Chhedi’s twin in Dabangg 2

He lost the leading role to Salman Khan and ended up playing the villain in Dabangg. But Sonu Sood is not complaining. In fact, the actor who modelled his character on Pappu Yadav, a politico in Bihar, says that he’s looking forward to the sequel, Robinhood Pandey, that will reportedly be set in Mumbai.

Talking about Chhedi Singh and his muse, the actor says that he found Yadav to be a humble guy.

Politically correct
“He took me around Purnia, his constituency, and watching him walk around with his bodyguards and interact with the locals, I was able to conceptualise Chhedi Singh,” says Sood.

He admits that Yadav, who is currently in prison, is yet to see the film. “His family saw Dabangg and enjoyed it, I’ve been informed. They liked my performance particularly the way I’ve incorporated some of Pappuji’s mannerisms,” beams Sood, adding that he’s been told that Yadav’s family is trying to arrange for him to see the film soon.

Remind him about the line, ‘Hum tum mein itne chhed karenge ki confuse ho jaaoge ki saans kahaan se le aur paadein kahan se’ that raises a guffaw everytime and Sood says, “The dialogue came from both Salman and me, along with director Abhinav Kashyap. I felt that we should allude to the word ‘chhed’ (hole) since my name is Chhedi Singh in the film. Salman added the rest in jest and Abhinav polished up the line by adding ‘confuse ho jaaoge’ to complete it.”

Hitting the right note
He says that the instant connection to the word ‘chhed’ has helped him. “When an actor is known by his character’s name, it means that the audience has connected with him,” Sood reasons.

Buzz is that the chartbusting Munni badnaam hui... was to be picturised on Malaika Arora Khan and him but Salman walked into it.

“Untrue. Chhedi is enjoying the song, and Chulbul who’s after him lands up there and joins in the reverlry. That’s how the screenplay went,” the actor explains.

Sood asserts that the Dabangg team is upbeat about the sequel and at his Eid party, Khan even asked him to suggest a name for Chhedi’s twin.

“Since we are moving to Mumbai, I suggested Ganpat Singh,” he beams. The sequel should release by the end of 2011.

Source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chhedi-s-twin-in-Dabangg-2/Article1-600846.aspx

Kerry O'Brien steps away from ABC TV's 7.30 Report

After 15 years of presenting current affairs television, including helping to establish the Lateline program, Kerry O'Brien is resigning from his role as 7.30 Report presenter.

"The main thing I want to do over the next six months or so is find the most time I can to clear my head and contemplate new things," he reveals.

"I've been promising myself this for decades, that I would take time out, look at the rest of my life and maybe think of new things.

"If new things don't come, that's great, but if new things do come, that's great too.

"I'm hoping that a lot of things occur to me as possibilities," O'Brien adds.

One possibility that occurs to him is his replacement being English actress Miriam Margolyes, despite there being a host of suggestions ranging from the serious, such as Steve Cannane, to the absurd, such as Barry Humphries.

As soon as we know who it will be, we'll let you know...

Source http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/24/3021531.htm?site=sydney

'I still feel sick about it': Sarah Murdoch reveals what went wrong

Sarah Murdoch has appeared on television tonight, giving the inside story on just what went wrong when she incorrectly named Kelsey Martinovich the winner of Australia's Next Top Model during the show's live finale.

The host of the Fox 8 reality program said she wasn't told ahead of time who the winner was, instead she was waiting for it to be communicated via her earpiece.

Murdoch said the last information she had received before announcing the winner was "Kelsey one, Amanda two" but when it came time to announce the winner, the host was left hanging.

"I had nothing. It didn't come at that moment through my [earpiece] so I went with what I was last told.

"As far as I knew it was the right call, it was what I had been told."

Martinovich gave a brief thank you speech and Murdoch said she then heard the name 'Amanda' in her ear, so she threw the spotlight over to Amanda Ware, the supposed runner-up.

It was as Ware was giving her concession speech that Murdoch realised what had gone wrong.

"I started to hear a name in my ear, Amanda, Amanda ... and then it was communicated on a card in front of me."

The former model turned TV host said in that moment her only thoughts were of making it right.

Looking back on that moment now, Murdoch said she still feels sick about it and confessed that she hadn't been able to bring herself to watch a playback of the bungle.

Asked to comment on whether the mishap was actually a publicity stunt, Murdoch appeared visibly flustered.

"I don't even know how to answer this question. You can see how close we are with the girls.

"You wouldn't put your worst enemy through the siutation let alone these girls."

Murdoch said she had long been a fan of live television, but joked that perhaps she will stick with pre-records for now.

Source http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/i-still-feel-sick-about-it-sarah-murdoch-reveals-what-went-wrong-20100929-15x97.html

Parklife does Sydney and Melbourne

The Parklife juggernaut made its two biggest stops over the weekend, with back-to-back shows in Melbourne and Sydney. Saturday saw pristine weather at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, resulting in a festive atmosphere for the afternoon. While AFL tragics were appeased by their own area to watch the grand final, those who came to party were treated to standout sets from Classixx, Medhi, Kele and of course Soulwax, who proved as unstoppable as ever.

The most love, though, was reserved for Missy Elliot, whose bombastic stage show was met with so much adoration that 2manydjs admitted to inthemix they were a bit worried about taking over from there. After a laser-kissed send-off from Groove Armada, it was time to pull up stops and head to Sydney.

Parklife’s original home wasn’t as lucky on the weather front, with frequent spells of rain throughout the afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to dampen spirits. For crowd-amping, the prize had to go to Mixmaster Mike, but he had valiant competition from Busy P’s ‘Busy Pictionary’ antics. The clouds dispersed by the time the Dewaele brothers hit the stage in their 2manydjs guise, and the synched visuals were dazzling in the darkness. It was up to Groove Armada again to provide the Superstylin’ mainstage finish, while across the field The Glitch Mob did their thing in style.

Parklife’s final hurrah for 2010 is in Adelaide on Monday 4 October, and when ITM bailed up Busy P, he said everyone is looking forward to some well-earned rest. Check out the photos below!

Source http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/aust/48212/Parklife_does_Sydney_and_Melbourne

Big Day Out doubles up in Sydney

A SECOND Big Day Out show has been added for Sydney after tickets sold out in minutes on Wednesday morning.

Music fans are being offered the chance to see headliners Tool, Rammstein, Iggy And The Stooges and dozens more acts at a second date on Thursday, January 27.

It's only the third time in the festival's 19 year history that two shows have been staged in one city, after a second Sydney show was added last year.

Big Day Out will also be staged in Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth and Adelaide with ticket sales staggered to cope with expected high demand.

Source http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/big-day-out-doubles-up-in-sydney/story-e6frf7kf-1225934961151

Kanye West screens his film in Sydney

Kanye West has showcased his new film Runaway to a select audience in Sydney as the rapper completed a worldwide publicity blitz.

The US hip-hop star described making the new 40-minute music video as a "dream come true" after taking to the stage at Fox Studios dressed in a designer tuxedo.

The film is set to songs from his forthcoming album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and has been premiered at similar invite-only shows in Paris, London and Tokyo.

West's directorial debut follows the star's fantastical romance with a feathered phoenix, played by actress and model Selita Ebanks, who falls from the sky and attempts to integrate into his life.

The pair embark on a series of abstract adventures, including a firework parade and banquet turned ballet, with the phoenix slowly realising that her existence on earth is doomed.

After explaining to West that human kind is anything but - "everything that is different you try to change" - she runs away and sets herself in flames.

After the screening on Monday evening West hosted a Q&A session in which audience members quizzed him about the film and his recent work, which includes an internship for Italian fashion house Fendi.

The rapper said Runaway would be the first of several projects combining music and film, and he hoped to emulate the work of Michael Jackson.

He also hopes to reinterpret the film as a theatrical performance intended for Broadway.

West said the film's themes were drawn from fantasy but also inspired by the fallout from his infamous stage storming at the VMA Awards when he interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech and declared that Beyonce should have won.

"The story parallels my career and my career burning to the ground," he revealed to the audience of hundreds at Hoyts Cinema.

"For a year and two days now I haven't had a cell phone to get away from the commercial and pop worlds."

The singer behind hits like GoldDigger and Stronger said he had "worked on character flaws" and also promised a musical departure from the Kanye of old, taking hip-hop back to the sounds of A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan in favour of the digital experimentation and autotune that characterised his last album.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy will be released on November 22.

Source http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8103906/kanye-west-screens-his-film-in-sydney

Tropfest 2011 kicks off with YouTube

Filmmakers from across the globe are being encouraged to enter the world’s largest short film festival - the 19th annual Movie Extra Tropfest.

For the first time ever Tropfest are offering to fly finalist filmmakers from outside Australia to attend the huge live event and walk the red carpet in Sydney on Sunday 20 February 2011.

Film buffs from around the world now have an opportunity to unlock the door to stardom by seeing their film screened to hundreds of thousands of film fans across Australia, and international film industry luminaries.

Judges have included Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Toni Collette, Rose Byrne, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Samuel L Jackson, Baz Luhrmann, Keanu Reeves, Sam Neill, Ewan McGregor, Jane Campion, Salma Hayek, and George Miller.

Whether you are a novice or have a few films under your belt, Tropfest is open to anyone who is eager to tell a story through film. All you have to do is grab a camera, a few mates and start shooting your short film.

Entries close on Thursday 6 January 2011.

To enter, all you have to do is create a film that is no longer than seven minutes. In Tropfest tradition, your film must contain the 2011 Movie Extra Tropfest Signature Item - KEY.

As always, Tropfest will be hotly contested with more than 600 entries expected from across Australia and overseas.

For the first time this year entries will be received online through a new partnership with YouTube, making it easier for international entrants by eliminating the need to provide their film on a DVD.

Tropfest Founder and Director John Polson says the Festival is a phenomenal launching pad for filmmakers.

“This year we really want to encourage films from different places around the world. Hopefully the opportunity to come to Australia on us and have your short film screened in front of hundreds of thousands of people around the nation at the many live outdoor events and on the Movie Extra channel, is the right sort of motivation.”

“This year we’ve made the submission process even easier for international filmmakers with our new dedicated Tropfest YouTube channel. So go on and get brain-storming right now and get your submission in soon,” he says.

For the third year in a row, thanks to Tropfest’s Naming Rights Partner, the event will be broadcast live on Subscription TV channel MOVIE EXTRA, taking the fun and excitement of the festival into homes around the country.

Tropfest’s mobile category, Telstra Mobile Masterpieces, is back for the second year giving filmmakers an opportunity to unleash their creativity on their mobile phones. The same rules apply as the main competition, with the winner receiving $5000 cash and a trip to the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

2010 winner Abe Forsythe says Tropfest propelled his career. “Winning Tropfest was a fantastic experience. I encourage everyone out there to enter whether you’re a beginner, at film school or if you’re a seasoned professional. It could actually change your life,” he says.

Source http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/tropfest-2011-kicks-off-with-youtube/story-e6frf7jx-1225938536449

Australian music sales hit sour note

RECORD sales in Australia have hit an alarming low with a British metal band hitting the No. 1 spot with just 3600 album sales.

British hardcore metal band Bring Me the Horizon made a surprising debut at No. 1 on the ARIA album charts yesterday, with just 3600 copies sold nationally.

This is the lowest sales to achieve a No. 1 album in Australia.

The figure highlights the impact illegal downloading has had on record sales.

As with each album on the ARIA chart, the sales include both physical CD sales and legal online digital sales.

Last week's No. 1 by Linkin Park sold just 4056 copies. Even the new Robbie Williams compilation sold only 2816 copies last week to debut at No. 6.

Sales should pick up this week with the release of new albums by Kings of Leon and John Farnham, who will both battle to be No. 1 next week.

Expected big sellers for Christmas include a "best of" Pink, new albums by Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Rihanna and Jessica Mauboy, and a Susan Boyle Christmas album.

Bring Me the Horizon will tour here in February for the Soundwave festival with their album There Is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret.

"To have a number one album, in a country we don't even live in, is amazing," frontman Oli Sykes said.

Source http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/australian-music-sales-hit-sour-note/story-e6frf96f-1225940393713

Glambert rocks Sydney

Gay goth rocker Adam Lambert brought his unique musical style to Sydney on Wendesday night, playing to a packed Enmore Theatre.

It was the American Idol runner-up’s second visit to the Sydney in a year, having played the Mardi Gras party earlier this year.

Lambert was in fine form, singing tracks from his album For Your Entertainment and a cover of Ring of Fire.

And there was one particularly lucky audience member who managed to score himself a little Lambert tongue in between songs.

Source http://www.starobserver.com.au/whats-on/2010/10/22/glambert-rocks-sydney/32294

The Veronicas Campaign Against Fur Use With PETA

Aussie pop duo The Veronicas are taking a stand against designers who use fur in their clothing.

Jess and Lisa Origliasso are helping People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in their latest campaign against animal cruelty.

Their campaign features the tagline 'Here's the rest of your fur coat', and includes a poster of the girls holding (fake) skinned rabbits.

Jess and Lisa appeared in Sydney to promote the advertisement.

"Designers that still use fur, to us it is just ignorant, it is unnecessary and it is unacceptable," Jess says.

They hope that they will raise awareness with young people who might think it's cool to wear fur, so that they can understand where fur comes from.

Just looking at The Veronica's PETA poster below is enough to convince us to become vegetarians!

Source http://www.take40.com/news/20662/the-veronicas-campaign-against-fur-use-with-peta

Free kick for Foxtel's Xbox 360 service

FOXTEL has created an exclusive sports channel, Fox Sports Play, for its new internet-delivered pay-TV service Foxtel on Xbox 360.

The service, which was developed with Microsoft and is exclusive to Xbox customers who have a subscription to the gaming console's Live online entertainment network, goes live in all Foxtel coverage areas tonight.

The starter pack of 11 channels costs $19.50 a month, on top of the monthly Live Gold subscription fee and the cost of a broadband subscription. Additional packages will offer entertainment, sports and two tiers of movie content at a cost of an extra $10 a month per package.

Foxtel product chief Patrick Delaney said the service would not be available to customers in regional areas as Foxtel's program rights did not allow it.

But the sports channel, which was created specifically for Foxtel on Xbox 360, would include most of the sports for which Foxtel has the internet rights.

"The English Premier League and the A-League (soccer) will be on there,'' Mr Delaney said. "We have paid extra to negotiate those rights. Other than the NRL and the AFL, I think Fox Sports has cleared almost all its sport to be on there.''

Telstra currently holds the internet rights rights for the NRL and AFL, which are set to be negotiated in the next year.

Xbox chief David McLean said the majority of Xbox Live's 500,000-strong customer base would be able to receive the service, which is delivered over the internet via the connection on the Xbox console.

"I estimate 85 per cent or thereabouts of our subscribers will be able to get acess from day one,'' Mr McLean said.

Mr Delaney said discussions were underway to see if the service could be rolled out, via Austar, in regional areas.

To date, no internet service providers have agreed to exempt Foxtel on Xbox 360 from counting towards a subscriber's broadband download cap, which means users may incur extra charges if they go over their limit.

Mr Delaney estimated one standard definition movie would use about 1.3Gb of data.

Subscribers can sign up for the service using their credit card on a month-by-month basis and there is no contract.

Xbox Live customers who don't sign up will still be able to pay to access the company's Foxtel On Demand pay-per-view movie and TV download service.

The service will compete with FetchTV's internet TV service, which will is expected to be available via a number of smaller ISPs for just under $30 a month after an initial establishment cost for the FetchTV box, and Telstra's T-box, which costs $299.

FetchTV's partner ISPs and Telstra's Big Pond will exempt their respective IPTV services from download charges.

Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/free-kick-for-foxtels-xbox-360-service/story-e6frg996-1225951340929

ITV loses Australia's Next Top Model contract over final gaffe

Sarah Murdoch making her slip-up in the Australia's Next Top Model final.

Two months ago Sarah Murdoch's embarrassment at naming the wrong winner of Australia's Next Top Model live on air became a viral hit. Now ITV's Australian production subsidiary has paid the price for the cock-up, losing the Australia's Next Top Model contract, according to a local media report.

The incident, which Murdoch – the show's presenter – said resulted from the wrong name being fed to her via an earpiece, has gone down as one of the biggest screw-ups in reality TV history.

Murdoch is the wife of Rupert Murdoch's eldest son, Lachlan. The Murdoch family part owns the show's broadcaster, Foxtel, through News Corporation.

ITV subsidiary Granada Media Australia has made the past six series of the reality TV show, but Murdoch confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald earlier today that a change in production company was being made.

"Granada produced Australia's Top Model for six years. I worked with them for two years," she said in a statement. "They are a very talented and hard-working crew. But after what happened this year I thought very hard about it and decided it was probably time for a change.''

It is not yet known which production company will take over for the seventh series, but the Sydney Morning Herald suggests that Shine, which is owned by Murdoch's sister-in-law Elisabeth Murdoch, is the favourite.

Source http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/nov/24/foxtel-loses-australias-next-top-model