Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
The future of James Bond is taking shape under new ownership, with Amazon MGM pledging a "fresh" yet respectful approach to the iconic spy franchise. As speculation mounts over who will step into the role of James Bond, the studio has reassured fans that it remains committed to upholding Bond’s rich legacy while steering the franchise in a new direction.
A landmark acquisition
The James Bond films, long controlled by the fiercely protective Broccoli family, saw a major shift earlier this year when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to relinquish creative control. Amazon MGM’s reported $1 billion (£760 million) acquisition of the rights surprised many within the industry, raising questions about the franchise’s future under new leadership.
At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where Amazon MGM made its debut appearance, fans and industry insiders hoped for fresh details about the next James Bond film. However, despite an evening filled with star-studded showcases and the unmistakable Bond anthem Goldfinger opening the event, little was revealed about James Bond’s next cinematic outing.
Commitment to legacy and innovation
Amazon MGM executives Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll made only passing references to James Bond during their presentation. “We are committed to honouring the legacy of this iconic character while bringing a fresh, exotic new chapter to audiences around the world,” they stated. Their remarks suggest a careful balance between maintaining the essence of the franchise and introducing contemporary storytelling.
The absence of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman from the event was noted, but Valenti and Kroll assured audiences that the duo were already hard at work in London, laying the groundwork for the next chapter in the James Bond saga.
Pascal and Heyman bring formidable credentials to the table, having played key roles in the success of the Spider-Man and Harry Potter franchises, respectively. Their involvement signals an ambitious vision for the future of James Bond, but whether that will include spin-offs, prequels, or origin stories remains unknown.
Speculation over the next James Bond
Despite the lack of major James Bond announcements, speculation continues over who will inherit the role of Britain’s most famous spy. Among the actors frequently mentioned in discussions is Chris Hemsworth, who was present at CinemaCon to promote his new thriller Crime 101. Although Hemsworth has not confirmed any involvement, his presence at the event fuelled further rumours about his potential casting as James Bond.
Amazon MGM has yet to confirm whether the next film will introduce a new actor as James Bond, explore a fresh narrative direction, or even experiment with new formats, such as a television series. Given Hollywood’s recent trend of reimagining legacy franchises, many anticipate that Amazon MGM may broaden the James Bond universe beyond the traditional film series.
Expanding Amazon MGM’s cinematic ambitions
While James Bond took a backseat at CinemaCon, Amazon MGM used the event to showcase several upcoming projects, reinforcing its commitment to theatrical releases. Among them was Project Hail Mary, a space epic starring Ryan Gosling as a reluctant astronaut tasked with saving humanity. Chris Pratt also took the stage—literally strapped to a chair—to present Mercy, a thriller about an AI-controlled justice system.
Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon MGM and Prime Video, underscored the company’s dedication to cinema. He announced that the studio aims to release 15 films annually by 2027, with 14 already set for 2026. "This really speaks to our belief in the future of the theatrical film business," he stated, attempting to dispel concerns over the growing dominance of streaming platforms.
The road ahead for James Bond
Amazon MGM’s cautious approach to revealing James Bond’s future suggests that the studio is prioritising careful planning over rushed announcements. While fans may have to wait longer for concrete details, the studio’s assurances that it will preserve James Bond’s legacy while offering something fresh indicate a strong commitment to the franchise’s enduring appeal.
For now, the world waits for further news from London, where Pascal and Heyman are quietly shaping the next era of James Bond. Whether Amazon MGM’s vision will be a seamless continuation or a bold reinvention remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—James Bond is far from finished.
So, Kajol and Twinkle Khanna’s show, Two Much, is already near its fourth episode. And people keep asking: why do we love watching stars sit on sofas so much? It’s not the gossip. Not really. We’re not paying for the gossip. We’re paying for the glimpse. For the little wobble in a voice, a tiny apology, a family story you recognise. It’s why Simi’s white sofa mattered once, why Karan’s sofa rattled the tabloids, and why Kapil’s stage made everyone feel at home. The chat show isn’t dead. It just keeps changing clothes.
Why Indian audiences can’t stop watching chat shows from Simi Garewal to Karan Johar Instagram/karanjohar/primevideoin/ Youtube Screengrab
Remember the woman in white?
Simi Garewal brought quiet and intimacy. Her Rendezvous with Simi Garewal was all white sets and soft lights, and it felt almost like a church for confessions. She never went full interrogation mode with her guests. Instead, she’d just slowly unravel them, almost like magic. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, they all sat on that legendary white sofa, dropping their guard and letting something real slip out, something you’d never stumble across anywhere else. The whole thing was gentle, personal, and almost revolutionary.
Simi Garewal and her iconic white sofa changed the face of Indian talk showsYoutube Screengrab/SimiGarewalOfficial
Then along came Karan Johar
Let’s be honest, Karan Johar changed the game completely. Koffee with Karan was the polar opposite. Where Simi was a whisper, Karan was a roar. His rapid-fire round was a headline machine. Suddenly, it stopped being about struggles or emotions but opinions, little rivalries, and that full-on, shiny Bollywood chaos. He almost spun the film industry into a full-blown high school drama, and honestly? We loved it up.
Kapil Sharma rewired the format again and took the chat show, threw it in a blender with a comedy sketch, and created a monster hit. His genius was in creating a world or what we call his crazy “Shantivan Society” and making the celebrities enter his universe. Suddenly, Shah Rukh Khan was being teased by a fictional, grumpy neighbour and Ranbir Kapoor was taunted by a fictional disappointed ex-girlfriend. Stars were suddenly part of the spectacle, all halos tossed aside. It was chaotic, yes, but delightfully so. The sort of chaos that still passed the family-TV test. For once, these impossibly glamorous faces felt like old friends lounging in your living room.
Kajol and Twinkle’s Amazon show Two Much feels like friends talking to people in their circle, and that matters. What’s wild is, these folks aren’t the stiff, traditional hosts, they’re insiders. The fun ones. The ones who know every secret because, let’s be honest, they were there when the drama started. On a platform like Amazon, they don’t have to play for TRPs or stick to a strict clock. They can just… talk.
People want to peep behind the curtain. Even with Instagram and Reels, there’s value in a longer, live-feeling exchange. It’s maybe the nuance, like an awkward pause, a memory that makes a star human, or a silly joke that lands. OTT gives space for that. Celebs turned hosts, like Twinkle and Kajol in Two Much or peers like Rana Daggubati in Telugu with The Rana Daggubati Show, can ask differently; they make room for stories that feel earned, not engineered.
How have streaming and regional shows changed the game?
Streaming freed chat shows from TRP pressure and ad breaks. You get episodes that breathe. Even regional versions likeThe Rana Daggubati Show, or long-running local weekend programmes, prove this isn’t a Mumbai-only appetite. Viewers want local language and local memories, the same star-curiosity in Kannada, Telugu, or Tamil. That widens the talent pool and the tone.
From White Sofas to OTT Screens How Indian Talk Shows Keep Capturing HeartsiStock
Are shock moments over?
Not really. But people are getting sick of obvious bait. Recent launches lean into warmth and inside jokes rather than feeding headlines. White set, gold couch, or a stage full of noise, it doesn’t matter. You just want to sit there, listen, get pulled into their stories, like a campfire you can’t leave. We watch, just curious, hoping maybe these stars are a little like us. Or maybe we’re hoping we can borrow a bit of their sparkle.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.