Brooke Mueller, the ex-wife of Charlie Sheen, is reportedly one and a half months into a six month stay at a rehab facility.

The 38-year-old actress – who has six-year-old twins Bob and Max with ex-husband Sheen – is currently a month and a half into a six month stay at the facility, Us Weekly magazine reported.

Following her ex-husband’s HIV announcement in November last year, the mother-of-two confirmed that neither her or her children are HIV-positive.

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A representative said in a statement at the time: “Brooke has been inundated with calls from friends and family. To put their minds at ease, Brooke can confirm that she and the boys are not HIV-positive.”

The organisers of IIFA Utsavam along with its stakeholders have raised over Rs.1 crore for the victims of flood-ravaged Chennai as part of their campaign ‘Be One For Chennai’.

The first edition of Fortune Sunflower Oil IIFA Utsavam, organised by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), will take place here between January 24-25.

“It was unfortunate that we had to reschedule the event from December because of the floods in Chennai. We had lost a lot of money; nevertheless we managed to raise over Rs. 1 crore with the help of our corporate sponsors,” Andre Timmins, director, IIFA Utsavam, told IANS.

The event will celebrate and honour the best of talent across the four southern film industries.

It was earlier scheduled to be held last year, but had to be delayed due to the Chennai deluge. Now the proceeds from the ticket sales and donations from the event are being directed towards providing relief to the deluge victims.

Why did it take IIFA to venture into the southern market 16 years?

“There was always a plan but things quite never fell in place. We wanted to have something exclusive planned for southern cinema, because we know it’s a big industry and it deserves more limelight. We’re glad we could finally start something,” Timmins said.

Explaining further, he said: “We didn’t want to replicate what IIFA was doing in Bollywood. With such great talent in the south, we wanted reinvent and add more spunk.”

This year, the focus will not just be on the award ceremony.

“We’ve created the FICCI-IIFA business forum where renowned Indian film personalities such as Kamal Haasan, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Anil Kapoor among others will participate. It’s going to be the perfect synthesis of business and entertainment,” he said.

Special performances by stars such as Ram Charan and Akhil will add glamour to the award function.

“The southern stars have shown lot of encouragement. Without their support, we couldn’t have pulled this off,” said Timmins.

The next two editions of IIFA Utsavam will also take place in the city.

“Three years later, we plan to take it abroad. We also have plans to take it other southern cities like Chennai and Cochin,” he said.

English rock band Radiohead are set to headline a series of European festivals this summer, including Spain’s Primavera Sound, Portugal’s NOS Alive and Switzerland’s OpenAir St Gallen.

The Thom Yorke-fronted band retweeted the announcements by the festivals on Twitter, fuelling speculation about a new album and further tour dates, reported Digital Spy.

Suggestions about an imminent release of their upcoming ninth LP were rife when it emerged the band had registered a new company called Dawn Chorus LLP.

It follows a similar trend to the surprise release of their last two albums In Rainbows and The King of Limbs.

Radiohead will play Primavera in Barcelona alongside the newly reformed LCD Soundsystem and Sigur Ros.

NOS Alive in Portugal will also see sets from The Chemical Brothers, Pixies and Tame Impala, and the Oxford band will top the bill at OpenAir in Switzerland alongside Mumford & Sons.

Filmmaker Selvaraghavan and music composer Santhosh Narayanan are teaming up for a yet-untitled Tamil horror film, which is slated to go on the floors next week.

“Santhosh has been officially signed on for the project. He has already started working on the tunes. It will be a no-nonsense horror film,” a source from the film’s unit told IANS.

S.J. Suryah and Regina Cassandra are set to play the main lead.

“This will be the first time Santhosh and Selvaraghavan are teaming up. The regular shooting of the project begins from January 28,” the source said.

Filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon is bankrolling this project under Ondraga Entertainment.

Santhosh is currently composing music for Rajinikanth’s “Kabalia” and Vijay’s yet-untitled next Tamil outing.

This year, he also has films such as “Iraivi” and “Kadhalum Kadhandu Pogum” up his sleeve.

Director Ali Abbas Zafar has “welcomed” lead actress Anushka Sharma for his upcoming film “Sultan”.

Zafar also mentioned that the crew has “wrapped up” the first day of shoot with the “PK” actress.

“Just wrapped first day of shoot with @AnushkaSharma. Team @SultanTheMovie welcomes you on board,” Zafar tweeted on Friday (January 22) morning.

Just wrapped 1st day of shoot with @AnushkaSharma . Team @SultanTheMovie welcomes you on broad …:)

— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) January 21, 2016

Also read: Anushka Sharma begins shooting for Salman starrer ‘Sultan’, shares day one pic 

The “NH10” actress was announced as the lead actress of the superstar Salman Khan starrer earlier this month.

An “excited” Anushka too tweeted: “New beginnings … New journey… Heading for the first day of #Sultan shoot. Excited! Here we go.”

New beginnings … New journey .. Heading for the first day of #Sultan shoot . Excited !! Here we go .. !! 👊🏼

— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) January 21, 2016

One of the fittest stars of Bollywood, 50-year-old Salman has gone through intensive training for wrestling and mixed martial arts for Zafar’s directorial with international action director Larnell Stovall.

Produced by Aditya Chopra under his Yash Raj Films banner, “Sultan” is slated to hit the screens on Eid in 2016.

Sex doesn’t always sell. Ekta Kapoor’s porn-com Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 has failed to entice viewers despite being loaded with adult content. The big surprise was when the film which is tailor-made for single screen audiences received a big thumbs down from viewers at the popular Gaiety Galaxy in Bandra. A few viewers, who we spoke to, were disgusted with the storyline and jokes cracked in the movie. Many felt there was nothing new in the storyline and the double entendres too lacked enough charm to elicit laughter. (Read review of Airlift)

It’s Akshay Kumar’s Airlift that has managed to impress audience. People we spoke to a Gaiety Galaxy sounded ecstatic about the movie, the plot, the patriotic element and above all Akshay Kumar’s performance. Viewers came out of the theatre smiling and clapping thoroughly satisfied with the real life event showcased in the film. (Read review of Kya Kool Hain Hum 3)

Watch the audience reaction

For the moment, it seems Akshay Kumar and Airlift has taken off smoothly while Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 has failed to excite audience. Warning bells should ring in advance for Sunny Leone and Mastizaade.

Anas Rashid is popular for his portrayal of a perfect husband in “Diya Aur Bati Hum”, but the actor has no plans to give up his bachelor status in real life anytime soon.

He says getting married is a “long tedious process” which he “cannot commit to right now” due to his professional commitments.

Anas, who hails from Punjab, gained popularity with his character Sooraj Rathi in the Star Plus show in which he is seen supporting his wife through thick and thin.

When the 35-year-old actor was questioned about his marriage plans, the actor said he will plan to get hitched when he has some time off from shooting for the serial.

“I am shooting for 30 days a month. My character needs to be there all the time. There are days when I have to cancel my one-day off and come on set to shoot. So taking 15-20 days off to get married is impossible,” he said in a statement.

He added: “Getting married isn’t easy. As for me, I would want to personally go back home and invite all my relatives, sit back and enjoy the entire festivities with them. It’s a long tedious process which I cannot commit to right now.”

But has he found the love of his life?

Anas said he “will get married to the girl I like but she should also be someone who my parents approve of and accept.

“I am not looking for anyone currently but I’m sure everything will eventually fall into place,” he added.

Actor R. Madhavan, who is awaiting the release of his new film “Saala Khadoos” which features him as a rough and tough boxing coach, will host an episode of TV show “Savdhaan India” to dwell on parental pressure on children.

Madhavan, who’s a father himself, has raised his voice against the academic pressure put by the parents on their children.

Talking about it, the actor said in a statement: “I’m fortunate to be a part of ‘Savdhaan India’ as this show discloses eye-opening stories that are prevailing in our country and aims to (make) aware masses and fight against these crimes.

“With the increasing competition, the pressure from the parents has also increased, which is leading to the large number of suicides among the children. It’s high time some awareness needs to be spread about this issue.”

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“Savdhaan India” airs on Life OK and showcases crime stories inspired by real life events.

The episode featuring Madhavan as the host, will air on January 28.

It will focus on a particular case revolving around a family in which the child is pressurised by his mother to score highest in his academic exams. Drained from the pressure, the child starts bunking his classes, resorting to unfair means and eventually kills himself.

David O Russell is known for both his strong female characters and his whimsical stories. Joy is an example of when the two don’t mix.

Loosely based on Joy Mangano, the woman who invented the Miracle Mop and became a retail phenomenon, the film works scene from scene, and shines when some of its actors including Lawrence (nominated for an Oscar) come on screen. However, as a whole, it is a strange approach, almost reluctant to give Mangano credit where it is due even while giving Lawrence as Joy a triumphant walk across a Dallas street in a leather jacket and oversize dark glasses befitting any hero worth his or her gleamy shoes.

Soap opera is a running theme through the film, and Russell goes to the effort of filming his own with real-life TV stars. This TV show is playing on a black-and-white set when the film opens, and includes characters with names such as Clarinda and Bartholomew and everything from rich inheritance and loaded guns to monks who are actually dukes in disguise. Joy’s mother Terry (Madsen) survives on the soap opera, always dressed in an elaborate coiffure, sitting in a darkened room, her finger constantly on the remote.

Seventeen years later — by which time Joy has grown up from a 10-year-old girl with dreams of “making beautiful things” to a single mother juggling a job, two children and broken plumbing — that same soap opera is still on. The characters haven’t aged, and neither has Terry at least.

Russell, also the screenwriter, portrays Joy’s life as a soap opera that is not without its own melodrama and colourful characters. The only sane voice is of her maternal grandmother, Mimi (Ladd), who narrates the story. Apart from Terry, there is her wannabe-rock-star ex-husband Tony (Ramirez), who continues to live in her basement, and Joy’s father Rudy (de Niro), who hurtles from one failed marriage to another and is currently between lovers and hence sharing the basement with Tony. Then there is Peggy, Rudy’s daughter from another marriage, who shares an openly combative relationship with Joy.

Glamour is added by a widow Rudy meets over a dating helpline. She turns out to be Trudy, or more importantly Isabella Rossellini, who is rich, beautiful, and opinionated.

It’s during one of those strange afternoons where the dysfunctional family finds itself together on Trudy’s sail boat that Joy chances upon the idea of a self-wringing mop.

While it is setting up Joy’s world, the film appears to have an idea of where it is going. It’s when she makes the next leap that it enters more uncertain territory, see-sawing between the same sense of absurdity and bouts of seriousness, and not really mixing the two well. Patents, lawyers, fraud, embezzlement suddenly enter the picture, and the ease with which Joy falls in and out of crises doesn’t do her any credit.

If Rossellini and Madsen’s oddball roles are a delight, Cooper also impresses in the brief time he is on screen as the executive who allows Joy to sell her mop on television.

However, the film belongs to Lawrence, even if she is perhaps a little too polished. As Russell struggles to get a grip on her role, she at least falls in step pretty efficiently — whether Joy is deeply crestfallen or completely overwhelmed.

Directed by David O Russell
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert de Niro, Bradley Cooper, Virginia Madsen, Diane Ladd, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini
Stars 3

Young adult fiction, and an end-of-the-world scenario. A spaceship hanging in the sky, and green aliens. A 16-year-old with a crush, and a little brother with a big teddy bear. Refugee camp with a farm and natural water, and an Army base with kids strapped to electrodes.

There is more. The 5th Wave doesn’t get to attack Earth just once but, as the name suggests, five times. None of them feels close enough.

Large portions of the popular book — the third in the trilogy is still being written — have been left out in filming. However, it’s unclear if anything could have helped this mistimed and ill-directed venture whose disjointed parts jar in contrast.

One thread involves Cassie (Moretz) who has seen her mother die of a virus (the 3rd wave), her father killed by the Army and her brother taken away by soldiers along with other children to a military base. On the run and trying to make her way to brother Sam (Arthur), she meets Evan Walker (Roe), a boy deft in medical care, emotional intelligence and handling guns.

In the parallel story line, her brother (none the worse for the separation) is being trained for “the fight against The Others (the aliens)” by Colonel Vosch (Schreiber), who runs the Army base. Here one of Sam’s constant companions is the aforementioned and long-forgotten crush of Cassie, Ben (Robinson).

As conspiracies un-spool — Armymen killing Cassie’s father and other parents didn’t really leave any mystery — Cassie manages to get a glimpse of Evan’s bare torso and has an earth-shattering moment of own.

To people of an older generation, that blow comes a couple of scenes earlier when Bello appears as a senior Army officer in grotesque make-up that includes heavily coloured lips and thickly gelled hair. The fate of that lipstick is the real tragedy of The 5th Wave.

Directed by J Blakeson
Starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Alex Roe, Zackary Arthur, Liev Schreiber, Maria Bello
Stars 1

Actress Sunny Leone is happy that superstar Aamir Khan came out in her support following her TV interview and expressed a desire to work with her in near future.

The 34-year-old Indo-Canadian actress, who is an ardent fan of the “PK” star, said Aamir’s tweet about her is a great gesture.

Read: I will be happy to work with Sunny Leone: Aamir Khan

“I can’t express in words how happy I am. It was a very sweet and amazing gesture by him because as actors we all live in a bubble. He took his phone out and expressed his opinion… He supported me and it’s a great feeling,” Sunny told PTI.

In the interview, which has garnered a lot of negative attention on social media and flak from Bollywood celebrities, Sunny, a former adult star, was asked whether Aamir would want to work with her and she had said, “Probably not.”

Sunny faced it sportingly, and it is this spirit which impressed Aamir, who later tweeted that he would be happy to share screen space with her.

Also read: I love my life and would like to be reborn as Sunny Leone, says Sunny Leone

“I think anybody in the entire world would like to work with an actor like him. He is someone for whom I have immense respect. Regardless of what happens in the future, I will always be Aamir’s fan. I have always said that I am a fan of Aamir and I always watch his movies,” she said.

The actress was in the capital to promote her upcoming adult comedy “Mastizaade”, in which she is donning a double role.

Also read: Sunny Leone interview: A classic case of a man silencing the woman by hijacking her story

The “Jism 2” actress feels it’s tough to make people laugh.

“It’s probably one of the toughest jobs because everybody is expecting to laugh when they sit on their seats with their popcorn. There is definitely an expectation, which is already set in people’s minds. Besides me, Vir (Das) and Tusshar (Kapoor), our supporting cast is very funny and those are the people who elevate the lead actors’ performances.”

Also read: Sunny Leone confesses she was surprised with the support from the industry

Directed by Milap Zaveri, the film hits theatres on January 29.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha’s upcoming “Jai Gangaajal”, which was stuck at the censor board, today got a clearance from the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which asked for two minor changes in the film.

Censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani had earlier demanded 11 cuts in the Priyanka Chopra-starrer action drama and had threatened Jha to give the film an ‘A’ certificate if necessary changes were not made.

Jha said the tribunal today watched the movie and called it “powerful” and so decided not to disrupt it with unnecessary alterations.

“There are just two cuts now but they are very minor. They asked me to just tone down little bit. He (Nihalani) had asked for 11 cuts. Now, we have been allowed everything including the language. There are no objections,” Jha told PTI.

“The tribunal appreciated the film and called it a very powerful movie. They said they don’t want to disrupt it.”

“Jai Gangaajal” is a sequel to Jha’s 2003 hit “Gangaajal”, which starred Ajay Devgn.

The 63-year-old director had first gone to the examining committee but the members there had a difference of opinion. He then approached the revising committee, which was presided by Nihalani himself.

“I felt so humiliated at the revising committee where he himself was the chairperson. And I had to tell him to stop shouting. His behaviour is bad and so is his thinking. The way he treats producers is humiliating.”

Jha, who is known for his films like “Apaharan”, “Raajneeti”, “Aarakshan” and “Satyagraha”, said the methods in which Nihalani works are highly “questionable” and he should know that his behaviour will not be tolerated.

“The censor board is not a menace, it is all Nihalani’s personal agenda. He does not understand. His own manipulations and methods are questionable. I hope he gets the signal that these things will not be tolerated,” Jha said.

“Jai Gangaajal” will release on March 4.

The ‘double trouble’ edition of “Bigg Boss” will come to an end with a double bonanza. Superstars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will be part of the “Bigg Boss Nau” grand finale, where four contestants will vie for the winner’s spot.

Salman and Katrina were earlier linked together. They will be making an appearance on the small screen at a time when they’re in news for a rumoured ‘secret meeting’ following Katrina’s alleged break-up with Ranbir Kapoor.

Also read: Katrina Kaif spotted with ex-boyfriend Salman Khan amid split rumours with Ranbir Kapoor

Katrina is coming to the finale to promote her forthcoming film “Fitoor”, and she will be showing her dance moves in the episode with her co-star Aditya Roy Kapoor.

One can expect witty remarks by the “Dabangg” star in his trademark style during the reality show, which is aired on Colors channel.

Also read: ‘Bigg Boss’ to welcome general public in season 10

An Indian version of international series “Celebrity Big Brother”, “Bigg Boss Nau” saw celebrity contestants locked inside a house for three months under constant camera surveillance, sans any luxury they’re used to.

Also read: Bigg Boss 9: Salman Khan most unbiased reality TV show host, says evicted contestant Priya Malik

The ninth edition was no less exciting than the previous seasons with its share of controversies, fights and brickbats. The finalists are Rochelle Rao, Mandana Karimi, Prince Narula and wild card entrant Rishabh Sinha.

There’s more in store. Bollywood’s “Gunday” star Arjun Kapoor, who will soon be making his television debut with “Khatron Ke Khiladi”, will share a glimpse of forthcoming seventh season of stunt-based reality show.

Also read: Katrina keeping herself busy post break-up with Ranbir Kapoor?

The four finalists will be seen having a face off against four of “Khatron Ke Khiladi 7” contestants – Sana Saeed, Sidharth Shukla, Raghav Juyal and Mahii Vij.

And Arjun will give a dance twist to the episode, which will be telecast on Saturday, with a power-packed performance.

The audience can also expect some former contestants to take to the stage again and shake a leg.

The finale will not only provide a treat for the audience, but for the finalists as well as they will get a makeover by celebrity stylist Hakim Alim.

Also read: Bigg Boss 9: Evicted contestant Keith Sequeira hopes Rochelle Rao becomes role model for young girls

The team of “Comedy Nights Bachao” — Bharti Singh and Krushna Abhishek – will also come to the stage to ease the tension. And small screen’s “Naagin” Mouni Roy and child artist Siddarth Nigam will also perform.

“Bigg Boss Nau” made its way onto the small screen in October. And the biggest high-point of the season was the “Karan Arjun” moment when Shah Rukh Khan and Salman came together, giving their fans a reason to cherish the moment forever.

Reality show producer and actor Raghu Ram of “Roadies” fame, who has split from Sugandha Garg — his wife of 10 years — says he’s happy that he has found his “friend” back. (Read: Jugni movie review, two and a half stars)

“Thanks! But we’re not a couple anymore. I lost my wife but found my friend back. And I’m very happy for that,” Raghu tweeted.

Thanks! But we’re not a couple anymore. I lost my wife but found my friend back. And I’m very happy for that 😊 http://t.co/GgpE6vac0F

— Raghu Ram (@tweetfromRaghu) January 22, 2016

Raghu was dating Sugandha, also an actress, before they decided to exchange wedding vows.

Also read: Our bond needed change: Sugandha Garg on split from Raghu Ram

The actor shared his views while responding to one of his followers when he posted: “@tweetfromRaghu @sugandha_ram you guyz look great together”.

So proud of my friends! #Jugni starring my buddies @sugandha_ram & @samirsharma5d AND #Airlift… http://t.co/Ardkw7alno

— Raghu Ram (@tweetfromRaghu) January 22, 2016

The couple announced the news of their split earlier this month.

Also read: Yes, Raghu and I are separating, confirms Sugandha Garg 

Actress Mannara Chopra, who featured in the 2014 movie “Zid”, says being a part of the film industry is not a struggle for those who work hard.

Mannara, who’s the cousin of National Award winning actress Priyanka Chopra, said: “It’s never been a struggle because I feel that in this industry, if you work very hard, there is no struggle for anyone. Mumbai is a city where everyone is running for work, and there is enough work for everyone.”

Mannara gained attention in a cute and bubbly avatar in a popular advertisement with jingles composed by Amit Trivedi. She then made her Hindi film debut with the film “Zid”, which saw her in a bold avatar.

About starting her career with a film replete with skin show, she said: “I’m very proud of whatever I do in my life. At the end of the day, you should be appreciated for the work you do and even today when someone watches it on YouTube, they say that the girl’s work was very good.

“So I’m very happy about the fact that it was my first movie – a very difficult role.”

Mannara said that she is currently working in three to four films.

“They are different kind of roles and I’m proud of each one of them. I just hope that once people are going to watch it, they appreciate it,” the actress said.

Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dilwale’, which collected Rs 365 crore overseas, has become the second highest grosser of 2015.

‘Dilwale’ had become the highest collecting film in Singapore (only Bollywood film to cross Singapore $ 1 million), South Africa, Netherlands, Malaysia (6 times bigger than the last highest grosser), West Indies & Jordan.

Dilwale is also the second highest collecting film of all time in overseas markets such as UAE –GCC (which also had the highest opening weekend for any Bollywood film), Peru, Kuwait, Indonesia, Egypt and Morocco.

Some other countries that saw the highest opening weekend for a Bollywood film include Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Pakistan.

Also read: There’s certain insensitivity in India: Kajol

Pakistan and Australia saw trends of a different kind, where Dilwale became the 3rd film ever to cross $ 2 million and the first ever SRK film to cross AUD 1 million, respectively. While in UK, which is one of the biggest overseas markets for Bollywood films, it had collections, which were unbelievable. UK crossed GBP 1 million in just five days and it was the fourth SRK film to cross GBP 2 million. Only seven films have done it so far.

Only 16 films so far have crossed $10 million overseas, in which SRK has 9 films, which shows the reach and following he enjoying in overseas.

The film was released on December 18, 2015.

Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Aditya Vikram Sengupta on Friday (January 22) questioned the need for superhero films in Hindi, specifically when India has its rich mythology to draw from.

“Children in India are relating to it (films like ‘The Incredible Hulk’ and ‘Avengers’). Why do they need to see it in Hindi? Are they getting dissatisfied because of the language,” Ali countered a query from an audience member at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here on Friday.

He was asked whether there is a gap between Hollywood and Hindi films in the genre of superhero films for kids.

Ali explained that though Bollywood films like “Krrish” have been successful, Hollywood keeps churning out enough superhero entertainers.

“For the audience of superheroes in India, do we need to make films in Hindi specifically or is Hollywood doing the job already? So why do we try to fit into that slot,” he asked.

The “Tamasha” maker expressed his desire to “make a superhero type of movie which perhaps could be from Indian mythology”.

The National Award winner Sengupta added to the discussion by saying that Indian mythology is replete with superheroes like Hanuman.

“I heard from someone that the US doesn’t have a rich mythology as we have and so they have the superheroes to make up for it,” observed Sengupta.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali believes censorship in India needs to be holistic and should also consider restrictions on other mediums of communication via which viewers can access the censored content.

Responding to a poser from a young audience member — on whether India’s censorship policy takes away the audience’s liberty to choose the movie they want to watch — at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here on Friday (January 22), the “Tamasha” maker batted for a holistic point of view rather than just adhering to strict points.

“I feel the censorship of movies should also look at the censorship of various other mediums of communication that the audience is used to.

Also read: ‘Kids in India relating to Hollywood superheroes’

“So if there is free flowing information, let’s say on Torrents, on the internet and I can get to see anything, then to be stopped from watching it in a movie will discourage me from going and watching that movie,” Ali replied.

“… so it has to be more holistic. You can’t be very clerical about, it you need to have a motive rather than have certain very strict points,” he added.

The audience member referred to the cuts in Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” as “severe”. He said the film had been reduced to a point where it doesn’t look like a typical Tarantino movie.

Legendary tabla player Shankar Ghosh died at a private health facility in Kolkata on Friday (January 22) after being critically-ill for over a month due to pneumonia, cardiac problems and old age complications, hospital sources said.

Ghosh, 80, leaves behind his wife – Hindustani classical vocalist of Patiala gharana Sanjukta Ghosh – and his famed percussionist son Bickram Ghosh.

The exponent of the Farrukhabad gharana of Hindustani classical music had undergone an angioplasty following heart complications in mid December at the Medica Superspecialty Hospital, but his condition deteriorated soon after.

He was on ventilator since Wednesday. He breathed his last 9 p.m. on Friday.

“He had been suffering from pneumonia with a background of ischaemic heart disease. Old age, diabetes and hypertension had added to the problems,” a statement released by the hospital said.

Hailed as one of the all-time greats of Indian classical music, Pandit Shankar Ghosh had for over five decades regaled audiences both in India and abroad with his unique baaj (style) of playing the tabla.

Known for his innovative genius, he revolutionised both the art of tabla solo performances as well as tabla accompaniment.

He is the creator of the much acclaimed all-drum orchestra Music of the Drums – later called the Calcutta Drum Orchestra.

Ghosh trained mainly with the legendary Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh. Ustad Feroz Khan, Pandit Anath Nath Bose and Pandit Sudarshan Adhikari were his other teachers.

Having learnt from exponents belonging to different gharanas or schools of music, Ghosh was able to create a unique style of playing which is followed by his students, many of them prominent names of the of the music world now.

A recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1999-2000, Ghosh had taken forward the concept of tabla ensembles — large number of tabla players showcasing their talent together.

He also received the ITC Sangeet Research Academy award and the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan award.

At various points of his glittering career, Ghosh performed with vocalists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan, Girija Devi and Akhtari Bai.

Away from India, he collaborated with artists like Greg Ellis, Pete Lockett and John Bergamo.

He toured a number of countries to play solo or with celebrated classical musicians like sitarists Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan and violinist Pandit V.G. Jog and earned rave reviews.

Actor John Abraham says he has no clue about what has happened to director Sanjay Gupta’s previously annouced project “Mumbai Saga”, which was supposed to star him in the lead.

Gupta, who had directed John in 2013 crime drama “Shootout at Wadala”, post its success of had announced “Mumbai Saga”, as his next project, a film set in the 80’s and 90’s on nexus the between mill owners, the underworld, and police in Mumbai.

“I have no news on it (“Mumbai Saga”). I have not heard from Sanjay Gupta (about the film),” John told PTI.

“After that (‘Shootout at Wadala’) he did ‘Jazbaa’. Sanjay and I are not in touch with each other. I love him and would like to work with him. But we are not in touch at all so I have no idea on ‘Mumbai Saga’ or what he plans to do.”

Gupta had earlier said he would retain most of the cast of “Shootout at Wadala”, including John, Sonu Sood, Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee and Tusshar Kapoor in “Mumbai Saga”.

John, 43, also spoke about working on one of his dream projects – “1911”, a film which revolves around football, a sport the “Force” actor is passionate about.

John said the film is not shelved and he is still working on the core idea with director Shoojit Sircar.

“Shoojit and I have still not able to crack on a proper idea. It is not shelved. There is an X factor that you look for in a film we are yet to get that,” he said.

“We are still banging our heads on it. We want to work together as we get along well. But we haven’t finalised what we want to do next together.”

“1911” follows the story of footballer Sibdas Bhaduri, who captained football team Mohun Bagan in the historic 1911 IFA Shield Final, where it defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment with a score of 2-1 to become the first Asian team to win the competition.

The “Dostana” star is excited for his next release “Rocky Handsome” opposite Shruti Hassan. The action-thriller helmed by Nishikant Kamat, reteams the actor with Shruti after their last year hit comedy “Welcome Back”.

“Rocky Handsome” is set to release on March 25.

John is also working on films “Dishoom”, “Force 2” and “Hera Pheri 3”.