Amritha Ram, design head of KH House of Khadar, received the award in New York.

Sutura, which means 'thread' in Latin, was presented at the New York Fashion Week in 2024. The collection combines Khadi and Indian textile traditions with contemporary design, the fashion house said, adding that Sutura reflects its founding philosophy of positioning Khadi as a contemporary material in global fashion.

KH House of Khadar debuted in Chicago in 2021 with an official tagline Kamal created: 'Fashion is civil, yet disobedient.' He launched the Indian website and online store on Republic Day the following year. The clothes can be bought on KHHK's website: https://kh-hk.com/

Earlier this year, Kamal had extended his gratitude to the American band Linkin Park after the band was seen wearing his brand during their Lollapalooza India performance in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor and Rajya Sabha MP will be next seen in KH 237 directed by stunt choreographer duo AnbAriv. He is also expected to reunite with Rajinikanth for KH xRK, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Red Giant Movies. Additionally, he is also set to collaborate with Chithha-fame director SU Arun Kumar on an upcoming project. '

With a filmography of more than 250 films in five decades, the 78-year-old is also a renowned name in the theatre world. He will be given the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, at the National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the veteran actor and said, "For several decades, his effortless performances, remarkable versatility and brilliance have left a very strong mark on Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema. In whichever role he has played, he brought rare depth and authenticity."

"This is indeed a richly deserved honour for a truly distinguished artist," he said in a post on X.

"On the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, the Government of India is pleased to announce that the Actor will be conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema and an illustrious cinematic journey that has inspired generations," the Press Information Bureau said in a release.

The film opens in the 1970s, introducing a librarian who gets his hands on The Dark Heaven, a book written by a French researcher specialising in supernatural forces. As he reads the book, he discovers details of events that are yet to happen. His attempts to warn people about the impending incidents ultimately lead to him becoming a victim himself, just as predicted in the book.

From here, the narrative moves between different timelines, taking us from the 1970s to the present and then back nearly two decades. Each time, the mysterious book finds its way into the hands of another person, triggering another series of unfortunate events.

Set in the same village, the story then introduces a strange pattern of deaths occurring every seven years. The villagers believe these incidents are connected to the curse of Vanamangai. Balaaji uses graphic animation to narrate the story of Vanamangai and Dasarathan — a sequence neatly executed without holding up the narrative, and one that establishes the mythology behind it all.

As the story progresses, the villagers begin to believe that the descendants of Dasarathan are still being affected by the curse. Meanwhile, a spell of murders points to an investigation towards a psychopathic killer who has crossed over from Kerala. How he is identified, and how the threads of the book, the curse and the murders connect, forms the rest of the film.

The biggest strength of The Dark Heaven is the way Balaaji maintains an intriguing atmosphere throughout. The film manages to sustain its suspense until the climax, even without having any big stars. Several familiar actors, including Nizhalgal Ravi and Vela Ramamoorthy, appear in brief roles and fit naturally into the world of the film.

Siddhu, playing the police officer investigating the murders, carries a challenging role with ease. Riythvika gets an important character that is somewhat different from her earlier roles, while Bigg Boss-fame Tharshika, who is Siddhu’s pair, also gets a significant part to play.

Film: The Dark Heaven Director: S Balaaji Cast: Sidhu Sid, Tharsika Navaratnaraja, Riythvika, Nizhalgal Ravi, Vela Ramamoorthy, Rating: 3.5/5 stars

The cinematography is another notable aspect. The village locations, rituals and surrounding atmosphere are captured effectively, with the film making good use of both day and night sequences. The music and sound design aid the thriller portions by creating and enhancing the tension well.

However, the film does lose some of its grip during a few action sequences. These portions feel weaker compared to the otherwise carefully constructed thriller and, at places, appear unnecessary. There are also a few unanswered questions and unexplained plot points. But as the film has hints of a potential sequel, these loose ends could get connected in the next part.

On the whole, The Dark Heaven works as a suspense thriller that both manages to give scares and keep the audience invested in its mystery.

The Dark Heaven

Director: S Balaaji

Cast: Sidhu Sid, Tharsika Navaratnaraja, Riythvika, Nizhalgal Ravi, Vela Ramamoorthy,

Synopsis: In the hill village of Mekkarai, where it is customary for men to die every seven years during the month of June, a newly appointed police inspector arrives to investigate a series of mysterious murders.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Suriya-Jyotika celebrate 20 years of marriage

Suriya and Jyotika tied the knot on September 11, 2006, in Chennai. The couple, who last shared the screen in Sillunu Oru Kadhal, have two children, daughter Diya, born in 2007, and son Dev, born in 2010.

The couple recently relocated their family from Chennai to Mumbai. Suriya has said the move was partly to allow Jyotika to spend more time with her ageing parents and also to provide their children with more options for the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

Titled The Sequel, the vow-renewal video celebrates their two decades together, including their love, disagreements, compromises and understanding. Their children, Diya and Dev, were also present at the intimate ceremony.

In her note accompanying the video, Jyotika said the celebration was not about a perfect marriage but about their imperfections, sacrifices, mutual understanding and the way they have loved each other selflessly.

Jyotika shares heartfelt wedding vows

In her renewed vows, Jyotika promised to remain happy, celebrate life, stay grateful, remain healthy and be a better mother. She also spoke about maintaining the friendship she shares with Suriya.

Addressing Suriya, she said she would continue to be an imperfect wife who fights with him, makes peace and grows closer to him each time.

She also expressed gratitude for their children and described Suriya as her husband, the father of their children, her confidant and her best friend.

Suriya, Jyotika's 2026 projects

Suriya has had two releases in 2026 so far — Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji and co-starring Trisha Krishnan, and Vishwanath & Sons, directed by Venky Atluri. Karuppu released in May, while Vishwanath & Sons hit theatres in August.

His next release is Scene, his 47th film, directed by Jithu Madhavan. The cop action drama is scheduled to hit theatres on November 6, 2026.

Jyotika, meanwhile, starred in the Hindi courtroom drama System, which premiered on Prime Video in May. She is also part of an upcoming action thriller with Sunny Deol, directed by Balaji Ganesh, which began shooting in February.

Concluding her note, Jyotika wished for the couple’s next 20 years together, celebrating their imperfections, friendship and shared understanding.

Quoting a tweet put out by a person who claimed that his film's title was 'Padaiyal', Tamizharasan Pachamuthu wrote, "PADAIYAL - nalla irukke...nan yen yosikkaama ponen.. Sari ok Pesama “ A Tamizharasan Pachamuthu Padaiyal “ nu pottudren.. Nandri. (Padaiyal - sounds nice... now, why did I not think of it?... Okay, I'll simply put it as 'A Tamizharasan Pachamuthu Padaiyal... Thanks)."

Rumours are doing the rounds on the Internet that the film's launch ceremony would happen in Madurai on Thursday. Rumours also suggest that the film will be high on action so much so that its makers were expecting to get an 'A' certificate from the Censor Board at the time of its release. However, there has been no official confirmation on any of these claims being made on social media.

Director Tamizharasan Pachamuthu had in March this year announced that he had begun the recce for the film.

Taking to his X timeline, the director had posted a monochrome picture of himself seated in a temple. He wrote in Tamil," Kelambiyaachu (Have started) #Recce #D56."

Well known production house Dawn Pictures, which is producing the film, was quick to show its admiration for the industrious nature of the director. It quoted the tweet of the director and added fire symbols to indicate it was both impressed and excited.

For the unaware, director Tamizharasan Pachamuthu is best known for his critically acclaimed superhit film 'Lubber Pandhu', which featured Harish Kalyan, Attakathi Dinesh, Swaswika and Sanjana Krishnamoorthy in the lead.

The film, which came in for widespread praise from all categories of audiences, also featured actors Kaali Venkat, Bala Saravanan, Geetha Kailasam, Deva Dharshini, Jenson Divakar and TSK in pivotal roles.

The film, which started off as just a simple sports drama that revolved around the egos of two cricket lovers playing gully cricket in a small town, silently evolved into something much more significant and showed how sport could help people overcome the deep-rooted differences that caste and wealth brought.

Taking to his X timeline to release the teaser, Vijay Sethupathi wrote, "Here is the official teaser of #Mandavetti." The teaser, which plunges audiences into a disturbing world where fear arrives without warning and the line between the known and the supernatural begins to disappear, is two minutes long.

The teaser wastes no time in establishing an unsettling environment, opening with a woman in a trance-like state whose presence immediately creates an inexplicable sense of dread.

From there, the teaser unfolds through a series of mysterious happenings, fragmented conversations and unsettling glimpses of characters attempting to make sense of something far beyond their understanding.

At the centre of these conversations is ‘Senji Saamy’, an enigmatic force whose presence appears to be closely connected to the strange events unfolding around them. Rather than revealing the answers, the teaser carefully leaves the mystery intact, creating the feeling that every revelation could lead to something far more disturbing.

With Komalee Prasad leading the film, the teaser also offers glimpses of the intense transformation that the actress has undergone for a character steeped in vulnerability, rage, suffering and mysticism.

Her presence gives the supernatural world an emotional centre, while the teaser’s fragmented storytelling leaves audiences with one compelling question: What exactly is ‘Senji Saamy’, and why has its presence begun to haunt this world?

Written, directed and produced by Saranraj Senthilkumar under the banner of Tuskers Den Pictures, Mandavetti, sources inform, has been conceived as a dark supernatural crime thriller blending psychological tension, folklore and raw human emotions. The film explores the mysterious mythology surrounding “Senji,” a fierce local deity, whose presence drives the story into deeply unsettling and emotionally charged territory.

The film features Prakash Manithan as the cinematographer, Guna Palinisamy as the editor and Deepak Venugopalas the music director. Gowtham has choreographed the stunts, while Sangeetha Sen is the costume designer. Tony J is handling sound mixing, Balaganghadaran is overseeing DI grading, Vijayan is responsible for VFX.

The clarification comes after his recent blog posts led to speculation that he may be considering stepping away from his professional commitments.

Taking to his personal blog on Monday night, Bachchan addressed the reports and clarified his earlier remark. Writing in Hindi which translates in English, said, “No, sir, I am not retiring from work; in English, it means I am now going to sleep!!! And, sir, you are not invited to come there.”

The clarification came after the veteran actor's previous blog entry was interpreted by some as a hint that he could be contemplating retirement.

In that particular post, Amitabh Bachchan had written about how some of his blog entries are often misunderstood and expressed amusement at the way his words are interpreted and reported. He ended the post with the words “and I retire,” which subsequently triggered speculation about whether he was referring to his career.

In his latest post, he clarified that “retire” was being used in the context of going to bed and not stepping away from acting or his professional commitments.

For the uninitiated, the 83-year-old actor continues to maintain a packed work schedule.

Big B is currently hosting the 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, with which he has been associated for more than two decades.

Recently, through his blogs, he had offered a glimpse into just how demanding his schedule was getting.

He had revealed that he had worked continuously from 7 a.m. one day until 7 a.m. the following morning, and explained that the work had to be completed on time because the first broadcast date for KBC had already been announced.

A fan asked Shah Rukh, “Be honest, what’s the most KING-like thing you do in real life?” Responding with his usual wit, the actor said, “Have three cups of coffee in bed before anybody can speak with me even if I am late for work!! Then of course on sets get shouted at for being late and have no Kingly feelings left.”

Shah Rukh Khan shares marriage advice

The actor also offered advice to a newly married fan who asked him about the green flag for maintaining a happy married life. Shah Rukh replied, “Ek doosre ke rang mein rang jao....make adjustments so both of you make the partner happier.”

SRK gives a glimpse of Ganpati celebrations

During the interaction, Shah Rukh also spoke about how his family celebrates Ganpati. He shared that his wife performs the aarti and prayers, followed by the visarjan. He added that their children and friends gather together to spend time as a family.

“Very simple and family time,” the actor said, describing the celebrations.

King release date confirmed

Shah Rukh Khan also gave an update on his upcoming film King, confirming that the film will release on December 24, 2026. When a fan asked him to show the trailer, the actor replied, “Abhi sirf baat karunga Trailer baad mein.... film is 100 days away na...24th Dec bro.”

Directed by Siddharth Anand, King stars Shah Rukh Khan alongside Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma and Arshad Warsi in key roles. The film is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.

King marks Shah Rukh’s return to the big screen after his 2023 releases Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki. The actor’s confirmation comes amid anticipation surrounding the film’s release, which is scheduled for a week after Marvel’s Avengers Doomsday.

Subbulakshmi's music continues to be heard across homes, temples and concert halls, and the biopic is intended to present her life and legacy to audiences across generations, the makers said.

The biopic will be offically launched at The Music Academy, Chennai, on Subbulakshmi’s 110th birth anniversary tomorrow (September 16). Actor-producer and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan will attend the launch as the chief guest. The Indian Choral Ensemble will perform the late singer's at the event.

Anirudh Ravichander will compose the music for the film, which will be directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri of Jersey (2019) and Kingdom (2025) fame.

The Subbulakshmi biopic will be jointly produced by Allu Aravind's Geetha Arts, Rockline Venkatesh's Rockline Entertainment, and Bunny Vasu's Bunny Vas Works.

The makers said the film project has involved years of work to secure the necessary rights, permissions, literary sources and family associations required to tell Subbulakshmi's story.

Rashmika, who was last seen in Cocktail 2 with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, is set to act against her husband Vijay Deverakonda in the period drama Ranabaali, releasing on October 16. She also has Ravindra Pulle's Mysaa lined up, in which she plays a Gond woman.

Who was MS Subbulakshmi?

Legendary Carnatic vocalist MS Subbulakshmi had a career spanning more than seven decades. Born in an Isai Vellar family in Madurai on September 16, 1916, she recorded her first song, Maragatha Vadivu, at the age of 10.

She performed concerts, recorded albums and sang playback in several languages, including Tamil, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati and Bengali. She also helped take Carnatic music to international audiences, even performing at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 1966.

Subbulakshmi acted in six films between 1938 and 1947 and is best known for her portrayal of saint-poet Meera Bai in Meera (1945). At the Delhi premiere of the Hindi version in 1947, poet-freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu reportedly relinquished her own title, 'Nightingale of India', in Subbulakshmi’s honour.

She later withdrew from cinema to focus on music. In 1998, she became the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Affectionately known as MS Amma, she died in Chennai on December 11, 2004. Her rendition of the Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham morning hymn composed around 1430 AD by Prativadibhayanakara Sri Anantacharya, still echoes across millions of homes every dawn.

The makers chose to release Ramya Krishnan's first look poster from the film on a day the actress celebrated her birthday.

Taking to his social media timelines to share Ramya Krishnan's first look poster in the film, actor Manchu Manoj wrote, "One look. The entire frame belongs to her. Happy Birthday to the phenomenal @meramyakrishnan garu! Your presence, your fire, your command over a scene… an absolute privilege to share the screen with you!"

He went on to add, "Celebrating you today by introducing our ferocious KAMALA REDDY to the world, from the world of David Reddy. Just wait till you see her in action. #DavidReddy #KamalaReddy #HBDRamyaKrishnan #RamyaKrishnan #ManojManchu."

For the unaware, the makers of the film have already disclosed that Ukrainian model and actress Maria Riabhoshapka plays a character called Clara Whitmore in the film.

Director Hanuma Reddy, while welcoming Maria Riabhoshapka on board the film earlier this year, had shared her poster on his Instagram page and said, "Her love isn’t soft… it’s ruthless. Welcome to the Brutal Era."

Actor Manchu Manoj, who plays the lead in the film, too had accorded a warm welcome to Maria Riabhoshapka.

Taking to his Instagram page to pen a welcome post, he had said, "The intense world of #DavidReddy welcomes its leading lady - Maria Riabhoshapka on board as Clara Whitmore. Her love is War. Excited to see her bring this character to life with grace, depth, and fire. A grand Pan Indian historical action drama where valor meets destiny, and every character carries the weight of epic storytelling. @maria_riaboshapka #DavidReddy #MariaRyaboshapka."

It may be recalled that Manchu Manoj had announced the title of this film as 'David Reddy' in August last year on the occasion of completing 21 years in the film industry. The actor had disclosed that this film would be a historical action drama.

Taking to his social media timelines to pen a lengthy post to express gratitude to all those who had supported him and enabled him to reach the milestone in his film career, Manchu Manoj had said, "With a heart full of gratitude… Today marks 21 years of my journey in cinema. I feel truly blessed to be still doing what I love. And with the same love and hope, sharing my 21st film titled #DavidReddy."

"A raw, intense, high-octane historical action drama set between 1897 to 1922, brought to life by the visionary Hanuma Reddy Yakkanti garu, and supported by Velvet Soul Motion Pictures. Thank you for standing by me all these years. Humbled and excited for what’s ahead. #MM21 #MM," he had said then.

Manchu Manoj also shared a poster along with the announcement. The poster had the caption, "Born in the Madras Presidency, Raised in Delhi. Now, shaking the British empire. Rebellion begins...". The caption gave the impression that the story of the film would revolve around India's struggle for freedom.

Speaking during the film’s promotions in Mumbai, Meghna was asked whether working on Daayra made her reflect on how differently the law can work in different situations. “It happens every day in life. The law can be interpreted and manipulated and twisted and adhered to. And people do all of it all the time. And that is actually what is the fulcrum of Daayra,” she said.

The film is billed as a socially grounded crime thriller and features Kareena in a complex, morally conflicted role that explores justice, power and systemic grey zones.

“Someone can completely toe the line of the law and stay within its boundaries. And you can also completely manipulate the loopholes in the law and yet stay within its boundaries. Both are possible,” Meghna added. Produced by Vineet Jain under the Junglee Pictures banner, Daayra is scheduled to release in theatres on September 18.

The promo introduces Vikram taking up wedding responsibilities, offering a 100 per cent guarantee for the events he handles. The promo also hints at a darker side to Vikram’s character. When he enters a storeroom to fetch some supplies, two severely injured men are seen inside. Vikram calmly mops up the blood, suggesting that his caretaker persona may not be all there is to him. Urvashi and VTV Ganesh are also seen in a lighter sequence while preparing a meal in the kitchen.

Power House has music by Santhosh Narayanan, cinematography by RD Rajasekar, production design by Gopi Prasanna and costumes and styling by Poornima Ramaswamy. Produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan under the Sathya Jyothi Films banner, the film marks Anand Shankar and Vikram’s second collaboration after Iru Mugan (2016).

The sequel has been titled 'Mookuthi Amman 2 - Maha Sakthi'. Produced by Dr Ishari K Ganesh under Vels Film International, the music is composed by Hiphop Tamizha and cinematography is by Gopi Amarnath. Being made on a budget of Rs 100 crore, the film was launched in March this year. Earlier, producer Ganesh had revealed that Nayanthara has been fasting for a month to take on the role.

The teaser begins with a soldier informing his queen that an impending danger is approaching the prince of the kingdom, who is still a child. The queen, in order to save the prince, sacrifices herself to the deity. What follows is the troops hunting down everyone in search of the child, while Mookuthi Amman, played by Nayanthara, descends to earth. The teaser sets the tone for a devotional thriller set in two timelines.

The makers had earlier confirmed that the sequel will be a standalone film and will not have any relationship to Mookuthi Amman, directed by RJ Balaji and also starring Nayanthara. The RJ Balaji directorial was a satirical take on religion and the fanaticism brought in by religious gurus.

The film stars an ensemble of Regina Cassandra, Kannada actor Duniya Vijay, Singam Puli and Yogi Babu.

Venkat Prabhu on Monday disclosed that shooting for their film had been completed and that post production work had now commenced. Taking to his X timeline to share the update, Venkat Prabhu wrote, "Happy Vinayagar Chaturthi! Filming Completed. Post-Production Commenced. Film Releasing Soon! On this auspicious day, along with Lord Ayyappa's brother, Lord Ganesha, I am proud to reveal the Creators of our Theatrical Feature Film, TAT TWAM ASSI! #TatTwamAssi #FeatureFilm #ReleasingSoon #TantraFilms #HappyVinayagarChaturthi."

For the unaware, director Vishnu Sasi Shankar, who is directing this film, is best known for having made the Malayalam blockbuster 'Malikappuram'. 'Tat Twam Assi', which has been produced by Tantra Films, has triggered huge expectations among audiences ever since its announcement.

The film’s pre-production work began on February 26, and within exactly three months, the team successfully completed all planning and preparations before commencing the shoot recently. At the launch ceremony, director Venkat Prabhu had delivered the inaugural clap, while director Ponram had switched on the camera and conveyed his wishes to the team.

The movie stars Vaibhav and Meenakshi Govindarajan in the lead roles. Apart from the lead pair, the film will also feature actors Aravind Akash, Aadukalam Naren, and several others in pivotal roles. Although the film is centered around the themes of devotion, faith, and spirituality, the film will also feature action and emotional elements.

Sources had told IANS that the screenplay of the film had been penned in such a way that it would appeal to both family audiences and youngsters alike. The film is being produced by JK Saravana and JK Shatesh. On the technical front, music for the film is being composed by Premgi Amaren, while cinematography is being handled by Yuvan Selva. Editing is by Praveen KL, art direction by Surya Rajeevan, and stunt choreography by Sakthi Saravanan. The film has been written by Adithya Tangirala, Nanthakumar Thamichelvan, and Prithivi Adithya.

On the occasion of Vinayakar Chathurthi, the makers released a poster confirming the film's release date.

It may be recalled that Raiza Wilson had disclosed that she had braved blood-sucking leeches, constant mist and rain among other things to shoot for this film.

Raiza, who is best known for her performance in 'Pyaar Prema Kaadhal', while sharing her experience of working on the eagerly awaited film, had said, “The film is structured like a story within a story. I play an important character that appears in the flashback portions."

"The movie combines elements of action, thriller, and science-fiction. I have never acted in a story or role like this before, which is exactly why I was drawn to it," said Raiza Wilson and went on to add that the shoot took place in the forests of Marayoor in Kerala.

"We even filmed inside sandalwood forests, where obtaining permission itself is difficult. There were many challenges-- blood-sucking leeches, constant mist and rain, the intimidating sounds of wild animals, and muddy, slippery paths. Before going there, I thought the shoot would be quite easy. I had no idea it would be so demanding. I have never faced such difficulties in any of my previous films. Despite all this, we completed the shoot on schedule without delays," she had explained.

Stating that director Milo always kept the atmosphere on set energetic and positive, the actress had said because of that, the hardships they faced never felt overwhelming.

"It is remarkable that he chose such a complex story for his very first feature film. It takes a lot of courage. He worked extremely hard and deserves appreciation for it. Since it rained most of the time, I often had to sit on set in wet clothes. The action scenes I performed were filmed there. Stunt master Vimal Rambo gave me specialized training. I had also already undergone fight training for my film 'Mr. X'. So, performing the action scenes in Nova became easier."

Apart from Raiza Wilson, the cast also includes Dhruva of 'Aanmai Thavarael', Adviti Shetty, Bengali actress Krithika Biswas, Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan, and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film is written and directed by Karan Arvind Kumar and has been billed as an “out-and-out commercial entertainer”. The project marks Dhruv’s fourth film  and Mythri’s fourth Tamil production.

Santhosh Narayanan is composing the music, marking his second collaboration with Dhruv after Mahaan. The technical team includes cinematographer Viki, editor J Suriya.

Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar, the film is Mythri Movie Makers’ fourth Tamil production after Good Bad Ugly, Dude and ModhaRathri. Further details about the cast and release are awaited.

While speaking on Sajid Khan and Riteish Deshmukh's chat show 'Yaaron Ki Baraat', Abhishek had shared a hilarious incident with Zeenat Aman, during the shoot of the movie 'Mahaan'.

"She was my first love. We were shooting for 'Mahaan' in Kathmandu. One evening, we were eating together in a restaurant," the 'Dhoom' actor recalled.

After dinner, as Zeenat Aman was about to leave, little Abhishek asked her, "Where are you going?", to which, Zeenat had replied, "I am going to my room".

When Abhishek asked her why she was going to her room, Zeenat said that she was going to sleep.

Hearing this, Abhishek, who was little at the time and was not used to the concept of sleeping alone had asked, "You sleep alone?"

Zeenat Aman said, "Yes, I sleep alone."

Abhishek asked her innocently, "Should I come and sleep with you?"

Speaking about 'Mahaan', the action thriller has been directed by S. Ramanathan.

Backed by Satyanarayana and Suryanarayana, the project saw Amitabh Bachchan in a triple role, along with Waheeda Rehman, Parveen Babi, Ashok Kumar, Amjad Khan, Kader Khan, Aruna Irani, Sujit Kumar and Shakti Kapoor in significant roles, along with others.

Legendary composer R.D. Burman shared the music for 'Mahaan', which was an official remake of the 1978 Kannada film 'Shankar Guru'.

Talking about Zeenat Aman's career trajectory, she made her acting debut in 1970 with 'The Evil Within'. A year later, she stepped into Bollywood with 'Hungama', followed by 'Hulchul'.

However, she rose to fame with 'Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971)', co-starring Dev Anand.

This was followed by some memorable hits such as 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)', 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)', 'Ajanabee (1974)', 'Don (1978)', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978)', 'The Great Gambler (1979)', and 'Qurbani (1980)', to name just a few.

The premiere took place at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre, with Subbaraj joined by Keerthy, Sananth and Rishikanth, as well as producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain. Dorothy marks Subbaraj’s 10th directorial venture and is the first Tamil feature to premiere at TIFF in a decade.

Producer Guneet Monga Kapoor has reflected on the world premiere of Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy at the Toronto International Film Festival, calling the film’s standing ovation a “deeply special” moment.

Taking to Instagram, Guneet shared pictures from the TIFF premiere and wrote, “Seeing Dorothy premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and receive a standing ovation was a deeply special moment for all of us.”

She thanked Karthik Subbaraj for trusting the team with what she described as a “beautiful, deeply human story”, while also expressing gratitude to the cast and crew and Jio Studios and Dhammam Films for being part of the journey.

“Most of all, grateful that Dorothy has found its first audience in Toronto with so much warmth and love,” she added.

The film also marks the first collaboration between Karthik Subbaraj and legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. Subbaraj said having Ilaiyaraaja’s music accompany the film’s journey to TIFF made the occasion particularly special.

The Dorothy team had earlier presented the film’s 18-track soundtrack as a live musical experience in Chennai, with musicians performing the score continuously for around 40 minutes.

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Dorothy is backed by Jio Studios, Sikhya Entertainment and Dhammam Films. The film is scheduled to release worldwide on September 25.

Directed by Girish AD, the film was released on August 21 during the Onam festival. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit features Nivin Pauly in the lead, with Mamita Baiju as the female lead. Suresh Krishna, Srinda, Vinay Forrt, and Sangeeth Prathap, among others play important roles.

Bhavana Studios has produced the film, with Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran backing the project. Vishnu Vijay has composed the music.

The film was released in Tamil and Telugu on September 4.

According to the film’s opening credits, JioHotstar has secured the streaming rights. However, the OTT release date has not yet been announced by the makers.

How much has ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ collected?

According to reports, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has earned over Rs 130 crore in Kerala alone and around Rs 30 crore from its Tamil and Telugu versions.

The film has reportedly surpassed the box-office collections of Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan (2025) and Thudarum (2025) to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film. It has also overtaken Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025) and Vaazha II: Biopic of a Billion Bros (2025), which previously held the record for the highest-grossing films in Kerala.

What is ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ about?

The film follows Ashley (Mamita Baiju), whose homecoming from abroad takes an emotional turn when a wedding next door stirs memories of her first love, Justin (Nivin Pauly).

In our review of the film, we said, “BKU is at its best when it observes people and relationships, but its ensemble of characters and elements keeps interrupting its love story, with the film sometimes feeling too invested in the ensemble at the expense of the central romance.”

The review also noted that the film explores a familiar Kerala social landscape, with Ashley’s family restricting her agency through religion and emotional blackmail, while her eventual migration is also rooted in this social reality. “Flaws notwithstanding, BKU is going to remain in our collective comfort-watch list (up there with OSO, Premalu, Super Sharanya, Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and their ilk),” the review said.

Girish AD is known for directing the hit Premalu (2024), as well as Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019), Super Sharanya (2022) and I Am Kathalan (2024). He had initially been working on the second part of Premalu, but the project was reportedly put on hold as he was not fully satisfied with the story.

The trailer establishes Gaana music as an important part of the film’s identity, exploring how the genre finds its place across generations. “Music is an emotion. How can it be controlled?” asks one of the dialogues, setting the tone for a story that appears to explore the freedom and emotional power of music.

Moving between the past and present, the trailer also establishes Meesaya Murukku 2 as a story of love. It offers glimpses of the three female leads Ketika Sharma, Chaithra J Achar and Ramya Ranganathan.

Alongside its musical and romantic elements, the trailer packs in action, humour and drama. The film also states that its story is based on several true stories.

Hiphop Tamizha, who has directed the film, also serves as its music director and lyricist. The cast includes Hiphop Tamizha, Ketika Sharma, Chaithra J Achar, Ramya Ranganathan, Baba Baskar, Harshath Khan, Nassar and Karunas.

Produced by Khushbu Sundar and ACS Arun Kumar under Avni Movies and Benzz Media Pvt Ltd. Meesaya Murukku 2 is set to hit the screens on September 25.

Taking to her Instagram page to pen the post of gratitude in the wake of the appreciation that was coming in for her performance, actress Mahima wrote, "An experience that I know I will carry with me forever. #mandaadi. Right from the first day of the look test to the very last day when we wrapped the patchwork, every single day felt different. Angel Rakkamma is truly special."

She went on to say, "I still remember calling my people and breaking down after doing certain scenes. The emotional baggage that this character carried felt too heavy on some days, yet somehow, I enjoyed every bit of it."

"Months spent in the same place, in the same house, surrounded by the same people… and after a point, Thondi felt like home, and the people there felt like family. I will always be grateful to @mathimaaran for trusting me with Angel, and for sitting down with me, scene after scene, and patiently working through every emotion," Mahima said even as she thanked actor Soori and producer Elred Kumar for their support.

"A heartfelt thank you to @soorimuthuchamy sir & @elredkumar sir for always being so supportive," the actress said and added, "Thank you to my entire team @pinkyvisal @sapnas_makeover @jeenachandran @jishnugovind1 and to each and every person who gave this film their 200%. Your love, effort and belief made this journey what it was."

Mahima Nambiar concluded her post thanking audiences. She wrote, "And most importantly, thank you to the audience for all the love, appreciation and warmth you are showering on us. Means a lot !!! Muchhhh love. #mandaadi."

The short teaser shows a set of creative montages featuring the romance between Aegan and Sridevi’s characters. Towards the end, Femina George’s character enters a lift with the lead pair inside, wearing a quizzical expression and leaving us waiting to see how the story unfolds.

Haiku marks Kana Kaanum Kaalangal fame Aegan’s third collaboration with Vision Cinema House and the banner’s third film. The production house previously backed Joe (2023), a romantic drama starring Rio Raj, Malavika Manoj and Aegan, and Kozhipannai Chelladurai (2024), a rural drama directed by Seenu Ramasamy and starring Yogi Babu and Aegan.

Sri Devi of Telugu film Court – State vs A Nobody (2025) fame plays his romantic interest. Femina George is well known for her roles in Malayalam films like Minnal Murali (2021) and Sesham Mike-il Fathima (2023).

Technical crew of Haiku

Haiku is produced by Dr D Arulanandhu and Mathewo Arulanandhu under the banner of Vision Cinema House. Hari Haran Ram has contributed additional screenplay.

On the technical front, Priyesh Guruswamy is the cinematographer, while Sakthi Pranesh handles the editing. Siddhu Kumar has composed the music and Prem is the art director.

Haiku is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on October 23, 2026. It has secured post-theatrical digital streaming rights with Netflix even before the completion of its shooting.

Responding to a question posed by a fan on why he had chosen Nivin Pauly to play a pivotal role in the film, Ram said, "Nivin Pauly was the first hero who spoke to me after I'd made my film 'Peranbu'. After watching 'Peranbu', he told me that he wanted us to do a film together."

The director went on to add, "Nivin Pauly had a beard at that time and he looked like Jesus. He had grown his beard for something else and said he was going to cut it. I told him, 'Don't cut it. Let's make this movie and then you can cut it'. So, I did not ask him to grow a beard for my film. I only made use of his grown beard that was already there."

A release date teaser that the makers had released recently has only added to the excitement of fans and film buffs.

The teaser released shows Nivin Pauly (an immortal man) feeding a biscuit to a mother rat in a train. Soori, who is presented as a "good man", is seen lamenting that the biscuits he had bought in Dubai for his son were being fed to a rat.

Nivin Pauly then sets the mother rat down which then makes its way to Soori, who makes no effort to give way to the rat to pass. Eventually, he does give way when Nivin Pauly signals him to.

The teaser then shows Nivin Pauly and Anjali dressed as those in an ancient civilisation. An elephant greets them and makes its way into the jungle as director Ram's voice is heard saying, "Be it a rat or an elephant, be it a tree or grass, everything is life. They are the souls of our ancestors. With their embrace, we arrive on October 1."

A title motion poster that the makers released in 2022 had a tagline that said, "When you fall in love, not just your heart, everything including your body and soul will fly."

For the unaware, one of Tamil cinema's most respected directors, Ram, started work on this film in Rameshwaram's Dhanushkodi in 2021 and completed shooting in April 2022. From then, the film has been awaiting a release date.

The film has visuals by cinematographer Ekhambharam and music by Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Speaking about her role in 'Enna Vilai', Shashaa Shivakumar said, “Manimegalai is a very special character for me as this is the first time I have played a rural girl. I prepared myself for the character even before going to the sets, which helped me understand and approach the role better. It was a completely different experience for me, and I am very happy to have gotten an opportunity like this through 'Enna Vilai'.”

Sharing details of her experience working alongside actors Karunaas and Nimisha Sajayan, who play the lead in the film, the young actress said, “Karunaas sir is a wonderful actor, and Nimisha is extremely talented and hardworking. When you perform alongside actors like them, you automatically turn responsible."

"Director Sajeev sir was always very patient and respectful with everyone on the sets, which made the experience very special. This was also my first time working with a Malayalam team, so it was a very different and enriching experience for me,” she added.

Set against a socially relevant backdrop, 'Enna Vilai' revolves around a man who retrieves coins offered by devotees into the sea near Rameswaram, with his struggle for dignity and survival eventually leading to a significant legal battle.

The film features Karunaas, Nimisha Sajayan, Saasha, Vijayalakshmi Ahathian, Chiththa Darshan, Poornima Bhagyaraj, YG Mahendran, Motta Rajendran, Nizhalgal Ravi, Praveena, Mohan Ram, Chetan Kumar, Kavithalaya Krishnan, Kamalesh, Goli Soda Pandi, JS Kavi, Swaminathan, Deepa Shankar and Kavi Nakkalites among others. Written and directed by Sajeev Pazhoor, Enna Vilai has been produced by Githesh V under the banner of Kalamaya Films. On the technical front, the film has music by Sam CS, cinematography by Alby Antony and editing by Sreejith Sarang. The film is slated to hit screens worldwide on September 17 this year.

Raaj Kamal Films Interational, the production house of actor Kamal Haasan which is producing the film, took to its social media timelines to put out a video clip announcing the completion of the film's second schedule. It wrote, "வீரத்தின் வெற்றிப் பயணத்தில் இரண்டாம் கட்டம் நிறைவு #சேயோன் (The second stage of courage's victorious journey has now been completed #Seyon) #VetrivelVeeravel #Varendi #KamalHaasan #Sivakarthikeyan."

It may be recalled that Sivakarthikeyan had taken a short break in Ooty ahead of the gruelling second schedule in Madurai. The actor had a few days ago posted pictures of himself seated alone on a jeep and enjoying the serenity offered by the mist-surrounded mountains in Ooty.

Posting the pictures on Instagram, he had said, "A pause. A breeze. A little peace." For the unaware, the makers of the film had on June 10 this year announced that the unit had wrapped up the first schedule of shooting. Raaj Kamal Films International, the production house producing the film, had taken to its social media timelines to announce the completion of the first schedule. It wrote, "From passion to progress #Seyon First Schedule Wrapped. #சேயோன் #VetrivelVeeravel #Varendi."

The film officially went on floors in Madurai with a grand pooja ceremony that was graced by several celebrities including actor Kamal Haasan on May 18 this year. Produced by Kamal Haasan's RaajKamal Films International and Turmeric Media, the film features actress Baghyashrii Borse as the female lead. Interestingly, this will be Baghyashrii Borse's first direct Tamil film.

A day before the official launch of the film, director Sivakumar Murugesan had taken to his X timeline to share a video clip showing him and the core crew of the film meeting Kamal Haasan at his office and signing the agreement. The director, sharing the video clip, had said, "Tomorrow, #SEYON Begins Its Journey." Sivakumar Murugesan, in the video clip, was heard saying, "I have longed and wondered if whether I could get an autograph of Kamal sir. But today, Kamal sir has given me an autographed 80-page agreement."

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs ever since the makers released a glimpse video from the film called "The Celebration" earlier this year. The Celebration video showcases an incident that happens on the second day of the Maasi Kalari festival that is held at the Karumaathur Virumaandi Temple.

The incident in question is shown taking place two hours after a major scuffle at the festival. A group of people gather at the local police station, even as the constable explains the situation to the inspector. He informs that a major fight had broken out at the festival even as the inspector begins inspecting those who have gathered at the station. He finds a group of young men with half tonsured heads and asks them what happened. The constable explains that the young men with half tonsured heads behaved in an indecent manner by flashing laser lights at dancers at the festival and making reels out of it. "Therefore, somebody bashed them up and tonsured half their heads," he explains.

The inspector then asks another man from another group as to why he was beaten. He says he was asked what play they were to stage at the festival and he had informed them that he was to stage the devotional "Valli Thirumanam (Valli's wedding to Lord Murugan)" and therefore, he too was bashed up. The reply makes those locked up in prison wonder if the person who bashed up the theatre artiste was an atheist. But then another man clarifies, "He is not an atheist. In fact, he is the one who gets possessed by the divine spirit of Virumaandi."

The cops realise that everybody from the neighbouring villages are there save one and that is the people of Karumathur, who are carrying out the procession. The others try to stop the procession but according to custom, the procession must not be stopped. The procession proceeds and the inspector happens to see Sivakarthikeyan in a possessed state and prays to him... The celebration video gives the impression that the story will be set in Madurai.

The makers also disclosed that the film would release in October this year. The film, which will feature Sakarthikeyan in a power-packed and dynamic new role, will be a grand rural commercial entertainer. The film marks a significant reunion between Sivakarthikeyan and Raaj Kamal Films International.

Their collaboration for this film comes on the heels of the blockbuster success of their earlier film 'Amaran', which garnered both critical acclaim and commercial triumph. Produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran, the film brings together powerful storytelling and a co+mpelling cinematic vision. Adding to the excitement, this project will mark the first-ever collaboration between RaajKamal Films International, Sivakarthikeyan, and acclaimed composer Santhosh Narayanan.

The film has cinematography by Vivek Vijayakumar and editing by San Lokesh. Art direction for the film is by RK Nagu while Keerthy Sampath and Joshua Maxwell are its costume designers.

Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film continues from where Drishyam 2 left off but features a fresh story and an entirely new screenplay.

The trailer, unveiled in Goa, promises another intense battle of wits as Vijay Salgaonkar, played by Ajay Devgn, faces a renewed challenge from the State.

Jaideep Ahlawat joins the franchise as SP Crime Branch Rajveer Singh Tomar, who takes charge of the case and is determined to uncover the truth.

New battle ahead

The Salgaonkar family has managed to keep the truth buried, with Vijay consistently staying ahead of the authorities.

However, Rajveer Singh Tomar's arrival threatens to change the equation. Prakash Raj further raises the stakes, while Tabu, Shriya Saran and Rajat Kapoor reprise their roles.

The trailer hints at old secrets resurfacing, unanswered questions coming back into focus and new forces entering the game, setting the stage for an intense showdown between Vijay and the authorities.

The trailer launch was held in Goa, where the makers recreated the world of the franchise by taking media and influencers through locations associated with the films before unveiling the trailer in Panaji.

Drishyam The Conclusion stars Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj, along with Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav.

Presented by Star Studio18 and produced by Panorama Studios, the film is directed by Abhishek Pathak, who has also written the screenplay along with Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh.

The film is produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak.

Addressing a gathering of international delegates, filmmakers and artists at the concluding ceremony of the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the SKICC along the banks of Dal Lake on Thursday, Abdullah emphasised that the region has far more to offer the film world than its postcard-perfect terrain.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, also attended the event.

"For decades, Kashmir travelled to audiences through the cinema screen. This week, in a sense, the screen came back to Kashmir. I hope the floating cinema remains one of the defining memories of the first film festival of J&K," Abdullah said, highlighting special open-air screenings on Dal Lake of classic films like 'Junglee', 'Aarzoo', 'Kashmir Ki Kali', and 'Kabhi Kabhie'.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir's long relationship with cinema, the CM spoke about the films and the filmmakers who made Kashmir part of the visual memory of generations in India.

"Over the last few evenings, something rather special has happened. Those films and others from that era have returned to Dal Lake. 'Junglee', 'Aarzoo', 'Kashmir Ki Kali', and 'Kabhi Kabhie' have been screened against the very landscape that helped make them memorable," he said.

Abdullah, however, stressed that "nostalgia cannot define our future".

"Our ambition must go beyond being a beautiful filming location. Jammu and Kashmir must increasingly become a place from which stories emerge, talent is discovered, and films are conceived and created," he said.

The four-day festival featured 120 films from more than 30 countries, hosting masterclasses, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions spanning technology, craft, and storytelling.

Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir has far more to offer cinema than landscapes, Abdullah said, "Our stories live in our cities, towns and villages, in our languages, literature, music, craft, history, and everyday life".

"Our landscapes may bring filmmakers here, but our stories, our people, and our professional filmmaking environment can bring them back. We must therefore build a two-way relationship: welcoming filmmakers from India and the world, while creating opportunities for talent from Jammu and Kashmir to find audiences and collaborators beyond these borders," he said.

At the heart of this, he said, must be investment in our young people.

"Their participation in the festival has been especially encouraging. I hope some of these encounters have opened new possibilities," he added.

Abdullah urged the participants to become ambassadors for Jammu and Kashmir.

"You came as our guests; I hope you leave as friends of Jammu and Kashmir and partners in what we are trying to build," he said.

The CM said the festival's long-term success would not be judged by the stars in attendance, or the titles screened this week, but by the careers launched in J&K over the next decade.

"Ten years from now, the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir's success will be measured not by the films screened or the personalities who joined us, but by the careers that began here, the opportunities and collaborations it created, and the stories from Jammu and Kashmir that reached audiences across India and the world," he said.

Inviting industry veterans to return not just to shoot, but to mentor and teach, Abdullah said our mountains and lakes may bring filmmakers here once, but the experience of working here must bring them back again.

"To our visiting filmmakers, actors, and delegates, my invitation is simple: come back to shoot, write, teach, collaborate, and discover more of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Urging young local filmmakers and storytellers to learn the craft, experiment, and begin, Abdullah said they must tell us stories of their neighbourhoods, villages, families, and generation.

"Some of cinema's most powerful voices are intimate and local. What matters is that the voice be authentic and the craft remains strong," he stressed.

The chief minister said the opportunity before us now is for Jammu and Kashmir increasingly to reflect itself through cinema, to tell its own stories, in its own voices, and with confidence, and to share them with audiences across India and the world.

"Government can provide the platform and an enabling environment, but a vibrant film culture must be sustained by the creative community itself. Cinema also brings wider economic opportunities, supporting professionals, local services, artists, craftspeople, and businesses," he said.

Films coming to Jammu and Kashmir should therefore leave behind not only memorable images, but also skills, employment, and stronger local capabilities, Abdullah added.

Taking to its social media timelines, Sun Pictures, the production house that has produced the film, posted a video of producer Kalanithi Maran gifting the cars to the director, hero and music director of the film and wrote, "Mr. Kalanithi Maran congratulated and presented the keys to brand-new BMW cars to Arun Matheswaran, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh, for the success of Blockbuster #DC!"

The film, which emerged a blockbuster, came in for praise from the critics and audiences as well. In fact, Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu had showered praise on 'DC', calling it an "original and outstanding film"

Mahesh Babu had taken to his X timeline to share his thoughts on the superhit Tamil film DC, featuring Lokesh Kanakaraj and Wamiqa Gabbi in the lead. He had said, "#DC… what an original and outstanding film! Just too cool… Loved every bit of it!! Congrats to the entire team…"

A pleasantly surprised Arun Matheswaran had responded to Mahesh Babu's post, saying, "Thank you so much, sir! This truly means a lot to me. Seeing you watch and appreciate #DC is incredibly special. Really grateful for your love and kind words."

For the unaware, Lokesh Kanakaraj played a character called Devadas in the film, while Wamiqa Gabbi played a character called Chandra and actress Sanjana A K played a character called Parvathi.

The film had dialogues by Arun Matheswaran and Franklin Jacob with additional screenplay by Arun Ranjan.

Music for the film was by Anirudh and cinematography was by Mukesh G. Editing for the film was by G K Prasanna and art direction by Kannan S.

It may be recalled that Lokesh Kanakaraj had undergone martial arts training for this film. Lokesh underwent martial arts training in Thailand for this film soon after he had directed Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Coolie', which hit screens worldwide on August 14 last year.

But the film gradually loses its grip in the second half, as the story becomes weighed down by details, messages and weaker action. The film begins with RAW agent Vijay (Karthi) taking up a mission without his superiors’ approval.

During the operation, he discovers a major threat that is set to unfold in 10 days. As he races to prevent the disaster, Vijay learns that his father Sardar (Karthi), whom everyone believed to be dead, is still alive.

The first half is packed with action and interesting details about a Japanese-made bioweapon that landed in India in the 1980s. Yogi (SJ Suryah), known as Black Dagger, the head of an international mercenary outfit, plans to detonate it decades later.

Just as things seem to be heading toward disaster, Sardar makes his entry, adding to the mystery and raising expectations for the rest of the film.

Synopsis:

Sardar 2 follows RAW agent Vijay, who uncovers a deadly bioweapon threat and races against time to stop it from being detonated.

His mission takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that his father, Sardar, presumed dead, is still alive.

Cast: Karthi, Malavika Mohanan, SJ Suryah, Yogi Babu, Nizhalgal Ravi

Rating: 2.5/5

Director PS Mithran, who addressed excessive plastic bottle usage in Sardar, attempts to highlight the overuse of antibiotics in the sequel.

But the message does not blend naturally with the story. A lengthy sequence involving SJ Suryah, Yogi Babu and Nizhalgal Ravi, seemingly added for comic relief, also fails to work as either humour or part of the narrative.

The film is more effective when it explores the emotional trauma of a RAW agent following a mission gone wrong. The attention given to Vijay’s psychological state adds depth to his journey.

Unfortunately, the same care does not extend to the film’s larger story. Several plot points introduced in the first half are rushed through or lack a satisfying payoff.

The action sequences and elaborate sets that make an impact early on are also largely missing in the second half. The train sequence and climax, in particular, feel underwhelming and fail to deliver the scale expected from a film of this size.

Among the ensemble cast, Malavika Mohanan stands out as a RAW agent, handling both action and emotional scenes well.

Aashika Ranganath, Rajisha Vijayan, Yogi Babu, Nizhalgal Ravi, Chinni Jayanth and Ashish Vidyarthi are also part of the cast, but most of their characters fail to leave a lasting impression.

Sam CS’s music and background score help maintain some momentum, while George C Williams’ cinematography stands out, particularly in differentiating the flashback portions from the present-day sequences. Vijay Velukutty’s editing also helps hold the two timelines together.

Sardar 2 has enough in its first half to suggest a gripping spy thriller, but it does not deliver on that promise. The draggy second half, weaker action and rushed resolution ultimately let down an otherwise promising premise.

The film is being made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil and is positioned as a quirky middle-class entertainer blending humour and emotion.

Written and directed by Tej Uppalapati, the film has now added an interesting twist with Ravi Mohan’s casting. 

The makers made the announcement on Ravi Mohan’s birthday, revealing that the actor will be seen in the special role of Lord Govinda.

The announcement poster features Lord Venkateswara’s hand holding a human hand, hinting at the divine element surrounding his character. 

According to the makers, Ravi Mohan’s character represents Lord Govinda, who resides in every heart.  Vaddi Kaasula Vaada stars Manchu Manoj and is written and directed by Tej Uppalapati.

The film is produced by Ramabrahmam Sunkara under AK Entertainments, with Kishore Garikipati, Ajay Sunkara and Daya Pannem as co-producers. 

His life takes an unexpected turn when Maari (Mithun Jai Sankar), the son of Ravindra Vijay’s character, lands in trouble after attacking Saattapuli’s (Suhas) son.

Sent to Chennai under Muthukaali’s care, Maari brings him face to face with the rivalries and wounds he had left behind. As tensions between the two sides grow, Muthukaali is pulled back into the world of boat racing, where old rivalries, relationships and unresolved guilt come to the surface.

Director Mathimaran Pugazhendhi creates a convincing coastal world, especially in the way he presents the fishermen, their communities and the boat-racing culture. The first half is the film’s biggest strength.

It moves at a good pace and keeps the audience curious about what comes next.

The boat-training sequences and races are among the best portions, with SR Kathir’s cinematography capturing the scale of the sea and the races beautifully. The boat sequences feel authentic, although some of the fight scenes become too cinematic and effects-heavy.

Soori delivers a strong performance as Muthukaali, particularly in the scenes where he trains the youngsters and deals with the guilt and gratitude connected to Angel Rakkamma’s past.

The physically demanding portions and boat sequences also add weight to his performance. There has been talk of this being his career-best, but it is better described as one of his strongest performances rather than his definitive best.

Mahima Nambiar is a pleasant surprise. As Angel Rakkamma, she plays a slightly older character and a mother to a son in his 20s, bringing a maturity that suits the role. Her emotional scenes, especially those involving Muthukaali, work well, making this one of her more interesting performances.

Suhas makes his Tamil debut as the antagonist Saattapuli and brings a strong screen presence to the role, although his voice does not quite suit the character.

Mithun Jai Sankar fits well as the impulsive and aggressive Maari, whose actions pull Muthukaali back into the conflict. His action sequences with Soori are also appreciable. Bala Saravanan’s comic timing works well in the lighter moments.

The second half belongs largely to Sathyaraj, who plays Mahima’s father and the man who taught both Muthukaali and Saattapuli the sport. His subtle emotional scenes, especially those with Soori, add depth to the film. The flashback revealing Muthukaali and Angel Rakkamma’s past is effective, although it could have been explored further.

GV Prakash Kumar’s energetic score suits the film’s sporty mood, while the rooted setting and community-driven storytelling occasionally carry shades of Vetrimaaran’s cinematic world.

The second half becomes predictable at times, with a few overly cinematic moments, particularly in the pre-climax, clearly designed to elevate Soori’s heroism.

Still, SR Kathir’s visuals, Pradeep E Ragav’s editing and GV Prakash Kumar’s fast-paced score keep the film engaging.

Mandaadi works best when it stays close to the sea, its people and its sport.

The film would have been stronger if its fight sequences had retained the rawness of the boat-racing portions. Overall, it is a good watch, especially on the big screen.

The 32-year-old actress opened up about the biopic, which she was set to headline as Madonna.

"I think the movie has to get made," Garner said. "But we'll see..." The project has had a long and complicated journey. Universal Pictures stopped developing Madonna's planned biopic in 2023, after the film went through multiple drafts, including scripts by Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson. Madonna had also been attached to direct the project.

Madonna later explained that bringing her life story to the screen on the scale she envisioned required a substantial budget.

"I've had an extraordinary life. I've had a huge life, so I needed a big budget. You know what I mean?" Madonna told interview in June 2026.

"I was supposed to make a movie about my life. I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting," she added.

Garner's association with the project dates back to 2022, when she was reported to be Madonna's top choice to portray the pop icon. The actress had already begun extensive preparation for the role when, in January 2023, reports emerged that Universal was no longer developing the film.

Despite the setback, Garner's relationship with Madonna continued. In December 2023, the 'Weapons' star joined Madonna onstage during a tour stop in Brooklyn.

In July 2025, Garner offered another indication that the project might still have a future when she said on the 'SmartLess' podcast that the movie was "supposed to still happen."

Madonna also later teased a script under the working title 'Who's That Girl', referencing her 1987 film and its hit title track.

While the biopic remains in limbo, Garner and Madonna recently found another opportunity to collaborate. The two appeared together in an episode of the second season of "The Studio', with Garner playing a fictionalised version of herself alongside Madonna.

Garner described the experience of working with Madonna as unforgettable.

"It was beyond! I always say it's fine with the Italian queen!" Garner said in an interview. "It was incredible. I've never had an experience like that. Food's terrible, by the way. I had some of the worst Italian food in my life. But Venice is incredible," as per the outlet.

The two also shared photos from their time together on Instagram, continuing their friendship away from the set.

Garner, who is now in casual contact with Madonna through text messages, also praised the singer's personality.

"She's one of the funniest people I've ever met. Like, actually. And people don't know that," Garner said, according to People.

Meanwhile, Garner is set to star in and executive produce the upcoming Apple TV+ true-crime series adaptation 'Guilty Creatures', based on the book by Mikita Brottman. She will also co-star opposite Charlize Theron in the upcoming film 'Tyrant', according to People.

Director Jude Anthany Joseph, who is to direct the film #L370, took to his social media timelines to share an alert on fake audition calls.

He wrote, "Please be aware of fake audition posters, messages, or calls circulating in the name of L370. We have not authorised or announced any auditions or casting requirements for L370 at this time. Please do not share personal information, documents, or make any payments in response to such calls or posts. For any official casting announcements, please rely only on our verified and authorised

communication channels. Please stay alert and beware of fraud."

It may be recalled that only a couple of days ago, actor Mohanlal had expressed delight at the fact that he was teaming up with well known producer Ashiq Usman for a second time for his upcoming film #L370.

Taking to his X timeline to express his delight, Mohanlal had said, "Thrilled to team up with Ashiq Usman once again, this time under the direction of Jude Anthany Joseph for #L370."

Ashiq Usman's production house, Ashiq Usman Productions, too had expressed excitement at teaming up with Mohanlal for a second film. It wrote, "Proud and thrilled to announce our next production, L370. Featuring the one and only Lalettan, the legendary actor who continues to inspire generations."

"Another special journey, another unforgettable collaboration with a true icon.

Directed by @judeanthanyjoseph L370, the journey begins. #L370 #Lalettan #Mohanlal#JudeAnthanyJoseph#ashiqusman."

Interestingly, Jude Anthany Joseph's last film was 'Thudakkam', which marked the acting debut of Mohanlal's daughter Vismaya Mohanlal. In fact, 'Thudakkam', which has released and is having a fantastic run, has just completed 35 days in theatres.

Mohanlal had taken to his X timeline to share the happy news. He wrote, "Celebrating 35 glorious days and the incredible people who made #Thudakkam possible. This journey is ours. This love is yours."

It may be recalled that producer Ashiq Usman had only recently announced that shooting for 'Athimanoharam', his first film with Mohanlal, had been wrapped up. In fact, a week ago, Ashiq Usman had announced that shooting had been wrapped up and that dubbing was now going on. The film, which features Meera Jasmine as the female lead, has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs.

For the unaware, 'Athimanoharam', which was initially being referred to as #L366 and which has been directed by Tharun Moorthy, has Mohanlal playing a policeman called T S Lovelajan in it.

Although very little is known about the upcoming film #L370, sources in the industry suggest that the film will be a colourful entertainer.

He says he only realised it when the wishes started coming in.

He marked the occasion at a press meet in the city, where he met the media and cut a cake with them. “I have never counted my films. I only remember my first film. I didn’t even know what my 35th or 50th film was,” he said during the interaction.

More than half of his projects, he explained, have been background score assignments rather than full-fledged albums.

Films such as Kaithi and Vanangaan are examples of this. “Only when people started wishing me for my 100th film did I realise it. I felt really happy about it,” he added.

Sam has built his career by working with several debut directors, many of whom came with fresh and unconventional ideas.

Not every experiment worked, but each project taught him something. “Nothing can teach you more than failure,” he said, quoting one of his favourite sayings.

He believes those failures have shaped him as a musician, but they have never taken away from his love for creating music.

Even after 100 films, Sam has no plans to slow down. “It’s not going to stop here. I’m going to continue working. It’s not about the count. I do music because I love it,” Sam told us.

That is also evident in his daily routine. Sam has a studio at home and spends most of his waking hours working on music.

For him, the number 100 is a milestone, but the music continues.

In a lengthy note shared on X, Vishnu said he first experienced signs of depression and anxiety in 2018, after his personal life took a setback following the success of Ratsasan. He said that while he initially believed focusing more on his career would help, the uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic further intensified his anxiety.

The actor also spoke about facing what he described as “false promises” from producers and directors, saying that he sometimes extended his dates for projects and spent months without work while honouring his commitments, without receiving payment for his originally committed dates. Balancing these professional challenges with the finances of his production house added to his stress, he said.

Vishnu revealed that he has attended multiple counselling sessions over the years and has been regular with therapy and also said he has taken medication for anxiety and depression on a few occasions under professional guidance.

Reflecting on his career, which began with cricket at the age of 13, Vishnu said he had always wanted to be successful and have his work noticed and appreciated. However, he acknowledged that while chasing the “BIG PICTURE”, he had missed several small moments in life.

“The next big success is not going to fix anything forever,” he wrote.

Vishnu, who recently saw the success of Gatta Kusthi 2, said that despite achieving milestones, he realised that “nothing has changed” internally. He also spoke about the pressures of arranging funds, working within budgets, selling films and managing his production responsibilities.

The actor, who is married and has two children, said that he sometimes still wonders whether he should leave cinema and lead a simpler life. However, he concluded that the answer is not necessarily to quit, but to stop postponing life until everything becomes perfect.

Urging people not to sacrifice everyday happiness for an imagined future, Vishnu encouraged readers to spend time with their families, take care of their health, travel, celebrate small victories and cherish ordinary days.

Addressing those struggling with anxiety or depression, he added that it is okay not to have everything figured out and encouraged people to seek help, talk to someone or consider therapy.

“Never give up. And don’t forget to LIVE,” he concluded.

The makers unveiled the title teaser and first glimpse of Scene, introducing Suriya’s character as DSP Inbaraj.

The glimpse offers a peek into the film’s world while keeping the story under wraps.

Written and directed by Jithu Madhavan, the film also brings together Suriya with Malayalam actors Nazriya Nazim, Naslen, Anandraj, Lal and Raj Priyan in prominent roles. 

Sushin Shyam has composed the music for the film, marking his Tamil debut as a composer. He previously collaborated with Jithu Madhavan on Aavesham. 

Scene marks Suriya’s first collaboration with Jithu Madhavan, who is making his Tamil directorial debut after the Malayalam films Romancham and Aavesham.

The film is produced by Jyotika and Suriya under 2D Entertainment, in association with Zhagaram Studios, and is scheduled to release in theatres on November 6.

The film is backed bySuriya's 2D Entertainment and Zhagaram Studios, with Jyotika also serving as a producer. 

Taking to his Instagram page to pen a lengthy post on the new film, in which she plays the female lead, actress Priyanka Arul Mohan wrote, "Some films come with a feeling that stays with you, even before you begin! Turning every page of Manjanathi felt like getting closer to a world filled with so much soul and emotion."

Priyanka further went on to say, "I’m excited to be a part of this beautiful journey with @mariselvaraj84 sir. I’m truly looking forward to stepping into your world , and joining you on this journey. And to have the legendary @ilaiyaraaja_offl sir’s music breathe life into our story makes this journey even more special. Can’t wait to begin this magical journey and bring Manjanathi to you all. #Manjanathi."

It may be recalled that actor Kathir, who plays the male lead in the film, had penned an emotional post about the film as well. Actor Kathir, whose work in director Mari Selvaraj's cult classic 'Pariyaerum Perumal' had come in for much appreciation, had disclosed that 'Manjanathi' had made him think about the fact that love doesn't look or feel the same to everyone in a way that he hadn't thought before.

The film, which only recently went on the floors, has music by Ilaiyaraaja. Apart from Kathir and Priyanka Mohan, the film will also feature actors Kayadu Lohar, Poornima Ravi, Vidhu, Kaaka Muttai Vignesh and Rahul (of 'Vaazhai' fame) in pivotal roles.

Cinematography for the film will be by Ezhil Arasu while editing will be by Selva R K. Art direction for the film is by Ramu Thangaraj. Stunts in the film are to be choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan while dances in the film are to be choreographed by Sandy Master.

Taking to his Instagram page to pen a lengthy post on the new film, in which he plays the lead, Kathir wrote, "Love doesn’t look or feel the same to everyone. And #Manjanathi made me think about that in a way I hadn’t before. The first narration gave me a completely different perspective on love. I walked out with so many thoughts, and all I wanted to know was how this story would finally turn out."

Kathir went on to say that when he read the final version, it made him go silent.

"When I read the final version, it left me silent. It made me question who we are in this story… and how much of ourselves we might see in these characters. It opened up so much to explore, understand and discuss."

Admitting that he was both nervous and excited about the new film, Kathir said, "I’m honestly nervous about where we start this journey, but excited to put my heart into this one. This is nothing like we’ve done before, and I can’t wait to bring this guy’s world to the screen and make you feel what he feels."

He then went on to thank the director for trusting him to bring the character to life on screen. He said, "Thank you, mari na, for trusting me with this. And to everyone who kept asking when we would work together again. I truly hope every reunion of ours becomes an important film for all of us. Much love, @mariselvaraj84 Here we go again!!! #Manjanathi."

The film, which only recently went on the floors, has music by Ilaiyaraaja. Apart from Kathir, the film will feature actors Priyanka Mohan, Kayadu Lohar, Poornima Ravi, Vidhu, Kaaka Muttai Vignesh and Rahul (of 'Vaazhai' fame) in pivotal roles.

Cinematography for the film will be by Ezhil Arasu while editing will be by Selva R K. Art direction for the film is by Ramu Thangaraj. Stunts in the film are to be choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan while dances in the film are to be choreographed by Sandy Master.

Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray asked why such events can not take place in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and the capitals of other states in the country.

"They are trying to build a wall between Gujarat and the rest of the country. Answers must be sought from them (BJP) as to why they are doing this," he said.

Sanjay Raut asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi was of Gujarat alone.

"I will not say that you hold the event in Maharashtra, Lucknow, Kolkata. This is a national programme, so people will expect this to happen in the national capital. Is this a Vibrant Gujarat event? The people whose brainchild this idea was are 'dimagi Naxals'," Raut said.

The venue was being shifted ahead of the Gujarat polls, he claimed, adding that the government was degrading the importance of the national capital and a national award.

"Artists should not go to Gujarat. Any artist proud of their country will refuse the award," Raut said.

The National Film Awards ceremony will move out of Delhi to Kevadia in Gujarat with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours on September 22, officials said on Monday.

Kevadia, which has been renamed Ekta Nagar, is home to the world's tallest statue -- that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Statue of Unity, as it is named, stands at 597 feet and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

The first National Awards in 1954 were held in Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. It has hosted most of the award ceremonies since.

The 72nd edition of the awards, announced in July, will be a departure from the tradition, though there have been instances when the ceremony was held outside Delhi. The 17th National Film Awards were held in Chennai in 1971.

Written and directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, Baththaa marks his third collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi after Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Seethakaathi. The film also stars Lijomol Jose and has cinematography by Selva Kumar SK.

Presented by Atlee, the film is produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee, Alok Jain and Ajit Andhare, along with the production team under A For Apple Studios and Cine1 Studios. Baththaa is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on October 1.