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Entertainment

October 23, 2023

Top 5 Indian films by opening day box office collection, including “Leo” to “Baahubali 2”

Top 5 Indian Films’ Opening Day Box Office Collections

Indian cinema holds a global allure, with certain films leaving a lasting impact on the worldwide box office. Often driven by extensive promotion and anticipation, these movies have achieved astounding earnings on their opening days. Tamil cinema, in particular, has transcended borders to reach remarkable success. Let’s delve into the opening day box office collections of the top 5 Indian films.

‘Baahubali 2’

Following the immense success of ‘Baahubali’ in 2015, SS Rajamouli continued the epic saga in 2017. Starring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, the film was a masterful blend of action and emotion, leading to a colossal opening at the box office. ‘Baahubali 2’ stands as the first and only Indian film to rake in over Rs 200 crore worldwide on its opening day.

‘RRR’

After the monumental triumph of the ‘Baahubali’ series, SS Rajamouli teamed up with Ram Charan and Jr. NTR for the period action drama ‘RRR.’ The high expectations surrounding this brilliantly crafted film translated into an impressive Rs 190 crore on the first day of its worldwide release. ‘RRR’ eventually became the first Indian film to cross the 1000 crore mark, solidifying its status as a blockbuster across various regions.

‘KGF: Chapter 2’

The 2018 Kannada action drama ‘KGF: Chapter 1’ became a massive hit, featuring Yash in the lead role and subsequently dubbed into multiple languages, achieving nationwide acclaim. The 2022 release of ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ marked a pan-Indian sensation, grossing Rs 162 crore on its opening day. This action-packed entertainer is now a timeless classic in the Kannada film industry.

‘Leo’

Lokesh Kanagaraj, known for his successful films, reunited with his ‘Master’ co-star Vijay for ‘Leo.’ Expectations were high for this action drama, exploring Vijay’s skills. The film earned rave reviews and a remarkable Rs 148 crore on its opening day, with the official confirmation of its box office success.

‘Jawan’

Shah Rukh Khan collaborated with director Atlee for ‘Jawan,’ marking Atlee’s Hindi debut. In this film, Shah Rukh Khan played dual roles as a father and son, receiving favorable feedback from both audiences and critics. ‘Jawan’ grossed Rs 127 crore on its opening day, making it Shah Rukh Khan’s highest-grossing film on the first day and ranking fifth among Indian films.

Entertainment

October 21, 2023

Toby Keith reveals upcoming tour despite his cancer battle

Amid his ongoing cancer battle, country music legend Toby Keith is making a triumphant return to the stage. Keith has just unveiled two upcoming headline concerts scheduled for December in Las Vegas. The 62-year-old musician, who revealed his stomach cancer diagnosis in the autumn of 2021, joyfully shared this exciting news via a video posted on his Instagram.

In the video message, Toby Keith disclosed his plan to perform at Dolby Live Park MGM Las Vegas on December 10 and 11, marking his official comeback to live music after a two-year hiatus. These concerts, he explained, are intended to serve as “rehab” shows, allowing him to rekindle his connection with performing and “get the band back in sync.”

Following his cancer diagnosis, Keith decided to take a break from music to prioritize his health. Nevertheless, he has been consistently making public appearances, including surprise pop-up concerts in Oklahoma and his appearance at the People’s Choice Country Awards in Nashville.

In his video message, Toby Keith offered a glimpse into his ongoing battle with cancer and the unyielding spirit he has maintained throughout. He expressed, “I’ve been on the old rollercoaster. But Almighty’s riding shotgun; he’s letting me drive for some reason. I was going to sit around here and do nothing like I have been. Or (I can) get up, go outside. Don’t let the old man in, you know what I mean?”

He continued, “This is the first time in my whole life I’ve been off for over two years. I’ve never been off for a year in my life. And through COVID and cancer, the old devil’s been at me a little bit. I’ve got him by the horns right now, so instead of just sitting around and waiting, we’re going to get the band back together.”

Toby Keith was honored with the 2023 Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards last month, and he delivered his first televised performance since revealing his cancer diagnosis in June 2022. He performed “Don’t Let the Old Man,” a song from Clint Eastwood’s 2018 film, “The Mule.”

Entertainment

October 20, 2023

Lady Gaga Performs at a Rolling Stones’ Secret NYC Nightclub Concert to Announce New Album “Hackney Diamonds”

The Rolling Stones delivered an electrifying performance, playing an impressive seven-song set at Racket on W 16th Street in Chelsea tonight.

A fortunate audience of six hundred, including prominent figures such as Elvis Costello and Diana Krall, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, and Christie Brinkley, were treated to their performance. Joining the audience were familiar faces like Jimmy Fallon, Keegan Michael Key, Christie Turlington, and Ed Burns, as well as CBS’s Anthony Mason and Dr. John LaPook, Trevor Noah, and Rolling Stone editor Gus Wenner, accompanied by his father, former Rolling Stone owner Jann Wenner, who recently made headlines due to a scandal.

The band’s performance was intense and awe-inspiring as they belted out classics and introduced new tracks from their latest album, Hackney Diamonds, which had already reached number two on iTunes by morning. Lady Gaga made a memorable appearance, joining them for an energetic finale on “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”

Questioned deejayed both before and after the show.

Their setlist also featured iconic songs like “Shattered,” “Tumbling Dice,” and “Jumping Jack Flash.”

Mick Jagger remains the eighth wonder of the world. At 80, he possesses the energy, agility, and vocals of a 30-year-old. Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood were equally impressive on their guitars. The entire band exuded a contemporary prowess that could easily overpower any current act.

Among their standout performances, the Stones presented “Angry,” the lead single from their new album, along with crowd favorites such as “Whole Wide World” and “Bite Off Your Head.” The former seems poised to become a hit single, while the latter is a whirlwind that had the band members congratulating each other upon completion.

Despite a collective age of 240 years and significant wealth, Mick, Keith, and Ronnie exhibited an almost alarming level of energy. Witnessing them from a close distance reinforced this notion. Ronnie appeared to be enjoying every moment, laughing on stage and reveling in the thrill. Keith led the pack, delivering a master class in lead guitar and band management. As for Mick, his performance defied all expectations, as he gracefully danced and beckoned Keith to join him, as if it were still the 1960s.

Entertainment

October 18, 2023

The Boy and the Heron English Voice Cast Unveiled, and It’s Absolutely Stacked

The English voice cast for “The Boy and the Heron” has been officially unveiled, and it boasts a lineup of top-tier talent. The latest creation from Studio Ghibli, previously rumored to be the last project from the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, features an ensemble including Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, and Mark Hamill, among others.

Here’s the complete list of the cast, revealed earlier today:

Christian Bale as Shoichi Maki
Dave Bautista as The Parakeet King
Gemma Chan as Natsuko
Willem Dafoe as Noble Pelican
Karen Fukuhara as Lady Himi
Mark Hamill as Granduncle
Robert Pattinson as The Gray Heron
Florence Pugh as Kiriko

Christian Bale takes the lead in the film, portraying protagonist Shoichi Maki, who is the father of young Mahito Maki.

Many of the actors involved in the production have previous experience in voice acting. Christian Bale had a role in “Howl’s Moving Castle” as Howl, and Florence Pugh starred in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Mark Hamill, a renowned voice actor, is well-known for his iconic portrayal of the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series” and numerous other projects.

“The Boy and the Heron” is set in the backdrop of World War II, following Mahito Maki as he embarks on a journey into an alternate world filled with Ghibli’s trademark enchanting imagery. We reviewed the film during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and praised it as the “ultimate statement” from Miyazaki.

“It’s Studio Ghibli’s most visually complex film to date, while also contemplating the legacy of a legendary filmmaker and the world he is leaving behind. It serves as an ultimate statement from Miyazaki, and the perfect coda to his career,” we wrote.

However, despite “The Boy and the Heron” being heralded as Miyazaki’s final work, it appears the revered master isn’t quite ready to retire just yet. Indeed, it seems like it was another one of his retirement feints, as reports suggest Miyazaki is already working on his next film.

Even if this isn’t his swan song, it’s another promising Ghibli production with an outstanding cast. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on December 8.

Entertainment

October 16, 2023

Kanye West’s upcoming album was “rejected by major record labels” after antisemitism allegations

Kanye West, a prominent figure in the rap industry since the early 2000s, has faced significant challenges with his latest album due to allegations of antisemitism. Major record labels have reportedly shown reluctance to engage with the 46-year-old artist for his 11th studio album, following his 2021 release “Donda.”

West, who spent the summer traveling across Europe with his wife, Bianca Censori, 28, has already completed the album in collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign. However, over the past year, the American rapper has faced recurrent accusations of antisemitism, including a recent incident where he applied for a trademark using the phrase ‘Yews.’

These allegations have taken a toll on West’s personal life, with even his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, expressing distress over the situation, expressing a desire to avoid discussing it further. Consequently, West is currently exploring options with smaller record labels to release his new music, following multiple rejections from major industry players, as reported by Billboard.

In the previous year, West posted tweets expressing extreme hostility towards Jewish people, leading to the suspension of his account on the social media platform. He later made controversial statements during an appearance on the Info Wars podcast, where he expressed admiration for Hitler and suggested positive aspects about him. These comments resulted in the termination of several brand partnerships, including Adidas. Now, West’s latest album is encountering challenges in finding a home with larger record labels.

Entertainment

October 16, 2023

‘Rick and Morty’: Justin Roiland’s replacements are revealed in the season 7 premiere

“Rick and Morty” has at last disclosed the new voice actors taking over for the show’s star, Justin Roiland.

In the Season 7 premiere credits on Sunday night, the names Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden were revealed as the new voices of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, respectively. Interestingly, the opening credits omitted the typical “Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon” and only featured the “Rick and Morty” logo.

The characters’ new voices were initially heard in the Season 7 trailer released in September, but Adult Swim kept the identity of the voice actors under wraps. Screeners for “Rick and Morty” provided before the season’s launch didn’t include credits, and though the show’s representatives initially promised to unveil the voice actors’ names ahead of the Season 7 premiere on October 15, Adult Swim later reneged on that commitment via email.

It’s worth noting that Justin Roiland was terminated by Adult Swim in January following domestic violence charges, which were later dismissed in March. Furthermore, allegations of misconduct were raised in a September NBC report. Despite these events, Roiland’s attorney has denied these accusations.

“Rick and Morty” follows the adventures of the titular grandfather-grandson duo as they journey through the universe. The logline for the upcoming season, in a light-hearted tone, mentions the new voices: “Rick and Morty are back and sounding more like themselves than ever,” it reads. “It’s season seven, and the possibilities are endless: what’s up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to high school?! Maybe not! But let’s find out! There’s probably less piss than last season. ‘Rick and Morty,’ 100 years! Or at least until season 10!”

“Rick and Morty” initially premiered in 2013 and has received widespread critical acclaim. Season 7, comprising 10 new episodes, is set to premiere on Adult Swim on October 15.

It’s worth mentioning that Justin Roiland was also the co-creator and lead voice actor in Hulu’s animated comedy series “Solar Opposites,” with Dan Stevens announced as his replacement for the voice of the lead character, Korvo.

Entertainment

October 14, 2023

Tiny-sized Goku and Akira Toriyama have returned for the upcoming series Dragon Ball: Daima

During New York Comic Con 2023, Toei Animation made a significant announcement regarding the next installment of the expansive Dragon Ball franchise, a series titled Dragon Ball: Daima. Surprisingly, this new series showcases Goku and his companions in a much younger and tinier form.

Monica Rial, renowned as the English voice of the tech-savvy Bulma in Dragon Ball Super, assumed the role of the moderator for a special Dragon Ball panel at the event. In a playful manner, she quipped about taking a break from her “hotheaded Saiyan hubby,” Vegeta, for the weekend. Rial added to the excitement by teasing an “exclusive new video, not disclosed anywhere else.” Ian Sinclair, the English voice of Whis, Beerus the Destroyer’s right-hand figure, was also present, and he had never seen the featured footage before.

Fans, along with Sinclair, were given a sneak peek of a special teaser for the new series, Dragon Ball: Daima, which marks the 40th anniversary of the franchise. This story, created by Dragon Ball’s original mastermind Akira Toriyama, introduces a unique Dragon Ball narrative that has never been explored in the franchise. Remarkably, characters such as Goku, Bulma, Piccolo, Yamcha, and others have been transformed into adorable, pint-sized versions of themselves. The series is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024.

Before Dragon Ball enthusiasts could voice their bewilderment and questions, it became clear that answers would remain elusive for some time. Akio Iyoku, an executive producer of Dragon Ball who was present at the event, remained secretive about the transformation, stating, “Yes, it’s very curious. There are some things I can’t say… Akira Toriyama has been deeply involved beyond his usual capacity in the character design and artwork and more.”

A letter from Toriyama, displayed on the panel screen, provided some insight into the plot development while still leaving many questions unanswered:

“DAIMA” is a made-up term… in English would be something like “Evil.”

Due to a conspiracy, Goku and his friends are turned small. In order to fix things, they’ll head off to a new world! It’s a grand adventure with intense action in an unknown and mysterious new world. Since Goku has to make up for his petite size, he uses his Nyoibo (Power Pole) to fight, something not seen in a long time. I came up with the story and settings, as well as a lot of the designs. I’m actually putting a lot more into this than usual.”

Sinclair sought clarification regarding another mystery, asking, “Is Whis going to be in it?” Iyoku replied, “I’m not going to say no, but maybe, but I’m going to say Bulma’s in it.”

The panel also teased Dragon Ball video games and card games, a role-playing video game based on Toriyama’s property, Sand Land, the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero on home and digital platforms (scheduled for November 11), and the return of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods to movie theaters (on October 17 and 18) with an additional 20 minutes of bonus content.

Iyoku emphasized, “Dragon Ball: Daima. Dragon Ball: Daima. Dragon Ball: Daima, please remember this name.”

The panel concluded with a video message from Masako Nozawa, the iconic Japanese voice actress for Goku, who, even at her advanced age, delivered her signature KamehameHAAAAAAA pose. This marked the end of Toei’s Dragon Ball panel at New York Comic Con 2023, but fans can stay updated with Polygon’s coverage of all the event’s news, trailers, and highlights.

Entertainment

October 12, 2023

‘Twende,’ the first original 2D animated series from Showmax, is set to premiere

African streaming service Showmax has set a release date and unveiled the first trailer for “Twende,” its inaugural 2D animated series.

“Twende” follows a pangolin named Twende, known as the slowest-moving creature on the savannah. The pilot episode was screened in competition at Annecy in 2021, and international sales for the series are managed by MultiChoice Studios, who will present it at Mipcom.

“Twende” grapples with the belief that “life is about the journey, not the destination,” which constantly clashes with his role as a boda boda (motorbike taxi) driver in the bustling fictional East African city of Milima, according to South African showrunner Greig Cameron. Cameron has previously worked on “Seal Team,” which made the Netflix global Top 10 film list in January last year, and the popular soccer animated series “Supa Strikas.”

Twende is voiced by Junior Nyong’o, known for “The Legend of Lwanda Magere,” and his best friend and navigator Nuru is played by June Gachui, who starred in “Crime and Justice.” The character Boss, the perennially broke and exhausted hyena who owns the boda boda agency, is voiced by Elsaphan Njora (“Super Sema”).

The all-Kenyan voice cast also includes Charles Ouda, Mkamzee Mwatela, Nyokabi Macharia, Joyce Musoke, and Khaemba W. Edward.

While “Twende” doesn’t directly address poaching, it brings awareness to the pangolin’s endangered status, as they are one of the most trafficked animals in the world.

Kenyan executive producer Kwame Nyong’o stated, “It’s such a shame that this is happening to this amazing and unique animal. ‘Twende’ is a super silly show, but we hope that, between all the humor and all the hijinks, our audience will fall in love with pangolins as much as we have and do their part to help protect them.”

“Twende” was created by Charlie and Regan Maas and is produced in partnership with London-based Braintrust and Johannesburg-based Mind’s Eye Creative. The series features co-creators Mike Scott and Kayla Archer from South Africa and a diverse writing team including Zambian Malenga Mulendema, Nigerian Vanessa Kanu, Kenyan J. Njogu Macharia, and South African head writer Sheldon Bengtson. The music includes original compositions by Eric Musyoka and a score by South African music studios The Music Works, Phonographic, and Pressure Cooker Studios.

“Twende” will premiere on Showmax on December 4, with new episodes being released on Saturdays.

Entertainment

October 12, 2023

Becky G debuts in the top 5 on the regional Mexican album chart with “Esquinas”

Becky G’s latest album, “Esquinas,” has made an impressive debut on various Billboard charts. The album, produced by Edgar Barrera, marks her first appearance on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, coming in at No. 3 on the chart dated September 14. Previously, Becky G had secured placements on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums rankings. Simultaneously, “Esquinas” entered the overall Top Latin Albums chart at No. 7.

“Esquinas” was released on September 28 through Kemosabe/RCA and quickly climbed to the third position on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, amassing 11,000 equivalent album units in the tracking week ending on October 5 in the United States. The majority of the album’s success in its first week can be attributed to streaming, with 10,000 of those units coming from streaming platforms, accumulating an impressive 14.1 million official on-demand streams for the album’s tracks.

This album, Becky G’s third full-length release, marks her debut on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. The album’s title, which translates to “corners,” symbolizes the intersection of her American style with her Mexican heritage. “Esquinas” features collaborations with artists like Peso Pluma, Ivan Cornejo, Gabito Ballesteros, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Chiquis, and DannyLux. Becky G unveiled the album’s cover art on her Instagram account on September 12, expressing her excitement to share it with her fans.

“Esquinas” showcases the 26-year-old artist at a cultural crossroads, reflecting the fusion of her two distinct backgrounds, a theme that has been present throughout her decade-long career on the Billboard charts. With this album, Becky G now boasts two top 10 albums, following her previous release “Mala Santa” (reaching No. 3 on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums in 2019) and “Esquemas” (holding the top spot on Latin Pop Albums for eight weeks in 2022).

In addition to its success on the Regional Mexican Albums chart, “Esquinas” also debuted at No. 7 on the Top Latin Albums chart, following the success of “Esquemas,” which reached No. 5 in May 2022. Furthermore, the album earned Becky G her third appearance on the overall Billboard 200 chart, securing the No. 109 position.

With the release of “Esquinas,” two of its songs made their debut on various Latin charts. “2do Chance,” a pop track featuring Ivan Cornejo, entered the multimetric Hot Latin Songs chart at No. 34, driven by significant streaming activity, accruing 2.7 million clicks in the United States during the same tracking week. Additionally, “Por El Contrario,” a collaboration with siblings Leonardo Aguilar and Angela Aguilar, made its debut at No. 19 on the Latin Digital Songs chart.

Entertainment

October 9, 2023

AC/DC victoriously return with their first live performance in seven years

AC/DC returned to the stage after a seven-year hiatus, making a triumphant appearance at the Power Trip festival on Saturday night.

This marked the first time that lead vocalist Brian Johnson had performed live with the band since September 2016 when they concluded their 79-date Rock or Bust world tour. Johnson had to step down from the tour due to hearing loss issues, and Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose filled in for the final 22 shows.

The festival lineup featured a few changes, with Matt Laug taking over drumming duties from Phil Rudd, and bassist Cliff Williams coming out of retirement to join Angus and Stevie Young on guitar.

AC/DC delivered a high-energy 24-song set that kicked off with “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” a first-time opener for the band. The performance included classic hits like “Back in Black,” “Thunderstruck,” “Have a Drink on Me,” “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

In addition to the classics, the hard-rock legends introduced live renditions of “Demon Fire” and “Shot in the Dark” from their 2020 album, Power Up.

Last year, Brian Johnson expressed uncertainty about AC/DC’s future, saying, “I would love to [perform again]. It’s as simple as that. I think everybody would. There’s a groundswell of people just asking. But I hate talking about the future because, fuck, we were ready two years ago, and the pandemic came, and it screwed everything up. So I’m terrified to say what could happen and what couldn’t.”

The Power Trip festival also featured a special reunion, as Judas Priest welcomed back guitarist Glenn Tipton, who had retired in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease. Judas Priest filled in for Ozzy Osbourne, the former Black Sabbath frontman who had been scheduled to headline but withdrew due to ongoing health concerns.