A quick look at everything making news in the world of cinema today!
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Though the controversy around Mersal‘s take on GST seemed to have died down, there’s a Hindi film with the title GST (Galti Sirf Tumhari) scheduled to release this month. The film’s poster was released yesterday and features Navi Bhangu and Poonam Pandey in the cast, directed by Suryakant Tyagi.
The Assam government is planning to buy the house of legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika in Kolkata and turn it into a cultural centre. Assam Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Naba Kumar Doley and Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami on Wednesday held negotiations with the owner, who bought the house from the late singer.
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Deepika Padukone’s look in Padmavati, particularly that of her unibrow, something that was prevalent in the 13th or 14th Century, was reportedly a risk she had to take. While people have praised her look for staying true to character, the actress at the 3D trailer launch said that people have been conditioned to look a certain way for the beauty standards set for them.
“As women, we have been conditioned to think a certain way. I am glad about what we did with Padmavati and my look. It takes an immense amount of belief for all of us to take that risk, in a sense because that is not how the audience is conditioned. Padmavati’s beauty is beyond the physical beauty. It is her soul, her spirit, it is what she meant to her people. She is worshipped and we have to give her that due and this movie is that,” she said.
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Meanwhile, there’s more opposition for Padmavati. Gujarat-based politician Shankersinh Vaghela have opposed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, seeking a ban. Now the BJP has joined in to demand ban on the period film. As of yesterday, the party reportedly wrote to the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat “to arrange for a pre-release viewing of the film by select Rajput representatives to alleviate their raised tempers and provide fair opportunity to prevent unnecessary tension ahead of polls.”
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The Lion King remake, directed by Jon Favreau, has announced its official cast members. Singer Beyoncé is all set to play Nala, with James Earl Jones reprising his role as King Mufasa. Donald Glover will play Simba and Chiwetel Ejiofor will play the villainous lion Scar.
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More accusations surface against Kevin Spacey. Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos and actor-director Tony Montana are the latest celebrities to accuse Spacey of sexual misconduct. Montana said Spacey groped him in 2003. The filmmaker says he was editing a documentary at Los Angeles hotspot Coronet when the House of Cards star walked in with a group of friends.
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“I went up to order a drink and Kevin came up to me and put his arm around me. He was telling me to come with him, to leave the bar. (He) put his hand on my crotch forcefully and grabbed my whole package,” Montana told radaronline.com. Montana recalled that a seemingly intoxicated Spacey then said to him, “This designates ownership.”
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American filmmaker and producer Brett Ratner has been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by six actresses. Actress Natasha Henstridge and five other actresses accused Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct that took place in various places, The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.
Let them eat cake!
Shah Rukh Khan, David Schwimmer, and Reshma Shetty will all turn a year older today!
(with inputs from IANS)