The Bachchan acting dynasty – Amitabh, Jaya, Aishwarya and Abhishek – joined numerous other actors and celebrities at the Mumbai premiere of Aishwarya's latest film Sarbjit on Wednesday night. At the event, Aishwarya said: "We hope that you appreciate the efforts of the team. It's a very sincere piece of cinema straight from the heart. Most important for us as a team is that this is being made very sensitively, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the subject and the members of [Sarabjit Singh's family], most importantly." The film, directed by Omung Kumar, is based on the real-life story of Sarabjit Singh, who was convicted of spying and terrorism after straying over the border into Pakistan, and languished in a Pakistani jail for 23 years while his sister, Dalbir Kaur, tried vigorously to release him. Aishwarya plays Kaur in the film. "The fact that Dalbir and her family feels validated, that's been by far the most precious aspect," Aishwarya added. "That was something that meant a lot to me personally and to the whole team." Actor Randeep Hooda, who plays the title character, was also present, with his sister. He said of the role: "It is challenging and that's the way it should be. If it is not challenging then you should not do it." – IANS
Women file claims on Prince’s estate
Two women are claiming a share of Prince’s estate based on a connection to a man who has claimed to be Prince’s half-brother. Brianna Nelson and Jeannine Halloran filed affidavits of heirship on Wednesday in Carver County District Court. Nelson says her father was Prince’s half-brother, Duane Nelson Sr, which would make her Prince’s niece. Halloran is guardian to a girl whose initials are given only as V N. She says Nelson Sr was the child’s grandfather, which would make her Prince’s grandniece. Nelson Sr once worked as security for the megastar, but he was not listed as a relative in probate papers filed by Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson. A probate judge is setting up a process to investigate the claims. Prince died on April 21. – AP
First Celine Dion single since husband’s death
Canadian singer Celine Dion has announced her first new song since the death of her husband and manager, René Angélil. The French-language song Encore Un Soir, which translates as "One More Night", is due to be released on Tuesday, and will be the first track on her next album, Dion said on her website. The song is an homage to her late husband, according to French celebrity website Tele Star. Its release will coincide with the first of nine concerts by Dion in Paris, Paris Match magazine reported. The singer – one of the most successful artists of all-time, with album sales of more than 220 million – is also due to perform on Sunday at the Billboard Music Awards in her adopted home of Las Vegas. Angélil died in January at the age of 73 following a long battle with throat cancer. The music producer was so struck after hearing Dion's voice when she was 12 that he took her under his wing. They married in 1994, when she was 26. In an interview with ABC television's Good Morning America on Wednesday, Dion said that she thought of her late husband when singing The Show Must Go On. – AFP
Michael Bublé breaks for surgery recovery
Michael Bublé has cancelled all upcoming events as he prepares to undergo vocal-cord surgery. The 40-year-old singer said on his website that after the operation he will need time to rest and recover. There will be “no talking or singing” for some time, but a full recovery is expected, he added. He didn’t specify when the surgery would take place. “Thank you in advance for your prayers and good wishes. I’ll keep you up to date on my progress,” he wrote. – AP
Shah Rukh Khan honours ‘rock star’ Apple chief Tim Cook
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan reckons Apple chief executive Tim Cook, for whom he hosted a dinner at his residence in Mumbai on Wednesday, is a “rock star”. The actor welcomed Cook and his team for dinner on Wednesday night, along with Bollywood’s famed Bachchan family and other stars including Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit Nene. SRK tweeted: “Thank you all for coming and making Tim Cook and his wonderful team feel the warmth and love of India. Mr Cook you are a rock star!” Aamir brought toys as gifts for SRK’s 2-year-old son, Abram. SRK tweeted: “Aamir Khan, thank you for the toys. AbRam is still awake and playing with them.” Cook is making his first official visit to India. He first went to Bengaluru, home of India’s start-up scene, and then Mumbai, visiting the famed Shree Siddhivinayak temple. He is also due to meet Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. – IANS
Alanis Morissette SUES ex-manager For $4.7m 'theft'
Alanis Morissette has sued her former business manager for allegedly stealing US$4.7 million (Dh17.3m) from her savings. The Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based singer, a star of the alternative rock boom of the 1990s, accuses her former manager of costing her $15m overall through theft and "other malfeasance". She said that Jonathan Schwartz made at least 116 cash transfers worth $4,767,900 without her knowledge between 2010 and 2014. Schwartz convinced Morissette that her savings were in "fantastic" shape, while in fact the transfers were "draining her assets and leading her on a road that could have led to financial ruin", she said in the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The singer said that she wanted to live solely on her current income and interest, and had instructed Schwartz not to touch her investments. She added that she turned down a "lucrative" offer to perform five shows in Las Vegas after Schwartz convinced her she did not need the money. She said she fired Schwartz in March after growing suspicious when he couldn't provide timely information on her finances. When a new manager discovered the financial irregularities, the lawsuit says that Schwartz came up with fictitious explanations, including a suggestion that the singer was investing in a drugs business. Morissette also named in the suit GSO Business Management, where Schwartz was a partner, saying the prominent LA-area firm bore responsibility. The company has filed a separate lawsuit against Schwartz, who couldn't be reached for comment. It suspended him after the allegations came to light, and is seeking damages as well as his formal dismissal. It said an internal investigation revealed that Schwartz sustained a "lavish lifestyle" that included a $50,000 holiday to the Pacific island of Bora Bora, a $75,000 debt from a casino in The Bahamas and "substantial" unpaid taxes. Morissette was the voice behind a string of energetic rock anthems in the mid-1990s including You Oughta Know, Hand in My Pocket and Ironic. Her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill won the Grammy for Album of the Year, and sold more than 30 million copies globally. – AFP
The Good Wife spin-off in the works
A spin-off of TV hit The Good Wife, which ended this month after a seven-season run on CBS, is coming to the American TV network's new online video service. CBS All Access said that Christine Baranski will star in the new series. The title wasn't announced. The drama will pick up one year after the events in the finale of The Good Wife, which starred former ER actress Julianna Margulies as a Chicago politician's wife who returns to work as a lawyer following a career break after her husband is jailed in a corruption scandal. The spin-off will debut early next year. It will be CBS All Access' second original series – a new TV version of Star Trek is due to start in January. Baranski will reprise her role as lawyer Diane Lockhart, alongside Cush Jumbo, a British actress who played Lucca Quinn on the final season of The Good Wife. There was no word on whether other The Good Wife stars might make an appearance. – AP
