The sequel marks the reunion of Rajinikanth and Nelson following the success of the 2023 blockbuster Jailer. The film was officially announced in January 2025 and went on floors two months later, with shooting wrapping up in April this year. The makers recently released the first single, Ala Bolelo, composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Produced by Sun Pictures and presented by Kalanithi Maran, Jailer 2 brings back several actors from the first film, including Ramya Krishnan, Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Yogi Babu.

Adding to the buzz around the cast is Hrithik Roshan, who is reportedly making a special appearance in the film. Reports suggest that the Bollywood star has already completed a two-day schedule in Chennai, during which he filmed scenes with Rajinikanth. If confirmed, the appearance will reunite the two actors nearly four decades after they shared screen space in Bhagwaan Dada (1986), when Hrithik appeared as a child actor.

Interestingly, Jailer 2 is scheduled to release a day before Dhanush’s Om: Chapter 1, which is slated for October 16. Both films are positioned to benefit from the Navaratri pooja holiday period.

Directed by Manoj NS, founder and CEO of Behindwoods, Moonwalk is positioned as a Tamil family entertainer blending comedy, music and dance.

It stars Prabhu Deva in the lead, alongside Yogi Babu, Aju Varghese, Arjun Ashokan, Satz, Nishma, Sushmitha, Redin Kingsley, Mottai Rajendran, Lollu Sabha Swaminathan, Dr Santhosh Jacob, Deepa Shankar and Ramkumar Natarajan.

Rahman will also make his acting debut with a cameo in the film, while Yogi Babu is set to appear in 16 different roles.

Speaking about the announcement, Manoj NS said the film was created as a celebration of happiness, laughter, music and dance for the festive season.

“Diwali is a festival that brings families together, and we want Moonwalk to do the same," he added.

The film’s soundtrack by AR Rahman has three released tracks — Yethu, Tinga and Macarena. The fourth song, Mayile, featuring AR Rahman and Prabhudeva, will be released soon.

Moonwalk features cinematography by Anoop V Shylaja, choreography by Sekhar VJ and Piyush Shazia, production design by Shanoo, and costume design by Divya George and Swetha Raju.

Romeo Pictures has acquired the worldwide distribution rights, while Lahari has acquired the music rights.

The film has gone on floors, with principal photography currently under way in London.

For Menon, the film marks his first Tamil outing, his first psychological horror and his first story centred entirely around women. He is known for films such as Airlift, Chef and Pippa. “Someone once quite aptly called me ‘genre agnostic’, and this film is another exploration in that journey,” Menon said.

Presented by Panorama Studios, in association with Locomotive Global, the film is a Fusion Flicks & Locomotive Global Production. Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Sunder Aaron, Vikas Sharma and Amit Dalmia are producing the project, while Rajesh Menon and George Cameron are the co-producers. Abhinav Mehrotra serves as the creative producer.

Kumar Mangat Pathak, Founder & Chairman, Panorama Studios, said, “Tamil cinema has always been a space for bold, original and culturally rooted storytelling, and we wanted our first Tamil production to reflect exactly that spirit. This is a genre film with a very intriguing world at its core, and Raja has brought a distinctive vision to it."

As Panorama Studios expands its presence across South India, its slate includes Malayalam films such as Anomie, Unmadham and Tiki Taka. Production No 4 and Munpe, both starring Tovino Thomas, are currently on the floors.

I’m Game follows a fearless gambler who trusts luck more than life and gets caught in a series of unexpected events that turn his world upside down. The film is set to release in five languages — Malayalam, the original language, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada.

Dulquer said the film is almost like a Tamil film, given the number of Tamil actors in the cast. Calling it one of Wayfarer Films’ biggest productions, he said the team had chosen not to reveal too much about the story.

“There’s a genre shift in this movie. We are not revealing anything because the audience should get that experience for the first time on the big screen,” he said, drawing a parallel with his earlier film Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, which also surprised audiences with a change in genre.

Dulquer praised Kathir, calling him a “born talent”, and said Mysskin has a significant role in the film. Calling Mysskin his “guru”, he added that the actor-director brought a different kind of energy to the set.

Kathir, who plays a cricketer, said this was his first time promoting a pan-Indian film set in the Malayalam film industry. He revealed that he had not played much cricket before the film and underwent nearly six hours of training every day.

“I must appreciate director Nahas Hidhayath’s guts for making me the captain of the team,” he said, while thanking his trainer Sadham. Speaking about Dulquer, Kathir added, “Doing things differently and experimenting is DQ’s job.”

Samyuktha Viswanathan said she felt “blessed and grateful” to be part of the film. She recalled being touched by Nahas’ narration and thanked both the director and Dulquer for believing in her. The actor, who plays a Tamil girl, also praised stunt choreographers Anbariv for the experience of working with them.

For Antony Varghese, popularly known as Pepe, this was his first film promotion in Chennai. “I’m new here, I need all your support,” he told the audience, while speaking in Tamil.

Calling Nahas his best friend, he shared a humorous anecdote about the director’s feedback, which left the audience laughing. Antony praised Dulquer as a producer, actor and, above all, “a very good person”.

He also said he is a big fan of CM Vijay, recalled missing the opportunity to play Arjun Das’ role in Master, and expressed his desire to work with big stars like Ajith, Suriya and Rajinikanth.

The event ended with Dulquer delivering a dialogue from the film in both Tamil and Malayalam before singing “Mental Manathil” from OK Kanmani. The cast then joined him on stage and danced to “Loser” from the film.

I’m Game features Dulquer Salmaan, Kayadu Lohar, Kathir, Antony Varghese, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Mysskin and others. Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, the film is set to hit the screens on September 3.

The actress, in an exclusive conversation with IANS, said she received messages from men who told her that they had started doing their own household chores after watching the film.

Speaking about the response to the 2021 Malayalam film, Nimisha said she received messages from men telling her that they had begun washing their own tiffin boxes before heading home.

“I think in today's society, women are independent, strong, they keep taking care of themselves. So I think after the release of Great Indian Kitchen, I got many messages from men saying that ‘listen, now we wash our tiffin after going home’, you know, because after the film, you know, I can see that shift,” Nimisha said.

The actress stressed that the film was never simply about portraying women as victims, but was instead intended to make audiences question the way women are treated and how their efforts are often taken for granted.

“It's not about bechari women, it was more about the way men treat women, how you take things for granted,” she added.

Nimisha was speaking about the film's impact when she was asked if she had watched its Hindi remake, Mrs, which starred Sanya Malhotra in the lead. The actress said she had not had the opportunity to watch it.

The Great Indian Kitchen was released directly on OTT in January 2021 and starred Nimisha alongside Suraj Venjaramoodu. The film revolved around an educated woman who enters an arranged marriage and gradually finds herself trapped in a deeply patriarchal household, where domestic chores, cooking and serving the men are treated as her unquestioned responsibilities.

Nimisha has now moved into another woman-centric story with Babita Singh Reporting, which premiered on August 28.

The film follows Babita, an underestimated police officer who becomes involved in investigating the murder of her childhood friend while simultaneously dealing with complications in her personal and marital life.

Participating in the pre-release event of 'I'm Game' in Chennai, Dulquer Salmaan said, "Kathir bro, I'm such a fan. What do you say, a born talent you are!."

He turned to the audience and said, "Every time he (Kathir) performs, I find it so subtle and so intense. It doesn't look like he puts any effort. It looks so effortless."

Kathir, who plays a cricketer in the film, had earlier lamented that he hadn't played proper cricket ever before and that the director had showed immense courage by trusting him to play the captain of a cricket team in the film.

Recalling his statement, Dulquer said, "You might think your cricket is not good, but you're phenomenal in the film. You're absolutely convincing as our captain."

For the unaware, Kathir, during the course of his speech at the event, had, in a lighter vein remarked that he was retiring from cricket after this film.

When the anchor asked why he was saying so and why his co-actors, who were seated in the audience were laughing, Kathir explained with a laugh,"This is like a legacy. I cannot play any better than what I have in this film."

He further explained with a smile,"After director Nahas had narrated this script to me, I thought to myself, 'Goodness gracious!'. I told Nahas, 'I would have played cricket a maximum of four times in my entire life and that too, whatever cricket I played was in school. Even more significantly, it was pad cricket.'"

Kathir disclosed that he had asked Nahas if he was okay making someone like him play a cricket team captain in the film. Kathir laughingly added, "A director can have courage and take risks but not to this extent."

Meanwhile, the censor board has cleared the film for release with a UA 16+ certificate.

Wayfarer Films, the production house producing the film, took to its social media timelines to share the update.

It wrote, "No more waiting around—the dice have rolled! I'M GAME has bagged its U/A 16+ certificate and is officially theater-bound. Bookings open at 5 PM."

For the unaware, the film was originally scheduled to hit screens worldwide on August 20 this year. However, the makers chose to postpone the film's release to September 3.

In a statement announcing the postponement of the film's release date, Dulquer Salmaan had acknowledged the anticipation around the film and stated that the decision to opt for a new release date came with a larger vision for the film.

He had said, "The game gets bigger. The release gets wider. We understand the anticipation and we apologize for the delay, but #imgame will now release worldwide on 3rd September, moving from its earlier release date of 20th August."

The actor went on to say, "The new release date comes with a larger vision for the film as #imgame gears up for a wider theatrical release across markets. The film will now simultaneously release in multiple languages-Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada taking the experience to audiences across the country and beyond."

He had ended the statement saying, "This decision has been made to give #imgame the scale, reach, and theatrical platform it truly deserves, allowing audiences across different markets to experience it on the big screen. The wait gets a little longer, But the game gets bigger!"

Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, 'I'm Game' has been mounted on an ambitious scale and will mark Dulquer Salmaan’s return to Malayalam cinema. The film completed an extensive 11-month shooting schedule spanning 156 days, with filming taking place across more than 100 locations in South India.

The film features an ensemble cast including Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Kathir, Parth Tiwari and Samyuktha Viswanathan. Jakes Bejoy has composed the music, while the action sequences have been choreographed by Anbariv Masters. The film has been produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under Wayfarer Films.

Jung Kook shared a fun food moment with Jimmy Fallon as the two sat down to enjoy New York City pizza. During their conversation, Jung Kook revealed that he isn’t a fan of leftover or cold pizza before Fallon introduced him to a slice of New York’s pizza.

In a video shared on the show’s page on Instagram, Jung Kook said: “I like pizza, but... I didn't like leftovers, so…”

To which, Fallon asked: “Oh, so like cold pizza, no good?” and added: “Jimmy Fallon*: Well, have you ever had New York City pizza?”

Fallon then shared that he got a “not cold” New York pizza for the K-Pop star. As he tried the host asked if he lied the pizza.

To which, Jung Kook said: “Yum!”

BTS, or Bangtan Sonyeondan, are a septet comprising Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.

The band is also known as the Bangtan Boys, expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism and the consequences of fame and recognition.

Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes an alternate universe storyline.

Talking about Jung Kook, he rose to prominence as a member of South Korean boy band BTS. He has performed three solo songs as part of BTS' discography, "Begin" in 2016, "Euphoria" in 2018, and "My Time" in 2020. He also recorded the soundtrack song "Stay Alive" for the BTS-based webtoon 7Fates: Chakho.

In 2022, Jung Kook featured on American singer Charlie Puth's single "Left and Right", which peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 2023, Jung Kook released his debut solo single "Seven" featuring Latto, which broke numerous chart and streaming records. His follow-up single "3D", featuring Jack Harlow, debuted at number five on both the Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, making Jung Kook the first South Korean solo artist to achieve two consecutive top-five entries on the latter.

Directed by debutant Rawindra Pulle and produced by Unformula Films, the film features Rashmika as a Gond tribal woman. The release date poster shows her holding a large spear, with battle wounds on her face. A crowd and flames form the backdrop, while traditional clothing and weapons give the film a period-action setting.

The makers said Mysaa is being mounted on a large scale, with action sequences designed to create an adrenaline-driven experience. International stunt specialist Andy Long and stunt choreographer Kecha Khamphakdee are associated with the film's action sequences.

Rashmika recently sustained an injury while filming a demanding action sequence, according to the press release. She is recovering and is expected to return to the sets soon to complete the final schedule. The makers said 12 days of shooting remain. Post-production work, including VFX and the original score, is under way.

The actor has undergone physical training and worked on the character to bring authenticity to her performance, they added.

The film also stars Eshwari Rao, Guru Somasundaram, Rahul Ravindran, Samuthirakani, Rao Ramesh, Tarak Ponnappa and Nidhi Singh.

Shreyaas P Krishna is the cinematographer and Jakes Bejoy is the music composer. GM Shekar is the production designer, while Ayesha Mariam has designed the costumes.

Mysaa will release simultaneously in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

Raahul of Romeo Pictures, who is producing the film, took to his X timeline to share the glimpse video of the film, and wrote, "The golden wave has hit the city. Presenting the title glimpse of #CityOfGold. Romeo Pictures presents #CityOfGold @iamVikramPrabhu. Produced by @mynameisraahul @Romeopictures_ The young Maestro @U1Records @thisisysr. Directed by @just_sid_here. Starring @iamVikramPrabhu @ShivathmikaR @__amalashaji__ @GMSundar_ @ivasuuu @KarthickSharaj @arulmosez @HariharanPS_ @Dineshkasi1 @Renganaath_R."

The glimpse video released begins with government authorities getting a tip off about gold being smuggled into Coimbatore. But then, the magnitude of the whole operation is so huge that even authorities feel that a crime of this proportion is not possible. We hear an officer saying, "Is this cinema for them to smuggle gold in lorries from one state to another?"

Even as gold prices continue to soar consistently, we hear one of the smugglers saying, "There is nothing that is impossible here."

The glimpse video shows that there is a market for gold and the one calling the shots in this market is a person who is intent on acquiring respect. "All those hands here have to salute us in respect," we hear him saying.

Meanwhile, Vikram Prabhu's character is seen working in this market of gold. The glimpse video also features several grim action scenes.

At one point, we hear Vikram Prabhu say, "Can you believe it if we told you that the one gram of gold that you hold in your hand would have claimed at least a minimum of one person's life before reaching your hand? That is gold. That is what this world is. And that is what this film's story is all about."

Shooting for the film is currently on at a brisk pace. It may be recalled that shooting for the film began in June this year.

Along with Vikram Prabhu, the film will also feature producer Raahul and actresses Shivathmika Rajashekhar, Amala Shaji in pivotal roles.

On the technical front, music for the film will be by Yuvan Shankar Raja while cinematography will be by Karthick Sharaj. Editing for the film will be by Arul Moses A and art direction will be by Hari Haran PS. Stunts in the film have been choreographed by Dinesh Kasi.

The conversation kicked off when contestant Padmini asked Amitabh Bachchan whether has he ever made tea for his wife Mrs. Jaya Bachchan.

To this, Big B candidly admitted he has never made tea for his wife and explained his unfamiliarity with the process of making tea. Ne said, "Deviji dekhiye joh insaan chai nahi peeta hain voh kaise banayega aur humne aksar dekha hain ki patiniji chai itna nahi peeti hain, peeti hain lekin kitna peeti hain hume nahi pata aur joh bhi peeti hain voh hum banake nahi dete aur hume nahi aata chai banana. Kya hain aaj kal dhaage ke saath ek pothli hoti hain uss dhage ko garam pani mein dubake chai banjati hain lekin humne kabhi uska upayog nahi kiya. Toh, joh asli chai voh kaise banti hain? kya hain ki hum sikh rahe hain, yadhi patiniji ko chai peeneka ka mann kiya toh hum bana sakte hain."

(Madam, see, how will a person who does not drink tea make it? And we have often seen that my wife does not drink that much tea. She does drink it, but we do not know how much she drinks, and whatever she drinks, we do not make it for her, and I do not know how to make tea. What happens is that nowadays there is a pouch with a thread; by dipping that thread into hot water, tea gets made, but we have never used it. So, how is real tea made? What happens is that we are learning, so if my wife feels like drinking tea, then we can make it)

With Vishwanath and Sons and Irumudi crossing the Rs 100-crore mark, along with the National Award, the composer-actor has plenty to celebrate.

He is now looking forward to Immortal, a vampire film that he calls his experiment with a new genre in Tamil cinema.

Speaking about balancing his commitments as an actor and music composer, Prakash says planning helps him stay on track.

“I plan properly for the next 60 days. If you ask me what I am going to do next month, I can tell you exactly what I will be doing,” he says.

The National Award has a deeper emotional significance for him. Referring to AR Rahman’s observation that the honour marks the family’s 10th National Award, Prakash says the achievement fulfils a long-standing dream.

“This was my grandfather’s wish and ambition. Unfortunately, he passed away due to cancer. My uncle has achieved a lot, and I am happy that I have been able to achieve this in the same lineage,” he says.

With Immortal, GV Prakash is entering an unfamiliar territory. “It is my experiment in a new genre a vampire film and the first of its kind in Tamil cinema,” he says.

The film was completed before the release of the Malayalam film Lokah, but its extensive computer-generated imagery work delayed its release.

Describing Immortal as a fantasy, mystery and survival thriller, he says the film revolves around a man who has lived for 4,000 years. The story moves across prehistoric times, tribal life and the present, with a major flashback forming part of the narrative. “It is an interesting film which will excite everyone,” he says.

The film also features Kayadu Lohar, who has become a familiar name among Tamil audiences. Prakash reveals that the film will offer audiences a different version of the actor.

“We were halfway through the shooting when Kayadu signed Dragon. So you will see a fresh and different Kayadu in this film,” he shares.

On working with composer Sam CS, he says he gave only minimal input, mainly suggesting where the film needed stronger scare moments.

GV Prakash has also managed to work across films of different scales, from smaller projects to big-star productions.

He credits legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja for inspiring this approach.

“Whether it is a small hero or a big star, or whatever kind of film it is, Ilaiyaraaja sir was the same with everyone. He treated every film equally. MSV sir was also like that. I grew up watching them, so I follow the same approach,” he says, adding that he tries to give his best whether the film is Kaaka Muttai, Visaranai or a commercial film like Youth.

GV Prakash is also continuing to explore acting. His upcoming Mental Manathil, directed by Selvaraghavan, is 80 per cent complete, with a seven-day Chennai schedule remaining.

He describes the film as a love story with an unusual combination of influences “like a product of what happens when Imtiaz Ali meets Yaaradi Nee Mohini.”

His association with Telugu cinema is also expanding. He points to Lucky Baskhar and Irumudi as significant successes and says he has several Telugu projects lined up, including two with Dulquer Salmaan and one with Anil Ravipudi.

Reflecting on Kingston, his previous experiment with the pirate genre, Prakash admits that the dialogue and screenplay did not work despite the strength of the concept. “In Immortal, we have worked well on the dialogue and screenplay,” he says.

On the growing use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking and music, Prakash believes it should remain a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. He admits to using AI during the process of creating music, particularly to demonstrate a female vocal scratch to a producer, but says he would not use an AI-generated voice as the final product.

GV Prakash also says he continues to speak up on social issues, including recent honour killings, but prefers to do so without political backing. “I still voice out when injustice happens. But when political parties take ownership of certain incidents, it does not work for me,” he says.

For now, his focus is on Immortal, a film that he believes will offer audiences something unfamiliar. “We spent a year working on the creature. It is a survival thriller with some romance, and it will give audiences a new visual and a new experience,” he concludes.

In a chat with DT Next, she talks about dancing with Rajinikanth and balancing motherhood.

The Tamil trailer of the film has been released and is already drawing attention. The Tamil version of the film is set to hit theatres on September 4.

Following the successful Tamil Nadu release of Suriya-starrer Vishwanath and Sons, Primark Productions is set to bring another Malayalam hit, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, to Tamil audiences.

Directed by Girish AD, the film explores an unconventional relationship between a middle-aged man and a young college-going woman.

The trailer hints at the attraction between the two and the emotional complications arising from their age difference, while also touching upon society’s perception of their relationship.

Blending romance, humour and emotions, the film takes a different approach to the conventional love story.

Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju play the lead roles, with Sangeeth Prathap, Vinay Forrt, Roshan Shanavas, Srindaa, Meenakshi Raveendran and Bindu Panicker among the supporting cast.

Girish AD has co-written the story with Kiran Josy. Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil and Syam Pushkaran have produced the film under Bhavana Studios.

Vishnu Vijay has composed the music, while Ajmal Sabu and Akash Joseph Varghese have handled the cinematography and editing, respectively.

Leo Vision Productions, one of the production houses backing the film, took to its social media platforms to make the announcement.

It wrote: “Fantasy. Madness. A whole lot of darkness. @leovisionproductions #ProductionNo5 is gearing up for a wickedly exhilarating ride! In association with @keyuriproductions. Starring @nithyamenen. Written and directed by @deekay_06. Creative Producer @thisisvikramkumar. @rajkumarl2447 @Beacon.pr @Prakashpro_ @kvmothi @decoffl.”

Interestingly, Nithya Menen is also jointly producing the film. She is co-producing it through her banner, Keyuri Productions, along with Leo Vision, headed by producer V S Rajkumar.

It may be recalled that Nithya Menen announced the launch of her production house, Keyuri Productions, in February this year.

Taking to Instagram to post a video introducing her production house, Keyuri, the actress had said: “Making films, for me, was always more than just telling stories. It was about being able to reach actual people at such a deep level. A place deeper than intellect. A place above thought. Above reason. To stir a transformation — both within me, when I am absorbed in the creative process, and within the other who watches. To create shifts that ripple quietly. Changed in ways we cannot fully name. Imperceptibly at first, but irreversibly.”

Acclaimed filmmaker Vikram K Kumar has also been roped in as the creative producer for the film.

The film has cinematography by A Sakthivel and editing by Richard Kevin. The film is set to be released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi, making it a pan-Indian theatrical release.

Taking to its social media timelines, Lark Studios, the production house producing the film wrote, "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.

For the unaware, the film, which is being produced by K Kumar, is slated to hit screens in December this year.

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 will have 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.

At the heart of the promo is a playful celebration of the 4 regional markets and their cultures.The promos shows the hosts finding themselves in a mix-up involving food from one another’s states, adding a fun twist to the narrative.

The humour, observations, interventions and weekend conversations of the hosts are among the most anticipated parts of every season, often driving conversations well beyond the house.

Krishnan Kutty, Head, Entertainment (South), JioStar, said, “Each of our four hosts has a very distinct equation with his audience, and that relationship is an important part of what makes Bigg Boss so powerful in every market”.

“This promo gave us an opportunity to bring Vijay Sethupathi, Nagarjuna, Kichcha Sudeepa and Mohanlal together in a way that is fun, rooted in the cultures of the South and true to their personalities. For fans, seeing all four of them share the screen is a moment in itself. It captures the scale and excitement we are building towards as all four editions begin together”, he added.

‘Bigg Boss’ Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam are set to air simultaneously on September 6 on JioStar television channels and JioHotstar.

‘Bigg Boss’ is a format owned by Endemol Shine and Banijay Entertainment.

The actor, who participated in the pre-release event of director Venu Gopal Reddy's romantic drama 'Romanchakam', which is being presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Vijay Deverakonda said, "I can't express the love I have for Sandeep in words. It's not just a director-actor relationship. It's not just a brother relationship or a friend relationship. It's something else."

Recalling the difficulties they faced during the making of the blockbuster film 'Arjun Reddy', Vijay Deverakonda went on to say, "Back then, we went to war together. We didn't know what we were doing. Had the film not worked out, we would have gone crazy. Both of us didn't have money. We did not have influence. We didn't have any pull. There were no fans at that time because Pellichoopulu hadn't released then."

"I miss Sandeep Reddy not for Arjun Reddy's success or what it has gone on to become. I miss him for all the moments we spent together -- building a film together, sharing our lives, our stress and sharing our battles. Pranay and Prabhakar uncle mortgaged their lands to get money to make that film. They made that film showing faith in Sandeep and he in turn, had faith in me. He also got them to believe in me and made that film," he recalled and pointed out that the stakes were really high for that film.

"You put your entire family, earnings and future on film. Sandeep will go to any extent for me and I will go to any extent for Sandeep," he said, revealing the deep bond of trust and affection he shared with the ace director.

For the unaware, Romanchakam, which has triggered huge expectations, is slated to hit screens worldwide on September 3 this year.

Excitement about the film shot up after the makers chose to release a glimpse video of the film a couple of weeks ago.

The glimpse video begins with Sumanth Prabhas and Ananthika Sanilkumar's characters in the film being madly in love with each other. Just when you begin to think that the couple is made for each other, the second half of the glimpse shows both characters beginning to hate each other. Adding to the excitement and intrigue is the character played by actor Upendra Limaye in the film. The glimpse gives the impression that the actor plays a cop in the film.

Apart from Sumanth Prabhas, Ananthika Sanilkumar and Upendra Limaye, the film will also feature actors Venkatesh Kakumanu, Narendra Ravi, Mani Aegurla and Sai Sohan among others.

Produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga, the film has cinematography by Pavan Pappula and music by Vasuki Vaibhav. Gobind Kotap has choreographed the dances in the film, which has costumes by Akunur Keerthana.

Talking to mediapersons, G V Prakash, who only recently won his third National Award for music direction, said, "Immortal is a relatively new genre for Tamil cinema. It's a vampire film. It hasn't been explored much in Tamil cinema. It's a fantasy mystery survival thriller."

Going on to give details of the film, in which Kayadu Lohar plays the female lead, G V Prakash said, "We waited for a year for CG alone. The producer told us that we would shoot for a year and that we would wait for a year for CG. Only then would this film be released."

He went on to add, "We finished shooting before Lokah was released." The actor said that the decision to take a year's time for the film's CG was to ensure that it was of international standard.

The film's CG works are being handled by top CG firms in Canada, which have been working on the film for a year now.

Going on to explain why they named the film 'Immortal', G V Prakash said, "I initially wanted the film to be called 'Saaga Varam' but we later changed it to 'Immortal'. In this film, there's a portion that tells the story of a man who lives for 4000 years. It will go to a prehistoric time."

The film has already been cleared for release by the Censor Board with a clean 'U' certificate.

G V Prakash took to his X timeline to share the update. Sharing a poster that announced that the film had been certified U, the actor wrote, "#Immortal from September 4."

It may be recalled that the makers of the film had announced in May this year that shooting for the film had been wrapped up.

The film has been eagerly awaited ever since the makers released a chilling and entertaining teaser of the film last year.

The teaser begins on a funny romantic note. It has G V Prakash, who is a die hard romantic, having a conversation with a friend. He says, "Imagine how it would be if a handsome guy like me and a very beautiful girl stayed in the same house." The friend replies, "It would be jealousy-inducing." To this, G V Prakash gleefully says, "It must."

The teaser then shows G V Prakash having a conversation with actress Kayadu Lohar in a flat that looks exactly like the one he was seen talking about a while ago to his friend.

"If I ask you something, will you mistake me," he asks her and she shoots back, saying, "You will anyway ask something that is wrong."

The teaser makes it evident that G V Prakash's character in the film is romantically interested in the character that Kayadu Lohar plays. He tells her, "My room has a lot of mosquito problems" to which she replies, "Mine has problems caused by bats. Is it alright?"

It is then that the horror phase starts. He wakes up in the middle of the night and looks through the keyhole, only to find a beast with the face of a bat!

The film, apart from G V Prakash Kumar and Kayadu Lohar, also features a host of actors including TM Karthik, Kumar Natarajan, Lollu Sabha Maaran, Aaditya Kathir, Arshu Maharjan, Pema Tsamchoe and Sunita Shrestha.

On the technical front, the film, which has been produced by Arunkumar Dhanasekaran, has cinematography by Arun Radhakrishnan and music by Sam CS. Editing for the film is by San Lokesh while art direction is by Siva Sankar. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by R.Sakthi Saravanan while dances have been choreographed by Sabarish.

The legendary actor and host spoke about how language and popular expressions continue to evolve across generations, joking about terms such as “rocking” and “killing it” by taking their literal meanings.

Sharing his confusion over the terminology used by younger generations, Bachchan said, “Aaj kal ki... Gen Z hai ya Gen A hai, pata nahi kya bolte hain... Sir, ajeeb-ajeeb bhasha banti rehti hai... 'You are rocking... Mr. Bachchan, you are rocking.' Maine kaha yaar, 'patthar toh humne abhi tak uthaya nahi.' Woh chhap gai... woh kaat karke bhejega, bolega, 'Sir, you are killing it.' Maut ki baat kaahe kar raha hai yaar humse?”

(These days Gen Z now use strange languages and expressions keep emerging. 'You are rocking... Mr Bachchan, you are rocking.' I said, 'Hey, I haven't even picked up a stone yet.' Then they will edit and send it, saying, 'Sir, you are killing it.' Why are you talking to us about death?)

Earlier too, Amitabh Bachchan had spoken about finding the Gen Z language and terminologies extremely difficult for him to decode.

The megastar had also recently discovered a new Gen Z term, "Biwi Paglu". Upon learning the meaning, Amitabh had quipped, "That's absolutely right. She is the boss, and every husband should accept it. Live like this and you will survive, otherwise, you will be fired."

The megastar, 83 years currently has been a part of the industry for over 50 years. Married to Bollywood then superstar Jaya Bachchan, is the father of actor Abhishek Bachchan. He is the grandfather of Aradhya Bachchan who is a Gen Z.

Drama Company, the production house behind the yet-to-betitled film, shared the update on Instagram, writing, “That’s a wrap. To the moments, the people and the magic we created together on the sets of Dr. Shivarajkumar X Abishan Jeevinth | Drama Company Production No. 1. A journey filled with joy, friendship, love, laughter and relentless hard work and memories we’ll cherish forever. First Look & Title Announcement Soon.”

The film was launched in June this year. The makers had recently introduced Abishan Jeevinth’s character, revealing that he plays Sugan in the film.

The film features Shivani Nagaram as the female lead opposite Abishan. The cast also includes Yogalakshmi, Gaana Vinoth, Sangeetha Madhavan and Benjamin and music by Leon James.

Anne will play a team owner and engineer in the sequel. The project will also feature Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper in key roles.

Jonathan Levine will direct the film, with the screenplay written by Will Staples. The sequel is expected to arrive in Summer 2028, although an exact release date has not yet been announced.

Tom announced the project through a video shared on his official Instagram account, in which he and Hathaway are seen laughing and looking into the camera as they reveal their upcoming collaboration.

Anne, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, said in the clip, “I’m going to have this baby, and then we’re going to make this movie.”

Directed by the late Tony Scott, the original Days of Thunder starred Cruise as Cole Trickle, a hot-headed driver who enters the NASCAR circuit and faces a series of personal and professional challenges before finding success.

Meanwhile, Cruise’s upcoming projects include Digger, in which he will star opposite Sandra Huller. Anne has Verity, Alone at Dawn and Princess Diaries 3 in her upcoming lineup.

According to reports, Murugadoss is said to be in discussions regarding a story developed by Shankar’s writing team. While the development has generated considerable curiosity, there is no official confirmation yet from either filmmaker or their respective teams.

The exact nature of the collaboration is also unclear at this stage. Reports have not established whether Shankar will have a direct creative role in the project or whether Murugadoss will take complete charge as director.

The possibility of the two filmmakers coming together has nevertheless sparked considerable interest, given their track record of delivering large-scale commercial films with strong action and social themes. Both directors have built distinct identities in Tamil cinema over the years, with Shankar known for ambitious, visually grand productions and socially driven themes, while Murugadoss has delivered several action-oriented commercial entertainers.

For now, the project remains at the discussion stage, and further details regarding the cast, production and the extent of Shankar’s involvement are awaited.

You've spent years being known primarily as a singer. Today, you're building a healthcare institution. How did this come about, and what has your journey been so far?

I was interested in Korean skincare about 10-11 years ago. Then, I saw that there was an opportunity to legally import it into the country. So, I went through the entire process. We started a website somewhere at the end of 2018, beginning of 2019. Then, we rebranded that into SkinRoot. We were the first in the country to actually legally import Korean skincare, and now we have also launched a huge 10-year-old Japanese brand here in India.

The logical extension to something like that was aesthetic services, and I wanted to bring the best practices from Korea but the best of technologies from the US and Europe and launch them. We did that in 2020-21. Samantha came and launched it then, and it was called DeepSkinDialogues. Slowly, as we understood the space a little more, my brother also joined the business, and he is a neurosurgeon. So, we have also branched into pain and regenerative medicine, where there are no steroids, no surgeries.

Do you think the discipline of being a performer prepared you for entrepreneurship in a way that you did not expect?

I think that is a very different space. The creative space allows for a certain kind of thinking on your feet. But that doesn't necessarily have applications in the medical or clinical space. It is very scientific and needs to function in a particular manner and "I always had the entrepreneurial bug".

You have said authenticity is important to you. How does that translate into the way you approach this business?

I know what I am. Is this something that I would do for myself? So, I put myself first, and to see K-Beauty also, everything is something that I tried myself, and I knew it worked and started vouching for them.

Registering with the Indian government is a very, very long and expensive process. So, for me to do that, I wanted to make sure that I could stand by what I am saying, and it is very difficult for me to be, I mean, it is impossible for me to be inauthentic about what I am saying and what I am doing. Therefore, I know that whatever I am doing, I have to walk the talk.

Your personal experience with spinal and cervical pain seems to have influenced your move towards regenerative medicine. Did being a patient change the way you think about healthcare?

My pregnancy was complicated, and then I had a spine procedure as well. I was looking for something for the spine, lower back; it is all connected. I think also the kind of lifestyles that we have generally had, mostly sedentary, but otherwise also not maintaining the right posture, abusing ourselves that way.

Now, I got it done with a practitioner that I trust. She came forward to collaborate with us, saying that, ‘I would like to work with you because we are not a corporate set-up where we are giving monthly targets. “I do not want to get people to sign up and do things that they do not need.”

You've spoken about ethics in aesthetics. What does ethical practice mean to you?

Especially in an aesthetic practice where it is very predatory by nature, to prey on your insecurities. I told our doctors, all our staff, that you do not have monthly targets to achieve.

I will pay your salary even if it is out of my pocket. Yes, my growth might be slow. I might not have these big numbers to show on the balance sheet to attract more investors who are still willing to burn money. I am not on that journey. I want to build something that lasts, build something with integrity.

You've spoken about women being conditioned to tolerate pain. Has your own experience changed the way you look at women's healthcare?

I have probably been somebody who's pushed myself to the brink where surgery was inevitable. I had to be carried away because I couldn't get up. I had given birth to twins. I was overworked. I was doing so much, and I had ignored it. My pain tolerance was so high that I ignored the pain in spite of the fact that I could not sit and get up normally. Standard mentality all women have.

If music is the part of your life that gave you a public identity, what does building iGenClinics give you personally that music doesn't?

I think there's one thing here. When we started it as an aesthetic practice, we wanted to keep this as a space which is safe for all genders. We have a huge population that are non-binary who are our clients, who are treated with, it's sad that I even have to say it, but treated like anybody else. We treat them the same way as others.

I find it pathetic, but I wanted to create a space that is safe for all genders, have ethics and integrity as a bedrock, and not chase targets. The person who walks through a door is not somebody who definitely has to build before they leave.

The song features lyrics by Kelithee, Thamizh Aadhavan and Aa.Pa.Raja, with vocals by Kelithee and Thamizh Aadhavan. Osho Venkat has composed the music for the song.

From the very first beat, 'Tigerians Roar' unfolds as a vibrant collage of visual spectacle, infectious rhythm and captivating choreography. The dynamic percussion and layered instrumentation further amplify the song’s celebratory mood, while Osho Venkat’s composition gives the track its distinctive musical character.

Written and directed by Selvah Kumar Thirumaran, Texas Tiger has been produced by UK Squad, with Balaji Kumar, Parthiban Kumar, Selvah Kumar Thirumaran and Sujith as producers. The film stars Hridhu Haroon, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Rohini Molletti, Anthony Daasan, Sachana Namidass, Ramesh Thilak, Parthiban, Wafa Khatheeja, Peter K, Samyuktha Shanmuganathan and others.

The technical team comprises Osho Venkat as music director, Vishnu Mani Vadivu as cinematographer, Praveen Antony as editor and K.B. Nandhu as art director.

The film has triggered huge interest in audiences ever since the makers released a title teaser some months ago.

The teaser begins with women's groups staging a protest demanding that the songs of Texas Tiger (Hridhu Haroon) be removed from the Internet as they had objectionable content for lyrics.

Present at the same venue where the women are protesting is a group of young men calling themselves 'Tigerians'. They say they are fans of the musician and back him.

As a constable tries to clear the fans, Texas Tiger makes an entry, climbs atop the police van and voluntarily wears a garland of slippers that women activists were looking to make him wear in the hope that it will leave him ashamed. He, however, takes it in his stride much to the surprise of the women.

Sources close to the unit have told IANS that the film will be a fun, musical entertainer which was sure to appeal to all kinds of audiences.

Sources close to the actor say that he has now signed another new film, this time with director Vivek Athreya, who is best known for having directed the Nani-starrer 'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram'. The film is to be produced by Laxman and Srini of Bridge Productions.

Sources said Irumudi’s success had brought the team together for a special celebration, with director Vivek Athreya and producers Laxman and Srini meeting Ravi Teja and congratulating him on the blockbuster success of the film.

Only a couple of days ago, the actor had announced that he will next be working with director Hasith Goli on a hardcore entertainer, which is to be produced by ace producers Dil Raju and Shirish under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations.

Sri Venkateswara Creations, which congratulated Ravi Teja on the success of his film Irumudi, has already announced that the project that they are to work together on will hit screens on January 14, for Sankranthi next year.

Ravi Teja's next film with Hasith Goli hasn't been titled yet and is tentatively being referred to as #SVC64. The combination of Ravi Teja, Hasith Goli and SVC has already made #SVC64 catch the attention of film buffs.

While Ravi Teja is known for his infectious energy, impeccable comic timing and ability to carry commercial entertainers with ease, Hasith Goli has made a name for himself with his quirky concepts, humour and distinctive storytelling. Sri Venkateswara Creations has also built a reputation for backing films with interesting scripts and strong commercial potential.

Sources say that Ravi Teja will begin work on his new film with Vivek Athreya, once he wraps up Hasith Goli's film.

The high-energy track promises a vibrant musical outing, with Nani and Keerthy Suresh bringing their infectious energy to the screen. Jangi Reddy and Prabha have lent their vocals to the song, while Shyam Kasarala has penned the lyrics.

Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise is set to hit screens worldwide on September 24.

In a post that the actor shared on X, he praised Yash for choosing to experiment with the film instead of taking the more familiar route after the success of his previous blockbuster.

In his post, Sudeep stated that Yash had made an "out-of-the-box" attempt instead of going for a regular follow-up to his earlier commercial success.

"Just want to say this, @TheNamelsYash -- you've genuinely tried something out of the box rather than taking the predictable route of making another regular, expected, formulaic follow-up to your previous commercial blockbuster," he wrote.

Sudeep also said that trying something different takes "guts" and praised Yash for moving away from the usual commercial style.

"It takes a different mindset, conviction, and most importantly, the guts to attempt something like this. #Toxic is an unusual and commendable attempt. There are several portions that are genuinely intriguing and open to great debate, discussion, and learning. Kudos to you for daring to experiment and step away from the conventional," Sudeep wrote.

The action-thriller hit theatres on Wednesday and has since received mixed reactions from critics and cinephiles. While some viewers have praised the film, others have not been quite impressed with its story and style.

'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' is a gangster film directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film features Yash in dual roles and also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth, among others. The film is jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations LLP. It was released in theatres on August 26 for Onam.

The film was made by Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang with an investment of just Rs 19,000. Released in China on August 5, the film initially received a poor response. Fewer than 300 viewers reportedly bought tickets during its first 10 days.

How was the film Niu Lai mocked on social media?

The film's visuals, character animation and voice acting were criticised on social media, with some users describing it as "worse than AI".

On Douban, a Chinese movie-review platform, a viewer described it as “a symbol of the new internet troll culture" while another called it "unbelievably terrible and eye-opening".

How did Niu Lai became a box-office success?

However, the negative reviews helped to draw attention to the film. Scenes from Niu Lai began circulating as memes and going viral on social media. The publicity reportedly prompted more people to visit theatres out of curiosity, with audiences asking whether the film was really as bad as described online.

Niu Lai has reportedly collected around Rs 40 crore in Indian currency so far. With a reported investment of Rs 19,000, the film has earned around 20,000 times its budget.

Did Niu Lai break the record set by Obsession?

Earlier, low-budget film Obsession had reportedly set a record by earning 666 times its investment.

Niu Lai has now reportedly surpassed that figure, earning around 20,000 times its reported budget and breaking Obsession's record in the category of highest-grossing film made on a low budget.

About the film Niu Lai

Niu Lai made by Xin Yumeng and Sun Lifang, the 86-minute animated film follows a young cow named Niu Lai, who grows up to become a warrior.

What follows is a striking blend of Ilaiyaraaja’s timeless musical world and a contemporary electronic soundscape, as the video shifts between the film’s male leads travelling in a car and Muthumani’s world.

Originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the song receives a modern trance/EDM-infused treatment, retaining the soul of the original while giving it a fresh, pulsating edge.

Swetha Mohan’s vocals add a distinct richness to the track, while Ilaiyaraaja himself lends his voice, making the rendition all the more special.

With lyrics and music by the maestro, Muthumani bridges nostalgia and modernity, offering a fresh take on a classic Raja sound.The music video, directed by Bharath Muralidharan, is conceived by Karthik Subbaraj, S Thirunavukkarasu and Sherif M, with choreography by Sherif M Dorothy, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, is slated for a September 25 worldwide theatrical release.

The announcement was made by Annapurna Studios, which is producing the film on the occasion of Nagarjuna's birthday on Saturday. The makers also dropped the much-awaited first glimpse of this landmark film on the occasion. Kept largely under wraps through its year-long production, the film has remained out of the spotlight until now.

The first glimpse released on Saturday delivers a bold, powerful statement of the scale, style, and cinematic ambition of the film's makers. The over one-and-a-half-minute glimpse introduces Nagarjuna Akkineni in a stylish, larger-than-life avatar, offering audiences their first look at his character and the world of the film.

The glimpse opens with Nagarjuna’s character sharing his perspective on the world: “There are two types of people in this world. Those who have money and those who don’t. When I had no money, they called me a loser. When I had money, they called me a King. But this identity is more powerful than money. To uphold this identity, I have to keep running.”

The dialogue strikes a hard-hitting note. It offers a sharp glimpse into his rise to power, his mindset, and the relentless drive of maintaining his identity as 'The King'. Nagarjuna’s striking gold look further accentuates his larger-than-life persona, while the stylish visuals establish the distinctive world of 'King100'.

The energetic and impactful music by Devi Sri Prasad adds intensity to the glimpse and elevates Nagarjuna’s commanding screen presence. With its stylish visuals, intriguing character introduction, powerful dialogue, high-energy music and larger-than-life presentation, the glimpse offers an exciting first look at 'King100'. The glimpse concludes with the reveal of the King100 title, locking in its official December release date.

'King100', which will not hit screens on December 24, has been written and directed by RA Karthik and produced by Annapurna Studios. The film features music by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematography by Raja Mahadhevan, production design by Sathees Kumar N, and editing by Navin Nooli. Costumes are designed by Poorva, Rajini, Tanya and Bhramma. Action choreography is by Venkat, Prithivi, Nabakanth, Real Sathish and Dinesh Kasi, while publicity design is by Tuney John.

1. Pokkiri (2007) – SUN NXT

Released in 2007, Pokkiri brought Vijay and Prakash Raj together in one of their memorable hero-antagonist clashes. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the film stars Vijay as Thamizh and Asin as Shruthi, while Prakash Raj plays the ruthless gangster Ali Bhai. Vadivelu and Napoleon are also part of the cast. The film follows a seemingly fearless hitman who gets caught in a dangerous underworld battle while hiding his real identity and mission. Vijay's character, who appears to be a fearless hitman, gradually reveals his real intentions, leading to a tense confrontation with Ali Bhai.

2. Bigil (2019) – Amazon Prime Video

Atlee's 2019 sports drama Bigil featured Vijay in dual roles as Michael and Rayappan, with Jackie Shroff as the antagonist Sharma. Nayanthara, Kathir and Vivek are also part of the cast. The film follows a former footballer who takes charge of a struggling women's football team while confronting the personal and professional challenges standing in his way. The conflict develops as Michael attempts to rebuild the team while facing opposition from Daniel. Alongside the rivalry, the film explores family, ambition, sport and second chances.

3. Varisu (2023) – Amazon Prime Video

posterDirected by Vamshi Paidipally, Varisu featured Vijay and Prakash Raj in another conflict, this time against the backdrop of family and business. Released in 2023, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Sarathkumar and Shaam. The story follows a carefree heir who returns home after years away and becomes involved in a bitter family and business succession battle. Vijay plays Vijay Rajendran, who finds himself caught up in the family's internal conflicts, while Prakash Raj plays Jayaprakash Rajendran, who becomes a key opponent in the business struggle.

4. Leo (2023) – Netflix

Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo presented Vijay and Arjun Sarja in a tense face-off. Vijay plays Parthiban, a café owner whose peaceful life is disrupted by events connected to his past, while Arjun portrays Harold Das. Trisha, Sanjay Dutt and Gautham Vasudev Menon are also part of the film. The story follows a quiet café owner who is forced to confront a violent past when a group of gangsters begins questioning his true identity. As the story unfolds, the connection between Vijay's character and the Das family adds to the tension and leads to intense confrontations.

5. Jana Nayagan (2026) – ZEE5 (releasing on August 21)

Vijay's last film Jana Nayagan, directed by H Vinoth, brings him together with Bobby Deol in a political action drama. Mamitha Baiju, Pooja Hegde, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Prakash Raj are also part of the cast. The film follows Vetri Kondan, a former police officer and social worker who takes responsibility for his late friend's daughter. His life takes a dangerous turn when she becomes a target of a powerful criminal network, bringing him into conflict with forces involving political power and corruption. Bobby Deol plays John Himmler, setting up another major clash in Vijay's filmography.

Taking to his social media timelines to shower praise on the critically acclaimed film, featuring Anishma Anilkumar and Rishikanth in the lead, Silambarasan aka Simbu wrote, "Watched #ModhaRathri and really enjoyed it. We often discover small, beautiful films from other languages and celebrate them so much. When a Tamil film attempts something fresh with a new team, I feel we should give it the same love and support."

He went on to say, "A story unfolding over a single night, set around a village wedding, with so many characters and little moments that felt so real. The writing, the humour, the way people react to each other, and the characters were all handled really well. Really happy to see a new director and team make something so rooted and interesting. My appreciation to director #RajaKaruppasamy, the entire cast and crew and everyone who backed this film."

It was then that he made a request to producers. He wrote, "A small request to our producers too… films like these need that extra push to reach the audience. Good content deserves to be discovered."

The actor concluded the post by giving a shout out, asking his fans and film buffs to watch the film. "And to all my fans and everyone who loves cinema, do watch #ModhaRathri in theatres and support the team. Wishing the entire team lots of success. Keep making good cinema!"

For the unaware, the film hit screens worldwide on August 21 this year.

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

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

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

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

Actor RJ Balaji shared the first look on social media with the caption, “Escape the law. Face the god.”

Directed by M Selvakumar, who previously helmed Bumper, the film also features actor-director Ameer in a key role.

The film is being produced on a grand scale by Samuel Mathew under his production banner, ‘7 Miles Per Second’. This marks the production house’s second film. Earlier, the banner had produced the Siddharth-starrer ‘Miss You’.

Ghibran has been roped in as the music composer for the film. Instagram fame Villupattu Madhavi has made her debut as a playback singer with ‘Vetta Saami’. She has lent her voice to a folk song titled ‘Sudalaimadan Vettai Paadal’ in the film.

A post by CineBuzz, reshared by Kashyap on Instagram, described the film as one that may require more than a single viewing to fully appreciate. The post rated the film 1/5 on the first watch, saying it was difficult to understand, but gave it 5/5 after a second viewing, noting that its story, characters, symbolism and hidden layers began to make sense.

Calling Toxic a psychological thriller rather than a conventional commercial film, the post suggested that its storytelling and atmospheric presentation reveal themselves gradually.

Kashyap’s reshare has added to the ongoing conversation around the film, which has divided audiences over its unconventional narrative and layered storytelling.

Calling it the RaaJa Trance of Dorothy, Subbaraj shared the song’s poster on social media and announced that the music video will be released on August 29.

“Let’s all get into a Trance!!” the filmmaker wrote.

The announcement comes shortly after the release of Kalyana Virundhu, another song from the film. Dorothy is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on September 25.

Mayilsamy (Kavin), a good-natured young man, is rejected by his love interest because she finds him too predictable and not 'interesting' enough. He eventually runs away from home and moves to Chennai. On the other side, Devayani (Nayanthara), who lives with her aunt’s family after her mother eloped when she was young and her alcoholic father (Prabhu) stayed distant, is pushed into an arranged marriage with a wealthy relative. She too runs away to Chennai, where she crosses paths with Mayilsamy. What follows is a warm and humorous journey as the two find their way towards each other.

A lot of men dream of falling madly in love with someone, being loved in return, and experiencing the kind of romance that defines most rom-coms. Kavin enacts this beautifully. He plays the flawed Mayilsamy to perfection, one who is also afraid of his parents, lies when necessary, and cries, too. There is a dialogue in the film where he says, “Men shouldn’t cry,” to which Nayanthara replies, “What do men and women have to do with crying?”

Film: Hi Director: Vishnu Edavan Cast: Nayanthara, Kavin, Raadika Sarathkumar, K Bhagyaraj, Prabhu Rating: 3.5/5 stars

In another example of the strength of the writing, the scenes where the couple have late-night conversations are very heartwarming. There is something refreshing about watching a grown man and woman talk under the stars late into the night without any particular agenda, and director Vishnu Edavan handles this portion with sincerity. Nayanthara, who plays Devayani with freshness and grace, has great chemistry with Kavin's Mayilsamy, as evident in how the theater audience was visibly enjoying their simple moments of companionship.

The casting is another win for Hi. K Bhagyaraj, who plays Kavin’s father, with his humour-laden dialogues during key moments landing effectively. Raadika Sarathkumar as Kavin’s mother has enjoyable conversations with her son, balancing humour with sentiment. Prabhu, who plays Nayanthara’s father, has a limited role as an alcoholic, but his appearances leave an impact.

The film is packed with references to Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and even Kavin himself. In the first half, Mayilsamy mentions his admiration for Rajinikanth’s older films, where the actor would lose everything yet still manage to laugh in the face of adversity. This idea is later mirrored in a scene where Mayilsamy is about to propose to Devayani but changes his mind midway during the conversation and breaks into a Rajini-like laugh. Kavin deserves credit for pulling this off convincingly.

Films have often used devices such as a coin toss or a flower falling from an idol to show a protagonist leaving a decision to destiny. Hi gives this familiar trope a charming twist in a scene where Mayilsamy looks up at the sky and decides that if Devayani wakes up before he counts to three and calls out “Mayil”, he will propose to her. As Mayilsamy reaches two, he stretches the moment by counting 2.25, 2.5 and so on, drawing plenty of laughter from the audience. Just when the crowd is enjoying the comic moment, a train horn jolts Devayani awake and she calls out “Mayil”. The scene seamlessly shifts from comedy to an emotional moment, bringing a smile and even a few moist eyes.

Another strength of Hi is its treatment of relatable situations and themes. Circumstances may force people to lie, big or small, but there are always consequences. This concept plays out in Hi, when Mayilsamy lies to protect his love, setting off a chain of dramatic events. Ironically, the very lie he tells to save his relationship eventually becomes the reason for his separation from Devayani. How the two find their way back to each other forms the crux of the climax and by the time the end credits roll, the film is sure to leave you with a smile.

The high-key lighting by cinematographers Leon Britto and Rajesh Shukla adds magic to the frames of Hi and enhances the characters beautifully. Jen Martin’s compositions are refreshing, with the ‘Rasagulla’ song standing out for its placement within the narrative.

On the whole, Hi is a light-hearted family entertainer that manages to hold your attention even without a single stunt sequence. It makes you laugh, moves you to tears in places, and, most importantly, leaves you with a warm feeling.

In a statement issued on Friday, the producer associations said that they had chosen to indefinitely postpone the strike call given in the wake of Tamil Nadu Minister for Information and Publicity Rajmohan's assurance to them that the attention of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would be drawn to their concerns and that tripartite talks under the guidance of the Chief Minister would be facilitated to find a permanent solution to the problem.

The producers said that they had met Tamil Nadu Minister for Information and Publicity Rajmohan on August 26 and explained the problems plaguing the film industry to him. They said that they had also submitted their requests as a petition to the minister on the occasion.

Stating that after perusing their petition, the Minister had asked the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Federation and the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association to continue following the process that was in place for releasing films now, the producers pointed out that the minister had told them that the Tamil Nadu government would initiate steps to hold talks between the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Federation, the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association and the Tamil Film Producers associations after the ongoing Assembly session and find a solution to the problem.

For the unaware, the producers associations had on August 22 announced that no new Tamil films would be released from September 1. They had also said that all film shootings and post production work being carried out on films would come to a standstill from September 1.

The producers said the decision to stop the release of all new Tamil films from September 1 had been taken in response to the unilateral announcement made by the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association and the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Federation with regard to the release of new films on OTTs.

The distributors and the theatre owners associations had said that they would only be able to screen those films whose producers gave them an assurance that they would release their films on OTT platforms only eight weeks after their theatrical release.

In a joint statement on August 22, the producers had said, "The distributors federation and the theatre owners association, of their own accord and without holding consultations with others, have decided that they can permit the theatrical screenings of only those films, whose producers give letters stating that they will release their films on OTT platforms only after eight weeks after their films' theatrical release."

Pointing out that no such practice was in place in the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka or Kerala, the producers associations had said that this move, which was being deliberately introduced in Tamil Nadu alone, was one that needed to be condemned.

Tagging himself as the “adult cub,” the star expressed gratitude for being guided on a path of “righteous humility” alongside his “SuperBuddy.”

Downey Jr. took to Instagram, where he shared two images, including a picture of an ace and queen card from a deck of playing cards, as he celebrated 21 years with his wife, Susan Downey.

“Her to whom all is owed…The great joy of being led on a path of righteous humility is mine. She-the lioness - Me-the adult cub / recipient of 21 trips around the sun with my SuperBuddy,” he wrote as the caption.

Downey Jr. proposed to Susan on November 5, 2003, the night before her 30th birthday. They were married in August 2005, in a Jewish ceremony at Amagansett, New York. She gave birth to their son, Exton Elias Downey, in 2012, in Los Angeles, California.

In 2014, Downey Jr. announced via his Facebook and Twitter that he and his wife were expecting a daughter in November. Their daughter, Avri Roel, was born on November 4, 2014.

Talking about Downey Jr. he is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. The star is known for his versatility across roles, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards.

He will soon be seen playing Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. It is intended to be the sequel to Avengers: Endgame and the 39th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, the film features an ensemble cast led by Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. In the film, the Avengers, Wakandans, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men converge from different universes to face Doom.

Speaking at a recent event, Ashwath Marimuthu revealed that the shooting schedules of ‘Arasan’ and ‘Dharman’ are expected to conclude around the same time. He added that he would begin work on ‘STR 51’, starring Silambarasan, after completing his commitments on ‘Dharman’.

STR 51 titled 'God of Love'

‘STR 51’ marks the first collaboration between Silambarasan and Ashwath Marimuthu. The director, known for films including ‘Oh My Kadavule’ and ‘Dragon’, is helming the project, which has been titled ‘God of Love’.

Produced by AGS Entertainment, the film was announced amid considerable expectations. The project has remained one of the most anticipated films among Silambarasan’s fans, despite its production being delayed due to the actor’s existing commitments.

Silambarasan busy with Arasan

Silambarasan is currently busy with ‘Arasan’, directed by Vetrimaaran. The film is progressing at a brisk pace and is expected to hit screens during the upcoming Diwali festival.

With the actor committed to ‘Arasan’, work on ‘STR 51’ has been pushed back. However, the project has not been shelved, with the makers maintaining that it will move forward as planned.

Ashwath directing Dharman with Superstar Rajinikanth

Meanwhile, Ashwath Marimuthu is currently directing ‘Dharman’, which stars Rajinikanth. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan, and its second schedule is presently underway.

STR 51 to follow Dharman

Ashwath Marimuthu’s latest statement has now provided clarity on the project’s timeline. He confirmed that ‘STR 51’ will follow ‘Dharman’ once he completes his current commitments.

STR 51 script ready

The director also revealed that the script and music composition for ‘STR 51’ have already been completed. Describing the film as a fantasy project, he said it would carry elements reminiscent of films from the ‘Manmadhan’ era.

The latest update has once again raised expectations among Silambarasan’s fans, who are eagerly awaiting the actor-director collaboration.

On Thursday, Madhu Chopra attended an event where she spoke with the media. She told the media on the sidelines of the event, “There has to be certain boundaries. My body, my choice works in those boundaries. It is good to do it”.

She further mentioned, “But that boundary is necessary. How you put your dignity, and respect other people's values matters a lot. You can do it in a place where these things are common. Sorry to say that, our children also wear it. They wear it for work, for hobbies. But it is acceptable because that works in those spaces”.

Earlier, the brand pulled down the campaign, stating that they have the highest regard and deep respect for Indian culture, traditions and festivals. The brand pulled the advertisement down a day after Kriti Sanon clapped back at trolls criticizing her outfit in the recent Raksha Bandhan advertisement.

Kriti on August 25 shared a note on her Instagram handle, where she pointed out that the essence of any festival lies in the emotions, and not in the clothes we wear. She was seen donning an off-white ensemble featuring a bralette-style blouse, a cape, and a draped skirt for an advertisement for a jewellery brand for Raksha Bandhan.

The brand on Wednesday shared a statement on Instagram, where they said that they have the highest regard and deep respect for Indian culture.

Kriti wrote, “We have the highest regard and deep respect for Indian culture, traditions and festivals. As a brand, we have always believed in celebrating these joyous moments with the entire family and this time we wanted to extend the love and celebration to our pets”.

“If our recent advertisement has inadvertently hurt the sentiments of some segments of society, that was not our intent at all. Out of respect, we have withdrawn the said advertisement from all media. Wish you all the love & positivity this festive season”, she added.