The 98th Academy Awards nominations are out, and history has been made. Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners has stormed the Oscars 2026 race, emerging as the most-nominated film of all time with a record-breaking 16 nods. It is followed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another, which picked up 13 nominations. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners bags 16 nominations The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards have been announced, with Ryan Coogler’s directorial Sinners leading the race with a record-breaking 16 nods. With this, it has broken the record for the most nominations for a single film ever, beating previous record holders like Titanic, La La Land, and All About Eve. Sinners has also emerged as the seventh movie to be nominated in every technical category, reported Variety. Starring Michael B. Jordan in the lead, the supernatural thriller received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Jordan, Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo, Original Screenplay, Casting, Production Design, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, Visual Effects, Original Score, and Original Song for I Lied to You. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Academy (@theacademy) One Battle After Another bags 13 nominations The film is followed closely by Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another, which picked up 13 nominations, including Best Picture. Jordan will be vying for the Best Actor trophy against Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). Others in the race are Frankenstein, Bugonia, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, F1, and The Secret Agent. About Sinners Sinners premiered in April last year with a USD 48 million domestic opening, the biggest launch for an original film since Jordan Peele’s Us, which debuted to USD 71 million in 2019, as per Variety. Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners, which takes place in the 1930s as the brothers return home to the South and open a juke joint—only for vampires to descend on the small town. The Oscar nominees were announced on Thursday by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. The 98th Oscars will be held on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien set to return as the host.
22 January,2026 10:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPop icon Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became one of the most talked-about highlights at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, after a light-hearted moment between the two went viral online. Their playful interaction during the high-profile global summit added a dash of celebrity charm to the otherwise serious atmosphere of world leaders, policymakers, and business heads. Katy Perry winks at Justin Trudeau As Trudeau took the stage for his address at the forum, Katy Perry was seen seated in the audience, attentively watching him speak. In a moment caught on camera, the singer flashed a bright smile and gave him a subtle yet unmistakable wink from across the room. Trudeau noticed the gesture and responded with a warm smile and a blink of his own, sparking instant reactions across social media platforms. The brief exchange quickly became a viral clip, with fans calling it “adorable,” “unexpected,” and “refreshingly human.” The duo were also spotted walking together at the venue, holding hands and engaging in quiet conversation, further fueling public interest in their relationship. Several photos and videos from Davos showed the pair appearing relaxed and comfortable in each other’s company, despite being surrounded by intense global discussions on politics, climate change, and economic reform. Katy Perry opted for an understated yet elegant look for the occasion, stepping away from her signature bold fashion choices. She wore a neutral-toned knit cardigan paired with a matching midi skirt, keeping her appearance simple and polished. Her presence at the summit appeared low-key, yet her interaction with Trudeau quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the event. All about their relationship Social media users were quick to react, flooding comment sections with praise and amusement. Many fans expressed surprise at seeing such a candid display at a formal global forum, while others applauded the pair for bringing warmth and personality to the event. Their appearance at the World Economic Forum comes amid growing curiosity about their relationship, which has drawn attention over recent months. While neither has made any official statements, moments like these continue to keep fans and followers intrigued, proving once again that even at the most serious global gatherings, a small personal gesture can steal the spotlight.
22 January,2026 01:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSet in a near future where human courts have been replaced by an AI-run justice system, the Christ Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson-starrer AI-thriller Mercy unfolds almost entirely within a high-stakes trial. Evidence is pulled not from witnesses or lawyers, but from a vast digital archive the film calls the "LA Municipal Cloud" - a system that stores everything from surveillance footage to personal device recordings. Performing without a physical co-star, reacting to voices instead of faces, and delivering emotions into a lens, this was the unusual reality for the actors of Mercy. The immersive virtual setup challenged not just their craft but the very rhythm of performance, pushing them into a space where imagination became as important as presence. Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson on acting without physical co-stars Unlike traditional sets where actors feed off of each other’s energy, Mercy required its performers to build emotional connections across distance and digital barriers. The process demanded intense focus, trust, and an ability to remain emotionally present, even when physically alone. It transformed the way scenes were played, making stillness, silence, and sound design as crucial as movement. Chris Pratt reveals how disorienting and demanding the process was. “The film was also a challenge for our audio department, because when I’m in the Volume, I’m not working opposite real actors,” says Pratt. “I’m delivering lines into the camera, which is the perspective of Judge Maddox. Rebecca was in a different area on a microphone as I was getting her dialogue in my ear.” For Rebecca Ferguson, this stillness became a strange kind of freedom. “As Maddox is physically still for most of the film and Chris is locked in a chair, it gave us freedom to do long takes,” says Ferguson. “It sometimes felt like we were doing a play, as we were often doing 40-minute takes. It allowed us to get lost in that world.” In a space dominated by screens, microphones, and virtual landscapes, the actors had to find new ways to stay emotionally present. And in doing so, Mercy proves that even in the most technologically advanced setups, it is still the human connection that gives cinema its soul. About Mercy Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Mercy experiments not just with ideas but with form. Much of the film's evidence is presented through phone footage, body cams, drone cameras, and surveillance feeds, reflecting a world where almost every moment is recorded and stored. The result is a thriller that feels deeply embedded in the digital reality audiences already inhabit. At the centre of that world stands Ferguson's Judge Maddox, calm, composed, and eerily authoritative. As the AI begins to exhibit traces of something resembling empathy, the film pushes viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about trust, truth, and control in the age of algorithms. Sony Pictures Entertainment India releases Mercy in Indian theatres on January 23, 2026, in English and Hindi.
22 January,2026 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger-songwriter Taylor Swift allegedly referred to It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni as a "b****" in a private text message sent to actress Blake Lively in 2024, according to court documents obtained by Variety. According to the publication, Swift, while discussing a New York Times report linked to Baldoni and Lively's feud, wrote to Lively, "I think this b**** knows something is coming because he's gotten out his tiny violin." The court papers also show that a year earlier, Lively had shared her own anger in messages to Swift. She described Baldoni as the "doofus director" of her film and called him a "clown" who "thinks he's a writer now." According to Variety, a flood of court documents was released on Tuesday, containing allegations of inappropriate on-set behaviour by Baldoni, as reported by Lively and several of her co-stars from It Ends with Us. The documents, which include texts between Lively and Swift, highlighted a significant creative rift between Lively and Baldoni during the development of It Ends with Us. As a result, Lively created her own version of the film. In a court declaration, she explained that Baldoni's cut "marginalised the female characters" and "glorified the abuser." She also refused to appear with Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath while promoting the film. "They painted themselves as the victims and me as a bully," she stated as per Variety. "I was not willing to endorse Baldoni or Heath personally by appearing alongside or promoting the film with them." Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, his publicist and the film's producers, accusing them of harassment and retaliation. Baldoni's legal team asked the court to dismiss the case, saying Lively's complaints are "minor grievances." A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Thursday, and the case is expected to go to trial on May 18. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2026 10:30 AM IST | Washington | ANISinger Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara are now a family of five, as the couple has welcomed their third child, a baby girl. Trainor and Sabara became parents again on January 18, 2026. Their baby girl was born via a surrogate, a choice the couple said was the safest way for them to grow their family. In a joint Instagram post, they shared a series of photos from the hospital and introduced their newborn daughter to the world. Along with the pictures, they added a caption that read, "Our baby girl Mikey Moon Trainor has finally made it to the world thanks to our incredible, superwoman surrogate. We are forever grateful to all the doctors, nurses, and teams who made this dream possible. We had endless conversations with our doctors on this journey, and this was the safest way for us to be able to continue growing our family. We are over the moon in love with this precious girl. Riley and Barry have been so excited; they even got to choose her middle name. We are going to enjoy our family time now. Love you all." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meghan Trainor (@meghantrainor) Meghan and Daryl are already parents to two sons, Riley, 4, and Barry, 2. The couple got married in 2018 and has often spoken about their desire for a big family. Meghan has always been open about wanting a large family. In a 2021 cover interview with PEOPLE, the Grammy winner shared, "I'm ready for three more kids!" In a February 2025 PEOPLE feature, she also spoke about her love for family life and her wish to have daughters one day. "Where I am right now is far beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of," she said at the time. "I always wanted a family. Check. Now I need some daughters. But I never thought I could be a pop star because I didn't believe in myself. Now, 19-year-old Meghan putting out All About That Bass is stoked; she's so proud, like, 'I didn't know you could do that.' It took 10 years to become brave, but I'm finally thriving." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2026 09:56 AM IST | Washington DC | ANIHollywood actor Kristen Bell, known for her work in films like The Good Place and Nobody Wants This, is set to return to host the 2026 SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards, reported Deadline. Speaking on the same, Bell expressed her excitement about returning to the stage for the third time after 2018 and 2025. "I've enjoyed hosting the show every time, so it was an easy decision to come back for a third. What I'm most excited for is the fact that I'll be doing what every actor does best...sing," she said, as quoted by Deadline. Kristen Bell, who famously voiced the character of Princess Anna in the Frozen films, hosted last year's awards ceremony, where she began her opening monologue with a homage to the Disney film. "Do you want to be an actor?" she said to the tune of the Frozen song Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Prior to that, she served as the first-ever host of the Actor Awards since its inception in 1995. On Kristen Bell's return for the hosting duties, Jon Brockett, showrunner and executive producer for the awards, said, "She knows this show, she knows this community, and she knows how to keep everyone entertained and laughing without ever losing the heart of the night. Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family. One you actually want to hang out with." Meanwhile, the nominations for the 32nd Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards), now officially known as the Actor Awards 2026, have already announced. While Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer One Battle After Another emerged as the most-nominated film of the year with a record-breaking seven nods, other films leading the nominations include Sinners, Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme. Michael B Jordan's Sinners bagged the second-most nominations with five nods. On the television front, The Studio topped the list with five nominations, while Adolescence and The White Lotus secured four nominations each. The Actor Awards 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 1, just two weeks ahead of the 98th Academy Awards. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2026 09:46 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANIEver since B-town celebs started jumping onto the internet's latest nostalgic wave, fans have been loving every throwback. From old red carpet looks to unseen moments, celebrities are taking a trip down memory lane, and this time, Priyanka Chopra also took everyone straight back to 2016. Joining the 2016 trend, PeeCee took to her Instagram account to share a series of throwback pictures from what many call one of the biggest years of her life. In the post, the actress reflected on a time when many things changed for her, both professionally and personally. Along with the pictures, the Barfi actress added a caption that read, "The one where everything happened all at once. 2016." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) The pictures included key moments from that year, including one of the biggest: her first-ever appearance at the Oscars, where she stepped onto the global stage. One photo showed her receiving the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, for her work in the arts. Another photo that caught attention was from a dinner with former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The post also featured moments from her work in both Bollywood and Hollywood. Fans saw stills from Bajirao Mastani and Dil Dhadakne Do, along with scenes from Quantico and Baywatch, highlighting how busy and significant that year was for her. Apart from this, PeeCee also made sure to share personal memories. There were pictures from Holi, the time she adopted a dog, and a touching photo with her late grandmother. These moments gave a glimpse into the personal side of a year full of big changes. On the work front, Priyanka will be seen next in the pirate film The Bluff. She plays a strong character named Bloody Mary in the movie, which will stream on Prime Video from February 25. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 03:45 PM IST | Mumbai | ANISinger-songwriter Rihanna knows how to maintain her composure. The singer was exiting the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City, when her security guard walked ahead of her, leaving the doors behind him to close in her face. The Grammy-winning artiste, 37, took the snafu in stride, pausing for a moment before quipping, “Such a gentleman you are” in a video that’s since gone viral on social media, reports ‘People’ magazine. She then giggled to herself as she got into a waiting car. The video was shot the same day that Rihanna’s partner ASAP Rocky released his fourth album, ‘Don’t Be Dumb’. The next day, he performed as the musical guest on ‘Saturday Night Live’, and the couple was seen at the show’s after-party. As per ‘People’, Rocky, with whom Rihanna shares sons RZA, 3, and Riot, 2, and daughter Rocki, born in September, opened up about his relationship with the ‘Love on the Brain’ singer to the New York Times Popcast, revealing that his mother Renee was the one who encouraged him to pursue Rihanna. “My mother used to say things like, ‘I know you like this girl that you [are] with right now’, I ain’t gon’ say no names, ‘but I want you with RiRi.’ It’s like, ‘Ma, why you keep saying that? That girl don’t even want me like that’. Mothers know best… I’m thankful that (Rihanna) was put in my life at that time because any time prior to that I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either”, he said. He also described the pop star as a “very special woman”. Rihanna recently hinted that she’s already thinking about expanding her family to four children. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 03:39 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSHollywood actor Elijah Wood has revealed a line from ‘Lord of the Rings’ that almost didn't get filmed. The 44-year-old actor, who played hobbit Frodo Baggins in Sir Peter Jackson's trilogy adaptation of JRR Tolkien's epic fantasy series. The actor has opened up about the line "All right then, keep your secrets", and how he actually recorded that "during pickups", reports ‘Female First UK’. During a fan question and answer session at Fan Expo Portland, which was moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Wood said, "That scene was actually shot during pickups. It was not shot during principal photography. I'm pretty sure that sequence was from pickups”. The process of pickup shoots was a difficult one, particularly for any actors having to wear heavy makeup and prosthetics for their role. He went on, "Obviously, the folks who had a lot of makeup had the earliest pickup times. I think Lurtz, the Uruk-hai, was picked up just around midnight to then be put in makeup for five or six hours. My earliest pickup was during the first pickups in Osgiliath, and I think it was 3:30 in the morning. It was brutal”. As per ‘Female First UK’, last year, Sir Ian McKellen, 86, let slip Gandalf and Wood’s heroic Hobbit could have a role in director Andy Serkis’ upcoming spinoff The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. While Wood is not ready to confirm his co-star’s claim, he recently hinted there may be some truth to it. Speaking with Screen Rant, the actor said, “I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted. Aside from any of that, I'm not really allowed to confirm”. Wood added he was “really excited” about The Hunt for Gollum, as it will see the return of series director Jackson to produce and writers Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh to pen the script. “I’m really excited about the film. I think it really is a creative ‘getting the band back together’. A lot of the creative heads of department are back and in that space again. Philippa, I think, is co-writing it and producing it. It's very much that core original group getting back together to tell this story that will feel like a really fun exploration of this character that we all love so much. And I'm just really excited”, he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 12:13 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSFilmmaker Zack Snyder took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he revisited the moment he first met Henry Cavill as Superman. Marking 15 years since that day, Snyder revealed that the photograph, which he shared on Instagram, was the very first image he ever took of Cavill, moments before the actor stepped into what would become one of his most iconic roles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by zack snyder (@zacksnyder) For the caption, Snyder wrote: “15 years ago, on this day, I pressed the shutter and met Superman. The first photo I ever took of Henry Cavill — moments before he stepped into legend. Shot on my Nikon.” Snyder made his feature film debut in 2004 with Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name. Since then, he has directed or produced several comic book and superhero films, including 300 and Watchmen, as well as the Superman film that started the DC Extended Universe, Man of Steel, and its follow-ups, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. Aside from comic adaptation, he also directed the animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, Sucker Punch, and Army of the Dead. It was in 2011 that Cavill was announced as being cast in the role of Clark Kent/Superman in director Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Cavill made his television debut in 2002 with a role on The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. He then played Charles Brandon in the series The Tudors. He has since starred as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's The Witcher. He began his film career with a role in Laguna, later starred in Immortals, the spy films The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and as Sherlock Holmes in the Enola Holmes film series, Argylle and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 10:58 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSHollywood actor Jacob Elordi has shared that he has an "obsession" with his Wuthering Heights co-star Margot Robbie. The 28-year-old star plays Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel and revealed that he was transfixed by his fellow Australian during the making of the movie, reports ‘Female First UK’. Jacob told Fandango, "We have a mutual obsession. I think the thing is, regardless of plot or screenplay, if you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're going to make sure you're within five to 10 metres at all times. Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food, how she does it. When is it going to slip? When is the thing going to come undone? And, it never comes undone”. Jacob and Margot play star-crossed lovers Heathcliff and Catherine in the film, and the Euphoria actor felt that the pair were totally immersed in the story, reports ‘Female First UK’. He shared, "There'd be a moment where we'd be running hand-in-hand through the moors, maybe not even in the scene, just setting it up - where I'd look across at her and she'd be looking at me... and in that moment, we really were a part of their love, for real”. The Wuthering Heights trailer has hinted at some racy scenes between the two stars and Margot, 35, explained that she was left feeling "weak at the knees" by some elements of the movie. The Barbie actress told British Vogue: "It almost made me feel weak at the knees. It was the little things that we loved as two women in our 30s, and this movie is primarily for people in our demographic. These epic romances and period pieces aren't often made by women." However, Margot stressed that viewers will be "surprised" by the picture's content when it is released next month. She said, "Everyone's expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. Not to say there aren't sexual elements and that it's not provocative, it definitely is provocative, but it's more romantic than provocative. This is a big epic romance”. Margot also believes that Wuthering Heights will fill a gap in the romantic movie genre. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 10:23 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSADVERTISEMENT
