Kal Penn, Freida Pinto on Putting Indian Culture Front and Center in Disney’s ‘Mira, Royal Detective’

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentFilmax has swooped on international rights to “Irati,” an action adventure feature set in the eighth-century Pyrenees.Produced by Spain’s Bainet, Ikusgarri Films, Kilima Media with France’s La Fidèle Production, “Irati” weighs in as one of the most ambitious new Spanish movies being brought onto the market at Berlin. Filmax will present a promo at the EFM.Featuring battles, mythological creatures and fantasy elements in a mix of Basque legend and historical events, it also marks director Paul Urkijo’s follow-up to “Errementari: the Blacksmith and the Devil,” which Filmax sold to Netflix for the world.Now in post-production, “Irati” turns on a pagan girl who guides a young Christian lord called Enekoon a journey into an ancient, mythological world. Eneko hopes to recover lost treasure, key to his defending his valley from Charlemagne’s marauding army, which is devastating the Pyrenees.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian director Matteo Garrone, who was at the 2020 Berlinale with Roberto Benigni-starrer “Pinocchio,” is set to return to the director’s chair in March with coming-of-age adventure drama “Io Capitano,” on which France’s Pathé will be handling international distribution.Garrone’s new pic, whose title translates as “I, Captain,” will be shot in Italy, Morocco and Senegal, marking the first time, Garrone –– a two-time Cannes jury prize-winner, with “Gomorrah” in 2008 and “Reality” in 2012 –– sets a feature film outside of Italy.As is customary with Garrone, story details of “Io Capitano” are being kept under wraps, besides the fact that he wrote the screenplay with regular collaborators Massimo Gaudioso and Andrea Tagliaferri and actor Massimo Ceccherini (“Pinocchio”), who also contributed to the “Pinocchio” screenplay.

Christopher Vourlias Rwandan director Kivu Ruhorahoza’s “Father’s Day,” which bows in the competitive Encounters strand of the Berlin Film Festival, is a timely story of fatherhood in a country that saw a generation orphaned by one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.The film presents a trio of interwoven stories set in the East African nation. A mother tries to cope with the loss of her only son.

Christopher Vourlias Russian VOD platform KION has unveiled a slate of original content it will be presenting to buyers at the European Film Market.Launched less than one year ago by telecom giant MTS, the company has so far surpassed expectations, according to Igor Mishin, VP for media business development at MTS and CEO of MTS Media. “We have exceeded all business key performance indicators, in terms of the subscriber base and streaming views,” he said.The company is launching two new feature films and two original series at EFM.“Ophiuchus” is an erotic thriller about a bold and sexually liberated pathologist whose lovers begin to die under mysterious circumstances.

“Death on the Nile” was being released in the rest of the Middle East over the weekend, according to Deadline.Gadot, 36, served in the Israeli armed forces for two years, as is required of all young Israelis, before she entered show business.It’s not the first time the former Miss Israel’s nationality has caused controversy as tensions persist between the two warring nations.

Manchester United need a response as they prepare to face Southampton on Saturday.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday evening's frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

thug from a deadly drug cartel can be heard trying to extort a man, with the threat of abducting his wife, in a chilling phone call shared online. The video comes from the Mexican state of Sonora, which borders Arizona, US, and captures the tense conversation between the drug cartel extortionist and the victim over some unexplained, previous misunderstanding. The criminal notes that the man's wife - who is in the room with him - is a "well known business woman", and insists: "I don’t want to tie your wife up and abduct her."He also reveals that members of the cartel have visited a house nearby to abduct another man, claiming that he now has orders from higher-ups to "go where you are and abduct you, to take your vehicle or car and keep everything that you have of value, fool."As the threats are being laid bare, the terrified victim can be heard agreeing with the "boss" before adding "we won't say anything".

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Matt Turner, but are reluctant to announce his arrival until the summer transfer window opens.According to football.london, a deal has been reached between the Gunners and MLS outfit New England Revolution for the shot-stopper, with a fee being agreed of £4.5m leading to £7.5m plus further bonuses.However, Arsenal will not announce the signing until Turner has completed his medical.Personal terms have already been agreed with the player and the Revs have even announced that the 27-year-old will be making the move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer, but the Gunners are refusing to jump the gun on the transfer.A statement on the Revolutions' website stated: “The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.“Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022, allowing the United States international to remain with New England through the entirety of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League campaign and nearly half of the 2022 MLS regular season.“Further information will be shared when the transfer is completed.”The arrival of Turner will open the door for Bernd Leno to leave the club in the summer too, who has been replaced by Englishman Aaron Ramsdale this season.HAVE YOUR SAY! Who else should Arsenal sign in the summer? Comment below.Leno was the first-choice keeper in North London for the three seasons prior to Ramsdale’s arrival, however, he has started just three Premier League fixtures this campaign and the writing is on the wall for the Germany international.Leno

The first footage of the upcoming Aquaman sequel has been released.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates made headlines over the past week with their exciting and dramatic performance during the Team Figure Skating Event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and they’re about to take the ice again for the Rhythm Ice Dance competition today (February 12).

Sunderland have announced former Hamilton manager Alex Neil as their new head coach - and his successor comes in as assistant.

Kevin Thomson’s approach doesn’t change – whether he is facing Lionel Messi, Cowdenbeath or St Mirren.

Things must be good at Celtic Park if Brendan Rodgers is able to show his face again.

The loss of one of India's finest actors Irrfan Khan on Wednesday was not just mourned in India but by the film fraternity from across the world. Irrfan, who has quite a few Hollywood films to his credit, not just inspired actors back home but left an indelible impression on Indian American actors as well. Many such stars took to social media on Wednesday to pay a heartfelt tribute to the actor and mourn his loss.One of them was Irrfan's 'The Namesake' co-star Kal Penn who shared a couple of pictures from their film. Penn wrote, "Irrfan’s art and humanity will be badly missed. Never seen someone use the beats of silence so beautifully to convey so much about who we are. Sending love to Sutapa and the family. #IrrfanKhan." 

India and the world mourned the loss of an actor, legend and master of his craft -- Irrfan Khan on Wednesday. The 'Paan Singh Tomar' actor passed away on 29 April in a Mumbai hospital as he succumbed to colon infection. Social media was flooded with tributes to the legendary actor including from Irrfan's Hollywood co-stars and Indian American actors. One of them was Irrfan's Slumdog Millionaire co-star Freida Pinto. The Hollywood actress who made her debut with Slumdog Millionaire recalled how lucky she was to have Irrfan as a role model while she took her first steps.   

"I have a lot in common with Mikku. We both love to eat a lot," Kal said

The actress is excited about her new animated show "Mira, Royal Detective", weaved around with the Indian culture and traditions. She feels people will be amazed to look at the myriad colours and diversity of India.

Freida Pinto is very excited about her upcoming gig. The actor is all set to lend her voice to Queen Shanti in Disney’s new animated series Mira, Royal Detective. And during a recent interaction, she opened up about all the qualities that helped her develop a personal connection with her animated character. Freida pointed out that Queen Shanti is a strong character with great leadership skills and abilities to balance her traditions and customs, which is something she relates to.

Just like many of his fans, Kal Penn is also rooting for another Harold & Kumar film. During a recent interview, the actor revealed that he would love to reprise his iconic role for a fourth film. Starring Kal and John Cho, the first film of the franchise came out in 2004 and ended up becoming a classic cult comedy. The actors featured in two more sequels after that. While interacting with Variety, Kal asserted that he is ready for another Harold & Kumar film and even mentioned that his co-star John is already on board with the idea. 

If Kal Penn gets his way, a fourth “Harold & Kumar” movie will be streaming on a service near you.