Ben Kingsley

American filmmaker Wes Anderson has signed on to direct an adaptation of Roald Dahls The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, for Netflix. Alongside Cumberbatch, the film also stars Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley. The production on the project is expected to start this month in London.According to Variety, first published in 1977, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More is a collection of seven short stories crafted by British author Dahl for older children. Cumberbatch will play Henry Sugar, the protagonist of the titular story, which poses the question - If you could see with your eyes closedwould you use your power for good or for personal gain?The news of the project follows the streamers acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company in September 2021, when plans were announced for the development of an extensive universe of animated and live-action film and television projects (including a series based on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Taika Waititi and Phil Johnston), as well as publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theater and consumer products.The project will mark Wes Andersons second outing with Dahls classic works after the filmmaker crafted The Fantastic Mr. Fox into a stop-motion film in 2009 and co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach. The best animated feature Oscar nominee also boasted an A-list voice cast, including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon and Bill Murray.Benedict Cumberbatch, on the other hand, is also no stranger to bringing iconic pieces of literature to life, having earned an Emmy award for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock) and voicing Smaug (in The Hobbit trilogy), the Grinch (in the 2018 animated film) and Shere Khan (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle).Most recently, Cumberbatch has garnered Oscar buzz for his leading performance as Phil Burbank in Jane Campions adaptation of the acclaimed novel The Power of the Dog. He was previously nominated for best actor for 2014s The Imitation Game. The actor is also a comic book icon after taking up the mantle of Marvels Dr. Stephen Strange in 2016 and appearing in six MCU films, including Spider-Man: No Way Home and the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

When Ben Kingsley immortalized Gandhi he didnt get an opportunity to study the icon first-hand. But Hrithik Roshan who will play the mathematical genius Anand Kumar is not letting go of the opportunity to play Anand as authentically as possible. Reliable sources close to the project tell us that that Hrithik Roshan will spend considerable time in Anand Kumars work place and home in Patna. Hrithik will take time off from his other commitments to play Anand Kumar. He will quietly visit Anand in Patna and observe him from close quarters. This will include visits to his home where Hrithik will spend time with Anands family. Hrithik will also learn to solve actual theorems from Anand, so he will look authentic while teaching and writing in the classroom, says the source. Interestingly Hrithik Roshan will hire a voice coach to train him in the Bihari sing-song speech. Says Anand, I speak in a particular way. You may call it a Bihari accent although there is no language called Bihari but yes; Hrithik who is most metropolitan in his bearing and language will unlearn many of his sophisticated manners in the quest to find my personality in his own. We are definitely spending time together. Anand who recently won Rs 25 lakhs for his educational funds on Kaun Banega Crorepati says the film industry is filled with the highest calibre of talent. From Amitabh Bachchan to Hrithik Roshan, the belief that the film industry is not be trusted and that its filled with opportunists and greedy people has been disproven. I feel blessed to know people like Bachchan Saab. Incidentally Anands appearance on KBC garnered the highest TRPs for the show during the current season. Sab oopar wale ki dua hai.Now I am looking forward to the bio-pic. I dont mind Hrithik Roshan singing a song or two when hes playing me, chuckles the maths guru. In the meanwhile, director Vikas Bahl, mired recently in a sex scandal, has been served a stern warning by his partners at Phantom, the company that helms Bahls bio-pic on mathematician Anand Kumar. A source reveals that Vikas was brought back from the dead. After he was accused of sexual misdemeanour, Vikass partners Anurag Kashyap , Vikram Motwane and Madhu Mantena agreed it was time to take a break from the partnership. But then the opportunity to make a biopic on Anand Kumar (to be titled Anand , if Hrishikesh Mukerjees film of that name doesnt claim copyrights, or else the film may be titled Gannit , meaning Maths) came along. Says the source, Vikas got the opportunity on condition that he mends his philandering ways. There were way too many women friends and too much womanizing. The Anand Kumar bio-pic is Vikas Bahls do-or-die effort to rebuild his crumbled career.

The gorgeous Shraddha Kapoor is definitely one lucky girl. While her debut film ( Teen Patti ) featured the legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley, the blockbuster of her life came in pretty early in the form of Aashiqui 2 , a smashing musical hit. If Bollywood Hungama's reliable sources are to be believed, then, Shraddha Kapoor is now all set to endorse to endorse Hair & Care hair oil.

The official announcement of the same is awaited.

Anupam Kher was honoured at third edition of The Asian Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel last night in London along with Sir Ben Kingsley, Nicole Scherzinger and late Hollywood legend Bruce Lee. Kher was awarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. Kher has famously crossed over into western cinema, most recently Silver Linings with Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, and is a proud ambassador for Asians in world cinema.

The coveted Fellowship Award went to Kingsley who collected the award for his outstanding five decade career. Global icon, Bruce Lee was honoured with the prestigious Founders Award, for his impact and influence on western cinema, and also to mark the 40th anniversary of his death. The award ceremony was hosted by Lord Sebastian Coe, the man billed as one of the masterminds behind the London 2012 Olympics.

Kher says, "I am truly humbled and honoured for being awarded The Asian Award for my work as an actor. As an actor, all we do and want to do is make people laugh, cry, and persuade many other emotions by our craft. Our achievement at the end of the day is when the audience really does understand what we are doing. And the best part is when the spectrum is not India but Asia and the awards are not only for the category of cinema but other fields too. It is also an honour to be given this award the same year as Sir Ben Kingsley. Makes me feel very proud!" Previous Asian award honourees include some of Asia's leading figures, including Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Asha Bhosle, Jay Sean, AR Rahman and Ratan Tata.