Sandra Bullock tops box office after 10 years

Reporting by Dean Goodman
Editing by Vicki Allen

LOS ANGELES -- Sandra Bullock achieved her first No. 1 movie in 10 years at the weekend box office as moviegoers across the United States and Canada said yes to "The Proposal," which also marked her biggest opening.

The Walt Disney Co romantic comedy sold an estimated $34.1 million worth of tickets during the three-day period beginning June 19, the company said on Sunday.

"It definitely met and exceeded our expectations," said Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group. "In a summer with a lot of sequels, it's always nice to have an original movie."

"The Proposal" also earned $10 million from 10 foreign markets, with No. 1 bows in Australia ($3.3 million) and Russia ($2.8 million) leading the way.

Bullock last went to No. 1 in North America with the 1999 film "Forces of Nature," which co-starred Ben Affleck. Her previous best opening was $17.6 million for her most recent film, "Premonition," in March 2007.

The 44-year-old actress stars as a book executive who fakes an engagement to her lowly assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to avoid deportation to her native Canada. The laughs ensue when she meets his parents, with "Golden Girls" veteran Betty White stealing the show. Anne Fletcher ("27 Dresses") directed. Disney declined to reveal the budget.

Critics' reviews were mixed, but exit surveys were strong, Disney said. Men accounted for 37 percent of the audience, a surprisingly large turnout for a romantic comedy.

Its reign likely will be short-lived, though, with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" opening worldwide on Wednesday through Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures.

"HANGOVER" PERSISTS

After two weekends at No. 1, "The Hangover" slipped to No. 2 with $26.9 million. The hit bachelor-party comedy now has banked $152.9 million, according to Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. Pictures.

The only other new release in the top 10 was the Jack Black prehistoric comedy "Year One," which came in at No. 4 with $20.2 million, in line with the expectations of its distributor, Sony Corp's Columbia Pictures.

The $60 million film, from "Groundhog Day" director Harold Ramis, stars Black and Michael Cera ("Juno") as hunter-gatherers banished from their primitive village.

Just ahead of it, at No. 3, was Disney's Pixar-produced cartoon "Up" with $21.3 million. It has earned $224.1 million after four weekends, surpassing the $223.8 million lifetime total of Pixar's 2008 Oscar-winning smash "WALL-E."

Zoradi said he expected "Up" to pass 2004's "The Incredibles" ($261 million) to become the second-biggest Pixar film after 2003's "Finding Nemo" ($340 million). Comparative data are not adjusted for inflation.

Rounding out the top five was Columbia's "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" with $11.3 million. Denzel Washington and John Travolta star in the hijacking thriller, which has earned $43.3 million after 10 days.

Director Woody Allen's 40th film, "Whatever Works," starring "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood, earned $281,000 from nine theaters in New York and Los Angeles. The best comparison is with his 2005 comeback, "Match Point," which opened to about $400,000 in eight theaters on its way to $23 million. "Whatever Works" was released by Sony art house unit Sony Pictures Classics.

Source: Reuters.

Shaan charms the Dhaka audience

By Nazia Ahmed

"Musu musu hasi...deo malailai...msu musu hasi deo..." was the definitive pop anthem in '99 -- from little kids to mommies and daddies, and not to forget lovebirds in every nook and cranny! Who knew that the suave, disarming smile behind the song held so much promise and enthusiasm for decades to come! Shaan (aka Shantanu Mukherjee) has carved a niche for himself in the Bollywood music industry as well as international TVdom through hosting the mega-popular talent hunt "SaReGaMaPa."

On June 20 evening, the charming star enthralled Dhaka music lovers with his impeccable performance and incredible showmanship.

The evening started with a duet by Shopon Chowdhuri and Nasreen Chowdhuri of Antor Showbiz, the event management company who made it all happen. Next the band Shironamheen took the stage and performed its famed numbers "Poronto bikel cafeteria," "Eka pakhi boshe achhe," "Prithibita" (cover of the James song), and lastly "Tumi cheye achho tai."

Then came the lovely Manisha, the runner-up of "SaReGaMaPa 2009" with hit film numbers "Zara zara," "Chance mar ley" and "Urey.”

Then with a dramatic prelude came Shaan singing "Mai hu Don." To the audiences' amazement, the artiste hummed two lines from the ever-familiar Nazrul Sangeet "Amar apnar cheye apon jey jon." Shaan carried on with his hitlist: "Jabse tere naina," "Tuney mujhe pehchana nahi," "Woh pehli bar," and the famous "Musu musu hasi." After each medley he added an old Bengali classic like "ei poth jodi na shesh hoy," adding flair and diversity to his repertoire. The young artiste not only executed the songs with vocal accuracy but his act got the audience on their feet with "Main aisa kyu hoon," "Chanda mama," "Welcome" and "Chand sifarish."

With "Bumbum boley," Shaan once again proved that his popularity among children isn't just on screen. He got some children from the audience to come up the stage, and sing and dance with him. The persisting age-old sound management issues seemed to have ticked the singer off from time to time, but he was in control. His duets with Manisha were just as much lively: "Heshona," "Ghazab," "Khushi se khud khushi kar le," "Jigarse piya," and "Das bahana". After a 15-minute break the performance resumed with "Om shanti om," "Bindas," "Dil kya kare," "Tanha Dil," and "Bhulja." Shaan also sang parts of the Bryan Adams classic "Summer of 69." He finished off with his disco numbers "Its the time to disco" and "Lets go party tonight."

The show continued till 12 am, which was expected, as the talented musician captured every heart at the venue that night with each song. The band supporting him was Groove from Mumbai. The hall was jam-packed with hundreds of fans who were left craving for more even after almost 30 songs from Shaan! But Shaan assured them there would be more to come as he is intimately attached to this country and it's people.

Source: The Daily Star.

What does music mean to our Bollywood singers, composers?

By IANS

New Delhi -- They give Bollywood music buffs their regular doses of sounds, melodies and beats that take not only the country but the world by storm. Recent example being the double Oscar for Indian music director A.R. Rahman.

Music has taken them places, music is what they eat, sleep and live with. So on the occasion of World Music Day, June 21, many artists belonging to the Hindi filmdom came out and revealed what exactly music means to them.

IANS spoke to a few of them to know their views.

Alka Yagnik: Music is like the breath I take every moment, to be able to live!

Shaan: For me music is that wonder that makes the moment far more alive. And personally for me, it's the best way to express my emotions.

Sukhwinder: Music for me is my life, my existence and it gives me energy.

Vishal Dadlani: Music is the ocean I live in. I spend all day, everyday, with music and I'm grateful for this blessing I have received!

Kailash Kher: Music to me is everything... I can see god when I do live performances or do a recording with people around me.

Sunidhi Chauhan: Music is oxygen, life, the universe for me.

Anushka Manchanda: I don't know where I would be without music. Music gives you hope, it gives you faith. It has the power to make people come out of tough times and feel better. Music is full power. That's what it is.

Toshi Sabri: Music is like breath for me.

Anand Raaj Anand: Music is a universal language... It is the language of the soul.

Sajid Ali: Music to me is a tool with which I express myself, my being, and get connected to all other people, my family included. Music has given me everything that I ever needed.

Wajid Ali: My way of living is encompassed by music. I'm thinking of music when I drive, when I play, when I gym, when I bathe even. In our family music runs in our blood. Sometimes I find this close association with music even scary. I thank god for having blessed us with this divine ability, because I cannot even think of what else I would have done with my life other than music. The satisfaction is beyond something I can explain or imagine. Just like people cannot survive without water, just like people cannot survive without air, I cannot survive even for a second without Music.

Shibani Kashyap: Music is my life, my passion and whatever music I make and compose is an extension of my personality. Music feeds my soul. I've composed and written a song called "Don't stop the music, just let it flow...", I'll be performing this in Mumbai on June 21.

Palash Sen: I know that I'll never die... Gonna live my rock and roll everyday. Got my reasons to stay alive... My music is my medicine everyday.

Source: Bollywood.com

Recalling the spirit of Sufia Kamal

Chhayanaut's Nazrul Festival ends

By Nadia Sarwat

"It was February 21, 1953. We attended programmes all day, observing the first Language Martyrs' Day. Barefoot, we went to the Shaheed Minar, which was just a bare brick structure covered by black cloth then. We were at memorial meetings and rallies, mourning those who had embraced martyrdom to secure our right to speak Bangla. In the evening, Sufia Kamal asked me what my plans are, and my tired answer was that I wanted to go back to my hall (at Dhaka University). She asked me, 'aren't you invited to the dinner celebrating International Poetry Festival?' I told her as they are celebrating the occasion on a national mourning day, I don't intend to go.

"To my surprise, she told me that we should protest this by going there, in front of all. I could not but agree with this brave woman and went to the dinner. Our presence itself was a protest, as we were in a total contrast with the jovial atmosphere. Sufia Kamal wearing a white cotton saree and me in a cotton shirt -- both of us wearing a mourning badge. We were barefoot. Responding to the host's reluctant query, Sufia Kamal said that we were there to protest the event as it dishonoured the Language Movement, and that we wanted the guests to pay homage to the martyrs. I translated her words into English, as there were many non-Bengali guests. We left the dinner after the guests acknowledged the Language Martyrs' Day. That's how bold and determined Sufia Kamal was," noted Nazrul researcher Dr. Rafiqul Islam reminisced in his memorial speech on the concluding day of the Nazrul Festival at Chhayanaut. The festival marked the 98th birth anniversary of poet Sufia Kamal.

Dr. Islam spoke on the life and philosophy of Sufia Kamal, who was inspired by the progressive and secular thoughts and views of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain.

The concluding day's programme was inaugurated by veteran Nazrul exponent Sudhin Das at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban. Together with his wife, Neelima Das, the seasoned artiste also rendered a song at the event. Chhayanaut general secretary Khairul Anam Shakil delivered the welcome speech at the event presided over by Chhayanaut president Dr. Sanjida Khatun. Artistes of Nazrul Academy and music school Hindol presented group performances at the programme. The last day's evening session featured performance by artistes of Chhayanaut along with guest artistes. Yasmin Mushtari, Rawshan Ara Mustafiz, Ferdousi Rahman, Muntarin Mahal, Dr. Nashid Kamal and Fatema Tuz Zohra were among the guest performers.

A dance-drama, titled "Shajol Shyam Gahano Deya" was a major attraction on the closing day. Based on the theme of monsoon, the dance-drama staged by Chhayanaut artistes featured Nazrul's songs and poetry on rain. The performance was directed by Sharmila Bandopadhyay. The dance-drama began with the song "Megher-o hindola." The repertoire included several songs portraying different aspects of nature and life in monsoon. Featured songs were: "Megh-medur baroshay kotha tumi," "Rimi rimjhim rimjhim namilo deya," "Chanchalo shyamolo elo gaganey" and the composition which inspired the title of the dance-drama, "Esho hey shajolo shyamo ghano deya."

Students and teachers of Chhayanaut, including Khairul Anam Shakil, Nasima Shaheen, Shahin Samad, Sharmin Shathi Islam, Sumon Majumdar, Nandita Dutt, Bijon Chandra Mistri and others performed songs. Bhaswar Bandopadhay and Mahmuda Akther's recitation was also a part of the production. Sharmila Bandopadhyay herself performed in the dance sequences along with Arno Komolika, Sonia Rashid and other dancers.

Source: The Daily Star.

Drama serial 1920 on ntv

By Cultural Correspondent

Drama serial “1920” will be aired on ntv tonight at 8:15 pm. The story revolves around friends studying together -- all aged between 19 and 20. They all have individual dreams, but there are shared aspirations. Two friends Pinky and Anila have different tastes -- the former goes for flowers and latter, for automobiles. Another member of the group, Ayon, is moody and somewhat more mature than his friends. Promiti is involved in theatre. So she draws special attention at her university. Srabonti is proud of her talents as a dancer.

The serial is written and directed by Hridi Haque. The cast includes Tisha, Sharmin Shila, Kusum Sikdar, Dipa Khandokar, Hridi Haque, Nafiza, Jitu Ahsan, Shahriar Shubho, Abhik, Shahiar Huda Rumi, Lucky Enam, Irin Parvin Lopa and Kumkum Hasan, among others.

Source: The Daily Star.

Print of iconic Einstein photo sells for $74K

CONCORD, N.H. — One of the original signed prints of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out at photographers has been sold by a New Hampshire auction house for $74,324.

Bobby Livingston, of RRAuction.com in Amherst, says the picture was taken in 1951 after a 72nd birthday celebration for the physicist.

Einstein had nine prints made. He signed the print that was auctioned on Thursday and gave it to journalist Howard K. Smith.

In his inscription, Einstein said his gesture was aimed at all of humanity. Livingston says it also was aimed at the Red Scare and the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings of the 1950s.

David Waxman of Great Neck, N.Y., is the new owner. He is a specialist in important scientific books and autographs.

Source: Associated Press.

Hollywood studio Paramount axes top executives

Reporting by Dean Goodman
Editing by Jackie Frank

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures, which suffered the first big bomb of the summer last weekend with an Eddie Murphy comedy, has fired its top production executive after barely 18 months in the job.

The Viacom Inc-owned studio said on Friday it would replace Paramount Film Group president John Lesher with former DreamWorks production chief Adam Goodman. Also out is production president Brad Weston.

Paramount, which is struggling to regain its momentum after a lengthy reliance on co-productions led to a major shakeup four years ago, did not cite a reason for the latest personnel shift in its statement.

The studio has the top film of the year so far in North America with "Star Trek," but its slate has otherwise been boosted by films from partners such as DreamWorks Animation ("Monsters vs. Aliens"). The unrelated DreamWorks Pictures has also been a major supplier, but it quit Paramount last year, leaving Goodman behind at Paramount.

Murphy's "Imagine That," which Paramount said cost $55 million to make, has earned $9.2 million after eight days.

Paramount will likely top the worldwide box office next weekend with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," although the sequel is a legacy of its DreamWorks partnership.

Goodman becomes the third executive to oversee all of Paramount's film production since studio chairman and CEO Brad Grey arrived at the studio in January 2005 with a mandate to produce more films in-house. Lesher, who had been closely involved with such Oscar-winning arthouse fare as "Babel" and "There Will Be Blood," took over as head of the film group in early 2008.

Source: Reuters.

Prophet comment controversy: SRK says 'writing error'

By Agencies

The Bandra police has filed a case against Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly making comments about Prophet Mohammad but the actor said it is a writing error and not a thought or view that he believes in.

"We have registered an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan after we received an application from an advocate who alleged that the actor made some statements hurting the sentiments of Muslims," said senior police inspector of Bandra police station, Prakash George.

The complaint was registered against Shah Rukh and the publisher of the magazine in which the purported remarks were published.

Complainant Khalid Babu Querishi alleged that in the July issue of the ‘Time and Style’ magazine, Shah Rukh had used objectionable language against the Prophet which is unacceptable," George said.

The case was registered under section 295-a (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious sentiments) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common interest) of IPC.

In a message, the actor who is currently abroad shooting for Karan Johar's "My Name is Khan", said that there is no more important figure in history than Prophet Mohammad. "Being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda," he said.

The actor's response came a day after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him.

Referring to protests on the issue, Shah Rukh said, "If they have seen my interviews about Islam and the Prophet, they should know that it is a writing error and not a thought or view I believe in."

He said, "for all practical purposes... Prophet Mohammad is the most important positive figure in Islam". Khan's statement will be recorded on his return from the US.

SRK effigy beaten with shoes

A large number of protesters put a garland of shoes round an effigy of film star, Shah Rukh Khan here to protest against his alleged "derogatory" remarks against Prophet Mohammed.

The protestors, gathered at Jehangirabad square after Friday prayers, beat up Shah Rukh's effigy with footwear to vent their anger with film star.

Later, they dispersed peacefully at the end of the protest which lasted about 30 minutes.

Shah Rukh in an interview to a magazine compared Prophet Mohammed with Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill.

Source: Screen India.

Schwarzenegger's plane makes emergency landing

LOS ANGELES — Federal investigators on Saturday were looking into what prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plane to make an emergency landing, a mishap the governor called "a little adventure" on Twitter.

The chartered jet was about 10 minutes away from landing Friday at the Santa Monica Airport when the pilot reported smoke coming from an instrument panel.

The pilot made a "quick, steep, but safe landing" at 6:23 p.m. at Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley, Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said.

No one was injured.

Authorities intend to follow-up with the New Jersey-based private charter company that ferried Schwarzenegger, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said Saturday.

Gregor said the FAA will make sure NetJets Inc. diagnoses and fixes the problem that prompted the emergency landing on Friday.

Schwarzenegger, who was heading to Santa Monica after a speech in Mendota, tweeted about the incident, calling it "a little adventure," and posting a link to a photo of the jet parked on the runway on his Twitter feed.

"All's OK, though," he tweeted.

NetJets spokeswoman Maryann Aarseth said the NetJets Hawker 800 was carrying the governor, three passengers and two crew.

"The crew followed standard emergency procedures by informing the passengers of the situation and diverting to Van Nuys where they landed the aircraft safely," Aarseth said in a statement Saturday.

Source: Associated Press.