Tag: movies

Films

Vidyut Jammwal’s Dramatic Dhalsim Look Stuns Fans in Hollywood’s Street Fighter

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vidyut Jammwal’s Hollywood debut has arrived with a thunderous impact as the first look of him as Dhalsim in Street Fighter takes over social media. The teaser was unveiled at the 2025 Game Awards, leaving fans stunned at his dramatic transformation. Bald, brooding, and almost unrecognisable, Vidyut steps into the shoes of the iconic yogi from the globally loved video game franchise.

In the first-look poster and teaser, Vidyut appears with a clean-shaven head marked by bold red stripes, a lean muscular frame, rustic orange drapes, heavy metal bangles, and tribal-inspired accessories that heighten the character’s spiritual yet fierce aura. Kohl-lined eyes and a sharp, intense expression complete the transformation. The teaser even shows him performing a martial arts sequence, echoing Dhalsim’s lore — a peaceful yogi with fire-spitting abilities who fights only to protect his family.

The film brings together an impressive ensemble cast including Noah Centineo, Callina Liang, Cody Rhodes, Orville Peck, 50 Cent, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, Andrew Schulz, David Dastmalchian, Hirooki Goto, Oliver Richters, Mel Jarnson, Rayna Vallandingham and Alexander Volkanovski. With such a diverse lineup, expectations are soaring.

Fans have taken to social media expressing their disbelief and admiration for Vidyut’s dedication. Comments range from “This transformation is unreal!” to “I watched the trailer and didn’t even realise it was Vidyut.” Some praised the accuracy of the character, while others playfully admitted they missed his signature hair.

The film, set in 1993, follows estranged fighters Ryu and Ken as they return to the World Warrior Tournament while confronting a larger conspiracy. Directed by Kitao Sakurai and produced by Legendary in partnership with Capcom, the film is set for a theatrical release on October 16.

Vidyut’s bold leap into Hollywood with such a visually striking role has clearly made its mark—Dhalsim has never looked this intense, and the world is taking notice.

Films

Holiday Ever After: Disney & Hallmark Unite for a Magical 2026 Christmas Movie

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Disney and Hallmark Channel are joining forces for the first time, creating a festive milestone with Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True. Led by fan-favorite Lacey Chabert, the film brings together an ensemble cast including Travis Van Winkle, Taegan Burns, Richard Kind, and Asher Alexander. The project marks a significant collaboration as it is not only the first film to unite the two major entertainment brands, but it is also being shot on location at the iconic Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Announced during The Hallmark Christmas Experience: A Hometown Holiday, the movie is scheduled to debut in 2026 as part of Hallmark Channel’s highly anticipated 17th annual Countdown to Christmas lineup.

Written and directed by Ryan Landels, Holiday Ever After follows Lindsey, played by Chabert, who travels with her extended family to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World. What begins as a dream holiday quickly gets complicated when she discovers that her hotel room is right next to Philip’s—played by Van Winkle—following a disastrous first date they shared. As the two unexpectedly cross paths throughout their stay, they slowly realize that they may have more in common than they believed. With a touch of Disney magic, Lindsey’s wish made at Cinderella Fountain could be the spark that transforms an awkward rivalry into a heartfelt romance.

Chabert expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing how meaningful it is to film a Hallmark Christmas story at a place she has long loved visiting with her family. She noted that this was the first time a Hallmark movie announcement was made a full year ahead of release, emphasizing the significance of the collaboration. Alongside the film, Disney and Hallmark will expand their partnership with an exclusive line of products inspired by the movie, offering fans themed ornaments, gifts, greeting cards, and gift wrap. Hallmark’s chief brand officer Darren Abbott described the partnership as a joyful expansion that highlights the strengths of both brands as they come together to deliver something heartwarming, magical, and perfectly suited for the holiday season.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True promises to blend the charm of Hallmark storytelling with the wonder of Disney, creating a Christmas experience that audiences will look forward to for years to come.

Business

Netflix Issues Urgent Reassurance After $82.7B Warner Bros. Acquisition Sparks Political and Industry Backlash

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Netflix moved swiftly to reassure its more than 300 million subscribers after announcing its stunning $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., one of the biggest entertainment mergers in modern history. Roughly 24 hours after unveiling the deal, Netflix sent a carefully worded late-night email emphasizing that nothing is changing today and that both platforms will continue to operate separately for the foreseeable future. The company reiterated that the transaction still requires multiple regulatory and shareholder approvals, a process Netflix estimates will take between 12 and 18 months.

The message, echoed in the FAQ section of Netflix’s Help Center, assured users that their membership plans would remain unchanged during this transition and that Warner Bros. content—including major franchises like Harry Potter, Friends, Game of Thrones, and the DC Universe—would not immediately appear on Netflix’s platform. The company stressed patience and promised timely updates as the process advances.

Despite the calm tone of Netflix’s communication, the acquisition has already ignited intense political and industry backlash. Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the announcement as an “anti-monopoly nightmare,” while Representative Pramila Jayapal warned that the merger could lead to higher prices, more ads, and homogenized content. Republican Senator Mike Lee raised his own alarm, stating the deal should concern antitrust enforcers worldwide. Hollywood guilds, including the Producers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, and the Writers Guild, expressed fears of job losses, reduced competition, and diminished creative control within an industry already under strain.

During an investor call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the acquisition vigorously, portraying it as “pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-creator and pro-growth.” Sarandos insisted that combining Netflix’s streaming leadership with Warner Bros.’ vast library and iconic franchises would create a stronger and more dynamic entertainment powerhouse. However, he acknowledged that meaningful integration could not begin until regulators approve the deal, and the earliest possible closing date would be December 2026.

If ultimately approved, the merger would unite some of the most recognizable franchises in entertainment history under one roof—from Stranger Things and Bridgerton to Harry Potter and Game of Thrones—shaping a new era of streaming consolidation. For now, subscribers are being told to sit tight, enjoy the content they already love, and await further updates as Netflix and Warner Bros. embark on one of the most scrutinized entertainment mergers in decades.

Films

Madhuri Dixit Returns to Thrillers as a Deadly Mastermind in Mrs Deshpande

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Madhuri Dixit is set to make a powerful comeback to the thriller genre with her upcoming series Mrs Deshpande, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and scheduled for release on December 19, 2025, on JioHotstar. The recently unveiled trailer has generated intense excitement, showcasing Madhuri in a remarkably different and chilling avatar. Known for her grace, charm and iconic on-screen presence, she now steps into the skin of a soft-spoken yet convicted serial killer whose gentle appearance hides a dark and violent past. The teaser opens with Madhuri gently singing Bholi Si Surat, only for the calm to be shattered in an instant as she takes someone’s life. The narrative quickly shifts to her being imprisoned, where she states, “I’m locked up, so someone else must be imitating my methods,” setting the tone for the psychological tension that defines the series.

Within the storyline, Mrs Deshpande is serving a 25-year prison sentence, but the police turn to her for assistance after realizing that a new serial killer is replicating her exact methods. The show, an official remake of the French drama La Mante, weaves together crime, psychology and emotional complexity as Madhuri’s character agrees to help the investigation but only on one condition: she wants to partner with her estranged son, who now serves as a detective. Their reluctant collaboration forces them to confront their intertwined trauma, long-suppressed resentment and secrets buried for decades. This mother–son dynamic becomes central to the show’s emotional depth.

Featuring Madhuri Dixit-Nene in the lead role, the series stars Siddharth Chandekar as her son and Priyanshu Chatterjee in a pivotal supporting role. At the trailer launch, Madhuri shared her excitement about working with the team and praised director Nagesh Kukunoor for guiding her through this intense, layered performance. With its gripping premise and strong cast, Mrs Deshpande promises to deliver a fresh, bold and emotionally charged thriller experience for audiences.

Events in Goa, IFFI 2025

IFFI Closes International Section on a High with Thailand’s Surreal Gem A Useful Ghost

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Thailand’s A Useful Ghost brought a vibrant and surreal close to the International section at the International Film Festival of India, leaving audiences both amused and contemplative. Directed by Ratchapoom, the film explores a whimsical narrative in which a ghost returns not as a human, but as a vacuum cleaner—a playful yet deeply symbolic choice reflecting the real-world dangers of dust pollution that claim the life of the protagonist. The unusual approach was born from Ratchapoom’s desire to break free from conventional depictions of ghosts, blending subtle supernatural elements with unexpected sci-fi touches to create something quietly intimate and visually inventive.

Cinematographer Song Pasit described the film’s visual style as a deliberate interplay between humor and gravity, embracing a philosophy of “don’t be afraid not to be cinematic,” which allowed the team to experiment freely with color, framing, and surreal visual motifs. Behind the scenes, associate producer Tanade Amornpiyalerk highlighted the limited but emerging opportunities in Thai cinema, an industry dominated by Hollywood releases with around 30 local films released annually. Despite these constraints, Ratchapoom emphasized his belief that films should go beyond pure entertainment to express meaningful ideas, a principle evident in A Useful Ghost.

Actor Wisarut Homhuan shared that the role was both challenging and transformative, marking a milestone in his career. Having worked across TV and digital platforms, Homhuan explained that opportunities for film actors in Thailand remain scarce, making his performance in this film a breakthrough moment for recognition within the cinematic landscape. The global journey of the film, from an offbeat concept to festival acclaim, left Ratchapoom astonished and elated. “Who would have thought such a film with such a crazy idea could travel so far and reach so many people?” he remarked, reflecting on the unexpected resonance of his quirky, thoughtful creation.

A Useful Ghost demonstrates the power of imaginative storytelling, blending social commentary with whimsy, and showcasing the evolving face of Thai cinema on the international stage. Its success at IFFI reinforces the notion that even the most unconventional ideas, when executed with heart and vision, can captivate audiences worldwide.