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Here’s a recap of the significant stories in entertainment across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, and sometimes the odd television series as well.
On Sivakarthikeyan’s birthday (Feb 17), the makers of Maaveeran released the film’s first single. Titled ‘Scene Ah Scene Ah’, the song is composed by Bharat Sankar of Mandela (2021) and Andhagharam (2020) fame. The lyrical video shows Sivakarthikeyan grooving energetically with a huge group of dancers in suburban Chennai. The song is sung by Anirudh with lyrics by Kabilan and CM Lokesh, and choreography by Shobi Paulraj.
Maaveeran is written and directed by Madonne Ashwin of Mandella fame and is produced by Arun Vishwa under the Shanthi Talkies banner. Along with Sivakarthikeyan, the film stars Aditi Shankar, Yogi Babu, Mysskin and others. The technical crew of the film include cinematographer Vidhu Ayyanna and editor Philomin Raj.
Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum, Fahadh Faasil’s first film of the year, is slated to hit the screens on April 28. Touted to be a light-hearted film, the story is about a Malayali man in Mumbai and his journey to Kerala. Fahadh was last seen in Malayankunju and Vikram. Directed by debutant Akhil Sathyan, the film co-stars Mukesh and Innocent. Sharan Velayudhan has handled the camera while Justin Prabhakaran has scored the music.
On Feb 16, marking the occasion of Darshan’s birthday, the makers of his 56th film revealed the title along with a fiery motion poster. Written and directed by Tharun Sudhir and bankrolled by Rockline Entertainment, the commercial entertainer has been titled Kaatera. This is the third collaboration between Darshan and Tharun after Roberrt (2021) and the actor’s cameo in Chowka (2017). Set in a village in Karnataka in the 1970s, the motion poster tells a story of violence and bloodshed with a rousing soundtrack by V Harikrishna and a voice-over by Darshan.
The makers of Nani’s pan-Indian film Dasara released the second single titled ‘Ori Vaari’ on 13th February. Composed and sung by Santhosh Narayanan, the single was accompanied by a lyrical video featuring the singer as well as some footage from the film. Nani also makes a small appearance, dancing along with Narayanan.
Branded as the ‘HeartBreak Anthem’, the ballad starts off soft, lamenting about lost love and childhood. The visuals show Nani narrating the song to a group of miners. The song then transitions into a rock song with the lyrics talking about suppressed dreams and aspirations. The song was also released in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam. The film is all set to release on March 30.
Paramvah studios released the second teaser of Hemanth Rao’s Saptha Sagaradaache Ello on Valentine’s Day. The 36-second teaser shows Manu (Rakshit Shetty) and Surabhi (Chaithra J Achar) travelling in a bus. “Do you like the sea?” asks Manu at the end of the teaser, a continuation of the theme of seas, beaches and romance that was shown in the first teaser.
The romantic thriller is the second collaboration between Hemanth Rao, Rakshit Shetty and music director Charan Raj after Godhi Banna Saadharana Mykattu (2016). The film also stars Rukmini Vasanth (who was seen in the first teaser), Avinash, Sharath Lohitashwa, Achyutha Kumar, Pavitra Lokesh and Gopal Krishna Deshpande. Interestingly, Rakshit Shetty will sport two different looks in the film.
The cast of Lokesh Kannagaraj’s Leo is growing day by day. The fresh addition is Bigg Boss contestant and actor Abhirami Venkatachalam. The actor is known for her roles in Nota (2018) and Nerkonda Paarvai (2019). She revealed the news on her Instagram handle, posting a picture with the director. Leo is Lokesh’s second collaboration with Thalapathy Vijay and Seven Screen Studios after their previous blockbuster Master (2021). The film also stars Trisha, Arjun Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Mysskin, Priya Anand, Gautam Vasudev Menon and Mansoor Ali Khan. It is scheduled to be released on 19th October.
The comeback film of actress Bhavana, Ntikkakkakkoru Premandaarnnu was supposed to release on February 17. But the makers have postponed the film’s release to February 24. The reason for this change is unknown. Ntikkakkakkoru Premandaarnnu revolves around two childhood sweethearts who cross paths years later. Directed by Adhil M Asharaf, the romantic entertainer stars Bhavana and Sharafudheen in the lead roles.
The Kantara (2022) craze still seems to be soaring high as Rishab Shetty, the actor and director of the film, has won an award. The actor was awarded the prestigious Most Promising Actor Award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival. This is another feather in the cap of the divine blockbuster which recently celebrated its 100-day run.
Adding on to the film’s success, Rishab Shetty was invited to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Rocking Star Yash and Vijay Kiragandur (of Hombale Films). An English version of Kantara is also streaming on Netflix. The makers recently announced a prequel in line.
The Indian adaptation of Ray Donovan pits Rana Daggubati’s Rana Naidu against his father Naga Naidu (played by Venkatesh). The trailer introduces Rana Naidu as a ‘fixer’ in the Bollywood film circle. As we are shown montages of Rana attacking different people and scheming his next move, the trailer tells us, “He can fix everything.” But when his father, Naga is released early from prison, the father and son hit it on the wrong note and a war ensues. Will Rana be able to fix his personal issues as well? The Netflix adaptation is helmed by Karan Anshuman (Inside Edge and Mirzapur) and is all set to premiere on March 10.
The most anticipated Mohanlal starrer Malaikottai Vaaliban has roped in Hariprashanth, known for his role in Aadu 2. Touted to be a mass entertainer, the film has gained a lot of excitement as it marks the first collaboration between Mohanlal and director Lijo Jose Pellissery. This film, which is based on wrestling, is written by PS Rafeeq. Prashanth Pillai is the music composer while Madhu Neelakandan is the DOP.
Thugs, the sophomore directorial of choreographer Brindha Gopal, is all set to release on February 24. The film is set inside a prison, following the story of a new inmate (played by Hridhu Haroon). The various atrocities and violence inflicted by fellow inmates as well as the officers are shown, with a prison escape thrown in the mix. Thugs stars Bobby Simha, Munishkanth, Hridhu Haroon and RK Suresh. The film has music by Sam CS.
Popular actress Meera Jasmine, known for her roles in Gudumba Shankar (2004), Bhadra (2005) and A Aa E Ee (2009) is making a comeback in Telugu cinema with Vimanam. Meera Jasmine was last seen in the Malayalam film Makal (2022). Her last Telugu film was the 2013 film Moksha, making it a whole decade since her appearance in Telugu cinema. Vimanam is a Tamil-Telugu bilingual produced by Kiran Korrapati under KKCreativeWorks in association with Zee Studios.
Bharathiraja and Arulnithi's new emotional drama has been titled Thiruvin Kural. Produced by Lyca Productions, their 24th production, the film is written and directed by debutant Harish Prabhu. The director revealed that Arulnithi’s character in the film is deaf and mute and Bharathiraja plays his father. Reportedly, the film is mostly set in a government hospital in Chennai. The film also stars Aathmika, Subathra Robert, Ashraf, Jeeva, Mahendran and Harish Somasundaram. The technical crew includes music director Sam CS, cinematographer Sinto Poduthas and editor Ganesh Shiva.
Amidst court cases and police brutality faced by a tribal community, Mansore’s political drama 19.20.21 picks up the case of a youngster among them, Manju (played by Shrunga BV). Initially judged for hailing from a place, he is then wrongfully branded as a Naxal, accused of being a traitor and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The three-minute-long trailer gives us glimpses of the struggles faced by a community with hard-hitting visuals.
Written by Mansore and Veerendra Mallanna, the film is the duo’s follow-up to Act-1978 (2020). The film also stars Balaji Manohar, Rajesh Nataranga, MD Pallavi and Avinash in pivotal roles. The film is all set to release on March 3.
Chandrajith Belliappa’s first feature film is titled Ibbani Tabbida Ileyalli. The making video of the film features behind-the-scenes footage, showing glimpses of a college romance between the leads played by Vihan and Ankita Amar.
Chandrajith Belliappa was a part of Rakshit Shetty’s writing team called ‘The Seven Odds’ as well as a director of the short film Rainbowland, which was a part of Rishab Shetty’s Katha Sangama (2019). The film is produced by GS Gupta and Rakshit Shetty under Paramvah Studios.
Mithran R Jawahar's Ariyavan, which is based on real events, is an action thriller centred around violence against women and sexual harassment. In both tone and treatment, the film moves away from the director's previous works — like Thiruchitrambalam (2022) and Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008) — which were light-hearted entertainers. Starring debutant Ishaoon and Prranali, Ariyavan is slated to be released on March 3. The film has music by James Vasanthan, Ved Shankar and Gri Nandh.
The Telugu anthology Anger Tales on Disney+ Hotstar. It follows four characters namely Ranga, Pooja, Radha and Giri. Directed by debutant Prabhata Tilak, the film stars Venkatesh Maha, Madonna Sebastian, Tharun Bhasker and Bindu Madhavi. Prabhata Tilak has written the film along with Karthikeya Karedla, who is also the executive producer of the film. It has music by Smaran Sai.