Entertainment
Shah Rukh Khan: Bollywood’s heartthrob is also its biggest risk-taker
It is easy to label people and put them in neat boxes like inanimate objects, because it suits us. As humans, we are scared of change and unpredictability. Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan‘s perception as a so-called ‘lover boy,’ the boy next-door who does the same thing over and over again, a homegrown Mills and Boon hero if you will, has been alive and well for the three decades of his career as a professional actor. More so because those romantic dramas or rom-coms have worked quite well at the box office; be it a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or even a Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham — all big money-spinners. So it then became easier to put him under that category of a fluff hero who just extends his arms wide and a thankful nation rises to embrace him.
Shah Rukh Khan in Darr.However, a closer look at his filmography would tell you that Shah Rukh has often experimented, and taken the ‘risk’ as and when he felt like it. In an earlier interview with Film Companion, the actor had confessed he gets bored easily, which is why every few years he likes to switch gears if the opportunity presents itself. There is no set pattern to Shah Rukh Khan’s career. Things, according to him at least, have been co-incidental. If a Fan has followed Dear Zindagi, that’s just how projects lined up. And if he did those darker roles (read Darr, Baazigar or an Anjaam) at the start of his career, it’s because those were the hands he were dealt by movie gods. But the fact that he has often taken a chance at his career, a stab at something because it appealed to his creative senses, or just possibly because of a mere whim, cannot be ruled out.
SRK’s critics often complain about the lack of his versatility, but they choose to look at his acting choices from a lens of the quintessential 90s romantic hero; they have already made up their mind about him. He is in that proverbial box of their liking and convenience. This is not to say he has not been the melodramatic, cheesy loud romantic hero of the post-liberalisation era. In fact, as writer Shryana Bhattacharya has pointed out in her book Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh: India’s Lonely Young Women and the Search for Intimacy and Independence, the actor was the very symbol of a post liberalisation India, with his soft drink ads and his scenic outdoor shoots (in order to appeal to NRIs). And he has self-admittedly done bad films, and some good ones too.
From playing the obsessive lover, an everyday man, a ‘gunda’, a hockey coach, an NRI, an emperor, an army man, a Don, a shrink and a vertically challenged person — he has literally been there and done that. But when in quick successions his movies tanked at the ticket counters (Fan, Raees, Jab Harry Met Sejal and Zero), Khan decided to take a well-earned break.
Shah Rukh played an obsessive fan in the movie Fan.
“A lot of things change when you keep doing it for a very long time. Two things happen: you lose the ability to surprise the audience and the ability to fail gets taken away from you,” the actor had once said in an interview with Huffpost. And this is something the actor has suffered from time and again.
Sample the 2000 release Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, helmed by Aziz Mirza and bankrolled by SRK‘s now-defunct Dreamz Unlimited (later transformed and refurbished as Red Chillies Entertainment). The movie (also starring Satish Shah, Sheeba Chaddha, Sanjay Mishra, Johnny Lever and Dalip Tahil among others) raises pertinent questions about the role of media in a country and the larger impact it has on citizens. Shah Rukh played a high-achieving TV reporter who was willing to go to any lengths to get a juicy byte. The film did not do well at box office, but that did not stop Shah Rukh from producing more movies. In fact, one of his biggest passion projects came a decade after, Ra.One, which also failed to connect with the masses, despite its promising visual effects, superhero premise and a popular international music star on board. But an undeterred Khan decided to go all out again with Maneesh Sharma’s Fan (2016), whose VFX is unlike anything seen in an Indian movie. The level of detail involved was jaw-dropping (watch their BTS video uploaded by Red Chillies on YouTube to get the full picture). And then that did not live up to expectations despite a solid turn by the lead star. Then there was Zero, and we all know how that turned out. But like a true performer, Shah Rukh made sure to rise again and again, and again. Unlike his own character Sunil from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, he was not satisfied with his failings. In playwright Samuel Beckett’s words, the actor in him seemingly wanted to ‘try again, fail again, fail better.’
Come new year, Shah Rukh will be back with three different projects of drastically different sensibilities — Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki.
The actor himself said it best when he spoke to Huffpost about his ability to adapt on, and even off screen: “I can be a part of Mani Ratnam’s world. I can sit with fight masters and talk their language. I can sit with the head of states of the world’s biggest countries and chat with them over a formal dinner. I can sit down with Mr Tim Cook and talk for 2 hours. And I can sit with AbRam’s nanny and really enjoy myself. I can become who you are. And films are like that. So you dare not tell me that something is not my space. No director, writer, storyteller or filmmaker can tell me, I would love you in this film, this is not your space. I am Shah Rukh Khan and I can do everything.” Or at the very least, make us believe you can, and that is magical enough for anyone who loves cinema.
Entertainment
Justin Roiland slams ‘horrible lies’ after domestic violence charges dropped – National | Globalnews.ca
“We dismissed the charges today because there was insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt,” said Orange County district attorney’s spokeswoman Kimberly Edds on Wednesday.
Roiland, 43, was facing one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud or deceit in connection with an alleged January 2020 incident involving a former girlfriend. After the charges came to light, Roiland was dropped by Adult Swim and Hulu Originals, affecting a variety of television shows he was involved in.
Roiland celebrated the dismissal, tweeting “justice” along with a statement.
“I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come,” he wrote. “I’m thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I’m still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process.”
Roiland added that he was “disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of a bitter ex trying to bypass due process and have me ‘canceled.’”
Roiland was charged back in May 2020 and pleaded not guilty. The charges went unnoticed by media outlets until Roiland’s case went to a pre-trial hearing this January.
When the domestic violence charges became public, Adult Swim, which airs Rick and Morty, announced it had cut ties with Roiland. Along with being a co-creator with Dan Harmon, Roiland also provided the voice acting for the show’s two titular characters. The network said they would recast his roles and Rick and Morty would continue without him.
Hulu Originals, which produced two other animated series that Roiland worked on, Solar Opposites and Koala Man, announced at the time that it had also dropped Roiland and would recast his roles.
Adult Swim and Hulu Originals have both declined to comment on Roiland’s charges being dropped.
Roiland’s lawyer, T. Edward Welbourn, wrote that he’s “thankful justice has prevailed.”
“I commend the Orange County district attorney’s office for conducting a thorough review of the facts and deciding to dismiss the case against Justin,” he added in a statement to Variety.
Roiland noted on Twitter that he is “determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name.”
— With files from The Associated Press
—
Global News and Adult Swim (Canada) are both properties of Corus Entertainment.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Entertainment
‘Bachelor in Paradise Canada’: Meet the hopefuls looking for love – National | Globalnews.ca
The show, an offshoot of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, features singles from the franchise in a more “relaxed” environment as they continue to search for love. Much like its American counterpart, Bachelor in Paradise, there’s plenty of drama, drinking and dates, but also feels quintessentially Canadian in a way, with a more laid-back vibe.
This season’s cast of 27 eligible singles features a mix of 13 Canadian and U.S. Bachelor alumni and 14 Canadian fans from #BachelorNation.
Bachelor alum Kevin Wendt returns as bartender and Ottawa’s Sharleen Joynt, an alum from Juan Pablo’s season of The Bachelor, signs on as host for the upcoming season.
Fans will also be treated to guest appearances by Bachelor alumni Demi Burnett, Abigail Heringer and Noah Erb, and Astrid Loch, Canadian singer-songwriters Lindsay Ell and Tyler Shaw, and Canadian drag superstar The Queen Priyanka.
Scroll to check out the cast below.
Tessa
Age: 27
Job: HR Strategist
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fun Fact: At the top of Tessa’s bucket list are playing at the Grand Ole Opry, going to space and meeting Stevie Nicks.
Shaz
Age: 24
Job: Yoga instructor/model
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: Shaz once had Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield record a personalized video for a boyfriend.
Sam
Age: 33
Job: Entrepreneur
Hometown: St. John’s, N.L.
Fun Fact: Sam’s top fears are spiders, tornadoes and commitment.
Rianna
Age: 27
Job: Registered nurse
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Texas
Fun Fact: Rianna is obsessed with Greek mythology.
Quartney
Age: 28
Job: Supplement brand owner
Hometown: Dallas
Fun Fact: Quartney knows how to play the baritone.
Paige
Age: 31
Job: Director of talent acquisition
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: These Boots Were Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra would be Paige’s walk-up song.
Nithisha
Age: 26
Job: Insurance company manager
Hometown: Stouffville, Ont.
Fun Fact: Nithisha describes herself as a huge germophobe.
Meagan
Age: 28
Job: Interior designer/actor
Hometown: Vancouver
Fun Fact: Meagan’s most romantic gesture was buying a star for her ex-fiancé.
Matia
Age: 28
Job: Fitness coach
Hometown: Toronto and Miami
Fun Fact: When he was younger, Matia used to build computers as a hobby.
Marilyn
Age: 26
Job: Executive assistant
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: Marilyn has appeared on the cover of two romance novels.
Maria
Age: 30
Job: Apparel and textile designer
Hometown: Toronto and Cartagena, Colombia
Fun Fact: Maria’s first kiss took place on a bridge in Venice during a high school class trip to Italy.
Lisa
Age: 29
Job: Cosplay artist
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ont.
Fun Fact: Lisa can summon squirrels on demand.
Linda
Age: 23
Job: Construction worker/model
Hometown: Yellowknife, N.W.T.
Fun Fact: Linda’s celebrity crush is 50 Cent.
Krissy
Age: 27
Job: Model
Hometown: Vancouver
Fun Fact: Krissy’s first kiss was during a game of “spin the bottle” and she was so nervous that she banged heads with the recipient of the kiss.
Juan Pablo
Age: 32
Job: Fitness coach
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: Juan Pablo can beatbox with his hands.
Josh
Age: 29
Job: Filmmaker
Hometown: Vancouver
Fun Fact: Josh’s biggest deal-breaker is an inconsistent personality.
Joey
Age: 32
Job: Actor/model
Hometown: Redcliff, Alta.
Fun Fact: Joey says the most romantic thing he’s ever done is give someone the last bite of his meal.
Jake
Age: 22
Job: Holistic nutritionist
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: Jake’s celebrity crush is Megan Fox.
Godfrey
Age: 29
Job: Boxing trainer
Hometown: Toronto
Fun Fact: Becoming a billionaire and finding true love are at the top of Godfrey’s bucket list.
Garrett
Age: 34
Job: Tech CEO
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Fun Fact: Garrett lists ballroom dancing and spearfishing as two of his hidden talents.
Edward
Age: 28
Job: Fitness coach
Hometown: Los Angeles
Fun Fact: Cheesecake, ice cream and avocados are the three foods you can always find in Edward’s fridge.
Connor
Age: 30
Job: Musician
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Fun Fact: You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon would be Connor’s walk-up song.
Cole
Age: 28
Job: Adventure guide
Hometown: Los Angeles
Fun Fact: Cole is afraid of the deep open ocean.
Chelsea
Age: 29
Job: Model/content creator
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fun Fact: Chelsea says Zendaya would play her in a movie about her life.
Céline
Age: 25
Job: Flight attendant
Hometown: Winnipeg
Fun Fact: Mama’s boys are a deal-breaker for Céline.
Austin
Age: 26
Job: Real estate agent/personal trainer
Hometown: Orange County, Calif.
Fun Fact: Austin’s first kiss happened at a school dance while slow dancing to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’.
Ana
Age: 27
Job: Talent agent
Hometown: Montreal
Fun Fact: Skydiving and visiting each continent are at the top of Ana’s bucket list.
—
Bachelor in Paradise Canada premieres Monday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Citytv, Citytv+ and Citytv.com, and through the Citytv app.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Entertainment
Interested in booking a campsite in Alberta’s mountains? Parks Canada has some tips | Globalnews.ca
“The updated platform that we’re running with functioned very well and as expected,” said Pamela Clark, who runs visitor experience for Jasper National Park. “The queuing, the site selection and the payment process operated very smoothly, even with the increased volumes that we experienced.”
Demand for campsites continues to increase and has been going up significantly for the last three or four years.
“When we launched (the Parks Canada online reservation system) back in 2015, we had about 1,800 reservations on launch day,” Clark said of Jasper. “Now, fast-forward to 2023, we’re over 20,000 reservations on launch day.
Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park summer 2022.
Supplied: Parks Canada
“People know we have a reservation system. They understand it’s the best way of ensuring that they have a site that meets their needs,” she said.
“What we’ve seen in the last four or five years, when it really started to pick up in 2019 and 2020 — even the use of our national parks — is people are gravitating towards the outdoor opportunities and just the natural escapes.”
For Jasper National Park, reservations for front-country (serviced) sites launched March 16. Bookings for back-country sites launched March 20.
“When users logged in at 8 a.m. last Thursday morning, there were about over 22,000 people in our waiting room but we were able to manage those volumes, and the average wait time was about 30 minutes,” Clark said.
The phased approach to site bookings reduces overall volume and helps the reservation site operate more smoothly. Clark said Parks Canada uncoupled backcountry reservations for Banff and Jasper because the combined volumes created issues in the booking system.
“The older system really wasn’t able to keep up with the volumes that we’ve been experiencing, especially in the last three or four years, volumes have increased substantially,” Clark said. “Even from last year to this year, we experienced a volume increase for reservations of over 6,000.”
For Banff National Park, reservations for front-country sites launch on Thursday, March 23. Back-country bookings opened Wednesday morning.
As other areas open up, Clark has some tips for people looking to book a spot.
“They should get onto our website — Parks Canada reservations — and look through all the tips on there. They should open up a profile if they don’t have one yet or update their profile if they’ve been on the system before. And they should get acquainted with the areas they want to be camping in.
“Have a plan. Have a couple backup plans, that’s really important.”
Jasper National Park has more than 2,000 campsites, the second-largest inventory of campgrounds managed under one park in North America, Clark said. Together, the mountain national parks have about 5,000 campsites. Despite an “abundant” inventory, there’s just so much demand in July and August.
Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park summer 2022.
Supplied: Parks Canada
Serviced, front-country campsites in Jasper National Park for dates in those peak months get snapped up within hours.
“After our launch day, there really is no availability in July and August, but there’s still lots of availability in May, June, September for campers who are looking and can be a little more flexible in their departure dates and aren’t looking for serviced sites.
“At this point, for service sites, you’re looking at October. There’s really no availability in serviced sites from May until September,” Clark said. “They’re really popular.”
If you were unable to book a campsite in the area you want at the time you were hoping for, Parks Canada suggests looking at less-peak times or staying just outside the national parks.
“There are also campgrounds on the outskirts of the (Jasper National) park — in Mt Robson Provincial Park, also in the Hinton area.”
Alberta Parks opens provincial campsite bookings 90 days before the scheduled stay. For instance, on March 22, reservations would be open for a late June camping trip.
“And, if you really have these dates in mind, you can check back to see if there are cancellations because from time to time there are, and you might be the fortunate one who gets a cancellation.”
For the more adventurous camper, backcountry sites are an option too.
“There’s still availability along some of the lesser-known backcountry trails,” Clark said. “The ones that quickly get booked up are the iconic classics — so Skyline and Maligne — there is no availability left for the summer. But there is availability in almost all the other trail areas that we manage.”
And one more great tip for anyone visiting a park in Alberta?
“When they’re coming to a national park, they take on the stewardship of these areas, they follow the special rules, they put the garbage where it belongs and they follow that wildlife-watching etiquette,” Clark said.
“It’s really super important that we all share in taking care of these wild spaces.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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