HBO all set to make a film on Barack Obama

ANI
Posted: Apr 15, 2009

US President Barack Obama’s life, and his run to the White House, would soon be turned into a new movie. 

HBO is said to have optioned a book on which the movie on Obama will be based. The channel has chosen Mark Halperin and John Heilemann's upcoming book ‘Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime’, a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 election. Although casting for the movie has not started yet, bosses at HBO will soon be searching for stars to portray important characters of Obama and First Lady Michelle. Other roles would be of chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, former ABC correspondent-turned-Obama-adviser Linda Douglass and "Harold & Kumar" actor Kal Penn, who is about to join the White House Office of Public Liaison. 

According to experts, the combination of historical significance, generational shift and the style and energy surrounding the Obama administration seems tailor-made for film. 

"It's almost as if the country has elected someone from Central Casting, since the Obamas are so perfect," the ‘Telegraph’ quoted Robert J. Thompson, media professor at Syracuse University, as saying. He added: "

For young people especially, the White House can finally be seen as a cooler, younger place. And as a result, politics as a whole is certainly hip again."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Recession may hit Britney Spears's 'Circus' tour

Agencies
Posted: Apr 15, 2009

Even pop princess Britney Spears has not been spared by the economic recession as it may bring the curtains down on her comeback 'Circus' tour much earlier than expected. 

Spears' father, Jamie Spears has been seeking permission from a judge to expand her current Circus tour, but economic recession may hamper those plans, it was revealed in a Los Angeles courtroom, People magazine online reported. 

"It hasn't yet been determined whether it's feasible to expand tours to the Europe or Australia legs. That will be determined in the future after everyone's seen the analysis, in terms of the economy and value of the dollar," LA Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz said. 

Jamie is trying hard to extend the dates and bring back Spears career back on track after getting indefinite legal control over his daughter following her two forced hospitalizations last year. The pop star, 27, is halfway into a 49-show tour through the US, Canada and the UK, with hopes to add more dates through Europe, Australia and a possible second US tour. 

"Britney's loving being onstage again," said a source close to the singer.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Jackman offers 100,000 for charity on Twitter

Agencies
Posted: Apr 15, 2009 

After admitting that assistants updated his Twitter blog, Australian actor Hugh Jackman now wants to appease his online followers by offering USD 100,000 to a fan's favourite charity. 

And now the 'X-Men' star has asked the fans on the micro-blogging site to tell him about their favourite charities - so he can donate USD 100,000 to the most worthwhile organisation. The move comes after the actor faced flak for calling Sydney's iconic 'Opera House' 'Opera Centre' on his Twitter blog and later admitting that the mistake was made by one of his assistants, who updated the blog on his behalf. 

Jackman has invited fellow 'tweeters' to recommend causes and has vowed to give the generous sum to the selected charity on behalf of the person who can deliver the most convincing and impassioned plea - within the short textual limit the website allows. 

"I will donate 100K to one individual's favourite non profit organisation. Of course, you must convince me why by using 140 characters or less. The more passion shown for your charity the better! Get the support of your friends and teach them the importance of giving," Jackman wrote on his official Twitter page.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Pinto loses 'most beautiful woman' title to Angelina Jolie

ANI
Posted: Apr 15, 2009

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has been named the Most Beautiful Woman in the World in a new Vanity Fair poll. 

The stunner pipped supermodel Gisele Bundchen to land the crown. The ‘Wanted’ stunner garnered 58 per cent of the vote compared to newlywed Bundchen's nine per cent and third-placed Halle Berry with four per cent, reports ‘Contactmusic’. Leonardo DiCaprio's current girlfriend Bar Refaeli tied for fourth place with Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Connelly with three per cent each. 

Other celebrities to make the countdown include Beyonce Knowles, Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, Kerry Washington and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Michael Jackson's Auction Will Not Go On

By NICK HAZELL

April 15, 2009

Michael Jackson told a Beverly Hills auction house to beat it, and has canceled an auction of Jackobilia.

Julien's Auctions will return the gloves, statues, crowns and cars to Michael Jackson on April 25 rather than sell them to an eager public. 

"Both parties, Julien's Auctions and Michael Jackson, agree to halt the auction," Martin J. Nolan, Executive Director of Julien's Auctions told ABC News. "All items will remain intact as one collection and will be returned to Michael Jackson." 

"Both sides agree to make a generous donation to Music Cares, the charity founded by the Recording Academy," added Nolan. 

Prior to the Tuesday evening legal agreement, the auction was scheduled to run April 21 until April 25 and generate upwards of $30 million from the 1,390 items on sale. To placate Jackson's many fans, the collection will still be open to public viewing until April 25 for a charge of $20 per head.

Source: http://www.abcnews.go.com

From village meadows to city streets

By Karim Waheed

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

"Contrary to what many assume, the tradition of 'Pahela Baishakh' (first day of the Bengali new year) celebration in urban areas, in particular Dhaka, wasn't a sudden implant in the 1960s," says renowned cultural personality and artist Mustafa Monwar.

"The magnitude of the celebration may have changed, new trends have developed over the decades but 'Pahela Baishakh' has been and will remain one of the most authentic secular Bengali festivals," he adds.

"I remember Baishakhi celebrations in Hooghly (West Bengal) in 1945. Along with other kids, I'd get 'mishti' (sweets). Traders would open 'hal khata' (ledgers). People from remote villages would come to the nearest small towns where 'Baishakhi Mela' (fairs) were held. It encouraged local craftsmen and vendors. People tried to get new clothes for the occasion, but nothing garish though. The impact of 'Swadeshi' (anti-Raj movement) was still profound in everyday life. Mostly 'Khadi' clothes were worn," Monwar reminisces. 

"I suppose that'd be the major difference in how 'Pahela Baishakh' used to be celebrated in olden days with the way it's commemorated now -- grandeur or the tendency to show off," the veteran artist continues. "In rural Bengal, the first day of the year was marked with celebrating the harvest. It was a way of conveying gratitude for nature's bounties. The celebration was modest, mostly confined to the peripheries of the homes; in the meadows 'mela' would be on. Nothing like the pomp and public display of merriment that we see today on city streets.

"The fads in the cities include having 'panta-bhat' (a once-a-year phenomenon for most), colour coordinated (often designer) outfits etc -- 'traditions' that have more to do with showing off.

"I don't see anything wrong with this urban trend of showing off though. The razzle-dazzle is appropriate in the cities to bring everyone together, as the social and personal distances among us continue to grow."

Monwar was one of the initiators of 'Baishakhi Shobhajatra' in Dhaka. "The 'Baishakhi Celebration' we see in Dhaka has evolved over the last few decades. In the '60s (during the Pakistan era), we felt the need to celebrate our Bengali identity. Chhayanat's 'Baishakhi' musical programme at Ramna should be considered a catalyst for that movement. Everything evolved around that. Carnivals or cavalcades are very popular throughout the world. The 'shobhajatra' on 'Pahela Baishakh' certainly added to the festivity. What I also find endearing is the growing popularity of 'Lakkhi-shora,' 'tyapa-putul' and other local art objects. 

"On the whole, I'm content with the current urban version of 'Pahela Baishakh,' as it has retained its secular Bengali essence. What's disconcerting though is a waning in the tradition in our rural areas. Perhaps it's financial strains or misguided religious inhibitions. But it's necessary that we look into this issue right away," Monwar says.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Sonakshi Sinha to debut opposite Salman Khan in Arbaaz Khan's production

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 19, 2009

Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of yesteryear's actor Shatrughan Sinha, is all set to make her entry into showbiz. The young actress must indeed be feeling on top of the world as she gets to share screen space with none other than Salman Khan in her very first film.

The film in question is yet untitled directed by Abhinav Kashyap (brother of Anurag Kashyap) and produced by Arbaaz Khan under his newly launched banner Arbaaz Khan Productions. The film is essentially a human relationship drama and is expected to go on floors in September.

In the past as well, many actress have debuted opposite Salman Khan like Sneha Ullal (Lucky-No Time For Love) and Sonam Kapoor (Saawariya). One will have to wait and watch if Sallu's magic rubs off on Sonakshi too.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Nandana Sen denied an international project as it required her to go topless

By Subhash K. Jha Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 14, 2009

After the controversial nude scenes in Ketan Mehta's Rang Rasiya, Nandana Sen got another highly-prestigious offer that required her to go topless.Italian filmmaker Italo Spinelli offered Nandana the lead of a tribal woman who's surreptitiously shot nude by a photographer.

The film is based on Bengali litterateur Mahashweta Devi's provocative and controversial story Choli Ke Peeche. The role offered to Nandana was pivotal tempting and challenging .Nandana was sorely tempted. But doing a full-on topless sequence which is a crucial part of the narrative, so soon after Rang Rasiya, was just not on Nandana's agenda.

She has reluctantly and after much deliberation said No, throwing the whole project to be started later this year, into back gear.

Nandana explains, "It's a good project directed by Italo Spinelli, produced by RAI, shot by Blasco Giurardo, the cinematographer of Cinema Paradiso. It's a powerful story and although I support it fully, I feel the subject matter is such that the tribal girl's nudity cannot avoid becoming unintentionally voyeuristic and eroticised even though that is definitely not the objective. If you remember, previously too I passed on various other international projects because of a similar concern."

Nandana made an exception with Ketan Mehta's film. "Rang Rasiya focuses on the increasing critical topic of censorship of art. Remember what happened in Jehangir art gallery last month? Ketan's film deals entirely with the freedom to paint the human figure in its natural beauty. The emotional drama as well as the political message of the film revolve around one critical and excessively talked- about scene of Sugandha, the muse, having the courage to break the rules of the time to pose for Ravi Varma (Randeep Hooda) and create a masterpiece of art together."

But having said this, Nandana says no to nudity, no matter how aesthetic. Could the fact that she intends to tie the knot with steady boyfriend Madhu Mantena have something to do with her decision to forego such a plum assignment?

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Tendulkar has date with 'himself' - courtesy Madame Tussauds

IANS

Mumbai, April 13

It was another record but of a different kind for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Madame Tussauds flew the cricketer's wax figure some 7,000 km to meet the legend in person here Monday and made him the first Indian sportsman to be featured by the London-headquartered studio.And Tendulkar was truly delighted, coming face to face with the likeness of his wax figure at the downtown Taj Lands End Hotel.

"I am very impressed with the figure and delighted to be honoured by Madame Tussauds," said the renowned cricketer, who holds several records to his name, including the batsman with the highest number of Test centuries.

"It is the first time we have ever launched a figure overseas. But we really wanted Sachin to see his likeness before it 'meets' the public," said Liz Edwards of Madame Tussauds, London.

"The figure will now be returning to London to join the ranks of sporting greats past and present in our sports zone. There will also be a cricketing challenge around the figure where guests can test their skills against the master-blaster'," she said.

"We know it will be a huge hit with fans."

Tendulkar had met the sculptors of Madame Tussauds here earlier in the year to be measured and photographed for the creation of his figure. He also donated the cricket whites that his striking wax double is wearing.The cricketer follows in the footsteps of Bollywood giants Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who have been honoured by Madame Tussauds.According to the London-based firm, Tendulkar's figure was created at their studios in west London over a three-month period, starting with a a perfect clay sculpture from which the moulds are made for an amazingly life-like wax figure.Then it was over to a team of skilled hair and colour artists to insert the hair by hand and to build life-like skin tones using layer upon layer of oil paint - every freckle, mole, dimple and wrinkle are accurately reproduced, the firm said.

"London and India share a great passion for cricket and we are delighted that Madame Tussauds has unveiled a figure of Sachin Tendulkar," said Sally Chatterjee, the interim chief executive of Visit London, the agency that promotes tourism to the British capital.

"With the International Cricket Council's World Twenty20 coming to London this June more cricket fans will have the opportunity to come face to face with one of their sporting heroes."

Madame Tussauds, which has its attractions in London, New York, Las Vegas, Washington, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong and Shanghai, has been making wax figures for over 150 years.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Mel Gibson’s wife files for divorce

ANI
Posted: Apr 14, 2009

Mel Gibson’s wife has filed a divorce petition weeks after the actor was spotted frolicking with a brunette on a beach. 

Robyn Gibson, 52, has filed papers to end their 28 years of marriage citing “irreconcilable differences”. 

Sources blame the split on Mel’s relationship with a Russian musician called Oksana. The pair had reportedly become close on the set of his latest film The Edge of Darkness, and were snapped coming out of his trailer together, however, the Oscar winner denies any affair. The Lethal Weapon star is worth up to 640 million pounds and Robyn will be entitled to half the actor’s earnings during their 28-year marriage, reports the ‘Sun’. Mel also owns a 28-million pound church in Malibu and a 10-million pound island in Fiji. While Robyn has listed their separation date as “to be confirmed”, Mel has given an exact separation date of August 26, 2006 — less than a month after his infamous DUI arrest. 

The couple has seven kids. 

In her papers, Robyn has asked for a joint custody of Tom, their younger child as well as spousal support and legal fees. Mel and Robyn released a statement yesterday, saying: “Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so.”

Source: http://www.screenindia.com