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.

Vivo’s sub-brand, iQOO, has unveiled two exciting additions to its affordable Z series in India: the iQOO Z10 5G and iQOO Z10x 5G. Both smartphones are designed with exceptional battery performance in mind, boasting impressive capacities of 7,300mAh for the Z10 and 6,500mAh for the Z10x.

Pricing details: 

The iQOO Z10 begins at ₹21,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The price increases to ₹23,999 for the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant, while the top-tier version with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for ₹25,999. Customers can benefit from a ₹2,000 instant discount or an exchange offer, effectively reducing the prices to ₹19,999, ₹21,999, and ₹23,999, respectively.

The iQOO Z10x 5G is more budget-friendly, priced at ₹13,499 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version. The 8GB RAM variant with the same storage costs ₹14,999, and the 256GB storage model, paired with 8GB RAM, is priced at ₹16,499. Additionally, a ₹1,000 instant bank discount is also available as a part of the launch promotions.

Specifications highlights: 

The iQOO Z10 features a vibrant 6.77-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a swift 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 5000 nits. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, offering either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2. Running on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, it is equipped with a remarkable 7,300mAh battery that supports fast 90W charging. The camera setup includes a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and a 32MP front-facing shooter for selfies.

On the other hand, the iQOO Z10x sports a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1050 nits peak brightness. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and comes with configurations of 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The device packs a 6,500mAh battery with 44W fast charging and features a 50MP primary camera paired with an 8MP selfie camera, making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts on a budget.

With competitive pricing and robust specifications, the iQOO Z10 and Z10x offer excellent options for users seeking powerful smartphones without breaking the bank.

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.