Vijayalaxmi, the wife of jailed Kannada superstar Darshan, on Wednesday approached the Cyber Crime Police Station to file a formal complaint against several social media users for posting abusive and hateful comments against her online. She submitted photographs and evidence against 15 Instagram accounts, along with more than 150 offensive comments that she said amounted to harassment. Vijayalaxmi files a cybercrime complaint After registering the complaint, Vijayalaxmi left the cybercrime police office without addressing the media. She also submitted a separate complaint at the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office, where she provided screenshots of the abusive messages and details of the accounts responsible. She urged the authorities to take strict action against those involved. Officials from the cybercrime division accepted her complaint and assured her that appropriate action would be taken. Later in the day, Vijayalaxmi addressed the issue through an Instagram story, where she shared screenshots of the abusive comments and the accounts that had posted them. In a strongly worded message, she wrote, “To all those who call themselves ‘class fans’, thank you for publicly displaying your level. Police complaints have been registered against these accounts. Harassment in the name of fandom will no longer be tolerated.” Police sources stated that there is suspicion that fans of actor Kichcha Sudeep may be involved, as some of the accounts named in the complaint appear to be Sudeep fan pages, while others use his name or display Sudeep-related stickers. Officials noted that the issue has taken a serious turn, further deepening the divide between the fan bases of Darshan and Kichcha Sudeep. All about the controversy The controversy gained momentum following a recent pre-release event of Sudeep’s film Mark in Hubballi, where the actor reportedly said that “a group is ready for war during his film release.” The remark was widely interpreted as being directed at Darshan’s fans. In response, Vijayalaxmi took an indirect swipe at Sudeep, stating that people speak freely when Darshan is in prison, but would not dare to do so when he is out. Sudeep later clarified that his statement was aimed at those involved in film piracy and not at any fan group. Despite the clarification, online debates continued, and the volume of hate comments targeting Vijayalaxmi increased significantly. Police have since launched a detailed investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, Darshan’s recently released film Devil reportedly faced piracy issues, with the film’s team claiming they removed thousands of illegal links. Darshan is currently lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison in connection with a sensational fan murder case, for which trial proceedings have now begun.
24 December,2025 10:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmrapali Dubey, a Bhojpuri actress, has responded to the issue surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was observed last week at an official event in Patna removing a woman doctor's hijab. Social media users were outraged by the occurrence, and the CM's actions were criticised by a number of celebrities and social pundits. Amrapali Dubey reacts to Nitish Kumar's controversy Amrapali emphasised the value of individual choice and dignity in a speech to reporters in Patna on Wednesday, December 24. "Main hamesha ye believe karti hu ke aapka attire aapka personal choice hota hai," she remarked. Kuch jagah ki bhi garimaaye hoti hai (I have always thought that clothing is a matter of personal preference). Certain locations are connected with dignity. She added, "Agar kuch aisi cheezein hui hain jo kisi ke sentiments ko hurt karti hain, toh uske upar logon ko satik karvayi karni chahiye. Jisse insaaf milna chahiye, usse zaroor insaaf mile. Main toh ye hi umeed karungi (If something has happened that has hurt someone’s sentiments, then appropriate action should be taken and justice should be served to those who deserve it)." What had happened at the event The incident has received harsh criticism on social media, and Amrapali is the most recent public figure to denounce it. Zaira Wasim, Sana Khan, Rakhi Sawant, Javed Akhtar, and other celebrities have also expressed their displeasure with the chief minister. According to reports, Nitish Kumar was giving certificates to AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) physicians on Monday during a formal event in Patna. The 74-year-old Janata Dal (United) chairman is heard telling a female doctor to take off her headscarf in a video that has since gone viral. Kumar is seen reaching out and removing the hijab from her face before she can reply, briefly revealing her chin and mouth. The images immediately caused a response, with many criticizing the Chief Minister's actions and accusing them of violating people's freedom and personal boundaries. Nitish Kumar has not yet made a formal apology or comment over the incident, despite growing criticism. However, the netizens and celebs have demanded a apology from him.
24 December,2025 08:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent2025 has been a standout year for Ekta Kapoor, who continues to reinforce her influence across formats and industries. Marking 30 years of shaping Indian entertainment, the producer recently won her first National Award for Kathal, announced a collaboration with Netflix, and successfully brought back the cult television classic Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with Smriti Irani. Among the many milestones this year was Balaji’s entry into Malayalam cinema, a move that further expanded the banner’s creative canvas. Reflecting on her experience of collaborating with legendary actor Mohanlal for Balaji’s first Malayalam film, Ekta Kapoor spoke about the reverence she holds for Malayalam cinema and for the actor who has long been synonymous with its global acclaim. On collaborating with Mohanlal “On this platform with so many great actors and above all a legend like Mohanlal sir. What a big honor for Balaji to step foot into the Malayalam film industry, with the man who is known as Lalettan, the most revered actor of our times, and when this project came to us, we thought it was a sign from God, and we finally got a chance to enter one of the most prolific content comes out of Malayalam cinema. The best content in India today is Malayalam content, and the one who has signified and who is synonymous with this content is Mohanlal sir. So, to be associated with him for our first Malayalam film, it's just Balaji who has blessed us. Thank you so much.” On work front On the work front, Ekta Kapoor continues to balance a robust slate across films, television, and digital platforms. She has several notable projects in the pipeline, including VVAN, a collaboration with The Viral Fever, and Bhooth Bangla, which marks the reunion of filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Akshay Kumar. She also recently launched Naagin 7, a long-awaited return that fans had been eagerly anticipating, while multiple film projects remain in various stages of development. It will be interesting to see how the collaboration shall turn out on screen. This would be the first collab of Ektaa Kapoor into the regional cinema down south.
24 December,2025 07:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelugu film star Allu Arjun's last collaboration with filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas was the blockbuster film Ala Vaikunthapurramulo which was released in theatres in 2020. Now the actor-filmmaker duo is all set to reunite for a spectacular mythological epic. This will mark their fourth collaboration together. About Allu Arjun and Trivikram's next This ambitious project, industry insiders say, will be based on a powerful script originally conceived for Allu Arjun. The rumours have triggered immense excitement among fans and the film fraternity. Industry sources claim that the upcoming film will be mounted on a never-before-seen scale, with a massive budget of over Rs 1000 crores, making it one of the most ambitious mythological films ever produced in Indian cinema. The film is expected to blend powerful storytelling with grand visuals and cutting-edge technology, redefining the mythological genre for a pan Indian and global audience. Allu Arjun and Trivikram share an exceptional creative legacy, having delivered multiple blockbuster films together. Their previous collaboration, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo', shattered several box office records across South India and emerged as one of the most celebrated films of its time. An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks, and the film is scheduled to go on floors in February 2027. Anticipation is already at an all-time high as this landmark collaboration promises to set new benchmarks in Indian cinema. Jr NTR to be part of Trivikram film? In June earlier this year, it was reported that Jr NTR will essay the role of Lord Kumara Swamy, a revered figure symbolising strength, valor, and spiritual legacy. A source close to the development had earlier shared, “NTR is doing the film with Trivikram, and he will be portraying the role of Lord Kumara Swamy. The film is being produced by S. Radha Krishna (Chinna Babu) and Suryadevara Naga Vamsi under Harika Hassine Creations. The team is very excited, and more details will be announced soon." Allu Arjun's lineup of films This will be the third major project that Allu Arjun will embark upon. He already has at least two other magnum opus projects in the pipeline. The actor will be seen in the third instalment of the blockbuster franchise Pushpa, which is being directed by ace director Sukumar. Apart from this, Allu Arjun is also working on his film with director Atlee, being tentatively referred to as AA22 X A6. The film also stars Deepika Padukone. (with inputs from IANS)
24 December,2025 04:11 PM IST | MumbaiActor Vijay is all set to transition into politics in the upcoming elections with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. Meanwhile, he is also gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Jana Nayagan. Ahead of the film's release, a grand audio launch has been scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ahead of the event, the Malaysian police have reportedly imposed a ban on political speeches and symbols. Malaysia police bans political speeches ahead of Vijay's audio launch Many Malaysian media outlets, including the Malaysia Gazette, reported that the Royal Malaysia Police (Polis Diraja Malaysia/PDRM) has announced a ban on politics at the movie's event. The police have also warned of strict action against anyone who violates the rules. The Cheras District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Aidil Bolhassan noted that permission was granted for the event solely for an entertainment purpose and that it should not be used for any political messaging. Prohibition on political activities at Vijay's event includes all forms of political expression, such as speeches, symbols, banners, materials, movements, convoys, and the live broadcasting of messages within the venue or its surrounding areas. Datuk Abdul Malik Dashtigeer, Malik Streams Corporation Chief Executive Officer, who is distributing Vijay's upcoming movie in the country and organising the event, confirmed that the Thalapathy Thiruvizha concert will stick to the given rules. The police have also heightened the security measures at the venue, which is expected to witness 90,000 fans attending the concert and audio launch. Jana Nayagan audio launch event The Jana Nayagan audio launch and Thalapathy Thiruvizha concert are expected to be held at Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on December 27. An announcement video was shared earlier, paying tribute to Vijay’s decades-long career. It also featured clips from his hit films. According to Ticket2U, the ticket prices for the event have been released in three tiers. Level 1 includes 18 blocks, with a ticket price of MYR 319.98 (Rs 7,076.34). Thirteen blocks have so far been sold out here. Level 2 has 24 blocks, all of which have been sold out. The ticket is priced at MYR 217.98 (Rs 4,820.57). Meanwhile, 24 blocks that have Level 3 have also been sold out, with the ticket price of MYR 116.00 (Rs 2,565.48). H Vinoth directed Jana Nayagan will be released in theatres on January 9, 2026, on the occasion of Pongal. It is touted to be Vijay's last film before he switches to politics. The film also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju.
24 December,2025 03:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Malayalam film Charlie completes ten years, the film’s enduring legacy is inseparable from its leading lady, Parvathy Thiruvothu. Directed by Martin Prakkat and headlined by Dulquer Salmaan in the titular role, the adventure drama is especially remembered for Parvathy’s performance as Tessa, a role that earned her one of the most prestigious honours in Malayalam cinema, the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. A decade on, Tessa remains one of Parvathy’s most iconic performances, redefining the female protagonist in mainstream Malayalam cinema and firmly cementing her reputation as an actor of depth. Released on 24th December 2015, Charlie went on to win eight awards at the 46th Kerala State Film Awards; Parvathy’s win stood out as a defining moment both for the actor and for the kind of female characters Malayalam cinema was beginning to embrace. As Tessa, a young graphic artist who refuses to be boxed into convention, Parvathy became the film’s emotional and narrative compass. Parvathy says why Tessa is remembered even after a decade Tessa is the one who sets the story in motion. Fleeing an arranged marriage, she rents an apartment once occupied by the elusive Charlie. When she discovers his sketchbook filled with unfinished stories, curiosity turns into purpose. What follows is not a love story in the traditional sense, but a journey of Tessa tracing Charlie’s past through the people he touched, while carving out her own sense of freedom along the way. It is her gaze, her questions, and her choices that guide the audience through the film. Looking back at the role a decade later, Parvathy says, “Tessa wasn’t super rebellious, or trying to prove a point. Her strength lay in her curiosity, her gentleness, and her refusal to live a life that didn’t feel true to her. She was just simply choosing herself, and that's a privilege for so many women out there. Tessa’s journey was as inward, emotional, and human as it was loud and colourful and flamboyant and the fact that it was celebrated meant a great deal to me. Even after ten years, the love for Charlie speaks to the fact that honesty in performance always finds its way to people. Tessa changed me as an actor, and the audience’s response assured me that it’s okay to trust something that feels unconventional but true to you. As important as the awards are, the best feeling is still when people come up to me and say that watching Tessa gave us permission to follow our hearts.” Parvathy's upcoming work As she continues to expand her repertoire, Parvathy’s recent and upcoming projects include I, Nobody (directed by Nissam Basheer, co-starring Prithviraj Sukumaran), Prathama Drishtya Kuttakkaar (directed by Shahad), a film with Don Palathara, and the HRX-backed series Storm.
24 December,2025 02:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEver since the first glimpses of Mysaa, starring Rashmika Mandanna, were released earlier, the film has been creating buzz among her fans. As the anticipation continues to build, the film is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about films. Amidst all this excitement, the makers have revealed a teaser of the film has finally been unveiled, showcasing Rashmika Mandanna in her fiercest avatar yet. Mysaa teaser released Mysaa is shaping up to be one of the most-anticipated thrilling cinematic experiences of the year. After a long wait, the teaser has finally released, and it is electrifying. The powerful opening narration introduces Rashmika as Mysaa with striking visuals of a burning forest along with an electrifying background score. Every element comes together and creates an atmosphere of raw intensity. The BGM adds an extra layer of intensity to the teaser, inducing a goosebumps-worthy experience. The teaser perfectly complements the fervour of rage and the intense aura of Rashmika. Critics and audiences alike are hailing the teaser, witnessing Rashmika in such a commanding and intense role. Rashmika Mandanna is seen asserting a strong screen presence and is poised to deliver yet another remarkable performance, after her series of blockbuster outings in films like Pushpa, Animal, Chhaava, Kuberaa, and Thamma. Her recently released film, The Girlfriend, also turned out to be a successful OTT film. About Mysaa Rashmika Mandanna had earlier unveiled the first look of her upcoming project Mysaa, describing it as her fiercest avatar yet. The actress shared that the character represents a version of her that even she hadn't met until now. Taking to Instagram, Mandanna shared the first-look poster featuring her in a fierce and intense avatar. In the image, she is seen partially veiled, with half of her face covered and blood marks visible, adding to the intensity of her look. For the caption, she wrote, "I always try to give you something new... something different... something exciting... And this... This is one of those..A character I've never played before... a world I've never stepped into... and a version of me that even I hadn't met till now.. It's fierce.. it's intense and it's extremely raw..I am so nervous and super excited, I genuinely cannot wait for you to see what we're going to be creating.. This is just the beginning..Mysaa." Mysaa is believed to be an emotional action thriller, wherein the actress reportedly portrays a woman from the Gond community. The film is helmed by Rawindra Pulle and produced by Ajay and Anil Sayyapureddy.
24 December,2025 12:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAcclaimed filmmaker and two-time former Member of Legislative Assembly, P.T. Kunju Muhammed, was recently arrested in connection with a sexual assault complaint. He was subsequently released on bail, considering the conditions laid down in the anticipatory bail granted to him by the court. Kunju Muhammed arrested Both the arrest and release happened on Tuesday, following an order issued by the Thiruvananthapuram Seventh Additional Sessions Court on December 20. The order granted anticipatory bail to Kunju Muhammed while imposing stringent conditions. The bail order stated that if the police found it necessary to arrest the accused during the course of the investigation, Kunju should be released on bail immediately after arrest. The court passed the order after hearing the detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence earlier this week. About the case The case was reportedly registered by the police on December 8, based on a complaint submitted by the woman to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 27. The complainant claimed that Kunju Muhammed sexually assaulted her while he was serving as the chairman of the jury responsible for selecting films for the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), a position that is considered highly prestigious within the Malayalam film industry. According to the prosecution, the accused misused his influence and public stature to subject the complainant to sexual assault. Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution argued that the seriousness of the allegations, coupled with the social standing of the accused, warranted a strict approach. Police informed the court that their investigation revealed that the accused had called the complainant to a room, forcibly restrained her and committed sexual assault. A detailed case diary and investigation report were produced before the court to substantiate the claims. The defence, however, questioned the credibility of the complaint, pointing to an alleged delay in reporting the incident. It was submitted that the incident was said to have occurred on November 6, while the complaint was filed on November 27. The prosecution countered this by stating that the delay was due to health issues faced by the complainant and that such delays are common in sexual assault cases. (With inputs from IANS)
24 December,2025 12:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWell known south Indian star Prakash Raj, who plays a pivotal role in director S S Rajamouli's eagerly awaited magnum opus Varanasi, featuring actor Mahesh Babu in the lead, has now announced that he has just wrapped a schedule of the film and that he can't wait to resume the next schedule. Taking to his X timeline to express his joy at the kind of work he was able to deliver in this schedule of the film, the versatile actor wrote, "Wrapped up a wonderful schedule of Varanasi .. a joy to the hungry actor within me .. thank you ssrajamouli urstrulyMahesh PrithviOfficial priyankachopra. It was exhilarating to work with you all .. can’t wait to resume the next schedule." Wrapped up a wonderful schedule of #Varanasi .. a joy to the hungry actor within me .. thank you @ssrajamouli @urstrulyMahesh @PrithviOfficial @priyankachopra ❤️❤️❤️ it was exhilarating to work with you all .. can’t wait to resume the next schedule 🥰🥰🥰 — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) December 23, 2025 The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs. The interest levels shot up even more after the title announcement event of Varanasi. The title of the film, which was until then being referred to as GlobeTrotter, was revealed at a grand event organised at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad in the presence of several thousand of excited fans in November this year. The event, being hailed as a once-in-a-generation spectacle, saw fans in the thousands turning up for the event, making it one of the largest live fan congregations ever seen in the Indian entertainment space. The event featured one of the biggest stages ever erected for a film event, with a 100 ft height and a 130 ft wide screen to supplement it. At the event, Rajamouli disclosed details of a sequence they had shot for the film. The ace director went on to claim that the sequence would be among the most memorable sequences of all his films. "From my childhood, I have told several times that I like the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha a lot. That making Mahabharatha was my dream project. Even when I began working on this film, I did not realise that I would be shooting an important sequence from the Ramayana for this film. But while writing every scene, I felt like I was walking on air. On the first day, when I saw Mahesh dressed as Rama and doing a photoshoot, I had goosebumps," Rajamouli had said. "We had a great time shooting for this episode. We shot for 60 days. It got completed only recently. Every day was a challenge as every sub episode in the huge episode was like a cinema in itself. It needed fresh planning. We overcame all of it and completed that sequence. It will be one of the most memorable sequences of my films," the director informed. The makers of the film have already revealed the character and looks of actors Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj and Priyanka Chopra in the film. While Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, Prithviraj plays the antagonist Kumbha and Priyanka Chopra plays Mandakini in the film. Another interesting aspect of the film is that 95 per cent of all the African scenes that will be seen in the film have been shot in Kenya. This was disclosed by Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia W Mudavadi. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2025 10:51 AM IST | Hyderabad | IANSAs Nivin Pauly gears up for his upcoming film, Sarvam Maya, which is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, the actor recently opened up about his box office failures. For the unversed, many of the actor's films have underperformed at the box office and turned out to be flops. Nivin broke his silence, sharing what he thinks went wrong with the films he chose. Nivin Pauly on box office failures During a recent chat with Pearle Manney on her YouTube channel, Nivin reflected on his career and shared how he was advised to try different genres as an actor and told he needed to improve. Nivin said in Malayalam, “There was a point in my life when I was confused. My friends and people close to me kept telling me that I shouldn’t just do entertainer films and that, as an actor, I should improve like others.” He added, "They kept advising me that I wasn’t showcasing my full potential as an actor. They wanted me to do thriller films and other genres, not just comedy films. They felt that if I continued to do only comedy movies, I would become forgettable. At that moment, I also felt that maybe they were right. Maybe I should try different things as an actor. However, after I changed my choice of films to suit other genres, the same people came back and told me how much they missed my comedy films. I was like, ‘Weren’t you the ones who asked me to change?’” Nivin Pauly's filmography Nivin is best known for some of his most loved films, including Premam, Om Shanti Oshana, Bangalore Days, Neram and Thattathin Marayathu. He has witnessed consecutive box office failures with his recent films, like Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham, Padavettu and Thuramukham. Meanwhile, he will next be seen in the fantasy horror comedy film Sarvam Maya, which also stars Aju Varghese, Janardhanan, Preity Mukhundhan, Arun Ajikumar and Raghunath Paleri. The film is scheduled to release on December 25. It is a horror mixed with comedy and revolves around the story of a young Hindu priest who dreams of becoming a guitarist. His life transforms when a friendly ghost enters his world.
24 December,2025 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelugu actor Sivaji, who landed in a controversy and received a lot of flak online, has now issued a public apology over his remarks about women’s clothing. He apologised after his comment at the pre-release event of Dhandoraa went viral, attracting widespread criticism. He has now clarified his statement of using "unparliamentary words." Sibaji apologises for sexist comments The actor clarified that he didn't mean to "insult or humiliate anyone" by his statement. He also mentioned he meant to emphasise how female actors can avoid problems by being careful about their clothing. He said, "These days, heroines have faced difficult situations. While trying to say a few good words, I ended up using a few unparliamentary words. I was not referring to all women. What I meant was that when heroines go out, if they are careful about the clothes they wear, maybe such problems wouldn’t arise. It was not said with the intention of insulting or humiliating anyone," he said in Telugu in a post on X (formerly Twitter) captioned "I sincerely apologise for my words during the Dhandoraa pre-release event last night." In the video apology, Sivaji, seemed visibly tense and emotional, regretted making the statement. "My intention was good, but it would have been better if those two words hadn’t slipped out. Other than wanting to say something good, I had no intention of insulting or degrading anyone," he concluded his statement. What did Sivaji say? The controversy started when Sivaji addressed the audience at an event of his upcoming film Dhandoraa and praised the female host for her choice of wearing a saree. He then addressed how he felt heroines should dress, and made remarks that many found to be unsolicited and moralising. Sivaji said, "I request all heroines not to wear revealing outfits. Please wear sarees or dresses that cover the body fully. Beauty lies in complete attire or a saree, not in displaying physical assets." He added, "A woman is like nature. When nature is beautiful, we respect it. A woman is like my mother, whom I hold close to my heart." Sivaji also spoke about yesteryear actresses, as well as Rashmika Mandanna, to support his views about what he referred to as "modest" dressing. Sivaji added, "Freedom is precious – don't lose it. People will respect you based on your conduct. Glamour should have limits; it should not cross a certain line." These remarks faced sharp criticism across social media from fans and industry alike. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, actors Lakshmi Manchu, Manchu Manoj, and Anasuya Bharadwaj, among others, reacted to his statement.
23 December,2025 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
