Monday, December 28, 2015

Priyanka Chopra: Don't believe in number game

"Bajirao Mastani" actress Priyanka Chopra doesn’t believe in the number game and hence refrain getting into the figures that her films collect at the box-office.

Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra
"Numbers change every Friday, I've never believed in them," she said here late on Friday.
The number game has, of late, become a prominent trend in the Indian film industry, with the success of the flicks being defined on the basis of the money they manage to mint at the box office.
Her latest film, also starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, has been doing great business at the box-office, but despite the good numbers, she said: “I’m not the film’s producer so I don’t even go into numbers.
"I don’t even try to think about it. I’m an artist and I want to do my job which is between ‘action’ and 'cut' and to promote the film..."
Priyanka, who has garnered praise for her portrayal as Kashibai in the movie, says playing the second female lead in the film has not affected her career.
“At the beginning of my career, someone said there are no small roles, there are only small actors and I’m not a small actor. I believe tremendously in my capabilities."
"I had only eight scenes in ‘Kaminey’ and I was just five years old in the industry at that time. Roles are never small or big... you should give your 100 percent always,” Priyanka said.

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West offered over USD 2 million for baby pictures

Pop star Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West have been offered USD 2.5 million for the first photographs of their baby son Saint.


Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
The couple welcomed little Saint into the world on December 5 and since his birth, they have been inundated with offers from publications keen to show him off for the first time.
According to tmz.com, offers range from USD 2 million to USD 2.5 million and request the full family, including Saint's older sister North, two, to take part in a range of pictures, including candid group shots.
However, insiders told the website the couple are "almost certain" they will reject all offers for the pictures.
When North was born, Kanye, 38, showed off a selection of pictures of her on his mother-in-law Kris Jenner's now-defunct talk show, fuelling speculation that Saint's public debut will come on Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian's new programme "Kocktails with Khloe", which launches in the new year.
The family have already been seen in public together since Saint's birth, but during the visit to take the infant to the doctor last week, Kim, 35, and her rapper husband ensured he was kept fully covered and away from view in his car seat.

Bollywood class of 2015: Lessons we learnt this year

As they say, nothing goes waste. As the year comes to a close, hitlist sifts through the hits and flops and controversies of 2015 to see the gems of lessons, some sweet and some bitter, that came out of them...

Music has boundaries and bullies do win sometimes.
Ghulam Ali

Shiv Sena yet again reared its head to protest against Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali from performing in Mumbai. Ali chose not to perform anywhere else in India.
Nobody's a holy cow
Bombay Velvet

The giant disaster called 'Bombay Velvet' was a clear example that you could take one of country’s hotshot and maverick directors to pair with one of the most promising stars, but it won’t guarantee success. Some call it lack of focus, some arrogance, but the truth is there is no fixed formula for anything.
Exes can be friends, especially if there is also a film promotion involved
Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone have always maintained that they share a cordial relationship even after their break-up; call us cynical but the professing of undying love for each other just before the release of their film together was a little hard to digest, even then.
In the testosterone-driven world of cricket, a woman’s presence can only be a distraction
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma.

It started from India’s tour of England last year and continued during this year’s semi-finals. When Virat Kohli performed badly on the pitch, fans looking for a scapegoat, chose to blame his ‘jinxed’ actress-girlfriend Anushka Sharma. Ironically, when Kohli regained form, she was not given any credit.
Even the purest can be censored
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Who would think that Sooraj Barjatya will be introduced to the special pair of scissors that the Censor Board so proudly possesses (for 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo')?
Sooraj Barjatya
While poor Soorajji must still be reeling under shock, the board continues giving us a free ride on the time machine back to the dark ages.
Free speech is a farce
Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan

The biggest stars of the biggest democratic nation of the world, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan ‘dared’ to speak about growing intolerance in the country, and there was an immediate and ugly backlash from people, political parties, bhakts and their idle uncles.
Success is a responsibility

His supremely confident debut Queen put director Vikas Bahl on a pedestal. However, it didn’t take long for him to be brought down to mother earth, with his drug addled mess called 'Shaandaar'.
Vikas Bahl
Hopefully, he will operate better from here than seventh heaven.
Bond can do everything, but can’t kiss for more than 007 seconds in IndiaJames Bond
The Censor Board’s sometimes archaic, sometimes haphazard manner of functioning, how could one forget that James Bond fans were not allowed to watch their hero smooch the delicious Monica Bellucci for ‘too long’ in Spectre. The board was worried a kiss lasting for a few more seconds would corrupt the impressionable minds. (No looking for logic here, please. We have given up on that exercise a while ago.)
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Kelly Brook shows off 'Baywatch' run

Actress-model Kelly Brook showed off her "Baywatch" run on a TV show.


Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook. Pic/Santa Banta

The model performed her take on the iconic Baywatch-style run on Alan Carr New Year's Specstacular, and also addressed rumours that she'll be replacing Pamela Anderson in the reboot, reported Digital Spy.

"I've read the script and they are rewriting it so I don't know if there is a role in there for me," she said.

"I'm a bit old to play the Pamela Anderson role so I don't know, but I know all the producers and it's funny and we'll see."

Back in August, Brook laughed off reports that she'd be in "The Baywatch Movie", which stars Zac Efron, The Rock and Alexandra Daddario
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Tom Cruise sends Kirsten Dunst cake every Christmas

Actress Kirsten Dunst says she gets a cake from her "Interview With a Vampire" co-star Tom Cruise every Christmas.


Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst
Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst. Pics/Santa Banta
The 33-year-old actress, who worked with the "Mission: Impossible" star on "Interview With a Vampire" when she was 11, gets excited when the sweet treat arrives and admits it doesn't last very long, reported Female First.
"I run into Tom. He sends me a cake every Christmas. I call it the Cruise Cake. It's so good - a coconut cake with white chocolate chips. It gets eaten within a day in my house.
"When the Cruise Cake gets delivered, it's like, 'Cruise Cake's here!' My friends know what that means."

5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction fans unite

Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) and One Direction fans have united to fight back after the hashtag #5SOSisDeadParty started trending online.


One Direction
One Direction. Pic/Santa Banta

The hashtag is believed to have been started by girl band Fifth Harmony fans, some of who are reportedly enjoying the backlash 5SOS have received for their Rolling Stone interview, reports mirror.co.uk.
Extracts from a recent chat with the 5SOS - Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford - were released online and fans were left shocked by some of the comments, in particular those about sleeping with fans.
The fans seem to have taken particular offence to some Fifth Harmony fans - known as harmonisers - who have brought up Irwin's self-harming history and his father leaving.
One supporter wrote: "#5SOSIsDeadParty Harmonizers bringing up Ashton's past but can they bring up 5harmony's future?"
The 5SOS fans also took to Twitter to thank One Direction's fans for their help.
"When u know Directioners and 5sosfam will always support each other," a delighted Twitter user wrote while someone else wrote: "When 5H tries to bring 5sos down. But they forgot that fandoms that sticks together, SLAY together! #5SOSIsDeadParty."
In the interview, which saw the band posing naked on the cover, Hemmings talks about having sex with lots of girls while on tour - something which has caused upset.
The excerpt reads: "Hemming says they took full advantage of the attention. They were wildest on their easy tours, when they'd go to bars to mingle with fans after shows."
"'When you put four young dudes on a tour bus, playing theaters, then arenas, you're going to have sex with a lot of girls, I guess, says Hemmings. 'We had a good time.' Multiple girls in one night? 'Feel like I shouldn't say' he says with a smirk. 'You could say the possibility of this is high… the possibilities are endless.'"

Chrissy Teigen flaunts baby bump

Model Chrissy Teigen accentuated her growing baby bump in a navy one-piece during her vacation with husband John Legend as seen in a new photo shared on her Instagram page.



The swimsuit model, who is due in the spring, gave a fierce pose and toe point for the camera to show off her profile, reports people.com.
Although she didn't disclose her latest sunny location, Teigen, 30, and Legend, 36, recently traveled to Hawaii where they enjoyed the Christmas holiday with family and friends.
Earlier in the week, the Lip Sync Battle star announced she's expecting a daughter. The mom-to-be coordinated the reveal with the announcement of her first-ever Vogue cover on Instagram Wednesday.
"So excited to have shot a Vogue cover (a dream, of course) annnnd a couple minutes after this shot, John and I learned we were having our little baby girl!" Teigen wrote.
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Kylie Jenner not engaged to Tyga

Kylie Jenner sparked speculations of her engagement to Tyga after she posted a picture sporting a huge diamond on her finger, but the reality TV star says she is not engaged to her the rapper.


Kylie Jenner. Pic/AFP
Kylie Jenner. Pic/AFP

The 18-year-old "Keeping Up With the Kardashian" star, who posted series of pictures with the ring, was quick to set the record straight, reported Aceshowbiz.
"Every year my Mom throws a huge Christmas Eve party and this year's was so fun (and sparkly)! It was really special to end such a big year celebrating with all of my friends and family... And with an extra special gift from a special someone. NO, I'm not engaged," she wrote on her app.
It was not the first time when Kylie denied her engagement rumours Back in September she clarified that Tyga was only calling her fiancee because he was making fun of another Instagram post.

Amitabh Bachchan against aggressive marketing of films

There is no need for an aggressive marketing of a film that has in itself the capability to do wonders at the box-office, megastar Amitabh Bachchan said in a blog on Sunday.

Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan

Bachchan, who is busy promoting his next film "Wazir", said he does not understand why marketing is the most essential part in movie business.
"...marketing is the most essential part of the making of films. I am unable to understand why... If the film has inner strength, it shall require no (marketing) strength whatsoever," Bachchan wrote.
"...but because there are so many arguments against it, I feel if I oppose it, I would be, well going against the grind so to say."
Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, "Wazir" also stars Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari and Neil Nitin Mukesh.
The film, directed by Bijoy Nambiar, is set to hit theatres on January 8.
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Here's what Sid Mallya has to say about ex girlfriend Deepika Padukone


Sid Mallya, son of business mogul Vijay Mallya, who once dated Deepika Padukone, says he is very proud of the actress.
Sid Mallya and Deepika Padukone
Sid Mallya and Deepika Padukone
"I am very proud of her and I am very happy for her. May her success continue as it's great to see her doing well," Sid told IANS.
Deepika has been delivering back to back successful films, including "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela", "Tamasha", "Bajirao Mastani" among others.
Ask Sid if he is still in touch with Deepika, and he says: "Yes, we see each other here and there and that's it."
Sid and Deepika who were in a relationship soon parted ways. However Sid, who is all set to make his acting debut in independent filmmaker Qaushiq Mukherjee's film "Brahman Naman", reveals he is in a relationship at the moment.
"I am dating someone, but I am not going to give names because if I start giving names it won't be fair on the girl's part," he said.
"Brahman Naman" will be premiering and competing in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016.

Spotted: Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu at an event

Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu
Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu
Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda
Shibani Kashyap
Shibani Kashyap
While we loved Soha Ali Khan in the peach saree, Shibani Kashyap’s look was a complete miss.
Sushant Singh
Sushant Singh
Preetika Rao
Preetika Rao
Randeep Hooda caught our eye for blending casual and formal well with a white T-shirt and a blue blazer.
Arjun Bijlani
Arjun Bijlani. Pics/Onkar Devlekar
Thumbs up.
MIDDAY

Sunday, December 27, 2015

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' shines at box office in India


After breaking multiple records globally, Hollywood film 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' received good response in India, where it has minted Rs.4.58 crore till now.
Star Wars
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Directed by J.J. Abrams, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', which released in India on Friday, collected Rs.3.58 crore on its opening day. The film minted Rs.1 crore from paid previews, read a statement.
Released across 1,230 screens in India, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', the seventh episode of the 'Star Wars' series, features Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley.
“#StarWars enjoys great buzz among the movie-going audience and its business should escalate over the weekend. Strong word of mouth,” Adarsh posted on Twitter.
The film released to an estimated $238 million in North America, 14 percent ahead of "Jurassic World", which debuted at $208.8 million this summer.
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is only the third movie in history to open at over $200 million, besides its immediate rival 'Jurassic World' and 'The Avengers'.

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Robert Downey Jr pardoned for his drug offences on Christmas


This Christmas, Robert Downey Jr has received pardon for his drug offences by the Governer of California, effectively wiping clean his record. Jerry Brown pardoned the 50-year-old actor for his nearly 20-year-old felony of drug conviction that sent him to jail for nearly a year, reports a website.
Robert Downey Jr
Robert Downey Jr
Brown's office recently announced that Downey was among 91 people granted pardons for criminal convictions after demonstrating they had rehabilitated themselves.
While the pardon does not erase records of a conviction, it does restore voting rights and is a public proclamation that the person has remained out of trouble and demonstrated exemplary behavior. Downey Jr, who was once a courthouse mainstay for a series of drug-related arrests, has become perhaps Hollywood’s greatest success story for career and addiction rehabilitation.
The Avengers actor was busted on a highway in Los Angeles and convicted of felony drug possession after authorities found heroin, cocaine and a pistol in his vehicle in 1996. He spent nearly a year in prison in 1999 after violating his probation.
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Jennifer Lawrence visits Kosair Children's Hospital for Christmas


Jennifer Lawrence has kept up with her Christmas tradition since for the third consecutive year, she visited Kosair Children’s Hospital in her hometown, Louisville.

Jennifer Lawrence
The 25-year-old actress brought smiles to the little patients as she greeted fans and posed for photographs during her visit on December 23, reports a website.
The hospital posted several of the photos and wrote a special message to the Joy star for helping them.
The message read, “Jennifer Lawrence stopped by Kosair Children’s Hospital today! Thank you for bringing many smiles to the patients before the holidays.”
Not happening
Hollywood may be a go-to destination, but for Jennifer Lawrence, spending Christmas in Los Angeles is really 'unimaginable'.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 actress, who resides in the city for work, said that she always returns to her family in Kentucky for the festive season. She loves the fact that her father still dresses as Santa Claus every year and the whole family takes part in the same festive ritual.
The Oscar-winning star explained that she has a couple of nephews now and Christmas is much more fun when there are babies around. She gushed over her mom’s amazing dish of mashed potato, saying "she (mom) puts hot pepper into it and a thick layer of cheese and puts it into the oven and it’s so good. We have it every year with Christmas dinner."

Rihanna and beau Travis Scott cfaught in a club firing at LA nightclub

Night out turns nightmare for Rihanna and rumoured beau Travis Scott

Rihanna and her rumoured boyfriend Travis Scott were caught in a club firing. The singer was partying at Project Los Angeles nightclub on Wednesday night when a shooting took place outside.
Rihanna
Rihanna
As per reports, a group of men started arguing outside the club and one of them pulled out a gun. A shot was fired and chaos erupted. Police were called and they handcuffed five people, reports a website.
However, none was arrested or injured during the scuffle.
Rihanna was having a good time with hip-hop artiste Ty Dolla $ign inside before the incident. She was not involved in the altercation, but a video shows her exiting the club after the shooting.
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Justin Bieber could have died due to stress

Los Angeles: American talent manager Scooter Braun has revealed that singer Justin Bieber could have died due to stress and touring in 2013.

Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber. Pic/Santa Banta
The 'Baby' singer's reputation took a hit following a series of damaging stories shortly after he became a worldwide star.
Bieber's talent manager Braun shared how he refused to let the former perform in 2013 after he released his "Journals" album, reports mirror.co.uk.
"I was not going to let him work. He wanted to tour, and I honestly at that time felt, if he toured, he could die," New York Times quoted Braun as saying.
"The outsiders don't really know what was happening. It was far worse than people realize. and when he is ready, he will tell what he was going through. But it's a hard thing to watch someone you care and genuinely love go through that. I'm really, really happy that's over," he added.

Salman Khan on 50th birthday: It feels like I am turning 27

Salman Khan may be turning 50 today, but the Bollywood superstar says he still feels 27 is the perfect age for him.

Salman Khan
Salman Khan
"I am turning 27. I think 27-year-old is the right age. I have always like that age. I am not scared about ageing. It is always going to be 27. So what is there to be scared off. It is a part of my journey," Salman told PTI in an interview.
Salman, the son of noted writer Salim Khan, made his debut with a supporting role in "Biwi Ho To Aisi". His next release "Maine Pyar Kiya" directed by Sooraj Barjatya, gave his Bollywood career a much needed push.
Over the years, he has gained a great fan base courtesy his films like "Hum Aapke Hain Koun", "Karan Arjun", "Biwi No.1", "Hum Saath Saath Hain", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Dabangg", "Bodyguard", "Ek Tha Tiger", "Kick", "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", etc.
The actor addressed as "Bhaijaan" of Bollywood is also involved in humanitarian work and tries to help the underprivileged through his charity organization "Being Human".
His life has been marred by many controversies and legal troubles over his tumultuous relationships, hunting of the endangered Chinkara deer, and the 2002 hit-and-run case.
However, 2015 was a great year for Salman, both personally and professionaly. His performance in Kabir Khan-directed film "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" and Sooraj Barjatya's "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" were appreciated and both the films went on to became huge box office successes.
On the personal front Salman had a major relief in the face of Bombay High Court's verdict in the 2002 hit-and-run case acquitting him of all charges.
But the "Dabangg" star got caught in a controversy again after he posted series of tweets suggesting 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon was innocent and should not be hanged for the acts of his brother Tiger.
The actor later withdrew the tweets and apologized after criticism by his father Salim Khan.
Salman, whose love life has always made headlines is currently said to be dating Romanian girl Lulia Vantur, and is rumoured to be taking his relationship to next level by making it official sometime in 2016.
Lulia also featured in Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's home production film "O Teri" in 2014.

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