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Squid Game Season 2 Shatters Netflix Records with Unprecedented Viewership
Rtv News
03 Jan 2025, 18:37
Photo: Netflix
The highly anticipated second season of Netflix's global phenomenon Squid Game has made history, smashing streaming records within its first 24 hours of release. According to Netflix, the season amassed over 50 million views worldwide, making it the most-watched Netflix original in the platform's history.
The Korean survival series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, captivated audiences in 2021 with its intense storyline and gripping social commentary. Season 2, which delves deeper into the lives of the game's masterminds and introduces a fresh set of competitors, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans and critics alike.
Netflix reported that Squid Game Season 2 reached the top spot in over 90 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. The premiere episode alone accumulated more than 200 million hours viewed, eclipsing the previous record set by Stranger Things 4.
"We are thrilled by the global response to Squid Game Season 2," said Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix. "Hwang Dong-hyuk's visionary storytelling continues to resonate with audiences across cultures, proving the power of compelling narratives."
Social media platforms were ablaze with discussions about the new season. Hashtags like #SquidGame2 and #RedLightGreenLight2 quickly trended on Twitter, with fans sharing their excitement and dissecting plot twists.
Critics praised the season for its bold narrative choices and expanded world-building. Rolling Stone described it as "a masterclass in tension and storytelling," while Variety lauded its "unparalleled ability to shock and engage."
Beyond its entertainment value, Squid Game has significantly influenced pop culture and the economy. The series has spurred merchandise sales, inspired countless Halloween costumes, and boosted interest in Korean cinema and TV globally.
With Squid Game Season 2 setting a new benchmark, Netflix has cemented its place as a dominant force in the streaming wars, while audiences eagerly await what's next in this gripping saga.
Although Netflix has not confirmed plans for a third season, Hwang Dong-hyuk hinted in a recent interview that the Squid Game universe still has "many stories left to tell."
For now, fans can revel in the high-stakes drama and unpredictable twists that have made Squid Game a cultural juggernaut.
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Mehazabien's 'Priyo Maloti': Celebrities Reaction After Watching
Popular actress Mehazabien Chowdhury has already gifted audiences with numerous hit dramas in her career. She has also won the hearts of viewers with her acting prowess in web films. On December 20 this year, Mehazabien's Priyo Maloti was released. Making her big-screen debut, the actress immediately grabs the attention of cinema lovers.
Not only the audience but also stars have been mesmerized by Mehazabien's performance in Priyo Maloti, directed by Shankha Dasgupta. After watching her performance, many celebrities have remarked, "Why didn't Mehazabien come to films earlier?" Senior stars are all praise for the actress.
Before stepping onto the big screen, Mehazabien had been developing her skills. During this journey, she was mentored by actress and director Afsana Mimi. Grateful for her guidance, Mehazabien addressed her mentor as "guru." She learned the intricacies of acting and dialogue delivery under Mimi's tutelage.
Afsana Mimi attended the premiere of Mehazabien's debut film, 'Priyo Maloti'. When asked about Mehazabien's performance on the big screen, she said, "Not only well, she did exceptionally well."
Actress Nusrat Imroz Tisha extended her heartfelt congratulations to Mehazabien. She also thanked the director and the entire team of Priyo Maloti for presenting such a beautiful film.
Jaya Ahsan, overwhelmed with affection, embraced Mehazabien warmly. After watching the film, she shared with the media, "Many have been saying, why didn't Mehazabien come to films earlier? I believe she waited because she wanted to deliver such a mature performance."
From Bijori Barkatullah to director Raihan Rafi, Toma Mirza, Raka Nawshin Nawar, Runa Khan, Nabila, Intekhab Dinar, Sohel Mondol, Syed Ahmed Shawki, and producer Shahriar Shakil—all have congratulated Mehazabien and the Priyo Maloti team.
Meanwhile, Priyo Maloti has already been shown at the Cairo International Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India. Officially selected for these prestigious festivals, the film has garnered widespread acclaim. Set entirely in a local context, it resonated deeply even with international audiences.
Notably, apart from Mehazabien, the film stars Rizvi Riju, Anisul Haque Barun, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Nader Chowdhury among others. Priyo Maloti narrates the story of everyday life, portraying the struggles of a middle-class woman, a role Mehazabien masterfully embodied.
Tamannaah Bhatia Shines in a Year of Cinematic Evolution
Tamannaah Bhatia, one of 2023’s most celebrated actresses, reflects on a year of triumphs and challenges. Her Tamil film Aranmanai crossed ₹100 crore, a rare feat for a regional, female-centric film without dubbing. Simultaneously, her role in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has garnered widespread acclaim. “I’m enjoying both OTT and theatrical platforms and feel fortunate for these opportunities,” she shared.
While thriving in South Indian cinema, Tamannaah admits Bollywood hasn’t given her due opportunities. However, she expressed gratitude to Neeraj Pandey for casting her in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, where she transformed herself to portray Kamini Singh. “It’s a team effort, and success belongs to everyone,” she added, emphasizing the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Known for her versatility, Tamannaah balances glamorous roles like Aaj Ki Raat with de-glamorized performances. She prioritizes strong scripts paired with visionary directors, choosing projects that resonate with her as both an actor and a viewer.
Tamannaah observes that storytelling has evolved post-COVID, with technology playing a larger role. Rejecting claims of poor OTT content, she revealed completing a Telugu film and a web series with Diana Penty. On the ever-popular topic of marriage, she laughed, “I’m doing just fine. Why bring up marriage again?”
Tamannaah’s journey exemplifies resilience, ambition, and versatility.
Bollywood's Most Talked-About Weddings in 2024
As the world gears up to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the New Year, the festive spirit is in full swing. From the start of the year to its end, several stars in Bollywood tied the knot, making headlines with their grand or intimate wedding celebrations. Here's a look at some of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of the year.
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal
On June 23, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal began their new chapter together after seven years of dating. The announcement of their wedding sparked a controversy about the actress's religion, as Sonakshi is Hindu and Zaheer is Muslim. However, the couple chose to marry through a civil ceremony, not adhering to any religious rituals.
For their special day, Sonakshi wore a white ensemble sent from Zaheer’s family home, while Zaheer wored a white kurta-pajama. The reception, held at 8 pm, followed a strict dress code, asking guests to avoid red. Sonakshi wore a stunning red Banarasi saree, and Zaheer complemented her in an off-white kurta set.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant
Anant Ambani, son of India's billionaire Mukesh Ambani, married Radhika Merchant, daughter of businessman Viren Merchant, on July 12 in a grand Gujarati ceremony. Their relationship began during college and culminated in marriage after two pre-wedding ceremonies.
Radhika stunned in an ivory lehenga, while Anant opted for a pastel-toned outfit. Their wedding saw a star-studded guest list featuring Bollywood, cricket stars, business tycoons, politicians, and even Hollywood celebrities.
The Ambanis went all out for the event, chartering three Falcon 2000 jets for international guests, costing ₹7.2 lakh per hour, and deploying 100 private jets for three days. The catering was equally opulent, leaving everyone awestruck.
Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala
Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala tied the knot on December 4 in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. The wedding was held at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, adhering to South Indian traditions.
Sobhita dazzled in a golden silk saree paired with traditional jewellery and floral hair, while Naga opted for a beige dhoti-kurta set with a matching scarf. The couple’s relationship made headlines after Naga's divorce from Samantha Ruth Prabhu in 2021. Despite rumours, the couple never publicly acknowledged their romance until their marriage.
Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani
Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani got married on February 21 in a lavish ceremony in Goa. The festivities included sangeet, mehendi, and haldi, leading up to their wedding.
Interestingly, the couple married twice — first in a Sikh ceremony, reflecting Rakul's faith, and then following Sindhi rituals for Jackky’s heritage. Rakul looked radiant in a pastel pink lehenga, while Jackky chose an off-white sherwani. Their relationship became public in 2022 when Jackky shared a heartfelt post on Rakul’s birthday.
Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare
On January 3, Ira Khan, daughter of Aamir Khan, married Nupur Shikhare in a simple civil ceremony, followed by a grand celebration in Udaipur on January 8. The Mumbai reception on January 13 was attended by numerous Bollywood celebrities. The couple had been together for three years.
Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth
Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth married on September 16, following South Indian traditions. Both were entering their second marriages, with Aditi previously married to Satyadeep Mishra and Siddharth to Meghna. Their love story began in 2021 on the sets of Maha Samudram.
Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda
Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda tied the knot on March 15 at ITC Grand in Delhi. The couple, who started dating in 2019 after meeting on the sets of Veerey Ki Wedding, celebrated their love after four years of courtship.
Each of these weddings showed a blend of love, tradition, and grandeur, making 2024 a memorable year in Bollywood's wedding chronicles.
Marzuk Russell Reveals the Reason for Not Getting Married
Marzuk Russell is both a lyricist and an actor. He prefers to live life on his own terms. In his kingdom, he is like a king! He speaks, writes, and lives the way he wants. He has his unique language, different from everyone else.
The personal life of a lyricist and actor often influences young people. Along with this, there is a lot of curiosity among his fans. One such curiosity is why he has remained unmarried. Recently, Marzuk spoke openly about this issue in an interview with a media outlet.
It has been heard that he had a relationship with a young girl named Zerin. Later, she married and settled down, but he did not. Did this romance make him reluctant to get married? Does he not want to settle down?
In response to this question, Marzuk, in his usual manner, said, "It was one-sided, from my side. In my teenage years, nature made me indulge in this madness. Married life and family life are not the same. One can live alone and still have a family. Even when living far away and alone, I am not against marriage—our family includes my grandmother, mother, sister, and brother. I first tried to get married in 1996, but it didn't work out. If the match doesn't happen, I am not interested in forcing a match according to social norms.
Recently, the political satire film 840 was released, in which Marzuk Russell has acted. The film is directed by Mostafa Sarwar Farooki.
World's Most Expensive Reality Show Cost $100 Million; Winner Gets Private Island
The most expensive reality show in history has over a thousand contestants a grand prize of over $5 million and a private island.
Squid Game became a cultural phenomenon when it was released on Netflix in 2021. The Korean thriller was based on a fictitious game show that pitted financially struggling people in deadly situations for the entertainment of the elite. While Squid Game was a comment on commercialism and capitalism, it ironically spawned real-life game shows along the same lines. Of them, one emerged as a $100-million behemoth, becoming the most expensive reality television show in history.
The most expensive reality show ever
YouTuber Mr Beast took his viral challenges into the streaming world with his first reality TV game show, Beast Games. Made along the same lines as the challenges from Squid Game, Beast Games is the biggest reality show in the world. As per The Business Insider, the YouTuber invested $100 million of his own money to produce the massive show. This cost does not include the prize money of $5 million, along with a Lamborghini and a private island. Mr Beast's show is head and shoulders clear of other reality TV shows, such as WMAC Masters, which cost $11 million to make (back in 1995). In fact, Beast Games' budget even exceeds many of the biggest television series globally, including Squid Game ($22 million), Game of Thrones ($50 million), and The Last of Us ($90-100 million).
How Beast Games broke 50 world records
Beast Games has been a record-breaking TV show in more ways than one. Not only does it hold the record for being the most expensive reality TV show ever, but it is also the game show with the highest prize money (above $5 million). In a promo for the show, the creator revealed some of the other records the show had broken and emphasised that the Guinness Book of World Records recognised a total of 50 records that the show had broken.
About Beast Games
Beast Games is a competition series that began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on December 19. Created by Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr Beast, the show gives contestants a chance to win huge amounts of money through challenges. The difference from Squid Game is that there is no threat of death here. In each episode, one member is offered an opportunity to quit the show on the spot and get given $80,000, but as a consequence, the rest of their row is eliminated, too. The first season comprises ten episodes, which will drop weekly.
2024: A Challenging Year for Global Cinema
The year 2024 has been a challenging one for Hollywood, particularly for superhero films. Despite high expectations, major releases like Madame Web, Joker 2, and Venom: The Last Dance failed to resonate with audiences or achieve significant box office success.
Even Deadpool and Wolverine, a collaboration of iconic characters, fell short of industry buzz. The consistent underperformance highlights a growing audience fatigue with repetitive superhero narratives, signaling an urgent need for fresh ideas and creative storytelling.
Hollywood’s struggles extended beyond superheroes, as summer blockbusters such as Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga also disappointed. However, animated films became the industry's saving grace. Movies like Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and Despicable Me 4 performed remarkably well, especially in South and Southeast Asian markets, where they grossed significant revenue.
On the other hand, global cinema flourished. Sean Baker’s Anora earned the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes, breaking a 13-year streak of European dominance in the category. The film, centered on the life of a sex worker, also propelled actress Mikey Madison to stardom.
French-Mexican crime comedy Emilia Perez dominated award circuits, receiving the most Golden Globe nominations. Indian cinema shone brightly with All You Imagine As Light, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, while Korea’s Exhuma became the highest-grossing Korean film of the year.
Hollywood’s Top Grossers of 2024:
Inside Out 2
Deadpool and Wolverine
Wicked
Moana 2
Despicable Me 4
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Dune 2
Twisters
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Kung Fu Panda 4
Top Global Non-English Films:
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
The Count of Monte Cristo
Emilia Perez
Varmingleo
All You Imagine As Light
Exhuma
182 Beyond Youthful Days*
A Part of You
I Am Still Here
The Girl with the Needle
While Hollywood faced a creativity crisis in 2024, global cinema demonstrated its vitality, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and earning acclaim worldwide. This year highlighted the shifting balance in the entertainment industry, where diversity and innovation are the new keys to success.
A Hollywood Saga Ends: / Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Settle Divorce After 8 Years
Hollywood powerhouses Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have finally reached a settlement, bringing an end to their protracted and highly publicized divorce proceedings. After eight years of legal wrangling, Jolie’s attorney confirmed that the agreement resolves the long-standing disputes that have kept the case in limbo since 2016.
The couple’s separation had been marred by disagreements over child custody, division of assets, and other issues, which significantly prolonged the divorce process. Now, with the settlement in place, the conclusion of their divorce is imminent, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in their lives.
Jolie and Pitt’s relationship began on the set of the iconic film Mr. & Mrs. Smith, where their on-screen chemistry translated into real-life romance. After nine years together, they married in 2014, only to announce their separation two years later in 2016.
The former couple shares six children: Maddox (21), Pax (19), Zahara (18), Shiloh (17), and 14-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. Despite their separation, the resolution of this legal battle offers hope for smoother co-parenting and a fresh start for both Jolie and Pitt. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities behind the glamour of Hollywood.
