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Entertainment

2008-05-26

New Delhi, (IANS) Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who is to anchor Sony TV's new reality game show “Dus Ka Dum”, has turned a blogger and writes in his first entry that he takes all his decisions on instincts rather than calculations. “All my decisions are based on my instincts and some people think that I am too moody and cynical," Salman writes in his blog. “Believe me, I have been guided by my instincts and my heart all my life! I do not depend too much on intelligence, analysis and calculations.” Salman, who has often been in the news for wrong reasons, says that earlier he had his own reservations about anchoring a show. “I still remember the day when my brother Sohail Khan brought the proposal to anchor a show for Sony Entertainment Television. I had my reservations. The idea sounded so impractical that I rejected it even without giving it much thought,” he wrote. But then what attracted him to “Dus Ka Dum”? “There is no false shame and sense of humiliation on the show if your answer is wrong. Sample survey has determined the exact answers in form of percentage and the one who answers nearest to the exact answer is the winner. This game is simple. It is a game of guessing.” “Dus Ka Dum” is a game inspired by the US game show “Power of 10”, in which the contestant who predicts most accurately how the public would respond to poll questions walks away with millions.

2008-02-18

With strike over, glamour back for OscarsStory Highlights

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) -- The end of the Hollywood writers strike means the Oscar show will be the usual star-studded, fashion-filled extravaganza, organizers promised. Expect the Oscar red carpet to be filled with movie stars like Scarlett Johansson, here at the Berlin film festival. "The strike, the bad news, is past us," Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said Thursday. The 80th annual awards show will be held February 24 at the Kodak Theatre and will feature a host of A-list stars. Forest Whitaker, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney and Nicole Kidman will be among the presenters. Others include Denzel Washington, Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks. Had the three-month writers strike not ended Tuesday, the Academy still would have put on a "B" show -- one without the glitter of the nominated actors, virtually all of whom said they would not cross a picket line. "The 'B Show' was going to have the musical numbers, and there was going to be a lot of energy to that," telecast producer Gil Cates told AP Television. "But it was going to rely mostly on film clips, mostly on historical clips, because it is the 80th year of the Oscars." The "A" show will feature performances of the year's five nominated songs. "Enchanted" star Amy Adams will sing "Happy Working Song," one of the film's three nominated tunes. Kristin Chenoweth and Marlon Saunders will perform "That's How You Know" and Jon McLaughlin will sing "So Close," also from "Enchanted." Don't Miss In-Depth: Academy Awards Spotlight Complete list of nominees Game: Play Inside the Envelope, win prizes The stars of "Once," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, will perform their song "Falling Slowly." Jamia Simone Nash, along with the IMPACT repertory Theatre of Harlem, will sing "Raise It Up" from "August Rush." Jon Stewart was previously announced as the s

2008-02-18

Cruising with the family on Disney

It's been 10 years since Disney started its cruises with the Disney Magic ship, followed in 1999 by Disney Wonder. Two more Disney ships will launch in 2011 and 2012. And while you won't find casinos on any Disney ships, you will find plenty of other facilities and diversions on board for every age group -- including grown-ups. That, along with the appeal of the Disney brand, has ensured the cruise line's success. Some itineraries include stops at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. 1 of 2 "I don't think it's fair to say that Disney invented family cruising, because a lot of cruise lines made efforts to attract families to their ships starting in the '90s, but I do think it's fair to say that Disney reinvigorated the idea of family cruising," said Douglas Stallings, who edits Fodor's cruise guides. "Disney proved there is a large market for family cruises. They inspired other large cruise lines." Christine Koubek, who reviewed the Wonder for the Web site CruiseCritic.com, said that "what Disney Cruise Line does best is prove that 'elegant' and 'family friendly' don't have to be mutually exclusive. Disney is a great choice for families that want excellent supervised children's programs as well as activities they can enjoy together." My children, my wife Mary Lou and I cruised last year on the Wonder. It was memorable and fun for all of us. I couldn't tear Isabelle, 9, away from her science experiments in the Oceaneer Lab. Her masterpiece was a green glob that resembled something from the Disney movie "Flubber." Vinny, 16, spent all of his time in the Aloft nightclub, which is just for teenagers. After the club closed at 1 a.m., the fun didn't stop. Vinny and other teenagers hung around shooting hoops under the lights. For adults, Disney ships offer nightclubs, classes, fitness centers, an adult-only restaurant called Palo, and wine, beer and martini tastings. While the kids played, my wife and I relaxed on our stateroom terrace with some wine

2008-05-03

Need for readjusting foreign policy stressed

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on Sunday underscored the need for readjusting the country's foreign policy. ''There is a new Asian era beginning, and Bangladesh needs to adjust her foreign policy to these new circumstances,'' he said while talking to the media. Iftekhar said, ''We remained linked too long to the metropolitan powers of the former colonial age, and may be this long our interests also demanded that. But the times are rapidly changing. Asia is forging ahead at an unprecedented speed. Our policies need to be realigned to these global changes, or we will lag behind.'' He also emphasised on breaking out the claptrap of donor-recipient relationship, which is a legacy of the past. ''Perhaps we don't realise there is more reverse transfer of resources to those developed countries who buy from us. We pay many times more in duties to them, than we receive in aid. Our efforts for easier market access will and must continue, but the system is unfairly skewed against us,'' the foreign adviser said. ''On the other hand, it is the booming economies of Asia that might help shape our future,'' he added. Iftekhar Chowdhury termed China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India, and the Gulf States as the power players of contemporary times. He said, ''We must be vigorous in strengthening our linkages with these actors. This government has already begun the process that governments in the future will hopefully continue.'' He said these countries could help build the country's infrastructures and invest in its agriculture and industry. ''Our contractual manpower exports go mainly to these countries from whom we earn huge amounts in remittances. Our food shortages can only be made up by procurements largely from these nations. Our cultural heritage, our linguistic predilections, and the great religion of Islam will assist this process,'' he said. The foreign adviser said, ''Our policies run the risk of the same experience. If we can cooperate with o

2010-06-27

Culture is artistic expression against injustice

The annual council of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Pabna, was held on Friday, conveying the theme 'Culture is an artistic expression of protest against injustice'. Secretary of Sammilito Sangshkritik Jote(SSJ), central committee Hassan Arif inaugurated the council organised at Pabna Town Hall premises.

Earlier, a colourful rally was brought out from the same venue. Several hundred cultural activists from different organisations around the district participated in the rally.

The rally was followed by a discussion. President of the organisation Abdul Matin Khan chaired the discussion, while the secretary of SSJ, central committee, Hassan Arif was the chief guest. Shamsul Huda, the organising secretary of Jote central committee was the special guest.

Among others, prominent educationist Professor Mohammad Nurunnabi, managing director of Universal Group Sohani Hossain, secretary of Bonomali Institute, Pabna, Abul Masud Lal, and the secretary of Jote, Pabna Mojibar Rahman spoke on the occasion. Secretary of Pabna Gonoshilpi Shangshtha, Moshfeka Jahan Konika conducted the programme.

The speakers emphasised the need to struggle against injustice through creative cultural weapons. They focused on the role of cultural activists in every democratic movement of the country and pointed out that through their performances activists can generate awareness among the people on sosio-political issues.

Later the cultural activists burnt the effigy of the 1971 war criminals and demanded their trial and punishment