Vikrant Massey continues to captivate audiences with his versatile performances, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most dynamic actors. Following the resounding success of 12th Fail and his compelling portrayal of a journalist in 2024’s The Sabarmati Report, Massey is gearing up for a transformative role as spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the upcoming global thriller White.

This ambitious project, helmed by producers Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain, aims to bring an inspiring chapter of modern history to the big screen.

The film, inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s life, delves into a lesser-known story of peace-building, highlighting how ancient Indian wisdom helped resolve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. Set to begin filming in July, White is in advanced pre-production, with preparations underway in Colombia.

The production will feature an international cast and crew from Los Angeles, reflecting its global ambitions. The narrative promises to blend high-stakes drama with themes of humanity and reconciliation, offering a fresh perspective on peacekeeping efforts.

Massey is undergoing an extensive transformation to embody Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, immersing himself in the spiritual leader’s mannerisms and philosophy. Sources reveal that the actor has met Ravi Shankar to study his body language, ensuring an authentic portrayal.

The film will be shot in Hindi, English, and Spanish, with plans to dub it into additional languages to reach a worldwide audience. This multilingual approach aligns with the growing global appetite for stories that transcend cultural boundaries, as seen in recent international co-productions.

Directed by ad-filmmaker Montoo Bassi and co-produced by Peacecraft Pictures, White is poised to be a cinematic milestone. The project underscores Massey’s ability to tackle diverse roles, from grounded dramas to expansive thrillers.

Industry trends indicate a rising demand for biopics and socially relevant narratives, with audiences gravitating toward stories that blend entertainment with purpose. As White prepares to spotlight a pivotal moment in history, Massey’s portrayal is expected to resonate deeply, further elevating his stature in global cinema.

Hollywood icon Tom Cruise is set to thrill Indian audiences with an early release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the climactic chapter of the beloved spy-action franchise. Slated for a global debut on May 23, 2025, the film will arrive in Indian theaters six days earlier, on May 17, in response to overwhelming fan enthusiasm. The announcement has sparked a wave of excitement across the country.

Paramount Pictures India shared the news on Instagram, stating, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning now releases early in India. New date – 17th May.” The film will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.

Noted film critic Taran Adarsh amplified the buzz by posting the update on X, prompting a flood of reactions from eager fans. One commented, “Early release? We’re sprinting to the theaters! Ready for the action!” Another fan, reflecting on the franchise’s legacy, wrote on Instagram, “The final #MI is almost here, my childhood favorite! Please include English subtitles.”

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, The Final Reckoning promises to deliver the series’ signature blend of high-stakes drama, heart-pounding stunts, and emotional depth.

As a direct sequel to 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, the film continues the battle against The Entity, a rogue AI threatening global security. Cruise reprises his iconic role as Ethan Hunt, leading a mission that blends epic scale with personal stakes, potentially marking his final outing as the daring operative.

Cruise recently offered fans a glimpse into the film’s production, sharing behind-the-scenes footage from Svalbard’s icy wilderness on X. Describing the location as “breathtakingly beautiful,” he called filming there a “privilege” and a “unique experience” for showcasing such a striking backdrop. The star-studded cast, including Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Hannah Waddingham, and Nick Offerman, adds further allure to the action-packed spectacle.

The early Indian release taps into the franchise’s massive regional following, with theater chains reporting strong advance booking trends for similar blockbusters. As anticipation builds, The Final Reckoning is poised to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience, blending adrenaline-fueled sequences with a poignant farewell to an iconic character.

The Delhi High Court has directed renowned composer AR Rahman and the makers of the film Ponniyin Selvan 2 to deposit Rs 2 crore in connection with a copyright infringement case concerning the musical piece ‘Shiv Stuti’ originally composed by the Junior Dagar Brothers.

In an interim order issued by Justice Prathiba M Singh on April 25, the court observed that the song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from the film was “not just inspired but is, in fact, identical” to the ‘Shiv Stuti’ in terms of notes, emotional tone, and overall aural experience. The court emphasized that from a listener’s perspective, the two compositions are fundamentally the same.

Rights violation confirmed by court

Justice Singh highlighted that the rights of the original composers — Late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar — were violated. The court further directed that a slide crediting the Junior Dagar Brothers must be inserted across all OTT and online platforms where the film is available. Additionally, the court awarded Rs 2 lakh as costs to a family member of the late artists.

Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, son of Faiyazuddin Dagar and nephew of Zahiruddin Dagar, had filed the lawsuit, asserting that he held the copyright to all original works of the Junior Dagar Brothers, including ‘Shiv Stuti’. The lawsuit alleged unauthorized use by the makers of Ponniyin Selvan 2.

Court highlights clear copyright infringement

The court ruled that despite the addition of modern elements and changes in lyrics, the essence of ‘Veera Raja Veera’ remains identical to ‘Shiv Stuti’. Thus, it amounts to copyright infringement. The court ordered that the Rs 2 crore deposited be held in a fixed deposit pending the final outcome of the case.

The court also pointed out that AR Rahman initially failed to acknowledge the original composers. It noted that Rahman only credited the work after being contacted by the plaintiff, suggesting a reluctant recognition.

Defendants’ arguments rejected

Rahman’s legal team had argued that ‘Shiv Stuti’ was based on the traditional dhrupad genre, a style in the public domain, and thus not eligible for copyright protection. However, the court found sufficient grounds to believe that the specific composition held copyright value.

The court maintained that without interim protection, irreparable harm would be caused to the original creators’ moral and creative rights. It also acknowledged the deep musical connection between the Junior Dagar Brothers and the defendants, noting that the singers of the disputed song were disciples of the plaintiff.