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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.
Makers of Super Sharanya, written and directed by Girish AD, released a trailer this week. The film is set in a college and the many relationships that ensues. Anaswara Rajan, Arjun Ashokan, Mamitha Baiju, Naslen, Sajin Cherukayil and Vineeth Vishwam are starring in the film. Sajith Purushan is the cinematographer while Akash Joseph Varghese is the editor. Justin Varghese has been roped in as the music director. Produced by Shebin Backer and the director himself, it will release theatrically on January 7, 2022.
Oru Thathwika Avalokam is a political satire, starring Joju George, Niranj Manianpilla Raju and Shammi Thilakan in lead roles, directed by Akhil Marar. The trailer shows a hilarious take on political parties, issues that surround them and how opposition parties react to it. The film also casts Major Ravi, Premkumar, Balaji Sharma, Viyan, Jayakrishnan, Nandan Unni, Aju Varghese, Mamukkoya, Prashant Alex, Man Raj, Unni Raj, Saji Venjaramoodu, debutant Abhirami and Shailaja. Shot by Vishnu Narayanan and edited by Lijo Paul, the music is by O.K. Ravi Shankar as Shan Rahman scores the background music. The film is produced by Dr Geevarghese Yohannan and will release on December 31.
In the much-awaited trailer of Valimai, released this week, H. Vinoth shows a glimpse into the world of the biker cop Arjun, played by Ajith Kumar. The film also stars Karthikeya Gummakonda, who makes his debut in Tamil cinema, Huma Qureshi, Yogi Babu, Bani, Sumithra, Achyunth Kumar, Raj Ayyappa and Pugazh will also be seen in key roles. The film is produced by Boney Kapoor and Zee Studios and is slated for a release theatrically for Pongal 2022.
The science fiction film titled Oke Oka Jeevitham in Telugu and Kanam in Tamil is directed by Shree Karthick. The film stars Sharwanand, Ritu Varma, Amala Akkineni, Vennela Kishore, Priyadarshi, Nassar, Ali, Ravi Raghavendra, Yog Jappe, Madhunandan, Jay Adithya, Nithyaraj, and Hitesh in Telugu. Sathish, Ramesh Thilak and M.S. Bhaskar will be seen in the Tamil version. Sujith Sarang and Sreejith Sarang are the cinematographer and editor, respectively. Jakes Bejoy has been roped in as the music composer. The film is produced by S R Prakash Babu and S R Prabhu under the banner of Dream Warrior Pictures.
RJ Madonna is a survival thriller story written and directed by debutant Anand Krishna Raj. The film stars Amalendu K Raj, Anil Anto, Shersha Sherif, Jijo Jacob, Nileen Sandra and Jai Vishnu. Akhil Xavier has been roped in as the cinematographer while the director himself has edited the film. Ramesh Krishnan MK has composed the music. Produced under the banner of Hitchcock Entertainment, the film will stream on the regional streaming platform, Neestream from January 1, 2022.
Liger, directed by Puri Jagannadh, stars Vijay Devarkonda and Ananya Panday. A glimpse that was released this week shows the former's character's journey from being a "slumdog", a chai wala from Mumbai to becoming a boxing champion. The film also stars Mike Tyson, Ramya Krishnan, Ronit Bose Roy, Vishu Reddy and Makarand Deshpande. It is produced by Karan Johar, Charmme Kaur, Apoorva Mehta and Hiroo Yash Johar under Puri Connects and Dharma Productions.
A teaser that was released for Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa calls it stories of love, friendship, family and hope. Five directors – Halitha Shameem, Balaji Mohan, Richard Anthony, Surya Krishna and Madhumita – will be making each segment of this anthology series. The film stars Aishwarya Lekshmi, Arjun Das, Dhilip Subbarayan, Gouri G Kishan, Joju George, Lijomol Jose, Nadiya Moidu, Sanath and Teejay Arunasalam. It'll be streaming on Amazon Prime Video from January 14, 2022.
Bro Daddy is a comedy drama directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, starring Mohanlal. A teaser that was released this week introduces the Kattadi family. The film also stars the director himself, Meena, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Unni Mukundan, Lalu Alex, Murali Gopy, Kaniha and Soubin Shahir. Abinandhan Ramanujam is the cinematographer and Akhilesh Mohan is the editor. Deepak Dev has scored the music. It is produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvaad Cinemas and will release soon on Disney+ Hotstar.
Bangarraju, starring the father-son duo Akkineni Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya is a family drama with a dash of romance across generations. The film also stars Ramya Krishnan and Krithi Shetty and is directed by Kalyan Krishna Kurasala. Music is composed by Anup Rubens. J Yuvaraj is the cinematographer and Vijay Vardhan K is the editor. It is produced by Zee Studios and Annapurna Studios. The film will release theatrically on Sankranthi 2022.
Nani's next, Ante Sundaraniki, is directed by Vivek Athreya. The film also stars Nazriya Fahadh who is making her Telugu debut. An introduction to Nani's character was released with a title Zeroth look of Sundar. We see a dhoti clad Nani who is on a journey to the US. Vivek Sagar is the music director, Niketh Bommi is the cinematographer and Raviteja Girijala is the editor. It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers.
Producers of the Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa are now associating with Benchmark Studios for the latter's first production titled Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali. The film is written and directed by Mohanakrishna Indraganti, starring Sudheer Babu and Krithi Shetty in lead roles. P.G. Vinda is the cinematographer and Marthand K Venkatesh has been roped in as the editor. Vivek Sagar is the music composer.
Director Anudeep KV of Jathi Ratnalu fame is set to direct actor Sivakarthikeyan's 20th film. It will mark the actor's debut in Telugu cinema. The film will be jointly produced by Sonali Narang of Asian Cinemas, Suresh Babu Daggubati of Suresh Productions and Puskur Ram Mohan Manohar of Shanthi Talkies. Thaman S has been roped in as the music composer.
'Ullam Urugudhaiya' is the second single from Suriya's Etharkkum Thunindhavan (ET) for which a lyric video was released. Composed by D.Imman, the song is a peppy romantic number. Pradeep Kumar, Vandana Srinivasan and Brindha Manickavasakan have lent their voices for it, while Yugabharathi has penned the lyrics. ET is directed by Pandiraj with Suriya and Priyanka Arul Mohan starring in the lead roles. The film is shot by R. Rathnavelu and produced by Sun Pictures.
Veteran playback singer and actor Manikka Vinayakam passed away this week due to a cardiac arrest. With more than 800 songs to his name predominantly in Tamil but also in Telugu and Malayalam. His playback singing debut was marked by 'Kannukulla Oruthi' from the movie Dhill. He was 78 years old.
After the Andhra Pradesh government's order of capping ticket prices as low as Rs.30 in 'C' category districts, India's largest theatre screen, V-Epiq shut shop. The multiplex in Sullurpeta, Nellore, is equipped with a 106-feet-wide long screen with a seating capacity of 676. It also has a Dolby Atmos advanced 3D surround system. The owners have said they are unable to bear the operational cost of the theatre at the current rates. This is one of many theatres that have been voluntarily closing down in Andhra Pradesh due to low ticket prices.
The much anticipated epic, RRR slated for a release on January 7, 2022 has now been postponed. With increasing cases of Covid-19 and theatres shutting down across the country, the makers have announced that the postponement was inevitable and that the film will be released at a later date. Ram Charan and Jr. NTR-starrer is getting postponed for the third time since its initial announcement.