Hollywood & Bollywood Updates 23rd October 2013

HOLLYWOOD UPDATES

Singer Jessie J finds fan abuse scary

Los Angeles: Singer Jessie J says getting hate messages online from fans is a scary experience.

"It`s hard. I still have a heart deficiency and have days where I struggle. The fans don`t get that sometimes. The abuse you get if you have to cancel a show ... It`s scary," Time Out magazine quoted Jessie J as saying, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 25-year-old believes every emotion expressed online is extreme and so, she avoids reading comments about herself on social media.

"With social media, young people use words of hatred so flippantly now. It`s either `I love you!` or `I hate you and I want you to die`. There is no middle ground. Everything`s an extreme because people want to be noticed," she said.

"I tend not to read my social media timeline as much as I used to, because I try to lead a very positive life and Twitter can be quite dark sometimes," she added.



Have not exercised much to shed baby weight: Kim Kardashian

Los Angeles: Reality TV star Kim Kardashian says her daughter North keeps her so busy that she does not get enough time to work out.

The 33-year-old socialite, who gave birth to North in June with rapper boyfriend Kanye West, recently flaunted a slim figure. She credits taking Atkins diet for losing weight, reported Radar online.

"I haven`t exercised a whole lot so far, just because I`ve been busy with the baby and I don`t want to leave her. I still have some baby weight to go," Kim said.
"Atkins worked for me and I don`t feel tempted to eat a bunch of junk food. It`s just about staying healthy, it will come off.
The `Keeping Up with the Kardashians` star recently received heavy criticism for flaunting her post-baby body in a revealing photograph on Twitter.

Katharine McPhee, Michael Morris kiss in public

Los Angeles, Oct 23 (IANS) Actress-singer Katharine McPhee and director Michael Morris, who are married to different individuals, were spotted locking lips in public here.

McPhee and Morris were seen getting intimate and holding hands in Hollywood, reports tmz.com.

McPhee is married to producer Nick Cokas, but sources said they have been living separately from almost six months,
Morris is married to actress Mary McCormack and they have three daughters together.



Russell Brand admits having sex with a man

Washington: Russell Brand has made a shocking revelation that he once had sex with a male stranger in a toilet of a London pub.

Brand, in a podcast interview with British comedian Richard Herring, said that the incident was all part of a television stunt for a British documentary series he was working on at the time, Radar Online reported.
The program titled ` RE:Brand` was the 38-year-old comedian`s attempt to explore social taboos.
Brand said that he thinks of himself as heterosexual but perhaps the environment that he grew up in made it difficult for him to express homosexuality.
Brand, who was married to Katy Perry, has also admitted in the interview about being addicted to heroin at the time, while giving graphic details about the day he went to look for a random stranger for the sexual experiment. 

Katy Perry 'under fire' for Pepsi advert

Washington: Katy Perry has reportedly come under fire from members of various consumer advocacy groups for her Pepsi advert which promotes her new album.

Campaigners from six different organisations, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy , have posted a full-page ad in Variety, which features an open letter addressed to the 28-year-old singer, Contactmusic reported.

The letter to the `Roar` hitmaker said that her soda promotion commercial is sending a wrong message to her fans that Pepsi would made them as cool as her, and not worry about health consequences.

Perry, who doesn`t have an endorsement contract with Pepsi, has been asked to turn her back on the brand in the letter and has been told not to advocate a harmful product to the children who are her fans too.
Meanwhile, Pepsi has denied targeting kids by working with the singer and has said that their advertisements are not directed to anyone below the age of 12 and that they have a history of responsible advertising and marketing practices.

Michael Douglas says relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones is 'up and up'

Los Angeles: Actor-producer Michael Douglas says he and his estranged wife Catherine Zeta-Jones are working on their relationship.

During an appearance on `Tonight Show with Jay Leno`, the `Behind the Candelabra` actor says that his relationship with Zeta-Jones "should hopefully be on the up and up", reported Aceshowbiz.

"Good I hope. I`ve been away for a while but everything should hopefully be on the up and up," he said.

The 69-year-old actor also told similar thing in an interview with E! news.

"Onwards and upwards," he had said when asked about his relationship with the `Red 2` actress.
Recently, a man who was said to be Douglas was reportedly spotted with Zeta-Jones in Greenwich, Connecticut, but the actor denied that it was him.
"I haven`t been home yet... I`ve been in New Mexico making a picture called `The Reach` for the last five weeks... So, I look forward to getting home, but that wasn`t me... Must`ve been a look alike."
In late August, representatives for both stars said that the couple was taking a break from their relationship.
"Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage," they said. Douglas and Zeta-Jones have two children together, Dylan and Carys.

BOLLYWOOD UPDATES

Sunny Leone won’t bare her torso in Bollywood films?

Mumbai: If the latest buzz is anything to go by, then adult film actress Sunny Leone, has refused to go topless for her second Hindi film- ‘Ragini MMS 2’.

The teaser of the horror film which was launched in the second week of September saw Sunny enacting some steamy scenes. The punch line read- “Grab a bite of Sunny”!

The teaser opens with a scene that shows Sunny showing her bare back, enjoying a shower as the camera pans through see-through bathroom curtains. And the rest of the teaser gives us a glimpse of the steamy scenes that are in store for us.
But Sunny seems to have strong reservations in baring her torso for the film and reportedly insisted on wearing a bikini top. The makers of film gave in to her demand and let her shoot the scene the way she wanted.
Reportedly, the makers have used technology to maker he look topless!
Produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, ‘Ragini MMS 2’ is a sequel to ‘Ragini MMS’, a super natural thriller that released in 2011.
Sunny had entered the world of Indian entertainment with reality show ‘Bigg Boss 5’ and has since then has managed to bag a few of endorsement deals and films.

‘Ram Chahe Leela’ song: A love ballad featuring Priyanka Chopra

New Delhi: A lungi-clad Priyanka Chopra dancing to the tunes of a love ballad is the latest release from the song track of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Ram Leela’.

The song named ‘Ram Chahe Leela’ is basically the title song of the film and it has a modern feel in contrast to the ethnic sets and costumes PeeCee and the dancers are shown wearing.
Although this number is not as good as the mind blowing ‘Nagada Sang Dhol Baje’ nor quirky like ‘Ishqyaun Dishkyaun’, it is worth listening to at least once.
PeeCee has for sure tried her best to keep her movements as seductive and sexy as she could. But we would have appreciated if makers had given ethnic beats to the song. Perhaps, it was an attempt to keep it different from the rest of the lot in the music list.

Aishwarya broke Karva Chauth fast by seeing hubby through Skype

Mumbai: Women from across the country observed the Karva Chauth vrat on Tuesday to pray for the well being and long life of their respective husbands. The Bachchan family too follows the traditions and customs of a Hindu household with utmost devotion and fervour.

Both Jaya Bachchan and her bahu Aishwarya observed the fast on this auspicious occasion.
Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to express his thoughts about the same. He tweeted, “`Karvachauth` over ... moon sighted, prayers done through the sieve, food eaten and water drunk by the wives ..dressed in fineries ! (sic).”
The megastar went to the elaborate the reason behind observing the fast. He tweeted, “The culture and the traditions of time .. tested and performed diligently .. for what ? for the benefit and longevity of another !! (sic).”
However, for Aishwarya, this Karva Chauth was a lot different as her husband Abhishek was abroad to shoot for a film. She had to use Skype to see her husband and then break her fast.
“Abhishek out of country on shoot .. so face of husband seen through Skype, for Karvachauth by Aishwarya .. what times we live in (sic),” Big B tweeted.

What made Salman Khan lose his cool yet again?

Mumbai: Salman Khan is always in news for a variety of reasons. On one hand, the hunk of an actor comes across as a magnanimous superstar, while on the other hand, he seems to be a short-tempered person.

Khan is known to have bursts of anger quite often. The unit of ‘Jai Ho’ (earlier titled ‘Mental’), witnessed the actor losing his cool recently. Apparently, when the ‘Dabangg’ superstar was shooting for the film, the paparazzi pushed itself into the sets subsequently irking the actor.
Reportedly, Salman asked his brother Sohail to take away the cameras from the paparazzi that had gathered and erase all that was shot on the sets.
The actor, who is otherwise a huge hit for his flamboyance and bindaas attitude was thoroughly miffed with the way the media persons behaved.
‘Jai Ho’ is touted to be one of Salman’s most ambitious projects directed by his sibling, Sohail. The film also features talented actress Tabu. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan had paid a visit to Salman on the sets of the film recently and enquired about his nerve problem which was giving the actor some really tough times.

Centre seeks Maha Govt opinion on reducing Sanjay Dutt’s jail term

New Delhi: The Home Ministry has sought the opinion Maharashtra Government to reduce the jail sentence of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt who is serving a 42-month sentence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

According to press reports, the centre has forwarded an application to the state government, on an appeal by Justice Markandeya Katju to the President, requesting the veteran actor’s jail term to be shortened. Sources called it part of routine procedure that is followed for such appeals.
Meanwhile, Dutt is staying with his family in Mumbai after being granted a 14-day extended leave from prison on medical grounds. The 53-year-old had left the Yerawada jail on October 1.
Dutt was sentenced to five years in jail by the Supreme Court of India in March 2013 for illegally possessing arms during the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts which killed over 250 civilians.
The actor had already served 18 months in jail after which he was released on bail in 2007. He is currently serving the remaining 42-month jail term in the Yerawada jail.

Terrific if Salman Khan endorses 'Lakshmi': Nagesh Kukunoor

Mumbai: Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor says if Bollywood star Salman Khan will endorse his next film `Lakshmi`, it will be `terrific` for the cause highlighted in the movie.

Kukunoor wishes to show his film about human trafficking and prostitution to NGOs and Salman also runs an NGO called Being Human.
"That would be a dream scenario if he (Salman Khan) comes forward and endorses the film," Kukunoor told reporters Tuesday at the trailer and poster launch of the movie.
"It would be wonderful because having the support of someone like him would be tremendous for the cause... if Salman comes on board for the film, it will be terrific," he added.
The story of `Lakshmi` revolves around a girl whose life goes for a toss when she is forced into prostitution. But she overcomes the problems to put her life back on track and sets an example for many.
Kukunoor admits that it is not possible to reach every single person through the film but they will try their best.
"If we are able to direct even five percent of the people to this problem, we will feel we are successful because you can`t reach everyone," said Kukunoor, known for films like `Iqbal`, `Dor` and `Aashayein`.
Satish Kaushik, who has co-produced the film with Pramod Sharma, has kept the promotion plan in tandem with the theme of the movie.
Kaushik said: "What we are trying to do is that we are trying to reach a lot of people through NGOs, social places, and social activists. They are going to see the film. We will be screening the film for them.... even in some of the red light areas where it happens."
Kaushik, who will be seen playing a negative role in it, strongly recommends the film to women who have been victims of human trafficking.
"I feel the girls who are affected by it should see the film as this film is to make them courageous," he said.
`Lakshmi` marks the Bollywood debut of singer Monali Thakur. The film also features Kukunoor, Shefali Shah and Ram Kapoor.
It will come out Jan 17 next year.

Pak artistes contribution to Bollywood valuable: Akshay Kumar 

Karachi: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has supported the presence of Pakistani artistes in the Indian entertainment industry saying that they have brought diversity.

"From their powerful dialogue delivery to incredible music talent, Pakistanis have made valuable contribution to Bollywood. Some of the most memorable songs of Bollywood have been sung by Pakistani artistes and the opportunities to work together will be endless," Akshay said.

In the interview to Express Tribune newspaper, the 46-year-old actor, whose latest film ‘Boss’ hit theatres last week, also said that Pakistan`s top comedian, Umar Shareef has been a constant source of learning and inspiration for him.
"I have watched Umar Shareef since I entered the industry over 20 years ago and he is one of the best comedians of all time. What I love most about him is his comic timing and delivery," said Akshay.
"You can be the funniest man on paper but unless you have got the timing right, your joke will be lost. Mr Umer Sharif, I salute your gift," he added.
Akshay has over 100 films to his credit and portrayed some larger-than-life, action packed and farcical roles in his career.
"My secret is that I never act my age. I may be in my 40s but my heroines are usually in their 20s," he said.
Akshay said he always liked to have a good chemistry with his co-stars. "I don`t act like a superstar. The minute there is an inferiority complex between two actors, it becomes very uncomfortable to watch."
The actor said the he supports the recent trend in Bollywood to remake South India-inspired films, saying, "Hats off to South Indian films! They have the content that the world enjoys; it is an honour for me to recreate their magic."
Akshay also said he is happy to see that Pakistani cinema is growing again and hopes that it will keep thriving.
"No matter how great anyone is, there is always room for improvement. Filmmakers should keep experimenting with new techniques and never feel afraid of going back to film school," he said.

Hollywood & Bollywood News Updates 24th September 2013

Hollywood Updates

When the paparazzi chased Jennifer Hudson look alike

Los Angeles: Jennifer Hudson has offered her sympathy to a woman who was chased by paparazzi after they mistook her for the actress.

The female, whose name is unknown, bears a striking resemblance to Hudson. She was caught amid paparazzi who were convinced that she was the real one, reports contactmusic.com.

The 32-year-old took to micro-blogging website Twitter to clear the confusion about her look alike with a photograph of her doppleganger.

"Cute girl! But that ain`t me! I know the poor girl was like, `Why are they taking pictures of me!` Wow," Hudson tweeted.

Will 'Trophy Wife' Be Sabotaged by Its Own Title?

Can a title really hurt a show's chances at ratings success? Ask the cast and creatives behind Cougar Town. The Courtney Cox vehicle was canceled after three low-rated seasons at ABC before getting a new life over at TBS. Fans resent the sitcom's sensational and inaccurate moniker for chasing away its potential audience. Cougar Town sounds like a Real Housewives spin-off, when it's actually a goofy, Scrubs-like (Bill Lawrence is the creator of both) comedy about drinking wine and throwing pennies into a can. "Penny caaaan!"

Now ABC has itself right back in the same situation with debut comedy Trophy Wife. The pilot airs Tuesday, Sep. 24, but has been available on iTunes and Hulu for a few weeks. The first two episodes are helmed by Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore, and the cast includes stalwart TV talent like Marcia Gay Harden and Bradley Whitford supporting film funny girl Malin Ackerman in the title role. The kids are funny and not overly precocious. Ackerman is endearing, and a gifted physical comedienne. It has potential, but not if viewers are turned off by the icky, borderline offensive name.

Trophy Wife is also smack in the middle of ABC's all-over-the-map Tuesday lineup. It starts off with Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., then 180's to comedy with novelty '80s sitcom The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife, followed by soapy lottery drama Lucky 7.  It's doubtful that a collection of series this varied will keep viewers tuned in all night, so this show might be dead in the water if the marketing campaign doesn't give America a compelling reason to click back over. Then again, maybe the Trophy Wife title will intrigue the audience of the gimicky Goldbergs. One thing's for sure: when we have so many viewing options at our fingertips, it's unfair for a show with as much promise as Trophy Wife to be crippled by a crappy title.

Not Just A Pretty Face: Zoe Saldana's Career Heads In A New Direction

There may have been a time when Zoe Saldana was pegged as just another pretty face in Hollywood. By now, we all know the type: gorgeous, thin, kinda racially ambiguous, and talented enough to make it all work. But it seems that the actress has no intention of playing eye candy any longer. Over the past few years she's taken on projects like The Words and Colombiana, and even her roles in Avatar and the Star Trek franchise have allowed her to branch out. Considering the movies she has lined up right now, it looks like Zoe is making some truly exciting career moves. Here's a look at three new movies we can all get psyched about.
Nina

The web practically exploded with rage when it was announced that Zoe Saldana would be taking on the role of legendary jazz singer and activist Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic, due mostly to the fact that Saldana is lighter-skinned and more conventionally Hollywood-pretty than the fierce and fabulous Simone. Now that the fury has died down, and Zoe herself has spoken out about her decision to take the lead in Nina, we can't help but get excited about the movie. At the very least, it seems only fair that audiences take Zoe's advice and see the film before passing judgment. Here's hoping that Zoe -- a completely capable actress -- surprises the naysayers.

Blood Ties

Starring alongside Mila Kunis, Marion Cotillard, and Clive Owen, Zoe joins a seriously impressive cast in the new film from French director Guillaume Canet. The Brooklyn-set crime drama will be a gritty new look for Zoe, but she also brings some romance to the film, playing lover to Billy Crudup's character Frank.

Out Of The Furnace

It is impossible to not get excited about this one. Zoe will be in excellent company with Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Forest Whitaker on board. Although she's playing another love interest, we expect things to get really intense, really fast, and Zoe will certainly have the opportunity to prove that she can play hard with the big boys.

No flirting on stage, say The Saturdays members

Los Angeles: Members of band The Saturdays are confident that they will never follow singer Miley Cyrus and flirt on stage.
Cyrus recently left a bad impression after she flirted with singer Robin Thicke on stage at an award ceremony.
But singers Mollie King, Rochelle Humes, Vanessa White, and Una Healey will not be seen doing that anytime soon, reports dailystar.co.uk.
"We won`t be copying her. I don`t think anyone wants to see me swinging around naked," said Healey.
But Humes thought Cyrus` performance added the fun to the award ceremony: "I thought she brought a bit of fun to it."

At 62, Jane Seymour poses in bikini

Los Angeles: Actress Jane Seymour has stripped down to a bikini for a photoshoot at the age of 62.She posed in a skimpy turquoise two-piece swimsuit on the beach outside her home in Malibu, California for a series of shots taken by her photographer son Sean Flynn, reports contactmusic.com.
Seymour was given the bikini by her designer friend Cheri Ingle on her 62nd birthday."When Cheri gave me her gift I said, `You must be joking! The last time I wore a bikini I was 20, so I thought this was a big joke...In the spirit of that joke, we just said, `Okay, let`s go down to the beach`. It was no hair, no make-up, no retouching. Just a gift from a son to a mother and a girlfriend to her friend," Britain’s Hello! magazine quoted Seymour as saying.
Seymour says she was amazed to see her toned physique in the photographs.
"Oh, my gosh, the pilates and gyrotonics have paid off! I`m not crazy about working out. I do eat, drink and be merry. But I pay some attention to my health too," she said.

'Argo' career high despite axed scenes: Taylor Schilling

London: Most of her scenes in Ben Affleck directed `Argo` ended up on the editing floor but actress Taylor Schilling says the Oscar -winning movie was still a career high.
The actress played Ben Affleck`s wife in the 2012 film and had a great time shooting the movie though her part was cut drastically, reported Contactmusic.

"Most of it got cut! I was in the last scene of the movie and it was an incredible experience. I love Ben Affleck so much, he`s an amazing director and his wife (Jennifer Garner) was so generous to me when the role got cut.
"It won Best Picture and I wasn`t in it! But honestly to be in a movie that won Best Picture at the Academy Awards... It`s one of the highlights of my career so far. Really, it was incredible." 

How Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Could Make the 2014 Golden Globes Even Funnier

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are consistently the funniest part of any award show they attend. After all, the pair easily stole the opening segment of last night's Emmy Awards away from host Neil Patrick Harris, and fans have been impaitently waiting for their next hosting assignment since the credits rolled on the 2013 Golden Globes. They might not have to wait much longer, though: on last night's red carpet, Fey revealed that she and Poehler had been asked back to host this year's Golden Globes, and that they were planning to discuss whether or not to take the gig that night. In the hopes that they will accept NBC's offer, we've come up with five ways for Fey and Poehler to rock the Golden Globes... not that they'll need any help, of course.
Everyone Gets HeckledThe duo became, hands-down, the funniest part of last night's awards the moment they shouted at Harris to take off his pants and "twerk it." Armed with 3D glasses (so they could see his "business" up close) and buckets of popcorn, Fey and Poehler proved that they are the funniest showbiz team since Statler and Waldorf, and the drunkest night in Hollywood is the perfect place to have them heckle and snark on all of the winners and presenters. Who knows, maybe Meryl Streep will get a bit tipsy and join in.

Hold a Loser's Party Onstage

Amy Poehler has never won an Emmy — it's heartbreaking, but true. This year, she and Jon Hamm, her good friend and another perennial loser, decided to host an after party to celebrate all of those talented people who didn't recieve a statue last night. Held at the Soho House, losers got in for free, but winners had to check their Emmys at the door and make a $1,000 donation to World Wide Orphans. Poehler should continue the tradition at the Golden Globes and celebrate all of the losers from both television and film during the ceremony so that viewers can finally live the dream of partying with the funniest ladies in showbiz. Plus, we've got the perfect co-host: Leonardo DiCaprio.
Interacting with the Stars
Whether they had Mandy Patinkin judge some singing or Glenn Close play drunk, some of the funniest moments in this past Globes ceremony occured when Fey and Poehler interacted with the crowd. It's always fun to see typically serious actors let loose and goof off, and nobody is better at encouraging silliness than these two. Sure, audience participation is a risky game, but they can always fall back on some of their reliably funny and game friends like Hamm and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Costumes — Lots of Costumes
Fey and Poehler crashed the nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie disguised as the stars of the fictional movie Dog President last year, and managed to steal all of the attention from the actual nominees without saying a word. The pair should bust out some more alter-egos this year, or at the very least, channel one of Poehler's famous Emmy skits and utilize some props. Both women are fantastic character actresses, and their time on Saturday Night Live has given each of them a vast repertoire of goofy and weird characters who would be perfect to liven up some of the ceremony's duller moments.
The Golden Globes Drinking Game
On the red carpet before last year's Globes, Fey and Poehler revealed that they had devised a drinking game for both the viewers at home and the stars in attendance to play. Rules included drinking every time someone cries during a speech, a wardrobe malfunction occurs, or if you've just had a difficult week. This year, they should take it to the next level and actually play the game onstage - our only request is that they honor the time-honored rule established by the cast of Bridesmaids and take a drink every time someone says "Scorsese."
Bonus: Amy Poehler Finally Wins
Sure, it's not an Emmy, but seeing Poehler recognized as the funniest woman on television would be the perfect cherry on top of the Fey-Poheler hosting sundae. And if that doesn't work, she can always be nominated for her hosting work at next year's Emmys.

2013: The Worst Dressed Emmys Ever? — GALLERY

Last night's Emmy Awards provided plenty of surprises and plenty of... uneven moments. And shockingly, even though there are more well-dressed and well-known people working in television now than ever, the red carpet was pretty awful. Hardly a gasp was uttered at how spectacularly a gruff actor cleans up or how a new actress takes to her first big event. And our reliable, always stylish standbys? The blandest and most ill-fitting of them all.

The best dressed list is so short (it begins and ends with Zachary Quinto, the end) there's not much reason to write it. But we can lament those we expected to do better (Olivia Pope, how could you do this to us?!), and celebrate those whose choices were so strange, they at least gave us something to giggle at through yet another commercial break. As such, check out our list of worst dressed celebs at the 2013 Emmys... an award ceremony destined to go down in history for this accomplishment alone.

Hip-Hop Needs Azealia Banks To Drop That Album

Azealia Banks was hailed as the next big thing, like, a million years ago (in pop culture time). But with all the album push-backs, and all the Twitter beefs, it's been easy to forget that the talented Harlem rapper could still be the next big thing!  Broke with Expensive Taste is currently slated for a January 2014 release, and even though we were originally expecting it this year (and before that in 2012), there's still plenty to get psyched about. As we patiently wait to hear what a real, live Azealia Banks album sounds like, let's give this Yung Rapunxel movement a little push. Here are five reasons we desperately need Azealia to become a true staple in Hip-Hop.

Her Beefs Make For Some Pretty Good Diss Records

Okay, so we're not really supposed to condone beef, but it is a part of Hip-Hop culture and it has made for some classic songs over the years. Azealia has beefed with everyone from Lady Gaga to Jim Jones (to Angel Haze, to Perez Hilton, to Lil Kim, etc.), and some of the tracks -- like "No Problems" -- have actually been pretty dope.
The Sausage Party Is Getting Old
Kanye West, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rcoky, J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, etc.-- we love you guys. Really, we do. But the sausage party is getting old, as sausage parties are wont to do. And although it's cliché to point out the lack of women in, well, anything, we simply need more women in Hip-Hop! From what we've seen, Azealia has her own brand of femininity that could definitely liven this party up.
We Need More Of Her Super-Dope Videos

Azealia is not afraid to pull on influences from a variety of genres, which makes her way more fun to watch than the average person. R&B, pop, rap, rave -- all genres are up for grabs. And when her eclectic style gets translated into visuals, it's always an experience.
She’s Sexy And Sexual, Without Making That The Foundation Of Her Appeal
This is hugely important, and almost impossible for a woman in Hip-Hop (or any other artistic movement) to achieve. Even though she was featured on the cover of Dazed & Confused blowing up a condom, and she definitely plays up on her sex appeal, Azealia manages to come off more New York funky-fashionista-turned-rapper than anything else. While artists like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Nicki Minaj have surely influenced her (and paved the way for her to do her own particular thing) it's refreshing and exciting to see a femme rapper take a slightly different approach to her image.
"212" Is Still The Jam

It's hard to believe that Azealia's debut single dropped back in 2011, mainly because it is still the jam! "212" introduced listeners to a unique style, and it was seriously difficult to place Azealia in one particular box. All good signs of good things to come.

10 Obscure Netflix Docs for Your Lonely Friday Night

If you don't know what to watch after finishing  Orange is the New Black, or just spend hours deciding between films on Netflix each night, here are 10 of the more obscure instant streaming documentaries to make your decision a little bit harder:

Her Master’s Voice

Didn’t know there was a a Puppet Graveyard? This docu/mockumentary follows ventriloquist Nina Conti on her soul-searching journey to say good-bye to her mentor’s creatures at the Vent Haven Museum in Kentucky. (If ventriloquism is your thing, make it a puppet-themed night and watch Dumbstruck right after.)

Life 2.0

Escaping life via the wonderful world wide web is not a strange notion in 2013 but Life 2.0 takes a look at those who take it one step further. Just how skewed can one’s perception of reality become when making a second identity for themselves?

Heart of the King
Elvis will never leave the building, according to these four die-hard fans and impersonators. What started as a mockumentary turned into a passionate tale of rock-n-roll and the men who will never let The King die.

Otaku
Some people really love anime, and many of them are Japanese males. This 1994 documentary explores an industry that was just emerging in their culture but has since become a world-wide phenomenon.

10th District Court
Chronicling three months in a French court room resided over by a female judge, 10th District Court deals with small trials and misdemeanors that are both telling of the human character and a look into society.

OC87
The door to discussion on mental illness is thrown wide open as Buddy Clayman documents the long journey he faced to become a filmmaker while struggling with both OCD and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Lunarcy!
The moon is pretty pivotal in our everyday lives but there are some people who it means more to then just wave schedules. (A former ventriloquist is also featured in this movie, who knew it was so huge an industry?)

Super, Girls!
China’s former singing contest was a way for girls to find grand fame in their country. Yi Jian follows ten of the contestants through their hopeful journey to stardom during the second, and final, season of “Super Girls Singing Contest.”

American Harmony
High-name salons may be on the rise, but barbershops aren’t going anywhere and neither are their singers — there’s even an International Championship of Barbershop Singing and the fight to the crown isn’t as quick of a cut as you’d think.

NoBody’s Perfect
Director Niko von Glasow was born disabled as a result of his mother taking thalidomide's during pregnancy. His search for those suffering the same consequences, missing limbs and handicapped, is riddled with both humor and compassion.

2013 Emmys: The Night No One Won Their Emmys Office Pool

So, the 2013 Emmys were very, um, interesting. There were some standard Neil Patrick Harris song and dance numbers, some off-colored gay jokes from Michael Douglas, an oddly dressed Melissa Leo, and Sarah Silverman being, well, Sarah Silverman. And as for the actual award portion of the show? Well, it was filled with a few pleasant surprises and some head-scratching upsets. In the words of NPH: "This just in. Nobody in America is winning their Emmy office pool. Surprises galore." Yup, that sounds about right. Here's our take on the five biggest surprises of the Emmys:
Supporting Actress - Comedy
Winner: Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Merritt Wever, a newcomer to the Emmy race, was probably the most surprised person in the room when her name was called. It was definitely an upset (albeit, a good one) that Wever took home the award, considering she was up against Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock and Sofia Vergara and Julie Bowen of Modern Family. And as a bonus, Wever gave the audience and viewers at home possibly the shortest and funniest speech of all time: "Thank you so much. Thank you so much. I gotta go... bye!" (If you're wondering why she looks so familiar, you've probably been watching her bring out Schmidt's inner nice guy on New Girl.)
Supporting Actor - Comedy
Winner: Tony Hale, Veep
Heyyy, brother. In one of the most pleasant surprises of the night, Tony Hale (of Arrested Development fame) took home the Emmy for his role on Veep, beating out Bill Hader of Saturday Night Live and basically the entire male cast of Modern Family. Bonus: He made Julia Louis-Dreyfus' acceptance speech for Lead Actress in a Comedy one of the most memorable of the evening by assisting her during her speech, a la his right hand man character from the HBO comedy.
Supporting Actor - Drama
Winner: Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
Are they just repeating all the nominees? That's what we were all thinking when Bobby Cannavale, who plays Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire, nabbed the Emmy from the hands of Aaron Paul, Peter Dinklage, and Mandy Patinkin. Even more surprising, he's apparently dating Rose Byrne from Bridesmaids.
Lead Actor - Drama
Winner: Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
So let's get this straight. Somehow, Jeff Daniels' performance in the first season (that's the worst one) of The Newsroom wowed the voters more than Kevin Spacey's Francis Underwood, Damian Lewis' Nicholas Brody, Jon Hamm's Don Draper, and Bryan Cranston's Walter White? What? And to top it all off, Daniels ferociously chewed a piece of gum during his acceptance speech. Heisenberg and Underwood would never let that fly.
Variety Series
Winner: The Colbert Report
And in one of the best surprises of the night, Stephen Colbert finally put an end to The Daily Show's reign of victory with a win for the team at The Colbert Report. Looks like Jon Stewart shouldn't have taken such a long vacation...

Does 'Dads' Deserve All The Negative Hype?

The new sit-com Dads premiered last Tuesday and it had gotten plenty of negative press before it even aired. People were up in arms about stereotypes: an Asian woman was asked to dress up in a Sailor Moon outfit, for one. The thing is, I'm not sure that it's warranted.
This is Seth MacFarlane (executive producer of Dads) we're talking about here. This is the guy who skewers EVERYONE on Family Guy. It's just a little more jarring to see it done with an actual live person instead of an animated one. People might be getting just a little too-PC here. Take deep breaths, folks. There. We feel a bit better, don't we?
I grew up in a time when All In The Family was on the air. Archie Bunker would have taken one look at this show and snorted, "Keep on keepin' on, guys." As the years have gone by, I'm just finding things to be more and more hypersensitive in terms of political correctness. They would have turned Bunker into a softer, kinder person on a show today.
Giovanni Ribisi is a great actor who deserves to have a strong run on a good show. MacFarlane is a creative genius who is not afraid to offend and the other Seth (Green)...well, let's just say that I like his work on Robot Chicken more, but I'll tolerate him on here. Martin Mull has also been enjoyable to watch, and Peter Riegert was the star of both Animal House and Local Hero, two of the best movies ever, so he gets a pass for life.
The show tried to actually turn the bad press into a positive, with ads showing people who had seen it saying, "Ignore the reviews!" We'll see if this all leads to a quick hook, like the live-action The Tick or the even more quickly yanked How to Be A Gentleman, or it eventually settling down somewhat like Family Guy or American Dad!. Heck, even if it does fail, MacFarlane's got his live-action The Flintstones to fall back on. I wonder if he'll turn Dino into a farting dinosaur...

Somebody Has to Say It: Orlando Bloom Is Too Old to Play Romeo

They say boys mature more slowly than girls, but this is ridiculous.
A new Broadway production of the play opened this past week with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad (Phylicia and Ahmad's daughter) in the title roles. As we all know thanks to the freshman required reading list, Romeo and Juliet are teenagers when they meet, fall in love, and screw everything up. (Because they're teenagers.) Orlando Bloom is almost 37, which makes the 26 year-old Rashad's casting almost age-appropriate. He's got a wife and a kid and probably can handle responsibility pretty well. What's going on here? Is this some comment on his generation's suspended adolescence?
But he's dreamy; he's got the chops; he looks good under a balcony — what's the problem? This situation shines a light on the fact that not all star-casting stage debacles happen because the actors can't cut it. Sometimes they happen because the actor is, unfortunately, not suited for his dream role anymore. Chances are, this Romeo & Juliet is happening because Bloom wanted to do it, not because the theater-going public was clamoring for another adaptation. That's not to say that he's not pulling down some fantastic reviews. But who knows how much better he could have been in a fitting role?

Bollywood Updates

'Bigg Boss 7' diaries day 8: VJ Andy turns kaamwaali bai!

The first inmate has been eliminated from the house and from 15 there are now only 14 people in Bigg Boss’ house
Hazel Keech has been evicted from the house. Apparently the actor was getting really sick and vomiting a lot. Now we don’t know if it was ‘coz she was made to live in such poor conditions in Jahannum or something else.
Rajat Rawail is homesick
The day starts with Rajat Rawail getting emotional as he is missing his family and is seen talking about this to the heaven-mates. Due to his continuous bad health and depression, Rajat further starts packing his bags and says that he is leaving the house. As the captain, Tanishaa Mukerji requests Bigg Boss to send a doctor to examine Rajat as his health is getting worse.
Rajat revolts by removing her mike until the doctor is sent in. Bigg Boss finally calls Tanishaa inside the confession room and sends a doctor to examine Rajat. Inspite of that, Rajat continues to whine, wail and complain unbearable pain; Bigg Boss assures him and tell him that his family is doing well. He asks the Bodyguard actor to take care of his health.
Gauhar Khan and Kushal Tandon get close
Across the boundary, Kushal Tandon is seen blowing his own trumpet and boasting about the awards he has won so far to Ellie Avram. VJ Andy is seen working like a maid in the house and everybody starts calling him a kaamwaali bai. Later in the day, Gauahar Khan and Kushal continue to spend time together. Kushal tells Gauahar that she is one person in the house that he loves to trouble. The actor is then seen giving Gauhar a nice back massage. Ahem…ahem…
Nominations
The day comes to an end with the nominations wherein Bigg Boss asks the heaven-mates to nominate people from hell. Being the captain, Tanishaa is given a special power to nominate one person from the heaven side as well. Housemates are further seen discussing nominations and anticipating about the next swap that will be coming their way soon.

Vidya Balan to star in 'Bobby Jasoos'

Mumbai: Actress Dia Mirza and beau Sahil Sangha have signed Vidya Balan for their forthcoming feature `Bobby Jasoos`, to be produced under their banner Born Free Entertainment.
Vidya, 35, will play the lead in the film.
"I found the idea of a lady detective irresistible as I did the title Bobby Jasoos. I`ve known Dia and Sahil for many years, they`re lovely people and one can sense that this will be their shared labor of love.
"That`s the kind of Producers everyone hopes to have. The final clincher was the script by Sanyuktha Chawla and Director Samar Shaikh who I`m really looking forward to working with," said Vidya.
Mirza is equally emphatic about the venture and said, "I`m thrilled to welcome Vidya into the Born Free family. The script of `Bobby Jasoos` bears testimony to the fact that being patient and investing in good stories usually reaps good dividends."
The shooting for the movie will start mid-November this year and will be ready for a summer 2014 release.
Dia and Sahil last produced `Love Breakups Zindagi`. 

Sanjay Dutt to act, dance in jail for charity

Pune: The acting and dancing bug has again bitten Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt who is serving a 42-month sentence at the Yerawada Central Jail (YCJ) here.
Sanjay, 54, along with some four dozen other inmates, has been selected to perform in a stage drama at a welfare show organised by the state Prisons Department, here next Thursday.
The mega-annual show will be held at the Bal Gandharva Auditorium here, officials said.
Raring to do what he loves, Sanjay has been polishing his acting-dancing skills and furiously rehearsing for the show inside the YCJ premises since the past fortnight along with the other inmates.
Though jail officials remain tight-lipped on the show details, it is learnt that Sanjay and his team will perform the famous `Lungi dance` from the recent Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone blockbuster "Chennai Express."
Besides, he may also dance to a patriotic song and a number from his superhit movie, "Lage Raho Munnabhai".
The rehearsals for the two-hour final show are carried out in the community hall regularly without any of the inmates disturbing their routine of doing jail chores.
For instance, Sanjay has been assigned the task of making big and small paper bags which are sold to the outside world through NGOs and he also gets a nominal payment for his labour.
However, for the main show, Sanjay, who sports a long salt-and-pepper beard-moustache now, and the others are likely to be permitted saloon facilities to get a shave, hair-cut and pedicure-manicure. He will get a chance to get some make-up applied by a make-up man and don costumes to be brought in by a designer.
Sanjay and the performing inmates shall be transported to-and-from the Bal Gandharva Auditorium, around five kms away under tight security.
On May 16, Sanjay had surrendered before a Mumbai court and a week later shifted to YCJ, Pune to serve the remainder of a five-year sentence after he was convicted in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

Karisma Kapoor not ready for another film right now

Mumbai: After an unsuccessful comeback with `Dangerous Ishq` in 2012, Karisma Kapoor is not ready for another film, but doesn`t deny the possibility of signing a project in future.
"I have not decided anything yet. I have just released my book, and I enjoy doing different things. I like doing new things," the 39-year-old said when asked about her next big screen project.
"My children are still very small, but you never know, I will definitely do something, but I don`t know when," Karisma told reporters at the Globoil India Awards 2013 Saturday.
A mother of two, Karisma recently released `My Yummy Mummy Guide`, a book that doles out tips to pregnant women and new mothers.

Why did Sara Khan call Pratyusha Banerjee a back biter?

Though the two television actors may have been friends for a long time, it seems reality show Bigg Boss is getting better of their friendship
Just last month, we hear Sara Khan and Pratyusha Banerjee were seen enjoying at the latter’s birthday party. But in the glamour world it doesn’t take much time for things to turn ugly between two friends, hai na? Pratyusha, who is currently an inmate in the Bigg Boss 7 house, said that Sara is her ex-boyfriends best friend and not hers. This didn’t go down well with the former Bigg Boss contestant and she shot back at her once-upon-a-time-friend. “Yes, I was never Pratyusha’s best friend for she would always bitch about me to others. To be honest, she never had friends. Anyone she knew, she would talk bad about me to them and the news would come back to me” said Sara in an interview.
In fact, Prats even told her fellow inmate Kushal Tandon that it was Sara who asked her not to talk to him. But Ms Khan has a different story to stay. Clarifying what she said about Kushal, Sara said, “The real truth is that she would tell us before entering Bigg Boss that Kushal would keep calling her requesting her to be friends before they entered. All I had told her was, if you are not comfortable don’t talk to him, that’s it. She is telling Kushal that I am not comfortable with her talking to him. Why should I have any issue, I have a secure guy since the past one and half year and we are also living in.”
Interestingly, Hazel Keech, who got eliminated from the reality show this week, said that Pratyusha has a tendency of provoking people. Looks like Pratyusha has done her home work well before entering the show. She knows just being a Bigg Boss contestant won’t help her career. Obviously, to grab limelight, she has to make some noise (read controversy). And going by the events unfolding outside and inside the Bigg Boss house, wethinks this lass has succeeded in her mission.
But we still feel bitching about your good friend isn’t the ideal way to go about it! Prats, you already broke-up with your boyfriend Makrand Malhotra and now lost a friend as well. Not worth for any amount of fame, missy!

Not against nudity, not for exploitation: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Leh: He presents his heroines mostly as the girl-next-door with minimal makeup and a simplicity that screams emotions louder than the cacophony of item numbers. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra says he is not against nudity in films, but he has strong views against exploitation of women.
"I don`t see art there," Mehra said while talking about the current trend of raunchy item songs.
"I am not against nudity. If that`s a part of the story, please go ahead. It`s beautiful...our bodies are beautiful. But exploitation for money and exploitation on the part of the audience and society for titillation...," added the filmmaker as he mulled over the matter while chatting on the breezy and picturesque banks of Indus river here. He was here for the second edition of Ladakh International Film Festival.
The need of the hour is for filmmakers to own up the "responsibility" of avoiding "gender bias", for actresses to make the right "choice" and for the audience to "stop watching" anything that stands to exploit anyone.
This, he agreed, all the more at a time when constant "concerns" are raised against showbiz for giving a fillip to the escalating number of rape cases in the country.
"Filmmakers and performers are a part of the society. There is no reason to objectify. The only reason as I can think of is the lust for glamour, and greed for money, and you also get eyeballs. That has to be discouraged," said the 50-year-old looking relaxed in a white shirt teamed with denims.
He practices what he believes in.
Be it Soha Ali Khan in "Rang De Basanti", or Sonam Kapoor in "Delhi-6" as well as in her not-so-meaty-but-mighty role in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" - Mehra`s female protagonists have never had to resort to skin show or sexy numbers to leave an impact. The fact that it has worked proves his point.
"Cinema reflects whatever is going on, and not in a good way, I would say. And when there`s gender bias in cinema, it`s a shameful act. I hang my head in shame when I see that... whether I have done it or not, I belong to that community. One has to own the responsibility," he added.
Also, the onus lies on the performer hugely.
"Why is anyone doing it? Is there a necessity? Is there someone dying at home out of hunger? Are there younger siblings for whom you have to pay the school fees? ... so there`s no `majboori` factor here at all.
"If there is lust for glamour and it is a girl who is dancing out there, it`s her choice! If she refuses, and she can, then there is nothing anyone (either a filmmaker or the audience) can do," he said.
The audience, especially needs to take a stand, according to Mehra.
"Don`t watch it! Nobody is forcing you. Don`t buy that product, stop buying it, and if there are no takers, one won`t make it," he said.
Away from the reel life, in real life, we need to look at ourselves in the mirrors as an individual, as a family unit and educational institutions, said Mehra.
"And that`s how reform can begin. It`s not easy, it won`t happen overnight. It`s a slow process, but I am confident that it can be turned around, has to be turned around, it should be turned around," he added.

Hollywood & Bollywood News Updates 20th September 2013

Hollywood Updates

Selena Gomez Denied Russian Visa Because She Supports Gay Rights

Selena Gomez is the latest U.S. performer to be denied access into Russia. Joining the likes of Lady Gaga and Madonna, Gomez is the newest singer to be banned from entering the country. On Gomez's tour itinerary, she was set to perform next week in Moscow and St. Peteresburg, but those locations have now been removed.

Gomez is thought to have been denied a visa due to her support of gay rights. Recently, Russia passed a law banning gay propaganda and have actively been denying people entrance into the country if they are expected to speak out in support of gay rights. The Moscow Times confirmed this saying, "Gomez failed to secure a Russian visa after the government tightened the visa regime for foreign musicians in response to Madonna's and Lady Gaga's decisions to openly support gays during their shows in Russia last year." The article also went on to say that Russian conservatives have attempted to file a lawsuit against "those U.S. singers" that promote "nontraditional sexual relationships."

On Sept. 17, three days before Gomez's visa request was denied, gay rights activist and author John Becker began a petition on Change.org that asked Gomez  "to stand on stage and speak out for Russia's LGBT community." Now that Gomez has been denied access into Russia, the petition has reached almost 13 thousand signatures.  

Snooki plans to undergo breast lift

Washington: Former `Jersey Shore` star Snooki has reportedly revealed that she thinks her "boobs are disgusting" after giving birth to her 1-year-old son Lorenzo.

According to People magazine, the 25-year old American reality television personality expressed her dissatisfaction with her boobs, on Bettheny Frankel`s talk show, saying "my boobs are hanging and so big", ABC News reported.

She added that she wants to feel confident about her chest and may undergo a breast lift. 

You will get to know me on my next tour: Jessie J

London: Singer Jessie J says fans will get to know her better in her upcoming concert tour next month.

The 25-year-old `Price Tag` hitmaker insists the audience would have a different experience this time, reported Daily Star.

"I`ve written the treatment for the tour. All of the ideas are mine. It`s very much an experience. You guys will get to feel a lot of the songs. You`ll get to know me," Jessie said.

"I try my hardest no matter how far away the audience are, however big the crowd, to really look at people when I sing. You guys will get to feel a lot of the songs. You`ll get to know me," she added.

The singer was also unhappy that her new album Alive got leaked online.

"The mystery in music is slowly disappearing. The big reveals don`t happen anymore. Everything is so immediate! Social networking just makes everything so accessible. Such a shame," she added. 

Olivia Wilde made first move on fiancé

Los Angeles: ‘Drinking Buddies’ star Olivia Wilde says that when her fiance Jason Sudeikis met her, he did not even ask for her number.

The 29-year-old actress who has been dating Sudeikis since 2011, had to drop her number to her fiance through a friend, reported People magazine.

"I met Jason, and I thought he was so charming. He`s a great dancer. But he didn`t even get my number," Wilde said.
"Over the next six months we kept running into each other. [One night], my best guy friend walked up to him and said, `This is Olivia`s number. Use it.` That was the beginning," she added.

The actress may have a very fun-filled wedding.

Gwyneth Paltrow makes too many demands in gym?

London: Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly makes too many demands in the gym she co-owns.

The 42-year-old actress exercises for two hours a day, six days a week, owns her own chain of workout studios, reported Daily Telegraph.

"Before she showers, Gwyneth makes someone go into the stall and wipe the entire shower dry. She refuses to touch what she calls `somebody else`s shower water`," a source said.

"She also refuses to use toilet paper that anyone has touched and demands an unopened package. It`s nuts," the source added.

Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux got chickens with mansion

Los Angeles: Actress Jennifer Aniston and actor Justin Theroux inherited chickens when they moved into their USD 21 million Bel Air mansion last year.

The 42-year-old screenwriter who is engaged to Aniston, says having chickens in the place was one of the reasons they moved into the place, reported E!Online.

"We inherited the chickens from the previous owners. They were like, `Of course we`ll get rid of the chickens,` and we said, `Are you crazy? Don`t get rid of the chickens. That`s half the reason we wanted this place," Theroux said.

Aniston had previously joked that the people were getting bored to receive eggs from them.

Liam Hemsworth locks lips with Eiza Gonzalez

Los Angeles: It was the final nail in the coffin for Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus` relationship after the former was seen kissing Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez.

Hemsworth, 23, and Gonzalez were spotted as they got cosy in a car parking area here, reports dailystar.co.uk.

The new couple went separate ways after sharing a few passionate moments. Gonzalez looked really happy.

Hemsworth and Cyrus` relationship, which lasted over a year, hit the rocks when Cyrus gave a raunchy performance on stage during an awards function. She later stripped down for her track "Wrecking ball".

Hemsworth is said to have been embarrassed by Cyrus` actions.

'Blue Is the Warmest Color' Trailer Is Solemn, Sexy, and Seriously Intense

The trailer for the French drama Blue is the Warmest Color was released today after winning the Palme d'Or prize at the 2013 Cannes Festival. The Abdellatif Kechiche-directed film chronicles the love affair of a young lesbian couple. French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos plays Adèle, an impressionable high school student who falls for the older and more mature Emma, played by Léa Seydoux (Midnight in Paris). While the trailer doesn't give away too much, it does feature the two girls in some intensely passionate scenes that show how overwhelming first love can be. Since the film is in French, the trailer doesn't have any dialogue, but it doesn't need it. The wonderful acting and compelling storyline is enough to engross audiences. 
Wild Bunch
Judging from the trailer, it is understanable why the film is garnering so much buzz. This looks to be a fresh look at young love. But while the film has been receiving critical acclaim, it has been given an NC-17 rating. While this is typically a death sentence for American movies, the French film is receiving so much great feedback that it will be released in U.S. theaters on Oct. 25. Blue Angel, the French graphic novel which the film is based on, will also be released in the U.S. in October. 

Lorde Turns Down Katy Perry, Angers Miley Cyrus Fans, Still Coolest Teenager Ever

She could have added some diamonds to her timepiece, but 16 year-old singer Lorde decided to turn down a profitable gig opening for Katy Perry in favor of listening to her gut. The pop star, who is already cooler than you or I could ever hope to be, confirmed that she didn't take the opportunity because it didn't feel right to her. It's not a surprising move, considering she also talked her record label into giving her time to develop into the artist she currently is rather than simply popping out a debut album full of cover songs. However, there's no hard feelings about the tour — Lorde said that she thinks Perry is "really talented" — so there's no reason for any Katycats to get riled up.
Unfortunately, it takes even less to upset Miley Cyrus' army of "Smilers," which is something Lorde learned the hard way. After announcing on Twitter that her hit song "Royals" had bumped Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" from the top spot of the US iTunes Chart, she also reported that the death threats had been flowing in, saying "wo #1 on US itunes. even if it lasts an hour i feel HAPPY. downside is all these miley fans telling me they're gonna stab my rotting corpse." Luckily, the New Zealander has a good sense of humor, and even retweeted a couple of her favorite threats.
While the crazed fan reaction is rather unsurprising, it is worth noting that Lorde herself is a fan of "Wrecking Ball," and even tweeted in support when Cyrus' single first dropped. You see, Smilers, it is possible for everyone to just get along. There's plenty of room on your iPods for both Bangerz and Pure Heroine, so just take a deep breath and enjoy all of the awesome ladies in pop music right now. Oh, and stop tweeting death threats. Seriously, just don't do that. 

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Parodies of Miley Cyrus’ 'Wrecking Ball'

As well as smashing her own VEVO record by surpassing 100 million views in just six days, the impact of Miley Cyrus' promo for "Wrecking Ball" has also been highlighted by the amount of parodies that have cropped up since its premiere last week. Here's a look at some of the funniest, weirdest and in some cases, most downright disturbing, efforts to replicate the sledgehammer-licking, steel-ball straddling, nude-posing video.
 

Radio 1's Greg JamesThe presenter of the UK’s biggest pop radio station's drive-time show is no stranger to getting his kit off or indeed the idea of the video spoof, which made him the perfect candidate to slap on the make-up, force a few tears out and show former girlfriend Ellie Goulding exactly what she's been missing.
Frank McDonaldVine user Frank McDonald didn't quite have the budget to recreate the studio setting of the original so instead had to make do with a swinging tyre in his back garden for perhaps the most cleverly improvised tribute yet.
 

Nicolas CageChances are you'll never be able to look at the comically intense actor in the same way again after one slightly unhinged YouTube user decided to superimpose his face onto Cyrus' body for an eight-second clip which has already racked up an impressive four million views.
 

Adorable KittenEven the feline world isn't immune from the power of the former Hannah Montana as this Vine clip featuring a disinterested kitten being gently swung by its neck to demolish two upright books perfectly shows.

Aleksei ArcherThe award for most effort goes to YouTube comedienne Aleksei Archer, who not only offered the most well-produced pastiche but also rewrote the entire lyrics of the song in order to mock Cyrus' recent MTV VMA performance.

It Is Seriously Time To Stop Watching MTV’s ‘Teen Mom’

It’s time for another season of MTV’s hit reality show Teen Mom, which means young people everywhere are tuning in to receive valuable information about safe sex and the realities of raising a child when you’re still a child yourself. Only that’s not what’s happening at all when folks tune in to the show. So I make this plea to people the world over — myself included — please. Can we all stop supporting this terrible series (that is also strangely addictive if you like to watch things that make you really, really angry)? Here are a few reasons to boycott this madness.
Actually, Teen Pregnancy Looks Pretty Awesome

Wait. So, if I’m a teenager in America, and I get knocked up, there’s a chance that I might end up on television? And if I have enough drama, and get into enough Twitter beefs with my fellow co-stars, I could get my own spin-off series? Oh, and then there’s the part where I’ll get paid as well? Sign me up (10 years ago).
Parents Everywhere Achieve A False Sense Of Superiority
Confession time. How many of us watch this show and -- 15 minutes in -- are suddenly parenting experts and/or the best parents ever, because we never once demanded that our Mom babysit for us so we could go on a date with some guy who was not the father of our child? And how many of us pat ourselves on the back because we never got into a screaming match with our babydaddy on the side of the highway? This show makes even the most mediocre parents look top-notch, and turns the rest of us into judgmental, unsympathetic, know-it-alls.
The Adult Parents Of The Teen Parents Are, Often, Equally Horrible
While there have been some parents on the show (teen and otherwise) who were actually not so cringe-worthy, most seasons are just filled with bad parenting left and right. Now, granted, the label of ‘bad parenting’ may be complicated, but let’s just say that many of the teens receive so much “help” from their parents, one gets the sense that they’re not even getting the full brunt of [teen] parenthood, and -- as a result --  neither are the viewers.
An Entire Demographic Of Teen Moms Are Inexplicably Left Out
After years of this show being on the air, you’d think there would have been a handful of teen parents from inner city neighborhoods. Not that diversity would necessarily make up for everything else that is problematic on Teen Mom, but the fact that so many of the girls live in decent-sized homes, in decent neighborhoods adds to a certain glamourized depiction of teen motherhood in America.
Teen Moms Get Turned Into Reality TV Stars
Granted, we are living in an age where fame is not necessarily relative to possession of a particular talent or skill. But one of the most devastating truths about the Teen Mom series is that it turns young, often troubled mothers into celebrities. It’s like taking a troubled child star and handing her a baby, and then sitting back to videotape the results. We’ve seen many of these girls (Jenelle Evans, Farrah Abraham, Amber Portwood, etc.) become walking trainwrecks and fodder for the tabloids. And in all that drama and junk entertainment, it’s easy to forget the children.

Holy CJ Cregg! Allison Janney Brought Back 'The Jackal' on 'Arsenio'

For seven seasons, Allison Janney brought class and sassiness into The White House as Press Secretary CJ Cregg on The West Wing. One of her greatest hits was this lip-synch of Ronny Jordan's "The Jackal," which was written in to the show after Aaron Sorkin caught her performing it on set to entertain her castmates.

Janney recently returned to a severely underused Twitter account, and current White House Press Secretary Jay Carney welcomed her back with a request for a lesson in Jackal-ing. While she was promoting her new comedy Mom on Arsenio Tuesday night, the actress resurrected the act. Sadly, the audience didn't seem to know what was going on. But West Wing fans were definitely in heaven.

Jennifer Aniston 'desperate' for baby?

London: Former `Friends` star Jennifer Aniston is reportedly getting broody and is desperate to have a baby.

The 44-year-old actress has been trying to get pregnant since her engagement with actor Justin Theroux in August 2012, and she is said to be frustrated that she`s not expecting yet, reported Daily Mirror.

"It is starting to be a source of irritation for Jen. She purposely left her work slate clean for the next few months to prepare for motherhood. She puts a brave face on the rumours, but it masks her desperate desire to be a mother," a source said.

It is also said the couple`s wedding may be delayed due to their working commitments. Aniston has recently spoken about their future wedding, insisting they haven`t set a date yet because they want to wait until the timing is `perfect`.

"We just want to do it when it`s perfect, and we`re not rushed, and no one is rushing from a job or rushing to a job.

"And, you know, we already feel married. There have been no cancelled weddings. There have been no postponed weddings. There have been no arguments about where to get married. Just clearing all that up," she had said.

Johnny Carson biopic in the making

Los Angeles: Johnny Carson, the legendary NBC talk show host, will be the subject of a television miniseries.

NBC will be producing the series, based on Bill Zehme`s long awaited biography `Carson the Magnificent: An Intimate Portrait`, reported Ace Showbiz.

The series will follow Carson`s life from his childhood in Nebraska until his death in 2005. It features a number of personal details gathered from Zehme`s access to Carson`s close personal and professional connections.

Zehme`s book is yet to be published owing to numerous delays, presumably the publication will now tie in with the release or pre-release of some material from the series.

NBC have not announced any further details including who would be playing Carson.

Carson was one of NBC`s biggest stars, working for the company for over thirty years. His show, `The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson`, was hugely popular and aired on the network between 1962 and 1992.

He retired in 1992 and has been cited as the inspiration for many other talk show hosts including David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon.

Pop Stars Who Risked The Wrath Of PETA

Despite being a longtime advocate of animal rights, Katy Perry found herself under fire from PETA this week after the charity claimed that the likes of the elephant, monkey and tiger used in her "Roar" video could have suffered great distress during its filming. The Billboard chart-topper has since responded with a letter from the American Humane Association which confirms that none of the animals in question were harmed in the shoot. But she's not the first pop star forced to defend her honour in such a manner. Here's a look at five others who incurred the wrath of the controversial activists.

Lady GagaAfter wearing a bikini made of meat for the front cover of Vogue in Japan, pop's least shy and retiring wallflower then went the whole hog for the 2010 MTV VMAs by sporting an entire dress made out of raw beef. Understandably, PETA didn't take too kindly to such a publicity-seeking use of animal flesh. But after offering a mumbo-jumbo explanation for its creation, Gaga remained unrepentant and recently described it as her favourite outfit ever.



BeyoncéAt the same time most viewers of Beyoncé's Super Bowl half-time show were transfixed on her bootylicious dance moves, PETA were instead focusing all their attention on the scantily-clad costume made from the skins of pythons, iguanas and cows. Coming just a month after she wore a mink coat during her appearance at President Barack Obama's inauguration, it seems fair to say that Mrs Carter is unlikely to be on their Christmas card list this year.

Jennifer LopezA long-time arch nemesis of PETA, Jenny From The Block first caused offence when she introduced fur into her Sweetface clothing line in 2005. Two years later, several protestors stormed the audition stage of her Glow In The Dark reality show to label J-Lo as a 'fur-ho.' While the organisation even created a computer game, J.Lo Fur Bully On The Block, in which players try to rescue animals from her clothing factory.



Britney SpearsLike Perry, Britney Spears found herself at the centre of a PETA storm following a video shoot in 2008. The pop princess had previously been criticised by the charity for draping a snake around her neck for her iconic 2001 MTV VMA performance. But she angered them even more when she failed to take any notice of their warning about the use of "cruelly trained lions and elephants" in the promo for "Circus."

RihannaPETA certainly didn't mince their words when they saw Rihanna parading around in a pair of thigh-high snakeskin boots during a night out in central London last year, labelling the R&B workhorse "a desperate freak." Using her beloved Instagram page, the unapologetic star then posted a photo of herself dressed in a white fur coat with the caption #petaproblems.

Bollywood Updates

It was awkward to call Sanjay Dutt for 'Ungli' shoots: Rensil

Mumbai: Director Rensil D`Silva says it was not easy to direct Sanjay Dutt for upcoming film `Ungli` at a time when the actor was getting ready to surrender and serve his remaining jail term in the 1993 bomb blasts case.

"It`s never easy when someone is going to jail and you have to direct him. There was a grim mood on the set. But Sanju himself made things easy for all of us with his calm demeanour and professionalism. If he had not been comfortable, it would have been difficult for us direct him," he said.

"I have known him for quite some time and I feel he has gone through enough in his life and I wish he does not have to undergo similar things. It is traumatic," he said.

The Supreme Court on March 21 upheld Dutt`s conviction in the case and sentenced him to five years in prison. The 54- year-old actor is currently in Pune`s Yerwada jail to serve the pending three-and-half years term.

After Rensil`s directorial debut `Kurbaan`, Dutt expressed his desire to work with him.

"We felt a bit awkward... Bad to go at his place or talk to him every day (after the conviction) and ask him to come for shoot when he was going through so much in his personal life. But I had to do it. We are lucky to have finished our work with him. There were 2-3 scenes to be shot for which I had waited for one-and-a-half month," he said.

Produced by Karan Johar, `Ungli`, starring Emraan Hashmi, Kangna Ranaut and Randeep Hooda besides Dutt, has had its own share of roadblocks.

Karan postponed `Ungli`s release from September 20 to a later date to avoid clash with Shahid Kapoor`s `Phata Poster Nikla Hero`. Reports also surfaced about creative differences between Karan and Shirish Kunder, who was editing the film.

"There had been delay in the release and one of the reasons was the Sanju factor. We had a delay in music department and then Shirish Kunder had to go as he had his own film to edit. Karan Johar gave away the release date to Shahid Kapoor for `Phata Poster Nikla Hero`. So one thing after another held up the release of `Ungli`," Rensil said.

Rensil hopes to finish the project by Christmas and release the film early next year.

"We are looking to release the film in January or February. The film is about friendship and it doesn`t have too many songs. There is one promotional song and we are working on it," he added.

Doing intimate scenes with Ashmit was tough: Veena Malik

New Delhi: Former friends Veena Malik and Ashmit Patel may have worked together in ‘Supermodel’, but the actress reveals it was difficult doing intimate scenes with him as they were not on talking terms during the shooting.

Veena and Ashmit were first introduced as contestants on `Bigg Boss` season 4 and became close on the reality TV show. However, after the show got over, problems surfaced in their relationship.

The Pakistani actress says she reunited on-screen only for professional reasons and has moved on from the 35-year-old actor.

"It was very tough to shoot intimate scenes together... I have never been through such trauma. A person you talk to everyday, is so close and then you are not even looking at each other. During the shoot of the movie we weren`t even talking to each other, we had a cold war going on," Veena said.
The duo is now on "good professional terms" and Veena is keen to work with Ashmit again.

"We have come to a point where we will keep bumping into each other, we have to live in the same industry so it is important to make peace. I have great regard for Ashmit. He has been a strong support for me and after `Supermodel` I realised that we can work together. I would love to do more films with him," she said.

The romantic thriller, directed by Navin Batra, released Friday.

'Soniye' different from my other songs: Mika Singh

Mumbai: Singer Mika Singh, who has collaborated with Shibani Kashyap for Punjabi track `Soniye` for the latter`s upcoming untitled album, says the song is different from his other songs.

Mika`s forte is Punjabi flavoured pop numbers such as `Mauja hi Mauja`, `Pungi`, and `Rani too main raja`, but his song with Shibani is a fusion of desi and Sufi beats.

"It is a very good song. We both (me and Shibani) have sung it together and our common friend Gaurav Dayal has composed the music. People are liking all my current songs, but this (`Soniye`) is all different," Mika told reporters here Thursday at the shoot of the video.

"Shibani has sung very well and you all will love it. It is a club song and has disco beats, but it is Sufi as well," he added.

Mika said that the video got delayed because of his busy schedule.

"We were planning to come out with the video, but I was busy with my shows. Now finally we are shooting the video and it`s a very good song," said Mika.

Love should be extraordinary: Ranbir Kapoor

Mumbai: The heartthrob of many, Ranbir Kapoor`s heart throbs for true love. The young star says he treats love as sacred and wants to keep it on the highest pedestal.

The 30-year-old, one of Bollywood`s most eligible bachelors, does not intend to settle for an arranged marriage.

"Today`s new generation takes its own decisions. I don`t think I will go for an arranged marriage, but I am not against arranged marriages," Ranbir told reporters in an interview.

"Personally, love is very important for me. There are lots of ordinary things in life, so love should be extraordinary. I hope I achieve that," he added.

He is young and successful. His fans want to know whom he will marry.

Currently, the `Jawaani Deewani` star is reportedly crazy about Katrina Kaif. They worked together in `Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani` and `Raajneeti`.

He neither accepted nor denied the relationship, but said: "I am single till I get married."

"If I am in a relationship and if I talk about it and in case my relationship doesn`t work, that puts a lot of pressure on the girl and her reputation. People get very judgemental and our society judges girls a lot," he added.

The `Rockstar` star wants to keep his love life under wraps but says he will share the news of his marriage.

"Of course, if I get married, I will not hide it, or even if I want to live my life like a free bird," he said.

"I have realised that as much as I can, I should hide my personal life and save it and not make my life a reality show. I will try my best," he added.

When asked if this was the lesson he had learnt from his previous relationship with Deepika Padukone, he replied: "Yes."

"The last time when I was in a relationship, I used to talk about it, but the spotlight gets to your personal life," said the actor.

"Wherever you go people ask the same question. At times it gets difficult. You work so much on a film and people only want to know about your personal life. I feel bad that they don`t talk about your work, but it`s part of my job," he said.

Pictures of Ranbir and Katrina were recently leaked, but he says he is not upset about this.

"I don`t get upset about anything. I am an actor and today everybody is a photographer as everyone has a camera. People want to know about you. When I was a child, even I wanted to know about my favourite actor. So they will write about it," he said.

"Yes, I feel bad when everybody is talking about your personal life, but it`s part of my business. As an actor we always want people to write about us and talk about us. And when they are actually writing, then we say don`t write about this. I am an actor, I am a public property. I don`t own myself, public owns me," he said.

Rumours are not good for anyone. But Ranbir gets ample support from his parents - Neetu and Rishi Kapoor.

"Thankfully, both my parents are from the film industry and a lot has been written about them when they were dating each other. Of course, they feel bad when so much of negativity happens," he said.

"At times, of course, they (parents) must be feeling bad, but they don`t say anything. They are very supportive," he added.

Ranbir is now gearing up for the release of his new film `Besharam`.

‘Phata Poster Nikhla Hero’ review: A childish masala film!

After rom-com ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’, Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Phata Poster Nikhla Hero’ comes across as a simple childlike Hindi film that now is a rarity. The film starring Shahid Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz is one of its kinds because the audiences have now matured and expect more than what has already been delivered.

Santoshi’s previous film- ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’- had laughter elements scattered across the film evenly. But that’s not the case with ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’, where the audiences are left to wonder whether to laugh or cry!

That’s certainly doesn’t mean that the film isn’t worth a laughter. A number of thoroughly entertaining comic sequences are sporadically placed in the film. Nonetheless, some clichéd filmi scenes peppered on the top somewhat dilute the true essence of the film.

The story is about a small town mother’s aspirations and her dream to see her son becoming an honest police officer. Savitri (Padmini Kolhapure) wants her son Vishwas (Shahid Kapoor) to join the police force. But her son is a wannabe actor who cannot think of anything beyond films.

Savitri, raises her son with great difficulties and instils good values in him. She doesn’t want him to indulge in anything that is unethical. But her son has other plans.

The acting ka keeda in him tempts him to opt for a different route to build a career- yes a career in films. He dreams of becoming a superstar.

The wannabe actor gives a miss to his enrolment in the Mumbai police for his Bollywood aspirations. His chance encounter with real goondas while he is wearing a fake Police uniform helps him meet his ladylove Kajal (Ileana D’Cruz).

Kajal, who is a socially responsible young woman, is stumped by Vishwas’s daredevilry as he accidentally becomes a catalyst in rescuing an innocent girl from the clutches of the goondas.

And the silsila of Kajal’s misunderstanding continues. In the meanwhile, Vishwas gets the shock of his life when he is informed of his mother’s arrival to the city. And the troubled son looks for ways to keep pretending to be a Police Officer.

But how long will Vishwas be able to keep his mother’s Vishwas in him intact. The remaining part of the film answers the question.

Coming to the acting- ‘Phata Poster Nikhla Hero’ is an out and out Shahid Kapoor film. The actor delivers applause worthy performance in the film which has him in the limelight from the start to finish. ‘Barfi!’ girl Ileana has very little screen space yet manages to impress. And ‘fabulous’ is the word for veteran Padmini Kolhapure.

The songs in the film are a treat to the ears. The picturisation of the song ‘Mere Bina Tu’ will certainly remind you of ‘Tu Jaane Na’ featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif from Santoshi’s ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’. And the song ‘Main Rang Sharbaton Ka’ by Atif Aslam and Chinmayi Sripada is truly melodious.

PPNH in totality doesn’t have too much to offer apart from Shahid’s flawless performance. The screenplay was good but the story failed to hold the attention of the audiences.

The first half of the film promises sheer entertainment. But the film goes flat in the latter half. Santoshi’s idea was good but perhaps he failed to implement it well.

If you want to take your kids for a movie, then ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ is definitely a good choice this weekend. And even otherwise if you still want to watch the film, do not go with great expectations.

‘The Lunchbox’ review: A rare fare through and through!

Director Ritesh Batra’s debut Hindi feature vehicle - ‘The Lunchbox’ – runs on the theme that reads “Kabhi kabhi galat train bhi sahi jagah pahuncha deti hai” (Sometimes even a wrong train can get you to the right destination).
‘The Lunchbox’ is a journey of Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) and Ila (Nimrat Kaur) who are living a spice-less existence. Saajan is a widowed government employee on the verge of retirement after serving his company faithfully for 35 years. Ila, on the other hand, is a duty-bound young housewife, who lives to serve her husband Rajeev and nurse her daughter Yashvi. To rev-up her marriage, Illa decides to cook a delish meal for her indifferent (and infidel) hubby and get it delivered by the impeccable hands of dabbawallahs. As fate would have it, the dabba lands up at Saajan’s desk leading to a series of written notes being passed on from one end to another. Ila gets an anchor that was missing in her life and love brings a breath of fresh air in the autumn of Saajan’s life. What pulls the strings of the audience’s heart the most is the way ‘love’ cooks up between the pair sans any form of new age communication. To add zing to this love story, there is Aslam Sheikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who has been hired as Saajan’s post retirement replacement. Nawazuddin as Aslam is unintentionally funny and he has got his comic timing right. His interesting conversations with Saajan make the film more engaging and original. Ditto for Bharati Achrekar (Mrs Deshpande) who plays Ila’s neighbour in the film. It is her voice that can be heard from upstairs whenever Ila engages in conversation with her.

What makes ‘The Lunchbox’ a rare fare is the fact it follows the uncharted path, never goes into the predictable zones and of course, steers clear of the clichés such as masala song sequences.

Ritesh Batra’s has given a sensible direction to the film and needless to say, when there are honed actors like Irrfan Khan and Nawazudddin Siddiqui, performances are bound to be one of the other unique aspects of the film. Nimrat Kaur looks real on the frames as a middle-class housewife seeking someone to share her feelings with.

The ending of the film has been left to the viewers` imagination or perhaps there is a a sequel in making.

Clearly, ‘The Lunchbox’ is a wholesome affair – one that shows how it feels when mundane seems magic and attempts to explore the concept of age bar in love.

'Bigg Boss 7': Pratyusha Banerjee's ex-flame to join her in the house

Earlier, Sara Khan and Ali Merchant had done the same in the fourth season of the popular reality show.

Telly actress Pratyusha Banerjee, who is seen on the latest edition of Bigg Boss, has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons lately.

The TV`s favourite bahu first made waves when she decided to quit her popular show `Balika Vadhu` midway.

Later, it was her break-up with businessman-boyfriend Makrand Malhotra and filing of a police complaint against him accusing him of abusive behaviour.

Now, rumour has it that her ex-beau Makrand may follow her into the Bigg Boss house.

Earlier, Sara Khan and Ali Merchant had done the same in the fourth season of the popular reality show.

The couple even had a much-hyped wedding on the show, but parted ways soon after the show came to an end. Well as they, anything for TRPs.

Interestingly, Makrand had thrown a lavish bash to celebrate his break-up with Pratyusha and had denied it being a publicity gimmick.

Now, only time will tell what turn the Pratyusha-Makrand saga will take and whether it is for real or is just a publicity stunt.

Mard nahi hai is baar 'Bigg Boss' me: Shradha Sharma

New Delhi: Former contestant of ‘Bigg Boss’, Shradha Sharma is excited to watch ‘Bigg Boss Season 7’. She is happy that her favourite star Salman Khan is once again hosting the show and is also impressed with the theme of Jannat v/s Jahannum. She says, “I like the whole concept of Jannat v/s Jahannum. See, we all have both negative & Positive aspect within us but unfortunately negativity always influence more than positive, It depends on us which way to go.”

Commenting on ‘Bigg Boss Season 7’, Shradha says, “The number of male contestants is very less. Among male contestants some are good and I personally like them but ‘Mard nahi hai is baar Bigg Boss me jise Bigg boss ke ghar me dekhne me mazaa aaye’ and I think girls will dominate the house in this season only if they get united”

Well, according to a secret source or should say rumors Dancing Doll Shradha Sharma may take a grand wild entry in this season of Bigg Boss. Finger crossed!

US organisation to award Aamir Khan for 'Satyamev Jayate'

Washington: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has been selected for a US award for his television show `Satyamev Jayate` along with eminent American director Kathryn Bigelow and the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC).

They will be honoured at the inaugural awards dinner by the America Abroad Media (AAM) in Washington DC on October 28.

"Their work exemplifies the power of media to inform, educate and empower citizens about the critical social and public policy issues of our time," America Abroad Media said in a statement.

America Abroad Media said Aamir`s TV series, `Satyamev Jayate`, explores India`s biggest social challenges and has been seen by hundreds of millions of people in his country and across Asia.

Khan was also recently selected as one of TIME Magazine`s 100 most influential people.

Bigelow is the director of films like `Zero Dark Thirty` and `The Hurt Locker`, which have received widespread acclaim for their honest portrayal of war and counter-terrorism. In 2010, Bigelow became the first and only woman to date to win the Academy Award for Best Director.

Founded by Peter Ackerman, the ICNC produces award-winning documentaries on the role of non-violent resistance in promoting democratic change.

The ICNC - which was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 - will release a new documentary on the Arab Spring and uprising in Egypt later this year.