BY SACNILK

Mumbai, January 28 - John Cena-fronted HBO Max series, "Peacemaker" is getting massive attention worldwide. The comedy series, which is a spinoff of James Gunn's last year's "The Suicide Squad", is currently the most-in-demand series globally. ## Created and directed by James Gunn, "Peacemaker" was 69.5 times more in demand than the average series, according to the data firm Parrot Analytics (via business insider). Parrot Analytics measures audience demand, which accounts for the interest in and engagement with, or overall popularity, of a TV series.## The series is currently among the most rated DC Comics titles on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 94%. It stars John Cena as the title character, reprising his role from The Suicide Squad, with Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick also playing key roles.## As per the report, "Peacemaker" surpassed Netflix's hit fantasy series "The Witcher" and Disney+'s "Star Wars" show "The Book of Boba Fett" in demand. Interestingly, the total demand for the Max series grew by 39.2% in 2021 whereas Netflix originals in the same 12-month period grew only by 10.3%.## Going by the report of the business insider, HBO Max was the fastest-growing major streaming service in 2021 when it came to the demand share for originals, according to Parrot Analytics. This is interesting, knowing the fact that HBO Max has far fewer subscribers than Netflix or other popular streamers. ## "Peacemaker" premiered on HBO Max on January 13, 2022, with its first three episodes. The rest of the series is being released weekly through February 17. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, January 25 - The upcoming HBO Max feature film "Batgirl", based on DC Comics has officially cast Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh. Both Aquino and Yeoh are transgender, marking the first time a live-action DC Comics feature film will feature an openly trans character.## Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh will play the best friend of the titular superhero, a.k.a. Barbara Gordon played by Leslie Grace in this original HBO Max film. Yeoh first appeared in a 2011 issue of "Batgirl" written by Gail Simone and penciled by Ardian Syaf.## According to Variety, news of Aquino's casting first leaked online in mid-January after Grace posted a photo seemingly from the set of the film to her Instagram story, tagging Aquino and captioning the shot (of two women crossing the street) with "Barbara and Alysia".## There have been several strides in broadening LGBTQ+ representation in superhero adaptations over the past few years. The latest such example was seen in Marvel Studios' feature film "Eternals", which included the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first same-sex couple, played by Brian Tyree Henry and Haaz Sleiman.## Meanwhile, the "Batgirl" is being directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. It also stars J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Michael Keaton (reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, which he will first do in "The Flash" in late 2022), and Jacob Scipio. "Batgirl" is currently slated for a late 2022 release on HBO Max.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, January 23 - Telugu movie, "Akhanda", starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead role, was a big hit at the box office. Released on December 2 last year, the action drama is still playing in select theaters and has so far earned over Rs. 125 crores worldwide. ## Directed by Boyapati Srinu, "Akhanda" was made available on Disney Plus Hotstar on January 21, 2022, and received a blockbuster response on its digital premiere as well. According to the producers, "Akhanda" has become the all-time highest viewing Indian film in the first-24 hours.## Dwaraka Creations, the production house of the film, took to Twitter and announced the milestone achievement. Though the makers didn't share the viewing numbers, they claimed the film is most viewed in the 24-hours. The makers had also claimed recently that the movie has grossed Rs. 200 crores worldwide through theatrical and digital revenue.## #Akhanda🦁 Becomes 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 in 24Hrs through Digital Premiere💥Stream: https://t.co/ye2wA054Jk#AkhandaRoarOnHotstar#NandamuriBalakrishna#BoyapatiSreenu @MusicThaman @ItsMePragya @DisneyPlusHSTel @DisneyPlusHS #MiryalaRavinderReddy pic.twitter.com/u3mgK55doF— Dwaraka Creations (@dwarakacreation) January 22, 2022 ## "Akhanda" marks NBK and director Boyapati Srinu's third collaboration after "Simha" (2010) and "Legend" (2014). With their latest collaboration, the due maintained their 100% success ratio. The actor played a dual role as Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora and Murali Krishna in the film alongside Pragya Jaiswal as the female lead, Jagapathi Babu, and Srikanth in key roles.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, January 22 - Marvel fans were eagerly waiting for studios' next Disney+ series, "Moon Knight", and justifying that keenness, the fans around the world gave a blockbuster response to the trailer, released this week during Monday's NFL wild-card game.## The first trailer of "Moon Knight" boasts over 1 million likes on Marvel's official YouTube channel. This sets the record for the most-liked trailer for an MCU Disney+ series, also becoming the first trailer in this category to break the 1 million likes milestone. It beat the first trailers for "Hawkeye" (915k) and "WandaVision" (760k).## Not just likes, "Moon Knight" is also one of the most viewed MCU Disney+ series in the first 24-hours. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the trailer generated over 75 million views — 52 million online, 23 million from the broadcast. It scored higher numbers than "Loki" (60 million) and "WandaVision" (52 million), being outscored only by "Falcon and the Winter Soldier", which was viewed 125 million times in its first 24 hours.## The trailer was also a hot topic on social media as its Social engagement was the highest for any Marvel series so far, with 263,000 mentions, beating the first content release for "WandaVision" (241,000) and "Winter Soldier" (218,000), and even "The Mandalorian" (221,000), according to The Direct.## The superhero series stars Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector/Moon Knight. In the series, "Marc Spector, a mercenary who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, is drawn into a deadly mystery involving Egyptian gods with his multiple identities, such as Steven Grant". It also stars Ethan Hawke while Jeremy Slater serves as a head writer with Mohamed Diab leading the directing team.## It is intended to be the sixth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The series is slated to premiere on Disney+ on March 30, 2022.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) As 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein', starring Tahir Raj Bhasin and Shweta Tripathi, garners a positive audience response, the director of the web series, Sidharth Sengupta, decodes one of the most poetic scenes that is laced with the song 'Bahaaro Bahaaro'.## The scene comes at a point when Vikrant and Shikha are seen running for their lives, amidst guns, smoke, and bombs. This is in sharp contrast to the chaos that ensues around them. Throughout the scene, the tension remains high as they get caught in the crossfire, and yet the song 'Bahaaro Bahaaro' plays in the background.## The contrast between the violence and the poetry is beautifully captured.## "This scene is something that I've put a lot of thought and heart into," commented Sengupta. "I believe it perfectly captures the situation the two characters find themselves in as they literally fight for their love against the world. The high-octane action and raw emotions are perfectly captured by our amazing DOP Murzy Pagdiwala and beautifully scored by Shivam Sengupta and Anuj Danait".## The show is streaming on Netflix.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Screenwriter-director Jaideep Sahni, who has creatively collaborated with Aditya Chopra in films such as 'Chak De! India', 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', 'Bunty Aur Babli' and 'Shudh Desi Romance', will be an exclusive creator for YRF Entertainment.## YRF Entertainment is Yash Raj Films' OTT venture.## "Jaideep Sahni has been roped in by him to become an exclusive creator for YRF Entertainment. Jaideep has always wowed everyone with his scripts and this development signifies that we can expect some of the best content coming out of YRF in the digital space," said a source.## "Jaideep has been writing and developing some brilliant gems over the last 10 years. It is certain that he will write and create YRF Entertainment's second digital series.## "The reclusive, maverick writer has been keeping cards close to his chest and looks like he will dish out multiple content-forward projects in the years to come," the source added.## According to the source, Jaideep will create a genre of his own in the Hindi content space with his first project for YRF Entertainment that is set to roll early next year.## "Aditya (Chopra) and the team at YRF have been blown away with this sparkling script and we hear casting is going to start now."## YRF Entertainment recently announced their maiden OTT project 'The Railway Men', about the untold heroes of the Bhopal gas tragedy that rocked the nation in 1984.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Bangalore, Jan 21 (IANS) Honouring the creative prowess of the late Puneeth Rajkumar, Prime Video on Friday announced the premiere of three new Kannada movies from his PRK Productions.## The films are 'Man of the Match', 'One Cut Two Cut' and 'Family Pack' and they will be available exclusively for Prime Members worldwide.## The three-film announcement is an ode to the craft and legacy of the late actor and filmmaker whose contribution to cinema will make his legacy a part of all creative conversations. Featuring popular faces from the Kannada film industry, this repertoire of films will premiere on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories worldwide.## The cast of 'Man of the Match', a modern-day reflection of human emotions and social challenges, also stars some of the finest upcoming actors, such as Atharva Prakash, K. Jayaram, Dharmanna Kadur, and Nataraj. 'One Cut Two Cut', which is a mad-cap comedy, narrates the story of a day when everything went haywire. It features Danish Sait, Prakash Belavadi, and Samyukta Hornad. 'Family Pack' is a romantic comedy starring Likith Shetty and Amrutha Iyengar in lead roles.## Talking about the association with PRK Productions, Manish Menghani, Head, Content Licensing, Amazon Prime Video, said: "Over the last few years, we have had a successful association with PRK Productions. This collaboration is our effort to pay a humble tribute to the creative excellence of the late Puneeth Rajkumar and his unique vision of storytelling".## The Prime Video statement also said that five of Puneeth Rajkumar's most memorable productions -- 'Law', 'French Biryani', 'Kavaludaari', 'Mayabazaar' and 'Yuvarathnaa' -- will be available for free viewing for a month, starting on February 1, to non-Prime members as well.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, Jan 21 (IANS) 'Lucifer', a drama that debuted on the Fox broadcast network before becoming a Netflix show in 2018, topped Nielsen's list of the most-streamed original series of 2021 in the United States, reports 'Deadline'.## The 93 episodes of the series netted more than 18.3 billion minutes of streaming during the year, according to the measurement firm's year-end report. That put it well in front of the 16.4 billion notched up by 'Squid Game', but the Korean phenomenon had only nine episodes on Netflix in 2021.## Interestingly, reflecting the diversity of the U.S. audience, roughly 15 percent of the American viewers of 'Squid Game' watched the Korean-language original of the series.## In saving the show after it was canceled by Fox, according to 'Deadline', Netflix established a precedent that it has occasionally followed with other acquired properties that become popular on its platform. (A recent example was the former NBC series 'Manifest', which racked up almost 20 billion viewing minutes last year with just 42 episodes).## Three non-Netflix shows made the originals chart: 'The Handmaid's Tale' on Hulu, 'Ted Lasso' on Apple TV+ and 'Wandavision' on Disney+.## On the movie chart, 'Luca' recorded a decisive win, gathering about 10.6 billion minutes of viewing. The winsome, well-reviewed Pixar feature, says 'Deadline', did not have a theatrical run last summer and was instead released directly on Disney+.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) Content creator and actress Prajakta Koli has become India's first UN Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Climate Champion under her partnership with the organization. ## The title has been conferred to her following her contribution towards mental health, women's rights and girl child education through various global social campaigns. ## UNDP aims to eliminate poverty, achieve sustainable growth, and scale-up human development in countries where it is required the most. ## As a part of her responsibilities now, Prajakta will be entrusted with interacting with young minds to raise awareness around climate crisis, global warming and biodiversity loss and their impacts, the tremors of which are being felt by all sections of the society, especially the poor and marginalized communities. ## Speaking on the occasion, Prajakta said in a statement: "I am extremely humbled and honoured to have been entitled with this unique responsibility to champion a cause that is close to my heart. As the very first UNDP India Youth Climate Champion, I would like to produce and participate in opportunities that propel conversations around climate action and the urgent measures we must take." ## Commenting on how youth can make a difference, her statement further read: "The youth need to be the torchbearers of this revolution and foot soldiers who will work towards the common goal of an enriched and empowered future where the human species doesn't become endangered. We have created this problem, but we can solve it too. With UNDP, I will strive to work with young minds across the globe to take appropriate measures for climate action." ## Welcoming Prajakta, Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India says: "We are excited to have Prajakta on board as the UNDP India Youth Climate Champion. Young people are the leading voice to make the world more sustainable. Prajakta has a strong connect with millions of young Indians. I am sure her voice reaches the hearts of youth, and inspires them to take climate action." ## In the past, the content creator has spoken up on issues like body shaming and online bullying with 'Shameless' as part of her campaign #iPledgeToBeMe which came into force on World Mental Health Day in 2016. ## As a global ambassador for YouTube's 'Creators For Change' initiative, she drew the attention of people to trolling, female subjugation and homophobia through her campaign 'No Offence' which was showcased at the UN headquarters in New York on International Tolerance Day. ## In 2018, saw three initiatives and social cause partnerships from her, first with YouTube for Social Impact Girl's Education campaign, with Instagram on their Safer Internet Week campaign and with One.org for their Girl Education campaign. ## In 2019 she received an invite from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their annual Goalkeepers Summit. ## Last year, she joined Google's Impact Challenge to aid grants to non-profits addressing economic inequities faced by women and girls. ##

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Series: 'Breaking Point Season 2' (Streaming on 'discovery+'); Duration: 45 minutes per episode ## Directors: Prabhu Asgaonkar and Manika Berry Asgaonkar; Cast: Brig A. Ragesh, Ustaad Saurabh Kumar, Lt. Gen. Ajay Kumar Suri, Brig S. Vadhera, Brig Kashyap, Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, Maj Gen. S. Jha, Brig. PK Singh Sm, GP Captain M. Abhiman ## IANS Rating: ***1/2 ## The title 'Breaking Point' conjures a negative connotation in the minds, and thus for this non-fiction, four-part series streaming on 'discovery+', it is a misnomer. It does not show us the moment of greatest strain at which someone or something gives away, instead, it is an inspiring series that makes us aware that tough moments don't last, tough people do. ## It showcases the various training schools of the Indian Armed forces where young recruits are pushed to excel and become fearsome soldiers with determination, grit, and caliber. ## The first episode titled, 'The Artillery- Big Guns of India', takes us to the Artillery Training Centre at Nasik. Here we are introduced to ultralight and medium cannons of lethal power like 130MM, Bofors, ULH (Ultralight Howitzer) and M46, and Ultra Heavy artilleries like the K9 Vajra and Grad BM21 Multi-barrel Rocket launcher. ## At the centre, young cadets depending on their aptitude, are trained under an "Ustaad" to become a Gunner, Surveyor, Technical Assistant, Radio Operator, or a Driver. ## This episode mainly focuses on the roles of the Gunner and the Driver driving HMVs (High Mobility Vehicles). ## The second episode titled, 'Army Aviation Soldiers in the Sky', focusses on the Army Aviators who are a class apart. These Army aviators, also known as Helicopter Pilots, help the Indian Army to attack enemy troops or transport soldiers during surgical strikes. ## We are initially taken to the Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nasik, where we are informed how the greenhorns are trained and groomed to fly and perform basic maneuvers in the sky with helicopters like the HAL Chetak. ## Later we are transported to Jodhpur, where the rookies are taught complex and daring moves to fly, combat and hunt together. The training is imparted on the HAL Rudra, an attack Indian-made helicopter.## The third episode features officers of the Armoured Corps and is titled 'The Armoured Corps- India's Iron Steeds'. It is at the Armoured Corps Centre and School where its young officers of the cavalry are given technical and tactical training to be effective troop leaders. How they train on the T72 and T90 Bhishma (Tanks) forms the crux of this episode. ## In the final episode we get to see the making of a Paratrooper. How they prepare themselves to jump out of aircrafts, shoot and acclimatise themselves for urban warfare is a part of their training which is imparted to them at the Para Training School. ## With excellent camera work, each episode brings to life (the feelings of the first time and unforgettable experiences of the soldiers) what mere words of the talking heads cannot reproduce. The interesting part of the series is that it gives us in-depth information akin to a crash course on the various aspects of the subject and supplies nuggets of historical importance that may hold your interest. ## The series is moderately paced and engaging. The sound design along with the background score- elevates the viewing experience. The only issue is the voice-over of the narrator - Ross Huguet. His diction simply does not suit the Indian audience. ##

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Film: '36 Farm House' (Streaming on Zee5); Duration: 108 minutes. ## Director: Ram Ramesh Sharma; Cast: Amol Parashar, Barkha Singh, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Madhuri Bhatia, Ashwini Kalsekar, Flora Saini, Rahul Singh, Ishita Deshmukh, Nivedeta Bhargava, Gaurav Ghatnekar, Pritam Kagne, Pradeep Bajpai, Liza Singh, Hetal Puniwala. ## IANS Rating: **1/2 ## At its best, '36 Farm House' is a satirical comedy on a superficial level that does not even work as a good, moral and cautionary tale. ## Delving on the universal theme of 'Some Steal For Need - Some Steal For Greed', the narrative proceeds to tell us the story of three sons trying their best to change their mother's will to their respective advantage. To what lengths they go to achieve their goal forms the crux of this story. ## Set during the 2020 lockdown, the film appears to be a quickie trying to pass off the story as a relevant tale of our times. ## The narrative begins with migrants returning to their roots. Jay Prakash (Sanjay Mishra), aka JP, a smooth-talking opportunist, and father of two grown-up children, with the help of Benny (Ashwini Kalsekar), the housekeeper of 36 Farm House, manages to wriggle his way as a chef, into the house of Eighty-five-year-old Padmini Raj Singh (Madhuri Bhatia) the owner of 36 Farm House and its 300-acre property who had bequeathed her assets to her oldest son Raunak (Vijay Raaz). JP gets the job purely because he convinced Raunak that he is a lone soul, unmarried, and with no family members to claim his own. ## While JP is nearly settling in 36 Farm House, he learns about Benny's devious plan of stealing from her employers. During the same time, his son Harry (Amol Parashar), who was an assistant to Designer Manish Malhotra by happenstance, meets the designer Antra (Barkha Singh), who is heading to her grandmother Padmini's residence. Together they come to 36 Farm House. ## To add to the chaos is JP's concerned and worried wife Shantishree, who lands up at 36 Farm House in search of her husband while an investigation into the murder of a young lawyer, who was deputed by Padmini's younger sons- Gajendra and Virendra, to get their mother's will changed, looms large over 36 Farm House. ## But the plot, instead of focusing on the three sons, factors in several other characters with their motive, thereby diluting the narrative and reducing it into a farce. The writing as well as the direction, are purely perfunctory, very mundane, and mediocre to digest. The humour too- only elicits chuckles. ## On the performance front, every actor is within their comfort zone. Therefore they deliver staid and routine performances. ## The songs in the film have the flavour of the 1990s and are so reminiscent of Subhash Ghai's repertoire. ## Mounted with moderate production values, the film is a bit disappointing since it comes from the stable of Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts Ltd. ##

BY SACNILK

Film: 'The Royal Treatment' (Streaming on Netflix); Duration: 97 minutes. ## Director: Rick Jacobson; Cast: Laura Marano, Mena Massoud, Chelsie Preston Crayford, Grace Bentley-Tsibuah, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Cameron Rhodes, Phoenix Connolly, Amanda Billing, Jay Simon. ## IANS Rating: *** ## 'The Royal Treatment' is an outright fairytale with a modern approach. It is the oft-heard and familiar tale about a prince who finds his true love among the commoners. ## There's little to the characters beyond what we learn at the start and how a couple of additional details adjust our understanding of how we should feel about them. In this case, the stifled Prince Thomas of Lavania is in New York for his engagement party to the hotel heiress Lauren (Phoenix Connolly). He needs a haircut, and his butler mistakenly fixes him for an appointment with the hairstylist of a run-down beauty salon called Bellissime, situated in the suburb. ## When the spunky beauty salon owner Izzy arrives, the prince finds himself drawn towards her indomitable spirit. And, when his fiance's family is looking for a hairstylist for the wedding in Lavania, the prince and his butler promptly recommend Izzy and her team. ## After Izzy and her two assistants, Destiny (Chelsie Preston Crayford) and Lola (Grace Bentley- Tsibuah), arrive at Lavania, and when they both visit a down market area called "Uber die Gliese" which means, over the tracks, the prince realises that Izzy has a heart of gold. ## Soon both of them become aware that their lives are bound by family obligations and duties, and naturally, romantic sparks innocently begin to fly. But then reality intervenes, and how their destinies become further entangled forms the crux of this tale. ## Apart from the romance, which is built on tropes usually adopted in Disney films, the characters are cardboard thin, and the plot has no layers and appears frothy even while speaking about injustice, gentrification, and even the Gandhian principle of being the change you want to see in the world. Also, the conflict, handled in a very non-conventional style and modern approach- drains the film of any chance of complexity. ## On the production front despite being mounted with ace production values, the set and characters appear to be a deliberate mA¿lange of style, culture, and races. ## As for the performances, the film is Marano's canvas, and she excels in every frame. Massoud complements her with equal fervor. They are both natural and charming as individuals, but together, their chemistry is simply saccharine sweet and bland. The others in supporting roles deliver unfiltered performances that make them sparkle during their moments of on-screen glory. ## Overall, this film will appeal to those who love fairytale romance. ##