Carrie Fisher critical after heart attack
Actress Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars movies suffered a massive heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles, it is being reported on Saturday. Fisher was rushed to hospital after the plane landed and remains in intensive care. Fisher, 60, was described by her younger brother, Todd Fisher, as being in “critical condition”. The actress is considered by many to be a member of Hollywood royalty — her parents are entertainer Debbie Reynolds and late singer Eddie Fisher. — Reuters
Salman Khan takes richest Indian celebrity honours
Superstar Salman Khan has overtaken Shah Rukh Khan as the richest celebrity in India. He topped the 2016 Forbes India Celebrity 100 List with estimated earnings of Rs270.33 crore (Dh14,615,269) mostly driven by the success of his films Prem Ratan Dhan Payo from late 2015 and Sultan from this year. His total earnings constituted almost 10 per cent of the total wealth of all the top 100 celebrities for the year. According to the US magazine, there has not been a single year when either Shah Rukh or Salman has not been No. 1 on its Celebrity 100 List since they began charting it five years ago. The highest earning woman is Deepika Padukone, thanks to an impressive year at the box office and a slew of brand endorsements. She will make her Hollywood debut in 2017 in the action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, which is a Vin Diesel production. — IANS
Brad Pitt files another motion against estranged wife Angelina Jolie
Brad Pitt has accused Angelina Jolie of compromising their children’s privacy and is asking a judge to seal details about the youngsters emerging from the couple’s divorce, court papers have shown. The 52-year-old star’s lawyers claim his estranged wife is showing little regard for the welfare of the three boys and three girls, as her attorneys try to make him look bad, according to a motion filed in a Los Angeles court. Pitt’s legal team argues that Jolie has already violated an agreement to protect the privacy of the children — who range in ages from 8 to 15 — by making public the names of family therapists. The lawyers accuse Jolie, 41, of “attempting to clear the way to put in the public eye any allegations she can” without regard to the effect on the children. Jolie filed for divorce in September, citing irreconcilable differences, and is seeking sole custody of the children. A hearing on Pitt’s motion is scheduled for January 17. — Agence France Presse
Alia Bhatt says the love of the people matters most
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt says that though content is the king, people’s love for her and her films “means the most” to her. “If your film is good, it will do well, but for me it’s all about the love,” she says. “I am not completely close to criticism. I don’t read too many reviews but sometimes people send me things and I read it. I feel it is important to get the love but also get the hate; you have to balance it out,” she continues. “Love is important to me. Sometimes random people approach me and talk to me about my films, role and characters; I think that is what means the most to me.” Bhatt made the comments at the 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards press conference in Mumbai, where she will be performing. — IANS
Disney to create show content for Snapchat app
The Walt Disney Company’s United States television arm is poised to create shows for Snapchat. The company has signed a variety of advertising and content agreements this year in an effort to reach the type of younger viewers the social media company targets, which increasingly eschew traditional television. Disney and Snapchat have previously worked together for a special Live Stories, a Snapchat feature that curated user-submitted photos and videos for the Oscars in February. “Earlier this year, we worked closely with Snap on a very successful The Oscars Live Story and we look forward to building on that relationship and providing Snapchat’s mobile-centric users with a unique, immersive experience around our shows and brands,” said Disney-ABC Television executive John Frelinghuysen in a statement. — Reuters
Star Wars latest to be biggest 2016 Christmas earner of all
The latest Star Wars instalment, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is projected to be the top of United States box offices during the Christmas period. The film, which had its regional premier at the Dubai International Film Festival earlier this month, is expected to bring in more than US$160 million over the six-day period from December 21-26, reports Variety Magazine. Should the projections be correct, it will mean that Walt Disney will have had all five of the top global blockbusters of 2016. Finding Dory, the animated story of the blue tang fish voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, has so far brought in the most revenue followed by Captain America: Civil War, Zootopia and The Jungle Book. Rogue One is the first stand-alone film in the Star Wars Anthology series and follows the story of Galen Erso, the lead engineer for the most powerful weapon in the galaxy, the Death Star. — The National staff
