News

Pooja Hegde In Kanchana 4 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Pooja Hegde, who is one of the top actresses in Tollywood has built a strong fan base by working with many star heroes early in her career. However, it has been almost three years since she appeared in a full-length Telugu film. Her last role in Tollywood was in Radhe Shyam alongside Prabhas, followed by a special song in F3 with Venkatesh and Varun Tej.

After a brief break, Pooja is now making a strong comeback. While she hasn’t announced new Telugu projects yet, she has signed multiple big-budget Tamil films. She is currently playing the lead role in Retro alongside Suriya and is also a part of Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan.

Adding to her exciting lineup, Pooja Hegde has joined Kanchana 4, which is the latest installment in Raghava Lawrence’s popular horror franchise. According to reports from Kollywood media,...

The summer box office opened up to Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The George Miller directorial served as a prequel and a spinoff to the 2015 Tom Hardy film and carried forward the legacy of practical effects, breathtaking stunt choreography, and pure action. As for its cast, aside from the two headlining leads, it also stars the Thor actor’s wife, Elsa Pataky. However, eagle-eyed viewers could notice a certain oddity revolving around the actress.

Elsa Pataky in a still from Interceptor | Netflix

In its 148-minute runtime, Pataky’s character featured quite prominently, except that the latest detail just shot it up by several notches. Continuing the latest trend from the last few movies, the Australian couple doubled down on their co-acting presence with the Spanish actress starring in not one but two separate and almost indistinguishable roles. The discovery has now led to much discussion,...

The upcoming Tamil film Thalaivar 171, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has been creating a lot of buzz among the fans of Rajinikanth and Mammootty. The reason is that the two superstars are rumored to reunite on screen after 32 years, since their last collaboration in the 1991 classic Thalapathi.

According to various reports, Mammootty will play a major role in Thalaivar 171, which is expected to be a high-octane action thriller with a unique twist. Rajinikanth, who is currently shooting for Thalaivar 170 with Jai Bhim director T.J.Gnanavel, will join the sets of Thalaivar 171 from March 2024.

Thalaivar 171 is produced by Sun Pictures, which has also bankrolled Rajinikanth’s previous blockbuster Petta. The film will mark the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj, who is known for his critically acclaimed films such as Leo, Kaithi, and Master.

The film is also said to feature Raghava Lawrence, who is...

CinemaNot unlike in real life, mothers in cinema had to either don the cape of an angel or prepare themselves to be demonised, while the wives, daughters, and sisters had to live within the confines of one-dimensional images.For the longest time, Malayalam cinema has put mothers on a pedestal. One of the most iconic scenes in Malayalam celluloid continues to be the climactic shot in Sibi Malayil’s Thaniyavarthanam (1987), featuring a traumatised mother (Kaviyoor Ponnamma) feeding rice laced with poison to her adult son (Mammootty) with a mental illness. These images are juxtaposed with those of a much younger mother feeding her baby, essentially manipulating the audience, and leaving anyone with an iota of compassion struggling to hold back their tears. Not unlike in real life, mothers in cinema simply had no way out — either they don the cape of an angel or prepare themselves to be demonised. Not surprisingly,...

Rathna Kumar, who is known for his critically acclaimed films Meyaadha Maan, Aadai and Gulu Gulu, has announced his next directorial project. He took to social media to share a picture of himself with the caption “New beginnings”.

Rathna Kumar is also a talented writer who has assisted Lokesh Kanagaraj in scripting his blockbuster movies such as Kaithi and Master. He has also co-written the upcoming Vikram and Leo, starring Kamal Haasan and Vijay Sethupathi.

Meyaadha Maan Trailer

The details of Rathna Kumar’s new film are yet to be revealed, but fans are already excited to see what he has in store for them. His previous films have been praised for their bold and unconventional themes, as well as their engaging narration and performances.

Rathna Kumar’s new film will reportedly star Raghava Lawrence and Nayantara in the lead roles. Raghava Lawrence is a popular actor and director who...

Popular comedian of Tamil movies, R Mayilsamy passed away in Chennai on Sunday early morning. He was 57. The Tamil comedian complained of uneasiness while dubbing for a movie when his family members and colleagues took him to Porur Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai but he passed away on Sunday morning.

Mayilsamy acted in more than 200 movies in a carrier spinning 39 years.

The Tamil comedian had recorded for his latest film, ‘Glassmate’ before his death. Actors M.S. Bhaskar and Parthipan visited his residence to pay their last respects.

The veteran actor made his debut in the 1984 Bhagyaraj movie, ‘Dhavani Kanavugal’. He had played some stellar roles in Ghilli, Dhool, Uthama Puthiran, Kanchana and many others.

He won the Tamil Nadu state government award for the best comedian for the movie ‘Kangalal Kaidhu Sei’ in 2004.

Mayilsamy was remembered for the screen space he had shared with the late comedian of the Tamil industry,...

CinemaMayilsamy had worked in many Tamil films along with top comedians including Vivek and Vadivelu. Mayilsamy/TwitterPopular Tamil comedian actor Mayilsamy passed away on Sunday, February 19. He was 57. Reports said that he passed away while he was being taken to Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai's Porur. Mayilsamy had worked in many Tamil films along with top comedians such as Vivek and Vadivelu. He was also a mimicry artist. His colleagues and fellow actors such as Ms Bhaskar, Ramesh Kanna, Parthiepan and others visited Mayilsamy’s residence to pay their condolences. According to reports, the actor had been unwell. His body was kept at his residence in Saligramam, Chennai, for visitors to pay their last respects. The actor was reportedly rushed to the Ramachandra Hospital after he complained of discomfort. He was declared dead by the time he was brought to the hospital. Mayilsamy made his debut in Tamil cinema in 1984, with...

MollywoodWe list some, sadly rather few in number, well-written women characters in grey in Malayalam cinema who stuck to their guns till the end.Neelima MenonBindu Panicker as Seetha in RorschachKanchana’s eyes darken with desire as she stares at her sister-in-law’s karimani (black beads) chain. She hungrily tugs at the chain, describing its artistry at length to her awkward sister-in-law. When she is gifted a sari by her sister-in-law, she is torn between greed and jealousy, eventually succumbing to the latter emotion. Kanchana is an ordinary homemaker with lofty ambitions for material things, which her husband isn’t able to fulfil. At a time when the leading women in cinema were always divided into binaries, i.e., good or bad, Kanchana in Sathyan Anthikad’s Thalayanamanthram (1990) is a startling revelation. At least to begin with, more so because of the sublime nuances actor Urvashi lends to Kanchana. What...

CinemaJunaid Khan is actor Aamir Khan's son.Digital NativeIt is likely that Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan will be following the footsteps of his dad. Reports have emerged that the youngster is gearing up to don the greasepaint and his first film will be bankrolled by the legendary production house Yash Raj Films. There is also a buzz that Shalini Pandey of Arjun Reddy fame will be cast opposite Junaid Khan in this venture. This speculation has come following Shalini Pandey's three-film deal with the production house. The Junaid Khan starrer, to be directed by Siddharth Malhotra, is expected to start rolling next year. Meanwhile, Shalini Pandey is set to make her debut in the Hindi film industry with the Ranveer Singh starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar. Jayeshbhai Jordaar is a social comedy film produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by debutant Divyang Thakkar. Ranveer Singh plays the titular...

ReviewRemakes are legitimate creative pursuits, but what are we gaining or losing in the process?Nadika NLet’s get some of the hygiene things out of the way, shall we? Laxmii, starring Akshay Kumar, Kiara Advani, Sharad Kelkar and a bunch of others, is a comedy-horror film, written and directed by Raghava Lawrence. It’s a (fairly faithful) remake of Raghava’s Tamil film Kanchana and has released on Disney+Hotstar. By now, we’ve had five iterations of Raghava Lawrence’s Muni/Kanchana franchise. In Tamil, that is. So no major plot lines need be discussed, but for the Hindi audience who may have strayed absentmindedly south, a quick recap. A young man is possessed by the ghosts of a trans woman, a Muslim man, and a young man with an intellectual disability. The spirits perform a few scares and stunts, then reveal the reason for possession: revenge. They...

Laxmii movie review is here. The Indian Hindi-language comedy horror film written and directed by Raghava Lawrence marking his Hindi directorial debut. Laxmii is the remake of Raghava Lawrence’s 2011 Tamil film Kanchana (also known as Muni 2) starring Raghava Lawrence along with Sarathkumar and Lakshmi Rai.

Laxmii stars Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani in lead. The movie is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from 9 November 2020.

Laxmii story

Asif (Akshay Kumar) married to Rashmi (Kiara Advani) doesn’t believe in ghosts/spirits. The inter religion marriage between Asif and Rashmi has invited woes from Rashmi’s father Sachin (Rajesh Sharma). On the 25th anniversary of Rashmi’s parents, Rashmi’s mother Ratna (Ayesha Raza Mishra) invites her and Asif to her house in Daman. Asif and Rashmi reach Daman and strange things start happening with Asif.

Laxmii movie review

Raghava Lawrence’s money-spinning horror comedy franchise Muni gets a bigger and glossier facelift with Laxmii anyways.

Flix FlashbackDespite the long gap between releases, the ‘Muni’ franchise is extremely successful in Tamil cinema. Sowmya RajendranThe Muni series, directed by actor-choreographer Raghava Lawrence, is among the most successful franchises in Tamil cinema. The first film was released in 2007, the second in 2011 and the last in 2019. Despite the long gaps in between, the franchise has stayed popular with audiences, spawning several more attempts at the horror comedy genre. If box-office collection reports are to be believed, the 2019 instalment collected over Rs 100 crore. The Hindi remake of the second in the series, Kanchana, will be released as Laxmii (it was first titled Laxmmi Bomb) on Disney+ Hotstar on November 9. The lead role, which was played by Raghava himself in the original, is being reprised by Akshay Kumar. Raghava will also be making his directorial debut in Hindi with this film. Made nine years ago, Kanchana may not have aged well in all aspects.

TollywoodThe Telugu star frequently shows his fans that he is a family man.Digital NativeBy ArrangementVijay Deverakonda posted a short video celebrating his mother Madhavi’s 50th birthday on Instagram, which went viral among netizens. In the video, Vijay, his brother Anand and mother Madhavi were seen playing cricket, along with the family’s pet. Posting the video online, Vijay wrote, “I'll make sure you are happy forever. Happy Birthday Mumma! (sic).” It may be noted here that during the lockdown, a picture of the actor spending quality time with his mother and brother playing a board game surfaced online. The star has time and again showed his close bond with his family, which makes his fans view him as a lovable star. View this post on Instagram I'll make sure you are happy forever ❤️ Happy Birthday Mumma! A post shared by Vijay Deverakonda (@thedeverakonda) on Sep 24, 2020 at 2:46am Pdt On the work front,...

TollywoodThe production companies were falsely claiming to be making a film with Vijay Deverakonda to gain access to other actors.Digital NativeDigital NativeReports about some production companies approaching actors claiming to be making a film with Vijay Deverakonda have been surfacing for a while now. To put an end to these companies misusing his name, the actor has issued a warning. It was brought to his notice that some production companies have been using his name to gain access to other actors. Following this, Vijay Deverakonda’s team sent out a notice warning the production houses indulging in such activities. It was also clarified that the actor and his team will make a formal announcement about all new projects. The statement from Team Vijay Deverakonda reads: “We, Team Deverakonda have noticed that few production companies have been fraudulently misrepresenting to be making a film with Vijay Deverakonda and have been...

KollywoodThe actor is celebrating her birthday on April 7 and here’s a look at some of her best performances over the years. Anjana ShekarFrom playing the peacemaker in one of the most hilarious comedy scenes in Tamil cinema, involving a missing banana, to playing the wife who beats to pulp her good-for-nothing husband, to adopting a cartoonish caricature for the amusement of children later on in horror comedies, there can be only one actor who comes to mind when we think of these roles - Kovai Sarala. ‘Kovai' Sarala, if the prefix to her name wasn’t clue enough, then the natural Coimbatore flavour in her manner of speaking will tell you more of where she’s from. She entered the industry at a time when comedy queen Manorama was relegated to picking up motherly/grandmotherly roles and it may not be an exaggeration to say that there was a...

KollywoodThe actor is celebrating her birthday on April 7 and here’s a look at some of her best performances over the years. Anjana ShekarFrom playing the peacemaker in one of the most hilarious comedy scenes in Tamil cinema, involving a missing banana, to playing the wife who beats to pulp her good-for-nothing husband, to adopting a cartoonish caricature for the amusement of children later on in horror comedies, there can be only one actor who comes to mind when we think of these roles - Kovai Sarala. ‘Kovai' Sarala, if the prefix to her name wasn’t clue enough, then the natural Coimbatore flavour in her manner of speaking will tell you more of where she’s from. She entered the industry at a time when comedy queen Manorama was relegated to picking up motherly/grandmotherly roles and it may not be an exaggeration to say that there was a...

Gender and SexualityBeyond the 'messenger' friend between the hero and the heroine, there have been some interesting portrayals of female friendship in Tamil cinema.Anjana ShekarYouTube ScreengrabTamil cinema has plenty of films that celebrate bromance - from the ‘Andha naal nyabagam nenjile vandhade’ song to the ‘Nanbenda!’ dialogue from today. However, though the industry has mostly prioritised male characters and their stories, it has also made some space for its women on screen, even if small. These portrayals of female friendship may not pass the Bechdel Test, but there are interesting arcs taking off from the brief interactions among women on screen that are worth noting. Veering between the all-sacrificing friend and the adjunct friend who is only present to egg the heroine on to get the hero, Tamil cinema has explored a few meaningful relationships among women, some of which come across as more layered and transcendental. In order...

MollywoodFrom Srividya in ‘Kattathey Kilikoodu’ to Mohanlal in ‘Thenmavin Kombathu’, these subtle performances are some of their best acts.Aradhya KurupMohanlal (left) with Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Nedumudi Venu in 'Thenmavin Kombathu'They are all famous. They all have their niche. The hero, the heroine, the goofy friend, the villain, the learned dramatist. But even they have been forgotten for some of their best acts. Here we try to highlight some of the least talked about performances of our favourite stars. Srividya (Kattathey Kilikoodu) Bharath Gopi’s stiff, unsmiling Professor ‘Shakespeare’ Krishna Pillai, who is always buried inside his books, is counted as one of his finest acts. So, it’s hardly surprising that another actor, who stood head and shoulders with the titan in every frame, was overlooked. Srividya plays his quiet, domesticated and lovable wife, Sharada. Kattathey Kilikoodu is really her story—her silent, resilient battle to hold the family together amidst all odds.

CinemaAn official confirmation could be made anytime soon by the makers of the film.Digital NativeLast seen in the fourth installment of the Muni franchise, Kanchana 3, Raghava Lawrence is currently busy with his Bollywood directorial debut. Titled Laxmmi Bomb, the film is the Hindi remake of his 2011 blockbuster hit Kanchana the second film in the horror franchise that began in 2007 with Muni. The film will star Akshay Kumar reprising the role done by Raghava Lawrence in the original. If industry sources are anything to go by, reports have emerged that Lawrance is teaming up with director Lingusamy for an untitled project which is said to be the remake of Ram Charan's 2018 blockbuster hit Rangasthalam. However, an official confirmation could be made anytime soon by the makers of the film. Sources told Dt Next, “Lawrence was supposed to do a project with Lingusamy post-Kanchana 3. However, since he got busy...

NetflixFour segments in the anthology had been planned with directors Nandini Reddy, Tharun Bhascker, Sankalp Reddy and Sandeep Vanga.Digital NativeDigital NativeIt was announced that Lust Stories, a popular series on Netflix, will soon get a Telugu version. Four segments in this anthology have been planned and the first segment will have Amala Paul in the lead with Nandini Reddy wielding the megaphone. It was also revealed that the three other segments will be directed by Tharun Bhascker, Sankalp Reddy and Sandeep Vanga. However, the buzz now is that Sandeep Vanga has moved out of the project. Reports say that the director wasn’t comfortable with the subject. “Initially, they said that it’s about an honour killing, but later they said it is about lust. I told them that I am not comfortable with lust,” Sandeep told Deccan Chronicle on why he is not doing the web series. Talking about his future projects,...

MollywoodShane Nigam plays the struggling artist with varied expressions, while Esther has grown into a wonderful actor.CrisIt looked beautiful when the posters came and it looked beautiful on the screen. Young Esther wrapped in vines, under the lake, pretty little creatures and plants floating around her. Shaji N Karun’s part fantasy film Olu personifies love as a woman you don’t see and as a cure for an injured young girl. On the shore and on a boat above the lake, Shane Nigam plays the part of the lost artist quickly falling for the unseen beauty. While the fantasy is all very novel in the beginning and the visuals look beautiful, the idea of the story is lost in the artificiality created by the characters and the dialogues. Shane plays Vasu, a struggling artist living in an isle in Kochi, trying to sell imitation art and making an...

TollywoodDirector Vishwanath’s movie takes weird turns. There is zero script, zero logic, just a bunch of things happening randomly.Krishna SripadaSome movies give you a headache, some give you euphoria. Some barely register in your mind, neither good nor bad, the kind of movies where you think of your phone a dozen times, and keep drifting. Jodi is one such movie. It is not egregiously bad, but it’s pointless. And its story arc, at any given point, almost flows as if the next point has been picked by a random number generator. No ulterior plot, no ulterior motive, lesson or moral. The romantic drama is neither dramatic nor romantic, although it pretends to come close at times to being both. The movie has three distinct storylines. The romance between Kapil (Aadi Saikumar) and Kanchana (Shraddha Srinath) is the first of the three, where there are no strong reasons...

SandalwoodAn official announcement regarding the cast and crew will be made soon.Digital NativeThe Telugu film Arjun Reddy is a cult hit, no doubt. The film’s remake rights in different languages sold out like hot cakes. While in the Hindi version Shahid Kapoor essayed the role played by Vijay Deverakonda, in the Tamil version it will mark the debut of Dhruv, son of award-winning actor Vikram. The Hindi remake, titled Kabir Singh had hit the marquee recently. The film was directed by Sandeep Vanga who had directed the original. Despite a good box-office collection, the film has been at the receiving end of harsh criticism for its glorified portrayal of toxic masculinity and misogyny. On the other hand, the Tamil version is titled Adithya Varma and is being directed by Sandeep Vanga’s associate Girisayya. According to the latest reports, Arjun Reddy is all set to be remade in Kannada.

ControversyIn May, Lawrence chose to exit the film after the makers unveiled the film's first look without his knowledge.Tnm StaffActor-filmmaker Raghava Lawrence, who had opted out of directing Akshay Kumar starrer horror-comedy 'Laxmmi Bomb' after he felt disrespected, on Saturday withdrew his decision after all the issues were sorted. Lawrence took to twitter to announce that he's back on board as director of 'Laxmmi Bomb', a remake of his own Tamil blockbuster 'Kanchana'. "I am back on board as a director of 'Laxmmi Bomb'. A big thank you to Akshay Kumar sir to understand my feelings and sorting all issues. Another thank you to my producer Shabinaa Khan for the same. Thanks to both for giving me respect," Lawrence said. He added that he's really happy to be part of the project again. Hi Dear Friends and Fans...! As you wished...

Actor-filmmaker Raghava Lawrence, who had opted out of directing Akshay Kumar starrer horror-comedy 'Laxmmi Bomb' after he felt disrespected, on Saturday withdrew his decision after all the issues were sorted.

"I am back on board as a director of 'Laxmmi Bomb'. A big thank you to Akshay Kumar sir to understand my feelings and sorting all issues. Another thank you to my producer Shabinaa Khan for the same. Thanks to both for giving me respect," Lawrence said.

Also Read:?Akshay Kumar drops a Laxmmi Bomb

Lawrence took to twitter to announce that he's back on board as director of 'Laxmmi Bomb', a remake of his own Tamil blockbuster 'Kanchana'.

He added that he's really happy to be part of the project again.

In May, Lawrence chose to exit after the makers unveiled the film's first look without his knowledge. In a statement,...

KollywoodA week ago, the actor/director announced his exit from the project citing a few reasons.Digital NativeActor-director Raghava Lawrence, a week since the issue first cropped up, has announced that he would reconsider his decision to direct the Hindi remake of Kanchana with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar reprising the role done by Raghava Lawrence in the original. Titled Laxmmi Bomb, the film also stars Kiara Advani. The first look of the film was released last Saturday. Following which, Lawrence took to Twitter to announce his exit from the project. Lawrence reportedly quoted that the release of the first look poster of the film was without his knowledge which had prompted him to step down. He also added that he will still allow the producers to use his script as he respects Akshay. He also gave his best wishes to the cast and crew of the film. But, after a...

Actress Kiara Advani has landed her first "in and as" film -- "Indoo Ki Jawani".

"'Indoo Ki Jawani'. My first 'In and As'. So excited to collaborate with Emmay Entertainment, Nikkhil Advani, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, Niranjan Iyengar, Ryan Stephen, and Abir Sengupta for the first time and it had to be as special as Indoo. We need all your love and support for this one," Kiara tweeted on Monday.

She can't wait to get started on the project. Nikkhil Advani says it is a "cracker script" by writer-director Abir Sengupta.

"We had to swipe right (hope I got that right!). Kiara you're just going to make Indoo come alive," he tweeted.

Kiara has been on a career roll. Her slate of upcoming films also includes "Good News", "Kabir Singh", "Shershaah" and the "Kanchana" remake. [Ians]...

Actor-filmmaker Raghava Lawrence, who was recently signed to direct Akshay Kumar starrer Hindi horror-comedy "Laaxmi Bomb", has opted out of the project as he felt disrespected.

"Laaxmi Bomb" is the remake of highly successful Tamil horror-comedy "Kanchana", which was directed by Lawrence, who also starred in the film.

Less than a month after the project went on floors, Lawrence decided to exit it after the makers unveiled the film's first look on Saturday without his knowledge.

"There is an old popular saying in Tamil which tells 'Don't step into any house where there is no respect'. In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person's character. So I have decided to step out of the project, 'Laaxmi Bomb', the Hindi remake of 'Kanchana'," Lawrence wrote in a note he posted on his Twitter page.

He said there were multiple reasons for his exit,...

Controversy‘Laxmi Bomb’, the Hindi remake has Akshay Kumar playing the lead role and is set to release in June 2020. Tnm StaffFilmmaker Raghava Lawrence took to Twitter on Saturday to announce that he will be stepping down as director for the upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer Laxmi Bomb. Lawrence tweeted that he will not be part of this Hindi remake of Kollywood hit Kanchana because he was disrespected and disappointed by the team. Kanchana, a horror comedy which was released in 2011 was a sequel to Muni and portrays the tale of a ghost-fearing man who gets possessed. The film is set for release in June 2020. And while Lawrence had written, produced and directed the original, in the Hindi remake his role was limited to direction. The film's first look poster was released on Saturday and proved to be the last straw for Lawrence, who announced his decision to quit as director. Bringing...

Actress Kiara Advani says superstar Salman Khan asked her to change her first name because of Alia Bhatt.

Kiara revealed this in an episode of Voot's "Feet Up with the Stars Season 2", read a statement.

"Aaliya is my first name. Salman Khan suggested me to change it because of Alia Bhatt because there can't be two actresses with the same name in Bollywood," Kiara said.

"He suggested the change, but 'Kiara' is the name that I chose. Now even my parents have started to call me Kiara," she added.

The actress also spoke about how she bagged "Lust Stories" without auditioning for the role.

Recalling her experience, Kiara said: "Karan Johar has an eye for it. He spots a performer and he knows how to get it done."

When Kiara was filming for a scene with vibrator for "Lust Stories", Karan told her: "Don't make it a caricature, just be raw and do it.

KollywoodAll the tropes from the previous three films are there, making us wonder what the point is in making a new one.Anjana ShekarEver since Muni released in 2007 and became a huge success, actor/director Raghava Lawrence has taken it upon himself to keep the series alive, releasing an installment every four years. When the hero, usually a man who can single-handedly take on a group of goons and not break a sweat on a normal day, stutters and shakes for a silly ruse, the hilarity in the scene becomes endearing and fresh all at once. Rajinikanth's paambu jokes, for example. And it is perhaps this style that Raghava Lawrence, who is also a die-hard Rajini fan, had in mind when he sketched his character Ganesh in the first film. We have seen several horror comedies since - the Aranmanai series, cringe adult horror comedies like Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kuthu,...

SandalwoodIt may be noted that Kanchana and Kanchana 2 were remade in Kannada with Upendra in the led role, and both the films did well at the box office.Digital NativeDigital NativeFilms of other languages dubbed in Kannada are doing well in Sandalwood following which there is a huge demand. We hear that the upcoming release Kanchana 3 will also be dubbed and released in Kannada along with the Tamil version. It is indeed a good move by the filmmakers as Vedhika, who plays the female lead in Kanchana 3 is quite popular in Sandalwood. The film is set for release on April 19. It may be noted that Kanchana and Kanchana 2 were remade in Kannada with Upendra in the led role, and both the films did well at the box office. Muni 4: Kanchana 3’s technical crew includes Jesse Samuel, Bharath, Sai Bharath, Saravedi Saran, Raj Thillaiyampalam and Kapilan Kugavel for music, with...

KollywoodRaghava Lawrence will be teaming up with Akshay Kumar for this remake. Digital NativeLast seen in the sci-fi film 2.0 as Pakshi Rajan Akshay Kumar will be teaming up with Tamil director Raghava Lawrence for the Hindi remake of the hit Muni franchise. It will not just be a remake of Muni but it will be a combination of the first two films of the franchise - Muni (2007) and Muni 2: Kanchana (2011). After the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay Kumar is making a comeback to the horror-comedy genre after 12 years. While an official announcement is awaited from the makers of the Hindi film, it is expected to go floors from April this year and slated to release in 2020. It may be noted here that Raghava Lawrence made his mark with his Muni series in Tamil and he is gearing up for its fourth film in the franchise, Kanchana 3, which is slated...

KollywoodThe first Tamil film to be shot in Eastman Colour, 'Kadhalikke Neramillai' has evergreen humour and songs.Nandhu SundaramDirector CV Sridhar, an acknowledged master of the light-hearted fare, produced in 1964 a comedy that he himself could never surpass. I have always enjoyed Kadhalikka Neramillai, more so with each viewing. I find the film’s breezy romance and absurd hilarity quite endearing. The comic timing in each scene is impeccable, making the movie one of my favourite romantic comedies of all time. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a tape of the dialogues from the flick, long before I ever saw it. My father’s favourite way of unwinding back then was to listen to the cassette (before the CD era) as we, the children, giggled along. No wonder, many dialogues remained etched in my mind. The movie hinges on its love stories centred on a razor-thin plot. This style...

Kollywood'Big Boss' fame Oviya has been roped in to play the female lead in this project.Digital NativeThe fourth installment of the Muni franchise, Kanchana 3, is gearing up for its release. The makers have now released the motion poster for the film. This motion poster opens at a housing colony and then shifts to some action scenes and finally the film's lead, Raghava Lawerence is seen in a new avatar wearing a white shirt and dhoti with Rudrakshas around his neck. The film, bankrolled by Ragava Lawrance, will be presented by Sun Pictures and is all set to be released on April 18th this year. The film is the sequel to Kanchana 2. According to reports, the horror-comedy flick is in its final phase of shooting with the filming of one song remaining. The first part, Muni was a massive success followed by its second and third part. Now, Muni...

KollywoodAccording to reports, there are plans to attach the digital motion poster of 'Kanchana 3' along with the release of Rajinikanth’s 'Petta'.Digital NativeThe Muni franchise from Raghava Lawrence is the most successful of his ventures till date. The actor–filmmaker is currently busy with the making of Kanchana 3. The latest on this project is that the makers have announced its release date. The film, bankrolled by Sun Pictures, will be released on April 18 next year. The announcement was out on the official Twitter handle of the production house. It said, “The much awaited Muni 4 – Kanchana 3 by Raghava Lawrence is nearing completion of shooting and will release in April 2019.” There are plans to attach the digital motion poster of Kanchana 3 along with the release of Rajinikanth’s Petta, we hear. The much awaited Muni 4 series – Kanchana 3 by Raghava Lawrence is nearing completion of shooting and will release...

KollywoodFollowing its immense box office success, 'Kanchana' was remade in Kannada, Sinhala and Bengali.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe film Kanchana from the Muni series is one of the most successful horror comedies at the box office in Tamil Industry. Directed by Raghava Lawrence, who had played the lead role in it, the film had Sarath Kumar, Kovai Sarala, Devadarshini and Raai Laxmi playing pivotal roles. Released in the year 2011, Kanchana was made on a budget of Rs 7 crores and collected Rs 20 crores at the box office. The film’s Telugu dubbed version was also released along with its Tamil version. Following its immense box office success, Kanchana was remade in Kannada as Kalpana and released in 2012. The Kannada remake was directed by Ramanarayanan. It was also remade in Sinhala under the title Maya in Bengali as Mayabini. According to the latest reports, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has shown interest in remaking its Hindi version.

KollywoodRaghava Lawrence has roped in the 'Bigg Boss' fame Oviya to play the lead role along with Vedhika and Nikitha.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe Muni franchise from Raghava Lawrence is the most successful of his ventures till date. The actor-filmmaker is currently busy with the making of Kanchana 3 and reports are that the film may be out in theatres on December 21 this year to cash in on the long Christmas weekend. The fourth installment of the Muni franchise, Kanchana 3 was announced several months ago and went on the floors in the last week of October 2017 and the shooting is progressing at a rapid pace now. The first part, Muni was a massive success followed by its second and third part. Now, Muni 4: Kanchana 3, the fourth in the series is in the making. And this time, Raghava Lawrence has roped in the Bigg Boss fame Oviya to play the lead role...

China’s Hgc Entertainment has picked up rights to Indian drama film “Mersal.” The company plans to release it, dubbed into Mandarin, later this year or in early 2019.

The film is produced by Thenandal Studio Limited, directed by Atlee, and features Tamil-language star Vijay in three roles. Other cast include Samantha Akkineni, Kajal Aggarwal and Nithya Menen. The background score and soundtrack were composed by multi-Oscar- and Grammy-winner A R Rahman.

The film was released in India and multiple diaspora markets in late 2017, grossing some $35 million. It will be one of the first Tamil films to release in China in recent years.

The story sees a doctor and a magician attempt to expose corruption and inefficiency at the heart of the Indian medical system. The plot has the potential to resonate with mainstream Chinese viewers, who have collectively paid more than $400 million to watch “Dying to Survive,” a Chinese fact-based...

KollywoodWhile this genre has always been popular among audiences, we’ve listed some of the best films from the past.Anjana ShekarYoutube ScreengrabsWhat would be the ideal scale to rate a good thriller? Is it by the number of screams and gasps it elicits? Is it by the number of dramatic ‘pa-pa-pa-paaaam’ background music? Or is it by the number of times it gets your heart racing for inexplicable reasons? My very first recollection of a thriller is that of a major cult classic from Tamil cinema, a film that’ll garner the same ‘dramatic’ wide-eyed reaction from many when you name it – Athey Kangal! I’ve seen this film so many times that I can perfectly match the loud screams just by listening to the film’s audio. Directed by AC Tirulokchandar, this film that came out in 1967 was a major success upon its release. Starring Ravichandran and Kanchana in lead roles, Athey Kangal is a Raymond Chandleresque, tightly wound thriller, centred around a series of mysterious killings that take place inside a house. The intense plot twists, heightened drama and the final big reveal make this film a gripping watch, irrespective of the number of times you’ve already seen it. While the thriller genre has always been popular among Tamil audiences, here is a list of some of the must-watch films from before the 1990s. Andha Naal (1954) All hell broke loose in Tamil cinema when this film released. In addition to being one of the best thrillers to this day, this film was also the first Tamil film without any song, dance or stunt sequences. While it is popular belief that Sundaram Balachandar’s Andha Naal was adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s classic Rashomon (1950), film historian Randor Guy writes that the film is actually an adaptation of Anthony Asquith’s The Woman in Question (1950). Rajan (played by Sivaji Ganesan), a radio engineer, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The film unfolds in the form of investigations where one character leads them to the other until the killer and their motive is finally revealed. With a short runtime of 130 minutes, the film was also lauded for its camera work and narrative technique. Nenjam Marappathillai (1963) With its unusual storyline, this is another film worthy of being called a cult classic. Director CV Sridhar has admitted to have been inspired from real life incidents that he read in the newspaper. The film has some brilliant sequences, and the cinematography by Aloysius Vincent was lauded by many. The climax is quite literally edge-of-the-seat and the brilliant background score compensates for the absence of dialogues in the climax. Puthiya Paravai (1964) Puthiya Paravai, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Saroja Devi and Sowcar Janaki, was a great success when it released. A popular adaptation of the English film Chase A Crooked Shadow (1958) by noted filmmaker Michael Anderson, Puthiya Paravai is best known for its narrative technique. There’s plenty of glitz, reckless living and endearing romance in the film. The big reveal, however, is one that will not fail to take you by surprise. The film was also popular for its chart-busting songs. Shanthi Nilayam (1969) This film is a loose adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre. The film’s narrative steadily builds up with eerie sounds and clever play with light and shadows. The scene where the woman walks with a lantern at night and the song shot in a hot-air balloon are some of the memorable scenes from this film. Interestingly, Shanthi Nilayam fetched its cinematographer Marcus Bartley a National Award. Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) This film can be called Tamil cinema’s coming-of-age thriller, one of the very earliest successful psychological thriller films. In fact, Bharathiraja’s Sigappu Rojakkal brought in an interesting resurgence of thriller films soon after. Kamal Haasan plays a successful businessman who seduces women and later kills them. Kamal’s hatred towards women is slowly unveiled as the film progresses, leading up to a thrilling chase with the heroine, Sridevi. This film has inspired several other films including Dhanush’s Kadhal Kondein (2003) and Simbu’s Manmadhan (2004). Moodu Pani (1980) The song ‘Yen Iniya Pon Nilave’ from this film might be a breezy number, but there is nothing breezy about the film’s plot-line. In a sense Moodu Pani has strong similarities to Sigappu Rojakkal. This film has often been compared with Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho for its uncanny resemblance to the latter’s climax. Directed by Balu Mahendra, the film has nail-biting sequences and has often been regarded as one among Balu Mahendra’s masterpieces. Needless to say, the film has some of Tamil cinema’s best visuals. Nooravathu Naal (1984) This film is a cult classic in its truest sense. So much so that it was believed to have inspired real-life serial killer Auto Shankar who went on a killing spree between 1988 and 1989. The film’s solid storytelling by its director Manivannan and a riveting performance by Sathyaraj are its highlights. The film’s suspense is sustained till the very end leading to an insanely unexpected climax. Also on our list: Tik Tik Tik (1981) Karayellam Shenbagapoo (1981) Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984) Also Read: Beyond romance: 9 on-screen couples from Tamil cinema who gave us relationship goals p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 14.7px Helvetica; color: #222222; -webkit-text-stroke: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 14.7px Helvetica; color: #500050; -webkit-text-stroke: #500050; background-color: #ffffff} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 12.8px Arial; color: #222222; -webkit-text-stroke: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}...

EntertainmentThe film was telecast with several cuts and marred the experience of watching a cult hit. Digital NativeThe cult hit movie Arjun Reddy, which hit the marquee last year, premiered on the small screens recently. Being a bold film, there were mixed reactions to its premiere but in the end, the fans were left disappointed. The film was telecast with several cuts and marred the experience of watching a cult hit. Arjun Reddy, incidentally, has recorded a Trp of 13.6 which is quite a good number considering the fact that it has some adult scenes as well. The film, made on a small budget, released to good reception from the movie buffs last year and went on to garner Rs. 50 crores at the box office. Its remake rights in other languages got sold out like hot cakes. The film’s Tamil version, titled as Varma, is being directed by ace director Bala with actor Vikram’s son Dhruv making his acting debut. The original was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga with Pranay Reddy Vanga producing it under his banner Bhadrakali Pictures. The film starred Vijay Deverakonda as Arjun Reddy Deshmukh and Shalini Pandey as Preethi Shetty who played the lead pair, with Rahul Ramakrishna, Jia Sharma, Sanjay Swaroop, Kamal Kamaraju, Kanchana, Gopinath Bhat, Amit Sharma, and Priyadarshi Pullikonda playing supporting roles. The film is about a Telugu boy falling in love with a Tulu girl and their whirlwind relationship. Reports are that the film may go on to gross $1 million at the Us box office and estimates are that it will rake in Rs. 30 crores at the Andhra and Telangana box office. While the soundtrack for this album has been composed by Radhan, the Bgm has been done by Harshavardhan Rameshwar. Raju Thota had cranked the camera for this venture and Shashank Mali had edited it. On its release, Arjun Reddy received rave reviews with film personalities like Mahesh Babu, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and director SS Rajamouli heaping praises on it. While Samantha and SS Rajamouli lauded its novel concept, Mahesh Babu had said that the direction is top-notch and it is a path-breaking film.

Entertainment"Though love stories are not my cup of tea, can’t but appreciate the film," Rajamouli had said about his favourite film this year, after its release.Digital NativeWhen most film buffs would easily say that Baahubali: The Conclusion, which released in April, is the their most favorite film of the year, the film’s own director has shocked everyone by preferring another movie over his own. Asked which of the films released this year was his favourite, SS Rajamouli said that it was Arjun Reddy. It may be noted here that as soon as Arjun Reddy had hit the silver screens, SS Rajamouli had taken to Twitter, to appreciated the film. He had pointed out that the film’s lead star Vijay Devarakonda’s performance was top-notch and everyone who had acted in it were natural. His exact tweet was, “Just saw Arjun Reddy. Though love stories are not my cup of tea, can’t but appreciate the film. Top notch performance by Vijay Deverakonda. He just lived it. Not just him, Shalini, the friends, everyone were so good and natural. Very good background score and fine photography.” Arjun Reddy, an intense love drama, starred Vijay Devarakonda and Shalini Pandey in the lead roles. The star cast also includes Rahul Ramakrishna, Jia Sharma, Sanjay Swaroop, Reddy Deshmuk, Kamal Kamaraju, Kanchana, Gopinath Bhat, Amit Sharma and Priyadarshi Pullikonda. Written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film was produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga under the banner Bhadrakali Pictures. Made on a budget of Rs. 4 crore, Arjun Reddy went on to collect over Rs. 50 crore, making it a commercial success as well. The film’s run time was 182 minutes with the director’s cut being 240 minutes. There is also a buzz that Vijay Devarakonda is the top contender for the National Film Award for best acting. Arjun Reddy is being remade in Tamil under the title Varma and it will mark the debut of Vikram’s son Dhruv as hero and directed by ace director Bala. Content by Digital Native.