Alice, Darling, will premiere on Lionsgate Play in India on May 26. The show stars Anna Kendrick alongside Charlie Carrick, Kaniehtiio Horn and Wunmi Mosaku. The film follows Alice through an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. When her best friends intervene, an unwitting Alice faces the harsh reality she was desperately running away from. The show touches on the subjects of emotional abuse and domestic violence. Anna Kendrick said, “There was something about Alana’s writing that felt so poetic. I was really interested in telling a story about a toxic, abusive relationship that didn’t look the way it’s always been portrayed in movies. And the way that Alana wrote about this woman’s inner turmoil and the subtle but very rewarding journey that she goes on, very much intrigued me.”
Tag: Entertainment
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Katrina wishes Vicky with ‘a little dance, dher saara pyaar’
Actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif did some romantic steps as they danced their hearts out on the former’s 35th birthday. Making her husband’s birthday special, Katrina took to Instagram and shared a few pictures from the celebrations. The first image shows Vicky holding Katrina in his arms and dancing like no one’s watching them. In the second photo, the couple is seen all smiles for the camera.
“A little dance , dher saara pyaar ….Happiest birthday my,” she captioned the post. The images garnered several likes and comments. Fashion stylist dropped a string of white heart emojis in the comment section.
“Bless you both,” a social media user commented. Vicky and Katrina are one of the most adorable couples in Bollywood. The two have been exuding pure love ever since they tied the knot on December 9 in a private ceremony in Rajasthan. Katrina spilled beans about her relationship with Vicky on the seventh season of ‘Koffee with Karan’.
Source: ANI -
SRK says he had no money after buying Mannat, so he turned to Gauri for the refurb
Shah Rukh Khan ranks among the richest superstars in the country, but when he bought his landmark house, Mannat, he says he was practically broke and didn’t have any money to get it refurbished and furnished, so his wife Gauri Khan turned designer for the house.
King Khan, who made a spectacular comeback earlier this year with Pathaan, was interacting with the media during the launch of Gauri Khan’s coffee-table book, My Life In Design.
Sharing the interesting story behind their house Mannat and how Gauri Khan entered the world of designing, Shah Rukh said, “When we bought Mannat, it was way beyond our means, and once we were done buying the house, we didn’t have money to decorate it. We hired a designer, only to realise we couldn’t afford him.
“So, I turned to Gauri, as she had artistic talent, and asked her to be the designer for our house. Mannat started like that, and over time, we earned and kept buying little stuff for the house. We even once went to South Africa to buy leather for the sofas, and I think that training ground got her into designing.” Gauri Khan’s book charts out her journey as a designer with exclusive pictures of her and her family. Unseen images of Mannat and the design thought processes that went into turning around the heritage property, and other key projects as well, are a part of the book.
Gauri Khan also spoke about her husband being the hardest to please. Her most challenging project has been designing the Red Chillies Entertainment office.
She said, “Every project is dear to a designer, whether you’re working on something big or small, each project has challenges, and we have to give it our best. I have been working for so many years, but I think Shah Rukh’s project, the Red Chillies office, was a tough one to crack. Our team was always struggling to get his approval because he would come up with a better design, at all times.” Source: IANS -
Kangana says she lost over 20 brand endorsements, Rs 30-40 crore per year when she spoke against ‘anti-nationals’
Actress Kangana Ranaut has claimed that she was dropped from over 25 brand endorsements and incurred Rs 30-40 crore loss every year as she spoke against “politicians, anti-nationals, tukde-tukde gang”. Kangana took to Instagram, where she shared an interview of Twitter head Elon Musk, which had the headline “Elon Musk: I’ll say what I want, and if the consequence of that is losing money, so be it.”
She captioned it: “This is a character, true freedom and success, speaking for Hinduism, against politicians/anti-nationals/tukde gang costed me 20-25 brand endorsements, they dropped me overnight and that amounted to a loss of Rs 30-40 crore per year…”Kangana said that nothing can stop her from saying whatever she wants.
“But I am free and nothing should stop me from saying what I want definitely not agenda-driven multinational companies and their corporate brand heads who hate India it’s culture and integrity… I appreciate Elon because everyone displays only weaknesses, at least rich person should not care for money…I see those more rich they get deprived they become…”
On the work front, Kangana will be seen in ‘Emergency’, ‘Tejas’, ‘Chandramukhi 2’, ‘Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda’ and ‘The Incarnation: Sita’. -
Kim Kardashian’s social media empire fuels a $1.34 billion buyout blitz
In a dazzling display of entrepreneurial prowess, Kim Kardashian, the queen of reality TV turned cultural icon, is leveraging her social media empire to launch a debut private equity fund. SKKY Partners, the brainchild of Kardashian and former Carlyle Group executive Jay Sammons, aims to raise a staggering $1.34 billion in a challenging fundraising landscape.
What sets SKKY Partners apart from the competition? It’s none other than the millions of devoted fans who hang on to Kardashian’s every post, tweet, and TikTok dance routine. With a jaw-dropping 432 million followers across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, the pitch boldly declares that Kardashian’s social reach is the secret ingredient that will ensure SKKY’s triumph.
But this isn’t just a numbers game. The pitch highlights Kardashian’s “demonstrated ability to identify and define culture.” She’s not just a reality star; she’s a trendsetter, a tastemaker, and a force to be reckoned with in the world of consumer and media. With SKKY Partners targeting 10 to 12 investments in these industries, ranging from $100 million to $500 million each, the fund is poised to make some serious waves.
However, in a fundraising environment plagued by rising interest rates and recession predictions, even industry giants like Apollo Global Management and Carlyle are feeling the pressure. Yet, Kardashian’s star power seems undiminished. Her shapewear company, Skims, already valued at a whopping $3.2 billion in 2022, showcases her ability to turn fame into fortune.
SKKY Partners plans to ride this wave of cultural relevance by tapping into a network of actors, musicians, artists, and athletes. With their fingers on the pulse of popular culture, they aim to stay ahead of the game and make strategic investments that resonate with the masses. And it doesn’t stop there. The firm intends to mine social media for valuable insights into consumer attitudes, giving them an edge in understanding the ever-shifting dynamics of brand loyalty. As the launch of the fund approaches, SKKY Partners remains flexible, without setting a close date and open to adjusting their targets. They understand the challenges of the current economic climate and are determined to navigate them successfully. To bolster their ranks, the firm has been bolstering their team, adding professionals from across Wall Street. By the end of 2023, they expect to have a team of over 15 individuals, ready to conquer the investment landscape.
Kim Kardashian’s foray into the private equity world is a bold move, but one that seems tailor-made for her unique blend of fame, influence, and business acumen. With her social media reach and SKKY Partners’ ambitious goals, they’re poised to disrupt the industry, one investment at a time. The world is watching as Kardashian sets her sights on a new frontier, where her financial prowess matches her cultural impact. Source: HT -
‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’
“It’s a story of an ordinary man, doing an extraordinary job” says Manoj Bajpayee at the ZEE5 Global Special Screening of ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ in New Jersey
EDISON, NJ (TIP) : On Sunday, May 14, Manoj Bajpayee stole the limelight at the exclusive screening of the much-anticipated courtroom drama ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ organized by ZEE5 Global in New Jersey. The highly anticipated film, soon to release on ZEE5 Global, was showcased at BIG Cinemas in Edison. The exclusive event, attended by prominent people from the South Asian community and media, saw the celebrated actor actively engage with his fans who were thrilled with the personalized interaction.
Speaking about the character he plays in the movie, Manoj Bajpayee stated, “It’s a story of an ordinary man, doing an extraordinary job, that becomes an example for society.” His words encapsulated the essence of the film, which resonated with viewers on multiple levels. While sharing insights into his preparation for a challenging monologue which he delivered in a single take, he revealed “I rehearsed my monologue more than 100 times before starting the shoot.” Speaking at the screening, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, said, “It is a powerful courtroom drama that will stay with you. In a world where one is often dealing with injustice and left feeling angry, this film gives you a sense of closure and satisfaction and we’re thrilled to see how strongly it is resonating with our audiences here.”
Chairman and Managing Director, Bhanushali Studios Limited, Vinod Bhanushali says, “After the response at New York International Film Festival, it is humbling to hear about the love and appreciation our Indian diaspora gave to a film we all have worked hard towards. It is a matter of pride to see the world finally celebrating Indian cinema.”
“We are thrilled with the heart-warming response the film has been receiving from the Indian diaspora and the New York Indian Film Festival. The world is now recognizing as well as celebrating Indian content and we are proud to pioneer this wave of change,” says Shariq Patel, Chief Business Officer, Zee Studios.
The film’s screening at the New York Indian Film Festival earlier this week garnered an overwhelming response from the audience. further solidifying its position as a must-watch title.
Produced by Zee Studios, Vinod Bhanushali’s Bhanushali Studios Limited, and Suparn S Varma, ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ is touted as one of the biggest legal courtroom dramas of the year. The Apoorv Singh Karki directorial, inspired by true events, follows high court lawyer PC Solanki, who single-handedly fights an extraordinary case against the country’s biggest godman for the rape of a minor under the POCSO Act.
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Vidya Balan returns to theatres with Neeyat
Abundantia Entertainment and Prime Video have announced the release date of their murder mystery film Neeyat. The movie features Vidya Balan in the lead role and will be released in theatres on July 7. Neeyat is helmed by Anu Menon, who last directed Vidya Balan in the 2020 film Shakuntala Devi.
Neeyat also features Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Neeraj Kabi, and Amrita Puri, among others. Neeyat has been written by Anu Menon, Priya Venkataraman, Advaita Kala, and Girvani Dhyani, with dialogues by Kausar Munir.
Produced by the Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment, which also produced Shakuntala Devi, and co-produced by Prime Video, Neeyat narrates the gripping story of an unlikely detective (Vidya Balan) who investigates mysterious murders at a billionaire’s party, where nothing is what it seems and all suspects hide a secret or two.
Neeyat marks Vidya Balan’s return to theatres after her stint on OTT. She featured in films like Shakuntala Devi (2020), Sherni (2021), and Jalsa (2022). The producers released a teaser poster of the movie that gives the audience a sneak peek into the film. -
Ayesha Jhulka on her ‘glam girl’ image, why she quit films
Ayesha Jhulka was recently seen in the web series, Happy Family Conditions Apply. The actor made her comeback with Tanuja Chandra’s series Hush Hush in 2022 after a gap of some years. In a new interview, Ayesha spoke about why she quit acting, calling it a ‘conscious choice’. Ayesha has acted in films such as Aamir Khan-starrer Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and Himmatwala (1998), among many others.
Ayesha also opened up about her ‘glam girl’ image, and said that being seen as glamorous is fine when you are a newcomer, but as you grow in the profession, ‘you also want to be known for your acting chops’. Ayesha spoke about her initial years in the Hindi film industry, and said while the characters she was playing had different names, ‘they were almost similar’.
“It (her break from acting) was a conscious choice. I felt that if I associate myself with a project, I should be able to add value to it. But that can only happen if I am given a chance to perform. If that was not happening and I was being treated as a prop in a project, then it was not really worth my time. So I had to put an end to those roles. Every actress wants an upgrade, wants to be known for her acting skills and not just as a glam girl. I wanted that too…. When I joined the Hindi film industry, while the characters I played had different names, they were almost similar,” Ayesha told The Times of India.
“I had nothing against what was being offered to me, but I felt I was doing the same kind of films, I had to be a clotheshorse, do the typical song-dance routine, get romanced by the hero and look beautiful. Being a glam girl is fine when you are a newcomer, but as you grow in the profession, you also want to be known for your acting chops. The cinema I was doing no longer satisfied me, I was hungry work that tapped my potential and that wasn’t happening. Taking a break from acting and devoting my energies elsewhere made sense,” she added.
Ayesha was seen alongside Raj Babbar, Ratna Pathak Shah and Atul Kulkarni in the comedy series titled Happy Family: Conditions Apply. The 10-episode series premiered on Prime Video on March 10. Created and directed by Aatish Kapadia and JD Majethia, the series also stars Sanah Kapur, Meenal Sahu, Raunaq Kamdar, Ahaan Saboo, Swati Das, Kariuki Margaret Wanjiku, Paresh Ganatra, Pranoti Pradhan, Samar Vermani and Neha Julkat. -
Anurag Kashyap shares new stills of Sunny Leone from Kennedy
With two weeks to go before its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Anurag Kashyap has posted two new stills of Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in character from Kennedy. The film will be shown out of competition at the 76th edition in the Midnights Screening Section. Anurag shared the new photographs on Instagram as he began the countdown for the film.
Tagging the cast and crew of the film, he wrote on Instagram, “2 weeks to go! #Kennedy’s countdown to Cannes is on!” The first still features Rahul as Kennedy. He is sitting on a red leather sofa, peeling an apple while smoking. The next still is of Sunny Leone as the character Charlie. She is wearing a black saree while seated on a chaise lounge. Holding a drink in her hand, she seems to be looking off camera at someone else.
Fans of the director began asking for the trailer in the comments section. One fan shared, “Trailer maangta hai apun ko kuch toh footage do (We want the trailer, please share some glimpses from the film).” While others also wondered about the film’s release in India later. They asked, “#cannes ke baad kisi ott me? (After Cannes, which streaming platform will it come on?)” Actor Abhilash Thapliyal added, “Yes we Cannes..!” Kennedy also stars Mohit Takalkar, Abhilash and Megha Burman.
In a statement, Anurag shared, “I’ve lived with the character for a very long time since I was writing for Sudhir Mishra and he used to tell me stories of this mad policeman. Then years later during the lockdown, a headline incident happened in Mumbai and that triggered an idea and I took the cop from Sudhir Mishra’s stories and put him around that incident and Kennedy was born. It’s one of those ones that suddenly comes to you and you write relentlessly till it’s fully formed. Then I was lucky to find people who believed in it as much as I did, and it just happened.” -
Kendall Jenner sparks family feud by calling out Kris Kardashian in throwback video
Kendall Jenner is making headlines once again, and this time it’s for calling out her mom Kris Kardashian in a rather awkward moment. In a throwback clip that has resurfaced on Reddit, the 27-year-old interrupts a discussion between her older sister Kourtney Kardashian and Kris, which quickly escalates into a heated argument. The family sat around an island in someone’s lavish kitchen when Kim asked her older sister if her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick was invited to the party. Kourtney replied that she wasn’t sure, which made Kim fire back, “You have to invite Scott!” Kris then chimed in and told her eldest child that she had to invite Scott because he was still part of their family. But Kendall wasn’t having it and asked, “What about my dad?” referring to Caitlyn Jenner, who split from Kris in 2013.
Kris smirked but appeared to be lost for words as Kendall continued to voice her opinion. “They’ve both done fcked up things in different ways,” she said, as Kris then mustered up some words. “But nobody that’s coming would even know how to respond to her because of all the things,” she said as Kendall interrupted and fumed, “So the fck what? Why are we worried about anyone else? Even if she doesn’t come.” The clip quickly went viral, and fans and critics alike had nothing but praise for Kendall. “I feel like Kendall is the only one with brain cells and a backbone in that family,” a user commented. “You can see the relief on Kourt’s face that someone is on her side and fighting for her,” a different person observed.
The comments come after fans were thrilled to see Scott make an appearance in the trailer for the upcoming third season of The Kardashians. In a brief scene toward the end of the explosive clip, Scott was seen enjoying some food with Khloe Kardashian and looked suave with his dark hair slicked back and sporting a thick beard. Scott bluntly asked Khloe where she and her baby-daddy, Tristan Thompson, stood in their relationship. Source: HT -
Shakira, Tom Cruise spotted together
Shakira and Tom Cruise were spotted together at the 2023 Miami Formula One Grand Prix. The pair was seen hanging out and sharing a good laugh at the races. Pictures of the duo went quickly viral on social media, where many wondered whether they was something brewing or it was just a friendly interaction.
The Colombian singer recently accepted the inaugural Billboard Woman of the Year award, where she gave a speech discussing her previous year and seemingly shared her thoughts about her split with ex Gerard Pique. “This has been a year of seismic change in my life where I’ve felt more than ever — and very personally — what it is to be a woman. It’s been a year where I’ve realized we women are stronger than we think, braver than we believed, more independent than we were taught to be,” she said. -
Cillian Murphy leads mission to build a bomb that could destroy world
Christopher Nolan’s next after Tenet (2020) is quite literally an explosive look at the making of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy plays J Robert Oppenheimer, the man tasked with making the mission a reality. The second trailer shows audiences a closer look at the other key players in the film including actors Emily Blunt who plays his wife Katherine ‘Kitty’ Oppenheimer, Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves Jr and Robert Downey, Jr as Lewis Strauss from US Atomic Energy Commission.
Written and directed by Christopher, the tense trailer shows the immense pressure Cillian’s nuclear physicist is under, to make sure that the US be the first to make the bomb, ahead of the enemies like Germany. There are many instances where he and Matt’s General are at odds with one another as the latter is the director of the Manhattan Project and wants clean results.
He requests to work on the project in a remote town away from prying eyes and wants to include all the scientists’ families on site, so they are not lonely and miss home. The line shown in the trailer, “You are the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves and the world is not prepared,” is already chilling when one thinks of the impact of this event afterwards.
On YouTube, fans wrote that they are eagerly awaiting the film’s release. One fan wrote, “This film looks absolutely unreal. Cillian Murphy is so talented and expresses Oppenheimer’s discomfort with the Manhattan Project so perfectly. Cannot wait to see this in IMAX. This could very easily be my favourite movie this year.” Another added, “A Christopher Nolan film is meant to be watched on the big screen. Can’t wait since it has an ensemble cast of talented actors.”
More cast members are shown in this trailer including Florence Pugh as psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, filmmaker Benny Safdie as theoretical physicist Edward Teller, Michael Angarano as Robert Serber and Josh Hartnett as US nuclear scientist Ernest Lawrence. Rami Malek, actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh, Dane DeHaan, Alden Ehrenreich and Matthew Modine are other members of the ensemble cast. Oppenheimer is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J Sherwin. The film will be released in theatres worldwide on July 21, 2023, the same day as Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. -
FEEL THE FORCE AROUND YOU OF STAR WARS WITH NJS
By Mabel Pais
The New Jersey Symphony (NJS) presents the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert featuring screenings of the complete film with Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ musical score performed live to the film.
The concert will be led by acclaimed conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos.
Darth Vader, Star Wars. (Photo Credit / NJS)Darth Vader, Star Wars Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 40 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.
Fans will be able to experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience when the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back debuts, May 18—21.
John Williams
Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all eight of the Star Wars saga films to date, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope for which he earned an Academy Award® for Best Original Score. His scores for ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ ‘Return of the Jedi,’ ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ were each nominated for Best Original Score. Williams has won five Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Emmy Awards and 23 Grammy Awards. With 51 Academy Award nominations, Williams is the Academy’s most nominated living person and the second most-nominated individual in history, after Walt Disney. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams’ score to 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope as the greatest American film score of all time. The soundtrack to A New Hope also was preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry, for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Williams was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl’s Hall of Fame in 2000, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2016. Williams has composed the scores for eight of the top 20 highest-grossing films at the U.S. box office (adjusted for inflation).
Learn more at johnwilliams.org.
PROGRAM
STAR WARS: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK IN CONCERT
Thursday, May 18, 7:30 pm | May Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Friday, May 19, 8 pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank
Saturday, May 20, 8 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Sunday, May 21, 3 pm | State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Symphony
TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION
Learn more at njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org.
For Tickets, visit 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or njsymphony.org.
Disney Concerts
Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live to picture” film concerts and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts and range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choir. Learn more at disneyconcerts.com.
Constantine Kitsopoulos
Constantine Kitsopoulos has established himself as a dynamic conductor known for his ability to work in many different genres and settings. He is equally at home with opera, symphonic repertoire, film with live orchestra, music theatre, and composition. His work has taken him all over the world where he has conducted the major orchestras of North America, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the Tokyo Philharmonic. Learn more at maestrock.com.
The New Jersey Symphony
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in 2022–23, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. NJS is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be new; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization — all to better reflect and serve its vibrant communities. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s resident artistic catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.
Internationally renowned Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony’s current Music Director in 2016. Since her arrival at the New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts. Learn more at njsymphony.org.
Connect with NJS:
Website: njsymphony.org
@NJSymphony on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok
@NewJerseySymphony on YouTube
Email: information@njsymphony.org
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SRFF OPENING NIGHT DOC IS WINNER
By Mabel Pais
SHABU
Director/Writer: SHAMIRA RAPHAELA l 2021 l Netherlands l Dutch w/ Eng Subs l 1h 15m
Shabu with fellow rappers. (Photo Credit / IndiePix Films) Meet Shabu, a 14-year-old Dutch-Surinamese aspiring artist from “The Paperclip,” an inner city apartment complex in one of Rotterdam’s most notorious neighborhoods. Shabu has big dreams but even bigger problems. He’s just totaled his grandmother’s car and desperately needs to raise some cash before the end of the summer in order to pay her back. Utilizing his musical talent and street smarts, Shabu concocts a plan to both make the money and make his family proud in this crowd pleasing documentary that culminates in a “rousingly raucous finale” (Screen Daily).
RECOGNITIONS
A Crystal Bear nominee for Generation Kplus Best Film at last year’s Berlinale, as well as winner of the Best Youth Documentary at IDFA 2021, SHABU also captured the Golden Calf Award for Best Documentary at the Nederlands Film Festival and was a nominee for Best Documentary at DocsBarcelona.
Opening: Shabu makes its North American premiere on Indiepix Unlimited on May 12, 2023.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)
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NYIFF OFFERS A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON CONTEMPORARY INDIAN CINEMA
By Mabel Pais
The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), North America’s prestigious festival featuring longest-running cinema from the global Indian community runs its 23rd edition, in person, May 11-14 in New York City.
This year’s festival lineup features 35 films that showcase the depth and range of contemporary Indian cinema, including cutting-edge dramas, documentaries, and shorts. The opening and other films will screen at Village East by Angelika, 181 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10003. The closing night film screening, followed by the awards function will be held at SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011.
“As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, the New York Indian Film Festival provides an ideal opportunity for audiences to experience the best of Indian cinema and gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of AAPI communities and appreciate the unique perspectives that they bring to the world of cinema,” said Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director.
Several well-known Indian film personalities will be featured in a wide array of works, including:
Three Of Us, Opening Night. (Photo Credit/ nyiff.us) Opening Film, ‘Three Of Us’ leads Shefali Shah (DelhiCrime/Netflix), Jaideep Ahlawat (Pataal Lok/Prime Video) and Swanand Kirkire
Goldfish, Closing Night. (Photo Credit / nyiff.u) Closing Film, ‘Goldfish’ leads Kalki Koechlin (Margarita with a Straw) and Deepti Naval
Sharmila Tagore (Legendary Actress who worked in Satyajit Ray’s film, including The World of Apu), Manoj Bajpayee (Gangs of Wasseypur, Family Man, Satya, Aligarh) and Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi) in a special screening of Gulmohar.
Adil Hussain (Life of Pi) and Namisha Sajayan in Footprints on Water.
Radhika Madan (Kuttey/Netflix) and Pooja Bhatt (Bombay Begums/Netflix) in Sanaa.
Arjun Radhakrishnan in Vaat.
Prasenjit Chatterjee in Shesh Pata.
Anupam Kher (The Big Sick, New Amsterdam and Hotel Mumbai), Danish Husain and Zarina Wahab in a narrative short Retake.
Rajit Kapoor in the narrative short Birha.
FILM SCHEDULE
For the complete film schedule, updates and more, visit nyiff.us.
Watch the Promo Video: youtu.be/rmLWJZ0tiN0
“We aim to truly underscore the NYIFF commitment to diversity and cultural representation in film,” said Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Festival Director. “This year, we will feature films in ten languages spoken in India: Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Nagpuri, Punjabi, Tamil. All films will have English subtitles.”
TICKETS
Ticket prices are different for regular films, programs and opening & closing night films. Get more information at nyiff.us or eventbrite.com/cc/nyiff-2023-1992469.
2023 FILM LINEUP
Narrative Features
Bandaa (Hindi), dir. Apoorv Singh Karki, 138 mins., 2023
Follower (Hindi, Kannada, Marathi), dir. Harshad Nalawade, 99 mins., 2022
Footprints on Water (English, Malayalam, Tamil, Polish), dir. Nathalia Syam, 110 mins., 2022
Goldfish (English) – Closing Night, Pushsan Kriplani, 101 mins., 2022
Gulmohar (Special screening) (Hindi), dir. Rahul Chittella, 132 mins., 2022
Mushroom (Bengali) dir. Samik Roy Choudhury, 64 mins., 2022
Opium (Hindi), dir. Aman Sachdeva, 75 mins., 2022
Pokhar ke Dunu Paar (Hindi), dir. Parth Saurabh, 104 mins., 2022
Sanaa (Hindi), dir. Sudhanshu Saria, 117 mins., 2022
Saudi Vellakka (Malayalam), dir. Tharun Moorthy, 134 mins., 2022
Hadinelentu (Seventeeners), dir. Prithvi Konanur, 122 mins., 2022
Shesh Pata (Bengali), dir. Atanu Ghosh, 120 mins., 2022
Siya (Hindi), dir. Manish Mundra,108 mins., 2022
Three of Us (Hindi) – Opening Night, dir. Avinash Arun Dhaware, 98 mins., 2021
Vaat (Marathi), dr. Miransha Naik, 75 mins., 2022
Documentary Features
Call Me Dancer (Special screening) (Hindi, English), dir. Leslie Shampaine, 84 mins., 2022
Colonel Kalsi (English), dir. Geeta Gandbhir, Anand Kamalkar, 40 mins., 2022
To Kill a Tiger (Hindi, Nagpuri), dir. Nisha Pahuja, 125 mins., 2022
Urf (AKA) (Hindi), dir. Geetika Narag Abassi, 120 mins., 2022
Shorts
Shorts A – Narratives:
Retake, dir. Shweta Basu Prasad (Hindi), 28 mins., 2023
Running, dir. Arpita Mukherjee (English), 40 mins., 2022
One Small Visit, dir. Jo Chim (English), 30 mins., 2022
Outside Chance, dir. Michael Das (English), 11 mins., 2022
The Name, dir. Aaron Strand (English), 7 mins, 2022
Other Narrative Shorts (showing with features):
Birha – The Journey Back Home (showing with Vaat) (Punjabi), dir. Puneet Prakash Pandey, 25 mins., 2021
Chithi (showing with Mushroom) (Bengali), dir. Pubali Chaudhuri, 22 min., 2023
Little Wings (showing with Mushroom) (Tamil) dir. Nveen Mu, 21 mins., 2022
My Father’s Doctor (showing with Mushroom) (Kashmiri), dir. Danish Renzu, 18 mins., 2023
Preet (showing with Opium) (Hindi), dir. Jayesh Jaidka, 22 mins, 2022
Wagro (showing with Vaat) (Marathi), dir. Sainath Somnath Uskaikar, 10 mins., 2022
Shorts B – Documentaries:
Basti, dir. Parinaz Jal (English, Hindi, Kannada), 36 mins., 2021
Gopi, dir. Nishanth Gurumurthy (Kannada), 14 mins., 2022
Letters to My Grandma, dir. Divya Hemant Kharnare (Marathi), 26 mins., 2023
Raat: Night Time in Small Town India, dir. Third Eye Offline (English), 34 mins., 2022
Other Documentary Shorts (showing with features):
Bring it to the People (showing with Colonel Kalsi) (English), dir. Luis Palomino, 35 mins., 2022
Kurosawa’s Grave (showing with Urf) (English) dir. Ben Lopez, 14 mins., 2021
The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF):
NYIFF is the oldest, most prestigious film festival screening premieres of feature, documentary and short films made from, of, and about the Indian subcontinent in the independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres. Learn more at nyiff.us.
Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC):
Learn more at iaac.us
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FILM FEST CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AND RETROSPECTIVE
Yasmin Levy, Opening Night Performance. (Photo Credit / americansephardi.org) By Mabel Pais
Join NYSJFF in celebrating its 25th Anniversary at the ASF – Center for Jewish History. This year’s Festival is hybrid, both in person May 7-11, as well as a new online platform, May 14-18, 2023.
This 25th edition of the NYSJFF is dedicated to Ike, Molly and Steven Elias. There’s an opening night special performance by Yasmin Levy!
The New York Sephardi Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) not only returns with outstanding films of all genres exploring the beauty, diversity, and vitality of Greater Sephardic Jewish communities’ culture and identity across the world, but also welcomes a new host and Artistic Director, the decorated filmmaker, writer, director, and Pomegranate Award recipient, Yemenite-Israeli born Na’ama Keha.
Carefully curated to delight cinema lovers of all ages and communities, the new line-up includes 14 films in theatre and 15 Festival favorites and web exclusives on the streaming platform. The fest offers a unique blend of independent films mixing various styles and origins, including critically acclaimed movies, World, US, and New York premières, and a retrospective of NYSJFF’s best films from the past 25 years.
To mark Israel’s 75th Anniversary, the Festival focuses on Israeli Sephardic themes and pays tribute to Ronit Elkabetz, the actress, filmmaker, and first Pomegranate Award Winner. Audiences will get to (re) discover her work and see — playing for the first time in North America — the 2022 documentary JE T’AIME RONIT ELKABETZ about her life and her use of fashion to make social statements.
FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP & MORE
For the complete film lineup, filmmaker appearances, updates and the highly anticipated names of this year’s Pomegranate Award Honorees! visit americansephardi.org/event/the-25th-new-york-sephardic-jewish-film-festival. The Pomegranate Award, sculpted by renowned Baghdad-born artist Oded Halahmy, recognizes extraordinary achievements in the arts. Past recipients include Albert Memmi, Enrico Macias, André Azoulay, Neta Elkayam, Lisa Azuelos, Saïd Ben Saïd, Elie Tahari, Caroline Aaron, Ema Shah, Sassoon Gabay, André Aciman, Amir Arison, and Lanie Kazan.
TICKETS
For tickets to individual films and all access film pass, visit nysjff.eventive.org/passes/buy/film_pass, for all access VIP pass, visit nysjff.eventive.org/passes/buy/vip_festival_pass.
For all access online pass, visit nysjff.eventive.org/passes/buy/allaccess_online
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)
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Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner call it quits
Hollywood actor Kevin Costner and his wife, Christine Baumgartner, have called it quit after almost 17 years of marriage. Baumgartner, 49, has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple has three children together: Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12. Costner, who is 68 years old, has four other children from previous relationships. In a statement to the media, Costner’s representative confirmed the split, saying, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.” The representative also asked that the couple and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.
The news was first reported by TMZ. In November 2022, Costner spoke fondly of his wife, saying, “My wife does things that just completely… It just helps. The house is prettier because of her. Everything is warmer because of her. There’s these little things that she does and I think it’s the power of love, but that she makes her home that way.” Costner and Baumgartner tied the knot in September 2004, after dating for six years. Baumgartner was upfront with Costner about wanting to start a family, and the couple welcomed their first child together in 2007.
In an interview with Extra, Costner revealed that Baumgartner gave him an ultimatum before they got married, saying, “If you’re going to be with me, you need to know that kids are at the end of the road for me with you, if that’s going to happen.”
This is Costner’s second marriage, after his 16-year marriage to Cindy Silva ended in divorce in 1994. Costner has been keeping busy with his role in the popular television series “Yellowstone,” where he plays Montana patriarch John Dutton. Rumors began to swirl earlier this year that Costner might be leaving the show to focus on directing and starring in an upcoming Western film, “Horizon.”
While it’s unclear whether Costner will continue with “Yellowstone,” Paramount’s Keith Cox, president of development and production, said during a panel at PaleyFest last month that he’s “very confident” Costner will return to the show. The second half of season 5, which was expected to return with new episodes in the summer of 2023, has not yet resumed production. Last April, it was confirmed that McConaughey would be a part of the Yellowstone franchise in a new spinoff. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Costner has been optimistic about his relationship with Baumgartner. Source: HT -
Kylie Jenner denied entry at Met Gala after-party
Reality TV star and makeup mogul Kylie Jenner was all ready to join other stars at the Met Gala after-party in New York City. She arrived in the wee hours, but unfortunately, she couldn’t enter the bash, which was hosted by Richie Akiva, Doja Cat and Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs. “They wouldn’t let her in,” said a witness. “They shut the door down because it was over capacity.” Another source claims that The Kardashians star arrived after midnight to meet up with her sister Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny who were already inside.
However, things were “chaotic” as there were over 100 people clamouring to get to the door. While Kylie was a welcome VIP and could just wait to be escorted into the bash through a side door, the cosmetics mogul got out of her car before organisers were ready for her arrival.
“She prematurely got out of her car,” explained the source. “Then she decided to go home because she didn’t want to be at a crowded party. She rarely goes to clubs.” Apparently, Kylie wasn’t the only celebrity who was denied entry that night. Janelle Monae, who had performed on top of the bar during a posh party at the Boom Boom Room earlier, and Gossip Girl star Evan Mock were turned away because the door was closed due to capacity.
Source: IANS -
Emma Watson on her almost 5-year break from acting
Emma Watson hasn’t acted since December 2018, when she wrapped production of Greta Gerwig’s beloved Little Women adaptation. Considering the Harry Potter actor’s break from acting would touch five years at the end of 2023, she was asked about the reason for her staying away from the camera.
In a recent interview, she said that she “wasn’t very happy” with the profession.
“I think I felt a bit caged,” Watson said. “The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have very much control over. To stand in front of a film and have every journalist be able to say, ‘How does this align with your viewpoint?’ It was very difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things where I didn’t get to be involved in the process.”
Watson, whose acting career includes eight Harry Potter movies along with Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Beauty and the Beast starred as Meg March in Little Women.Source: ANI
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Nawazuddin Siddiqui mentions why he doesn’t react to rumors
Nawazuddin Siddiqui had been in the news lately for trouble in his married life. The actor is headed for divorce from his estranged wife Aaliya Siddiqui. Amid this, he is busy with promotions of his film – Afwaah and Jogira Sara Ra Ra. In an interview, the actor opened up about why he doesn’t react to any rumours in general. Nawazuddin said one can’t do anything about the speculations. Speaking with the Times Of India, Nawazuddin Siddiqui talked about not reacting to any rumours.
“You can’t do anything about rumour. It has happened even earlier that one rumour was spread by someone purposely to make a person into a villain. The way a rumour spreads, others also keep adding fuel to fire and people start believing it. Thus, the person in question becomes a villain. By the time the truth comes out, his career is over. Everyone is in their shell. Agar ek ki pit rahi hai, toh sab maze le rahe hai (Everyone takes pleasure out of a person’s misery),” he said.
The actor further mentioned, “Ganda aadmi aapko lalkarta hai aur jab aap uske paale mein jaate hain, wahan woh aapse smart hota hai (A bad person provokes you, and almost gets you to their territory. That’s where you know that you’ve been outsmarted.) So it’s better to let the rumours spread and not react.”
On the work front, Nawazuddin will next be seen in Sudhir Mishra’s film Afwaah with Bhumi Pednekar. It is scheduled for release on May 5, 2023. Post that, the actor will be seen in Kushan Nandy’s Jogira Sara Ra Ra with Neha Sharma. The movie will hit the big screen on May 12, 2023. -
Bhumi was told she didn’t look conventionally beautiful
Bhumi Pednekar took to Instagram to laud Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s ‘bold’ Pepsi ad for challenging societal norms and slamming those, who question women for choosing what they wear, when they marry and more. The actor reflected on her own journey in films as she spoke about how she was constantly told she could not ‘succeed as a leading star’. Bhumi also shared the statements often told to her – from your ‘debut would be your last film’ to you ‘don’t look like a conventionally beautiful leading lady’.
From her debut film Dum Lagake Haisa (2015) to films such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) and Badhaai Do (2022), Bhumi is known for doing films on social taboos and stigmas and has highlighted social causes and women issues through her movies. In her latest Instagram post, she spoke about how she was told she should play safe and not champion causes through cinema.
Bhumi wrote, “If I had a penny for all the times I was told how the odds were stacked up against me to succeed as a leading star… From how my debut would be my last film since I was playing an overweight heroine, to how I should play safe and not champion causes through cinema as I would be seen niche, to how I didn’t look like the conventionally beautiful leading ladies that have graced our cinema which meant my chances were next to zero…”
She further said about her decisions to break the norms and stereotypes, “I did not let naysayers question my worth. I made decisions to break the norms and stereotypes that women are chained with and chose to rise up! So, all I have to tell other women is tu tera kar (you do you)! Kudos to the team over at @pepsiindia and one of my personal favourite actors @samantharuthprabhuoffl for bringing such a relatable and bold piece to life with this ad. More power to you.” Earlier this year, Bhumi was appointed as UNDP’s first National Advocate. Bhumi was last seen in Bheed, co-starring Rajkummar Rao. Helmed by Anubhav Sinha, Bheed is a fictional film set during the events of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown in India. The movie also features Dia Mirza, Ashutosh Rana, Pankaj Kapur and Kritika Kamra in pivotal roles. Source: HT -
Priyanka reveals going into ‘depression’ post botched nose surgery
After creating a niche in Bollywood, global icon Priyanka Chopra has been enthralling fans with her stupendous acting craft. Ever since her debut with Quantico, there has been no stopping for the versatile actress. Priyanka, who has been receiving rave reviews for her latest series, Citadel, recalled the times when her surgery went wrong.
Post winning the beauty pageant, Miss World 2000, the actress came back to India and went to see a doctor as she was having trouble breathing and had a ‘lingering head cold’. However, little did the actress then know that the surgery would become a ‘dark phase’ of her life. The actress made a shocking revelation on The Howard Stern Show, where she revealed how she went into ‘deep depression’ after the surgery went wrong.
“This thing happened, and my face looks completely different, and I went into a deep, deep depression… it (her acting career) was over before it started (as she was fired from three different movies after the fact). I was terrified of that, but he (her dad) was like, ‘I will be in the room with you’”. -
Simple lifestyle changes to get rid of dark armpits
The dark underarms of many people make them feel ashamed and uneasy, especially while wearing sleeveless or exposed clothing. We frequently spend some time taking care of our underarms, whether it’s shaving, using body wash, or applying deodorant to prevent us from smelling too bad. The underarm darkening can be brought on by a number of things, such as hyperpigmentation, hormonal changes, excessive sweating, wearing tight clothing, and poor hygiene.
Did you know that obesity is one of the main reasons for dark underarms? To help you reduce your weight to a healthy level for your height, discuss diet and exercise plans with your doctor. By taking care of your underarms, you might be able to lessen the look of black spots and feel more confident about your appearance.
Exfoliate
Due to itchiness and ingrown hairs that may come from it, the underarm region may appear darker. Alternatives include waxing or hair removal products.
Shaving
The underarm area can seem darker due to irritation and ingrown hairs that can result from it. Use waxing or hair removal solutions as an alternative.
Natural Deodorant
Some antiperspirants and deodorants have harsh chemicals in them that aggravate the skin and darken it. Change to a natural deodorant that is fragrance- and chemical-free.
Maintain Hygiene
Maintaining cleanliness and dryness in the underarm area can stop bacterial growth, which can cause darkening. Every day, take a shower and completely wipe your underarms.
Diet Check
Coffee and spicy foods, for instance, can make you sweat more, which makes your underarms darker. As much as you can, stay away from these meals.
Comfortable Clothing
The underarm area may become darker as a result of friction and irritation caused by tight garments. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable materials to prevent this.
Skin Lightening Products
Use products with ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, and niacinamide to lighten dark underarms. Creams and serums can also assist. -
Kim Kardashian admits she’d give up reality TV to be a ‘full-time’ lawyer
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian does not mind quitting showbiz for being a lawyer “full-time”.
“I would be just as happy being an attorney full time,” she answered, when asked if she would ever consider a life without being in the spotlight. “The journey just really opened up my eyes so much,” she shared, adding, “It gets overwhelming because there’s so much to be done … I brought my sister Khloe [Kardashian] to a prison for the first time last week, and that was really eye-opening for her.” While not yet an official lawyer, The Kardashians star shared with moderator Poppy Harlow that she hopes her efforts in the movement will be “her life’s most meaningful work.” “I hope so,” she said, adding, “I always joke with my mom — who’s my manager — I say Kim K. is retiring, and I’m just going to be an attorney.”
Kim’s reform work began in October 2017 after learning about the case of Alice Marie Johnson, who had been in prison since October 1996 after being convicted for helping facilitate communications in a drug trafficking case.
She dedicated her time to freeing Johnson (67) and even met former President Donald Trump on the matter. Trump (76) commuted her sentence in 2018 and Johnson was released. Since then, Kim has gone on to advocate for the release of several other convicts and revealed in 2019 that she was studying to become a lawyer.
In December 2021, she passed the first-year law students’ examination (“baby bar”) after first revealing in May 2019 that she was choosing to follow in the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian Sr. the attorney who got O.J. Simpson acquitted in the 1995 murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.