Sleepless Sonam

MUMBAI: Sonam Kapoor has got into the skin of the character and is really working over her next project. So much that she is having problems sleeping. She desperately wants to come out of the problem and sleep peacefully.

She revealed, “Maybe it’s just Jane Austen’s novels. In Ayesha, my role is based on Jane Austen’s Emma. I’ve been reading her novels ever since... and can’t stop thinking about them. Maybe that’s why I’m losing sleep.”

The Delhi-6 lass is playing the main role in the Hindi adaptation of Jane Austen’s popular novel Emma, opposite the dimpled hero, Abhay Deol. The movie will be directed by Rajshree Ojha and will be produced by none other than Sonam’s dad and actor, Anil Kapoor. — Agencies

Depp’s girly dream

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has his eye on a gender-bending movie role as he is keen on portraying singer-actress Carol Channing in a biopic.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor has regularly donned a series of bizarre outfits for his films such as Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and even dressed up as a woman for his part in 1994 comedy Ed Wood.

He is determined now to go even further with a future role by playing 88-year-old Channing, reports express.co.uk.

“My dream role would be to play musical legend Carol Channing in a biopic of her life. I love her, I really do, she’s amazing... With all the digital technology these days, I could probably pull it off,” he said. — Agencies

Hollywood’s real king is Lucas

LONDON: Star Wars creator George Lucas is Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Man, according to business website Forbes.com. The director has topped a poll by Forbes.com after making $170 million in the past year. He pipped Steven Spielberg in the list of 15 to land the top spot.

Spielberg made an estimated $150 million between June 2008-June 2009, reports the BBC. Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, was third on the list with an estimated $100 million. Simon Cowell was joint sixth on the list, earning about $75 million. The website talked to ‘managers, agents and other Hollywood insiders’ to come up with the estimated earnings.

Forbes.com said, “In Hollywood, the stars get their pictures on the covers of magazines and designers ply them with free clothes, but producers earn the big bucks.”

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld was fourth, with an estimated $85 million. The top five was rounded out by TV psychologist Dr Phil McGraw — with $80 million. Others on the list include rock star Bruce Springsteen and Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford. — Agencies

Madonna concert stage collapse kills 2

FRANCE: A British worker died in hospital after he was injured in the collapse of a stage that was being built for a Madonna concert in the southern French city of Marseille, authorities said on July 17.

A French worker was killed on the spot when the stage collapsed on July 16. Eight other workers were injured, of whom five are in a serious condition.

US pop star Madonna had been scheduled to give a concert in Marseille on July 19 but the show was cancelled immediately after the collapse.

Madonna, who was in Italy

at the time, issued a statement saying she was devastated

by the news. Marseille city

authorities said all the victims worked for a company called Live Nation, which was preparing the show. — Agencies

Monroe’s bra to be auctioned

LONDON: Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe’s underwear, including a Wonderbra and silk stockings will be auctioned in London.

The bra was worn by the icon in The Seven Year Itch when she was shot in a white halter neck dress, with the wind from a New York subway grate billowing up her skirt.

The blonde actress, who famously said that she prefers going without underwear used cleavage boosting lingerie. The 1950s

version of a Wonderbra, nicknamed the ‘fling’ was popular among burlesque artistes and is expected to fetch upto £2,000, reported Times online.

The cream and ivory-coloured piece was part of the wardrobe of Monroe’s clothes sold in Hollywood in 2005 and will be part of an auction organised by International Autograph Auctions.

A signed black and white photograph of the star holding a bunch of roses is also expected to attract bids of £3,000. — Agencies

Barton hospitalised

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Mischa Barton has been hospitalised under involuntary psychiatric hold, Access Hollywood reported. The 23-year-old actress is at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the report said. Police confirmed to People magazine that they removed her from her house but gave no further details. “She has been dealing with a lot of personal issues,” a friend told People. “I don’t know if she really ever gave up some of the bad habits that had gotten out of control a couple years back.” — Agencies