Entertainment

Netflix said on Thursday that it used generative artificial intelligence to produce visual effects that appeared for the first time on screen in one of its original series, employing a technology that has been a source of anxiety throughout Hollywood.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos hailed AI as “an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper.”

Sarandos offered the example of Argentine science-fiction series “El Eternauta (The Eternaut),” where the creators wanted to show a building collapsing in Buenos Aires: a visual effect that would have been beyond the project’s budget. The creative team partnered with Eyeline Studios, a production innovation group within Netflix, to make the dramatic scene with the aid of AI.

“That VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with visual traditional VFX tools and workflows,” Sarandos said during the company’s second-quarter investor call. “And also the cost of it would just wouldn’t have been feasible for a show in that budget.”

Sarandos said the sequence is the first GenAI final footage to appear on screen in a Netflix original series or film.

AI has become a flashpoint in Hollywood since the labour unrest of 2023, which resulted in new guidelines for the use of the technology. The main concern is that AI could replace the work of humans.

Co-CEO Greg Peters said Netflix may find other ways to leverage generative AI to improve the user experience, including offering viewers the ability to use spoken words to find something to watch.

“Saying ‘I want to watch a film from the ’80s that’s a dark psychological thriller,’ (and getting) some results back … you just couldn’t have done in our previous experiences,” said Peters. “So that’s super-exciting.”

Advertising represents another opportunity for generative AI, Peters said, as brands and marketers seek to create compelling content.

“We think these generative techniques can decrease that hurdle iteratively over time and enable us to do that in more and more spots,” said Peters.

Filmmaker Kabir Khan on Thursday celebrated the 10th anniversary of his popular Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan, saying the movie continues to make people laugh and cry even today.

The film, which also featured Kareena Kapoor Khan and Harshaali Malhotra, was released to universal acclaim on July 17, 2015.

“Over the last decade I have been totally overwhelmed by the love this film keeps accumulating all over the world. We set out to tell a story of love and hope in a world that sometimes forgets these emotions,” the director posted on Instagram.

At its heart, the film was about a mute Pakistani girl lost in India and the Indian man who goes to great lengths to reunite her with her family.

Salman essayed the role of Pawan, a Lord Hanuman devotee, Kareena starred as Rasika, his love interest, and Malhotra as Munni, the Pakistani who gets lost in India.

When it was released in theatres, Bajrangi Bhaijaan became a huge box office hit with critics praising the movie for its combination of emotional storytelling, strong performances, and its message of humanity transcending borders.

Malhotra, who was seven at the time of the movie’s release, also marked the film’s 10th anniversary.

“10 years ago… A film was released that was far more than a story. It was a feeling. A message of love, humanity, and faith that moved millions across the world.

“I was just a 6-year-old girl when ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ entered my life. I didn’t speak a word in the film… but I never imagined how much my silence would be heard, how deeply it would be felt,” she wrote alongside a still from the movie on Instagram.

Malhotra also said the set of Bajrangi Bhaijaan became her “safe space”. “Salman sir made me feel protected, like the warmest uncle ever. Kabir sir turned every scene into a story I could feel, not just act. From the spot dadas to the makeup didis, everyone treated me like I was their own.

“We shot across snowy mountains and dusty roads, laughed between takes, shared laddoos, and sometimes, even cried together,” she added.

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Malhotra said whenever people see her, they call her Munni. “I still receive messages from all over the world, telling me how deeply she touched their hearts. A decade later, that love hasn’t faded,” she added. Bajrangi Bhaijaan also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sharat Saxena, Meher Vij and Om Puri in pivotal roles.

Tamil filmmaker and actor Velu Prabhakaran, best known for helming films such as Nalaya Manithan, Puratchikkaaran, Asuran, and Rajali, breathed his last today, July 18, at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 68. The director was suffering from a prolonged illness and had been receiving treatment over the last few days.

Sources say that Velu was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and was put on ventilator support yesterday; however, unfortunately, the filmmaker passed away earlier this morning.

Velu began his career as a cinematographer in 1980, working under director Mouli on films such as Ivargal Vidhiyasamanavargal and Matravai Neril. He made his directorial debut with 1989’s Nalaya Manithan, starring Prabhu, Ajay Rathnam, Amala, and Jaishankar, which, interestingly, also got a sequel the following year, titled Adhisaya Manithan.

His films, popular for their controversial subjects, were largely laced with themes of revolution, anti-casteism and sensuality. Notably, a song from Velu’s 1995 film Asuran, called ‘Chakku Chakku Vathikuchi’, found a new audience recently after director Lokesh Kanagaraj used it in his hit 2022 action film Vikram, starring Kamal Haasan.

After appearing in small roles in his own directorials, Velu transitioned into a full-time actor over the last six years, having acted in films such asGangs of Madras, Jango, Cadaver, and Weapon. His last on-screen appearance was in the Vedhika-Yogi Babu starrer Gajaana. According to reports, the director last helmed a film titled Yaar Antha Sir?, starring Mansoor Ali Khan, which has yet to see the light of the day.

Velu’s professional and personal lives were marked by many controversies. The director was married to the late actor P. Jayadevi, who had previously acted in his films Kadavul and Puratchikkaaran. In 2017, Velu married actor Shirley Das, who starred in his 2009 film Kadhal Kadhai.

The news about Velu Prabhakaran’s death has come as a shock to many. Fans and industry colleagues have been expressing their condolences on social media.

The director’s mortal remains will be kept for public homage at his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, from Saturday evening (July 19) to Sunday afternoon (July 20). The cremation will take place on Sunday evening.

Panchayatand Paatal Lokactor Aasif Khan, who was admitted to hospital after a reported heart attack, has been discharged. The actor clarified that a gastroesophageal reflux disease landed him in the hospital.

“It wasn’t a heart attack though the symptoms hinted at one,” Aasif told Times of India. “I suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Thankfully, I am feeling better now.”

Reports say Aasif was rushed to the hospital after he experienced chest pain and fainted in the bathroom. The actor added that doctors have advised him to monitor his diet.

Despite the health scare, Aasif is upbeat about getting back to work at the earliest. “I don’t think this incident will affect my work,” he told TOI.

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On July 16, 2025, Aasif wrote a post on social media with a picture from the hospital. “Realising after watching this for past 36 hours. Life is short, don’t take one day for granted. Everything can change in a moment. Be grateful for all you have and all that you are. Remember who is more important to you and always cherish them. Life is a gift and we are blessed.”