Ilaiyaraaja v/s Dude : OTT Release Delayed / Pressure Tatics ?

The copyright case filed by Ilaiyaraaja against Mythiri Movie Makers the Producer of Sude will delay the release on OTT. Good Bad and Ugly which hot released on NetFlix was removed through a court order over Ilaiyaraaja copyright case. While the theatrical run continues to flourish, Netflix has acquired the OTT rights for Dude, reportedly securing the film for around Rs 20 crore. According to TOI report, the platform is expected to release the movie on November 14, potentially offering it in multiple languages beyond the Tamil and Telugu versions that premiered in theatres. From my sources, Director Adhik and keertherswaran approached Illayraja legal team to give NOC for months and Illayaraja team kept delaying the NOC . Makers already agreed to give royalty to owner of song which is legally music labels which owned the audio rights. Generally music lables gives royalty to authors of the song ie Music director and Lyricists and finally post 2012 even singers of song got the status of author. Law also made it clear it is duty of owner of song to share the royalties of the song to authors if the song is used by someone for commercial purpose. So process is producers approach music label for song usage for commercial basis. They negotiate a price and agree on terms. Music label then pay royalties to author of songs as per legal terms . Producers no way are obligated to take permissions or get NOC from author. However Illayaraja legal team claims they never signed any legal terms to music label. About reuse of their song in any format… Back then (When these songs were made ) no such legal clauses existed which is grey area. AR Rahman from 1990s was first to include this clause legally . It is only then other music directors including Illayaraja started including the same clause. ________________________________________ So Producers are not obligated to ask Illayaraja an NOC or pay him royalty directly Illayaraja legal counsel are playing with one grey area.. If you observe all legal cases of Illayaraja copyright claims happen in Madras Highcourt where Judge out of respect to illayaraja gives injunction leaving Illayaraja and Producers to settle off the court. Ut all started with Manjummel Boys. They settled outside court. Mythri was different Mythri decided to not settle. They made money all they wanted already so they decided to fight out. GBU case was not setback where they lost . Court just gave interjection asking movie to be be stalled in OTT unless Illayaraja gives NOC. They are fighting it out to put an end of blackmailing technique of Illayaraja . Mythri is challenging them in different way. And Dude is actually building their case. The copyright case filed by Ilaiyaraaja against Mythiri Movie Makers the Producer of Sude will delay the release on OTT. Good Bad and Ugly which hot released on NetFlix was removed through a court order over Ilaiyaraaja copyright case. While the theatrical run continues to flourish, Netflix has acquired the OTT rights for Dude, reportedly securing the film for around Rs 20 crore. According to TOI report, the platform is expected to release the movie on November 14, potentially offering it in multiple languages beyond the Tamil and Telugu versions that premiered in theatres. From my sources, Director Adhik and keertherswaran approached Illayraja legal team to give NOC for months and Illayaraja team kept delaying the NOC . Makers already agreed to give royalty to owner of song which is legally music labels which owned the audio rights. Generally music lables gives royalty to authors of the song ie Music director and Lyricists and finally post 2012 even singers of song got the status of author. Law also made it clear it is duty of owner of song to share the royalties of the song to authors if the song is used by someone for commercial purpose. So process is producers approach music label for song usage for commercial basis. They negotiate a price and agree on terms. Music label then pay royalties to author of songs as per legal terms . Producers no way are obligated to take permissions or get NOC from author. However Illayaraja legal team claims they never signed any legal terms to music label. About reuse of their song in any format… Back then (When these songs were made ) no such legal clauses existed which is grey area. AR Rahman from 1990s was first to include this clause legally . It is only then other music directors including Illayaraja started including the same clause. ________________________________________ So Producers are not obligated to ask Illayaraja an NOC or pay him royalty directly Illayaraja legal counsel are playing with one grey area.. If you observe all legal cases of Illayaraja copyright claims happen in Madras Highcourt where Judge out of respect to illayaraja gives injunction leaving Illayaraja and Producers to settle off the court. Ut all started with Manjummel Boys. They settled outside court. Mythri was different Mythri decided to not settle. They made money all they wanted already so they decided to fight out. GBU case was not setback where they lost . Court just gave interjection asking movie to be be stalled in OTT unless Illayaraja gives NOC. They are fighting it out to put an end of blackmailing technique of Illayaraja . Mythri is challenging them in different way. And Dude is actually building their case. The copyright case filed by Ilaiyaraaja against Mythiri Movie Makers the Producer of Sude will delay the release on OTT. Good Bad and Ugly which hot released on NetFlix was removed through a court order over Ilaiyaraaja copyright case. While the theatrical run continues to flourish, Netflix has acquired the OTT rights for Dude, reportedly securing the film for around Rs 20 crore. According to TOI report, the platform is expected to release the movie on November 14, potentially offering it in multiple languages beyond the Tamil and Telugu versions that premiered in theatres. From my sources, Director Adhik and keertherswaran approached Illayraja legal team to give NOC for months and Illayaraja team kept delaying the NOC . Makers already agreed to give royalty to owner of song which is legally music labels which owned the audio rights. Generally music lables gives royalty to authors of the song ie Music director and Lyricists and finally post 2012 even singers of song got the status of author. Law also made it clear it is duty of owner of song to share the royalties of the song to authors if the song is used by someone for commercial purpose. So process is producers approach music label for song usage for commercial basis. They negotiate a price and agree on terms. Music label then pay royalties to author of songs as per legal terms . Producers no way are obligated to take permissions or get NOC from author. However Illayaraja legal team claims they never signed any legal terms to music label. About reuse of their song in any format… Back then (When these songs were made ) no such legal clauses existed which is grey area. AR Rahman from 1990s was first to include this clause legally . It is only then other music directors including Illayaraja started including the same clause.

________________________________________ So Producers are not obligated to ask Illayaraja an NOC or pay him royalty directly Illayaraja legal counsel are playing with one grey area.. If you observe all legal cases of Illayaraja copyright claims happen in Madras Highcourt where Judge out of respect to illayaraja gives injunction leaving Illayaraja and Producers to settle off the court. Ut all started with Manjummel Boys. They settled outside court. Mythri was different Mythri decided to not settle. They made money all they wanted already so they decided to fight out. GBU case was not setback where they lost . Court just gave interjection asking movie to be be stalled in OTT unless Illayaraja gives NOC. They are fighting it out to put an end of blackmailing technique of Illayaraja . Mythri is challenging them in different way. And Dude is actually building their case. The heart of the issue Unlike A.R. Rahman, who explicitly included clauses to retain copyright in his early contracts, Ilayaraja often did not have such provisions in his agreements with producers between the 1970s and 1990s. As a result, film producers and music companies like Echo Recording and Sony Music claim that they acquired the copyright to these songs. Ilayaraja maintains that he has always retained the copyright, and any agreements with producers only constituted a license for a specific use, such as for audio cassettes. He has consistently fought to defend his creative ownership and ensure that his economic and moral rights as the original composer are protected. The outcome of these ongoing legal battles will significantly impact the rights and royalties of music composers in the Indian film industry. Case against Dude movie makers: In October 2025, Ilayaraja sued the makers of the Tamil film Dude for using two of his songs, "Karutha Machan" from Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991), without permission. The Madras High Court permitted Ilayaraja to proceed with the legal action against Mythri Movie Makers, Sony Music, and other involved parties.

Lokesh set for Hero Launch / Bison set to overtake Dude / Tamannah in Sundar C

Lokesh has finally decided to go ahead with his launch as heroo and put all other projects with Rajinikanth solo and with Rajini and Kamal in the back burner. Read ON. The Tamil Star Director Lokesh Kanagaraj was all set to debut as a hero in Captain Miller fame Arun Matheswaran’s directorial, and despite the disappointing result of Coolie, he is not stopping acting. Besides Coolie, Lokesh also announced the most-awaited Kaithi 2 and a film with Aamir Khan. However, the bad result of Coolie brought a lot of changes in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s lineup, and it is said that he desperately wants to work with Rajinikanth immediately and wants to deliver a huge blockbuster. He is said to have three scripts ready for the film, and there was also another buzz that Lokesh Kanagaraj might hold his acting debut movie. But the latest news is that the Kaithi director is turning into a hero as per the plan. Arun Matheshwaran and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film’s Pooja ceremony is happening today, which is said to be a gangster film. Lokesh also went through some extensive training for this film, and he will work in parallel as the lead hero, and on the other side, he will prepare the scripts for his next project.

We had reported that Bison is a long term hit and box office is moving towards it in Tamil Nadu. Read; https://dhakshinscreen.blogspot.com/2025/10/bison-long-term-hit-keerthy-in-balagam.html . For 5 days, Dude collected 40 Cr gross in Tamil Nadu, whereas Bison collected 26 Cr gross in Tamil Nadu, and Pradeep Ranganathan’s film has had a good lead till now. But on the 6th day, Bison performed neck-to-neck with Dude, and both films’ gross will be almost the same. This trend indicates that there is a chance of Bison taking the lead over Dude in the coming days if it continues its solid run at the theaters. Now, we need to wait and see whether Dude picks up during the coming weekend and takes the lead again, or Bison takes the lead and matches the Dude’s overall numbers in TN in the full run. The film is expected to gross more than 50 Cr in TN alone at the current trend. Dhruv Vikram finally scores a much-awaited blockbuster, and Mari Selvaraj continues his successful journey

Director Sundar C is currently wrapping up the shoot of Mookuthi Amman 2, starring Nayanthara. While the filming is nearly complete, the movie involves heavy VFX work, so post-production is expected to take some time. Meanwhile, Sundar C is preparing to begin his next project, bringing together Vishal and Tamannaah once again. The director had earlier worked with the duo in the 2019 film Action. This upcoming movie is said to be a full-fledged commercial entertainer filled with comedy, action, and emotional moments. Actress Kayadu Lohar, who is gaining popularity, is also said to play another female lead in the film. According to reports, the promo shoot has already been completed, and the main shoot is likely to begin in November 2025. Both Mookuthi Amman 2 and the new film with Vishal are planned for theatrical release in 2026. Fans can look forward to two exciting projects from Sundar C in the coming year.

Realistic Budget- Equal Theatres : Tamil Diwali Safe

Diwali box office for Tamil films has brought cheer as three films that did not have Superstars but gave all concerned profits. Major reason being that the three films got equal share of screens. This level playing field as well as the second factor being that the budget of each film was realistic enough ( Rs 20 crores to Rs 60 crores) to make it possible to get a profit. The profit mark was attainable as the films got a six day holiday to recover the costs. On expected lines, Dude the third outing by Pradeep Ranganathan is number one. This film is a hit in Telugu markets as well. Bison struggled at the opening but showed steady climb and stayed put. Diesel of Harish Kalyan too put in a god account with Rs 2 crore in the weekAccording to the latest update from the makers of Dude, the movie collected Rs. 95 crores gross globally in five days and is all set to cross the Rs. 100 crore mark by today. Pradeep Ranganathan is poised to create a sensation by achieving back-to-back Rs. 100 crore grossers just in the beginning days of his career. Dude’s collections once again prove that Pradeep has emerged as a massive crowd puller not just in Tamil but also in Telugu. The movie also stars Sarathkumar, Hridhu Haroon, Rohini, and Aishwarya Sharma in key roles. Sai Abyankkar composed the tunes. The movie performed strongly at both the domestic and North American box offices. By the end of Tuesday in North America, it earned around $46K from 204 locations, pushing the total gross past $575K. Dude is on the verge of crossing the Rs. 100 crore mark, making it Pradeep Ranganathan’s third consecutive film to achieve this milestone. At the end of its fifth day in theatres, the film Bison had earned over Rs 22 crore in India. While it had a slow start with Rs 2.7 crore, the film quickly veered past hurdles to catch up in the race, collecting over Rs 5 crore each on Monday and Tuesday, thanks to positive word-of-mouth reviews and critical ratings for the filmmaker's portrayal of caste issues in sports and throwing light on the life of a kabaddi player who rises past these struggles. The film Telugu version os releasing on October 24th. Diesel, on the other hand, had the quietest start of the three. The film recorded an India net of ₹1.01 crore and a worldwide total of ₹1.15 crore, with no overseas earnings reported. Despite limited buzz and smaller screens, Diesel did find some attention for its action moments and music. However, the competition from larger festive releases has overshadowed its box-office performance. While Bison and Diesel have earned their share of appreciation, they are unlikely to challenge Dude’s commanding box-office run. For now, the festive crown firmly rests with Pradeep Ranganathan’s energetic crowd-pleaser — a clear Diwali winner both in numbers and audience love.

Coolie- Leo in BOOK MY SHOW TOPPERS/

Let’s check the list of those titles on BOOK MY SHOW that managed to sell the maximum tickets before release. 1) Pushpa 2: The Rule Allu Arjun’s action-drama created hype due to the popularity of the first film. The trailer and scale hinted towards an entertaining ride. Ticket prices were undoubtedly very high. But people did not opt to compromise as they had to enjoy for three hours, with 12.55 million tickets being sold for a week in advance. 2) Kalki 2898 AD Prabhas is a superstar who creates records. With Saaho and Radhe Shyam emerging as flops, and Adipurush being criticized for mocking Ramayana, expectations were very low. However, 8.47 million tickets were sold out as the glimpses were enough to make everyone excited. 3) Kantara: Chapter 1 The intense transformation of Rishab Shetty in the climax of the first film grabbed a lot of attention. Audiences ensured not to miss the prequel, with the Hindi market breaking records in terms of collections. The booking proved everything, where 8.21 million tickets sold in a brief period. 4) Jawan Fans were ready to see a new side of Shah Rukh Khan. The songs became a chartbuster, and the superstar’s massy presentation pulled everyone to the theatres. The excitement was bigger than Pathaan, and 7.65 million tickets were purchased. 5) Jailer Nelson shifted to a different subject after the audience did not like Beast. A big superstar like Rajinikanth was on screen. Additional hype was created with Kaavaalaa trending everywhere. As usual, Rajni fans could not stop themselves, with 6.61 million tickets sold. 6) Animal Ranbir Kapoor moved to a dark character. He was completely different, but intense and violent. People decided to go inside the auditoriums to believe what they were hearing about RK. 6.43 million tickets were purchased before release, and the shows were packed, contributing to a strong run. 7) Leo Lokesh Kanagaraj became a kind of brand with Vikram. This time, he brought Thalapathy Vijay for a new subject. Fans did not care about the mixed response and simply ran to get their seats, with 6.06 million tickets sold in advance, leading to huge collections in the end. 8) Stree 2 The popular characters returned. Their looks did not change. The crew members also remained the same. The only difference was the item song, which was new. The creation of a horror-comedy universe impressed the audience, and the Independence Day release helped a lot, selling 5.81 million tickets in advance. 9) Salaar Prashanth Neel’s world-building process is very unique. He does not go overboard anywhere and simply creates characters, presenting his actors in a different form. This time, the story of Khansaar and everyone living inside it attracted the audience, contributing to a sale of 5.59 million tickets. 10) Chhaava Vicky Kaushal’s intense appearance in the first teaser was sufficient to leave a positive impression. People were confident that the actor won’t disappoint them as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj this time, and they booked their seats, leading to advance sales of 5.44 million tickets. Very few films for this year created similar records. New franchise entries like War 2 and Housefull 5 also failed to pull audiences. Thamma is the next big release for this month, and more titles are on the way. Let’s see which film will take a spot in the above-mentioned list during the upcoming months.

Mammootty London shoot. /DQ Kaanta / Fa Fa--Nazriya- Suriya, Rajini Jailer 2 action/ Atlee- Ranveer

Mammootty continues to stun his fans. Latest video from London shows Mega Star at his stylish best. Mammootty comes to spot in a Red Land Rover and his swag and slow walk brings back the Stly Icon back. Don Dulquar film Kaanta in which he has acted and produced along with Rana has officially got a release Date; November 14th. The movie is a tribute to golden era of Indian films, 1960’s and talks about the ego clashes between a star and a director.

Dulquer Salmaan has called it his passion project and the glimpses of his performance in teaser and trailer have created good anticipation for the film. Recently, DQ as a producer delivered a remarkable blockbuster like Lokha aka Kotha Lokah Chapter 1 and Kaantha looks another great film from him.

According to 123Telugu, Malayalam star couple Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim (30) have been roped in to play pivotal roles in the drama. Role details More about the film While the official announcement is still awaited, reports suggest that Faasil will be seen as the antagonist, while Nazim will play the leading lady. The film will feature Suriya as a powerful police officer. The project is being produced by Suriya under his newly launched production house. It is set to release next year. Suriya is currently busy with 'Karuppu' Suriya was last seen in Retro, which received mixed reviews and is now streaming on Netflix. Up next, he will star in Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji and also featuring Trisha, Natty Subramaniam, Indrans, and Yogi Babu. Originally planned for Diwali 2025, it has been pushed to next year.

Jailer 2': Behind-the-scenes clips show Rajinikanth's action sequences Sun Pictures just shared behind-the-scenes clips from Jailer 2, the much-awaited sequel to the hit Tamil action-comedy. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the footage shows off intense action scenes and the lively energy on set. 'Jailer 2' cast and crew Jailer 2 brings Rajinikanth back in action, with fan-favorites Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, and Mirnaa returning. New faces S. J. Suryah, Shiva Rajkumar, Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Mithun Chakraborty (teaming up with Rajinikanth after decades) join the mix. With talent from Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema joining forces, this sequel is shaping up to be one of this year's biggest cross-industry events.

Ranveer Singh recently surprised fans with a high-octane new video for Agent Ching, a commercial ad directed by Atlee. The ad, part of the Agent Ching series, also stars Sreeleela and Bobby Deol. Reports suggest the project was made on a staggering Rs. 150 crore budget, though many remain skeptical about the figure. The ad grabbed attention for Ranveer Singh’s daring stunts and Sreeleela’s hot avatar. When the trailer dropped, some viewers initially thought it was a full-fledged film. They later realized it was a commercial. To promote their product, a press meet was held with Ranveer, Bobby Deol, Sreeleela, and Atlee. Ranveer also shared insights about the upcoming Rs. 800 crore Allu Arjun-Atlee film, starring Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, and Mrunal Thakur. He said: “I visited the sets because my wife is working in it. Atlee is making something you have not seen in Indian cinema.” This statement is expected to fuel excitement among Allu Arjun fans. They hope the film will push Indian cinema to new heights. Blockbuster filmmaker Atlee, known for record-breaking films like Jawan, Bigil and Mersal, makes an explosive advertising debut with the biggest ad campaign ever, Ching’s Desi Chinese’s dhamaakedaar film Agent Ching Attacks. Featuring the Ching’s mascot, the sensational Ranveer Singh, who is now joined by superstars Sreeleela and Bobby Deol, this larger-than-life film brings signature Atlee style, never-before-seen visual effects, and thrilling action. A phenomenal crew has united to create a spectacle that’s all set to set the internet on fire! Director Atlee said, “For me, love is the secret ingredient. Ching’s wanted something India won’t just watch, but love, and that’s why I said yes to my first ever ad. Ranveer’s madness, Bobby sir’s magic, and Sreeleela’s freshness, we’ve cooked this with a lot of heart. Now it’s for the audience to taste.” The new Ching’s Desi Chinese ad has truly erased the line between advertisement and cinema. It’s an 8-minute goosebump-worthy experience packed with drama, comedy, action, music, and masala. The ad raises the glamour quotient with Sreeleela and the heat with Lord Bobby! After blockbuster comebacks in Animal and The Ba*ds of Bollywood, Bobby Deol brings his signature swag to the Ching’s universe once again.

BIson Long term Hit / Keerthy in Balagam Director Film

After Diwali holidays the box office that settles down will be as follows in Tamil Nadu 1. Bison - 85/100 - Mari scores a 5/5 with Bison. Breakeven needed is just 30 crores. Will definitely become a huge success 2. Dude - 50/100 - Mid film with a superb first half and tedious second half. Breakeven needed is 60 crores. Diwali release is a big plus and will reach break even and barely becomes a hit. 100 crores grosser in Tamil Nadu alone is a tough thing. Hopefully PR makes a comeback with LIK 3. Diesel - 30/100 - IDK what research did that director do. Worst screenplay. A lot of characters are there in the film but none of them are strong. Only music and a couple of action blocks are good. Final prediction Bison - SUPER HIT or even a BLOCKBUSTER Dude - ABOVE AVERAGE to HIT Diesel - DISASTER or FLOP (0 occupancy in second day itself) Bison (2025) - Review Bison is a sports drama set against the backdrop of caste faction violence and revenge killings between two rival groups led by Lal and Ameer. One fights to preserve his social standing, the other to rise above domination. The film doesn’t take sides and makes it feel real. Pasupathy shines as a caring , fearful father who wants his son Kittan (Dhruv Vikram) to stay away from violence, but circumstances pull him in. How Kittan rises from this hostile world to represent Indian kabaddi team at the Asian Games forms the heart of the story. Anupama Parameswaran, who plays Kittan’s love interest, feels somewhat unnecessary. The movie would have worked even without her character. Only issue is the film’s focus: it often shifts between being a factional social drama and a sports story, without strong thematic grounding. Still, Bison is a good watch. Pasupathy steals the show with tremendous acting, while Dhruv Vikram fits his role perfectly restrained, subtle, and sincere. And Nivas K. Prasanna’s background score is outstanding it lifts several scenes to another level. This is a grounded, sincere film with great performances and music. It is worth watching for its intent and realism.

Dil Raju is producing a film with Vijay Devarakonda, directed by Ravi Kiran, titled Rowdy Janardhan. The film’s pooja ceremony was recently held, and Keerthy Suresh is playing the lead actress. After this film, she is in talks for another exciting project under dilraju productions with a strong female character. Balagam director Venu has prepared a very strong and rooted story titled Yellamma. The project was initially planned with Nani, and after several changes in the male lead, it is now in final talks with Devi Sri Prasad for the music.

BAHUBALI THE EPIC CENSOR RUNTIME DETAILS

Sharing the news on social media, the makers announced, “#BaahubaliTheEpic is Certified U/A with a 3 hour 44 minutes runtime! Witness The Epic in theatres worldwide from 31st October. #BaahubaliTheEpicOn31stOct.” The post immediately created a wave of excitement among fans eager to revisit the legendary story of Mahishmati on the big screen. The film is not only re-releasing in Telugu but also in all other languages and formats. Completing such extensive post production work in advance once again showcases Rajamouli and his team’s commitment — and serves as a valuable lesson for others who continue post-production until the last moment.

Described as a “single-film version” of the Baahubali saga, Baahubali: The Epic has been meticulously re-edited to merge both films into one seamless narrative. This special edition promises not only restored visuals and sound but also selective alterations, new technical enhancements, and even previously unseen moments. It aims to present the grandeur of Rajamouli’s universe like never before — an immersive experience for both first-time viewers and longtime fans. The original Baahubali film series changed the landscape of Indian cinema when it first released in 2015 and 2017. The films not only redefined the scale of visual storytelling but also became global cultural landmarks, celebrated for their world-building, emotional depth, and timeless dialogues like “Kattappa ne Baahubali ko kyun maara?” With Baahubali: The Epic, S.S. Rajamouli invites audiences back to where it all began — an unforgettable world of loyalty, betrayal, and destiny. This Diwali season, fans can relive the legendary saga in its grandest form yet. The film is set to hit theatres worldwide on October 31, 2025. It will release in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, across multiple premium formats including IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, Dolby Cinema, and EPIQ, making it one of the most extensive re-releases ever mounted for an Indian film.

Kantara Chapter 1 India Gross Beats GBU - Coolie World

We had reported that Kantara Chapter 1 making Rs 50 crore gross in Tamil Nadu was great and that it was second highest in South. A different look at statement. It says that the combined worldwide gross of two top Tamil films GBU and Coolie will not come close to combined India gross of Kantara Chapter 1. Secondly the expected total gross of Rs 650 crores is much below the Rs 1500 crores that was expected. Thirdly the film Tamil Nadu run has ended with new Diwali releases and on Oct 21 Thamma ( Ayushman Khuranna)will end the North run. READ ON: Kantara disappoints despite a near ₹550 Crore Gross At last The movie finally made ₹50 Crore and stands at ₹51.66 Crore just before the Diwali Run in TN With the screen count falling from 306 to 52 , the films run is almost completely over Bison, Diesel and Dude share 1196 Screens with the FIRST TIME that B+C centers run short of fodder Bison (384) , Dude (355) and Diesel (247) with 210 Screens being free run (Any one of the 3 films) However Kantaras Run across India was very impressive ₹ 178.68 Crore in the Hindi Market , not exactly a KGF 2 moment but still impressive ₹ 166 Crore in Karnataka ₹ 90.55 Crore in AP/TG ₹ 51.66 Crore in TN ₹42.33 Crore in KL Around ₹540 — ₹550 Crore in India alone ________________________________________ Unfortunately the Gross did not match up to the massive hype of the film that was expected to gross ₹1500 Crore by pundits Too much Hindutva - was the verdict by the South Indian Gen Z My Young neighbors in Bangalore said “We watched because it's a Kannada film and we love the Shettys but there is too much Hindu mythology for our liking” Nonetheless Karnataka and Mumbai and Delhi are still running Kantara in multiple screens Bollywood has no major Diwali release until THAMMA hits the screens on 21st and has a whopping 790 screen release, a record for Ayushmaan Khurana Let's hope for a ₹650 Crore finish Unfortunately this gross in India alone beats anything Tamil Films Grossed Worldwide this year GBU managed a limp ₹207.73 Crore Gross across India while Coolie managed a nice ₹363.85 Crore Gross Their combined total is almost what Kantara alone grossed ________________________________________

Kantara Chapter 1 Tamil Nadu Second Highest After Karnataka

Though Kantara was a non starter in Tamil Nadu, sequel has created a box office record.The film officially crossed the ₹50 crore gross mark in the state yesterday, creating a new record. This incredible achievement makes it only the eighth film from outside the Tamil film industry (non-Kollywood) to hit this half-century milestone. The film is showing a very strong hold with the audience. Its collections in the second week are expected to drop by only 35%, which is a fantastic trend. Looking at its current pace, trade analysts are predicting that Kantara: Chapter 1 could be heading towards a final collection of around ₹70 crore, especially with the big Diwali holiday period coming up. A Massive Jump From The Original Film What makes this success story even more interesting is the huge growth the franchise has seen in Tamil Nadu. The original Kantara was considered an underperformer in the state, collecting only around ₹12 crore. This was much lower than its collections in other South Indian states. However, the tables have completely turned with Kantara: Chapter 1. This time, Tamil Nadu has become the film’s biggest market in the South, right after its home state of Karnataka. The final collection of the prequel is expected to be 5 to 6 times more than what the first film earned, which is a phenomenal jump and shows how much the audience has connected with this world. Top Non-Kollywood Grossers In Tamil Nadu With its entry into the ₹50 crore club, Kantara: Chapter 1 has joined an elite list of high-grossing films from other industries that have won over the Tamil audience. Here is the updated list:

Rank Title Year Gross Collections 1 Baahubali: The Conclusion 2017 ₹146.00 cr. 2 KGF Chapter 2 2022 ₹105.50 cr. 3 RRR 2022 ₹75.00 cr. 4 Avatar: The Way of Water 2022 ₹71.00 cr. 5 Pushpa: The Rule 2024 ₹71.00 cr. 6 Manjummel Boys 2024 ₹63.50 cr. 7 Baahubali: The Beginning 2015 ₹58.00 cr. 8 Kantara: Chapter 1 2025 ₹50.50 cr. 9 Jawan 2023 ₹44.00 cr. 10 Kalki 2898 AD 2024 ₹

Latha Rajinikanth forgery case UPDATE / Soundarya Rajinikanth film wrap

Bengaluru court in September rejected an application by Latha Rajinikanth, wife of superstar Rajinikanth, seeking discharge in a criminal case related to alleged forgery in the 2014 film Kochadaiiyaan. The court observed on September 27 that she "has not made out any justifiable ground to discharge her from the alleged offenses." This has come to the fore now. The 48th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate also noted there is a prima facie case against the accused. Case details Case against Latha emerged from financial dispute The criminal case against Latha emerged from a financial dispute with a film production house over dues related to Kochadaiiyaan, directed by her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth. In 2015, Chennai-based Ad Bureau Advertising Private Limited filed a private complaint accusing Latha of using forged documents to secure an injunction that prevented around 70 media outlets from covering the financial dispute. You're 33% through Legal proceedings Complainant argued it constituted offenses under IPC sections Latha's civil suit was dismissed on December 13, 2015, citing "territorial jurisdiction" issues. The complainant contended that her actions amounted to offenses under Sections 196 (using false evidence), 199 (false statement in a declaration), and 463 (forgery) of the Indian Penal Code. After an investigation, the Halasurugate police filed a chargesheet on February 27, 2021. You're 66% through Judicial review Karnataka High Court had partially quashed proceedings On August 2, 2022, the Karnataka High Court had partially quashed the proceedings against Latha in relation to certain charges. However, the Supreme Court reinstated those charges through its order dated October 10, 2023. The court has now found sufficient grounds to proceed with prosecution against the accused. source; https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/bengaluru-court-dismisses-latha-rajinikanth-s-plea/story

The shooting of the new film, jointly presented by Soundarya Rajinikanth and MRP Entertainment under Zion Films, produced by Basilian Nazareth and Mahesh Raj Basilian, starring 'Tourist Family' director Abhishan Jeevind and Anaswara Rajan, has been completed. This new film, starring Abhishan Jeevindh, who gained attention with the film “Tourist Family”, created great anticipation among the fans when it was announced. In this situation, the entire shooting of the film was completed in a single phase at lightning speed, in just 35 days. The shooting of the film has been completed in Chennai and Trichy. The film, which is a wonderful love story that will appeal to modern-day youth, is being written and directed by Madhan, who worked as an associate director on the films “Lover, Tourist Family.” Director Abhishan Jeevind plays the lead role in the film, and Anaswara Rajan, a leading star of the Malayalam film industry and the dream girl of the youth, will be playing the lead role. MRP Entertainment, which has been delivering a series of successful films in diverse storylines in Tamil cinema, is producing the film, following the hat-trick success of Good Night, Lover and this year's blockbuster hit Tourist Family. Soundarya Rajinikanth is co-producing the film on behalf of Zion Films. The film is composed by music composer Shawn Roldan. Cinematography is handled by Shreyas Krishna. Editing is handled by Suresh Kumar. Art direction is by Rajkamal. Costume design is by Priya Ravi. With the film's shooting complete, the team will begin post-production work. The team plans to release the first look, teaser, and single of the film one by one soon.

Sivakarthikeyan reply to Bhaijaan / Prabhas PAKI Heroine sparks outrage

Sivakarthikeyan FAN REPLY to Nhaijan First improve your acting skills Baai then you can talk about our movies. All you do is remake Tamil and Telugu movies in the whole of your career. You are talking about the film of our actor who hasn't done a single remake. And Madharaasi is a flop film but it is 1000 times better than that cringe, worthless, asshole film Sikandar. So the mistake is with you. Madharaasi was supposed to release during Summer Holidays but it was postponed only because of Baai. First try to give 1 hit. Since 2017 how many flops you gave. Tubelight, Race 3, Bharath, Dabangg 3, Radhe, Antim, Kisi Ki Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Tiger 3 and Sikandar. Oh my god 9 flops. Save your career first. Then talk about our actor. The hero you talked about gave 5 hits out of his last 10 films (Namma Veetu Pillai, Doctor, Don, Maaveeran and Amaran). U in the other side gave 9 flops.

What started as a simple birthday greeting has erupted into a major controversy for the upcoming film, PrabhasHanu. The Hyderdabad based production house, Mythri Movie Makers, recently posted a birthday wish for their new lead actress, Imanvi, expressing high hopes for her debut. However, the commentsAccording to numerous comments from social media users, the actress’s real name is Iman Iqbal Esmail, and she is a Pakistani national. The unverified claims state that she changed her name to the Indian-sounding “Imanvi Kumari” specifically to secure work in the Indian film industry. Some users even alleged that she used to have a Pakistani flag in her social media bio, which has since been removed. The most serious of these claims suggests that she is the daughter of a Pakistan Army officer. The Director And A Perceived Double Standard The allegations didn’t stop with the actress. Social media users also targeted the film’s unnamed director, labeling him a “Pakistan premi” (a lover of Pakistan). The comments alleged that it was the director who instructed the actress to change her identity and erase her past to avoid controversy. This incident has also ignited a larger debate online about perceived double standards. Many have pointed out that while a Pakistani artist is being launched in a South Indian film, a similar move in Bollywood would likely face massive backlash and be branded as “anti-national. ”PrabhasHanu is an upcoming Indian film presented by the successful production house Mythri Movie Makers. The film is set to mark the debut of actress Imanvi. While details about the plot and the full cast are still under wraps, the title suggests a project of significant scale and interest. section of their post was quickly flooded with serious allegations about the actress’s identity. Mythiri are rich IT consultancy(body shopping) owners in the USA . They are friends of Anil Sunkara and were associated with him on projects like 1:Nenokkadine, Aagadu. They also might have helped finance those movies. Later they became independent producers with Srimanthudu. After the success of Anil Sunkara as producer of Dookudu, During Early 2010’s and Mid 2010’s many NRI’s ventured into movie production , Mythri Movie Makers are one of them. Initially There were three partners but the third partner went on his own way and kept his own production house Vyra Entertainments that produced ‘Hi Nanna’ and ‘Matka’.

Salman asks Is Madharasi Bigger hit than Sikandar ?

Tamil celebrated Director A R Murugadoss has got a reality check that was long overdue. Salman Khan gave it back to him royally for blaming him for the flop pf Sikandar. Salman interview makes a point that just by arriving on the sets at 6 AM does not make a film a hit. Secondly that ARM as a Director and Producer Sajid washed their hands off as soon as they knew it was not working. He pointed out that with a South Star that comes as early 6 AM, the film did not work. He was meaning Madharasi of Suvakarthikeyan that ended as a loss. With the film, Salman returned to the big screen for the first time since 2023 but failed to make a mark at the box office. Sikandar is Salman's first Eid release in two years. Sikandar was released in theatres on March 30. Despite receiving criticism for its direction and performances, the film managed to cross ₹100 crore at the box office and ultimately grossed over ₹200 crore worldwide. However, considering Salman Khan's standards, the film was deemed an underperformer at the box office. The film was also panned when it was released on Netflix in May. Using the popular stage of Bigg Boss 19, Salman Khan addressed the comments during the Weekend Ka Vaar episode with his signature wit, making his stance on the matter crystal clear. What Director AR Murugadoss Claimed The controversy started when director AR Murugadoss, in an interview, spoke about the challenges of working with a major Bollywood star. He claimed that Salman would often arrive on the set only by 8 PM, which forced the crew to shoot scenes meant for the daytime during the night. The director described the schedule as chaotic and hinted that the erratic timings contributed to the film’s underperformance at the box office, even while admitting his own creative faults. Salman Khan’s Sarcastic Reply On Bigg Boss Salman addressed the issue head-on when comedian Ravi Gupta asked him if he regretted doing any films. While he named some old projects, he clarified he had no regrets about his recent films, including Sikandar. He then directly took on the director’s comments with a playful but sharp jab. “Main set pe raat ke 9 baje pahuchta tha, meri pasaliyan tooti thi (I used to reach the set at 9 PM, but my ribs were fractured),” he said, giving a reason for his timing. In a sarcastic tone, Salman added, “Hamare director sahab bolte the aisa, lekin unki picture jo abhi release hui hai, uske actor to 6 baje pahuchte the.” This was a clear dig at Murugadoss’s recent Tamil film, Madharaasi, suggesting that even though its actor arrived earlier, the film still struggled to find success. The "Madharaasi" box office collection was ₹99.12 crore worldwide, with ₹62.82 crore in India and ₹25 crore overseas. The film had a strong opening but saw a significant drop in collections after the first week, failing to meet the expectations set by its hype. The actor didn’t stop there. He also remarked that both producer Sajid Nadiadwala and Murugadoss quickly distanced themselves from Sikandar after it failed to perform well at the box office. “Pehle Sajid kalti, phir Murugadoss South sidha,” he joked, implying that the team moved on quickly once the film didn’t work. To top it all off, Salman cheekily praised Murugadoss’s other film, calling Madharaasi a “bigger blockbuster than Sikandar” with a knowing smile, which drew laughs from the Bigg Boss audience.

Mega Star Mammootty Patriot in London / Dhanush- Mari Selvaraj / STR Telugu Debut

Mari Selvaraj’s next film will be with Dhanush, set under a historical backdrop, and the story was narrated to the actor a long time ago. The VIP actor was initially set to produce it himself. But now, the project will be produced by Vels Films International. The film’s work will begin soon, and they planned it as a grand, big-budget historical drama. The actor-director combination joined hands before for a sensational blockbuster, Karnan, and is set for a much bigger film next.

Producer Nag Vamsi who liked the story written by Deepak who gained recognition for his award-winning short film Manasanamaha, has narrated it to Dhanush and SK. Now we hear that Simbhu is to sign it and be his first straight Telugu film. Producer Naga Vamsi’s banner ‘Sithara Entertainments’ created a brand value for itself in Tollywood by delivering back-to-back box office hits with strong content and quality production values. A subsidiary of Haarika and Haasini Creations, which only bankrolls big-ticket films with Trivikram Srinivas, this production house started making medium and big budgeted films at a brisk pace from 2016 unlike its parent company. The production house scored a success streak with smashing blockbusters like Jersey, Bheeshma, DJ Tillu, Sir, Mad, Lucky Bhaskar and Daaku Maharaj. There is a strong line-up of films coming from this happening banner in the next couple of years. Besides securing dates of leading Telugu actors, the production house seems to be betting big on the market of Tamil stars as well. t is already a known fact that the banner is bankrolling the much anticipated bilingual project of Tamil superstar Suriya and talented Telugu director Venky Atluri. Now reports suggest that they have finalized a new film with another popular Kollywood star Simbhu. A debutant directorAlso, the same production house has already announced their upcoming collaboration with Kannada sensation Rishab Shetty. It looks like Naga Vamsi is planning to expand the brand value of his banner beyond Tollywood. In Telugu, they have Akhil’s Lenin and Ravi Teja’s Mass Jathara in the pipeline. is going to be introduced with this film and an official announcement is likely to be made very soon.

Mammootty took part in Hyderabad will be moving to London for Patriot.. London shoot behins from October 18th. After London shoot, the unit comes to Kochi where Mohanlal takes part. Zarin Shihab ( Rekjachithram- Aatam) will be part of London. Mohanlal will join the Kochi part. Mahesh Narayanan directs the film. Release Timeline: The film is slated for a Vishu 2026 release, which falls in April 2026, with a potential release date of April 9, 2026, reported by India TV News. Production Status: Filming is progressing, with the Hyderabad schedule recently completed. Mammootty has now flown to London for the next shooting segment. Key Cast: The movie boasts a major cast, including Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban, Darshana Rajendran, Revathy, and Zarin Shihab. Director: The film is directed by Mahesh Narayanan. Genre: It is described as a high-stakes political thriller involving power, surveillance, and state control. Mammooty's Patriot after Hyderabad schedule will move to London. Rehachithran- Aatam fame Zarin Shihab

Nivin Pauly B'Day lineup / Kantara moves to Top 2 Indian Grosser// Kerala composer for Vijay Devarakonda

As actor Nivin Pauly celebrates his birthday, fans are celebrating the promise of what looks to be a monumental phase in his career. The upcoming year is loaded with a versatile lineup that audiences have been eagerly awaiting, signaling a brilliant new era for the star. While the slate is diverse, the biggest cheer is for his foray into the fan-favorite genres he has perfected. The fun begins with Sarvam Maya, a horror-comedy for Christmas 2025 that reunites him with Aju Varghese. Following this is the highly anticipated Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, a romantic comedy from the blockbuster Premalu team. Paired with Mamitha Baiju, this is the perfect Nivin Pauly entertainer that fans have been craving. But his artistic range doesn't stop there. He will showcase his intense side in the thriller Baby Girl, hitting theatres this November. His presence in Tamil cinema is also growing stronger, with director Ram’s unique romantic psychological thriller Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai releasing soon. In a massive future leap, he will also enter the Lokesh Cinematic Universe as the villain "Walter" in the 2026 film Benz. Capping off this powerful lineup is a high-budget political thriller directed by B. Unnikrishnan and backed by Gokulam Movies. His creative expansion continues beyond the big screen. Nivin is making his much-anticipated web series debut with Pharma, an intense drama exploring the world of medical representatives. As a producer, he also backs ambitious projects like the pan-Indian superhero film Multiverse Manmadhan and the Nayanthara-starrer Dear Students under his Pauly Jr. Pictures banner. Nivin Pauly is masterfully balancing the genres he is celebrated for with bold new challenges. For his legions of fans, this birthday marks the exciting beginning of a festival of cinema.

Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Box office data War 2 For the first week, Kantara Chapter 1 sets the milestone this year, and within 10 days, it surpasses Coolie’s full run collections and emerges as the top 3 grosser for this year in Indian movies. Tomorrow the film will cross Saiyaara and will settle at the top 2, but to reach the top 1 position, the film needs to maintain a stronghold for at least another two weeks, as Chhaava, which is in the first place, collected 800 Cr gross. Kantara Chapter 1 joined the 500 Cr grossers’ club yesterday, becoming the 4th Indian film to do so in 2025, and today, by beating Coolie’s lifetime gross (520 Cr), it became the biggest South Indian grosser this year as well. On the opening day and 1st weekend, Rajinikanth’s Coolie maintains a big lead over Kantara Chapter as it had the biggest opening and biggest weekend for Indian cinema this year. But after the weekend the film crashes, whereas the Kantara prequel maintains a strong hold.Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Box office data War 2 For the first week, Kantara Chapter 1 sets the milestone this year, and within 10 days, it surpasses Coolie’s full run collections and emerges as the top 3 grosser for this year in Indian movies. Tomorrow the film will cross Saiyaara and will settle at the top 2, but to reach the top 1 position, the film needs to maintain a stronghold for at least another two weeks, as Chhaava, which is in the first place, collected 800 Cr gross.

Vijay Deverakonda’s new film with Ravi Kiran Kola of Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru was formally launched with a pooja ceremony. For the first time in her career, Keerthy Suresh is sharing screen space with Vijay Deverakonda. Rowdy Janardhan is the title. According to the latest buzz on social media, Malayalam music composer Christo Xavier will make his Tollywood debut with Rowdy Janardhan. Christo Xavier is known for films like Bramayugam, Turbo, and Sookshmadarshini. An official confirmation is awaited. The project will be bankrolled by ace producer Dil Raju under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations. Apart from Rowdy Janardhan, Vijay also has a film with Rahul Sankrityan of Taxiwala fame, and the project is now in the production phase.

Divine Power made me Hero - Pradeep / Rowdy Baby with Dhanush

During the promotional event of his upcoming film Dude in the Telugu states, Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan was asked an uncomfortable question by a Telugu journalist, which quickly stirred debate across social media. The journalist began with a dismissive remark, saying, “Please don’t take it otherwise, but you don’t look like a film hero. You’ve achieved so much success with just two films; is this your luck?” Pradeep Ranganathan also replied gracefully, saying that apart from talent, he believes divine grace has played a role in his success. He mentioned that audiences might see themselves in his characters, which makes his films more relatable. Veteran actor Sarath Kumar, who was present at the Dude promotional event alongside Pradeep, stepped in to respond. He stated that such questions are inappropriate and emphasized that there is no fixed standard for what a hero should look like. He added that anyone whose actions benefit society can be considered a hero. The film Dude appears to follow the familiar formula seen in “Return of the Dragon”: Pradeep dating a vibrant girl, only for a past love story to surface later. In “Dragon,” Kayadu Lohar and Anupama Parameswaran played those roles, while in “Dude,” Mamitha Baiju and Neha Shetty take on similar parts. As per the latest buzz, Pradeep Ranganathan will be taking a long break of 3 to 4 months after the release of his next project, Love Insurance Kompany (LIK). Also starring Krithi Shetty in a lead role, the sci-fi romantic comedy is slated for a December 18th release. Apparently, during his 4-month-long break, Pradeep Ranganathan will be focusing on completing a script. He may also consider directing the film, apart from starring in it. The talented actor-director will discuss scripts narrated by other directors during the break. Pradeep Ranganathan has amassed a decent fan base across the twin Telugu states, and his Telugu fans are eagerly waiting for his next projects.

Actress Sai Pallavi and Dhanush were seen together in Maari 2 (2018), and their song, Rowdy Baby, is a sensational hit, and even today many fans enjoy that song. The latest news is that Dhanush and Sai Pallavi will reunite for Mari Selvaraj’s upcoming film. Mari Selvaraj’s next film, Bison, starring Dhruv Vikram, is slated for release this Diwali, and the actor signed two projects after this: one with Dhanush and the second one is the first movie of Udhay Stalin’s son Inbanithi’s debut movie.Pallavi was last seen in Thandel earlier this year and in Amaran in Tamil last year. She has Mere Raho and 2 parts of Nitish Tiwari's Ramayana in the pipeline. Dhanush, on the other hand, is fresh off the release of his fourth directorial, Idli Kadai. The actor is awaiting the release of Tere Ishk Mein, directed by his Raanjhanaa filmmaker Aanand L Rai. He is set to portray former President APJ Abdul Kalam in Kalam: The Missile Man of India, directed by Om Raut, and Ilaiyaraaja in a biopic from his Captain Miller filmmaker Arun Matheswaran. Dhanush's upcoming projects also include one film with Amaran director Rajkumar Periasamy and D54 with Vignesh Raja.

Kamal as Pinrayi - Balchandra Menon as Oomen Chandy / Beef Biryani cut out in Shane film

Shane Nigam’s much-anticipated film 'Soul of Haal' has run into a censorship crisis, with the Censor Board instructing the filmmakers to remove a scene featuring beef biryani and dialogues related to a ceremonial salute. In response, the film’s production team has approached the Kerala High Court, challenging the board’s directive. The board’s objections include the dialogue “Dhwaja Pranama, the team is on guard” and a scene depicting the consumption of beef biryani. These instructions have delayed the issuance of the censor certificate, putting the film’s release on hold. Filmmakers argue that these cuts compromise the narrative and have sought judicial intervention to resolve the issue. Directed by debutant Veer, 'Haal' was originally scheduled to release on September 12, but the date was subsequently postponed.Haal is written by Nishad K. Koya, who is known for scripting Ordinary, Thoppil Joppan, Shikari Shambu and Madhura Naranga. The film, one of the biggest budget projects in Shane Nigam’s career, features Sakshi Vaidya in the female lead role. Sakshi amade her debut with Akhil in Agent with Mammooty in a pivotal role, She also signeda Pawan Kalyan film.

The supporting cast boasts seasoned actors such as Johnny Antony, Nath, Vineeth Beep Kumar, K. Madhupal, Sangeetha Madhavan Nair, Joy Mathew, Nishant Sagar, Niyas Becker, Riyas Narmakala, Suresh Krishna, Ravindran, Sohan Seenulal, Manoj K.U., Unniraj, and Sreedhanya, promising a strong ensemble performance. 'Haal' is slated for a simultaneous release in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, positioning it as a colorful, multi-lingual entertainer. In addition, the film marks Bollywood singer Ankith Tiwari’s Malayalam cinema debut. The censorship row highlights the ongoing tension between creative freedom and regulatory oversight, with filmmakers urging the court to allow the film to be released without compromising its content. The High Court’s decision is eagerly awaited by fans and industry watchers alike, who have been anticipating Shane Nigam’s latest performance. As the legal proceedings unfold, the film’s release remains in limbo, intensifying anticipation for one of Malayalam cinema’s most talked-about projects of the year. --IANS

Balachandra Menon is expected to play Oommen Chandy, Nivin Pauly is likely to be cast as Chandy Oommen—the late Congress leader’s son and incumbent MLA representing Puthuppally.Noted director B. Unnikrishnan, who last worked with Mammootty in 'Christopher', is said to be at the helm of the project. According to a report by Manorama News, the film will not be presented as a biopic of Oommen Chandy, who is rated among the most popular politicians in Kerala’s history. Among the details expected to be included in the movie are the various corruption allegations that led to political uproar in the state. Earlier, there were reports that Unnikrishnan was shooting the Secretariat blockade protest organised by the CPI(M)-led LDF workers in 2013. The Opposition workers had surrounded the Kerala Secretariat in August 2013 as a part of the protest against the solar scam—a major political controversy of the time when Oommen Chandy was in power. The longest-serving member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Oommen Chandy passed away in 2023 and his son Chandy Oommen became the new MLA of Puthuppally. Nivin Pauly is expected to portray the 39-year-old's role in the movie. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and veteran actor Kamal Haasan is reportedly getting ready for a Mollywood return by being part of a rumoured biopic of incumbent Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Manorama News report said. The way his leadership dealt with the deluge of 2018 and the Covid pandemic will be shown in the movie. A younger Vijayan’s interventions during the 1971 Thalassery riots is also expected to find a place in the film. However, it was not exactly known if Haasan will be seen as Pinarayi Vijayan in the movie which is also expected to release before the southern state goes to polling booths next year. Report in The Week News Desk

Ayyappanum Koshy in Dulquer v/s Customs / Mohanlal blocks Ajay Devgn Drishyam

For fans of the Drishyam series, October 2 is a date that needs no explanation. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the announcement teaser of Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn, on this special day. However, the date came and went with no teaser, leaving fans wondering what happened. While the official reason given was a delay in background music, the real story seems to be a plot twist worthy of the film itself. The truth is that a one-minute-25-second teaser was all ready to go. The real reason for the delay is a disagreement between the Hindi film’s producer, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and the creators of the original Malayalam masterpiece, director Jeethu Joseph and producer Antony Perumbavoor. What Really Happened On October 2? According to sources, there is a special clause in the contract between the Hindi and Malayalam teams. This rule says that the Hindi team cannot make any major announcements about their film without getting permission from the original makers first. This clause reportedly came into play after the Hindi team announced their film’s release date, October 2, 2026, right after Mohanlal began shooting for the Malayalam version.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) jumps into the Dulquer car confiscation issue to save the face of Customs Commissioner by raiding the house of the actor across Chennai and Kochi. Dulquer sgares the same address with Dad Mammootty made it look like the Mega Star was involved. Customes had no answers to questions like Whhy do you need to take custody of a car that was gegistered two decades back and in use on basis of reasonable belief . The court asked why it ignored the papers that showed Dulquer having bought the car that the actor had bought the car from the previous owner and that it was not that the actor was the first owner. It is said that Dulquer wanted the Customes to release the car unconditionally as taking it in custody was illegal. The court pointed out that taking the car into custody on just reasonable basis and without any solid reason to do so was not in order but the actor should follow the procedure and ask in writing for return of car. Now customs through ED is trying to further delay the car return. Ro make matters, Customs Commissioner is under severe cyber attack from the actor and his Dad's fans. The case is turning out to be a Ayyappan Koshy kind of drama.

No Bahubali 3 / EPIC Runtime locked / Samantha in Vetrimaaran- STR film

Producer Shobhu Yarlagadda has announced that Baahubali: The Epic will have an impressive runtime of about 3 hours and 40 minutes. Fans of the franchise are eager to see how the creators have merged both parts of the original story into one spectacular film. As per the producer, Baahubali: The Epic has its runtime finalized and neatly divided into two parts: the first half, Baahubali: The Beginning, and the second half, Baahubali: The Conclusion. This format allows viewers to relive the full journey of Amarendra and Mahendra Baahubali in a single sitting, with all the drama, action, and emotion that made the original films iconic. With this announcement, expectations are high for Baahubali: The Epic, which aims to deliver a cinematic spectacle that honors the legacy of the franchise while offering a spectacular ride to the fans.Producer Shobu Yarlagadda has officially clarified that Baahubali 3 will not be announced in Baahubali: The Epic. While fans were hoping for a major update, he confirmed that the team still has a lot of work to do before anything can be revealed. The statement puts to rest any speculation about a third installment being hinted at in the re-released version.

Samantha is excitedly anticipating her big comeback in films, with reports from Tamil circles suggesting that she is in discussions to take on the female lead role in Vetrimaaran and Simbu’s upcoming project. If this project materializes, then definitely this will be a perfect way for a comeback for the actress, as Vetrimaaran’s films always have a great scope for solid performances.The film’s shooting is expected to start this month, and Anirudh is likely to compose the music, and it will be his first time with Vetrimaaran.

Kamal Haasan at Karur / Rishab Shetty love Affair and Atheism

Kamal Haasan, Rajya Sabha MP, would be at the stampede site in Velusamypuram, interact with the local people and is also expected to meet the families of victims, according to sources in MNM. Taking to his official X handle (Formerly known as Twitter), the Vikram actor wrote, "My heart trembles. The news coming from Karur brings shock and sorrow. I am at a loss for words to express my deepest condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives trapped in the crowd congestion." He added," I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that those rescued from the congestion receive proper treatment and that those affected receive appropriate relief." Forty one persons were killed and over 50 were injured in the September 27 stampede at the rally addressed by top actor Vijay, the chief of fledgling Tamila Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Director Puri Jagannadh expressed grief over the tragic stampede at the Karur rally in Tamil Nadu on Saturday (September 27). He also stated that, owing to the unfortunate incident, Team Puri Sethupathi has postponed the title and teaser launch event planned for Vijay Sethupathi's film.

Rishab Shetty and Pragathi Shetty's love story Known as the ‘power couple of Sandalwood’, Pragathi and Rishab’s love story is a fairytale. While he enjoys the limelight, being in front of the camera, she is the wind beneath his wings. According to reports, Rishab met Pragathi, a costume designer, at a film event. A couple of weeks later, they chatted on Facebook and became friends. Gradually, the couple fell in love. However, Pragathi’s parents were against the relationship as Shetty was yet to find success in the film industry. After convincing them, they tied the knot in 2017. Rishab and Pragathi welcomed Ranvit in 2019. Their daughter Radhya was born in 2022. As per reports, Pragathi joined Rishab in Bell Bottom, the 2019 Kannada language film, as the costume designer. She also worked on Kantara (2022). Netizens came out on X (former Twitter) to discuss Pragathi’s cameo in Kantara Chapter 1. She features in a blink-and-miss role in the first half of the film, during the chariot scene. Not just Rishab’s wife, his son Ranvit, also has a cameo. Pragathi played a brief role in Kantara (2022), where she was seen as the king’s wife. Recently, during an interview, Rishab was asked about the negative reviews surrounding Kantara: Chapter 1 particularly the criticism that the film promotes superstitious beliefs. His calm and thoughtful response has now gone viral on social media. Rishab Shetty said he doesn’t make films with any biased agenda or propaganda. He added that while he believes in God, he also respects people who don’t share the same belief and simply asked that others respect his faith in return. Read more at: https://www.m9.news/movienews/rishab-shetty-viral-statement-kantara-criticism/

Shankar's Velpari copied by Kantara 1 / NETFLIX Removes Bahubali - WHY ?

 Some viewers on social media claim that parts of Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 resemble the Velpari novel. They believe Rishabh Shetty drew inspiration from the novel while shaping certain sequences in the film. This has created sharp discussions online. In the middle of this, Trollers began targeting director Shankar. They argue he is already struggling after two back-to-back flops, Indian 2 and Game Changer. Since he holds the rights to the Velpari novel, they feel he might be upset if the film really borrowed from it. Some even suggest Shankar should act against the Kantara team, as he has yet to announce his next project. On the other hand, many argue that Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 is Rishabh Shetty’s original work with historical elements, and not an adaptation of the Velpari novel. So far, there is no official confirmation linking Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 to the Velpari novel. The claims remain pure social media speculation. Still, the debate has triggered wide reactions online, with audiences divided over the film’s originality.

Audiences couldn’t help comparing Kantara 1  with Bollywood’s big banners. They pointed out how films like War 2, reportedly made on a Rs 300–400 crore budget, lacked strong VFX, story depth, and cinematic emotion. In contrast, Kantara: Chapter 1 achieved more with less. Its sincerity, artistry, and grounded approach won over audiences, making it a reminder that passion and purpose matter more than inflated budget

Netflix has removed both parts of Baahubali just weeks before S. S. Rajamouli’s big re-release. Even after a decade, the filmmaker stays deeply connected to his iconic universe. He is now finishing work on Baahubali: The Epic, a recut that combines Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. This version includes improved visuals and some never-seen sequences. It is scheduled to release in theatres on October 31. As fans wait for the re-release, both films suddenly disappeared from Netflix. Many believe the removal is due to expired streaming rights. Others see it as a clear move to build hype and push viewers back to the big screen. If the films vanish from other OTT platforms too, it will confirm a planned strategy to fuel excitement. Read more at: https://www.m9.news/movienews/netflix-drops-baahubali-before-rajamouli-re-release/