The war genre has made a huge impact on the big and small screen. It’s arguably the most revered genre in history ever since the dawn of filmmaking itself. Its influence has extended far and wide, spanning multiple decades and continually evolving with the times. From dominating cinemas to raking in high viewer scores on broadcast television, this shaped our modern entertainment world and will never lose its grip on audiences.
Today, we have entire lists dedicated to the greatest war masterpieces in cinema, and there is simply too much to choose from. And when it comes to television, it’s not like we’re starved of quality entertainment. For decades now, war has been prevalent on TV, from highly acclaimed miniseries to long-running hit shows. Some of them will never be forgotten nor ignored for what they’ve achieved. The following are notable war shows that have had long-lasting impacts on the media. They’re incredibly revered masterworks that capture the raw, visceral experience of watching a war unfold on the small screen. Some are even considered some of the greatest television shows in broadcast history. Here they are now.
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1
‘Combat!’ (1962–1967)
Soldiers riding in a car and looking displeased in Combat!Image via ABC
Airing on the ABC network from 1962 to 1967, Combat! is a dark, gritty war drama capturing the perspectives and struggles of American Army soldiers in the Second World War. Elevated by the talents of its remarkable scriptwriters, capable directors, and boosted by a famous cast, including Rick Jason and Vic Morrow, it follows the lives of a U.S. army squad in their brutal fight against Germany in the European assault after the success of D-Day. Engaging in countless battles and struggling to maintain their wits and humanity, these men fight alongside each other during the most horrific fighting of this infamous chapter of the war.
Combat! was one of the first drama shows to depict WWII in a realistic fashion, with all its non-glamorous, hard truths included. It doesn’t sugarcoat what this war was truly about and how it deeply affected the brave men who fought in it. There are shocking deaths, intense fighting scenes, and there’s no traditional hero characters like the ones often shown in early WWII films in the cinema. It brings the brutal, desperate struggle for survival that the average foot soldier had to go through during this time period, and it’s still the type of excellent storytelling that’s inspired countless other shows in the years since. It’s a tremendous classic war series that truly pushed for more realism and emotion when depicting these iconic conflicts from history.
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2
‘Shaka Zulu’ (1986)
Shaka ZuluImage via SABC 1
Shaka Zulu is a truly grand and epic miniseries that premiered on the South African Broadcasting Corporation in 1986. An awe-inspiring tale with lavish production values, a significantly high budget, and award-worthy cinematography, this is strikingly beautiful and, despite being regionally made, it looks to have the look and feel of a high-quality Hollywood production. As its title shows, it tells about the rise of the famous Zulu ruler, King Shaka (Henry Cele), from his early days building his small clan into a powerful empire to his eventual assassination in 1829.
It’s a large-scale historical epic that drew worldwide acclaim for its gorgeous look and compelling story. This pushed boundaries, showing that televised war stories can be just as captivating, unique, and visually spectacular as those from cinema. It showed that enough care and effort can make a war story shine bright on the small screen. Despite not being as recognized today as some other war shows mentioned on this list, Shaka Zulu is a must-watch that continues to look timeless and truly inspiring.
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3
‘The Pacific’ (2010)
A still from ‘The Pacific.’Image via HBO
Next is The Pacific, the riveting HBO miniseries that depicts one of the most vicious sides of WWII ever shown on TV. Telling the unique perspectives of three main soldiers, mostly featuring the story of Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello), it shows the absolute chaos and horrors of the war in the Pacific Theater, following these men from the tense jungle fighting on Guadalcanal to the rain-soaked desperate struggle for survival on Okinawa.
This sister series of one of the most compelling war dramas ever released by the HBO network was seen as another masterwork when it came out in 2010, though slightly not as memorable as its predecessors, which will be mentioned further down this list. It’s still a visually splendid, expertly acted, and sharply directed war series that gets better and better with each new rewatch. The Pacificinspired other war shows to reach its level of spectacular production values and complex storytelling. And today, it’s still seen as one of the best WWII shows of all time.
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4
‘Generation Kill’ (2008)
Two American soldiers and a journalist with a camera stand in a street in Baghdad in Generation Kill, 2008.Image via HBO
2008’s Generation Kill is another pulse-pounding and emotionally charged HBO miniseries. Based on the 2004 book of the same name by author Evan Wright, it recounts his time working as an embedded reporter for the Marine Corps’s 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the early stages of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Through several conflicts and constant patrols, the story tells the unique perspectives of the men of this unit and how the war has taken its toll on them.
Generation Kill is a frighteningly accurate and riveting depiction of this recent war in the Middle East. One can see that authenticity and attention to detail are on full display as it tries to remain mostly faithful to Wright’s book, and portrays military tactics and events in a more realistic light. There are a few that could match the level of historical detail that this has, and as such it’s become an inspiration for others to try to be as authentic as possible as well. It’s a gripping seven-part miniseries that demands attention.
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5
‘Shōgun’ (2024–Present)
Hiroyuki Sanada in The Eightfold Fence in ShogunImage via Hulu
FX’s 2024 war drama series Shōgun is the visually marvelous second TV adaptation of a compelling 1975 novel by famed author James Clavell. Boosted by stellar production values, grand-scale sets, epic battle sequences, period-accurate costumes, and powerful performances, it tells the story of a 17th-century Japanese warlord who aims to expand his reach across the land, but comes into conflict when a shipwrecked Englishman washes up on his shores.
It shattered Emmy Award nomination records in just one debut season, becoming one of the most successful and acclaimed war shows in recent history. It’s jaw-dropping and impressive to look at, and truly, other shows going forward will take note of its massive success. Though still going and fairly recent, FX’s version of Shōgun is already hailed as a masterpiece of primetime television.
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6
‘Rome’ (2005–2007)
Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd as Roman soldiers standing alongside together in Rome (2005-2007).Image via HBO
HBO just keeps churning out some of the most fascinating war shows ever. Next is Rome, the historical drama series which aired for two seasons from 2005 to 2007. Offering a compelling look into an iconic point in human civilization history, it tells the story of ancient Rome in the late BC period during its dramatic transition from a Republic in the dying days of Julius Caesar to a powerful Empire in the time of Augustus.
Each episode is an epic blast of entertainment, featuring powerful stories that talk about these intense moments during Rome’s history. It’s backed by a talented cast, including Ciarán Hinds, Kerry Condon, Kevin McKidd, and the late Ray Stevenson, all of whom excel in bringing these memorable figures to life and making them so fascinating to watch. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish that many other war shows can only hope to reach the level of quality, and it will only get better with age.
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7
‘M*A*S*H’ (1972–1983)
Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) standing together in ‘MASH’ episode “Major Fred C. Dobbs”Image via CBS
Truly, M*A*S*H is one of the most recognizable comedy-drama shows in television history. Its impact on pop culture and broadcasting is legendary and quite inspirational. Airing eleven seasons from 1972 to 1983, audiences laughed and cried as they followed this touching and at times utterly hilarious war series, which is full of iconic moments. Starring Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers, it follows the unique medical staff at a mobile army surgical hospital in South Korea during the Korean War.
Each one of its seasons was absolutely perfect, and entertained viewers with its remarkable storylines and likable characters. It also features plenty of moments that have become immortalized in TV history, like Lt. Col. Blake’s (McLean Stevenson) shocking demise in Season 3 to the legendary finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” which pulled in an impressive amount of viewership. It’s an undisputed masterpiece that TV history and the war genre would not have been the same without.
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8
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Was there any surprise for this last one? Of course, Band of Brothers is the most influential war show of all time. Hardly any other show can match the impact that this HBO masterpiecehas had on the minds of war-lovers everywhere. It’s gripping, iconic, and undeniably perfect with each episode. Based on the best-selling novel by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, the show brings to light a story of unbelievable heroism, following the brave men of Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from their grueling training in the states to marching into Germany during WWII.
It’s a remarkable story of courage, camaraderie, and determination in the face of so much adversity. Through ten episodes, we easily get to relate to and love these characters on their dangerous missions, and it’s truly breaking to see many of them not make it all the way to the end. Band of Brothers is widely hailed not just as the greatest war show but as one of the most compelling television shows ever created. Its production values, effects, and big budget gave way to how modern shows are created. This truly showed the potential of portraying war on the small screen, and is today an icon that even non-war fans must see.
Soon. Viewers will be returning to the cobblestone streets of Victoria Square in Birmingham and, most excitingly, the Garrison Tavern. The Netflix crime thriller series, Peaky Blinders, which premiered in 2013, showcased Small Heath, Birmingham, in a way many were not familiar with from a historical context. After six seasons of a series that went on to become a pop culture phenomenon, the Cillian Murphy-led show ended its run. However, in March 2026, the franchise would return with a sequel film set during WWII in the years after the original series. Titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the crime sequel brought down the curtain on the prime figure in the blood-soaked Shelby family tree.
Besides Murphy’s Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, the conflicted and complicated head of the Shelby family, with famous quotes. Peaky Blinders during its run, introduced a swath of other important members of this famous Gypsy clan. There’s the erratic, yet courageous Arthur Shelby. The eldest of the Shelby brothers, Paul Anderson’s character could be considered a loose cannon when out of Tommy’s control. The visionary Polly Gray (Helen McCrory), the matriarch of the Shelby family, helped chart the course for the family’s success and none could compare. Ada Shelby, played by Sophia Rundle, the fourth and only female Shelby sibling, created a life for herself separate from the family business. However, her family’s sins would eventually catch up with her in The Immortal Man.
By the time the sequel film, created by series creator and film writer Steven Knight, ended, the primary nucleus of the Shelby band had been taken off the board. This leaves us with a new generation seeking to write their own story. The BBC and Netflix, in collaboration with Knight, plan to expand the saga with two 6-episode seasons that will continue the Shelby family story. According to a new report from What’s On Netflix, production on the sequel series has already begun in the United Kingdom, with BAFTA-winning actress Lashana Lynch now heading to Birmingham. The new report also shows off images from the production set, even as the Shelbys move into the 1950s.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let’s all cater to this state auditor.
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What Lies Ahead for the ‘Peaky Blinders’?
Exact plot details for the sequel series remain under wraps, as well as Lynch’s role within the plot. Lynch, whose roles include The Woman King, Matilda the Musical, and, most recently, in Peacock’s hit thriller The Day of the Jackal, will star alongside
Cal O’Driscoll, Fintan Shevlin, and Jacob Wright. With The Immortal Man writing a concluding chapter to Tommy Shelby’s story, it would be interesting what the future of the Peaky Blinders holds in the sequel series. Given how things played out in the latest installment, Erasmus “Duke” Shelby will return to lead the family, with Jamie Belltaking over the role fromBarry Keoghan. Rebecca Fergusoncould return to her psychic role as well, and it’s an opportunity the Silo actress is absolutely open to.
Per the official synopsis, the new sequel is set in post-World War II Britain:
“Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger, with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.”
Watch both Peaky Blinders and The Immortal Man on Netflix. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the franchise’s expansion.
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Release Date
2013 – 2022-00-00
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Network
BBC One, BBC Two
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Showrunner
Steven Knight
Directors
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Anthony Byrne, Colm McCarthy, David Caffrey, Otto Bathurst, Tim Mielants, Tom Harper
Maul — Shadow Lord, the newest Star Wars animated series, is headed to Disney+ this month. And even though he’s now got his hands full running Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni played a key role in the show’s creation. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt recently spoke to series producer Athena Yvette Portillo, writer Matt Michnovetz, and supervising director Brad Rau about the new show, which premieres + on April 6.
The three discussed the structure of the series, which Rau called “the most serialized show we’ve ever made, which brings its own set of challenges but is really rewarding and super fun.” Portillo stated the show, which they broke down into a three-act structure over the course of the season, had a structure that was “always based on the narrative.” Michnovetz says that serialized structure was both something they were consciously working towards and something the narrative ultimately demanded, per Filoni:
“When Dave Filoni had pitched it to us in the beginning, and the story he had, he had made it clear it should be sort of like this pulpy noir, and we developed it from there.”
You can see for yourself when Maul: Shadow Lord launches with a double-episode premiere on April 6.
These films went from 16:9 all the way down to 4:3 (proverbially). How many of these movie-to-TV titles do you know?
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What Is ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ About?
Set a year afterRevenge of the Sith, the new series sees Maul (Sam Witwer), once a Sith apprentice and now an aspiring crime lord with a cybernetic lower half, seeking an apprentice of his own on the planet Janix. That might just be Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), a fugitive Twi’lek Jedi. However, they’ll both have to deal with the law, in the form of Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) and droid partner Two-Boots (Richard Ayoade). The series also features the voices of Dennis Haysbert, Chris Diamantopoulos, Charlie Bushnell, Vanessa Marshall, David W. Collins, A. J. LoCascio, and Steve Blum.
Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere two episodes a week for five weeks, with the season finale falling on May 4, the unofficial date of “Star Wars Day.” Star Wars fans will barely have time to catch their breath until the first Star Wars movie in almost seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu, rockets into theaters.
Maul — Shadow Lord will premiere on Disney+ on April 6. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
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We love a steamy cup of joe, but not the 3 p.m. crash that comes with it. Plain coffee can leave Us tired, moody and desperate for another sip, not to mention jittery and anxious. If you seek steady energy, better sleep and improved gut health, Everyday Dose’s protein coffee can help. It might even curb cravings!
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All it takes is a quick scoop and mix, and you’ll be out the door in minutes. This coffee simplifies your mornings while upgrading your ritual, so don’t be surprised if you’re obsessed. Not only do you get a.m. caffeine and protein, but also nutrients that help you feel your best.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
With a new version of The X-Files in the works, Ryan Coogler is working on reviving another beloved property of the 1990s. The recent Oscar-winner is tackling a series of YA science fiction novels that ruled the bookstores of America (and traumatized its preteens) long before The Hunger Games was a twinkle in Suzanne Collins‘ eye.
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According to reports, Coogler is executive producing a new adaptation of K.A. Applegate‘s Animorphs novels for Disney+. The series will be showrun and written by Bayan Wolcott, who has previously written for American Crime Story, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and the Hulu science fiction drama Class of ’09; he is also writing for the new The Handmaid’s Tale spin-off The Testaments. The novel series ran from 1996 to 2001, and included 54 books and 10 spin-offs and specials. The books are well-remembered for their intense action and unflinching look at the realities of violence, as well as their distinctive David B. Mattingly cover art, which depicted one of the book’s characters morphing into an animal via a combination of traditional art and morphing software.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks with Ranbir Kapoor for Ramayana.
In this interview, Kapoor discusses Ramayana’s epic two-part story and the gratitude and responsibility of portraying Rama.
He also talks about the movie’s Lord of the Rings-scale spectacle, six hours of grand visuals and action, filming for IMAX, and more.
From director Nitesh Tiwari, with an expansive story by Shridhar Raghavan, comes one of India’s most anticipated features of 2026: Ramayana. At an exclusive early preview, Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to talk with the film’s lead, Ranbir Kapoor, who has the esteemed honor of portraying not only Lord Rama in the movie, but is pulling double duty representing Lord Parshuram, as well. In this interview, Kapoor talks with us about the responsibility of the role, why he initially turned it down, and why this is a must-see in IMAX.
Ramayana, told in two parts, is a sweeping, timeless epic from producer and filmmaker Namit Malhotra. In the movie, Heaven and Earth are inching closer to chaos, and to restore the balance, the Trinity god Vishnu must descend to Earth as an avatar, Rama (Kapoor). Rama is a prince whose opposition is the formidable and immortal demon king Ravana (Yash). Unfortunately, Rama does not yet realize that his destiny is to confront this vengeful demon in a clash so catastrophic that the fate of the gods and mortals hang in its balance. In the movie, Kapoor leads a star-studded ensemble, including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.
Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above, or the transcript below, where Kapoor discusses the importance of the whirlwind global promotion of Ramayana, why he first declined the role, and the gratitude and responsibility he feels representing this story. Kapoor also talks about why audiences must see Ramayana in IMAX if they’re able, Indian cinema’s reach across the world since films like 2022’s RRR(and long before), and growing up among cinema royalty.
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Ranbir Kapoor Shares His Favorite Fan Moments as a Movie Geek
He tells stories about Al Pacino, Bill Murray, Quentin Tarantino, and more.
Image via New Line Cinema
COLLIDER: We’re in Los Angeles right now, and literally yesterday you were on set in India filming part two. What were you filming yesterday, and what is it like to just jump on a plane and fly around the world?
RANBIR KAPOOR: Well, I won’t lie, it is a bit hard and daunting, but moments like this and films like this come very rarely in a person’s life, and when you’re so proud of something, you’re so inspired, you want to travel the world and try and pass on the message that this film is coming out and what the movie’s about. So, yes, it is tiring, but the immense faith and intention that we have behind making this film, I think that just pulls us all together.
Can you tease what you were filming on set?
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KAPOOR: We’re already halfway done filming part two, at least my portions. It’s even more exciting than what you guys have seen.
I won’t pressure you anymore. I like asking a few fun questions to actors, and this is my fun question for you: Have you ever asked for someone’s autograph?
KAPOOR: Absolutely. Much like yourselves, I’m a big geek of movies. I’ve been watching a film a day for the last 35 years. Apart from my local heroes, where I grew up in India, when I’ve traveled, I’ve been shooed away by Natalie Portman, Quentin Tarantino has shown me the finger, and I’ve met Bill Murray. Al Pacino was doing a reading of Salomé on Broadway; I was a student at that time, and I stood outside for three hours just to get a shout-out from him. Met [Robert] DeNiro in India. These are my screen idols, and just to meet them has given me immense joy.
Coming as a fan, how much has that impacted when you’re meeting your fans? How much has that changed you, knowing that you’ve been on the other side, where you stood in line for three hours wanting to meet someone? You have a lot of fans, so does that play a little factor with you?
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KAPOOR: Absolutely. I feel a lot of gratitude. Sometimes it’s disbelief, like, “All of these people want to take my autograph or take a picture with me?” Also, I come from a film family. I’m fourth generation, so my family has been contributing to Indian cinema for close to 100 years. I’ve seen it around me while growing up. I’ve seen people with immense success, even with immense failure, and I think that really balanced me out very early on. So, I don’t get swayed by success or get disheartened by failure.
Ranbir Kapoor Says ‘Ramayana’ Is India’s Answer to the Greatest Global Epics
“It’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings.”
Ranbir Kapoor in a still from the Ramayana teaser.World of Ramayana
A lot of people in America who are going to be watching this interview won’t actually know the story, won’t know much about the history. What can you tease people about the movie? Why does it mean so much to you and so many people around the world?
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KAPOOR: Well, it is the greatest epic to come from my country, India. Apart from the entertainment and every emotion that it will give you, there are a lot of life lessons that you can take from a film like Ramayana and the characters. I’m extremely excited that the West, the entire world, and the entire global audience will get to sample this story.
One of the things about being the main character in a movie like this is that it has to, as an actor, be very daunting. Your whole career has led to this moment, so what was it like for you in the months leading up to that first day of filming, to get your head around what you would be doing mentally and physically?
KAPOOR: Steve, if I can go back a year before filming is when I felt the jitters, when there was a lot of fear. But I think by the time it was a month before filming, I felt so much gratitude to get this opportunity. It was a blessing of Lord Ram that I got to play this — nobody can represent him, but to actually surrender myself to the character that I played.
A month before, if I can remember, I was chasing the director, Nitesh Tiwari, to try to take as much as I could about the story, about the journey of Ram. Because it’s limitless, right? There is not just a definite “this is it, and this is what you play.” So, I think really to truly surrender to the part, to make certain sacrifices about your life, make certain changes to really feel close to what you’re trying to engage the audience with, I think a month before shoot, I was all there.
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In the new trailer that will be out by the time people watch this, there’s a shot of you swinging on a branch with a creature, and it reminded me a little bit of Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. It was just this massive spectacle. So, what can you tease people in terms of some of the spectacle and the cool things that you do in these movies?
KAPOOR: Like you said, Steve, you know, it’s nothing less than Lord of the Rings. It’s our greatest epic spectacle coming from our country, and this was just a teaser. We have six hours of epic visuals and epic action sequences, emotions. It teaches you to be a better son, a better husband, a better brother. It’s the triumph of good over evil. There are so many different layers of storytelling happening with this film that I’m really excited for people to sample it.
There is significant buzz about you playing both Lord Ram and Parshuram. How are you using your body language and voice to differentiate between the two distinct divine entities, one representing calm and the other righteous fury?
KAPOOR: Well, you’ve done your homework pretty well. Just to give you a backstory, Lord Vishnu had different avatars. Lord Ram is one avatar; Lord Parshuram was an avatar before Lord Rām. And just to get the opportunity, like how I got to play Lord Rām, to also play Lord Parshuram was fantastic.
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As an actor, apart from body language, if you deeply understand the spirituality, the emotionality of characters, I think everything starts from there. That’s what I did that year, leading to the shoot of Ramayana, was to really understand who these people are, who these characters are, what they stand for, what their motives are, and then everything just becomes easier.
Every generation has its Rām. How do you detach yourself from those legendary benchmarks to ensure your version feels fresh without being disrespectful to the core sentiments?
KAPOOR: Like I said, it’s a responsibility. It’s a responsibility that you’re carrying on your shoulders. Because, like I mentioned earlier, you can’t really play him. You are representing. You’re telling, as an actor, your version of Lord Rām. So, the responsibility, the intention, the faith, and the belief that I have as an actor, I have as an Indian, towards this story, towards Lord Rām, I think that’s where it all begins.
So, Rama is often described as the ideal man. After living in this character’s skin for so long, what is the one quality of Rama that has actually rubbed off on you, the person?
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KAPOOR: I think the leading qualities which really stand out to me, apart from all there is, are his compassion, his courage, his ability to forgive, and righteousness. There is a saying in the scriptures, “Tara Maa protects those who uphold it,” and I think that’s something that really stayed with me.
How ‘RRR’ Impacted Indian Cinema’s Reach in the West
“Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema.”
You’ve been working in Indian cinema for decades. How have you seen Indian cinema change over the last 20 years? And I’m curious, with the success of RRR in America, how much that may have opened the Western audiences for Indian cinema, from your perspective?
KAPOOR: Yes, of course. RRR made a huge impact, which was two years back, but I’ve always believed that a good story really translates and travels, irrespective of language, which could be a barrier. I think Indian cinema has been a leading nation in making cinema. My grandfather’s films, which were in the 1950s, traveled to Russia, to Japan, to different parts of the world. I think with every generation, we are taking giant steps, where a larger audience is sampling our movies and giving respect to our cinema. I think with Ramayana, the intention is to really take Indian cinema, take a giant leap, and really make a large audience sample our movies.
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People don’t realize the long hours it takes to make a movie. Making one movie is an immense challenge, but you’re filming two, I believe, back to back. What is it like for you to maintain that stamina and energy when it’s such a long production?
KAPOOR: Again, it goes back to faith and belief, because you believe in it. The intention of all the makers, the cast, and crew is so positive, and everybody has this full energy to tell the story in the best way possible. I think that’s something which really keeps us going. Where the story starts and where it continues to go is a very exciting narrative for an actor just to be part of that.
“We should concentrate on how to make that high higher or bigger rather than trying to recreate from the previous success,” says S.S. Rajamouli.
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What was it actually like for you reading the script for the first time? Because it’s one thing to hear what you’re going to do, it’s another thing to actually read that script. What was something that you couldn’t believe was on the page? What was something that made you say, “How are we going to film this?”
KAPOOR: It was a journey because when Namit [Malhotra] offered me this part, he didn’t narrate the script to me. He just said, “Listen, I’m making this film. What do you feel about playing Lord Rām?” And out of fear, my instinct reaction was, “No, I can’t do it. I’m not fit enough for it.” But then, over a period of time, Namit took me through his vision and what he was doing with the film.
Then, when I met Nitesh Sir, and he narrated the story to me, I could not thank my stars that I was in the right place at the right time, getting the opportunity to be part of a film like this, to play Lord Rām. I still have to pinch myself to understand that I am playing Lord Rām, and that’s something which is probably a big turning point in my life and career.
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Why IMAX Is the Best Way To Experience ‘Ramayana’
“It just blew my mind.”
A still from Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor.World of Ramayana
I want to bring up the IMAX of it all. I can’t wait to watch this in IMAX. It’s my favorite format for the big screen experience, and more and more audiences around the world now understand what IMAX means. Can you talk about why you’re going to want to see this in IMAX, and what it is like making a movie that’s going to be on these massive, massive screens?
KAPOOR: I guess when you’re telling such epic stories, which are such big-scale event films, this is probably one of the biggest IMAXs I’ve ever seen in my life.
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We should mention we’re in the AMC Burbank.
KAPOOR: AMC Burbank.
This is one of James Cameron’s favorite theaters.
KAPOOR: It just blew my mind. It’s like you’re immersed. You’re in there. And Ramayana is a story that should be sampled in IMAX. That’s where you really feel the experience of the movie.
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Speaking of movie theaters, I love seeing movies in movie theaters. Do you have a favorite movie theater? It could be anywhere that you’ve been.
KAPOOR: Yes. There is a theater in India called Gaiety Galaxy. That’s where I grew up, going to watch movies. We have a system where there is a stall and a balcony. The stall is where everyone’s really having a party, like they’re throwing money on the screen and throwing papers all over. People in the balcony are a little bit more dignified, if I might say, looking down at all the people having fun. But my earliest memories of cinema and larger-than-life characters started from that place, Gaiety Galaxy.
Your family is essentially a royal family when it comes to cinema in India. At what point in your life did you realize, “Actually, I think I am going to want to be an actor. I do want to do this?” When did it hit you?
KAPOOR: Everyone in my family just took it for granted that “Probably, he’ll grow up to be an actor or a director.” But growing up in a film family, there was no sense of ego or, “This is a very easy thing for me to do,” because all people are successful in my family because they’re extremely hardworking, extremely passionate. Everybody had an individualistic approach towards their work, and that’s why they were successful. That’s the learning I got very early on in my life, that unless I have my own individual approach to my work, my own stories to tell, it’ll be hard for me. So, yeah, it was amazing to feel the passion, to feel that energy and madness towards cinema. That was very contagious growing up.
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Ramayana: Part 1 opens in theaters and IMAX globally this fall, during Diwali 2026. Part 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027.
Former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah recently broke her silence on where she stands with Mary Cosby. The pair feuded incessantly on the first two seasons of the Bravo reality series. However, their relationship stalled after Shah was imprisoned in February 2023. In her first interview since her release, Shah opened up about her reported crimes and her relationship with many of her former co-stars.
Jen Shah Reached Out To Mary Cosby Following Her Son’s Sudden Death In February 2026
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Shah and Cosby have a complicated history, as documented in earlier episodes of “RHOSLC.” Despite the past, Shah recently told PEOPLE that she decided to reach out to Cosby privately after learning her son passed away at 23.
“I felt like that was the respectful thing to do, so I mailed her a card and just told her how deeply sorry that I was to hear about the passing of Robert Jr., and that she’s in my family’s prayers every day,” Shah said.
According to a report from The Blast, Robert Cosby Jr. was pronounced dead in Salt Lake City in February 2026 after police responded to a call of a potential overdose.
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Jen Shah Shares Why She Reached Out To Cosby Privately Rather Than Speaking Out Publicly
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Several “Real Housewives” stars publicly showed their support for Cosby. Shah, however, said that she reached out to Cosby privately for a specific reason.
“I wanted to write to her and let her know that even though I hadn’t talked to her obviously for a few years while I’ve been gone, that I care about her, especially with right now, what she’s going through,” Shah said. “And I chose to reach out privately because I didn’t want it to be a distraction. … I wanted it to remain about what Mary was going through and about her son and honoring his memory.”
Cosby confirmed her son’s death in an Instagram post, per The Blast, saying he had “been called home to the Lord.”
She added, “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”
Jen Shah Opens Up About Life Behind Bars
Ok – Jen Shah of #RHOSLC is here in Courtroom 23A, it’s for “change of plea” (to guilty). Inner City Press has been covering the case, even before Shah was added to it, and will live tweet, thread below https://t.co/CtPE0hPiZO
Elsewhere during her latest interview, Shah spoke out about her experience behind bars.
For those unfamiliar, the former reality star was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison in the summer of 2022 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
US Attorneys claimed Shah was the mastermind behind a massive telemarketing scheme that defrauded elderly and other vulnerable victims.
In prison, Shah said she was required to walk around with a pink card, likened to a “scarlet letter,” informing others that she was a high-profile inmate.
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“I had to carry it around and check in with officers every two hours,” she said.
Shah Said Being In Prison Was Like A ‘BravoCon Meet And Greet’
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While behind bars at FPC Bryan in Texas, Shah said she met many fans of the “Real Housewives” franchise.
“Listen, it was like a BravoCon meet and greet when I got there,” she said. “Literally.”
“I didn’t know that there were so many fans there,” Shah continued. “I had people coming up to me, saying, ‘Hi, I’m the President of the Salt Lake City fan club out of Louisiana.”
When Shah first entered, though, the prison staff had to remove Bravo from the TVs because of the extra attention it drew to her.
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“They had taken Bravo off all the TVs because it was drawing a lot of attention,” she said. “But after a few months, they put it back on… and it was just mayhem from then on.”
How Did Shah Find Herself Involved In The Alleged Scheme That Sent Her To Prison?
I cannot consume enough information about Jen Shah getting arrested!! I have texted 3 (!) journalist friends this morning about it! #RHOSLC
I assume she knew. Did coach shah know? Who needs 8 assistants? Why did she go on a reality show? How long will she go to jail for? @Andy
During her interview, Shah got candid about how she found herself at the center of the legal battle that sent her to prison.
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“It’s a long and a very complex journey that brought me to this point,” she revealed about the matter. “And without re-litigating it, I became involved in the case because I made horrible business decisions and I disregarded huge red flags. I allowed the lines to be blurred between personal friendships and ethical business practices. And in essence, I trusted the wrong people at a very vulnerable time in my life.”
Whenever someone says they’re a fan of anime, a good follow-up is, “which anime?” Anime is a medium that simply means animated shows or movies from Japan, and within that are countless other genres including Shonen (One Piece, Demon Slayer), Isekai (Overlord, Sword Art Online), Romance (The Apothecary Diaries), Slice of Life (Your Name), and then there’s different styles within all of that, including the one that people bring up when they want to tear down anime as being mindless fanservice: ecchi.
Ecchi anime is incredibly suggestive. This is where you’ll find the gratuitous male gaze shots of every single female character, and plots with adult themes that are not mature because they also tend to have purposely juvenile comedy to them. That’s why it’s surprising to browse on Disney+ and find that 2010’s High School of the Dead is available for streaming.
High School Of The Dead Is The Most Famous Ecchi Series
High School of the Dead is one of the most infamous anime of all time thanks to its blatant, gratuitous fanservice that you’ll either love or hate within the first five minutes. The plot is about a group of high schoolers trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, and as with The Walking Dead, the real danger is the complete breakdown of society. Not only the support systems they took for granted, but their own morals and ethics, all of which get tested. Within a few minutes of his introduction, you’ll think that teacher Koichi Shido is among history’s greatest villains when his inner monologue reveals he wants to reshape society with himself on top.
The first few episode of High School of the Dead center around Takashi and Rei, both second-year students at Fujimi High School, who become the de facto leaders of the band of survivors. Some of the students get a chance to show off skills that’ve learned in clubs (kendo club turns out to be really useful), or studying abroad (the nerd who spent a month in America learned to shoot from a Delta Force member), while others quickly become fodder for the slow-moving horde.
There’s one sequence early on that says everything you need to know about High School of the Dead. Two girls are running form zombies, talking about how they will be best friends forever, when one of them is grabbed by a zombie. As she’s getting pulled into the horde, her skirt rides up letting you know that this is absolutely an ecchi, and at the same time, her BFF is yelling at her to let go, and even stomps on her hand, leaving her to die. Violence, language, fanservice, and a dark sense of humor. That’s the entire series in one 20-second scene.
The Most Banned Anime Of All Time
High School of the Dead is not for everyone. If you’re fine with the fanservice, you’ll discover it’s a decent zombie apocalypse anime with two good leads in Takashi and Rei, both of whom are allowed to grow and develop as society collapses around them. Getting to the good bits of the plot requires going through an awful lot of “plot” that should be listed in the dictionary right next to “male gaze.”
The sex and violence found in every episode of Highschool of the Dead was enough for the Chinese government to ban it from the country in 2015. The manga has also been banned from countless libraries and schools before staff learned that not all manga is for kids. Sadly, for those who enjoyed the series, creator Daisuke Saito passed away in 2017, and out of respect, the publisher quietly canceled the manga and anime, leaving it forever at only one season.
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High School of the Dead is one of those anime that you’ll either love or hate, and a lot of it comes down to your personal sense of humor and how you like your horror. If you’re a fan of the 70s and 80s horror, you’ll find the series hits a similar tone, but if you’re not and you’re curious about it, think twice because the level of fan service can be hard to handle when you’re not on the same wavelength.
If you do want to check it out, fire up Disney+, scroll past Bluey, and the entire run of High School of the Dead is available for streaming.
Arthur Horn, the lawyer for Pooh Shiesty‘s alleged co-conspirator, Rodney Wright Jr., also known as rapper Big30, has shared a statement in response to the kidnapping and robbery allegations involving Gucci Mane.
Arthur Horn, Lawyer For Pooh Shiesty’s Alleged Co-Conspirator Rodney Wright Jr. A.K.A. Big30 Shares Statement
According to Localmemphis.com, Arthur Horn spoke exclusively with the outlet. He issued a statement in a report initially published on Thursday, April 2. Per the outlet, Horn noted the kidnapping and robbery allegations against his client as “shocking.”
“He doesn’t have a criminal history. He’s been making music for a number of years. He and Pooh Shiesty came up in the music game together. They were very close and made music together. It’s just sad that this is happening right now,” Horn reportedly told the outlet.
Furthermore, the lawyer also urged the public not to “pass judgment” on Big30 and the others “until all the facts come out.”
“I just hope that people will wait to pass judgment on Rodney and these other individuals until all the facts come out,” he reportedly concluded.
Per Horn, a detention hearing will center around Big30 on Friday, April 3.
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“The first thing is, we’ll hopefully be able to get Rodney a bond. And then, once we are able to get him a bond, he’ll be able to fight this case,” he said.
Per Localmemphis.com, Pooh Shiesty’s dad, Darrion McDaniel, Kordae Johnson, and Damarian Gipson, will appear in the federal court at 2 p.m. alongside Big30 for the hearing.
More On The Gucci Mane Kidnapping & Robbery Allegations
As The Shade Room previously reported, on Wednesday, April 1, the FBI raided the family home of Pooh Shiesty and his father, Lontrell Williams Sr. Furthermore, at the time, the target of the search remained unclear. However, by the end of the day, Williams Sr. was reportedly arrested, and Pooh, who was reportedly in Dallas, Texas, was taken into custody as well.
To note, as The Shade Room previously reported, in October 2025, Pooh was released from behind bars. This, after serving three years for a federal firearms charge. According to The Independent, it was believed that Pooh had been staying at a residential reentry facility in Dallas since his release. Furthermore, he was reportedly expected to remain there until April 11.
On Thursday, April 2, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for North Texas revealed that Pooh, his dad, Rodney Wright Jr, and six others were the target of an investigation into a kidnapping and robbery involving three victims, per The Shade Room. Ultimately, it was revealed that on January 10, 2026, the group executed an “armed takeover,” luring victim later identified as Gucci Mane, and two others, to a studio in Dallas. There, allegedly forcing him to sign a music release contract at gunpoint.
Authorities reportedly connected Pooh and the group to the incident through electronic monitoring of the rapper’s location, cell phone records, license plate readers, car rental records, surveillance footage, fingerprints, Greyhound records, and social media posts of the alleged conspirators wearing stolen jewelry from the victims.
What Happens Next For Pooh Shiesty, His Alleged Co-Conspirator Rodney Wright Jr. A.K.A. Big30, & The Others
After the revelation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, social media users swarmed Pooh Shiesty’s comment section with shocked reactions at his alleged actions. Additionally, Pooh’s mother, Gladys Baines, took to social media. This, to share a few cryptic posts amid his and his father’s arrest, per The Shade Room.
Furthermore, by Thursday evening, the full 32-page criminal complaint against the group was released. As The Shade Room previously reported, the complaint broke down how the group allegedly cornered the victims in the studio. This, allegedly with “AK-style pistols.” And stole jewelry, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, and other high-end goods while allegedly barricading doors and choking a victim near unconsciousness.
Additionally, the complaint detailed what the group allegedly did after the incident — including social media posts made. And how authorities connected them to the alleged crime. At this time, it is being reported that all nine suspects “could face up to life in prison.”
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