KALKI TRAILER
The first trailer has been unveiled for “Kalki 2898 AD,” the Indian sci-fi epic starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. The film, which is directed by Nag Ashwin and backed by Vyjayanthi Movies, was teased at the San Diego Comic-Con last year. While a budget for the film has not been revealed, Variety understands that it is in the region of $72 million, which will make it one of the most expensive Indian films of all time.
In Hindu mythology, Kalki is the 10th and final incarnation of the god Vishnu who appears in order to end the Kali Yuga, the darkest period in mankind’s history.
The film is due a worldwide theatrical release on June 27 in the Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and English languages.
THAI TEARJERKER
Thai film “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” earned S$1.16 million ($858,000) during its second weekend in cinemas (6 to 9 June), making it the number one film at the Singapore box office for two consecutive weekends. With a cumulative box office revenue of S$1.77 million ($1.31 million) after 11 days of release, the film is the sixth ranked film of 2024 in Singapore.
“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is the directorial feature debut of Pat Boonnitipat, known for his work on “Bad Genius: The Series.” The film follows the story of a young man who puts aside his dream of becoming a professional gamer to take on the role of a devoted grandson. He goes to great lengths to win affection of his dying grandmother, all in pursuit of a life-changing, multimillion-dollar inheritance. Starring popular Thai singer Putthipong Assaratanakul (aka Billkin) and 78-year-old actress Usha Seamkhum in her acting debut, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is the highest-grossing movie in Thailand this year, collecting THB333 million ($9.05 million).
“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is produced by GDH and in Singapore is distributed by Golden Village Pictures. The movie has also become the biggest Asian movie ever in Indonesia, with 3.27 million admissions and the highest-grossing Thai movie ever in Malaysia with RM$9.35 million ($1.98 million). The movie is set for release in Hong Kong on June 13, Cambodia on June 18 and Taiwan on June 21.
HIGH FLYING ACQUISITION
The BBC has picked up the Australian mystery series “High Country” for BBC iPlayer and its TV channels. Produced by Curio Pictures and Sony Pictures Television, the eight-part thriller, created by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, centers on detective Andie Whitford, who finds herself in the Victorian High Country investigating the disappearance of five people in the wilderness. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a complex web of murder, deceit, and revenge.
“High Country” stars Leah Purcell, Ian McElhinney, Sara Wiseman and Aaron Pedersen. Sue Deeks, head of BBC program acquisition, describes it as a “gripping new take on Australian rural noir.”
The series is produced by Curio Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, with worldwide distribution handled by SPT, in association with Rage Media.
CAREER MOVE
Lada Guruden Singh has left his role as general manager of Sony Pictures International Productions, India to sign a producing deal with the studio. During his tenure, Singh played a key role in developing IPs such as the superhero franchise “Shaktimaan” and the biopic of Indian cinema icon Madhubala. He also worked on the remake of the Spanish film “Campeones” and adapted Chetan Bhagat’s “One Indian Girl.”
Singh expanded Sony’s footprint in the Telugu film industry with the hit “Major,” a collaboration with Mahesh Babu’s GMB Entertainment. He also spearheaded Sony’s Tamil debut with “Amaran,” produced alongside Kamal Haasan’s Raj Kamal Studios, Siva Karthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, set for release later this year.
With a career spanning over two decades, Singh has held leadership positions at India Today Group, Fox Star Studios, Disney India and Sony Pictures.
