Entertainment

Singer Sonu Nigam attacked by MLA’s ‘selfie-seeker’ son

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

editor

Singer Sonu Nigam and his team were manhandled by Swapnil Phatarpekar, the son of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MLA Prakash Phatarpekar, at a music event in Chembur late Monday evening.

Nigam told TOI, “I am okay, but my brother (friend Rabbani Khan) is hurt. And my bodyguard is hurt.” Rabbani is the son of the late guru of Indian classical music Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan whose students include the who’s who of playback singing from Lata Mangeshkar to A Hariharan and Nigam himself. The incident, which was captured on camera, took place after Swapnil Phatarpekar, son of MLA Phatarpekar, insisted on taking a selfie with the singer. Nigam’s team did not recognise him. This led to a scuffle as Swapnil and his supporters manhandled Nigam and his team as the singer was leaving the stage.

A video of the incident went viral. The stage was dimly lit and one person is seen pushing another off the stage. Rabbani told TOI, “The attack was sudden and without provocation. This person whom we do not know, approached Sonuji for a selfie. When his bodyguard resisted, the man pushed him off the stage. Then he came towards Sonu. As Sonuji caught my hand, the attacker threw me off stage too. I fell from a height of eight feet. I landed on my spine.”

Rabbani was treated as an outpatient at a local Chembur hospital and discharged. “My X-ray reports are awaited. The pain is immense and I hope there are no internal injuries,” he said.
Rabbani’s brother Murtuza, the eldest son of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, was upset by the attack. He said, “This should not happen with artistes. They are not involved in politics. It could have been worse. I am thankful to the Almighty that my brother is okay.” MLA Phatarpekar did not answer calls or messages seeking comment. Swapnil has previously been involved in controversy. In April 2022, the BJP had alleged that he was behind a midnight incident of stone pelting after their ‘Pol Khol’ rathyatra against corruption.

Chembur police confirmed the incident and were verifying the sequence of events and recording statements. They later began the process of registering an offence against the MLA’s son and his supporters.

Entertainment

Sri Lanka’s first Hollywood starlet bids adieu

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Maureen Nelia Ballardney Hingert, Sri Lanka’s first beauty queen to act in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 88.

The news was announced by former Miss Sri Lanka and actress Angela Seneviratne via Facebook.

Maureen made history by winning the Miss Ceylon title in 1955 and went on to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant, where she was crowned second runner-up – a milestone achievement at the time.

Following her success, she entered the film industry and starred in several Hollywood productions. In 1958, she appeared in the film Gun Fever, and a photograph from the movie shoot was later published in Playboy magazine in September 1957 – making her the first and only Sri Lankan woman to be featured in the magazine.

She signed with major studios like 20th Century Fox and Universal International Studios, and her filmography includes titles such as The King and I, Fort Bowie, The Rawhide Trail, Gunman from Laredo, Pillars of the Sky, and The Adventures of Hiram Holiday, among others.

During her peak, she was regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.

Maureen married Marion Zamperelli in 1958, later separating in 1970, and married William J. Ballard in 1976.

She had two children, and after the tragic passing of her daughter due to cancer, Maureen chose to live a private life away from the public eye in Los Angeles, where she remained until her death.

Ceylon’s beautiful Queen Maureen Hingert (Maureen Neliya Ballardnée Hingert (born 9 January 1937) ,mother of @Gina…
Posted by Angela Seneviratne on Monday, June 30, 2025

Entertainment

Bollywood icon SRK to visit SL?

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is likely to attend the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 02, 2025.

A post on the official Facebook page of City of Dreams Sri Lanka has hinted at his presence, with a silhouette featuring his signature pose, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.

Sources close to the organisers say the actor is expected to be the star attraction at the launch of South Asia’s first fully integrated luxury resort, developed by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) in partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MRE).

The USD 1.2 billion City of Dreams development includes a world-class casino, the ultra-luxurious Nüwa hotel, and a high-end shopping mall, making it the largest private sector investment to date in Sri Lanka’s luxury lifestyle sector.

The launch is expected to be a landmark moment in positioning Colombo as a global tourist and entertainment hub.

The event is likely to attract international celebrities, investors, and global media, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis revival of its tourism and leisure industry.

A special someone is on the way. This one’s going to be iconic. 👑 #GuessWho #COD #CinnamonLife
Posted by City of Dreams Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Entertainment

Beyoncé pauses show as flying Cadillac tilts mid-air

Published

1 day ago

June 30, 2025

editor

Beyoncé was forced to stop her show in Houston on Saturday night when the car she was sitting in started to tilt mid-air.

The elaborate stage prop – a red Cadillac – is suspended on cables and carries the superstar high over her fans near the end of her Cowboy Carter stadium show.

But during Saturday’s performance, the car started to slowly tilt to one side, leaving the 43-year-old performer clinging to a flag pole for support.

“Stop! Stop, stop, stop stop,” Beyoncé said, bringing an abrupt end to her country ballad, 16 Carriages.

Gasps could be heard from the audience when fans realised what was happening, but then applause as the star was slowly lowered to the ground, smiling and waving to the crowd.

“If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” she said later.

Fans took to social media to post their videos of the frightening moment, commenting with Beyoncé’s now-infamous catchphrase “somebody’s getting fired”, which she quipped on stage during a lighting problem in 2010.

Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Entertainment, said a “technical mishap” had caused the car to tilt.

“She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident,” the statement added.

This was not the first prop malfunction Beyoncé has experienced over her years of touring.

Earlier in this tour, a robot supposed to pour her a drink missed its mark, no doubt leaving a puddle of Sir Davis whisky for the crew to clean up. And during her On The Run II tour with husband Jay-Z in 2018, a moving platform broke, forcing Beyoncé to climb down a ladder – in heels and a sequined leotard, no less.ame

The performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, was the 23rd of her 32-show Cowboy Carter tour, which wraps up in Las Vegas next month.

The three-hour extravaganza of chaps and cowboy boots has been lauded for its high-energy and artistry, and has delighted fans with appearances by Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughters, Blue, 13, and Rumi, aged eight.

The show has broken ticket records at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (the previous record holder was… Beyoncé) and Stade De France in Paris.

(BBC News)