In an official declaration which he shared on his social media handles, Jason Sanjay wrote, "I am here by writing to formally inform my official, authorized social media identities. Please be advised that the accounts listed below are the only profiles managed, owned, or authorized by me: ·Instagram: • User name - jason.sanjay_official; Link: https://www.instaram.com/jason.sanjay_official?igsh=NjcwbXRnNThtcmw0. Facebook: User name - Jason Sanjay. Twitter: User name - Jason Sanjay Official; Link - https://x.com/official_jsj."

He went on to add, "Any other accounts, pages, or profiles operating under my name, likeness, or variations of my identity on these or any other digital platforms are entirely fake. Consequently, any posts, comments, direct messages, business solicitations, or communications originating from any accounts not explicitly listed above are not mine. I hold no responsibility or liability for their content, actions, or consequences."

The director then went on to clarify about his official fan club. He said, "Please be informed that we have not authorized, launched, or recognized any official fan club, association, or community group. Any groups, pages, or accounts claiming to be our "official fan club" or "authorized community" are completely unofficial and unapproved."

For the unaware, Jason Sanjay had only recently turned a director with the release of the heist thriller 'Sigma', featuring Sundeep Kishan in the lead. The young director had, ahead of the film's release pointed out to the audience that he another debutant director stepping into "this vast ocean of talent called cinema".

In a statement ahead of the film's release, Jason Sanjay had said, "I am extremely excited about the release of Sigma, and at the same time, I am equally anxious. The hype and expectations surrounding the film are immense, and I am confident that we will live up to them."

He went on to add, "Sigma is releasing worldwide in theatres on October 2, with Sakthi Film Distributors bringing the film to audiences. We have chosen a genre and a visual colour palette that we believe will connect strongly with the expectations of today’s audience. As a team, we have put in everything possible to deliver an engaging and entertaining cinematic experience."

Sanjay Jason had gone on to point out that cinema was ultimately a medium of entertainment.

"As a team, we have left no stone unturned to make Sigma an entertaining and engaging cinematic saga. We have worked with the intention of creating a film that can cut across regional and linguistic barriers and connect with audiences across territories. I believe confidence in a project must always come with humility. With that confidence and sheer humility, I request audiences to watch Sigma in theatres from October 2 and experience the film with us," he urged audiences.

He had ended his statement saying, "I am another debutant director stepping into this vast ocean of talent called cinema. At this stage of my journey, the support and acceptance of the audience mean everything to me. Please watch Sigma, support us, and make this journey memorable."

On joining We Were Here as executive producer, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said in a statement: "This film offers a refreshing, witty take on a subject that feels very timely. I jumped at the opportunity to come on boord os an Executive Producer to amplify this creative team and ensure their deserves."

The story follows three retired men in a small Indian town, convinced that machines are taking over human jobs, who decide to protest by pretending to be household appliances. Their unlikely act of resistance takes an unexpected turn when one of their children joins an artificial intelligence company.

The film's momentum comes on the back of major wins at short-film festivals, including the South by Southwest (SXSW), at Palm Springs International ShortFest, and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.

The Palm Springs award secured the film's eligibility for Academy Award consideration.

Reflecting on the film's journey and the support it has received as it enters its Oscar

campaign, writer-director Pranav Bhasin said in a statement: "We Were Here started as a small, silly idea about three uncles trying to stop the spread of Al, and somewhere along the way, I fell in love with them, their friendships, and their stubborn resilience.”

“In India, reality is often stranger than anything you could write, and the mockumentary format let me keep the film rooted in real people and real places, while exploring just how absurd things can get.”

He added: “Now that the film is Oscar-qualified, I'm still figuring out how to process it. I made it the way I make everything. I followed an idea that felt wild to me, all the way to the end. I was never sure it would make sense to anyone outside my head.”

“As a young filmmaker, I find it pretty surreal to have a tribe of highly accomplished and committed EPs, including Andrew Scott, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and V. We're all really excited to find creative ways to get this film to wider audiences."

T-Series has come on board for the project, which aims to celebrate the life, legacy and vision of the legendary Maratha king.

The movie will bring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's extraordinary journey and his vision of Swarajya to the big screen.

Marking the collaboration, Bhushan Kumar honoured Rishab Shetty with a century-old painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, reflecting the team's reverence for the historical figure and the responsibility they associate with bringing his story to cinema.

Speaking about the project, Bhushan Kumar said, “Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have given us a legacy to be proud of, and I believe it is our responsibility to honour that legacy through cinema and share it with the world. When Sandeep Singh narrated ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring this extraordinary story to the big screen. With Rishab Shetty’s powerful screen presence and his ability to bring legendary figures to life, I believe we have the right combination to bring the courage, vision and spirit of Swarajya to audiences across generations. For T-Series, this is more than a film; it is a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his timeless legacy.”

The two-part saga will explore defining battles, sacrifices, landmark victories and lesser-known chapters from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The narrative will focus on his military genius, strategic foresight, fearless leadership and transformative vision of Swarajya.

The film is said to be mounted on an expansive scale and will feature an ensemble cast, along with a creative team comprising talent from India and overseas.

The makers aim to create an immersive cinematic experience that introduces this significant chapter of Indian history to audiences across generations.

With pre-production underway, the film is scheduled to go on floors in early 2027. The makers intend to celebrate not just the historical events surrounding the Maratha king but also the ideals of Swarajya and the enduring influence of his leadership.

Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Films, ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ is a T-Series Films and Legend Studios production.

The film is directed by Sandeep Singh, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar, and written by Rishi Virmani and Sandeep Singh. Rishab Shetty, Shiv Chanana and Kabiir Sadanand are the co-producers.

On Friday, the streaming giant announced the exclusive global streaming premiere of the blockbuster film with a caption that read, "Bhaukaal aa chuka hai. #MirzapurTheMovieOnPrime, Watch Now."

Presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment, the film is written by Puneet Krishna, directed by Gurmmeet Singh, and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under the banner of Excel Entertainment.

Led by Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and Divyenndu, the film also features Jitendra Kumar, Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Banerjee, Rasika Dugal, Mohit Malik, Sheeba Chaddha, Rajesh Tailang, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Gaur, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Sonal Chauhan, Anangsha Biswas, Shaji Chaudhary, Satendra Soni, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Sushant Singh in pivotal roles. The Movie is streaming exclusively on Prime Video in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Mirzapur: The Movie brings audiences back to the power struggles and rivalries that define the much-loved franchise, with iconic characters returning for an epic untold story set in the timeline of Season 1. Adding to the excitement, the film features an extended cut with never-before-seen scenes. Director Gurmmeet Singh shared, “With Mirzapur: The Movie, the idea was to take a world that audiences know so well and explore how it could unfold on a larger canvas.

As a director, it was exciting to approach these characters in a new way while staying true to the grit and intensity that define Mirzapur. The world of Mirzapur has always received immense love from audiences, and as the film premieres on Prime Video, I’m excited for even more viewers to experience it. As a surprise for fans, the film also features an extended cut with never-before-seen scenes, giving audiences more to discover in a world they have always loved," as per a press release.

Producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar further added, “The love that audiences have shown Mirzapur over the years, and the connection they have with its characters, has been incredibly special to us. Taking the franchise to the big screen was a new experience for us, and we’re happy to see the film receive so much love. As it now makes its way to OTT, we hope it reaches even more people and gives fans another chance to revisit the world of Mirzapur.”

The death, from Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, was announced on social media.

With a commanding baritone voice, Stewart was by his late 40s an eloquent, statesmanlike presence on the British stage. But to many American television viewers, Stewart was a new face when he made his debut in 1987 as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “The Next Generation,” the first live-action spinoff of the original “Star Trek” series of the late 1960s.

Over the show’s seven seasons, Picard became known for his preternatural calm and his trademark directives “Engage!” and “Make it so.” (Stewart titled a 2023 memoir “Making It So.”)

Stewart went on to star in four feature-film spinoffs before returning to the bridge of the Starship Enterprise in 2020 in a TV sequel that he could call his own, “Star Trek: Picard,” which ran for three seasons.

The Enterprise was neither Stewart’s first science-fiction home nor his last. He appeared in David Lynch’s original film version of “Dune” (1984) as weapons teacher Gurney Halleck. Years later, he was Charles Xavier, aka Professor X, in five “X-Men” movies, playing a wealthy telepath in a wheelchair who leads other mutants with superpowers. Those films, some of which also starred Stewart’s close friend Ian McKellen, included “X-Men” (2000), “X2: X-Men United” (2003) and “Logan” (2017).

By the time he became a screen star, Stewart was a lauded stage veteran in Britain, where he began working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. After making his first public stage appearance at 19, he performed in classical and contemporary works alongside fellow up-and-coming actors such as Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Glenda Jackson.

In 1986, he won the London Fringe Theater best actor award for his role as the humiliated husband, George, in the Young Vic’s production of Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” He also won Olivier Awards (Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tony) for playing Enobarbus, Mark Antony’s best friend, in William Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” (1979) and Claudius, opposite David Tennant’s Danish prince, in “Hamlet” (2009).

Stewart was born July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, England, a small, industrial river town in West Yorkshire. His father, Alfred Stewart, was a regimental sergeant major in the British army, and his mother, Gladys (Barrowclough) Stewart, was a weaver at a textile factory. Stewart was the youngest of their three sons.

Much later in life, Stewart wrote and spoke about the domestic violence that had shattered his childhood. His father was reduced to working as a semiskilled laborer after his military career, and became what Stewart described as a resentful “weekend alcoholic” who physically attacked his mother for years, sometimes in Stewart’s presence.

Stewart was 12 when an English teacher handed out scripts for “The Merchant of Venice” and instructed him to read the part of Shylock. Stewart went on to work with local drama groups.

Graduating from secondary school at 15, he took a job as a junior reporter with the local newspaper but quit after a year; his editor had complained that he was spending too much time on his theater avocation. After that, he worked for a year as a furniture salesperson to save money for drama school, though a local arts council ended up giving him a full scholarship so that he could enroll in the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theater School, which accepted him in 1957, when he was 17.

Two years later, he made his professional acting debut, as marooned pirate Tom Morgan in “Treasure Island,” with the Lincoln Repertory Company in Lincoln, England.

Stewart was largely considered an unknown when the “Star Trek” offer came along. At the invitation of a friend, a university professor, Stewart had been in Los Angeles conducting master classes on Shakespeare when, one evening, he gave a lecture and performed some bits of the plays in a program that was open to the public.

A TV producer who was involved in developing a new “Star Trek” series happened to attend and soon persuaded Stewart to audition — even though, as Stewart later wrote, he knew “next to nothing” about the franchise.

Stewart expected the project to be a short-term commitment. How, he remembered thinking, could the show possibly succeed with a middle-aged pacifist captain with a French name and a British accent?

After its run ended, Stewart continued his stage and television career, now with the power of Hollywood fame behind him. Between 1995 and 2013, he starred in a handful of Broadway productions, two of them Shakespearean: He was Prospero in “The Tempest” in 1995 and, in 2008, the title character in “Macbeth,” for which he was nominated for a Tony.

On American television, he portrayed a restless 17th-century spirit in “The Canterville Ghost” (1996); Captain Ahab in “Moby Dick” (1998); Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” (1999); a wealthy rancher pointedly named Lear in “King of Texas” (2002); and Henry II, opposite Glenn Close, in “The Lion in Winter” (2003).

Though his rock-steady Picard only rarely seemed to lighten up, Stewart was, in fact, no stranger to comedy.

He “got rather good at being silly,” The Sydney Morning Herald wrote. He played King Richard in Mel Brooks’ 1993 film spoof “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” parodying Sean Connery with a thick Scottish accent. He appeared in about 120 episodes of the animated series “American Dad!” as Avery Bullock, a CIA deputy director with too many character flaws to count.

After hundreds of screen and stage roles, Stewart — Sir Patrick since his 2010 knighthood — gave one of his final performances in “The Sheep Detectives” (2026), in which he was the voice of Sir Ritchfield, a wise old Boreray Blackface ram in a flock of crime solvers.

Stewart and Sheila Falconer, a choreographer, married in 1966, had two children, and divorced, almost a quarter-century later, in 1990. His marriage to Wendy Neuss, an American producer, also ended in divorce. The trigger in each divorce, he acknowledged in his memoir, was an affair with a younger woman. “In a life chockablock with joy and success,” he wrote, “my two failed marriages are my greatest regret.”

In 2013, he married Sunny Ozell, an American singer 38 years his junior.

Stewart’s survivors include Ozell; his son, Daniel, who is also an actor; and his daughter, Sophie.

Sundar C addresses AI criticism surrounding Mookuthi Amman 2

Speaking at a promotional event in Chennai, Sundar C dismissed claims that the film's visual effects were entirely AI-generated.

"Nearly 800 people have worked on this film for one-and-a-half years. There have been several criticisms about the graphics, with some claiming that the entire film was made using AI. That is not true. The film has been created entirely by Tamil artists. Of the more than 3,000 graphics shots, AI technology was used in only 15," he said.

The director also urged audiences to support the film and share their feedback. "If you like the film, appreciate it. If something is not good, tell us constructively. We are ready to learn," he added.

Describing Mookuthi Amman 2 as the most challenging film of his career, Sundar C said making comedy films was more difficult than directing serious subjects. He also thanked producer Ishari K Ganesh for trusting him and backing the project without questioning his decisions.

The first instalment, Mookuthi Amman, starring Nayanthara and directed by RJ Balaji, was released directly on an OTT platform in 2020 and received a positive response from audiences.

While RJ Balaji directed the original, Sundar C has taken over the sequel. The film features Nayanthara alongside Regena Cassandrra, Abhinaya, Urvashi, Yogi Babu, Mynaa Nandhini, Duniya Vijay and Singampuli.

As per the film's official synopsis, Mookuthi Amman 2 follows a queen who sacrifices herself to save her son, the prince, from invading enemies. Mookuthi Amman returns to save the child and confronts a mysterious woman who represents a new evil power.

Produced by Ishari K Ganesh under Vels Film International, the film has music composed by Hiphop Tamizha Adhi.

Mookuthi Amman 2 is scheduled to hit theatres on November 6, with the makers stepping up promotional activities ahead of its release.

Produced by Shivakumar under the banner of Monkey Minds Entertainment, the film explores how love is perceived across three generations, from the 1990s to the present and the future. It also explores a protagonist falling in love with an AI woman, raising questions about the future of relationships. Aarnika said the team chose to unveil a motion poster instead of screening scenes, since AI plays a central role in the story.

Aarnika has taken on multiple responsibilities in the film, including story, screenplay, dialogues, lyrics, art direction and costume design, apart from acting and directing. She has also co-produced the film. Instagram personalities Coimbatore Mappillai and KN Smiley, also known as Karthikeyan, play key roles. Vedai P Mahesh has handled cinematography, Vaikund Srinivasan has composed the music, and Aravind is the editor. Prasanna Kumar is the executive producer.

During her speech, Aarnika recalled attending numerous auditions over seven years and being told to undergo nose surgery before returning for a photoshoot. She said repeated rejections and a lack of opportunities eventually pushed her to take on several creative responsibilities herself. Thanking those who had turned her down, she said the struggles had helped her emerge as a writer, lyricist, actor and director. She also appealed to the media to support emerging talent from social media and give them opportunities in cinema.

Director R V Udayakumar, Tamil Nadu Film Directors Association treasurer Perarasu, actor Vanitha Vijayakumar and Cool Suresh attended the event as special guests.

Filming for the show is currently underway, the streaming service said in a statement.

The show will offer audiences an opportunity to see a different side of the veteran actor, bringing together personal anecdotes, conversations and stories from the world of Telugu cinema.

"At its heart is Megastar Chiranjeevi, whose passion for cinema and deep-rooted connection with its people serve as the show’s emotional anchor," the statement read.

Known for his decades-long career in Indian cinema, Chiranjeevi has built a strong following across generations with celebrated films such as "Khaidi", "Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari", "Gharana Mogudu", "Indra", "Tagore" and "Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy".

The upcoming show will showcase his warmth, wit and spontaneity in a new format.

"Chiranjeevi's Megaverse" is produced by Gold Box Entertainments, Atom Media Ventures and Sol Production.

Ali was set to work with the Malayalam star on "The Idiot of Istanbul" but the project did not materialise.

"I want to work with Fahadh Faasil, we tried to, but things didn’t work out. We are in touch with each other and keen to work together. So, at some point of time, I hope to have the pleasure of working with Fahadh,” Ali told PTI here on the sideline of a film festival here.

The filmmaker also addressed reports about the casting of his upcoming production "Heer Ranjha". There have been reports that claimed actors Sara Arjun and Rohit Saraf would feature in the project.

"Not all of it is true," Ali said when asked about the casting reports.

Directed by his brother Sajid Ali, “Heer Ranjha”, will be the second installment to the “Laila Majnu” franchise, carrying forward its love legend and deep-rooted connection with audiences.

Released in 2018, “Laila Majnu” featured Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary. The film was considered a flop after its release, but was praised after its re-release in 2024.

Ali is producing the new project with noted producer Ektaa Kapoor.

Rai has directed the first two films in the romantic-comedy franchise in 2011 and 2015. Both were commercial hits.

"'Tanu Weds Manu' won't be possible without Madhavan. So, whenever you will see any ‘Tanu weds Manu’, whether three or four or five, it will be with Madhavan and Kangana,” Rai told PTI in an interview here.

There were reports that the third part of the film was being planned with a fresh cast and an independent storyline. The original story revolved around an NRI who falls for the match his parents have arranged for him, but the woman has her heart set on another man.

Known for popularising small-town India stories with middle-class characters in Hindi cinema with films such as “Tanu Weds Manu”, “Raanjhanaa”, “Atrangi Re”, Rai said he is aware of the growing appetite for big-budget films in the industry, but his focus has always been on the story rather than its production scale.

“I’m a slave to the stories. The only thing I look forward to when I get down on floors as a producer or as a director is whether it excites me that much? The first audience is me, I should like it.

"Whether it's a big or a small budget, do I have that eagerness to tell that story? Tomorrow that story can be made in a budget of Rs. 10 cr or Rs. 500 crore. So, I don't look at the size of a film."

When asked whether Bollywood frequently succumbs to trends, the director called it a “human” reaction, and advised makers to stick to their strengths.

“You should know what your plus is or where you can score well. It's not great to repeat yourself but at the same time, you should know that this is your world in which you can thrive. This is the world where you can discover something,” Rai said on the sidelines of the Jagran film festival here.

"Nakhrewaalii”, starring newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava, is Rai's latest production. The film is directed by Rahul Shanklya.

He praised both Duggal and Srivastava, and said that he was impressed with their confidence on the sets.

“For me, they are big stars. The way they were on the sets is fabulous. There’s so much to learn from them. When I was directing my first film, though I was never nervous, I was not as confident as these two actors,” Rai said.

Both Duggal and Srivastava said they are grateful for the opportunity to work in Rai's production.

“There will be eyeballs because of the stature he (Rai) has... I hope that I can deliver,” Duggal said.

Srivastava added that she has been a “fan” of Rai's films.

“Working with him, I learned that there is no sense of discrimination or like sir might expect this from us or we might not be able to deliver as much, I feel sir gave us that freedom to be ourselves, to be the character."

“Nakhrewaalii” is set to release in theatres on October 30.

According to a Maalaimalar report, Sadanandam was the son of Sudarsanam, a renowned music composer in the South Indian film industry. He began his musical journey with Ilaiyaraaja’s debut film, Annakkili, and went on to play the guitar for thousands of songs composed by the maestro.

He was known for playing the opening musical pieces and interludes in several popular songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja. His expertise extended across nylon, steel and electric guitars. Besides the guitar, he was also skilled in playing the keyboard and vibraphone.

Music fraternity mourns Sadanandam’s death

Following news of his demise, members of the South Indian music industry and film fans have expressed their condolences on social media, remembering his contribution to Tamil film music.

Musicians and fans paid tribute to Sadanandam, describing him as one of Tamil cinema’s finest guitarists. They also recalled how his distinctive playing helped shape the musical arrangements of several memorable Ilaiyaraaja compositions.

The doting husband called his ‘jaan’ as the sweetest, kindest and most brilliant person and described himself as her biggest fan.

Taking to his social media account, Siddharth shared a series of pictures and videos capturing their moments together.

He wrote, “its that time of year again

the day i say thank you veryyyy much

to the universe and everything in between

my crucial half that counts was born today

heres some pictures to tell you where we've been. always the sweetest, always so brilliant

always the kindest, there's really nobody else like you! Happy Birthday Adu Jaan

lets go on another trip around the sun together”

“thank you for taking the time and care to be born ma'am.

your biggest fan, i love you. (sic),” he wrote.

The birthday post featured manyl candid moments of the couple, including a black-and-white picture of Aditi cuddling their white cat as Siddharth kissed her on the head.

Another picture shows the two sitting together on the steps of their home.

One of the videos captured Aditi's surprised reaction in what appeared to be a hotel lobby. The actress was seen looking visibly startled as Siddharth approached her with the camera rolling, seemingly catching her off guard during one of her work commitments.

The carousel also included a picturesque moment of Aditi relaxing in a swimming pool against the backdrop of a city skyline at sunset.

Talking about the couple's love story, it began in 2021 when they met on the sets of the Telugu film Maha Samudram.

Their relationship culminated in an engagement announcement on March 28, 2024. Siddharth and Aditi tied the knot on September 16, 2024, in an intimate traditional ceremony at a historic temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana.

The film will be screened on November 2 at 7 pm at Landmark Cinemas City Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.The announcement was made by the makers on social media, celebrating the film’s selection at the international festival.

Baththa features Vijay Sethupathi alongside Jose, Lijomol Jose, Hari, Arjun Chidambaram, Balamurugan, Vishnu Govindan and Sai Prithviraj, among others. The film has music composed by Sai Abhyankkar.

The Tehran court also ordered the confiscation of Panahi's "movable and immovable assets," his lawyer Mostafa Nili told the reformist news site Emtedad in an interview late Tuesday.

Nili did not say what Panahi was convicted of. But the director, who returned to Iran in March, had been previously convicted of "propaganda activities against the system."

Panahi's sentence was handed down on Monday, a friend and an Iranian activist based in Europe told The Associated Press over the phone. Hossein Razzagh said he spoke with Panahi on Monday evening after the sentencing and the filmmaker had not been detained.

The sentence can be appealed but "now all of his bank accounts have been blocked," Razzagh added.

Panahi has spoken out against Iran's leadership and condemned violence against anti-government protesters, in past interviews with foreign media.

Panahi is among the most celebrated of contemporary Iranian directors and has continued making movies despite repeatedly being imprisoned, banned from travelling and put under house arrest by Iranian authorities over the past 20 years.

He filmed "It Was Just an Accident" clandestinely in Iran following a seven-month stint in prison that only ended in 2023 once he went on a hunger strike.

Bose, in a social media post, said that "mixing fiction with history is a crime".

He called on director Hanu Raghavapudi and the film's production team to ensure that "historical events and personalities are not misrepresented".

"I hope @hanurpudi and his team @fauzithemovie/@MythriOfficial pull down this teaser, put out a new one and make sure that history is not distorted. Hope #Prabhas too gets to read this," he wrote.

The controversy erupted after the upcoming film's teaser, released on October 23 to mark Prabhas' 47th birthday, featured a dramatised interaction between Netaji and German dictator Adolf Hitler set in 1942 Berlin.

In the sequence, Netaji is shown describing an Indian superspy who allegedly helped undermine British forces in Singapore and refers to a secret code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.

The narrative subsequently introduces Prabhas' fictional character as a rebel soldier fighting British rule.

Chandra Bose's objection centres on the portrayal of a real historical figure endorsing a fictional character.

The teaser has triggered a debate on social media over the use of prominent historical personalities in fictional narratives.

While some viewers have questioned the depiction of Netaji, others have defended the filmmakers' creative freedom, arguing that the film is a work of fiction.

Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, 'Fauzi' also features Imanvi and Anupam Kher. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on March 19, 2027.

The action-comedy crime thriller has a runtime of two hours and 29 minutes. The makers unveiled a new poster featuring handcuffs arranged to form the letters ‘U/A’ following promotional events in Dubai.

As per the official synopsis, Scene follows Inbaraj, a police officer, who is forced to reopen a case he left unfinished years ago, but this time, he must solve it with a chaotic and troublesome team.

Scene: Cast and crew

The film marks Malayalam filmmaker Jithu Madhavan’s Tamil directorial debut. He is known for directing Malayalam films such as Romancham and Aavesham.

Nazriya Nazim returns to Tamil cinema after a long gap, sharing screen space with Suriya who plays a cop in Scene, while Malayalam actor Naslen makes his Tamil debut in a key role. The cast also includes Anandaraj, Lal and John Vijay, among others.

The film is jointly produced by Suriya and Jyothika’s 2D Entertainment and Jakaram Studios. Sushin Shyam has composed the music, Vineeth Agastya has handled cinematography, and Ajmal Sabu is the editor. Sakthi Film Factory will distribute the film across Tamil Nadu.

Suriya and Nazriya's recent and upcoming films

Earlier this year, Suriya starred in the supernatural social justice film Karuppu, which became a massive commercial phenomenon and grossed over Rs 310 crore. He then starred in the romantic family drama Vishwanath & Sons, which hit theatres on August 14, 2026, and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year.

Nazriya's last major theatrical outing was the Malayalam mystery-thriller Sookshmadarshini (2024) alongside Basil Joseph. She also recently wrapped up work on the Malayalam football-themed film Gracias El Clasico, directed by Muhsin Parari and co-starring Tovino Thomas.

The actor recently attended the grand Ramayana premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, alongside director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra and co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. Walking the red carpet with his wife, Radhika Pandit, Yash received a rousing welcome from fans, with chants of his name echoing through the venue as he arrived.

At the premiere, Yash spoke about the significance of bringing Ramayana to a global audience, as he said, “Where you start can never define how far you can go. Today, I’m proud being a member of the Kannada film industry, the Indian film industry, telling our story, which is not just a story”. Speaking about the cultural and generational significance of Ramayana, Yash highlighted how the epic has remained an integral part of India’s storytelling tradition for thousands of years.

“In our country, we just don’t tell the story, we remember it, and we pass it down for generations to come. And this story has travelled for thousands of years. We are proud to present this story to the world, and hope it will give a message to the world which India as a culture, India as a heritage, what it offers to the global audience or the world”, he added.

Producer Namit Malhotra acknowledged Yash’s contribution to the project, highlighting that he is not just the superstar of the film but also his producing partner through Monster Mind Creations.

Speaking about their collaboration, Namit said, “Yash is not just the superstar of the film, but he’s also my producing partner. And from the very first day we met in Los Angeles, I think it was his conviction and my vision that really brought everything together. So, thank you, Yash”. ‘Ramayana’ is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026.

The period crime thriller series, set in a fictional world in the South of India, is ruled by Bhavani, played by Keerthy Suresh. Apte plays her nemesis Rudra, a ruthless rebel who is eyeing Bhavani's land and legacy.

"When I was doing costume and hair, I was looking at Zeenat Aman because of her hair, her fringe and all that. It is a character reference; it was just costume and hair,” Apte told PTI in an interview.

“The clothing references that they had, and the wig I'm wearing and all that, it sort of leaned into that time (referring to the 70s period). And she's (her character) also from Bombay, so just some of the references were like some of her roles on-screen,” she said.

The actor said she was instantly drawn to the matriarchal world of “Akka”, which explores themes of power, legacy, loyalty, family and revenge. The show is written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty.

“For me, it is a whole fictitious world. But he (Shetty) has worked really hard to make it very detailed. So, on paper this was even a longer show, it was not five episodes. Like, he has gone into doing research and figuring out things. So, it feels quite real but it is not,” she said.

"It was a very stylised version of everything. I was quite fascinated by that. Also, just because it is about women, he has not compromised on the fact that it is a gangster story. It is about gangsters who have power and it is about their legacy, and what they do to protect their legacy and what that means,” the actor added.

Apte said portraying a morally complex character is more “interesting” than playing a nice person.

"It's far more interesting than playing a very nice person. The fun part about this show is that Bhavani (Suresh) is a protagonist and she's going to do whatever it takes to protect her legacy. So, that doesn't make her goody-goody at all. And, Rudra is also somebody who has her own mission,” she said.

Speaking about the varied work she has done on OTT, Apte, who was among the first actors from the industry to embrace the medium, said it has undergone massive shifts since the pandemic.

Some of her popular work on streaming platforms includes films such as “Lust Stories 3”, “Saali Mohabbat”, “Mrs Undercover”, “Monica, O My Darling”, and OTT shows like “Sacred Games”, “Ghoul”, among others.

“When it (OTT) came in the beginning, it was a brand new idea and people were afraid as they always are to venture into that. But the content was more brave, it was really meaty content. Then COVID happened and everything shifted to OTT.

"I feel there was a big phase where that became the mainstream. So, all this other content that made OTT quite unique, sort of got left behind. Now, it's sort of settling and trying to find its own place. But it's also becoming television now; television is being replaced by OTT..."

Produced by YRF Entertainment, “Akka” will premiere on Netflix on October 30.

The trailer hints at a mysterious tale, with duty, devotion, and desire taking centrestage, drawing a newly married couple amid unsettling events.

Set in Maharashtra, the story plays out over a single night during a Gondhal – a folk ritual in which devotion is expressed through song, dance, and theatrical storytelling. Actress Ishita Deshmukh plays the lead female role as Suman, a young wife who is stuck in a suffocating marriage.

“She tries to take back control by playing on the fixation her lover Sarjerao (Nishad Bhoir) has developed for her. As her desires run up against codes of honour and custom, the night ends in tragedy,” the official synopsis states, as per Variety.

Marathi film 'Gondhal' is directed by Santosh Davakhar and stars Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu in the lead roles.

Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja wrote the music and background score. The film is produced by Diksha Davakhar under the banner of Davakhar Films. Speaking on the same, Davakhar shared, “Global perceptions of Indian cinema are often shaped by narratives of poverty and caste conflict – important realities, but not the complete expression of India.

India is also a civilisation of extraordinary cultural wealth, sustained by traditions, music, and collective memory. I created this film to bring one such powerful tradition to the global screen through a culturally authentic and universal cinematic language,” as quoted by Variety. Speaking to ANI about the film’s selection as India’s official entry, director-producer Santosh Davakhar said the team had always been confident in the product they had created.

“We were confident that the entire Gondhal team had made a good product. For the last year, we have been preparing for this. We were going to attempt the Oscars one way or the other,” he said. He described being chosen as India’s official entry as a “great blessing” and said the selection also brought a significant responsibility for the entire team. (ANI)

Nikki in Obsession

For Nikki’s look, go for a red-and-black animal-print mesh top, leather shorts and black knee-high boots. Add some fake blood to your forehead and let it run down one side of your face. The look is easy to put together and works well for a horror-themed Halloween party.

Black Swan

A Black Swan or White Swan costume is a good option if you are short on time. Wear a black or white outfit with a tutu and ballet flats. Dramatic eye makeup will help you recreate the look without too much effort.

Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games

A dark V-neck T-shirt, brown cargo pants and a utility jacket are all you need to get started. Braid your hair to one side and carry a toy bow and arrow to look like Katniss. Finish the outfit with a pair of combat boots.

Michael Jackson in Thriller

Bring back Michael Jackson’s famous Thriller look with a red leather jacket and matching trousers. Mess up your hair and add zombie makeup to recreate the music video’s spooky style. It is a fun option for anyone who wants a costume that people will recognise instantly.

Captain Clark (Backrooms)

A distressed teal shirt, a yellow or orange vest and dark trousers will help recreate Captain Clark’s look. Add a colourful sash and a wide belt to get the pirate-inspired styling right. A little fake blood will give the outfit its eerie touch.

Ryland Grace (Project Hail Mary)

A red, orange or yellow flight suit is a good starting point for Ryland Grace’s look. Add a few mission patches, aviator glasses and a watch to make it look like a space suit. Finish with white sneakers for a simple costume that does not need too many accessories.

Pina and Hawk in The Invite

For Pina, wear a black button-down shirt with a suede jacket, statement rings and boots. A bright blonde bob wig will help complete her look, while Hawk’s outfit can be kept simple with a dark sweater, jeans and boots. It is an easy option for couples who want to dress up together without buying an elaborate costume.

The makers had earlier announced that filming would begin on November 2. The film marks Ajith’s 64th project and his second collaboration with Adhik Ravichandran following the success of Good Bad Ugly, released last year.

The film is being produced by Ajith’s wife, actress Shalini Ajith Kumar, under the banner Brave Hearts Productions, with Anirudh Ravichander expected to compose the music.

Dare Devil shooting schedule

Pre-production work is currently under way, with filming likely to take place at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad from November 13 or 16, after the Deepavali holidays, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Unni Mukundan likely to join Ajith Kumar

Earlier reports suggested that Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Telugu actor Venkatesh would play important roles in the film.

However, recent reports indicate that Mohanlal may no longer be part of the project, with Marco actor Unni Mukundan reportedly being considered for a key role. If confirmed, the film would mark the first on-screen collaboration between Ajith Kumar and Unni Mukundan.

Actress Sreeleela is also reportedly set to play an important role in the film.

An official announcement regarding the cast and shooting schedule is awaited.

Having established herself as one of South cinema's most formidable actors, Suresh has tasted wide acclaim and commercial success from films like "Geethaanjali", "Idhu Enna Maayam", "Saani Kaayidham", and "Dasara", among others.

The actor made her Hindi film debut in 2024 with the Varun Dhawan-starrer "Baby John". She is currently awaiting the release of her Hindi OTT series, "Akka", which will debut on Netflix on October 30.

"I definitely wanted to enter Hindi at some point, and it happened eventually. So, this ('Akka') was the start, and then in between came 'Baby John', and then after that, I did a movie with Rajkummar Rao, it is called 'Raftaar'. It should be released sometime soon," Suresh told PTI in an interview.

"I'm not in a race. It's not like, 'I need to do a number of films'; I'm doing what I like. And eventually this happened. This is not something I was running towards. It's something which fell in place. And now I (will) see how I can take it forward."

Suresh said "Akka" director Dharmaraj Shetty approached her for the period crime thriller series after watching her performance in Tamil movie, "Saani Kaayidham".

In the 2022 crime-action film, Suresh played the role of Pooni, a police constable whose life is upended by a brutal caste-based attack. She then goes out to seek revenge on her wrongdoers.

"Dharma (director) saw this film of mine called 'Saani Kaayidham', it's a very bada** character, but vulnerable. I remember the first meeting.... He told me that he saw 'Saani...' and I was like, 'Now, I know why you want me to do this character'," the actor recalled.

Led by Suresh and Radhika Apte, the show is set in the 1980s in Pernuru, a fictional kingdom, where women take centerstage. The story follows Bhavani (Suresh) and Rudra (Apte), two formidable women whose differing perspectives and rivalries shape the power dynamics of the kingdom.

"It is not just about two women going against each other but an entire society, a matriarchal society, something very different, a unique world. To be a part of this world, I thought that is going to be something very challenging. It needs a nice add-on to the list of characters that I have done," Suresh said, crediting Shetty for doing extensive research on the show and her character.

The actor said working with Apte was a great experience as she had enjoyed her work in films such as "Andhadhun", "Badlapur" and "Kabali", as well as the OTT series "Sacred Games".

Her latest release "Dorothy" has earned acclaim for exploring LGBTQ themes. Suresh said she was elated with the acclaim "Dorothy" received from across the globe.

"We went to TIFF and we had a lot of other (accolades). More than everything, it was a rewarding experience that people accepted the film, and that it's been a change making cinema. So, I'm very happy that I got to be part of it."

On a query whether the portrayal of women differs across Hindi and South language movies, Suresh said she did "not see a clear distinction". She said women's portrayal has undergone major change in cinema everywhere.

"I started off with all hero, male-driven films, and you have very little space in those films," she said, she needed just one opportunity to prove her merit and that happened with her National award-winning performance in "Mahanati", a biopic on actor Savitri.

"We're seeing a lot of nice characters, nice movies everywhere. So, I'm not able to differentiate. It's not something like, 'In Tamil we've this' or 'In Malayalam we have this'. But in general, we've stepped up a lot."

"Akka" boasts of a talented ensemble such as Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar, and Monica Panwar, amongst others.

It is produced by YRF Entertainment.

The action film, scheduled to release on December 24, reunites Shah Rukh with "Pathaan" director Siddharth Anand and marks his first on-screen collaboration with daughter Suhana.

Shah Rukh is returning to the big screen after a gap of three years. The superstar had three theatrical releases in 2023 -- "Pathaan", "Jawan" and "Dunki".

In the poster, the 60-year-old actor sports a rugged look, with grey hair, a beard and a distressed leather jacket and an unbuttoned shirt.

He is seen walking with a gun in one hand and a red rose held between his teeth, emerging out of what appears to be a burning aircraft.

Shah Rukh captioned the poster, "Aaj phir yaad aaya... Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon…" (Remembered once again... Not a killer, but a lover). The tagline harks back to the opening lyrics of the title track of his 1990 film "Badshaah".

Many shared the poster on social media, saying that they are eagerly awaiting the release of the movie.

"The Poster is too Damn Powerfull to make sure #King Breaks the 100 Cr india Nett in its opening day Bring it on .....!!!! The King of Indian cinema is here (sic)," wrote a fan.

"SHAH RUKH KHAN IS HERE IN & AS KING. Just the kind of intense start I was looking for, and it’s here in full force. Ab poster aisa hai, toh agla glimpse toh kya hi solid hoga! The man is being seen in an avtar where he is loved the most (sic)," wrote another.

However, a section of netizens compared the poster with that of Singh's "Dhurandhar: The Revenge", which was a global blockbuster with a mammoth box office score of over Rs 1,800 crore.

The official poster for "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" saw Singh's spy character Hamza Ali Mazari walking towards the camera in dark clothing against a backdrop of a burning building.

"Kuch to OG kar liye karo," said one user on X.

Another said the poster of "King" felt like "cheap AI-generated slop".

"You can try to copy the aesthetic, the fire, and the frame, but you can never be Dhurandhar @iamsrk!," said the user.

"@iamsrk Copy karna bhi theek se nahi aata.. ChatGPT Plus ya koi achha paid tool use kar lete.. #King #Dhurandhar," read another post on X.

One user said, "Every masterpiece has its cheap copy #Dhurandhar2 #King."

The comparisons didn't stop there.

Some users found similarities between the poster of "King" and Hong King action star Donnie Yen's 2021 movie "Raging Fire".

"Ye bhi copy kar li...," read one comment, while another user wondered, "Kya yeh sahi hai? #KING."

"King" also features Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji.

Shah Rukh was last seen in his son Aryan Khan's debut OTT series "The Ba***ds of Bollywood", in which the superstar had a cameo appearance.

Suhana made her acting debut with the 2023 film "The Archies", which was panned critically.

The first-look poster features Vaibhav holding a spear, with a grand statue of Lord Ayyappa in the backdrop, the film revolves around the pilgrimage undertaken by Ayyappa devotees and blends spirituality, devotion and action. The makers are planning to release the film during the Tamil month of Karthigai in 2026.

Meenakshi Govindarajan plays the female lead, while Aravind Akash, Aadukalam Naren, Hareesh Peradi and Arjai appear in pivotal roles. The film’s technical crew includes music composer Premgi Amaren, cinematographer Yuvan Selva and editor Praveen KL. Surya Rajeevan is the art director, while Stunt Silva and Shakthi Saravanan have choreographed the action sequences.

Produced by JK Saravana and M Rajaram under the Tantra Films banner, the film has completed shooting and is in the final stages of post-production. Further updates on the teaser and audio launch are expected in the coming weeks.

Mithun Manickam, who made his acting debut with Suriya-backed Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum, plays the lead role in the film. The teaser follows the protagonist’s one-day journey in search of a missing object, hinting at a series of unexpected twists and intriguing incidents.

Produced by Mithun Manickam under the banner of Mechanic Pictures, the film is co-produced by Mohamed Gani Faizal and Dr K Arun Armugam of Millennials Movie Production LLP. Balloon Pictures will distribute the film across Tamil Nadu.

The cast includes M Sukumar, Saran Suthakaran, Anugraha S Nambiar, Nikhila Sankar, Anitha Sampath, Pasanga Sivakumar, Sivam, Arul Das and PL Thenappan, among others. Karthik K Kathiravan has handled cinematography, while Nirmal JP has composed the music. Jijendran is the editor, and CK Mujibur Rahman has taken care of art direction.

The teaser opens with a reference to the journey from Silappathikaram to Singara Chennai, setting the tone for a story centred on loss and the emotional struggles that follow. The makers promise a mix of family drama, action and suspense.

“I was at home watching TV when my sister was preparing to attend the audition for Baththa. My mother asked if I wanted to join them, so I went along. My sister was rejected because of a height issue, but they told me there was a role for me. I auditioned and got selected. I had not prepared anything and had simply gone along with them,” he recalls.

His sister inspired him to pursue acting. “She was very happy for me when I got selected. Actually, I wanted to become an actor after seeing her,” he says.

Sai, who plays Sabari in the film, says watching himself on screen was an experience in itself. “I felt superb. I was wondering if it was really me who had acted so well. I couldn’t believe myself,” he says.

Working alongside Vijay Sethupathi was among the most memorable parts of the experience. Though Sai was initially scared to act with the star, Vijay Sethupathi helped him settle into the role. “He taught me a lot, including how to remain steady and face the camera. Those things were very helpful to me,” the young boy tells us.

One scene he enjoyed was a bike ride with the actor. “I enjoyed the scene where Vijay Sethupathi sir and I were riding a bike. I really enjoyed that ride with Sethu sir,” he says.

Sai did not practise his dialogues at home, as everything was done on the spot. Navaneeth, an assistant director, guided him throughout the shoot. Vijay Sethupathi also made the process comfortable by joking around and keeping him entertained.

Recalling one such memory, Sai says a person selling palmyra fruit near the shooting location caught their attention. Vijay Sethupathi got him some in a glass tumbler and added chocolate sauce. “I really enjoyed it, and it was a memorable experience,” he says.

When asked whether Vijay Sethupathi has become a friend rather than just a hero, Sai responds affectionately: “He has become my friend, but he will always be my hero.”

Director Balaji Tharanidharan also made the shoot pleasant for the child actor. Sai describes him as polite and friendly, saying the filmmaker taught him patiently. The cast and crew were equally welcoming, and during their schedule in Madurai, the team went out for dinner together.

“I want to work with the entire cast and crew. All of them are close to me, and I would love to go for a shoot one more day,” he says.

Baththa was shot when Sai was studying at GK World School in Ranipet, where the management supported his acting commitments. The school has now invited him as chief guest for its annual day celebrations. “I will go as Sai Prithviraj, a student of GK World School,” he says, rather than as Sabari.

He admires Vijay and hopes to share screen space with him, as well as with Ajith. “Like Thalapathy Vijay, I want to become a great actor and also become the Chief Minister of our state. I want to become the CM like him,” he says.

For friends who aspire to become actors, Sai has advice: “I will ask them to be real and work hard. They should not overact, as it will not look nice.”

The young actor is looking forward to another opportunity, having been cast as Dhanush’s son in an upcoming film directed by Tamilarasan Pachamuthu of Lubber Pandhu fame. His portions have not started yet, but he has met Dhanush during a test look. “My portion has not started yet, but I met Dhanush sir during the test look. He was very sweet and friendly with me,” he says. The team has encouraged him to spend time with Dhanush between shoots to prepare for his role. Sai has watched Lubber Pandhu several times and is happy to be part of the director’s next project. He describes Tamilarasan Pachamuthu as friendly and someone who talks to him often.

The makers had initially planned to release Om on October 16. However, Dhanush later announced that the release had been postponed out of respect for superstar Rajinikanth, whose film Jailer 2 was scheduled to hit theatres on October 15. He also clarified that Om would not release during Deepavali, as Suriya’s film had already been announced for the festive period. The team subsequently confirmed November 20 as the new release date.

The film has generated considerable interest as it marks the first collaboration between Dhanush and Mammootty. At the title teaser launch in June, Rajkumar Periasamy revealed that Mammootty plays a character named Karthikeyan. He also said that 60 to 65 per cent of the film had been completed at the time.

The team recently filmed portions of the project in Malaysia. Actor Naseeruddin Shah is also part of the cast. The film’s title carries the tagline Chapter 1, hinting at the possibility of a sequel.

The title teaser, released earlier, suggested that the story revolves around people involved in cutting red sanders for a living. Dhanush plays a woodcutter in the film. The teaser showed police personnel rounding up workers involved in illegal red sanders cutting and holding them at gunpoint, before Dhanush’s character came to their rescue.

Speaking at the title teaser launch, Wunderbar Films head Sreyas said the film would be one of the biggest-budget projects in Dhanush’s career. He added that it would bring back the mass-action avatar that the actor’s fans had been eager to see.

The film also stars Sreeleela, with music by Sai Abhyankkar. Ezhil Arasu handles cinematography, Kalaivanan R is the editor and Kavya Sriram is in charge of costumes. 

Amal Ajith, who has appeared in television serials, has also gained popularity through his social media videos. He plays the lead role opposite Priyanka Rajakumaran, the daughter of actor Devayani and director Rajkumaran.

The film revolves around a love story aimed at connecting with today’s youth while appealing to audiences across generations. Directed by Sembar V Murugesan, the film has cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and production design by T Muthuraj. Joshua Sridhar is composing the music, while Elango handles the editing. Kannan S is the art director, PC Stunts is in charge of stunts, and Baba Bhaskar choreographs the dance sequences.

KI Manikandan, who has experience as a production supervisor, brings his expertise in film production, planning and coordination to the project. Further details about the film are expected to be announced soon.

On the show, Deverakonda's lines: "It is not in me to propose. She said let's get married. You asked me like a 100 times" and Mandana's reply that it took her a year to convince him, had many calling the "Arjun Reddy" star a "red flag", a term used to describe unhealthy behaviour.

Now, in a multi-page statement, Mandana, star of movies such as "The Girlfriend", "Animal" and "Pushpa", has addressed the internet chatter on their marriage.

"My lovely people of the internet.. To all those who deeply love and to those who are permanently bitter. My lil' 2 cents on this whole issue concerning me and Vijju (sic).

"I generally don't address these things because everyone has a right to their opinions. Sometimes, I even enjoy reading them and gaining a different perspective. But the current frenzy over our interview feels less like people having opinions and more like an angry mob looking for someone to vent at," the 30-year-old actor wrote.

Mandana said she had to address the topic publicly as she wanted to protect the people who believe in love.

 "I genuinely wish and pray that you find someone you love who loves you just as deeply. And if that isn't what you want for yourself, that's completely fine too. Live the life that makes you happy. I'll be happy for you either way.

"And one more thing. B**** about me all you want. I can take it. But talking about my family without knowing them? That's not feminism. That's bullying dressed up as feminism. Feminism was never about putting someone else down or establishing superiority, whether you're a man or a woman. It was always about having the freedom to choose your own life and taking charge of it," the actor said.

Taking on comments that said she seemed obsessed with Deverakonda, Mandana said when did being in love with one's partner become wrong.

"He's going to be my companion for life. My friend through the ordinary days and the extraordinary ones. The father of my children. The man I grow old with. Find a man who loves you so beautifully that even after you're married, you'd still want to tell him, "Let's get married." I would do it a thousand times - 100 is nothing. It's really that simple.

"And for those who seem to be absolutely blinded by their own narratives... We have both built our lives on our own terms, with our own choices and our own hard work. We are smart, capable adults, blessed with the freedom and privilege to choose how we want to live and whom we want to share our lives with."

Deverakonda, known for "Geetha Govindam", "Dear Comrade" and "Ranabali", and Mandana tied the knot on February 26 earlier this year. The couple were one of the guests on the popular Karan Johar-hosted chat show that left people on the internet analysing Mandana and Deverakonda's relationship.

She said they have been bombarded with "opinions, comments and unsolicited advice" unnecessarily.

Mandana said she knew exactly what she wanted and it was equally okay that Deverakonda, 37, "wanted time to think through the practical things in life and be sure".

"That didn't change our love in any way. I am all heart and he is the thinker - and we need that in each other's lives. For us, marriage was never about a proposal, getting down on one knee or putting a ring on a finger. That's the decorative part. For us, it was about building a life and a future together. And I think we did that beautifully so far," she added.

The political landscape intensified after Dhanush organised a massive women's wing meeting on the Chennai outskirts, drawing thousands of functionaries. Adding fuel to the fire, the actor gifted attendees silver traditional 'Kamatchi' lamps engraved with a lotus motif, a detail seized upon by political rivals.

The ruling TVK has stepped up its rhetoric to systematically dismiss the actor's potential electoral clout.

TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna took a direct jibe at the development, alleging that new political entrants are being backed and sent by high-level leadership in Delhi.

TVK leader N Marie Wilson firmly asserted that Dhanush can never be a true competitor to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Finance Minister Wilson warned that relying on another film icon would only lead to public "disappointment" rather than serving as a genuine political turning point for the state, arguing that Chief Minister Vijay's movement stood uniquely positioned after decades of grassroots groundwork.

The political buzz has officially crossed over to other major camps, with TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore claiming that Dhanush's sudden organisational restructuring and sudden momentum are part of a covert BJP and RSS strategy dubbed "Operation D" or "Plan C".

Asked about the reports surrounding actor Dhanush's possible entry into politics, Tagore told reporters here, explicitly linking it to the BJP leadership in Delhi. "These are all ideologically leaning towards only one ideology, that is Amit Shah's ideology. Therefore, we feel that this new kind of party... anyone has the freedom to start a party."

He further stated that the BJP and RSS were executing a 'Plan C' / 'Operation D' to introduce a new actor into Tamil Nadu politics to create political turmoil and target specific vote banks after failing to launch a party with other film icons.

According to Tagore, the BJP having failed to establish a strong foothold in Tamil Nadu through past attempts with cinematic icons like Rajinikanth, is now attempting to prop up a popular, established star base to indirectly align with its ideology and expand its electoral footprint in the state.

While Dhanush maintained strict silence and refrained from making any overt political declarations at his recent fan meet, the swift, coordinated pushback from major political quarters indicates that his welfare movement's activities are already being viewed through a high-stakes electoral lens.

The meeting of Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam (Dhanush Welfare Movement) - formerly Dhanush Narpani Mandram - took place at a private college in Thoraipakkam, here on Sunday, with approximately 3,000 members in attendance. A 49-second highlight video of the event was released by Dhanush's team, showing Dhanush interacting with his women administrators, who greeted him with great enthusiasm.

The actor spent about four hours at the event taking photographs with the attendees. The backdrop of the stage featured images of Dhanush in attire and poses often associated with political leaders, such as wearing traditional Dhoti and shirts, and performing gestures like waving or folding hands in greeting. This has fueled speculation in political circles regarding whether he intends to launch a political party. The images appeared to mirror the branding often used by politicians once they officially launch a party.

Asked about his potential entry into politics while leaving the venue, Dhanush avoided a direct answer and instead offered Diwali greetings.

At a meeting here, Public Works and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna criticised the potential move, alleging that the BJP is actively "planting" new entrants into the state's political arena to challenge existing dynamics.

Addressing the trend of actors entering politics, implying that some are allegedly aligned with external influences from Delhi rather than focusing on local issues, he said the new political movement, led by his leader Vijay, is built on principles of secularism, social justice, and anti-corruption.

Dhanush's meeting was primarily a fan engagement session and the popular actor spent time taking individual photos and interacting with the attendees, and even sang songs from his films to entertain them.

The Dravidian majors too reacted to the development.

Senior DMK leader and former state minister S Regupathy said that in a democratic country, anyone has the right to enter politics and asked, "When Vijay can enter politics, why not Dhanush?"

He said the sharp pushback from TVK members indicated the ruling party is genuinely concerned about Dhanush's growing public traction.

AIADMK senior leader KT Rajendra Balaji invited Dhanush to join the party under the leadership of general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. The party would welcome him with open arms, he said highlighting the actor's popularity among the youth and his film history of giving a voice to underprivileged and oppressed communities.

Nayanthara and Rajinikanth reunite

Nayanthara has previously shared screen space with Rajinikanth in Chandramukhi (2005), Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Kuselan (2008), Darbar (2020) and Annaatthe (2021). Her inclusion in Dharman marks another collaboration between the actors. However, the makers have not revealed details about her character or her role in the story.

From Thalaivar 173 to Dharman

The film was earlier referred to as Thalaivar 173, marking Rajinikanth’s 173rd film as a lead actor. Its first-look poster featured the actor in an operation theatre, dressed as a doctor and holding a scalpel. Rajinikanth will play a doctor in the film, a role described in earlier reports as a first in his career. However, the makers have yet to reveal the full storyline.

The film’s first schedule, held in Chennai in July 2026, included the introductory song choreographed by Sandy Master and major action sequences. The second schedule began on August 13, 2026, and wrapped up on September 4, 2026. The third schedule commenced on September 16, 2026, with director Ashwath Marimuthu later sharing behind-the-scenes clips from the shoot.

The makers have not announced an official release date for the film.

Cast and crew

The cast includes Simran, Raashii Khanna, Yogi Babu, Ram Pothineni, Rukmini Vasanth, Mysskin and Sreeleela. Simran previously worked with Rajinikanth in Petta (2019), while Yogi Babu shared screen space with him in Darbar (2020), Jailer (2023) and Jailer 2 (2026).

Ashwath Marimuthu, known for Oh My Kadavule (2020) and Dragon (2025), is directing the film. Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran are producing it under Raaj Kamal Films International and Turmeric Media. Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music, Niketh Bommi is handling cinematography, Pradeep E Ragav is the editor, and the Anbariv duo is in charge of action choreography.

She highlighted that she went ahead with a sense of surrender and prayer, further adding that she wanted to keep herself transparent to receive the wisdom the character had to offer.

Pallavi, along with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ravi Dubey, appeared on the sets of the popular quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', hosted by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, where the cast spoke about their experiences of being part of the much-anticipated project.

Extending a warm and heartfelt welcome to the trio, host Amitabh Bachchan expressed his admiration for the project, “Aap teeno ko aaj yahan swagat karke, hamare liye bade garv ki baat hai. Garv ki baat yeh bhi hai ki aaj aap jis film ke baare mein charcha karenge, uske baare mein hum aur saari jaankari jaanna chahenge. Ek baar fir, main aap sab logon ka bahut-bahut dhanyavaad deta hoon..” (It is a matter of great pride for us to welcome all three of you here today. It is also a matter of pride that we will get to discuss the film you are working on today and learn more about it. Once again, I thank all of you very much)

Delving into the creative process behind portraying such iconic legendary characters, Big B posed a thoughtful question to the actors, “Aap logon ne alag-alag bhumikayein nibhayi hain. Jab ye teeno bhumikayein aapko bataayi gayi, nirmata-nirdeshak ki taraf se, toh aapke man mein kya chal raha tha? Ladies first..” (You have all portrayed different roles. When the producers and director told you about these three roles, what was going through your minds? Ladies first)

Sharing a deeply moving and spiritually transparent perspective on taking up the divine role of Sita, Sai Pallavi recounted, “Main is baar dimag use nahi karna chahti thi par maine socha jab bhi main ek character play karti hoon, main sochti hoon ki main kya kar sakti hoon woh character ke liye, par ye pehle baar mujhe laga ki main Sita Maa ke paatra ko play karke mujhe kya milega wahan se, mujhe kya gyaan milega, mujhe kya milega…” (This time, I did not want to use my mind too much. But then I thought, whenever I play a character, I usually think about what I can do for that character. But for the first time, while playing the role of Sita Maa, I found myself wondering, ‘What will I receive from this experience? What knowledge will I gain? What will I take away from it?)

She added that she wanted to approach the character without preconceived notions and with complete faith, “Toh main kitna bhi jaanti hoon, utna main transparent rakhna chahti thi... main apne aap ko kuch sochna nahi chahti thi, sirf prarthana karke, maa aap mere dwara woh paatra nibhayi, aise bol diya, bas..” (So, whatever I knew, I wanted to keep it that transparent. I didn’t want to let myself think too much about anything. I simply prayed and said, ‘Mother, please let me play that role through me,’ and left it at that)

Listening to her approach, Amitabh Bachchan commended her response and said, “Bahut achhi baat kahi aapne, bahut achhi baat kahi..” (You have made a very good point, a very good point indeed)

She said she admired the actress for embracing her identity and handling criticism with confidence.

In a video shared on social media as part of her ‘I Am in Love’ series, Madhoo spoke about watching Rashmika's appearance on filmmaker Karan Johar's talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’ and praised the actress for the way she responded to criticism of her accent.

“I recently saw Rashmika Mandanna's show ‘Koffee with Karan’, and the way she dealt with her accent criticism, I just loved it. She laughs about it, she accepts it, she owns it, calls herself a South Indian and says, ‘So, I am a South Indian and I have a South Indian accent.’ And she's so cool about it and I am really in love with that,” Madhoo said.

She further added, “Many, many years ago, when I became a Hindi film actor, I was so afraid of the judgements I was getting, and thought I would get, for being a South Indian. I worked harder and harder. I tried to get an Urdu teacher and bettered myself in Hindi, doing anything and everything so that I wouldn’t get caught out because of my accent.”

“If anybody even spotted a little bit of an accent in my tone, I would get all flustered and work harder at it. I felt very proud when people would say that my Hindi was even better than that of a Hindi speaker. That was my journey. Today, I am so proud to say that I am a South Indian. If I make a mistake in Hindi or my accent has the thickness of a South Indian, I am okay with it. But it took me 30 to 35 years to get here,” said Madhoo.

She added, “Rashmika, great power to you, girl! I just loved that you own it, laugh about it, and you are truly a star.”

Along with the video, the actress captioned it as, “I am proud to be a South Indian with the south Indian accent and I it took me 30 years to get here but Rashmika you’re already there and I I love that about you in the recent interview I saw of Yours so great power to you and stay the star that you are ...”

The actress's comments come after veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar also came out in support of Rashmika amid criticism of her Hindi pronunciation.

Taking to X, (formerly Twitter), Javed Akhtar wrote, “Those who have any problem with the pronunciation of Tamil actor Rashmika should be given a few lines of Tamil which is the oldest spoken language in the world and let's see how well they pronounce Tamil. This fake and baseless linguistic superiority is not acceptable.”

The discussion follows Rashmika's appearance on ‘Koffee with Karan’, where she spoke about being trolled for her accent, language and performances.

The actress, explaining why she did not consider her South Indian accent a problem, said, “I particularly didn't have an issue with that because they said I had a South Indian accent, but I am from the South of India. So I am going to have an accent. It's unreasonable to think otherwise.”

The clarification came amid speculation that Dhanush could launch a political party named ‘Tamilaga Ezhuchi Kazhagam’ and allegations by Congress and other political critics that the BJP could be seeking to leverage his potential entry into Tamil Nadu politics.

Speaking to DT Next on condition of anonymity, a key office-bearer of the Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam denied any links with other political parties. “Even if there were any political association, we would not be foolish enough to openly use another party’s election symbol,” the functionary said, dismissing suggestions that the lamps indicated an understanding with the BJP.

The meeting, held at a private college in Semmancheri, was organised as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation’s statewide network. Though scheduled to begin at 11 am, the event commenced only around 3.30 pm, leaving several attendees who had arrived as early as 9 am waiting for hours to meet the actor.

Estimates of the turnout ranged from 3,000 to more than 5,000 women from across Tamil Nadu. Dhanush, dressed in a white shirt and veshti, posed for photographs with the functionaries and distributed silver Kamakshi lamps.

The actor’s address lasted barely a few minutes, falling short of expectations among supporters who had anticipated a more substantive interaction after the prolonged wait. According to attendees, he expressed happiness at meeting them, extended Deepavali wishes, advised them to study well and urged them to return home safely. He also reportedly sang a song.

The meeting comes amid a wider organisational restructuring, with Dhanush’s fan clubs being consolidated under the Narpani Iyakkam and new functionaries reportedly appointed across the State. Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam’s All India president Subramaniya Siva had announced the transition and unveiled its logo at a recent meeting in Coimbatore.

Dhanush’s organisational activities have fuelled speculation about a possible political entry, but he has made no formal announcement on launching a party or contesting elections.

The film marks the reunion of Prabhu Deva and Simran as a lead pair after more than 25 years. The duo previously starred together in VIP (1997) and Time (1999), both of which featured popular soundtracks. With GV Prakash Kumar composing the music for Kamal Sridevi, expectations are high for the songs, given the audience’s fondness for the music of their earlier collaborations.

Also starring Mithun Jai Sankar and Smeha, the film is written and directed by Krishnanand Kottarapattu. Billed as a heart-warming love story aimed at family audiences, it was shot in Munnar and Chennai in a single schedule and is currently in the final stages of production.

The project brings Zion Films and MRP Entertainment together again after their collaboration on With Love. MRP Entertainment has also backed films such as Good Night, Lover and Tourist Family.

Sharan Velayudhan handles cinematography, while Raja Arumugam is in charge of editing. Rajeevan is the production designer, Shekar handles art direction, Anu Vardhan and Navaa Rajkumar are the costume designers, and Mahesh Mathew is designing the stunt sequences.

The actor, known for her acclaimed roles across independent and mainstream cinema such as “Shor in the City”, “Badlapur”, “Manjhi – The Mountain Man”, “Parched”, “Pad Man”, “Andhadhun” and OTT shows like “Sacred Games”, “Ghoul”, among others, had her last theatrical film in 2024 and it was "Merry Christmas", directed by Sriram Raghavan.

Apte’s recent projects -- “Lust Stories 3”, “Saali Mohabbat”, “Mrs Undercover”, “Monica, O My Darling” -- are all on OTT and she will be next seen in the Netflix series "Akka".

“I don't take a project based on whether it's theatrical or OTT. I don't really care about it. There are so many business decisions dependent on that; I'd rather be like 'let the film come out one way or another',” the actor told PTI in an interview, when asked about not doing theatrical films.

“With theatrical releases in the last few years, we don't know what is working or what isn't. A theatrical release where I am the lead would probably tank even if it's the best film. I don't have that, like generally, I'm not an Alia Bhatt or Deepika Padukone where you can, at least, hope that they'll be opening. I'm being very honest with you. That means I have to be in a film where men are doing the main part,” Apte said.

The 41-year-old actor said films centred on violence appear to be driving theatrical business, a trend she is reluctant to be part of.

“Also, what is working right now is violence, and I'm vehemently against it. So, it's a tricky situation. I don't watch those films; I find them absurd. Like, I don't understand how one can watch and eat popcorn while 50 men or women are getting beaten up, and creatively beaten up, because last time he broke his skull on a sink, so this time let's break it on some other slab, I can't compute it. So, I'd rather not be a part of it.”

Apte, who was recently seen in the anthology film “Lust Stories 3”, said motherhood has brought a change in her priorities, particularly when it comes to maintaining reasonable working hours.

Apte and her husband, Benedict Taylor, a British violinist and composer, welcomed a baby girl in 2024.

“Now my conditions have changed. All I ask for is 12 hours of workday and not a 16-hour workday or like some time off, and it's not always possible. I also wanted to not work because nothing was worth (doing it).

"For me, I wanted to be with her as much as possible, and I still do because she's too small. So, I think all those things and my work is not my life. It has never been my life; it's part of my life. So, things are ever changing. Tomorrow I might stop doing everything, or I might do a lot. Who knows? So, it's not like there's one reason necessarily (for not doing films).”

The actor revealed that she had taken a sabbatical partly to focus on writing, an ambition that has been difficult to pursue after becoming a mother.

“Once when I didn't have a child, I was listening to a podcast, and on that it was said, ‘What is the biggest hurdle behind writing in life? Children’. And I laughed and said, ‘I'm never going to have children. I have a child, I sit at the computer to write, I'm trying, (and then) I fall asleep. So, everything is slowed down at the moment,” Apte said.

“Akka”, a 1980s-set gangster drama, also stars Keerthy Suresh in the lead alongside Apte. The show is set to premiere on October 30 on Netflix.

The scheduled meeting follows a significant restructuring of the actor's fan base. His official fan club, formerly known as 'Dhanush Narpani Mandram', was recently transformed into a welfare movement and renamed 'Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam'.

This transition was formally adopted during a recent meeting of club executives in Coimbatore. As part of the overhaul, the organisation also launched a new official logo, which depicts the actor with folded hands against the backdrop of a large red star, enclosed within a circular red and white border.

While Dhanush has not made any official announcements regarding an entry into politics or the formation of a political party, the transformation of his fan club into a structured welfare movement has sparked discussions across Tamil Nadu. The move is widely perceived as an effort to consolidate his supporter base and direct the organisation's focus toward coordinated social service initiatives.

Meanwhile, for the scores of women fans who braved the heavy rains in Chennai to attend the meeting, it was all about seeing the star in person.

"My name is Sophia, we are coming from Villivakkam. We were invited here for an event, but our main reason for coming in this pouring rain is to see Dhanush sir," one of the fans told PTI Videos.

"We don't know what he is going to talk about today, but we are confident it will be useful for us," she added.

Another fan, Hannah from Perambur, expressed her excitement at seeing the actor in person for the first time. "I came here to see Dhanush. I have seen his movies many times, but this is the first time I am going to see him live. I am so eager and excited to watch him," she said.

Bhanupriya, a fan from Triplicane, echoed the enthusiasm, adding, "I am a big fan of his. From childhood, I watch all his movies. I am so excited to see him."

For the unaware, the film was slated to hit screens worldwide on October 30 this year.

Taking to its X timeline to make the announcement, What Next Entertainments, the production house producing the film, wrote,"We regret to inform that #ItlluArjuna will not be arriving on October 30th as planned. A new release date will be announced very very soon!! Until then, we seek your continued love and support for this young team. Rest assured, Arjun's love will be heard in theatres with a double bang! King @iamnagarjuna presents A @MusicThaman musical."

For the unaware, the film is being produced by popular director Venky Kudumula under the banner of What Next Entertainments. More significantly, it is being presented by Telugu star Nagarjuna.

Well known actress Anaswara Rajan plays the female lead in this film in which actor Anish is making his debut as a hero. The film also marks the debut of Mahesh Uppala as a director.

The film's title glimpse and two songs that have been released have triggered huge excitement among film buffs.

The chemistry of the lead pair, which has been seen in the promotional content released for the film so far, has caught the attention of film buffs.

Sources in the industry say that Anish will be seen playing the role of a speech and hearing impaired youth in the film.

On the technical front, the film boasts of a fantastic team. 'Itlu Arjuna' has music by one of the top music directors of the south, S. Thaman. Cinematography for the film is by the very gifted Raja Mahadev while Ram Kumar A has been assigned the position of production designer for the film.

Editing for the film has been handled by Koti K while Dilip Subbarayan has choreographed the action sequences in the film.

Arka Mediaworks, which is one of the production houses producing the film, took to its social media timelines to reveal Srishti's character in the film.

It wrote, "She has lost more than anyone knows, and she still chooses to stay strong for her family. But when the house goes silent she asks herself #NaanPodhuma? Meet Darshana from the world of #JohnDoe. Releasing this November in cinemas near you. Written & Directed by @memadhumita."

Director Madhumita, for her part, welcomed Srishti to the Tamil film industry. She wrote, "Meet Darshana from #JohnDoe Happy to introduce @srish_singh to our Tamizh industry. #whoishe #naanpodhuma."

One of Tamil cinema's fastest rising stars, Arjun Das, will be seen playing playing the lead in the film. The makers have already announced that he plays a character called Chandru in the film.

Actor Arjun Das, who shared his first look poster from the film on his social media timelines, wrote, " 'Naan podhuma? (Am I enough?)' A question that haunts CHANDRU. A question we’ve all asked ourselves, perhaps. Somewhere in his search, I found a little of myself too. Meet CHANDRU from the world of #JohnDoe. Releasing this November in cinemas near you :) Written & Directed by @memadhumita. Produced by @arkamediaworks @devineni_prasad @Shobu_ Presented by @agscinemas."

Sanchana Natarajan plays the female lead in this film, which will also feature Zaara Vineet Chandhoke and Nirav in pivotal roles.

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and filmbuffs for a number of reasons. Firstly, Arjun Das will be seen playig a cop for the first time in his career. That apart, the film is being produced by Arka Mediaworks, the same production house that produced the pan Indian blockbuster 'Baahubali'. Producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni are producing this film under the banner of Arka Mediaworks. Kishore Kedari and Madhumita are the co-producers of the film, which has Sowmya Sharma serving as its Creative producer.

The film boasts of a fine technical crew. The film has music by renowned music director Mujeeb Majeed. Additional music has been composed by The Artist 404.

Story and screenplay for the film have been jointly written by director Madhumita and Nicholas Chevaillier. Cinematography for the film is by Preetha Jayaraman and editing for the film has been handled by Vijay Venkataramanan. Stunts in the film have been choreographed by Dinesh Subbarayan and Action Sandhosh. Priya Karan and Priya Harie have designed the costumes while Ashwini Kale has taken care of production design.

Sources say the film is almost ready and that the makers are likely to release the film in November this year.

Taking to his social media timelines, director Amal Neerad wrote, "Jyothirmayee is Paulie."

The film has triggered huge interest among fans and film buffs as it is a sequel to Amal Neerad’s successful film 'Bachelor Party' which released in 2012.

Sources close to the unit say that although the upcoming film will have a connection to the plot of the earlier film, it will have several new characters.

'Bachelor Party D'eux' boasts of a big and impressive star cast. It features actor Naslen, who shot to fame in the pan Indian blockbuster 'Premalu', in the lead. Alongside Naslen, the film will also feature actors Kunchacko Boban, Tovino Thomas, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Sharafudeen, Shine Tom Chacko, Chandu Salimkumar, Rajisha Vijayan,Hansika Krishna and Paris Laxmi in pivotal roles.

The makers had recently disclosed that actress Nadiya Moidu plays a character called Anna Mathews while Rajisha Vijayan plays a character called Simple in the film.

A week ago, the makers had disclosed that Naslen, who plays the lead in the film, plays a character called Sony in the film. Two posters of the actor from the film were released at the time of announcing his character's name.

While Shine Tom Chacko plays Guru in the film, Chandu Salimkumar plays a character called Mammu. Sreenath Bhasi will be seen as Xavi in the film, which will feature Shara U Dheen as Pappan.

Soubin Shahir plays a character called Dani in the film.

Interestingly, while the makers have disclosed the character names of the actors whose looks in the film have been released, they have made an exception in the case of actor Tovino Thomas.

Although Tovino Thomas's look in the film has been released, the makers have chosen not to release his character's name. While releasing his posters from the film, director Amal Neerad recalled a quote by Shakespeare. He wrote, "Hell is empty and all the devils are here -William Shakespeare."

On the technical front, the film has cinematography by Appu Prabhakar and music by Christo Xavier. Editing for the film is by Vivek Harshan. The film is slated to hit screens worldwide on November 19 this year.