News

In the glittering world of South Indian cinema, where larger-than-life heroes and epic dramas dominate, Yogi Babu has carved a unique niche for himself. With his impeccable comic timing, quirky expressions, and unapologetic humor, Yogi Babu is not just a comedian; he’s a phenomenon. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Tamil cinema, his journey is as inspiring as it is entertaining.

A Hilarious star is Born

Yogi Babu’s story began in an unexpected way. Born in a modest family in Tamil Nadu, he never imagined his life would take a cinematic turn. His first big break came with a blink-and-miss role in Yogi (2009), where his performance earned him the nickname, we all now recognize. The title became prophetic, as Yogi Babu soon found himself becoming a household name in Tamil Nadu.

Beyond the Stereotypes

What sets Yogi Babu apart is his ability...

Vettaiyan: Rajinikanth To Suffer A Salary Cut In His Next? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

As many as three films were released on the occasion of Dussehra. Apart from Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video and Jigra, Vettaiyan arrived in theatres worldwide. Unfortunately, Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan’s film has slowed down at the box office. It has yet to recover its budget, and the leading actor may have to compensate the producers. Scroll below for all the details!

Estimated cost

Tj Gnanavel’s directorial is reportedly made on a budget of 300 crores. The film was initially planned to be mid-budget, but the cost unexpectedly shot up with the inclusion of Fahadh Faasil and Amitabh Bachchan.

Box Office Collection

In the past eight days, Vettaiyan has raked in 123.68 crores in all languages in India. On Monday, the action drama witnessed a massive downfall of over 70%. Ever since, the graph has continued to face a downward trend.

Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan Release Date Out. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan is one of the much-awaited Tamil films of this year. Tj Gnanavel wrote and directed the Tamil action drama. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, and Manju Warrier, among others. After 33 years, Rajinikanth and Big B will be sharing screen space together.

The movie was announced in March 2023 as ‘Thalaivar 170’. Tj Gnanavel, who earlier directed Jai Bhim with Suriya, narrated the story to the Jailer actor, who immediately liked the script. The cast began with the filming in October last year.

Vettaiyan Release Date Update

Today, the film’s production house, Lyca Productions, announced on social media that the film will release in October 2024. They shared a new poster announcing the exciting news. In their post on X (formerly Twitter), the team wrote, “Happy Pongal to all”. It is indeed a fantastic gift to all the Thalaiva fans!

Rajinikanth Was Once Humiliated By A Producer, The Superstar Returned In A Luxury Car! (Picture Credit: IMDb)

Rajinikanth is not just a name, but a man who is equivalent to God for millions! Not only fans, but many people within the industry idolize Rajinikanth and preach Rajinism. Every time a Rajini film is released, it is celebrated like a festival in the entire country. Profoundly called Thalaiva by his fans and peers, the actor’s decorated filmography has earned him a superstar reputation whose rags-to-riches story will continue to inspire generations to come.

From being a bus conductor to becoming the heartbeat of Indian cinema, Rajinikanth’s life has been nothing short of a movie itself, with many bumpy rides along the way. However, did you know the actor was once ridiculed by a producer over an advance payment? While the Jailer star is a phenomenon with no parallel today,...

The much-awaited film of Superstar Rajinikanth, tentatively titled Thalaivar 170, has been creating a lot of buzz ever since it was announced. The film, which is directed by Tj Gnanavel of Jai Bhim fame, has a stellar star cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh and Dushara Vijayan. The film is said to be a message-oriented commercial entertainer with Rajinikanth playing a retired police officer who gets involved in a fake encounter case.

Now, the makers have revealed the technical crew of the film, which consists of some of the best talents in the industry. The cinematography will be handled by Sr Kathir, who has worked with Gnanavel in Jai Bhim and has also done films like Subramaniapuram, Nadodigal and Asuran. The editing will be done by Philomin Raj, who is known for his work in films like Kaithi, Master and Jai Bhim. The art...

Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, tentatively titled Thalaivar 170, is generating a lot of excitement among fans as the makers keep announcing new additions to the cast. The latest actors to join the project are Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil and Rana Daggubati, who are both known for their versatile and powerful performances in various languages. Lyca Productions, the banner behind the film, took to social media to welcome the actors on board and shared their posters.

Fahadh Faasil, who is one of the most acclaimed actors in Malayalam cinema, will be making his Tamil debut with Thalaivar 170. He will be playing the antagonist opposite Rajinikanth, who is reportedly essaying a Muslim cop in the film. Fahadh has recently delivered some stellar performances in films like Joji, Malik, Irul and C U Soon. He is also awaiting the release of his Hindi debut film, Aanum Pennum.

Thalaivar 170

Another legendary actor who is part...

Superstar Rajinikanth, who is basking in the success of his latest release Jailer, has already announced his next project with director Tj Gnanavel. The film, which is tentatively titled Thalaivar 170, is said to be a cop drama with a strong social message. The film is produced by Lyca Productions and has music by Anirudh Ravichander.

The film has an impressive star cast from across the South Indian film industry. According to the latest reports, Fahadh Faasil will play the main antagonist in the film, while Manju Warrier will essay the role of Rajinikanth’s wife. Ritika Singh, who made her debut with Irudhi Suttru, will play a cop role along with Rajinikanth. Rana Daggubati, who is known for his roles in Baahubali and Ghazi, will also have an important character in the film.

The film is expected to be based on a fake encounter case that shook the nation.

The Tamil film industry is buzzing with excitement as the news of a collaboration between actor Sivakarthikeyan and director Ar Murugadoss has been confirmed. The project, which is yet to be titled, is expected to start rolling from early 2024 and will be produced by Lyca Productions.

Sivakarthikeyan will be joining hands with Ar Murugadoss for the first time. The actor, who is known for his comedy and romantic roles, will be seen in a different avatar as he will be playing a serious and intense character in the action thriller.

Ar Murugadoss, who is one of the most successful directors in Tamil cinema, has delivered blockbuster hits like Ghajini, Thuppakki, Kaththi and Darbar. He is also known for his collaborations with Bollywood stars like Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan. Interestingly, the script of the upcoming film with Sivakarthikeyan was initially written for Shah Rukh Khan, but the...

The action-packed thriller Leo, starring Vijay and Trisha, is set to hit the screens on October 19, 2023. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Seven Screen Studio, has generated a lot of buzz among the fans and the trade circles. The film also marks the debut of Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt in Tamil cinema, as well as the second collaboration of Lokesh Kanagaraj with Vijay after Master (2021).

Leo Promo

But what’s more exciting is that Lokesh Kanagaraj is not just a director, but also an actor. Yes, you heard it right. The talented filmmaker, who has delivered back-to-back hits like Maanagaram (2017), Kaithi (2019), and Master, is all set to make his acting debut in a film directed by the National Award-winning stunt choreographers Anbariv. Anbariv, who are twin brothers Anbu and Arivu, have worked with Lokesh Kanagaraj in Leo as well as in his previous films. They are known...

Dileep, the versatile actor of Mollywood, is all set to entertain his fans with his 150th film, titled He And She. The film is a romantic comedy that pairs him with Mamta Mohandas, who was his co-star in the hit films My Boss and Two Countries. The film is directed by Raffi, who has previously helmed comedy blockbusters like Voice of Sathyanathan, Punjabi House, Makeup Man, and Ring Master. The film is produced by Lyca Productions, the banner behind big-budget movies like 2.0 and Darbar.

He And She is expected to be a fun-filled entertainer that showcases the chemistry between Dileep and Mamta. It will be 150th Film of Dileep.

My Boss Trailer

He And She is one of the most anticipated projects of Dileep, who has several other films in the pipeline for 2023. Some of his upcoming films are Bandra1, Parakkum Pappan3, and D 148. Dileep is known for his...

Mrunal Thakur, who has impressed the audiences with her performances in films like Love Sonia, Super 30 and Batla House, has bagged a big project in Tamil cinema. The actress has been confirmed as the female lead for Sivakarthikeyan’s upcoming film with director A.R. Murugadoss, who is known for his action thrillers like Ghajini, Thuppakki and Darbar.

The untitled film, which is tentatively called SK22, will mark the first collaboration between Sivakarthikeyan and A.R. Murugadoss. The team has done a test shoot with Mrunal Thakur and she will be signing the movie this week. The actress is reportedly excited to work with the talented duo and explore a new industry.

Darbar Trailer

The film will also have music by Anirudh Ravichander, who has composed chartbusters for both Sivakarthikeyan and A.R. Murugadoss in the past. The film is expected to be a high-octane action entertainer with a patriotic theme.

Thalaivar 170 is the upcoming film of superstar Rajinikanth, who will be seen in a cop role after Darbar. The film is directed by Tj Gnanavel, who recently helmed the Suriya-starrer Jai Bhim. The film is based on a true incident and will have a pan-Indian appeal with a stellar cast.

According to reports, Rajinikanth will be joined by none other than Amitabh Bachchan, who will be making his Tamil debut with this film. The two legends of Indian cinema have worked together in films like Hum, Andhaa Kaanoon and Geraftaar in the past and will be reuniting after 32 years for Thalaivar 170.

The film will also feature Manju Warrier and Fahadh Faasil as the leading lady and the antagonist respectively. Manju Warrier is one of the most popular actresses in Malayalam cinema and has also acted in Tamil films like Asuran and Dhanush. Fahadh Faasil is also a critically acclaimed actor...

Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander are two of the most talented and successful young talents in the Tamil film industry. Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Maanagaram, Kaithi, and Master, while Anirudh Ravichander is one of the most popular music composers and singers in South India, who has delivered chartbuster songs for films like 3, Ethir Neechal, Vedalam, Remo, and Darbar.

The fans of both these artists were thrilled when it was announced that they would be teaming up for a film project, not as a director and a composer, but as actors. Yes, you heard it right. Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander were supposed to make their acting debut in a film directed by the stunt master duo Anbariv, who have worked as action choreographers in films like Madras, Kabali, K.G.F: Chapter 1, and Master. The film was said to be...

Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the Kannada actor and politician, is gearing up for his Tamil debut with a bilingual film. The film will be directed by Lakshman, who has delivered hits like Romeo Juliet, Bogan, and Bhoomi. The film will be produced by Lyca Productions, the leading banner in Tamil cinema.

The film will be a commercial entertainer with a strong message and will showcase Nikhil in a different avatar. The shooting of the film will start next month in Chennai and will continue in various locations across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The film will also have some prominent actors from both the industries in supporting roles.

Bogan Trailer

Nikhil Kumaraswamy is the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy and the grandson of former India Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda. He made his acting debut with the Kannada-Telugu bilingual film Jaguar in 2016. He then starred in Seetharama Kalyana...

The much-awaited audio launch of Rajinikanth’s Jailer is finally happening on July 28 at Nehru stadium in Chennai. The event will be a star-studded affair with the presence of superstars from Kollywood, Mollywood and Sandalwood. Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah Bhatia and Sunil are some of the big names who will grace the occasion with their presence. The music of Jailer is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, who has delivered some chartbusters for Rajinikanth’s previous films like Petta and Darbar.

Jailer is written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, who is known for his films like Kolamavu Kokila and Doctor. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under his banner Sun Pictures, which has bankrolled some of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil cinema. Jailer marks the 169th film of Rajinikanth, who plays the titular role of a strict jailer who foils the plan of a notorious criminal to escape from prison.

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...

The fans of superstar Rajinikanth are eagerly waiting for his upcoming film Jailer, which is slated to release on August 10, 2023. The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures, is an action comedy that revolves around a gangster’s attempt to escape from prison and the jailer who tries to stop him.

The film has been generating a lot of buzz ever since it was announced in February 2022 with the working title Thalaivar 169, being the 169th film of Rajinikanth. The official title Jailer was revealed in June 2022, along with the first look poster featuring Rajinikanth in a stylish avatar.

The second single from the film will be released on July 17, 2023. The song is titled Hukum and it promises to be a mass number that will elevate Rajinikanth’s swag and attitude. The teaser of the song was released on July 15, 2023 and it featured Rajinikanth in a stunning black and white look,...

GA2Official, the production house of Allu Aravind, has announced its next project, Production No.9, starring Narne Nithiin and Nayansarika in the lead roles. The film will be directed by Anji Babu Kanchipalli, who has previously worked as an associate director for films like Rangasthalam, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Acharya. The film will be a romantic comedy entertainer with a fresh story and screenplay.

The announcement of the film was made by GA2Official on its official Twitter account. The production house also unveiled the first look poster of the film. The poster has a vibrant and colourful background, with the tagline “A Wholesome Entertainer”. The poster has created a lot of buzz among the fans and has raised the expectations for the film.

Announcement Poster

GA2Official is one of the leading production houses in Telugu cinema, which has delivered many blockbuster films like Geetha Govindam, Bhale Bhale Magadivoy,...

KollywoodVetrimaaran’s critically acclaimed film Visaranai (2015) was probably the first Tamil film to look at custodial violence in unflinching detail, a change from narratives that routinely glorified it.In Vetrimaaran’s hard-hitting film Viduthalai Part 1, released on March 31, a senior police officer calmly asks for cutting pliers. He then proceeds to pull out the nails of the Adivasi man in his custody, asking him for information that the latter says he doesn’t have. When he doesn’t get what he wants, the officer asks for the man’s daughter-in-law to be brought into the room and stripped. Even as the audience finds it difficult to process the extensive scenes of custodial torture in Viduthalai, the state of Tamil Nadu is witnessing a real life case that mirrors the brutality that was shown on screen. Just a few days before Viduthalai came out, three men alleged on video that...

KollywoodGnanavel directed the critically acclaimed film Jai Bhim, starring Suriya, which was released on Amazon Prime Video.RajinikanthTamil superstar Rajinikanth’s next project will be helmed by filmmaker T J Gnanavel under the banner of Lyca Productions. This was formally announced by the production house, on the occasion of its chairman Subaskaran’s birthday on Thursday, March 2. Gnanavel directed the critically acclaimed film Jai Bhim, starring Suriya, which was released on Amazon Prime Video. This film is going to be Rajinikanth’s 170th film and is set to release in 2024. In a written statement dated March 2, Lyca Productions wrote, “Today on the occasion of our beloved “Chairman” Subaskaran’s birthday, Lyca Productions is feeling acclaimed and honoured in announcing “Superstar” Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 170 film under our banner. This film will be directed by Tj Gnanavel, will have music by “Rockstar” Anirudh and produced by Subaskaran. We are further happy to...

Krishna Kotian, who will be soon seen in the upcoming series ‘Rocket Boys’, always dreamt of becoming an actor but had to wait for a long time given his responsibilities. The actor made his debut at the age of 51 with the Rajinikanth starrer ‘Darbar’ and has been on an upward curve since then. To […]...

Film Commentary Time stamp 47.09: In the Silapathikaram story, all of Madurai is said to have burned. Right now, my stomach is burning on behalf of the city that half my relatives call home.Bharathy SingaravelScreengrab/NetflixIndiaAs a Tamil, as someone who writes regularly on cinema, I’m asking Bollywood, on humanitarian grounds at least, to stop making movies about us. The few who know me well enough are aware I can happily digest huge helpings of cringe-content, but Meenakshi Sundareshwar has me struggling to keep my lunch and temper down. It’s only been 9 minutes into the movie when I write these lines. Madurai has seen few worse insults than this hapless film. Also, vazhakkai bajji is made with raw plantains. It is quite popular all over Tamil Nadu, not specific to Madurai. It is a savoury dish. However, the dessert served to the potential groom’s family with...

“Annaatthe,” the latest film from Indian superstar Rajinikanth, will receive a massive 1,193 screen release outside India, in addition to more than 1,000 screens at home.

The Tamil-language film, also being released in Telugu as “Peddhanna,” will release across 677 screens in the U.S., 17 in Canada, 110 in Malaysia, 23 in Singapore, 35 in the U.K., 43 across Europe, 85 in Australia and New Zealand, 117 in the United Arab Emirates and 86 in Sri Lanka.

The film is releasing over the Deepavali-Diwali holiday frame on Nov. 3 and 4. In Rajinikanth’s domiciled state of Tamil Nadu, the film is expected to release at more than 800 of the available 1,000 screens, with hundreds more across India. In North India and among Hindi-speaking audiences the main competition will be from “Sooryavanshi,” starring Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh.

“Annaatthe” is produced by Kalanithi Maran’s South Indian powerhouse Sun Pictures. It will be distributed in India by Sun and overseas...

AwardsThe ninth edition of the Siima Awards ceremony will be held on September 18 and 19 in Hyderabad, and will include nominations for both 2019 and 2020. Tnm Staffhttps://siima.in/The nominees for the South Indian International Movie Awards (Siima) 2019 and 2020 have been announced under various categories for all four south Indian languages— Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. The ninth edition of this award ceremony will be held on September 18 and 19 in Hyderabad. The 2020 ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic, and the awards for 2019 and 2020 will be held in September. Under the category of Best Film for 2019, Ajith and Nayanathara’s Viswasam, Mammootty’s Peranbu, Dhanush and Manju Warrier starrer Asuran, Karthi’s Kaithi and Sivakarthikeyan’s Namma Veettu Pillai are the nominees. In Telugu, Mahesh Babu’s Maharshi, Nani’s sports drama Jersey, Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Akkineni’s Majili, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and F2, which featured an ensemble cast of actors.

KollywoodThe ensemble cast of ‘Annaatthe’ includes actors Rajinikanth, Meena, Khushboo, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, among others. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Keerthy Suresh Actor Keerthy Suresh shared a photo from the sets of Annaatthe and wished director Siva on his birthday on August 12. Sharing a monochrome image where she is seen posing along with director Siva, Keerthy Suresh wrote: “Happy Birthday to our affectionate director, @directorsivasir. May you continue to radiate positivity and joy in everything you do. Wishing you all the success and good health sir #HBDDirectorSiva #Annaatthe.” Spearheaded by director Siva, the ensemble cast of the action drama stars Rajinikanth, Meena, Khushboo, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, among others. Annaatthe, which is one of the most anticipated Tamil movies of the year, is bankrolled by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures. Director Siva is known for his Kollywood movie Siruthai,...

KollywoodNayanthara, who will be seen in Rajinikanth’s 'Annaatthe', is working with Vignesh Shivan in 'Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal'.Actor Nayanthara received her first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine on May 19. Sharing pictures on social media was her partner and director Vignesh Shivan, who wrote, “Please please get vaccinated. Stay safe, stay indoors.” The actor and director were seen taking the vaccine with their face masks on at Kumaran Hospital in Chennai. Actor Rajinikanth had recently got his first jab of the vaccine. As have other stars, including Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, and Puneeth Rajkumar. Nayanthara, meanwhile, is part of Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe. It was recently shared that Rajinikanth had finished shooting his portions for the film and had returned to Chennai. Produced by Kalanithi Maran under his Sun Pictures banner, the film’s ensemble cast includes Meena, Khushboo, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Soori and Sathish among others.

Kollywood The star-studded cast of ‘Annaatthe’ includes Keerthy Suresh, Meena, Khushboo, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu and Prakash Raj among others. Tnm StaffTwitter/Riaz K AhmedThe makers of Annaatthe, starring superstar Rajinikanth, are filming an important schedule in Hyderabad. And on Tuesday, actor Nayanthara who has a lead role in the movie joined the sets. The shooting of the film is taking place at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. Photos of Nayanthara taken at the airport have gone viral on social media. Wearing a white shirt and distressed jeans with her hair tied in a bun, Nayanthara is seen sporting a casual look in the pictures. Earlier in April, Rajinikanth reached Hyderabad to join the team after casting his vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Prior to the Hyderabad schedule, the team had shot a few sequences in the outskirts of Chennai. Almost 60% of the shoot was completed last year before the lockdown was imposed.

Kollywood‘Annaatthe’ is expected to release on November 4, for Deepavali.Tnm StaffThe shooting for superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Annaatthe is currently underway in Hyderabad, after it was stopped in December 2020 following a few crew members testing positive for the coronavirus. The actor flew to Hyderabad on April 8 for the same. Sun Pictures, which is producing Annaatthe, shared a still of Rajinikanth and director Siva from the sets on Monday. The photo, taken with the sun near the horizon in the background, shows the actor in traditional clothing. Director Siva is in the frame too, and the photo captures the two sharing a laugh. The background has a hand-drawn cart and plenty of trees, setting the scene of a rural area. In addition to superstar, who was recently honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the film also has actors such as Meena, Khushboo, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu,...

CinemaThe 5-member jury included Asha Bhosle, Mohanlal, Shankar Mahadevan, Subhash Ghai and Vishwajeet Chatterjee. Tnm StaffSuperstar Rajinikanth will be receiving the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Union Minister Prakash Javedkar took to Twitter on Thursday to confirm that the prestigious award will be conferred upon Rajinikanth, who is also popularly known among fans as ‘Thalaivar’. Praising the actor for his commendable contribution to Indian cinema, Prakash Javedkar wrote, “Happy to announce #Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2019 to one of the greatest actors in history of Indian cinema Rajnikant ji His contribution as actor, producer and screenwriter has been iconic I thank Jury @ashabhosle@SubhashGhai1@Mohanlal@Shankar_Live#BiswajeetChatterjee." Asha Bhosle, Mohanlal, Shankar Mahadevan, Subhash Ghai and Vishwajeet Chatterjee were on the five-judge panel. The award to be presented to Rajinikanth on May 3. Happy to announce #Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2019 to one of the greatest actors in history of Indian cinema Rajnikant ji His contribution as actor,...

kollywoodThe plot of the family-drama is likely to revolve around the relationship between a brother and his sisters. Tnm StaffFacebookThe makers of one of the most anticipated Tamil movies, Annaatthe starring Rajinikanth in the lead, announced on Tuesday that popular actor Jagapathi Babu has been roped in for the movie. Sun Pictures took to Twitter to share a small introductory video and announced that the actor will be joining the cast of Annaatthe. .@IamJagguBhai joins the cast of #Annaatthe.@rajinikanth @directorsiva @immancomposer #Nayanthara @KeerthyOfficial pic.twitter.com/k9ZHVLUNNx — Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) March 16, 2021 Shooting for Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe commenced in Chennai recently. The makers have roped in popular actors such as Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Khushbu and Meena among others, making it an ensemble cast. The movie also features writer and actor Vela Ramamoorthy, Jackie Shroff, Soori, Sathish and Prakash Raj in pivotal roles. The Siva directorial is bankrolled by Kalanithi...

KollywoodIs it okay for music composers to be inspired by other compositions? When does an inspiration become a plagiarised work?Anjana ShekarFacebook/ Saarattu Vandiyila - Kaatru VeliyidaiA few days ago, music composer Santhosh Narayanan was accused of plagiarism for ‘Kanda Vara Sollunga’, a moving oppari (Tamil folk lament style) number in the voice of Kidakuzhi Mariyammal, in Dhanush’s upcoming film Karnan. However, the makers had clearly credited popular folk singer Thekkampatti S Sundarrajan for the tune at the beginning of the video. His version is a devotional song sung in praise of Ayappan, and it goes ‘Kanda Vara Sollunga, Ayappanai". While the accusation in this case is perhaps unfair since due credit was given, there have been several instances in the past when fans have pointed out similarities between songs. For example, Anirudh’s ‘Chumma Kizhi’ composed for Rajinikanth’s Darbar which was released in 2020, closely resembles a devotional song.

KollywoodThe film marks Rajinikanth’s first-time collaboration with director Siva and also stars Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Meena and Khushbhu in key roles.Tnm StaffSuperstar Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe will be released worldwide on November 4 this year. Sun Pictures, which is producing the film, announced it on their social media handle. The film marks Rajinikanth’s first-time collaboration with director Siva, who is popular for making films such as Veeram and Viswasam. #Annaatthe will be releasing on November 4th, 2021! Get ready for #AnnaattheDeepavali! @rajinikanth @directorsiva @KeerthyOfficial @immancomposer pic.twitter.com/NwdrvtVtSE — Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) January 25, 2021 Tipped to be a rural drama, the film also stars Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Meena and Khushbhu in key roles. The film was officially launched last December in Chennai in a low-key affair. Annaatthe will have music by D Imman, who has previously worked with Siva in Viswasam. Siva’s standard technical collaborators, cinematographer Vetri and editor Ruben,...

KollywoodDetails about the cast and crew of this historical biopic are expected to be out soon.Digital NativeDigital NativeNayanthara, known as the Lady Superstar, has been bagging some of the best roles for quite a few years now. According to the latest buzz, the actor has been approached to play the lead role in the biopic of the legendary queen Velu Nachiyar. Born in 1730, Rani Velu Nachiyar ruled the Sivagangai jameen from 1780 to 1790. This valiant queen who fought the British is credited to be the first queen to fight against foreign rule. She also busted the ammunition storage of the British courageously. Rani Velu Nachiyar is known as Veeramangai, which literally translates to ‘brave lady’. With plans for a film on this brave queen, we are sure that it would be a meaty role for Nayanthara to essay. Grapevine has it that director Susi Ganesan (who has been accused of...

CoronavirusThe shoot of the actor’s upcoming movie ‘Annaatthe’ was suspended after multiple crew members on the set tested positive for coronavirus.Tnm StaffThe shooting for Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe, that resumed just recently, has been cut short after four members from the film’s crew tested positive for coronavirus. Sun Pictures, which is producing the film, tweeted the information along with the news that apart from the four, the rest of the film’s crew, including the 70-year-old actor, have tested negative for coronavirus. “To ensure utmost safety #Annaatthe shooting has been postponed,” Sun Pictures tweeted. The tweet comes soon after news that Rajinikanth may be returning to Chennai following Covid-19 cases being reported on the sets of Annaatthe. Announcement : During routine testing at #Annaathe shoot 4 crew members have tested positive for Covid19. Superstar @rajinikanth and other crew members have tested negative. To ensure utmost safety #Annaatthe shooting has been postponed.

CoronavirusEight members of the crew have tested positive for the virus.Digital NativeThe shooting of superstar Rajinikanth's Annaatthe has been halted due to multiple Covid-19 cases on the film set. A source close to Rajinikanth confirmed that around four of the technical crew have tested positive for the coronavirus, and as a precaution, the shoot has been suspended temporarily. The superstar is expected to return to Chennai on Wednesday or Thursday. Sun Pictures that is producing the movie confirmed that Rajinikanth has tested negative for the coronavirus. Last week, Rajinikanth accompanied by his daughter Aishwarya Dhanush, took a chartered flight to Hyderabad to begin the next schedule. Rajinikanth is set to take his political plunge very soon with a newly floated party. So, the Annaatthe team was racing against time to meet the deadline and relieve Rajinikanth at the earliest possible as he wanted to concentrate on his political activities.

KollywoodNagma shared screen space with Rajinikanth in the 1995 blockbuster hit 'Baashha' directed by Suresh Krissna. Digital NativeActor Nagma is one of the most popular stars from the 90s. She has worked in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. Nagma who is now a politician shared a throwback picture in which she's seen with superstar Rajinikanth and his wife Latha on Twitter. This picture was taken when Nagma met the couple during their London visit. "In conversation with @rajinikanth Ji and his wife Lataji in London during their visit there, Jab we met. Friendly Memories. Glad that we worked together in a Most memorable movie ``Baasha", tweeted Nagma. In conversation with @rajinikanth Ji and his wife Lataji in London during their visit their Jab we met . Friendly Memories . Glad that we worked together in a Most memorable movie Baasha . pic.twitter.com/sfV8rsX8nS — Nagma (@nagma_morarji...

KollywoodOn Sunday, Rajinikanth accompanied by his daughter Aishwarya Dhanush, took a chartered flight to Hyderabad to begin the next schedule.Digital NativeSuperstar Rajinikanth who will be floating his new political party very soon, has resumed shooting for Annaatthe being directed by 'Siruthai' Siva in Hyderabad on Monday. On Sunday, Rajinikanth accompanied by his daughter Aishwarya Dhanush, took a chartered flight to Hyderabad to begin the next schedule. Filming will take place at Ramoji Film city. Nayanthara who is also a part of this film was also spotted taking the same flight Sunday. Actor Keethy Suresh too is expected to be a part of this scheudle. Recently Rajinikanth announced that he would be entering politics and that he would announce the party's name and official launch date on December 31, 2020. During the press meet, Rajnikanth mentioned that there is about 40% of Annaatthe's shooting remaining and he would complete it soon. Tipped to be a rural drama,...

KollywoodRajini was flying to Hyderabad along with the film’s cast and crew to resume the shooting for ‘Annaatthhe’.Tnm StaffAfter cutting the ‘Now or Never’ birthday cake, arranged by his youngest daughter Soundarya, actor Rajinikanth cut another cake that we now know of. The cast and crew of his upcoming Annaatthhe, which was flying to Hyderabad, arranged a chocolate cake for his birthday to be cut inside the flight. A video of it is being circulated online and shows the actor cutting the cake inside the flight. The actor, who is also working on launching his party in January 2021, is seen cutting the cake and thanking everyone with folded hands. Also seen in the video is his daughter Aishwarya, actor Nayanthara and other members from the film and flight’s crew. The actor turned 70 on Saturday. Flight crew and Film crew along with #Nayanthara celebrated @rajinikanth's birthday by cutting cake inside the flight.

KOLLYWOODSun Pictures, who are bankrolling the film, released a video with director Siva conveying birthday wishes for the star.Digital NativeDigital NativeSuperstar Rajinikanth celebrates his 70th birthday on Saturday, and the actor's wide fan following made sure that day was celebrated in a grand manner. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, many celebrities have taken to Twitter to wish the superstar on his birthday. Sun Pictures, who are bankrolling Rajnikanth's next Annaatthe, has released a special video for his birthday, featuring director Siva who conveyed his wishes superstar and revealed that the shooting of the film would resume from December 15. Rajinikanth will be part of this schedule, which will take place in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Annaatthe was officially launched last December in Chennai in a low-key affair, and shooting had started in February, before it had to come to a...

KollywoodRajinikanth’s 'Annaatthe' shooting last happened in February just before the coronavirus pandemic struck worldwide and everything came to a standstill.Digital NativeSuperstar Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe shooting last happened in February just before the coronavirus pandemic struck worldwide and everything came to a standstill. On Thursday, Rajinikanth said he would float his political party in January 2021 and an announcement in that regard will be made on December 31, 2020. During the press meet, Rajnikanth mentioned that there is about 40% of the shooting remaining and now reports have emerged that full-fledged shooting is expected to resume next month in January 2021. Even though the Tamil Nadu government has granted permission to resume film shootings with a maximum of 100-member crew, the makers of Annaatthe are yet to go back to the sets. Even though the team did some patchwork in the last few weeks, the shooting got stopped again when director Siva could not...

EntertainmentThe teaser of Nayanthara’s Tamil thriller ‘Netrikann’ and her first look from Malayalam film ‘Nizhal’ were revealed on Wednesday to coincide with her birthday.Tnm StaffActor Nayanthara is celebrating her 35th birthday on Wednesday. The Lady Superstar, as she’s called by her fans, had work updates to look forward to on her special day. The teaser of her Tamil thriller Netrikann and her first look from the upcoming Malayalam film Nizhal were revealed on Wednesday, to coincide with her birthday. Many wished the star on her birthday, including her partner Vignesh Shivan. Vignesh posted a couple of pictures of Nayanthara at the Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles at night, dressed in a colourful skirt paired with a white t-shirt and white sneakers. In one photo, she is facing to one side with the deep blue sea and the dark sky stroked with the vibrant colours of sunset at the horizon.

DeepavaliThe photos were shared by his daughter Soundarya Rajnikanth.Tnm StaffSuperstar Rajinikanth’s family wished everyone a happy Deepavali on Saturday. Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya Rajnikanth shared photos of the actor celebrating the festival by bursting firecrackers with his family. For the occasion Rajinikanth was wearing a white lungi and white shirt, his wife Latha wore a golden saree; Soundarya’s family went with yellow-themed costumes. Sharing the photos on Twitter, Soundarya wrote, “Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy Diwali from our family to yours Spread love and positivity .. Trust and surrender to the almighty !!!!” (sic). Soundarya is the youngest daughter of the superstar. Rajinikanth’s upcoming film is Annaatthe. The film directed by Siruthai Siva, is scheduled to be released next year for Pongal. The film stars Keerthy Suresh, Khushbu, Meena, Prakash Raj and others. Music for the film is by D Imaan. Annatthe marks the first collaboration of director Siva with Rajinikanth,...

DeepavaliThe Super Star wished the fans by waving at them from the entrance of his residence at Poes Garden in Chennai. Digital NativeThis Deepavali was no different, as Super Star Rajinikanth met hordes of his fans and well-wishers who had gathered outside his residence to catch a glimpse of him. Hundreds of fans thronged the streets early morning just to catch a glimpse of their 'Thalaivar'. The Super Star wished the fans by waving at them from the entrance of his residence at Poes Garden in Chennai. Clad in a silk shirt and dhoti, he was seen wearing a face mask. Recently a letter started circulating online, which he reportedly sent to his inner circle of advisers and well-wishers, stating that he is rethinking about his political entry. It was said that the actor cites the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for dropping his political plans as his doctors advised...

KollywoodWhile an official announcement on this project is yet to be made, the film is touted to be an action-drama.Digital NativeIf the industry grapevine is anything to go by, Nayanthara is said to have given her nod to star in stunt master Rambo Rajkumar son Navakanth’s directorial debut. The actor is set to join hands with another first-time filmmaker Navakanth, who is the son of the renowned stunt master Rambo Rajkumar. It is tipped to be an action drama but an official announcement regarding this project is yet to be made. On the career front, Nayanthara currently awaits the release of her upcoming film Mookuthi Amman. Having essayed several different characters over the years, Nayanthara will be seen playing a goddess for the first time in her career in this film. As per recent reports, Mookuthi Amman is most likely to get released directly on an Ott platform.

KollywoodSPB singing for Rajnikanth is a regular feature in most of the latter's films. Digital NativeD Imman with SPBCelebrated singer Sp Balasubrahmanyam passed away in Chennai on September 25, after being hospitalised for almost two months. As tributes continue to come pouring in for the legendary singer, many have been sharing some of his best songs on social media. While Spb has recorded close to 40,000 songs in several languages, during his prolific career spanning 50 years, his song for Rajinikanth in his upcoming film Annaatthe will be his last. The song has been composed by D Imman and penned by lyricist Viveka for the film that is being directed by Siva. Film's music composer D Imman took to Twitter saying, "Legends are Immortal! You will be in our hearts forever! With the Legendary Spb uncle while recording an energetic song for Our Superstar @rajinikanth sir’s #Annaatthe Lyric by @Viveka_Lyrics @directorsiva...

KollywoodThe film marks Rajinikanth’s first collaboration with director Siva, popular for making films such as 'Veeram' and 'Viswasam'. Digital NativeDigital NativeActor Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe will soon resume shooting. The film marks Rajinikanth’s first collaboration with director Siva, popular for making films such as Veeram and Viswasam. According to industry sources, Rajinikanth will write his own punch dialogues in the movie. As per the report, Rajinikanth will be seen playing the role of a village president and the film will have some strong dialogues with the Super Star’s trademark elements. Therefore, Rajinikanth has decided to write a few punch lines for him, and he has been in discussion with director Siva over the last few weeks. Meanwhile, Rajinikanth is expected to join the sets and resume shooting from next month. The makers are currently busy erecting a set in Hyderabad to begin filming soon.

SPBRajinikanth posted a video expressing his condolences after the singer passed away on Friday.Tnm StaffSuperstar Rajinikanth, for whom singer Sp Balasubrahmanyam had sung several songs, has put out a video expressing his condolences. Spb passed away in Chennai on Friday after battling the after-effects of Covid-19. He was 74. In the video, Rajinikanth said: "Today is a very sad day. Spb has left us after battling for his life till the last moment. I'm in deep pain and shock over his passing. There cannot be anyone in India who isn't a fan of Spb's voice and songs. Those who knew him loved him more than his voice and songs. That's because of his humanity. He respected everyone, and without seeing them as big or small, he gave them his regard, love. He was such a great and loving man. The Indian film world has created many big singers. Mohammed Rafi,...

InterviewThe 2006 ‘Madai Thiranthu’ song from the 'Vallavan' album resonated with the diaspora as well as the Tamil community in India.Balakrishna GaneshanYogeswaran Veerasingam, known popularly as Yogi B, an already established hip hop artist in Malaysia, introduced his life and music journey to Tamilians spread across the world in an unforgettable way in 2006. With total swag, he revealed the gist of his journey in the rap portion from the song ‘Madai Thiranthu Yogi B and Natchatra’: “When I was just little.. my senti couple next to a Kali temple ..I was a inga gundu paiya... enga amma appa chellam.. Pattanam maari ponom ennai malai vandha vellum... Pudhiya palaiya ulagugal maara ..Angilamum Tamilum kalacharangal modha, Kandu pudichenada indha hip hop”. The 2006 ‘Madai Thiranthu’ song from the Vallavan album, for which Yogi B was the executive producer too, resonated with the diaspora as well as the Tamil community in India. The song,...

KollywoodIf Jackie comes on board, it will be his reunion with Rajinikanth after three decades.Digital NativeBollywood actor Jackie Shroff, who was last seen playing the baddie in Vijay’s Bigil, is most likely to be seen as the antagonist in Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe, as per reports. Jackie made his Tamil debut with Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s critically-acclaimed Aaranya Kaandam. Recently, he was also seen playing a negative role in CV Kumar’s Tamil thriller Maayavan. If the latest rumours are anything to go by, Jackie will be pitted against Rajinikanth in Siva’s Annaatthe. If Jackie comes on board, it will be his reunion with Rajinikanth after three decades. The two had previously worked together in Hindi film Uttar Dakshin. It’s also worth mentioning that the makers recently confirmed that actor Prakash Raj will also be seen playing a negative role in the movie. The shoot of Annaatthe is expected to resume from October.

KollywoodApparently, a leading Ott player has already acquired the film's rights and an official announcement is expected to be made soon.Digital NativeDigital NativeActor Nayanthara's upcoming Tamil film Mookuthi Amman, a socio-political satire, is most likely to skip theatrical release and head directly for Ott release via a leading platform, as per latest reports. While the makers haven't still made an official announcement, reliable sources have confirmed that the film may not wait for theatres to reopen for release. Apparently, a leading Ott player has already acquired the film's rights and an official announcement is expected to be made soon. Having essayed several different characters over the years, Nayanthara will be seen playing a goddess for the first time in her career in this film. Talking about Mookuthi Amman and its theme, Rj Balaji had told Times of India: “This will be a 100% saami (devotional) padam. It’s not a satire on the genre.