Bollywood actress Sadhana passes away

Also, Downey Jr pardoned for drug felony conviction, sci-fi author passes away, Bieber helps boost charity single to the top, Janet Jackson postpones tour for surgery, and Gowariker keen on making sci-fi film.

Veteran Bollywood actress Sadhana Shivdasani. AFP Photo

Veteran actress Sadhana Shivdasani died over the weekend in Mumbai. The 74-year-old Bollywood star was a hit in the 1960s and 1970s starring in films such as Love in Shimla and Parakh. Shivdasani is believed to have died from cancer, but during a press conference, a spokesperson said: "Many speculative stories are floating around, but let me clarify it. Sadhanaji did not have cancer. She had high fever [on Thursday], and was taken to Raheja Hospital in Mahim. Unfortunately she expired." Actress Zarina ­Wahab said Shivdasani's death is a loss for the industry. "We were neighbours and she was really beautiful. She was really a good person and actress," she said. Her death is a loss for the entire industry. Her place cannot be replaced by anyone and I am feeling sad about her passing away." Shivdasani retired from acting in 1994. –IANS

Downey Jr pardoned for drug felony conviction

The governor of ­California has pardoned Robert Downey Jr for a 20-year-old felony drug conviction that sent the Oscar-nominated actor to jail for nearly a year. Downey was among 91 people granted pardons for criminal convictions after demonstrating they had rehabilitated themselves and been out of custody for at least 10 years. The pardon does not erase records of a conviction, but restores voting rights and is a public proclamation the person has remained out of trouble and demonstrated exemplary behaviour. Since 2008, Downey has portrayed Iron Man in a series of Disney blockbuster films, including The Avengers, based on the Marvel comic books. – AP

Sci-fi author passes away

George Clayton Johnson, the legendary science-fiction writer who wrote the first Star Trek television episode and several classic stories for the popular 1960s TV show The Twilight Zone, died on Christmas Day. He was 86. Johnson, who also co-wrote the dark futuristic tale Logan's Run, died of cancer in Los Angeles. His son, Paul B Johnson, said: "Please emphasise how much he loved his fans, and judging by the overwhelming response I've received from hundreds of people, known and unknown, he made quite an effect on them." – AP

Bieber helps boost charity to single to the top

The National Health Service Choir has beaten Justin Bieber to capture Britain's official number one Christmas song. Bieber's Love Yourself was ahead early last week – but then the singer tweeted that he wanted fans to "do the right thing" and boost the charity single to the coveted spot. The choir's mash-up A Bridge Over You finished nearly 31,000 copies ahead of Bieber. The choir said: "it's a brilliant celebration for the NHS across the country, so well done and thank you everyone." Proceeds will go to several health-related charities. – AP

Janet Jackson postpones tour for surgery

Janet Jackson has announced a temporary halt to her global tour to undergo surgery for an unspecified condition. The 49-year-old pop star, who returned to the spotlight with her Unbreakable tour on August 31 after several years of keeping a low profile, said doctors told her she needed an operation. "It breaks my heart to tell you that I am forced to postpone the Unbreakable Tour until the spring," she said in a statement on Twitter. "Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time." Jackson was set to resume her tour on January 9 and has dates scheduled across the United States, Canada and Europe through June. She did not give a date for her return but promised she would reschedule all concerts and honour tickets. Jackson released Unbreakable in October, her first album since the death of her brother Michael in 2009. – AFP

Gowariker keen on making a sci-fi film

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker says that he loves science fiction and would like to try his hand at making movies similar to Star Wars. While at a screening of Star Wars: ­Episode VII –The Force Awakens, Gowariker said: "I'm a crazy fan of Star Wars and just entering that world again, it's an amazing world. I just love [it]." He added: "Space interests me a lot. I love science fiction as a genre very much. Some time in the future I would like to do something on those lines." – IANS