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Sreenivas Kumar Naidu (SKN), the creative producer of Prabhas’s upcoming horror fantasy film The Raja Saab, claimed on Monday that a producer from the Telugu film industry had attempted to sabotage the project during its initial stages. Speaking at the teaser launch event in Hyderabad, SKN refrained from naming the individual but alleged that a Tollywood producer ran a deliberate negative campaign against the film when shooting began. “I know very well how a producer tried to malign the film in its early days. But just wait — that same person will soon start praising the film,” SKN said at the event. Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, The Raja Saab is scheduled for release on December 5. SKN expressed unwavering confidence in the project’s potential and Prabhas’s performance. Makers Of The Raja Saab Warns About "Serious Action" Over Leaked Teaser Of Prabhas's Film “Everyone who doubted this film will change their opinion. Audiences will get to see the ‘rebel god’ version of Prabhas they’ve been missing for the last ten years,” he added. He also lauded Prabhas for his commitment to the film despite early criticism. “This movie became possible only because Prabhas gave it his all, ignoring the negativity,” SKN noted. Reflecting on his own journey, SKN shared how Prabhas’s trust in him helped him stay motivated during challenging times. “I often questioned why he believed in me so much. But then I reminded myself that I didn’t come to Hyderabad to give up,” he said. SKN also spoke about his long-standing friendship with director Maruthi, which spans over two decades. “Just like a wife understands her husband best, only a friend can truly know another friend’s potential,” he remarked. The Raja Saab has generated significant buzz in Tollywood, especially after the recent teaser release. The film features Prabhas in a mass avatar, the kind that earned him the moniker ‘rebel star’, and fans are eagerly anticipating his return to such a role. The film also stars Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Sanjay Dutt. Last week, the teaser was leaked online, prompting the makers to issue a warning and vow strict action against those responsible for the breach. Source: NDTV  

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon had a strong lift-off at the box office this weekend, earning an impressive $83.7 million in its North American debut, according to Comscore’s Sunday estimates. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who returns to the franchise, the film follows the story of Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), a young Viking, and his unlikely bond with the dragon Toothless. The movie outperformed the 2019 animated installment, The Hidden World, which debuted with $55 million. Internationally, the film brought in an additional $114.1 million, pushing its global earnings to $197.8 million. “This is a prime example of a live-action remake fulfilling the promise of its promotional campaign,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore. “Summer releases like this continue to perform exceptionally well.” The film dethroned Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which had been No. 1 for three consecutive weekends. The hybrid live-action version of the animated classic earned another $15 million, raising its domestic total to over $386.3 million. In third place was Materialists, a modern romantic comedy set in New York and starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. It debuted with $12 million and centers on a savvy matchmaker entangled between a struggling actor ex and a wealthy new suitor. Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning came in fourth with $10.3 million, just holding on to double digits. Ballerina, a spinoff of the John Wick franchise starring Ana de Armas and featuring Keanu Reeves in a supporting role, earned $9.4 million to land in fifth place. Despite good reviews, it has yet to break out, though analysts suggest it could follow the slow-burn success of the original John Wick after streaming. Other notable entries in the top 10 included: 6th: Karate Kid: Legends – $5 million 7th: Final Destination: Bloodlines – $3.9 million 8th: The Phoenician Scheme – $3 million 9th: The Life of Chuck – $2.1 million 10th: Sinners – $1.4 million, notable for still drawing audiences two months after release and while being available for home streaming Overall, the 2025 box office is currently 23% ahead of this time last year. Dergarabedian expressed optimism for upcoming summer releases like Eilo, F1, Superman, and 28 Days Later to keep momentum strong. Weekend Top 10 (Domestic Box Office Estimates): How to Train Your Dragon – $83.7M Lilo & Stitch – $15.5M Materialists – $12M Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – $10.3M Ballerina – $9.4M Karate Kid: Legends – $5M Final Destination: Bloodlines – $3.9M The Phoenician Scheme – $3M The Life of Chuck – $2.1M Sinners – $1.4M

Matthew McConaughey and “True Detective” creator Nic Pizzolatto are reuniting for another epic detective story, a feature film adaptation of the iconic private investigator Mike Hammer. McConaughey is in talks to lead the Skydance film based on the bestselling crime novels by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins, with Pizzolatto writing the screenplay. According to Variety, the project marks the pair’s first major collaboration since the acclaimed first season of HBO’s “True Detective” in 2014. Skydance has acquired the rights to the Mike Hammer franchise and is developing the adaptation as a high-profile crime thriller. The film will be produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, along with Guymon Casady of Entertainment 360. Benjamin Forkner and Ken F Levin are also producing, with Collins as executive producer and Jane Spillane as co-producer. Carin Sage will oversee the project for Skydance. How Johnny Depp once earned $10m per minute, outshining Hollywood’s top stars McConaughey recently returned to acting after a six-year break with “The Rivals of Amziah King”, and will next star in Apple TV+’s “The Lost Bus” alongside America Ferrera. “I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page,” he said earlier this year, reflecting on his time away from the screen. Pizzolatto, a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, is known for his literary and television work, including his recent directorial debut “Easy’s Waltz” and a Netflix project in development. Pizzolatto is represented by WME, Gillett Management, Eric Brooks of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

The teaser for Prabhas's upcoming horror-comedy The Raja Saab was originally set to release on June 16, 2025. However, several clips from the teaser have reportedly been leaked online ahead of schedule. The makers have taken serious note of the incident and issued an official warning, vowing to take strict legal action against those involved in sharing or circulating the unauthorized footage. How Johnny Depp once earned $10m per minute, outshining Hollywood’s top stars What's Happening ·The teaser of the Prabhas-led horror comedy The Raja Saab was all set to release on June 16, 2025. ·Just days before its launch, some leaked stills and clips from the film have started making the rounds online. ·The makers shared a statement on their official page, addressing the same. The post read, "Strict action will be taken and handles will be suspended immediately if any leaked content from #TheRajaSaab is found. We request everyone to cooperate and stand with us in protecting the experience. Let's celebrate responsibly. Be aware." How The Fans ReactedFans have been heartbroken by the recent development. They reacted to the post stating, "It's the audience and the responsibility of fans to take a stand for the movie content. Let's celebrate the cinema with the best experience." Another internet user said, "Heartbreaking to see the leakages these days. Strict action needs to be taken to save the film's significance. Source: NDTV  

In an industry where A-list actors command millions per film, Hollywood icon Johnny Depp once secured a deal that redefined star power—earning nearly $10 million for every minute he appeared on screen in a major blockbuster. While actors like Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson continue to dominate headlines with paychecks upwards of $100 million, Depp quietly pulled off a remarkable feat over a decade ago. In 2008, Depp signed on to play the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Though the role was more of a glorified cameo, his star power at the time allowed him to negotiate a staggering $68 million for the part. In the film, which runs for 108 minutes, Depp appears for just seven. This translates to nearly $10 million per minute of screen time, making him the highest-paid actor on a per-minute basis in history—by far exceeding today’s industry standard of $1–1.5 million per minute for top-tier actors. To put that in perspective, Tom Cruise reportedly earned between $100–120 million for Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, with screen time translating to about $1 million per minute. Is Shah Rukh Khan’s Swades film inspired by a ’90s TV Serial? Here's What We Know Robert Downey Jr is expected to earn $80 million for less than 60 minutes across two upcoming Avengers films. Even global draw Dwayne Johnson typically earns $80–100 million per movie, usually appearing on screen for over an hour. Depp’s extraordinary paycheck wasn’t just about screen time—it was about brand value. Disney and Burton heavily featured his image in the promotional campaign, using his Mad Hatter persona on posters and merchandise to sell the film. In 2001, back-to-back commercial failures like Blow and From Hell led many to speculate that Depp’s career was on the decline. However, he made a stunning comeback just two years later with his iconic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, which grossed $654 million and earned him an Oscar nomination. He followed up with hits like Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more Pirates sequels, cementing his position as a top box office draw. By the time Alice in Wonderland came around, Depp wasn’t just a movie star—he was a billion-dollar brand. With inputs from HT  

Aamir Khan, known for being open about his personal life, recently spoke candidly with Zoom about marriage, divorce and his current relationship with Gauri Spratt, whom he publicly introduced on his 60th birthday (March 14, 2025). Though previously married to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, Aamir maintains a respectful and friendly relationship with both. In the interview, Aamir addressed public curiosity surrounding rumors of a third marriage. Sharing his thoughts on the institution of marriage, Aamir said, "In India, marriage is very serious. When your marriage falls apart and you get divorced... people don't like that, even emotionally. I know that too, and I also believe that marriage is a very important thing and shouldn't be taken lightly. I completely agree with that. That's why I can present this matter truthfully in front of people, and I should." In a candid conversation with Zoom, Aamir also said that he divorced because he was not happy; neither his (ex) wives. "Like with my marriage with Reena, I had to say truthfully that we can't be married anymore, same is the case with Kiran. It was a loss for all of us, even for our families. We were not happy to do this but there were some circumstances where we realised that our relationship has changed," said Aamir Khan. Aamir also admitted that he and Kiran could have pretended to stay married for the sake of the world. But the superstar said that it didn't feel "right" to them. "I thought I could have either lied to the world and pretended that me and Kiran were very happy together, and stayed married. And we could have stayed like that forever. Personally, we could have done whatever we wanted but stayed married for the world. But that would be a lie. And it would be unfair for the institution of marriage because then you would be devaluing marriage. That wasn't acceptable to me and Kiran," he said. Aamir also cracked a joke on himself, saying, he is an expert at divorces. "People often divorce each other because things turn sour, they are fighting, but that didn't happen in my case because we respected each other. We did what we felt was right and we didn't hide it," he said. "Shaadi mein main kamyab nahi hua hun, lekin divorce mein main hua hoon (I haven't been successful in marriage, but I've been successful in divorce)," said an uninhibited Aamir. Aamir was asked about his take on the institution of marriage after two divorces. He shared, "I still have the same outlook on marriage. It's a very old institution and I have the deepest regard in my heart for it. It's a very beautiful feeling when someone discovers that they want to spend the rest of their life with this person. I would want that every person gets to experience this." When asked about his views on marriage after two divorces, Aamir reaffirmed his belief in it. He described marriage as a deeply meaningful bond and expressed hope that everyone gets the chance to experience a love strong enough to build a life around. Aamir married Reena Dutta at age 21 in 1986; they divorced in 2002 and have two children, Ira and Junaid. His second marriage to Kiran Rao began in 2005 and ended in 2021. They share a son, Azad. Despite the divorces, Aamir and his family presented a united, modern image at Ira’s wedding, reflecting a blended family dynamic grounded in mutual respect. Source: NDTV  

With South Indian films driving the big-screen excitement, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema continue to raise the standard. The most anticipated releases in several genres, like thriller, fantasy, comedy, horror, action, and drama, are scheduled for this June. Fans are already going crazy over the teasers' and trailers' explosive dialogues and intense visuals. Let’s dive into the South Indian movie lineup for June 2025. 12 Most-Hyped South Indian Movies Debuting This June . Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 | Telugu Historical Action | June 12, 2025 Featuring Pawan Kalyan in the titular role, this historical movie showcases the directing prowess of A. M. Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi. Jointly with Sai Madhav Burra, Jagarlamudi also oversees the screenplay. Chronicling the saga of the legendary outlaw Veera Mallu, this 17th-century tale unfolds in the Mughal Empire, where he is tasked with stealing the Koh-i-Noor diamond from imperial hands. Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nora Fatehi, and Nargis Fakhri play the pivotal roles. Read more: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Written Update for June 10: Abhira and Armaan Are Brought Together by Maira's Startling Absence Scored by Oscar-winning music director M. M. Keeravani, this adventure film makes its way to theatres courtesy of Mega Surya Production. Kuberaa | Telugu Thriller | June 20, 2025 This social thriller is brought to fruition by the director Sekhar Kammula, who also wrote it with Chaithanya Pingali. Bankrolled by Kammula, Puskur Rammohan Rao, and Suniel Narang, the cinematic venture is simultaneously shot in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. ‘Kuberaa’ stars Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, Nagarjuna, Dalip Tahil, Jim Sarbh, and Sayaji Shinde. Read more: Housefull 5 Review: Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Thriller Hits Box Office Milestone Framed around a gritty journey through crime and consequence, the narrative follows a beggar’s transformation driven by greed and ambition. Meanwhile, it culminates in a search for his redemption. Kannappa | Telugu Fantasy | June 27, 2025 Helmed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, this fantasy film flourishes with Vishnu Manchu as its writer. Rooted in the ancient legend of Kannappa, the tale follows an atheist hunter’s unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, climaxing in an act of self-sacrifice. Besides producing it, Mohan Babu also portrays an important character in the movie. Read more: Judwaa: A Pakistani Drama about Twin Sisters Becomes Internet Obsession With Vishnu Manchu starring in the titular role, the cast includes Arpit Ranka, R. Sarathkumar, Kaushal Manda, Mukesh Rishi, Rahul Madhav, Madhoo, Devaraj, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, and Preity Mukhundhan. The film also includes a cameo by Akshay Kumar (marking his first Telugu film), Prabhas, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohanlal. Thug Life | Tamil Gangster Drama | June 5, 2025 Starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, this crime movie thrives under the direction of Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote the script with Haasan. This latest gangster venture marks the first collaboration between Haasan and Ratnam since their iconic 1987 film ‘Nayakan’. The additional cast consists of Silambarasan, Abhirami, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, Nassar, Pankaj Tripathi, Baburaj, Ali Fazal, and Rohit Saraf. Anchored in a turbulent underworld dynamic, the plot sees gang leader Sakthivel raising Amaran as his own. All these issues turn into suspicion and betrayal to erupt years later in a storm of vengeance. Read more: Sardaarji 3: First Look of the Horror Comedy Echoes ‘Stree’ A. R. Rahman’s exotic music compositions set the tone for this crime epic. Sanya Malhotra makes her special appearance in a vibrant track ‘Jinguchaa’. The production unit is led by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies. Madras Matinee | Tamil Comedy | June 6, 2025 A seasoned sci-fi author is urged by his caretaker to explore the life of the everyman. Hesitantly, he begins Kannan’s tale, a TukTuk driver, only to uncover the quiet power within everyday struggles. With this plot, ‘Madras Matinee’, backed by Madras Motion Pictures, boasts Karthikeyan Mani as its director and writer. Read more: Pakistani Drama Tere Bin Emerges as an All-Time Audience Favourite Kaali Venkat, Roshini Haripriyan, Shelly Kishore, Sathyaraj, and Vishva assume the key cast. Maargan | Tamil Fantasy Thriller | June 27, 2025 Starring Vijay Antony as the protagonist, this thriller flourishes with Vijay as its music composer. The movie is produced under the banner of Vijay Anthony Film Corporation. Besides writing the script with Vishnu, Leo John Paul directs this film with Prabu Kuppuswamy. This is Leo’s first movie direction. The supporting cast members are Samuthirakani, Mahanathi Shankar, Ajay Dhishan, and Brigida Saga. Unfolding as a gripping pursuit of justice, the account follows Dhruv’s hunt for a sadistic serial killer. In this process, he gradually realises that he is going to confront a sinister force far beyond initial suspicion. Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2025 Bengali TV Drama Preview: Top Upcoming Bangladeshi Natoks Set to Spark the Festival

The screening of Raihan Rafi’s much-hyped Eid release ‘Taandob' was suspended in Kalihati upazila of Tangail following protests by local religious groups and growing security concerns. Expressing frustration on social media, prominent filmmaker Ashfaque Nipun condemned the incident and criticised the interim government’s failure to tackle mob-led disruptions. “Recently, the screening of ‘Taandob' in Kalihati was halted due to threats from so-called ‘Touhidi Janata’, tourist centres in Sylhet were closed, yet the Chief Adviser of the interim government remains focused on the Chattogram Port,” Nipun recently wrote in a Facebook post. “You respond swiftly to any threat to the port—when will we see such resolve against mob behaviour? Immediately reinstate ‘Taandob' screenings in Kalihati, make public places safe, and above all, stop the rise of mob dominance. As this couldn’t be done over the past 10 months, your primary responsibility over the next 10 months should be to ensure it,” Nipun wrote in the post. ‘Taandob’ is Raihan Rafi’s best film yet: Shakib Khan The film was being screened at the Zilla Parishad’s Community Centre-cum-Multipurpose Hall in the Auliabad area of Kalihati since Eid day. Local cultural organisers Kamruzzaman Saiful and Saju Mehdi arranged the screening by renting the venue for Tk 10,000 per day with official approval, paying in advance for five days. The initiative faced resistance from a section of locals, and on Friday, a protest rally was held under the banner of the Parki Union Olama Parishad, where demonstrators demanded the screening be stopped, claiming it could disrupt nearby mosques, madrasas, and educational institutions. Protesters also warned of potential “unsocial activities” centring the film’s screening, and they informed local media that they had submitted a written appeal to the administration requesting the film’s screening be halted. Explaining the critical situation, one of the organisers of the screening Kamruzzaman Saiful told local media, “We were getting a good response from viewers, but started receiving threats from various sources. Due to increasing safety concerns, we had no choice but to suspend the screenings from Tuesday evening.” Shakib Khan's 'Taandob' announced for Eid-ul-Adha 2025 The other organizer Saju Mehdi said, “We invested heavily on paying rent, repairing the AC, printing tickets, and appointing volunteers. Unfortunately from the beginning, a certain group opposed the initiative and even prevented us from putting up posters and obstructed our promotional work.” Despite several mishaps and mob attacks in various screening places across the country since the Eid day, ‘Taandob’ has been dominating the screens as expected, courtesy of its strong storyline and Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan’s majestic performances.  

Bollywood star Aamir Khan is preparing for the release of his new film “Sitaare Zameen Par”, which will hit cinemas on June 20. The trailer has drawn attention for a scene in which Aamir’s on-screen mother calls him a “tingu”, referencing his short height. In a recent interview with Just Too Filmy, Aamir opened up about his insecurities early in his career, admitting he was once nervous about his stature. “At the beginning of my career, I was very afraid. Amit ji was number one, and he was over six feet tall. Vinod ji, Shatrughan Sinha—all were very tall. So I was nervous, thinking choti height ke actor ki kuch daal galegi ki nahi galegi (whether a short actor like me would even stand a chance). I was very concerned about that. But as it turned out, it was fine,” he shared. Amitabh Bachchan replies to troll who warned him about sleep When asked whether he is now more comfortable making light of himself—especially with the “tingu” remark in the film—Aamir responded, “Actually, Javed saab once said something about humour that I really agree with. He said a good sense of humour is not just for fun and games, but it actually comes in handy when you're going through difficulties in life.” “So if you have a good sense of humour at that time, it's like a shock absorber. I think I’ve always had that ability, and it’s a very important part of the film." Directed by RS Prasanna, “Sitaare Zameen Par” is a remake of the Spanish film “Campeones”. Aamir plays a basketball coach tasked with training a group of neurodivergent children as punishment. The film features ten debutant actors, including Aroush Datta and Simran Mangeshkar.

Akshay Kumar’s latest release Housefull 5 continues its successful run at the box office. Released on June 6 and directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the comedy film has shown consistent performance, earning Rs 111.25 crore by its fourth day. According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film collected an additional Rs 10.75 crore on its fifth day (May 10), bringing its total to Rs 111.25 crore. It achieved the Rs 100 crore milestone within just four days of release. On its first Tuesday, the movie recorded an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 20.66%. Night shows attracted the most viewers, with a 30.14% occupancy rate, followed by evening screenings at 22.65%, afternoon shows at 20.50%, and morning shows seeing the lowest turnout at 9.34%. Star Cast In addition to Akshay Kumar, Housefull 5 features an ensemble cast that includes Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma. Supporting roles are filled by several Bollywood veterans and familiar faces such as Chunky Panday, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Chitrangada Singh, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, Johnny Lever, Fardeen Khan, Nikitin Dheer, and Ranjeet. Plot Summary The film follows a comedic murder mystery set aboard a yacht. The story kicks off with the killing of a 100-year-old billionaire, portrayed by Ranjeet, just before he is set to reveal his will. The plot thickens when three men, all named Jolly — Jalabuddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Julius (Akshay Kumar), and Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan) — claim to be the rightful heir, each becoming a suspect. Housefull 5 marks the fifth entry in the popular Housefull franchise, which began in 2010. The movie is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Warda Nadiadwala, and Firuzi Khan under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner. Source NDTV