Shankar’s debut Telugu film, Game Changer, featuring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in the lead roles, is set to premiere in theaters on January 10. In light of stricter regulations following the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre during a benefit show for Pushpa 2, the Telangana government has denied permission for a 1 am screening. However, ticket price increases and additional shows have been authorized.

In contrast, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved benefit shows for Game Changer, with the first show commencing at 1 am. A member of Ram Charan’s team shared the Telangana government’s order on X (formerly Twitter). The government has eased certain restrictions in exchange for the screening of advertisements aimed at raising awareness about cybercrime, narcotics, and drugs, but denied permission for the early morning shows.

For the opening day, six shows have been authorized, along with an additional five shows allowed over the subsequent nine days, ending January 19. A 4 am show is approved for the opening, and ticket prices will be increased by ₹150 for multiplexes and ₹100 for single screens, including GST. For the following days, ticket prices will rise by ₹100 in multiplexes and ₹50 in single screens. Bookings in the state began after this government order was issued.

Following the December 4 stampede incident that resulted in a woman’s death and her son sustaining critical injuries, Minister for Roads and Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkata Reddy declared in the Assembly on December 21, 2024, that benefit shows would only be permitted for films addressing social issues or patriotism. The Minister emphasized that film stars should adhere to regulations and refrain from roadshows when police deny permission, stating that the government is focused on supporting the film industry through various incentives.

In addition to Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, Game Changer features Anjali, Samuthirakani, SJ Suryah, and Srikanth in significant roles. The film has a production budget exceeding ₹400 crore, with ₹75 crore allocated for song sequences composed by Thaman S. The story, penned by Karthik Subbaraj, will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Production commenced in 2021 and concluded in 2024.

Ram Charan’s previous film, RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, was a major success, while Shankar’s last film, Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, and Rakul Preet Singh, did not achieve notable success. Expectations for Game Changer are significantly high.

A series of devastating wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, resulting in five fatalities and the destruction of over 1,100 structures. The fires have prompted mass evacuations, including among Hollywood celebrities, and led to the widespread cancellation of major entertainment events.

As a consequence, the announcement of Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for January 17, has been postponed to January 19, with nomination voting deadlines also extended. However, the ceremony itself is still set to take place on March 2.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed his condolences to those affected, highlighting the fires’ significant impact on the film industry, particularly in Southern California.

Events such as the Critics Choice Awards, along with other pre-Oscar functions like the AFI Awards luncheon and the British Academy of Film and TV Arts Tea Party, have been delayed. Significant industry events, including the Academy’s technical “bake-off,” have been canceled.

Prominent figures in Hollywood, including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Anthony Hopkins, have experienced personal losses, with their homes either destroyed or evacuated.

Premieres for films like Better Man and The Last Showgirl have been called off, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were released via press release instead of as a live event. Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily closed due to hazardous conditions, and filming for shows such as Ted Lasso and Grey’s Anatomy has been halted.

The wildfires, which began on Tuesday, have severely stretched firefighting resources and water supplies. Schools, including Palisades Charter High School—known for its roles in films like Carrie and Teen Wolf—have been damaged or destroyed. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden has signed a federal disaster declaration, releasing funds for temporary housing, repairs, and recovery efforts.

Earlier, the announcement of the 15 films shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars has reignited controversy among cinephiles, critics, and filmmakers in India due to Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies not being included in the list.

Following the announcement, strong online criticism of the Film Federation of India (FFI) emerged, led by voices like Hansal Mehta and Ricky Kej, who accused the organization of consistently poor judgment in its Oscar selections. For many, this omission serves as a reflection of deeper issues in how India presents itself on the global cinematic stage.

Laapataa Ladies, a charming satire about two brides swapped in rural India during the 1990s, received acclaim for its clever narrative. However, as Grammy-winning musician Kej bluntly stated, it was “absolutely the wrong choice” for an Oscar campaign.

The disappointment was further intensified by comparisons to Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL), which many believe to be India’s strongest contender for the international feature race. Kapadia’s portrayal of Mumbai’s working class has already garnered multiple accolades, including nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and its triumph at Cannes, where it won the Grand Prize, has firmly established it as a critical favorite early in the competition.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a diamond earring valued at ₹1 lakh, along with ₹35,000 in cash and USD 500 from the residence of actor Poonam Dhillon in Mumbai.

According to reports, the suspect, identified as Sameer Ansari, had been hired to paint the actor’s apartment in the Khar area. He worked at the property between December 28, 2024, and January 5, 2025, during which he reportedly took the items from an unlocked cupboard. The arrest took place on Monday.

After the theft, Ansari spent ₹9,000 to host a party for his fellow workers who helped with the painting. The police have since recovered ₹25,000 in cash, the USD 500, and the stolen diamond earring.

The theft was discovered when Poonam’s son, Anmol, returned from Dubai on January 5, leading her manager, Sandesh Chaudhary, to file a police report. Although the actor primarily resides in her Juhu home, her son sometimes stays in the Khar flat. Ansari has been charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and further investigations are ongoing.

Poonam Dhillon is well-known for her role in the 1979 film “Noorie” and has appeared in several popular movies, including “Red Rose” (1980), “Dard” (1981), “Romance” (1983), “Sohni Mahiwal” (1984), “Teri Meherbaniyan” (1985), “Samundar” (1986), “Saveraywali Gaadi” (1986), “Karma” (1986), “Naam” (1986), and “Maalamaal” (1988). She was also a contestant on Bigg Boss in 2009.

In addition to her film work, she has starred in various television series and web shows, such as “Kittie Party” (2002–2004), “Ekk Nayi Pehchaan” (2013–2014), “Dil Hi Toh Hai” (2018), and “Dil Bekaraar” (2021). Last year, Poonam was elected president of the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA).