Akka teaser out: Netflix CONFIRMS October 30 premiere for Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte-starrer

Netflix has unveiled the teaser of Akka, its upcoming series starring Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte. The teaser introduces the two actors as Bhavani and Rudra, respectively, in Pernuru, a kingdom shaped by traditions, rivalries and shifting power dynamics. The series is set to premiere on October 30, 2026.

The teaser was released on October 17 to coincide with Keerthy Suresh’s birthday. Produced by YRF Entertainment, Akka is described as a gangster saga centred on women and their influence in a world governed by its own rules.

Set in the 1980s, the series follows a fictional kingdom shaped by generations of women who have built, governed and protected Pernuru. Written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, Akka marks his directorial debut. The cast also includes Tanvi Azmi. Keerthy Suresh on playing Bhavani in Akka Speaking about the teaser release, Keerthy Suresh said, “The love I receive from the audience every year makes this day incredibly meaningful, and being able to celebrate it by unveiling the teaser of Akka, a project so close to my heart, feels truly special.”

Describing her character, the actor added, “Bhavani is one of the most unique and memorable characters I have had the opportunity to play. It was lovely working with Radhika. Our characters bring such compelling dynamics to the story and the interplay between them adds an intriguing edge to the narrative.”

Akka also marks Keerthy’s first series with Netflix and YRF Entertainment. Explaining what drew her to the project, she said, “What drew me to this project was the distinctiveness of its story and the world it inhabits. I am looking forward to audiences immersing themselves in this world and discovering the many facets of Bhavani as her story unfolds.” Radhika Apte talks about her character Rudra Radhika Apte, who plays Rudra, spoke about the character’s motivations and the story’s central conflicts. “Rudra is a fascinating character, driven by her own convictions and an instinct to challenge the world around her. What drew me to the series was the complexity of its characters and the tensions that emerge from their differing perspectives,” she said.

The actor also noted that the teaser and date announcement coinciding with Keerthy’s birthday made the occasion special. “It's wonderful that the date announcement and the teaser drop of Akka has coincided with Keerthy's birthday. I am sure it is going to be lucky for us,” she added.

Radhika, who has worked with Netflix on several projects, also spoke about collaborating with YRF Entertainment. “Collaborating with YRF Entertainment on a story with such layered characters has been a rewarding experience, and I look forward to audiences discovering Rudra and the many dimensions of her journey,” she said.

Akka premieres on Netflix on October 30, 2026.

Also Read: Keerthy Suresh stays awake for 41 hours while juggling back-to-back shoots: “I consider this a blessing”

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Giorgia Andriani to star in Hindi thriller web series Dice, shoot to begin in November

Actress-model Giorgia Andriani is set to feature in an upcoming Hindi thriller web series titled Dice. The series will see her play an Italian character and is scheduled to begin filming in November 2026.

The project will be shot across locations in Italy, including Potenza and Brindisi. The series is being produced and directed by Chandrakant Singh, with Angelo Viggino also attached as producer. Giorgia Andriani on exploring a new character For Giorgia, Dice will give her an opportunity to take on a new role while also bringing an aspect of her cultural background to the character.

Speaking about the project, Giorgia said, “I’m really excited to be a part of Dice and am eagerly looking forward to starting the shoot. It’s always exciting as an actor to explore a new character and immerse yourself in a different story.”

She added, “The fact that we will be shooting in Italy makes this experience even more special for me. I’m looking forward to being on set, working with the team and bringing this character to life.” Dice to be shot in Italy The upcoming thriller will be filmed in Italy, with Potenza and Brindisi among the locations planned for the shoot. The series will be presented in Hindi while Giorgia will portray an Italian character.

With production scheduled to begin in November, Dice adds another project to Giorgia’s acting journey as she takes on a role that connects her on-screen work with her Italian roots.

Also Read: Giorgia Andriani’s regal romance and Kiara Advani’s rose romance led this week’s best floral fashion moments

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Ranbir Kapoor leases Pune apartment for Rs 4.63 lakh monthly rent: Report

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has leased out his apartment at Trump Towers in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar for a monthly rent of Rs 4.63 lakh. According to property registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix, the three-year leave-and-licence agreement was registered on October 6, 2026.

The agreement is expected to generate approximately Rs 1.75 crore in rental income for Ranbir Kapoor over the three-year tenure. Details of Ranbir Kapoor’s Pune property lease The agreement covers an apartment located on the 10th floor of Tower A at Trump Towers in Yerwada, Pune. The property measures around 6,094 sq ft and includes three covered parking spaces.

Ruchi Goel has been named as the licensee in the agreement, while Ranbir Kapoor is represented by his power of attorney holder, Shanti Shivdas Malik.

The leave-and-licence agreement is valid from September 20, 2026, to September 19, 2029. The monthly rent will increase by 5% each year during the tenure. The rent has been fixed at Rs 4.63 lakh per month for the first year, Rs 4.86 lakh for the second year and Rs 5.11 lakh for the third year.

The agreement also includes a security deposit of Rs 27.78 lakh. Ranbir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor bought apartments in 2015 Ranbir Kapoor and his late father, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, had purchased apartments at Trump Towers in Pune in 2015. The properties were reportedly bought for around Rs 13 crore each. Ranbir Kapoor currently gearing up for Ramayana The development comes as Ranbir Kapoor is busy with the promotions of Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on November 5, 2026.

Recently, the international trailer of Ramayana was unveiled at a grand event in Bengaluru. Ranbir attended the event along with the film’s cast and makers.

Also Read: Ramayana International trailer shares a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama having an epic face off with Yash as Ravana

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Watch the drama, BUY the heroine's outfit! Microdramas cross 1 BILLION daily episode views as shopping enters the storyline

India's microdrama revolution is entering an exciting new phase. After capturing audiences with bite-sized stories, dramatic twists and addictive cliffhangers, the rapidly growing entertainment format is now venturing into online shopping! ShareChat and Moj have introduced a new feature called 'Shop the Scene', which allows viewers to purchase products featured in their favourite microdramas while watching them.

The development comes at a time when microdramas are generating a staggering 1 billion episode views every day across the ShareChat network, according to figures shared by the company. The numbers underline the phenomenal popularity of vertical storytelling, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of India's digital entertainment industry. However, the company-reported viewership figure has not been independently verified.

The most fascinating aspect of the new initiative is its potential to transform entertainment into a shopping experience. Imagine watching a romantic microdrama and instantly purchasing the outfit worn by the heroine. Or watching a family drama and ordering a product featured in a particular scene. With 'Shop the Scene', this concept is becoming a reality. The feature is currently being enabled through partnerships with two major e-commerce platforms, although their identities have not been revealed. But that's not all. ShareChat and Moj are also experimenting with advertisements featuring actors from the microdramas themselves. These advertisements are strategically placed between episodes, particularly at moments when a story reaches a dramatic cliffhanger. The idea is to make brand promotions feel like a natural extension of the entertainment rather than a conventional commercial break. According to ShareChat, such campaigns have recorded three times higher engagement and 1.5 times higher click-through rates, although the company has not disclosed the benchmarks against which these improvements were measured. Apart from 'Shop the Scene', the platforms have introduced other advertising innovations, including Regional AR Lens, Pincode Webcard and Superlikes, aimed at helping brands engage with audiences across different regions and markets.

The timing of these launches is significant. According to Kantar's State of Microdrama in India research, nearly 55% of surveyed microdrama viewers increase their consumption during the festive season. This presents an attractive opportunity for advertisers looking to reach consumers during India's biggest shopping period. For the entertainment industry, the implications could be substantial. Actors could find additional endorsement opportunities, production houses could explore branded storytelling, and microdrama creators could potentially generate revenue beyond advertising and subscriptions. However, the success of this model will ultimately depend on whether viewers actually purchase products while watching their favourite stories. For now, the initiative represents an interesting experiment in combining storytelling, advertising and e-commerce.

One thing is certain: India's microdrama business is no longer just about getting audiences hooked on the next episode. The next big cliffhanger could make viewers click not just 'Watch Next', but also 'Buy Now'!

Also Read: Microdramas CRASH the OTT party! Short-drama apps occupy 6 of India’s Top 12 free entertainment apps; one BEATS Netflix and Prime Video

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Bigg Boss 20: Qazi Touqeer recalls being labelled “arrogant” after turning down Ekta Kapoor’s TV offer in 2005: “Main chhota tha, 20 saal ka…”

Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer recently opened up about the opportunities he received in the early years of his career, including a television offer from producer Ekta Kapoor. During a conversation with Aamrapali Dubey, the singer recalled meeting Kapoor in 2005 and explained why he eventually turned down the opportunity.

Qazi, who shot to fame after winning Fame Gurukul with Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005, said, “TV maine kabhi kiya nahin. TV ki opportunity bahot badi badi thi. Main khushkismat tha jiske liye Ekta Kapoor ji aayi 2005 mein and she narrated the story.” Qazi Touqeer recalls Ekta Kapoor’s narration Qazi went on to recall his interaction with Ekta Kapoor, saying, “Main sirf unki anguthiyan (rings) dekh raha tha. Rockstar ka pura character Ekta ji mujhe narrate kar rahi hai.”

Rather than directly telling Kapoor that he did not want to take up the project, Qazi said he communicated his decision through a woman named Anupama. He explained that he already had a film commitment and a contract in place. “Ma’am, I am already doing a film. I have a contract, it’s already signed,” Qazi recalled telling her. Qazi says media reports portrayed him negatively The singer also remembered the media coverage that followed his decision. According to Qazi, reports the next morning suggested that he had deliberately turned down Kapoor’s offer because he had a bigger opportunity. “Main subah breakfast mein dekh raha hoon, ‘Qazi ditched Ekta Kapoor. Qazi has a bigger fish to fry.’ Ye paper aisa hi hai, media aisa hi hai,” he said.

Qazi pointed out that there was no social media at the time through which he could immediately clarify his side of the story. “Us time clarification karne ke liye thodi tha hamare paas social media. Ho gaya badnaam, ban gaya arrogant” he added. Qazi Touqeer’s journey from Fame Gurukul to Bigg Boss 20 Qazi became a household name after winning Fame Gurukul alongside Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005. The reality singing competition also earned him a cash prize, a music contract and a car.

He later explored acting, including an appearance in the song ‘Afghan Jalebi’ from Phantom, and participated in the reality show Sarkaar Ki Duniya. He subsequently spent years performing live and working on other projects before returning to the spotlight as a contestant on Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 20 in 2026.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 20: Prince Narula REACTS to Nakul Dhull-Gullu clash, praises Kanika Mann for calmly handling the situation

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Vidya Balan to open Indian Film Festival of Perth as chief guest in January 2027

The inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth (IFFP) will be held from January 22 to 24, 2027, with actor Vidya Balan announced as the Chief Guest. She will officially open the first edition of the festival, which aims to introduce audiences in Western Australia to the diversity of Indian cinema.

The festival marks a new addition to the celebration of Indian films in Australia. It is being organised by the team behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and the Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS). With established platforms in Melbourne and Sydney, the Perth edition aims to expand the reach of Indian cinema, provide opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to connect, and strengthen cultural ties between India and Western Australia.

The announcement of the festival coincided with the visit of Western Australia's Premier, Hon Roger Cook MLA, to India. The initiative reflects the growing cultural and creative links between the two regions and aims to encourage further cultural exchange through cinema.

Vidya Balan, known for her work across a range of roles and narratives, has been associated with films that explore distinctive stories and women-led characters. Her participation as Chief Guest at the inaugural festival will mark the beginning of the event, which seeks to bring audiences together through Indian cinema across languages, cultures and regions.

Speaking about the announcement, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, Festival Director, said, “Bringing the Indian Film Festival to Perth is a very special milestone for us. Having built platforms for Indian cinema in Melbourne and Sydney, we are delighted to now bring this celebration to Western Australia and connect with a new community of audiences and film lovers. Cinema has a remarkable ability to bring people together, transcend borders and create a deeper understanding of one another. We are thrilled to welcome Vidya Balan as the Chief Guest for our inaugural edition, and we look forward to creating a festival that celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Indian storytelling while building meaningful cultural connections between India and Western Australia.”

Through its first edition, the Indian Film Festival of Perth aims to establish a platform for Indian cinema in Western Australia and bring together film enthusiasts, filmmakers and members of the creative community. The programme will showcase stories from across Indian languages, genres and perspectives, while providing opportunities for discussions, collaborations and cultural exchange.

The festival's launch adds another platform for Indian cinema in Australia, with the organisers looking to build connections between audiences and the film industry while highlighting the range of stories emerging from India.

Also Read : Ekta Kapoor confirms The Dirty Picture 2: “I’m planning it after 15 years”

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BREAKING: Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's second film after Animal to be 3 hours+; gets PG-13 rating in USA

The grand Diwali release, Ramayana, is three weeks away from release, and the excitement is steadily building up with each passing day. It's going to have the biggest release for an Indian film ever globally and the makers have been steadily working towards it. In a significant development, the censor process in the United States of America has been completed.

The Motion Picture Association has passed Ramayana with a PG-13 rating. This rating is similar to U/A in India and means that some material maybe inappropriate for children below the age of 13.

As per the Motion Picture Association website, Ramayana was awarded the said rating due to 'sequences of strong violence and action, and some bloody images'.

The other major development is that Ramayana has been passed internationally with a runtime of more than 3 hours. As per the website of IMAX, the duration of the film is 3 hours and 15 minutes. However, as per trade sources, the English version of Ramayana is expected to be shorter, at around 2 hours and 45 minutes. A clearer picture on this front will emerge in a few days.

Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's immediate release after Animal (2023). Incidentally, it is also the second film of his career, after Animal, to have a duration of more than 3 hours.

Also Read: Ramayana: Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu as makers unveil new poster titled ‘The Wings of Dharma’

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