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Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ten years later, I still don't care why Kattappa killed Baahubali: Was SS Rajamouli's fantasy drama even that great?
Ten years ago, India had just one question on their mind, 'Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?' I remember everyone being obsessed with the cliffhanger in Baahubali: The Beginning in 2015. I also remember being unmoved and indifferent. While Indian cinema celebrated the film's grandeur, I couldn't stop myself from asking a different question: Was it ever really that great? Well, fans of SS Rajamouli — and there are many — would beg to differ. From walking on waterfalls to slow-mo stunts, Baahubali left me disappointed. Unpopular opinion, but here's why I could never understand the hype around this film. Baahubali aka Prabhas lifted the Shiva lingam and walked on water in one of the scenes. Might have been a symbol of power for many, but for me, it was not at all convincing. Subpar VFX put me off at that moment itself. While I went in expecting Lord Of The Rings quality, it was like playing fantasy video games such as Uncharted and God Of War. We were quick to bash Adipurush's animation and visual effects, but not this? How did this film earn global fame? Thirty minutes in and I was already regretting my decision. Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati, Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan left no stone unturned with their acting skills, but their overdone look was a huge turn-off. The makeup was exaggerated for several characters, especially female actors – Devasena and Sivagami Devi. ALSO READ | 10 years of Prabhas' Baahubali: How SS Rajamouli made the entire country, even PM Narendra Modi, fixate on a million-dollar question As a viewer, it made me lose interest in the entire concept and the reality of it. You can make a fantasy period drama that still looks realistic with added fantastical elements. There are several Hollywood and Bollywood examples to draw comparisons between their and Baahubali's presentation, including Jodha Akhbar, Game Of Thrones, Vikings, that did it beautifully. The film completely relied on the question: Kattappa ne Baahubali ko kyu maara? The makers then released Baahubali: The Conclusion of the duology taking the intrigue forward. However, more than a narrative strategy, it felt like a marketing masterstroke to me. The emotional connect wasn't organic, but forced. Unfortunately, visuals can't fill plot holes. The story arc wasn't intriguing, funnily enough, the background score was. Without any moral complexity, the characters in the film were one-dimensional. For example, Amarendra is the glorified noble hero, Bhallaladeva is evil, Devasena is ethical, and Sivagami is aloof. It was the cultural influence of the movie that tried to grabbed eyeballs, and not the brilliant writing that swept the audience away. You can't win hearts with larger-than-life spectacles, there's more depth that a movie demands. The only feat the film had was opening doors for Pan-India films. In my eyes, it's not the cinematic breakthrough most people look at it as. While Baahubali: The Beginning collected Rs 650 crore worldwide and its second instalment Baahubali 2: The Conclusion became the highest-grossing Indian film at the time, grossing more than Rs 1,810.60 crore worldwide. Maybe I missed the magic, but it's worth thinking a decade later, was Baahubali even that great?
Metro
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Xbox cancels Perfect Dark reboot and lays off half of Forza Motorsport developer
The Perfect Dark reboot is dead (Microsoft Game Studios) Microsoft has shut down developer The Initiative and cancelled the Perfect Dark reboot as Turn 10 sees their headcount cut by 50%. As predicted, today is not a good day for Xbox or the games industry in general. Although it'll probably be a good one overall for Microsoft, who will no doubt see their share price increase as they cut over 9,000 jobs worldwide. It's still unclear how many of those cuts will affect Xbox, and divisions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, but news is slowly leaking out about layoffs at King, ZeniMax, Rare, and more. The biggest causality so far is new studio The Initiative, who were formed seven years ago and were working on a reboot of Perfect Dark. That will never be completed though, as the entire company has been shut down. Perfect Dark was announced in 2020 and while there are long-standing rumours of it being a troubled production, the gameplay trailer from 2022 did look encouraging. However, the fact that The Initiative has been around for seven years, and still wasn't anywhere close to releasing a game, speaks to the poor management that Microsoft has often been accused of when it comes to its first party studios. The Initiative has always seemed particularly bad though, with reports that over half the staff had left by 2022, reducing the head count to around 50. Expert, exclusive gaming analysis Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. There was also the strange annoucement that Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics was being brought in to help with Perfect Dark – meaning there were actually two studios working on the game. That's very strange, as The Initiative was founded by a number of very experienced developers, including former Crystal Dynamics head Darrell Gallagher, Red Dead Redemption writer Christian Cantamessa, and God Of War senior producer Brian Westergaard. Microsoft hasn't confirmed any of the layoffs yet, but Windows Central has obtained a copy of the internal email sent round by Xbox Games Studio head Matt Booty: 'Following Phil's note, I want to share more about the changes to the Studios business units. 'We have made the decision to stop development of Perfect Dark and Everwild as well as wind down several unannounced projects across our portfolio. As part of this, we are closing one of our studios, The Initiative. These decisions, along with other changes across our teams, reflect a broader effort to adjust priorities and focus resources to set up our teams for greater success within a changing industry landscape. We did not make these choices lightly, as each project and team represent years of effort, imagination, and commitment. Our overall portfolio strategy is unchanged: build games that excite our players, continue to grow our biggest franchises, and create new stories, worlds, and characters. We have more than 40 projects in active development, continued momentum on titles shipping this fall, and a strong slate headed into 2026. For those directly affected, we are working closely with HR and studio leadership to provide support, including severance, career transition assistance, and where possible, opportunities to explore roles on other teams. To everyone across our studios: thank you. Your creativity and resilience continue to define who we are. I believe in the strength of our teams and the direction we're taking on the path ahead.' Booty's comments confirm previous rumours about the cancellation of Everwild, but Windows Central suggests that Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 has lost half of its 100-odd staff. It's also suggested that QA (quality assurance) positions at Activision and Blizzard have been badly affected, along with Xbox marketing and sales, and game producers and managers. State Of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs has also been hit by layoffs but apparently the game, which has rarely been shown in public, has not been cancelled. The site suggests that anything shown at the Xbox Summer Showcase, including Clockwork Revolution, is 'safe' but there's still very little that is certain, with Microsoft unlikely to publicly confirm exact layoff numbers at Xbox. Turn 10 make Forza Motorsport, not Forza Horizon (Microsoft Game Studios) Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. Arrow MORE: Soon you'll be able to pay for DLC and microtransactions in instalments Arrow MORE: The 10 best summer video games to play if you're missing the heatwave Arrow MORE: PS6 console will be all about AI but not in a bad way, reveals AMD
Geek Tyrant
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
THE WITCHER Writer Reportedly Joins Amazon's GOD OF WAR Series — GeekTyrant
It's been a while since Amazon first announced its God of War series adaptation, but now there's some new movement. According to @RedanianIntel, a usually reliable source for fantasy TV scoops, former Witcher writer and producer Tania Lotia has reportedly joined the God of War writers' room. Lotia worked on Netflix's The Witcher since 2023 and was also part of the Mighty Nein animated series from Critical Role, so she's no stranger to adapting sprawling fantasy worlds with deep lore and fan expectations. Her experience could bring a valuable edge to God of War, especially with its myth-heavy storytelling and emotionally complex lead in Kratos. Amazon hasn't officially confirmed Lotia's involvement, and this hasn't yet been picked up by other major outlets. But, with the door closed The Witcher following dwindling viewership and the controversial recasting of Geralt, it makes sense that some of the creative team would be moving on to new projects, and God of War seems like a natural fit. If Lotia really has boarded the project, she joins a production that's been in flux for a while. Last year, original showrunner Rafe Judkins ( The Wheel of Time ) and several other creatives exited the series, reportedly triggering a full-scale creative reboot. The project was later handed off to Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica), who's now steering the adaptation. Moore confirmed earlier this year that things are 'going well,' though there's still little to go on beyond that. We don't have a release window, casting announcements, or even much detail about the show's direction, just that Amazon has reportedly greenlit two seasons already. Hopefully, this behind-the-scenes movement means Amazon will break the silence on the project soon and throw out some exciting information.
Geek Vibes Nation
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
New 'God of War' Game Delayed To 2026
Fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the God of War saga may have to wait a bit longer. According to industry insider Jeff Grubb, an unannounced God of War project set in ancient Greece has been internally delayed to 2026. Shared during a recent episode of the Last of the Nintendogs podcast, Grubb's claim has sparked excitement and speculation about what this mysterious spin-off could entail. A Return to Greece with a Twist Unlike the Norse mythology explored in 2018's God of War and 2022's God of War: Ragnarök, this new project is rumored to revisit the franchise's Greek roots. Earlier reports suggested a 2025 release, but Grubb now indicates the game has been pushed back, possibly due to its expanding scope or challenges like the recent voice actors' strike. Rumors also point to a bold departure from the series' traditional formula, with insiders like Tom Henderson describing it as a 2.5D Metroidvania-style game. Deimos as the Star? Adding fuel to the speculation, leaks suggest the game may not center on Kratos but instead feature his brother, Deimos, in a prequel set before Kratos becomes the Ghost of Sparta. This smaller-scale side story could explore untold chapters of the Greek saga, potentially blending the series' signature combat with Metroidvania exploration. Grubb has emphasized that this is not a remaster or a mainline sequel but a distinct project, possibly akin to Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales in scope. When Will We Hear More? With no official confirmation from Sony or Santa Monica Studio, the game's delay to 2026 suggests an announcement might be imminent, perhaps at The Game Awards in December 2025, given the precedent set by the Valhalla DLC reveal in 2023. The absence of the project at recent PlayStation events like State of Play and Summer Game Fest further supports the idea that Sony is holding off for a bigger reveal. What's Next for God of War? The God of War franchise, now 20 years strong, continues to captivate fans with its rich storytelling and evolving gameplay. While the Norse saga concluded with Ragnarök, a return to Greece could rekindle the brutal, mythological roots that defined Kratos' early adventures. As PlayStation's 2026 lineup grows with titles like Ghost of Yotei and Wolverine, this Greek spin-off could be a unique addition to the PS5's first-party slate. Until Sony breaks its silence, fans can only speculate about this intriguing project. Will it deliver the same emotional depth and visceral action the series is known for? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for updates on this developing story!
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: This 20-1 Royal Ascot tip looks primed for success after his comeback run
SUN Racing's picks for day three of Royal Ascot are below. Back a horse by clicking their odds. LONGSHOT GOD OF WAR (5.00 Royal Ascot) He looks a value bet in the 30-runner Britannia Stakes. He went close at Chester last time and should be sharper for that comeback run. EACH-WAY THIEF HAVE an each-way trixie on three at Royal Ascot. JACKKNIFE (5.35) stepped up from his debut to go close in a Sandown Listed contest. Finally, NEVER SO BRAVE (6.10) came back from a break with a short-head second at Chester and has more to come for Andrew Balding. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
