New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Starting with his debut film ‘Dangal’ that released in 2016, Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana has worked with some of the most prolific directors in showbiz. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the actor spoke about his favourite female directors and the positive energy they bring with their craft.
While he always carried home a treasure trove of learnings and memories from all his collaborations with them, the talented actor feels grateful to have had the golden opportunity of working with some female directors.
Three years back, acclaimed filmmaker Leena Yadav directed Aparshakti in ‘Rajma Chawal’, a slice-of-life film. The actor captured the attention of the viewers with his earnest performance which was sketched and molded by the director.
In 2019, Aparshakti appeared in ‘Ruka Ruka’, a music single with singer Shalmali. The music video was directed by Ukrainian director Dar Gai who perfectly captured the relationship crisis between a young couple in a hyper-connected world.
A while back, Aparshakti shot for an anthology film and one of the directors on that project is Nitya Mehra of ‘Made In Heaven’ and ‘Baar Baar Dekho’ fame. While much is not known about their short film yet, all we can say is that it will show the actor playing a rather interesting and different character.
Two years back, Aparshakti was directed by director-writer, Tahira Kashyap, when he turned singer, composer, and lyricist for and featured in a music video titled ‘Kudiye Ni’.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Aparshakti said that working with female directors has been an enriching experience for him.
“I have had the good fortune of working with these women directors. They are more sensitive when they tell a story and there is a very different vibe on their sets,” he said.
Speaking about his female directors, he said, “Leena is a keen observer and understands the complexities of human behaviour very well. Dar Gai is amazing to work with. We had a relevant storyline but it was her vision and aesthetics that made Ruka Ruka a visual spectacle.”
Aparshakti added, “As for Nitya, I’m a big fan of Made In Heaven specially her episode. So, when I got the chance to be directed by her, I was really excited. She is extremely warm and calm and that reflects in her work.”
As for Tahira, the actor said, “I have known Tahira bhabhi for a long time now. I love her way of organic storytelling and With her, work never felt like work; it was like a vacation. Plus I really want to mention that she has a very keen eye for emotions.”
Meanwhile, the actor is all set to make his digital debut in the Vikramaditya Motwane web series ‘Stardust’. The series is a fictional take on the Indian film industry from 1947 to 1989 and will explore the clash between two superstars.
Apart from the web series, Aparshakti has a string of releases lined up this year including the comedy film ‘Helmet’ with Pranutan. The actor is currently shooting for his new film, an untitled thriller alongside R. Madhavan, Darshan Kumaar, and Khushali Kumar. (ANI)

Washington [US], March 8 (ANI): Author EL James, who is famous for the ’50 shades’ trilogy, is set to release another book in the popular series. Titled ‘Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as Told by Christian’, the upcoming book will be told from the perspective of the famous character Christian Grey.
As per E! News, the final book in E. L. James’ BDSM-themed trilogy that serves as a spinoff series for her ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy, now has a release date: June 1.
The announcement about the novel’s release date was made on Sunday by Dominique Raccah, Publisher and CEO of Sourcebooks.
The original trilogy is told from the perspective of Anastasia “Ana” Steele and chronicles her life with her dominant lover Christian Grey. Those books spurred a Hollywood movie trilogy starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
The spinoff novels contain the same plot lines but told from Christian’s point of view. The first, ‘Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian’, was published in 2015, and the second, ‘Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian’, in 2017. The upcoming third spinoff novel focuses on Christian and Ana’s marriage.
“This story has been a labour of love, one that my readers have been eagerly awaiting,” the author said in a statement about ‘Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as Told by Christian’.
The author added, “For me, just as for Anastasia Steele, Christian is a challenging, infuriating, and endlessly fascinating character. Living in his head is exhausting, but I got to explore aspects of his life in Freed that we only glimpsed in the original trilogy, and to follow his emotional growth in response to Ana’s love and compassion.”
The movie ‘Fifty Shades Freed’, the last in the film trilogy, was released in 2018.
‘Freed’ will be published by the Bloom Books imprint of Sourcebooks. James’ ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. (ANI)

Washington [US], March 8 (ANI): During a recent interview with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry spoke about his brother Prince William and provided an update on their relationship.
As per E! News, during the highly anticipated sit-down with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for ‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’, the Duke of Sussex opened up about where things stand for the brothers.
Replying to Oprah on how much had been said about the siblings, Harry replied, “Yeah, and much will continue to be said about that. You know, as I’ve said before, I love William to bits. He’s my brother.”
He further said, “We’ve been through hell together. I mean, we have a shared experience. But, you know, we’re on different paths.”
Oprah then asked Harry about his current relationship dynamic with William, to which he said, “The relationship is space, at the moment, and, you know, time heals all things, hopefully.”
For several years, the royal siblings and their wives Meghan and Kate Middleton have been the subject of rift rumours. ‘Finding Freedom’, a best-selling book, written by royals experts Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, which released in August, described an alleged conversation between the brothers that suggests the tension increased as Meghan became a part of Harry’s life.
As per sources cited in the book, William told Harry, “Don’t feel like you need to rush this. Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.”
The book claimed Harry did not appreciate William referring to Meghan as “this girl.” According to a source in the book, “This sums them up as people–William, the calm and rational one, and Harry, who can’t help but take things far too personally.”
Meghan and Harry’s CBS special with Oprah marked the couple’s first joint interview since their royal exit, which was recently made permanent. In the interview, the duo discussed the reasons behind their decision to step back from their royal duties, which they had first announced in January 2020.
‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’ aired on CBS on Sunday. The special was produced by Harpo Productions. Terry Wood and Tara Montgomery executive produced, along with co-executive producer Brian Piotrowicz. The special will be internationally distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.
Meghan and Harry officially stepped down from their roles as senior royals last year. Since last summer, Meghan and Harry have been living with Archie in their new home in Southern California, not far from Oprah’s, near Santa Barbara.
Their interview with the former talk show queen and media mogul aired a month after Harry made a rare TV appearance on ‘The Late Late Show With James Corden’. Meghan and Harry, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison, in May 2019. (ANI)

Washington [US], March 8 (ANI): The star-studded slate of performers for this year’s Grammy Awards has been announced and some of the biggest and brightest names in the music industry are expected to take the centre stage, both virtually and in-person, at the ceremony.
As per E! News, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Roddy Rich are set to take the stage (virtual and otherwise) for the 63rd annual awards show. The trio has six nominations each and tied for the second most nods, behind Beyonce who bagged a total of nine.
Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, and DaBaby, who each garnered four nominations this year, will also be performing. Joining them on the list of performers are Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, BTS, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, and Doja Cat.

In addition, Mickey Guyton, HAIM, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Maren Morris, Post Malone, and Harry Styles round out the headlining setlist for this year’s performers at Grammys.
Like many socially-distanced awards shows that have already taken place, this year’s Grammy nominees will be coming together while staying safely apart to celebrate music’s biggest night amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The audience will be limited to performers, nominees, and a small number of their guests.
Throughout the 2021 show, several music venues across the country, which have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, will be honoured as bartenders, box office managers, and other day-to-day employees will serve as presenters for various awards categories.

Among the venues that will be featured are the Troubadour and The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, the Apollo Theater in New York City, and The Station Inn in Nashville.
The Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, will air next on March 14 on CBS Television Network and Paramount+.
The Grammys are produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy. Winston is the executive producer, Jesse Collins and Raj Kapoor are co-executive producers, Fatima Robinson, Josie Cliff, and David Wild are the producers, Patrick Menton is the talent producer, and Hamish Hamilton is the director. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Bollywood star Rani Mukerji spoke her mind about how women should ensure to support more women in every department of film-making in the evidently male-driven Indian film industry.
The 42-year-old actor, who has presented audiences with some of the most loved women protagonists on screen, through her performances in films like ‘Black’, ‘Hichki’, ‘Mardaani’, ‘No One Killed Jessica’, among many others, spoke about why women need to empower each other more in cinema.
She said, “In my journey in the Hindi film industry, I have realised that the power is with the women to change the perception about how women are represented in every aspect of film-making. We have to support each other, root for each other and empower each other so that the road is smoother for others who want to make a name for themselves in the male-driven industry. We have to celebrate each other and our successes collectively to ensure that we are all heard all the more.”
Rani, who considers herself fortunate for being able to portray the most fantastic female characters on screen, added, “As an artiste, I have been fortunate enough to play some really fantastic self-reliant women on screen and live their inspiring stories closely. Like me, many actresses over generations have tried to change the conversation about how women are portrayed on screen. I’m blessed that through my films I was given an opportunity to change the conversation of female representation in India.”
Rani, whose previous films ‘Hichki’ and ‘Mardaani’ were runaway hits, also spoke about wanting to find more similar scripts, “I have throughout my career made conscious decisions to portray strong women characters on screen who led by example for society. I have chosen to play women characters who can command respect, because of their uninhibited life choices. Going forward too, I will be inclined to pick projects that have a powerful story to tell through the eyes of a bold, upright woman who doesn’t fear voicing her opinions and is confident about being herself.”
The actor will be next seen in ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’, co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Siddhant Chaturvedi. The cast also includes debutante Sharvari. ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’ is a sequel to the 2005 hit film ‘Bunty Aur Babli’, starring Rani alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan. (ANI)

Washington [US], March 8 (ANI): The winners of the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced!
The award ceremony, which honours excellence across film and TV, aired on The CW on Sunday and was hosted by Taye Diggs for the third year in a row. ‘Nomadland’ and ‘The Crown’ took home numerous accolades, reported Deadline.
‘Nomadland’ won the biggest prize taking home the Best Picture award while filmmaker Chloe Zhao bagged trophies for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Netflix’s popular series ‘The Crown’ continued its winning streak as Gillian Anderson won for Best Supporting Actress for Drama for her turn as Margaret Thatcher. Meanwhile, Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin won for Best Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, respectively.
In addition to Zendaya being honoured with the SeeHer award, Daniel Kaluuya added more momentum to his awards season run as he won for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’.
Michael K. Williams from ‘Lovecraft Country’ and Uzo Aduba from ‘Mrs. America’ took home trophies for their supporting roles in a limited series or movie made for television.
Chadwick Boseman posthumously won for his role in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and his wife Taylor Simone Ledward delivered an emotional acceptance speech.
On the TV side, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ continued to win with acting awards for Dan Levy and Catherine O’Hara. Check out the complete list of winners:
Film:
Best Picture
‘Da 5 Bloods’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
‘Mank’
‘Minari’
‘News of the World’
‘Nomadland’ — Winner
‘One Night in Miami’
‘Promising Young Woman’
‘Sound of Metal’
‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’
Best Director
Lee Isaac Chung, ‘Minari’
Emerald Fennell, ‘Promising Young Woman’
David Fincher, ‘Mank’
Spike Lee, ‘Da 5 Bloods’
Regina King, ‘One Night in Miami’
Aaron Sorkin, ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’
Chloe Zhao, ‘Nomadland’ — Winner
Best Actor
Ben Affleck, ‘The Way Back’
Riz Ahmed, ‘Sound of Metal’
Chadwick Boseman, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ — Winner
Tom Hanks, ‘News of the World’
Anthony Hopkins, ‘The Father’
Delroy Lindo, ‘Da 5 Bloods’
Gary Oldman, ‘Mank’
Steven Yeun, ‘Minari’
Best Actress
Viola Davis, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Andra Day, ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’
Sidney Flanigan, ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’
Vanessa Kirby, ‘Pieces of a Woman’
Frances McDormand, ‘Nomadland’
Carey Mulligan, ‘Promising Young Woman’ — Winner
Zendaya, ‘Malcolm & Marie’
Best Supporting Actor
Chadwick Boseman, ‘Da 5 Bloods’
Sacha Baron Cohen, ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’
Daniel Kaluuya, ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ — Winner
Bill Murray, ‘On the Rocks’
Leslie Odom Jr., ‘One Night in Miami’
Paul Raci, ‘Sound of Metal’
Best Supporting Actress
Maria Bakalova, ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ — Winner
Ellen Burstyn, ‘Pieces of a Woman’
Glenn Close, ‘Hillbilly Elegy’
Olivia Colman, ‘The Father’
Amanda Seyfried, ‘Mank’
Yuh-Jung Youn, ‘Minari’
Best Young Actor/Actress
Ryder Allen, ‘Palmer’
Ibrahima Gueye, ‘The Life Ahead’
Alan Kim, ‘Minari’ — Winner
Talia Ryder, ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’
Caoilinn Springall, ‘The Midnight Sky’
Helena Zengel, ‘News of the World’
Best Acting Ensemble
‘Da 5 Bloods’
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
‘Minari’
‘One Night in Miami’
‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ — Winner
Best Original Screenplay
‘Mank’
‘Minari’
‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’
‘Promising Young Woman’ — Winner
‘Sound of Metal’
‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’
Best Adapted Screenplay
‘The Father’
‘First Cow’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
‘News of the World’
‘Nomadland’ — Winner
‘One Night in Miami’
Best Production Design
‘Emma’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
‘Mank’ — Winner
‘News of the World’
‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’
‘Tenet’
Best Cinematography
‘Da 5 Bloods’
‘First Cow’
‘Mank’
‘Minari’
‘News of the World’
‘Nomadland’ — Winner
‘Tenet’
Best Costume Design
‘Emma’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ — Winner
‘Mank’
‘Mulan’
‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’
‘Promising Young Woman’
Best Editing
‘The Father’
‘Mank’
‘Nomadland’
‘Sound of Metal’ — Winner (Tie)
‘Tenet’
‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ — Winner (Tie)
Best Hair and Makeup
‘Emma’
‘Hillbilly Elegy’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ — Winner
‘Mank’
‘Promising Young Woman’
‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’
Best Visual Effects
‘Greyhound’
‘The Invisible Man’
‘Mank’
‘The Midnight Sky’
‘Mulan’
‘Tenet’ — Winner
‘Wonder Woman 1984’
Best Score
‘The Midnight Sky’
‘Mank’
‘Minari’
‘News of the World’
‘Soul’ — Winner
‘Tenet’
Best Song
‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ — ‘Husavik (My Home Town)’
‘The Life Ahead’ – ‘Io Si (Seen)’
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ — ‘Fight for You’
‘One Night in Miami’ — ‘Speak Now’ — Winner
‘The Outpost’ — ‘Everybody Cries’
‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ — ‘Tigress & Tweed’
Best Foreign Language Film
‘Another Round’
‘Collective’
‘La Llorona’
‘The Life Ahead’
‘Minari’ — Winner
‘Two Of Us’
Best Comedy
‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’
‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’
‘The King of Staten Island’
‘On the Rocks’
‘Palm Springs’ — Winner
‘The Prom’
TELEVISION:
Best Drama Series
‘Better Call Saul’
‘The Crown’ — Winner
‘The Good Fight’
‘Lovecraft Country’
‘The Mandalorian’
‘Ozark’
‘Perry Mason’
‘This Is Us’
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman — ‘Ozark’
Sterling K. Brown — ‘This Is Us’
Jonathan Majors — ‘Lovecraft Country’
Josh O’Connor — ‘The Crown’ — Winner
Bob Odenkirk — ‘Better Call Saul’
Matthew Rhys — ‘Perry Mason’
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski — ‘The Good Fight’
Olivia Colman — ‘The Crown’
Emma Corrin — ‘The Crown’ — Winner
Claire Danes — ‘Homeland’
Laura Linney — ‘Ozark’
Jurnee Smollett — ‘Lovecraft Country’
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks — ‘Better Call Saul’
Justin Hartley — ‘This Is Us’
John Lithgow — ‘Perry Mason’
Tobias Menzies — ‘The Crown’
Tom Pelphrey — ‘Ozark’
Michael K. Williams — ‘Lovecraft Country’ (HBO) — Winner
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gillian Anderson — ‘The Crown’ — Winner
Cynthia Erivo — ‘The Outsider’
Julia Garner — ‘Ozark’
Janet McTeer — ‘Ozark’
Wunmi Mosaku — ‘Lovecraft Country’
Rhea Seehorn — ‘Better Call Saul’
Best Comedy Series
‘Better Things’
‘The Flight Attendant’
‘Mom’
‘Pen15’
‘Ramy’
‘Schitt’s Creek’
‘Ted Lasso’ — Winner
‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Hank Azaria — ‘Brockmire’
Matt Berry — ‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Nicholas Hoult — ‘The Great’
Eugene Levy — ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Jason Sudeikis — ‘Ted Lasso’ — Winner
Ramy Youssef — ‘Ramy’
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Pamela Adlon — ‘Better Things’
Christina Applegate — ‘Dead to Me’
Kaley Cuoco — ‘The Flight Attendant’
Natasia Demetriou — ‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Catherine O’Hara — ‘Schitt’s Creek’ — Winner
Issa Rae — ‘Insecure’
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
William Fichtner — ‘Mom’
Harvey Guillen — ‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Daniel Levy — ‘Schitt’s Creek’ — Winner
Alex Newell — ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’
Mark Proksch — ‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Andrew Rannells — ‘Black Monday’
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Lecy Goranson — ‘The Conners’
Rita Moreno — ‘One Day at a Time’
Annie Murphy — ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Ashley Park — ‘Emily in Paris’
Jaime Pressly — ‘Mom’
Hannah Waddingham — ‘Ted Lasso’ — Winner
Best Limited Series
‘I May Destroy You’
‘Mrs. America’
‘Normal People’
‘The Plot Against America’
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ — Winner
‘Small Axe’
‘The Undoing’
‘Unorthodox’
TV Movie
‘Bad Education’
‘Between the World and Me’
‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’
‘Hamilton’ — Winner
‘Sylvie’s Love’
‘What the Constitution Means to Me’
Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
John Boyega — ‘Small Axe’ — Winner
Hugh Grant — ‘The Undoing’
Paul Mescal — ‘Normal People’
Chris Rock — ‘Fargo’
Mark Ruffalo — ‘I Know This Much is True’
Morgan Spector — ‘The Plot Against America’
Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Cate Blanchett — ‘Mrs. America’
Michaela Coel — ‘I May Destroy You’
Daisy Edgar-Jones — ‘Normal People’
Shira Haas — ‘Unorthodox’
Anya Taylor-Joy — ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ — Winner
Tessa Thompson — ‘Sylvie’s Love’
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Daveed Diggs — ‘The Good Lord Bird’
Joshua Caleb Johnson — ‘The Good Lord Bird’
Dylan McDermott — ‘Hollywood’
Donald Sutherland — ‘The Undoing’ — Winner
Glynn Turman — ‘Fargo’
John Turturro — ‘The Plot Against America’
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Uzo Aduba — ‘Mrs. America’ — Winner
Betsy Brandt — ‘Soulmates’
Marielle Heller — ‘The Queen’s Gambit’
Margo Martindale — ‘Mrs. America’
Winona Ryder — ‘The Plot Against America’
Tracey Ullman — ‘Mrs. America’
Best Talk Show
‘Desus & Mero’
‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’
‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ — Winner
‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’
‘Red Table Talk’
Best Comedy Special
‘Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty’
‘Hannah Gadsby: Douglas’
‘Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill’ — Winner (Tie)
‘Marc Maron: End Times Fun’
‘Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia’ — Winner (Tie)
‘Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything’
Best Short Form Series
‘The Andy Cohen Diaries’
‘Better Call Saul: Ethics Training with Kim Wexler’ — Winner
‘Mapleworth Murders’
‘Nikki Fre$h’
‘Reno 911!’
‘Tooning Out the News’
Netflix led the pack of studios with 14 wins, followed by Amazon Studios and Searchlight Pictures with four and Apple TV+ with three. (ANI)