Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has shared his first review of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire And Ash from India. Rajamouli said he felt honoured to be the first Indian to watch the film before its release. He praised Cameron’s vision, visuals and storytelling. Rajamouli said the film made him feel like a child watching cinema again. He enjoyed the new worlds, characters and action scenes. He said Jake Sully’s moral struggle stayed in his mind even after the film ended. Rajamouli also praised the emotional conflicts shown in the story. Avatar: Fire And Ash will release in theatres on December 19. (PC: HT)

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, India’s official entry, has been shortlisted among the Top 15 films competing for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026). The list includes acclaimed global contenders chosen from over 80 submissions, taking the film a step closer to potential nomination. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor and co‑produced by Karan Johar, the movie has received widespread praise and festival recognition. With final nominations to be announced in January 2026, Homebound represents a major moment for Indian cinema on the world stage. (PC: X)

Renowned filmmaker Vikram Bhatt (Ghulam, Raaz) and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt were remanded to judicial custody by a Udaipur court in a ₹30 crore fraud case after their plea for interim bail on medical grounds was rejected. The couple was arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and brought to Udaipur, where they were initially held in police custody. They are accused, along with others, of cheating Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira Group/Indira IVF, by promising a profitable biopic deal that never materialised. Bhatt has denied the allegations, calling the FIR misleading. 

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa's Homebound has been shortlisted among 15 films for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, India's official Oscar entry competed against films from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and others. Five films from this shortlist will advance to final nominations, announced January 22, 2026. The film explores friendship between two childhood friends aspiring to become police officers while facing systemic and societal obstacles. Produced by Dharma Movies with Martin Scorsese as executive producer, Homebound premiered at Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, currently streaming on Netflix.

A Pakistani viewer from Karachi has garnered attention for his candid review of Ranveer Singh's spy thriller Dhurandhar. Despite the film's portrayal of Pakistan as the adversary and its depiction of cross-border tensions, the reviewer praised the cinematography, music, screenplay, and performances. He acknowledged the film took him to "uncomfortable places" but appreciated its bold narrative as an art form. Emphasizing humanity over nationalism, he urged viewers to look beyond country labels and recognize wrongdoing as human-to-human harm. His review sparked positive responses online, with many praising his open-mindedness. Dhurandhar, featuring Singh as an Indian spy infiltrating Pakistan's Lyari, has grossed over Rs 350 crore domestically in ten days. (PC: News18)

Warner Bros Discovery is expected to advise shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid and instead support Netflix’s earlier acquisition deal for its assets, according to sources. Paramount’s all-cash offer of $30 per share, launched directly to shareholders, tops Netflix’s approximately $82.7 billion cash-and-stock proposal and aims to buy the entire company, including cable networks. Warner’s board favors Netflix’s bid, which focuses on studios and streaming assets, citing better strategic fit. The high-stakes battle over Hollywood’s prized content library marks a major clash in the global media landscape. (PC: Reuters)

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, co-produced by Karan Johar under Dharma Productions, has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, India’s official Oscar entry, was selected from a competitive international field and will advance to the next voting round. Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, and has Oscar winner Martin Scorsese as executive producer. Inspired by a true story, it charts two friends’ life-changing journey. Karan Johar celebrated the achievement on social media, expressing pride in the team’s global recognition. (PC: HT)

A new 3D promo of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana will play in theatres with James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash. The promo gives audiences their first big screen taste of the epic. Visual effects are handled by Oscar winning studio DNEG. Ramayana is planned as a two part film. Part one will release on Diwali 2026. Part two will arrive in 2027. The film also stars Ravi Dubey and Sunny Deol. Music is by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. A longer trailer is expected to release next year before filming ends officially. (PC: X)

Ranveer Singh's spy thriller Dhurandhar has crossed ₹500 crore worldwide in just 10 days, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film earned ₹59 crore net on its second Sunday, closing the weekend at ₹144.50 crore, a 40% increase from its opening weekend. With ₹351.75 crore net domestically and over $12 million overseas, its global haul stands at ₹530 crore. The film has surpassed lifetime collections of Coolie (₹518 crore), Dunki (₹470 crore), War (₹449 crore), and Pushpa: The Rise (₹365 crore). Co-starring Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal, it's poised for the ₹600-crore mark.(PC: IMDb)

Hollywood is facing fresh turmoil as Warner Bros moves closer to a possible sale. Netflix and Paramount are competing to buy the historic studio. Many actors and crew members fear more job losses in an industry already hit by strikes and low production. Workers say the decline of Warner Bros has hurt creativity and stability. Some worry Netflix may weaken movie theatres, while others fear foreign influence if Paramount wins. Many blame CEO David Zaslav for the studio’s fall. As deals loom, film workers say the future feels uncertain and painful. For many, survival now matters more than who wins the takeover battle. (PC: BBC)