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My Memory Is Full of Ghosts review – deeply moving visual hymn for the bombed-out Syrian city of Homs

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Anas Zawahri’s documentary lays heart-wrenching testimony over languorous shots of bullet-ridden ruins and deserted streets The western Syrian city of Homs is only a husk of its former self. Previously a major industrial centre, the region became a key battleground between 2011 and 2014, for Bashar al-Assad’s army and rebel forces. Amid the immense bloodshed, hundreds of thousands of civilians were either displaced or trapped inside their own homes. Filmed in the summer of 2023, this deeply moving documentary from Palestinian-born and Syria-based film-maker Anas Zawahri maps out the collective trauma and sorrow that continue to linger, even after the shooting has stopped. Unfolding in languorous, largely static shots of bombed rubble, hollowed-out buildings, and deserted streets, the film lays bare the startling extent of wartime brutality. A sense of stillness and stagnancy hangs in the air, and almost every wall is riddled with bullet holes, urban scars that mirror the psychological ...
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Varun Dhawan CONFIRMS he said no to Andhadhun; says, “Original cast was me and Kangana Ranaut”

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Sriram Raghavan's Andhadhun continues to be regarded as one of the most acclaimed thrillers in modern Hindi cinema. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte, the 2018 film won both critical and commercial success. However, years after its release, actor Varun Dhawan has revealed that the film almost had a very different cast. During a recent appearance on comedian and content creator Tanmay Bhat's YouTube channel, Varun opened up about one of the biggest films he passed on during his career. The conversation began when Tanmay asked if there was a major film that Varun had rejected and later regretted after seeing its success. Responding to the question, Varun admitted that there was indeed a film he could not take up. "I think a good movie. I think I said no to a good film," he said. When Tanmay asked him to name the project, Varun revealed, "Andhadhun. I was filming for something else. So I couldn't do it. And the original cast of the film was su...
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Rakesh Roshan shuts down reports of Hrithik Roshan-YRF budget clash over Krrish 4: “There are no issues”

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The development of Krrish 4 has been under intense scrutiny ever since reports surfaced claiming there were disagreements between Hrithik Roshan and Yash Raj Films over the film's budget. However, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has now firmly dismissed such speculation, calling the reports baseless and reiterating that the ambitious superhero project is progressing smoothly. Over the past few months, industry chatter suggested that Hrithik Roshan, who is set to make his directorial debut with Krrish 4, was keen on mounting the film on a massive scale with world-class visual effects and action sequences. Reports further claimed that while Hrithik envisioned a budget of around Rs 500 crores, Yash Raj Films preferred to keep production costs closer to Rs 350 crores to ensure commercial viability. Addressing these rumours, Rakesh Roshan told Mid-Day, “It’s all nonsense that Hrithik has asked for a Rs 500 crore budget for top-tier VFX and world-class action for his directorial debut, while YR...
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‘My life is about beauty’: Julie Newmar at 92 on shocking the world as Catwoman – and caring for her son

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She starred in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, had to stoop when she danced with Fred Astaire, then became world-famous – and a gay icon – in the original Batman series. But her life behind the scenes has been just as interesting ... Julie Newmar is showing me her secret garden: an oasis of greenery around her house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, that is crammed with trees, flowers, sculptures and labyrinthine paths. It feels like a little piece of old-school Hollywood, untouched by the world outside. “Here, try one,” Newmar says as she leans over from her mobility scooter and picks me a blueberry from a bush. “Isn’t that nice?” It’s a well-maintained jungle of begonias, jasmine, geraniums, fruit trees, and above all, roses. She has 90 varieties, she says, including one named after her. “That one’s Marilyn Monroe,” she says, pointing out a creamy pink one. “Doesn’t it look like her flesh?” Monroe’s former house is just up the road, she mentions. Newmar has lived here for decades with her ...
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The best Steven Spielberg films, chosen by directors, critics and super-fans: ‘pure popcorn perfection’

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From franchise hits to historical epics, joyous musicals to autobiographical family sagas: Steven Spielberg has done it all. As his latest sci-fi film Disclosure Day is released, film-makers, authors and Guardian critics reveal which of his movies means the most to them Steven Spielberg is often described as the inventor of the “event movie” – or as the creator of our new age of IP supremacy, in which the genre property is more important than any above-the-title film star. But that isn’t quite it. He came of age in the American new wave era but in spirit belonged neither to that nor fully to Hollywood’s golden age studio system that preceded it. In fact, he synthesised both into a directing style that was audacious and fluent. He availed himself of the subversiveness of the new wave, and yet was classically oriented, drawing upon his love of – and alienation from – the all-American suburb, making him the Edward Hopper or the Andrew Wyeth of the movies. Tellingly, it was François Truffa...
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SCOOP: Batwara’s special promo, featuring Sunny Deol and Karan Deol, expected to be unveiled on Father’s Day

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About two months remain before the release of Batwara, and the film's team is gearing up in full force to unveil the much-anticipated teaser. Recently, it was reported that the asset will be launched on June 15. Bollywood Hungama has now learned that the makers are putting together another interesting promo, which will also be out this month itself. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Batwara stars Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal, and it also features Sunny’s son, Karan Deol. This is the first time that the father and son will share screen space, and they have an interesting dynamic in the film. The makers wanted to present the same to the audience. Hence, a special promo is being designed to highlight their bond.” The source continued, “Father’s Day will be celebrated on June 21. Hence, the team of Batwara 1947 felt that it would be an apt day to bring the father-son asset out. A final call will be taken in the coming week, but as of now, the Father’s Day asset plan is on....
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EXCLUSIVE: As Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai hits theatres, Tips Films wraps its next starring Pulkit Samrat

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As Tips Films celebrated the release of David Dhawan’s Varun Dhawan-Mrunal Thakur-Pooja Hegde starrer Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai yesterday, June 5, the production house has already completed filming an exciting upcoming project. The banner’s next film, starring Pulkit Samrat and directed by Sneha Taurani, has officially wrapped principal photography. According to sources, the film has completed its shoot, with only a song sequence remaining to be filmed. The project has now entered its final phase of production, bringing it one step closer to audiences. The development highlights Tips Films’ busy and ambitious slate. Even as Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai arrives in theatres, the banner has quietly wrapped another significant project, ensuring its momentum continues well beyond its latest release. The film also marks an exciting collaboration between Pulkit Samrat, director Sneha Taurani and producer Ramesh Taurani. Though the makers have yet to officially unveil the project, industry...
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Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey to open IMAX ticket sales in India from June 8

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On June 8, Indian fans will be amongst the first in the world to secure their seats for The Odyssey. Shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology, The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX® cameras, opening in cinemas worldwide and across India on July 17, 2026. Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the film brings Homer's foundational epic to the screen in a way that has never been attempted before. The story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the fall of Troy is brought to life by Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, alongside Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. The Odyssey opens in cinemas across India in all formats on July 17, 2026. Speaking about the opening of IMAX ticket bookings for The Odyssey in India, Denzil Dias, Vice President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Discovery India...
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EXCLUSIVE: Ajay Devgn's Drishyam 3 won't mirror Malayalam version; Ravi Basrur joins Ajay Devgn's October 2 release

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A few days ago, news came in that the shoot of the Hindi version of Drishyam 3 was completed, and now the team of the film is gearing up for its October 2 release. The original Malayalam version was released last month, on May 21, and many are wondering whether the Hindi version will be similar to it. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Drishyam (2015) and Drishyam 2 (2022) in Hindi were quite similar to the original films. But the Hindi Drishyam 3 will be an exception. The makers have drastically altered the plot and twists. At the same time, they have made sure that it does justice to the world of Drishyam.” The source also said, “The makers are also excited with the new additions. It is said that Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj have put up great acts. At the same time, Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran and others have once again delivered fine performances.” In a recent exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, director Abhishek Pathak had revealed that while both versions of Dr...
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Celina Jaitly BREAKS SILENCE after Peter Haag and father-in-law sent legal notices; calls it “an attempt to divert attention”

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Actress Celina Jaitly has issued a detailed statement in response to legal notices sent by her estranged husband Peter Haag and his father, Wolfgang Haag, who have threatened to initiate defamation proceedings against her. The development comes days after Semwal & Co., acting on behalf of Peter Haag and Wolfgang Haag, confirmed that two separate legal notices had been served to the actress. The notices alleged that Celina had circulated false, defamatory and misleading statements through social media, interviews and media interactions while matrimonial and child custody proceedings remain pending before courts in Austria. Responding publicly, Celina said her legal team at Karanjawala & Co. has already submitted a formal reply. "Two legal notices have recently been sent to me by my estranged husband Peter & his father Wolfgang Haag, threatening to sue me for defamation. A response has aptly been submitted through my legal representatives, advocates at Karanjawala &...
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