Actress Parineeti Chopra shares "sizzling chemistry" with Varun Dhawan in scenes they filmed for Dishoom, says producer Sajid Nadiadwala.The pair are in the process of filming song and dance scenes in Mumbai's Mehboob Studio for the Rohit Dhawan film starring Varun, John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez. A large portion of the action scenes were shot in Abu Dhabi this year. "The song will showcase sizzling chemistry between Varun and Parineeti amidst a lavish set up. It is going to be an out-and-out dance number. We have begun shooting for the song, and the schedule lasts for two days. The team is delighted to have her join us in the journey," said Nadiadwala. Based in the Middle East, the comedy-drama revolves around two police officers who are searching for India's top cricketer. It is set for release in the UAE on July 28. – IANS
Musical based on Anastasia coming to Broadway
A musical based on the popular animated film Anastasia is heading to Broadway next year. The musical, like the 1997 film, is inspired by the youngest daughter of the last tsar of Russia. Spanning the final days of the Russian Empire to 1920s Paris, the story follows a young woman trying to uncover the mystery of her past with the help of a handsome con man. Entertainment Weekly reports that after a successful trial run, it will hit the stage in April next year. The lead role will be taken by Christy Altomare who also starred in Mamma Mia. – The National staff
I’m an ordinary person with a passion, says Nazia Hussain
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's niece Nazia Hussain, who is about to start filming for the sequel to the 2006 film Tom, Dick and Harry, says she struggled in the industry like "an ordinary person". Hussain, who got her break in the 2014 Telugu romantic musical drama film Nee Jathaga Nenundali, where she stars as Gayatri Nandana, a girl who gets talent spotted and goes on to become a famous singer, says she never used her connections to pull strings. "I'm an ordinary person with a passion, related to someone famous. I've stood in lines for auditions, travelled in local trains and struggled like any other person who is pursuing a career in films. I am proud of myself for doing so," Hussain said. Talking about the Tom, Dick and Harry sequel, she said: "I'm extremely thrilled, this project has been in the pipeline for a while and we are starting with it soon. So I'm exited and bouncing off the walls." The film will be directed by Deepak Tijori. – IANS
Johnny Depp auctions his art collection
Johnny Depp is selling off some of his priceless art collection amidst his bitter divorce proceedings. Eight works by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat went under the hammer at auction house Christie's in London. Almost all the paintings and drawings date from 1981 and illustrate the post-punk New York scene of the time. The auction comes after the sale of the artist's Untitled piece from 1982 that fetched US$57.3 million (Dh210m) – a Basquiat record – in May. "The Basquiat market is really high. He just thought it was the right moment to take advantage of the world record we broke ... last month," Edmond Francey, head of Post War and Contemporary Art at Christie's in London, told Reuters. – Reuters
J K Rowling’s new wizardry tale set in Massachusetts
J K Rowling's latest tale of wizardry is set atop the mountains in Massachusetts. The second instalment, in a collection called Magic in North America, describes a secret wizarding school located at the peak of Mount Greylock in the Berkshires. The story was published on Tuesday on Rowling's Pottermore site. The tale, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, provides the backstory for the North American school of magic, founded in the 17th century. An orphaned Irish girl sails across the ocean on the Mayflower to Massachusetts, where the school is established. The story is a tie-in to the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, scheduled for release on November 18. The film is an adaptation of Rowling's book by the same name and is the author's screenwriting debut. – AP