Also: The Simpsons may soon lose a character; Ranbir Kapoor: Kishore Kumar biopic delayed.

The Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt stands outside his home after being temporally freed for two weeks from an Indian prison. AP Photo
Powered by automated translation

The National staff with agencies

The Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was temporarily released on Tuesday from prison where he is serving time for illegal possession of weapons linked to the 1993 terror attack in the financial capital of Mumbai. The 54-year-old actor said he would spend his two weeks of leave, granted by prison authorities for good behaviour, at home with his family. "I am a law-abiding citizen," he told reporters after leaving Yerawada Central Jail in Pune, a city near Mumbai. "I will go back at the given time." Dutt was convicted for illegal possession of weapons linked to the 1993 terror attack, when 13 powerful bombs packed into cars and scooters exploded over a two-hour period across Mumbai. – AP

Justin Bieber has bodyguards carry him up the Great Wall of China

The Canadian teenage pop idol Justin Bieber was photographed being carried up the Great Wall of China by a pair of bodyguards earlier this week. The image, which shows fans excitedly snapping pics from behind, got a lot of comments on Twitter. "Justin, dude, u actually asked people to carry you? Someone's going a little diva I see," one tweet read. "I feel for Justin's bodyguards," another tweeted. Bieber and his entourage did eventually reach the top of one of the world's greatest wonders. "We made it up top!! #GreatWall," his longtime friend Alfredo Flores posted on his Instagram, with an image of Bieber and his crew posing at the top. – The National staff

The Simpsons may soon lose a character

Al Jean, the executive producer of The Simpsons, told reporters during a recent conference call that the writers are "working on a script where a character will pass away", according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We are doing this story for the same reason we do all others. We think it has a good emotional line," Jean said. "The story will be produced this year though it may air in season 26." Jean hinted that "the actor playing the character won an Emmy" for the role, stopping short of revealing which of the animated gang would not survive. Jean said the episode would happen sometime in mid- to late-2014. – The National staff

DIFF announces annual children’s painting contest

The 10th Dubai International Film Festival has announced its annual children's painting competition. Kids between the ages of 5 and 12 can send in paintings or drawings in any medium, including watercolours, crayons, acrylic and oil paints, under the theme "What's your favourite movie and what did you learn from it?" Twenty-four winners will receive family invitations (four members each) to DIFF's Cinema for Children red-carpet gala. The winning entries will be displayed during the festival and will also feature in a tabletop calendar. DIFF runs from December 6 to 14. Visit www.dubaifilmfest.com for more details. – The National staff