Sizzling Samachar: Twister director Jan de Bont wasn’t consulted about upcoming sequel; Fargo delayed due to multiple strikes in Hollywood

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

Zoya Akhtar refutes author and activist Yashica Dutt’s plagiarism accusations against Made in Heaven Season 2

The acclaimed Prime Video series, Made in Heaven has been embroiled in controversy after author Yashica Dutt claimed that her life story was used without permission or credit in one of the episodes of the show’s second season.

Dutt claimed her story was incorporated without permission or credit. However, the show's creators, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Neeraj Ghaywan, issued a joint statement denying any connection.

The episode in question, featuring Radhika Apte as outspoken Dalit figure Pallavi Menke, explores identity battles against tradition. The creators clarified that the conflict was not based on Dutt's life or her book "Coming Out As Dalit."

While Pallavi and Dutt are both portrayed as authors of fictional books, this was intended as homage to various works. The creators praised Dalit authors and their fight against caste-based discrimination.

Despite the controversy, the creators reaffirmed their genuine intentions and their commitment to amplifying important voices. They applauded Neeraj Ghaywan's direction for adding to the discourse on caste discrimination.

In her response, Dutt acknowledged the importance of Dalit representation but expressed disappointment at the lack of recognition for her ideas.

The controversy highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding proper representation and credit in storytelling, especially when it comes to marginalized communities and their narratives. As discussions around appropriation and recognition continue, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the larger discourse within the entertainment industry.

Twister director Jan de Bont wasn’t consulted about upcoming sequel

Jan de Bont, the director behind 1996's hit Twister has shared his thoughts on the upcoming sequel by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. In an interview with an entertainment publication, de Bont revealed that he wasn’t consulted about the new movie and predicts significant differences due to advancements in visual effects technology.

De Bont highlighted the challenges of the original Twister where real elements were used for authenticity, such as dropping actual ice from helicopters. He emphasized that replicating such realism would be an immense challenge given the changes in technology.

The sequel, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is poised as a “new chapter” with fresh characters after the events of the first film. While de Bont respects Chung and his work, he’s unsure if he’ll watch the sequel himself. He even jokingly added that he’d rather have someone else watch it first.

De Bont also voiced concerns about the trend of indie filmmakers transitioning to big studio projects, suggesting that studios bring in less experienced directors to maintain creative control.

As excitement builds for the sequel to a beloved classic, de Bont’s insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges of revisiting such a film and navigating the evolving film industry landscape.

Fargo delayed due to multiple strikes in Hollywood

Amid the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, the highly anticipated fifth season of Fargo has been postponed. Although an exact release date had not been confirmed by the makers, sources indicated that the series was targeting a September release. However, due to the inability of stars such as Jon Hamm and Juno Temple to promote the upcoming season, FX has decided to delay the release of Noah Hawley’s Emmy-winning anthology.

The delay of Fargo comes amidst discussions among TV and film executives about whether to proceed with or postpone completed projects. In recent weeks, projects such as Max’s Rap Sh!t and FX’s A Murder at the End of the World featuring Clive Owen and Emma Corrin, were both pushed from their original August dates to November. It’s anticipated that more series will follow suit.

The eagerly awaited fifth season of Fargo is now scheduled for release on November 21. Fans of the franchise will be sad to hear this but then, now there's something to look forward to in November.

Vivek Agnihotri criticizes Karan Johar’s impact on Bollywood

Renowned filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has voiced his concerns about Karan Johar's influence on the Hindi film industry. While acknowledging Johar as a ‘wonderful’ individual, Agnihotri expressed his discontent with the value system promoted by the director in his films such as Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Khaani.

In a recent interview, Agnihotri criticized Johar's approach to filmmaking, particularly his emphasis on stardom and the celebrity culture prevalent in Bollywood. He believes that this overemphasis on stars is limiting the opportunities for middle-class talent to flourish.

Agnihotri highlighted his disagreement with the value system that Johar is fostering, stating that it deviates from Indian values and culture. He lamented the nurturing of a system that obstructs the growth of raw, Hindi-speaking, and talented citizens. According to Agnihotri, these values appear ‘imported’, in contrast to the rich and authentic values inherent to Indian culture.

While Agnihotri acknowledges Johar’s craft, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the director’s contribution to the perpetuation of a star-centric system. The remarks by Vivek Agnihotri add to the ongoing discourse surrounding the influence of star power and also the nepotism debate that questions the privilege extended to star kids in Bollywood.

Netflix’s animated film Leo starring Adam Sandler set for November release

A new addition to Netflix's animation lineup and its ongoing collaboration with Adam Sandler is Leo scheduled to premiere on November 21st. The film has been in the works for a considerable period. Reports from May 2016 initially revealed Adam Sandler’s plans for an animated feature. In 2022, Netflix Animation’s copyright claim for Leo was registered, with involvement from STX Animation and STX Filmdev. The project was also known by its alternative development title, The Big Kids.

Adam Sandler is familiar with animation, having delivered the successful Hotel Transylvania series for Sony Pictures. Directed by Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim, the film is described by Netflix as a “coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet.”

The story revolves around Leo, a world-weary 74-year-old lizard (voiced by Sandler) stuck in a Florida classroom alongside his terrarium companion, a turtle (Bill Burr). Upon learning that he has just a year to live, Leo plans an escape to experience the world outside but ends up entangled in the issues of his anxious students, including a notably unfriendly substitute teacher.

The movie’s cast features Adam Sandler as Leo, Sheila Carrasco, Stephanie Hsu, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, and others. As anticipation grows, Leo promises a unique blend of comedy, animation, and heartwarming storytelling and we can’t wait for this one to drop.

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 Kunal Guha