RRR Glimpse: A grandeur that we expected from SS Rajamouli

Aimee Lou Wood speaks out against SNL’s controversial ‘White Potus’ parody, calling out the mockery of her appearance
Aimee Lou Wood, star of The White Lotus, recently found herself at the centre of controversy after a parody of her character aired on Saturday Night Live (SNL). The skit, a political spoof titled The White Potus, humorously exaggerated aspects of the show, but for Wood, it went too far. Comedian Sarah Sherman impersonated Wood's character, Chelsea, with oversized prosthetic teeth. For Aimee Lou, this portrayal hit a nerve, and she openly criticised it.
Taking to Instagram, the actress expressed her discontent, calling the parody “mean and unfunny.” She argued that while she understood SNL was known for satire, the skit could have been executed with more sophistication and less cheap humour. Wood, who has always been open about her unique appearance, especially her noticeable gap teeth, clarified that she doesn't mind caricatures or playful jabs, but felt this one crossed a line. “I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth,” she wrote, pointing out that the entire joke seemed to target her appearance rather than the content of the skit.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
This incident follows a growing discussion about the focus on Wood’s looks over her acting career. While the actress has always been vocal about embracing her unconventional smile, she also confessed that it’s frustrating to be reduced to physical traits rather than her work. Reflecting on this in a recent interview, she mentioned how conversations about her teeth had taken away from her accomplishments, leaving her feeling as though she was always being typecast for her appearance rather than her talent.
A screenshot of Aimee Lou Wood's Instagram story, where she calls out SNL's parody as "mean and unfunny" Instagram Screengrab
In response to the backlash, SNL did apologise, although they did not specifically address the issues with the skit. Since sharing her thoughts, Wood has received widespread support from fans and colleagues alike, many of whom agree that the joke lacked the nuance that SNL is known for. Some even pointed out the problematic nature of making a woman’s appearance the target of humour in such a way.
Wood’s comments resonate with a broader conversation about the treatment of women in the media, particularly regarding how their appearances are critiqued. Despite the apology, Aimee Lou’s reaction brings to light the larger need for more thoughtful and respectful humour, especially when it comes to personal traits that people can’t change. For her, it’s a call to move beyond the superficial and appreciate the substance of her craft.
On a sweltering April evening in California’s Coachella Valley, something unexpected cut through the desert air, something thunderous: the rhythm of Kerala’s traditional chenda melam! Hanumankind, the Texas-raised rapper with roots in Kerala, showed up to the global music festival bringing a piece of home with him.
Dressed in black jeans and a ganji, Hanumankind commanded the stage with an energy that was impossible to ignore. But the most iconic part of the performance was the presence of Kochuveettil Beats, a traditional chenda melam ensemble dressed in crisp white mundus. As the drummers pounded out fierce rhythms, Hanumankind launched into Run It Up, his latest hit and the crowd packed with both die-hard fans and curious newcomers, went wild.
A global stage for Kerala’s heritage
The chenda, a cylindrical drum central to Kerala’s temple festivals and classical arts like Kathakali, isn’t something you’d expect at Coachella. It’s part of a larger performance tradition that requires training, discipline, and timing. In Kerala, it’s heard during poorams or festivals, temple rituals, and classical dance dramas like Koodiyattam. Yet, Hanumankind made it feel all contemporary, and effortlessly stylish. "Make some noise for my chenda boys!" he shouted, grinning as the audience roared back.
Bringing Kerala to the world, one track at a time
This authenticity is what’s driving Hanumankind’s rise. Unlike many artists who dilute their roots for global appeal, he leans into them. His 2024 breakout track Big Dawgs, which went viral with over 110 million YouTube views, was already a huge moment. But bringing chenda to Coachella? That was just next-level! The drummers from Kochuveettil Beats didn’t miss a beat. They brought a completely distinct visual and sonic identity to the set. It was rooted in tradition but not frozen in time. It used heritage as a launchpad, not a limitation.
Run It Up isn’t just another hip-hop banger. It features Indian martial arts like Kalaripayattu, Gatka, and Thang-Ta, shot with a flair that makes it feel both cinematic and rooted. It’s not the first time he’s done this. His breakout track Big Dawgs, released in 2024 with producer Kalmi, took off globally, eventually crossing 100 million views on YouTube and trending across Spotify and TikTok. That track positioned him as a name to watch but Run It Up has pushed him into a different league, even catching the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke about the song during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat as an example of Indian heritage finding global recognition.
Beyond the hype
Hanumankind’s Coachella debut marks a turning point for how Indian hip-hop can evolve and be experienced internationally. It shows that you don’t have to shed your identity to stand on a global stage but you can, in fact, take it with you, drums and all.
The energy in the tent that day was electric: all phones out, voices up, limbs moving. And at the centre of it was a rapper who chose to bring a piece of Kerala with him.
He’ll be back for Weekend 2 of Coachella. And if the first performance was any indication, he’s not just representing India, he’s reimagining what Indian representation can sound like!
Katy Perry on solidKaty Perry ground after touchdown, smiling with emotion as she reflects on her journey beyond Earth
On Monday morning, six women including pop icon Katy Perry boarded a Blue Origin rocket in West Texas and took off on a short flight to space. The crew spent just over 10 minutes on the journey, experiencing those minutes of weightlessness before they safely returned to Earth.
What made this flight stand out, though, wasn’t just the celebrity presence. This was the first time in over six decades that an all-women team flew to space together. The last time anything close happened was in 1963, when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to orbit Earth, alone, on a Soviet mission.
The flight, on Blue Origin’s reusable New Shepard rocket, climbed more than 100 km above Earth, crossing the Kármán line, the accepted boundary of space. With no pilot needed, the capsule was fully autonomous. Once back, it made a smooth landing with parachutes, cheered on by an emotional crowd that included Oprah Winfrey, Khloe Kardashian, and Kris Jenner.
Joining Perry were Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos; CBS anchor Gayle King; former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe; scientist and activist Amanda Nguyen; and producer Kerianne Flynn. Inside the capsule, Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” after their float through zero gravity, holding a daisy she brought for her daughter, also named Daisy.
The all-female Blue Origin team poses marking a historic moment in private space travelBlue Origin
Outside the capsule, reactions varied. Supporters praised the team for breaking barriers and inspiring young girls. Others called the mission a publicity event for the ultra-rich. Critics pointed out the steep price tag, with deposits starting at £120,000 (₹12.6 million) and some estimates putting the real cost per seat at over £400,000 (₹42 million).
Critics from the scientific community questioned whether such trips add value to space research. “It’s tourism, not exploration,” said one European space policy advisor. Meanwhile, Blue Origin says the goal is long-term: to make space more accessible through reusable rockets and infrastructure.
The all-female Blue Origin crew poses confidently capturing a landmark moment for women in private space travelBlue Origin
Still, for the women on board, the moment felt surreal. “I feel deeply connected to love,” Perry said after returning. Sánchez said seeing the moon from space brought her to tears. And King, who has a fear of flying, said the experience was her way of facing a lifelong fear.
No one’s calling it the future of space just yet. But for a few minutes, six women got to see the Earth from above and made history doing it.John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, Janet McTeer and Nick Frost bring fresh energy to iconic roles in the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ reboot series
After months of speculation, HBO has officially revealed some of the key faces for its upcoming Harry Potter television series. Though the spotlight remains on who will play Harry, Ron and Hermione, a handful of major roles have now been confirmed.
Veteran actor John Lithgow will take on the role of Albus Dumbledore. Known for his work in The Crown and 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow adds serious weight to the cast. British actor Paapa Essiedu, who rose to fame with I May Destroy You, is stepping into the role of Severus Snape, one of the franchise’s most layered characters. Although this casting has prompted heated discussion online, many are excited to see a fresh interpretation.
John Lithgow takes on the iconic role of Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ rebootGetty Images
Janet McTeer, whose acting credits include Ozark and Albert Nobbs, will play Professor McGonagall. Filling Hagrid’s enormous shoes is Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost, who brings a mix of warmth and humour to the beloved half-giant role. Meanwhile, Paul Whitehouse, well known for The Fast Show, will appear as Argus Filch. Stage actor Luke Thallon has also joined the cast as Professor Quirrell.
Janet McTeer joins the cast as Professor McGonagall in HBO's ‘Harry Potter’ rebootGetty Images
Filming is set to start this summer, and while an exact release date hasn’t been confirmed, the series is expected to arrive in 2026. The roles of the central trio: Harry, Ron and Hermione remain unfilled, with an open call attracting over 30,000 young talents. HBO is aiming to cast newcomers in these roles.
Nick Frost brings warmth and humour to the beloved role of Hagrid in the ‘Harry Potter’ series rebootGetty Images
Behind the scenes, Succession veterans Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod are heading the project as showrunner and executive producer. The team promises a deeper and more complete retelling of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga, one that sticks closely to the original text. Rowling, who has been a divisive figure in recent years, will serve as an executive producer.
Paapa Essiedu steps into the shoes of the enigmatic Severus Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ series rebootGetty Images
This reboot arrives nearly 30 years after the first book was released and 15 years after the final film. With a new format and a longer timeline, HBO hopes to reintroduce the wizarding world to both long-time fans and a new generation. More casting announcements are expected in the coming months.
Priyanka Chopra and Zac Efron reunite for a new Hollywood comedy directed by Nicholas Stoller, nearly eight years after Baywatch
Priyanka Chopra is returning to the big screen in a new Hollywood comedy, where she will share the screen once again with Zac Efron, her Baywatch co-star from 2017. The film, backed by Amazon MGM Studios, is being directed and written by Nicholas Stoller, best known for comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
Zac Efron was confirmed for the project earlier this year, but Priyanka’s involvement, officially announced now, adds another major name to the star-studded cast, with Will Ferrell, Michael Peña, Regina Hall, Jimmy Tatro, and Billy Eichner rounding out the ensemble. Ferrell is also co-producing the film through his banner Gloria Sanchez Productions, alongside Stoller’s Stoller Global Solutions.
With projects like Heads of State, The Bluff, and now this comedy, Priyanka continues her Hollywood streakGetty Images
The untitled film, previously referred to as Judgment Day, revolves around a young man recently released from prison, played by Efron, who storms an unscripted TV courtroom show, blaming the judge, played by Ferrell, for ruining his life. It is expected to mix absurdity with a lot of sharp humour. Priyanka’s role, however, remains undisclosed for now, adding further curiosity around the film.
This also marks Priyanka's second collaboration with Stoller’s team after Citadel, where she played a spy opposite Richard Madden. She’s been steadily expanding her Hollywood footprint with upcoming roles in Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena, and The Bluff, where she plays a 19th-century Caribbean pirate.
Zac Efron will play a recently released convict who hijacks a TV courtroom in the upcoming filmGetty Images
Back home, Priyanka recently wrapped a schedule of SS Rajamouli’s action-adventure film, tentatively titled SSMB 29, which stars Mahesh Babu. Though not officially confirmed, reports suggest she might be playing the antagonist.
As one of the few South Asian stars to successfully transition between Indian and international cinema, Priyanka has managed to pick projects that mix commercial appeal with strong industry collaborations. This latest comedy might just be another clever move; reuniting with a popular co-star, joining a crowd-pleasing genre, and keeping her momentum going on both sides of the globe.