Tom Holland, who currently stars in Marvel and Sony's Spider-Man: No Way Home, said big-budget superhero films and "Oscar movies" are "all the same, just done on a different scale".

Holland shared his thoughts on the Oscar-winning director's critical assessments of the genre, disagreeing wholeheartedly in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Scorsese once infamously lambasted superhero movies as "not cinema" in his opinion.

"You can ask Scorsese, ‘Would you want to make a Marvel movie?’ but he doesn't know what it's like because he's never made one,” said Holland, who has also starred in movies like The Impossible and The Devil All the Time.

“I've made Marvel movies and I've also made movies that have been in the conversation in the world of the Oscars, and the only difference, really, is one is much more expensive than the other," he continued. “But the way I break down the character, the way the director etches out the arc of the story and characters — it's all the same, just done on a different scale. So I do think they're real art.”

"When you're making these films, you know that good or bad, millions of people will see them," he explained. "Whereas when you're making a small indie film, if it's not very good no one will watch it, so it comes with different levels of pressure. I mean, you can also ask Benedict Cumberbatch or Robert Downey Jr. or Scarlett Johansson — people who have made the kinds of movies that are 'Oscar-worthy' and also made superhero movies — and they will tell you that they're the same, just on a different scale.”

Adding in one more difference between the two types of movies, he joked, "and there's less Spandex in 'Oscar movies.' "

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also said in an interview that he hopes award-granting bodies like the Academy Awards realize the "artistry that goes into storytelling that connects with a wide range of people on a very emotional level" with popular blockbusters.

Back in 2019, Scorsese opened up to Empire about his feelings on superhero movies dominating the box office. "Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks," he said at the time."It isn't the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being," he added.

Tom Holland and Zendaya starrer Spider-Man: No Way Homewas released on 16 December 2021 and has set several box office records, including records for films released after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has grossed over $876 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2021.

Also Read: Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg starrer Uncharted trailer sees them risking lives to solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries 

The most awaited sports biopic 83 starring Ranveer Singh has been making headlines. The film that tells the story of the 1983 Cricket World Cup win, has been one of the most keenly awaited releases. And a historic film such as 83, interestingly is also set to release on the world’s highest mobile theatre in Leh Ladakh at 11,562 Ft which also makes for a landmark moment for the film as well.

In an endeavour to bring world-class digital cinema watching experience accessible to every corner of India, PictureTime Digiplex, A Mobile Digital Movie Theatre Company, became the highest altitude cinema theatre in the world by installing its inflatable theatre in Leh (Ladakh) in the month of August earlier this year, where the film Bellbottom was also screened.

While the current nail-biting temperature o drops down to minus in Ladakh, with Picturetime’s unique ambient control theatre using state of an art heating facility, the audience could comfortably watch the film at plus twenty degrees within the inflatable enclosure. Kabir Khan’s 83 to witness the first-day release in PictureTime’s Mobile digital movie theatre not just in Ladakh, but in Hisaar and Arunachal Pradesh as well where the company has installed more for such Digiplexs.

On 83 being released on PictureTime’s mobile digital inflatable theatre, Director Kabir Khan expresses “My joy knows no bounds…83 screening from today onwards in Ladakh, at Picturetime’s inflatable theatre, the world's highest theatre at 11,562 ft. This is spectacular. I’m looking forward to the audience's reaction to the film. Ladakh doesn’t just hold a special place in our film but is also very dear to my heart because I have spent months trekking there during my college days. This is truly special.”

Shibasish Sarkar, Producer of 83 and Former Group CEO Reliance says, “83 is our labour of love.
We would love for everyone to watch this film, and I’m so happy to know that through PictureTime’s inflatable theatre our film would reach the interiors of this country where a good cinema watching experience is still a far-fetched dream. Through these inflatable theatres 83 not just reaches Ladakh but also the interiors of Hisaar and Arunachal Pradesh. This is indeed a great initiative”

Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO, Picturetime, Says “Himalayan region is a screen starved region. Post pandemic we are looking at Himalayan states as phase 1 of PictureTime’s screen going live. From the Himalayan states we aim to move towards central India. It’s an honour for us to bring a historic film such as 83 to the interiors of this country. Other than Leh, 83 shall also be screened at our theatres in Hisaar and Arunachal Pradesh respectively. The vision has always been taking newly released films to the cinema screen starved regions of this country that too on the day of the release. With the screening of a larger-than-life film such as 83, this indeed is a landmark moment for us.”

ALSO READ: 83: Ranveer Singh and Kapil Dev get emotional remembering cricketer Yashpal Sharma who passed away this year

Bollywood’s hit comedy franchise Welcome is going to have a third installment. Reports have suggested that third part will start rolling in the second half of 2022. Welcome 3 will also reportedly see Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and Paresh Rawal returning in key roles.

According to a tabloid, the script of the film is currently underway. The makers plan to take the projects on the floors by the end of 2022. The three original cast members are set to return while the makers are working on bigger cast for this installment. It will be an action-comedy.

The first part of the comedy franchise was released in 2007 which was headlined by Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal. The film marked the last screen appearance of Feroz Khan who passed way in 2009. The story was loosely based on the 1999 comedy Mickey Blue Eyes.

Welcome Back, sequel to the 2007 Welcome, was directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala. It featured an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Shiney Ahuja, Ankita Shrivastava, with Dimple Kapadia, Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah. The film was released in 2015.

Also Read: Arjun Kapoor wins the internet with his hilarious birthday post for uncle Anil Kapoor

We live in a country where actors enjoy stardom like no other. Bollywood actors in our country are so popular that everyone is eager and keen to know what goes on in their lives. Recently, a question paper from a school in Madhya Pradesh went viral on social media that asked to name the son of a celebrity.

A school in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh asked its 6th-grade students to name Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan’s son in the current affairs examination. The question reads as “What is the full name of the son of Bollywood couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan?”

This did not go down well with the parents of the children and they have now lodged a complaint with the education department demanding strict action against the school management.

Taking a dig upon the matter, the Khandwa District Education Officer (DEO) Sanjiv Bhalerao, said that the matter came to his notice on Thursday. He said, "A show-cause notice will be issued to the school. Based on the school's response, appropriate action will be initiated." Bhalerao further also stated that he too felt that such a question ‘hurts sentiments of parents’ and shouldn’t have been asked in the test.

ALSO READ:Kareena Kapoor Khan tests negative for COVID-19; thanks husband Saif Ali Khan for being patiently locked in a hotel room 

Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, who has been in the news this month for her grand wedding with actor Vicky Kaushal, has resumed work. Days after her wedding, the actress was seen on the sets of the film Merry Christmas. The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, will see her opposite Vijay Sethupathi for the first time. Tips Industries announces their new project Merry Christmas in association with Matchbox Pictures Pvt. Ltd, set to release on 23rd December 2022.

After constant delays, the film finally went on floors on December 22. Today, on the occasion of Christmas the makers have formally announced the film. The film went on floors this week and the first schedule is being extensively shot in Mumbai.

The film was first supposed to go on floors on April 15 this year. However, owing to the second wave of the pandemic and the lead actress testing positive for COVID-19, the shoot of the film had to be delayed. Post that, it was reportedly delayed due to Vijay Sethupathi’s clogged shooting schedule.

Merry Christmas is an edge-of-the-seat thriller and is being produced by Ramesh Taurani under his Banner Tips. The film is said to be straight 90-minutes-long with the shooting schedule being of 30 days. The makers will be shooting in South Mumbai and later in Pune.

Tips Industries Ltd in association with Matchbox pictures Pvt Ltd - Merry Christmas produced by Ramesh Taurani & Sanjay Routray will release on 23rd December 2022.

ALSO READ: Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal arrive at their Juhu house for house warming ceremony; Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli to be their neighbours

South Korean group BTS' member SUGA has tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to Korea from the US. The group had been in Los Angeles since the end of November ahead of their four LA sold-out stadium shows. Followed by which, it was announced the group was taking a break to spend quality time with their families during holidays. All members slowly returned to Korea after their individual vacations. SUGA returned to Korea on December 23 and immediately went into mandatory quarantine as per South Korean government guidelines. Now, the musician has contracted the novel virus but is asymptomatic and administering self-care amid quarantine.

A statement was released on their social media platform Weverse on December 24 by BIGHIT Music that read, "BTS member SUGA was confirmed with COVD-19 on Friday, December 24 during his self-quarantine after taking the PCR test immediately upon his return to Korea on Thursday, December 23."

"SUGA completed his second round of the COVID-19 vaccination in late August and is not presenting any symptoms as of today. He is currently administering self-care at home per the guidelines of the healthcare authorities. SUGA, who has had a number of personal engagements in the U.S. during BTS’ official time off, had tested negative for the PCR test taken before traveling to the U.S., and began his self-quarantine after taking the PCR test upon his return to Korea. He received positive results during quarantine, and there was no contact with the other members," it further read.

"The company places the artists’ health as our top priority, and we will do everything we can to aid SUGA in his speedy recovery. We will also diligently cooperate with the requests and guidelines of the healthcare authorities," it concluded.

ALSO READ: BTS’ SUGA becomes first Korean soloist to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart with Juice WRLD collaboration ‘Girl of My Dreams’

The much-awaited sports drama, 83, was finally released today in cinemas after a long-drawn battle between the studio, Reliance Entertainment, and the exhibitors. Reliance, during Diwali, had compelled exhibitors to not play Eternals and instead give all shows to their film, Sooryavanshi. As a result, many cinemas were not able to release Eternals. At that point, the exhibitors bowed down to Reliance as they were desperate to play Sooryavanshi, which was the first big film to release in cinemas post the pandemic.

Reliance Entertainment tried to adopt the same strategy with 83 as well. They not only asked for 100% show sharing for 2 weeks but also demanded 70% revenue share from single screens in Week 1. Exhibitors, however, rejected this demand as it would have meant removing Tom Holland starrer Spider-Man: No Way Home and Allu Arjun's Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 from their cinemas, both of which are running successfully. If they had accepted Reliance’s offer, they wouldn’t also have been to even play Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey, which releases next Friday. Realizing that exhibitors are adamant, Reliance had softened its stand yesterday and had agreed to let exhibitors share shows with other films. Reportedly, they had even reduced revenue-sharing terms.

All was going well until reports came in that Maratha Mandir and G7 multiplex (popularly known as Gaiety-Galaxy) have overnight decided to not release ’83. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “83 was all set to release with 4 shows in Gaiety, 4 shows in Gossip, and 2 shows in Maratha Mandir. Though the exact details are awaited, it seems the issue occurred due to show-sharing in Maratha Mandir. Reliance had reportedly asked for all three shows in Maratha Mandir for 83. The management declined as they wanted to play one show of Spider-Man: No Way Home, as per their contract with Sony. It is said that Reliance refused to accept and told them that they won’t even allow 83 to release in G7, which is also run by those who own Maratha Mandir. The management had no option but to accept this decision.”

The 12:30 pm show of 83 at Gaiety has been replaced by that of Pushpa. An insider from the exhibition sector added, “As of now, Gaiety has kept 3:30, 6:30, and 9:30 shows vacant and not given to any film. If the issue is resolved, then ’83 can play from 3:30 pm onwards. Maratha Mandir, meanwhile, has allotted 3:30 and 9:30 pm shows to Pushpa and 6:45 pm show to Spider-Man: No Way Home and have opened up bookings, as per this schedule, till Thursday. It’ll be interesting to see if ’83 is played in this cinema from tonight or tomorrow, should the issue be resolved amicably.”

Bollywood Hungama tried contacting Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 multiplex, and Maratha Mandir, but he was unavailable for comment.

ALSO READ: Alia Bhatt pens a heartwarming note for Ranveer Singh and 83 team -"Wanted to clap scream cry and dance at the same time"