Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are one of the most loved on-screen pairs. The actors are all set to mark their third collaboration, and it has got their fans excited. The actor is coming to the big screen with his next film, VD 14, helmed by Rahul Sankrityan. After months of anticipation and growing buzz around the project, the makers officially announced the film’s title and release date. First look of Vijay, Rashmika’s next out The makers announced the title as Rana Baali, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles. They shared that the film is set to release worldwide on September 11, 2026. Sharing the glimpse, Vijay wrote, “The British called him a ‘SAVAGE.’ I do not disagree. He was ‘OUR’ savage! Introducing the one and only ‘RANA BAALI’ and setting the record straight on our history which they tried to bury.” The British called him a “SAVAGE”I do not Disagree :)He was “OUR” Savage!Introducing THE one and Only“RANABAALI”And setting the record straight on our history which they tried to Bury. #RANABAALI pic.twitter.com/o10IpsfdGu — Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) January 26, 2026 About Rana Baali Set in the 19th century, Rana Baali is inspired by real historical events that took place between 1854 and 1878 and is being mounted as a massive pan-India project. In the glimpse, before introducing the “Cursed Land” and its legendary hero, the makers portray the brutality of British rule in India through intense visuals and a gripping narrative. Rahul Sankrityan’s narration highlights the suffering caused by colonial policies, especially in regions turned into drought zones under officials like Sir Richard Temple and Sir Theodore Hector. The glimpse draws parallels to a genocide worse than Hitler’s Holocaust and exposes India’s economic exploitation. Vijay Deverakonda delivers a fierce, commanding presence as Rana Baali in a striking new look, while Rashmika Mandanna plays Jayamma. Arnold Vosloo appears as the antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector, adding to the film’s impact. About Vijay and Rashmika’s reunion Rana Baali brings Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna together once again after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, reviving their much-loved on-screen pairing. The film marks Vijay Deverakonda’s third collaboration with the prestigious banner Mythri Movie Makers, headed by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar, known globally for delivering the Pushpa franchise. It also reunites him with director Rahul Sankrityan after their superhit Taxiwaala. The film is presented by T-Series, and the music is composed by the iconic duo Ajay–Atul, adding further scale and grandeur to the project.
26 January,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChiranjeevi is currently basking in the success of his latest release Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu directed by Anil Ravipudi. The film released for the Pongal season beat other films like Prabhas’ TheRajaSaab, Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi, Ravi Teja’s Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, and Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju at the box office. To celebrate the success of the film, Chiranjeevi attended the press meet of the film in Hyderabad. Chiranjeevi on casting couch At the press meet, the megastar who has been at the helm of his acting career for decades, termed the Telugu cinema industry as a largely welcoming and good place to work at. He also addressed reports of casting couch in the industry. He said that if someone has had bitter experiences, personal choices and situations may have also contributed to it. “There may be references to casting couch or related incidents, but one must remember that if you work professionally and genuinely, the other person will also behave accordingly. If you are firm with your principles, no one will attempt to take advantage of you. This is something I strongly believe in. Be professional and straightforward, and everyone will understand,” he said. Chiranjeevi says he is a product of audience’s love After the success of his film, Chiranjeevi expressed his gratitude towards his admirers. Last week, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a long note in which he reciprocated his love to the audience, and thanked them for showering love on his latest release, ‘Mana Shankaravara Prasad Garu’. He wrote, “Looking at the humongous success of our Film ‘Mana Shankaravara Prasad Garu’, my heart is filled with gratitude. I have always said that I am a product of your love, and today, you have proven it yet again. This success belongs to my Telugu audience, my dear beloved Mega Fans, Distributors, the movie team who worked relentlessly for this film and who have stood by me for decades”. He further mentioned, “Your whistles in the theater are the energy that keeps me going. Records come and go, but the love you shower upon me stays Forever. This blockbuster success is a tribute to the hard work of our HIT MACHINE, Director Anil Ravipudi, Producers Sahu and Sushmita along with the entire team and the unwavering faith you all have in me. Let's continue the celebration... Love you all”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiranjeevi Konidela (@chiranjeevikonidela)
26 January,2026 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAparshakti Khurana starrer Root - Running Out Of Time is building significant buzz as the actor marks his debut in Tamil cinema. On Monday, filmmaker A R Murugadoss unveiled Aparshakti's promising new look from the upcoming Tamil sci-fi thriller, written and directed by Sooriyaprathap S. On the occasion of Republic Day, the filmmaker shared the poster on his social media handle, officially introducing Aparshakti Khurana’s character from the film. Aparshakti Khurana's first look unveiled Going by the poster, it seems like Aparshakti steps into a crucial role with a mysterious edge around it. He is dressed in a white kurta with a brown shawl wrapped around his shoulders, sporting round, wide-rimmed glasses, which collectively give him a serious and powerful air. The background shows old colonial-style buildings, hinting at a historical narrative. His chilling stare and still appeal indicate his dark, intriguing avatar, pointing out that the character is deeply connected to the film’s sci-fi narrative. The filmmaker wrote, “Happy to reveal the second look from the world of ROOT – This is where it begins,” he wrote along with the reveal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Verus Productions (@verusproductionsofficial) Celebrated for his performances in films like Dangal, Stree, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Stree 2, as well as the series Jubilee, Aparshakti’s Tamil debut has skyrocketed expectations surrounding Root - Running Out Of Time. About Root Running Out of Time In addition to Aparshati Khurana, the film also stars Gautham Ram Karthik, whose poster was unveiled earlier this month by superstar Rajinikanth. Written and directed by Sooriyaprathap S, Root – Running Out of Time is produced by Shaik Mujeeb, RajaRajan Gnanasambandam, Sanjai Shankar and Dhanishtan Fernando under the banner of Verus Productions. The film has been shot in Chennai and is described as a high-concept narrative blending emotional depth with genre storytelling. The ensemble cast includes Narain, Bhavya Trikha, Y Gee Mahendra, Pavni Reddy, Linga and RJ Anandhi in key roles. Currently, the film is in its post-production stage. Previously, Aparshakti had shared his excitement, stating, “I am absolutely thrilled to be making my debut in Tamil cinema with Root - Running Out of time. It’s a challenging and unique script, and I’m excited to explore this new territory. The opportunity to work with such a talented team and to connect with a new audience is something I’m truly looking forward to.”
26 January,2026 03:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj hosted a press meet in Chennai on Monday morning, where he spoke about the timeline of his upcoming films. He also addressed reports about being associated with Rajinikanth’s next and rumours of him backing out of Kaithi 2. Lokesh Kanagaraj on Thalaivar173 Lokesh last made the film Coolie, which was released in theatres in August last year. Starring Rajinikanth in the lead, the film opened to mixed reviews. However, despite that, it ran for 35 days. Speaking about the film, Lokesh said, “Sun Pictures told me the movie was profitable, so thanks for that. The criticism helped me understand what audiences expect from me, and I’ll make improvements in future films.” He further clarified that while he is not associated with Thalaivar 173, he was approached for a Rajinikanth–Kamal Haasan project before the release of Coolie. However, the actors were not keen on the genre he proposed and preferred a light-hearted film. “I worked on the script for one-and-a-half months, but Kamal sir and Rajini sir had different ideas. Both had done back-to-back action films and were consciously looking for something lighter. That’s not my cup of tea,” he said.\ Lokesh on why Kaithi 2 got delayed Kanagaraj added that when he was in talks with Dream Warrior Pictures for Kaithi and a potential Rajinikanth project, he informed the production house that he would focus on that film instead of Kaithi 2, which they accepted. However, the project did not materialise, and by the time he returned to Kaithi 2, lead actor Karthi had already committed his dates to another project, prompting the team to wait. “This is why Kaithi 2 was delayed, not because I demanded a salary hike,” Lokesh clarified. “When Kaithi 2 got delayed and Thalaivar 173 didn’t work out, I decided to honour a long-pending commitment with Mythri Movie Makers. That’s how my project with Allu Arjun took shape.” On both him and Atlee working with Allu Arjun back-to-back, Lokesh said there was no competition. “Tamil cinema is our foundation. We want our films to make the industry proud. As for box office numbers, we’ll be happy for each other’s success.”
26 January,2026 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Republic Day, when patriotism often arrives wrapped in platitudes, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu turned the spotlight back to the Constitution itself in collaboration with United For Human Rights. As part of its ‘Read Me My Rights’ campaign, the National Award-winning actor took to social media to read out two of the most foundational promises of Indian democracy - fundamental rights that feel as urgent today as they did the day they were written. Parvathy Thiruvothu She began with Article 14, reading aloud: “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.” She then followed it with Article 15, driving the point home: “The state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, caste, race, sex, place of birth or any of them.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Born Free and Equal (@bornfree_equal) In just two articles, Parvathy distilled the soul of the Republic - equality not as an idea, but as a right; justice not as a favour, but as a guarantee. She added, "These are rights that have to upheld in the Republic Of India - always speak up for them, for yourself and for your fellow citizens." Parvathy's upcoming projects On the work front, Parvathy will next be seen in the Malayalam films Pradhama Dhrishtya Kuttakkar and I, Nobody. Dhrishtya Kuttakkar is a crime thriller, and Parvathy will be essaying the role of a cop. The film’s title poster shows a dramatic scene where a police officer's leg steps over a blood-stained surface, intriguing fans. She will also be seen in the web series Storm, produced by Hrithik Roshan, continuing a career built on substance. Roshan, who announced his entry into the streaming space as a producer on October 10, 2025, took his first production, Storm, on floors in November 2025. The makers worked on the script for over three years before taking the series on floors. “The shooting for Storm is in full swing. Ajitpal Singh serves as the show’s director, writer, and creator. It’s largely a start-to-end schedule. Ajit is looking at wrapping it by February,” said a source of the series, which stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Saba Azad, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Rajit Kapur.
26 January,2026 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDelighted with the phenomenal success of his recently released film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Chiranjeevi has gifted the film's director, Anil Ravipudi, a brand new car. The gesture comes after Pawan Kalyan also gifted his They Call Him OG director a car. The acts signify how the directors, too, are gaining recognition and acknowledgement for the films with the actor. Chiranjeevi gifts director Anil Ravipudi a new car Photos showing Chiranjeevi presenting the director a new Range Rover car have now gone viral on the internet. The film was released earlier this month during the festival of Sankranthi. It went on to emerge as a huge blockbuster. Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi was so moved by the roaring success of the film that he had poured his heart out in a deeply emotional message. Notably, the film grossed a whopping Rs 300 Crore worldwide, In his heartfelt note, Chiranjeevi reflected on the journey of bringing the film to this milestone and reiterated that every landmark in his career had been shaped by the affection of generations of movie lovers. Megastar Chiranjeevi's message read, "Looking at the humongous success of our MSG, my heart is filled with gratitude. I have always said that I am a product of your love, and today, you have proven it yet again. This record belongs to the Telugu audience, beloved distributors and my dear Mega fans who have stood by me for decades. Your whistles in the theatre are the energy that keeps me going. Records come and go, but the love you shower upon me stays forever." Chiranjeevi also put on record the hard work of director Anil Ravipudi for the film, saying, "This blockbuster success is a tribute to the hard work of our Anil Ravipudi, producers Sahu and Sushmita, along with the entire team and the unwavering faith you have in me. Let's continue the celebration Love you all!" About Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu The film, which was initially referred to as Mega157, had triggered huge expectations even before its release, as after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Godfather, Nayanthara was to be seen sharing screen space with Chiranjeevi for the third time in this film. Also, Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi, two of Telugu cinema's top stars, shared screenspace for the first time in this film. The film boasted top-tier technical talent. It had Bheems Ceciroleo scoring music and Sameer Reddy as its cinematographer. Editing for the film was by Tammiraju and A S Prakash was its art director. (With inputs from IANS)
26 January,2026 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Ravi Teja teamed up with director Shiva Nirvana for his 77th film, RT77, sparking strong buzz thanks to the fresh and exciting combination. The film is being produced by the leading Pan-India banner Mythri Movie Makers. Marking the superstar Ravi Teja’s birthday, the makers unveiled the film’s title and its striking first-look poster on 26th January, 2026. Ravi Teja's first look from Irumudi Titled powerfully Irumudi, the name carries deep spiritual significance, symbolizing a devotee’s sacred offering and surrender to Lord Ayyappa. The striking first look presents Ravi Teja in a powerful spiritual avatar- draped in traditional Ayyappa mala attire, with the symbolic Irumudi bag, vibhuti, rudraksha, and a garland around his neck. He is seen in an ecstatic mood at a vibrant celebratory procession filled with devotees and musicians and rich cultural detailing, creating a trance-like atmosphere. Adding emotional resonance, Ravi Teja is seen carrying a young girl in his arms, hinting at a warm father–daughter dynamic. His radiant smile and charismatic presence instantly grab attention. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mythri Movie Makers (@mythriofficial) Expressing his excitement, Ravi Teja wrote, “Some stories choose you at the right moment in life. Feeling blessed to be part of one such story again, letting belief lead the way (folded hands emoji) Excited to begin this new journey called Irumudi with ShivaNirvana & MythriOfficial Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa (black heart emoji).” About Irumudi Director Shiva Nirvana has crafted a powerful script that fuses devotional depth, emotional weight, and mass appeal in equal measure. At its core lies a strong father–daughter bond, offering Ravi Teja a character arc unlike anything seen before. Besides playing a first-of-its-kind role, he also undergoes a transformation. The film promises well-defined roles for every character, adding richness to the narrative. Priya Bhavani Shankar plays the female lead, with Baby Nakshathra portraying Ravi Teja’s daughter. The cast also includes Sai Kumar, Ajay Ghosh, Ramesh Indira, and Swasika in key roles, along with Meesala Lakshman, Rajkumar Kasireddy, Ramana Bhargav, Kishore Kancherapalem, Karthik Adusumalli, and Mahesh. Backed by producers Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar, Irumudi boasts a solid technical crew, with GV Prakash Kumar scoring the music, Vishnu Sarma handling cinematography, Sahi Suresh leading production design, and Prawin Pudi on the editing table. Shiva Nirvana has penned the story, screenplay, and dialogues, with Naresh Babu P serving as script coordinator. The shoot of Irumudi is currently progressing at a brisk pace.
26 January,2026 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe makers of director Mahesh Narayanan's eagerly-awaited thriller Patriot has finally locked the release date of the film. The film marks the reunion of actors Mammootty and Mohanlal after a long gap. The film which also stars Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara will be releasing in theatres on April 23, 2026. Patriot release date Actor Mohanlal, who plays one of the leads in one of the most-anticipated films of the year, took to his X timeline on Republic Day to make the announcement. He wrote, “Unleashing the spirit of fearless voices, this Republic Day. PATRIOT arrives worldwide on April 23 , 2026. The countdown begins NOW." The shoot of the film was wrapped at the beginning of the year. Initially, Patriot was supposed to hit screens in 2025. However, owing to Mammootty's illness, the film's shoot was delayed. “Unleashing the spirit of fearless voices, this Republic Day”#PATRIOT arrives worldwide on April 23 , 2026The countdown begins NOW#Antojoseph #MaheshNarayanan pic.twitter.com/1OwJ0QZZ3p — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) January 26, 2026 About Patriot The film, which has triggered huge expectations ever since it was announced, also features acclaimed actors Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, and Revathy in addition to the two Malayalam superstars. A teaser which the makers released last year went on to amplify the expectations of fans and film buffs. The teaser begins with a voiceover which says, " I remember there was a time when this nation was controlled by the two of them. Together. Over these years, what they earned wasn't just followers. Faith. Trust." We then see a series of intriguing but intense scenes and hear Mammootty's voice say, "They are going to bring social score to people." We next hear Mohanlal, who appears to play an army general in the film, say, "There are three of us. Do you think you can stop us?" The teaser then gives us an idea that there is a program called Periscope and that Kunchacko Boban plays a character called Daniel. Nayanthara is heard asking,"This program which is part of the student laptop scheme. Is that similar to Periscope?" We also hear another voice, asking,"Is this program watching them secretly?" The teaser ends with Mammootty asking someone to complete the sentence, "Great Indian traitor... or Patriot." Overall, the teaser gives the impression that the film will revolve around a group of socially responsible individuals trying to thwart an illegal attempt by the government to monitor its citizens.
26 January,2026 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAjith Kumar’s 2011 film Mankatha has been re-released in theatres, and fans flocked in large numbers to witness the superstar. However, things turned ugly as massive chaos erupted at Pandian Cinemas in Karaikudi. Fans were misbehaving, bursting crackers, and even fighting inside the theatre, damaging property and assaulting a Thalapathy Vijay supporter. After the incident, theatre management slammed Ajith Kumar fans. Theatre owner slams Ajith Kumar fans Pandian Cinemas in Karaikudi, while calling out fans of the actor, expressed deep concern about their behaviour inside the theatre. Taking to their official Instagram page, they wrote, “We are always committed to giving our audience the best cinematic experience possible at our theatres. Our goal has always been to create an atmosphere where fans can celebrate cinema, enjoy freely, dance, cheer, and express their love for films in a joyful and positive way. We truly value and appreciate the passion and enthusiasm of our fans; it is what makes cinema celebrations special." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pandian Cinemas_Karaikudi (@pandiancinemas_karaikudi) “However, it is with deep concern that we inform you that our theatre screen was damaged yesterday due to unacceptable behaviour inside the premises. While celebrations are welcome, damaging the theatre screen or any theatre property is strictly unacceptable. Such incidents lead to show disruptions, financial loss, and inconvenience to fellow moviegoers," the note further added. They concluded the note by writing, “NO MORE mashups & ‘Once More’ celebrations during the Mankatha re-release. Cinema is an emotion; respect is a responsibility…” Ajith Kumar fans beat Vijay’s fan In another incident, Ajith Kumar fans allegedly beat up a Thalapathy Vijay fan at the screening after the person was spotted with a flag of the Tamil star's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). After a while, the mob tore his shirt off and shoved him out of the theatre as others cheered. Due to their massive popularity, the stars are often pitted against each other, resulting in nasty fan wars. About Mankatha Alongside Ajith, the film also stars Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Raai Laxmi, Anjali, Andrea Jeremiah, Vaibhav, Ashwin Kakumanu, and Premji Amaren in pivotal roles. Mankatha was released worldwide on 31 August 2011 to critical acclaim and became the second-biggest opening Tamil film after Enthiran. Ajith is focusing on his racing career and is yet to announce his upcoming projects.
25 January,2026 07:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThalapathy Vijay has been in the news for several reasons over the past few months. His last film, Jana Nayagan’s release, faced a major roadblock due to a CBFC issue, and he was also interrogated in the Karur stampede case. Amid this, he remained unfazed and took part in a massive party event in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), where he addressed the TVK cadre. Thalapathy Vijay says he won’t bow down TVK chief Vijay on Sunday characterised the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as a high-stakes “democratic battle” rather than a mere electoral contest, asserting his party's unique position to challenge established political powers. He stated, “We do not bow down to any pressure. Does this face look like it would succumb to pressure?” Vijay referenced a well-known line from his 2019 film Bigil, stating, “Cup mukkiyam Bigil (The cup is important, Bigil),” a remark seen as a signal of his focus on electoral success. During the meeting, Vijay officially unveiled the party symbol, a whistle, allocated by the Election Commission. Vijay further energised the gathering by whistling himself, which drew an even louder response from the assembled cadres. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vijay (@actorvijay) Addressing his supporters, Vijay spoke about his journey from film to politics and the perception of established political parties toward him. He said, “For 30 years, these parties have underestimated us, but the people have given me this position at the peak of my career.” About Jana Nayagan row Touted as Vijay’s swansong before his full-fledged political entry, Jana Nayagan was supposed to hit the screens on January 9, coinciding with Pongal. However, it failed to get an official nod from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). KVN Productions had filed a plea challenging the stay on the film's release and CBFC certification before the division bench of the Madras High Court. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the plea and asked the Madras HC to make the decision on January 20, 2026. The High Court is now set to pronounce its verdict on January 27. Vijay appeared before the CBI for a second round of questioning in the Karur stampede case. Investigators questioned him on rally decisions, crowd management, and his awareness of the unfolding chaos. The stampede on September 27 claimed 41 lives and left more than 60 injured in Tamil Nadu's Karur.
25 January,2026 06:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPopular Odia music composer and singer Abhijit Majumdar died on Sunday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, hospital authorities said. He was 54. Majumdar was admitted to the hospital on September 4 last year with hypertension, hypothyroidism and chronic liver disease. After prolonged treatment in the ICU, he was shifted back to the medicine ward on November 10 for continuity of his care, AIIMS said in a statement.He developed a new onset of fever (infection) on January 23, which was managed as per standard protocol, but he did not respond to treatment and developed refractory septic shock, it said."The Odia singer suffered a cardiac arrest this morning at 7.43 am and CPR was started as per ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) protocol. However, despite all the resuscitation efforts, he was clinically declared dead at 9.02 am," the hospital bulletin said. Majumdar, who composed music for numerous blockbuster Odia films and gave voice to several hit songs, has a fan following across Odisha.Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik and several other leaders from the state expressed grief over the demise of Majumdar. "I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of renowned vocalist and music director Abhijit Majumdar. His demise is an irreparable loss to our music, cinema, and culture. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul," Majhi wrote on X.Pradhan, in a social media post, said he was deeply saddened and heartbroken after hearing about Majumdar's demise. Through his unique musical style, Majumdar had, over many decades, carved out a special place in the hearts of Odia music listeners, Pradhan said. "His untimely departure is an irreparable loss for the Odia artiste fraternity. While praying for the eternal peace of his soul, I extend my condolences to the bereaved family members," the Union minister said.Patnaik said Majumdar's contributions to the Odia music world will always remain memorable. He also extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. According to Majumdar's family, the mortal remains of the singer will be taken to his home in Cuttack, where the last rites will be performed.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
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