The world is mourning the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the tabla virtuoso whose genius transcended boundaries and touched countless lives. On 15 December, the maestro departed for the heavenly abode at age 73, leaving an indelible mark on India’s musical heritage and hearts worldwide.
Tributes poured in from luminaries across the arts and film industries, each reflecting on the profound impact of his talent and humility. From Akshay Kumar hailing him as a national treasure to A. R. Rahman grieving the loss of an unparalleled inspiration, the collective grief demonstrates the Ustad’s universal appeal.
In Kamal Haasan’s words, “He left too soon. Yet, we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art.” The maestro’s rhythms not only united hearts but elevated Indian classical music on the global stage, a legacy that will echo for generations.
Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Abbi Jacobson, Denis Leary, Luke Wilson, Linda Cardellini
Director: Sam Miller
Platform: Out on Netflix since 12 December
****/*****
When I sat down to watch No Good Deed after a long day, I certainly didn’t expect it to be darker than the coffee in my hand. But as the plot began to unfold, I found myself gripping my mug tighter, caught up in a twisting narrative that unravelled like a long carpet through a very…. complicated labyrinth. Each episode sucked me in further, making it impossible to stop walking down that path, as the need for answers grew stronger with every turn.
The show kicks off with a compelling premise: Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano) are attempting to sell their lavish 1920s villa in the desirable Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Three families are competing for the house, each vying to drop millions. However, winning Lydia and Paul’s favour proves tricky. Both are grieving the death of their son who died in that very house under mysterious circumstances, and their realtor, Greg (Matt Rogers), is a flamboyant wildcard. The couple hopes to instigate a bidding war and the potential buyers, desperate to secure the house, fall for it without hesitation.
The three families competing for the villa couldn’t be more different. First, there’s Leslie (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah (Poppy Liu), a couple navigating the complexities of IVF. Then there’s Carla (Teyonah Parris), Dennis (O-T Fagbenle), and his overbearing mother, Denise (Anna Maria Horsford), who are all hiding a tangle of lies. And finally, there are the neighbours, JD (Luke Wilson) and Margo (Linda Cardellini), a soap actor and his glamorous wife, who are drawn to the house across the street for reasons of their own.
No Good Deed is a neat example of a fine dark comedy done right. Sure, the blend of slapstick and heavy family tragedy can feel a bit unsettling, but that’s exactly why it works. The creators managed to craft that perfectly sturdy seesaw effect with constant ups and downs.
Wilson and Cardellini, who play the most overtly comedic of the couples, bring levity to the show. JD is a washed-up actor in denial about his career’s decline, while Margo is a scheming, promiscuous woman whose vodka-fuelled lifestyle says it all. Dennis, on the other hand, is a novelist with a penchant for secrecy. His mother seems to encourage his dependency on her, much to Carla’s frustration. Meanwhile, Sarah becomes obsessed with real-time crime-report apps. This obsession drives Sarah and Leslie to unearth the dark history of the house, which is more than eager to resurface.
Lisa Kudrow as Lydia in Netflix’s No Good Deed. Image: Netflix
The dynamics between the couples intertwine with Paul and Lydia’s own complex domestic issues. Their story is steeped in tragedy, with Denis Leary’s presence adding to the overall sense of tension. Each scene—whether it’s a new offer or a knock at the door—reveals another layer of deception. Lydia, once a renowned concert pianist, can no longer play due to guilt fuelled by grief, which has plunged her and Paul into debt. It’s a dark premise upon which the show layers an assortment of outrageous gags. However, sometimes it feels a bit forced, leaving you wondering if the scenes would have been more effective played straight than silly.
Despite its occasional tonal inconsistencies, No Good Deed remains highly engaging, thanks to strong performances, particularly from Kudrow and Romano, who navigate the show’s murky waters with skill. Wilson and Cardellini, playing a rather cartoonish characters, have a lighter task but still shine in their roles. Each episode is packed with twists and teases and endless amounts of foreshadowing, leaving you eager to continue the binge. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the show pulls the rug out from under you. The episodes are quick, pacy, and plot-heavy, making it all too easy to keep hitting ‘next episode’.
In the end, No Good Deed stands out as one of the year’s finest offerings in a list of the whodunnit genre.
Acclaimed actor Colin Firth, known for his remarkable career spanning decades, has confessed that his latest role in Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth left him feeling “way out of [his] depth.”
The 64-year-old stars in the upcoming Sky Atlantic drama, which delves into the aftermath of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. On 21 December 1988, the Boeing 747, en route from Frankfurt to Detroit via London and New York, exploded 31,000 feet above Lockerbie, Scotland. All 259 passengers and crew on board were killed, alongside 11 residents on the ground.
In the series, Firth portrays Dr Jim Swire, whose 23-year-old daughter Flora was among the victims. Flora, a medical student, had bought a last-minute ticket to spend Christmas in America with her boyfriend. Following the tragedy, Dr Swire became the spokesperson for the UK victims’ families, dedicating his life to uncovering the truth behind the attack.
Speaking at a Q&A event, Firth shared his challenges stepping into the deeply emotional role:
“You always feel a bit out of your depth when you start a job, but I really felt way out of my depth,” he admitted.
The actor praised the production team for creating impactful sets that helped him immerse himself in the story:
“There are times I walked onto a set and saw what they’d created and had to gather myself because it had so much impact on me. It wasn’t this huge leap of the imagination. It hit me.”
Firth also reflected on his memories of the Lockerbie tragedy, which occurred when he was in his late 20s, noting that reading the scripts brought back the emotional weight of those events.
Ahead of filming, Firth spent time with Jim Swire, now 88, and his wife Jane, portrayed by Catherine McCormack in the series. The meeting left a profound impression on Firth:
“That wasn’t really a research meeting for me. That was just getting to know each other, to see trust hopefully build a little bit. You can’t meet them without feeling a warmth and respect, and then realising what a huge thing to live up to this was going to be.”
Firth was particularly struck by Dr Swire’s “alertness and intellectual agility,” which inspired his portrayal:
“This vigilance, this readiness to respond to new ideas, that was very apparent in that first meeting.”
Despite the heavy subject matter, Firth shared that Dr Swire managed to inject moments of levity:
“He started to ask me questions, and there wasn’t a lot of small talk before we went into it. It wasn’t all about this—you know, he also made me laugh. We did talk about other things.”
The highly anticipated Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth is set to premiere on 2 January 2025, offering a poignant exploration of one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in history.
Tom Holland is swinging into a brand-new role. Best known for his portrayal of Spider-Man in No Way Home, the 28-year-old actor is now stepping behind the camera as a producer. Holland, alongside his brother Harry Holland and producer Will South, has launched a new production company, Billy17, which has already signed an exclusive deal with Sony Pictures—the studio behind his and girlfriend Zendaya’s Spider-Man series.
“I’ve had an incredibly happy and successful relationship with Sony Pictures for almost a decade,” Holland shared in a press release on 12 December. “So they felt like the perfect partner to launch our production company with.”
Holland revealed that producing has been a long-time ambition: “I’ve been eager to try my hand at producing for some time now, and we’re incredibly excited to bring entertaining and rewatchable movies to the big screen.”
Billy17 already has an exciting slate of projects in development. Among them is Burnt, a film starring Holland, written by Rodney Rothman, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse writer. Other projects include an adaptation of Graeme Simsion’s bestseller The Rosie Project and Teddy Wayne’s The Winner, with Holland also set to star in the latter.
While Billy17 marks his first foray into production, Holland is no stranger to venturing beyond acting. Earlier this year, he launched his non-alcoholic beer brand, Bero, inspired by his personal sobriety journey. Holland, who has been sober for three years, opened up about how this lifestyle change has impacted him both personally and professionally.
“One of the biggest things I learned after getting sober was how much I could handle and how capable I am in certain situations,” he shared during an appearance on Good Morning America in October. “Sets are very busy places, they’re very stressful, and I think back in the day, I would have allowed it to stress me out a lot more. But since getting sober, I can really take it in my stride and enjoy everything about my day.”
Tom Holland with Zendaya
Holland also reflected on the strong support system he has had, including from Zendaya. “I really realised who my real friends were,” he said. “I had a lot of friends where the only thing we had in common was that I liked drinking. Enjoying nightlife with them, without the pressure of having a drink, was a beautiful experience.”
As Holland embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly await his contributions to both acting and filmmaking through Billy17’s creative ventures.
Jim Carrey has revealed he’s open to reprising his iconic role in a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but only if the film utilises motion capture technology. This would allow the actor to bypass the gruelling makeup process he endured while filming the beloved 2000 holiday classic, which he has described as “excruciating.”
Motion capture technology, famously used in films such as Avatar and The Polar Express, records an actor’s movements and expressions digitally, translating them into a computer-generated character. Speaking to ComicBook.com, Carrey explained his interest in the idea: “Oh, gosh, you know, if we could figure out the Grinch. The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process.”
He elaborated: “The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.”
During the production of the 2000 film, Carrey had to endure an arduous daily routine involving the application of prosthetics, green paint, and yak-hair pieces, which took around 2.5 hours every morning over 92 days. Removing the makeup added another hour to his day. The physical toll was so overwhelming that, on the first day of shooting, Carrey punched a hole in his trailer wall.
To help him cope, the production team enlisted a CIA specialist to teach Carrey techniques used by operatives to withstand torture. These included creating mental diversions and breaking the monotony physically. Director Ron Howard also showed solidarity by wearing the full Grinch costume for a day to experience the discomfort first hand.
In the meantime, Carrey is set to appear on the big screen this Christmas as Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, scheduled for release on 20 December 2024. Following the massive success of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in 2022, which earned $405 million worldwide, Carrey will reprise his villainous role.
Despite earlier indications that Carrey might retire from acting after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the 62-year-old has decided to return for this third instalment. Reports have even suggested that financial reasons motivated his return. This time, Sonic and his allies will face a new foe, Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves, promising fans an intense and action-packed adventure.
Rani Mukerji is set to don the police uniform once again as her iconic character Shivani Shivaji Roy returns in Mardaani 3. On Friday, Yash Raj Films (YRF) announced the third instalment of the popular franchise, which will begin filming in April 2025 and release in cinemas in 2026. While an exact release date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already created a buzz among fans.
The news was shared on the release anniversary of Mardaani 2, with YRF unveiling a teaser poster on social media. Their caption read: “The wait is over! #RaniMukerji is back as the fierce Shivani Shivaji Roy in #Mardaani3. In cinemas 2026.” The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra under the YRF banner and directed by Abhiraj Minawala, who has been mentored within the studio.
Rani Mukerji expressed her excitement about returning to the franchise:
“I’m thrilled to announce that we are starting shooting of Mardaani 3 in April 2025. It is always special to wear the police uniform and play a character that has only given me love. I’m proud to essay the character of this feisty cop again in Mardaani 3 as a tribute to all the unsung, brave, self-sacrificing cops who work tirelessly every single day to keep us safe.”
She added that the new film will raise the stakes:
“When we set out to make Mardaani 3, we were hoping that we’d find a script that would take the experience of watching a Mardaani franchise film higher. This instalment is dark, deadly, and brutal, and I’m intrigued to find out how people respond to it. I hope they shower this film with the same amount of love that they have always given.”
The script for Mardaani 3 has been penned by Aayush Gupta, known for The Railway Men. Director Abhiraj Minawala, currently working as associate director on War 2, will helm the project. Minawala has previously worked on YRF films such as Band Baaja Baaraat, Sultan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and Tiger 3.
The Mardaani Franchise
The Mardaani series began in 2014 with the release of the eponymous film, directed by Pradeep Sarkar. A box office success, it grossed ₹60 crore (approximately £588,000) and introduced audiences to Shivani Shivaji Roy, a fearless cop tackling cases of violence against women. The sequel, Mardaani 2 (2019), directed by Gopi Puthran, saw Shivani taking on a ruthless serial rapist and earned ₹67 crore (approximately £656,600). Both films were widely appreciated for their gritty storytelling and Rani’s powerful performance.
As Mardaani 3 gears up to return with even more intensity, fans of the franchise are eager to see what challenges lie ahead for Shivani Shivaji Roy. With its history of addressing critical social issues, the film promises to carry forward its legacy of impactful storytelling.
After much speculation and anticipation, Matthew Gray Gubler is officially set to reprise his iconic role as Dr. Spencer Reid in the upcoming third season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Known for his endearingly awkward charm and razor-sharp intellect, Reid became a fan-favourite during the show’s original 15-season run.
Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that Gubler will appear in part of a single episode, marking his first return since the show’s revival on Paramount+. While the series initially concluded in 2020 with its explosive season 15 finale, few imagined Reid would return after Gubler opted not to join the rebooted Criminal Minds: Evolution.
The announcement comes as production for season 3 — or season 18, for diehard fans tracking the show’s complete timeline — officially wraps. Viewers can now start the countdown to seeing Reid back in action, albeit briefly.
Gubler in a still from Criminal Minds
When Criminal Minds concluded in 2020, long time executive producer Erica Messer described the finale as the end of an era. Reflecting on the show’s legacy, Messer told EW:
“Some people love telling procedural stories and especially serial killer stories. So some plan to keep pursuing that. Others like myself wanted to step away from it a little bit and look for the light in the world instead of all this darkness.”
Yet, just two years later, CBS’ streaming platform Paramount+ announced the series’ revival with much of the original cast returning, including Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, and Aisha Tyler. However, Gubler was notably absent from the first two seasons, leaving fans longing for Reid’s return.
In 2022, Messer addressed the absence of Gubler and other beloved characters like Shemar Moore and Daniel Henney, stating that their departures weren’t final:
“Their desks will still have stuff on them. They haven’t gone away,” she assured fans. “Dr. Reid’s desk still has all of his books on it and all of his belongings… We want that connection still with Dr. Reid and Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney), who is on another assignment as well. It’s something we can’t really discuss. But if and when they return, it’s up to them. It’s dependent on their schedules. I can’t promise anything right now. But it’s the hope.”
Though Reid’s return will be fleeting, the news is already thrilling fans of the series who have missed his quirky brilliance and emotional depth. While Messer previously teased the possibility of a return, this confirmation cements Gubler’s place as a vital part of the Criminal Minds legacy.
With production wrapped and anticipation building, the countdown begins for Reid’s long-awaited return. His brief cameo promises to deliver a nostalgic and powerful moment, rekindling the connection fans have cherished for nearly two decades.
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has voiced her concerns over the challenges faced by Indian parallel cinema, particularly highlighting the plight of Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light. The internationally celebrated film, which boasts two Golden Globe nominations and a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, is struggling to find its footing in Indian theatres, overshadowed by the blockbuster release of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Speaking at the ADC (Art Design Culture Collective) event on Thursday, hosted by the NGO KHUSHII—founded by cricket legend Kapil Dev—Azmi emphasised the need for systemic changes to support independent films.
Azmi pointed out that smaller theatres and distributors need to unite to provide independent films with the space they deserve:
“What is really needed is a system of theatrical release and distribution that will ensure these films actually get seen in smaller theatres where they don’t have to pay the huge rentals of mainstream films. There is a whole ecosystem that needs to be followed up to make something extraordinary possible,” she explained.
Despite All We Imagine as Light receiving global acclaim—including the prestigious Grand Prize at Cannes—the film’s limited release in India has underscored the difficulties independent cinema faces in competing with mainstream spectacles.
A still from All We Imagine as Light
Azmi also urged audiences to support such films in cinemas rather than waiting for their OTT release:
“At the moment, there is this feeling that the film will come to OTT anyway, so even if we miss it in theatres, it doesn’t matter. That somehow has to change. People need to go back to cinemas, not just for big spectacles but to appreciate films that tell stories in unique ways,” she said.
Acknowledging the appeal of mainstream cinema, Azmi stressed the importance of cultivating audiences for films like Kapadia’s, which offer distinct narratives.
“Oh, but you cannot stop making mainstream films because you want to create audiences for different kinds of cinema. But the fact that it has been applauded all over the world shows that there is a place that is available. We have to cultivate the possibility of that film reaching the right audiences,” she told ANI.
All We Imagine as Light, celebrated for its poetic storytelling and innovative filmmaking, has garnered critical acclaim worldwide, cementing its place as a landmark in Indian parallel cinema. However, its reception in India remains a stark reminder of the hurdles faced by independent films, particularly in the shadow of blockbuster giants like Pushpa 2.
Rashmika Mandanna, riding high on the phenomenal success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, is gearing up for her next big project, Sikandar. The film, set for an Eid 2025 release, marks her first collaboration with Salman Khan. In a recent interview with India Today, Rashmika opened up about working with the Bollywood superstar and revealed how he took care of her during the shoot.
Describing her experience, Rashmika said, “It’s absolutely a dream come true. He’s such a special person and so down-to-earth and grounded. I was not well on set when we were shooting. The moment he found out about it, he asked me if I was okay and told the crew to get me healthy food, warm water, and everything.”
She expressed her excitement about the film, adding, “I am really excited about Sikandar. It is going to be a very special film for me, and I can’t wait for my fans to watch it.”
Salman had teased fans with his rugged look for Sikandar earlier this year, sporting a moustache and beard. Sharing the update on social media, he wrote, “Looking forward to Eid 2025 with team Sikandar.” Backed by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film promises to be a big-screen spectacle.
Meanwhile, Rashmika continues to bask in the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Her performance as Srivalli has been widely praised, with the film smashing box office records. Within its first week, Pushpa 2 grossed an astonishing £98.8 million globally, cementing Rashmika’s status as one of Indian cinema’s most bankable stars.
Rashmika recently released the teaser for her next project, The Girlfriend, and is also set to appear alongside Vicky Kaushal in Chhava, scheduled for release on Valentine’s Day 2025.
The announcement of Rashmika and Salman sharing screen space in Sikandar has sparked mixed reactions online.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“31 years age gap. Hope it doesn’t turn out like another Radhe.”
Others expressed their excitement:
“Honestly, #RashmikaMandanna is obviously a good choice for the role opposite Megastar #SalmanKhan for upcoming BLOCKBUSTER #Sikandar.”
Another added:
“I always wanted someone from the south to be the leading lady.”
With Rashmika’s charm and Salman’s star power, Sikandar is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2025. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see how this collaboration unfolds on the big screen.
Telugu actor Allu Arjun has been arrested by the police following the tragic death of a woman during the premiere of his latest movie, Pushpa 2: The Rise. The incident occurred on 4 December at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, where a 35-year-old woman was killed and her nine-year-old son was severely injured due to a crowd surge as fans gathered to see the actor.
Charges against Allu Arjun
The police have filed charges against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under sections 105 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt), and 3(5) BNS. The case was registered on 5 December following a complaint from the woman’s husband. As of 8 December, the theatre owner, general manager, and security manager were arrested in connection with the incident.
A second death also occurred during a Pushpa 2 screening, when a fan named Harijana Madhannappa, aged 35, was found dead at the Rayadurgam theatre on 8 December. He had attended the matinee show in an intoxicated state, and investigations are still underway to determine the cause of his death.
On 11 December, Allu Arjun approached the Telangana High Court, seeking to have the First Information Report (FIR) quashed. The actor and his team were reportedly unaware of the theatre’s arrangements, and the police stated that the theatre management had failed to make additional security provisions to control the crowd.
In response to the tragic events, Allu Arjun announced a financial assistance of ₹25 lakh (approximately £24,000) for the deceased woman’s family. Expressing his deep sorrow, the actor shared on social media:
“Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extending every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey.”
The actor’s heartfelt response and his financial contribution reflect his concern for the family during this time of loss. However, the ongoing investigations into the incident have raised questions about crowd management during the film’s premiere and the responsibilities of those involved in organising the event.
