Sizzling Samachar: Grammys 2024: India shines as Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Zakir Hussain win big; Shahid Kapoor in advanced talks for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj biopic with OMG 2 director Amit Rai

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news on OTTplay, I'm your host Nikhil. News from Hollywood first.

Grammys 2024: India shines as Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Zakir Hussain win big

India made a mark at the 2024 Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, with musicians Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Zakir Hussain winning big at the prestigious event. In a photo shared by the official Grammys account on Twitter, now known as X, Shankar Mahadevan and Ganesh Rajagopalan were seen accepting their award for "This Moment" Shakti, which won the Best Global Music Album category. Another significant win for India came when Zakir Hussain secured the Best Global Music Performance for his contribution to 'Pashto' alongside Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia. Zakir won three Grammys in one night, while Chaurasia secured two awards. The success of these Indian musicians at the Grammys highlights the global recognition and appreciation for the country's rich musical talent.

Poonam Pandey clarifies PR not involved in fake death announcement; agency apologizes for controversial campaign

In a shocking turn of events, actress Poonam Pandey faked her death to raise awareness about cervical cancer. The news caused significant uproar, even though Pandey later revealed that her PR was not involved in the fake death announcement. The agency Schbang, responsible for spearheading the controversial campaign, issued an apology. They emphasised that their actions were driven by a mission to elevate awareness about cervical cancer, citing the alarming number of cases and deaths in India. The statement also mentioned India's 2022 statistics, with 123,907 cervical cancer cases and 77,348 deaths recorded. Poonam Pandey's controversial campaign has ignited discussions on the ethics of using such extreme measures for awareness and the responsibility of celebrities and agencies in addressing sensitive health issues.

Shahid Kapoor in advanced talks for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj biopic with OMG 2 director Amit Rai

Actor Shahid Kapoor is reportedly in advanced discussions for a significant historical project centred around the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The potential film is said to be helmed by director Amit Rai, known for his work on OMG 2. According to a credible report, Shahid Kapoor and producer Ashwin Varde have been exploring the idea of a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for some time. The report suggests that things are gradually falling into place, with discussions progressing between Shahid and director Amit Rai. The film aims to depict a chapter from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, utilising high-quality VFX and aspiring to be one of the most expensive Indian productions. While Kapoor has reportedly given his nod in principle, official confirmation and commencement of filming are dependent on securing a major studio partner.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black Finally Available on OTT Platforms

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's critically acclaimed film Black, which was released in 2005, has made its long-awaited debut on an OTT platform. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji in pivotal roles, tells the emotional and inspiring story of a teacher and his deaf-blind student. The movie, which garnered immense praise for its powerful performances and masterful direction, is now available for streaming on Netflix. Sharing the news on his Instagram, Amitabh Bachchan expressed joy over the film's digital release after 19 years. The film draws inspiration from the life of Helen Keller and explores themes of human connection, perseverance, and the transformative power of education.

Confirmation: Don 3 to commence pre-production next month, shooting starts in August

The much-anticipated Don 3, directed by Farhan Akhtar, is officially entering the pre-production phase next month, with shooting scheduled to commence in August. The film, which marks the third instalment of the successful Don franchise, has been in the headlines not only for being part of the acclaimed series but also for the significant casting change. Ranveer Singh has stepped into the iconic role of Don, previously portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan in the first two films. According to recent reports, the casting process is currently underway, and the pre-production work is set to kick off in the coming month. The filming is scheduled to start in August, promising some surprising twists for the audience.

Euphoria star Jacob Elordi faces legal trouble after alleged assault in Australia

Jacob Elordi, renowned for his role in HBO's Euphoria, finds himself in legal turmoil following an alleged assault on KIIS FM staffer Joshua Fox in Australia. The incident transpired as Elordi returned to attend the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. Staying at the Clovelly Hotel, Elordi encountered Fox, who approached him with questions, leading to a reported altercation. New South Wales Police are now investigating the incident, confirmed by a spokesperson, stating that officers from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command are looking into the alleged assault outside a Sydney Eastern Suburbs hotel. Despite the confrontation, Fox emerged unharmed. Elordi, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Saltburn, faces uncertainty regarding his attendance at the AACTA Awards on February 10.

Dhanush's ‘Captain Miller’ set for Amazon Prime Video debut on February 9

After a successful run in theatres, Dhanush's Captain Miller is poised to make its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video on February 9. The Tamil period action-adventure drama, directed by Arun Matheswaran and produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, features Dhanush in the lead role, supported by Shiva Rajkumar, Nassar, Sundeep Kishan, Priyanka Mohan, and Nivedhithaa Sathish. The film, set in the pre-independence era, follows the journey of Analeesan played by Dhanush, aka Eesa, who transforms into the revolutionary Captain Miller after leaving the British Indian army.

Well that's all we got for today's episode, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Apurva