Entertainment
Film, television, music, celebrity, streaming and entertainment culture
Jana Nayagan crosses Rs 400 crore worldwide, producer confirms
The producer of Jana Nayagan says the Vijay-starrer has earned over Rs 400 crore globally, a figure higher than prior estimates. The film reportedly earned around Rs 150 crore in Tamil Nadu and faced a major leak online, yet audiences continued to attend theaters.
Haiwaan trailer drops, Akshay vs Saif set to thrill in September
The makers released the Haiwaan trailer, spotlighting a tense face-off between Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The film, directed by Priyadarshan, premieres in cinemas on 11 September 2026.
Thudakkam review: Mohanlal’s daughter leads in a martial-arts driven revenge thriller
The Hindu reviews Thudakkam, noting Vismaya Mohanlal’s Muay Thai prowess boosts a conventional revenge tale. The piece highlights the actor’s debut, the director Jude Anthany Joseph’s style, and a few writing limitations, with the film currently in theatres.
Remembering Pilot Theatre: Chennai’s Royapettah modern cinema
A historic Chennai cinema, Pilot Theatre in Royapettah, opened in 1968 as a modern venue with 900 seats and advanced facilities, hosted festivals, and was demolished by 2017. The article reflects on its rise, features, and eventual disappearance.
Kit Harington to play Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter Season 2
Kit Harington will portray Gilderoy Lockhart in the HBO Harry Potter series Season 2, replacing Nicholas Hoult who exited due to scheduling conflicts. The show is headed into production for Season 2, with a December 25, 2026 premiere date announced.
Be YouNick roasts Santy Sharma in influencer agency gag amid Bigg Boss 20 buzz
Comedian Be YouNick delivers a sarcastic line about Santy Sharma in a fictional influencer agency sketch. The moment coincides with ongoing online chatter about Sharma’s visibility and rumours of a Bigg Boss 20 bid.
Akshaye Khanna to play Shukracharya in Mahakali; first glimpse teased for Aug 24
Akshaye Khanna is highlighted for portraying Shukracharya in Mahakali, with the first look unveiled on Aug 19 and a first glimpse teased for Aug 24. The project ties into Prasanth Varma’s cinematic universe and features Bhoomi Shetty and Rohit Saraf in the cast.
Tragically Hip’s Kingston anniversary marked by city-wide events
City remembers The Tragically Hip’s final show with three days of events in Kingston, including a viewing party for the final Kingston concert. The commemorations draw tens of thousands online and in-person crowds, tying a decade-long legacy to the Canadian city.
Sowcar Janaki reshaped Tamil cinema with Puthiya Paravai and a string of diverse roles
The Hindu profiles Sowcar Janaki, noting her shift from tearful heroines to a groundbreaking, vamp-like turn in Puthiya Paravai (1964) and subsequent acclaimed performances across Tamil cinema.
NYT Strands hints, answers for August 19, 2026
Two outlets report the New York Times Strands puzzle for August 19, 2026, citing a hot-dog themed clues set and a spangram. Both agree on the core word list and the spangram, with Mashable identifying the spangram as horizontal and the top dogs phrase.
Vijay Deverakonda posts rainy-day nap after shoot cancellation
Vijay Deverakonda shared a photo of himself napping between his parents after a shoot was cancelled due to rain. He credited his wife Rashmika Mandanna, and is slated to star in the period drama Ranabaali with Rashmika.
Madonna Leads 2026 VMAs Nominations With 11
Madonna dominates the 2026 VMAs nominations with 11 nods, ahead of Taylor Swift's nine. The ceremony is set for September 27 in Los Angeles, with fan voting open in 13 categories.
Yash corrects interviewer: Kannada, not Kannad, goes viral
Kannada star Yash corrected a host on a television interview, insisting the language is Kannada, not Kannad. The moment from promotion for Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups drew widespread praise and circulated on social media.
This week's Netflix picks and other top streaming titles
A Guardian roundup highlights Netflix offerings Take a Hike!, Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, and Outer Banks: Rivals, alongside non-Netflix titles across platforms for a curated weekly slate.
GTA 6 leaks surface ahead of Netflix reveal
New GTA 6 gameplay clips emerged online ahead of an official Netflix preview on Aug 27. The footage, shared by a group called Cyberleek, shows in-game actions involving a character named Jason, new HUD elements, and details about in-game currencies, with the full game set to release on PS5 and Xbox
Hulu’s Prison Break reboot adds six to cast, expanding ensemble
Hulu’s Prison Break reboot welcomes six new regulars to its cast, joining a core lineup led by Emily Browning. The ensemble broadens with actors from acclaimed series, while additional names were reported for the pilot in 2025.
Five Signs Celebrate Positive Horoscopes on Aug 18, 2026
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, five zodiac signs are described as having favorable horoscopes. The sky positions noted are the Sun in Leo, the Moon in Scorpio, and the North Node moving from Pisces to Aquarius.
From Auditions to Bollywood: Mihir Ahuja's Journey
Mihir Ahuja moved from Jamshedpur to Mumbai at 19, facing repeated rejections before landing roles in projects like The Archies and Operation Safed Sagar. Support from family amid Covid and perseverance through auditions are central to his story.
Anurag Kashyap hails Pallaburusu as unmissable
Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap praised the Telugu film Pallaburusu, calling it unmissable and a refreshing departure from typical action fare. The debut director Uday Chauhan is highlighted, with Kashyap sharing his impressions on social media and Letterboxd after the film’s August 14 release.
OTT releases this week: new titles streaming Aug 17–23
A wave of new OTT titles lands this week across multiple platforms, with several Indian and international titles and series debuting from Aug 17 to Aug 23, alongside earlier theater-based releases.
Somy Ali defends Govinda amid Sunita Ahuja feud over age and co-star
Somy Ali publicly supports Govinda as his wife Sunita Ahuja questions his associations with younger co-stars. The dispute centers on Govinda’s upcoming film Roopa and public remarks about age and professionalism.
OTT Releases This Week: A Big Weekend for streaming
A slew of new titles arrive on Netflix, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play and Prime Video, led by Cocktail 2, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata and Aakhri Sawal, with Lanterns and other new series slated through August 21.
Vishwanath and Sons crosses Rs 100 crore worldwide in 2 days
The Suriya-starrer Vishwanath and Sons opened strong and surpassed Rs 100 crore worldwide within two days, with India-led opening figures and varied early occupancy across Tamil and Telugu versions.
Kareena Kapoor Khan marks Saif Ali Khan’s 56th birthday with heartfelt posts
Kareena Kapoor Khan posted a birthday tribute for Saif Ali Khan on his 56th birthday, sharing unseen vacation photos and noting that the pictures were approved by him. Soha Ali Khan and other family members joined in with wishes as Saif’s birthday was celebrated publicly on August 16, 2026.