Jackson killed by greed, medic's fault: brother

 LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson was driven to his death by a mix of greed, power and money, one of his brothers claimed Thursday, while saying the star's doctor "had no business" giving him the drug that killed him.

Speaking before the manslaughter trial of medic Conrad Murray kicks off this month, Jermaine Jackson said those surrounding his brother failed to look after him, as they pushed him to play a lucrative series of comeback gigs.

He described how his brother's health had clearly deteriorated in the months leading up to his death -- when he was rehearsing intensively for the This is It shows in London -- but those around him had not told the family.

"Why didn't somebody call me or Jackie or Tito or Marlon or his family, to say, 'Come down here, your brother is not acting normal?' Had we been called, he would be alive today. We would have taken him to the hospital," he said.

Asked why he thought they didn't, he told CNN interviewer Piers Morgan: "Because they wanted the show to go on... It's all about -- this is a story about greed and power and money. And not looking at the person in Michael."

Murray is due in court on September 27 for the long-awaited manslaughter trial over Jackson's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the powerful drug propofol, prescribed to help him sleep.

Jermaine Jackson said the doctor's lawyers would try to paint his brother as a drug addict, but dismissed a suggestion that Jackson -- who suffered from chronic insomnia -- could have forced Murray to give him more propofol.

The drug is so powerful that it is used as an anaesthetic during surgery, he noted, adding that as a cardiologist and not an anesthesiologist, Murray "had no business giving my brother propofol."

"Being a doctor, you take an oath to care for your patient not to kill
them," he added.

Jackson's death, on the eve of the planned series of comeback concerts at London's O2 Arena aimed at reviving his reputation and finances battered by child sex allegations, stunned fans around the world.

Murray's defense team is expected to argue that Jackson gave himself an excessive dose of the drug while the doctor was out of the room at the singer's mansion in the affluent Holmby Hills neighborhood west of Los Angeles. (AFP)

Salman Khan’s new Romanian interest

 MUMBAI: While Salman Khan is busy shooting for his next film with Katrina Kaif in Dublin, a Romanian magazine has linked him up with a local TV news presenter named Iulia Vantur.

According to the report, Iulia met Salman last year when she came to India for a holiday. She met him through a producer friend. At that time, she was dating her long-time boyfriend Marius Moga. However, she made another trip to India this year after breaking up with Moga. Salman helped her get over the break up and she stayed in touch with him after she returned to her country.

The magazine reveals that Iulia has now adopted an Indian lifestyle. So much so, that she even observes traditional festivals, visits temples and reads the scriptures. Her sense of dressing has also changed, with her wearing the shalwar-kameez and even saris!

Talking to the magazine, she admitted that meeting Salman was a turning point in her life and that the two are very much in touch via IM on their phones. The TV presenter is now planning to make another visit to India after Salman returns from his overseas shoot.

Amanat Ali Khan remembered on Saturday

ISLAMABAD: The popular classical singer Amanat Ali Khan is being remembered on Saturday with tributes paid to his memorable songs in the Pakistan music industry.

He was born in 1932 in Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He was a Pakistani classical/ghazal singer from the Patiala gharana and soon after independence he moved to Pakistan.

His concerts on Radio Lahore became quite popular and he toured South Asia becoming the representative of Patiala gharana in Pakistan. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of seraphic singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

The prestigious Patiala Gharana, the family that sworn to carry on the traditional and classical aura of Hindustani music, saw another immaculate and faultless singer adding more shine, prestige and prosperity to their name.

His memorable songs include "Aa Mere Pyaar Ki Khushboo", "Yeh Arzoo Thi", "Mausam Badla", "Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat", "Insha Je Utho" and "Kab Aao Ge".

Ustad Amanat Ali died at aged 42 years in Lahore in 17 September 1974. He was honored with the 'Pride of Performance' award by the government of Pakistan

Lebanese war film wins top Toronto film fest award

 TORONTO: A film about the struggles of a village in war-torn Lebanon took the People's Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, an audience trophy that has often been a harbinger of Oscar glory.

"Where Do We Go Now", by Lebanon-born Nadine Labaki, tells the story of village inhabited by both Muslims and Christians. When a wider inter-religious conflict threatens to seep into the village, its women go to inventive and sometimes extreme ends to prevent violence.

The film, which debuted at Cannes earlier this year, is already Lebanon's official entry into the Foreign Language Film category at for next year's Academy Awards.

A festival official said Labaki wrote the film in Beirut in2007 when armed clashes had broken out. Pregnant at the time, she began thinking about what she could do to change the world as a filmmaker.

"I'm running around jumping up and down at the Frankfurt airport," Labaki said in a message read to the awards ceremony audience.

Last year's winner of the People's Choice award was "The King's Speech", which went on to win the Oscar for best picture. "American Beauty," "Crash," and "Slumdog Millionaire" also won the award at Toronto before going on to Oscar glory.(Reuters)

Ra.One poster is Batman Return's rip off

 MUMBAI: The poster of the upcoming super hero movie Ra.One starring Shahrukh Khan is a complete copy of the cover of Bollywood flick Batman Returns, Geo News reported Sunday.

The Batman Returns was starred by Micahel Keaton.

In an interview Shahrukh Khan was quoted: "Ra.One is the modern, new age technology version of our mythological "Raavan", who was a mixture of ten different evil characters. I am essaying the role of G.One or better say Jeevan, a superhero who saves the mankind from Ra.One's torment. Through this film, I want to prove that Indian superheroes can also be as cool as the international ones."

If the idea of Ra.One is a rip off by courtesy of Batman, it will prove wrong the idea of Shahrujh Khan that, 'Indian superheroes can also be as cool as the international ones.'

Ra.One is set to release on October 26, an upcoming 2011 Hindi superhero science fiction film starring Shahrukh Khan, Kareena KapoorKareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.
It is said to be currently India's most expensive film to date according to sources.

Madhuri Dixit back for good!

MUMBAI: Madhuri Dixit, the dhak-dhak girl who made the Bollywood rat race irrelevant by occupying the top slot for almost a decade in the '80s and '90s, is coming back after spending 15 years away from the hustle-bustle of Mumbai in the quiet anonymity of Denver, Colorado. Madhuri said her husband has a few options in Mumbai that he wants to explore. "I think this was going to happen one day anyway...it's pre-ordained. We are all very excited, the kids especially," she said. The mother-of-two made her comeback film in 2007 with Aaja Nachle and was recently back in India as a judge on a dance-based reality show. When asked about her decision to return to Mumbai, Madhuri said that while there were many factors involved, she and her husband would like their children, Arin and Ryan to be raised in India. “It would be a great experience culturally for them. This is where their roots are. They are at an age where they can adapt quickly. They’ll be giving up their friends here [in America], but they are looking forward to making friends there [India]. I want them to learn Hindi and Marathi. I think it will be an exciting time for them too.”

Krrish sequel sold out

 MUMBAI: The sequel to the blockbuster Krrish has been sold almost entirely. Rakesh Roshan has only maintained the rights of the film in Mumbai.

All other territories have fetched him a good price." And, also doing the rounds are rumours that the channel rights have been sold to a leading channel at a price, speculated to be higher than what even Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots received.

Roshan's resolution to sell the rights of the sequel, slated to go on floors in November, is not the only unconventional decision he has taken. Interestingly, the filmmaker has sold the film rights to multiple distributors.

"While Eros International has acquired the overseas rights, the all-India rights have been sold to individual companies," added the source.

When asked why Roshan chose to sell the rights to more than one company, the source explained, "Well, nowadays the corporates create a lot of issues, especially financial agreements, which have an adverse effect on the film. Rakesh Roshan has great business sense and he knows what is happening around him."

Apparently, even the film's music, to be composed by the filmmaker's brother Rajesh Roshan, has been up for grabs.

The source told us that the music rights have been acquired by T-Series for Rs 5 crore. Even though the music of the film is in its preliminary stage, the one song that T-Series heard, in the original film, was convincing enough for the company to buy the music rights.

When contacted, head honcho of T-Series, Bhushan Kumar, confirmed, "We are very happy to be associated with a cool franchise like Krrish."

The sequel to Krrish stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra Chitrangada Singh and Vivek Oberoi.

Disney, Cameron to create theme-park 'Avatar'

 LOS ANGELES: Moviegoers pining for a return to the lush moon of Pandora in James Cameron's film "Avatar" will finally get their chance -- first-hand.

Walt Disney Co is teaming with the Oscar-winning director and News Corp unit Fox Filmed Entertainment, to mimic the thriving green landscape depicted in the highest-grossing movie of all time in a section of its Orlando, Florida, theme park.

Under their agreement, Disney won exclusive global theme park rights to the "Avatar" franchise. It will begin building from 2013 and will eventually take Avatar "lands" beyond Orlando's Disney World.

"Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park-goers the chance to see, hear and touch the world of 'Avatar' with an unprecedented sense of reality," Cameron said in a statement.

At a news conference, Cameron said that when he began talks with Disney designers, he "quickly realized their vision for this thing was far beyond what I imagined, and I've got a pretty good imagination."

The estimated cost for the Orlando project is about $400 million, a source familiar with the matter said. Construction should take about five years.

Planning is in the early stages, and executives gave few details on how Disney would recreate the fantasy world of "Avatar" and the creatures that inhabit it. The section will be located within Disney's Animal Kingdom park.

"Avatar," the 2009 film that chronicled the struggle of the alien Na'vi against marauding resource-ravenous humans, grossed almost $3 billion worldwide and triggered the current renaissance in 3D-film making. Cameron is planning sequels to the blockbuster hit, which surpassed his own "Titanic" as the highest-grossing movie in history.

The first of the "Avatar" sequels is set for release around Christmas 2014, Cameron said.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said the company planned to bring "Avatar" to other locations beyond the Florida park. "We think we can clearly leverage the global interest in this property," Iger said.

The company is deep into several big theme park projects, including building a new park in Shanghai and adding a 12-acre section, set to open next year based on the animated "Cars" films, to its California resort.

Disney typically works with its own movies when developing themed sections and rides. It does have some attractions based on films from other studios, including the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" franchises. (Reuters)

Shakira to take part in Big Boss 5

 MUMBAI: Latino pop star Shakira will take part in famous Indian reality show Big Boss 5. The show will be hosted by Bollywood actor Sunjay Dutt.

This is not the first time an international celebrity will take part in the show. Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson was featured in the show during its last season.

Big Boss 5 will start from October 2 and it is rumoured that Pakistani actress Humaima Malik will also be taking part in the reality show

I need to be left alone: Manisha Koirala

 MUMBAI: A few months ago, the grapevine was abuzz with rumours of Manisha Koirala's marriage being on the rocks.

That she was heading back to Mumbai, as she could not adjust to the life of domesticity with her businessman husband Samrat Dahal.

She, however, confirms, "I am very much in Nepal. But I will not talk about my personal life. At the moment, all my friends know I need to be left alone.

I don't need to give explanations about what's going on in my life."

Interestingly, a close pal reveals, "Manisha has had to struggle against all odds to make the marriage work.

She has had to adjust not only to a life of domesticity, but also to her husband's entire family and their traditional way of life.

At one point, she almost gave up and decided to return to India, but now she wants to give her marriage one last shot."

Rumours of her return to Bollywood were sparked off when prominent filmmakers received text messages from her secretary informing them that she's open to acting offers.

"If I get a damn good project I'd be interested anytime. In fact, I'm on the verge of accepting good offers. I'll talk about it only after they materialise," she says.

As for relocating to India, the actress says, "I travel to Mumbai because I've a home there. I was there recently for just two days."

Dhoni urges India to finish strongly

 LONDON: India captain MS Dhoni has urged his side to finish their difficult summer with a flourish in Friday's final one-day international against England in Cardiff.

A dramatic tied match at Lord's on Sunday gave England, who are 2-0 up with one to play, the one-day series but Dhoni's team have one last chance to get an international win this summer.

They were beaten 4-0 in the Test series, lost the only Twenty20 and were 2-0 with one no result going into the fourth one-dayer.

And Dhoni has demanded his side -- who have been decimated by injuries -- do not relax now that the series is gone.

"Every game is important," Dhoni told reporters after Sunday's game at Lord's.

"Despite the fact we have lost the series every game is an international game. We all know we have lost the series but it is important to get the most out of that game and we want a victory in the final game of the whole series."

For some of the younger players Friday's match is their last opportunity to impress their captain before England play five one-dayers in India before Christmas.

Dhoni has lost eight players to injury on this tour including big names such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag and expects the youngsters to make way for the established players when they host the five-match series.

Players such as 22-year-old Ravindra Jadeja, 24-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin and 23-year-old Ajinkya Rahane have featured in this series but may have to take a back seat when the veterans are fit again.

Dhoni added: "We have quite a few players who we have to get fit and who will be back in the one-day squad.

"We will not be as good a fielding side as we are now but you shouldn't forget that most of the grounds in India are quite small and there is not as much opportunity for the batsmen to take twos and threes.

"Everybody is considered but you have to see who is available. It becomes difficult when you have senior players who are missing this series.

"They always get the upper hand so it is tough for the youngsters but this is a good grooming period and once their time comes we all know they will be there for the next five or ten years."

Ali Zafar steals the show in MBKD

MUMBAI: Pakistani pop star Ali Zafar has received praise over his role in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD). This is Ali Zafar's second Bollywood movie and with it he has become the hot favourite in India. Ali Zafar, in MBKD, which was released under the Yash Raj banner on September 9, portrays the role of an individual who assigns his brother (Imran Khan) to search for his bride (Katrina Kaif). The film had a sensational opening at the box office and Zafar earned more praise than co-stars Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif. Besides acting in the movie, Zafar has also provided his vocals to one of the tracks.

jackson killed by greed, medic's fault: brother

 LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson was driven to his death by a mix of greed, power and money, one of his brothers claimed Thursday, while saying the star's doctor "had no business" giving him the drug that killed him.

Speaking before the manslaughter trial of medic Conrad Murray kicks off this month, Jermaine Jackson said those surrounding his brother failed to look after him, as they pushed him to play a lucrative series of comeback gigs.

He described how his brother's health had clearly deteriorated in the months leading up to his death -- when he was rehearsing intensively for the This is It shows in London -- but those around him had not told the family.

"Why didn't somebody call me or Jackie or Tito or Marlon or his family, to say, 'Come down here, your brother is not acting normal?' Had we been called, he would be alive today. We would have taken him to the hospital," he said.

Asked why he thought they didn't, he told CNN interviewer Piers Morgan: "Because they wanted the show to go on... It's all about -- this is a story about greed and power and money. And not looking at the person in Michael."

Murray is due in court on September 27 for the long-awaited manslaughter trial over Jackson's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the powerful drug propofol, prescribed to help him sleep.

Jermaine Jackson said the doctor's lawyers would try to paint his brother as a drug addict, but dismissed a suggestion that Jackson -- who suffered from chronic insomnia -- could have forced Murray to give him more propofol.

The drug is so powerful that it is used as an anaesthetic during surgery, he noted, adding that as a cardiologist and not an anesthesiologist, Murray "had no business giving my brother propofol."

"Being a doctor, you take an oath to care for your patient not to kill
them," he added.

Jackson's death, on the eve of the planned series of comeback concerts at London's O2 Arena aimed at reviving his reputation and finances battered by child sex allegations, stunned fans around the world.

Murray's defense team is expected to argue that Jackson gave himself an excessive dose of the drug while the doctor was out of the room at the singer's mansion in the affluent Holmby Hills neighborhood west of Los Angeles. (AFP)

Amanat Ali Khan remembered on Saturday

ISLAMABAD: The popular classical singer Amanat Ali Khan is being remembered on Saturday with tributes paid to his memorable songs in the Pakistan music industry. He was born in 1932 in Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He was a Pakistani classical/ghazal singer from the Patiala gharana and soon after independence he moved to Pakistan. His concerts on Radio Lahore became quite popular and he toured South Asia becoming the representative of Patiala gharana in Pakistan. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of seraphic singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. The prestigious Patiala Gharana, the family that sworn to carry on the traditional and classical aura of Hindustani music, saw another immaculate and faultless singer adding more shine, prestige and prosperity to their name. His memorable songs include "Aa Mere Pyaar Ki Khushboo", "Yeh Arzoo Thi", "Mausam Badla", "Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat", "Insha Je Utho" and "Kab Aao Ge". Ustad Amanat Ali died at aged 42 years in Lahore in 17 September 1974. He was honored with the 'Pride of Performance' award by the government of Pakistan.