Indian completes 28 years

Lyca Productions, the production house bankrolling Indian 2, took to its social media handles, to share a tribute video, celebrating the resounding and evergreen success of 1996 film Indian. This gesture came through on the occasion of the film affirmatively marking its 28th anniversary. For the unversed, Indian had released in theatres on May 9, 1996.

The caption to the post read, "The iconic role that earned our Ulaganaygan many accolades! Now, it’s time to call back the legend, Senapathy!  #ComeBackIndian" The video features a young Kamal Haasan walking up to receive his National Film Award for Best Actor from then President of India, SD Sharma. The video then pans into a montage of clippings and pictures from the time of the film's making and subsequent release, all coming together to spell out the film's strong presence even after 28 years.

Indian 2 to release in July?

Things have been rather tentative when it comes to the release date of Indian 2. The film, for long, was slated for a mid-August release around India's Independence day - a theme-appropriate time. However, reports began to suggest that the film was now eyeing a mid-April release coinciding with Tamil New Year. This of course turned out to be a false alarm, with a subsequent poster release affirming June as the film's release month.

A recent Pinkvilla report however, now suggests that Indian 2 will be releasing in theatres on July 17, on the occasion of Muharram. An official confirmation is yet to come through. 

Suriya revisits Rolex from Vikram

Suriya's cameo as Rolex, was arguably one of the highlights of Lokesh Kanagaraj's 2022 Kamal Haasan starrer, Vikram. Though brief, the quirky cameo left quite the impact, on the minds of the audience. Suriya recently attended an industry party, the DJ in which turned out to be an avid Suriya fan.

As Suriya made his entry in the premise, the DJ switched up the music to that of Rolex's unmissable score, from Vikram. Suriya seemed pleasantly surprised as he recognised the tune, sporting a beaming smile as he met and shook hands with everybody. The DJ momentarily turned off the score, presumably to switch to another track. Suriya however, immediately asked him to revert to the Rolex score - a gesture which clearly indicated how fond he is of the character.

Suriya is gearing up for Kanguva

Suriya last appeared on screen, back in 2022. The actor has been on a hiatus ever since, mounting his ambitious pan-India project, Kanguva. 2022 is also the year Kamal Haasan's Vikram released, in which Suriya stepped in for a cameo as Rolex. He also made a brief appearance - as himself - in R Madhavan's National Award winning film, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, the same year.

Suriya will next be seen in Kanguva, notably in a double role, as suggested by a recent poster release. The film will also be marking Bobby Deol's debut in the Tamil film industry, as he takes on the role of Udhiran. Disha Patani, Nataraja Subramaniam and Jagapathi Babu, among others, too hold pivotal roles.The film is eyeing a release within this year. Also in the works for the actor, is a cameo in Sudha Kongara's Sarfira.

Will Ashok Selvan replace Jayam Ravi in Thug Life? 

Ashok Selvan was last seen in the Tamil film Pon Ondru Kanden (2024). As per OTT Play, the actor has been brought on to play the role of Jayam Ravi’s character in the film. While there is no official confirmation of the same yet, speculations are rife that Selvan will fill in the shoes of Jayam in the action flick. 

If reports are to be believed, Thug Life will mark the first-ever collaboration with Ashok Selvan and actor-director duo, Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam. Ashok is currently working on Prime Video’s upcoming crime thriller web series Gangs Kuruthi Punal. The release date of the show is yet to be announced. 

Thug Life makers welcome Silambarasan TR on board the film

On May 8, the makers of Thug Life confirmed the association of Silambarasan TR with the film. The official announcement came days after a photo of the actor from the film’s set in Delhi was leaked online. Silambarasan reportedly plays Kamal Haasan's son in the film.

In the first look poster, the actor can be seen sporting long hair and his appearance is reminiscent of his role in the film Kaalai. The makers also issued a statement that read, "After his last outing Vikram, which was a resounding box office success across the globe, the excitement and anticipation among Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan’s legion of fans has been at an all-time high ever since his next outing thug life was announced. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the magnum opus marks the reunion of the iconic actor-director duo after their 1987 cult film Nayakan. Comprising of a stellar cast and crew, thug life seems to be getting bigger each passing day and joining the stellar cast is actor Silambarasan TR, which has only piqued the interests of fans further." The statement also confirmed that the teaser and Kamal Haasan’s look from the movie is ready and will be released later this year. 

When Rajinikanth spoke about committing suicide

In 1992, Rajinikanth addressed a gathering of his fans at a musical evening hosted by his wife Latha Rajinikanth in Singapore. The actor spoke about his formative years in the industry and the experiences that shaped his life in the speech that went viral instantly. The megastar recalled taking up odd jobs like carpenter, coolie and bus conductor before starting in the film industry. 

He shared, “ I did all that because I was born into a poor family. I knew poverty not by seeing or hearing about it but by experiencing it. I had an immense drive to become rich. I have never feared anything in my life even when I was young. But once I was very scared and I decided to commit suicide.” Rajinikanth remembered seeing people worship a ‘Godman’ which made him change his decision. He recollected, “ That’s when I saw a painting of a godman and people were doing puja. Seeing him, I decided to push the decision to another day.”

Rajinikanth recollects seeing the Godman in his dream changed his course of life 

In the same appearance, Rajinikanth recalled seeing the Godman in his dream later that night. He shared, “That night I had a dream where the saint appeared with a white beard and he was sitting on the other side of a river. He asked me to come to him and I didn’t swim but ran to him. The next day, when I asked around who was that godman, I was told it was Sri Raghavendra.” The Thalaivar shared that he started prying and fasting after the incident. 

The actor recalled, “Then I became a conductor, then joined film institute, was then identified by Balachander sir, and became a star.” He also looked back at the time when has went to Mantralaayam and was astonished to see the same river he saw in his dream. The actor concluded by saying, “So, he and the people of Tamil Nadu had made me a star, and that’s how a conductor is standing before you in a suit.” Rajinikanth will be seen next in Coolie.

Raayan to clash with Thangalaan?

Director Pa Ranjith's Thangalaan was initially slated for an earlier release this year (April) but was postponed amid the Lok Sabha elections. With two phases of the elections concluded, the film is now gearing up for a June release, as per media reports. Notably, the Lok Sabha poll results are set to be unveiled on June 4.

Thangalaan, directed by Pa Ranjith, boasts an ensemble cast including Chiyaan Vikram, Malavika Mohanan, Pasupathy, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Daniel Caltagirone, and others. Backed by Studio Green, Jio Studios, and Neelam Productions, the film features music by GV Prakash Kumar, cinematography by Kishor Kumar, and editing by Selva RK.

On the other hand, Raayan marks Dhanush's second directorial venture following Power Paandi. The film stars Dhanush himself alongside SJ Suryah, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Selvaraghavan, Prakash Raj, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in key roles.

What is the plot of Dhanush starrer Raayan?

According to media reports, the upcoming gangster drama will revolve around Raayan, played by Dhanush, a cook at a restaurant in North Madras. At one point, the mystery of Dhanush's past is revealed, surprising everyone around him. It appears that the regular cook was a former gangster with a hidden past. Kalidas and Sundeep are rumoured to play Raayan's (Dhanush) brothers.  

Sivakarthikeyan to feature in GOAT with Vijay

As per Kolly Corner, Sivakarthikeyan is currently shooting for The Greatest of All Time in Chennai. This will be the first time Thalapathy Vijay will be seen sharing screen space with Sivakarthikeyan. Not just the Ayalaan actor, but Chennai Super King players MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad will also reportedly play cameo roles in the movie.

Are Dhoni and Ruturaj a part of The Greatest Of All Time?

Thalapathy Vijay's upcoming film The Greatest of All Time directed by Venkat Prabhu is billed as a sci-fi thriller with the Leo actor playing a dual role. The film's first single, Whistle Podu, was recently released in celebration of the Tamil New Year. The song's title, combined with the fact that director Venkat Prabhu is an avid cricket fan, is believed to be the primary source of the speculation of Dhoni joining the star cast of the film. Furthermore, Ruturaj Gaikwad was recently spotted watching Thalapathy Vijay's latest film, Leo, on a streaming service. These factors contributed to the current rumours.

Addressing these rumours in an interview with the YouTube channel SS Music, actor Ajmal, who plays a prominent role in the film, stated that the production house will officially release more information about these rumours. His refusal to confirm or deny the rumours fueled the news.
 

Thug Life makers issue a statement

Silambarasan's role in Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan's upcoming film Thug Life has finally been confirmed. After photos of the actor from the film's shoot in Delhi were leaked, Madras Talkies and Raaj Kamal Films International, which are co-producing the project, released an official poster to reveal Simbu's look. Silambarasan reportedly plays Kamal Haasan's son in the film. In the poster, the actor can be seen sporting long hair and his appearance is reminiscent of his role in the film Kaalai.

The makers also issued a statement that read, "After his last outing Vikram, which was a resounding box office success across the globe, the excitement and anticipation among Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan’s legion of fans has been at an all time high ever since his next outing thug life was announced. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the magnum opus marks the reunion of the iconic actor director duo after their 1987 cult film Nayakan. Comprising of a stellar cast and crew, thug life seems to be getting bigger each passing day and joining the stellar cast is actor Silambarasan TR, which has only piqued the interests of fans further."

"While the makers have ensured that details regarding are kept under wraps, the film’s teaser and Kamal Haasan’s look have been lauded by fans and critics alike and is slated to release later this year," the statement concluded.

Simbu and Mani Ratnam's previous collaborations

This is Simbu and Mani Ratnam's second collaboration; they previously worked together on Chekka Sivantha Vaanam, another gangster drama. It also marks Kamal's second collaboration with Simbu. The two have collaborated on an untitled project with Simbu in the lead and Kamal Haasan as producer.

In addition to the two leads, the film also features Abhirami, Trisha, Gautham Karthik, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Joju George in key roles. 

Arjun Das shares the plot of Kaithi 2

According to a report in Pinkvilla, Arjun Das said that initially, Lokesh had discussed a potential idea for Karthi starrer Kaithi 2 during the shooting for the first part. He shared that the sequel will show Dilli's (played by Karthi) backstory. The movie will also highlight the events that took place in his life connecting him with Adaikalam (played by Harish Uthaman) and Anbu (played by Arjun).

Arjun further revealed that Lokesh had said that he could take out any character from his cinematic universe and make a solo movie around the character. He hinted that just like Vikram 2, there can be a standalone movie for Rolex and Leo Das.

Will Arjun Das be reprising his character in Kaithi 2?

Earlier in an interview, Arjun expressed eagerness about the possibility of reprising his role in Kaithi 2. He said in his native language which we loosely translated to “Only Lokesh sir can confirm if I'll be in Kaithi 2. It would be great if he could call me. Fortunately, I didn't die in the last film, so I'm hopeful to be part of this one.”

What do we know about Kaithi?

In the film, a recently released prisoner races against time to drive poisoned cops to a hospital in exchange for meeting his daughter while evading criminals chasing him. Released in 2019, the movie opened to positive reviews from critics. Following the positive reception, the film became a box-office success, grossing ?105 crore. Kaithi is followed up in Vikram (2022) with Narain reprising his role as Bejoy, while George Maryan reprises his role as Napoleon in Leo (2023).

Indian 2 delayed?

For the unversed, for long, Indian 2 was projected to be eyeing a release around mid-August, coinciding with India's Independence Day celebrations. The date was a good fit, considering the film's strongly political premise. However, subsequent reports suggested, that the film's release had been preponed to mid-April, around the Tamil New Year. This turned out to be a false alarm, as the newly released poster of the film affirmed that Indian 2 would now be releasing in the month of June.

As per an exclusive Pinkvilla report, the release of Indian 2, now appears to have been pushed to the month of July. More specifically, the Kamal Haasan starrer is eyeing a release date of July 17, coinciding with the occasion of Muharram. The source quoted in the report states, "It’s going to be a Muharram release for Indian 2. The team is now working keeping the date in mind. While the film is ready, the makers want to shoot for a song featuring Kamal Haasan over 5 days..."

Indian 2 is reportedly part of S Shankar's cinematic universe

The same report also suggests that Indian 2, in congruence with director S Shankar's other projects, Indian 3 and Game Changer, are all part of the same universe. The plot for the three films, will reportedly be interlinked. Things on the release front however, still appear tentative for Ram Charan and Kiara Advani's Game Changer.

The source quoted in the report states, "Game Changer could hit the big screen in the window of October to January, with dates ranging from Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas to Sankranti". 

Is Dark Matter inspired from Maanaadu?

For the unversed, American series Dark Matter, will soon be marking its premiere on Apple TV+. The date for the same, is set for May 8. The poster of the series, shows leads Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, standing amid what appears to be a sea of clones of the former.

Though visually rather interesting, one cannot help but notice the film poster for 2021 Tamil release Maanaadu. Starring Silambarasan TR in the lead, the poster features the actor holding a gun to his head as he too, stands among a sea of his clones. It is worth clearly pointing out that while Maanaadu released back in 2021, Dark Matter is a few days away from making its digital debut. What's more, both the series and the film belong to the sci-fi genre, leading fans of the film to anticipate further similarities in the series itself.

Venkat Prabhu reacts

Maanaadu was directed by Venkat Prabhu. The filmmaker took to his official X handle to share both the aforementioned posters. Though he did not directly insinuate the fact that the visual aesthetic of Dark Matter may have been inspired from Maanadu, he simply pointed out the year of release for both titles. 

While there were many who were blown away by the observation, some were not too impressed. While one user pointed out how there are several titles which exist on the theme of time loop, another asserted that Maanaadu itself is inspired from 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow. 

Aranmanai 4 box office collection day 4

On the first day of the weekday, Aranmanai 4 witnessed a major downfall in the daily collection. It earned ?3 crore on the fourth day of the release, early estimates reported by Sacnilk. Adding Monday collection, the total now stands at ?22.15 crore. The movie had an overall 27.70 percent Tamil occupancy on Monday with the maximum reported in the Pondicherry region - 45.50 percent.

On the second day of the release, the movie earned ?6.65 crore and ?7.85 crore on Sunday.

What do we know about Aranmanai 4?

The revolves around the Assamese folklore of Baak, a soul-grabbing, shape-shifting ghost. When it targets the family of Selvi (Tamannaah) resulting in a few deaths, it’s up to Selvi’s brother Saravanan (Sundar C) to solve the mystery and bring peace to the village and his family. The film has earned mixed reviews from critics, while the audience responded more favourably. It is the fourth instalment in the hit Aranmanai film series with the first one being released in 2014, part 2 of the film was released in 2016 followed by part 3 in 2021. The 2014 and 2016 parts of the film featured Hansika Motwani in the lead roles. The 2021 version of the film saw actress Raashii Khanna playing the lead role.

Interpretations of AR Rahman's post

Renowned composer AR Rahman has once again stirred the online community with a cryptic post, leaving fans of both himself and Ilaiyaraaja engaged in speculation over its underlying message. In the video, Kumarimuthu reflects on humility and the role of those who possess limited knowledge in supporting geniuses. However, many fans interpreted AR Rahman's post as a veiled dig at Ilaiyaraaja, known for his outspoken statements regarding his musical supremacy. Speculations mounted as fans debated the intention behind the music composer's post, with some questioning whether it was a subtle jab at the maestro.

Responding to AR Rahman's cryptic post, fans expressed varying opinions. One fan speculated, "Is AR Rahman hitting out at Ilaiyaraaja indirectly?" while another urged AR Rahman to focus on composing quality music rather than engaging in controversial social media activities. As of now, the composer has not addressed the theories circulating around his post, leaving fans eagerly awaiting his response.

Ilaiyaraaja's copyright dispute

Meanwhile, Ilaiyaraaja finds himself embroiled in a copyright controversy. The veteran composer reportedly took legal action against the makers of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie over the unauthorised use of a line from his song Va Va Pakkam Va in the film’s title teaser. Given Ilaiyaraaja's ownership of the copyright to all his compositions, this move ignited a heated debate across social media platforms.

Chiyaan Vikram mobbed by fans

Chiyaan Vikram recently marked his presence at the pooja ceremony for son Dhruv Vikram's next, Bison Kaalamaadan. Over and above the film and its leading hero however, Chiyaan Vikram himself became the main object of attraction. The actor was mobbed by a sea of fans at the event, which was held in Tirunelveli.

Pictures doing the rounds of social media, show the Ponniyin Selvan actor giving the first clap for the film. Following this, there are multiple shots of him wading his way through the sea of fans, vying for a glimpse of the actor. Separately, the first look of Bison Kaalamaadan presents an interesting premise as Dhruv Vikram can be seen kneeling in front of a mammoth statue of a bison. The premise for the film is the intense sport of Kabaddi with Dhruv essaying the role of P Ganesan.

What is next for Chiyaan Vikram?

Chiyaan Vikram last featured in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: II. For this year, the actor has three major films lined up for release. First in line in Thangalaan, directed by PA Ranjith. The film is reportedly based on the true events that revolve around the lives of mine workers in the Kolar Gold Fields located in Karnataka. Next in line, is Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One – Yuddha Kaandam, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The release of the film has been held up for years owing to budget constraints - Menon is attempting to see through the film's release within the year.

Also in the works for the actor, is Veera Dheera Sooran. 

Dhanush's Raayan to release in June after Indian 2 gets postponed?

Indian 2 starring Kamal Haasan was scheduled to release in theatres on June 13. However, the film's release date has been postponed again to July, as per media reports. Following this, Dhanush took to the spot without any major competitions in the view. Today, the actor announced that his film will release in theatres in June 2024. He also shared a new poster with the caption, "Raayan first single on may 9th. An A R RAHMAN musical." Meanwhile, in the poster, the actor can be seen sporting a rugged look with Raavan's face in the backdrop.

What is the plot of Dhanush starrer Raayan?

According to media reports, the upcoming gangster drama will revolve around Raayan, played by Dhanush, a cook at a restaurant in North Madras. At one point, the mystery of Dhanush's past is revealed, surprising everyone around him. It appears that the regular cook was a former gangster with a hidden past. Kalidas and Sundeep are rumoured to play Raayan's (Dhanush) brothers.  

Although the team of Raayan starring Dhanush has not revealed much, fans believe the film's plot is similar to that of Thalapathy Vijay starrer Leo. For those who are unfamiliar, Thalapathy Vijay starrer Leo is also about a coffee shop owner and his dark past as a gangster. Meanwhile, Raayan is the actor's 50th film. The film also stars Dushara Vijayan, who will play the female lead opposite Dhanush.

Bison Kaalamaadan’s first look revealed

The makers revealed the film's title on Monday, April 6 with a new poster. In it, Dhruv can be seen in the standing start position against the backdrop of a massive bison sculpture. A dark color scheme was used in the creation of the poster.

Bison Kaalamaadan is a sports drama. According to the makers, the film is a tale of guts, grit, and glory in the life of a young man where the whole world was a Goliath to his David. A story of a man who defied the lines on his hand to achieve what no one thought possible, to choose sport over a gun, peace over violence, and life over death.

It is based on the true story of Kabaddi player and Arjuna Awardee Manathi Ganesan. While Dhruv will play the role of Ganesan, Anupama Parameswaran is also a major character in the movie. Additionally, Lal, Pasupathy Masilamani, Rajisha Vijayan, Hari Krishnan, Azhagam Perumal, and Aruvi Madhanand Kalaiyarasan among others will also be a part of the supporting cast. 

Mari Selvaraj on Bison Kaalamaadan 

Opening up about the project, director Mari Selvaraj said, “This film will be a raw sports drama which goes back to the roots of Kabadi and to be working with Dhruv, a strong talented youngster will definitely add up different perspectives to the film. It is with no doubt I say that this film will be an important milestone for all of us.”

The film went on floors on May 6, 2024. 

Kamal Haasan, STR's Thug Life look leaked

On May 6, a photo featuring actors Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR aka STR begin to circulate online. It was from the sets of Thug Life. In the viral photo, the actors can be seen at a temple scenario where Kamal Haasan can be seen sporting an all-white shirt paired with veshti. He is also seen sporting a tika and a beard look.

On the other hand, actor STR was seen sporting a casual shirt. He styled his look with sunglasses. In the photo, he could be seen standing leaning on a pillar with his hands inside his pocket. The photo also featured actor Nassar behind Kamal Haasan.

What do we know about Thug Life?

Thug Life marks the union of filmmaker Mani Ratnam and actor Kamal Haasan 37 years after the release of their 1987 film Nayakan. Apart from Kamal Haasan and STR, the film also stars Trisha, Abhirami, Nassar, Gautham Karthik, Joju George, and Aishwarya Lekshmi among others. The film will be the 237th project of Kamal Haasan.

Apprehensions of not getting another chance haunts Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his latest blog entry, "Another day at work comes to an end and the end too of this project, for me ..But ever the dissatisfaction of a doubt, when in reflection, whether the work done was to satisfaction and whether there shall be an opportunity to have another try to redo and maybe improve the previous."

He added, "There is ever the apprehension that the Production or the Director may not give you another chance .. but as you reminisce at night, it disturbs you and you wonder .. So a request has been made and there is promise that the opportunity to redo and improve shall be given .. but let us see .. (sic)" the 81-year-old wrote alongside a series of pictures from the film set in Mumbai.

What more do we know about Vettaiyan?

Vettaiyan, billed as an entertainer with a message, marks Rajinikanth's 170th feature film. It also stars Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier and Dushara Vijayan in key roles. Rumours have been doing the rounds that Rajinikanth is playing the role of blind man in the movie, who resorts to vigilantism. Rana Daggubati further shared about the movie, "Vettaiyan explores the judiciary, police, and entrepreneurial systems. It is quite a well-researched movie.”

Anirudh Ravichander is attached to compose the music for the movie, produced by A Subaskaran of Lyca Productions. 

Aranmanai 4 earns positive reviews, tastes moderate success at box office

Aranmanai or?Mansion is an Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film series created by Sundar C, consisting of Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016), Aranmanai 3 (2021) and Aranmanai 4 (2024), all directed by him. According to the reviews on social media, the latest installment is one of the most thrilling in the series so far. Tamannaah's performance has also been lauded by many. Positive reviews are driving its business at the box office. The second day business saw a decent jump from the opening day.

According to Sacnilk, the film opened to ?3.6 crore in India. Majority of its collection have come in from the Tamil version. Other regions have contributed very less to the film's business and it did not release in many other languages apart from Telugu. On day 2, the collection rose to ?6.05 crore, taking its total to ?13 crore gross in all languages in India.  

What is the storyline of Aranmanai?

Like other entries in the series, Aranmanai 4 is that it’s not just a revenge saga. Similar to the Sundar C starrer Iruttu, which was based on the concept of Jinn, the new film revolves around the Assamese folklore of Baak, a soul-grabbing, shape-shifting ghost. When it targets the family of Selvi (Tamannaah) resulting in a few deaths, it’s up to Selvi’s brother Saravanan (Sundar C) to solve the mystery and bring peace to the village and his family.

When and where to watch Romeo?

Taking to its official X handle, Aha Tamil shared a teaser announcing the world premiere of Romeo. The romantic comedy-drama will start streaming on digital platforms on May 10. However, it is unknown when will Telugu version be released. "Intha ROMEO-oda aatatha May 10th anniki pappinga. #ROMEO Premieres May 10th on @ahatamil," read the caption.

What else do we know about Romeo?

Vinayak Vaithianathan marks his directorial debut with the movie, starring Mirnalini Ravi, VTV Ganesh, Yogi Babu and Ilavarasu in pivotal roles. The movie revolves around Vijay and Mirnalini's characters. Arivazhagan (played by Vijay) is a Malaysian return, his parents get him itched to the disinterested Leela (played by Mirnalini) who is passionate about acting and wants to become a heroine. What happens between the couple after the wedding is the remaining story. The music is composed by debutants Barath Dhanasekar and Ravi Royster, while the cinematography and editing are handled by Farook J. Basha and Vijay Antony himself. The film is produced by Vijay Antony under the banners of Vijay Antony Film Corporation and Meera Vijay Antony.

Romeo box office collection

The film opened at ?1 crore at the domestic box office but witnessed a drop since then. In the first week of its release, the movie managed to mint ?5.44 crore. In fifteen days, the movie's total spiked up to ?7.59 crore.

What's next for Vijay Antony?

The actor will be next seen in Agni Siragugal, Khakhee and Hitler. All these movies are currently in filming stage.
 

Vettaiyan won’t be like a regular Rajini sir film: Rana Daggubati

In a recent interview, Rana shared he always wanted to work with Rajinikanth but never thought it would come true. Opening up about his character, the actor added that Vettaiyan is "very unlike a typical" Rajini movie. "It is amazing that he is doing a film like Vettaiyan. The drama part of the film will be very interesting," he added.

Rana also shared the plot of the movie and assured the movie buffs that Vettaiyan won't be like a regular Rajinikanth movie. It is a "very different" that the actor has chosen. The movie will explore judiciary, police, and entrepreneurial systems. "I am pleased that Rajini sir chose Vettaiyan, and I could be a part of it," Rana concluded.

What else do we know about Vettaiyan?

During a recent conversation with reporters, Rajinikanth shared that 80 percent of the shoot is complete. The makers have shot for the film in various locations including Mumbai, Trivandrum, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. Apart from Rajinikanth and Rana Daggubati, the movie also stars an ensemble cast including  Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh and Dushara Vijayan. It is the 170th movie of Rajinikanth. Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions, the movie is scheduled to release in October.

What else is Rajinikanth busy with?

Apart from Vettaiyan, Rajini will be seen in Coolie, helmed by Lokesh Kangaraj. Co-starring Kamal Haasan and Shobana, the movie is scheduled to release in 2025.

How did Rajinikanth react to the copyright issue?

The superstar was snapped at Chennai airport on Saturday where reporters asked him to react to Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright issue. He said, "The issue is between Ilaiyaraaja and producer Kalanithi Maran."

All you need to know about Ilaiyaraaja vs Coolie team

Lokesh Kanagaraj recently announced the title of Rajinikanth starrer Coolie. He shared a video which opens with a thumping song titled Disco and introduces Rajini's character. The background music in the video has been reprogrammed by Anirudh Ravichander, originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1983 movie Thanga Magan. Days after the title announcement, Ilaiyaraaja issued a notice to production house Sun Pictures regarding the background song Disco (originally titled Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa in Thanga Magan).

In the statement, the composer claimed that the makers used the song Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa in Coolie's title announcement promo without his approval. He has asked the makers to get proper permission or remove the song from the promo. Ilaiyaraaja also warned that if the makers don't listen to him, he will seek legal action against them.

Now, it remains to be seen if both parties with come to aby conclusion.

What do we know about Coolie?

Helmed by Kanagaraj, the movie is set against the backdrop of gold smuggling. It will showcase Rajinikanth as a mafia don. Coolie won’t be part of LCU and is a standalone film. The production of the movie will reportedly start after the completion of Vettaiyan. It is scheduled to release in 2025.

Rajinikanth returns to Chennai

On May 4, the Darbar actor was spotted outside the Chennai airport. In a now viral video, the actor can be seen dressed in casuals. The 63-year-old actor was wearing a black t-shirt paired with blue denim pants.

Rajinikanth shares Vettaiyan update

While talking to the paps stationed at the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth revealed that 80% of the shoot for the film is completed. Vettaiyan marks the 170th film of the superstar. The TJ Gnanavel directorial film is scheduled to release worldwide in October this year.

What more do we know about Vettaiyan?

Apart from megastars Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan, the film will also star actors Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier, and Dushara Vijayan among others. The makers have shot for the film in various locations including Mumbai, Trivandrum, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. 

How did Aranmanai 4 fare at the box office on day 1?

Aranmanai or?Mansion is an Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film series created by Sundar C, consisting of Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016), Aranmanai 3 (2021) and Aranmanai 4 (2024), all directed by him. According to the reviews on social media, the latest installment is one of the most thrilling in the series so far. Tamannaah's performance has also been lauded by many. Despite positive reviews, the film's performance at the box office has not been up to the mark.

According to Sacnilk, the film opened to ?3.6 crore in India. Majority of its collection have come in from the Tamil version. Other regions have contributed very less to the film's business and it did not even release in many other languages.

What is Aranmanai 4 about?

Like other entries in the series, Aranmanai 4 is that it’s not just a revenge saga. Similar to the Sundar C starrer Iruttu, which was based on the concept of Jinn, the new film revolves around the Assamese folklore of Baak, a soul-grabbing, shape-shifting ghost. When it targets the family of Selvi (Tamannaah) resulting in a few deaths, it’s up to Selvi’s brother Saravanan (Sundar C) to solve the mystery and bring peace to the village and his family.

It will be interesting to see how it will fare in the coming days.

Jyotika responded by saying it’s a private matter and sometimes people vote online. However, her answer made her the laughingstock on the internet as voting for home provision is only available for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

Jyotika gets mocked on the internet

Given her support for films with strong messages, a reporter questioned Jyotika about why she didn't vote and set an example in real life as well. The actor chimed in right away, saying, "I vote every year." When pointed out that elections aren’t held every year, she acknowledged that voting doesn't happen annually and went on, “At times we can be outstation, we can be sick, it’s a private thing. Sometimes privately also we vote, we might do it online, but not everything is publicised. There is a private side to life and we need to respect that and give that space.”

Internet users couldn't understand how Jyotika can vote online when everyone travels to the polls to cast their ballots. One user said, "Heck, I didn't know online voting was available. Wasted my time going to the polling booth and standing in the queue to vote.”

Another added, “You’re a special breed to be educated, & remain hilariously dumb. #Jyotika - You can’t sit at home privately & press a button on a keyboard to vote. This is not Big Boss. It’s okay to abstain from voting, but what hilarious excuses!” A third one said, “Maybe she would have participated in one of the online surveys which she is taking too seriously."

More about the online voting provision 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) made history by allowing the elderly and people with disabilities (PwDs) to vote from home in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This is the first time that a general election has used such a method. Voters 85 years of age and older can use this option, as can PwDs with a baseline disability of 40%. However, there is no provision for normal adults to cast their votes online.

Amitabh Bachchan marvels at working with Rajinikanth

Amitabh Bachchan's blog entry for May 3, commenced with the actor appreciating the beauty of Mumbai's Sea Link and Marine Drive, which he came across on his way to the set. He described the excellence and "joy" of the view, however, as only secondary to the same of working with Rajinikanth on set. 

An excerpt from the actor's blog entry reads, "but the greater joy in being in the company of the Great RajniKant at work .. no change in him at all .. the same humble, simple, down to earth dynamic star .. what a privilege and honour .." The entry was coupled with a series of pictures of the two superstars together on set. One of the pictures in particular, shows the duo sharing a warm embrace. The same set of photos was also shared by the official social media handles of Lyca Productions, the production house bankrolling the project. The caption to the post, rightly referred to Big B and Rajinikanth as "the Titans of Indian Cinema".

What's the update on Vettaiyan?

Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth are of course leading Vettaiyan. However, besides the two powerhouses of acting, Vettaiyan is being mounted as a rather star-studded project. Rana Daggubati and Fahadh Faasil will also be holding key roles in the TJ Gnanavel directorial. If reports are to be believed, Rajinikanth will be essaying the role of a visually impaired man in the film.

Separately, Amitabh Bachchan on the other hand, will next feature in Kalki 2898 AD, in the role of Ashwatthama. The film is slated for a release on June 27. 

Kamal Haasan faces legal trouble

Kamal Haasan finds himself on the receiving end of a complaint, courtesy of director-producer Lingusamy and producer Subash Chandra Bose of Thirrupathi Brothers. Lingusamy and Bose had worked with Kamal Haasan on the 2015 film Uttama Villain. The same had reportedly pushed the Thirrupathi Brothers into debt. As per the duo, Kamal Haasan had promised them another collaboration with a budget of ?30 crores which was supposed to help them out of their financial crisis. The actor, however, failed to come through on his promise even after 9 years.

The Thirrupathi Brothers also alleged that they had approached the actor expressing their desire to remake the Malayalam language blockbuster, Drishyam. However, Kamal Haasan declined the offer and went on to shoot a similar film for a separate banner in a few weeks time. Subash Chandra Bose has sought the help of the Producers Association to resolve the matter at hand. The association is yet to respond.

What is Uttama Villain about?

The root cause of the controversy is the 2015 film Uttama Villain. Directed by Ramesh Aravind, the film interestingly, also featured the actor's name in the lineup of producers who bankrolled the project, alongside the Thirrupathi Brothers. The premise of the film follows an actor, who is counting his last days due to a brain tumour diagnosis.

He goes on to reach out to his mentor, requesting him to direct his last film. Besides Kamal Haasan, the film also stars  K Viswanath, K Balachander, Jayaram, Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Nassar, Parvathy Thiruvothu, and Urvashi, among others in key roles. The film can be streamed on Zee5. The film reportedly was a huge flop at the box office and incurred heavy losses, putting the producers in debt.

Nagarjuna's first look from Kubera goes viral

The makers of Kubera dropped an intriguing clip of Nagarjuna's first look from the film. Along with the video, the makers also shared a brand new poster featuring the Naa Saami Ranga star. In the video, Nagarjuna can be seen walking with am umbrella amid heavy downpour in the city. Following that, he comes across a car that is loaded with currency notes. Upon noticing that one note from the vehicle is drenched in rain, he reaches out to his pocket and places a note on the bundle. This scene from his first look video has left a lasting impression on his fans. Meanwhile, Nagarjuna can be seen sporting a middle-aged guy look in the video. Take a look.

What will be Dhanush's role in Kubera?

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, Dhanush unveiled the title and his first look from Kubera, co-starring Nagarjuna. According to reports, the film is set in Dharavi in Mumbai. Dhanush will reportedly play the role of a beggar, who turns into a mafia lord, while Nagarjuna might play the character of an investigating officer. 

Co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, the film marks the first collaboration between Dhanush and Sekhar. Kubera has been bankrolled by Suniel Narang with the music being composed by Devi Sri Prasad. Kubera will be released in both Telugu and Tamil languages, owing to the presence of a multicultural cast and crew. The film is slated to release this year, but the makers are yet to announce the date.

Ajith Kumar to begin filming of Good Bad Ugly

As per DTNext, the shooting of Good Bad Ugly will kickstart from May 10. However, Ajith Kumar will be joining the sets of the film in June 2024. Till that time, other portions of the film will be shot with the rest of the star cast. Reportedly, Ajith will continue shooting for VidaaMuyarchi this month and join the sets of Good Bad Ugly after wrapping up the shoot schedule. Moreover, the actor will be undergoing massive transformation for Good Bad Ugly.

What more do we know about Good Bad Ugly?

Good Bad Ugly’s production house, Mythri Movie Makers, made the announcement of Ajith Kumar’s next on their official X handle on March 14. The caption read, “With Wholesome Humbleness herewith, we Announce the title of AK's Next Movie Called as #GoodBadUgly.”

The post also featured the first poster of the film, showcasing firearms in the backdrop and a jagged silver knuckle covered in droplets of blood, all surrounded by fencing wire. Sharing his excitement about the upcoming project, director Adhik Ravichandran said, “There are priceless moments in everyone’s life and career, and this one is beyond my belief. Working with my matinee idol AK Sir has been a long cherished dream and I’m emotionally overwhelmed working with him. I thank producers Naveen Yerneni sir and Ravi Shankar sir for this opportunity.” Aside from Good Bad Ugly, the Tamil star is also scheduled to feature in VidaaMuyarchi, which is being directed by Magizh Thirumeni. 

Jyotika on working with Suriya

In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Jyotika made it clear that she hasn’t signed any project with her husband Suriya as of now and they are still looking for a ‘good script’. The actress said, “No, we are not working together these are just rumours, we're still waiting for a good script to come across so right now nothing's on the cards but we surely will work if someone has something really special which is written for both of us as we don't want to come for the sake of coming on screen together.”

Jyotika and Suriya’s collaboration

Jyotika and Suriya first featured together in Poovellam Kettuppar which released in 1999. This was followed by Uyirile Kalanthathu (2000), Kaakha Kaakha (2003), Perazhagan (2004) and Maayavi (2005). June R (2005) was their next release - this was followed by their final film together to date, Sillunu Oru Kaadhal which released in the same year as their marriage, 2006.

Separately, both Jyotika and Suriya have been busy on their respective work fronts. The actress recently marked her return to Bollywood after a gap of 25 years, with the Vikas Bahl helmed Shaitaan. The dark thriller featured Jyotika in the role of Jyoti Rishi, wife to Ajay Devgn's Kabir Rishi. She will next be seen in the Rajkummar Rao-led Srikanth, set for a release on May 10. Suriya on the other hand, is currently mounting his pan-India project - Kanguva, set to release this year.

What happened at the event?

The dancing event took place today at Chennai's Rajarathinam Stadium, with registration beginning earlier in the day (around 7 AM). Several schoolchildren also took part. Children formed a long queue to participate in the dance event. However, children were forced to wait in line for an extended period while the management awaited Prabhu Deva's arrival to start the event. Unfortunately, a few children fainted due to the extreme heat, which infuriated their parents, as per media reports.

Prabhu Deva issues an apology to the parents

Enraging parents were in a dispute with the event management team and blamed Prabhu Deva for the delay. Reportedly, Prabhu Deva was unable to attend the event due to prior commitments in Hyderabad. Later, the actor-choreographer issued an apology via video. "I definitely want to meet all of you," he said. He further clarified that due to ill health he had to give the event a miss. However, he wished the best to the students who participated in the event. "Best of luck to all of you.. I love you all.. I miss you all," he concluded. Despite giving an apology, Prabhu Deva was slammed for his actions.

The dancing event, which took place in an open stadium in hot summer weather, has sparked controversy, while the team has faced criticism for poor management. Despite the chaos, the event went ahead as planned, with 5000 dancers performing Prabhu Deva's songs for 100 minutes. 

So magnum opus and so well-made: Jyotika

In conversation with Pinkvilla, Jyotika shared that Suriya has put his 200 per cent into the movie. She has seen a few clips and rushes of Kanguva. After watching them, the Shaitaan actress has concluded that it will be a treat to movie buffs' eyes. "I feel that cinema is going to witness something for the first time, which is so magnum opus and so well-made," she added.

In the movie, Suriya is sporting a raw look with long hair. Reacting to Suriya's Kanguva look, the actress shared she waited for a long time for Suriya to get a haircut. However, keeping her personal feelings aside, Jyotika added Suriya was phenomenal in the movie. "I have no words for his body of work and the efforts he puts in," she concluded.

What else do we know about Kanguva?

The movie promises a raw, rustic and new visual experience to the audience with human emotions, powerful performance and high-octane action sequences. In the movie, Suriya and Bobby are seen at loggerheads. The makers are yet to unveil Disha's character. Produced by Studio Green and K.E. Gnanavel Raja, the film features cinematography by Vetri Palanisamy and musical score by Devi Sri Prasad. The film is currently in post-production and is moving at a brisk pace.

When will Indian 2 release?

According to X page Aakashvani, Kamal Haasan starrer is slated to hit the theatres on June 13. The post further read that makers will make an official announcement soon. If the report is believed to be true then June will witness two mega movies releasing back-to-back.

A few days ago, the makers of Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, announced the release date. The movie will release on June 27.

What else do we know about Indian 2?

The movie will show Senapathy returning to India from Hong Kong after learning about the ongoing corruption and injustice in the country through social media. Apart from Kamal Haasan, the movie stars an ensemble cast of Siddharth, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, S. J. Suryah, Bobby Simha, Vivek, and Priya Bhavani Shankar.

On Siddharth's birthday, the makers unveiled the first look of the actor. Lyca Productions took to its official X handle to share the poster that shows Siddharth in a lively and colourful hue, seemingly jumping off a high-rise building. The poster doesn't give details about his character or how he is related to Kamal Haasan in the film. "Team INDIAN-2 ?? wishes the multifaceted SIDDHARTH a Happy Birthday! Your diverse roles and timeless charm continue to captivate everyone! Here’s to another year of success in your journey!"

The film is jointly produced by Subaskaran Allirajah's Lyca Productions and Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant Movies.