02/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 2, 2025

LYFE 26 Hits bonanza A STRO rewarded customers with an exclusive musical show Up-Close and Personal with Anuradha Sriram last Saturday at Brickfields Asia College, Petaling Jaya. o Memorable treat for Anuradhra Sriram fans Karupayi ( Eazhaiyin Sirippil ) , O Podu ( Gemini ) , Oru Naal Oru Kanavu ( Kannukkul Nilavu ) , Karupputhan Enakku Pidicha Colouru ( Vetri Kodi Kattu ) , Lesa Lesa ( Lesa Lesa ) , Anbendra Mazhaiyilae ( Minsara Kanavu ) and more.

Over 300 fans of the legendary Indian playback singer, including customers, clients, media personnel and Astro employees, were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in her music. Hosted by Raaga’s very own talent Ahila, the show gave fans a chance to directly interact with the singer through Q&A sessions to make their musical experience even more memorable. The show kicked off with the singer performing one of her hit songs Malarodu Malaringu ( Bombay ). Subsequently, Anuradha performed many of her most popular songs, such as Karu Karu B PRAAK , one of Bollywood’s most beloved voices, is set to make his long-awaited regional debut in Kuala Lumpur this June 28 at Plenary Hall, KLCC. This marks a major milestone not just in his career, but also for fans who have been waiting years to experience his show-stopping stage presence live. Blending raw emotion with cinematic original soundtracks, B Praak has cemented his place as one of the defining voices in Bollywood and Desi contemporary pop. Before stepping into the spotlight as a singer, he made tremendous strides in Punjabi music behind the scenes – composing and producing tracks for icons such as Jassie Gill, Harrdy Sandhu, Amrinder VENICE Film Festival organisers announced that US film director Alexander Payne would be president of the competition’s jury this year. Payne, 64, has won two Oscars and two Golden Globes for his screenplays, and is best known for films such as Sideways, The Descendants and About Schmidt. “It is an enormous honour and joy to serve on the jury at Venice. I could not be more excited,” Payne said in a statement released by the festival’s organisersLa Biennale di Venezia . The Biennale’s board of directors followed the recommendation of Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, the statement said. “Payne belongs to the small circle of filmmakers-cinephiles whose passion for cinema is

Fans were also treated to performances by renowned local talents such as Michael Rao, Thivya Chandran and Murty, who staged 2000s hits such as Roja Poonthotam ( Kannukul Nilavu ) , Kaattu Sirukki ( Raavanan ) and Uyire En Uyire ( Thotti Jaya ). Up-Close and Personal with Anuradha Sriram was presented by Astro and Rocketfuel. Having trained in music from the age of six, Anuradha is among the Indian film industry’s most versatile singers. She has performed over 3,000 movie songs under leading music directors.

Anuradha performs for over 300 fans in Petaling Jaya.

B Praak to sing in M’sia for first time in June

Cannes adds Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence movies

fuelled by knowledge of films of the past and curiosity about contemporary cinema, without boundaries or barriers of any kind,” Barbera said, adding that the American was the “ideal” candidate for the role. The jury at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival will decide who wins the Golden Lion for best film and other prizes. Payne, who has never won a prize in Venice, made his feature film debut with Citizen Ruth in 1996. Sideways won him an Oscar and a Golden Globe for best screenplay. In the same category, he won an Oscar for The Descendants and a Golden Globe for About Schmidt . The 82nd Venice Film Festival takes place in the watery Italian city from Aug 27 to Sept 6. – AFP sensational evening as B Praak performs his greatest hits, including Mann Bharryaa , Teri Mitti , Filhaal , Ranjha and many more. B Praak Live In Malaysia is organised by Hitman Solutions. Tickets, ranging from RM198 to RM698, are available through official channels. Gill, Gippy Grewal, Diljit Dosanjh and Ammy Virk. His transition to singing earned him widespread acclaim, including multiple awards such as the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2021. After captivating audiences across India, Sydney and Dubai last year with well-received performances, B Praak is finally set to make his concert debut in Southeast Asia. Fans can look forward to a

Certain Regard competition.

THE Cannes Film Festival added a new film starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, as well as Kristen Stewart’s debut feature as a director to its roster of movies that will premiere next month on the French Riviera. US filmmaker Lynne Ramsay ( We Need to Talk About Kevin ) has been selected for the main competition with her thriller Die My Love starring Lawrence and Pattinson. Out of the 21 films in the main competition this year, seven have been made by women directors, the joint highest total. Iran’s Saeed Roustaee is also set to compete for the main prize with his latest feature Mother and Child , three years after showing Leila’s Brothers in Cannes, which led to him being sentenced to six months in prison in Iran. The festival has also secured the world premiere for the first film directed by former Twilight star Kristen Stewart – The Chronology of Water – which will screen in the secondary Un

The film follows a young girl

“who

grows

up

in

an

environment by violence and alcohol” who finds “refuge in literature”, according to its producers. Stewart will be up against fellow US actress-turned-director Scarlett Johansson whose first production Eleanor the Great has also been selected for the Un Certain Regard , which showcases emerging talents. French screen favourite Juliette Binoche, who has won acting honours at Cannes, Berlin and the Oscars, will chair the jury judging the in-competition features which are vying for the coveted Palme d’Or. This year’s line-up of 21 films includes some heavy-hitting festival circuit favourites, including Wes Anderson, Iranian director Jafar Panahi, the Dardenne brothers from Belgium and veteran US independent filmmaker Richard Linklater. – AFP ravaged

B Praak, an award-winning Bollywood singer and music producer known for his powerful vocals, will be making his Southeast Asian concert debut. US director Payne to head Venice Film Festival jury

Stewart’s The Chronology of Water will screen in the secondary Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival. – AFPPIC

Payne has won two Oscars and two Golden Globes for his screenplays. – AFPPIC