One day after rival Amazon officially launched its streaming service in India (and worldwide), Netflix announced it has struck a deal with the movie production house cofounded by one of Bollywood's biggest stars. As part of its new partnership with Red Chillies Entertainment — the home of actor Shah Rukh Khan, also known as "King Khan" in India's movie industry — Netflix will be able to offer its subscribers access to more than 30 existing Red Chillies movie titles as well as any new films the company produces over the next three years according to Forbes. The deal with Netflix gives Red Chillies more global reach for its films, which are already popular in a country where the Bollywood movie industry pulls in well over $2 billion in annual ticket sales. Recent Red Chillies release Dear Zindagi will be the first of the company's titles to become available to Netflix's 86 million subscribers worldwide, followed soon by more titles, including 2015's Dilwale, which grossed more than $50 million worldwide. — The National staff
Pakistan ends ban on Bollywood films
Major cinemas in Pakistan have agreed to end a ban on Indian films imposed when relations between the two countries deteriorated in September. The decision to ban the films came amid a rise in military tensions over the disputed territory of Kashmir. The boycott was imposed after some Indian film-makers banned Pakistani actors from working in Bollywood films. Bollywood is popular in Pakistan, and the self-imposed ban is reported to have led to a dramatic loss of revenue, according to BBC. The move followed a surge in violence iIndian-administered Kashmir. Film distributors and cinema owners in Pakistan said they would resume screening the films on onday. Pakistan first imposed a ban on Indian films following the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965. The ban was eventually lifted in 2008. — The National staff
David Foster declined invite for role in Donald Trump’s inauguration
Sixteen-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster says he refused to play at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
Despite the reports, the 67-year-old says he won't be calling on any of his friends to help wrangle any performances for President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration. "I was invited to participate and I politely declined," Foster told People in a statement. "I have no idea where this story came from." While Foster may not be involved, his longtime collaborator Andrea Bocelli has accepted an invitation to participate. The Italian tenor will perform alongside America's Got Talent star Jackie Evancho on inauguration day, People previously confirmed. Bocelli, 58, will sing at least one song with the 16-year-old star. It is unclear whether he will perform a solo. — The National staff
Selena Gomez named brand ambassador for fashion label Coach
Fashion label Coach has named singer Selena Gomez its new face for fall 2017. She has reportedly received $10 million to be its brand ambassador. Gomez will appear on the brand’s ad and social media campaigns, reports aceshowbiz.com. Gomez is also set to team up with Coach’s executive creative director Stuart Vevers to co-design a special piece for fall 2017. Additionally, she will team up with Coach Foundation for its work on Step Up, a national organisation aiming at empowering teenage girls from underserved communities. The singer said she was excited to work with designers at Coach and is looking forward to getting involved in the foundation’s support of Step Up. — The National staff
Al Pacino to portray Tennessee Williams in play
Actor Al Pacino has been roped in to play playwright Tennessee Williams in the play God Looked Away, which is Pasadena Playhouses first production under its new development programme PlayWorks. Judith Light will also appear in the developmental staging of the new play by Dotson Rader, who also wrote the 1985 memoir about Williams, titled Cry of the Heart. The play will focus on a turbulent period in the playwright's life. Light will star as Williams's close friend Estelle. Other notable cast members include Garrett Clayton, Miles Gaston Villanueva, Andrew Dits, Matt Gottlieb and Takuma Anzai. Danny Feldman, the Playhouse's producing artistic director said as a young playwright Tennessee Williams premièred two new plays at the playhouse and it was fitting that their first PlayWorks production features a revealing glimpse into the life of the prominent American writer. The show will run from February 8 until March 19. — IANS
Amitabh Bachchan tweets excitement on reaching 24 million followers
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, the most followed Indian actor on Twitter, tweeted his excitement about gaining 24 million followers on the microblogging platform. The 74-year-old thespian, who has given hits like Sholay, Deewar, Black and Piku, is ahead of actors Shah Rukh Khan who has 22.6 million, Salman Khan who has 20.7 million, Aamir Khan who has 19.3 million, Priyanka Chopra who has 15.8 million and Deepika Padukone who has 16.8 million. Big B is just behind prime minister Narendra Modi, who has 25.6 million Twitter followers. "24 million on Twitter! BADUMBA," he tweeted alongside a photograph of himself in which he can be seen wearing yellow sweater. Bachchan will next be seen in filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 3. The film also stars Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee and Yami Gautam. — IANS
