Through stand-up comedy, debates, discussions, and public speaking engagements, Vikkals Vikram has consistently addressed the everyday social issues faced by people from all walks of life. With his signature style of observational and satirical humor, he has entertained audiences while also inspiring them to think critically about the society around them.

Vikkals Vikram has recently played the lead role in “Light Weight Baby,” directed by debut filmmaker K.C. Guru. Having successfully completed his commitments to the film, he is now making a comeback to the stage to perform stand-up comedy shows once again.

One of the unique aspects of his performances is the way he explores subjects such as love, family, relationships, cinema, sexuality, education, marriage, caste, and feminism. Through humor, he encourages audiences to reconsider many of the preconceived notions and social attitudes that continue to influence modern society.

His performances are not built around preaching or offering direct solutions. Instead, they are designed to spark thought and conversation, allowing audiences to arrive at their own conclusions about what is right and what is wrong. This blend of intelligence, self-reflection, and comedy has been a key reason behind the consistently strong audience turnout at his shows.

Having completed his role as a leading man in cinema, Vikkals Vikram is now focusing on the next phase of his journey through “Vikkals of Vikram.” He is currently planning to take the show to several international destinations. An official announcement regarding these overseas performances will be made soon.

Stand-up comedy is not merely about making people laugh; it is also about inspiring fresh perspectives and positive change in the way people think. Through his continuous self-examination of society and his ability to present those observations with wit and humor, Vikkals Vikram has built a unique connection with audiences—one that continues to grow stronger with every performance.

Schrader is best known for writing the screenplay for Taxi Driver, the acclaimed film directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie became an important part of film history and established Schrader as a powerful screenwriter with a unique voice.

He later worked on Raging Bull, another major collaboration with Scorsese. The film further strengthened his reputation as a writer capable of exploring complex characters, personal struggles and difficult subjects.

Schrader has also enjoyed a successful career as a director. His films include American Gigolo, First Reformed and The Card Counter. Each movie has shown his interest in serious themes, complicated characters and unusual storytelling.

Now 80 years old, Schrader has shown little interest in slowing down. Instead, he continues to work on new projects and remains involved in the creative side of filmmaking. His continued activity is notable in an industry where many filmmakers reduce their workload as they grow older.

Schrader’s career has also changed with the film industry. While filmmaking has gone through major technological and cultural changes over the decades, he has continued to develop his own style and explore new ideas.

His approach has never been based simply on pleasing everyone. Schrader has often followed his own creative vision, even when his films deal with challenging or controversial subjects. His willingness to take risks has helped him maintain a distinctive position in cinema.

Turning 80 has therefore become another milestone rather than a reason for him to stop working. His long career shows how experience, creativity and a strong passion for filmmaking can continue to drive an artist.

Paul Schrader’s journey remains an example of lasting dedication to cinema. From writing Taxi Driver and Raging Bull to directing films such as First Reformed and The Card Counter, he has continued to influence filmmakers and audiences.

At 80, Schrader remains focused on making films and telling stories in his own way. His career shows that creativity does not have an age limit, and his continued work keeps him an important figure in the world of cinema.

Oppenheim had been interested in Hansen for a long time. He was fascinated by Hansen’s unique style and the public image he created during his career. Hansen became widely known for confronting people during investigations and using the famous phrase, “Have a seat.”

The connection between the two filmmakers became even more interesting during a celebration for Oppenheim’s documentary Spermworld. As a surprise, Oppenheim’s wife arranged for Hansen to send him a recorded Cameo message.

In the video, Hansen congratulated Oppenheim on Spermworld. He then jokingly used his famous phrase, “Have a seat,” before talking about possible new projects with the filmmaker.

Although the video was meant to be funny, it gave Oppenheim a new way of thinking about Hansen. He began to see that Hansen was not only a serious journalist. Over the years, Hansen had also developed a carefully created public personality that had become part of his identity.

For Oppenheim, the short Cameo video felt like a turning point. It appeared to capture many of the ideas he wanted to explore through Primetime. The video showed Hansen performing a version of himself that was familiar to the public but also exaggerated and theatrical.

Oppenheim became interested in how Hansen’s television persona had grown beyond his work as a journalist. His mannerisms, phrases and style had become so recognizable that they were almost like a character in a television show.

In many ways, Oppenheim describes Primetime as being inspired by or almost adapted from that Cameo moment. Instead of simply presenting Hansen as a journalist, the film looks at the unusual relationship between the real person and the public character he has created.

The documentary explores how Hansen has been absorbed into this larger and stranger version of himself. His famous image has become connected to television, internet culture and public entertainment.

Oppenheim is interested in what happens when a person’s professional identity becomes so famous that it starts to feel separate from the person behind it. Hansen’s case offers an unusual example of how journalism, entertainment and performance can come together.

Through Primetime, Oppenheim examines this reconfigured image of Hansen and asks viewers to think about how public figures are shaped by the roles they play.

What started as a silly Cameo video eventually became an important creative idea for Oppenheim. The moment helped him look at Chris Hansen in a different way and became a key influence behind a documentary exploring identity, performance and the strange world of modern media.

The festival lineup was announced on Thursday morning as filmmakers, actors and movie fans were getting ready to travel from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Telluride in Colorado. The announcement created excitement among film lovers, especially because several films in this year’s program are already expected to attract attention during the awards season.

One of the major highlights is Elsinore, which will have its world premiere at the festival. The film stars Andrew Scott, who plays actor Ian Charleson, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. The movie is expected to draw interest because of its subject and Scott’s performance.

Another highly anticipated film is The Debut, a musical directed by Jesse Eisenberg. The film stars Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore and will also make its debut at Telluride. Its combination of a well-known cast and musical storytelling has made it one of the films to watch at the festival.

The lineup also features Tender Loving Care, directed by veteran filmmaker Mike Leigh. Leigh has suggested that the movie could be his final film, adding extra interest to its screening. The director is known for his long career and critically respected work, making the film an important part of this year’s festival.

Another major entry is The Liberation, which stars Carrie Coon as a Holocaust survivor who becomes involved with a cult. The film explores a difficult and emotional story and is expected to be one of the serious dramatic films at the festival.

The festival will also screen Tenzing, which tells the story of the famous Sherpa who accompanied Edmund Hillary during their historic climb of Mount Everest. The film focuses on the important role of the Sherpa in one of the most famous mountain expeditions in history.

With several major premieres, respected filmmakers and award-winning actors, this year’s Telluride Film Festival is expected to attract strong attention from critics and the film industry. The festival will also give audiences an early look at movies that could become important contenders during the upcoming Oscar race.

As the festival begins, many filmmakers and movie fans will be watching closely to see which films receive the strongest reactions. Telluride has a long history of helping smaller and independent films gain wider recognition, making its lineup an important early indicator of the awards season.

Several genre films have performed especially well at the box office and have also entered the awards conversation. Movies such as Sinners and Weapons have shown that horror and other genre films can be both commercially successful and respected by critics.

The growing popularity of these films has also highlighted the work of directors who are pushing traditional filmmaking boundaries. Their movies often combine entertainment with strong stories, new ideas and social or cultural themes.

To recognize this change, The Hollywood Reporter studied box office performance, spoke with important filmmakers and looked at the cultural impact of genre movies. The publication used this research to identify the 30 most influential genre directors working today.

However, some major filmmakers were deliberately left out of the list. Directors such as Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve were not ranked because they have moved beyond being known mainly as genre filmmakers. Their work has influenced modern cinema across many different types of movies.

Directors who mainly focus on large franchise films were also excluded. James Cameron, for example, was not considered under the list’s rules because of his strong connection to major franchise filmmaking.

Superhero movies were also left out. The genre has become such a large part of Hollywood that it was treated separately. As a result, filmmakers such as the Russo brothers and Destin Daniel Cretton were not included.

The list instead focuses on directors who are helping to change the way audiences and studios look at genre cinema. Many of these filmmakers have worked outside the traditional Hollywood system and have created films that are both commercially successful and creatively ambitious.

The rise of these directors shows that genre cinema is no longer limited to a small group of fans. Horror, science fiction and action films are increasingly becoming important parts of mainstream cinema, while giving independent filmmakers more opportunities to reach global audiences.

This shift also reflects a wider change in Hollywood, where audiences are showing greater interest in original ideas and fresh storytelling. The success of genre films in 2026 suggests that filmmakers willing to take creative risks can have a major influence on the future of cinema.

Fox News released a statement thanking Bartiromo for her work and dedication during her time at the network. The company said it appreciated her contributions over the past 12 and a half years and wished her success in her future career.

Bartiromo became a well-known face in business and financial news during her time at Fox Business Network. She was known for covering major developments in the economy, financial markets, companies and business policy.

Over the years, she became a familiar presence for viewers who followed business and economic news. Her experience and on-air style helped her build a strong audience and become one of the recognizable personalities associated with business coverage at Fox.

Her departure marks the end of an important chapter for both Bartiromo and the network. Colleagues and viewers have expressed mixed emotions about her decision to leave, with many recognizing the influence she had on the channel and its business-news programming.

Fox News’ statement also highlighted the respect the organization has for Bartiromo and her work. The network expressed gratitude for the time and effort she gave during her long tenure.

Bartiromo’s departure is likely to be closely followed by her fans and viewers, who have watched her career develop over many years. Her work at Fox helped make her an important figure in television business journalism.

As she leaves the network, attention will now turn to her next career move. For many viewers, Bartiromo will be remembered as one of the familiar personalities who helped shape business news coverage at Fox News and Fox Business Network.

According to posts shared on her Instagram account and by her foundation, Steinem died peacefully at her home in New York City. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death.

Steinem became a major voice in the women’s rights movement during the 1960s and 1970s. Through her writing, public speeches and activism, she helped bring greater attention to issues affecting women, including equal opportunities, workplace rights and discrimination.

As a writer, Steinem used journalism and public discussion to highlight social problems and challenge traditional ideas about women’s roles. Her work helped make conversations about gender equality more visible in American society.

She also became known for her ability to connect different groups within the women’s movement. Over the years, she worked with activists and organizations on a wide range of issues related to equality and human rights.

Steinem’s influence went beyond politics and journalism. She became a symbol of the modern feminist movement and inspired generations of women and activists to speak openly about inequality and fight for greater rights.

Her career lasted for many decades, and she continued to participate in public discussions and support causes that were important to her. Even in her later years, she remained an influential figure in conversations about women’s rights and social justice.

News of her death is expected to bring tributes from activists, writers, politicians and people around the world who were influenced by her work.

Gloria Steinem leaves behind a long and influential legacy. Her writing, activism and commitment to equality helped shape the feminist movement and changed the way many people discussed women’s rights.

The competition will begin to take shape at several major international film festivals. The Venice Film Festival is one of the first major events on the calendar this week. It will be followed by the Telluride Film Festival on Friday, where several highly anticipated movies and performances are expected to receive attention from critics and awards voters.

A week later, the spotlight will move to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Toronto is known for showing a wide range of films and often becomes an important starting point for movies that later compete for major awards. The New York Film Festival, scheduled about two weeks later, will add another important stage for filmmakers and studios to present their work.

These festivals can have a major influence on the Oscar race. Strong reviews, audience reactions, and early awards buzz can help a film gain attention long before the final Oscar nominations are announced. A successful festival screening can also increase interest in an actor’s performance or a director’s work.

As the awards season begins, Hollywood studios will closely watch how audiences and critics respond to the major films. Some movies may quickly become early favorites, while others may struggle to attract attention. New contenders could also emerge unexpectedly during the festival season.

The beginning of this awards race also marks the return of the Feinberg Forecast, which will follow the Oscar competition throughout the season. The weekly coverage will examine which films, actors, directors, and other artists are gaining momentum and which contenders may be losing ground.

At this early stage, it is still difficult to predict the final Oscar nominees. Many films have not yet been released widely, and audience and critic reactions can change the competition quickly. However, the upcoming festivals will provide some of the first major clues about which movies could become serious awards contenders.

With Venice, Telluride, Toronto, and New York all taking place within a short period, the Oscar conversation is expected to become much louder. As more films are screened and more performances are reviewed, the competition for the biggest prizes in Hollywood will begin to take clearer shape.

The road to the 2026–2027 Academy Awards is only beginning, but the next few weeks could provide some of the season’s most important early signals.

For audiences in the UK, Canada and Singapore, JioHotstar brings together premium Indian entertainment in a single destination, spanning television, films, regional programming, non-fiction, kids and anime. Designed to resonate deeply with the South Asian diaspora while appealing to a broader global audience seeking diverse stories, languages, and cultures, the platform will continuously expand with over 30,000 hours of fresh content added annually.

JioHotstar, the ultimate entertainment streaming destination kicks off its international launch with a diverse line-up of entertainment spanning new originals, iconic franchises, and a vast television content offering, including:

• New Originals & Blockbuster Premieres: A slate of originals including Ali Baba Aur Chaalis Bhoot, Prince of Mollywood, Part Timers, The Court and more alongside blockbuster movie premieres through the year.
• Bigg Boss, Now Interactive: The iconic reality franchise Bigg Boss returns across six languages, and for the first time, audiences across Singapore, Canada and the UK will be able to vote LIVE across every edition, giving them the power to actively participate in and influence the game in real time. While audiences in Canada and the UK will have access to the 24×7 LIVE Feed, Canada will also be able to watch Bigg Boss Hindi 7 days ahead of its TV broadcast.
• A New Game Show Format: Audiences in Canada and Singapore can witness the magic of Anil Kapoor hosting India Ka Top 1 Percent, a new format that tests contestants’ logic and reasoning.
• Content from JioStar TV Channels with Early Access: Audiences can access content from JioStar television channels, including Star Plus, Colors, Star Vijay, Asianet, Star Jalsha and Star Pravah, with Before-TV access to popular shows in Singapore and Canada, including Anupama, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Seher Hone Ko Hai, Azhagae Azhagu, while audiences in the UK can watch popular shows simultaneously with their TV broadcast, alongside regional and daily entertainment.

This new line-up sits alongside the breadth that JioHotstar is already known for, with one of the most expansive entertainment libraries that brings together entertainment across genres and generations. The library includes award-winning and critically acclaimed originals such as Criminal Justice, Special Ops, Chiraiya, Pritam & Pedro, Asur, Aarya, Heartbeat, Vikram on Duty, Kerala Crime Files, Resort, Kaattaan, and more; blockbuster reality franchises including Koffee with Karan, Bhojpuri Bawaal, Khatron Ke Khiladi, MTV Hustle, Splitsvilla, Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment, Roadies, Cooku with Comali; popular and critically acclaimed movies including Vaazha, Dhurandhar; Chhichhore, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh; Kill,12th Fail, Jab We Met, and more.

Available across mobile and Connected TV, JioHotstar is designed to give audiences the flexibility to experience entertainment wherever and however they choose. The app will be available to download through the App Store and Google Play Store across the UK, Canada and Singapore.

Built around evolving viewing habits, JioHotstar is also introducing new quarterly subscription plans across all three markets for the first time, giving audiences a shorter-duration option to access the platform alongside annual plans. To deliver a friction-free transition, existing Hotstar subscribers across these markets can seamlessly log in with their current credentials and automatically transition to an equivalent JioHotstar plan without service disruption. In the UK, existing subscribers can continue to enjoy their current monthly subscription plans, until auto renewal remains active. The updated app also streamlines the onboarding journey, allowing Android users across all three regions to subscribe directly within the app.

The updated pricing effective 2^nd September across markets is as follows:

In addition to this, JioHotstar’s product interface is built to make discovery effortless and viewing deeply immersive for audiences across the UK, Canada and Singapore. Designed with an intuitive, modern UI/UX and powered by ultra-personalized recommendation engines, the platform adapts seamlessly to individual viewing habits. Enhancing accessibility for multi-generational and cross-cultural households, the platform offers high-quality subtitles and dubs across 12+ Asian languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, and more ensuring world-class entertainment is more inclusive and interactive.

Commenting on JioHotstar’s international expansion and vision for global streaming, Amit Malhotra, Head – International Business, JioStar, said: “Streaming has spent the last decade competing on the size of its catalogue. We believe the bigger opportunity now is to reimagine how audiences experience entertainment; not just what they watch, but how they discover, engage with and shape the experience in real time. South Asian audiences have a deep connection with Indian entertainment across languages, generations and households. At the same time, audiences globally are increasingly seeking stories and cultures beyond their own. We see an opportunity to build for this broader, underserved global audience – not simply export an Indian streaming service to new markets.”

He further added, “As we expand internationally, our ambition is to show what becomes possible when scale, language, cultural diversity, personalisation and deeper audience participation are built into the streaming experience from day one.”

Trusted by more than 500 million active users, JioHotstar has built one of the world’s largest entertainment ecosystems, combining premium storytelling, consumer-first product experiences and innovation at scale. From conversational voice discovery and AI-powered personalisation to in-app commerce and interactive entertainment, JioHotstar continues to explore new ways for audiences to experience content.

The launch across the UK, Canada and Singapore marks the next phase of JioHotstar’s journey taking not just its entertainment catalogue, but its product experience, technology and vision for the future of streaming to audiences around the world.