Michael Bay exits Will Smith’s Fast and Loose
Michael Bay, known for his work on The Rock, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor, has stepped out of the upcoming film Fast and Loose featuring Will Smith, following creative differences with the actor. The action film, penned by Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chris Bremner, and Eric Pearson, is set to begin production in 2026. The film follows a man who wakes up in Tijuana with no memories and learns he’s been living two lives: one as a crime kingpin and the other as an undercover CIA agent. The film is produced by Leitch and Kelly McCormick for 87North, with Robert Simonds and Noah Fogelson serving as executive producers for STXfilms. (PTI)
Madhuri Dixit to represent Odisha’s handloom industry
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has appointed actress Madhuri Dixit as the brand ambassador of the state handloom industry on the 11th National Handloom Day. The appointment aims to promote over 1,30,000 weavers of Odisha and will be supported by the EKTA Expo. The meeting with Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy focused on advancing key projects and strategic collaborations to strengthen Odisha’s leadership in India’s steel sector. The Union Minister assured Majhi that the Centre would provide necessary support to resolve bottlenecks and scale up production capacity. The meeting also discussed developing new iron ore mines across the state to ensure sustained raw material supply. The shared vision is to make Odisha a model state for industrial growth, mineral development, and steel excellence, contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Viksit Bharat @2047, and PM Modi’s 300 MTPA by 2030. (ANI)
Janhvi Kapoor calls Bheegi Saree a dreamy Bollywood moment
The makers of the upcoming film Param Sundari have released a romantic song titled Bheegi Saree featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor. The song, set against a rainy backdrop, captures the duo’s on-screen chemistry and intimate moments. The song features Kapoor mesmerising in a saree and performing sensuous dance moves, adding to the romantic mood. The song’s composition by Sachin-Jigar duo Sachin-Jigar is a blend of timeless nostalgia and contemporary flair. Singer Adnan Sami praises the song’s enchanting vocals and the accompanying video, which captures the song’s mood. The film is directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. Param Sundari is set to release on 29 August 2025. (IANS)
Wizards of Waverly Place changed my life: Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, a 33-year-old actress and singer, has revealed that her life was significantly changed by the TV sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place. Gomez auditioned for several Disney TV shows, including the spin-off of Lizzie McGuire, before joining the cast of Wizards. She admitted that she was on three pilots for the Disney channel before joining Wizards, which changed her life. Gomez, who has also achieved success in music, feels proud to be part of the Disney high school experience. She credits the show for inspiring her generation and is not ashamed of the influence it had on her. Despite her success, Gomez’s family tries to maintain her groundedness, ensuring that any sudden fan moment is treated with respect. She recalls her mom being vigilant about treating any fan moment with respect. (IANS)