Dhanush Idly Kadai sales dips as Kantara Roars

Dhanush for second time is facing opposition from a strong rival= Rishab Shetty Kantara Chapter 1. A centres mainly multiplexes in Tamil Nadu are seen more screens being added to Kantara and Idly Kadai dropping. Single screens are holding out. In two Telufu States, Idly Kadai ( Kottu) is buried under Knatara rampagge Read on. Kantara Chapter 1 has opened to a strong response, and this is affecting the run of Dhanush’s Idli Kadai. Rishab Shetty returned with the prequel to his blockbuster Kantara, and the film released in theatres today. Viewers who watched Kantara Chapter 1 are giving positive feedback. This is driving a surge in ticket bookings across India, making it one of the most talked-about releases this weekend. Meanwhile, Dhanush’s Idli Kadai, which released yesterday, is facing mixed reviews. The overwhelming reception for Kantara is pulling audiences away from Idli Kadai in several centres, including Tamil Nadu. Before the releases, trade trackers expected Idli Kadai to enjoy a smooth run during the long weekend. It was seen as a family drama with strong local appeal, especially in Tamil Nadu. But the trend is now shifting. Even though Idli Kadai secured a large screen count through Red Giant distribution, the buzz around Kantara suggests it could replace Idli Kadai in A centres after the first weekend. This shift has sparked discussion online. Many recall that Dhanush’s earlier directorial Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (NEEK) struggled when Pradeep Ranganathan’s Dragon clashed with it. Now, history seems to be repeating with Kantara overshadowing Idli Kadai. Some Kollywood trackers argue otherwise. They feel Idli Kadai will still perform well in B and C centres, where its family drama theme connects strongly. According to them, only its A centre collections will feel the heat from Kantara. The coming days will reveal the real outcome. For now, Kantara Chapter 1 is enjoying strong momentum, while Idli Kadai is trying to hold its ground in Tamil Nadu’s box office battle. Franchise films like Baahubali 2, KGF 2, LCU film Leo, and Mohanlal’s Empuraan did very well at the Kerala box office, but Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 failed to meet expectations and became a big failure. Apart from Allu Arjun’s highly anticipated sequel, all the films listed above debuted with record-breaking numbers and achieved massive success over time in Kerala. Now Kantara Chapter 1 has also exceeded trade’s expectations, and despite not having much pre-release jump and multiple films running in theaters, it still sees a 6 Cr opening, which is one of the biggest openings in Kerala.

Kantara 1 Trailor Highest Viewership in North India / Double Win for Mohanlal

 North Indian audience are the most eager to view Kantara Chapter 1 ; Read on - The makers officially announced that the trailer quickly garnered over 55 million views. Surprisingly, it’s not the Kannada or Telugu audiences who are most excited , it’s North Indian viewers. The Hindi trailer has already crossed 16 million views, more than twice the Kannada version and three times the Telugu version at the time of writing.

This unexpected response is phenomenal. With North Indian audiences showing such excitement, the makers would be wise to push the film hard in the region, it could turn this prequel into a major box office hit.

Rukmini Vasanth stars as the heroine in this ambitious project from Hombale Films, alongside Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, and other key cast members. The film is also supported by Ajaneesh Loknath’s music. Sivakarthikeyan released the Tamil trailer of the film on his social media page and congratulated the film crew.
The trailer doesn't reveal much about the film, but it does have a certain mystery and intrigue. The story, which is a continuation of the previous film, surprises the audience.

The film’s core creative team includes:

Director & Writer – Rishab Shetty
Producer – Vijay Kiragandur (Hombale Films)
Director of Photography – Arvind S. Kashyap
Music Director – B. Ajaneesh Loknath

OG, Idli Kadai, and Kantara Chapter 1 are set to clash at the box office during 2025 Dasara. Pawan Kalyan’s OG received an ‘A’ rating, Dhanush’s Idli Kadai got a clean ‘U,’ and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 was given a ‘U/A’ certification.

As Mohanlal steps to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award, highest honour for an actor in India, he is also the only actor in earning 250 Cr in a single year,  He has joined Drishyam 3 the sequel to the hit franchise that are blockbusters. Read on:

In 2025, Mohanlal made a huge ₹250 crore at the Kerala Box Office, setting a record for any Malayalam actor. His hits include L2-Empuraan—₹86.25Cr, Thudarum—₹118.90Cr, Chotta Mumbai (re-release)—₹3.61 Cr, and Hridayapoorvam—₹41.32Cr. 

No actor has ever achieved this milestone in the Malayalam film industry. Mohanlal continues to set new benchmarks for Malayalam cinema.

Looking at the global figures, the actor’s films grossed over 550 crore at the box office, delivering major hits throughout the year. He is alco coming up with a big budget film, Vrusshabha this Diwali.

Vrushabha is presented by Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with AVS Studios. The film is directed by Nanda Kishore and produced by Vishal Gurnani (AVS Studios), Juhi Parekh Mehta, Abhishek Vyas, and Shyam Sunder (First Step Movies), Ektaa R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor (Balaji Telefilms), along with Varun Mathur and Saurabh Mishra (Connekkt Media). The film is being shot simultaneously in Telugu & Malayalam and it will release in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil.

The India's highest award in cinema is given in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke because he is credited of making Raja Harishchandra that was the first feature film in India, and is thus called the father of Indian cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke Award was introduced in 1969 by the government to recognise the contribution of film personalities towards the development of Indian Cinema.

Kantara prequel First look - Lokesh turns Producer

 The Divinity Resurfaces Again with Kantara Chapter 1’s first look

Following the immense success of "Kantara: A Legend" last year, Hombale Films is set to captivate audiences once again with their latest cinematic masterpiece, "Kantara Chapter 1." The first look of the highly anticipated movie has been revealed by the makers, promising an intense and divine cinematic experience.

The teaser, which showcases an ominous yet captivating look of actor-director Rishab Shetty, provides a glimpse into the visionary world created by the Director for himself. The familiar roar that echoed in the first installment is back, setting the tone for the birth of a legend and the beginning of all. The teaser immerses viewers in the intense perspective of Rishab Shetty's character, creating an atmosphere filled with suspense and intrigue.

Notably, the enchanting soulful music that left an indelible mark in the hearts of audiences last year makes a return in the new movie's video. The teaser concludes with a unique touch – seven different ragas of music representing each of the seven languages in which "Kantara Chapter 1" will be released.

"Kantara" took the global cinematic landscape by storm last year, captivating audiences with its folklore-based storytelling that explored the intricate connection between humanity and nature. Hombale Films, renowned for its commitment to delivering pan-India cinematic experiences, continues to redefine divinity with "Kantara Chapter 1."

In a remarkable feat, Hombale Films achieved unprecedented success in the previous year with two mega blockbusters, "KGF Chapter 2" and "Kantara," collectively grossing a staggering 1600 crores globally. The upcoming release, "Salaar," is already generating buzz and is poised to be the blockbuster of the year, with its trailer launch scheduled for December 1st.

"Kantara Chapter 1" is eagerly anticipated for its release next year, with plans to captivate audiences in seven languages. The filming is scheduled to kick off at the end of December, adding to the excitement surrounding the project. Although the cast is currently undisclosed, the first look of the movie teases a journey into a parallel world filled with extraordinary storytelling. Get ready for an immersive experience that transcends linguistic boundaries and promises to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Rishab Shetty and Hombale Films continues to redefine cinematic divinity with "Kantara Chapter 1," a testament to their commitment to creating groundbreaking and globally acclaimed films.

https://youtu.be/Frp0zC4643U?si=_KXt535tUXjuXsNv

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj launches his production house - G Squad

Lokesh Kanagaraj, one of our industry's reputed and well-esteemed filmmakers, has officially announced the launch of his new production house - G Squad.

Far-famed for his unparalleled league of movies like ‘Maanagaram’, ‘Kaithi’, ‘Master’, ‘Vikram’, and ‘Leo’. Acclaimed as the ‘Star Director’ for consistent blockbuster hits, the director has now collaborated with Superstar Rajinikanth for his magnum opus project tentatively titled ‘Thalaivar 171’,  produced by Sun Pictures. With a promising lineup of directorial projects ahead, Lokesh Kanagaraj has now launched his production house.

Director-Producer Lokesh Kanagaraj, G Squad says, “I have embarked on a new journey as a producer with G Squad, with the earnest attempt of promoting the creative potential of my friends, and assistants, thereby materializing new-fangled movies savouring the tastes of film lovers. The love and support of everyone has been a pillar in my directorial ventures. I look forward to the same support in this new attempt as a producer, and the movies created through this production house.”

The official announcement pertaining to his maiden production from this banner will be revealed soon.

Marking his new journey, leading stars and actors, technicians, and producers from the film fraternity have been sharing their best wishes for the grand and prosperous success of Lokesh Kanagaraj.  
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