Pepsi supports Team Pakistan

Fans leaving messages of support to Pakistan's cricket team in Centaurus Mall in Islamabad. PHOTO: PEPSI

Pakistan’s participation in the World Twenty20 brings the entire nation together irrespective of caste, class, religion or ethnicity. And while talking about cricket one can’t forget the brand that has been affiliated with the sport for the past two decades: Pepsi.

Pepsi’s latest cricket-centric campaign ‘Dil Dil Pakistan‘ features Ayesha Omar performing her rendition of the iconic song.

Brand ambassadors of Pepsi from Pakistan’s current cricket team include Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi, Umar Gul and Ahmed Shahzad. Cricket legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis are also included in the campaign as is Sana Mir, captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team to prove that cricket is not just a game for men.

To show support for the Pakistani cricket team, Pepsi has also introduced giant cricket bats in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Islamabad on which the public has been leaving messages of support for the team.

So from the booming sixes off Afridi’s bat to the toe-crushing Yorkers from Gul and to the entire nation dancing to ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ when Pakistan wins, one thing is for sure: A cricket crazy nation deserves a cricket crazy brand. And that is why Pepsi is always going to be a ‘cricket drink’.

Bangladesh flag ban violates the spirit of the game: Miandad

Former captain Javed Miandad. PHOTO: APP/FILE

KARACHI: Former players Wednesday hit out after Bangladesh banned their own fans from waving non-Bangladeshi flags at the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament.

Hosts Bangladesh issued the order after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recent Asia Cup.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the ruling on Tuesday, on the eve of the country’s 44th independence day.

Former captain Javed Miandad said the move violated the spirit of the game.

“I am surprised at the decision,” Miandad told AFP. “Cricket is a game which harbours sportsman spirit and this decision violates that spirit.”

Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, urged the BCB to rethink.

“I am sure that the BCB will take this decision back because it defies logic and I am sure the International Cricket Council will seek some explanation,” Yousuf said.

Yousuf, who played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, said he had always been warmly received in Bangladesh.

“I have seen the home fans want to support Pakistan whenever their own team is not competing against us,” he said.

Younis Khan, another former captain, agreed Bangladesh should reconsider their decision.

“It is against the spirit of the game as you cannot stop anyone from supporting his favourite team,” he said.

Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a potentially crucial World T20 group match in Mirpur on Sunday.

Saif, Farhan And Ritesh: Dil Chahta Hai Magic To Be Recreated?

It was a film that went on to define the young, yuppie generation. A film that was accorded cult status almost instantly. A film that redefined the ultimate male-bonding angle of films in Bollywood; and became a sub-genre in itself. We are talking, of course, about Dil Chahta Hai!

Dil Chahta Hai Rewind:

Farhan Akhtar’s debut directorial was a blockbuster in every sense of the word. But more than itsBox Office success, people fondly remember the film for giving us three of the most lovable boys-to-men-characters seen in Hindi cinema. The bromance between Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan andAkshaye Khanna.

And now it looks like the trio of Saif Ali Khan, director Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani might reprise the magic of Dil Chahta Hai, for an all-new film!

After a gap of nearly thirteen years, the Dil Chahta Hai team might reunite once again, with Saif in a solo hero project. Saif is reportedly in talks with Farhan and Ritesh and their production company, Excel Entertainment, for a film which will be headlined by the Nawab of Pataudi.

Saif’s role, according to industry whispers, will be along the lines of his take in films like Love Aaj Kal and Cocktail, meaning to say he will play a flamboyant, man-about-town. The female lead is yet to be finalised, according to reports. But we wish Saif once again teams up with his Cocktail co-star Deepika Padukone.

From Rock On To Kai Po Che To Mahabharata; Abhishek Kapoor Has Come A Long Way

Director Abhishek Kapoor has been on the roll since the year 2008 with the release of his filmRock On. Post that, year 2013 saw the release of Kai Po Che, which too got both critical acclaim as well as the love of the audiences.

Currently Abhishek Kapoor is busy with the pre-production of Fitoor, which goes on the floors in July 2014 and stars Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapoor. Fitoor is Abhishek Kapoor‘s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic The Great Expectations.

“We’re shooting in Delhi, London and across Kashmir. The weather plays a central role in the plot so the prep took a little longer as we had to figure out the conditions we want to capture on film at the chosen locales. Fitoor will release as per schedule in July 2015,” stated Abhishek Kapoor.

Meanwhile, Disney India has announced their next collaboration with Abhishek Kapoor; a cinematic rendition of Mahabharata which the director, will start after wrapping up the shoot ofFitoor.

“The Mahabharata expresses the universal truth; it has defined my understanding of spirituality and of all humanity. I aim to translate this onto the big screen, engage minds and deliver a world class cinematic experience,” Abhishek said in a statement here.

Disney India, today announced their plans of gearing up to recreate the magic of this remarkable story in live action at a scale never seen before in Indian cinema, which will be directed byAbhishek Kapoor and written by renowned author Ashok Banker.

“Indian mythology has a great wealth of stories which have inspired legions of creative minds and The Mahabharata unarguably is the most ambitious and encompassing. We believe this epic which has engaged generations of Indians will translate into a magnificent silver screen saga,”Siddharth Roy Kapur, Managing Director Of Disney India, said.

“It’s all about going out there and making the impossible. Unless we attempt it, we will never know if we are capable of making it. Look at what the West has achieved. They routinely make films on such a lavish scale and with every new film break the current record. My idea is to make the Mahabharata on the same scale as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings series.” states Abhishek Kapoor.

Idris Elba Expected To Essay Shere Khan In Disney’s The Jungle Book

Disney is starting to move fast on its live-action The Jungle Book and is in talks with Idris Elba to essay the role of Shere Khan.

Idris Elba is in final negotiations to play Shere Khan in the live-action The Jungle Book, which is being worked on now at Disney. Idris Elba, fits the bill to the “T” as he has the voice to fit the part and as for the body, well, we have doubts if they are going to dress him up as a tiger.

Now, most likely Idris Elba will get the Benedict Cumberbatch, Smaug in The Hobbit films, treatment and drop on all four with a mocap suit on.

Idris Elba recently received excellent reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in Justin Chadwick‘s Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. Idris also has a crime thriller titled No Good Deed and a thriller The Gunman due in 2104.

Disney is also said to be looking for a mixed-race actor to play Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves in the jungles of central India. The studio will focus on the Rudyard Kipling‘s version of Mowgli’s Brothers.

Disney is gathering a team of all-stars for their The Jungle Book, moving as fast as possible to beat Warner Bros., who are also working on their take to finish their deadline.

Disney‘s own 1967 animated musical, featuring the voice of George Sanders as Shere Khan, is the most famous on-screen incarnation of The Jungle Book.

Jon Favreau, who directed Elf and Iron Man, will direct The Jungle Book and among the people involved in the project are Rob Legato (Titanic, Avatar, Hugo) who would be handling the special effects department, production designer Alex McDowell (Man Of Steel) and many other concept artists that have worked in the past on movies like Star Wars, Alice In Wonderland, The Chronicles Of Narnia or the upcoming Maleficent.

Disney is pulling all the stops for The Jungle Book, that is slated for an October 09, 2015 release in the US.

Kate Winslet To Be Honoured With The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Kate Winslet will be honoured with A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame thus joining the select band of movie stars, directors and industry figures.

Titanic director James Cameron and her former co-star Kathy Bates, will present Kate Winsletwith the accolade.

It was first reported that Kate Winslet would receive A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame in the year 2012 for her role in The Reader, which has won her the Oscars for Best Actress, aBAFTA for Best Leading Actress and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk Of Fame ceremonies said: “We are so happy that Kate Winslet will be here on our famous boulevard of dreams receiving her well-deserved star. We have seen Kate shine in her roles and fans around the world who have been anxiously waiting for this special day to come.”

Kate Winslet is going to be the 2,520th star to be receiving the honour. Kate will be presented with her brand new star outside the W Hollywood Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, on Monday, March 17, 2014.

Other actresses who have been added to the star-studded pavement recently include Non Stopstar Julianne Moore and Jane Lynch from Glee.

The news came just weeks after Kate Winslet admitted that she doesn’t really know any celebrities, despite being good friends with Leonardo DiCaprio, because she doesn’t watch reality television.

The mother-of-three, Kate Winslet has been married to Ned Rocknroll, the nephew of Virgin billionaire Richard Branson, for just over a year. The couple welcomed their first child, and Kate’s third, a baby boy Bear, last December.

Kate has two teenage children, Mia and Joe, from her previous marriages to film director Jim Threapleton and stage and film director Sam Mendes, respectively.

Here’s wishing Kate Winslet all the very best for her future endeavours.

It’s Official – Cheryl Cole Is Back On The X Factor!

Cheryl Cole has finally made an official comeback by signing a deal to return as a judge on The X Factor for a reported £1.5 million.

Music mogul and X Factor creator Simon Cowell revealed Cheryl Cole’s return via twitter, “It’s official. Cheryl is back. Most importantly she is a brilliant judge of talent.”

Appearing at the X Factor press conference, along with Simon Cowell, which took place on March 11, 2014 in London, Cheryl Cole looked like she has got the X Factor herself as she looked drop dead gorgeous in a lattice detail dress by American fashion designer, Lela Rose, her newly-dyed blonder than ever hair, Cutler And Gross sunglasses and Christian Louboutinheels.

Cheryl Cole will join Simon Cowell, who is also returning to the UK X Factor after its US counterpart was cancelled last month.

The duo’s return is expected to boost the ratings of the UK X Factor, after last year’s series which attracted some of the lowest audiences in the show’s history. The final, in which Sam Bailey won, pulled in an overnight audience of around 9.6 million viewers, compared with a high of 17 millionduring Cheryl Cole’s last appearance in the year 2010.

Cheryl Cole has had a successful three year stint on the UK X Factor from the year 2008 to 2010, before leaving with Cowell to film the show’s US version in 2011. She had been signed for two series but was dropped just weeks after beginning the show amid claims that Americans could not understand her accent.

Cheryl Cole, reportedly fell out with Simon Cowell following the decision but, given the fact that she is back on the UK show, it seems the pair has sorted out their differences.

Here’s wishing both Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell all the very best for the UK X Factor.