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Disney's animated series inspired by Indian culture

Mira, Royal Detective, an animated mystery-adventure series inspired by the culture and customs of India, is slated to debut on Disney Junior channel and programming blocks around the world in 2020. The production has already begun.

Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective after solving a mystery that involves saving the kingdom's young prince.

The role of Mira will be voiced by 15-year-old newcomer Leela Ladnier.

"We are eager to introduce kids and their families to the rich, diverse cultures and customs of India through Mira, a young girl who looks at things with her own unique lens to gain different perspectives and help others in her community.

"We hope that she will encourage our audience to actively engage with the inspiring world around them and appreciate the little details that make life extraordinary," Joe D'Ambrosia, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Junior, said in a statement to leading publication.

As a royal detective, Mira travels throughout the kingdom helping royals and commoners alike. Along with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, she will stop at nothing to solve a case, taking young viewers on adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning.

Rooted in India's vibrant heritage, each episode will weave authentic music, dance and customs into two 11 minutes stories.

In addition to Ladnier, the Mira, Royal Detective voice cast includes Freida Pinto as Queen Shanti; Hannah Simone as a young commoner named Pinky; Jameela Jamil as Mira's Auntie Pushpa; Kal Penn and Utkarsh Ambudkar as Mikku and Chikku respectively, Aasif Mandvi as Mira's father, Sahil; Sarita Choudhury as Prince Neel's Great-Aunt Rupa; Aparna Nancherla as Mira's cousin Meena; Kamran Lucas as Prince Neel; Karan Brar as Prince Veer; Karan Soni as twins Ranjeet and Manjeet; Sarayu Blue as the palace tailor; Parvesh Cheena and Sonal Shah as bandits, Manish and Poonam, respectively; and newcomer Roshni Edwards as Mira's cousin Priya.

Comedian Kevin Bridges apologises to his fans

Comedian Kevin Bridges has apologised to audience for leaving the stage in between during his performance at Brighton Dome.

Due to illness and hecklers, the Scottish stand-up comedian was unable to complete his act and later apologised to the audience saying he was "truly sorry", and has offered all fans in attendance a full refund.

"I have been ill for a few days but I didn't want to cancel the gigs as I felt the adrenaline of performing could carry me through, as it usually does and did tonight for the majority of the show.

"People shouting nonsense throughout the gig is something I'm well used to after 15 years in stand-up but tonight I hit a wall physically and maybe mentally and I'm truly sorry to everyone who I let down by finishing early," Bridges wrote on Twitter.

He has promised to donate the leftover cash to a charity.

"I would like to offer everyone their ticket money back and any remaining ticket money will be donated to a local homeless charity."

Rita, Garfield dating each other

Singer Rita Ora is reportedly dating actor Andrew Garfield.

The 28-year-old singer is in early stages of romance with the former Spider-Man star, following her split from her former boyfriend Andrew Watt in September, reports by media.

"Rita let slip to pals about her brewing romance about a month ago. But in recent days things have started to heat up and she says what they have is the real deal.

"It is still very early days but they like each other and are seeing what happens. Their schedules make things difficult but they have a real connection," a source told The Sun.

Ora recently disclosed her split from Watt during an appearance on the The Jonathan Ross Show.

DJ Khaled, Floyd Mayweather Jr. charged with cryptocurrency fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged music producer DJ Khaled and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. with promoting investments in initial cryptocurrency coin offerings without revealing that they had been paid.

The stock market regulatory authority on Thursday said that cryptocurrency coins sold in initial coin offerings (ICO) may be considered securities and subject to federal securities laws, reports of media.

Both Khaled and Mayweather settled with the SEC and agreed not to promote any securities, even digital ones, for two years and three years, respectively, it said.

They also agreed to give back the money they had received to the SEC and pay penalties with interest.

Mayweather failed to disclose that he had received $300,000 from three different ICO issuers, including $100,000 from Centra Tech.

Khaled failed to disclose a payment of $50,000 from the same company.

Centra has separately been charged by the SEC, which alleged that its ICO was fraudulent.

Both Mayweather and Khaled promoted Centra's ICO on their social media accounts. Khaled called it a "game changer" while Mayweather encouraged his followers to get in on the ICO.

This is the first time the SEC has brought charges against individuals for promoting ICOs and the investigation was ongoing.

Tommy Lee accuses Travis Scott of 'rip off'

Tommy Lee, member of American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, accused rapper Travis Scott of 'ripping off' his stage design.

On Wednesday, Lee called out Scott for allegedly "ripping off" two of his concert ideas.

The Mötley Crüe drummer, 56, claimed on social media that his roller coaster set design was identical to the one used by Scott during his Astroworld tour, reports by leading publication.

In an Instagram post, Lee shared two videos: The first featured Scott, 26, sitting in a chair and making a complete 360 on the rollercoaster track while performing on stage. The other showed a very similar set design.

Lee used what was dubbed The Crücifly during Mötley Crüe’s final 2015 tour.

“Just found out Travis Scott or someone on his team ripped off the 360 AND The Crüecifly! !” Lee wrote alongside the videos. “Get an original idea brother.”

The Mötley Crüe founder then shared another two videos – this time, a comparison of both musicians sitting on a suspended rollercoaster as it travelled across the crowds during their respective performances.

“And not one rip off but two. Dope,” he captioned the next post. “I get copying is a form of flattery, but this is just straight ripping off. What do you guys think??? #crüecifly”

A day later, after many of Scott’s fans defended his set design and rollercoaster incorporation, Lee snapped back and explained that the company who created his stage was also the same one that the rapper was using.

In response to the drummer’s claims, Scott’s lawyer Laurie L. Soriano told a leading publication. “Tommy didn’t invent the concept of a roller coaster on stage and there’s no legal basis for his accusatory outburst.”

“The actual creator and owner of the system has granted Travis all rights to use that equipment to complement his original stage design,” she added.

SGPS, the production company behind the two musicians’ stage design did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Eiza Gonzalez joins ‘Fast and Furious’ spinoff

Baby Driver star Eiza Gonzalez has joined the cast of Fast and Furious spinoff titled Hobbs and Shaw starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.

The role was a last-minute addition, and sources say executives favoured Gonzalez, but scheduling had to be worked out with Legendary's Godzilla vs. Kong, which features Gonzalez and is also about to begin shooting, reports of media.

Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby are also on board with David Leitch directing. Fast and Furious architect Chris Morgan penned the script.

The film will see the titular, often-at-odds pair teaming up. It is unknown who Gonzalez will be playing.

Since his arrival in the franchise's fifth installment, Universal has tried to find a way to spin off Johnson's Hobbs character, given his popularity with fans.

Statham joined the series in the seventh movie, and considering the chemistry between the two actors in 2017's The Fate of the Furious, Universal took action on plans to develop a spinoff.

It hits theatres on 26 July 2019.

Gonzalez has been on a roll since her breakout in Baby Driver and has a handful of upcoming projects set to bow over the next year, starting with the Robert Zemeckis film Welcome to Marwen.

Jonathan Scott's ex announces she's engaged months after they split

Jonathan Scott‘s ex girlfriend Jacinta Kuznetsov has found a new lifelong love and apparently, the reality TV star couldn’t be happier for her.

Scott told by leading publication on Thursday, "I wish Jacinta (Kuznetsov) the very best always."

His showing of support comes after Kuznetsov announced she was engaged to photographer, filmmaker and conservationist Will Allen via Instagram.

"Thank you for your friendship for six years, my love. I am grateful we figured it all out. And thank you for asking me to be your bff forever," she wrote alongside a gallery of photos of the pair. She also added a diamond ring emoji.

While Kuznetsov, 30, is not wearing a ring on that finger in the photo, she does appear to be showing off a silver bracelet.

Scott and Kuznetsov, who was a development producer at twins Drew and Jonathan's production company, Scott Brothers Entertainment, dated for about two years.

They announced their split last spring, each posting a heartfelt message on Instagram.

"When I met Jacinta in the fall of 2015, I met somebody kind and courageous and a champion for human/animal rights," Scott wrote. "We grew to respect each other fiercely and know that will remain unchanged for the rest of our lives."

Amy Schumer is struggling with 'tough' pregnancy

Actress Amy Schumer is looking for motivation during her "tough" pregnancy.

The 37-year-old I Feel Pretty star revealed her struggles in an Instagram post on Thursday.

Schumer announced she was expecting her first child with husband Chris Fischer.

"The last few days have been tough. I'm grateful as hell and know it's temporary but tough just the same," she wrote in the caption of a photo featuring her dog, reports of media.

The comedian, who has had to postpone show dates from her comedy tour, asked her fans for motivation by having them tag her in photos and videos of their children

"Please if you don't mind. Post pics of your kids and tag me #amyschumer," she wrote. "My friends sending me pics and vids of their kids is making me feel so much better. Much love accepting dog photos too."

Two weeks ago, the actress was hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition marked by persistent sickness which can lead to dehydration and weight loss.

On Tuesday night, she shared a graphic video of herself vomiting into a cup while on her way to her stand-up show in Tarrytown, New York.

( SOURCE : IANS)