Galactic budget for the epic
Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari
Indian cinema is set to scale new heights with Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, being mounted on a record-breaking Rs 4000 crore budget (around $500 million). Speaking on The Prakhar Gupta Xperience podcast, Namit revealed, “Everybody called me a lunatic. No Indian film comes close to it budget-wise.” The two-part epic, releasing in 2026 and 2027, will star Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita, with music by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Even Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar (2009), made on a budget of $237 million, and the Avengers films, which cost around $300 million each, fall short. Only Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), when combined with a total budget of $700 million, manage to surpass it. Namit added, “We are making the largest film in the world for the greatest story. I still think it is cheaper than some big Hollywood films.”
Nostalgia of the 90’s
Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan and Saif Ali Khan
It’s official — Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are reuniting on screen for Priyadarshan’s next, titled Haiwaan. The announcement was made on social media, sending fans into a frenzy over the return of the iconic Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) duo. The film marks the trio’s collaboration after over two decades, and promises a mix of action, comedy, and drama — a genre Priyadarshan is known for. The announcement has sparked excitement across platforms, with many calling it a “nostalgia-loaded comeback.” More details about the plot and release date are expected soon.
Hollywood calling the action hero
Vidyut Jammwal
Actor Vidyut Jammwal is set to make his Hollywood debut with Street Fighter, an adaptation of a popular video game of the same name from studio Legendary. According to PTI, the 44-year-old actor, best known for headlining action movies such as Commando franchise, Baadshaho (2017), and Khuda Hafiz (2020), will feature alongside a star-studded cast of Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Callina Liang, Roman Reigns, Orville Peck, Cody Rhodes, Andrew Schulz, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and David Dastmalchian. Street Fighter began as an arcade game from Japanese company Capcom in 1987 and reached a pop culture high with Street Fighter II (1991), which revolutionised one-on-one playing. Vidyut’s last outing, Crakk, received luke warm response at the box office.
