Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, is a space drama that was released in India on March 26. The Hollywood film was released globally on March 19. However, its India release was delayed by a week to avoid a direct clash with Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2, a box office juggernaut in the country. Project Hail Mary dominates India's IMAX screens Despite the delayed release, Project Hail Mary faced its share of challenges in India, as it was initially not allocated IMAX screens. The film has been specifically designed for IMAX viewing, and the lack of screens left fans frustrated. Following strong backlash online, all 34 IMAX screens in India began screening the film from March 27. The response was tremendous. Early morning shows, including one as early as 3:45 am, were scheduled—and despite the unusual timing, screenings were sold out, indicating massive demand. On its release day, the film had only 13 IMAX shows in India. However, due to strong demand from audiences, IMAX expanded its screenings starting March 27. India currently has 34 IMAX screens, with most theatres running at least two shows per day over the weekend. More about Project Hail Mary Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), the film follows Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling), a lone astronaut who wakes up aboard a mysterious spacecraft with no memory of his identity or mission. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film promises a thrilling blend of science, spectacle, and emotional storytelling. The film did not make use of any CGI or green screen to shoot the space sequences. Speaking about the film, Gosling said, “It’s an insanely ambitious story that’s massive in scope, and it seemed really hard to make, and that’s kind of our bag.” He added, “This is why we go to the movies. And I’m not just saying it because I’m in it—I’m also saying it because I’m a producer on the film.” Featuring a strong supporting cast including Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub, the film delivers a large-scale cinematic experience designed for the big screen.
29 March,2026 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra recently grabbed headlines after social media buzz claimed she was “ignored” by Dua Lipa at a high-profile Bulgari event in Milan. The speculation began when a video from the star-studded evening went viral, with some users suggesting that Dua appeared to overlook Priyanka during a brief interaction. The clip quickly gained traction online, sparking debates and drawing mixed reactions from fans. While some believed the moment looked awkward, others argued that it was being taken out of context. Neither Priyanka nor Dua addressed the viral video, but the chatter continued to grow, turning it into a trending topic across platforms. Priyanka Chopra and Dua Lipa clash speculates new rift buzz Amid the noise, Priyanka subtly reacted in her own way. The actress reportedly liked an Instagram reel that called out people for overanalyzing the situation and creating unnecessary narratives. The reel criticised how quickly social media jumps to conclusions, especially when it comes to celebrity interactions, and urged viewers not to assume tension where there may be none. Her quiet gesture was seen by fans as a dignified response, choosing not to engage directly in controversy while still making her stance clear. Many supported her approach, praising her for handling the situation with grace rather than fuelling speculation. The incident took place at a glamorous Bulgari high jewellery event in Milan, which brought together several global stars, including Priyanka Chopra, Dua Lipa, Anne Hathaway and others. The evening was meant to celebrate luxury, fashion, and international talent, but the viral clip briefly shifted attention away from the event itself. On Priyanka Chopra's recent appearance Despite the online chatter, Priyanka’s presence at the event was widely appreciated, with her fashion choices and global appeal continuing to earn praise. The actress, who has built a strong international career, remains one of the most prominent Indian faces on the global stage. Meanwhile, fans continue to debate the viral moment, with many pointing out how easily brief clips can be misinterpreted. Priyanka’s reaction, however, seems to underline a larger message sometimes, silence and subtlety speak louder than direct statements. As the buzz gradually settles, the episode highlights the power of social media in shaping narratives, often turning fleeting moments into major conversations without full context.
29 March,2026 03:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnimator and director Barry Caldwell, who was best known for his work on popular shows like 'Animaniacs' and 'Pinky and the Brain,' has passed away. He was 68. Caldwell had a long and respected career in animation and was known for his work as an artist, designer, and director. The news of his death was shared by his longtime friend and fellow animator Paul Dini on social media. Dini shared an emotional note about remembering his longtime friend. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "Barry Caldwell was one of the first animation artists I met when I started my career fresh out of school way back around 1980. He was also one of the finest artists I ever met, and easily one of the best people. The man's talent as a cartoonist, designer and director was revered throughout the industry and I'll get to that." Talking about how the news affected him, Dini further added, "When Dan Haskett told me today Barry had passed, it was like a silent cannonball blowing away a piece of my world. A lot of people's worlds, actually. Barry was admired, celebrated and loved by just about everyone, myself included, for many more reasons than I can list here. Gonna miss you, pally." According to Deadline, Barry Caldwell was born on June 19, 1957, in New York City. He trained at the School of Visual Arts and started his career in animation in 1980 with 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.' Over the years, he worked with major studios like Warner Bros. Animation, Walt Disney Television Studios, and DreamWorks. He contributed to several well-known shows including 'The Smurfs,' 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,' 'The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show,' and 'Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers.' He also worked on projects like 'Tiny Toon Adventures,' 'The Tigger Movie,' 'Osmosis Jones,' 'Kim Possible,' and 'DreamWorks Dragons.' 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
29 March,2026 10:23 AM IST | Los Angeles | ANIProject Hail Mary is an easygoing science-fiction movie about a heavyweight subject - the end of the world. Similar to The Martian (also written by Andy Weir), humanity is nearing its end. An alien microbe, Astrophage, is slowly dimming the sun, and in the next 30 years, over 30 percent of Earth's population is expected to die. The film follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), an astronaut who wakes from an induced coma to find himself completely alone aboard a spaceship, 11 light-years away from Earth. Facing temporary amnesia, Grace tries to piece together his memories to figure out who he is and what he's supposed to do in space. Through flashbacks, we learn that Grace was a molecular biologist, working as a down-and-out middle school science teacher, when he was recruited by a government agent, Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller), to study Astrophage. Once he figures out how it breeds, the horror compounds as he learns that not just the sun, but all the stars in the solar neighbourhood have been infected by Astrophage. In a last-ditch effort to save humanity, Grace is sent on Project Hail Mary (the name is a bit on the nose)- a mission to Tau Ceti, the only nearby star that remains undimmed despite the presence of Astrophage. Bereft in space, he soon encounters a friendly and equally lonely five-legged alien with a similar backstory. Though he has a stony body, which earns him the nickname 'Rocky,' he's sure to melt your heart and trigger your protective instincts. Hailing from planet Eridian, Rocky, too, is a sole survivor of a quest to stop Astrophage and has witnessed all his crew die. The movie then segues into an odd couple dynamic, reminiscent of Bollywood's Koi Mil Gaya, as the human-alien friendship takes center stage. Grace translates Rocky's musical speech through his software. Despite not having eyes, the film does an incredible job of conveying Rocky's emotional state, and it's fun watching him become more anthropomorphised through contact with Grace. Unlike the stoic and still Jaadu (the beloved alien from Hrithik's Koi Mil Gaya), Rocky behaves like a hyperactive toddler, but is equally endearing. His desperation for companionship makes you more emotionally invested in the mission. The film leans heavily into the comedy of Grace's predicament - he's a genius but also a regular guy castaway in space, helpless and hapless, grasping and at times failing to come up with solutions. While Gosling shines in the comedic moments, the influx of goofy jokes like Rocky incorrectly saying 'fist my bump' instead of 'fist bump' feel tedious. The moments of silliness and corny sentimentality take away from the existential dread and terror and upend the serious tone. At its core, Project Hail Mary is about hope. Though dealing with themes of isolation and apocalypse, the introduction of the alien companion is primed to soften your heart and telegraph's the movie's optimism, making it a meditation on trust and friendship. Despite being set in a sterile spaceship light-years away from Earth, the film chooses to embrace the beauty, allure and mystery of space. The film is visually stunning and delivers a spectacle at the right moment. Towards the second half, however, the film seems too riddled with trying to bolster the human spirit and capacity for connection, and it drags. It could have benefited from being half an hour shorter; there is an easygoingness to it that makes it a delightful watch.
28 March,2026 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahPop icon Britney Spears, who was earlier arrested on the charges of driving under influence, recently spent some quality time with her younger son. The ‘Criminal’ singer, 44, shared a video on her Instagram alongside her 19-year-old son Jayden, reports ‘People’ magazine. In the clip, the teenager could be seen wearing a long tan coat over a white T-shirt and recording himself and his mom as they posed in a mirror. Spears wore white lace shorts and a cropped white lace shirt, posing next to her son. The clip then switched to show Spears with jeans and a blazer. She wrote in her caption, “Thank you guys for all your support… spending time with family and friends is such a blessing. Stay kind”. As per ‘People’, the singer has been spending time with her family since she was arrested on suspicion of a DUI on Thursday, March 4, in Ventura, California. The singer's representative said at the time that she'd be prioritizing her two sons, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden, whom she shares with ex Kevin Federline, in the wake of the arrest. The representative shared, "Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being”. This past Christmas, Spears celebrated the December holiday alongside her son Jayden. Her other son, Sean Preston, was seen celebrating Christmas in Louisiana alongside his aunt Jamie Lynn Spears' family in photos shared to Instagram. "Britney had a fun time celebrating Christmas with Jayden, it's been such a special holiday”, the source said. In June, she and her son reunited after she posted a photo and clip on Instagram of them at home after attending church together. In the photo, Jayden stood taller than the singer as they stood close to each other in front of a balcony, with the teenager holding up a phone to take the snap. The singer also shared a short video of the pair posing together in the same spot, in which she revealed that they had “Sang and praised”, earlier that day at church. 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
28 March,2026 11:37 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSHollywood star Antonio Banderas has claimed his near-fatal heart attack is the best thing to have happened to him because of the changes he made to his life. The actor, 65, reassessed his life after suffering a medical emergency in 2017 and after walking away from his Hollywood lifestyle to return to his birthplace of Malaga, Spain. Banderas, who lives with partner Nicole Kimpel, told in an interview, “Mine was a serious warning. It changed the way I look at life. Faced with death, it made me look back and realise that I am, in fact, a theatre actor. I have never been so happy.” He quipped he is so besotted with theatre that he’ll still be there when he dies. He said, “A few months before [my father] died, we were watching the procession of the Holy Sepulchre pass by on the night of Good Friday and suddenly, without looking at me, he said, ‘I think there’s nothing after death.’ I will come back as a ghost. To haunt my theatre.” 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
28 March,2026 08:05 AM IST | Spain | AgenciesSeveral opposition members of parliament have written to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking his intervention after the Central Board of Film Certification reportedly declined certification to the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab in an oral communication. Opposition members urge Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to intervene In a letter, the ministers said, "We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, write to express our deep concern regarding reports that the Central Board of Film Certification has orally declined certification to the internationally acclaimed film The Voice of Hind Rajab, thereby effectively preventing its public exhibition in India. We earnestly seek your good self's urgent personal intervention in this matter that bears significant implications for artistic freedom, institutional credibility and India's standing as a society committed to democratic values and cultural openness.""The film is an internationally recognized and Oscar-nominated work based on the real-life killing of a young Palestinian child during the 2024 Gaza conflict. The film has received wide critical attention globally, reflecting its engagement with a subject of contemporary humanitarian concern. However, reports indicate that the distributor in India has been orally informed that certification may not be granted. Such an approach raises serious concerns as to whether considerations extraneous to the statutory framework governing film certification have influenced the decision-making process. The screening of a film is an exercise of artistic expression protected within the constitutional framework and cannot be made contingent upon perceived diplomatic relationships," they added. "It is widely acknowledged that the above-mentioned film addresses issues of contemporary global relevance. Disagreement with the perspective presented in a film cannot, by itself, constitute a valid ground for restricting public exhibition. India's democratic strength lies in its confidence to permit diverse narratives to be examined and debated in the public sphere. Reliance on considerations beyond the statutory parameters for certification, including perceived geopolitical sensitivities, would create an undesirable precedent inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression," the letter read."India's civilizational ethos has long embraced plurality of thought and artistic interpretation. Engagement with complex or uncomfortable subjects has never diminished the strength of our democracy; rather, it has enriched public discourse and strengthened democratic resilience. The present issue therefore, transcends an individual film and touches upon India's constitutional commitment to freedom of expression as well as the credibility of its regulatory institutions in the global cultural sphere. In this background, we earnestly urge the Government to issue urgent directions to the CBFC to ensure that the film is examined strictly in accordance with the constitutional principles governing freedom of expression, and that certification is granted at the earliest possible opportunity. India's democratic strength lies in its abiding faith that ideas, narratives, and artistic expressions must be tested in the open marketplace of ideas, rather than suppressed by prior restraint," it concluded. About The Voice of Hind Rajab The Voice of Hind Rajab is a 2025 docudrama produced as a Tunisian-French-Palestinian collaboration. The film tells the story of a young 6-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was brutally shot over 355 times by Israeli army officers in Gaza in 2024, along with six of her family members. Hind was fleeing the city with her relatives. Audio recordings of calls between Hind and emergency call operators suggest that she was the only one left alive in the car, hiding from Israeli forces. Her pleas for someone to rescue her ended when the phone line was cut amid the sound of more gunfire. The ambulance set to rescue Hind was also bombed by Israeli forces, and the paramedics were killed. Lately, several reports surfaced online alleging that the CBFC blocked the film's release in India.Speaking with Variety, the film's local distributor Manoj Nandwana revealed that the film was submitted for certification in February, aiming for a release before the Oscar season. The initial release date was set for March 6, allowing Indian audiences more than a week to view the film before it competed in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. However, the film was not approved by the CBFC for a theatrical release, allegedly owing to fears that it would "break up" ties between India and Israel."I told them: the India-Israel relationship is so strong that it's idiotic to think this movie will break it," Nadawana added, further noting that The Voice of Hind Rajab has been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France and many other countries that have a relationship with Israel."The Voice of Hind Rajab is directed by Kaouther Ben Hania.
27 March,2026 03:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 has emerged as a box office juggernaut. The film has minted over Rs 1000 crore within seven days of release, beating the record of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2. With Dhurandhar 2 arriving in theatres, several films have pushed their release dates to avert a clash. Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary, touted to be the biggest Hollywood film of 2026, has also faced the brunt of Dhurandhar 2 mania. IMAX VP on lack of Project Hail Mary shows The Hollywood sci-fi drama was not allotted a single IMAX screen in India. On the day of its India release, Project Hail Mary had limited IMAX shows. Even when the number of shows was increased, they were immediately sold out, as the total number of shows remained low. Some users on X were angry that the new shows were announced after they had already booked IMAX tickets, as they didn’t want to miss Ryan Gosling’s film. Many of these tickets were non-refundable, leading to further outrage. A cinema fan responded to the announcement and wrote, “After fans had already swamped the bookings and packed all shows.” He shared a GIF that said, “What took you so long?” Hey Dev, we are not sitting around wasting time. We are doing our job and doing the best we can. If there is a delay then there are reasons that took time to resolve and we cant tell you what happened (as much as you think you have the right to know ) so stop pretending to be an… — Preetham Daniel (@preethamdnl) March 26, 2026 Preetham Daniel responded, “Hey Dev, we are not sitting around wasting time. We are doing our job and doing the best we can. If there is a delay, then there are reasons that took time to resolve, and we can’t tell you what happened (as much as you think you have the right to know), so stop pretending to be an authority and questioning us. We appreciate you as an audience, and we are working round the clock to get our audience the experience they need, but don’t think I’m here to address your tantrums!” Preetham’s response has led to more outrage among fans who were waiting for IMAX shows. More about Project Hail Mary Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), the film follows Ryland Grace (played by Ryan Gosling), a lone astronaut who wakes up aboard a mysterious spacecraft with no memory of who he is or the mission that brought him there. The much-awaited film was released in theatres on March 26.
27 March,2026 03:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwenty years after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural hit, the sequel is already creating the same buzz—only bigger and more chaotic. The shoot quickly turned into a spectacle, showing how intense the spotlight still is. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep reflect on the sequel With massive crowds, constant paparazzi, and unexpected moments on set, the line between the film’s world and real life started to blur. “I was aware that I was falling, I was aware that I was being photographed,” says Anne Hathaway, recalling a moment when her heel broke mid-scene, and she fell down a few steps. She got back up immediately, smiling and reassuring everyone she was okay, but later admitted her first thought was, “Oh no. I’m news.” Reflecting on returning to the film after two decades, Meryl Streep shared just how overwhelming the experience was this time around, “Even though we were aware of the impact of the first film two decades ago, I think none of us were prepared for the ambush of both goodwill and avid attention that engulfed us,” says Streep. “We needed police barriers and crowd control. Buses of fans turned up, and paparazzi swarmed and in one case kept jumping in front of the camera and the shot and got in a kerfuffle with crew! Annie kept her cool, but I was unnerved." About The Devil Wears Prada 2 The trailer opens with Andy, now a senior journalist, joining Runway as the new Features Editor. When she steps into Miranda's office and greets her warmly, her former boss has no recollection of her. Nigel tires to remind Miranda, "She was one of the Emilys" but to no avail. A montage of glitzy shots from the world of fashion follow before the three of them bump into Emily, prompting her to exclaim, "Am I having a hallucination?" while Miranda, with yet no recollection of Andy, is incredulous that Emily instantly recognises her. Towards the end, Emily takes a dig at Andy during a meeting. “You've changed,” she tells Andy, before adding, “you're much more confident. You kept those eyebrows, though, didn't you?” setting the tone for their love-hate relationship. The film reunites the original main cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and introduces an all-new runway of characters, including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak and Conrad Ricamora. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as “Lily” and “Irv” from the first film. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt and Aline Brosh McKenna. The film debuts exclusively in theatres in India on May 1.
27 March,2026 02:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Taylor Lautner, who gained major fandom for playing Jacob in the Twilight franchise, has announced that he and his wife Taylor Dome Lautner are expecting their first child. Sharing the news in a joint Instagram post, the actor posted a series of images alongside Tay, who he married in 2022. Their announcement included photographs of the couple holding a sonogram and posing together outdoors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Lautner (@taylorlautner) In one image, Taylor was seen kissing Tay’s belly, while others showed them smiling and embracing in a grassy setting, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The caption read: “What’s better than two Taylor Lautners?” – a possible reference to their shared name. Tay wore a sleeveless white dress, while Taylor coordinated in a white shirt, black trousers and white trainers. Taylor and Tay have shared aspects of their relationship publicly since their marriage, often posting updates on social media. Taylor rose to global fame for his role as Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga, becoming one of the franchise’s most recognisable stars. Before his breakout, he began as a child actor, appearing in family films such as The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl and developing skills in martial arts, which informed many of his early roles. Taylor’s performance in Twilight and its sequels established him as a major Hollywood presence, particularly among younger audiences. He later took on lead roles in projects including Abduction, aiming to transition into action-driven films. The Twilight Saga is a series of romantic vampire fantasy films based on the book series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. The first installment, Twilight, was released on November 21, 2008. The second installment, New Moon, followed on November 20, 2009. The third installment, Eclipse, was released on June 30, 2010. The fourth installment, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, was released on November 18, 2011, while the fifth and final installment, Breaking Dawn – Part 2, was released on November 16, 2012. The series had been in development since 2004 at Paramount Pictures' MTV Films, during which time a screen adaptation of Twilight that differed significantly from the novel was written. 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
27 March,2026 12:00 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANSHollywood actress Zendaya, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film The Drama, believes in the friends-to-lovers trope. Zendaya, 29, recently shared her thoughts on what makes a "perfect marriage”, reports ‘People’ magazine. During an interview with the French magazine Views, she said, "Oh, I don't know if there's any such thing as like a perfect marriage, but I'd say like people who, I don't know, this is a corny answer, seem like best friends (sic)”. “I think it's always nice to see two people that like, I don't know, really like each other as well as love each other”, she added. As per ‘People’, Zendaya's comments come not long after wedding rumours between her and Tom Holland sparked. On March 1, her longtime stylist, Law Roach, claimed at the 2026 Actor Awards that the couple secretly tied the knot. He recently doubled down on his claim at the 2026 Oscars on March 15, telling Extra, "I said what I said”. At outings throughout the month, Zendaya has fueled marriage speculation by wearing what appears to be a wedding band. Notably, Zendaya and Holland have referred to each other as best friends over the years. About a month after the premiere of Spider-Man: Homecoming, in which Zendaya stars as MJ and Holland as Spider-Man and Peter Parker, Zendaya dismissed rumours about dating Holland, telling Variety in an interview published in August 2017, "We are friends. He's a great dude. He’s literally one of my best friends”. Earlier, Tom Holland gushed that costars Zendaya and Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds) were his "best friends. He told Access Hollywood, "We’re just best friends, we really are best friends. From the moment we met each other, we all really hit it off. I remember on Spider-Man 1 just becoming, like, the best of friends”. Earlier that year, in July, Zendaya and Holland were spotted kissing in their car. The couple's engagement was confirmed in January 2025. Neither Zendaya nor Holland have directly addressed their wedding rumors. The Drama is set to release in theaters on April 3, 2026. 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
27 March,2026 10:54 AM IST | Los Angeles | IANSADVERTISEMENT
