Vogue and Fashion Design Council of India launch annual fund

Plus: subcontinent's first 3D animation announced, Mrinal Sen turns 90, Aamir Khan criticised by Rajasthan health minister and a Bollywood Hamlet edges closer.

Indian designer Manish Arora acknowledges the public following his Fall/Winter 2012-2013 ready-to-wear collection show, on March 1, 2012 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/Pierre Verdy

India gets own Vogue Fashion Fund

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has partnered with Vogue India to launch an annual fashion fund, similar to the one existing in the US, the UK, Italy and China, to give young designers financial support, mentorship and opportunities to promote their lines in major retail stores. "More than three to four thousand graduates come out every year from fashion institutes, struggling to find their place in the fashion world," said FDCI president Sunil Sethi. A jury featuring renowned designers Manish Arora, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Suneet Varma will select five finalists from 20 shortlisted designers. Past winners of the Vogue Fashion Fund in the US include Joseph Altuzarra, Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler. - PTI

First 3D animated movie comes to India

India's first 3D animated film is coming to theatres this August. Krishna Aur Kans, chronicling the early years of Hinduism's central figure Krishna, is slated to hit theatres on August 3, a week before the Hindu festival Janmashtami. The project will be directed by director Vikram Veturi. "It is sure to bring families together," said Sanjeev Lamba of Reliance Entertainment, the outfit producing the film. "It is a captivating story based on Lord Krishna's early life and the victory of good over evil." - PTI

Mrinal Sen turns 90

The Bengali filmmaker Mrinal Sen celebrated his 90th birthday on Monday and says he's not yet thinking of retirement. "Every day I feel like creating a new film," he said. "Ideas cocktail out of my head always." Sen's last film was 2002's Aamaar Bhuvan (This, My Land), starring the singer Nandita Das. He has won four National Film awards, as well as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's top filmmaking prize, in 2005. Quizzed about his birthday plans, Sen said: "It is not my business to celebrate. My friends and kin are there to applaud, if they want to."

Minister calls out Aamir Khan's show

A Rajasthan minister has accused the actor Aamir Khan for sensationalising the state's female foeticide cases in his popular new show Satyamev Jayate. The health minister Rajkumar Sharma argued the government was already working on the issue before Khan's programme focused on it. "There was an impression that the government swung into action after Aamir's campaign, but it is not because of him that we are working against female foeticide," said Sharma, adding that if the actor is truly committed to the issue, he should do something more practical about it. "Aamir himself has said that he is an entertainer and cannot work longer on one topic - that simply means what he is doing is for monetary gains. If he really wants to work on this issue then I welcome him to work here on the ground." - PTI

Bollywood to adapt Hamlet

The filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has announced he is working on a big-screen Hindi adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet with fellow director Goldie Behl, a project the two have been planning for more than a decade, since they worked together on 2001's Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai. "I guess every film has its destiny and we could not do it back then. But Hamlet has risen again," Dhulia said in a statement. The film will be produced by Rose Movies.

The Voice begins scouting Emirates

The producers of the Arabic version of the hit talent show The Voice, which is headed to local screens after Ramadan, have already begun scouting for talent in the UAE.

The UAE is among the countries where auditions for the first season will be held, alongside Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon and Morocco.

The Dubai-based network MBC announced on Monday it had the rights to produce a regional version of the show.

The show will pit four popular Arab artists against each other as they seek out the region's finest voices. The twist is they must choose candidates on the basis of what they hear, not on what they see, with their backs turned to the stage. Once selected, the judges coach the candidates throughout a progression of public voting, as the singers battle it out in sing-off rounds until only one is left. Prizes include a record contract.

Although the Arabic judges have not been chosen, there should be much jostling among regional musicians. The Voice has been a boost to the careers of celebrities who appeared in the American version, such as Adam Levine and Christine Aguilera. Seal and Keith Urban have appeared in the Australian edition.

Launched in 2010 in the Netherlands, The Voice recently wrapped its second season in the US. Critics praised the show for rejuvenating a tired talent show format on a landscape that also features American Idol and The X Factor USA.