Two Weeks is a 2007 comedy-drama film written and directed by Steve Stockman and starring Sally Field.

Plot[link]

Four siblings return home to their mother's house, in North Carolina, for what they think are the last few days of her life. Suddenly this unexpected family reunion extends uncomfortably as she hangs on and they find themselves trapped together for two weeks, forced to face her death and also their connection with each other.

Cast[link]

• Sally Field as Anita Bergman
• Ben Chaplin as Keith Bergman
• Thomas Cavanagh as Barry Bergman
• Julianne Nicholson as Emily Bergman
• Glenn Howerton as Matthew Bergman
• Clea DuVall as Katrina
• James Murtaugh as Jim Cranston
• Michael Hyatt as Carol
• Susan Misner as Sherry
• Jenny O'Hara as Julia

External links[link]

• Official website
• Two Weeks at AllRovi
• Two Weeks at the Internet Movie Database
• Two Weeks at Rotten Tomatoes

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Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone promotes 'Cocktail' on DLF IPL's Extraaa Innings.
Born	(1986-01-05) 5 January 1986 (age 26) Copenhagen, Denmark
Occupation	Actress, Model
Years active	2006–present

Deepika Padukone (born 5 January 1986) is an Indian actress and a former model. She appears mostly in Hindi as well as Tamil and Kannada language films. Born to badminton player Prakash Padukone, she chose to become an actress and not pursue a career in sports.^[1]

Padukone made her acting debut in the 2006 Kannada film Aishwarya.^[2] The following year, she made her Hindi film debut in Om Shanti Om, for which she earned the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. It also remains her biggest commercial success so far. She subsequently appeared in films such as Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Housefull (2010). While the former earned her a Filmfare nomination in the Best Actress category, the latter emerged as a commercial success.^[3]

In addition to acting, Padukone is also the ambassador of prominent brands such as Tissot, Sony Cybershot, Nescafe and Kingfisher Airlines.^[4]

Early life and background[link]

Padukone was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Prakash Padukone, is a former badminton player of international repute, and her mother is a travel agent. Her father was then training in Denmark in the sport and when she was eleven months old, her family moved to Bangalore, Karnataka, India.^[5] Padukone also has a younger sister, Anisha, born on 2 February 1991.^[6]

Padukone attended Sophia High School in Bangalore, and completed her pre-university studies at Mount Carmel College Bangalore.^[7] While in high school she played badminton at the state level.^[8] However, she was not keen on pursuing a career as a badminton player.^[9] During the time of her film debut she was enrolled with the Indira Gandhi National Open University in Bachelors of Arts (Sociology).^[10][11]

Career[link]

Early Modelling Career, until 2006[link]

While in college, Padukone pursued a career in modeling.^[12] She was spotted in a ramp competition in NLS, Bangalore.^{[citation needed]} Over the years, she has modeled for such Indian brand names as Liril, Dabur Lal powder, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca, and has been "brand ambassador" for the Jewels of India retail jewelry show.^[13] The cosmetics company Maybelline made her its international spokesperson.^[14]

At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards she was awarded the title "Model of the Year".^[15] Shortly afterward, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006 and won two trophies at the Idea Zee Fashion Awards: "Female Model of the Year - (Commercial Assignments)" and "Fresh Face of the Year".^[16][17] Padukone was also chosen as the brand ambassador of Kingfisher Airlines and later Levi Strauss and Tissot SA.^[18] In addition, she appeared in the music video for Himesh Reshammiya's song Naam Hai Tera.

Debut & Breakthrough in Films, 2006-09[link]

Padukone made her cinematic debut in Kannada with Aishwarya opposite Upendra in 2006. She later made a successful Bollywood debut in 2007 with Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om opposite Shahrukh Khan. The film was a re-incarnation melodrama, featuring her in a double role.^[19][20] Her performance was well received, earning the actress a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award as well as her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination. Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted, "Deepika has all it takes to be a top star — the personality, the looks and yes, she's supremely talented too. Standing in the same frame as SRK and getting it right is no small achievement. She comes as a whiff of fresh air!"^[21] About being cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan, she said,

"When Farah was casting for Happy New Year, she saw my commercials on TV and called my agent. I met her when she was rehearsing at a dance hall in Juhu. When that film didn’t happen, she offered me OSO. Farah took care of me right from the first meeting, introducing me to Shah Rukh Khan and ensuring that I was comfortable with him. Six months prior to shooting, we frequently met up for lunches and dinners."^[22]

Padukone was then seen playing a feisty, modern-day Indian woman, Gayatri, in Siddharth Anand's romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba.^[23] The film, which released on 15 August 2008, performed reasonably well at the box office, but her performance drew flak. Adarsh wrote, "Deepika is a sore point. Her role isn't convincing and that's the reason why this performance doesn't work. The only consolation is, she looks gorgeous."^[24]

Deepika Padukone at the premiere of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

She played a double role again in her next film, Chandni Chowk To China, which released on 16 January 2009. The film, directed by Nikhil Advani, also featured Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Ranvir Shorey in the lead. It was a critical and commercial disaster, with Nikhat Kazmi of The Times Of India commenting, "Deepika looks lost and forlorn for most of the film."^[25]

Padukone's fourth release Love Aaj Kal, released on 31 July 2009 and proved to be one of the biggest hits of 2009.^[26] Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film documented the changing value of relationships among the youth. Padukone played the role of Meera Pandit, a practical and head-strong career woman opposite Saif Ali Khan. Of her performance, NDTV's Anupama Chopra wrote, "Deepika looks fabulous but she isn’t a strong enough actor to breathe life into the character."^[27] Despite this, she received her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination.^[3] The same year, she teamed up with Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan once again for an item number in the Irrfan Khan-Lara Dutta starrer Billu.^[28] She also made guest appearances in the Telegu film Love 4 Ever and in Sohail Khan's Main Aur Mrs Khanna.^[29][30]

Initial Success, 2010-present[link]

Her first release in 2010 was Excel Entertainment’s Karthik Calling Karthik. The thriller featured Farhan Akhtar as Karthik, a troubled schizophrenic man, and Padukone as his supportive girlfriend, Shonali Mukherjee. This time, Anupama Chopra wrote, "Padukone finally seems to be thawing in front of a camera."^[31] The film, however, was a commercial failure.^[32] She then featured in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull with Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal, Jiah Khan and Boman Irani . She played the role of Soundarya Bhagyalakshmi Venkateshwari Baassappa Rao, Kumar's girlfriend and later fiancée. The film became a blockbuster in India, with a net gross of INR 95 crores in the first week itself.^[33] As for her performance, Taran Adarsh mentioned that "Deepika is a surprise. She carries her part with amazing confidence...Housefull is the film that would make people notice her talent as well as beauty".^[34]

She then appeared in her second Yash Raj production, Lafangey Parindey which was directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She starred opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh as Pinky Palkar, a blind girl, hell bent on winning a skating competition. Upon release, Sudhish Kamath, of The Hindu wrote, "This really is Deepika Padukone's film though. She exercises considerable restraint, dances, skates, makes you cry and smile."^[35]

Padukone with her Break Ke Baad co-star Imran Khan

Her next release was Kunal Kohli's syrupy romance Break Ke Baad opposite Imran Khan, where she played Aaliya Khan, an impetuous brat. The film was not a commercial success, but won Padukone favorable reviews.^[36] Nikhat Kazmi noted, "Padukone's climactic act seems to be the best performance in her entire career: completely spontaneous, crazy and cute."^[37]

Her final release of 2010; Ashutosh Gowarikar's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey top-lining Abhishek Bachchan, met with scathing reviews and was declared a flop. The period drama was a retelling of the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid, with Bachchan playing the revolutionary leader Surya Sen and Padukone playing Kalpana Dutta, his lover and confidant.^[38] A review carried by The Hollywood Reporter, however, mentioned her portrayal of Dutta as "impressive".^[39]

She began the year 2011 with an item number in Rohan Sippy's Dum Maaro Dum starring Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu in the lead. Her song was a remixed version of Zeenat Aman's iconic song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna.^[40] The raunchy lyrics and suggestive dancing received mixed reviews. The Deccan Chronicle mentioned her moves as "mechanised gyrations", while Adarsh wrote, "Deepika scorches the screen in the title track. "^[41][42]

Padukone at a promotional event for Aarakshan. Pictured with Prakash Jha

Next, she featured in Prakash Jha's reservation melodrama, Aarakshan starring alongside Amitabh Bachchan, as his daughter, and Saif Ali Khan, as his love-interest.^[43] Pratim D. Gupta noted, "Deepika, though, is again the refreshing thing about a movie. Both her scenes with Bachchan — one where she revolts and the other where she redeems herself — show how she has come of age as an actor."^[44] Padukone next appeared in Rohit Dhawan's Desi Boyz alongside Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Chitrangada Singh. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was an average success at the box office.

In 2012, Padukone is expected to appear in Homi Adajania's Cocktail opposite Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty and will make her Kollywood debut in Soundarya Rajnikanth's Kochadaiyaan opposite Rajnikanth. Following this, Padukone will be seen in Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani opposite ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor^[45][46] and Race 2 alongside Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ameesha Patel.

Other work[link]

Philanthropy[link]

As part of NDTV's Greenathon Campaign, Padukone adopted Ambegaon, a village in Maharashtra, that was facing a major electricity crisis.^[47]

In The Media[link]

In 2009, Padukone started writing weekly columns for HT City, the lifestyle supplement of Hindustan Times. These columns appear online on social network, Desimartini.^[48]

She appeared on the cover of lifestyle magazine Vogue on May 2010 and 2011.^[49] She also walked the red carpet at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.^[50]

On November 2010, she appeared on Koffee With Karan, a popular chat show along with Sonam Kapoor. Her comments on ex-flame Ranbir Kapoor lead to a lot of controversy among Bollywood inner-circles.^[51]

Personal life[link]

In March 2008, Padukone began dating Ranbir Kapoor, her co-star from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008).^[52] After her high profile break up with Kapoor in November 2009, Padukone has decided to keep her personal life away from media attention.^[53]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Deepika Padukone

• Deepika Padukone at the Internet Movie Database

Asad Amanat Ali Khan (September 25, 1955 – April 8, 2007) was a popular classical, semi-classical and ghazal singer from Pakistan. Hailing from famous Patiala Gharana,^[1] Asad was son of famous musician Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Asad Amanat Ali Khan died relatively young of heart attack on April 8, 2007 in London.

Early life and background[link]

Asad Amanat Ali Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan. His great-grandfather, Ali Baksh Khan, was the founder of the Patiala Gharana. His grandfather, Akhtar Hussain, was a prominent musician of his time who added to his repute by coaching two of his sons into becoming a formidable singing duo(Amanat Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan). Amanat Ali Khan, Asad's father, died in 1974. Asad's younger brother Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan is a popular pop and classical singer he was the lead singer of band Fuzön.

Singing career[link]

When he was 10 years old Asad recorded his first song, which featured on his grandfather’s debut album. He had also been interested in academics and often said if not a singer, he would love to be a pilot. He joined a private institution however and began singing professionally after completing his F.A. He started his musical career performing "Thumri" and then went on to record some of his most popular Punjabi numbers and Ghazals, such as "Umra Lagian", "Zara Zara", "Kal Chaudwin Ki Raat", and "Ghar Wapas Jab". One of the songs that featured in almost every concert he performed, arguably his biggest hit, was "Insha Ji Utho" (Originally sung by his father).

Asad worked for Pakistan Television for several years. Nisar Bazmi, composer and PTV producer, who died one week before him, gave him his first break, introducing the artist to the world on live television. He retained his affiliation with television through the years, recording over 1,000 songs. Asad also contributed to the Pakistani film industry, featuring on a number of soundtracks. Moreover, he caught the attention of neighboring Bollywood and contributed to soundtracks there too.

Asad also sang as a member of singing duo with his uncle Hamid Ali Khan. Asad owed much of his early recognition to his late father's famous numbers. Quite often his concert would round off with "Insha'a Jee utho, abb cooch karo" (Get up O Insha! It's time to leave the world) — [Insha Allah Khan born 15 June 1927 d. 11 January 1978) who wrote it, a song that finds another ironic reference in Asad's death. , Amanat Ali and Asad Amanat who sang it — both died relatively young. Other than music and the family name, Asad inherited from his father a passion to act in films. But the affair was cut short after an unsuccessful attempt.

Asad Amanat Ali was also famed for his "soz-o-salam" recitations in Urdu describing the events of Karbala during Ashura in Muharram, and appeared on many radio and television specials about Karbala over the years before his death.

Awards[link]

Like his father, Asad was given the president’s award for Pride of Performance. The government of Pakistan acknowledged Asad Amanat Ali Khan’s immense contribution to Pakistani music by awarding him the Pride of Performance on March 23, 2007 (2 weeks before his death).

Death[link]

He had visited London in January and was receiving treatment for a condition known as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.^[2] He returned to Pakistan however during his treatment to receive the President's award of Pride of Performance. After receiving the award he had left Pakistan on April 3, 2007 for medical consultation, and while in England, on April 8, 2007 died in Cassiobury Park in London whilst enjoying an outing with the family. He had fallen to the ground and many attempts were made to revive him however, he had died instantaneously. His medical tests were scheduled for the following week but he never got a chance to continue his treatment. His body was brought back to his home country Pakistan for the burial. He was buried in Mominpura Graveyard Lahore.

Discography[link]

Some of his superhit songs are listed below.

• Awaz Who Jado sa (Saheli)
• Insha Ji Utho (Originally sung by his father)
• Ghar Wapis Jub ao gai tum
• Umraan langiyaan pabbaan paahr
• Pyaar Nahii Hai Sur Se Jisko
• Abhi Kalion Mein
• Diyaar Yaar Geya
• Doob Gai Sub
• Ghum Tera Hum Ne
• Jo Bhi Dil Ki
• Kal Chowdhwein Ki Raat
• Zara zara dil meiN dard huaa
• Apne haathoN kii lakiiroN meiN
• Piya dekhan ko tarseiN morey
• Kisi aur gham meiN itni khalish-e-nihaN nahiN hai (lyrics: Mustafa Zaidi)
• Ek lamha-e-wisal tha wapas na aa saka ( Poet: Raees Warsi )
• Youn bhi tou raas rooh ko tanhai aa gaaee ( Poet: Raees Warsi )

References[link]

External links[link]

• An article about Asad Amanat
• Asad Amanat Ali Khan at the Internet Movie Database

Ustad Amanat Ali Khan
Background information
Born	1922
Origin	India
Died	September 1974
Genres	Ghazal
Occupations	singer

Ustad Amanat Ali Khan (Urdu: استاد امانت علی خان; born 1922–1974) was a Pakistani classical/ghazal singer, from the Patiala gharana. He was honoured with the 'Pride of Performance' award by the government of Pakistan. He stands with great singing icons like Mehdi Hassan and Ahmed Rushdi.

Early life and background[link]

Amanat Ali Khan was born in Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, Punjab to Akhtar Husain Khan and the grandson of Ali Baksh Jarnail, the founder of 'Patiala Gharana'. Along with his brother Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan, the young Amanat Ali started singing for gatherings ('mehfils') and at an early age he became a recognised singer in the court of the Patiala king.

Career[link]

Soon after independence he moved to Pakistan. His concerts on Radio Lahore became quite popular and he toured South Asia becoming the representative of Patiala gharana in Pakistan.

His memorable songs include "Aa Mere Pyaar Ki Khushboo", "Yeh Arzoo Thi", "Mausam Badla", "Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat", "Hoton Pay Kabhe", "Insha Je Utho" and "Kab Aao Ge".

Personal life[link]

Ustad Amanat Ali died at aged 52 years in Lahore on 17 September 1974. His son Ustad Asad Amanat Ali Khan inherited his father's beautiful voice and talent. After a very successful music career, Asad Amanat Ali died of heart attack on April 8, 2007, in London. His eldest son Amjad Amanat Ali Khan also died very young.

Since most of the newer singers like Shafqat Amanat Ali and Rustam Fateh Ali have moved away from classical Patiala style singing, this leaves Amanat's brothers Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan and Hamid Ali Khan, as the last of the Patiala legends.

See also[link]

• Amjad Amanat Ali Khan
• Asad Amanat Ali Khan
• Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan
• Hamid Ali Khan

References[link]

• Classical music has healing effect on listeners - Daily Dawn
• A scion of Patiala gharana - Daily Dawn

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