With the speed at which Bollywood is busy acquiring rights to successful South Indian films, audiences should brace themselves for a deluge of remakes in the coming few years.
At present, almost a dozen remakes are in the works in Bollywood. And if reports are to be believed, superstar Akshay Kumar recently helped Pooja Films nab the rights to the superhit Telugu-language psychological thriller Rakshasudu.
While there is no clarity on whether or not Kumar will topline the project, producer Koneru Satyanarayana has revealed that the superstar indeed approached them for the film’s rights to remake it in Hindi.
Earlier, Satyanarayana himself wanted to remake the film in Hindi, but when the coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into the works, he happily sold the rights to Pooja Films. However, filmmaker Ramesh Varma, who directed the original, will helm the remake as well.
“Akshay Kumar had approached us to give the rights to Pooja Films and we readily gave away the rights as we felt he would be perfect for the role. Since we could not do the film, we gave the rights to Pooja Films. Ramesh Varma will be making his Bollywood debut with the movie,” the producer said in a statement.
Starring Bellamkonda Sreenivas in the lead role, Rakshasudu revolves around the newly appointed Sub-inspector Arun Kumar, who goes after a notorious serial killer who targets teenage girls. However, he has to pay a terrible price for his assiduous investigation.
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is awaiting the release of his much-awaited film Bell Bottom. Also starring Lara Dutta, Huma Qureshi, and Vaani Kapoor in principal roles, the espionage thriller is set for a theatrical release on August 19, after facing some delay in its release due to the ongoing pandemic. The Ranjit M Tiwari directorial has been produced by Pooja Entertainment and Emmay Entertainment.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Sekhar Kammula’s Kuberaa, starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna, hit theatres on 20 June and has quickly made waves online. Reactions across social media, particularly Twitter, have described the film as a bold, emotionally rich crime drama with standout performances, especially from Dhanush. Audiences have called it a “rare gem” in today’s commercial landscape and one of the best Telugu-Tamil bilingual films of 2025 so far.
Dhanush’s career-best, Rashmika’s surprise, and Nagarjuna’s steady hand
The highlight of most audience reviews is Dhanush’s performance, hailed by many as his “career-best” and even “National Award-worthy.” His portrayal of Deva, a beggar caught in a complex web of crime and morality, has been described as transformative and deeply immersive. One viewer wrote that few actors could pull off such a layered character with the same mannerisms in multiple avatars. Fans have also praised Rashmika Mandanna, calling this her strongest performance yet. Her portrayal is described as subtle yet powerful, giving the character both vulnerability and resilience. Nagarjuna’s presence, though noted to be slightly underused, was still appreciated for its gravitas and emotional weight.
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Sekhar Kammula’s direction was lauded for steering clear of formulaic mass elements, there are no item numbers or excessive heroism and instead relying on a grounded narrative. Viewers appreciated the film’s quiet intensity, emotional pacing, and the director’s ability to build tension without gimmicks. Cinematographer Niketh Bommireddy received special praise for his frames and lighting, with many calling the visuals “painterly” and emotionally charged. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score was also credited for amplifying the film’s emotional beats.
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Long runtime, uneven pacing but still worth the ride
Despite widespread acclaim, some viewers felt Kuberaa’s three-hour-plus runtime could have been tighter. A few pointed out that the second half dragged slightly and the climax felt rushed compared to the strong build-up. Others mentioned that some of Kammula’s philosophical themes did not fully land in execution. Still, even the critics agreed the film is a worthwhile experience that deviates from standard commercial fare.
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In all, Kuberaa is being celebrated as a rare cinematic effort: emotionally grounded, superbly acted, and visually distinctive. Whether or not it’s a perfect film, audiences seem to agree that this is Dhanush’s show, and it’s one worth watching.
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Stephen Fry says JK Rowling's views on trans rights have crossed the line
Stephen Fry has spoken out against JK Rowling’s stance on trans issues, saying the author has become “radicalised” and calling her views “cruel” and “mocking”. This is, in fact, a significant shift from Fry, who had previously refused to take sides in the heated debate surrounding Rowling’s statements on gender identity.
In a recent interview, the 66-year-old British actor, author and longtime LGBTQ+ advocate said Rowling’s repeated comments had crossed a line. “She has been radicalised, I fear, perhaps by TERFs, but also by the sheer backlash she’s faced,” he said. “I’m afraid she seems to be a lost cause for us.”
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Fry says Rowling’s tone has changed for the worse
Fry, who famously narrated all seven Harry Potter audiobooks, said he once enjoyed Rowling’s company and admired her wit, but feels her recent behaviour is no longer something he can overlook. “She says things that are inflammatory, contemptuous, and mocking,” he said. “It’s a terribly distressing time for trans people, and her words only make it worse.”
He added that while public debate is important, Rowling’s rhetoric has contributed to a toxic atmosphere. “There’s bullying, violence, and suicide in the trans community,” he said. “It’s not the time for smugness or cigar selfies on yachts.” This was in reference to Rowling’s post celebrating a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that defined women by biological sex, something LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall called “deeply worrying” for trans people.
Fry joins Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in supporting the trans communityGetty Images
Fry also reflected on the damage done by shouting on both sides of the issue: “Screaming ‘transphobe’ at anyone who doesn’t agree with every detail doesn’t help either. You have to let people love you.”
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Cast and colleagues have also distanced themselves from Rowling
Fry now joins Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in publicly rejecting Rowling’s stance. All three actors have declared support for trans rights in recent years. By contrast, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, has remained neutral, choosing instead to focus on Rowling’s legacy as a writer.
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This growing divide among those closest to the Harry Potter universe shows how Rowling’s position has shifted the conversation from literary legacy to personal ethics and how even long-time allies like Fry are no longer staying silent.
Director Danny Boyle has said his Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire would not be made in today’s climate – and believes that’s exactly how it should be.
Speaking to The Guardian, the 68-year-old filmmaker reflected on the 2008 film’s legacy with a mix of pride and realism, admitting that shifting cultural awareness around authorship and representation means such a project would no longer be viable.
“Yeah, we wouldn’t be able to make that now,” Boyle said. “And that’s how it should be.”
A film rooted in Mumbai, but still told from the outside
Slumdog Millionaire, a rags-to-riches drama set in Mumbai and starring Dev Patel, was celebrated for its energy and storytelling when it swept the 2009 Academy Awards. It was shot largely in Hindi, with a local crew, and Boyle made efforts to ground the production in Indian culture.
However, he now acknowledges that the method, however well-intentioned, was still that of an outsider looking in.
“We made the decision that only a handful of us would go to Mumbai,” he explained. “We’d work with a big Indian crew and try to make a film within the culture. But you’re still an outsider. It’s still a flawed method.”
Cultural appropriation and a changing lens
Asked if the production could be seen as a form of cultural colonialism, Boyle responded, “No, no. Well, only in the sense that everything is.” He clarified that what once felt radical at the time must now be viewed through a more critical lens, as conversations around cultural appropriation have grown louder in the years since.
“That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times. But at other times it cannot be,” he said. “I’m proud of the film, but you wouldn’t even contemplate doing something like that today. It wouldn’t even get financed. Even if I was involved, I’d be looking for a young Indian film-maker to shoot it.”
A broader shift in who gets to tell the story
Boyle’s comments reflect a broader shift in the film industry, where the question of who gets to tell certain stories has become increasingly important. While Slumdog Millionaire was hailed at the time as a triumph of global cinema, some later critiques pointed to the way it framed poverty in India for Western audiences.
Rather than defending the film against such criticism, Boyle appears to welcome the fact that times have changed. His remarks suggest an understanding that what was once celebrated may now require re-examination, not out of shame, but out of progress.
“I’m proud of the film – but the world has moved on”
Boyle reiterated his personal connection to the film, but made it clear that he recognises how standards have shifted.
“I’m proud of the film,” he repeated, “but the world has moved on.”
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Ozzy Osbourne sells his own DNA in bizarre tea can stunt ahead of final gig
Ozzy Osbourne has found yet another way to shock the world, by selling his own DNA. In a bizarre but oddly fitting collaboration, the 76-year-old Black Sabbath legend partnered with beverage company Liquid Death to release a limited run of iced tea cans infused with traces of his saliva. Just ten of these collector's items, each personally sipped and signed by Osbourne, were produced and sold for £335 (₹35,000) apiece. Unsurprisingly, they have all been snapped up.
‘Clone me, you b**s’: Ozzy’s latest stunt sells out
The eccentric campaign, titled Infinite Ozzy, came with a promotional video showing the rock icon drinking from the cans before crushing and sealing them. The ad imagines a future where science and legal permissions allow fans to clone their very own Ozzy, whether to mow lawns, sing at birthday parties, or just cause general chaos.
“Introducing Infinitely Recyclable Ozzy,” the narrator declares, offering a can of low-calorie iced tea packed with B vitamins, Osbourne’s DNA, and his handwritten autograph. “There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne… unless you have his actual DNA.”
Responding to the quirky project, Osbourne quipped, “Clone me, you b****s!” And while there is no scientific guarantee attached, the gag has certainly drawn attention. The cans, which are sealed airtight to ‘preserve’ the DNA, sold out almost instantly. Fans may never actually clone Ozzy, but they now own a bizarre piece of rock history.
Drink from the Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne’s DNA iced tea cans sell out instantlyGetty Images
Final show, fresh energy: Ozzy prepares for farewell
The stunt arrives ahead of a major milestone, Ozzy’s upcoming farewell show Back to the Beginning, set for 5 July at Villa Park in Birmingham. The event will have, for the first time in two decades, all four original Black Sabbath members: Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, take the stage together.
Despite battling Parkinson’s disease and enduring multiple surgeries, Osbourne insists he is giving it his all. “By hook or by crook, I’ll be there,” he said on his SiriusXM show Ozzy Speaks. Whether seated on a throne or rolling in on a cart, he is determined to make it happen.
The concert will also be streamed live, giving global fans one last chance to witness the Prince of Darkness in action.
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Simone Ashley appears without dialogue in Brad Pitt’s F1 after major cuts to her role
Simone Ashley, best known for her breakout role in Bridgerton, won’t have the screen time fans expected in Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula 1 film F1. Despite being part of the film’s promotional buzz and having filmed scenes alongside the main cast, Ashley’s role was trimmed down to a blink-and-miss appearance with no dialogue.
Director Joseph Kosinski confirmed the change, stating that the edit came down to tough decisions made during the final cut. Speaking in an interview, he said, “Every movie has more content than it can use. We had to drop two or three storylines for pacing. Unfortunately, Simone’s was one of them.”
Director praises Ashley but fans question repeated sidelining of actors of colour
Kosinski was quick to express admiration for Ashley, calling her “an incredible talent, actress, and singer” and adding, “I’d love to work with her again.” Still, the move has reignited conversations around how actors of colour are often given prominent placement during production and marketing, only to be cut back when the film is finalised.
Ashley has not directly commented on the cut since previews began, but earlier this year, she acknowledged that her role was “very small.” She said, “I’m just grateful to be in that movie. I got to experience many Grands Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.” She also shared that the filming process felt like live theatre, given how tight and chaotic the schedule was while shooting during actual races.
Director Joseph Kosinski says Ashley’s storyline was cut for pacing and time constraintsGetty Images
The incident has drawn comparisons to Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto’s reduced screen time in Top Gun: Maverick, also directed by Kosinski. Jacinto’s part was heavily promoted but eventually cut down to a wordless cameo. Critics have noted a troubling pattern where actors of colour are regularly used for marketing but sidelined in final edits.
While F1 continues to generate buzz ahead of its 27 June release, Ashley’s reduced role can be seen as emblematic of the industry’s ongoing issues with representation and why more inclusive stories need to come from within.