Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Asia Pacific Premiere Tour commences with a bang

The series' cast and crew receive a grand welcome from fans, actors Hrithik Roshan and Tamannaah Bhatia

Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Asia Pacific Premiere Tour commences with a bang

The fantastic ensemble of the much-anticipated Amazon Original series The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power journeyed to Mumbai for their epic Asia Pacific Premiere. Ahead of the grand evening, Showrunner and Executive producer JD Payne along with the cast - Robert Aramayo, Charles Edwards, Nazanin Boniadi, Lloyd Owens, Sara Zwangobani, Maxim Baldry, Megan Richards, Tyroe Muhafidin, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh attended a press meet where they received a fabulous welcome from megastars and fans of The Lord of The Rings Hrithik Roshan and Tamannaah Bhatia.

Speaking about hosting the Asia Pacific premiere of the series in India, Albert Cheng, COO, Amazon Studios said, “We have seen fantastic customer adoption in India and the country has witnessed the maximum number of new customers worldwide who started streaming on Prime Video last year. It is one of the fastest growing and most engaged locales for Prime Video worldwide, all of this within just 5 years of launch. Indian Originals now have a massive fan following globally too as one in every five viewers of an Indian Original series is from outside India, and India has the largest slate of local Originals outside of the U.S. with over 70 shows in various stages of production and development. Mumbai recognized globally as one of the entertainment capitals in the world alongside Los Angeles and London. This made it an obvious choice for us to host our first Asia-Pacific premiere.”


Gaurav Gandhi, Country Head, Prime Video India said, “Tolkien is the originator of much of modern fantasy. His stories are both timeless and relatable. They continue to inspire people even today and stoke their imagination. That is why people keep returning to them again and again. And with this series, we are creating an epic world that our viewers would not have seen before. The ambition of the show, the universal themes excite us on behalf of our viewers. We are absolutely delighted to share that the series will release in 240+ countries and territories in more than 30 languages globally and customers in India will be able to watch it in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.”

Sushant Sreeram, Head of SVOD Business, Prime Video India said, “Our vision is to be the world’s most-loved entertainment destination, and the first-choice entertainment hub globally. To this end, our single mantra to exceed the entertainment needs of our customers worldwide has been – to SUPER SERVE! Our efforts at super serving customers have resulted in India today having amongst the highest proportion of Prime members who stream on Prime Video each month. Today, customers from 99% pin codes in India stream on Prime Video. Customers from more than 240 countries and territories are immersing themselves in Indian stories. Similarly, Indian viewers are immersing themselves in stories from across the world. Their willingness to venture out of what may be familiar and go in search for great stories, with compelling, nuanced narratives is unmatched.”

Speaking about her love for this epic world, our favourite Indian actress Tammanah Bhatia added, “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has a cinematic appeal that is one of its own kind. I keep going back to it over and over again and yet it seems so fresh. It is truly visual storytelling at its best. Irrespective of the book or the screen adaptations that have been made, it is so engrossing and captivating that it takes you to another world. That is what I feel is the most enchanting thing that I find about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”

Speaking as a true fan of this epic world, megastar Hrithik Roshan said, “As an audience, I am waiting to see this visual extravaganza meet powerful content. I am excited that I will be able to watch the second age of Middle- earth on Prime Video on 2 September, 2022.There is a small connection between me and The Lord of the Rings that not many people are aware of. My father called me after binge watching the entire trilogy. We were so inspired by this world that my father felt that we can build on something that we’ve already made. So, we took Koi mil Gaya and through that Krrish was born. So, this is my little thank you to the author and The Lord of the Rings.”

Showrunner J. D. Payne said, “I came across Tolkien by watching the Peter Jackson film. I was in my 20s and they were one of the few films that really got to my heart. The way those films were made compelled me to take a deep dive and read all the books and I got super into it. Now these books have woven themselves into the very fabric of my life, very rarely does a day go by where I don't make a reference to it. If something’s happening in my life, I would say I feel like Frodo carrying the Ring, you know? Be it weddings or funerals, I weave these quotes into eulogies and speeches! So, Tolkien is now a part of my soul,” said The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunner J. D. Payne.

Talking about the cast, “Patrick and I knew we had to get the casting right as we're telling an amazing story. It's Tolkien's untold story of the Second Age. So, we're telling the story of the forging of the Rings of Power. We had two criteria for our casting: not only these actors needed to be great performers, but they also needed to have Middle-earth in them. When you look at them, you need to get the feel that they had actually transported from Middle-earth to our world. For over a year, we auditioned hundreds of people for every single role and found 22 needles in a huge haystack!” said The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunner J. D. Payne.

“My character is a healer, a single mother to a rebellious teenage son. I play a Southlander whose ancestors chose evil over good. She’s trying to redeem that. What I love about her is that she is very resilient, strong and nurturing. But also, her determination to redeem her people and to liberate them, resonates with me as someone who has been an activist for a while, back home in my country, Iran. Women in many places of the world have been at the forefront of democracy, freedom and human rights so that’s where I drew my inspiration from.” said actor Nazanin Boniadi who plays the character of Bronwyn in the series.

“The whole cast has been supportive and taken me under their wing. Specially Naznin. I was very very nervous. I was overwhelmed by JD Payne, Wayne Che Yip and Charlotte Brandstrom. Everyone I worked with, made me so comfortable which feel was really important. I went from Perth to Mumbai in front of all these beautiful people which for me is genuinely amazing!” said actor Tyroe Muhafidin who plays Theo.

Speaking on his visit to India and his character, actor Lloyd Owens “It’s really good to be back in India, I had a beautiful experience working here in the past. My character is a sea captain and is trying to deal with grief. He’s a legendary character, a hero, and very dear to a lot of the Lord of The Rings fans because of his ultimate self-sacrifice in the end. The peak of my character though is a faithful side that needs independence. The head is trying to keep its family safe; the heart is trying to seek independence. I am truly very excited and privileged to be here.

“My experience was genuinely extraordinary. We built the capital city of Númenor, which took six months to build. The amount of skill and brilliance in every department is great: they built the city from the ground up with the changing phase of the landscape around it. With JD, I saw the geography of Númenor and was super excited.” said actor Lloyd Owens who plays the character of Elendil.

“It was an incredible experience to work in the show as a fan of fantasy. Otherwise too, it’s an absolute dream job. I’m so glad to be here in India with this fabulous cast. As a lover of fantasy, this has been one of the best roles of my career.” said actress Sara Zwangobani who plays the role of Marigold Brandyfoot in the series.

Prime Video will release two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on September 2, followed by a weekly release in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada that concludes on October 14.

More For You

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Cardi B poses with a live crow outside the Petit Palais in Paris

Instagram/lamodemagazine__

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Quick highlights:

  • Cardi B appeared at Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 couture show in Paris holding a live crow on her arm.
  • Her dramatic black gown was designed by Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli’s creative director.
  • The surreal look paid tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy of theatrical, boundary-pushing fashion.
  • The show marked a shift in Roseberry’s aesthetic, away from corsetry towards freer silhouettes.

Paris Couture Week opened on a dramatic note this year as Cardi B made a startling entrance at the Petit Palais wearing a black Schiaparelli gown, with a live crow perched on her arm. The rapper’s appearance outside the venue sent photographers scrambling as the bird flapped and squawked, setting the tone for a show rooted in tension, elegance, and surrealism.

The outfit, crafted by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 collection, featured graphic fringe and a towering beaded neckline. But it was the crow, alive, glaring, and restless, that stole the spotlight, embodying the fashion house’s long-standing obsession with the unexpected.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor joins growing criticism of Prada’s uncredited use of Indian design

Getty Images

Kareena Kapoor mocks Prada with her ‘OG Kolhapuri’ post as fashion giant faces backlash over copied design

Quick highlights:

  • Kareena Kapoor posted a cheeky Instagram Story flaunting Kolhapuri chappals, saying, “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri.”
  • Her post follows outrage over Prada’s ‘toe-ring sandals’ resembling the Indian Kolhapuri design.
  • A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada for unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri style without credit.
  • Prada acknowledged the inspiration and agreed to meet Indian artisans for dialogue.

Kareena Kapoor took a subtle yet sharp swipe at luxury fashion label Prada amid growing controversy around its recently launched ‘toe-ring sandals’, a design that closely mirrors India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. Without naming the brand, Kareena shared a photo of her feet in silver Kolhapuri slippers during her London vacation and captioned it: “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri ❤️.”

The actor’s post struck a chord with many online, surfacing just days after Prada came under fire for allegedly copying the Kolhapuri design without acknowledgment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield  at Wimbledon

Garfield and Barbaro twin in Ralph Lauren for their most public appearance yet

Instagram/voguemagazine

Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield quietly confirm relationship with Wimbledon appearance

Quick highlights:

  • Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro stepped out in matching Ralph Lauren looks at Wimbledon 2025.
  • The couple shared affectionate moments courtside, including hand-holding and a cheek kiss.
  • They were first linked romantically in February after being spotted at a London play.
  • The pair may reunite on screen in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro made their most public appearance yet as a couple on Sunday, arriving hand-in-hand at Wimbledon 2025 in coordinated white ensembles and sharing subtle yet sweet moments of affection. The actors, who were first rumoured to be dating in February, looked completely in sync as they entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 6 July. Dressed in matching Ralph Lauren outfits, the two smiled for cameras and appeared relaxed throughout the day.

  Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro arrive hand in hand at Wimbledon in all whiteInstagram/voguemagazine

Keep ReadingShow less
Kantara Chapter

Rishab Shetty battles through flames in new Kantara Chapter 1 poster

‘Kantara Chapter 1’ poster released on Rishab Shetty’s birthday, confirms October 2025 theatrical date

Quick highlights:

  • Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, releases in cinemas on 2 October 2025.
  • Poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s 42nd birthday shows him in an intense warrior avatar.
  • The film explores the divine origins of Panjurli and Guliga, expanding the Kantara mythology.
  • Massive action sequences filmed with 3,000 participants over 50 days make it one of India’s biggest productions.

Rishab Shetty gave fans a fierce first glimpse into Kantara: Chapter 1 on his 42nd birthday, unveiling a new poster that shows him in full warrior mode. The upcoming prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara is now officially set to release on 2 October 2025. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, the film is expected to dive deep into the spiritual and mythological roots of the original story.

   Kantara Chapter 1 poster  Instagram/rishabshettyofficial  

Keep ReadingShow less
Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik shares a moody preview of his upcoming song Fuchsia Sea

Getty Images

Zayn Malik raps about racism he experienced as Asian member of One Direction in "Fuchsia Sea"

Quick highlights:

  • Zayn Malik previewed a new track, Fuchsia Sea, on Instagram, touching on racism he experienced during his One Direction years.
  • “They still laughed at the Asian,” he raps, alluding to feeling othered despite success.
  • Malik was the only South Asian member of the band, which included Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and the late Liam Payne.
  • The track marks a rare public reflection on the racial dynamics behind his 2015 departure from the group.

Zayn Malik is turning to music to process the discrimination he says he experienced during his time with One Direction. On Saturday, 5 July, the 32-year-old singer previewed a raw and emotional rap song titled Fuchsia Sea, sharing a clip and lyrics on Instagram that many fans believe directly address racism he faced as the only South Asian member of the global boy band.

In the verse, Malik raps: “I worked hard in a White band, and they still laughed at the Asian.” The line immediately sparked intense conversation online, with listeners pointing out how it echoed long-suspected tensions about racial identity and representation during his tenure in One Direction.

Keep ReadingShow less