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Amazon Features Akshay Kumar in New Bollywood Film

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Akshay Kumar

By Ahmed Rahma

A multinational technology company, Amazon, is set to produce its first Hindi-language movie which will feature Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar.

A statement by the tech giant on Wednesday disclosed that India’s highest-paid actor will take the lead role in the movie titled Ram Setu, which will be released in cinemas before its streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video.

“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.”

Amazon, Bollywood and Indian Politicians

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.

According to reports, the commotion over Tandav and the new rules are already prompting production firms to tone down programmes they are making, or even drop them.

During his visit to India last year, Amazon founder, Mr 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”.

No release date yet for the new film

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.

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.

Ahmed Rahma is a journalist with great interest in arts and craft. She is also a foodie who loves new ideas. She loves to travel and would love to visit other African countries someday. She is a sucker for historical movies and afrobeat.

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5 New Shows Giving Kids More to Watch on GOtv This August

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Kids show Watch on GOtv

Some kids want superheroes. Some want animals. Others will happily sit through a funny story about a girl trying to figure out boarding school after being raised by goats.

That last one is Goat Girl, one of the new shows joining the kids’ lineup on GOtv this August. The series follows 13-year-old Gigi as she leaves the mountain life she knows behind and starts boarding school, where making friends and understanding human behaviour turn out to be a whole new adventure.

And Gigi is not the only new character young viewers will be meeting this month. August brings imaginative adventures, rescue missions, comedy, LEGO chaos and stories about friendship and family, giving different kinds of kids plenty to find themselves in.

For Kids Who Love a Rescue Mission: RoboGobo Season 2

Some children will always choose the show where somebody needs saving, and that is where RoboGobo comes in. Dax and the rescue team are back with upgraded Robo-Suits that can transform into Robo-Vehicles as they continue helping animals in trouble.

Season 2 airs Saturdays and Sundays at 12:25 pm on Disney Junior GOtv Ch 82.

For the Ones Who Want Something Funny: Goat Girl

Gigi’s story is probably not what you would call a normal school experience. Raised by mountain goats, the 13-year-old has to adjust to boarding school and figure out how to fit into a world that is very different from the one she knows. Her attempts to navigate friendships, school and human behaviour make Goat Girl an unusual and funny addition to the lineup.

It airs Monday to Friday at 5:20 pm on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.

For the LEGO Fans: LEGO City: No Limits MAX

If your child can turn almost anything into an adventure, LEGO City: No Limits MAX should keep them busy. Jason and his friends find themselves dealing with zombies, cowboys, strange creatures and one particularly mysterious banana. Basically, you never quite know what is coming next.

The new series airs Monday to Friday at 4:20 pm from August 17 on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.

For the Ones Who Love Family Stories: Wylde Pak

Lily and Jack are half-siblings who suddenly have to spend the summer together, while also helping out with their family’s pet grooming business. Naturally, things do not go smoothly.

Wylde Pak follows the pair as they navigate sibling rivalry, a new family dynamic and the everyday chaos that comes with working together. It is a story about family, friendship and figuring out how to get along when you have no choice but to spend time together.

Catch it Monday to Friday at 5:15 pm on NickToons GOtv Ch 86.

Something for Every Kind of Kid

The best thing about this month’s lineup is that there is no single type of child it is trying to entertain.

The little ones can follow Maisy’s imagination. The animal lovers have RoboGobo. Kids who enjoy unusual comedy can meet Gigi in Goat Girl. LEGO fans have another adventure to get into, while Wylde Pak brings family and sibling drama into the mix.

So when the inevitable “Mummy, what can I watch?” comes up during the holidays, you already have a few answers.

And with new stories arriving across CBeebies, Disney Junior, Cartoon Network and NickToons, they might not run out of things to watch anytime soon.

To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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BBNaija 11: 17 Housemates Face Eviction as Neche Emerges Head of House

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BBNaija housemates

The Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates facing possible eviction this week are Tram, Barry, Goddessa, Yusuf, Temi Nkem, Sultex, Abi, Araga, Flora, Nomy, Ricky, Kamsy, Sheba, Oyin, Keivo, Gerad and Bells.

The 17 housemates emerged from this week’s nomination process, which saw the housemates vote to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction.

Conspiracy Hour

Ahead of the nomination process, Biggie announced Conspiracy Hour, giving the housemates the opportunity to rally together, discuss their thoughts and share who they would like to save ahead of the nominations.

This was followed by the nomination process, where the housemates were asked to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction. Chimsom Chuka, the Most Influential Player of the Week, Neche, the Head of House, and Nomy, the Benchwarmer, were exempt from the process.

Cassi, Bluethopia and Gerad were initially saved by their fellow housemates. However, as Head of House, Neche had the power to remove one housemate from the list and chose to remove Gerad.

Neche Wins Head of House Challenge

Neche emerged as this week’s Head of House after going head-to-head with Chimsom Chuka in the final round of the Head of House challenge.

The final stage was an endurance test, with Neche outlasting Chimsom Chuka to claim the Head of House position and its accompanying privileges, including immunity from this week’s nominations.

Biggie Introduces BB Bucks

Biggie also introduced the housemates to BB Bucks, the official currency of the Big Brother house.

The BB Bucks have no value outside the house but can be earned through tasks, challenges and other activities. While the housemates can earn BB Bucks, they can also lose them depending on how they choose to use them.

The BB Marketplace will also open in the house, giving the housemates the opportunity to spend their BB Bucks on items and privileges available to them during their stay.

Voting Is Now Open

With the nomination process completed, voting is now open, giving viewers the opportunity to decide which of the nominated housemates will remain in the competition.

Fans can cast their votes through the MyDStv app, MyGOtv app or the official  Africa Magic website before voting closes at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Catch all the drama live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija Season 11 is also available to watch on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.

For updates and exclusive news, visit the official Africa Magic Big Brother Naija page or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BBNaija.

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Martins, Mercedes Evicted From Big Brother Naija Season 11

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Martins Big Brother Nigeria

The Big Brother Naija Season 11 House has recorded its first evictions on Sunday night, with Martins and Mercedes leaving the competition after polling the fewest votes from viewers.

Speaking with host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu after his eviction, Martins remained positive about what comes next, saying he plans to surprise the world with his next steps outside the House.

For Mercedes, the eviction was not something she considered a loss. She said she gave the experience everything she had and was proud of how she spent her time in the House. On what comes next, she revealed plans to perform globally while continuing to build her massage and concierge businesses. She also shared that one of her priorities is paying for her father’s surgery.

Chimsom Chuka Takes the First Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) Title

While two housemates said goodbye to Biggie’s House, the evening also brought a new advantage for Chimsom Chuka, who emerged as the first Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW). The title earned him the betPawa Elite Award and immunity from next week’s eviction.

This adds another layer to the competition as the remaining housemates settle into the reality of the game, with strategies, alliances, and individual influence already beginning to take shape.

Nomy Receives Strike and Final Warning

Moments before the live eviction show, Big Brother summoned the housemates for a meeting following repeated violations of his instructions by Nomy. After addressing the importance of following the House rules, Big Brother issued Nomy a strike and final warning, making it clear that housemates cannot choose which of his instructions to follow.

With two housemates already out of the competition and Chimsom Chuka holding immunity for the coming week, the race for the N160 million grand prize is fast heating up.

Keep up with all the drama, suspense and gameplay in Big Brother Naija Season 11 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49, or watch it live on DStv Stream. Download the DStv Stream app and sign up – no dish, no decoder needed.

Mercedes Big Brother Nigeria

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