In what is being claimed as a first-of-its-kind move, the makers of director Harish Shankar's action entertainer Ustaad Bhagat Singh, featuring actor Pawan Kalyan in the lead, on Saturday announced that one lakh fans of the actor would release the lyric sheet of Dekhlenge Saala, the first single from the film which is scheduled to release on Saturday evening. The makers of the film made this announcement on Saturday afternoon, through the film's official handle, Ustaad Bhagat Singh. The handle put out a tweet that read, "For the first time ever, fans will be launching the lyric sheet. Answer the simple questions on the website and be one among the 100,000 fans who would launch the lyric sheet of DekhlengeSaala.The lyric sheet will be displayed on the same site after 1 LAKH entries. UstaadBhagatSingh first single out today at 6.30 PM. Lyrics by bhaskarabhatla garu POWER STAR PawanKalyan harish2you sreeleela14 RaashiiKhanna ThisIsDSP rparthiepan DoP_Bose AnandSai Venupro MythriOfficial SonyMusicSouth UBSthefilm." The film has triggered huge excitement among fans and film buffs. It may be recalled that on July 29 this year, the makers of the film had announced that the unit had completed shooting the film's climax. Taking to its X timeline, production house Mythri Movie Makers, which is producing the film, wrote, "UstaadBhagatSingh completes shooting for climax. An electrifying climax high on emotions and action was wrapped up under the supervision of NabaKanta master." The production house had then praised actor Pawan Kalyan for making time for their film's shoot despite his busy schedule, as he was also the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and he also had to turn up for the promotions of his recently released film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu. It may be recalled that Pawan Kalyan had officially joined the unit that was shooting in Hyderabad in the month of June. Sreeleela plays the female lead in this film, which is being produced on a grand scale by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under the Mythri Movie Makers banner. Music for this film is being composed by Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad, who is on a success spree. Cinematography for the film is by Ayananka Bose, while editing is being taken care of by Ujjwal Kulkarni. The duo of Ram-Laxman is choreographing the action sequences in this film, which will have Anand Sai as its production designer. Screenplay for the film is by K. Dasharath, while additional writing is by C Chandra Mohan. 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
13 December,2025 05:56 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSDays after the court acquitted actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case, the bench has delivered its verdict on the punishment for the six convicted in the case. Pulsar Suni who is the prime accused in the case has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Punishment announced in actress assault case Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese sentenced Sunil NS, also known as Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H, and Pradeep to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the offence of gang rape. The court also ordered imprisonment for other offences, but they will run concurrently. The court also ordered the victim to be paid a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs, and the pen drive containing the sexual assault visuals should be maintained in the custody of the investigation officer. The convicted individuals were found guilty under IPC sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty), 357 (assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person), 366 (abduction), 376(D) (gang rape), and under IT Act sections 66E (violation of privacy by capturing or transmitting images of a private area without consent) and 67(A) (publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material). Earlier in the day, the court heard submissions from the convicted persons, their counsel and the prosecution on the quantum of sentence. The convicted persons sought leniency, citing family and health conditions. The second accused Martin, and the sixth accused Pradeep, broke down in court, claiming innocence and said they were the sole breadwinners of their families. The Special Public Prosecutor V Aja Kumar emphasised that the maximum punishment of life imprisonment for gang rape should be imposed on all the accused. Throughout the hearing, the court maintained that the crime committed by Suni is more grievous than offences against five convicted persons. Malayalam actor Dileep acquitted The assault on the multilingual actress, after the accused allegedly forced their way into her car and held it under their control for two hours on February 17, 2017, had shocked Kerala. Prime accused Pulsar Suni sexually assaulted the actress and recorded the act on video with the help of the other convicted persons in the moving car. Actor Dileep, who was accused of conspiring in the crime, was arrested during the investigation. However, after a nearly six-year trial, the court found him not guilty. After his acquittal, Dileep told reporters outside the court, “In court, the police’s fabricated story failed,” he told reporters after leaving the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. He alleged that the investigation team deliberately framed him by manipulating the prime accused and others. Dileep also claimed the conspiracy began with his former wife Manju Warrier and involved a senior police official, with sections of the media allegedly used to spread false narratives. When asked who the conspirators were, he responded, “It’s for you to find out,” before leaving in his car. (with inputs from PTI)
12 December,2025 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt's been a year since Keerthy Suresh married her childhood sweetheart, businessman Antony Thattil, in Goa. Marking their first anniversary, the couple shared a sweet video highlighting the special moments from their Hindu and Christian weddings filled with love, fun and emotions. Keerthy Suresh and Antony Thattil wedding video Keerthy and Antony shared a video including fun glimpses from their Goa wedding on social media. In the caption, they wrote, “A Core Day, A Core Memory, 1 Year of ForTheLoveOfNyke.” The video shows the couple having a blast at their wedding. They were seen showing offf their flossing dance move and hula-hooping while they indulged in playing tug of war with their families. One moment in the video shows Antony putting a mala around Keerthy’s neck, while another shows him getting down on one knee to confess his love for her. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keerthy Suresh (@keerthysureshofficial) Following clips from their Christian wedding, Keerthy is seen jokingly saying, "I was really looking forward to when the father says, 'You can kiss the bride.' I think I'll take it over," before leaning in to kiss Antony. The video also showed Keerthy arriving for the wedding sitting in a doli (carriage). Director Atlee is also seen making a broief appearance in the video. Another moment from the Hindu wedding shows Keerthy in a joyful mood till Antony ties the thaali (mangalsutra) around her neck. She can be seen breaking down in happy tears during the wedding and later, wiping Antony’s tears too. In one of the sweet moments after their wedding, Keerthy is seen holding Antony close. Keerthy Suresh and Antony Thattil Keerthy Suresh and Antony Thattil had been in a relationship even before she entered the film industry. After dating for 15 years, the childhood sweethearts tied the knot on December 12, 2024, in Goa in traditional Hindu and Malayali Christian wedding ceremonies. Anthony's family hails from Kochi, Kerala, while his business is in Dubai. The couple had a long-distance relationship for a while. On the workfront, Keerthy was last seen in Uppu Kappurambu as well as Revolver Rita this year. Next she will soon star in Kannivedi in Tamil and Thottam in Malayalam.
12 December,2025 06:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt's a double bonanza for the fans of Superstar Rajinikanth. The legendary actor celebrates his 75th birthday on Friday, 12 December, which, incidentally, marks his 50 years in cinema as well. The legend celebrated his 75th birthday on the sets of director Nelson's eagerly awaited action thriller Jailer 2, a film in which he happens to be playing the lead. He had a brief cake cutting celebration with the entire unit, after which he resumed working. Not surprisingly, the day turned into a carnival for fans and the film industry alike, with special film re-releases, music shows and themed parties marking 50 years of the iconic actor's journey in cinema. Rajinikanth's old movies re-release To celebrate the double milestone, Rajinikanth's blockbuster Padayappa stormed back into theatres globally, in a remastered 4K version, on Friday.Overjoyed fans thronged the theatres to celebrate their "god", in usual early-morning "FDFS-style": with cut-outs, milk abhishekams and firecrackers. Cinema chains and single screens in Tamil Nadu and overseas reported strong advance bookings. VIDEO | Chennai: Fans dance and celebrate at Rohini Theatre as actor Rajinikanth's iconic movie Padayappa is re-released on his birthday. The Superstar turns 75 today, turning the theatre into a festive frenzy.#Rajinikanth #Padayappa #Chennai(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/duUOfH1qro — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 12, 2025 In Singapore, the 1992 hit Annamalai has also returned in 4K and Dolby Atmos, with special shows clubbed as part of "50 Golden Years of Rajinism" events, giving fans a double dose of nostalgia on the big screen. In Chennai, various events, like the marquee "Thalaivar 75 | Rajini Hits", a four-hour live concert featuring band Chords & Strings performing hit songs from Rajinikanth films, are being held so that fans can turn up in themed T-shirts or sporting signature styles from his films. The city's nightlife too has joined the festivities with Rajinikanth-themed parties, promising DJ sets, live acts and visuals built around Rajinikanth's most popular on-screen moments. Underlining the star's deep pop-cultural imprint, across Tamil Nadu, fan associations organised welfare activities, cake-cuttings and screenings, while crowds gathered outside the actor's residence to wish him on the landmark birthday. Political leaders wish Rajinikanth Political leaders, including Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin, took to X to convey their wishes to the legend. "Rajinikanth = A charm that triumphs over age," CM Stalin said. Wishing his "friend who has captivated audiences from six to sixty for half a century", the CM said, "May he continue to deliver many more successful works and keep his flag of victory flying high with the love and support of the people". ரஜினிகாந்த் = வயதை வென்ற வசீகரம்!மேடையில் ஏறினால் அனைவரையும் மகிழ்விக்கும் சொல்வன்மை!உள்ளொன்று வைத்துப் புறமொன்று பேசாத கள்ளம் கபடமற்ற நெஞ்சம்!ஆறிலிருந்து அறுபதுவரைக்கும் அரைநூற்றாண்டாகக் கவர்ந்திழுக்கும் என் நண்பர் #SuperStar @rajinikanth அவர்களுக்கு உளம் நிறைந்த பிறந்தநாள்… pic.twitter.com/txEn7pHwKE — M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) December 12, 2025 Opposition leader and AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, called the superstar, the "unshakable sovereign of Tamil cinema".He also said Rajnikanth's uber-famous "style" turns cinema halls into festive arenas. தமிழ்த் திரையுலகின் அசைக்க முடியாத பேராளுமையாக 50 ஆண்டுகளாக கோலோச்சி வரும் சூப்பர்ஸ்டார் திரு. @rajinikanth அவர்களுக்கு எனது இதயங்கனிந்த பிறந்தநாள் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்.திரையரங்குகளை திருவிழாக் கூடங்களாக மாற்றவல்ல தங்களின் Style Magic ரசிகர்களை மகிழ்விக்கட்டும் பல்லாண்டு!… pic.twitter.com/zMVfA5iTtI — Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) December 12, 2025 Late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's close confidante V K Sasikala took to X to convey her "joyful and heartfelt" wishes to her "dear brother" Rajinikanth.Sasikala said she feels "immense pride reflecting on his simple approach and his noble character of treating everyone equally and valuing friendship with all". அன்பு சகோதரர் சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் திரு.ரஜினிகாந்த் அவர்களுக்கு, என் இதயம் கனிந்த பிறந்தநாள் நல்வாழ்த்துகளை மகிழ்ச்சியோடு தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். பண்பின் இலக்கணமாக, எளிமையின் சிகரமாக தமிழக மக்களின் உள்ளங்களில் நீக்கமற நிறைந்திருக்கும் அன்பு சகோதரர் சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் திரு.ரஜினிகாந்த்… pic.twitter.com/YXklNIWbwj — V K Sasikala (@AmmavinVazhi) December 12, 2025 Apart from politicians, social media platforms were flooded with tributes from fans and colleagues.
12 December,2025 04:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSuperstar Rajinikanth on Friday celebrated his 75th birthday on the sets of director Nelson's eagerly awaited action thriller Jailer 2, a film in which he happens to be playing the lead. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the film, took to its X timeline to post a video clip of the cake-cutting celebrations that took place on the sets. Rajinikanth celebrates 75th birthday with team of Jailer 2 Sharing the clip, the production house wrote, "Happy Birthday Superstar rajinikanth! From the sets of Jailer2." The clip showed Rajinikanth leaving his caravan to the cake-cutting venue, where he was wished by the core unit members including director Nelson. After a brief cake cutting celebration, during which period Rajinikanth fed cake to director Nelson, the actor was seen returning to his caravan. It may be recalled that Superstar Rajinikanth had, in May this year, said that work on Jailer 2 was likely to go on until December. Talking to reporters while making his way out of the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth had said, "Shooting of Jailer 2 is progressing well. It will be December by the time the film ends." Jailer 2 has triggered huge interest, thanks to the phenomenal reach of the first part of the film, which went on to emerge a huge blockbuster, raking in around Rs 650 crores. Wishes pour in for Rajinikanth Kamal Haasan was among the first to wish Rajinikanth on social media. He shared a picture with his contemporary and wrote, "75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend". The two will be working together soon. Haasan will be producing Rajinikanth's untitled next. Dadasaheb Phalke Award-winning actor Mohanlal penned a beautiful message for Rajinikanth, offering a shoutout to the actor's 50 years in cinema. Warmest birthday wishes to dear Rajinikanth Sir.As you celebrate 50 remarkable years in cinema, thank you for inspiring generations with your values, strength, and extraordinary spirit.May God bless you always with peace, good health, and boundless joy.@rajinikanth — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) December 12, 2025 Raghava Lawrence added, "Happy Birthday Thalaiva @rajinikanth! I pray to Ragavendra Swamy for your good health. May you live a long life. Guruve Saranam." Happy Birthday Thalaiva @rajinikanth! I pray Ragavendra swamy for your good health. May you live a long life. Guruve Saranam ♥️🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/NASJeSogSA — Raghava Lawrence (@offl_Lawrence) December 12, 2025 Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar also shared her warm wishes as she wrote, "Happpyyyyy birthdayyyyy to our one and only superrrr starrrrrr @rajinikanth sirrrrrr... we love you..!!!" Happpyyyyy birthdayyyyy to our one and only superrrr starrrrrr @rajinikanth sirrrrrr… we love you..!!!#HappyBirthdayThalaivaa #SuperStarRajini pic.twitter.com/G8TqGvZ2fQ — 𝑽𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒙𝒎𝒊 𝑺𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒌𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 (@varusarath5) December 12, 2025 Rajinikanth's former son-in-law, actor Dhanush, also shared his greetings for the superstar and wrote, "Happy birthday thalaiva. @rajinikanth."
12 December,2025 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter a court battle, Nandamuri Balakrishna's film Akhanda 2 has finally been released. The Telugu film, which was earlier scheduled for December 5 release, was postponed last minute due to a pending court case. However, the film has now hit the theatres, and people have shared their reactions to the film. Akhanda 2 reviews from audience After watching the film on day 1, netizens took to X to share their review of the film. While some enjoyed the film, a large section called out the poor story and performances in the film. Some said that Thaman S's background score was the only saving grace in the film. Positively reacting to the film, an X user wrote, "We all expect a level of craziness and madness from Boya and Balayya combo.. but with akhanda 2 they crossed every limit and touched the sky. musicthaman's thandavam. One of his best works. The way he takes us into a trance. BoyapatiSrinu says Subtlety is overrated and holds us to the direct grandeur of what Balayya is capable of. Surprise sentiment scene is the soul in 2nd half," the user wrote. #Akhanda2 is a winner 🔥🔥🔥We all expect a level of craziness and madness from Boya and Balayya combo.. but with akhanda 2 they crossed every limit and touched the sky.@musicthaman's thandavam. One of his best works. The way he takes us into a trance 🤌🏾#BoyapatiSrinu says… — Thyview (@Thyview) December 11, 2025 Check out some more reactiosn- 😱 #Akhanda2 is a 3-hour TORTURE! 🤯 Brain-dead writing, cringe dialogues, and Balayya's OTT roaring 🗣️. Directionless screenplay, cheap VFX, and ZERO logic 🤦♂️. Thaman's BGM is the only "relief" 🥴. TOTAL DISASTER! 💔 Save money & sanity! 0/5 #Akhanda2Review #Akhanda2Thaandavam pic.twitter.com/Kk4J2YhTu9 — Navaneetha Krishnan (@itsnkupdates) December 11, 2025 #Akhanda2 (Telugu|2025) - THEATRE.Balayya as Superhero, Screen presence fine. No scope for 2nd Balayyah. Aadhi Wasted. Cringe Story, Poor Villains, Emotionless Fights. Balayyah keep lecturing with pointless lengthy Dialogues & loud BGM. Othr than Interval Seq, its a total MESS! pic.twitter.com/QmbVJmVItl — CK Review (@CKReview1) December 12, 2025 #Akhanda2 Review ( One Time watchable with low expectations) : 2.25 / 5 pic.twitter.com/2NZ3jhq2T2 — RC_Addict 🏏🚬 (@Charan_Admirer) December 12, 2025 Plot of Akhanda 2 A teaser released a few days ago by the makers has only gone on to add to expectations. The teaser shows the country's enemies conspiring to strike at India's roots. The teaser then shows Balakrishna, who is dressed as a sadhu, saying, "Where there is a bad, parallely, there is a God! Be brave." in his typical inimitable style. The teaser reinforces what the trailer showcased -- that Balakrishna has a divine force operating from within him and that he takes on powerful black magic sorcerers aiding India's enemies. The teaser gives a glimpse of the exciting action sequences awaiting audiences in the film. It is evident from the teaser that Balakrishna's character will take on both the country's enemies and the ungodly forces looking to disrupt the peace and harmony in the nation in 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam'. About the team behind Akhanda 2 Produced on an ambitious scale by Raam Achanta and Gopichand Achanta under the 14 Reels Plus banner, the project is being presented by M Tejaswini Nandamuri. The sequel, sources claim, will be a grand cinematic spectacle, with Boyapati Sreenu crafting a larger-than-life narrative on an even more expansive canvas. The film features Samyuktha as the female lead, with Aadhi Pinisetty playing a powerful role, and Harshaali Malhotra a key character. C. Ramprasad and Santoshh D Detakae are the cinematographers who have worked on the film, with Tammiraju being in charge of editing.
12 December,2025 03:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZEE5 announced today that the much-anticipated Malayalam mystery-comedy-thriller film Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse will premiere from 19th December 2025. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon in his Malayalam debut, the film is produced by Mammootty Kampany and features Mammootty in a distinctive and intriguing role. The film initially hit the theatres on January 23, 2025. Despite the buzz around Menon and Mammootty's collaboration, the movie failed to gain steam at the box office. Plot of Dominic and the Ladies' Purse Dominic and the Ladies' Purse follow the story of Dominic (Mammootty), a seasoned former police officer who has now stepped into the shoes of a private detective. What appears to be a routine assignment, tracing the owner of a misplaced ladies’ purse, soon evolves into something far more sinister, pushing Dominic and his loyal aide Vignesh (Gokul Suresh) into a labyrinth of secrets, identities, and unexpected revelations. With its engaging blend of humour, suspense, and emotional layers, the narrative promises audiences a unique take on the detective genre, set against a modern Malayalam cinema backdrop. The film features a talented ensemble cast including Gokul Suresh, Sushmitha Bhat, Viji Venkatesh, Siddique, Vineeth, and Vijay Babu, each adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding investigation. Director Gautam Menon shared, “Making Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse have been a dream come true, it marks my first venture into Malayalam cinema. This film is built around a grounded, relatable hero, not a larger-than-life icon. We completed it in just 45 days, a testament to the energy, dedication and belief of every cast and crew member who joined hands for this story. I’m thrilled that the film is now coming to Malayalam ZEE5 because it will open doors for many more people to experience this world.” With Mammootty leading a thrilling chase and Gautham Menon’s signature storytelling, viewers can expect a captivating cinematic experience filled with twists and clever detective play. Mammootty's work front The actor recently returned to the movies after a long medical break. The actor was reportedly undergoing treatment for colon cancer. His latest release, Kalamkaaval sees him play a serial killer with actor Vinayakan as the protagonist. The film has been doing great at the box office.
12 December,2025 12:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe unit of director Buchi Babu Sana's eagerly awaited rural action drama Peddi, featuring Telugu star Ram Charan in the lead, will begin its next shooting schedule in Hyderabad on Friday. Sources close to the unit say that the new schedule will feature several pivotal sequences, some of which will be canned in Delhi. They also add that filming will continue until the end of January, by which time the entire talkie portion of the movie is expected to be wrapped up. As planned, all aspects of production are progressing smoothly, with post-production work moving ahead at a good pace, the sources add. It may be recalled that the makers had recently brought Sham Kaushal on board specifically for a fight sequence that sources claim will surely be considered as one of the film’s highlights. The crucial and high-intensity fight sequence, featuring Ram Charan alongside fighters, was shot on a massive set erected by production designer Avinash Kolla at the Aluminium Factory in Hyderabad. The film has already been garnering a lot of attention for its first-look posters and glimpse. Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas, and prestigiously presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, Peddi is being mounted on a massive scale with a high budget. The film features Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead. "Director Buchi Babu Sana, a known perfectionist, is paying meticulous attention to every action segment. Each fight sequence has been crafted with unique concepts and breathtaking execution," a source had said some days ago. Meanwhile, Peddi has become a global sensation. The first single, Chikiri Chikiri from the film, has received a phenomenal response worldwide. The song continues to trend globally and stands as one of the biggest chartbusters of the year. The film also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyendu Sharma in prominent roles. Peddi is backed by a stellar technical crew with Academy Award winner AR Rahman composing the music, renowned cinematographer R Rathnavelu handling the camera, and National Award–winning editor Navin Nooli taking charge of the editing. The film is slated for a grand pan-India theatrical release on March 27, 2026. 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
12 December,2025 10:46 AM IST | Hyderabad | IANSNational Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee has shared whether or not he will accept offers from Marathi cinema. The actor spoke with the media recently at an event and shared that while he has essayed many Marathi characters, he is not fully prepared to work in a Marathi film. He told the media, “I have played Bhiku Mhatre in Satya. I have played the role of Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh. He was a Marathi. I have played the role of Bhonsle, he was also a Marathi. I have played many Marathi roles. I have played the role of Inspector Zende recently. These are not just Marathi roles. When I am performing, I see which area of Maharashtra these people belong to. Ramchandra Siras was from Nagpur. So, you will get to see his Marathi and his voice in a different way. I have made his entire speech a little poetic”. He further mentioned, “Where he is saying his dialogues with utmost authenticity, in a very measured way. Because he is a poet. He is a man of literature. So, he understands the meaning or the importance of each and every word. So, he will be different. Inspector Zende is a completely different Marathi because when you see his back story, he comes from a different village. Similarly, Bhiku Mhatre was born and brought up in chawls of Mumbai. So, his Marathi and his accent will be completely different. So, we give that kind of thought before we actually start doing it, start practising it”. He shared that saying a few dialogues in Marathi for a Hindi film and working in a feature-length Marathi film are 2 completely different things. He said, “Speaking in Marathi and memorising 4-5 or 10 dialogues is a different thing. To make a film, I really have to understand the language and the nuances of it. If I don't do it, then you guys will start looking for me. That's why I respect the language. For example, Hindi and English. My language is not Hindi or English. I have learnt it. My language is Bhojpuri”. “I have spoken it with my parents, my siblings and my friends. That's my language. Hindi and English are acquired languages. When I was young, I learnt it. I am still learning it. Similarly, I am learning Marathi. I can't say that I have improved, but I am trying. I learnt Hindi while working. But in Marathi films, once it is printed, either they will dub it, or if they don't, it will cause a huge problem. That's why I don't do it out of fear, he added. 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
12 December,2025 10:33 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSDays after the makers announced an animated series for Prabhas-starrer Baahubali, audio series platform Pocket FM today announced an all-new audio series based on the epic. The platform announced its collaboration with Arka Mediaworks, the creative force behind S.S. Rajamouli’s legendary Baahubali universe. By coming together, the two creative powerhouses are aiming to expand the Baahubali legacy with an all-new original story, bringing the grandeur of Maahishmathi alive through the power of an audio series. Baahubali audio series Marking the 10th anniversary of the Baahubali franchise, this ambitious audio series will feature a completely new storyline. It is set within the same epic universe that captured millions of hearts across the world. The audio series is set to unfold over 250 episodes, and will be available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. It is designed for both loyal fans and a new generation of entertainment enthusiasts. The series promises a fresh experience that redefines how Indian epics are capable of being re-lived and expanded through immersive storytelling. Baahubali audio series blends the cinematic scale with Pocket FM’s signature narrative style. It carries forward the emotion, power, and mythology of the original while charting a completely new narrative arc filled with untold stories as well as unseen conflicts. It features high-quality voice performances, detailed sound design, and atmospheric music, as it aims to take the listeners directly into the heart of Maahishmathi. Rohan Nayak, Cofounder and CEO, Pocket FM said, “Baahubali is a cultural milestone that inspired an entire generation, and continues to do so even today. To bring that legacy into the world of audio storytelling is both an honour and a creative challenge we’ve embraced with heart. At Pocket FM, we’ve always believed that imagination is the most powerful screen. With Arka Mediaworks, what makes this collaboration special is that we’re expanding the Baahubali universe with a new storyline crafted for this mega audio series where it is creating an experience where you don’t just hear Maahishmathi, you feel it. This partnership marks a defining moment for how India will experience storytelling in the years to come.” “Growing the Baahubali universe has always been a deliberate part of our journey, and this collaboration with Pocket FM is another step in that direction. The audio series comes from the same place as the films, a focus on rooted and engaging storytelling. It’s nice to see the world expand into new formats, and I hope listeners enjoy this new chapter,” said Shobu Yarlagadda, co-founder of Arka Mediaworks. Baahubali animated serie SS Rajamouli had earlier announced an all-new Baahubali animated series, titled Baahubali: The Eternal War. It is reportedly expected to have a budget of Rs 120 crore (around USD 13.5 million), making it one of India's most expensive animated projects. Interestingly, the budget matches the planning cost of Baahubali: The Beginning. The animated series, too, is being produced by Arka Mediaworks with international studios and Indian teams, with a two-part format planned.
11 December,2025 08:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Karthi's latest film, Vaa Vaathiyaar, with director Nalan Kumarasamy, which was all set to hit screens on 12 December, has been postponed just hours before its release. The update comes after the Madras High Court issued a stay order against the film's release. This comes just days after Nandamuri Balakrishna's Akhanda 2 was also potponed last minute owing to similar issues. Karthi's Vaa Vaathiyaar Postponed The film will not be released on its scheduled date owing to the production house Studio Green’s KE Gnanavel Raja's legal case. The court’s order is based on a debt of Rs 10.35 crore, which has reached Rs 21.78 crore with interest. This sum was reportedly borrowed by the producer from businessman Arjunlal Sundardas, who was declared insolvent by the Madras High Court in 2014. A few days ago, the official assignee managing Sundardas' assets demanded the recovery of the amount while requesting an interim injunction against the film’s release. During the hearing before the assignee’s counsel, the Madras High Court noted that despite repeated chances, Gnanavel Raja had failed to repay the debt amount. The court further reviewed the producer's repayment history with the repeated extensions already granted. Meanwhile, Gnanavel Raja’s legal team offered to pay Rs 3.75 crore within 24 hours. Additionally, they also offered property documents for the remaining amount. However, the proposal was rejected by the division bench, mentioning that the extensions of deadlines had not been honoured in the past. The court stated, “Sufficient time and multiple opportunities have already been granted. The producer had misused the extensions and shown no serious intent to settle the dues. Creditors have been waiting for years to recover their money.” The delay in repayment led to the court’s decision to temporarily halt the film’s release across all platforms. The official court order mentioned, “Until the entire debt is fully repaid, Vaa Vaathiyaar shall not be released in theatres, OTT platforms, or any other medium.” CBFC clears Vaa Vaathiyaar The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had earlier cleared director Nalan Kumarasamy's eagerly awaited commercial entertainer Vaa Vaathiyaar, featuring actors Karthi and Krithi Shetty in the lead, with a U/A certificate. Studio Green, the production house producing the film, took to its X timeline to make the announcement. It wrote, "Certified "U"ltimate "A"ura. U/A 7+ Certified - Karthi_Offl's Vaa Vaathiyaar is all set for December 12. A NalanKumarasamy Entertainer. A Music_Santhosh Musical. VaaVaathiyaarOnDec12 VaathiyaarVaraar." Apart from Karthi and Krithi Shetty, the film will also feature a host of actors such as Sathyaraj, Rajkiran, Anand Raj, Shilpa Manjunath, Karunakaran, G M Sundar, Ramesh Thilak, P L Thenappan, Vidhya Borgia, Nivas Adthitan and Madhur Mittal. (With inputs from IANS)
11 December,2025 06:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1765543070279_d.png "Keerthy Suresh and Antony Thattil wedding video")
