Katy Perry to perform new single at VMAs

Plus: Gulf Film Fest announces 2014 dates; Bachchan to shoot Dostana 2 in November; Salman Khan to make Marathi debut; George Lucas and wife have baby daughter.

The singer Katy Perry will perform her new single Roar during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards later this month. Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP

Katy Perry is returning to the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. Perry will sing her new song, Roar, live for the first time. She hasn't performed at the VMAs since 2009. The VMAs will be held on August 25. Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead the nominations with six apiece and Bruno Mars is next at four. Roar, which was released on Monday, is the first single from Perry's new album, PRISM, due out on October 22. Others announced for the show include Lady Gaga and Kanye West, who will be performing for a record-tying seventh time. – AP

Gulf Film Fest announces 2014 dates

The Gulf Film Festival has announced that its next edition will be held from April 9 to 15. This year's edition featured 169 films from 43 countries, bringing together filmmakers and film fans from the region and beyond. "We received overwhelmingly positive feedback on our sixth edition and our first Gulf Film Market, which we hope to grow year on year," said the festival's director Masoud Amralla Al Ali. "Our focus for the seventh edition of the GFF is to contribute as much as possible to building on that structure. As the industry matures, we hope to see incredible output from film professionals in the region and bring their work to screens in the UAE." – The National staff

George Lucas and wife have baby daughter

The Star Wars creator George Lucas, 69 and his wife Mellody Hobson, 44, have had a daughter. Everest Hobson Lucas was born on Friday, the first child for the couple, who were married in June. The baby was born via surrogate. Hobson, Lucas's second wife, is the president of Ariel Investments and chairman of the board for DreamWorks Animation. – AP

Bachchan to shoot Dostana 2 in November

The Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan announced that he will begin shooting his next film later this year – the sequel to the 2008 comedy Dostana. "We have been waiting for a very long time to make the film. We will start shooting later this year, November if I am not mistaken," the 37-year-old Bachchan told IBNLive. The sequel will see Bachchan and John Abraham reprise their roles, while the actress Katrina Kaif takes the female lead in place of Priyanka Chopra. Dostana 2 will be directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Karan Johar. – The National staff

Salman Khan to make Marathi debut

After 25 years in the Indian film industry, Salman Khan will act in a Marathi film for the first time. Titled Lai Bhaari, the film will be directed by Nishikant Kamat. Khan's fellow Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh, who turned producer for the Marathi film Balak Palak earlier this year, will also make his acting debut in the regional industry. Kamat told The Times of India: "Salman was gracious enough to show his interest in the project. He has already shot three days with us in Hyderabad. Let's term it as a special appearance." The director says he's thrilled with the current buzz surrounding Marathi movies. "Social networking sites have helped a lot. Even I am surprised at the sudden surge of interest for regional films which have got cash boxes ringing at the box office." – The National staff

Follow us

And follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.