0 Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna passes away at 69

MUMBAI: Rajesh Khanna, often referred to as the "first superstar" of Bollywood and the Hindi film industry's biggest heart-throb in his day, died Wednesday after months of being unwell, reports said. He was 69.

He died at his family home in Mumbai after being discharged from hospital earlier this week.

Known as "Kaka" (uncle) to his fans, Khanna was not from an acting dynasty like many big Bollywood names. He was born in the city of Amritsar in the northwest of India in 1942 and enjoyed appearing on stage from his school days.

He made his film debut in "Aakhri Khat" (The Last Letter) in 1966 but his big break came three years later with the runaway hit "Aaradhna" (Worship), followed by many successes in which Khanna typically played the romantic lead.

His prominent hits of the 1970s included "Kati Patang" (Broken Kite), "Anand" (Peace) and "Amar Prem" (Everlasting love).

In total, he appeared in more than 150 Hindi films. (AFP)

0 Sylvester Stallone mourns death of son in suspected drugs overdose

SYLVESTER STALLONE was last night ‘’devastated and grief-stricken” by his son’s sudden death from a suspected drugs overdose.

Sage Stallone was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment – with reports suggesting that prescription pills were found at the scene.

It is understood the actor did not leave a suicide note, leading police to believe he killed himself accidentally.
Last night, Rocky star Sly, 66 – who co-starred with Sage in Rocky V – was struggling to come to terms with the news.

His spokesman Michelle Bega said: “Sylvester is devastated and grief-stricken over the sudden loss of his son.

“His compassion and thoughts are with Sage’s mother Sasha. He was a very talented and wonderful young man. His loss will be felt forever.”

Emergency services were called to the 36-year-old actor’s home at 3pm on Friday. Medics tried to revive him for 25 minutes but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A postmortem will be held in the next 24 hours.

Police said they found Sage – who was one of two sons from Sly’s marriage to Sasha Czack – while responding to a “welfare check”.

But Sage’s lawyer George Braunstein claimed he was found by a housekeeper who then made the 911 call.
The lawyer added: “I think it was probably some sort of accident. He was in good spirits, working on all kinds of projects.” Source:http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk

0 Bollywood actor Dara Singh dies at 84

MUMBAI: Veteran Bollywood actor Dara Singh died at the age of 84 in Mumbai on Thursday, Indian media quoted.

The 84-year-old had suffered severe brain damage following a cardiac arrest last week.

Dara Singh was shifted home from hospital on Wednesday night as his family wanted his final moments to be spent at home.

The 84-year-actor was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in an emergency condition on July 7. He had suffered a cardiac arrest and since then he has been in the ICU.

The Commonwealth wrestling champion entered film industry in the fifties and is known for his roles in 'King Kong' and 'Faulad'. He was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab We Met' (2007) playing Kareena Kapoor's grandfather.

The veteran actor had played the character of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's epic television series 'Ramayan'.

0 Oscar-winning actor Borgnine dead at 95

LOS ANGELES: Veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, the star of dozens of films and television shows who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a shy butcher in love in "Marty", has died, his manager said. He was 95.

"It's a very sad day. The industry has lost someone great, the caliber of which we will never see again. A true icon," the manager,Lynda Bensky, said in an email to AFP.

"But more importantly the world has lost a sage and loving man who taught us all how to 'grow young'. His infectious smile and chuckle made the world a happier place."

Bensky said the actor died on Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, with his family at his side.

Born to Italian immigrants on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut, Borgnine was primarily known for his roles in comedies such as the popular TV series "McHale's Navy" and dramas like the World War II film "The Dirty Dozen".

The US Navy veteran won an Academy Award for best actor for his role in the 1955 film "Marty", which also took home Oscars for best picture, best director and best screenplay.

Tributes to Borgnine poured in on Twitter, from ordinary folk to fellow actors to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy.

Actress Marlee Matlin, also an Oscar winner, tweeted: "So sad to read about passing of Ernest Borgnine. We spoke recently at Paramount's 100th anniversary photo. A true legend & a gentleman. RIP."

"God bless Ernest Borgnine. An amazingly strong spirit. R.I.P. Ernie," said actor Gary Sinise.

Borgnine -- who began his career as a stage actor and first shot to prominence in Hollywood when he played Sergeant "Fatso" Judson in "From Here to Eternity" -- was also known for his role on the television series "Airwolf".

He also appeared on the celebrity game show "The Hollywood Squares".

Borgnine continued to work into his 90s, voicing the character Mermaid Man on the animated children's series "SpongeBob SquarePants".

In 2009, he appeared in a guest starring role on long-running TV drama "ER" for which he earned an Emmy nomination.

The year before, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in the made-for-TV movie "A Grandpa for Christmas".

The Screen Actors Guild gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award last year.

"We mourn the loss of Ernest Borgnine. A wonderful man, actor and our 47th Life Achievement Recipient. Ernie, you will be deeply missed," said a tweet on the official feed of the SAG Awards.

The gap-toothed actor wed five times, including once to Broadway megastar Ethel Merman -- a marriage that lasted only a month. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tova. Borgnine had four children.

In an interview with AFP in 2007, Borgnine emphasized the importance of being a team player as an actor.

"When you're part of an ensemble like I was in 'From Here To Eternity' and 'The Poseidon Adventure' you realize you stick out badly if you try to steal a scene instead of being a part of a team," he said.

"Acting to me is very simple. You just need to use your heart and your head together."

Borgnine said at the time that he would advise aspiring actors to "get a real job before you try to get an acting job."

"Learn about life and then learn your craft. And don't wear dark glasses on screen because you think you're cool. The eyes are an actor's best asset," Borgnine said. AFP

0 Ghazal king Mehdi Hassan passes away

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistani ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan passed away after a protracted illness in a private hospital in Karachi on Wednesday, Geo News reported.

Only last month, king of ghazal Mehdi Hassan, was discharged from hospital. However, just a day later, he was admitted back due to health problems. This time round though, he hasn't been put on ventilator.

Mehdi Hassan's son Arif confirmed the news and added, "My father has been ill for the last 12 years but this year, his condition has deteriorated significantly and in the last one month, he was released from hospital for just one day before being admitted again."

Arif Mehdi said that the funeral would take place on Friday, June 15.

Mehdi Hassan, who has a huge fan following all over the world, was suffering from lung, chest and urinary tract ailments for the past many years.

He was born on July 18, 1927 in a village called Luna in Rajasthan, India into a family of traditional musicians.

He was honoured with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan, and Gorkha Dakshina Bahu by the Government of Nepal.

Mehdi Hassan had his musical grooming from his father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle Ustad Ismail Khan who were both traditional Dhrupad singers. Hassan started to perform at a young age of eight and sang in more than 325 films.

To make both the ends meet Mehdi started working in Chichawatni, in a bicycle shop. He later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic. Despite the hardships, his passion for music didn’t wither and he kept up the routine of practice on a daily basis.

The struggle ended when Mehdi Hassan was given the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan in 1957, primarily as a thumri singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity.

0 TV star, game show host Richard Dawson dead at 79

LOS ANGELES: Richard Dawson, the British-born actor best known as host of the US game show "Family Feud" and for his role on "Hogan's Heroes," has died at age 79 after a battle with cancer, his son said.

Dawson died late Saturday at Ronald Reagan Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles from complications due to esophageal cancer, his son Gary said in a Facebook post.

"He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered," Gary Dawson said.

Dawson, whose given name was Colin Lionel Emm, was born in Gosport, England on November 20, 1932. A career in stand-up comedy eventually gave way to his acting career.

He appeared on several hit television shows in the 1960s including "Hogan's Heroes" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show", before launching into a long run as the emcee of "Family Feud."

The game show, which pitted two families against each other in a contest to guess the correct answers to survey questions, debuted in 1976.

Dawson, who was known for kissing female contestants, became the highest-paid game show host at the time, and won a daytime Emmy award for his work in 1978.

The show was canceled in 1985, but was later reborn in syndication. It is currently hosted by actor-comedian Steve Harvey.

Dawson sent up his own TV persona in the 1980s sci-fi film "The Running Man" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing game show host Damon Killian.

Dawson's first wife was British actress Diana Dors. He is survived by his two sons from that marriage, Mark and Gary, as well as his second wife Gretchen -- a one-time contestant on "Feud" -- and their daughter Shannon. (AFP)

0 Disco queen Donna Summer dies at 63

LOS ANGELES: Donna Summer, whose music dominated the 1970s disco era, died of cancer on Thursday at age 63, leaving a legacy of hit singles like "Love to Love You Baby," "Last Dance" and "Bad Girls."

Summer, who won five Grammys and sold more than 130 million records worldwide, died surrounded by her family in Naples, Florida, publicist Brian Edwards said.

Edwards said she died of cancer but he declined to comment on a report from celebrity website TMZ.com that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

"Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy," the singer's family said in a statement.

Summer, known as the queen of disco, had three children and married twice. Her second husband, musician Bruce Sudano, was at her bedside, Edwards said.

She began her career in Germany where she performed in productions of the shows "Hair" and "Porgy and Bess" and worked as a studio session singer.

But it wasn't until 1975 that she found fame with the moaning vocals and grinding beat of "Love to Love You Baby" that was a huge, but controversial, hit in European nightclubs.

Summer followed up with a string of other disco tunes in the 1970s and into the mid-1980s, including "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls," "I Feel Love" and her cover version of the ballad "MacArthur Park," which was her first No. 1 record in the United States in 1978.

In 1983, she scored a massive hit with "She Works Hard for the Money," as she sought to branch out of the disco genre.

Summer's recording career declined in the 1990s, but she sang at Nobel Peace Prize concert in Norway in 2009 in honor of Nobel laureate, U.S. President Barack Obama.

Her family asked on Thursday that fans make donations in Summer's honor to the Salvation Army. (Reuters)

0 Whitney Houston dead at 48, on eve of Grammys

LOS ANGELES: Grammy-winning pop legend and actress Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday in Beverly Hills, police said. She was 48.

The shock news came as the music industry gathered in Los Angeles for the annual Grammy awards show on Sunday, and a few hours ahead of a traditional pre-Grammys dinner in the hotel where Houston died.

Musicians took to Twitter to pay tribute to the singer, famous for songs including "I Will Always Love You," who had led a public battle with drugs.

"Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend ... She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth," wrote Mariah Carey.

Police confirmed her death in a brief statement outside the Beverly Hilton hotel, where stars were gathering for an annual pre-Grammys dinner hosted by veteran producer Clive Davis.

"At 3:55 pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel," said Mark Rosen, a police spokesman.

Rosen said police received an emergency call from someone in her entourage and found Houston on the floor of her room on the hotel's fourth floor as attempts were being made to resuscitate her.

"There were no obvious signs of criminal intent at this time, and it is being investigated by the Beverly Hills police department," the police spokesman added.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

A mobile crime laboratory and a number of police cars were stationed outside the hotel, while inside guests watched live television coverage about Houston's death in the bar and lobby areas.

Condolences poured in on Twitter from shocked fans and from the famous, as
sadness over the news spread through the entertainment world.

"We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed," said Christina Aguilera, while Rihanna wrote simply: "No words! Just tears #DearWhitney."

Grammys organizers the Recording Academy are scrambling to include some kind of tribute to Houston in Sunday's show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, according to CNN.

With a ferociously powerful voice and a dazzling range, Houston achieved stardom as a pop-soul singer known as "The Voice" and the "Queen of Pop."

She also appeared in hit movies like "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Bodyguard."

From a musical family that included mother Cissy Houston, a gospel star, and Dionne Warwick, her cousin, Whitney Houston started out as a teen model and then made a dazzling segue to music.

Her hits included "How Will I Know," "Saving all My Love for You," and "I
Will Always Love You."

Houston's trove of six Grammy awards included one for record of the year -- for a soaring cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," and another for album of the year for "The Bodyguard."

Houston, who grew up in New Jersey, was also a supporter of the anti-apartheid movement and South Africa's Nelson Mandela, on whose behalf she campaigned during his imprisonment.

She struggled with substance abuse, which took a toll on her health and career.

Houston has sold more than 170 million records worldwide but suffered a major career setback after admitting drug use during an abusive relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown.

Brown was one of the hottest rhythm and blues singers in the late 1980s and early 90s, but became better known as the husband of Houston and for his frequent brushes with drugs and the law.

The pair, who were divorced in 2007, starred in a television reality series, "Being Bobby Brown," that featured their marriage, warts and all. They have a daughter Bobbi Kristina.

Brown was detained in Atlanta in 1993 for lewd conduct and for brawling in 1995. He was arrested for drunk driving in 1996 and for alleged battery of Houston in late 2003. (AFP)

0 Director Raj Kanwar dies, aged 50

Bollywood director Raj Kanwar has died at the age of 50.

He passed away in Singapore after travelling there for a kidney transplant.

Kanwar is most famous for launching the career of Shah Rukh Khan in 1992 with the film Deewana. The actor led the tributes on Twitter, writing: "My friend Raj Kanwarji passed away. The impermanence of life, makes one feel so helpless. May his soul rest in peace. Aisi Deewangi... miss u sir."

The director also signed up Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra for their first Bollywood endeavour, 2003's Andaaz.

"Saddens me so much, my first director Raj Kanwar passed away..RIP Rajji..You believed in me when even I didn't. Andaaz taught me everything I know," Chopra tweeted.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan said: "Terribly saddened by the passing of Raj Kanwar. Was the first person to sign me after Refugee. He made Aishwarya and my 1st film together. Dhai Akshar Prem Ke.

"Was a lovely man, always happy, smiling and joking. Have wonderful wonderful memories of him. Now no more. Thank you so much Raj ji for the memories. I will miss you."

0 Veteran actor Dev Anand dies of cardiac arrest in London

LONDON: Dev Anand, the 'Evergreen Romantic Superstar' of Indian cinema, has passed away here last night following cardiac arrest. He was 88. Dev Anand, who had come here for medical check up, was not keeping well for the last few days, Indian media reported.

His son Sunil was with him when he breathed last. Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in "Hum Ek Hain". By the time his "Ziddi" was released in 1947 he was a superstar and has never looked back.

Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like "Paying Guest", "Baazi", "Jewel Thief ", "CID", "Johny Mera Naam", "Amir Garib", "Warrant", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes".