The curtains are almost down on 2022 but the show seems to will itself on. The year was much-awaited as Bollywood was rooting for its big releases after two years of the country being in lockdown mode with the pandemic. But Hindi cinema had the most challenging time impressing audiences.
Many major releases including Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra, Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha, Gowtam Tinnanuri’s Jersey, and others pushed their launch dates to escape the lockdown impact. But they ended as a lost cause. While Bollywood failed to break records, South Indian films ruled the box office.
Several regional films saw the audience lapping it up, including diehard Hindi viewers. The year saw new grounds as SS Rajamouli’s pan-India film RRR roared at the box office. Following this came Prasanth Neel’s KGF Chapter 2, Kamal Haasan’s Vikram, and other blockbuster films when Bollywood failed to read the audiences’ pulse despite starring A-listers like Ranveer Singh in Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Shahid Kapoor in Jersey, Vijay Devarakonda in Liger, Aamir Khan in Laal Singh Chaddha, Ranbir Kapoor in Shamshera, and Hrithik Roshan along with Saif Ali Khan in Vikram Vedha and how could one not mention the recent bomb, Rohit Shetty’s film Cirkus starring Ranveer Singh.
As we evaluate the passing year, let’s take a look at regional films that did better than Hindi films.
RRR
The SS Rajamouli film starring Ram Charan, NT Rama Rao Jr, Shriya Saran, and Samuthirakani in the lead roles hit the theatres on March 24. It also featured Bollywood’s Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn who played a key role in the promotions making it a blockbuster hit. Alia Bhatt was seen promoting RRR along with SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan, and NTR Jr in all major cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
Credit goes to the marketing team who made use of its Hindi cast Bhatt and Devgn and made sure the film reaches a wider audience.
For those unversed, RRR is the most expensive Indian film to date made on a budget of a whopping Rs 550 crore. Reports say RRR made Rs 240 crore worldwide on its first day in theatres breaking the record for the highest opening day collection by an Indian film. The film not only became the highest-grossing film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but also became the third Indian film and the first Telugu film to be nominated at the Golden Globes in the Best Non-English Language Film category and for the Best Original Song.
Speaking to Screendaily, SS Rajamouli said “I’m trying to find out why Westerners like the film so much. From what I’ve read on social media, it’s a mix of unapologetic superheroism and the unexpected movement from action to romance, comedy, dance and action. But this is how we tell stories in India. There’s something for everyone.”
The film’s success was not only because of its star cast or the director. From the well-written script to catchy music, Rajamouli didn’t go wrong with any element accountable for making a film a hit. And Naatu Naatu song being shortlisted in the Best Original Song Category at the 95th Academy Awards is its testimony.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmGIXuQrL1_/
KGF: Chapter 2
After RRR, this Kannada film directed and written by Prashanth Neel took over the theatres. Featuring Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Srinidhi Shetty, and Prakash Raj in prominent roles, KGF: Chapter 2 went on floors on April 14 in five languages including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
The period action thriller shattered records and became the second highest-grossing film in India, the highest-grossing Indian film in 2022, and the third highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. Reports say KGF: Chapter 2 was produced on a budget of Rs 100 crore which is the most expensive Kannada film in history. The film collected Rs 1,200-1,250 crore globally.
On the failure of Bollywood, KGF 2 star Yash, while speaking to Film Companion, said he doesn’t want Kannada people to put any other industry down as even the Kannada industry faces the same problem.
“I don’t want the people of Karnataka to put any other industry down, because we have faced the same problem when everyone treated us the same way. We have worked hard to get that respect. After that, we cannot start disrespecting anyone. We should respect everybody. Respect Bollywood. Forget this north and south,” Yash said.
Vikram
The Kamal Haasan-Vijay Sethupathi film was released theatrically on June 3 after a long delay due to Covid restrictions. Directed and written by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film was shot on a budget of Rs 120-150 crore and earned Rs 420-Rs 500 crore after its release and became the second highest-grossing Tamil film and fifth highest-grossing Indian film of 2022, and the fourth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.
Vikram was released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi and received rave reviews for its cinematography, writing, cast, and action sequences. The film’s trailer was released in May and crossed over 1.2 crore views within 24 hours of its release, reports said.
Sita Ramam
Sita Ramam is a poetic and poignant love story that will give you a sense of the 60s-70s romance caught on film in Indian cinema. Starring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur, the film became a critical and commercial success and earned more than Rs 91.4 crore at the box office.
Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, the film faced a ban in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. However, the simple-hopeless romantic film, but not cliche, earned praise.
This Telugu-period romance was also compared with the classic Hindi romantic film Veer-Zara starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukherjee.
Kantara
Kantara was the cherry on the cake for Kannada cinema that couldn’t suppress a triumphant smile with the success of KGF: Chapter 2. Rishab Shetty’s direction and writing became the talk of the town when Kantara hit theatres on September 30, unveiling the Bhoota Kola tradition.
The film emerged as a huge commercial success and became the second-highest-grossing Kannada film of all time and the second-highest-grossing Kannada film of 2022. After the success of its Kannada version, the makers announced its dubbed Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam versions as well. The domestic net collections of all the versions crossed Rs 200 crore in 30 days, reports said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl6sSG2hp55/
Kantara also found itself in a plagiarism controversy as Thaikkudam Bridge, a popular music band from Kerala, accused the makers of lifting their tune. Given the social media age, Thaikkudam Bridge slammed Kantara on Instagram levelling serious plagiarism charges for a blatant infringement of copyright laws as the song Varaha Roopam in Kantara had been allegedly copied from their song, Navarasam.
Nonetheless, Rishab Shetty’s directorial impacted a wider audience and the Karnataka State Government announced a monthly allowance for Bhoota Kola performers over 60 years of age.
Ponniyin Selvan: I
Mani Ratnam’s epic historical action drama, Ponniyin Selvan: I starred Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Trisha, Karthi, Jayaram, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, Vikram Prabhu, R Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, R Parthiban, Rahman, and Lal in lead roles.
The multi-starrer film was made on a budget of Rs 500 crore. Although it received mixed reactions from both critics and the audience, it became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022, the fourth-highest-grossing Tamil film of all time, and the 15th-highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
Mani Ratnam also confirmed Ponniyin Selvan: II which will be released theatrically after 6-9 months of PS1.
As is very visible, not even one Bollywood film did the numbers like regional films in 2022. The year, however, proved to be a success for Alia Bhatt as her film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi which released in March was the lone Bollywood hit, she continued with her other successes in RRR, Brahmastra, and Darlings on Netflix.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZi5gShglZ-/
Other films that made some noise at the box office were Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiya 2, and the most recent Drishyam 2.
Now, the concern is whether Bollywood will make a comeback next year or go further down. 2023 has a lot on its plate for Bollywood with big releases like Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Pathaan, Prabhas’s Adipurush, Siddharth Malhotra’s Mission Majnu, Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhooti Main Makkar, Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa, Kartik Aaryan’s Shehzada, Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, Varun Dhawan’s Bawaal, and others.
The Night Agent season 2 review: Netflix hit spy show even better than before
A secondary plotline, focusing on suspicious activities at the Iranian mission to the United Nations, adds a further dimension to the already multifaceted narrative, broadening the scope of the conspiracy beyond the confines of the American government.
Netflix’s The Night Agent, a runaway success in 2023, returns for a second season that expertly builds upon its predecessor’s thrilling foundation. Picking up ten months after the explosive conclusion of season one, the show plunges viewers back into the high-stakes world of Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), the earnest but resourceful FBI agent now operating as a Night Action agent.
The immediate danger is palpable; within the first fifteen minutes, Peter finds himself in a familiar predicament—surrounded by potential enemies and unsure of who to trust. This sets the stage for a season filled with suspense, double-crosses, and relentless action.
The central mystery revolves around a dangerous leak within the agency. Peter, utilizing his sharp intellect and street smarts, embarks on a perilous investigation to uncover the mole, a quest complicated by both internal and international threats. His reunion with Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), his former girlfriend, adds another layer of complexity.
Rose, now a key asset in his investigation, helps navigate the treacherous landscape of political intrigue and espionage. A secondary plotline, focusing on suspicious activities at the Iranian mission to the United Nations, adds a further dimension to the already multifaceted narrative, broadening the scope of the conspiracy beyond the confines of the American government.
Showrunner Shawn Ryan and his writing team have once again crafted a captivating ten-episode season that maintains the addictive quality of the original. Each episode ends on a dramatic cliffhanger, keeping viewers hooked and eagerly anticipating the next installment. While some plot points may strain credulity, the show’s commitment to delivering edge-of-your-seat entertainment overshadows any concerns about realism. The increased budget is evident in the expanded filming locations; the action spills beyond the familiar streets of Washington D.C., transporting viewers to the vibrant backdrops of Bangkok and New York City, adding a visual flair to the already dynamic storytelling.
The pacing, though rapid, avoids feeling rushed, successfully balancing the constant tension with well-developed character arcs. Basso and Buchanan’s chemistry remains compelling, their performances anchored by the palpable tension and trust issues stemming from their shared trauma.
The supporting cast shines as well; the addition of Brittany Snow as Peter’s Night Action partner, Amanda Warren as his supervisor, and Arienne Mandi as the enigmatic Iranian aide, Noor, significantly enhances the overall narrative. The return of Kari Matchett as the President provides a crucial link to the previous season while simultaneously allowing the introduction of these new pivotal characters.
The knowledge that a third season is already in the works subtly alters the dynamic, easing the pressure on the main characters while simultaneously amplifying the stakes of the ongoing conspiracy. The mystery surrounding the CIA leaks, with its implications for national security, is just as gripping as the previous season’s plot to assassinate the president. Ultimately, The Night Agent Season 2 delivers another exhilarating ride, perfect for those seeking a high-octane weekend watch filled with unexpected thrills and unwavering suspense.
Priyanka Chopra backed film Anuja nominated for Oscars 2025
This marks Monga’s third Oscar nomination, adding to her impressive track record with previous wins for “The Elephant Whisperers” and “Period: End of Sentence,” both of which brought significant accolades to Indian filmmaking.
Indian cinema is celebrating a significant achievement at the 2025 Academy Awards. “Anuja,” a live-action short film backed by prominent Indian and international producers Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra, has earned a prestigious nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
This marks Monga’s third Oscar nomination, adding to her impressive track record with previous wins for “The Elephant Whisperers” and “Period: End of Sentence,” both of which brought significant accolades to Indian filmmaking.
The nomination announcement, made on Thursday by presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott, highlights “Anuja’s” selection from a highly competitive pool of 180 qualifying films. The film now contends against “Alien,” “I’m Not a Robot,” “The Last Ranger,” and “A Man Who Would Not Remain Silent” for the coveted award.
“Anuja” itself is a powerful and moving narrative centered around a nine-year-old girl working in a back-alley garment factory. The film poignantly explores the challenges and resilience of working children, following the young protagonist as she confronts a crucial decision that will shape her future and her family’s destiny.
Director Adam J. Graves describes the film as “a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and untold stories of working children,” capturing the spirit of the young protagonist’s strength and vulnerability.
The production of “Anuja” is a collaborative effort, reflecting a commitment to telling authentic stories. It was produced by Graves’ wife, Suchitra Mattai, in collaboration with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a non-profit organization supporting street and working children founded by Mira Nair’s family.
Shine Global, known for its Oscar-winning films “War/Dance” and “Inocente,” and Krushan Naik Films also contributed to the project. The film stars Ananya Shanbhag, Sajda Pathan, and Nagesh Bhosle and boasts a strong supporting cast. While the official release date on Netflix is yet to be announced, the nomination itself ensures “Anuja” will receive significant global attention.
The 97th Oscars ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 2nd. The nomination of “Anuja” marks not only a personal triumph for its creators but also a significant moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Sean Diddy files $50 million defamation case against Courtney Burgess, others over false allegations of celebrity sex tapes
Combs’ legal team argues that the defendants acted with malice, intentionally disseminating these falsehoods for personal gain and without regard for the devastating consequences for their client.
Sean Diddy Combs has filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of NewsNation, and Courtney Burgess, a grand jury witness, in a New York federal court. The suit alleges that the defendants knowingly and recklessly spread false and defamatory statements about Combs, severely damaging his reputation and jeopardizing his ability to receive a fair trial.
At the heart of the lawsuit are claims made by Burgess that he possesses explicit video footage depicting Combs engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with both celebrities and minors. These claims, amplified by NewsNation’s reporting, have allegedly poisoned public perception and created a prejudicial atmosphere.
Combs’ legal team argues that the defendants acted with malice, intentionally disseminating these falsehoods for personal gain and without regard for the devastating consequences for their client.
Combs’ lawyer, Erica Wolff, emphasizes the fabricated and malicious nature of the accusations. She contends that the defendant’s actions constitute a reckless disregard for the truth, deliberately undermining Combs’ right to a fair trial. The lawsuit highlights the irresponsible reporting and amplification of unsubstantiated claims, arguing that NewsNation failed to adequately verify Burgess’s statements before broadcasting them to a wide audience.
The suit specifically cites statements made by Burgess during interviews, including claims that Kim Porter, Combs’ late partner and mother of four of his children, sent him videos allegedly showing Combs assaulting intoxicated celebrities and minors.
Furthermore, the lawsuit points to unsubstantiated allegations made by Burgess’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, regarding police reports supporting sexual assault claims against Combs—claims that were ultimately dismissed by authorities. Mitchell also reportedly mentioned the circulation of these alleged tapes within Hollywood circles, further fueling the damaging narrative.
Combs seeks to hold the defendants accountable for the intentional dissemination of false information, arguing that their actions have not only tarnished his reputation but have also created a significant impediment to his ability to obtain a fair and unbiased legal process. The lawsuit represents a strong defence against what Combs’ legal team describes as a malicious campaign to damage his standing in the public eye.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.
Cricket news22 hours ago
India News19 hours ago
India News22 hours ago
