Holly to Bolly: Stars perform at Elton John’s birthday bash, KJo says conjecture on next directorial venture untrue, and more

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Stevie Wonder, Gaga perform at Elton John’s 70 birthday bash

The combined star power was phenomenal — artists including Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga and Ryan Adams all performed at the 70th birthday celebrations of Grammy winning singer Elton John, who is set to perform a long-delayed concert in Dubai in December. The iconic singer’s lengthy career was honoured on Saturday with the birthday gig, hosted by Rob Lowe, while the guest list included celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris, Ryan Phillippe, Jon Hamm, Heidi Klum and Katy Perry. “Some people don’t like birthdays, they don’t like celebrating, they don’t want to know about them, and I’ve always enjoyed my birthday,” John said. “Seventy sounds so archaic, doesn’t it? When I was growing up, 70 sounded like the end of the world. But things have changed — you’re only as old as you feel inside,” John was set to perform at Dubai’s Autism Rock Arena in December 2016, before postponing until January, and then putting the appearance back until December 8 this year, citing ill health. — Associated Press

All conjecture on my next directorial venture untrue, says KJo

Big budget filmmaker Karan Johar has debunked all rumours about his next directorial movie following rumours the director is planning a film with superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. The Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director took to Twitter on Monday to refute the rumours and said he is still writing his next feature. "All 'conjectures' on my next directorial venture are completely untrue! Am still writing my next and will only cast it when I am done," Karan tweeted. The 44-year-old has worked in the Hindi film industry for almost two decades, has been behind hit films including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho and My Name Is Khan. — IANS

Cinema should not have the responsibility of changing society, says Chadha

Off screen, she is a vociferous campaigner against sexual abuse and gender discrimination. But when on screen, acclaimed performer Richa Chadha does not want the “burden” of imparting social messages, a responsibility she says belongs to political leaders. “I don’t want to do this flag-bearing thing. Cinema should not have the responsibility of changing society. Sure, you should make good films which have some meaning and lead to something positive for someone, but one doesn’t want that burden,” Richa said. “Sometimes, you just tell a story instead of looking for what lesson it imparts. We should look for messages from our political leaders whom we elect as our representatives, and not from actors,” the 30-year-old added. — IANS

Beauty and the Beast dances off with top box-office spot

Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast has continued to enchant audiences in its second weekend in theatres. Studio estimates say the film added $88.3 million [Dh342 million] to its domestic total this weekend, down only 49 per cent from its massive debut. The box-office juggernaut has earned $317 million [Dh116 million] to date from North American theatres. In a distant second, Lionsgate's Power Rangers opened with a strong $40.5 million [Dh149 million]. The PG-13 reboot of the campy television show cost a reported $100 million to produce. Not so mighty were the totals for the two films that opened this weekend. Warner Bros's raunchy action comedy Chips and Sony's space thriller Life failed to gain much traction — Life earned $12.6 million, while the critically derided Chips brought in $7.6 million. — Associated Press

Antonio Banderas says he’s recovered from a heart attack

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas says he has recovered from a heart attack he had in January, but claims "it wasn't serious and hasn't caused any damage". The 56-year-old told Spanish media that after suffering the attack on January 26, he underwent a procedure to place three stents in his arteries, adding "it hasn't been as dramatic as some have written". Banderas' visit to a Swiss clinic had led to speculation about the health of the star known for roles in such films as The Mask of Zorro, Desperado and the animated Puss in Boots. Banderas spoke Saturday at a film festival in his hometown of Malaga in southern Spain, where he received a lifetime achievement award for his career as an actor, director and producer. — Associated Press