Javed Akhtar becomes first Indian to receive Richard Dawkins Award

JUN 08, 2020 MUMBAI: Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the 2020 Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. Akhtar has become the first Indian to be given the honour, which recognises distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth. Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi said the award's relevance becomes more prominent especially in the current times when secularism is under attack. "I am thrilled. I know what a hero Richard Dawkins has been for Javed. The award gains all the more significance because in today's time when secularism is being attacked by religious fundamentalists of all hues, this award comes as a validation of Javed's long service to rational thinking," Azmi said. The award is named after world-renowned English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais received the honour last year. Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor ans Dia Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the 75-year-old writer for the recognition. "Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read 'The Selfish Gene', the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!" Kapoor tweeted. Dia said Akhtar's win is a proud moment for rhe country. "Javed Akhtar Saab has won the the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud," Dia wrote.  Copyright © Jammu Links News  Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → July 26, 2020

James Cameron announces three sequels of 'Avatar'

Hollywood director James Cameron plans to shoot three sequels of his movieAvatar simultaneously and release them in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

Director James Cameron has announced three sequels to his 2009 hit Avatar.  "Avatar" 2, 3 and 4 will be shot simultaneously, with production kicking off next year, and they will be released in December of 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, reports eonline.com. The 58-year-old has called aboard screenwriters Josh Friedman of "War of the Worlds", Shane Salerno from the movie "Savages", Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver from "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" to help him work on the three scripts. "Building upon the world we created with 'Avatar' has been a rare and incredibly rewarding experience," James Cameron said in a statement. "In writing the new films, I've come to realise that 'Avatar's' world, story and characters have become even richer than I anticipated, and it became apparent that two films would not be enough to capture everything I wanted to put on screen. And to help me continue to expand this universe, I'm pleased to bring Amanda, Rick, Shane and aboard Josh - all writers I've long admired - to join me in completing the films' screenplays," he added. Source: ApunKaChoice

Read More........ → October 16, 2013

Why Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t display her Oscar?

Actress Jennifer Lawrence has given away her Oscar award to her parents as she felt odd displaying the trophy in her house. The 22-year-old actress, who won the best actress Oscar for her performance in the romantic comedy Silver Linings Playbook, which also had actor Bradley Cooper, struggled to find a suitable spot for the golden statuette in her house. "My parents took it back to Kentucky, 'cos I felt odd having it, like, on display in my house," accesshollywood.com quoted Jennifer Lawrence as saying. "If anybody's coming over to my house, I didn't want them to remember that. Just kind of puts a weird energy out. "I put it in the hallway towards the bathroom, and my mum was like, 'I'm taking it. It shouldn't be here'. And now it's on a piano in Kentucky!" she added. Source: Article

Read More........ → August 12, 2013

Angelina Jolie To Direct World War II Hero's Story

Angelina Jolie will make her second feature film as a director on a biopic of Olympian-turned-World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. The Oscar winner moved behind the camera to work on hard-hitting 2011 movie In the Land of Blood and Honey, about a romance between a Serbian soldier and a Bosnian woman during the 1990s war in the troubled region. The movie received critical acclaim, and now Jolie is set to work on another emotive subject for her second time as a filmmaker. Unbroken is based on Laura Hillenbrand's book about 95-year-old Zamperini, an American long distance runner who appeared at the  1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany and caught the attention of Adolf Hitler. After World War II was declared, he enlisted in the Army, only to be captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner-of-war. A statement from Jolie reads, "I read Laura Hillenbrand's brilliant book, and I was so moved by Louie Zamperini's heroic story, I immediately began to fight for the opportunity to make this film. Louie is a true hero and a man of immense humanity, faith and courage. I am deeply honored to have the chance to tell his inspiring story. Photo Credits: PR Photos , DLM Press, PacificCoastNews.com" Source: Starpulse

Read More........ → February 13, 2013

Jackie Chan To Star In 'Expendables 3,' 'Rush Hour 4' A Possibility

Jackie Chan has revealed he's going to star in the third installment of the ensemble action series The Expendables. In fact, he was invited to make an appearance in Expendables 2, but he was too busy. "Sly had invited me to be in 'Expendables 2' but I was too busy filming CZ12 and couldn't make a commitment to the film. But he did extend his invitation to the third movie, which I agreed on the condition that I will be appearing as more than just a minor role with a few scenes," Chan revealed during a press junket for Chinese film CZ12. There is also a possibility of a Rush Hour 4. TotalFilm reports Chris Tucker is considering a buddy comedy flick currently titled Skip Tracer, but he accepts it appears the film will be changed into the fourth Rush Hour film. "The script is currently viewed by Chris Tucker. Personally, I feel that if he were to pick it up, it would be better if we turned it into Rush Hour 4 but I do think that three movies for the franchise is a perfect ending. It would be better to start a new buddy movie with someone new," said Chan. © 2012 Starpulse.com, Photo Credits: PR Photos, Source: Starpulse.com

Read More........ → January 30, 2013

Emma Watson looks sensuous and alluring on Glamour USA

Emma Watson turns glam doll for Glamour USA. One of the most prolific rising stars in Hollywood, Emma has come a long way since her Harry Potter days. Now adorning Glamour magazine, she has turned glam from girly. Being a tomboy at heart, Emma Watson turns the heat on for Glamour, wearing some best designers. In one photo she has let her Zadig & Voltaire coat slip to reveal the lacy contours of her Stella McCartney bra. The creamy white dress is by Nina Ricci while the statement necklace comes from the house of Salvatore Ferragamo. Ooh! everything sounds too stylish for a Hogwarts’ girl. But, what if the girl is grown up to be a beautiful female and living a life in the spotlight? Emma Watson has a lot to tell and discuss on various matters as she gets chatty with the magazine. “It’s difficult on my dating life, because anyone I get photographed with is automatically my boyfriend. So it just makes it look as if I’ve had, like, 6,000 boyfriends!” the 22-year-old laughs off the link-up rumours. Emma Watson also shares what it is to not play Hermoine in her new film, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. The actress says it was the realization she needed that acting is the right career for her despite doing Potter films for years. “I realised I do really want to be an actress, which wasn’t something I fully knew, since Harry Potter was such a singular experience.” With her changing self and stylish new being, Emma Watson flashes her pixie cut (she chopped her long hair short after Harry Potter series) and inner diva on Glamour USA. Have a look at her in this photoshoot: (Image credit: Glamour USA) Source: ApunKaChoice.com,

Read More........ → October 20, 2012

Jessica Alba Lands Green Parent Award

Actress and eco-warrior Jessica Alba is to receive the inaugural Green Parent trophy at the upcoming Environmental Media Awards (EMA). The Sin City star, who is mom to daughters Honor and Haven, will be feted for her work campaigning for the Safe Chemicals Act as well as her eco-friendly baby product line, Honest. EMA president Debbie Levin says, "Becoming a parent is life-changing and brings into focus the priority of healthy choices and the responsibility of the environmental sustainability of our planet. Jessica is a great example of how you can turn that passion into positive change." Meanwhile, Hollywood films including The Lorax, 21 Jump Street and Big Miracle as well as TV hits Whitney,Veep, Happy Endings, Harry's Law, Dallas and Rizzoli & Isles have all been nominated for prizes for promoting environmental issues. The green ceremony will take place on September 29th in Burbank, California. Photo Credits: PR Photos , Wagner Az, PacificCoastNews.com, Source: Starpulse.com

Read More........ → October 06, 2012

Brad Pitt’s wedding gift to Angelina Jolie: a shooting range

All’s well as long as he doesn’t stray in the line of fire. Brad Pitt’s wedding gift to wifey-to-be Angelina Jolie is as extraordinary as the couple themselves. But hey! did we hear that Jolie gets turned on by shooting?

Actor Brad Pitt has splashed 250,000 pounds on a shooting range as a wedding present for Angelina Jolie. The couple are set to tie the knot at their French estate Miraval later this year and Pitt installed the range and an armoury on site as a gift for his bride-to-be.  "Brad had a lot to live up with his wedding gift considering Angelina exchanged vials of blood with her ex-husband Billy-Bob Thornton," a source told thesun.co.uk. "But Angelina clearly finds shooting an aphrodisiac. When she and Brad were around weapons on the set of 2005 'Mr & Mrs Smith' they ended up together. "And by letting Angelina de-stress at the range, he's less likely to get earache indoors. There's a lot to be said for that when you have six kids," added the source. It's no surprise Brad Pitt is pulling out all the stops as it was recently claimed that Angelina Jolie has invited her ex-husbands Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton to the wedding. "Angelina has remained close to both Jonny and Billy so they'd certainly be invited," said the source. (Photo: Brangelina from 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith') Source: ApunKaChoice

Read More........ → September 25, 2012

Gwyneth Paltrow named World's Best Dressed Woman

Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has been named the World's Best Dressed Woman, ahead of fashion forward celebs like the Duchess of Cambridge and Rihanna. Paltrow, who will be 40 in a couple of weeks, grabbed the top spot in the list by People magazine and her stylist said the actress owes it to her secret - less is more, Daily Mail reported. The Duchess, 30, was just behind Paltrow on the list, and was hailed for her "flawlessly elegant attire". Hollywood actresses Emma Stone, 23, Jessica Alba, 31, the Kardashian sisters and Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, 29, were also included in the list. Rihanna scooped the Best Risk-Taking Style Award and Kerr won the Best Street Style Award. Among men, honours went to actors Andrew Garfield, Brad Pitt, Colin Firth, Robert Pattinson, Chris and Liam Hemsworth and singer Jay-Z.  Source: Screen India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → September 13, 2012

Angelina Jolie Discovers Brad Pitt’s Hidden Love Letters

Angelina Jolie has discovered Brad Pitt’s secret love letters to another woman and she is both humiliated and horrified. Will this prompt the Oscar-winning beauty to cancel her upcoming wedding? Angelina is already very insecure about other women getting close to Brad and this new shock to her fragile ego could really tip her over. We have reported previously that although Angelina successfully stole Brad from Jennifer Aniston, she still forbids Brad to have any contact with his ex-wife. The current issue of Star has the cover story ‘Brad Humiliates Angelina – his love letters to another woman exposed as the wedding approaches.’ Of course we don’t yet know who this other woman is or how these letters were exposed. Do these letters even exist? Does the other woman? Of course it is tempting to speculate but until we see the print edition we can’t be certain. Source: Showbiz World

Read More........ → August 14, 2012

Kristen Stewart & Rupert Sanders To Make 'Snow White' Sequel Together?

Filmmaker Rupert Sanders has been confirmed for the "Snow White & The Huntsman" sequel, and Kristen Stewart, with whom he had a brief affair, will also be back, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Last month, photos surfaced of Stewart and Sanders kissing and cuddling in a Los Angeles park. Their indiscretion appears to have ruined Stewart's relationship with her "Twilight" co-star Robert Pattinson, while Sanders is still working on his marriage with model/actress Liberty Ross. However, a source recently told Radar Online, "Liberty let it be known in no uncertain terms that Rupert can't direct the sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman." Will their marriage last if he takes on the film? The director can still walk away from the project, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, Stewart beat out "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence to land the lead role in "Lie Down In Darkness." The film, based on the 1951 novel by William Styron, centers on a psychologically vulnerable woman who struggles to deal with her dysfunctional family in 1950s Virginia. Scott Cooper will direct, and production is slated to begin next year. Photo Credits: PacificCoastNews.com , Source: Starpulse, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → August 07, 2012

Selena Gomez named ambassador for kids charity

Singer-actress Selena Gomez has been appointed an ambassador of 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest's charity foundation. Seacrest announced the news on his radio show saying the 19-year-old former Disney star would join him in highlighting the problems of ill and injured children, reported Contactmusic. As ambassador, Gomez will visit new locations and provide inspiration to sick children. "From the beginning, I could tell that Selena really understood our mission. I'm so grateful that she's decided to take on this larger role with us, joining our efforts to bring hope and spirit to seriously ill and injured kids," Seacrest said. The Ryan Seacrest Foundation educates the masses using multimedia and interactive platforms. It has broadcast media centres at Atlanta and Philadelphia, and will soon be launching centres at Orange County, Boston and Dallas. Source; Screen India

Read More........ → July 30, 2012

Mila Kunis won't give up 'Family Guy'

'Black Swan' actress Mila Kunis says she won't be giving up her day job in animated comedy series 'Family Guy'. The 28-year-old star, who has voiced Meg Griffin in the hit TV sitcom for the past decade, says she will not quit the show despite her hectic career, reported Showbizspy. “I hope Family Guy stays on the air for the rest of my life. I love going to do that. I go in sweatpants and sometimes I don't even go in I just do it at whatever location I am at. It is amazing and I love it. I'll never give it up,”she said. Source: Screen India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → July 28, 2012

At the Music Hall: Billy Mayerl's Marigold, 1927

Billy Mayerl, Image from "The Billy Mayerl Society"

“Marigold” is perhaps the best known composition of celebrated English pianist and composer Billy Mayerl (1902-1959). Mayerl was the “Master of Light Music” and rose to great popularity on the boards of the English Music Halls and musical theatres. His syncopated novelty piano pieces (over three hundred which he wrote himself) were often named for and inspired by flowers and trees. Though he’s famous for these piano pieces, he also composed a variety of more substantial works for piano and orchestra. Mayerl also founded and operated the “School of Syncopation” which offered instruction in modern musical techniques such as 

ragtime. This led to his long-running correspondence course, “How to Play Like Billy Mayerl.” These two videos are quite enjoyable. The first is a recent performance of “Marigold” and the second is a rare film of Billy Joseph Mayerl himself playing the piece.Source: Stalking the Belle Époque

Read More........ → July 22, 2012

Aishwarya Rai to star in Hollywood film?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who lost on Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine due to her pregnancy, has a reason to rejoice. The former Miss World has reportedly been approached for an international project by director Daniel Silva. The film will also feature Billy Zane (who played Kate Winslet's fiancé in Titanic), TV actress Sara Khan and singer Lucky Ali, reports Mid Day. Sara confirmed to the tabloid: "I have signed the film. I have been told the makers have approached Ash. We will start shooting in Los Angeles from September 13. It's a thriller film and I am playing Billy's wife." Aishwarya Rai received a lot of flak for her weight gain post pregnancy. Now, the new mom is apparently working hard to get back into shape for this project. She was last seen in 2010 flick Guzaarish. Her fans can't wait to watch her again on the big screen! Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → July 22, 2012

The King Of POP Michael Jackson Remembered (1958-2012)

.

Today we're remembering the King Of Pop,the incredible dancer who

  invented the moonwalk & freakish singer who blew us

 away from a young age with family band

the Jackson 5 the one and only

 Michael Jackson

Hard to believe it's already been 3 years since his sudden passing, and although it will be a difficult day for some, here at Take40 we're going to celebrate an amazing individual who created some of 

greatest  music of all time. Michael was once asked how he'd like to

 remembered, he replied "As a  person who came and

brought light to the world,

 some escapism."

             

             

So let's forget about the times when MJ was in the news for all the

 wrong reasons...today we're going to turn

up the stereo, attempt the moonwalk

and celebrate the late, great

Michael Jackson!

R.I.P MJ…FOREVER THE KING! Source: The Chronicle

Read More........ → June 26, 2012

I'm treated like princess in India: Amy Jackson

Amy Jackson, who’s only ambition a few years ago was to pass her exams and follow in her mother’s footsteps and work with horses, has become such a massive movie star in India that her films attract audiences in millions. The British beauty has her own language and dance teacher, driver, cook, personal assistant and make-up artist. The 21-year-old’s life was turned on its head when a Bollywood film director spotted a picture of her on the internet and decided she had the perfect look for his films. He tracked her down and now Jackson has become the first ever white British to star in the leading role of an Indian film. It’s impossible for her to walk down the street in Mumbai without protection for fear of being mobbed by her army of fans. "It is ridiculous — like a mad whirlwind," she said. "I realised just how famous I was when I went to a film awards ceremony last year and people were screaming my name. "I get treated like a princess in India, it is like a different world. "I can’t go out on my own without a driver. I recently treated myself to a Mercedes CLS and was looking forward to driving it. The roads are manic in Mumbai so I went out to the supermarket late at night. "But I had to pull over after a few minutes and get my driver to come and get me — it was too crazy. "It’s mad that I am so famous. I was once so terrified of acting that I used to pretend I was ill to get out of drama. I was so shy I couldn’t stand up in front of people and speak. Now I’m in the next big three Bollywood movies. "I’m signed up for work for the next two years and I am one of the youngest ever actresses out there. I feel like pinching myself," she said. Amy was only 16 when she was spotted by a modelling scout while at a horseriding show. "I'd had my braces by then, my teeth had been sorted. "I used to dress up in my older sister Alisia’s clothes and thought modelling would be fun," Jackson said. She went on to enter Miss Teen World, Miss Teen International and Miss England and signed with top agency Samantha Bond in London. Her mum Rita, a horseriding teacher, and dad Alan, a BBC radio producer, backed her when she quit college with exceptional GCSEs. "I did two weeks studying philosophy and ethics but I wasn’t enjoying it. My mother said I should perhaps take a year out then go back to education. "That was in September 2009 and I was the Miss Teen World so I started travelling to America doing promotional work for the title. "I loved it. I am 5ft 7in so too short for the catwalk, but I loved glamorous photoshoots. Modelling finally gave me confidence," she said. However, she hadn’t bargained on meeting Bollywood director A L Vijay, who was in the UK that year looking for new stars for his movies and searched the internet for British girls. Amy’s agency contacted her and said he wanted to meet for which she travelled from Walton, Liverpool, to London in December. "The director liked that I was white but had an Indian look. "He offered me the job. I told him I’d never acted but he said he would arrange workshops for me and help me with the scripts and the language. "I thought, ‘Why not?’. It was a three-month contract in India and I saw it as a mini adventure," she said. She signed up to play a British girl in Madrasapattinam, a period drama, and within days flew to Chennai. "I’d never been anywhere like it. There were cows wandering through the city. "I was homesick, I didn’t like the spicy food, I missed my friends and a good fry-up. But I fell in love with the film sets," she said. The film came out in July 2010 to critical acclaim and Amy was an instant star. Since then she has done three films. Her wages match those of a Hollywood star — and she has the lifestyle to go with it. She met Bollywood hunk Prateik, 25, on set and the couple now live together. "We are an A-list couple in India. People ask us for photographs and autographs all the time. We get recognised wherever we go. Actors in India are massive and treated like mini gods. "I’ve been on the cover of Vogue, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan magazines. I’m the face of Emporio Armani in India. But I don’t take it for granted — I work hard every day to make sure I get better and better. "I often work seven days a week, 12 hours a day. I have a daily dance lesson and a Hindi teacher. "I didn’t even go home for Christmas because I wanted to work. "The world of Bollywood is crazy. It is the biggest film industry in the world. I have my own personal assistant who sorts out my life. He brings me green tea on set and sorts my lunch, dinner and chocolate biscuits. "I have a cook called Sheila at home who makes me scrambled eggs in bed. I can’t cook a thing so when she is off at weekends I struggle. I bring Super Noodles and Pot Noodles back from the UK — I am going to take about 50 packets back this time. I can survive if I have them," she added. Source: Screen India

Read More........ → June 18, 2012

I simply want to "enjoy motherhood": Aishwarya Rai

By Gahoi Ad Online Media: Aishwarya Rai, who has been heavily criticized for not losing her baby weight in stellar time, Bachchan is not letting cruel weight jibes spoil her baby bliss. The 38-year-old actress couldn't help but gush about her six-month-old baby girl Aaradhya as she posed on the red-carpet at the Cannes premiere of Cosmopolis this evening. "Motherhood is wonderful. You ask the question and I beam!" said Aishwarya. "It's splendid... It's inexplicable. The joy, the bliss, is wonderful. A smile from my daughter and that's it! She's good. She's great," she told. The former Miss World, who is wedded to Abhishek Bachchan, the son of one of India's best-loved stars, gave birth to her daughter, in November last year. She found international fame in the Hollywood film 'Bride and Prejudice', and Julia Roberts billed her as the world's most beautiful woman. But an unfortunate recent photograph that captured her with a double chin sparked a flurry of cruel criticism, with some suggesting that she has a "duty" to her fans to get back her pre-pregnancy figure. One website posted a video of the star looking less than her usual svelte self, flicking between photographs of her pre-birth, and photos now. Called "Aishwarya Rai's shocking weight gain", the clip, which came accompanied by elephant sound effects, has been seen more than 500,000 times. Dozens more videos in a similar vein have been posted, each with viewing figures in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Comments left after the video prove that many of those watching have little sympathy for the star. However, she has commendably remained cool-headed about the criticism, and has been open about the fact that she is in no hurry to lose the few extra pounds she gained during her pregnancy. She has told that she simply wants to "enjoy motherhood".Source: GaramGossips

Read More........ → June 15, 2012

Lindsay Lohan Confirmed To Play Elizabeth Taylor In Lifetime TV Movie

Starpulse: Lindsay Lohan has been cast as screen legend Elizabeth Taylor in new movie "Liz and Dick", for the Lifetime television network, executives announced on Monday. The Mean Girls star had been rumored to be filling the role earlier this year, but now network executives have officially confirmed the news.The film will center on Taylor's much publicized relationship with Richard Burton. "We are thrilled Lindsay will portray beloved Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor," says Lifetime boss Rob Sharenow. "She is one of the rare actresses who possesses the talent, beauty and intrigue to capture the spirit of such a provocative icon." The troubled star also made a statement about the casting move; saying, "I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor. She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well. I am very honored to have been asked to play this role." Lindsay's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen co-star Megan Fox was also rumored for the role, but she shot those stories down in January via her Facebook page. "Contrary to recent media reports I am not, and have never been in discussions to star in the lifetime biopic 'Liz and Dick'," she wrote. Filming is set to begin in June. Resource: Starpulse

Read More........ → June 11, 2012

At the Music Hall: “She’s My Daisy,” Sir Harry Lauder

She is my Daisy, my bonnie Daisy, she's the sweetest sugar candy and she's very fond of Sandy, And I weary  For my dearie, I would rather lose my spurs than lose my Daisy. Scottish performer and songwriter, Sir Harry Lauder, popularized Scottish-themed songs as he trod the boards of U.K. music halls. Many of his songs concerned fair Scottish ladies and were rousing ballads about the joys of loving these plucky lasses. His song, “She’s My Daisy,” became instantly popular and was featured in many films. Here’s a clip of Greer Garson singing the song in her 1942 film, Random Harvest. Source: Stalking the Belle Époque 

Read More........ → June 06, 2012