The hotly anticipated world premiere of Bollywood movie Welcome Back, due to be held at The Music Hall on the Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai tomorrow, was abruptly cancelled yesterday, along with the press conference and a fan meet-and-greet with the stars at Ibn Battuta Mall. The decision was made by the producers, who blamed scheduling problems for the stars and directors. The film – directed by Anees Bazmee and starring Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal and John Abraham – has repeatedly been postponed from its original 2014 release date. The Dubai Film and TV Commission said the movie will still have its premiere in Dubai.
The movie – filmed largely in Dubai, with some scenes shot in Abu Dhabi – will be released in cinemas on Thursday. – The National staff
No release yet for NWA biopic
Straight Outta Compton, the biopic about the rise of hip-hop legends NWA, has been one of the surprise hits of the summer in the United States, topping box-office charts for three weeks. There was no news of a UAE release – perhaps unsurprisingly given the subject matter – until one media outlet reported an October 1 date had been confirmed. However, 4Star Films, who have the regional distribution rights, told us they have not yet received a copy of the film and no release date has been set. Pamela Abou Chabki, 4Star’s director of marketing, said: “We hope we can pass it through regional censorship … but we haven’t seen the film ourselves yet, so until we receive the prints, hopefully in a couple of weeks, we won’t know.” – The National staff
Sheikh Zayed Book Award kicks off
The committee for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award yesterday concluded its first reading-panel meetings in Abu Dhabi, the first step towards reviewing and selecting eligible nominations for its 10th edition. The committee members included Dr Khalil Al Shaikh, a member of the scientific committee from Jordan, Dr Ali Al Kaabi, a professor at UAE University, and Bahraini critic Dr Dheyaa Al Kaabi. The reading panel was headed by Dr Ali bin Tamim, the award’s secretary general. Nominations will be accepted until September 30 via the award’s website. The award was established in 2006 to foster greater scholarship and creativity. – WAM
UAE Winner of TV dance contest
Dev Chelot had all the right moves as he was crowned the grand winner at the final of UAE edition of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (the Indian version of Dancing with the Stars). He outdanced 11 other finalists on Saturday in the Jumeirah Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai. Bollywood choreographer Geeta Kapoor and master of ballroom and Latin American dance, Sandip Soparrkar, presided over the jury. Chelot wins a trip to Mumbai to compete in front of Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor in the finals of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which will be televised on Colors Middle East. – The National staff
Renowned portrait artist Nelson Shanks dies
Nelson Shanks, renowned for his portraits of prominent figures, from presidents to royalty, has died at the age of 77. He died on Friday at his home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, said Bill Wedo, a spokesman for the Studio Incamminati art school, which Shanks founded with his wife, Leona. Shanks painted well-known world figures including Princess Diana, Pope John Paul II and presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. The artist and his portrait of Clinton made news earlier this year when he told the Philadelphia Daily News that he included a subtle reference to the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal in the work. Shanks said that a shadow beside Clinton is a reference to Lewinsky’s infamous blue dress and the shadow the affair cast over Clinton’s presidency. – PA
