Troubles don't seem to be ending for Vijay and his film Jana Nayagan. As the film struggles to obtain the censor certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and find a release date, a five-minute clip from the film has now leaked on social media. The clip from Vijay's final film has been circulated online, leaving the actor and politician's fans furious, demanding action. Jana Nayagan clip leaked The 5-minute clip leaked from Jana Nayagan reportedly consists of title credits and Vijay's introduction scene. The leaked clip is being shared on multiple social media platforms. Meanwhile, his fans have been tagging the production house, KVN Productions, urging them to take strict action against those who leaked the video, as well as those who are sharing it. From what appears in the clip, the video could have possibly been leaked from the edit table since a man can be seen pausing the video towards the end of the clip. Vijay's fans are also hinting at a conspiracy behind the leak. They have also urged fellow users on social media to refrain from sharing the video, warning that doing so could result in severe legal action. About Jana Nayagan Jana Nayagan was scheduled to release in theatres on January 9, but was postponed after the CBFC withheld the certificate, flagging certain scenes as potentially hurtful to public sentiment. Following a month-long legal trial with the CBFC, the makers of Jana Nayagan agreed to send the film to the revising committee after making the changes proposed. Notably, Jana Nayagan is Vijay's last film before he became a full-time politician. Even as the film remains with the revising committee, there is no clarity so far on whether it has been certified or not. It was earlier reported that a screening for the committee was cancelled after a member of the committee fell ill. It is believed that the film will now be cleared only after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are over. Vijay is contesting in the upcoming elections for his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagn is made on a massive budget of Rs 500 crore. It stars Thalapathy Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Menon, Prakash Raj, and Priyamani.
09 April,2026 09:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDulquer Salmaan’s production Lokah: Chapter 1 was among the biggest hits from the Malayalam film industry in 2025. The film, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, and Tovino Thomas, introduced a fantasy franchise mixed with Kerala folklore. The film found an audience not just in its native state but across India. The film will have four more parts. Now, Mammootty has spoken about his association with the film. Mammootty on Lokah In the first part of Lokah, the audience is introduced to a character called Moothon, who is considered to be powerful and takes the big calls. However, his face is never shown in the film, adding mystery to the plot. However, the character has dialogues and was voiced by none other than superstar Mammootty. This has got fans excited about how his character will be unravelled in the future instalments of Lokah. In a recent interaction with The Hollywood Reporter, Mammootty spoke about the film and his role in it. The actor revealed that for the first part, they only asked him to dub for the character of Moothon, and they used a body double for the scenes where the character was shot from behind. “No, no, they didn't tell me that I'm there. Initially, he did not come. His manager, his friend, asked me to give a voice. ‘Venda’ (‘No’)… that is the only thing I did. The hand used in the film is not mine. When the film came, only then did they say it is you and your hand. Now it has come under the responsibility of me to act.” He then playfully added, “Actually, they cheated me and did it. That's the story behind it.” Mammootty's next film Meanwhile, Mammootty will next be seen in the film Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan. The film has massive buzz as it brings him and Mohanlal together for a full-fledged film after nearly two decades. Apart from the Big Ms of Mollywood, the film also stars Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban, Dhanya Rajendran, and many more. The film will be released in theatres on May 1, 2026. When asked if he would be seen in the future instalments, Mammootty, in his trademark humour, said, “If they manage to convince me to play Moothon in the Lokah series, I will also have to convince them to agree to my fees!”
09 April,2026 06:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSilambarasan TR's much-awaited film Arasan has faced a new setback after the shooting came to a sudden halt. The film's shooting was halted due to an ongoing feud between Silambarasan and producer Ishari K Ganesh. About the conflict This conflict has been simmering since the actor's earlier film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, which was also produced by Ganesh. According to reports, Silambarasan reportedly took an advance of Rs 5 crore for a new project with Ganesh after Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. However, the new film never took off, and Silambarasan has been blamed for the delay. Now the conflict between the two has affected Arasan's shoot. Amid this, actor-director T Rajendar, father of Simbu, has openly questioned those who gave the order to stop the shooting. He said, "I am not here to argue on behalf of Arasan or Silambarasan. I am here only to point out that the Tamil Film Producers Council and FEFSI, who support this move, should not act unjustly." Rajendar also announced that he stood by Silambarasan in court against Ishari K Ganesh’s case, where the judgment was in favour of the actor. Earlier, the court ruled that the advance paid for the second film actually belonged to Silambarasan. Film bodies step in Now, the dispute has even escalated to an extent that film bodies like Nadigar Sangam and the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) have stepped in, causing Arasan's shoot to halt. T Rajendar even urged Nadigar Sangam and the South Indian Artistes’ Association to step in and come to his son’s rescue by helping find an amicable solution. He said, "During election season, is it right for anyone to take the law into their own hands and stop a film shoot even after a court judgment?" Meanwhile, T Rajendar has also pledged to meet the press soon to open up about the ongoing controversy. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding Arasan continues as the film is reportedly set to hit theatres during Diwali, with none other than Vijay Sethupathi playing a pivotal role. It was earlier reported that Tourist Family star Yogalakshmi could play Silambarasan’s love interest in Arasan.
09 April,2026 05:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Nayanthara, along with her husband and filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati district on Thursday, offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara. The celebrity couple also interacted and posed for photographs with fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars. Nayanthara and Vignesh seek blessings For the temple visit, Nayanthara chose a white churidar kurta suit paired with a dark green dupatta. Her hair was tied in a neat bun, complemented with a simple bindi and silver oxidised jhumki earrings. Vignesh Shivan complemented her look in a bright orange kurta set. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, situated atop the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills, is among India's most revered Hindu shrines. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, also known as Balaji, the centuries-old temple draws millions of devotees from across the country and abroad every year. Recent weeks have also seen several celebrity visits to the shrine. #WATCH | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: Film actress Nayanthara, with her husband Vignesh Shivan, offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. pic.twitter.com/h43kbAnHuK — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 On the professional front, Nayanthara has recently joined the cast of an upcoming Bollywood action film starring Salman Khan, directed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju. This marks the actress's second Bollywood project following her debut in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan (2023). Nayanthara surprises Vignesh The pre-release event for Vignesh Shivan’s upcoming film LIK was held in Chennai on Tuesday evening. The event was a much-awaited moment for fans, as Nayanthara, who rarely attends events, was supposed to join. The director joked that he “can’t afford” to invite her on stage. Given how rarely the actor attends film events, he got emotional when she surprised him. While addressing the audience, Vignesh revealed that Nayanthara was present backstage, supporting him quietly. He then added a witty remark that caught everyone’s attention. “As a wife and producer… I can’t afford to invite actress Nayanthara to an audio launch.” When the anchor remarked, “Sir, we are feeling nervous,” as they waited for confirmation from the actor, Vignesh added, “Don’t know if she has escaped. Sometimes she will leave after the event begins, so I don’t know what’s going on.” Moments later, Nayanthara walked onto the stage with a smile, catching both the audience and Vignesh by surprise. The director was visibly emotional as he hugged her for a long moment. She even rubbed his back to calm him down.
09 April,2026 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe much-loved Telugu blockbuster Race Gurram has returned to theatres on April 8, 2026, coinciding with celebrations around Allu Arjun’s birthday. The re-release has sparked excitement among fans, who are eager to experience the film once again on the big screen, this time in a remastered format. Race Gurram to re-release Amid the buzz, Shruti Haasan’s performance continues to stand out as one of the film’s most memorable aspects. Originally released in 2014, Race Gurram struck the perfect balance between action, comedy, and romance, emerging as a massive commercial success. While the film is often celebrated for its high-energy narrative and Allu Arjun’s screen presence, Shruti carved a space of her own with her portrayal of Spandana. Her charm, warmth, and effortless screen presence added a refreshing layer to the story. At a time when mainstream entertainers were largely male-driven, her role brought a certain dynamism that resonated with audiences. The re-release also aligns with the growing trend of nostalgia-driven cinema, where audiences are revisiting films that defined an era. Race Gurram, known for its engaging storytelling, music, and iconic moments, continues to enjoy strong recall value across generations. As audiences head back to theatres, Shruti's performance remains a key highlight, proving that impactful screen presence and timeless charm never go out of style. Raaka first look out on Allu Arjun's birthday In a landmark moment for one of the most anticipated cinematic collaborations, the makers officially confirmed the title of Allu Arjun's film with Atlee as "Raaka" on the superstar's birthday. Accompanying the title reveal is a striking title poster that offers a glimpse into the film's world - dark, intense, and creature-like in its visual tonality. The imagery sets the stage for a larger-than-life narrative, hinting at a universe that is both formidable and deeply intriguing. Positioned as a grand fantasy-action entertainer, Raaka is envisioned as a global cinematic spectacle, designed to resonate with audiences across markets. Allu Arjun is set to be seen in a never-before-seen avatar, marking a significant departure from his previous roles and showcasing him in a powerful, transformative light. Known for presenting his actors in a completely new dimension, filmmaker Atlee once again raises the bar, crafting what promises to be a defining role in the actor's career.
09 April,2026 03:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDhurandhar: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar, was released in theatres on March 19. The film has been breaking several box office records and is being widely praised. Amid this, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and actor Prabhas watched the film together. They took time off from the shoot of their film Spirit to watch the Ranveer Singh-starrer. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Prabhas watch Dhurandhar 2 Several visuals of Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga arriving at Allu Cinemas to watch the film are doing the rounds on social media. A picture of the theatre welcoming “Darling star” Prabhas was also shared online. 😔 sorry but tried my best #Prabhas https://t.co/gKwbT02JDv pic.twitter.com/5FI2Wjbc3q — LUFFY🤠 (@LUFFY_17_07) April 8, 2026 Earlier, Sandeep had praised Dhurandhar after watching the film in theatres in December. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to compliment Aditya Dhar’s film and the cast’s performances. “Dhurandhar is built like a man who doesn’t talk much and carries a masculine spine. The title fits because the film moves with dominance and fierceness. The depiction is very clear with zero chaos. Music, performances, screenplay, and direction are on top,” he wrote. The director added, “Akshaye Khanna sir and Ranveer erased into thin air and disappeared into their characters effortlessly. Thank you, Aditya, for making everyone experience the true weight of untold sacrifices.” Aditya also penned a note responding to Vanga’s post. He wrote, “Thank you, my dearest Sandeep. Coming from you, this means a great deal. I’ve always admired the fearlessness with which you stand by your cinema and your faith in unapologetic, masculine storytelling.” “Dhurandhar was shaped with sincerity, restraint, and conviction, your words give that journey its quiet validation. Grateful for voices like yours that keep Indian cinema honest, rooted, and strong. Two filmmakers, different paths, yet walking as brothers toward a stronger cinema and a braver tomorrow for our country. Cinema remembers the brave, not the agreeable,” he added. About Spirit Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for films like Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, is currently working on his next directorial titled Spirit. The film stars Prabhas and Triptii Dimri in the lead, with Vivek Oberoi playing the antagonist. The film is currently under production. Reportedly, Prabhas plays a cop in the film, and Vanga plans to develop it into a franchise. It must be noted that while Spirit marks Vanga’s first professional collaboration with Prabhas, he has previously worked with Triptii Dimri in Animal, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna.
09 April,2026 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelugu actress Sreeleela is facing backlash from a section of users on the internet over her recent remark on periods. The internet schooled the actress, who recently graduated with an MBBS degree and became a qualified doctor, calling her remarks insensitive. Sreeleela faces backlash for her remark At the Ustaad Bhagat Singh Success party, when asked about the biggest challenge and how she overcame it as a woman, the 24-year-old actress said that 'period is not an excuse' for women. She further added that emotional quotient (EQ) can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, while explaining that she sometimes pushes herself even when she feels vulnerable. Sreeleela said, "All of my songs, I can say, most of them at least have been appreciated. I have shot while I have been on my period, so that is not an excuse anywhere. When we want things in power, when we say we want things equally. I feel we have to push beyond physiological barriers. So psychological, physiological, all of this is not an excuse." Following her remark, many called her out over her 'insensitive' statement. One user wrote, "Surprised that being a doctor she is normalising this. Periods work differently for different bodies. Get that into your brain, lady." Meanwhile, another commented, "She seems like the kind of person who’d say, ‘Just take a deep breath, there’s so much air,’ to an asthma patient." A third user said, "What the actual f*ck. Just because you have energy during your period doesn’t mean everyone does. What a pick-me." "These words with an MBBS degree is a diabolical thing," another comment read. Sreela completed her MMBS Tollywood actress Sreeleela added another feather to her cap after graduating with an MBBS degree after 6 years of hard work in February 2026. Many photos and videos from the convocation ceremony at the DY Patil University in Mumbai surfaced on social media. Later, the actress compiled an emotional note on social media, looking back at her long yet fulfilling journey. Posting a couple of pictures from the graduation ceremony, Sreeleela wrote on her official Instagram handle, "A milestone. A journey-one that you were a part of, knowingly or unknowingly. A sacred space that became my serene escape from the facade... a place where I could simply be me. Your girl kept her promise. (sic)" She added that this journey was more than just about a degree. It was about "growth, faith, tears, and resilience". She also expressed her gratitude to all those who believed in her, saying, "To my family, my friends, and my work friends, especially for accommodating my exams and standing by me through the chaos-thank you from the bottom of my heart. To everyone who believed in me when I was still learning to believe in myself... thank you." She finally concluded by reintroducing herself as Dr Sreeleela. "So let me reintroduce myself to you... Yours lovingly, Dr. Sreeleela," she wrote.
08 April,2026 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTamil star and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay recently held a rally in Tirunelveli on Wednesday, April 8. The actor-politician is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election and is currently in full swing with political rallies. Ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, he addressed the ongoing controversies surrounding him, including his film Jana Nayagan's censorship issues, his divorce from his wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam, and rumours of his relationship with Trisha Krishnan at the rally. The actor-politician claimed that all his recent troubles have been caused by his political opponents. Vijay's speech at the Tirunelveli rally Videos of Vijay’s explosive speech at Tirunelveli are doing the rounds on social media. In one of the clips, he says, “They only know one thing: to blame Vijay. The whole place knows about the Karur issue, but why not blame Vijay for it? Even though such heavy blame is placed on Vijay, the people stand by him. What is this miracle?” “Okay, what else can we do next? Let’s stop Jana Nayagan. You know who blocked this film from releasing. When that didn’t work, let’s make up new rules for Vijay and levy SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). He should not come out and meet people,” he added. Vijay says that despite their efforts, he persevered even when they began targeting his personal life. “When that also didn’t work, they waited till 30 days before the election to spread rumours about those close to me. You know what I’m talking about, that didn't work too. No matter how many trials and pains you put me through, you can’t separate me from the people,” he said, referring to his divorce from Sangeeta. Vijay takes a dig at CM Stalin Similarly, while talking about his personal front, Vijay also took a dig at Chief Minister MK Stalin. Calling the DMK-ruled government a "cash box alliance," he claimed that they built the coalition on "looted funds." Further referring to the ruling government as a "caretaker government," Vijay alleged that they lack real authority. He concluded his speech saying, "For others, this may just be an election, but for those in the TVK, it is an emotion."
08 April,2026 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe plot of Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s upcoming film, Varanasi, helmed by SS Rajamouli, has seemingly leaked online. While the curiosity and buzz surrounding the film set to release one year from now continues to build up, the VFX company, Cinesite, working on SS Rajamouli’s film, recently uploaded a synopsis of the film without revealing too many details about the project. The synopsis has since gone viral across social media platforms. Varanasi plot leaked The synopsis on Cinesite’s website reads, “A Shiva devotee embarks on a perilous quest across time to uncover a lost cosmic artefact of immense power. As he pieces together ancient secrets hidden through centuries, he realises the truth behind his mission, the very force that set him on this path is a calculating mastermind with a vision of absolute global domination. Forever. Unveiled." Meanwhile, an earlier report by Bollywood Hungama suggested that the upcoming epic action-adventure could be split into two films, like Dhurandhar, to accommodate its expansive narrative. If finalised, Varanasi will have a storytelling approach similar to what Rajamouli executed with Baahubali, which paved the way for multi-part franchise films. A source close to the development told the publication, “Three hours-plus would not be enough for Varanasi. They are looking at extending it into a two-part format. Rajamouli and his team feel this extended format would afford them the liberty to tell a more expanded story without looking anxiously at the clock." About Varanasi Varanasi is directed by SS Rajamouli and written by Vijayendra Prasad and SS Rajamouli. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles. The makers have recreated an elaborate version of the city of Varanasi in Hyderabad. According to reports, the large sets, including a replica of the Ratneshwar Mahadev temple, have been built to bring authenticity to the story. Additionally, a full-scale temple structure has also been constructed for sequences set in the past and will later be submerged underwater to depict scenes from the present timeline. With a budget of Rs 1,000–1,300 crore, Varanasi is set to become one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The film is scheduled to be theatrically released on April 7, 2027.
08 April,2026 05:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor and Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan’s wife, recently revealed that their younger son, Mark Shankar Pawanovich, almost lost his life in a fire accident at his Singapore school a year ago to this date. Anna Lezhneva took to her Instagram to celebrate the 22nd birthday of his eldest son, Akira Nandan. She also took the opportunity to celebrate her 8-year-old son, Mark, on what she believes is his second birthday. Pawan Kalyan’s wife reveals Mark almost died in school fire Anna began her note by celebrating Akira's birthday, writing, “Today is an emotional day for our family. It’s Akira’s birthday. We are so proud of the man he’s becoming. A deep thinker, a curious learner, and so kind." She further added, "And it’s also one year since the fire where Mark nearly lost his life. Today, we celebrate both our boys. But for Mark, it feels like his 2nd birthday.” She went on to reveal that one child lost thier life in the incident and the investigation in the case is still ongoing. She wrote, “One year later, the investigation is still ongoing. We still don’t know who is responsible for the loss of little Freya, who was only 10… and for the 18 children who were hospitalised. Some children still need surgeries. Their burns were too deep.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anna Konidala (@anna.konidala) Anna further recalled what she felt like to watch Mark struggle to breathe after his lungs were damaged, “By God’s grace, Mark survived. His lungs were damaged, but today he is okay. He is here, and that is everything. I still remember sitting by his hospital bed, watching him struggle to breathe. No mother should ever go through that," she added. Pawan Kalyan's wife also thanked the construction workers who saved 15 children before the firefighters arrived. She concluded the note saying, “Please stay safe. Have a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket at home - and I pray you never have to use it.” Singapore school fire accident For the unversed, on April 8, 2025, a fire broke out at a shophouse on River Valley Road in Singapore. Pawan's son Mark was one of the children and adults injured in the fire. Mark was soon rushed to the hospital, where he was admitted to the emergency ward after suffering burns and smoke inhalation. Following a brief hospitalisation, he was discharged and later returned to India on April 13. After his return, Pawan had revealed that Mark was away at summer camp when the incident occurred. “Following the unfortunate fire incident at my son Mark Shankar’s summer camp in Singapore, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, concern, and support from all over the world,” he wrote back then. Anna even tonsured her hair in Tirumala after Mark was out of danger. For the unversed, Pawan has four children, two children, Akira Nandan and Aadya, with his ex-wife Renu Desai and Polena Anjana Pawanova and Mark with Anna.
08 April,2026 04:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe pre-release event for Vignesh Shivan’s upcoming film Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) was held in Chennai on Tuesday evening. The event was a much-awaited moment for fans, as Nayanthara, who rarely attends events, was supposed to join. The director joked that he “can’t afford” to invite her on stage. Given how rarely the actor attends film events, he got emotional when she surprised him. Vignesh Shivan reveals he can’t afford Nayanthara While addressing the audience, Vignesh revealed that Nayanthara was present backstage, supporting him quietly. He then added a witty remark that caught everyone’s attention. “As a wife and producer… I can’t afford to invite actress Nayanthara to an audio launch.” When the anchor remarked, “Sir, we are feeling nervous,” as they waited for confirmation from the actor, Vignesh added, “Don’t know if she has escaped. Sometimes she will leave after the event begins, so I don’t know what’s going on.” #LIK -;#Nayanthara appears for an Audio Launch function, after a long time, just because for #VigneshShivan ❤️ pic.twitter.com/R6cdrCWE3J — AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) April 7, 2026 Moments later, Nayanthara walked onto the stage with a smile, catching both the audience and Vignesh by surprise. The director was visibly emotional as he hugged her for a long moment. She even rubbed his back to calm him down. About Vignesh Shivan’s film His upcoming sci-fi film, Love Insurance Kompany aka LIK, features Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty in lead roles. Gouri Kishan, Yogi Babu, Seeman, Shah Ra, Mysskin, Anandaraj, and Sunil Reddy are part of the supporting cast. The film is all set to hit theatres on April 10 after multiple delays. About Vignesh and Nayanthara Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara’s relationship goes back several years. The two began dating after working together on Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in 2015. They got married in a private ceremony in Mahabalipuram in June 2022. Later that year, in October, they announced the birth of their twins through surrogacy. During the promotions of the film, Vignesh spoke about being married to superstar Nayanthara and being known by her identity in public. He addressed claims that Nayanthara might be overshadowing him in his career. “There is nothing of that sort. When we think like that, we can’t move forward in life. In relationships like father-son, brothers, and husband and wife, there is no concept of ‘overshadowing’,” he explained.
08 April,2026 03:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
