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From a historic Marathi Oscar contender to Thalapathy Vijay’s final trailer, here is a breakdown of the week’s defining entertainment headlines.
The new year has started with a bang as the entertainment world is buzzing with a mix of highly anticipated announcements, launches, and experimental cinema. Most importantly, regional Indian cinema is breaking international barriers with a landmark Oscar entry, and mainstream icons are preparing for career-defining transitions. This week’s slate offers updates on some gritty actioners, experimental silent drama, and the strategic return of a family comedy, reflecting a vibrant landscape for movie lovers worldwide.
Check it out!
Dashavatar enters the Oscar 2026 contention list
In a historic first, the Marathi film Dashavatar has officially entered the Oscar 2026 contention list for the 98th Academy Awards. Helmed by Subodh Khanolkar, this cultural drama stars veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar as a folk artist struggling to preserve the traditional Konkan art form against modern change. Backed by Zee Studios, it is the first Marathi-language film to reach the Academy's main open competition category.
Talapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan gets a grand trailer launch
The trailer for Thalapathy Vijay’s highly anticipated film, Jana Nayagan, was launched on January 3, 2026. Directed by H. Vinoth, the trailer showcases a gritty, politically charged action drama featuring Vijay as Thalapathy Vetri Kondan. The cast includes Bobby Deol as the antagonist, along with Pooja Hegde, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Priyamani.Jana Nayagan is slated for a big-scale Pongal release on January 9 and is touted as Vijay’s swansong before he transitions fully into politics.
Gandhi Talks release date announced
Zee Studios has announced that the silent film Gandhi Talks will hit the theatres on January 30, 2026, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary. Directed by Kishore Belekar, this black comedy features no spoken dialogue and relies entirely on visual storytelling, and a background score by A.R. Rahman. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy, and Aditi Rao Hydari. The plot explores a young man's struggle with modern-day greed and how his life intersects with Gandhian values in a contemporary setting.
'Toxic' unveils Tara Sutaria's first look
The makers of the pan-India actioner Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups unveiled the first look of Tara Sutaria as Rebecca. Directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Kannada superstar Yash, the poster depicts Sutaria in a gritty avatar, wielding a gun. The film, which also stars Kiara Advani and Nayanthara, is a dark action-fantasy scheduled for a global theatrical release on March 19, 2026.
Cibi Chakaravarthi to direct Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 173
The makers of Rajinikanth’s next project, Thalaivar 173, have announced that Cibi Chakaravarthi has been roped in to helm the project after director Sundar C stepped down. The project is produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International and is eyeing a Pongal 2027 release.
Rishabh Shetty launches the Hindi trailer of Shambhala
Following its success in Telugu, the Hindi trailer for the mystical thriller Shambhala: A Mystical World was launched by Kantara star Rishab Shetty on Sunday. Directed by Ugandhar Muni, the film stars Aadi Saikumar as a geoscientist investigating a comet crash and a mysterious stone that supposedly controls the five elements. The film blends science fiction with ancient mythology and is scheduled for its Hindi theatrical release this Friday, January 9, 2026.
Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 returns to theatres
After a restricted initial run dominated by blockbusters like Dhurandhar and Avatar 3, the comedy sequel Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 is set for a wide theatrical re-release this Friday, January 9. Starring Kapil Sharma in his signature comic style, the film follows the chaotic life of a man juggling multiple romantic entanglements. The makers are hoping this ‘second chance’ at the box office will allow the movie to find its audience during a relatively quiet window before the mid-January releases.
Universal Music Group and Excel Entertainment announce partnership
Universal Music India has announced that it has acquired a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment, co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. As part of the strategic partnership, UMG gains global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks from Excel's projects, launches a dedicated Excel music label distributed worldwide by UMG, and makes Universal Music Publishing Group Excel's exclusive publishing partner. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani retain creative control, with Excel CEO Vishal Ramchandani emphasizing the goal of taking Indian stories global.
Kalyani Priyadarshan confirmed as Pralay’s lead opposite Ranveer Singh
Kalyani Priyadarshan has been cast as the female lead opposite Ranveer Singh in the upcoming post-apocalyptic zombie thriller Pralay, marking her Bollywood debut. Directed by Jai Mehta, the film is produced by Ranveer Singh under his banner Maa Kasam Films, in association with others. According to media reports, the film features extensive world-building, heavy VFX, and a reimagined dystopian Mumbai, with the plot centering on survival amid a zombie outbreak as a metaphor for societal decay. Shooting is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
Netflix announces Queer Eye’s final season
Netflix's Emmy-winning reboot Queer Eye will conclude with its tenth and final season, premiering on January 21, 2026. Set in Washington, D.C., the season features the current Fab Five- Tan France (fashion), Antoni Porowski (food), Karamo Brown (culture), Jonathan Van Ness (grooming), and Jeremiah Brent (design)- delivering final makeovers while celebrating the show's legacy of over 80 transformations across nine prior seasons. The series, Netflix's longest-running unscripted program, was confirmed as ending in July 2025.
Netflix confirms season 2 of Single Papa
Netflix renewed its Indian family comedy-drama Single Papa for a second season, following the success of Season 1, which topped global non-English charts. Kunal Kemmu returns as Gaurav Gehlot, a divorced ‘man-child’ turned single father adopting a baby, navigating chaos with his family. The ensemble cast includes Prajakta Koli, Manoj Pahwa, Ayesha Raza, Neha Dhupia, and others. Created by Ishita Moitra and Neeraj Udhwani, with Shashank Khaitan as executive producer, Season 2 promises more heart, humor, and exploration of the Gehlot family's ongoing journey.
Well, that wraps up our updates, hope you enjoyed it!
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