The makers of the upcoming Kannada film Toxic are leaving no stone unturned. They are now taking the film global with a longer showcase. At the ongoing CinemaCon 2026, the team showcased an exclusive nine-minute preview, offering attendees a more immersive glimpse into the film’s world. Toxic's 9-minute extended preview showcased at CinemaCon 2026 The 9-minute-long footage, which is not yet released publicly, expands on earlier teasers while introducing viewers to the film’s setting, tone and key characters. The release of the new preview indicates the maker's clear push to position Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups as a large-scale theatrical experience. Notably, the recent CinemaCon showcase marks one of the first detailed looks at the highly anticipated project, indicating the makers’ confidence in its big-screen pull. According to Variety India, the extended preview featured a balance between stylised, edgy storytelling and broader commercial appeal. It also gave viewers a clearer sense of the narrative’s emotional depth, while highlighting the film’s action set-pieces. The presentation at CinemaCon 2026 reportedly sparked strong interest among attendees, with the buzz continuing well beyond the screening. About Yash's Toxic Set between the 1940s and 1970s, Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups leans into what has been described as a “fairy tale for grown-ups”, as the name suggests. It is expected to be a blend of period drama with a heightened cinematic tone. Headlined by Yash, the film has been steadily building anticipation ever since it was announced. Helmed by Geetu Mohandas, the film features an ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi. The music of the film is composed by Ravi Basrur, Vishal Mishra and Tanishk Bagchi. Backed by KVN Productions and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is scheduled to release in theatres on June 4, 2026. Interestingly, the film was earlier scheduled to release in theatres on March 19. However, the makers postponed the release days before the scheduled date, citing the tensions in the Middle East as the reason. The gangster drama has been filmed in English and Kannada simultaneously, with dubbed versions releasing in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and several other languages.
17 April,2026 09:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt's official! Popular star Vikram's next film, tentatively being referred to as #Chiyaan63, will be directed by well-known filmmaker Anand Shankar, its makers announced on Friday. This marks the director and actor's reunion after a decade. They had earlier collaborated for the film Iru Mugan(2016). The makers of Vikram's next made the announcement on the occasion of the actor's birthday on Friday. The film is to be produced by one of Tamil cinema's most reputed production houses, Sathya Jyothi Films. Chiyaan Vikram's next announced Taking to its social media timelines to make the announcement, Sathya Jyothi Films said, "What starts as a FLAME ends in a BLAZE! #Chiyaan63 FIRST FLAME out now. Wishing the one and only #ChiyaanVikram a very happy birthday! CookingStartsNow #Chiyaan63FirstFlame" The makers also released a 'First Flame' video of the film, which showed that Vikram plays a cook in the film. The video opens with a voiceover. One person asks another, "Who is the person inside?" To this, another voice replies, "Just a cook. But don't take him lightly. He's dangerous." To this, the other person says, "We are here now. We will take care of things." The visuals then begin to appear. We see a room that has all its doors locked. The assailants try to gain entry into the structure but the doors don't give in. The voice that said, "Don't take the cook lightly", says, "We have such a big team here but he's not even breaking a sweat." The assailants then hurl a lighted explosive into the room through a window. Vikram is seen seated on a big utensil and lighting a smoke casually, even as explosives hurled inside the room land right next to him. What starts as a FLAME ends in a BLAZE 🔥 #Chiyaan63 FIRST FLAME out now ▶️ https://t.co/2FnD5WetinWishing the one and only #ChiyaanVikram a very happy birthday!#CookingStartsNow #Chiyaan63FirstFlame@SathyaJyothi @chiyaan @anandshank @Music_Santhosh @RDRajasekar @arjun1on… pic.twitter.com/w6UTCR34tP — Sathya Jyothi Films (@SathyaJyothi) April 17, 2026 The team behind Anand Shankar's next The film's story has been written by director Anand Shankar himself and is to be produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan. The film will have music by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography by R D Rajasekar. Production Design for the film is by Rajeevan while dialogues are by Shan Karuppusamy. The film will have editing by Raymond Derrick Crasta and art direction by Surya Rajeevan. Costumes for the film are by Poornima Ramaswamy. One of India's finest actors, Vikram, fondly called 'Chiyaan' Vikram by his fans, had in February this year announced that he was to do four films with directors that he deeply admired. Taking to his Instagram page to make the announcement, Vikram had said, "Sometimes silence is preparation. I spent this year waiting for stories that moved me. Grateful to now begin four films, each very different, with directors I deeply admire. I can’t wait to share these journeys with you. Anban, Chiyaan!"
17 April,2026 08:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Prakash Raj has sparked fresh political debate after taking a sharp dig at his Jana Nayagan co-star Vijay over what he described as a “cinema model” of politics, ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. While campaigning for a CPI(M) candidate in Palani, Prakash addressed a public gathering and spoke about what he called three distinct political approaches shaping the election landscape. According to him, these included the “Dravidian model,” the “slave model,” and a “cinema model,” the latter being a veiled reference to Vijay’s political entry. Prakash Raj reacts to Vijay's speech In his speech, Prakash questioned the credibility of actors transitioning into politics, cautioning voters against being swayed purely by star power and fan loyalty. Without naming Vijay directly at first, he pointedly referred to “big actors” entering the political arena and relying on their screen image to gain public support. His remarks were widely interpreted as targeting Vijay, who recently launched his political party and is preparing to contest elections. Taking a more direct swipe, Prakash reportedly suggested that admiration for a film star does not necessarily translate into leadership ability. He remarked, “I can whistle for you… but can’t give you the country,” underlining the distinction between cinematic popularity and governance capability. The comments come at a crucial time, as Vijay through his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is positioning himself as a serious contender in Tamil Nadu politics. His transition from cinema to politics has drawn massive public attention, with large crowds attending his rallies and strong fan-driven support forming the backbone of his campaign. All about the film Jana Nayagan Interestingly, Prakash and Vijay share screen space in the upcoming film Jana Nayagan, which is expected to be Vijay’s final project before fully committing to politics. This overlap between their professional collaboration and contrasting political views has added an extra layer of intrigue to the ongoing discourse. Prakash’s remarks highlight a larger debate in Tamil Nadu, where cinema and politics have historically been intertwined. However, his criticism signals skepticism about whether star appeal alone can sustain political success. As the election approaches, the clash of perspectives between seasoned voices like Prakash Raj and emerging political figures like Vijay is likely to intensify, shaping public conversations around leadership, credibility, and the evolving role of celebrity influence in politics.
17 April,2026 07:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Nivin Pauly's latest theatrical release Pratichaya is now set for its OTT streaming. Set against the backdrop of Kerala politics, the film has been directed by B Unnikrishnan. The film did not fare well at the box office upon release and is now headed for its streaming journey. When and where to watch Pratichaya On Friday, Nivin Pauly took to social media to announce that their film will begin streaming on OTT from April 24. Nivin Pauly, who took to his social media timelines to announce the film's release date on OTT, wrote, "Power. Politics. Image. Prathichaya streaming from April 24 on JioHotstar." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioHotstar Malayalam (@jiohotstarmalayalam) About Pratichaya trailer The trailer begins with Nivin Pauly's voice over. "You are all waiting to hear about my success story. But am I successful? Success can sometimes be defined by your designation or pay package. But is that really it? Were Gandhiji, Nehru, EMS and AKG successful men? Or were they failures?" Even as this voiceover continues, images of protests, political speeches and politicians appear. Soon Nivin Pauly is seen addressing a number of delegates. From the visuals shown in the trailer, it is evident that Nivin Pauly plays the role of a political strategist and that he is part of a politician's think tank. He understands the essence of politics as he explains, "Cabinet formation is a web of equations. Caste, religion, powerful alliances with interests -- our positions are determined by these very dynamics. Icons are built and destroyed based on market demands." We get to know that Nivin Pauly's character in the film is also corrupt. A politician is seen complimenting him, "You are a corrupting force." To this, Nivin Pauly's character replies, "Like you have nothing to do with corruption." The trailer also shows that the film will revolve around the struggle for power. One politician in power says, "There is talk that I'll be kicked out of the chair today." However, the film also showcases some honourable characters that believe in integrity. One such character says, "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. The world isn't outside us. It's within." The trailer also shows that there is a woman who wants to record a 164 statement before the court. It is evident that there are powerful minds taking on each other in their struggle for power. An interesting dialogue in the trailer gives a comprehensive idea of what the film is all about. The dialogue goes, "There are no individuals in politics, only images."
17 April,2026 07:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKalyani Priyadarshan rose to national fame with the release of the Malayalam film Lokah, where she played Chandra, a vampire. The film was a massive success, and Kalyani’s performance was widely appreciated. The actress, who is the daughter of filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Lissy, has now become part of a marriage rumour mill. Recent reports suggested that she might tie the knot with Pranav Mohanlal, son of Mohanlal. Are Kalyani and Pranav getting married? Kalyani and Pranav have been friends since childhood and even worked together in the hit Malayalam film Hridayam (2024), where they were paired opposite each other. The romantic film was directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan. Recently, Lissy took to Instagram to share pictures from her Vishu celebrations earlier this week. Sharing the photos, she wrote, “Wishing everyone a Vishu filled with prosperity, abundance, health, and joy. A wonderful new year to all!” Fans flooded the comments section with wishes. However, one user commented, “Kalyani Pranav marriage waiting,” along with heart-eye emojis. Lissy quickly dismissed the rumours, replying, “False news!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lissy Lakshmi (@lissylakshmi) Kalyani and Pranav share a close bond, having grown up together before entering the film industry. In a 2023 interview with Vanitha TV, Kalyani revealed that she affectionately calls Pranav ‘Appu’. Despite playing romantic roles on screen, she described their relationship as sibling-like, recalling how they would meet during vacations while he studied in Ooty. She said, “With Appu, I share a sibling bond. If you look at our old photographs, I think I have more pictures with him than with my own brother. Whenever he came to Chennai, I would introduce him as my cousin to my friends, as it was complicated to explain our relationship.” Kalyani and Pranav's successful 2025 Both Pranav and Kalyani have been enjoying recent success. After making a cameo in his father’s L2: Empuraan as the younger Khureshi-Ab’raam, also known as Stephen Nedumpally, Pranav went on to star in the 2025 horror film Diés Iraé. The film received positive reviews and performed well at the box office, grossing over Rs 82 crore worldwide. It follows the story of a wealthy young man haunted by a mysterious entity and is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam. Pranav is yet to announce his upcoming projects.
17 April,2026 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi High Court, on Friday, agreed that it will pass orders to protect Telugu actor Allu Arjun's personality rights. The order comes after Arjun moved the Delhi High Court to protect his personality rights, followed by the court questioning his move. Delhi High Court to protect Allu Arjun's personality right Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who heard the suit filed by Arjun, passed the order on Friday. While the Bench initially questioned Arjun's move to the Delhi High Court, it eventually said the orders will be passed. "Why are you here? There are five States in between," the Bench initially remarked, referring to the geographical distance between Delhi and Arjun's home State, Telangana. However, the counsel appearing for Arjun, Swathi Sukumar, said that infringement is happening across the country. Justice Gedela then agreed to the request. About the personality rights case Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar, who appeared for Arjun, stated that it is truly frightening that one of the defendants has made an app which enables a person to speak to an AI likeness of Arjun. She added that, unlike many other celebrities, the Pushpa star has trademarked his name and signature. "There is a 'fake-call Pushpa' app... What is frightening is that there is an app where you can speak to the AI likeness of this person. This is fertile ground for any kind of scam that involves the plaintiff. That's the concern. It's his face video calling...," Sukumar submitted. "I have set out all my registered trademarks. I have 26 registered trademarks. There are a few other celebrities, but not many who have so many registered trademarks,” Sukumar added. The counsel appearing for the intermediaries noted that the Court may not pass injunction orders on a global level since the issue is pending adjudication before a division bench. With the recent order, Allu Arjun joins the long list of actors, cricketers and other notable personalities who have approached the High Court over their personality and public rights. Several public figures, including actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Suniel Shetty, Nagarjuna and others had earlier approached the high court seeking protection of their personality and publicity rights.
17 April,2026 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe makers of the action comedy family drama Maa Inti Bangaaram starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu have dropped the fist song titled Thassadiya, a high-energy wedding celebration number, from the upcoming film. Maa Inti Bangaaram first song out The track, "Thassadiya", is a high-energy wedding celebration number composed by Santosh Narayanan, with lyrics by Rehman and vocals by Chinmayi Sripada and Punya Selva. Samantha brings the song to life with commanding screen presence and sharp choreography- setting the tone for what the film promises to deliver. The beats, lyrics, choreography and composition brings to life a vibrant energy and a distinctive festive vibe. Santhosh Narayanan kicks off the chartbuster album with a groovy dance number that celebrates love, life and family. Maa Inti Bangaaram is a family action comedy drama created by Raj Nidimoru and directed by Nandini Reddy, who reunites with Samantha after their hit Oh! Baby. The film stars Diganth and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles, with a supporting cast featuring Sree Mukhi, Gautami, Anand, Lakshmi, Srinivas Gavireddy, and Manjusha. Tralala Moving Pictures produced the film. Maa Inti Bangaaram teaser The teaser of Maa Inti Bangaaram introduces Samantha as a layered protagonist, promising a gripping blend of intense drama and high-octane moments, anchored by a deeply personal story that unfolds in an understated and lighthearted manner. The teaser begins with Samantha's character visiting her in-laws' house for the first time, eager to form a bond with them and naively hoping they will be "a happy family." However, it quickly becomes clear that the household is an oppressive environment; all they expect is a dutiful and submissive daughter-in-law. All eyes are on Samantha, and each move of hers is scrutinised. The teaser takes a thrilling and dramatic turn as it is revealed that Samantha harbours a secret. She is merely disguising herself as an ideal daughter-in-law to complete a secret mission. At nightfall, she discards her embellished sarees and jewellery, donning a fierce avatar and performing jaw-dropping action sequences. She is then shown striking goons with a knife, kicking them out of a bus and firing bullets. What Samantha said about the film The actress, in January, had said that the world of her upcoming film is rooted and emotional with a narrative style dedicated to being family first, whilst maintaining its quirky, edgy energy. Samantha said, “Maa Inti Bangaaram tells the story of a woman whose strength comes as much from her vulnerability as from her courage. Playing this character and nurturing this film as a producer has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me.” In the film, the actress has done most of the action sequences in a saree. “Maa Inti Bangaaram” will release on May 15.
17 April,2026 04:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan was recently leaked on the internet, evoking shock and anger among fans and those in the film industry. Several top industry professionals condemned the leak and called for strict action against the perpetrators. Amid this, the Tamil film industry has been hit by another shock, as footage from Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 has also surfaced online. The makers have now issued a statement urging audiences not to circulate the viral clip. Jailer 2 makers on leaked footage As quoted by Deccan Herald, a statement by the production house Sun Pictures read, “We would like to bring to your attention that a video clip from the sets of Jailer 2 is currently being circulated on social media platforms. Our anti-piracy team is actively monitoring the situation and will be taking necessary action to remove such content, including initiating measures against accounts involved in sharing or promoting these clips.” “We kindly request members of the media and fan clubs to refrain from using, sharing, or reposting this video, in order to avoid any potential suspension or restrictions on their accounts. Please note that the production will not be held responsible for any such actions taken or for retrieving the accounts,” it added. This marks the second leak in the Tamil industry after Jana Nayagan. The State Cyber Crime Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police announced that it had cracked the case and arrested three more people in connection with it. Giving details of the crime, the police said, “The main accused was working as a freelance assistant editor for another movie. However, he unauthorisedly gained access to the reels of the Jana Nayagan movie at the editing studio and stole them. The stolen data was then rendered into a movie and shared with the co-accused.” More about Jailer 2 For the uninitiated, director Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2 has triggered huge anticipation among fans and film buffs for several reasons. One of the prime reasons is that Jailer 2 promises to deliver action and entertainment similar to the first part, which emerged as a blockbuster, raking in a whopping ₹650 crore worldwide. Sources close to the unit say that Jailer 2 has shaped up well on the lines of Jailer. The shooting of the second part of Jailer began in Chennai on March 10 last year. This month, Rajinikanth dropped a major update on the film and told reporters, “The film (Jailer 2) is in its finishing stage. The production house will announce its release date.” The actor is also collaborating with Kamal Haasan and will begin shooting for that project in August.
17 April,2026 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhat comes as a big breakthrough in the Jana Nayagan leak controversy, the State Cyber Crime Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police announced that it had cracked the case on Thursday. They added that it had arrested three more people in connection with the case. Notably, the police have already arrested six people in connection with the leak earlier. Tamil Nadu State Cyber Crime Wing arrest three more accused In a statement, the State Cyber Crime Wing said that it had arrested three more people, as part of its continued crackdown in the case. The statement read, "Following the six arrests of accused involved in the dissemination and uploading of the pirated content, three main accused are arrested." The Cyber Crime Wing further added that the arrests were carried out based on a detailed technical analysis and examination of digital evidence. The three accused of the crime were arrested for their involvement in data theft and the dissemination of a pirated copy of the film. Sharing more details of the crime, the police said, "The main accused was working as a freelance assistant editor for another movie. However, he unauthorisedly gained access to the reels of Jana Nayagan movie at the editing studio and stole it. The stolen data was then rendered into a movie and shared with the co-accused, leading to the circulation and wider dissemination of the pirated copies online." "All the three accused arrested have been arrested, produced before the Hon'ble Court, and remanded to judicial custody," the police stated. The police also advised the public not to download, stream, or share the pirated content. "Any involvement in digital piracy, including forwarding or promoting such content, will invite strict legal consequences," the police warned, urging the public to promptly report any instances of pirated content or suspicious links to them. About the Jana Nayagan leak For the unaware, director H Vinoth's film, Jana Nayagan, which was touted to be Vijay's final film before he dives into politics, was recently leaked on the Internet. The breach left everyone in shock and furious. A few days later, the pirated version was telecast on a local cable channel in the state. On Thursday, the Madras High Court passed an interim order restraining cable operators and internet service providers from illegally broadcasting the film.
16 April,2026 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalayalam actress Mamitha Baiju has become a popular choice ever since the success of Premalu (2024). The young actress has bagged multiple Tamil films opposite major stars. She will next be seen in Dhanush-starrer Kara, directed by Vignesh Raja. However, the director has been criticised for casting a fair-skinned actor and allegedly darkening her appearance instead of casting a regional Tamil actress. The filmmaker justified the decision, stating that it was based purely on performance. Vignesh Raja justifies Mamitha casting In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Vignesh was asked why it is so difficult to find a Tamil actress to play lead roles in Tamil films. The question arose after Mamitha was chosen for the role. He responded that casting depends on performance and, at times, marketability. “Personally, honest-to-God, I am not focused on that (marketability) because, for me, content is important. When it comes to performance, I am absolutely certain that I will only hire an actor who does justice to my character. For this character, we auditioned close to 20–25 girls. But what Mamitha did in the audition, no one else came close,” he said. Vignesh added that when he hires actors, he often ‘reintroduces them to themselves’ by changing their look, behaviour, and costumes. “So, this decision was purely taken on merit, and it was a creative decision. I know there’s a lot of conversation around it. My thing is, I’m going to tell Dhanush a story- what if someone else does it better? What if he’s a Telugu director? Will he be asked, ‘Don’t we have directors in Tamil?’ So, I find it a non-issue. It’s okay for you to point out if I’m typecasting or being sexist…it’s not that we have put a tan and all of that. If I’m thinking I have to be politically correct, then it’s going to feel very off,” he added. Netizens react to Vignesh casting However, netizens were not impressed with Vignesh’s justification. A user took to X and wrote, “At this point, it’s just humiliating to hear the same ‘merit’ argument. Tamil women with darker skin exist, are talented, and deserve to be seen. Choosing to darken a fair actress instead of casting them just highlights colourism and shows a lack of care for authentic Tamil representation.” Some also pointed out how women of Tamil origin have fared better in global industries and impressed with their talent. “They justify racism in the name of ‘merit,’ as if Tamil women who came for auditions didn’t stand a chance to portray a Ramnad woman compared to a non-Tamil. Tanning/bronzing is widely seen as problematic. It should be discouraged,” read another comment. “It’s funny how they can find so many Tamil dark-skinned ‘next-door boy’ heroes, but somehow the problem is only there when it comes to women in the same category,” another user pointed out. One more commented, “Colouring a fair actress darker is just colourism,” while another wrote, “Just say it’s your choice—no need for intellectual explanations.”
16 April,2026 06:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-turned-politician Vijay has landed in legal trouble after Chennai Police registered cases against him and members of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), for allegedly conducting an unauthorised roadshow ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Vijay lands in legal trouble According to reports, multiple FIRs were filed at different police stations across Chennai, including areas like West Mambalam, Nungambakkam and Vepery. The cases relate to violations of election rules, particularly holding campaign roadshows without obtaining the required permissions from authorities. The incident is part of Vijay’s ongoing campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where his party is contesting independently across constituencies. His roadshows have been drawing massive crowds, often leading to challenges in crowd control and traffic management. Authorities have taken action citing breaches of the Model Code of Conduct, which regulates political campaigning during elections. Police officials stated that such permissions are mandatory to ensure public safety and maintain law and order, especially during large-scale gatherings involving popular figures like Vijay. This is not the first time TVK’s campaign activities have come under scrutiny. In recent weeks, several cases have reportedly been filed against party members and supporters for violations such as unauthorised rallies, traffic disruptions and defacement during campaign events. All about his political campaign Despite the legal issues, Vijay’s campaign continues to gain momentum, with strong public turnout and enthusiastic support from fans and party workers. His transition from cinema to politics has significantly reshaped the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, making him a key contender in the upcoming elections. The development highlights the increasing tensions and strict enforcement of election norms as the state heads closer to polling. With heightened scrutiny on all parties, authorities are closely monitoring campaign activities to ensure compliance with regulations. As the elections approach, Vijay and his party will need to navigate both political challenges and legal hurdles while maintaining their campaign momentum. Recently, during the elections rally, there were numerous instances that touched the fans hearts. Vijay not only stopped the rally for the injured couple but also addressed his fans and expressed gratitude for their support in his political journey.
16 April,2026 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
