Did you know? : Brittany Murphy may have been poisoned

According to the New York Times, new toxicology results run on samples of Brittany’s hair suggest that the actor may have been poisoned. Clueless actor Brittany Murphy suddenly died of pneumonia in 2009, after reportedly experiencing flu-like symptoms for days. Her husband Simon Monjack was also found dead of similar causes only five months later. While the shocking news initially seemed to be a tragic act of God, it seems the Coroner’s office may have made a mistake in determining the cause of her death.

Earlier, Brittany’s biological father Angelo Bertolotti had filed a case against the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office asking them to carry out further tests, but his request was dismissed. Bertolotti then independently sent her hair samples for investigation to Carlson Company in Colorado, reported USA Today.

The analysis revealed high levels of toxic metals often found in some rat poisons. “If we were to eliminate the possibility of a simultaneous accidental heavy metals exposure to the sample donor, then the only logical explanation would be an exposure to these metals (toxins) administered by a third party perpetrator with likely criminal intent,” reads the report, according to dailymail.co.uk.

“The lab has shown that she was poisoned with criminal intent,” Bertolotti told the Daily News on Monday. “We would like the investigation opened again to discover who did it. As not to jeopardize the new investigation, I can’t say who I suspect as of yet,” he said.

Has theatre in Lahore had its final curtain call?

Shah Sharabeel depends greatly on corporate sponsorships to finance plays. PHOTOS: FILE

LAHORE: 

Over the last three years, theatre output has reached an all time low in Lahore. Something has changed in Lahore, says veteran actor Karen David. “There is a dearth of actors, and a shift has also taken place in the whole country, with an emphasis on promoting Urdu plays. We have to use a lot of senior actors for projects, and the search for newer talent is somewhat like American idol — holding a lot of auditions and trying to connect with as many new people as possible.”

David is not sure what exactly happened to Lahore’s once vibrant alternative theatre scene, which saw directors like Shah Sharabeel put on massive theatre productions the likes ofBombay Dreams and Moulin Rouge; raising the bar for English theatre and bringing in respect for actors and directors alike.

“There has been a shift  — many young theatre people are focused on Urdu productions. For me, I have always been more comfortable with English, but the trends and emphasis have changed,” says David.

The fundamental issues that plagued the prolific period of early 2000-2009 appear to have festered. Speaking to The Express Tribune in an old interview, Sharabeel had lamented that no one considered theatre as a full-time profession, and the government would ultimately have to patronise it to ensure it sustained itself. This phenomenon might be one of the main factors responsible for the current situation of theatre in Lahore, but it certainly doesn’t appear to be the only one.

Vasay Chaudhry’s career started out in the developing theatre scene of the late 90s, a time during which he wrote and directed plays such as Jutt and Bond. Since then, his career systematically evolved from theatre, to television, and now to films. He says that in 2001 alone, nearly 48 plays were performed at the Al-Hamra Arts Complex. He has said that the failure of alternative theatre to sustain itself in Lahore was due to its inability to encourage a self-sustaining market.

“What I have found to be a common issue between commercial Punjabi theatre and what is happening in Karachi is the element of ticket sales,” says Chaudhry. “A complaint that Nida Butt had voiced when she brought her productions to Lahore was that the audience simply never want to pay for a ticket and have become accustomed to subsidised shows.”

Recalling his own adventures in the theatre world, he said that developing a business model was a critical aspect; one that is often overlooked. As a student, he looked to ticket sales to cover the cost of making the play while sponsorships would be considered an added bonus.What Sharabeel did was pioneer a model which was dependent on both attaining corporate sponsorships and a subsidised environment.

There are hopes for a revival of this once vibrant alternative scene, as the much-hyped Weekend Theatre Festival approaches. Organised by Kanwal Khoosat, daughter of actor Irfan Khoosat, the event seeks to tap into the vast network of theatre veterans in the hopes of inspiring new talent. The festival will explore Lahore through the lens of its theatre by organising performances in various locations across the city, including the Lahore fort and the Expo Center. The event includes plays by Sarmad Khoosat, Sohail Ahmed, Sania Saeed, Nimra Bucha, Naila Jaffri, Samiya Mumtaz, Nighat Chaudhry, Nauman Ijaz (who is set to make his theatre debut), and Irfan himself, along with many others on the agenda.

“We are putting our best effort forth to inspire another revival in Lahore,” comments Irfan. “Karachi has consistently had theatre for the last four years, this a first attempt [in Lahore], the hope is that we can make it affordable, and that it connects with sponsors as well

I didn’t intend to be a producer, but I had to do it: Imtiaz Ali

Highway’s cast includes Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt. PHOTOS: FILE

MUMBAI: Director Imtiaz Ali, of Rockstar fame, has turned producer for his upcoming film Highway.

“I am not a producer. I didn’t intend to produce, but for this one I had to do it. I did not want the film to become a victim of the movies that I have made before, and somebody ends up losing money,” said the director, who called the shots behind the camera for hits like Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal.

“I will know how much money I have put into it and will make sure we don’t take a huge amount of money and kill anybody over here. Producing the film gave me the creative ability to tell people, ‘Don’t worry, do it.’ I am the producer and I know that.”

Talking about the prevalence of a few famous faces in Bollywood, Imtiaz said: “The Star system will change, but in some way or the other it will remain [the same]. Sometimes the directors are the star, like Yash Chopra and Subash Ghai, and sometimes the actors are.”

“I feel that there is a reason why somebody reaches that status and deserves to be there. I think everyone in the industry has to manage between the story he has to tell and the finance that he needs in order to do that.”

He says that “goodwill” is very important if one seek to accomplish anything in Bollywood. “In the industry, money is not as important as goodwill. Goodwill is like a hen, which lays eggs and money,” said Imtiaz.

After working with established stars like Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, Imtiaz has roped in Randeep Hooda and newcomer Alia Bhatt for his latest film Highway.

“I have tried to be honest with my profession. If you have a story, you should cast people depending on the role and not on the basis of their stardom. If I do that, then my scope as a director and my growth will finish. I need to cast according to the role. Alia and Randeep were my first choice,” he said.

The director is in no mood to reveal Randeep’s character in the film.”We don’t want to expose his character right now because I feel there is an inherent mystery in that character,” said Imtiaz.

It appears that the film is one that is very close to the director’s heart, for the story ofHighway has been on Imtiaz’s mind for the past 15 years. He has been able to bring his vision to the screen only now.

“Sometime you have a story, but as a director you are not competent enough to make it. As the audience is now ready to welcome different kinds of films, they don’t want to watch typical films — I think it is the right time,” he said.

European Cinema Weekend to screen six foreign films

To celebrate the relationship between France and Germany, the Goethe Institut and Alliance Francaise de Karachi have organised the European Cinema Weekend, due to take place this coming Saturday and Sunday.

According to a press release, six French and German films will be screened on November 23 at the Goethe Institute, and on November 24 at Alliance Francaise.

Three films will be screened each day, with the first show starting at Goethe at 2pm. The films to be screened at Goethe are ‘Das Wunder Von Bern’ by Sonke Wortmann, Ursula Meier’s ‘L’enfant d’en Haut’ and Marc Rothemund’s ‘Sophie Scholl-Die Letzten Tage’. The last film is a 2005 Oscar nominee in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.

The films to be screened at Alliance Francaise de Karachi on Sunday are ‘A Message in a Bottle’ by Thierry Binisti, ‘Das Leben Der Anderen’ by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Abbas Kiarostami’s ‘Certified Copy’.

The plot of the selected films all center around important social or political messages and are suitable for family viewing. This event will certainly be a treat for discerning cinema goers, as one hardly gets the opportunity to see critically acclaimed European films screened at the local cinema houses.

Schedule: European Cinema Program

November 23 2013 – Goethe

Das Wunder Von Bern                       2:00pm

L’enfant d’en Haut                              4:30pm

Sophie Scholl-Die Letzten Tage          7:00pm

November24 2013 – Alliance Francaise de Karachi

A Message in a Bottle                          2:00pm

Das Leben Der Anderen                     4:30pm

Certified Copy                                     7:00pm

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2013.

Dhoom 3 creating dhoom with tie-in merchandise

The merchandise range also includes limited edition dolls of Aamir and Katrina. PHOTO: IANS

MUMBAI: Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif launched an extensive range of official merchandise and products related to their forthcoming action-adventureDhoom 3 on Tuesday. These include a mobile game, limited edition dolls, fashion accessories, notebooks, cards and more.

Aamir, who plays Sahir the thief, and Katrina who portrays Aaliya the acrobatic diva in the film, presented the wide array of products at the Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios in Mumbai. The Dhoom 3 licensing programme is supported by Yash Raj Films Licensing (YRFL). There are over 200 varieties of products and 20 partners, with a combined penetration at more than 20,000 retail touch points and with a price range of INR69 to INR9,000, an official statement said.

The film’s collaboration with ICE X Electronics has resulted in an innovative range of electronic gadgets inspired by the movie. Its collaboration with toy manufacturing giant Mattel will treat fans with  limited-edition Barbie dolls of Aamir and Katrina, that capture their looks and styles from the movie.

Dhoom 3 also has a mobile game courtesy of 99 Games, while the film’s association with BollyXpress has produced official greeting cards, gift wrapping papers and calendars. There is also a special consumer and trade promotion for Gulf Pride 4T Plus Bike Oils, and superior grip Dhoom 3 limited edition CEAT Tyres.

Orosilber is a line of men’s fashion accessories inspired by designs featured in the movie. The accessories range includes pendants, rings, wallets, bracelets, dog tags, belts, key chains, tie pins and cufflinks.

Aamir and Katrina also announced the film’s collaboration with Diva’ni for colorful and trendy clown-themed scarves. Archies is developing an exclusive range of movie-inspired paper stationery products, while Steelbird is making helmets for bikers, which will surely be a treat for those inspired by the movie.

There are also playing cards from Parksons, and Vox Pop Clothing’s Dhoom 3 T-shirts

Arsenal to Launch Big Money January Bid for Luis Suarez

Arsenal are set to renew their interest in Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after seemingly being given a clear run at the Uruguayan as Real Madrid have turned their attentions to Man City ace Sergio Aguero.

Arsene Wenger failed with summer offers for the 26 year old Liverpool forward but may well look to make an improved offer in light of his lack of striking options, which have left the North London club overly reliant on French marksman Olivier Giroud.

Luis Suarez is still apparently keen to leave Liverpool in pursuit of Champions League football and whilst he may well elect to wait until the end of the season to see if Brendan Rodgers’s side can secure a spot or perhaps the option to move to the Emirates Stadium and theoretically take part in the competition will be too hard to resist.

Suarez has been in excellent form since returning from his ten match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, scoring eight goals in six Premier League fixtures thus far this season

Beckenbauer: Messi a good fit for Bayern

The Germany legend is a big fan of the Argentine, but believes neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Zlatan Ibrahimovic would suit the club's style of football

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says Lionel Messi would be a perfect fit for the Bavarians and admits he dreams of pairing the forward with Franck Ribery.

Current Bayern boss Pep Guardiola worked with the Argentine during his four years in charge of Barcelona and the Germany legend has moved to lavish praise on the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

But though he is a big fan of Messi's talents, the 68-year-old dismissed the prospect of two other high profile talents ever slotting into the club's new-found passing philosophy.

He told Sport Bild: "Messi would always be a great fit. He would be good for merchandising worldwide, too. 

"That has a special charm [On the possibility of Ribery playing with Messi]. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Pep] Guardiola - it is a no-go. And [Cristiano] Ronaldo does not fit into the system."

Bayern have made an encouraging start to life under Guardiola, who replaced treble-winning boss Jupp Heynckes at the end of last season.

FCB lead Borussia Dortmund by four points at the top of the Bundesliga having won 10 of their opening 12 league games, while they also sit top of Champions League Group D