The highly anticipated third season of 'The White Lotus' is set to return to HBO with a fresh chapter set in Thailand. The drama series created by Mike White will premiere its eight-episode season on February 16, 2024, at 9pm, available for streaming on Max. Blackpink's Lisa in The White Lotus season 3 HBO recently dropped the first teaser for the season, providing an intriguing glimpse into what promises to be another satirical exploration of human nature. International pop sensation Lisa Manobal, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink, makes her acting debut in the series, and fans are raving about her appearance in the trailer. Lisa is Thai by birth. The trailer is accompanied by the haunting voiceover, "Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure. But they get there only to find more pain." This cryptic message hints at the complex themes the new season will tackle. HBO also highlights the journey of seeking peace as a central theme, noting, "Seeking peace can be a trip." What will season 3 be about? While plot details for the third season are being kept under wraps, Mike White has previously shared that the new episodes will be a "satirical and funny look at death and eastern religion and spirituality," as per The Hollywood Reporter. Season three follows the pattern set by its predecessors, with the first season focusing on themes of wealth, while the second centered around sex. The story is set at an exclusive Thai resort, where a diverse group of guests and employees find themselves entangled in a web of drama over the course of a week. The nearly 90-second trailer introduces an all-star ensemble cast, including returning 'White Lotus' star Natasha Rothwell. Rothwell will reprise her role as Belinda Lindsey, the Hawaii spa manager from the first season. Other notable additions to the cast include Carrie Coon, Scott Glenn, Walton Goggins, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, and Parker Posey, as per The Hollywood Reporter. The diverse cast also includes Thai actors Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong, as well as newcomers Francesca Corney, Arnas Fedaravicius, and Morgana O'Reilly, among others. Mike White, who created, wrote, and directed the series, will return as executive producer alongside David Bernad and Mark Kamine.
17 December,2024 06:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Tabu who sparked anticipation with her role as Sister Francesca in Dune: Prophecy finally made her appearance in episode 5. A clip from the same has hit the viral note on social media, which shows Tabu sharing a passionate liplock with Mark Strong who plays Emperor Javicco Corrino in the series. Watch the video below. First footage of Tabu as Sister Francesca in Dune Prophecy Episode 5 has dropped #Tabu #DuneProphecy pic.twitter.com/VrjKs646JG — Surajit (@surajit_ghosh2) December 17, 2024 Tabu on playing Sister Francesca Excited about the series, Tabu earlier said, "It has been an extraordinary experience playing Sister Francesca in Dune: Prophecy right from the moment I was approached for it, and I said yes without batting an eyelid. It's an actor's delight to be trusted by the creators with a character that is so interesting, intriguing, intelligent, and emotionally powerful." She added, "Needless to say, it was such an immersive process diving into the depths of her complexity. I'm so excited to bring her story to the Indian and global audience through JioCinema. Stay tuned as you'll see me a little later in the season, but the Dune Universe is so rich in its history and intrigue, I can't wait for audiences around the world to explore it!" About Dune: Prophecy Set a staggering 10,000 years before the events of the films, this new series delves into the origins of the enigmatic Bene Gesserit sisterhood, emerging in the aftermath of the Butlerian Jihad. Tabu stars alongside actresses Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, who portray sisters from the notorious Harkonnen family. It is based on Sisterhood of Dune, a novel by Brian Herbert (the son of Dune author Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson. Tabu’s work front Tabu explored Western cinema for the first time in 2006 with 'The Namesake'. Directed by Mira Nair, the film, which also starred Irrfan Khan, opened to positive reviews, and was lauded by almost every critic across the globe. Her second film 'Life of Pi' (2012), went a step ahead and won four Oscars, including the Best Director for Ang Lee. On the Bollywood front, Tabu was last seen with Ajay Devgn in the film 'Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha'. Ajay and Tabu have shared screen space in films including 'Vijaypath', 'Haqeeqat', 'Thakshak', 'Fitoor', 'Drishyam', 'Golmaal Again', 'De De Pyaar De', 'Drishyam 2' and 'Bholaa'.
17 December,2024 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLast week Amazon Prime Video released the second season of Bandish Bandits, four years after season 1 dropped. Looks like they are bringing back another popular show that hit our screens back in 2020. Patal Lok, the neo-noir series that explores the dark bylanes of immorality, is returning with season 2. The streaming platform has been teasing the return, first with a poster featuring lead actor Jaideep Ahlawat, and then with a small clip that was released today. First glimpse of Paatal Lok season 2 In the clip released by Prime Video, you can see Jaideep's character Hathi Ram, with a bleeding right ear, struggling against a bunch of men, trying to free himself. Paired with ominous music, the context of the clip is unclear. The short video ends with the words, "The door to hell opens soon." "Mausam badalne wala hai. Paatal Lok ahead. Caution advised," the post accompanying the clip read. Excited fans commented, "Hathiram Chaudhary is back!!" "CANNOT WAIT CANNOT WAIT." Some even thought the men in the video were zombies, "What? The new season has zombies?" View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) The new footage marks a significant elevation in both tone and stakes from the first season, with Jaideep Ahlawat's Hathi Ram sporting visible wounds that hint at the personal price of his continued descent into the underbelly of crime and corruption. The raw intensity captured in these moments suggests that the acclaimed series is pushing its boundaries even further, delving deeper into the psychological torment of its protagonist. "When you've walked through hell once, you think you know what to expect," shares Jaideep Ahlawat, his words carrying the weight of his character's journey. "But this time, the gates of Paatal Lok open to reveal something far more sinister. Every wound Hathi Ram bears tells a story of sacrifice, of choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. This season isn't just about solving a case – it's about surviving what lies beneath the surface of our society," he adds. Earlier, a poster featuring Jaideep Ahlawat, with a bloodied dagger pointed at his eye, was released. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) What was Paatal Lok season 1 about? Inspired by the ancient realms of Swargalok (heaven), Dharti Lok (earth), and Patal Lok (netherworld), the neo-noir series delves into the interplay within the four estates of democracy. Produced by Clean Slate Films, Paatal Lok season 1 marked the digital debut of actress Anushka Sharma as a producer. She has since pulled out of the production house, run by her brother. The announcement of season 2 has generated significant buzz among fans eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the crime thriller. Aired in 2020, the series, starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Ishwak Singh, garnered critical acclaim for its compelling storyline and performances. It delves into the dark and gritty underbelly of Indian society, exploring themes of crime and corruption. The upcoming season is expected to build on this narrative, introducing new challenges and unravelling fresh mysteries. Other cast members included Gul Panag, Neeraj Kabi, Swastika Mukherjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Niharika Lyra Dutt, and Richa Chaturvedi. Abhishek Banerjee's character of Hathoda Tyagi stood out for his unique characteristics and the actor's compelling performance.
17 December,2024 02:41 PM IST | MumbaiApple TV+ on Monday announced that Rebecca Ferguson's 'Silo' has been renewed for another two seasons. The streamer also shared that the fourth season will be the last chapter, as per Deadline. The two additional seasons will allow Executive Producer and Showrunner Graham Yost to tell the complete story of Hugh Howey's New York Times bestselling trilogy of dystopian novels. Silo Season 2 is currently streaming globally with new episodes every Friday through January 17. The show tells the "story of the last ten thousand people on Earth, their mile-deep home protecting them from the toxic and deadly world outside. However, no one knows when or why the silo was built and any who try to find out face fatal consequences." Speaking about the upcoming seasons, Yost in a statement said, "It has been a richly rewarding experience to adapt Hugh's epic novels with our partners at Apple and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this complete story to the screen over the course of four seasons. With the final two chapters of Silo, we can't wait to give fans of the show an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the many mysteries and unanswered questions contained within the walls of these silos." Ferguson also expressed her excitement. She said, "I've loved every minute of bringing Juliette to the screen and I am immensely proud of what we've all created with Silo since the first episode." Silo Season 2 also stars Tim Robbins, Common, series newcomer Steve Zahn, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Billy Postlethwaite, Rick Gomez, Clare Perkins, Caitlin Zoz, Tanya Moodie and Iain Glen. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 December,2024 08:12 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANIIn releasing Gumshuda ahead of the upcoming celebratory weeks, composer-duo and siblings Ruuh and Joh stand to benefit in more ways than one. To begin with, the track from the third season of Mismatched seamlessly made its way to the loyal audience of the Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli-fronted show, which has earned as much love for its narrative as it has for its music. Furthermore, with the upbeat, dance-worthy, and addictive number, the musicians have managed to grab the attention of listeners who are already in the mood to party. Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli Sure, the makers would have ascertained that the track fit the narrative like a hand in a glove, but, Gumshuda is also refreshingly individualistic. It is also how the duo first crafted the song before it caught the attention of the makers of the web show. “Even before mismatched came our way, Joh had an idea that he brought to me. I loved it. We decided to write a melody, and thought of releasing it ourselves. However, someone [presented] it to the show-runners, and they asked us if they could use it. We’re told, they heard about 130 songs before choosing this one. Because Mismatched has a massive following [even for its] music, I thought this was a great way to release this song,” reveals Ruuh, who describes the song as one that is “dance-heavy but has a feel-good energy”. Apart from the duo’s number, Mismatched 3 will also feature songs by Taaruk Raina and Anurag Saikia. By onboarding artistes with different music sensibilities, Ruuh believes the soundtrack will have “something for everyone”. “I like that [by roping in different] artistes, we could get different sounds. It gives the album the opportunity to cater to a wide audience. In India, the landscape is changing quickly. Many listeners are exposed to different sounds, and young artistes get the chance to explore film music. At the cost of sounding cliché, the fact is the core principle of making good music is creating an identity. If there’s a certain sound that gets Joh and me excited, we chase it.” The year has been rather eventful for the musicians, who composed a fair chunk of the Ananya Panday-led show Call Me Bae, and Sooni Taraporevala’s Whaack Girls. Up next, they have Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar’s Netflix offering, The Royals. “We are working with big names, and that will be one among the biggest albums we have worked on. We are also doing the majority of songs in the project.”
16 December,2024 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaLanding the second season of Bandish Bandits was a “surreal experience” for Divya Dutta. The actor, who plays a music teacher in the Prime Video series, says director Anand Tiwari offered her the role in the middle of a casual conversation. “Anand and I were just chatting, and this role came up. I’ve been an ardent admirer of season one. When something is resonating with you, you don’t want to ask too many questions. You just flow with it,” she smiles. In the musical drama led by Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, most of Dutta’s scenes are with younger co-stars, including Yashaswini Dayama and Rohan Gurbaxani. Tell her that the actors have praised her nurturing approach, and she replies, “I still remember who was nice to me on the sets [in my early days].” One of them, she reveals, was her Veer Zaara (2004) co-star Shah Rukh Khan, whose kindness had moved her. “I didn’t know my camera angles while shooting for Veer Zara. So, I would stand anywhere. I was so enamoured that I’d just look at Shah Rukh and forget that the camera was there. One day, before a shot, he whispered to me, ‘The camera is on that side.’ When I thanked him, he said, ‘I won’t be present on all the sets. So, look after yourself.’” It has been a year of variety for Dutta, who was seen in Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar ka Muqaddar and Tahira Kashyap’s Sharmajee Ki Beti. But diversity has been a prominent feature of the actor’s three-decade career. It’s getting further magnified, thanks to OTT. She says, “Earlier, there were limited roles as the lead, and if you weren’t the lead, you would be relegated to the mother, bhabhi or the villain. OTT has changed it totally. There is so much to do for 40-plus women. The variety that comes my way now is amazing.”
15 December,2024 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaWhenever there is a series about the entertainment industry, an award show sequence is almost always woven into it. It seems to be true of Aryan Khan’s debut series, Stardom, as well. mid-day has learnt that the first-time writer-director began shooting an award function scene in Mehboob Studios in Bandra yesterday. Sources tell us that as many as 18 stars have been lined up for the sequence. Rajkummar Rao, Sara Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Pics/PTI, Instagram On Friday, Rajkummar Rao, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Shanaya Kapoor filmed their portions. A source reveals further, “On Saturday, Aryan will shoot with his superstar-father Shah Rukh Khan, Sara Ali Khan, and social media influencer Orhan Awatramani aka Orry. Seasoned actors Karisma Kapoor and Neelam, as well as personalities from Bollywood’s inner circle, including Seema Khan, Bhavana Pandey, and Maheep Kapoor, are expected to join. With so many industry figures making cameos, it will be an exhaustive affair. The director plans to wrap up filming by Sunday.” The sequence, we are told, serves as a crucial plot point in the show. For his maiden directorial venture that is led by Mona Singh and Lakshya, Aryan has chosen to take an intimate look at the world that he knows best—showbiz. Stardom, slated to drop on Netflix next year, has been described as the story of “an ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood.”
14 December,2024 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuBandish Bandits season 2Director: Anand TiwariCast: Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chaddha, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, Divya Dutta, Rohan Gurbaxani, Yashaswini DayamaEpisodes: 8 When there is a considerable gap between two seasons of a show, you run the risk of having lost connect with the audience. Especially for a show like Bandish Bandits, which is majorly about the art vs commercial music tussle. Truth be told, I was initially not very keen on watching season 1, which released in the middle of the pandemic. But when you are working from home in a lockdown situation, you end up consuming more content than you intend to. Plus some friends who had watched it had praised the show, and it had the lure of veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Atul Kulkarni. I watched season 1 several months after it dropped on Amazon Prime Video. And fell in love with it. It was so refreshing to have a show dedicated to music, albeit served with a huge dollop of family drama. It reminded me of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aaja Nachle and more such movies that focused on Indian classical music. Wait was worth it Bandish Bandits season 2 has arrived on Amazon Prime Video today, after a 4-year gap. It has been a long wait, but it is totally worth it. The scale, cast, drama, setting, everything is bigger in season 2. Season 1 ended with Radhe (Ritwik Bhowmik) proving that he is worthy of carrying on the legacy of his grandfather (Naseeruddin Shah). Season 2 throws new challenges at him as family secret spill out in the open, and suddenly the well-respected Rathod gharana is shunned by the society. New faces in season 2 The drama also moves up north, as Tamanna (Shreya Chaudhry) enrolls in a music school in Shimla. A new bunch of characters are introduced – Divya Dutta in a never-seen-before avatar as a western music teacher, the underrated by very talented Yashaswini Dayama (Saumya) as the band’s lead singer, and Rohan Gurbaxani (Ayaan) to add a new love triangle. There’s also an exciting cameo by Arjun Rampal. Better music If you loved the music of season 1, you will find season 2 even better. The composers have offered more variety this time, fusing Western classical with Rajasthani folk, and Indian classical with Rock beats. The album is a treat for music lovers. My personal favourites are Holdin’ On and Nirmohiya. Mental health issues, gender disparity While season 1 mostly focused on art vs commercial music tussle, season 2 takes it forward with the classical musicians’ reluctance to subscribe to commercial methods of gaining recognition. A band competition is introduced to pit the two leads against each other, representative of two different genres of music. Season 2 also gives Mohini (Sheeba Chadha) the due space she deserves as a classical vocalist, while also highlighting she is still caught between male egos – her former love Digvijay, husband Rajendra and son Radhe. Yashaswini’s character brings out pressures of social media and visibility that artists have to deal with these days – just being talented is not enough. Despite some plot loopholes and a lot happening thanks to an increased cast, Bandish Bandits season 2 has enough to make it an entertaining watch. Just the novelty and the scale of this attempt is laudable. Looking forward to season 3.
13 December,2024 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Bohni BandyopadhyayCrafting a world filled with love and music takes time. That probably explains why creator-director Anand Tiwari took four years to return with the second season of Bandish Bandits. Tell him that the gap between the two instalments of the Prime Video series was quite long, and he says it was intentional. “We took exactly the time that we took to make season one. We wanted to do it with as much responsibility as we did in season one. Bandish is a unique [narrative] because the story is of musicians, by musicians and for musicians. It gets consumed by everyone because we relate to the inter-personal dynamics, their dysfunctionality, loss, love and insecurities,” he begins. Anand Tiwari Starring Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry, Bandish Bandits became a hit upon its première in 2020 as it told the story of two rising musicians and their love despite their differing ideologies. While the romance between the two leads formed the crux of the first season, Tiwari says in the second edition, he has focused on the quiet love triangle playing out between Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha’s characters. “We keenly saw how the audience responded to their love story [in the first edition] because we wanted to take that journey forward. It’s a mature telling of love that is very much alive on three sides. Radhe [Bhowmik] and Tamanna [Chaudhry] are [grappling with] what love means to them, and whether their love is more important than their love for their art. For the mature characters, these conversations are out of the window, and love means very different things to them. So, as writers, it was a great opportunity.” It has been a significant year for Tiwari, who directed his first big-screen offering, Bad Newz. The Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri-starrer failed to make waves at the box office, but the director is happy with its performance. “It did very well at the Indian box office. Internationally, it is Vicky’s biggest film, and got him his biggest weekend. So, I am full of gratitude. As producers, we also understood what box office meant because until then we had only worked on OTT. It was a big litmus test. We came in wanting to do cinema. I am a millennial. I didn’t have OTT [growing up]. So, cinema was the language of expression for me,” he smiles. The romantic comedy has boosted Tiwari’s confidence to tell more stories for the big screen. The director says, “Bad Newz has given us such a nitro boost that we’ll keep making movies. We are developing something for the big screen.”
13 December,2024 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaSanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi – The Diamond Bazaar on Netflix has taken the world by storm since its release. With its majestic visuals, captivating music, compelling narrative, and outstanding performances, the show has won hearts and critical acclaim alike. Infused with SLB's signature opulent storytelling, it has made a remarkable mark in the OTT space. Now, Heeramandi has made an impact on the global front having secured 4th position globally in Google Trends top-searched movies and shows of 2024. Google’s Most Searched TV Shows of 2024 Google Trends has unveiled the top-searched movies and shows of 2024 globally. While many international shows has made it's place in the top positions, it's remarkable to see that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's lavish Netflix period drama Heeramandi comes in fourth. Remarkably, it is the only Indian show on Google’s Most Searched TV Shows of 2024. Moreover, while the international conversations were about US elections, and climate events, Heeramandi has managed to make it's place in this list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhansali Productions (@bhansaliproductions) Tops list of India’s most-searched topics Heermandi also features on the top-searched list in India. Then show has topped the list of India’s most-searched topics, followed by Mirzapur which finally unveiled its third season after a gap of four years. Post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us bagged the third spot, followed by Bigg Boss 17, and Panchayat which dropped its third season. The sixth spot went to the K-drama Queen of Tears, followed by another one called Marry My Husband. The eighth spot went to Kota Factory, followed by Bigg Boss 18 which is still ongoing and is hosted by Salman Khan. The 10th spot went to 3 Body Problem. Apart from this, Heeramandi proudly holds the title of IMDb's #1 Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2024. Heeramandi stands as a true masterpiece, marking Sanjay Leela Bhansali's remarkable debut in the digital realm and a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is an eight-part series streaming in 190 countries on Netflix since May 1.
11 December,2024 07:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today launched CN Rewind, Warner Bros. Discovery’s new digital channel, as an add-on subscription. As the home to all-time favourite animated shows, CN Rewind is curated exclusively for Prime Video in India, and brings Cartoon Network’s evergreen classics, including The Powerpuff Girls, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Johnny Bravo, Looney tunes, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Ed Edd n Eddy and many more, for fans across India. Prime members can enjoy a diverse range of celebrated animated programming, available both in Hindi and English, by purchasing an add-on subscription to CN Rewind at a special introductory offer of INR 199 per year, following which subscription can be renewed at INR 249 per year. “Animation remains a popular category on Prime Video across demographics, with younger and older audiences alike. With the launch of CN Rewind add-on subscription on Prime Video India, we are excited to take loyal fans on a nostalgic trip as they revisit their favourite Cartoon Network toons, as well as for younger audiences to discover and engage with these beloved stories,” said Gaurav Bhasin, head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals), Prime Video, India. “Over the years, through add-on subscriptions, Prime Video has served a platform for several streaming services to curate exclusive channels and take their content to audiences deep within India. We are thrilled to be the exclusive home for CN Rewind, and are certain that the diverse and timeless library will find deep emotional resonance with our customers across the country.” About Cartoon Network Cartoon Network is a cultural phenomenon that redefined pop culture and is reminiscent of special memories for millennials and generations across decades. CN Rewind, with the special offering, will provide fans the chance to relive those memories in a modern, on-demand format, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the same joy and excitement they felt decades ago and to pass those treasured moments to the younger generation. “There’s a deep emotional connection between Indian audiences and Cartoon Network. CN shows aren’t just cartoons, they’re pieces of our childhood that evoke joy, friendship, and a simpler time,” said Ruchir Jain, Head of Distribution, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. “With CN Rewind, we’re creating a space where nostalgia can thrive while ensuring these beloved characters continue to inspire and entertain today’s kids in a whole new way.”
11 December,2024 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
