Music 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 | IANSAs Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups inches closer to its highly anticipated theatrical release on March 19, 2026, the makers continue to peel back layers of its dark, immersive world. They recently unveiled captivating looks of Huma Qureshi and Kiara Advani. Adding to the rising anticipation, the team has now unveiled a striking new poster revealing Nayanthara as Ganga. Nayanthara first look from Toxic out! Stunning, lethal, and formidable, the first look positions Nayanthara as a defining force within the universe of Rocking Star Yash’s most ambitious project yet. Nayanthara’s portrayal of Ganga is visually breathtaking, radiating a fearlessness that matches the film’s massive scale. She commands the frame with striking composure, wielding a gun with practiced authority that feels both elegant and dangerous. Set against the opulence of a grand casino entrance, the lavish, high-stakes setting frames Ganga as a woman who owns the room and calls her own shots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yash (@thenameisyash) Speaking about casting Nayanthara as Ganga, director Geetu Mohandas said, “We all know Nayan as a celebrated star with a commanding screen presence and a remarkable career spanning two decades, but in Toxic, audiences will witness a talent that had been quietly waiting to explode. I wanted to portray Nayan in a way that she’s never been showcased before. But as the shoot progressed, I began to see how closely her own personality echoed the soul of the character. It wasn’t imitation; it was alignment. The depth, the honesty, the restraint, and the emotional clarity she brought were not performances layered on top of the character; they were qualities she already possessed. I found my Ganga, so brilliantly performed by her, and even more unexpectedly, I found a dear friend.” More about Toxic After redefining box-office history with KGF: Chapter 2, Rocking Star Yash returns to the big screen with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, a project that has been generating extraordinary anticipation across industries. Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been filmed simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages—underscoring its global ambition. The film boasts a formidable technical team, including National Award winner Rajeev Ravi as cinematographer, Ravi Basrur on music, Ujwal Kulkarni on editing, and TP Abid as production designer. The film is slated for a grand theatrical release on the long festive weekend of March 19, 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.
31 December,2025 11:01 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelugu megastar Chiranjeevi is standing with fellow legend Mohanlal, as the latter grieves the loss of his mother. On Tuesday, Chiranjeevi took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a long note for the Malayalam cinema legend, lending his support to him in testing times. 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… — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) December 30, 2025 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”. Mohanlal’s mother, Santhakumari Amma passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy rooted in dignity, discipline, and emotional strength. Mohanlal, who was in Kochi at the time, rushed to her side immediately upon receiving the news. A homemaker by choice, Santhakumari Amma was known for her simplicity, spiritual grounding, and unwavering support for her family, especially her son, as he navigated the demanding world of cinema. Despite Mohanlal’s towering fame, she maintained a low public profile, preferring a life away from the spotlight. Those close to the family often spoke of her calm nature and strong moral compass, qualities that significantly shaped Mohanlal’s personality and values. The actor has, on multiple occasions, credited his parents for instilling humility and balance in him, even at the peak of his stardom. Her passing was a moment of profound personal loss for Mohanlal and was mourned widely across Kerala, with members of the film fraternity offering condolences. Santhakumari Amma’s life stands as a reminder that behind iconic public figures are often quiet, resilient individuals whose influence runs deep. Her role as a nurturing mother and stabilising force continues to be remembered with respect and affection. 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 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSOn the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, several celebrities were seen visiting the Tirumala temple to seek blessings. Among them was actress Sreeleela, who visited the shrine with her grandmother. Videos of the actress from the temple have now gone viral, wherein she is seen getting mobbed by fans and struggling to make way. Sreeleela mobbed at Tirumala temple The actress, who visited the Tirumala temple to seek blessings, was seen surrounded by fans who were trying to take pictures with her and meet her. In one of the videos, she is seen holding her grandmother close as security guards try to move fans out of their way. The security guards can be seen asking fans to move aside. At one point in the video, Sreeleela asked her grandmother to be careful. She can be heard saying, “Ammamma kindana chusko (Be careful about where you’re stepping).” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beautiful Tirupathi (@beautifultirupathi) Similarly, in another video, Sreeleela is seen standing in a queue to seek blessings. As the videos of Sreeleela getting mobbed went viral on social media, one user suggested, “First ban mobiles near temples." Other actresses were mobbed recently The incident comes after actresses like Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Nidhhi Agerwal faced a similar ordeal in recent days. Samantha Ruth Prabhu was seen visiting Hyderabad for work commitment when she was mobbed by a large number of people, and chaos broke out. In clips that emerged online, she was seen struggling to move while looking visibly restrained as she made her way to her car. Her security was seen pushing the crowd and leading her towards the car. Similarly, during a song launch event of The RaJa Saab, Nidhhi Agerwal was mobbed by a large number of fans, who even tried to touch her. Police at the Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB) later registered a suo motu case against Lulu Mall management and the organisers of the event. KPHB Inspector S. Rajashekar Reddy confirmed that the organisers had not obtained prior permission to host the song launch event. "A case is being registered against the mall management and the event organisers for holding the programme without permission," he said.
30 December,2025 08:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDirected by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan is a political action thriller headlined by Vijay, alongside Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol, with Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, and Priyamani in pivotal roles. Marking KVN’s first Tamil production, the film also stands as Vijay’s final appearance as an actor before his full-time entry into public life. Held in Malaysia as a spectacular international gala, the Jana Nayagan audio launch became an unforgettable celebration of a career that has shaped generations. While the overseas venue meant many fans couldn’t attend in person, Tamil ZEE5 now opens the doors for audiences everywhere to witness the moment that mattered. Where to watch Jana Nayagan audio launch The event brought together the entire cast and crew, with Vijay delivering his last on-stage address as an actor, a deeply moving milestone for fans worldwide. In tribute to his journey, the evening featured powerful live performances of Vijay’s most iconic songs, while celebrated filmmakers who have collaborated with him, Nelson Dilipkumar, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Atlee, were among the distinguished attendees. This exclusive stream is more than an audio launch, it is a historic farewell, a celebration of cinema, and a defining moment in Tamil pop culture. Watch the Jana Nayagan Audio Launch, streaming on Tamil Zee5 from January 4, 4:30 PM. According to reports, the movie's pre-release sales had surpassed Rs 325 crore, including substantial earnings from international, audio, and streaming rights. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the international rights brought in Rs 80 crore, the audio rights Rs 35 crore, and the streaming rights Rs 110 crore. Jagadish Palanisamy and Lohith NK are co-producers of the movie, which is produced by Venkat K. Narayana under KVN Productions. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, while Pradeep E. Ragav handled editing and Sathyan Sooryan handled cinematography. The size of the event demonstrates the fan base's commitment and the production team's ambition. Vijay on pursuing career in politics In an emotional farewell to acting, Vijay reaffirmed his desire to pursue a career in politics at the ceremony. "I entered cinema expecting to build a sand house, but you provided me with a palace," he remarked, thanking his followers. He added that having "a strong enemy" now inspires him to aim higher. "History will repeat next year," Vijay said in closing, alluding to the impending Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election and indicating his political plans. The event's magnitude and importance as Vijay's turning point have generated a lot of discussion.
30 December,2025 07:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Rashmika Mandanna has completed 9 years in the film industry. She debuted as an actor with the Kannada film Kirik Party back in 2016. Expressing her gratitude to all her admirers, Rashmika, penned a heartfelt note on her Instagram Stories. The Animal actress revealed that, along with her movies, she is also proud of the family she has formed during her journey. Rashmika Mandanna completes 9 years in film industry On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram stories to share her thoughts. "9 yearsss!! I still can't fully wrap my head around that...26 films later, what I'am most proud of isn't just the work....it's the family I've found along the way. All the love, the patience, the faith, the little moments, the big moments...everything from these nine years makes my heart feel so full. Full of joy...full of pride...full of gratitude. (sic)", wrote Rashmika. She thanked her admirers for always having her back. Rashmika added, "Today, reading your posts, your messages, your tweets, it genuinely made my heart smile so much. It made me feel calm, content and sooo loved...Thank you for standing by me through every phase, every high, every doubt, every learning." The Pushpa actress revealed that she was able to survive only due to all the love she got from the audience. "Honestly, I still don't know how I survived these nine years. But I do know one thing.. I survived because of youuu. Thank you for accepting me the way I am..Thank you for loving me so generously..Thank you for supporting me even when I was still figuring myself out...," her note read. Reflecting on the bond she has formed with the audience over the years, she went on to write, "What we share today feels much bigger than just an actor and the people who watch her films. Somewhere along the way it quietly turned into family And that means everything to me..I keep you so close to my heart...always." "And I hope I always have your love and support by my side...Thank you...for everything..." she concluded, signing off with "Always your, Rashmika." Rakshit Shetty expresses gratitude Rakshit also thanked fans for continuing to shower their film with love even after all these years. Taking to his X handle, Rakshit wrote, "Years later, the warmth around Kirik Party still hasn’t faded. What truly keeps it alive is the audience’s love for the film. Grateful for that affection, always Celebrating 9 beautiful years of Kirik Party (sic)." The core cast of the Rishab Shetty directorial includes Rakshit, Rashmika Mandanna, Samyuktha Hegde, Achyuth Kumar, Aravinnd Iyer, Dhananjay Ranjan, Chandan Achar, and Pramod Shetty. The movie marked the acting debut of Rashmika and Samyuktha. The story of the drama has been provided by a team named "The Seven Odds", comprising Rakshit, Rishab Shetty, Abhijith Mahesh, Dhananjay Ranjan, Kiranraj K, and Chandrajith Belliappa. Kirik Party revolves around Karna (Played by Rakshit), a first-year student at an engineering college. The film explores the college life of Karna and his friends, which also includes Saanvi (Played by Rashmika) a final-year student.
30 December,2025 06:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
