Never been respected the way I’m now: Kangana

Kangana Ranaut admits the perception about her and her ability to perform has changed over the years. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI: 

Her performance in recent movies like Queen and Revolver Rani has earned Kangana Ranaut the epithet of being Bollywood’s ‘rani’. She says she has been receiving respect and acknowledgment for her work like never before.

“I feel this is a beautiful time of my life. I’ve never been respected or treated the way I am right now…the way people have really acknowledged what I do. It is nice,” said Kangana.

Coming from Himachal Pradesh and with no film background, Kangana has made a niche for herself in Bollywood where star kids almost rule the roost.

Her choice of movies and roles has always been distinct – sample her act in Tanu Weds Manuvis-a-vis her role in Revolver Rani, or Gangster – A Love Story or Fashion.

As a viewer, too, she prefers to watch the kind of cinema she is part of.

“I like what I do, and that’s why I do them. I’d like to see something like Queen, or a dark drama with some humour. I like twisted cinema and universal cinema like Queen appeals to me as well,” she said.

She admits the perception about her and her ability to perform has changed over the years. “The perception has changed. But also, initially, there weren’t so many great roles and female actors were all about glamour, with roles where they were tortured by the world…it was all about making a stereotypical film. But there is a variety of films now, and it’s great,” she added.

Kangana was being interviewed on the sidelines of the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards, where she was honoured as the Actor of the Year.

Not so long ago, Kangana had stated that she would say no to award ceremonies, but she found this particular award ceremony “credible”.

“It is credible. First, I said no for the award, then I got a personal letter from Prannoy Roy (the channel’s head honcho) and it convinced me to come here. It is not a filmy award – they award people from all fields, and that’s why I came,” she said.

Her happiness knew no bounds when she learned that actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan was going to present her the award.

Did you know?: Australian university names scholarship after Big B

Amitabh Bachchan has yet another feat to his credit. The La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia has named a scholarship after the megastar, who inaugurated the Indian Film Festival Melbourne (IFFM) along with the governor and his wife on Thursday.

Expressing his delight, he took to his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com and posted, “The La Trobe University names a scholarship after me, [which is] to be accorded to deserving students from all walks of life that will come and study media and entertainment courses here.”

He also thanked the government of Victoria for calling him to inaugurate the 11-day festival. “Thank you, the Governance of Victoria for this gesture… lending unstinted support to our film industry in conducting such events to acquaint the locals with our cinema,” said the 71 year old. “The warmth and graciousness shall be carried by us all to India and in particular, to our countrymen,” he added.

He also shared that an award ceremony will be held for selected films in categories ranging from short films to features, where he will be presented with an Achievement Awards. Way to go, Big B! 

Even I’m targeted on Koffee with Karan: Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor, who is known for her immaculate fashion sense, has established herself as a style icon at a young age. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: Bollywood style icon Sonam Kapoor made some controversial statements on the chat show Koffee with Karan, which included a comment on the reigning box office queen Deepika Padukone’s style. The actor, however, says that her comments should be taken lightly, because even she is targeted by celebrities on the same show and doesn’t make a big deal out of it.

Known for her high-style quotient, the Raanjhanaa actor said: “I have realised that a lot of people say a lot of things about me on the same show. On every show someone has said something about me.”

“But because I go with the spirit of the show, I never react to anything, I don’t comment, I don’t make a big deal out of it and I expect the people to do the same thing,” added the 28-year-old known for her carefree attitude.

On the chat show Sonam had commented on Deepika’s style, going as far as saying that it is dominated by her stylist Anaita Shroff and her wardrobe lacks her personal touch.

However, she doesn’t mind talking too much and said: “For some strange reason I make good copy, so people like to talk about me. I am okay, as long as people are talking about me.”

However, now, she has had enough and plans to stop commenting on another person’s clothes or style statements.

“Honestly, I think I will start being a little more careful and I will not give my opinion on anyone’s clothes anymore. It was a fun show and I tried to be fun and not take myself too seriously. But I think that’s the wrong move,” she said.

Sonam is currently gearing up to walk the red carpet at the Cannes film fest that begins May 14, she is really looking forward to it

Chris Brown to spend birthday behind bars

Brown, who will now spend his 25th birthday on May 5 behind bars, has been held since March 14. PHOTO: FILE

LOS ANGELES: Rapper Chris Brown will spend his 25th birthday behind bars after a judge who sentenced him to jail almost two months ago ruled he must remain incarcerated for at least another week as the pop star deals with dual cases on both sides of the country.

Brown, who will now spend his birthday on May 5 behind bars, has been held since March 14 after his dismissal from a rehabilitation centre violated the terms of his court-ordered treatment related to his 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend, the pop singer Rihanna.

The Kiss Kiss singer was back in court Thursday hoping to get the gift of freedom for his upcoming birthday, but Brandlin told him he would have to remain in jail for at least another week as he deals with ongoing legal woes

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin said Brown would remain incarcerated unless a resolution on the terms of his probation in the Rihanna case could be agreed to between the prosecutor and Brown’s attorney by a scheduled hearing on May 9.

Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, said if he cannot resolve the case with prosecutor, Mary Murray, by next week, he will ask the court to release Brown on certain terms and conditions.

Geragos’ past requests to have Brown placed under house arrest instead of jail have so far been denied.

The  singer also faces a misdemeanor assault trial in Washington, DC, after he allegedly punched and broke the nose of a man who was trying to get a picture with him last year.

The Washington trial, which could complicate matters in Brown’s probation case in Los Angeles, has been delayed so his defense could arrange testimony of Brown’s bodyguard, who was convicted last month of misdemeanor assault in the same case. 

Did you know? Lawrence named world’s sexiest woman

The second spot on the list belongs to English actor Michelle Keegan, who was placed fourth last year.

Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence has been named this year’s sexiest woman in the world by a popular men’s magazine. The British magazine, FHM, unveiled its 2014 Top 100 list of the hottest girls around the globe and The Hunger Games beauty who is known for her wit and carefree attitude claimed the throne, taking a huge leap from last year’s number 20 spot, reported Deccan Chronicle.

“Thank you so much to the readers of FHM and everyone who took the time and voted for me, I’m so flattered. I believe that being sexy isn’t wearing lots of heavy make-up or having the perfect hair or figure, it’s about self-confidence, being comfortable with yourself, smiling and being happy,” she said.

The second spot on the list belongs to English actor Michelle Keegan, who was placed fourth last year. Rihanna is down from number two to number four, while Kaley Cuoco is up one spot to number five.

Last year’s winner Mila Kunis slipped to number six. Other well-known Hollywood names in the Top 10 include Beyonce Knowles and Scarlett Johansson.

Movie review: The Past - six degrees of separation

A piercing insight into a failed marriage and the painful consequences for the people involved.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has followed up on his 2011 Academy award winner A Separation with another solid domestic drama The Past. Although in the long run it won’t be known as Farhadi’s best, it’s a special picture nonetheless.

Working outside of Iran for the first time and that too in the French language, Farhadi must have been out of his comfort zone. Yet any initial anxiety must have remained inchoate, for the film boasts a taut screenplay and a masterful direction to complement it.

Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) returns to France from Iran in order to finalise the divorce with his wife Marie (Bérénice Bejo). She is currently dating Samir (Tahar Rahim), an Arab man whose own wife is in a coma. If this is already too complex a narrative, their children Marie’s two daughters, Lucie and Léa (not Ahmad’s biological daughters), and Samir’s son Fouad complicate the plot even further. To say that their house is a powder keg would be an understatement.

In its essence, The Past is a film about communication, or the lack of it. Farhadi pulls all the stops to convey this theme but in some scenes it feels over-indulgent. Many a time, for example, the dialogue isn’t audible when two characters are separated by glass windows. At another crucial plot juncture, the usage of email seems to create evil. Does technology create more rifts than solving them? Farhadi might be onto something.

The cinematography of the movie by Mahmoud Kalari is effective but it doesn’t depict the France we see in Midnight in Paris or Amelié. This is a grittier look at Paris, reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil. Farhadi manages to draw out terrific performances from his entire cast, especially Bejo, who won an award for this performance at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The child actors deserve a special mention, particularly Elyas Aguis as Fouad. The children in this story are depicted as mature individuals, and this is perhaps intentional given how grown-ups regress to behaving like immature adolescents.

Unfortunately, in terms of narration, all threads do not add up. For example, we know too little of Ahmad’s character. His clean character is amiss amidst the besmirched lives of Marie and Samir. In the latter’s case, the stains are literal, since Samir works as a dry-cleaner. The Past is without a doubt a layered movie, giving much room for interpretation.

When it comes to director Asghar Farhadi, there are two inevitabilities. First, his movies should be available on a wider scale just like any other Hollywood director since the Iranian filmmaker has made six feature films since 2003 and every single one of them has been a gem. Second, he should pen works well-suited for the theatre. Farhadi is, after all, a graduate of The University of Tehran’s School of Dramatic Arts and his aesthetics on screen would perhaps be equally well suited to the stage. What The Past does achieve though, is keeping Farhadi’s reputation as a major world cinema director intact, whose next work is highly anticipated.

HBO series Girls: Good girls gone bad

Nothing unsettles an audience more than a bunch of girls venturing into unchartered territory.

When the HBO series Girls first hit our TV screens two years ago, it instantly found an audience for its brutally realistic and bold take on life after graduation. The show gives you a glimpse into the life of four friends struggling with romance, career and survival in New York City. There is Hannah, a struggling, overweight writer waiting for her big break; Marnie, her insecure best friend, who ends up hurting more people than she helps; Jessa, a free spirit who seeks solace in reckless relationships and substance abuse and Shoshanna, the eager-to-please fourth wheel in the equation.

A lot of loose ends that were neatly tied up in the last season —Hannah and struggling actor Adam’s fling maturing into a relationship and Marnie and her former beau Charlie getting back together in the show’s current run. The season kicks off with Hannah and Adam’s newly found comfort zone being impinged on by the arrival of Adam’s sister. The situation is aggravated as Hannah struggles with the death of her boss and the resulting cancellation of the publishing deal for her book. While Hannah’s self-centeredness makes her one of the least likeable characters this season, it is the very same quality that also allows the viewer to relate to her the most.

On the other hand, Marnie’s life this season is the opposite of what she imagined it to be. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment with poor job prospects and her personal life does not show much promise either. Not much rationale is given for her actions, especially her relationship with Ray, a generally harmless person who is also Shoshanna’s former flame. Their ‘arrangement’ is amusing at first, but ends up becoming painfully monotonous. Moreover, the pairing seems forced, as if there was no other cast member she could have been lumped with.

Jessa doesn’t do much this season other than coming in and out of rehab and floating around temporary jobs. There is also a constant reminder of how her lifestyle is wrecking her closest relationships yet she does nothing to save them. Shoshanna on the other hand treads a slippery slope and gives in to her neurotic tendencies. She is seen snapping at everyone while juggling university life and her casual interactions with the opposite sex are uncomfortable to watch.

Even though the first two seasons of Girls have been labelled a variety of things, from being revolutionary to downright vulgar, the show has never been guilty of being forgettable. Unfortunately, it loses that edge in the current season. The third season lacks fluidity and the character development seems a bit skewed for the average viewer to take in. The thinly spread plot and introduction of many new unlikable characters further diminishes the show’s overall charm. Even though, the writers did bring back Elijah, Hannah’s ex, to redeem the show, his overblown acting defeats the purpose. The likable characters too are underappreciated and not given due credit with Hannah’s co-worker being a case in point. Hopefully, creator Lena Dunham has a few tricks up her sleeve to revitalise the show in the upcoming season.

Rating: 3/5