As Bollywood action film Dishoom gears up for release, interesting details about the film's production are being shared by lead stars Varun Dhawan and John Abraham. As well as shooting in various Abu Dhabi locations earlier this year, Dhawan revealed that a 12-minute helicopter chase sequence shot in Morocco cost the film's makers a steep 30 million rupees (Dh1.64m), making it the most expensive action sequence ever shot in Bollywood, Dhawan said. Meanwhile, co-star Abraham admitted that he, an inveterate non-smoker, lit up over 600 times as part of his portrayal of the part of chain-smoking cop Kabir. Yesterday, a new song featuring Abraham and Dhawan was released by the producers. The track, titled Toh Dishoom and composed by Pritam, features the two stars rapping in tuxedos. – Sonali Kokra
Eat, Pray, Love author parts ways with husband
It was the romance that provided the happiest of endings to an iconic memoir that became an international bestseller, and spawned a Hollywood movie starring Julia Roberts. But Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert announced on Friday that she was parting from her husband, José Nunes, with whom she fell in love at the end of a journey of self-discovery more than a decade ago. "I am separating from the man whom many of you know as 'Felipe' – the man whom I fell in love with at the end of the Eat Pray Love journey," she wrote on her Facebook page. "He has been my dear companion for over 12 years, and they have been wonderful years. Our split is very amicable. Our reasons are very personal." The couple married in 2007 and lived in Frenchtown, New Jersey, about 100km west of New York, where they ran a shop. Eat Pray Love tells how Gilbert spent four months in Italy savouring food, four months exploring spirituality in India and then travelled to Bali, where she fell in love, following a messy divorce. Published in 2006, it has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Time magazine named Gilbert one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008. – AFP
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan bike together
Long-time rivals and close friends Shah Rukh and Salman Khan seem to be keen to cement their friendship. Yesterday morning, Shah Rukh Khan posted a photograph of himself, son Aryan and Salman Khan cycling together on the streets of Mumbai in the early hours of the morning. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the two Khans had spent the previous night catching up when Salman had proposed a cycle ride in the wee hours of the morning, Shah Rukh had quickly called son Aryan to join them. The happy troop were followed by Salman's BMW and two bodyguards on scooters. – Sonali Kokra
Scarlett Johansson ranked Hollywood’s top-grossing actress
Scarlett Johansson has taken the crown as Hollywood's highest-grossing actress. A website called Box Office Mojo, that tracks how much money movies stars make, lists Johansson as the top-earning actress. It says her films have made more than US$3.3 billion [Dh12 billion]. Cameron Diaz is the second-highest-grossing actress, at just over $3 billion. Johansson's status on the list is no doubt helped by her recurring role as Black Widow in the Avengers series and other Marvel blockbusters, including this year's Captain America: Civil War. Despite being top among actresses, Johansson sits in just 10th place overall. Box Office Mojo lists Harrison Ford as the all-time champion. It says his movies have earned nearly $4.9 billion [Dh18 billion] in theatres. – AP
Parineeti lends her voice to Spielberg’s The BFG
Following in the footsteps of actor Gulshan Grover, actress Parineeti Chopra is the latest Bollywood star to join the voice cast of Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg's upcoming The BFG. Both talents will lend their voice to characters in the dubbed Hindi version of the fantasy adventure film, set for release in India on July 15. Parineeti will voice the female protagonist of the movie. She has dubbed for Sophie, played by 12-year-old Ruby Barnhill in The BFG, aka The Big Friendly Giant, said a statement. The actress decided to take up the part as she loved the character and it will be her first Hollywood project. Parineeti will also be seen in Homi Adjania's next film Takadum, opposite her Shuddh Desi Romance co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. Parineeti tweeted: "So excited about this one! My next film Takadum with the amazing Homi Adajania." – IANS
Monae and Lamar to perform at White House on Fourth of July
Singer-songwriter Janelle Monae and rapper Kendrick Lamar will help President Barack Obama celebrate his final Fourth of July at the White House, with the musicians booked to perform at the annual Independence Day event for military heroes. Obama and his wife Michelle welcome military families each year for a barbecue, concert and view of the fireworks on the National Mall. Both musicians are Obama favourites. The president once chose Lamar over Drake in a hypothetical rap battle. Obama also named Lamar’s How Much a Dollar Cost as his favourite song of 2015. Monae was a guest at a White House state dinner in May. She also has backed White House efforts on voter registration, gun control and changes to the criminal justice system. – AP
