They also shared an adorable picture of their first born Saraayah handing over a pair of ivory knitted booties to her parents. “Blessed once again with the greatest gift of all… Our hearts are so full of love and gratitude,” the couple wrote as the caption. Sidharth and Kiara fell in love with each other on the sets of their movie Shershaah in 2021.

They tied the knot in February 2023 in a grand yet intimate ceremony in Rajasthan after dating for a few years. They welcomed their firstborn, a baby girl in June 2025. The couple had announced their first pregnancy earlier in 2025 with a joint social media post showing their hands holding baby socks.

On the work front, Kiara was recently seen in Toxic starring Yash. The gangster film also stars Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups explores the life of Raya, a violent gangster and playboy who rose to power in the underworld crime before his eventual downfall.

Years later, he has to face his biological son Rumi / Ticket, who prepared his revenge on Raya, after the latter abandoned him and his wife. Sidharth’s latest release is Vvan – Force of the Forrest with actress Tamannaah Bhatia.

The film explores the cultural folklore genre. ‘Vvan’ is written by Arunabh Kumar, directed by Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar, with DOP and Visual Director Manu Anand; and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari. ‘Vvan’ is set to release in theatres this year.

Speaking at a recent meeting with his fans and fan-club administrators in Chennai, the actor said, “Hereafter, I will only do mass entertainers that offer complete entertainment.” He also shared updates about his upcoming projects Seyon and his yet-untitled collaboration with Parking fame director Ramkumar Balakrishnan, tentatively referred to as SK27.

Sivakarthikeyan said his collaboration with Ramkumar is shaping up as a “solid mass commercial entertainer” and is currently in production.The film stars Kayadu Lohar and Sai Abhyankkar composing the music.

The actor also revealed that more than half of Seyon has been completed. Directed by Sivakumar Murugesan, the film is produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under Raaj Kamal Films International. The film also stars Bhagyashri Borse, Raj B Shetty and Seeman.

Addressing criticism aimed at him and his fans, Sivakarthikeyan  said “Just smile, have fun and keep moving forward,” he said, adding that people should instead give back to those who have helped them along the way.

The film explores violence within family relationships and emotions that shift between emptiness and comfort.

Its selection made it the fourth Tamil film to be screened at the Berlin festival.

What is the film Members of a Complex Family about?

Members of a Complex Family revolves around the death of a young man and the funeral that follows. Though the grief surrounding his death is not overwhelming, the incident shakes the family and changes several things. The film examines violence within family relationships while portraying emotions that oscillate between emptiness and comfort.

The Berlinale selection committee praised it as “a wonderful debut film”

Where else was the film screened?

The film was also screened as the opening film of the Melbourne Indian Film Festival in Australia, where it received acclaim. It was nominated for Best Film and Best Director at the Melbourne festival.

Actress Anupama Parameswaran took to her social media timelines to confirm the change in release date. She wrote, "#CrazyKalyanam muhurtham fixu! Sumuhurtham: Oct 16 Venue: Mi abhimana theatrlalo."

It may be recalled that in September this year, Arrow Cinemas, the production house producing the film, had taken to its social media timelines to share a promo clip for 'Alasendravankole unnave pilla', the second single of the film. In it, the production house had disclosed that the film would hit screens worldwide on October 30 this year.

However, it now looks like the makers have advanced the release of the film by two weeks. The film is to hit screens on October 16 this year.

The film has triggered huge excitement among fans and film buffs ever since the makers released a teaser recently.

The teaser begins with the dad (Dr Naresh) of Keerthi (Anupama Parameswaran) lovingly asking her how she wants her wedding to be conducted. "How much gold do you need?Buy as many sarees as you want! Call all your friends to your wedding. I will conduct your wedding in a grand fashion!," he says.

It is evident from the teaser that he is immensely proud of his younger daughter and is seen bragging to someone that she can even speak in English.

Like any other father, he wants to find her a good bridegroom and in the process, he even picks a fight with his brother, who has a daughter of his own, over a prospective alliance. His joy knows no bounds when the brother tells him that the prospective groom has expressed a preference for Keerthi over his daughter.

But then, Keerthi has other plans. She tells her grandmom in a menacing tone, "Your son thinks he is the only stubborn person here. I have the very same blood running in my veins."

Another funny scene in the trailer has Naresh praying to the Gods. He prays, "O Lord, my brother should get a son-in-law who is even more poverty-stricken than my elder son-in-law."

The teaser ends with Keerthi hurling dried red chillies on a guy sleeping on a cot. He says, "Whoever marries her is done for!" On the whole, the teaser promises an exciting and extremely funny family drama.

For the unaware, 'Crazy Kalyanam' marks Badrappa Gajula's debut as a director in the Telugu film industry. Apart from Anupama Parameswaran and Akhil Raj Uddemari, the film will also feature Dr Naresh Vijayakrishna and Tharun Bhascker in pivotal roles.

The film boasts of a quality technical team. Cinematography for the film is by Shyam Dupati while music for the film is being scored by Suresh Bobbili. The film, which has been written by director Badrappa Gajula himself, has screenplay by Srinivasa Ravindra. Art direction for the film is by Sai Kadhira. The film is being co-directed by Srinivasa Dora.

Editing for the film is by Shravan Katikaneni and costumes have been designed by Gayathri Devi. While dances in the film have been choreographed by Eshwar Penti, the action sequences in the film have been choreographed by Dragon Prakash.

Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the third and final instalment of the franchise released in theatres on October 2 and received largely positive reviews, with critics highlighting its performances, suspense and twists.

The film, which sees Devgn return as Vijay Salgaonkar, who once again finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with the law, had a blockbuster opening weekend where it minted Rs 270.22 crore.

In a statement, the makers said "Drishyam: The Conclusion" raked in Rs 34.16 crore on Monday, which took its box office score to Rs 304.38 crore.

Besides Devgn, actors Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav also return for the final instalment with Jaideep Ahlawat joining the franchise as Rajveer Singh Tomar, a crime branch officer pursuing the case.

The franchise, adapted from the Mohanlal-starrer Malayalam hit, began with the late filmmaker Nishikant Kamat-directed “Drishyam” in 2015.

The story centres on Vijay Salgaonkar, a cable operator who goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his family after his daughter becomes involved in a crime.

The story continued with the 2022 movie "Drishyam 2", which emerged as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year.

"Drishyam: The Conclusion" is a Panorama Studios production presented by Star Studio18, and has been written by Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh.

Director Venkat Prabhu congratulated the team and stressed the importance of planning and adhering to a film’s budget. “If you decide the budget in advance and carry out the work accordingly, you can avoid unnecessary problems. I am sure Kurinji sir will take the company forward and provide opportunities to several directors, actors and technicians,” he said.

Actor-director Sundar C, who described Kurinjiselvan as a close friend and brother, said, “When someone invests money in us, it is our responsibility to use it properly and fulfil their trust. Proper planning is very important, especially for a new production house.”

Director Mysskin recalled his long association with Kurinjiselvan and said, “Cinema is a forest full of challenges, but it is also a great art. He has earned love and friendship that money cannot buy, and I hope he succeeds in this new endeavour.”

Actor Jai said he was happy to be part of the first production. “The entire team is working hard to make this film a success. If the producer succeeds, we can give opportunities to many more directors in the future,” he said.

Kurinjiselvan thanked his family, friends and the film fraternity for their support, adding that he hoped Thiyagaraja Talkies would produce many successful films.

Producer and actor Ashok Selvan said the film, which begins as a love story and traverses thriller and action elements, has reached the profitable stage despite tough competition. “There may be flaws, but I believe the heart and soul of the film are in the right place,” he said, urging audiences to watch the film and form their own opinion.

Director Karthikeyan expressed his gratitude to the media and audience, saying the emotional response to the characters had been particularly encouraging. He also thanked Ashok Selvan for giving him the opportunity to direct the film, adding that the actor had been a mentor and guide throughout the project.

Preethi Mukundan said the response from women and young audiences had been especially moving. Recalling her first theatrical viewing of the film, she said she was too nervous to sit through it and watched much of it standing near the theatre stairs, eventually becoming emotional.

Happy High Pictures founder Abhinaya Selvam said the film’s growing number of theatres and screenings was encouraging and revealed that discussions were underway for a Hindi remake, with plans for a Telugu version as well.

Actors Kathir Balu, Maha Delhi Ganesh and Akash, along with members of the technical and promotional teams, also thanked the audience and media for their support. The team expressed hope that Anbil Avan would continue to reach more viewers and remain a memorable film about love and relationships.

Jailer 2 plot, censor details

The Jailer 2 follows retired jailer Tiger Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth), whose peaceful life is disrupted when a new threat emerges from the criminal underworld. Forced to return to his violent past, Tiger takes on his ruthless ways once again to protect his family and safeguard his legacy.

The film is the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer and features several returning actors along with a host of new additions.

Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa, Vinayakan and Jaffer Sadiq will reprise their roles. Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar are also set to make cameo appearances, as confirmed by the trailer.

The new additions to the cast include SJ Suryah, Vijay Sethupathi, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sooraj Venjaramoodu, Abhiksha Porwal, Anna Reshma Rajan, Hakkim Shajahan, Bhagavathi Perumal, Meghana Raj, Shamna Kasim and Jatin Sarna, said a Maalaimalar report.

Jailer 2 to release in IMAX

Jailer 2 will release not only in regular theatres but also in IMAX screens. It is reportedly the first film in Rajinikanth's career to receive a wide IMAX release on such a scale.

Anirudh Ravichander, who composed the music for the first part, returns for the sequel. Vijay Kartik Kannan is the cinematographer, while R Nirmal handles the editing. DRK Kiran is the production designer, with Pallavi Singh and Muthul Hafiz continuing as costume designers. Chetan D'Souza joins the team as the new stunt choreographer.

Rajinikanth's upcoming projects

Following Jailer 2, Rajinikanth is expected to collaborate with Kamal Haasan and director Nelson for a new film, which is yet to receive an official title. The project will mark the reunion of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan after Thillu Mullu (1981).

Rajinikanth is also set to star in another film directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International.

Having completed over 10 seasons and crossed the 500-episode mark, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa returns with Srinivas, Vijay Prakash and Swetha Mohan as judges, while Archana takes on hosting duties. The latest season promises a larger presentation, with the makers introducing a 360-degree set for the performances.

Srinivas, who has been associated with the show for a decade, said the platform continues to give aspiring singers an opportunity to turn their talent into a career. Vijay Prakash, who had participated in the show as a contestant before becoming a judge, said he was happy to return in a different role. He pointed out that several contestants from the show are now performing across the world.

According to ZEE Tamizh Chief Channel Officer V.S. Raghavan, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has grown beyond being a singing reality show by providing a platform for aspiring musicians, while Mass Pasanga Vs Class Ponnunga is intended to offer viewers a fresh entertainment experience.

Programming Head Kaushik Narasimhan said both shows have been mounted on a larger scale, with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa continuing to be one of the channel’s key properties.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa airs every Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm, while Mass Pasanga Vs Class Ponnunga airs on Sundays at 8.30 pm on ZEE Tamizh.

Vithya won gold in the women’s 4×400m relay, silver in the mixed 4×400m relay and bronze in the 400m hurdles, making it a memorable outing for the Indian athlete.

Adding to her achievements at the Asian Games, Vithya also created history by breaking the long-standing national record in the 400m hurdles held by legendary athlete PT Usha. Appreciating her remarkable performances on the international stage, Dhanush personally met Vithya and conveyed his heartfelt wishes and congratulations. The actor also wished her continued success in her sporting career.

Chennai District Masters Athletic Association President M. Shenbagamoorthy of Red Giant Movies was also present during the meeting.

She was surrounded by her family and loved ones at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband of more than six decades, television director Jeffrey Hayden, their two children, Darrell and Laurette, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Saint studied at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She began her career in television and radio before making her Broadway debut in The Trip to Bountiful in 1953, according to PEOPLE magazine. As per the publication, Saint made her film debut in 1954 with Elia Kazan’s ‘On the Waterfront.’ Her performance as Edie Doyle earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She was just two days away from giving birth to her first child when she received the Oscar. While accepting the award, Saint joked, “I may have the baby right here!” She went on to appear in several films, including That Certain Feeling, A Hatful of Rain, Raintree County, Exodus, All Fall Down, 36 Hours, Grand Prix, The Russians Are Coming, The Stalking Moon and Cancel My Reservation.

However, one of her most remembered roles came in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller North by Northwest. Saint played Eve Kendall opposite Cary Grant in the film, which became one of the most popular movies of her career.Saint also had a long career on television and continued working across different formats over the years. She married Jeffrey Hayden in 1951 after the two met on a subway. Hayden directed several popular television shows, including Leave It to Beaver and The Incredible Hulk. The couple later appeared together in a San Francisco production of A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters in 2011.

Lijomol Jose, who plays Kannima, said she was nervous during the film’s audio launch but felt relieved after audiences embraced her character. “I am very grateful to the people who accepted me as Kannima. I am proud to have acted in this film,” she said. She also spoke about working with Vijay Sethupathi, praising the freedom he gives fellow artistes, and appreciated the performances of Sai Prithviraj and Sahasra. She recalled Chellame Magale, composed by Sai Abhyankar, and urged audiences to continue supporting the film.

For Sai Prithviraj, who plays Sabari, Baththa marks his first film. Describing the experience as a mix of fear and joy, he credited director Balaji Tharaneetharan for bringing out his performance. Recalling his experience of working with Vijay Sethupathi, he said, “It was scary when I was acting with Sethu sir, but he treated me like a friend. He was fun and sometimes scolded me, but he always told me to study hard.”

Sai Abhyankar said he had mixed feelings when he was first approached for the project. Though Balaji was initially unsure about choosing him, Abhyankar said he gradually gained the director’s confidence through the songs and was later entrusted with the background score. He thanked Atlee for believing in him and said the filmmaker had assured him that he would compose the music for his second film too.

Director Balaji Tharaneetharan said he first narrated the story to Vijay Sethupathi, who introduced him to Atlee after liking the script. Speaking about Lijomol, Balaji said she joined the shoot three days after it began but immediately brought confidence and honesty to the character. He also admitted that he was initially hesitant about choosing Sai Abhyankar, but said the composer eventually won his confidence with the background score.

Vijay Sethupathi thanked the press and media for helping the film reach audiences. Comparing the anxiety of a film’s release to waiting outside a hospital while one’s wife is in labour, he recalled the difficulties the project faced before Atlee came on board. “I approached three producers and they did not agree to make this film. Atlee believed in it,” Vijay said. He added that while cinema is a business and producers naturally have questions, Balaji Tharaneetharan’s three films had all been good films.

The actor also spoke about working with Sai Prithviraj. Since his character had to intimidate the child in the film, Vijay said he deliberately maintained a certain distance during the shoot.

Atlee, who produced Baththa, spoke about the difficult journey behind the film and responded to those who perceive his confidence as arrogance. He said he wanted to remain honest to his work and let it speak for itself. Comparing setbacks to milk turning into curd and then ghee, he said difficult experiences can take people to the next stage. “I am confident. If that sounds arrogant, then keep it,” he said.

Speaking about Vijay Sethupathi, Atlee said, “More than being a good actor, he is a good person first. I have learned a lot from him.” He added that Vijay Sethupathi had gained recognition across India and said he wanted to take the actor to a wider audience.

Atlee also shared his wish to revive Marudhanayakam with Kamal Haasan and Vijay Sethupathi, if an opportunity arises. “I have ideas for little things that will add to Marudhanayagam’s story. If Vijay Sethupathi acts in the film, you wouldn’t be able to predict what kind of character he is playing. Once I reach a stage where I can arrange the budget to make this film, I will definitely do it,” Atlee added.

He had special praise for Sai Abhyankar, describing him as “a child of God”. Recalling an experience in London, he said around 200 musicians who performed Abhyankar’s music applauded his work. “I am sure he will go on to become a proud symbol of Tamil Nadu,” Atlee said.

“Today is a historic day, not just for Skydance but for our entire industry,” Ellison said in a statement Tuesday. “We couldn’t be more excited to get to work,” he added.

The new company is a hard-fought prize. Ellison wrested Warner Bros. Discovery from a rival bidder, Netflix, after a monthslong tug-of-war that prompted him to make nine offers for the company. It was created over the objections of a coalition of state attorneys general who sued to block the deal on antitrust grounds.

That lawsuit was ultimately settled after the attorneys general extracted a series of concessions, including the establishment of an editorial independence board to safeguard the integrity of CNN and a promise from Ellison to spend an additional $1.5 billion on movies over the next five years. Hundreds of Hollywood insiders said the deal would sharply consolidate corporate power, leading to job losses and further stagnation in Hollywood. Skydance has argued the merger is a necessary counterweight to Big Tech.

Ellison now controls:

Movie Studios

— Paramount Pictures
— Warner Bros.
— Skydance

Streaming Services

— Paramount+
— HBO Max
— Pluto TV

News Organisations

— CBS News
— CNN
— TVN24 (one of Poland’s most popular news channels)

Cable Networks

— Comedy Central
— Nickelodeon
— TNT
— TBS
— HBO
— MTV
— Food Network

Major Franchises

— DC Universe, including characters such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman
— The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
— Star Trek
— Mission: Impossible

Now, he just has to manage it all.

The new company is making its debut in an industry navigating profound change. Cable television, one of the biggest cash cows in media, is still profitable but in terminal decline. Streaming still hasn’t replaced those profits. Trust in the news business is in the basement. And tech companies like Amazon and Apple are muscling in on movies, TV shows and sports rights, driving up content costs.

Those challenges will pose a major test for Ellison, 43, who until last year had never run a public media company. He and his team must convince Wall Street that the new company can manage those challenges while it pays down $82 billion in debt, a staggering sum for a traditional media company. He must also rally tens of thousands of employees at Warner Bros. and Paramount; both companies have undergone nearly annual layoffs in recent years.

Further complicating the situation is Ellison’s relationship with President Donald Trump, which has unsettled some employees at CNN. This spring, Ellison held a dinner “honoring the Trump White House” before the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and later joined Trump at an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout at the White House. (Paramount holds media rights for the UFC.)

Ellison has assuaged some of those concerns by keeping Mark Thompson, the chair of CNN, in place. In a memo to employees Monday, Thompson said he had spoken to Ellison and came away convinced that executives at Skydance would support the “independent news that CNN has always stood for.”

Another of Ellison’s biggest challenges will be winning over Hollywood’s creative class in an era of shrinking box office receipts, artificial intelligence and algorithmic personalization. He has pledged to invest in content, promising to release at least a combined 30 theatrical films annually. After two years, that number would rise to 32 films. He has also promised to overhaul the company’s technological capabilities.

But he must do all of that while delivering $6 billion this year in cost-cutting over the next three years — a target he will likely hit, in part, by eliminating thousands of jobs.

Some of those cuts are likely to come from combining parts of the company that have overlapping functions. CNN and CBS News are possible targets, as are some administrators at Paramount and Warner Bros. That process is already well underway: David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, opted to leave in the transaction, as did Cindy Holland, Paramount’s top streaming executive.

‘Love Always’ brings Korean webtoon to Tamil

Produced by Kross Pictures and Guru Films, the series is based on the Korean webtoon Here We Go Again, created by Goeun and published on Kakao between 2015 and 2017.

The story follows a married couple whose relationship has reached a breaking point. As they consider divorce, a magical twist turns them young again, giving them an unexpected opportunity to revisit their choices and relationship, and wonder what their future might look like.

Gouri G Kishan, Ramzan Muhammed headline series

The Tamil adaptation features Gouri G Kishan, Ramzan Muhammed, Jayaprakash, Jayasudha and Maya Krishnan in key roles.

Eight-episode series to stream on JioHotstar

Love Always will comprise eight episodes, with each episode running for around 30 minutes. The format is designed to combine the quick pace and visual storytelling associated with webtoons with the emotional elements of a family drama.

The series will stream in Tamil on JioHotstar, with dubbed versions available in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi and Bengali from October 30.

Sibiraj begins new production venture

The first project under Underdog Films is currently referred to as Production No 1. The film is being directed by Eashvar Karthic, known for the thriller Zebra, while Sibiraj is set to headline the project.

Sibiraj began his acting career with Student Number 1 (2003) and has since appeared in films such as Naanayam (2010), Naaigal Jaakirathai (2014), Sathya (2017), Walter (2020) and Kabadadaari (2021). His most recent release was Ten Hours (2025).

Eashvar Karthic to direct

Eashvar Karthic, who made his directorial debut with Zebra, is at the helm of the new film. Production No 1 brings Sibiraj and Eashvar Karthic together for the first time.

The makers have not yet disclosed the film’s genre, storyline or the rest of the cast and technical crew. Further announcements regarding the project are expected to be made in the coming days.

The actor, who stars alongside Tillotama Shome in the Sanjoy Nag directorial, said she sought guidance from filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan as she ventured into production.

“It's important to be surrounded by people who are open, who are ready to share things. I had called up Neeraj and asked him a few things, besides discussing it with Kashyap multiple times,”  Shweta told PTI.

She said the filmmakers advised her on aspects including budgets, approaching projects, working with different heads of departments and choosing the right people for a film.

Shweta, known for films including Masaan,Haraamkhor,Gone Kesh and Cargo, said becoming a producer was a long-considered decision. “I wanted to be there for people like Shlok Sharma or Aarti Kadav, who should be able to get more money to make a film. My intention from the beginning was to give power to other people through me,” she said.

She also recalled how filmmaker Tarun Mansukhani had suggested that she turn producer when she complained about the scripts coming her way after Masaan. Though she initially dismissed the idea,  Shweta later realised she knew several writers and directors whose stories deserved support.

Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, a love story about two women, appealed to her for its themes of love, hope and acceptance.  Shweta said she is open to producing films across genres as long as they are driven by emotions.

Earlier in the day, Laura E Williams, US Consul General of Hyderabad, also offered prayers at the shrine. Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and his wife, Sophie Shine, also visited the Tirumala temple on Monday.

Visuals captured by ANI showed Dhawan arriving at the temple with Sophie, smiling as they headed in to offer prayers. The couple was dressed in traditional attire, with Dhawan wearing a kurta and dhoti, while Sophie wore a white suit.

The Tirumala shrine is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year. The temple conducts various rituals and sevas as part of its daily schedule.

Among the early-morning observances is the Suprabhata Seva, which marks the ceremonial awakening of Lord Venkateswara and is considered an important religious observance for devotees seeking an early darshan.

Taking to his Instagram page to shower praise on the film and its makers, Madhavan wrote, "What a brilliant, brilliant film! Enjoyed a Tamil film after a really long time. Brilliant screenplay, wonderful visual storytelling, extraordinary performances. I laughed hard after a long, long time and cheered and clapped as well. A big standing ovation to the entire team, cast and crew. God bless you with more power."

Madhavan is not the first person to shower praise on the film, which went on to emerge a superhit.

National Award winning director and actor Dhanush too had lauded the unit of the recently released film, saying, the film was a "heartwarming" one.

Taking to his X timeline to laud the bunch of newcomers who had worked on the film, Dhanush had said, "#ModhaRathri is such a heartwarming film. Have to applaud this wonderful effort by a bunch of first-timers. Please don’t miss it in theatres with your families! #RajaKaruppasamy @iam_rishikanth #AnishmaAnilkumar."

For the unaware, the rural comedy entertainer, directed by Raja Karuppasamy and featuring actors Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar in the lead, had hit the screens on August 21 this year. The film, which was cleared for release with a U/A certificate by the Censor Board, went on to emerge a superhit.

Anishma Anilkumar plays a character called Muthuselvi while actor Rishikanth plays a character called Maruthanayagam in the film.

Modha Rathiri revolves around an ordinary village wedding that turns into an extraordinary rollercoaster of hilarious misunderstandings, unexpected twists and heartwarming emotions.

Set entirely over the course of a single night, the film keeps the laughs coming as one surprise leads to another. Rishikanth has made his debut as a hero through this film while actress Anishma Anilkumar, who won appreciation for her outstanding performance in ‘Sirai’ and ‘Youth’, has played the female lead.

Producer Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers, while speaking on an earlier occasion, had said, "The very first narration made us laugh, smile and imagine how audiences would react inside a theatre. That's when we knew this story deserved to be made. 'Modha Rathiri' has everything we enjoy as movie lovers: humour, emotions, relatable characters and endless entertainment. Raja Karuppasamy has brought that energy beautifully onto the screen & our entire cast and crew have worked with incredible passion to complete the film on schedule. We are excited to bring this entertainer to audiences worldwide on August 21, and we hope theatres are filled with laughter from beginning to end.”

Director Raja Karuppasamy had said, "I couldn't have asked for a better beginning to my journey as a filmmaker. My heartfelt thanks to producers Naveen Yerneni sir and Y. Ravi Shankar sir for believing in me and trusting this story. Every actor, every technician and every member of our crew became part of this journey with complete dedication. More than anything else, I hope audiences walk out of theatres smiling, laughing and talking about these characters long after the film ends.”

Apart from Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar, the film also featured actors Chetan, A. Venkatesh, Bucks, Abdool Lee, Shelly Kishore, Sangeetha Balan, Banupriya, Sumithra Devi L., Varshini Karmegham, Karthikeyan, Velan, and Kowshik Kabilan among others.

The technical crew comprised Surendran Paranjothi as cinematographer, Ashok Arjunan as editor, and Bharath Sankar composing the music. Poornima Ramaswamy had designed the costumes while Art direction had been taken care of by A. Balumahendra.

In a video shared on Instagram, the Russo Brothers recalled the special experience of watching the Marvel blockbuster with audiences in theatres.

The Russo brothers said in a video: “Our favorite thing about making Avengers Endgame was sitting in the theaters with audiences as we released it. So the fact that we could do that again on the Encore re-release was amazing.”

They said: “Yeah, and we just want to thank everyone for all of your support throughout the entire career of this lifetime career of this movie.”

The Russo brothers said that it has been one of the most special moments of their careers, making this film.

“We're grateful to everybody who went back out to the theater to see it again, to cheer for it again, to feel something in a room full of people. You brought people who hadn't seen it the first time, introduced new fans to the movie. We love you very much and we're super grateful.”

The video was captioned: “Thank you for coming back to theaters for Endgame Encore and making Endgame the #1 film of all time. To every fan who’s been part of this journey for the last seven years, we love you 3000.”

Avengers: Infinity War released in 2018. In the film, the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to stop Thanos from collecting the six powerful Infinity Stones as part of his quest to kill half of all life in the universe.

A year later came Avengers: Endgame. In the film, the surviving members of the Avengers and their allies attempt to reverse Thanos's actions in Infinity War, which erased half of all life in the universe.

The “Avengers: Endgame Encore” was released in theaters on September 25, 2026, featuring new footage and an exclusive look at Avengers: Doomsday.

Of the two films, one will be a sports drama in Kannada. Interestingly, it is the sports drama which is to be made first.

Sources say the film is currently in the pre-production stage and is expected to go on floors some time next year. The film will be produced by well known Malayalam film producer Shibu Thameens.

Director Chidambaram has carved a unique space with his unconventional storytelling and ability to build deeply human narratives. His collaboration with Rishab brings together two filmmakers and performers with a distinct understanding of rooted storytelling.

For Rishab Shetty, the project marks an exciting new creative move as he continues to expand his slate across diverse genres.

With Jai Hanuman among his eagerly awaited upcoming projects, sources say Rishab Shetty is exploring new storytelling spaces while continuing to stay connected to the rooted, culturally rich narratives that have defined his journey.

His work in the 'Kantara' franchise, including his National Award-winning performance, has further established him as one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated creative forces.

In fact, just a few days ago, the actor and filmmaker had taken to his social media timelines to pen a post, reflecting on the journey of making 'Kantara: Chapter 1' . The actor penned the post on the occasion of the film completing one year.

Rishab has consistently drawn from local culture and lived traditions. His move into the sports drama genre opens up another exciting space for him to explore as both an actor and storyteller.

Sources close to the team say that more details regarding the storyline, cast and crew are likely to be announced soon.

In the movie, she played Akshay Kumar's mother though she was younger than him in real life. Her casting raised eyebrows at the time and ended up affecting the kind of roles that came her way.

Shah has now looked back at this chapter in her debut book, “The Audacity of Being: A Sort-of Memoir”.

According to the 53-year-old actor, Vipul originally wanted veteran actor Jaya Bachchan for the role. Hema Malini was also considered, but the idea was eventually dropped as it felt too similar to the Amitabh Bachchan-Hema Malini starrer "Baghban", which was released in 2003.

"The mother, Sumi, was the anchor of the story -- the silent strength between the father and the son. Vipul had originally wanted Jaya ji, but that did not work out. Hema Malini ji was another great choice, but it felt too much like a repeat of ‘Baghban’, a film that Amit ji and Hema ji had done only a while ago,” Shah wrote.

"Waqt: The race against time", which also starred Priyanka Chopra, was based on "Aavjo Vhala, Fari Malishu" (Goodbye, Dear, Until Next Time), a play written and directed by Aatish Kapadia.

Shah said she fell in love with the character of Sumi after watching the play and eventually asked Vipul if she could play the role.

“He flat out said no and insisted it would not work, warning me that it would label me as a ‘mother’ on screen forever,” she wrote.

The situation changed after Bachchan, who was the “unanimous and only choice” to play the father, suggested that Vipul consider her for the role.

“Now, that was something Vipul could not turn down,” she wrote.

Shah described the role as an “opportunity of a lifetime”, as it allowed her to work with two of her favourite people in the industry -- Bachchan and Vipul.

In an interview with PTI, Shah acknowledged that playing an older character at that stage of her career had a lasting professional impact.

"I was naive enough to think that people would see it as, you know, it would be admired. Like, oh, wow, she can do this too, as an actor. She’s as old as this, and then she can play a role which is much older than her. But that’s not how it works. It’s absolutely not how it works,” Shah said.

“And it didn’t. And it’s not that I could pinpoint the blame on that particular decision. But I’m sure that decision had a lot to play with what I got offered after that,” she told PTI.

In the book, Shah recounted how she feared being the industry's “next Nirupa Roy”, the late star known for playing self-sacrificing mother roles in films such as "Deewar" and "Amar Akbar Anthony".

“After Waqt, I was bombarded with ‘mommy’ roles,” she wrote, adding that she had made what, in hindsight, was not the best professional choice at a crucial stage of her career.

Despite the consequences, Shah said she continues to value "Waqt" for giving her the opportunity to share screen space with Bachchan.

She recalled that she had once dreamed of standing outside his house just to see him wave.

“He is a legend who is so humble and treats you as an equal -- someone who puts you at ease,” she wrote.

"The Audacity of Being", priced at Rs 599 and published by Bloomsbury India, is currently available for purchase across online and offline stores.

The AI-generated video of the song "Chuttamalle" from Jr NTR and Kapoor starrer "Devara: Part 1" digitally manipulates Kapoor's appearance from the song to depict her in a sexually explicit manner. It has now been taken down from the platforms.

Jr NTR, actor Khushbu Sunder, Vijay Deverakonda and Chiranjeevi have also condemned the misuse of technology.

In a strongly-worded post on her Instagram story on Monday, the actor said consent, choice, and respect for a woman’s body should be basic.

"Using technology criminally to objectify women and circulate fabricated content without their consent is a serious violation. It is almost equivalent to sexual assault. Almost every woman in my industry has faced this in some form. Now women everywhere are becoming victims of it," she wrote.

"What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line, and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her. This goes far beyond the AI videos I have dealt with over the last few days, or anything I have personally experienced throughout my career. It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation”.

The actor said the threat has now expanded into the digital sphere, when the "very real, physical fear that continues to disrupt the lives of women every day" has not even adequately addressed.

She also thanked Jr NTR, Sunder, Deverakonda and Chiranjeevi for speaking out against the video.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, Jr NTR said the morphed video was "vile" and "shameful beyond words".

"In a land which worships women as mothers and goddesses, where 'Matrudevo Bhava' is not just a phrase but a part of our culture, some people have fallen so low that they are using AI to disrespect a woman in the most degrading way possible. Using AI to create something this vile is shameful beyond words," he wrote.

"To the scumbags behind this morphed 'Chuttamalle' video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it," he said, urging the state governments and the Centre to take measures against the misuse of AI.

Sunder said as a woman, she refused to be silent when "another woman is digitally violated, degraded and humiliated".

"What has been done through AI is not a joke, not entertainment and not something we should ever normalise. It is cruel, abusive and deeply shameful. It is tearing off her dignity. I am outraged by the creation and circulation of morphed videos targeting a woman. No woman should have to fear that technology can be weaponised to invade her dignity, reputation and sense of safety.

"A woman’s body is not content. Her dignity is not entertainment. Her humiliation is not a joke. And AI must never become a weapon against women," she said.

Condemning the video, Chiranjeevi said he was deeply disturbed by the use of AI to create degrading and morphed videos of a woman.

"Such acts are cruel, shameful and completely unacceptable. I strongly condemn them. This is not an issue concerning just one individual or one film. Today, it has happened to someone else. Tomorrow, it could happen to you, me or anyone we know. We cannot remain silent simply because it has not affected us personally. Every one of us has a responsibility to stand against this abuse," he said, adding that he will take up the case with the Telugu Film Chamber, the Producers’ Council and our affiliated industry bodies.

He also urged the Telugu film industry to band together to address such issues and requested the state and the central governments to take strong measures against such videos.

Deverakonda said whoever spread the morphed AI-video should not be spared.

"They must face the harshest possible legal consequences and be made an example of. We must not let this go. When did we became so insensitive to each other. What kind of parenting is going on? what kind of society are we living in? Where we find joy in degrading each other?

"At a time when the world is debating and fearing how AI disrupt livelihoods and take away jobs, these idiots are using that very technology to do utter nonsense. This is the digital equivalent of sexual assault. The law must treat such acts with utmost seriousness," he said.

The issue of deepfakes and AI-altered videos has affected many female stars in the industry. Actors Rashmika Mandana, Mrunal Thakur and Shalini Pandey have earlier raised concerns over how their videos were morphed and circulated online.

Taking to her social media account, Sameera posted a shot by her little son, Hans, and praised him for capturing her in his own stylish way. Sharing the clip, she wrote, “My son takes the coolest videos of his mama.”

In the video, Sameera can be seen behind the wheel of her car, wearing a colourful, multi-coloured printed outfit.

She completed her look with sunglasses and kept her hair open as she drove, with her seatbelt fastened.

For the uninitiated, Sameera and her husband Akshai Varde moved from Mumbai to Goa in 2020, during the pandemic.

What was initially intended as a temporary escape from Mumbai eventually turned into a permanent setup. Sameera has often spoken about how the slower pace and proximity to nature in Goa have helped her find greater balance and made her a calmer mother and human.

Sameera continues to travel to Mumbai and other cities for professional commitments.

Sameera, who made her Bollywood debut in the early 2000s, has featured in films including Darna Mana Hai, Musafir, Taxi No. 9211, Race and De Dana Dan.

In recent years, she has carved out a different identity for herself on social media and has embraced an approach to discussing motherhood, parenting, body image and mental health.

Her own experience with postpartum struggles played a major role in shaping this social media chapter. Sameera has spoken openly about postpartum depression, weight gain, loneliness and the pressure she felt to “bounce back” after motherhood.

Her popular “Messy Mama” persona has further helped her connect with women who relate to the realities of motherhood rather than its often-perfect portrayal online.

Her social media presence also became particularly popular during the lockdown, when she began sharing candid family content, including videos with her mother-in-law Manjari Varde. The duo's “Sassy Saasu and Messy Mama” videos became a favourite among her followers.

The actress is a mother of 2 kids, Hans and a daughter, Nyra.

Sivakarthikeyan fan meet held near Porur

According to a Maalaimalar report, addressing the gathering, Sivakarthikeyan advised his fans to prioritise their families, study well, earn responsibly and lead a disciplined life. He also urged them to develop the habit of reading books for at least 15 minutes every day and reduce the time they spend on social media.

“Those who criticise us will continue to criticise us. Do not worry about criticism and focus on your work,” he said.

The venue was decorated with large banners, while fans attended the meeting in coordinated white attire. The actor also discussed ways to further strengthen and expand his welfare association.

Fans discuss Sivakarthikeyan’s political entry

A fan who attended the meeting said Sivakarthikeyan had urged them to engage in welfare activities and help those in need as much as possible.

The fan said there was currently no situation indicating that Sivakarthikeyan would launch a political party and added that fans did not want him to enter politics at present.

“However, if such a situation arises in the future, we will decide whether to support him based on the policies and objectives he puts forward,” the fan said.

The actor’s recent fan meeting, conducted on a large scale and resembling a political conference, has since become a topic of discussion.

Taking to social media, the ‘Yaariyan’ actress on Monday clarified that she was not connected to the matter and sought to set the record straight. Rakul shared a note that read, “It's heartbreaking to see that There's a growing trend amongst the self styled online reporters & some main stream media journalists to sensationalise the news without verifying facts. Let's therefore set the record straight once for all. The search was not pertaining to me.”

“Let it be known that I am from the Armed Forces background & had no Godfather in the Industry. I have come up through sheer hardwork & as a responsible law abiding citizen have been paying my due taxes since the age of 20 years.”

The actress added, “I am not involved in any kind of illegal Foreign remittance in personal capacity or on behalf of any Production house. I would also add here that I do not hold any Benami property on behalf of anyone anywhere in the country or abroad. Neither anyone has ever gifted me any property at anytime nor do I accept such expensive gifts as a principle.”

“I urge all those who published these false, malicious and speculative reports to retract them and clarify the facts. I understand that everyone running a media business however big has their own commercial pressures. But it cannot come at the cost of facts. And certainly not at the cost of someone's reputation and livelihood.”

According to some online reports, the Income Tax Department had conducted searches at multiple locations reportedly linked to Rakul Preet Singh, her father-in-law and film producer Vashu Bhagnani, and Panorama Studios in Mumbai.

The reports claimed that the Mumbai Income Tax Department had carried out searches at 12 locations as part of an investigation into suspected financial irregularities. Officials were reportedly looking into allegations that funds had been routed overseas under the pretext of financing film projects.

Taking to her Instagram page to pen a post on her meeting Vijay Sethupathi, Anishma Anilkumar wrote, "Met Mr.Kathiravan yesterday (the name of Vijay Sethupathi's character in the Tamil film 'Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum').I wanted to tell you how much I love Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, and how much I love Kathiravan."

She then went on to list all the names of the characters Vijay Sethupathi had played in different film and said that she loved every single one of them.

The actress wrote, "Pandi, Michael, Gandhi, Ram every single character of yours came rushing into my eyes when I saw you...I wanted to tell you how your journey as an actor has always given me hope and how much you inspired me.But when I actually met you, I completely froze. All I could do was ask for a picture, click it and stand there smiling. Didn’t say even half of what I wanted to. Always your huge fan sir @actorvijaysethupathi."

It may be recalled that Raja Karuppusamy, the director of Anishma's most recent film 'Modha Rathri', had penned a note of gratitude to her, in which he had disclosed how both he and the actress had wept after shooting the climax of the film, which had now gone on to emerge a superhit.

Taking to his Instagram page to pen the note of gratitude, the director had begun by asking if he should thank her for her support or if he should apologise.

He wrote,"Okay!!!! Where do I even start? Should I say Thank You or should I say Sorry? Because honestly, words are not enough for everything you’ve done and for all the support you’ve given me and my film."

He went on to say, "Firstly, as an artist, I’m not saying this just because you are my heroine. Indian cinema is going to celebrate you. You are one of the most dedicated artists I’ve ever worked with. That dance, that final scream, that post-climax vent out — maybe they are just scenes to others. But to us, they are much more than that. I still remember after the climax, both of us were crying… We didn’t even know whether you had to console me or I had to console you. And @jeeshma_jeechu chechi love you and thank you for giving love and support. Seriously, Cinema will hold you tight. Thank you, SUPER STAR @anishma_anilkumar."

The director then went on to praise Anishma for the support she had provided to him and his team.

"And as a human being, the comfort, love and warmth you give to me, my team and everyone on the set is truly incredible. Even after all the love, success and fame you’ve received, you’re still the same person I met before all of this. Personally, you’ve stood by me even when some of the closest people in my circle couldn’t. For that, I’ll be forever grateful to you (sic)," he had said.

The film introduces Suri (Fahadh Faasil), an ambulance driver who is willing to take up almost any challenge if there is money in it. Having grown up without parents or a family, Suri believes money is the most important thing in life. His desperation lands him in trouble when he tries to cheat and is caught by a local politician and don, Aslam Bhai (Mahesh Manjrekar). With Rs 25 lakh to repay within a couple of days, Suri takes increasingly desperate measures and eventually decides to kidnap a child.

Things take an unexpected turn when he ends up with Divya (Ssara Palekar). Their relationship becomes the heart of the film as Divya’s affection and friendship gradually change Suri. The man who once believed that money was all that mattered begins to understand the value of human relationships.

The first half does a good job of establishing Suri and bringing him and Divya together. One of the better sequences comes when Suri discovers Divya’s magical powers. The scene is well staged, with the CG and VFX adding to its visual appeal, while the humour keeps it entertaining. Mahesh Manjrekar also makes an impression as Aslam Bhai, bringing the required menace despite his limited scIreen time.

Film: Don't trouble the trouble; Cast: Fahadh Fasil, Ssara Palekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Venkatesh Kakamanu, Saurabh Sachdeva, Subbaraju, Divya Pillai; Synopsis: An ambulance driver desperate for money kidnaps a young girl with magical powers, only to find his life changing through their unexpected bond. What begins as a desperate act soon becomes a journey of friendship, love and self-discovery; Rating: 3/5

The second half, however, becomes more chase-driven and loses some of the charm of the first. Just when one expects more magic and comedy, the film leans into emotional scenes and extended chase sequences. Suri remains driven by money for much of the story, and it is only towards the end that his transformation becomes clear, when he makes a heroic attempt to honour his bond with Divya. The emotional payoff works, but more magic and humour could have made the second half stronger. Some lengthy portions and the extended heroic stretch in the climax also affect the pace.

The performances keep the film engaging. Fahadh Faasil is its biggest strength, moving easily between quirky humour and emotional moments. His performance in the climax is particularly effective as Suri finally confronts what Divya means to him. Ssara Palekar is equally impressive, bringing warmth, innocence and spontaneity to Divya. She performs with such confidence that there are moments when you might wonder who is having more fun on screen, Fahadh or Ssara. Venkatesh Kakamanu, as Suri’s loyal friend Mallesh, is another standout.

The CG work also deserves mention. The visual effects are used sparingly but effectively, particularly in the climax sequence involving fireflies. The magical portions are well executed, though there are only a few of them. More such moments could have made the film more engaging for younger audiences. Kala Bhairava’s music complements the emotional and fantastical portions. Shashank Yeleti’s film largely delivers on its promise. The description of it as a “children’s movie for adults” holds to an extent, offering enough innocence and magic for children while finding an emotional connection with adults.

The writing could have been tighter, particularly in the second half, but Don’t Trouble the Trouble remains a warm family entertainer, powered by Fahadh and Ssara’s performances, humour, emotional core and visual effects.

Nani - The greatest of greatest left. A child who lived an extraordinary life and blessed us with his genius. Everytime he called or messaged he always jumped straight to the idea he had and to the film he wanted to make. That infectious enthusiasm and curiosity. Even at 95. Honoured to have been around in your era. Honoured to have made some memories which I will always cherish. Sir, Thank you for everything.

Venkatesh Daggubati - Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu. Few filmmakers have embraced cinema with the kind of curiosity, originality and playfulness that defined his work. He was a rare filmmaker who never stopped believing in the magic and possibilities of cinema. It is truly the end of an extraordinary chapter in Telugu cinema. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Rest in peace, Singeetam garu. You will always be remembered through the films you gave us. 

Mahesh Babu  - A giant of Indian cinema is no more. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu was a legend in every sense of the word. A filmmaker of extraordinary imagination, courage and brilliance. Indian cinema will forever be indebted to him. Rest in peace sir. My deepest condolences to his family.

Vijay Deverakonda - Singeetham sir, your beliefs, your thoughts and your stories will live on with us forever. For every time you called me since Pellichoopulu to shower love and affection, I hope it made you happy and brought a smile seeing me in one of your films - Sing Geetham. I feel happy to have been a part of one of your visions. My forever respect.

Taking to its social media timelines, Passion Studios, one of the production houses producing the film, wrote, "Here’s the update you’ve been waiting on. #Benz Fourth Schedule Begins."

The production house also shared some BTS pictures from the sets on the occasion.

The film has triggered huge interest among fans as it features actor Nivin Pauly in not one but two roles in the film. More significantly, Nivin Pauly plays the antagonist in the film.

It may be recalled that Nivin Pauly, had in November last year, dropped a hint to suggest that the film's third schedule had been wrapped.

Taking to his social media timelines, Nivin Pauly had posted a series of pictures of himself from the film and written, "Darkness Loading......⏳." He then tagged all the cast and crew members associated with the film and then went on to add "#ScheduleWrap #BenzMovie #Walter" as the hashtags.

Ace director Lokesh Kanakaraj, who is one of the producers of the film, had in July last year confirmed that the unit had completed the second schedule of the film and had expressed hope that the unit would complete the film in the next three to four months.

In a video interview to a media house, Lokesh Kanakaraj, who is producing the film along with Sudhan Sundaram, and Jagadish Palanisamy, had said, " Our next film is Benz. They have finished the second schedule if I am not wrong. Two schedules are done. Philo is the editor. I will check with him as to how the film is looking. He will give me some updates. Probably, they will finish it in another three or four months. We have other films in the pipeline."

The film has triggered huge interest for a number of reasons but the most important reason is that the film will feature actor Nivin Pauly as a villain for the first time.

While introducing his character in the film, director Bakkiyaraj Kannan, on his X timeline, had said, "Soft boy? That was yesterday. Nivin Pauly 2.0—our certified Baddie, Breaking hearts and Breaking rules & Breaking bad. Meet #Walter, @nivinofficial."

The character promo for Nivin Pauly's character which the makers released begins with sounds emanating from a room as if somebody is getting bludgeoned there. Soon, Nivin Pauly, with his body decked in gold ornaments and carrying a huge metal hammer from which blood seems to be dripping, walks out. He sports a smile only to reveal golden teeth.

He turns around to ask another character (also played by Nivin Pauly) the name of a person. The other character, which is busy eating and which comes across as a naive, uneducated individual, tells the villain it is 'Bens' and then after a while, corrects the spelling to say, 'Benz'. We then get to know that the antagonist's name is Walter. Walter says, "When a head inside a helmet itself is cut like the head of a goat, who..." and laughs suggestively. The character promo ends with Walter describing himself. He says," A dirty mind, a beautiful heart deadly combination. Love you Walter!"

Written and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, the film has music by young music sensation Sai Abhyankkar‬. Cinematography for the film is by Goutham George and editing is by Philomin Raj. Art direction for the film has been done by Jacki while Pradeep Boopathi is serving as the creative producer.

Remembering the filmmaker, Rajamouli described him as a visionary who was ahead of his time. He recalled films such as ‘Aditya 369’, ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’ and ‘Mayuri’, saying their appeal continues to remain fresh across generations. He wrote, “The news that Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu is no more is deeply heartbreaking. Aditya 369, Pushpaka Vimanam, Mayuri… a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations. My deepest condolences to his family members. Om Shanti.”

Jr NTR also expressed his grief over the filmmaker’s demise and remembered his lasting contribution to cinema. He paid his tribute, writing, “The news that Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu is no more is deeply heartbreaking. Aditya 369, Pushpaka Vimanam, Mayuri… a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations. My deepest condolences to his family members. Om Shanti.”

Kamal Haasan, who shared a close professional and personal association with Singeetam, penned a deeply reflective tribute. Remembering the filmmaker’s youthful spirit and his influence on those around him, he said he was among the friends and disciples who had walked alongside him.

“Singeetham sir, by his own choice, passed away in his youth, along with his youth. His youthful spirit did not spread to many. Among the friends and disciples who walked alongside him, holding his hand, I am one of them,” Kamal wrote.

The ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ actor further reflected on Singeetam’s approach to life, saying that dying young need not necessarily be a tragedy and could instead be glorious. “Dying young need not be a tragedy. It can be glorious. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao is a great example. I have admired him since I knew him. Now I aspire to live like he did,” he added.

Legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away following health complications, family sources said. Rao breathed his last at Kauvery Hospital on October 3. He was 95.

Known for his innovative storytelling and creative vision, Rao directed several acclaimed films across his career. His notable works include ‘Raja Paarvai,' ‘Little John,' Kamal Haasan's starrer ‘Apoorva Sagodharargal,' ‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan,' and ‘Kadhala Kadhala,' ‘Pushpaka Vimanam,' and ‘Aditya 369’among others.

"What has been done through AI is not a joke, not entertainment and not something we should ever normalise. It is cruel, abusive and deeply shameful. It is tearing off her dignity," she wrote on X (Previously called Twitter) handle.

Expressing her displeasure in strong words, she added, "I am outraged by the creation and circulation of morphed videos targeting a woman. No woman should have to fear that technology can be weaponised to invade her dignity, reputation and sense of safety. Today, it is her. Tomorrow, it could be me, you, our daughter, our sister, our mother, or any woman we love. We cannot remain silent simply because we are not the victim today. When one woman’s dignity is attacked, every woman has a reason to stand up and speak out."

Khushbu Sundar feels that those who create such content, knowingly share it, and promote it must be held accountable and face consequences in order to set an example.

"A woman’s body is not content. Her dignity is not entertainment. Her humiliation is not a joke. And AI must never become a weapon against women. As women, we must stand together and say: ENOUGH," she went on to write.

Supporting Janhvi, she concluded the post saying, "I stand with you #JanhviKapoor Stay strong bachcha."

On Saturday, Jr NTR raised his voice against using AI to create fake videos. He even warned of legal action against those who indulged in such activities. He also suggested the same repercussions for those who help circulate it.

Additionally, Vijay Deverakonda and Chiranjeevi also used social media to condemn such misuse of technology.

The 'Satya' maker said that celebrities talking about fake AI content on social media only helps it reach more people, bringing unnecessary attention to the victim's identity.

Ram Gopal Varma tweeted, "The only thing all the celebrities succeeded in , is to publicise and thereby make crores and crores of people see the objectionable link ..The smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator and publicise that ..Instead what they did is to tweet and bring enormous attention to the victim’s identity and the offensive content which is also a crime (sic)".

On Saturday, Jr NTR condemned the fake video of the 'Chuttamalle' song. He warned of legal action against the accused, along with those who help circulate such content.

Calling such people "Disgusting, Sick and Shameless", the 'RRR' actor posted on the micro-blogging site, "In a land that worships women as mothers and goddesses, where "Matrudevo Bhava" is not just a phrase but a part of our culture, some people have fallen so low that they are using AI to disrespect a woman in the most degrading way possible. Using AI to create something this vile is shameful beyond words. To the scumbags behind this morphed Chuttamalle video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it."

Jr NTR further urged the netizens not to watch, share, or even engage with such content. He also requested the authorities to come up with strict regulations against such blatant misuse of technology.

"Please do not watch, share or engage with such content. Today it is someone else. Tomorrow, it could be your mother, sister, wife or daughter. This is a serious issue, and I urge all the state governments and the Government of India to act strongly and bring in strict regulations against the misuse of AI," he concluded.

Speaking to PEOPLE while attending ArtPrize, an annual art competition and cultural festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cranston said he wants to continue working for as long as he can.

"For an actor living the life that I am very fortunate to have, I have no intention of stopping, and I think life will stop before I will want it to, and that will be great," Cranston said.

The actor added that retirement is not something he sees himself choosing, saying that acting and writing are a major part of his life.

"It's like stopping breathing for me. If I stopped acting and writing, what would I do? I'm not one that's going to sit on the porch, just because I'm of that age," continues the actor. "Some people cannot wait for retirement, but I wouldn't know what to do with it."

Cranston also spoke about how he wants to look back on his life when the time comes. He said he hopes to have lived and worked enough to feel that he has nothing left to give.

"Someone once said, 'When all is said and done, and it's time for me to leave the earth, I want to be completely worn out,' and I think that's a good way to [go]," adds Cranston. "I want to be absolutely completely worn out, like, I got nothing left."

"I did everything, I traveled, I experienced life, and I'm tired and I'm just absolutely done," he further explains. "I want to be able to be proud of the things that I've [accomplished]."

Cranston comes from a family with a long connection to acting. His parents, Joseph Louis Cranston and Annalisa "Peggy" Cranston, were actors, and he is part of a family that has four generations of actors. His daughter, Taylor Dearden, has also earned praise for her role as Dr. Melissa "Mel" King in The Pitt.

The actor has played several well-known characters during his career, including Walter White in Breaking Bad and Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. He has also appeared in films such as Trumbo and Argo and worked in theatre in productions including All the Way, Network and All My Sons.

Cranston has also worked as a writer, producer and director. His career has earned him several Emmy and Tony Awards, along with a Laurence Olivier Award and a Golden Globe Award. He has also received nominations for an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award.

Looking back at how his interest in acting began, Cranston recalled growing up around his actor parents. He said watching them work eventually led him to try performing himself.

"[My siblings and I], we were watching our parents do things like, my dad's doing a movie here, my mom's doing a commercial there, and the first play I ever did was in our garage. My brother wrote and directed it, so he was my very first director," the actor says.

"I think we charged the neighbor kids a nickel to come see it, and that included a glass of punch or something," he continues with a laugh.

"So once you get that sense of performing, even if it's a garage production of something, once you do that, it either ignites something, or you never want to do that again," Cranston adds. "Or sometimes it's like, 'Well, that was fun. I'm glad I did it, but I don't need to do it anymore."

The news was shared by the Telugu Film Journalists Association and actor Jr NTR on social media platform X. There has been no official statement from Rao’s family so far.

Born on September 21, 1931, in Gudur, then in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao graduated with a degree in Physics from Presidency College, Chennai. He began his film career as an apprentice under legendary filmmaker K V Reddy and later worked as an associate director on films including Mayabazar (1957) and Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961). He made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Neethi Nijayithi in 1972.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Rao directed 61 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and English, across genres ranging from social dramas and comedies to fantasy and science fiction. His filmography included the Telugu time-travel film Aditya 369, the dialogue-free black comedy Pushpaka Vimana, and the multiple-role comedies Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan.

His final film, Sing Geetham, a unique musical fantasy released earlier this year, was his 61st as a director and the result of a 40-year-old dream. Around 70-80 per cent of the film is presented as a musical, with its characters communicating primarily through song rather than conventional dialogue.

Notable films

One of Rao’s early acclaimed films was Mayuri (1985), a Telugu biographical dance film based on the life of dancer Sudha Chandran, who played the lead role. Chandran returned to performing Bharatanatyam after having her right leg amputated following an accident at the age of 16.

Produced by Ramoji Rao, the film premiered at the 10th International Film Festival of India and won 14 Nandi Awards.

His Telugu science-fiction film Aditya 369 (1991), starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, was the highest-grossing Telugu film of that year, reportedly grossing around Rs 9 crore.

Association with Dr Rajkumar and music

Rao was also closely associated with Kannada superstar Dr Rajkumar. A disciple of composer S Rajeswara Rao, he composed music for two Kannada films produced under Rajkumar’s banner — Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986), which he also directed, and Samyuktha (1988), which he did not direct.

Kamal Haasan collaboration

Rao's association with Kamal Haasan produced some of his most celebrated films, including Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990).

Pushpaka Vimana, released as Pushpak in Hindi, was a black comedy made entirely without spoken dialogue. Starring Haasan, Amala and Tinnu Anand, the film became known for its distinctive visual storytelling.

In Apoorva Sagodharargal, Haasan played a triple role — honest police officer Sethupathi and his twin sons Raja and Appu. The film was produced by Haasan under Raaj Kamal Films International and was noted for its technical execution, including the portrayal of the character who has dwarfism, Appu, without CGI.

In Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Haasan played four brothers — Michael, Madan, Kameswaran and Raju — who are separated at birth and later cross paths as adults. The film was written by Haasan, with dialogues by Crazy Mohan.

Rao also directed Haasan in his 100th film, Raja Paarvai (1981), released in Telugu as Amavasya Chandrudu. The film was Haasan's first as producer.

Hollywood project and Little John

In the late 1990s, Rao was approached to direct a Hollywood project, which involved extensive special effects. He travelled to Los Angeles and engaged a casting director, but the project did not materialise.

The experience eventually led to Little John, a fantasy film starring American actor Bentley Mitchum, grandson of Hollywood star Robert Mitchum, and Jyothika. It was simultaneously shot and released in Tamil, Hindi, and English languages.

Sing Geetham was his 61st film

Rao remained active in filmmaking well into his 90s. His final directorial venture, Sing Geetham, was a Telugu musical fantasy comedy drama produced by Nag Ashwin and presented by C Ashwini Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies. Music was by Devi Sri Prasad.

Starring Ayaan Khan, Ahilya Bamroo and Shalini Kondepudi, the film was released in theatres on June 12, 2026. At 94, Sing Geetham was Rao's 61st film as a director.

Awards and recognition

Rao won two National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, three Karnataka State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South. His National honours included Best Feature Film in Tamil for Dikkatra Parvathi (1974), based on C Rajagopalachari’s novel and carrying a strong anti-drinking message, and Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Pushpaka Vimana (1988). He also won Filmfare Awards South for Dikkatra Parvathi, Mayuri and Pushpaka Vimana.

In 2011, he was honoured with the Life Achievement Award by the Film Federation of India.

His career was marked by experimentation across languages, genres and filmmaking techniques, making him one of the distinctive filmmakers of Indian cinema.

Karthik took to social media to express his gratitude after Mammootty watched the film and met the filmmaker and actors to appreciate their work. “Thank you Mammootty sir for your wishes, time and appreciation for Dorothy. You always inspire,” Karthik wrote.

“Dorothy”, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, released in theatres worldwide on September 25. The film marks Karthik’s 10th directorial and his first collaboration with veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja.

The film follows childhood friends Karthi and Subbu, played by Rishikanth and Sananth, whose lives are shaped by the harsh realities of their village and rigid patriarchal structures. Keerthy Suresh plays Dorothy.

Produced by Karthik Subbaraj, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Achin Jain and Jyoti Deshpande, the film has cinematography by S Thirunavukkarasu and editing by Ganesh Siva. Ilaiyaraaja has composed the music.

The film is being produced by ace director Lokesh Kanakaraj's production house G Squad in association with popular Telugu production house Mythri Movie Makers.

The makers of the film, which is yet to be titled, have now released a special video featuring BTS clips from the film.

Directed by Vishal Venkat, who is best known for the film, 'Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal' and the critically acclaimed 'Bomb', the untitled film features Nassar, Regena Cassandrra, and Ramesh Thilak in the lead.

The film's story has been penned by Hariharan Raju. It's cinematography has been handled by talented cameraman S.K. Selvakumar. Music for the eagerly awaited film has been composed by popular Malayalam music director Hesham Abdul Wahab.

Art direction department for the project is being headed by K. Manoj Kumar while G.K. Prasanna is in charge of editing.

Sources say that the upcoming film, which will be a gripping drama-thriller, is being jointly produced by Lokesh Kanagaraj and Naveen Yerneni & Y Ravi Shankar.

Chairman and CEO David Ellison confirmed the new identity as the two entertainment giants prepare to operate as one company, reported Variety.

For the merger, Ellison picked up the name of his original film production company, Skydance Media, in a bid to encompass everything that is getting stuffed into the new conglomerate.

In an X post, David Ellison wrote, "Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren't rewriting history -we're equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling. We chose this name for a few important reasons. First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. - and all our extraordinary brands - to remain in the spotlight."

The deal forming the new Skydance is set to close on October 6, the companies announced. With this, the merger will combine two of Hollywood's biggest movie studios, including the HBO Max and Paramount+ streaming services, along with TV businesses like CBS, CNN, MTV, TBS, Comedy Central, Food Network and more.

Further, the new company's entertainment franchises will span Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and other HBO hits, followed by the DC Universe, Yellowstone, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, and the Nickelodeon kids' empire.

Skydance will be led by chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, the former Mattel chief, who is set to join the company on October 5.

It is worth mentioning that the Paramount-Warner Bros deal cleared its last hurdle after a judge overseeing the 12-state antitrust lawsuit approved the settlement between Paramount and the state attorneys general.

On Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s show Double Date, Anushka spoke about her IVF journey and the challenges she faced while trying to conceive.

On Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s show Double Date, in an episode recorded before she welcomed twins, she recalled the initial phase of their journey and revealed that she and her husband, Aditya Seal, had initially been trying to conceive naturally. The duo welcomed their twin baby girls, whom they have lovingly named Vira and, on August 23.

They were subsequently advised to consider IUI, a less intensive procedure than IVF, but even that involved medication and injections.

Anushka said: “Initially we were trying naturally; we reached a point where we thought we were ready. Doctors advised us to try to conceive for six months or one year. Then there is a process which is called IUI, which is the milder version of IVF.”

“It also requires a lot of medication, but injections kam lene padte the, 3 or 4 injections, but dawaiyan bahut leni padti thi. So wo dawaiyan were also making me feel lost.”

She went on to explain why they eventually opted for IVF, adding that the chances of conception were higher compared to IUI. But beyond the medical procedures, Anushka said that the experience also took an emotional toll on her.

“You start feeling that meri body mein kuch kami hai, kuch toh galat hai. As a girl, I should not have drank or eaten meat,” she said.

Anushka added: “Phir sharam bhi aane lagi ki kaise kisi ko bolein ki we are trying to have a kid.

Then I started feeling embarrassed about how do we say we are trying for a kid.) It’s easy to say ‘trying’, but it is such a tough feeling for some women. You feel like you’re getting judged. ”

Aditya also opened up about what he witnessed while Anushka was undergoing the process.

Seeing the physical pain and emotional strain she was going through, he revealed that at one point he had decided that if the attempt did not work, they would not go through IVF again.

The couple also revealed that they had kept adoption as an option, believing that if they were unable to have a child biologically, they would still want to give a child a loving and fulfilling life.

Taking to her Instagram stories section to pen the appreciation post for the brave Indian pilot, who was instrumental in thwarting an attempt to crash the plane, Bhagyashrii Borse wrote, "Thank you, Captain Smit. The Real Life hero! Some heroes are silent, wearing their uniforms and simply doing their duty. But when the moment demands it, their invisible cape appears,revealing the true Indian hero within.India is proud of you sir."

For the unaware, Captain Smit Machchhar shot to limelight after a dramatic incident occurred on board Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board.

Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot, who intended to crash the plane, allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The Indian captain has come in for praise from various quarters including several film stars. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan too had lauded the Indian pilot for his courage and presence of mind during the terrifying mid-air incident.

Taking to his X timeline, Salman Khan wrote, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”

Actor Anil Kapoor also shared a heartfelt tribute to Captain Machchhar, revealing a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal.

Anil Kapoor recalled that Jalal had known Smit since flying school and had always considered him someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.

In his post, Kapoor wrote in part, “What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first...” He went on to express his respect for the captain and wished him a speedy recovery.

On Friday, the makers of the film unveiled a new poster with the film’s new release date giving it a cleaner release window and a stronger theatrical runway instead of compromising on screens in a suddenly crowded marketplace.

This has been done to accommodate better footfall in the theatres after films like ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’ and ‘The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest’ have completed their theatrical run.

The film combines patriotism and comedy, with Suhail Nayyar reportedly playing a negative character.

Earlier, Ayushmann Khurrana also spoke with IANS about the film, and shared details of the film, as he said, “My film ‘Udta Teer’ is releasing on October 9. It is a very different story. I want to say that it is India's first patriotic comedy where I become a Pakistani spy and lose my memory in India”.

“My character in the film starts fighting for India. So in a way, he remembers patriotism, but he forgets which country it is. So it's a very beautiful story”, he added.

In ‘Udta Teer’, Ayushmann essays the role of Bilal Ahmed, a Pakistani spy who suffers memory loss and begins to believe he is Indian.

He earlier said, “Every new director brings a different energy to the set. With ‘Udta Teer’ what drew me in was not just the genre, but the world Akash had created”.

“It is rare to find a script that can be chaotic, funny, emotional and rooted in a larger idea at the same time. I wanted to surrender to that vision and allow the character to take me somewhere unexpected”, he added.