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GOT7's Jinyoung officially signs with BH Entertainment 

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Popular South Korean group GOT7 's singer-songwriter Jinyoung has officially signed an exclusive contract with BH Entertainment after his contract ended with JYP Entertainment . As members of GOT7 would like to continue as solo artists and as a group, they have moved on to different companies to kick off the new phase in their careers before coming back together as a group. According to the reports, the company plans to provide physical and emotional support to Jinyoung for his career as a musician and as an actor. Sharing the official news on BH Entertainment's Instagram page, the agency welcomed him on board and urged everyone to support him.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by BH Entertainment (@bhent_official) BH Entertainment is home to well-known South Korean actors including Lee Byung Hun, Kim Go Eun, Park Bo Young, Park Hae Soo, Ahn So Hee among others. Apart from a thriving career as a singer in K-pop group GOT

Aamir Khan pauses Laal Singh Chaddha schedule to shoot for dance number in Amin Hajee's directorial debut

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Actor Aamir Khan has been busy with the shooting schedule of Laal Singh Chaddha . The film shooting began in December 2019 but due to the pandemic, the shooting came to a halt in March 2020. The filming only resumed later in the year as Aamir continued to shoot in various parts of the country. Now, he has halted the schedule in order to fly to Jaipur to shoot a dance number in actor-friend Amin Hajee’s directorial debut. According to the reports, Aamir Khan will be paired opposite Elli AvRram in the song. When Amin told him about his psychological thriller, Aamir was thrilled about it. He agreed to do a cameo in the film in a heartbeat. He will be in Jaipur for the next five days to shoot the song. A huge set has been created. The song has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The number will be choreographed by duo Bosco and Caesar. Amin Hajee’s directorial debut stars Amyra Dastur and Kunal Kapoor. Amin and Aamir Khan have been friends for over 20 ye

After wrapping Rashmi Rocket, Taapsee Pannu begins cricket training for Mithali Raj biopic Shabaash Mithu

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A powerhouse of talent and the face of the modern Indian woman, Taapsee Pannu today gave her fans a glimpse of her on-the-field cricket training for her upcoming film Shabaash Mithu . For her role as ace Indian Cricketer Mithali Raj in the biopic, Taapsee will be training with coach Nooshin Al khadeer. Being the dedicated method actor that she is, Taapsee will be training to perfect her every action and stance to play a professional cricketer on screen. Speaking about her training regimen, Taapsee said, “I’ve never played the game before, have just been a spectator and a hyperventilating fan of the game. Being on the other side is going to be a huge challenge I’ve thrown at myself. But I feel pressure brings out the best in me. This is probably that one common trait I can identify between me and Mithali.” Produced by Viacom18 Studios, Directed by Rahul Dholakia, and written by Priya Aven, Shabaash Mithu is the inspiring tale of the captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Mithali

Kerala High Court issues notice to Virat Kohli and Tamannaah Bhatia on plea seeking ban on online gaming

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The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli, actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Aju Varghese and the state government in a plea seeking ban on online gambling in the state. All three celebrities are brand ambassadors of the online rummy games. Pauly Vadakkan, who filed the petition in the court alleged that online gambling is now a growing menace in the state and the primary targets will be middle to low income group people who will be enticed to make easy money. He said that people who fall for these "fraud platforms" often use all of their life savings. These platforms endorsed by celebrities, including Kohli, Bhatia and Varghese, attract their audience with fake promises while in reality the probability of such winnings are slim to none, thus making a fool of unsuspecting people, the plea said. The petitioner highlighted that the Kerala Gaming Act 1960, does not bring within its purview any online gambling, wagering or betting

MHA permits cinema halls to increase seating capacity from the existing 50% from February 1

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The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued fresh COVID-19 guidelines which will come into effect from February 1 and will remain in force till February 28. In the new guidelines, the Centre also allowed higher seating capacity in cinema halls. At present, the cinema halls across India are being operated at 50% capacity. The cinema halls were permitted to reopen in mid-October last year. While the Home Ministry has allowed an increased seating capacity, it is not clear by how much it will be increased. “Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted upto 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in consultation with MHA,” the release by the MHA read. These new set of guidelines will bring in relief for theatre owners and exhibitors and filmmakers who have been long awaiting to release their films in the theatres. Earlier this month, Tamil

EXCLUSIVE: Is Vidyut Jammwal starrer Sanak a remake of Denzel Washington's John Q? Here's the truth

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Vipul Amrutlal Shah with his home production Sunshine Pictures has been presenting films to the audiences for over a decade. This time, an all new film Sanak , recently announced by the makers is doing rounds among the audiences. Being the talk of the town, there is a speculation that Sanak is a remake of Denzel Washington's John Q , in response to that the source from the production house says, "Sanak is an original story and not an adaptation of any other film. It should not be compared with any other movie, in any manner, as we have worked really hard for Sanak .” Starring Vidyut Jammwal, Rukmini Maitra, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Neha Dhupia in pivotal roles. Presented by Zee Studios in association with Sunshine Pictures, Sanak is a Vipul Amrutlal Shah production, Directed by Kanishk Varma. The poster of Sanak looks intense, with Vidyut on gun point of the goons, the teaser poster gave a similar hint with a isolated hospital bed with blood stains and a gun. This seems to be

Tandav controversy: Supreme Court refuses to grant protection from arrest to makers; says freedom of speech is not absolute

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On Wednesday while hearing pleas seeking stay on FIRs against actors and producers of the web series Tandav , the Supreme Court said that freedom of speech is not absolute. A bench headed by Ashok Bhushan said that the petitioners should go to the high courts to seek quashing of these cases. The court also refused to grant protection from arrest to the makers of Tandav against whom FIRs have been filed. The case was heard by a bench of justices Ashok Bhushan, RS Reddy and MR Shah. Senior advocates Fali S Nariman, Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra cited the recent judgement of the top court in Arnab Goswami's case during the hearing. "Is this way liberty should be protected in the country and FIRs are being filed across the country," Luthra said adding that the director of the web series, Ali Abbas Zafar, is being harassed. "Your right to freedom of speech is not absolute. You cannot play the role of character that hurts the sentiments of a community," the b

Netflix acquires Chaitanya Tamhane's Marathi film The Disciple

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The Disciple is a Marathi drama film written, directed, and edited by Chaitanya Tamhane and executive produced by Oscar winning director, Alfonso Cuarón. The film was awarded the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI, short for Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique) and the Best Screenplay award at the 77th Venice International Film Festival. It was also screened at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was named a winner of the Amplify Voices Award. Earlier this week, the film was nominated at the Film Independent Spirit Awards under the Best International Feature category. The Disciple will soon release exclusively on Netflix and stars Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, and Kiran Yadnyopavit in pivotal roles. The Disciple is the story of Sharad Nerulkar, who devoted his life to becoming an Indian classical music vocalist, diligently following the traditions and discipline of the old masters, his guru, an

The White Tiger actor Adarsh Gourav, Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple bag nominations at Independent Spirit Awards

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The award season nominations have begun! Netflix's The White Tiger actor Adarsh Gourav, the breakout star of 2021, has been nominated for Best Male Lead at the 36th annual Independent Spirit Awards. Filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple has been nominated in the Best International Feature category. Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins, and Olivia Wilde announced the nominations on Tuesday, January 26. The 36th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will air on April 22, three days before the Oscars. The White Tiger is a story about Balram Halwai (Adarsh Gourav) who narrates his epic and darkly humorous rise from poor villager to successful entrepreneur in modern India. Cunning and ambitious, he jockeys his way into becoming a driver for Ashok (Rajkummar Rao) and Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who have just returned from America. Society has trained Balram to be one thing — a servant — so he makes himself indispensable to his rich masters. But after a night of betrayal, he realiz

Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s next is a crime thriller

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Nawazuddin Siddiqui is shooting in the nights in London for his new project  Sangeen  in spite of the city going into another lockdown. “It’s tough. But you know what they say? The show must go on. We’re working in a Covid bubble, and following all the guidelines. I am here in London for a month,” informs Nawaz. The actor says he can’t reveal much about the film or his role. “It is a thriller. I play the protagonist of the film. Beyond that I am not allowed to say anything.” The director Jaideep Chopra had made a thriller titled  Maazi  in 2013. The interesting aspect of Sangeen is that Nawazuddin plays a completely positive character, no shades of grey at all for a change. Says Nawaz, “I have played quite a lot of positive characters in Manto , Ghoomketu , Bajrangi Bhaijaan , etc. It is just that my dark portrayals have left a deeper impact. During the lockdown I’ve been watching films from all over the world. Every film, every performance has something to teach me. There are so

SCOOP: Kartik Aaryan teams up with Shah Rukh Khan for his next to be directed by Ajay Bahl

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Just a couple of days back, Bollywood Hungama exclusively revealed that Kartik Aaryan is on the lookout for a quick 30 to 40 day film as the shoots of his under production films – Dostana 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 – have been delayed further due to the on-going pandemic. And we have now an additional update on the same as the actor seems to have locked his next film. It’s said to be an unusual love story produced by Shah Rukh Khan under his banner, Red Chillies Entertainment and will be directed by Ajay Bahl. “Kartik has been in talks with Shah Rukh Khan’s banner for this Ajay Bahl directed film for a while now and finally, everything has fallen in place and the actor is all set to start shooting for the film within the next 2 months,” a source close to the development told Bollywood Hungama. Interestingly, the film is in complete different space from Ajay’s last film, Section 375 , which was an intense drama set against the backdrop of sexual harassment. “Though this one too has

Thalapathy Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi starrer Tamil action thriller Master to get a digital release

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Amazon Prime Video today announced the exclusive digital premiere of the eagerly-awaited Tamil action thriller, Master for the 29th of January. Master stars Thalapathy Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi along with Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Arjun Das in pivotal roles.   The film is written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, produced by Xavier Britto, and features Anirudh Ravichander's chart-buster music. The action-packed thriller Master promises a clash between the two superstars, Thalapathy Vijay’s & Vijay Sethupathi’s characters, keeping the audiences on the edge of their seats. Prime members in India and across 240 countries and territories can catch the digital premiere of Master on Amazon Prime Video starting January 29, 2020. “We are delighted to announce the digital premiere of Master on Amazon Prime Video,” said Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, India. “ Master is one of the most anticipated Tamil movies of the

Khushi Kapoor is off to acting school in New York; to be launched in Bollywood in 2022

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Late actress Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor’s youngest born Khushi Kapoor is off to the Lee Starsberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York for one semester’s course. Sources say Khushi Kapoor will be launched in Hindi cinema only after she returns from her acting course in the US. “Khushi Kapoor will be launched in 2022. Boney has already got offers from several major producers including Karan Johar to launch Khushi. But, he’s in no hurry. And neither is Khushi. The entire family feels an acting course is the right thing to do. Sridevi always wanted her daughters to attend a good acting school, since she never got any formal training,” says the source. Late actress Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor’s youngest born Khushi Kapoor is off to the Lee Starsberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York for one semester’s course. Sources say Khushi Kapoor will be launched in Hindi cinema only after she returns from her acting course in the US. “Khushi Kapoor will be laun

SCOOP: The Inside story of the Coolie No. 1 Battle between Rumi Jaffrey and Farhad Samji

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Rumi Jaffrey, the original writer of Coolie No. 1 is apparently furious with the changes made in the screenplay of the remake. A source from the crew informed Bollywood Hungama that Rumi was completely not in favour of the changes made by additional dialogue writer Farhad Samji. Says the source, “Rumi and David go back a long long way. In fact, David’s sons Rohit and Varun Dhawan call him ‘Uncle’ and Rumi has cuddled them both in his lap when they were kids. Rumi has written a majority of David’s hits. When David asked Rumi to write the remake of their 1995 hit Coolie No. 1 , Rumi was totally against the idea. He felt what worked in 1995 won’t work now. But David was adamant. He told Rumi not to worry and do it for Varun’s sake.” Apparently the problems started when Farhad Samji was brought in to do the dialogues. Adds the source, “Rumi was told Farhad was in touch with today’s generation. He would bring in the contemporary feel. But as the film progressed there were many changes

Vidyut Jammwal starrer Sanak is a remake of Denzel Washington's John Q

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Actor Vidyut Jammwal and filmmaker Vipul Shah are once again coming together for the action-packed film. This time, it is titled  Sanak and the first posters were unveiled on Republic Day 2021. The teaser poster released by the makers looks intriguing, showing an isolated hospital bed with bloodstains all over it and a gun, mysterious in all its ways. As it turns out, it is a remake of a Hollywood flick. According to the reports, Sanak is an official Hindi remake of the 2002 Denzel Washington film, John Q . The film has gone on the floor in Mumbai and the makers plan to wrap up the film by March 2021. The film promises to be an action-thriller. John Q , directed by Nick Cassavetes, is a story of John Q Archibald who lives with his wife Denise and 9-year-old son Michael. When Michael needs an emergency heart transplant which can't be afforded due to their financial issues, John vows to do anything to keep his son alive. He takes a hospital emergency room hostage when he finds o

Jacqueline Fernandez to star alongside Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria, Marcia Gay Harden and others in Women’s Stories

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Actress Jacqueline Fernandez is heading to the West. The Sri-Lankan beauty has been the leading lady in many Bollywood films. Now, she is setting her eyes on Hollywood. She will star alongside Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria, Marcia Gay Harden, Leonor Varela, Margherita Bua among others in the upcoming anthology feature, Women's Stories. The actress will be part of the film called Sharing A Ride which will be directed by Leena Yadav. It will feature Jacqueline Fernandez and transgender model Anjali Lama. Divided into four segments - the first one is titled Unspoken and will be directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi. It stars Italian actress Margherita Buy who is the seven-time David di Donatello award-winner. The second one will be called Lagonegro and directed by Lucia Puenzo. It features Eva Longoria. The third segment is titled Elbows Deep and will be directed by Twilight filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke. It stars model and actress Delevingne, Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden, and Jasmi

Indian Women Rising picks Student Academy Award winner and Oscar contender Bittu as it's inaugural project

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Trio Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga and Tahira Kashyap Khurrana recently announced their endeavour - a cinema collective named Indian Women Rising in an effort to promote and accentuate Indian female content creators across the globe. As their first project, the initiative has chosen to support the internationally acclaimed short film Bittu where the collective will put its muscle to aid the film's campaign at the Oscars run. Directed by Karishma Dev Dube, a past Dean’s fellow from NYU, the unreleased Bittu has bagged the honour of the 47th 'Student Academy Award' and is now set to run the race for the Oscar for Short Film Category. Inspired by the infamous school poisoning of 2013, Bittu explores the close friendship between two school girls on this seemingly normal day at school. Set in the picturesque locations against the backdrop of Himalayas, Bittu follows the story of an eight-year-old who must take matters into her own hands when her community fails to protect its

“Unethical,” says producer Boney Kapoor reacting to Rajamouli’s release date of RRR

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At a time when the movie-theatre business is struggling for survival it comes as shock to know that S S Rajamouli has chosen October 13, 2021 as his release date for  RRR . This is the same date that Boney Kapoor had announced for his production  Maidaan six months ago. Even more shockingly, both the films feature Ajay Devgn in the cast. Apparently, Ajay told Rajamouli to speak to Boney before announcing the  RRR  release date. An informed source tells me, “Ajay is aware that his prestigious bio-pic  Maidaan on football legend Syed Abdul Rahim was due in the Dussehra week this year. He very specifically told Rajamouli to speak to Boney Kapoor before announcing his release date. But Rajamouli went ahead without consulting Boney.” And now Boney is very very upset. “Of course I am upset! This is most unethical. I announced my release date for  Maidaan  six months ago. At a time when we should all be coming together to save the movie industry, he (Rajamouli) has gone and done this,”

Amol Parashar to essay the role of Bhagat Singh in Vicky Kaushal starrer Sardar Udham Singh

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Shoojit Sircar's upcoming film titled Sardar Udham Singh is one among the highly anticipated films of Bollywood. With Vicky Kaushal in the lead, the film narrates the story of a revolutionary freedom fighter who assassinated British officer Michael O'Dwyer in London to avenge the 1919 Jallianwalala Bagh massacre . While not much is known about the remaining cast of the film, it has been revealed that actor Amol Parashar who is popular for his act in the TVF show Tripling will be seen playing the role of legendary Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Previously, Amol has been seen in films like Rocket Singh:Salesman of the Year and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh . Reportedly, Shoojit wants to show Bhagat Singh in a more realistic manner- as a sharp and intelligent young man who has a lightness to him at the same time. For the role, Amol had multiple conversations with the director and also read a lot of literature on the great freedom fighter including the ones written by Bhagat Singh himself. ALS

Vipul Shah makes his digital debut with a medical thriller titled Human; Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari to star

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Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah has ventured into the web space with a new medical thriller show titled Human. He says the show is not about Covid but highlights medical trials that have taken place across the world for decades now. The show stars Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari and is directed by Shah and Mozez Singh. "This project was in the works for almost three and a half years now, and back then we didn't know about the virus and the vaccine. It took us a long to write because we have tried to simplify the process of human trials of vaccines in a way that the audience understands. Today, everyone is aware of what drug trials mean," said Shah. One wonders if the show is set against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent journey of finding the vaccine and Vipul clarifies that it’s not set in today’s time. “It’s not about coronavirus, but about medical trials that take place across the world for decades now. This touches a topic that’s very big for