The makers of director Anil Ravipudi's commercial entertainer, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, featuring actors Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara in the lead, on Sunday released the eagerly awaited trailer of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Actor Chiranjeevi took to his X timeline to share the link to the trailer of the film. He wrote, "Let’s celebrate this Sankranthi with ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru.Enjoy the MSGTrailer. See you all in theatres on Jan 12th!" The trailer begins with a sequence showing Shankara Vara Prasad (Chiranjeevi) as a fearless law enforcement officer. He is seen taking down anybody who is a criminal, unmindful of the powerful positions they hold. The trailer then shows this powerful officer meeting a dynamic lady called Sasi (Nayanthara). They fall in love and become a family. The trailer gives the impression that Sasi has the upper hand in the family and that Shankara Vara Prasad is eager to please her. There is one scene in which Sasi tells Shankara Vara Prasad to "behave"!. He retorts initially in anger, only to soften and plead with her to scold him in private instead of scolding him in public. Let’s celebrate this Sankranthi with #ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru 🤗Enjoy the #MSGTrailer https://t.co/P8RMdIkEfXSee you all in theatres on Jan 12th! pic.twitter.com/Or65v5Qbo2 — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) January 4, 2026 Towards the end of the trailer, Venkatesh makes an appearance. He arrives through a helicopter and is received by Chiranjeevi, who asks him, "You look like a family man but you make a mass entry!" Venkatesh replies, "You look like the boss of mass and yet, haven't you come become a family man?" For the unaware, Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi, two of Telugu cinema's top stars, have for the first time ever worked together in director Anil Ravipudi's much-awaited mass family entertainer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. It may be recalled that the makers of the film filmed a song number featuring Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh together. Sources close to the unit had said the stylish dance number on Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh was shot in Gachibowli. Interestingly, it will be for the first time ever that Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh will be seen shaking a leg together in a grand celebration number. The two top stars will be seen dancing to Bheems Ceciroleo's perfect dance number with electrifying beats, sources had claimed and added that the song featured over 500 dancers, who had turned the set into a carnival of colour, rhythm, and vibe while the song was being shot. The sources had also pointed out that the explosive energy, nonstop cheers, and magical camaraderie between the two stars in the dance number were likely to make it a favourite of fans and movie buffs. The film, which was initially referred to as Mega157, has triggered huge expectations, as after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Godfather, Nayanthara will be seen sharing screen space with Chiranjeevi for the third time in this film. Backed by producers Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela under Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments, with Smt. Archana, presenting the film, boasts top-tier technical talent. Bheems Ceciroleo has been entrusted with the task of scoring music for this eagerly awaited entertainer, while Sameer Reddy has been appointed cinematographer. Editing for the film is by Tammiraju and A S Prakash, its art director. S Krishna is the executive producer of the film, the story of which has been co-written by S Krishna and G Adi Narayana. The film is scheduled to release on January 12 for Sankranti 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 January,2026 04:17 PM IST | Hyderabad | IANSThe makers of the actor Sivakarthikeyan's upcoming movie Parasakthi have finally released the trailer, offering a glimpse into a politically charged story centred on Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition. Written and directed by Sudha Kongara, the film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa and Sreeleela in the lead roles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SunTV (@suntv) The three-minute and sixteen-second trailer opens with Sivakarthikeyan's face-off with Ravi Mohan on the rooftop of the train. In the film, Sivakarthikeyan portrayed a grounded character as a coal tosser at the Indian Railways. The trailer highlights the raging protests against the Central Government for the Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu. Atharvaa Murali plays the younger brother of Sivakarthikeyan's character, whose decision to join the agitation initially creates tension within the family. Sivakarthikeyan delivers a strong performance, with impactful dialogue and playful chemistry with Sreeleela. Sun TV shared the trailer on its Instagram handle. The movie will be facing competition with Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayangan, which is slated to release in theatres on January 9, 2026. Jana Nayagan is directed by H Vinoth and features music by Anirudh Ravichander. Venkat K Narayana produces the film under the banner of KVN Productions. 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
05 January,2026 03:42 PM IST | Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | ANIA few days after turning 86, renowned Tamil producer Saravanan Surya Mani, better known as AVM Saravanan or just M Saravanan, passed away on December 4, 2025. On Sunday, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan were present during the installation of his portrait at Chennai's AV Meiyappan Higher Secondary School. When discussing the veteran, Rajinikanth became emotional. Rajinikanth broke down in tears Rajinikanth broke down in tears as he talked about his lengthy history with Saravanan and AVM Studios at the Virugambakkam ceremony.“I have done 11 films with him. Saravanan was someone who delivered many successes while sitting right there in his office. Beyond cinema, he was very close to me personally,” he said. Rajinikanth also disclosed the guidance he still adheres to from the seasoned producer. He advised me to be occupied as I grew older following Sivaji (2007). He suggested that I make at least one movie annually. I still follow that advice," he remarked. "Time tends to take away people we like, respect, and love quickly," the actor remarked with sadness. He further went on to add, "You feel orphaned when such people depart, regardless of how wealthy, well-known, or well-connected you are. May Saravanan Sir's soul rest in peace. He was a great man." Kamal Hassan shares an emotional tribute Kamal Haasan was also emotional and spoke highly of Saravanan, he shared, “If I am called a Sakalakala Vallavan (master of many arts), then he (AVM Saravanan) too was a Sakalakala Vallavan. I feel great pride in being closely associated with the AVM family. I thank them for giving me that honour.” Like Rajinikanth, he acknowledged that the lessons he learned at the AVM institution still help him now. "The AVM Higher Secondary School was not constructed at that time. I would have studied here if it had been. He never yelled at me when I made mistakes, but he encouraged and praised me when I performed well. That was AVM Saravanan", he said. Saravanan and AVM Studios are responsible for Rajinikanth and Kamal's success. In 1980, the producer and his brother M Balasubramanian placed a wager on Rajinikanth and starred him with Rati Agnihotri in Murattu Kaalai, the banner's debut movie. The movie was crucial in making Rajinikanth a superstar. As a young actor in the 1960 movie Kalathur Kannamma, Kamal also started his career with the studios. He received the President's Gold Medal (National Award for Best Child Actor) for the movie.
05 January,2026 01:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalayalam actor and production controller Kannan Pattambi died on Sunday night at the age of 62. The veteran passed away at around 11:40 pm on January 4, 2026. He was reportedly undergoing treatment for a kidney-related ailment at a private hospital in Kozhikode before he succumbed. The news of his death was confirmed by his brother, Major Ravi, who is also a filmmaker and actor in Malayalam cinema Kannan Pattambi dies, brother Major Ravi confirms his death Major Ravi took to social media to confirm the sad news of his younger brother's demise. Taking to Facebook, he shared a photo of Kannan. In the caption, he confirmed his death and he wrote, “My dear brother, Kannan Pattambi, who was a film production controller, passed away at 11:41 PM last night. The funeral will be held at Pattambi's home in Njangattiri today at 4 PM. My younger brother, Kannan Pattambi, has left for his heavenly abode. Om Shanti.” About Kannan Pattambi Kannan Pattambi was an active part of the Malayalam film industry for several years. In his career, he worked both as a production controller and as an actor. He was the brother of Major Ravi, a former Indian Army officer who later chose to become a filmmaker. Ravi is best known for making films based on military and national security themes. The two brothers collaborated on several projects, which were produced or directed by Ravi. One of the notable films wherein they joined hands was Mission 90 Days, which was based on Major Ravi’s personal experiences during the investigation into the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Kannan Pattambi was reportedly was involved in the production of the film. Meanwhile, Kannan Pattambi also worked on multiple films starring superstar Mohanlal. These include Pulimurugan, which went on to become the first Malayalam film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office. Additionally, Kannan’s filmography boasts of 23 Malayalam films, including 12th Man, Karam Yodha, Kurukshetra, Black and Vettam. In addition to acting, Kannan also served as the production controller for the 2010 film Kandahar, which starred Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan.
05 January,2026 11:09 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay’s final film before he steps down from acting, Jana Nayagan, is all set to hit the screens this Pongal. Naturally, after the actor announced his retirement after a 33-year-long and illustrious career, the excitement among fans for his last film is at an all-time high. However, the movie is set for an intense box office clash with Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi, releasing around the same time, which has seemingly not gone well with the fans. Vijay fans destroy Parasakthi posters As the two movies set to face a box office clash, Vijay’s fans have been left upset. Recently, they displayed their anger by tearing posters of Sivakarthikeyan’s film outside Ritzy Cinemas in Madurai during the Jana Nayagan trailer screening. ஜனநாயகன் ட்ரைலர் வெளியிட்ட திரையரங்கில் இருந்த பராசக்தி பேனரை கிழித்த விஜய் ரசிகர்கள்.ஒரு படம் கூட வருரதையே இவனுங்களால பொறுத்துக்க முடியல நாளைக்கு இவனுங்க என்னெல்லாம் செய்வானுங்க 😡#Parasakthi#JanaNayaganTrailer pic.twitter.com/LP3sndPy5y — மெட்ராஸ் பையன் (@madraspaiyanda) January 4, 2026 Several videos of fans tearing down Parasakthi posters and throwing them on the ground have surfaced, showing the devotion of Vijay’s fans. Meanwhile, it has even sparked conversations on social media. An X user shared the video and questioned why Vijay’s fans couldn’t “tolerate even a single film clash" with his releases. The user also speculated on their reaction when he officially enters politics. Fans chant TVK slogans at Parasakthi event Similarly, other videos from a pre-release event of Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi have also emerged showing numerous Vijay fans taking over several seats at the venue. Videos show them with their flashlights on as they chant slogans of Viajy's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), even before the event has begun. During the event, when Sivakarthikeyan addressed Parasakthi’s clash with Jana Nayagan’s, the fans continued hooting while they cheered whenever he took the actor-politician’s name. Several fans have even posted the videos on social media, challenging Sivakarthikeyan’s fans that they will take over Pongal. H Vinoth’s Jana Nayagan and Sudha Kongara’s Parasakthi are releasing a day apart. While Jana Nayagan releases on January 9, Parasakthi is set for a January 10 release on the occasion of Pongal. Notably, Vijay’s final film was initially expected to be released during Diwali 2025, while Sivakarthikeyan’s film was scheduled to hit screens on January 14. However, the release dates of both films were moved, causing a clash. Sivakarthikeyan said that he had attempted to postpone his film’s release date; however, it would be released as planned and that they have taken Vijay’s consent on the same.
05 January,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMarathi cinema just had its global mic-drop moment. Dilip Prabhavalkar’s Dashavatar (2025) has entered the Oscars contention list, making it the first Marathi film to do so — and that’s no small feat. Rooted in Indian mythology yet told with universal themes, the film’s journey from regional favourite to international hopeful has set tongues wagging across film circles. The achievement has sparked fresh conversations about regional stories finally getting their due on the world stage, beyond subtitles and sidebars. While the final nominations are still awaited, Dashavatar’s presence alone signals a quiet shift: Indian cinema’s global ambitions are no longer limited to Hindi films — and that’s something worth celebrating.
05 January,2026 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamBigg Boss Marathi 3 runner-up and actor Jay Dudhane was recently arrested at Mumbai airport in an alleged Rs 5 crore fraud case. He has been accused of selling a commercial property to multiple buyers using fake documents, which has, in turn, caused significant financial losses to the potential customers. According to reports, the arrest comes just 10 days after his marriage to his longtime girlfriend, content creator Harshala Patil. He has now reacted to the arrest Jay Dudhane breaks silence on arrest in Rs 5 crore fraud case Jay has broken his silence on the shocking allegations against him. He denied all claims, stating that he is not afraid. He also claimed that the entire matter has been twisted in dishonest ways. After being arrested, Jay, while sitting in a police van, spoke to the media. He allegedly told TV9 that many people advised him to wear a mask to cover his face; however, he chose not to, noting that he is ready to face the situation and has complete faith in the judicial system. Reacting to the Rs 5 crore property fraud allegation about selling one shop to multiple people and cheating them, Jay stated the claim was laughable. Jay said, "Honestly, I was shocked... If anyone has proof, let them present it. It's unbelievable because the agreement has already been executed, and it would be impossible for one shop to be sold to multiple people. If it’s true, then prove it." Talking about Jay's arrest, the actor said that he was travelling abroad with his wife, Harshala Patil, his brother, and his sister-in-law for their honeymoon after 10 days of marriage. He also noted that he was unaware that there was an LOC (lookout circular) issued against his name. He said, "At the airport, during immigration, I was informed that I cannot leave the country. When I realised this, I fully cooperated with the authorities and will continue to do so with all procedures." Jay Dudhane's arrest In a video shared by Zee24Taas, Jay can be dressed in a white shirt at the Thane police station, surrounded by several police officers. According to Pune Mirror, members of Jay's family, including his mother, sister, grandmother, and grandfather, were also questioned in connection with the FIR filed in the fraud case against him. Jay has been accused of selling a commercial property to multiple buyers using fake documents. This has allegedly caused significant financial losses to the potential customers.
04 January,2026 08:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAllu Arjun and Sneha Reddy's simple outing recently turned into an out-of-hand situation on Saturday evening as they were mobbed by fans at Cafe Niloufer in Hyderabad. After the opening of Allu Cinemas, the couple was seen visiting the cafe, where they were spotted by fans. Arjun had to hold Sneha close and request fans to move back as they crowded around them for selfies. Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy mobbed Numerous videos have been shared by fans who spotted Arjun and Sneha at the cafe on Saturday evening. In one of the videos, they are seen getting mobbed inside the cafe, as the actor's security tries to control the crowd. The management of the cafe can be seen holding the doors open as an uneasy Arjun holds Sneha close by her hand. The two can be seen struggling to pass through the crowd. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bunny Srikanth (@bunnysrikanthonline) The crowd seemingly followed them even after they left the area. A massive crowd can be seen pushing and shoving each other in an attempt to click pictures and videos of the couple near their car. Arjun and his security can be seen requesting some of the fans to move aside so his wife can pass through. Once Sneha is safe inside the car, Arjun is seen taking a moment to wave and greet the fans. Allu cinema hall opening Earlier on Saturday evening, the actor was seen attending the soft opening of Allu Cinemas in Kokapet, Hyderabad. He was seen posing with his son Ayaan at the event. The cinema hall reportedly supports the Dolby Cinema format and is expected to officially open around Sankranti. Producer SKN, who wasalso present at the launch, shared on social media, “Happy to be a part of tech check of AlluCinemas. It’s gonna be the Next ICONIC spot in Hyderabad. Incredible picture quality and sound is top notch. Super happy to Know that this is ASIA’s No 1 and Worlds 2nd biggest DolbyCinema. Watched rajasaabmovie PushpaMovie Varanasi F1 Ramanayna trailers. Thrilling experience. Dear Hyd Get ready for the astonishing visual experience." The theatre reportedly had a mural inside the theatre featuring Allu Arjun’s grandfather Allu Ramalingaiah, father Allu Aravind and uncle Chiranjeevi.
04 January,2026 05:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLegendary Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja continues to remain under medical care. He was hospitalised late last month. Now the doctors have confirmed that his condition is stable and improving although he continues to be in the ICU. The hospital shared that they have been treating the veteran director in an official statement addressing concerns and dismissing false reports surrounding his health. Doctors share update on Bharathiraja's hospitalisation Filmmaker Bharathiraja was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Aminjikkarai, Chennai, on December 27, 2025, after he complained of breathing difficulties. In the following days, several reports emerged claiming that the filmmaker had passed away. This led to the hospital releasing a detailed medical update. In its bulletin, the hospital stated, “Mr Bharathiraja, renowned movie director, is presently admitted at MGM Healthcare, Aminjikkarai, following complaints of breathlessness. He is receiving appropriate medical care in the intensive care unit. His clinical condition is stable, and he continues to be under close monitoring by our team of medical experts. With appropriate support, his vital parameters remain within normal limits. He is responding satisfactorily to the ongoing treatment. Further updates will be communicated as and when deemed necessary." As per reports, the director had been struggling with respiratory issues prior to his admission. The Times of India had earlier reported that Bharathiraja had been living in Malaysia for the past few months for treatment. He was reportedly living with his daughter during that period. The filmmaker had recently returned to Chennai before being hospitalised. Bharathiraja lost his son The health scare comes after the filmmaker lost his son, actor-director Manoj Bharathiraja, who passed away at the age of 48. Manoj died following a cardiac arrest in March 2025. The loss had reportedly taken a significant emotional toll on the director's well-being. Bharathiraja’s brother Jayaraj Periyamayathevar shared details about his brother's emotional state in a recent interview saying, “Anna (elder brother) has been unwell for a few months now. He has not been able to cope with the loss of his son. He often looks at Manoj’s photos and breaks down. We even took him to Malaysia, hoping a change of place would console and heal him. But even there, his thoughts kept returning to his late son. Despite all the fame and money, he is unable to come to terms with this loss. He is slowly drifting away from his old memories." Bharathiraja is widely known as one of the most influential figures in Tamil cinema. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry during the 1970s and 1980s, wherein he introduced a new wave of realistic storytelling. His celebrated filmography includes films such as 16 Vayathinile, Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Sigappu Rojakkal, Nizhalgal, Alaigal Oivathillai, Mudhal Mariyathai and Kizhakku Cheemayile, and others. The filmmaker last helmed the film Meendum Oru Mariyathai in 2020. In recent years, he has also appeared as an actor. His latest on-screen role was in Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum (2025), starring Mohanlal and Shobana.
04 January,2026 03:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThalapathy Vijay’s last film, Jana Nayagan, is making noise for quite some time. However, it has found itself in hot waters for the wrong reasons. After the trailer was released, some eagle-eyed fans spotted the Gemini AI logo watermark. The discovery has led to criticism online, with many calling it embarrassing and disrespectful, while slamming the makers. Fans spot AI logo in Jana Nayagan trailer The 2-minute-52-second trailer premiered on YouTube in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and garnered millions of views within hours of its release. However, a detail in the trailer appeared to go unnoticed by many until a few netizens pointed it out on social media. Soon after the trailer dropped, social media users pointed out a brief visual at the 00:23-second mark, where a man holding a machine gun appears on screen. In the shot, the Gemini AI logo was clearly visible at the bottom-right corner, suggesting that artificial intelligence may have been used for the visual. 😭😭 Could've atleast hired some good editors and blurred the starAI-Nayagan !! ??#JanaNayaganTrailer pic.twitter.com/fOBHNCv1Ip — ⛏️𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙕_𝙏𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨⛏️ (@genZ_Tigers) January 3, 2026 The detail went viral, with many movie lovers expressing disappointment. Interestingly, by Sunday morning (January 4), the Gemini logo was no longer visible in the trailer, indicating that the makers may have quietly replaced or corrected the visual. Fans’ reaction to AI logo spotting After the glitch came into cognizance, despite the correction, the trailer faced massive trolling on Reddit and Twitter. A Reddit user wrote, "Hate it when people try to find the easier path rather than fighting and working for it… directors like this need their jobs taken away by AI." A Twitter user wrote, “Using Google Gemini AI shots in the trailer even without removing the logo is shocking!! Using AI for such simple shots is alarming & raising doubts on filmmaking standards!!” “Using Gemini AI for remake movie too,” commented a person. “Such a rookie mistake, team of JanaNayaganTrailer. Who is the editor lmfao.” Another wrote, "400-crore budget, but what is this, man?” Despite the flak, the anticipation for the film remains high as it will be Vijay's last release before he becomes a full-time politician with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. About Jana Nayagan Directed by H. Vinoth, the project enjoys a promising ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, and Narain in significant roles, along with others. The film is set to hit theatres on January 9, 2026, just ahead of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. The trailer of the film was released on January 3. It features Vijay as a fearless police officer taking on Bobby Deol’s tyrannical character in a high-intensity political action drama.
04 January,2026 11:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe much anticipated trailer for Jana Nayagan has finally been unveiled, giving fans a powerful glimpse of Thalapathy Vijay in what is being described as his final film before he fully steps into politics. The trailer has already generated massive buzz, with viewers praising its intense tone, strong political undertones and Vijay’s commanding screen presence. Vijay is set to end Bobby Deol's tyranny in Jana Nayagan In the trailer, Vijay is introduced as a fearless police officer who refuses to bow down to corruption and injustice. His character is shown standing firmly against an oppressive system, vowing to bring an end to the reign of terror unleashed by the antagonist, played by Bobby Deol. Bobby’s character appears ruthless and dominant, setting up a gripping face off between the two. Vijay’s dialogues reflect determination, courage and a deep sense of responsibility toward the people, reinforcing the film’s title, which positions him as a leader of the masses. Packed with high energy action sequences, the trailer showcases Vijay taking on powerful enemies, engaging in intense confrontations and leading from the front. Alongside the action, emotional moments are also woven in, highlighting the personal cost of his fight for justice. The visuals hint at a narrative that blends political drama with mass entertainment, something that has long been associated with Vijay’s films. The film stars Pooja Hegde as the female lead, while the supporting cast includes Prakash Raj, Gautham Menon, Priyamani, Narain, Mamitha Baiju and several others in key roles. Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan marks his collaboration with Vijay for the first time. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, whose background score in the trailer adds to the intensity and emotional weight of the story. All about Jana Nayagan Set against a politically charged backdrop, the film is being closely watched as Vijay’s cinematic farewell. With his growing involvement in public life, Jana Nayagan carries added emotional significance for fans who see the film as both an entertainer and a symbolic goodbye. Scheduled for a theatrical release during the Pongal season in January 2026, Jana Nayagan is expected to release in multiple languages, reaching audiences beyond Tamil cinema. With its powerful premise, strong performances and Vijay in a larger than life role, the film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
03 January,2026 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
