Everything That Made News In Entertainment From The South (December 16 - 23)
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.
Ravi Teja’s Eagle gets a trailer (Telugu)
Ravi Teja will be next seen in the action entertainer Eagle, which sees him in a more dramatic and restrained avatar rather than his usual comedic flair. The makers of the film recently released the official trailer of the film, which sees Teja play a legendary soldier who has given up his violent ways. But he has to return after years when a calling comes.
Eagle is directed by Karthik Gattamaneni who also edits the film. It is backed by TG Vishwa Prasad and Vivek Kuchibotla under the People Media Factory banner. The film also stars Navdeep, Kavya Thapar, Anupama Parameswaran, Madhubala, and more. It has music by Davzand and cinematography by Karthik Gattamneni, Karm Chawla, and Kamil Plocki. The film is set to release on January 13, 2024.
Sriimurali’s next gets a title (Kannada)
On the occasion of his birthday, the makers of actor Sriimurali’s next film announced the title. Titled Paraak, the film is directed by debutant Halesh Kogundi. The announcement came with a poster that showed an illustration of Sriimurali flying with both angelic and demonic wings on either side of him. There is also a halo atop his head. The film is produced by Brand Corporate Productions Private Limited. The film will be following Sriimurali’s action thriller Bagheera.
Trailer of Hanu Man unveiled (Telugu)
The Telugu superhero film Hanu Man has received its first trailer. The film is said to be the beginning of a cinematic universe centered around Indian mythological stories, with the first one focusing on Hanuman. The trailer sees the protagonist Teja Sajja clashing with Vinay Rai’s antagonist who wishes to snatch the power of Hanuman that Sajja’s character possesses. The film also stars Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Amrita Aiyer, and Vennela Kishore among others.
Hanu Man is directed by Prashanth Varma and is backed by K Niranjan Reddy under the Prime Show Entertainment banner. The film has cinematography by Shivendra and editing by Saibabu Talari. The background score for the film is provided by GowraHari. The film is all set to release on January 12, 2024.
Dr. Shivarajkumar to play a cameo in Firefly (Kannada)
Niveditha Shivarajkumar is currently producing her first film as a producer Firefly with actor-director Vamshi in his filmmaking debut. The film is now set to feature her father Dr. Shivarajkumar in a cameo appearance. The film was announced a few months ago as the maiden film venture of Sri Mutthu Cine Services, who had produced web series till now. Vamshi also features in the film as the protagonist and collaborates with Jai Ram as the co-director. Charan Raj composes the music for the film.
Biju Menon and Asif Ali’s Thalavan gets a poster (Malayalam)
Biju Menon is all set to play another police officer who has an ego clash with another hero in the upcoming film Thalavan. The actor had played a similar role in the Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Ayyappanum Koshiyum, which was a massive commercial and critical success. The makers of Thalavan have released the first look poster of the upcoming thriller.
Thalavan is directed by Jis Joy and is reportedly an investigative thriller set in Thalassery. It is produced by Arun Narayan and Sijo Sebastian under the banner Arun Narayan Productions in association with London Studios. It also stars Dileesh Pothan, Anushree, and Miya in pivotal roles. The film has cinematography by Sharan Velayudhan and editing by Suraj ES.
Dhanush to announce his third directorial (Tamil)
Actor Dhanush has a long lineup of films which begins with next year’s Captain Miller. While the actor is working on his second directorial D50, he recently revealed that he would announce details of his third directorial on December 24. The announcement poster sees the image of a sea with a bench in the foreground while the blue sea and sky are seen behind. The sky has the words #DD3, with the ‘D’s shown in the shape of a moon.
Jeethu Joseph completes filming his next (Malayalam)
Jeethu Joseph seems to be on a roll as he wraps up filming for his next movie with actor Basil Joseph. Titled Nunakuzhi, the film is said to be a dark comedy and began production in November. Now the director has announced that filming for the comedy has been wrapped and that it will be released in theatres soon.
Nunakuzhi is directed by Jeethu Joseph from a script by KR Krishna Kumar. The film also stars Grace Anthony, Swasika, Sidhique, Manoj K Jayan, Baiju Santhosh, Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, Binu Pappu, and Azees Nedumangad. Produced by the banner Yoodley Films, it is presented by Saregama and Vintage Films. Satheesh Kurup handles the cinematography while VS Vinayak handles the editing.
Darshan’s Kaatera gets a trailer (Kannada)
Darshan is all set to end the year with his commercial entertainer Kaatera, and the makers recently released the trailer of the film. The period action film is set during the 70s in Hampi and follows a clash between a feudal lord and the people of the land. Darshan plays the role of the savior who rises for his people.
Kaatera is directed by Tharun Sudhir, in his second collaboration with Darshan after Roberrt. Sudhir also wrote the film along with Jadesh Kumar Hampi. The film also stars Radhana Ram, Jagapathi Babu, Shruthi, and Kumar Govind. Rockline Venkatesh backs the film under his Rockline Entertainment banner. V Harikrishna composes the music while Sudhakar S Raj handles the cinematography.
Dhananjaya’s Anna From Mexico has been launched (Kannada)
Dhananjaya and Shankar Guru are collaborating yet again after the momentous success of the comedy-drama Badava Rascal. The duo have launched the film Anna from Mexico, which will reportedly be a family entertainer. The film was formally launched with a puja ceremony. Previously, the team had released a motion poster announcing the project.
Anna from Mexico is directed by Shankar Guru and produced by Satya Rayala. Badava Rascal collaborator Vasuku Vaibhav returns to compose the music for the film, while SK Rao handles the cinematography. Dhananjaya’s frequent co-star Nagabhushana is also set to appear in a supporting role.
Sivakarthikeyan’s Ayalaan gets a new single (Tamil)
The makers of the sci-fi comedy Ayalaan recently released the second single from the film. AR Rahman composed the peppy number for the Sivakarthikeyan starrer which also features a CGI alien as one of the lead characters in the film. ‘Ayalaa Ayalaa’ is a dance number that features vocals by Naresh Iyer and Hriday Ghattani along with a kids’ chorus. The lyrics are written by Vivek.
Ayalaan is written and directed by R Ravikumar and is backed by RD Raja and Kotapadi Rajesh under the KJR Studios and 24 AM Studios banners. Apart from Sivakarthikeyan, the film also stars Rakul Preet Singh, Yogi Babu, Karunakaran, Sharad Kelkar, and Isha Kopikar among others. Prominent actor Siddharth was recently roped in to provide the voice for the alien. AR Rahman scores the music for the film while Nirav Shah and Ruben handle the cinematography and editing. The film is all set to release in January, 2024, coinciding with Pongal.
Shruti Haasan and Adivi Sesh team up for Dacoit (Telugu)
Shruti Haasan and Adivi Sesh are all set to collaborate on an action film. The makers of the film recently released a title teaser to announce the film, which has been christened Dacoit. The teaser sees Haasan and Sesh playing old lovers who have a terrible past. They cross paths again during violent circumstances and clash due to their tumultuous history.
Dacoit is directed by Shanil Deo, who writes the script along with Adivi Sesh. The film is backed by Supriya Yarlagadda under the SS Creations and Suniel Narang Production banners. Danush Bhasker handles the cinematography while Bheems Ceciroleo handles the music. The film is being shot in both Hindi and Telugu.
Tharun Bhascker’s Keeda Kola gets an streaming release date (Telugu)
Tharun Bhascker recently released his third feature film directorial Keeda Cola on November 3. The gangster comedy starred Brahmanandam, Bhascker, Chaithanya Rao, Raghu Ram, and more. The makers have now announced that the film will be released on the OTT platform Aha on December 29.
Keeda Kola is written and directed by Tharun Bhascker, who also backs the film under his VG Sainma banner. Vivek Sagar composed music for the film while AJ Aron and Upendra Varma handled the cinematography and editing.
Jigarthanda Double X to premiere at Rotterdam Film Festival (Tamil)
Karthik Subbaraj’s latest film Jigarthanda Double X released earlier this year to positive reviews and audience responses. The film was a spiritual sequel to Subbaraj’s own breakout film Jigarthanda which starred Siddharth and Bobby Simha. The sequel saw SJ Suryah and Raghava Lawrence star opposite each other in a gangster-drama that becomes much more eventually. The film is now set to have its Dutch premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR).
