Dulquer Salmaan

Dulquer Salmaan

Dulquer Salmaan (born 28 July 1986), is an Indian film actor, playback singer and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam language films. He has also worked in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi language films. The son of actor Mammootty, Dulquer graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Purdue University, and worked as a business manager before pursuing a career in acting. He is the winner of four Filmfare Awards South and one Kerala State Film Awards.

After a three-month acting course at the Barry John Acting Studio, he made his debut in the 2012 action drama Second Show, for which he received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He received his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor nomination for his performance in Ustad Hotel (2012).

After the commercial success of the comedy ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013) and the road thriller Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013), Salmaan appeared in the Tamil romantic comedy Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014). He then starred in the ensemble romantic drama Bangalore Days (2014), which ranks among the highest-grossing Malayalam films. He achieved further success in Tamil cinema with Mani Ratnam's critically and commercially successful romance O Kadhal Kanmani (2015). Subsequently, Salmaan garnered acclaim for portraying the title role in the 2015 romantic drama Charlie, winning him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. He appeared in the Telugu biopic Mahanati (2018) and in the Hindi films Karwaan (2018) and The Zoya Factor (2019).

Salmaan has been recognised in the media as a fashion icon.[2][3] He owns several entrepreneurship ventures and promotes various social causes.

Early life

Dulquer Salmaan was born on 28 July 1986 in Ernakulam, Kerala, India.[4] Salmaan is the second child of actor Mammootty and his wife Sulfath. He has an elder sister, Surumi. He completed his primary level education at Toc-H Public School, Vyttila, Kochi and his secondary level education at Sishya School in Chennai.[5] He then moved to the United States and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Purdue University. After graduation, he worked in the U.S. and later did an I.T.-related business in Dubai. He decided later to pursue a career in acting and attended a three-month course at the Barry John Acting Studio in Mumbai.[6] He stated in a 2012 interview that he chose acting because " ... somewhere down the lane, my life became monotonous and routine".[7]

Film career

Debut, breakthrough and stardom (2012–13)

In 2011, Salmaan signed on for debutante Srinath Rajendran's Second Show (2012) in which he played the role of Harilal, a gangster. When asked in an interview about his "unconventional entry with a bunch of newcomers", Salmaan stated that it was his conscious decision as he felt that " ... when an actor debuts, he has to earn the right to be a hero and not get it through a shortcut route."[7] The film received mixed reviews.[8] A critic for Sify stated, " ... it is Salmaan's amazing screen presence and a matured acting style that makes the movie an engaging watch",[9] while Paresh C Palicha of Rediff criticised his performance. "There is no denying that he looks dapper and has an attractive baritone (a gift of his gene pool). But that does not translate into good performance or acting."[10] The film was commercially successful and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.[11][12]

Salmaan next starred in Anwar Rasheed's Ustad Hotel (2012). The film, which received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, was also a major success at the box office.[13] He also won praise for his portrayal of Faizy.[14] Anil R Nair, writing for The New Indian Express, stated, "The youthful and glamorous Dulquer has come out of his father’s shadow in the role of Faisi."[15] For his performance, Salmaan received his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.[16] His third film was Theevram, a crime thriller directed by Roopesh Peethambaran. The film, which released on November 2012, received mixed reviews and was a box office failure

In 2013, he signed on to appear in Martin Prakkat's comedy drama ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi in which he made his singing debut with "Johnny Mone Johnny". Both the song and the film became popular.[8][18] Though the film received mixed reviews, his performance was well received by critics. Sify stated: "it is Dulquer Salmaan's show all the way and in all fairness the young actor has given his heart and soul into his character."[19] He was also part of Amal Neerad's segment Kullante Bharya in the anthology film 5 Sundarikal (2013).[20] The film was critically acclaimed, with praise specially directed towards Kullante Bharya. Aswin J. Kumar of The Times of India wrote, " ... it's the tale of the nameless woman, 'Kullante Bharya' that stays with the viewer." He also praised Salmaan's performance as a photographer who was bound to his wheelchair.[21] Salmaan then collaborated with Sameer Thahir in Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013), a road movie.[22] The film and his performance was appreciated.[23] Salmaan starred in his "first love story", cinematographer Alagappan's romantic drama Pattam Pole (2013), co-starring debutante Malavika Mohanan. The film was a commercial failure.[18][24]

2014–present

In 2014, Salmaan took on another romantic role in Salalah Mobiles, with Nazriya Nazim opposite him; like Pattam Pole, Salalah Mobiles could not garner much success for the actor.[24] Salmaan's next appearance was in the Tamil-Malayalam bilingual Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014). While the Malayalam version Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram was received poorly, the Tamil version received positive reviews and became a sleeper hit.[25][26] IANS said Salmaan is "a treat to watch" and added, "he earns extra brownie points for dubbing in his own voice and speaking flawless Tamil."[27] He received his second Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for the film.[28]

In Anjali Menon's ensemble romantic comedy drama Bangalore Days (2014), Salmaan played Arjun with Nivin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim as his cousins. The film received positive reviews and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, grossing around ₹500 million (US$7.0 million).[29] Later that year, he co-starred with Unni Mukundan in Lal Jose's Vikramadithyan. It was a commercial success.[25] He then performed in what he called his "most challenging film yet" in Renjith's Njaan (2014).[30] His performance received favourable reviews and earned him several accolades, including a second Best Actor nomination at Filmfare.[8][31]

In 2015, he acted opposite Nithya Menen in two films—Jenuse Mohamed's romantic comedy 100 Days of Love, and Mani Ratnam's Tamil romantic drama O Kadhal Kanmani.[32] The latter opened to positive reviews and became successful at the box office.[33] About Salmaan's performance, The Hindu's critic Baradwaj Rangan wrote: "Dulquer Salmaan checks off all boxes in the Can You Be The Next Madhavan? questionnaire", though he believed the film belonged primarily to Menen.[34] Salmaan next played the titular character in Martin Prakkat's Charlie (2015). The film generated a positive response from critics and received eight Kerala State Film Awards, with Salmaan receiving his first Best Actor Award.[35] He also received a third Best Actor nomination at Filmfare.[36]

Salmaan reunited with Sameer Thahir for his first release in 2016, Kali co-starring Sai Pallavi. When released, the film earned the highest opening day box office gross for a Malayalam film.[37] He then starred in Rajeev Ravi's crime drama Kammatipaadam (2016). The film garnered critical acclaim and became his third consecutive financial success in two years.[38]

He then appeared in Sathyan Anthikad's family drama Jomonte Suvisheshangal (2017).[39] Despite comparisons with 2016 Malayalam drama Jacobinte Swargarajyam,[40] the film did well commercially.[41] His next appearance was in Amal Neerad's romantic action film Comrade In America (2017). The Hindu called it "Dulquer's big hit of 2017".[42] He then portrayed four roles in the bilingual anthology Solo (2017) directed by Bejoy Nambiar. The film was critically panned[43] and "faced immense backlash from the audience."[44]

He next featured in the bilingual Mahanati, a biopic on actress Savitri. His Telugu debut, the film opened to positive reviews from critics and enjoyed commercial success at the box office. Salmaan's portrayal of Gemini Ganeshan was also acclaimed.[45] Later that year, Salmaan made his Hindi film debut with Karwaan. Though the film received "mixed response", Salmaan's performance was appreciated.[46]

In 2019, he starred in Oru Yamandan Premakadha a Malayalam romantic comedy film directed by B. C. Noufal.[47] After Karwaan, Dulquer Salmaan's next Bollywood movie The Zoya Factor released on September 2019.[48] Abhishek Sharma's film adaptation of Anuja Chauhan's novel The Zoya Factor didn't do well at the box-office but Dulquer Salmaan's performance was appreciated.[49][50] The Times of India stated: "From being playful to intense, Dulquer steals the show as he is absolutely brilliant in his portrayal".[51]

Dulquer Salmaan's upcoming movies of 2019 are the Tamil films Vaan and Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal.[52][53][54]

Salmaan will make his debut as a producer with Shamzu Zayba's romantic-comedy Maniyarayile Ashokan which is produced through his production company Wayfarer Films.[55][56] He is slated to star in the upcoming crime-thriller Kurup in which he play the tituar role of Sukumara Kurup, also marks his second production venture.[57][58][59][60][61] His next project as a producer and actor is an untitled film dubbed the "Production No 3" where he will co-star alongside Suresh Gopi, Shobana and Kalyani Priyadarshan.[62]

Personal life and off-screen work

On 22 December 2011, he married architect Amal Sufiya in an arranged marriage. Amal comes from a North Indian Muslim family settled in Chennai.[63][64] The couple has a daughter born in May 2017.[65]

He has also been involved in several social service activities. He has acted in a short film as part of the Kerala motor vehicle department's safe riding campaign.[66] He donated 150 items, including clothing, shoes, books, school supplies and crockery items, as a part of the Chennai Gives initiative.[67] In addition, he is the owner of a web portal for trading cars and a dental business chain in Chennai.[68] He also is the director of the Bangalore-based Motherhood Hospital.[4]

In the media

Salmaan was ranked 4th by GQ in their listing of the 50 most influential young Indians of 2016.[69][70][71] He was also featured by GQ in their listing of the Best Dressed Men India 2016.[72][73][74] He was selected as the "Most Desirable Man" in 2013 and 2014 by Kochi Times, subsidiary of The Times Group.[75][76] In 2019, Salmaan became the first actor from Kerala to get featured on the October edition cover of Vogue India

Emma Watson

Emma Watson

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson (born 15 April 1990)[3] is an English actress, model and activist. Born in Paris and brought up in Oxfordshire, Watson attended the Dragon School and trained as an actress at the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts. As a child, she rose to prominence with her first professional acting role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, having acted only in school plays previously.

Watson also appeared in the 2007 television adaptation of the novel Ballet Shoes and lent her voice to The Tale of Despereaux (2008). After the last Harry Potter film, she took on starring and supporting roles in My Week with Marilyn (2011), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and The Bling Ring (2013), made an appearance as an exaggerated version of herself in This Is the End (2013), and portrayed the titular character's adopted daughter in Noah (2014). She went on to star as Belle in the musical romantic fantasy Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Meg March in the coming-of-age film Little Women (2019), the latter of which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Her other film roles include Regression (2015), Colonia (2015), and The Circle (2017).

From 2011 to 2014, Watson split her time between working on films and continuing her education, studying at Brown University and Worcester College, Oxford, and graduating from Brown with a bachelor's degree in English literature in May 2014. Her modelling work has included campaigns for Burberry and Lancôme. She also lent her name to a line of clothing for People Tree. She was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 2014, winning British Artist of the Year. That same year, she was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador and helped launch the UN Women campaign HeForShe, which encourages gender equality.

Early life and education

Watson was born in Paris, France, the daughter of English lawyers Jacqueline Luesby and Chris Watson.[3][4][5] Watson lived in Maisons-Laffitte near Paris until she was five. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Watson moved to England to live with her mother in Oxfordshire while spending weekends at her father's house in London.[3][6] Watson has said she speaks some French, though "not as well" as she used to.[7] After moving to Oxford with her mother and brother, she attended the Dragon School, remaining there until 2003.[3] From age six, she wanted to become an actress,[8] and trained at the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, a part-time theatre school where she studied singing, dancing, and acting.[9]

By age 10, Watson had performed in Stagecoach productions and school plays including Arthur: The Young Years and The Happy Prince,[10] but she had never acted professionally before the Harry Potter series. After the Dragon School, Watson moved on to Headington School, Oxford.[3] While on film sets, she and her peers were tutored for up to five hours a day.[11] In June 2006, she took GCSE school examinations in 10 subjects, achieving eight A* and two A grades. In May 2007, she took AS levels in English, Geography, Art, and History of Art. The next year, she dropped History of Art to pursue the three A levels, receiving an A grade in each subject.[3][12][13]

Watson took a gap year after leaving high school,[14] to film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows beginning in February 2009,[15] but said she intended to continue her studies[16] and later confirmed that she had chosen Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.[17] In March 2011, after 18 months at the university, Watson announced that she was deferring her course for "a semester or two",[18] though she attended Worcester College, Oxford during the 2011–12 academic year as part of the Visiting Student Programme.[19][20]

Watson told Ellen DeGeneres just before graduation that it took five years to finish instead of four because, owing to her acting work, she "ended up taking two full semesters off".[21] On 25 May 2014, she graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature.[22] In 2013, she became certified to teach yoga and meditation. As part of this certification, she attended a week-long meditation course at a Canadian facility, in which residents are not allowed to speak, in order "to figure out how to be at home with myself".[23][24] She told Elle Australia that an uncertain future meant finding "a way to always feel safe and at home within myself. Because I can never rely on a physical place."[25]

Career

1999–2003: Beginnings and breakthrough

In 1999, casting began for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States), the film adaptation of British author J. K. Rowling's best-selling novel. Casting agents found Watson through her Oxford theatre teacher, and producers were impressed by her confidence. After eight auditions, producer David Heyman told Watson and fellow applicants Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint that they had been cast for the roles of the school friends Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, respectively. Rowling supported Watson from her first screen test.[8]

The release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001 was Watson's debut screen performance. The film broke records for opening-day sales and opening-weekend takings and was the highest-grossing film of 2001.[26][27] Critics praised the performances of the three leads, often singling out Watson for particular acclaim; The Daily Telegraph called her performance "admirable",[28] and IGN said she "stole the show".[29] Watson was nominated for five awards for her performance in Philosopher's Stone, winning the Young Artist Award for Leading Young Actress.[30]

A year later, Watson again starred as Hermione in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second instalment of the series. Reviewers praised the lead actors' performances. The Los Angeles Times said Watson and her peers had matured between films,[31] while The Times criticised director Chris Columbus for "under-employing" Watson's hugely popular character.[32] Watson received an Otto Award from the German magazine Bravo for her performance.[33]

2004–2011: Harry Potter and other roles

World Famous Lover

World Famous Lover

World Famous Lover is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Kranthi Madhav starring Vijay Deverakonda, Raashi Khanna, Aishwarya Rajesh, Catherine Tresa and Izabelle Leite in lead roles and produced by K. A. Vallabha under banner of Creative Commercials

Plot
An amalgamation of four different love stories: Seenayya and Suvarna, a middle-class couple in a small town; Gautham, a youngster romancing in Paris with Iza, Union Leader Srinu in love with his boss lady, and a first college romance.

Cast
Vijay Deverakonda as Seenayya (Srinu, a coal mine worker) & Gautham (writer & business executive)
Raashi Khanna as Yamini
Aishwarya Rajesh as Suvarna
Catherine Tresa as Smitha, Seenayya's Lady Boss
Izabelle Leite[4] as Iza
Aditya Jonnawada as a student
Jayaprakash
Priyadarshi
Production
Development
Kranthi Madhav started talks with Vijay Devarakonda for his upcoming movie[5] with Creative Commercials attached to produce the film. By October everything was set in place and film officially launched on 18 October 2018[6] on the occasion of Dusshera. The ceremony was graced by film's cast and crew along with T. Subbarami Reddy as main guest[7].

Casting
In the launch event it was announced that Raashi Khanna, Aishwarya Rajesh and Izabelle Leite are set to co star Vijay in un disclosed roles[7]. In January 2019, Catherine Tresa was announced to join the cast[8].

Filming
The production on film started in February 2019 at Yellandu of Khammam district[9]. In June 2019, a schedule was filmed in France with Deverakonda

Hugh Grosvenor

Hugh Grosvenor

Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster (born 29 January 1991), styled as Earl Grosvenor until August 2016, is a British aristocrat, billionaire, businessman, and owner of Grosvenor Group. He became Duke of Westminster on 9 August 2016, on the death of his father Gerald Grosvenor.

The Duke and his family are estimated to be worth £10.1 billion (US$13 billion), according to the Sunday Times Rich List in May 2019.[2] He is the world's richest person aged under 30

Early life

Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor is the third child and only son of the 6th Duke of Westminster and his wife Natalia (née Phillips). He was baptised into the Church of England on 23 June 1991.

Grosvenor and his sisters were educated at a local state primary school, followed by a small private day school, Mostyn House School, near the family home of Eaton Hall, Cheshire. He then attended Ellesmere College, Shropshire, from 2000 to 2009. At Ellesmere, Grosvenor served as a School Prefect, Captain of Meynell House and Captain of the First XI Football Team in his final year. He was awarded Full Colours in Football, and, as a member of the School's Combined Cadet Force, he obtained a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services with Distinction.[4][5][6]

From 2011 to 2013, he studied countryside management at Newcastle University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree with upper second-class honours.[6][7][8]

Career

After university, Grosvenor (at the time Earl Grosvenor) worked in estate management at Wheatsheaf Investment from 2013 to 2014, and the Grosvenor Group from 2014 to 2015, before becoming Accounts Manager at Bio-bean, a green energy company, in January 2016.[7][8]

Upon his father's death, in August 2016, as well as the peerages, he inherited a wealth then estimated at £9 billion, with considerable trust funds for his sisters.[9] This wealth is held in a trust, of which Grosvenor is a beneficial owner but not the legal owner — an arrangement that received considerable press attention, owing to the inheritance tax exemption it confers.[10][11][12][13]

Personal life

Little is publicly known about Grosvenor's personal life, as a result of his family's efforts to maintain his privacy.[14] However, in October 2013, he received some attention when he was named a godfather to Prince George of Cambridge.[15]

Titles, styles and arms

Titles and styles

29 January 1991 – 9 August 2016: Earl Grosvenor

9 August 2016 – present: His Grace The Duke of Westminster

توم هاردي

توم هاردي

إدوارد توماس "توم" هاردي (بالإنجليزية: Edward Thomas "Tom" Hardy)‏ هو ممثل إنجليزي من مواليد 15 سبتمبر 1977. أول ظهور سينمائي له كان في الفيلم الحربي سقوط الصقر الأسود (2001). أفلامه الأخرى المعروفة ستار تريك: العدو (2002) وروكنرولا (2008) وبرونسن (2008) واستهلال (2010) ومحارب (2011) وسمكري خياط جندي جاسوس (2011) ونهوض فارس الظلام (2012) ولوكي (2013) وماكس المجنون: طريق الغضب (2015) و دونكيرك (2017) و فينوم (2018).

أدوار هاردي التلفزيوني تشمل مسلسل الدراما والحرب عصبة الأخوة (2001) والدراما التارخية الملكة العذارء (2005) ومرتفعات ويذرنغ (2008) والملكة العذارء (2008) والسطو (2009).

درس هاردي الدراما بمركز لندن للدراما. حصل على جائزة (London Evening Standard Theatre) عن دوره في مسرحية "سنكون جميعاً في السعودية"، كما رشح عنها أيضاً لجائزة لورنس أوليفيه.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy

Edward Thomas Hardy CBE (born 15 September 1977) is an English actor and producer. After studying acting at the Drama Centre London, he made his film debut in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down (2001) and has since appeared in such films as Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), RocknRolla (2008), Bronson (2008), Warrior (2011), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Lawless (2012), Locke (2013), The Drop (2014), and The Revenant (2015), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2015, Hardy portrayed "Mad" Max Rockatansky in Mad Max: Fury Road and both Kray twins in Legend. He has appeared in three Christopher Nolan films: Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012) as Bane, and Dunkirk (2017) as an RAF fighter-pilot. He starred as Eddie Brock / Venom in the 2018 anti-hero film Venom.

Hardy's television roles include the HBO war drama mini-series Band of Brothers (2001), the BBC historical drama mini-series The Virgin Queen (2005), Bill Sikes in the BBC's mini-series Oliver Twist (2007), ITV's Wuthering Heights (2008), the Sky 1 drama series The Take (2009), and the BBC historical crime drama series Peaky Blinders (2013–). He created, co-produced, and took the lead in the eight-part historical fiction series Taboo (2017) on BBC One and FX.[1]

Hardy has performed on both British and American stages. He was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his role as Skank in the production of In Arabia We'd All Be Kings (2003), and was awarded the 2003 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performances in both In Arabia We'd All Be Kings and for his role as Luca in Blood. He starred in the production of The Man of Mode (2007) and received positive reviews for his role in the play The Long Red Road (2010).

Hardy is active in charity work and is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust.[2][3][4] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to drama

Early life

Edward Thomas Hardy[7] was born on 15 September 1977[8] in Hammersmith, London,[9] the only child of artist and painter Anne (née Barrett) and novelist and comedy writer Edward "Chips" Hardy.[10][11][12] His mother is of Irish descent.[13] Hardy was brought up in East Sheen, London.[14] He studied at Tower House School, Reed's School, and Duff Miller Sixth Form College. He later studied at Richmond Drama School and the Drama Centre London, a part of Central Saint Martins.[15][16] He has named Gary Oldman as his "hero", adding that he mirrored scenes from the actor while at drama school.[17][18]

Career

1998–2010

In 1998, Hardy won The Big Breakfast's Find Me a Supermodel competition at age 21 (and with it a brief contract with Models One).[19] Hardy joined Drama Centre London in September 1998, and was taken out early after winning the part of US Army Private John Janovec in the award-winning HBO-BBC mini-series Band of Brothers.[20] He made his feature film debut in Ridley Scott's war thriller Black Hawk Down (2001).[21] During this time, Hardy also had a brief stint as a rapper and hip hop producer with his friend Edward Tracy (under the name "Tommy No 1 + Eddie Too Tall"), with whom he recorded a mixtape called Falling On Your Arse In 1999 that remained unreleased until 2018.[22]

In 2002, Hardy gained considerable international exposure as the Reman Praetor Shinzon, a clone of USS Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Nemesis.[23] The following year, he appeared in the film Dot the i, and then travelled to North Africa for Simon: An English Legionnaire, a story of the French Foreign Legion. He then returned to the United Kingdom to feature in the horror film LD 50 Lethal Dose (2003)

Hardy was awarded the 2003 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performances in Blood and In Arabia We'd All Be Kings performed at the Royal Court Theatre and Hampstead Theatre.[25] He was also nominated for a 2004 Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer of 2003 in a Society of London Theatre Affiliate for his performance as Skank in the aforementioned production of In Arabia We'd All Be Kings.[26] Hardy appeared with Emilia Fox in the BBC mini-series The Virgin Queen (2005) as Robert Dudley, a childhood friend of Elizabeth I. Dudley's character has been described as an ambiguous young man who is torn between the affection of his wife (played by Fox), his love for Elizabeth and his own ambitions.[27] Hardy featured in the BBC Four adaptation of the 1960s science fiction series A for Andromeda.[28]

In 2007, he appeared in BBC Two's drama based on a true story, Stuart: A Life Backwards. He played the lead role of Stuart Shorter, a homeless man who had been subjected to years of abuse and whose death was possibly a suicide.[29] The same year he played Bill Sikes in the BBC mini-series Oliver Twist, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel that aired on PBS Masterpiece Classic in the US. In February 2008, he played a drug-addicted rapist in the British horror-thriller WΔZ.[30] In September 2008, he appeared in Guy Ritchie's London gangster film, RocknRolla; Hardy played the role of gay gangster Handsome Bob.[31] Though a sequel to RocknRolla, titled The Real RocknRolla, has been rumoured to be in production, in which Hardy will reprise the role of Handsome Bob, filming has yet to commence on the project.[32] In 2008, Hardy starred in the film Bronson, about the real-life English prisoner Charles Bronson, who has spent most of his adult life in solitary confinement. For the film, he put on three stone (19 kg/42 pounds).[33]

In June 2009, Hardy starred in Martina Cole's four-part TV drama The Take on Sky One, as a drug and alcohol-fuelled gangster. The role gained him a Best Actor nomination at the 2009 Crime Thriller Awards.[34] In August 2009, he appeared in ITV's Wuthering Heights, playing the role of Heathcliff, the classic love character who falls in love with his childhood friend Cathy.[35][36] In early 2010, Hardy starred in The Long Red Road at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.[37] The play was written by Brett C. Leonard and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hardy won some good reviews for his portrayal of Sam, an alcoholic trying to drink away his past.[38][39] In 2010, he starred as Eames in Christopher Nolan's science fiction thriller Inception for which he won a BAFTA Rising Star award. Hardy replaced Michael Fassbender in the 2011 film adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,[40] released on 5 September 2011 at the 68th edition of the Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica in Venice. In March 2010, Hardy signed a first-look deal at Warner Bros.[41]

Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher

William John Paul Gallagher (born 21 September 1972) is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the rock band Oasis in the 1990s and 2000s, and later fronted the rock band Beady Eye in the early 2010s, before beginning a solo career after the dissolution of both bands.[1][2] One of the most recognisable figures in British music, he is noted for his outspoken and abrasive manner; penchant for wearing parkas; distinctive singing style, in which he elongates vowels; and signature stance on stage, which consists of him holding his arms behind his back and singing up into a downward-facing microphone.

Gallagher's debut solo album, As You Were, was released in October 2017 and proved to be a critical and commercial success. It topped the UK Albums Chart and was the ninth fastest-selling debut album of the 2010s in the UK, with over 103,000 units sold in its first week.[3] In 2018, the album was certified Platinum with sales of over 300,000 units in the UK.[4] His second solo album, Why Me? Why Not, topped the UK charts upon its release in September 2019; his tenth chart-topping album, including eight with Oasis, it was the fastest-selling vinyl of 2019

Early life

William John Paul Gallagher was born in the Longsight area of Manchester on 21 September 1972, the son of Irish parents Peggy and Thomas Gallagher. The family later moved to the Burnage area of Manchester. Gallagher was physically abused by his father as a child, although not to the extent that his older brothers Paul and Noel were. He has said that the abuse affected him deeply and inspired him to become an artist.[6] When he was 10, his mother took him and his brothers and moved away from her husband, whom she divorced in 1986.[7] Although Liam maintained sporadic contact with his father throughout his teens, he has said that their issues remain unresolved. Noel has often contended that even from a young age, Liam went out of his way to antagonise people, especially Noel, with whom he shared a bedroom. The Gallagher brothers were troubled, especially in their mid-teens; Liam often shoplifted bicycles from local shops. He attended St. Bernard's RC Primary School until age 11, then The Barlow Roman Catholic High School. Despite common reports that he was expelled at age 16 for fighting, Liam was actually suspended for three months. He then returned to school, where he completed his last term in 1990,[8] later famously stating on VH1's Behind the Music in 2000 that he is "not daft" because he gained four GCSEs.[9]

Liam had no interest in music at a young age, preferring sports. He credits his change in attitude towards music to a blow to the head by a hammer he received from a student from a rival school. After this incident, he became infatuated with the idea of joining a band. Noel has said that Liam showed little interest in music until his late teens, was better looking than him, a better singer, had better clothes, and could wear a parka jacket with more style.[9] Gallagher became confident in his ability to sing and began listening to bands like the Beatles, the Stone Roses, the Who, the Kinks, the Jam, and T. Rex. In the process, he became obsessed with the Beatles' John Lennon, and would later sarcastically claim to be Lennon reincarnated despite being born eight years prior to Lennon's death.[10] Liam would also help Noel with his job as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets and worked as a watchman for British Gas.[11]

Career

Oasis (1991–2009)

When school friend Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan invited Gallagher to join his band The Rain as a vocalist, he agreed. Liam was the band's co-songwriter, along with guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs. Noel has since openly mocked this writing partnership, describing them as being "just awful", and Liam later admitted that they were "shit".[9] The band only rehearsed once a week and did not get many gigs. It was after one of their rare shows in 1991 at the Manchester Boardwalk that Noel, having recently returned from touring internationally as a roadie with Inspiral Carpets, saw them perform.

In 1993, Oasis played a four-song setlist at Glasgow's famous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, where Alan McGee of Creation Records discovered them and signed them on for a six-record deal. In late 1993 and 1994, the band recorded their debut album Definitely Maybe, which released on 28 August 1994, and went on to become the fastest-selling British debut album ever. Liam was praised for his vocal contributions to the album, and his presence made Oasis a popular live act. Critics cited influences from the Beatles and Sex Pistols. Liam's attitude garnered attention from the British tabloid press, which often ran stories concerning his alleged drug use and behaviour.

In 1997, Definitely Maybe was named the 14th greatest album of all time in a "Music of the Millennium" poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, The Guardian, and Classic FM.[12] In Channel 4's '100 Greatest Albums' countdown in 2005, the album was placed at number 6.[13] In 2006, NME placed the album third in a list of the greatest British albums ever, behind The Stone Roses' self-titled debut album and The Smiths' The Queen Is Dead.[14] In a 2006 British poll run by NME and the book of British Hit Singles and Albums, Definitely Maybe was voted the best album of all time with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band finishing second and Revolver third.[15] Q Magazine placed it at number five on their greatest albums of all-time list in 2006, and in that same year NME hailed it as the greatest album of all time.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? was even more successful, becoming the third-best selling album in British history.[16] Around this time, Oasis became embroiled in a well documented media-fuelled feud with fellow Britpop band Blur. The differing styles of the bands now leading the Britpop movement – Oasis a working class, northern band and Blur a middle class, southern band – made the media perceive them as natural rivals. In August 1995, Blur and Oasis released new singles on the same day. Blur's "Country House" outsold Morning Glory's second single, "Roll with It", 274,000 copies to 216,000 during the week.[17] When the band mimed the single on Top of the Pops, Liam pretended to play Noel's guitar and Noel pretended to sing, taking a jibe at the show's format.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? is considered to be a seminal record of the Britpop era and as one of the best albums of the nineties,[18] and it appears in several charts as one of the greatest albums of all time.[19] In 2010, Rolling Stone commented that "the album is a triumph, full of bluster, bravado and surprising tenderness. Morning Glory capped a true golden age for Britpop."[20] The magazine ranked the album at 378 on its 2012 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[21] The album's enduring popularity within the UK was reflected when it won the BRITs Album of 30 years at the 2010 BRIT Awards. The award was voted by the public to decide the greatest 'Best Album' winner in the history of the BRIT Awards.[22] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[23]

After an incident of air rage in 1998 (apparently over a scone) on a flight to Australia, Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific airlines; Gallagher said he would "rather walk".[24] During the tour of Australia, Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly head-butting a 19-year-old fan, who claimed he was only asking him for a photo. Criminal charges were later dropped, although a civil case was pursued that led to Gallagher reportedly settling out of court.[25]

Oasis's eagerly anticipated third album, Be Here Now, was released on 21 August 1997 and set a new record as the fastest-selling album in UK Chart history. The album was derided by Noel in later years,[26] but Liam has defended the album, describing it as "a top record".[26]

On the first day of release, Be Here Now sold over 424,000 copies, becoming the fastest-selling album in British chart history; initial reviews were overwhelmingly positive.[27] The album's producer Owen Morris said the recording sessions were marred by arguments and drug abuse, and that the band's only motivations were commercial.[28] As of 2008, the album had sold eight million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling album of 1997 in the UK, with 1.47 million units sold.[29] The album topped the UK Vinyl Albums Chart in 2016, 19 years after its original release.[30]

Creation Records shut down in 1999, following which the Gallagher brothers set up their own label, Big Brother Recordings for all future Oasis releases. Interestingly, future album and singles were marked with codes starting with 'RKID'.

Oasis returned in 2000 with Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. Founding members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan left during the recording, leaving Liam Gallagher as the only member remaining from The Rain. The album featured their first song written by Liam rather than Noel, "Little James", a melody written for Liam's ex-wife Patsy Kensit's son, James Kerr.[31] This song, along with the album as a whole, received generally mixed reviews.

Oasis's next album, Heathen Chemistry (2002), featured three more songs written by Liam. One of them was "Songbird", which was an acoustic ballad about his love for Nicole Appleton. The song was the fourth single from the album and reached number 3 in the UK charts. Later that year, on 1 December, Gallagher broke several of his teeth and sustained injuries to his face after a fight broke out in a Munich bar. He and Alan White were arrested, but were released without charge. Oasis had to pull out of the shows in Munich and Düsseldorf due to Liam's injuries.

2005 saw the release of Oasis's sixth studio album, Don't Believe the Truth, featuring a further three compositions by Liam Gallagher: "Love Like a Bomb" (co-written with rhythm guitarist Gem Archer), "The Meaning of Soul" and "Guess God Thinks I'm Abel". The album won two Q Awards: a special People's Choice Award and Best Album.[32]

Gallagher joined the rest of Oasis to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the BRIT Awards 2007. As the band picked up the award, he commented on stage, "Seeing as we don't get nominated for this shit no more this'll have to do." Around the same time, it was announced that he was in negotiations with the makers of Channel 4 afternoon quiz Countdown to appear as the weekly celebrity guest in "Dictionary Corner". Co-presenter Carol Vorderman, interviewed by the Daily Sport, said, "Liam loves it and yes, we're in talks about him coming on. I told him I think it will do his cred no end of good."[33]

2008 saw the release of the band's final album Dig Out Your Soul (2008), which featured three Liam songs: "I'm Outta Time" (also a single), "Ain't Got Nothin'" and "Soldier On". Dig Out Your Soul went straight to number 1 in the UK Album Charts and reached Number 5 in the US 200 Billboard Charts. In mid-2009 at the end of the tour of the same name, the band split up due to Noel not being able to work with Liam any more.[34]

In the UK, the album sold 90,000 copies on its first day of release, making it the second fastest selling album of 2008, behind Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. It debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number 1, with first week sales of 200,866 copies, making it the 51st fastest selling album ever in the UK. The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 in the US, with 53,000 copies sold.[35] It is the highest chart position of any Oasis album in the US since 1997's Be Here Now which debuted at number 2, but fewer total opening week sales than Don't Believe the Truth.[35] It has so far spent a total of 30 weeks in the French Albums Chart.[36]

Many critics lauded Dig Out Your Soul as one of the band's strongest albums, one opined that "it seems Oasis have made something that can happily play alongside Morning Glory."[37]

On 28 August 2009, Noel announced his departure from the band, following an intense fight backstage at the Rock en Seine festival near Paris.

Beady Eye (2009–2014)