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SPOTLIGHT | Idris Elba in terrifying ‘Beast’; Hindi take on ‘Forest Gump’; Khanyi Mbau gets roasted

Survival thriller filmed in SA will get pulses racing; heart-warming Indian remake of the classic; Mohale and Somizi’s series face off on Showmax and loads of other exciting local streaming content

Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

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Click here to find previous episodes of Spotlight with all the movie news you need and follow Spotlight on Facebook for all the latest news and giveaways

This week’s episode of Spotlight spans genres from suspense thrillers to a heartfelt comedy drama on the big screen, as well as great local reality, comedy and exciting upcoming series on streaming platforms.

Beast is a new suspense thriller on at cinemas from August 12, filmed entirely in SA and starring award-winning Idris Elba and local actor Sharlto Copley. It features the widowed Dr Daniels (Elba) on a safari trip with his daughters, in search of healing. What’s meant to be a bonding family holiday quickly turns into a fearsome fight for survival against predator and poachers.

From pulse-pounding to heart-warming, we take a look at the Indian remake of Forest Gump in Laal Singh Chaddha. Like its American predecessor, it’s about the journey of a simple man seeing historic events unfold, but with an Indian twist. Aamir Khan plays the title role, with Kareena Kappor co-starring and a guest appearance by the one and only Shah Rukh Khan. A beautiful, heartfelt romance.

Don’t miss Spotlight’s compilation of amazing local content on Showmax and Netflix, such as Mohale — On the Record (now streaming on Showmax), countered by Living The Dream with Somizi, season 5.  Also on this platform is Khanyi Mbau’s Comedy Central Roast, streaming uncensored from August 15. 

Netflix’s smorgasbord of local productions coming to smaller screens includes the Afrikaans series Ludik — a racy action series starring Arnold Vosloo (August 26).  For the December holidays, there’s family fun and feuds in the sequel How to Ruin Christmas: The Baby Shower to look forward to. Don’t forget the current Netflix hit Justice Served, and the fun fact or fiction weekly quiz on TimesLIVE.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers, clips and competition details, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by We Are Egg. Shop online.

We Are Egg is a beautifully curated, experiential department store of local and international fashion, beauty, home, jewellery and food. More details on Instagram about Collette's look of the week here.


Win a three-month Netflix subscription

This week Spotlight is giving away three-month Netflix subscriptions to make sure you don’t miss out on the action.

To enter, visit the Spotlight South Africa Facebook page.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed.  Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight South Africa on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.