A quick look at everything making news in the world of cinema today!
Signed
Mohanlal to make his television debut with Lal Salaam, which will have 100 episodes and will be aired on Amrita TV.
Telugu comedian Srinivas Reddy will play the lead for the third time. He will next be seen in romantic comedy directed by JB Manu of Right Right fame.
John Abraham’s next is based on a Spanish thriller. The film will also star Taapsee Pannu.
Sai Dharam Teja’s next film, an action drama, was officially launched on Wednesday. Actress Anupama Parameswaran is the female lead.
Spotlight
Veteran Tamil comedy actor Alwa Vasu, who has appeared in over 900 films, passed away on Thursday night around 10:30 pm due to a liver ailment. He was diagnosed with liver issues a year ago, following which, he went in and out of hospitals. On Thursday morning, doctors had asked Vasu’s family to take him home as there was nothing else to be done.
Thousands swarmed the streets, disrupting traffic in Kochi on Thursday afternoon when Canadian-born Bollywood actress Sunny Leone visited the city for a function. Police had a tough time getting the traffic moving as thousands virtually took over the Mahatma Gandhi Road for a glimpse of the actress, who was overwhelmed by the “sea of love”.
Actress Riya Sen and her long-time boyfriend Shivam Tiwari tied the knot in a quiet ceremony in Pune on Wednesday with just family and friends in attendance.
Timeout
Similar to the TFPC Vs FEFSI story down south, in Bollywood now there’s a similar worker’s union strike going on. The television and Hindi film industry are currently facing a strike held by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) in Mumbai. Reportedly, the junior artistes and spot boys working on various TV shows and big-budget films such as Padmavati and Aanand L Rai’s untitled project with Shah Rukh Khan, have refused to work any further till the time their demands — a hike in their wages and revised working hours, including compensation for overtime — are met.
There is currently an online petition going on Change.org with the respect to the implementation of the recommendations of the Shyam Benegal committee. The petition, addressed to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting – Smriti Z Irani – implores her to look into the April 2016 committee suggestions.
Recommended
An excerpt from the petition:
“The implementation of the recommendations would also bring in the new rating system for films, which will enable viewers to make an informed choice in addition to ensuring that films get the right certification instead of often-unnecessary cuts.”
Let them eat cake!
Lyricist Gulzar, actor Ranvir Shorey, director Roman Polanski, comedian Adam Samberg, and actor Edward Norton will all turn a year older today.