From the latter seasons of Attack on Titan to originals like Chainsaw Man, MAPPA has surely established itself among the most influential anime studios in recent times. Its reign on streaming platforms is evident from trending titles like the sophomore season of shounen anime Jujutsu Kaisen (or JJK as fans call it) which occupied a spot on Netflix India’s Top 10 lists for more than ten weeks.

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 goes on to prove how far MAPPA has come with regard to the quality of animation and subversive narratives. But the Japanese studio had already established its supremacy before Jujutsu Kaisen. Here are some of MAPPA’s finest works that put it on the map. 

Vinland Saga

The lore of Vikings has been done to death in Hollywood with the notorious Norse viewers even getting revisionist treatments like the History Channel original Vikings and Robert Eggers' barbaric take on Hamlet, The Northman. It's only ironic that an anime still subverts this action subgenre like never before. Balancing blood-soaked action pieces with surprisingly profound moments of introspection, Vinland Saga's second season was produced and animated by MAPPA.

While its debut season stands out on its own, Vinland Saga season 2 spectacularly transformed its protagonist Thorfinn from a reckless vengeance-seeking teen to a meditative adult who tries his best to step away from bloodshed. With enough moments of inspirational pacifism and peace-evoking visuals of natural landscapes, Vinland Saga's second season offers some of MAPPA's most beautiful anime frames. But the dark overtones are still more than evident in goosebump-raising moments of violence, proving how the anime studio is not afraid to adapt some truly disturbing manga.

Attack On Titan

Just as the case was with Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan was initially produced by Wit Studio. It's only after season 3 that the baton was passed to MAPPA. The decision was clearly monumental in elevating Hajime Isayama's iconic manga to new visual heights. From animating the anime's watershed moment Rumbling to adding more details to the fast-paced group fight sequences in the final season, MAPPA's involvement did help in drastically improving the quality of Attack on Titan. As a dark fantasy anime, AoT lives up to its cult status with a socio-political arc that goes beyond just a mere battle between humans and Titans. Instead, Isayama's commentary on the futility of conflict ends up as an anime story for the ages.

Jujutsu Kaisen

With formulaic elements seen in previous light-hearted shounen anime like Naruto, Jujustu Kaisen could have been just another entry in its genre’s pantheon. Rather, the kinetic energy with which the show’s first two seasons transpired, Jujutsu Kaisen has turned into one of MAPPA’s most profitable properties. High-schooler Yuji Itadori’s adventures with the supernatural secret organisation Jujutsu Sorcerers make for a delightful coming-of-age arc. The anime benefits greatly from well-rounded characters like fan-favourite Satoru Gojo and equally impressive byproducts like the blockbuster theatrical release Jujutsu Kaisen 0.

Chainsaw Man

Walking in the footsteps of self-aware anime satires like One Punch Man, Chainsaw Man stands out with its excessive gore and hilariously absurd characters. The titular protagonist Denji is an amusing character study on his own. Unlike other MAPPA anime heroes, Denji isn’t driven by any lofty ambitions to become the greatest. Rather, his life goals are pretty simple, mostly being reduced to getting enough food for the day. As he gets involved with a group hellbent on eradicating monsters, Denji must rely on his blood-stained avatar to save the people of his city. Despite Denji’s naive humour being the talking point of the series, Chainsaw Man proves MAPPA animators’ expertise in framing grandiose fighting sequences (with extra showers of blood in this case).

Yuri!!! On Ice

Redefining sports anime tropes and shattering gender stereotypes, Yuri!!! On Ice delves into the intricacies of the figure skating world. Drawing critical acclaim for addressing anxiety and homosexuality in Japan, the MAPPA original was ahead of its time when it premiered in 2016. Matters get more interesting in this binge-worthy anime with the cutthroat competitions among the skaters, the glittery costumes and just the magical charm of walking on ice. Particular attention has been given to the skating sequences with Japanese figure skating legend Kenji Miyamoto choreographing and performing the routines himself. Yuri!!! On Ice’s impact can be seen with ice skaters performing to the show’s music during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Hell’s Paradise

A band of prisoners and the ninjas supervising them must survive on an island that isn’t what it looks like. Hell’s Paradise is quite a contrast within itself as it pairs a psychedelic colour palette with some truly grim character arcs. The island on which the story unfolds is adorned with multi-coloured flora and fauna while scenes in the Japanese mainland also highlight the architectural brilliance of Edo-period Japan. The ninja Gabimaru and his executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri also make for an incredible pair, each of the two warriors dealing with loneliness and loss as they head out to find the elixir of immortality. 

Kakegurui

Kakegurui is bound to make viewers curious from merely its outlandish premise. Set in a private school that is run by gambling games, the titular heroine makes her presence felt with her gambling addiction. Decoding the cheating tactics of her fellow students, Kakegurui ends up disrupting the social order of her elite academy. But don’t let the card games fool you as this Netflix-distributed MAPPA anime has some moments of relentless action once the cards have been folded. With scenes involving stabbed eyeballs and ripped fingernails, Kakegurui can be too bizarre for some but the ones who can stomach their fair share of the quintessential MAPPA gore and absurdity will be rewarded.

Banana Fish

With a single season of 24 episodes, Banana Fish makes for a perfect binge. Despite a 2010s setting, the stylish action thriller has a retro 80s-inspired visual feel to it. At the same time, the premise is layered with the haunting realities of the early 2000s such as a mind-control conspiracy relating to the US-Iraq War. The central storyline involves a New York gang leader and a photojournalist’s attempts to decipher the mystery of a substance codenamed “Banana Fish”. As the unlikely duo gets closer to the truth, a brilliant political conspiracy unfurls that clearly makes this one of MAPPA’s most realistic animes.

Re-Main

Every once in a while, MAPPA produces an anime that is not about any high-stakes challenges or hyperviolent action. Re-Main is one such example, playing out as a feel-good story about regaining one’s identity. The hero in this case is the water polo champion Minato Kiyomizu who loses his memory after a coma that lasts for three years. Seeking to make up for the years that passed him by, Re-Main offers a feel-good viewing experience that can provide a relaxing break away from the usual hullabaloo of MAPPA originals.

Dorohedoro

Dorohedoro might be overshadowed by other MAPPA anime but this underrated gem on Netflix set the stage for comedic anime in the studio’s roster like the far more popular Chainsaw Man. Still, Dorohedoro holds its own ground while exploring a post-apocalyptic world dominated by sorcerers and mutant creatures. The titular hero is an amnesiac reptilian humanoid who seeks answers to undo a curse that turned him into a beast. Equipped with enough slapstick gags, deadpan humour, and genre parodies, Dorohedoro is worth checking out for its easygoing tonality. It just goes on to prove how willing MAPPA is to experiment with all sorts of manga, even the strange ones like Dorohedoro.

From the Munnabhai series to collaborations with Aamir Khan and now an immigration-themed comedy with Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani has cemented his position in the industry as a maestro of family-friendly comedies. Beginning his career as a film editor and ad director, Hirani broke out with his debut feature Munnabhai MBBS. Ever since then, he has managed to deliver nothing but hits.

The director eyes another potential blockbuster this December, joining forces with megastar Shah Rukh Khan for the first time. Titled Dunki (a local iteration of the word “donkey”), the comedy-drama chronicles the journey of Indians who aspire to immigrate to the West but through illegal means. As is the case with the rest of his filmography, Dunki promises to deliver on all the elements that make a quintessential Rajkumar Hirani movie: a heartwarming message, clean humour with a naïve charm and a Christmas release window (much like 3 Idiots and PK).

But before Dunki, it’s worth glancing at all the major highlights of Hirani’s directorial career.

PK (2014)

PK very evidently borrows tropes from pre-existing sci-fi dramas like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Man Who Fell To Earth, in telling its story of an alien desperately searching for a radio that can beam him back home. But what sets Hirani’s sci-fi comedy apart is the emphasis on India’s multi-religious identity as the titular extraterrestrial (played to deadpan perfection by Aamir Khan) ends up questioning gods and religions in the pursuit of his radio.

When it comes to socio-political aspects of his cinema, Hirani has often played it safe for the mainstream audiences that he caters to. But PK is perhaps his boldest work, one that ended up garnering controversy even before its release. And yet, the movie deserves to be watched universally as it’s definitely no hateful attack against organised religion. Instead, it just respectfully poses questions on how religion can be maligned and misinterpreted by false prophets. From Khan’s slapstick routine as the childish alien to an emotional romantic subplot transcending national borders, PK has it all and endures as Hirani’s finest work.

3 Idiots (2009)

If there’s a Rajkumar Hirani movie that comes close to PK, it is his first collaboration with Aamir Khan. While it’s loosely inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s polarising bestseller Five Point Someone, 3 Idiots removes the raunchiness of the novel and adopts a more sanitised approach better suited for Hirani’s work. The end result is an influential commentary on the nature of engineering colleges in India, anchored by unforgettable performances from the titular idiots played by Khan, Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan. Equally unforgettable is character actor Boman Irani played the Einstein-haired authoritarian college principal nicknamed “Virus”.

What makes 3 Idiots all the more enduring is how relatable it has been for engineering students in India, especially the ones who are burdened by their families to pursue a scientific course like this. The tragic scene of a promising student’s demise is still as goosebump-inducing as it was back in the day. But then again, the movie has its fair share of laughs, thanks to the sheepish nerd “Silencer” played effortlessly by Omi Vaidya (who was previously notable only for appearing in an episode of The Office). This balance between dark and light-hearted is what makes Hirani so relevant after more than a decade since the movie was released.

Munnabhai MBBS (2003)

While 3 Idiots served as a conscious commentary on the state of Indian engineering colleges, Munnabhai MBBS was an unabashed laughter ride set within a generic medical college. Marking a full-fledged comeback for Sanjay Dutt and rebranding him as a comedic star, Munnabhai MBBS played out as an enjoyable joyride for all ages. The title alludes to a local hoodlum in Mumbai who sets out to mend his ways by pursuing a medical degree.

The comedy might lack the dramatic impact of 3 Idiots or PK but it still has its fair share of Bollywood melodrama to make viewers sympathise with an unruly hero like Dutt’s Munnabhai. An equally impressive character is Munnabhai’s loyal sidekick Circuit, played with impressive comic timing by Arshad Warsi.

Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006)

The follow-up to Munnabhai MBBS is more of a spiritual sequel as it completely strays away from its medical college premise to craft a Gandhian fantasy instead. Munnabhai is yet again introduced as a “tapori” (Mumbai slang for vagabond or rowdy) but when he seeks out to help residents of an old age home, he surprisingly gets aid from a hallucinatory vision of Indian freedom fighter and human rights champion Mahatma Gandhi.

Instead of glamorising the politics of Gandhi, Hirani stresses on the importance of simple Gandhian values like non-violence and respect for human dignity as Munnabhai inadvertently ends up inspiring others to pick up such positive habits. Still, what stops Lage Raho Munnabhai from being Hirani’s absolute best is perhaps the long runtime and the overabundance on sentimentality as Munna starts questioning his own sanity after his Gandhian experiments.

Sanju (2018)

Rajkumar Hirani’s last film before Dunki is also possibly his weakest, primarily for the treatment of its subject matter. On the surface, Sanju is a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt (Hirani’s collaborator and close friend since the Munnabhai movies). But like many mainstream Bollywood biopics, Hirani’s movie relies heavily on creative liberties. While Dutt indeed has had a tumultuous life worthy of a film adaptation, Sanju blurs the line between fact and fiction to such a point that it might get difficult for audiences to watch without any scepticism.

Sanju covers some particularly uncomfortable moments in Dutt’s life, such as his drug addiction and eventual arrest on suspicion of terrorism and arms possession. It can still be debated if Dutt was always a squeaky-clean personality (ignoring the rowdy phase of his career) but Sanju’s excessive whitewashing of its real-life muse leaves a bittersweet taste.

Drawing inspiration from franchises like James Bond and Mission: Impossible and obviously the trendsetting Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), YRF Films successfully made the leap from Bollywood romances to big-budget action thrillers with its monumental YRF Spy Universe. This is not India’s first and only cinematic universe, considering that Rohit Shetty had already set up his over-the-top Cop Universe with Singham and Simmba. The Tamil film industry is also not far behind with director Lokesh Kanagaraj setting up his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) with Kaithi and Vikram.

But when it comes to box-office returns and sheer star power, YRF Spy Universe seems unbeatable at the moment. With the production and story most laid out by YRF supremo Aditya Chopra and roping in Bollywood’s most venerated personalities like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, the franchise is Indian cinema’s most successful franchise at the moment. The year 2023 proved to be a watershed moment in this regard, witnessing the releases of Pathaan and Tiger 3 (both of which also made MCU-style cameos more mainstream in Bollywood). With five successful hits in its roster and upcoming titles like War 2 and Tiger vs Pathaan, the YRF Spy Universe definitely knows no stopping.

Pathaan (2023)

Mainstream Bollywood was in a lull after the pandemic when it came to action movies. Shah Rukh Khan, who usually had a reputation as a romantic hero, sought to create a new star persona as an action hero. He comfortably embraced the titular character, an ex-RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) agent who is tasked with preventing a global terrorist conspiracy. His frequent co-star Deepika Padukone played a Pakistani secret agent, who came off as a refreshing and more contemporary take on female agents in Indian action flicks. Breaking out as the villain in Dhom, John Abraham also got back to his villainous roots to play a rogue mercenary in Pathaan.

Even when Pathaan gets unbelievably over-the-top, the star power of SRK is enough to justify the theatrics (much like how action audiences dare not question the physics of Fast & Furious movies anymore). The cherry on the top was obviously Salman Khan’s unexpected cameo as Pathaan’s fellow RAW agent Tiger. All in all, Pathaan was a perfectly packaged thriller that balanced high-stakes action with some delightfully formulaic Bollywood heroism that the audiences had been craving for quite some time.

War (2019)

Billed as a one-on-one duel between Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, War was an unexpected hit for YRF. While the Tiger movies already constituted a franchise, it was War that opened up the possibilities for a shared universe. From an exciting plane heist that seems to be inspired by Point Break to a face mask technology clearly inspired by the Mission: Impossible movies, War did have a touch of Hollywood action to it.

But this Western influence didn’t get too derivative and instead helped in modernising the average Bollywood action thriller. Instead of Roshan or Shroff being reduced to one-man armies, War highlighted how even gifted secret agents like them need strategy, weaponry, and a good support team to rely on. Both heroes have proven their physical agility before and War set up the stage for them to display some impressive and highly realistic stunt choreography. Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara’s rousing neo-Western background score only enhances the viewing experience further.

Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

The film that started the YRF Spy Universe in the first place, Ek Tha Tiger was released at a time when Salman Khan was doing everything (fighting, dancing, romancing) in potboiler dramas, most of which didn’t really fare well with the critics. But the Kabir Khan-directed Ek Tha Tiger marked a new chapter in his career as for once, Khan seemed to play a relatively believable action hero. His character Tiger interestingly represents the duality of an undercover agent, as he is conflicted between his duties as a RAW agent and leading a normal life every now and then.

Katrina Kaif was also well-suited as the co-lead Zoya, an agent for the Pakistani secret service ISI. But when Zoya and Tiger discover a conspiracy together, they not only join forces but also fall in love. The result is not just an adrenaline-fuelled action journey but also a moving love story that transcends borders. To satisfy the mainstream Bollywood necessities, the movie was also balanced with popular dance numbers like Mashallah and Banjaara along with a tragic romantic ballad like Saiyaara.

Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)

The highly-anticipated sequel to Ek Tha Tiger, this Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif reunion carried the emotional weight of its predecessor while doubling on the action pieces. Having gone into voluntary exile in the previous film, Tiger Zinda Hai finds Khan’s Tiger and Kaif’s Zoya coming out of hiding as they team up to rescue a group of nurses held hostage by terrorists in Iraq. The espionage within the plot is less complicated this time, but the big-budget action is good enough to hook audiences.

Even if the violent chaos can be too loud or unbelievable for some audiences, Tiger Zinda Hai still has a positive message underlying its straightforward plot. With Tiger and Zoya closer than ever now, the Ali Abbas Zaffar directorial venture calls for unity between India and Pakistan, two neighbouring countries that always seem to be in conflict with each other but that can hopefully come together like Tiger and Zoya one day.

Tiger 3 (2023)

As is the case with the Tiger movies, Tiger 3 amped up its action like never before. Emraan Hashmi entered the YRF Spy Universe as a vengeance-seeking terrorist with Tiger and Zoya teaming up yet again for a third adventure. The international conspiracy at the heart of the story this time is much more complicated and there are genuine attempts for freshness to the usual Spy Universe formula, but it was the pacing that troubled some critics and audiences.

Regardless, everything seems worth it with that one spectacular prison break sequence where Pathaan comes to Tiger’s rescue. It’s not every day that the two titans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, unite for a crossover that’s on the level of a superhero team-up. One can only wonder about the reactions that their face-off will garner now, considering YRF Films is actively working on a project titled Tiger vs Pathaan.

Apple TV+ might not yield an annual content output at par with competitors like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but the streaming platform does dabble in some ambitious epics. The latest example is Martin Scorsese’s period thriller Killers of the Flower Moon, which will exclusively stream on Apple TV+ after concluding its theatrical run.

Carol Danvers. Kamala Khan. Monica Rambeau. These three superheroines form the core of The Marvels, along with their furry alien friend Goose. Introduced in Captain Marvel, the orange tabby cat instantly won over MCU fans. It’s a pity then that he hasn’t returned for any Marvel productions since.

It’s time for the longest weekend of the year – Diwali. From late night card-parties to indulgent feasts, the festivities have already begun. And as traditions go, the festival of lights continues its streak of lighting up our screens with some of the biggest and most exciting releases of the year. Here’s a roundup of 12 new and nostalgic films you can enjoy in cinemas or from the comfort of your couch this Diwali. 

 New Films Releasing In Cinemas This Diwali 

1. Tiger 3 

The latest addition to YRF’s growing spy franchise, Tiger 3 is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. Salman Khan’s latest action-thriller follows our beloved agent Tiger as he’s faced with one of the toughest decisions of his life - choosing between the love for his family and the loyalty towards his nation. Originally earmarked for an Eid release the film was postponed due to post-production delays and finally makes its grand worldwide release this Diwali. 

Release: 12th November, 2023.

2. Khichdi 2 

India’s funniest Gujarati family is back to light up the screens with their light hearted humour, infectious energy, and whimsical ways this Diwali. Join Hansa, Praful, Jayshree, and the gang on an adventure to the strange town of Paanthukistan where they cook up a plan to score their next big fortune. 

Need to refresh your memory before the movie hits the screens? Check out our detailed recap to get all caught up.

Release: 17th November, 2023.

3. The Marvels 

Brie Larson reprises her role as Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in Marvel Studios’ latest superhero flick. The movie is the long-awaited sequel to the billion dollar 2019 film, Captain Marvel. The film will continue the storyline of the previous film and see Danvers team up with Kamala Khan from Ms Marvel, and Monica Rambeau from Wanda Vision to deal with the turmoil caused by the Krees. Expect a lot of superhero action, movie crossovers with past favourites like Secret Invasion and the Infinity War series, and more multiverse madness. 

Release: 10th November, 2023. 

4. Japan 

This Tamil action-comedy follows Japan, one of the most notorious jewellery thieves as he gears up for the biggest mission of his life — a jewellery heist worth Rs 200 crores. Starring award-winning Tamil actor Karthi and Anu Emmanuel alongside comic genius Sunil Varma, this multi-starrer heist comedy promises an entertaining time for the full family.

Release Date: 10th November, 2023. 

New Films and TV Shows Releasing On Streaming 

1. Pippa 

Siddharth Malhotra’s army film Yodha’s release may have gotten pushed again, but we’ve got Ishaan Khattar filling in those patriotic shoes as Captain Balram Singh, a young and fiercely strong willed officer leading India’s 45 Cavalry regiment in the Indo-Pak war of 1971. This coming of age war-action film is inspired by the events of the Battle of Garibpur, and tells the tale of three loving siblings fighting to save their nation. 

Where to watch: Pippa releases on Amazon Prime Video on 10th November, 2023. 

2. BTS: Yet To Come

Looking for something to jam out to after the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie? K-Pop sensation BTS’ latest concert film BTS: Yet To Come drops on Amazon this week. The concert film follows Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and V’s experience performing at the Busan World Expo where they played to a crowd of 50,000+ cheering fans. 

Where to watch: BTS: Yet to Come releases on Amazon Prime Video on 9th November, 2023

Sylvester Stallone needs no introduction. And as the 2023 Netflix documentary Sly proves, his incredible rags-to-riches story is what makes his action star legacy all the more impressive. Released a few months after Netflix’s three-part docuseries on Stallone’s long-term competitor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the documentary is an apt tribute to the Rocky and Rambo actor’s multi-decade career.

Following the acclaimed biopic Mank, filmmaker David Fincher yet again joined forces with Netflix. Sadly, not for Mindhunter season 3 but for the existentialist neo-noir The Killer. Marking his first collaboration with Michael Fassbender, The Killer is a darkly satirical exploration of a ruthless assassin who seems to have a change of heart. Earning raves at film festivals like Venice and London, The Killer promises to deliver on Fincher’s trademarked thrills and a lot of music by The Smiths.

DC Comics has been a hot property for mainstream films and TV, and so has its adult-oriented imprint Vertigo Comics. The Netflix thriller/sci-fi miniseries Bodies is the latest example, drawing inspiration from the Vertigo comic book of the same name. With British actor Stephen Graham leading a talented ensemble, the intriguing premise finds four detectives solving a particularly perplexing murder across four different time periods.

As fans of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan celebrated his birthday on November 2, he expressed his gratitude with a surprise Netflix drop of his latest action blockbuster Jawan. After finishing its theatrical run as one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of all time, Jawan was released as an “Extended Cut” on the streaming service.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts may play out as a prequel to Michael Bay’s Transformers movies, but it also broadens the future of the franchise. Along with introducing the beast-mode Maximals, the 2023 blockbuster also set the stage for the planet-devouring villain Unicron. And with the much-talked-about post-credits scene, the franchise has also confirmed that the Transformers will be joining forces with the highly-trained (and occasionally superpowered) covert operatives G.I. Joes.

The Railway Men is all set to be Yash Raj Films’ first collaboration with Netflix India. Inspired by the accounts of real-life heroes in the aftermath of the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy, the miniseries will mark the directorial debut of Shiv Rawail (who previously was the assistant director on YRF productions like Dhoom 3, Befikre and Fan). With a star cast that includes Bollywood stalwarts and OTT faces, The Railway Men promises to be another fact-based outing for Netflix.

With another ten-episode season, Selling Sunset Season 7 has given us another look into the lives of Chrishell, Amanza, Jason, Emma, and the other agents at the O group.Although the new season has only been released a few days, many of us have already binge-watched the entire season and find ourselves eager for more.

Here are seven binge worthy reality series worth checking out if you love Selling Sunset:

1. Selling The OC

If you enjoyed watching Selling Sunset, you should check out their sister show Selling The OC. An official spin-off of Selling Sunset, this show follows the lives of the agents working at the Orange County office of the Oppenheim Group. The newest lot of agents at the O group are just as competitive and dramatic as the ones back in LA. However, unlike Selling Sunset this office doesn’t have an all female crew giving Jason and Brett some much needed company. If you’ve been missing Brett on Selling Sunset, you’ll enjoy watching Selling the OC as he spends most of his time at the new office. With three seasons to catch up on, and several fun crossovers with the Selling Sunset cast members, this is the ideal comfort show to help you get over your Selling Sunset blues.

Where to watch: Netflix. 

2. Selling Tampa 

Although a part of the Selling Sunset series, Selling Tampa, steps away from the Oppenheim group and focuses on the all female black-owned luxury real estate agency, Allure. The show gives viewers a look at the decadent multi-million dollar waterfront houses in Tampa, and packs in as much fun and drama as the rest of the shows in the Selling series. Unfortunately, the show only features one season as it got canceled after its first run. 

Where to watch: Netflix. 

3. Instant Hotel 

Instant Hotel is the love child of Selling Sunset and The Amazing Race. It takes the stunning real estate bits from Selling Sunset and combines it with the fun, travel adventures of The Amazing Race by assembling a group of 10 homeowners who list their property as vacation rentals. The show pits these homeowners in a race against each other to win the title of Australia’s #1 Instant Hotelier. The best part? Instead of having regular judges, the show runs on a voting system where the contestants take turns staying in each other's properties and rank their services. 

Where to watch: Netflix. 

4. The Flipping El Moussas

Love Heather from Selling Sunset? Check out The Flipping El Moussas, a recently released real estate reality show that closely follows Heather and her hubby Tarek as they flip luxury houses all over LA, navigate the highs and lows of being newlyweds, and share the intimate journey of trying to have a child. While Selling Sunset tours several luxury mansions in each episode, this show reveals what it actually takes to get a luxury house ready for sale from the ground up.

Where to watch: Discovery+.

Shah Rukh Khan has been having one of the busiest years in Bollywood. After starring in two of the biggest films of the year, Pathaan and Jawan, King Khan is now shifting his focus from action and gearing towards the release of Dunki, a heartfelt drama that will resonate with millions of immigrants.

SRK celebrated his 58th birthday yesterday. In addition to making the day special by spending it with his fans, he also surprised them by releasing Dunki’s first teaser. From the cast to the release date, here’s a roundup of everything you need to know about his next blockbuster.

What is Dunki about?

Dunki is a story about a soldier and his promise to a group of four young and ambitious people who dream of starting a new life in London. The film’s title, Dunki, translates to Donkey, which is a direct reference to 'Donkey Flight', a popular Indian term used to describe an illegal route that several Indians use to immigrate out of the country.

Shah Rukh Khan described the film in the best way possible on Twitter X by sharing, ‘the film is a story of simple and real people trying to fulfil their dreams and desires. Of friendship, love, and being together… Of being in a relationship called Home!’

The cast of Dunki

In addition to being headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, Dunki features a talented ensemble of actors from all walks of life. Actor Taapsee Pannu will be seen playing the role of Manu, the only female member joining the bandwagon of immigrants looking to start a new life in London. This movie will mark her first collaboration with SRK. Joining her, we also have Vicky Kaushal, who plays the role of Sukhi, another immigrant joining the Dunki tribe.

Balancing out the youthful energy that Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu bring to the table, we have veteran actor Boman Irani playing the role of a teacher, and possibly Dharmendra, joining in on the action in an undisclosed cameo appearance. 

Dunki shoot locations 

If there’s one thing we love about Shah Rukh Khan’s films, it’s that he takes us on a journey across the world. Whether it’s exploring the serene peaks of Switzerland in Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or the moody lanes of Moscow in Pathaan, SRK’s films have become known for their unique locations —and Dunki is no exception.

A major chunk of the film has been shot in international destinations like Budapest and London, and the crew also travelled to Jeddah to shoot a bike chase sequence. Their domestic schedule covered scenic destinations like Sonmarg and Pulwama, along with a four-day underwater schedule in SRK's home city, Mumbai.

Dunki’s First Teaser: Drop 1

SRK’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, shared the first teaser of Dunki, titled ‘Dunki Drop 1’, earlier today. The teaser’s release coincided with Shah Rukh’s 58th birthday and gave fans an in-depth look at what’s to come in this upcoming family entertainer.

Starting off with visuals of SRK leading a group of immigrants through a desert as an unidentified man tries to gun them down, and intensified by the slow and impactful background score sung beautifully by Sonu Nigam, the teaser sets the stage as an emotional drama documenting the real-life story of millions of immigrants.

The UPSC exam (short for Union Public Service Commission) is often regarded as one of the most Herculean tests, not just in India but in the rest of the world, too. Seen as a common yardstick of success in India, UPSC toppers end up becoming high-ranking bureaucrats, police officers, and the like.

India’s funniest Gujarati family are returning to screens with their eccentric humour and odd ways to entertain and thrill everyone this Diwali. It’s been almost five years since we last saw the family in the third and final season of their hit television series titled Khichdi Returns, and almost thirteen years since the release of their first film Khichdi The Movie. A lot of developments have happened both on and off the screen when it comes to the Khichdi franchise, including recasting the iconic character of Jayshree and a drastic shift in the family’s wealth onscreen. 

From an in-depth recap of everything that went down in both the movie and the TV show, to the latest news regarding the upcoming films cast, trailer, and release date, here’s everything you need to know before watching Khichdi 2. 

Everything that went down in Khichdi, Instant Khichdi, and Khichdi Returns 

Khichdi (2002 - 2004)

Making its television debut way back in 2002, Khichdi was one of the first Indian television series to follow the western concept of having multiple seasons. The series centres around the members of the Parekh family, a large and eccentric joint family who live together in an old mansion in the heart of Mumbai, and deal with typical Indian household situations in the most unpredictable and unusual ways possible. 

The first season of the series introduces us to all the key members of the family –Tulsidas Parekh, Hansa, Praful, Jayshree, and the mischievous kids Jacky and Chakki. It centres around their struggle as they try to convince the house patriarch Tulsidas Parekh to sell his ancestral home so they can put an end to their joint family set up and move into smaller nuclear houses.

The series ends with the family deciding to stay together and move into a bigger mansion which is left to them after the demise of a rich relative. While shifting houses, the joint family discover oil under their old ancestral home and end up becoming millionaires overnight. 

Instant Khichdi (2005)

Titled Instant Khichdi, the second season follows the family as they navigate how to live their lives with all this newfound wealth. The Parekhs, who are used to living like a typical middle-class family, try their best to shift their attitude and mannerisms to embody the lifestyle of the super-rich, and find acceptance in the elite society.

This storyline is continued in the first Khichdi movie, wherein the rich family spends lavishly on organising a big fat Indian wedding for Hansa’s brother Himanshu, and even try orchestrating dramatic moments when Himanshu complains of the wedding seeming too boring. An event which is interrupted by the shocking murder of their neighbour Chakku, for which Himanshu is wrongfully accused.

The family put aside their comical differences and come together to solve the mystery of the murder to clear Himanshu’s name and to get him married. One of the most interesting things to note about the film is that they brought in a new actor to play the role of Jayshree. Vandana Pathak who plays the role of Jayshree in the television series was unavailable during the shoot of the feature film. Director Aatish Kapadia, then cast actor Nimisha Vakharia to fill in for Vandana Pathak and take on the role of Jayshree.

As the year falls into its final quarter, Indian anime fans can binge on some hype-worthy titles like the final part of Attack on Titan, the sophomore season of Spy X Family and a new arc of Dr Stone, among many others. With streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix India boasting many popular anime titles, the Indian anime fanbase is only booming more with every passing year. Cult favourites like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen are also still airing, even though their current seasons already premiered a few months back.

Be it for the green, puke-fuelled thrills or the behind-the-scenes curse plaguing the cast and crew, The Exorcist has remained a horror par excellence since its release in 1973. This year, the franchise was revisited by David Gordon Green, who had already successfully brought the Halloween series back to life. Ignoring all the critically panned sequels that followed The Exorcist, Green’s 2023 supernatural horror The Exorcist: Believer served as a direct sequel to the original, with plans already drawn up for two more Exorcist movies to follow.

Dubbed the Quentin Tarantino of India, Anurag Kashyap has crafted his niche with blood-soaked, expletive-filled crime dramas. While Kashyap has occasionally flirted with other genres, he always returns to the gritty world of crime. This is evident from his latest venture, a neo-noir titled Kennedy. The Rahul Bhatt and Sunny Leone-led thriller premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews, and it continues to grace many other showcases like Sydney Film Festival and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Star families are not new to Bollywood. The Deol family is a case in point, with veteran Dharmendra leading the pack with his Sholay co-star and wife Hema Malini. While Dharmendra made a name for himself in the 1960s and the 1970s, equally influential was Hema Malini, who emerged as a prime heroine with collaborative efforts like Dream Girl and Seeta Aur Geeta. With age, Dharmendra and Malini’s stardom began waning, as their sons Sunny and Bobby Deol began acting from the 1990s onwards.

Halloween is just around the corner and while Hollywood classics like Saw and The Shining make for a great Halloween watch, there’s plenty of homegrown horror flicks that are worth considering for your next Halloween movie marathon. 

Whether it's films like Chandramukhi or Bhool Bhulaiyaa that explore the age old concept of angsty courtesans looking for redemption, or straight out slasher films like Darna Mana Hai that see a group of seven friends trying to escape the bloody trenches of a serial killer obsessed with wiping out fear out of this world, India has a lot to offer when it comes to horror. 

From mildly scary to films that’ll keep you up at night, here’s a roundup of the best Indian horror films that suit all kinds of scare levels. 

1. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 

Starting the list off with one of my personal favourites, there’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa, a quirky horror-comedy starring Vidya Balan as Manjulika, the spirit of a scorned dancer who died in a tragic manner at the hands of the ancestors that resided in the haveli years ago. 

To balance Manjulika’s frightening scenes there’s the comic trio of Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav who add a much needed touch of humour in between all the jumpscares making it an ideal watch for those that scare easily. 

Where to watch: Bhool Bhlaiyaa is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. 

2. 1920 

The first in a series of five standalone horror films, 1920 is a dark horror film about a married couple who get possessed by demons and require intervention from an experienced exorcist to help them get rid of the evil spirits. If you like films like The Exorcist or The Conjuring, this Indian demon franchise is worth checking out. 

Where to watch: 1920 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  

3. Darna Mana Hai 

For a unique take on horror I recommend, Darna Mana Hai is an anthology of six short horror stories packed into one long feature film. The film follows a group of seven friends who find themselves lost in the middle of nowhere after their car mysteriously breaks down in the middle of the woods. The group seek refuge in an abandoned house for the night, and narrate horror stories as a way to keep each other amused and kill time. However, at the end of each story the group becomes smaller and smaller, as one friend mysteriously disappears. 

Despite being a box office failure, this film makes for an interesting watch as it combines different sub-genres of horror such as supernatural, psychological-thriller, slasher, and folk horror within one feature film. 

Where to watch: Darna Mana Hai is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

4. Krishna Cottage

A classic retro horror flick following a group of friends who lose their way and end up seeking refuge in a strange antique house where strange events begin to unfold. Produced by Ektaa Kapoor, the queen of Indian soap operas, this movie is brimming with drama, sexual tension, and melodramatic scares. Although the film didn’t perform well commercially at the time of its release, it has become a popular watch over the years thanks to its immersive story and the relatable dynamics between the tight knit group of friends. 

Where to watch: Krishna Cottage is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

5. Phone Bhoot 

If you’re someone who scares easily like me, ditch the violent horror films for Phone Bhoot. A lighthearted horror comedy starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khattar as a duo that can interact with supernatural beings, and Katrina Kaif as a friendly ghost. The film follows the trio as they launch a moksha helpline to help ghosts attain enlightenment by fulfilling their unfulfilled wishes. 

Where to watch: Phone Bhoot is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Ever since it dropped on Netflix, the three-part biographical documentary Beckham has been reigning at the top of the streaming charts. Its positive reception is understandable from its titular figure, the controversial footballer from England, who also came into the public light for his picture-perfect good looks and tabloid-friendly controversies.

Bollywood’s power couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are all anyone can talk about ever since the first episode of Koffee with Karan Season 8 premiered on Disney+ Hotstar earlier this week. The star couple finally opened up about their relationship with fans after 11 years of being together, and even shared heart-warming moments from their extremely private and lavish wedding which took place in Lake Como back in 2018. 

While no-one can deny their off-screen chemistry after watching the latest episode of Koffee with Karan, it’s their on-screen magic that has been making all of us fall in love with their love for the better part of the last decade. Can’t get enough of Deepveer? Neither can we, so here’s where you can stream all of the films that they’ve worked on together online:

1. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela

The film that started it all, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Indian adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, Ram-Leela is the first film that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone starred in together. Witness the pair’s intense chemistry as they play star-crossed lovers fighting with their two opposing underworld families who refuse to look past their familial feud to let them live out their happily ever after.

Packed with foot-tapping musical numbers, cut-throat action, and an intense love story that’ll have you clinging to every scene for more, this tragic love saga is a good place to start your Ranveer-Deepika movie marathon. 

Where to watch: Goliyon Ki Raasleeela Ram-Leela is currently streaming on Eros Now, Jio Cinema, and Voot. 

2. Finding Fanny 

Starring Deepika Padukone alongside a star-studded ensemble featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Arjun Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, and Pankaj Kapoor, Finding Fanny, is a one of a kind satirical road trip film. The film follows a group of closely-related and weirdly wired individuals who come together to help Freddie, a hopeless romantic, find his childhood crush Fanny.

Starring Deepika as the witty and widowed supportive best-friend Angie, this Hindi-English language comedy is a light-hearted pick to mix things up in this otherwise heavy movie marathon. Without giving away too many details, make sure to keep your eyes out for Ranveer Singh’s cameo while you’re streaming this film. 

Where to watch: Finding Fanny is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. 

3. Bajirao Mastani 

Following the blockbuster success of Ram-Leela, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali finally revived his long-awaited project Bajirao Mastani by locking down on Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone as the lead cast for his period drama based on the turbulent love story of Peshwa Bajirao and his second wife Mastani. 

Ranveer Singh shared his excitement of working together with Deepika in an interview with Quint where he shared, “It’s my privilege that I get to work with her twice during this phase, in Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani. I trust her immensely, I know that she’s one of the most generous actors that I’ve ever worked with. I know that I can surrender to her in a scene... just connect with her, be present with her, look into her eyes and really mean what I’m saying. She’s an incredible performer.”

Revisiting the gangster genre with 2019’s The Irishman, Hollywood auteur Martin Scorsese is still not done with true crime stories, as is evident from his latest release Killers of the Flower Moon. Reuniting with frequent muses Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro and collaborating with Lily Gladstone for the first time, Scorsese aims to recreate the changing landscape of 1920s-era Oklahoma. Based on the non-fiction book of the same name, Killers of the Flower Moon covers a trail of shocking murders after members of the Osage Nation discover massive deposits of oil.

Starting out in the early 2000s, Prabhas has branded himself as a superstar in the Tollywood aka the Telugu-language film industry. While he was already a household name in the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Prabhas attained pan-Indian fame when he starred in a double role in the two-part action epic Baahubali. Both Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) broke box-office records in India, be it in the case of the Telugu original or the Hindi-language dubs.

The Archie comics are getting an Indian makeover this December, thanks to Zoya Akhtar helming a Netflix coming-of-age drama set in the 1960s. Revolving around the Anglo-Indian communities of the era, The Archies is a romantic musical movie. It features an ensemble cast including newcomers like Agastya Nanda playing the casanova Archie Andrews, Suhana Khan as the spoilt brat Veronica Lodge and so on. Considering that Riverdale recently concluded its seven-season run, it’s worth checking out.

India is a diverse country of various religions. This religious multitude is all the more evident from how Bollywood manages to cash in on major festival release windows. Shah Rukh Khan has been the king of the Diwali season from 1995’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to 2014’s Happy New Year. Meanwhile, his perpetual competitor Salman Khan has successfully monopolised the Eid season.

Veteran director Martin Scorsese has returned to the big screen with his period thriller epic Killers of the Flower Moon. Earning raves at Cannes and every other film festival where it was showcased, critics are calling it one of Scorsese’s finest works in years. While it has already been released theatrically in most territories, Killers of the Flower Moon will later be available to stream on Apple TV+.

The Kardashians are back from Cabo, and they’re wasting no time to get back to business. While the first episode of Season 4 focused more on the sisters personal lives and their dynamics with each other, the latest episode delves deeper into the Kardashian empire and sees the OG Kardashian sisters Kim and Khloe, and momager Kris all killing it at work. So without any further delays let’s break down everything that went down in Season 4 Episode 2 of The Kardashians. 

Kim Air Jets off to Harvard Business School 

Everyone can agree that when it comes to marketing, The Kardashian’s are pros. From starting out as Paris Hilton’s stylist to owning a billion dollar fashion, makeup and skincare brand, Kim Kardashian has come a long way, and she’s got a lot of valuable lessons to share.

In the latest episode of The Kardashian’s we saw the billionaire socialite and CEO jet off to Massachusetts to deliver a lecture at Harvard Business School. At her visit we saw Kim open up more about how she’s trying to change the focus of the show from personal drama to her journey as an entrepreneur. Kim also got candid about her biggest business mentors, influences, and motivations. 

When asked about her views on delivering a guest lecture at Harvard Business School, Kim quipped, ‘What, like it’s hard?’ referencing Elle Woods from Legally Blonde who she now has a lot in common with. A lot of Kim’s haters focus on just the reality show aspect of her career, however, Kim’s been working hard to break away from this image by constantly exploring new ventures. In signature Elle Woods fashion the latest episode also saw Kim travel to a prison in Ohio where she was seen continuing her prison reform work. 

Khloe and Tristan Are Not Back Together 

Let’s take a short break from all the shop talk and bring the focus back to one of the most burning questions, are Khloe and Tristan back together? Despite all the speculations, and all the support from the rest of the Kardashian Klan, the pair are not back together. The pair even had a proper sit down and hashed out all their grievances at the end of the second episode, which led to Khloe setting her boundaries and making it clear that she’s shut the door on any romantic pursuits with Tristan. 

Tristan and his brother are currently residing at Khloe’s house while Tristan’s house repairs are in process, and he’s been making an active effort to be there for Khloe, his kids, and the rest of the Kardashian family. Tristan has expressed his desire to make amends with Khloe, however, the reality star remains firm on her decision to want to keep things strictly platonic, despite Kim and Kris’s persistence to give him another chance. 

Is Tristan the new Scott? Guess we’ll have to wait for the rest of the episodes in this season to find out. 

Looking for something fun to watch this weekend? From football icon David Beckham’s inspirational four-part documentary to a list of the most popular movies arriving in cinemas this week, here’s a round-up of films and TV shows you should add to your watchlist. 

New OTT Releases this week 

1. Beckham 

A four part docu-series closely following the life of football legend David Beckham. The candid documentary includes interviews with all the major influences in his life straight from his parents to his former football manager Alex Ferguson. In addition to closely following David Beckham’s inspiring career, this intimate series also provides an inside look into his 24 year long marriage with his wife Victoria Beckham. 

Where to watch: Beckham is available for streaming on Netflix. 

2. Khufiya 

Based on Amar Bhushan’s spy novel, Escape to Nowhere, Khufiya, is a thrilling spy film starring the talented Tabu as Krishna Mehra, a relentless researcher given the deadly task of hunting down a traitor who traded in the nation's vital defense secrets for their own personal gain. Written, directed, and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj, this deadly spy film also features Ali Fazal, and Wamika Gabbi, and it just arrived on OTT today. 

Where to watch: Khufiya is available for streaming on Netflix. 

3. Joy Ride 

Audrey and Lola are two childhood best friends that have grown up doing everything together. So naturally when Audrey decides to embark on a grand adventure to track down her real parents in China, she does it with Lola by her side. Follow this dynamic duo on a chaotic journey across China filled with drugs, violence, and a lot of bizarre events along the way. 

Where to watch: Joy Ride is available for streaming on Lionsgate Play. 

4. Asteroid City 

Did you hear? There’s aliens in Asteroid City! Featuring a talented star ensemble, Asteroid City, is Wes Anderson’s latest feature length flick documenting the strange events that unfold after extraterrestrial activity is witnessed in the small deserted town of Asteroid City. With a delayed theatrical release in India, and a short-run at the cinemas that flew under the radar, this film was easy to miss. Interested in watching this visual treat? It’s finally available on streaming. 

Where to watch: Asteroid City will be available for rent and purchase on BookMyShow stream 6th October onwards. 

5. Gran Turismo 

Based on the best selling video game. Gran Turismo is a fast paced biographical sports drama casting a spotlight on Jann Mardenborough, a die-hard gamer who made the leap from playing video games to becoming a professional race car driver, thanks to years of his relentless gaming practice, and determination to pursue an ambitious goal. The movie highlights the video game company’s revolutionary GT Academy which gives passionate gamers a platform to materialize their love for racing into a lucrative career. 

Where to watch: Gran Turismo is available for rent and purchase on BookMyShow stream. 

What to watch on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ Hotstar this week 

Looking for movie and TV show suggestions specific to streaming services you’re subscribed to? Discover the newest and most popular movies and TV shows streaming on leading OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar this week. 

It’s been a great year for the Indian film fraternity both on and off the screens. Between all the 1000 crore box-office wins, A-lister marriages, and new celebrity babies, there’s a lot to K-atch up on, and who better to spill all the tea than Karan Johar himself. 

Karan Johar just delighted all his fans by confirming the news of Koffee with Karan Season 8 by releasing a hilarious teaser promo. The first episode of Season 8 will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 26th October, 2023. The rest of the episodes will continue to follow a weekly episodic release similar to the previous seasons. 

Koffee with Karan Season 8 Announcement Video 

Karan Johar shared a one and a half minute teaser video on his personal Instagram handle to announce the upcoming release of the latest season of Koffee with Karan. Shot in the format of a roast, this hilarious video sees Karan Johar battling with his own conscience which is tackling all of the negative comments he has received over the past few years from internet trolls. 

Karan addresses topics such as inviting kids of famous celebrities to the PR disaster that happened when he invited two cricketers to appear on the show. He also owns up to his taking on too many brand sponsorship deals, and his lengthy monologues that have been the butt of many jokes. 

All in all, Karan Johar embraces the style and format of his popular show, and jokes about doubling down on all the things that online trolls have been making fun of him for. 

The filmmaker/producer/actor shared this hilarious promo with a cheeky caption, ‘Turns out my Konscience wants to troll me as well. But screw that, I’m still brewing Season 8 of Koffee with Karan.’

Koffee with Karan Season 7 Recap

Gone are the days where you’d have to wait for years to see another season of Koffee with Karan. Karan Johar’s celebrity talk-show has had a speedy turnaround ever since shifting to a streaming exclusive format in 2022. The show moved to streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar when Season 7 launched back in July 2022. 

However with only 12 interviews and one episode dedicated to the Koffee Awards, Season 7 was much shorter than its predecessors which featured between 20-22 interviews. Season 7’s guestlist was also more diverse than the last few seasons, with Karan Johar extending invitations beyond Bollywood’s A-listers, and including more rising artists, regional celebrities, and OTT reality stars to the show’s roster. 

Loved watching Mirzapur? Here’s a list of 7 crime-thrillers packed with the same gritty action, raw humor, and savage violence to add to your watchlist as you eagerly wait to watch Mirzapur Season 3. 

7 Shows to watch while you wait for Mirzapur Season 3 

1. Guns and Gulaabs 

Set in the quaint drug-ridden town of Gulabganj, Guns and Gulaabs is another heartland crime drama starring Rajkumar Rao and Dulquer Salamaan in the lead, and bears heavy resemblance with Mirzapur.

Both the shows involve a lot of guns, drugs, and violence. Based in the late 90’s, Guns and Gulaabs induces a strong wave of nostalgia. Produced by Raj and DK, this crime-thriller leans more towards dark comedy, and is an ideal watch for those looking for something that washes down the violence of gang based shows like Mirzapur with a dose of dark humor. 

Where to watch: Guns and Gulaabs is currently streaming on Netflix. 

2. Bambai Meri Jaan 

Another Amazon original on the list, this crime-thriller series is based on the bestselling Hussain Zaidi novel Dongri to Dubai. The series stars Avinash Tiwari as Dara, the son of an honest cop who grows up to become one of the most feared mafia leaders in Bombay, and Kay Kay Menon as Ismail Kadri, his father, from whose perspective we see the entire story unfold. Though the names have been changed, this series is based on the real life story of Dawood Ibrahim, one of the most famous underworld personalities in India. While this series is more urban than Mirzapur, it packs in the same level of crime, drama, and heat as its rural counterpart. 

Where to watch: Bambai Meri Jaan is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

3. Rangbaaz 

Looking for something that’s as close to Mirzapur as possible? Check out Rangbaaz. The series is based on the life of Shri Prakash Shukla, and is set in the 90’s in a small town on the outskirts of Uttar Pradesh. The show chronicles the gangster's life from his early days in college, to the brutal events that lead up to his entry into a life of crime. 

Where to watch: Rangbaaz is currently streaming on Zee5. 

Celebrated actor Akshay Kumar has partnered up with Maddock Films and Jio Studios for his next big action film. After the blockbuster success of OMG 2, the Bollywood superstar is all geared to headline the aerial action thriller Sky Force, which is set to release in theaters exactly a year from now on 2nd October, 2024. 

The actor shared the release date, and a 55 second teaser video on his personal Instagram account with a heartfelt caption, “आज गांधी-शास्त्री जयंती के दिन सारा देश कह रहा है - जय जवान, जय किसान, जय विज्ञान, जय अनुसंधान. (Translation: On the auspicious day of Gandhi Jayanti the entire nation is cheering for our soldiers, farmers, scientists, and research.) No better day than today to announce the incredible story of #SkyForce: Our untold story of India’s first and deadliest airstrike.Give it love, please. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat. 🇮🇳 Presented by Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan, Sky Force takes flight in cinemas on 2nd October, 2024. ✈️” 

Is Sky Force based on a true story? 

The 55 second teaser video of Sky Force, and Akshay Kumar’s Instagram caption both confirm that the movie is based on India’s first aerial strike which took place on September 6th, 1965. The teaser video opens with a real-life snippet from one of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s public speeches where he’s seen talking about about India’s resilience and the countries intention to stand tall in face of war, this is followed by captions which confirm that the movie will document the events of India’s first and deadliest air strike. 

The latest season of The Kardashians just premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, and this time the sisters aren’t wasting any time. The first episode of Season 4 dives headfirst into the ongoing sibling feud between Kourtney and Kim Kardashian. The long standing rivalry between the two has been an ongoing talking point of the series all through Season 3, and while their off-camera sightings had fans believing that the drama was behind them, the new season proved otherwise. Here’s a quick recap of everything that went down in Season 4 Episode 1 of The Kardashians:

What are Kim and Kourtney fighting about in Season 4? 

Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Travis Barker have been fighting all through Season 3 of The Kardashians, their initial feud began when Kourtney accused her sister Kim for monetizing off her wedding by securing a brand collaboration with her wedding designer Dolce and Gabbanna. The feud worsened when Kourtney saw images from the fashion show Kim Kardashian put together, and claimed that her sister stole her wedding aesthetic as the show was heavily inspired by Dolce and Gabanna looks from the 90’s, which was the theme of Kourtney’s wedding. 

The two sisters continued to talk to their friends and other family members about their on-going feud all through Season 3, which kept building the tension between the two. However, fans thought everything was good between the two sisters after the Season 3 finale, where Kourtney Kardashian showed up at Kim’s birthday dinner to put aside her differences and celebrate her sister. The finale concluded with both the sisters sitting down 1:1 and hashing their differences once and for all.

Cut to Season 4 episode 1 where things are at their all time low. When asked about what went wrong between the filming of the two seasons, here’s what Kim had to say: “We watched the edits to our show, I started hearing what she’s saying about me, she hears what I’m saying about her, and then we get mad all over again. Ughh it brings back so many, so many feelings.” 

Looking for some binge-worthy TV shows and movies to get behind this weekend? From a Wes Anderson short film to the latest season of The Kardashians, there are a lot of new releases to choose from this week. Here’s a roundup of the best TV shows and movies out on Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar, and other major streaming platforms. Interested in seeing what’s playing at the movies? Scroll till the end to see what’s new in cinemas. 

What’s New on OTT 

#1 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar 

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Dev Patel, this classic Wes Anderson short film brings to life the Roald Dahl short story about a wealthy man who masters the art of meditation to build his fortune while gambling. Watch this film for its fascinating storytelling, immaculate aesthetics, and stellar cast.

Where to watch: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is currently streaming on Netflix. 

#2 Choona

A group of misfits join forces to exact revenge on a corrupt politician in this Netflix comedy. Starring Jimmy Shergill and Monika Pawar, this heist comedy series is the perfect binge for those looking to kick back and blow off some steam this weekend.

Where to watch: Choona is currently streaming on Netflix. 

#3 The Kardashians Season 4 

The first episode of the latest season of The Kardashians just premiered in the US on Hulu last night. The new episode made its way to Disney+ Hotstar earlier today, and centers around the drama between Kourtney and Kim Kardashian. Titled, ‘You’re a Witch and I Hate You’ this episode deals with the rising tension between the two sisters.

Where to watch: The Kardashians Season 4 is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. 

#4 Gen V 

After months of anticipation, Gen V, the latest spinoff to The Boys franchise has finally made its way to OTT. Combining teenage hormones and high-school drama with the high-energy antics of superheroes, this new show welcomes a new generation of supernatural beings.

Where to watch: Gen V is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

#5 King of Kotha 

A period action drama chronicling the life of Kannan Bhai, a gangster running a big narcotics empire in the fictional city of Kotha. This Malayalam action film is led by a star-studded ensemble featuring the likes of Dulquer Salmaan, and Shabeer Kallarakkal. After having a wildly successful box-office run in August, this gangster crime-drama has finally made its way to OTT. 

Where to watch: King of Kotha is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. 

What’s everyone watching on Netflix right now 

#6 Sex Education Season 4 

The fourth and final season of the hit British teen-drama Sex Education recently dropped on Netflix, and has been topping the charts ever since. Between the new school, new characters, and all the other big changes, the new season of Sex Education has a lot of new things to look forward to. Need to quickly brush up your memory before watching the latest season, check out our Sex Education Season 4 recap to get all caught up. 

#7 Jaane Jaan 

Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vijay Varma, and Jaideep Akhawat, this gritty crime thriller follows a single mother who finds herself trapped in the middle of a bloody murder. Based on the Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X, this Sujoy Ghosh thriller marks Kareena’s big OTT debut. 

#8 Bhola Shankar (Hindi) 

A loving brother leaves his cushy job as a taxi driver behind to exact revenge on a group of thugs that harassed his sister in this South Indian action-drama. Now available in Hindi, this south blockbuster can be enjoyed by viewers across the nation.

Amazon Prime Video just released the teaser video and character posters for the latest season of their hit medical drama: Mumbai Diaries. Along with unveiling the premise of the second season, the teaser announcement also confirmed that the new season will be arriving on Amazon on 6th October, 2023. Here’s everything we know about Season 2 of Mumbai Diaries. 

What is Mumbai Diaries Season 2 about?

*This section contains spoilers from Season 1. 

Season 1 of Mumbai Diaries premiered in 2021, and the series became an instant hit. Documenting the gruesome realities and aftermath of the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, this medical drama shed light on the dire state of public hospitals in India, and gave a nod to the quick-thinking and braveness of all the doctors, and other professionals who risked their lives to save the city from terror. Although the personal stories of the doctors, journalists, and other characters  in the show were fictional, the premise of the show was inspired by real events. 

With the first season of the series ending with the capture of the terrorists, fans have wondered what the second season of the show will center around. After two years of radio silence, Amazon Prime Video has finally given us a look into the new season by releasing a 35 second teaser video. 

The teaser starts off with a news reporter narrating the events of a serious flooding in Mumbai which has led to a citywide blackout. Amidst all the chaos and water logging we get to see Dr Kaushik spring back to action as he makes his way across waterlogged streets to help injured citizens in need, and frantically darts across the halls of Bombay Hospital for more help. 

Actor, director, legend. The first Bollywood actor to take the crown as the king of romance, Dev Anand, has a timeless charm that continues to allure audiences long after he’s gone. To celebrate the anniversary of his 100th birthday, we’re tracking down 5 films from his rich portfolio of 100+ films that celebrate his life as an actor, filmmaker, and person of influence. In addition to tracking down his biggest career hits, this list also includes interesting behind the scenes anecdotes that defined his life and changed the trajectory of some of Bollywood’s biggest celebrities. 

Top 5 Dev Anand Films of All Time 

1. Baazi 

Baazi is India’s first ever noir crime film. The movie stars Dev Anand as Madan, a struggling unemployed man who takes up gambling to provide for his sick sister, and follows him as his career drags him deeper into the life of crime and violence. This is also the second movie to be produced by Dev Anand under his banner of Navketan Films, and the film is directed by Guru Dutt.

Fun Fact: Dev Anand and Guru Dutt became fast friends during their times of struggle in the late 1940’s, the two artists then formed a pact to help each other if one of them achieves success. Dev Anand brought Guru Dutt on to direct Baazi as a part of his long standing pact with the fellow filmmaker. This movie was a breakout success, and formed as a starting point of a long and successful working relationship between the two.

Where to watch: Baazi is currently streaming on Shemaroo. 

2. Vidya

Directed by Girish Trivedi, Vidya is a romantic family drama starring Dev Anand and Suraiya as two star-crossed lovers. The film revolves around the family conflict that arises when Vidya, the daughter of a rich aristocrat falls in love with a cobbler. 

This is the first time actor Dev Anand and Suraiya were paired opposite each other, the film also marked the start of their relationship. Dev Anand and Suraiya fell in love with each other after Anand saved Suraiya from drowning when their boat capsized mid-shoot. The two stayed together for several years after this and appeared in many films together before they were forced to break things off due to a family conflict. 

Where to watch: Vidya is currently playing on Shemaroo. 

3. Taxi Driver 

Written and directed by Dev Anand’s brother Chetan Anand, Taxi Driver is a Hindi romantic musical starring Dev Anand as Mangal, a taxi driver with a penchant for saving people from trouble. The story follows Mangal’s will they, won’t they romance with Mala, an aspiring singer who Mangal saves from a group of thugs. The film stars actor Kalpana Kartik as Dev Anand’s love interest Mala, and marks the beginning of the pair's off-screen romance which eventually led to the couple getting married and having two kids.

Where to watch: Taxi Driver is currently streaming on Shemaroo. 

With two of the most highly anticipated family entertainers Sukhee and The Great Indian Family releasing today, this weekend was building up to a promising double feature at the cinemas. However, mixed critic reviews have left the box-office future of both the films in a weary state. Here’s a round-up of what everyone’s been saying about Shilpa Shetty and Vicky Kaushal’s latest comedy-dramas. 

Shilpa Shetty starrer Sukhee received mixed reactions from film-critics 

Starring Shilpa Shetty as an underappreciated housewife, Sukhee, is a female-led film about a woman reclaiming her freedom and lost identity after spending years hiding behind being someone’s wife, mother, and daughter in law first. This coming of age film about a housewife going rogue has been building up the hype and promising a good old family entertainer, but does it deliver? 

Movie critic Rohit Jaiswal declares the film a must-watch and rates it a 3.5 out of 5, along with sharing a glowing review supporting the films social message, ‘#ShilpaShetty nails the character #Sukhee….. Sometimes men becomes soo much dependent on Women that we forget even they have a life to enjoy, relationship or marriage is all about equality….. Sukhee gives a loud and clear message to society…. Absolutely beautiful film.'

His sentiments are shared by fellow film critic and VP of RVCG, Hemant Sangane, who also gives the film a rating of 3.5 along with penning down praise for the all female cast and crew of the film, ‘All in All an Engaging Cinema Experience Full of Song, Dance, & Doses of Emotions, Laughter,Romance, Fun and Humour.’

However, it’s not all song and praise for the Shilpa Shetty starrer. Film Companion’s reviews the film as, ‘Trying too hard to make a statement. In its attempt to celebrate housewives, the film turns them into exotic creatures.’ This review is matched by Mashable India which goes on to call the film, ‘A glamorized tale of a homemaker that is hard to relate to but easy to fantasize about.’

Overall, the film has received mixed reactions, with some calling the film a fun family entertainer, while others claiming it to be too preachy, or heavily inspired by previous female entertainers like Tumhari Sulu, and English Vinglish.

Got any weekend plans yet? With a plethora of new TV shows and movies arriving on both TV and in cinemas this weekend, there’s plenty of content to keep you entertained all week long. Here’s a roundup of some of the most recent and upcoming arrivals you should keep an eye out for this weekend. 

• 5 new films and TV shows arriving on OTT this weekend 

• What’s new on Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+ Hotstar  this week 

• Films you can catch in cinemas this week

5 Movies and TV Shows arriving on OTT this week 

1. Sex Education Season 4 (Releasing 21st September) 

The latest season of the popular British teen sex-comedy drama, Sex Education, arrives on Netflix on 21st September 2023. The fourth and final season of the series will see Maeve move to her dream school all the way to the USA, and follow Otis and Maeve as they navigate the complexities of a long-distance relationship. A whole new school also means a whole new lineup of characters. One of the most exciting new cast additions include Dan Levy aka David from Schitts Creek, as one of Maeve’s new American professors.

Where to watch: Sex Education is currently streaming on Netflix. 

2. Jaane Jaan (Releasing 21st September)

This weekend is special as it marks the streaming debut for one of Bollywood’s biggest actors, Kareena Kapoor Khan. Starring alongside OTT veteran Vijay Varma, ‘Jaane Jaan’ is an exciting crime-thriller about a housewife/singer who finds herself getting pulled deeper and deeper into a murder investigation. This pulsating crime-thriller directed by Sujoy Ghosh is based on a popular Japanese book titled The Devotion of Suspect X.

Where to watch: You can stream Jaane Jaan on Netflix. 

3. The Continental (Releasing 22nd September) 

Latest from the world of John Wick, The Continental, is a crime-action thriller miniseries set in early to mid 1970’s. The show serves as a prequel to the John Wick storyline and explores the background story of Winston Scott, and how he built his massive hotel empire. Starring Mel Gibson and Colin Woodell as the lead characters this series promises an intriguing storyline, star studded ensemble, and hopefully some exciting easter eggs. 

Where to watch: You can enjoy watching The Continental on Amazon Prime Video India. 

4. Love Again (Released 20th September) 

Weren’t able to catch Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ latest rom-com Love Again in theaters? Don’t worry, it just released on Amazon Prime Video. Priyanka stars as Mira, a grieving girlfriend who finds a second shot at love after receiving texts back from her dead boyfriend's phone number. This out of the box romantic-comedy features cameos from Celine Dion and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ husband Nick Jonas.

Where to watch: Love Again is available in both Hindi and English on Netflix India. 

5. Spy Kids: Armageddon (Releasing 22nd September) 

Looking for a fun film to watch with the entire family before the weekend ends? Catch the latest addition to the cutest spy film franchise: Spy Kids. The new film is about two kids who accidentally aid an evil game developer release a game that’ll brainwash the whole world. To undo what they’ve done, the kids must now wear their parents' spy gear and dive headfirst into the gamemaster’s high-tech world to save the day. 

Where to watch: Spy Kids: Armageddon will be available on Netflix. 

Amazon’s bloodiest crime-action series Mirzapur is all set to return for its latest season. Season 3 of Mirzapur will answer the question all fans have been asking since Season 2 ended: ‘Is Guddu Bhaiya the new king of Mirzapur?’

From the release date, to the story and star-cast, here’s everything we know about Amazon’s most popular crime-action drama.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on 29th September, 2023. 

What will Mirzapur Season 3 be about?

*The article contains spoilers to Season 1 and Season 2. 

Following the cliffhanger ending of Season 2, Mirzapur Season 3, will most likely revolve around the power dynamics between Kaleen Bhaiyya and Guddu as the two face off against each other to rule the town of Mirzapur. The season will also confirm if everyone’s beloved character, Munna, is actually dead, and if so, it will delve deeper into the aftermath following his sudden demise. While we don’t know much about the story of Season 3 of Mirzapur as of yet, the actor Shweta Tripathi who plays the role of Golu, did add to the excitement of the upcoming season by sharing a heartfelt note on her Instragram;

“I couldn't wait to start shooting as soon as I finished reading the episodes for season 3. And now that we've completed shooting, I can't wait for all of you to watch it. Wrapped a little piece of my heart. It's been one hell of a challenging and fulfilling ride. She's one of the bravest, toughest and most endearing girls I've met. And I love her!! And this cast and crew and the biggest gems.”

When is Mirzapur Season 3 set to release? 

It’s been almost three years since the last season of Mirzapur was released. Fans have been eagerly waiting since then to find out who the new king of Mirzapur will be, but sadly, Amazon still hasn’t confirmed the new season’s release date announcement. 

Actor Ali Fazal confirmed that the series wrapped shooting for Season 3 in December, 2022 by penning down a heartfelt note on his official Instagram handle. Apart from this, the rest of the cast and crew of Mirzapur continue to remain tight lipped regarding the official release of the new season. However, if past trends are any indicator, the new season of Mirzapur is most likely scheduled to release sometime between mid October to mid November. 

Is there a trailer for Season 3?

No, sadly Amazon hasn’t released a trailer for Season 3 as of yet. However, fans are hopeful to see a trailer or at least a teaser and date announcement, drop soon in the coming few weeks given that the show is anticipated to release around Diwali. 

So many movies, such little time! Looking for some solid movie recommendations to help you get your movie night started? Here’s a guide to the best films on OTT and in cinemas this week. This guide includes:

• 5 films to watch out for on OTT this week
• What to watch on Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+
• What’s in cinemas right now 

5 films to add to watch on OTT this week.

1. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani: In the mood for a complete family entertainer that’ll have you crying, laughing, and falling in love with the magic of Bollywood all over again? Rent Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani on Amazon Prime Video, and immerse yourself in this classic Karan Johar flick with lavish sets, a star-studded ensemble, and a moving love story about two families from polar opposite worlds.

Where to watch: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani is available for rent on Amazon Prime India.

2. Jailer: South superstar Rajnikanth’s latest action blockbuster Jailer has finally arrived on OTT. Starring Rajnikanth as Tiger, a retired policeman who returns to duty to uncover the mystery of his missing son's whereabouts, this south action-comedy packs in a load of cut-throat action scenes with a side of comedy. 

Where to watch: Jailer is currently streaming on Amazon Prime India. 

3. Neeyat: If you like Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries, and watching movies like Knives Out, you should check out Neeyat. Starring Vidya Balan as a CBI officer, this movie unravels the mystery behind the murder of a high-level businessman. 

Where to watch: Neeyat is currently streaming on Amazon Prime India.

4. Elemental: If you’re looking for a feel-good movie, check out Pixar’s latest animated feature. Set in a world where elements like water, fire, air, and earth don’t mix, this movie follows two rule-defying elements Wade and Ember, who decide to cross-paths and create a new world of their own. 

Where to watch: Elemental is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. 

5. Wifelike: In a world where artificial intelligence is getting more and more real by the day comes this psychological thriller about a widower who gets assigned a robotic assistant loaded with his late wife’s memories to help him cope with his grief. However, things take an unexpected turn when a war to end AI exploitation breaks out and leads the robot to go rogue.

Where to watch: Wifelike is currently streaming on Netflix. 

Tata Group’s OTT platform Tata Play Binge has decided to extend its reach further by joining forces with the international streaming service Apple TV+. This powerhouse partnership means that Tata Play subscribers will now have access to popular Apple TV Originals like Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and all of their other releases. 

Harit Nagpal, the managing director and chief executive of Tata Play opened up further about this in an interview with Mint; “Aggregators like us are important to deliver reach for producers like Apple TV+ who may have discerning and high-quality content. This is their first sign-up in India and we hope it will help multiply reach for them." 

This association is the first of its kind for Apple in India, who have been offering their streaming services through a standalone subscription so far, and marks an exciting new chapter for both parties. Tata Play Binge shared this breakthrough news with an interesting launch video starring A-lister couple Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan. 

There’s no stopping Jawan. Shah Rukh Khan’s action-packed blockbuster Jawan finally released in theatres around the world on Thursday, 7th September, as a part of an extended weekend release, and has already earned Rs 520.29 crores in just 4 days. The film has set a new benchmark, by recording the highest earning opening weekend box-office collections for an Indian film ever. Prior to this, the record was held by Shah Rukh Khan’s last action blockbuster Pathaan which was also released earlier this year. 

Jawan’s day-wise box office collection:

*These are the gross global box-office figures across all languages shared via Red Chillies Entertainment’s official Instagram handle. 

• Day 1: Rs 129.6 crores 

• Day 2:  Rs 110.87 crores | Total collection: 240.47 crores 

• Day 3: Rs 144.22 crores | Total collection: 384.69 crores 

• Day 4: Rs 136.1 crores | Total collection: 520.79 crores 

In addition to becoming the fastest earning Indian film to cross the Rs 250 crore mark, Jawan has also set the record for the biggest opening day in Indian cinema by making a handsome Rs 129.6 crores at the box-office on Day 1. The movie also went on to claim the spot for the highest earning single day collection recorded for a film by earning a cool Rs 144.22 at the global box-office on its third day.

As per trade reports shared by Sacknilk, SRK’s Jawan has already earned Rs 7.01 crores at the domestic box office with its advance bookings for Day 5. 

After a near decade long wait, Yaariyan 2, the standalone sequel to the 2014 coming of age film Yaariyan, is set to release in cinemas 20th October 2023. Starring Divya Khosla Kumar, Yash Daasguptaa, and Meezaan Jafri as three cousins navigating the hardships of life together, the movie is a remake of the 2023 Malayalam film Bangalore Days. From the story to the star-cast, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming comedy-drama. 

What is Yaariyan 2 about?

Yaariyan 2 is a spiritual sequel to the superhit 2014 coming of age film Yaariyan. This means that the movie’s story is not a continuation of the previous film. Instead, the upcoming film is based on the 2014 coming of age Malayalam rom-com Bangalore Days.

The upcoming movie is about three tight knit cousins who lean on each other for support to deal with loss, marital problems, and work stress. Similar to its predecessor, this movie also explores the themes of love and friendship through an ensemble of relatable everyday characters, and follows a similar upbeat soundtrack backing the coming of age story. 

Who is in Yaariyan 2? 

Much like its predecessor, Yaariyan 2 features an ensemble of upcoming actors and several Bollywood debuts.The movie stars the dynamic trio of Yash Daasguptaa, Meezaan Jafri, and Divya Khosla Kumar as the three tightly knit cousins whom the main story revolves around. They’re joined by Anaswara Ranjan, Pearl V Puri, and Warina Hussain. This movie will mark the Bollywood debut for television actor Yash Daashguptaa, Tamil actress Anaswara Ranjan, and TV actor/ ex Bigg Boss contestant Pearl V Puri.

In addition to the young ensemble, the movie also stars Lilette Dubey best known for her role as Jazz Kapoor in Kal Ho Naa Ho, and acclaimed actor Murali Sharma whom you may recognize as Mr Khan in Main Hoon Na. Actors Rahul Bose and Harman Baweja have also been confirmed for the film, however, we don’t have any details about the characters the supporting cast will be playing. 

Why is Divya Khosla Kumar not directing Yaariyan 2?

Actor/producer Divya Khosla Kumar made her directorial debut in 2014 with the rom-com Yaariyan after directing 20+ music videos. Following the breakout success of her directorial debut, she then went on to direct another romantic-comedy titled Sanam Re which was also a commercial success. This was her last directorial project and Divya has taken a break from directing since 2016. When T-Series confirmed the news of Yaariyan 2, a lot of fans were hopeful to see Divya Kumar resume her break from directing, however, she surprised fans by returning to the franchise to play the role of the lead actor instead. 

But don’t worry, Yaariyan 2 is in safe hands, as Divya Khosla Kumar’s passed her directorial duties to Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru who run a film production house called Rao & Sapru together. 

SRK’s Jawan has finally arrived in theaters across the globe, and the film has surpassed all audience and fan expectations. From glowing reviews by all the leading trade analysts, to fans lining up at 5am to catch the first show of the action blockbuster, here’s what everyone’s saying about the latest action blockbuster. 

Jawan Receives Glowing Praise From Critics 

Jawan’s grand arrival in cinemas has been graced with shining reviews from all major critics. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh has given the film 4.5 stars and called it a ‘Mega-Blockbuster’ in his one word review. Adding to his review, the trade analyst has also shared, ‘A hardcore masala entertainer that’s sure to stand tall in #SRK’s filmography… Jawan is loaded with aces… Razor-sharp screenplay, attention-grabbing episodes, splendid action pieces, larger than life frames, peppy soundtrack, and also the pace and energy that never dips.’ 

His excitement is matched by film critic Rohit Jaiswal who has also given the film 4.5 stars along with calling it an ‘All time Mass Mega Blockbuster Film.’ Rohit’s review goes on to praise the director Atlee for the way he’s executed the film, and appreciates Nayanthara for her stellar performance; ‘Lady Superstar #Nayanthara, the new crush of Hindi Belt, what a phenomenal actress, what a terrific performance.’ 

Film critic and influencer Sumit Kadel adds to the praise by giving the film 4.5 stars and sharing, ‘GIGANTIC BLOCKBUSTER, #Jawan delivers ENTERTAINMENT IN WHOLESALE QUANTITY WITH A  POWERFUL & PERTINENT MESSAGE,’ along with a detailed review of the film which includes praise for director Atlee, all the cameo performances and the seven female actors in the film. 

Chiming in on the train of positivity, film critic Roshan Rai also takes to X to share his candid review, ‘This is what happens when the brilliance of South meets the stardom of North. Atlee and SRK have managed to pull off one of the best action movies this country has produced.’

Wondering what's good on TV this week? From One Piece to Farzi, here’s a list of 10 of the most popular TV series streaming on OTT right now. 

Top 10 TV Shows on OTT this week 

*This list is based on the data recorded between 28th August- 3rd September. 

#10 School Friends

A slice of life show that follows the lives of five teenagers as they navigate love, life, and friendships as they graduate from school and enter their next phase of life: college. This everyday web-series is the perfect binge-worthy watch for anyone in the mood for something lighthearted and simple. 

Where to watch: You can watch School Friends for free on Amazon Mini TV. 

#9 Farzi 

A small-time artist gets his big break when his friend convinces him to use his grandfather’s rundown paper mill to create counterfeit notes. This cat and mouse crime-thriller starring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupati is equal parts funny, dark, thrilling, and action packed, checking off all the boxes for a classic Raj & DK production.

Where to watch: Farzi is currently streaming on Amazon Prime India. 

#8 Game of Thrones

Despite all its sequels and prequels, the original HBO series Game of Thrones, continues to rank as one of the ten most watched series in India week after week. Adapted from Geroge R.R. Martin’s popular book series A song of Ice and Fire, the HBO show centers around nine royal families as they battle it out for the rightful claim to the Iron Throne. 

Where to watch: You can watch Game of Thrones and all of its related sequels on Jio Cinema. 

#7 Asur: Welcome to the Dark Side

Starring Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti, Asur: Welcome to the Dark Side is a psychological thriller about an ex-forensic expert Nikhil, who returns back to the field to hunt down a vicious serial killer terrorizing the streets of Varanasi. Currently on its second season, this edgy crime-drama went on to become the most watched web show in India till date within just four weeks of its new season release. 

Where to watch: Asur is currently streaming on Jio Cinemas. 

#6 Bigg Boss 

Bigg Boss continues to remain as one of the most watched series this week despite its new season being months away from its premiere. With more than 16 seasons available online, the show provides more than enough options for reality-show fans looking to revisit their most entertaining moments through the years. 

Where to watch: Bigg Boss is currently streaming on Voot and Disney+ Hotstar.