Former Big Bang member Seungri admits to all 9 charges; sentence reduced to 1 year and 6 months at appeal trial

South Korean pop-group BIGBANG's former member Seungri’s prison sentence has been reduced 1 year and 6 months. Seungri currently has nine charges including the violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes, violation of the Food Sanitation Act, embezzlement, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, habitual gambling, violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, prostitution mediation, purchase of prostitution services, and special violence instigation.

On January 27, as reported by Korean publication Soompi, the High Court for Armed Forces carried out Seungri’s appeal trial. In the appeal trial, the justice department sentenced Seungri to one year and six months in prison, which is a reduced sentence from his first sentence of three years in prison, along with a fine of 1,156,900,000 won (about $994,544).

Previously, Seungri and the military prosecution had both filed appeals on his original sentence. The reduced sentence seems to follow Seungri’s change in stance. In the original trial, Seungri had denied eight of his nine charges excluding the violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, but he acknowledged all his charges in the appeal trial and conveyed his remorse.

Following the first trial last year, Seungri is currently imprisoned after being placed under arrest by the court. Both Seungri and the military prosecution did not appeal to the Supreme Court, so in the case that the appeal sentence is finalized, Seungri will be released after serving one year and one month more of his sentence. The third trial will be carried out by the Supreme Court of Korea.

Also Read: SF9’s Hwiyoung and Chani booked for violating COVID-19 protocols; agency releases statement apologising for the incident

Moon Knight writer Jeremy Slater to pen the script of Mortal Kombat sequel

New Line is preparing for the round two of Moral Kombat. The studio has hired screenwriter Jeremy Slater to pen a sequel to the 2021 video game adaptation.

According to Deadline, no director or cast is attached, but the first installment teased the addition of fan favourite character Johnny Cage, who did not appear in the feature.

Mortal Kombat is based on the seminal 1992 arcade fighting game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. It centers on a tournament gathering the best fighters on Earth to defend against would-be invaders. The game was previously adapted into a hit 1995 feature and its ill-fated 1997 sequel.

The Simon McQuoid directed the 2021 outing, which starred Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Joe Taslim, Mehcad Brooks, Matilda Kimber, Laura Brent, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroyuki Sanada, Chin Han, Ludi Lin and Max Huang.

Mortal Kombat debuted simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2021 and earned $83.7 million globally. According to HBO Max, which does not release viewership data publicly, it has been among the streaming service’s top feature films.

On the work front, Jeremy Slater is riding high, with the trailer for his upcoming Disney+ show, Moon Knight, generating buzz upon release last week. The series stars Oscar Isaac as the Marvel antihero and is due out in March. He’s also known for his work on Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.

The new Mortal Kombat film continues Slater’s relationship with James Wan, who produced the recent Mortal Kombat via his Atomic Monster banner. Wan is also producing Slater’s upcoming directorial debut, Thread, for Screen Gems. Slater’s other work includes an upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s The Tommy Knockers for Universal and Wan. He most recently worked on Uprising, the Netflix film which has Travis Knight attached to direct.

Also Read: Mortal Kombat to now release in India on April 23, 2021

Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song get engaged after welcoming their first child Dakota

Actors Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, who recently welcomed son Dakota in April 2021, are reportedly now engaged after dating each other for more than four years.

According to People, the couple of four years (and new parents to 9-month-old son Dakota) are engaged. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody actress was recently photographed sporting a diamond ring on her left hand in Beverly Hills, California.

The couple first met while shooting for Changeland in Thailand and sparked romance rumours when they were spotted hanging out together in July 2017 grabbing dinner at an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles.

In April 2021, Brenda and Macaulay welcomed their first child, son Dakota, whom they named after Macaulay Culkin's late sister Dakota. "We're overjoyed," the couple said in a brief statement about the arrival of their first child.

While the couple keep their relationship largely private, the Dollface actress shared a special post for Macaulay on Instagram to mark his 40th birthday in August 2020, with caption, “Happy 40th birthday to this magical being.” she wrote. “ I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you.”

Brenda added, “But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won’t even see this because you don’t ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you.”.

 

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In November 2021, on her Instagram, Brenda shared a picture of her with the Home Alone star from a game's night with a cute caption that read, “Very few things can get us out of the house and away from our son.”

 

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Brenda Song spoke about Macaulay Culkin in the profile too, telling Esquire, “People don’t realize how incredibly kind and loyal and sweet and smart he is. Truly what makes Mack so special is that he is so unapologetically Mack. He knows who he is, and he’s 100 percent okay with that. And that to me is an incredibly sexy quality. He’s worked really hard to be the person he is.”

The couple are now ready to take the big step and head to the altar. This would be Macaulay’s second wedding as he was previously married to Rachel Miner, from 1998 to 2002.

Also Read: Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song welcome their first child Dakota Song Culkin

Madhuri Dixit's Finding Anamika renamed as The Fame Game; to premiere on February 25 on Netflix

Bollywood icon Anamika Anand has it all but is her life perfect or a perfectly crafted facade? In a world of glitz, glamour and fame - the lines of what is real and what is not can often be blurred. The Fame Game (formerly known as Finding Anamika) will take us into the world of superstar Anamika played by the evergreen, ever-gorgeous Madhuri Dixit ! Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment the series marks her streaming debut and we cannot wait for what it has in store!‘The Fame Game’ will be released on February 25 - exclusively on Netflix!

The Fame Game brings together Sri Rao as the showrunner and writer and Bejoy Nambiar and Karishma Kohli as directors. It is all set to take us on a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of the actress’s life revealing hidden truths and painful lies.

There is always a hidden truth behind the curtain of fame and stardom. What is this truth in the life of Bollywood’s biggest star Anamika Anand? Know more soon. 'The Fame Game' series premieres 25th February, only on Netflix! #TheFameGame pic.twitter.com/dTbJ2qkSqQ

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 27, 2022

The family drama also stars Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Lakshvir Saran, Suhasini Muley, Muskkaan Jaferi.

ALSO READ: Madhuri Dixit pays tribute to late Pandit Birju Maharaj; Alia Bhatt calls him a ‘legend’

Luv Films to release ‘Side A Side B’ on T-Series’ YouTube Channel this Valentine’s season

After delivering massive hits across cinemas and OTT platforms, this Valentine’s season, Luv Films gears up to release a feature film on T-Series’ YouTube channel. Titled Side A Side B, this musical love story, presented by Luv Films, will premiere on 11th February 2022, tapping new-age audiences through T-Series’ massive subscriber base.

Written and directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Sudhish Kamath, the film stars debutants Rahul Rajkhowa and Shivranjani Singh, with music by Sudeep Swaroop.

Side A Side B is the bittersweet romantic journey of a young couple taking one last train trip together with their cat Lou, from Guwahati to Mumbai, as the fate of their relationship hangs in the balance.

The live musical playing out through ten songs captures the climactic moments between the young lovers torn between ambition and growing distance as Joel and Shivi realise they might be headed in different directions.

Director Sudhish Kamath says, "This is nothing short of a miracle if you consider eight people got on a train, shot a movie with live music with young musicians, who rehearsed for weeks to be able to shoot the film in the course of 44 hours. But the bigger miracle is that our little indie was discovered by Luv Films who believed in it enough to take it to T Series. I dedicate this movie to all unsung indie artists who struggle to find a platform for their talent. I’m lucky I found the right collaborators in Rahul, Shivi, Sudeep, Raja, Karthik, Jojo, and Vijay and am eternally grateful for this dream launch."

Luv Ranjan adds, "I haven't watched too many independent films. So when I watched the film, I was surprised and curious. How did they do this? If it could hold my attention, I was sure it could hold the attention of young people who watch our movies. This is an experiment, of course. If it works, it might encourage more filmmakers and musicians to take the initiative, make their movies and tell their stories, no matter what. Because all you need to make a movie today is a phone. You don’t wait for a producer, you go ahead and make the movie you really believe in. No excuses."

In the words of The Beatles, this Valentine’s season, all you need is love.

Luv Films presents Side A Side B, a Made In Madras Ink production, produced by Luv Ranjan & Ankur Garg, written and directed by Sudhish Kamath; starts streaming on the T-Series YouTube channel from 11th February onwards.

ALSO READ: Google puts up billboards in New York, London and Los Angeles to celebrate T-Series’ phenomenal rise to the top

With eight brands under her kitty, Vaani Kapoor’s annual earnings from endorsements estimated at approx. Rs. 4-5 crores

Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor’s career is on a massive high after her performance in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui in which she sensitively played the role of a transgender girl who fights all odds to stand up for her rights. Vaani received unanimous praise for her performance and that has led to her equity shooting up in the last couple of months! Vaani Kapoor has signed eight new brands as an endorser and has become a name that’s being chased by top brands in the country.

An industry informant says, “The best thing about brand Vaani Kapoor is that with Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui she has proven to be a gutsy, ambitious, free-thinking artiste who is tremendously risk-taking. These are qualities that are being sought by brands that need actors who are opinionated, represent modern India, stand for things that they believe in, and is keen for social good to be the face. Vaani fits the bill completely and the result is there for everyone to see because her equity is only going northwards from here on.”

The informer further says, “Vaani has signed eight brands in the last couple of months! Since Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui release, she has signed brands left, right, and centre. From clothing to hair products, from jewellery to skin care products, Vaani has been snapped up by top brands of the country. She is also under-exposed as a face because she has been extremely choosy about the films that she does. This is also helping her equity because brands are seeing her as someone who isn’t typecast or selling way too many brands.”

The actress currently has brands like Carysil Kitchen Equipments, Brillare Hair Oil, Streax Hair colour, Mango, Zeya by Kundan, St. Botanica and a few more brands yet to be announced. According to the grapevine, “Vaani Kapoor charges between Rs. 35-40 lakhs a day for brand endorsement. Considering, the number of brands she has under her, the whopping amount is approx Rs. 4-5 crore.”

On the work front, Vaani Kapoor will next star in Yash Raj Films’ Shamshera alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt.

ALSO READ: Vaani Kapoor and Anushka Ranjan are bestie goals as they cook dinner together

SCOOP: John Abraham-starrer Attack expected to release on February 25

In September 2021, Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report that the John Abraham-starrer Attack will release around Republic Day 2022. Sadly, due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the country was swept by the third wave of Covid-19. As a result, all the films scheduled for release in December-end and January 2022 were indefinitely postponed. This included not just Attack but also movies like Jersey, RRR, Radhe Shyam and Prithviraj.

Bollywood Hungama has now learnt of the new release date of Attack. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The makers are looking at releasing the film on February 25, 2022. However, it’ll be subject to cinemas opening up in Delhi and the big centers of Haryana and night curfew being lifted in most of the significant states.”

The source continued, “It is pretty evident that now the third wave has been milder and shorter than the previous two waves. The rate of hospitalization has been very low and now, cases are steadily declining in most major cities. As a result, it is expected that in February, most of the states would ease restrictions. The makers of Attack feel February 25 would be an ideal time to release as by then, night curfew would have been a thing of the past and hopefully, most states would be operating at 100% occupancy. The teaser has got a good response and the trade feels that it has a chance to work at the box office, especially in mass markets.”

An industry insider, meanwhile, stated, “The Rajkummar Rao-Bhumi Pednekar starrer Badhaai Do will release on February 11 and it’ll kickstart the process of films releasing once again in cinemas. One should expect a couple of more films to release in February besides Attack and Badhaai Do. So the makers of Attack would also keep in mind this factor while deciding the release date. A clearer picture will emerge before the end of January as by then, the easing of rules for the month of February would be out for the various states.”

The insider added, “The month of March, too, would see several releases.”

Besides John Abraham, Attack also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh.

Also Read: John Abraham’s character in Attack as super-soldier is on the same lines as Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Universal Soldier