BY JITU JANGIR

Oba Femi has quickly established himself as one of WWE’s most heavily pushed young stars, and Booker T believes the former NXT Champion is ready to continue climbing the ladder. Femi's career reached its peak in 2026. After breaking through to WWE's main roster, he answered Brock Lesnar's challenge for WrestleMania 42 and defeated “The Beast” in his WrestleMania debut. The two were later paired again at SummerSlam, where Femi defeated Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell. Lesnar's loss at SummerSlam was followed by his retirement announcement, making Femi the last opponent of the former WWE and UFC champion's in-ring career. Speaking about Femi on Hall of Fame, Booker T said he has been watching the Nigerian-born wrestler's development closely and believes he has handled the enormous responsibility of moving from NXT into WWE's main-event picture extremely well. “He’s in a great position and he’s handling it very, very well, man,” Booker said. “He’s matured like so quickly in this business.” Booker said Femi's development has been particularly impressive considering how quickly he has progressed from NXT to the main roster. “I’m not talking about as a man or anything like that, but as a performer, as a professional wrestler coming from, you know, the program into NXT to now the main roster and being the guy, you can’t imagine how huge of a responsibility that really, really, truly is,” Booker said. The WWE Hall of Famer also revealed that he has supported Femi since his NXT days and has regularly encouraged him about his abilities. “I’ve always been like one of if not his biggest supporter,” Booker said. “Like down in NXT, I always used to pump him up and tell him, you know, how good he is and how he’s doing everything right in the ring as well as out of the ring.” Booker believes Femi is now entering a completely different stage of his career. “And right now he’s taken that brass ring, man, and he’s put it on,” Booker said. “And I don’t expect for him to try to give it up anytime soon to anybody.” Femi first defeated Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 after answering Lesnar's open challenge. The victory immediately established Femi as a major player, but his second victory over Lesnar at SummerSlam gave the storyline a different significance, as it was the final match of Lesnar's career. Booker has also previously spoken highly of Femi's potential. His latest comments, however, go beyond simply praising the young wrestler's ability. Booker believes Femi has reached the point where he can carry the expectations that come with being positioned as one of WWE's next major stars. That responsibility is already becoming evident. Femi went from being one of NXT's standout performers to defeating one of the most accomplished wrestlers in WWE history twice in a matter of months. Booker also pointed to Femi's attitude and development outside the ring as reasons for his confidence in the young star. “I’m watching him and I’m watching his every movement,” Booker said. “Every time I see him too, you know, we always dab it up. And I was, I’ve always been like one of if not his biggest supporter.” For Booker, Femi's rise is not simply about his size or physical presence. He believes the young star has developed quickly enough to take advantage of the opportunity WWE has given him. “And right now he’s taken that brass ring, man, and he’s put it on,” Booker reiterated. For Booker T, however, Femi is already showing the qualities needed to become one of WWE's defining stars of the next generation.

BY JITU JANGIR

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has revealed that he is exploring the possibility of pursuing music more seriously, with the WWE legend and Hollywood superstar specifically expressing an interest in traditional country music. Johnson discussed the possibility during a new interview with Rolling Stone's Brian Hiatt, following the debut of the music video for his song “Your Dad.” Rather than announcing a full-time transition into music, Johnson explained that he is currently exploring where his passion for music could take him. “I’m exploring that now, and I appreciate you asking that,” Johnson said. “As you roll along in life, I’ve been real fortunate to be part of some really cool projects, and love it. But music has always been such an anchor for me, and very specifically in genres that I love, like country music, traditional country music, and we’re exploring that now.” The comments are significant because Johnson has already shown that music is more than a one-off experiment for him. His career has included musical performances during his WWE run, his work as Maui in Moana, and collaborations outside of his acting career. The 54-year-old explained that his priorities have evolved as he has progressed through his career. After years of working on major Hollywood productions and other high-profile projects, Johnson said he wants the things he pursues to genuinely excite him. “I’ve reached this point in my life and in my career where, honestly, Brian, when I wake up in the morning, I swing my legs out of bed, and whatever the thing is that I’m doing, I wanna feel like I’m just running towards it,” Johnson explained. He also described the difference between working on projects designed for a large commercial audience and creating something simply because it has personal meaning. “And the most gratifying things we do are when it’s for us, because we have enough pressure to deliver for so many other entities,” Johnson said. That distinction is particularly important when it comes to “Your Dad.” While Johnson understands the commercial expectations attached to major movies and entertainment projects, he said the song was created without those same pressures. “The things we do, we must do them for ourselves, and then we must feel it in here, behind our ribcage,” Johnson said. “But they’re also always connected to some sort of commerce.” Johnson then explained why “Your Dad” is different from the films and other major projects associated with his career. “You make films, especially the big four-quadrant movies, you want them to do well,” he said. “But this song, for me, is just a song to my daughters.” For Johnson, the song is therefore not about proving himself as a recording artist or chasing commercial success. He specifically emphasized that he doesn't want the song to be judged by the usual measurements attached to entertainment. “Where there’s no pressure of an expectation to deliver something that, ‘Well, how are the sales, and how’s the box office? How’s the streams?’ It’s just from me to them,” he said. Music has already appeared at several points throughout Johnson's career. During his WWE days, he performed “It Doesn't Matter” with Wyclef Jean, while he later appeared on Tech N9ne's “Face Off.” His performance as Maui in Moana also introduced his singing to a much wider mainstream audience. The actor is also continuing his connection with Moana, with the live-action adaptation keeping him in the role of Maui. But his latest comments suggest that his musical ambitions could extend beyond the character that first brought his singing to a massive audience.

BY JITU JANGIR

Roman Reigns has once again become the subject of debate among wrestling fans, this time after Conrad Thompson described the former Undisputed WWE Champion as “probably the most overrated main event in WWE history.” Booker T, however, strongly disagrees with that assessment. During a recent episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed Thompson’s comments and made it clear that he believes Reigns deserves far more credit for what he has accomplished at the top of WWE. “I mean, it’s like, you know, a mountain compared to a molehill. That’s how big of a, you know, a stretch this comment is as far as Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer then delivered his strongest endorsement of Reigns, explaining why he considers the former Tribal Chief the best wrestler in the world at this stage of his career. “Roman Reigns, I’ve said it once. I’ve said it a thousand times. Right now, at this stage of the game, Roman Reigns is the best damn wrestler in the world,” Booker T stated. Booker T argued that Reigns’ record in major matches speaks for itself. According to him, Reigns has repeatedly produced strong performances against different opponents, while also helping elevate the talent around him. “I know if a guy can make it in this business. If he get in my ring, I know if he’s going to have a chance at making it,” Booker explained. “And when I watch a guy like Roman, who’s had nothing but flawless matches with every guy that has stepped in the ring with him on the biggest stages there have been.” Booker also pointed toward Reigns’ ability to bring out the best in his opponents, insisting that the evidence can be found by simply going back and watching his matches. “Go pull them up. That’s all you got to do. The proof is in the pudding. All you got to do is the video. The video don’t lie,” Booker said. He went even further, claiming that Reigns has consistently helped his opponents deliver some of their best performances. “Every guy that has been in the ring with Roman Reigns, they’ve had their best match. Every one of them. Every guy that get in the ring with Roman, that’s the best match they’re going to have the year. All right. And that’s just fact,” Booker added. Brad Gilmore, Booker’s co-host, also pushed back against Thompson’s assessment. He pointed to Reigns’ WrestleMania matches against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, as well as his recent clash with Seth Rollins, as examples of the level Reigns has consistently reached. Booker T then questioned who could realistically replace Reigns as WWE’s leading attraction. “I would love to know who would he put in Roman Reigns’ spot. That’s what I would want. Who do you put in Roman Reigns’ spot that’s going to go out there and carry that?” Booker asked. The WWE Hall of Famer also highlighted the enormous responsibility that comes with being positioned as a company’s top star. In his view, Reigns has demonstrated that WWE can trust him to perform when the pressure is highest. “The company do not put you in that spot unless they trust you to be able to do that,” Booker explained. “What I mean by being able to trust you is trust you to make every big event, trust you to be able to, you know, strap it up when you’re really not, you know, 100%.” Booker ultimately described Reigns as the complete package, pointing to his wrestling ability, storytelling, presence and star power. “If I had to draw up what the prototypical superstar will look like, it’d be Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. He later doubled down on his assessment, stating that Reigns’ years at the top and the pressure he has handled inside and outside the ring have been extraordinary. “This dude Roman Reigns is truly the real deal,” Booker said. “What he’s done over his time at the top, at that top level, with the pressure that he’s had inside and out of the ring, has been extraordinary. It really has been.” Booker T’s comments come as the debate surrounding Roman Reigns’ place among WWE’s all-time greats continues. While Conrad Thompson remains firm in his criticism, Booker clearly believes Reigns has already done enough to prove himself as one of the defining stars of his generation.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Independence Day box office is heating up, and we now have a much clearer picture of how the high-stakes clash between Emraan Hashmis Awarapan 2 and Sunny Deols Batwara 1947 is unfolding. As of 8:00 PM tonight, August 11, the advance booking numbers suggest that the 19-year rematch between these two veteran stars is leaning heavily in favor of the Awarapan sequel. While Sunny Deols Apne beat the original Awarapan back in 2007, the cult following of Shivam Pandit seems to be driving a massive wave of momentum for Hashmi this time around. If we look at the national cinema chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—Awarapan 2 is currently leading the race by a significant margin. By the 8:00 PM update, the film had already sold around 20,300 tickets, resulting in a total gross of roughly 86 lakh across more than 1,140 shows. PVR has been the primary driver, accounting for roughly 10,000 tickets and nearly 46 lakh in gross. INOX followed with about 6,500 tickets and 26 lakh, while Cinepolis added around 3,800 tickets for a gross of 14 lakh. In contrast, Batwara 1947 has struggled to find similar early traction, selling about 4,900 tickets for a total gross of nearly 20 lakh. Within these major chains, PVR contributed 3,000 tickets and 13 lakh, INOX added 1,600 tickets and 6 lakh, and Cinepolis rounded off the figures with approximately 400 tickets and 1 lakh. Despite having a similar show count of 1,120 in these chains, Deols period drama is seeing much lower occupancy levels. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The All-India advance booking figures for Day 1 tell a similar story. Awarapan 2 has grossed over 70 lakh from 21,160 tickets across nearly 2,700 tracked shows, maintaining an average ticket price of 265 rupees. If we include blocked seats, the potential gross already jumps to 1.9 crore. Batwara 1947, meanwhile, has grossed about 24 lakh from nearly 7,000 tickets across more than 2,500 shows. Even with blocked seats factored in at 88.57 lakh, it remains significantly behind its competitor. These numbers highlight the strategic advantage of Awarapan 2s U/A certification and its 2-hour 20-minute runtime, which makes it a more accessible choice for families compared to the serious, A-rated Partition drama of Batwara 1947. The digital buzz on BookMyShow continues to reflect this growing disparity, with Awarapan 2 now crossing 298,000 interest likes compared to roughly 131,000 for Batwara 1947. Looking at the actual ticket sales on the platform, Awarapan 2 had already recorded 7,020 tickets sold yesterday, August 10. The momentum has picked up further today, August 11, with thousands of tickets being booked every hour. Even with Spider-Man still occupying premium evening slots and limiting screen availability, the sequel is managing to maintain a very steady pace as it approaches its release date. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The off-screen distribution battle is equally fierce. While distributors of Batwara 1947 have been pushing for a monopoly on single screens, the ground-level data is forcing exhibitors to rethink. Given the current trajectory, we can begin to make some early opening day predictions. If this momentum continues to build toward Friday, Awarapan 2 is looking at a potential double-digit opening, likely in the range of 14 to 17 crore. Batwara 1947, despite its prestigious pedigree and the Aamir Khan production tag, currently appears headed for a single-digit start, possibly between 8 and 10 crore, unless there is a massive surge in walk-in audiences over the holiday weekend. Ultimately, the battle of August 14 is coming down to a choice between nostalgia and prestige. While Batwara 1947 is a heavy-hitting drama from director Rajkumar Santoshi, audiences seem more inclined toward the emotional, thriller-driven world of Emraan Hashmi. With three days still left before the first show, all eyes will be on whether Sunny Deol can bridge this gap or if Awarapan 2 will secure its status as the primary choice for the Independence Day weekend.

BY JITU JANGIR

Nikki Cross has opened up about the difficulty of saying goodbye to her Abby the Witch character following her WWE departure, admitting that the end of her Wyatt Sicks run came as an unexpected development. The Wyatt Sicks debuted in June 2024 as a supernatural faction created to continue the creative legacy of the late Bray Wyatt, who passed away in August 2023. The group was led by Bo Dallas, portraying Uncle Howdy, alongside Nikki Cross (Abby the Witch), Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan. In a recent sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Nikki Cross explained that she became deeply attached to every character she portrayed during her wrestling career, but Abby held a particularly special place in her heart because of the meaning behind the character and its connection to Bray Wyatt. “It was unexpected. It was unexpected. And for every character I've played, whether it be Sanity, whether it be Nikki A.S.H., even Nikki Storm when I said goodbye to her in 2016 before I joined WWE and Abby the Witch, you always feel for me, I always feel attached to the characters. So, it's always difficult to say goodbye.” Cross also reflected on her decade-long WWE run and the relationships she formed during that period, while making it clear that she is looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. “With WWE, I was there for 10 years. I got to travel the world. I got to make amazing friends, make these incredible friendships with people like Sarah Schreiber or with people like Julia and I get to take them forever, you know. With WWE, I was there for 10 years. So, it's always hard to say goodbye to such a substantial, significant chapter in your life. And that being said, I'm so excited for my next chapter and I'm so excited for what's next for myself.”

BY JITU JANGIR

Nikki Cross has revealed how she developed the backstory for Abby the Witch, explaining that she wanted to honor Bray Wyatt's original vision while still putting her own creative stamp on the character. Cross said Abby was originally Bray Wyatt's creation, which meant she felt a responsibility to treat the character with particular care. “So, Abby the Witch, you know, she was Bray Wyatt's creation. She was Bray Wyatt's. You know that there was the character of Abby was already kind of an image in the WWE audience's mind. So for me I had to take, okay, this was Bray's brainchild. So, how do I take that? And how do I, you know, pay my respects to that? Pay homage to that, but also make it my own and do something that I wanted Bray to be proud of and I wanted his family to be proud of.” Cross revealed that she combined elements of the character with parts of her own history and the earlier Nikki Cross persona. “The backstory I came up with was, you know, that little girl in Glasgow, Scotland, that didn't always fit in and she was always wanting to fit in. And then I took a little bit of what I had explored with the Sanity Nikki Cross character and kind of tried to merge them.” For Cross, Abby was more than simply an on-screen persona. She said the mask itself eventually became something she felt emotionally attached to, describing it as almost a source of comfort. “I was so protective of Abby. And I would always carry the mask. The mask ended up becoming almost like a comfort to me, like a comfort. Like I would pretend almost like it was my Chihuahua who I was stroking, but it would be the Abby mask and I would always be holding or whether I was valeting the live events or at the television. And she became so much more than a prop to me. This was the girl that could get me through anything.” Cross added that she wanted to ensure the character respected Wyatt's legacy while also becoming something uniquely her own.

BY JITU JANGIR

In a recent sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Nikki Cross revealed that one of her most memorable on-screen personas — Nikki A.S.H., short for "Almost a Superhero" — wasn't handed to her by WWE's creative team. It was her own idea, and she took it straight to the top. Cross explained that the concept grew out of a period when she had little going on in WWE storylines. Her tag team with Alexa Bliss was winding down as Bliss became more involved with Bray Wyatt-related stories, leaving Cross searching for her next chapter. Drawing on her lifelong love of superheroes — she cited the 1990s X-Men cartoon, Rogue, and Storm as major influences — she noticed WWE hadn't had a female superhero-style character since Hurricane Helms and Mighty Molly. She saw an opening and decided to build a pitch around it. Cross didn't just show up with an idea — she put together a full presentation. She commissioned a Scottish artist to design mock-up artwork of the character, complete with a blue-and-gold X-Men-inspired color scheme, a cape, a mask, and a lightning bolt nodding to her independent-circuit persona, Nikki Storm. She even researched box office numbers from major superhero films like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel to support her case that the concept could be commercially successful. With time running short before Raw, she waited outside Vince McMahon's office for several hours to deliver what she described as an elevator pitch — a quick case for why the character would work and make WWE money. Weeks passed with no word. Then, on Mother's Day, McMahon texted her his verdict, calling the idea "genius" and instructing the creative team to move forward with it. McMahon did put his own stamp on the character, though. He steered it away from Cross's more elaborate original vision — closer to Captain Marvel — toward something simpler and more relatable, in the mold of early Spider-Man. The result was "Nikki Almost a Superhero": a character who isn't a true superhero, but believes she is one anyway. The character resonated. Cross went on to win Money in the Bank as Nikki A.S.H. and cashed in the very next night to become Raw Women's Champion — a milestone she has called the product of years of preparation meeting the right timing. She also credited a specific piece of advice from Hurricane Helms, whom she calls "papa," for shaping the character's execution: no matter what happened in a match, the mask could never come off, since a superhero losing their mask on live television would undercut the entire gimmick. That guidance led to several redesigns of the mask before the team landed on one secure enough for in-ring competition. Cross recently left WWE after a decade with the company and has since returned to the independent scene under her original ring name, Nikki Storm, following her and her husband's acquisition of the UK promotion Progress Wrestling.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 11 - Shraddha Kapoor's much-awaited Eetha has locked a new theatrical release date, and the decision could prove to be a major box-office advantage. The Laxman Utekar directorial, produced by Dinesh Vijan, Laxman Utekar and Karishma Sharma, will now arrive in cinemas on December 4, 2026, after originally being scheduled for August 28. The makers officially announced the new date on Tuesday, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the film's theatrical release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The December 4 weekend looks particularly interesting because the release landscape around the date is already undergoing significant changes. Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt's Ranger, which was previously expected to be one of the major releases in the first week of December, has reportedly been pushed to 2027. This has opened up the window considerably, although Prabhas' Fauzi and Akshay Kumar's untitled film with Anees Bazmee have been linked to the same period. However, the chatter in the trade is that the first week of December could eventually become much clearer for Eetha. With multiple films eyeing the same period and the date offering a strong theatrical window, further postponements cannot be ruled out. The December 4 slot could therefore turn into a relatively open corridor for Eetha, allowing the Shraddha Kapoor starrer to command a significant share of the audience and screens if the competing films move away. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Eetha also arrives with considerable curiosity after its teaser generated a strong response. The film is based on the life of legendary Maharashtrian Tamasha and Lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar, with Shraddha portraying the central character. Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub also feature in pivotal roles, while Ajay-Atul are composing the music. For Shraddha, the December release comes after the phenomenal success of Stree 2, making Eetha her first major theatrical outing since that blockbuster. A clean first week, strong word of mouth and the absence of a major competing release could give the film the kind of extended run that a performance-driven subject needs. If the other December 4 contenders eventually shift their dates, Eetha could find itself with one of the most favourable release windows for a Hindi film in the final month of 2026.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 11 - Ram Gopal Varma is gearing up to return to the gritty crime genre with Police Company, an action crime drama headlined by Harshvardhan Rane. The filmmaker has reunited with several actors associated with his iconic 1998 film Satya, while also bringing together a fresh ensemble for the upcoming project. Rane will portray Mumbai's celebrated encounter specialist Daya Nayak, a role that marks an interesting addition to his filmography. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Fardeen Khan has joined the cast and will portray one of Rane's colleagues and a key member of the specialised police squad at the centre of the story. Soundarya Sharma will play the female lead opposite Rane. Adding further nostalgia and weight to the cast, Varma has brought back Satya actors Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla and Makarand Deshpande in pivotal supporting roles. Police Company is set against the backdrop of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Mumbai's underworld was expanding its influence. The film draws inspiration from the real-life period between 1997 and 2004, when a specialised police squad was formed to counter the growing threat of organised crime. The squad is believed to have eliminated nearly 300 gangsters during this period, with Daya Nayak emerging as one of its most prominent and celebrated members. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Ram Gopal Varma's RGV Company Production. Police Company is scheduled to go on floors on August 17 in Mumbai, with the makers planning to complete the shoot by December. The film is currently targeting a theatrical release in 2027, making it one of Varma’s most notable upcoming projects as he returns to the hard-hitting crime storytelling that has been central to his filmmaking legacy. With Harshvardhan Rane leading the film, Fardeen Khan playing a key police officer and Varma reuniting with Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla and Makarand Deshpande, Police Company brings together a combination of fresh faces and familiar collaborators. The project is expected to blend Varma's trademark realism with action, atmospheric tension and the moral complexities surrounding the police-versus-underworld conflict.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The long-standing wait to see one of Hindi cinema's most recognizable on-screen duos is finally coming to an end. Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, who defined a specific era of action-comedies in the 1990s and 2000s, are reuniting for Haiwaan. This collaboration marks their first film together in 17 years, with their last joint appearance being in the 2008 film Tashan. The teaser for this project is scheduled to release tomorrow, setting the stage for its global theatrical launch on September 11, 2026. This project arrives as Akshay Kumar is experiencing a massive box office resurgence in 2026, effectively reversing his post-pandemic slump. The superstar started the year on a high note with Bhooth Bangla in April, a highly successful horror-comedy that reunited him with director Priyadarshan after 14 years and dominated the ticket windows. He followed up this momentum with the star-studded action-comedy Welcome to the Jungle in June, which crossed 192 crore in global earnings to emerge as another major hit. Trade analysts note that this is his strongest commercial streak since 2019, setting a lucrative stage for his remaining 2026 slate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For many audiences, this reunion is built on deep-seated nostalgia. Between 1994 and 2008, the duo collaborated on six major films including Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, and Tu Chor Main Sipahi. Historically, their chemistry relied on a fixed dynamic where Akshay portrayed the gritty action-man and Saif played the flamboyant romantic lead. However, Haiwaan is expected to completely shatter this old formula by offering a dynamic that is the exact opposite of their previous work. In this new thriller, Akshay Kumar takes on the role of the antagonist, portraying a deeply unsettling and psychopathic character. This is a rare turn for the actor, who has spent the majority of his career as the primary protagonist. Conversely, Saif Ali Khan steps into the lead hero role as a blind martial artist. The plot centers on Saif's character having to rely on his heightened instincts and specialized training to stop the threat posed by Akshay's character. This shift in roles is expected to be the primary talking point of the film, as it challenges the actors to step far outside their usual comfort zones. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film is directed by Priyadarshan, a filmmaker who is often associated with iconic Hindi comedies like Hera Pheri but is actually a veteran of the dark thriller genre in Malayalam cinema. Haiwaan is the official Hindi adaptation of his 2016 Malayalam hit, Oppam. While his previous Hindi projects often leaned toward slapstick, this film marks a departure into a grittier, more atmospheric world. The production, handled by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, aims to capture the same edge-of-the-seat tension that made the original version a blockbuster. Adding to the film's scale is a special cameo by the legendary Mohanlal, who reportedly reprises a connection to his original role from Oppam. This cross-industry connection is a significant treat for cinephiles. The supporting cast is equally seasoned, featuring Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, and Shriya Pilgaonkar. Notably, the film also features the late comedy legend Asrani in one of his final on-screen roles, adding a layer of poignancy to the ensemble. With the teaser dropping tomorrow, the industry will get its first look at how these veteran actors handle this high-voltage face-off.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Wamiqa Gabbi is reportedly joining the cast of the upcoming pan-India mythological epic Jai Hanuman. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, the actress has been signed for a powerful role in the film, which is directed by Prasanth Varma and stars Rishab Shetty in the lead. While her specific character details are still being kept confidential, she is expected to start filming soon for the project in Hyderabad. This casting comes during a very successful year for Wamiqa. She started 2026 with the box-office success of Bhooth Bangla and followed it up with the comedy Pati, Patni Aur Woh Do. More recently, she has been receiving positive reviews for her performance as Chandra in the Tamil film DC: The Bloody Valentine. Joining a project of the scale of Jai Hanuman marks another significant step in her career as she enters an immersive world of mythology and high-octane action. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Jai Hanuman serves as the direct sequel to the 2024 surprise hit Hanu-Man, which featured Teja Sajja. In this new installment, Rishab Shetty takes over the lead role, portraying Lord Hanuman. The film is envisioned as a large-scale epic set in the modern era of Kaliyug, focusing on themes of devotion, loyalty, and strength. It aims to present Hanuman as an immortal figure, blending traditional lore with the sensibilities of a superhero franchise. The project is a key part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, or PVCU. This ambitious superhero franchise draws heavy inspiration from the tapestry of Indian history and mythology. Aside from Jai Hanuman, Varma is also developing other films under this banner, including Mahakali, which focuses on Goddess Kali, and Adhira, inspired by Lord Indra. The goal of the PVCU is to create an interconnected world of legendary characters adapted for a contemporary cinematic audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series, the film has been in production since March. The shooting is reportedly moving at a steady pace, and the makers are targeting a massive theatrical release in the second half of 2027. This timeline suggests that the project will involve extensive post-production and visual effects to match the high standards set by the previous film in the universe. Beyond her role in Jai Hanuman, Wamiqa has an extensive lineup of releases. She will next be seen in the film Prahaar alongside Rajkummar Rao this September, followed by the action thriller Goodachari 2 with Adivi Sesh later this year. Her upcoming projects also include the comedy Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling, the film Genie, and Dharma Productions’ Kuku Ki Kundali, where she stars alongside Bhuvan Bam.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The premium screen landscape in India is about to witness its first significant shift since July. For the past 24 days, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has enjoyed an unprecedented and exclusive run on IMAX screens across the country. According to reports from Bollywood Hungama, the film has amassed roughly 167 crore in total net collections, with a massive 74 crore coming solely from IMAX shows. This historic hold was made possible by the film's extraordinary reception, but the exclusivity is finally coming to an end this Independence Day weekend. Starting Friday, August 14, The Odyssey will begin sharing the IMAX format with the Anne Hathaway-starrer, The End Of Oak Street. As reported by Bollywood Hungama, the transition is expected to be smooth as both films are being handled by the same distribution team at Warner Bros in India. The strategy involves allocating two prime-time IMAX slots to the new dinosaur-themed spectacle, while the remaining three or four daily shows will continue to be held by the Nolan directorial. This ensures that the long-standing blockbuster still remains accessible to those who missed out on the initial weeks of its premium run. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The distribution team is reportedly being quite strategic with its demands for regular 2D screens as well. Recognizing the heavy competition from the two major Hindi releases, Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2, they are keeping their requirements reasonable. For cinemas with three screens, the Hollywood newcomer is asking for just two shows, while theaters with four or more screens are expected to provide about three shows. For 4DX and IMAX formats, the requirement remains fixed at two shows per day, allowing local content to breathe during the busy holiday window. In a surprising move for moviegoers today, August 11, both The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are expected to see a massive spike in footfalls due to the Tuesday ticket offers. For the first time since its blockbuster release, Spider-Man has joined the discounted pricing scheme. Audiences can now find tickets for the superhero film in the range of 150 to 200 rupees for regular shows, with premium PXL screens priced at roughly 250 rupees. This is a significant change from last week when the film opted out of discounts due to its peak demand. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Perhaps the most noteworthy highlight for Tuesday is the pricing for The Odyssey. While the film has previously participated in regular screen discounts, its IMAX version is being offered at reduced rates for the very first time. Most IMAX theaters are currently selling tickets between 300 and 500 rupees. This rare move has resulted in extraordinary occupancy levels for the IMAX format today, as fans rush to experience the film on the biggest screens possible at nearly half the usual price. As the market prepares for a crowded August 14, these tactical discounts are helping the current titles maintain their momentum against the upcoming wave of new releases.