Kathmandu: In a joyous development coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi, Bollywood's beloved couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their first child, a baby girl, according to media reports.



The couple had earlier visited Mumbai’s renowned Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha for their new arrival. The timing of their daughter's birth, aligning with the festival dedicated to the deity known for bestowing good fortune and removing obstacles, adds a special touch to the celebration.



Both mother and baby are reported to be in good health, and the family is elated with the arrival of their little princess. The occasion has brought additional cheer to the festival, making it a memorable Ganesh Chaturthi for the couple and their fans.

Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome first child on Ganesh Chaturthi

Kathmandu: Renowned Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has arrived in Nepal for the much-anticipated premiere of the film Shambhala. Directed by Min Bahadur Bham, the premiere is scheduled for Sunday.



Shambhala has made waves in the film industry by becoming the first Nepali film to be selected for the Berlin Film Festival. Additionally, the film's lead actress, Thinley Lhamo, was honored with the Boccalino d’Oro Prize at the Locarno Film Festival. The public release of Shambhala is set for September 13, 2024, and will be showcased across Nepal.



The actor's presence has generated considerable excitement for the film’s upcoming premiere and its anticipated impact on Nepal’s film industry.

Bollywood star Nawazuddin Siddiqui arrives Nepal for "Shambhala" premiere

Kathmandu: The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) commenced at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. The event, themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature,” was jointly inaugurated by Bhupal Rai, Chancellor of Nepal Academy, KLF Founder Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Kathmandu KLF Director Ranjana Niraula, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana, Indian diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, and Indian economist and writer Sanjeev Sanyal.



During the inaugural session, legendary poet Dr Bhuwan Dhungana was conferred with the Yashaswi Sahitya Samman. Also, the Yashaswi Book Award 2081 was presented to six books across five categories.



The awardees include Devvrat for his poetry collection ‘Aswasthamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha’; Muna Chaudhary for her fiction ‘Laar’; and Momila Joshi for her non-fiction work ‘Prashnaharu Ta Baki Nai Rahanchhan’, an award she shares with Arun Gupta for ‘Sanskriti Chintan’. Additionally, Rohini Rana’s ‘The Nepal Cook Book’ (English) and Yagyaraj Upadhyay’s research work ‘Kali-Karnaliko Lok Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti’ were also recognized. Each recipient received a prize of Rs 20,000 along with the award.



The festival brings together over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations, fostering a rich exchange of literary and cultural traditions. It promises a grand celebration of literature, art, music, and culture, further strengthening Nepal’s role as a central hub for Asian cultural dialogues.

'Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival' kicks off

Kathmandu: The anticipation for Miss Universe Nepal 2024 has reached a new height as the iconic crown was unveiled in a grand ceremony by Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023. This marks a historic moment for Nepal as it is the first time a reigning Miss Universe has personally presented the crown, setting a new standard for the pageant's prestige.



The Crown Reveal Ceremony was held at the Hilton Kathmandu, where guests, including dignitaries, celebrities, and the top 22 contestants of Miss Universe Nepal 2024, witnessed the crown reveal. The exquisite crown, designed to symbolize empowerment, resilience, and the vibrant culture of Nepal, is set to become a coveted prize for the finalists vying for the title.



Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, expressed her excitement, stating, "Nepal has always held a special place in my heart, and it is an honor to be here to reveal this magnificent crown. It represents not just beauty, but the strength and determination of every woman who wears it."



The 'Star of the Universe' crown is inspired by the celestial beauty of the night sky. Crafted from premium white gold, it is adorned with brilliant diamonds and vibrant gemstones that reflect the sparkle of the stars. The design features an intricate array of star motifs, symbolizing guidance and brilliance. Each element of the crown is meticulously crafted, highlighting the exquisite artistry and precision that went into its creation.



This crown embodies the essence of a star—radiant, inspiring, and timeless. The star motifs represent not only the celestial realm but also the shining spirit of Miss Universe. It is a symbol of excellence and a celebration of her journey. The crown, crafted by renowned artisans, features intricate designs inspired by Nepal’s rich heritage and natural beauty. It is adorned with precious stones that symbolize the journey of each contestant—one of growth, self-discovery, and empowerment.



Just before the crown was revealed, the 22 contestants took part in preliminary round where they were judged by Ishani Shrestha, Sophia Bujel, Sabi Puri, Alexander Gonzalez, and Vidushi Rana.



As the countdown to the Miss Universe Nepal 2024 grand finale begins, the crown unveiling has set the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary event. The finalists will compete for this symbol of achievement on September 7th, where the winner will go on to represent Nepal on the global stage at Miss Universe 2024.

Sheynnis Palacios unveils the crown for Miss Universe Nepal 2024

Kathmandu: Dinesh Raj Dahal, known as Dinesh DC, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Film Development Board (FDB) Nepal. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held at Singh Darbar on Thursday. 



Dahal was selected from three candidates recommended for the position, including film director Deepa Pandey Basnet and former Nepal Cultural Corporation General Manager Rajesh Thapa.



The recommendation committee, led by Rajesh Kumar Thapa, member secretary of the FDB and Under Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, proposed the names to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung. The Cabinet endorsed Dahal for the role.



Other candidates for the position included actress Karishma Manandhar, Rajesh Thapa, Deepa Pandey Basnet, former board member Prakash Bhattarai, and producer Arjun Kumar Dangol. The position was previously held by actor Bhuwan KC.

Dinesh DC appointed Chairman of Film Development Board

Kathmandu: Thai Film Festival Nepal 2024 will take place in Kathmandu from August 30 to September 1. The Thai Embassy in Nepal announced the festival during a press conference held on Monday.



The festival is being organized to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Thailand. Thai Ambassador Suwaphong Srisook revealed details about the event during the conference.



The festival will be hosted at QFX Chhaya Hall and will showcase a total of six films. The opening film will be "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," a contemporary Thai film based on real-life stories from Thai society.



Other films to be featured include "Pad Thai: The Movie," which centers on the struggles of a 26-year-old woman aspiring to become a professional chef; "Together: The Movie," a romance film focusing on gay men; as well as "Undertaker," "Dream a Little Dream," and "Broken Sword Hero."



Ambassador Srisook expressed hope that these films would appeal to Nepali audiences. "This festival is being held by the Thai Embassy in Nepal to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Nepal and Thailand and to connect with the Nepali people through the universal language of film," the ambassador said.



The festival will present a diverse range of genres including drama, comedy, romance, horror, and Muay Thai martial arts films.

Thai Film Festival Nepal 2024 to be held in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: Justin Bieber, who rose to international stardom in 2010 with his hit “Baby,” has welcomed one of his own with his wife, Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin).



The singer, 30, posted a photo of a baby’s foot Friday on Instagram, revealing the child’s name as Jack Blues Bieber. The model, 27, reshared the post on Instagram Stories. It’s not clear when the baby was born; a representative for Hailey Bieber told The Associated Press on Friday night that no further details were available.



The couple announced they were expecting a baby in May via Instagram posts on their respective pages from an intimate vow renewal ceremony. The videos and photos show the model, who also founded the skincare brand Rhode, wearing a form-fitting white dress that showed off her baby bump. The AP confirmed Bieber was just over six months pregnant at the time of the announcement.



Since the pregnancy announcement, the couple have each shared photos together and of Hailey Bieber that displayed the model’s baby bump, including a campaign for the Rhode skincare line.



The Biebers married in November 2018, which they also announced through an Instagram post. The singer posted a photo of the duo with the caption, “My wife is awesome,” and his wife followed up by changing her Instagram username to “Hailey Bieber.” The couple dated for about a month before tying the knot.



Justin Bieber rose to fame as a teenager and went on to become a Grammy-winning artist with eight No. 1 songs under his belt, including “Sorry,” “Love Yourself” and “What Do You Mean?” His latest album, “Justice,” was released in 2021.



Source: AP

Justin and Hailey Bieber welcome a baby boy, Jack Blues

Kathmandu: Ashma Kumari KC has been named Miss Nepal World 2024, triumphing over 25 contestants in the 28th edition of the prestigious beauty pageant held at the Godavari Sunrise Convention Center last evening. The title was conferred upon her by the outgoing Miss Nepal World, Shrichchha Pradhan.



In addition to securing the Miss Nepal World crown, Ashma Kumari KC, 26, also earned the "Face of the Year" award. Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and she impressed the judges with her insightful response to a question on climate change.



Sumana KC, who previously held the title of Miss Nepal Earth, took home awards for "Beauty with a Purpose" and "Miss Hygiene." Meanwhile, Karuna Rawat was honored with the title of Miss Nepal International.

Ashma KC crowned Miss Nepal World 2024

Kathmandu: Justin Bieber has become the latest in a string of international stars to perform for the son of India's richest man and his wife-to-be as they celebrate their upcoming wedding.



The Canadian singer flew in to perform for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant - along with their guests - in Mumbai at the weekend.



He had a lot to live up to. The couple's first pre-wedding party featured Rihanna, while the second - a cruise around the Mediterranean - had performances from 90s teen heartthrobs The Backstreet Boys, singer Katy Perry and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.



So it is with bated breath that Ambani wedding-watchers - of whom there are now legions around the globe - await news of who will perform at the actual wedding itself this weekend.



Rumours swirling on the internet suggest it could be Adele, but the family are remaining tight-lipped. No expense is being spared on the wedding of Mukesh Ambani's youngest son, putting it in a different league from even the most extravagant of Indian weddings.



It outshines even his daughter’s nuptials, which featured a headline-grabbing performance by Beyoncé. Last weekend Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant celebrated their sangeet ceremony - a night of music and dance ahead of the wedding ceremony.



In typical style, the Ambanis went above and beyond what would usually be expected by guests. It saw Mukesh Ambani, the head of Reliance Industries, with an estimated net worth of $115bn, according to Forbes, and the rest of the family take to the stage in their own choreographed dance to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s hit song, Deewangi Deewangi.



Source: BBC

Justin Bieber performs at India's mega wedding

Kathmandu: Darshan Thoogudeepa, a superstar of the Kannada-language film industry in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, has been under arrest for the past 10 days in connection with a crime that resembles the plot of a movie. He is among 17 people picked up by the police for the murder of Renukaswamy - a 33-year-old fan of the actor – after his body was recovered from a drain.



Earlier this week, Bengaluru city Police Commissioner B Dayananda said Renukaswamy was “killed in a very brutal and barbaric way” and described it as a “heinous crime committed in a horrific manner ”.



Police said they believe the 47-year-old actor was angry with Renukaswamy, who worked for a pharmacy company, because he had allegedly sent lewd messages on social media to Pavithra Gowda, an actress who has been described in the Indian press as Darshan’s girlfriend. She is among those arrested.



The charges against the suspects include “murder, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy”. Darshan is in jail and has not commented on the allegations but his lawyer Ranganath Reddy told the BBC that during their meetings, the actor denied the charges against him.



Regarded as the most bankable star of the Kannada film industry, Darshan has starred in about 60 films and many of them have been huge hits. Kannada film producer Yogish Dwarakish says Darshan is "one actor who can guarantee you an extraordinary opening".



Officially, police are not giving out any details of what – if any - evidence they have against the actor and the other suspects, but the local press have reported fantastical allegations, attributing them to police sources.



Blurry CCTV footage has been shown on TV channels, with reporters claiming that it shows Renukaswamy’s abduction. Details from what’s being described as the deceased man’s post-mortem have been discussed threadbare and the press went into a frenzy after reports that the shoes Darshan wore on the night of the murder were found in his wife Vijayalakshmi’s house, forcing her to obtain a restraining order against the press.



Source: BBC

The Indian film star arrested in fan’s murder case

Kathmandu: Renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami expressed joy with how several of his short stories were adapted in American director Pierre Földes’ animated film “Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman”, adding he wanted to see future interpretations of his work with filmmakers’ own spin.



The Japanese language version of the 2022 film will be released for the first time in Japan on July 26. It is the first animated adaptation of Murakami’s work.



After screening the film Saturday at his alma mater Waseda University in Tokyo, Murakami — joining Földes at a talk session — admitted that while he wasn’t a fan of animated films, he watched it twice.



The filmmaker was inspired by six of Murakami’s short stories: “Super-Frog Saves Tokyo” and “U.F.O. in Kushiro”— from “After the Quake,” collection, written after the fatal 1995 Kobe earthquake — and ”Birthday Girl,” “Dabchick,” “The Windup Bird and Tuesday’s Women.”



“Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman” is set in Tokyo in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the Fukushima meltdowns. It focuses on three main characters — Katagiri, a diligent but lonely and confidence-lacking banker who teams up with a giant talking frog to save Tokyo from an imminent second quake, his unenthusiastic younger colleague and his wife Kyoko, who — depressed and glued to earthquake news on TV — leaves him. Through recollections and dreams, the three eventually find peace and the ability to start anew.



Source: AP

Noted Japanese author Haruki Murakami is happy with first animated adaptation of his short stories

Kathmandu: Sudarshan Thapa, celebrated film director and artist, has been apprehended by authorities in Kathmandu. The arrest comes amidst escalating controversy surrounding his involvement in the film 'Prasad 2'.



According to the Kathmandu Police Department, Thapa was taken into custody on Monday following allegations related to the 'Prasad 2' film debacle.



The complaint, originally filed by producers Sudarshan Basnet and Jack Shrestha on July 26 last year, accuses Thapa of fraud and criminal treachery. It alleges that the filmmakers were deceived out of a staggering Rs 15 million due to unauthorized screenings of their film, both domestically and internationally.

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