Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has brought WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange food to his base at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London and expressed concern for his health. The 49-year-old actress told Britain's Press Association that she delivered Assange "a nice vegan lunch and some vegan snacks". Assange has sought refuge at the Ecuadorean Embassy for more than four years to avoid returning to Sweden, which is seeking his extradition in a rape investigation. Assange denies the allegation and says he fears being extradited to the United States to face espionage charges if he leaves. Anderson joked that Assange wasn't pleased with her choice of a meal, saying: "He said I tortured him with bringing him vegan food". The Canadian star added that she supports Assange and is worried about his health and family. — AP
JJ Valaya & Alpana-Neeraj close India Fashion Week
Celebrated Indian couturier JJ Valaya and designer duo Alpana-Neeraj put their talents together for the grand finale of Amazon India Fashion Week in New Delhi on Sunday. The show began with a classical Kathak dance performance followed by music from Rajasthani folk singers. “The theme was India — modern and festive,” says Alpana. “Though we pulled through, it was quite a challenge.” The collection, which blended a trio of themes into one, comprised ensembles, lehngas, long modern dresses and capes with lot a of zari and Swarovski beadwork. “This collection was about maximalism, using any and every technique but in a very controlled manner,” says Valaya. “We segregated it into three collections. First, in a very royal and antique look, second in metallic and mirror work and third, going into a nomadic look.” - IANS
Keerthy Suresh and Saravanan Sivakumar to join forces
Indian film actress Keerthy Suresh has signed up to play the female protagonist in actor and producer Saravanan Sivakumar’s upcoming Tamil thriller Thaana Serntha Kootam. Marking the first time the duo will have paired up on the big screen, the action film’s team confirmed the news on the 23-year-old Suresh’s birthday on Monday, October 17. The movie, produced by Studio Green and directed by Vignesh Shivan, is slated to hit floors next month. Anirudh Ravichander will reportedly compose the musical score to the film. — IANS
Ben Affleck’s The Accountant tops box office
Ben Affleck's film The Accountant was the movie of choice with cinema-goers in North America during its opening weekend. The 44-year-old actor and producer's film exceeded expectations netting $US24.7 million. Comedy concert film Kevin Hart: What Now? delivered about half of The Accountant's numbers and the sci-fi adventure Max Steel clocked up a disappointing $2.1 million. Affleck portrays an autistic maths savant and weapons expert in the film who cooks the books for criminal organisations. Gavin O'Connor directs from a script by Bill Dubuque while Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons and John Lithgow also star. — Reuters
Bollywood pays tribute to musician Kersi Lord
Bollywood singers and musicians are expressing their condolences following the death of multi-instrumentalist Kersi Lord. The 81-year-old veteran of the Indian film industry is best known for having contributed to scores from Dum maaro dum and Chura liya hai tumne to Roop Tera Mastana. "What a loss! He was a genuine pioneer, and responsible for so much of the film music we all grew up to! Unsung hero Kersi Lord. RIP," Tweeted composer Vishal Dadlani. Hindi film musician Salim Merchant also shared his sadness by saying: "We've lost one of finest musicians of our Indian film industry. He was and will always be an inspiration. RIP Kersi baba". – IANS
Anoop Scoop to play the baddie in new film
Television actor Thakur Anoop Singh, who is currently busy shooting for producer Saravanan Sivakumar's Tamil action film S3, will make his Telugu debut as the antagonist in the upcoming film Winner. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, the project is expected to hit the screens worldwide on February 24 next year. "Anoop is playing the baddie," says Malineni. "Although I can't divulge more information I can assure it will be a very interesting role." The film will feature actor Sai Dharam Tej in the role of a fashion magazine editor and leading lady Rakul Preet Singh will play an athlete. — IANS
Geri Horner’s baby news reunites Spice Girls
Singer Melanie Chisholm says that the announcement of former Spice Girl Geri Horner’s (née Halliwell) pregnancy has gone some way to healing the rift within the pop group. The band reportedly divided into two camps after Mel C and Victoria Beckham refused to join Melanie Brown, Horner and Emma Bunton in a reunion to celebrate the group’s 20th anniversary. Mel C says that discovering Horner, and her husband Christian, are expecting a baby made them come to their senses. “This is what’s really important,” says Chisolm. “Let’s face it, we are all in our 40s, we are all mothers, we all have partners, we all have careers.” – IANS
