Sam Neill, the iconic actor known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, recently revealed that he has been battling stage three blood cancer. However, in a testament to his resilience and determination, Neill is already back at work after receiving treatment and is set to star in the upcoming limited series, Apples Never Fall.
Neill’s diagnosis came in March 2022, while he was doing publicity for the latest installment of the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World Dominion. The actor experienced swollen glands, which led to a diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. He underwent chemotherapy, but when that began to fail, he started on a new chemotherapy drug and is now cancer-free. Despite his success, he will still continue to receive the drug monthly for the rest of his life.
In his upcoming memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, Neill shares his journey with cancer and how he coped during his treatment. He reveals that he began writing as a way to keep busy and maintain a sense of purpose. “I never had any intention to write a book,” he says. “But as I went on and kept writing, I realized it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live.” Neill went to bed thinking about what he would write about the next day, finding comfort in the creative outlet that writing provided.
Despite the challenges he faced, Neill remained optimistic and grateful for his friends and family. “I can’t pretend that the last year hasn’t had its dark moments,” he says. “But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive.”
Neill’s quick return to work is a testament to his determination and the resilience of the human spirit. He is set to star in the TV adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, Apples Never Fall, alongside Annette Bening. According to representatives for the actor, he is “very well and back at work.”
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is characterized by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and a variety of other symptoms. The exact cause of this type of lymphoma is unknown, but it is thought to be related to a dysfunction of the immune system.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for lymphoma and involves the use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. However, chemotherapy can have serious side effects, including nausea, hair loss, and an increased risk of infection. Neill’s ability to overcome these challenges and maintain his positive attitude is a testament to his strength and resilience.
Sam Neill’s journey with cancer serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing a life-threatening illness, he remained optimistic and focused on his recovery. His return to work after receiving treatment is a testament to his determination and the power of creative outlets to provide comfort and purpose during difficult times. We wish him continued health and success in all his future endeavors.
Vivek Sharma Announces Trio of Unique Films Under Filmzone Creation Banner
December 30, 2025
Director Vivek Sharma, known for “Bhoothnath,” is set to produce three films under his Filmzone Creation banner, each exploring unique subjects. Speaking at the press meet, Sharma described the projects as a series of family-friendly films infused with elements of paranormal activity, comedy, and dark humor, showcasing both new and established talent. Notably, Sharma himself will take on lead roles in two of these ventures.
The first film, “Sarayapali Ka Woh Ghar,” delves into paranormal activities, drawing inspiration from real-life events. Sharma emphasized the film’s emotional and dramatic depth and said it is expected to go into production soon.
The second film, titled “Ka Kha Ga Gha Nanga,” offers a comedic take on the Hindi alphabet, portraying the lives of farming families and urban dwellers, reflecting the contrast between traditional hand pump usage and the modern reliance on sanitizers. The film will feature a cast of 15 children alongside prominent actors.
The third film, “Chullu Bhar Pani,” is a black humor comedy centered around a village grappling with a severe water shortage. The narrative follows the villagers’ naive yet humorous attempts to resolve their predicament. Sharma highlighted the intriguing nature of both the title and the storyline.
Sharma, addressing the media, expressed his commitment to providing a platform for emerging talent through Filmzone Creation, aiming to release two quality films annually. He also mentioned that the banner’s upcoming projects will feature a blend of newcomers and established stars.
Prior to this announcement, Vivek Sharma directed films such as “Bhoothnath” (released May 9, 2008), produced by B.R. Chopra’s production company and Ravi Chopra. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Juhi Chawla. The film is a family drama, fantasy, and horror mix that tells the heartwarming story of a friendship between a ghost and a child with humor.
‘Kal Kissne Dekha’ released on June 12, 2009, featured Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Bhagnani, and Vaishali Desai in lead roles. Produced by Vashu Bhagnani, this romantic science-fiction film revolves around a boy who can glimpse into the future.
‘A Game Called Relationship,’ released on February 14, 2020, was produced and starred Vivek Sharma. The film explores modern relationships, focusing on the dynamics of live-in partnerships and is intended to be a clean, family-friendly film.
In a remarkable display of cinematic success, ‘Dhurandhar,’ starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, continues its reign at the box office, setting new benchmarks. Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi, who portrays politician Jameel Jamali in the Aditya Dhar-directed spy-action thriller, shared his insights on the film’s overwhelming reception. He recalled a prediction he made prior to the film’s release, stating, “‘Dhurandhar’ is not going to raise the bar, it is going to break the bar.” The film’s performance seems to validate Bedi’s bold statement.
Bedi also recounted an enthusiastic fan reaction on Instagram, illustrating the audience’s deep engagement with ‘Dhurandhar,’ where a fan expressed impatience for the sequel’s release.
In a video shared on Instagram, Bedi expressed his excitement, stating, “Friends, ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of stopping; it continues to run and run. Before the film’s release, I made a statement that ‘Dhurandhar’ is not going to raise the bar, it is going to break the bar, because people are going to see this film repeatedly, continuously, and that is exactly what is happening.”
He further added, “People are showering so much love, it’s like a tsunami. I would say this film is like my friend’s restaurant in Delhi, Juggernaut.”
Bedi expressed his gratitude for the widespread acclaim the film has received. He highlighted a particular fan’s reaction, recounting, “One lady told me that after watching the film, she was angry about why it ended. And after watching the film, she felt like she should go to sleep and wake up directly on March 19, when its next part will be released. Isn’t that amazing?”
He extended his appreciation to the director and the production team, noting, “This film has become an international rage, which I believe has never happened in Indian cinema history. Such rage, such love, such a big tsunami. I thank JioStudio, the entire team of ‘Dhurandhar,’ and especially the director Aditya Dhar. Hats off to you, Aditya. Love you, brother.”
As per Sacnilk, ‘Dhurandhar’ has amassed ₹517 crore net in its first 16 days. The film further garnered ₹38.5 crore net on a recent Sunday, elevating its domestic total to ₹555.72 crore. ‘Dhurandhar’ has surpassed the lifetime collections of Sunny Deol’s ‘Gadar 2’ (₹525 crore net), Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’ (₹543 crore), and Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’ (₹553 crore).
According to Comscore, ‘Dhurandhar’ ranked among the top five global releases in its second weekend. With an overseas gross of $18 million, the film has exceeded ₹750 crore worldwide as of Friday and is projected to join the ₹800-crore club imminently.
