Bollywood's biggest stars ignite the screen! From the dazzling premiere of [mention a recently released film or event] to the brewing controversies surrounding [mention a current entertainment scandal], India's entertainment scene is ablaze. This week saw [mention a significant entertainment event, e.g., a music launch, award ceremony, or box office milestone], further cementing India's position as a global entertainment powerhouse. The battle for box office supremacy heats up as [mention competing films or actors], while the digital realm witnesses the rise of [mention a trending OTT series or online sensation]. Beyond Bollywood, regional cinema continues to flourish, with [mention a noteworthy achievement in regional cinema]. From the vibrant world of music to the captivating realm of television, Abtak.com brings you the pulse of Indian entertainment. Dive in and stay updated on the latest news, reviews, and exclusive interviews—your ultimate destination for all things entertainment. Explore the captivating stories unfolding now!
Hyderabad: Kamal Haasan has added yet another feather to his already illustrious cap. The screen icon known for redefining Indian cinema with pathbreaking performances is now officially a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Haasan becomes only the second Indian actor ever to receive an invitation from the Academy. The first? Tamil star Suriya, who was inducted in 2022. But Haasan isn't the only Indian in the Academy's Class of 2025. This year, the Academy has inducted 534 global talents and it is the largest batch since 2020. Kamal aside, over a dozen Indians across categories have made the cut for Oscars 2026 membership list. Indians in the Academy Class of 2025: The Full List This year's Indian invitees reflect the country's growing footprint across every department of global filmmaking and not just acting. How Oscar Academy Membership Works Why This Matters India's increasing presence in the Academy isn't just symbolic. It translates to greater representation in global film conversations, awards consideration, and a stronger voice in shaping the future of cinema. Filmmakers like Payal Kapadia, who made history at Cannes this year, and documentarians like Smriti Mundhra, are now bringing Indian stories to global audiences and into the rooms where Oscar ballots are cast. With the next Oscars scheduled for March 15, 2026, and new rules mandating members watch all films in a category before voting, the Academy seems to be reshaping itself. And this year, thanks to talents like Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Payal Kapadia, India is more visible in the Academy's evolving landscape than ever before. However, when it comes to actual wins, India's track record at the Oscars remains modest. Despite being home to one of the world's largest and oldest film industries, now over a century old, India has earned only 10 Oscar trophies to date. As the Academy itself approaches its 100th year, all eyes will be on which film is chosen as India's official entry for the 2026 Oscars and whether it can finally break new ground on Hollywood's biggest stage.
Kareena Kapoor Khan brought a deeply personal and touching element to her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by requesting him to write a heartfelt message for her two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, who were unable to attend the event. A memorable highlight from the gathering showcased Kareena watching intently, her expression radiating pride and warmth, as the Prime Minister inscribed a note dedicated to her children, affectionately called "Tim and Jeh."Kareena Kapoor Khan added ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Dilip Kumar, the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, continues to be remembered for his unmatched contributions to Bollywood. Born on December 11, 1922, as Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, he ruled the silver screen with his impeccable acting skills, emotional depth, and charisma. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most iconic roles that made Dilip Kumar a cinematic legend, a man who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. 1. 'Andaz' (1949) In 'Andaz', Dilip Kumar shared the screen with Nargis and Raj Kapoo ...Read More >
Mumbai: Nayanthara, popularly known as the Lady Superstar of Indian cinema, recently addressed her decision to debut in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Jawan. While fans were disappointed with her limited screen time in the film, Nayanthara revealed her reasons for taking on the role during an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I did Jawan only because I love Shah Rukh sir," Nayanthara confessed, crediting the Bollywood superstar for encouraging her to step into Hindi cinema. She shared how Khan personally reached out to ease her concerns about making her Bollywood debut, ass ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 27 (ANI): Actress Kangana Ranaut has officially announced her return to movie sets for the filming of her new movie, which reunites her with her 'Tanu Weds Manu' co-star R Madhavan. The two actors, who previously delighted audiences with their performances in the successful romantic comedy series, will now collaborate again in a psychological thriller. Also Read | 'Those First Loves Always Stay With You': 'Loveyapa' Pair Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor on True Love, Sibling Rivalry and Inspiration From Actor Parents (LatestLY Exclusive). The announcement came shortl ...Read More >
Oscars 2025: Academy invites 534 new members, including Ariana Grande, Ayushmann Khurrana, Conan O'Brien and more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the body behind the Oscars) has invited 534 new individuals to become members. It's the biggest batch since 2020, covering a wide range, actors, comedians, cinematographers, directors, musicians, and more. Alongside Hollywood names such as Sebastian Stan, Mikey Madison, and Ariana Grande, this year's list also includes major Indian talent. Actors such as Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designe ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood's Khiladi Akshay Kumar showcased his philosophical side as he shared a heartfelt message on the true essence of life. Taking to Instagram, the actor shared a thoughtful note where he emphasized the importance of cherishing small and joyful moments. Kumar also reminded fans that real wealth lies not in material possessions but in the stolen moments of happiness. Sharing his throwback image, the 'Kesari Chapter 2' actor wrote, "In life, we accumulate stolen moments of happiness. That's your real wealth."- A reminder to laugh loud, love deep, and cheris ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) A day after the members of Raj Kapoor's family met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan thanked him for inviting them to "commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy" of their grandfather ahead of the cinema icon's birth centenary. The Kapoor family, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and Neetu Kapoor, met the prime minister on Tuesday and invited him to the Raj Kapoor Film Festival to be held to celebrate the occasion. December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and ...Read More >
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Rekha's cult film 'Umrao Jaan' is all set to enchant the audience once again on June 27. Director Muzaffar Ali and Rekha hosted a special re-release screening of the film today in Mumbai. The event was graced by AR Rahman, Tabu, Anil Kapoor and others. Rekha stunned everyone in a traditional white outfit with golden embroidery that reminded of her iconic character of Umrao Jaan from the film. She posed for the camera with the director and ace music composer AR Rahman. Rekha can also be seen dancing with Anil Kapoor in a fun moment. Superstar Aamir Khan looked dash ...Read More >
Sivakarthikeyan's Amaran has emerged as his biggest box-office success to date, surpassing the Rs 300-crore mark at the worldwide box office collection.Shiv Karthikeyan and Sai Pallavi marked a milestone in film industry through the movie Amaran. The film joins an elite club as the ninth Tamil movie to achieve this milestone, following hits like Rajinikanth's Enthiran, Kabali, 2.0, Jailer, along with Biigilmovie, Varisu, Leo, and The GOAT. Featuring Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund Varadarajan, alongside Sai Pallavi, Bhuvan Arora, and Rahul Bose, Amaran draws inspiration from true military st ...Read More >
New Delhi: Lucky Bhaskar, starring Mollywood heartthrob Dulquer Salmaan and Meenakshi Chaudhary in the lead roles, has returned to the spotlight as it is now available for streaming on Netflix. Directed by Venky Atluri, the film has been making waves online, with millions of viewers praising its captivating storytelling, stellar performances, and music. Upon its release on OTT today, netizens took to social media to express their admiration for the film, calling it a "masterpiece." One viewer praised the film's narrative and performances, writing, "Lucky Bhaskar. The best of 2024. A masterpie ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joins names such as Kamal Haasan, Ariana Grande, and Jeremy Strong at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. Ayushmann along with names such as Kamal Haasan Naomi Ackie, Gillian Anderson, Branford Marsalis, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer and Jason Momoa are among 534 individuals who were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on June 26. "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy," said Ac ...Read More >
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan extended heartfelt congratulations to film icon Kamal Haasan following his invitation to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) -- the organization responsible for presenting the Oscars. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pawan Kalyan called Kamal Haasan's recognition a moment of "immense pride to Indian film industry". He praised Haasan as a "phenomenal actor" with cinematic brilliance spanning six decades and described him as more than just an actor -- a storyteller, director, ...Read More >
'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (2001) is a romantic drama directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking the Bollywood debut of R Madhavan and Dia Mirza. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, actor R Madhavan opened up about the emotional journey of his iconic film 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM), which has achieved cult status over the years. The film, initially released in 2001, marked a significant milestone in Bollywood, both for R Madhavan and his co-star Dia Mirza, as it was their debut film. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the romantic drama also starred Saif ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The recently released Tamil film Thug Life, starring veteran actor Kamal Haasan, has been facing controversy in Karnataka due to comments made by the actor. At the audio launch of Thug Life, Kamal Haasan said, "Kannada was born from Tamil." This statement sparked widespread outrage among Kannada-speaking communities. If all had gone as planned, Thug Life was scheduled to release in Karnataka by now. However, due to the actor's refusal to apologise, the film has not seen a release in the state. The matter is now pending in court, and a final decision regarding its release in Karnata ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 4: Dreams do come true, says filmmaker RS Prasanna who went from being a cheerleader for Aamir Khan as the accepted an award for "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007 to finally directing him in its sequel "Sitaare Zameen Par". Prasanna, known for "Kalyana Samayal Saadham" in Tamil and its Hindi remake "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", was still in film school in 2007 when he watched "Taare Zameen Par". "I remember bawling my eyes out while watching 'Taare Zameen Par' with my friends, and my then-girlfriend, now wife. When Aamir sir won the Best Debut Director award at the Gollapudi Srinivas Award, ...Read More >
Mumbai: The VELS Film International production studio has unveiled its ambitious slate of diverse films, which are slated for release between 2025 and 2027. Mumbai: Through an Instagram post, VELS shared a video that offers a glimpse into the studio's upcoming titles--spanning commercial blockbusters, socially rooted dramas, and high-concept genre films--further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in Indian cinema. The slate features collaborations with some of the most accomplished and promising filmmakers in Indian cinema, including Sundar C, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Vetri Maaran, Mari ...Read More >
Mumbai : Filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently took a trip down memory lane as he remembered the late actor Irrfan Khan. Ghai shared an old photo from an award ceremony with the actor, along with an emotional note that quickly caught the attention of fans online. In the photo, Ghai and Irrfan can be seen smiling. Ghai, who worked with Irrfan in the film 'Right Yaa Wrong,' took to his Instagram account to share a post praising him not just as an actor but as someone who deeply understood the art of storytelling. He wrote, "I have always been more in admiration of good and great actors than just co ...Read More >
Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, becomes the first Indian film to release in China post-normalization of ties. The film holds a high rating in China and competes with Hollywood's Gladiator II and local film Her Story. It is expected to resonate with Chinese audiences. Maharaja, a Tamil suspense film, is making history as the first Indian film to be released in China following the resolution of the Indo-China border standoff. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, the movie, starring Vijay Sethupathi and others, is set to captivate Chinese audiences. Receiving a hi ...Read More >
Dhanush and Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth granted divorce: Tamil actor Dhanush and filmmaker Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth have officially parted ways, with the Chennai Family Welfare court granting them a divorce. According to reports by Sun TV and News 18, the couple had cited irreconcilable differences, stating that they could no longer live together, leading to the dissolution of their marriage. The divorce proceedings between Dhanush and Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth had been ongoing for some time, with the case having been heard on three separate occasions prior. However, both parties had failed to appear i ...Read More >
Mumbai: The producers of "Laapataa Ladies," Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Productions, have expressed their reactions following the film's exit from the Oscars 2025 race. As India's official entry in the Best Foreign Feature Film category, Laapataa Ladies held high hopes but unfortunately did not make it to the top 15 shortlist. While the producers admitted to being disappointed by the outcome, they remain proud of the film's journey and the recognition it garnered along the way. In a statement, Aamir Khan Productions said, "Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) did not make it t ...Read More >
He defended his choice of Viduthalai Part 2, stating that storytelling is about reflecting people's lives Actor Vijay Sethupathi, while promoting his upcoming movie Viduthalai Part 2 in Hyderabad, shared his thoughts on the box-office performance of Thalapathy Vijay's GOAT and Suriya-starrer Kanguva in the Telugu-speaking states. In an interview with The Great Andhra, Sethupathi was asked about the setbacks faced by recent Tamil Pan-India films, particularly at the Telugu box office. However, h ...Read More >
)
New Delhi: One of the most-talked about movies -Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead opened in theatres on June 5, 2025. The Mani Ratnam directorial got a good opening of Rs 17 crore but failed to beat the Day 1 collection of Kamal Haasan's previous films including 'Indian 2' and 'Vikram'. According to Box Office number tracking website Sacnilk, 'Thug Life' earned Rs 17 crore nett (Gross minus taxes) at the domestic box office on its first day in theatres, despite facing ban in Karnataka. Kamal Haasan's previous film, 'Indian 2' with director Shankar, collected Rs 25.6 crore nett on ...Read More >
Thug Life box office collection Day 3: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam's latest collaboration Thug Life is struggling at the box office. After a drop of 53.87% in collections from Day 1 to Day 2, the gangster drama earned Rs 7.14 crore on Day 3 of its release, according to trade tracker Sacnik. On Saturday, Thug Life earned Rs 6.38 crore from the Tamil version, while the Hindi and Telugu versions brought in Rs 0.24 crore and Rs 0.52 crore, respectively. By the end of Day 3, the film's total box off ...Read More >
Chennai, June 27: The prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Oscar Awards each year, has now extended an invitation to one of Indian cinema's iconic stars Kamal Haasan to join it. The Academy has extended invitations to 534 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to motion pictures to join it this year and Kamal Haasan is one among them. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said,"We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29 (PTI) Filmmaker S J Suryah is set to step into the director's shoes after 10 years with his upcoming film "Killer". Suryah is well-known for helming projects such as "Kushi" (2000), "Anbe Aaruyire" (2005) and "New" (2004), all of which had emerged as box office hits. Also Read | Oscar Winner Marion Cotillard, Guillaume Canet Announce Separation After 18 Years, Asks Public to Respect Their Privacy. Calling the film his "dream project", the 56-year-old director announced the news with a post on his X handle on Friday. "Hi folks , Ur Director S.J.Suryah is bk with His Dream ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 29 (UNI) Actor Nani has officially commenced shooting for his upcoming film "The Paradise", directed by "Dasara" fame filmmaker Srikanth Odela. This is the second collaboration between the duo. Principal photography commenced recently in Hyderabad, where the team has embarked on an intensive 40-day schedule, capturing crucial sequences featuring the film's principal cast. To celebrate the launch, the makers shared an on-set with the caption: "Dhagad joins the Paradise. In cinemas 26-03-2026." Odela is crafting the film with great precision. The movie is being produced by Sudhaka ...Read More >
This is a celebration of everyone who worked so passionately on the film, says the celebrated director. History was made as Payal Kapadia became the first Indian director to have won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director. Her much talked about movie, 'All We Imagine as Light' has won two GG nominations in total. One for Best Director and the other for Best Motion Picture (Non-English). The two prestigious nominations at the 82nd Golden Globes mark a milestone in Indian cinema. After Canne ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 29 (ANI): Tamil veteran actor Rajesh passed away at the age of 75 years on Thursday morning. As per his relatives, the actor passed away on the way to Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) hospital after he suddenly experienced difficulty in breathing. Also Read | 'Sister Midnight' Censored in India: CBFC Blurs Nudity From Radhika Apte's Dark Comedy - View Full List of Cuts. Rajesh has worked in over 100 films in his entire acting career. He started his acting journey with a superhit film, 'Aval Oru Thodar Kathai', which also starred Kama ...Read More >
)
New Delhi: Actor Kamal Haasan has shared his response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) after the film union body decided to ban the release of his film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka amid the ongoing controversy around his "Kannada is born out of Tamil' remark. In a letter addressed to the President of KFC, Kamal Haasan said that his statement about the Kannada language at his film 'Thug Life' audio launch in Chennai has been "misunderstood" as he claims to have spoken it "out of genuine affection" for legendary Dr Rajkumar's family in Karnataka. "I acknowledge your letter dated 30 ...Read More >