Latest news with #Cannes2025
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
It's Pedro Pascal's world, we're just living in it
In a room full of tuxedos, Pedro Pascal, promoting his upcoming film Eddington, the actor showed up in a plunging tank top, flared trousers, and studded loafers at Cannes 2025. At 50, Pedro Pascal is basking in a new wave of fame. With global hits like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, he's not just a fan favourite but the internet's self-declared 'cool daddy.' The actor has social media under his spell, courtesy his red carpet looks. 'I am a heartthrob,' he said with a laugh in a recent interview - and no one's arguing. Pascal, the style icon Pedro Pascal was given the title of the 'sexiest man alive' by the People magazine. If you have not watched Pedro's shows or movies, or are not yet knee-deep in love with the internet's favourite 'boyfriend', he will give you plenty of reasons to fall for him like he recently did at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. In a room full of tuxedos, the actor, promoting his upcoming film Eddington, showed up in a plunging tank top, flared trousers, and studded loafers. For the Fantastic Four reboot trailer launch, he wore a Bode shirt covered in international flags. His stylist Julie Ragolia wrote on Instagram, 'If the world's going to shit, we're just gonna cuddle it.' He also attended the premiere of Marvel's Thunderbolts wearing a 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt, highlighting his support for trans rights on one of the biggest public stages. At Met Gala 2023, he told the world how to rock a pair of formal shorts as he turned up in a custom red-and-black Valentino outfit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo 'I am an immigrant. I want to live on the right side of history' Another side of the Pedro Pascal phenomenon is his off-screen candour – like his recent remarks on deportations in the US. 'I want people to be safe and to be protected. I want to live on the right side of history,' he said. 'I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship and I was privileged enough to grow up in the United States after asylum in Denmark. If it weren't for that, I don't know what would have happened to us,' he continued. 'I stand by those protections always.' He doesn't flinch before calling Game of Thrones a 'double eyesore,' and proudly stood by Wonder Woman 1984, even when others distanced themselves. Pedro wrote on X, 'I love movies and I love Wonder Woman 1984,' when the film faced a swathe of negative reviews. He's also unafraid of vulnerability. As his The Last of Us co-actor Melanie Lynskey once said, 'There's just nothing wrong with him.' During a Vanity Fair interview, his joy was infectious and his honesty a rarity. He admitted he searched himself on X and recalled one post that read, "Pedro Pascal looks like Orlando Bloom if he was hit in the face with a shovel." Asked if he agreed, he laughed and replied, 'Sometimes.' He also scrolls through Pedro Pascal fan accounts on Instagram 'to lift his spirits on a gloomy day.' It isn't actually his Adonis form you're responding to. It's the beauty he carries inside. His interior light burns so bright, it's simply taken some time for your eyes to adjust. But now that you've seen him, you know too – Sarah Paulson, Pedro's long-time friend and actress, in Time's The 100 Most Influential People of 2023 list It isn't actually his Adonis form you're responding to. It's the beauty he carries inside. His interior light burns so bright, it's simply taken some time for your eyes to adjust. But now that you've seen him, you know too – Sarah Paulson, Pedro's long-time friend and actress, in Time's The 100 Most Influential People of 2023 list Pedro Pacal – Internet's 'It' daddy The success of the post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us and the third season of the live-action series The Mandalorian in 2023 prompted many of his fans to crown him 'the internet's daddy' – a title he embraced sportingly. 'Yeah, I am having fun with it,' he told The Hollywood Reporter. In one of his red carpet interviews, Pedro even said, 'Yep, I am your cool, sl***y daddy.' In The Last of Us, he plays a man protecting a surrogate daughter in a zombie-infested world. In The Mandalorian, he dons the armour of a lone bounty hunter safeguarding the beloved Grogu. It's likely this mix of grit and emotional depth – a tough exterior with a tender heart – that makes Pascal's screen presence so magnetic. It seems a little role-related. There was a period where the Mandalorian is very daddy to baby Grogu, and Joel is very daddy to Ellie. These are daddy parts – Pedro Pascal on embracing 'daddy' moniker A star, three decades in the making He may be getting the attention now but Pedro Pascal has been around since the 90s. The Chile-born actor began his career in his early 20s and popped up in tiny roles on the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife, and various Law & Order episodes. While looking for acting assignments, Pedro worked as a waiter at restaurants and was "terrible" at his job. "I was fired from my waiter job, maybe close to 10 times," he once admitted. 'I've been auditioning since I was 20, working as a waiter, getting theatre gigs, doing the Law and Orders,' Pedro, who studied acting at NYU but found fame only after he played the doomed bisexual, Oberyn Martell, on Game of Thrones in 2014, told Time Magazine. The actor's stardom was almost 30 years in the making, with a slow and meandering acting career. 'The smallest of opportunities kept me going,' Pedro told The New York Times in 2017. 'So much so that I resolved to struggle until I couldn't walk anymore.' But since his brief, yet memorable, performance in GoT, the Pedro Pascal world has grown with all of us getting residency. Pedro Padcal started his career in the 90s with small roles. In 2015, he ensured he wouldn't be forgotten again as he captivated audiences playing the smooth-talking, tight-trouser-wearing DEA agent Javier Peña in Narcos, one of Netflix's early Originals. With his uncanny ability to make every character his own, Pedro grew from being just a TV actor to a global sensation. Today, he is touted as the poster boy for late bloomers. Between 2016 and 2019, Pascal featured in legendary Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou's American debut The Great Wall, the Denzel Washington-led action sequel The Equalizer 2, and Netflix's high-octane B-movie Triple Frontier. Add to that the impressive box office haul of Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and these titles together raked in close to a billion dollars worldwide - that's over Rs 7,000 crore. Just when the world started drooling over his looks, he hid his face behind a chrome helmet in Disney's The Mandalorian, a bold move by an actor who had just found his groove. It paid off. Coming soon: Even more Pedro on your screens 1. The Fantastic Four: First Steps 2. Avengers: Doomsday 3. The Mandalorian & Grogu 4. Materialists 5. Eddington
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Abhishek Bachchan breaks silence on divorce rumours and negative news, says, 'When you have a...'
Rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's divorce have been doing the rounds for the past year. However, neither of them ever gave any statement on these rumours. When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walked the ramp wearing sindoor at Cannes 2025, these rumors stopped flying on their own, and the couple's fans shut the mouths of the trolls. In such a situation, Abhishek Bachchan was asked questions on this during the promotion of 'Kaalidhar Laapata'. What did Abhishek Bachchan say about his family? Abhishek Bachchan said in an interview with ETimes that earlier, he did not care about what was written about him, but now things have changed. He said, 'Now these things hurt. You do not live my life. You do not know how it feels to read all this. When you have a family, these things start affecting you.' Abhishek Bachchan on negative news Abhishek said that people write anything wrong on social media without revealing their names. Abhishek said, 'You should understand that you are hurting someone. No matter how strong that person is, words have an impact. Even if we clarify something, people take it in the wrong sense because negative news sells.' When is Abhishek Bachchan's upcoming movie going to be released? Abhishek's next film, 'Kaalidhar Laapata' will be released on ZEE5 on July 4. Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub and child actor Daivik Bhagela will also be seen with him in the film. Director Madhumita's film tells the story of a middle-aged man who is struggling with memory loss and loneliness.
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Golden Apricot Festival to screen two MAD films in Regional Competition
Following their world premieres at Un Certain Regard – Cannes 2025, both films are now heading to Yerevan. The Golden Apricot International Film Festival has announced that two MAD films titles will compete in its Regional Competition as part of the 2025 edition, taking place in Yerevan from July 13 to 20. Among the selections is Once Upon a Time in Gaza, the latest work by Palestinian filmmakers Tarzan and Arab Nasser. Fresh off winning the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival, the Nasser brothers bring their dark comedy-drama to Armenian audiences. The film tells the story of Yahya, a young student in Gaza who forms an unlikely friendship with Osama, a kind-hearted yet streetwise restaurant owner. As they deliver falafel sandwiches, they begin secretly dealing drugs, only to find themselves entangled in conflict with a corrupt police officer. The film's narrative blends humor and sharp social commentary, painting a vivid portrait of life under pressure. Once Upon a Time in Gaza is an international co-production involving France, Palestine, Germany, Portugal, Qatar and Jordan. The Nasser brothers co-wrote the screenplay alongside Amer Nasser and Marie Legrand. The film was produced by Rani Massalha and Marie Legrand of Les Films du Tambour, and Muriel Merlin of Lyly Productions, with additional co-producers including Rise Studios, Made in Palestine Project, Red Balloon Film, Riva Filmproduktion, and Ukbar Filmes. Executive production was provided by Jordan Pioneers Multi Media and Slate Films Services, along with several international partners such as A. A. Films, Cocoon Films, and Radio e Televisao De Portugal. Also selected is Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa's Aisha Can't Fly Away, a drama set in Cairo's marginalised Ain Shams neighbourhood, where a significant African migrant community resides. The film tells the story of Aisha, a young Sudanese woman whose job as a caretaker leads her into danger, forcing her to turn to Zuka, a local gang leader, for help. The film is a multi-national co-production with backing from Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Sudan. It has attracted major international support, including grants from the Doha Film Institute, Cultural Resource Fund, El Gouna Film Festival, Locarno Academy, Cannes' Cinéfondation, La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chronicles from the Croisette
Rahul Mathew, chief creative officer, DDB Mudra Group 'The work generated its own heat — for and against. The sessions went from hot to warm to tepid. But the sun outside beat all of them. It had Asians complaining about the heat (who would have thought!) It kept more people in the Palais than even the speakers.' Dalbir Singh, founder, KISS Films ' Cannes 2025 — never a dull moment, but Reese Witherspoon's session stole the show. Loved her line '1 + 1 can equal 5 when the right people come together'. She also dropped a quote from her mom: 'Show me your friends, I'll show you your future.' It got me thinking about my own circle that runs some of the biggest agencies in the country. Hey besties... my future's on you now.' Yash Kulshresth, co-founder, ^atom network ' David Droga is reinventing again. Martin Sorrell is irritated again. Everyone's complaining about Gutter Bar... while still drinking there till 4 am again. It's Day 0 again. 'Also, data wept, culture roared and AI stood in the corner like a kid who wasn't picked for the lemon-and-spoon race.' Vikram Pandey, chief creative officer, Leo India 'Came. Saw. Judged. Felt smaller. Realised how people around the world are creating kicka** work. Going back motivated and with newfound respect for even the Bronze Lion.' Shalini Avadhani, lead creative strategist, creative lab, Godrej Consumer Products ' Cannes Lions may be creative Hunger Games, but it was heartwarming to see rival Indian agencies celebrating each other's wins. However, the real winner at the festival (this year too) was humour, proving that a good laugh can still beat a good algorithm. If AI ever tries to match human creativity, it better start with a good joke.'
Mint
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Brands must move beyond Hindi and English, embrace India's full cultural spectrum: Tata Motors' Shubhranshu Singh
Mumbai: Moments after being named on the Forbes' list of the world's most influential CMOs at its annual event in Cannes last week, Shubhranshu Singh, chief marketing officer (CMO) of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, spoke to Mint over the phone. Among a select group of global marketing leaders, Singh's inclusion reflects India's rising voice in international brand conversations. He is also the only Asia-Pacific representative on the board of the Effie LIONS Foundation, a not-for-profit entity formed after the merger of Cannes Lions and Effie Worldwide. In a wide-ranging conversation, Singh reflects on India's creative ascent, the trust-tech paradox, the unfinished task of multilingual storytelling, and why marketers must move beyond metrics to create meaning. Edited excerpts: Congratulations on being named one of Forbes' 50 Most Influential CMOs globally. How does it feel? It's a deeply humbling moment. This isn't just a personal achievement; it's recognition of India's growing stature in the global brand and marketing ecosystem. The list includes leaders from Apple, Meta, Google, Coca-Cola, AB InBev, Ikea, and LVMH. To be featured alongside them is an honour, but more importantly, it signals that Indian creativity is now being taken seriously at the highest levels. We're not just contributing volume or cost-efficiency, we're offering cultural imagination, emotional intelligence and strategic depth. Also read: China's shadow looms large as Tata Motors, JLR flag EV supply chain risk It's an apex platform formed after the merger of Cannes Lions and Effie Worldwide, a not-for-profit foundation focused on expanding marketing inclusion, education and capability building. It brings together the best minds from both effectiveness and creativity. I'm proud to represent both India and the broader Global South. The idea is to ensure that more marketers from underrepresented regions have access not only to recognition but also to resources, confidence and community. I want to create pipelines of access, not just for awards but for learning, confidence-building and capability development. India alone has nearly a billion content creators with smartphones. But we need to equip them with the tools, training and trust to scale. I'm hoping to work with institutions to offer microlearning modules, bootcamps and mentorship that build T-shaped marketers—deep in craft, broad in digital and data fluency. For me, Cannes 2025 boiled down to six Cs—Convergence, Content, Creative Intelligence, Creators, Commerce, and Cadence. These aren't just trends in advertising; they're redefining how brands operate in culture, media, and even diplomacy. I spoke at the CNN CMO roundtable alongside peers from AXA, Juniper Networks and Warner Bros. Discovery. The key thread was trust—how to build it in a fragmented, noisy world where everyone is a creator and everything is content. India's strength is undeniable. We are a mobile-first nation—850 million smartphone users, digital ad spends poised to hit $25 billion by 2025 and a deeply emotional storytelling culture. Short-form video, vernacular content and influencer discovery are becoming powerful tools. But what's broken is the fragmentation —too much content, not enough coherence. We suffer from a fatigue of sameness and an underserving of regional markets, which are costly and complex to serve. We're not just ready—we're already there. But we now need to show up intentionally and unapologetically. India has the advantage of digital leapfrogging—we're native to platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Moj, Josh. And we've always done jugaad innovation—low budget, high emotion and often high impact. Now, the world is watching. We must stop seeing ourselves as a production hub. We are a creative powerhouse, and we must own that story. Also read: Tata Motors plans a premium push as competition intensifies in EV space That balance is crucial. You can't build a national brand today without understanding the diversity of languages, cultural codes and aspirations. Tier 2, 3 and rural consumers are not 'lesser" or 'slower"—they're simply different. They're value-conscious, but increasingly platform-savvy, content-aware and creatively expressive. Brands must move beyond Hindi+English and embrace the full cultural spectrum. India's story cannot be told in one language. Both. AI and automation are necessary, they give scale, speed and precision. But without human insight, creativity risks becoming commoditized. We need AI to assist, not replace, creativity. Technology should scale imagination, not flatten it. India's edge is its emotional bandwidth, we must protect that while embracing the new. Absolutely. A brand is not a campaign—it's what you do, not what you say. At Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, we're dealing with people's livelihoods—truckers, fleet owners, transporters. Trust, uptime and respect matter far more than flash. Branding, in that sense, is about living your purpose across the value chain—product, service, community. That mindset needs to become cultural, not just a function of the marketing department. Also read: Tata Motors' headcount, senior pay hikes squeezed as sales dip in FY25 First, they must marry data with storytelling. Don't build for platforms, build for people, on platforms. Learn performance tools, yes, but don't lose the poetry. Second, understand that resonance matters more than virality. Third, build consistency—brands are remembered through repetition with variation, not novelty for novelty's sake. And finally, seek global relevance without losing local sensitivity. Our time has come, but we must show up with both confidence and cultural awareness. Simple truths. Know your consumer's hopes, fears and contexts. Be distinctive, not just different. Build fame, fluency and feeling. The best marketing gives you goosebumps—not clicks. If it doesn't move you, it won't move the market.
