Paul Bettany says his chats with Johnny Depp made public amid latter’s libel case ‘was an Unpleasant and strange’

English actor Paul Bettany says that having his text messages become part of the court record during Johnny Depp’s libel suit against U.K. tabloid The Sun was strange and unpleasant.

In an interview with The Independent published this past weekend, when the WandaVision and Uncle Frank actor was asked about his 2013 text exchange with fellow actor Johnny Depp regarding the Fantastic Beasts actor’s ex-wife Amber Heard, messages that became public during Depp’s defamation suit against The Sun‘s publisher over the tabloid’s use of “wife beater” to describe him, Bettany said that it’s “a really difficult subject to talk about” and noted that answering would “just pour fuel on the fire,” before chalking the entire situation up to be “very strange.”

“It was a strange moment,” Bettany said. “What was strange about it was you suddenly have one of the most scabrous newspapers in London and their lawyers pouring through your texts for the last 10 years. Can you imagine what it would be like, honestly, to have a bunch of lawyers go through every one of your emails and texts for 10 years?”

“All I can tell you was that it was an unpleasant feeling,” Bettany added.

Bettany’s communications with Depp were included in the 132-page ruling on the case in 2020. Depp and Bettany texted about Heard, with Depp suggesting they burn her, among other graphic things, while Bettany, apparently taking it as a joke, wrote back and suggested a “drowning test” to determine if “she’s a witch.”

Justice Andrew Nicol’s dismissed Depp’s libel claim in November 2020, after finding the allegations that Depp had assaulted Heard on multiple occasions and that she feared for her life were “substantially true,” and opening the door for other publications referring to Depp as a wife beater to have less fear of legal retaliation.

The judge also refused permission for Depp to appeal the decision directly with the court, but on December 9, 2020, the actor applied directly to Britain’s court of appeal in an effort to overturn the ruling. In March 2021, two court of appeal judges said the actor couldn’t challenge the High Court’s rejection of his libel lawsuit against The Sun publisher, according to the Associated Press.

Following the November 2020 court ruling, Warner Bros. severed its ties with Depp, replacing him in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. In August 2021, Depp said he was being boycotted by Hollywood and later in September that cancel culture had gotten “so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe” while appearing at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Also Read: Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany starrer WandaVision to premiere on Disney+ on January 15, 2021 

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Madhya Pradesh Home Minister warns actor Sunny Leone to take down ‘Madhuban’ music video for hurting Hindu religious sentiments

The latest music video titled ‘Madhuban’ starring Sunny Leone caused a stir after releasing on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, on Sunday, has said to take down the ‘obscene’ music video. In the wake of the controversy, music label Saregama on Sunday said the company will "change" the name and lyrics of the song ‘madhuban mein Radhika naache’ after Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra alleged the music video, had hurt Hindus' religious sentiments.

"In light of recent feedback and respecting the sentiments of our fellow countrymen, we will be changing the lyrics and name of the song 'madhuban...'. The new song will replace the old across all platforms over the next three days," Saregama said.

Announcement: ???? pic.twitter.com/lOJotcd04p

— Saregama (@saregamaglobal) December 26, 2021

Mr Mishra - who adds Ms Leone to a growing list of brands and artistic content he deems objectionable and has threatened with legal action, including a jewellery collection by designer Sabyasachi - claimed the video that accompanies the song hurts Hindu sentiments. "Some people continuously hurt Hindu sentiments... there are temples for Radha... we pray to her. Saqib Toshi (the music composer) can make songs concerning his religion, but such songs offend us. I will take legal advice and action will be taken if the video is not taken down in three days," he said.

In addition to the Madhya Pradesh minister, Hindu priests from Uttar Pradesh have also spoken out to go to the court if the video is not banned.

Earlier this month Narottam Mishra hit out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for his invitation to stand-up comics Kunal Kamra and Munawar Faruqui - who have faced cancellation of shows after pressure from the BJP and right-wing groups. Last month Mr Mishra fired another warning - to designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee - over a jewellery collection he declared was "obscene". Before that Mr Mishra lashed out at a Karva Chauth ad from Dabur, and also attacked Bollywood filmmaker Prakash Jha over the filming of a web series.

The song in question features Ms Leone dancing to a song viewed by some as describing the love between Krishna and Radha. The song is sung by Kanika Kapoor and Arindam Chakraborty.

Also Read: Sunny Leone poses with Majnu Bhai’s painting, Anil Kapoor responds

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Salman Khan confirms YRF's spy universe with Shah Rukh Khan's Pathan and Tiger 3

Bollywood actor Salman Khan is on a shooting spree. Taking a break from his regular schedule, the actor headed to his Panvel farmhouse this past weekend to kick off his 56th birthday celebrations. Before the party began last night, he interacted with awaiting paparazzi outside, cut a cake, and greeted everyone.

When asked about his upcoming projects, Salman Khan confirmed the Yash Raj Films spy universe. Talking about Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently shooting his cameo as Pathan for Tiger 3, Salman Khan said, "We are both coming in Tiger 3, in Pathan as well. Tiger will release by December 2022. Hopefully, Pathan will come before it and maybe both of us will come together."

It has been reported previously that YRF plans to do crossovers of its known spies in the upcoming slate of films. Starting with Pathan which stars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan is set to star as Tiger. The actor has reportedly already shot his cameo. Meanwhile, currently, SRK is shooting his cameo for Tiger 3. If all goes all, both Pathan and Tiger might be seen in a future spy film which is reportedly the sequel to War starring Hrithik Roshan.

ALSO READ: Salman Khan reveals title of Bajrangi Bhaijaan sequel, Pavan Putra Bhaijaan

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Prithviraj’s trailer release scheduled for 27th December deferred; Yash Raj Films monitoring the Covid-19 scenario

Superstar Akshay Kumar released Bellbottom this year, at a time when cinemas were operating at 50% occupancy and the crucial state of Maharashtra was shut. As expected, the film’s business was underwhelming. However, his Diwali release, Sooryavanshi, emerged as the first big hit of Bollywood this year and revived the cinema business. His digital film, Atrangi Re, too received a positive response. His fans and the industry are now looking forward to his next film, Prithviraj produced by Yash Raj Films. The historical drama is all set to release on January 21, 2022, and is one of the most awaited films next year.

As per a source, the trailer of the film which was scheduled to be released on 27^th December has been deferred. The source told Bollywood Hungama, “The teaser of Prithviraj was released on November 15 and met with a great response. It gave an indication about the scale and grandeur. Now, the theatrical trailer will provide viewers with a proper idea of the story and setting, and moreover, it will introduce the characters. The focus, of course, would be on Akshay Kumar’s character.”

The source revealed, “Initially, the plan was to release the trailer on December 27. However, now, the release date has been deferred by a few days.”

The source continued, “However, the trailer will be out this week, before the year 2021 ends. The producers, Yash Raj Films, will take a call on this aspect in a day or two and announce.”

Meanwhile, the trade is abuzz that the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 might result in a few changes in the release plans as well. A trade expert said, “If the numbers continue to escalate, night curfew, which has been enforced in some states, might be extended even after the New Year Holiday. And in the days to come, other states might also join the night curfew bandwagon. In such a scenario, big-ticket films might suffer as this restriction can affect the overall business. Prithviraj’s makers, too, are monitoring the situation and would take a call soon on whether they want to postpone the release of the film or whether they want to release the film on January 21 as planned.”

Directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Prithviraj marks the debut of Manushi Chhillar. Besides Akshay Kumar and Manushi, the film also stars Sanjay Dutt and Sonu Sood in crucial roles.

Also Read: Prithviraj is the third Akshay Kumar film and also the third YRF venture to release in IMAX 

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Salman Khan had this to say about the snake bite incident at his Panvel farmhouse - "It reached into my hand and bit me thrice"

Salman Khan has detailed how he was bitten by a snake at his Panvel farmhouse. He was taken to a hospital in Navi Mumbai on December 25^th night after the incident and was discharged on Sunday morning. Salman returned to the farmhouse after being released from the hospital to celebrate his 56th birthday. The actor normally spends his birthday with his family and close friends at his home on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Salman Khan, when asked about the incident, replied, “It wasn’t much, a snake had entered one of the rooms, the farmhouse is quite in the jungle in Panvel. When the snake entered the room, kids got scared so I went in to see and asked for a stick, the stick that came was a small one so I asked for a longer stick, and they got one, with which I picked up the snake with a lot of love and brought it out, and the snake wrapped itself on the stick and then it started climbing upwards. It came quite close to my hand so I caught it with my other hand and dropped the stick to be able to leave the snake (in the jungle).”

He further said, “The villagers around know what snakes come around. This was a Kandhari snake, and they started screaming ‘kandhari, kandhari, kandhari’. That’s when the snake bit me once, then there was more chaos when they screamed ‘chaavla, chaavla, chaavla’ (the snake has bit), that’s when the snake bit me again. Then they all screamed ‘hospital, hospital, hospital’, saying that I should be taken to a hospital quickly. There was so much commotion, the snake was a bit venomous, and it bit me again. I was taken to the hospital, and there we came to know that it is a different kind of snake, not the great kandhari.”

Salman was seen cutting a cake in several photos and videos circulated online. He exited the farmhouse to speak with the paparazzi that had gathered outside. The star gave them a friendly smile and posed for them. They also sang him a song. Salman then talked about the snake bite and his subsequent smile. The actor wore a black T-shirt, a black jacket, and brown colored jeans for the occasion. His neck was encircled with a chain.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan just confirmed a sequel to his 2015 flick Bajrangi Bhaijaan which was directed by Kabir Khan and starring Kareena Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Harshaali Malhotra.

Salman is also working on the third edition of the Tiger series for Yash Raj Films. Salman and actress Katrina Kaif will reprise their roles as RAW agent Tiger and ISI agent Zoya in the spy thriller helmed by Maneesh Sharma.

The actor also announced that he will play Indian espionage agent Ravindra Kaushik in a film co-produced by his sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri and his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri, according to sources.

Also Read: Salman Khan confirms sequel to No Entry with Anees Bazmee on his birthday

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Salman Khan reveals title of Bajrangi Bhaijaan sequel, Pavan Putra Bhaijaan

Earlier this month, Salman Khan officially announced Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 at the pre-release event of RRR on Sunday in Mumbai. The sequel will be written by SS Rajamouli’s father, K. V. Vijayendra Prasad, who also penned the original film and was directed by Kabir Khan. Ringing in his 56th birthday on December 27 at midnight, the actor greeted the paparazzi at his Panvel farmhouse.

During the interaction, he confirmed the title of Bajrangi Bhaijaan sequel, Pavan Putra Bhaijaan. He also dismissed the rumours about doing a SS Rajamouli project. “No there is nothing like that. If it happens it will be great as Rajamouli is a very good director. But I am definitely working with his father, K.V. Vijayendra Prasad. He has written the script of Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2016), and now he is writing its sequel too and has named it Pavan Putra Bhaijaan. As soon as he completes it, and I complete shooting these two films (Tiger 3 and Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali), I’ll start shooting them. There might also be a sequel to No Entry. Tiger should release by December 2022.”

Bajrangi Bhaijaan was helmed by Kabir Khan. The story revolved around a Hanuman devotee who meets a girl who accidentally enters India and hails from Pakistan. Played by Harshaali Malhotra, Pawan decides to reunite Munni with his family and that's how the entire story unfolds. The film also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

ALSO READ: Salman Khan announces Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 at RRR event; sequel to be written by SS Rajamouli’s father, K. V. Vijayendra Prasad

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Salman Khan confirms sequel to No Entry with Anees Bazmee on his birthday

Bollywood Hungama was first to inform that the much-awaited sequel to Anees Bazmee's super hit comedy No Entry is finally being put on the table. After much speculation, Salman Khan has confirmed the sequel.

At a media interaction on December 27 post-midnight at his Panvel farmhouse, the actor confirmed No Entry 2 is in the works. He is said to return to comic space after Tiger 3 is completed; the sequel will happen with Anees Bazmee. The actor rang in his 57th birthday in the presence of his family and friends.

A source had earlier informed Bollywood Hungama, "Anees Bazmee's scripting is complete. This time, it is going to be 9 times the fun because the trio - Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan - return in triple roles. So there will also be 9 heroines in the film. It's a massive ensemble that nobody has ever seen in the history of Bollywood. The story will follow the same catchline - three husbands trying to go astray and the madness that comes along with it."

Bhushan Kumar of T-Series along with Murad Khetani have decided to work on this project together. The film is expected to roll out by next year.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor & Fardeen Khan to return with a triple role in No Entry Mein Entry; 9 actresses to be signed for the film!

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