Tag: reviews

Special Occasion

Elvis Presley: Remembering the King of Rock ’n’ Roll on His Birthday

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

January 8 marks the birth anniversary of Elvis Presley, one of the most influential cultural icons of the 20th century and the undisputed King of Rock ’n’ Roll. Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis rose from humble beginnings to redefine popular music by blending rhythm and blues, gospel, country, and rock into a sound that reshaped global entertainment.

Elvis was more than a musician — he was a cultural phenomenon. His powerful voice, magnetic stage presence, and unmistakable style challenged social norms and ushered in a new era of youth expression. Songs such as Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, and Can’t Help Falling in Love became timeless classics, while his influence extended beyond music into fashion, film, and popular identity.

At a time when the world was undergoing cultural change, Elvis emerged as a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and individuality. His impact crossed borders, inspiring generations of artists across genres and continents. Even decades after his passing, his music continues to resonate, finding new audiences through films, documentaries, streaming platforms, and digital archives.

That enduring influence is most visible every year on January 8, when fans across the world come together to celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday. The day is marked in ways that reflect both deep admiration and global reach — from quiet personal tributes to large-scale public gatherings.

At the centre of these celebrations is Graceland, Elvis’s iconic home in Memphis, Tennessee. Fans from across countries and cultures travel to the historic estate for birthday ceremonies that often include cake-cutting events, live performances, special exhibitions, and guided tours featuring rare memorabilia. Many visitors leave flowers, handwritten notes, and personal messages at his resting place, turning Graceland into a living monument of remembrance and gratitude.

Music remains the heart of every celebration. Radio stations and streaming platforms curate Elvis-only playlists, while tribute bands and performers bring his greatest hits to life at concerts, cultural venues, and community spaces. Across homes and fan gatherings, people dress in classic Elvis styles — from his early rockabilly look to the iconic jumpsuits of his Las Vegas era — keeping his visual legacy alive.

In the digital age, the celebration has expanded even further. Social media platforms fill with fan art, rare photographs, vintage performance clips, cover versions, and personal stories, often trending under hashtags such as #ElvisBirthday and #KingOfRockAndRoll. Museums, music institutions, and cultural organisations also mark the occasion by sharing archival content and curated tributes online.

Film screenings of Elvis’s movies, vinyl listening sessions, radio specials, and community events continue to attract longtime fans, while younger audiences often discover his legacy through modern biopics and digital storytelling. Each generation finds its own way to connect with the music, the image, and the spirit of the King.

As the world remembers Elvis Presley on his birthday, his legacy stands as a powerful reminder of music’s ability to transcend time and geography. More than nostalgia, January 8 represents the continued influence of an artist who transformed popular culture forever — proving that the King of Rock ’n’ Roll still reigns.

Music

A$AP Rocky, Lorde and Stray Kids to Headline Governors Ball 2026 in New York

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Governors Ball Festival has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 lineup, confirming A$AP Rocky, Lorde and Stray Kids as the headliners for this year’s edition. Scheduled to take place from June 5 to 7 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, the festival continues its tradition of bringing together a diverse mix of global music talent.

The 2026 lineup reflects the festival’s genre-spanning identity, featuring artists such as Baby Keem, Kali Uchis, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Katseye, Major Lazer, Pierce the Veil and Dominic Fike. While Lorde returns to the festival for the first time as a headliner after performing in 2017, Harlem-born A$AP Rocky previously headlined the event in 2021, making his return a homecoming of sorts. Stray Kids’ inclusion further highlights the growing presence of K-pop on major Western festival stages.

Several New York-based and rising artists are also set to perform, including Geese, The Dare, Del Water Gap, Arcy Drive and Lexa Gates, alongside emerging acts such as The Backfires and Chanpan. The extended lineup also features Blood Orange, Clipse, Wet Leg, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, King Princess, Ravyn Lenae, Snow Strippers and many others, ensuring a wide-ranging musical experience for festivalgoers.

Ticket sales will begin with an SMS pre-sale on January 8, offering early access at the lowest prices, followed by a general public sale later that day. In addition, Governors Ball has partnered with Spotify to introduce an in-app experience that creates a personalized “Festival Persona” for users, along with curated playlists based on their listening habits and the festival lineup.

Following the success of its 15th anniversary edition last year, Governors Ball 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting music festivals of the summer, blending global sounds, emerging talent and established stars in the heart of New York City.

Entertainment

Varun Dhawan on Revealing Daughter Lara’s Face: “That Choice Should Be Hers”

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Entertainment Desk

Actor Varun Dhawan, who tied the knot with fashion designer Natasha Dalal in an intimate ceremony in 2021, welcomed a new chapter in his life with the birth of their daughter, Lara, on June 3, 2024. Since then, the actor has been candid about how fatherhood has reshaped his priorities, while also drawing clear boundaries when it comes to his child’s privacy.

During a recent interactive session with fans on X, Varun addressed a wide range of questions related to his films, family, and health. When a fan asked when he would reveal his daughter Lara’s face on social media, Varun responded thoughtfully, saying that he would rather leave that decision to her. He added that social media should be her choice and not something he wants to decide on her behalf, a statement that resonated with many online.

Another fan asked how he spends his free time, to which Varun replied that he enjoys playing with his daughter. He also shared that he plays padel and cricket when time allows, offering a glimpse into his life beyond film sets and public appearances.

Varun has previously spoken about how becoming a father has changed him. In an earlier interview, he admitted that he is still figuring out what fatherhood means for him and is trying to be a better dad each day. He credited Natasha Dalal for handling most responsibilities during the early stages of parenting, acknowledging the crucial role she plays in their family life.

Reflecting on the experience, Varun shared that being a dad has been a lot of fun and that he is enjoying every moment of playing with his daughter. With humour, he added that even small habits have changed, including watching television at a very low volume to avoid disturbing his wife and child.

On the professional front, Varun Dhawan will next be seen in Border 2, alongside Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, is a follow-up to the 1997 blockbuster Border and is scheduled for release on January 23. He was last seen in Shashank Khaitan’s romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which also starred Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf.

As Varun continues to balance a busy film career with fatherhood, his words reflect a thoughtful approach to parenting—one that prioritises choice, privacy, and presence over public exposure.

Human Interest

BTS’ V Turns 30: ARMY Goes All Out Worldwide to Celebrate Kim Taehyung

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

BTS member V, fondly known as Kim Taehyung, marked his 30th birthday on December 30, and the celebrations that followed were nothing short of extraordinary. From heartfelt messages by his bandmates to grand global fan projects, “Happy Taehyung Day” became a worldwide phenomenon, reflecting the immense love ARMY holds for the singer.

Fans across continents went above and beyond to honour the BTS star. In a historic first, V’s global fanbase secured a dedicated space at the Palace of Versailles in France, a landmark owned by the French government that has never before hosted a dedication to an international personality. The palace, once home to French royalty and now visited by nearly 15 million people annually, became part of Taehyung’s birthday legacy.

The celebrations didn’t stop there. In Moscow, Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, “The Sun of Moscow,” lit up in purple and green as a tribute organised by Russian ARMYs. In China, a massive 118-metre-tall digital screen in Shenzhen displayed fan-organised birthday visuals for Taehyung, while his Chinese fanbase reportedly gifted him an entire plane as a symbol of admiration and support. These grand gestures followed earlier birthday projects such as themed buses and large-scale city displays.

Meanwhile, BTS members Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jimin and Jungkook shared warm and playful wishes that delighted fans. The group’s official social media accounts released a special video titled “Happy V Day,” featuring a montage of Taehyung’s memorable moments. Adding to the charm, J-Hope, RM and Jungkook posted behind-the-scenes clips from dance rehearsals, showing Taehyung shyly trying to avoid the camera as the members followed him laughing, offering fans a glimpse of their close bond.

The scale of celebration was reflected online as well, with V dominating worldwide trends from positions one through seven and emerging as the most searched artist on Google in over 72 countries. As Kim Taehyung turned 30, the overwhelming global response once again confirmed his status as a cultural icon whose influence extends far beyond music, uniting millions of fans across borders.

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.