On the occasion of New Year, the makers of director Madhan's upcoming romantic entertainer With Love announced the release date of their film. The film features Tourist Family director Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan in the lead. The makers have locked a February 6 release for the film. The film is being produced by Superstar Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth along with producer Magesh Raj Pasilian. Release date for With Love locked On New Year, Soundarya Rajinikanth took to her X timeline to announce the release date of her film. She wrote, "A new year brings a new feeling… and new love. #WithLove arrives in cinemas worldwide from Feb 06. Starring Abishanjeevinth, AnaswaraRajan_. A RSeanRoldan musical. Written and Directed by madhann_n. Produced by soundaryaarajni, mageshraj." A new year brings a new feeling… and new love ♥️#WithLove arrives in cinemas worldwide from Feb 06 🎬✨Starring @Abishanjeevinth. ♥️ @AnaswaraRajan_A @RSeanRoldan musical 🎶 Written ♥️ Directed by @madhann_nProduced by @soundaryaarajni ♥️@mageshraj @MRP_ENTERTAIN… pic.twitter.com/Cs7cCgvoLv — soundarya rajnikanth (@soundaryaarajni) January 1, 2026 Rajinikanth releases teaser It may be recalled that the film's title teaser had been released by none other than Rajinikanth himself. Taking to his X timeline to release the title teaser, Superstar Rajinikanth had said, "Wishing my daughter @soundaryaarajni and the entire team of the film #WithLove all the very best. God bless. @mageshraj" Soundarya Rajinikanth, for her part, responded to her dad saying, "Biggest blessing ever. Thank you so much appa. You are my life !" The title teaser released opened with Abishan Jeevinth, who plays a character called Sathya, calling a friend over phone in the presence of Anaswara Rajan who plays a character called Monisha in the film. Sathya blows a fuse as his friend answers the call. Monisha, however, calmly asks the person at the other end if he has the contact of a person called Anisha. The person at the other end asks her who she is to which, Sathya in a fit of rage, screams "She's my fiancee. You shut up and speak!" The next sequence we see in the teaser is Monisha explaining to Sathya that suspicion is different from possessiveness and that his possessiveness must not be expressed directly but discreetly through his actions. Poor Sathya is completely at sea and begs her not to expect anything on those lines from him. The teaser gives the impression that both these individuals have contrasting natures. For the unaware, the film's makers have already announced that shooting for the film had been wrapped up.
01 January,2026 08:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Dhanush decided to commence 2026 with a heart full of gratitude. 2025 has been extremely phenomenal for him, with three hits in three different languages. Dhanush pens note after successful 2025 Pouring his heart out, Dhanush's heartfelt note on social media read, "Thank you for making 2025 truly unforgettable. Three films in three different languages and seeing each of them become a superhit has been a blessing I will cherish forever, and it was possible only because of your love and support. (sic)" He wished the netizens a great 2026, saying, "As we welcome 2026, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May it bring you joy, success, and everything your heart desires." Dhanush also gave a special shout-out to his admirers for always having his back. "Finally, To all my incredible fans, my pillars of strenght, thank you as always for the unwavering support and love. Wish everyone blessed 2026," he added. Dhanush concluded the note with "Om Nama Shivaya...With love". Dhanush's first hit came in the form of Kuberaa. Directed by Sekhar Kammula, the drama enjoys some powerful performances by Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh. Backed by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP in collaboration with Amigos Creations, the film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil. Kuberaa got a theatrical release on April 10, 2025. Next was Dhanush's Tamil outing, Idli Kadai. Co-produced by Dhanush under Wunderbar Films, in association with Dawn Pictures, the movie enjoys an ensemble cast comprising Arun Vijay, Sathyaraj, P. Samuthirakani, Nithya Menen, Shalini Pandey, Rajkiran, and R. Parthiban. Dhanush's last release of 2025, Tere Ishk Mein, was also equally impactful. The romantic entertainer helmed by Aanand L. Rai, featuring Kriti Sanon as the leading lady, reached the audience on November 28, 2025. A spiritual sequel to Raanjhanaa, the drama brought a lot of appreciation to Dhanush for his performance. Dhanush says happiness is a choice Earlier, speaking at the audio launch event of his film, Kuberaa, he said, "What is meant for you is yours. Nobody else can take it. Be happy. Don't look for happiness outside. Happiness is a choice. It is inside you." "I have been in a situation where I haven't been able to afford a meal and today I am also in a good state. No matter what state I am in, I will always be happy. That is because I have never searched for happiness outside. There can be nothing more important than happiness and peace of mind," he said.
01 January,2026 03:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMovie superstar Rajinikanth on Thursday greeted and wished his fans who had gathered outside his residence a happy New Year. The actor does this as part of his annual tradition on New Year morning. He steps out of his home in Chennai and happily waves to the people who have gathered to see him. Meanwhile, on social media, he shared a video clip that contained an iconic dialogue from his film Muthu as part of his New Year greeting. Rajinikanth greets fans on New Year Continuing the practice of meeting fans every new year, Superstar Rajinikanth on Thursday greeted loyal fans who had turned up in front of his residence, braving cold weather. After greeting his fans, the superstar visited the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple in Triplicane to offer prayers. He was seen dressed in a white shirt and mundu as he sought blessings of the almighty on New Year day. Superstar #Rajinikanth greets fans gathered to see him..❣️🤩🌟 pic.twitter.com/eLinXKOAD7 — Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff007) January 1, 2026 Today, #Superstar @rajinikanth went to Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple/Mutt in Triplicane to offer prayers for #NewYear2026 pic.twitter.com/9LCQ8s2dva — Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) January 1, 2026 Taking to his social media timelines, the actor shared a video clip from his superhit film 'Muthu'. In the clip that the actor shared, Rajinikanth is seen riding a chariot with actress Meena seated next to him. Meena asks Rajini,"The route we are taking is correct, isn't it?" To this Rajinikanth replies, "Who knows? I never bother about the route I take. I put my burden on God and take the path my vehicle picks, chanting 'Shiva'!" The actor went on to write "Wishing you all a very happy new year 2026. God Bless" on the clip. pic.twitter.com/MFgRTOVqmJ — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) January 1, 2026 Rajinikanth's work front On the work front, Rajinikanth next has director Nelson's eagerly awaited action thriller Jailer 2 gearing up for release. In fact, the actor had celebrated his most recent birthday on December 12 on the sets of the film while shooting for it. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the film, had taken to its X timeline to post a video clip of the cake cutting celebrations that took place on the sets. Sharing the clip, the production house had said, "Happy Birthday Superstar rajinikanth! From the sets of Jailer2." 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.
01 January,2026 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Teja Sajja, who rose to nationwide fame with Prasanth Varma’s 2024 blockbuster HanuMan, has dismissed reports claiming that he has exited the film’s much-anticipated sequel, Jai Hanuman. The sequel, which will star Rishab Shetty in the titular role, has been the subject of speculation in recent days due to a lack of official updates, leading to widespread rumours about Teja’s alleged departure. Teja Sajja reacts to the rumours Earlier this week, several social media posts and reports suggested that Teja was no longer associated with Jai Hanuman. According to these claims, the actor had walked out of the project citing reasons such as limited screen time, creative differences, and a desire to distance himself from the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Some reports even hinted that Teja had become cautious about the roles he was choosing post the success of HanuMan. However, Teja has now firmly denied these rumours. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the actor clarified that the reports were “false news” and stressed that he has not stepped away from Jai Hanuman or the PVCU. By addressing the speculation directly, Teja put to rest claims that he was severing ties with the cinematic universe that played a major role in shaping his recent success. Jai Hanuman serves as a follow-up to HanuMan, but with a different narrative focus. While HanuMan revolved around Teja’s superhero character inspired by Lord Hanuman, the sequel will centre on the deity himself, portrayed by Rishab Shetty. Teja had earlier expressed excitement about being part of the sequel and working on a story rooted deeply in Indian mythology. Teja Sajja had confirmed being a part of Jai Hanuman In previous interviews, Teja had confirmed his involvement in the project, saying, “I will also be a part of Jai Hanuman. The film will be about Lord Hanuman, and I can’t wait to be on that set.” In December 2024, he reiterated his enthusiasm, calling the experience “exciting” and expressing eagerness to begin filming. At the end of HanuMan, Teja’s character witnesses the emergence of Lord Hanuman from the Himalayas, teasing a larger conflict and setting the stage for the sequel. Rishab Shetty’s casting as Hanuman was officially announced in October 2024, although the film has yet to go on floors. Jai Hanuman is part of the expanding PVCU, which will also include upcoming projects such as Adhira and Mahakali.
01 January,2026 12:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKeeping his tradition of New Year unveils intact, filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga released the first poster of his much-awaited next, Spirit, at midnight on January 1. The poster features a wounded Prabhas standing by a window, while Triptii can be seen lighting his cigarette. The look has amped up excitement for the release of the much-awaited intense saga. Spirit first look out! A bare-chested Prabhas is posed in off-white pants and dark glasses, with a bottle of liquor and a cigarette in his hands. His body bears visible bruises and multiple bandages across his shoulder, arm and back, suggesting a character shaped by violence and conflict. Triptii, on the other hand, wore a beige outfit along with a gold bangle on her right wrist. View this post on Instagram A post shared by tseriesfilms (@tseriesfilms) Sharing the primary look of Spirit on social media, Sandeep Reddy Vanga wrote, “INDIAN CINEMA…. witness your AJANUBAHUDU / AJANUBAHU. Happy New Year 2026” (sic). Social media users were thrilled by the first look and flooded the comment section to share their excitement. More about Spirit It must be noted that while Spirit marks the filmmaker’s first professional association with Prabhas. He has worked with Triptii in Animal, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. Spirit went on the floor in November 2025. The mahurat ceremony was attended by several big names from the entertainment industry, including megastar Chiranjeevi, who was part of the event as a special guest. Marking Prabhas’ birthday on October 23, the makers also released a promotional teaser from the movie, titled Sound Story, using Prakash Raj and Prabhas’ voices to introduce the film’s world. The teaser offers an intriguing glimpse into Prakash Raj’s character — a strict, no-nonsense IPS officer known for his discipline and dominance. The highlight of the clip comes when Prabhas says in his intense style, “Mr Superintendent, bachpan se meri ek buri aadat hai.” Apart from Prabhas and Triptii, the project will also see Prakash Raj, Vivek Oberoi and Kanchana as part of the ancillary cast. Backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, Spirit is set to be a grand-scale pan-world entertainer. To note, before Triptii Dimri, Deepika Padukone was confirmed as the leading lady of the film. However, she was ousted from the project, sparking a working-hours debate.
01 January,2026 08:57 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusic director AR Rahman has mesmerised the world time and again with his music. Now, the composer is set to step into the work is to make his acting debut in director Manoj N S's upcoming film Moonwalk, featuring actor Prabhudeva in the lead. The makers of the film, which is being produced by Behindwoods Productions, recently unveiled 14 crazy character posters from the film, significantly adding to the growing anticipation around the project. AR Rahman plays angry young director in debut film Moonwalk marks A R Rahman’s much-awaited acting debut, where the Oscar-winning composer will be seen playing A R Rahman, not the music director but a fictional “angry young film director” in a role that is expected to add a unique meta-layer to the narrative. Talking about this unique feat, director Manoj NS revealed, “It was a wonderful experience shooting the song ‘Mayile’ with Prabhudeva sir and A. R. Rahman sir. The song has turned out well and is sure to be a feast for movie lovers in theatres. Prabhudeva sir has given one of his best dance performances for this song, and I sincerely thank choreographer Sekhar Master for making it truly special." He went on to add, "A. R. Rahman sir appears throughout the song, adding a cute charm and a very special vibe to it. When I later presented an extended role to him after the song, A. R. Rahman sir graciously accepted it. This will be a surprise scene for movie lovers, and I thoroughly enjoyed directing A. R. Rahman sir in his first-ever movie scene. I am deeply grateful to him for supporting our project Moonwalk wholeheartedly right from day one. The entire set was so happy seeing ARR Sir having fun as an actor. It will be a scene which people will not expect.” About Prabhudeva's role Meanwhile, Prabhudeva will be seen in the role of ‘Babootty’, a young film choreographer. His role is said to blend performance and humour making it one of the most intriguing characters in the film. Adding to the film’s appeal, Yogi Babu, earlier announced in dual roles named Kavarimaan Narayanan and Aattukkaal Azhagu Rasa, surprises audiences once again by appearing in a third role called Dubai Mathew, further reinforcing the film’s quirky and experimental tone. "There is a surprise about Yogi Babu sir’s role which we will be revealing in the audio launch”, added Manoj NS, the director, with a lot of excitement. The ensemble cast also includes Aju Varghese as ‘Lord Djokovic’, Arjun Ashokan as Luna, Satz as Jasmine, Sushmitha as Silk, Nishma as Nagma, Swaminathan as Periya Pannai, Redin Kingsley as Kannu Kutty, Rajendran as Mallikarjun, Deepa Akka as Karpoorazhagi, Santhosh Jacob as Thavasi and Ramkumar as Raj Babbar. (With inputs from IANS)
31 December,2025 06:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter the grand response to the second trailer of the film, the makers of India’s biggest upcoming horror fantasy film The RajaSaab, have unveiled the first poster of Riddhi Kumar as Anitha, offering audiences their first glimpse of her character in the Prabhas-starrer. Riddhi Kumar's first look as Anitha The poster presents Anitha as someone who carries herself with ease and confidence, and someone who adds life to the movie. In the poster, Riddhi Kumar dons a light blue floral lehenga choli, paired with traditional accessories. She looks radiant and stands out for her natural screen presence. There’s a calm grace in the way she has been styled and presented, and her look draws attention without being loud. Riddhi is rumoured to play one of Prabhas' love interests in the movie. Her character is someone who is composed, strong, and quietly impactful, someone who holds her own in the larger world of the film. And it will be great to watch them romancing onscreen. About The Raja Saab Meanwhile, excitement around The Raja Saab is at an all-time high following the release of the second trailer, which dropped two days ago and has been receiving an enthusiastic response from fans. Audiences are going gaga over the visuals, scale, and mood of the film, with many praising the shift in tone and the immersive horror-fantasy world. With the songs and both trailers striking a chord, anticipation for the film’s release continues to grow. Fans are particularly eager to see Prabhas in a slightly lighter yet layered avatar, while the ensemble cast, including Boman Irani and Sanjay Dutt in a key role, adds further depth to the narrative. Recently, the team revealed Malavika Mohanan's character Bhairavi. In the poster, Malavika brings a mix of elegance and danger in a black saree paired with a statement blouse and layered bracelets, holding a textured handbag and lifting her sunglasses with calm confidence. The abandoned corridor behind her deepens the supernatural tone and presents Bhairavi as both alluring and intense. Her look clearly signals that she plays a major role in the film’s mystery. Written and directed by Maruthi, The Raja Saab is produced by People Media Factory. The film stars Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar, and is set to release theatrically on 9th January 2026 in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
31 December,2025 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to Telugu cinema star Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Junior, widely known as NTR Junior, safeguarding his personality rights from unauthorised commercial use. The order was passed on December 22 by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora after the actor moved the court against the misuse of his name, image and likeness across digital platforms, including content generated using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. Delhi HC grants interim protection In its observations, the court clearly stated that “plaintiff’s personality traits and or parts thereof, including name, likeness, and image are protectable elements of the plaintiff’s personality rights.” The remark highlights the court’s recognition that a celebrity’s identity is a valuable personal and commercial asset that deserves legal protection. The court further noted that “the plaintiff is entitled to seek injunction against the use of his personality rights by third parties for selling merchandise for their commercial gains, without his authorisation.” It added that any such unauthorised use could mislead the public and unfairly benefit those seeking to capitalise on the actor’s popularity. Acknowledging NTR Junior’s stature, the court observed that he “is a well known face in India and has gained immense goodwill and reputation, and achieved celebrity status in India.” It warned that allowing such activities to continue would cause serious harm, noting that “the continuing availability of the infringing merchandise would cause irreparable injury to the plaintiff.” Based on these findings, the court restrained several websites, online platforms and unidentified parties, referred to as John Doe defendants, from infringing upon the actor’s personality rights. It also directed the removal of URLs, videos, posts and other online material that used his identity without permission. All about the Personality rights The interim order will remain in force while the case continues. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 19, 2026. Personality rights, also known as publicity rights, allow individuals to control how their name, image and likeness are used and monetised. With the growing misuse of celebrity identities through digital content and online merchandise, Indian courts have increasingly stepped in to offer legal protection, making this order another significant development in safeguarding celebrity rights in the digital era.
31 December,2025 02:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFor costume designer Neha R Bajaj, the mandate was clear when the makers of the upcoming multi-lingual film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups approached her to style the actors — character-driven styling where design is inseparable from storytelling. And that’s exactly what she delivered. Proof: the much-talked-about looks of Kiara Advani and Huma Qureshi in the Yash-starrer. “Given the scale of the cast, each character has a distinct stylistic language. The costumes [had to] communicate their authority, emotional state, and the dynamics they bring into the story,” begins Bajaj. Yash in ‘Toxic’ The gangster actioner demanded a highly stylised, meticulously crafted visual aesthetic — one that stays far removed from realism-driven narratives, stressed the costume designer. “Overall the looks — [clothes, hair, makeup, body language] — in Toxic lean into a sculpted, style forward sensibility — distinct silhouettes, controlled glamour, and a very deliberate visual language,” she explains. The first looks of Advani and Qureshi were glamorous, heavy, dreamy yet intense. Bajaj emphasises that the film is built on a “very strong visual narrative,” where nothing exists in isolation. “Every character, outfit, and set is designed with a lot of detailing. It’s a film with a lot of badass characters,” she sums up. She reiterates that Toxic occupies a completely different creative universe from her OTT work. “And in that sense, it's a world apart from The Family Man.” Elaborating on director Geetu Mohandas’ brief, Bajaj adds, “It's a very strong visual narrative.” Summing up the film’s tone succinctly, she says, “It's a film with a lot of badass characters.” That sharp distinction becomes evident when the conversation shifts to The Family Man, where Bajaj’s approach was rooted in realism and continuity. “With a show like Family Man and with directors like Raj and DK, what happens is the brief is to firstly keep it real, relatable.” Costumes here were never meant to dominate. “It's never a costume story. It's always the character leading the narrative and the costumes always support it.” While Manoj Bajpayee’s Srikant Tiwari offered limited scope for dramatic reinvention, subtle shifts — greying hair, better fabrics, distressed clothing — reflected narrative progression. The true creative freedom, Bajaj notes, came with new antagonists Nimrat Kaur and Jaideep Ahlawat, whom she describes as “a playground” because they arrived without pre-established histories. Neha R Bajaj She also designed for 2017 ‘Omertà’ 2023 ‘Guns & Gulaabs’ and ‘Farzi’ On designing for ‘The Family Man’ franchise Neha R Bajaj, who was working on ‘Toxic’ before Raj-DK’s espionage thriller, says, “It’s a world apart from ‘The Family Man’. Their brief was to keep it real, relatable.”
31 December,2025 02:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalSanthakumari, the mother of Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient and Malayalam actor Mohanlal, died on Tuesday, December 30, at the age of 90 at their home in Elamakkara, Kochi. According to reports, the star was at a set when she passed away. According to reports, she had been bedridden for a while due to long-term health problems. Following the death of his mother, Mammootty goes to Mohanlal's house Actor Mammootty, Mohanlal's close buddy, was spotted paying Mohanlal and his family a visit at his Kochi home a few hours after the devastating news. The two actors have a long-standing relationship. Tamil actor Kamal Haasan, who is close to Mohanlal, posted his sympathies on X (previously Twitter) earlier today. He wrote, "Brother MohanLal only you can console your self. Friends will stand by you as always. No amount of comforting can compensate a loss like this. Take care we all love you. Kamal Haasan." Chiranjeevi also penned a heartfelt note for Mohanlal, he wrote, "My dear friend Mohanlal , My heart goes out to you on the loss of your beloved Amma. A mother’s presence shapes us in ways words can never express, and her love stays with us forever as strength, comfort, and silent guidance. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May her soul rest in eternal peace". All about Santhakumari On August 10, Santhakumari, Mohanlal's mother, celebrated turning 90 in Kochi. On Wednesday, December 31, her funeral will be held in Thiruvananthapuram. Santhakumari, Mohanlal's mother, was originally from Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta, according to NDTV. Years ago, she relocated to Thiruvananthapuram in order to support her husband Viswanathan Nair's professional career. Before his passing, Nair worked for the Kerala government as a law secretary. Pyarelal, Mohanlal's older brother, passed away in 2000 from heart problems. Mohanlal, Santhakumari's son, his wife Suchitra (the daughter of seasoned producer K. Balaji), and their two kids, Pranav and Vismaya, outlive her. Mohanlal had always given his mother credit for all of his accomplishments. Mohanlal has not yet released a formal statement about the death of his mother, Santhakumari.
31 December,2025 11:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Shruti Haasan took to her social media to share a fun sneak peek into her eventful 2025, highlighting that the year taught her more than the past 10 years combined. Shruti wrote, “What a mad year it’s been! Life is truly an up-and-down roller coaster! I learned more in 2025 than I have in the last ten years! Phew! Thankful for the lessons, the love, and the light, and I can’t wait for 2026. Wishing you all the best of all your hearts’ desires—let’s rock and roll, baby!!!!” The actress shared a video montage featuring an umpteen number of glimpses from her fun and happening year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shruti Haasan (@shrutzhaasan) From her birthday celebrations and her concerts to her performing in front of the legendary musician AR Rahman and enjoying life to the fullest, the actress shared glimpses of them all. Shruti, a few weeks ago, had carved out some time for herself after months of work, as she headed off on a long-overdue vacation. Shruti had taken to her social media account, where she shared a selfie onboard a flight. The actress looked extremely thrilled and happy and captioned it as, “Vacay time after ages and ages.” On the professional front, Shruti was last seen in Coolie, where she essayed the role of Preethi Rajasekar in the film. The movie also starred the titans of Indian cinema, like Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Malayalam actor Soubin Shahir, and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in a cameo appearance. Coolie was officially announced in September 2023 under the tentative title Thalaivar 171 as it is Rajinikanth's 171st film as the lead actor. The actress will next be seen in Salaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam. The first installment of Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire was released in 2023. The epic neo-noir action thriller film directed by Prashanth Neel. 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
31 December,2025 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
