Grammy-nominated sitar artist debuts as Bollywood music director

Mumbai, June 11 (ANI): Grammy-nominated sitar artist Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan, who made his debut as music director with the Bollywood flick ”Mr Singh Mrs Mehta” launched the soundtrack of the film in Mumbai.

”Mr Singh and Mrs Mehta” also marks the directorial debut of Pravesh Bhardwaj.

Renowned director Sudhir Mishra and actor Prashant Narayanan were present at the music launch on Thursday.

Mishra lauded Khan for giving importance to lyrics.

“This is an amazing kind of music. It has its own place, its own charm. It gives importance to the words, it expresses the meaning and it is in another style,” said Mishra.

The sitarist, who mesmerised the audience with his compositions, said the film”s music was a throwback to yesteryears, with an emphasis on melody.

“The soul of ”Mr Singh and Mrs Mehta” lies in its music. It will take the audience back to the good old days of melodious music, which is ably backed by soulful lyrics,” said Khan.

”Mr Singh and Mrs Mehta” portrays complex shades of life, weaving a story of friendship, love and adultery.

The movie that is set for release on June 25 has been tagged by the director as one suited to mature and adult audiences. (ANI)

Madonna casts James D”arcy as King Edward VIII for upcoming flick

London, June 4 (ANI): Queen of Pop Madonna has cast actor James D”arcy as King Edward VIII in her upcoming royal biopic W.E.

The singer is set to direct the film, based on the story of the former monarch, who abdicated the throne after falling in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Actress Andrea Riseborough, best known for her TV portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will play the woman who rocked the royal family, while Aussie beauty Abbie Cornish will star as a modern wife who compares herself to Wallis.

And now, Madonna has picked D”Arcy to take on the role of King Edward.

“We”ve found the right cast for this picture. The addition of James is wonderful as he”s got such charisma and possesses a regal quality that he can capture. There was a real chemistry between him and Andrea,” the Daily Express quoted producer Colin Vaines as saying. (ANI)

Megan Fox keen to land Pirates of the Caribbean role

Wellington, May 26 (ANI): Megan Fox is eyeing a part in the new Pirates of the Caribbean flick, it has emerged.

Movie bosses are reportedly looking for an actress to play a sexy mermaid in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”, which stars Johnny Depp as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow.

And Megan, whose exit from the Transformers franchise has recently been announced, is keen to land the role.

“Megan is mulling over a number of big movie offers including another sci-fi franchise and a role in the next Pirates of the Caribbean,” Stuff.co.nz quoted a source, as saying.

The insider added: “She would play a mermaid who charms Captain Jack but she has a dark motive.”

Also, teaming up with Depp is something Megan has always dreamt of.

“Megan has always loved Johnny and is desperate to work with him. She”s grateful to Transformers for making her name but she”s ready to move on to better and bigger things,” said the snitch. (ANI)

Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz to star in final chapter of ‘Twilight’ saga

New York, May 20 (ANI): Actors Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz have been signed for ‘Breaking Dawn’, the fourth part of ‘Twilight’ movie series.

Both the stars will join Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the fourth and the last version.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, stars were reportedly demanding for their price hike but the duo have settled pay disputes over the ‘Twilight’ saga’s final chapter, reports the New York Post.

Movie studio Summit Entertainment, which has made billions off the franchise, has been negotiating with the two supporting characters since last week, but the two actors reportedly wanted increase in their pay for the next flick.

Since the studio did not allow them to renegotiate on the second and third films.

“The studio realized how valuable Ashley and Kellan are to the franchise and did what they needed to do to keep them,” said a source close to the situation.

The duo have settled for 1.25 million dollars per film now, their characters are reportedly slated to get more screen time in the ‘Breaking Dawn’ segments. (ANI)

‘Ghost’ set for Japanese remake

London, May 16 (ANI): Japan is about to get its own version of Patrick Swayze”s hit movie ‘Ghost’.

The 1990 film won two Academy Awards including a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Whoopi Goldberg.

And now the flick is heading back to the big screen under the direction of Taro Otani with an all-Japanese cast, reports The Daily Express.

The project will begin filming in June (10).

It is slated for an autumn release (10), according to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. (ANI)

Cannes’ LiLo ‘snub’

New York, May 13 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan has been trying to swing a free trip to the Cannes film festival to wrangle money for her new Linda Lovelace biopic, ‘Inferno,’ but no one”s willing to pay for her, it has emerged.

“She”s been asking around, but hasn”t had any takers,” the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

The ‘Mean Girls’ star was well-behaved when she showed up at the Valentino-sponsored fete for the Lincoln Center Institute at the Hudson Hotel this week.

Director Matthew Wilder of the Lovelace flick says: “It”s not something I can imagine that anybody would ever be turned on by, unless they”re really sick.” (ANI)

Harry Potter stars Jamie Campbell Bower, Bonnie Wright ‘engaged’

Melbourne, May 10 (ANI): ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows’ stars Jamie Campbell Bower and Bonnie Wright are engaged, sources say.

Wright, 19, who plays Ginny Weasley in the wizard flick, has reportedly accepted Bower’s marriage proposal.

“We are all absolutely shocked and surprised and can’t believe that Jamie has asked Bonnie to marry him,” the Daily Telegraph quoted a source as telling The Mail On Sunday newspaper in the UK.

The insider added; “They met on the set of the movie and Jamie fell for Bonnie really badly.

“He says they are completely in love. It all seems very whirlwind, but they both say it’s the real deal.”

Bower plays the role of Gellert Grindelwald in the film. (ANI)

Director of next Twilight flick woos fans through Facebook post

Melbourne, May 3 (ANI): Bill Condon, who will be directing the next movie in The Twilight Saga, has posted an open letter on Facebook in a bid to be accepted by diehard fans of the trilogy.

Twilight’s notoriously obsessive fans were cautious after last week’s announcement that Condon, 54, was to take charge of the hugely popular movie series and he was keen to assure them that he was doing his best.

“I’m pretty busy bringing myself up to speed on what you already know by heart,” News.com.au quoted him as writing.

“I’ve read Breaking Dawn twice, rewatched Catherine’s and Chris’s movies 2-3 times each, have all four CDs playing in my car, and have Catherine’s notebook, Mark Cotta Vaz’s companion books, and even Volume 1 of the graphic novel here on my desk.

“I realize that this barely qualifies me for “newborn” status in the universe you’ve been living inside for a few years now, but a guy’s gotta start somewhere,” he wrote.

Condon’s movie will be the fourth to be released, and is based on the fourth book in the series, Breaking Dawn.

But Condon’s net note did nothing to quell the controversy over whether the movie based on the final book in the series will be one movie or split into two.

Fanatical fans of the series known as Twihards, maintain the final book needs to become two movies to do it justice.

In the Facebook post, which has had 3000 responses, he seems to refer to two movies.

“I’ve been given a very warm welcome by Stephenie and Team Summit – who are super-focused, as you know, on getting these movies right,” he stated. (ANI)

LiLo ”leading a messy life in an unclean home”

Washington, April 29 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan is leading a messy life in an unclean home with “spilled coffee and drinks around the rooms, and stuff all over, clothes everywhere,” it has emerged.

Just a few years ago, the Mean Girls star was one of the hottest things to have happened to Hollywood.

However, all the stardom seems to have drained out of her life and Lindsay doesn”t even have work now.

But even now the starlet, 23, has not come back to her senses and living a shabby life is almost becoming a habit with her.

“Lindsay has been living in a major mess lately. Whether she”s in her home or a hotel room, she does not pick up after herself or take care of things,” Fox News quoted a source close to Lohan, as saying.

The insider added: “She sleeps on a mattress on the floor, there”s spilled coffee and drinks around the rooms, and stuff all over, clothes everywhere. It is not a clean home environment. She sleeps most days and it is difficult to wake her up.”

Mum Dina seems to believe making Lindsay”s sis Ali, 16, stay with her can solve her elder daughters problems.

The informer said: “Ali lives with Lindsay. I think [their mother] Dina believes that it will help Lindsay to have Ali around.

“Ali is also in L.A. for work and is hoping to land something soon as an actress. It”s a stretch to think that Lindsay should be responsible for Ali. Lindsay has enough trouble taking care of herself.”

However, matters have only worsened for Lindsay.

She recently lost out on a role in the flick “The Other Side,” after Katie Holmes backed out.

The snitch said: “Lindsay was cut from the movie for multiple reasons.

“It”s an independent film and the budget with the insurance coverage would have skyrocketed. Drug testing would have been a part of the insurance process as well.” (ANI)

”Rajneeti” is much more than politics: Katrina Kaif

Mumbai, Apr 28 (ANI): Actress Katrina Kaif has said that her upcoming flick ”Rajneeti” is much more than politics, and despite it not being a serious film, it is a crucial topic.

“The story in this film is not just what you see in posters or in promos. You have seen a lot of (these), obviously you have seen it as a political film, but there is a very interesting story behind it. There is a personal story as well, there is romance in the film, there is jealousy, there is bitterness, there is betrayal,” said Katrina Kaif.

“It is not a serious film, it is about a serious topic, but it is very entertaining film in the content. Otherwise, you guys all know me well enough to know that I wouldn”t do a film, which is not entertaining. This is entertainment of a different sort,” she added.

Contrary to speculations that her character in the film was inspired by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Kaif said that she had watched the election campaign videos of Gandhi”s daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for a first hand know-how on right looks and the body language.

“That is one of the persons whom I have seen, I did particularly like her (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of ruling Congress party president Sonia Gandhi) way of talking and the way she talks in public and because we are not basing my character on anybody living or dead,” said Katrina Kaif.

“I think I had freedom and Prakash Jha also gave me that freedom to maybe just see somebody I like and try develop a character to that,” she added.

Kaif launched the music album of the film along with actor Ranbir Kapoor and Director Prakash Jha here on Tuesday.

Talking about the music of the film, actor Ranbir Kapoor mentioned that Jha has roped in some renowned music composers for the film, and added that music would add to the layers of ”Rajneeti”.

“Rajneeti is a family-political thriller and I think the music just helps to be more engaging to the audience, but don”t expect us to be singing songs or doing anything,” said Ranbir Kapoor.

Director Prakash Jha said the film is the story of power-seekers, people who continuously seek power like power in personal life, power in professional life and in political standing.

Fifty-eight year old Prakash Jha returns to the silver screen this June with ”Rajneeti”, a big-budget political thriller that has a multitude of stars such as Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgan and Nana Patekar.

The flick has been shot in Bhopal is expected to hit the theaters on June 4, 2010. (ANI)

Paltrow felt awkward during Iron Man 2 kiss scene: Robert Downey Jr

Sydney, April 26 (ANI): Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr has confessed that his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow felt awkward when they shared an on-screen kiss in new film Iron Man 2.

Downey Jr plays Iron Man for the second time in the sequel to the 2008 flick.

The 45-year-old actor admitted that Paltrow felt uneasy during the lip-lock, reports People magazine.

“She said I didn”t know what I was doing, like, ”It didn”t feel good.” And I said ‘You know what? First of all, we’re all friends, so what would be creepy is if I was coming off all sexy to you while we were shooting – which by the way, I”ve done that in movies and it creeps them out! So why would I creep you out,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Downey Jr as saying. (ANI)

Paltrow felt awkward during Iron Man 2 kiss scene: Robert Downey Jr

Sydney, April 26 (ANI): Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr has confessed that his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow felt awkward when they shared an on-screen kiss in new film Iron Man 2.

Downey Jr plays Iron Man for the second time in the sequel to the 2008 flick.

The 45-year-old actor admitted that Paltrow felt uneasy during the lip-lock, reports People magazine.

“She said I didn”t know what I was doing, like, ”It didn”t feel good.” And I said ‘You know what? First of all, we’re all friends, so what would be creepy is if I was coming off all sexy to you while we were shooting – which by the way, I”ve done that in movies and it creeps them out! So why would I creep you out,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Downey Jr as saying. (ANI)

Mike Myers confirms fourth ‘Austin Powers’

London, Apr 24 (ANI): ‘Austin Powers’ actor Mike Myers has confirmed that another sequel in the spoofy franchise is in the pipeline.

He said that “things are on track” for a fourth movie.

Mike, 46, said scheduling is the reason for the hold-up on the spoof spy film.

“I’m very happy how insanely well it’s gone. But it’s hard to get everybody together,” the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

The last Austin Powers flick, Goldmember, was released in 2002. (ANI)

Russell Brand hates doing on-screen sex scenes

London, April 24 (ANI): Russell Brand has confessed that he hated doing sex scenes in his latest flick Get Him to the Greek.

Engaged to singer Katy Perry, 35-year-old Brand is a famed ladies” man.

But he said about sex scenes that, “It”s actually sort of stressful. Not like actual sex, not as I know it. You”re standing with no pants, hunched over someone but without the lust.”

Brand also did a threesome in the movie that is a sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, reports The Sun.

“It was awkward,” Brand said. (ANI)

Volcanic ash chaos turns romantic for Chace Crawford

London, April 24 (ANI): The Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, that left passengers stranded at European airports, brought romance for actor Chace Crawford – the Gossip Girl star was seen enjoying a date in London, it has emerged.

Crawford, 24, who flew into London early last week for the promotion of his new flick Twelve, found himself stuck in the UK after flights across northern Europe were cancelled due to the heavy ash cloud floating in the skies.

But Crawford used the opportunity to his favour and was spotted with a Brit actress, named only as Tessa.

He was reportedly seen enjoying an evening with the blonde, and was snapped leaving a London night spot with his arm around her waist.

“Chace was trapped in London, so he spent his time with Tessa. They were introduced by a friend and really hit it off. He had to return to the U.S. for work, but he hopes he”ll see her again,” the Daily Express quoted a source as telling the New York Post. (ANI)

Scarlett Johansson’s sexy ‘Black Widow’ dress to leave tongues hanging!

Washington, April 24(ANI): Actor Samuel L. Jackson has said Scarlett Johansson will leave tongues hanging when fans watch her wearing a tight superhero outfit in ‘Iron Man 2’.

The hottie plays the role of Black Widow, for which she has worn a skin-hugging bodysuit, in the film.

“Scarlett has this fantastic following anyway, but I think Black Widow”s gonna bring, like, tongues hanging, drooling toward her. Plus, she”s kicking so much ass.” Fox News quoted her co-star Jackson, as saying.

Also, Johansson has admitted the dress is sexy.

She told ET: “I don”t think I”ve ever worn anything like it before. I mean, it”s a unitard … a sexy unitard.”

Robert Downey Jr, who stars as Iron Man in the super hero flick, added: “I saw the costume when we were doing wardrobe tests, and I was just like, ”Oh my god, this is just not fair.”” (ANI)

Oil drill monitoring was ‘flick and tick’, inquiry told

An inquiry into the Timor Sea oil spill has heard the Northern Territory Department of Resources failed to adequately monitor the drilling operations of PTTEP Australasia.

The company is responsible for the West Atlas oil rig, which leaked oil and gas into the Timor Sea for 10 weeks late last year and caught fire.

While giving evidence, senior Northern Territory public servant Jeremy Whitfield agreed that the department’s role in assessing the West Atlas drilling operation was more of a “flick-and-tick” exercise.

He told the inquiry the department is only now beginning to realise the full details of the spill and the ongoing risks.

The inquiry heard the department’s regulatory role could be improved with more resources and it will consider better ways of monitoring drilling operations.

The inquiry wraps up in Canberra today.

The Northern Territory Opposition’s Kezia Purick says the department needs more funding and the Government is to blame.

“Over the last five to eight years under this Government, they have allowed the department to be depleted of key personnel who would have been able to do the audits, who would have been able to analyse the plans and the permit applications.

The Territory’s Resources Minister, Kon Vatskalis, says he will not comment until the inquiry’s findings are handed down.

Kate Hudson ”dating three men after A-Rod split”

New York, April 1 (ANI): After calling it quits with Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez a.k.a. A-Rod, Kate Hudson is reportedly seeing three men at a time.

According to reports, photographer Darren Ankenman, Australian golfer Adam Scott and an LA hedge fund manager are her current love interests.

Kate met Darren during the 2009 flick “Bride Wars.”

“They hit it off on the set, but nothing romantic happened until after she and Alex broke up during the winter,” a source close to them revealed.

Darren recently signed the actress for a steamy photo shoot, the pictures of which are displayed on his website, reports The New York Daily News.

Then, according to inside sources, came an L.A. hedge-fund manager who was followed by golfer Adam Scott. Kate and Adam were spotted enjoying a cozy vacation in Hawaii in January last year.

“She was casually seeing both Alex and Adam at the same time, but she broke things off with Adam when she got serious with A-Rod,” a source said.

The source added: “She recently got back in touch with Adam when he was in L.A., and they”ve been seeing each other. They”ve always gotten along really well.” (ANI)

Jolie’s steamy romp with Banderas now in Blu-ray version

London, March 26 (ANI): Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who dazed all by stripping off for an eye-watering romp with Antonio Banderas in her 2001 movie ‘Original Sin’, is going to stun fans even further with the upcoming Blu-ray release of the film.

In the movie, Jolie stars as a con artist who poses as a mail order bride in a bid to steal money from men in the flick, reports the Sun.

The film is based on the novel Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich, and is a remake of the 1969 Truffaut film Mississippi Mermaid.

Meanwhile, Jolie’s first photographs as a teenage model are all set to go under the hammer.

At 15 years of age, the ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ actress posed for photographer Harry Langdon, donning a variety of provocative dresses. (ANI)

Ewan Mcgregor in Madonna”s movie?

London, March 24 (ANI): Ewan Mcgregor has reportedly bagged the lead role in Madonna”s movie about the late British royal King Edward VIII.

The film – Madonna’s second stint as a director after Filth and Wisdom (2008) – is about the former Monarch who abdicated in 1936 to tie the knot with twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson.

According to Screen Daily, the Scottish star, 38, will play Edward in the upcoming flick, reports the Daily Star.

Vera Farmiga, will slip into Simpson’s shoes while Aussie actress Abbie Cornish is also expected to star in the movie.