Oscars: Can George Clooney upset Jean Dujardin in the Best Actor category? – AWARDS ALLEY

By Sean O’Connell
TrendPK.com: With the Oscars on the horizon, only a handful of races remain up in the air … at least, if you pay attention to the “experts.”

Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” appears to be this year’s Best Picture frontrunner, with momentum still swinging between “The Descendants” and “The Help.” Martin Scorsese could steal a few key votes away from Hazanavicius in the Best Director race. And if you put your ear to the ground, you’ll hear more than a few people asking if George Clooney can prevail over Jean Dujardin in the Best Actor category.

Why not? Clooney is beloved, and few are better on the Oscar campaign trail than the endlessly charming actor. He’s also won a few choice awards along the way, from the Critics Choice Movie Awards for Best Actor to a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Tide seems to be sweeping up Dujardin as “The Artist” marches to the podium, and Dujardin – as well as his winning co-star Berenice Bejo – are working the circuit. Hard. So anything’s possible.

Clooney’s performance in Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” has stood above the fray from the minute this rewarding drama world premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September.

“There’s plenty to chew on regarding family connections, heritage, loyalty to one’s location in life, the cycles we go through when confronting death, and the challenge of being a stable force during trying times,” I wrote from the Toronto International Film Festival after seeing Payne’s film. “But Clooney’s an outstanding guide on this journey, and I’m confident we’ll see his name in the Best Actor race as the marathon continues.”

“The Descendants” is a special film. An honest film. It addresses personal issues, and offsets them with Payne’s quirky humor. And it boasts a jaw-dropping performance by Clooney, who somehow ignores every trick in his acting arsenal yet still wins our heart with a vulnerable side that solidifies him as one of our strongest working actors.

If you ask him, though, he’s just lucky.

That was Clooney’s message when he accepted the Hollywood Actor Award for his “Descendants” performance in October. It’s an extremely humble speech, one laced with wit and self-awareness. Just like the man, himself.

Here’s exclusive video of Clooney from that gala, as his latest film, “The Descendants,” competes for the Oscar.

Awards Alley brings you the best Oscar coverage. Click below to read our exclusive interviews with:
– Harvey Weinstein
– The cast of “The Artist.”
– Kenneth Branagh for “My Week With Marilyn.”
– Bennett Miller talks “Moneyball.”
– Producer Jim Burke for “The Descendants.”
– Sir Ben Kingsley and Chloe Grace Moretz for “Hugo.”
– Tilda Swinton for “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”
– David Fincher, Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
– Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for “The Help.”
– Tate Taylor for “The Help.”
– Woody Harrelson for “Rampart.”
– Gavin O’Connor for “Warrior.”
– Gary Oldman and Colin Firth for “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.”
– Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody for “Young Adult.”
– Steve McQueen for “Shame.”
– Glenn Close for “Albert Nobbs.”
– Seth Rogen and Will Reiser for “50/50.”
– Producer Grant Heslov for “The Ides of March.”

For complete Oscar and Film Festival coverage, visit our Awards Alley for the latest news items, reviews and interviews all season long.

Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.

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Farhan Akthar sweeps this awards season

This award season has been very special for Farhan Akhtar. Each award ceremony has yielded multiple gains for him. Perhaps for the first time one individual has won awards as an actor, writer and producer.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has been an orbit breaking mile stone in Farhan Akhtar’s career. The character of Imran is perhaps the most loved on screen character of 2011.

Last night at the Filmfare Awards he won in several categories from Best Dialogue, Best Script, Best Supporting actor and also several as producer.

It was not just his acting but his dialogues also created a big impact on the audiences. The poetry of ZNMD, voiced by Farhan also became extremely popular.

This filmmaker-actor definitely is one of the most promising talents in the industry.

Padma Shri Priyadarshan and Padma Bhushan Shabana Azmi Dharmendra speak

For most of their friends in the film industry, the Padma Shri for the prolific director Priyadarshan and the Padma Bhushan for the illustrious actress Shabana Azmi, the veteran actor Dharmendra and the filmmaker Mira Nair have come a little too late

Priyadarshan disagrees. “Why do you feel it’s come too late? Everything happens in the right time. Until a few years back, I hadn’t received a single National Award. Then I got it for Kancheevaram which many consider my career’s best. But I feel every recognition comes when it is meant to come. The Padma Shri is important for me at this juncture because I’m not in a space where I make both kinds of films, the artistic and the commercial. If I am proud of Kancheevaram, I’m also not ashamed of De Dana Dan. It’s the so-called slapstick comedies that have given me the freedom to make the other kind of films. I’ll continue making both kinds of films. I’ve treated every failure as a means to correct myself and every success as a means to better myself. There is no respite from work for me. As I speak to you I am editing my new film Tezz.”

Priyan is happy that Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi have been given the Padma Bhushan. “I’ve watched their films from the time when I was young. It’s actors like them who inspired me to become a filmmaker. I’d love to direct both of them.”

Shabana who went through a string of mishaps in December feels January has brought joyful tidings. “What really tickles me is that my husband Javed Akhtar and I both are Padma Bhushans now. So we are Mr.& Mrs Padma Bhushan. Do you know, when I got the call from President’s office informing me that I had got the honour I put the phone down and I didn’t say a word to either my mother or brother who were in the room with me. Because the person who called said to keep it to myself. Since then my mother has been screaming at me for not telling her. The first person I thought of when I was informed of the Padma Bhushan was my father. I wish my father was here. He would’ve been so proud of me. Did this honour come too late? I don’t think so. For an artiste recognition at any time is welcome. This is what my parents and my acting teacher Roshan Taneja have taught me. An artiste never works for an award. And when it comes, she accepts it gracefully. And this comes from the Government of India, so it’s a double humour.”

Dharmendra who also gets the Padma Bhushan was overwhelmed. “Recognition has started coming a little too late in my career. I am happy. Very happy. But more than me its family and well-wishers who are happy for me. Ever since the announcement was made, my phone has not stopped ringing. People are dropping in to express their joy. So the greatest award for me will always be the love of the people. I will continue to try to do good work.”

Reacting to the winners this year, Padma Shri Kamal Haasan says, “Some of the winners are my seniors whom I am very fond of. The rest are my friends. I feel very proud of them. As someone who has always admired their work, I am happy the government too has acknowledged their contribution.”

Nishikant Kamat to play the lead in Prawal Ramans next

John Abraham is in a hurry to start Force 2. It is, after all, his only hit
in years. However, it seems the star would have to wait. The project goes nowhere without the Force director Nishikant Kamat. And Kamat is at the moment in the mood to act again.

After a startling sterling performance in Prawal Raman’s 404 last year, Nishikant will now play the central character in Rohit Jugraj’s film exploring a criminal mind.

Kamat will play a twisted mind that treats criminality as an art form.
If John Abraham was hoping to cash in on Force’s success, he would have to wait for a while. Quite a while. All that talk of producer Vipul Shah going ahead with the sequel without director Nishikant Kamat if the need arises, has come to a dead-end.

It seems the producer and director have mutually decided to carry the Force franchise forcefully forward only when Nishikant is up to it. Says a source, “Earlier, when Nishikant showed a reluctance to plunge into a sequel, Vipul had emergency talks with John and his team. They all decided to do a sequel right away, with or without Nishikant Kamat. However, now it is felt it’s better to wait.”

This is a case of being once beaten and feeling twice shy for Vipul who after a fall-out with Anees Bazmi over Singh Is Kinng has not been able to get the sequel on the road.

Says Nishikant cautiously, “I don’t think Force 2 is happening without me. Yes, Vipul and I both feel we should go ahead with the sequel together, and only when I have the right script. There’s no point in doing a sequel just for the heck of it. See, Force 2 is exactly in the same situation as Don 2 was after Don. Like Don, Force was a remake. So there was a reference point. Now the characters and the story move forward on their own volition. Let’s see where it goes.”

Kamat admits he is up to another acting offer. “Rohit Jugraj has come up with an interesting idea. I like getting into the acting zone. But filmmaking is my main vocation. Acting can only be a punctuation in my story.”

Saleh vows return to Yemen, US urges him to stay away

DUBAI: The United States has urged Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh not to return home from Saudi Arabia, where he has been recovering from injuries suffered in an assassination attempt during a popular uprising, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Priyanka Chopra to release her international music album

She has wowed the Indian audience with her acting as well as crooning skills and now Priyanka Chopra is all set to venture onto the world stage releasing her debut music album.

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Desi Hits, have signed a worldwide recording agreement with actress Priyanka Chopra. As a part of this deal, Priyanka will release her debut music album in North America with Desi Hits through Interscope Records and in other International markets on Island Records UK.

A trained Western Classical singer, Priyanka is currently in the studio, writing and recording her debut pop album, which will be sung in English. Troy Carter, CEO of Atom Factory, who also manages Lady Gaga has signed with Priyanka to manage her music career across the globe.

“It has been a long cherished dream which is finally coming true”, said Priyanka Chopra about her music debut. “I am truly excited to have an opportunity to present my musical dimension on a world platform. I am privileged to be a part of the Universal Music – Desi Hits family and to be working with some of the most illustrious names in the music industry. This is a fascinating new experience for me and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey”, added Priyanka.

Priyanka is also the first major international signing for Desi Hits, which was founded by Anjula Acharia-Bath in partnership with UMG in 2010 as the pre-eminent home for highly creative artists with Indian/South Asian roots. Ms. Acharia-Bath, the Chief Executive of fusion multi-platform media company Desi Hits!, flew to India with UMG UK Chief Executive David Joseph to sign on Priyanka.

“Priyanka is an international superstar who has captivated millions around the world. Her foray into the American music industry meets the vision of our company, which strives to fuse the best of the eastern and western culture to create magic. It’s truly a dream come true, and we are very excited to bring this multi-talented artist to the rest of the world,” said Anjula Acharia-Bath, CEO of Desi Hits!

“Pop music has always had a love affair with Indian culture and with Priyanka’s unique talent and experience, we have the opportunities to push the boundaries of popular culture,” stated Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “I feel this is an amazing opportunity for all of us.”

“Bollywood has had Priyanka to itself for too long,” commented David Joseph, Chairman and Chief Executive of Universal Music UK. “She has exceptional talent and we look forward to launching her recording career around the world.”

“We believe wholeheartedly in Priyanka’s talent, drive, and creative vision,” stated Anthony Saleh, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Atom Factory. “We are confident in Priyanka’s ability to redefine pop music on her own terms”

Her music debut will add another dimension to this actor, humanitarian, green crusader and brand ambassador. Priyanka Chopra, one of the most recognized talents in Indian cinema, is a recipient of the prestigious Indian National Film Awards amongst many others. She is acknowledged as one of the most versatile actors with many path breaking performances. Priyanka is also actively involved in her role as the National Ambassador for UNICEF in India and the Green Ambassador of a nationwide environment awareness campaign in India.

Famous comedian Liaqat Soldier dies of a heart attack

KARACHI: Famous Pakistani comedian Liaqat Soldier passed away after a sudden heart attack here on Wednesday.

He started his acting career in 1973 and performed in more than 250 television plays.

He participated in TrendPK’s special transmission of the World Cup semifinal and left for his final abode on the very same day.

Rajeev Khandelwal gets married to girlfriend Manjiri Kamtikar

Rajeev Khandelwal, the dude who made heads turn with his acting debut in Aamir, has now bid adieu to his bachelorhood. And we know that this news will surely break a million hearts of girls.

The news is that Rajeev married his girlfriend of two years, Manjiri Kamtikar, at Khimsar fort in Jodhpur yesterday. The whole affair commemorated as Arya Samaj wedding.

Being the elusive guy that Rajeev always is, his wedding too bore the same tag, as only close friends and family were invited.

trendpk.com wishes this couple a very happy married life.

Sunny Deol to copyright his voice?

What makes a star a star? Is it his looks, his acting skills or his power at the Box Office? Well, for Sunny Deol, apart from all this, it’s his voice that stands out the most. Not too long, ago it was Amitabh Bachchan who was gung ho about copyrighting his voice, now we hear that Sunny is also following suit.

Bollywood Hungama has learnt that the actor whose film Yamla Pagla Deewana is all set for release is intent on getting his vocals copyrighted. Though the star is currently busy with the promotions of his film, it is said that he will be going ahead and acquiring the copyright once his film is released.

Live Chat: Faruk Kabir on November 26 at 1400 Hrs IST

He is the man of few words, who lets his work speak for him. His latest work is a piece of art called Allah Ke Banday. He is none other than Faruk Kabir, one of the Gen-Next directors, who is indeed a name to watch out for! On his own admission, he has once told that he went to the New York Film Academy, did his screenplay courses there, came back and took a sabbatical. He didn’t work with anyone, he just kept writing with script discipline and extreme concentration for over two to three years! Some ‘decision’ that! Faruk also makes his acting debut in the film alongside Sharman Joshi and Naseeruddin Shah.

Bollywood Hungama brings to you the man himself for an exclusive Celebrity Chat on Friday, November 26 at 1400 hrs IST.

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