In a groundbreaking decision, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed on Friday that it will introduce a new Oscar category, Best Stunt Design, to recognize the artistry of stunt work, beginning with the 100th Academy Awards in 2028 for films released in 2027. This historic step celebrates a craft integral to cinema since its inception, marking a victory for stunt professionals after decades of advocacy.

The announcement follows persistent efforts from industry insiders, spearheaded by director and former stuntman David Leitch—known for The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, and Deadpool 2—and veteran stunt coordinator Chris O’Hara. Their compelling presentations to the Academy’s Board of Governors paved the way for this long-overdue recognition. “Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been a vital part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists.”

The Academy echoed this sentiment on X, stating, “Stunts have always been part of the magic of movies. Now, they’re part of the Oscars. The Academy has created a new annual award for Achievement in Stunt Design—beginning with the 100th Oscars in 2028, honoring films released in 2027.”

The decision drew enthusiastic responses worldwide. Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli, celebrated for RRR, expressed his excitement on social media: “At last!! After a 100-year wait!!! Ecstatic for the new Oscars stunt design category for films releasing in 2027! Huge thanks to David Leitch, Chris O’Hara, and the stunt community for making this historic recognition possible, and to The Academy, CEO Bill Kramer, and President Janet Yang for honoring the power of stunt work. Thrilled to see #RRRMovie’s action visuals shining in the announcement!”

Leitch reflected on the milestone, saying, “This has been a long journey for so many of us. Chris O’Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of stunt professionals who’ve fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades.” Similarly, John Wick director Chad Stahelski lauded the Academy’s decision as a nod to the collaborative spirit of stunt teams. “It’s great to see the Academy truly listening to the stunt community,” he told Variety, highlighting the importance of recognizing an entire department rather than a single individual.

Jeff Wolfe, president of the Stuntmen’s Association, hailed it as “a historic moment for our community,” adding, “This validates the passion, innovation, creativity, and hard work behind every fall, fight, and fireball.” The push for recognition gained momentum in recent years, bolstered by films like The Fall Guy and support from actors such as Winston Duke.

Details on the award’s criteria and voting process will be finalized in the 2027 Academy Awards rulebook, with presentation logistics to be determined later. Meanwhile, online reactions have spotlighted legends like Jackie Chan, with fans noting that this category—while a triumph—comes late for icons whose groundbreaking stunts have long defined cinematic excellence. Social media buzz reflects a mix of celebration and bittersweet sentiment, as the Oscars finally catch up to a craft fans have revered for generations.

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta fulfilled a long-cherished wish by visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. Sharing her experience on social media, the actress described the visit as deeply moving and spiritually uplifting.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Preity Zinta revealed that she had attempted to visit the Golden Temple several times in the past, but her plans always fell through due to various circumstances. This time, however, she believed divine intervention guided her path.

Baba ji summoned me and all roads opened up,” she wrote. “It was on the auspicious day of Ram Navami that I had the good fortune of seeking his blessings at the Golden Temple.”

Dressed in a radiant yellow ethnic outfit, Veer Zara actor was seen offering prayers and soaking in the peaceful ambience of the Sikh shrine, considered one of the holiest sites in India.

A moment of spiritual surrender

Despite dealing with travel exhaustion and jet lag, the moment she stepped inside the sacred premises, Preity said she was filled with gratitude and felt a strong sense of peace. The collective energy and faith of everyone present was magical. My heart opened up as I knelt down in surrender and the world faded away, she shared.

She also expressed appreciation for the temple’s cleanliness and management, along with the traditional Kada Prasad served to devotees.

Preity also extended her gratitude to the visitors at the temple, who patiently waited in line and greeted her with smiles and kind wishes.

Dil Se thank you to all those people patiently waiting in line for greeting me with wonderful smiles and good wishes,” she added in her post.

Her visit has since gone viral, with fans appreciating her humility and spiritual reverence.

Tamil cinema superstar Ajith Kumar has marked a phenomenal return to the box office with his latest release, Good Bad Ugly, which made a significant impact by grossing ₹28.50 crores on its opening day, Thursday, April 10.

This impressive figure greatly exceeds the ₹22 crores garnered by his previous film, Vidaamuyarchi, which was released earlier in January. Notably, this new film’s first-day earnings also represent a personal best for Ajith, surpassing the previous record set by his 2022 movie, Valimai, which opened with ₹28 crores, as reported by Bollywood Hungama.

In terms of theater occupancy, Good Bad Ugly achieved an encouraging rate of 79.47% on its debut day. The movie particularly excelled in Chennai, where occupancy reached an outstanding 95%. Other regions such as Trichy and Pondicherry also performed well, with occupancies of 94.75% and 94.50%, respectively, indicating a strong interest in the film from audiences.

Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, Good Bad Ugly features Ajith in the role of a retired gangster who must take up arms once more to protect his son. The film is rich with references and callbacks to Ajith’s previous works, offering a nostalgic experience fans have eagerly anticipated. It is designed to cater heavily to his loyal fanbase, making it a true celebration of his cinematic legacy.

The Hindu’s review characterized Good Bad Ugly as “a loving work of nostalgia,” describing it as a “new benchmark in fan service.” This acknowledgment highlights the dedication to crafting a film that resonates with Ajith’s admirers.

Trisha stars as the female lead, continuing her successful pairing with Ajith after Vidaamuyarchi. The film also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including talents such as Arjun Das, Prabhu, Sunil, Prasanna, Raghu Ram, Redin Kingsley, Priya Prakash Varrier, Jackie Shroff, Yogi Babu, and Shine Tom Chacko.

The film’s music is composed by GV Prakash, with Abinandhan Ramanujam handling cinematography and Vijay Velukutty in charge of editing. Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar, Good Bad Ugly comes under the prestigious Mythri Movie Makers banner, further emphasizing its high production quality.