Latest news with #Entrapment
Economic Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Why Kamal Hassan's kiss unsettled fans
Agencies There's a moment in Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, that has sparked not admiration but alarm, at least on social media. Kamal strides onscreen with his signature swagger, lean frame, and that unmissable, gravelly voice that has weathered both time and trend. And lit the 70-year-old legend, playing a gun-slinging rebel, locks lips with a much younger heroine playing his wife. And he has a concubine in the story, claimed with all the quiet entitlement of a man who knows he's still the alpha in the room. The internet did what it does best: served up memes, mockery and moralising. At the centre of it all lies the question no one can stop asking: what is it about old men and their eternal onscreen virility? To his credit, Kamal leans into the absurdity. In a cheeky nod to cinematic history, his character whispers to Trisha, 'Madam, I am your only Adam', a throwback to Amitabh Bachchan's infamous flirtation with Aishwarya Rai in Bunty Aur Babli (2005). Point made. But the line also invites an uncomfortable chuckle. Is geriatric testosterone believable? Aspirational? Or just absurd? To understand the optics of Thug Life, it helps to zoom out. The age gap between heroes and heroines is not new-neither in Indian cinema nor in Hollywood. Sean Connery kissed Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment at 68. Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Liam Neeson and Tom Cruise have all romanced much younger women while dodging bullets, bombs and biological reality. In India, the older-hero-younger-heroine trope is practically a genre. Rajinikanth (73) was paired with Nayanthara (39) in Darbar. Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, even the ageless Shah Rukh Khan-name a senior male star and you'll find him romancing someone two to three decades younger. So why is Kamal's kiss or his concubine in Thug Life triggering? It's not really about the kiss. It's about male mythology. In South Indian cinema, especially, the hero is more than a character. He's a force-a heady mix of power, invincibility and simmering sexuality. Age? Just a minor inconvenience. Testosterone? An eternal supply. On screen, our heroes remain lithe, lascivious and legacy-lubricated. The older male lead isn't portrayed as someone fighting against age but as someone untouched by it. Welcome to Hormonal Replacement here's where Thug Life gets interesting. Kamal doesn't mask the years. The film acknowledges his age, the scars, the complex power dynamics of keeping a concubine. It attempts to both flaunt and interrogate male privilege. And yet, it walks a tightrope- trying to be woke while indulging in the very fantasy it critiques. The niggle is again, why does Kamal get trolled?Perhaps because Kamal, unlike many of his peers, doesn't hide behind stylised heroism. He has, throughout his career, chosen complexity over comfort: playing a grandfather in his 30s (Nayakan), a wrinkled freedom fighter with prosthetics (Indian), a dwarf in Apoorva Sahodarargal, an aged failed classical artist in Sagara Sangamam. In Thug Life, he owns his aging virility, complete with kiss, concubine and charisma. It's not fantasy-it's maybe that's why it stings. When George Clooney kisses on screen, it's 'seasoned charm'. When Kamal does it, it's 'creepy'. What's being policed isn't just age-but race, region and who's allowed to age with real dissonance, though, lies in the arc. We're happy to suspend disbelief for flying cars and bullet-ridden heroes who walk away from explosions. But one kiss between a vintage rebel and a young heroine? Suddenly, we're clutching the leading ladies remain stubbornly youthful. The double standard is glaring. While male stars age like whisky, women are discarded like soda gone flat. Actresses over 40 struggle to get leading romantic roles, let alone action ones. It's not just sexist, it's systemic. We equate masculinity with eternal potency and femininity with a ticking Kamal kisses and quips his way through Thug Life, the audience will watch some in admiration, some in mockery, but all in curiosity. Maybe what we need isn't less testosterone on screen, but a little more honesty about what it costs to keep the myth alive. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Just before the Air India crash, did India avert another deadly mishap? Do bank stress tests continue to serve their intended purpose? Did Jane Street manipulate Indian market or exploit its shallowness? 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Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Catherine Zeta-Jones fans say same thing under photo from daughter's graduation
Michael Douglas and Entrapment star Catherine Zeta-Jones celebrated their daughter Carys' graduation from Brown University Wednesday actress Catherine Zeta-Jones was a proud mum as she shared a snap of herself with her husband, Michael Douglas, and daughter Carys for her university graduation. In the picture, Michael, 80, and Catherine, 55, both gave their 22-year-old daughter a kiss on the cheek as she celebrated her graduation from Brown University. Carys looked stunning in a white flowy dress with her wavy locks cascading down her back while both mum and dad wore blazers for the occasion. Entrapment actress Catherine captioned her proud post: "The night before graduation!!!! We are both such proud parents right now!! It's only just begun!! @ While many fans and friends congratulated the graduate on her huge milestone, including Chelsea Handler, many were distracted by one detail. One fan commented: "She is as pretty as her mama congratulations," and another added: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, could not be more true! Stunning and best wishes for the future." Another user posted: "What a beauty. Like her mother." One said: "Congrats Carys you remind me of your gorgeous mom when she starred in Darling Buds of May." Meanwhile, Michael shared a similar post on his page and made sure to congratulate the entire graduating class of 2025. He wrote in his caption: "Congratulations Carys and the entire 2025 graduation class as you all begin your next chapter! We love you @ Catherine and Michael share two kids together, Carys, and her brother Dylan, 24. He is also father to Cameron, 46, from his last marriage to Diandra Luker. In 2021, Catherine said Carys and Dylan wanted to get into acting, telling Drew Barrymore on her show: "Their love of the craft of acting is so strong that even when their brains are doing politics and history in school, their passion is acting. And they've never done anything professional, but they would like to go into acting." Last month, Carys celebrated her 22nd birthday and both her parents took to social media to share sweet messages. The couple's posts later prompted responses from Carys in the comment sections. Michael - who is known for his roles in films like Wall Street (1987) and Fatal Attraction (1987) - shared a photo of Carys alongside his tribute. He also revealed that Carys, who was studying Film and International Relations at Brown University in the US, graduated recently. He wrote: "Happy Birthday my darling daughter Carys! Congratulations on graduation! I am proud of you [Carys]! Dad." The post prompted reaction from his daughter, who took to the comments section to respond to him. Carys wrote in her reply: "Thank you Dadda I love you so much."
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beautiful $13.9M Connecticut mansion looks like it should be in the UK and is inspired by a 90s movie
A spectacular Tudor mansion in Connecticut with a Hollywood history has hit the market for a whopping $13.9million. The breathtaking property, known as Orchard's End, is located in the affluent neighborhood of New Canaan. The perfect Great Gatsby era house boasts a staggering 18,000 square feet of living space, including 12 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. The gorgeous home includes a unique great room inspired by Castle Duart on Scotland's Isle of Mull - the very same castle featured in the 1999 film 'Entrapment'. In the film, Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones played art thieves plotting an elaborate heist. Now, the new owners can relish in a replica room in their very own castle. The home's Hollywood-inspired great room features a dramatic double-height ceiling, massive stone fireplace with intricate carvings, and custom bronze handrails leading to a second-story mezzanine. Built in 1929 during the 'great estates' era, the property was designed by New York architect William B. Tubby. Tubby's impressive portfolio also includes Waveny House in New Canaan, Dunnellen Hall in Greenwich, and the William H. Childs House in Brooklyn - the brick and limestone country retreat exemplifies 'architecture in the grand manner'. The estate recently underwent a staggering $6million renovation that took three-years to complete. World-renowned architect Dinyar Wadia, who oversaw the renovation, claims the mansion would cost more than $25million to recreate today. 'Together with the roof lights in the kitchen and double-height bay windows in the great room,' the property description states in New Canaan Great Estate. 'The new space is drenched in sunlight, inviting the family to linger in its welcoming glow.' The estate also features a brand new 5,000-square-foot wellness center as well as a separate 2,000-square-foot guest house. The guest house includes four bedrooms, a custom-designed pool with spa, and new terraces throughout the property. Because the current owners felt the already impressive estate lacked sufficient living space for family gatherings, they decided to expand the property without making it seem overwhelmingly large. 'Beginning in 2014, the current owners retained world renowned architect Dinyar Wadia to embark on a three-year 6 million dollar renovation perfecting the already expansive 10,000 square foot addition completed by the previous owners,' the description states. 'Not only was the main residence improved and expanded upon a brand new 2,000 square foot 4-bedroom guest house, along with a custom designed 5,000 square foot wellness center, a custom pool with spa and new terraces transformed Orchard's End Estate into a true masterpiece.' 'In a recent interview with Dinyar, he stated he believes in today's market this estate would cost in excess of 25 million dollars to replicate the main house alone, excluding land costs, the new 5,000 square foot wellness center, and fully renovated guest house.' A glass-paned corridor with iron frames and true divided lights connects the new great room to the main residence, which offer stunning views of the garden terrace on one side and the new kitchen through a courtyard on the other. The home also includes a 14-seat movie theater, a sauna and wine cellar. For those who like to keep active, the home also includes an outdoor basketball court, a yoga studio and two gyms. The property is currently listed by agent Danielle Malloy of SERHANT Connecticut, who describes it as 'a true masterpiece.' The home was also shared on the popular Instagram page Zillow Gone Wild. The post quickly went viral with users making jokes and admiring the spectacular estate. One wrote: 'I could get my 10,000 steps just finding the kitchen in the morning.' 'The lanterns hanging throughout the house are so cool, and the house is beautiful, but I like the exterior the most. The plants all over the front,' a third user commented.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New details to be released about BBC's controversial Princess Diana interview with Martin Bashir
Fresh details are set to be released about Princess Diana's controversial interview with BBC broadcaster Martin Bashir. The Panorama investigation in 1995 led to the beloved Royal making the admission: 'There were three of us in this marriage.' The statement confirmed the then-Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles and led Queen Elizabeth to issue letters advising the couple to divorce. However, in the years since Diana's death in 1997, concerns have been raised about the ethics of the interview. Bashir admitted to falsifying bank statements in a bid to put pressure on the family to take part in the broadcast, which was watched by 23 million people at the time. It was condemned by Prince William and Prince Harry, with the latter saying it was a 'ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life'. BBC journalist Andy Webb brought the scandal to light in 2020, in a three-part Panorama special that reignited the controversy and sparked both a BBC investigation and a public inquiry. Webb forced the BBC to release 10,000 pages of documents shedding light on the scandal and attempts to keep it secret. Bashir has claimed that although he regrets some behaviour, criticism of the work came from 'professional jealousy' and 'racism'. However, after a lengthy legal battle under freedom of information laws, Webb has uncovered 'material never seen before' from the BBC's archives, to be included in his new book Dianarama — Deception, Entrapment, Cover-up: The Betrayal of Princess Diana. 'This is a story I have been investigating for over 30 years,' Webb said, according to The Times. 'The TV documentary I made in 2020 brought the scandal into the public eye and it helped answer many questions Diana's family had struggled to find answers for. 'What really happened to Diana is something historians will pore over for centuries to come. My findings are a true first draft of history.' The book is supported by Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, who has previously claimed that the forged bank statements led to his sister being left unable to trust her close aides. The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment. Released in November 2025, it will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking interview. Publisher Penguin's Michael Joseph described the book as 'the true story of one of the biggest scandals in public life and broadcasting history, revealing a cover-up of staggering proportions, and around which questions persist to the present day'. A spokeswoman said: 'It's rare to come across a book that presents a radical reappraisal of a major historical event, let alone one written by the individual who, through dogged perseverance, brought that history to light.'
Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
BBC faces fresh scrutiny over Diana interview scandal in new book
The BBC faces fresh scrutiny of its deceit in obtaining a landmark interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, with the publication of previously secret details from the broadcaster's archives. Diana told Martin Bashir in the Panorama interview in 1995 that 'there were three of us in this marriage', in reference to the relationship of Charles, now the King, with Camilla Parker-Bowles, now the Queen. The Prince of Wales condemned the interview three years ago as a 'major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse'. The Duke of Sussex said the 'ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life'. Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, is supporting the publication of a book by the film-maker who exposed Bashir's use of forged bank statements which suggested to the princess that her aides were leaking material to the media. Spencer, 60, claims the deceit fuelled his sister's paranoia about the aides, which contributed to the circumstances leading to her death in a car crash in Paris in 1997. The car was driven by a hotel chauffeur rather than one of her own security officers. Andy Webb, who uncovered Bashir's deceit, forced the BBC to release 10,000 pages of documents relating to the original scandal and the attempts to keep it secret. His book, Dianarama — Deception, Entrapment, Cover-up: The Betrayal of Princess Diana, will be published in November, on the 30th anniversary of the Panorama interview. It is said to contain 'material never seen before', obtained from the BBC's archives after a lengthy legal battle under freedom of information laws. Webb said: 'This is a story I have been investigating for over 30 years. The TV documentary I made in 2020 brought the scandal into the public eye and it helped answer many questions Diana's family had struggled to find answers for. 'What really happened to Diana is something historians will pore over for centuries to come. My findings are a true first draft of history.' Penguin Michael Joseph, the publisher, described the book as 'the true story of one of the biggest scandals in public life and broadcasting history, revealing a cover-up of staggering proportions, and around which questions persist to the present day'. A spokeswoman said: 'It's rare to come across a book that presents a radical reappraisal of a major historical event, let alone one written by the individual who, through dogged perseverance, brought that history to light.' The scandal emerged in 2020 when the BBC released to Webb a heavily-redacted report, including a segment which falsely claimed Spencer was part of Bashir's conspiracy to convince Diana to take part in the interview. The confidential briefing by Tony Hall, the head of news at the time, claimed that Spencer was involved with Bashir's scheme to produce forged bank statements. Hall, who went on to become director-general and is now Lord Hall of Birkenhead, described Bashir as 'honest and honourable'. Webb made a documentary, which led to the BBC commissioning an investigation by Lord Dyson. The former Supreme Court judge concluded in 2021 that the broadcaster carried out a 'woefully ineffective' probe and had covered up what it knew of Bashir's 'deceit'. Bashir, 62, resigned as religion editor days before Dyson's report was published. Documents obtained by Webb last year showed Bashir blamed race and class discrimination for the scandal. Hall resigned as the chairman of the National Gallery after Dyson's report revealed he was aware of the use of the fake documents. Last year Sarah Jones, the BBC's general counsel, became the first senior executive to be questioned in public about the alleged cover-up. She told a hearing of the Information Rights Tribunal that she wished the broadcaster had spoken to Spencer and showed him documents which exposed the deceit before it became public knowledge. 'I accept that there should have been some consultation with Earl Spencer,' said Jones. 'If we had, events would have unfolded very differently. I very much wish we had shown him, but we didn't.' Judge Brian Kennedy, who oversaw Webb's legal challenges against the BBC, criticised the £600,000 cost of the broadcaster's legal and support services. In a judgment dismissing Webb's application for the disclosure of more documents, he wrote: 'It has also come at a disproportionate cost — not only in terms of significant delay to the administration of justice but also in terms of expense to the public purse and to public confidence in the ability of the public service broadcaster to deal with and answer legitimate information requests in a responsible, accountable and adequate way.' Spencer and the BBC have been contacted for comment. A BBC spokeswoman said last year: 'We have released a significant amount of information to Mr Webb, including some 10,000 pages of material earlier this year. Redactions have been made only where necessary in line with the exemptions set out in the Freedom of Information Act, including to protect third-party data and material that is legally privileged.'
