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“In Europe we are accustomed to producing with a bit less money and finding solutions,” declared Luca Bernabei as he spoke about how his Fremantle-backed production outfit Lux Vide has had to keep costs down on Jesse Williams-starrer Costiera and upcoming epic Sandokan.

Bernabei pointed to a “tricky” financial market in which American buyers are looking to Europeans for guidance on how to make shows for that little bit less.

“Europe has been doing this for a long time,” Bernabei told Deadline on the Fremantle stand at MIPCOM. “The producer has to be smart and find new ways of making shows.”

Starring John Hannah, Ed Westwick, Alanah Bloor and Can Yaman, Sandokan is a case in point. The pirate series based on the old novels by Emilio Salgari, which has been adapted several times before for the big and small screen, is yet to find a buyer, with Fremantle deficit financing.

The year was 1992 when Ettore Bernabei, a former chief of Italian public broadcaster Rai, founded Lux Vide, first as an advertising company before moving into television production.

Over 30 years and 1,300 hours of television later, the production house with its expanded studio space now has one of the largest, most sustainable and technologically advanced production spaces in Europe. It boasts a slate of ambitious shows, from Italian favorites such as “Don Matteo” (just entering its fourteenth season) and “Doc” to more international fare, like “The Medici.”

Following Lux Vide’s acquisition by Fremantle two years ago, the shingle continues to provide uplifting content with international appeal. “Lux has alternated great international productions, filmed in English, and Italian productions which nevertheless have the possibility of being sold abroad,” CEO and son of Ettore, Luca Bernabei tells Variety.

“We try to make feel-good content aimed at families. That’s our brand. In the...

Zee 5’s new spy thriller, Berlin, by Atul Sabharwal, revolves around Pushkin, an ordinary teacher who must interrogate Ashok Kumar, who is suspected of being an Isi spy involved in a plot to assassinate the Russian president. What’s Ashok’s real motive, and who else is in on this conspiracy? Let’s dive into the cast and characters to find it out.

Spoilers Ahead

Pushkin Verma

We all know how talented Aparshakti Khurana is after his brilliant performances in Stree and Jubilee, and his performance as Pushkin Verma in Berlin really shows promise. Pushkin, like you and me, is just an ordinary man—a government teacher at a deaf and mute institution who had no idea he’d get caught up in something so dark and dangerous when he was asked to work with the Intelligence Bureau to interrogate Ashok, the so-called deaf and mute “spy.” At first,...

Like the first season, the second season of Tanaav is a beast of its own. Authentic in look and speech, Tanaav doesn’t look like an adaptation, of the Israeli series Fauda. The terror contexts are smartly changed and localized. The characters do not waste time in allowing us to get to know them. Their jobs are well-planned from before. Heads will role, tides will turn and the fugitive terrorists will find their nemesis.

I like the way the series makes room for the families to have their say. There is a chilling clarity in the narrative in the way it identifies the two sides and then leaves them to their devices. Tanaav2 gets it terror-dynamics right from the start. It’s not just the families of the Indian officers and the terrorists who suffer, even friends and acquaintances are not spared.

Directed with a firm hand by Sudhir Mishra and E Niwas,...

Bollywood has seen numerous couples where significant age gaps exist, yet their relationships have flourished despite societal expectations. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent Bollywood couples with noticeable age differences:

Top 5 Bollywood Songs of 2024: Tamannaah Bhatia’s Aaj Ki Raat to Sharvari’s Taras top songs of Bollywood

1. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

Age Gap: 10 years

Story: Priyanka Chopra, an established Bollywood and Hollywood star, married American singer Nick Jonas in 2018. Despite the 10-year age gap, the couple has a strong bond and continues to be one of the most talked-about couples globally.

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A post shared by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas)

2. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput

Age Gap: 13 years

Story: Shahid Kapoor married Mira Rajput, a non-industry girl, in 2015. Despite their significant age difference, the couple has been happily married and has two children.

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A post...

Life Hill Gayi is a brand-new comedy drama on Disney+ that is all about exploring the family dynamics of people who do not want to help each other out. We are talking about a wealthy family that has not been kind to each other. Dysfunctional family dynamics are at the core of the show, and the characters slowly grow to understand why their support of the family is a must.

Spoilers Ahead

Dev

Divyendu Sharma, one of the most versatile actors of Hindi cinema right now, stars in the show as the rich brat Dev, who has been asked by his grandfather to head to his old hotel. Dev comes across as a man who is arrogant about his wealth even though he’s not the one who earned it. Everything was inherited from his grandfather and father. Dev lacks decency when it comes to talking to his family members and strangers.

Amrita Rao and Zayed Khan, who famously co-starred in the 2004 hit film Main Hoon Na, recently reunited after 21 years for an ad shoot in Mumbai. Their reunion was captured in a video that has been widely shared on social media, sparking excitement among fans. In the video, the two actors greet each other warmly with a hug and are seen engaging in a lively conversation before starting their shoot together.

The video was posted by a paparazzo account with the caption, “Muh toh band karo, uncle! Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao were seen together after 21 years! The suspense is killing us. Can’t wait to find out what’s next, especially after spotting them at the Nykaa shoot! Any guesses what they’re up to?” Fans flooded the comments with enthusiastic reactions, with many complimenting the pair’s youthful appearance and dubbing them “Desi Ken and Barbie.” One person wrote,...

Take a first peek at Sandokan, a new international adaptation of Emilio Salgari’s historic saga about the adventures of a titular pirate who, with his motley crew, fights against colonial powers in Southeast Asia. Scroll down for more.

Fremantle’s Lux Vide in collaboration with Rai Fiction have unveiled the first-look images, which show the various characters assembled for the TV series. Sandokan will air on Rai1 in Italy and be distributed internationally by Fremantle and in Spain by Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group.

Turkish actor Can Yaman (Dolunay, Violet Like the Sea) stars as the legendary pirate Sandokan, alongside British newcomer Alanah Bloor (Waves) as Lady Marianne, the spirited daughter of the British consul.

Sandokan is a pirate who lives by the day: he fights only for himself and his crew, including his trusted Yanez. But his life changes when during a raid he meets Marianne, the beautiful daughter...

Alaya F, who recently gained attention for her role in the hit film Srikanth, shared a humorous yet painful moment from her fitness training on Instagram Stories. In the video, Alaya attempts to balance on a gym ball but loses her balance and takes a tumble. Thankfully, she avoided any serious injury, though she admitted the fall was quite painful.

Accompanying the video, Alaya wrote: “My most painful fail yet. (This is why it’s important to Not try this at home without trained supervision and crash mats). Watch this with sound on (sic).” The clip garnered reactions from her followers, including a clapping emoji from Priyanka and an amazed comment from Saiyami Kher saying, “Woah”.

Alaya F made her acting debut in Jawaani Jaaneman alongside Saif Ali Khan and has since appeared in movies like Freddy, Always Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat, U-Turn, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. She is...

Actor Ishwak Singh, who is known for his work ‘Rocket Boys’, ‘Paatal Lok’, and ‘Aligarh’, has shared that his upcoming film ‘Berlin’ pays homage to the Delhi of the early 1990s.

‘Berlin’, directed by Atul Sabharwal, follows the story of a deaf-mute man who becomes embroiled in espionage accusations. As the authorities intensify their pursuit, a proficient sign language interpreter emerges, entrusted with untangling the truth on behalf of a government operative.

The film, which delves into the themes of deception, betrayal, and redemption, received huge acclaim at the Habitat International Film Festival in Delhi.

Talking about the film, Ishwak said, “Berlin is a deeply rooted and authentic film. Aside from the plot and the character arcs, the film’s strength lies in its strong cultural, political, and social references beautifully ingrained in the narrative. It’s an ode to Delhi of the ’90s, the time when I grew up in the city,...

Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”), John Hannah (“The Mummy”) and British newcomer Alanah Bloor are set to join Turkish lead Can Yaman in “Sandokan,” Lux Vide’s reboot of the cult Italian TV series about the adventures of its titular pirate who, with his motley crew, fights against colonial powers in Southeast Asia.

Shooting is set to start April 22 outside Rome on this high-end reboot of Italian writer Emilio Salgari’s exotic epic. The original “Sandokan,” directed in 1976 by Sergio Sollima, catapulted Indian actor Kabir Bedi to Bollywood stardom, having sold to more than 85 countries around the world.

Fremantle-owned Lux Vide’s new spin on the storied “Sandokan” IP is based on an idea by Lux Vide CEO Luca Bernabei developed for TV by Alessandro Sermoneta (“Devils”); Scott Rosenbaum (“The Shield”); Davide Lantieri (“Monterossi”) and directed by Jan Maria Michelini (“Devils”) and Nicola Abbatangelo (“Doc”).

In an unusual arrangement, “Sandokan...

Parveen Babi Starred In Super Hit movies like Namak Halal, Kaalia, Shaan, Deewar, and More. (Photo Credit – IMDb/Instagram)

The late 70s and 80s superstar Parveen Babi is a star whose loss is a remnant in Hindi Cinema. Her charm and ability to translate emotions through subtlety and grace made the movies she starred in more affluent. Multiple heartbreaks, a bout with schizophrenia, and an untimely death at the age of 50 marked the end of the starlet’s life. But did you know she once ran behind Mahesh Bhatt without stopping him after they broke up? She also ended up in a mental hospital in New York.

Parveen Babi‘s life stories are no less than a saga; it had everything: love, heartbreak, sadness, and tragedy. Amar Akbar Anthony, Namak Halal, Shaan, and The Burning Train are just a few of the classic Hindi films she starred in. And while...

The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 brought together the glitz of Bollywood and the dynamism of the Ott world in a spectacular event. Hosted by the dynamic duo Aparshakti Khurana and Neha Dhupia, the evening celebrated the best of content and talents across films and web series, guided by a distinguished panel of jury members including Prasoon Joshi, Aanand L Rai, Kabir Bedi, Meenakshi Seshadri, Ramesh S Taurani, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Tavishi Paitanday. The event was a grand spectacle, honouring the art of storytelling and recognizing outstanding contributions.

The festivities commenced with a scintillating performance by Threeory Band, known for their Animal fame, setting the stage on fire with a mix of chart-topping hits and timeless classics. The event witnessed the presence of luminaries from the entertainment industry, including Karan Johar, Rani Mukherjee, Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore,...

Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the highest Italian civilian award. After the event in Mumbai, there was a special live musical performance by Niccolo Fabi which set off the celebrations perfectly.

“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.

“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”

He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”

Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...

Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the highest Italian civilian award. After the event in Mumbai, there was a special live musical performance by Niccolo Fabi which set off the celebrations perfectly.

“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.

“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”

He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”

Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...

Actress Aneesha Madhok, who is known for her work in the Hollywood movie ‘Bully High’, will now be seen in the musical play ‘Ananda’, and shared her experience about the same, adding that it helped expand her worldview of art with a conglomeration of calmness, creativity and receptibility. ‘Ananda’ is directed by Muzaffar Ali.

Aneesha is playing the role of Jhumki, who’s a young seductress as she encounters the spiritual enlightenment seeking Ananda.

Noted actor and the owner of baritone voice Kabir Bedi is the narrator of the play.

Talking about the same, Aneesha said: “The entire experience has helped expand my worldview of art with a conglomeration of calmness, creativity and receptibility. Muzaffar Ali sir’s aura keeps me in awe of him.”

“He is a royal artist not because of his name but because of his ability to surrender to art beyond limitations. Any words I say...

Actress Aneesha Madhok, who is known for her work in the Hollywood movie ‘Bully High’, will now be seen in the musical play ‘Ananda’, and shared her experience about the same, adding that it helped expand her worldview of art with a conglomeration of calmness, creativity and receptibility. ‘Ananda’ is directed by Muzaffar Ali.

Aneesha is playing the role of Jhumki, who’s a young seductress as she encounters the spiritual enlightenment seeking Ananda.

Noted actor and the owner of baritone voice Kabir Bedi is the narrator of the play.

Talking about the same, Aneesha said: “The entire experience has helped expand my worldview of art with a conglomeration of calmness, creativity and receptibility. Muzaffar Ali sir’s aura keeps me in awe of him.”

“He is a royal artist not because of his name but because of his ability to surrender to art beyond limitations. Any words I say...

The prestigious London Indian Film Festival is ready to once again showcase outstanding films in its Autumn programme. This extraordinary festival, running from 25th October to 4th November, will feature incredible films with many Indian and South Asian premieres, as well as classic movies and even a first web series preview. Plus, so much more!

The festival is expanding and bringing even more excellence with screenings and special events in 5 different locations, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bradford.

Berlin

It starts in London with the European premiere of the fast-paced whodunnit espionage drama Berlin. From writer and director Atul Sabharwal, this compelling spy thriller stars Aparshakti Khurana (Jubilee) as a young sign language teacher lured into the dark world of espionage. Undercover security forces coerce him to interrogate a young deaf man, powerfully played by Ishwak Singh (Rocket Boys), accused of spying. Veteran actor Kabir Bedi also features in a commanding cameo.

Exclusive: The London Indian Film Festival is expanding.

With its 2023 edition, running October 25 to November 4, the festival will, for the first time, run simultaneously across five cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Leeds.

The festival will open with the European Premiere of Berlin. From writer-director Atul Sabharwal, this spy thriller stars Aparshakti Khurana (Jubilee) as a young sign language teacher lured into the dark world of espionage, as he is coerced by undercover security forces to interrogate a young deaf man, played by Ishwak Singh, (Rocket Boys) who has been accused of spying. Veteran actor Kabir Bedi also stars.

With support from the BFI Audience Projects Fund, the festival is also moving into the world of online gaming and Xr. In collaboration with Tulsea and Format, Manchester’s gaming and nightlife festival, the fest will showcase new computer games developed by South Asian creatives. The games will be presented on October 26 in Manchester.

In the universe of James Bond, there are several tiers of villains. There are the primary villains, of course, the mad geniuses like Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Auric Goldfinger, Karl Stromberg, or Max Zorin, who plot to take down financial institutions, governments, military installations, or even the entire world. Sometimes it’s even all of the above Next, however, are the secondary adversaries who may support the main villain in their plans but are often either in it for their own financial gain (as opposed to world conquest), or because they’re in trouble, and this is their only way out. Think of Pussy Galore from Goldfinger, Milton Krest from Licence to Kill, General Ouromov from GoldenEye, Professor Dent from Dr. No… and the list goes on and on.

And then there are the henchmen who are there for one sole reason: to kill James Bond, or in the words of one famous villain,...

The makers of Junior, the upcoming Punjabi action thriller, have dropped the teaser of the film on Monday. The film stars Amiek Virk as the titular character, who is on a quest to expose the evil forces. The film is directed by Harman Dhillon and produced by Nadar Films.

The teaser showcases the scale and intensity of the film, which features breathtaking action sequences and stunning cinematography. Junior is seen as a one man army, who takes on the enemies with his courage and skills. The film also has Kabir Bedi, Pradeep Rawat and Yograj Singh in key roles.

Junior Teaser

The film’s tagline, “The biggest manhunt of a man in hunt”, sums up the plot of the film, which is expected to be a thrilling ride for the audience. The film has been compared to Kgf, which was also a one man army film that became a huge success.

Mumbai, May 24 (Ians) After working extensively in Hollywood and Bollywood, veteran actor Kabir Bedi is all set to make his Kannada debut at the age of 77 with ‘Kari Haida? Koragajja’.

Sudhir Attavar’s film is about a 12th-century Adivasi boy who is worshipped as a god. The film explores the indigenous culture and traditions in Karnataka.

Kabir Bedi and Attavar were spotted dubbing the film in Mumbai, from where the duo took to social media to share a sneak peek into the movie.

Kabir Bedi, who plays the role of a king in the movie, said: “Very good cast, a good director and producer, and above all a great story. I think it will make for a beautiful viewing experience.”

He continued: “I feel that this film should touch hearts of people because it is already a legend among the people, especially in the Mangalore region, and it is time...

Kabir Bedi has worked in Bollywood as well as Hollywood films. Kabir Bedi, who has a distinct identity at the international level, is also known for his baritone voice. The veteran actor is all set to be seen in a Kannada film for the first time, which is being made on a subject like ‘Kantara’. Recently, he was spotted dubbing the film in Mumbai, he spoke about the story of the film, his character and the experience of working in a different language for the first time.

Producer Trivikram Sapalya and director Sudhir Attavar’s Kannada film ‘Kari Haida? Koragajja’ under the banner of Druthi Creations and Success Films will feature Kabir Bedi, Sandip Soparrkar, South stars Shruti, Bhavya and Naveen Padil. This is the first film of Bharat Suriya and Ritika. The film’s composers are Sudhir-Krishna. The film’s editors are Suresh (Bombay and Dil Se) and Vidyadhar Shetty.

Hyderabad, March 21 (Ians) As Tollywood movie “Shaakuntalam”, starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, inches towards theatrical release in April, the expectations around the movie are constantly on the rise.

The makers have now revealed that Bollywood veteran Kabir Bedi essays the role of ancient sage Kashyapa in the Gunasekhar directorial.

“Among the Saptarishis of the Rig Veda.. The sage from who’s name the magnificent region of ‘Kashmir’ derives its name.. A prime figure in this tale of Shakuntala-Dushyant. @iKabirBedi as Sage Kashyapa. #Shaakuntalam,” the makers, Guna Teamworks tweeted on Tuesday.

“Shaakuntalam” is a retelling of the classic tale of Shakuntala and Dushyant, the parents of Bharat, after whom Bharatvarsh or India derives its name.

Director and film maker Gunasekhar has in 2015 made a historical on famed Kakateeya queen Rudhramadevi who ruled over present-day Telangana. His directorial “Okkadu” starring Mahesh Babu in 2003, was a massive hit.

–Ians

pvn/d...

Taylor Hayes (Krista Allen) is a troubled heroine on The Bold and the Beautiful. The world-renowned psychiatrist past is back to haunt her courtesy of Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown). Taylor is in a fragile state which has many people concerned over her well-being.

The Bold and the Beautiful star Krista Allen I Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images Will Taylor Hayes die on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’?

Taylor is a protective mother, she’d do anything to keep her children safe. Now that Sheila’s returned from the dead, the doctor is more determined than ever to rid Sheila from Steffy Forrester’s (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) life. However, that’s easier said than done.

Sheila’s new beau Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) helped her gain her freedom thanks to Taylor’s dangerous secret. Bill blackmailed Steffy into dropping charges against Sheila or he’d send Taylor to prison. Taylor...

Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat

Written & Directed by Anurag Kashyap

That annoying cackle! In one of the two love stories that are fused together in Anurag Kashyap’s fascinating new work of heart, Yakub, the intellectually dim loverboy has a laugh like a hyena on heat which is hard to beat and anything but a treat.

Silly impetuous Yaqub(Karan Mehta) stalks silly adventurous underage Amrita(Alaya F). Somewhere in London another a struggling musician Hameet(Karan Mehta, again) is stalked by Ayesha(Alaya F), again underage, the rich spoilt pampered lonely daughter of a Pakistani millionaire who, according to Ayesha, bangs everything that moves.

In one of the film’s most beautifully conceived sequences Ayesha tells the introverted Harmeet why she cannot help being his little lamb, why she goes all mushy when she looks at him.

It’s a memorable monologue brilliantly performed by Alaya . She is most...

Los Angeles, Jan 16 (Ians) Gina Lollobrigida, the 1950s Italian bombshell who starred in films including ‘Fanfan la Tulipe’, ‘Beat the Devil’, ‘Trapeze’ and ‘Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell’, has died. She was 95.

A generation of Indians will remember Lollobrigida from her sensational appearance at the 1978 International Film Festival of India (Iffi), where her flirty exchanges with Kabir Bedi were grist for the gossip magazine mill as well as politically incorrect comparisons between her physical attributes and those of Zeenat Aman.

Kabir Bedi, in his autobiography ‘Stories I Must Tell’, recalls a famous face-off Praveen Babi had with Lollobrigida at a party the Italian actress hosted in his honour for playing Sandokan in the famous Italian television series. The temperamental Indian actress was upset with Lollobrigida because she was apparently getting too comfortable with Bedi.

Lollobrigida also provided fodder for film magazines when it was rumoured that she was being cast by...

Gina Lollobrigida, the 1950s Italian bombshell who starred in films including ‘Fanfan la Tulipe’, ‘Beat the Devil’, ‘Trapeze’ and ‘Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell’, has died. She was 95. A generation of Indians will remember Lollobrigida from her sensational appearance at the 1978 International Film Festival of India (Iffi), where her flirty exchanges with Kabir Bedi were grist for the gossip magazine mill as well as politically incorrect comparisons between her physical attributes and those of Zeenat Aman.

Kabir Bedi, in his autobiography ‘Stories I Must Tell’, recalls a famous face-off Praveen Babi had with Lollobrigida at a party the Italian actress hosted in his honour for playing Sandokan in the famous Italian television series. The temperamental Indian actress was upset with Lollobrigida because she was apparently getting too comfortable with Bedi.

Lollobrigida also provided fodder for film magazines when it was rumoured that she was being cast by Krishna Shah in his Indo-American movie,...

Veteran Indian actor Kabir Bedi, who has an extensive body of work in Italy including all-time favorite television series “Sandokan,” was conferred a lifetime achievement award at Venice on Saturday.

Bedi was presented with the Filming Italy Movie Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Production Bridge market. The award was presented by producer and actor Tiziana Rocca and Roberto Stabile, the head of the international department of Italian national audiovisual body Anica.

The actor, who has served as an unofficial ambassador for Indo-Italian relations for some four decades, said during his acceptance speech, “I have tried to make people in Italy focus on India for many years, and people in India focus on Italy for many years.”

“Since the time of ‘Sandokan,’ I’ve done over six major series in Italy and not many people realize that really Bollywood and Hollywood are a far lesser part of my life than my career in Italy,...

Veteran actress Reena Roy shares how after doing the 1976 film ‘Nagin’, people ran away from her shouting “Nagin has come”. ‘Nagin’ also stars Sunil Dutt, Feroz Khan, Jeetendra, Sanjay Khan, Rekha, Mumtaz, Vinod Mehra, Yogeeta Bali, Kabir Bedi and Anil Dhawan.

“Whenever and wherever I would go and shoot, the crowd would run towards me but after ‘Naagin’, people would run away from me screaming ‘Naagin has come!’ They wanted to see me but were scared too,” says the 65-year-old actress on the singing reality show ‘Superstar Singer 2’.

She continues to say that this is one of her favourite films and this subject was not explored much at that time people believed that she is a real Nagin.

“In some theatres in Punjab, there were actual snakes that had slithered in and people had scrambled away from there. I love this film to date, and because there weren’t many films that discussed this subject,...

Director Kevin Reynolds’ graphic, gritty desert combat movie is about a lost tank in the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Besides being 98 an unpleasant downer, it now reminds us that we got into the exact same fix just a decade after the Russkis threw in the towel. Cruel Russki soldiers commit atrocities against vengeful Moujahedin resistance, and there’s really nobody to root for. George Dzundza, Jason Patric, Steven Bauer and Stephen Baldwin endure a rough ordeal out in the dirt, hoping for the next war movie breakthrough hit.

The Beast

Region Free Blu-ray

Viavision [Imprint] #143

1988 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 111 min. / Street Date July 27, 2022 / The Beast of War / Available from Imprint / 39.95

Starring: George Dzundza, Jason Patric, Steven Bauer, Stephen Baldwin, Don Harvey, Kabir Bedi, Erick Avari, Haim Gerafi, Shosh Marciano.

Cinematography: Douglas Milsome

Production Designer: Kuli Sander

Art Director: Richard James

Film Editor: Peter Boyle

Original Music: Mark Isham

Written...

A slew of top-notch directors, producers and stars is set to make the trek to the fifth edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, which combines film and TV and is stepping up efforts to serve as a collective celebration of the Italian and global industry’s restart spirit.

Since Italy’s box office returns are sputtering due to audience aversion to wearing a mask in theaters, Tiziana Rocca, chief of this unique event, is adding an open-air venue with a giant screen at its main hub, the Forte Village resort near Cagliari, capital of the emerald island of Sardinia (Sardegna in Italian).

“Seeing movies in the open air is a different thrill, especially for younger audiences that have been rebelling against mandatory masks in movie theaters,” Rocca says.

Accordingly, the June 9-12 fest will open with the Italian premiere of Universal’s crowd-pleaser “Jurassic World Dominion” in its new outdoor Piazza Forte Cinema.

Actress Alaya F has shared a string of monochrome pictures on social media on Friday and she looks every bit gorgeous in them.

Alaya, granddaughter of veteran actor Kabir Bedi, posted three monochrome pictures on Instagram. In the images, she is seen dressed in a shoulder blouse paired with high waisted pants.

She completed her look with kohled eyes and soft curls. The actress poses for the photo-shoot in an abandoned building.

"Hi," she wrote as caption for the image, which currently has 21.9K likes on the photo-sharing website.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alaya F (@alayaf)

Alaya made her Bollywood debut with "Jawaani Jaaneman" last year. She was recently seen in the music video "Aaj sajeya", directed by Punit Malhotra.

Mumbai, Feb 21 (Ians) Veteran actor Kabir Bedi is all set to launch his autobiography in April this year.

The 75-year-old actor took to Instagram on Sunday to inform about the release date of his book and also expressed that he has written it with raw emotional honesty.

Bedi's book is titled "Stories I must tell- The emotional journey of an actor".

"We Have A Date! My #autobiography on April 2021. Thrilled to be published by @westland_books. I've poured my heart into this book and I've told it with raw emotional honesty. Stories of triumphs & tragedies, milestones & mistakes, remembrances & regrets, love, longing and lingering loss. #StoriesIMustTell," Kabir Bedi wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday.

In a recent interview with Ians, Kabir Bedi had spoken about his autobiography with the words: "It is the story of my life told through a number of stories. I think people will get a good...

Cinema Retro has received the following press release:

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In 2017, after ten years of service, MI6 Confidential introduced a new special format: a limited-run 100-page perfect bound issue of the magazine taking a deep dive into one particular facet of the franchise. The fourth release hands the microphone to long-serving Bond director, John Glen taking a look back at his favourite film as helmsman, Octopussy.

The idea for this issue came together as we were finishing work on Peter Lamont's Live And Let Die portfolio. We approached someone who had a equally profound effect on the trajectory of modern Bond. John readily agreed to work with us and we gave him free choice of the film he wished to profile. He chose Octopussy - the colourful, adventurous, flamboyant and darn-right-lucky 13th Bond outing. With help from editor Bill Koenig, John walks us through pre-production,...

By Ahana Bhattacharya

Mumbai, Jan 19 (Ians) Veteran actor Kabir Bedi says his upcoming autobiography is not a kiss and tell book, but one that will reveal a lot of things new to readers with raw emotional intensity. He adds that he plans to release the book in summer this year.

The actor of international repute chose the Covid-induced lockdown last year to devote time and pen the book narrating his journey, ups and downs, achievements and tragedies. 

"I have been wanting to write a book for a number of years and got the time to think about it during lockdown. I figured out how I wanted to tell my story, which is very important. It took me four months to write the book and then I revised it for the next two months," Bedi told Ians.

Throwing light on the contents of his book, the actor added: "It is the...

By Vishnu Makhijani

New Delhi, Aug 31 (Ians) Parveen Babi truly lived life king-sized, redefining the manner in which actresses portrayed themselves on the big screen, being cast in over 50 films with every Bollywood A-lister worth the name, appearing on the cover of Time magazine and recovering from two mental breakdowns but in the end, dying a lonely death – sadly, just a name for the present day Hindi film industry and cine-goers alike.

"With characters like Anita from ‘Deewar', Parveen changed the kind of roles our leading ladies played on screen. Anita had both sexual and economic autonomy. Parveen was also instrumental in changing how our actresses look on screen," says her biographer, Karishma Upadhyay, of her book "Parveen – A Life" (Hachette) that should serve as a reminder for the present generation of an actress who attempted to live life on her own terms but lost out in the end.

Actress Pooja Bedi's daughter Alaya F, who makes her Bollywood debut in "Jawaani Jaaneman", likes to take decisions on her own.

"I like to do stuff myself, be it taking any decision or anything else, I generally take my own call. I believe in 'sabki suno lekin apni karo' (listen to everyone but take your own call). It does not mean that I don't take the advice my mother or my grandfather (Kabir Bedi) give me about films. I do discuss things with them, but at the end of the day it would be my decision. I am quite critical about myself," Alaya told Ians.

Also Read:?Alaya F is the latest 'fashionista' on the block

And the young artiste likes being "pressurised" too.

"I am a fan of pressure. It feels good when I get exhausted after working. Work has become my passion now. I enjoy being pressurised in terms of work,...

A place filled with diversity. Amongst this diversity we see a variety of people, foods and dress. This is what we can say about the country India.

The film has been instrumental in portraying beautiful places and their magnificient scenary captured under one frame. Now what if the these films show the beauty of Insdia. Many films have shown our?country India and its scenary in the most spectacular manner possible.

One of the films in which we got a glimpse of India was the James Bond movie Octopussy starring Roger Moore, Kabir Bedi. In this movie we see Rajasthan portrayed in the best?way possible. Rajasthan is known for many historical places and monuments.

The castles shown here are the part of Rajasthan. The other movie in which we see this place is Batman movie Batman Rises.? In this film we see that the well in which Batman gets...

After the news of Jnanpith award winner Girish Karnad's death broke on social media, members of the film fraternity including?Shabana Azmi,?Sonam K Ahuja, Madhur Bhandarkar, among many others took to Twitter to mourn the demise of the veteran playwright, screenwriter, actor, and director.

Karnad died at his residence in Bengaluru on Monday morning. He was 81. The veteran artist is survived by his son Raghu, a writer and journalist.

Also, read:?Jnanpith winner Girish Karnad passes away!

Here's what the celebrities have tweeted:

Shabana Azmi: Deeply saddened to learn about Girish Karnad. Haven't yet been able to speak with his family. Its been a friendship of 43 years and I need the privacy to mourn him. I request the media to kindly excuse me from giving quotes.

Madhur Bhandarkar: Deeply saddened by the news of demise of Girsh Karnadji. He will be remembered for his work as a theater personality,...

Bazodee, a new style Bollywood musical with a distinctly Caribbean island flavor is now available to buy or rent on iTunes.The film is set on the vivid, colorful island of Trinidad and pulsing with the sensuous dance rhythms of soca music, which is the soul of calypso music from Trindad and Tobago. Baz’oh’dee (Adj. Trinidadian Slang): A state of dizziness or confusion – often used with regards to love or infatuation.

The acclaimed film stars Machel Montano, Natalie Perera, and Kabir Bedi. Anita Panchouri (Natalie Perera), the dutiful Indian daughter of a deep in debt businessman (Kabir Bedi) is about to marry a wealthy Londoner (Staz Nair) when a chance encounter with a local singer, Lee de Leon (Soca music star Machel Montano in his film debut) sets things askew. In search of a muse, de Leon agrees to perform at the engagement party for both families.

It was considered that Indian actors can’t shine or make a mark in Hollywood. Naseeruddin Shah, Kabir Bedi, Mallika Sherawat, Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Tabu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anupam Kher etc tried their luck in Hollywood but couldn’t become popular. On the other hand, Om Puri did get few roles while Irrfan Khan left aRead More

The post Wow! Katrina Kaif hires an agent in Hollywood? appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Shergill, Nafisa Ali, Chitrangda Singh Kabir Bedi toil it out during the scorching heat for Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3...

"Is man ready to re-constitute it?" What the heck is this? A full trailer has debuted for a film titled The Broken Key, some sort of weird sci-fi mashup involving historical artifacts and modern technology and all kinds of wacky things. It's set in the near future, at a time when paper has become a rare item, "a luxury possession", and printing is now a crime. The main character is a British scholar of ancient Italian origins, who gets caught up in a series of murders taking him "on the path traced, so many centuries before, by Dante Alighieri and by the painter Hieronymus Bosch." This stars Rutger Hauer, Michael Madsen, Christopher Lambert, Geraldine Chaplin, Franco Nero, William Baldwin, Maria de Medeiros, Kabir Bedi, and Marc Fiorini. This really looks way too weird for my tastes, another film straight from the 90s destined to find its way into VHS bargain bins.

After making a comeback with Bhoomi, Sanjay Dutt has begun the shooting for his upcoming film Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3. It has been over a week since the cast and crew of Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film has begun the first schedule in Bikaner. From Sanjay Dutt to Nafisa Ali to Kabir Bedi, the cast hasRead More

The post On Set Photos: Sanjay Dutt, Chitrangda Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill and others shoot for Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 in Bikaner appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Yesteryear actress and former Miss India Sonu Walia, who is best known for her role in Rekha and Kabir Bedi starrer Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), has reportedly filed a sexual harassment complaint at Bangur Nagar police station after receiving lewd calls and obscene messages from an unknown person. According to Mumbai Mirror, the 53-year-old actress approached the police on Friday (March 3) and said in her Fir that the person had made several lewd phone calls to her and sent obscene videos for the past one week. She also told the police that she had warned the unidentified caller for his obscene calls which further led to increase in the frequency of his calls which he made from different numbers. The numbers are no longer operational said the police. The accused has been booked under sections 354 of Ipc and other sections of the It act at the Bangur Nagar police station.

Readers may know that the veteran actor Kabir Bedi, who is known for his impressive acting skills as much as he is known for his baritone voice, was recently seen in the historic drama Mohenjo Daro. The latest update on Kabir Bedi is that, he has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Keys to the CityRead More

The post Check out: Kabir Bedi honoured with ‘Keys To City Of Florence’ appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

While Mohenjo Daro failed to make a mark at the box-office, the film has now received flak from a Pakistani Minister who has gone a step ahead and demanded an apology. Sindh Minister for Culture and Antiquities, Sardar Ali Shah was miffed with the distortion of the facts in the film and hence has decided to approach the makers for the same. Apparently, Sardar Ali Shah accused that the film had mocked a highly respected culture and a 5000 year old civilization. Claiming that Mohenjo Daro was merely a figment of the director's imagination, he also mentioned that the film has no connection with history whatsoever. Considering that Mohenjo Daro has been included in the list of heritage sites of Unesco, the Pakistani Minister also added that he was really upset with the makers about portrayal of facts in the film and will soon convey his opinion to the makers of the film.

In 2001, Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan” became the third Indian film in history to receive an Oscar nomination. The story, featuring villagers in British India who challenge their rulers’ tax impositions with a game of cricket, established Gowarikar as one of India’s leading filmmakers. It also triggered his preference for period dramas of epic proportions; he followed it up with 2008’s “Jodhaa Akbar,” a less dynamic but lavish fictional rendition of the love story between the famous Mughal emperor and his Hindu wife. A few forgettable films later, Gowarikar has returned to his favorite genre with “Mohenjo Daro.”

Based on the city at the heart of the Indus Valley Civilization, the film is an ambitious attempt to paint a portrait of a relatively obscure slice of the past. But the same writer-director who set the bar for historical fiction 15 years ago doesn’t meet it even halfway now—bloated and tiresome,...

We all know athletes all around the world are participating in the Rio Olympics 2016. As far as Indian athletes are concerned, entire nation including Bollywood celebs are coming out in support of them. Hrithik Roshan, who is already supporting our athletes, cheered the refugee participants as well. On Wednesday, Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini participated in her match which also happened to be her last as well. She bowed out of the competition after competing in the 100-meter race because she believed she had helped open the world's eyes to the unfortunate condition of homeless. Hrithik Roshan, who has been following the Olympics, came out in support of athlete and wrote, "Tonight I cheer for Yusra Mardini, a real-life hero who saved lives through her swimming and is part of refugee Olympic athletes team. It's incredibly cool to have included displaced sportsmen in Olympics. This time as refugee Olympic team. They don't have a nation.