Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Shah Rukh Khan tops Forbes Celebrity List for the second time

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

ShahrukhMPos04jan2014

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has been named the most powerful celebrity of 2013 by Forbes India for the second time in a row.

The 48-year-old actor has conquered the Top 100 celebrity list with the help of his popularity and earnings from his mega hit film ‘Chennai Express’ this year.

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni moved up from the third spot last year and has come in at the number two spot with his immense popularity and endorsement deals.

Bollywood star Salman Khan slipped from his second position last year and earned the third spot in the list. They are followed by Sachin Tendulkar at number 4, and megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who retained his position, completing the top five on the list.

Bachchan is followed by Bollywood action star Akshay Kumar, who has come in at number 6.

There have been two exits from the top 10 this time. Actress Kareena Kapoor and swashbuckling cricketer Virendra Sehwag have made way for actors Ranbir Kapoor at number 8 and Hrithik Roshan at number 10.

Cricketer Virat Kohli is the youngest celebrity to make it to the top 10 this year.

Katrina Kaif is the only woman who has made it to the Top 10.

Nearly a fourth of the list in 2013 comprises newcomers. The notable ones include Ravindra Jadeja (28), Shikhar Dhawan (39), Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (52), Ranveer Singh (66), Prakash Jha (67).

Superstar Kamal Haasan didn’t make it to list the last year, but the controversy and success of his film ‘Vishwaroopam’ ensured he was in at number 47. Sridevi has also made it to the list at 73rd spot.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Entertainment> Report / Agency: PTI / Friday – December 13th,  2013

We are Deluding Ourselves: Naseer on Global Reach

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion
"You compare our story telling with the kind of films made in Iran, Poland, and Brazil and we stand nowhere, " says Naseeruddin Shah. (File/EPS)
“You compare our story telling with the kind of films made in Iran, Poland, and Brazil and we stand nowhere, ” says Naseeruddin Shah. (File/EPS)

A handful of Indian movies have won international acclaim in the last few years, but veteran Naseeruddin Shah says that we still have a long way to go.

He said: “We are deluding ourselves that we are making world-class cinema just because the photography has gotten better and the editing has gotten better, but our special effects with something like ‘Iron Man’ doesn’t stand anywhere.”

The 63-year-old has worked in international projects such as “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” and says that Indian movies are still not on par with international storytelling standards.

“You compare our story telling with the kind of films made in Iran, Poland, and Brazil and we stand nowhere.”

“We have stars, who pander to their own egos all the time, we don’t have a single guy like George Clooney or Brad Pitt, who will use their star clout to change things around them. Catch any of our stars doing a films like ‘Syriana’, we won’t do it yet we say we have conquered the globe,” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Hindi / by IANS – Chennai / December 30th, 2013

Biker Alisha to Replicate Her Real Avatar on Reel

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
In the film, Alisha is paired with Vietnamese actor Johnny Tri Nguyen, who had debuted with Tamil film "7am Arivu". (Publicity Material)
In the film, Alisha is paired with Vietnamese actor Johnny Tri Nguyen, who had debuted with Tamil film “7am Arivu”. (Publicity Material)

Alisha Abdullah is set to make her cinematic debut with upcoming Tamil thriller “Irumbu Kuthirai”, which will portray her in the role that’s true to her real life persona – a bike racer.

A Promotional Poster of the film, 'Irumbu Kuthirai'. (Publicity Material)
A Promotional Poster of the film, ‘Irumbu Kuthirai’. (Publicity Material)

“The film is about two biker groups with a passion for racing. We thought it would be ideal to have a real racer as part of the story. I was told Alisha had turned down several film offers in the past, but I still approached her and she happened to love her role, which is of a racer,” director Yuvaraj Bose told IANS.

“She instantly agreed to do the role. I think she will fit the bill because she just has to be herself in the film,” he added.

In the film, Alisha is paired with Vietnamese actor Johnny Tri Nguyen, who had debuted with Tamil film “7am Arivu”.

The film also features Atharva Murali, Priya Anand and Lakshmi Rai in important roles.

Alisha, who started driving at the age of 9, won her first championship title when she was 13 years old. She is also a popular Indian car racer and has participated in several national championships.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Tamil / by IANS – Mumbai / December 31st, 2013

Happy New Year first poster to be out January 2

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The first poster of Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Happy New Year” will be launched Jan 2 on the film’s social media pages – Twitter and Facebook.

The poster will be first sent to all fans and fan clubs on the social media sites as a gratification for their support, said a statement.

The action-musical-comedy, also starring Deepika Padukone, Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah, is being directed by Farah Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

ShahrukhMPos31dec2013

The film’s social media platforms have been very active and their first topic ‘wacky wishes’ has been trending on Twitter.

A huge social media campaign has been set around the launch of the first poster of the film and the lead actors are actively participating in the campaign for the first poster launch.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / indiatoday.in / Home> Movies> Bollywood> Story / by IANS – Mumbai / December 31st, 2013

A starring role Farooque Shaikh kept hidden: How he helped a 26/11 victim

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues
Shruti with her sons. “I regret I couldn’t thank him,” she says./ Pradip Das
Shruti with her sons. “I regret I couldn’t thank him,” she says./ Pradip Das

The country knew and loved Farooque Shaikh as the actor behind many a sublime role. Few knew another side of him, as a fiercely secretive philanthropist who kept his identity hidden even from his benefactors.

On Saturday, Shruti Kamble discovered that the man who had helped her and her two sons after her husband’s death in the terror attack of November 2008 was Shaikh. Offering a silent prayer for the actor, the 40-year-old says: “My regret is I could never thank him.” All that the Kambles knew, from the many envelopes Shruti saved, was that a “Shaikh sa’ab” was helping them.

The 65-year-old actor died of a heart attack in Dubai on Friday night. The funeral is on Monday.

Exactly a month after the 26/11 incident, The Indian Express had received an SMS from Shaikh, characteristically self-effacing in tone, regarding a story that had appeared in the paper on the wife and two small sons of Rajan Kamble, a maintenance worker at Taj Hotel who had died in the terror attack. Shaikh had also read a previous story on Rajan in the paper, detailing how he had been shot by terrorists while ushering hotel guests to safety.

Reading that Rajan had wanted elder son Rohan to go to a military school and younger Atharva, only 2 at the time, to become a pilot, Shaikh had got in touch. He offered to fund the children’s education, after extricating a promise that his identity would be kept a secret.

The Indian Express would call him at the beginning of every academic year and inform him of the amount needed, and he would promptly dispatch a cheque to the Kambles. He never asked how the money was spent.

While Atharva is one of the best students in his Class II now, Rohan, who is in Class IX, plans to work at the Taj. “While the Taj management has taken care of us, if not for Shaikh sa’ab, my children couldn’t have dreamed of making it so far. Today I can finally tell my sons that this was the stranger who looked after us when everyone we called our own gave up,” Shruti says.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home / by Shalini Nair / Mumbai – Monday, December 30th, 2013

Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh dies in Dubai after suffering a heart attack

Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh, who is best remembered for his performances in films like ‘Garm Hava’, ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, ‘Chashme Buddoor’ and ‘Kissi Se Na Kehna’, died after suffering a heart attack in Dubai.

He was 65.

“He has passed away,” a family member told PTI, without disclosing any further details.

The actor was in Dubai apparently for a concert when he suffered the heart attack on late Friday night.

His body will be brought to Mumbai later in the day after completing the formalities in Dubai.

Sheikh made a tremendous contribution in theatre, films and TV as well. He started his career in Bollywood in 1973 with ‘Garm Hava’ and is best remembered for his performances in films like ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, ‘Chashme Buddoor’, ‘Kissi Se Na Kehna’, ‘Noorie’.

His last film was ‘Club 60’ and before that he was seen playing the role of a father to Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’.

He also hosted the popular Zee TV show “Jeena issi ka naam hai” in which he interviewed many Bollywood celebrities.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home / by Press Trust of India / Dubai, Saturday – December 28th, 2013

INS Circars celebrates 74 anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Science & Technology, Transport, , , , ,

 

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The premier depot ship of the Eastern Naval Command, Indian Naval Ship Circars, celebrated its 74th Anniversary here on Thursday.

Initially established as a small base by the Royal Indian Navy in December 1939 shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the role of Circars changed over the years from coordinating naval operations, functioning as a repair organisation and being an establishment for Boys training, to its present status of being the premier depot ship of the ENC.

Festive look

The establishment currently provides administrative and logistics support to as many as 44 naval units in and around Visakhapatnam, catering to an approximate strength of over 3,500 personnel. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra was the chief guest for the celebrations marked to commemorate the occasion. The naval base wore a festive look, and saw active participation by personnel and families of INS Circars and allied units. A large number of serving and retired officers participated in the celebrations. The traditional cake cutting ceremony was followed by release of in-house Hindi magazine Circars Vaani. Speaking on the occasion, Commanding Officer, INS Circars Commodore Saleem M Anwer said that the depot ship was fully prepared to meet all challenges in its assigned role of supporting the ENC.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 13th, 2013

Noted Urdu scholar and poet Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

KamalAhmedMPos24dec2013

Mumbai:

Noted Urdu scholar, poet, linguistic expert, a specialist of Mirza Ghalib and litterateur Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui died in New Delhi Monday at around 11:30 p.m. He was 87.

Family sources while talking to ummid.com said that Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui was admitted to New Delhi’s Apolo Hospital after his kidneys failed to respond some fifteen days ago. He died in the hospital.

Dr Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui was regarded as the expert of Urdu language and Mirza Ghalib, and he was also associated with radio and television for a very long period.

Due to his work on Mirza Ghalib, he was awarded with the ‘Ghalib Award’. His book ‘Ghalib ki Shankaht’ was published by Ghalib Institute.

He was a regular in Delhi’s elite circle of Urdu scholars and was among the most respected ones. He was also one of the key figures in various seminars of Ghalib Institute.

He was also associated with journalism and had a good command over mass communication.

His love for literature can be gauged from the fact that he completed his doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University after retirement.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> National / by ummid.com Staff Reporter / Tuesday – December 24th, 2013

GRAB YOUR GRUB : Breaking bread

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel & Tourism, , ,
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

From artisan breads to scones, pastries, sandwiches and pastas, Griffin has something in store for everyone

Fancy some sourdough bread or maybe some ciabatta? You could try Griffin- The Artisan Bread Store in Madhapur, which promises to dish out fresh breads of various kinds. Fairly new, this store was the brain child of Mohd. Mujahid, who wanted to give the city a taste of different breads. The store, which is already a hit with the expat crowd in the area, also offers a variety of short eats for gastronomes.

The little bread store-cum-café has an interesting array of baked goodies that are perfect for those long conversations over a cup of coffee. You could take your pick from their cookies, scones, donuts, croissants, muffins, cheesecakes or tarts. Priced at around Rs. 50 each, they hardly burn a hole in your pocket.

The artisan bread store at Madhapur in Hyderabad. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
The artisan bread store at Madhapur in Hyderabad. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

Griffin can also be a pit-stop for a quick lunch or casual dinner with its selection of pizzas, sandwiches and pastas. You could choose from their delicious pastas in an array of sauces like arrabiata, pesto, alfredo or a juicy sandwich with some smoked or grilled meat or roasted veggies of your choice. You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. “I started this store mainly so I could introduce people to different varieties of breads. The idea behind serving sandwiches in different kinds of breads is to give our clients an idea of the kinds of breads we offer and how they can use them in different ways,” says Mujahid.

You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

The café section of this bread store is also a good place to spend an afternoon just reading or browsing the internet with a free wi-fi connection available to patrons. For the coffee lovers there are a variety of coffees to choose from while those watching their weight can pick a salad of their choice.

Griffin also has a bread shelf with different breads like sourdough, ciabatta, bagels and baguettes among others that you can choose from. The breads that are baked in two batches a day are brought in from the Griffin factory in Shamshabad. “We want to keep the products as fresh as possible,” explains Mujahid. The breads like the items on the menu are priced affordably with a whole wheat bread costing as less as Rs.50, while a sourdough could go up to Rs.100 The ciabatta and panini cost around Rs. 30, while a Scottish Bap comes for around Rs. 20.

Griffin – The Artisan Bread Store

Where: Kavuri Hills, Phase-1, Madhapur

When: 7.30 a.m. to 11p.m.

Contact: 040-30512844 ext:454

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by Ranjani Rajendra / Hyderabad – December 12th, 2013

AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion,
AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio
AR Rahman to celebrate the diversity of musical genres in Coke Studio

Nearly a decade ago, when composer and theatre director Andrew Lloyd Webber asked AR Rahman to tell him a story, he had none to share. “I said I am not a story guy, I am just a musician,” he recalls. Then it struck him that a creative person needn’t stick to only what he usually does. It sparked the composer’s quest to broaden his horizons and approach his craft with renewed world vision. This universal, all-pervasive quality can be felt in his music, which is a melting pot of sounds. The composer attributes this to be the primary reason for doing Coke Studio@MTV, whose ambitions in a broad sense, are the same as his — a celebration of the diversity of musical genres, a blend of the East and the West with the soul of world music.

“I like the concept of Coke Studio, its unusual musicality. Moreover, it is well produced and it’s watched in so many countries,” says the composer, whose Coke Studio debut will mark his return to non-film music since his last attempt, Connections, an album that was released in 2008.

The composer’s past record reveals that he is comfortable with collaborations too. From music icons such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mick Jagger to international pop musician Dido, he has worked with several Indian as well as international artistes. “By collaborating with others, I have grown more confident and trusting towards fellow musicians,” he says.

For Coke Studio, he has a set of six songs. These songs celebrate cultures, under the overarching theme of happiness. “Not the jumping kind, but internal happiness and content,” he says. Apart from Hindustani classical singer Ghulam Murtaza Khan, other artistes who will feature in the Rahman episode include a Jordanian singer and a nun from Nepal. His band for the show comprises instrumentalists such as Sivamani, Keba Jeremiah and Prasanna Ramaswamy. “The episode will celebrate the coming together of two cultures. For example, the Jordanian singer and our Hindi poetry. This apart, we had fun, there are taranas going on with a rap,” he says.

source:  http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home / by Sankhayan Ghosh / Chandigarh – Tuesday, July 09th, 2013