Leonardo DiCaprio gets his first Oscar for 'The Revenant'

Leonardo DiCaprio has finally won his first Oscar for survival epic The Revenant, it has come after six nominations. He was named best actor at the 88th Academy Awards and his movie The Revenant won three of the 12 awards for which it was nominated.
This has been reported in bbc.com dated 29 February 2016.

Leonardo DiCaprio received a standing ovation as he picked up his award, after five acting nominations and one nomination as producer of best picture nominee Wolf of Wall Street. He thanked his director and co-star Tom Hardy for his "fierce talent on screen" and "friendship off screen" before campaigning for action to combat climate change, saying making The Revenant was "about man's relationship to the natural world".
Climate change is a subject close to his heart and, in his own words, 'it is the most urgent threat facing our species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.' While on the subject, he appealed to the audience to support this initiative. He went on to add - 'let us not take this planet for granted.'
It is 22 years back that he was first nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for What's Eating Gilbert Grape.


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Pamela Anderson not interested in working in Baywatch movie

Pamela Anderson is not interested in working in Baywatch, the movie - she has turned down the opportunity to return to the Baywatch movie. She is now 48-years-old and had become the break-out star of the TV series in the late 1980s. She has revealed that she was offered a role in the revamp, which features Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and Zac Efron, but did not like the story-line. This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 27 February 2016.

Pamela Anderson has, of course, not ruled out a cameo but wants it to be different than the part she was initially given. As she explained - she has not turned down the offer completely, but has declined what they had offered. She goes on to add that 'Baywatch' was such a huge part of her life. She has not read the script as yet and has no idea of what it is all about. Also, there is no indication on whether any of the other members of the TV cast, which also included David Hasselhoff, Gena Lee Nolin and Alexandra Paul, will be part of the film version.


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Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone starrer 'Piku' could sweep away awards at the TOIFA 2016

The Amitabh Bachchan-Deepika Padukone starrer comedy drama 'Piku' could sweep away most of the awards at the 2nd edition of the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) - 'Piku' is leading the nomination in the popular category at TOIFA 2016 with seven nods including best film and best actor.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 26 February 2016.

The 2nd edition of Times of India Film Awards is scheduled to take place in Dubai on March 18. The awards ceremony will witness performances by Bollywood celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yo Yo Honey Singh and many others.
'Piku' has secured other nods in categories like best director for Shoojit Sircar, Deepika for best actress, best supporting actor for Irrfan Khan and two nods (best film and best male actor) in critics’ choice. The film is a road drama that revolves around a hypochondriac old father and his cranky daughter.
Apart from 'Piku', this year’s frontrunner 'Bajirao Mastani', a historical epic starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, and romantic-comedy 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' come second with six nods apiece. 'Bajirao Mastani' helmer Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been nominated in the best director category and the movie has also registered nominations in the best film, best actor, best actress categories.


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'Munnabhai' Sanjay Dutt a free man again - released from Yerwada jail

Bollywood actor 56-year old Sanjay Dutt has returned back to Mumbai after his release from Yerawada prison after serving 42 months for possessing an AK-56 supplied by gangsters behind a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993. He kissed the ground as he walked free from the jail in Pune, after authorities decided to release him ahead of schedule for good behavior.
This has been reported in hindustantimes.com dated 25 February 2016.

Once out of prison, he boarded a chartered flight to Mumbai with wife Manyata and children Iqra and Shahran and was given a rousing welcome by his fans at the airport. From there he went on to pay obeisance at Siddhivinayak temple and, later, accompanied by his family, he went to visit his mother and late Bollywood actor Nargis Dutt’s grave to offer his prayers.
It may be recalled that he was first arrested on April 19, 1993, for possession and destruction of an AK-56 rifle, which was a part of cache of arms and explosives which landed in India prior to the serial blasts of March 1993. He spent 18 months in jail in 1993. On July 31, 2007, the TADA court in Mumbai sentenced him to six years’ rigorous imprisonment under the Arms Act and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000. In 2013, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling but reduced the sentence to five years.


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Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer “The Revenant” to release in India without any cut

Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer “The Revenant” is planned for release in India on February 26 and it has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an A certificate and without any cut.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 22 February 2016.

The film has a heavy dose of violence and plenty cuss words and there were apprehensions about possible cuts because the stance of CBFC is usually harsh on such aspects. But, there was relief all around when it was released minus cuts. Of course, there are just two muted words because the board felt it was derogatory to women.
CBFC was impressed with ‘The Revenant’ since it has won acclaim and has also won quite a few prestigious awards apart from being a front runner at the Oscars. Hence, the CBFC was lenient.
The movie is inspired by true events and is about one man’s epic adventure of survival and revenge. It is directed by Alejandro Inarritu and also stars Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Paul Anderson.


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Vidya Balan ready to act in Kahaani sequel

Actress Vidya Balan has admitted that shooting for film “Te3n” was a sort of preparation for her role in Sujoy Ghosh’s sequel to “Kahaani” for which she had bagged the Filmfare Award for best actress. The film 'Te3n' has stars Amitabh Bachchan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 19 February 2016.

In the film 'Te3n'. Vidya Balan has made a special appearance and, in her own words, it was fun because Sujoy Ghosh produced the film and Vidya had a chance to go back to Kolkata for the shoot.
On Kolkata she has often claimed that Bengal is her second home. She has portrayed memorable roles in Bengali movies like “Parineeta” and “Kahaani” and she has been mistaken as a Bengali. But, she hails from Kerala and was born and brought up in Kolkata - so she considers Bengal as her second home.
There had been rumors that the sequel to 'Kahaani' had been shelved but Sujoy Ghosh has clarified that the film was definitely on and was in pre-production stages. The shooting would begin soon.


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Quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch

It is a nothing short of a quantum jump for Priyanka Chopra from Quantico to Baywatch. The Bollywood actress, pop sensation and a familiar face in the West now, Priyanka Chopra, the Quantico girl, has begun shooting for Baywatch with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 18 February 2016.

She has announced the commencement of the shooting of Baywatch and has posted a video of she and Dwayne calling each other biggest stars in the world from their shoot location which happens to be a sea side. Of course, Priyanka's new commitment has Prakash Jha worried because Priyanka may not have time for shooting of ‘Jai Gangaajal’.


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Kate Winslet will be seen in the role of a cold-blooded mafia boss in 'Triple 9'

Kate Winslet had made a name for herself by portraying the role of Rose in 'Titanic' but now she will be seen in a totally different role in the upcoming movie 'Triple 9' which is a gritty heist thriller in which Kate will be seen in the role of a cold-blooded mafia boss.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 17 February 2016.

'Triple 9' is scheduled to release in India on March 11 and has plenty of bloodshed, action sequences and witty dialogues - it is what fans of this genre want.
The film is directed by John Hillcoat and the story-line is of how a group of corrupt policemen are blackmailed by gangsters to perform a near impossible robbery. ‘999’ is the highest-priority code police use in the US when one of their own is wounded in a gun battle. The plan is to kill a rookie police officer by the crooked officers, but the plan goes haywire when the rookie refuses to roll over and fights back.
The cast includes Kate Winslet, Gal Gadot, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Woody Harrelson apart from TV actors Norman Reedus and Aaron Paul. Kate will be sporting a Russian accent and be seen dressed in risque outfits.


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Ryan Reynolds-starrer Hollywood movie 'Deadpool' raked in nearly $135 million in first three days

Ryan Reynolds-starrer Hollywood movie 'Deadpool' raked in nearly $135 million in its first three days Ryan Reynolds-starrer Hollywood movie 'Deadpool' has plenty of action, blood and twisted sense of humor appears to be treading the right path in India with a collection of over Rs.14 crore in its opening week. In the international scene also, it has raked in nearly $135 million in its first three days in theaters in the US.
This is reported in indianexpress.com dated 15 February 2016.

'Deadpool' was released on February 12 in time for Valentine’s Day, and it has minted a total of Rs.14.25 crore. Over the weekend the film has recorded an average occupancy of 70 percent.
The movie is based on Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero and narrates the story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson. After being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, he takes over the alter ego Deadpool and, armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humour, he hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.


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Katrina Kaif is happy that some Bollywood actresses are shifting to Hollywood

#KatrinaKaif #fitoor With many actresses of Bollywood moving out to Hollywood, the 32-year-old Katrina Kaif has indicated tat she would prefer to remain in Bollywood and grab good roles. The ‘Bang Bang’ star feels that the exodus would give her an opportunity to get meatier roles and enjoy, when others are busy trying their luck in the west.
This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 6 February 2016.

As she puts it, with many of the actresses going to Hollywood, she would face less competition. She can now sit and get better roles by default, become more available and capitalize on the good characters. Her upcoming film is ‘Fitoor’ and she wants to stay back and take up 'risky' projects like the Kashmir-based love saga.
In her opinion, 'Fitoor' is more of a risky film because it does not have the usual song and dance routine and, one would need to have guts to make such films. Her last outing was "Phantom" and it did not perform as well as the makers had expected it to. The film ‘Fitoor’ is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' celebrated novel ‘Great Expectations’ and Katrina plays the role Firdaus (Estella). She admits that working with Tabu was a "bonus" for her. Tabu, is playing the role of Katrina's mother in the film. It was, initially, supposed to be played by Rekha.
'Fitoor' is directed by Abhishek Kapoor and produced by UTV Motion Pictures and will hit the screens on February 12.


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Akshay Kumar to be the face of WHO in its diabetes awareness video

#AkshayKumar #Airlift #RajkumarHirani #diabetes #WHO Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar (48) is a different type of actor and his movies always have a special appeal. He will now feature in a video campaign by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about diabetes in India. It is a part of the WHOs mission to prevent diabetes whenever possible, encourage prevention of the disease and to increase awareness among the people.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 5 February 2016.

The government of Maharashtra Government had approached Akshay Kumar to appear in the video to be directed by Rajkumar Hirani - it would be released on April 7, World Health Day. It is understood that the “Airlift” star and Hirani have been discussing ideas for the video which will probably be shot this week in Mumbai. The video is expected to be released online on the YouTube channel, Being Indian. It may be noted that Akshay had supported the UN’s Global Goals campaign that advocates the importance of Global Goal No 3 “Good Health and Well-Being”. Moreover, he is a health freak and had extended his support for Max Bupa Walk for Health. Its aim is to inspire thousands of families to walk more to enhance their overall health and well-being.


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Odisha offers windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports on the Mahanadi River

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2nd Patna Film Festival to show movies of Amitabh Bachhan, Vidya Balan etcetera

The first Patna Film Festival had been organized in 2006 at Mona cinema and the 2nd one is now planned to be held at Mona and Elphinstone cinemas. It will be inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar and will be held between February 19 and 25.
This has been reported in telegraphidia.com dated 5 February 2016.

In the festival, cinema fans can catch a glimpse of Bollywood A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra. The art, culture and youth affairs department has invited several big cine stars to the festival. This will be the second time after 2006 when the state government has organized a film festival. Movies in various languages will be screened on the occasion at Mona and Elphinstone cinemas.
The interaction of renowned artistes of Bollywood with the audience would make the festival more lively and informative. The stars are yet to confirm their participation. There will also be movie stars from Bihar like Shatrughan Sinha and Manoj Bajpayee.
In the 1st Patna Film Festival noted film personalities like Shekhar Kapoor, Sudhir Mishra, Aziz Mirza, Shatrughan Sinha, Shekhar Suman, Manoj Bajpayee, Prakash Jha and others had attended. A total of 24 films from India, Iran, Canada and China had been screened on the occasion apart from films in Bengali, Marathi and Malayalam films. It had kicked off with the screening of Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi.


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Abhi Shake for industries to boost Bengal’s image (satire)

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Didi is allergic to anything red (satire)


Odisha offers windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports on the Mahanadi River

Goat farming brings joy to people of Nag Tibba in Tehri

Foods that help to lower cholesterol levels and control heart disease


“The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” - Disney’s upcoming television movie

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Aamir Khan no longer the face of Incredible India


Bomb attack kills 9 persons in Cairo near road leading to Egyptian pyramids

Woman with fake passport in a British Airways flight from Ibiza leads to panic

Tourists to Morocco told by Foreign Office to be vigilant about possible terror attacks

WHO takes a serious view of smoking in movies - wants such films to be certified as 'A'

WHO has taken a serious view of smoking in movies and wants such films to be certified as 'A'. In the opinion of World Health Organization (WHO), films that depict smoking should be given an adult rating to protect children from the 'last frontier' of tobacco advertising. WHO has warned that cigarette companies are depending on Hollywood as countries crack down on other forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 1 February 2016.

In the 2014 movie 'Transformers: Age of Extinction', a cigar-smoking robot was shown. This Hollywood blockbuster had a total of 2.6bn 'impressions' of tobacco use - which is the number of incidents multiplied by its paid cinema admissions - in China alone.
Moreover, studies in the US have revealed that nearly four out of every 10 adolescents who take up smoking do so because they have seen film and TV stars doing it. It may be noted that as per statistics of WHO for the year 2014 is that 44 per cent of all Hollywood films, and 36 per cent of films rated for young people had scenes of smoking.
On-screen smoking has influenced the younger generation and use of tobacco products have enticed millions of young people worldwide to take up the habit. According to figures of WHO, tobacco kills up to half of its users with an estimated six million people every year.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Abhi Shake for industries to boost Bengal’s image (satire)

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Didi is allergic to anything red (satire)


Odisha offers windsurfing, snorkeling and other water sports on the Mahanadi River

Goat farming brings joy to people of Nag Tibba in Tehri

Foods that help to lower cholesterol levels and control heart disease


“The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” - Disney’s upcoming television movie

'Avatar 2', sequel to 'Avatar' of 2009 expected to release in December 2017

Aamir Khan no longer the face of Incredible India


Bomb attack kills 9 persons in Cairo near road leading to Egyptian pyramids

Woman with fake passport in a British Airways flight from Ibiza leads to panic

Tourists to Morocco told by Foreign Office to be vigilant about possible terror attacks