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Ram Charan's 'Game Changer' Set to Revolutionize Box Office Standards
Entertainment Desk
08 Jan 2025, 13:06
Photo: Collected
After the global success of RRR, South Indian superstar Ram Charan is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated film Game Changer, slated to hit theaters on January 10, 2025. Directed by renowned filmmaker S. Shankar, this political drama promises a visual spectacle, with Ram Charan taking on dual roles for the first time.
Interestingly, despite his soaring popularity after RRR, Ram Charan reduced his fee for Game Changer to ₹65 crore from his usual ₹100 crore. Reports suggest that the delay in completing the film’s shoot within the scheduled timeframe led the actor to make this decision. Director S. Shankar charged ₹35 crore, while co-star Kiara Advani reportedly earned between ₹5 crore and ₹7 crore for her role.
The film, produced with a staggering budget of ₹450 crore, is set to be one of the most expensive productions in Indian cinema. A significant portion of the budget—₹75 crore—was allocated to filming four elaborate songs.
"Jayarante," choreographed by Prabhu Deva, involved 600 dancers and took 13 days to complete, while "Macha Macha," choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, featured over 1,000 dancers.
The song "Nana Hayrana," shot in New Zealand, is the first Indian song to use infrared camera technology, and "Dhop Me" showcased the talents of 100 Russian dancers.
With its innovative techniques, grand scale, and Ram Charan’s electrifying presence, Game Changer is poised to be one of 2025’s most talked-about films, blending drama, action, and spectacle into an unforgettable cinematic experience.
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Renowned Rabindra Sangeet Artist Papia Sarwar Passes Away
Ekushey Padak-winning Rabindra Sangeet artist Papia Sarwar has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Her husband, Sarwar A. Alam, confirmed that she breathed her last on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at Impulse Hospital in Dhaka.
It was reported that Papia Sarwar had been suffering from cancer for an extended period. She had been receiving treatment for the past four days at a private hospital in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Prior to this, she was under medical care at another hospital in the Bashundhara Residential Area of the capital.
Born in Barisal, Papia Sarwar studied zoology at University of Dhaka before pursuing a degree in Rabindra Sangeet at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, India, on a scholarship from the Indian government.
She also received training in music from eminent personalities such as Wahidul Haq, Sanjida Khatun, and Zahedur Rahim at Chhayanaut. While her primary focus was on Rabindra Sangeet, she also performed modern songs.
Her rendition of the song "Nai Telephone Nai Re Pion Nai Re Telegram" gained widespread popularity across the country. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Rabindra Award from Bangla Academy in 2013 and the Ekushey Padak, a prestigious state honor, in 2021.
Ishaan Khatter Ranks as IMDb’s Most Popular Star of 2024
Ishan Khattar has surged to the top of IMDb’s list of the most popular Indian stars in 2024, marking a standout year for the 29-year-old actor. Known for his role in the Hollywood series The Perfect Couple, Ishan has gained international recognition, surpassing Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Prabhas in the rankings.
Ishan’s career began in 2017 with Beyond the Clouds, but it was his roles in both Bollywood and Hollywood that helped elevate his popularity. His appearance in The Perfect Couple, a popular Hollywood series, has catapulted him into the limelight globally, making him a household name. His success this year has pushed him ahead of Bollywood stalwarts like Shah Rukh Khan, who had no major releases after Jawan and Dunki, and Prabhas, despite the success of Kalki 2898 AD.
The top 10 list of IMDb’s most popular stars also features a strong presence of female talent, with Tripti Dimri leading the charge thanks to her roles in Animal and Bhul Bhulaiyaa 3. Deepika Padukone, Sabita Dhulipala, and Sharbari also made it to the list.
Ishan’s rise signals a shift in the industry, as fresh faces and international projects are increasingly capturing the public’s attention, reshaping the landscape of Indian cinema.
Poet Helal Hafiz Passes Away
Helal Hafiz, a Poet of love and rebellion, passed away on Friday (December 13) afternoon.
He was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital where doctors declared him dead. He was 76 years old. The news of his death was confirmed by Udichi's Konkan Nag Kabir.
BSMMU authorities stated that around 2:30 pm on Friday, Helal Hafiz fell in the bathroom of Super Home in Shahbagh, Dhaka, causing bleeding. He was rushed to BSMMU Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
It has been reported that Helal Hafiz had been suffering from glaucoma for a long time along with kidney complications, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
Helal Hafiz was born on October 7, 1948 in Netrokona. His first poetry collection: Je Jole Agun Jole (The Water That Burns), was published in 1986. The book has been printed over 33 times to date. In addition to his writing, Helal Hafiz worked as a journalist for a long time with various newspapers, including Daily Jugantor. After the publication of his first poetry collection in 1986, he rose to the pinnacle of popularity.
During the anti-authoritarian movement in the country, the lines from Helal Hafiz's poem Nishiddho Sampadokiyo (Banned Editorial) — "Ekhon Joubon Jar, Michhiley Jabar Tar Shreshtho Shomoy" (Now is the prime time for those in their youth to join the procession) — became rallying cries, slogans, and cherished words among poetry lovers.
In 2013, he received the Bangla Academy Award. Before that, he was honored with the Khalekdad Chowdhury Award and several other recognitions.
Accident Injures Apurba, Pavel, Tasnia Farin
Kajol Arefin Ome is a prominent name in the country's television industry. He gained popularity among the audience with the series Bachelor Point. Beyond Bachelor Point, he has directed numerous single-episode dramas, drama series, and web series. Currently, the director is working on a web film titled How Sweet.
During the shooting of How Sweet, actors Apurba, Pavel, and Tasnia Farin were injured in a scooter accident. Kajol Arefin Ami confirmed the news through a post on social media.
In the post, he wrote: "Unfortunately, during the shooting of a scene for How Sweet, a scooter accident occurred. In the incident, Pavel, Tasnia Farin, and Apurba were slightly injured."
He further stated, "We immediately went to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that Pavel, Farin, and Apurba are now completely out of danger. For now, they are under hospital observation. We will soon return to regular work. Please keep us in your prayers."
Fans and followers expressed their wishes for a speedy recovery in the comment section. One fan wrote:
"I pray that your entire team recovers quickly and presents us with an excellent project."
Another commented: "Fi Amanillah (May you be in God's care). Best wishes to everyone."
Apart from Apurba and Farin, the web film also features actors such as Bachchu and Shimul Sharma, among others.
Why Was ‘Pushpa 2’ Not Released in Bengali?
The Telugu blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule has taken the global box office by storm, raking in nearly ₹1,500 crores within just nine days. Packed with action, twists, romance, and surprises, the film has fans raving and is already being hailed as the best of the year—possibly on its way to becoming one of the most successful films of all time.
The plan was to release Pushpa 2 not only in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam but also in Bengali. Trailers and songs in Bengali were released before its theatrical debut, featuring voiceovers by renowned artists like Shreya and others. But despite all the preparations, the Bengali version never saw the light of day. The big question remains: why was Pushpa 2 not released in Bengali after everything was ready?
Reports suggest that the Bengali dubbing was completed by December 2, with a team of top-tier voice artists from Kolkata and screenplay adaptation by renowned poet Srijato. Some artists even faced health challenges due to the workload and tight deadlines.
The film was scheduled to release in theaters on December 5, with extensive preparations in place. However, when the Bengali-dubbed version failed to release, it left the dubbing artists particularly frustrated.
Cinema hall owners claim that Bengali audiences prefer watching Hindi films over Bengali-dubbed versions, making it less viable for them. Releasing a film in an additional language also demands extra resources, both in terms of labor and marketing.
Additionally, some groups within India allegedly oppose the dubbing of South Indian films in Bengali, citing concerns about disrupting the local market. As a result, Pushpa 2's Bengali release was shelved at the last moment, raising doubts about whether future big-budget films will even consider Bengali versions.
Neither the film’s director nor the producers have commented on the issue yet. Fans, however, remain hopeful that if not in theaters, they might eventually get to watch the Bengali-dubbed version on OTT platforms, featuring South Indian superstars Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna.
Nikhil Divorced Nusrat, Fell in Love Again
In 2019, Nusrat Jahan, the popular actress from West Bengal tied the knot in a dream wedding with Nikhil Jain in Bodrum, Turkey. The event was a global spectacle. However, their marriage faced turbulence within a year and ended in separation.
Post their split, Nikhil Jain, Nusrat Jahan's ex-husband, is reportedly in a happy relationship with actress Souraseni. Speculations about their romance have been circulating since last year. After keeping their relationship under wraps for a long time, the couple made their bond public on Nikhil's birthday.
From attending a friend's engagement ceremony together to driving through the city streets, Souraseni has been a constant companion to Nikhil. Industry insiders frequently whisper about their budding romance, although neither Nikhil nor Souraseni has officially commented on the matter.
Their relationship appears to have evolved from a professional partnership to a personal one. Souraseni's social media posts on Nikhil's birthday hinted at their close bond. Now, their romance is gradually coming to light.
Recently, the duo was spotted together at a friend's engagement ceremony. Additionally, Souraseni has been seen partying with Nikhil and even riding in his luxurious red car. Their chemistry seems to be growing stronger day by day.
On Nikhil's birthday, Souraseni posted several pictures and wrote, "Let this cycle of arguments and reconciliations continue. Happy Birthday, NJ."
Since then, Nikhil and Souraseni have been seen together frequently. Earlier, they were spotted watching a game at Eden Gardens.
It's worth mentioning that legal marriage never occurred between Nikhil and Nusrat, which explains why their union was referred to as a live-in relationship.
Meanwhile, Nusrat Jahan is happily settled with Yash Dasgupta, with whom she shares a son. On the other hand, Nikhil seems to have found his footing in life, focusing on his business and embracing a new chapter with Souraseni.
Legendary Musician Ustad Zakir Hussain Dies at 73
Grammy Award-winning Indian musician Zakir Hussain died in San Francisco on Sunday night, his family said. The 73-year-old tabla maestro had been in a hospital due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease, according to his family.
At the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year, Hussain had won three awards, to add to his previous two wins. "It was a great day for India at the Grammys and I'm proud to be carrying the national flag," he posted on Instagram after his win.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, his daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
The making of a maestro
Born in Mumbai in 1951, Hussain was the eldest son of renowned tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha. Hussain earned global acclaim as one of the greatest tabla players of his generation during a career spanning over six decades.
His legacy includes collaborations with Indian legends like Ravi Shankar and Shivkumar Sharma, as well as global icons such as Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, and George Harrison.
In 1973, his groundbreaking collaboration with musicians John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and TH 'Vikku' Vinayakram introduced the world to a fusion of Indian classical and jazz.
Through these partnerships, he brought Indian classical music to a global audience.
In India, the maestro was a recipient of some of the country's highest civilian accolades, including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023).
