BIG B KBC 25th year gets 26 Sponsors / BB7 Malayalam Opens BIG / Shanthnu Bhagyaraj with Shane Nigam

 Kaun Banega Crorepati marks 25 years with record 26-brand sponsorship line-up. Maruti Suzuki and the Aditya Birla Group have come aboard as Co-Presenting Sponsors, while the State Bank of India joins as Banking Partner and the Reserve Bank of India as Special Sponsor, underscoring KBC’s deep association with empowerment and trust.

The Co-Powered By category features UPI, Ultratech Cement, Stable Money App, Asian Paints, and Gowardhan Ghee, representing sectors from digital finance to FMCG. Special Partners include Patanjali Dant Kanti, BHIM Payments App, Polycab India Ltd., Dr. Fixit (Pidilite Industries), Vida powered by Hero Motocorp, and WinZO Games.

Further expanding its sponsor base, Associate Partners feature Amazon India, Kalyan Jewellers, Godrej & Boyce, Laxmipati Sarees, Groww, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), National Stock Exchange (NSE), Plasto Tanks and Pipes, Aashirvaad Select Atta, Director’s Elaichi, and Bikaji — reflecting the show’s pan-India consumer connect.

The season’s opening clocked 12.6 crore minutes of cumulative watch time—a staggering 225% surge over previous seasons. Connected TV has emerged as a significant growth driver, contributing nearly 30% of opening watch time—a 154% surge over the previous two seasons—signalling a shift toward immersive, large-screen viewing.

Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 is presented by MyG Digital; co-presented by Berger Paints and Healthy Grocer; co-powered by Sunrich Refined Sunflower Oil and MYK Laticrete. Other partners include Regal Jewellers and Merino Laminates as Special Partners, Dazzler Etertna as Beauty Partner, and Cera as Associate Sponsor.

Shanthnu Bhagyaraj Returns to Malayalam Cinema After 16 Years with Balti  

After a 16-year hiatus, Malayalam cinema is set to witness the much-anticipated return of Shanthnu Bhagyaraj in Balti, an action-packed sports thriller that pairs him alongside the talented Shane Nigam. Directed and written by Unni Sivalingam, the film promises a compelling blend of adrenaline-fueled sports sequences and emotionally rich storytelling. More than just a high-octane sports drama, the film explores themes of teamwork, resilience, and the personal battles faced by its characters—offering viewers both thrilling action and heartfelt moments.
Adding to the film’s unique appeal is an impressive ensemble cast, including celebrated filmmaker Alphonse Puthren in a pivotal role as Soda Babu, along with a powerful musical score composed by Sai Abhyankkar. With such a dynamic lineup, Balti 2025 is shaping up to be a cinematic treat for fans of Malayalam cinema.

Shanthnu’s return has been eagerly awaited since his last Malayalam appearance in the 2007 fantasy drama Angel John, where he starred alongside Mohanlal. Though widely appreciated, especially during its television run, Angel John marked the beginning of Shanthnu’s focus on Tamil cinema, where he went on to build a successful career. Speaking about his comeback, Shanthnu shared, “It’s truly special to return to Malayalam cinema after so many years. This film is a fresh experience for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better role to step back into the industry.”

The film industry is abuzz with the details of an exciting new project, a high-octane sports action thriller written and directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam. The movie, which is being produced by Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander under the banners of STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions, is generating significant anticipation.

The film's impressive technical crew and production team have caught the attention of many. Young music sensation Sai Abhyankkar, known for his viral hits, is composing the music and original score. This marks Abhyankkar's debut in Malayalam cinema, and his collaboration with lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar is highly awaited.

Adding to the stellar team is veteran cinematographer Alex J. Pulickal, whose recent work on "RDX: Robert Dony Xavier" was widely acclaimed.

 

 

Mohanlal - Manikandan in Thiagarajan Kumararaja film / Exciting Diwali Clash / Fahadh to retire as cab Driver

 Thiagarajan Kumararaja Director of Aranya Kaandam, Super Deluxe, Modern Love Chennai is said to have narrated a script to Mohanlal and Manikandan and locked them . It might start off in 2025  end or early 2026. His last release was in 2023. Aranya Kaandam  got the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director for Kumararaja.

Fahadh Faasil has once again said that after retirement he plans to settle down in Barcelona and be a Uber driver. He wants to drive people across Spain. Not just drive them around . “Absolutely. We were in Barcelona a few months ago. It'll only happen after people are done with me, you know? Jokes apart, just to drive someone from one place to another, witnessing someone's destination—I think that's a beautiful thing. I still do that every time I get a chance. Not just driving, you engage in things you love, be it a game or sport or watching TV,” Fahadh shared, describing the serenity he finds in the simplicity of the idea. He said now to Hollywood Reporter. Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Joji actor has spoken about such a plan. In a 2020 interview with The Indian Express, he had mentioned the same retirement goal, even highlighting that it’s something he has discussed and planned with his actress-wife Nazriya Nazim. “As of now, there is nothing else that I would enjoy doing other than being an Uber driver. I tell my wife that as a retirement plan, I wish to move to Barcelona and drive people across Spain. She loves this plan,” he had said then.

His Tamil film Mareesan with Vadivelu has been released. On the professional front, Fahadh Faasil is far from retirement. The actor is currently busy with a line-up of high-profile projects, including Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira, Don’t Trouble The Trouble, Karate Chandran, and Patriot, among others.

So this poster firstly clears the rumor that the film is getting postponed, and it is in fact a “Dude Diwali Blast”. This means it will clash with Bison and Karrupu.

Back to back Sai Abhyankar Musicals for Diwali. Interesting debut.

Secondly, it confirmed the working crew members of the team, on the left, as well as their already locked massive deal with Netflix.

Now we hear that Karuppu has too signed with Netflix. Two films committed to one OTT platform releasing on same date is usually avoided. Si speculation was that DUDE will get postponed but not so. As far as LIK is concerned ilm will instead, be locking in the February 2026 Valentines Day Date, and will be releasing a glimpse video confirming this on August 1st, like stated at the bottom of the poster of LIK.

Nivin Pauly with Karthi 29 / Sai to compose for Shane Nigam Tamil- Malayalam

Nivin Pauly to join Karthi who  is set to star in his 29th film, tentatively titled Marshal, directed by Taanakkaran fame Tamizh. The film is rumored to be a high-budget sea adventure, with shooting expected to take place along Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions. Vadivelu is reportedly part of the cast, while Kalyani Priyadarshan is in talks for the female lead. Produced by Dream Warrior Pictures, an official announcement is expected soon. Nivin Pauly is playing antagonist in Benz with Raghava Lawrence in the lead. After charming audiences with Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (PAV), director–editor Akhil Sathyan is back, this time casting Nivin Pauly as the star of Sarvam Maya. Slated for a December release, Sarvam Maya introduces a spectral twist to the festive season. Preity Mukundan and Riya Shibu join Pauly as the female leads, while veterans like Aju Varghese, Janardanan and Vineeth add gravitas to the ensemble. Screenwriter Raghunath Paleri also steps in front of the camera,

Director Girish AD is returning to the director’s chair with Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, a new Malayalam film starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in lead roles. Produced by the powerhouse trio Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, and Syam Pushkaran under their Bhavana Studios banner, this project marks the filmmaker’s second collaboration with the production house after the sensational success of Premalu. The film is expected to go on floors in September.

Sai Abhyankkar, the 20‑year‑old composer whose independent tracks Katchi Sera and Aasa Kooda topped charts with over 200 million YouTube views, is making his Malayalam debut with Balti, starring Shane Nigam and directed by Unni Shivalingam. The collaboration was officially confirmed via an Instagram post, showing Sai in the studio, receiving a package from the Malayalam Film Industry welcoming him, instantly triggering celebrations among fans. Shane Nigam’s 25th project and weaves a tightly wound story of chaos and camaraderie set around a kabaddi-player protagonist . With Sai Abhyankkar taking music reins, audiences can look forward to a score that blends emotional ballads, high-energy rhythms, and indie-pop freshness, capturing both the grit of the sport and the intimacy of its characters.

Produced by Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander under STK Frames, and shot by Alex J. Pulickal, For Shane Nigam too, Balti is more than another film, it’s a statement. A sports-drama steeped in youthful energy matched with a progressive, pop‑infused musical score is just the kind of fresh voice Malayalam cinema is currently celebrating. A bilingual in Tamil the film lead actress is Preethi Asrani and Shanthanu plays a pivotal role.