Paris denies stripping at Vegas

By ANI

Paris Hilton has denied allegations that she once danced naked in front of affluent businessmen during a party in Las Vegas. 

The hotel heiress was alleged to have joined some strippers and peeled off her clothes in front of other partygoers in Sin City. 

Elizabeth Jawhary claimed on HollywoodInterrupted.com that the socialite once "flew down to Vegas. We partied pretty hard. (Men would) pay for girl-on-girl action. I'd be there. And they'd pay to watch. Paris got naked, and the girls would get naked." 

The Six Degrees of Paris Hilton author insisted that she never saw Paris take any money for the striptease. 

However, a representative for Paris blasted the claims, dubbing them as completely untrue. 

"(The reports are) totally untrue and a complete fabrication," the New York Daily News quoted the representative as saying.

Strike over, but clash of release dates daunts filmmakers

By Agencies

The Bollywood strike may have ended but trouble continues for filmmakers who fear losses with the back to back release of some mega budget movies, which may divide the audiences. 

More than 50 films with an estimated budget of over 1200 crore are lined up for release, after the two-month long strike between producers-distributors and multiplex owners ended on June 5. 

"After the end of the strike between multiplex owners and Bollywood producers, filmmakers are keen to sort out release dates of their movies as they don't want them hit theatres at the same time," said producer Vasu Bhagnani, whose film 'Kal Kissne Dekha' will release on June 12. It is the debut film of his son, Jackky Bhagnani. 

Yashraj films 'New York' is also ready to hit the theatres on June 26 but director Kabir Khan says, "The biggest problem for the filmmakers is to find proper dates. My film is ready to release for the past two months but the strike is definitely going to affect business," Khan added. 

The films that are lined up for release include Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Kambakkht Ishq', Vasu Bhagnani's 'Kal Kissne Dekha', Imtiaz Ali directed 'Love Aajkal', Yashraj Films' 'New York', Ramgopal Verma's horror flick 'Agyat', Sujoy Ghosh's 'Aladin', 'Blue', 'Mr and Mrs Khanna' and 'Luck'. 

With so many mega budget films ready to release it is a daunting task for filmmakers to find a date which will not clash with other movies. 

UTV is set to release Ramgopal Verma's horror flick on July 24. The filmmaker also has 'Raktcharitra' lined up for release though no date has been fixed. When asked about the clash of dates, Ram Gopal Verma said that the filmmakers will have to bear some losses now that the strike is over. 

The Bollywood producers-distributors went on a strike on April 4. The last film to release was Akshay Kumar's 'Tasveer'. 

UTV is also planning to announce the release dates of 'Kaminaay' and 'Aage Se Right' soon. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai said that his new film 'Paying Guest' will release on June 19. 

'Love Aaj Kal' director Imtiaz Ali said, "I am very happy that the strike has ended because after working hard and investing your money you do not want to sit back with a film. However, with so many big budget films releasing together, the industry is likely to face losses." 

Under the new agreement between producers-distributors and multiplex owners, producers will get 50 per cent of the revenue from ticket sales in week one, 42.5 per cent in week two, 37.5 per cent in week three and 30 per cent from fourth week onwards. In addition to this, there will be a bonus on all those films which do exceptionally well at the box office. 

In case a movie collects more than Rs.17.5 crore at the top six multiplex chains (excluding single screens and independent multiplexes), then the terms will be 52.5 per cent in the first week, 45 in the second, 37.5 in the third and 30 from the fourth week onwards.

Singers to hold sway in new programme

By Cultural Correspondent

A new musical programme is set to go on air on ATN Bangla at 8:45 pm on alternative Mondays. The first episode begins tonight. The programme is directed by Rumana Afroz and hosted by singer Bappa Majumdar. 

Each episode will feature a guest singer who will discuss his or her experience in the course of their career. Close colleagues as well as fans would get to express their views on the selected artistes. Shakila Zafar is the guest of the first episode. The noted singer will talk about her 30-year innings in the world of music.

Source: The Daily Star.

I am not crazy, says Jordan

By ANI

Katie Price a.k.a Jordan has rubbished claims that she is having an emotional meltdown following her spilt with husband Peter Andre, insisting “I am not crazy.” 

The glamour model has dismissed reports that she has hit the bottle and is surviving on sleeping tablets. 

“Kate saw the claims and of course it is not nice for her but she knows that they are unfounded and she is carrying on as normal,” the Daily Star quoted a publicist for Jordan as saying. 

Meanwhile, Jordan and Andre have got into a new fight over their kids. 

She allowed Andre to take the kids for the weekend, and was furious when he gave them back early so he could rehearse a new album.

Source: ScreenIndia.

Venice Biennale opens to public

Source: BBC

The Venice Biennale-- the world's oldest and most high-profile contemporary art exhibition-- is opening its doors to the public.

It was founded in 1895 to celebrate new developments in international art.

National pavilions were built in the Giardini - or public gardens - to house exhibitions from each participating country's chosen artists.But as more and more countries wish to take part, the Biennale has spread across the Italian city.

It has been described as the Olympic games of the art world - 77 countries from Armenia to Venezuela are showcasing the work of their leading artists.All are hoping to win the top prize - the Golden Lion.

The United Arab Emirates is one of several nations taking part in the Biennale for the first time with an exhibition curated by Tirdad Zolghadr.

"I think it's important for artists, critics, curators, to be able to point to a pavilion and to say, look, this has accomplished something at a place like the Venice Biennale, let's take this seriously here in the country too," Zolghadr says.

Just a boat ride away are hundreds more exhibitions, spread all over Venice.There is also a larger, more far-reaching, international show that has been organised this year by Swedish curator Daniel Birnbaum.

"With all the big museums and all the art fairs and festivals and triennales, still the Biennale has this attraction. It has magnetism," Birnbaum says.

"The Venice Biennale is not here to be loved, it's here to be discussed. And if people keep coming back to discuss it, that's the best result that we can have," he says.

There are plenty of familiar sights and sounds in Venice too, like the cafe orchestras in Piazza San Marco.

Whatever else, the Biennale offers an unprecedented opportunity to see vast amounts of modern art in one of the world's most historic cities.

Eminent playwright Habib Tanvir passes away

By Agencies

Noted playwright and theatre director Habib Tanvir died at a hospital here after a brief illness. He was 85. 

The theatre legend was admitted to the National Hospital here three weeks back after he complained of breathing problems and was put on a ventilator, family sources said. 

His daughter Nageen was at his bedside when the end came. 

Born on September 1, 1923 at Raipur, Habib began his career as a journalist and went on to become a highly renowned playwright. 

Known for his plays like Agra Bazar and Charandas Chor, Tanvir founded the Naya theatre company here in 1959. 

He also scripted many films and acted in a few of them. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1969 and Padma Shri in 1983. Habib was given the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1996 and honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2002. 

A large number of people from the theatre and art world in the city thronged Habib's residence here to pay their last respects to him.

Victoria Beckham wants to become an actress

By Agencies

After tasting success as a singer and a fashion designer Victoria Beckham now wants to walk in the footsteps in her idol Audrey Hepburn and try her hand in acting. 

According to a report by News of The World former Spice Girl wants to pursue an acting career seriously and is taking special classes for the same in Los Angeles. 

The 35-year-old fashionista is reportedly eyeing a role in the 'Sex And The City' movie sequel. 

"They've already talked about doing a cameo walk-on role, but now Victoria is desperate for an acting career, they might even try to string out a bigger role," a source told the newspaper. 

"She's really caught the acting bug. She's decided she has done everything else so she now wants to pursue a career in films. Victoria has always loved the cinema, especially old films because of the glamour of people like Audrey Hepburn, who has been her style icon for years," the source added. 

"She already has a bit of acting appearance from when she appeared in Spice World and had a cameo in Ugly Betty, but she wants to go even further. The acting lessons are really stretching her to the limit but she's enjoying them. If they go well she wants to start at auditions," the source added.

Family game show Bari Bari Jombe Khela

By Cultural Correspondent
Source: The Daily Star

A new family game show “Bari Bari Jombe Khela” will be telecast on Ekushey TV at 10:10pm on Mondays. The programme is directed and scripted by Masudul Hasan Rony and anchored by Puja Sen Gupta.

The game show is divided into five segments: 'Shapta Banjan' on general knowledge; 'Golla Chut' on household chores; 'Openti Bioscope' a quiz on bygone songs; 'Hatey Hari'- the flaws of family members; 'Panchamukhi' a round of self-admiration. The lucky winners of every round are to get a gift-hamper and a 'Star of the Family' would be nominated on the overall performance basis. The game show is geared for families across the country.

Moore-Kutcher want Susan Boyle for wedding anniversary

By Agencies

Hollywood couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher has reportedly offered Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle USD 45,000 to sing at their wedding anniversary later this year. 

Moore and her actor husband became fans of Boyle following her performance on 'Britain's Got Talent', Mirror online reported. 

"Demi and Ashton think Susan is absolutely brilliant, in a fantastically unique and kitsch way. The idea is a cocktail party at home in Los Angeles, the highlight being Susan singing," a source told the publication. 

The 48-year-old singer suffered a shocking loss to dance troop Diversity in the finals and was subsequently admitted to a rehabilitation clinic after suffering from exhaustion and emotional meltdown. 

She was released from the clinic on Thursday and Moore and Kutcher have reportedly approached her to perform at a party in September to mark their fourth wedding anniversary.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie planning to wed?

By Agencies

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are reportedly planning to quash split rumours with a wedding by the end of the summer. 

Hollywood's hottest couple has been dogged with break-up rumours for some time, with reports suggesting that their four-year-old relationship is over. Jolie is said to be so furious with the rumours that she has decided to end them once for all with the marriage. 

They are planning the wedding by the end of the summer once their current filming commitments are out of the way, Mirror reported online. 

"Usually it's Brad who wants to talk marriage. But this time it was Angie. An aide sent them all the Press clippings about their 'relationship problems' and Angelina said it was probably best if they married to put an end to the stories. Brad's face lit up, he was thrilled," a friend of the couple told the newspaper. 

The couple has earmarked New Orleans for the wedding. Their six children would be involved "in a big way", the friend added.