Sasheer Zamata made a low-key but notable debut on Saturday Night Live as the first black female cast member since 2007. As usual for an SNL newcomer, Zamata kept a low profile on Saturday’s broadcast. She participated in sketches in roles including Rihanna and a teenager at a slumber party. The 27-year-old comedian and improv performer was signed earlier this month after criticism of SNL for its lack of ethnic diversity. Black male cast members Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah were among those voicing complaints last fall. The NBC series has had only four black women cast members in its 39 seasons. The most recent was Maya Rudolph. The biracial actress left in 2007. The show has also recently hired two black female writers.
Irrfan Khan: Indian cinema is far from reality
Irrfan Khan, who has found international fame with his films Life of Pi (2012) and The Lunchbox (2013), says Bollywood is not a reflection of cinema that is connected to reality. "Indian cinema is far from reality. It is just about the dream world and hence hard-hitting issues are not usually raised," said Khan, speaking on Saturday at the Jaipur Literary Festival in Rajasthan. "But in the past few years, Bollywood has been transforming in terms of the subjects of movies, but it is not bold enough to raise important topics, such as the Dalit issue," he said, referring to people in the lowest rung of India's ancient hierarchical caste system, who have long faced discrimination. The 47-year-old actor believes that "box-office worries" are a major reason for the current situation. — The National staff
Tyrese deals with Paul Walker death on UAE holiday
Tyrese recently spent several weeks in the Emirates and celebrated his 35 birthday here with some famous pals, including actor/rapper Will Smith, his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and the singer-songwriter Maxwell. In an interview with E! News, the singer-songwriter said he took the trip to take his mind off the sudden death last year of his friend and co-star, the Fast & Furious actor Paul Walker. "I was just really sad for a long time. And I said, 'you know what? I'm gonna go to Dubai and I'm gonna go find my smile again' and I found it." Tyrese heads into Sunday's Grammy Awards nominated for Best R&B Album for Three Kings, a coordinated effort as part of the group TGT with Ginuwine and Tank. — The National staff
Abhay Deol clashes with music giant T-Series
The music company T-Series has announced that it is relinquishing the music rights to the actor Abhay Deol's latest film One By Two. Deol is spearheading a campaign against music labels forcing singers and musicians to to sign contracts containing a certain clause on remuneration. He recently headed a press conference to discuss the matter with the media, and was joined by noted Bollywood music directors and playback singers, including Sonu Nigam, Javed Akhtar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Kailash Kher. – IANS
Batman vs Superman delayed
Fans eagerly anticipating the new Batman vs Superman movie will have to wait an extra year for the epic meeting. Warner Bros. pictures announced on Friday evening that the film's release has been delayed until May 6, 2016, CNN reported. The sequel to Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder, was to hit theatres on July 17, 2015, but representatives for the studio said the extra time was needed to give "filmmakers time to realise fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story". The film attracted criticism from comic book fans when it was announced in August last year that Ben Affleck would be playing Batman, starring opposite Henry Cavill, who will be returning as Superman. Amy Adams will be reprising her role as Lois Lane, and Gal Gadot has signed on to play Wonder Woman. — The National staff
