Holly to Bolly: Chopra hosts Diwali bash, Kaif left off Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil guest list, and more

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Ravindranath K / The National

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has grand plans to give her Quantico and Baywatch co-stars and crew a taste of India and Diwali, the festival of lights. Since shooting for Quantico is keeping the 34-year-old actress away from indulging in celebrations back home, Chopra has decided to bring the festivities to the United States. According to reports, Chopra intends to decorate her massive New York apartment with earthen lamps, lights and flowers and convert it into a mini India with traditional Indian wear, sweet meats and a DJ belting out popular Bollywood numbers at the Diwali bash. The guest list is said to include her family, close friends and co-stars from her Hollywood projects. - Sonali Kokra

Katrina Kaif left off private screening list for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

After several tense weeks as a result of political controversies, Karan Johar's film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil released to packed theatres at the weekend. To celebrate, Johar held a private screening for friends. One notable absence was good friend Katrina Kaif. Indian newspaper DNA reported that Kaif had been kept off the guest list on the request of the film's lead actor, Ranbir Kapoor. Earlier in the year, Kaif and Kapoor ended their six-year-ling relationship, which came as a shock to fans. A source was quoted as saying that Kapoor felt Kaif's presence at the event would make things uncomfortable and asked Johar not to invite her, which in turn rightfully upset Kaif. - Sonali Kokra

Iconic Hollywood talent agent Norman R. Brokaw dies

Norman R. Brokaw, the talent agent who has represented some of the greats including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood and other top Hollywood stars, has died at the age of 89. Brokaw's son, David, says his father died at the weekend after a long illness. Brokaw ascended from the mailroom of the William Morris Agency to become its CEO in 1989. He represented the producers behind hit shows such as The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He also served as Bill Cosby's agent, helping get him cast on I Spy, which broke television's colour barrier. Brokaw then went on to craft deals that led to the creation of The Cosby Show and the comedian's work as a pitchman. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2010 bestowed its Governor's Award on Brokaw, the only agent to receive the honour. - AP

Suspicious powder shuts down New York’s Metropolitan Opera

New York's Metropolitan Opera was evacuated on the weekend after an audience member triggered a panic by sprinkling a powder that may have been a friend's ashes. The leading United States based opera company was in the intermission of a matinée of Guillaume Tell when a person approached the orchestra pit and released an initially mysterious substance. "We have spoken to more than one witness who said they spoke to an individual from out of town who indicated he was here to sprinkle ashes of a friend, his mentor in opera, during the performance," said John Miller, the police deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism. The opera house asked patrons to evacuate following the incident and cancelled an evening performance of L'Italiana in Algeri while authorities investigated. - AFP

Tom Sizemore sued by stuntman

A stuntman who was injured when he was run over while filming an upcoming television series is suing actor Tom Sizemore and the production team. Steve de Castro sued Sizemore and Paramount Pictures at the weekend, claiming the July incident in which he was pinned beneath a sport utility vehicle driven by Sizemore had left him with significant injuries. The lawsuit claims the Black Hawk Down actor was intoxicated at a remote desert airport in Los Angeles during filming of the upcoming USA Network action show Shooter. De Castro was airlifted from the scene. De Castro's lawsuit states that some of his injuries are likely to be permanent and have hampered his ability to work. The accident occurred amid Sizemore's latest comeback attempt after years of substance abuse problems. Within two weeks of the incident, Sizemore was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence against hist girlfriend. He has been arrested a number of times over the years. The actor has a recurring role in Shooter, but his career has fallen from its heyday when he appeared in such films such as Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down. Shooter is a television adaptation of a 2007 film with the same name and a best-selling novel, Point of Impact. - AP

Timberlake wins Hollywood song award

According to variety.com, singer-actor Justin Timberlake will take home the Hollywood song award at the Hollywood Film Awards on November 6 for his hit single Can't Stop the Feeling. The song, from the animated film Trolls, has been on the top of the charts in more than 20 countries. Timberlake, who has nine Grammy awards to his name, produced the song with Max Martin and Shellback (Karl Johan Schuster). Timberlake served as the executive music producer on Trolls, which is set to screen in theatres on November 4. The movie is about two trolls who go on a mission to save Troll Town. - variety.com

Ambience Fashion Weekend set for November 4 and 5

Karisma Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz will be the celebrity attractions at the Ambience Fashion Weekend which is to be held on November 4 and 5 in New Delhi. The gala, launched by the Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, will showcase the next season’s fashion and festive collections by both Indian and international designers. The event was conceptualised and organised by Arjun Singh Gehlot and Shahista Gehlot, directors of Ambience Malls. The first day of the event will see models showcasing the latest from brands like Scullers, Marks & Spencer, Creyate, Iconic, Reliance Trends, Diamond Tree and UCB. The second day will have a line-up of designers including Ashima-Leena, Rimple & Harpreet Narula, Rina Dhaka and Pernia Qureshi, showcasing their exclusive festive wear. - IANS