Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced the State honours after paying floral tributes to Deva’s mortal remains at his residence in Chennai. Minister Rajmohan and other government officials were also present during the tribute.

Deva was admitted to a private hospital in Kodambakkam, Chennai, on Saturday morning after he suddenly developed health complications. He later breathed his last at the hospital.

His demise has sent shockwaves across the film industry and among his fans, with several celebrities and others expressing their condolences.

Known for composing and singing numerous gaana songs, Deva made his debut as a music composer in Tamil cinema with the 1989 film Manasukketha Maharasa. He rose to widespread popularity with the 1990 film Vaigasi Poranthachu.

Deva went on to compose music for several blockbuster films starring leading actors, including Rajinikanth’s Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995), Ajith Kumar’s (1995) and Kadhal Kottai (1996), and Vijay’s Minsara Kanna (1999) and Kushi (2000).

Over the course of his career, Deva composed music for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and other languages.

In recognition of his contribution to cinema, he received several honours, including the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani award and the State Film Award for Best Music Director.

His passing marks the end of an era for a composer whose music and gaana numbers left a lasting imprint on Tamil cinema.

Written and directed by Madhumita, the film has Nicholas Chevaillier as co-writer of the story and screenplay. It also features Sanjana Natarajan, Srushti, Zara Vineeth Chandok and Nirav, among others. Preetha Jayaraman ISC has handled the cinematography, while Mujeeb Majeed has composed the music, with additional music by Artist 404. Vijay Venkataramanan is the production designer.

The first-look poster features Arjun Das as Chandru, dressed in a police uniform and holding a doll, hinting at the mystery surrounding the film’s central character. The director describes the film as an investigation into the identity of John Doe, raising questions about whether he is a victim, a murderer, a missing child or someone who has never been found.

As Chandru searches for answers, the lines between what is known and what is believed begin to blur. The makers promise a screenplay that will keep audiences guessing, building anticipation for the psychological thriller.

Retold through plays, television shows and films over the years, the Ramayana remains one of India’s oldest and most revered epics. Producer Namit Malhotra’s upcoming film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is an ambitious cinematic adaptation that brings together composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. The film features Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet Singh, Ravie Dubey and Sunny Deol, among others.

Organised by Amazon Music, the film’s official music streaming partner, the evening opened with a children’s choir performing the Tamil version of Jai Jai Ram. Namit and Tiwari spoke about their journey of bringing the epic to the big screen, highlighting its cultural roots, universal appeal and their connection with the Tamil language.

Namit then invited Rahman on stage, where the composer performed Jai Jai Ram alongside singer Chinmayi Sripaada. Cast members Rakul Preet Singh, Ravie Dubey, Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash also shared their experiences of being part of the ambitious cinematic project.

One of the evening’s major highlights was Ravana Tandav, released on Dussehra. Yash, who plays Ravana, spoke about how the song drew him into the aura of Lord Shiva and influenced his portrayal of the character. Rahman, accompanied by his orchestra and chorus, subsequently presented musical themes and background scores from the film. The performances continued with Mangal Rang and Jodi Jodi, while singer Sachet Tandon delivered the first-ever live performance of Main Ram. The celebration concluded with the cast, singers and key members of the team sharing the stage.

Speaking about his experience of working on the film, Rahman said, “Some projects are beyond you; they become the soundtrack of people’s lives. The music of Ramayana is carefully woven to complement the story, love, and belief of a billion people. Working with Namit, Nitesh, Kumar Vishwas, and my amazing, relentless team has been a great journey. Scoring with Hans Zimmer has been a lifetime, memorable experience. Hope you enjoy every bit of it.”

Sai Pallavi spoke about her admiration for AR Rahman, saying his songs had become the background score to her life, often bringing back memories of significant moments from her past. “Sir has been a part of my life since my childhood and I am your biggest fan,” she said. She also revealed that Ranbir regularly watches Tamil films, keeps himself updated on South Indian cinema and enjoys discussing films with her. Sharing her experience of working with the film’s stellar cast, she urged audiences to watch Ramayana in IMAX 3D for the best cinematic experience.

Ranbir, meanwhile, described Ramayana as a story that connects people through love, faith and culture. Speaking about his association with Rahman, he said he had worked with the maestro on two films before, but being part of this epic was an opportunity he would cherish forever. Calling it an opportunity of a lifetime, the actor concluded his address in Tamil, greeting the audience with "Ellarum eppadi irukeenga?" before adding, “Chennai makkal best da,” drawing cheers from the crowd.

For Namit, music has been central to the film’s vision. Speaking about bringing Rahman and Zimmer together, he said the collaboration aimed to create a sound that was deeply rooted in India while retaining a universal appeal.

“This is a story that has lived in our hearts for generations, and I always believed its music needed to carry that same emotion, devotion and timelessness, while speaking to audiences across the world,” Namit said.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The music, composed by Rahman and Zimmer, features Tamil lyrics by Elango and Karthik Netha and is available to stream on Amazon Music. Adding to the grandeur of the event, Tribe Amrapali’s exclusive Ramayana collection was displayed at the venue. The showcase featured jewellery worn by Lord Rama, Sita and Ravana in the film, along with other ornaments used in the epic, offering guests a closer look at the craftsmanship behind the film’s visual world.

Envisioned as a two-part epic, the first part of Ramayana is scheduled for worldwide release on November 5 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The second part is slated for release during Deepavali 2027.

Selvam has urged fans not to believe the rumours and to wait for the film’s release for more details about the story.

Directed by Malayalam filmmaker Jithu Madhavan, known for Romancham and Aavesham, Scene marks his debut as a director in Tamil cinema. The project has drawn attention since its announcement, particularly following the release of its title and teaser.

Suriya plays DSP Indaraj in Scene

Director Jithu Madhavan has revealed that Suriya plays DSP Indaraj, a police officer whose team consists of people with unusual traits and eccentric personalities. The story follows how Indaraj brings these unconventional individuals together and uses their distinct abilities to investigate an important case. The film combines police investigation, action and comedy, with the director describing it as a family entertainer. The premise centres on the challenges of assembling such a team and how its members work together as the investigation progresses.

Naslen makes Tamil debut

Alongside Suriya, Malayalam actor Naslen and Nazriya Nazim play pivotal roles in the film. The project marks Naslen’s debut in Tamil cinema. Actors Anandaraj, Lal and Raj Priyan are also part of the cast. Music for Scene has been composed by Sushin Shyam, who has worked on several Malayalam films. The film is produced by Suriya and Jyotika’s production banners, 2D Entertainment and Azagaram Studios.

Scene pre-release event in Dubai on October 25

Scene is set to hit screens on November 6 for Deepavali. A pre-release event is planned in Dubai on October 25, ahead of its arrival in theatres.

Out of the eight individuals held so far, three key accused allegedly involved in firing at Shroff's car were brought to Mumbai from Kota in Rajasthan on Wednesday morning and sent to police custody till October 31.

Investigators told the court that the attack was allegedly carried out on the directions of Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Anil Pandit and further probe was required.

The crime branch of the Mumbai Police, which is probing the case, produced Rehan alias Sukka, from Sonipat in Haryana; Ritik Kurmi alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and living in Mumbai; and Phool Singh from Haryana, before a magistrate court and sought their custody for 14 days for a detailed investigation.

The police told the court that they needed to recover the weapons used in the crime and that the accused had destroyed two mobile phones.

The custody was required to unearth the conspiracy and the motive behind the incident, the police said, adding they needed to collect the electronic evidence, including the call data records.

The police told the court that the accused were arrested based on the analysis of CCTV footage and tracking of their bike.

Defence lawyers Ajinkya Mirgal and Satyabrat Joshi, however, opposed the police remand, saying the custody was not required for the recovery of weapons.

They also submitted that the accused have been interrogated during their transit remand.

The court, after hearing both sides, remanded the accused to police custody till October 31.

Tiger Shroff escaped relatively unhurt after two assailants fired gunshots at his car in the Juhu area on Sunday evening. His driver and a bystander were injured.

A motorcycle, allegedly used by the shooters, was found abandoned in Andheri.

The three accused were nabbed from a train in Kota the following day.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raj Tilak Roshan said five individuals, including two women, have been apprehended from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and are being brought to Mumbai.

He said sustained technical analysis and interrogation led the crime branch to the wider syndicate responsible for procuring and supplying the firearms used in the shooting.

Acting on precise intelligence and with the coordinated assistance of the Delhi and Haryana police, a series of simultaneous raids were conducted, the DCP said while addressing a news conference.

Delhi Police had identified four arrested accused as: Kunal (21) and Sumit (19), both residents of Haryana's Sonipat district, and Radha (23) and Babita (23), both from Uttar Pradesh.

Roshan said a deeply coordinated conspiracy is being unravelled during the investigation.

"Two of the arrested suspects had travelled to Amritsar to procure the weapons. The two female suspects then smuggled the firearms by train to Mumbai, handing them over directly to the attackers.

"The newly-arrested male suspect had stayed back in Mumbai alongside the shooters to provide logistical support and local assistance," Roshan added.

"Two of the arrested suspects had travelled to Amritsar to procure the weapons. The two female suspects then smuggled the firearms by train to Mumbai, handing them over directly to the attackers.

"The newly-arrested male suspect had stayed back in Mumbai alongside the shooters to provide logistical support and local assistance," Roshan added.

According to Delhi Police, Kunal allegedly collected a pistol and 20 rounds from Amritsar on the instructions of Anil Pandit, a 32-year-old US-based gangster from Panipat and an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with Sumit accompanying him. Radha and Babita allegedly travelled to Mumbai with the weapon.

The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case. A case was registered at Juhu police station.

Meanwhile, vlogger Umesh Chauhan, who was hit when shots were fired at the actor's car, underwent surgery to remove the bullet at civic-run KEM Hospital on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

Post-surgery, Chauhan's vital parameters are stable, and he remains under observation by doctors, it said in a statement.

Sasikumar plays the lead role in the film, which features Swasika, Narain, Nandita Swetha, Anjali Nair, Harishankar, Hareesh Peradi, Thenappan, Vaiyapuri, Anant Nag and Vasanthi Guru in pivotal roles.

Describing the project as a fresh take on the family thriller genre, Hari Santhosh said the film would blend suspense with engaging elements to offer an entertaining experience. He also expressed his delight at collaborating with Trident Arts and Sasikumar for his first Tamil directorial venture.

Krish J Nagrecha is the co-producer, while Sanjay Vijayraghavan serves as the creative producer. Shooting has commenced in Chennai and will continue across various locations.

The technical team includes Ghibran as music director, Aravinnd Singh as cinematographer, San Lokesh as editor and Durai Raj as production designer and art director. Karthik Netha has penned the lyrics, while Mantra has written the dialogues.

Produced by Prashanth G Rudrappa, whose previous productions include Dandupalya and Krishna Pranaya Sakhi, the film is written and directed by Navarrasan. Set between 1960 and 1990, the thriller will explore themes of divinity, faith, spirituality and the unknown against a historical backdrop.

B Ajaneesh Loknath, known for composing music for films such as Kantara, Virupaksha, Mangalavaaram and the Tamil film Maharaja, will handle the music and background score. AJ Shetty has been roped in as the director of photography.

The makers aim to deliver an immersive theatrical experience combining suspense, emotion and mystery. The storyline and key narrative details are being kept under wraps to preserve the intrigue surrounding the project.

The team is scheduled to commence shooting in January. Further details about the cast, technical crew and production schedule will be announced in due course.

Krishnaraj had been living in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, and was undergoing treatment for health issues. However, he passed away despite medical care. His death has prompted tributes from political leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.

CM Vijay pays tribute to playback singer

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expressed grief over Krishnaraj’s death. In a statement, he said he was shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of the veteran playback singer. Vijay said Krishnaraj had won the hearts of audiences with his distinctive voice and upbeat songs, adding that his demise was a great loss to the Tamil film industry. He extended his deepest condolences to the singer’s family, relatives, friends, members of the film fraternity and music lovers.

Anbumani Ramadoss condoles Krishnaraj’s death

Anbumani expressed grief over the singer’s demise, recalling his association with Deva’s music team. Krishnaraj rose to prominence after being introduced by Deva and went on to sing several popular numbers composed by him. Describing Krishnaraj’s death so soon after Deva’s passing as deeply saddening, Anbumani extended his condolences to the singer’s family and friends, as well as members of the film industry mourning his loss.

Krishnaraj’s memorable songs in Tamil cinema

Krishnaraj sang more than 3,000 songs during his career and contributed to both Tamil film music and devotional songs. Apart from Deva, he worked with composers including Sirpi and Vidyasagar and also sang songs composed by AR Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Some of his well-known songs composed by Deva include Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa, Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu and Kaathadikkudhu Kaathadikkudhu. His other popular numbers include the reprise version of Eechi Elumichhi from Taj Mahal, composed by AR Rahman, and Aambalaikkum Pombalaikkum from Kazhugu, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. His distinctive voice and versatility made him a familiar presence in Tamil cinema, particularly through lively commercial film songs and devotional music.

Final rites to be held in Vembadithalam

Krishnaraj’s mortal remains are set to be taken to his hometown, Vembadithalam, on Friday, where the final rites will be performed. His death is another loss for the Tamil music industry, coming shortly after the passing of Deva, with whom he shared a significant musical association.

( With inputs from bureau)

Mythri Movie Makers, the pan-India production house behind several sensational blockbusters in recent years, took to its X timeline to share the link to the teaser.

It wrote, "Bhadram, be careful, brotheruu... #DongaNaaKoduku & family is here-uu. #DNKTeaser out now! #DongaNaaKoduku looting the Box Office worldwide from NOVEMBER 13th. ROBBERY • CRIME • COMEDY #MouliRobsMythri #DNK Produced by @MythriOfficial."

The film, which has been directed by debutant director Sreenu Kambala, is slated for a theatrical release on November 13 this year.

Eeshwar is a B-Tech dropout who has money-minded parents, a close friend, and a girlfriend. However, he wishes to have none of them in his next birth, expressing his desire for just one thing -- money. The narrative takes an intriguing turn as robbery and crime elements enter the picture, adding a new dimension to the otherwise humorous proceedings. The teaser wraps up on a fun-filled note with a hilarious tiffin moment between Eeshwar and his girlfriend at the beach.

Following the appreciation he received for his performance in 'Little Hearts', Mouli Tanuj Prasanth will once again be seen showcasing his impressive comic timing in this film.

The film's teaser has a number of sequences including the powder sequence, a sequence on Mouli's amusing take on life and an entertaining tiffin episode, that give one the impression that the film will be a laugh riot. Sushmitha Shetty looks convincing in the role of his innocent girlfriend. Ali and Rajitha play Mouli's parents in the film, while Raghubabu, Priya, and Gundu Sudharshan feature in other prominent roles.

Director Sreenu Kambala seems to have crafted the narrative around the protagonist's quirky character and a series of humourous situations. The characterisation of Mouli and the way comedy is woven into different sequences reflect the director's emphasis on entertaining storytelling.

Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar, with Anil Yerneni as co-producer, the film has cinematography by Suriya Balaji. Music for the film has been scored by Sinjith Yerramilli. Editing for the film is by Sreedhar Sompally and production design is by Nagendra Guvvala.

Overall, the teaser promises a generous dose of humour while offering glimpses of an engaging story involving robbery and crime.

Sharing the news of his demise on Instagram, the family described him as the heart of their family and said that while his music touched countless lives, his greatest legacy would always be the love he gave his loved ones and the memories they would cherish forever.

A statement was posted by his family alongside a picture of the country music legend with a text overlay that read “1954-2026”.

The statement read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend. To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives.”

“To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special. We are completely heartbroken.”

“His music will live on, but for us, his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave his family and the memories we will carry with us forever. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Anderson started in 1977 with the release of his first single, "I've Got a Feelin' (Somebody's Been Stealin')". He charted more than 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including five number ones: "Wild and Blue", "Swingin'", "Black Sheep", "Straight Tequila Night", and "Money in the Bank". "Seminole Wind" charted at number two.

He also recorded 22 studio albums on several labels. His final album, Years, was released on April 10, 2020, on the Easy Eye Sound label and was produced by Nashville veteran producer David Ferguson and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

Anderson was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on October 5, 2014. He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame 10 years later.

Anderson is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The veteran actor, who turned 84 earlier this month, shared a post on X and apologised to fans for being unable interact with them on social media.

"Apologies .. I beg your forgiveness; I've been advised to take some time off for a few days to rest and recuperate, so I'm not able to write anything," Bachchan wrote.

Responding to the post, fans wished the actor well and urged him to prioritise his health.

"Please take care of your health. Love you sir," one user wrote, while another said, "Get well soon sir."

"We all love you. Rest well. Thanks a lot for connecting with us," another fan commented.

Bachchan, one of Indian cinema's most celebrated stars, has enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades, with landmark films such as "Deewaar", "Sholay", "Agneepath", "Black" and "Piku".

He also remains a popular television personality as the host of the long-running quiz show "Kaun Banega Crorepati"

Taking to his X timeline, the director, who has delivered some outstanding gangster films, wrote, "The police is an institution and a company is a money making organisation. But when its powers go beyond a point, an institution will become a company. Hence the name Police Company."

A few hours prior to sharing this explanation, the director had announced that his film would hit screens on June 4 next year. His announcement triggered a lot of excitement among fans and film buffs. Sharing a poster of the film's release date, he wrote, "To be violent is their qualification. Fear is their procedure. Hunting criminals is their job. And they don’t file FIR’S. They just KILL to close the case. POLICE COMPANY. It’s employees are more dangerous than the D COMPANY employees. T SERIES presents A RAM GOPAL VARMA FILM. In cinemas JUNE 4th 2027."

He went on to say, "POLICE COMPANY was more dangerous than D Company because in between 1997 and 2004, it killed 319 gangsters. They all are coming to kill everyone. In cinemas on 4th June, 2027." The director went on to give additional details about his film.

He wrote, "POLICE COMPANY produced by T series featuring Harshvardhan Rane as Mumbai’s legendary encounter cop Daya Nayak, is inspired by true events set against the most violent chapter ever in the underworld of Mumbai. The film produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series will expose the other side of the criminal world which is the police world which in effect is the other side of ‘Company’."

He added, "Inspired by true events and real life characters, 'Police Company' will tell the story of the unique circumstances which led to the killing of around 300 gangsters between 1997 and 2004."

The trailer of the much-anticipated sequel was unveiled on Wednesday, offering a glimpse of the challenges faced by the goddess as she takes on forces threatening the world. Blending mythology, fantasy and action.The original Mookuthi Amman,directed by RJ Balaji combined social commentary with comedy and fantasy, received a positive response from audiences.For the sequel, Nayanthara reprises her role, with the story moving towards a more expansive fantasy setting. The trailer hints at confrontations with powerful antagonists and places the goddess at the centre of a battle involving mythical elements Directed by Sundar C, Mookuthi Amman 2 is produced by Ishari K Ganesh under the Vels Film International banner.Further details about the film’s release date and plot are awaited.

Aparajeeth Films, the production house that delivered two iconic Tamil films -- 'Nandha' and 'Mounam Pesiyadhe' -- is to next produce a film that is to be directed by Raam Na, a former assistant to popular Tamil film director Ameer.

For the unaware, 'Nandha', which was directed by ace director Bala, featured Suriya and Laila in the lead and went on to emerge a phenomenal success.

The production house subsequently introduced Ameer Sulthan as director with 'Mounam Pesiyadhe', which featured Suriya and Trisha in the lead and which too went on to emerge a major success.

Now, the production house is to produce this new film, that is yet-to-be-titled. The film’s production has commenced with an auspicious pooja ceremony in Chennai. Shooting is scheduled to continue in Coimbatore from November 2026.

The launch ceremony was attended by several prominent directors and celebrities from the Tamil film industry.

Directors Cheran, Sasikumar, Ameer and Bala together launched the film by clapping the board for the first shot.

The occasion was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's father S. A. Chandrasekhar, actor Sivakumar, producer Amma creations Siva, actress Poornima Bhagyaraj and director Karu Pazhaniappan among others.

Sources close to the unit claim that the film will have an emotionally moving storyline and an inspiring screenplay. "It will seek to offer an engaging cinematic experience," said a source close to the unit.

They also pointed out that Cinematography for the film would be handled by Vanchi Murugesan while dialogues for the film had been penned by Bharathan.

Art Direction for the film would be handled by Balu Mahendra while the film's editing is to be handled by Boopathy Vedagiri. Costumes for the film are to be designed by Meera.

Taking to his social media timelines to make the announcement, Mohanlal wrote, "Delighted to have the incredibly talented @ghettokidstfug join me in my upcoming film, 'Operation Ganga', directed by Vishnu Mohan and produced by Shri Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies.#OperationGanga #Ghettokids."

The actor also shared a video clip in which he was seen along with the kids from the group. He said, "I had the wonderful experience of watching the incredibly talented Ghetto Kids perform alongside Shakira at the World Cup Finale in the US. Their energy and talent left a lasting impression on me and now, I am so happy to have them join me in my next film 'Operation Ganga', directed by Vishnu Mohan and produced by Gokulam Gopalan."

It may be recalled that just a few days ago, actress Bhagyashrii Borse, who plays the female lead the film , had shared that the film's schedule in Georgia had been wrapped.

Taking to her Instagram stories section to post pictures of herself with the unit members, the actress wrote, "Schedule wrap! With my cutest boys!."

She also posted another picture and wrote, "See you in a bit Georgia."

The actress had, in another post on Instagram, told the Malayalam superstar that it felt like a blessing to be his co-actor.

Taking to her Instagram page to post a picture of herself with her 'Operation Ganga' co-star Mohanlal, she wrote, "Dearest @mohanlal sir, To be your co-actor feels like a blessing. Every day of shoot, I get to see cinema through your eyes and learn from you.. you are truly gifted sir. #OperationGanga #AgentOnDuty."

For the unaware, the film, which is being directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Vishnu Mohan, was tentatively being referred to as L367 before being titled 'Operation Ganga'.

'Operation Ganga' refers to India’s evacuation mission launched to bring back Indian citizens, including thousands of students, who were stranded in Ukraine following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

'Operation Ganga', which has the tagline 'A Nation’s Promise' will be a film on one of the most daring and intriguing operations on international borders by India.

Apart from Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Bhagyashrii Borse, the film will also feature Bollywood star Arjun Rampal and actors Parthiban & Adil Hussain in pivotal roles.

The film is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Vishnu Mohan, who is best known for having directed the devotional blockbuster 'Meppadiyan'.

‘Operation Ganga’ also boasts of an extraordinarily talented technical team. The technical crew includes cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek, known for having shot the blockbusters 'Pushpa 1' and 'Pushpa 2' and production designer Rajeevan, who is best known for having worked in critically acclaimed films such as 'GOAT', 'Meiyazhagan', 'Amaran' and 'Kathanar'. The film will have its stunts choreographed by action director Sea Young Oh, known for his work in 'Dhurandhar' and 'Kill'. Music composer Shashwat Sachdev, following the success of the pan-Indian film 'Dhurandhar', is scoring the music for 'Operation Ganga'.

Produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies, Operation Ganga's crew also includes editor Shameer Mohammed and sound designer Bishwadeep Chatterjee, best known for his work in 'Dhurandhar', 'Uri', '3 Idiots' and 'Padmaavat'.

VFX for the film is being overseen by K. V. Sanjit. 'Lokah' Costume Director Melvy J is in-charge of costume design for this film and makeup is by Ronex Xavier.

The film is produced by Gokulam Gopalan, with Baiju Gopalan and V. C. Praveen as co-producers and Krishnamoorthy as executive producer.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed in the information provided. According to Page Six, the model had spoken about her health struggles in April 2024 after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. The condition left her partially paralysed and unable to walk for some time.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause weakness, numbness and, in severe cases, paralysis, Page Six said. Following news of her death, friends and fans paid tribute to the model on social media. Her friend Becky Hearn shared throwback pictures with Ray and remembered her as someone with a kind heart. “Sahara, a pure one with a very big heart,” Hearn wrote. “My heart is broken for you and your family. Rest in peace.”

Ray had welcomed her daughter, Snow, in January. Before giving birth, she shared her excitement with her followers, writing, “Wish me luck. I get induced today at 8 p.m. So excited, so nervous.” In April, she introduced her daughter to her followers through a video of the two spending time together. She captioned the post, “Baby snow hallelujah.” Ray’s last social media post, shared in July, also featured her daughter. Alongside the pictures, she wrote, “My whole heart baby Snow.”

The Australian model, who is the daughter of surfer Tony Ray, came into the spotlight in 2016 when she was linked to Bieber.

The two were seen vacationing together in Hawaii. Ray was also linked to musician Mod Sun in 2023 after the two were seen kissing in a social media post.

When host and filmmaker Karan Johar asked Dhanush who, according to him, was a better co-actor to work with in Bollywood — Sara Ali Khan or Sonam Kapoor, he named Sonam without giving it a second thought.

As Dhanush named Sonam, Sara replied, “Wow, not offensive at all.”

Dhanush explained that Sonam holds a special place for him as she was his first co-star in Bollywood. He added that Sonam made him feel extremely comfortable.

“Not taking away the kindness, sweetness, and fun Sara brought on the sets of 'Atrangi Re', Sonam because she was very special. She was my first co-star in Hindi films and a guy from the south coming here, and she made me feel very comfortable and very kind to me. I am very grateful for that,” Dhanush said.

Talking about 'Atrangi Re', Dhanush admitted that he was concerned if Sara would be able to play the role of Rinku.

He said, “To be very honest, I was a little worried. It’s such a big role and a very difficult character to play. I asked Aanand ji (Aanand L Rai), ‘How many films has she done?’ He told me 2 or 3 films, at that point of time. I was like, ‘Can she pull it off?’”.

Made under the direction of Aanand L Rai, 'Atrangi Re' also stars Akshay Kumar in a lead role, along with Dhanush and Sara.

The film premiered on December 24, 2021 on Disney+ Hotstar.

It marked Dhanush's second professional association with filmmaker Aanand L Rai after 'Raanjhanaa'. The actor and director duo also went on to do another project together, 'Tere Ishk Mein', co-starring Kriti Sanon, which came out in 2025.

The story of 'Atrangi Re' has been written by Himanshu Sharma and it has been backed by T-Series Films, Colour Yellow Productions and Cape of Good Films.

Directed by Ramnath Palanikumar, known for films such as Ambasamudram Ambani, Thirunaal and Aadhaar, Censor will make its screenplay available to readers ahead of its theatrical release. In Tamil cinema, screenplays are usually published after a film’s release, often following its success.

The book will give readers, aspiring filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the story, scenes and visual details as written, before they are interpreted on screen. Explaining the decision, Ramnath said, “A screenplay is the soul of a film and a distinct work of literature in its own right. In Tamil cinema, we traditionally celebrate the screenplay only after celebrating the stars on screen. By releasing the screenplay of Censor before the film’s theatrical arrival, we want audiences to experience the story in its purest, uncompromised form. This is an effort toward complete transparency and a dedication to the written word in Tamil cinema.”

The makers said the initiative reflects the importance of the written word in filmmaking. Further details about the film will be announced in the coming weeks.

Samson said he was unable to watch the film on its release day due to an event in Delhi. He subsequently arranged a private screening in Bengaluru and booked an entire cinema hall for it. Members of the Indian cricket team members and their support staff who understand Tamil also attended the screening.

“I love watching Rajini sir’s movies, and I always look forward to his next film,” Samson said to a media outlet, adding that his friends and his wife too had joined him.

Meanwhile, chess prodigies Gukesh Dommaraju along with sibling duo Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu too recently watched Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 together. Gukesh took to Instagram to share a photo from their movie outing, captioning it, “Thalaivar gang.” Also with them was Chennai's young musical prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram.

What is Jailer 2 about?

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 are reprising their roles. Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar and Jackie Shroff repeated their cameo appearances. The new additions to the cast include SJ Suryah, Vijay Sethupathi, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sooraj Venjaramoodu, Hakkim Shajahan, Meghana Raj, and more.

Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music, while Sun Pictures has produced the film.

In DT Next's review of Jailer 2, we wrote, "Jailer 2 is a complete mass entertainer and a feast for Superstar fans. Despite some pacing issues in the second half, Nelson’s trademark dark humour, the large ensemble cast and Rajinikanth’s effortless screen presence keep the film engaging. Vijay Sethupathi’s cameo in the film’s closing moments creates intrigue for the third instalment."

Taking to their official social media handles on Tuesday, Ranveer and Deepika revealed that they have named their little bundle of joy, Devi Padukone Singh. In a joint post, the couple uploaded a heart-melting family photo featuring Ranveer, Deepika and their two little munchkins. While the two actors flaunted their dazzling smiles looking at their girls, big sister Dua was lovingly giving a kiss to his little sister. All four of them twinned in golden ethnic wear.

Sharing the name of their younger one with the netizens, they captioned the post, 'Devi Padukone Singh' (Photo: Deepika Padukone/ Instagram) Of Love & Abundance… (evil eye emoji) Devi Padukone Singh (sic)." Many members from the fraternity, such as Mrunal Thakur, Sharvari and Bhumi Pednekar, reacted to the post with red heart emoticons. Ranveer and Deepika welcome baby number two on 19th September this year. The couple shared the exciting news on social media by uploading a post featuring a tiny footprint, along with the words, "Welcome baby girl...19/9/2026...Dua, Deepika, Ranveer". For the caption, they simply shared an evil eye emoticon. Deepika and Ranveer had announced that they are expecting their second child together in April this year. They revealed the happy news of the latest addition to the family through a joint post. Ranveer and Deepika dropped a photo of Dua holding a pregnancy test kit showing a positive result. Talking about the couple's romantic journey, Deepika and Ranveer, who have shared the screen in a number of projects such as 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela' (2013), 'Bajiroa Mastani' (2015), 'Padmaavat' (2018), and '83' (2021), tied the knot in an intimate yet lavish ceremony at Lake Como, Italy, in November 2018. The lovebirds welcomed their first child together, daughter Dua, on September 8, 2024. --IANS pm/

In an Instagram statement, Pragati alleged that Teejay, while agreeing to split royalties for both songs, did not keep his word. "He promised a royalty split on Nahila Nahila too. He uploaded an unfinished version to all platforms without my consent. The producer, Steve Cliff, and I have not seen a single penny from Thean Kudika or Nahila Nahila," she said.

She added that she had to get her due credit for the song following a legal notice. "My name wasn't credited on Thean Kudika until a month ago after a legal notice was sent to Teejay. Steve Cliff's name (producer) is nowhere to be found on any streaming platform to this day," she wrote.

She added that while Cliff and she have been trying to cordially resolve the issue, they have been met with threats and harassment by Teejay's team.

Teejay has allegedly approached Pragati to work together on his upcoming song, 'Thaen Kudika 2', which has forced Pragati to go public with her experience.

"Teejay is soon releasing "Thaen Kudika 2" again, profiting off a song made by artists he never paid and never credited. History has a way of repeating itself when there are no consequences. Ten years is a long time. We're well past cordial now," she said in the statement.

Teejay was recently seen in the Madhavan-starrer G.D.N.

Karthik Sabesh had appeared in several Tamil films, including Vallavan, Kadhal Solla Vandhen, Pattathu Yaanai and Kulir 100 Degree.

Tamil actor Karthik Sabesh's funeral to be held today

According to his family, the last rites will be performed on Tuesday evening.

Several members of the Tamil film industry and fans have expressed their condolences over the actor's death.

The death comes just three days after his uncle, veteran music composer Deva, passed away on October 17. His father, composer Sabesh, had died in October 2025. The three deaths within a year have left the family and the Tamil film industry in mourning.

Several prominent personalities from the film industry, including Jeetendra, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff and Gulshan Grover, were also present at the event to honour the legendary singer and music composer.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Bappi Lahiri's family. Fadnavis was felicitated by the family of the late singer during the event.

Jackie Shroff also made an appearance at the ceremony following the reported attack on his son, actor Tiger Shroff, on Sunday. Jackie posed for photographs with the Maharashtra Chief Minister at the event and was seen wearing an all-white outfit.

Suniel Shetty also attended the naming ceremony and expressed his happiness over the recognition accorded to the late musician.

Speaking to the media, the actor said, "I think this should have happened many years ago—but better late than never. My family and I are absolutely thrilled; it’s truly wonderful. There isn’t just one song; all are good."

Actor Gulshan Grover described Bappi Lahiri as a "legend" in the fields of cinema and music. While talking to the media, he said, "He is a legend—in cinema, music, and art; he has earned such immense renown and acclaim.

He has produced pathbreaking, extraordinary work, so it is a matter of great pride and honour that an artist of his stature is being recognised in this way... The entire family is filled with a sense of pride and honour; many congratulations to them. I don’t think there’s a single song of his that I don’t like." Veteran actor Jeetendra also recalled his long-standing association with Bappi Lahiri, revealing that the two were neighbours and had worked together on 40 films.

"We were both neighbours. I have worked on 40 films with Bappi Da. My producers and directors were always very happy, because he provided both good service and good music. If you don’t provide good service, even if the music is good, it doesn’t really count for much... I am very happy that I’ve come to this function," Jeetendra said while talking to the media. Born Alokesh Lahiri on November 27, 1952, in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, Bappi Lahiri came from a family with a rich tradition in classical music.

His father, Aparesh Lahiri, was a renowned Bengali singer, while his mother, Banshori Lahiri, was a musician and singer well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He was their only child. Bappi Da began learning music at a young age and started playing the tabla when he was just three years old. He later went on to learn several other instruments, including the saxophone and guitar.

His parents and maternal uncle, legendary Indian singer Kishore Kumar, played significant roles in shaping his musical journey. After receiving his initial training from his parents, Bappi Lahiri got his first opportunity in the Bengali film industry with 'Daadu' in 1972, at the age of 19. His first Hindi film as a music composer was 'Nanha Shikari' (1973), while his first Hindi composition was 'Tu Hi Mera Chanda', sung by Mukesh.

In 2016, Bappi Lahiri lent his voice to the character of Tamatoa in the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's 3D animated fantasy adventure film 'Moana'. He also composed and sang 'Shona', the Hindi version of 'Shiny'. This marked his first experience dubbing for an animated character. At the 63rd Filmfare Awards, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema and music. Bappi Lahiri passed away on February 15, 2022, at the age of 69, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy. The naming of the road after the celebrated singer and composer serves as a tribute to his contributions to the Indian music industry. (ANI)

The 'Devdas' actress had shared that she would like to be with someone with a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at themselves.

Aishwarya added that as she is a people's person, and hence, her partner should not be judgemental of others, something she termed was extremely important to her.

"See, sensitive, have a great sense of humor, have an ability to laugh at himself. Very important. Respect, respect others and himself. Not complex. Should be able to relate to people for who they are, because I guess I am a people's person. So, uncomplicated, who doesn't... who is not judgmental. Very human. That's very important," she told Farida Jalal.

Aishwarya went on to add that, according to her, what makes a relationship last at the end of the day is compatibility.

"And more than anything else, I think, see these... that will just go on and on and on. I think what's important at the end of the day is compatibility. I've always said this. I think that will be the magic word between us. I mean, love definitely. All that will be there. But I think the fine thread that will probably link us is compatibility, I think", the 'Jodhaa Akbar' explained.

Talking about Aishwarya and Abhishek, these two have worked together in a number of projects, including 'Kuch Naa Kaho', 'Dhoom 2', 'Sarkar Raj', 'Umrao Jaan', 'Guru', and 'Raavan'.

If the reports were to be believed, Aishwarya and Abhishek first met back in 1999 for the photo shoot of their first project together, 'Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke'.

After being in a relationship for some time, Aishwarya and Abhishek finally got married on April 20, 2007, in a grand traditional ceremony.

They took the next step in their journey on 16 November 2011 as they welcomed their first child, daughter Aaradhya Bachchan.

Wunderbar Films, the production house which is producing the film, took to its X timeline to share the link to the just released single. It wrote, "

You hear it. You feel it. The power of #OM, the new anthem for

@dhanushkraja. Veezha Veera, second single from #OM out now."

The peppy, foot-tapping single, which has lyrics by Arun Srinivasan, has been set to tune by Sai Abhyankkar and rendered by Tippu and Sai Abhyankkar.

The will now hit screens on November 20 this year, its makers announced on Friday.

It may be recalled that the makers had originally planned to release the film on October 16. However, actor Dhanush, in a statement, had announced the film's postponement. He had said that they had chosen to postpone the release of their film out of respect for Superstar Rajinikanth, whose film Jailer 2 hit screens on October 15.

Dhanush had also made it clear that their film would not be releasing for Deepavali as Suriya's film had already been announced for the same date. The actor and producer later announced November 20 as the date of release for their film.

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs as this is the first time that Dhanush and Mammootty are collaborating on a project.

Director Rajkumar Periasamy had disclosed earlier that Mammootty plays a character called Karthikeyan the film. Participating in the title teaser launch event of the film which was held in June this year, Rajkumar Periasamy had disclosed that Malayalam superstar Mammootty played a character called Karthikeyan in the film and that 60 to 65 per cent of filming had then been completed.

For the unaware, the unit of the film had recently shot in Malaysia. Mammootty had also jointly celebrated his recent National Award win with three other National Award winners -- Dhanush, director Rajkumar Periasamy and editor Kalaivanan -- on the sets of the film.

Bollywood star Naseeruddin Shah too is a part of this film. The film's title has a tagline called Chapter 1 indicating that there could be a sequel.

A title teaser that the makers had released some time back had showed that the story revolves around those cutting red sanders for a living. Dhanush himself plays a woodcutter in the film. The teaser showed police personnel rounding up woodcutters chopping red sanders illegally. As they hold the workers hostage at gunpoint, Dhanush was seen coming to their rescue.

Wunderbar Films Head Sreyas, while speaking at the title teaser launch event, had disclosed that this would be one of the biggest budget films in Dhanush's career. He had also said that this film would bring back the mass vintage Dhanush that fans had longed to see.

The film, which features Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela as the heroines, has music by Sai Abhyankkar. Cinematography for the film is by Ezhil Arasu. Editing for the film is by Kalaivanan R and costumes are by Kavya Sriram.

K7 Studios, one of the production houses producing the film, took to its X timelines to make the announcement. It shared a BTS video and wrote, "That’s a wrap on #Santa20! The clock has stopped ticking on the sets of

@iamsanthanam's next, but a whole new timeline is about to unfold

1st look drops tomorrow 5:30 PM. Directed by #SudhamanKrishna. Produced by

@venusinfotain @K7Studiosoffl @kjganesh082 @VijayKCelliah. A @gvprakash

Musical."

It may be recalled that Santhanam had, in March this year, taken to his social media timelines to share a video clip of the film's launch function.

He had then said, "Happy to associate with @K7Studiosoffl @venusinfotain @kjganesh082 & @VijayKCelliah for an interesting Time loop based thriller. Shooting in Progress… need all your blessings. Directed by #SudhamanKrishna. @nivaskprasanna @gopikaramesh_ @dhivakargj @KingsleyReddin #GeorgeMarian @TheDhaadiBoy @ImFouzee #TSR @Richardmnathan @dhilipaction @Cinemainmygenes @jacki_art @tuneyjohn @prya_ravii #Yezhil @iam_raghavan @TheBrandMax @pro_sathish @S2MediaOfficial."

The yet-to-be-titled film, which is Santhanam's 20th film and therefore being tentatively referred to as Santa20, has Gopika Ramesh playing the female lead.

Apart from Santhanam and Gopika Ramesh, the film will also feature comedians Jenson Diwakar, Redin Kingsley, George Marian, Pradeep Antony, TSR and Fouziee in pivotal roles in the film.

Director Sudhaman Krishna has himself written the story of this film. The film unit boasts of a fine technical team. Music for the film is to be scored by the talented Nivas K Prasanna. Cinematography for the film is by one of the best cameramen in business Richard M Nathan and costumes in the film have been designed by Priya Ravi. Stunts in the film are to be choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan, while editing is to be handled by National Award winning editor Praveen K L.

The film, which is being produced by K J Ganesh and Vijay K Celliah, has Karthick Anandakrishnan serving as its executive producer.

Arjun, who was being considered to play the role of Karan Singhania, (Later played on Siddharth) had even shot for a couple of days until, one day, he simply stormed out of the set.

As he appeared on one of the episodes of the chat show 'Koffee with Karan', Arjun revealed how Aamir Khan might not have been totally content with his casting.

The 'Dhurandhar' actor told KJo, “I had heard rumors that Aamir Khan does take a keen interest in his films, and I would have loved to work with him. But out of respect to him, he did have a lot of fears that he put on the table, and I hope all those fears are sorted now and can make the film that he wants.”

Arjun also shared that the director of the movie, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, was confused and even problematic.

“I had a problem with the director. I was signed for the film. I had a new look and blocked my dates. It just became very confusing because the director was very confused. I’m happy it didn’t work out in a way, because Rakeysh was very confused about the script; he was very erratic, some days he would be like ‘This is the way I want to do it’… and ‘You’re my character, oh are you my character?’ When someone is this confused, it’s best to say ‘I can’t work with you and good luck,'” he went on to admit.

Arjun further shared that he had even booked his dates for the next three months for the project as asked by the filmmaker, not taking on any other work for that time period.

"I think it is very unprofessional to do that to an actor. Yes, there was a good amount of work coming to me and good work—and so people who were meant to be coming to me, didn’t come. I have lost out on work."

The makers have announced the third instalment of the franchise, which is titled 'Student Of The Year- After Dark'. It will star Shanaya Kapoor, marking her digital debut on the OTT platform. The makers have released the teaser of the series on Monday.

The video showcases the transition from a vibrant party life to a frozen dead body of a girl, hinting at a world that’s far more raw, layered, and unpredictable. Karan Johar is set to produce the web series, while Reema Maya is set to helm the show. Jio Hotstar shared the teaser on its Instagram handle.

Director of the series, Reema Maya, who is lauded for her daring narratives, brings her signature realism to this high-gloss world. “This isn’t going to be what you expect. It is Student Of The Year, stripped to its bones and reimagined as a thriller competition web-series.

Karan Johar has put his faith in my voice and vision, and I’m excited to have fun with this genre. The web series format is giving us a wide canvas for the conversations we want to have with our youth. We had so much fun with the music of the show. The cast is young and incredibly talented! Shanaya is a director’s actor - prepared and hardworking,” said Reema Maya, as quoted in a press note. 'Student Of The Year: After Dark' is set to stream on Jio Hotstar from November 13.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has an animosity with Salman Khan due to his alleged involvement in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan during the filming of the blockbuster 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. The actor was convicted by a trial court in 2018, a verdict he has contested in higher courts, and maintains his innocence.

Speaking to IANS in the aftermath of an attack on Tiger Shroff, which the Bollywood star narrowly escaped, Ramesh Bishnoi said, “As you heard in the audio, I heard the same thing: That we have stopped him and want to warn him again that anyone who works with Salman Khan could face consequences."

He added that he was just quoting the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, “These are not my words, I’m just citing their emotions on the matter.”

“I want to tell Salman Khan’s family to give up their stubbornness. This is an issue affecting the entire community, and there is widespread anger within it,” he added.

Ramesh Bishnoi further said that there was anger within the Bishnoi community, and Lawrence is just expressing the entire community’s anger. ”Lawrence has no personal dispute with Salman Khan, nor is it a personal dispute with the community. The issue is that he has hurt our religious sentiments. There is widespread anger within the community,” he added.

He further said Lawrence had offered a straightforward solution to Salman Khan, that he should come forward and apologise, but the actor doesn’t want to apologise.

Bollywood star Tiger Shroff had a narrow escape on Sunday after three men on a motorcycle opened fire at his car in Mumbai’s Juhu area, leaving the actor’s driver injured, the police said.

According to Mumbai’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone II, Mohit Garg, three rounds were fired at the 36-year-old actor’s car after he was leaving a playground where he had gone for football practice.

The actor’s driver, who was injured in the incident, was rushed to Nanavati Hospital for treatment, the police said, adding that some others in the area, including an autorickshaw driver, were also hurt.

There was panic at the spot of the firing incident, with people running to take shelter after hearing the gunshots. The police cordoned off the crime scene, and the forensic team reached the area to collect evidence.

Later, three suspects were arrested, including a minor, by the Rajasthan police in the case on Monday at Kota railway station.

Acting on Intelligence that the suspects were travelling to Kota aboard the Pune-Jaipur Express, a police team surrounded and searched the train. The operation was completed in approximately 15 minutes, following which all three suspects were taken into custody.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Rehan alias Sukka, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana; Hrithik Kurmi alias Roshan, a resident of Begusarai in Bihar; and a minor.

Within hours of the incident, a video clip was circulating on social media in which a man claiming to be Anil Pandit from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the firing and claimed that it was a warning to Tiger Shroff to stop working with superstar Salman Khan.

Distributed in the country by PVR INOX Pictures in association with Superfine Films, the romantic entertainer will see Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård as the lead pair, along with Peter Dinklage, Elizabeth Debicki and Richard E. Grant in crucial roles.

'Wicker' premiered at the Eccles Theater in Utah, USA, as part of the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026. The movie also closed the 59th Sitges Film Festival on 18 October 2026.

The project is expected to be released in the cinema halls of the United States on October 23, 2026. A week after that, it will be out in the United Kingdom on 30 October, 2026, the same day as its Indian release.

'Wicker' will also get a theatrical release in Australia on November 5.

Speaking about their next, directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson shared in their production notes, “You can’t love another person until you accept that you are deserving of love.”

They also went on to describe their vision for the film. They revealed that they wanted to create “a satirical comedy about sex and marriage, a unique visual spectacle, and a strange love story that would ground it all.”

Sharing their guiding ambition, they added, “Our first goal is always to provide a good time.”

A cinematic adaptation of the short story "The Wicker Husband" by Ursula Wills, 'Wicker' revolves around an ostracised fisherwoman who commissions a local Basketmaker to craft her a husband. When her extraordinary wicker-made companion exceeds every expectation, his arrival sparks jealousy, fascination and upheaval across the village.

Backed by Topic Studios in collaboration with Tango Entertainment, Votiv, Yoki, Inc., and South of the River Picture, 'Wicker' enjoys music scored by Anna Meredith.

The film was earlier scheduled for a re-release on October 1, but the plan was postponed.

Vijay's Thirupaachi re-release postponed from October 1 to December 25

Released during Pongal in 2005, Thirupaachi featured Vijay and Trisha in the lead roles, alongside Pasupathy, Mallika and Kota Srinivasa Rao in important roles. The film was produced by RB Choudary under the Super Good Films banner.

The film follows a caring brother, played by Vijay, who travels from Thirupaachi to Chennai to protect his sister and her husband from local rowdies. The brother-sister bond became one of the film's biggest highlights and connected strongly with audiences.

Thirupaachi's storyline and box office success

Thirupaachi was a major commercial success, reportedly collecting Rs 32 crore at the box office. It became an important film in Vijay's career. Following its success, Vijay reunited with director Perarasu for Sivakasi, which also performed well at the box office.

Vijay's Thirupaachi songs, cast and remakes

The film's music was composed by Mani Sharma, Dheena and Devi Sri Prasad, with lyrics written by director Perarasu. Devi Sri Prasad composed the song 'Kattu Kattu', Mani Sharma composed 'Kannum Kannum', and Dheena worked on the remaining songs.

The film was later remade in Telugu as Annavaram and in Kannada as Thangigagi.

Interestingly, this film will mark the Telugu debut of the Bollywood star.

RAPO cinematics, the production house producing the film, took to its social media timelines to welcome Riteish Deshmukh on board the unit of the film.

It wrote, "Welcoming the ever-versatile @Riteishd on board for a very EXCITING ROLE. #RAPO23 New Schedule Begins. #HappyDussehra. Written & Directed by #. Produced by Krishna Pothineni. A @RAPO_Cinematics Production.Energetic Star @ramsayz. @iamsamyuktha_ @SamCSmusic @DOP_Tirru #ASPrakash #KevinKumar @PeterHeinOffl."

The makers also released a Behind The Scenes video clip on the occasion. The BTS video offers a glimpse of the film’s set, with Riteish’s face kept out of view. It captures his arrival on set and his interaction with Ram as the two come together for the film.

For the unaware, the unit of the film, which has Telugu star Ram Pothineni both directing and playing the lead in it, had wrapped up a schedule in September this year. The unit, during this schedule, had canned a massive night action sequence, which the makers claimed would be a never-before-seen visual spectacle.

Sources close to the unit had claimed that the high-intensity night action sequence had been shot across a massive one-kilometre stretch. The entire stretch was illuminated with lights, creating a visually striking canvas that perfectly complemented the film’s distinctive neo-noir world.

Action choreographer Kevin Master had designed the intense sequence, while National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Tirru) captured the visuals, the sources added.

It may be recalled that the makers of the film had only recently welcomed actress Samyuktha on board the unit of their film.

Taking to its social media timelines to welcome the actress onboard the unit on the occasion of her birthday on Friday, production house Rapo Cinematics had said, "The world of #RAPO23 welcomes its newest addition. Happy Birthday, @iamsamyuktha_ and Welcome on board! Written & Directed by #RAPO. Produced by Krishna Pothineni.A @rapocinematics Production. Energetic Star @ram_pothineni. @samcsmusic @dop_tirru #ASPrakash @peterheinoffl."

The film is being produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner on a lavish scale.

Conceived by Ram himself, #RAPO23 is touted to be a unique psychological action thriller set in a gripping neo-noir world. The film, which was formally announced on the occasion of the actor's birthday, will have Ram Pothineni playing a character called Veera in it.

National-Award winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru) is the cameraman for this film, which has music by Sam C S.

Deva died of a heart attack in Chennai on the morning of October 17.

His mortal remains were taken from his Chennai residence to the farmland, where the final rites were performed. Thousands of people gathered at the site to pay their last respects to the celebrated music director.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay visited Deva's residence in Chennai to pay his respects and announced that the funeral would be held with state honours in recognition of the composer's contribution to the music industry. Revenue and police officials oversaw arrangements for the ceremony at Sakkaramallur.

Relatives and villagers recalled Deva's enduring connection to his roots, saying he regularly visited his native village during festivals such as Pongal and contributed to local initiatives, including funding the construction of a Sri Ranganathar temple.

Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva had a career spanning nearly four decades and composed music for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Before turning to films, Deva was an employee of the Tamil Nadu government's Public Works Department (PWD).

Few composers in Tamil cinema are as closely identified with one genre as Deva is with 'gaana', the urban folk music born in the working-class neighbourhoods of North Chennai.

He worked with nearly every leading star of his time, among them Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Vijay and Ajith, and delivered some of the biggest hits of their careers.

Among his chartbusters were the Rajinikanth films 'Annamalai', 'Baashha' and 'Arunachalam', and the Kamal Haasan outings 'Avvai Shanmugi', 'Pammal K Sambandam' and 'Panchathanthiram'.

His death drew tributes from political leaders, members of the film fraternity and fans across Tamil Nadu.

Taking to social media, Nelson shared a photograph with Rajinikanth and music composer Anirudh Ravichander, expressing his happiness over the film’s reception in theatres.

“Nothing beats seeing the audience celebrate it,” the filmmaker said, acknowledging the fans whose enthusiasm has contributed to the film’s strong opening weekend.

Released on October 15, the sequel reportedly grossed Rs 317.15 crore worldwide in its first three days, according to box-office estimates.

Directed by Nelson and produced by Sun Pictures, Jailer 2  brings Rajinikanth back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, the retired jailer introduced in the 2023 blockbuster Jailer.

The film features an ensemble cast including Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Vijay Sethupathi, Vidya Balan, Ramya Krishnan, Mithun Chakraborty and S J Suryah, among others. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music.

The musician’s involvement in the ambitious project came about unexpectedly, following a phone call from Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, who is scoring the film along with Hans Zimmer. According to a note shared by Prakash’s public relations team, he received the call while returning from the airport after a visit to Ayodhya.“I did not know about it in advance. When I was on the way back from the airport, I received a phone call from Rahman sir, who asked me to sing a track for it,” Prakash said.‘Ramayana’ features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The ensemble cast also includes Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Sheeba Chadha, among others.The film is planned as a multi-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. Its first instalment, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5.

The makers revealed on Sunday that the forthcoming action entertainer will now be out in the cinema halls on October 29th 2027, during Diwali. 'Spirit' will now be locking horns with Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana Part 2' at the box office.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, 'Ramayana Part 2' is expected to reach the audience on November 5 next year. The mythological drama will be led by Ranbir Kapoor and Yash.

Earlier today, the filmmaker teased netizens that he would be announcing the new release date for 'Spirit', along with a new look of Prabhas.

The 'Animal' maker penned on his X (formerly known as Twitter) timeline, “Dear Prabhas Anna fans. I want to introduce a NEW POSTER, featuring the man behind the shades, with the NEW RELEASE date on it. Just few minutes...#Spirit #OneBadHabit #IndiasBiggestSuperStar. (sic)”

Some time after that, Sandeep Reddy Vanga dropped another post on the micro-blogging site, saying, “Check this out........#Spirit #InSpiritMode @TSeries @VangaPictures #IndiasBiggestSuperStar 29TH OCTOBER DIWALI 2027. Worldwide RELEASE DATE (sic)."

The first look poster shows Prabhas in all-black attire with a black sports cap and a stylish pair of sunglasses.

Backed by Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Krishan Kumar, and Prabhakar Reddy Vanga under the banners of T-Series Films and Bhadrakali Pictures, 'Spirit' was initially scheduled for release in March 2027, however, the makers have decided to push it for the reasons best known to them.

With Prabhas and Triptii Dimri as the lead pair, 'Spirit' also stars Vivek Oberoi, Kanchana, and Aishwarya Desai in significant roles, along with others.

While "Spirit" marks Sandeep Reddy Vanga's first collaboration with Prabhas, the director has already worked with Triptii in the 2023 release 'Animal', co-starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna.

Kajal took to Instagram, where she shared a string of pictures of herself with her sister Nisha, whom the actress said she loves forever.

“Happiest birthday, my heart and soul. From our endless laughing fits to the craziest fights over absolutely nothing, there’s never a dull moment with you. When I count my blessings, I count you a million times over,” Kajal wrote in the caption section.

She added: “You’re kindness, empathy and compassion inspire me to be a better version, everyday. Wouldn’t trade our madness, our bond for anything in the world. Love you forever, my Bayvee, my always, tiny, little Nisha. @nishaaggarwal.”

On the work front, Kajal was last seen in Kannappa directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, written by Vishnu Manchu, and produced by Mohan Babu.

It is based on the legend of Kannappa in Hinduism, a devotee of god Shiva who sacrificed his eyes. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the title role.

The film also stars Preity Mukhundhan, Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Mukesh Rishi, Devaraj, Arpit Ranka and Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran alongside Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Agarwal in special cameo appearances.

She was also seen in The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress directed by Chetan DK and produced by Sagar B. Shinde. The film stars Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade in lead roles.

Kajal, who made her acting debut with a minor role in the 2004 Hindi film Kyun! Ho Gaya Na…, will be seen playing the role of Mandodri in Nitesh Tiwary’s upcoming film “Ramayana” starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash.

Set in the 1980s, Akka unfolds in the fictional kingdom of Pernuru, where power and influence are intertwined with generations of women who have shaped its history. The teaser offers a glimpse into this world of competing ambitions and complex relationships, setting the stage for a story driven by power, loyalty and conflict.

Produced by YRF Entertainment, the series marks the directorial debut of Dharmaraj Shetty, who has also written it. The cast includes Tanvi Azmi alongside Keerthy and Radhika.

The teaser was unveiled on Keerthy’s birthday as a special treat for the actor and her fans. Speaking about the project, Keerthy said, “The love I receive from the audience every year makes this day incredibly meaningful, and being able to celebrate it by unveiling the teaser of Akka, a project so close to my heart, feels truly special. Bhavani is one of the most unique and memorable characters I have had the opportunity to play. It was lovely working with Radhika. Our characters bring such compelling dynamics to the story and the interplay between them adds an intriguing edge to the narrative. Akka marks my first series with Netflix and YRF Entertainment and what drew me to this project was the distinctiveness of its story and the world it inhabits. I am looking forward to audiences immersing themselves in this world and discovering the many facets of Bhavani as her story unfolds.”

Radhika said, “It’s wonderful that the date announcement and the teaser drop of Akka has coincided with Keerthy’s birthday. I am sure it is going to be lucky for us. Rudra is a fascinating character, driven by her own convictions and an instinct to challenge the world around her. What drew me to the series was the complexity of its characters and the tensions that emerge from their differing perspectives. Having been associated with Netflix across several projects over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of some distinctive storytelling journeys, and Akka is another intriguing addition to that association. Collaborating with YRF Entertainment on a story with such layered characters has been a rewarding experience, and I look forward to audiences discovering Rudra and the many dimensions of her journey.” Akka premieres on October 30 on Netflix.

He was 36 when he made his debut with Maattukara Mannaru (1986) and became a notable composer with the 1989 film Vaigasi Poranthachu. Deva will go on to score music in about 400 films in all south Indian languages.

When Deva was signed to score for Rajinikanth’s 1992 film, Annamalai, his first collaboration with the Superstar, a railway porter who identified him told him to score good music for his Thalaivar’s movie. Whether it was a request or warning, Deva couldn’t figure out. “I was a bit scared,” Deva recalled of the interaction in an interview with, actor-producer, Chitra Lakshmanan.

In Annamalai, Deva hit all the right notes, but it was the ‘Super Star’ title card that has remained the constant in all of Rajini’s films for over 30 years, even until his latest, Jailer-2. In the same year (1992), Deva scored for Sarathkumar’s Sooryan. The background score for comedian, Goundamani, went on to become a cult classic.

He scored for two more films for Rajinikanth – the cult-classic, Baasha (1995) and Arunachalam (1997). In his condolence message on Saturday, Superstar Rajinikanth recalled how he was put in a tight spot, when he had to choose AR Rahman to compose for Padayappa (1999), and how gracefully Deva handled the situation. “Deva did Annamalai, Baasha, and Arunachalam with me, and all three were huge hits. However, my friends compelled me to work with ARR for Padayappa. So I went to Deva with a heavy heart and informed him. He stood up, held my hands, and said, ‘Please go ahead. He is a talented boy and he is upcoming. I wish you all the best.”

Deva went on to collaborate with Kamal Haasan for the 1996 cult classic, Avvai Shanmugi, and then in 2002, Panchathanthiram and Pammal K Sambandam.

Deva also collaborated with then upcoming stars, (Chief Minister) Vijay and Ajith and gave several memorable albums with the next generation of stars. Deva and (CM) Vijay have worked together in over a dozen films, with Vijay crooning to a song in several of them. Some of Ajith’s memorable albums were courtesy of Deva.

He was also a sought-after singer and apart from performing in his own music, he has collaborated even with present day composers like GV Prakash, Anirudh Ravichander, Santosh Narayanan.

He was also a spiritual person and remained an ardent devotee of Mel Maruvathur Bangaru Adigalar, for whom he had composed a devotional album.

Recipient of several state awards, Deva was also sought after by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for AIADMK’s election campaign songs. The party bestowed him with the post of chairman of Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nadaga Mandram in 2011. His song, Thanjavuru Manneduthu from the movie Porkalam was played at the last rites of former Singapore President SR Nathan, at his request.

Deva tried to carve a niche when the studios preferred Ilaiyaraaja, a towering figure and AR Rahman, the up and coming prodigy. Though decorated with the moniker, ‘Thenisai Thendral’ by legendary film composer, MS Viswanathan, it was with Chennai Gaana, Deva owned the streets.

SR Nathan, former Singapore president, wanted 'Thanjavuru Manneduthu', a song from 1997-hit film, Porkaalam, be played at his funeral. And, the Singapore government accommodated the request playing the song at the start of his formal State Funeral service

Not just for the Superstar, his songs became anthems for the common man too. Salomiya from the 1998 Kannethirey Thondrinal is a friendship anthem. Autokaaran from Baasha is still the go-to song in auto stands across the State during Ayudha Pooja celebrations.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Vijay visited the composer's residence to pay floral tributes to his mortal remains. The Chief Minister also offered his condolences to Deva’s family members.

Deva reportedly suffered a sudden heart attack on Saturday morning and was admitted to a private hospital in Kodambakkam, Chennai. Despite receiving medical treatment, he could not be saved. His demise has prompted an outpouring of condolences from members of the film industry, political leaders and fans.

Deva composed music for several Tamil films during his career, including projects featuring Vijay. Their notable collaborations include Nenjinile (1999), Minsara Kanna (1999) and Kushi (2000).