Entertainment

Entertainment Published on :  12 Dec 2025, 3:01 pm Saali Mohabbat(3.5 / 5) It takes a while before the first crime in Saali Mohabbat occurs. The latest Radhika Apte starrer, that arrived on Zee5 on Friday, a conventional slow-burn. We are made privy to a lot of emotional crudity early on, while we wait for the ball to drop. And yet, there is a strange sense of eeriness in the telling of the latest thriller as the plot gradually unfolds — there is something that tells you that danger is lurking nearby. The title too, with its clever worldplay, has a crude feel. And despite the slow-burn treatment, the element of violence creeps up on you. It takes you aback at the moment it arrives, and the people it leaves as the victims.   Director: Tisca Chopra Cast: Radhika Apte, Divyenndu, Sauraseni Maitra, Anshumaan Pushkar, Sharat Saxena, Anurag Kashyap That is one of the many accomplishments in this nifty small-town thriller that puts a smart spin on many tropes we usually associate with a murder mystery. What also adds colour to Saali Mohabbat is its small-town setting, which might look familiar at the first go, but actually breathes with a lot more life and rawness as compared to other recent ‘small town’ movies.  Tisca Chopra, making her maiden film, just keeps finding ways to keep you engaged and arrested. It’s a very assured debut, where the actor-filmmaker is visually curious and exploratory on an emotional level. This is also a rare film that makes effective use of its production design — the way the rooms align with each other convey a lot about the interpersonal dynamics among the three principal characters — Smita, Pankaj, and Shalini. Tisca designs the visuals accordingly, and makes sure that we notice it too. It’s a flashy style of filmmaking, in that sense, but it works — just like the metaphor built around the idea of plants and trees, which could get tiring or too on-the-nose for some, but nonetheles says a lot about our protagonist, its limitations and its goals. Like a true-blue thriller, the narrative also succeeds in creating the illusion of the unreliable narrator, and keeps you guessing, even after the main cards are revealed. In a fascinating turn of events, we find ourselves glued to the events, even after the main mystery is unveiled. How many films can you say that about? In a small touch, even the recurrent visual of a cop not respecting plants enough makes you nervous. There is a lot of anguish and pain in Smita’s life — captured with precision and pathos — before it turns into vengeance. These are people who might look calm, but are simmering with rage within — anything can happen, and Saali Mohabbat captures that mood very well. Sure, there are some loose ends too. Ratan’s (Divyenndu) family gets a decent, almost light-hearted establishment, but those dynamics don’t lead anywhere. The use of songs, composed with a lot of flavour and spunk and set against these moments of intrigue and sinister, just appears too quirky for its own good. But these remain minorly upsetting sprinkles on a largely satisfying experience. Similarly, Shalini’s (Sauraseni Maitra) complex past is alluded to in many scenes, but it also keeps us distant from her — she remains a mystical siren, that is a rather stereotypical choice for this film, for a character like her. And yet, it’s the casting of Saali Mohabbat which really holds the film through its weakest portions too. Despite an affected accent, Radhika Apte captures Smita’s sense of uneasiness and subdued anger with great effect. Divyenndu is reliable as ever, playing a mousy yet capable-of-evil cop. Sauraseni Maitra brings the right hint of intrigue to her part, even as the way the writers execute the mysterious aura to her character leaves much to be desired. Anshumaan Pushkar holds his own. And among many of its little gentle surprises, Saali Mohabbat offers a great part to a veteran like Sharat Saxena, who is a sheer delight to watch in his brief but impactful cameo as a sombre, wise old man who makes sure to consistently nudge our protagonist in the right direction. His presence adds a lot of weightage to the narrative. But more importantly, his inclusion in the cast reminds us of the plethora of acting talent that has suddenly come to the fore, in the OTT explosion era in the past few years. Saali Mohabbat is a glowing addition to the list of engaging cinematic works that hold their own, and will probably age well. Read More

Entertainment Updated on :  12 Dec 2025, 2:54 pm The opening of a gate and the introduction to Pandiyan in K Balachandar’s Apoorva Ragangal (1975), heralded the beginning of Rajinikanth’s journey in cinema. While the length and breadth of his works have enabled audiences to see the actor in several new avatars, read on to learn about certain firsts in his career. Apoorva Ragangal beyond being the actor’s first film, was also the first time he shared the screen with his contemporary, Kamal Haasan. Coincidentally Apoorva Ragangal was also Kamal’s first film as a lead actor. Rajinikanth’s sophomore venture, Katha Sangama (1976), a Kannada film by Puttana Kanagal, was the actor’s first anthology film. The section of the film in which the actor appears in was later adapted into a feature, titled Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984), which was headlined by Rajinikanth himself. With Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1977), the actor turned leading man, opposite Sivakumar, who broke type by playing a villain. Just three years later, Rajinikanth faced a turning point in Billa (1980). As the dreaded Johnny, and the well meaning Rajappa, the actor became a star. The actor went on act in multiple roles in the same film starting with Moondru Mugam (1982). His 100th film, Sri Raghavendrar (1985), marked the first time, that the actor has essayed the role of a real life figure, playing the eponymous spiritual leader. 29 years later, in Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Kochadaiyaan (2014), Rajinikanth, had several firsts. It was the first film of his to be shot in 3D, captured in motion capture technology, and made as an animated film. Read More

Entertainment Anaswara Rajan; New Guy in Town Updated on :  12 Dec 2025, 2:14 pm Anaswara Rajan, who will soon be making her Telugu debut with Roshan Meka starrer Champion, has now officially signed her next Telugu film. The untitled project, which will have its title announcement on Sunday, is tentatively billed as New Guy In Town.The film promises to be a youth-centric entertainer. Mahesh Uppala, who earlier directed the web series Oka Chinna Family Story, is the director for the film. The film has music by Thaman S, and cinematography by Raja Mahadevan. The first teaser of the film, unveiled last week by Thaman, stood out for its peppy vibe and heavy use of animation. By the looks of it, the film is a youth-centric entertainer with a comic book style treatment. With the little hints given in the teaser, the story revolves around a young couple on the run. The teaser also made it clear that majority of its primary cast and crew would be newcomers. The film also marks maiden production for What Next Entertainments. Meanwhile, Anaswara’s Telugu debut Champion, directed by another debutant Pradeep Advaitham, is slated for a theatrical release on December 25. Read More

Entertainment Home»News»Sarvam Maya censored: Nivin Pauly-Aju Varghese promise a clean entertainer for Christmas 2025» Sarvam Maya: The Malayalam film, touted to be a horror comedy, is set to release in theatres on December 25, 2025. Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese and Preity Mukhundhan play the lead roles. Nivin Pauly leads Sarvam Maya Divya P Last Updated: 01.54 PM, Dec 12, 2025 Sarvam Maya is the most-anticipated film for Malayalam cinephiles for Christmas 2025 as it brings back the much-loved collaboration of actors Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese. In the latest update on Sarvam Maya, Akhil Sathyan’s film has been censored U, promising a clean entertainer for the festival holidays to wrap up the year on a high. Entertainment Nivin Pauly’s Sarvam Maya  The Malayalam film Sarvam Maya, touted to be a horror comedy, is set to release in theatres on December 25, 2025. Two weeks before its release, the makers have confirmed that Sarvam Maya has got a clean U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This means that the Nivin Pauly-starrer film is suitable for viewing for all audiences, across age groups. While sharing the update, the team also shared a new poster of Nivin Pauly from the film with the actor peeking out from an autorickshaw. Fun film on the cards On the other hand, the makers have been sharing fun BTS moments from the Sarvam Maya sets. The film’s director Akhil Sathyan, lead hero Nivin along with Aju Varghese are seen cracking up as they prepare for and during the shoots. One of the most adorable moments though is Nivin’s interaction with senior actor Janardhanan, who also reportedly plays a key role in the upcoming film. Actress Preity Mukhundhan plays the female lead. The Sarvam Maya BTS videos are also winning much love on the internet, increasing the anticipation for the horror comedy. Nivin Pauly-Aju Varghese collaboration Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese have delivered several hit films in the past with the likes of Thattathin Marayathu and Oru Vadakkan Selfie still popular. An article on Reporter Live quoted Akhil Sathyan, saying that he was happy to see them together after a gap in Sarvam Maya. The director further added that it was Nivin who suggested Aju Varghese for the role. Nivin Pauly has another release next week, the series Pharma, on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium. The Malayalam series is helmed by PR Arun.  Sarvam Maya FAQs Q. What is the new movie of Nivin Pauly in 2025? A. The new movie of Nivin Pauly in 2025 is Sarvam Maya, helmed by Akhil Sathyan. Actor Aju Varghese also plays a key role in the film. Q. When will Sarvam Maya movie release? A. The Malayalam movie Sarvam Maya will release in theatres on December 25, 2025. Nivin Pauly plays the lead role in the film, along with Preity Mukhundhan, Aju Varghese, and Althaf Salim. Read More

Entertainment Home»News»Supergirl trailer Twitter reactions: Netizens say Milly Alcock’s film giving Guardians of the Galaxy vibe; Jason Momoa impresses too!» DC’s Supergirl first trailer has dropped, showing Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El in action for the first time since the announcement. The trailer hints that Supergirl mostly focuses on outer space and other planets, compared to James Gunn’s latest Superman, which was wholly Earth-bound. The 2-minute video also carries some key moments from the original ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ comic. Let’s check how netizens reacted to the trailer! Entertainment Fans react to Supergirl’s first trailer Before Milly Alcock, Supergirl was played by Helen Slater in 1984, Laura Vandervoort from 2007-2011, Melissa Benoist from 2015-2021 and Sasha Calle in 2023. Hence, it’s quite challenging for young Alcock to impress fans! The majority of the netizens showed interest in watching Supergirl in cinemas after checking out the trailer. However, some pointed out that the video gave a kind of Guardians of the Galaxy vibe, which is quite surprising, as the comic book is nowhere close to that. Some even recalled that David Corenswet’s Superman also did not reveal much in the trailer, suggesting fans not to make any judgements before Supergirl’s release. Meanwhile, a huge number of fans were excited to watch Jason Momoa as Lobo, and shared their opinion that DC has to heavily rely on Momoa only for the box office success of Supergirl. Some fans exuded hope that Supergirl would do far better than Superman at the box office. Entertainment What to expect from Milly Alcock’s Supergirl DC’s latest Supergirl claims to present a darker, grittier and more cynical take on the character compared to its previous appearances, even her cousin Superman. Based on the comic novel, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the movie is a cosmic adventure that’s focused on trauma, vengeance and finding her own identity as a superhero. James Gunn once revealed that Supergirl is going to be extremely messy. She’s not going to be the clean-cut all-American hero like her cousin Superman; rather, Kara Zor-El is a hard-drinking and hard-partying 23-year-old young lady. She is unapologetic, and did not want to be a hero in the beginning. Unlike Superman who came to Earth as a baby, Supergirl grew up on Argo City, a part of Krypton that survived for a limited period, hence she witnessed the destruction, the deaths of her loved ones. This has left her tough, skeptical and haunted by the past. The movie will explicitly highlight the difference between Cark Kent and Kara Zor-El as the trailer itself mentions, “He sees the good in everyone, and I see the truth”, hinting that she’s brutal and grounded. Milly Alcock’s Supergirl is releasing in cinemas next year, on June 26, 2026. Supergirl FAQs: Q. Is Supergirl 2026 done filming? A. Milly Alcock’s Supergirl’s filming began on January 13 at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in the UK and concluded in May 2025. The movie is slated for release next year on June 26, 2026. Q. Who is the new Supergirl? A. House of the Dragon-star Milly Alcock portrays the titular role of Supergirl in 2026. Q. Who is the villain in Supergirl 2026? A. Jason Momoa portrays the main antagonist Lobo in Milly Alcock’s Supergirl in 2026. Read More

Entertainment Home»News»Padayappa re-release reactions: Rajinikanth film once again met with fans’ fervour; netizens say it’s classic forever» Padayappa, the 1999 Tamil film made its way to theatres once again on Friday for the occasion of superstar Rajinikanth’s birthday. The actor is celebrating his 75th birthday as he completed 50 years in the industry as an actor. Padayappa, which is a cult classic and one of the iconic Rajinikanth films, was received with the same vigour and enthusiasm as when it was released in 1999. Entertainment Padayappa re-release reactions: Rajinikanth’s Padayappa re-releases Padayappa is a 1999 Tamil film directed by KS Ravikumar. The film marked Rajinikanth’s 25th film which he wrote and produced. Eventually, the film went on to become a blockbuster success and is one of the standout films in Rajinikanth’s career. For his 75th birthday, the actor planned for a re-release, which was met with much fervour by fans. With the film releasing on Friday, fans shared videos from theatres which had gone frenzy. From cutouts to theatre celebrations, fans have been enjoying watching the film on big screens once again. Here are some fan reactions. It is also to be noted that with no notable Tamil releases this week in theatres, Padayappa will be occupying major screens apart from those allocated for Akhanda 2. Why is Padayappa not streaming on OTT: Padayappa is not streaming on any notable platforms because Rajinikanth who owns the film has not sold the rights to streamers or satellite. In a common interview before the re-release, Rajinikanth had revealed this and reasoned that Padayappa is meant to be watched only in theatres. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya, and others, Padayappa is a story of a man who rejects the proposal of a head-strong woman who swears on revenge, which culminates into a battle of egos. Rajinikanth had also announced a sequel for Padayappa, titled Neelambari and said that the writing is in works and if satisfied will be made into a film. Padayappa FAQs Q. Why is Padayappa not on OTT? A. Padayappa is not available on any OTT platform, because Rajinikanth did not sell the rights, wanting it to be a theatre watch only. Q. Is Padayappa hit or flop? A. Padayappa was a massive hit in Rajinikanth’s career and went on to become a cult classic. Q. Is Padayappa 2 based on a true story? A. Rajinikanth recently revealed that Padayappa 2 is on the cards and will be titled Neelambari. Read More

Entertainment Home»News»Single Papa out on OTT: Here’s where you can stream, cast, episode details, and more about Kunal Kemmu’s dramedy series» A new original Indian series, Single Papa, has premiered on Netflix today, Friday, December 12, 2025. Kunal Kemmu stars in this comedy-drama about a “man-child” who decides to adopt a baby, which causes havoc in his traditional Indian family after his divorce. The entire six-part series is now available to watch online. Entertainment Introducing Gaurav Gehlot The show follows Kemmu as Gaurav Gehlot, also known as ‘GG’, a thirty-year-old Delhi resident. While he continues to rely on his father for financial support and works unmotivatedly in the family spirits business, Gaurav’s life appears to be aimless and purposeless. Fresh from his divorce with his ex-wife Aparna (Isha Talwar), the plot intensifies when Gaurav decides to adopt a young boy he finds abandoned and names Amul. The central theme of Single Papa is the difficult social and legal environment that unmarried men in India face while trying to adopt a child. Veterans Manoj Pahwa and Ayesha Raza play Gaurav’s parents, who are very vocal about their disapproval of their son’s decision to become a single parent. Their perplexion arises from the fact that he wants to bring up a human child despite his difficulties with managing his possessions and other fundamental adult duties. External conflict An important obstacle on Gaurav’s path is the social worker Romilla Nehra (Neha Dhupia), who doubts his ability to be a good father and publicly states her belief that a woman is more suited to the position than a single guy. The show follows Gaurav as he tries (and fails) to prove his maturity, deal with the challenges of parenting, and win over his family and the court system to the idea that somebody can be a good father on his own. Single Papa is written and produced by Ishita Moitra and Neeraj Udhwani, with executive producer duties going to Shashank Khaitan. Three people—Khaitan, Udhwani, and Hitesh Kewalya—are responsible for directing the show. Ensemble cast The dramedy boasts an impressive ensemble cast that enhances the show’s humorous and dramatic aspects, in addition to Kemmu. The sister of Gaurav, Namrata, played by Prajakta Koli, has her own wedding plans that frequently collide with her brother’s newfound home mayhem in a comical way. Suhail Nayyar portrays Pawan, Gaurav’s best friend and confidant. Furthermore, Dayanand Shetty’s portrayal of the male nanny Parbat Singh (also known as “manny”) is noteworthy; this casting decision supports the show’s message about breaking down traditional gender norms in child care. With its blended humour and emotional depth, the series aspires to be relatable as a slice-of-life comedy. Streaming availability Included on the platform’s extensive slate of new releases this Friday, Single Papa provides viewers with a variety of comedies, dramas, and social commentary to enjoy over the weekend. Single Papa FAQs: Q: What is the plot of Single Papa? A: Single Papa is a comedy-drama that follows Gaurav Gehlot (Kunal Kemmu), a lovable but irresponsible 30-year-old “man-child” from Delhi who is newly divorced. His life and his traditional Indian family are thrown into complete chaos when he makes the unexpected decision to adopt an abandoned baby boy he names Amul. The series charts Gaurav’s clumsy, heartfelt journey as he tries to prove his maturity, navigate the challenges of single fatherhood, and convince his skeptical family and a social worker that a single man is capable of raising a child. Q:Who is in the main cast of Single Papa? A: The series features an ensemble cast: Kunal Kemmu as Gaurav Gehlot (GG), the ‘Single Papa’, Manoj Pahwa and Ayesha Raza as Gaurav’s parents, Prajakta Koli as Namrata, Gaurav’s sister, Neha Dhupia as Romilla Nehra, the skeptical social worker, Isha Talwar as Aparna, Gaurav’s ex-wife, Dayanand Shetty as Parbat Singh, the male nanny, and Suhail Nayyar as Gaurav’s best friend Q: How many episodes are in the Single Papa series? A: Single Papa is a limited series consisting of six episodes. All episodes were released simultaneously on Netflix on December 12, 2025, making it a binge-watch-ready show. Read More

Entertainment Home»News»Akhanda 2 premiere shows collection: Balakrishna’s film mints an impressive Rs 5.5 crore» Akhanda 2 was postponed at the last minute due to financial reasons. Balakrishna’s reputation was at stake, but nothing serious happened as the film was delayed by just a week and finally hit the screens on December 12, 2025.  Akhanda 2 premiere show collctions The makers were so confident that they held premiere shows across the Telugu states. The numbers are out, and the Balakrishna-starrer has made Rs 5.5 crore, as per the tracking portal Sacnilk.  These are impressive figures, especially considering that the film was already postponed. The word of mouth is mixed as some say the film is good, while the general audience feels Akhanda 2 is a loud action drama meant mainly for Balayya fans. Akhanda 2 Akhanda 2 US collections In the US, the action drama has managed just above $300K, according to M9 News, which is quite low for a star hero of Balakrishna’s range. The US has never been a strong market for his mass-action films, except for a few exceptions.  Ever since bookings opened, collections there have been dull. However, in the Telugu states, the numbers have been impressive. With no other major Telugu releases in the coming days, it remains to be seen how much Boyapati Sreenu’s film can collect. This is the fourth collaboration between Balakrishna and Boyapati Sreenu, and the hype was massive as all their previous films were smash hits at the box office.  Akhanda 2 collections Samyuktha Menon plays the female lead, while Harshali Malhotra appears in a key role. Thaman composed the background score, and his work is one of the main reasons fans are enjoying the film in theaters. Netflix has grabbed the OTT rights and will stream Akhanda 2 in the second week of January 2026. For now, the film has taken a strong start at the box office Akhanda 2 FAQs Q. When is Akhanda 2 releasing? A. Akhanda 2 was supposed to hit the screens on December 5, 2025, but got postponed at the last minute and has now released on December 12, 2025 Q. Where to stream Akhanda, the first part on OTT? A. You can stream Akhanda on Jio Hotstar via OTTplay Premium here Q. Who is the heroine in Akhanda 2? A. The film has Samyuktha Menon as the heroine Q. Where to stream Akhanda 2 on OTT? A. You can stream the film on Netflix after the film completes its run in theaters. Read More

Entertainment Ahead of a two-day tribute concert to the tabla legend at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai on Dec. 14 and 15, we look at just a few definitive projects Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain during his performance at Shri Sanmukhananda hall, on February 3, 2020 in Mumbai, India. Photo: Aalok soni/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Dec. 15, 2026, will mark one year since the passing of tabla legend Zakir Hussain, who took Indian classical music to global stages across more than half a century, performing with stalwarts across genres. Maestro Forever: A Tribute to Zakir Hussain takes place on Dec. 14 and 15, 2025, at Mumbai’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) to celebrate the legendary artist. The venue itself carries a deep significance because Hussain’s first appearance at the NCPA was alongside his father Ustad Allarakha, sitar legend Ravi Shankar, and mridangam exponent Palghat Raghu at the Centre’s foundation day in 1969. Ahead of the performances, we look at the unmatched versatility of the Ustad and memorable collaborations with just some of the artists performing this weekend.   Entertainment With John McLaughlin We all know the power of jazz fusion guitar legend John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain in the seminal band Shakti, but the lifelong friends performed together even outside of the group. In 2010, Hussain joined McLaughlin’s band, The 4th Dimension, at the Abstract Logix New Universe Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a spark was ignited on stage. It was a surprise performance. “The band played a stellar set of music, and right before the encore, Zakir Bhai got up on stage on a borrowed set of tablas and a makeshift seat out of speaker cases. What happened between Z Bhai and John ji is nothing short of musical magic. No rehearsals, nothing. Pure telepathy,” Abstract Logix founder Souvik Datta recalls in the description for the video. Entertainment With Louiz Banks In 2019, Hussain and keys/piano veteran Louiz Banks teamed up with guitarist Sanjay Divecha, drummer Gino Banks and bassist Sheldon D’Silva to perform at the launch of the Indian Music Experience museum in Bengaluru. Across the nearly 100-minute performance, you can see Hussain thoroughly enjoying himself, arguably because he was in his favorite place — on stage with longtime friends and artists who understood each other deeply. If the improvisational prowess of Indo jazz-fusion was first visible through Shakti, then Hussain was carrying it forward with every performance. Entertainment With Ajoy Chakrabarty Collaborators for decades on end, classical vocalist legend Ajoy Chakrabarty and Hussain’s chemistry was well captured in a series of recordings that can be heard in the former’s album Thumri and Dadra in 1990 and later in The Genius of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Vol. 3, released in 1999. “Sanvariya Chit Chor Re” is a sublime rendition that never relents on the vocal and percussive front, thanks to two legends completely in sync. Entertainment With Ranjit Barot and Taufiq Qureshi At the launch of his brother and fellow Indian percussion great Taufiq Qureshi’s 2000 album Rhydhun, Hussain performed with drumming ace and producer Ranjit Barot, vocal powerhouse Shankar Mahadevan and more. While Hussain was also part of the studio recording of Rhydhun, he locked in with Barot and Qureshi for a percussive jam for the ages at the launch concert, becoming part of a stellar interplay of drums, tabla and percussion. Entertainment With Amjad Ali Khan Growing to global fame and legendary status with their respective instruments, Hussain and sarod legend Amjad Ali Khan were often in each other’s orbit. In 1999, they joined performances for a jugalbandi in New Delhi, at a time when they perhaps both showcased agility and versatility that couldn’t be replicated. Part of the allure of a jugalbandi is when nothing can ever be recreated the same way, and both Ustads performed exactly like that – an airy, meditative performance that was also virtuoso. Entertainment With Shankar Mahadevan In addition to being part of Remember Shakti and later, just Shakti who went on to win Grammys for their 2023 album This Moment, vocalist-composer Shankar Mahadevan and Hussain shared a few stages among them, and one of their most powerful performances in recent memories was the rendition of Marathi abhanga “Majhe Maher Pandhari” in an undated performance that was uploaded to YouTube in 2021. Hussain offers a knowing smile to Mahadevan as he begins the song, in what is a heartfelt moment of brotherhood that translates exceptionally as the 14-minute performance plays out. Get tickets to Meastro Forever: A Tribute to Zakir Hussain at NCPA here. Read More

Entertainment Michael Oberlies says the footage of Sean Combs talking to his team was released “by a third party who covered for me for three days while I was out of state” Sean “Diddy” Combs Frazer Harrison/Getty Images The documentarian hired to film Sean “Diddy” Combs over the past two years has shed light on how Netflix obtained behind-the-scenes footage of Combs in the days leading up to his arrest. Michael Oberlies squashed online rumors of there being a “fee dispute or contract issue,” instead claiming 50 Cent and the director of Sean Combs: The Reckoning seemingly wound up with the footage because he hired a freelancer to briefly fill in for him. “For over two years, we have been working on a project profiling Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs,” Oberlies says in a statement provided to Rolling Stone. “The footage in question was not released by me or anyone authorized to handle Sean Combs’ materials; it was by a third party who covered for me for three days while I was out of state. This incident had nothing to do with any fee dispute or contract issue. The actions of the parties involved reflect the lack of integrity every storyteller should uphold. Taking footage intended for our project to advance a narrative that was not our own is both unethical and unacceptable.” How Netflix obtained the jaw-dropping footage for the four-episode documentary has been a dominating theme surrounding the project. Director Alexandria Stapleton and Netflix have been adamant the footage was “legally obtained,” they said in previous statements.  Cameras show Combs at his Park Hyatt hotel room in New York City on Sept. 10, 2024 — just six days before he was arrested. (The 56-year-old was acquitted of the more serious charges in July, but was sentenced to 50 months in prison after being found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution charges.)  Though relatively brief, the footage gives an unprecedented look into Combs’ inner sanctum. In the process of filming his own potential documentary, Combs instructs his criminal defense attorney Marc Agnifilo to forget about only appearing on CNN to pump out his narrative, but to find “somebody that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirtiest, dirty business of media and propaganda” to target potential jurors on Instagram and TikTok.  He gives pointers to the apparent fill-in videographer, telling them to get “cutaway shots” of police officers who happen to be on a nearby roof. Combs hugs and smiles with fans at a local Harlem bar, but once back in his SUV, Combs laughs about needing hand sanitizer and wanting to take a hot bath because he’s “been out in the streets amongst the people.”  Combs was also seen raging in real time when he learned of former Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money artist Dawn Richard’s sexual harassment lawsuit against him, declaring the “gloves are off.” He directed people in his camp, including his adult son Justin, to circulate old clips of Richard praising him in interviews. He also called in a favor from Diddy-Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper, begging her to release a statement disputing Richard’s claims. During pretrial hearings, Southern District of New York prosecutors pointed to Combs’ repeated calls and texts to Harper as a form of witness tampering. (Harper eventually released a statement. Combs’ attorneys denied the accusation.)  Oberlies has worked with Combs since at least 2019. A resident personal photographer for the music mogul, the 36-year-old captured Combs’ star-studded 50th birthday at his Los Angeles house, documented him as he recorded 2023’s The Love Album: Off the Grid, and even accompanied Combs’ adult sons to court in a show of support when Combs was arraigned on federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges on Sept. 17, 2024. (Rolling Stone has reached out to the freelance videographer for comment.) Combs was seemingly caught off guard that Netflix had obtained the footage, with his team sending a cease-and-desist letter to Netflix before the documentary aired.  Calling the project a “hit piece,” and accusing the streamer of violating copyright laws if they aired the footage, attorneys for Combs vowed he “has not hesitated to take legal action against media entities and others who violate his rights, and he will not hesitate to do so against Netflix,” according to a copy of the letter obtained by Rolling Stone. (Earlier this year, Combs sued NBCUniversal for $100 million over its documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. The case is ongoing.) However, since the documentary aired, Combs has taken no legal action against Netflix. Director Stapleton has previously maintained she obtained the footage “legally” and had the “the necessary rights” to include it. “We moved heaven and earth to keep the filmmaker’s identity confidential,” she said in a statement. “One thing about Sean Combs is that he’s always filming himself, and it’s been an obsession throughout the decades. We also reached out to Sean Combs’ legal team for an interview and comment multiple times, but did not hear back.” From Rolling Stone US. Read More