John Abraham has been working on action films back-to-back this year – first there was Rocky Handsome in March, then Dishoom, which was partly filmed in Abu Dhabi and is due for release next month, and Force 2, due out in November. Last October, Abraham severely injured his knee while shooting Force 2, and had to undergo three operations. His trainer, Vinod Channa, told Mumbai Mirror that between Force 2 and Dishoom, they had just three months to get Abraham back in shape and ready for Dishoom. "He was recovering from the surgeries and found even trying to walk very difficult so I had to get him to work out slowly, we couldn't afford to aggravate his injury," he said. "With a little more focus on diet, exercise and the intensity of workout, we managed." – Sonali Kokra
Swift sings at couple’s wedding
Taylor Swift surprised a newlywed couple by showing up to sing at their wedding. She received a letter in April from the groom's sister saying her brother was a big fan and that the couple – Max Singer and Kenya Smith – were having their wedding ceremony in a hospital room because Singer's mother was very ill. Swift arranged the surprise visit to the reception in Long Beach Township in New Jersey and sang Blank Space as the couple danced. She also gave them with a card that read: "So It's Gonna Be Forever," a lyric from the song. – AP
Netflix unveils first Indian series
Video-streaming service Netflix has announced its first original series from India, in partnership with Phantom Films. Based on Vikram Chandra's acclaimed novel Sacred Games, the series will be set in Mumbai and explore the relationship between politics, corruption, organised crime and espionage. The series will be adapted in Hindi and English. Chandra said: "I'm confident that all the colour and vitality and music of the fictional world I've lived with for so long will come fully alive on the large-scale canvas provided by Netflix." – Sonali Kokra
Harry Potter play previews begin
Preview performances for the new, eighth, instalment of the Harry Potter saga start this week in London. The play, which will open officially next month, is set 19 years after the events of J K Rowling's seventh and final novel in the series. Harry is a married dad and Ron and Hermione are also married, with a daughter. According to the Daily Mail, the play has already broken box-office records in London with tickets sold out until May next year – the first 175,000 were bought in just 24 hours. J K Rowling wrote the drama and worked with playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany to amend the script for the stage. The official opening night is scheduled for July 30 at the Palace Theatre in London. – The National
Jack Black death hoax on Twitter
Jack Black has become the victim of another celebrity death hoax, after the official Twitter account of Tenacious D, the comedy rock band cofounded by the comedian, was hacked and messages were posted that said he had died at the age of 46. Black, known for his roles in King Kong, School of Rock and Kung Fu Panda, performed at Rock am Ring Music Festival, near Nürburgring, Germany on Friday night and appeared on the Snapchat feed of American DJ Diplo on Sunday. However, that didn't stop some fans from believing the death announcement and posting shocked reactions. Hours later, the hacker posted further messages revealing it was a hoax. One post read: "Calm down guys! It's just a prank bro, look there's the camera...The Legend is still alive, it is OK guys."It was the latest in a series of death hoaxes targeting Black in recent weeks. – IANS
Story of Prince’s life told in new comic book
A comic book charting the life and times of deceased rock musician Prince will be released tomorrow on the occasion of his birthday. Tribute: Prince, is a 24-page comic by Blue Water Productions celebrating the career of the 57-year-old musician, whose music blended jazz, funk, R&B, disco and rock. A death report released last Thursday revealed that the singer died from taking the highly addictive drug fentanyl, which is used to treat patients with severe pain. – Reuters
Bollywood stars urge fans to save the planet
Scores of celebrities from the world of Bollywood took to social media this week to urge fans to take care of the environment. It came on World Environment Day, a global initiative to encourage people to look after our planet. Actor and director Arjun Kapoor wrote on Twitter: “We don’t have a planet B. So let’s protect and conserve the environment. World Environment Day”. Model, actress and producer Dia Mirza wrote: “The survival of the forest is integral to the survival of our rivers. Ganga the soul of India. Making Kulhars or clay cups. Made by hand. Sustainable and eco friendly. India knows the way!” Others, including Madhuri Dixit Nene, also pressed home the message about protecting the Earth for future generations.– IANS
