BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, August 13 - Superstar Rajinikanth's much-awaited Jailer 2 has reportedly achieved a massive milestone even before its theatrical release, with the film reportedly locked in the biggest post-theatrical OTT deal in Tamil cinema. The Nelson Dilipkumar directorial, one of the most anticipated Tamil films, has reportedly been acquired by Amazon Prime Video for a staggering 160 crore. If the reported figure is accurate, the Rajinikanth starrer has established a new record for a Tamil film's post-theatrical streaming rights, underlining the enormous value attached to the superstar and the Jailer franchise. Amazon Prime Video is also not new to the franchise, having acquired the digital rights to the first Jailer, which became a major blockbuster following its theatrical release in 2023. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The sequel is expected to take the franchise on a much bigger scale, with Rajinikanth returning as Muthuvel Pandian and Nelson once again handling the direction. The reported OTT deal comes at a crucial stage for Jailer 2, which has already completed its shoot, with the makers already conforming October 15 release date. Produced by Sun Pictures, Jailer 2 also stars Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa, and Rithvik, reprising their roles from the predecessor, with S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Anna Rajan and Jatin Sarna joining the cast in key roles, while Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan plays a crucial cameo.

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE has had no shortage of talented Superstars who had the charisma, athletic ability and in-ring skills to become major names, only for their careers to stall before reaching the main-event level. From Mr. Kennedy and Shelton Benjamin to Carlito and Paul London, these wrestlers showed flashes of genuine star potential but never received the sustained push needed to turn them into household names. This list looks back at 10 WWE Superstars whose careers had the ingredients for something much bigger. We will examine when they arrived in WWE, how they were introduced, the opportunities they received, the moments when they appeared destined for a major breakthrough, and why they ultimately failed to become consistent main-event stars. 10. D’Lo Brown D’Lo Brown entered WWE during the Attitude Era and initially became part of the Nation of Domination. He made his televised WWF debut in 1997 and quickly became one of the more recognizable members of the group. Brown eventually developed a character of his own, complete with his trademark head shake, chest protector and energetic wrestling style. He also became a two-time European Champion, with WWE’s own title history showing multiple reigns between 1998 and 1999. His athleticism was particularly impressive for his size, and he could work with both high-flyers and larger opponents. He was also involved in some of the most important factions and storylines of the Attitude Era. The problem was that WWE never consistently treated Brown as a potential top-level singles star. He remained an important supporting player rather than someone positioned alongside The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H or The Undertaker. 9. Paul London Paul London was one of WWE's most naturally gifted high-flyers of the 2000s. He signed with WWE in 2003 and made his television debut on SmackDown against Brock Lesnar. London quickly established himself as an exciting performer in the Cruiserweight division before moving into the tag-team scene. He won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Billy Kidman in 2004 and later formed a highly successful partnership with Brian Kendrick. London and Kendrick defeated MNM at Judgment Day 2006 to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. Their reign eventually lasted 333 days, which WWE's title history records as the longest reign in the championship's history at that time. Despite that success, London was rarely presented as a potential singles main-eventer. WWE had an opportunity to turn him into a major high-flying babyface, but that opportunity never fully materialized. 8. Chris Masters Chris Masters arrived in WWE in early 2005 with almost everything WWE traditionally looked for in a potential star: an imposing physique, a memorable nickname, a simple character and a devastating finishing move. WWE's own profile notes that the 6-foot-4, 265-pound "Masterpiece" quickly attracted attention after debuting on Raw and became famous for his Master Lock Challenge. Masters even entered the Elimination Chamber for the WWE Championship during his first year with the company, demonstrating just how highly WWE initially viewed him. The Master Lock Challenge was one of the strongest concepts WWE had for a mid-2000s heel. Masters could walk into an arena, challenge anyone to escape his hold and immediately create a reason for fans to care. But the momentum didn't last. Instead of becoming a dominant monster heel who could eventually challenge for a world championship, Masters gradually became another name on the roster. 7. Shelton Benjamin Shelton Benjamin arrived in WWE as part of the highly respected duo with Charlie Haas. The pair won tag-team gold and quickly established themselves as one of the company's best young athletic teams. WWE's title history records their multiple World Tag Team Championship reigns beginning in 2003. Benjamin's singles career eventually produced some spectacular moments. His athletic ability was obvious, particularly in his famous matches against Shawn Michaels and other top stars. He also became a two-time Intercontinental Champion. The problem was that WWE often presented Benjamin as an excellent wrestler rather than as a potential superstar. 6. Carlito Carlito may have one of the strongest cases on this list because WWE initially appeared to have enormous confidence in him. He made his SmackDown debut in 2004 and immediately defeated John Cena for the United States Championship. He later won the Intercontinental Championship on his Raw debut against Shelton Benjamin. Carlito also had something many technically gifted wrestlers lacked: natural charisma. His "I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool" character was simple, memorable and easy for fans to understand. He won multiple championships during his original WWE run, including the United States, Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships. He eventually left WWE in 2010 and returned to the company in 2023, although his later run was largely used in a supporting/comedic role. The frustrating part is that Carlito looked like someone who could have occupied the upper-middle card for years and potentially moved into the world-title picture. Instead, the company never made the long-term commitment necessary to turn him into a true main-event attraction. 5. John Morrison John Morrison had perhaps one of the most complete packages of any wrestler on this list. He originally entered WWE after winning Tough Enough in 2002 and eventually became Johnny Nitro. His partnership with Joey Mercury and Melina created the successful MNM act before Morrison developed into a singles performer. After becoming John Morrison, he captured the ECW Championship and later became a major part of WWE programming alongside The Miz. WWE itself documented the beginning of his "Morrison era" after he reinvented his character. His parkour-inspired movement, athletic entrances and spectacular offense made him one of WWE's most visually impressive wrestlers. Yet despite winning the Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships and becoming ECW Champion, Morrison never won WWE's top world championship during his original run. 4. MVP MVP arrived in WWE with a character that immediately stood out. He made his first SmackDown appearance on August 4, 2006, portraying the arrogant, flashy "Ballin'" superstar. WWE's own biography notes that the company gave him a major contract and positioned him as one of the brand's most intriguing new arrivals. MVP backed up the talk in the ring. Within less than a year, he became United States Champion, and he later won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Matt Hardy. WWE even presented him as someone with the potential to become a future World Champion. His feud and partnership with Matt Hardy were among the highlights of SmackDown during that period. MVP had charisma, a distinctive character, excellent mic skills and enough in-ring ability to work with top stars. Yet WWE never fully pulled the trigger on him as a world-title-level performer. Considering how over his character became, MVP is one of the clearest examples of a wrestler who appeared destined for a much bigger role but never quite received it. 3. Ricochet Ricochet built his reputation on the independent circuit and in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as one of the most innovative high-flyers in the world before signing with WWE and debuting on NXT in 2018, later moving to the main roster in 2019. His arrival came with genuine buzz — WWE even teased a mystery "One" storyline to build anticipation before his reveal. Once on the main roster, however, Ricochet was largely kept in the midcard, frequently used to elevate other performers rather than being elevated himself. His athleticism remained undeniable, but a sustained run at the top of a WWE card never came his way. 2. Zack Ryder Zack Ryder is one of the rare cases of a WWE Superstar who essentially pushed himself. After joining the main roster in the mid-2000s, Ryder found himself stuck in lower-card roles for years until he launched his own YouTube series, "Z! True Long Island Story," around 2011 — building a grassroots fanbase almost entirely outside of WWE's own programming. That fan-driven momentum eventually forced WWE's hand, leading to an Internet Championship run and a surprise Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 32 in 2016. But each time Ryder gained traction, WWE pulled back shortly after, treating his pushes as brief experiments rather than long-term investments — leaving one of wrestling's most fan-beloved underdogs without the sustained spotlight his popularity suggested he'd earned. 1. Mr. Kennedy If there is one wrestler who arguably came closest to becoming a major WWE superstar before his momentum disappeared, it is Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy debuted in WWE in 2005 and quickly developed one of the most recognizable characters on the roster. His microphone work, entrance and "Kennedy... Kennedy!" catchphrase immediately separated him from the rest of the pack. WWE gave him major opportunities early in his career, including a Money in the Bank victory at WrestleMania 23. He was planning to hold the contract until WrestleMania 24 and challenge for the WWE Championship. That alone shows how seriously WWE was considering him. But his planned rise was derailed when he lost the Money in the Bank contract to Edge after defending it on Raw. WWE's own history notes that Kennedy remains the only Money in the Bank contract holder who never successfully cashed in. He also suffered injuries and experienced repeated changes in direction. Instead of becoming a consistent main-event heel, Kennedy's WWE run faded and he departed the company in 2009. For a wrestler with his character, microphone ability and natural presence, his WWE career ended far below the level many fans expected.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Batwara 1947 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 14, 2026, ending a professional hiatus between Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi that dates back to the mid-nineties. While the duo was once the most formidable force in Hindi cinema with classics like Ghayal and Damini, the journey of this specific project has been a difficult one, spanning roughly 16 years of development hell and industry skepticism. The 16-year timeline began around 2010 when the duo first attempted to pitch Batwara 1947 to major studios. At that time, both the actor and the director were navigating a difficult phase in their careers, marked by several box-office disappointments. This led to a harsh industry perception where the pairing was labeled as not saleable. Financiers were hesitant to back a veteran team that had not delivered a major commercial success in years, and the project was effectively shelved as no big banner was willing to take the risk. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A significant hurdle was the nature of the script itself. While producers were pressuring Sunny Deol to stick to loud, mass-market action films, Batwara 1947 was envisioned as a realistic period drama based on a celebrated play about the emotional trauma of the Partition. Studios viewed a serious, art-house leaning narrative as a massive financial risk, especially when the lead star was struggling with his theatrical pull. For over a decade, the project remained stagnant because the market demanded a version of Sunny Deol that didn't align with the director's grounded vision. The actor's filmography during this 16-year period reflected this struggle. Projects like Singh Saab the Great and his own directorial effort Ghayal Once Again underperformed at the box office. Later films like Poster Boys and Blank were also commercially disappointing, further fueling the narrative that his era as a bankable lead was fading. Without a major hit to his name, the ambitious Batwara 1947 appeared to be a lost cause, existing only in trade discussions rather than active production. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The trajectory shifted entirely with the massive success of Gadar 2, which proved there was still a huge, loyal audience for the veteran actor. This turnaround was further solidified earlier this year with the release of Border 2, which also performed exceptionally well at the box office. These consecutive hits restored his position as a bankable superstar, providing the necessary commercial momentum to revive Batwara 1947 after years of stagnation. Recognizing this renewed market demand, Aamir Khan stepped in under his banner to finance the project, finally allowing the director the creative independence to pursue a realistic and serious tone without the pressure of typical commercial tropes. Batwara 1947 faces a direct clash with Awarapan 2, which is currently leading the race in terms of advance bookings. While the competitor has secured a stronger start with initial ticket sales, the Sunny Deol starrer is positioned as a grounded, realistic drama that might take a bit longer to find its full momentum. Since the film avoids the loud tropes of a typical commercial entertainer, it will be solely dependent on positive word of mouth to prove its worth and draw in the larger family audience over the holiday weekend. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With Aamir Khan backing the project, the production scale was elevated without compromising the artistic integrity of the story. This allowed for a realistic recreation of the 1947 landscape and a cast that prioritized performance over mass appeal, including the return of Preity Zinta. The film is now a reality because a historic box-office turnaround revived a script that had been rejected for over a decade.

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE SmackDown's August 7 episode on USA Network drew 1.470 million viewers, up from 1.379 million the previous week, with the 18-49 demo rating also rising to 0.35 from 0.31, per Wrestlenomics. The bump lines up with a stacked post-SummerSlam show from the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The episode opened with a tribute to Dory Funk Jr. following his passing, before Cody Rhodes called out Randy Orton, only to be interrupted by CM Punk, who said he didn't know about Orton's return. Kevin Owens confronted Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, setting up tension for the title picture, while Owens and Sami Zayn also had a heated backstage argument after Zayn expressed frustration that Owens' return had cost him a title opportunity. In the ring, Baron Corbin retained the United States Championship against Trick Williams in a SummerSlam rematch, and Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence retained the Women's Tag Team Championship in a champions-vs-champions match against Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. The night's biggest surprise came in the main event, where returning star Alexa Bliss and debuting Tatum Paxley showed up to help Charlotte Flair defeat Jade Cargill. Backstage, Carmelo Hayes attacked Baron Corbin and challenged him for the U.S. Title next week. That mix of returns, title defenses, and championship-picture drama appears to have helped push the show's numbers up week-over-week.

BY JITU JANGIR

The Undertaker has revealed that he nearly got into a physical fight with Vince McMahon after the former WWE Chairman told him to “man up” during a difficult period in his personal life. Speaking on his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker recalled visiting McMahon's office toward the end of his WWE career. He was only working a few times a year at the time and had been dealing with several issues outside of wrestling. The Undertaker said he went to McMahon simply to say hello and began opening up about what he was going through. However, McMahon responded with some blunt advice. “He looks at me, and it was as straight a face as it could be, he goes, ‘You know what, Mark? I really think you need to quit feeling sorry for yourself.’” The Undertaker said McMahon then added, “Yeah, you're feeling sorry for yourself. Man up.” The comment immediately angered The Undertaker, who felt he was speaking to McMahon as a friend rather than as his boss. “There was a sense of rage that come over me at that moment, like, man I thought me and you are friends,” The Undertaker recalled. The WWE Hall of Famer then warned McMahon that the conversation could have turned physical. “I did tell him, I was like, ‘You know, if you were anybody else, anybody else, we'd probably be fighting right now. No one talks to me like that. You don't talk to me like that.’” McMahon, however, refused to back down. “Well, damn it, somebody needs to,” McMahon replied. The Undertaker eventually walked away from the conversation, but after calming down, he realized McMahon had actually given him the reality check he needed. “It kind of dawns on me after I calmed down, like, you know what? Get your shit together, handle your business,” he said. The two eventually laughed about the incident, with The Undertaker later admitting to McMahon that he still wished he had fought him but agreed that McMahon had been right. Looking back, The Undertaker said McMahon knew when he needed tough love and when he needed support. “He knew when I needed a foot in the ass, or, you know, whether I needed a hug,” The Undertaker said. “He was always pretty much right on all of that stuff.”

BY JITU JANGIR

The Undertaker has revealed that Vince McMahon once admitted he was wrong about a major creative decision involving the first-ever Punjabi Prison Match. The Punjabi Prison Match made its WWE debut at The Great American Bash 2006, where The Undertaker was originally scheduled to face The Great Khali. However, Big Show replaced Khali in the match after an angle involving the two giants led to WWE changing the bout. Undertaker ultimately defeated Big Show after escaping the massive bamboo structure. Twenty years after the match, The Undertaker recalled the creative disagreement he had with McMahon while discussing the bout on his Six Feet Under podcast. According to the WWE Hall of Famer, McMahon had a specific idea for how Undertaker would escape the structure, while he believed there was a much better option. “It was originally supposed to be with Khali. Khali had something going on and they had to put Big Show in the match,” Undertaker explained. He then detailed the disagreement over the finish. “Vince had this idea about, he wanted us to go through the gate or something while we were fighting, and that's how I would get out of the cage,” Undertaker said. The Deadman had another idea in mind. Rather than escaping through one of the doors, he wanted to create a spectacular visual by jumping from the inner structure to the outer cage. “I had the idea that I wanted to jump from the inner cage to the outer cage and get out that way. I thought, man, that'll be such a cool visual. I said, ‘They won't expect it. It'll look amazing.’” However, McMahon ultimately rejected Undertaker's idea and insisted that the match be performed according to his original plan. Undertaker admitted that he eventually stopped arguing with McMahon, although he made his feelings about the decision very clear. “I don't want to hear anything else about it. This is the way we're gonna do it,” McMahon told him, according to Undertaker. “Fine. It's gonna suck, and when it sucks, it's gonna be on you,” Undertaker recalled telling McMahon. After the match took place, Undertaker felt the finish had failed to deliver the impact he had envisioned. He said the moment was essentially “whomp, whomp, whomp, whomp,” describing how flat he believed the spot had come across. But Undertaker didn't need to remind McMahon that he had disagreed with the decision. According to Undertaker, McMahon eventually acknowledged it himself. “I go back and I just looked at him. I didn't have to say a word,” Undertaker recalled. “He knew and he goes, almost under his breath, he goes, ‘Eh, yeah, I think you were right on that cage spot.’” Undertaker said McMahon immediately walked away after making the admission. For the WWE legend, the moment was particularly significant because of how rarely McMahon acknowledged being wrong. “But that was such a victory for me to actually have him admit that he was wrong on something. Didn't happen very often,” Undertaker said. The Undertaker also explained that the story was not an isolated example of creative disagreements between the two. Despite working together for roughly three decades, he said their visions for WWE's product and business were sometimes “polar opposites.” The Punjabi Prison Match itself became one of WWE's most unusual match concepts. The original structure featured two bamboo enclosures, with competitors required to escape both structures to win. The Undertaker ultimately became the first winner of the stipulation at The Great American Bash 2006. The match was later used twice more in WWE, with Batista facing The Great Khali in 2007 and Randy Orton facing Jinder Mahal in 2017. However, for Undertaker, the lasting memory of the original Punjabi Prison Match appears to be less about the unusual stipulation itself and more about the rare occasion when he finally heard Vince McMahon admit that his creative idea had been the better one.

BY JITU JANGIR

This week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026, live from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. WWE has stacked the show with three championship matches, putting the United States Championship, Women's United States Championship, and WWE Tag Team Championship on the line. The show is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET in the United States on USA Network, while international viewers in most regions can watch SmackDown live on Netflix. WWE's official schedule confirms the Boston date and 8:00 PM ET start time. Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes — WWE United States Championship Baron Corbin will make his second defense of the WWE United States Championship when he puts the title on the line against Carmelo Hayes in Boston. Corbin captured the championship from Trick Williams at SummerSlam and then retained it against Williams on the August 7 episode of SmackDown. After Corbin's latest victory, WWE moved quickly to announce Hayes as his next challenger. The matchup also carries an interesting hometown dynamic, as Hayes is from the Boston area and will have the crowd firmly behind him. Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne — WWE Women's United States Championship Tiffany Stratton will defend the WWE Women's United States Championship against Jacy Jayne after the two became increasingly involved in a dispute surrounding the Women's Tag Team Championship. On the August 7 episode of SmackDown, Fatal Influence interrupted Chelsea Green's celebration and Jayne made it clear that she wanted Stratton's title. Stratton subsequently offered Jayne a championship opportunity, turning the confrontation into an official title match for Boston. R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) vs. War Raiders vs. The MFT — WWE Tag Team Championship Triple Threat R-Truth and Damian Priest will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship in a three-way battle against the War Raiders and The MFT. The match continues a storyline that began when Priest and Truth accepted a challenge from the War Raiders. The two teams previously competed in a champion-versus-champion situation involving the WWE and AAA Tag Team Championships, and the rivalry has now developed into a three-team title fight. The addition of The MFT makes this particularly dangerous for the champions because Truth and Priest do not have to be pinned for their reign to end. War Raiders bring a major size and power advantage, while The MFT adds another unpredictable element to the contest. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face Off — Predicted Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are both advertised for the Boston show, and another confrontation between the former friends looks highly likely. Orton shocked Rhodes at SummerSlam by interfering in his Undisputed WWE Championship match against CM Punk, costing Rhodes the opportunity to regain the championship. On the August 7 SmackDown, Rhodes confronted Orton, while Orton made it clear that his actions were deliberate and that he intends to prevent Rhodes from becoming champion again. WWE's official SmackDown highlights also featured the escalating Rhodes-Orton storyline. With both men advertised for Boston, WWE has an obvious opportunity to continue building the rivalry. A physical confrontation, a challenge for a future singles match, or an extended promo segment would all make sense. Given the history between the two former allies, this feud has the potential to become one of SmackDown's central stories following SummerSlam. CM Punk and Kevin Owens Continue Their Rivalry — Predicted CM Punk and Kevin Owens are also expected to remain at the center of SmackDown following their explosive confrontation in Philadelphia. Owens returned at SummerSlam and became the No. 1 contender to Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship. On the following SmackDown, the two exchanged heated words and nearly came to blows before officials intervened. Owens has already made it clear that he wants his championship opportunity, and the match has since been scheduled for the August 21 episode of SmackDown in Toronto. That makes Boston an important stop on the road to their championship match. WWE could use the episode for another face-to-face confrontation, a contract-signing segment, or a situation where one man attempts to gain a psychological advantage over the other. Since the actual title match is scheduled for the following week's SmackDown, the Boston show should be used to raise the stakes rather than give away the final physical confrontation too early. How To Watch WWE SmackDown, August 14, 2026 Fans in the United States can watch WWE SmackDown live on USA Network at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT on Friday, August 14. WWE's official viewing guide confirms that SmackDown remains on USA Network in the United States, while Netflix carries the weekly show live in most international markets. For viewers in India, SmackDown will begin at 5:30 AM IST on Saturday, August 15, with the show available on Netflix. The international broadcast schedule lists the August 14 Boston episode at 12:00 AM GMT, 2:00 AM CET, 5:30 AM IST and 10:00 AM AEST. UK viewers can watch at 1:00 AM BST on Saturday, while viewers in Central Europe can tune in at 2:00 AM CEST. Australian viewers will get the show at approximately 10:00 AM AEST on Saturday. In most of these international markets, SmackDown is available live through Netflix.

BY JITU JANGIR

Charlotte Flair has reflected on her recent run in WWE, revealing that she considers 2026 the most versatile year of her career despite feeling that some people had written her off. Flair discussed her evolution as a performer during a recent interview on Busted Open, explaining that she has learned to show different sides of her personality rather than relying solely on the larger-than-life character that fans have traditionally associated with “The Queen.” “I truly believe this was like the best year of my career and I’ve never been more versatile,” Flair said. “So I’m like, if I can do that in a year that everyone had kind of, I felt, written me off. Imagine what I can do in five years.” One of the biggest changes has been Flair's willingness to embrace comedy, vulnerability and less serious moments on WWE programming. She has recently been able to show a different side of herself while working alongside Alexa Bliss, something she believes has helped audiences connect with her in a new way. Flair acknowledged that she understands why fans have traditionally expected her to be positioned as a singles star competing for championships. However, she believes her current experience has allowed her to demonstrate that there is more to her character than being a perennial title contender. “I think being in this tag, whether it’s slow or not for some of my fans, I think there is a bigger picture and that I’m going to keep working towards,” Flair said. The former Women's Champion also believes she has discovered that she does not always need to be presented as the dominant main-event character to remain compelling. “I think it’s just showing that vulnerability and showing that, like, hey, I don’t need to have a main [event]... I’m interesting,” she explained. That realization represents an important change for Flair, who spent much of her WWE career being presented as one of the company's most protected and decorated stars. Flair also discussed how she has gradually learned to balance her extravagant “Queen” presentation with a more relatable version of herself. Rather than abandoning the robes, feathers and glamour associated with her character, she has looked for ways to incorporate more of her real personality into the presentation. “I’ve spent the last year trying to figure out how to bring how you would see me on the street or like at a random day in Orlando and then bedazzle that,” Flair said. And despite everything she has already accomplished, Flair clearly believes there is considerably more to come. “I’m like, if I can do that in a year that everyone had kind of, I felt, written me off. Imagine what I can do in five years,” she said.

BY JITU JANGIR

Charlotte Flair has revealed the one match she believes changed the trajectory of her WWE career. Flair, who has gone on to become one of WWE’s most decorated women’s wrestlers, pointed to her 2014 NXT TakeOver match against Natalya as the performance that finally made fans take her seriously as a wrestler. “If that match hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be here today,” Flair said. The match, which took place at NXT TakeOver in 2014, saw Flair defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Natalya. Looking back, Flair believes the significance of the bout went far beyond the championship itself. “Were they going with me? But I don’t know if it was more like, okay, she’s easily the brand for whatever we need Flare’s kid. We’re bringing in Ric. We’re bringing in Bret,” Flair explained. “But like in that moment, if you go back and watch that match, no one like gave a shit about my dad and Bret. And it was like so raw, so authentic.” Flair also highlighted how unusual the match was for WWE television at the time, noting that it was the longest match the company had produced or televised up to that point. “I go back and watch that match and I still think like out of a lot of my matches to this day, that one still is timeless and a classic,” she said. Most importantly, Flair believes the performance proved that she could stand on her own rather than simply being viewed as Ric Flair’s daughter. “But had that match not happened, I don’t think people would have taken me serious,” Flair said. “I don’t think it would have given it launched everything. Like you know when you have defining moments, I’d say that was a defining moment.” Flair also named her WrestleMania 32 match and her bout against Asuka as other important moments in her career, but the Natalya match remains particularly significant to her. Despite everything she has accomplished since then, Flair does not believe her best match has happened yet. “Someone asked me, ‘What do you think is your greatest match of all time?’ And I’m like, ‘It hasn’t happened yet,’” Flair said.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Telugu horror-comedy Korean Kanakaraju is currently navigating its crucial first-week testing phase at the box office. Starring Varun Tej in the lead and directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, the film generated pre-release interest due to its quirky title and the lead actor's shift into a more comedic space. On its first Tuesday, the movie earned 1.82 crore rupees in India gross collections. This represents a 23.8 percent drop from yesterday performance, as net collections settled at 1.60 crore rupees. While mid-week dips are expected for this genre, the film is maintaining its theatrical presence across 1,758 shows in India. In India, the cumulative gross has touched 19.42 crore rupees, corresponding to a net collection of 16.90 crore rupees. The international market has also contributed steadily, with 30 lakh rupees added on Tuesday, bringing the total overseas gross to 4.60 crore rupees. Consequently, the worldwide gross collection for Korean Kanakaraju now stands at 24.02 crore rupees, a total accumulated through 8,729 shows globally so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Diving into the regional breakdown, the Telugu 2D version saw an overall occupancy of 22.42 percent on Tuesday. Interest picked up as the day progressed, starting with 15.42 percent in the morning and peaking during the night shows at 25.83 percent. Afternoon and evening sessions recorded 24.92 percent and 19.58 percent respectively. In terms of major regions, Vizag-Visakhapatnam stood out with a strong 31.3 percent occupancy across 103 shows. Hyderabad followed with a steady 21 percent occupancy over 347 shows, while Bengaluru recorded 17 percent occupancy for 157 shows. The state-wise data highlights that the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana contributed 1.62 crore rupees to the daily gross. Other regions like Karnataka added 15 lakh rupees, while the rest of India and Tamil Nadu brought in smaller contributions of 3 lakh and 2 lakh rupees respectively. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Performance in the major national multiplex chains, including PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, remained on the quieter side. Combined, these three chains sold approximately 2,500 tickets, resulting in a daily gross of roughly 5 lakh rupees at an average occupancy of 3.69 percent. Individually, PVR led with about 1,100 tickets sold and a gross of 2.45 lakh rupees. INOX followed with approximately 800 tickets, and Cinepolis saw roughly 550 tickets booked. These urban centers accounted for 350 shows on Tuesday. On the digital ticketing front, BookMyShow continues to reflect steady volume. In the last 24 hours alone, nearly 26,000 tickets were sold on the platform, bringing the total tickets sold through the app to approximately 4.85 lakh. This signifies that a healthy portion of the urban audience is still actively planning their visits through advance bookings. In the overseas market, specifically North America, the film is seeing a stable run for a regional release. According to data shared by Venky Box Office, Korean Kanakaraju grossed 21,000 dollars on Monday. This brings its total collection in the North American region to 346,000 dollars.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Vijay Sethupathi is teaming up with director Balaji Tharaneetharan for their third film together, titled Baththa. This official announcement confirms the reunion of the pair responsible for Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Seethakaathi. Since the news broke today, the project has been widely discussed across social media, as it brings back a partnership known for a very specific style of storytelling in Tamil cinema. This collaboration is particularly significant because it brings back the team responsible for the cult classic Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and the experimental Seethakaathi. Given their history of working on unique scripts, the expectation is that Baththa will follow a similar path of creative storytelling. Adding to the film's appeal is the presence of Lijomol Jose as the female lead, an actor known for her powerful performances in critically acclaimed projects. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The project is presented by filmmaker Atlee and produced by Priya Atlee. Notably, this film marks the entry of prominent Bollywood production houses like Star Studio and Cine1 Studios into the Tamil industry. This collaboration showcases a strategic effort to bring a larger production scale to Tamil cinema by bridging regional and national production units. On the technical side, the film features a fresh and talented crew. The music is being composed by Sai Abhyankkar, while the cinematography is handled by Selva Kumar SK. R Kalaivanan has been brought on board as the editor to round out the core team. These names suggest a focus on technical excellence to match the creative depth usually found in a Balaji Tharaneetharan directorial. With a worldwide release already scheduled for October 1, the team is moving swiftly to bring this story to the audience. Baththa looks like a promising addition to Vijay Sethupathi's diverse filmography, especially since it reunites him with a director who understands his range so well. As we head toward the October release, the anticipation remains centered on how this duo will manage to surprise the viewers for the third time.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The highly anticipated Onam box office showdown has taken an unexpected turn with the latest update regarding Dulquer Salmaan's milestone project, I'm Game. Originally scheduled for a grand worldwide theatrical release on August 20, 2026, the film has now been postponed. According to recent reports from industry insiders, the delay is due to the incompletion of post-production work. While fans were eagerly counting down the days to see the superstar in his 40th film, it appears the makers are prioritizing the final quality of this high-budget mega-project over meeting the initial deadline. The scale of I'm Game justifies the extra time being taken in the editing room. Produced under Dulquer's own banner, Wayfarer Films, the production has spanned over 100 diverse locations to capture the international flavor of the story. Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, who recently delivered the massive hit RDX, the film is expected to be a high-octane action thriller. To ensure the action sequences are world-class, the team brought in the acclaimed stunt duo Anbariv, known for their work in major blockbusters like KGF and Vikram. This combination of a hit-making director and elite stunt coordinators has made the film one of the most talked-about projects in the Malayalam industry. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In this film, Dulquer Salmaan steps into a role that is being described as sleek, modern, and entirely fearless. He portrays a charismatic gambler who famously lives by the philosophy of trusting luck more than life itself. However, the plot suggests that his high-stakes lifestyle is thrown into absolute chaos by a series of unexpected events. This shift drags his character away from the luxury of the casino and into the middle of ruthless international gang wars and a desperate struggle for survival. The first-look posters, which show the actor surrounded by cash and casino chips, have already set a stylish tone for what is being called a landmark performance in his career. The supporting cast is equally powerhouse, featuring a blend of talent from across industries. The film stars Antony Varghese, popularly known as Pepe, along with Mysskin, Kathir, Samyuktha Viswanathan, and Kayadu Lohar. This ensemble suggests that the narrative will have multiple layers and intense character dynamics. On the musical front, the film has already started making waves. The romantic track Mazhavillaye, composed by Jakes Bejoy and sung by Armaan Malik, recently dropped and instantly crossed the 2 million views mark. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Before the postponement was announced, I'm Game was set for a massive Onam box office clash. It was positioned to go head-to-head with other heavyweights like Prithviraj's Khalifa and Nivin Pauly's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. This three-way battle between the top stars of Mollywood was the highlight of the festive season's calendar. With Dulquer's film now moving out of the August 20 slot, the box office dynamics for Onam 2026 will shift significantly.