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Religion, politics and sex make strange but recognizable bed fellows. Season 2 of the series Suzhal sustains its sophomore momentum by putting some of the characters from the original into situations that are not what they seem. The actors are in confident hands this time, as much as they were when the Tamil series first struck a note of foreboding three years ago.

Suzhal in Tamil on Amazon Prime Video, in 8 Episodes which streamed in 2022, had us agog. Its setting, actors, and treatment of a complex storyline generated ample curiosity, more so since the narrative constantly remained ahead of us as two cops, Sakkarai (Kathir) and Regina (Shreya Reddy) tried to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of a young girl Nila (Gopika Ramesh) the younger daughter of a union leader Shanmugan (Parthiban Radhakrishnan) who had this very strange propensity to repel those close to him.

I am not too sure...

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon’s spy-action-thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram Part 1’ starring Chiyaan Vikram, which was scheduled for a November 24 release, has been postponed to an unknown date due to legal issues.

Taking to X, the director who is also referred to as Gvm, shared a letter of apology which stated: “Sorry. Unable to get ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ to the screens today. We tried our best. But it looks like we need a day or two more.”

He added: “Hoping to give everybody a good experience with advance bookings and proper screens everywhere around the world.

“The support for the film is heartwarming and has kept us going. Just a few days more and we’ll arrive.”

According to media reports, the delay was caused as Madras High Court slapped two cases against both Gvm and his team over the release of ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’.

The court had instructed the director to pay...

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon’s spy-action-thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram Part 1’ starring Chiyaan Vikram, which was scheduled for a November 24 release, has been postponed to an unknown date due to legal issues.

Taking to X, the director who is also referred to as Gvm, shared a letter of apology which stated: “Sorry. Unable to get ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ to the screens today. We tried our best. But it looks like we need a day or two more.”

He added: “Hoping to give everybody a good experience with advance bookings and proper screens everywhere around the world.

“The support for the film is heartwarming and has kept us going. Just a few days more and we’ll arrive.”

According to media reports, the delay was caused as Madras High Court slapped two cases against both Gvm and his team over the release of ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’.

The court had instructed the director to pay...

As Tamil superstar Chiyaan Vikram’s upcoming action-spy-thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ draws near, the movie has unveiled its first single ‘Naracha Mudi’. A pop-themed electrifying romantic song, the track is layered with both playful but heartfelt romance alongside a level of lust.

Though nothing overly too sexual, there is a certain mood that emits from just the composition and vocal delivery alone, and listeners can get that feeling whether they understand the language or not.

Sung by Srilekha Parthasarathy, also known as Srilekha, the song is romantic, playful, lustful, and a delight to listen to.

A mixture of electronic pop with some atmospheric keyboards, and classical instrumentation in both European and Indian styles, the simplistic composition of Harris Jayaraj complements the vocals very well.

As the movie is mostly an action-spy-thriller, the elements of romance that are there in the film are very much under wraps though if the track...

As Tamil superstar Chiyaan Vikram’s upcoming action-spy-thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ draws near, the movie has unveiled its first single ‘Naracha Mudi’. A pop-themed electrifying romantic song, the track is layered with both playful but heartfelt romance alongside a level of lust.

Though nothing overly too sexual, there is a certain mood that emits from just the composition and vocal delivery alone, and listeners can get that feeling whether they understand the language or not.

Sung by Srilekha Parthasarathy, also known as Srilekha, the song is romantic, playful, lustful, and a delight to listen to.

A mixture of electronic pop with some atmospheric keyboards, and classical instrumentation in both European and Indian styles, the simplistic composition of Harris Jayaraj complements the vocals very well.

As the movie is mostly an action-spy-thriller, the elements of romance that are there in the film are very much under wraps though if the track...

Tamil superstar Chiyaan Vikram is rocking it out in the newly released trailer for his upcoming spy action thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’, as he plays a black ops specialist. The trailer features a bunch of cursing, explosions, high-octane action, romance, dark comedy, violence, and a whole analogy based around cricket. ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ follows the government creating a new black ops task force to deal with terror threats called ‘The Basement’, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

An off-the-books rogue team that goes outside of the law or any convention to achieve its objectives, the ‘The Basement’ being based in Chennai and having a whole cricket analogy consists of a total of 11 members.

Out of these 11, Vikram who essays the character of John is a ‘specialist’, who deals in target killings, high profile assassinations, espionage, encounters and more. Featuring some very high production, the trailer looks much more rooted than the average...

Tamil superstar Chiyaan Vikram is rocking it out in the newly released trailer for his upcoming spy action thriller film ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’, as he plays a black ops specialist. The trailer features a bunch of cursing, explosions, high-octane action, romance, dark comedy, violence, and a whole analogy based around cricket. ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ follows the government creating a new black ops task force to deal with terror threats called ‘The Basement’, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

An off-the-books rogue team that goes outside of the law or any convention to achieve its objectives, the ‘The Basement’ being based in Chennai and having a whole cricket analogy consists of a total of 11 members.

Out of these 11, Vikram who essays the character of John is a ‘specialist’, who deals in target killings, high profile assassinations, espionage, encounters and more. Featuring some very high production, the trailer looks much more rooted than the average...

Fans of Chiyaan Vikram and Gautham Vasudev Menon are eagerly waiting for the release of their much-anticipated spy thriller Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One – Yuddha Kaandam. The film, which has been in the making for almost a decade, is finally set to hit the screens on November 24, 202312

To raise the excitement level of the audience, the makers have announced that the new trailer of the film will be screened exclusively in theatres along with Leo, another actionfilm starring Vijay and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj However, the online release of the trailer will be later on Vijayadasami, which falls on October 25 this year4

Watch the new #DhruvaNatchathiram trailer exclusively in theatres

Trailer releasing online on Vijayadasami#DhruvaNatchathiramFromNov24@chiyaan @menongautham @Jharrisjayaraj @oruoorileoru @manojdft @srkathiir @the_kochikaran @dopjomon @editoranthony @Preethisrivijay… pic.twitter.com/Hpn52G7Xkj

— OndragaEntertainment (@OndragaEnt) October 19, 2023 Dhruva Natchathiram Trailer

The announcement was made by Gautham Menon on his Twitter handle, where...

Featured Image : Ondrago Entertainment

Fans of Chiyaan Vikram have been eagerly waiting for his upcoming spy thriller Dhruva Natchathiram, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film, which has been in the making since 2016, is finally set to hit the theatres this Diwali. According to sources, the official release date announcement will be made on Friday, while a pre-announcement teaser will be released tomorrow.

Dhruva Natchathiram is a two-part film that revolves around a team of 10 secret agents who work for the National security agency of India under disguise. Vikram plays John, the leader of the team, who embarks on a mission to rescue his mentor who has been kidnapped by a mysterious enemy. The film also stars Ritu Varma, Aishwarya Rajesh, R. Parthiban, Simran, and Vinayakan in pivotal roles.

His Name is John Song

The film features music composed by Harris Jayaraj, while the cinematography is handled by Manoj Paramahamsa,...

Dhruva Natchathiram, the much-awaited spy thriller starring Vikram, is finally gearing up for its release. The film, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, has been in the making for over seven years, and has faced several delays and hurdles. However, the makers have now announced that the second single from the film’s soundtrack, titled His Name Is John, will be released on July 17th. The song is composed by Harris Jayaraj, who has collaborated with Menon after a gap of nine years. The first single, Oru Manam, which was released in 2020, was well received by the fans and music lovers.

Dhruva Natchathiram is a spy thriller that revolves around John, a New York-based undercover agent and his team, who are entrusted with a secret mission to bring back their leader, who has gone missing mysteriously. The film features an ensemble cast of Ritu Varma, Aishwarya Rajesh, Raadhika Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban,...

Dhruva Natchathiram, the upcoming Tamil spy thriller film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, is finally set to hit the screens in August 2023. The film, which stars Vikram in the lead role, has been in the making since 2016 and has been shot in seven countries. The film also features Ritu Varma, Aishwarya Rajesh, R. Parthiban, Simran, Dhivyadharshini and Vinayakan in pivotal roles.

The film’s music is composed by Harris Jayaraj, who has collaborated with Menon after a gap of eight years. The first single from the film, “Oru Manam”, was released in May 2020 and received positive reviews from the listeners. The second single from the film is expected to be released next week, according to a tweet by the film’s official handle. The tweet also revealed that another single will be out by the end of July and that the final trailer will be released only after the release date is finalized.

KollywoodHere are some of the must-watch movies or upcoming releases of the period genre that Kollywood audiences are looking forward to.TeaserScreengrab/CourtesyNeelamProductionsFrom Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films to Pa Ranjith’s Thangalaan, there appears to have been a surge of period films in Tamil in recent times. Here are some of the must-watch movies or upcoming releases of the period genre that Kollywood audiences are looking forward to. Ponniyin Selvan - Parts 1 and 2 Touted as the director’s “magnum opus”, Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films adapt to the big screen the Tamil novel of the same name written by Kalki. The two films boast a star-studded line up from across Indian cinema industries, from Chiyaan Vikram, Trisha, and Sarath Kumar to Jayaram from Mollywood and Bollywood’s Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Actors Jeyam Ravi, Karthi, R Parthiban, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and several others also star in the film, and...

When last we saw the title character of Mani Ratnam’s epic “Ponniyin Selvan” saga, the real-life prince who would expand the Chola empire from South India all the way to the Ganges in the north was drowning as he crossed from Lanka to India. Instead of picking up at that cliffhanger, the action-packed second installment rewinds a few decades to focus on different characters, before circling back to reveal the fate of Jayam Ravi’s title character, also known as Arunmozhi Varman.

“Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two” starts by filling in the backstory of how Arunmozhi’s older brother, Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan (Vikram), fell for Nandini (Aishwariya Rai Bachchan), an orphaned girl living with a priest family at the local temple. The royal family disapproved of him marrying a girl whose antecedents weren’t known, and so she was chased off. The story then picks up to when reports...

Hyderabad, Feb 3 (Ians) Legendary Telugu filmmaker K. Vishwanath, who also acted in some Tamil films, has passed away. He was 92.

Vishanath breathed his last at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad late Thursday. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.

The Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and five-time national award winner was suffering from age-related ailments. He will be cremated on Friday.

Born on February 19, 1930 in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, he directed over 50 films.

Vishwanath was popular for iconic films such as Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swathi Muthyam and Swarna Kamalam. He also acted in Tamil movies like Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Rajapattai, Lingaa and Uttama Villain and shared screen space with the likes of Kamal Haasan, R. Parthiban and Ajith.

In 1992, he was awarded the Padma Shri and in 2016 he was conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest honour in India for the film industry. In a career spanning over four decades,...

AwardsThe list released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday features a total of 301 movies from across the globe.Tnm StaffImageCredit:Facebook/Rrr, Facebook/Hombale Films, Facebook/Bhansali ProductionsFrom SS Rajamouli’s Rrr to Rishab Shetty’s Kantara - A Legend, up to 11 Indian films have made the cut to the annual reminder list of productions eligible for the 95th Academy Awards, more popularly known as the Oscars. The list released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, January 10, features a total of 301 movies from across the globe. Among the Indian features on the list are four Hindi language films, two Kannada and Marathi films, and one Telugu, Tamil, and Gujarati film each. The nominations will be announced on January 24, and the award presentation ceremony will be held on March 12. Here are the Indian productions that have secured spots in the reminder...

‘Gunehgaar’, ‘The Fame Game’, ‘Mithya’, ‘Suzhal: The Vortex’ and ‘Delhi Crime-2’ were some of the most engrossing slow-burners of the year. Long format, procedural as well dramatic shows and teleplays added to the diverse viewing experience of audiences on the small screen in 2022. They brought along with them ample thrills, chills, and psychological intrigue. Here is our pick of the best, immersive entertainers from this lot.

The Fame Game

You may argue that the series that heralded Madhuri Dixit Nene in the Ott space frittered away its potential at the end but a second season may just redeem it. Yet, for the most part, this show was a perfect blend of drama, emotional heft, mystery, psychological layers, and histrionics with Dixit demonstrating why she is still considered one of the best actors to grace the silver screen. A moving performance by Manav Kaul, strong turns by Sanjay Kapoor, Suhasini Mulay,...

Abhishek Bachchan recalls his 2022 and calls it a wonderful one!

With films and Ott running a race to provide top-notch content, Abhishek Bachchan silently broke many records this year. He rules the Ott platform like no other, from playing a rough and eccentric politician in Dasvi to delivering a nail-biting performance in Breathe: Into The Shadows season 2.

Dasvi, released on an Ott platform, topped the chart list and trended across 18 countries. The movie showed a new side of Abhishek Bachchan, who enacted the role of a politician who accepted the challenge of clearing his Dasvi. The film also had Nimrat Kaur and Yami Gautam playing pivotal roles.

His most recent release, the second season of Breathe: Into The Shadows, received over 15 million views in two weeks. In one of the interviews, Abhishek Bachchan mentioned working on Breathe: Into The Shadows. He said, “It’s a challenging genre to execute because thrillers are rare.

kollywoodApart from Vikram, Thangalaan’s cast also includes actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan and Pasupathy.Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTubeThe much-awaited teaser of actor Vikram and director Pa Ranjith’s next, Thangalaan, was unveiled on Sunday, October 23. The teaser also features glimpses of actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan and Pasupathi. Written and directed by Ranjith, Thangalaan is bankrolled by Ke Gnanavel Raja under the banner of Studio Green. Ranjith’s home banner Neelam is also co-producing the film. The teaser seems to depict Vikram as the leader of a community of people, who go head to head with the British. His character is seen donning a loin cloth and holding a tall cane in his hand, and hints that the community is preparing for a battle of some sort. Sources from Neelam tell Tnm that the story, which is set in the 19th century, during the British colonial era, will revolve around...

Tamil filmmaking legend Mani Ratnam takes on the formidable task of adapting Indian bestseller “Ponniyin Selvan” as a two-part epic, the first of which released to excellent box office at home and abroad on Sept. 29. Streamlining the source material considerably, this impressive franchise starter — co-written by Ratnam, Jayamohan and Kumaravel — remains mostly faithful to Kalki Krishnamurthy’s five novels, first serialized in the 1950s in the Tamil magazine Kalki before being translated into multiple other languages, including English.

The books were based on the great ruler Raja Raja Chola, who expanded his empire from modern-day Tamilnadu all the way north to the Ganges. Set to the music of Oscar winner A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”), “Ponniyin Selvan: Part One” boasts great battles on land and sea. The spy-vs.-spy nature of the story suggests a 12th-century Bourne movie, interspersed with song and dance.

In the 11th and 12th centuries, Southern India was ruled by the Cheras,...

The upcoming Mani Ratnam film ‘Ponniyin Selvan-1’ spells royalty as it uses actual gold jewellery for its characters and was designed keeping in mind the small details of the Chola period.

The film, based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s 1955 novel of the same name, tells the story of the early days of Arulmozhivarman, who later became the great Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I.

Talking about the jewellery design of the film, the director of the film, Mani Ratnam said in a conversation: “We gave special emphasis to the costume to make them believable and lend the period-specific authenticity and still evoke that sense of royalty. We were very lucky to have Kishandas (the jewellery designer) on board with us and we worked with actual gold jewellery.”

He added: “The artisans worked around the small details of the Chola period and made the ornaments specific to the characters.”

Gold, though, tends...

The unit of director Mani Ratnam’s much-awaited magnum opus, ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, on Saturday released actress Aishwarya Lekshmi’s look as Samudrakumari Poonguzhali in the film. Taking to Twitter, Lyca Productions, which is producing the film along with director Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, said: “Soft as the wind, mighty as the ocean! Meet #AishwaryaLekshmi as Samudrakumari Poonguzhali!”

The production house, in its tweet, reiterated the fact that a grand audio and trailer launch of the film was to take place on September 6 at the Nehru Indoor Stadium.

Earlier, the production house had also disclosed the looks of Sarathkumar and Parthiban in the film. The production house had introduced their characters saying: “Meet the fearless protectors of Chola pride! Presenting Sarathkumar as Periya Pazhuvettarayar and R Parthiepan as Chinna Pazhuvettarayar!”

The film, the first part of which is scheduled to hit screens on September 30, is based on the classic Tamil...

After the first melodious single – Kaveri Se Milne, Tips Music released the second track from the upcoming period drama – ‘Chola Chola’ featuring the mega-star Vikram. Released in 5 languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam, the song is a celebration after Vikram – returns as a victor in a war.

The foot-tapping number is the warriors’ ode to the motherland of Cholas filled with determination, love and their swords. Chola Chola’s visuals weave a story of war, conquests and love. Aishwarya’s featurette in the video peaks interest in the story of Aditya Chola II – Vikram’s character and Nandini – Aishwarya’s character.

Kumar Taurani says, “After the success of Kaveri Se Milne, the audience will surely love Chola Chola. The essence of the song is to glorify the victory of the warriors on the battlefield and Ar Rahman has portrayed that spirit at its full glory. The visuals of Vikram dancing...

The A R Rahman-composed “Chola Chola” track from Mani Ratnam’s upcoming epic period action film “Ponniyin Selvan: I”, which was released on Friday, has a rhythm rooted in the cultural of Tamil Nadu and is sung in praise of the Chola emperor, Rajaraja Chola I.

The song brings back the combination of Mani Ratnam and Rahman, who have earlier given memorable soundtracks to Indian cinema with “Roja”, “Iruvar”, “Dil Se…”, “Alaipayuthey” and “Yuva”, to name a few.

The song uses South Indian folk instruments in a big way with a prominent percussion section. Composer Vishal Mishra has gone behind the mic with Swagat Rathod to lend his voice to the lyrics of the veteran Mehboob.

The orchestra brings together the sound produced by three powerful forces: Chennai Strings, the A.R. Rahman Foundation-based Sunshine Orchestra and Budapest Art Orchestra.

“Ponniyin Selvan: I”, the first of two-part spectacle based...

Amazon Prime Video India has set its first Tamil-language long-form scripted original series, “Suzhal – The Vortex,” written and created by Pushkar and Gayatri (“Vikram Vedha”).

The eight-part crime thriller revolves around the investigation of a missing girl that wreaks havoc and disrupts the fabric of a small town in South India. It is produced by Wallwatcher Films and directed by Bramma and Anucharan M. The cast includes Kathir (“Pariyerum Perumal”), Aishwarya Rajesh (“Kanaa”) and Sriya Reddy (“Sometimes”) alongside veteran Radhakrishnan Parthiban (“Single Slipper Size – 7”).

Amazon had debuted in Tamil-language original commissions with anthology “Putham Pudhu Kaalai” (2020).

“Suzhal – The Vortex” was launched at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy Awards (Iifa) Weekend at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, by Aparna Purohit, head of India originals, Amazon Prime Video, the creators, directors and lead cast. It will be available for streaming from June 17.

Purohit said: “When you have a nuanced, suspenseful thriller with a strong emotional core,...

Stating that ‘mother’ and ‘motherland’ were not different from one another, actor Parthiban has made an emotional appeal to the public, asking them to donate generously to the Armed Forces on Flag Day on Tuesday. In a video clip which the actor shared on his timeline on social media, the actor-director says, “December 7 is […]...

OTTFrom Vijay Sethupathi and Nani to Taapsee and Tamannaah, the films also boast of a large ensemble cast. Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTube- Amazon Prime Video, Netflix IndiaAlthough various state governments have permitted cinema halls to reopen, several big-budget projects continue to take the over-the-top (Ott) route. Multiple Telugu and Tamil films are gearing up for direct-ott-release in the month of September. From Vijay Sethupathi and Nani to Taapsee and Tamannaah, the films also boast of a large ensemble cast. Here is a list of movies lined up for direct-ott release this September: Annabelle Sethupathi (Disney Plus Hotstar): Helmed by filmmaker Deepak Sundarajan, horror comedy film Annabelle Sethupathi features actors Taapsee Pannu and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead. The ensemble cast also includes actors Jagapathi Babu, Rajendra Prasad, Radhikaa Sarathkumar, Suresh Menon, Yogi Babu, Vennela Kishore, George Maryan and Devadarshini among others. The film will be streaming on Disney Plus...

KollywoodThe cast also includes Raashii Khanna, Manjima Mohan, Bagavathi Perumal and Karunakaran, among others.Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTube The trailer of actor Vijay Sethupathi and Raashii Khanna’s upcoming film Tughlaq Durbar was released by Over-the-top (Ott) platform Netflix on Tuesday. Sharing the trailer, Netflix India South wrote: “Action. Comedy. Romance. Drama. Namma Vijay Sethupathi. Edhukkum panjam illa Tughlaq Durbar la! #TughlaqDurbarOnNetflix”, which translates to “Action, comedy, romance, drama, our Vijay Sethupathi. Tughlaq Durbar has it all.” The trailer features Vijay Sethupathi as a fierce politician, with Parthiban playing his political rival. They lock horns with each other as a political turmoil unravels. The trailer leaves audiences wondering whether Vijay Sethupathi will succeed. But without revealing too many details, the trailer also indicates that Singaravelan (played by Vijay Sethupathi) might be a complex character in the movie. Raashii has been paired opposite Vijay Sethupathi as the romantic lead. The cast also...

KollywoodThe Over-the-top (Ott) platform also announced that the trailer of the film will be released on August 31.Tnm StaffTwitter/ Netflix India SouthFollowing speculations on whether it will be a television premiere or direct Over-the-top (Ott) platform release for actor Vijay Sethupathi and Raashi Khanna’s upcoming film Tughlaq Durbar, it was announced on Friday, August 27, that the movie will premiere on Netflix. The Ott platform also announced that the trailer of Tughlaq Durbar will be out on August 31. Along with the announcement, Netflix shared a poster featuring Vijay Sethupathi holding a magnifying glass. Echoing the poster, Netflix added in its caption that they are holding up a magnifying glass and looking for August 31 since they cannot wait to watch the trailer, much like fans. Helmed by Delhi Prasad Deenadayalan, Tughlaq Durbar also stars actor Parthiban in a pivotal role. Touted to be a political thriller, Tughlaq Durbar is bankrolled by...

KollywoodThough the 2010 film ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ gained cult status among fans, it was considered a box office failure when it first released.Tnm StaffYOUTUBE SCREENGRABOn Thursday morning, fans of director Selvaraghavan were taken aback by a revelation he made on Twitter. “The actual budget of #aayirathiloruvan was 18 crores. But we decided to announce it as a 32 crore film to hype it as a mega budget film. What stupidity! Even though the film managed to collect the actual budget it was regarded as average! Learnt not to lie whatever the odds are!” he tweeted. The 2010 film Aayirathil Oruvan starring Parthiban, Karthi, Andrea Jermiah and Reema Sen, despite being considered a box office failure and opening to mixed reviews, remains a cult film in the eyes of ardent fans of the filmmaker. Close to the release date, Behindwoods had reported that the budget had increased from Rs 7 crore to Rs 32 crore in the...

KollywoodThe actor was well-known for his ‘Nellai’ slang and comedic roles in movies such as ‘Anbe Sivam’, ‘23 aam Pulikecei’, ‘Thirupaachi’ and ‘Saamy’ among others. Tnm StaffTwitterActor-comedian Nellai Siva, who is popular for appearing in supporting roles in many movies and television serials, died on May 11 after suffering a heart attack. The final rites of the late actor were performed by his family members at his hometown in Panakudi, in Tirunelveli district on Wednesday. He was aged 69 at the time of his demise. Nellai Siva was also suffering from other age-related ailments. Siva is especially popular for the appearances he made alongside popular Kollywood comedian Vadivelu in various Tamil movies. He made a mark with his Nellai accent and comical appearances in movies such as Saamy, Thirupaachi, Kireedam and Imsai Arasan 23 aam Pulikecei. Many of his friends and co-stars from the film fraternity took to social media to express their condolences.

MollywoodLal not only stars in ‘Tsunami’, he also wrote the script for the movie.Tnm StaffThe makers of the upcoming Malayalam flick Tsunami, announced on Tuesday that the movie is set to hit the big screens on March 11. Veteran actor Lal is collaborating with his son Lal Jr aka Jean Paul Lal in this venture. The makers took to social media to announce the release date of the film. Actor Lal, who is starring in the film, has written the script as well, while Jean Paul Lal has directed it. The film also stars Balu Varghese, Aradhya Ann, Aju Varghese and Innocent in important roles. Popular actors such as Nishaa Mathew and Suresh Krishna have also been roped in for the venture. Said to be a comedy entertainer, the makers released the first look poster of the movie on February 8. The poster promises that Tsunami will be packed with entertaining sequences.

MollywoodActor Lal has scripted the film and his son Jean Paul Lal is directing it.Digital NativeVeteran actor Lal and his son Lal Jr aka Jean Paul Lal will be teaming up for a film titled Tsunami. While the former has scripted the film, the latter is directing it. Touted to be a complete comedy entertainer, Tsunami stars Aju Varghese, Balu Varghese, Mukesh, Innocent, and others. The makers have now released a new official poster and the poster indicates that the film will be hitting the screens by March this year. Sharing the poster Lal wrote,"0% Stress 0% Tension 100% Fun and Laughter Tsunami will reach you soon see the smiles on your faces.. (sic)." The shooting of this film began in February last year with the customary pooja function held at St George Forane Church, Edappally. The project was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the film crew resumed shooting...

EntertainmentEven though an official announcement is awaited, multiple sources have confirmed the news.Digital NativeAfter opting out of Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha for reasons yet unknown, Vijay Sethupathi is on a signing spree in Bollywood. It was recently announced that he will star in the Hindi remake of Maanagaram, which will be directed by Santosh Sivan. The latest update is that Vijay Sethupathi will feature in Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming Hindi thriller which will also star Katrina Kaif. Even though an official announcement is awaited, multiple reliable sources have confirmed the news. This will be Vijay’s third Hindi assignment as he was recently rumored to be signed for an upcoming web series which will be created by Raj and Dk. Vijay Sethupathi currently awaits the release of Vijay’s Master, which hit the screens worldwide on Wednesday. Vijay Sethupathi has played the antagonist and will be sharing...

Kollywood'Tughlaq Durbar' has Raashi Khanna as the female lead, apart from Manjima Mohan and Parthiban. Digital NativeThe teaser of Vijay Sethupathi starrer Tughlaq Durbar was recently released by 7 Screen Studio, the production house behind the movie. Tughlaq Durbar is directed by Delhiprasad Deenadayalan who was the casting director of Vijay Sethupathi’s 2012 film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom — one of the the films that boosted his stardom in Kollywood. Touted to be an entertainer, Parthiban plays the antagonist, with Raashi Khanna as the female lead and Manjima Mohan as the sibling of Vijay Sethupathi's character. In Tughlaq Durbar, Vijay Sethupathi plays a budding politician, Singam, who rises through the ranks to become a formidable personality. Presenting you the teaser of #MakkalSelvan @VijaySethuOffl 's #TughlaqDurbar directed by @DDeenadayaln Link :- https://t.co/B5BjPh822f@7screenstudio @Lalit_SevenScr @govind_vasantha @manojdft @RaashiKhanna @mohan_manjima @rparthiepan @samyuktha_shan @thinkmusicindia — Seven Screen Studio...

CinemaThe winners of Dadasaheb Phalke Awards South 2020 have been announced for Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films.Digital NativeThe winners of the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards 2020 for excellence in South cinema have been announced. The awards honored individuals from the Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada film industries for their outstanding contribution towards the growth and development of cinema. Award winners include Dhanush, Jyothika, Ajith, Mohanlal, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Rashmika Mandanna, Shiva Rajkumar and others.  From the Tamil film industry, Dhanush has bagged the Best Actor award for his performance in Asuran, while Jyothika won the Best Actress award for the film Raatchasi.  Parthiban has been awarded Best Director for his remarkable film Oththa Seruppu Size 7. Anirudh Ravichander bagged the Best Music Director award, and the critically acclaimed film To Let bagged the Best Film award. Ajith Kumar has bagged the award for Most Versatile Actor.  In Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal...

KollywoodThe two were seen together in 'Sangathamizhan'.Digital NativeVijay Sethupathi and Raashi Khanna who were last seen in Vijay Chander's Sangathamizhan are all set to reunite again. Raashi Khanna has been brought in as a replacement to Aditi Rao for Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar. Aditi Rao has allegedly left the project due to clashing dates with another project. Touted to be a political drama, Tughlaq Durbar is being directed by Delhiprasad Deenadayalan. The film's first look poster was released earlier this year featuring Vijay Sethupathi seated on a table and a huge golden coin placed in front of him bearing the film’s title. The film went on floors last year and is only half-complete. It also Parthiban who plays the main antagonist, Manjima Mohan who plays the sibling to Sethupathi’s politician character. Vijay Sethupathi, meanwhile, awaits the release of several of his films, prominent among which is Master,...

KollywoodThe project marks the first-time collaboration between Vikram and Ajay.Digital NativeDirected Ajay Gnanamuthu of Imaikkaa Nodigal fame, is currently busy with his next starring Chiyan Vikram and titled Cobra. The film which went on floors earlier this year was being shot in Russia in March when coronavirus pandemic struck. According to the latest update, the makers are planning to resume shooting for the film by first week of October and wrap it up by Deepavali this year. The makers are planning to recreate Russian environment in Chennai since travelling internationally for the shooting looks bleak for the next couple of months. The film has completed 90 days of shooting, and only 25 per cent of the shooting is pending. The project marks the first-time collaboration of Vikram and Ajay. On choosing the title Cobra, the film’s director Ajay Gnanamuthu had told in an interview earlier that it will be released in Tamil,...

KollywoodHalitha Shameem was recognised as the best woman director for a feature film, while Parthiban received the award for best solo act.Digital NativeSillu Karupatti, the Tamil anthology film written and directed by Halitha Shameem, has received international recognition yet again. The film bagged two awards at the 2020 Toronto Tamil International Film Festival. Sillu Karupatti won the jury awards for Best Feature Film Women Director and Best Experimental Feature Film. Another Tamil film, actor-director Parthiban's Oththa Seruppu Size 7, has won three awards at the film festival: Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Jury Award Best Feature Film Director and Best Solo Act Award. Oththa Seruppu is a thriller featuring only one character (played by Parthiban). It has been lauded for its novel attempt in telling a murder mystery through a middle-aged security guard under interrogation as a murder suspect by the police. The background score was composed by C Sathya.

EducationTitled 'Tamizhan Endru Sollada', the song has been composed by Imman and sung by Anirudh Ravichandran.Digital NativeThe first single from actor Jayam Ravi’s upcoming Tamil film Bhoomi, which happens to be his 25th film was released by its makers on Thursday to coincide with the Jayam Ravi's birthday. The song titled 'Tamizhan Endru Sollada' has been composed by Imman and sung by Anirudh Ravichandran. Anirudh Ravichander has earlier sung many hit numbers for Imman including 'Nee Yenna Periya Appatakkaraa' (Yennamo Yedho), 'Dandanakka' (Romeo Juliet) 'Akka Petha Jakkavandi' (Marudhu) 'Damaalu Dumeelu' for ‘Jayam’ Ravi’s Bogan and 'Gaanda Kannazhagi' in Namma Veetu Pillai. This would be the third time collaboration for the duo for a Jayam Ravi's film. 'Jayam' Ravi took it to his social media releasing the single he wrote, Here's #தமிழன்என்றுசொல்லடா from #Bhoomi to all my fans and the tamizhans inside us God bless https://t.

KollywoodCelebrating the success, the producer of the film Vels Film International took to their social media handle to post about the milestone.Digital NativeJayam Ravi’s Comali was a comedy-drama film written and directed by debutant Pradeep Ranganathan and produced by Ishari Ganesh under his banner Vels Film International had hit the screens the same day last year on the eve of independence day. The film had ended up as Jayam Ravi’s biggest hit and suppressed the collections of his previous film, Thani Oruvan, which made Rs 26 crores in Tamil Nadu. The story was centered on Ravi’s character who wakes up after a 16-year-coma and comes to terms with his life while dealing with culture shock. Celebrating the success, the producer of the film Vels Film International took to their social media handle to post about the milestone. They posted, Its been 1 year since the Blockbuster #Comali released,...

KollywoodComposed by Govind Vasantha, the song has been sung by Arivu with lyrics by Karthik Netha.Tnm StaffWhile we wait for updates from Vijay Sethupathi’s Tughlaq Durbar, the team has released a song from the film titled “Annathe Sethi”. Composed by Govind Vasantha, the song has been sung by Arivu with lyrics by Karthik Netha. At the song’s beginning, a bearded Vijay Sethupathi is seen recording an introduction to the topic of exploitation at a recording studio. The best way to respond to such exploiters is to target their intellect, he says. “Our rights are not something we seek as alms from someone. It is in our nature. If they try to stop (us from attaining) our rights, we should beat and break their intellect and not their face,” he says into the microphone in Tamil. The song’s video has been made with stills from the film,...

KollywoodIt was announced earlier that Vijay Sethupathi will be playing the role of a politician.Tnm StaffLast seen playing a cameo in Ashok Selvan-Ritika Singh's romcom Oh My Kadavule, actor Vijay Sethupathi has a slew of films in different stages of production. While fans eagerly wait for updates on Master, his film with actor Vijay, the first look from his Tughlaq Durbar, jointly directed by Delhiprasad and Deenadayalan, has been released. The poster shows Vijay Sethupathi seated on a table and a huge golden coin placed in front of him bearing the film’s title. In the reflected image, Vijay Sethupathi sports a grin while he has a straight face in the other. As miniature golden birds flutter above his head, the poster gives the feeling that the film may have elements of comedy and fantasy. It was announced earlier that the film will be based on politics and Vijay...

KollywoodThe baby filter in the song is a bonus to fans who can't stop laughing along.Tnm StaffSocial media on Sunday was abuzz with rumours that actor Nayanthara had contracted Covid-19. Now having the last laugh, literally, the actor along with her partner director Vignesh Shivan have refuted rumours via a funny video posted on social media “And that’s how we see the news about us, the dear corona & ur wonderful designs with dead images of us. Hi we are alive, healthy and happy. God has given us enough strength and happiness to see the imagination of all you jokers and your silly jokes (sic),” Vignesh Shivan wrote on social media. Nodding their heads to the popular hit song 'Baby Shark' and with the baby face filter applied to the video, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan’s TikTok performance has gone viral. And needless to say, the fans are totally...

PiracyThe film was leaked on the notorious film piracy website tamilrockers.com minutes before its worldwide release on Amazon Prime Video.Tnm StaffJyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal, the first big Tamil film to release directly on an online streaming platform, has been leaked on the notorious film piracy website tamilrockers.com minutes before its worldwide release. Ponmagal Vandhal is now available for free download from this site even while it premiered on Amazon Prime Video after 12.00 midnight Ist on Friday. According to the time of upload on Tamil Rocker’s site, the film was made available at 11.16 pm on Thursday. The Twitter handle of Amazon Prime Video India first tweeted the film’s release at 12.01 am on Friday. The film industry continues to grapple with piracy, one of the major problems plaguing the industry. Leaking of films or even trailers before the official release has become a regular affair in the Tamil film industry.

ReviewJyotika is impressive as Venba, looking confident and in control of the situation at hand. Sowmya Rajendran2012 was the year when conversations about sexual violence in India took a distinct turn. There had been rape cases before that which gained national attention and even changed the course of the law, but the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case was the tipping point. Though then too there were the usual victim blaming narratives, the voices opposing these grew louder. It became acceptable to say that it's never the victim's fault. Cinema, which has traditionally used rape as a plot device to pump up the hero's rage and machismo, too began to reflect this change gradually. Rape survivors were allowed to live on screen, without being killed off conveniently as "death by suicide".The hero no longer had exclusive rights on seeking revenge. Ponmagal Vandhal, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and directed...

OpinionOne cannot totally stop an idea for which the time has come. Anand Kumar RSPTIOn Friday, Ponmagal Vandhal, a Tamil film with Jyotika in the lead and accomplished actors like Parthiban and Bhagyaraj in the cast, will be premiering on Amazon Prime Video. And soon Gulabo Sitabo, a Hindi film directed by Shoojit Sircar and featuring big names like Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushman Khurana will also take the Ott route first, skipping the conventional theatrical release. These two announcements were enough to spook the exhibitors and trigger a larger debate on Theatres Vs Ott in recent times. Not that these are the first instances of films being premiered on Ott platforms. The big difference is, these are the first instances featuring really big names in the Indian industry. When small budget films and films made by rookie makers featuring newcomers made their way to Ott platforms earlier, skipping the theatrical route,...

InterviewThe director talks about leaving behind his 10-day old baby, shooting in challenging circumstances and why he decided to make the film.Sowmya RajendranJJ Fredrick's baby was only 10 days old when he left to shoot Ponmagal Vandhal in Ooty. The director's debut film stars Jyotika in the lead and is on a difficult subject -- the sexual assault and murder of children. Incidentally, in that time period, Ooty received the highest rainfall in close to 80 years, making Fredrick's task even more challenging. Speaking to Tnm, Fredrick says, "It would keep raining all through the day. The only time it would stop is when we were on a lunch break!" Laughing at his luck, Fredrick adds that since he had a very supportive and cooperative cast, he managed to overcome the hurdles. Jyotika shot in the pouring rain and even developed a high fever, but she continued with the shoot. "My...

InterviewAhead of the film’s release Jyotika spoke to the media about the film, its direct release on an Ott platform and her choice of roles since her comeback.Sowmya RajendranJyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal is all set to release on Amazon Prime Video on May 29. The actor plays Venba, a fiery lawyer, in the film which revolves around a dark subject – the sexual assault and murder of children. Ahead of the film’s release Jyotika spoke to the media about the film, its direct release on an Ott platform and her choice of roles since her comeback. Though the lockdown due to Covid-19 has come as a dampener, Jyotika pointed out that the film, which has been produced by 2D Entertainment, will now enjoy a worldwide premiere in over 200 territories – a feat that is quite rare for a heroine-centric film. “None of my films in the past have had such a big reach,...

InterviewAhead of the film’s release Jyotika spoke to the media about the film, its direct release on an Ott platform and her choice of roles since her comeback.Sowmya RajendranJyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal is all set to release on Amazon Prime Video on May 29. The actor plays Venba, a fiery lawyer, in the film which revolves around a dark subject – the sexual assault and murder of children. Ahead of the film’s release Jyotika spoke to the media about the film, its direct release on an Ott platform and her choice of roles since her comeback. Though the lockdown due to Covid-19 has come as a dampener, Jyotika pointed out that the film, which has been produced by 2D Entertainment, will now enjoy a worldwide premiere in over 200 territories – a feat that is quite rare for a heroine-centric film. “None of my films in the past have had such a big reach,...

CinemaTwo Hindi films too are slated for direct Ott release.Tnm StaffAdapting to changing times and dealing with the uncertainty in the Indian cinema industry due to the lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, a handful of film producers have decided to release their films directly on online streaming platforms. While Jyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal dropped the news of direct Ott release last month, causing a controversy in the Tamil film industry, a total of seven films across five Indian languages will now be released on Amazon Prime Video streaming platform in the next three months. Ponmagal Vandhal (Tamil) from May 29: Starring Jyotika, Parthiban, Bhagyaraj, Prathap Pothen and Pandiarajan, the film was the first in the Tamil industry to announce its direct Ott release. It will now begin streaming on Amazon Prime from May 29. Produced by Suriya’s 2D Entertainment and Rajsekar Karpoorasundarapandian, Ponmagal Vandhal is a legal drama...