Holly to Bolly: Japanese Ani:Me event in Abu Dhabi, Kamal Haasan honoured with French award, and more

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Japanese Ani:Me event in Abu Dhabi

Ani:Me, a three-day celebration of Japanese pop culture, will take place in Abu Dhabi over the weekend of October 27 to 29. The new event promises to bring a mix of anime (Japanese animation), manga (comics), film, music, games, fashion and food to Yas Island. The convention is being organised by events company Alliance LLC – founders of Dubai's Middle East Film and Comic Con, and Games Middle East – targeting fans of Japanese pop culture in the capital for the first time. The weekend promises live music from celebrated "J-pop" bands and acts familiar for their "anisongs" (songs featured in anime), as well as appearances from celebrated anime and manga creators, voice artists, cosplayers and video gamers. More traditional Japanese culture will be represented with exhibits devoted to calligraphy, traditional sword fighting and art. A Japan Culture Village will offer amezaiku candy-making workshops and live demonstrations of Japanese fashions, traditional and contemporary cuisine and authentic handicrafts. In March, Yas Island played host to a worldwide celebration of Korean culture, Kcon, which was originally founded in the United States. The same weekend as Ani:Me, another celebration of Japanese pop culture, PopCon, is scheduled to take place at Dubai Outlet Mall. Unlike PopCon, which originated in Manila last year, Ani:Me is a new, locally founded concept. Full details of guests and exhibits, as well as ticketing information, is expected to be announced in coming weeks. Visit www.animeabudhabi.com for more. – The National Staff

Kamal Haasan honoured with French award

Indian actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan will be honoured by France with one of the country’s highest honours, the Chevalier de L’Ordre Arts et Letters (The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters). “The distinction, which is yet another laurel for the actor, is in recognition of his high level of artistic excellence and his distinguished career achievements,” according to a statement from Haasan. The award, which will be presented during an upcoming ceremony, was established “to recognise eminent artists and writers, as well as people who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world”. Hassan released an audio message in which he said: “I dedicate this award to my admirers and audience, who give me the tenacity of purpose to pursue to this day my arts and letters.” Other Indian recipients of the award include late Tamil actor Sivaji Ganeshan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Nandita Das and Shah Rukh Khan. – IANS

Pills at Prince’s home contained fentanyl

Some of the pills taken from Prince’s estate in Paisley Park after his death were counterfeit drugs that contained fentanyl – a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin. An official close to the investigation said nearly two dozen pills found in one bottle were falsely labelled as “Watson 385”. According to Drugs.com, that stamp is used to identify pills containing a mix of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, but the official said at least one of the pills tested positive for fentanyl. Post-mortem results released in June revealed Prince died on April 21 of an accidental fentanyl overdose. The official said records showed that 57-year-old Prince had no prescriptions for any controlled substances in the state of Minnesota in the 12 months before he died. About a dozen tablets were found in a dressing room at Paisley Park, but the vast majority was in bottles of aspirin and vitamin C that had been tucked inside a suitcase and bags – including one Prince often carried with him. Some pills were also found loose in the bag, the official said. Authorities are still investigating how Prince obtained the drugs. – AP

3 Doors Down founder Matt Roberts dies

Guitarist Matt Roberts, a founding member of the rock band 3 Doors Down, has died in Wisconsin. The 38-year-old was in West Bend to perform at a benefit gig. The West Bend Police Department said someone called authorities at about 7am on Saturday to report an unconscious man in a hotel hallway. Police and firefighters found Roberts already dead. There were no signs of trauma and the cause of death is as yet unknown. A post mortem is scheduled for Sunday, August 28. Roberts left 3 Doors Down in May 2012 for health reasons, less than a year before the band headlined the Dubai Jazz Festival in February the following year. Roberts formed the band in 1996 with fellow Mississippi natives vocalist Brad Arnold and bassist Todd Harrell. Their biggest hit was the 2000 song Kryptonite, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. – AP

Regina Cassandra’s heart is in the south

Tamil-Telugu film actress Regina Cassandra, who will make her Hindi-movie debut in the thriller Aankhen 2, says she cannot imagine trading Bollywood fame for her roots in the southern movie industry. "I will definitely make time for both," she said. "I don't think I can leave the south industry for good. It's where I'm from. I might branch out into different places, but I'll always have my roots here." The 27-year-old was dazzled by her Bollywood co-stars in the upcoming sequel, directed by Anees Bazmee, but felt she could not turn down the role. "Your destiny has already been chosen for you," she said. "I did get a few offers in Hindi cinema before. Somehow it didn't feel right. Maybe the time was not right or maybe it was just me. I wasn't ready. Aankhen 2 happened very organically. You can say it just happened, much to my surprise." – IANS