Sizzling Samachar: Mayday starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh commence shooting; Warner Bros. Animation revives ‘The Cat in the Hat’; movie set to hit theatres in 2026

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

Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke starrer queer short film ‘Strange Way of Life set for Netflix Premiere

The short film starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke, Strange Way of Life, is set to premiere on Netflix on April 12. The film premiered last year at Cannes and it is directed by Academy Award winner Pedro Almodóvar. The story revolves around two former lovers and old West gunslingers, Silva and Sheriff Jake, who reunite after 25 years. As they reminisce about their past and their adventures, tensions arise when suspicions emerge about Silva's sudden visit to Jake's home. With a runtime of 31 minutes, the film explores themes of masculinity and romance in a non-traditional Western setting. Much like Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, this film too explores queer romance in a Western setting challenging the set conventions and traditions of the genre.

Mayday starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh commence shooting

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh commence filming Apple Studio’s new action film Mayday. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, known for their work on Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the movie's plot remains a mystery, but set photos suggest a foreign country setting. No other details have been revealed about the remaining cast too but Mayday surely has a strong team both on and off camera. Produced by Skydance under a first-look deal with Apple, Mayday is a promising addition to the action-adventure genre.

Warner Bros. Animation revives ‘The Cat in the Hat’; movie set to hit theatres in 2026

Warner Bros. Animation is reviving the beloved Dr. Seuss character, The Cat in the Hat, for a new animated movie set to hit theatres in 2026. The project boasts an impressive cast including Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xotchil Gomez, Matt Berry, and Paula Pell. With Hader taking on the titular role, fans can expect a fresh take on the classic tale of the mischievous feline who brings fun and chaos to the lives of two bored children. This adaptation marks a return to the big screen for The Cat in the Hat, following a previous live-action version in 2003.

Bhojpuri film, ‘Rang De Basanti’ cancelled for March release given the lengthy list of cuts

The makers of the Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti have taken legal action against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after receiving a lengthy list of cuts for their movie's release. Alleging that CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi deliberately delayed the censor process given the film’s title which is the same as that of the 2006 Hindi film starring Aamir Khan with Joshi as the lyricist, they sought relief from the Bombay High Court. Despite their efforts, the court refused to intervene, leading to the cancellation of the film's March 22 release. Producer Roshan Singh lamented the substantial financial loss resulting from the delay, which was anticipated to be around Rs. 10 crores. The CBFC's requested modifications included reducing violence in certain sequences and removing religious-related terms, sparking controversy within the industry. Despite the setback, the producers remain determined to address the issue and release the film.

Sequel to National Award-Winning drama ‘Chandni Bar’ starring Tabu set for December 2025 release

Good news for fans of the 2001 drama Chandni Bar starring Tabu as a sequel to the National Award-winning film is confirmed for release in December 2025. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, the original movie saw Tabu in a powerful avatar of Mumtaz, a bar dancer navigating the challenges of a big city like Bombay. The sequel, titled Chandini Bar 2 will be helmed by Mohan Azad, the screenwriter and dialogue writer of the first film, marking his directorial debut. Further film details and casting details are under wraps with the script nearing completion. The original film featured a stellar cast including Tabu, Atul Kulkarni, Ananya Khare, and Rajpal Yadav.

Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehra and actor Praitk Gandhi reunite for yet another release

Starring Pratik Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi and Addinath Kothare as freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the web series marks Hansal Mehra and actor Gandhi’s third collaboration together after Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Baai. The upcoming series, Gandhi based on the insightful books by historian Ramachandra Guha, is set for release next year. The series explores the transformative years of Mahatma Gandhi as chronicled in Gandhi before India and Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World. Filming for the series has already begun, with the initial schedule in Maharashtra since the third week of January. The picturesque locales of Bhor in Maharashtra have set the stage for the first leg of filming, which will include pivotal moments from Gandhi's early life. The series will also feature significant scenes shot in London, capturing Gandhi's international exposure and educational journey.

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

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• Written by Apurva Dutta

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