Indian production house Maddock Films’ “Param Sundari,” a cross-cultural romance starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, is set for theatrical release on July 25, 2025. The film, directed by Tushar Jalota (“Dasvi”), centers on a love story between a North Indian protagonist (Malhotra) and a South Indian character (Kapoor), filmed in Kerala. The film “promises […]

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan is embracing the larger-than-life cinema style of South India with his upcoming Christmas release “Baby John,” a film that had him studying the iconic mannerisms of superstar Rajinikanth in preparation for his role. Speaking with Variety ahead of the film’s December 25 release, Dhawan explains his attraction to the project, which […]

Shyam Benegal, a pivotal figure in Indian cinema known for his incisive and socially conscious storytelling, died on Monday in Mumbai following a chronic kidney ailment, his daughter confirmed to India Today. He was 90. His career, spanning over five decades, left an indelible mark on the film industry, blending art with activism and bridging […]

Sony Pictures has partnered with Studio CHIZU and Nippon TV to co-produce and co-finance “Scarlet,” the new animated feature from Academy Award-nominated Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda. The film will receive global distribution through Sony Pictures, with a U.S. theatrical release planned for winter 2025. Toho will handle Japanese theatrical distribution. The collaboration marks Sony Pictures’ […]

Local hit “The Firefighters” continued to lead the South Korean box office above a brace of Disney titles. In its third weekend, “The Firefighters” remained in the top spot with a $3.3 million gross, 510,975 admissions and a 35.4% market share, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. The […]

Prime Video will debut the second season of hit Indian crime series “Paatal Lok” in January. The neo-noir drama, which explores India’s social hierarchies through a criminal justice lens, returns with lead actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh and Gul Panag, joined by new cast members Tillotama Shome, Nagesh Kukunoor and Jahnu Barua. The eight-episode season […]

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” debuted in pole position at the mainland China box office ending the four-week reign of “Her Story” at the top. Data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway showed “Mufasa: The Lion King” bowing with RMB56.1 million ($8 million). In second place, superstar Donnie Yen‘s Hong Kong action-drama “The Prosecutor” from Maoyan Pictures […]

Indian cinema star Tabu plays a pivotal role in the “Dune” universe in Max’s prequel series “Dune: Prophecy,” appearing as Sister Francesca in the final two episodes. Inspired by “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the series is set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune” and follows two Harkonnen sisters […]

One of the biggest underdogs of the Oscars international shortlist is a Thai feature debut, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” which has been a huge box office across Asia but has, up until now, been mostly under the radar in the U.S. and Europe. Directed by Pat Boonnitipat, “How to Make Millions Before […]

Indian production house Maddock Films, led by Dinesh Vijan, has delivered a series of successful genre films in 2024, including the breakout horror-comedy “Munjya” and the franchise continuation “Stree 2.” The studio began the year with hit sci-fi rom-com “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” where Kriti Sanon plays SIFRA (Super Intelligent Female Robot Automation), […]

The Japan Foundation is bringing a thematic exploration of justice and morality to U.K. screens, featuring premieres of new Japanese releases alongside retrospective screenings. Titled “Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema,” the lineup includes “The Moon” (2023), directed by Yuya Ishii, which tackles institutional abuse through the story of a former […]

The supernatural mystery series “Light Shop” has become Disney+’s biggest Korean original premiere of 2024, according to data from its first 12 days of streaming. The show ranks as the second-largest Korean series debut ever on the platform globally, trailing only “Moving” – both series created by webtoon artist Kangfull. This success follows Disney+’s November […]

Media tech investment firm Stars Collective and visual effects powerhouse DNEG are joining forces to bring immersive theater experiences to the Chinese market. The partnership aims to develop, produce and operate virtual reality and immersive theater venues across China, with plans to expand into Southeast Asia and North America. DNEG, the seven-time Oscar-winning VFX house […]

The genre-blending anime series “Dan Da Dan” will return for its second season on Crunchyroll in July 2025, following Thursday’s Season 1 finale. Science SARU, the animation studio behind “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” unveiled a new key visual for the sophomore season that centers on the character Jiji under the watchful gaze of the mysterious […]

Saudi actor and stand-up comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj recently became the kingdom’s biggest box office draw as protagonist of groundbreaking comedy “Sattar” in which he played a man whose floundering personal and professional life prompts him to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a freestyle wrestler.  As a followup, Al Hajjaj will next star in […]

FESTIVAL FLOURISHES BookMyShow‘s Red Lorry Film Festival has landed two Academy Award-shortlisted films to anchor its sophomore edition, set for March 21-23, in Mumbai and Hyderabad. “Hollywoodgate,” from the producers of “Navalny,” shortlisted for documentary feature, offers an on-the-ground examination of Taliban-ruled Kabul. “Universal Language,” contending in the international feature category, presents an absurdist comedy-drama […]

Former tennis pro-turned-producer Ashok Amritraj is expanding his entertainment portfolio into sports, as his Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Terra Invest have acquired the Delhi franchise in the World Pickleball League (WPBL). The deal, executed through Smashers Sports, marks a strategic entry into India’s evolving sports entertainment landscape. Amritraj, whose Hollywood producing career has generated […]

Annapurna Studios’ upcoming Indian action drama “Dacoit” has cast Mrunal Thakur (“Sita Ramam”) as the female lead opposite Adivi Sesh (“Major”). The film, which marks the directorial debut of Shaneil Deo, follows an angry convict plotting revenge against his former girlfriend who betrayed him. The project, produced by Supriya Yarlagadda and co-produced by Suniel Narang, […]

One of the darkest chapters in South Korean history is chronicled in “12.12: The Day,” a riveting account of the coup d’état of the 1979 coup d’état that followed the Oct. 26 assassination of authoritarian president Park Chung-hee. Meticulously written and very well-performed by a top-notch cast including Hwang Jung-min (“Deliver Us From Evil”), the […]