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Celebrated filmmaker K Viswanath dies at 92, celebs pay tribute

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Celebrated filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Kasinadhuni Viswanath passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on late Thursday night. He was 92. Vishwanath, a five-time national awardee, was unwell for some time and died due to age-related issues, family sources said.

The veteran filmmaker passed away around midnight on Thursday.

Popularly known as ‘Kalatapasvi’, Viswanath was born in February 1930 in Andhra Pradesh and started his career in filmmaking as a sound engineer under director Adurthi Subba Rao. Later, he went on to work as an assistant director for Telugu film Pathala Bhairavi in 1951.

Viswanath went on to direct award-winning films like Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swati Mutyam, Saptapadi, Kaamchor, Sanjog and Jaag Utha Insaan during his illustrious career.

Viswanath, who made 50 movies since 1965, is a household name in the Telugu film industry and also renowned for his work in Tamil cinema and the Bollywood industry. The veteran artiste also had a successful stint as an actor in movies such as Swarabhishekam, “Pandurangadu”, “Narasimha Naidu”, “Lakshmi Narasimha” and “Seemasimham”, “Kuruthipunal”, “Kakkai Siraginilae” and “Bagavathi”, among others.

Viswanath’s directorial debut Aatma Gowravam, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, won the Nandi Award for the best feature film and followed more hits like Chelleli Kapuram, O Seeta Katha, Jeevana Jyoti and Sarada.

Viswanath was felicitated with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, in 2017, as its 48th recipient. Over a four-decade long career, the illustrious director was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1992 and has also collected five 20 Nandi Awards (given by the Andhra Pradesh government) and 10 Filmfare trophies including the Lifetime Achievement award.

Several big-wigs of the Indian film industry paid tributes to the legendary filmmaker.

RRR director SS Rajamouli in his tribute posted on Twitter said that Viswanath’s signature on Telugu cinema and art in general will shine brightly forever.

Jr NTR in his condolence pointed out the late director’s contributions to Telugu cinema, saying that Viswanath holds a high place among those who spread the fame of Telugu cinema across the continents. “He gave many incredible films like Shankarabharan and Sagara Sangam. The loss without him is never-ending. My deepest condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.”

Calling Viswanath his Guru, Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor shared a picture of himself with the late director and thanked the filmmaker for teaching him the ropes during the actor’s early years. He wrote: “K. Vishwanath Ji you taught me so much, being on set with you during Eeshwar was like being in a temple… RIP My Guru.”

In an emotional note, Tamil superstar Manmooty wrote: “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sri K Viswanath Garu. Had the privilege of being directed by him in Swathikiranam. My thoughts and prayers with his loved ones.”

AR Rahman wrote, “Anjali tradition, warmth, heart, music, dance, love …..your movies filled my childhood with humaneness and wonder! #ripkviswanathji.”

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also expressed his condolences over the death of Viswanath.

Entertainment

Dhurandhar box office collection crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide in 21 days

Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within 21 days, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the global box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide within 21 days of its release, reinforcing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Released on December 5, the film has shown sustained momentum both in India and overseas, outperforming other major releases of the year and entering the elite Rs 1,000 crore club.

Strong worldwide and domestic performance

According to figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 1006.7 crore globally in just three weeks. With this, it has gone past earlier big releases of the year, including Kantara Chapter 1 and Chhaava, to set a new benchmark in worldwide collections.

In the domestic market, the film has posted equally impressive numbers. Over its first 21 days, Dhurandhar collected more than Rs 650 crore in India. The film earned Rs 28.60 crore on Day 21, which coincided with Christmas, further boosting its overall tally.

A closer look at the India collections shows a strong week-wise performance. The film opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in the second week. Between Days 15 and 20, it added Rs 160.70 crore. With the Day 21 earnings included, the total net domestic collection stands at Rs 668.80 crore, placing it among the biggest box office successes of the year and pushing it closer to the Rs 700 crore mark in India.

Entry into top domestic earners list

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also secured a spot among the top ten highest-grossing Indian films based on domestic net collections. The film has overtaken Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to claim the ninth position on the list, underlining its exceptional run in theatres.

Cast, direction and sequel announcement

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar, whose storytelling and the performances of the cast have been key factors behind its box office success.

The makers have already confirmed a sequel, which was hinted at in the post-credit scene. The follow-up film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and will hit theatres in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

With its record-breaking global earnings and continued strong performance in India, Dhurandhar is set to close 2025 as one of the most successful Indian films in recent years.

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Govinda’s Avatar: Fire and Ash cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

AI-generated videos claiming Govinda’s cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash have gone viral, but the actor does not appear in the film.

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Govinda’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

Social media users were left amused and confused after several viral clips claimed that Bollywood actor Govinda had made a surprise cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The videos, which surfaced days after the film’s global release, showed Govinda as a blue-skinned Na’vi on Pandora, delivering dialogues in his trademark style or appearing on screen alongside Jake Sully.

The clips spread rapidly across platforms, with many viewers enjoying the humour, while others questioned whether the filmmaker had actually pulled off an unexpected crossover. Comments ranged from jokes asking where the “full movie” could be watched to disbelief over the possibility of such a casting choice.

No real cameo, clips are entirely AI-generated

Despite their convincing visuals, the viral videos are not authentic. Govinda does not appear in Avatar: Fire and Ash in any form. All the circulating clips and images have been created using artificial intelligence and fan edits, meant purely as memes and satire.

The buzz grew partly because of an old interview where Govinda had claimed he was once offered a role in Avatar but declined it. In that interaction, the actor spoke about being approached for a long shooting schedule and even claimed to have suggested the film’s title. However, this account was later questioned by his wife, Sunita Ahuja, who publicly said she was unaware of any such offer and distanced herself from the claim.

How old claims added fuel to the viral joke

Sunita Ahuja, speaking in a recent podcast, said she had no knowledge of the filmmaker visiting or offering Govinda a role, adding that she did not support false narratives. Her remarks resurfaced as the AI-generated clips went viral, reinforcing that the current buzz has no factual basis.

Avatar, directed by James Cameron, released in 2009, followed by The Way of Water in 2022. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment of the franchise, is currently running in cinemas worldwide, featuring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in lead roles.

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The Odyssey trailer: Christopher Nolan unveils first look of epic journey led by Matt Damon

Christopher Nolan has released the first trailer of The Odyssey, offering a glimpse into Matt Damon’s epic journey home after the Trojan War.

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The oddyssey

Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited film The Odyssey has officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of its first trailer. The ambitious project adapts Homer’s legendary epic and promises a large-scale cinematic experience rooted in myth, war and survival.

A glimpse into Odysseus’ long journey home

The trailer introduces Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek hero trying to make his way back home after the Trojan War. The visuals open in the immediate aftermath of the war, showing Odysseus leading his men away from Troy with the hope of returning to their families. However, the journey ahead appears long and dangerous.

Scenes highlight harsh landscapes, turbulent seas and repeated shipwrecks, underlining the physical and emotional toll of the voyage. The focus remains on endurance and survival rather than dialogue, with visuals driving the narrative forward.

One notable sequence shows Odysseus and his soldiers hidden inside the Trojan Horse, confirming that the fall of Troy forms part of the film’s early chapters. Another moment set in a dark cave, with an ominous moving shadow, hints at mythical threats without revealing them fully.

Family ties at the heart of the story

Alongside the action, the trailer places emphasis on family and emotional bonds. Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, while Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, his wife waiting for his return. Their presence adds a personal dimension to the otherwise grand scale of the story.

Ensemble cast and technical scale

The film features an extensive cast that includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel and Corey Hawkins, alongside Damon, Hathaway and Holland.

Christopher Nolan has written and directed The Odyssey and is producing it with Emma Thomas. Backed by a major studio, the film has been shot using new IMAX technology and is described as the first feature made entirely using IMAX’s largest film format.

The Odyssey is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026.

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