PUZZLE PHENOMENON
Disney+ has revealed that Korean crime thriller “Nine Puzzles” has become the platform’s most-viewed Korean title globally in 2025, just nine days after its May 21 debut.
The series stars Kim Dami (“Itaewon Class”) as Yoon Ena, a high school student who discovers her murdered uncle’s body alongside a mysterious puzzle piece, only to become the prime suspect. A decade later, now a criminal profiler, she’s pulled into a new series of murders connected by similar puzzle pieces. Son Sukku (“Big Bet”) co-stars as Detective Kim Hansaem, with Kim Sungkyun (“Moving”) and Hyun Bongsik rounding out the cast. The series is directed by Yoon Jongbin (“Narco Saints”) and written by Lee Eunmi (“Tunnel”).
“Nine Puzzles” joins Disney+‘s expanding Korean slate alongside “Unmasked” and “Hyper Knife,” with upcoming titles including treasure-hunting series “Low Life” starring Ryu Seungryong and international conspiracy thriller “Tempest” featuring Gang Dongwon and John Cho.
ROMANTIC REVEAL
India’s Yash Raj Films has released the teaser for “Saiyaara,” director Mohit Suri‘s upcoming romantic drama that introduces Ahaan Panday as a Bollywood hero opposite Aneet Padda, breakout star of “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
The love story, produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, marks a collaboration between the legendary production house and Suri, both known for crafting memorable romantic narratives. The teaser reveals the title’s poetic meaning: while “Saiyaara” literally means wandering celestial body, it poetically describes something “dazzling, ethereal, or otherworldly — a wandering star – always shining, always guiding, but always out of reach.”
The project unites YRF’s 50-year legacy of romantic classics from Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra with Suri’s own romantic filmography, including “Aashiqui 2,” “Malang,” and “Ek Villain.” Now in his 20th year directing, Suri brings his signature style to the YRF universe.
“Saiyaara” releases worldwide in theaters July 18.
CELLULOID CENTENARY
“Bambai Ka Babu”
Film Heritage Foundation
Film Heritage Foundation will honor legendary Indian filmmaker Raj Khosla‘s 100th birth anniversary with “Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu,” a day-long retrospective at Mumbai’s Regal Cinema on May 31.
The celebration features screenings of restored classics “C.I.D.” (1956), “Bambai Ka Babu” (1960), and “Mera Gaon Mera Desh” (1971), with the first two digitally restored in 4K by NFDC-National Film Archive of India. A panel discussion will include veteran actor Asha Parekh, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and biographer Amborish Roychoudhury.
“I would describe Raj Khosla as the Howard Hawks of Indian cinema,” said FHF director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, praising the filmmaker’s genre versatility. NFDC MD Prakash Magdum noted the event is “part of an ambitious restoration project of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.”
Parekh, who starred in several Khosla films, credited “Do Badan” with changing perceptions of her acting range beyond glamorous roles. All screenings are free with first-come, first-served seating. Khosla’s three-decade career spanned 27 films.
DECEPTION DARLINGS
Prime Video has dropped the trailer for “The Traitors,” its Indian adaptation of the global reality hit, premiering June 12 with weekly Thursday episodes leading to a grand finale. Karan Johar hosts the deception-filled series featuring 20 celebrities including Anshula Kapoor, Ashish Vidyarthi, Jasmine Bhasin, Karan Kundrra, Maheep Kapoor, Raftaar, and Uorfi Javed.
Set at Rajasthan’s royal Suryagarh Palace, contestants dubbed “innocents” must identify secretly chosen “traitors” while competing for cash through physical and psychological challenges. The format pits betrayal against detection in an ultimate mind game.
“We’re diving headfirst into a format unlike anything India has seen before,” said Nikhil Madhok, Prime Video’s head of originals. Johar promises viewers will witness “lies, deceit, betrayal, and a whole lot of drama.” The series is produced with All3Media International and BBC Studios India Productions.
