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At long last, vindication is at hand for an Oscar-winning composer who sought to prove he was just as capable of breathing life into Italy’s grand theaters as into gritty Hollywood films. On Friday night, Naples’ Teatro San Carlo will stage Ennio Morricone’s only opera, “Partenope,” three full decades after its composition. It is inspired by the mythical siren who drowned herself after failing to enchant Ulysses, her body washing ashore and becoming a settlement that grew over millennia into the seaside city of Naples. When Morricone wrote “Partenope” in 1995, he was already the world-famous creator of the theme to the Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and haunting soundtracks for epic films such as “The Untouchables” and “Once Upon a Time in America.” He earned an Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2007, but his compositions never resounded in the hallowed halls of opera houses — viewed in his home country as the elite musical echelon. To his great chagrin, Partenope gathered dust for decades; Morricone died without seeing it performed. “In the end, he read as a sign of destiny the fact he would not make his debut in the opera world,” Alessandro De Rosa, a close collaborator who coauthored Morricone's autobiography, said in an interview. “I’m sure that if he were alive now, he would have taken the challenge and would have dialogued with the orchestra and the director, tirelessly, like a young kid.” Neapolitan sounds Director Vanessa Beecroft and conductor Riccardo Frizza had to find their way through the visionary work without the benefit of those notes. “It would have been wonderful to be able to talk to Morricone about his musical choices … but we had to understand them from what he left us and tried to interpret them in the best way,” Frizza said. For instance, he chose not to use violins in this orchestra, instead favoring flutes, harps and horns, which appear in Greek mythology, Frizza explained. “Then you have the modern instruments, lots of percussion, with the Neapolitan sounds provided by tambourines and putipu’,” he added, referencing a friction drum used in local folk music. Teatro San Carlo was filled with anticipation on Thursday evening as Neapolitans attended an open rehearsal. Free tickets were snapped up in just a few hours. “It was such a long wait, that’s why we are here today,” said middle-aged Alfonso Ieneroso as he entered the theater. Local legend The mythical Partenope is part of Naples’ culture, with tradition suggesting her voice represents the city’s enduring spirit. The original Greek settlement was named for her. She is depicted at monuments like the Fontana della Sirena, a fountain that has become one of the city's symbols. Young children all along the Gulf of Naples, living under Mount Vesuvius’ shadow, learn the legend of Partenope from their parents. And like Morricone's opera, Naples itself spent decades downtrodden and overlooked, but is enjoying resurgence: The U.N. recognized its pizza makers as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity; It featured on foreign media lists of must-visit destinations; Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels were acclaimed bestsellers that became an HBO series; and its soccer team in 2023 took home the nation’s top league trophy for the first time since Maradona played in the 1980s — then won again in May. Naples has also been celebrating its 2,500th anniversary this year, and Morricone’s opera marks the culmination of festivities. The protagonist in his adaptation is a woman who, after her husband dies and she is separated from her best friend, refuses the consolation of being transformed into a distant constellation. Instead, she asks the gods to let her stretch her wings along the gulf on which an immortal city will arise. The production explores the link between the ancient legend and the modern city’s identity, as two sopranos embody Partenope simultaneously, reflecting her dual nature as body and myth. ‘The torment’ Morricone originally composed the one-act opera — free of charge — to accompany a libretto by authors Guido Barbieri and Sandro Cappelletto for a small festival in Positano, just south of Naples on the Amalfi coast. But it was not to be: the festival went bankrupt and Partenope was shelved. There were several attempts to revive their work, including one between 1998 and 2000 with the Teatro Massimo of Palermo. But that project ultimately ran aground when a director couldn’t be secured. “In those years Morricone had the torment of not being accepted as a composer of what he called ‘absolute music,’ as he was identified with his popular movie scores,” Barbieri, one of the libretto’s authors, said in an interview. Cappelletto said that, in a conversation with the two authors in 2017, three years before his death, Morricone appeared “at peace” with his music career. Partenope has inspired several productions over the centuries, including operas by renowned composers George Frideric Handel and Antonio Vivaldi in the 18th century, and a 2024 movie by Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino. Morricone’s work is finally coming alive to join their ranks. “It was a great pleasure to listen to Morricone’s music, the real protagonist of this opera,” said Giovanni Capuano, a 26-year-old cinema student, after Thursday's rehearsal. “His spirit is back and has enchanted us.”

Iceland has become the fifth country to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. The decision came after Israel’s participation in the contest was officially confirmed last week. Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said, “There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is.” RÚV added that Israel’s involvement had caused “disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union and the general public.” The broadcaster’s board approved the boycott on Wednesday, just hours before the deadline for countries to confirm participation in next year’s 70th edition of the contest. Eurovision director Martin Green said he respected the decision and hoped the countries would return in the future. Israel’s presence has sparked tensions due to the war in Gaza and concerns over voting and campaigning, including allegations that Israel’s government sought to influence public votes at this year’s event. The EBU recently introduced new rules to protect voting integrity, prompting most countries to confirm their participation. Despite these measures, RÚV said doubts remained about whether the adjustments were sufficient. It noted that Icelandic artists and the public had opposed participation and that requests to bar Israel’s public broadcaster KAN had been denied. Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, winning four times, most recently in 2018, and finishing second in 2025. Iceland has never won but came second in 1999 and 2009. Meanwhile, Poland confirmed it will compete in 2026, saying Eurovision can still be “a space filled with music – and only music.”   With inputs from BBC

Behind the world of Oz in the two-part “Wicked” films were the people responsible for choosing who would inhabit it. Long before filming began, casting directors were quietly shaping the production by selecting the actors who ultimately brought the story to life. “Our job is to know every actor out there — or know how to find the ones we don’t,” said Bernard Telsey, one of the industry’s leading casting directors who, along with Tiffany Little Canfield, cast both “Wicked” movies. Casting will receive long-awaited recognition at the next Oscars. The Academy Awards will introduce a new category honoring achievement in casting when the 98th ceremony airs live on ABC on March 15, 2026 — a milestone many in the field say is overdue. “It’s hard for people to understand what we do because it all happens behind closed doors,” Telsey said. “This award will strengthen the profession and raise awareness of our work.” The Emmys already feature three casting categories, and the Critics Choice Awards added one this year. Casting directors also have their own long-running Artios Awards. But the Golden Globes and Tony Awards still exclude the craft. “When casting is excellent, it can feel invisible — because it blends so well you don’t notice the fingerprints,” said Destiny Lilly, president of the 1,200-member Casting Society and a colleague of Telsey. She noted that casting often begins before most of the production team is hired. Telsey’s company, The Telsey Office, casts projects across film, television and theater — from movies such as “Mary Poppins Returns” to series like “The Gilded Age” and “Only Murders in the Building.” He made his name in theater, shaping casts for Tony-winning shows including “Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots” and “Maybe Happy Ending.” The Oscars mandate voters watch all nominated movies, set new rules for AI and refugee filmmakers “Wicked” and its sequel “Wicked: For Good” were among his team’s most ambitious undertakings, requiring hundreds of performers across more than a year of filming on multiple continents. Though Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande now seem inevitable as Elphaba and Glinda, their casting wasn’t guaranteed. “You don’t really know until they’re in the room,” Telsey said. “Then you see the magic.” Telsey stays current by attending theater four or five nights a week and spending weekends watching TV and films. His team meets twice a week to discuss emerging talent. “Every day you feel like you’re behind,” he said. “There are always more actors to discover.” Casting directors typically begin by discussing a project’s vision with the director, writers and producers before assembling actors to audition. Lilly recently made waves by recommending comedian Bill Burr for his Broadway debut in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” believing his energy suited Mamet’s dialogue. She emphasized that crossover between stage and screen is now routine. Telsey agrees: “Good acting is good acting. The technical demands differ, but the craft is the same.” Telsey, whose breakthrough came with the original casting of “Rent,” said the rise of global productions, streaming platforms and virtual auditions has dramatically reshaped casting. “We’re always expanding our reach,” he said. “Time is short, budgets are shrinking, and the need to find the right cast quickly is only growing.” Source: AP 

Actor couple Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary while adjusting to parenthood after the arrival of their first child. The couple welcomed a baby boy on November 7, receiving warm wishes from fans and industry colleagues. Katrina has largely stayed off social media since the birth, but Vicky shared a heartfelt selfie with his wife on Instagram to mark their anniversary. In the photo, Vicky gazes lovingly at Katrina, who smiles at the camera. He captioned it: “Celebrating today… blissful, grateful and sleep deprived. Happy 4 to us.” Fans and friends quickly responded, with messages like “Mama and Dada” and “New papa and mommy in town.” Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also sent heart emojis for the new parents. The couple tied the knot in December 2021 at Rajasthan’s scenic Six Senses Fort Barwara in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. Professionally, Vicky was last seen in the historical drama Chhaava, while Katrina starred in Merry Christmas opposite Vijay Sethupathi. Source: NDTV 

A wave of bold storytelling swept through the industry in 2025, as filmmakers from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada pushed South Indian cinema to new heights. It has been the movie year of suspense and thrills. As the months unfolded, the most loved genre was blended with action and engaging drama. Let’s take a look at the list of top 10 South Indian thrillers released in 2025 that shaped the year’s most exciting moments. Top 10 South Indian Thriller Films Released in 2025 So Far . Kaantha | Tamil | November 14, 2025 | IMDB: 8.5 Fictionalized on the life of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, ‘Kaantha’ is a joint production of Wayfarer Films and Spirit Media. The producers are Rana Daggubati, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese, and Dulquer Salmaan. Besides directing the thriller film, Selvamani Selvaraj also wrote it with Thamizh Prabha. Samuthirakani, Dulquer Salmaan, Ravindra Vijay, Bhagyashri Borse, Gayathrie Shankar, and Rana Daggubati lead the cast. Read more: Golden Globes 2026 announces full list of film and TV nominees Set in 1950s Madras, the narrative follows famed director Ayya and his tense bond with film star T. K. Mahadevan, whose growing ego begins to disrupt their work. When a renamed film spirals into chaos after an on-set murder, Inspector Devaraj launches an investigation with Ayya and Mahadevan as the main suspects. Kantara: (A Legend) Chapter 1 | Kannada | October 2, 2025 | IMDB: 8.3 Backed by Chaluve Gowda and Vijay Kiragandur for Hombale Films, ‘Kantara: (A Legend) Chapter 1’ boasts Rishab Shetty as its writer and director. Long before the events of Kantara (2022), this tale travels back to ancient times, exploring the mysterious world of Buta Kola. It’s an old Hindu tradition filled with legends, village protectors, and a long-standing family struggle that shaped the story told in the original film. Headlining the movie cast are Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth, and Pramod Shetty. Read more: 'Raat Akeli Hai: Bansal Murders' trailer brings back Nawazuddin as Inspector Jatil Rekhachithram | Malayalam | January 9, 2025 | IMDB: 7.9 In the forest area of Malakkappara, Officer Vivek returns to duty and begins looking into the strange death of Rajendran, a man who confessed to a hidden crime from years earlier. The case grows even more puzzling when a young girl suddenly goes missing near the shooting spot of the film Kathodu Kathoram. With this plot, ‘Rekhachithram’ is a joint production of Kavya Film Company and Ann Mega Media. Jofin T. Chacko takes on the directorial role, while John Manthrikal was in charge of the screenplay based on a story written by Ramu Sunil. Anaswara Rajan and Asif Ali embody the protagonists, supported by Manoj K. Jayan, Jagadish, Siddique, Saikumar, Indrans, and Harisree Ashokan. Thudarum | Malayalam | April 25, 2025 | IMDB: 7.5 Bankrolled by M. Renjith through Rejaputhra Visual Media, ‘Thudarum’ flourishes with the direction of Tharun Moorthy, who contributed to the screenplay with K. R. Sunil. In the peaceful hill town of Ranni, a taxi driver named Shanmughan cares deeply for his old but beloved Ambassador car. When unexpected trouble arrives, he faces a tough challenge that shows how much courage and heart one person can hold. Read more: Top 10 Hindi Movies Debuting December 2025: Bollywood’s Year-End Blast Mohanlal and Shobana portray the lead characters. Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma, Farhaan Faasil, Amritha Varshini, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Maniyanpilla Raju, Thomas Mathew, Irshad Ali, Krishna Prabha, and Sangeeth Prathap round out the supporting roles. Bazooka | Malayalam | April 10, 2025 | IMDB: 7.5 Featuring Gautham Vasudev Menon and Mammootty in leads, ‘Bazooka’ takes shape under the writing and directing of Deeno Dennis in his directorial debut. The ensemble also includes Divya Pillai, Sidharth Bharathan, Iswarya Menon, and Binu Pappu, with Babu Antony, Shine Tom Chacko, and Arattu Annan appearing in cameos. The action thriller follows a clever police officer and a sharp-minded businessman who join forces to stop a dangerous criminal. Their mission turns into a tense cat-and-mouse chase filled with tricky clues and bold strategies as they try to outsmart a ruthless psychopath. Dolwin Kuriakose, Jinu V. Abraham, Vikram Mehra, and Siddharth Anand Kumar helm the production, bringing together Yoodlee Films and Theatre of Dreams. Read more: 12 must-watch films this December

The nominations for the 2026 Golden Globe Awards were announced on Monday, marking the start of Hollywood’s award season and setting the stage for the Oscars in March. This year’s shortlists highlight the biggest films, series and performances across drama, comedy, animation and international categories. Winners will be declared on 11 January. In film, Frankenstein, Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value and Sinners lead the drama lineup. The comedy and musical list includes titles like Blue Moon, Bugonia, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another. It Was Just an Accident, No Other Choice and Sirât feature among the top non-English entries, while Zootopia 2, Elio and Arco compete for best animated film. Actors Jessie Buckley, Jennifer Lawrence, Renate Reinsve and Julia Roberts earned recognition in the drama category. For male actors, nominees include Joel Edgerton, Oscar Isaac, Dwayne Johnson and Jeremy Allen White. In comedy or musical categories, Cynthia Erivo, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson and Leonardo DiCaprio appear among the leading nominees. Supporting roles include Emily Blunt, Ariana Grande, Benicio Del Toro and Adam Sandler.Top directors Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Guillermo del Toro and Chloe Zhao earned nods for their work. In television, The White Lotus leads with six nominations. Other contenders include The Diplomat, Severance, Slow Horses, Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Black Mirror and Adolescence. Notable TV acting nominees range from Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey and Keri Russell to Sterling K Brown, Gary Oldman and Adam Scott. Comedy nominations include Kristen Bell, Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Jeremy Allen White. This year also introduces a new category for podcasts, with Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy and SmartLess among the nominees. The full list reflects a wide mix of global cinema, hit series and standout performances leading into the 2026 awards season.   With inputs from BBC

The makers of Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders released the trailer of the crime thriller on Tuesday, bringing Nawazuddin Siddiqui back as Inspector Jatil. Directed by Honey Trehan and written by Smita Singh, the film stars Chitrangda Singh, Rajat Kapoor, Radhika Apte and Sanjay Kapoor alongside Nawazuddin. The movie will stream on Netflix from December 19. The trailer shows a wealthy family found murdered inside their locked mansion, with every survivor hiding fear and secrets. Nawazuddin’s character is called in to investigate a bigger and more complex case, as several witnesses add confusion to the probe. Chitrangda appears as one of the survivors, while suspicion also shifts to Sanjay Kapoor, according to the trailer. Netflix shared the video on Instagram on Tuesday. Nawazuddin said returning to the character was exciting. “Jatil may have evolved in every way, but his resolve is the same. His objectivity, sharp eye for detail and his ability to cut through noise remain his greatest weapons,” he said in a press note. Chitrangda said her role was layered and challenging. “Meera’s character carries fragility and toughness at once. She lives in emotional and psychological shadows. I am thankful for the chance to play a character like this,” she said.   With inputs from NDTV

Hema Malini shared an emotional message on what would have been Dharmendra’s 90th birthday, saying it has been “two weeks since you left me heartbroken.” Their daughters Sunny Deol and Esha Deol also posted touching tributes in memory of their father. On December 8, Dharmendra’s birth anniversary, Hema posted several photos along with a heartfelt note. The legendary actor passed away on November 24, leaving fans across the country stunned. “Dharam ji, happy birthday my dear heart,” she began. “It’s been more than two weeks since you left me shattered, trying to piece my life back together, knowing you will always be with me in spirit.” She continued, “The joyful memories of our life together can never fade. Reliving those moments brings me comfort and strength. I thank God for the beautiful years we shared, for our two wonderful daughters who reflect our love, and for all the cherished memories that will stay in my heart forever.” On his birth anniversary, she offered prayers for him, writing, “May God bless you with eternal peace and happiness, which you so richly deserve for your humility, kindness, and love for humanity. Happy birthday, my dearest love.” Hema ended her post by sharing two photos with Dharmendra, captioning them, “Our happy ‘together’ moments.” Earlier in the day, Sunny Deol shared a video tribute, while Esha Deol posted a set of photos remembering their father. Dharmendra passed away at his Mumbai residence on November 24. He had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital with breathing complications but was discharged on November 12. Source: NDTV

Leonardo DiCaprio’s new film One Battle After Another has emerged as the frontrunner for this year’s Golden Globe Awards, securing nine nominations as Hollywood steps into its awards season. The film, centred on the abduction of a former revolutionary’s daughter, earned a spot in the best musical/comedy film category. DiCaprio and co-stars Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro and Chase Infiniti were all nominated for acting awards. Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value followed closely with eight nominations. Other major acting contenders this year include Dwayne Johnson, Timothée Chalamet and Wicked: For Good stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Despite its strong box office showing, the Wicked follow-up did not secure a best film nomination. Winners will be announced on January 11 in Los Angeles, a key milestone ahead of the Oscars in March. This year’s film lineup also includes nominations for Hamnet, Sinners, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Irish actors Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley were recognised for their roles in Hamnet, while Chalamet received a nod for portraying table tennis champion Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme. George Clooney earned his 14th Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Jay Kelly, while co-star Adam Sandler secured a supporting role nomination. Emma Stone was recognised for her role in the dark comedy Bugonia, which also brought a nomination for Jesse Plemons. International cinema has had a strong showing, with Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident receiving four nominations. Other foreign-language contenders, The Secret Agent and No Other Choice, earned three nods each. On the television side, British drama Adolescence scored four acting nominations — for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty and Ashley Walters — and is competing for best limited series. Only The White Lotus, with six nominations, performed better among TV entries. The Pitt, Severance, Slow Horses, The Diplomat and Pluribus also made the shortlist for best TV drama. This year saw notable surprises, including Emily Blunt’s nomination for The Smashing Machine and indie actor Eva Victor’s unexpected best actress nod for Sorry, Baby. Director Chloé Zhao made history by becoming one of the few women nominated twice for a Golden Globe. Several actors, including Amanda Seyfried, Jacob Elordi and Jeremy Allen White, received double nominations across film and television categories. The ceremony, hosted for a second consecutive year by comedian Nikki Glaser, will also see competition for best original song, with nominees from Avatar: Fire and Ash and KPop Demon Hunters. Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood received a nomination for best score for One Battle After Another.   With inputs from BBC

Filmmaker Farah Khan has praised actor Akshaye Khanna’s performance in Dhurandhar, saying he “truly deserves an Oscar” for his role in Aditya Dhar’s new action drama released on December 5. The film, featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, has earned strong reviews from critics and audiences since opening in cinemas. Among the ensemble cast, Akshaye’s intense portrayal of Rehman Dakait has drawn widespread acclaim, with social media flooded with praise for his performance. The track FA9LA, which highlights the character’s larger-than-life persona, has also gone viral, adding to the film’s popularity. On Monday, Farah Khan — who worked with Akshaye in Tees Maar Khan — shared a fan-made reel on Instagram that paired scenes of Akshaye from Dhurandhar with a moment from their earlier film. In the clip, actor Akshay Kumar is seen saying, “Woh raha mera superstar, mera Oscar,” a line fans linked to Akshaye’s latest performance. Posting the reel, Farah wrote: “Akshaye Khanna truly deserves an Oscar,” accompanied by laughter emojis. Meanwhile, the makers of Dhurandhar have confirmed a sequel. The second installment, teased in the first film’s post-credit scene, is set to release on March 19, 2026 — just three months after the original. The first film ran for 3 hours 34 minutes, though the runtime of the sequel has not yet been announced.   With inputs from NDTV