Did you know?: Brangelina to team up again

Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie is likely to team up again with her partner Brad Pitt for a new film which she has written. The project will reunite the couple for the first time since their hit 2005 action drama Mr and Mrs Smith, reported the Deccan Chronicle. He had once said that he would love to work with her again. Pitt, 50, and Jolie, 38, had met on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith.

No distributor or studio is attached to the project yet. Pitt made a cameo in Jolie’s directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey which had hit the screens in 2011.

Pitt has appeared in over 40 major films, including 12 Monkeys (1995), Ocean’s Eleven(2001), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), while Jolie has appeared in over 30 major films, including Girl, Interrupted (1999), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), andChangeling (2008). Their relationship began after they starred together in Mr and Mrs SmithThey have three adopted children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and three biological children, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.

Women need to pamper themselves sometimes: Shilpa Shetty

She lives life almost queen size, with a house manager, helpers and chauffers. Yet she says she’s middle-class. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DEHLI: Actor Shilpa Shetty’s IOSIS spa and wellness chain is branching out to tier-II and tier-III cities. The actress-turned-entrepreneur says the maximum potential for growth lies there as women have the means but feel “guilty” about stepping out of home only to “pamper” themselves. It’s a feeling even she relates to as a mother.

Shilpa and her businessman husband have a son named Viaan, who will turn two later this month.

In a freewheeling chat on her recent visit to the capital, Shilpa said: “Despite owning a chain of spas, I call the lady home to get whatever beauty treatment I need!”

“Mumbai’s traffic is awful, and rather than spending two hours in reaching a salon, I’d rather spend one hour getting a treatment, and the remaining hour with my son at home. I feel as guilty as any mother about leaving the house or my child to pamper myself,” she said, but added that she may not feel as guilty when Viaan is around eight years old.

But largely, she believes change needs to ensue.

“Women need to let themselves go sometimes. Most women get so engrossed in everyday work and home life that they don’t realise that they aren’t giving themselves any time. Invest on yourself sometimes,” said the 38-year-old, who believes women deserve it, for all that they do.

Shilpa has been part of showbiz for almost two decades, during which she has entertained Bollywood films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dhadkan and Life… in a Metro. She gained international recognition after featuring and winning Britain’s Big Brother reality show in 2007, and she has also been active on the Indian small screen as a judge on reality shows.

IOSIS, the unisex spa and wellness chain she co-owns with Kiran Bawa, came into being in 2009.

Since its modest beginnings in suburban Mumbai in 2009, it has a presence in eight places.

“As part of the wellness industry, we are conscious of our brand and we are well aware of who we want to cater to. Of course, people in the metro cities need spas, but it’s the tier-II and tier-III cities where there’s a dearth of good spas,” she said.

“Places like Ludhiana and Chandigarh have people with a lot of money, but they don’t have access to good wellness places. So, this is a thought carried forward beautifully by my business partner Kiran.

“Women need wellness, but sometimes they just don’t know what to do  — how to pamper themselves, how to go about it…but I hope we can make them more aware with our efforts,” she added.

Meanwhile, Shilpa is also busy handling her other roles  — a celebrity, a fitness expert, a co-owner of Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, her latest foray into the jewellery business with Satyug Gold, being a daughter and being a wife and mother!

She lives life almost queen size, with a house manager, helpers and chauffers. Yet she says she’s “middle-class” enough to know the “tamaatar ka bhaav (price of tomato)”

According to Sonam, I am the ugliest actor: Kangana

Kangana expressed her displeasure towards Sonam’s absurd statements on Koffee with Karan. PHOTO: FILE

Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor creates quite a controversy every time she appears on Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee with Karan. Her stint in the last season made Rishi Kapoor angry as she made some rude remarks about Ranbir Kapoor. And this time she has offended Kangana Ranaut it seems. While Ranaut didn’t appear on the chat show, she seems to have been kept updated with all the statements that have been made, for she expressed her dismay at Sonam’s recent comments on good-looking actors.

In Koffee with Karan’s latest season, Sonam came on the show with her father, Anil Kapoor and took digs at her contemporaries and made several statements that even appalled the host. She said, “If you’re not good looking, they think you are a good actor. Just because you look ordinary and you talk loud doesn’t mean you’re a good actor.” While many in Bollywood might be taken aback with this statement, it is only Ranaut who has reacted strongly to these not so humble words, reported Bollywood Life.

“Sonam has said that people who act well are ugly. So do I get the crown of the ugliest person? After watching Queen, people have been telling me that I act really well, so according to Sonam, I am the ugliest actor in Bollywood today. And well, I accept that with all the gratitude and humbleness,” she said.

Ranaut also went on to say that it’s time that real people grace the screen, as opposed to Sonam, who thinks that only good looking people can act well. “I feel that Sonam really needs to get her facts right about acting. Actors aren’t models – it’s a different technique to convey expressions and emotions and it has got nothing to do with looks. And we should have a variety of actors just for the sake of casting. We don’t have right casting in our country. It’s high time we get rid of this six-pack brigade and glamorous looking people. We should get real people in because the stories we show on-screen are about real people. And that’s how the movies will be genuine and heartfelt. Story telling needs to get honest.”

Ranaut also held Sonam responsible for cinema not being so genuine today. “If our cinema is not good today, people like Sonam should be held responsible. There are people out there, who might not fit into that Vogue kind of space, but they have all the right to be an actor,” she added.

Picasso’s son accuses authorities of dishonouring father

A news daily notes that if anyone could calm Claude Picasso, it would be Prime Minister Valls, who himself is the son of a Spanish painter who immigrated to France. PHOTO: FILE

PARIS: 

French authorities are trying to make peace with the son of Pablo Picasso after he accused them of dishonouring his father by delaying the reopening of the Picasso Museum in Paris.

The refurbished 17th century mansion housing the collection had been due to reopen in June after a five-year, 52 million euro ($72 million) refurbishment. But the Culture Ministry said now that it would not open until mid September, missing the tourist season’s summer peak.

“I am outraged and deeply concerned,” Claude Picasso, said the 66-year-old son of the painter, who is seen as one of 20th century’s most influential artists.

“I get the impression that France couldn’t give a damn about my father or me,” he said in an interview published on Friday, just before the Culture Ministry confirmed in a statement its decision to wait until September.

Inaugurated in 1985, the Picasso Museum includes nearly 300 paintings including Self Portrait from his early Blue period through to Matador and others completed in the years before his 1973 death. It also includes 250 sculptures, relief paintings and other works.

“What possible interest could the Culture Ministry have in hindering the reopening and functioning of one of the country’s most popular museums?” the ministry said. “The Ministry appeals to everyone to put their own personal interests to one side and share the enthusiasm and calm required to complete this project,” it added.

Addressing widespread incredulity in arts circles over previous official explanations that the delay was partly needed to recruit new guards, the statement also announced the creation of 40 new jobs “despite the tough budgetary climate.”

The office of Prime Minister Manuel Valls could not immediately be reached to confirm a Le Monde report that Valls would receive Claude Picasso on Monday.

However, the news daily noted that if anyone could calm the enraged Picasso heir down, it would be Valls, who himself is the son of a Spanish painter who emigrated to France

Did you know? : Rajinikanth gets almost 150,000 followers on his first day on Twitter

Rajinikanth’s mass popularity and appeal is largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylised dialogue delivery. PHOTO: FILE

Cinematic icon Rajinikanth, who joined Twitter on Monday, attracted almost 150,000 followers on his very first day.

“Salutation to the lord! A big thank you to all my fans, excited on this digital journey,” tweeted the Rajnikanth, who is revered for his acting acumen.

His new movie Kochadaiiyaan, directed by his younger daughter Soundarya R. Ashwin, is gearing for release Friday. Hence, Rajini’s decision to make his presence felt on the digital world seems to be well-timed.

He has decided to engage with his fans via the Twitter handle @SuperStarRajini.

Rajinikanth said in a statement: “I decided to start with Twitter because I felt that the platform is abuzz with all the news and the trends that happen across the globe and I’m told that this is where all the best Rajini one-liners are.”

The 63-year-old, one of India’s most prolific and influential superstars, Rajinikanth’s mass popularity and appeal is largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylised dialogue delivery.

With his entry on Twitter, he hopes to interact with his fans. For this, he has partnered with CA Media Digital’s first venture, Fluence  — a celebrity digital network  — which will manage his digital presence.

“I am confident that I have the best team and the best guides who will help me connect with my audience,” said the superstar. 

Gulshan Grover finds villainous roles challenging

Grover is thankful to baddie roles, which helped him attain a name and fame in Bollywood. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: Actor Gulshan Grover, the undisputed ‘Bad man’ of Bollywood, has lived up to his title numerous times on the screen. He even played villain in the video of the song Sohni Lagdi by our very own Sajjad Ali. The star, whose upcoming role as a villain is in the film Leader, feels that an individual has to be a fantastic actor to play an antagonist.

The actor is thankful to baddie roles, which helped him in attaining a name and fame in filmdom. “I’m very happy and grateful to the filmmakers and audience. I have been playing villain on the screen for so many years [and they accepted me],” he said.

But Grover has not limited himself to villainous roles. “I have also played good characters such as the one I played in I am Kalam, for which I won numerous awards. But having played villain has brought me name, fame and stardom and I love it,” the actor said at the first look launch of Leader.

In his over three-decade-long career, the 58 year old has gained commercial acclaim for his performances as a villain in films, including Ram Lakhan, Lajja, Hera Pheri, 16 Decemberand most recently, Bullett Raja.

Explaining why he enjoys playing the bad guy on screen, Grover said, “An actor loves to play characters that are challenging. I think playing a villain is extremely challenging and requires [an actor to be great].”

In the upcoming political drama, Leader, the actor will be seen as a corrupt politician. The film has been produced by megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s personal make-up artist Deepak Sawant, and written and directed by Abhishek Chadha. It features Big B and his wife Jaya Bachchan in key roles. 

Li makes it to second round in Madrid

Next up for Li Na is a meeting with countrywoman Jie Zheng in round two of the Madrid Open. PHOTO: REUTERS

MADRID: Australian Open champion Li Na avoided a repeat of her shock first round exit at the Madrid Open last year with a 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) win over Belgian Kirsten Flipkens on Monday.

The world number two raced through the opening set, but was forced to save two set points in the second before closing out the match in a tie-break.

“I knew it would never be an easy match and even when I won the first set, she was really fighting a lot in the second,” said the Chinese star.

“We are from the same country; we know each other well so I’m sure it will be tough.”

Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska also sealed her place in the last-32 with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 win over Australian Open semi-finalist Eugenie Bouchard.

The Canadian put up a strong fight in a tightly contested opening set, but Radwanska’s variety of shot-making allowed her to comfortably take the tie-break.

“Of course I think the tiebreak was the biggest key in that match,” admitted Radwanska.

“I made a couple good shots in the tiebreak and managed to win that. I think that gave me more confidence in the second set and it was a little bit easier.”

The Pole took complete control in the second with an early double break and served the match out to set up a second round clash with Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia became the first seed to fall on Monday, as she was comprehensively beaten 6-3, 6-0 by 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur of Australia.

Nishikori, Isner, Tsonga advance

It was smooth sailing for the seeds on the men’s side as Kei Nishikori, John Isner and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga all secured their passage into round two.

Japan’s Nishikori kept his recent fine form going after winning the Barcelona Open last week with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Croatian Ivan Dodig to set up a meeting with Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the second round.

Ninth seed Isner was characteristically solid on serve as the American wasn’t broken in his 7-6, (10/8), 6-4 win over Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Tsonga faced a stiffer test against fellow Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, but also came through in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Nadal named adopted son of Madrid

The city of Madrid declared world number one Rafael Nadal as its adopted son on Monday in honour of his trophy-laden tennis career.

“Today is a very special day for me” said Nadal at a ceremony at Madrid city hall which voted unanimously to give him the honour last year.

“I believe in respect for my opponents, humility, discipline, hard work and enthusiasm. That is how I understand not only sports but life as well.”