Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has joined the cast and crew of Dishoom in Abu Dhabi to shoot his cameo role in the movie. The upcoming action-adventure film, directed by Rohit Dhawan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, stars actor John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez and Varun Dhawan, who have been filming in the capital since mid January. It won't be the first time Abraham and Kumar have shared screen-time – they teamed up for hits including Housefull 2, Garam Masala and Desi Boyz. Kumar, who has been spotted riding a bike in Abu Dhabi, is no stranger to the emirates, having filmed Baby in the capital two years ago and Airlift in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah in 2015. "It's always nice shooting in the UAE," he told The National last month. "Plus, you just can't shoot like this in Mumbai. They won't close a part of the street for you – they'd rather close down the shoot." – The National staff
Sagar Sarhadi to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran scriptwriter Sagar Sarhadi will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the second edition of the International Film Festival of Prayag this month. The 82-year-old will be honoured for his contribution to Hindi cinema at the event, which will be held from February 26 to 28. Born in Abbottabad, Pakistan, Sarhadi is well known for his work in Bollywood films including Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Chandni and Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai. The film Bazaar, which he directed and starred Smita Patil, Farooq Sheikh and Naseeruddin Shah, was particularly well received and drew critical acclaim. "We are very charged-up with the second edition of the film festival after the response we had received." said Hasan Haider, founder-director, of IFFP and owner of Z and Z Media. "We can confidently say that this year it will be better, bigger and grander." Veteran actor Om Puri was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award last year. – IANS
Ranveer Singh shoots upcoming movie in Paris
Actor Ranveer Singh has travelled to Paris to film his upcoming movie Befikre, the brainchild of filmmaker Aditya Chopra. The 30-year-old star took to Twitter to share his excitement about his project in the French capital. "Paris bound... !#Befikre," he wrote. Actress Vaani Kapoor, who made her acting debut in 2013 with the film Shuddh Desi Romance, will star alongside the Bajirao Mastani actor. Singh's career owes much to Aditya Chopra, as it was his family's production company, Yash Raj Films that launched him in 2010 in the film Band Baaja Baarat. Befikre is set to be released on December 9. – IANS
Farhan Akhtar announces his band’s first US tour
Indian actor, film director and musician Farhan Akhtar has announced the first tour dates for his band, Farhan Live. The six-day US tour will start on May 20 in Dallas, Texas and conclude on May 29 in Washington D.C. The Wazir star, who will next be seen on screen in the upcoming film Rock On 2, took to social media to share news of the tour with fans. "Pleased to announce our first-ever US tour. Dates and cities listed below. Details to follow...shine on," he tweeted. The 42-year-old also shared a tour poster on his band's Facebook page. – IANS
Actor Adam Baldwin quits Twitter
Hollywood actor, and controversial Twitter figure, Adam Baldwin has announced he is leaving the social-media platform in a protest against censorship. The actor, who is no relation to the Baldwin brothers and is best known for his roles in the Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket and Josh Whedon's cult sci-fi TV show Firefly, said, "I've had enough. Twitter is dead to me ... I'm going to find greener pastures elsewhere and I'm not coming back." The latest tweets from his @AdamBaldwin feed included: "In short, I will no longer voluntarily participate in a social media platform that fancies itself some sort of global online Oberlin campus" and "Any honest reporter who wants to ask honest questions about this, you can find me. As for Twitter 'Bye bye birdie'." On February 23, Baldwin's Twitter page contained just one tweet from the previous day: "Hi @Twitter: Fire @jack and disband the 'Trust and Safety' Council. Here's why," he said, in an apparent reference to Twitter's chief executive, Jack Dorsey. He linked to an article published in the online magazine The Federalist about Twitter suspending the account of Robert Stacy McCain, a conservative blogger and critic of feminism. In February, Twitter said it was creating a Trust and Safety Council to ensure people felt secure expressing themselves. Critics have suggested the council is a vehicle for censorship, and some have protested McCain's account suspension. – Reuters
Ahead of Oscars, fashion labels crave Hollywood spotlight
Celebrities might be crowding to the front rows of this week’s London Fashion Week shows, but some designers are swapping the runway for Hollywood’s awards-season red carpets. Ahead of the Oscars on February 28, the most-watched entertainment event around the world, Hollywood has been the setting for numerous fashion events. British designer Stella McCartney threw a party showcasing her latest collection at famed music store Amoeba, while Saint Laurent Paris took over The Palladium music venue for its menswear show, Gucci announced a celebrity ambassador and Kenzo debuted a new short film. “It just feels like a moment when music, film, fashion, the arts, it’s all just come together for LA,” designer Stella McCartney said at her presentation, which was attended by stars including Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow. Celebrities and fashion have long had a symbiotic relationship, from Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy to Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Dior. But Los Angeles traditionally is not regarded as a trendsetting city, as the year-round sunny weather doesn’t allow seasonal clothing changes as much as seen in fashion capitals New York, Milan, Paris and London. – Reuters
