The Gotham Awards, recognised as the leading honours for independent films, announced the nominations for this year’s ceremony, highlighting the extraordinary talents shaping the future of cinema. Among the nominees is filmmaker Shuchi Talati, acclaimed for her innovative vision and directorial prowess in the highly anticipated film Girls Will Be Girls.

This year, the Gotham Awards are led by notable contenders such as Anora and Zendaya’s Challengers, making Talati’s nomination a significant achievement for Indian cinema. The recognition of Girls Will Be Girls alongside such prominent works underscores the film's impact and Talati's remarkable talent.

Produced by Bollywood actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, Girls Will Be Girls has garnered international acclaim, recently winning two major awards at the Sundance Film Festival and sweeping the awards at MAMI, India’s largest film festival. These accolades have positioned the film as one of the most anticipated releases in the Indian independent film circuit.

“I am incredibly honoured to be recognised by the Gotham Awards,” said Shuchi Talati. “This nomination is not just a personal milestone; it reflects the collective efforts, creativity, and passion of everyone involved in Girls Will Be Girls. Our film seeks to illuminate the complexities of female experiences in a fresh and engaging way, and I hope it resonates deeply with audiences. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in storytelling.”

Chadha and Fazal jointly expressed their pride and said, “We are immensely proud of Shuchi and the entire team behind Girls Will Be Girls. This nomination is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision that went into creating this film. As producers, we have always aimed to tell authentic stories that challenge societal norms, and it’s thrilling to see our work gaining recognition on such a prestigious platform. We look forward to the film's release in India and are excited for audiences to experience what we believe is a significant addition to contemporary cinema.”

The Gotham Awards, recognised as the leading honours for independent films, announced the nominations for this year’s ceremony, highlighting the extraordinary talents shaping the future of cinema.

The Gotham Awards, recognised as the leading honours for independent films, announced the nominations for this year’s ceremony, highlighting the extraordinary talents shaping the future of cinema. Among the nominees is filmmaker Shuchi Talati, acclaimed for her innovative vision and directorial prowess in the highly anticipated film Girls Will Be Girls. This year, the Gotham Awards are led by notable contenders such as Anora and Zendaya’s Challengers, making Talati’s nomination a significant achievement for Indian cinema. The recognition of Girls Will Be Girls alongside such prominent works underscores the film's impact and Talati's remarkable talent. Produced by Bollywood actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, Girls Will Be Girls has garnered international acclaim, recently winning two major awards at the Sundance Film Festival and sweeping the awards at MAMI, India’s largest film festival. These accolades have positioned the film as one of the most anticipated releases in the Indian independent film circuit. “I am incredibly honoured to be recognised by the Gotham Awards,” said Shuchi Talati. “This nomination is not just a personal milestone; it reflects the collective efforts, creativity, and passion of everyone involved in Girls Will Be Girls. Our film seeks to illuminate the complexities of female experiences in a fresh and engaging way, and I hope it resonates deeply with audiences. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in storytelling.” Chadha and Fazal jointly expressed their pride and said, “We are immensely proud of Shuchi and the entire team behind Girls Will Be Girls. This nomination is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision that went into creating this film. As producers, we have always aimed to tell authentic stories that challenge societal norms, and it’s thrilling to see our work gaining recognition on such a prestigious platform. We look forward to the film's release in India and are excited for audiences to experience what we believe is a significant addition to contemporary cinema.”

Richa Chadha-Ali Fazal backed Girls Will Be Girls nominated at the prestigious Gotham Awards

Britons are reacting to the first Labour budget in 14 years, with opinions divided on the government's proposed measures. Supporters praise initiatives aimed at boosting the economy and addressing cost-of-living challenges, while critics raise concerns about spending priorities and potential impacts on public services. The budget marks a significant moment in UK politics, reflecting Labour's vision for the country's future.

Britons React To First Labour Budget In 14 Years

The sexy tennis drama Challengers won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

“We’re obviously very, very happy with the number,” said Kevin Wilson, who heads theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM. “Looking at the audience who showed up, it’s really encouraging. It’s not the easiest audience to get to theaters.”

Women made up 58% of ticket buyers, who also skewed younger overall: 41% were between the ages of 18 and 24.

Ticket sales from large format screens, including IMAX, made up about 40% of the opening weekend grosses. According to PostTrak exit poll reported by Deadline, 55% of audiences said they went to see the film because of Zendaya. In fact, this weekend, Zendaya movies accounted for around 26% of the overall box office with the re-release of Dune: Part Two&nbsp;in IMAX, which made nearly $2 million.

The 27-year-old actor has been part of some of the most successful franchises of the last few years, including the Spider-Man&nbsp;and Dune&nbsp;movies. In both cases those were supporting roles in massive brand-name properties, but her eye-catching red carpet looks also often make headlines. Challengers&nbsp;would be the first real test of her ability to “open” a film on her own star and MGM and Amazon were not going to risk doing it without her.

The studio had originally planned to release Challengers&nbsp;in the fall of 2023, with a picturesque launch at the Venice Film Festival. But when the actors went on strike last July, the studio made the decision to scuttle the festival premiere and move the film to this weekend when they could safely assume the strike would be resolved. Zendaya sported many tennis-themed looks, styled by Law Roach, for her appearances.

“It would be hard to argue that we should have released this movie when she wasn’t able to support,” Wilson said.

He gave special credit to the studio’s publicity and marketing teams for orchestrating a world tour that resulted in several viral fashion moments.

Reviews have been largely positive for the R-rated movie, which teases a steamy and competitive love triangle between the tennis players. It currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and got a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences.

Guadagnino’s last film Bones and All, starring Zendaya’s Dune&nbsp;co-star Timothée Chalamet, made $15.2 million in its entire run. By midweek, Challengers&nbsp;expected to surpass Call Me By Your Name&nbsp;($18 million) to become Guadagnino’s highest grossing film.

For Amazon MGM Studios, the value also extends beyond the box office driving a “downstream value” for Amazon, including when Challengers&nbsp;eventually makes its way to Prime Video.

“I’ve always believed that theatrical is the best way to launch some of these films,” Wilson said. “When this thing gets to Prime Video, it’s obviously going to perform at a level that would be much greater than had it just gone directly to the platform. Theatrical is only a piece of it.”

Second place went to the faith-based film Unsung Hero, which made an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. It’s based on the true story of the Smallbone family, and the rise of their children Rebecca St. James, and sons Joel and David (for KING + COUNTRY) in the country music scene. Joel Smallbone directed, co-wrote and portrayed his father David.

The Lionsgate film, which was made for only $6 million, scored a rare A+ CinemaScore and has a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critic’s score is a much more tempered 58%. Audiences were overwhelmingly female (69%) and over 25 (91%).

Third place went to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, with $7.2 million in its fifth weekend. In fourth place, A24’s Civil War&nbsp;also added $7 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $56.2 million. And rounding out the top five was the horror movie Abigail&nbsp;with $5.3 million.

“April of 2024 provided an opportunity for interesting, innovative and critically acclaimed films to be at the top of the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “It was a great month for moviegoers looking for something beyond the typical summer blockbusters.”

The box office might not compare to last year when The Super Mario Bros. Movie&nbsp;was still dominating, but Dergarabedian said establishing audience goodwill is important as well.

Next weekend the summer movie season kicks off with the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy The Fall Guy.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.

1. “Challengers,” $15 million.

2. “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million.

3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million.

4. “Civil War,” 7 million.

5. “Abigail,” $5.3 million.

6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million

7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million.

8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million.

9. “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million.

10. “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.

The sexy tennis drama Challengers won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.

The sexy tennis drama Challengers won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada. “We’re obviously very, very happy with the number,” said Kevin Wilson, who heads theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM. “Looking at the audience who showed up, it’s really encouraging. It’s not the easiest audience to get to theaters.” Women made up 58% of ticket buyers, who also skewed younger overall: 41% were between the ages of 18 and 24. Ticket sales from large format screens, including IMAX, made up about 40% of the opening weekend grosses. According to PostTrak exit poll reported by Deadline, 55% of audiences said they went to see the film because of Zendaya. In fact, this weekend, Zendaya movies accounted for around 26% of the overall box office with the re-release of Dune: Part Two in IMAX, which made nearly $2 million. The 27-year-old actor has been part of some of the most successful franchises of the last few years, including the Spider-Man and Dune movies. In both cases those were supporting roles in massive brand-name properties, but her eye-catching red carpet looks also often make headlines. Challengers would be the first real test of her ability to “open” a film on her own star and MGM and Amazon were not going to risk doing it without her. The studio had originally planned to release Challengers in the fall of 2023, with a picturesque launch at the Venice Film Festival. But when the actors went on strike last July, the studio made the decision to scuttle the festival premiere and move the film to this weekend when they could safely assume the strike would be resolved. Zendaya sported many tennis-themed looks, styled by Law Roach, for her appearances. “It would be hard to argue that we should have released this movie when she wasn’t able to support,” Wilson said. He gave special credit to the studio’s publicity and marketing teams for orchestrating a world tour that resulted in several viral fashion moments. Reviews have been largely positive for the R-rated movie, which teases a steamy and competitive love triangle between the tennis players. It currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and got a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences. Guadagnino’s last film Bones and All, starring Zendaya’s Dune co-star Timothée Chalamet, made $15.2 million in its entire run. By midweek, Challengers expected to surpass Call Me By Your Name ($18 million) to become Guadagnino’s highest grossing film. For Amazon MGM Studios, the value also extends beyond the box office driving a “downstream value” for Amazon, including when Challengers eventually makes its way to Prime Video. “I’ve always believed that theatrical is the best way to launch some of these films,” Wilson said. “When this thing gets to Prime Video, it’s obviously going to perform at a level that would be much greater than had it just gone directly to the platform. Theatrical is only a piece of it.” Second place went to the faith-based film Unsung Hero, which made an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. It’s based on the true story of the Smallbone family, and the rise of their children Rebecca St. James, and sons Joel and David (for KING + COUNTRY) in the country music scene. Joel Smallbone directed, co-wrote and portrayed his father David. The Lionsgate film, which was made for only $6 million, scored a rare A+ CinemaScore and has a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critic’s score is a much more tempered 58%. Audiences were overwhelmingly female (69%) and over 25 (91%). Third place went to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, with $7.2 million in its fifth weekend. In fourth place, A24’s Civil War also added $7 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $56.2 million. And rounding out the top five was the horror movie Abigail with $5.3 million. “April of 2024 provided an opportunity for interesting, innovative and critically acclaimed films to be at the top of the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “It was a great month for moviegoers looking for something beyond the typical summer blockbusters.” The box office might not compare to last year when The Super Mario Bros. Movie was still dominating, but Dergarabedian said establishing audience goodwill is important as well. Next weekend the summer movie season kicks off with the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy The Fall Guy. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday. 1. “Challengers,” $15 million. 2. “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million. 3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million. 4. “Civil War,” 7 million. 5. “Abigail,” $5.3 million. 6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million 7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million. 8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million. 9. “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million. 10. “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.

Zendaya’s tennis movie Challengers scores at the weekend box office

Zendaya never ceases to amaze with her super chic looks off screen and powerful performances on screen but now she’s opening up about what tennis legend Serena Williams thought of her latest performance in Challengers, a film that is sure to get the actress some acting nods in the coming awards.&nbsp;

In Challengers, Zendaya plays a tennis player-turned-coach Tashi Duncan. The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she revealed what the tennis legend told her.&nbsp;

<h2>What Serena Williams thought of Zendaya's acting</h2>

She said, “She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real [tennis] balls’. She knows. She’s the best of the best.”

But that’s not all, Zendaya revealed that Serena added some praise for her and said, “She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.”

Zendaya’s film Challengers is billed as a sports comedy. It stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor as it follows “three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner and reignite old rivalries on and off the court,” according to the film’s synopsis.

While Zendaya proves she can act in the film, she was initially quite nervous about Serena watching her “tennis skills” and so she “apologised in advance” to her and her sister Venus Williams.

Watch Challengers trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="369" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VobTTbg-te0" title="CHALLENGERS | Official Trailer 2" width="656"></iframe>

Challengers will release in theaters on April 26.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-miss-usa-2019-cheslie-kryst-battled-depression-and-imposter-syndrome-before-her-suicide-reveals-memoir-713840">Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst battled depression and imposter syndrome before her suicide, reveals memoir</a>

Zendaya never ceases to amaze with her super chic looks off screen and powerful performances on screen but now she’s opening up about what tennis legend Serena Williams thought of her latest performance in Challengers, a film that is sure to get the actress some acting nods in the coming awards.

Zendaya never ceases to amaze with her super chic looks off screen and powerful performances on screen but now she’s opening up about what tennis legend Serena Williams thought of her latest performance in Challengers, a film that is sure to get the actress some acting nods in the coming awards. In Challengers, Zendaya plays a tennis player-turned-coach Tashi Duncan. The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she revealed what the tennis legend told her. What Serena Williams thought of Zendaya's acting She said, “She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real [tennis] balls’. She knows. She’s the best of the best.” But that’s not all, Zendaya revealed that Serena added some praise for her and said, “She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.” Zendaya’s film Challengers is billed as a sports comedy. It stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor as it follows “three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner and reignite old rivalries on and off the court,” according to the film’s synopsis. While Zendaya proves she can act in the film, she was initially quite nervous about Serena watching her “tennis skills” and so she “apologised in advance” to her and her sister Venus Williams. Watch Challengers trailer here: Challengers will release in theaters on April 26. Also read: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst battled depression and imposter syndrome before her suicide, reveals memoir

Zendaya reveals what Serena Williams thought of her tennis skills in Challengers

Luca Guadagnino’s directorial Challengers,&nbsp;starring Zendaya, is the first big release to be affected by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The movie, which was set to premiere on the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, has also been pulled out from the lineup.

The R-rated tennis drama starring Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor was set to hit theatres on September 15. However, the film has been delayed and will now be released on April 26, 2024.&nbsp;

Hollywood performers' union SAG-AFTRA has listed out rules that members will follow during their strike, which began at midnight on Thursday (July 13). Under the guidelines set by the union, all promotional activities like interviews, shooting, participation in award shows, and podcasts aren’t allowed for members. Following the same, the cast of the team is prevented from doing promotional work, which may affect the movie's business.&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/drake-slams-fan-for-throwing-vape-onstage-during-brooklyn-concert-video-goes-viral-618357">Drake slams fan for throwing vape onstage during Brooklyn concert; video goes viral</a></h2>

In a statement on Friday, MGM said, "After thoughtful consideration with our partners, and given the parameters that SAG-AFTRA has outlined for its membership, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw Challengers&nbsp;from this year’s Venice International Film Festival.''

''We look forward to celebrating the film when we can do so with our ensemble cast, director Luca Guadagnino and the filmmaking&nbsp;team at a later date.''

In place of Challengers, the Italian film Comandante starring Pierfrancesco Favino will premiere in competition, which will kick off the festival on August&nbsp;30.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rapper-quando-rondo-crashes-car-while-awaiting-trial-prosecutors-want-him-back-in-jail-618348">Rapper Quando Rondo crashes car while awaiting trial. Prosecutors want him back in jail</a> 
 
More about Challengers</h2>

In the romantic dramedy, Zendaya plays the role of former tennis player Tashi Duncan, who will coach her husband and tennis player, who is on a losing streak. However, she&nbsp;finds herself entangled in a love triangle with her husband and ex, who is also a tennis player.&nbsp; 
 
In the movie, Zendaya plays the role of Tashi Donaldson. Mike Faist, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, plays her husband, Art Donaldson. The Crown star Josh O’Connor plays Tashi's ex, Patrick.

According to the official synopsis, the film follows "three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner and reignite old rivalries on and off the court."

The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, best known for helming Call Me by Your Name, starring Timothée Chalamet. The film is written by Justin Kuritzkes and produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Luca Guadagnino’s directorial Challengers, starring Zendaya, is the first big release to be affected by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The movie, which was set to premiere on the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, has also been pulled out from the lineup.

Luca Guadagnino’s directorial Challengers, starring Zendaya, is the first big release to be affected by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The movie, which was set to premiere on the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, has also been pulled out from the lineup. The R-rated tennis drama starring Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor was set to hit theatres on September 15. However, the film has been delayed and will now be released on April 26, 2024. Hollywood performers' union SAG-AFTRA has listed out rules that members will follow during their strike, which began at midnight on Thursday (July 13). Under the guidelines set by the union, all promotional activities like interviews, shooting, participation in award shows, and podcasts aren’t allowed for members. Following the same, the cast of the team is prevented from doing promotional work, which may affect the movie's business. Drake slams fan for throwing vape onstage during Brooklyn concert; video goes viral In a statement on Friday, MGM said, "After thoughtful consideration with our partners, and given the parameters that SAG-AFTRA has outlined for its membership, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw Challengers from this year’s Venice International Film Festival.'' ''We look forward to celebrating the film when we can do so with our ensemble cast, director Luca Guadagnino and the filmmaking team at a later date.'' In place of Challengers, the Italian film Comandante starring Pierfrancesco Favino will premiere in competition, which will kick off the festival on August 30. Rapper Quando Rondo crashes car while awaiting trial. Prosecutors want him back in jail More about Challengers In the romantic dramedy, Zendaya plays the role of former tennis player Tashi Duncan, who will coach her husband and tennis player, who is on a losing streak. However, she finds herself entangled in a love triangle with her husband and ex, who is also a tennis player. In the movie, Zendaya plays the role of Tashi Donaldson. Mike Faist, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, plays her husband, Art Donaldson. The Crown star Josh O’Connor plays Tashi's ex, Patrick. According to the official synopsis, the film follows "three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner and reignite old rivalries on and off the court." The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, best known for helming Call Me by Your Name, starring Timothée Chalamet. The film is written by Justin Kuritzkes and produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zendaya's Challengers pushed to 2024, to skip Venice premiere amid ongoing strikes

First Barbie then Challengers, it seems this year's full of the best kind of cinematic surprises. Director Luca Guadagnino has come up with a new tense love triangle starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist on and off the tennis court.

First Barbie then Challengers, it seems this year's full of the best kind of cinematic surprises. Director Luca Guadagnino has come up with a new tense love triangle starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist on and off the tennis court. Tashi Donaldson, a tennis prodigy played by Zendaya wants to transform Art, her husband, from an average player into a global grand slam champion. To get him out of the rut of his losing streak, she makes him play a challenger event which is close to the lowest level of the tournament. The trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s ‘CHALLENGERS’ starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist has been released. In theaters September 15, 2023.pic.twitter.com/Gvx8svs6qq — Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 20, 2023 × Plot twist Art finds himself in a pickle as he's standing against Tashi's ex-boyfriend and his former best friend, Patrick. You might recognise Mike Faist from West Side Story fame and Josh O’Connor from The Crown who play Art and Patrick respectively. zendaya and her bob are two powerful things pic.twitter.com/N24REB6EFr — mara (@PARKERSFlLMS) June 20, 2023 × The trailer introduces Tashi with a voice exclaiming, “She’s about to make an entire family rich." Zendaya looks so fit and naturally athletic as a tennis player that the audience might take the movie to be a Williams sisters biopic at one point. Complication Of course, what is a good plot without an 'Aaah' moment of an avoidable yet acute downfall of the main character? Tragedy strikes as a brutal injury puts Tashi's career to a halt (queue the role of Tashi as a coach for her husband). The trailer then shows how Art and Patrick compete both on the court and in the bedroom for Tashi's validation. The movie seems to have an old-money kind of vibe which is a common theme among most Luca Guadagnino movies. zendaya saying “i’m taking such good care of my little white boys” https://t.co/EaaKoGE2kv pic.twitter.com/9RFJIkZsBu — ʚiɞ (@i556zl) June 20, 2023 × Fans reaction to Challengers As soon as the trailer dropped online, fans could not keep their calm as it presents Zendaya in a completely new avatar. Most lauded Zendaya's very feminine look in the trailer. The trailer itself comes out to be so steamy that fans are losing it just thinking about Tom Holland's reaction, who is Zendaya's boyfriend in real life. Finally a project where Zendaya gets to look like the beautiful woman she is and doesn't wear baggy jeans and converse but she's tongue kissing 2 white boys https://t.co/OS46Om2weE pic.twitter.com/SVvC7uPQto — Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 20, 2023 × About the director Luca Guadagnino World-famous Luca Guadagnino is an Italian filmmaker. His films are best known for their emotional complexity, sensuality, and sumptuous visuals. His most famous movie, Call Me By Your Name even won the Academy Award for Best Writing. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Challengers trailer out! Psychosexual tennis thriller has Zendaya taking the lead

Zambian business tycoon and veteran&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Hakainde&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;scored a landslide victory on Monday in bitterly-contested&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;elections.

After a campaign dominated by the country's economic woes and marked by sporadic violence,&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;garnered 2,810,757 votes against 1,814,201 for President Edgar Lungu, according to nearly final results.

Lungu conceded defeat, saying he congratulated "my brother...&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;for becoming the seventh republican president."

In a nationally televised address, he added: "I want to thank you Zambian people for giving me a great opportunity to be your president. I will forever cherish and appreciate the authority you invested in me."&nbsp;

The electoral commission proclaimed&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;president-elect in the early hours of Monday, bringing the curtain down on Lungu's nearly six-year reign.

As his victory became clear,&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;on Sunday called for peace.

"Let us be the change we voted for and embrace the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) to love and live together harmoniously," he tweeted.&nbsp;

It was the 59-year-old's&nbsp;sixth&nbsp;bid&nbsp;for the top job and his third challenge to his bitter rival Lungu, 64.

After losing against Lungu by a wafer-thin 100,000-vote&nbsp;margin in 2016,&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;won Thursday's&nbsp;vote&nbsp;by nearly a million ballots.

'Finally, he has done it!'

Thousands of&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;supporters flocked onto the streets of Lusaka, erupting into song and dance, cheering and waving party flags.

The celebrations continued into dawn, as hundreds of people congregated outside&nbsp;Hichilema's&nbsp;house in a leafy suburb of the capital.

"I am so excited, finally he has done it! Tonight we are celebrating Bally’s victory," said 21-year-old Rosemary Malunga, referring to&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;by his nickname, which is slang for "father".

Hundreds also took their victory lap to the entrance of the&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;residence, where soldiers and police kept guard.

On Saturday, as ballots were being counted, Lungu claimed the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;was neither free nor fair, but his objections gained little traction.

International&nbsp;election&nbsp;observers have commended the polls' transparent and peaceful organisation, which saw a turnout of around 70.9 percent -- a huge jump from 57.7 posted in the 2016 polls.

But they also criticised restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement during campaigning.

Security forces blocked&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;from campaigning in several areas, including the strategic Copperbelt Province, citing breaches of coronavirus measures and a public order act.

Lungu deployed the military following pre-election&nbsp;clashes and reinforced the army presence in three provinces after two deaths were reported on&nbsp;election&nbsp;day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zambia-president-claims-vote-was-not-free-and-fair-405680">Also read |&nbsp;Zambia President claims vote was not free and fair</a>

Social media access was restricted in the capital Lusaka just as&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;cast his&nbsp;vote&nbsp;but was restored on Saturday following a court order.

Democracy boost?

Observers saw the&nbsp;election&nbsp;as a referendum on Lungu's rule, which saw plummeting living standards and deepening repression in the country of more than 17 million.

Hichilema&nbsp;enjoyed the backing of 10&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;parties, which threw their weight behind his United Party for National Development (UPND).

Legislative and local&nbsp;elections&nbsp;were held alongside the&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;ballot on Thursday.

Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga congratulated&nbsp;Hichilema&nbsp;for a "decisive victory".&nbsp;

"Amidst an unprecedented public health challenge, the Zambian people have made Africa proud for conducting a successful&nbsp;election," Odinga tweeted.

The&nbsp;election, he hoped, strengthens&nbsp;Zambia's &nbsp;democracy "and reminds fellow Africans elsewhere that nothing is impossible".

Despite occasional episodes of political violence,&nbsp;Zambia&nbsp;has earned a reputation for stability. Every transition of power has been peaceful since the former British colony adopted its multi-party system in 1990.

"Zambians have lived up to be true democrats. It's a different African story," Ringisai Chikohomero, researcher at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, told AFP.&nbsp;

Hichilema's prime task on taking office will be to tackle an economy wracked by high debt, inflation and unemployment.&nbsp;

Last year, the copper-rich southern African nation became the first country on the continent to default on its debt in the coronavirus era.

Zambian business tycoon and veteran opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema scored a landslide victory on Monday in bitterly-contested presidential elections. After a campaign dominated by the country's economic woes and marked by sporadic violence, Hichilema garnered 2,810,757 votes against 1,814,201 for President Edgar Lungu, according to nearly final results.

Zambian business tycoon and veteran opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema scored a landslide victory on Monday in bitterly-contested presidential elections. After a campaign dominated by the country's economic woes and marked by sporadic violence, Hichilema garnered 2,810,757 votes against 1,814,201 for President Edgar Lungu, according to nearly final results. Lungu conceded defeat, saying he congratulated "my brother... Hichilema for becoming the seventh republican president." In a nationally televised address, he added: "I want to thank you Zambian people for giving me a great opportunity to be your president. I will forever cherish and appreciate the authority you invested in me." The electoral commission proclaimed Hichilema president-elect in the early hours of Monday, bringing the curtain down on Lungu's nearly six-year reign. As his victory became clear, Hichilema on Sunday called for peace. "Let us be the change we voted for and embrace the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) to love and live together harmoniously," he tweeted. It was the 59-year-old's sixth bid for the top job and his third challenge to his bitter rival Lungu, 64. After losing against Lungu by a wafer-thin 100,000-vote margin in 2016, Hichilema won Thursday's vote by nearly a million ballots. 'Finally, he has done it!' Thousands of Hichilema supporters flocked onto the streets of Lusaka, erupting into song and dance, cheering and waving party flags. The celebrations continued into dawn, as hundreds of people congregated outside Hichilema's house in a leafy suburb of the capital. "I am so excited, finally he has done it! Tonight we are celebrating Bally’s victory," said 21-year-old Rosemary Malunga, referring to Hichilema by his nickname, which is slang for "father". Hundreds also took their victory lap to the entrance of the presidential residence, where soldiers and police kept guard. On Saturday, as ballots were being counted, Lungu claimed the vote was neither free nor fair, but his objections gained little traction. International election observers have commended the polls' transparent and peaceful organisation, which saw a turnout of around 70.9 percent -- a huge jump from 57.7 posted in the 2016 polls. But they also criticised restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement during campaigning. Security forces blocked Hichilema from campaigning in several areas, including the strategic Copperbelt Province, citing breaches of coronavirus measures and a public order act. Lungu deployed the military following pre-election clashes and reinforced the army presence in three provinces after two deaths were reported on election day. Also read | Zambia President claims vote was not free and fair Social media access was restricted in the capital Lusaka just as Hichilema cast his vote but was restored on Saturday following a court order. Democracy boost? Observers saw the election as a referendum on Lungu's rule, which saw plummeting living standards and deepening repression in the country of more than 17 million. Hichilema enjoyed the backing of 10 opposition parties, which threw their weight behind his United Party for National Development (UPND). Legislative and local elections were held alongside the presidential ballot on Thursday. Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga congratulated Hichilema for a "decisive victory". "Amidst an unprecedented public health challenge, the Zambian people have made Africa proud for conducting a successful election," Odinga tweeted. The election, he hoped, strengthens Zambia's democracy "and reminds fellow Africans elsewhere that nothing is impossible". Despite occasional episodes of political violence, Zambia has earned a reputation for stability. Every transition of power has been peaceful since the former British colony adopted its multi-party system in 1990. "Zambians have lived up to be true democrats. It's a different African story," Ringisai Chikohomero, researcher at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, told AFP. Hichilema's prime task on taking office will be to tackle an economy wracked by high debt, inflation and unemployment. Last year, the copper-rich southern African nation became the first country on the continent to default on its debt in the coronavirus era.

Zambia challenger wins presidency in landslide

Increase of 700 Tiger numbers pose fresh challenges with Karnataka Forest departments.

Man Eater Tiger captured in Karnataka

challengers

Challengers, News on Challengers, stories on Challengers, articles on Challengers, Challengers stories at Wion, Challengers news, Challengers latest news