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Amazon to make Akshay Kumar's 'Ram Setu'; its first Bollywood film

AMAZON is diving into Bollywood with its first Hindi-language movie, starring India's highest-paid actor, as it fights for viewers in the huge but crowded market.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar will be the lead in the action-adventure flick 'Ram Setu', which will be released in cinemas before its streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video, the American tech giant said in a statement Wednesday (17).


Global streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon and Disney's Hotstar, have expanded their presence in the country of 1.3 billion in recent years, including by commissioning local productions featuring Bollywood stars.

Streaming services have surged in popularity due to the coronavirus pandemic as locked-down, cinema-loving Indians turned to them for entertainment, with theatres shut for more than six months.

Amazon, which has already bet big on India with its core e-commerce business, recently ruffled feathers when it was forced to issue an apology for 'Tandav', a drama streamed on Prime.

Politicians from India's ruling party called for the show to be banned for 'deliberately mocking Hindu gods' and disrespecting religious sentiments.

Streaming TV services are not subject to the country's notoriously fussy censor boards, which regularly cut scenes from movies shown in cinemas and on television.

But under contentious new guidelines announced last month, streaming platforms will soon be forced to withdraw content deemed objectionable 36 hours after a complaint.

The furore over 'Tandav' and the new rules are already prompting production firms to tone down programmes they are making, or even drop them, according to media reports.

During his visit to India last year, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos told an audience of Bollywood filmmakers that while Prime Video was doing well in all geographies, 'there's nowhere it's doing better than in India'.

Amazon has not announced a release date for 'Ram Setu', which refers to Adam's Bridge, a chain of shoals off southeastern India that was built by an army of monkey warriors, according to Hindu mythology.

"I look forward to telling the story of a significant part of Indian heritage, especially for the youth," said Kumar, the highest-paid Indian actor in the world according to Forbes' 2020 rankings.

"I am happy that, with Amazon Prime Video, the story will cut across geographies and strike a chord with viewers across the world."

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In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan found himself in a real-life thriller when an armed intruder broke into his Mumbai residence in the dead of night. What was supposed to be just another peaceful evening in the Khan household turned into a night of horror, leaving Saif with multiple injuries and raising serious questions about celebrity security in India.

It all began when Saif, in his kurta-pyjama, heard unusual noises near his son Jeh’s room. What followed was a violent struggle with an intruder armed with two knives. “I didn’t realise it was a knife at first,” Saif recalled. “There was too much adrenaline. He was slashing at my neck, and I was blocking it with my hands. My palms, wrists, and arms were cut, but I didn’t feel the pain immediately.”

Speaking to Times of India, the actor shared how his quick reflexes and the sharp presence of mind of his househelp, Geeta, saved the day. “I was praying someone would get him off me,” Saif admitted. “Geeta was incredible. She shoved him away, and we managed to close the door.”

Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan sprang into action, ensuring their children, Taimur and Jeh, were safe. “Kareena was shouting, ‘Take the kid out!’” Saif shared. “She got Jeh out of harm’s way while I was still grappling with the intruder.”

What makes this story even more astonishing is the extent of Saif’s injuries. A knife had penetrated his back, nicking his spinal cord and causing spinal fluid to leak. “The doctors said it was a millimetre away from paralysis,” Saif revealed. “It’s a miracle I can walk.”

Despite the severity of his wounds, Saif remained remarkably composed. “I told Kareena, ‘I’m fine. I’m not going to die.’ Taimur asked me the same thing, and I reassured him too,” he said. The family’s decision to take an autorickshaw to the hospital made the situation feel all the more unreal. “The rickshaw driver saw the blood but stayed calm. He even took shortcuts to avoid bumps,” Saif recalled with a laugh.

While the physical scars are healing, the emotional impact lingers. Saif’s children have reacted in their own ways. “Jeh gave me a plastic sword and said, ‘Keep this by your bed for the next time the chor comes,’” Saif shared with a chuckle. Taimur, ever the composed one, has shown concern about security but remains unfazed.

As for the intruder, Saif harbours no hatred. “Taimur said he should be forgiven because he might have been hungry,” Saif said. “I understand desperation, but he crossed a line when he tried to kill me.”

Saif’s ordeal has sparked debates about celebrity security and urban safety. Yet, the actor remains unfazed. “I don’t believe in walking around with bodyguards. This wasn’t a targeted attack; it was a burglary gone wrong,” he insisted.

“It’s brought us closer as a family,” he admitted. “Kareena has been incredibly strong, and the kids have shown maturity beyond their years.”

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