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Bollywood director MIRA NAIR has criticised A-list Bollywood actors for refusing to star in a series of short films designed to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS in India.
Nair will direct one of four low-budget, 12-minute movies to be shown in cinemas ahead of full-length Bollywood films, which will be funded by the charity Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
But Nair says she was unable to get top Bollywood actors to feature in the shorts because of the association with the disease.
She says, "Lots of stars don’t want to be associated with the virus. Some live and don’t learn."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Veteran actor PETER O’TOOLE has leaped to the defence of pensioners who lust for younger partners, maintaining age should be no barrier to love.
The 74-year-old plays ageing thespian MAURICE in his latest movie VENUS, who falls for a brash teenager 50 years his junior.
The sympathetic look at an unconventional romance has concerned many critics, but O’Toole is adamant there’s nothing unnatural or shameful about his screen passions.
He jokes, "In New York a woman on a chat show asked if I could imagine myself with a 20-year-old girl. I said, I hope I could do more than imagine." Speaking at last night’s London premiere of the film, O’Toole added, "I think too much is made of age gaps in couples. It’s sad and ridiculous. Let people get on with it."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

LATEST: Property mogul DONALD TRUMP could face further questioning in America’s federal court after officials in West Palm Beach, Florida, requested his $25 million (£13 million) flag-pole lawsuit be dealt with by the higher court.
Last month (DEC06), Trump filed a $25 million (£12.7 million) county court lawsuit against the town, claiming the area’s rules and planning regulations violate his right to "free speech and expression" - and now officials want the federal court to rule on the case.
Trump fumed, "They want me to pay a daily fee for the privilege to fly the American flag, or preferably, they want me to rip it down. I’m just not going to do it." THE APPRENTICE star has flown a flag on an "illegal" 80 foot pole since 3 October (06) at his Mar-a-Lago Club, and has been threatened with a $1250 (£641) per day fine until the offending pole is removed.
West Palm Beach had given Trump until 27 November to remove the flag or apply for approvals.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Italian movie legend FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI is recovering after being rushed to hospital suffering from an irregular heartbeat yesterday (22JAN07).
Despite the initial scare, the ROMEO AND JULIET director is now "doing well" after undergoing tests at Rome’s San Giovanni hospital, according to his son LUCIANO.
The 83-year-old, who recently directed a production of VERDI’s opera AIDA to open the 2006-2007 season at Milan’s La Scala opera house, is likely to be released from hospital in the next few days.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

LATEST: British supermodel NAOMI CAMPBELL has expressed remorse for attacking her former maid with a mobile phone last March (06).
Since pleading guilty to the assault last week (16JAN07), Campbell was sentenced to community service and anger management classes in New York City but the 36-year-old beauty is also undergoing a daily programme of meditation and prayer in a bid to curb her fiery temper.
She tells the New York Daily News, "I’m remorseful and regretful. I’m trying to live my life and do some things for charity. I’m taking my punishment, and I accept that. I’ve accepted my responsibility and that’s that. I have no idea what (community service) I’ll do. Whatever they tell me to do, I’ll do with my integrity, and that’s it.
"I work on myself daily. I work on my program of meditation and prayer and try to stick to it. It’s important to me."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

FALL OUT BOY star PETE WENTZ admits he is envious of British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS - because the ANGEL singer can lead a so-called "double-life".
Rocker Wentz is amazed by Williams’ popularity in Europe - but relative obscurity in America - and is envious the former TAKE THAT hunk gets the best of both worlds.
He says, "I haven’t heard any of his songs. I thought the name of his record THE EGO HAS LANDED is probably one of the most brilliant things to do.
"And I think it’s gotta be amazing to be able to be like one of the most sought after people over here in Europe and then be able to go to LA and live completely anonymously.
"That’s probably really exciting, I think." (JC/WN/MEH) WENN - FIFTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 23 JANUARY 2007

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Rockers VELVET REVOLVER became "uninspired" working with super-producer RICK RUBIN, accusing him of not giving the band enough attention in the studio.
The SLITHER band had hired Rubin to produce their second album LIBERTAD, but ditched him in favour of former PEARL JAM producer BRENDAN O’BRIEN after Rubin became distracted with work on forthcoming METALLICA and U2 albums.
Lead singer SCOTT WEILAND explains, "If you’re gonna work with a producer, unless you’re gonna produce something yourselves, if you’re gonna pay a producer, get in the trenches with us and work with us.
"The Rick thing didn’t work out, and, you know, he was working on a couple of other things, Metallica and U2, and so we kind of became very uninspired."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Veteran rocker JOHN MELLENCAMP has defended his decision to allow his song OUR COUNTRY be used on an advert for motoring giant Chevrolet.
Despite critics claims the decision is against the 55-year-old’s environmentally conscious liberal beliefs, Mellencamp insists it was the only way to get his music heard by a new generation.
He says, "I think the reason people are giving me grief about it is because I still don’t think people should sell their songs for commercial use, but things have changed dramatically. For a guy my age, there’s no place for our music to be heard.
"These records take too long. They’re too hard to make, and they’re too hard to do, and why would you want to do them unless people are going to hear them?

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Legendary British venue the Hammersmith Palais is to be destroyed after music fans lost their fight to block demolition plans yesterday (22JAN07).
London’s Hammersmith and Fulham Council have approved proposals by developers Parkway Properties to knock the venue down and build an office block and restaurant in its place.
The venue has played host to gigs by U2, THE ROLLING STONES and the SEX PISTOLS during its 90-year history, and was immortalised in THE CLASH’s 1978 single (WHITE MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS.
Hammersmith and Fulham councillor LUCY IBIMY says, "We recognise the contribution the Palais has made to the west London music scene, but the golden days of the club are long gone."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Gospel singer RICKY DILLARD’s home was destroyed by fire in the early hours of this morning (23JAN07).
Firefighters were called to the house in Atlanta, Georgia at 3am, after the six-bedroom home became engulfed in flames. The Grammy nominated star, who bought the house three years ago (04), was in New York City at the time of the blaze.
Dillard’s manager WILLIAM BOGLE confirmed the house has been destroyed.
He says, "(It was) completely burned to the ground, from my understanding. It was certainly unfortunate but, more importantly, I’m glad he wasn’t in it."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Irish rockers U2 have rubbished reports they are to embark on a series of live shows later this year (07), after false advertisements for the dates appeared in the British press.
The BEAUTIFUL DAY rockers played the final gig of their Vertigo world tour in Hawaii in 2006, and are planning to spend 2007 working on new material - but the band has been targeted by pranksters offering tickets to non-existent live concerts.
According to a statement on the band’s website, the dates advertised are "a scam", with U2 urging fans to ignore the erroneous tour dates.
The statement reads, "Some fans have been in touch to let us know of adverts appearing in the press offering tickets for U2 shows in London and Paris this year.
"Take it from us, these adverts are a scam - there are no live plans for this year. Do not buy tickets for U2 shows unless you’ve read it here first."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MARTIN SCORSESE and CLINT EASTWOOD are squaring off once again at the 79th Academy Awards - both legends have picked up Best Director nominations while their movies THE DEPARTED and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA are in competition for Best Picture.
The Departed and Letters From Iwo Jima are up against BABEL, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and THE QUEEN in the Best Picture category.
The nominees for Best Director are Scorsese for The Departed, Eastwood for Letters From Iwo Jima, ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ INARRITU for Babel, STEPHEN FREARS for The Queen and PAUL GREENGRASS for UNITED 93.
At the 2005 Oscars, Scorsese’s THE AVIATOR lost out in the Best Director and Best Picture categories to Eastwood’s MILLION DOLLAR BABY.
DREAMGIRLS has the most nominations with eight nods including Best Supporting Actor for EDDIE MURPHY and Best Supporting Actress for JENNIFER HUDSON.
The nominations for Best Actor are LEONARDO DiCAPRIO for BLOOD DIAMOND, RYAN GOSLING for HALF NELSON, PETER O’TOOLE for VENUS, WILL SMITH for THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS and FOREST WHITAKER for THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND.
O’Toole’s nomination is his eighth, although he has never won.

He was named the recipient of a Special Oscar For Lifetime Achievement in 2003.
The Best Actress nominees are PENELOPE CRUZ for VOLVER, DAME JUDI DENCH for NOTES ON A SCANDAL, DAME HELEN MIRREN for THE QUEEN, MERYL STREEP for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and KATE WINSLET for LITTLE CHILDREN.
The ceremony will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on 25 February (07).
The full list of nominees for the 79th Annual Academy Awards is as follows:

Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role:

LEONARDO DICAPRIO - BLOOD DIAMOND
RYAN GOSLING - HALF NELSON
PETER O’TOOLE - VENUS
WILL SMITH - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
FOREST WHITAKER - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role:

ALAN ARKIN - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
JACKIE EARLE HALEY - LITTLE CHILDREN
DJIMON HOUNSOU - BLOOD DIAMOND
EDDIE MURPHY - DREAMGIRLS
MARK WAHLBERG - THE DEPARTED

Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role:

PENELOPE CRUZ - VOLVER
JUDI DENCH - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
HELEN MIRREN - THE QUEEN
MERYL STREEP - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
KATE WINSLET - LITTLE CHILDREN

Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role:

ADRIANA BARRAZA - BABEL
CATE BLANCHETT - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
ABIGAIL BRESLIN - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
JENNIFER HUDSON - DREAMGIRLS
RINKO KIKUCHI - BABEL

Best Animated Feature Film Of The Year:

CARS
HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE

Achievement In Art Direction:

DREAMGIRLS
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
PAN’S LABYRINTH
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement In Cinematography:

THE BLACK DAHLIA
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE ILLUSIONIST
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement In Costume Design:

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
MARIE ANTOINETTE
THE QUEEN

Achievement In Directing:

ALEJANDRO GONZLEZ INARRITU - BABEL
MARTIN SCORSESE - THE DEPARTED
CLINT EASTWOOD - LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
STEPHEN FREARS - THE QUEEN
PAUL GREENGRASS - UNITED 93

Best Documentary Feature:

DELIVER US FROM EVIL
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
JESUS CAMP
MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY

Best Documentary Short Subject:

THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
RECYCLED LIFE
REHEARSING A DREAM
TWO HANDS

Achievement In Film Editing:

BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93

Best Foreign Language Film Of The Year:

AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGENES)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN’S LABYRINTH
WATER

Achievement In Make-Up:

APOCALYPTO
CLICK
PAN’S LABYRINTH

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Score):

BABEL
THE GOOD GERMAN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song):

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
DREAMGIRLS
DREAMGIRLS
CARS
DREAMGIRLS

Best Motion Picture:

BABEL
THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN

Best Animated Short Film:

THE DANISH POET
LIFTED
THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL
MAESTRO
NO TIME FOR NUTS

Best Live Action Short Film:

BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA (BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)
ERAMOS POCOS (ONE TOO MANY)
HELMER & SON
THE SAVIOUR
WEST BANK STORY

Achievement In Sound Editing:

APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST

Achievement In Sound Mixing:

APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
DREAMGIRLS
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST

Achievement In Visual Effects:

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST
POSEIDON
SUPERMAN RETURNS

Adapted Screenplay:

BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF
KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Original Screenplay:

BABEL
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
PAN’S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN.Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Peaches - the daughter of Sir Bob Geldof and the late TV presenter Paula Yates - fell for her current lover, musician Frederick Blood-Royale, because of his initial dislike for her.
She told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Some men try to see me for the wrong reasons but he hated me for who I was. "He was disgusted by what I was as a person. He was so cynical and that is what I like, boys who are really horrible and angry at the world and really intelligent." The 17-year-old insists her boyfriend is "perfect" for her - because he stops her from drinking.
She said: "He is perfect. He is a teetotal and very stabilising. He doesn’t take any drugs either. The only thing is, he eats very badly - it’s all pizza and takeaways." Peaches says that being in a stable relationship has helped her stop obsessing over trivial things like her weight.
She said: "I don’t worry about my weight. The most unattractive thing about a woman is when you can tell that she is not relaxed in herself. Kate Moss is naturally thin, Nicole Richie isn’t and she is the worst. She needs to sort it out. And Victoria Beckham dresses terribly. She ruins clothes."

© bangshowbiz.biz

The Golden Globe winning ‘Dreamgirls’ actress - who has also been tipped for Oscar glory - is worried about having to dress-up all the time now she is a star.
Jennifer told Britain’s You magazine: "I think the worst thing will be having to wear heels all the time, because you have to dress up every day, don’t you?" The budding star is also worried she won’t be able to keep in touch with all her fans.
She said: "I’m worried about my MySpace friends because I’ve just reached 9,000 and I like to respond to all those people myself." Meanwhile, Simon Cowell has been forced to eat humble pie.
The ‘American Idol’ judge doubted Jennifer’s talents when she appeared on the talent show, but Simon now accepts he was wrong.
Simon, who was speaking about Jennifer on Oprah Winfrey’s chat show, said: "I’d like to eat a massive dose of humble pie.
"You’re extraordinary, and I’m very proud of you - please thank me when you get your Oscar." Jennifer, 25 - who came seventh in series three of ‘American Idol’ - says she is glad Simon was tough because it prepared her for the rest of her career.
She said: "I don’t think there’s anything tougher or more challenging and I’ m glad Simon was as hard on me as he was.
"’Idol’ was a huge vehicle for me to be seen in and it prepared me very well for what’s going on today."

© bangshowbiz.biz

The singer and actress - whose former lover Zach Braff recently admitted he also battles the blues - says she started feeling unhappy last year.
Mandy told Jane magazine: "A few months ago I felt really low, really sad - depressed for no reason.
"I’m a very positive person, and I’ve always been glass-half-full. So it was like someone flipped a switch in me." Mandy, 22, revealed she was already battling depression when she split from Zach and believes her heartbreak made things worse.
She said: "The break-up added to what I was going through, but it’s not the complete reason. It definitely doesn’t help if you’re already in that place.
"I’ve been going through this really crazy time in my life. I’m asking myself life-altering questions, like ‘Who am I? Where do I fit in this world? What am I doing? What do I want to do? Am I living to my full potential?’ " Mandy - who has been romantically linked to Nicole Richie’s former lover Adam ‘DJ AM’ Goldstein - says she isn’t interested in a serious relationship, but would like to have some fun.
The ‘A Walk To Remember’ actress explained: "I’ve tried dating a bit, and I don’t like it. I know I should be putting myself out there. But I don’t really think it’s for me.
"That’s not to say I’m ready to jump back into a relationship anytime soon.
I’m definitely not looking. But it’d be fun to have a crush."

© bangshowbiz.biz

The model revealed she is convinced she shared her old Los Angeles home with a "tortured" spirit from the 17th century.
Hunter, 37, whose impressive pad appeared on MTV’s ‘CRIBS’ is quoted by Britain’s Daily Express newspaper as saying: "Part of the house was definitely haunted - so much so that I turned a section into a guest area.
"I was quite spooked at times.
"We heard lots of banging and there was definitely a strange feeling in certain rooms. Some of the bathrooms there reminded me of a crypt they felt so spooky." Hunter, who was once married to British rocker Rod Stewart with whom she has two children, Renee, 14, and Liam, 12, was born and raised in New Zealand before moving to the US to pursue a modelling career.
The beautiful blonde, who bought the six-bedroom mansion after selling the home she once shared with Stewart, added: "I did some research and apparently it was the spirit of a woman who was tortured and murdered.
"I don’t live there anymore but I sometimes feel she’s following me. I’m quite intuitive and just get the feeling sometimes that I’m not alone."

© bangshowbiz.biz

The actor - who is promoting new film ‘Chapter 27′ at the Festival in Park City, Utah stormed out of the VIP section of Tao at Harry O’s, shouting, ‘No! No more, bro!’ when a photographer tried to take his picture.
‘Fight Club’s’ Leto then had his hair yanked by a "big guy", sparking another furious outburst from the eyeliner-clad star.
A spy told the New York Post newspaper: "Leto whipped off his hat with earflaps on and stepped up to the big guy. They were yelling at each other." Tempers were cooled before any punches were thrown, but Leto reportedly returned two hours later to look for the man.
Leto, who had his big break alongside Claire Danes in TV series ‘My So Called Life’, plays John Lennon’s assassin in ‘Chapter 27′, along side Lindsay Lohan.
Leto and Lohan reportedly dated last year, but broke up because Leto didn’t like the paparazzi attention Lohan attracted.

© bangshowbiz.biz

Tennis star SERENA WILLIAMS is shunning the media’s match reports over fears positive press will turn her into an egomaniac.
The sports ace avoids reading any stories praising her ability in case she becomes to cocky on the court.
However, she does admit the raving write-ups have all been saved up to amuse her in retirement.
Williams says, "I don’t read anything. One time, I think it was ‘99, I read this article. It was really good and I was like, ‘Oh yeah! I’m the bomb.’ "I just got too headstrong. I don’t want to be like some of those celebrities walking around, just so full of themselves. I always want to be down to earth, want to be a person like when you meet them, they’re the same person that you think of them in the article or something.
"When my career is over, I’ve been saving a lot of articles, I’ll go back and read them. I don’t want to be big headed (so) I can barely get through the door."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)