समाचार

Many cineastes think Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is the most influential film of all times. I would have to go with that. So would Feroz Khan, who’s been in two of the worst Godfather-influenced films of all time. Here’s saluting The Godfather clones, good, bad and the awful.

1. Dharmatma (1975):

Feroz Khan was always ahead of his time. So, it’s no surprise that he was the first Bollywood filmmaker to jump on the The Godfather bandwagon with this wildly out-of-control remake—an almost scene-by-scene reaffirmation of the original with Feroz playing Al Pacino and Premnath as Marlon Brando. A laughably crude homage to the original, the silver lining was the beauteous Hema Malini as Reshma, the exotic Afghani lass whom Michael, sorry Feroz, falls in love with. Hema dancing to Lataji’s ‘Mere galiyon se logon ki yaari ho gayi’ would have probably given Coppola...

Keeping up with the changing times is the secret to enjoying relevance, but does it go against Mani Ratnam’s ways of representing the best of classic? Well, the viewers need not worry for long as Ratnam’s freshest directorial Thug Life is on the way, featuring none other than superstar Kamal Haasan.

A new direction? Haasan in Thug Life

Taking the reins from his role as Sakthivel Naicker from Nayakan, Haasan makes a return in the form of Rangaraya Sakthivel Naicker. But will that be the end of all references? Many popular names in Bollywood are also anticipated in the 2025 release, with the likes of Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and even Rohit Saraf joining the ensemble. The budget for Thug Life is at an all time high with filming locations across Siberia to Jaisalmer, also featuring a big scale sequence shot behind the Red Fort in New Delhi.

The...

A Cinematic Masterpiece That Stands the Test of Time

Released in 1987, Nayakan is a cinematic marvel directed by Mani Ratnam and headlined by Kamal Haasan. It’s not just another gangster flick—it’s a layered exploration of humanity, family, and survival set against the gritty backdrop of Mumbai‘s underworld. The film draws inspiration from the real-life story of Varadarajan Mudaliar, a Tamil don who ruled Mumbai, and seamlessly blends it with the grandeur of Hollywood classics like The Godfather and Once Upon a Time in America. But make no mistake—Nayakan has a uniquely Indian soul that resonates even today​.

The Story That Hooks You

At its core, Nayakan is the journey of Sakthivel Naicker (played by Kamal Haasan), a man forced into the underworld by circumstances, only to become a savior-like figure to the oppressed Tamil community in Mumbai. The movie paints Velu Naicker as a man...

Megastar, Maestro

Veteran Indian actor Kamal Haasan‘s 234th film “Thug Life,” directed by Mani Ratnam, has locked a worldwide theatrical release for June 5, 2025. The announcement came on Haasan’s birthday alongside a first-look teaser featuring the actor as his character Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar.

The pair previously teamed on gangster epic “Nayakan” (1987). The film was a watershed in both their careers. It was a box office blockbuster, won Haasan best actor at India’s national film awards and was the country’s entry to the 1988 Oscars.

The “Thug Life” cast includes Silambarasan T.R., Trisha Krishnan, Ali Fazal, Abhirami and Nasser. The film is written by Haasan and Ratnam. It is produced by Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (Rkfi), Ratnam’s Madras Talkies and Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies. The producers are Haasan, Ratnam, R. Mahendran and Siva Ananth. Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Grammy winning composer A.R. Rahman provides the music.

Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life Surpasses Thalapathy Vijay’s Leo In Overseas Rights Deal? ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Thalapathy Vijay has arguably emerged as the biggest star of the Tamil film industry in the last few years. His films have been raking in impressive numbers at the worldwide box office, and his recent release, Leo, went on to garner over 600 crores gross. However, as far as the pre-release phase is concerned, none other than Kamal Haasan has now challenged the position of the actor in the overseas market with his upcoming biggie, Thug Life. Keep reading to know more!

Haasan has always been a fantastic performer. In fact, he’s considered one of the legends in the Indian film industry. Over the years, he has given several memorable performances; however, in recent times, his box office pull has been under the scanner. It all changed when Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram turned...

Mumbai, Dec 6 (Ians) The teaser of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s upcoming period drama ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ was unveiled on Wednesday.

The film marks the first collaboration between acclaimed director Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mohanlal.

Superstar Mohanlal said that Lijo has created a grand spectacle with the film.

The film is scripted by P S Rafeeque, who has earlier worked with Lijo in movies like ‘Nayakan’ and ‘Amen’.

“The captain of the ship, Lijo has created a grand spectacle, a glimpse of which the audience will be able to see in this teaser,” Mohanlal said.

Lijo Jose Pellissery said: “For me, the process of finalising a theme doesn’t originate from the pressure to create the next big hit; it’s a natural progression.

“The basic idea of ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ began germinating within me a couple of years ago and then metamorphosed into a comprehensive plot.

“A writer like Rafeeq expanded that world,...

Mumbai, Dec 6 (Ians) The teaser of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s upcoming period drama ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ was unveiled on Wednesday.

The film marks the first collaboration between acclaimed director Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mohanlal.

Superstar Mohanlal said that Lijo has created a grand spectacle with the film.

The film is scripted by P S Rafeeque, who has earlier worked with Lijo in movies like ‘Nayakan’ and ‘Amen’.

“The captain of the ship, Lijo has created a grand spectacle, a glimpse of which the audience will be able to see in this teaser,” Mohanlal said.

Lijo Jose Pellissery said: “For me, the process of finalising a theme doesn’t originate from the pressure to create the next big hit; it’s a natural progression.

“The basic idea of ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ began germinating within me a couple of years ago and then metamorphosed into a comprehensive plot.

“A writer like Rafeeq expanded that world,...

Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who has delivered some iconic soundtracks in Indian cinema like ‘Nayakan’, ‘Sadma’, ‘Thevar Magan’, ‘Aa Raathri’ and several others, is getting a biopic. What’s more exciting is that Tamil superstar Dhanush will be portraying the legendary composer on screen.

The shooting for the yet-to-be-titled film is scheduled to start in October 2024 with the makers aiming for therelease of the film around mid-2025.

Ilaiyaraaja is one of the most prolific composers in a career spanning over forty-seven years, he has composed over 7,000 songs and provided film scores for over 1,000 films and apart from performing in over 20,000 concerts. He is nicknamed “Isaignani” (the musical sage) and often referred to as “Maestro”, the title conferred by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London. Oscar and Grammy-winning composer A. R. Rahman, too, started the aegis of Ilaiyaraaja. He was the protege of the maestro when he joined him in 1986.

Dhanush is...

Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who has delivered some iconic soundtracks in Indian cinema like ‘Nayakan’, ‘Sadma’, ‘Thevar Magan’, ‘Aa Raathri’ and several others, is getting a biopic. What’s more exciting is that Tamil superstar Dhanush will be portraying the legendary composer on screen.

The shooting for the yet-to-be-titled film is scheduled to start in October 2024 with the makers aiming for therelease of the film around mid-2025.

Ilaiyaraaja is one of the most prolific composers in a career spanning over forty-seven years, he has composed over 7,000 songs and provided film scores for over 1,000 films and apart from performing in over 20,000 concerts. He is nicknamed “Isaignani” (the musical sage) and often referred to as “Maestro”, the title conferred by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London. Oscar and Grammy-winning composer A. R. Rahman, too, started the aegis of Ilaiyaraaja. He was the protege of the maestro when he joined him in 1986.

Dhanush is...

The project formerly known as “KH234″ that reunites the talents of actor Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam, has revealed a title and first footage.

The pair previously teamed on gangster epic “Nayakan” (1987). The film was a watershed in both their careers. It was a box office blockbuster, won Haasan best actor at India’s national film awards and was the country’s entry to the 1988 Oscars.

“Thug Life” is the name of the new film and the footage, which shows Haasan in violent combat with several opponents, reveals that his character is a gangster and that his name is Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakan. In “Nayakan,” Haasan played Sakthivel, who later became known later in the film as Nayakan (hero).

The cast for “Thug Life” also includes Jayam Ravi and Trisha, both of whom starred in Ratnam’s blockbuster “Ponniyin Selvan” historical epic, and Dulquer Salman (“Sita Ramam”).

The film is written by Haasan and Ratnam.

The much-awaited first look teaser of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s upcoming film Thug Life is finally out and it has left the fans in awe. The film, which is written by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, is an out and out gangster film that showcases the life of Rangaraya Sakthivel Naayakan, a notorious don played by Kamal Haasan.

The teaser, which is about a three minute long, gives a glimpse of the action-packed scene. In teaser, Kamal Hassan is seen fighting with five unknown people using a mocobot, a device that allows him to control his movements remotely. The teaser also reveals that the film has a stellar star cast, including Dulquer Salmaan, Jayam Ravi, and Trisha, who play pivotal roles in the film.

Thug Life Title

The film is directed by Mani Ratnam, who is known for his realistic and gripping films. The film is also a...

Ahead of the release of his upcoming film ‘Indian 2’, Tamil megastar Kamal Haasan (also known as Ulaganayagan) has shared a picture of himself with acclaimed director Mani Ratnam on the set of their upcoming film tentatively titled as ‘KH234’.

Collaborating together 36 years after their work on the 1987 Tamil classic ‘Nayakan’, the two maestros were seen talking together and smiling in what looks like a promo for the film.

Taking to the X handle of his production company Raaj Kamal International, Ulaganayagan shared the picture and wrote: “Two visionaries aligned to a singular vision of elevated artistry. #KH234 #Ulaganayagan #KamalHaasan #HBDKamalSir #HBDUlaganayagan”

As the ‘Vikram’ actor’s birthday draws near on November 7, more details on this untitled feature are expected though both Ulaganayagan and Mani Ratnam have been tight-lipped on any details so far.

The megastar announced the shooting of the film on October 27 on X, and wrote: “Unified forces of Indian Cinema,...

Ahead of the release of his upcoming film ‘Indian 2’, Tamil megastar Kamal Haasan (also known as Ulaganayagan) has shared a picture of himself with acclaimed director Mani Ratnam on the set of their upcoming film tentatively titled as ‘KH234’.

Collaborating together 36 years after their work on the 1987 Tamil classic ‘Nayakan’, the two maestros were seen talking together and smiling in what looks like a promo for the film.

Taking to the X handle of his production company Raaj Kamal International, Ulaganayagan shared the picture and wrote: “Two visionaries aligned to a singular vision of elevated artistry. #KH234 #Ulaganayagan #KamalHaasan #HBDKamalSir #HBDUlaganayagan”

As the ‘Vikram’ actor’s birthday draws near on November 7, more details on this untitled feature are expected though both Ulaganayagan and Mani Ratnam have been tight-lipped on any details so far.

The megastar announced the shooting of the film on October 27 on X, and wrote: “Unified forces of Indian Cinema,...

After teasing a major announcement for Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan’s new film ‘Indian 2’, the makers of the film have said that it will be giving off a major first glimpse of the feature on November 3, with an introductory video.

The political-action-thriller-vigilante-drama is directed by S. Shankar, and has been one of the most awaited films of the year, the movie’sannouncement poster was unveiled by Lyca Productions on their X handle, where they wrote: “Celebration begins early. Get ready for ‘Indian-2 An Intro” a glimpse of #’Indian2’ releasing on Nov 3#HBDUlaganayagan.”

‘Indian 2’ boasts a massive ensemble cast, which apart from UlaganayaganKamal Haasan includes actors Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Siddharth, Samuthirakani, Bobby Simha, Sunil Grover and Vivek, Nedumudi Venu, among others in pivotal roles.

The movie is a collaborative effort between Lyca Productions and Dmk politician Udhaiyanidhi Stalin’s own production company Red Giant Movies, with...

After teasing a major announcement for Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan’s new film ‘Indian 2’, the makers of the film have said that it will be giving off a major first glimpse of the feature on November 3, with an introductory video.

The political-action-thriller-vigilante-drama is directed by S. Shankar, and has been one of the most awaited films of the year, the movie’sannouncement poster was unveiled by Lyca Productions on their X handle, where they wrote: “Celebration begins early. Get ready for ‘Indian-2 An Intro” a glimpse of #’Indian2’ releasing on Nov 3#HBDUlaganayagan.”

‘Indian 2’ boasts a massive ensemble cast, which apart from UlaganayaganKamal Haasan includes actors Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Siddharth, Samuthirakani, Bobby Simha, Sunil Grover and Vivek, Nedumudi Venu, among others in pivotal roles.

The movie is a collaborative effort between Lyca Productions and Dmk politician Udhaiyanidhi Stalin’s own production company Red Giant Movies, with...

Following four long years of pandemic shutdown, India’s Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival made a triumphant return Friday night with a glitzy opening ceremony packed with stars from the Hindi and South Indian film industries, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kareena Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Sonam Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar, along with Tamil cinema legends Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, among many others. Held inside Mumbai’s shimmering new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, which opened just in March, the ceremony featured two hours of impassioned speeches and the dolling out of awards, all of it presided over by Chopra Jonas, this year’s festival chairwoman.

In her opening remarks declaring the festival officially open, Chopra Jonas emphasized the role of women in the Indian industry, saying: “We’d like to acknowledge the pivotal role of women in front of the camera and behind – we have some of the most amazing women,...

Stars from both the Hindi and South Indian film industries turned out in force for the opening night of Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sonam Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar, along with Tamil star Kamal Haasan, who presented the Excellence in Cinema Award (South Asia) to director-producer Mani Ratnam.

The two leading figures of South Indian cinema also announced their first collaboration in 36 years – Kh 234 – to be produced by Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Ratman’s Madras Talkies.

“We’re producing the film together – he’s directing it and any job that’s going I’m willing to do, including lead man,” joked Haasan after presenting Ratman with the award. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Ratnam retorted.

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and cinematographer Ravi K Chandran are also attached to the film. Haasan and Ratnam last collaborated on gangster drama Nayakan in 1987. A teaser...

‘Ulaganayagan’ Kamal Haasan has begun shooting for the film tentatively titled ‘KH234’, which sees him coming together with Mani Ratnam 36 years after the maestros collaborated on the all-time classic ‘Nayakan’.

The film also marks the A R Rahman’s return to Mani Ratnam’s universe after the two parts of the Tamil epic film ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.

Kamal Haasan’s production company Raj Kamal International Films also announced the collaboration, stating on X: “Unified forces of Indian Cinema, let the celebration begin!”

The production is a joint effort by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, G. Mahendran, and Siva Anand, under the banners of Raj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies. Additionally, Udayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies will also be collaborating in the production for this cinematic spectacle.

The video that announced the shooting showcased the cast and crew of the film. The movie is to be released on November 7, 2024, which is the star’s birthday.

‘Ulaganayagan’ Kamal Haasan has begun shooting for the film tentatively titled ‘KH234’, which sees him coming together with Mani Ratnam 36 years after the maestros collaborated on the all-time classic ‘Nayakan’.

The film also marks the A R Rahman’s return to Mani Ratnam’s universe after the two parts of the Tamil epic film ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.

Kamal Haasan’s production company Raj Kamal International Films also announced the collaboration, stating on X: “Unified forces of Indian Cinema, let the celebration begin!”

The production is a joint effort by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, G. Mahendran, and Siva Anand, under the banners of Raj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies. Additionally, Udayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies will also be collaborating in the production for this cinematic spectacle.

The video that announced the shooting showcased the cast and crew of the film. The movie is to be released on November 7, 2024, which is the star’s birthday.

Fans of Kamal Haasan are eagerly waiting for his upcoming film with Mani Ratnam, tentatively titled Kh 234. The film marks the reunion of the two legends after 35 years, since their classic Nayakan. Now, the latest buzz is that the first look teaser of the film is ready and will be released on Kamal Haasan’s birthday, November 7.

According to sources, the teaser was shot for three days in Chennai with a special camera called Mocobot, which is used for high-speed motion capture and visual effects. The teaser will reportedly feature some stunning action sequences choreographed by Anbarivu masters, who have worked with Kamal Haasan in films like Vikram and Indian 2. Kamal Haasan himself was part of the shoot and performed some daredevil stunts.

The film is expected to go on floors in September 2023 and the story is yet to be finalised. It is speculated that Trisha, Jayam Ravi and...

Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam, known for his works like ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’, and Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who is known for ‘A Bigger Splash’, ‘Call Me By Your Name’, etc will be honoured with the ‘Excellence in Cinema’ award, here, at the Mami Mumbai Film Festival. Both the directors will attend the festival to receive this prestigious accolade, and will conduct masterclasses at the festival. It will be held at the Opening Night ceremony on October 27.

The award honours individuals who have made outstanding, long-lasting contributions to the world of film and cinema. Previous recipients include Darren Aronofsky, Sharmila Tagore, Fernando Meirelles, and Chen Kaige.

The festival will also screen Mani Ratnam’s most recent historical dramas — ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part one and two’, and Guadagnino’s Golden Globe-nominated film ‘I Am Love’.

With a career spanning four decades, Mani Ratnam is one of the most celebrated directors from South Asia. Over the decades,...

Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam, known for his works like ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’, and Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who is known for ‘A Bigger Splash’, ‘Call Me By Your Name’, etc will be honoured with the ‘Excellence in Cinema’ award, here, at the Mami Mumbai Film Festival. Both the directors will attend the festival to receive this prestigious accolade, and will conduct masterclasses at the festival. It will be held at the Opening Night ceremony on October 27.

The award honours individuals who have made outstanding, long-lasting contributions to the world of film and cinema. Previous recipients include Darren Aronofsky, Sharmila Tagore, Fernando Meirelles, and Chen Kaige.

The festival will also screen Mani Ratnam’s most recent historical dramas — ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part one and two’, and Guadagnino’s Golden Globe-nominated film ‘I Am Love’.

With a career spanning four decades, Mani Ratnam is one of the most celebrated directors from South Asia. Over the decades,...

Italy’s Luca Guadagnino and India’s Mani Ratnam will receive the Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival’s 2023 Excellence in Cinema awards.

Ratnam will receive the Excellence in Cinema (South Asia) award and Guadagnino the Excellence in Cinema (International) award. The awards will be presented at the festival’s opening ceremony on Oct. 27. Both filmmakers will be present and will deliver masterclasses during the festival.

The festival will screen Guadagnino’s Oscar and BAFTA nominated “I Am Love” (2009) and both parts of Ratnam’s magnum opus “Ponniyin Selvan”.

Guadagnino’s films include “A Bigger Splash” (2015), the Oscar-winning film “Call Me By Your Name” (2017), “Suspiria” (2018) and feature documentary “Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams” (2020). “Bones and All” (2022) won Guadagnino the Silver Lion for best director at Venice. He made his TV debut with the HBO drama series “We Are Who We Are” (2020). His film “Challengers,” starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, is...

Fans of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam are in for a treat as the first look video of their much-awaited film, tentatively titled KH234, will be released on November 7. The film marks the reunion of the actor and the director after 35 years, since their cult classic Nayakan.

KH234 is jointly produced by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, R Mahendran and Siva Ananth under their banners Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies. The film will be presented by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies.

Vikram Trailer

According to Dt Next1, the first look video shooting for the film has been completed and the team is working on the final touches. The film will have music by Ar Rahman, who is collaborating with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam for the first time. The cinematography is handled by Ravi K Chandran, who has previously worked with Mani Ratnam in films...

OpinionThe current popularity of violent gangster films also lies in the fact that they are more suited for the pan-Indian formula – something the south Indian industries are keen to exploit in the post-’Baahubali’ era.Abilash Joshiy’s King of Kotha (2023), starring Dulquer Salmaan, is the latest gangster film to hit the big screens. Interestingly, it went up against Rdx (2023) for Onam, a film where three trained martial artists take on a local gangster group. A couple of weeks before these films came out, the big release in the south was Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer (2023), starring Rajinikanth as a former policeman who is at war with gangsters. All these films have heroes with grey shades, and use violence as a form of entertainment. For instance, in Jailer, Rajinikanth’s Muthuvel Pandian beheads a gangster in a close-up shot. The scene is written to emphasise the superstar’s swag and is meant to be darkly funny.

Kamal Haasan Two legends on different sides of the globe, the two great figures reminisced about their remarkable 40-year-old friendship and professional journey.Veteran actor Kamal Haasan, who is well known for his acting in Tamil, Telugu as well as Bollywood films ranging from ‘apoorva sagodharargal’(1989) ’, ‘Vikram’(1986), ‘Vikram’(2022), 'Saagar', 'Nayakan', 'Chachi 420' and several others, recently met his friend and make-up artist Mike Westmore in Los Angeles. Mike is an Academy Award-winning make-up artist. Kamal went to the American city for the launch of his most recent feature ‘Kalki 2898 Ad', meeting up with his very old friend and colleague Mike Westmore. Two legends on different sides of the globe, the two great figures reminisced about their remarkable 40-year-old friendship and professional journey. The duo went on to speak about their collaborations in various projects such as ‘Indian’, ‘Avvai Shanmughi’, and ‘Dasavatharam’. Taking to Instagram,...

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan, who is well known for his acting in several Tamil, Telugu as well as Bollywood films ranging from ‘Apoorva’, ‘Vikram’(1986), ‘Vikram’(2022), ‘Saagar’, ‘Nayakan’, ‘Chachi 420’ and several others, recently met his friend and make-up artist Mike Westmore in Los Angeles.

Mike is an Academy Award winning make-up artiste. The actor went to the American city for the launch of his most recent feature ‘Kalki 2898 Ad’, meeting up with his very old friend and colleague Mike Westmore. Two legends on different sides of the globe, the two great figures reminisced about their remarkable 40 year old friendship and professional journey.

The duo went on to speak about their collaborations in various projects such as ‘Indian’, ‘Avvai shanmughi’ and ‘Dasavatharam’.

Taking to Instagram, the veteran actor shared a picture of himself with Westmore and captioned: “From (The arrow in the sun ) Soldier blue where I saw Mike Westmore’s work to this day,...

The article lists some of the upcoming films of Kamal Haasan, who is a versatile and legendary actor of Indian cinema. The article also gives some details and expectations about each film and praises Kamal Haasan’s talent and charisma.

Kamal Haasan is one of the most versatile and legendary actors in Indian cinema. He has acted in over 200 films in various languages and genres, winning numerous awards and accolades. He is also a writer, director, producer, singer, dancer, and politician, making him a multifaceted personality. Kamal Haasan has given many memorable performances and iconic characters to the audience, such as Velu Nayakan in Nayakan, Senapathy in Indian, Chachi in Chachi 420, Dashrath Manjhi in Manjhi: The Mountain Man, and many more. He is also known for his experimental and innovative films, such as Hey Ram, Vishwaroopam, Dasavathaaram, and Uttama Villain.

Kamal Haasan is currently working on several exciting projects...

EntertainmentThe yet-to-be-titled film is assumed to be a political feature, and the announcement video was accompanied by the caption ‘Rise to rule’.Actor Kamal Haasan has announced his next film with director H Vinoth of Valimai fame through a video. The yet-to-be-titled film is assumed to be a political feature, and the announcement video was accompanied by the caption ‘Rise to rule’. In the video, Kamal is seen holding a burning torch and leading what looks like a people’s movement. It is interesting here to note that Kamal Haasan is also a politician in real life, and his party symbol is a torchlight. The film will be produced by Kamal’s own production company Raaj Kamal Films International. This will be the actor’s 233rd film, and further details of the film are yet to be announced. And it begins…#RKFI52 #KH233 #RISEtoRULE #HVinoth #Mahendran @Rkfi @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandram pic.

Veteran Indian actor Kamal Haasan is joining Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Disha Patani on the cast of Nag Ashwin’s “Project K.”

The film, a big-budget sci-fi action epic, is directed by Nag Ashwin (“Mahanati”) and produced by C. Aswani Dutt’s Vyjayanthi Movies, marking the banner’s 50th anniversary.

Haasan starred in and produced “Vikram,” one of the biggest hits of 2022 and has “Indian 2” in the works. Following the tremendous critical and commercial success of “Nayakan” (1987), he will also reunite with Mani Ratnam, who has had hits with the two-part “Ponniyin Selvan” films.

Prabhas’ “Adipurush,” which is currently in cinemas, has considerably slowed down after a mighty debut. Padukone starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in “Pathaan,” the biggest Indian hit of the year so far. Bachchan starred in 2022 hits “Uunchai” and “Brahmastra Part One: Shiva,” while Patani was last seen in “Ek Villain Returns” (2022).

Haasan said: “50 years...

MollywoodWhile ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ is directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, ‘Empuran’ is the second part in the trilogy after ‘Lucifer’ helmed by actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran.Two thick ropes are seen on the ground before they are pulled up and stretched a long way. A crowd of people are divided by the ropes, which at last you see is pulled by actor Mohanlal, in character with his hair in a top knot, a roar on his face, and wearing old-fashioned clothes. Courtesy of director Lijo Jose Pellissery, who was letting us get a glimpse of the actor’s upcoming Malayalam film Malaikottai Vaaliban on his birthday. Mohanlal turned 63 on Sunday, May 21. From another end, actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran wished Mohanlal with a birthday poster designed for the character of their movie together, Lucifer. The poster, full of guns and pistols laid out on a table, is a birthday wish for Kjureshi Ab’Raam,...

EntertainmentThe film is written by Ps Rafeeque, a short story writer who has scripted two of Lijo's early films — ‘Nayakan’ and ‘Amen’.Apparently roaring out loud, Mohanlal is on his knees, dragging heavy ropes and wearing clothes of another era in a new poster of his film Malaikottai Vaaliban. Sharing it on his social media pages, the actor wrote, "And now, the wait has a face!" He must mean fans of Malayalam cinema, waiting to see the superstar come together with acclaimed director Lijo Jose Pellissery for the first time. This photo, looking like a cover picture of one of the Arabian Nights tales, gives the first look of his character in the film, Mohanlal said in his post. "Keep cheering us on our journey to bring this movie to life," he added. There have been speculations that he plays a wrestler in this period film. The film is written by Ps Rafeeque,...

Siva Ananth, one of the producers of Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus “Ponniyin Selvan: 1,” is ecstatic about the film’s rich haul of nominations at the Asian Film Awards.

The film has received a total of six nominations, including for best picture. It is an adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s classic Tamil-language novel.

The story is set in 10th century India during a tumultuous time in the Chola empire, when the power struggle between different branches of the ruling family caused violent rifts between the potential successors to the reigning emperor and a civil war became imminent. All the political and military turmoil led to the Cholas becoming the most prosperous and powerful empire in the continent and one of the most successful and longest-reigning in history.

“Ponniyin Selvan” was serialized in the Kalki magazine between 1950 and 1954 and was published as five novels in 1955. Ratnam, alongside Elango Kumaravel and B.

Indian actor Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam are reuniting for a film with the working title “KH234.”

The pair previously teamed on gangster epic “Nayakan” (1987). The film was a watershed in both their careers. It was a box office blockbuster, won Haasan best actor at India’s national film awards and was the country’s entry to the 1988 Oscars.

The title of the new film signifies that it is Haasan’s 234th.

“KH234” will be produced by Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (Rkfi) and Ratnam’s Madras Talkies with Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies as a presenter on the project. Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Grammy winning composer A.R. Rahman will provide the music. Haasan, Ratnam, R. Mahendran and Siva Ananth will produce. The film will release in 2024. No further details are available at this time.

Both Haasan and Ratnam are coming off the biggest hits of their careers.

India’s Kamal Haasan is a true multi-hyphenate. Beginning as a child actor in 1960, he is one of the country’s most consummate actors with films like “Pathinaru Vayathinile” (1977) “Moondram Pirai” (1982) “Nayakan” (1987), “Thevar Magan” (1992) and “Vishwaroopam” (2013) behind him.

He also produces via his Raajkamal Films International (Rkfi), writes, directs, and runs the Makkal Needhi Maiam political party.

The upcoming “Vikram,” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj (“Master”) and costarring Fahadh Fasil (“Malik”) Vijay Sethupathi (“Kadaisi Vivasayi”), will be Haasan’s first release since 2018’s “Vishwaroopam 2.” It is produced by Rkfi.

Haasan was at the Cannes Market to launch NFTs based on “Vikram” from Fantico, a digital licensed platform of Singapore’s Vistas Media Capital.

What is “Vikram” about? And is the title an homage to Rkfi’s 1986 film Vikram?

This is not a sequel, but, yes, it’s [about] a man who’s very similar. The film starts differently, its about reminiscing the man and his deeds.

In our second article to synopsize on of our tributes, we take a look at the movies we managed to review as part of our tribute to Tamil cinema, in chronological order

1. Donkey in a Brahmin Village

Although it is now seen as one of the pioneering works of the South Indian New Wave, “Donkey in a Brahmin Village” was banned in Tamil Nadu in order to preserve the fragile sentiments of the Brahmin community who were unwilling to be presented with evidence of their own crimes. Fortunately, time has proven that Abraham’s work is a vital piece of cinematic genius. He combines flashes of surrealism and mythological meditations to rightly indict those who have used their privilege to oppress and destroy, burning all of us in the flames of revolution. (Swapnil Dhruv Bose)

2. Nayakan

In our recent tribute to Tamil cinema, the most significant issues emerging from the...

Included in Time’s “All-Time 100 Best Films”, and CNN-News18’s “100 greatest Indian films of all time, “Nayakan” was also a critical and commercial success, running for over 175 days in theaters. Based loosely on the life of the Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film “The Godfather”, this is definitely among the best movies ever to come out of the Tamil movie industry.

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Highlighting how his interactions with the police shaped him as a person, the movie begins with anti-government union leader’s only son Sakthivel “Velu” arrested by the police and beaten in order to reveal his father’s whereabouts. Eventually, they trick him into meeting his father, where the policemen kill him. Feeling betrayed, Sakthivel stabs the police inspector and runs away to Bombay, where he is raised by Hussain, a kind-hearted smuggler living in the Dharavi slums. Hussain instills his kind-heartedness to the boy along...

Revered Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s hugely anticipated epic based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s classic Tamil-language novel “Ponniyin Selvan” has set a release date and first images have been released.

The first part of the two-part historical film, titled “Ps-1,” will release in cinemas worldwide on Sept. 30 in the Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

The story is set in the 10th century during a tumultuous time in the Chola empire when the power struggle between different branches of the ruling family caused violent rifts between the potential successors to the reigning emperor. During this time brave soldiers, cunning spies and evil schemers all try to win the empire for themselves. A civil war becomes imminent until the scores can be settled. All the political and military turmoil leads to the Cholas becoming the most prosperous and powerful empire in the continent and one of the most successful and long reigning in history.

One of Tamil cinema’s well-known producers K T Kunjumon has disclosed that he actually suffered a loss of Rs 50,000 as a result of choosing to distribute director Mani Ratnam’s classic ‘Nayagan’, featuring Kamal Haasan. Speaking at the audio launch function of the Tamil film, ‘Kadala Poda Oru Ponnu Venum’, Kunjumon said that he had […]...

In recent years, Lijo Jose Pellissery rose to the position of one of the most talented and daring directors of Malayalam cinema. With movies like “Ee.Ma.Yau” or “Jallikattu” he managed to break through the boundaries of regional cinema and with the latter he has even reached an international audience. He started his career with well-crafted genre films, to later gain a reputation of curious experimenter uplifting and extending the generic boundaries to challenging levels. With each of the recent projects, he kept looking for unique ways of expression, eager to show his distinctive voice and mastered the crowd scenes pulsating with nerve and controlled chaos.

Churuli screened at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival

In his latest venture, “Churuli”, based on a short story by Vinoy Thomas, he still proceeds along the bravado path, and charms with dazzling visuals, but at the same time rather sticks to his previous...

ObituaryPulavar Pulamaipithan was known especially for the many songs he penned for Mgr.Tnm StaffTamilNetWell-known film song lyricist, poet and former deputy chairman of the legislative council and former presidium of the Aiadmk, Pulavar Pulamaipithan, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, at Fortis Malar Hospital in Chennai. He was 85 and had been receiving treatment reportedly for age-related ailments. On September 1, the hospital had released a press statement stating that Pulamaipithan had been admitted to their facility on August 31 and that he was on life support at the time of the announcement. Pulavar Pulamaipithan, born Ramasamy, was known especially for the many songs he penned for Tamil cinema’s first superstar, Mgr. R Kannan, in his biography of the erstwhile Chief Minister and star actor, describes Pulamaipithan as one of the poet-songwriters responsible for the image-making of Mgr. During his rule as Chief Minister, Mgr even named Pulamaipithan “Arasavi Kavignar” or poet laureate.

ReviewThe plot examines the relationship between religion, politics, gender and individual ambitions. It’s a complicated mix, but director Mahesh Narayanan steers the screenplay expertly.Sowmya RajendranThe image that stayed with me after Malik drew to a close was of a young Suleiman selling perfume while exchanging glances with Roselyn who is trying to draw customers to her fish stand. It’s a tender, exquisite moment shared between two young people who are in contrast to each other but feel like they belong together. Fahadh’s Suleiman is a school dropout who is now smuggling goods; his father is dead and his mother cannot stand him; he’s Muslim. Nimisha’s Roselyn is the only person to go to college from their coastal village; her family is close-knit, and her brother David (Vinay Forrt) is Suleiman’s bestie; she’s Christian. But they come together despite the differences, setting the...

Flix FlashbackUrban policies, evictions and counter-resistance are entangled within the existing social landscape where land is one of its central features. Lalitha M‘Singara Chennai’ (Beautiful Chennai), the ambitious initiative which was introduced by Mk Stalin when he was the Mayor of the city, is all set to be revamped as ‘Singara Chennai 2.0’. While Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit announced the launch of the programme in his ceremonial address in the first session of the 16th Legislative Assembly, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (Cmda) has already started to work on Chennai’s Third Master Plan for the period 2026-2046 through a participatory approach. At this juncture, it becomes inevitable to revisit the series of dispossession that the city’s marginalised inhabitants are subjected to. Urban policies, evictions and counter-resistance are entangled within the existing social landscape where land is one of its central features. And that is why Kaala, directed by Pa. Ranjith,...

From his first film “Nayakan” itself, director Lijo Jose Pellissery has been experimenting with his films using different techniques of filmmaking that are unfamiliar to the Malayalam audience while staying in the commercial space itself. The zenith of such experiments was “Double Barrel” which was too much for the Malayali audience and flopped big time at the box office. “Angamaly Diaries” is a successful comeback, critically and commercially for the director.

“Angamaly Diaries” explores the culture of the Angamaly town through the small time local gangs of the area. Vincent Pepe (Antony Varghese) a youngster from Angamaly who grew up idolizing the local goon Babuji (Anson Antony) turns into one after the murder of Babuji. Pepe and gang who wanted revenge against the perpetrators Appani Ravi (Sarath Kumar) and U-Clamp Rajan (Tito Wilson) cools down after some time. Pepe and friends decide to start a pork meat business and it...

Cinema'Mumbaikar’ is the Bollywood remake of the popular 2017 Tamil movie ‘Maanagaram’. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Vijay SethupathiKollywood actor Vijay Sethupathi, who is also popularly known as ‘Makkal Selvan’ took to Twitter on Monday to reveal a still from his upcoming Bollywood debut Mumbaikar. The actor is seen with a child in a school uniform who is tied up, keeping in line with the film’s action-thriller theme. #Mumbaikar ☺️@santoshsivan sir. pic.twitter.com/PpOotUuohs — VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) March 22, 2021 Mumbaikar, which is the Bollywood remake of 2017 Tamil film Maanagaram is directed, written, edited as well as produced by Santosh Sivan. The actioner will star Vikrant Massey, Tanya Maniktala, Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey and Sachin Khedkar in pivotal roles. The movie has music by Prashant Pillai, who made his debut as a composer in 2010 with the Malayalam movie Nayakan. Vijay Sethupathi is likely to reprise Munishkanth’s role from the original Maanagaram. The Tamil movie Maanagaram (2017) starred Sri,...

Flix FlashbackFrom taking on 'injustice' in our personal lives to writing a college play based on the film, 'Nayagan' had a massive influence on young people.Anand Kumar Rsi remember the episode very well. Nayagan had just released for Deepavali in October 1987. There was no pre-release hype then as it is the case for new releases nowadays. However, the poster depicting a clean shaven Kamal with a bloodied nose intrigued us. To us, it was a “Kamal” film and in those days, we invariably caught up with all Kamal films. Three of us friends watched the film at Anand Theatre in Madras and after watching, we walked down the stairs. The usual quick post-mortem of a film after watching it was missing and the mood was sombre and reflective. There was an adrenaline rush inside among us with chests all pumped up. We got to the gate and...

KollywoodHe had recently opted out of a Kangana Ranaut starrer, saying that he felt uneasy with her as the lead. Digital NativeRenowned cinematographer and director PC Sreeram has always been lauded for his contribution to the Indian film industry. The ace lensman has now made the lockdown period productive by trying his hands at digital art. Posting a picture of his digital art on a social media platform, Sreeram wrote: “#SundaySpecial Travelling towards my destination. Postcorona every day is a working day. Tried my hand on digital art with my mobile. May the force be with us.” #SundaySpecial Travelling towards my destination .Postcorona every day is a working day. Tried my hand on digital art with my mobile. May the force be with us. pic.twitter.com/xJgGCPRo96 — pcsreeramISC (@pcsreeram) October 4, 2020 This definitely drew attention from his contemporaries, colleagues and fans, who began heaping praises online. Rajiv Menon, well-known filmmaker and cinematographer,...

KollywoodKangana has especially been vocal in the aftermath of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide.Tnm StaffNational award-winning cinematographer PC Sreeram on Tuesday tweeted that he has refused to be part of a film with actor Kangana Ranaut in the lead. Sharing a short message on Twitter, PC Sreeram wrote, “Had to reject a film as it had Kangana Ranaut as the lead. Deep down I felt uneasy and explained my stand to the makers and they were understanding. Sometimes it’s only abt what feels right. Wishing them all the best.” The cinematographer-turned-director’s tweet has been gaining widespread attention on Twitter. Notably, PC (as he is fondly known) had worked with Kangana in her debut Tamil film Dhaam Dhoom in the year 2008, which was filmmaker Jeeva’s last project. With the latter’s passing while shooting was in progress, PC who was at first handling cinematography took over...

Flix FlashbackThrough the screenplay, Mani highlights the mental pain and challenges the parents undergo in bringing up a child with intellectual disability in a judgemental society like ours.Anand Kumar RSYouTube screenshotAnjali, in my book, may not feature among the top three best films from director Mani Ratnam’s oeuvre. It might not be among the top grossers among his films as well, though the film did pretty well at the box-office when it released in 1990. Yet for me, Anjali stands out as an important film in Mani’s impressive body of work. First up, in Anjali, Mani takes up a very sensitive subject, completely different from the films he had done till then. His few films prior to Anjali were Nayagan (don story), Agni Natchathiram (urban family/love drama) and Geethanjali (romance). Not just that, Anjali was also different from the usual themes of Tamil cinema at that time,...

MollywoodReports are that Indrajith, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Mukesh will be playing pivotal roles in this flick.Digital NativeDigital Native Director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s next film in the pipeline is titled Disco and he has roped in a bevy of stars to play important roles in the film. Reports are that Indrajith, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Mukesh will be playing pivotal roles in this flick which will mainly be shot in Las Vegas, Us. Plans are on to sign up some more actors, particularly from the international film circuit, we hear. S Hareesh, who scripted Lijo’s Jallikattu, is working with the director for Disco. Reports are that the film’s backdrop will be the cultural event Burning Man that is held in Nevada, United States. The shooting of Disco will begin in August and the prep work for it is currently on. It may be noted that Indrajith...