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Steven Spielberg reveals ‘Jaws’ nearly sank his career as ocean shoot spiralled into chaos
Highlights:
- Director marks 50 years of Jaws with new exhibition in Los Angeles
- Reveals how shooting at sea left crew seasick and production over budget
- Says he feared being fired during delays caused by malfunctioning mechanical sharks
- Jaws went on to earn £192 million (₹2,301 crore as of 12 Sep 2025) and redefine the summer blockbuster
As the 50th anniversary of Jaws is celebrated, director Steven Spielberg has reflected on the chaotic making of the thriller, describing how the troubled shoot pushed him to the brink of thinking his career was finished. Speaking at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, where a new exhibition is opening to mark the milestone, Spielberg said the filming of the mechanical shark epic left him convinced he would “never get hired again”.
Steven Spielberg revisits the turbulent shoot of Jaws five decades later Getty Images
Why did Steven Spielberg think his career was over during Jaws?
Spielberg, just 26 at the time, chose to film on location off Martha's Vineyard rather than in controlled water tanks. It was a decision that spiralled into months of production delays and escalating costs. “My hubris was thinking we could take a Hollywood crew 12 miles out to sea and make a movie with a mechanical shark,” he told journalists.
The ambitious plan quickly unravelled. Unpredictable tides and passing regattas repeatedly ruined takes, while crew members succumbed to seasickness. “I’ve never seen so much vomit in my life,” Spielberg joked. As schedules slipped and budgets soared, he feared the studio would shut down the film and end his career.
Steven Spielberg's Clapperboard from Jaws Getty Images
What challenges plagued the Jaws production at sea?
The centrepiece of the film, three full-sized animatronic sharks nicknamed “Bruce," proved the biggest obstacle. Built using pneumatic and hydraulic systems, they had never been tested in salt water before arriving at Martha’s Vineyard. Once submerged, salt corroded their mechanisms, pipes clogged, and controls frequently failed.
Because post-production tools in 1974 were limited, even minor background distractions became major setbacks. Boats from real regattas would drift into the background, forcing the crew to halt filming and wait for hours for clear ocean shots.
Steven Spielberg reflects on ‘Jaws’ at 50 as he recalls the chaos that made him fear being firedGetty Images
How did the crew keep the film alive despite setbacks?
Despite the relentless technical failures, Spielberg refused repeated offers to halt production entirely. Crucially, his team stood by him. Sound director John Carter once fell overboard while holding his recorder, and editor Verna Fields worked tirelessly to salvage suspense from the limited usable footage. Composer John Williams’s now-iconic two-note theme also played a vital role in heightening the tension where shark visuals were lacking.
What is featured in the new Jaws 50th anniversary exhibition?
The new exhibition at the Academy Museum is the first in its history dedicated to a single film. It showcases original storyboards, surviving shark models, and behind-the-scenes artefacts that illustrate the ingenuity and strain behind the production. Curator Jenny He said the display highlights how artistic problem-solving turned logistical disaster into cinematic history.
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The film went on to earn £192m (₹2,301 crore as of 12 Sep 2025) at the US box office and became the first American “summer blockbuster,” launching Spielberg’s career as one of Hollywood’s most influential directors.
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Margot Robbie bares all in thong look while Dakota Johnson stuns in sheer Gucci as naked dressing takes over
Highlights:
- Margot Robbie revealed a bedazzled thong beneath a sheer Armani Privé gown at a London premiere.
- Dakota Johnson attended Kering’s Caring for Women gala in New York in a floral-embroidered sheer Gucci dress.
- The two separate outings in different cities fuelled the naked dressing conversation across red carpets.
- The trend of sheer, lingerie-inspired couture continues to dominate major events in 2025.
Margot Robbie bares her butt in one high-profile moment while Dakota Johnson made headlines for a separate sheer Gucci look, but the two were not at the same event. Robbie returned to the red carpet in London wearing a sheer Armani Privé couture gown that exposed a bedazzled thong, while Johnson attended Kering’s Caring for Women gala in New York in a see-through Gucci dress embroidered with floral motifs. Together, the appearances proved how naked dressing like sheer fabrics and lingerie silhouettes is shaping this year’s red carpet conversations across different cities.
Margot Robbie’s thong and Dakota Johnson’s sheer Gucci prove naked dressing is ruling 2025 red carpets Getty Images
What happened at the London premiere?
Robbie wore an Armani Privé gown with a sheer base and ornate beadwork for the London premiere of her new film. The gown’s design revealed a sparkling thong when she turned, a detail that drew immediate attention on the carpet. Her styling was pared back; a sleek updo and bronzed makeup allowing the couture piece to be the focal point of the appearance.
Margot Robbie attends the European Premiere of "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" at Odeon Luxe LeicesterGetty Images
What did Dakota Johnson wear at Kering’s Caring for Women gala in New York?
Dakota Johnson arrived at the Kering-hosted Caring for Women gala in a sheer Gucci gown embroidered with floral details that revealed a matching bra and underwear set beneath. Styled to balance transparency with tailoring, Johnson’s look followed her ongoing collaboration with Gucci, maintaining her reputation for daring red carpet choices.
Dakota Johnson attends the Kering Foundation's Fourth Annual Caring for Women Dinner at The Pool Getty Images
Were Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson at the same event?
No, the two stars were photographed in separate cities. Robbie’s naked dressing moment occurred on the London red carpet for her film premiere, while Johnson’s sheer Gucci look was on show at the charity gala in New York. Both looks emerged within a similar timeframe and together highlighted how sheer dressing is appearing simultaneously on international red carpets.
Why is naked dressing dominating red carpets in 2025?
Sheer fabrics, strategically placed embellishments and lingerie-inspired silhouettes have become ubiquitous at major events this year. Designers from Gucci to Mugler and Valentino continue to reinterpret transparency through couture techniques, making the trend both a design challenge and a red carpet focal point. For public figures, these looks offer a way to make a fashion statement while tapping into ongoing conversations about personal expression and couture craftsmanship.
Both Robbie’s Armani Privé gown and Johnson’s Gucci creation are clear examples of how the trend is being used differently: Robbie’s moment was a revealing, head-turning red carpet stunt connected to a film premiere, while Johnson’s was a polished, fashion-house statement at a high-profile charity event and together they emphasise why naked dressing remains one of 2025’s most talked-about fashion movements.
Forgotten 1987 film 'Hotel London' returns in 4K exposing Britain’s housing crisis and sidelined South Asian migrant lives
Highlights:
- Newly restored 4K version to debut at the festival on 16 October
- Part of BFI National Archive’s ambitious Black and South Asian Workshop remasters project
- Explores 1980s London housing crisis and South Asian migrant experience
- Marks a cultural milestone for Retake Film and Video Collective, Britain’s first all-Asian film collective
The long-overlooked 1987 drama Hotel London is set for a fresh spotlight as its 4K remaster world premieres at the upcoming BFI London Film Festival. Spearheaded by the BFI National Archive, the restoration forms part of a major project honouring the groundbreaking Black and South Asian Workshop movement, which redefined British screen culture in the 1980s. The film, directed by Ahmed Alauddin Jamal, vividly portrays the harsh realities of London’s housing crisis while centring the South Asian immigrant experience.
A still from Hotel London showing the Bangladeshi family navigating life in a temporary hotel room www.easterneye.biz
What is the BFI National Archive Black and South Asian Workshop remasters project?
The BFI National Archive has launched an extensive initiative to digitally restore and preserve key works from the Black and South Asian Workshop era, which flourished in the 1980s and 1990s. These collectives, including Retake Film and Video Collective, Sankofa Film and Video Collective, Black Audio Film Collective, Ceddo Film and Video Workshop and Birmingham Film and Video Workshop, used drama, documentary and experimental forms to tell urgent stories about race, class and identity in Britain.
The workshops grew out of the 1982 ACTT Declaration and early backing from Channel 4, creating space for marginalised voices to make and distribute films collaboratively. So far, 14 titles have entered the BFI’s restoration pipeline, with Hotel London being the second to premiere at the festival, following the 4K revival of The Passion of Remembrance in 2022.
What is Hotel London about?
Hotel London was originally made in 1987 during the International Year of the Homeless. It follows a Bangladeshi family placed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation by local authorities, exploring how they navigate bureaucratic neglect, racism and the emotional toll of housing insecurity.
Combining fictional storytelling with video activism, the film depicts the makeshift hotel as a microcosm of 1980s London, showing interactions between diverse communities in precarious situations. Actor Jonathan Pryce appears as an Irish rough sleeper drifting through the city, while dancer Alpana Sengupta and actor Aftab Sachak round out the ensemble cast. The production was shot inside an actual bed and breakfast after extensive research with homeless residents.
‘Hotel London’ 4K remaster premieres at BFI London Film Festival spotlighting Black and South Asian Workshop legacy
Why is Hotel London’s restoration significant?
The 4K remaster of Hotel London is a major step in reclaiming and preserving Britain’s Black and South Asian film heritage. The original 16mm negatives were scanned and restored by Silver Salt Restoration, with sound remastered by the BFI National Archive.
This revival not only protects the film’s legacy but also reintroduces contemporary audiences to the ethos of the Retake collective, which was Britain’s first all-Asian film group. Retake championed democratic collaboration, training emerging filmmakers and challenging the invisibility of South Asians on British screens. Their efforts earned them the Arthur Young BFI Award for Independent Film and Television in 1988.
‘Hotel London’ resurfaces in 4K after decades to confront Britain’s housing injustice and lost South Asian screen history
How did the Black and South Asian Workshops change British film?
The Workshops emerged amid 1980s social unrest, when media representation of Black and Asian communities was minimal and often stereotypical. Their issue-driven films disrupted this narrative, inspiring a generation of creatives including John Akomfrah, Maureen Blackwood, Isaac Julien, Menelik Shabazz and D. Elmina Davis.
By offering paid training roles, access to equipment and editorial control, the Workshops opened doors for diverse talent to tell authentic stories. Their influence continues to shape British screen culture, making the BFI’s remastering effort both a cultural and archival milestone.
New York Fashion Week 2025: Priyanka Chopra Jonas stuns in sheer skirt at NYFW as Mindy Kaling gets candid on her immigrant roots
Highlights:
- Power couple attend Ralph Lauren’s showcase at Madison Avenue
- Priyanka dazzles in sheer skirt and structured blazer ensemble
- Nick opts for earthy brown tailored look with relaxed flair
- The duo join a star-studded front row including Oprah Winfrey and Jessica Chastain
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas commanded attention as they attended Ralph Lauren’s New York Fashion Week 2025 show on 10 September. Arriving hand-in-hand on Madison Avenue, the pair stopped for photographers before entering the designer’s headquarters. Their appearance at the high-profile event was one of the evening’s most talked-about moments, with Priyanka’s daring outfit and Nick’s understated elegance sparking admiration from fans and onlookers.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas commands NYFW 2025 front row with Mindy Kaling as Nick Jonas looks on proudly Getty Images
What did Priyanka Chopra Jonas wear at New York Fashion Week 2025?
Priyanka opted for a bold yet refined take on power dressing. She paired a sharply tailored grey blazer with a sheer flowing maxi skirt, creating a balance of structure and softness. Instead of a buttoned shirt, she chose to cinch her waist with a wide statement belt, giving her look an edge that stood out on the monochrome-heavy runway backdrop.
Her accessories were deliberately minimal. Delicate hoop earrings and a few rings, while bronzed makeup tones and voluminous, softly waved hair framed her face perfectly. This merge of minimal styling with a high-fashion silhouette reflected her style perfectly, making her one of the evening’s best-dressed attendees.
How did Nick Jonas complement her look?
Nick went for earthy sophistication, donning a relaxed brown suit layered over a crisp white shirt. He added subtle detailing with a patterned tie, matched it with polished brown shoes, and finished off with rimmed sunglasses for a cool, composed vibe.
His tousled curls gave the look a casual softness that contrasted nicely with the tailored suit, making him appear effortlessly stylish beside Priyanka. Their complementary colour palettes, her muted grey tones and his warm browns, created a coordinated yet individualistic statement look.
Nick opts for an earthy brown suit for the event Getty Images
Which celebrities were seen at the Ralph Lauren NYFW show?
The event gathered an impressive front row of fashion and entertainment heavyweights. The couple were seated beside Usher and his wife Jennifer Goicoechea, with industry icons including Oprah Winfrey, Anna Wintour, Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, Laura Dern and Gayle King also present.
Also in attendance was Mindy Kaling, who sat in the front row at Ralph Lauren’s intimate Spring 2026 presentation on Madison Avenue. Speaking to AP News, Kaling said the brand symbolised the “American dream” for her immigrant parents, adding that the polo logo felt like “the sign of making it.” Photographers singled her out in roundups of the best front-row style, where she was pictured alongside Oprah Winfrey, Usher and the Jonas couple.
Ralph Lauren unveiled their Spring 2026 collection at the showcase, which featured minimalist silhouettes, oversized jackets, fitted dresses and monochrome palettes. Priyanka’s presence was especially fitting, as she has a long-standing association with the brand, notably wearing a custom Ralph Lauren gown for her wedding to Nick Jonas in 2018.
Mindy Kaling attends the Ralph Lauren show Getty Images
Why does Priyanka Chopra Jonas remain a front-row favourite?
Priyanka’s journey from Bollywood star to Hollywood regular has a lot to do with her consistently strong style choices and a willingness to take risks. Her high-profile international projects, from leading Quantico to starring in Citadel and producing The White Tiger, have cemented her as a global figure, making her an obvious pick for designers looking to spotlight influential personalities on their front rows.
Tamannaah Bhatia reveals a saree trick she used to fight male dominance in Bollywood and South cinema
Highlights:
- Tamannaah Bhatia reveals her unique mental trick to handle sexism in the film industry
- The Baahubali star opens up on her two-decade journey across South Indian and Bollywood films
- She now headlines Amazon Prime Video’s Do You Wanna Partner opposite Diana Penty
- Bhatia stresses that women must bring ideas forward rather than worry about pleasing others
Tamannaah Bhatia has shared an unusual but powerful way of dealing with sexism in the entertainment industry. Speaking about her rise in South Indian and Bollywood films, the Baahubali actor said she would often use a mental trick, imagining men in sarees or glamorous outfits, whenever someone tried to undermine her. This candid revelation about navigating gender bias comes as she fronts Amazon Prime Video’s new series Do You Wanna Partner, co-starring Diana Penty.
Tamannaah Bhatia opens up about her unique mental trick to tackle sexism in Indian cinema Getty Images
What did Tamannaah Bhatia say about her mental trick?
In her conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhatia recalled how early in her career she would encounter situations where men tried to make her feel insignificant.
“Whenever a man tried to make me feel like he had the final say in things and I had nothing to contribute, I’d always imagined him in a saree or a really glamorous outfit,” she said. “And then I’d think he’d look really bad in it. That’s when I realised what I can do, he can’t. So, they will need me.”
The actor explained that this quirky strategy gave her confidence to continue making bold choices on screen. She credited this self-belief with sustaining her through 85 films and maintaining her position as one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema.
Tamannaah Bhatia says imagining men in sarees gave her courage to thrive in a male-dominated industryGetty Images
How does Tamannaah Bhatia view her career after Baahubali ?
Bhatia’s career is often divided into two phases: before and after Baahubali. The blockbuster’s global success in 2015 gave her a visibility that few female actors in South Indian cinema had enjoyed before. “Nobody gives you work because you’re a nice person,” she noted, stressing that success comes only when performers bring concrete ideas and value to the table.
She emphasised that actors who speak up and contribute to scripts or scenes are often remembered more than those who stay quiet. For her, the turning point was recognising that assertiveness and creativity win respect in the long run.
Tamannaah Bhatia reflects on her journey across Bollywood and South Indian cinema after Baahubali successGetty Images
What is Do You Wanna Partner about?
In her latest outing on Amazon Prime Video, Bhatia plays Shikha Roy Chowdhury, a marketing professional who loses her job and decides to rebuild her career with the help of her best friend, played by Diana Penty. Together, the two women take on the alcohol-beverage industry, traditionally dominated by men, in a story that mirrors Bhatia’s own journey of breaking stereotypes.
The series talks about female entrepreneurship and friendship, with Bhatia’s character proving that resilience and wit can challenge established power structures.
Tamannaah Bhatia stars in Amazon Prime Video’s new series Do You Wanna Partner alongside Diana PentyGetty Images
Why does Tamannaah Bhatia’s story matter today?
Bhatia’s honesty about handling sexism offers a refreshing perspective in an industry where women are often sidelined. By openly sharing her unusual coping mechanism, she has in fact sparked discussion about how female actors build inner strength to thrive in challenging environments.
Tamannaah Bhatia stresses the importance of women voicing their ideas in an industry that often sidelines themGetty Images
Her latest project arrives at a time when representation and gender equality are under the spotlight in Indian cinema as well as on global streaming platforms. As one of the few actors to successfully straddle multiple film industries and now digital space, Bhatia continues to carve a path that reflects both resilience and reinvention.
Actor Aziz Ansari, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by a woman with whom he went on a date last year, has responded to the claims saying the two engaged in "sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual".
The 34-year-old actor's statement comes after a 23-year-old Brooklyn-based photographer recounted a date with him that she called "the worst night of my life" in an interview with Babe.net.
"In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date.
"We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual," Ansari said in a statement given to People magazine.
The Master of None actor further said a text by the woman, named as 'Grace' in the article, said that she felt uneasy with how things transpired the night before and responded to her privately as he was "concerned" about her.
"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said," he said.
Ansari, who became the first man of Asian descent to win Golden Globe recently for his performance in the Netflix show, added he supported the movement that has given women a chance to speak up about the injustice they have been subjected to till date.
"I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue," he said.
In the interview, the woman vividly described how she exchanged numbers with Ansari at the 2017 Emmy Awards after- party and went on a date with him on a bar on the banks of the Hudson river, which escalated quickly to a sexual encounter at his apartment.
The woman said she voiced her hesitation explicitly during their encounter.
She said she "used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed she was". The woman added that her reticence to engage in the act was "ignored" by the actor.
Grace alleged Ansari called her a cab when she wanted to leave and texted her the next day.
She shared a screenshot of the alleged conversation, in which she said, "Last night might've been fun for you, but it wasn't for me. You ignored clear non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances."
To this the actor allegedly replied, "I'm so sad to hear this. All I can say is, it would never be my intention to make you or anyone feel the way you described. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I'm truly sorry."
Grace said she decided to come forward with the incident after she saw Ansari wearing a Time's Up pin at the Golden Globe Awards last week, where he won best comedy actor in a TV series.
"It took a really long time for me to validate this as sexual assault. I was debating if this was an awkward sexual experience or sexual assault. And that's why I confronted so many of my friends and listened to what they had to say, because I wanted validation that it was actually bad," she said in the interview.