Ileana denies quitting Tollywood
Actress Ileana D'Cruz, who has made a comeback to the Telugu industry after six years with Sreenu Vatta’s Amar Akbar Anthony, said that she never quit her career in the south to build one in Bollywood. “People have always had misconceptions about my career. After I signed Barfi, I was shocked to read reports that I have quit Telugu cinema for Bollywood. These were baseless allegations and it's time to put them to rest. Why will I give up an industry which has given me an identity,” Ileana asked. “It's just that I was getting really good work in Bollywood that I didn't have time for Telugu films,” she added.
Ileana said that she wants to do films that will be remembered for a long time.
‘With the way content is evolving and compelling stories are coming out, there's a great need for stories of and about stronger women. We have incredible women heroes from the Army and Navy who have done incredible acts in their careers.’
—Yami Gautam
Filmmaker Anand Kumar, known for directing films like Delhii Heights (2007) and Zila Ghaziabad (2013), has conceptualised a film around India’s ex-captain and football sensation Bhaichung Bhutia. He is currently in the process of finalising a director and lead actor for the film. The film’s idea hit Anand during this year’s football World Cup that was held in Russia.
“I’m honoured that people feel my journey is worth capturing to be shown on the big screen. I want my biopic to be close to reality. I am certain that Anand will do justice to my story,” said Bhutia.
Pharell angers Palestinians
Singer Pharrell Williams has been bombarded with furious messages on social media after performing at a benefit gig for Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel earlier this month.
At the event, Williams performed his number Happy giving a speech calling for an end to fighting. However, his presence has angered activists who object to the IDF's actions in the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. “Dear Pharrell, you contributed in raising $60 million to a nasty army that has killed hundreds of thousands of my people,” a Palestinian campaigner wrote on Twitter. Many accused him of hypocrisy as he had tried to ban US President Trump from playing Happy at rallies.