Aishwarya Rai named Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was today appointed as the new international Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, the joint UN programme on AIDS and HIV.

The announcement was made at the UN headquarters here by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.

In her new role, she will help raise awareness on issues related to stopping new HIV infections in children and advocate for increased access to anti-retroviral treatment. "I am honoured to accept this appointment. Spreading awareness on health issues specially related to women and children has always been a priority for me and now as a new mother I can personally relate to this -- the joys and concerns of every mother and the hopes that we have for our children," she said.

Her main focus will be to advocate for the global plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. This plan was launched at the UN in June 2011 and focuses on 22 countries including India, which account for more than 90 per cent of all new HIV infections among children.

Rai said she strongly believes that every baby should be born free from HIV. "I promise that with UNAIDS I will do my utmost to make this happen," she said. Sidibe said through Aishwarya's global outreach he is convinced that she will be able to help UNAIDS reach its goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015. UNAIDS, which is focused on working towards universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support, said 34.2 million people were living with HIV in 2011.

The new appointment will be one of Rai's first and most important associations with the United Nations. Last week, she had joined UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and renowned Hollywood actor Michael Douglas at a ceremony here to commemorate the International Day of Peace. She had also addressed a large group of students from varied backgrounds during a panel discussion on 'Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future'.

Later today, she would meet India's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri. Bachchan's father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan had served as the International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. (Press Trust of India)

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2012 Emmy Awards Winners List

The Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony took place Sunday night at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. Here is a list of winners:

Best drama: “Homeland.”
Best comedy: “Modern Family.”
Best miniseries or movie: “Game Change.”
Best drama actress: Claire Danes, “Homeland.”
Best drama actor Damian Lewis, “Homeland.”
Best drama supporting actress: Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey.”
Best supporting actor: Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad.”
Best drama director:Tim Van Patten, “Boardwalk Empire.”
Best drama writer: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, “Homeland.”
Best comedy actress: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep.”
Best comedy actor: Jon Cryer, “Two And A Half Men.”
Best comedy supporting actress: Julie Bowen, “Modern Family.”
Best comedy supporting actor: Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family.”
Best comedy director: Steven Levitan, “Modern Family.”
Best comedy series writer: Louis C.K.
Best miniseries or movie actress: Julianne Moore, “Game Change.”
Best miniseries or movie actor: Kevin Costner, “Hatfields & McCoys.”
Best miniseries or movie supporting actress: Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story.”
Best miniseries or movie supporting actor Tom Berenger, “Hatfields & McCoys.”
Best miniseries or movie director: Jay Roach, “Game Change.”
Best miniseries or movie writer: Danny Strong, “Game Change.”
Best variety series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.”

AFP

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Pop star Shakira, footballer Gerard Pique bracing for 1st child

BOGOTA: Colombian pop star Shakira confirmed Wednesday that she is pregnant with top Spanish football player Gerard Pique's baby, saying "promotional activities" were on hold to focus on her pregnancy.
"As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby!" Shakira said in a statement on her website.
"At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days."
The "Hips Don't Lie" singer said she would not participate in the iHeartRadio Music Festival on Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas.
"But I'm sure this weekend in Las Vegas will be spectacular and I will be closely following everything that happens there!" she added.
"I'd like to thank Clear Channel and my fans for their constant love and understanding. Big kiss! And will see you very soon!"
This will be the first child for Shakira, 35, and Pique, 25, who confirmed their relationship in March 2011.
Pique, a center-back for FC Barcelona, will be out for two to three weeks after hurting his left foot in his side's 3-2 win at home to Spartak Moscow in the Champions League, the club announced earlier.
His Twitter page featured a graphic of a pacifier, with a link to Shakira's message.
NBC television announced Tuesday that Shakira would temporarily replace pop singer Christina Aguilera as a judge on season four of reality talent show "The Voice," along with R&B singer Usher, who will sit in for Cee Lo Green. - AFP

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Brad Pitt ready to act in a Bollywood film

MUMBAI: Hollywood's reigning star Brad Pitt missed the opportunity of romancing Indian beauty Aishwarya Rai in "Troy", but with the growing presence of Indian films on the world stage, he says he might just decide to surprise fans by grooving in true Bollywood style any time.

"Indian cinema seems to be growing very well at its own pace. I would love to work in a Bollywood film as there is so much drama and colour in the films there," Pitt told IANS in an email interview.
"The filmmaking, I hear, has evolved a lot in India and of late we have witnessed some good films making a presence at the Oscars and the world stage," added the actor.
The presence of Indian films and their artists has witnessed a boost in the western world in recent times. International premieres, opportunities for actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan, as well as A.R.Rahman's Oscar-winning feat for " Slumdog Millionaire" have drawn international interest in India's cinematic offerings.
"That tells you a lot about the quality of the actors and the films. You never know when I might decide to work in a Bollywood film and do one of those dance numbers with the whole crew in the backdrop," quipped Pitt, who shot in the country for 2007 movie "A Mighty Heart".
The 48-year-old actor, who has been named among the sexiest men in the world multiple times, is especially fond of former Miss World Aishwarya. He says he is open to work with her.
"Given a chance, I would like to work with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan because she's a versatile actor. She has worked brilliantly in films like 'The Mistress of Spices', 'The Last Legion', 'The Pink Panther 2' and 'Provoked' to name a few," said Pitt.
"She is one of the most popular actresses of Bollywood, who has achieved huge acclaim in the west for her style, beauty and acting skills. I think we missed an opportunity to be cast together for the movie 'Troy'," he added.
Aishwarya was reportedly offered to essay the historical part of Briseis, but she turned down the offer by director Wolfgang Petersen. "Troy", released in 2007, continues to be one of Pitt's best performances till date.
Meanwhile, Pitt has finally decided to enter wedlock with his lady love Angelina Jolie, with whom he makes up the popular 'Brangelina' brand. The couple have six children. Though his wedding date is yet to be fixed, the actor has wished India's 'Saifeena' - Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor - all the best for their D-day next month.
"To be honest, I really think Saif and Kareena can be called Bollywood's sexiest couple so far. I am glad to know they are getting married soon. I wish them all the success for a happy married life," he said,
Pitt is currently eager for the release of gangster movie "Killing Them Softly", set to hit the screens Oct 5.
" 'Killing Them Softly' has a political agenda - one that it isn't too keen on hiding. It is an adaptation of a George V. Higgins novel about two low lives who make the unwise decision to rob a mob-funded card game and the hitman tasked with taking them down," he said about the movie. - GEO NEWS

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Robert Pattinson forgives Kristen Stewart

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have become an item again, just months after he walked out on her for cheating on him with married director Rupert Sanders, it has been revealed.
The 26-year-old actor is said to have had a heart-to-heart conversation with the tearful Hollywood beauty and forgiven her “stupid mistake”. According to a source, the ‘Twilight’ hunk had set up home with the brunette once more. According to a report in Times of India.
“They pretty much decided they couldn’t live without each other,” the Sun quoted the source as saying. “Kristen poured her heart out to Robert and told him it was a one-off and a mistake,” the source said.
The betrayed actor quit their Hollywood home in June after snaps of his girlfriend cheating on him with her ‘Snowhite and the Huntsman’ director surfaced.
He went to stay at Reese Witherspoon’s California ranch, where Stewart’s dad John begged him to patch things up with his daughter.Just days ago, Kristen jetted back to join him at the ranch.
“Rob sees it as Kristen made a really stupid mistake. After a lot of long tearful talks, they’ve worked it out,” the source said. “Rob can see how truly sorry Kristen is and has totally forgiven her.They really do love each other,” the source added.
The Hollywood A-list couple have now moved into a secluded pad in the same Los Angeles compound where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have a place and are due to appear on the red carpet together in November for the final ‘Twilight’ film ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2′ - (DAWN)

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Minnie Mouse and Americana hit London Fashion Week

LONDON: British designer Jasper Conran brought a taste of 1970s Americana to London Fashion Week on Saturday, while some of his colleagues paid tribute to an unlikely style icon -- Minnie Mouse.
On the second day of London Fashion Week, barefoot models trampled a grassy catwalk as they showed off Conran's spring/summer 2013 collection against a psychadelic backdrop of neon flowers.
Conran, the son of pioneering homeware designer Terence Conran, presented a string of whimsical mini-dresses in lime-green and orange crochet and white lace.
Touches of patchwork, alongside denim shorts teamed with sleeveless vests for a cow-girl look, gave another nod to twee Americana.
The 52-year-old's collection veered from the androgynous -- in the form of a severe white trouser suit -- to the voluptuously feminine, including a strapless dress in brilliant red.
A sequinned mini-dress harked back to the dawn of disco, while a majestic ball-gown added a touch of hippy chic.
At the more playful end of Saturday's programme, a dozen designers including Giles Deacon and Lulu Guiness created one-off works inspired by Disney's Minnie Mouse to be auctionned off for charity on eBay.
Richard Nicoll turned Minnie's famous black ears into the shoulders of a strapless dress that featured a print of her with Mickey -- her boyfriend since the two mice were created in 1928.
Hand-painted wedge heels by Terry de Havilland paid tribute to the red and white polka-dot print of her dress, as did a long, layered skirt by Dutch designer Michael van der Ham.
He teamed it with a top featuring a sequinned outline of Minnie's head.
"I really like when little girls wear tourist t-shirts with the silhouette of Minnie's face," van der Ham explained.
"They're normally printed so I wanted to refabricate that in a couture, hand-made piece," he said.
Sunday is one of the biggest days in the London Fashion Week programme, with highlights set to include a show from punk queen Vivienne Westwood.
The British fashion industry generates #21 billion ($34 billion, 26 million euros) every year and employs more than 80,000 people, according LFW's organisers, the British Fashion Council.
Some 5,000 buyers, journalists and photographers are expected to attend the shows, which organisers hope will bring in orders worth #100 million ($160 million). (AFP)

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Topless Kate Middleton photos cause new storm for UK royals

PARIS/LONDON: French magazine Closer unleashed a new media tornado on Britain’s royal family on Friday with a five-page splash of photos showing the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, sunbathing topless with Prince William in the south of France.

Closer, a weekly round-up of celebrity gossip, ran a dozen shots of the Duchess as she slipped off her bikini top, relaxed on a sun lounger and at one point pulled down the back of her bikini bottoms as William rubs sun cream on her.
Under the headline “Oh my God!”, the photos show the couple, whose regal yet natural conduct since their April wedding has won them fans worldwide, soaking up the sun on the balcony of a 19th century hunting lodge, oblivious to lurking paparazzi.
The spread is a blow to Buckingham Palace as it tries to move on from a scandal over naked shots of Prince Harry that tarred an image bolstered by Kate and William’s wedding, the Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee and her Olympic Games appearance.
While Closer defended its decision to publish the photographs, a royal spokesperson called it a grotesque move that had upset the royal couple, currently touring southeast Asia, and said Buckingham Palace was consulting lawyers.
“Their Royal Highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner,” a spokesperson for St James’ Palace said.
“Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them.” Closer’s editor-in-chief Laurence Pieau described the photos as a “beautiful series” that showed a couple in love and were in no way degrading. She said the magazine had more intimate shots from the same series that it opted not to publish.
“There’s been an over-reaction to these photos. What we see is a young couple, who just got married, who are very much in love, who are splendid,” Pieau told French BFM television.
“She’s a real 21st Century princess,” she added: “It’s a young woman who is topless, the same as you can see on any beach in France or around the world.”

WINDSORS TAKE THEIR CLOTHES OFF
Closer, published by Italian company Mondadori, would likely lose any legal case over invasion of privacy, although profits from the issue would likely far exceed any fine faced, likely just a few thousand euros.
“It’s without a doubt an invasion of privacy,” said Christopher Mesnooh, a US lawyer who practices in France.
“They were on vacation in a friend’s chateau. There was no expectation the press would be there. So visibly they have been damaged by the fact the pictures were taken and it is likely a French court would rule in that direction.” The publication — which set off a stream of mostly angry commentary on twitter — reopens a debate over the privacy of Britain’s royal family and the freedom of the press weeks after a US website published grainy photos of William’s younger brother Harry cavorting naked in a Las Vegas hotel room.
“Harry started the fashion: these days the Windsors take their clothes off,” the French magazine quipped in the photo spread, which it claimed as a world exclusive on the couple’s mini-vacation in early September.
Dubbing the affair “nipplegate” in some cases, a torrent of twitter commentary on both sides of the English Channel mostly chided Closer for running the shots.
A spoof account for Queen Elizabeth, @Queen_UK, which has nearly a million followers, tweeted “Dear The Sun, Don’t even sodding think about it,” in a mock threat to the British tabloid newspaper that published the nude photos of Prince Harry. The photos of Harry stained a positive image the Royal family has carefully crafted as it worked to turn the page on Princess Diana’s death in 1997 and a raft of scandals at the time including Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson having her toes sucked by a US businessman as she sunbathed topless.
Royal sources said the photo spread was a flashback to the paparazzi chases of Princess Diana, William’s mother, making it even more painful for him. “There is a feeling of anger and disbelief,” one source said. “We feel there has been a red line crossed with regard to publishing these images.” William and Kate were staying at the Chateau d’Autet near Aix-en-Provence in the Luberon region, whose picture-postcard villages, rolling lavender fields and vineyards have made it a favourite getaway spot for wealthy foreigners.
At one point the Duchess, clearly recognisable in the slightly fuzzy images, stands up and partly peels down her bikini bottoms as William rubs sun lotion on her back.
“The last time we saw Kate and William on a balcony it was for their wedding. But they had more clothes on,” reads one photo caption. Another says: “People always say she doesn’t need to dress up to look good. Well … Kate is proving this.” - (Reuters)

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Priyanka Chopra makes singing debut

Priyanka Chopra says she fulfilled her father’s long cherished dream of becoming a singer.

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who made her singing debut through international music single  In My City , said today that she fulfilled her father Dr Ashok Chopra s long cherished dream of becoming a singer. "My parents were very emotional when they heard my song. This was my dad s dream.

My dad was not all that happy when I became an actor and won national awards, like he is today" Priyanka told reporters at the unveiling of the album. "My father is an incredible singer. I am happy and overwhelmed that my family and friends are here. I am feeling like a newcomer...I am feeling it is my first film," she said.

Priyanka insisted the album is Indian at heart. "The heart of this album is Indian. It is a desi girl album. We will be shooting the video soon, we are planning things about the album, we will try and add some Bollywood elements to it. I am very nervous, I am shivering a lot," she said.

Priyanka revealed that she never thought of becoming a singer. "I never thought I would be a professional singer, also I never thought I would become an actor. If not this then I would be an engineer. I have never sung professionally...I never knew I would be doing it. I can t believe this is my event and I am overwhelmed," she said.

"I grew up listening to music from my parents. My father used to listen to Mohammed Rafi and my mother used to listen to international music bands like Beatles and Metallic," she said. This is just the beginning of my journey in the world of music," she said. The album will be available across all physical and digital platforms tomorrow exclusively on Universal music. - Dunya News

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Shah Rukh unbeatable in romance, says Karan Johar

Karan Johar and superstar Shah Rukh Khan have always created magic whenever they have teamed up.

They delivered hit films including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, and the filmmaker feels that SRK is the ultimate king of romance and no one can beat him in that space.

"I think no one can beat Shah Rukh in romance, he owns that space. If and when I am challenged to write a love story which I feel I can justify, I will definitely make it.

Right now, I don t know if there is enough of me to make another love story," Karan told in an interview.
With Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) Karan attempted a love story between three college students (Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee).

In 2003 super hit film Kal Ho Na Ho, Karan again formed a love triangle between terminally ill Shah Rukh, an uptight student Priety Zinta and her friend Saif Ali Khan.

While with Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna he explored the side of adultery and extramarital affair.
Karan hopes to make an unusual love story yet again hopefully with Shah Rukh. "There are so many love stories that are being made.

I feel I should have something unusual about the love story for me to tell through the film.

And working with Shah Rukh is always great.

I hope and pray that I should come up with films that would justify his tremendous star presence," he said.
Shah Rukh is now back to woo his fans once again with a romantic film with Yash Chopra s Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

The romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra, written and produced by Aditya Chopra, stars Shah Rukh, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in the lead.

"Shah Rukh is doing Yashji s film after a gap. I can t wait to see Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Its a film by Yash uncle, coupled with Shah Rukh s romance with Katrina and Anushka. will be spectacular," Karan said.(Dunya News)

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Salman Khan joins Facebook

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has joined social network site Facebook.

After Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan has joined Facebook and given a sneak peak into the chain of Being Human stores opening in October.

The actor s Facebook page went live Friday morning and has already got 2.6 million likes.

In a video message posted on his page, Salman said: "A lot of people told me  there are so many of (your) fake Facebook pages, so when are you joining it . So here I am on this platform."

"Jitne fake pages hain woh ya toh woh join kar le is page ko or kya kahun main?  Fake off  (So all the fake pages either just join this page or, what can I say, fake off)." "We are opening Being Human stores all over India starting October," he added. (Dunya News)

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Shah Rukh Khan hopes he will help bring back filmmakers to Kashmir

Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, who wrapped up a nine-day shooting for a film in Kashmir, has expressed hope that his film will help bring back filmmakers to the valley, according to a report in the Times of India.

Khan was working on an untitled Yash Chopra film, which was widely shot in Kashmir.
“I am not so big but when people see the film made by a big banner with big names associated with it, people will come. I am hopeful of that,” Khan told the media before heading back to Mumbai.
The Bollywood superstar said he hoped more filmmakers will shoot at the venue which was once hugely popular, before the region was hit by conflict between the Kashmiri locals and the Indian government.
“Any aspect that is geographical, ideological or political, the reason I won’t comment on it in depth is that my knowledge is lacking. The biggest issue we have is that when people talk about things they don’t know,” Khan said, when asked about negative portrayal of Kashmir in Bollywood films
The actor said it is the filmmaker who finally decides the story to be conveyed through his movie.
On the negative portrayal of Muslims in some movies, the actor said his film ‘My Name Is Khan’ was an attempt to clear the misgiving about Islam and Muslims around the world.
“There are some people from our community who do wrong but that does not mean Islam or Muslims are wrong,” he added.
Talking about his maiden visit to Kashmir and the movie, Khan said the film is a story about eternal love.
Shah Rukh said that his Kashmir visit was long due. “It was a dream to come to Kashmir. My grandmother was from here and my father was very keen to bring me here. He died when I was just 15 so I was a bit sad to come here without him. People here have been very kind, patient and wonderful to me,” he said.
The film, which is yet to get a title, marks Yash Chopra’s return to Kashmir after a gap of almost three decades. He last shot Kabhie Kabhie and Silsila in the Valley.
Upon leaving Kashmir, Khan posted on Twitter: “Leaving Pahalgham. Learnt lıfe’s lesson in my forefathers land. Only beauty is not enuff u gotta be tough too to survive. I will be Insha Allah” - Dawn

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Joker: The joke is on you

 MUMBAI: Akshay Kumar, wearing an outrageous hat, is dancing with a long-haired, ash-smeared, nearly naked holy man perched on his shoulders. At times, Kumar pats the man’s stomach even as the “baba” waves a “We Love Aliens” placard. No one will blame you if you ask — What exactly is going on here?

But hold your breath, for such moments will be too many to count and by the time you see an alien dancing to an item number, your brain will be numb and nothing in life will make sense except the neon EXIT sign that will seem like the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Joker” has Akshay Kumar playing Agastya, a scientist working for NASA who returns to his native village when he learns that his father is unwell. We are told Paglapur is missing from the map of India because the British officer who was supposed to survey it ran away on learning that escaped mental patients had taken over the village (yes, really).

Since then, Paglapur has been untraceable and has no electricity, no water or basic healthcare, but wait a minute, it does have a super-fast internet connection that allows the characters to watch live news, without buffering, on a shiny new Macbook Pro. In such situations, you have to look at the brighter side of life.

So Agastya, in order to put his town on the map, wants to create a crop circle, which will ensure media attention on the village and bring in progress. Director Shirish Kunder’s definition of progress, by the way, is a McDonalds outlet and a computer showroom.

When an old rival usurps that plan by proving that crop circles are man-made, he comes up with another — pretend that aliens have invaded the village and make the villagers fashion alien costumes out of vegetables. If only they had worked at actually trying to make a living, perhaps they wouldn’t be living in such penury, but of course such details don’t bother Kunder.

There is the FBI, the White House, an entire battalion of army tanks and soldiers, and even an actual UFO in the rigmarole and none of it is remotely coherent.

It would be a shame to even talk about technical aspects in the film except to say that I am thankful this movie wasn’t released in 3D as was originally announced. The special effects are slightly better than those on display at a school fancy dress parade. Akshay Kumar sleepwalks through the role and Sonakshi Sinha seems placed just to ask obvious questions and look demure.

If you choose to watch this movie for whatever reason, be warned dear viewer, the joke is on you. AGENCIES

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Hollywood brings thrills, chills, dramatic films this fall

LOS ANGELES: Fall brings colder weather across the Northern Hemisphere and Hollywood's major studios will usher into theaters cool action thrillers, chilly horror movies and some dramatic Oscar hopefuls looking for a head start on awards season.

From new James Bond flick "Skyfall" to another scary "Paranormal" installment and the long-awaited Paul Thomas Anderson Scientology drama, "The Master," there is plenty for cinephiles to dissect in the season, which begins after this weekend's U.S. Labor Day holiday and runs roughly to Thanksgiving.

The pace of movies is slower than the U.S. summer when the studios bring out blockbusters like "The Avengers" and "The Dark Knight Rises" weekly. But don't let the pace fool you; fall 2012 is neither short on quality nor quantity, experts say.

"Early fall can often be a little bit of a lull at the movies, but it can also be a time when real quality films can take advantage of a quiet marketplace and really stand out," Entertainment Weekly writer Dave Karger said.

The season kicks into high gear on September 21, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena playing Los Angeles police battling a ruthless drug cartel in "End of Watch," from writer/director David Ayer.

Ayer, whose previous LA cop flick, "Training Day," earned Denzel Washington a best actor Oscar, said the film shows "what it's like to work the streets in a way very few films have ever shown," pulling back the curtain on the cops' lives, personal and professional.

"It's not your typical Hollywood movie. It's very grounded, very real - almost a pseudo documentary. You'll walk out of this movie wanting to hug a cop," he said.

Guns continue to blaze on September 28 when Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt play the same person - only 30-years apart - in the time-travel flick "Looper" about assassins killing targets sent back from the future.

Liam Neeson is back as the CIA-trained, overly protective father in "Taken 2" (October 5) when the kidnappers who swiped his daughter in the first "Taken" movie return for revenge.

The best-selling Alex Cross crime novels get a reboot with Tyler Perry taking the lead role previously inhabited by Morgan Freeman in "Alex Cross" (Oct 19). This time, the detective psychologist takes on a hitman played by Matthew Fox.

On October 12, crime takes a comedic edge in "Seven Psychopaths," about a screenwriter (Colin Farrell) who gets involved in the Los Angeles underworld when his dog-snatching friend (Sam Rockwell) makes the mistake of kidnapping a Shih Tzu belonging to a crime boss (Woody Harrelson).

The season ends with a bang as the highly anticipated "Skyfall" comes out on November 9, amid a celebration of 50 years of Bond movies. This time around, Daniel Craig takes his third turn as 007 with Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes at the helm of the movie and Javier Bardem as the villain, Silva.

HALLOWEEN HAUNTS & OSCAR BAIT

Fall is long on horror as the studios play to fears ahead of Halloween. On September 21, Jennifer Lawrence finds herself haunted in "The House at the End of the Street." On October 5, a ghostly entity threatens Ethan Hawke and his family in "Sinister."

If that's not enough haunted house-themed flicks, the hugely popular franchise "Paranormal Activity 4" returns on October 19.

For family frights, animated "Hotel Transylvania" (September 28) stars Adam Sandler as a hotelier to non-humans whose world turns upside down when an overexcited human shows up. And Tim Burton brings his usual ghoulish charm to the screen with the stop-motion animated "Frankenweenie" (October 5) about a young boy who resurrects his late dog, Sparky. Arf!

Then, there is the Oscar race. In recent years, as Academy Award organizers moved their top film honors up by a month, to February from late March, the studios have been bringing more award hopefuls to theaters in September and October.

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" is creating Oscar buzz prior to its September 14 release. Set in the 1950s, the movie tells of a damaged alcoholic (Joaquin Phoenix) who is taken under wing by a charismatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of a spiritual movement not unlike the controversial Church of Scientology.

Also getting attention is "Argo" (October 12), directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Based on real events, the movie shows a CIA specialist's mission to free six U.S. diplomats in 1979 Iran by posing as a filmmaker and putting them among his bogus crew.

Actor John Hawkes gives a tour-de-force performance in "The Sessions" (October 26) playing a 38-year-old man who, having spent most of his life in an iron lung, decides to hire a therapeutic sex surrogate (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity.

But Hawkes will see Oscar competition from Daniel Day Lewis starring as Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's biopic, "Lincoln" (November 9).

Fans of the filmmaking Wachowski siblings (Lana and Andy of "The Matrix" movies) will try to wrap their heads around "Cloud Atlas" (October 26), starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in different roles throughout six interwoven tales.

"'Cloud Atlas' is the complete wild card," said Entertainment Weekly's Karger. "A two and a half-plus hour movie by the Wachowskis that looks so bizarre. It's probably going to be one of the most polarizing movies of the season."

Finally, there is sport-themed documentary "The Other Dream Team" ( S ept . 28), chronicling members of the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic basketball team as they go from life behind the Iron Curtain to newfound independence - with financial assistance from the Grateful Dead. --AGENCIES

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Salman film "Ek Tha Tiger" biggest hit since "3 Idiots"

 MUMBAI: Salman Khan continues to bring in the big bucks for Bollywood. "Ek Tha Tiger", the actor's latest film, has netted over 2 billion rupees in global ticket sales, making it India's biggest box-office hit after "3 Idiots".
The film, starring the 46-year-old action hero as a secret agent, opened to mixed reviews on Aug 15 but Khan's mass appeal has ensured audiences flocked to cinemas.
The formula of releasing films around Eid al-Fitr also seems to be helping -- "Dabangg" and "Bodyguard" were blockbusters, as was Khan's 2009 film "Wanted".
"Ek Tha Tiger" reached the billion-rupee milestone in just five days although ticket sales did appear to taper off after the Eid holiday.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called the film an "all time blockbuster" on Monday, posting on Twitter that the combined domestic and international business of the film stood at 210 crore rupees (2.1 billion rupees).
Domestic receipts for "Ek Tha Tiger" have already crossed 1.7 billion rupees, making it Khan's biggest career hit. His previous best "Bodyguard" hauled in 1.48 billion rupees in domestic ticket sales while box-office leader
"3 Idiots" had grossed over 2 billion rupees in India.
Trade analyst Vajir Singh said second week collections for "Ek Tha Tiger" stood at 194 million rupees, slightly lower than the 234 million rupees Khan's 2010 hit "Dabangg" had pulled in during its second weekend.
Single-screen cinemas, which account for most of the tickets sold in India, also saw a drop in audiences, although the week's new release "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi" wasn't expected to affect ticket sales for "Ek Tha Tiger".
"Yes, second week will always be slow compared to the first week, but this film is still doing well," said R R Vidhani, who owns one of Mumbai's oldest single-screen cinemas. "The crowds love Salman Khan." - AGENCIES

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