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The highly anticipated wedding of Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, to Radhika Merchant concluded on July 12th, 2024. The three-day extravaganza, dubbed the “wedding of the decade,” was a star-studded event attended by not only prominent figures from India but also celebrities and dignitaries from across the globe.

The guest list boasted a diverse range of personalities, including Bollywood A-listers, international sports stars, social media influencers, political leaders, and renowned business tycoons. Among the international attendees were Hollywood celebrities like John Cena, further amplifying the event’s global reach.

Adding a touch of reality TV glamour to the occasion was the presence of socialites and entrepreneurs Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. Their visit to India for the wedding generated significant buzz, with their pictures and videos flooding social media platforms.

However, the buzz intensified with reports suggesting that this opulent Indian wedding would be featured on the popular reality show “The Kardashians.” The speculation stemmed from the presence of a camera crew following Kim and Khloe throughout their stay in India. Fueling the rumors further, Kim herself posted an Instagram story hinting at filming for the show, stating, “We were filming The Kardashians too so you guys can see Kim and Khloe take India.”

“The Kardashians,” a reboot of the highly successful long-running reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” has garnered a massive global audience. The show delves into the personal lives of the Kardashian and Jenner families, offering viewers an intimate look into their relationships, careers, and lavish lifestyles.

The inclusion of the Ambani-Merchant wedding in the upcoming season of “The Kardashians” is likely to generate significant interest, particularly with the international audience. It presents a unique opportunity to showcase Indian culture, traditions, and opulence to a global platform, further solidifying the wedding’s position as a landmark event.

Prabhas’s sci-fi extravaganza, “Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin, continues its relentless march towards the coveted 1 billion rupee mark at the global box office. Despite facing competition from the recently released “Indian 2,” trade analysts remain confident that “Kalki 2898 AD” will achieve this milestone by the end of its theatrical run. However, the film’s true dominance lies in its record-breaking performance in the North American market.

“Kalki 2898 AD” opened to positive reviews, fueled by immense pre-release hype. Record-breaking pre-sales figures abroad translated into a phenomenal first 10 days at the box office. The film’s momentum hasn’t slowed down, with the makers officially announcing that it has surpassed a gross of $17 million and counting. This translates to a current gross of $17,031,645, with decent collections expected for the upcoming weekend as well.

“Kalki 2898 AD” has etched its name in history by becoming the first South Indian film (excluding “Baahubali 2”) to achieve such a remarkable feat in North America. “Baahubali 2” is a special case due to the significant collections garnered by its Hindi version. This “Non-Baahubali 2” record has sent Prabhas’s fans into a frenzy, eagerly anticipating the sequel.

The film leaves the audience wanting more, as it hints at a grander sequel. Part 2 will see Prabhas reprise his role as Bhairava, while Amitabh Bachchan returns as the enigmatic Ashwatthama. Kamal Haasan’s villainous Supreme Yashkin is expected to play a pivotal role once again, with Deepika Padukone likely reprising her role as Sumathi. Director Nag Ashwin has revealed that the second part will delve deeper into the unexplored 60% of the story, promising an even more action-packed and dramatic experience.

With a reported budget exceeding 600 crores, courtesy of producer Ashwini Dutt, “Kalki 2898 AD” represents a significant financial investment. However, the film’s robust performance, particularly in the North American market, suggests that it is well on its way to becoming a resounding commercial success. As the film continues its theatrical run, all eyes are on whether it can achieve the coveted 1 billion rupee mark and solidify its position as a landmark achievement in Indian cinema.

Akshay Kumar, a titan of Bollywood, has faced a string of box-office setbacks since the COVID-19 lockdown. While “Sooryavanshi” marked his last clear commercial success, his involvement in “Oh My God 2” was more of an extended cameo. A string of subsequent films, including “Bell Bottom,” “Bachchan Pandey,” “Samrat Prithviraj,” and “Raksha Bandhan,” all failed to resonate with audiences, further extending his dry spell. This lackluster commercial performance has even extended to recent releases like “Cutputli,” “Ram Setu,” “Selfie,” “Mission Raniganj,” and his latest, “Sarfira” (a remake of “Aakasame Nee Haddu Ra”).

Industry observers have attributed this slump to a potential oversaturation of Akshay Kumar in the market. The perception is that his prolific work ethic, often involving multiple projects simultaneously, might be compromising the quality of script selection and film production. This viewpoint suggests that treating films like routine jobs rather than dedicated artistic endeavors could be a contributing factor.

However, Akshay Kumar offers a different perspective. He suggests that the negative narrative surrounding his work ethic is fueled by personal animosity rather than a factual analysis. He highlights his past reputation for punctuality and efficiency, having previously managed a workload of 17 films released within eight months. He emphasizes that the current criticism of not dedicating enough time seems contradictory.

Kumar further emphasizes a sense of schadenfreude surrounding his box-office struggles. He advocates for a more positive and collaborative environment within the industry, where constructive criticism replaces negativity. He observes this trend in politics and within Bollywood itself, with actors, directors, and producers resorting to public criticism of one another. Kumar argues for a more unified approach, channeling that energy into creating better cinema rather than engaging in public spats.

As Akshay Kumar navigates this challenging phase in his career, only time will tell how he adapts and responds. Whether he embraces a more selective approach to projects or finds a way to maintain his work rate while ensuring quality remains to be seen. However, his unwavering dedication to his craft and his call for a more positive industry environment are commendable aspects of this ongoing narrative.