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Shah Rukh Khan and sons lend voices to ‘Mufasa: The Lion’
Indian cinema icon Shah Rukh Khan, along with his sons Aryan Khan and AbRam, are set to voice characters in the Hindi version of Disney’s upcoming film, Mufasa: The Lion. Directed by Barry Jenkins, this film delves into the origins of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa. The narrative introduces an orphaned cub named Mufasa and a lion named Taka, who is the heir to a royal bloodline. Their journey is filled with adventure and camaraderie with a unique group of misfits.
The film features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and boasts an impressive English voice cast, including Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Donald Glover as Simba, and Braelyn Rankins as Young Mufasa. Mufasa: The Lion will be released in Indian theaters on December 20, available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. For a sneak peek, watch the trailer here.
Malaysian adaptations of Japanese hits
Nippon TV has struck a deal with Malaysian content and pay-TV group Astro to adapt two of its award-winning scripted formats. The Malay-language versions of Love’s In Sight! and Homeroom will soon grace Malaysian screens.
Love’s In Sight! is based on a popular manga and portrays the lives of social minorities. It follows a determined girl with low vision who attends a school for the blind and falls in love with a boy her parents disapprove of. Meanwhile, Homeroom tells the gripping story of a teacher who takes his 29 students hostage to uncover the truth behind a classmate’s mysterious suicide. These adaptations are set to bring fresh narratives to Malaysian audiences, with Love’s In Sight! premiering on August 12 and Homeroom following shortly after.
Indian adaptation of Korean drama ‘Signal’
Korea’s CJ ENM has licensed its drama format Signal for an Indian adaptation titled Gyaarah Gyaarah. Produced by Sikhya Entertainment and Dharmatic Entertainment, the series premiered on August 9 on Zee5. The original Korean version, produced by Studio Dragon, revolves around a modern-day criminal profiler who discovers an old walkie-talkie that connects him to a police officer from the late 1980s. Together, they solve cold cases and fight corruption.
The Hindi adaptation navigates through significant years in India’s history—1990, 2001, and 2016—set against the mystical backdrop of the Himalayan ranges. Scripted by Sunjoy Shekhar and Puja Banerji and directed by Umesh Bist, the series stars Raghav Juyal, Kritika Kamra, and Dhairya Karwa. This adaptation promises to blend mysticism and science in a compelling narrative.
Pattaya Film Festival returns for a second edition
The Pattaya Film Festival is set to return for its second edition from August 21-25 in Pattaya, Thailand. The festival will feature a competition program with six films: Sea Sparkle (Denmark), Gitling (Philippines), The Monk and the Gun (Bhutan), The Great Phuket (China), The Tenants (South Korea), and Last Shadow at First Light (Singapore).
The Panorama section will showcase films like The Taste of Things, Next Sohee, One for the Road, and Not Friends from Thailand, as well as Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus and two classic Thai films, Last Life in the Universe and Somsri 422R. Esteemed guests, including Portuguese director Joao Pedro Rodrigues and Malaysian director Amanda Nell Eu, will attend. The festival will also host talks, masterclasses, panels, and a documentary pitching session chaired by international mentors. This event is organized by the City of Pattaya in collaboration with the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) and the Thai Film Archive.
Celebrating Asian excellence
The Asia Society has announced the recipients of its 2024 Asia Game Changer Awards, honoring individuals and groups who have significantly strengthened the bonds between Asia and the world. The awards ceremony will take place on October 24 at Cipriani in New York.
This year’s honorees include The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), which works to build safety, belonging, and prosperity for the AANHPI community; Bang Si-Hyuk, a visionary in the music industry and chairman of Hybe Corp.; Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Academy Award-winning filmmakers known for Free Solo and The Rescue; and actor and comedian Bowen Yang. These awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of these individuals and organizations in fostering global connections and understanding.
For more information on the mentioned movies and series, you can explore their trailers and details through the provided links. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the world of cinema and TV, offering insights and reflections for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
