Entertainment

Paddington Bear gets a British passport

Published

8 months ago

October 23, 2024

editor

Paddington Bear has finally been issued with a British passport, 66 years after he was first said to have arrived in London – but he won’t be able to travel far.

Film-makers requested a passport for the Peruvian bear, to be used as a prop in Paddington in Peru.

Co-producer Rob Silva told the Radio Times that they had asked for a replica but been given an official one.

However, the Home Office confirmed to the BBC that it was a specimen document and can’t actually be used.

“You wouldn’t think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they’ve just listed him as Bear,” Silva said.

Paddington was created in 1958 by Michael Bond, who said the much-loved bear from “darkest Peru” was inspired by his childhood during World War Two.

“When I was small, I had memories of children being evacuated from London with a label around their necks and all their possessions in a suitcase, and this became part of Paddington as well,” he told the BBC in 2017.

“Paddington Bear was a refugee with a label – ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you’, and he had a little suitcase.”

Paddington arrives as a stowaway on a boat from South America and settles with the Brown family, who name him after the London train station where they found him.

The successful movie series, based on Bond’s books, sees Ben Whishaw voice the famous bear. Paddington in Peru, the third film, will be released in November.

Paddington also famously had tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II during the celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee.

(BBC News)

Entertainment

‘Riverstone’ wins 02 major awards at Shanghai Film Festival

Published

6 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan film ‘Riverstone’, directed by Lalith Rathnayake, won 02 awards at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Goblet Awards held on June 21.

Lalith Rathnayake and Nilantha Perera were awarded ‘Asian New Talent Best Script Writer’ while Prabath Roshan received the award for ‘Asian New Talent Best Cinematography’.

The film, which stars popular actors including Mahendra Perera, Shyam Fernando, and Nimanthi Porage, is expected to be released in local theaters soon.

Entertainment

South Indian actress Varalaxmi arrives in SL

Published

5 days ago

June 18, 2025

editor

Renowned South Indian actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar arrived at Katunayake Airport yesterday (June 17) to play the lead role in the upcoming film “Cage Bird”.

The film is a Sri Lankan production directed by Chandran Ratnam, which is set for international release.

She arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport at 11:04 a.m. via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-122 from Chennai, India.

She was welcomed by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) officials, including Deputy Director Harendra Wijewardene and Assistant Director Chaminda Munasinghe.

Entertainment

Indian actor Mohanlal arrives in SL

Published

1 week ago

June 16, 2025

editor

Renowned Indian actor Mohanlal arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (June 14) for the second phase of shooting director Mahesh Narayanan’s big-budget film.

He landed at Bandaranaike International Airport at 11.20 a.m. via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-166 from Kochi and is expected to stay for 10 days.

Speaking to the media, Mohanlal praised Sri Lanka as a “beautiful destination with fresh cinematic backdrops” and expressed interest in filming more projects on the island in the future.

The film, produced by Antony Perumbavoor’s Aashirvaad Cinemas in collaboration with Anto Joseph Films, also features legendary actor Mammootty.

Key action scenes are set to be filmed during this schedule.

@Mohanlal is about to went to Sri Lanka to join the sets of #MMMN for a few days of shoot✌#Mohanlal pic.twitter.com/iUwjxOzD0p
— AKMFCWA Official (@AkmfcwaState) June 15, 2025