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George Michael
Goodbye on ‘last Christmas’ George Michael at 53, breathed his last on Christmas Day 2016 following heart failure — ironically, making it his ‘Last Christmas’ RADHIKA BHIRANI, NEW DELHI
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‘father figure’ in international music, gone too soon. At 17, George Michael delved into infidelity through his evergreen classic ‘Careless whisper’, saying ‘Guilty feet have got no rhythm’ — like perhaps no teen pop star of today can write. His music, like his fans would agree, has had a shelf life transcending multiple decades — irrespective of whether it was doled out when he began in 1981 as one half of pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley — or when he became famous in his own right with his solo single 'areless whisper'. That apart, his changing looks — is a smiling teen-pop idol look in the peppy 'Wake me up before you go-go', with piercing eyes and ruffled blonde hair in the 'Careless whisper' video or the picturization of 'Faith' in which he gyrates wearing an entirely different grunge look with a black jacket, sunglasses and a stubble — have had a lasting impression on legions of his fans. They are in mourning now as Michael — at 53 — breathed his last on Christmas Day 2016 fol-
George Michael passed away on Christmas Day 2016. (File Photo)
lowing heart failure — ironically, making it his ‘Last Christmas’. 'Last Christmas, I gave you my heart/But the very next day, you gave it away/This year, to save me from tears/I’ll give it to someone special.' Michael’s songs spoke of
love, desire, heartbreak, and in later years as a performer, he came up with tracks of socio-political references. Beyond a point in his career, Michael distanced himself from risque music videos and his pop-star image to make relevant statements.
Like, his 1994 single “Jesus to a child” was a tribute to Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian man with whom he had a short-lived relationship as Feleppa died of an AIDSrelated brain haemorrhage in 1993. His single in July 2002, “Shoot the dog”, criticized the former US President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It courted controversy for being anti-American. However, his career’s trajectory never saw the end of love songs even as he dabbled in multiple musical genres throughout his glorious career. Controversies seemed to eclipse the latter part of his music career — leading to a slow output during the 2000s. His last studio album of new songs was 'Patience' in 2004. At one point, Michael even said that he had spent the past 20 years trying to sabotage his glittering career via a series of humiliating drug and sex scandals. In retrospect, freedom from the dark phase of his life is what he has got — as he leaves behind a legacy of music that his fans will cherish for years to come.
BRIEFS Salman celebrates his 51st birthday
MUMBAI: Superstar Salman Khan brought in his 51st birthday this week with a grand celebration with his family members and friends at his farmhouse in Panvel. Looking dapper in a black shirt and formal pants, Salman cut the cake with his nephew Ahil, son of the actor’s sister Arpita Khan Sharma. For his birthday, Salman launched his much-awaited mobile app Being In Touch.
'Dangal' made tax free in Haryana CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government announced that Bollywood film Dangal would be tax-free in the state. "The exemption Aamir Khan has been given keeping in view the promotion of 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' programme and promotion of wrestling in the movie," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced at a public meeting. Dangal features Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who is portraying the role of former national level wrestler Mahavir —IANS Singh Phogat.
After Carrie Fisher, her ‘Haraamkhor’ shot in just 16 days mother too passes away IANS, MUMBAI
LOS ANGELES: Debbie Reynolds, who rose to stardom in Singin' in the Rain, died on Wednesday, just a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher (in picture) passed away. Debbie was 84. According to Debbie's son, she died of stroke, reports tmz.com. Carrie Fisher’s death has shocked Hollywood celebrities who remember the actress as the “brightest light” and a “wonderful talent”. Fisher, 60, died four days after she suffered a cardiac arrest on a flight. Her daughter Billie Lourd said the actress has passed away after taken ill travelling from London to Los Angeles, reports telegraph.co.uk. After the news of her death broke, the celebrities took to social media to express their grief. Here is what they shared. Steven Spielberg: I have always stood in awe of Carrie. Her observa-
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tions always made me laugh and gasp at the same time. She didn’t need The Force. She was a force of nature, of loyalty and of friendship. I will miss her very much. Zach Braff: Carrie Fisher. RIP. What a talent. What a year. Ryan Seacrest: Thoughts and prayers to Carrie Fisher’s family Rita Wilson: God bless Carrie Fisher. This woman and her friendship will be deeply missed. —IANS
pcoming Hindi film Haraamkhor, the trailer of which was launched this week, was shot in 16 days. Shlok Sharma, the movie’s director, credits his actors and team members for the speedy and “spot on” job. The movie, which features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi, is set in real locations. “It was indeed very challenging to finish an entire feature film’s shoot in 16 days. That’s why the team’s role was the most crucial. My lead actors Nawaz bhai and Shweta were spot on. So was the crew,” Sharma said in a statement. “Siddharth, my DOP (director of photography), and his team, along with the production team, were all absolutely in tandem. There was no way this would have been possible without the team I had behind me,” he added. Haraamkhor is finally set to
Haraamkhor, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi will release on January 13, 2017. (File Photo)
release on January 13, 2017, following a prolonged run-in with the Central Board of Film Certification. In a judgment last week, the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) reversed a ban on the film, citing it to be socially responsible. The film explores the romance between a 14-year-old school stu-
dent and her teacher. Decorated with visuals set in a small village are the main characters of the film, the teacher, the student, a boy who has a crush on the same girl and his friend who helps him and the teacher’s wife. The trailer is funny in parts — even as the film sets out to spread a serious message.