Cinema
Jaya Ahsan’s Bollywood debut confirmed as photos emerge with Pankaj Tripathi, other co-actors
Popular Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan, who was rumoured to be making her debut in Bollywood soon, is now officially confirmed as a cast member of Indian filmmaker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's next project.
The actress was seen in photographs with her co-actors including Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi, actress Sanjana Sanghi, Malayalam blockbuster film ‘Charlie’-famed actress Parvathy Thiruvothu and others, alongside the director and producer on Wednesday.
Read more: Jaya Ahsan bags 'Black Lady' again!
Jointly written by Viraf Sarkari, Ritesh Shah and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, shooting for the film began on Wednesday. The film is being shot in Mumbai and Kolkata. It is an investigative drama with a heart-warming story, centred around the coming together of a dysfunctional family.
Regarding her Bollywood debut, Jaya Ahsan said to the Times of India that she is excited to be a part of the film. “This is my first film in Hindi and my character is an integral part of the movie. When this offer came to me, I was thrilled and said yes immediately because Aniruddha is the director, and I have Pankaj Tripathi as one of my co-actors. I have always wanted to work with them and the fact that it’s my first Hindi film doubles the delight.”
Read more: Is Jaya Ahsan making her debut in Hindi cinema?
Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury said, “This film has a story layered with intrigue which reveals itself over time - how faced with odds, people come together to form a strong unit. I am so happy to collaborate with Wiz Films and an eclectic cast like Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjana Sanghi, Parvathi Thirovothu and Jaya Ahsan along with crew Avik Mukhopadhyay, Ritesh Shah, Shantanu Moitro and Arghyakamal Mitra.”
The yet-to-be-titled film is produced by Wiz Films, KVN and HT Content Studio, in association with Opus Communications.
Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ role taught him lesson post-slap
While filming “Emancipation,” Will Smith routinely drew inspiration from the words “sacred motivation” that were written on the front page of a script. But the Oscar winner heavily leaned on the phrase even more in recent months, as he tried to overcome the backlash to his Oscars slap and banishment from the ceremony.
“It’s like when you can locate and center yourself in your divine purpose, you can withstand anything and everything,” Smith said of the phrase that greeted him when he took on the lead role in Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation,” which is currently in theaters and will be available to stream Friday on Apple TV+. “Sacred motivation” became like a theme for him and his castmates, Smith said.
The film, completed months before Smith strode onto the Oscars stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock for a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, was a grueling shoot. Inspired by an iconic 1863 photo of the scarred back of “Whipped Peter,” Smith portrays the character Peter — a man who attempts to escape slavery while he uses his wits to dodge slave hunters and brave alligator-infested Louisiana swamps in his quest for freedom.
READ: Apple to release Will Smith's 'Emancipation' post-slap
The photos of “Whipped Peter” were taken during a Union Army medical examination that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. An image known as “The Scourged Back” showed countless mutilated whip marks on Peter’s bare back that were delivered by his enslavers. The photo contributed to the growing opposition to slavery.
Smith said his character taught him a lesson in overcoming adversity after he faced condemnation, memes and a 10-year Oscars attendance ban. The “slap” seemingly overshadowed his own biggest career milestone, which came later in the night: winning his first-ever Academy Award, best actor for “King Richard.”
The backlash rocked Smith, but Peter ultimately helped steer him back on track too.
“Peter has absolutely helped me through these last few months, just reestablishing within myself in what my purpose is in this world,” Smith said in a recent interview, one of his first since the Oscars. He has repeatedly apologized for his behavior after accepting his ban.
Normally, “Emancipation” might earn Smith some serious Oscars buzz. He’s still eligible for nominations and awards, but can’t personally accept them. Given backlash to “The Slap,” Smith mainly hopes that audiences will still watch Fuqua’s film.
“This movie was so grueling. Literally across the board, everybody had to devote a hefty amount of suffering to what you see on that screen,” Smith said. “So my greatest wish, and I guess I can talk about my greatest fear, is that my team would be penalized for my actions. I’m out with this film that I love and strictly want my people to get their flowers.”
Fuqua knows Smith made a mistake, but he hopes audiences can move past it. The director believes the story about Peter’s search for freedom, fighting to get back to his family and being a catalyst in highlighting the horrific side of slavery in “Emancipation” is much bigger than “The Slap.”
“Peter’s story is so inspiring, especially as a Black man. We go through a lot of things daily, just being Black,” said Fuqua, known for directing “Training Day,” “Equalizer” films and “The Magnificent Seven.” He said his new film tackles how certain elements of racism in America that still occur today.
READ: Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
“For me, it’s a mistake,” Fuqua said of Smith striking Rock on live television. “Hopefully everybody can get back on track and God bless everyone. But we’re talking about 400 years of brutality.”
Bingwa, who plays Peter’s wife Dodienne, credits Smith’s ability to endure the adversity while pushing forward through it.
“It’s in line with the film. I imagine it’s been a tough period,” said Bingwa, who hopes audiences can learn more about Peter’s determination to return home after making a promise. “I don’t want to speak on Will’s behalf, but he’s been an inspiration to so many for so long. I love seeing him with his head held high. Everyone can learn from his experience. I just love the way you took it on the chin, you’re wearing it and walking forward. We’re all human.”
While promoting the film, Smith held private screenings for several influential figures including Rihanna, Tyler Perry, Dave Chappelle, LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates along with students at Morehouse College. He garnered a great amount of support from those individuals, giving him somewhat a sigh of relief.
Each time Smith harkened back to Peter’s story, the more he became empowered to share his character’s journey.
“I feel very comfortable in this current situation with this project, with these people,” he said. “I feel cleansed. I feel purified and transformed in many ways. And as one of the lessons from Peter is, ‘Suffering leads to salvation.’ So I am comfortable taking my medicine.”
Two-time Emmy winner Kirstie Alley dies at 71
Kirstie Alley, a two-time Emmy winner whose roles on the TV megahit “Cheers” and in the “Look Who’s Talking” films made her one of the biggest stars in American comedy in the late 1980s and early 1990s, died Monday. She was 71.
Alley died of cancer that was only recently discovered, her children True and Lillie Parker said in a post on Twitter. Alley’s manager Donovan Daughtry confirmed the death in an email to The Associated Press.
“As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother,” her children’s statement said.
She starred opposite Ted Danson as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers,” the beloved NBC sitcom about a Boston bar, from 1987 to 1993. She joined the show at the height of its popularity after the departure of original star Shelley Long.
Alley would win an Emmy for best lead actress in a comedy series for the role in 1991.
“I only thank God I didn’t have to wait as long as Ted,” Alley said in her acceptance, gently ribbing Danson, who had finally won an Emmy for his “Cheers” role as Sam Malone in his eighth nomination the previous year.
She would take a second Emmy for best lead actress in a miniseries or television movie in 1993 for playing the title role in the CBS TV movie “David’s Mother.”
She had her own sitcom on the network, “Veronica’s Closet,” from 1997 to 2000.
In the 1989 comedy “Look Who’s Talking,” which gave her a major career boost, she played the mother of a baby who’s inner thoughts were voiced by Bruce Willis. She would also appear in a 1990 sequel “Look Who’s Talking Too,” and another in 1993, “Look Who’s Talking Now.”
John Travolta, her co-star in the trilogy, paid her tribute in an Instagram post.
“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had,” Travolta said, along with a photo of Alley. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
10 Best South Indian Movies Releasing in December 2022
South India is going to complete a grand year in the film industry. 2022 has seen blockbusters like RRR and KGF-2. The smoke of Kantara has not yet cleared out. Amidst all this hype, some more Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films are coming toward the very end of the year. Among them, this article lists the 10 most anticipated South Indian Movies to debut in December this year.
Top 10 Upcoming South Indian Films in December 2022
HIT: The Second Case/Telugu/December 2, 2022
This sequel to 'Hit' is a wonderful blend of action and thriller, masterfully written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu. Adibi Sesh will be seen here in the role of Vishwak Sen starred in the first version. He will be accompanied by Meenakshi Chowdhury, Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali, Tanikella Bharani, and Komali Prasad.
The story of cinema follows a police officer named Krishna Dev (KD) after a brutal serial killer who only targets women. Not only the murder, but KD is shocked to see the killer's barbaric activities after the killing.
Read More: Top 10 South Indian Films Coming in November 2022
The music of the movie was composed by Suresh Bobbili and MM Srilekha while the score was done by John Stewart Edury. S Manikandan did the cinematography and Gary BH did the overall film edits. The production company of the film is Wall Poster Cinema.
Panchatantram/Telugu/December 9, 2022
This authorship and direction of Harsh Pulipaka actually is a modern-day fairy tale that will stimulate every real sense. The audience will find a combination of peace, fear, desire, love, and determination in a humorous background.
Sandeep Raj contributed with Pulipaka to write the film's dialogues. The lyrics of the songs were written by Kittu Visapragada and the music composition was supervised by Prashant R. Bihari and Shravan Bharadwaj.
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The cinematography section was looked after by Raj Nalli and Gary Vaughn made the film edits. The film is produced by Srijan Yarabolu and Akhilesh Vardhan. Movie production companies were Ticket Factory and S Originals.
Adhira/Telugu/December 16, 2022
With this film, Prashant Varma is going to make his second superhero project. He himself wrote the story and directed the film. The lead artist will be the newcomer actor Kalyan Dasari, another identity of whom is that he is the son of 'RRR' producer, DVV Danya.
It is basically a story of an ordinary man becoming a superhero. By using his superpowers to save mankind, he begins to gain the trust of the masses. But when the formidable enemies all come together to attack, the whole situation begins to turn. Will he really be able to keep the faith of his fans?
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Shivendra worked behind the camera and Gourahari composed the music. Srikanth Patnaik R. was engaged in editing the cinema.
K Niranjan Reddy produced the film on behalf of Primeshow Entertainment. There will also be Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi versions during the release.
Gatta Kusthi/Tamil/December 2, 2022
This drama film is written and directed by Chella Ayyavu. Gatta Kusthi is a popular form of wrestling in Kerala. Although the film is made with this sport in the background, it is not actually a sports film. This family film explores the differences of opinion of a newly married couple. The unfulfilled expectations of their lives have been tested for error. Even at one stage, marital discord arose.
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The film stars Aishwarya Lakshmi, Vishnu Vishal, Ajay, Kali Venkat, Karunas, and Munishkanth. The film's music and background score are composed by Justin Prabhakaran. The cinematography of the movie was done by Richard M. Nathan and the movie was edited by Prasanna GK.
The movie is jointly produced by Ravi Teja, Aryan Ramesh, Vishnu Vishal, and Shubhra under the banner of RT Team Works and VV Studios. The film will be simultaneously released in Telugu with the title Matti Kusti.
Varalaru Mukkiyam/Tamil/December 9, 2022
Santosh Rajan has written and directed this romantic comedy film. And through this film, Rajan entered the world of movie direction.
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A simple boy who is indifferent to life gets involved in one funny incident after another. Besides riding bikes and spending a great time with friends, love also comes into his life. Every step of the way is accompanied by sophisticated hints for caution in daily living. Almost every element of a proper commercial film has been tried in the story of the movie.
The film is produced by RB Chowdhury under the banner of Super Good Films Company. The film stars Kashmira Pardesi, Pragya Nagra, and the producer's son Jeeva in lead roles. The film's music and score were composed by Shan Rahman. Cinematography and Movie Editing were done by Sakthi Saravanan and NB Srikanth respectively.
DSP/Tamil/December 2, 2022
Hailing from a middle-class family, a police officer tries his best to meet the needs of his family. At the same time, he has to be busy chasing the top terrorist in the area. How far can he go to handle the family and office like this?
Read More: Is Jaya Ahsan making her debut in Hindi cinema?
The comedy movie based on this story is called DSP, directed by Ponram. The drama movie stars Vijay Sethupathi, Shivani Narayanan, Poogaz, and Anukriti Bhas.
The movie was much appreciated by the Censor Board while gaining the U/A certificate. The film is shot by Dinesh Krishnan and edited by Vivek Harshan. D Imman was the chief music director of the movie. The film is produced by Karthekayen Santhanam and Karthik Subbaraj under Stone Bench Films.
Vedha The Brutal 1960s/Kannada/December 23, 2022
After 'Bajrangi', 'Bajrangi-2' and 'Bajrakaya', director A Harsh and legendary actor Puneeth Rajkumar's brother Shivrajkumar are coming together for the fourth time. In March 2021, the director announced the making of Vedha.
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But due to tragic events like Punit's death, the shooting got delayed. However, the production of the movie started again in full swing in December 2021. The film's dialogues are written by Raghu Niduvalli.
This period-action film is basically set against the backdrop of a remote rural area.
Shiv Rajkumar is going to make his debut as a movie producer with this 125th film of his career.
In the movie, Dr. Shivarajkumar is accompanied by Ganavi Laxman, Umashree, Aditi Sagar, Raghu Shivamoga, Jaggappa, Bharatha Sagar, Vinay, Sanjeev, and Kuri Pratap.
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The music direction was handled by Arjun Yaya and the cinematographer was Swami J Gowda. Dipu S Kumar served as a film editor and Ravi Santehakkalu as art director. The film is going to be released from Zee Studio and Geeta Pictures movie house.
Vijayanand/Kannada/December 9, 2022
This is the story of Vijayanand, who started a business at the age of 19 and overcame many obstacles to become a successful businessman. It all started in Gadag, a small town in the heart of North Karnataka. He gradually became the owner of 4300 cars.
This movie made with a life-changing story was directed by Rishika Sharma. The film cast includes Nihal Rajput, Bharat Bopanna, V. Ravichandran, Ananth Nag, Prakash Belawadi, Siri Prahlad, and Vinay Prasad.
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National award-winning composer Gopi Sundar was the music director of the film. The cinematography was completed by Kirtan Pujari and the film was edited by Hemant Kumar D.
This Kannada movie will also release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. VRL Films is going to make its production debut through this movie.
Gold/Malayalam/December 1, 2022
This comedy thriller film was written, edited, and directed by Alphonse Puthren. He has also worked on stunt choreography, visual effects, animation titles, and color grading for the movie. Puthren is going to return to film direction after seven years since the film Premam in 2015.
Read More: ‘Agantuk’ wins Film Bazaar Award in Goa
The movie, produced by Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frame, will feature Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. Nayanthara will act as a guest artist. They will be joined by Deepti Sati, Ajmal Aamir, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Vinay Forte in supporting roles.
The film story follows a mobile shop owner who orders a new car. But on the day of the delivery, he saw a pick-up truck with a portable speaker parked in his yard. After a few days, he suddenly noticed that the small boxes inside the truck were not actually speakers, but gold bars.
The music of the film was composed by Rajesh Murugesan as usual. But this time he started his first collaboration with Prithviraj. All the lyrics were written by Shabrish Verma. Anind C Chandran and Biswajit Odukkathil were in charge of the cinematography.
Read More:Israeli filmmaker at IFFI calls ‘The Kashmir Files’ a ‘propaganda’; ambassador apologises
Saudi Vellakka/Malayalam/December 2, 2022
The well-known director Tharun Murthy of 'Operation Java' fame is going to present this drama film under his own writing and direction. Based on some true events, the film focuses on commercial entertainment filled with humor, family drama, and music. The entire story of the film is decorated with diverse characters.
The film stars Lukman Avaran, Vincy Aloysius, Binu Pappu, and Sujith Shankar.
Sharan Velayudhan worked as the cinematography director of the film and Nishad Yusuf was in charge of editing. Pali Francis made his musical directorial debut by composing music for the film.
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Sandeep Senon, best known for Thandimuthalum Drikasakshiyum, has produced the film under the banner of Urbashi Theatres.
In a Nutshell
With these 10 Best coming soon South Indian Movies in December 2022, a year of movies is going to have a great ending.
After the announcements of the release dates of the new versions of several superhit movies, the audience can’t wait for the new year. Perhaps it can be overstated to say that December's Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada movies will outrun those anticipators. But it is certain that the momentum of the entire South Indian film industry will gain a new dimension.
Read More: Iranian who inspired ‘The Terminal’ dies of ‘heart attack’ at Paris airport
Is Jaya Ahsan making her debut in Hindi cinema?
Popular Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan has won over the local as well as India's Kolkata-based film industry with her acting prowess.
Now, according to West Bengal media, the versatile actress could be making her debut in Hindi cinema.
Read: 5 Most Memorable Performances of Sushmita Sen
According to Kolkata's Anandabazar Patrika, Jaya could be seen in the Hindi movie "Karak Singh", directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury where renowned Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi will play the title role.
"Karak Singh" is going to be based on the story of a financial scam. The movie will be shot in Kolkata and Mumbai, sources said. Jaya, however, has not cleared the air and has not confirmed whether she is going to make her debut in a Hindi film.
Israeli filmmaker at IFFI calls ‘The Kashmir Files’ a ‘propaganda’; ambassador apologises
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, who criticised “The Kashmir Files” as a “propaganda” and “vulgar film” at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, today (November 29, 2022) received harsh criticism from the Israeli ambassador to India.
In an “open letter” posted on Twitter the day after IFFI jury chair Lapid criticised the movie at the festival’s closing ceremony, Israeli envoy Naor Gilon also expressed his regrets to India, NDTV reports.
The 1990 migration and murders of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley is the subject of Vivek Agnihotri’s film “The Kashmir Files”. Since it was released in March, it has been engulfed in controversy.
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The Israeli ambassador tweeted this morning: “An open letter to #NadavLapid following his criticism of #KashmirFiles. It’s not in Hebrew because I wanted our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It is also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Here’s why:”
Ambassador Gilon claimed that filmmaker Lapid had exploited the judges’ panel invitation from the film festival in India’s Goa in the “worst way”.
He wrote: “In Indian culture they say that a guest is like God. You have abused in the worst way the Indian invitation to chair the panel of judges at @IFFIGoa as well as the trust, respect and warm hospitality they have bestowed on you.”
Read: Iranian who inspired ‘The Terminal’ dies of ‘heart attack’ at Paris airport
“I unequivocally condemn such statements. There is no justification. It does show the sensitivity of the Kashmir issue here,” the Israeli ambassador’s tweet read. “From your interview to Ynet the connection you make between your criticism of #KashmirFiles and your dislike to what is happening in Israeli politics was quite evident.”
He further tweeted: “As a human being I feel ashamed and want to apologize to our hosts for the bad manner in which we repaid them for their generosity and friendship.”
Gilon claimed in tweets directed to Lapid that the relations between Israel and India are very strong and will endure the “damages” caused by the latter’s comments.
Read More: In Kashmir, ‘conscious music’ tests India’s limits on speech
Israeli filmmaker and IFFI jury head Lapid yesterday (November 28, 2022) remarked that “The Kashmir Files” movie “disturbed and shocked” the festival jury members. He said, “That felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.”
5 Most Memorable Performances of Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen is one of the most cherished beauty queens in the Indian subcontinent. Winning the Miss India crown led her to the Miss Universe pageant. Then in 1994, at the age of 18, Sushmita became the first Indian to become Miss Universe. Since then, movie lovers started getting to know about her artistry in the cinematic universe. This crash of millions of fans is going to reach 47 on November 19, 2022. On this occasion, let’s take a trip to the archives and enjoy the 5 most noteworthy performances of Sushmita Sen in Bollywood movies.
5 Best Films of Sushmita Sen
Aankhen (2002)
IMDb: 7.4
Directed by Vipul Amritlal Shah, this heist thriller film is basically a remake of his own Gujarati play Andhalo Pato or Blindman's Buff. Here Sushmita shares the screen with Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Aditya Pancholi, and Paresh Rawal.
In the story, a short-tempered man is unexpectedly fired from the position of bank manager. He decides to rob a bank to take revenge. Interestingly, he arranged for three blind men to be trained to do this risky job. The responsibility of this mentoring falls on the shoulders of a school teacher named Neha Srivastava.
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Sushmita Sen has played the role of Neha with extraordinary skill. In the film, she paired up with Arjun Rampal, who was one of the three blinds. Sen earned much appreciation for her performance in the character.
The movie had a stellar opening at the Indian box office. With a gross figure of Rs 471.9 million, this hit movie became the second-highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 2002. Even it got a nomination for Best Film at the 9th Annual Screen Awards.
Main Hoon Naa (2004)
IMDb: 7
This masala film directed by Farah Khan made a huge contribution to Sushmita Sen's career. Her co-artists here were Shah Rukh Khan, Sunil Shetty, Amrita Rao, and Zayed Khan.
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Major Ram Sharma disguises himself as a university student on a mission to save the general's daughter from a dangerous rogue soldier. During the mission, he falls in love with a newcomer chemistry teacher at the university. And this chemistry teacher was none other than Sushmita. Her sensational approach to this role in the film packed with comedy, romance, and action is still etched in the hearts of fans.
May Hoon Na received an amazing response at the Bollywood box office. The film achieved the 2nd position among the highest-grossing Indian films in 2004 by earning Rs 84 crore. This Chandni Chopra character was one of Sushmita's popular roles, which earned her many accolades. These include nominations for Readers' Choice Star - Actress of the Year at the Stardust Awards and Best Supporting Actress at the Zee Cine Awards.
Samay: When Time Strikes (2003)
IMDb: 7
Directed by Robby Grewal, this thriller movie is basically the Bollywood version of the famous Hollywood film Se7en.
Read More: Top 10 South Indian Films Coming in November 2022
In this movie, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Malvika Chauhan is constantly struggling to solve various murders in the city. Sushmita Sen plays the lead role i.e. ACP Malvika Chauhan in the high-tension movie. She was accompanied by Jackie Shroff, Sushant Singh, and Barkha Singh.
Iranian who inspired ‘The Terminal’ dies of ‘heart attack’ at Paris airport
An Iranian man who lived for 18 years in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport and whose saga loosely inspired the Steven Spielberg film “The Terminal” died Saturday in the airport that he long called home, officials said.
Mehran Karimi Nasseri died after a heart attack in the airport’s Terminal 2F around midday, according an official with the Paris airport authority. Police and a medical team treated him but were not able to save him, the official said. The official was not authorized to be publicly named.
Nasseri lived in the airport’s Terminal 1 from 1988 until 2006, first in legal limbo because he lacked residency papers and later by apparent choice.
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Year in and year out, he slept on a red plastic bench, making friends with airport workers, showering in staff facilities, writing in his diary, reading magazines and surveying passing travelers.
Staff nicknamed him Lord Alfred, and he became a mini-celebrity among passengers.
“Eventually, I will leave the airport,” he told The Associated Press in 1999, smoking a pipe on his bench, looking frail with long thin hair, sunken eyes and hollow cheeks. “But I am still waiting for a passport or transit visa.”
Nasseri was born in 1945 in Soleiman, a part of Iran then under British jurisdiction, to an Iranian father and a British mother. He left Iran to study in England in 1974. When he returned, he said, he was imprisoned for protesting against the shah and expelled without a passport.
He applied for political asylum in several countries in Europe. The UNHCR in Belgium gave him refugee credentials, but he said his briefcase containing the refugee certificate was stolen in a Paris train station.
French police later arrested him, but couldn't deport him anywhere because he had no official documents. He ended up at Charles de Gaulle in August 1988 and stayed.
Further bureaucratic bungling and increasingly strict European immigration laws kept him in a legal no-man's land for years.
When he finally received refugee papers, he described his surprise, and his insecurity, about leaving the airport. He reportedly refused to sign them, and ended up staying there several more years until he was hospitalized in 2006, and later lived in a Paris shelter.
Those who befriended him in the airport said the years of living in the windowless space took a toll on his mental state. The airport doctor in the 1990s worried about his physical and mental health, and described him as “fossilized here.” A ticket agent friend compared him to a prisoner incapable of “living on the outside."
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In the weeks before his death, Nasseri had been again living at Charles de Gaulle, the airport official said.
Nasseri's mind-boggling tale loosely inspired 2004's “The Terminal” starring Tom Hanks, as well as a French film, “Lost in Transit,” and an opera called “Flight.”
In “The Terminal,” Hanks plays Viktor Navorski, a man who arrives at JFK airport in New York from the fictional Eastern European country of Krakozhia and discovers that an overnight political revolution has invalidated all his traveling papers. Viktor is dumped into the airport’s international lounge and told he must stay there until his status is sorted out, which drags on as unrest in Krakozhia continues.
No information was immediately available about survivors.
Winners of Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn get air tickets, movie vouchers
Five winners of Star Cineplex's "Awesome Autumn" campaign, selected through a raffle draw, have received air tickets and movie vouchers.
They watched movies at Star Cineplex from October 1-31.
First prize winner Nasreen Akhtar got Dhaka-Maldives-Dhaka air tickets for two; second prize winner Sirajul Islam Rana received Dhaka-Cox's Bazar-Dhaka air tickets for as many people.
Private carrier US Bangla Airlines provided the tickets. However, Star Cineplex will not arrange accommodation for the winners.
The other winners received movie vouchers from Star Cineplex.
The third prize winner got six movie vouchers, the fourth prize winner won four and the fifth prize winner received two movie vouchers.
Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Senior Manager (Media and Marketing) of Star Cineplex said: "The prizes were handed over to the winners at Star Cineplex Bashundhara City Shopping Mall branch in Panthapath in the capital on November 9."
Star Cineplex started its journey in 2004 at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in the capital's Panthapath.
Now it has branches at Shimanto Shimanto Shambhar in Dhanmondi, Sony Square in Mirpur, SKS Tower in Mohakhali, and Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijoy Sarani in the capital. Two more branches are under construction outside Dhaka in Chittogram and Bogura.
Read more: Saman Ali finally watches 'Poran' at Star Cineplex wearing lungi
'Damal' to hit theatres in 15 US cities Nov 18
Popular filmmaker Raihan Rafi’s latest film ‘Damal,’ inspired by the true story of the Shadhin Bangla Football Team from the 1971 Liberation War era, is set to hit US theatres on November 18.
The film will be released in 15 cities across the US including New York’s Jamaica Multiplex; North Hollywood and San Francisco in California; Dallas and Houston in Texas; Baltimore; Chicago; Orlando; Miami, Detroit, Reno and Portland.
On December 2, the film will be screened in 50 halls of Regal Cinema Hall, Harkins Theatres and Cinemark Theatres, said Raj Hamid, CEO of Bioscope Films.
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Advance ticket sales have already begun, he added.
He further said, “We promoted the film 'Damal' while Rafi's Poran was running in the US. This film will create a stir in the United States, he hopes.”
‘Damal’ was released across Bangladesh on October 28.
Produced by Impress Telefilm Ltd the film stars Siam Ahmed, Sariful Raaz, Bidya Sinha Mim, Sumit Sen Gupta, Shahnaz Sumi, Intekhab Dinar, and others.