Spice Girls reunion?
Three members of the Spice Girls hinted at a reunion as they released a video on Friday marking 20 years since their band's debut single Wannabe stormed the charts worldwide. Emma Bunton, known as Baby Spice; Mel B, Scary Spice; and Geri Halliwell (now Horner), Ginger Spice, thanked fans for their support in a video posted on YouTube and a website called Spice Girls GEM, thought to refer to the trio's initials. There was no sign of the other two original band members, Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice; and Melanie Chisholm, Sporty Spice, in the video. "We hope to tell you soon what you want, what you really want," a written message in the video said, referring to lyrics from Wannabe. "We want to celebrate and have a party … And when we do, you're all invited," Mel B said. The Spice Girls released Wannabe in July 1996 and went on to sell more than 80 million records worldwide – Reuters
Home of killer in Silence of the Lambs sells for $195,000
The Pennsylvania house used in the Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs has been sold. Estate agent Dianne Wilk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the home in Layton sold last week for US$195,000 (Dh716,225). The house, about 30 miles south-east of Pittsburgh, was home to psychotic killer Buffalo Bill in the 1991 film that starred Anthony Hopkins as jailed serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as an FBI agent trying to learn the interworking of his mind. Scott and Barbara Lloyd listed the three-story Victorian home for sale last summer for $300,000. Wilk says the Lloyds felt the movie might have improved the home's value. She says the buyer was interested in the home because it had been in the film – AP
Salman fails to appear before NCW, files response via lawyer
Actor Salman Khan failed to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday over his controversial remarks and instead filed a response to the commission through his lawyers. The NCW, which is currently examining Khan's response, had summoned him in connection with the actor's remark where he compared his condition after shooting for a gruelling wrestling scene in his recently released movie Sultan to that of a "raped woman". On June 21 the Commission summoned notice to the actor asking him to apologise. – IANS
Khalnayak sequel in the works
Work on the sequel to the 1993 cult classic Khalnayak has begun with Sanjay Dutt (pictured) back in the lead role. Producer Subhash Ghai confirmed a new script is currently in the works, which will have Dutt returning as the hard-man, Ballu Balaram, who is released from prison after a 20 year sentence. Ghai said a director will be hired once the script is finished and the film should be released by the end of the year or early 2017. – Sonali Kokra
Cosby loses latest bid to get sexual assault charges dismissed
A Pennsylvania judge recently denied Bill Cosby's bid to have the sexual assault charges against him thrown out, ruling that the 78-year-old comedian must stand trial in the case. Judge Steven O'Neill rejected Cosby's arguments that prosecutors violated his rights by refusing to call the accuser, Andrea Constand, as a witness at a preliminary hearing in May, thus shielding her from cross-examination. Cosby is facing accusations of sexual assault from dozens of women stretching back decades. Constand's allegations that Cosby assaulted her at his home in 2004 have resulted in the only criminal prosecution against him, as most of the other claims involve incidents that are too old to produce charges. – AP
Salman Khan helped Aamir Khan bulk up for Dangal
Salman Khan has helped fellow A-lister Aamir Khan for his role in the upcoming Dangal. Both Khans play wrestlers in their big releases — Sultan and Dangal — this year. Salman recently revealed in an interview that he sent his personal trainer, Rakesh, to Aamir to help him beef up for his role in Dangal. Since he had been weight training for years, Salman said he managed his training on his own. Sultan is screening in the UAE while Dangal has been slated for December – Sonali Kokra