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‘It’s more productive than doomscrolling’: film-maker Ben Wheatley on his secret life as musician Dave Welder

While playing with nine-figure Hollywood budgets, the Kill List and Meg 2 director has become a prolific music producer. Next up is his experimental film, Bulk Dave Welder may just be the most prolific musician you’ve never heard of. In a little more than a year, he has released a staggering 26 records spanning electronica, dub, ambient, kosmische and drone. One of these albums, Thunderdrone, is more than four hours long. Based in Brighton and Hove and described as “a rotating group of musicians and artists”, in reality “Dave Welder” is largely the work of one man who, until now, has been operating in secret: film director Ben Wheatley. “I’ve always wanted to make music,” says Wheatley, whose films include the independent movies High-Rise, Kill List and Sightseers, along with big-budget Hollywood flicks such as the shark thriller Meg 2: The Trench. “I wanted to do it for my films but there was a dissonance. Of all the art forms, I couldn’t really understand it. I would dream that I c...

Jana Nayagan makers CONFIRM postponement of Thalapathy Vijay’s final film; issue statement

Widely regarded as Thalapathy Vijay’s last film, Jana Nayagan (Jana Neta in Hindi) has been one of the most keenly awaited films in Indian cinema, with fans tracking every update since its announcement. The makers, KVN Productions, have now officially confirmed that the film’s release has been postponed. Originally slated to hit theatres on January 9, 2026, the release has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. The production house shared the update through an official statement, assuring audiences that a new release date will be announced once finalised. Sharing the statement on their official handle, the makers wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we share this update with our valued stakeholders and audiences. The release of Jana Nayagan, eagerly awaited on January 9, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control. We deeply understand the anticipation, excitement, and emotions surrounding this film, and this decision has not been an easy one for an...

MTV Splitsvilla X6 to premiere on January 9 with new format; details inside!

Finding love has just been taken a notch higher as India’s biggest youth dating reality show, MTV Splitsvilla, returns with its 16th season, i.e. bigger, bolder and spicier. Hosted by the ultimate Queen of Hearts - Sunny Leone, who recently celebrated a decade of her iconic journey with the show, joined by her charming co-host, the King of Hearts - Karan Kundrra. This time the drama dose has doubled up with our Mischief Maker duo - Nia Sharma and Uorfi. Gear up for MTV Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar ya Paisa, set against the scenic coast of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, where 32 hot & single girls and boys step up their game to win 'Pyaar ya Paisa'. Instax Fujifilm presents MTV Splitsvilla X6 Co-powered by Sofy, NEWME, Envy Perfumes and Philips Body Groomer starting 9th January on Fri, Sat & Sun at 7 pm on MTV India and JioHotstar. ‘MTV Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa’ brings a new twist, picking up from where ex-contestants Digvijay and Kashish left off last season. This time, con...

Hrithik Roshan backed Storm goes on floor; filmmaker Ajitpal Singh aims for February wrap

While fans continue to await Hrithik Roshan’s return to the big screen, the superstar is currently channelling his creative energy into a different role — that of a producer. Hrithik’s debut series production under the HRX banner, tentatively titled Storm, has officially gone on floors, according to sources quoted by Mid-Day. Ever since the project was announced, it has generated strong buzz, and the latest update has only heightened anticipation. Sharing details about the progress, a source revealed, “The shooting for Storm is in full swing. Ajitpal Singh serves as the show’s director, writer, and creator. It’s largely a start-to-end schedule. Ajit is looking at wrapping it by February.” The update indicates a tightly planned shoot, with the makers aiming to complete the series within a defined timeline. Another source shed light on Hrithik Roshan’s close involvement with the project, especially during its development phase. “Hrithik and Ajitpal have spent considerable time exchangi...

EXCLUSIVE: After Animal, Pushpa 2 and Dhurandhar, Border 2 joins the ELITE 3+ hour club; runtime expected to be around 3 hours 20 minutes

There was a time, not too long ago, when it was considered that films should not be too lengthy; or else, it might put off a section of the audience. But in 2023, the myth was broken by Animal (2023). It had a runtime of 3 hours and 23 minutes. Pushpa 2 (2025), meanwhile, was also long – 3 hours 20 minutes. Dhurandhar, the biggest hit of 2025 and Hindi cinema, went one step further as it was 3 hours and 34 minutes long. Incidentally, all three were major blockbusters. And joining this elite list is Border 2. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the period war drama’s run time has exceeded 3 hours. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Border 2 is around 200 minutes long. In other words, its duration is around 3 hours and 20 minutes. The exact run time might change by a few minutes after the final touches are given. It will be locked in a few days and will be known once the film secures a censor certificate.” The source further added, “The makers feel that it was necessary for the film to h...

Mrunal Thakur joins EBG Group as ambassador for Carlton Wellness platform

EBG Group, a fast-growing Indian conglomerate with diversified interests spanning mobility, health, realty, lifestyle, food, services, technology, and education, today announced the onboarding of acclaimed Indian actor Mrunal Thakur as brand ambassador for its project, Carlton Wellness. The association marks a key milestone in EBG Group’s vision to build India’s most credible, regulated, and premium wellness-hospitality ecosystem. Effective from FY 2025–26, the partnership will see Mrunal Thakur headline Carlton Wellness’s brand films, digital storytelling initiatives, experiential wellness campaigns, flagship property launches, and brand programs, to be rolled out in a phased manner across India. Commenting on the announcement, Dr Irfan Khan, Chairman & Founder, EBG Group, said, “Mrunal Thakur was chosen for her authentic alignment with wellness, balance, and mindful living. Known for her modern grace, discipline, emotional strength, and understated luxury, she embodies values th...

Hamnet review – Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley beguile and captivate in audacious Shakespearean tragedy

Chloé Zhao’s film version of Maggie O’Farrell’s myth-making novel powerfully reimagines the agonising loss of a child as the source of Hamlet’s grand stage drama ‘The joys of parents are secret, and so are their griefs and fears …” This is Francis Bacon’s essay Of Parents and Children; maybe they were more secret in his day than ours. This kind of secrecy and revelation is part of Chloé Zhao’s deeply felt romantic fantasy about the origin of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. It locates the play’s beginning in the imagined anguish of Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (or Anne) Hathaway at the death of their son Hamnet at the age of 11 in 1596, a few years before the play’s first performance. The nearness of the names is not supposed to be some monumental Freudian slip; there is linguistic evidence that the two could be used interchangeably. The movie is inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name – Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell – as well as the 2004 essa...

Salman Khan in talks with Raj & DK for action-comedy, reveal reports

Salman Khan, who is currently occupied with the upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan, is reportedly in discussions with filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK for a potential new project. While details remain tightly under wraps, industry buzz suggests that the film being discussed is an action-comedy — a genre Salman is expected to revisit after several years. According to a report by Pinkvilla, the collaboration is still in its early stages, but the prospect itself has generated significant interest. Raj and DK, known for blending sharp humour with stylised action, are said to be keen on mounting a large-scale entertainer if the alignment works out. If finalised, the project would mark Salman Khan’s first-ever association with the director duo, making it a notable collaboration in Bollywood’s commercial space. A source was quoted telling in these reports, “Salman Khan has heard the basic idea and has shown interest in it. It’s an action-comedy, but it will also present Khan in a ...

Dreams Travel With the Wind review – communing with the spirits to preserve Indigenous culture in Colombia

This intensely personal film follows Colombian director Inti Jacanamijoy’s grandfather to the ancestral lands of the Wayuu people Spirituality and history collide in Inti Jacanamijoy’s debut documentary, shot among the rugged, enigmatic terrain of La Guajira, Colombia, the birthplace of his grandfather, José Agustín. Now in his 90s, the older man muses on the inevitability of death, all while looking back on his painful upbringing as a Wayuu Indigenous person . His voiceover, laid over the sight of lush forest and babbling brooks, recalls a cruel separation from his mother and his ancestral land, forced by Catholic invaders. This sense of fracture resonates throughout the family lineage. Jacanamijoy too speaks of his feelings of loss caused by generational trauma. Against such emotional and geographical disconnects, the film looks to dreams – and even the afterlife – as a possible space for reconciliation and healing. José Agustín’s mother has long passed, yet he often sees her in hi...

Farhad Samji switches gears; writes screenplay and dialogues for film adaptation of Safed Khaki; based on police inspector Subhash Shinde and his cricket achievements

Farhad Samji is known for directing mass-appealing and often comical films like Bachchhan Paandey (2022), Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), Housefull 4 (2019), etc. and writing (along with brother Sajid) memorable films like Singham (2011), Bol Bachchan (2012), Housefull 2 (2012), Chennai Express (2013), etc. However, with his next project, he is all set to switch genres. It has come to light that Farhad has written a film on Senior Inspector Subhash Shinde who contributed to cricket. The film in question is an adaptation of the book 'Safed Khaki' written by Atharwa Shinde, daughter of Subhash Shinde. In an interview to Mid-Day in November 2025, she revealed that Nishikant Kamat of Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008) and Drishyam (2015) fame was impressed by the story and wanted to make a film at one point. But the project was stalled after his demise in 2020. But later, Farhad Samji came on board and he, along with Piyush Singh, has now written the screenplay and dialogues. Atharwa told...

Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij confirm separation after weeks of rumours: “We choose peace over drama”

After weeks of speculation surrounding their marriage, popular television actors Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij have officially confirmed that they are going their separate ways. The couple, who tied the knot in 2011 and share three children, addressed the ongoing rumours by issuing a detailed and heartfelt note on social media, putting an end to conjecture around their relationship status. Taking to their Instagram Stories, Jay and Mahhi clarified that while they have decided to part ways as partners, they will continue to remain united as co-parents. Stressing that their decision is rooted in peace, maturity and mutual understanding, the duo urged fans and the media to refrain from attaching negativity or assigning blame to their separation. “Today, we choose to part ways on a journey called life, yet we continue to have each other's back. Peace, growth, kindness, and humanity have always been our guiding values. For the sake of our children Tara, Khushi, Rajveer, we commit to be...