ShowBiz

Chennai, Sep 18 (IANS) If rumours doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, Naseeruddin Shah is to play the lead in the Hindi remake of director Ratheesh Raghunandan's Malayalam film "Udal".

The film, which was quite well received in Malayalam, is to be remade in Hindi by Malayalam production house Sree Gokulam movies.

In May, producer Gokulam Gopalan had announced the remake of "Udal" in Hindi. Sources say that the writer and director of "Udal", Ratheesh Raghunandan, will direct the Hindi version as well.

Santhosh Thundiyil will be the cinematographer of the Hindi version while the Malayalam version was shot by Manoj Pillai.

The story of "Udal" (Body), which featured Dhyan Sreenivasan, Durga Krishna and Indrans in the lead, happens in one night and revolves around a daughter-in-law, who has been taking care of her ailing mother-in-law.

--IANS
mani/vd

Los Angeles, Sep 18 (IANS) Woody Allen has announced his retirement from filmmaking. in Europe to work on his 50th film, the maestro told Spanish newspaper 'La Vanguardia' that he intended to retire from making movies and to dedicate more time to writing during his twilight years, reports 'Variety'.

His final film is set in Paris and will be shot entirely in French in a couple of weeks. Allen described the film to be similar to 'Match Point'. It would be "exciting, dramatic and also very sinister."

Allen recently wrote his fifth collection of humour pieces, 'Zero Gravity', which will be published on September 27 by Alianza in Spain. In the US, it was published by Arcade and distributed by Simon & Schuster, notes 'Variety'.

Allen has been shooting more often in Europe as his support in the US has plunged given the abuse accusations against him. In 2020, he opened the San Sebastian Film Festival with 'Rifkin's Festival', shot in and around the tony city of San Sebastian. His relationship with the Basque provincial capital's festival goes back to 2004 when he premiered 'Melinda & Melinda' and in 2008 with the premiere of 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

Starring Elena Anaya, Louis Garrel and Gina Gershon, 'Rifkin's Festival' takes place during the fest, the most important in the Spanish-speaking world.

Curiously, adds 'Variety', Allen announced at the press conference marking the start of production on the film that he "never thought of retiring".

'Rifkin's Festival' was backed by Spanish media giant Mediapro, which also supported two of Allen's more successful films: 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', which garnered Penelope Cruz her first Oscar, and 'Midnight in Paris'.

Amazon Studios shelved Allen's previous film 'A Rainy Day in New York' after accusing him of "sabotaging" the future of the film by his comments on the abuse accusations of his daughter Dylan Farrow. He sued them for $68 million, alleging a breach of contract. The dispute was later settled out of court.

Allen has had trouble with publishing houses as well. Hachette canceled the publication of his memoir 'Apropos of Nothing' after staff protests, but it was picked up by another publisher, Arcade.

--IANS
srb/

Chamoli, Sep 18 (IANS) India's mountainous state in the north is famously called 'Dev Bhoomi' Uttarakhand. The culture of Uttarakhand keeps alive this land and its Himalayan terrain. Its Pandav Leela is as famous as the Leela of Lord Shri Krishna.

Based on devotional spirit, the culture here holds a special place mythologically and historically as it is believed that all the sons of Manu who recognise the difference between dharma and adharma vow to keep the culture alive.

The culture here has a sense of harmony, devotion and faith in God. The conflict between dharma and adharma, as depicted in the Mahabharata, is also a special part of the culture here. This is known as Pandav Nritya or Pandav Leela.

Pandav Leela is the part of Uttarakhand's culture that reflects its age-old history. The culture has been keeping this history alive for centuries.

The Pandava dance is the traditional folk dance of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Legend has it that Pandavas came here in search of Shiva at the time of their ascension to heaven.

It is also believed that after the war of Mahabharata, Pandavas handed over their weapons to the people of Uttarakhand before leaving for Heaven. In many villages here, their weapons are worshipped.

The events of Chakravyuh and Kamal Vyuh of Mahabharata, composed in Garhwali language by Acharya Krishnanand Nautiyal, are performed.

This exciting event is organised in the nearby villages of Kedarnath-Badrinath Dhams of Rudraprayag-Chamoli districts.

The history of Pandavas in Garhwal is also found in the Kedarkhand section of Skanda Purana. Pandav Leela is a prominent part of the culture here, and keeping up this mythological and religious culture, the villagers organise this event in a grand manner.

This war between Pandavas and Kauravas take us to the Dwapara Yuga.

Village Khainoli of Narayan Bagad area of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, celebrates Pandav Leela with great fervour.

On the first day, Pandavas carry Lord Krishna with them and wield their weapons. Besides, the deities here take orders from Bhumialo and Panch Pradhans for the preparations for the war. The story of Mahabharat is played out till its conclusion on the tenth day.

On the second day, the body of Paaya Pati (a deity tree) of Lord Shri Krishna is shown.

On the third day, the forest-dwelling Pandavas in Dharamshila and mighty Bheem in the honey bee episode are depicted.

On the fourth day, the mighty Kigach is killed by the Pandavas.

On the fifth day, the Pandavas get the news of death of Bheem. They call all brahmins and sages to Bheem's funeral, in which Bheem takes the form of a sage and joins the Pandavas in this task. Mother Kunti feeds the saints and recognises Bheem from his style of eating. The true form of Bheem is thus revealed.

On the sixth day, a rhinoceros is slaughtered by Arjuna. This rhinoceros belonged to Arjuna's son Nagarjuna. When Nagarjuna came to know about this, he unknowingly shot his own father with his arrows. But with the blessings of the gods and goddesses, Arjuna was saved from death.

On the seventh day, Pandavas perform the funeral of their father Pandu at the Ganges. This period is also known as Shradh Paksha in the entire Hindu religion, when Pind Daan is offered to ancestors.

On the eighth day, the historical war of Mahabharat begins between the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the vast merciless lands of Kurukshetra. The great warriors of the Kaurava army are killed by the Pandavas, who emerge victorious in this war.

On the ninth day, there is joy in killing the ungodly Kauravas by the Pandavas; and the same Pandavas incur the sin of killing humans and gurus. All the Pandavas go to Shri Bhagwan Kedar Dham to wash away their sins for killing them. Together they give up their weapons forever and devote themselves to ther worship of Lord Kedar Nath.

On the tenth day, after the victory, by the order of Lord Shri Krishna, they left for Shri Badrinath Dham, from where they would ascend to heaven, and the Pandavas would attain salvation in different places.

This day is also known as Santi (concluding) of Pandava Leela. Huge religious sacrifices are performed on this day. Food and donations are given to Brahmins. Besides, the Prasad of the Pandavas is also distributed to everyone.

The distinction between dharma and adharma helps us identify truth from falsehood and distinguish the path of sin from virtue. Thus, by means of this cultural practice of Uttarakhand, a significant part of out culture remains alive and thriving.

--IANS
smita/kvd

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Kavita Chawla, a homemaker from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, became the first 'crorepati' in the quiz-based reality show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 14' hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.

The 45-year-old talked about how she was able complete her education, despite her father not being prepared to educate her after Class X. She was able to clear Class XII before marriage only because her teacher intervened and reasoned with her father.

Talking about how she prepared for the show, Chawla said: "I used to teach my son Vivek at home and have taught him from KG to Class VIII. I used to prepare for the show along with it because I have always dreamt about going to 'KBC' since the time it began.

She continued: "When I used to teach him, I used to study as well and I knew that the knowledge would help me in the future. Whenever I used to get some time off from my household chores I would study to remain updated about current affairs and brush up my general knowledge."

Kavita added that preparing for the show was not easy. "For a housewife, studies do feel like multitasking and on top of it I had a child and my in-laws to take care of," Chawla said, adding: "Shouldering those responsibilities and also studying had me understand time management. I did not want to waste time by going out, for instance."

It took her 21 years and 10 months to finally reach the hotseat and fulfil her dream. On many occasions, in fact, her son would prank her, claiming a call had come from the makers of the reality show.

"The journey from registrations to the hotseat is not that easy and is tediously long," Chawla said. "Sometimes, when I would register, I would not get the call. Then when I did get the call, I did not get the call for the procedures that follow. If I got the call for an audition, I did not get the call for the interview. I took time to reach the hotseat because I was moving ahead step by step and it took really long to reach here," she exclaimed.

Talking about meeting Amitabh Bachchan, Chawla said: "It was surreal. I was mesmerised by sir. The most beautiful part of meeting him was the conversations that we had and the most glorious part of meeting him was the time he announced my name for the hotseat and when I won Rs 1 crore."

Chawla plans to invest the money she has won "in my son's future because I want him to study further. I want my son to study and grow and make the country proud." As for her, she said: "I want to travel across India and experience its beauty."

Kavita Chawla will be seen on the hotseat on September 19 and 20 on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 14', Sony Entertainment Television.

--IANS
ila/srb

Los Angeles, Sep 17 (IANS) Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has opened up about the responsibilities of being a multi-tasking mother during the second annual 'A Day of Unreasonable Conversation' in Los Angeles.

The 41-year old was part of a panel called 'How To Get S**t Done In A Divided America" alongside film producer Scott Budnick discussing their efforts towards criminal justice reform, reports mirror.co.uk.

Kim, who shares North, nine, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three, with ex-husband Kanye West, was praised by Budnick for her ability to join virtual work meetings at any given moment - even when carrying out parenting duties.

He said: "This woman right here, it's like we find out the governor loves the Oklahoma Sooners football team."

"She's on every Zoom. 'Hey, Kim, the evangelical pastor in Oklahoma is interested in learning about the case.' Okay, we're on a Zoom that night, with all of her kids running around the Zoom."

"So embarrassing," Kim quipped in response.

Budnick then poked fun at Kim over her inability to stop the kids from interrupting her calls.

"No matter how many doors she locks, she cannot keep the kids out of the room," he joked.

Kim agreed, adding: "They figure out a way in."

In December last year Kim gave her eldest child a ticking off when she realised that she had been live-streaming a grand tour of their family home on TikTok without permission.

Fans were quick to tune in when North and a gaggle of friends started live streaming from within the Hidden Hills mansion that Kim and her children live in.

North could be heard excitedly showing fans and followers around a candy-floss pink coloured room and holding up a "gingerbread thing" to the camera.

One of North's friends attempted to shut down the video footage, declaring: "Not allowed to be live" while also throwing North under the bus to repeatedly shout in a panicked voice: "North is live. North is live. North your live. No, not fair, TikTok live."

Meanwhile, despite a party getting under way, Kim seemed to be taking some time out to relax as North turned the camera into one room showing the reality star laying in bed playing with her phone.

North excitably announced: "Mom, I'm live." But a furious Kim snaps at her daughter: "No stop, you know you're not allowed too."

With the fun ending abruptly, North said: "Okay bye."

--IANS
dc/kvd

Chennai, Sep 17 (IANS) Well-known Malayalam actor Neeraj Madhav, whose performance in the just released Tamil film, 'Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu', has come in for much praise, is on cloud nine that he has also written and sung for A. R. Rahman in the film.

Taking to Instagram, the actor posted a picture of himself with director Gautham Vasudev Menon and music director A. R. Rahman.

He wrote: "Yes, I wrote and sang for A. R. Rahman! Manifest and dreams do come true!

"I was trying so hard to keep this to myself, those who watched 'Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu would already know, but now I can tell the world!"

"During my speech at the 'Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu' audio launch, I happened to sing a verse dedicated to A. R. Rahman in front of him. The next thing I know, I'm sitting with the legend himself in his studio and making this track!"

"True fanboy moment ! 'Venthu Thaninthath Kaadu' in theatres now. My Tamil debut as an actor and a rapper! #bucketlist #ARR #VTK"

--IANS
mani/kvd

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Actress Shefali Shah, who can rightly be tagged as the reigning queen of the digital space with her work in the OTT space such as 'Delhi Crime', 'Jalsa' and 'Human' among many others, aces in culinary arts as well.

Asked if the art of cooking helps her unwind, Shefali in a conversation with IANS said: "I enjoy it because it is not forced on me and I don't have to do it everyday. So I do it in my time, my leisure listening to music, and having a glass of wine. Doing my own thing. I enjoy doing it. I haven't done it for some time. In lockdown I was doing it everyday."

"The fact that I like cooking and I know my way around in the kitchen.It helped me in 'Jalsa' and 'Juice' because cooking was an integral part of all these characters, including 'Darlings'."

Shefali has been ruling the OTT space with her work, does that add an extra pressure for her?

"It is overwhelming. Humbling. With so much love and it feels good that all the hard work that I have put in becoming all these characters have reached across all the audiences. It's acknowledged and appreciated..."

"I am always pressurised when I go on set. I don't know what I will do or how I will do this. It's just a part of who I am," said the actress, whose performance as the strong-headed police officer Vartika Chaturvedi in the Netflix series has been widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike.

--IANS
dc/kvd

Chennai, Sep 17 (IANS) Rashmika Mandanna, who was running between the shoot of 'Varisu' and the promotions of 'GoodBye', has been enjoying the delicious food the national capital has to offer.

Recently, Rashmika travelled to Delhi for the promotions of 'GoodBye'. The actress had a great time in the city and shared a picture on her social media with a lot of food on her table. She added a note with the image that said: "When in Dilli..let's hog on-dal makhani, butter chicken, paneer bhurji, seekh kabab, makai di rotti, dahi kabab...Okay I ordered a lot."

As she got ready to depart from Delhi, Rashmika wrote: "Thank you Delhi you were too sweet! Next time, let's go for a momo date."

On the work front, the actress has an interesting line-up with films like 'Pushpa 2', 'Animal', 'Goodbye' under her kitty along with 'Mission Majnu' opposite Sidharth Malhotra, and 'Varisu' with Vijay.

--IANS
mani/kvd

Los Angeles, Sep 17 (IANS) Actress Demi Moore will be seen starring alongside Tom Holland in the second season of 'Feud'.

The second season of the Ryan Murphy anthology will tell the true story of how Truman Capote was friends with numerous members of New York high society until he published excerpts of his unfinished novel "Answered Prayers," with the excerpts serving as a tell-all about the city's elite, reports Variety.

According to sources, Moore would star as socialite Ann Woodward, a former showgirl and radio actress who was infamously accused of murdering her husband in 1955.

Moore joins previously announced cast members Tom Hollander, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, Naomi Watts and Chloe Sevigny, with Hollander set to play Capote.

This is the latest TV role Moore has taken on in recent years.

She has previously been on shows like 'Brave New World' at Peacock, 'Empire' at Fox, and lent her voice to 'Animals'.

She also appeared on the soap opera 'General Hospital' early in her career.

She is primarily known for her roles in films such as G.I. Jane, Striptease, Indecent Proposal, Ghost, and A Few Good Men.

Gus Van Sant is onboard to direct the entire eight-episode season of 'Feud'.

It was originally reported that the new season of 'Feud' was meant to focus on Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, though that concept was eventually abandoned. The first season of 'Feud' aired back in 2017 and starred Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon.

That season focused on the relationship between Joan Crawford (Lange) and Bette Davis (Sarandon) during the making of the 1962 film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"

--IANS
dc/kvd

Chennai, Sep 17 (IANS) The makers of director Praveen Sattaru's action thriller 'The Ghost', featuring Telugu superstar Akkineni Nagarjuna in the lead, have now released the first single from the film, titled 'Vegam'.

The romantic number, featuring Nagarjuna and Sonal Chauhan, has high retention value, thanks to its mellifluous music.

The chemistry between the two actors in the song is sparkling. The duo of Bharath and Saurab has scored this soothing melody with a romantic feel.

Singers Kapil Kapilan and Ramya Behara seem to have breathed life into the number with their vocals. Krishna Madineni impresses with his conversational style lyrics.

Suniel Narang, in association with Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, and Sharrath Marar is producing 'The Ghost' on a lavish scale under the banners of Sree Venkateshwara Cinemas LLP and Northstar Entertainment.

Mukesh G and Brahma Kadali are the cinematographer and art director, respectively, while Dinesh Subbarayan and Kaecha have choreographed the stunts.

The movie, which also features Gul Panag and Anikha Surendran, will hit the screens on October 5.

--IANS
mani/ksk/