Golden Globes 2019: Upsets to surprises, here are the highlights and lowlights

The Golden Globes featured a number of upsets and rousing thank-yous as well as flubbed intros and snoozy speeches.

Entertainment News: The Golden Globes featured a number of upsets and rousing thank-yous as well as flubbed intros and snoozy speeches.

Here are the highlights and lowlights as we saw them:

Most Stirring Opening Speech:

• After the Golden Globes hosts Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg delivered a largely safe opening, going out of their way to praise the work of Hollywood, Oh hit a surprisingly emotional note about representation in the film and television industry and gains in diversity onscreen and off. She was referring to several films this awards season that feature people of color, and her hosting gig was itself a barrier breaker: she was the first Asian woman to front a major American awards show. Oh told the crowd that she had signed on as host because “I wanted to be here to look out into this audience and witness this moment of change.” She acknowledged that the progress could be temporary, saying, “I’m not fooling myself. Next year could be different.” But, she concluded, “right now, this moment is real.” As if to prove her point, the Globes rewarded a notably diverse group of actors, directors and stories. — Sopan Deb

Also Read: Golden Globes 2019 Complete Winner list

Most Shocking Win (Especially to the Winner)

• Everyone expected the Golden Globe for best actress in a drama to go to Lady Gaga for “A Star Is Born” — including Glenn Close apparently. When Close’s name was read instead, the look of total surprise on her face provided one of the night’s most memorable moments. She went on to deliver a heartfelt personal speech, connecting the struggle of her movie character — a thwarted writer who lives in the shadow of her Nobel-winning husband — with her own mother, who, Close said, had a tendency to sublimate herself to Close’s father. Between her speech and Olivia Colman’s equally gangbusters acceptance for best actress in a comedy (for “The Favorite”), the super-stacked best actress race at the Oscars just got even more interesting. — Kyle Buchanan

Know the highlights & lowlights → Golden Globe 2019 Awards

'Pakhi': Amateurishly crafted and tedious to watch (Movie Review)

The narrative begins with Suhani, a young girl getting conned into the flesh trade operated by a goon called Bali (Sumeet Kant Kaul).

Entertainment News: Coming from a National Award winning director and the "Natya Bushan" winner, "Pakhi" is a huge let down.

Based on true events akin to the last week's released "Love Sonia", "Pakhi" is the story of Pihu, a 10-year-old girl who is forced to marry an older person. It is her journey, which is the most painful journey the audience must endure and that is not because of Pihu's trails and tribulations but because the director takes us through a senseless and complex route.

Pakhi Movie

The narrative begins with Suhani, a young girl getting conned into the flesh trade operated by a goon called Bali (Sumeet Kant Kaul).

Circumstances make the brutal Bali believe that Suhani is lucky for him and so gives her a royal treatment compared to the other girls in his coterie. Several months later, Pihu, her brother Maulik and an older sister land in Bali's den after their uncle sells them to Bali.

While the older sister escapes the trauma by killing herself, Pihu is subjected to a Hyderabadi business man's gaze, who is keen to marry her. How Suhani helps Pihu and her brother escape from Bali's clutches forms the crux of the tale.

Read my full review → Pakhi Movie Review

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News Source: BS

'Equalizer 2': An enjoyable vigilante film despite mediocrity (Movie Review)

This vigilante film is a sequel to the 2014 released The Equalizer which was originally based on the 1980s Television serial with the same name.

Entertainment News: This vigilante film is a sequel to the 2014 released The Equalizer which was originally based on the 1980s Television serial with the same name.

It is about a retired CIA agent Robert McCall, who plays a lone ranger delivering justice to the abused, the defenceless and the oppressed. The film opens with an elegant scene on-board a speeding train of the Turkish Railways some 400 km away from Istanbul.

Robert McCall dressed as an Arab swiftly disposes of thugs who kidnap a young girl, just to harass her mother. The incident feels so insignificant yet, serves as a reminder that McCall was created to offer help to random people on everything."

Equalizer 2 India

Back in Boston, McCall works as a driver for a company called Lyft which is akin to Uber and he seems sincerely dedicated to those in need of help.

But when his only friend and former CIA handler, Susan Plummer is murdered, he stumbles upon that she is done with for investigating the case of multiple murders of upscale officials at their homes, how he solves the mystery and delivers her justice forms the crux of the tale.

The story is simple and the main plot is juxtaposed with other subplots that in turn dive into an abstract universe. The plot takes a bit long to get into gear. There is a break in the narrative, perhaps because it seeks a reflexive vision, and that together with the naturalness in the staging, results in a frankly strange and evasive film.

Read my full review → Equalizer 2 Review

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News Source: BS

'Ishqeria': An out-dated and poorly written love story (Movie Review)

A chick-flick, "Ishqeria" is a film about a small town girl Kuhu (Richa Chaddha) who falls madly in love with her college senior Raghav Dalmia (Neil Nitin Mukesh).

Entertainment News: "Sabko confuse karna band kar do". This harmless dialogue told in a jocular tone in the film, inadvertently sums up the fate of the narrative of this 2 hour film. Purportedly, a college love-story, this film ends up confusing the audience with its constant failed attempts to create suspense.

How she manipulates her way into his heart, the circumstances that lead to their separation and a happily-ever-after ending, is what this film is all about, albeit centred round a convoluted plot.
A hackneyed a la Mills & Boon love story set in Mussorie, there is nothing refreshing or new in the treatment of this film. The characters seem jaded and the drama, trite and oft-seen.

Ishqeria Movie

Narrated in a non-linear manner, the screenplay appears a tad confusing. The first half is seemingly watchable, while the second half drags and makes for tiresome viewing. The uncalled for playful suspense elements are over-stretched for no apparent reason and in the bargain lay bare gaping plot-holes.

Hinging on a wafer-thin and frivolous plot, the narrative is overextended and fails to involve the audience beyond the first half an hour. Richa Chaddha as Kuhu Singh, a small town girl, essays her character with sincerity and aplomb. She is effervescent and bubbly and lights up the screen with her energy.

Neil Nitin Mukesh as the sad rich boy, Raghav is staid and plays his studious character to perfection with restraint. The duo are ably supported by stereotypical characters who play their respective friends.

Read my full review → Ishqeria Movie Review

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News Source: BS

'Manto': A moving biopic, astutely told (Movie Review)

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's "Manto" taps into every feeling and mood of his complex erudite character. The actor doesn't miss a single heartbeat of his character.

Entertainment News: Director Nandita Das' "Manto" is a poignant and hard-hitting biopic about the controversial, Indo-Pakistani, Urdu short-story writer Sadat Hassan Manto. It is her tribute to Manto, albeit one she renders with honesty as she presents the celebrated writer with all his failings and greatness.

The film opens in Mumbai where a young and raring-to-go Manto is slowly but surely making his presence felt in the Indian film Industry. With the Partition breaking out, circumstances compel Manto to move to Pakistan and his life changes.

The film portrays how circumstances can break a straightforward and talented man who depicted the society through his unapologetic writing.

Manto Review

The Director succeeds in allowing the audience to be privy to the life of this author who lives in Lahore but has his heart belonging to Mumbai.

The narrative flows smoothly and the origination of some of his short stories like "Toba Tek Singh", "Khol Do" and "Thanda Gosht" are successfully depicted.

Like every character-driven film, this film too moves at a slow pace, but manages to keep you engrossed. The drama is in the inner turmoil within the character. You can feel Manto's frustrations as he feels incapacitated when in Lahore and this is enhanced by the circumstances and times he lives in.

Read my full review → Manto Movie Review

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News Source: BS

'Sanju' to 'Padmaavat', list of profitable films in 2018

After a miserable two years of flopping films and stagnant revenues, what has changed for the Rs 156-billion film industry?

Entertainment News: Sanju, Padmaavat, Raazi, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Bharat Ane Nenu, Rangasthalam. The list of profitable films in 2018 is getting longer. “It has been a great year so far,” says Nitin Tej Ahuja, publisher of trade magazine Box Office India.

Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, one of the most profitable films of the year, has Alia Bhatt in the lead. She is not a star the trade would have bet on for a film that rests largely on her shoulders. However, the (real) story of an Indian girl who married a Pakistani army officer to spy on him during the 1971 war is an outstanding film. Audiences loved it and spent close to Rs 2 billion (in India and overseas) buying tickets to watch it. That is true for many of the top 50 films. What’s changed is the frequency with which such films, called ‘content films’, are doing well. In industry parlance, ‘content films’ are those without a star while ‘commercial’ or ‘masala’ films have big names.

Top Movies of 2018

“In the last few years, audience’s taste is changing and that change is now entering into the top 10 charts. Raazi, Sonu… it is not just about big actors not being there, it is about content. Earlier people used to watch big stars even if content was ok, now there is a drop in that,” says Kumar Ahuja, president, business development, Eros International Media. “In general, content films or more meaningful films are the norm rather than the exception,” adds Ajit Andhare, CEO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

Not only are such films these being made but these are pulling in revenues. “In the last six months, a lot of films have done a business of Rs 1 billion, Raazi, Raid, Veere Di Wedding,” points out Bhushan Kumar, chairman and managing director, Super Cassettes Industries (T-Series). “Compared to previous years, the first six months of 2018 have been a high earning one,” says a happy Apoorva Mehta, chief executive officer (CEO) of Dharma Productions, which....continue reading

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 News Source: BS

Shashaa Tirupati to unveil the cover of the song "Ae watan" from "Raazi" for Independence Day

National Award-winning singer Shashaa Tirupati has collaborated with artistes Aasa Singh and Sid Paul for the cover of the song "Ae watan" from "Raazi" for Independence Day.

Entertainment News : National Award-winning singer Shashaa Tirupati has collaborated with artistes Aasa Singh and Sid Paul for the cover of the song "Ae watan" from "Raazi" for Independence Day.

The cover will be out on August 15.

"This Independence Day, I am coming to you with a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song with Aasa Singh and Sid Paul. Sid has produced the track and Aasa is my co-singer.

The song is 'Ae watan' from the film 'Raazi'," Shashaa Tirupati said in a statement.

Sid said individually, he loves their voices and "thought why not include them for this special song and create magic with it".

Aasa shared that one of the reasons why this song is special is that "we have kept it in a very different space than the original one, it is very 'acapellish' space".

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News Source : BS

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's 'Manto' movie trailer to be out on Independence Day

The trailer of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's "Manto", which is helmed by acclaimed actress-filmmaker Nandita Das, will release on digital platforms on Independence Day.

Entertainment News : The trailer of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's "Manto", which is helmed by acclaimed actress-filmmaker Nandita Das, will release on digital platforms on Independence Day.

"Manto", co-produced by HP Studios, Filmstoc and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, traces the life of writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Nawazuddin will be seen bringing the character to life.

"Viacom18, one of our main producers and the ones leading the marketing and distribution for the film along with HP studios, decided to launch the trailer digitally. This was completely their idea," Nandita told IANS.

The film follows the most tumultuous years in the life of iconoclastic writer Manto and those of the countries -- India and Pakistan -- which Manto inhabited and chronicled. The film stars Rasika Dugal as Manto's wife and Tahir Raj Bhasin, Rishi Kapoor and Divya Dutta in key roles.

Talking about Manto, she said: "Manto stood for freedom of expression, both through his writings and the struggles he went through in his life. He challenged all forms of orthodoxy and despite six cases slapped on him, he believed in the power of the written word. That kind of conviction and the courage to follow it through is inspirational."

How do you think the status of freedom of expression in India?

Know → Manto Movie Release Date

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News Source : BS

Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar's upcoming movie 'Good News' to release in July, 2019

Here's some 'Good News' for all Kareena Kapoor Khan and Akshay Kumar fans!

Entertainment News: Here's some 'Good News' for all Kareena Kapoor Khan and Akshay Kumar fans!

Their upcoming film, which will bring back the on-screen jodi of Akshay and Kareena after a long hiatus of nine years, is all set to hit the big screens on July 19, next year.

Karan Johar is producing 'Good News' under his banner Dharma Productions.

The ace filmmaker took to social media to make the announcement, writing, "#GoodNews IS HERE! Bringing a fantastic cast of @akshaykumar, #KareenaKapoorKhan, @diljitdosanjh & @Advani_Kiara to the big screen with our debutant director @raj_a_mehta! This DRAMEDY's due date is 19th July 2019! @apoorvamehta18 @ShashankKhaitan @DharmaMovies #CapeOfGoodFilms"

An excited Akshay also took to Twitter to share the news. He wrote, "Good News! That's the name of our film and so is the news I am sharing :) It is a 'dramedy' Due Date 19th July, 2019."

The film, which reportedly revolves around a couple who is trying to have a baby, also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani in..Continue reading

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News Source: BS

Watch Video: Jio Filmfare Awards: From Aamir to Alia, here are the big winners

Dangal won three of four major awards - Best Actor, Film and Director

Breaking News - After setting new records at the box office, "Dangal" swept away the night's three of four major awards — Best Actor, Film and Director while Alia Bhatt won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Female) for her performance in "Udta Punjab".

Attended by most actors of the Bollywood film fraternity, the iconic 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards was a star-studded event hosted by actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Watch the Video from Jio Filmfare Awards

After winning the Best Director award, Nitesh Tiwari said, "This award is the reassurance of how much people loved our film (Dangal). So I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone in India and abroad who loved and supported our film. It means everything."

Alia, who came along with her mother Soni Razdan and sister Shaheen Bhatt, received the Best Actor (Female) award from Sridevi and Boney Kapoor.

On receiving the award, she said, "It's very close to my heart (Udta Punjab). Thank you Shahid for sending the script to me. Today is very special day for me. Sridevi ji receiving it from you is an honour. Another reason is my sister is here. Got her out of home."

Read Article Source>>>

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AIB, Phantom films, Dharma and more: Amazon banks on Bollywood for Prime Video

OTT service provider has long-term output deals with Dharma Productions, Vishesh Films and T-series

Amazon's big bang announcement about its Prime Video launch in India shook up the industry not only because of the highly competitive prices, but also for its proposed content offers. It announced a total of 18 shows, nine of which are already in production, in collaboration with content makers like All India Bakchod (AIB), Phantom Films and Excel Entertainment.

However, the American e-commerce giant's content plans were in motion well before the launch, and by the looks of it, Amazon Prime Video will be depending heavily on India's love for cinema—Bollywood and regional.

Amazon Instand Video Needs To Up Its UX Game, Or Get Run Over By The Netflix Machine

The OTT service provider went on a deal signing spree and currently has long-term output deals with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films and Bhushan Kumar led T-series. Apart from this, Amazon also has movies in Marathi, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu.

At its launch, Prime Video has titles as recent as Sultan, Baar Baar Dekho, Fan, Sarabjit, Kapoor and Sons, Kabali, and Raaz Reboot, all released in late 2015 or 2016. Through its various deals, Amazon Prime Video also has rights to premier Bollywood films on its OTT service before the television premiere. This should give the company an edge in terms of attracting customers.

Read Source>>>

Jackie Chan wins Oscar after 56 years in film industry

With more than 200 films under his belt spanning a 56-year career, Jackie Chan has finally received an Oscar.

The 62-year-old action star was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Eighth Annual Governors Awards at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Los Angeles on Saturday night, reported E! online.

Tom Hanks, Michelle Yeoh and Chris Tucker presented Chan with the award.

Hanks compared Chan to the likes of John Wayne and Buster Keaton.

Chan accepted his award, calling it a "dream" and shared his memories growing up and watching the Oscars with his parents.

"My dad always said, 'Son, you get so many movie awards in the world, when are you going to get one of these?' Then I just look at my dad. 'Ha, ha, ha. Dad, I only make comedy action movies,'" he shared.

The star remembered seeing Sylvester Stallone's Oscar when he had a meeting with him at his house 23 years ago.

READ SOURCE>>>

Indian film body bans Pakistani actors

Indian Motion Picture Producers Association on Thursday passed a resolution to ban Pakistani actors from the industry in the wake of the Uri attack.

"IMPPA in their 87th annual general meeting passed a resolution that no Pakistani will be hired by their producer members forever," producer T P Aggarwal, the president of IMPPA, told PTI.

The resolution came on a day the Indian Army announced that seven terror launch pads were targeted across the Line of Control by special forces during a 'surgical strike' overnight in which heliborne and ground forces were used.

Producer Ashoke Pandit, a member of the IMPPA, said, "IMPPA paid homage to the martyrs who were killed in Uri. It therefore felt its responsibility towards the nation and passed a resolution banning Pakistani Actors & technicians in India till normalcy returns. For IMPPA, nation comes first."

18 Army personnel were killed in the Uri attack.

The decision came amid demands by various political outfits to ban Pakistani artistes from Indian films and performing in India.

Last week, Raj Thackeray  led  Maharashtra Navanirman Sena issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes and actors including Fawad Khan and Ali Zafar, to leave India by September 25 or else they would be pushed out.

Recently, the concerts of Pakistani singers Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam scheduled in Bengaluru and Gurgaon respectively were also cancelled.

Read Source...

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt file for divorce

Actor Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from actor Brad Pitt, her attorney said in a statement on Tuesday, signalling the end of one of Hollywood's most glamorous and powerful couples.

"This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time," attorney Robert Offer said in the statement.

Jolie filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, citing irreconcilable differences as grounds for the split, court documents showed. She sought full physical custody of their six children, and Pitt asked for visitation rights. Jolie cited their separation date as September 15.

Entertainment website TMZ, citing a legal filing, said Jolie "was extremely upset" with Pitt's parenting methods.

Jolie and Pitt, known collectively as "Brangelina," were one of the entertainment world's most visible couples, due to their good looks, successful films and activism. They married in 2014 after 10 years together.

Jolie, 41, who won a best-supporting actress Oscar for Girl, Interrupted in 2000, was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.

Pitt, 52, one of Hollywood's leading men, was married to actor Jennifer Aniston in 2003 when he and Jolie began filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Before their August 2014 wedding at their French estate, Jolie and Pitt had said they would not wed until same-sex couples were allowed to marry.

Jolie, the estranged daughter of actor Jon Voight, had a bohemian reputation early in her career but more recently has taken on humanitarian causes and was named a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

She frequently went countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Tanzania, Iraq and Jordan to call attention to the plight of refugees and the  read full story

Game of Thrones dethrones Frasier with 38 Emmys

Looks like Emmys, this year was dedicated to American fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones' as it bagged a total of 38 trophies in its kitty.

'GoT' has broken the record of 'Frasier,' one of the most critically acclaimed comedy series of all time that won a total of 37 Primetime Emmy Awards during its 11-year run, reports the Guardian.

The enormously popular fantasy series, which is based on JJ Martin's series of epic fantasy novels 'A Song of Ice and Fire', became the most successful show at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

On the night the Emmys were given away, the 'Game of Thrones' cast and creators equally awed as they won in the categories for best drama and best script for a drama, collecting 12 awards.

Despite being in its sixth series, the show aired by HBO proved that it has not lost the momentum gained since it first appeared in 2011.

Not even HBO's biggest hit drama, 'The Sopranos' could draw in an audience of 25.1million in the United States and an average of five million the UK.

Reportedly, the seventh season is even more promising as the hungry audience clamors in to witness the fate of  read full story

Kanye West amasses a million Insta-followers in just one day

Just one day into opening his Instagram account and Kanye West already has one million followers on his account.

The 39-year-old rapper had set up an Instagram account after months of consideration and had uploaded just one rather arty picture so far since.

A few months ago, the 'Famous' singer had revealed on Twitter that he was considering joining Instagram.

".I was thinking about getting an Instagram but only on one condition - no one can ask me or try to tell me what to Instagram," he tweeted, adding, "It's my art."

His 35-year-old wife, Kim Kardashian West on the other hand is known for her social media presence with over 82 million Instagram followers and fans.

On a related note, Kim and her very frequent posts, nude selfies and more are not unknown to anyone.

The American singer-songwriter and fashion designer recently debuted his 'Yeezy Season 4' collection at  read full story

Priyanka Chopra among world's highest paid TV actresses

Priyanka Chopra has become the first Indian star to enter the Forbes list of highest paid television actresses in the world, after starring on American series "Quantico".

Priyanka ranks eighth in the coveted list, which has retained American actress Sofia Vergara at the first position fifth year in a row.

The 44-year-old Colombian-American actress brought home a whooping $43 million before management fees and taxes, but not all came from her hit TV show "Modern Family".

Vergara has an impressive array of endorsement deals as well as her line of products.

Priyanka, meanwhile, has earned $11 million. She made her international acting debut last year with ABC's "Quantico" and now is gearing up for its second season.

Back home, the 34-year-old actress has starred in two Bollywood films in the past one year -- "Bajirao Mastani" and "Jai Gangaajal"-- and will make her Hollywood film debut with "Baywatch" alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters including Dwayne Johnson, the world's highest-paid actor.

But like most television actresses (and actresses, in general), her millions are not made from screen time alone. Priyanka is one of India's top picks for advertisers, reported read full story