Indian film Sarbjit in the running for an Oscar
Indian biopic Sarbjit has made it on to the long list of 336 feature films eligible for the Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released the list of films in contention for the best picture Oscar last week and director Omung Kumar says it will change everything if he wins. "As a director and a producer, winning an Oscar will open major avenues for us. Right now, we are producing smaller films but winning would change it. It will give a boost to our company." Sarbjit features Randeep Hooda as Sarabjit Singh, an Indian man who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1991 and who consequently spent 22 years in prison for alleged terrorism and spying. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan portrays the narrative role of Sarabjit's sister. - IANS
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall loses baby days before Christmas
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike have lost the baby they were expecting, just days before Christmas. Equestrian champion Zara and former England rugby player Tindall revealed at the end of November they were expecting their second child, saying they were "very, very happy" and looking forward to 2017. But The Daily Telegraph reports the pair lost the baby. A spokeswoman for the couple said: "Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy." They already have a daughter, Mia, who is nearly 3. - The National Staff
Amitabh Bachchan is music director’s biggest inspiration
Award-winning music director Anu Malik says Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is his biggest inspiration. "At times, it becomes difficult to get up to fight the competitive world out there at the age of 54, but then I look at this gentleman who can work so hard every single day and who can redefine himself with every film at the age of 74 ... if he can work so hard, why not me," says Malik. Apart from working on Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming film Indu Sarkar, Malik is busy judging the music reality show Indian Idol 9 along with Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan. - IANS
More Sex and the City movie action to come
A third Sex and the City movie seems set to be in the running. Radar Online is reporting that Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis have signed on to make a third movie with the source saying: "The deal is done and the script has been approved by all the women." All four of the original stars have hinted at a third movie ever since the release of Sex and the City 2 in 2010, which was partly set in Abu Dhabi, but earlier this year the rumours were set alight again when Parker, 51, told the Press Association the movie was still an "open question." Now it is reportedly confirmed and will begin filming in the summer. - The National staff
Priyanka Chopra collaborates with Lilly Singh in new video
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who became the first South Asian to headline an American network thriller series, has collaborated with popular Indian-Canadian online personality Lilly Singh on a video called How To Be A Good Wing Woman. Singh, who is also known by her YouTube username Superwoman, shared the video on Twitter and YouTube on Saturday, the Times of India reports. It is a comedy sketch featuring the women, trying to pick up guys at a bar as Singh consoles Chopra for supposedly being dumped by her boyfriend. - The National staff