Rock legend David Bowie wanted his ashes scattered in Bali “in accordance with the Buddhist rituals”, according to his will, which also bequeathed most of his US$100 million (Dh367m) estate to his two children and his widow, Iman. Bowie left the SoHo home he shared with the 60-year-old model and half of the rest of his worth to her. He left 25 per cent of his fortune to filmmaker Duncan Jones, 44, his son from a previous marriage. His daughter Alexandra, 15, also received 25 per cent, as well as his home in upstate New York. Bowie also left $2m to his longtime personal assistant, Corinne Schwab, along with shares he owned in a company called Oppossum Inc, and $1m to Marion Skene, Alexandra’s nanny. Bowie had battled for 18 months before he died on January 10 at the age of 69. – AP
Golden Reel nominations for Resul Pookutty
Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, of Slumdog Millionaire fame, has received two nominations at the Motion Picture Sound Editors' 63rd annual Golden Reel Awards. One is for his work on Raj Amit Kumar's debut film Unfreedom, the other for Leslee Udwin's BBC documentary, India's Daughter, about Jyoti Pandey, the young student who died after she was raped on a bus in New Delhi in December 2012. Both films are banned in India. Pookutty, 44, shared his joy and excitement on Twitter: "Two nominations at #MPSE is a rare feat! I thank my crew and my fraternity for allowing me to grow and standing as the greatest support system." He dedicated his nominations to the memory of Pandey. The winners will be announced during a ceremony at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles on February 27. – Sonali Kokra
Gilmore Girls set to make a comeback on tv
Netflix says it is reviving the hit television series Gilmore Girls, which ran for seven years between 2000 and 2007 and won legions of fans with its exploits of a thirty-something mother and her teenage daughter. The show's main stars – Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore and Alexis Bledel, who played her daughter, Rory – will be back. Graham confirmed the revival and her return when she tweeted: "I can now confirm: it's time for me, and this jacket I stole in 2007, to return to work." No release date has been announced. – AFP
John Legend to produce Broadway show
Grammy-winning singer John Legend has signed on to help produce the off-Broadway show 3 Mics, written and performed by comedian Neal Brennan. It begins its run on February 23 at the Lynn Redgrave Theater in New York City. Brennan, the Emmy-nominated co-creator of TV series Chappelle's Show, will be directed by Drew Barr in the show, for which he will use three microphones to share his stories and wit. The show will be backed by Legend's production company, Get Lifted Film Co. Legend's foray into theatre comes amid a surge in singer-songwriters turning their attention to the stage, including Sara Bareilles, Thom Yorke, Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp and David Byrne. – AP
james Murdoch to return to sky
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch will return as chairman of British broadcaster Sky, in a move likely to fuel rumours of a takeover bid, four years after he quit amid a phone hacking scandal. In 2011, Rupert Murdoch abandoned a takeover bid for Sky, of which he owns 39 per cent, as controversy raged over the hacking of celebrities and crime victims by his tabloid newspaper, News of the World. James is already chief executive of 21st Century Fox, the jewel in his father’s crown. Shore Capital analyst Roddy Davidson said James Murdoch’s return to Sky would “rekindle speculation regarding 21st Century Fox’s plans for its 39 per cent stake”. Rupert Murdoch has always seen the aborted deal to take over Sky as “unfinished business”, sources said. – AFP
Apple is developing virtual reality
Apple has a team secretly working on virtual and augmented-reality gear in an attempt to challenge the Facebook-owned Oculus Rift and Microsoft HoloLens, the Financial Times reported. Apple has a trove of technology patents that could be used in VR gear and has been building headset prototypes for months. VR headsets immerse viewers in fictional worlds, while augmented-reality eyewear overlays digital data on the real world. Microsoft is expected to release its HoloLens augmented-reality visors this year. Apple has not commented on the VR reports, but chief executive Tim Cook voiced interest in the technology while answering a question during a quarterly earnings call last week. "I don't think it's a niche," he said. "I think it is really cool and has some interesting applications." – AFP
The Coalition brings together creative young minds
The Coalition, a festival to motivate young minds of creative communities in India, will return for its third edition from March 4 to 6. It will showcase a variety of ideas through sessions, workshops, panels and networking events. The festival began as a boot camp for freelancers, entrepreneurs, students and professionals who wanted to turn their ideas into a business. Vijay Nair, chief executive of Only Much Louder, says the festival goes beyond a platform showcasing creativity, but serves as a hub for inspiration. The festival has secured 30 curators and 200 speakers in design, publishing, journalism, hospitality, fashion, gaming, art and photography, music, comedy, social-media industries and more. It will be held in Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. – IANS
Subsidies needed for film industry: Suniel Shetty
Actor Suniel Shetty wants the government to provide subsidies for building theatres and for the film industry to be recognised in the same way other industries are recognised. In his response to questions about his expectations for the entertainment-industry budget, Shetty said: “If you are setting up a theatre, then ... you should get subsidies because eventually we are short of theatres. And even from the entertainment tax point of view, measures are needed. Our industry should be genuinely recognised as an industry where there should be insurance, provident fund, retirement plans. I hope the government keeps in mind that not only Bollywood but Indian cinema is a connect with the rest of the world. When you say India, people say Bollywood. I think because of this reason, it is important that it gets an industry status.” Entertainment tax and other factors determine ticket prices of films and the budget and revenues of films. The budget will be announced on February 29 by India’s finance minister, Arun Jaitley. – IANS
Shah Rukh Khan backs KidZania Delhi
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says the Delhi outlet of children’s theme park KidZania, in which he has a share, will open in May. KidZania Delhi, a 96,000 square foot stand-alone venue spread across three levels, will be the second KidZania outlet in India, after a venue in Mumbai that opened in 2013. Khan said: “My whole thought process as an actor, as an entertainer, as a producer has always been inclined towards providing something in terms of education and entertainment in a different way for the children of our country and this is a big step towards that. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.” Khan has a 26 per cent stake in KidZania Delhi. The theme park offers more than 90 role-playing activities based on replicas of real world industries and services. – IANS
