Nadal says ‘no pain’ after Sydney tie as Slam looms

By

-

January 8, 2019

Injury-plagued world number two Rafael Nadal insists he is healthy and in no pain after coming through an exhibition game in Sydney, just days after pulling out of the Brisbane International.

The Spaniard teamed up with Canadian Milos Raonic to defeat Australians Nick Kyrgios and John Millman in the FAST4 Showdown on Monday evening — a shortened, quicker format of the game often described as the tennis equivalent of Twenty20 cricket.

Nadal said that he was “feeling better” after withdrawing from Brisbane, when an MRI revealed a slight strain of his left thigh, casting doubts over his fitness for next week’s Australian Open.

“I did not feel the pain here,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “I think it was a good start for me, a good comeback to the action in front of a fantastic crowd in Sydney.

“I really enjoyed playing here. I’m happy to be back on court and happy that I’m healthy again.” Nadal has not played a main tour event since a knee problem forced him to retire during his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September.

The 32-year-old had surgery on his ankle in November to remove a loose intra-articular body and only resumed training a month ago.

He played the opening round at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi to start his season, where he lost to South African Kevin Anderson, and had a first round bye in Brisbane before withdrawing ahead of the second round.

Asked by reporters if he considered himself a genuine title contender in Melbourne despite his injury problems, he replied: “Why not?” “You can’t predict that. Of course it would be better if I had the chance to play a full tournament in Abu Dhabi and a full tournament in Brisbane, but the big importance is I am feeling good with the ball. The only thing is that I didn’t play matches since a long time ago.”

Nadal will now head to Melbourne, where he was the champion in 2009, to get in as much practice as possible before the opening Grand Slam of the year begins on Monday.

LS passes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

A bill seeking to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangaldesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan was approved by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Piloting the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Opposition that the bill was not against the provisions of the Constitution and would give succour to persecuted minorities in the three neighbouring countries.

The Bill provides for according Indian citizenship to the the Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years even if they do not possess any document.

“They have no place to go to, except India,” he said, adding several leaders including first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were in favour of giving shelter to persecuted minorities in the neighouring countries.

Munna Bhai 3 to go on floors

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

The third instalment of “Munna Bhai” franchise to go on floors by the end of the year, says actor Arshad Warsi.

Munna Bhai, a lovely goon, along with his trusted sidekick Circuit (played by Arshad) took on the condition of healthcare and the dying Gandhian values in the society in the last two films, directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

“I do know that the script is pretty much ready. I do know from Raju that the film will go on floors this year- either mid or the end of the year. The work on the script is going on. As of now, yes it’s Sanju and me. These are the things I’ve been told”, Arshad told agencies.

The first film, “Munna Bhai MBBS” released in 2003 while ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai” released in 2006. The third one, however, will be coming out after more than a decade and Arshad says that it’s slightly “scary“ to pick up the character where he left.

“I tend to do my film and forget about my character and I move on to the next one. I tend to forget, which is what happened with ‘Munna Bhai.’ When I came for the second part, I was doing the same role differently.”

“I realised something isn’t quite right. Then Raju and I saw a couple of scenes from the first one and remembered how I should be doing. This time too, I’m sure I’ll do it.”

Apart from this, Arshad says the fifth installment of “Golmaal 5” will also happen. In Rohit Shetty’s recently released “Simmba”, the “Golmaal” gang had a cameo in a special song where they hinted about the upcoming film. “That will happen too. All of us know, Rohit knows, that he owes it to the audience,” he added.

The actor is currently gearing up for the release of “Fraud Saiyaan”, directed by Sourabh Shrivastava to be released on January 18.

Alia Bhatt in Neetu Kapoor’s family photo; sends Instagram into meltdown

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

It is no secret that Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are the newest ‘It’ couple in Bollywood. The couple’s social media posts just go on to prove the same as well. In fact, Alia’s social media interactions with her beau’s mum Neetu Kapoor and sister Riddhima reveal a lot about the easy rapport she shares with the Kapoor clan.

Recently the Raazi actress joined the Kapoors in their annual vacation at New York and the pictures from their party are the latest talk of the town.

On Tuesday, Neetu Kapoor shared a few snaps from their New York diaries on Instagram and captioned it as, “All the heartbeats in these.”

Soon after, Instagram went into a meltdown with fans commenting on how adorable the photos were. They not only spoke about Neetu’s grand-daughter Samara but also how adorable the family looked in the photos.

One user posted, “Awweee this is sooo adorable.luv u,” while another wrote, “So cute and adorable ! May god bless u both !! All get well soon wishes for rishi sir.”

A third user wrote, “Aunty regards to chacha and bhau ranbir and bhabi @aliaabhatt .. tcr aunty ji @neetu54,” referring to Alia’s presence in the photo.

Alia Bhatt too left a comment on the photo. She left kisses and hearts and even got replied by Riddhima. Alia’s mother Soni Razdan too commented on the same post.

Professionally, 2019 will Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt co-starring for the first time in Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra.

View this post on Instagram

All the heartbeats in these ????

A post shared by neetu Kapoor. Fightingfyt (@neetu54) on Jan 7, 2019 at 7:47pm PST

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by neetu Kapoor. Fightingfyt (@neetu54) on Dec 31, 2018 at 1:01pm PST

Dave Bautista joins Denis Villeneuve’s next film ‘Dune’

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

Dave Bautista is set to star in Denis Villeneuve’s next directorial venture “Dune”.

The “Guardians of the Galaxy” star joins Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson.

Set in the distant future, “Dune” follows Paul Atreides (Chalamet), whose family assumes control of the desert planet Arrakis.

After Paul and his family are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion, and man’s relationship to nature, as Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s reign.

Ferguson will portray Atreides’ mother, Lady Jessica, who escapes with him into the desert and helps him become a saviour in their eyes.

Bautista will play “Beast” Rabban, the sadistic nephew of a baron who oversees Arrakis.

Eric Roth is penning the script.

Legendary closed a deal with the Frank Herbert estate in 2016 for his iconic novel, granting the studio rights to not only films, but also TV projects on the sci-fi property.

The projects will be produced by Villeneuve, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.

Ayodhya case: SC sets up five-judge bench, matter to be heard on Thursday

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set up a five-judge Constitution Bench to hear the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case.

The bench would be headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprise of Justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud.
The Constitution Bench is scheduled to hear the matter on January 10.

The case deals with the controversial issue of setting up a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya at a site believed to have been the birthplace of Lord Ram. The Babri Masjid stood on the disputed site and was controversially demolished in 1992 by ‘kar sevaks’. The demolition led to nationwide riots.

The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case is about who owns the controversial land where Babri Masjid once stood and where Lord Ram is believed to have been born.
On Friday, the top court had deferred the Ayodhya case in just a 60-second hearing and said a bench would decide on January 10 when to take up the case.

The dispute is over 2.7 acres of land on which the Babri Masjid stood before it was demolished on December 6, 1992.

In 2010, the Allahabad High Court accepted that the disputed site was the birthplace of Lord Ram and allotted two-thirds of it to the Hindus. The rest went to the Sunni Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh. Both Hindu and Muslim organisations appealed against it in the Supreme Court, which in 2011, stayed the High Court order.

In October, the Supreme Court rejected the Uttar Pradesh government’s appeal for an early hearing of the 14 petitions in the case. “We have our own priorities. Whether hearing would take place in January, March or April would be decided by an appropriate bench,” the court said.

The court’s refusal for an early hearing pushed right-wing groups and a section of the BJP to demand that the government bypass the legal process and expedite temple construction through an ordinance of the executive order.

Despite pressure from right-wing groups and the Shiv Sena, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his New Year interview that the government is waiting for a legal resolution. “Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever be our responsibility as a government, we are ready to make all efforts,” PM Modi said. He also accused the Congress of delaying the legal process.

In September, the Supreme Court had declined to reconsider its observations in a 1994 judgment that a mosque was not integral to Islam – an issue that came up during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.

The 16th-Century Babri Majid was razed on December 6, 1992, by thousands of right-wing volunteers or Kar Sewaks, who claimed it was built on a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram that was destroyed. Around 2,000 people were killed in the riots that followed the demolition.

Rakesh Roshan diagnosed with serious throat ailment

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

Actor-producer Rakesh Roshan has been diagnosed with early stage squamous cell carcinoma. The news was broken by his son Hrithik Roshan on social media.

Taking to Instagram, Hrithik, on Tuesday, shared a picture in which he can be seen posing with his father in a gym. The veteran actor’s bright smile is proof that his health struggles have not taken a toll on his high spirits.

While Hrithik, being a fitness enthusiast, has always been in a good shape, it was a pleasant surprise to see Rakesh Roshan just as ripped as his son.

“Asked my dad for a picture this morning. Knew he wouldn’t miss gym on surgery day. He is probably the strongest man I know. Got diagnosed with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the throat a few weeks ago, but he is in full spirits today as he proceeds to battle it. As a family we are fortunate and blessed to have a leader like him,” the ‘Kaabil’ wrote in the caption.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan) on Jan 7, 2019 at 7:46pm PST

Kevin Spacey makes first court appearance over sexual assault allegations

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

Actor Kevin Spacey made his first appearance at a Massachusetts court over a criminal charge that he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old boy at a bar in Nantucket.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that The House of Cards actor sported a gray suit, a lavender flowered shirt and a blue polka dot tie as he made his court appearance with his legal team for an arraignment in the sexual assault case.

The two-time Oscar winner faces one count of indecent assault and battery that stemmed from an incident that took place in July 2016.

According to reports, no verbal plea was entered and the actor did not speak. However, his attorneys entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

The judge has set March 4 as the next date and has allowed that Spacey does not have to be present so long as he is available on phone.

Notably, the Nantucket case is the first to result in criminal charges for the 59-year-old actor. The alleged victim is the son of a high-profile TV anchor Heather Unruh and was 18 at the time when he claims Spacey assaulted him after getting him drunk at the Club Car Restaurant on Nantucket in 2016.

Hart apologises for homophobic tweets again; Rock doesn’t want to host Oscars

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

Kevin Hart has once again issued an apology to the LGBTQ community for his old homophobic tweets, while his contemporary Chris Rock has said his name can be crossed off this year’s potential Oscars hosts list.

The controversy over using gay slurs in his past Twitter posts led Hart to step down as the emcee of Academy Awards 2019, after apologising for his comments.

On his SiriusXM radio show, “Straight From the Hart”, the comic on Monday said that his words have been “chopped up” following previous apologies.

“Once again, Kevin Hart apologises for his remarks that hurt members of the LGBTQ community. I apologise,” he said.

He later explained the original homophobic joke that landed him in trouble.

Hart quoted the joke, “I want to say that I have no problem with gay people. I don’t have a homophobic bone in my body. I want you to be happy, be gay, be happy.'”

“And then I say as a heterosexual male, if I can do something to stop my son… That’s where the joke starts!” he argued.

“The only clip that I have seen all over the media is the one where I go, ‘Stop! That’s gay’. I really had to dive into the whole thing, even the tweets,” Hart said.

The comedian said the words were “not I said to gay individuals”.

“I didn’t say these words to people, at the time, this was our dumb a**es on Twitter going back and forth with each other. We thought it was okay to talk like that, because that’s how we talked to one another. In that, you go, f**k! This is wrong now,” he said.

Meanwhile, the same day, Chris Rock declared that he had no interest in hosting the Oscars ceremony.

The actor-comic, who has hosted the Academy Awards twice, made his intentions clear during his emceeing gig at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards dinner in Manhattan.

“If it was five years ago, I could say something really offensive and funny right now, but I can’t do that anymore, so… hey!” Rock quipped.

In his impromptu stand-up of sorts, he looked into the audience at Steve Martin and suggested the veteran actor host the ceremony.

“Steve Martin is here. You should host the Oscars. You’re the best. Steve Martin should host the Oscars! Because I’m not doing it, goddammit! You’re not getting me,” Rock said.

As of now, the Academy’s hunt for an Oscars host continues.

Rachel Brosnahan to host first ‘Saturday Nigh Live’ of 2019

By

Web Team

-

January 8, 2019

rachel

Rachel Brosnahan will host the first episode of this year’s “Saturday Night Live”.

The episode will mark the debut of the “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” star, who plays a housewife-turned-stand-up-comedienne in Amazon Prime Video’s period series, on the NBC comedy sketch series.

According to an online portal, the episode will air on January 19.

The announcement comes a day after Brosnahan won her second consecutive Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

As musical guest, Greta Van Fleet will make their debut on “SNL”.

The band recently scored four nods at 2019 Grammy Award. Their first full-length studio album, ‘Anthem of the Peaceful Army’ topped the Billboard Top Rock chart.