Ben Affleck, once the most high-profile actor to wear the cape and cowl as Batman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), has candidly admitted that his time as the Dark Knight was far from enjoyable. In a new interview with GQ, Affleck called the experience “excruciating,” citing misaligned visions and a personal loss of interest in superhero films.

Affleck, who starred in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and made appearances in other DCEU titles, never got the chance to make his much-anticipated solo Batman film, which he was also set to direct. Reflecting on that period, he said, “There are a number of reasons why that was a really excruciating experience… a lot of it was misalignment of agendas, understandings, expectations.”

He admitted that he too bore responsibility, stating, “I wasn’t bringing anything particularly wonderful to that equation at the time, either. I had my own failings, significant failings, in that process and at that time.”

Affleck says the darker tone alienated younger audiences, including his son

The Oscar-winning actor shared that the darker, more mature tone of the DC films further distanced him from the genre. Notably, even his own son was unable to watch the films because of their intensity.

“It started to skew too old for a big part of the audience. Like even my own son at the time was too scared to watch the movie. And so when I saw that I was like, ‘Oh shit, we have a problem,’” Affleck said.

He explained how creative differences between the filmmakers and studio also made the process difficult. “Then you have two entities, two people really wanting to do something different and that is a really bad recipe,” he added.

From Batman to The Accountant 2

Affleck debuted as Batman in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, starring alongside Henry Cavill. His stint also included appearances in Suicide Squad and Justice League. Plans for a solo Batman film under his direction never materialized, and the DCEU eventually folded in 2023.

The actor is now focused on other projects, with his upcoming film The Accountant 2 set for release next month.

Bharti Airtel has rolled out its new IPTV service in over 2000 cities across India, aiming to provide users with a unified entertainment experience through the large screen. The service, which includes bundled Wi-Fi, OTT apps, and live TV channels, is available for both new and existing Airtel broadband users, starting at Rs. 699 per month.

How to access Airtel IPTV

New subscribers can get started by purchasing a new Airtel Wi-Fi plan through the company’s website or by visiting a nearby store.
Existing Airtel Wi-Fi users have the option to upgrade to IPTV services via the Airtel Thanks app or by heading to any Airtel store.

Features and plan details

Airtel’s IPTV offering includes access to more than 600 live TV channels and a wide catalog of on-demand content from 29 leading OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, SonyLIV, and ZEE5.

The company is also offering up to 30 days of free service as part of an introductory promotion, claimable through the Airtel Thanks app.

Tariff details:

Availability and rollout plans

Currently, the service is accessible across most of India, except in Delhi, Rajasthan, Assam, and the Northeastern states, where it will be introduced in the coming weeks. Airtel confirmed that more rollout updates will be shared shortly.

Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Connected Homes and Chief Marketing Officer at Bharti Airtel, shared his views on the launch, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering an enhanced viewing experience for Indian households.

In an exciting development for film enthusiasts and political followers alike, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, a biopic chronicling the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was officially announced on Wednesday, March 26. Inspired by Shantanu Gupta’s acclaimed book, The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, this film promises to delve deep into the formative experiences that shaped one of India’s most prominent political figures.

Produced by Samrat Cinematics, the film’s first look was unveiled alongside a captivating motion poster that offers a sneak peek into Adityanath’s transformative journey. It will portray his evolution from humble beginnings to his pivotal decision to embrace sanyas as a Nathpanthi Yogi and, ultimately, his foray into the tumultuous realm of politics aimed at rejuvenating Uttar Pradesh.

The newly released motion poster features Anant Joshi in the titular role, embodying the essence of Yogi Adityanath’s life of service. Complementing this powerful visual is a compelling voiceover by noted actor Paresh Rawal, which resonates with a poignant message: “Vo kuch nahi chahta tha, sab usko chahte the. Janta ne usko sarkar bana diya,” translating to, “He didn’t wish for anything. Everyone loved him. The people made him a leader.”

Directed by Ravindra Gautam, celebrated for his work in Maharani 2, Ajey is set to weave a rich narrative filled with drama, action, and emotional depth. Alongside Anant Joshi, the cast includes a stellar lineup of talent, featuring Paresh Rawal, Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), Ajay Mengi, Pavan Malhotra, Garima Singh, and Rajesh Khattar, each set to deliver a performance that enhances this dramatic tale.

The film’s music will be brought to life by the well-known duo Meet Bros, while the script has been crafted by Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey. Visionary cinematography will be provided by Vishnu Rao, with production design handled by Udai Prakash Singh.

Scheduled for a grand release worldwide later in 2025, Ajey will be available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—ensuring that this powerful story reaches a diverse audience.

In her comments, producer Ritu Mengi expressed her passion for the project, stating, “Yogi Adityanath’s life is a tapestry of challenges and triumphs that we aim to present with authenticity and drama. This film promises to engage viewers while highlighting the events that carved his path.”

“The story of Yogi Adityanath is one of sheer determination and selfless service. We are dedicated to creating an immersive experience that does justice to the inspiring life of a boy from a humble background who rose to lead millions,” Director Ravindra Gautam said.

As anticipation builds for this cinematic tribute to a remarkable leader, Ajey promises not just to entertain, but also to motivate and inspire new generations as they watch the unfoldment of a life dedicated to transformation and public service.