News Archive

The estate of Michael Jackson has landed the late King of Pop the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The record-breaking contract through 2017 could be worth up to $250 million if certain conditions are met. One of the albums will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will come out in November, the person said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement is expected Tuesday.

Future projects may also include a DVD compilation of videos and a re-release of "Off the Wall," Jackson`s fifth studio album, which first came out in 1979, accompanied by some unreleased material. Before his sudden death in June at age 50, the pop star had wanted to re-issue the album, people familiar with the deal said.

One of the projects already counted in the contract was the two-disc album that accompanied "This Is It," the film based on footage of concert rehearsals for what was to have been Jackson`s comeback at London`s O2 arena.

Including the more than 5 million copies of that special release, Jackson has sold some 31 million albums since his death in June, about two-thirds of them outside the United States.

"During his life, Michael`s contracts set the standard for the industry," said John Branca, the co-administrator of the Jackson estate, in a statement prepared for release Tuesday. "By all objective criteria, this agreement with Sony Music demonstrates the lasting power of Michael`s music by exceeding all previous industry benchmarks."

Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music`s Columbia Epic Label Group, said in prepared remarks, "We`re dedicated to protecting this icon`s legacy and we`re thrilled that we can continue to bring his music to the world for the foreseeable future."

Pop diva Madonna is hoping to receive royal help on her upcoming movie about late British King Edward VIII, as she is planning to write to British monarch Eilzabeth II to ask for her assistance.

The singer is stepping behind the camera for a second time to direct a historical drama based on the British Queen`s uncle, who abdicated in 1936 so he could marry twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson, reports contactmusic.com.

After Edward abdicated, the crown was passed to his brother George VI – Elizabeth II`s father who was succeeded by his daughter upon his death in 1952.

Madonna is desperate to get the monarch`s seal of approval for the project, and is reportedly penning a letter to the Queen to ask for rights to film in certain royal residences.

`Madonna is keen to make the film as authentic as possible and would be very grateful if we are allowed to film at certain locations. She loves the UK and holds your Queen in the highest regard,` said a source.

The pop superstar has already signed up Oscar-nominated actress Vera Farmiga to play Simpson in the film, after wooing her with an intimate chat over a `cup of tea`.

Emma Watson has reportedly resumed her single status after splitting from her longterm boyfriend.

The Harry Potter actress, who began dating financier Jay Barrymore in 2008, was said to have put an end to the romance just months after moving to the US to pursue a university degree.

"Emma and Jay were in trouble for months and with Emma at Brown University in America, the transatlantic gap proved too much for their relationship to survive," the Daily Star quoted a source as telling the Mail.

The 19-year-old star was named Hollywood’s highest paid female star of 2009 in a list compiled by Vanity Fair magazine.

The Telugu remake rights of superstar Vishnuvardhana’s last blockbuster Aapta Rakshaka has been reportedly sold for an undisclosed sum!

According to unconfirmed sources, the remake rights of the film, directed by P Vasu, has been sold to Bellamkonda Suresh, considered a big budget film producer in the Telugu film industry.

If the sources are to be believed, Vasu will direct the movie with Venkatesh in the lead roles of Captain Vijay and Vijayaraja Bahadur, which were immortalized by Vishnuvardhana. The rest of the star cast is not confirmed.

The sequel to Aapta Mithra was the idea of Vasu. He has written the story, which is still running to packed houses in Karnataka.

The Karnataka government has finally woke up from its slumber to present the 2007-08 State Awards for films. The Information Ministry will give away the film awards in Shimoga, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s home district on April 4.

Ironically, the recipient of the prestigious Dr Rajkumar award for the year 2007-08, Vishnuvardhana is no more. That speaks about the importance attached to the film industry by the BJP government in Karnataka.

The government is yet to form committees to select artistes and films for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 State Awards. Almost half of the award winners of 2007-08 are no more in demand on the big screen. What will they do with the awards?

She made her debut on the big screen when she was just 17. She was immediately recognized for her lively performance on screen and bagged a number of offers. Now 21, Sharmila is one of the most preferred actresses in Kannada films. Not many know that she hails from one of the most powerful families in the Indian film industry. They know her more as the beautiful face to have dotted Kannada films in recent times. Her next flick Swayamwara will hit the theatres this week…The actress in an exclusive interview

Are you nervous?
Of course, I am. I play the role of a fashion designer in this film. It was fun working with Srinagar Kitty and Diganth, the male leads. It has an interesting storyline. The character is something close to my real life. I am sure it will do well. I enjoyed every moment of Swayamwara.

You have acted with Golden Star Ganesh, Darshan, Sameer Dattani…Your thoughts?
I have been very lucky to have acted with some of the top stars in Kannada at such an early stage of my career. Working with each one of them was a different experience. I am friendly with everyone on the sets. I have come up the hard way. I am enjoying every moment of my filmy career.

You have appeared in a number of non-glamorous roles though you are considered as a style icon in Kannada?
I look for roles that are challenging and contrast with my lifestyle. Except a few films like my debut Sajni and Swayamwara, my appearance in the others like Krishna is toned down. When people saw me in Krishna, they found it unbelievable. In my latest film Kari Chirathe, I wear only cotton sarees. The shooting locations are slums of Bengalooru. I look totally different in Kari Chirathe. I have enjoyed every role that I played.

Any dream role?
None that I have come so far except for my dream debut. But it would definitely be a trendsetter. I am waiting for it. Who knows? It could happen anytime.

Any regrets for entering the world of glamour and glitz?
Why should I regret? I was destined to become a film artiste. I have dreamed of it since I was a kid. I am the only person from my family to have transformed into an actor though my folks have been in this industry for several decades. I want to make it big in Kannada before I enter other languages. But that will definitely happen. No regrets at all (smiles).

After top heroines Shriya Saran and Sameera Reddy, now another Bollywood beauty Manisha Koirala is making her debut in Mollywood.

Manisha, who had done films like Bombay, Indian, Muthalvan and Baba is now making a comeback in Tamil as Dhanush’s arrogant mother-in-law in Maapillai.

The pretty actress has signed on the dotted line in noted art house Malayalam director Shyamaprasad’s next film tentatively titled Electra! She will play the role of Nayanthara’s mother, a very crucial character.

The film is based on a Greek play, and has Nishan, the hero of Shyam’s earlier film Rithu playing the male lead. When Manisha was contacted in Mumbai, the actress said: “I‘m really happy to do a Shyamaprasad film, in which I have a very crucial and meaty role”.

Shyamaprasad’s Electra produced by Vindhyan will start rolling in April. Prakash Raj plays Manisha’s husband and Nayanthara’s father in the film. National award winning music director Ousepachan will provide the music.

Megastar Mammootty has been having a torrid time this year after the colossal failure of Drona and Thilakan’s wild accusations against him.

Mammootty the cool guy that he is, did not get into a slanging match with Thilakan, though the veteran actor tried to needle him unnecessarily. Now leaving all that behind, Mammootty is going to take a one month break, where he will just chill out. He wants to keep his holiday plans under the wrap.

The star is pinning a lot of hope on his two summer releases. B Unnikrishnan directed Pramani will release first on March 26. The film is said to have shaped out well and after a long time you can see Mammootty doing a role with negative shades.

Five weeks later his multi starrer Pokkiri Raja is scheduled for release on April 30. It is a mass action film with Prithviraj and Shriya doing the supporting roles. Both these films are sure to work big time at the box-office.

After 11 years, Mohanlal has revived his home banner Pranavam Arts. Some of the best movies ever made in Malayalam like- His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, Kamaladalam, Vanaprastham, were made under this banner.

Pranavam Arts and a Mumbai based corporate will jointly produce Major Ravi directed Kandahar. Suresh Balaji, brother-in-law of Mohanlal will look after the production. Suresh has been doing outsourcing works for Mumbai producers making Tamil films and is a professional production man.

Mohanlal is clearly going for a total restructuring of his priorities in production. It also clearly means that Aashirwad Cinemas of Antony Perumbavoor will be put in the backburner. Will the star distance himself from Antony his right hand man for many years, remains to be seen?

Meanwhile the star is going all out to make Kandahar happen in the next six months. Major Ravi is doing research and also trying to get permissions to shoot the film in high security areas. Amitabh Bachchan has given dates for the film towards the end of the year.

Now it is almost certain that Tamil superstar Suriya will not be a part of the film. He has called up Mohanlal and has cited “lack of dates” as reason for not doing the film. The producers are now on the lookout for a Tamil action hero to step in as Suriya’s replacement.

Allu Arvind made Hindi Ghajini with the budget of Rs50+ Crs and the film created history at the box office by collecting Rs250+ Crs. Then Arvind made Magadheera with the budget of Rs40+ Crs- it is very big amount for a Telugu film , And that film is said to have collected Rs90+ Crs.

Now Arvind bagged distribution rights of two big films for Geeta Arts banner by spending around Rs70 Crs .Those two films are Mahesh babu’s Khaleja and Pawan’s Puli.

On the other hand, Arvind is coming up with another film Badrinath with the budget of Rs45+ Crs where his son Allu Arjun play the lead role. At the same time, Arvind is roping Bollywood actor Nana Patekar by giving him huge amount as remuneration.

So Arvind- more he spends, maximum would be the result in terms of money at the box office. Logic of Arvind.