Category: Entertainment

  • Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ Crowned Best Film of the Year

    Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ Crowned Best Film of the Year

    The magazine also listed “Anora,” “La Chimera,” “Dahomey,” and “Hard Truths” as the top five films. Kapadia’s movie, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, tells a love story that speaks against Islamophobia and other prejudices related to religion, class, and caste that affect real people’s lives.

    This year, there are more female directors in the top ten films than male ones. This only happened once before, in 2020, during the pandemic when there were seven women listed. This year, there are six women directors recognized.

    Payal expressed her happiness when she learned about this honor. She shared her feelings in a message saying she was “astounded” and “very grateful.” She mentioned that during her time at the Film & Television Institute of India, the magazine held a special place for many film enthusiasts, including herself.

    The idea for “All We Imagine As Light” came to Payal while she was still in school. At first, the idea felt overwhelming, and she almost abandoned it. However, a few years later, she returned to it with a new mindset. She took it one step at a time, and slowly, the movie started to take shape.

    Payal believes that making a film is like organizing the chaos in your mind. Now that her film is out in India and around the world, she feels grateful for how people have embraced it. She thanked her team, saying they all worked hard for many years to create this “handmade film.”

    The film has also won several awards, including Best International Film at the New York Film Critics Circle and a Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Although it wasn’t chosen to represent India for the Oscars, people are hopeful it will gain recognition in the general categories at the 2025 Academy Awards.

    The movie, which was released in Indian theaters on November 22, stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam. It explores love and loneliness in Mumbai through the lives of three women. Prabha receives a surprise gift from her husband in Germany, while Anu struggles to find a quiet place for romance. Parvati, the widow and best friend of Prabha, faces pressure from property developers trying to take her home.

    Meanwhile, the film “Laapataa Ladies” (Lost Ladies), produced by Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan, was chosen to represent India at the Oscars in the international film category.

  • Pushpa 2: The Rule – Family Drama and Action Unfolds!

    Pushpa 2: The Rule – Family Drama and Action Unfolds!

    Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa Raj, is famous for his strong attitude and his rise to power in the red sanders smuggling world in the movie “Pushpa: The Rise” (2021). However, at his core, he is just a troubled young man seeking his family’s love and acceptance.

    The new film, “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” which came out this Thursday, resolves some of Pushpa’s personal and work problems. The ending leads us to the next movie, “Pushpa 3: The Rampage.” Spoiler Alert!

    Pushpa’s Family Relationships:
    In the first movie, we learn that Pushpa is the son of Molleti Venkata Ramana and his affair with Parvatamma. Because of this, his half-brother, Mohan Raj, often ridicules him and their mother. Pushpa wants to become rich and respected so that no one disrespects his mother anymore.

    In “Pushpa 2,” Mohan finally makes peace with Pushpa after he saves his niece, Kaveri, from some bad guys. Mohan even invites them to a wedding! However, during the wedding, a huge fight happens when Pushpa faces Buggi Reddy, the new villain. Despite others telling him not to, Pushpa seriously injures Buggi. This earns Mohan’s respect, but a bomb blast during the wedding leaves their relationship in doubt.

    What About Srivalli and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat?
    In the movie’s climax, Pushpa finds out that his wife, Srivalli, is going to have a baby. Despite being happy, he worries about not having a good family name because of his family issues.

    Police officer Bhanwar Singh has a tough time against Pushpa again and may take a dangerous step that could lead to his death. The audience fears for Bhanwar’s life.

    During the wedding, a decorative flower arrangement explodes, causing chaos. It’s uncertain if Bhanwar is dead or if it’s a new villain causing trouble. After the blast, we see a hint of “Pushpa 3: The Rampage,” suggesting that while Bhanwar might be alive, Pushpa’s family is in danger.

    Some fans believe an earlier video titled “Where is Pushpa?” might show what will happen in the next movie, and there are hints in “Pushpa 2” that could connect to it. Only time will tell!

  • Sandeep Reddy Vanga: Family, Criticism, and His Next Big Film!

    Sandeep Reddy Vanga: Family, Criticism, and His Next Big Film!

    Sandeep Reddy Vanga is a young and talented director known for his unique style in films. He’s directed three movies: “Arjun Reddy,” “Kabir Singh,” and “Animal.” Although he’s gaining fame, he sometimes faces criticism, especially about how he portrays mother characters in his films. Recently, he appeared on the show “Indian Idol 15,” where he talked about his journey and the support from his family.

    He shared a story about how he challenged his mother, saying he would become a director before using the 2 lakhs he earned working at McDonald’s and Subway in Sydney while studying. Sandeep explained that his family wanted him to be an engineer or doctor, but since he didn’t score high enough for MBBS, he chose physiotherapy. However, he soon realized he wasn’t passionate about that and instead loved photography, leading him to film school in Sydney. It took him several years to finally become a director.

    When singer Shreya Ghoshal asked if his family supported his film school dreams, he replied that his family, especially his mother, was very supportive. She helped with film school fees and the production of “Arjun Reddy.” He had many meetings with producers, but ultimately, they decided to produce the film themselves.

    Sandeep also addressed the criticism about mothers in his movies. He said, “I’m very close to my mom, and because our relationship is so good, there’s no drama to write about. If I make a story about a mother and son, it will be positive and full of good vibes.”

    Currently, Sandeep is celebrating one year since his film “Animal,” which starred stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol. The film did well at the box office, but some people criticized it for being disrespectful to women. He is now set to work on a new film called “Spirit” with Prabhas, which is a cop story that hasn’t started filming yet. Rumors are that it will also feature actor Don Lee.

  • Netflix’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’: A New Magical Journey

    Netflix’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’: A New Magical Journey

    By Sarah Morland – In Havana, Cuba, workers got ready on Friday for the big screen debut of a new Netflix series based on one of Latin America’s favorite books, “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” This unique show, filmed entirely in Colombia, is based on the famous novel by Gabriel García Márquez, who won a Nobel Prize. The story follows the Buendía family over seven generations in a made-up town called Macondo. It’s a key book in the magical realism genre, which mixes real life with magical elements.

    The director, Alex García López, shared that this story beautifully shows the journey of people and how they face their fates. He believes it connects deeply to current political issues around the world. The first two episodes will be shown at the Havana film festival, even though people in Cuba can’t easily access Netflix.

    Netflix worked closely with García Márquez’s sons to create this adaptation. They promised to film everything in Colombia and keep the dialogue in Spanish, making it a true representation of the book. With stunning costumes and beautiful scenery from Colombia’s beaches, the series aims to impress viewers.

    However, García López pointed out that Latin America has much more to offer than just stories of crime and poverty often portrayed in popular shows. Netflix is exploring various Latino works to share a wider picture of the culture.

  • Legendary Singers Announce Concerts in December, No Bollywood Guests!”

    Legendary Singers Announce Concerts in December, No Bollywood Guests!”

    Famous singers Anup Jalota, Shankar Mahadevan, and Hariharan are set to perform in concerts across several cities this December. However, they have decided not to include popular actors Nora Fatehi and Tamannaah Bhatia in the show.

    These concerts, named “Triveni: Three Master Performers,” will take place in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Indore. The focus of these events will be on showcasing the beautiful and rich music of India.

    A source revealed that when the event organizer, Manish Harishankar from MH Films, suggested adding Bollywood actors Nora and Tamannaah to the concert lineup, Anup, Shankar, and Hariharan firmly rejected the idea. They want to keep the concerts focused on the music, stating that adding an actress would change the concert’s true purpose.

    The trio believes that if there are guests, they should be other singers who understand and bring the magic of Indian music. Manish confirmed that he did reach out to the actors’ managers about performance schedules and costs.

    In other news, Tamannaah is currently in a movie called “Sikandar Ka Muqaddar,” alongside Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill. This film is a thrilling heist story about a diamond robbery and is streaming on Netflix, with its premiere on November 29.

    On the other hand, Nora Fatehi recently appeared in “Madgaon Express” and is making her Telugu film debut with “Matka,” which releases in theaters on November 14. She also has a movie titled “Dancing Dad” coming soon!

  • Telangana Bans Benefit Shows Following Pushpa 2 Premiere Tragedy

    Telangana Bans Benefit Shows Following Pushpa 2 Premiere Tragedy

    Telangana’s cinematography minister, Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, has made a serious decision after a tragic incident during the premiere of “Pushpa 2: The Rule.” This event led to one person’s death and a young boy being hospitalized.

    In a statement to the press, the minister announced that the Telangana government will no longer allow benefit shows for any movies. These special shows, which charge higher ticket prices, are common in southern India to help boost a film’s earnings. The incident happened on December 4 when the film’s stars, including Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, attended a screening in Hyderabad.

    During the event, a family got caught in the chaos. Tragically, a woman died due to asphyxiation, and her son was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The minister expressed his sadness for the victim’s family and criticized the film’s crew for not taking proper safety measures. He urged Arjun and the movie’s team to help the affected family, as the husband had just recovered from a liver transplant.

    The minister stated that no hero should visit theaters without government permission in the future. He emphasized the importance of safety and said guidelines would be shared soon. A case has been opened against Arjun, his security team, and the theater management for not ensuring safety.

  • India’s Live Music Boom: Why Concerts Are a Hit with Young Fans

    India’s Live Music Boom: Why Concerts Are a Hit with Young Fans

    India’s middle class is growing fast, and young people are falling in love with live music. This is making big music stars from around the world want to perform in India. Just this past week, Dua Lipa and Maroon 5 had concerts in Mumbai. Exciting shows like Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and Green Day are also coming soon!

    23-year-old Aseem Khan from Bhopal attended Dua Lipa’s concert with 20,000 other fans. He said, “We’ve listened to these artists online for years, so seeing them live is amazing! Concerts are the best way to hang out with friends.” With two-thirds of India’s 1.4 billion people under 35 years old, there’s a huge desire for live music.

    Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour just added a fourth concert in India, set for January 25, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It’s going to be one of their biggest shows!

    But why is this happening? India is the second-largest market for music streaming worldwide. Anil Makhija from BookMyShow noted that this is leading to more music concerts and spending. A report from Bank of Baroda states that concerts will help grow India’s economy, boosting sectors like hotels, travel, and retail.

    Already, ticket sales for concerts have reached Rs 771 crore, and spending on sponsorships, transport, hotels, and food is increasing too! The government will also earn more money through taxes on ticket sales.

    Affluent Indians, especially those with extra money to spend, are excited about these live events. Even though the average income in India is around $2,500 per year, more people are earning over Rs 1 million ($11,808) annually. This number has doubled in the last five years, helping to fuel the concert boom.

    Tickets for Coldplay’s shows in 2025 are priced between 2,500 rupees ($29.50) and 35,000 rupees ($414), which is cheaper than their shows in South Korea. Their first two shows sold out super fast, so they added three more shows in Ahmedabad, where they will perform in front of a huge crowd of 130,000 people!

  • Keira Knightley Opens Up About the Harsh Reality of Fame

    Keira Knightley Opens Up About the Harsh Reality of Fame

    In a recent interview, British actress Keira Knightley talked about her experience with sudden fame when she was a young woman. After starring in the popular movie “Bend It Like Beckham,” she became famous worldwide for her role as Elizabeth Swann in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. However, this fame came with challenges. Knightley shared that being famous at such a young age made her feel like her privacy was taken away, and it was very hard to deal with all the attention.

    She explained that during her teenage years, she faced a lot of strange situations, including being stalked by men. “It was tough to be watched under a microscope when you are still growing up,” she said. Knightley admitted that even though fame helped her build a stable life and career, it was not easy. She described the atmosphere around her as “violent” and “misogynistic,” saying that some people made her feel like she wanted bad things to happen to her.

    Today, she worries about the impact of social media on young girls, explaining that fame often leads to public shame, which can be really hard to handle. Knightley’s latest project is “Black Doves,” a spy thriller series that came out on Netflix this month.

  • Health Scare at Galaxy Theatre During Pushpa 2 Screening: Police Investigate

    Health Scare at Galaxy Theatre During Pushpa 2 Screening: Police Investigate

    Mumbai Police are looking into a scary incident that happened at Galaxy Theatre in Bandra during the screening of the popular movie Pushpa 2: The Rule. Moviegoers reported that the film stopped for about 15 to 20 minutes right after the break.

    An unknown person sprayed something in the theater, which made people cough, feel sick, and even vomit. One person who watched the movie, Deen Dayal, explained, “We left for a break, and when we came back, we started coughing because of a strange smell. The show stopped for about 10 minutes, and the police came in to check on everyone.”

    Another viewer, Ramzan, added, “When we returned after the break, we started coughing, and I had to go to the bathroom to throw up. The bad smell lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes but went away when the doors were opened. The movie started again after that, and the police are still investigating.”

    In another city, Hyderabad, fans of actor Allu Arjun rushed to the Sandhya theatre to see the same film on its premiere night. Unfortunately, things got out of control, and the police had to use sticks to manage the crowd. Sadly, a woman lost her life, and a child got hurt in the chaos.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police for Central Zone in Hyderabad said, “We have filed a case against those responsible for the stampede, based on complaints from the family of the deceased. We will take strict action according to the law.”

    Pushpa 2: The Rule is directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media. It features Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil in key roles.

  • Stampede at Pushpa-2 Premiere: Woman Dies, Son Hurt – Investigation Underway

    Stampede at Pushpa-2 Premiere: Woman Dies, Son Hurt – Investigation Underway

    Mogadampalli Bhaskar never thought that going to see the late-night movie “Pushpa-2: The Rule,” starring his favorite actor Allu Arjun, would turn tragic. It led to his wife, Revathi, losing her life and their son, Sritej, getting hurt.

    This unfortunate event happened at the famous Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad late Wednesday night when many fans gathered to see Allu Arjun. The excitement turned chaotic, creating a stampede.

    Bhaskar, who is 40 years old, was heartbroken as he recalled that Revathi had once saved his life by donating her liver to him in 2023. Now, he is left grieving and currently jobless while recovering from his own health issues. They went to the movie premiere because Allu Arjun was expected to be there.

    During the chaos, Revathi was with Sritej, and Bhaskar had taken their other child, Sanvi, away to calm her down. In the stampede that followed when Allu Arjun arrived, Revathi tried to protect Sritej but sadly lost her life. Sritej passed out from suffocation and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for help. Doctors say he is in critical condition. Bhaskar expressed his anger towards the theatre management, saying, “We want action taken against them. My son is a huge fan of Allu Arjun, and now we have lost his mother.”

    After this tragic incident, the police filed cases against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) stated that they will take strict action against those responsible for what happened. He mentioned that the theatre did not inform the police about Allu Arjun’s presence, which caused the crowd to get out of control.