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Spider-Man: Brand New Day brought in $927m (£687m) of global ticket sales to make it the second-biggest opening weekend ever as it shot past its estimated $225m production budget. The superhero movie - starring real-life husband and wife Tom Holland and Zendaya - is only behind Avengers: Endgame, which took in more than $1.2bn in its opening weekend in 2019. Brand New Day also set a second-best North American record, with box office takings of $335m. The film's strong performance gives a much-needed boost for Marvel Studios ahead of the highly-anticipated December release of Avengers: Doomsday, after a string of Marvel movies under-performed in recent years. Brand New Day, which opened in cinemas last week, picks up a few years after 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home as Peter Parker continues to fight crime in a world that has forgotten he is the masked superhero. The latest instalment of the hugely popular franchise received largely positive reviews, with some calling it Holland's best Spider-Man performance yet. Brand New Day made $572m from more than 73,000 screens outside the US, including $121m from China, distributor Sony Pictures said. That included $49m in UK ticket sales over the weekend. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said the opening of Brand New Day was "truly phenomenal", adding that he was grateful to audiences for "coming out and experiencing our film the way it was meant to be seen." The film is Marvel's last big-screen outing before Doomsday, the long-awaited culmination of multiple superhero story arcs after Avengers: Endgame. Marvel films released since Endgame have struggled to attract the same broad audiences as they did at their peak. Big budget films like The Marvels and Thunderbolts recouped their production costs but were among the studio's lowest-grossing films. Spider-Man remains one of Marvel's most lucrative franchises, with No Way Home making nearly $2bn in ticket sales. Cinema attendance has slowed since the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated the shift to home-streaming options like Netflix. But the big screen has staged something of a comeback this year, with the North American box office takings on track to pass $10bn for the first time since 2019. That was helped by blockbuster hits by including Toy Story 5, Michael, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - which have made more than $1bn each. July releases Brand New Day and The Odyssey - director Christopher Nolan's take on the epic Greek poem - are also on track to top the $1bn mark. Source: BBC

Zendaya's fashion choices during the promotional tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day have sparked online speculation that her character, MJ, could face a tragic fate in the new Marvel film. Fans on social media have pointed to the actor's mostly black outfits during the press tour, suggesting they may hint at a major storyline involving MJ. However, there has been no official confirmation from Marvel Studios or the filmmakers. Zendaya and her longtime stylist, Law Roach, are well known for using fashion to reflect themes from the films they promote. During the tour, Zendaya wore a blue-and-red outfit in Rome, colours closely linked to Spider-Man's costume. She also appeared in a grey-blue dress featuring web-inspired details. For most of the remaining promotional events, however, she chose black outfits, a colour often associated with mourning in Western cultures. At an event in China, she wore a black Versace gown with black net detailing, even though white is traditionally considered the colour of mourning in China and several other Asian countries. These fashion choices have led some fans to speculate that MJ may die in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The theory gained further attention after Zendaya said in a recent interview: "As a fan of Peter Parker, I always want him to have a happy ending, but I don't know, guys... it's not looking good." Marvel actors are generally bound by strict non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from revealing plot details before a film's release. Fans have shared various theories online, with some suggesting the outfits were carefully chosen to hint at MJ's storyline. Others believe they are simply part of Zendaya's signature fashion-forward promotional style. For now, the speculation remains unconfirmed. Audiences will learn what happens to MJ when Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens in cinemas worldwide.

Actor Gauahar Khan has criticised Nikhil Chinapa over a remark he made about menopause and perimenopause while responding to her comments about his gameplay on reality show Alliance. Calling the remark “insensitive,” Gauahar said it showed a lack of understanding of women’s health and said Nikhil owed an apology to the women in his life. The controversy began after Nikhil was asked by Telly Masala about Gauahar’s social media posts supporting her husband, Zaid Darbar, who is currently a contestant on Alliance. Gauahar had earlier accused contestant Mini Mathur of being biased toward Kushal Tandon. She also alleged that Mini and Nikhil were playing the game together instead of giving other contestants, including Zaid, a fair chance. Gauahar and Kushal briefly dated after meeting on Bigg Boss in 2013. Responding to the question, Nikhil said he had never met Gauahar personally but had heard from Zaid that she respected him. He then said Mini might know more about the matter because she “deals a lot with menopause and perimenopause,” suggesting she could have insights into why Gauahar made those comments. Gauahar later expressed her disappointment in a series of videos posted on Instagram. She said it was upsetting to see menopause being used to explain or dismiss a woman’s opinion. Gauahar said it was sad to see men remain ignorant about women’s health despite having families and sufficient life experience to understand the sensitivity surrounding menopause and perimenopause. She said she was particularly surprised that Nikhil had brought up the issue while responding to her views about his performance as a contestant on Alliance. Gauahar clarified that her comments were only about Nikhil’s gameplay and that she had never criticised him personally. She said she had always admired him. She also said she was pleased that Zaid had told Nikhil that she was fond of him, adding that she still considered him a great person with a good personality and an impressive body of work. However, she questioned why Nikhil had suggested that Mini could comment because she dealt with menopause and perimenopause. Gauahar said it was unfair to link a woman’s opinion to menopause or hormones and questioned why her criticism of Nikhil’s gameplay was being connected to her age or health instead of being considered a genuine opinion. She rejected the suggestion that she was experiencing menopause or perimenopause, saying she had become a mother nine months earlier. Gauahar also urged people to be more sensitive when discussing menopause and perimenopause and said women should not be placed in categories based on assumptions about their health. She defended women going through menopause or perimenopause, saying the natural stage of life should never be used to undermine their opinions or make them feel that their views are less important. At the end of her response, Gauahar called on Nikhil to apologise, saying he owed an apology to his wife and the women in his life for failing to understand the sensitivity of the issue. Nikhil, who was also a contestant on Alliance, was eliminated from the reality show in Sunday’s episode, aired July 26. #From NDTV 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has received a UA 13+ certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its theatrical release in the country. According to the CBFC certificate dated July 23, the film has an approved runtime of 144 minutes and 52 seconds, or 2 hours, 24 minutes and 52 seconds. The certification document shows that the English-language 3D version, with English subtitles, was cleared with several modifications. The CBFC directed the makers to add a statutory anti-liquor disclaimer to the film. The board also ordered the studio to mute and remove obscene words from the audio and subtitles at three points. In addition, two kissing scenes, appearing at around the 44-minute and 57-minute marks, were deleted. The visual cuts total eight seconds, while the muted dialogue does not affect the film’s runtime. Following the changes, the approved runtime remains 144 minutes and 52 seconds. The film has been classified as UA 13+, allowing children below 13 to watch it under parental guidance. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fourth instalment in the MCU’s Spider-Man film series. The film stars Tom Holland alongside Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal and others in key roles. The film will hit Indian theatres on July 30, a day before its worldwide release. #From NDTV

Actor Vijay's much-awaited farewell film Jana Nayagan witnessed a significant drop in box office earnings on its second day after a strong opening, but its worldwide collection crossed Rs 112 crore, according to trade estimates. The H Vinoth directorial earned Rs 21.15 crore net in India on Friday, taking its two-day domestic collection to Rs 63.85 crore, trade tracker Sacnilk reported. The film had opened with Rs 42.70 crore net on Thursday, meaning its Day 2 collection declined by around 50.5 percent compared to the opening day. Its India gross collection has reached Rs 75 crore, while the worldwide earnings stand at approximately Rs 112.50 crore. On Friday, Jana Nayagan recorded an overall theatre occupancy of 44.33 percent. The film registered 32.77 percent occupancy during morning shows, 37.23 percent in afternoon shows, 47 percent in evening shows and 60.31 percent during night screenings. The Tamil version remained the biggest contributor to the film's Day 2 earnings, collecting Rs 17.95 crore. The Hindi version earned Rs 1.85 crore, while the Telugu version added Rs 1.35 crore. Amid mixed reactions from audiences, director H Vinoth said Vijay's films often receive varied responses immediately after release before gaining wider acceptance over time. "Whenever a Vijay sir movie comes out, for about a week people say this is good, that isn't good, this doesn't work, that doesn't, and all that. Then after a week, they say it's not that great after all. Six months later, it starts becoming a big hit in society," he said. Vinoth described the film as an important project for Tamil cinema and a dream opportunity for him as a filmmaker. Promoted as Vijay's final film before he begins a full-time political career, Jana Nayagan received a grand reception from fans across Tamil Nadu. Large crowds gathered at theatres, including Chennai's Woodlands and Casino, where special celebrations, cultural programmes and laser shows were arranged. Fans were seen dancing outside cinemas, while theatres witnessed enthusiastic responses during first-day-first-show screenings. Actor Ravi Mohan also joined celebrations marking Vijay's final theatrical release. Despite the festive atmosphere, the film experienced a steep decline in earnings on its second day. Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan follows Vetri, played by Vijay, a prisoner who forms a close bond with prison warden Srikanth and takes responsibility for the warden's daughter Viji. As he helps her overcome fears and pursue her dream of joining the Indian Army, his past resurfaces through the character John Himmler, played by Bobby Deol, leading to a major confrontation. The film features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Priyamani, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Prakash Raj in key roles, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Released in theatres on July 23, Jana Nayagan marks the end of Vijay's more than three-decade acting career, during which he appeared in over 60 films. Source: NDTV

Christopher Nolan's latest epic, The Odyssey, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from early audiences, with many viewers describing it as one of the acclaimed filmmaker's finest works and even ranking it above Oppenheimer and Tenet. Released on July 17, the film has generated widespread discussion on social media platform X, where moviegoers praised its grand visuals, technical excellence and immersive storytelling. Many viewers called the film a cinematic spectacle, highlighting its breathtaking visuals, powerful sound design and emotionally engaging performances. Some noted that the opening section unfolds at a slower pace, but said the story becomes increasingly gripping as Odysseus' journey progresses. Several audience members also recommended watching the film on the biggest screen possible, saying its visual scale and sound are key to the experience. Some suggested that viewers unfamiliar with the story of Troy, the Trojan War or Homer's epic may benefit from reading a brief summary beforehand. One reviewer described The Odyssey as a "cinematic marvel," praising Nolan's direction and saying the film surpasses Oppenheimer while matching or even exceeding the ambition of Tenet. The reviewer also applauded the film's visual effects, cinematography and musical score. Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, received widespread praise for his performance, with several viewers calling it one of the best of his career. Tom Holland, portraying Telemachus, also earned acclaim for his emotionally compelling role. Another viewer said the film delivers both entertainment and a fresh cinematic experience, crediting Nolan with creating one of his most immersive films to date. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reactions, some viewers pointed to minor shortcomings, including occasional difficulty following the dialogue, a slower first act and limited emotional connection with a few supporting characters. The Odyssey features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron. The film is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, following the long and perilous journey of Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War. Early audience reactions suggest Nolan's latest production is poised to become one of the year's biggest cinematic events. Source: NDTV

Actor-composer GV Prakash Kumar has postponed the release of his upcoming supernatural horror film Immortal to avoid a clash with Vijay's much-awaited film Jana Nayagan. Immortal was originally scheduled to hit theatres on July 23, the same day Jana Nayagan is now set for release. Following the announcement of Vijay's release date, several Tamil filmmakers have reportedly adjusted their schedules, with GV Prakash becoming the first to move his film. Announcing the decision on X, GV Prakash described it as a mark of respect for Vijay. "When Thalapathy arrives, one has to step aside. Especially for this one, the last time. Best of luck, Team Jana Nayagan," he wrote. He also confirmed that Immortal will now release in theatres on September 4. Directed by Mariyappan Chinna and produced by AK Film Factory, Immortal stars GV Prakash alongside Kayadu Lohar. The film follows a young man living in an apartment complex whose fascination with a mysterious new neighbour leads to a series of supernatural incidents. The July 23 release date had been announced only two weeks before Jana Nayagan's release was officially confirmed. Meanwhile, production house KVN Productions announced Jana Nayagan's release on X, saying the film will arrive in cinemas on July 23. The producers said the first show in Tamil Nadu will begin at 9 am, while theatres in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will start screenings from 5 am. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is expected to be Vijay's final film as an actor before entering full-time politics. The film was initially planned for release on January 9. The movie reportedly faced delays in certification after being submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in December 2025. Although it was expected to receive a U/A 16+ certificate, reports said objections from a member of the examining committee led to the film being referred to a revision committee, delaying the certification process. Produced by KVN Productions on a reported budget of Rs 500 crore, Jana Nayagan features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju in key roles, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The film has generated significant excitement among fans due to its large-scale production and Vijay's expected farewell appearance on the big screen. Source: NDTV

Christopher Nolan has long dreamed of making films for IMAX screens. The Oscar-winning director of Oppenheimer, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy says his fascination began in childhood after watching nature documentaries at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. He often wondered what it would be like to create a major Hollywood film for that format. That dream has now become reality with The Odyssey, the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film. A milestone for IMAX filmmaking Nolan said the project became possible after years of technical improvements. Earlier IMAX cameras were too loud for dialogue-heavy scenes, but following Oppenheimer, filmmakers worked with IMAX to develop a special camera enclosure, known as "the blimp," that reduced the noise. The new camera system, named The Keighley after longtime IMAX executives Patricia and David Keighley, is dedicated to David Keighley, who died three weeks after completing his work on The Odyssey. The new setup also brought challenges. The camera weighed about 300 pounds once enclosed, film had to be reloaded every two-and-a-half to three minutes, and a mirror system had to be created so actors could see one another around the large camera during filming. Despite the difficulties, Nolan said the goal was to give audiences "something special." "They're looking for something new and exciting, and that's what we're trying to offer," he said. Many viewing options As The Odyssey opens in theatres on Friday, moviegoers can choose from several formats, including IMAX 70mm, standard 70mm, IMAX digital, 35mm, Dolby Cinema and other premium large-format screens. Speaking to The Associated Press in 2023, Nolan explained why he prefers certain formats and why he believes seeing films in cinemas offers an experience that cannot be matched at home. "If they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on, that's great," Nolan said. "It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they can't possibly get in the home." Why IMAX 70mm stands out Nolan's previous films — Dunkirk, Tenet and Oppenheimer — were shot using large-format film, combining IMAX 65mm and Panavision 65mm, before being projected in 70mm. He said IMAX 70mm offers unmatched sharpness, clarity and depth, making viewers feel immersed in the film without the need for 3D glasses. "The screen disappears," Nolan said, explaining that the large image fills the audience's field of vision and creates a highly immersive experience. He first used IMAX cameras in The Dark Knight, which opened with an IMAX 70mm aerial shot. "Every time we screened that, we would get a gasp," he recalled. "It was something no one had seen before." Technically, IMAX film delivers nearly 10 times the resolution of a traditional 35mm projector. Each frame contains roughly 18,000 pixels of detail, compared with 1,920 pixels on a standard home HD display. Why shoot on 65mm but project in 70mm? Nolan explained that the extra 5mm originally provided space for the soundtrack on film prints. Today, with digital sound, that space remains as part of the traditional format and serves as a visual enhancement. Framing for different screens Nolan said shooting with IMAX requires careful planning because different cinemas use different screen shapes, known as aspect ratios. His team uses a technique called "center punching the action" to ensure key visual elements remain visible across all formats. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema also monitors framing for various screen sizes while filming. On giant IMAX 1.43:1 screens, viewers see the full image. In other formats, including 35mm, digital and CinemaScope, parts of the top and bottom are cropped. Nolan said this does not compromise the artistic composition of the film. Nolan's preferred formats For Nolan, IMAX 70mm remains the best way to experience a movie. However, such screenings are rare, with only 32 theatres in the United States and Canada showing films in that format. He also praised standard 70mm prints, calling them "a fabulous presentation." "The two formats are sort of different and I love them both," he said. Digital formats still offer a strong experience Most audiences will watch The Odyssey in digital formats, including IMAX digital, laser projection and other premium large-format systems such as Regal RPX, Cinemark XD and Cineplex UltraAVX. Nolan said his team spends months preparing digital versions from the original IMAX film to ensure the highest possible image quality across all screens. He also praised modern laser projectors used in IMAX and Dolby Cinema theatres for their excellent picture quality and contrast. According to Nolan, IMAX's influence over the past two to three decades has encouraged cinemas to improve picture and sound quality, benefiting both filmmakers and audiences. Nolan's favourite seats When it comes to choosing a seat, Nolan says it depends on the type of theatre. For CinemaScope screens, he prefers sitting near the front, around the middle of the third row. For large IMAX 1.43:1 theatres, he recommends sitting slightly behind the centre of the auditorium to get the best overall view.  

Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey brings Homer's ancient Greek epic to the big screen with a star-studded cast, aiming to make the classic story easy for modern audiences to enjoy. Nolan said viewers do not need to be familiar with the original poem to follow the film. "It's something that we all know a little bit about, some of us know a lot about it, some of us know nothing about it," Nolan told The Associated Press. "We're making the film for that whole range of people's relationship with this foundational text." The film will be released in theatres on July 17. Here is a look at the main characters and the actors portraying them: ·         Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, whose long and dangerous journey home after the Trojan War forms the heart of the story. Damon described Odysseus as a deeply human character who struggles with the consequences of his own decisions. ·         Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope, Odysseus's loyal wife, who waits 20 years for his return while resisting more than 100 men seeking to marry her and claim the throne of Ithaca. ·         Tom Holland stars as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope. Having grown up without knowing his father, he sets out to learn what happened to him. Nolan said the film is both a homecoming story and a coming-of-age adventure. ·         Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, the leading suitor trying to marry Penelope. Nolan said Pattinson gives the character a memorable mix of menace and dark humour. ·         Zendaya appears as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, who guides Odysseus throughout his journey. Zendaya said she wanted to present the goddess with both strength and humanity. ·         Lupita Nyong'o takes on two roles — Helen of Sparta, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War, and her sister Clytemnestra. She said the film explores the lasting emotional cost of war rather than simply retelling familiar myths. ·         Charlize Theron plays Calypso, the nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island during his long voyage home. ·         John Leguizamo portrays Eumaeus, the faithful swineherd who remains loyal to Odysseus despite his long absence. In the film, the character is nearly blind as a tribute to Homer, who some historians believe was blind. ·         Jon Bernthal appears as Menelaus, the King of Sparta and husband of Helen, who shares memories of Odysseus with Telemachus. ·         Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon, commander of the Greek forces during the Trojan War. ·         Samantha Morton portrays Circe, the powerful sorceress who crosses paths with Odysseus and his crew. ·         Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus, Odysseus's trusted second-in-command who accompanies him through many of the epic's greatest challenges. ·         Elliot Page appears as Sinon, a veteran of the Trojan War drawn from Greek mythology. ·         Bill Irwin portrays the Cyclops, the one-eyed giant and son of Poseidon. Nolan said the production combined puppetry, animatronics and computer-generated effects to bring the character to life while giving him emotional depth rather than presenting him as simply a monster. ·         Mia Goth plays Melantho, one of Penelope's servants. ·         Corey Hawkins portrays Polybus, one of Penelope's suitors. ·         Travis Scott appears as a bard in the royal court of Ithaca. With its mix of myth, adventure and an all-star cast, Nolan's adaptation aims to introduce one of literature's greatest stories to a new generation of moviegoers.  

Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh has criticised the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj from the streaming platform ZEE5, questioning the state of freedom of speech in India. The film, based on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra's efforts to expose alleged mass killings during Punjab's militancy era, was taken down from ZEE5 within 48 hours of its release. The move has drawn criticism from actors, directors and other members of the creative community. Kanwaljit, who portrayed a Punjab police director general (DGP) in the film, said he was surprised by the decision. "I spoke to Honey after the film was taken down, and he has said that they will be taking the matter to court. But what I don't understand is why they had to take it off? Even people who weren't going to see it will want to see it now. It has also been downloaded by so many people, so even though lots of people would be watching it, the producers will be losing out. But I want to ask, what is this freedom of speech? Tell me, I really want to know. That right is being strangled," Kanwaljit told The Free Press Journal. Responding to speculation that his character was based on former Punjab Director General of Police KPS Gill, Kanwaljit said the role was not modelled on any one individual. "People are assuming that I'm playing Gill. However, the brief I followed was to study clippings of different DGPs and police chiefs, and I also have a friend who is a retired DGP with whom I discussed how the character should be," he said. Originally titled Panjab 95, Satluj was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but has yet to receive a clearance certificate. The filmmakers had earlier alleged that the CBFC sought 127 cuts before certification. The film was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, but the screening was reportedly cancelled following objections from Indian authorities. Despite the certification issues, Satluj was quietly released on ZEE5 on July 3 without any promotional campaign. However, after the film began receiving positive reviews, it was removed from the platform. In a statement, ZEE5 said it continues to support the film but, without specifying the reason for its removal, stated that "in light of current developments" the film is currently unavailable for streaming. #From NDTV