Madame Tussauds to open in Sydney

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are expected to be among the first Australian stars to feature when waxworks museum Madame Tussauds opens a venue in Sydney next year, the company said Thursday.

The world-famous London attraction will begin welcoming visitors in the Darling Harbour tourist district of the city next May.

"The latest attraction will reflect the franchise's 200 years of expertise and research, with each figure crafted with both a high level of artistry and accuracy," the company said.

"Most contemporary figures are also produced following sittings with the celebrities themselves, and talks are already well advanced with a number of Australian icons."

The first Australian to be waxed will be "Home and Away" soap opera actor Ray Meagher, who has played Alf Stewart in the popular series since 1988. Politicians and sports stars are also expected to feature.

There are already branches of the museum in cities across the globe, including Hong Kong, Las Vegas, New York, Amsterdam and Bangkok. (AFP)

Hugh Jackman, Aishwarya Rai bag top honours at FICCI-Frames

The 12th edition of the three day FICCI-Frames conclave concluded Friday with Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai bagging the top awards.

FICCI Frames Excellence International Honour was awarded to Jackman, who is best known for his role as Wolverine in the "X-Men" series. The actor is also famed for his versatile style of acting and his rugged on-screen roles in films such as "Kate and Leopold", "Van Helsing", "The Prestige" and" Australia".

Aishwarya was honoured with the Decade of Global Achievement award for her contribution to Hindi cinema. Vidya Balan bagged the best actress award for her performance in "Ishqiya" and Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with the best actor award for "My Name Is Khan".

A film that has sky rocketed at the box office, breaking all records in collections, "Dabangg" also scored two awards at FICCI - Best Film of the Year and Best Music of the Year Award. It also fetched its heroine, Sonakshi Sinha, the award in the the Best Debutant (Female) Category.

"Band Baaja Baaraat" was another film that made a mark at the box office delivering the Best Debutant award - Male to Ranveer Singh for his acting and the Best Director Debut to Maneesh Sharma.

"The entertainment industry in India is booming along with business excellence and we are happy to recognise such levels of talent in both fields. We take pride in honouring best performers for their contributions in their area of work," said Yash Chopra, Chairman, FICCI Entertainment Committee.

Another highlight of the evening was the impromptu gig between Vidya, Shah Rukh and Jackman where the three shook a leg together on stage, entertaining the audience.

Other awards were:

Best TV Series - Non-Fiction - Indian Idol 5 (Fremantle Media, SET and Wizcraft Television)
Best TV Series - Fiction - Pavitra Rishta - Balaji Telefilms
Best TV Actor - Male - Sushant Singh Rajput in Pavitra Rishta (Zee TV)
Best TV Actor - Female - Rashmi Desai in Uttran (Colors)
Best General Entertainment Channel - STAR PLUS
Best Radio Channel - Radio Mirchi
Best Director - Karan Johar (My Name is Khan)

It's a great time for women to direct movies: Eva Mendes

Actress Eva Mendes, who made her directorial debut with "California Romanza", feels this is the right time for women to turn director.


Mendes showed her movie starring Christina Ricci at the annual Glamour Reel Moments event in Los Angeles earlier this year, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"I loved the whole experience. I believe we need more women behind the camera. This year, with Kathryn Bigelow winning an Oscar (for 'Hurt Locker') and Angelina Jolie directing a film, it's a great time for women to step behind the camera," she said.

"I certainly felt very empowered by it when I made my film. It's about time we heard more women's voices and points of view in cinema because it's a male-dominated industry. It's starting to equal out a bit, though, which is exciting."



Jackman injured on the sets of Winfrey show

Actor Hugh Jackman injured himself when a stunt he was performing for the Oprah Winfrey's show went wrong.


The "X-Men" star flew straight into a light fitting while coming down with a zip wire while shooting at the Opera House in Sydney as part of the Winfrey's special edition of the programme in Australia.

He smashed into the lights injuring one of his eyes. He was seen pressing a towel against the affected area and was later treated by paramedics, reports thesun.co.uk.

The Sydney-born actor insisted he got "overexcited" and distracted by the famous view of the Harbour Bridge on his trip down from the tip of the Opera House.

Hugh Jackman, Gerard Butler team-up to fight poverty

Actors Hugh Jackman and Gerard Butler have joined forces to fight poverty.

Introducing the Global Poverty Project''s premiere of the movie "1.4 Billion Reasons," Jackman urged guests to text a donation to the GPP, offering his personal services as a "technical adviser" to get them to pay up.

The "Wolverine" star even offered a one-on-one workout session as an auction item, and said, "Don''t worry, we''ll make the workout aerobics," reports the New York Post.

Guests included Rory Tahari, Bronson van Wyck and Anthony Edwards.

Fashion icons Donna Karan and Anna Wintour joined Jackman and Butler at MoMA on Wednesday night in the campaign.

Jackman takes part in cancer patient vid

Hugh Jackman has appeared in a video as a favour to a man undergoing cancer treatment.

35-year-old Australian Kristian Anderson, who has been having chemotherapy since being diagnosed with bowel cancer in October last year, was put in touch with Jackman after he appealed to radio station Triple M for their help in making a birthday video for his wife Rachel.

In the video, which has been posted on News.com.au, Kristian tells his wife that he will "never give up" during his cancer battle and that he needs her "like [he] needs a cure for cancer".

Halfway through the movie, Jackman appears and says: "He loves you Rachel... he loves you."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is also featured in the video which raises cancer awareness and encourages people to donate money to the Cancer Council.