Brangelina to sue Britain’s News of the World

They've put the rumors to rest. Now they're taking the rumormongers to court.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have filed suit against Britain's News of the World after the tabloid published an article last month that sparked the breakup rumor heard round the world.

The story, published Jan. 24 and since wisely removed from the newspaper's website, claimed the couple had met with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer to quietly divide their assets, hash out a custody deal and financially provide for their six children in advance of what the tab claimed was going to be a messy separation.

"The News of the World has failed to meet our clients' reasonable demands for a retraction of and apology for these false and intrusive allegations which have now been widely republished by mainstream news outlets," the couple's London-based lawyer, Keith Schilling, said in a statement.

"We have advised them to bring proceedings, which they have now done."

The story and the various incarnations of breakup rumors that followed gained more traction than the usual standard-issue Brangelina split reports.

As for the newspaper, in his statement today, Brangelina's lawyer not only discredited the story, but proved shockingly that they were less than honest about their sourcing.

If it's any consolation, the tabloid was clearly half right. Apparently, Brangelina did visit a lawyer recently just one that's gonna sue the pants off the News of the World.

Tanushree is south bound

Hemanth Hegde made headlines last year when his film Housefull caused a furor over the inclusion of a Charlie Chaplin statue in the film.


But the actor-director is not one to baulk at controversy. His next directorial venture, titled Rama Rama Shri Rama, could potentially cause a problem among certain parties. “The title is apt for the story. I’m not doing it to be in the news. One shouldn’t bother when it comes to creativity. It’s a total family-oriented film with clean comedy,” maintains Hemanth.

He also plans to bring Bollywood hottie Tanushree Dutta to Sandalwood for this film. “I wanted the film to have a pan-India image and the role demands some glamour. That’s why I chose her,” said Hemanth, who has finished his first round of talks with the heroine.

“At first, Tanushree was reluctant about doing a Kannada film. In fact, when I narrated the story to her, she thought it was for a Hindi film. But then I told her that it’ll be made in Kannada. If the film clicks here, I’ll make it in Hindi,” explains the director. Hemanth is off to Mumbai on February 15 for the second round of talks with the Bong beauty. “I’ll be there to discuss her remuneration and am confident she’ll take up this project,” he added.

Hemanth has also confirmed Avatar Gill, Gulshan Grover and former Femina Miss India contestant Aishwarya Duggal for the film. As for the hero, Hemanth himself is set to take on the role. “I recently checked out some Kannada heroes’ remuneration and found it was too high. I thought it would be better if I put the same money into the film,” he concluded.

Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor: VHP

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Monday appeared to back the Shiv Sena by calling for a nationwide boycott of Shah Rukh Khan's My Name is Khan but took objection to the Sena's Mumbai-for-Marathis stand and said every inch of India belonged to all Indians.


"People of India must boycott My Name is Khan as Shah Rukh Khan is a traitor," VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia told journalists in Mumbai. My Name is Khan, starring Shah Rukh and Kajol, is set to be released Friday. But the star is mired in a blazing row over his recent comments advocating the cause of Pakistani cricket players who were not picked by any team for IPL. Togadia threatened that posters of the film would be torn down.

Interestingly, the radical VHP leader locked horns with the Shiv Sena that had also objected to Shah Rukh's comments by saying Mumbai could not be only for Marathis.

"The VHP's stand is very clear and we differ on the Shiv Sena's position. According to us, every inch of India belongs to all Indians and every Indian has the right to stay with dignity in any part of the country... Mumbai, Delhi, and even Kashmir is for all Indians," the VHP leader said. "If we try to stay that Mumbai is for Marathis and outsiders have to leave Mumbai, then I would say India would not survive."