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Netflix’s most apt tagline, “See What’s Next,” couldn’t be more appropriate as the tech giant continues to foray into the vast world of gaming. Launched in 2021, Netflix gaming hasn’t quite managed equal footing in the market yet, but it’s not for lack of trying. Between launching indie hits like Twelve Minutes or Oxenfree, capturing bigger IP such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, attempting original Aaa games, making developer acquisitions like Night School Studio, and crafting their own unique stories, it’s a wonder what will actually stick the landing for the entertainment behemoth.

Squid Game: Unleashed

During the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Netflix’s President of Games Alain Tascan, alongside Vice President of Games Technology and Portfolio Development Jeet Shroff, met with reporters to explain their strategy and upcoming innovations and tease new story-based IP.

“At Netflix, we have a mission to entertain people,...

Subhash K Jha, in a new installment of This Day That Year, revisits Romeo Akbar Walter which starred John Abraham, as it completes 6 years.

What makes them do it? No, I don’t mean the bravehearts like Meghna Gulzar and now Robby Grewal who dare to make films about those daredevils who risk their lives to act as Indian spies in Pakistan. But those unsung daredevils who sneak into Pakistan to glean information for their beloved motherland.

Towards the end of this intelligently written, well-crafted espionage drama, our spy hero’s boss, played with wizened aplomb by Jackie Shroff, mumbles, “He gave preference to his motherland over his own mother.”

Just a while back, John Abraham’s Romeo/Akbar/Walter had made Shroff promise, “No matter what happens, my Ammi must be looked after.”

Raw hits those raw nerves that all patriotic cinema avoids. This time, we go beyond the...

Baaghi 4 Box Office Potential! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

There’s a separate fan base for Tiger Shroff’s Ronny. Fans cannot keep calm as the actor is returning to the big screens with his much-loved character in Baaghi 4. It’s been a while since he’s tasted success at the box office. Scroll below for a detailed analysis.

Tiger was last seen on the big screens in Singham Again. He’s joined Rohit Shetty’s cop universe as Acp Satya. Shroff has entertained fans with many action films in recent years, including Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Ganapath, but unfortunately, they failed to impress the audiences.

Baaghi 4 Box Office Expectations

Baaghi 4 is slated to hit theatres on September 5, 2025. Makers have promised a thrilling ride as the latest posters unveiled by the makers claimed, “This time he is not the same.” Tiger Shroff is returning as Ranveer “Ronny” Pratap Singh,...

At one point in Baby John, a little girl named Khushi (Zara Zyanna) hides under a bed, screaming with fear. Outside, bad guys are pulverizing her caretakers. She can hear the mayhem and anticipate that bad things are coming her way.

The scene made me wonder why her father, the titular Baby John (Varun Dhawan), hadn’t trained her the way that Honey instructs her young daughter Nadia in Citadel: Honey Bunny, also starring Dhawan as Nadia’s father. Nadia is such a pro at dealing with murderous attacks that when one takes place, Honey just tucks her into a trunk, puts headphones on her ears and tells her to listen to the song and not come out.

Incidentally, both Nadia and Khushi belong to a club particular within Indian cinema — that of overtly precocious kids who speak like adults. (I think of the cancer-stricken Sexy from Cheeni Kum as the president of this club.

Pageant Powerhouse

India’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment has tapped Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu for her Bollywood debut in “Baaghi 4.” The announcement comes exactly three years after Sandhu’s Miss Universe win.

The film, helmed by director A. Harsha, will feature Sandhu alongside established stars Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt, with Sonam Bajwa rounding out the cast. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala continues his track record of launching new talent, following his previous introductions of Shroff, Kriti Sanon and Ahan Shetty to Hindi-language cinema.

Sandhu previously acted in the Punjabi-language films “Bai Ji Kuttange” (2022) and “Yaaran Diyan Poun Baaran” (2023).

“Baaghi 4,” the latest installment in Nadiadwala’s action franchise, is slated for theatrical release on Sept. 5, 2025.

Swapping Stars

Banijay Entertainment has secured worldwide format rights to “My Name Is Gabriel” (“Mai Neim Ijeu Gabeuriel”) from Korea’s Teo Corp. The format, created by P.D. Kim Tae-ho (“Infinite Challenge”) and P.D.

Here’s why Naseeruddin Shah Left Parinda (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Vidhu Vinod Chopra is among the most respected names in the Bollywood circuit. Over the years, he has been associated with movies such as Khamosh, Mission Kashmir, 1942: A Love Story, Munna Bhai Mbbs, 3 Idiots, Pk, Sanju, 12th Fail, and more as a director, producer, or writer. One such iconic movie he directed was Parinda (1989), Chopra’s groundbreaking crime drama that redefined Indian cinema with its raw realism and emotional depth.

Featuring Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar and initially Naseeruddin Shah, the film faced unexpected turbulence when Shah exited the project due to creative differences. In a recent interview, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recounted the days of the shooting and how he took the exit of Shah as a challenge to make Parinda a classic movie.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals why Naseeruddin Shah Left Parinda

At the...

Nana Patekar Joked About Anil Kapoor Being “Bakwaas Aadmi.” ( Photo Credit – Instagram; Facebook )

Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor, both titans of Bollywood, are excellent friends in real life. Both are counted among iconic actors of the industry and have worked in some of the biggest movies of all time. Their bond in Bollywood is cemented by their roles as Uday and Majnu in the film Welcome. However, their on-screen history dates way back to the 80s.

The two worked together in the 1989 cult classic Parinda. Vidhu Vinod Chopra directed this film, and it was an instant classic, now remembered for its storytelling and stellar performances, featuring an ensemble cast that included Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Nana Patekar himself.

Nana Patekar Calls Anil Kapoor a Bakwaas Aadmi For His Honesty

The movie Parinda tells the story of two brothers, one of whom is drawn into the world of crime and...

Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is both one of India’s most revered filmmaking veterans and a self-confessed angry man, took to the stage on Friday for a (mostly) good-natured introspective conversation punctuated with musical interludes.

Though he scarcely needed prompting, Chopra, the dynamo behind “3 Idiots,” “Munna Bhai Mbbs” and “12th Fail,” was pressed by friend and musician Shantanu Moitra, to examine the moments in his career when he doubted himself.

They were speaking at the Kala Academy in Goa, hub of the International Film Festival of India, and were treated like rock stars by a 500-strong crowd of festival-goers and film students.

An accomplished screenwriter, director and producer, Chopra said that one of his many “zero moments,’ or low points, was trying to break the news of his desire to be a filmmaker to his father who aspired for the young Vidhu to become a doctor. “The only dream...

Streaming Success

Netflix leads the pack with two nominations as India’s streaming platforms gear up for the Best Web Series Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (Iffi). The category, which returns for its sophomore year, has witnessed a robust 40% increase in submissions across 10 major streaming platforms.

Netflix’s dual contenders include “Kota Factory,” Saurabh Khanna’s examination of India’s pressure-cooker academic coaching culture, and “Kala Pani,” a survival drama from creators Sameer Saxena and Amit Golani set against the backdrop of the Andaman Islands.

Prime Video enters the race with Vikramaditya Motwane’s “Jubilee,” a period piece chronicling the golden age of Indian cinema, while ZEE5 brings Muthukumar’s “Ayali,” a contemporary drama exploring women’s lives in traditional society. Rounding out the nominations is SonyLIV‘s “Lampan,” Nipun Dharmadhikari’s rural coming-of-age narrative.

Muscle Man

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has slated actioner “Baaghi 4” for a Sept.

Scale is everything in Singham Again. The Hindi-language action film has eight stars, six screenwriters and three additional scribes who worked on dialogue, including director Rohit Shetty. The hardware on display is similarly expansive — there are battleships, helicopters, dozens of cars that get blown up and smashed. And weapons both large and small — missiles, guns, machetes.

At one point, Tiger Shroff brandishes the Urumi, an Indian sword with a whip-like blade which originated in modern-day Kerala. There is so much to fit in every frame that wide shots are the default mode, with Ravi Basrur’s score filling and underlining every beat. The ambition seems to be sensory overload.

Then there’s the story. Shetty’s Cop Universe, of which Singham Again is the fifth installment, is built on the idea of the police officer as superhero. His men — Singham (Ajay Devgn), Simmba (Ranveer Singh) and Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar) — are upright sons of the soil.

Khatron Ke Khiladi 14’s Contestant Krishna Shroff’s Net Worth (Photo Credit –Instagram)

Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 is back with a new batch of contestants this year, and one of the surprising names is Jackie Shroff’s daughter, Krishna Shroff. Krishna has been a fitness enthusiast but will be nailing brilliant action shows in the reality show, taking inspiration from her brother, Tiger Shroff.

Krishna Shroff’s Net Worth!

According to reports, Krishna is getting paid a whopping 10 lakh per week for her participation in Rohit Shetty‘s stunt reality show. However, you would be surprised to know that the star kid already owns a fortune when it comes to her net worth.

Adding to Shroff family’s assets, Krishna Shroff enjoys a net worth of massive 41 crore, even before making her debut on screen. While she has chosen a reality show to make her mark, she is already a famous...

Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently shared a heartwarming video with his long-time friend and fellow star Jackie Shroff, showcasing the serene beauty of nature at Shroff’s house outside Mumbai. The video captures the two seasoned actors enjoying the tranquility of their surroundings and reminiscing about their journeys in the film industry.

In the video, Kher can be seen engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Shroff, discussing the challenging early days of the ‘Hero’ star’s career and the remarkable transformation his life has undergone over the years. The backdrop of lush greenery and peaceful ambiance adds to the depth of their conversation, highlighting the bond they share and the appreciation they have for each other’s company.

Anupam Kher Shares Video on Twitter

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Anupam Kher shared the video with an emotional caption: “Jackie … me … and Jackie’s house outside Mumbai!! How peaceful it is here!

Rohit Shetty is gearing up to captivate audiences once again with his highly anticipated film, Singham Again. The movie, headlined by Ajay Devgn, is set to hit theaters on Diwali. To keep fans engaged, the filmmakers have been sharing enticing pictures and videos from the sets. Today, July 10, Shetty took to social media to share a new photograph featuring veteran actor Jackie Shroff, calling him the “purest soul” he has ever met.

New Set Photo with Jackie Shroff

Rohit Shetty shared a captivating photograph on his Instagram, showing him alongside Jackie Shroff. In the picture, both are seen looking away from the camera, with Shetty standing behind Shroff, who sports a jacket and stylish sunglasses. Shetty’s caption read, “The purest soul I have ever met in my life…@apnabhidu #SinghamAgain.” Jackie Shroff responded sweetly, “Bhidu I m YoUR Reflection always.”

Reactions from the Cast

The post received heartfelt responses from the film’s cast.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Beats Godzilla Minus One On Netflix ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff’s action-packed film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan might not have been that successful in bringing audiences to the theatres, but it seems to entertain viewers online quite well. It is enjoying one of the top spots on Netflix’s weekly global top 10 films list [non-english]. The movie has beaten Godzilla Minus One with a marginal difference. Keep scrolling for the deets.

The movie was directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, who is known for helming films like Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Bharat. It featured Akshay and Tiger as the main leads; these actors have made a name for themselves in the action space. Although Akshay is far more senior than Tiger, the latter hardly has any actor who does stunts like Shroff. It was a great combination, but unfortunately, the viewers did not...

Bollywood’s beloved Jaggu Dada, Jackie Shroff, and his wife Ayesha celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary, marking the occasion with heartfelt social media posts that showcased their enduring love. Jackie and Ayesha, who tied the knot on June 5, 1987 Ayesha’s birthday—shared touching tributes to each other.

Ayesha posted a throwback picture on her social media, captioning it, “Happy anniversary to us!!! 47 years!!! To friendship and the best two kids in the World!!! @apnabhidu @tigerjackieshroff @kishushroff.” Jackie, in turn, shared a video compilation of throwback pictures with Ayesha, captioned, “My spine, #HappyBirthday #HappyWeddingAnniversary @AyeshaShroff.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ayesha Shroff (@ayeshashroff)

On the professional front, Jackie Shroff is busy with several projects. He is wrapping up “Baby John” with Varun Dhawan and screenplay by Atlee, “Singham Again” directed by Rohit Shetty, “Quotation Gang” with Sunny Leone, and “Baap” featuring Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt.

View...

Anant-Radhika’s Lavish Cruise Wedding, Tillu Cube Delays, Kalki 2898 Ad Director’s Invite To Elon Musk – Today’s Top Trending News. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In the midst of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s luxurious cruise pre-wedding bash, Shah Rukh Khan might have accidentally revealed his next film title. Bhanushali Studios is celebrating a big win with a 3-film deal, while Randeep Hooda is honouring Veer Savarkar on his birthday. Jackie Shroff just secured a legal victory protecting his personality rights. Fans will unfortunately have to wait until 2025 for Tillu Cube’s release, but Pushpa 2 promises a chart-topping song with “Sooseki”. Finally, the director of Kalki 2898 Ad is extending an invitation to Elon Musk for a futuristic ride in his film.

Scroll down to read the top trending news in detail!

Bollywood Sets Sail for Anant-Radhika’s Lavish Cruise Pre-Wedding Bash!

The pre-wedding festivities for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant continue!

Jackie Shroff Breaks Silence; Delhi Hc Protects Him From Deepfakes & Unauthorized Endorsements. (Photo Credit – IMDb)

Veteran actor Jackie Shroff expressed his deep gratitude to the Delhi High Court for its recent order safeguarding his personality rights. The order protects his name, image, likeness, voice, and other unique attributes from unauthorized use.

“I am immensely grateful to the judiciary for passing an order that safeguards my personality rights,” said Jackie Shroff. “For a long time, celebrities had little to no recourse against the misuse of their persona. However, I am heartened by the fact that courts have progressively recognized and protected these rights, as demonstrated in landmark cases involving Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and Mr. Anil Kapoor. These precedents have been very encouraging and motivated me to assert my rights.”

Jackie Shroff had filed a suit in the Delhi High Court against multiple entities for allegedly using his name, photographs, voice, and most uniquely,...

Tiger Shroff & Karan Johar Reunite For A Big Dharma Productions Feature For 2025. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Karan Johar and Dharma Productions have genuinely been the pioneers in the new age of Hindi Cinema, with diverse genres and bringing in the best entertainment. In yet another move to bring forth the best of Indian Cinema, Karan Johar is eyeing a project with Tiger Shroff. The Gen-z heartthrob Tiger Shroff has completed 10 years in the industry, taking one challenge after another. He is also one of the youngest to have his franchise with Baaghi. Rumors and reports are abuzz that Shroff may be returning to his Dharma days. As per reports, Tiger Shroff is set to star in a big entertainer produced by Karan Johar under the banner of Dharma Productions. Here’s everything we know about the untitled project.

Shroff, who has been chasing the next action flick, with Baaghi 4 and Singham 4 in the works,...

The highly anticipated biopic ‘Slow Joe’ has announced an exciting collaboration between Bollywood veteran Jackie Shroff and acclaimed French actress and director Sandrine Bonnaire. The film, based on the remarkable life of Indian musician Joseph Manuel Da Rocha, is produced by Isabella Sreyashii Sen and Olivier Dock of Hazelnut Media.

Sandrine Bonnaire will bring her expertise to the helm, directing the film that she describes as “moving and extraordinary.” Jackie Shroff will portray the lead role of Joseph Manuel Da Rocha, a former heroin addict and drug dealer who transformed his life. The biopic will be a Singapore-France-India co-production, shot in English, French, and Konkani languages.

The story follows Da Rocha’s journey from Mumbai to Goa, where he overcame adversity and achieved his dreams. Both Shroff and Bonnaire are thrilled about the collaboration, with Shroff praising Bonnaire’s exceptional talent and vision. Bonnaire shares, “Joseph Manuel Da Rocha’s story is moving and extraordinary,...

Sharmin Sehgal Shares Heeramandi BTS, Jackie Sues Over “Bhidu,” Farah Criticizes Entourage Costs. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

From heartwarming behind-the-scenes moments on the sets of Heeramandi shared by Sharmin Segal to the epic budget of the upcoming Ramayana film, entertainment news is buzzing today.

Actress Shamita Shetty bravely opened up about her Endometriosis diagnosis, while Jackie Shroff is taking legal action to protect his name and likeness. Meanwhile, Salman Khan’s shooting case continues to develop with a new arrest and a community leader’s demand for an apology.

Additionally, fans of Thalapathy Vijay are reminiscing about his school days after his 10th exam results surfaced online. In Hollywood, Tabu is set to grace our screens once again in the sci-fi series “Dune: Prophecy,” and fans can expect to see Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh reunite in Anurag Basu’s upcoming film “Metro In Dino.”

Scroll down for quick updates...

Somy Ali Came Out In Support Of Zeenat Aman’s LiveIn Relatioship advice. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Zeenat Aman’s live-in relationship advice received a lot of backlash from her fellow actors, but the veteran actress has now found support for Somy Ali, an actress from the 90s. The Aao pyaar Karein Actress, who is an avid supporter of survivor rights and runs an Ngo, is now supporting Zeenat Aman’s very modern advice. Somi was also in the news for voicing her support for ex-boyfriend Salman Khan amidst the shooting incident. But she is now expressing her views in favor of Zeenat Aman.

Some time back, Zeenat Aman expressed her views on Live-in relationships, suggesting that people should try that and go ahead and live with their partners to test compatibility and understanding before entering into long-term commitments. She received a lot of backlash for it from colleagues like Saira Bano and Mumtaz.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Release: On April 11, the much-awaited action-thriller film starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”, hit theatres across India coinciding with Eid celebrations. Despite a slow start in pre-sales, the movie gained momentum throughout the day, drawing audiences to cinemas.

Stars Visit Gaiety Galaxy Theatre:

In a delightful surprise for fans, Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff visited the iconic Gaiety Galaxy theatre in Mumbai, where the film was screening. Their presence added excitement to the already buzzing atmosphere of the theatre.

Akshay Kumar’s Stylish Look:

Akshay Kumar made a stylish entry wearing a white linen shirt paired with black pants featuring a tiger print design. Completing his look with white sneakers and a watch, the 56-year-old actor exuded charm and sophistication.

Tiger Shroff, known for his impeccable physique, opted for a moss green sleeveless t-shirt, showcasing his toned muscles. Paired with denim cargo and chunky boots,...

When Shilpa Shetty & Raveena Tandon Allegedly Mocked Akshay Kumar(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Akshay Kumar is one of the biggest superstars in the country. Khiladi Kumar has done everything from deadly stunts to the most iconic comedy scenes. In the early 90s, he was also reportedly the playboy of the scenes, and rumors of his affairs dominated the headlines. One of the most talked about in the 90s was the alleged love triangle of Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, and Shilpa Shetty. People think that Shilpa and Raveena might have animosity. That is not the case; the leading ladies get along well. We are looking back at an incident from 2017 when Shetty and Tandon took a sly dig at Kumar.

While the equations between the three have been shifting, Kumar and Shilpa are only cordial with each other. Raveena Tandon has often said that Akshay is her friend, and the two are...

Fom Akshay Kumar To Ajay Devgn Check Out The Biggest Pranksters Of Bollywood. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Did you play pranks on the set? Well, this is the most asked question in interviews with celebs. The question is sometimes fair because you are actors who work on long schedules, and you would want to make things light for them along with your co-stars and crew. Many Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Varun Dhawan are notorious for playing pranks. Even Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff who can come off as very serious, dabbles in goofs on set.

In the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, certain artists add a playful and mischievous element to the vibe by doing funny pranks behind the scenes. From practical jokes to lighthearted puns, these stars keep the showbiz going with their fun activities. Here’s a look inside the world of Bollywood’s pranksters:

Akshay Kumar

The king of comedy,...

Director Siddharth Anand’s adrenaline-fueled aerial actioner ‘Fighter’ landed on a leading Ott platform on March 21, and within 48 hours of its Ott release on the streaming platform, the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer grabbed the first spot. As per recent data released by Netflix, the Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone starrer has reigned #1 in India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and Maldives while it has charted in the top tens list in 22 Countries globally including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil among others. The director, who previously has given hits like Pathaan, War and Bang Bang, has also produced this blockbuster under his banner Marflix Pictures.

Taking to Instagram, Marflix Pictures stated, “Hold onto your seats! #Fighter is taking Netflix by storm as the #1 trending film in India! #FighterForever ”

Set against the vibrant canvas of the Indian Air Force (Iaf), Siddharth Anand’s ‘Fighter’ weaves an enthralling tale of camaraderie, unity, and intense aerial confrontations.

Tiger Shroff & Akshay Kumar ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff have teamed up for the action film, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. A few weeks ago, the teaser for the film was released, and everyone is excited to see what punches the duo pack on the big screen. Tiger Zinda Hai director Ali Abbas Zafar has helmed the action film. Along with the songs and promos, Tiger and Akshay’s camaraderie has also created a lot of buzz. It seems like the duo had a lot of fun shooting the film.

Tiger Shroff often praises his co-star in his interviews. After Hrithik Roshan, the Ganpath actor can’t stop saying good things about his Bade Miyan Chote Miyan co-star Akshay Kumar. Shroff even called Akshay India’s Tom Cruise. At the India Today Conclave 2024, Tiger shared his experience working with Akshay and how much he learned as an artist.

Bollywood sensation Tiger Shroff is set to dazzle audiences with his stellar performance in the upcoming action-thriller film, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” The movie promises to be a game-changer for Shroff, showcasing his prowess as both an actor and a dancer in a high-octane cinematic spectacle.

A Potential Turning Point

Tiger Shroff’s role in “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” could mark a significant turning point in his career trajectory. With a blend of heart-stopping stunts and a grand cinematic vision, the film has raised expectations sky-high. Shroff’s mastery in action sequences is expected to enthrall his dedicated fan base while potentially attracting new audiences.

About the Film

Written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” is produced by a stellar lineup including Zafar, Jackky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, and Himanshu Kishan Mehra. The star-studded cast features Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the titular roles,...

Jackie Shroff and his family have received a heartfelt invitation to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The ceremony is set to be graced by a distinguished gathering of political leaders, industrialists, sports personalities, and celebrities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Pran Pratishta ceremony in the historic town of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The event is expected to draw over a lakh devotees, with approximately 7,000 guests from India and around the world.

Jackie Shroff expressed his gratitude on social media, sharing the news with his followers. In a caption accompanying a post, he said, “We are blessed to be a part of the most auspicious Shri Ram JanmBhoomi Mandir Praan-Pratishtha Ceremony on 22nd January at Ayodhya. Grateful to each and every one who is involved and has contributed since so many decades, to bring this historical day in the lives of us Indians.

As far as the media and social media, and all those who believe in them, the year gone by was all about ‘Animal’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Gadar 2’ and ‘Pathaan’, and how these films either crossed or were on the verge of crossing the Rs 500-crore mark.

In my earlier column, I narrated the story of make-believe blockbusters and I mentioned these films at length. What is sad is that the media – social, print and electronic – amplify and seem to endorse these claims, making the world at large believe in them.

A Rs 100-crore grosser was a favourite term used by these media not long ago. Then it became Rs 200 crore. How would they know that a Rs 100-crore grosser actually meant barely Rs 50 crore of real business? It has come to such a point that now even the Rs 285-crore Salman-starrer ‘Tiger 3’ is not taken notice of!

Nobody bothers...

Face front, true believers! This year we’ve had three multiplex visits to the realm of the “Distinguished Competition”, so you didn’t think the MCU would end 2023 with treks into Quantumania and Knowhere (hangout of those Galaxy Guardians)? Oh no, Smilin’ Stan wouldn’t want the fifteenth anniversary of the Studio to conclude without one more adventure. And it’s a sequel to a 2019 film that introduced the cosmic Carol Danvers, while also being somewhat of an expansion of her saga. That’s because she’s not completely going solo as she’s joined by two characters that made their heroic debuts on Disney+. Together this titanic trio is on a mission to save us all as The Marvels.

The action starts in a distant galaxy as a fleet of ships from the Kree empire converge on a desolate planet. The surface party led by the high-ranking officer Dar-Benn...

In an era where the Marvel Cinematic Universe frequently shuttles between multiverse escapades and interplanetary conflicts, Nia DaCosta’s The Marvels emerges as a breath of fresh air, eschewing bombast for a nuanced exploration of its characters. DaCosta, alongside writers Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik, anchors the superhero spectacle in the tangible and personal, making the extraordinary feel accessible and grounded.

On a desolate planet, Kree warrior Dar-Benn (Ashton) finds a bracelet, one you might be familiar with if you watch the Disney+ Ms. Marvel series. She believes this bracelet will solve her planet’s environmental issues. At home in New Jersey, Kamala Khan (Vellani) daydreams about fighting crime with Carol Danvers (Larson), aka Captain Marvel, when the bracelet on her arm — the same one Dar-Benn found — begins to glow. Suddenly, she gets blown back into a closet door.

Earlier that day, Carol is on her small ship outside of Earth’s atmosphere,...

All At Sea Together

The inaugural edition of the Cinema at Sea – Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival will be held next month (Nov. 23-29) on the Japanese island of Okinawa. With a 40-title lineup, a competition and a robust international selection, the festival says its mission is to explore the ocean and Pacific regions [with] film acting as a global lens [that] allows us to bridge the gap between different islands, fostering an inclusive atmosphere in Okinawa, where diverse cultures and nationalities converge.”

The festival will open with “From Okinawa With Love,” by Sunairi Hiroshi, which premiered at the Dmz Documentary Festival in Korea, and tracks the work of a photographer who investigated the African American G.I. scene around the island’s U.S. air bases. It will close with “We Are Still Here,” a portmanteau film by indigenous people from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The competition section...

India’s Yash Raj Films has unveiled the first footage from “Tiger 3,” starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma (“Band Baaja Baaraat”), the film is the latest instalment in producer Aditya Chopra’s spy universe.

The spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017) and continued with “War” (2019), starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, released in January and is the biggest Indian hit of the year with $130 million. The four films have together grossed some $300 million.

In the Tiger franchise, Salman Khan plays Avinash Singh Rathore, Aka Tiger, who belongs to Indian intelligence agency Raw and Kaif plays Zoya Humaini from Pakistan’s Isi. In “War,” Roshan is rogue Raw agent Kabir Dhaliwal and Shroff his protégé Khalid Rahmani. In “Pathaan,” Shah Rukh...

New Delhi, July 26 (Ians) Doctors on Wednesday said that they are seeing a record surge in cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, as well as dengue in the national capital.

The sudden rise in conjunctivitis cases can be attributed to the heavy rainfall and floods that have affected various regions in the country.

The increased moisture, moderate adequate temperature and unhygienic conditions due to the floods, contaminated water supply, and importantly, aerosoling (microdrops) of dirty water from roads by fast moving vehicles create a conducive environment for the spread of the infection, they say.

“We are closely monitoring the sudden surge of conjunctivitis cases across the country, with Delhi Ncr alone reporting a staggering 1,032 cases in July. The rise in numbers compared to the same period last year (July 2022), when Delhi Ncr had 646 cases and nationwide had 1,202 cases, is a cause of concern,” Dr Kamal B Kapur, Medical Director,...

By Rachel V. Thomas

New Delhi, June 14 (Ians) After seeing about 80 per cent success in animal trials, a team of Indian doctors are soon set to launch human trials on the made in India ‘liquid cornea’ for people with corneal blindness — a type of visual impairment due to diseases of the cornea.

‘Liquid Cornea’ is developed by Bengaluru-based Pandorum Technology in collaboration with Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital and aims to give millions the gift of sight. Cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside.

“We will be applying for Drugs Controller General of India (Dcgi) approval in the next three to four months,” Dr Virender Sangwan, Director of Innovation, Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, told Ians on Wednesday.

“We have seen around 80 per cent success rate in the animal trials. We will be...

Scoop, the brand-new Hansal Mehta limited series on Netflix, brings us many characters who are not exactly good but are not bad either. They are just human beings who make the most of the situation and allow themselves to succeed. There is also a power game that many cannot ignore in every office structure, more so amongst the police, who are forced to follow orders even if it means doing the wrong thing.

Jcp Harshvardhan Shroff, the top brass cop with Mumbai Police, is one of the main contacts for Jagruti to get enough information or confirmation on any news she is working on. They seem to have had a professional relationship for many years and she was friendly with his son as well. But Harshvardhan’s being in a position of power does not stop him from insinuating that he wants to sleep with her or probably just have...

New Delhi, May 27 (Ians) Since its inception in 2019, Matrix Fight Night (Mfn) has established itself as the biggest Mixed-Martial Arts promotion in India. With 11 editions across India and UAE, Mfn has become a phenomenon and has seen some of the best Mma stars from all around the world competing for the top honours. But launching an Mma promotion in India, a cricket-loving nation, was a herculean task in itself.

In the first two episodes of Mfn Podcast, launched on Spotify, co-founders Krishna Shroff and Ayesha Shroff, the dynamic mother-daughter duo, opened up on the journey for the conceptualisation of the promotion and the challenges they have faced in their journey.

“In 2017, Mfn truly became an idea. I had been following the sport of Mma for about 20 years and for one of the weekends, I took mom along with me,” Krishna recalled.

“She sat there and experienced a live fight for...

Internationally sourced programming and stories placed alongside local content could be a solution to bring audiences back to Indian cinemas, a high-powered panel debated.

The panel was part of Indiantelevision.com’s annual industry event, The Content Hub, that recently concluded in Mumbai. Mayank Shroff, head of film distribution at Cinepolis, the Indian division of Latin American exhibition giant Cinepolis, said that while footfalls were back to 85% of pre-pandemic days, an innovative approach is required to bring the rest of the audiences back.

Shroff pointed to the success of Makoto Shinkai’s anime film “Suzume,” which accounted for 20% of the Cinepolis box office over the past weekend and “Evil Dead Rise,” which also pulled in decent numbers, both in the face of stiff competition from Eid holiday release “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,” starring superstar Salman Khan. Shroff also said that there was demand for Korean films and K-pop concerts,...

New Delhi, April 6 (Ians) A private hospital here launched smart vision glasses that are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning technology, providing new hope to the visually impaired and blind.

The vision glasses are lightweight and feature a camera, a sensor, and come with AI/Ml technology, making it even more effective in assisting users.

The glasses project images, provide walking assistance, and include face recognition capabilities, accompanied by a smart earpiece that reads and understands, and relays information to the wearer.

Additional features include voice assistance and Gps navigation, making them an essential tool for visually impaired patients to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The wearable device, launched on Wednesday by Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, in association with Vision Aid India and Bengaluru-based startup Shg Technologies, creates a more interactive, interesting, and independent world for those with visual impairments.

“Technology has the power to revolutionise the...

Updated: “Pathaan” filmmaker Siddharth Anand will direct “Tiger vs Pathaan,” Variety has confirmed.

“Siddharth is getting a dream cast of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan coming together for their first full-fledged film since ‘Karan Arjun’ [1995] and Siddharth will also be given all the support he needs to mount ‘Tiger vs Pathaan’ as the biggest film that India has ever produced,” a trade source said.

Previously: Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will headline “Tiger vs Pathaan,” the latest film in producer Aditya Chopra’s spy universe.

The film, from leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films, will commence principal photography in January 2024, sources close to the studio confirmed to Variety. Yash Raj Films declined to comment.

“Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is the biggest Indian hit of the year so far, grossing $130 million. The spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif,...

Ayan Mukerji will direct “War 2,” one of the future instalments in leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ spy universe.

Mukerji previously directed Disney’s Indian mythological superhero film “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva,” which was one of the biggest Bollywood hits of 2022, grossing $52 million. He debuted with coming of age film “Wake Up Sid” (2009) and followed up with romcom “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” (2013).

Created by producer Aditya Chopra, the spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and continued with “War” (2019), starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. The latest instalment in the universe, “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is the biggest Indian hit of the year so far, grossing $130 million. The four films have together grossed some $300 million.

The next film in the spy universe, “Tiger 3,” is due a release in November,...

Tiger Shroff, one of Bollywood’s most popular action heroes, recently shared a teaser for his upcoming movie ‘Ganapath Part 1‘ on Instagram. In the teaser, Tiger can be seen in an intense and action-packed role, promising an exciting experience for viewers.

The teaser begins with a voiceover describing and introducing the character of Ganapath, played by Tiger Shroff. The teaser then cuts to a shot of Shroff dressed in all-black, surrounded by smoke, and performing a high-octane action sequence.

Shroff captioned the post, “Aisi ek duniya jahaan aatank ka hai raaj, wahaan Ganapath Aa Raha Hai banke apne logo ki awaaz...

Mumbai, Feb 20 (Ians) The first schedule of Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff-starrer ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ has been completed and now the entire team is gearing up for the next schedule in Scotland.

The film brings together two of the biggest action heroes of Bollywood, Akshay, and Shroff. Prithviraj Sukumaran joins this spectacle as he brings on board his acting prowess as the powerful antagonist.

Taking to social media, producer Jackky Bhagnani, Tiger Shroff and Ali Abbas Zafar shared an image.

Jackky Bhagnani captioned it by saying: “We just wrapped the first India sched of #Bmcm. A big milestone in my life and it has been emotional. This was a dream IP of my father and now we are carrying it forward.”

“Cant wait for you guys to watch this Spectacle in theatres. Thank you Bade Miyan @akshaykumar, Chote Miyan @tigerjackieshroff, @therealprithvi and @aliabbaszafar for making this dream of our come true.

Bengaluru, Feb 19 (Ians) Financial services startup ESOPDhan on Sunday said it is aiming at a Rs 500 crore loan book by 2025, helping many more people buy stock options being offered by their employers.

So far, ESOPDhan has lent Rs 20 crore to 15 Bengaluru and Hyderabad-based employees of two US-based high growth tech companies.

Set up by veteran investors Shravan Shroff and Nitin Agarwal, the firm seeks to ease the acquisition of stock options by employees of high-growth SaaS startups.

“Our experience with startup teams over the years threw up many concerns of employees rewarded with ESOPs. We understood their difficulties, came up ESOPDhan as a solution and decided to unveil its offerings,” said Shroff.

At times, employees are unable to subscribe to ESOPs soon after vesting because of lack of funds or lack of clarity on tax treatment of the same.

ESOPDhan has been working to solve that problem for employees, and...

Mumbai, Jan 11 (Ians) Financial services firm ESOPDhan on Wednesday announced its lending offerings to employees of high-growth companies to exercise vested employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).

Set up by veteran investors Shravan Shroff and Nitin Agarwal, the firm seeks to ease the acquisition of stock options by employees of high-growth SaaS startups.

ESOPDhan said that it has already funded India-based employees of two US-based high-growth tech companies, and discussions are underway with two-three more India based unicorns.

“Our experience with startup teams over the years threw up many concerns of employees rewarded with ESOPs,” Shravan Shroff, co-founder of ESOPDhan, told Ians.

“These ranged from ‘How to get funds to subscribe for ESOPs and pay the exercise cost and perquisite tax’ to ‘How not to lose opportunities to create wealth’, and ‘How to get quick cash while retaining their stocks’,” he added.

The Rbi-registered Nbfc firm solves the cash flow mismatch...

Jackie Shroff on Sunday stated that mother earth will bless us if we take care of her and keep the surroundings clean. The actor, who’s also an avid organic farmer, appealed to young people to participate in a ‘Clean-a-thon’ being organised at the Miramar Beach in Panaji on Monday morning.

“The way we keep our house clean, we need to take care of our mother earth. It should be kept clean. It is very simple. We can’t consider ourselves wise if we spoil mother earth,” Shroff said at the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) underway in Goa.

“We have to manage garbage. Every future generation should get to see the pristine mother earth. Beaches should not be littered with bottles and other things. We need to respect mother earth,” he emphasised.

A collaborative effort of the Government of Goa, Iffi, Divyaj Foundation and Bhamla Foundation, ‘Clean-a-thon’ will...

Phone Bhoot

Staring Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ishaan, Jackie Shroff

There is too little of everything in Phone Bhoot except the two bratty boys Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan(he has dropped the ‘Khattar’ in his name) who are all over the place like two bad viruses. For long patches Katrina Kaif vanishes: she has every right to since she plays a bhoot. Must be the most chic ghost in town . We only have to see poor Sheeba Chadha’s makeup and scruffy look to know why Katrina did this film.

She just wanted to show the world how pretty a ghost can be. Thank you for that.

And there ends my sarcasm laden praise for this eerie abomination… eerie and funny is what it aims at. Dreary and phony is what we get in Phone Bhoot, a film so devoid of any merit that you wonder why it was made in the first film.

New Delhi, Oct 13 (Ians) Samsung on Thursday said it has set a target of screening 150,000 individuals in India for eye diseases using its unique ‘Eyelike Fundus’ camera by the end of 2023.

The camera has been developed by Samsung in partnership with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (Iapb), Yonsei University Health System (Yuhs) and Lab Sd, Inc.

To screen patients, Samsung has partnered with four eye hospitals – Sitapur Eye Hospital in Uttar Pradesh; Aravind Eye Hospital in Pondicherry; Guruhasti Chikitsalya in Jodhpur, Rajasthan; and Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in New Delhi.

So far, Samsung has upcycled nearly 200 units of old Galaxy smartphones and distributed the cameras to partners in India.

“The device comes in handy as it is very easy to use and can be operated by a semi-trained technician as well because of the on-device AI that tell them if the image is normal or abnormal.

It seems that the search for replacement of Shailesh Lodha in the long-running TV series ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma’ has come to an end. The makers have finalised Sachin Shroff of ‘Bannoo Main Teri Dulhann’ fame to take his place.

Shailesh, who was seen playing the role of Taarak Mehta in the sitcom, left the show because of differences with the makers and was unable to explore more opportunities.

Producer Asit Kumarr Modi had said: “We are searching for a talented actor. Shailesh Lodha can also come back. I never feel good when any of my actors leave the show.”

He added: “I spoke to him at length before he left but I could do nothing as he got some new opportunity and was keen to exit. We want him to come back. But I cannot wait endlessly for anyone. The show is bigger than each one of us...