AR Rahman expects a music revolution soon

Talking about the phase of Indian music given the number of music festivals and international artists right now, AR Rahman recently was quoted saying, “More people are now awakened, even on YouTube you see people doing exciting things. There might be a revolution soon.” About whether he might be interested to be a director someday, the composer said, “Earlier people would make five movies a year as they'd have formulas for everything. Not anymore - because people demand high quality. Today each director takes a year-and-a-half or two to make a film. I can't afford to do that. I have a mortgage to pay for the school building, there's travelling and family.

Sidharth to star in French film remake

Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has reportedly been signed by Siddharth Roy Kapur's production house for an official remake of the French film, Priceless.  The French film, directed by Pierre Salvadori, starred Audrey Tautou and Gad Almaleh in lead roles. The Hindi version will be co-produced by Karan Johar, who was also the producer of Siddharth's debut film, 'Student of the Year'. The actor has been quoted saying alcohol is a stress buster for many but he likes to stay away from it. He will next be seen playing a nice boy looking for love in Hasee Toh Phasee which was released yesterday, on Feb 7. The film also features Parineeti Chopra. Sidharth will also be seen in filmmaker Mohit Suri's upcoming film The Villain where he is playing a "very conflicted character."

Overwhelmed to be listed amongst most beautiful: Aishwarya Rai

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who was ranked fourth in a recent poll of the world's most beautiful women, says she is overwhelmed with the love showered on her by fans from across the world. The survey was conducted by international website Hollywood Buzz. The list saw more than four million people send in their votes selecting the most intelligent, desirable and successful women in 2013-14. Aishwarya took the fourth place right after actresses Monica Belluci, Kate Upton and Angelina Jolie who took the first, second and third position, respectively.

SHERLOCK'S DODGY LEGACY

Stacey Cumberbatch, New York City's newly appointed commissioner of citywide administrative services, said in an interview after her introduction at City Hall last week that she shares her last name with the British actor Benedict Cumberbatch because her ancestors were slaves owned by his family! The commissioner, who is the granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants, told the New York Times that the actor's fifth-great-grandfather owned a plantation in Barbados and explained that it was common for slaves to take the surnames of their owners during that time. The British Cumberbatches were a famous family of “merchants and adventurers” in the 18th and 19th century, and it is a matter of public record that Abraham Cumberbatch (Benedict's fifth-great-grandfather) founded the family's fortunes on a sugar plantation in Barbados. Benedict Cumberbatch, gaining global fame for his portrayal of Sherlock, has recently played William Pitt the Younger in the film 'Amazing Grace' about the campaign to end the slave trade. And, in an irony which even a Hollywood screenwriter couldn't make up, he also starred in '12 Years A Slave', the harrowing hit film which depicts the ugly reality of the slave trade.

Folk singer Pete Seeger dies at 94

Pete Seeger, who helped create the modern American folk music movement, co-wrote enduring songs like "If I Had a Hammer" and became a leading voice for social justice, died last week at the age of 94. He was hailed in social and traditional media as a "hero," "America's conscience" and "a man of the people." Seeger died of natural causes at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, his record company, Appleseed Recordings, said. Seeger was well known for his  liberal politics. He protested U.S. wars from Vietnam to Iraq, participated in the civil rights movement, supported organized labor and helped found an environmental group that played a key role in cleaning up the polluted Hudson River. In 1961, he was sentenced to prison for refusing to testify to Congress about his time in the Communist Party. Nearly a half-century later, Seeger performed at a January 2009 concert marking the inauguration of President Barack Obama. His wife, Toshi, whom he married in 1941, died in 2013. They had three children.

Scarlett Johansson's Banned Commercial

Fox has decided that Scarlett Johansson's SodaStream commercial is too hot for TV. Well, sort of. Though the clip features Scarlett shimmying out of a bathrobe and seductively sipping to a “bow-chicka-wow-wooow” bassline, that's not what reportedly raised the network's hackles. Instead, SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum tells USA Today that Fox declined to air this version of the commercial because of Johansson's closing line: “Sorry, Coke and Pepsi.” It's a win-win situation for the company – since the news of the commercial being banned has caused the ad to go viral on the internet and in social media platforms, and millions have seen the advertisement already.

'I don't enjoy intimacy on screen" Parineeti Chopra

Actress Parineeti Chopra, who has locked lips with actors like Arjun Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput in movies like 'Ishaqzaade' and 'Shuddh Desi Romance' respectively, says she doesn't enjoy getting intimate on screen. "If you felt I was enjoying it, I must be doing a bloody good job! I actually don't enjoy intimacy on screen because it isn't with people I am dating. And the kind of person I am, nobody hits on me- they are all cool buddies. I am not a flirtatious person," said Parineeti.

Munsur Ali One of top100  British-Bangladeshis

Producer, director and writer of the highly anticipated film “Shongram –The Movie”, Munsur Ali has been listed in the Top 100 Power and Inspirational British Bangladeshis. His debut film is set to be released this year internationally. The film is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war. The film stars Ruhee and international stars, Anupam Kher and Asia Argento. Munsur is not only a filmmaker but also a social entrepreneur. He is also the CEO & Founder at Limelight Film Awards and Writer/Director/Cinematographer at Spotlight UK. British Bangladeshi Power 100 is a celebration of leading British citizens of Bangladesh origin who are helping shape Britain for the better with their ideas, example, talent, success and inspiration.