Entertainment

xXx 4: Will Jay Chou deliver the beats while Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel take down the villains?

Published

1 year ago

June 17, 2025

The ‘xXx’ franchise is gearing up for an even more ambitious international launch with its upcoming film, ‘xXx 4’. This time, they’re pulling out all the stops to captivate Asian audiences.

Building on the phenomenal success of ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ in 2017—where nearly half of its impressive US$346 million (approx. S$475 million) global box office came from China alone—the producers are amplifying their strategy.

To enhance their appeal, they’ve cast none other than Mandopop sensation Jay Chou alongside Hollywood action star Vin Diesel and Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone.

Chou’s casting goes beyond mere celebrity; it’s a strategic move. Renowned for his innovative soundtracks and roles in Hollywood films like ‘The Green Hornet’ (2011) and ‘Now You See Me 2’ (2016), Chou boasts a massive fan base throughout Asia.

Moreover, he’s expected to contribute to the ‘xXx 4’ soundtrack as well, building on his musical legacy from previous projects where his songs accompanied artists like the Rolling Stones and Pharrell Williams.

Jay Chou is not just a music star; he’s a record-setting phenomenon. With over 30 million albums sold, he ranks among the top-selling artists in Taiwanese history. His influence is significant, with CNN recognizing him as one of Asia’s 25 most powerful figures and holding the record for the most Golden Melody Awards won by a singer.

His music videos on YouTube are unmatched, with at least six surpassing 100 million views, making him the most viewed Chinese artist.

Additionally, the ‘xXx’ franchise is welcoming more talent, with Chinese actors Zoe Zhang and Roy Wang joining the cast, amplifying the film’s appeal in the Chinese market.

D.J. Caruso, who directed the last film, will be at the helm again, bringing his expertise in blending high-octane action with a global perspective.

Joining the production team for ‘xXx 4’ is Jackie Chan’s production company, further boosting the film’s credibility and excitement, especially in Asia.

Filming is expected to start next year, with hopes that Chan’s involvement will generate even more interest and buzz.

Entertainment

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra Announce Second Pregnancy

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Mumbai: Bollywood couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra have announced that they are expecting their second child. The couple shared the happy news through a joint social media post featuring their baby girl’s hands holding a pair of tiny socks.

“Blessed once again with the greatest gift of all. Our hearts are so full of love and gratitude,” they wrote in the caption.

Kiara and Sidharth tied the knot on February 7, 2023, at Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan. The couple fell in love while working together on the 2021 film Shershaah.

Kiara had earlier revealed on Koffee With Karan Season 8 that Sidharth proposed to her during a family trip to Rome. She recalled that he even used dialogues from Shershaah while proposing.

On the work front, Sidharth was last seen in The Vvaan, while Kiara was last seen in Yash’s Toxic.

Entertainment

Will ‘Premada Oorali’ Join the List of Kannada Cinema’s Most Profitable Hits?

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Entertainment: Kannada romantic family drama Premada Oorali is continuing its successful run at the box office. Released on September 25, 2026, the film has recorded strong growth during its second week, driven by positive word-of-mouth and steady audience support.

Directed by National Award-winner Manoj Kumar, the film was reportedly made on a modest budget of around Rs.3 crore to Rs.3.5 crore. Despite a slow opening, it has emerged as a major commercial success.

The movie opened with an estimated net collection of Rs.9 lakh to Rs.12 lakh on its first day. Its collections increased steadily after positive audience feedback. The film earned around Rs.7.92 crore net during its first week.

By the end of 11 days, Premada Oorali had collected approximately Rs.15.29 crore to Rs.17.57 crore net in India.

The film witnessed another jump on Day 12. It collected around Rs.3.65 crore net across 834 shows, compared to Rs.3 crore on the previous day. This marks a growth of nearly 21.7 per cent.

With the Day 12 collection, the film’s total India net collection has reached around Rs.21.22 crore, while its India gross collection stands at approximately Rs.24.69 crore.

The film’s overseas collection is currently not available. Its confirmed worldwide gross collection is also yet to be reported.

With its strong performance against a relatively small production budget, Premada Oorali has emerged as one of the notable sleeper hits of Kannada cinema in 2026.

Entertainment

Senior Kannada Actress Lalithamma Dies at 65

Published

4 days ago

October 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada supporting actress Lalithamma, who had worked in theatre, films and television for over three decades, passed away on Sunday at the age of 65.

Lalithamma had been suffering from a stroke for the past two and a half months. As she had no one to take care of her, she was receiving shelter and care from the Amma’s Madilu Trust.

Lalithamma had dedicated nearly 35 years to the theatre industry. She performed in hundreds of stage plays and also appeared in several Kannada films and television serials.

She gained recognition among Kannada audiences through her role as ‘Saraayi Sharade’ in Darshan-starrer Suntara Gaali.

She later acted in several popular films, including Jackie, Vajrakaya, Jungli Kitturu and Putra, among others.

Lalithamma was also part of several television serials, including Rangoli, Mangalya and Mahamayi.

Known for her supporting roles and long-standing contribution to the entertainment industry, Lalithamma’s death has left her colleagues and well-wishers mourning her loss.