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Los Angeles, May 27 (IANS) 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling has joked that Harry Potter turned to crack cocaine following the stresses his schoolboy adventures put on his life.

The 57-year-old author became a self-made billionaire, thanks to the captivating world of witchcraft and wizardry she created through her Harry Potter series, reports Mirror.co.uk.

The novels followed the school life of Harry as he made his way through school while also discovering that he was prophecied to destroy the evil Lord Voldermort - the most dangerous wizard in magical history.

As per Mirror.co.uk, while the books conclude with Harry graduating from school and going on to get married, become a father and enjoy a successful career, author Jo has hinted his life may have taken a dark turn.

Earlier in the week, a Twitter user shared a photograph of an aged man posing for a mugshot after being arrested for drug offences.

A caption under the photo of the man revealed he is: "Harry Potter, 52, of Greenville" - and his arrest is listed as being due to: "Crack possession".

The Twitter user was alarmed by the photo and shared it online with a caption of their own, stating: "I have questions."

Coming across the image in question, Jo herself reacted to the image - quote tweeting it and jokingly responding: "Never said it was easy being the chosen one."


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Jaipur, May 27 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court has dismissed an application filed by jailed self-proclaimed godman, Asaram Bapu seeking a ban on the release of the Manoj Bajpayee starrer 'Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai' in theatres and (OTT) platforms.

Asaram, who is currently in jail, along with one Om Prakash Lakhani had earlier sought a stay on the release of the film produced and directed by Zee5 Studio.

The plea alleged that it was based on his life without his permission and portrays him in a negative light.

Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, while dismissing the stay application, observed,

"After watching the trailer of film in question, it has been revealed that nothing is related to the petitioner no.2 n the same. Therefore, petitioners have not been able to make out a prima facie so as to persuade this Court to pass any interim injunction order in regard to the movie in question," he said.

The Justice further said that relief cannot be granted now, as the film has already been released and since the petitioners did not file their case in a timely manner. Granting a stay would result in huge financial damage to the film's producers.

"The petitioners can seek compensation against damages and defamation, if there is any violation of the reputation and dignity of the petitioners, on the part of the respondents; however, this Court does not find that in the given factual matrix, any irreparable loss is being caused to the petitioners herein," the order stated.

During the hearing on Friday, counsel for the petitioner argued that reputation Asaram and his privacy rights have been violated by the film, as it reportedly portrays him as a villainous character named "Ravana" who committed heinous crimes.

On the other hand, counsel for the respondents pointed out that there is a clear disclaimer in the initial portion of the movie that it is a fictional work inspired by real life events.

--IANS
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Mumbai, May 27 (IANS) Actress Kajol, whose film 'Fanaa' recently completed 17 years, recalled her experience of shooting the film in blistering cold.

The actress shared that she and Aamir Khan shot for a song in minus 27 degrees Celsius in Poland, and she wore just a chiffon salwar kameez while her co-star bought himself a 'nice thick' jacket!

Taking to her Twitter, Kajol shared a long note as she wrote: "One of my oh so many 'comebacks' but Zooni will always remain special to me simply because I just had to be me without my glasses. #Nerds rock! And since you guys loved my memories, let me give you some more."

She went on: "Poland was -27 degrees centigrade on the first day of shoot and I was wearing a thin chiffon salwar kameez on a frozen lake with the wind chill factor aside, #AamirKhan on the other hand had bought himself a nice thick jacket from the local market just for the shoot. So his face did not have the natural pain that was there on my frozen face!!"

She went on to share a food for thought and appreciated all actresses who have to undergo such things just to look good on screen.

She wrote: "And the cherry on top of the whole scenario was that the whole song was scrapped and RESHOT when we got back to Mumbai!! Can we all just salute women and heroines all over the world who do these things and much worse just to look good."

'Fanaa', directed by Kunal Kohli, follows Zooni, a blind girl who falls in love with Rehan, a tourist guide during her trip to Delhi. However, their love story takes a dark turn when Rehan's true identity is revealed.


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Mumbai, May 27 (IANS) Fauja, a first-of-its-kind movie on the life of a jawan, shot in the hinterlands of Haryana, is all set to hit the theatres on June 1.

Starring Pavan Malhotra in a senior role, the movie revolves primarily around Karthik Dammu, an alumnus of the National School of Drama, who was previously seen in the Sayantan Mukherjee web series 'Ray'. Sources privy to the closed-door premiere show of 'Fauja' have unanimously talked about it stirring up an emotion that is hard to let go.

Karthik, who is still in his extended student life and soon to transition into the corporate work life, talks about movies being more of a passion rather than a profession.

"In today's fast-paced and competitive corporate world, finding a harmonious balance between one's professional life and personal passions can be a daunting task," says Karthik, who also is eagerly awaiting the release of his first movie as a lead hero.

"Many individuals struggle to strike a chord between meeting the demands of their careers and pursuing their personal interests. With careful planning, effective time management, and a strong sense of self-awareness, it is possible to create a fulfilling life that combines both corporate success and personal passion," Karthik adds.

Pavan Malhotra, who plays the father of Karthik in 'Fauja', is a well-known actor who works in Hindi films and television, apart from Punjabi and Telugu cinema. He has received several awards, including a Filmfare OTT Award and a Filmfare South Award.

Pavan has played lead roles in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's National Award-winning 'Bagh Bahadur' and Saeed Akhtar Mirza's 'Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro', both released in 1989.

He is famous for essaying the role of the cold-blooded mafia don Irfan Khan in the Telugu blockbuster 'Aithe' (2003) and in his acclaimed appearance as Tiger Memon in 'Black Friday' (2004). In 2005, Pavan acted in the Telugu movie 'Anukokunda Oka Roju' as a tantrik. He gained further acclaim in SonyLIV's web series 'Tabbar' (2021).

Jogi Mallang, who plays the role of a supervillain in 'Fauja', is an ace casting director who introduced the concept of casting directors in Bollywood and made his mark with ground-breaking realistic casting for several national as well as international projects.

Mallang is also an actor par excellence with a background in theatre for over three decades, and he has performed at all major Indian and international venues. He is a writer, poet and acting teacher helping hone the skills of budding talents in the most prestigious institutes.

The movie also boasts of riveting songs sung by Salman Ali, whom viewers of 'Indian Idol' will remember from the music reality show's 10th season. He was the first runner-up in the 2011 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs. In 2019, he made his debut as a playback singer with the song 'Jai He' from the film 'Satellite Shankar'. He also sang 'Awara' in 'Dabangg 3'. And he belted out the theme song for the television series 'Chandragupta Maurya', which airs on Sony TV.

The official teaser of 'Fauja' has been released by the Zee Music Company.

The uniqueness of the movie is in the fact that it focuses on the trials and tribulations of a soldier from Haryana, the state that has sent thousands of soldiers to the battlefield, many of whom have been martyred.

In the words of Karthik Dammu, the emotional journey of portraying a soldier's bravery and resilience was both challenging and rewarding. It allowed me to delve into profound depths of human strength and honour. This unique opportunity has forever left an indelible mark on my life.

--IANS
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Chennai, May 27 (IANS) Hombale Films, the production house behind blockbuster hits 'KGF Chapter 2' and 'Kantara', has successfully completed the shoot for their upcoming Tamil film 'Raghuthatha'.

This highly anticipated movie, directed by the award-winning writer of 'Family Man', Suman Kumar, promises to captivate audiences with its powerful storytelling and remarkable performances.

Starring the immensely talented National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh in the lead role, 'Raghuthatha' marks Hombale Films' first venture into Tamil cinema.

Keerthy Suresh, known for her exceptional acting skills and extensive body of work in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, has once again delivered a stellar performance, according to sources familiar with the production.

'Raghuthatha' is an empowering tale of a young woman's journey to save the identity of her people and land. In the words of Producer Viay Kiragandur, "'Raghuthatha' is the story of a courageous woman who fearlessly fights for the rights of women and more. It portrays the challenges faced by a young woman and her unwavering determination to carve her own path. We believe this film will inspire audiences to question societal norms and empower themselves, initiating positive change."

Having completed the shooting for 'Raghuthatha', Hombale Films has embarked on the post-production phase, bringing together the creative efforts of a talented crew.

The film boasts of a ensemble cast, including the veteran actor M.S. Bhaskar, Devadarshini, Ravindra Vijay, Anandsami and Rajesh Balakrishnan, all of whom have delivered impactful performances in their respective roles. The music is by Sean Roldan, known for his work in 'Jai Bhim'.

'Raghuthatha' is set for release in the third quarter of this year, after two other films from Hombale, namely, 'Dhoomam' with Fahadh Fasil, which is due to release in June, and the Prabhas-starrer 'Salaar' in September.

--IANS
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Mumbai, May 26 (IANS) Actor Abhilash Thapliyal, who recently attended the Cannes Film Festival as a cast member of Anurag Kashyap's 'Kennedy', proudly carried a piece of his home state Uttarakhand to the French Riviera.

Along with his designer wear, Abhilash wrapped an Aipan motif stole. The motif has Magpies that are believed to be birds of joy. He finished the look with a sword brooch that depicts the valour, designed by Sarab Khanijo and Styled by Amandeep Kaur.

Talking about the same, Abhilash said: "I am a proud pahadi. It is a huge day in my life and I had to carry a slice of home with me. What can bring me closer to home than this Aipan motif? It is a sign of celebration for me. I am wearing an Aipan motif stole, made by Minakriti: The Aipan Project from Uttarakhand, which hires local women to create this local art form. It is a big day and I wanted to carry a culture on the red carpet."

'Kennedy', which marks Kashyap's return to the neo-noir genre, also stars Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhat. 'Kennedy' is amongst the only two films from India this year to be the official selections at Cannes.


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Mumbai, May 23 (IANS) The trailer of the Australian feature documentary 'Brand Bollywood - down under' was unveiled on Tuesday.

The trailer, which was launched at the Cannes Market, days after a popular session on Australia-India co-production at the India Pavillion, gives a glimpse of the extraordinary journey of Hindi cinema and its remarkable role in shaping India's perception in Australia.

Describing the documentary and the need for it, director Anupam Sharma said, "Bollywood is India's tremendous soft power and is India's ambassador to the world, just like Ayurveda, Yoga, spirituality, cricket, Indian Doctors and IT industry. I have personally seen the role the Indian film industry has played in creating new horizons for Indians and India in Australia and deeply felt that this was a story that needed to be told and documented not just for Indians but for the world."

The documentary takes a deep dive into the evolving role played by Bollywood in India's perception internationally and bringing the international world to India.

Utilising behind-the-scenes and making-off clips of major Bollywood films shot in Australia since 'Dil Chahta Hai' and featuring some of the most picturesque locations in Australia, the documentary features some of the prominent Indian film industry bigwigs, as well as the Australian government, trade, and tourism representatives, to analyse the Bollywood journey in Australia.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who has featured in the documentary, said, "It is a delight to be part of Anupam's international documentary on Popular Hindi Cinema targeted at Indian audiences celebrating our cinema and Western audiences who are still learning about our film culture. Over the years, I have come to share a wonderful association with Australia. So seeing an Australian feature film with government support on India's popular cinema is heartening, particularly as Australia and India finalise a film co-production treaty. I look forward to acting in more Australian Indian films as the experience in Hotel Mumbai was gratifying."

Producer-actor Feroz Khan was the first Indian to script Australia in a film and shoot in Australia. In the documentary, his son Fardeen has spoken at length about the experience of shooting an Indian film in Australia.

Talking about the documentary, Fardeen Khan said, "In context to my film career Australia will always hold a special place as a major portion of my first film was shot there. My producer, director, and father, Feroz Khan, instantly loved the country's beauty and was inspired to capture it on celluloid. Being part of this project was a pleasure, and I recall many first-time memories. Anupam, sending you my best wishes for the project and looking forward to seeing it."

Produced by Anupam Sharma's Films & Casting TEMPLE, the documentary will soon release globally.

--IANS
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Mumbai, May 23 (IANS) Bollywood's 'Khiladi' Akshay Kumar has paid a visit to Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand.

A video of the actor is doing the rounds on social media, where he is seen coming out of the temple after offering prayers and then greeting fans outside with folded hands.

The actor too took to Instagram, where he shared a video of the temple and captioned it: "Jai baba Bholenath".

In the viral clip, Akshay is accompanied with a lot of security. He is seen wearing an all black outfit for his visit to the temple.

On the acting front, Akshay will next be seen in 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan'. The film, which also stars Tiger Shroff', has been shot in various locations across Scotland, London, India and UAE.

He also has 'OMG: Oh My God 2', Hindi remake of 'Soorarai Pottru' and in the next installment of the 'Hera Pheri' franchise.

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Mumbai, May 23 (IANS) 'Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse' director Kemp Powers has discussed as to what makes Indian Spider-Man, Pavitr Prabhakar different from other Spider-People.

The film will introduce the first Indian Spider-Man, Pavitr Prabhakar, and to add to it, the voice for him in Hindi and English is being given by Indian Cricketer, Shubman Gill.

The original Indian version of Spider-Man was first introduced by Sharad Devarajan, Suresh Seetharaman, and Jeevan J. Kang in the Spider-Man: India comic book from January 2005. Now, 'Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse' will mark his first appearance on the big screen.

Director Kemp Powers explains how Pavitr Prabhakar is different from other Spider-People in the multiverse: "Pavitr's powers came through magic, so he is quite different from a lot of other Spider People who were bitten by radioactive spiders. He actually gained his powers from a mystical shaman.

"Like many other Spider People, he has had to suffer a loss, and in his case, it was his uncle. Yet he's probably one of the most optimistic characters in the movie. He's definitely a glass half-full kind of guy. He's Miles' contemporary, and his happy, positive disposition can probably even rub Miles the wrong way."

Sony Pictures Entertainment India releases 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Bengali on June 1, only in cinemas.

--IANS
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Mumbai, May 23 (IANS) The upcoming film 'Neeyat', which stars Vidya Balan as the protagonist, had its sound work done at the famous Abbey Road Studios which has been a home to the likes of Beatles, Pink Floyd, Amy Winehouse and more recently Ed Sheeran, Adele and Lady Gaga.

The film is a suspense-thriller and revolves around the story of an unlikely detective (Vidya Balan) investigating inexplicable killings at a billionaire's party where nothing is as it seems and all suspects have a secret or two.

The film features an ensemble cast including Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Prajakta Koli, Neeraj Kabi, Amrita Puri, Shahana Goswami, Niki Walia, Dipannita Sharma, Shashank Arora, Danesh Razvi, Ishika Mehra and Madhav Deval in pivotal roles.

Talking about the Abbey Road Studios, it is one of the world's premier destinations for film scoring with illustrious movies like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Hobbit' trilogies, movies from the 'Harry Potter' series, 'Black Panther', '1917', 'Avengers: Endgame' including the Oscar winning scores of 'Gravity' and 'The Shape of Water'.

'Neeyat', produced by Prime Video and the Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment and directed by Anu Menon, will hit the theatres across the world on July 7.

--IANS
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