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Entertainment / The Times of India
Stranger Things' highly anticipated series finale has ignited a firestorm of online criticism, with many fans drawing parallels to Game of Thrones' divisive conclusion. Viewers expressed disappointment over the handling of the final conflict, pacing, and emotional payoff, feeling years of buildup were squandered.
Renowned violinist Brian King Joseph has taken legal action against Will Smith and his production company, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed after disclosing a sexual assault during the 'Based on a True Story' tour. Joseph accuses Smith of engaging in predatory conduct and exploiting his position. Read on to know more.
Bollywood's beloved couple, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, ushered in 2026 with a joyous New Year's Eve celebration in the US. Spotted enjoying a low-key party at a Victorian-style bistro with fans, the duo radiated happiness.
Kannada film '45', starring Upendra and Shiva Rajkumar, has experienced a slow box office run, collecting Rs 13.45 crore net in India after seven days. The film's worldwide gross stands at Rs 15.85 crore. Occupancy rates dipped to 11.24% on December 31. The movie's narrative explores a software engineer's unsettling obsession with death after a near-fatal accident.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar is taking legal action against a fake AI-generated video circulating online. The video falsely depicts him, an atheist, claiming to have turned to God. Akhtar expressed his rage and disappointment, warning of consequences for those involved in creating and spreading the misinformation.
Nick Jonas kicked off the new year with his solo release, 'Gut Punch,' which has been met with significant fan appreciation. His wife, Priyanka Chopra, showed her support by sharing the song and a simple 'wow,' reinforcing their strong couple goals. 'Agnipath' co-star Hrithik Roshan also expressed his admiration for the track.
Dileep's film 'Bha. Bha. Ba.' is experiencing a significant box office decline, with collections dropping sharply. After a promising start, the mass spoof movie only managed to earn Rs 15 lakhs on its 14th day, bringing the total India net collection to Rs 23.10 crores. The film also saw very low theater occupancy on December 31.
From Marvel giving fans the long-awaited reset with 'Avengers: Doomsday' to Denis Villeneuves final trek across Arrakis in 'Dune Part 3', to Christopher Nolan taking a trip back in time with 'The Odyssey', heres a look at the blockbusters set to shake up the box office.
Nivin Pauly's horror comedy 'Sarvam Maya' is a resounding success, crossing 35 crores in India net collection within eight days. The film has seen strong audience support and impressive weekday occupancy, with early estimates for day 8 showing a significant jump. This marks a welcome return to form for the actor, delighting fans.
Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' has shattered box office records, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film ever with a monumental Rs 1,136.75 crore worldwide. The spy thriller achieved a historic Rs 100 crore in its fourth week, outperforming new releases and setting new benchmarks for Bollywood. Its unprecedented run continues to dominate screens.
Agastya Nanda has made a sensational entrance into the film industry with 'Ikkis', a powerful biopic centered on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, which amassed an impressive Rs 7 crore on its opening day. This stirring war drama also marks the last performance of legendary actor Dharmendra, drawing in a 31.94% audience occupancy across Hindi theaters.
Mohanlal's epic film 'Vrusshabha' is facing a significant box office struggle, garnering a mere Rs 2.16 crores worldwide after seven days. The film's performance across Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada versions remains exceptionally weak, failing to meet expectations despite makers' claims of quality and grand vision. This disappointing run has left fans and industry watchers concerned.
After nearly a decade, Stranger Things ends with a finale that has left fans sharply divided. Some praised its emotional closure and character focus, others criticised its predictability, pacing, and unresolved arcs. The result is an ending that feels less definitive than debated, prompting arguments about risk, payoff, and what this story ultimately chose to prioritise.
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After making headlines for his controversial exit from Drishyam 3, Akshaye Khanna has now shifted focus to his upcoming mythological epic Mahakali. The actor, who is currently riding high on the success of his spy actioner Dhurandhar, has joined the sets of the film, marking his official Telugu debut.
Farhan Akhtars Don 3 is currently going through a phase of internal recalibration. After the exits of Kiara Advani and Vikrant Massey, the makers are reassessing key roles in the film as they work toward stabilising the long-awaited third instalment of the iconic franchise. Sources now indicate that Farhan Akhtar has initiated conversations with Rajat Bedi for an important part that was earlier being developed for Vikrant Massey.
Nearly a month after its release, Dhurandhar continues to defy conventional box office trends. The Aditya Dhardirected action spy thriller, led by Ranveer Singh, has delivered a sustained run rarely seen in Hindi cinema, pushing its India net collection to Rs 739.82 crore in just 28 days from its Hindi release.
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What was meant to be a celebratory end to 2025 took a troubling turn for singercomposer duo SachetParampara after their New Years Eve performance in Balurghat, West Bengal. As Sachet Tandon and Parampara Thakur attempted to leave the venue, a large crowd surrounded their vehicle, leading to a chaotic situation that culminated in the cars rear windshield being smashed.
What began as a New Year celebration post quickly turned into a special moment for fans of Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. On Thursday, Anil Kapoor shared a set of pictures from the familys New Year 2026 celebrations, and one image in particular caught everyones attentiona radiant Sonam proudly flaunting her baby bump.
Dhurandhar may be fronted by Ranveer Singh, but it is Akshaye Khanna who has emerged as the films most talked-about performer. In a film packed with seasoned actors like Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Rakesh Bedi, Khannas restrained yet menacing turn as Rehman Dakait has stood out.
Ankit Sakhiya's Gujarati film 'Laalo Krishna Sada Sahaayate', a spiritual drama that made history by crossing Rs 100 crore, is set for a Hindi release as 'Laala'. The film, which features a humble man facing a crisis with divine intervention from Lord Krishna, has garnered immense appreciation.
Zahan Kapoor, whose outstanding performance in 'Black Warrant' has garnered worldwide recognition, finds himself in a curious situation where acclaim hasnt yet resulted in fresh projects. He conveys his heartfelt appreciation for the praise received, while also pointing out the industrys slow pace of work.
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Akshay Kumar's niece, Simar Bhatia, makes her acting debut in 'Ikkis', released on January 1, 2026. She expressed gratitude to her family, teachers, director Sriram Raghavan, and co-star Agastya Nanda for their support. For Bhatia, 'Ikkis' represents the realization of a long-held dream and a chance to pursue her passion for cinema.
Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal once faced a surprising arrest while working as an assistant director for Anurag Kashyap. The 'Gangs of Wasseypur' crew was shooting without permission at a site used for illegal sand mining, leading to their detention. Fortunately, Kaushal's time behind bars was short, a stark contrast to his current success in films like 'Uri' and 'Sam Bahadur'.
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Telugu actor Teja Sajja looks back at 2025 as an adventurous year. His film 'Mirai' was a highlight. He feels peaceful now. Sajja's stardom has grown after 'HanuMan' and 'Mirai'. He remains grounded, living the same way. He believes he is new to having fans and needs to prove himself further.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma ushered in 2026 with a glamorous New Year's Eve celebration in Dubai. The star couple, known for their privacy, shared a rare, loved-up picture, with Virat sporting a Spider-Man tattoo and Anushka a butterfly design. Dressed impeccably, they captivated fans with their radiant smiles, marking a memorable start to the year.
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In a moment of introspection, Kriti Sanon marked the end of 2025 with a poignant Instagram post, showcasing a cherished moment with her rumored love, Kabir Bahia. She emphasized her quiet moments of self-discovery and the strength she's gained over the year, while also looking forward to key events, including her sister Nupur's wedding.
Fans are set to celebrate the legacy of legendary actor Dharmendra in his swan song, 'Ikkis,' which premieres on January 1, 2026. During a memorable episode of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati,' Amitabh Bachchan reminisced about Dharmendras unmatched charisma, jokingly attributing his own heart-wrenching death scene in 'Sholay' to Dharmendra's influence. Early reviews are already praising the films emotional depth.
Emerging from a reflective pause, Akshaye Khanna has shed light on his artistic journey, underscoring his commitment to embodying rich characters instead of merely chasing a busy schedule. He candidly spoke about the emotional toll that long breaks can take on actors, challenging the stereotype that they thrive in leisurely periods.
The highly anticipated 'Stranger Things 5' finale's release on Netflix was met with widespread user frustration as the streaming platform experienced a global outage. Fans eagerly awaiting the episode's drop found themselves unable to log in, leading to a surge of reactions and memes online.
Agastya Nanda takes center stage in Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis', embodying the valiant Arun Khetarpal, a young recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Originally intended for Varun Dhawan, the role was tailored for Nanda, aligning better with the character's youthful journey. This film also marks a poignant farewell for Dharmendra, enjoying both critical acclaim and promising box office results.
Esha Deol celebrated New Year's Eve in Dubai, dedicating a heartfelt tribute to her late father, Dharmendra, by posing with the moon and a touching note. Her brother, Bobby Deol, shared his love in the comments. This comes as Dharmendra's final film, 'Ikkis,' a war biopic, releases today, marking his last performance and leaving a precious memory for fans.
Akshaye Khanna's riveting role in 'Dhurandhar' has sparked a fresh wave of enthusiasm towards his illustrious career. An old interview has emerged, highlighting his charm that captivated many women, impressing even the talented Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Interestingly, Khanna remains single despite the attention. In recent news, he made a surprising exit from 'Drishyam 3', leaving Jaideep Ahlawat to step in.
Konkona Sensharma questions why women romancing younger men is labelled 'bold'. She believes it is the audience's perspective. Sensharma highlights that real life features diverse age couples, and this is becoming normalised. She feels women are often confined to rigid ideas. For her, the context of the story matters more than the age gap itself.
Recently, Akshaye Khanna has found himself at the center of attention, grappling with both praise and debate regarding his career moves. Amidst this whirlwind, he took a moment to reflect on his father, Vinod Khanna, whose courageous spirit and charitable deeds, especially following the Gujarat earthquake, have left an indelible mark on his life.
K-Pop sensation BTS ushered in the New Year with an emotional live countdown for their devoted fans, ARMY. The seven members celebrated together, thanking their fandom for unwavering support and wishing them well. This special New Year's Eve event precedes their highly anticipated March comeback, with members actively hinting at new music and rigorous choreography preparations.
K-pop sensation BTS has officially confirmed their highly anticipated comeback for March 20, 2026, through a heartfelt letter to fans. After completing their military service, the group expressed gratitude for the wait and hinted at a subsequent world tour, with fervent fan speculation including a potential stop in India. This personal announcement has deeply resonated with their dedicated fanbase, ARMY.
The cinematic sensation 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar, maintains its sensational streak at the box office, eclipsing previous record-holders. While audience reactions have largely been positive, some critics have pointed fingers at the film for allegedly pushing a propagandist agenda. As the story unfolds, a re-release is on the horizon, introducing a refreshed version.
In a stunning turn of events, Thalapathy Vijay's swan song, Jana Nayagan, is dominating the North American box office. It has outpaced advance bookings of Prabhas's The Raja Saab, despite the latter enjoying a wider release. This remarkable achievement showcases Vijay's steadfast popularity abroad, as he hints at a shift towards a political future, igniting curiosity among fans.
Prabhas's reign over the North American box office could be in jeopardy with the arrival of 'The Raja Saab'. While his past hits have shattered records, the advance ticket sales for this horror-comedy show a notable dip. Industry insiders are wary of its sluggish momentum, particularly given the hefty break-even mark, igniting concerns over its financial viability.
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In a stunning box office triumph, Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' has set a new benchmark in North America, raking in an astonishing USD 17.52 million to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. This monumental achievement places it third among Indian films in the region. With a phenomenal collection of Rs 723.
Nushrratt Bharuccha's recent pilgrimage to the revered Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple has sparked a lively discussion around interfaith practices. Although she identifies as Muslim, her participation in the traditional Bhasma aarti drew the ire of some authorities who argue it contradicts Islamic teachings.