Sizzling Samachar: Lights, Camera, Melbourne! Indian Filmmakers unite for a cultural cinematic feast; He-Man’s epic comeback: Deadpool meets Skeletor in ‘Masters of the Universe’

Welcome to another episode of your daily news podcast, I'm your host Nikhil Kumar. News from Bollywood next.

Lights, Camera, Melbourne! Indian Filmmakers unite for a cultural cinematic feast

Get ready to witness cinematic magic as My Melbourne, an anthology helmed by Indian stalwarts Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, and Onir, hits PVR Cinemas in India on March 14, 2025. This trailblazing project, backed by VicScreen and Screen Australia, premiered to raving reviews at the 2024 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and MAMI Film Festival. With stories delving into race, gender, sexuality, and disability, the film features four short masterpieces, Setara, Emma, Nandini, and Jules. Presented in five languages, it’s a heartfelt celebration of diversity, inclusion, and storytelling that’ll leave you moved and inspired. Don’t miss it!

Step into Chambal’s chaotic past: Parul Gulati, Barun Sobti, and Divyenndu in E Niwas’ ‘Donali’

The ravines of Chambal are back on screen, and this time it’s fiercer than ever! Actress Parul Gulati joins the incredible Barun Sobti, Divyenndu, Chunky Panday, and Sandhya Mridul in the gritty period drama Donali, directed by E Niwas. Set in the 1960s, this series dives deep into the turbulent lives of Chambal’s dacoits, blending raw action with emotional depth. Filmed across authentic locations in Gwalior and Panihar, it promises a thrilling ride through India’s outlaw history. With intense characters and a layered storyline, Donali is a must-watch for period drama enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for its OTT release later this year!

He-Man’s epic comeback: Deadpool meets Skeletor in ‘Masters of the Universe’

The live-action Masters of the Universe movie, directed by Travis Knight, is gearing up for an epic 2026 release with an all-star cast. Morena Baccarin (Deadpool) joins as The Sorceress, while Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Vikings: Valhalla) wields power as Fisto. Nicholas Galitzine suits up as He-Man, battling Jared Leto’s Skeletor and Alison Brie’s Evil-Lyn, with Camila Mendes playing Teela. This Mattel-inspired fantasy promises action-packed adventures, penned by Chris Butler, as it goes head-to-head with heavyweights like Avengers: Doomsday. With Mattel’s success from Barbie, all eyes are on He-Man to deliver a nostalgic box-office knockout!

Billy Magnussen joins AMC’s silicon valley drama with a ‘Succession’ twist

Billy Magnussen is set to shake things up in AMC’s upcoming Silicon Valley drama, created by Succession and Better Call Saul producer Jonathan Glatzer. Magnussen stars as a tech CEO grappling with privilege-induced delusions, while Barry’s Sarah Goldberg steps in as his performance psychologist, setting up a riveting power dynamic. Known for roles in Made for Love and Aladdin, Magnussen’s impeccable range promises a gripping turn in this high-stakes tech-world saga. With Glatzer’s knack for unconventional storytelling, this series could be a standout. While AMC has yet to announce a release date, anticipation for this thought-provoking drama is already building!

Green Day Movie ‘New Years Rev’ brings pop-punk mayhem to the big screen

Grab your eyeliner and air guitars, Green Day's mischief-packed movie New Years Rev is in the works! Directed by Ordinary World’s Lee Kirk and produced by Live Nation, the comedy follows three teens (Mason Thames, Kylr Coffman, Ryan Foust) on a chaotic road trip to LA, mistakenly believing their band will open for Green Day on New Year's Eve. Packed with misadventures inspired by the band’s wild tour van days, the film will also feature The Office’s Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer. Production is underway in Oklahoma, so stay tuned for a release date and prepare for punk-rock nostalgia!

Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ adds Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun to its star-studded pack

Netflix’s crime thriller Animals just got even juicier with Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun joining Ben Affleck and Gillian Anderson in this gripping saga. Directed by Affleck, the plot follows a mayoral candidate (Affleck) and his wife (Washington) battling political foes to rescue their kidnapped son. Anderson plays a shady fixer, and Yeun stars as the campaign manager. Set to begin filming in April in Los Angeles, the project emphasizes keeping the city’s film scene alive. With scripts by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, the star-studded cast promises high-stakes drama in this production by Artists Equity and MakeReady.

Ben Stiller set to rock the music industry in HBO’s new dramedy ‘The Band’

Ben Stiller is swapping Severance intensity for a music industry twist in HBO's upcoming dramedy The Band. Co-created by Search Party masterminds Sarah Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, the series will feature Stiller as Oscar, a pop mogul caught in a scandal who must create a new act to save both his career and his soul. Serving double duty as star and executive producer via his Red Hour Films, this marks Stiller’s return to a recurring TV role since Arrested Development. Media Res, known for The Morning Show, co-produces the series, promising a tuneful mix of drama and hilarity.

Well that's all for this episode, until next time it's your host Nikhil Kumar signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

- Written by Apurva Dutta

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