharma New Delhi, June 18: It takes one role for an artiste to receive popularity and recognition and south star Keerthy Suresh already has that as Savitri in "Mahanati", the 2018 biopic of the legendary Tamil actor. But Suresh, who also won the best actress National Award for the Tamil-Telugu film, says "Mahanati" was the just the beginning.

Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar pay tribute to soldiers killed in clash with Chinese troops

Mumbai, June 17: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, actors Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma and others have expressed their deep pain and sadness over the killing of Indian Army personnel during a violent clash with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.

His work was sheer brilliance, his mind even more: Bachchan on Sushant Singh Rajput

Mumbai, June 15: Grieving Sushant Singh Rajput's death, megastar Amitabh Bachchan said there was "something of an inner value" in the actor that remained unsaid yet reflected in the way he communicated. Rajput was found hanging in his Bandra apartment on Sunday. He was 34. Beginning his note in the memory of the actor with a series of "whys", Bachchan remembered Rajput as a brilliant talent.

Shaveta Nabil: Journey from Jammu to a Social Media Sensational Singer

Jammu, June 15: Shaveta Nabil, a girl from Jammu has become social media celebrity singer in India over a short period of time. She was born in Samba district of J&K in a small family. She had developed a keen interest in music during her childhood days. She started to learn Indian Classical Music at the age of 7 only to gain knowledge of music.

Arjun Mathur to star in Netflix short film on lockdown

Mumbai, June 11: Actor Arjun Mathur has announced his upcoming short film, "Out With It", as part of the anthology "Home Stories" which he shot from his house. "Home Stories" is an anthology comprising four short stories about life under lockdown and will release on Netflix's YouTube channel on Friday.

'Shree Ganesh' actor Jagesh Mukati no More

Mumbai, June 11: TV actor Jagesh Mukati, best known for playing Lord Ganesha on the 2000 mythological serial "Shree Ganesh", has died at the age of 47. According to his close friend, actor Sanjay Goradia, Mukati was admitted to Criticare Hospital on June 5 after complaining of breathlessness. He died there on Wednesday in the afternoon. Goradia said a test for coronavirus was done, which turned out to be "negative".

There's no vaccine for patriarchy: 'Natkhat' director Shaan Vyas

By Radhika Sharma New Delhi, June 11: The world may get a booster for the coronavirus in a year or so, but patriarchy can't be cured with a vaccine, says Shaan Vyas, director of the short film "Natkhat", starring Vidya Balan.

Gandhi documentary to focus on message of peace amid Floyd protests: Filmmaker

By Fakir Hassen Johannesburg, June 10: A South African Indian filmmaker wants to release a new documentary on Mahatma Gandhi earlier than scheduled to emphasise the relevance of his teachings amid the global outrage caused by the custodial killing of African-American George Floyd.

Anushka Sharma's 'Bulbbul' to premiere on Netflix on June 24

Mumbai, June 10: Actor Anushka Sharma-backed feature "Bulbbul" is set to start streaming from June 24, Netflix announced on Wednesday. The film, featuring "Laila Majnu" stars Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwary, is Anushka's second web production after Amazon Prime Video series "Paatal Lok", which debuted May 15. According to the official synopsis shared by Netflix, "Bulbbul" is an Indian fable set in 20th Century Bengal.

No shooting of Bengali TV serials, as talks fail over COVID-19 medical insurance

Kolkata, June 10: As talks between representatives of West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists' Forum and producers of TV soaps and channel heads failed to resolve the issue of COVID-19 medical insurance for artistes, shooting of Bengali TV serials did not start on Wednesday. The talks on Tuesday night ended in a deadlock over the issue of Rs 25 lakh COVID-19 medical insurance for every artiste to be effective from the first day of shooting.

Sanjay Gupta on ''Shootout 3'': Tried to reinvent, not repeat

Mumbai, June 10: Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has finished writing the first draft of the third installment of the "Shootout" franchise and says the effort has been to "reinvent" the series with the latest film. For the film, Gupta has collaborated with screenwriter Rajat Aroraa, who has penned hits like "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai", "The Dirty Picture" among others.

Time to support dabbawalas: Sanjay Dutt on Mumbai's 'second lifeline'

Mumbai, June 09: Actor Sanjay Dutt on Tuesday said it is important for people to come forward and help the dabbawalas, Mumbai's famed tiffin suppliers, who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Sharing a tweet of Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh, which said the government is helping the tiffin-box carriers in this time of crisis, Dutt said they need all possible support.

Filmmakers partly responsible for disinterest in documentaries: 'Wild Karnataka' co-director

By Shubha Dubey New Delhi, June 09: In the digital age when content viewing has evolved drastically, documentaries still find it difficult to reach out to the masses as filmmakers don't keep the audiences in mind, says Wild Karnataka co-director Amoghavarsha JS.

Shoojit Sircar''s appeal to Durga Puja organisers: Use expenses for relief work in cyclone-hit areas

Kolkata, June 09: Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar on Tuesday appealed to various Durga Puja organising committees to opt for a low-key celebration this year and use the funds to rebuild the state which was recently hit by Cyclone Amphan. Leaving 98 people dead and causing large-scale destruction to property in West Bengal and Odisha, the tropical cyclone struck several districts of the two states on May 20.