Spanish-American singer Charo requests Zoya to edit out bull-running sequence

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Portrayal of animals in poor form or display of any form of harm towards them in movies has surely become an issue of major concern globally. And now it seems like Zoya Akhtar is also pulling some attention from animal lovers for the same reason.

Zoya, who is busy filming the multi starrer Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (starring Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol), seems to be in the eye of a controversy now. Reason? Well, she shot the bull-running matches in Spain alongwith the starcast, as a requisite of the script.

After learning from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India that the upcoming motion picture Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is set to include a scene showing the running of the bulls, the talented Spanish-American singer, actor, comedian and guitarist Charo sent a letter to the film’s director, Zoya Akhtar. The letter urges Akhtar to open her heart and cut out any scenes glorifying the running of the bulls. For the uninitiated, Charo, who is beloved in the US and Spain, is also a vocal opponent of bullfighting and recently starred in a video public service announcement for PETA US to speak out against it.

Here’s a sneak peek at the letter that Charo wrote to Zoya:

Dear Ms Akhtar,

I have spent my career entertaining people, but there is nothing remotely entertaining about sending panicked bulls into a stampede and then stabbing them to death in the bullfighting arena, which is what happens at the end of the Running of the Bulls. As a proud Spaniard and member of PETA, I am writing to ask that any scenes that glamorise the Running of the Bulls be cut from your upcoming film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

The Running of the Bulls cannot be dismissed as a harmless tradition. These animals run because they are terrified. During the run, the bulls are taunted, and many lose their footing, fall and break their bones. In the end, the exhausted bulls are released into the arena and stabbed to death. The growing movement in Spain against the Running of the Bulls and the bullfights that follow exemplify the good hearts of so many Spaniards who rightfully condemn this sadistic blood sport. You may be aware that the Spanish region of Catalonia recently banned bullfights.

Spain is known for everything I hold dear: flamenco dancing, fabulous guitar work and a rich cultural diversity. But deriving any pleasure from abusing bulls is something we should all be ashamed of and certainly nothing that should be promoted in a feature film.

Yours truly,

Charo

Hrithik, Farhan, Abhay chased by bulls

MUMBAI: For a scene in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol were seen running from the bulls.

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Hrithik, Farhan, Abhay chased by bulls

Katrina gets the biggest birthday surprise ever

For her birthday this week Katrina Kaif, got a surprise she would never forget. While Katrina was shooting with Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol at the Running Of The Bulls festival in the crowded streets of Pamplona in Spain, director Zoya Akhtar shouted in the dictaphone for the shooting to be halted.

Suddenly the noisy festive bustle went quiet and Zoya announced it was Katrina’s birthday. Everyone was ordered to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Katrina.

Recalling the emotional moment with great pleasure Katrina says, “Suddenly there were 500 people Spanish, Indian and every nationality you can imagine, on this main street of Pamplona singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. It was an awesome moment and the best birthday gift I’ve ever had. It was very considerate of Zoya to arrange this surprise for me.”

The whole cast was shooting together in Spain for Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara by participating in one of Spain’s biggest festive events, the Encierro, or Running Of The Bulls festival.

Expains a source, “Since Zoya’s film is set in Spain the first thing that came to the team’s mind was a bullfight. But they all thought that was too predictable. So they hit upon the Running Of The Bulls festival.

3 injured in Spain running of bulls

PAMPLONA, Spain: A man was gored in an arm and two others were injured in a tense, fast-paced penultimate running of the bulls at Spain’s San Fermin festival Tuesday, officials said.

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3 injured in Spain running of bulls

Stocks, at crossroads, turn to earnings

NEW YORK: The US stock market landed at a technical crossroads following its best week in a year, yet the potential for positive earnings surprises beginning next week could give an edge to the bulls.

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Stocks, at crossroads, turn to earnings

lebron james

LeBron puzzled by elbow injury

CLEVELAND — LeBron James’ ambidexterity makes him special, perhaps the most skilled basketball player on the planet.
James can drive, dribble and create with either hand. It’s not widely known that James writes with his left. He never shoots free throws that way.
He did Tuesday.
Bothered by a puzzling injury that numbs his elbow, James curiously launched and missed a free throw left-handed in the closing seconds of Cleveland’s 96-94 playoff win over Chicago, adding some unexpected late-night drama to the Cavaliers advancing to a second-round matchup against Boston.
James revealed afterward that the elbow has been troubling him for weeks. He underwent treatment Wednesday and is expected to have further testing done before Saturday’s Game 1.
X-rays and an MRI taken on Monday showed no obvious structural damage, but clearly something is wrong with James’ elbow, which he has covered recently with a padded, protective sleeve.
“I don’t know, honestly, what’s going on with it,” James said after finishing one assist shy of a triple-double in Game 5. “I’ve done tests to try and figure this thing out, but it almost feels like you hit your funny bone and it kind of numbs up for a little bit.
“It bothers me more because I don’t actually know what it is. We’ll figure it out. I’ve never had a problem with my elbow before.”
A Cavs spokesman said the team will provide a medical update after James is evaluated. The team did not practice on Wednesday, giving the puzzling injury another day’s rest.
James said he isn’t concerned about the elbow and doesn’t think it’s serious.
If so, then why did he refuse to discuss his elbow when asked about it before the game?
If it’s no big deal, then why did he and the Cavaliers essentially hide the injury for weeks?
And, if it’s not serious, then why does it seem to be getting worse?
The Cavs are counting on James to be himself in what promises to be a physical series with Boston. The Celtics, written off as too old and on the decline entering the postseason, look ready to challenge the league’s best team after easily dispatching the Miami Heat in five games.
After being outplayed in long stretches by the scrappy Bulls, the Cavaliers have enough to worry about as they prepare for their second series in three years against the Celtics. Throw in James’ injury, which flared up in Games 4 and 5 against the Bulls, and there could be cause for some legitimate concern.
Maybe as troubling as James’ elbow was his decision to shoot his second free throw — arguably his biggest of the season — lefty with 7.8 seconds to go.
When he stepped to the line, the Cavs were leading 95-92. James then calmly drained his first free-throw attempt, but seconds after the ball went through the net, he began shaking his right arm, hoping to get some feeling back before his second shot.
James briefly looked at Cleveland coach Mike Brown and asked if the Cavs had another timeout. They had one left. But with the Quicken Loans Crowd raging, coach and player failed to communicate.
“I couldn’t hear him,” Brown said following the game. “Apparently, he wanted to take a timeout to get his elbow stretched or looked at or something like that. I did not pick up on it at that time and so he shot the free throw left-handed.”
Poorly. The shot clanged off the right side of the rim, missing so badly some thought he may have been trying to miss intentionally. But James later said he chose to shoot left-handed because his right arm was numb and he felt the Cavs were in control with a four-point lead.
“If I had to make it, I’d have tried it with my right hand,” he explained.
It’s hard to imagine a player like James, who prides himself on his knowledge of the game, believing a four-point lead was safe. There was still plenty of time for the Bulls to push the ball up the floor, score, foul and extend the game by putting the Cavs at the line.

Joakim Noah Cleveland Football NBA Player

Joakim Noah was just about to find some middle ground with the Cavaliers fans, perhaps enough to curb the personal Boos a tad below Monday’s Game 2, when his Chicago Bulls attempt to even the game series. “My whole life I have been booed,” he says. “College I got booed a lot. Boston they do not like me over there.

“He was unbelievable for us,” Del Negro said, checking a list of other Bulls, who played well. But the Cavs won, and Noah had a hard time accepting that the Bulls played well, but lost because LeBron James kept making jump shot after jump shot.

The game called Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro Noah, a free spirit who speaks from the heart. “You get all riled up about it and he’s back here laughing,” Del Negro said, nodding to the locker room. Then he said, Noah had to back up their words. He did, with 25 points and 13 rebounds, seven objectionable.

Joakim Noah is a dirty player,” said Noah. “He’s always swinging elbows, man. I’m hurt right now because of an elbow he threw [when the Bulls played Celtic last week,]. It is absolutely incredible. He is a dirty player. It’s one thing to be competitive and compete. But do not be a dirty man. He was a dirty player. “But Noah had to reroute their view that his weekend host, the city of Cleveland, and ensure that he was appointed nemesis for fans of the series.

Lakers Vs Heat

Lakers Vs Heat, The Los Angeles Lakers will be hosting the Miami Heat on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:30 PM at the Staples Center. It will be a litmus test for the Lakers to match against the Heat in which Dwayne Wade can truly provide the scorings. Lakers has the best record in the NBA and they will be playing in full force. Pau Gasol provides the agility of the team while Kobe Bryant gives the spark.

The Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Live Stream is available at Justin TV. You can also check your local channel. If you want to watch all the basketball games, you can order the NBA League Pass. Enjoy the Bulls vs Cavs basketball game!

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Lakers Vs Heat was first posted on December 5, 2009 at 4:11 pm.