indie cinema

Visakhapatnam filmmaker Sagi Sree Hari Varma is gaining global recognition for his iPhone-shot techno-horror short, 'Signal.' This single-take film, exploring internet dependency, has screened internationally, earning awards and festival selections, including Cannes Marché du Film. Varma, inspired by 'Baahubali,' now aims to develop 'Signal' into a feature, dreaming of the big-screen experience.

Comedy reigns supreme as 'Scary Movie' unexpectedly claims the top box office spot with $55 million, dethroning horror hits like 'Obsession' and 'Backrooms'. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated 'Masters of the Universe' falters significantly, struggling to recoup its massive production budget. This weekend saw a surprising shift in audience preference, proving that laughter can indeed conquer.

Shahana Goswami revealed she did Ra One purely for Shah Rukh Khan, knowing the role wouldn't satisfy her creatively. She also disclosed that Karan Johar directed some scenes of the film alongside Anubhav Sinha. Additionally, she praised co-star Kapil Sharma's dedication to acting and his strong theatre background.

Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated sci-fi film, 'Disclosure Day,' starring Emily Blunt, is generating immense buzz with early reviews hailing it as a masterpiece. Critics are praising the movie as one of Spielberg's best in two decades, highlighting its thrilling, emotional, and visually stunning narrative. The film explores humanity's encounter with extraterrestrial life, promising an epic cinematic experience.

Actress-producer Iti Acharya shared her Cannes experience, highlighting global collaborations and new projects like “TRIYA.” She clarified rumours about Alia Bhatt and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being ignored, explaining Cannes media protocols. Acharya also discussed strict festival dress codes while proudly promoting Indian designers and craftsmanship on the international stage.

YouTuber Markiplier's horror film Iron Lung will be available for fans to watch at home. The movie premieres exclusively on YouTube on May 31. Iron Lung achieved significant success in theaters, earning over fifty million dollars worldwide. This release highlights the growing influence of online creators in the film industry.

During his acceptance speech at the César Awards, Brad Pitt articulated a meaningful reflection: 'The essence of our existence is intertwined with those we connect with, leaving an indelible imprint on who we are.' He underscored that the real value lies not in personal accolades, but in the vibrant relationships that influence our creative paths and foster personal evolution.

Indian independent film Aranya Dhara is gaining international acclaim. The mini-film, a collaboration between Siva Patcha and Baalu Naidu, has won multiple awards. It recently received an Honorable Jury Mention at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival. Aranya Dhara is praised for its bold storytelling, blending mythology, fantasy, and thriller elements.

Actor-entrepreneur Akshay Jha is taking independent cinema beyond traditional theatrical spaces with his initiative, Cinema Salon. After working in films like Mission Mangal and Class of '83, Jha shifted focus towards creating a platform that connects filmmakers directly with audiences through curated screenings and discussions. Speaking about the challenges faced by indie films, he says distribution remains tougher than filmmaking itself. With Cinema Salon expanding internationally to cities like Madrid, Cannes and Berlin, Jha hopes to create a more immersive and community-driven film-viewing experience that prioritises storytelling and audience engagement.

Bella Ramsey, acclaimed for 'The Last of Us', stars in the new British comedy-drama 'Sunny Dancer'. The film, premiering at Berlinale, follows a teenager's summer at a camp for young cancer survivors. With a strong cast including James Norton and Neil Patrick Harris, early reviews praise its sharp humor and poignant direction, promising a compelling cinematic experience.

The film had its world premiere at the 39th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2025

Despite additional ad breaks being woven into the game, no broadcaster in India or China has shown interest in shelling out the millions that Fifa wants.

Shweta Tripathi reflects on why independent cinema continues to feel like home, highlighting her preference for intimate, character-driven storytelling. She also calls it an exciting time for indie films while stressing the need for stronger support for new voices.

Following the triumph of 'The Great Shamsuddin Family,' Kritika Kamra emerges as a bold proponent of storytelling that delves deep into character development. In her pursuit of creating her latest independent venture, she encounters obstacles in financing, attributed to the absence of a blockbuster male star and a first-time director. Nonetheless, her dedication to authentic cinema is unwavering.

With less than two months to go for the FIFA World Cup, India, China, and several Asian countries still lack an official broadcaster. High rights costs, inconvenient match timings, and cricket's dominance have deterred buyers in India. This poses challenges for FIFA’s outreach in the region, though a last-minute deal remains possible.

Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji met with cultural influencer Namratha Mohan, sparking speculation about future projects. Their conversation delved into Hindu puranas and the significance of ancient stories, with Mohan praising Mukerji's dedication to authenticity. This meeting fuels ongoing rumors about 'Brahmastra 2' and Mukerji's commitment to bringing Indian civilizational narratives to the screen.

The Fukrey actress reflects on the changing landscape of India’s indie cinema, noting how evolving casting choices have gradually reshaped its creative identity

Priya Kansara’s experience on Project Hail Mary highlights the joy of collaborative filmmaking. Her journey from molecular biology student to voicing a key character opposite Ryan Gosling shows her willingness to embrace new challenges.

Hollywood actress Barbie Ferreira has specified the reason behind her decision to walk out of the fan-favourite streaming series 'Euphoria' after the hit show's second season.

Ranvir Shorey laments the tough climate for independent films like "Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa," noting that streaming platforms, once a haven, now exhibit similar gatekeeping to cinemas. He believes large-scale blockbusters don't benefit smaller, character-driven movies. Shorey expressed gratitude to ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment for supporting such projects and shared his creative excitement working with director Rajat Kapoor again.

Filmmakers unveiled an AI-generated Val Kilmer for "As Deep as the Grave," a historical drama. Working with Kilmer's children and SAG-AFTRA, they ethically recreated the late actor's performance. Kilmer's estate consented and was compensated, drawing parallels to actors portraying historical figures. The film, featuring Kilmer for over an hour, is slated for release this year.

Neena Gupta candidly shares her journey of raising daughter Masaba independently after a relationship with cricketer Vivian Richards. Facing societal judgment and financial hardship, Gupta recounts a near-impossible situation before Masaba's birth, resolved by a timely tax refund. Despite her strong bond with Masaba, Gupta expresses regret over not providing her daughter with both parents, acknowledging the challenges faced.

Following the 2025 edition which had a large Hollywood presence with Tom Cruise's ' Impossible - The Final Reckoning' and Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest', the upcoming Cannes will be dominated by international cinema and indie filmmakers.

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away at 92, left an indelible mark beyond her iconic songs. Former cricketer Brett Lee fondly recalls their 2007 musical collaboration, "You're the One for Me," describing Bhosle as a "lovely, gentle woman with a wonderful sense of humour.

I listen to a lot of ’90s and 2000s music. Apart from the mainstream commercial hits, there are a lot of underrated songs that my father has done, says Harsha Vardhan.

He has juggled between commercialand independent movies but actor Ranvir Shorey believes working in indie circuit is more frustrating due to the inconsistent success rate of off-beat cinema.