Hollywood & Bollywood Updates 20th October

HOLLYWOOD UPDATES

Georgia Ruth wins Welsh music prize

London: Folk star Georgia Ruth has been named the recipient of the 2013 Welsh Music Prize.

The harpist overcame competition from 11 fellow artists, including Neon Neon, Racehorses and Euros Childs, to claim the top honour for her debut album Week of Pines at the current Swn Festival in Cardiff, reported BBC online.

After her win, Ruth said the announcement came as "quite a shock".

The award, billed as the Welsh equivalent of the UK`s prestigious Mercury Music Prize, was created in 2011 to recognise the finest in Welsh music.

Rockers Future of the Left took home the trophy last year, while Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys was the inaugural winner.

I wanted to feed co-stars with pasta: Jennifer Garner

Los Angeles: Actress-producer Jennifer Garner says she wanted to feed Matthew McConaughey a "big bowl of pasta" while shooting their new movie `The Dallas Buyers Club` because he lost 50 pounds for his role.


The 43-year-old lost 50 pounds for his role as an AIDS victim campaigning for proper healthcare in the new drama and his co-star admits it was upsetting to see him and fellow actor Jared Leto, who also lost weight for his role in the film, in such frail conditions.


``It was shocking and upsetting and really hard to see ... I wanted to feed them a bowl of pasta,” contactmusic.com quoted Garner as saying.

Vampire Dating Site: Hookups for Cold Blooded Hotties

It's so hard to meet someone new in a town where you already know everyone. Thank god for Internet dating. Now we can find hotties, regardless of where they live. Or whether they have ice water coursing through their veins.
Vampire Passions is not a wittily constructed dummy site for HBO's True Blood. It's a full-on, 100% free, online dating site for vamps and vamp chasers. Whether you're a blood vampire or a psychic vampire — and who hasn't dated one of those? — there is something for everyone. Looking for your Dark Angel? He appears to be on there. Searching for female companionship from a Twilight hater? Spotted one of those as well.
Or maybe you're more comfortable getting your fangs wet with a fellow fan of vampire film, television and literature. There are forums, blogs and a tab for "Videos & Fun Stuff." You can fill in the blanks on that one.
But if you're undeadly serious about this particular dating niche, you may want to sign up for this site in blood. You can prescreen your dates by Type A, Type B or Type O.
There's also a Bovine blood option, "for moral reasons." Moo to that.

Vampire Weekend: Vampire Picks for the Weekend of 10/18

If you're on the West Coast this weekend, you might want to swing by the Los Angeles Vampires Monthly Meet Up on Saturday, October 19. Brace yourself, this is not a poser-fest. These are, in fact, real vamps, witches and werekin, but according to the announcement, "You do not need to be a vampire or a donor or any other label to join." Sounds like good, clean fun. Unless you're hell-bent on turning. "We cannot turn you into a vampire," the invite goes on to say.
If you dig watching watch Nicolas Cage chew up the scenery with fangs on, Bad Movie Night NYC will be screening Vampire's Kiss on Friday October 18 at 10:30 PM. It promises to be an evening of Brooklyn snark with a vampire twist.
And if you like a little Transylvania mixed in with your sunshine, The Vampire Circus is performing The Tale of a Graveyard Clown in Miami, a clown-sells-his-soul-in-exchange-for-fame tale, perfect for the whole family. It's Cirque du Soleil with fangs, but more suburban. And fetishy.

Jackie Chan supports docu-film exposing illegal wildlife trade

Los Angeles: Action superstar Jackie Chan has joined the fight against the slaughter of elephants for ivory products by throwing his support behind the Canada-Germany co-production `Gambling on Extinction`.

The documentary, from Real to Reel Productions and German partner a&o buero film production, investigates the illegal trade of wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts, the Hollywood Reporter said.
"Everyone should dispel the myths that ivory jewelry and carvings are made from tusks that have fallen off the elephant or from elephants that have died of natural causes," Chan said in a statement issued by the film`s producers.
"This is simply not true. Elephants are being hunted and killed for their tusks. The only way to stop the slaughter is to cut the demand. We are all consumers, so we can all make a difference," he added.
Real to Reel producer Anne Pick said, "I know Jackie supports many worthy causes, and we, along with our German partners at a&o buero, couldn`t be happier about his support for our film and this international wildlife crisis."
`Gambling on Extinction` sees German filmmaker Jakob Kneser travel across Africa and Southeast Asia to jungles and trading hubs to expose the major players feeding and opposing the illegal wildlife products business.
The documentary has already been sold to ZDF in Germany, W5 and Animal Planet in Canada, France`s ARTE, SBS in Australia and Sweden`s SVT.


Sam Worthington smitten by girlfriend

London: `Avatar` actor Sam Worthington is grateful to have met his model partner Lara Bingle.

The 31-year-old actor has been quiet about his relationship with Bingle, reported Daily Telegraph.

"I`m very happy and I`ve met someone I`m very grateful for. She`s down to Earth," Worthington said.
The couple are believed to have met in New York in late September after being introduced by a mutual friend.
The actor had not made his relationship to the model public for a long time.
However, the couple recently shared their picture on Instagram.

Miley Cyrus reminds me of my younger days: Sarah Harding

London: Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has admitted that she sees "a little bit of the old" her in Miley Cyrus.
The 31-year-old speculated that Cyrus is pretending to be a "wild child" just as she used to, though she did say that the `Wrecking Ball` singer`s appearance at the VMAs was "a bit much", reported Digital Spy.

"I do see a little bit of the old me in her, but I think she`s more out there than I ever was... I can see why Miley twerking with that foam finger caused a bit of a stir. I mean, it was a bit much.
"I was called the wild child of Girls Aloud, but that was me just playing up to the role. It wasn`t really me. But she`s all about the shock factor. She`s getting headlines, so it`s probably great for her sales and her image," she said.
Harding also compared Cyrus to Britney Spears, commenting that it is natural for teen stars to rebel as they get older.

BOLLYWOOD UPDATES

Priyanka Chopra says her 'Ram Leela' item song is modern mujra

Mumbai: Actress Priyanka Chopra, who has done an item song in Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s `Ram Leela`, describes it as a modern mujra which has Indian vibes with a western touch.

"The song is very different and special because I am a huge fan of Mr. Bhansali. It`s a modern mujra which you all have not seen for a long time. It`s a mujra, but modern. It`s got Indian music and vibes, but still western and contemporary.

“It has got a different look, different form of dancing and I didn’t have time to rehearse. I used to rehearse at night," Priyanka told reporters here.
Aishwarya Rai was reportedly approached for the item song before Priyanka.
`Ram Leela` features Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in the lead.



Shilpa Agnihotri leaves the 'Bigg Boss' house

Mumbai: TV actress Shilpa Agnihotri had to leave her husband Apoorva Agnihotri alone in the `Bigg Boss Saath-7` house as she was voted out of the reality show Saturday night.

The actress had entered the show with her actor husband when the show began Sep 15.

While Shilpa was made to stay in the heaven part of the house, Apoorva spent his days in the hell side. It was just earlier this week that both the sides of the house were merged into one, and the couple was united.
But the eviction episode brought bad news for them.
Shilpa was nominated for eviction this week with VJ Andy, Tanishaa Mukerji, Kamya Punjabi and Armaan Kohli.
During her stay on the show, the `Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi` actress was seen to be very close to her husband. She had expressed anger when he readily accepted a challenge to get a mohawk haircut. She had an emotional breakdown following the incident.
Shilpa also became friends with Andy and Kamya. She even sorted out her differences with Tanishaa.
For now, the "Bigg Boss Saath-7" house inmates include Gauhar Khan, Kushal Tandon, Tanishaa, Armaan, Asif Azim, Sangram Singh, Elli Avram, Pratyusha Banerjee and Viveik Mishra apart from Apoorva.
The show, where celebrities are locked up inside a house with limited amenities, is hosted by Salman Khan.

Festivity at home everyday due to AbRam: Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who was recently blessed with baby boy AbRam through surrogacy, says every day sees festivity at home because of AbRam.

"Everyday is special after AbRam has come home. His health is good now and I am really happy for him. Everyday is festivity at home because of AbRam," SRK told reporters at an event.

Karan Johar feels proud one year since 'SOTY'

Mumbai: Filmmaker Karan Johar looks back at `Student Of The Year` (SOTY) with pride a year of its release. He says his "students" - Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan, who made their Bollywood debut with the film, have made him proud.

SOTY released Oct 19, 2012.

"SOTY completes a year today! I am really proud of my three students and the entire cast and crew of this young, fun and special film of my career," Karan posted on Twitter Saturday.
The romantic-comedy revolves around the lives of three college students, who compete with each other for the title of `Student of the Year`.
The film proved to be a good launchpad for its three lead actors, who managed to pocket plum Bollywood projects post the film`s release.
Alia, daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, will be seen in Imitiaz Ali`s `Highway` and Abhishek Verman`s `2 States`.
Thanking Karan, Alia tweeted: "SOTY completes one year and so do I.. one year since I`ve been in the industry! Thank you Karan Johar for giving us the perfect break."
Varun, who is the son of filmmaker David Dhawan, is working on his father`s `Main Tera Hero`, while model-turned-actor Sidharth has just finished shooting Hasee Toh Phasee`. He also has Ekta Kapoor`s `The Villain` in his kitty. 

Simi Garewal to direct a film soon

Mumbai: Veteran actress Simi Garewal is planning to go behind the camera to direct a film.

Simi, 66, who gave memorable performances in films like `Do Badan`, `Karz`, `Siddhartha`, `Mera Naam Joker`, is all charged up to return to the silver screen, not as an actor, but as a director.
"I would be there on small screen back with my show `Rendezvous` next year. While on big screen I will be back soon but behind the camera as a director," Simi told reporters.
She had written and directed a Hindi feature film `Rukhsat` (1988). The family drama had Mithun Chakraborty, Anuradha Patel, Marc Zuber, Rohini Hattangadi and Amrish Puri.
She is also the writer-director of popular TV talk show `Rendezvous with Simi Garewal`, which she hosts.
She has also directed a three-part TV documentary series - `India`s Rajiv` (1991).
"We are still in the process (scripting), within a month or two it will be decided. I had directed before also documentaries, commercials... I have been behind the camera for many years. I like being a technician," Simi said, without divulging any details about the project.
The film would likely be shot in New York and Moscow.

Shah Rukh Khan apologizes for not being punctual

Mumbai: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who kept his fans waiting for two and a half hours at the celebration of LUX Chennai Express Contest event here, apologized when he finally came, saying he was unwell.

"I am extremely sorry for coming late. My apologies to the media people. I am not well...I have flu...I was bed-ridden. I have been travelling a lot...but thanks for all your patience," the mega star told reporters, apologizing profusely.

"I don`t get tired very soon, but today I am a bit unwell. I have fever and may be because I didn`t sleep last night..."

The event was scheduled at 3.30 p.m but the actor arrived at the venue at 6.00 p.m.
Meanwhile the actor, who is also shooting for the film "Happy New Year", says the film is not a solo hero film.
"`Happy New Year` is not a SRK starrer film. We have an ensemble cast and that is the speciality of the film. Its not a solo hero film," he said.

Asked if he is playing a Gujarati don in Farhan Aktar`s next release, he said: "No I am not...I have read the script but nothing is finalised."

Lata Mangeshkar conferred first Yash Chopra Memorial Award

Mumbai: In a tribute to the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra on the eve of his first death anniversary, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar was conferred the first Yash Chopra Memorial Award at a glittering function here.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari presented the award late Saturday to the legendary singer.
"Lata Mangeshkar, blessed with a beautiful voice, is the pride of the Indian music industry and a living legend," Tewari said.
He called upon the film fraternity to zealously guard the liberal space.
Dedicated to the memory of the late producer-director, the Yash Chopra Memorial Award has been instituted by the TSR Foundation of T. Subbarami Reddy.
Chopra was a victim of dengue in Mumbai Oct 21 last year, spelling the end of a romantic and passionate era of filmmaking.
Carrying a cheque of Rs.1 million and a citation, the memorial award will be given annually to people in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of art and culture.
Lata, who started her singing career in 1942, has continued singing for over seven decades, recording songs for over a thousand Hindi movies besides singing in 36 Indian and foreign languages.
She has been conferred several national and international honours, including Bharat Ratna, India`s highest civilian award, three national film awards and and the One Time Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India`s Independence.
Present on the occasion was Pamela, Yash Chopra`s widow, Union Minister for Heavy Industries Praful Patel, the award jury Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, T. Subbirami Reddy, filmmakers Subhash Ghai and Boney Kapoor, Sridevi, Akshay Kumar, Rani Mukerji, singer Alka Yagnik and other dignitaries.

Akshaye Khanna hoaxed of Rs 50 lakh by husband-wife duo

New Delhi: Time and again we come across certain cases of fraudulent companies, who dupe in investors but are nowhere to be seen later. This time, it was none other than Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna who had been conned by a fraudster couple.
According to a tabloid, the 38-year-old actor has registered a case against a husband wife duo, who persuaded him in investing Rs 50 lakh in their company- Intex Immijet- back in 2010, in return for a double amount after just a year.
After two years of time, Khanna, who was tired of the couple ignoring his calls and postponing the date for payment, finally submitted an application to the Economic Offences Wing.
It is said that Khanna had met the couple first time at a party in September 2010, where the duo- Satyabrata and Shona Chakrabarti befriended him and duped him to invest the large sum.
The actor registered the case against the company with the Malabar Hill police station initially, after which it was transferred to the EOW (crime branch).
“They told Akshaye that their firm is a profit-generating one but needs some capital,” a source said.
The EOW, who after investigating into the matter for a month and questioning the accused, has lodged a First Information Report with the Malabar Hill police station and got it transferred to the crime branch.
“We received a complaint from Khanna a month ago after which we did our investigation. We also interrogated the two accused, following which we found enough reasons to register a case. On Friday night a complaint was registered with the Malabar Hill police station,” Additional Commissioner of Police Rajvardhan Sinha (EOW) said,
According to the reports, though the accused have been booked under Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120 (B) (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, no one has been arrested till now.