Appearing on the popular quiz reality show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Sai said that she relied on prayer and meditation to approach the role with the dignity it deserves.

During a conversation with megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Sai Pallavi spoke about the immense responsibility of portraying a figure as revered as Sita Maa.

She emphasised that the film would go beyond being a cinematic experience and become a part of history for generations to come.

Emphasizing the reverence attached to the role, Sai Pallavi shared by saying, "Maine iss patra ke liye sirf prayer kiya aur prarthana kiya ki main jitne bhi obstacles ho mujhe voh patra karne mein, voh saare obstacles nikal jaaye. Kyuki hum jo film bana rahe hain, voh sirf film nahi hain voh itihaas bhi banega aur aage ka generations bhi dekhega, aage ka future dekhega tab hum sab yaha nahi honge. Uss samay voh dignity honi chahiye, toh main sirf prarthana hi kar rahi thi for this role.”

(For this role, I only prayed and asked that whatever obstacles I might face in portraying this character would be removed. Because the film we are making is not just a film; it will also become a part of history, and future generations will watch it. People in the future will look back at it when none of us will be here. At that time, the portrayal should have dignity. So, I was simply praying for this role)

Speaking on how mindfulness helped her navigate high-pressure filming, Sai Pallavi added by saying, “Aisa nahi hain, actually agar main meditate nahi karungi toh mujhe aur saare thoughts aate hain. Toh most of the times, even when I was playing this character of Sita Maa, I believed in doing meditation. During playing this character, I learnt ki main jabhi bhi koi stressful situation mein hoon, I realised you should just witness it rather than just acting towards it. Whenever I used to come across a stressful situation, I started thinking how Sita Maa would have reacted so this is what I feel I learnt from Sita Maa's character.”

(It’s not like that. Actually, if I don’t meditate, I end up having even more thoughts. So, most of the time, even while playing the character of Sita Maa, I believed in practising meditation. While portraying this character, I learnt that whenever I am in a stressful situation, I should simply observe it rather than react to it. Whenever I encountered a stressful situation, I started thinking about how Sita Maa would have reacted. This is what I feel I learnt from the character of Sita Maa)

For the uninitiated, Ramayan stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman and is directed by Nitesh Tiwari.

Filmmaker Milan Zaveri, who is one of Gupta's closest friends, told PTI, "It is true that he passed away. He fell and hit his head."

The Versova police station have registered a case of accidental death report (ADR) and are investigating further.

“Based on the primary information we have registered an accidental death report (ADR) have been registered, he used to stay in a bungalow in Ram Nagar locality, nothing suspicious has been found," Senior Police Inspector (SPI) Deepshikha Ware said.

His last rites will be held at Pawan Hans crematorium at 6 pm. The filmmaker is survived by wife Anuradha and their two children.

His sudden death sent shockwaves through the film industry, with several actors, including his frequent collaborator Sanjay Dutt, as well as Kajol, Kangana Ranaut and Dia Mirza, expressing grief and disbelief over his demise on social media.

"Gupts, my brother. I still cannot believe that you are gone. We have shared so much together, so many memories and so many years of friendship. You have always been family to me, and that will never change," he wrote.

Dutt recalled his discussion about "Kaante 2" with the filmmaker and said he will make the film in his memory.

"I will miss you, our conversations and all the times we spent together. We were just discussing 'Kaante 2' recently, I will make 'Kaante 2' your dream, in memory of you my brother, I will do everything for this dream of yours to come true, love you forever and always. Life will not be the same without you, brother," he added.

Kajol shared a picture of the filmmaker on her Instagram handle and called his death "heartbreaking". "Sending love and immense strength to the family through this loss. Rest in peace," she added.

Ranaut shared a picture of the actor on her Instagram story and said she was "extremely sad".

"(I) have worked with him closely and what is unsettling is that he was not even unwell, terrible," she said.

Mirza posted, "Sanjay Gupta, I will always be grateful for the work we did together, the love, the respect and the support I got from you. RIP Gupta Saab. Deepest condolences to the family," she wrote.

Gupta, who was born in Mumbai, made his directorial debut with "Aatish: Feel the Fire" in 1994, starring Sanjay Dutt and Aditya Pancholi. The film marked the beginning of his long-standing professional association and friendship with Dutt.

He subsequently directed films such as "Ram Shastra" (1995), "Hameshaa" (1997), "Jung" (2000) and "Khauff" (2000), exploring themes of crime, revenge and betrayal.

Gupta shot to prominence with "Kaante" (2002), a crime thriller featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Mahesh Manjrekar, Kumar Gaurav and Lucky Ali.

The film, which was heavily inspired by Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" (1992), was praised for the performances of its ensemble cast, stylised action sequences and narrative structure. It became one of the filmmaker's most recognised works and established his association with the crime genre.

He continued exploring the genre with "Musafir" (2004) and "Zinda" (2006), both featuring Dutt.

While "Musafir", also starring Anil Kapoor, revolved around a man drawn into the world of crime, "Zinda" was an adaptation of the South Korean film "Oldboy". "Zinda" also marked the beginning of his association with John Abraham and the duo later worked on two more films.

Gupta also established his production company, White Feather Films, through which he backed several projects.

As a producer and screenwriter, Gupta was associated with "Shootout at Lokhandwala" (2007), which dramatised the 1991 police encounter at Mumbai's Lokhandwala Complex. The Apoorva Lakhia-directed film, featuring Vivek Oberoi, Dutt and Bachchan, was praised by critics and also performed well at the box office.

He subsequently directed "Shootout at Wadala" (2013), based on the life of gangster Manya Surve, with Abraham playing the lead role.

Although crime dramas remained central to his filmography, Gupta also ventured into other genres. He directed "Jazbaa" (2015), a courtroom thriller starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and "Kaabil" (2017), a revenge drama featuring Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam.

He returned to the Mumbai crime genre with "Mumbai Saga" (2021), starring John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi.

In recent years, Gupta continued working across theatrical and streaming platforms. He directed "The Miranda Brothers" (2024), featuring Meezaan Jafri and Harshvardhan Rane, and produced "Visfot" (2024), starring Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan, which premiered on JioCinema.

Gupta was also among the most active Indian filmmakers on social media platform X, where he had around 1.7 lakh followers. He frequently used the platform to share his views on films, the entertainment industry and current affairs.

The sold-out concert on Friday went ahead under enhanced security, with hundreds of security personnel deployed around the premises and traffic restrictions enforced in the surrounding areas until midnight.

Dosanjh thanked fans for their support and said he would continue performing across India until December 20.

"It was our first show. There were a lot of attempts made to stop me. But I will be here in India till the 20th of December. The rest of the shows will be live. But I want to say a big thank you," he told the audience.

The Delhi show faced uncertainty after Delhi Police initially withheld permission, citing security and law-and-order commitments during the festive season.

The clearance was subsequently reconsidered and granted after organisers, BookMyShow Live, submitted a detailed security, traffic and crowd-management plan and assured the police of compliance with its requirements.

The excitement for Dosanjh's performance was palpable among fans, many of whom followed the traffic advice to travel to the venue by Metro. Many arrived wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye", while others took inspiration from the singer's distinctive outfits sported during his international appearances.

Adding to the Punjabi flavour was a kiosk at the stadium where turbans were tied on visitors' heads free of cost.

The evening opened with a light show before Dosanjh made a dramatic entry, standing on an elevated platform against a backdrop of the moon as it slowly descended towards the stage.

Fireworks welcomed the singer, who appeared in a white outfit and sunglasses. He kicked off the performance with "Kehnde Soniye", setting the tone for a high-energy evening.

Dosanjh moved through his popular tracks, including "5 Taara", "Do You Know" and "Patiala Peg", with fans singing along. During "Do You Know", the stadium seemed to turn into one giant chorus, with thousands of voices joining him every time the song's titular phrase came up. He also blended the Punjabi folk number "Laung Gawacha" into the performance.

Throughout the concert, Dosanjh continuously engaged with his fans, responding to their shouts of "I love you" with "I love you too".

For older fans, Dosanjh brought out "Kali Teri", with one woman joining him on stage to dance. He later gifted her a hamper. He also performed "Sanson Ki Mala" and "Khuda Gawah".

Midway through the performance, Dosanjh also invited a CRPF personnel on stage and thanked her for her service.

"Give her a big round of applause. If you are not here, we can't feel safe. You have given us a lot. Thank you so much. I see you and feel like I'm watching my mom," he said.

"When I saw you standing, I thought my mom was standing. Today my mom called me and told me to take care of myself. I told her not to worry," he added.

Taking a break after performing back-to-back tracks, Dosanjh shared a message for his critics, saying, "I love everyone because I'm an artist bro". It was in response to the criticism he faced for distancing himself from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protest.

"Don't teach Punjabis how to fight battles. The film you stood on stage and mocked -- Jaswant Singh Khalra ji's film ('Satluj'). We fought for a very long time for that film. I stay quiet, I love everyone. If someone hates us, no problem. From our side it's only love for everyone!" he said.

Dosanjh was referring to the row over his film "Satluj", based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. After a long delay, the film was released on a streaming platform earlier this year but was withdrawn within days.

He also performed on party numbers "GOAT" and "Born to Shine", followed by "Kinni Kinni", "Ranjha", "Rog" and "Hare Krishna Hare Ram" from "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3". The singer made room for slower numbers as well by incorporating "Ishq Di Baajiyaan", "Ikk Kudi" and "Naina" from "Crew".

The singer-actor brought the evening to a close with "Main Hoon Punjab" from his film "Amar Singh Chamkila".

The finale featured an elaborate drone show, with illuminated drones forming messages such as "Panjabi Aa Gaye Oye" and "I am Artist Bro" in the night sky.

After the concert, Dosanjh thanked Delhi fans on Instagram and once again addressed the difficulties he faced while organising the show.

"Thank you so much, all the Delhi fans. We had a lot of problems. I don't want to say what they were. Too many problems. I do shows all over the world, but I don't face so many problems. Whenever I start a show in India, problems also start for me, especially for me. I don't know why?

"But thank you so much, Delhi fans. No matter how many problems there were, we had to put on the show. Then it rained, and I had to perform. So I prayed to God on the phone. I said, 'Dad, please stop the show (rain) for three-four hours. It's our show'," he said.

Dosanjh's Aura India Tour will travel to several other cities over the next two months. He is scheduled to perform in Indore on November 15, Ahmedabad on November 21, Mumbai on November 27, Bengaluru on November 29 and Lucknow on December 5. The tour will also include shows in Chandigarh on December 12 and Kolkata on December 19.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna is likely to hear Devgn’s petition on November 4.

As per the notice issued by the FDA to Devgn, the advertisements for 'Vimal Elaichi' amount to surrogate promotion of 'Vimal Pan Masala', a chewable product banned in Maharashtra.

Similar notices were issued to actors Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff, who had also appeared in the advertisements.

Devgn's petition stated that the notice was arbitrarily issued to him as an actor rather than to the manufacturing company.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Friday said that proceedings against Khan, Devgn and Shroff for allegedly violating state rules were complete.

The department had concluded its investigation and found violations by the actors, he said, adding that the matter will be referred for adjudication next week.

While Devgn has approached the High Court, the department would continue its proceedings before the joint commissioner, Mundhe said.

The FDA had earlier claimed that the 'Vimal Elaichi' campaign amounted to surrogate advertising for prohibited pan masala products.

The brand was linked to the sale of gutkha and pan masala, products prohibited in Maharashtra, it had alleged.

The Versova Police are investigating the matter. Sanjay Gupta fell in the bathroom of his house on October 30, following which he died.

A Mumbai Police official said that other people were present at the house at the time of the incident. However, as the incident took place late at night, the family members could not immediately become aware of it.

The family members spotted him the following morning and immediately informed the police. The police also received information about the incident only in the morning. According to the police, the family has not expressed any suspicion so far. The necessary procedures in the case are currently being carried out.

The forensics team has also reached the late filmmaker’s residence in Mumbai.

Sanjay Gupta was best known for directing films such as ‘Kaante’, ‘Kaabil’ and ‘Shootout at Wadala ’ along with producing movies such as Shootout at Lokhandwala, Jazbaa and Acid Factory.

He passed away at the age of 59. As per sources closes to IANS, the filmmaker passed away on October 30 after slipping in the bathroom at night and injuring his head.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed Sanjay Gupta’s death and wrote on Instagram: “It’s really shocking and sad. Just got the news that our dear friend an ace director @_sanjaygupta is no more. He passed due to a head injury at home.”

Sanjay Gupta stepped into the world of cinema in 1994 with Aatish: Feel the Fire starring Aditya Pancholi and Sanjay Dutt.

He then went on to direct, produce and write movies such as Ram Shastra, Khauff, Jung, Kaante, Musafir, Zinda and Shootout at Lokhandwala among others.

His last work includes The Miranda Brothers, which was released in 2025. Sanjay Gupta directed and produced the film starring Harshvardhan Rane and Meezaan Jafri.

Actor Jiiva, who took to his X timeline to share the link to the single, wrote, "The poetry, the joy, and the most beautiful celebration of our lives. Experience love in its purest form with #Thangapulla - the first single from #Thagappan."

The lovely mellifluous number has been penned by Pa Vijay and rendered by Murugavel. It has been set to tune by music director Marshall Robinson.

The song speaks of the love of a father longing to be close to his son. The visuals accompanying the song show Jiiva's character silently following his son Prem from a distance and admiring him. The song gives the impression that Jiiva's character in the film is a victim of parental alienation and that despite his immense love for his son, he is unable to identify himself to his son.

For the unaware, the film is to hit screens on December 24 for Christmas this year.

It may be recalled that shooting for the film had been wrapped up in August this year.

Taking to its social media timelines, Lark Studios, the production house producing the film had then said, "Every frame holds a feeling. Every moment carries a memory. #Thagappan Shooting Wrapped! The emotions begin soon in theatres. In Cinemas December 2026."

The makers also shared a video on the occasion with the entire unit screaming, "It's a wrap!."

Sources say that the film, which is set against a Madurai backdrop, will revolve around the bond between a dad and his son. It will look to highlight the significance of family relationships and human values, they added.

Recently, the makers had released the first look of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Lark Studios took to its social media timelines to share the first look poster of the film.

It wrote, "Everything is fair in a father’s love. Presenting the world #Thagappan !In Cinemas December 2026."

The unit has completed the shooting of the film in one go. Sources had, on an earlier occasion, said that several onlookers, who recently witnessed the canning of some crucial scenes, were moved by what they saw and went up to congratulate the unit.

Rajisha Vijayan plays the female lead in this film, which has music by Marshall Robinson. The film has cinematography by M Sukumar and editing by the very gifted Nagooran Ramachandran.

Art direction for the film is being handled by K B Nandhabalan while stunts in the film have been choreographed by Mahesh Mathew. Rithesh Selvaraj has designed the costumes in this film, which P Balakumar serving as its executive producer.

Mirzapur: The Movie, which was released in September, earned Rs 229.60 crore nett at the Indian box office. The film continued the story of the popular web series and brought back familiar characters played by Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Divyenndu.

Speaking at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai, Pankaj said two common beliefs about films have recently been challenged. He pointed out that Hanuman Ansh became a blockbuster in its third week, while Mirzapur: The Movie proved that actors who are not known for big openings can also bring audiences to cinemas.

According to Pankaj, the success of Mirzapur: The Movie came from the strong connection audiences have with its characters. People already loved the world of Mirzapur and wanted to see their favourite characters on the big screen. He also mentioned that the OTT version of the film will be slightly longer than the theatrical version.

Pankaj has received praise for his performances in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Newton, Masaan, Fukrey and Bareilly Ki Barfi. However, his role as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur made him even more popular among audiences.

The actor said that while Newton was watched by around 30 to 50 lakh people, Mirzapur reached a much larger audience. He also revealed that he got his first solo billboard because of the show, which helped people remember his face.

Talking about his character Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj said he wanted to play the villain differently. Instead of using loud expressions and dramatic acting, he chose a calm and natural approach. He also used a different body language, keeping his chin up and looking down, which made the character stand out.

Pankaj said that his approach to choosing films has also changed over the years. Earlier, his main aim was to get work, earn money and support his family. Now, he looks for good stories and interesting characters.

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.”