ShowBiz

Blake Lively expecting fourth baby

Los Angeles, Sep 16 (IANS) Actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are all set to welcome their fourth baby.

On Thursday, the former "Gossip Girl" star, 35, showed off her baby bump on the red carpet at the 10th annual Forbes Power Women's Summit, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Starting to date Ryan Reynolds in 2011 before they married in 2012, Blake already has three daughters - James, seven, Inez, five and Betty, two - with the 'Deadpool' actor.

The pair revealed their youngest child's name with the help of Taylor Swift, who named her 'Folklore' album track after the toddler in 2020 and later detailed how they trust the 32-year-old singer songwriter "implicitly".

Reynolds, 45, said: "She's very sensitive to any of that stuff. And obviously, the song has nothing to do with our kids other than our kids' names. But I mean, what an honour. We thought it was pretty damn amazing. We still do. You know, I still walk down the street and shake my head thinking, 'I can't believe that happened.' "

The 'Deadpool' star recently shared about his decision to step away from acting for a bit to focus on fatherhood.

He said, "The biggest thing for me, and I know you have kids as well, is that I don't want to miss this time with my kids."

"When I'm shooting a film, I'm oftentimes in Europe, I'm away, there are incredibly long hours, it's a ton of constant, kind of requirement to be there the whole time, not just because I'm performing but I'm also generally producing and writing on my movies as well."

He added, "I really enjoy being a presenter dad. I love taking them to school in the morning, I love picking them up."

--IANS
dc/svn/

Amber Heard accused of blackmailing director James Wan to keep her role in ‘Aquaman 2’

Los Angeles, Sep 16 (IANS) Actress Amber Heard is hit with yet another accusation in the aftermath of the much-publicised defamation trial against Johnny Depp. She is now accused of blackmailing Hollywood men to nab parts, including 'Aquaman' director James Wan.

According to a source close to production producers, the rumours about Heard had been swirling even "before the divorce drama started, it's just a different tune now."

The source went on detailing, "Anybody who is anybody in Hollywood has heard of Amber's wild orgies and sadly that means Depp knew too. He knew and it was slowly killing him."

"He didn't want to confront Heard, he just ran away, went on benders to try and kill his emotions and thoughts with drugs and alcohol."

As "most big studios began distancing themselves from Amber Heard after the messy divorce simply because they didn't want to upset Johnny Depp by hiring her," the source wonders how Heard managed to secure her role in 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' following her loss in the defamation case, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"A lot of us were actually pretty shocked when we found out that Amber Heard had been cast as Mera in the 'Aquaman' movies - not because of the Johnny Depp situation but because she's not a great actress. I would hesitate to even call her b-list," the source further told Australian gossip site Pop Topic.

"Also, being one of the leads in the film and only banking approximately USD$2 million for the part, that just doesn't seem right," the source added, hence the allegations that she's blackmailed Wan.

"A lot of us are starting to wonder whether she slept with James Wan and that's how she secured this role, especially after seeing in an intimate setting with him and Elon Musk. We know what kind of wild things the two of them got up to."

"The studio has wanted her gone since before the trial. She's a terrible actress. They tried to execute a clause in a contract which would have gotten her fired, but James Wan fought to keep her in."

"So, the executives decided to just limit her role in the entire film by cutting her screen time to just 10 minutes," according to the source, who claimed that "again, James Wan fought to restore her scenes. Something about his artistic direction and what-not."

"I am almost positive she slept with him, but I'm even more certain that 'Aquaman 2' will be the last Hollywood movie you'll ever see Amber Heard in, Hollywood has blacklisted her," the source additionally noted.

Following the verdict in the defamation case, Heard denied rumours that her role could be completely cut from the 'Aquaman' sequel.

A spokesperson for the 36-year-old told Entertainment Tonight in June, "The rumor mill continues as it has from day one - inaccurate, insensitive, and slightly insane."

During the trial, Heard also said that she "fought really hard" to save her role in the upcoming movie, though her part was reduced significantly.

--IANS
dc/dpb

Madonna’s dating rule being compared to Leonardo DiCaprio’s

Los Angeles, Sep 16 (IANS) Singer Madonna's dating history has been compared to Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio's.

Social media users have found the similarity between Madge and Leo's "dating rule" as they found out that the Queen of Pop has only been dating men at least 28 years younger for nearly two decades, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Page Six reported on Wednesday, September 14 that the 64-year-old pop star has dated men a minimum of 28 years her junior since her 2008 divorce from Guy Ritchie, who is 10 years younger than her.

Her current beau, model Andrew Darnell, is 41 years behind her. At just 23, he falls right between her 25-year-old daughter Lourdes Leon and 21-year-old son Rocco Ritchie.

Prior to dating Darnell, Madonna was romantically linked to dancer Ahlamalik Williams, who is 36 years younger than her. In 2018, Madge also dated model Kevin Sampaio, who is 28 years younger.

According to a friend, Madonna indeed loves to date younger men. "She likes the idea of a guy being younger than her daughter. It announces her desirability to the world. Some people may see her as a vampire, feeding off of the young, but, in her mind, she is forever youthful and this helps to prove it," the "Like a Virgin" hitmaker's pal told the New York Post.

Upon learning of what appeared to be Madonna's dating rule, social media users turned to Twitter to pour their thoughts, with many comparing it to Dicaprio's.

"Since 1998, Leonardo Dicaprio only dates chicks at most 25 year old," one person tweeted. A second chimed in, "Did Leo learn it from her? I mean, he loves dating women who are under 25."

Someone else pointed out, "I guess that means Madonna likes her men slightly older than Leonardo DiCaprio like his women," while another simply replied to Page Six's tweet with a GIF of the 'Titanic' star laughing while holding a glass of what appeared to be champagne.

A separate user added, "If Leo can do it... So can she. In other words. If she doesn't bothered by it, why would anyone else do."

DiCaprio's rumoured dating rule made headlines lately following his recent split from Camila Morrone, who turned 25 years old on June 16, and his attempt to pursue Gigi Hadid, who is 27 years old. Even Kenan Thompson made a savage joke about Leo's alleged desire to date younger women at the 2022 Emmys.

During his opening monologue, Kenan hilariously mocked the actor's dating life while discussing Zendaya's age.

--IANS
dc/dpb

Gigi Hadid’s dad has positive reaction to her new romance with DiCaprio

Los Angeles, Sep 16 (IANS) Supermodel Gigi Hadid may have gotten a stamp of approval from her father to date Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

When giving his two cents on the supermodel's rumoured new romance, her father Mohamed Hadid said that he "likes" the 'Titanic' star, reports aceshowbiz.com.

In an interview with Daily Mail, 73-year-old Mohamed told the outlet, "I met Mr. DiCaprio in St. Tropez four or five years ago and he is a very nice man." He further noted, "I liked him."

Mohamed added that Gigi and Leonardo "are friends" and that they've "known each other for some time."

Of the swirling dating rumours, the famous real estate developer said: "I have not spoken to my daughter about Mr. DiCaprio."

"I don't think they are dating, I believe they are just good friends. But I really don't know," Mohamed said.

"While he could not confirm if there's any truth to the romance rumours, the ex-husband of Yolanda Hadid later pointed out, "I don't comment on my daughter's personal relationships. I have no say in who she is dating."

Gigi and Leonardo are reportedly dating as the 'Don't Look Up' star is allegedly "pursuing" the 27-year-old beauty following his recent split from Camila Morrone.

Further fueling the romance rumours, the two were spotted getting cozy at a party in New York City on September 10.

Last week, it's reported that while the mom of Khai is flattered by the actor's advances, she isn't looking to jump into anything serious right away.

"Leo's clearly got an interest in Gigi, he's been pursuing her, but she's playing it very cool because dating just isn't a priority for her right now, between her daughter and everything she has going on with work, she has her hands full," a source explained.

More recently, it's said that Gigi and Leo's possible romance is 'upsetting' for Gigi's ex Zayn Malik.

"Zayn still has hopes of reuniting with Gigi, they're on good terms right now for their daughter's sake but he's made it clear he would love another chance with her so all of this news about her and Leo has been upsetting for him," an insider told HollywoodLife.com on September 15.

"Gigi is doing her best to manage it all, but it's definitely stirring up drama on Zayn's side that she's having to deal with."

--IANS
dc/dpb

Neha Kakkar, Dhanashree Verma talk about bonding on ‘O Sajna’ sets

Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) Hit singer Neha Kakkar and YouTuber-choreographer Dhanashree Verma have come together for the track 'O Sajna' composed by Tanishk Bagchi.


Both Neha and Dhanashree said they shared a friendly bond on the sets. "In 'O Sajna' you see two women taking control and being empowered," Neha said. "Dhanashree and I got along like a house on fire and connected on a personal level. Fans will see that closeness and comfort in the music video as well."

The music video features Neha, Dhanashree and Priyank Sharma of 'Bigg Boss 11' fame. The song will be out soon on YouTube channel of T-Series.

Dhanashree also added that she found "soul sister" in Neha.

"I don't have a sister and while filming 'O Sajna' I felt like I found a soul sister in Neha Kakkar, who's an amazingly warm and fun person," Dhanashree said. "Her energy is so infectious that we bonded immediately and had a blast while filming the track," she added.

--IANS
ila/srb

Ramya Krishnan of ‘Bahubali’ fame to make OTT debut as ‘Dance Ikon’ judge

Hyderabad, Sep 14 (IANS) After making a splash with her performances on the big screen with movies such as 'Bahubali', Ramya Krishnan is set to make her OTT debut as judge on a popular dance show.

The makers of the show have announced the addition of Ramya, whom they describe as the 'Lady Superstar of South', to the jury of 'Dance Ikon', which is being streamed on aha Telugu.

Joining her on the panel is the 'King of the Hook Step' -- Sekhar Master, who debuted into digital space on the grand gala episode.

Taking the entertainment quotient a notch higher with his innate wit and charm will be Ohmkar, who has forayed into the OTT space as producer and host.

Commenting on her OTT debut, Ramya Krishnan said: "I am excited to make my debut as judge on aha with a show like 'Dance Ikon'. We have all been hooked on sports leagues for the sheer entertainment and competitive spirit of the format, but kudos to aha Telugu for coming up with a dance league that infuses the energy of sports into dance.

"My fans enjoy watching me playing diverse characters on regular days; now, they will be able to see me in a different avatar over the weekends too. Moreover, I'm going to approach this in a fun manner and look out for not just great dancers. but also great performers and dancing stars who can captivate the viewers."

Talking about the induction of Ramya, aha CEO Ajit Thakur said: "Ramya's appeal is enormous across all age groups, especially among young people who take inspiration from her career graph. Her understanding of dance is unparalleled, and her contribution to 'Dance Ikon' will enable us to raise the entertainment bar."

'Dance Ikon' streams on aha, Saturday and Sunday, at 9 p.m.

--IANS
pvn/srb

Actor Ashwin Kakumanu lauds ‘Oke Oka Jeevitham’ unit; calls film ‘heart-warming’

Chennai, Sep 14 (IANS) Actor Ashwin Kakumanu has showered praise on the recently released Telugu-Tamil bilingual film, 'Oke Oka Jeevitham', saying the film taps into nostalgia while also keeping the writing modern.

Taking to Twitter, the actor on Wednesday wrote, "#Kanam #OkeOkaJeevitham What a lovely heart-warming film. Loved how it taps into nostalgia while also keeping the writing modern.

"Amala Akkineni ma'am deservedly given a mass entry and is the soul of the film. Loved the performances by Sharwanand, Ritu Varma, Ramesh Thilak, Sathish, Nasser sir Yogjaypee and of course the child actors who did such a great job."

The actor did not stop there. He also lauded director Shree Karthick and his technical team apart from the producer as well.

He wrote, "Hats off to you director Shree Karthick, film editor Sreejith Sarang, Cinematographer Sujith Sarang and music director Jakes Bejoy and the production design. Loved the interval block. Congratulations S R Prabhu and Dream Warrior Pictures for another unique film and backing the filmmakers."

--IANS
mani/svn/

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar pens heartfelt birthday wish for her make-up man

Chennai, Sep 14 (IANS) Actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar has penned a heartfelt birthday wish for her makeup man Ramesh on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

Taking to Instagram, the actress posted a series of pictures and wrote, "What can I say about this man… just one word... He is my everything.

"Day or night, he's there for me, working hard to make me look good. These many characters and looks were only possible by this one man's vision of my characters. I don't even have to tell him what to do and he does it on his own.! He's family.!

"I don't know what I would have done without him. He's my right hand... a work father figure. He protects me. He cares for me and I love him for that.

"50 is just a number. Happy birthday Ramesh anna. I love you annaya. Thank you for always being there for me!"

On the work front, Varalaxmi will be seen in a series of Telugu and Tamil films including the Samantha-starrer 'Yashoda' and actor Balakrishna's 'NBK107'.

--IANS
mani/svn/

‘Saroj Ka Rishta’: An entertaining film with a social relevant message

Film: Saroj Ka Rishta (Releasing in theatres on September 16). Duration: 111 minutes.
Director: Abhishek Saxena. Cast: Sanah Kapur, Gaurav Pandey, Kumud Mishra, Randeep Rai, Mukesh Bhatt, Kritikka Avasthi and Bunty Chopra.
IANS Rating: ****

It is said and believed that cinema's main purpose is to entertain people. But the history of Hindi cinema tells us that cinema isn't just meant to entertain, but it is also a medium to make people think about their own issues, give out social messages and change rigid perceptions about society.

That is what 'Saroj Ka Rishta' succeeds in doing in a light-hearted way.

'Saroj Ka Rishta', directed by Abhishek Saxena, is a comedy film but it succeeds in making the viewer both smile and also question people's perception about 'overweight' girls. And that's the biggest strength and the beauty of the film.

'Saroj Ka Rishta' is a story of a girl named Saroj who lives in the city of Ghaziabad. On the surface, she is a common girl, like every other girl living in the city, but her being overweight is what gets noticed by people whenever she steps out of her house.

But Saroj is not bothered or bogged down by what people think about her appearance and how she looks. She believes in enjoying her life to the fullest. Even though she is considered 'overweight', she has no dearth of boys who lust after her or want her to marry them.

Effervescently played by Sanah Kapur, Saroj makes you laugh because of her demeanour and behaviour, and with her razor-sharp tongue she also makes you think about the kind of society we live in. That is where 'Saroj Ka Rishta' scores. The relationship shown between father and daughter in the film has been portrayed in a funny as well as emotional manner.

The father of Saroj, played by Kumud Mishra, is so much attached to his daughter that he wants her to marry a man who agrees to stay in their house post marriage so that the father is not separated from her. There are many scenes between father and daughter that will bring tears to your eyes. Kumud Mishra, who fits perfectly into the role of Saroj's father, enacts his part brilliantly and shows his range and caliber as an actor.

'Saroj Ka Rishta' excels in all departments. The lyrics, for starters, are meaningful; the music and background score give a different high to the movie. The thoughtfully written dialogues touch your heart.

The cinematography makes each and every frame look very rich and provides great context to the wholesome experience of watching the film.

Apart from Sanah Kapur and Kumud Mishra, Gaurav Pande and Randeep Rai also excel in their roles and leave an impact on the audience. Supriya Pathak, Sanah's real-life mother, has also played an important cameo in the film. Needless to say, she leaves a mark with just a few minutes of her appearance in the film.

Overall, it can be said that once you leave the theatre after watching an entertaining and socially relevant film, you'll have a big smile on your face and great satisfaction in your heart.

Presented by MiiCall, 'Saroj Ka Rishta' is a heartwarming film that releases this Friday in cinemas near you. Don't miss it at any cost!

--IANS
srb/

‘Giant of cinema who ripped up the rule book’: Tributes pour in for Jean-Luc Godard

Los Angeles, Sep 13 (IANS) Immediately after news of French New Wave icon Jean-Luc Godard's death broke on Tuesday (September 13), tributes started pouring in from world leaders, fellow filmmakers, artistes and cinephiles around the world, reports 'Variety'.

The first off the block was French President Emmanuel Macron, who described Godard as "the most iconoclastic of New Wave filmmakers, who had invented a resolutely modern, intensely free art. We are losing a national treasure, a look of genius."

Godard was also celebrated by Edgar Wright, the writer-director of 'Last Night in Soho', who wrote on social media that Godard was "one of the most influential, iconoclastic filmmakers of them all." Wright added that "perhaps no other director inspired as many people to just pick up a camera and start shooting".

Actor, comedian, director and writer Stephen Fry said he had watched Godard's debut film 'Breathless' for the "umpteenth time again" two weeks ago and found it as compelling as ever.

"It still leaps off the screen like few movies," Fry tweeted. "That scene between them in the hotel: how many other directors could have managed that in so small a space and made it so captivating?"

Oscar-winning Mexican director and author Guillermo Del Toro also paid homage to Godard on social media and kept retweeting tributes from others, one of them being from the French cinephile Philippe Rouyer, who wrote: "A last salute to #JeanLucGodard immense filmmaker who has not stopped rethinking his art since 'Breathless' (1960). 'Le Contempt' and 'Pierrot le fou' are masterpieces. But until his last strokes of brilliance, all his films question the making and the impact of images."

The British Film Institute (BFI) called Godard a "giant of cinema who ripped up the rule book." A statement issued by it read: "From 'Breathless' onwards, he tested the limits of the medium."

BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts said in a statement issued to 'Variety': "Jean-Luc Godard's death is a huge loss to cinema. The godfather of the French New Wave and one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers of the last century, his work has resonated with generations of film lovers around the world."

The Cannes Film Festival released a retrospective of his career highlights on Twitter. "Since his first appearance at the Festival in 'Cleo de 5 a 7' in 1962, 21 films by Jean-Luc Godard have been screened at Cannes," the festival shared.

Cameron Bailey, chief of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival, tweeted: "Jean-Luc Godard might have despised posthumous praise but here we are. His staggering body of work over seven decades showed him to be a rare, true genius in cinema. It was playful and punishing. It challenged every viewer, and rewarded the persistent."

He added: "Most of all, Godard was merciless in his pursuit of what (and how) images mean. For his every confrontation that expanded our art form, we will be forever in his debt."

The news of Godard's passing was first reported in the French newspaper 'Liberation' on Tuesday morning and later confirmed by the auteur's family in a statement which read: "There will not be any official ceremony. Jean-Luc Godard died peacefully in his home surrounded by his close ones. He will be incinerated."

--IANS
srb/uk