Everything That Made News In Entertainment From The South (July 8-14)
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.
It's a wrap for Leo (Tamil)
Lokesh Kanagaraj took to Twitter to announce that Leo has wrapped filming. "It's a wrap for Leo. 125 days of shoot in 6 months! Thanks to the entire cast and crew who have put their souls into this film. This journey has been yet again been very close to my heart and personal. Proud of you boys," Lokesh tweeted. The film marks Lokesh's second collaboration with Vijay.
Leo is an action thriller written and directed by Lokesh Kannagaraj. It is backed by SS Lalit Kumar under the Seven Screen Studios banner. It also features an ensemble cast of Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Priya Anand, Mansoor Ali Khan and more. Anirudh Ravichander composes the music while Manoj Paramahamsa and Philomin Raj handle the cinematography and editing. The film is set to release on October 19.
Santhanam's DD Returns gets a release date (Tamil)
The makers of the third installment of Santhanam's Dhilluku Duddu series released the trailer of the film. Titled DD Returns, the horror comedy also features Surabhi, Redin Kingsley, Maran and Pradeep Rawat. They also announced the release date of the film, which will be on July 28.
DD Returns is written and directed by S Premanand, who enters the franchise for the first time. The previous two instalments were directed by Rambhala. C Ramesh Kumar backs the film under the RK Entertainment banner. Dipak Kumar Padhy and N B Srikanth serve as the cinematographer and editor while hip hop producer and rapper ofRO provides the music.
Vijay Sethupathi collaborates with Nithilan Saminathan for his 50th film (Tamil)
Actor Vijay Sethupathi has an interesting lineup of films. The actor will be next seen with Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara in the Atlee directorial Jawan, while also co-starring with Katrina Kaif in Sriram Raghavan's Merry Christmas. Amidst these films in the Hindi film industry, he recently announced his 50th film, which will be with director Nithilan Saminathan, who is known for directing Kurangu Bommai. Titled Maharaja, the film will also feature noted director Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas and Nataraj. Kannada music director B Ajaneesh Loknath of Kantara and Vikrant Rona fame will be composing music for the film while Dinesh Purushothaman and Philomin Raj will handle the cinematography and editing respectively.The film is produced by Sudhan Sundaram and Jagadish Palanisamy.
Rajinikanth completes shooting for Lal Salaam (Tamil)
The makers of the sports drama Lal Salaam recently announced that Rajinikanth, who plays an extended cameo in the film, has wrapped his portions. The superstar will be playing a character called Moideen Bhai.
Lal Salaam is written and directed by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth and features Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in the lead roles. It is produced by Subaskaran under the Lyca Productions banner and has AR Rahman providing the score. Vishnu Ramasamy lenses the camera while Pravin Bhasker is the editor. Veteran cricketer Kapil Dev is also expected to feature Inna cameo appearance as himself.
Ghost team releases teaser (Kannada)
On the occasion of Dr Shivarajkumar's birthday, the makers of his upcoming film Ghost released a teaser named the 'Big Daddy Teaser'. The actor's first collaboration with director MG Srinivas of Birbal Trilogy fame has been one of the most-awaited films of the year.
Ghost is written and directed by MG Srinivas and is produced by Sandesh Nagaraj under the Sandesh Productions banner. It also features Malayalam actor Jayaram, Anupam Kher (in his Kannada debut), Archana Jois and Satyaprakash. Arjun Janya provides the music while Mahendra Simha cranks the camera, with Deepu S Kumar handling the editing. Director Srinivas had also revealed that he would be making an appearance in the film as Mahesh Das, his character from Birbal Trilogy, hinting at a possible cinematic universe. The makers aim to release the film for Dasara.
Director Nagashekar announces sequel to the classic Sanju Weds Geetha (Kannada)
Director Nagashekar's tragic romance Sanju Weds Geetha was one of the most successful romantic films at the time of release. The film further increased the stardom of actors Srinagara Kitty and Ramya. The song too were chartbusters.
On the occasion of Srinagara Kitty's birthday, the director announced a sequel to the film. Titled Sanju Weds Geetha II, the film is set to star Kitty, with shooting said to begin in Winter. The announcement came with a poster which features a sketch of Kitty's likeness on a sheet of paper. There has been no confirmation about Ramya's involvement in the film as an actor while the poster indicates that she is presenting the film.
AR Rahman to compose for Ram Charan's RC16 (Telugu)
In a press conference for the release of Naayakudu, the Telugu version of Mari Selvaraj's Maamannan, composer AR Rahman confirmed his presence in Ram Charan's next film. Tentatively titled RC 16, the film is directed by Buchi Babu Sana of Uppena fame and is said to be a sports drama. RC 16 will be AR Rahman's first straight Telugu feature since 2014's Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo.
Yograj Bhat's collaboration with Shivarajkumar and Prabhu Deva gets a title (Kannada)
Ace director Yograj Bhat has announced the title of his next directorial. Titled Karataka Damanaka, the film will feature Shivarajkumar and Prabhu Deva in pivotal roles. The announcement was made on the occasion of Shivarajkumar's birthday and was accompanied by a poster featuring both the actors as well as a poem that tells the story of two selfish foxes.
Karataka Damanaka will be director Yograj Bhat's next film after his action drama Garadi. The film is produced by Rockline Venkatesh under the Rockline Entertainments banner. V Harikrishna scores the music, who collaborates with Bhat for the ninth time. The film will be Prabhu Deva's return to Kannada cinema as an actor after H2O where he starred with Upendra. He was also seen in last year's Lucky Man along with late actor Puneeth Rajkumar in a promotional song.
Nani 30 gets a title (Telugu)
The makers of actor Nani's next film, which was called Nani 30, recently unveiled the title of the film. Titled Hi Nanna, the film sees Nani as a filmmaker who is also a single father, and features Mrunal Thakur as the female lead. The title reveal also came with a glimpse video.
Hi Nanna is directed by Shouryuv in his directorial debut. It is produced by Moham Cherukuri (CVM) and Dr. Vijendra Reddy Teegala under the Vyra Entertainments banner. Shruthi Hassan is also set to feature in a cameo. Hesham Abdul Wahab of Hridayam fame is composing the music for the film while Sanu John Varghese and Praveen Antony handle the cinematography and editing respectively. The film is set to release on December 21.
Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn Premieres On Manorama Max
Bhavana's Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn started streaming on Manorama Max from July 14. The fun filled family love story co-stars Sharfuddin, Ashokan, Anarkali nasar. This film explores going back to first love and the complexities of an average malayalee in a humorous way.
Ravi Teja collaborates with Gopichand Malineni for the fourth time (Telugu)
Ravi Teja is all set to reunite with frequent collaborator Gopichand Malineni for the fourth time. The makers of the film, Mythri Movie Makers announced the film with the tentative title RT4GM. The actor and director have previously joined hands on Don Seenu, Balupu and Krack. Thaman is set to score the music of the film while Naveen Yernani and Y Ravi Shankar are producing the film.
Vineeth Sreenivasan's next to feature an ensemble cast (Malayalam)
Actor and director Vineeth Sreenivasan is all set to work on his next directorial after the huge success of last year's coming-of-age drama Hridayam. Titled Varshangalakku Shesham, the film is said to have an ensemble cast of Pranav Mohanlal, Nivin Pauly, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Neeta Pillai, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Aju Varghese, Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Neeraj Madhav, Nikhil Nair, Arjun Lal and Shaan Rahman. The filmmaker will be reuniting with Hridayam producers Visakh Subramaniam under the Merryland Cinemas banner for the film.
Shivarajkumar to make a comeback as Inspector Vikram with IV-Returns (Kannada)
In 1989, Dr Shivarajkumar starred in the cult classic comedy thriller Inspector Vikram. The Dinesh Baboo directotial saw the actor as the titular inspector Vikram, who is a smart yet rebellious cop. The film saw Shivarajkumar in a fun avatar. The actor is all set to return as the carefree cop in IV-Returns. The makers of the film announced it on the occasion of Shivarajkumar's birthday. Directed by debutante Laki Gopal, the film is produced by Mylari M. No other plot details or crew details have been revealed. Shivarajkumar has a long lineup of films including Yograj Bhat's Karataka Damanaka, MG Srinivas' Ghost, Arjun Janya's 45, Narthan's Bhairati Ranagal and more.
Rashmika walks out of VNR Trio (Telugu)
Actor Rashmika Mandanna was all set to reunite with her Bheeshma collaborators which included director Venky Kudumla and actor Nithin. However, reports suggest that the actor has walked out of the film citing scheduling conflicts. The film, tentatively titled VNR Trio, was launched earlier this year. The film would have been the actor's third collaboration with director Venky after her Telugu debut Chalo. The actor is currently busy with Pushpa 2:The Rule, Rainbow and the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal.
Biju Menon to headline Vishnu Mohan's next (Malayalam)
Director Vishnu Mohan of Meppadiyan fame is all set to collaborate with actor Biju Menon on his next film. The untitled film was recently launched, will also be produced by Vishnu Mohan, along with Jomon T John and Shameer Muhammed under the Plan J Studios banner. The latter two also serve as the cinematographer and editor. The film also stars Anu Mohan, Nikhila Vimal, Hakkim Shahjahan, Siddiqui, and Renji Panicker.
Mohanlal and Jeetu Joseph to collaborate again (Malayalam)
After collaborating on the Drishyam series, 12th Man and the as-yet-unreleased Ram, director Jeethu Joseph and actor Mohanlal are all set to collaborate once again. The untitled film which is being produced by Anthony Perumbavoor under his Aashirvad Cinemas banner, is the duo's fifth collaboration. While no plot or other details have been revealed, the project is set to go on floors in August. Mohanlal had recently wrapped filming for his collaboration with director Lijo Jose Pellishery's Malaikottai Valiban and will be filming for producer Ekta Kappoor's pan Indian project Vrushabha.
Tovino Thomas's Nadigar Thilagam launched (Malayalam)
The Tovino Thomas starrer Nadigar Thilagam was recently launched in Kochi. Directed by Lal Jr of Star fame, the film follows the life of a superstar and the events which occur in his life. The film also stars Soubin Shahir, Bhavana, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Anoop Menon, Ranjith, Lal, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi, Indrans, Madhupal, Althaf Salim, Sanju Sivaram, Abhiram Poduval, Khalid Rahman, Devika Gopal, Manohari Joy and Maala Parvathi.
The film is produced by the Telugu production house Mythri Movie Makers along with Godspeed Productions. Alby cranks the camera for the film while Yakzan Gary Pereira and Neha S Nair provide the music.
Srinagara Kitty to star as the antagonist in Aditya's Terror (Kannada)
On the occasion of actor Srinagara Kitty's birthday, the makers of the Aditya-starrer Terror announced that the former would be featured as the antagonist of the film. The announcement was accompanied by a poster that features Kitty holding an AK-47 while an army stands guard behind him. The film stars Aditya, known for films such as Adi, Snehana Preethina, Deadly Soma, and more. The film is directed by Ranjan Shivaraam Gowda and is produced by Silk Manju.