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Prabhas’ “The Raja Saab” has locked its theatrical release for December 5, with the teaser set to drop on June 16. According to Variety, this marks the Indian superstar’s first horror entertainer, signalling a departure from his usual action-packed roles. Directed by Maruthi, known for blending humour with genre elements, the film is a supernatural thriller produced by TG Vishwa Prasad under People Media Factory. Karthik Palani is the cinematographer and Thaman S is composing the music. 'Lilo & Stitch' passes 'Sinners' to become 2nd highest grossing film of 2025 The cast features Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Ridhi Kumar alongside Prabhas. “The Raja Saab” will release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. December has become a competitive window for Indian cinema releases, with “The Raja Saab” aiming to capitalise on the year-end theatrical market. The horror-comedy hybrid represents Prabhas’ continued genre experimentation following his pan-Indian success with the “Baahubali” franchise and recent actioners.

“Lilo & Stich” and “Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning” dominated the box office charts again after fueling a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend. Theaters in the U.S. and Canada had several new films to offer this weekend as well, including Sony’s family friendly “Karate Kid: Legends” and the A24 horror movie “Bring Her Back. ” According to studio estimates Sunday, it added up to a robust $149 million post-holiday weekend that’s up over 120% from the same timeframe last year. Disney’s live-action hybrid “Lilo & Stitch” took first place again with $63 million from 4,410 locations in North America. It was enough to pass “Sinners” to become the second-highest grossing movie of the year with $280.1 million in domestic ticket sales. Globally, its running total is $610.8 million. “Sinners,” meanwhile, is still going strong in its seventh weekend with another $5.2 million, bumping it to $267.1 million domestically and $350.1 million globally. The eighth “Mission: Impossible” movie also repeated in second place, with $27.3 million from 3,861 locations. As with “Lilo & Stitch,” that's down 57% from its opening. With $122.6 million in domestic tickets sold, it’s performing in line with the two previous installments. But with a reported production budget of $400 million, profitability is a ways off. Internationally, it added $76.1 million (including $25.2 million from China where it just opened), bringing its global total to $353.8 million. “This is the year of longterm playability,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s senior media analyst. “The currency of word of mouth and the strong hold is more important than opening weekend dollars.” Leading the newcomers was Sony’s “Karate Kid: Legends,” with an estimated $21 million from 3,809 locations. The movie brings Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio together to train a new kid, the kung fu prodigy Li Fong ( Ben Wang ). Chan starred in a 2010 reboot of the 1984 original, while Macchio has found a new generation of fans in the series “Cobra Kai,” which just concluded a six-season run. Reviews might have been mixed, but opening weekend audiences gave the PG-13 rated film a strong A- CinemaScore and 4.5 stars on PostTrak. It also only cost a reported $45 million to produce and has several weeks until a new family-friendly film arrives. “Karate Kid: Legends” opened earlier internationally and has a worldwide total of $47 million. Fourth place went “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” which earned $10.8 million in its third weekend. The movie is the highest-grossing in the franchise, not accounting for inflation, with $229.3 million globally. The weekend’s other big newcomer, “Bring Her Back” rounded out the top five with $7.1 million from 2,449 screens. Starring Sally Hawkins as a foster mother with some disturbing plans, the film is the sophomore feature of twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, who made the 2023 horror breakout “Talk to Me.” It earned a rare-for-horror B+ CinemaScore and is essentially the only new film in the genre until “28 Years Later” opens on June 20. A new Wes Anderson movie, “The Phoenician Scheme,” also debuted in New York and Los Angeles this weekend, where it made $270,000. It expands nationwide next weekend. The summer box office forecast remains promising, though there’s a long way to go to get to the $4 billion target (a pre-pandemic norm that only the “Barbenheimer” summer has surpassed). The month of May is expected to close out with $973 million – up 75% from May 2024, according to data from Comscore. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. “Lilo & Stitch,” $63 million. 2. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” $27.3 million. 3. “Karate Kid: Legends,” 21 million. 4. “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” $10.8 million. 5. “Bring Her Back,” $7.1 million. 6. “Sinners,” $5.2 million. 7. “Thunderbolts,” $4.8 million. 8. “Friendship,” $2.6 million. 9. “The Last Rodeo,” $2.1 million. 10. “j-hope Tour ‘HOPE ON THE STAGE’ in JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING,” $939,173.

Bollywood power couple Ajay Devgn and Kajol have lent their voices in support of eight-hour work shifts for new mothers in the film industry. The actors addressed the growing demand for shorter working hours during the trailer launch of their upcoming film Maa, set to release on June 27. Speaking at the event, Kajol responded positively when asked whether it is fair for new mothers to request shorter shifts on set. “I love the fact that we could work less,” she said with a smile, subtly highlighting the importance of work-life balance, particularly for women navigating both motherhood and professional commitments. Weekend Binge: From Hera Pheri To Welcome - 70 Shades Of Paresh Rawal Ajay Devgn, standing beside her, firmly backed the idea. “It’s not that it’s not going well with people. People understand,” he said. “Most of the honest filmmakers, I would say, will not have a problem with this. Apart from that, being a mother and working for eight hours — usually people have started working eight to nine hours in a shift. So I think it’s person to person, but most of the industry does understand.” Their comments come amid a broader conversation within the Indian film fraternity about creating more inclusive and accommodating working conditions for women, particularly new mothers returning to work. Devgn and Kajol’s film, Maa, explores themes of motherhood and resilience — making the timing of their remarks especially significant. Source: With inputs from India Today    

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal turns 70 today, and while his recent fallout with Akshay Kumar over Hera Pheri 3 sparked headlines — including a ₹25 crore lawsuit filed by Kumar — let’s take a break from the drama and focus on Rawal’s remarkable cinematic journey. A master of comedy, drama, and everything in between, Rawal has gifted Bollywood some unforgettable characters over the decades. Here’s a specially curated binge-worthy list to honour his legacy: 1. OMG: Oh My God! – JioCinema/Disney+ HotstarAs the atheist Kanji Lalji Mehta, Rawal delivers a standout performance in this satirical drama that questions blind faith. Akshay Kumar joins him in this thoughtful hit. 2. Hera Pheri Series – Prime VideoRawal’s portrayal of Babu Bhaiya is legendary. His impeccable timing and hilarious one-liners make him the standout star of this cult comedy series. 3. Table No. 21 – Zee5In this psychological thriller, Rawal plays a mysterious game master. The film tackles the issue of college ragging with a chilling twist. 4. Andaz Apna Apna – Prime VideoA comedy classic where Rawal shines in a dual role — Teja and Ram Gopal Bajaj. His scenes are pure comedic brilliance. 5. Chachi 420 – YouTubeIn this Kamal Haasan-starrer, Rawal is the quirky landlord who adds his own flair to the mix of comedy and drama. Tusshar Kapoor says father Jeetendra has retired from acting: "He's moved on" 6. Chup Chup Ke – Prime VideoStarring as the lovable fisherman Gundya, Rawal's comic partnership with Rajpal Yadav is one of the film's biggest highlights. 7. Golmaal: Fun Unlimited – Prime VideoAs the blind yet sharp-witted Somnath Bhardwaj, he adds chaos and comedy to this ensemble laugh riot. 8. URI: The Surgical Strike – Zee5Rawal plays a character inspired by NSA Ajit Doval in this military drama. His performance is intense and memorable. 9. Nayak: The Real Hero – Prime VideoAs a corrupt politician, Rawal delivers one of his most quotable lines: “Apun ka ek hi funda hai — public ko thenga dikhana!” 10. Welcome – Prime VideoAs Dr. Ghunghroo, trying to manage a gangster family, Rawal had audiences roaring with laughter. “Control Uday, control!” still rings in our ears. Happy 70th, Paresh Rawal — your characters are etched in Bollywood history! Source: With input from NDTV

Fast-growing entertainment company Mugafi has joined the upcoming Indian film “Kubera” as its global presenting partner, marking a significant move for the story development-driven firm as it expands globally. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sekhar Kammula, “Kubera” features a star-studded cast including Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, Akkineni Nagarjuna, and Jim Sarbh. According to Variety, the high-concept drama follows an unsuspecting drifter who becomes entangled in a high-stakes conspiracy, triggering a tense chase where survival demands confronting powerful, unseen forces. Mugafi will lead the international rollout of “Kubera”, strengthening its global footprint and focus on championing emerging content. Ayushmann Khurrana’s horror-comedy ‘Thama’ set for Oct 20 release “This is a strategic move that aligns perfectly with our mission to champion compelling narratives and strengthen the creative foundation of film projects,” said Vipul Agrawal, founder of Mugafi. “Working with Sekhar Kammula and such a talented cast is an honour. At Mugafi, we believe in the power of storytelling that transcends boundaries, and ‘Kubera’ is a project that embodies this vision.” The film is produced by Suniel Narang and Puskur Rammohan Rao under the Sree Venkateswara Cinemas banner. “Partnering with Mugafi and Vipul brings a fresh energy and creative synergy to ‘Kubera’,” said Rao. “Their commitment to nurturing bold, meaningful narratives aligns perfectly with our vision for this film.” Manish Vasisht, strategic adviser to the association, added, “Mugafi’s global outreach for exploitation of ancillary rights backed by Sree Venkateswara Cinema’s vision of moviemaking will benefit ‘Kubera’ globally.” “Kubera” is set for a global theatrical release on June 20 in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana is set to make his debut in the coveted Diwali holiday release slot with his upcoming horror-comedy “Thama”, marking a major milestone in his decade-long career. The film, produced by Maddock Films and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, will hit theatres during the Diwali this year, with the release date confirmed as October 20, according to Variety. “This is the biggest release of my career and I’m really eager to spread joy, happiness and laughter with the entire country with ‘Thama,’” Khurrana said. “The fact that my film could be one of the reasons for people to have a great festive period feels really surreal.” Known for his offbeat and socially conscious roles, Khurrana has steadily climbed the ladder to become one of Hindi cinema’s most dependable leading men. His entry into the Diwali slot — traditionally dominated by big-ticket entertainers starring A-list actors — is being seen as a sign of his rising commercial stature. Upcoming OTT and Theatrical Releases: A week packed with drama, action and emotion “For me, Diwali is about togetherness, it is about family and it is about having the best community experience by spending time with your friends,” the Vicky Donor actor said. “I’m a big movie buff and every year, I have a ritual to go to the theatres with my family and watch a film on Diwali. We have so much fun together and it makes me so happy to see scores of people thronging to the theatres to watch these big releases.” “Thama” also features a strong ensemble cast, including Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The screenplay is written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara. Producers Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik are backing the film under the Maddock Films banner. The film also marks the launch of Maddock’s ambitious horror-comedy cinematic universe, a genre the studio popularized with the 2018 hit “Stree”. In 2024, Maddock continued its genre dominance with “Stree 2”, “Munjya”, and “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya”, and earlier this year, it unveiled an eight-film interconnected slate to release over the next four years.

The trailer for Housefull 5 dropped on Tuesday, teasing a wild comedy filled with chaos, confusion, and classic slapstick. Akshay Kumar returns to the franchise he’s been part of since the beginning. This latest installment features one of the most star-studded casts in recent memory and sticks to the series' signature blend of outrageous humor and quirky one-liners. Narrated by Nana Patekar, the trailer opens with a lavish 100th birthday celebration for a billionaire (played by Ranjeet) aboard a luxury yacht, where he plans to reveal his will. Enter three men—Jalabuddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan), and Julius (Akshay Kumar)—all claiming to be the rightful heir. But things take a sharp turn when the billionaire suddenly dies, and the trio becomes the main suspects in a murder investigation. The twist? None of them remembers what happened because their drinks were spiked. The chaos escalates with Akshay Kumar being smacked around by monkeys, Jackie Shroff spoofing his son Tiger Shroff's viral line, and a nonstop series of absurd events. Upcoming OTT and Theatrical Releases: A week packed with drama, action and emotion Packed with over-the-top comedy, cheeky dialogues, and a flashy visual style, the trailer promises another madcap adventure. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 features a sprawling ensemble cast, including Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Chitrangda Singh, Dino Morea, Chunky Panday, Johnny Lever, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Nikitin Dheer, Soundarya Sharma, Ranjeet, and Sanjay Dutt. The earlier four parts were helmed by Sajid Khan and Farhad Samji. Housefull 5 hits theatres on June 6. Source: NDTV

Get ready for a thrilling week as a fresh lineup of new content makes its way to both OTT platforms and theatres. From gripping courtroom dramas and superhero blockbusters to quirky comedies and heartfelt thrillers, this week’s releases offer something for every kind of viewer. Here’s a curated look at some of the most awaited releases coming your way this week: 1. Karate Kid: Legends (May 30 – Theatres)Follow Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy navigating life in New York City who finds himself at odds with a local karate champion. Guided by mentors Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he prepares for a defining karate tournament. The film stars Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, and Ralph Macchio. 2. Sister Midnight (May 30 – Theatres)A dark comedy set in small-town Mumbai, starring Radhika Apte as Uma—a newlywed woman breaking free from societal expectations as she embraces her darker instincts and personal liberation. 3. Criminal Justice: A Family Matter (Season 4 – May 29 – JioCinema/Hotstar)Pankaj Tripathi returns as Madhav Mishra in a new season packed with emotional intensity and legal suspense, as he defends a client in a complicated family murder case filled with hidden secrets and moral quandaries. 4. Captain America: Brave New World (May 29 – JioCinema/Hotstar)The next chapter in the Marvel saga sees Sam Wilson stepping into the role of Captain America. As new global threats emerge, he grapples with identity, leadership, and the legacy of the shield. 5. HIT: The Third Case (May 29 – Netflix)This Telugu crime thriller features Nani as a brilliant detective unraveling a tangled homicide case. Expect edge-of-your-seat storytelling, mystery, and sharp twists. 6. And Just Like That (Season 3 – May 29 – JioCinema/Hotstar)Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte return with more drama, relationships, and personal evolution. With Sarah Jessica Parker leading the cast, the season teases a possible return of John Corbett’s character. 7. The Better Sister (May 29 – Prime Video)Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks play estranged sisters drawn back together after the murder of Chloe’s husband. Based on Alafair Burke’s novel, this limited series explores family bonds, secrets, and betrayal over eight compelling episodes. 8. A Complete Unknown (May 30 – JioCinema/Hotstar)Timothée Chalamet stars in this musical biopic chronicling Bob Dylan’s rise in the 1960s. The film explores his early inspirations, musical genius, and the era’s transformative culture. 9. Lost in Starlight (May 30 – Netflix)This Korean animated love story set in 2050 follows aspiring astronaut Nan-young and musician Jay. As their romance grows, a mission to Mars tests their bond. Featuring stunning retro-futuristic visuals, the film stars Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung (Korean version), with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Justin H. Min in the English dub. 10. Good Boy (May 31 – JTBC)This Korean drama stars Park Bo Gum and Kim So Hyun as retired Olympic athletes turned police officers. Their athletic prowess helps them take on violent crimes and deliver justice with determination and grit. Source: NDTV  

Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao as Ranjan and Wamiqa Gabbi as Titli Mishra, has made an impressive start at the box office, crossing the ₹15 crore mark within just two days of release. According to Sacnilk, the film earned ₹9 crore on its second day, bringing its total domestic earnings to ₹16 crore. The Karan Sharma-directed film recorded a 25.18% overall Hindi occupancy on May 24. Breaking it down further: morning shows saw a 10.46% turnout, which rose to 27.27% in the afternoon, 29.11% in the evening, and peaked at 33.87% during night shows. Cannes awards Palme d'Or to Iranian revenge drama 'It Was Just an Accident' On Saturday, film trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the Day 1 figures and reactions. He remarked, “#BhoolChukMaaf delivered a surprising performance on its first day, surpassing expectations due to attractive ticket pricing. Industry projections had been modest, but last-minute bookings drove strong numbers. While national chains performed well, regional circuits also showed solid turnout. A significant jump in collections is expected on Saturday.” Adarsh also noted that Bhool Chuk Maaf outperformed Maddock Films’ previous release Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, which had an opening day collection of ₹5.49 crore, even with the help of a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) offer. In contrast, Bhool Chuk Maaf pulled in ₹7.20 crore on Day 1 without such promotions. The film features a strong ensemble cast including Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Raghubir Yadav, Ishtiyak Khan, and Purnima Sharma. The story follows Ranjan, a die-hard romantic who secures a government job in hopes of marrying his girlfriend Titli. However, just as their wedding approaches, Ranjan finds himself caught in a strange time loop that restarts daily at their Haldi ceremony—while Titli remains oblivious. The narrative centers on Ranjan’s desperate attempts to break free from this never-ending cycle. Source: NDTV

Marvel Studios has pushed back the release dates of its highly anticipated team-up films, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” as part of a wider shake-up of Disney’s theatrical release calendar. “Avengers: Doomsday” will now premiere on December 18, 2026, a delay of more than seven months from its originally planned May 1, 2026 debut. In line with that change, “Avengers: Secret Wars” has also been moved, shifting from May 7, 2027 to December 17, 2027, according to Variety. The delays were confirmed by Disney on Thursday afternoon, as the studio also revealed a substantial reorganisation of its upcoming film schedule. Among the key changes was the removal of several unannounced Marvel titles. The slot previously held on February 13, 2026 for an “Untitled Marvel” film has been entirely dropped, while the November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2027 dates have been reclassified as “Untitled Disney” releases. Shankar Mahadevan collaborates with Google’s AI tool to create new song As a result, only two Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films are now slated for 2026 — “Avengers: Doomsday” and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The changes also create a notable content gap for Marvel. There will be no theatrical MCU release between “The Fantastic 4: First Steps” on July 25 and the next Tom Holland-led “Spider-Man” film on July 31, 2026. This marks the longest interval between MCU features since the COVID-19 pandemic halted releases between 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and 2021’s “Black Widow.”