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BY SACNILK

Nikki Cross has opened up about the difficulty of saying goodbye to her Abby the Witch character following her WWE departure, admitting that the end of her Wyatt Sicks run came as an unexpected development. The Wyatt Sicks debuted in June 2024 as a supernatural faction created to continue the creative legacy of the late Bray Wyatt, who passed away in August 2023. The group was led by Bo Dallas, portraying Uncle Howdy, alongside Nikki Cross (Abby the Witch), Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan. In a recent sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Nikki Cross explained that she became deeply attached to every character she portrayed during her wrestling career, but Abby held a particularly special place in her heart because of the meaning behind the character and its connection to Bray Wyatt. “It was unexpected. It was unexpected. And for every character I've played, whether it be Sanity, whether it be Nikki A.S.H., even Nikki Storm when I said goodbye to her in 2016 before I joined WWE and Abby the Witch, you always feel for me, I always feel attached to the characters. So, it's always difficult to say goodbye.” Cross also reflected on her decade-long WWE run and the relationships she formed during that period, while making it clear that she is looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. “With WWE, I was there for 10 years. I got to travel the world. I got to make amazing friends, make these incredible friendships with people like Sarah Schreiber or with people like Julia and I get to take them forever, you know. With WWE, I was there for 10 years. So, it's always hard to say goodbye to such a substantial, significant chapter in your life. And that being said, I'm so excited for my next chapter and I'm so excited for what's next for myself.”

BY SACNILK

Nikki Cross has revealed how she developed the backstory for Abby the Witch, explaining that she wanted to honor Bray Wyatt's original vision while still putting her own creative stamp on the character. Cross said Abby was originally Bray Wyatt's creation, which meant she felt a responsibility to treat the character with particular care. “So, Abby the Witch, you know, she was Bray Wyatt's creation. She was Bray Wyatt's. You know that there was the character of Abby was already kind of an image in the WWE audience's mind. So for me I had to take, okay, this was Bray's brainchild. So, how do I take that? And how do I, you know, pay my respects to that? Pay homage to that, but also make it my own and do something that I wanted Bray to be proud of and I wanted his family to be proud of.” Cross revealed that she combined elements of the character with parts of her own history and the earlier Nikki Cross persona. “The backstory I came up with was, you know, that little girl in Glasgow, Scotland, that didn't always fit in and she was always wanting to fit in. And then I took a little bit of what I had explored with the Sanity Nikki Cross character and kind of tried to merge them.” For Cross, Abby was more than simply an on-screen persona. She said the mask itself eventually became something she felt emotionally attached to, describing it as almost a source of comfort. “I was so protective of Abby. And I would always carry the mask. The mask ended up becoming almost like a comfort to me, like a comfort. Like I would pretend almost like it was my Chihuahua who I was stroking, but it would be the Abby mask and I would always be holding or whether I was valeting the live events or at the television. And she became so much more than a prop to me. This was the girl that could get me through anything.” Cross added that she wanted to ensure the character respected Wyatt's legacy while also becoming something uniquely her own.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 11 - Shraddha Kapoor's much-awaited Eetha has locked a new theatrical release date, and the decision could prove to be a major box-office advantage. The Laxman Utekar directorial, produced by Dinesh Vijan, Laxman Utekar and Karishma Sharma, will now arrive in cinemas on December 4, 2026, after originally being scheduled for August 28. The makers officially announced the new date on Tuesday, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the film's theatrical release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The December 4 weekend looks particularly interesting because the release landscape around the date is already undergoing significant changes. Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt's Ranger, which was previously expected to be one of the major releases in the first week of December, has reportedly been pushed to 2027. This has opened up the window considerably, although Prabhas' Fauzi and Akshay Kumar's untitled film with Anees Bazmee have been linked to the same period. However, the chatter in the trade is that the first week of December could eventually become much clearer for Eetha. With multiple films eyeing the same period and the date offering a strong theatrical window, further postponements cannot be ruled out. The December 4 slot could therefore turn into a relatively open corridor for Eetha, allowing the Shraddha Kapoor starrer to command a significant share of the audience and screens if the competing films move away. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Eetha also arrives with considerable curiosity after its teaser generated a strong response. The film is based on the life of legendary Maharashtrian Tamasha and Lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar, with Shraddha portraying the central character. Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub also feature in pivotal roles, while Ajay-Atul are composing the music. For Shraddha, the December release comes after the phenomenal success of Stree 2, making Eetha her first major theatrical outing since that blockbuster. A clean first week, strong word of mouth and the absence of a major competing release could give the film the kind of extended run that a performance-driven subject needs. If the other December 4 contenders eventually shift their dates, Eetha could find itself with one of the most favourable release windows for a Hindi film in the final month of 2026.

BY SACNILK

Wamiqa Gabbi is reportedly joining the cast of the upcoming pan-India mythological epic Jai Hanuman. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, the actress has been signed for a powerful role in the film, which is directed by Prasanth Varma and stars Rishab Shetty in the lead. While her specific character details are still being kept confidential, she is expected to start filming soon for the project in Hyderabad. This casting comes during a very successful year for Wamiqa. She started 2026 with the box-office success of Bhooth Bangla and followed it up with the comedy Pati, Patni Aur Woh Do. More recently, she has been receiving positive reviews for her performance as Chandra in the Tamil film DC: The Bloody Valentine. Joining a project of the scale of Jai Hanuman marks another significant step in her career as she enters an immersive world of mythology and high-octane action. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Jai Hanuman serves as the direct sequel to the 2024 surprise hit Hanu-Man, which featured Teja Sajja. In this new installment, Rishab Shetty takes over the lead role, portraying Lord Hanuman. The film is envisioned as a large-scale epic set in the modern era of Kaliyug, focusing on themes of devotion, loyalty, and strength. It aims to present Hanuman as an immortal figure, blending traditional lore with the sensibilities of a superhero franchise. The project is a key part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, or PVCU. This ambitious superhero franchise draws heavy inspiration from the tapestry of Indian history and mythology. Aside from Jai Hanuman, Varma is also developing other films under this banner, including Mahakali, which focuses on Goddess Kali, and Adhira, inspired by Lord Indra. The goal of the PVCU is to create an interconnected world of legendary characters adapted for a contemporary cinematic audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series, the film has been in production since March. The shooting is reportedly moving at a steady pace, and the makers are targeting a massive theatrical release in the second half of 2027. This timeline suggests that the project will involve extensive post-production and visual effects to match the high standards set by the previous film in the universe. Beyond her role in Jai Hanuman, Wamiqa has an extensive lineup of releases. She will next be seen in the film Prahaar alongside Rajkummar Rao this September, followed by the action thriller Goodachari 2 with Adivi Sesh later this year. Her upcoming projects also include the comedy Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling, the film Genie, and Dharma Productions’ Kuku Ki Kundali, where she stars alongside Bhuvan Bam.

BY SACNILK

AJ Styles has spent more than two decades competing at the highest levels of professional wrestling, working across WWE, TNA, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Along the way, the former WWE Champion has developed a clear philosophy about what actually separates a great match from an ordinary one — and it has nothing to do with move counts. Speaking on The AJ Styles Show, Styles broke down his approach to match construction, explaining why he believes performers can get too caught up in packing their bouts with impressive sequences instead of asking a more fundamental question first. For Styles, the starting point of any match isn't "what can we do" — it's "what are we trying to say." "Let's not think about how many moves we can squeeze into this match," he said. Styles said the key is to keep one question at the center of the entire process, from the opening bell to the finish. "What's the story we're telling?" he said. "If we start doing that from beginning to end, the product's gonna elevate." Beyond structure, Styles emphasized that the best wrestling connects emotionally. It's not enough to execute a move correctly; the performer has to communicate what their character is feeling in that moment. "At the highest level, being able to communicate and make people feel what you're feeling is what it's all about," Styles said. That belief has taken on new significance as Styles steps into a backstage producing role within WWE, most recently working NXT matches and passing his experience on to the next generation of talent. Styles' comments double as advice for younger wrestlers trying to stand out early in their careers. In his view, performers can become so focused on cramming in impressive sequences that they lose sight of the bigger picture: connecting with the crowd. A wrestler can land every move cleanly, but if the audience doesn't understand the characters, the stakes, or the reason behind the action, something essential is still missing. Having performed at the top level across multiple promotions worldwide, Styles has seen how different wrestling environments approach the craft. Now, as he transitions into a behind-the-scenes role, that same philosophy is shaping how he mentors the wrestlers coming up behind him — not by teaching them how to hit a move, but by teaching them why it matters. For AJ Styles, greatness in the ring was never about doing more. It was always about telling a better story.

BY SACNILK

Drew McIntyre's WWE comeback could have looked very different. After being released by WWE on June 12, 2014, McIntyre spent roughly three years rebuilding himself outside the company. He wrestled around the world under the name Drew Galloway and gradually developed into a far more established performer before WWE came calling again. When that opportunity finally arrived, however, McIntyre did not want to simply walk back into Raw or SmackDown. Speaking about his return during his conversation with Stone Cold Steve Austin, McIntyre explained that Triple H and William Regal had been following his career during his time away from WWE. “He'd been watching what I was doing, was kinda proud of what I'd achieved as a wrestler but, more importantly, how I'd grown as a man and where I was at,” McIntyre recalled. That phone call from Triple H was particularly meaningful because McIntyre knew he had earned another opportunity with WWE rather than simply being handed one. “And, you know, we both decided it was time to come back home,” McIntyre said. McIntyre Had His Mind Made Up. Once Triple H explained that the plan was for him to return through NXT, McIntyre did not need much convincing. In fact, the former WWE Superstar said he was effectively sold on the idea within the first few minutes. “I was coming back. I was sold within the first five minutes,” McIntyre said. But there was an important reason why NXT appealed to him. McIntyre believed the NXT audience consisted of the hardcore wrestling fans who had followed his career outside WWE. These were fans who knew what he had accomplished as Drew Galloway on the independent scene and could therefore understand how much he had changed since his first WWE run. McIntyre revealed that he was very clear with Triple H about where he wanted to begin. “I won't go to ‘Raw.’ I won't go to ‘SmackDown.’ I wanna go to NXT.” He continued: “That's the audience that know what I'm all about. They're the ones that are the hardcore fans. They're watching independent wrestling. They know who Drew Galloway is, Drew McIntyre is these days.” For McIntyre, returning through NXT was not about taking an easier route back to WWE. It was about proving that he deserved another opportunity. “I can be a leader there. That's where I wanna start out. I wanna prove myself there.” McIntyre's comments are particularly interesting because, at the time, Raw and SmackDown were traditionally viewed as the top destinations for WWE talent. However, McIntyre had a different perspective after spending years away from the company. He had already experienced the main roster during his first WWE run. Rather than immediately returning to the same environment, he wanted to establish the new version of Drew McIntyre in NXT.

BY SACNILK

WWE has confirmed a stacked slate of European shows leading into the Royal Rumble, with fans across Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Hungary, and Ireland set to catch live action throughout January 2027. The tour opens on Friday, January 15, with SmackDown taking over Forest National in Brussels, Belgium. The following night, Saturday, January 16, the Road to Royal Rumble Supershow rolls into Gliwice, Poland, at the PreZero Arena, before continuing on Sunday, January 17, with another Supershow stop at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Raw kicks off the week on Monday, January 18, live from the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, UK. The tour then heads back to England for SmackDown on Friday, January 22, at Co-op Live in Manchester. The second weekend of Road to Royal Rumble Supershow events follows, with Stockholm, Sweden's Avicii Arena hosting on Saturday, January 23, and Budapest, Hungary's MVM Dome welcoming fans on Sunday, January 24. The European leg wraps up with Raw at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday, January 25. With Royal Rumble season officially underway, these shows are expected to feature key build-up matches and storyline developments as WWE Superstars gear up for one of the promotion's biggest events of the year.

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Zee Studios and producer Prerna Arora have officially announced their new project titled Indraputra. This mythological action-fantasy film is being developed for a worldwide theatrical release in 2027. According to production schedules, principal photography is set to begin in October 2026. The project is being designed as a large-scale cinematic experience, with the makers focusing on a theatrical rollout to showcase the visual effects and mythological storytelling involved. At the helm of this ambitious venture is filmmaker Srikanth Puppala, who is making his feature directorial debut with a massive canvas. While this is his first time in the director’s chair for a feature film, Puppala brings an extensive industry background to the table. He notably honed his craft working as the first assistant director to Rishab Shetty on the highly anticipated historical epic Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1. This Kantara connection has already piqued the interest of trade circles, as the director is expected to bring a similar level of visual authenticity and technical precision to this new mythological universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Leading the film is Telugu star Kiran Abbavaram, who is currently undergoing a significant physical transformation for this rough-cut mythological avatar. He enters this project following a successful and versatile career run, most recently riding high on the theatrical release of Chennai Love Story. Abbavaram's filmography, including hits like SR Kalyanamandapam and the highly praised 2024 period thriller KA. By shifting from suspense thrillers and mass entertainers to this mythology-rooted world, the actor is set to further expand his pan-Indian reach with this grand cinematic presentation. This film serves as a highly anticipated reunion between Zee Studios and prominent producer Prerna Arora. The two entities previously collaborated on the 2016 National Award-winning hit Rustom starring Akshay Kumar, and Indraputra marks their first joint foray into a sprawling South-centric mythological saga. Zee Studios has been aggressively expanding its regional footprint lately, balancing massive theatrical crowd-pleasers like Jaat and Dhadak 2 with selective direct-to-digital releases like the crime drama Satluj. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The vision for Indraputra extends far beyond a single film, as it is designed to kickstart an interconnected mythological saga—a strategy that positions Zee Studios alongside other major modern fantasy lineups like the Sanatan Universe and Hombale Films' Mahavatar Cinematic Universe. Interestingly, producer Prerna Arora has a multi-project relationship locked with the studio, having already partnered with them for the project Jatadhara.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 10 - The highly anticipated third season of Asur is finally moving into production. The crime thriller has been one of the most successful Indian web series, and now the third season is set to go on the floor in September 2026, with Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti returning to reprise their respective characters, Dhananjay Rajpoot and Nikhil Nair. According to the latest report by Pinkvilla, the upcoming season will also see Shweta Basu Prasad joining the cast. While details about her character are currently being kept under wraps, her addition brings another prominent name to the psychological thriller. The script for Asur Season 3 has reportedly been locked, while the makers are continuing to finalise the remaining cast. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Interestingly, Gaurav Shukla, who created and wrote the first two seasons, will reportedly take over as the director for the third instalment. This will mark Shukla's directorial debut. He will also serve as a producer on the series. Oni Sen directed the first two seasons. Asur's first season was released in 2020, followed by Season 2 in 2023 after the massive success. It has developed a strong following for its dark narrative combining crime, mythology and psychological elements. With Warsi and Sobti returning, Season 3 is expected to continue the story while introducing new characters and conflicts. The series will stream on JioHotstar, with the release date expected to be announced at a later stage.

BY SACNILK

The South Indian digital space is seeing a significant development as acclaimed filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj has reportedly signed a major deal with Netflix. This project is expected to be the most expensive South Indian original production for the streaming giant to date. While the director has worked with Netflix previously on projects like Jagame Thandhiram and the anthology Navarasa this upcoming venture is being planned on a much larger scale for a 2027 release. The casting for this original has already become a talking point among fans. The project will feature Atharvaa in a lead role. Joining him is Kannada superstar Upendra who is reportedly playing a pivotal character possibly as the primary antagonist. This marks another significant move for Upendra in the pan-Indian space following his presence in other high profile films. Adding more weight to the ensemble is the legendary Prabhu Deva who is expected to play a character closely linked to the lead bringing a unique dynamic to the screen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) This news comes at a time when Karthik Subbaraj is maintaining strong momentum with his production house Stone Bench Films. Projects like Dorothy starring Keerthy Suresh have been gaining international attention at film festivals including a world premiere at Toronto. The transition from producing grounded independent films to directing a high budget digital original for Netflix shows the versatility of the director and his ability to handle diverse scales of production. His signature filmmaking style which often blends grit with stylized visuals is expected to be a major highlight of this new project. Industry reports suggest that Netflix is positioning this project as a flagship South Indian original for 2027. By bringing together prominent talent from the Tamil and Kannada film industries the platform aims to capture a wide audience across various regions. This project also marks a reunion for the director and Prabhu Deva who previously collaborated on the silent thriller Mercury. As production planning follows high standards this collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks for digital content in the Indian market.

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The film industry is currently buzzing with anticipation as the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups draws near. Following the trailer launch on August 8, the reception has been nothing short of electric. Fans and critics alike are praising the vision of director Geetu Mohandas, noting that the film looks like pure Hollywood material with its slick visuals and dark, gritty atmosphere. Yash, appearing in a dual role, has sent social media into a frenzy with his unhinged look, featuring a heavy beard and a dominant screen presence that many are calling next-level lethal. The viral dialogue asking if he looks civilized has already become a staple in online conversations, further cementing the movie as a massive cultural event. Trade analysts are looking at the Hindi belt with high expectations, predicting that Toxic is eyeing a massive opening between 25 and 30 crore net. With a wide release planned across more than 4,000 screens in North India, the film is positioned to capitalize on the immense stardom Yash earned after the KGF franchise. If the content lives up to the high-octane promise shown in the trailer, experts believe the Hindi version alone could comfortably target a 100 crore net collection over its opening weekend. This would place it among the top Hindi openings for any film originating from the South, proving that the pan-India appeal of the Rocking Star remains stronger than ever. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to data shared by Venky Box Office, the international market is also gearing up for a record-breaking start. USA bookings have officially opened, with premieres scheduled for Tuesday, August 25. The pricing for these early shows is set at 23 dollars for XD and PLF formats, while standard screenings are priced at 20 dollars. The fact that bookings have started this early in the overseas market reflects the global demand for the film. With the premiere starting at 6 PM EST, the early reports from the US are expected to set a positive tone for the domestic release the following day. Despite the overwhelming excitement for the theatrical release, there is an interesting development regarding the non-theatrical market. News has surfaced that the digital and satellite rights for Toxic remain unsold just 15 days before the film hits theaters. Major players in the streaming and television space are reportedly refusing to meet the high valuation demanded by Yash and KVN Productions. This is a rare situation for a film of this stature and raises questions about the current state of the non-theatrical market. While the producers are holding out for a premium deal, there is a possibility of a short-sell at the last moment if an agreement is not reached soon. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The ensemble cast, featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Huma Qureshi, has also added to the intrigue surrounding the film. Early reactions to the trailer have highlighted the menacing screen presence of the lead actors and the overall massive scale of the project.

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In an interview, WWE's Nick Aldis reflected on the early days of his run as SmackDown General Manager, revealing how a pivotal on-screen exchange with Roman Reigns helped shape the tone of his character — and recounting the chaotic backstage story behind his first meeting with Vince McMahon. WWE Superstar Nick Aldis spoke to Chris Van Vliet and described a now-famous couch segment with Reigns as a genuinely significant moment for him professionally. He praised Reigns as meticulous and deeply thoughtful about every detail of his on-screen presence, crediting Paul Heyman's influence for helping shape that approach. Aldis said he felt real gratitude toward Reigns, noting that Reigns didn't have to extend him that level of trust in establishing the GM character, but chose to. The interview then turned to a story from very early in his tenure — by his own estimate, just a month or six weeks into the job — involving Randy Orton's arrival on SmackDown. Aldis explained that strict staging instructions were coming down at the time about where he and Heyman should stand during a live segment. Just before they went live, word came through again insisting he stay in the background while Heyman took the foreground. He recalled Heyman being amused by the directive, and Aldis feeling he had no real choice but to comply with seconds to air. The segment reportedly went off well, with Paul "Triple H" Levesque doing the opposite of what was expected in a way that sold the moment. That day, Aldis said, turned out to be the first time he ever met Vince McMahon in person — who was there watching. Aldis admitted he spent the moments afterward dreading the encounter, assuming McMahon would be furious they'd deviated from instructions. Instead, he said McMahon was gracious and complimentary about the segment, which left Aldis feeling conflicted given how much credit he felt Heyman deserved. Asked about Reigns couch segment, Aldis explained it emerged from an improvised back-and-forth where Reigns needled him about his feelings, prompting him to fire back, "but I'm an executive. I don't have feelings, you know." He said the line was meant to establish his character as a cold, businesslike executive, citing shows like Suits and Succession as influences on that steely persona — cool, cutthroat, and, in his own description, ultimately someone who's emotionally shut off. At WWE SummerSlam 2026 (Night 1, August 1, in Minneapolis), Nick Aldis wrestled in a match despite his in-ring absence of almost three years,, taking on Gunther. He came up short against Gunther, succumbing to Gunther's sleeper hold submission. Despite the loss, it was described as a dream match turned nightmare, with fans firmly behind him throughout. Following the loss, Aldis reportedly tried to resign as SmackDown General Manager, but Triple H (Paul Levesque) wouldn't allow it, telling Aldis he respected what he did at SummerSlam and wanted him to remain GM. On future plans, it is being suggested that Aldis could wrestle in WWE again, with sources in the company not believing he was "one and done." Aldis was said to have been banged up coming out of the match, and no timeline has been confirmed for when he'd wrestle next.