New Delhi, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh says she watched many Indian movies while growing up in a multiracial society in Malaysia and hopes her new film “Wicked” clicks well with the audiences here as it is a musical.

Yeoh, who won the best actress Oscar for her role “Everything Everywhere All At Once” in 2023, reunites with her “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M Chu for the big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked”. She stars as Madame Morrible in the movie, which is her first musical.

“I grew up in Malaysia and we’re a very multi-racial society and I have many Indian friends. In fact, I grew up watching a lot of Indian movies even when as a young child, I used to know how to sing Indian . I’m very familiar with Indian culture and cinema.

“I have many idols in the cinema as well. I think ‘Wicked’ will go down really well with our Indian friends,” Yeoh told PTI in an interview.

The actor, 62, said while she was terrified at the prospect of singing in the movie, she has always loved musicals as a genre because of their ability to transport viewers to a different kind of world.

“It’s a fantasy world where people, instead of just talking, suddenly break out into song and dance, and I love that,” she added.

One of the big reasons for Yeoh to star in the movie was Chu, whose 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians” is credited for being the first major Hollywood hit to feature an entirely Asian cast in a modern setting since 1993’s “The Joy Luck Club”.

Yeoh said she and many others have been fighting for this change for a long time and a lot of the credit goes to storytellers like Chu.

“So many of us have been fighting to create these opportunities. Sometimes we demand to have these changes because I think we should have equal opportunities to be able to showcase our talent in front and behind the camera as well…

“We also have to be good storytellers and tell our kind of stories that echo our faces and our culture and should be seen more and more often. But then we do need amazing storytellers like Jon M Chu to be able to showcase and highlight all this,” she said, pointing at the diverse cast of “Wicked”.

Yeoh, a prominent face in world cinema with acclaimed international performances in films such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Tomorrow Never Dies”, “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, said she has always believed in the transformative power of cinema and that’s why she chooses her roles carefully.

“Which movie or which TV series I want to be part of is a choice. You want to be able to ensure that the choice you’ve made is a good one because cinema and shows are such powerful mediums of being able to reach out to people to highlight issues.

“There are answers in there that we know too well but are afraid to say it out loud, but then in a movie or in a song, you can sing it away,” she said.

“Wicked”, whose first part releases in theatres on November 22, is inspired by the Broadway show of the same name and serves both as a prequel and a relook at the 1939 movie classic “Wizard of Oz”.

Yeoh is happy that the movie is receiving positive reviews and has generated so much buzz even before its release.

“Cinema for me has always been about a shared experience where you go in and you enjoy something together, you laugh together and come out feeling bonded in a very special way.”

Yeoh said she portrayed Madame Morrible, the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University in the “Wicked”universe, as someone who seems approachable and caring.

“What happens is some people get blinded by their own ambitions… So our approach for Madame Morrible is like, she is a good witch. I don’t think any of us start off by being wicked.”

She credits the film’s two leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for helping her with singing, which was “very daunting”. Erivo, she said, gave her confidence to perform the song “The Wizard and I” with her in the movie.

Yeoh, who rose to fame in the 80s and 90s by starring in Hong Kong action and martial art films such as “Yes, Madam”, “Magnificent Warriors” and “Wing Chun”, wants to dance in her next and she has pinned her hopes on Chu.

“He gave me the most amazing opportunity to be in a musical, which is something that I had not done before and I had always wanted to do.The only other thing I hope that he will do for me next is allow me to dance in it as well. This time it was the singing,” she said.

A Universal Pictures release, the film also stars Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Dinklage.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Powerhouse actor Rana Daggubati, celebrated for his fierce contributions to Indian films like Baahubali and Ghazi, is officially taking on the duties of voicing a new character in the acclaimed anime series Solo Leveling.

Daggubati will be lending his voice to the powerful Ice Elf Barca in the highly anticipated second season of the beloved webtoon-based anime adaptation. Indian fans of the show will hear the Baahubali star’s iconic voice in the upcoming Solo Leveling – ReAwakening – fan omnibus film releasing in Indian theatres on December 6, 2024. For this particular cinematic experience, fans can look forward to Rana’s Hindi performance.

In addition to the Solo Leveling film, he will voice the enigmatic ice elf, the boss of the Red Gate Dungeon, in the upcoming Season 2, slated for a January 2025 premiere. This future outing will see Daggubati voicing Barca in three Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

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On November 21, Crunchyroll rolled out the delightful news bringing the anime fan experience closer to the Indian audience. By introducing Ice Elf Barca’s sword mastery and stealthy agility to the pre-existing epic lore of Solo Leveling, the beloved series will further push the limits of Jinwoo’s powers.

Rana Daggubati and Crunchyroll on his introduction to the anime world

Rana Daggubati shared his delight at the new thrilling project on the horizon: “Voicing Barca in Solo Leveling across three languages has been an exciting challenge that I truly enjoyed.”

He added, “Bringing such a complex powerful character to life in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu allowed me to connect with anime in a way I’ve never done before. This is a unique, thrilling journey into the anime world, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience the action!”

Akshat Sahu, Senior Director of Marketing – APAC at Crunchyroll, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Rana Daggubati, who brings a powerful presence to the character of Barca in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. His involvement reflects our commitment to offer Indian audiences a truly immersive and accessible anime experience on both big and small screens.”

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About Solo Leveling anime

Based on Chugong’s best-selling Korean web novel (and subsequently adapted webtoon), the first Solo Leveling anime installment debuted globally on January 6, 2024. Since then, the series has amassed a massive following, inevitably leading to the series renewal, with Season 2 coming out in January 2025. The series has been animated by A-1 Pictures, the studio behind Sword Art Online, while motion graphics have been helmed by Production I.G, known for shows like Attack on Titan and Psycho-Pass.

Before that happens, fans have earned a chance to catch up with the events of the first season and sneak a glance at the forthcoming second season through the fan omnibus film Solo Leveling—ReAwakning, which will be released theatrically in Hindi, English, and Japanese on December 6, 2024, in India. Global premiere dates started rolling out in late November and vary for other countries. (See schedule here)

Diljit, meaning winning hearts, and that is exactly what Dosanjhawala has been doing for months now. Earlier, it was through his albums, EPs, and movies, and this time it is through his tour, the famous ‘Dil-Luminati Tour’ with which the Punjabi star turned global sensation is winning hearts all around the world. After giving sold-out shows in Western countries, Diljit started his India leg of the tour in October, and his last show was in Ahmedabad. Of course his infectious energy, interaction with the fans, humble gestures, everything won the fans. And amid all this, Diljit Dosanjh had a little hiccup as he stumbled on the stage. The video of the same is doing rounds on social media, making fans recall his 2013 stage fall and saying that whenever Diljit Dosanjh falls he rises to new heights of success.
Here’s what exactly happened at the Ahmedabad concert:
On November 17, Diljit Dosanjh was performing his song ‘Patiala Peg’ during his Ahmedabad show, moving around the stage when he lost his footing. However, he didn’t let it affect his performance as he quickly recovered and continued singing. A few moments later he paused the background singers and told the organizers that the oil was getting spilled on the stage by the fair launchers, so they should refrain from using them. He then showed a thumbs-up gesture to his fans, said ‘I’m ok’, and continued with the show.
Sharing the video a fan page wrote – “Even stars stumble! Diljit Dosanjh takes a fall during his Ahmedabad concert but bounces back with his signature charm, proving the show must always go on!”
Several fans also recalled his 2013 fall when he shared the stage with Yo Yo Honey Singh. They recalled the fall not for making a mockery; but rather for stating that it was a good omen, as after that particular incident Diljit was able to make his mark in mainstream Indian music and cinema.
“Har decade me ek baar toh girna hai (He has to fall once every decade),” wrote a fan referring to the 2013 incident. “Jab bhi gira hai ..doguna fame mila hai bande ko (Whenever he has fallen, he has found twice the fame),” commented another fan describing his fall as a good sign.
“Last time gira to yaha tak pohocha, ab kaha tak (Last time he fell, he reached here. Now where all will he go),” read another comment.
Diljit’s Dil-Luminati Tour
Intending to cover 10 cities, Diljit’s next stop is Lucknow, after which he will be visiting Pune, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Indore, and Chandigarh. This tour’s final destination is Guwahati.

The winter can take a toll on your skin, especially when you add air conditioning or heating from the office. This can leave your complexion looking less than vibrant. With a thoughtful makeup routine, you can shield your skin while maintaining a fresh and professional appearance. 

Here are some tips for office women to achieve a flawless look while keeping their skin moisturized and healthy.

1. Stay Hydrated

The cold winter air can dry out your skin, so the first step to a good winter makeup routine is moisturizing. Before putting on any makeup, ensure your skin is well-hydrated. Choose a thick moisturizer that suits your skin type—go for cream-based options if you have dry skin or gel-based ones if your skin is oily.

Tip: Use a hydrating primer before your foundation. This will create a smooth base and stop your makeup from clinging to dry spots.

2. Opt for Dewy Foundations or Tinted Moisturizers

Heavy, matte foundations can make your skin appear even drier in the winter. Instead, try a foundation with a dewy finish or a tinted moisturizer that contains SPF. These options help your skin look bright and healthy while offering enough coverage.

Tip: If you require more coverage, you can layer a light concealer on top of your foundation to tackle dark circles or blemishes.

3. Don’t Forget the SPF

Even though the winter sun is gentler, UV rays can still harm your skin, leading to premature aging and dryness. Make sure your makeup has SPF or apply sunscreen before your foundation. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, especially in areas that get sun exposure through windows.

Tip: If you’re in a rush, choose a tinted sunscreen that can also act as a foundation.

4. Set Your Makeup with a Hydrating Spray

After getting your makeup just right, use a hydrating setting spray to keep everything in place while adding moisture. A setting mist that includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera or hyaluronic acid will help maintain your makeup’s freshness and provide extra hydration throughout the day.

Tip: Keep a small setting mist bottle handy in your desk for a quick pick-me-up during the workday.

5. Aim for a Natural Glow

Winter often leaves skin looking dull, so adding a bit of warmth can brighten your whole appearance. Go for cream blush and highlighter to give your face some dimension without highlighting any dryness. Stick to soft, natural shades like peach, rose, or gold.

Tip: Highlight the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose for a lovely, glowing effect.

6. Care for Your Lips

Chapped lips are common during winter, especially in dry office environments. Start your makeup routine with a moisturizing lip balm, and if you’re using lipstick, pick hydrating formulas. Avoid matte lipsticks as they can be more drying; instead, choose satin, cream, or glossy finishes.

Tip: Exfoliate your lips once a week with a lip scrub to keep them smooth and healthy.

7. Keep Eye Makeup Soft and Neutral

In an office setting, it’s best to keep eye makeup subtle and polished. Neutral colours like beige, taupe, and soft brown work well for a refined look. To add dimension, use a matte shade across your eyelids and blend it into the crease. Finish with mascara to make your eyes pop.

Tip: If you want to try something new without going overboard, a bit of eyeliner on the upper lash line paired with mascara can create an effective look that’s still office-appropriate.

8. Be Mindful with Powder

Powder makeup can dry out your skin in the winter months, especially with the office heating running. Instead of putting powder all over your face, consider a hydrating setting spray or use a light dusting of translucent powder only where you need it, like your T-zone. This way, you can set your makeup without it looking heavy or dull.

Tip: If your skin tends to get oily, try blotting papers instead of applying more powder throughout the day.

For office women during winter, the key to makeup is hydration, protection, and a natural glow. With the right makeup products, you can achieve a flawless look while ensuring your skin stays healthy and protected in the winter months.